Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Silk Road Maritime Association offers solutions for global shipping sector 09:07, September 09, 2024 By Tao Mingyang ( Global Times The 6th Silk Road Maritime International Cooperation Forum. (Photo: Courtesy of Silk Road Maritime Association) The Silk Road Maritime Association (SRMA), based in East China's Fujian Province, unveiled its achievements in exploring the global sea shipping market as well as its development strategies, during an industry forum over the weekend, as participating foreign officials said that China's leading capability in the sector will help them build their own logistics networks. During the 6th Silk Road Maritimes International Cooperation Forum held from Saturday to Sunday, the SRMA unveiled the 14th batch of sea shipment routes that it had named. The overseas ports of Greece's Piraeus Port and the UAE's Abu Dhabi Port were among the first routes to be named. "The Belt and Road Initiative [BRI] has already proven to be a cornerstone of China-Serbia cooperation, and the future is filled with potential for continued growth," Danijel Nikolic, assistant secretary-general of the government of the Republic of Serbia, told the Global Times during the forum. He noted that the forum offers a unique platform to enhance robust bilateral ties between Serbia and China, particularly in the fields of trade and logistics. As China's first maritime shipment-centered international logistics services platform under the BRI, set up six years ago, the SRMA now boasts a total of 132 name-bearing sea shipment routes, connecting 145 sea ports across 46 countries and regions, consisting of more than 340 members. The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority became a member of the SRMA in 2023. Mark Kofi Cobblah, director of the Public Enterprises Secretariat under Ghana's Ministry of Public Enterprises, told the Global Times that by joining the association, Ghana seeks to enhance its connectivity and make its maritime network denser. Just like the China-proposed BRI, Africa has also launched a Pan-African vision named the African Continental Free Trade Agreement with its headquarters based in Accra, Ghana. Cobblah noted that the initiative can only be pushed forward with sound infrastructure and trade connectivity, and China's leading ports and shipping industry may provide effective facilitation. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Oppenheimer was the sale topper at the 2024 Goshen Yearling Sale, which took place on Monday, Sept. 9 at the Mark Ford Training Center in Middletown, New York. Selling as Hip 50, Oppenheimer was purchased for $77,027 ($57,000 USD) by Ray Schnittker of Middletown, New York. Consigned by Cameo Hills Farm, the New York-bred trotting colt by Chapter Seven is the sixth foal out of Bambino Supreme, a Broadway Hall sister to world champion stallion Six Pack ($1,973,661 - 1:49.1). Acoustic Blue Chip, Hip 49, wasn't far behind as he garnered a bid of $72,973 ($54,000 USD). The Devious Man-Tangible Blue Chip colt was purchased by Jared Bako of Wallkill, New York from the Blue Chip Farms consignment. A pair of yearlings sold for $67,568 ($50,000 USD) with both of those fillies, Say Goodnight, Hip 27, and Tin Roof Rusted, Hop 41, purchased by David Hamm of Dagsboro, Delaware. Consigned by Cameo Hills Farm, the Papi Rob Hanover filly Say Goodnight is the eighth foal out of New Jersey Sire Stakes champion One Last Kiss, who has produced four $100,000+ earners. Say Goodnight is a half-sibling to Last Gunfighter ($444,305 - 1:49f), Kiss Me Onthebeach ($321,750 - 1:48.3f), All Night Party ($238,445 - 1:50.3f) and Gone Before Dawn ($113,192 - 1:51.4f). Sired by Huntsville, Tin Roof Rusted is the third foal out of the Rock N Roll Heaven mare Shepulledthegoalie and a full sister to I Was Tricked ($110,640 - 1:50.4f). She was consigned by Leatherstocking Equine. In total, 82 yearlings sold for a total of $1,624,486 ($1,202,120 USD). The average price was $19,810 ($14,660 USD), marking an 18 per cent decrease compared to last year's Goshen Yearling Sale average price. Cameo Hills was once again the top consignor of the sale, selling a total of 42 yearlings from their farm and as an agent for a total of $838,783 ($620,700 USD), with an average of $19,970 ($14,778 USD). We want to thank everyone who attended our sale, and a special thanks to everyone who inspected and bid on our yearlings," said Mark Ford. "We wish you the best of racing luck with your new purchases. We would also like to thank all our consignors who made this sale such a big success and our auctioneers and staff, whose hard work is the reason we are able to do this each year. We look forward to doing it again next year." For complete sale results, click here. IMPORTANT LINKS (Standardbred Canada with files from Goshen Yearling Sale) Howmac Maximus and Damian MacLellan will try to take charge of the Tuesday evening featured event at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway. The Prince County oval has a 14-dash presentation starting at 6 p.m., with the evening's top class scheduled as Race 13 with an estimated post time of 9:36 p.m. Summerside Raceway will celebrate National Caretaker Appreciation Day with prize draws and broadcast highlights to caretakers presented by Standardbred Canada, Red Shores, P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association and Prince County Horsemens Club. The $3,600 top class has Howmac Maximus back in action after his triumph in the $10,000 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Graduate Series Gold final, presented by Kays Wholesale, on Aug. 31 at Red Shores Charlottetown. MacLellan will drive the son of Articulator from post four for trainer Tammy Collings and owner Brett MacDonald of Freelton, Ont. Tony Too Tall has taken on the Invitational ranks this season and has post six in the Tuesday evening feature field for trainer Trevor Hicken and driver Myles Heffernan Sr. Rockin In Heaven four-year-old Brookdale Johnny (Paul Langille), from the Phil Sizer barn, has post three after scoring four wins in his last six starts. Also in the top event are Three Trick Gainer (David Dowling), Sauble Attack (Ken Murphy) and Woodmere Ideal Art (Jason Hughes). The Backstretch Beat likes Howmac Maximus to win: Howmac Maximus was an impressive front-end winner in the P.E.I. Colt Stakes Graduate Series final with a nice quarter leaving and a nice closing panel. Young MacLellan has been throwing up some solid numbers in the race bike this season and we think he can get the job done today in the Red Shores Summerside feature. Unbridled Fury will make her P.E.I., debut in race six for trainer/driver Dowling from post three. The $2,750 event has the three-year-old daughter of Fear The Dragon moving into the ownership of Ken Graham of Kensington, P.E.I., and Brittany Dowling of Springvale, P.E.I. She had been racing at Scioto Downs in Ohio. The maiden class in race four has a pair of new Ontario pacers shipping in with post four starter Brookdale J Mac (Langille), who last raced at Georgian Downs, and post five starter Jack Tar Moxie (Norris Rogers), who made both his career starts at Kawartha Downs in Peterborough. To view Tuesday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Tuesday Entries - Summerside Raceway. (With files from Red Shores) The Marion Town Council declined to heed a citizens recommendation and ask for Town Manager Bill Rushs resignation Tuesday night. The request came from Marion resident and businessman Joe Naff, who has long maintained an adversarial relationship with Rush. Naff asked to be allowed to address the council about the State of Marion and was included on the meetings agenda, which is prepared by Rush. Naff told the council that hes a Marion native, born and raised in the town, and he and his wife have raised three children in the community. Naff said hes been self-employed for 39 years and his wife was part of a multi-generational town business. We love this town, Naff declared and said the family has invested significantly in Marion. Naff told the council he wanted to address multiple points, including abuse of power, lies and threats, conflicts of interest, streets and sidewalks, and real estate speculation. Naff said he and Jerry Harmon, owner of Park Place Drive-in, addressed the council in closed session in May and, on Tuesday, he planned to disclose some of that conversation. Naffs allegations focused largely on Rush, accusing him of acting against people who opposed him, of continuing to do real estate work while employed as town manager, creating a conflict of interest, and of taking part in real estate speculation when acquiring land for the town near Interstate 81s Exit 47. Saying hes visited depressed areas in Kentucky and West Virginia, Naff said their streets and sidewalks are in better shape than Marions. As for community morale, Naff said, It is the worst Ive ever seen. He did laud the towns fire-EMS and police departments and Rushs work to upgrade the towns water and sewer system over multiple years. Naff told the council that the town manager works for them, and they work for the citizens. Things need to change, and they need to change now, Naff said. Acknowledging that Rush has done some good work as the town manager and that hes a great salesperson, Naff asked the council to request Rushs resignation. Speaking directly to Rush, Naff said, Bill, if you care anything about this town you will resign now. Jerry Harmon followed Naff and asked about Round Hill Cemetery mowing bids. Harmon alleged that one of three bids received for the mowing was forged. He also requested the council to seek Rushs resignation. Rush had addressed the bids at an earlier meeting, acknowledging that the winning bidder was Shane Powers, who at the time was dating his daughter, and because of that fact, he turned over the handling of bids to Director of Public Works Tony Muncy and Assistant Town Manager Billy Hamm. I never saw them come in, said Rush Wednesday. I knew better than to get involved. The Councils Response Late in the meeting, Rush told the council, Today, Im not resigning. However, he asked the council for their endorsement. Councilmember Tricia Spencer spoke first, saying, Im not asking you to resign. That sentiment was echoed by other council members. Joes hatred for me blinds him to everything, and I feel sorry for him, Rush said, later adding, I dont do the things he perceives I do. He urged citizens with any kind of concern to meet with and talk to him. Rush was adamant that he and the town staff are not doing anything wrong. Councilmember Susie Jennings responded, I know that. She spoke of Naff, Harmon, and others not believing the findings of a Virginia State Police investigation earlier this year that found no wrongdoing on Rushs part. Rush also acknowledged the investigation and its findings. On Wednesday, Smyth County Commonwealths Attorney Phillip Bucky Blevins confirmed the investigation. Typically, complaints that do not warrant criminal charges or further investigation are not publicly discussed, said Blevins. However, since Mr. Rush made public commentary about a complaint against him, I will share that I did meet with concerned citizens and staffed the complaint with law enforcement. It became evident during a preliminary evaluation that no criminal misconduct had occurred which in turn did not warrant further investigation. Blevins also confirmed that Naff and Harmon were among the citizens with whom he met. In contrast, Jennings said, Our staff deserves so much credit, noting ideas that they and the council have implemented that are now being modeled across the state and country. She cited hatred and non-belief as causes for the animosity. Were not a bunch of crooks, she declared. Councilman Avery Cornett told of a recent conversation he had with an Abingdon leader who was voted out of office following controversy surrounding a retail and recreation space development near I-81s Exit 17. The development occurred on land that featured a historic mansion and near the popular Virginia Creeper Trail. Plans for the development divided the community as was evidenced by yard stake signs with some hoping to Save Marys Meadows while others asked to Play Ball on Marys Meadows. Ultimately, Cornett said, Abingdon got $26 million in upgrades, new retailers and eateries, and 400-some jobs. Today, some of the people who were voted out of office are now seen as visionaries who could see the big picture. Sometimes youve got to see the long game, he concluded. Councilman Larry Carter acknowledged that citizens possess the power of the vote. However, he also declared that the council doesnt act out of spite and gets no personal gain for their positions. Upcoming ElectionThe November General Election will be decisive for the council with the mayors post and three seats on the council to be filled by voters. Two members of the council are seeking the mayors seat: Avery Cornett and Susie Jennings. Former councilman Jim Barker said he was withdrawing from the mayoral race when he abruptly resigned his seat in August, saying that the other council members had bullied him. Barker was the council member central to inviting Naff and Harmon to meet behind closed doors with the council in May. Herb Clay, Amanda J. Currin, and Tom Graham are also seeking Marions mayoral seat. Vice Mayor Jim Gates and Carter and challengers Hunter Atwell, R. Todd May, and Janene Walker are running for the three council seats. The council critics have been especially active since Mayor David Helms death in March and the election announcements began. Charles Hayden, a longtime council critic, has worn a T-shirt to council meetings calling for the entire council to be replaced through the election. Yard signs with the same sentiment are now evident in the town. Exit 47 Land PurchasesAmong the more serious allegations that Naff has made is questioning the value of the towns purchase of land at Exit 47. He has called it real estate speculation and a misappropriation of taxpayer dollars. Tuesday evening, he reiterated those points and said the nearly $1 million spent on the four tracts of land should have gone to the Marion Police Department for body cams or bought a new fire truck or ambulances for Marion Fire-EMS. When the News & Messenger asked Rush to discuss the land purchase, he was willing and also provided a detailed narrative of how the purchases came about, the belief that the land will be key to Marions future growth and economic development, and the use of reserve funds to make the acquisition. The narrative also noted that topsoil and fill from the land will be used to develop Callan Recreation Park. The topsoil and fill, the document says, have a value of about $1.2 million. The town narrative is published in todays edition on page A2. TransparencyWhen Hayden noted Tuesday that he wasnt being notified of council committee work sessions, Town Attorney Mark Fenyk agreed that anyone who requested those notifications should receive them under Virginias Freedom of Information Act. The council asked Rush to ensure that those notifications are sent out and he promised to do so. In the past, Rush has sent out notices for council meetings and council committee meetings, but not committee work sessions. VILNIUS/BELGRADE, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Latvian and Romanian military have reported entries of Russian drones in their respective airspace, prompting calls for strengthened security in the Baltic countries. The Latvian Defense Ministry reported an unmanned aerial vehicle crashed in the Rezekne region of Latvia on Saturday. Citing initial data, the ministry said it was a Russian drone of military significance. The National Armed Forces (NBS) said the drown had flown into Latvian airspace from Belarus. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said that a representative of the Russian Embassy had been summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Monday. Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said the situation confirmed the need to strengthen the country's eastern border, including "the development of air defense capabilities and electronic warfare capabilities." Also on Saturday, the Romanian military said they found a Russian drone on its radar systems. Local media said two fighter jets from the Romanian Air Force were deployed to monitor the situation, tracking the drone until it left Romanian airspace. Initial reports suggested the drone may have crashed in an uninhabited area near the town of Periprava, in eastern Romania, prompting ongoing investigations by Romanian defense forces. In response to the reported entry of a drone into its neighboring country, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called for reinforced air defense in the Baltic countries, the Baltic News Service reported on Monday. On Sunday, the president stressed the need to strengthen the air defense of the Baltic States on his X account. "The rotational model of air defense must be adapted as agreed at the NATO summit in Vilnius," he said. Russia has not yet made a statement on the matter. However, drone attacks have been frequent in the recent Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sept. 1 that its air defense has intercepted and destroyed 158 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions over the past night. On Aug. 27, the Ukrainian Air Force said Russia attacked Ukraine with 81 Shahed combat drones in two days. CASCADE LOCKS, Ore. Early Labor Day morning, Lynn Rasmussen and her group The Faux Fur-sters shed their warm, namesake coats to reveal wetsuits. They approached the open door of Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, which had paddled a mile from shore into the Columbia Rivers shipping channel. The Faux Fur-sters were three of 350 or so swimmers, many of them Gorge residents, participating in the 80th annual Roy Webster Cross-Channel Swim last week. Sternwheeler employee and professional hypeman George George of the Gorge Torres hollered into a microphone at the line of swimmers standing along the ships edge. Alrighty folks! If you look down the way, thats beautiful Cascade Locks and the Bridge of the Gods, he boomed, gesturing back at the distant town where previous groups of swimmers stood on shore. You see all those lovely people over there? he asked. Theyve done it and I know you can do it too! Torres counted down from three and the swimmers jumped into the river, their splashes and staffers cheers briefly rising above the rumble of the 145-foot boats paddles churning through the river. The event which went off without a hitch came after a turbulent decade during which fires, COVID-19, windy conditions and changes in management at the sternwheeler company had canceled the prized Columbia River Gorge tradition as many times as itd happened. The swim has grown from one Hood River orchardists yearly tradition to attracting hundreds of enthusiasts from around the world. Days start Lee Perry works for TrueWest, the Portland event producer that runs the swim. Back at the docks before anyone plunged into the water, Perry was making sure the nearly year of planning that led up to the event would result in a safe, uneventful swim. The sheriffs really just keeping an eye out for anybody thats in trouble, he said, listing precautions, and weve got 50 kayakers and paddleboarders out there who are also keeping people safe. Sternwheeler Capt. Tom Cramblett chatted with Perry as the two looked over the line of swimmers waiting to get on the boat. Cramblett was responsible for getting the ship into position and holding it steady in the channel while swimmers jumped in, five at a time. He has never participated in the event as a swimmer but that doesnt mean the veteran captain and Cascade Locks native hasnt swum across the great river of the West. There was an event going on down here at the park, and once we got way out there, people noticed us and you can see them waving and doing things. Im like, Oh, geez, were in trouble, he recalled with a chuckle. We were young. We didnt think about barges. Unlike Crambletts impromptu teenage swim decades ago, Roy Webster Cross-Channel Swim organizers coordinated with barge companies and obtained a permit from the U.S. Coast Guard to shut down river traffic. One risk couldnt be controlled, however. Thats the choppy water from the Gorges signature gusts, said swimmer Lara Tiffin while waiting in line. She was accompanied by her friend, Cliff Cottam, as well as Phredd, a roughly 6-foot-4-inch long inflatable crocodile with goggles. Hes a serious swimmer aging, though, Tiffin said of the inflatable. She has participated in the annual swim for nearly 30 years, Cottam about 40 years and Phredd (who was manufactured as a video store promotional item for the 1980s movie series, Crocodile Dundee) was on his 30th swim. Behind them in line, Gearhart, Ore., residents 11-year-old Oscar Hamilton and his mom, Nina Biasi, wore wetsuits as they chatted with the rest of their family on the brisk morning. Oscar, the youngest swimmer of the day, has been on his schools swim team for a couple of years. He said he keeps to his rhythm 1-2-3 breathe and then 1-2-3 breathe on the other side when he swims. Although he said he was ready for the river, he remained a tiny bit nervous about the jump from the boat. Hardest part about swimming? he considered. Probably honestly just getting in, getting ready for the swim, getting into the water. Really, once you get swimming, its pretty easy. In addition to wetsuits, the pair carried neon-colored inflatable dry bags called swim buoys to increase their visibility to support staff and hold them afloat if they needed to rest. On board Around 8 a.m., the line boarded the 40-year-old replica of an 1850s sternwheeler. The boat headed north across the river to the shipping channel near Washingtons shores then turned east, heading a mile up river before turning around and idling by Stevenson. About 150 river miles downriver, the Columbia emptied 265,000 cubic feet of water or about three Olympic swimming pools into the Pacific Ocean every second. Tiffin, with Phredd tied to her ankle, was in the first flight of swimmers to splash into the 70 degree water. The first thing Im thinking of is to get away from the boat so that the next group can jump in, so Im trying to move as quickly as possible, she said afterward. And then the other thing that I was quickly thinking about was how to adjust my stroke, my rhythm, my breathing, because the waves were so high. While the surf never got tall enough for organizers or the sheriff to call off the swim as they have some years, at times roughly 3-foot white-topped swells crested as 20 mph winds blew against the rivers powerful current. As she watched swimmers and enjoyed the Gorges windswept scenery from the Sternwheelers top deck, Tracy Clements, a member of the Faux Fur-sters in her 10th year of the swim, explained the trios garment choice. We wear faux fur because we want to look glamorous, she said. Rasmussen, a retired accountant in her 30th year participating in the swim, added, You stay warm, and you need fashion in sports. Clements nodded, concluding, and to look fabulous. The garments also pay homage to the Roy Robe-sters, a group of some of the original swimmers who donned red robes with their names embroidered on the back. The Faux Fur-sters were in group 35 and rushed down when they heard number 30 announced. Meanwhile Torres (George of the Gorge) hurled positive affirmations that visibly and audibly improved the already buoyant mood. After the trio disembarked, the boat headed back to Cascade Locks and Capt. Cramblett offered encouragement through the loudspeakers In the words of George, Just keep swimming followed by a salvo of horn blasts. Back on land The swim took participants anywhere from 20-some minutes to more than 90 to complete. Having started first, and even with Phredd in tow, Tiffin had already finished by the time the sternwheeler made it back to Cascade Locks. While some swimmers opted to be picked up by boats along the way, the vast majority completed the full swim. And while a few people visited on-site medics about fatigue and cold, no one was injured, according to TrueWests Perry. For many, the inflatable swim buoys were the days MVP, allowing the sometimes-rusty swimmers a chance to take a break and enjoy the Gorges views. The spirit was unmistakably nonjudgmental, oriented instead towards fun and safety. As exhausted swimmers landed on the shore, the crowd cheered them as another professional hypeman dispensed affirmations and a spotter with binoculars scanned the horizon. Stumbling slightly as she reached the shore and found her land legs again after the 1.1 mile swim, Rasmussen of the Faux Fur-sters took a joking bow as supporters on shore cheered. It was super spicy out there, and super fun, she said back on land about the choppy conditions through a beaming smile. That is, I think, the most fun Ive had. Oscar and his mom also completed the swim. His advice to those considering the feat? Probably just jump in and do it. Jump in and do it, Biasi echoed. Then she added with a smile, Maybe train a little. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Most Australian teenagers have their own smartphone. According to a 2023 survey, 91% of young people between 14 and 17 owned a phone. At the same time, there is huge community concern about young people being exposed to harm onlinethis includes the content they consume and the interactions they might have. But there is also concern about their privacy and security. A 2023 UK study found teenagers are overly optimistic about the degree to which they can protect their personal information online. This is a problem because smartphones can communicate information such as identities and locations when settings are not figured correctly. Our new projectwhich has been funded by the eSafety Commissioner and will soon be available onlinelooked at how to teach students to be safer with their phones. What are the risks? Without changing the default settings, a phone (or smart watch, laptop or tablet) can share information such as full names, current locations and the duration of their stay in those locations. This makes it easy for others with basic IT knowledge to create profiles of someone's movements over time. Children are at particular risk, as they often connect to free public Wi-Fi networks. They may also be more likely to exchange photos with strangers online and accept social media friend requests without caution. This also puts them at increased risk of having their identity or money stolen or coming into contact with people who may wish them harm. Our research Our project was conducted in seven high schools in regional New South Wales between August 2023 and April 2024. First, we set up network sensors in two schools to monitor data leakage from students' phones. We wanted to know the extent to which they were they giving away names and locations of the students. This was conducted over several weeks to establish a baseline for their typical data leakage levels. Next, we gave 4,460 students in seven high schools lessons in how smartphones can leak sensitive information and how to stop this. The students were shown how to turn off their Bluetooth and switch off their Wi-Fi. They were also shown how to change their Bluetooth name and switch off their location services. We then measured data leakage after the lesson in the two schools with network sensors. We also conducted a survey on 574 students across five other schools, to measure their knowledge before and after the lesson. Of this group, about 90% of students owned a smartphone and most were aged between 14 and 16. What did we find? We found a significant reduction in data leakage after students were given the lessons. At the two schools we monitored, we found the number of identifiable phones fell by about 30% after the education session. The survey results also indicated the lessons had been effective. There was an 85% improvement in students' "knowledge of smartphone settings" questions. There was also a 15% improvement in students' use of a safer, fake name as their smartphone name after the lessonsfor example, instead of "Joshua's phone," calling it "cool dude." There was a 7% increase in concern about someone knowing where they were at a particular point in time, and a 10% increase in concern about someone knowing what their regular travel route to school was. However, despite their enhanced understanding, many students continued to keep their Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings enabled all the time, as this gave them convenient access to school and home Wi-Fi networks and headphone connections. This is an example of the "privacy paradox" where individuals prioritize convenience over security, even when aware of the risks. How can students keep their phones safe? There are three things young peopleand otherscan do to keep their smartphones safe. 1. Switch off services you don't use Phone owners should ask themselves: do I really need to keep all the available services on? If they are not using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or location services (such as Snap Map, where you share your location with friends), they should turn them off. As our research indicated, young people are unlikely to do this because it is inconvenient. Many young people want to connect to their headphones at all times so they can listen to music, watch videos and talk to friends. 2. Hide the device If teens can't switch off these services, they can at least de-identify their device by replacing their real name on the phone with something else. They can use a name parents and friends will recognize but will not link them to their other data. They can also hide their device by not giving away the type of phone they are using (this can be done in general settings). This will prevent cyber attackers from linking their phone to the security vulnerabilities with their make of phone. 3. Control each app Ideally, students should also go in and check smartphone settings for individual apps as welland turn off services for apps that don't require them. It is now easy to find out which apps have access to location services and your phone's camera or microphone. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A test vehicle levitated by magnetic fields zips through a depressurized tube in a testing ground for a high-speed transit system during a press tour of a European test center for hyperloop transportation technology in Veendam, northern Netherlands, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Peter Dejong Hyperloop, a new form of mass transit involving capsules whizzing on magnetic fields through depressurized tubes, has achieved significant liftoff in the northern Netherlands, a company developing the technology said Monday. A test vehicle was levitated and zipped through a tube at a testing facility for the high-speed transit system once promoted by Elon Musk. "So today, with the first successful test, we were able to levitate the vehicle, also turn on the guidance system and the propulsion system," Marinus van der Meijs, the technology and engineering director at hyperloop company Hardt, told The Associated Press late last week before Monday's formal announcement. The European Hyperloop Center's 420-meter (460-yard) tube is made up of 34 separate sections mostly 2 meters (more than eight feet) in diameter. A vacuum pump sucks out the air to reduce the internal pressure. That reduces drag and allows capsules to travel at high speeds. Hyperloop developers aim to have capsules speeding through tubes at up to 700 kph (435 mph). Its backers say it's far more efficient than short-haul flights, high-speed rail and freight trucks, but it will involve significant investment in infrastructure. So far, in the limited space offered by the test center, the speed has been modest. A test vehicle levitated by magnetic fields zips through a depressurized tube in a testing ground for a high-speed transit system during a press tour of a European test center for hyperloop transportation technology in Veendam, northern Netherlands, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Peter Dejong Once the capsule was in place in the tube, "we launched it with an acceleration similar to that of a metro, up to a top speed of about 30 kph (18 mph), about 100 meters (more than 300 feet) in the pipe," Van der Meijs added. Even so, it's a milestone that required some careful conducting. "The most difficult things that we are doing now is to test all of these functions together. Levitation, propulsion, guidance, all of those functions we are now capable of executing as an orchestra, making them work together," said Roel van de Pas, commercial director of Hardt Hyperloop. Musk first proposed the idea more than a decade ago, suggesting it could shuttle passengers the nearly 400 miles (645 kilometers) between Los Angeles and San Francisco in 30 minutes. Since then, teams around the world have been working to bring the idea to fruition. A test vehicle levitated by magnetic fields zips through a depressurized tube in a testing ground for a high-speed transit system during a press tour of an European test center for hyperloop transportation technology in Veendam, northern Netherlands, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Peter Dejong "To deliver Hyperloop as a mobility system, we have a very complicated puzzle which requires technology, which requires policy, which requires public-private collaboration, and that is what is needed most," Van de Pas said. "At Hardt, we are ready for passenger operations by 2030." Some analysts are skeptical. When the hyperloop test facility opened in March, Robert Noland, distinguished professor at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, told The Associated Press that building the necessary infrastructure is too costly, calling it "another example of policymakers chasing a shiny object." In 2016, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, signed a deal with Los Angeles-based Hyperloop One to study the potential for building a hyperloop line between the city-state and Abu Dhabi, the Emirati capital. A test vehicle levitated by magnetic fields zips through a depressurized tube in a testing ground for a high-speed transit system during a press tour of a European test center for hyperloop transportation technology in Veendam, northern Netherlands, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Peter Dejong A test vehicle levitated by magnetic fields zips through a depressurized tube in a testing ground for a high-speed transit system during a press tour of a European test center for hyperloop transportation technology in Veendam, northern Netherlands, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Peter Dejong Technicians work in the control room at a testing ground for a high-speed transit system during a press tour of an European test center for hyperloop transportation technology in Veendam, northern Netherlands, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Peter Dejong The announcement of the deal took place atop the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, with a panoramic view of the skyline of the futuristic city-state serving as both a backdrop and a sign of Dubai's desire to be the first to rush toward the future. But like many flashy announcements in the city-state, the hyperloop idea faded in recent years with no track being built. Hyperloop One shut down in December. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Hellobike's parent company, HelloRide, operates seven million shared bicycles. Chinese bicycle-sharing giant Hellobike plans to expand to Europe, its management said Monday, with its point of entry likely to be Paris. The Shanghai-based firm has submitted a bid in the French capital's tender for dockless bicycle-sharing service in 2025, the company's spokeswoman for France, Belgium and Switzerland, Manon Bouvet, told AFP. Lime and Dott both currently operate dockless bicycles fleets in Paris and have confirmed they have submitted bids as well. Paris also has a fleet of docked bicycles called Velib. Hellobike also plans to submit bids in other French cities as well as Barcelona and Sevilla in Spain. Its parent company, HelloRide, operates seven million bicycles, as well as scooters and cars, in 500 cities in China. It generated $2 billion in revenue last year. The company also operates bicycle-sharing services in Singapore and Sydney. Among HelloRide's main shareholders are shopping platform Alibaba and its former subsidiary Ant Group, which owns the Alipay payment service. If Hello wins the Paris tender it plans to assemble the planned 6,000 bicycles for the service in France and hire 60 staff to maintain them. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: While conventional robotic legs are driven by an electromagnetic rotary motor (left), for their musculoskeletal system the researchers use electrohydraulic actuators i.e. artificial muscles (right). Credit: Thomas Buchner / ETH Zurich and Toshihiko Fukushima / MPI-IS Inventors and researchers have been developing robots for almost 70 years. To date, all the machines they have builtwhether for factories or elsewherehave had one thing in common: They are powered by motors, a technology that is already 200 years old. Even walking robots feature arms and legs that are powered by motors, not by muscles as in humans and animals. This in part suggests why they lack the mobility and adaptability of living creatures. A new muscle-powered robotic leg is not only more energy efficient than a conventional one, it can also perform high jumps and fast movements as well as detect and react to obstaclesall without the need for complex sensors. The new leg has been developed by researchers at ETH Zurich and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in a research partnership called Max Planck ETH Center for Learning Systems, known as CLS. The CLS team was led by Robert Katzschmann at ETH Zurich and Christoph Keplinger at MPI-IS. Their doctoral students Thomas Buchner and Toshihiko Fukushima are the co-first authors of the team's publication on an animal-inspired musculoskeletal robotic leg in Nature Communications. Credit: Thomas Buchner and Toshihiko Fukushima Electrically charged like a balloon As in humans and animals, an extensor and a flexor muscle ensure that the robotic leg can move in both directions. These electro-hydraulic actuators, which the researchers call HASELs, are attached to the skeleton by tendons. The actuators are oil-filled plastic bags, similar to those used to make ice cubes. About half of each bag is coated on either side with a black electrode made of a conductive material. Buchner explains, "As soon as we apply a voltage to the electrodes, they are attracted to each other due to static electricity. Similarly, when I rub a balloon against my head, my hair sticks to the balloon due to the same static electricity." As one increases the voltage, the electrodes come closer and push the oil in the bag to one side, making the bag overall shorter. Pairs of these actuators attached to a skeleton result in the same paired muscle movements as in living creatures. As one muscle shortens, its counterpart lengthens. The researchers used a computer code that communicates with high-voltage amplifiers to control which actuators contract, and which extend. The robotic leg jumps across different terrains. Credit: Thomas Buchner / ETH Zurich and Toshihiko Fukushima / Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems More efficient than electric motors The researchers compared the energy efficiency of their robotic leg with that of a conventional robotic leg powered by an electric motor. Among other things, they analyzed how much energy is unnecessarily converted into heat. "On the infrared image, it's easy to see that the motorized leg consumes much more energy if, say, it has to hold a bent position," Buchner says. The temperature in the electro-hydraulic leg, in contrast, remains the same. This is because the artificial muscle is electrostatic. "It's like the example with the balloon and the hair, where the hair stays stuck to the balloon for quite a long time," Buchner adds. "Typically, electric motor-driven robots need heat management, which requires additional heat sinks or fans for diffusing the heat to the air. Our system doesn't require them," Fukushima says. Agile movement over uneven terrain The robotic leg's ability to jump is based on its ability to lift its own weight explosively. The researchers also showed that the robotic leg has a high degree of adaptability, which is particularly important for soft robotics. Only if the musculoskeletal system has sufficient elasticity can it adapt flexibly to the terrain in question. "It's no different with living creatures. If we can't bend our knees, for example, walking on an uneven surface becomes much more difficult," Katzschmann says. "Just think of taking a step down from the pavement onto the road." When robotic legs have to hold a certain position for a long time, a lot of current flows through the DC motor that drives them (left). Over time, energy is lost in the form of heat. In contrast, the artificial muscles (right), which work on the principle of electrostatics and are efficient, remain cold, because no current flows through them under a constant load. Credit: Thomas Buchner / ETH Zurich and Toshihiko Fukushima / MPI-IS In contrast to electric motors requiring sensors to constantly indicate the angle of the robotic leg, the artificial muscle adapts to a suitable position through interaction with the environment. This is driven just by two input signals: one to bend the joint and one to extend it. Fukushima explains, "Adapting to the terrain is a key aspect. When a person lands after jumping into the air, they don't have to think in advance about whether they should bend their knees at a 90-degree or a 70-degree angle." The same principle applies to the robotic leg's musculoskeletal system; upon landing, the leg joint adaptively moves into a suitable angle depending on whether the surface is hard or soft. Emerging technology opens up new possibilities The research field of electrohydraulic actuators is still young, having emerged only around six years ago. "The field of robotics is making rapid progress with advanced controls and machine learning; in contrast, there has been much less progress with robotic hardware, which is equally important. This publication is a powerful reminder of how much potential for disruptive innovation comes from introducing new hardware concepts, like the use of artificial muscles," Keplinger says. Katzschmann adds that electro-hydraulic actuators are unlikely to be used in heavy machinery on construction sites, but they do offer specific advantages over standard electric motors. This is particularly evident in applications such as grippers, where the movements have to be highly customized depending on whether the object being gripped is--for example--a ball, an egg or a tomato. Katzschmann does have one reservation: "Compared to walking robots with electric motors, our system is still limited. The leg is currently attached to a rod, jumps in circles and can't yet move freely." Future work should overcome these limitations, opening the door to developing real walking robots with artificial muscles. He further elaborates, "If we combine the robotic leg with a quadruped robot or a humanoid robot with two legs, maybe one day, when it is battery-powered, we can deploy it as a rescue robot." More information: Electrohydraulic musculoskeletal robotic leg for agile, adaptive, yet energy-efficient locomotion, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51568-3 Journal information: Nature Communications This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The U.S. is preparing for a gargantuan spike in the amount of energy it harnesses from the sun, and vastly changing the desert landscape of the Silver State's public lands is a major component of that vision. Within the Bureau of Land Management's controversial plan that updates preferred solar zones for the first time in 12 years, Nevada takes center stage with almost 12 million acres available for solar developmentmore than any of the 11 states included in the document. The agency is collecting comments about the plan for 30 days, until Sept. 29, when it will begin to finalize it. In the country's driest state, many have rung alarms about mass solar construction overwhelming rural county employees, draining already-strained aquifers, and disrupting desert habitat for plants and animals. With the release of the plan on Aug. 30, BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning said the agency did its best to balance the priorities of conservation and fast-tracking solar development needed to meet federal climate goals. Nevada's BLM office did not respond to a request for comment. "The updated Western Solar Plan is a responsible, pragmatic strategy for developing solar energy on our nation's public lands," Stone-Manning said in a statement. "It will drive responsible solar development to locations with fewer potential conflicts while helping the nation transition to a clean energy economy." Mixed reactions from industry, advocates Sentiment of the plan has varied. Ben Norris, vice president of regulatory affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association, said there were some necessary updates, such as making it that solar needs to be located only 15 miles from a transmission line instead of 10. But some swaths of land in Pahrump Valley that were excluded from solar development seem to clash with the boundaries of the six projects already proposed and on the path to receiving federal permits, he said. It remains unclear how the BLM's goal of "grandfathering in" the new designated zones would affect those projects, Norris said. "The industry is ready to put shovels in the ground and get people to work," he said. "We wouldn't want an arcane element of an in-the-weeds regulatory document to prevent us from hiring more Nevadans." The plan came as a surprise to Mason Voehl, executive director of the Amargosa Conservancy, who is deeply concerned about how towns along the Amargosa River will change if solar projects were approved there. Solar boundaries, in many cases, are up against people's homes in the Nye County towns of Beatty and Amargosa Valley, he said. Lands now open for development even come within 5 miles of the Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, which residents and activists have vehemently fought to protect from water-intensive lithium mining. "This is so plainly an environmental justice issue," Voehl said. "It's abundantly clear Nevada is shouldering the majority of the burden in this." Both towns will meet next week to decide if they'd like to join the Amargosa Conservancy in submitting comments to the BLM, Voehl said. Conflict with Nevada's proposed national monument Also at issue in the solar plan is a site of Native American massacreBahsahwahbee, or Swamp Cedarswhich Nevada tribes have lobbied to become the state's fifth national monument. About 7,000 acres of the 25,000 proposed for recognition are included in the land that would become available for solar development, tribal consultant Monte Sanford said. "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," Amos Murphy, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, said in a statement. In July, U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., introduced a bill that would recognize the site as a national monument. Through a spokesperson, Cortez Masto said she's concerned about the conflict between green energy and tribal heritage. "Not every location in Nevada is suitable for (solar) development," said Lauren Wodarski, her spokesperson, in a statement. "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." Rural counties not staffed for solar demand Across Nevada, understaffed rural counties are fielding dozens of applications for new solar projects. Vince Guthreau, executive director of the Nevada Association of Counties, said most of the state's counties don't have a dedicated natural resources manager. Esmeralda County alonethe least populated county in the state that may soon permit a solar farm the size of Las Vegashas more than 100 pending applications, he said. "The issue is not that our counties are anti-renewable energy or anti-solar development," Guthreau said. "It's that we don't even have the resources to vet these applications." While the volume of solar applications may seem daunting for small county staffs, Guthreau said communication between big solar companies and county governments is beginning to improve. Still, in his initial read of the plan, he said it doesn't seem like there is a need for so much land to be released. Some wins for environmental groups For conservationists, the plan isn't all bad. While the plan does stand to greatly alter the topography of the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert, it does also eliminate more than 35 million acres of land for potential solar development. It took areas out of consideration if they had resources or species that must be protected or because they are not close enough to transmission lines and were not previously disturbed. The Nature Conservancy, an environmental nonprofit, released a report in July identifying previously disturbed lands that would make for more ideal solar siting. The group has been vocal about Nevada adopting a "smart from the start" policy on solar, to minimize harm to public lands. Peter Gower, the group's climate and renewable energy program director for the West, said much of the plan does take its recommendations into account. "It's an exciting opportunity for Nevada to set a model for the rest of the West in terms of what good, community-centered projects that consider resources can look like," Gower said. While solar companies now have a roadmap to understand where the BLM would be most interested in permitting projects, each individual project still will need to be critically evaluated through federal environmental review, said Kerry Rohrmeier, the group's climate and energy strategy program director for Nevada. That includes several opportunities for public comment and consultation with cities, counties and tribes. "Every specific project is going to have to be evaluated on its merits, constraints and impacts," Rohrmeier said. 2024 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 9, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Cliff Owen, file Trains for what is being called the nation's first true high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area will be built at a new factory in upstate New York, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Monday. Siemens Mobility will construct the American Pioneer 220 trains at a 300,000-square-foot (28,000-square-meter) facility in Horseheads, which is near the Pennsylvania line, said Schumer, a New York Democrat. About 300 jobs will be created, he said. "Upstate New York is unmatched in rail car manufacturing capabilities, with a deep, proud history pioneering the rail industry and a community that is excited to get to work building America's future," Schumer said in a statement. Construction on the $12 billion passenger bullet train service is underway and is expected to be finished in time for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. Brightline West will build more than 218 miles (351 kilometers) of new track along the Interstate 15 corridor between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, California, where it will link to a commuter rail connection to downtown Los Angeles. Officials say the aim is for the trains to exceed speeds of 186 mph (300 kph)comparable to Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains. That would cut the travel time from four hours by car to just over two hours. The trains would run faster than those on other high-speed lines in the U.S., including Amtrak's Acela between Boston and Washington, D.C., which can top 150 mph (241 kph). The New York factory is expected to begin building the new trains in 2026. Siemens Mobility has agreed that workers at the facility will be represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. "Bringing high-speed rail to America is no longer a dream, but a reality," Marc Buncher, chief executive officer of Siemens Mobility North America, said in a statement. Brightline received backing from President Joe Biden's administration, including a $3 billion grant from federal infrastructure funds and approval to sell another $2.5 billion in tax-exempt bonds to build the new rail line. The company won federal authorization in 2020 to sell $1 billion in similar bonds. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. (NYSE:ALEX Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the four analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $21.33. Several analysts have recently issued reports on ALEX shares. Alliance Global Partners began coverage on Alexander & Baldwin in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. They set a buy rating and a $22.00 price target for the company. Piper Sandler raised Alexander & Baldwin from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their target price for the stock from $17.00 to $22.00 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Get Alexander & Baldwin alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Alexander & Baldwin Hedge Funds Weigh In On Alexander & Baldwin Alexander & Baldwin Trading Down 1.2 % Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Isthmus Partners LLC bought a new position in Alexander & Baldwin in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,176,000. Private Management Group Inc. bought a new position in Alexander & Baldwin during the first quarter worth $2,289,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its stake in Alexander & Baldwin by 24.4% during the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 623,284 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $10,265,000 after purchasing an additional 122,286 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Alexander & Baldwin by 4.3% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,461,071 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,790,000 after purchasing an additional 60,119 shares during the period. Finally, Wakefield Asset Management LLLP acquired a new stake in Alexander & Baldwin in the 2nd quarter worth $948,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.29% of the companys stock. Shares of NYSE:ALEX opened at $19.12 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.39 billion, a PE ratio of 31.34 and a beta of 1.26. Alexander & Baldwin has a 1 year low of $15.53 and a 1 year high of $20.30. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $18.60 and a 200 day moving average price of $17.21. Alexander & Baldwin Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 20th will be given a $0.2225 dividend. This is an increase from Alexander & Baldwins previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.89 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 20th. Alexander & Baldwins dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 145.90%. About Alexander & Baldwin (Get Free Report Alexander & Baldwin, Inc (NYSE: ALEX) (A&B) is the only publicly-traded real estate investment trust to focus exclusively on Hawai'i commercial real estate and is the state's largest owner of grocery-anchored, neighborhood shopping centers. A&B owns, operates and manages approximately 3.9 million square feet of commercial space in Hawai'i, including 22 retail centers, 13 industrial assets and four office properties, as well as 142.0 acres of ground lease assets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Alexander & Baldwin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexander & Baldwin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Freemont Management S.A. lowered its position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Free Report) by 83.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 16,800 shares of the companys stock after selling 82,400 shares during the period. Freemont Management S.A.s holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $1,016,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cherry Tree Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. bought a new position in Archer-Daniels-Midland during the first quarter worth about $34,000. Institutional investors own 78.28% of the companys stock. Get Archer-Daniels-Midland alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CEO Juan R. Luciano sold 45,471 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.00, for a total transaction of $2,773,731.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 265,210 shares in the company, valued at $16,177,810. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, CEO Juan R. Luciano sold 45,471 shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.00, for a total value of $2,773,731.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 265,210 shares in the company, valued at $16,177,810. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Juan R. Luciano sold 170,194 shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.51, for a total value of $10,298,438.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 265,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,047,857.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 219,348 shares of company stock valued at $13,296,833 in the last three months. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Archer-Daniels-Midland Price Performance ADM traded down $0.17 during trading on Monday, hitting $59.30. 100,126 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,602,859. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a twelve month low of $50.72 and a twelve month high of $80.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $61.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $60.54. The company has a market cap of $28.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.43 and a beta of 0.72. Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE:ADM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by ($0.19). Archer-Daniels-Midland had a net margin of 2.93% and a return on equity of 12.06%. The company had revenue of $22.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.12 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.89 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company will post 5.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Archer-Daniels-Midland Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 21st will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.37%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 21st. Archer-Daniels-Midlands payout ratio is presently 35.09%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have weighed in on ADM. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $64.00 to $63.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $65.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $64.62. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Archer-Daniels-Midland Archer-Daniels-Midland Profile (Free Report) Archer-Daniels-Midland Company engages in the procurement, transportation, storage, processing, and merchandising of agricultural commodities, ingredients, flavors, and solutions in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ADM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Both Sudan and Chad have been hit by flooding, while Lesotho, another country in Africa, is impacted by drought, a UN spokesman said on Monday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is warning that heavy rains and flooding have been impacting about half a million people in Sudan's South Darfur, Red Sea, River Nile and Northern states since late June, said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at a daily briefing. The severe flooding is worsening an already dire humanitarian situation in Sudan. In areas at risk of famine, including in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, about 124,000 people have been affected by heavy rains, he said. Flooding and stagnant water are heightening the risk of diseases spreading, with nearly 2,900 suspected cholera cases reported since the start of the latest outbreak in mid-August. Dujarric said the United Nations and its partners are on the ground aiding those who need assistance. Last week, aid organizations delivered life-saving therapeutic food to treat 6,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in the city of Nyala in South Darfur. In Chad, OCHA said flooding continues to get worse across the country. According to authorities, at least 340 people have been killed, nearly 1.5 million people are now impacted by the floods, and more than 160,000 homes have been destroyed. The floods are also impacting agriculture, and nearly 3.4 million people are facing acute hunger in the current lean season, Dujarric said, adding that Chadian authorities, UN agencies and partners are providing food and nutrition supplies. The spokesman said Acting UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya has increased the allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support the floods response in Chad from 5 million U.S. dollars to 8 million dollars. Meanwhile, OCHA reported that the food security situation in Lesotho, a landlocked country in southern Africa, is deteriorating following a historic drought caused by El Nino. On average, agricultural production in the country has decreased by one third, and nearly a third of the population -- or 700,000 people -- are facing food insecurity in the coming months, Dujarric said. The acting UN emergency relief coordinator has allocated 2 million dollars from the CERF toward the drought, and Assistant Secretary-General and Climate Crisis Coordinator Reena Ghelani recently visited the country to assess the drought's impact and call for more international support, he said. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 15,560 shares of the companys stock after selling 57 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company comprises about 0.8% of Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLCs holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $14,088,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Chapman Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.1% in the second quarter. Chapman Investment Management LLC now owns 2,806 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,540,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the period. Cahill Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at $200,000. Private Management Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 11.5% during the 2nd quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 649 shares of the companys stock worth $588,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. First Foundation Advisors raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. First Foundation Advisors now owns 2,785 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,522,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stonekeep Investments LLC purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter worth about $258,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Insider Activity In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 194,978 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $885.91, for a total value of $172,732,959.98. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 97,583,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $86,450,473,117.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders have sold 661,900 shares of company stock valued at $604,721,602 over the last three months. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders. Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $902.71 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $857.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 132.95, a P/E/G ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.42. The firms 50-day moving average price is $895.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $828.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. Eli Lilly and Company 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 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.64 by $1.28. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 67.52% and a net margin of 18.86%. The business had revenue of $11.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.83 billion. On average, equities analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 16.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.58%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 76.58%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have recently commented on LLY. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and set a $1,000.00 price objective (up from $892.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. Argus lifted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $770.00 to $840.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 14th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $994.00 to $1,015.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. Evercore ISI upgraded Eli Lilly and Company to a hold rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Berenberg Bank raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $961.76. Read Our Latest Analysis on Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Profile (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sprinklr (NYSE:CXM Free Report) had its price target trimmed by Barclays from $11.00 to $10.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the stock. A number of other research firms have also commented on CXM. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Sprinklr from $15.00 to $9.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 6th. Rosenblatt Securities lowered their price target on Sprinklr from $14.00 to $11.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Sprinklr from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, June 21st. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $17.00 price target on shares of Sprinklr in a report on Monday, July 1st. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald cut their price objective on Sprinklr from $10.00 to $9.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $10.30. Get Sprinklr alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Sprinklr Sprinklr Trading Down 1.0 % Insider Buying and Selling at Sprinklr NYSE CXM opened at $7.71 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.71, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.78. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.83. Sprinklr has a 12 month low of $7.61 and a 12 month high of $17.14. In other news, insider Diane Adams sold 13,717 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.20, for a total transaction of $126,196.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 395,222 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,636,042.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold a total of 15,962 shares of company stock worth $148,000 over the last ninety days. 30.12% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Sprinklr A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CXM. Sea Cliff Partners Management LP bought a new stake in Sprinklr during the 2nd quarter valued at $866,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its position in shares of Sprinklr by 1.7% in the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 65,159 shares of the companys stock valued at $627,000 after purchasing an additional 1,117 shares in the last quarter. 272 Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of Sprinklr in the second quarter valued at $2,352,000. Solel Partners LP raised its stake in shares of Sprinklr by 46.8% during the 2nd quarter. Solel Partners LP now owns 3,692,963 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,526,000 after purchasing an additional 1,176,726 shares during the period. Finally, Lombard Odier Asset Management USA Corp purchased a new stake in Sprinklr during the 2nd quarter worth about $277,000. 40.19% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Sprinklr Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sprinklr, Inc provides enterprise cloud software products worldwide. The company operates Unified Customer Experience Management platform, a software that enables customer-facing teams to collaborate across internal silos, communicate across digital channels, and leverage a complete suite of capabilities to deliver customer experiences. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Sprinklr Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sprinklr and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (ASX:BEN Get Free Report) insider Richard Fennell purchased 40,497 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, September 2nd. The shares were bought at an average cost of A$11.87 ($8.07) per share, for a total transaction of A$480,699.39 ($327,006.39). Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Stock Performance Get Bendigo and Adelaide Bank alerts: Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a Final dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Sunday, September 29th will be paid a $0.33 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Sunday, September 1st. This represents a dividend yield of 2.74%. This is an increase from Bendigo and Adelaide Banks previous Final dividend of $0.32. Bendigo and Adelaide Banks dividend payout ratio is currently 75.86%. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Articles Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited provides banking and financial products and services to retail customers and small to medium sized businesses in Australia. The company operates through Consumer, Business and Agribusiness, and Corporate segments. It offers a range of products and services, including personal and business banking, financial planning, commercial mortgages and unsecured loans, investment products, insurance, and superannuation. Receive News & Ratings for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. (TSE:CGG Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$5.00 and last traded at C$5.00, with a volume of 1740 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$5.05. China Gold International Resources Stock Up 3.4 % The firm has a market capitalization of C$2.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.04 and a beta of 1.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.68, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The business has a fifty day moving average price of C$7.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$8.13. Get China Gold International Resources alerts: China Gold International Resources (TSE:CGG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 14th. The company reported C($0.02) EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$202.44 million during the quarter. China Gold International Resources had a negative net margin of 23.75% and a negative return on equity of 4.58%. On average, equities analysts expect that China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. will post 6.2699998 earnings per share for the current year. China Gold International Resources Company Profile China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd., a gold and base metal mining company, acquires, explores for, develops, and mines mineral properties in the People's Republic of China. It primarily holds 96.5% interest in the Chang Shan Hao gold mine located in Inner Mongolia; and holds interest in the Jiama copper-gold polymetallic mine that hosts copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, lead, and zinc metals located in Tibet. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for China Gold International Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Gold International Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC lowered its stake in shares of Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG Free Report) by 13.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 246,102 shares of the companys stock after selling 39,490 shares during the quarter. Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC owned about 0.05% of Conagra Brands worth $6,994,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Conagra Brands in the second quarter worth $25,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Conagra Brands in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. First United Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of Conagra Brands during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Whittier Trust Co. increased its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 144.4% in the first quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 1,415 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 836 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Conagra Brands in the 1st quarter worth $42,000. Institutional investors own 83.75% of the companys stock. Get Conagra Brands alerts: Conagra Brands Stock Performance Shares of NYSE CAG opened at $32.74 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $15.68 billion, a PE ratio of 44.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.97. The companys fifty day moving average price is $30.08 and its 200 day moving average price is $29.75. Conagra Brands, Inc. has a 1 year low of $25.16 and a 1 year high of $32.85. Conagra Brands Dividend Announcement Conagra Brands ( NYSE:CAG Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 11th. The company reported $0.61 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.04. Conagra Brands had a return on equity of 14.31% and a net margin of 2.88%. The business had revenue of $2.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.93 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.62 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Conagra Brands, Inc. will post 2.61 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 1st were paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.28%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 1st. Conagra Brandss payout ratio is presently 191.78%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Conagra Brands news, COO Thomas M. Mcgough sold 40,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.29, for a total transaction of $1,211,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 161,443 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,890,108.47. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.88% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages recently weighed in on CAG. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Conagra Brands from $32.00 to $31.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Conagra Brands in a research note on Monday, August 12th. They issued a buy rating and a $36.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Conagra Brands from $30.00 to $29.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 12th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Conagra Brands from $34.00 to $33.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of Conagra Brands from $32.00 to $30.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 12th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $30.90. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Conagra Brands Conagra Brands Company Profile (Free Report) Conagra Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer packaged goods food company primarily in the United States. The company operates through Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice segments. The Grocery & Snacks segment primarily offers shelf stable food products through various retail channels. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CAG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Conagra Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Conagra Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CMC Markets Plc (LON:CMCX Get Free Report) insider David Fineberg purchased 94 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 318 ($4.18) per share, for a total transaction of 298.92 ($393.06). David Fineberg also recently made the following trade(s): Get CMC Markets alerts: On Friday, August 30th, David Fineberg sold 13,711 shares of CMC Markets stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 317 ($4.17), for a total value of 43,463.87 ($57,151.70). CMC Markets Stock Performance CMC Markets stock traded up GBX 8 ($0.11) during midday trading on Monday, reaching GBX 316 ($4.16). 2,669,345 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 519,336. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.95, a current ratio of 2.00 and a quick ratio of 2.47. CMC Markets Plc has a 12 month low of GBX 86.90 ($1.14) and a 12 month high of GBX 344 ($4.52). The firm has a market capitalization of 884.23 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,814.71 and a beta of 0.54. The business has a 50 day moving average of GBX 318.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 266.70. CMC Markets Increases Dividend Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 11th were given a dividend of GBX 7.30 ($0.10) per share. This represents a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 11th. This is a boost from CMC Marketss previous dividend of $1.00. CMC Marketss dividend payout ratio is 4,705.88%. Several brokerages recently commented on CMCX. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a sell rating and set a GBX 192 ($2.52) price objective on shares of CMC Markets in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of CMC Markets in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Get Our Latest Research Report on CMC Markets CMC Markets Company Profile (Get Free Report) CMC Markets plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides online retail financial services to retail, professional, stockbroking, and institutional clients in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, and internationally. The company offers its clients with the ability to trade contracts for difference and financial spread betting on a range of underlying shares, including indices, foreign currencies, commodities, and treasuries through its trading platform. Read More Receive News & Ratings for CMC Markets Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CMC Markets and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of Comerica (NYSE:CMA Free Report) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note published on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm currently has $69.00 price target on the financial services providers stock, up from their prior price target of $50.00. Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Stephens restated an overweight rating and set a $64.00 price target on shares of Comerica in a research report on Tuesday, June 11th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Comerica from $58.00 to $54.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Comerica from $58.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Comerica from $62.00 to $57.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Comerica from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $56.05. Get Comerica alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on CMA Comerica Trading Down 0.3 % Shares of Comerica stock opened at $54.87 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.91 and a beta of 1.23. Comerica has a fifty-two week low of $37.40 and a fifty-two week high of $58.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 0.96. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $53.94 and a 200 day moving average of $52.07. Comerica (NYSE:CMA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.30. The company had revenue of $1.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $812.79 million. Comerica had a return on equity of 15.01% and a net margin of 12.15%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.01 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Comerica will post 5.05 earnings per share for the current year. Comerica Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.71 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.18%. Comericas dividend payout ratio is presently 56.46%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Christine M. Moore sold 2,545 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.51, for a total transaction of $146,362.95. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 27,910 shares in the company, valued at $1,605,104.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.19% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Comerica Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Pitcairn Co. grew its stake in shares of Comerica by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Pitcairn Co. now owns 6,800 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $374,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Comerica by 19.7% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,207 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $66,000 after buying an additional 199 shares during the last quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp grew its position in Comerica by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 27,245 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,498,000 after buying an additional 201 shares during the last quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC grew its position in Comerica by 22.4% in the 2nd quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 1,102 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $56,000 after buying an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in Comerica by 39.3% in the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 737 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. 80.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Comerica (Get Free Report) Comerica Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services. The company operates through Commercial Bank, Retail Bank, Wealth Management, and Finance segments. The Commercial Bank segment offers various products and services, including commercial loans and lines of credit, deposits, cash management, payment solutions, card services, capital market products, international trade finance, letters of credit, foreign exchange management services, and loan syndication services for small and middle market businesses, multinational corporations, and governmental entities. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Comerica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Comerica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cushman & Wakefield plc (NYSE:CWK Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Hold from the six ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $12.42. A number of equities analysts have issued reports on CWK shares. Raymond James raised their target price on shares of Cushman & Wakefield from $14.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Cushman & Wakefield from $12.00 to $14.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Get Cushman & Wakefield alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on CWK Cushman & Wakefield Stock Performance CWK stock opened at $12.38 on Wednesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $12.36 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.97. Cushman & Wakefield has a 12-month low of $6.24 and a 12-month high of $13.78. The firm has a market cap of $2.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 309.50 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83. Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE:CWK Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, July 29th. The company reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by $0.01. Cushman & Wakefield had a net margin of 0.22% and a return on equity of 12.08%. The company had revenue of $2.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.63 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.22 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Cushman & Wakefield will post 0.89 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cushman & Wakefield A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CWK. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC increased its position in Cushman & Wakefield by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 79,929 shares of the companys stock valued at $831,000 after acquiring an additional 1,395 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 61.4% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,468 shares of the companys stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 2,080 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 7.4% during the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 33,539 shares of the companys stock valued at $351,000 after purchasing an additional 2,303 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund raised its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 2.5% during the first quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 98,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,033,000 after purchasing an additional 2,418 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Texas Permanent School Fund Corp lifted its holdings in Cushman & Wakefield by 1.7% in the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 147,178 shares of the companys stock worth $1,539,000 after purchasing an additional 2,428 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 95.56% of the companys stock. Cushman & Wakefield Company Profile (Get Free Report Cushman & Wakefield plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial real estate services under the Cushman & Wakefield brand in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Asia Pacific segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Cushman & Wakefield Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cushman & Wakefield and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Foundation Advisors lessened its holdings in shares of Brookfield Co. (NYSE:BN Free Report) by 13.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 242,354 shares of the companys stock after selling 36,890 shares during the period. First Foundation Advisors holdings in Brookfield were worth $10,067,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Triasima Portfolio Management inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Brookfield by 35.4% during the second quarter. Triasima Portfolio Management inc. now owns 1,199,250 shares of the companys stock worth $49,856,000 after buying an additional 313,436 shares during the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC acquired a new position in Brookfield during the 2nd quarter valued at $500,000. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new position in Brookfield during the 2nd quarter valued at $56,000. New South Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Brookfield by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. New South Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,083,847 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,023,000 after purchasing an additional 3,675 shares during the period. Finally, Cobblestone Capital Advisors LLC NY grew its position in Brookfield by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Cobblestone Capital Advisors LLC NY now owns 477,043 shares of the companys stock worth $19,816,000 after purchasing an additional 3,762 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 61.60% of the companys stock. Get Brookfield alerts: Brookfield Stock Down 2.2 % Shares of NYSE:BN opened at $46.13 on Monday. The companys fifty day moving average is $46.19 and its 200-day moving average is $43.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.20. Brookfield Co. has a 52 week low of $28.84 and a 52 week high of $50.46. The company has a market capitalization of $75.85 billion, a PE ratio of 75.62 and a beta of 1.53. Brookfield Dividend Announcement Brookfield ( NYSE:BN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $1.35 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.78 by $0.57. Brookfield had a net margin of 1.13% and a return on equity of 3.67%. The firm had revenue of $23.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.24 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.75 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Brookfield Co. will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 12th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.69%. Brookfields dividend payout ratio is 52.46%. Analysts Set New Price Targets BN has been the subject of several research reports. TD Securities increased their target price on shares of Brookfield from $62.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Brookfield from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Brookfield from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on Brookfield from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Brookfield from $50.50 to $51.25 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Brookfield currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $50.84. Get Our Latest Research Report on BN Brookfield Profile (Free Report) Brookfield Corporation is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Foundation Advisors lessened its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 2.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 239,534 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,876 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International comprises 0.9% of First Foundation Advisors portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. First Foundation Advisors holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $24,272,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. DDFG Inc bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the second quarter valued at $839,000. Oak Thistle LLC grew its position in Philip Morris International by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Oak Thistle LLC now owns 7,905 shares of the companys stock valued at $801,000 after purchasing an additional 379 shares during the last quarter. Morton Community Bank increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Morton Community Bank now owns 33,848 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,430,000 after purchasing an additional 1,941 shares in the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC raised its holdings in Philip Morris International by 10.9% in the second quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 13,779 shares of the companys stock worth $1,396,000 after buying an additional 1,352 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Caprock Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 69.9% in the second quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 41,575 shares of the companys stock worth $4,267,000 after buying an additional 17,109 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently weighed in on PM. StockNews.com raised shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Bank of America boosted their price target on Philip Morris International from $125.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Philip Morris International from $120.00 to $138.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted 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. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a 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 issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Philip Morris International has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $113.70. Philip Morris International Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE PM opened at $125.81 on Monday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $87.23 and a 12-month high of $127.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $195.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.55. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $113.87 and a 200 day moving average of $102.40. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.57 by $0.02. The firm 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%. Philip Morris Internationals revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.60 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.47 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity In related news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total value of $1,038,150.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 85,629 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,877,305.15. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the insider now owns 158,447 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,906,095.47. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total value of $1,038,150.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 85,629 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,877,305.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. 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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PHNOM PENH, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia attracted a fixed-asset investment of some 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in August, the Council for the Development of Cambodia said in a news release on Monday. The Southeast Asian country approved 53 investment projects last month, which could generate approximately 33,000 jobs, the council said. The new projects included a special economic zone establishment, a five-star hotel, an animal feed mill, two car tire manufacturing plants, garment and footwear factories and a beverage factory, it added. China remained the biggest investor in the kingdom last month. "About 84.72 percent of the investment capital in August 2024 was from China, 9.12 percent was from domestic source, and the remaining was from Singapore, Samoa, the Netherlands, Malaysia and the United States," it said. During the January-August period, the country approved 287 investment projects totally worth 4.84 billion dollars, creating roughly 226,570 jobs. Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State and spokesperson Penn Sovicheat said the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement, together with Cambodia's new law on investment, are major factors to attract foreign direct investment to the country. Neak Chandarith, director of the Cambodia 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Research Center, said Chinese-funded enterprises have played an important role in helping boost Cambodia's economy and improving local people's livelihoods. "Chinese-invested mega-projects under the Belt and Road Initiative such as the Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone, hydropower plants, Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, roads, and bridges, among others, have played and will continue to play a vital role in supporting the kingdom's economy," he told Xinhua. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Thursday morning. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Stock Performance Shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. stock opened at $258.10 on Thursday. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. has a one year low of $165.00 and a one year high of $357.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.20, a PEG ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.12. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $288.30 and a 200 day simple moving average of $308.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 3.97 and a quick ratio of 3.97. Get Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. alerts: Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The transportation company reported $9.60 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.64 by $3.96. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. had a return on equity of 25.99% and a net margin of 49.57%. The business had revenue of $357.51 million during the quarter. On average, research analysts anticipate that Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. will post 22.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. About Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ASR. CWM LLC boosted its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 227.8% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 118 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 116.7% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 221 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 64.7% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 313 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $100,000 after buying an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 62.2% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 840 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $247,000 after buying an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. in the 1st quarter worth approximately $249,000. 10.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. (Get Free Report) Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. holds concessions to operate, maintain, and develop airports in the southeast region of Mexico. The company operates airports that are located in the cities of Cancun, Cozumel, Merida, Huatulco, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Villahermosa, Tapachula, and Minatitlan. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Guidewire Software (NYSE:GWRE Get Free Report) had its target price increased by stock analysts at Citigroup from $123.00 to $165.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a neutral rating on the technology companys stock. Citigroups target price points to a potential downside of 1.57% from the stocks previous close. A number of other research firms have also weighed in on GWRE. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Guidewire Software from $152.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on Guidewire Software from $170.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Guidewire Software from $133.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 5th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a hold rating on shares of Guidewire Software in a research note on Friday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of Guidewire Software from $140.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $161.69. Get Guidewire Software alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on GWRE Guidewire Software Trading Up 3.7 % Guidewire Software stock traded up $5.92 during trading on Monday, hitting $167.64. The company had a trading volume of 340,926 shares, compared to its average volume of 656,405. The stock has a market cap of $13.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1,286.59 and a beta of 1.18. Guidewire Software has a 1-year low of $85.15 and a 1-year high of $171.74. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $144.64 and its 200-day simple moving average is $128.20. Guidewire Software (NYSE:GWRE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 5th. The technology company reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.08. Guidewire Software had a negative net margin of 0.62% and a negative return on equity of 1.32%. The company had revenue of $291.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $283.84 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.30 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Guidewire Software will post 0.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CEO Michael George Rosenbaum sold 5,582 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.54, for a total value of $751,002.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 239,793 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,261,750.22. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Guidewire Software news, CEO Michael George Rosenbaum sold 5,582 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.54, for a total transaction of $751,002.28. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 239,793 shares in the company, valued at $32,261,750.22. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider John P. Mullen sold 1,350 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, July 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.12, for a total value of $187,812.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 139,171 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,361,469.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 13,064 shares of company stock valued at $1,782,775 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Guidewire Software Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Guidewire Software by 0.8% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,134,952 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $949,430,000 after acquiring an additional 67,439 shares during the last quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Guidewire Software by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 2,874,758 shares of the technology companys stock worth $335,513,000 after purchasing an additional 115,600 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of Guidewire Software by 23.2% during the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,747,349 shares of the technology companys stock worth $378,832,000 after purchasing an additional 516,942 shares during the last quarter. Linonia Partnership LP raised its position in shares of Guidewire Software by 8.4% in the second quarter. Linonia Partnership LP now owns 2,395,601 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $330,329,000 after buying an additional 185,077 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Whale Rock Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Guidewire Software by 23.4% in the first quarter. Whale Rock Capital Management LLC now owns 1,270,870 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $148,323,000 after buying an additional 240,622 shares during the last quarter. Guidewire Software Company Profile (Get Free Report) Guidewire Software, Inc provides a platform for property and casualty (P&C) insurers worldwide. The company offers Guidewire InsuranceSuite Cloud, such as PolicyCenter Cloud, BillingCenter Cloud, and ClaimCenter Cloud applications. It also provides Guidewire InsuranceNow, a cloud-based platform that offers policy, billing, and claims management functionality to insurers; and Guidewire InsuranceSuite for Self-Managed. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Guidewire Software Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Guidewire Software and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Get Free Report) (NYSE:CM) Senior Officer Hratch Dikran Panossian sold 5,530 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$79.89, for a total value of C$441,791.70. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Price Performance CM traded up C$1.63 during trading on Monday, hitting C$82.10. The stock had a trading volume of 3,757,911 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,683,340. The company has a 50 day moving average price of C$70.90 and a 200-day moving average price of C$67.95. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a one year low of C$47.44 and a one year high of C$82.15. The firm has a market cap of C$77.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.50, a P/E/G ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 1.12. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 28th. Investors of record on Friday, September 27th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.38%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.96%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades CM has been the topic of several analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$79.00 to C$78.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Cormark raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a market perform rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from C$75.00 to C$83.00 in a report on Friday, August 30th. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$74.00 to C$75.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Bank of America raised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from C$74.00 to C$90.00 in a research report on Friday, August 30th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$69.00 to C$74.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, August 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$79.15. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. J.Jill (NYSE:JILL Free Report) had its price objective decreased by TD Cowen from $37.00 to $32.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. TD Cowen currently has a hold rating on the specialty retailers stock. A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. BTIG Research started coverage on J.Jill in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $44.00 target price on the stock. Telsey Advisory Group restated a market perform rating and issued a $38.00 target price on shares of J.Jill in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Lake Street Capital raised their target price on J.Jill from $38.00 to $44.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on J.Jill from $44.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $39.33. Get J.Jill alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on JILL J.Jill Trading Down 7.1 % Shares of J.Jill stock opened at $24.64 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 1.00. J.Jill has a 52 week low of $23.06 and a 52 week high of $40.61. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $34.98 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $31.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $264.83 million, a PE ratio of 7.36 and a beta of 0.61. J.Jill (NYSE:JILL Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, September 4th. The specialty retailer reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.11. J.Jill had a return on equity of 136.44% and a net margin of 7.84%. The company had revenue of $155.24 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $155.13 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.10 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that J.Jill will post 3.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. J.Jill Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 18th will be paid a $0.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 18th. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.14%. J.Jills payout ratio is presently 8.36%. Insider Buying and Selling at J.Jill In other J.Jill news, Director Investors Ltd. Towerbrook sold 1,300,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.00, for a total value of $40,300,000.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 4,021,444 shares in the company, valued at $124,664,764. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CEO Claire Spofford sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.76, for a total value of $337,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 204,961 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,919,483.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Investors Ltd. Towerbrook sold 1,300,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.00, for a total value of $40,300,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 4,021,444 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $124,664,764. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 1,326,190 shares of company stock worth $41,210,657 over the last ninety days. 6.70% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in shares of J.Jill by 7.0% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 480,056 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $16,788,000 after buying an additional 31,400 shares during the last quarter. Paradigm Capital Management Inc. NY raised its holdings in J.Jill by 109.3% during the second quarter. Paradigm Capital Management Inc. NY now owns 346,856 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $12,130,000 after acquiring an additional 181,116 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP grew its position in shares of J.Jill by 539.4% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 304,273 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $10,640,000 after purchasing an additional 256,687 shares in the last quarter. Divisadero Street Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of J.Jill during the second quarter valued at about $7,120,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in J.Jill by 2.9% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 191,023 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $6,679,000 after acquiring an additional 5,409 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 40.71% of the companys stock. J.Jill Company Profile (Get Free Report) J.Jill, Inc operates as an omnichannel retailer for women's apparel under the J.Jill brand in the United States. It offers apparel, footwear, and accessories, including scarves and jewelry. The company markets its products through retail stores, website, and catalogs. J.Jill, Inc was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. Read More Receive News & Ratings for J.Jill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for J.Jill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC increased its holdings in Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH Free Report) by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 85,998 shares of the medical research companys stock after buying an additional 3,563 shares during the period. Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC owned about 0.10% of Laboratory Co. of America worth $17,502,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America in the second quarter valued at $118,000. Paralel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 25.2% during the 2nd quarter. Paralel Advisors LLC now owns 10,449 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $2,126,000 after purchasing an additional 2,104 shares during the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 32.8% during the second quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 4,185 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $852,000 after buying an additional 1,034 shares in the last quarter. Custom Index Systems LLC raised its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 10.3% in the second quarter. Custom Index Systems LLC now owns 2,459 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $500,000 after buying an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hahn Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 33.4% during the second quarter. Hahn Capital Management LLC now owns 39,544 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $8,048,000 after buying an additional 9,896 shares during the period. 95.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Laboratory Co. of America alerts: Laboratory Co. of America Stock Performance Shares of LH stock opened at $223.91 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The company has a market cap of $18.80 billion, a PE ratio of 45.05, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.06. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $218.74 and its 200-day simple moving average is $211.05. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a 52 week low of $191.97 and a 52 week high of $238.46. Laboratory Co. of America Announces Dividend Laboratory Co. of America ( NYSE:LH Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The medical research company reported $3.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.78 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $3.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.19 billion. Laboratory Co. of America had a return on equity of 15.39% and a net margin of 3.60%. The companys revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.42 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 14.67 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.72 per share. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.29%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 29th. Laboratory Co. of Americas payout ratio is 57.95%. Insider Buying and Selling at Laboratory Co. of America In other Laboratory Co. of America news, EVP Lance Berberian sold 12,093 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $229.10, for a total value of $2,770,506.30. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 15,921 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,647,501.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Laboratory Co. of America news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.05, for a total transaction of $454,100.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 3,670 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $833,273.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Lance Berberian sold 12,093 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $229.10, for a total value of $2,770,506.30. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 15,921 shares in the company, valued at $3,647,501.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 29,679 shares of company stock valued at $6,716,306 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.85% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth LH has been the subject of several analyst reports. Barclays boosted their price target on Laboratory Co. of America from $213.00 to $249.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Evercore ISI increased their target price on Laboratory Co. of America from $210.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. StockNews.com raised Laboratory Co. of America from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $250.82. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on LH About Laboratory Co. of America (Free Report) Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics (Dx) and Biopharma Laboratory Services (BLS). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Laboratory Co. of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Laboratory Co. of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Thursday morning. Several other research firms have also issued reports on LPX. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $105.00 price target (up previously from $101.00) on shares of Louisiana-Pacific in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. BMO Capital Markets downgraded Louisiana-Pacific from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $99.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Louisiana-Pacific from $101.00 to $112.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. TD Securities increased their price objective on Louisiana-Pacific from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn downgraded shares of Louisiana-Pacific from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $94.88. Get Louisiana-Pacific alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Louisiana-Pacific Louisiana-Pacific Price Performance Shares of NYSE:LPX opened at $92.16 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.61 billion, a PE ratio of 25.32, a PEG ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.88. The company has a current ratio of 3.38, a quick ratio of 1.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Louisiana-Pacific has a 1-year low of $49.47 and a 1-year high of $101.89. The businesss 50 day moving average is $91.82 and its 200-day moving average is $85.36. Louisiana-Pacific (NYSE:LPX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The building manufacturing company reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.23. Louisiana-Pacific had a net margin of 15.22% and a return on equity of 27.09%. The firm had revenue of $814.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $797.26 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.55 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 33.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Louisiana-Pacific will post 5.05 earnings per share for the current year. Louisiana-Pacific Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 20th were given a $0.26 dividend. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 20th. Louisiana-Pacifics payout ratio is presently 28.57%. Insider Transactions at Louisiana-Pacific In related news, Director Lizanne C. Gottung sold 3,591 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.18, for a total value of $320,245.38. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 23,501 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,095,819.18. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Louisiana-Pacific news, CEO William Bradley Southern sold 32,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.44, for a total transaction of $3,046,144.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 596,886 shares in the company, valued at approximately $55,773,027.84. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Lizanne C. Gottung sold 3,591 shares of Louisiana-Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.18, for a total transaction of $320,245.38. Following the sale, the director now owns 23,501 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,095,819.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 36,991 shares of company stock worth $3,443,269. Corporate insiders own 1.26% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Louisiana-Pacific A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. LifeSteps Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Louisiana-Pacific in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in Louisiana-Pacific in the first quarter valued at about $25,000. Whittier Trust Co. bought a new position in Louisiana-Pacific during the first quarter worth about $31,000. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Louisiana-Pacific by 258.5% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 441 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 318 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Louisiana-Pacific by 57.3% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 486 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 177 shares during the last quarter. 94.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Louisiana-Pacific Company Profile (Get Free Report) Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides building solutions primarily for use in new home construction, repair and remodeling, and outdoor structure markets. It operates through Siding, Oriented Strand Board, LP South America, and Other segments. The Siding segment offers LP SmartSide trim and siding products, LP SmartSide ExpertFinish trim and siding products, LP BuilderSeries lap siding products, and LP Outdoor Building Solutions; and engineered wood siding, trim, soffit, and fascia products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Louisiana-Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Louisiana-Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mammoth Resources Corp. (CVE:MTH Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$0.01 and last traded at C$0.01, with a volume of 2000 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.02. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Fundamental Research set a C$0.16 target price on Mammoth Resources and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 28th. Get Mammoth Resources alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Mammoth Resources Mammoth Resources Trading Down 33.3 % About Mammoth Resources The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 0.04 and a quick ratio of 5.53. The firm has a market cap of C$673,300.00, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.00 and a beta of 1.98. The firms fifty day moving average is C$0.02 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.02. (Get Free Report) Mammoth Resources Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of mining properties in Mexico. It holds a 100% interest in the Tenoriba property consisting of four concessions, including Mapy, Mapy 2, Mapy 3, and Fernanda covering a land package of totalling 5,333 hectares located in the Sierra Madre precious metal belt in southwestern Chihuahua State, Mexico. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Mammoth Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mammoth Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Moser Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 9.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,223 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,075 shares during the quarter. Novo Nordisk A/S makes up 0.9% of Moser Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Moser Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $1,745,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. First PREMIER Bank bought a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. bought a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Gilliland Jeter Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 200.0% during the 2nd quarter. Gilliland Jeter Wealth Management LLC now owns 180 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 11.54% of the companys stock. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and issued a $160.00 price objective on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Monday, August 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $156.00 price target for the company. Argus lifted their price objective on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $125.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 10th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Novo Nordisk A/S from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $145.17. Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Performance NVO opened at $131.14 on Monday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $134.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $132.63. The company has a market cap of $588.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 52-week low of $86.96 and a 52-week 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 analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by ($0.06). Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 34.86% and a return on equity of 87.43%. The company had revenue of $9.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.91 billion. As a group, equities analysts anticipate 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 declared 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 of this dividend 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 Company 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Morgan Stanley restated their underweight rating on shares of PagSeguro Digital (NYSE:PAGS Free Report) in a report issued on Thursday morning, MarketBeat reports. They currently have a $6.50 price objective on the stock, down from their previous price objective of $14.00. Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on PagSeguro Digital from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, June 17th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of PagSeguro Digital from $18.00 to $16.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. UBS Group dropped their target price on PagSeguro Digital from $16.50 to $15.50 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised PagSeguro Digital from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $15.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $15.11. Get PagSeguro Digital alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on PAGS PagSeguro Digital Stock Performance PagSeguro Digital stock opened at $9.40 on Thursday. PagSeguro Digital has a fifty-two week low of $6.93 and a fifty-two week high of $14.98. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $12.35 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $12.58. The company has a market cap of $3.10 billion, a PE ratio of 8.47, a PEG ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 1.95. PagSeguro Digital (NYSE:PAGS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 20th. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.01. PagSeguro Digital had a net margin of 10.93% and a return on equity of 14.97%. The firm had revenue of $874.38 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $816.34 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.26 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that PagSeguro Digital will post 1.2 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On PagSeguro Digital Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quarry LP boosted its position in PagSeguro Digital by 156.2% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 6,242 shares of the companys stock valued at $73,000 after buying an additional 3,806 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC acquired a new stake in shares of PagSeguro Digital in the second quarter valued at $1,212,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its holdings in PagSeguro Digital by 18.4% in the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 36,070 shares of the companys stock valued at $422,000 after purchasing an additional 5,596 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC grew its stake in PagSeguro Digital by 115.1% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 3,813,901 shares of the companys stock worth $44,585,000 after purchasing an additional 2,040,704 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Maverick Capital Ltd. increased its holdings in PagSeguro Digital by 328.9% during the 2nd quarter. Maverick Capital Ltd. now owns 123,867 shares of the companys stock worth $1,448,000 after purchasing an additional 94,989 shares during the period. 45.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. PagSeguro Digital Company Profile (Get Free Report) PagSeguro Digital Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides financial technology solutions and services for consumers, individual entrepreneurs, micro-merchants, and small and medium-sized companies in Brazil and internationally. The company's products and services include PagSeguro Ecosystem, a digital ecosystem that operates as a closed loop where its clients are able to address their primary day to day financial needs, including receiving and spending funds, and managing and growing their businesses; PagBank digital account, which offers payment and banking services through the PagBank mobile app, as well as centralizes various cash-in options, functionalities, services, and cash-out options in a single ecosystem; and PlugPag, a tool for medium-sized and larger merchants that enables them to connect their point of sale (POS) device directly to their enterprise resource planning software or sales automation system through Bluetooth. See Also Receive News & Ratings for PagSeguro Digital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PagSeguro Digital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report released on Friday morning. A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. KeyCorp raised shares of Portland General Electric from a sector weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Barclays upped their target price on Portland General Electric from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, Mizuho increased their price target on Portland General Electric from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, May 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $44.86. Get Portland General Electric alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Portland General Electric Portland General Electric Price Performance Shares of NYSE POR opened at $47.98 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $4.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.38 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.00. Portland General Electric has a fifty-two week low of $38.01 and a fifty-two week high of $49.26. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $46.34 and its 200 day simple moving average is $43.82. Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The utilities provider reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.62 by $0.07. Portland General Electric had a return on equity of 9.15% and a net margin of 9.24%. The company had revenue of $758.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $716.43 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.44 earnings per share. Portland General Electrics quarterly revenue was up 17.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Portland General Electric will post 3.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Portland General Electric Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 24th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.17%. Portland General Electrics payout ratio is 76.63%. Insider Activity at Portland General Electric In other Portland General Electric news, VP John Teeruk Kochavatr sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.25, for a total transaction of $50,875.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 22,606 shares in the company, valued at $1,045,527.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, COO Benjamin Felton sold 1,886 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.00, for a total transaction of $90,528.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 30,142 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,446,816. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP John Teeruk Kochavatr sold 1,100 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.25, for a total value of $50,875.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 22,606 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,045,527.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Portland General Electric A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Portland General Electric during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $399,000. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in Portland General Electric by 1.6% during the second quarter. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 120,518 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $5,211,000 after buying an additional 1,883 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its stake in Portland General Electric by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 56,066 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,424,000 after acquiring an additional 3,233 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Portland General Electric in the 2nd quarter valued at about $7,459,000. Finally, Quarry LP raised its holdings in shares of Portland General Electric by 962.3% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,636 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 1,482 shares in the last quarter. About Portland General Electric (Get Free Report) Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned an electric transmission system consisting of 1,254 circuit miles, including 287 circuit miles of 500 kilovolt line, 413 circuit miles of 230 kilovolt line, and 554 miles of 115 kilovolt line; and served 934 thousand retail customers in 51 cities. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Portland General Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Portland General Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China has announced that it will no longer allow children to be sent overseas for adoption, ending a practice that has been in place for over three decades. The policy change stems from the countrys former strict one-child policy, which led to the international adoption of thousands of children, primarily girls and children with disabilities. The head of a Christian orphan network expressed concerns regarding the future fate of these unwanted children but said he has hope towards believers in China to step up and care of the most vulnerable. Commenting to Christian Daily International about the sudden change, Jedd Medefind, President of Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), said that China has been steadily constricting international adoption for many years. Most observers expected that to continue, but this sudden shutdown still came as a surprise to many. It's especially heartbreaking for the families who've already been matched with children, some for many years. They don't consider these children statistics or photographs, but as their daughters and sons, he said. Since China first opened its doors to international adoption in 1992, more than 160,000 Chinese children have found homes with families around the world. Of these, approximately 82,000 were adopted by families in the United States, according to data from China's Children International (CCI). On Thursday, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning confirmed the policy shift, explaining that the decision aligns with global trends in adoption practices. She noted that the only exceptions to the new rule would be cases involving the adoption of a child or stepchild by foreign relatives within three generations. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up "Apart from the adoption of a child or stepchild of blood relatives of the same generation who are within three generations of foreigners coming to China to adopt, China will not send children abroad for adoption," Mao said. She expressed gratitude toward foreign families and governments that have adopted Chinese children, acknowledging the love and kindness theyve shown over the years. It remains unclear how the policy shift will affect families currently in the process of adopting Chinese children, leaving many prospective adoptive parents in limbo. The decision comes amid broader demographic challenges faced by China. After two consecutive years of population decline, the country is struggling to encourage young couples to marry and have children. Despite incentives, many young women are hesitant to start families, citing concerns over the high cost of childcare, job security, and an uncertain economic future. Chinas one-child policy, which was in place from 1979 to 2015, played a significant role in shaping the country's adoption landscape. Under the policy, many families chose to keep boys, traditionally seen as the main family caregivers, and gave up girls for adoption. This led to a surge in international adoptions, particularly to Western countries. As China seeks to address its population decline and shift its focus toward domestic adoption and family planning, the end of international adoptions marks a significant turning point in the countrys social policy. Medefind is not convinced that the change will lead to more Chinese families adopting these children, however. Virtually all children adopted from China in recent years were at least 4 or 5 years old or older and also had some kind of disability, he says. Therefore, he is concerned that these children simply won't have a way to ever reach a permanent family -- not overseas, and almost certainly not domestically either. Chinas move to halt international adoptions mirrors recent actions by other nations. In May, the Netherlands banned its citizens from adopting children from foreign countries, while Denmark has also stopped international adoptions after its last adoption agency ceased operations. It's impossible to know what will happen to each of the Chinese children who'll now be kept from joining a family via intercountry adoption, but from all we've seen in countries that have taken similar steps to curtail international adoption, the prognosis isn't good, Medefind says. Large numbers of kids simply grow up without families, in institutions or worse. He observed that countries that banned intercountry adoption sometimes see a modest initial uptick in domestic adoptions of healthy infants, but many other kids simply languish. It's likely most of the children who would have been adopted internationally the majority of which have special needs will never find a family. They will grow up facing the profound struggles that come with orphanhood and disabilities in a culture that looks down on both. However, Medefind also sees the new situation as an opportunity for Christians in China to distinguish themselves from the wider culture and reveal Christs love to the most vulnerable. My earnest hope is that many caring Chinese families, especially the growing number of devout Christians in China, will consider adopting an older child, a sibling group, or a child with special needs. That'd be an incredibly counter-cultural choice in a society that prizes bloodlines and views both orphanhood and disability as permanent defects, he says. Committed Christians around the world motivated by the love of God and their own sense of being adopted into His family are increasingly making choices like that, and I have a great deal of respect for and hope in Chinese believers for this also. Quest Partners LLC lessened its position in Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS Free Report) by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 17,753 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 1,425 shares during the period. Quest Partners LLCs holdings in Leidos were worth $2,590,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in LDOS. Ballentine Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Leidos by 7.3% in the second quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 1,760 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $257,000 after buying an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Leidos in the second quarter valued at about $413,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Leidos in the second quarter valued at about $37,540,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC bought a new position in shares of Leidos in the second quarter valued at about $126,000. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Leidos by 1,126.9% in the second quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 45,455 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $6,631,000 after buying an additional 41,750 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.12% of the companys stock. Get Leidos alerts: Insider Activity In other news, Director Robert C. Kovarik, Jr. sold 1,059 shares of Leidos stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.23, for a total transaction of $153,798.57. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,455 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,082,689.65. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Robert C. Kovarik, Jr. sold 1,059 shares of Leidos stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.23, for a total value of $153,798.57. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,455 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,082,689.65. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Gary Stephen May sold 1,000 shares of Leidos stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.02, for a total value of $144,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 11,264 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,622,241.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Leidos from $165.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Leidos from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Leidos from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Leidos from $165.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on Leidos from $165.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given 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 Moderate Buy and an average target price of $163.08. View Our Latest Analysis on LDOS Leidos Stock Down 1.9 % Shares of Leidos stock opened at $152.85 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $20.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 65.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The business has a 50-day moving average of $149.72 and a two-hundred day moving average of $141.18. Leidos Holdings, Inc. has a 1 year low of $89.22 and a 1 year high of $159.10. Leidos (NYSE:LDOS Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The aerospace company reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.27 by $0.36. Leidos had a return on equity of 28.40% and a net margin of 2.72%. The business had revenue of $4.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.06 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.80 EPS. Leidoss revenue for the quarter was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Leidos Holdings, Inc. will post 8.95 EPS for the current year. Leidos Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.38 per share. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. Leidoss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.52%. Leidos Company Profile (Free Report) Leidos Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health segments. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LDOS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Leidos Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Leidos and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quest Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Taylor Morrison Home Co. (NYSE:TMHC Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 35,073 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $1,944,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Forum Financial Management LP boosted its position in shares of Taylor Morrison Home by 3.9% during the second quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 4,430 shares of the construction companys stock worth $246,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. TCW Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Taylor Morrison Home by 0.4% during the second quarter. TCW Group Inc. now owns 52,193 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,894,000 after acquiring an additional 213 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its position in shares of Taylor Morrison Home by 0.9% during the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 29,795 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,652,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Taylor Morrison Home by 1.8% during the second quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 14,831 shares of the construction companys stock worth $822,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hanlon Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Taylor Morrison Home by 2.0% during the second quarter. Hanlon Investment Management Inc. now owns 13,658 shares of the construction companys stock worth $757,000 after acquiring an additional 269 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.16% of the companys stock. Get Taylor Morrison Home alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently weighed in on TMHC. Wedbush restated a neutral rating and set a $65.00 target price (up previously from $61.00) on shares of Taylor Morrison Home in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. BTIG Research raised shares of Taylor Morrison Home from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $78.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Taylor Morrison Home from $63.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Raymond James assumed coverage on shares of Taylor Morrison Home in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. They set an outperform rating and a $75.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Taylor Morrison Home from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $70.17. Insider Activity In other news, Director William H. Lyon sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.33, for a total value of $1,929,900.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 2,255,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $145,084,478.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director William H. Lyon sold 1,741 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.03, for a total value of $118,440.23. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,195,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $149,347,347.48. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director William H. Lyon sold 30,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.33, for a total transaction of $1,929,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,255,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $145,084,478.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 90,000 shares of company stock valued at $5,966,317. 3.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Taylor Morrison Home Trading Up 0.2 % Shares of TMHC opened at $64.15 on Monday. Taylor Morrison Home Co. has a twelve month low of $37.23 and a twelve month high of $69.62. The company has a market cap of $6.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.18 and a beta of 1.96. The company has a current ratio of 6.01, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $62.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $59.23. Taylor Morrison Home (NYSE:TMHC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The construction company reported $1.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.91 by $0.06. Taylor Morrison Home had a net margin of 9.92% and a return on equity of 14.99%. The business had revenue of $1.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.87 billion. As a group, analysts expect that Taylor Morrison Home Co. will post 8.15 EPS for the current year. Taylor Morrison Home Company Profile (Free Report) Taylor Morrison Home Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a public homebuilder in the United States. The company designs, builds, and sells single and multi-family detached and attached homes; and develops lifestyle and master-planned communities. It develops and constructs multi-use properties consisting of commercial space, retail, and multi-family properties under the Urban Form brand name. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TMHC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Taylor Morrison Home Co. (NYSE:TMHC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Taylor Morrison Home Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taylor Morrison Home and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Radisson Mining Resources Inc. (CVE:RDS Get Free Report)s share price traded up 8.6% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$0.19 and last traded at C$0.19. 145,000 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 31% from the average session volume of 210,115 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.18. Radisson Mining Resources Price Performance The company has a 50-day moving average of C$0.17 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$0.17. The stock has a market capitalization of C$65.85 million, a PE ratio of -18.50 and a beta of 1.70. Get Radisson Mining Resources alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Radisson Mining Resources news, Senior Officer Matthew Lamont Manson acquired 2,000,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was bought at an average price of C$0.16 per share, with a total value of C$320,000.00. In related news, Director Peter Macphail acquired 500,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$0.16 per share, for a total transaction of C$80,000.00. Also, Senior Officer Matthew Lamont Manson bought 2,000,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was bought at an average price of C$0.16 per share, for a total transaction of C$320,000.00. 10.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Radisson Mining Resources Radisson Mining Resources Inc, a gold exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mining properties in Canada. Its flagship project is the 100% owned O'Brien gold project that comprise 120 claims covering a total area of 5,875 hectares located in the Abitibi Temiscamingue region of Quebec; and the Douay property, which comprising 30 claims covering an area of approximately 1,606 hectares located in the James Bay territory. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Radisson Mining Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Radisson Mining Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Safestay plc (LON:SSTY Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 27 ($0.36) and last traded at GBX 25.80 ($0.34), with a volume of 10477 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 25.75 ($0.34). Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Shore Capital reaffirmed a house stock rating on shares of Safestay in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Get Safestay alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on SSTY Safestay Price Performance About Safestay The stock has a market cap of 16.75 million, a P/E ratio of -2,575.00 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 150.58. The firms fifty day moving average price is GBX 20.89 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 20.12. (Get Free Report) Safestay plc operates and develops traveller accommodation under the Safestay brand in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, and rest of Europe. The company provides overnight hostel accommodation services and owns properties, as well as owns and operates hotels. It also provides ancillary goods and services, such as food and beverage, and merchandise. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Safestay Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Safestay and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sage Advisory Services Ltd.Co. cut its position in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (BATS:NULV Free Report) by 14.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 9,869 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,645 shares during the period. Sage Advisory Services Ltd.Co.s holdings in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF were worth $373,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Perella Weinberg Partners Capital Management LP increased its stake in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 627.4% in the 4th quarter. Perella Weinberg Partners Capital Management LP now owns 545,914 shares of the companys stock worth $19,604,000 after buying an additional 470,859 shares in the last quarter. Global Assets Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF in the first quarter worth about $3,878,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF during the second quarter worth about $34,000. Harbour Investments Inc. raised its stake in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 12.2% during the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 18,351 shares of the companys stock valued at $693,000 after purchasing an additional 2,001 shares during the period. Finally, Commerce Bank lifted its holdings in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 6.4% in the 4th quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 18,770 shares of the companys stock worth $674,000 after purchasing an additional 1,135 shares in the last quarter. Get Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF alerts: Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF Stock Performance NULV stock opened at $39.66 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.67 billion, a PE ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.75. The companys fifty day moving average price is $39.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.24. Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF has a one year low of $25.49 and a one year high of $30.70. Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF Profile The Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Value index. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap value stocks that score highly on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The fund is weighted using a multi-factor optimizer. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR Free Report) in a research note published on Thursday morning. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the aerospace companys stock. Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on SPR. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Spirit AeroSystems from $34.00 to $37.25 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 8th. UBS Group raised their price target on Spirit AeroSystems from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, July 1st. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating on shares of Spirit AeroSystems in a report on Monday, July 8th. Truist Financial raised their price target on Spirit AeroSystems from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a neutral rating and set a $37.00 price target (up from $36.00) on shares of Spirit AeroSystems in a report on Monday, July 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $35.38. Get Spirit AeroSystems alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on SPR Spirit AeroSystems Trading Down 2.5 % Shares of Spirit AeroSystems stock opened at $32.86 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.83 billion, a P/E ratio of -3.78 and a beta of 1.85. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $34.62 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $33.08. Spirit AeroSystems has a 12 month low of $14.65 and a 12 month high of $37.08. Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 5th. The aerospace company reported ($2.73) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.98) by ($1.75). The business had revenue of $1.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.57 billion. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($1.46) earnings per share. Analysts predict that Spirit AeroSystems will post -4.21 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Spirit AeroSystems Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Spirit AeroSystems during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Principal Securities Inc. bought a new position in shares of Spirit AeroSystems during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Byrne Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Spirit AeroSystems during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Riverview Trust Co bought a new position in shares of Spirit AeroSystems during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Spirit AeroSystems by 148.7% during the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,211 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 724 shares during the period. 93.59% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Spirit AeroSystems Company Profile (Get Free Report) Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc engages in the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of commercial aerostructures worldwide. It operates through three segments: Commercial, Defense & Space, and Aftermarket. The Commercial segment offers forward, mid, and rear fuselage sections and systems, floor beams, nacelles, struts/pylons, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, flaps and slats flight control surfaces, wing structures, and wing systems. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Spirit AeroSystems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spirit AeroSystems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) Senior Officer Steven Lloyd Tennyson sold 7,908 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$112.16, for a total transaction of C$886,977.10. Bank of Montreal Trading Up 0.8 % TSE:BMO traded up C$0.91 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting C$112.60. The stock had a trading volume of 1,724,718 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,783,222. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$115.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$121.90. The company has a market capitalization of C$82.13 billion, a PE ratio of 12.85, a PEG ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.16. Bank of Montreal has a twelve month low of C$102.67 and a twelve month high of C$133.95. Get Bank of Montreal alerts: Bank of Montreal Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 30th will be given a dividend of $1.55 per share. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 30th. Bank of Montreals payout ratio is 71.35%. Analyst Ratings Changes BMO has been the subject of several analyst reports. Desjardins cut their target price on Bank of Montreal from C$125.00 to C$120.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Cormark cut their price objective on Bank of Montreal from C$129.00 to C$118.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 28th. UBS Group set a C$122.00 target price on Bank of Montreal and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on Bank of Montreal from C$118.00 to C$106.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 28th. Finally, CIBC increased their price target on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$116.00 to C$120.00 in a research report on Friday. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$121.29. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Bank of Montreal 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Montreal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Montreal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE:DEI Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Monday. Traders bought 2,535 put options on the stock. This is an increase of 545% compared to the typical volume of 393 put options. Douglas Emmett Trading Down 0.8 % Shares of NYSE DEI traded down $0.13 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $15.48. 127,655 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,670,122. Douglas Emmett has a one year low of $10.76 and a one year high of $16.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 5.11 and a quick ratio of 5.11. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $14.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $14.03. Get Douglas Emmett alerts: Douglas Emmett (NYSE:DEI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.06 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.43 by ($0.37). The business had revenue of $245.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $246.62 million. Douglas Emmett had a negative return on equity of 0.88% and a negative net margin of 3.55%. Douglas Emmetts revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.48 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Douglas Emmett will post 1.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Douglas Emmett Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.91%. Douglas Emmetts payout ratio is currently -245.16%. Several equities analysts have commented on the company. StockNews.com raised Douglas Emmett from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, May 20th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Douglas Emmett from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of Douglas Emmett from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of Douglas Emmett from $14.00 to $16.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, August 26th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $15.20. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on DEI Institutional Investors Weigh In On Douglas Emmett Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DEI. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in Douglas Emmett by 155.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 4,121 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 2,505 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC boosted its stake in shares of Douglas Emmett by 48.0% in the second quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 51,916 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $691,000 after acquiring an additional 16,846 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its position in shares of Douglas Emmett by 3.6% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 91,554 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,219,000 after purchasing an additional 3,183 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Douglas Emmett by 3.9% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 36,432 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $479,000 after purchasing an additional 1,377 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AXA S.A. lifted its holdings in Douglas Emmett by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 410,523 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $5,464,000 after purchasing an additional 10,544 shares in the last quarter. 97.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Douglas Emmett (Get Free Report) Douglas Emmett, Inc (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Douglas Emmett Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Douglas Emmett and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Barnwell Industries (NYSE:BRN Get Free Report) in a research report issued on Saturday. The firm set a hold rating on the stock. Barnwell Industries Price Performance Shares of NYSE:BRN opened at $2.17 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.76 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.58 and a beta of 0.09. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $2.32 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.48. Barnwell Industries has a fifty-two week low of $2.06 and a fifty-two week high of $3.20. Get Barnwell Industries alerts: Barnwell Industries (NYSE:BRN Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 13th. The company reported ($0.12) earnings per share for the quarter. Barnwell Industries had a negative return on equity of 22.12% and a negative net margin of 15.55%. The firm had revenue of $5.53 million for the quarter. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Barnwell Industries Barnwell Industries Company Profile An institutional investor recently raised its position in Barnwell Industries stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its position in Barnwell Industries, Inc. ( NYSE:BRN Free Report ) by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 355,534 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,612 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned about 3.55% of Barnwell Industries worth $836,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Institutional investors own 40.71% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Barnwell Industries, Inc acquires, develops, produces, and sells oil and natural gas in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Oil and Natural Gas, Land Investment, and Contract Drilling. It also acquires and develops crude oil and natural gas assets in the province of Alberta, as well as invests in land interests in Hawaii. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Barnwell Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barnwell Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stonekeep Investments LLC bought a new position in Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 11,326 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $146,000. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bleakley Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in NU in the 1st quarter worth about $152,000. Wasatch Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of NU by 19.4% during the 4th quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 23,949,214 shares of the companys stock valued at $199,497,000 after acquiring an additional 3,886,442 shares during the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of NU in the first quarter worth approximately $1,958,000. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. raised its holdings in shares of NU by 499.9% during the second quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 413,165 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,326,000 after purchasing an additional 344,295 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. bought a new position in NU during the first quarter valued at approximately $597,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.90% of the companys stock. Get NU alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Susquehanna reaffirmed a positive rating and issued a $16.00 target price on shares of NU in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. UBS Group cut NU from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $13.50 price objective for the company. in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on NU from $10.80 to $15.20 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of NU from $14.50 to $15.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of NU from $15.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $13.43. NU Trading Down 4.5 % NU stock opened at $13.70 on Monday. Nu Holdings Ltd. has a 12-month low of $6.67 and a 12-month high of $15.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $65.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.69, a P/E/G ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.17. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $13.15 and a 200 day moving average of $12.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. NU (NYSE:NU Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 13th. The company reported $0.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.10 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.90 billion. NU had a net margin of 15.11% and a return on equity of 27.00%. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.05 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Nu Holdings Ltd. will post 0.4 earnings per share for the current year. NU Profile (Free Report) Nu Holdings Ltd. provides digital banking platform and digital financial services in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and internationally. It offers Nu credit and debit cards; Ultraviolet credit and debit cards; and mobile payment solutions for NuAccount customers to make and receive transfers, pay bills, and make everyday purchases through their mobile phones. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for NU Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NU and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Korean Americans are nearly twice as likely to identify as Christians compared to adults in South Korea (59% versus 32%), according to latest Pew Research Center data released at the end of August. The survey also showed that Korean American adults are far less likely to be religiously unaffiliated compared to adults in South Korea (34% versus 52%) or Buddhist (3% versus 14%). Report authors Kelsey Jo Starr and Kirsten Lesage said the religious differences may be down to the faith background of immigrants moving to the U.S. from South Korea in the past few decades. Migrants often go to countries where their religious identity is already prevalent and the U.S. is the worlds top destination for Christian migrants globally. The survey involved the views of Asian Americans in 2022 and 2023, alongside a survey of East Asian adults in 2023. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up Findings from the survey revealed the origins of Korean Americans with 66 percent immigrating from [South] Korea and 26 percent born in the U.S. The two groups differed widely in their religious makeup, according to the reports authors. Korean Americans born in [South] Korea were twice as likely to be Christian than not affiliated to a religion (63% versus 31%). But those born in the U.S. were fairly split between Christian faith and the unaffiliated (47% versus 45%). The survey also showed that most Korean American Christians (87%) stated the importance of religion generally in their lives, with a similar figure (82%) for South Korean Christians. Even so, Korean American Christians are far more likely than South Korean Christians to concur that religion is very important (58% versus 39%). The question was also asked of Korean American Christians as to whether they felt close to other religions. Korean American Christians did not, compared to South Korean Christians. As an example, 22 percent of Korean American Christians felt close to Confucianism, cited the report, with a similar figure (23%) feeling close to Buddhism. By contrast, many Christians in South Korea feel a personal connection to at least one other religions or philosophys way of life, stated the report. A majority of South Korean Christians (58%) say this about Confucianism, and 34% say the same about Buddhism. Meanwhile only two percent of Korean American Christians feel close to Daoism/Taoism for reasons aside from religion and 24 percent of Christians noted a personal connection to the Daoist way of life. Some of the respondents chose to not answer questions about affiliations to other religions. 15 percent of Korean American Christians chose not to answer each of the questions about a connection to other traditions. This compares to 10 percent of South Korean Christians avoiding questions about connections to Daoism, said the report. Trium Capital LLP lifted its stake in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN Free Report) by 28.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 15,898 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 3,490 shares during the quarter. Accenture makes up approximately 0.6% of Trium Capital LLPs holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Trium Capital LLPs holdings in Accenture were worth $4,824,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Accenture by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 59,718,732 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $20,699,110,000 after purchasing an additional 635,349 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors raised its stake in Accenture by 2.0% in the first quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,652,537 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,999,056,000 after buying an additional 173,107 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Accenture in the 4th quarter valued at $2,061,490,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Accenture by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 3,797,028 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,316,086,000 after acquiring an additional 148,738 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in Accenture by 6.2% during the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 3,044,810 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,055,362,000 after purchasing an additional 178,003 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.14% of the companys stock. Get Accenture alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 8,145 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $331.05, for a total value of $2,696,402.25. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 22,849 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,564,161.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Accenture news, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 3,776 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $309.05, for a total transaction of $1,166,972.80. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 11,819 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,652,661.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 8,145 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $331.05, for a total value of $2,696,402.25. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 22,849 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,564,161.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 21,421 shares of company stock worth $6,912,635. Corporate insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have commented on ACN shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Accenture from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $409.00 to $295.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 15th. Guggenheim reissued a buy rating and set a $395.00 target price on shares of Accenture in a research report on Friday, May 24th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on shares of Accenture from $375.00 to $350.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, June 21st. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on Accenture from $360.00 to $350.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, June 21st. Finally, Bank of America reduced their target price on Accenture from $419.00 to $365.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, June 5th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $353.41. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Accenture Accenture Trading Down 0.3 % NYSE ACN opened at $339.84 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $212.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.12, a PEG ratio of 3.81 and a beta of 1.24. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $323.63 and a 200 day moving average of $324.05. Accenture plc has a twelve month low of $278.69 and a twelve month high of $387.51. Accenture (NYSE:ACN Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, June 20th. The information technology services provider reported $3.13 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.15 by ($0.02). Accenture had a return on equity of 27.48% and a net margin of 10.79%. The business had revenue of $16.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.55 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.19 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Accenture plc will post 11.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. Accenture Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 11th were paid a $1.29 dividend. This represents a $5.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.52%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 11th. Accentures dividend payout ratio is presently 47.25%. Accenture Company Profile (Free Report) Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Finance of America Companies (NYSE:FOA Free Report) had its price target cut by UBS Group from $15.00 to $14.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the stock. Finance of America Companies Price Performance NYSE:FOA opened at $10.31 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $102.38 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.52 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 71.55, a current ratio of 2.83 and a quick ratio of 2.83. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.98 and a 200-day simple 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. Get Finance of America Companies alerts: Finance of America Companies (NYSE:FOA Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.05) EPS for the quarter, topping 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 period in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.15) earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Finance of America Companies will post 0.11 EPS for the current year. Institutional Trading of Finance of America Companies About Finance of America Companies Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Finance of America Companies in the 2nd quarter worth about $41,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in Finance of America Companies by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 112,500 shares of the companys stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Finance of America Companies during the second quarter worth approximately $43,000. 97.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. (Get Free Report) 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Finance of America Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Finance of America Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. (NYSE:UGP Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $4.11, but opened at $4.27. Ultrapar Participacoes shares last traded at $4.28, with a volume of 45,260 shares. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have commented on the company. HSBC upgraded Ultrapar Participacoes from a reduce rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Citigroup upgraded Ultrapar Participacoes from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 14th. Hsbc Global Res raised Ultrapar Participacoes from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of Ultrapar Participacoes from $5.90 to $5.20 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Ultrapar Participacoes from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $4.25. Get Ultrapar Participacoes alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on UGP Ultrapar Participacoes Stock Up 4.6 % The stocks fifty day moving average price is $4.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $4.76. The company has a market capitalization of $4.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.92, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. Ultrapar Participacoes (NYSE:UGP Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The oil and gas company reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.08. The business had revenue of $6.21 billion for the quarter. Ultrapar Participacoes had a return on equity of 20.24% and a net margin of 2.21%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. will post 0.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Ultrapar Participacoes Cuts Dividend The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 19th were given a $0.0446 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 19th. Ultrapar Participacoess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.67%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ultrapar Participacoes Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Natixis Advisors L.P. acquired a new stake in Ultrapar Participacoes during the 4th quarter valued at $1,169,000. Metis Global Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ultrapar Participacoes during the 4th quarter worth about $151,000. KLR Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ultrapar Participacoes during the 4th quarter worth about $111,000. Capital Wealth Planning LLC acquired a new position in Ultrapar Participacoes in the 4th quarter valued at about $557,000. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd raised its holdings in Ultrapar Participacoes by 65.5% in the 4th quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd now owns 95,974 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $520,000 after acquiring an additional 37,982 shares during the period. 3.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Ultrapar Participacoes (Get Free Report) Ultrapar Participacoes SA, through its subsidiaries, operates in the energy and infrastructure business in Brazil. The company distributes liquefied petroleum gas to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers, in addition to renewable electricity and compressed natural gas. It also operates in the distribution and marketing of gasoline, ethanol, diesel, fuel oil, kerosene, natural gas for vehicles, and lubricants; and holds AmPm convenience stores and provides JetOil lubricant services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ultrapar Participacoes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ultrapar Participacoes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tiff Advisory Services LLC grew its position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO Free Report) by 99.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,467 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,233 shares during the quarter. Valero Energy makes up 0.1% of Tiff Advisory Services LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest position. Tiff Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Valero Energy were worth $387,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Collective Family Office LLC grew its position in shares of Valero Energy by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Collective Family Office LLC now owns 4,040 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $690,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in Valero Energy by 4.7% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,327 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $227,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. International Private Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Valero Energy by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. International Private Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,970 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $309,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Aua Capital Management LLC grew its position in Valero Energy by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Aua Capital Management LLC now owns 2,261 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $386,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Finally, OmniStar Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Valero Energy by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. OmniStar Financial Group Inc. now owns 4,543 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $712,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Valero Energy alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently commented on VLO. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Mizuho upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the stock from $165.00 to $175.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $171.00 to $165.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $174.50. Valero Energy Price Performance Shares of Valero Energy stock traded up $0.63 during trading on Monday, hitting $134.82. The stock had a trading volume of 197,211 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,968,843. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The firm has a market cap of $43.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.65, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.40. The business has a fifty day moving average of $148.79 and a two-hundred day moving average of $155.74. Valero Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $119.88 and a fifty-two week high of $184.79. Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The oil and gas company reported $2.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.60 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $34.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $32.97 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 21.01% and a net margin of 4.25%. The companys revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $5.40 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 12.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Valero Energy Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 1st were issued a $1.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 1st. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.17%. Valero Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.20%. Valero Energy Company Profile (Free Report) Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. X Square Capital LLC raised its position in Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE:OXY Free Report) by 96.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 34,204 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after purchasing an additional 16,756 shares during the quarter. X Square Capital LLCs holdings in Occidental Petroleum were worth $2,156,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Caprock Group LLC grew its holdings in Occidental Petroleum by 242.6% during the 2nd quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 53,173 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $3,362,000 after acquiring an additional 37,654 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum in the second quarter worth $1,563,000. Hahn Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Occidental Petroleum by 20.4% in the second quarter. Hahn Capital Management LLC now owns 108,293 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $6,826,000 after purchasing an additional 18,365 shares during the period. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC bought a new position in Occidental Petroleum during the 2nd quarter worth $53,000. Finally, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its holdings in Occidental Petroleum by 16.1% during the 2nd quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 169,459 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $10,681,000 after buying an additional 23,456 shares during the period. 88.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Occidental Petroleum in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They set an outperform rating and a $81.00 price objective for the company. Scotiabank dropped their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $90.00 to $80.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 12th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $69.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 24th. Susquehanna dropped their target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $81.00 to $78.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Occidental Petroleum from $69.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Occidental Petroleum presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $71.50. Insider Activity at Occidental Petroleum In related news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc purchased 334,461 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 17th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $59.75 per share, with a total value of $19,984,044.75. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 255,281,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,253,071,059. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Occidental Petroleum news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc acquired 334,461 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of $59.75 per share, with a total value of $19,984,044.75. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 255,281,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,253,071,059. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Petroleum Corp /De/ Occidental sold 19,500,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.75, for a total value of $697,125,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 165,681,578 shares in the company, valued at $5,923,116,413.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have bought 2,161,013 shares of company stock worth $129,356,749. Company insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock. Occidental Petroleum Trading Down 3.2 % Shares of Occidental Petroleum stock opened at $52.03 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $58.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $61.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.75. The firm has a market cap of $47.12 billion, a PE ratio of 14.22 and a beta of 1.58. Occidental Petroleum Co. has a 1 year low of $51.79 and a 1 year high of $71.18. Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.26. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 16.62% and a return on equity of 17.91%. The firm had revenue of $6.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.93 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.68 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Occidental Petroleum Co. will post 3.66 EPS for the current year. Occidental Petroleum Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 10th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.69%. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio is presently 24.04%. Occidental Petroleum Company Profile (Free Report) Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, and North Africa. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. The company's Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OXY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE:OXY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Occidental Petroleum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Occidental Petroleum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The U.S. government and a coalition of international partners have officially attributed a Russian hacking group tracked as Cadet Blizzard to the General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) 161st Specialist Training Center (Unit 29155). "These cyber actors are responsible for computer network operations against global targets for the purposes of espionage, sabotage, and reputational harm since at least 2020," the agencies said. "Since early 2022, the primary focus of the cyber actors appears to be targeting and disrupting efforts to provide aid to Ukraine." Targets of the attacks have focused on critical infrastructure and key resource sectors, including the government services, financial services, transportation systems, energy, and healthcare sectors of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members, the European Union, Central American, and Asian countries. The joint advisory, released last week as part of a coordinated exercise dubbed Operation Toy Soldier, comes from cybersecurity and intelligence authorities in the U.S., the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, Canada, Australia, and the U.K. Cadet Blizzard, also known as Ember Bear, FROZENVISTA, Nodaria, Ruinous Ursa, UAC-0056, and UNC2589, gained attention in January 2022 for deploying the destructive WhisperGate (aka PAYWIPE) malware against multiple Ukrainian victim organizations in advance of Russia's full-blown military invasion of the country. Back in June 2024, a 22-year-old Russian national named Amin Timovich Stigal was indicted in the U.S. for his alleged role in staging destructive cyber attacks against Ukraine using the wiper malware. That said, the use of WhisperGate is said to be not unique to the group. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has since charged five officers associated with Unit 29155 for conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and wire fraud conspiracy against targets in Ukraine, the U.S. and 25 other NATO countries. The names of the five officers are listed below - Yuriy Denisov ( ), a colonel in the Russian military and a commanding officer of Cyber Operations for Unit 29155 Vladislav Borovkov ( ), Denis Denisenko ( ), Dmitriy Goloshubov ( ), and Nikolay Korchagin ( ), lieutenants in the Russian military assigned to Unit 29155 who worked on cyber operations "The defendants did so in order to sow concern among Ukrainian citizens regarding the safety of their government systems and personal data," the DoJ said. "The defendants' targets included Ukrainian Government systems and data with no military or defense-related roles. Later targets included computer systems in countries around the world that were providing support to Ukraine." Concurrent with the indictment, the U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on any of the defendants' locations or their malicious cyber activity. Indications are that Unit 29155 is responsible for attempted coups, sabotage, and influence operations, and assassination attempts throughout Europe, with the adversary broadening their horizons to include offensive cyber operations since at least 2020. The end goal of these cyber intrusions is to collect sensitive information for espionage purposes, inflict reputational harm by leaking said data, and orchestrate destructive operations that aim to sabotage systems containing valuable data. Unit 29155, per the advisory, is believed to comprise junior, active-duty GRU officers, who also rely on known cybercriminals and other civilian enablers such as Stigal to facilitate their missions. These comprise website defacements, infrastructure scanning, data exfiltration, and data leak operations that involve releasing the information on public website domains or selling it to other actors. Attack chains commence with scanning activity that leverages known security flaws in Atlassian Confluence Server and Data Center, Dahua Security, and Sophos' firewall to breach victim environments, followed by using Impacket for post-exploitation and lateral movement, and ultimately exfiltrating data to dedicated infrastructure. "Cyber actors may have used Raspberry Robin malware in the role of an access broker," the agencies noted. "Cyber actors targeted victims' Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA) infrastructure with password spraying to obtain valid usernames and passwords." Organizations are recommended to prioritize routine system updates and remediate known exploited vulnerabilities, segment networks to prevent the spread of malicious activity, and enforce phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all externally facing account services. In a DOJ indictment, federal authorities announced charges and sanctions against Russian-government-linked operatives for interfering to boost Donald Trump, including funneling $10 million to the U.S.-based Tenet Media, which employs right-wing and pro-Russia propagandist including Tim Pool, Benny Johnson and Dave Rubin. Separately, Iran has been setting up fake news sites and taken other steps to sow political discord, at least partly aimed at hurting Trumps chances. Kamala Harris should not welcome this support from the mullahs nor should Trump bask in being the Kremlins favorite, though Trump at least has seemed happy with foreign interference on his behalf before. The American internet personalities funneled millions in Moscows cash unwittingly, they claim should do some self-reflection, though we wont be holding our breath for the likes of Benny Johnson to take time for contemplation. At the very least, they should explain why it seems the Russian state thought they were such a good investment. Russia and Iran are particularly nasty players and adversaries on the world stage, but of course we dont want anyone trying to stick their mitts in our elections, even friends. Other countries are inevitably going to have an interest in political affairs that determine the direction of this country. But they can make their preferences known through official communiques and registered lobbying, not subterfuge, astroturfing, direct political spending or troll armies. Part of the trouble is the difficulty in rooting out these campaigns and taking action against them. The commentators that took the Russian money still, of course, are perfectly within their First Amendment rights to parrot Putin talking points. The funneling of the money is a crime but it is not a crime for the recipients to be unwitting useful idiots. The kind of speech that the Iranians are fomenting with their fake sites and the Russians are stoking with their bot armies is perfectly permissible political speech when engaged in by Americans airing their views. That legitimate and illegitimate political speech can look identical makes it harder to police, and generates the risk that overzealous government responses will end up violating free speech rights. Thats why we need the tech giants that often facilitate and host this content to be more proactive about preventing misuse in the first place for example, building in safeguards to prevent large language models to easily emulate voters and spread political messages and Washington to respond forcefully with diplomatic pressure and tangible consequences for countries found to be engaged in these efforts. More broadly, it wouldnt hurt to get Americans a bit more media literate so theyre not as susceptible to these influence campaigns in the first place. The weakening of public faith in media and other institutions is helping produce the information free-for-all, which benefits no one and makes it impossible for many people to tell fact from fiction. It wont be easy, but we must inch back to a place where we can all at least live in the same reality. An advocate for the d/Deaf community challenges churches to reevaluate their approaches to fellowship and evangelism to better serve the distinctive needs of this sizeable people group, which has its own cultures and languages. Emily Owen knows what it is to be broken and what it is to meet God there. Owen was diagnosed with a neurological condition called NF2-Schwannomatosis (NF2) as a teenager and suffered many medical surgeries to combat the health issue. NF2 led to brain surgery causing her to lose hearing traumatically overnight in Nov. 2001 at the age of 21. She also has to walk using crutches because of her condition. However, Owen pushed on with her career in writing and public speaking on faith and disability topics. She writes her own blog and has authored several books, including devotionals and children's books, winning the Association of Christian Writers Award for Outstanding Contribution to Christian Publishing in 2018. Owen also serves as a team member and email compiler for Open Ears, a UK charitable organization facilitating fellowship for impaired hearing Christians. Her mother Anthea is chair of the charity. Speaking to Christian Daily International in a personal capacity, Owen explained how people with hearing issues broadly fall within three categories. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up Deaf (capital letter D) people are born Deaf and usually use sign language as a first language. Deaf is their culture, Owen explained. Secondly are those termed deaf (lowercase letter d), namely people who, like me, lose their hearing in later life, usually who have acquired spoken language. Thirdly, Hard of Hearing people whose hearing needs to be amplified with a hearing aid. It is easy for any of the above categories to feel isolated in church, as communication is difficult, said Owen, while outlining methods for churches to better engage with this people group. Churches who have a lot of visual information are helpful, though often the Deaf community do not read well, as English is their second language after sign language. Good lighting is important, as many people with any degree of hearing loss will lipread to an extent. Speech-to-Text apps can be useful for those who are able to read, she said. Owen also said a good Loop System helps those with hearing aids, adding that background noise can make listening very challenging for those wearing such devices. The issue of churches engaging with hearing loss people is international, not just in the U.K. Owen has just returned from the 21st International Conference for Pastoral Care among Hard of Hearing in Oslo, Norway, at the end of August. The theme was Participation is possible and talked about inclusion, with 42 people from nine countries attending. The Joshua Project (TJT) estimates the world Deaf population between 30 and 70 million. Although often labeled as a disability, TJT has said a more accurate perspective is to see these people as a distinct cultural group with their own languages and history. Asked if she had a particular message for evangelical churches on how to better engage with the Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing communities, Owen responded that it was rare for the needs of these communities to be prioritized by churches. Learn from Jesus, she said. In the healing of the deaf man story, Jesus took the man aside before He 'opened his ears'. That was such a kind and compassionate thing to do noise/people/crowds can be overwhelming. It is unlikely that you will get to know a D/deaf/HoH person very well in a crowd. She encouraged churchgoers to ask a D/deaf person themselves what their specific needs were in order to access church life. People are different and may prefer different things. You can't be expected to know, but you can ask. Perhaps consider offering deaf awareness training to your congregation, Owen added. There are charities and professional bodies that would come and give this. In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to recommend a D/deaf person attends another church with better facilities to meet their needs. Sometimes signposting to another church, which would be better equipped to meet needs, is the best welcome, said Owen. Remember that hearing loss/lack of hearing is very isolating, particularly when surrounded by hearing people. It is hard to follow what is happening. Allow time and space in your service for D/deaf people to keep up. Have visual indicators where possible. The importance of providing every possible means for a D/deaf person to feel fully included cannot be overstated. Hearing loss steals confidence and the church has a role in rebuilding self-esteem, helping them to feel properly incorporated into the church community. Hard of Hearing people especially will often feel very embarrassed even ashamed about their hearing loss, and try to disguise it meaning they often miss out so be aware of that. A further challenge remains with sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with D/deaf communities. Owen said communication was the main obstacle. However, nothing is impossible with God, she says. She recalled a Deaf man becoming a Christian at a faith event recently where there had been a sign language interpreter. There is currently a project going [BSL Bible] which aims to make the Bible available in British Sign Language, said Owen, but it takes time. Owen asked believers to pray for the gospel to be presented and available in an accessible way that [hearing loss] people can understand. She referenced Romans 10:14: And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (TBTCO) - Tai buoi hop bao cong bo tieu iem thi truong bat ong san Ha Noi quy 3 dien ra ngay 8/10, ai dien CBRE Viet Nam Chi nhanh Ha Noi cho biet, trong 9 thang, tong nguon cung moi ve nha o gan lien voi at tren ia ban at muc cao nhat trong vong 5 nam tro lai ay, du vay, gia van co xu huong tiep tuc tang o ca thi truong so cap va thu cap. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). OQ Exploration and Production (OQEP), Oman's largest pure-play oil and gas exploration company, is set to launch an initial public offering (IPO) and list its ordinary shares on the Muscat Stock Exchange. The company plans to sell up to 25 per cent of its total issued share capital, with the company and the Selling Shareholder, OQ, having the right to amend the size at any time, said a statement. A minimum 75 per cent shareholding will remain with OQ after the offering. HSBC, Natixis, OIB, and Sohar International have been appointed as joint global coordinators, with Sohar International as the issue manager. The offering provides investors exposure to OQEP, a top three oil and gas producer and one of the largest holders of reserves in Oman. OQEP has experienced significant growth, expanding its average daily production nearly 14 times since its inception in 2009. OQEP benefits from Omans fundamental advantages, including (i) its strategic location in a prolific hydrocarbon province with direct access to global shipping routes and logistics hubs; (ii) its well-developed oil and gas sector; (iii) a stable and highly prospective oil and gas operating environment which has attracted many international investors; (iv) the Government of Omans encouragement of investment in gas-intensive industries to support economic diversification and hydrocarbon value optimisation; and (v) an established and competitive regulatory and fiscal framework for the hydrocarbon sector. Ashraf Hamed Al Mamari, Group CEO of OQ, said: Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards enhancing the value of OQs portfolio through strategic divestments. The intention to float OQ Exploration and Production reflects our commitment to unlocking new opportunities for growth, both for the company and for the Sultanate of Oman. Together with our ultimate shareholders at the Oman Investment Authority, we continue to broaden the reach of OQ companies, offering an attractive and robust investment case to the global market. OQ Exploration and Production, with its leading position in maximising Oman's natural resources, underscores our focus on sustainable development and local value creation. By empowering local communities and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, we not only maximise local value but also contribute to the long-term economic stability of Oman. Ahmed Al-Azkawi, OQEP Chief Executive Officer, added: We are pleased to announce OQEPs intention to float on MSX. Since our inception in 2009, we have worked tirelessly to pursue growth opportunities and strengthen our market position. This milestone represents the success of all those years of hard work. Our enterprise core values of operational excellence and sustainability have allowed us to build the company we are now taking public. OQEP is a reliable partner for 13 reputable international companies owing to our significant growth trajectory, robust portfolio of assets, and record-breaking production of nearly 14 times higher since inception." He added: "Our strategic goals, aligned with Omans Vision 2040, focus on monetising the countrys hydrocarbon resources while supporting the energy transition. Additionally, stimulating the local economy is central to our sustainability initiatives, which includes developing local talent and supporting our CSI projects to increase our contributions to In-Country Value. We continue to build on our success and invite investors to be part of this unique opportunity and successful journey. OTHER KEY DETAILS OF THE OFFERING * All the shares being sold by the Selling Shareholder (OQ) are existing ordinary shares and the company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares in the offering, all of which will be paid to the selling shareholder. The offering expenses will be paid by the selling shareholder. * The Offering will be offered in two tranches to eligible investors in Oman and qualified institutional and other investors in a number of countries (the "Category I Investors") and retail investors in Oman ("Category II Investors"). It will be conducted in the manner approved by the FSA and will be carried out concurrently. Category I (Institutional Tranche) Offer represents 60% of the total Offering and will be made to eligible investors in Oman and qualified institutional and other investors in a number of countries, which is expected to be allocated on a pro-rata basis relative to an investors order size. Category II (Retail Tranche) Offer represents 40% of the total Offering for retail investors in Oman. Retail investors in the Category II Offer will be assigned as either a large retail investor or a small retail investor depending on the size of their subscription amount. A portion of the Category II Offer will be made available to large retail investors and the remainder of the Category II Offer will be made available to small retail investors. If the aggregate demand in Category II is less than 40% of the Offer, then after full allocation to the Category II investors, the balance of the shares shall be made available to Category I investors, if there is oversubscription in Category I.-TradeArabia News Service The UAE has made significant strides in global real estate market transparency, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi securing a place among the top 5 improvers in the transparency score globally, according to JLLs 2024 Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI). Dubai earned the third spot, and Abu Dhabi secured the fifth position for improvements made from 2022-24 and have been recognised among the top global improvers for scaling digital capabilities, implementing strong anti-money laundering (AML) and beneficial ownership (BO) regulations, and increasing the availability of market data for established and start-up market providers, said the report. Dubai climbed one spot to reach the 28th position on the index in the 2024 edition, where it has retained its position as the only property market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to feature in the Transparent tier. The emirates gains in its ranking highlight the effectiveness of government initiatives to enhance market transparency and foster a more robust real estate environment in the region, it said. The launch of technology-focused initiatives such as the Real Estate Innovation Incubator and Dubai PropTech Group have boosted Dubais rise on the index. These initiatives have empowered the real estate community in Dubai, creating confidence in the sector and building a world-class investment environment. Enhancements made to digital services through the Dubai REST interface, the smart real estate platform for real estate services, and providing access to land information or urban planning systems further underscore the Emirates commitment to continuous improvement in real estate practices. Eng Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Land Department, said: Dubais progress in the 2024 Global Real Estate Transparency Index demonstrates our commitment to building an innovative and reliable real estate ecosystem. Clear, open practices attract global investments, enhance market trust, and support sustainable development, aligning with Dubai's vision as a leading global destination for real estate. Following Dubai's Economic Agenda D33, we are advancing digital transformation and setting high standards to keep Dubai at the forefront of global real estate markets. Ranked 41st on the index, Abu Dhabi advanced four spots from 2022 in the Semi-transparent level. The emirate has leveraged PropTech and AI to expand its digital services and optimise real estate operations through its DARI platform, which includes sales and lease management and development and transaction databases. James Allan, CEO of JLL Middle East and Africa (MEA), said: Dubai's continued advancement in the 2024 edition of the Global Real Estate Transparency Index and the significant improvements made by Abu Dhabi reflect a broader trend towards greater transparency and efficiency in real estate markets across the UAE. Our 13th Global Real Estate Transparency Index has also spotlighted the importance of embracing technology to drive the sectors transformation and enhance transparency. The UAE has positioned itself as a tech and innovation leader in the MENA region, and by ramping up commitments to sustainability, it is creating a conducive investment environment that supports transformative urban development projects. In a constantly evolving real estate landscape, as countries in MENA transition to the next stage of urban growth, transparency is more important than ever in helping industry stakeholders make informed decisions and deliver better outcomes. The most transparent markets are pulling ahead and positioned to lead into the next cycle, but major markets that have made progress and are focused on enabling higher levels of institutionalisation, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia in MENA, offer strong long-term prospects. JLLs 2024 GRETI report reveals the significant competitive advantages AI brings to real estate markets and its potential for advancing productivity and transparency. Despite its profound impact on the economy, concerns have been raised on the potential risks of AI tools inadvertently leading to price-fixing or other anti-competitive behaviour, for example, through pricing optimisation algorithms. Sustainability transparency too is becoming increasingly critical as a growing number of countries and cities set out mandatory long-term decarbonisation pathways in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. With governments also mandating building-level energy and emissions disclosure, progressively more stringent standards and improved building management will drive faster progress, said the report. Globally, widening financial sanctions regimes have maintained momentum for improving anti-money laundering (AML) and beneficial ownership (BO) regulations. As tighter standards are introduced in more jurisdictions owing to geopolitical tensions and risk rise, investors and corporations will need to devote more resources to ensuring compliance and will increasingly gravitate towards markets with robust regulatory systems and lower reputational and financial risk. Produced jointly by JLL and LaSalle Investment Management, GRETI has been charting the evolution of real estate transparency across the globe since 1999. Updated every two years, the 13th edition this year is based on a comprehensive survey of the availability and quality of performance benchmarks and market data, governance structures, regulatory and legal environments, transaction processes, and sustainability instruments covering 89 countries and territories worldwide. - TradeArabia News Service The Seattle Symphony has appointed a successor to lead the orchestra starting next year, in the wake of the immediate exit of its previous music director two years ago. Xian Zhang is joining the Seattle Symphony as the orchestra's upcoming Music Director starting with the 2025/26 season. According to Seattle Symphony President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan, "Today we are witnessing history being made with the appointment of Zhang." "Her passionate musicianship is inspiring, her technique is clear and precise and the resulting performances captivate our audiences in heart and soul." Zhang will feature her talents in a series of performances alongside other prestigious ensembles including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera, and the New World Symphony Orchestra. During her visit to Brazil last June, she led the Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra when her agent reached out with news of an exciting job offer from the Seattle Symphony. "I was kind of surprised," Zhang said, per AP News. "I was completely not prepared to hear such good news." According to a press release shared by the Violin Channel, Zhang expressed, "As Music Director, I look forward to connecting with audiences on a deeper level, experiencing inspiring concerts together and discovering new music at Benaroya Hall, one of my all-time favorite performance halls to conduct in." "Thank you to all of the wonderful people I have been able to work with at the Seattle Symphony so far - musicians, board members and administrative staff. I look forward to a wonderful future together." Xian Zhang's Achievements In 2008, Zhang marked her debut performance with the Seattle Symphony and continued to stand by the ensemble during the challenging times of the pandemic, being among the first conductors to lead the orchestra back onto the stage. She led the New Jersey Symphony for eight seasons and held roles of Artistic Ambassador for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Conductor Emeritus for the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano. Breaking barriers and making history, Zhang has become the female Music Director in New Jersey and for any Italian symphony orchestra. Additionally, she is set to make waves as the first woman to take the helm of a West Coast orchestra. In the past, Zhang held the position of Principal Guest Conductor for the BBC National Orchestra, Chorus of Wales, and the MSO. The Chinese-American conductor has shared her skills as a guest conductor at venues such as the Metropolitan Opera, but it was with the Philadelphia Orchestra that she proudly clinched a GRAMMY Award last year. In 2002, Zhang clinched the top prize in the Maazel-Vilar Conductor's Competition. Construction and building activities in the UAE experienced a growth rate of 6.2 percent during the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year, according to the preliminary estimates issued by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC). This growth reflects the several development projects initiated by the UAE government in early 2024. The sector saw a substantial rise in the government's public capital expenditures, reaching AED4.8 billion ($1.31 billion), said a Wam news agency report quoting the data. The UAE's real GDP reached AED430 billion ($117.07 billion) in Q1 2024, recording a remarkable growth of 3.4 percent compared to the same period in 2023, according to the FCSC estimates. The non-oil GDP grew by 4 percent compared to the same period last year, a Wam news agency report said. Construction and building activities contributed 11.8 percent and real estate activities 7.1 percent.to the non-oil GDP. Trade activities made the largest contribution to the non-oil GDP, accounting for 16.1 percent of the total. Manufacturing activities come in second at 14.6 percent, with financial and insurance activities ranking third at a rate of 13.4 percent. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, said that the data underlines the resilience and vitality of the national economy and exemplify its ability to continue on the path of sustainable growth. "Under the guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the country adopted an innovative economic model that supports its future vision, along with effective national economic strategies, enhancing openness to the world, promoting partnerships, and transitioning towards an economic model based on flexibility and innovation," Bin Touq added. He emphasised that the national economy's positive results reinforce achieving the economic objectives of the "We the UAE 2031" vision, which includes raising the country's GDP to AED3 trillion by the next decade. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, said: "The financial and economic data and indicators endorsing the growth of the UAE's GDP Q1 2024 reflect the resilience of the country's vital economic sectors. It highlights the effectiveness of the concerted efforts to implement wise leadership's directives to enhance sustainable economic diversification, reduce dependence on oil, promote investments, and attract capital and innovative and emerging projects to the country." She added that the UAE's advanced rankings in multiple global economic competitiveness indicators can be attributed to several factors, including the stability of the financial system, the strength of the national economy, and the effectiveness of economic legislation and policies applied in the country, besides their ability to adapt to changes and face regional and global challenges. Saudi Arabia is set to host two groundbreaking events, the MEP International Conference 2024 and the inaugural Building Envelope Design and Insulation Conference (Bedic) 2024, on September 16-17, 2024, at the Jeddah Hilton in Saudi Arabia. These co-located events, supported by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing (Momrah) along with other key industry stakeholders, will revolutionise the regions construction landscape, emphasising sustainable and innovative solutions in alignment with Vision 2030. The MEP International Conference 2024, held with the tagline, Pioneering Sustainable Innovation will convene leading experts to explore the future of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) sectors in Saudi Arabia. Backed by prominent organisations such as KAFD Development & Management Company, Roshn, Red Sea Global, Rua Al Madinah Holding, CIOB, and CIBSE, this conference will feature distinguished keynote speakers including Mohammed Asiri, Chairman of the Saudi Council of Engineers, and Khalid Abdullah Al Molhem, CEO of Saudi Electricity Company (SEC). The agenda will cover a wide range of critical topics, from sustainable energy solutions and smart building technologies to digital transformation, driving discussions on best practices and groundbreaking innovations that will shape the future of the industry. Co-located with the MEP International Conference, Bedic 2024 focusses on Advancing Building Envelope Design and marks the regions first dedicated event on building envelope design and insulation. With the support of Momrah, the National Committee for the Saudi Building Code, and leading industry partners, the conference will address the increasing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient building solutions in line with Saudi Arabias Vision 2030. The event will be inaugurated with a keynote address by Mohammed Al Mulhim, Deputy Minister for Licensing and Project Coordination, Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. The agenda will feature insights from key industry figures involved in giga projects such as New Murabba, Rua Al Madinah, NEOM, and King Abdullah Financial District, focusing on the latest trends and technologies driving the future of building design in the kingdom. Both events, Mepic 2024 and Bedic 2024, offer a strategic platform for professionals to engage, network, and collaborate on solutions that will shape the future of Saudi Arabias built environment. Early registration is highly encouraged to secure participation in these landmark conferences. TradeArabia News Service Dubais real estate sector sees a positive outlook in the 2024/2025 business season, with strong sales figures, increasing property values, and the rapid absorption of new inventory expected to drive continued expansion. Analysts at Elite Merit Real Estate also project sustained growth in the overall UAE real estate market, underpinned by robust demand across multiple sectors, a significant influx of new property developments, and the integration of advanced technologies. This growth is expected to be supported by both domestic and international investors, reflecting the market's resilience and strategic importance in the region. Market performance and trends Dubai's real estate market is on track for another strong year in 2024, with record sales volumes and values. In July 2024, property sales reached an impressive AED49.6 billion ($13.5 billion), reflecting a 31.63% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This surge is largely attributed to the high demand for luxury properties, particularly in sought-after locations like Palm Jumeirah. The first half of 2024 alone saw over 43,000 property transactions valued at approximately AED122.9 billion, marking a 30% increase from the previous year. This growth is partly due to the rapid absorption of new inventory, with 80% of units launched since 2022 already sold. Supply surge and its implications The upcoming seasons will witness a substantial increase in property supply, with approximately 41,000 units expected in 2025 and 42,000 in 2026an 80% rise compared to 2024's projected supply of 27,000 units. While this influx presents numerous opportunities for buyers and investors, it also carries the risk of oversupply, potentially leading to price stabilisation or slight declines in certain segments. However, the market's resilience, bolstered by strong investor confidence and strategic urban planning, is expected to absorb much of this new supply. Investment opportunities and strategic timing For investors, the 2024/2025 season is crucial for timing investments to optimise returns. The luxury segment remains robust, with prime areas such as Palm Jumeirah and Downtown Dubai continuing to attract high-net-worth individuals. Additionally, there is increasing interest in mid-tier and affordable segments, particularly in areas like Dubai Silicon Oasis and Jumeirah Village Circle, where rental yields are promising. Technology integration and proptech growth The real estate market in Dubai is also seeing a significant transformation driven by technological advancements. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms is revolutionising how properties are marketed and sold. Tools such as virtual tours, 3D floor plans, and AI-driven market analyses are becoming standard, enhancing transparency and making the property purchasing process more accessible and efficient. Moreover, the rise of proptech solutions is expected to continue into 2024 and beyond, with these technologies playing a crucial role in how developers and investors engage with the market. This trend is not only local but is part of a broader global shift towards tech-enhanced real estate practices. Challenges and market dynamics Despite the positive outlook, the market faces challenges, including potential oversupply and associated downward pressure on rental prices. The decreasing availability of prime development land is leading to a shift toward more sustainable growth strategies beyond 2026. This shift is expected to stabilise the market in the long term, ensuring Dubai remains an attractive destination for real estate investment.--TradeArabia News Service Austria-based Coop Himmelb(L)AU has revealed the details of the iconic architectural statement for new massive Al Maktoum International Airport planned to come up in Dubai South. The architecture of the new airport will be a unique fusion of state-of-the-art design, innovation, and sustainability, the company said. With Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) as the client and visionary behind the Al Maktoum International Airport Project, and Dar Al-Handasah serving as the main consultant for the master planning and design of the new airport, Coop Himmelb(l)au is pushing the boundaries of airport design language, incorporating cutting-edge structural solutions, energy concepts, and innovative technologies to create a world-class facility that serves the global community. The project is expected to begin the planning phase in 2024, with Phase I expected to be completed by 2032. The fully completed airport will have a capacity of 260 million passengers annually, five parallel runways, and 407 Code-E contact gates, underscoring its role as a global hub. The design of the new airport reflects DAEPs commitment to innovation, featuring dynamic structure that enables wide spans and majestic spaces. This approach allows for seamlessness and openness, creating a sense of generosity and space within the terminal. The roof is not only a functional element but also a powerful design statement, signifying the ambition and vision of Dubai and its leaders. To contribute to the comfort of the passengers and visitors, the airports design integrates the latest technologies for assistance, processing, intuitive smart way finding and plenty of natural lighting through its distinctive roof feature. The design of the new Al Maktoum International Airport will introduce cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced design methods. These technologies will be deployed to create a next-level aviation experience for passengers. From streamlined check-in processes to state-of-the-art security measures, every aspect of the airport has been carefully planned with customer comfort, operational efficiency, and convenience in mind, said Coop Himmelb on its website. In addition to its efficient aspects, the architecture of the new airport also reflects Dubais cultural heritage. Traditional design elements are seamlessly integrated with modern materials and advanced features, creating a harmonious blend of the past and the future. This design approach not only pays homage to Dubais progressive vision for the future but also serves as a reminder of the citys commitment to preserving its cultural identity. The new airport in Dubai is not just a transport hub. It will offer a new travel experience for the citizens of the world. It is a place where people with different cultures and backgrounds from across the globe come together and connect. The design of the airport creates a welcoming and inclusive environment that fosters interaction and unity, the design major said. Energy efficiency is a core principle in the design of the new airport. New energy concepts have been considered in the design to minimize the environmental impact of the facility and contribute to its efficient operation. Amongst others, natural lighting and renewable energy sources, the design of the airport deploys the latest sustainable engineering solutions to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to a greener future. Daylight analysis, and prevailing winds are essential factors to consider when designing the new airport by optimising the orientation and shape of the terminal to take advantage of the sunlight and prevailing winds, to maximize natural light penetration while minimising glare and heat gain. This not only creates a more comfortable environment for the passenger and users but also reduces the need for artificial energy and consumption, Coop Himmelb(L)au said. The design of the new airport embraces innovative design technologies. Algorithmic processes and parametric design are powerful tools for optimising architectural geometry to meet various design criteria, such as daylight analysis, sun, wind, structure grid, and curvature analysis. Coop Himmelb(l)au is incorporating these factors into the design process while offering strong aesthetic statements for buildings that become functional and efficient sculptures. The buildings are not sealed monumental silos, but rather welcoming structures that are open to their surroundings and offer ample potentials for creativity. This special approach to architecture is dedicated to its people, it said. In April, TradeArabia and Gulf Construction reported that HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the designs of the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport and ordered the immediate start of work on the expansion of the airport at a total cost of AED128 billion ($34.8 billion). -TradeArabia News Service The critical role of data-driven strategies in shaping sustainable development policies for landlocked countries was highlighted at the International High-Level Forum of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Landlocked countries often face unique challenges such as limited access to markets, high transportation costs and vulnerability to climate change, said the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) Director General Dr Tarifa Al Zaabi. Dr Al Zaabi emphasised the need for collecting and analysing accurate and comprehensive data to inform policy decisions that can enhance agricultural productivity and resilience. Research capabilities She also highlighted the importance of building strong research capacities within LLDCs to generate local solutions and foster innovation. The forum, which highlighted Uzbekistans potential for investment and export growth in agriculture and food sectors, underscored the value of international cooperation and knowledge exchange to enhance sustainability and resilience in agri-food systems. On the second day of the forum, ICBA further strengthened its collaborative efforts by signing two significant MoUs. The first MoU was signed between Dr Al Zaabi and Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan. This agreement focuses on cooperation in sustainable agriculture, including the development and scaling up of sustainable agricultural production systems, organising capacity-building events, facilitating research exchange, and empowering women in agriculture through targeted initiatives aimed at enhancing their research and leadership skills. Second MoU The second MoU was signed by Dr Al Zaabi and Professor Islamov Sohib Yaxshibekovich, Rector of Tashkent State Agrarian University (TSAU). It aims to promote joint research initiatives, develop internship and fellowship programmes, and support a wide range of academic activities such as workshops, conferences, and webinars. It also includes the establishment of an ICBA Youth Engagement Society (ICBA YES) chapter at TSAU, designed to foster youth involvement and leadership in agricultural development. Organised by the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan (MoA) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the forum brought together high-level dignitaries, including government ministers, heads of international organisations, and private sector leaders, to address the critical challenges and opportunities for agri-food systems in LLDCs. Dr Al Zaabi participated as a key speaker in a side event on Evidence-Based Policymaking for Sustainable Development in LLDCs. In the high-level plenary session titled "The Urgency and Opportunities for Agri-Food Systems Development in Landlocked Developing Countries," Dr Al Zaabi emphasised the importance of adopting innovative approaches to enhance the resilience of agri-food systems, highlighting the need for agricultural solutions capable of addressing environmental and economic challenges. She presented ICBA's initiatives focused on developing climate-resilient crops, optimising water use, and improving soil health. She also discussed the use of advanced technologies such as remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for effective agricultural resource management. Dr Al Zaabi reaffirmed ICBA's commitment to advancing scientific research and fostering international partnerships to support sustainable development and food security. Joint initiatives In addition to the forum events, the ICBA delegation met Sharof Rajabbayev, Director of the Innovative Development Agency of Uzbekistan, to discuss joint initiatives. The discussions focused on developing innovative projects to improve soil quality in the Aral Sea region, creating internship opportunities for young talents, and organising international forums and conferences to facilitate knowledge transfer and cooperation on critical issues related to science, technology and sustainability. Reflecting on these engagements, Dr Al Zaabi commented: These partnerships represent our commitment to working hand in hand with local and international partners to bring about tangible improvements in agricultural practices, enhance food security, and build resilient communities. By combining our expertise and resources, we can address the unique challenges faced by landlocked countries and ensure sustainable growth for the future. The ICBA delegations visit to Uzbekistan marks a significant step forward in strengthening international cooperation to address the unique challenges faced by landlocked developing countries. Through active participation in high-level discussions, signing strategic MoUs, and fostering partnerships with key stakeholders, ICBA continues to advance its mission of promoting sustainable agricultural practices and food security. These efforts underscore ICBA's commitment to leveraging innovation, research, and collaboration to build resilient agri-food systems and contribute to global sustainable development goals.--TradeArabia News Service The need for advanced, technology-enabled solutions to maintain the integrity and sustainability of the diamond supply chain has been stressed in a new report titled Provenance, Traceability and Technology. Key solutions exist including blockchain, AI, synthetic DNA, laser microjets, QR codes and physical tracers that are crucial to address current challenges linked to changing consumer behaviour, the rise of lab-grown diamonds and G7 import restrictions, said the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) in its latest Future of Trade (FoT) report, a special edition focused on advancing traceability in the global diamond supply chain. The G7s sanctions package against Russian diamonds, which contains a blockchain-enabled traceability system implemented from September 2024, has led to significant concerns from the industry as to delays, additional costs and regulatory overreach. Working group To avoid the imposition of further restrictions and ensure a consistent global regulatory approach, DMCCs report urges for the establishment of a working group on Traceability and Transparency to agree standards on Minimum Viable Levels of Traceability and Transparency. Such a body would leverage industrys deep expertise, in turn, supporting efforts to advance and scale up the best available technologies for mass adoption and preserve industry self-determination in the longer term. The publication follows DMCCs Provenance, Traceability and Technology Forum on the sidelines of the Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting in May 2024, which gathered hundreds of leading diamond industry stakeholders to Dubai to discuss key challenges linked to advancing traceability solutions. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: It is paramount that we collectively embrace technology and its increasingly critical role in the diamond industry's evolution and supply chain. By utilising AI, blockchain and laser micro-machining, the diamond industry must embrace the opportunities to enhance transparency, while providing greater support to artisanal mining communities, both key objectives of the Kimberley Process. Valuable insights With DMCCs Dubai Diamond Week taking place in November, and Dubais compound annual growth rate of 11% in the diamond trade over the past five years, the timely publication of our Future of Trade report on diamonds will provide valuable insights for the global community, while sharing important recommendations as to how we can collectively safeguard the long-term integrity and sustainability of the diamond supply chain. The report outlines six key recommendations: Industry must set its own standards: Industry must preserve the ability to set its own standards when it comes to traceability by setting up a task force of industry experts, the Expert Group on Traceability and Transparency, to outline recommendations of minimum viable levels of traceability and transparency by March 2025. Develop an interactive ledger: Industry must maintain a comprehensive register of available technologies, detailing their capabilities, limitations, unique features and areas of technological and economic viability. Promote a technology-agnostic approach: To fully embrace digital innovation, it is important to maintain a technology-agnostic approach to safeguard the dynamic nature of traceability technologies. Create compatibility and trust layers: A compatibility layer that allows for intuitive data visualisation and secure transfer as data-sets transition through the diamond value chain can ensure seamless integration of technologies. Meanwhile, a trust layer through a network of neutral individuals can be used to authenticate entries at each stage of the value chain. Develop payment efficiency: Industry should develop a new technology-based payment model that ensures efficient and timely payment for miners and credit flexibility for retailers. Drive continuous collaboration: Industry must collaborate to ensure its longevity, uniting mining companies, manufacturers, retailers, regulatory bodies and technology partners to advance technology and traceability solutions and foster continuous collaboration. Dubai Diamond Conference The report and its findings will be discussed at the sixth edition of the Dubai Diamond Conference (DDC) taking take place on November 11 as part of DMCCs dedicated Dubai Diamond Week. Dubai Diamond Week will also see the Kimberley Process Plenary from November 12 to 15 and the Jewellery, Gems & Technology (JGT) Dubai trade fair from November 12 to 14. The theme for this year's DDC is "Thriving Under Pressure: Navigating the New Global Paradigms," which aptly captures the essence of the challenges and transformative opportunities facing the global diamond market. This special edition of DMCCs Future of Trade report follows the launch of its most recent edition of its biennial flagship report in May 2024, which set out the key drivers of global trade over the next decade. The 2024 Future of Trade report series has been downloaded and viewed over 1.9 million times.--TradeArabia News Service Inchcape Shipping Services, a global leader in port agency and maritime services, has announced the opening of its newest office at the strategic port of Arica in Chile. This expansion is a significant milestone for Inchcape, positioning the company at the heart of South Americas northernmost port, close to the Peru border, and at the gateway to an expansive hinterland encompassing parts of Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. Arica Port stands out for its versatility in handling a broad spectrum of cargoes, including minerals, fertilisers, goods for human consumption, gasoline, oil and project cargo. It also serves as a captivating destination for cruise ships. The port is celebrated for its proximity to enchanting natural attractions such as the Azapa Valley, Lauca National Park, and Chungara Lake, situated high in the Andes Mountains, making it a key maritime hub and a pivotal point of interest for the shipping and cruise line sectors. Range of services Starting September 1, 2024, the newly inaugurated office in Arica will extend Inchcape's comprehensive range of services to include the tanker, dry bulk, liner, cruise and ship management sectors. With coverage of the Arica Port (TPA) for Containers, Cruise Ships and General Cargo ships, along with the COMAP (COPEC) and SICA-SICA (YPFB) Buoys Terminals for Tanker Ships operations, Inchcape is well-positioned to cater to the diverse needs of these maritime industries. Rodrigo Narvaez takes the helm for Inchcape in Arica, bringing a wealth of expertise and local knowledge to ensure the highest standards of service for clients.--TradeArabia News Service Dubais Mohammed Bin Rashid Library has donated more than 80,000 books to more than 200 public and private institutions, schools, and educational organisations since the launch of its A World Reads initiative, benefiting 210,000 people across the UAE. The donations, which include Arabic and English books across diverse subjects, are a part of the public librarys long-term vision to enrich the cultural landscape over the next 50 years and promote knowledge sharing throughout society. Dr Mohammed Salem Al Mazrooei, Board Member of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, said: The A World Reads initiative reflects our deep-rooted belief in the significance of making knowledge accessible to all members of society, especially children and youth. Our initiative aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to build an advanced and knowledgeable society capable of effectively participating in leading the future and building a knowledge-based economy. "We firmly believe that investing in knowledge is key to shaping the future of generations to come. Through this initiative, we aim to realise our vision of becoming a leading hub for knowledge, culture, and creativity," he added. Ali Juma Al Tamimi, Director of Libraries Department, said: The A World Reads initiative embodies the vital role of libraries in promoting the values of donation, volunteering, and social responsibility. Libraries are more than just houses of knowledge, they are also platforms to launch and support social initiatives. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is a bridge between the donors and beneficiaries and a catalyst for volunteer work, and we invite all institutions to be a part of our vision and initiative. A World Reads initiative strives to support and enrich school libraries with a valuable and diverse collection of Arabic and English books for children, youth, and adults. It will also provide support for students participating in the Arab Reading Challenge Award, along with enriching and developing library collections in federal and local government departments, as well as private institutions, universities, and colleges. As a part of initiative, and in line with International Youth Day, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library organised visits to institutions, schools, and youth centres across the UAE, including the Creative Hubs in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Falaj Al Mulla to introduce its services, initiatives, and year-round activities, and discuss collaboration to achieve the aspirations of future generations and realise its vision to become a beacon of knowledge and creativity. During the Cultural Summer activities organised throughout August, and as a part of the A World Reads initiative, the library gifted more than 500 books to visitors from all ages, during their visits to the nine thematic libraries. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library has invited local publishing houses, public organisations with special publications, and authors to donate and share their books with the A World Reads initiative to be distributed to visitors and students, as well as the participants in discussion panels, and libraries in schools and institutions. All institutions have been invited to contact the library to obtain Arabic and English books as a part of the A World Reads initiative. TradeArabia News Service The General Authority for Statistics (Gastat), a government agency in Saudi Arabia, has won the bid to host the United Nations World Data Forum in Riyadh after a competitive bidding process, highlighting its advancements in statistical work, and the kingdoms experience in hosting international events, a report said. The decision was made by the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for Statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (HLG-PCCB), Saudi Press Agency, SPA, said. Gastat President Dr Fahad Aldossari presented Saudi Arabias bid to the HLG-PCCB group. His presentation highlighted Gastats advancements in statistical work, and the kingdoms experience in hosting international events and its commitment to providing logistical support for a successful forum. Saudi Arabia proposed the theme Using the Latest Technologies and Methodologies to Enhance Global Statistical Systems and Enable Sustainable Development for the forum. Aldossari said: Statistical data plays a crucial role in driving comprehensive and sustainable development across all fields. He also said that winning the bid to host the UN World Data Forum in 2026 is testament to GASTAT's significant advancements in the statistical field. "The recent expansions in statistical work, driven by Gastat's initiatives and projects, have enabled us to produce accurate and updated statistical data and indicators," Aldossari said. The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (Aseza) and the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) have announced that the 11th Annual Destination Wedding Planners (DWP) Congress, one of the worlds largest and most influential B2B platform for destination weddings, will take place in Aqaba, Jordan, from October 7 to 9, 2025. The DWP Congress, which has hosted over 400 participants from more than 70 countries annually, brings together top luxury wedding planners, designers, and suppliers, including hotels, tourism boards, photographers, bridal couture designers, and more. Chief Commissioner of Aseza, Nayef Al-Fayez, said: We are honoured to welcome the DWP Congress to Jordan, specifically Aqaba. This significant event will bring together leading global industry professionals, highlighting Aqabas potential as a premier wedding destination. Its an exceptional opportunity to showcase Aqabas rich cultural heritage, stunning coastal landscapes, and renowned hospitality, positioning Jordan as a top-tier location for luxury weddings and events globally. Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board, Abdelrazzak Arabiyat, highlighted the importance of the congress for Jordans wedding tourism sector, which commands a significant share of global spending and is witnessing strong growth. He said: Hosting such a conference in Jordan underscored the global importance of our country, thanks to its rich, deep-rooted, and diverse culture. Jordan also enjoys stunning natural diversity, providing visitors with a unique and unparalleled experience. What further enriches this experience, especially in the wedding planning sector, is the human element, for which Jordan is particularly renowned. Deputy Chief Commissioner/Commissioner for Economic Development & Tourism at Aseza, Hamza Haj Hasan, said: Hosting the 11th Annual DWP Congress in Aqaba aligns with our goal of making the city a premier MICE destination. This event underscores our commitment to elevating Aqabas global profile in the meetings, events, and wedding industry. Additionally, the Aqaba International Exhibition Center, opening in September, will mark a major advancement in our capability to host exhibitions and conferences. General Manager of QNA International, the event organiser, Akash Jain, said: Over the past decade, we have built valuable business relationships and celebrated achievements within the wedding industry. As we enter the 11th year of the DWP Congress, we are committed to delivering an unforgettable experience. Aqabas selection as our next host destination will surpass expectations, allowing global wedding professionals to experience the grandeur and elegance of Jordanian weddings. According to the International Research Group, the global wedding market, valued at $30.7 billion in 2023, is expected to reach $253.3 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.44%. This growth reflects the increasing popularity of destination weddings and highlights the potential for Jordan to capture a significant portion of this market, giving us all a reason to be optimistic and hopeful about the future of Jordan's wedding industry. Jordan offers a range of unique wedding experiences, from beachfront ceremonies on the Red Sea and romantic celebrations under the stars in Wadi Rum to historical settings in Petra and tranquil events by the Dead Sea. The DWP Congress will showcase Aqaba as a prime destination for weddings, promising exceptional hospitality, exquisite cuisine, and luxurious accommodations for an unforgettable and intriguing experience. TradeArabia News Service Gulf Capital, one of the largest private equity firms investing from the GCC in Asia, announced today its successful exit from Kuiper Australia, in a carve-out transaction from its portfolio company, Kuiper Group, a leading manpower outsourcing company in the offshore energy sector. The sale was structured as a management buyout, supported by National Bank of Australia. Mark Somic, Chief Executive Officer of Kuiper Australia, will continue to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Kuiper Group, and clients will continue to benefit from the synergies and ongoing business affiliation between both independent entities. The sale of Kuiper Australia is the second exit this month for Gulf Capital, following the successful exit of Middle East Glass in Egypt. Following the acquisition of a majority stake in the leading Dubai-based Oil & Gas offshore crew provider, OCB Oilfield Services, Gulf Capital worked closely with the management team to expand across Asia by acquiring Singapore-based Kuiper International, a dominant player in the offshore construction and maintenance services sector, with a particular stronghold in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region and Australia. With offices across the Gulf region and Singapore, Gulf Capital has a long track of expanding its Gulf companies across Asia, through organic growth or bolt-on acquisitions, as was the case with Kuiper International, a statement said. Together with the Kuiper Group management team, Gulf Capital built a leading international energy business services platform which now has presence in more than 20 Asian, Middle Eastern, and African countries and enjoys long-standing relationships with its blue-chip energy clients. During Gulf Capitals holding period, Kuiper Group has implemented a growth programme which focused on significant diversification in customer base, service capabilities, and geographical coverage. Dr Karim El Solh, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Capital, said: "We have enjoyed working and partnering with the talented team at Kuiper Australia and building together the market leading business services platform for the offshore energy sector in Australia. The team is well placed to continue the growth of the business, and we wish the company further success in its new endeavours. We are happy to see Mark carry on as CEO of the rest of Kuiper Group in its operations abroad, while further building the new independent Australian business. Kuiper today has a remarkable franchise and a strong management team and is well positioned to continue its impressive growth trajectory in the future. This investment cements Gulf Capital's track record of backing local companies and transforming them into market leaders across Asia. Gulf Capital had a very productive year so far and the sale of Kuiper Australia represents our second private equity exit this month, following the successful sale of Middle East Glass in Egypt last week. Somic said: "Gulf Capital has been an outstanding, high value-add partner as we embarked on our journey together and transformed Kuiper into the market leader it is today. Gulf Capital has been instrumental in shaping the company's growth strategy and in helping us to install the culture and processes required to enable us to grow and scale rapidly. The business in Australia has grown significantly this year, and we believe that the countrys distinctive business environment commands a standalone operation. This provided the opportunity for the carve-out by the management team. With the strong foundation and leading franchise, Kuiper is well positioned to continue the growth in Australia, and I am honoured to be able to lead it into the next phase of growth as an independent operation, supported by the Group, as and when needed." TradeArabia News Service The UAE's tourism sector contributed 11.7% of the UAEs GDP in 2023, totalling AED220 billion ($60 billion), and is expected to rise to 12% or AED236 billion in 2024, as the emirate continues to record remarkable performance in international tourist arrivals and hotel bookings, a report said. These developments align with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to attract AED100 billion in tourism investments and boost the sector's contribution to the GDP to AED450 billion by 2031, Emirates News Agency, WAM, said, citing World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) figures. The WTTC projects the travel and tourism contribution to the UAE GDP to reach around AED275.2 by 2034, supported by the world-class infrastructure in the country, which includes airports and accommodations, but also thrilling tourist attractions. Dubai welcomed 10.62 million tourists in the first seven months of 2024, an 8% increase year-on-year (YoY), data showed. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabis hotels saw over 2.87 million guests during the first half of 2024, generating AED3.6 billion, a 19.5% growth YoY. Dubai Safari Park is reopening its gates to the public for its sixth season on October, 1, 2024, following extensive enhancements. It has invited residents and visitors to explore the animal world that offers unique encounters with exotic wildlife species from across the world. Guests can explore the park on foot or by using the shuttle train, which connects the six distinct themed zones where visitors can enjoy watching a diverse range of wildlife species. Each zone features educational and immersive activities that emphasise the importance of animal welfare and highlight the parks conservation efforts to protect wildlife. The popular live presentations conducted by expert zoologists are also back and will vividly showcase the many wonders of the animal world. This season, Dubai Safari Park said it is committed to providing a premier edutainment experience for guests from Dubai and beyond. Dubai Safari Park is home to over 3,000 animals representing 78 mammal species, 50 varieties of reptiles, and 111 kinds of birds, and continues to build on its reputation as a premier wildlife destination in the UAE. Guests can look forward to exploring the park's vast landscape and engaging with the diverse range of animals in an environment carefully designed to meet the needs of each its inhabitants. We pride ourselves on reimagining the way people experience wildlife in Dubai, enabling guests of all ages to connect with animals in a way thats fun, educational, and respectful, said Ahmad Al Zarouni, Director of Public Parks and Recreational Facilities at Dubai Municipality. Dubai Safari Park not only provides unforgettable experiences for our guests but stands as an example of responsible tourism and wildlife conservation. Our new season opening will mark an exciting chapter in Dubais ongoing efforts to promote tourism by giving Dubai visitors the chance to experience wildlife in a way that is completely new for the region, he added. TradeArabia News Servie Whether you after for pronghorn in the plains, deer or elk in the mountains, or birds along the flatlands, with hunts underway, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is encouraging sportsmen to first look at population and condition forecast from the states eight hunting regions. Drawing on its most recent field data, wardens and department biologist offer hunters a sense of what to expect in different areas of the state. Here are a few key takeaways from the departments findings for the Casper region: Pronghorn Between 2021-23, pronghorn numbers generally declined due to harsh winters coupled with poor fawn survival and periodic disease outbreaks. Herd levels are still below objectives statewide. However, , hunters should experience average to high pronghorn harvest success as buck ratios are strong and tag volumes were issued to ensure high success. Herds around Casper have remained at or near population objectives, while herds to the northeast from Douglas to Lusk to Sundance are still far below objective. Mule deer Droughts, changes in habitat conditions and increased disease and predation have kept the areas mule deer below population objectives. Yet buck ratios remain high in most herds. The department believes hunter success will be especially strong on private land and in limited quota areas. Calendar year 2023 provided a wet spring and early summer, leading to high fawn survival. As a result, most mule deer herds did not continue to decline in 2024 and instead leveled off or began improving slightly. However, it will take several more years of good fawn production and survival to improve hunting, the agency said. White tail Beginning in 2021, Wyomings white-tailed deer populations have experienced substantial die-offs from outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, a commonly fatal viral infection that results in extreme hemorrhaging in certain cervid species. But officials say their numbers have begun to rebound in the Casper and Douglas areas, where the majority of herds occupy private lands. There is still concern with white-tail populations on public lands in the Black Hills, which remain historically low. Hunters should expect low to moderate success filling their general deer license, especially on public land in the Black Hills, the agency said. Elk The Casper region will provide strong bull-hunting opportunities, with many limited quota areas boasting high harvest success and good antler quality, officials explained, and seasons have been liberalized in most areas of the district. Officials said hunters pursuing younger bulls are likely to have success. Though the expected high number of hunters on public lands could reduce opportunity, and securing permission on private lands will give sportsmen higher chances of success, the department said. OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called on Finance Minister Colm Imbert to provide a comprehensive report on Colonial Life Insurance Company Ltd (CLICO), stressing that there should be no more secrecy surrounding the matter. Persad-Bissessar made the statements in Parliament on Friday as she kicked off the debate on the 2025 national budget, which was presented by Imbert on Monday. 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. What about the extreme left fringe that represents the Democratic Party? By Rachel Alexander web posted September 9, 2024 Lately, the MSM has developed an obsession with covering fringe extremists supposedly on the right most of them have racist or borderline racist views, which aren't representative of the right in an effort to pretend these characters represent the Republican Party. For example, no one would even know who Nick Fuentes is if it wasn't for the MSM constantly promoting him; Turning Point USA kicked him out of their annual convention in Phoenix last December. But if you read the MSM, you would think he's the face of the right. Meanwhile, the MSM pretends that the face of the Democratic Party is beautiful minorities.The truth is, extremists on the left actually ARE becoming the face of the left. Radical antisemites violently protesting on college campuses, Antifa and BLM rioting in the streets and the The Squad are now staples of the modern Democratic Party. Unlike the right, the left doesn't denounce its left-wing extremists. In contrast, a video clip went viral compiling the many, many times that Trump, who used to have a black girlfriend, publicly denounced white supremacy. MSM reporters constantly ask him to condemn white supremacism, as if he has never done so and they are the first to cleverly think of it. The Squad has become the face of the Democratic Party in Congress, and even though a couple of their far left radicals were defeated for reelection this year in their primaries due to their extremism, The Squad is expanding. It went from the four original members to nine, although it will shrink a little due to Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman losing their primaries. Two other names have been suggested to add to The Squad, Vermont's Becca Balint and Florida's Maxwell Frost. All but llhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Delia Ramirez are currently or formerly affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America. In 2021, the DSA peaked at 95,000 members. It's credited with the rise of Millennial socialism. DSA calls for abolishing ICE, and abolishing the police and prisons. DSA used to support Israel, until 2016 when it took on a pro-Palestinian stance. The organization bragged that it was partially responsible for convincing Kamala Harris to choose far left Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice presidential running mate. Walz said last month, "Don't ever shy away from our progressive values. One person's socialism is another person's neighborliness." Violence on the left continues to increase. A 2021 study from SUNY Oswego found that within the U.S., "the far-left has a larger proportion of homicides with multiple fatalities and a slightly higher rate of homicides targeting law enforcement," and "far-left extremist violence has increased over the last five years." Unfortunately, the data from the study regarding far-right extremist violence is based on claiming that offensive racist groups are on the right, so it's not trustworthy. This sadly taints most studies about violence on the right and left, making them unusable. Antifa rioted at the Trump presidential inauguration in 2017, injuring six police officers and resulting in the arrest of 217 people that day far worse than the real situation at J6, where only 14 were arrested that day. BLM and Antifa rioting due to the death of George Floyd caused destruction all over the country in major cities. Journalist Andy Ngo extensively documented this type of violence, especially in Portland, where he was seriously injured by the rioters. Former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy wrote in early 2021, prior to the Floyd rioting after the Derek Chavin verdict, "Swaths of Minneapolis now resemble a third-world war zone." While it's difficult to find information about far left extremists in the U.S. due to the Orwellian censorship of big tech, digging reveals a scarce amount of information. NHJournal reporter Damien Fisher tracked James "Fergie" Chambers, a "multi-millionaire Marxist who moved to New Hampshire in order to avoid taxes." Chambers paid bail for four rioters charged with felonies for their roles in a November protest at Israel-based international military technology company and defense contractor Elbit Systems in New Hampshire, that included setting off smoke bombs, vandalism and destruction of property. Chambers told Mother Jones magazine, "I think the most important thing for the prosperity of humanity is the destruction of the US." Like many prominent far left activists, Chambers was born into a life of privilege, the eighth richest family in the U.S. According to The Free Press , he also said, "We need to start making people who support Israel actually afraid to go out in public. We need to make all of white America afraid that everything they have stolen is going to be burned to the ground. That's what makes them listen." Chambers pays bail for all kinds of violent left-wingers who are arrested. "I've never said no to a bail help ask, as is my right as a funded with the 1st amendment," he told Fisher. He supported "Cop City" bail and legal funds. Cop City refers to the Atlanta Police Foundation's training facility, which violent far left activists are trying to stop from being built. Go on social media and almost the only people on the left you will interact with use profanity, call the right Nazis, threaten us and embrace fascism in their language, like how they want to put Trump in prison. There's a reason Harris posted none of her policy positions on her presidential campaign website it's because the tenets of the Democratic Party have become so radical they don't want average Americans to know. Unfortunately, the internet is being scrubbed of information about far left extremism. There's almost nothing regarding it within the U.S.; only foreign coverage, mostly of Europe. Don't expect the MSM to pay much attention to these far left radicals who are fast becoming representative of the Democratic Party. Notice how even AOC, despite all her attention seeking, is no longer constantly in the headlines. The MSM would rather waste time promoting racists and claiming they represent the right, since they can't win substantively on the issues, and hide the fact left-wing extremists are taking over their party. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home Tucson Symphony Orchestra is getting an early start to its 2024-25 season this weekend when it once again headlines the annual Mexican Independence Day Concert at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall. Its the fourth year that the TSO has taken centerstage in the concert, presented by the Consulate of Mexico in Tucson, and the 11th year the consulate has hosted the event. Tickets are free, but hard to come by. You can email the consulate at contucmx@sre.gob.mx or call 520-882-5595. TSO Music Director Jose Luis Gomez will be at the podium to conduct a program that includes works by Mexican composers. It includes Genaro Codias Zacatecas March, Sol Silvinias Mexico, Jose Pablo Moncayos Huapango, Agustin Laras Arrancame la Vida, Juventino Rosass Sobre las Olas, Arturo Marquezs Danzon No. 2 Venezuelan Popurri and Jaime Nunos Himno Nacional Mexicano, as well as selections from French composer Bizets Carmen. Mezzo-soprano Diana Peralta is the featured vocalist, and Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School also will perform. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. The Consulate will host a free Mexican fiesta beginning at 4 p.m. at Music Hall. Sundays concert is the first of three free events the TSO will host in the next week as it launches its Transcend Your Senses brand campaign to emphasize the transformative power of orchestral music. Transcend Your Senses is more than just a tagline; its an invitation to explore the world in deeper, more meaningful ways, Paul Meecham, the TSOs president and CEO, said in a written statement. Its a celebration of the rich cultural tapestry of Tucson and the boundless possibilities that our music and the arts in our community can provide. The orchestra quietly launched the brand in late August when it unveiled Momento Cosmico at the Mercado San Agustin Annex. The interactive audio installation, designed by Tucson artist and architect Myles Pena in partnership with Brink Media, will remain open to the public through the end of January. When visitors step into the aluminum structure, they will hear archival TSO recordings of music that is featured on the 2024-25 season, as well as lighting effects. On Sept. 20, the orchestra will team up with the American Composer Orchestra to read new works by four Native composers. Led by Gomez, EarShot CoLABoratory gives insight into the collaborative process between composers and the orchestra as they brainstorm concepts and approaches to refine the new works. The idea is to develop the work of underrepresented composers and musical traditions in the orchestra world. The composers include Laura Ortman from the White Mountain Apache tribe, Suzanne Kite (who goes by Kite) from the Oglala Lakota, and Dine composers Michael Begay and Pulitzer Prize winner Raven Chacon. True Concord Voices & Orchestra performed Chacons Pulitzer Prize-winning Voiceless Mass last October to open its 20th anniversary season. The TSO on Sept. 22 will perform a sampler of the works on their 2024-25 season at the second annual Symphony Showcase. The hour-long concert begins at 2 p.m. at Music Hall; the event is sold out, but orchestra officials anticipate releasing additional tickets. Call 520-882-8585 for details. TSO opens its regular season with Mozart and Tchaikovsky featuring pianist David Fray performing Mozarts Piano Concerto No. 21 on Sept. 27 at Music Hall. The concert will repeat on Sept. 29. For season details and tickets, visit tucsonsymphony.org/events. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: My brown skin and dark hair caught the attention of a U.S. Border Patrol officer and his service dog patrolling the waiting area at the Boise, Idaho, Airport. Racial profiling, pure and simple. What else could it have been? The officer came up and questioned me, but not a white man seated nearby. This is why voters in November must defeat the Secure the Border Act. Its passage will lead to more of what I and many of the 2.3 million other Latinos living in Arizona experience regularly racial profiling because it happens here, too, not just in Boise. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed the proposal last spring, so Republicans resurrected it as a voter resolution that bypasses the governor. Its akin to a Texas law now on hold in federal court and to Arizona Republicans passage years earlier of Senate Bill 1070, the law that was largely nullified in a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. At the time of that ruling, the American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement: Discriminatory laws like SB 1070 invite racial profiling of Latinos and others who may look or sound foreign, including many U.S. citizens who have lived in America their entire lives. The Secure the Border Act would allow local officers to enforce federal immigration laws, leading to even more racial profiling. That is what happened to me that evening in Boise more than a decade ago. I was dressed professionally, in a pantsuit, and I carried a briefcase as I awaited a flight home after daylong meetings at a nonprofit agency for which I was a consultant. The officer asked for my identification and wanted to know what I was doing in Boise and where I was going. The man seated near me, bless him, came to my defense, assertively asking the officer why he had not been approached in the same manner. Indeed, why? Appearance. The man was white, and I stood out to the officer in a city that does not even have many people with brown eyes, euphemistically speaking. The city of Boises website says the population is 89.1% white. Location may have mattered, but Boise was not my first experience being profiled and questioned for reasons that had everything to do with my skin color, and it most likely wont be my last. Ive had many such instances in Arizona. One was driving home to Tucson from Nogales. Border Patrol officers stopped me at their checkpoint on Interstate 19 for questioning. This is the infamous checkpoint where officers made the elderly Raul Castro, ex-governor of Arizona, wait for hours in the hot sun for no obvious reason. No, wait, the reason was obvious: Raul Castro had dark skin. I have dark skin thus the attention of Border Patrol officers. Like many people, I am polite and professional. I own a business, have a masters degree and was in the for-profit and nonprofit corporate worlds for years. I even worked for a U.S. senator. None of it matters because law enforcement officers and others see only my skin color. Its the same for millions of others, and it calls for the defeat of that petty piece of business called the Secure the Border Act. Vote it down in November. Jimmie Tramel Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow Jimmie Tramel 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 Grammy Award-winning country music star Dwight Yoakam, who will be among performers at the Born & Raised music festival in Pryor this weekend, announced he is releasing his first album of new music in nine years. A first sampling of the new music, I Dont Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom) with Post Malone, debuted last week. The song was written specifically by Yoakam for the collaboration. Stay tuned for a video coming soon. Written and recorded over the past three years, Brighter Days features 12 new songs written or co-written by Yoakam, as well as covers of Keeping On The Sunny Side by the Carter Family and Bound Away by Cake. Yoakam is kicking off his next set of tour dates Friday, Sept. 13, in Little Rock. He will play Saturday, Sept. 14, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, prior to his 7:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, set at Born & Raised. For tickets and information about the festival, go to bornandraisedfestival.com. The Tulsa World is where your story lives American Airlines will add more than 300 jobs at its Tulsa facility as it increases lines of heavy check maintenance work, the company announced Monday. The airline is creating around 500 jobs, including more than 385 licensed aviation maintenance technician positions, as it adds work at its maintenance bases in Charlotte, Pittsburgh and Tulsa, according to a press release. Of that total, Tulsa will see 321 of the openings, including 227 for aviation maintenance technicians. American is excited to grow our talented Technical Operations workforce with more high-paying, skilled aviation maintenance positions, Greg Emerson, Americans vice president of base maintenance and facilities, said in the press release. Its an opportunity to grow our maintenance capacity and capabilities in the near-term and preserve them over the long run by continuing to build our pipeline of future maintenance team members which is important work American has been doing for some time. The 321 jobs announced Monday are in addition to more than 300 new jobs that were added recently when the Oklahoma Department of Commerce awarded American $22 million for the companys planned infrastructure improvements and expansion of its existing Tulsa facilities. American is one of Tulsas largest employers. It operates its largest maintenance base in north Tulsa and employs more than 5,000 people here. We are thrilled that American Airlines new jobs announcement will have a significant impact on its maintenance base in Tulsa, Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, said in a prepared statement. COVID-19 took a toll on this countrys commercial aviation industry, but American Airlines has rebounded in a big way, thanks to its commitment to its workers and its craft. The base in Tulsa has been the backbone of Americans maintenance, repair and overhaul work since 1946, and todays news is proof that the company is dedicated to serving its customers and this community for years to come. The Tulsa World is where your story lives 1st China-East Africa Ministerial Dialogue on Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation held in Beijing Xinhua) 09:11, September 09, 2024 Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and Minister of Interior, Community Development and Public Security of Burundi Martin Niteretse co-chair the first China-East Africa Ministerial Dialogue on Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation and deliver keynote speeches in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The first China-East Africa Ministerial Dialogue on Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation was held in Beijing on Saturday. The dialogue aimed to provide high-level guarantees for common security and prosperity among China and East African countries. Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and Minister of Interior, Community Development and Public Security of Burundi Martin Niteretse co-chaired the event. Wang noted that bilateral relations between China and all African countries that have diplomatic ties with China have been elevated to the level of strategic relations, and that the overall characterization of China-Africa relations has been elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Wang said China is willing to work with East African countries to promote the implementation of the Global Security Initiative, build a new platform for multi-party dialogue, address new challenges in law enforcement and security, promote new measures for capacity building, and create a new pattern of law enforcement and security cooperation between China and East Africa in the new era. Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong meets with Minister of Interior, Community Development and Public Security of Burundi Martin Niteretse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) On the same day, Wang met with Niteretse and Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Jacquemain Shabani. Meeting with Shabani, Wang said that China will work with the DRC to enhance political mutual trust, strengthen personnel exchange, and deepen practical cooperation in areas such as security and law enforcement capacity building under the Belt and Road Initiative. Shabani expressed gratitude for China's valuable support, saying that the DRC adheres firmly to the one-China principle and will take effective measures to enhance the safety of Chinese enterprises and personnel in the country. Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong meets with Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Jacquemain Shabani in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) During his meeting with Niteretse, Wang said that China will deepen practical cooperation in the field of law enforcement and security, and promote the development of friendly cooperation between China and Burundi to a higher level and broader scope. Niteretse said that Burundi is willing to support China firmly on issues related to China's core interests, work together to effectively implement the outcomes of the ministerial dialogue, and promote the high-level development of law enforcement and security cooperation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) When will government know-it-alls stop interfering in our elections? By Christopher Arps web posted September 9, 2024 Call me crazy, but I still believe in the Constitution. I still believe in the ideals and principles the Founding Fathers outlined for our country. I think that the sanctity and durability of this democratic republic give the people of the United States more power over their personal affairs than any other form of government out there. That's why I am so disheartened to see bureaucrats both left and right-leaning ones continuing to interfere in this election system that makes America great. The most recent example of these government know-it-alls putting their thumbs on the scales of American democracy came this month when the State of North Carolina's Democratic-controlled Board of Elections attempted to do presumed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris a solid by keeping third-party presidential candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, and the Constitution Party's Randall Terry off the state's November ballot. Although these candidates had more than enough voter signatures to qualify, unelected bureaucrats outright rejected the initial requests to certify the parties associated with these nominees. Thankfully, the GOP-controlled legislature aggressively pushed back, summoning the Board of Elections for hearings and creating the foundation of a massive media and public pressure campaign that ultimately strong-armed the state into at least partly reversing course, in which it granted Kennedy and the Constitution Party ballot access. Hearings and lawsuits regarding how the Board of Elections handled this matter continue. This is excellent because no issue is more essential to this republic's long-term health and viability than election integrity. While members of the Democratic Party appear to mobilize these crony, backhand tactics to short-circuit the democratic progress more than the right, power-hungry, unelected right-leaning bureaucrats are not without their faults either. Look no further than Arkansas, where the state refused to count the signatures on a proposed petition that would allow voters to consider an abortion amendment on their November ballots. If I was an Arkansas resident, would I vote yes on this effort, which would permit abortion in the first 18 weeks of pregnancy, among other cases, such as rape or incest? No, but I wouldn't interfere with the referendum process either. Unfortunately, that's exactly what Secretary of State John Thurston did. Earlier this month, the state's Supreme Court found that "Despite the petition's organizers securing over 100,000 signatures" more than required to get the vote on November's ballots the state failed to "perform an initial count of the signatures" even though it is, "at a minimum, required to perform an initial count of all signatures before making a sufficiency determination." It ordered state leaders to count each of the 100,000 signatures on this petition by this upcoming Monday. I understand that political tensions are high, but political differences should never become more significant than the broader principles, values, and beliefs that make us Americans election integrity being one of them. For generations, Americans' love for the principles found within the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution was more substantial than any differences they had. During the great presidential election of 1800 the first election the country faced without the unifying force of George Washington, who was elected unanimously John Adams and Thomas Jefferson set a precedent that ensured this. Despite partisan division running higher than ever before at the time, with Adams and Jefferson mudslinging each other with scorched-earth colorful names like a "hideous hermaphroditical character" and a "mean-spirited, low-lived fellow," the two candidates decided that while Americans may go by "different names" (or political affiliations), above all, they were "brethren of the same principle." In other words, the truths in the Declaration and Constitution that they found to be self-evident were more vital than the more considerable election differences of opinion that divided them. Adams and Jefferson didn't try to interfere in the election process. They didn't try to get their way by putting their thumbs on the scale of justice. Instead, they respected the will of the people and the process. Things stayed peaceful, and, by and large, America's elections remained that way for over two centuries. Americans can be "brethren" again today, but only if they respect the precedents and procedures that make this democratic republic hum. If this mindset shift worked for America during the start of this nation's two-party system, it can work for it today. Let's try it as we prepare for November's upcoming local, state, and federal elections. Christopher Arps is an ambassador with the Project 21 black leadership network and a managing partner with the public affairs and communications consulting firm Red Tail Strategies. This was originally published at RedState. Home Steve Metzer Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Steve Metzer Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today National and in-state population shifts that have occurred since the start of the pandemic have resulted in growth in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas and economic gains for Oklahoma. According to a new report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, counties bordering Tulsa and Oklahoma counties, like Wagoner County southeast of Tulsa and Canadian County west of Oklahoma City, have added the most residents over the past several years. But population gains have occurred in smaller towns and rural areas across the state. According to the report, authored by Senior Vice President and Oklahoma City Branch Executive Chad Wilkerson and research associate Chase Farha, migration trends triggered by the pandemic have brought benefits to the Sooner State beyond population increases. Most new residents in the Tulsa and OKC regions, for example, are in their prime working years, including many with higher incomes representing a healthy range of industries. Since about 2020, nearly 85% of Oklahomas 77 counties have gained more residents than theyve lost to other states. Tulsa and Oklahoma counties have witnessed the largest numbers of move-ins from out of state, at 8,700 and 6,300, respectively, while Canadian, Rogers and Wagoner counties each added 2,000-3,000 new residents on net from out of state. Of course, people also move to different areas within states, authors of the report noted. Oklahoma County lost more than 7,000 residents who made in-state moves, primarily to suburbs like Yukon and Mustang in Canadian County. That county, they noted, has added more than 11,000 residents on net both from inside and outside the state. Although Tulsa County has gained residents overall due to move-ins from other states, it also has lost around 5,700 residents to moves to other counties. Wagoner County, which has experienced a total net gain of 6,700 new residents, probably was a primary beneficiary. Rogers County has gained around 3,000 on net, and Creek County has netted close to 1,800. Other notable findings in the report: Oklahomas new residents have added to its workforce and slightly increased its labor force participation rate. Since 2020, the state has experienced a net gain of more than 30,500 employed residents, far exceeding the cumulative loss of about 17,000 experienced between 2015 and 2019. The state has witnessed a net increase in college graduates representing a variety of industries. The influx represents a reversal of brain drain reported in previous years. Oklahoma also has reversed a troubling trend of losing high earners to other states. According to the report, from 2015 to 2019 most people who moved into Oklahoma were in the bottom two quartiles of the states income distribution, and most people who left the state were in the top two quartiles. Since 2020, the state has realized gains in the top income quartiles. At peak migration in 2021, 57% of net gains were in the top two quartiles. Since 2020, more than 8,000 of the people who have moved into towns and cities across Oklahoma have been between the ages of 25 and 34, more than 9,000 have been 35-44, and more than 10,000 have been between the ages of 45 and 54. While Oklahoma saw a net increase of remote workers moving in, they were not the primary driver of domestic in-migration, accounting for only 11% of the total net in-migration from 2020 to 2022. Migration out of the nations largest cities to midsized metros has declined over the past couple of years, authors of the report note. Even so, net in-migration picked up in 2023 in Oklahomas small metropolitan and micropolitan areas and its rural areas despite the slowing in OKC and Tulsa, they said. Despite spending millions of U.S. dollars on discounts and promotional programs to attract users, tech-based food delivery service providers Gojek and Baemin decided to withdraw from the Vietnamese market, one of the busiest in Southeast Asia, leaving behind a valuable lesson and a big but challenging chance for other players. Vietnams online market for food delivery is forecast to thrive strongly in 2024, with its growth being able to surpass the US$1.4 billion figure recorded last year, according to a report by research firm Momentum Works. However, it is not easy at all to tap the potential market. The competition in online food delivery among ride-hailing apps is becoming more intense. To make them more attractive to customers, these tech-based platforms have rushed to launch a series of promotional programs, heating up the local market and posing financial risks at the same time. As a result, after a run-down period, two unicorns from Indonesia and South Korea, namely Gojek and Baemin, decided to leave the intensely competitive Vietnamese market. In spite of spending big on technology and advertising in Vietnam, in the hope of paying off in the market, Gojek failed to cover its huge cost to maintain operations. The Indonesian tech firm will exit the Vietnamese market on September 16. In early 2024, Baemin pulled out of Vietnam after pouring hundreds of billions of Vietnamese dong into its promotional programs. (VND1 billion = $40,556) Nguyen Tuan, who had previously worked for a food delivery app in Vietnam, supposed that in the current race, food delivery apps are facing a big challenge over prices. An online order of a dish can total up to VND80,000 ($3.2), including the dish price, a delivery fee, and other charges, deterring customers from placing it, he explained. As such, these apps must offer discounts and vouchers to delight users. Grab, which is dominanting the Vietnamese ride-hailing market, offered big discounts sometime to retain its customers. The competition is seen as a long-term race for moneybags. Tuan also said that the withdrawals of Gojek and Baemin opened a wider door for local firms such as BeFood and Loship to expand their presence. BeFood, managed by ride-hailing service supplier Be, has yet to surpass its rivals GrabFood and ShopeeFood. However, Be is jumping on the bandwagon of goods delivery and online shopping apart from trying to close the gap with these rivals thanks to backing from VPBankS. Meanwhile, homegrown delivery service supplier Loship is enhancing its foray into food and goods delivery, along with online retail. To successfully fill the space after Gojek and Baemin left Vietnam, BeFood and Loship must be well-prepared for financial health, technology, and the ability to manage a complicated ecosystem. Linh, an office worker in Ho Chi Minh City, aired her concerns over a reduction in promotional programs for food delivery services, saying, I am afraid that services offered by Grab and ShopeeFood will not be as attractive as they were before since some of their rivals have quit the race. She was also worried about the possibility of higher prices and degraded quality. Besides, the users of these apps might have to pay more fees when they place an order, while partner drivers would only receive a small delivery charge. Meanwhile, the apps would gain a bigger profit from both drivers and customers, and even from restaurants. Therefore, many users expect the Vietnamese apps to succeed in conquering the food delivery market to heighten the competition. Nguyen Ngoc Luan, general director of a food and beverage trading and production firm, said that Vietnams food delivery market remains promising. Though Baemin and Gojek left the market, the race keeps going on. A key takeaway from the two giants is that tech-based food delivery services should build a more comprehensive ecosystem, encompassing shopping and medicine delivery, among other services, to move toward sustainability. These platforms should prioritize delivering reliable services to build customer trust and create genuine value, Luan said. A representative from a Vietnam-based platform told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that to thrive in the competitive Vietnamese food delivery market, companies must focus on creating real value for users and partners, rather than seeking market dominance. Grab, Be, and ShopeeFood feature various services to suit all customers needs. Vietnams ride-hailing market is experiencing fierce competition, with Grab controlling it, and Be and EV-taxi service supplier Xanh SM emerging so fast. Xanh SM, run by Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM), owned by dollar billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, has quickly gained its popularity thanks to the use of eco-friendly vehicles, raking in over VND20.1 trillion ($819 million) in revenue in 2023. Meanwhile, Be is not only focusing on bettering its ride-hailing service, but also introducing a wide range of services to build a comprehensive ecosystem, given a VPBankS investment of VND739.5 billion ($30 million). Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Revenue from the real estate business in Ho Chi Minh City was estimated at over VND173 trillion (US$7 billion) in January-August, marking a 6.1-percent year-on-year increase, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Statistical Office. The southern metropolis has seen an uptick in the property business since the start of the year, despite a negative year-on-year growth rate of 6.38 percent in the sector last year. The city's real estate sector recorded a slight rise to 2.94 percent in the second quarter from 2.51 percent in the first. Between January and August, 958 firms were licensed for business in real estate, with a total pledged capital of over VND37.4 trillion ($1.5 billion), down 2.3 percent in the number of newly-licensed enterprises and 8.6 percent in investment year on year. The real estate sector reported an estimated VND148.3 trillion ($6 billion) turnover during the January-July period, up 6.1 percent year on year. Between January and July, the citys credit growth inched up 3.9 percent, said Nguyen Duc Lenh, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City branch of the State Bank of Vietnam. In particular, real estate loans made a 5.5-percent spike, with credit for residential purposes accounting for the lions share at 57 percent. Lending for social houses amounted to VND2.5 trillion ($103.4 million) during the seven-month period, up 78 percent compared to the end of 2023. Positive results of real estate activities signal an upward trend on the Ho Chi Minh City market. From January to August, Vietnam reported $2.4 billion in pledged foreign investment for the real estate sector, according to the General Statistics Office. During this period, 3,155 new property firms were established, while 814 real estate enterprises exited the local market. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Arnold Cadag, 45, occasionally spends his days guiding his fellow Filipinos through specialty coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City, introducing customers to coffee beans, their origins, and flavor notes. Known for his deep knowledge of coffee, Cadags coffee tours and classes have become quite popular amongst Filipinos. When he is not busy savoring a cup of joe, he is hard at work serving as the co-founder of KembaQ Tech, a mobile application that helps businesses grow their client base. He also works as a consultant at Bridge, a business development consulting and marketing services company specializing in instant coffee and sustainable products. Outside of the jobs, Cadags life revolves around coffee and his Pinoy Coffee Club VN a community for Filipino coffee enthusiasts in Ho Chi Minh City, where he has lived for six years. He also has partnerships with ten coffee farms in Lam Dong and Kon Tum, both located in Vietnam's Central Highlands, to export coffee to his customer base in the Philippines. Cadag spent his first few years in Vietnam attending expos, frequenting coffee shops, researching coffee, and visiting local farms to source the best beans he could find to satisfy the growing demand for Vietnamese coffee in the Philippines. This demand is most evident in Filipino coffee shops where Vietnamese coffee is fast becoming a staple menu item, particularly in the form of ca phe sua a (Vietnamese iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk). In order for customers to have the taste and experience of 'authentic Vietnam,' those shops order coffee beans from Vietnam and brew them in the Vietnamese way. To strengthen ties between Filipino coffee lovers and Vietnamese coffee culture, Cadag's Pinoy Coffee Club VN organizes farm visits where members and delegations from the Philippines can learn about coffee cultivation and processing, and even try their hand at harvesting. In May, Cadag and his partners arranged for a delegation of around 10 farmers from Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos City, and Ifugao to visit Pleiku City in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai. The trip focused on learning about nursery management, organic coffee farming, pest control, harvesting techniques, as well as coffee production, processing, and best business practices. People want to explore the place where the coffee comes from. To reach the hands of the connoisseur, the coffee beans have to go through many stages, from the grower, to the picker, the weigher, the washer, the roaster, and the barista. It is the work of many hands, Cadag said. For a coffee aficionado, it is a worthy experience. I sometimes bring my kids along so they can understand what I am doing. I want to 'train' them to become a coffee person like me." Arnold Cadag picks coffee beans in a supplied photo taken during his trip to a coffee farm in Da Lat, the capital city of Lam Dong Province in Vietnam's Central Highlands. Pinoy Coffee Club VN also organizes themed activities each month for coffee fans, including coffee tours to explore quality coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City as well as academic coffee classes focused on understanding the origin of coffee, coffee varieties, altitudes, and aroma notes. "We are foreigners living in Vietnam, and we need our own community. With this community, we can connect with each other through coffee, Cadag said. His coffee career began in 2007. He worked for two coffee companies in Manila before running a business specializing in coffee, coffee machines, and barista training in Malaysia for seven years prior to moving to Vietnam. Living in the country known as the world's second-largest coffee producer continued to give Cadag the opportunity to indulge in his passion for coffee. Vietnam is very near to the Philippines, so it's the best place to supply coffee to the Philippines, Cadag said. The quality of Vietnamese coffee today is also much better than before. According to Cadag, while a good chunk of the coffee beans grown in Vietnam are meant for bulk commercial sales, Vietnam also produces specialty coffee in Kon Tum, Bao Loc, Son La, and Quang Tri. The current coffee market in Vietnam is highly diverse, with an additional wide range of imported coffee beans and various brewing methods, providing tourists with abundant opportunities to explore a variety of coffee flavors. What is more, the English proficiency of Vietnamese baristas has significantly improved in recent years, enabling tourists to better appreciate the origins and stories behind each cup of coffee. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! "I stayed awake all night knowing that the schoolyard was flooding. By the time I arrived the next day, the water had risen about halfway up the walls of the classrooms," recounted Viet. That was Hoang Van Viet, principal of Quang Vinh Elementary School in Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province, northern Vietnam, who recently swam into his flooded school to save whatever he could from the rising floodwaters. On the night of August 23, Viet went to bed in fear after school security reported at 8:00 pm that floodwaters had risen at least 10 centimeters. With the storm still raging, he had no choice but to wait until morning to assess the damage. The next morning, despite the ongoing downpour, Viet made the 40-kilometer journey to the school where he discovered the classrooms sunken under 1.5 meters of still-rising floodwaters. Hoping to save what he could, he began swimming across the campus and through the classrooms. Once inside, there was nothing I could do, he recalled. Hoang Van Viet, principal of Quang Vinh Elementary School in Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province, northern Vitenam. Photo: Nguyen Bao / Tuoi Tre Though Viet was concerned about the schools infrastructure, his primary worry was the well-being of his students. Quang Vinh Elementary, a boarding school, had seen more than 30 bags of rice and meat submerged by the rising floodwaters. It was not until August 29 that the waters receded enough for Viet to gather his teachers for a 6:00 am meeting. Only then could the staff begin preparing for the rapidly approaching school year cleaning classrooms, arranging furniture, and improvising crafts. By days end, the Quang Vinh team was not working alone. More than 50 teachers from nearby schools had joined in to help prepare meals and clean the flood-damaged campus. Teachers clean up following the receding of the floodwaters. Photo: Supplied Quang Vinh Elementary School is located in a particularly impoverished area, with most students coming from low-income backgrounds and ethnic minority communties, mainly Mung and Nung. The flood had ruined 75 plywood tables used by teachers and students, along with other essential equipment, the electric system on the first floor, a refrigerator, daybeds, stainless steel bowls, and kitchen tools. Determined to ensure a timely start to the new school year, Viet organized repairs during the four-day National Day holiday, which started on August 31, enabling his students to return for an opening ceremony rehearsal on September 1. This provided picture depicts six classrooms, two dormitories, one security room, and four staff rooms for teachers, all submerged in floodwaters. Two sponsors provided 1.8 tonnes of rice for student lunches, ensuring that they would be well-fed for the next several months. Viet was stunned when a photo of him swimming through the flooded school went viral on social media. For him, it was simply a natural response to his responsibility toward the school and its students. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many consumers in Ho Chi Minh City are now embracing a new cosmetic service: personal color consultation. Discover the secrets behind selecting the perfect color palette and make the transformation from an ugly duckling to a swan. Nguyen Thi My Yen, a 27-year-old resident of District 10, is eagerly anticipating her color consultation appointment at a consulting center in District 7. Despite her love for cosmetics, Yen will attend the appointment bare-faced -- an unusual experience for her. Huong, the center's founder and Yen's consultant, has instructed that Yen must come without makeup or contact lenses, and the appointment should be scheduled before sunset. During the consultation, Yen will sit in a space with natural light, allowing Huong to accurately assess the contours of her face and her true skin tone. What is seasonal color analysis? At Yen's appointment, Huong starts by snapping a clean-face facial picture of her client, which is confidential and will be kept on file for future appointments. Huong then covers Yen's skin with various swatches of colors and tones and learns that Yen falls within the midsummer color group. Many clients walk into their appointments with assumptions about seasonal color ranges. They are surprised to learn that the color analysis is not based on fashion trends but on the change in sunlight. As a case in point, sunlight in the spring is different from that in the winter or darker months, and the analysis will focus on 'gentle' hues versus 'icy' winter tones. At Yen's appointment, she learns that for her skin tone, summer is not a 'warm color' but leans more blue or 'chilly' tones. Huong's explanation is consistent with climate terminology, and personal color analysis always gives results linked to a seasonal palette. Whether spring, summer, autumn, or winter, each links to different undertones and color qualities. For instance, autumn hues are rich and earthy, winter tones are cool and vivid, spring shades are typically warm and vibrant, while summer colors are soft and muted. These categories help individuals select makeup, accessories, and clothing that enhance their unique color profile and contribute to a well-coordinated wardrobe. Personal colors are separated into four season-based groups. Photo: An Vi / Tuoi Tre The Golden Ratio After filing the photograph of Yen's face, Huong sketches the skeleton structure on an app for further evaluation. To ascertain the visual weight and contrast on the client's face, she examines the eyes, lips, eyebrows, and even iris color. Yen is extremely eager to see her face against the golden ratio and determine her point count. The Golden Ratio is 1: 1.618, and the full equation states, "When a line is divided into two parts in a ratio of 1: 1.618, it creates the ideal proportion." Color analysis can increase a face's golden ratio by bringing forward or highlighting strong features like the neck, cheekbones, or nose. Huong also realizes the importance of the golden ratio as it "helps decide the type of patterns, materials, shapes of clothing, and accessories." Yen was surprised to learn she had a cool skin tone. "I am used to matching the warm tone of my complexion. The outcome of the consultation shocked me as it is the reverse," she said. Yen is still lucky as she will not have to part from her whole wardrobe. The consultant said she could still wear the current clothes if she wanted them, but to combine the ensemble with a smaller ratio, perhaps 20-30 percent of the whole look, so she still "looks good." At another color consulting center in Tan Binh District, 37-year-old Vo Thi Thuy Liem from District 9 received assistance from consultant Dao Tran, who used fabric samples in various tones and colors draped over Liem's shoulders to assess the contrast and determine the best color choices. Liem sought the consultation because she often received feedback about appearing too serious and hoped to improve her first impression. In response, Dao Tran concentrated on evaluating Liems facial features, including her eye and hair color, as well as her eyebrow shape. Dao also provided guidance on Liem's outfit style and noted that her ideal color range aligned with her current wardrobe. Liem was advised on selecting suitable clothes by considering her body measurements and overall body composition. After about 45 minutes of counseling, Liem felt a boost in confidence. Smiling, she remarked, "After today, I know which colors suit me and which ones to avoid. I might need to make some changes to my wardrobe when I get back." Before her personal color consultation, Yen had to arrive with a bare face. Photo: An Vi / Tuoi Tre Painless, better results than surgery Personal color consulting is relatively recent in Vietnam. Thao Jaly, the owner of a color consulting center in Tan Binh District, revealed that she battled to choose clothing before receiving a life-changing consultation in South Korea and Japan. Thao observed that many Vietnamese people wear clothes that accentuate nothing about their face or skin tone. "I see many young girls struggling when choosing clothes; they just pick them based on their feelings and then realize they don't suit them, which ends up wasting a lot of money and time," Thao added. Depending on each center and service package, the personal color consulting service fetches VND690,000 - 5,000,000 (US$29-210) per session. Each appointment banks on the client's needs and can last up to two hours. Dao Tran reveals one of the most popular items of feedback her center receives is the color palette knowledge that enables clients to save a lot of money on clothing. "Knowing the correct color group will let clients generate more possibilities from just 10 clothes. The most important thing is to avoid buying clothes that don't suit you." Dao Tran added enthusiastically. This consultant claims that since everyone's undertone of color will not alter during their lifetime, clients only need the evaluation once. After the consultation, they also get a result sheet and can confidently follow the information to choose the style and colors that fit them best. Emphasizing natural beauty, increasing confidence Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Quyen, dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Art at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), attributes the growing popularity of personal color consulting services to the expanding fashion and beauty industry and heightened awareness of personal appearance and style. "Choosing the right colors not only enhances beauty but also boosts confidence in everyday life and interactions," Quyen explained. She also noted that many people believe colors can have feng shui effects, which may improve luck and mood. "Remember, the right color palette will highlight your best features, enhance your natural beauty, and minimize imperfections," Quyen added. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard said on Sunday it was willing to engage in confidential discussions with Japanese retail giant Seven & i Holdings on its $38.5 billion takeover offer, as it remains keen on pursuing a buyout. Shares in 7-Eleven convenience store owner Seven & I rose 2.5 percent in early Tokyo trading on Monday at about 2,191 yen ($15.35), above the $14.86 per share all-cash proposal from the Canadian firm that it rejected on Friday. Seven & i said the deal was not in the best interest of its shareholders and could face antitrust challenges in the U.S., where the combined company would be the biggest convenience store operator by a considerable margin. Couche-Tard, which owns the Circle-K brand, said in a statement it would consider divestitures that might be required to secure regulatory approvals and believed that it would offer a compelling combination that would address all regulatory concerns in Japan. "Given the mutual benefits of a combination, we are disappointed in 7&i's refusal to engage in friendly discussions. We are highly confident that collaborative discussions would lead to our ability to find increased value for 7&i shareholders," Couche-Tard said. Shoppers walk out from a Seven & I Holdings' 7-Eleven convenience store in Tokyo, Japan, April 7, 2016. Photo: Reuters Couche-Tard said it was confident of arranging financing for the deal, which would be the largest-ever foreign takeover of a Japanese company and the biggest all-cash offer for a firm since Elon Musk bought Twitter for $40.2 billion in 2022, according to LSEG data. "We have secured a letter from our financial advisor stating that it is highly confident that it is able to arrange the financing for the proposed transaction, subject to customary conditions," the Canadian company said. Seven & i said on Friday that even if Couche-Tard was to increase the value of the offer "very significantly" it would still be concerned over whether a takeover would be able to progress. Seven & i did not respond immediately to a request for comment on Couche-Tard's renewed overtures. While Seven & I is much larger than Couche-Tard in terms of sales, stores, and employees, its shares have underperformed for years, drawing complaints from investors including ValueAct Capital about the company's management and asset structure. The logo of Seven & I Holdings is seen at its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan December 6, 2017. Photo: Reuters "Seven & i is currently undervalued because of various reasons to do with structure, timing and corporate culture. Its underlying long term value is much, much higher" said JapanConsuming co-founder Michael Causton who publishes on Smartkarma. "Couche-Tard knows this and its bid timing speaks to its skills as a deal maker. But it will be a hard fight to get Seven & I at a low price ... a lot of investors know its real value." The deal, if successful, would allow Couche-Tard, which has a market value of about $52 billion, to boost its global reach and improve economies of scale. Bloomberg News earlier reported about Couche-Tard's plans and said it had not ruled out going directly to the shareholders with its bid. ($1 = 142.7000 yen) A golden eagle attacked a toddler in Norway on Sunday, with her mother and a neighbour fighting the bird off repeatedly until a game warden killed it, Norwegian media reported. The 20-month-old girl, who was playing on her family's farm in Trondelag in central Norway when the eagle swooped down on her, required stitches to the back of her head and had scratches from the eagle's talons on her face, her father told public broadcaster NRK. "The eagle came out of nowhere and grabbed our youngest daughter," said the father, whose name was not disclosed. "Her mother jumped up and grabbed hold of the eagle, but had to fight to get it to let go. A neighbour also had to help her and our little girl," he said. Gamekeeper Per Kare Vinterdal, who killed the eagle, told NRK the bird saw the little girl as "prey". He said the mother and neighbour managed to get the eagle off the girl "but it kept coming back" even though "the neighbour chased it away with a stick". Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and his spouse arrived in Hanoi on Sunday afternoon, kicking off their three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse. Welcoming President Nyusi and his wife at Noi Bai International Airport were Chairman of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang, Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique Pham Hoang Kim, and several other officials. This marks President Nyusi's first visit to Vietnam since taking office in 2005 and is also the first by a Mozambican president to the Southeast Asian nation in 17 years. President Nyusi is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, and leaders from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, among other officials and advisors. Party General Secretary and State President Lam was scheduled to host an official welcoming ceremony for the Mozambican president. During his visit, President Nyusi will conduct important meetings with other senior Vietnamese leaders and stop over businesses, educational and cultural establishments, and historical sites. As Vietnam and Mozambique will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year, the working trip is aimed at strengthening cooperation in traditional areas, serving as a basis for it to expand to telecommunications, energy and minerals, fisheries, and digital transformation, according to Vietnam News Agency. Mozambican Ambassador to Vietnam Ilundi Dos Santos says one of the main goals of President Nyusi's visit is to promote economic relations between the two nations, which have many similarities, from climate to plants. She acknowledges that Vietnams economy is developing rapidly and has high demands for energy and mineral resources, a rich supply found within Mozambique. The diplomat looks forward to continued successful cooperation. The ambassador recognizes Vietnams' strength in agricultural and aquatic research. This trip is also intended to improve the quality of agricultural products and ensure food security for the Mozambican people, as the two countries have implemented several successful projects, which continue to be highly appreciated by Mozambiques leaders. Santos expresses her hope that this visit will be a great success, helping promote the traditional friendship and partnership between Vietnam and Mozambique. Nyusi is the second head of state from Africa to visit Vietnam in less than a week, following the four-day visit by Bissau-Guinean President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on September 5. Last year, Vietnam earned US$127 million from exports to Mozambique, ranging from rice, fertilizers, garments to farming equipment, while spending $420 million on imports from the Southeast African country, with a focus on coal and cashew nuts. One of the bright spots in the bilateral cooperation is the success of Mozambique-based Movitel, a telecom joint venture between Vietnams telecom group Viettel and Mozambiques SPI company, which was set up in 2012 with a total investment of over $600 million. The fact that General Secretary and State President To Lam welcomed two delegations of African heads of state in such a short time, as well as in the first months of his new position, demonstrates Vietnams respect for and attachment to its traditional African partners. Currently, about 200 Vietnamese are living and working in Mozambique, most of whom are managers and employees at Movitel, with the rest being medical and educational specialists, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Hamas's capture of the West's sympathy, attention, and media By Izabella Tabarovsky web posted September 9, 2024 A massive anti-Israel march took place in New York City on September 2, 2024the day Israelis were burying the 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a "high-profile hostage" captured and murdered by Hamas, along with five others, just days earlier in Gaza. A dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, Hersh's execution at the hands of Hamas provoked an outpouring of grief and rage among Americans, many of whom learned his story from his parents, Rachel and Jon, who had appeared at the Democratic National Convention just two weeks earlier. The sight of an estimated 5,000 rioters marching across Manhattan carrying Hamas, Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, and Hizbullah flags on Labor Day perplexed many. What could they be protesting against on a day after Hamas had murdered six Jews? Yet, this wasn't the first time an aggressive, in-your-face "pro-Palestinian" rally in the West followed a high-profile massacre of Jews in Israel. The first demonstrations in the immediate wake of the October 7, 2023, massacre condemned Israel and demanded sympathy and support for Gaza. Psychological Warfare in Full Display The timing of these rallies is hardly accidental. Psychological warfare is a crucial part of Hamas's strategy, and it excels at it. Hamas and its supporters understand that letting the Western public dwell too long on the massacres of Jews is damaging to their cause. Among the objectives of such actions are drawing attention and public sympathy away from murdered Jews, as well as shifting the news cycle to get the world back "on track" in sympathizing with Hamas as "the resistance" to Israel and depicting Jews as the devil incarnate. Another goal is to present Jews as the culprits for their own murders. In the wake of October 7, pro-Hamas online brigades spread a lie claiming that the IDF murdered most Israelis who perished on that day. The same lie is circulating on social media today about the six hostages. Meanwhile, on the same day that Israel was burying Goldberg-Polin, Hamas released a statement claiming it had warned the Jews not to try to free the hostages. The implication was clear: it was the Jews' own fault their loved ones were dead. To add another emotional blow, Hamas released a video in which the soon-to-be-slain 24-year-old Eden Yerushalmigaunt and with dark circles under her eyesblamed Benjamin Netanyahu for his failure to make a deal and called on Israelis to take to the streets and demand a cease-fire. This is classic psychological warfare. It relies on disinformation, intimidation, and emotional manipulation to undermine enemy morale, seed chaos and confusion, and deepen internal divisions. A document reportedly uncovered recently in Gaza by the IDF shows just how intentional Hamas has been with its psyops strategy. It instructs its readers to increase dissemination of hostage videos to build psychological pressure on the Israelis; to continue blaming Netanyahu; and to work to undermine Israel's belief that the ground invasion will bring the hostages home. Hamas's patron, Iran, is likely closely involved in this: its role in the anti-Israel protests in the United States is increasingly coming to light. Hamas's and Iran's "hearts and minds" efforts are geared at Israelis, Americans, and the West, more broadly. How we collectively respond to them will determine whether we can defend our societies or not. Izabella Tabarovsky is a Senior Advisor at the Kennan Institute (Wilson Center) in Washington, Senior Fellow at the Z3 Institute for Jewish Priorities, and a Fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs Home Power has been restored to 4.2 million of the more than 5.7 million households and establishments affected by typhoon Yagi in northern Vietnam, while 1.5 million were still without electricity as of Monday morning, according to state utility EVN. Typhoon Yagi, which has wreaked havoc on northern Vietnam since Saturday, has caused severe damage to the power grid system. In the high-voltage grid, seven out of nine damaged 500kV lines have been restored, 27 out of 40 damaged 220kV lines are back in operation, and 77 out of 102 damaged 110kV lines have been repaired. For the medium and low-voltage grids, strong storm winds have caused significant issues. Many distribution lines and transformer stations across northern provinces and cities have been damaged, leading to power supply interruptions and widespread outages. On Monday morning, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper observed that power workers were still busy repairing, replacing, and rebuilding power lines ravaged by the typhoon in Hai Phong City. On Sunday, the Northern Power Corporation had deployed 38 additional shock teams comprising 413 staff and technical workers from 13 affiliated units to assist with power grid repairs in Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City. Ho Sen Street still experiences an extended power outage in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam, September 8, 2024. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre Hoang Huu Truong, chief of office of EVN Hai Phong, informed Tuoi Tre that many electric poles remain broken in the citys suburbs. Efforts to restore power are ongoing with support from EVN teams from several provinces, including Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, and Tuyen Quang. Truong noted that the recovery effort is challenged by the extensive debris from fallen trees blocking power lines and poles, which requires significant time to clear and repair. He added that some damaged transformer stations were repaired on Sunday and expects that most power lines with broken poles and wires will be fixed by the end of Monday, though the exact number of damaged sites in Hai Phong is still being assessed. In Hanoi, the Hanoi Power Corporation reported that the powerful storm has affected 290,000 households and establishments, primarily in suburban districts. Nearly all of those affected have had their power restored. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! At least ten people have gone missing after their vehicles fell into the Red River when a bridge in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam collapsed on Monday morning, a police officer said the same day. At 3:00 pm on Monday, Colonel Nguyen Minh Tuan, director of the Phu Tho Department of Public Security, reported that there were two trucks and four cars, along with an unspecified number of motorbikes, on the Phong Chau Bridge when the accident occurred. The bridge, inaugurated in 1995, spans the Red River, connecting the Lam Thao and Tam Nong Districts in Phu Tho Province. Dashcam footage from a car that narrowly escaped the Phong Chau Bridge collapse in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. The six trucks and cars would have six drivers, plus five people on motorbikes and electric bicycles, Colonel Tuan stated. Our initial assessment indicates that there are at least 10 people missing, not including the passengers in the cars. However, we cannot confirm the exact number at this time. A span is left after two main spans of the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Tran Quy / Tuoi Tre In an earlier interview with state broadcaster VTV, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc mentioned that approximately 10 vehicles and 13 people were initially reported missing, though he noted that this number is still an estimate and may not be accurate. By 1:00 pm, three people had been rescued and rushed to Tam Nong Medical Center in Tam Nong District. As of 4:00 pm, the army has set up makeshift tents at the site of the Phong Chau Bridge collapse in Phu Tho Province. Over 300 officers and soldiers are actively searching for victims, according to VnExpress. Two victims are hospitalized after the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Duong Lieu / Tuoi Tre A preliminary report from the Phu Tho Department of Transport indicated that the collapse was triggered by typhoon Yagi, which has caused flooding across northern Vietnam since Saturday. The rising water levels of the Red River damaged the T7 pillar, leading to the collapse of two main spans of the bridge. The incident occurred at 10:02 am on Monday. Local police are urging residents near the bridge to provide any footage or images of those involved in the accident, as there were no cameras on the bridge itself. A man falls into the bridge pier and survives after the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Tung Dinh / Tuoi Tre The Phong Chau Bridge underwent repairs in 2013, 2019, and 2023. The Phu Tho Department of Transport reported that a 2019 inspection indicated there was no need to impose weight restrictions on the bridge. In August 2022, Phu Tho Province proposed that the Ministry of Transport consider upgrading or replacing the Phong Chau Bridge. However, due to limited public investment funds, priority has been given to other key and urgent projects. A span is left after two main spans of the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Giang Long / Tuoi Tre A span is left after two main spans of the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Tran Quy / Tuoi Tre A main span is stuck in the Red River after the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Tran Quy / Tuoi Tre A main span is stuck in the Red River after the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Tran Quy / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Politics -- Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and his spouse arrived in Hanoi on Sunday afternoon, beginning their three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Party General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse. Society -- As of 6:00 pm on Sunday, typhoon Yagi and the resulting downpours and floods have claimed 21 lives, with three people still missing, according to the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority. -- Heavy rain from the storm has eroded and flooded many national and provincial roads in various northern localities, severely disrupting traffic. -- Many residents of Yen Bai City in Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam had to flee rising floodwaters at midnight on Sunday. -- Many parts of northern Vietnam are still suffering from widespread power outages in the aftermath of the typhoon, which made landfall on Saturday. Education -- Twelve provinces and cities in northern Vietnam have allowed students to continue staying home in the wake of typhoon Yagi. Business -- Revenue from the real estate business in Ho Chi Minh City was estimated at VND173 trillion (US$7 billion) in January-August, marking a 6.1-percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Statistical Office. Lifestyle -- The UNESCO Global Geoparks Council has officially recognized Lang Son Geopark in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Sports -- Nearly 200 athletes walked and jogged along Nha Trang beach in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, on Sunday to raise funds for street children and victims of human trafficking. -- Thousands of people attended the Ro Pagoda bull race organized by the An Giang Province Photography Association in coordination with the Peoples Committee of An Cu Commune in Tinh Bien Town, An Giang Province, southern Vietnam on Sunday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Editor's note : Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to have struck the East Vietnam Sea over the past three decades, made landfall in northern Vietnam on Saturday, leaving devastation across the region. During hardships, many Vietnamese people continue to show compassion and support for their community. On Saturday, many motorbike riders found it hard to drive through the Nhat Tan Bridge in Hanoi as they were unable to maintain balance amid the strong winds of typhoon Yagi. One car decided to slow down to shield the motorbikes from the fierce winds and was quickly joined by more cars to create a wall shielding the motorbikes, helping them to safely drive across the bridge. A video of the situation has gone viral on social media in Vietnam, touching the hearts of millions of people. Residents coming together to protect and support one another during the typhoon exemplifies human kindness in times of hardship. A single car traveling slowly could not shield all the motorbikes on the bridge; however, the involvement of multiple cars highlights the strength of community and compassion. It is not just about cars forming a barrier against the wind, but a testament to how Vietnamese citizens consistently think of others., Another video circulating on social media shows two cars shielding a motorbike on an overpass in Hanois inner city. When it became apparent that two cars were not sufficient, more vehicles slowed down to create a larger protective shield. Moreover, Vietnamese people shared hundreds of addresses on social media to provide shelter for typhoon-hit victims. The owner of a hotel on Co To Island off the coast of Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam invited people living in makeshift houses to his hotel during the typhoon. The hotels employees even coordinated with local authorities to pick up elderly people who otherwise would be unable to get to the establishment. Such touching stories have inspired others and spread love amid the devastation caused by the super typhoon. Helping others pass through bridges and sharing shelters are specific acts of kindness which are meaningful when the Vietnamese people are jointly responding to natural disasters. Many citizens have left compliments below these videos and posts, saying they feel immense pride watching these acts of compassion. Storms, no matter how disastrous, can be measured through indicators like speed and classification levels, while compassion are immeasurable. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Typhoon Yagi, the third storm to batter Vietnam this year, claimed four lives in Hanoi as of Sunday morning. The death toll has been confirmed by the municipal administration. The Vietnamese capital had earlier reported only three deaths caused by falling trees before and during the typhoon, which weakened into a tropical depression after devastating several northern Vietnamese provinces and cities. The storm brought down 25,156 trees, with the worst-hit areas being Hoang Mai, Long Bien, Gia Lam, Dong Anh, and Nam Tu Liem Districts, according to the Hanoi Green Trees Park Co. Ltd. During the typhoon, more than 25,000 trees citywide were uprooted or damaged. Several districts in suburban Hanoi experienced landslides due to heavy rainfall and strong winds. Yagi also caused widespread damage to infrastructure facilities, homes, roads, and power lines, displacing residents and resulting in the loss of livestock and poultry. Other districts impacted include: Thach That District: + Erosion struck 150 square meters of land in Yen Binh and Thach Xa Communes. Chuong My District: + Erosion spread five meters of the Bui River dyke. + More than 2,700 meters of rural roads are waterlogged. + Thirty plus homes, five villages, one community center, and two historical sites are waterlogged. + 1,400 square meters of livestock shelters collapsed. + 10,400 roofs have blown off or sustain permanent damage. + 115 power poles were knocked down. Quoc Oai District: + Twenty meters of collapsed roads + Ten houses with roofs missing + Two toppled-over power poles Ba Vi District: + Damage to the Red River dyke section in Co Do Commune + Thirteen power poles were knocked down. + Residents of seven households evacuated before their homes were submerged in water. + Eight fishing boats sank in Co Do and Chu Minh Communes. + 2,030 poultry were killed. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A veteran Melbourne news cameraman will contest allegations he raped a woman. The Herald Sun reports Shaun Ryan, 56, fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday charged with multiple alleged rape offences. Investigators alleged the events occurred more than 10 years ago and he was charged on August 29 last year. The court heard Mr Ryan would seek to cross-examine multiple witnesses including the police informant and the alleged victim at a contested committal hearing. His bail was extended to front a committal scheduled to commence on November 6. Filming is now underway in South Australia on a third season of RFDS for Seven. Supported by the State Government through the South Australian Film Corporation the series is expected to inject more than $10 million into the states economy and create more than 450 jobs. With a majority South Australian crew, RFDS is the first production to come to the state from Endemol Shine Australia. Filming is taking place across Adelaide, including at the SAFCs Adelaide Studios, as well as at the Port Augusta RFDS Base and regional surrounds including Quorn and the stunning Flinders Ranges, doubling for Broken Hill. The new season picks up one year later as the RFDS family is forced to grapple with the fallout of choices and deal with the domino effects of a tragedy. Returning cast include Emma Hamilton, Stephen Peacocke, Rob Collins, Justine Clarke, Ash Ricardo, Emma Harvie, Rodney Afif, Jack Scott, Sofia Nolan and Thomas Weatherall. Arts Minister Andrea Michaels MP said: It is very exciting to welcome RFDS to South Australia. It is the latest in a continued pipeline of major productions taking place in our state with the support of the Malinauskas Government. Securing this amazing series is a huge win for the state, injecting $10 million into South Australias economy and creating hundreds of jobs for our local screen sector while showcasing Adelaide and our incredible Flinders Ranges to a national audience. It demonstrates that South Australia is the perfect home for Australian television production. SAFC CEO Kate Croser said: We are thrilled to welcome Endemol Shine to South Australia for the first time with this beloved Australian drama series, strengthening our states international reputation as the premier location for Australian stories on screen. Led by South Australian producer Lisa Scott with a predominantly South Australian crew, RFDS will create significant employment and career advancement opportunities for local screen sector talent including 10 South Australian Heads of Department. It will also deliver economic and employment benefits for South Australians outside the screen industry, with more than two thirds of expenditure on a typical screen production going to suppliers and service providers in other sectors such as construction, transport, hospitality, retail and more. Executive Producer and Endemol Shine Australias Head of Scripted Sara Richardson said: Endemol Shine Australia is delighted to be filming in South Australia showcasing the beauty of the state and the Flinders Ranges to not only the rest of the country, but around the world. It is a pleasure to be working closely with the SAFC, and the production is so appreciative of their support, facilities and commitment. We are extremely grateful to the communities of Quorn and the Port Augusta RFDS base for being so welcoming and giving this show a home away from home. Producer Lisa Scott of Highview Productions said: We are absolutely thrilled to have such a celebrated and revered production here in South Australia. With the support of the SAFC not only are we able to provide hundreds of jobs to local Adelaide cast and crew, we will also be showcasing the Flinders Ranges and our states regional surrounds, both of which we are supremely proud of. Sevens Head of Drama Julie McGauran said: We are grateful to the SAFC and South Australian Government for their extraordinary support of this TV Week Logie award winning drama one of which we are most proud. We are really excited for viewers to see what is in store for season three when it airs on Seven next year, let the cameras roll! RFDS won the 2024 Logie for Best Drama Program. Season 3 will air in 2025. RFDS is produced by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Entertainment Company) in association with the Seven Network. Major production investment from Screen Australia, Seven Network and the South Australian Film Corporation. Post, digital and visual effects supported by Screen NSW. Banijay Rights handles international distribution for RFDS outside of Australia. Shes been acting on our screens for nearly 30 years but new Nine series Human Error is the biggest Free to Air role Leeanna Walsman has yet undertaken. Except for Jessica (2004), Ive never played the lead of a series, especially one like this on a Free to Air network like Channel Nine, she tells TV Tonight. I definitely think Im a better actor now. But when I think about it, other than theatre, Ive been part of ensembles as a lead, which is extraordinary. This role feels even bigger, because I guess Im older and Im more aware of whats going on. Across six episodes, Walsman plays Detective Senior Sergeant Holly ORourke investigating a brutal murder and navigating drama in her personal life. Despite the weight of the role (Walsman is in almost every scene) her performance remains understated. Thats just my style but I guess its kind of deliberate, because its just not me to be that person. I was prepared to be, and I thought that people would ask me to be, a bit bigger, a bit more obvious, more in your face. Like, lets act tough, whatever that is, because youre a head detective, she continues. I was prepared for the network to go, No, we need you to be more like this, because this is what we imagined. But they didnt at all. They, in fact, encouraged my choices and seemed to gravitate towards them. Shes a homicide detective whos a mother, a wife, and also a daughter and each of those parts of her character are intertwined in the narrative. Actually, Id say shes a very fair and impulsive boss. She leads with compassion, she treats everyone as equal, and she gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. The way that she uncovers and gains information has a lot to do with the way she interacts with people and being as authentic as possible. Anyway, thats how I approached her. I also really like her, because shes fallible. The cast also features Matt Day, Stephen Peacocke, Rob Collins, Steve Bisley, Rahel Romahn, Daniela Farinacci, Sachin Joab, Jane Allsop, Anthony J Sharpe and Rosie Mitchell. The Roadshow Rough Diamond series, created by Greg Haddrick, Samantha Winston, Gregor Jordan & John Silvester, explores Melbournes underworld and policing, but while there are leagcy links to Underbelly (Haddrick & Silvester) it lands without quite the same tone of sensationalism. Theres definitely not as much skin as Underbelly! Walsman insists. Like, you cant do any drinking games based on what you see on the TV! I didnt watch all the Underbellys, to be honest, but I feel like its a lot different, and also its contemporary female-driven. Im really interested in, obviously the case, but particularly in her personal life and how that interweaves with it, and what happens behind doors. Yet the inspired by real events crime is unmistakably drawn from Melbournes history. ORourke leads an investigation into the brazen execution of a mother in a suburban driveway, in front of her children. The series is inspired by real events which bears an uncanny likeness to the unsolved 1997 murder of Jane Thurgood-Dove in Niddrie. While Nine declines to comment on any parallels, carefully referring to any similarities as coincidental, Walsman points to other sub-plots which develop. I feel like, when it says Inspired by, its literally that. Like its inspired by, but then the narrative and the case becomes its own writing in this piece. Theres definitely a case that inspires the beginning and the onset of what happens, and also the concept of human mistakes. But that concept then leads into, and thats the writers creativity, Hollys life and things that Holly does, she explains. Thats what the concept of human errors is about. It is to do with the case and then I guess, if were talking beyond the case, then the idea that humans are fallible, and how do we navigate things that are seen as mistakes? Can we turn them into something? How do we proceed beyond them? Do we allow them to consume us and do things that are worse, or do we utilise that and turn it into a better outcome? Theres a lot of metaphors in it as well. But youd be pretty hard stretched to find any sort of procedural drama or anything thats about investigation, that hasnt been inspired by events that have happened. Human Error screens 8:40pm Wednesday on Nine. Gold Star families issue strong rebuke of Harris By Mark Alexander web posted September 9, 2024 Media collusion in support of Democrat Party candidates has, for decades, been a staple of Demo election strategy. But with Big Tech and social media now a major part of that collaborative calculus and their ability to reach virtually every American 24/7/365 that bias is a far more formidable threat to American Liberty than at any time in our history. To that end, we owe a debt of gratitude to former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who must have been inebriated when she outlined how Democrats collude with their Leftmedia propagandists to invent and propagate lies and how they perfected it against Donald Trump from 2016 onward. In a CNN interview in 2019, Pelosi defined a ruse in the Demos' black bag of political go-to tricks: "It's called a wrap-up smear. You make up something. Then you have the press write about it. And then you say, 'Everybody is writing about this charge.' It's a tool of an [authoritarian regime] to just have you always be talking about what you want them to be talking about." Defying reality, Pelosi was suggesting this was a Republican tactic. Of course, anyone with the most rudimentary cerebral capacity knows that Republicans can't "have the press write about" whatever they dictate and then use that as proof of their point. This insidious tactic belongs exclusively to the Democrats, whom the media have long favored. In fact, a recent survey of journalists by political affiliation found that only 3.4% indicate they are Republican. And media platforms now excel at the systemic suppression of free speech. That accounts for the vast chasm between Democrat and Republican trust of the media, particularly given that most "journalists" don't believe both sides of an issue should get equal coverage. In another interview, Pelosi went into more detail about the "wrap-up smear" tactic: "It's a diversionary tactic. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. You demonize, and then you ... smear somebody with falsehoods and all the rest, and then you merchandise it, and then you write it, and they'll say, 'See, it's reported in the press that this, this, and this,' so they have that validation that the press reported the smear, and then it's called a wrap-up smear. 'Now I'm going to merchandise the press's report on the smear that we made.' It's a tactic." Pelosi's "wrap-up smear" was precisely the tactic that former FBI Director James Comey seeded when orchestrating his fake-news press leaks to Leftmedia outlets in order to ensure that, by his own admission, a special prosecutor was appointed to investigate Russian collusion within the Trump campaign. Comey's sole objective was to set Trump up for a takedown. But Demos say it's Trump who is a "threat to democracy"? Pelosi's corrupt collusion tactics with the mainstream media amount to a gross betrayal of the First Amendment. The resulting perversion of the power of the press completely erodes the historic role it was intended to fill, providing a balanced and truthful check against political corruption. But most of the media has now hitched its wagon to that corruption. And that brings me to the most recent example of the Demos' "wrap-up smear." Last month Donald Trump was invited by the families of the 13 American Patriots who were killed at Kabul airport's Abbey Gate on 26 August 2021 to a solemn observance at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the dead. It was the first time these families had an opportunity to gather and formally honor their slain family members at Arlington. These warriors were killed in a predictable attack just ahead of the Biden/Harris regime's disastrous military exfil from Afghanistan on 30 August 2021. As I noted last week, "The Biden/Harris accelerated exfil timeline was predicated on their desire to take a victory lap to proclaim they ended the war before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 Islamist attack on our nation which was the catalyst to launch Operation Enduring Freedom. But the only victory lap was the one taken by the Taliban celebrating 9/11 in our abandoned Kabul embassy and around the city, parading billions of dollars worth of our abandoned first-generation military equipment." It was a disgraceful and deadly military retreat proudly approved by Kamala Harris, and neither Biden nor Harris have contacted all the families of the dead or publicly uttered their names in order to not remind their constituents of their long record of foreign policy failures. Their ineptitude subsequently empowered Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, and more recently the Iranian surrogate attacks on Israel. While Trump was at Arlington with Gold Star families, Biden was at the beach in Delaware, taking heat for not attending. Thus, within hours of the Arlington observance, a diversionary Leftmedia "wrap-up smear" was seeded, and it propagated quickly. Nate Jackson, wrote about that smear tactic, which was launched by NPR with the allegation that Trump's campaign staff "had a verbal and physical altercation Monday with an official at Arlington National Cemetery." Given that Trump has the overwhelming support of Veterans and their families, Jackson noted that "editors in other Leftmedia newsrooms" now had a "golden opportunity to distract from what otherwise was a glaring reminder of the colossal Biden/Harris blunder" in Afghanistan, and they hoped it would also divert attention from the now well-documented stolen valor case against Harris's VP nominee, Tim Walz. But the smear campaign began to unravel before it could get to the wrap-up phase, when Iraq War Veteran Tulsi Gabbard, a former Demo congresswoman and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee but now a Trump ally was interviewed by CNN's Dana Bash. Asked about the alleged altercation, Gabbard responded: "What I saw was a very grave and somber remembrance and honoring of those lives that were lost, and I saw President Trump spending time at the invitation of these Gold Star families with them. He was there for a few hours. I did not see or hear about any kind of altercation until something came out in the news." Then Gabbard, currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve, dropped a bomb on Bash: I have seen a lot of the headlines and the stories and the concerns that people are raising about this. But, to me, as a soldier and as someone who has been deployed to different war zones in the world and I have friends who are buried there at Section 60 what is more outrageous to me is that there wasn't universal coverage of the momentous day of the third anniversary of the loss of these 13 Gold Star families and the outrage that they feel that they that their loved ones are not getting the kind of coverage and memory that their great sacrifice deserves. That is what everyone should be outraged about. Asked the same question by NBC's Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press," Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), a former Army Ranger who served both in Afghanistan and Iraq, responded likewise: He didn't take campaign photos there. These families Gold Star families whose children died due to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's incompetence, invited him to the cemetery, and they asked him to take those photos. You know who those families also invited? Joe Biden and Kamala Harris where were they? Joe Biden was sitting at a beach. Kamala Harris was sitting at her mansion in Washington, DC. She was four miles away ten minutes. She could've gone to the cemetery and honored the sacrifice of those young men and women, but she hasn't. She never has spoken to them or taken a meeting with them. Then, after Harris again claimed Trump "disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt," members of those Gold Star families spoke up with lengthy and scathing rebukes of Harris, broadsiding the Harris/Walz campaign's wrap-up smear tactic. Darin Hoover, the father of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover; Coral Doolittle, the mother of Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez; Jaclyn and Mark Schmitz, the mother and father of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz; Steve Nikoui, the father of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui; Jim McCollum, the father of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum; Herman Lopez, the father of Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez; and Christy Shamblin, the mother-in-law of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee, also made videos criticizing Harris. Summing up the sentiments of the parents, Darin Hoover said: Kamala, we have been treated with the utmost respect, compassion, and understanding by President Trump, something you and Joe Biden have refused to do since August 26, 2021. Where were you and Joe Biden on August 26, 2024? Nowhere near Arlington Cemetery. You couldn't be bothered to be with us or even say our kids' names, just as you had done for the last three years. Neither one of you have called to speak with us or share in our grief. I wonder, Kamala, do you sleep at night securely in your bed, or do you have nightmares of our kids because it was your incompetence and negligence that got our kids murdered? It is you who sent out messages on social media that are outright lies. It is you that has disrespected our families. It is you who knows nothing about service and sacrifice. It is you that has divided this country. And, it is you who is unfit to be the commander-in-chief. These are the only memories we get to make with our son. And, it is you who is playing politics and trying to detract from our memories made that day. As for the accusation that Trump was taking video for his campaign, Hoover corrected the record: "We are the ones that asked for the video and the pictures to be taken at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier." Jaclyn Schmitz added: Kamala your statement is nothing more than a political spin to help you look better in your presidential campaign against Donald Trump. You have never walked a single day in our shoes. Our kids were murdered because of your administration. And you are partly to blame for that as well. What happened at Arlington President Trump was invited by those families who have their soldiers buried at Arlington. Schmitz added that "one thing" Harris said was true: "No one should be running for president if they cannot honor military members, their families, as well as veterans. So, I guess that means you should step down, Kamala." Recall that, in Harris's one and only softball interview with CNN since she bumped Biden out of the way, rather than answer probing questions, she smugly responded, "My values have not changed." Clearly, in the wake of this attempted wrap-up smear at the expense of families of deceased military Patriots, her "values" reflect the worst in an American presidential candidate. Consequently, let me once again remind potential Harris/Walz voters that they can stop the bloodshed. The slaughter of thousands of men, women, and children in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Israel is the direct result of the Biden/Harris regime's lethal foreign policy ineptitude. The violent assaults on thousands of Americans by illegal aliens are the direct result of the "border czar's" lethal open border policy. The dramatic surge of violent crime across America is the direct result of the Biden/Harris war on cops and appeasement of thugs. The blood of all those victims is on the hands of the Biden/Harris regime, and those who voted for them. Next time you vote for a president, vote as if the lives of our Military Patriots and tens of thousands of innocent civilians depend on it. Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post. Greek islands imposing 17 tax on tourists as they become overwhelmed Tourists heading for the Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos could be hit with a new tax. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has unveiled the plans in an attempt to address issues of overtourism plaguing the popular destinations. The country generates around 20 billion (16.8 bn) following nearly 31 million tourist visits in 2023 but smaller spots like the islands are finding themselves overwhelmed by an influx of cruise ship tourists. READ MORE:Eamonn Holmes pictured in mobility scooter as he takes new girlfriend on romantic trip READ MORE:'My husband told me he was anxious on a stag do and an hour later he was dead' So, from 2025, passengers stepping onto the islands will have to pay a 20 (17) fine. Mitsotakis explained: "Greece does not have a structural over-tourism problem... Some of its destinations have a significant issue during certain weeks or months of the year, which we need to deal with." He added: "Cruise shipping has burdened Santorini and Mykonos and this is why we are proceeding with interventions." Tourists will soon face a fine to visit the Greek islands -Credit:(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images) Protest against overtourism have echoed across several European regions, notably Spain, where people have taken their grievances to the streets in spots such as Barcelona, Tenerife, Majorca, and the Balearic Islands. For locals, the influx of tourists has escalated living costs and housing prices, causing considerable unrest. This month it emerged that protestors attribute the skyrocketing costs to an influx of short-term holiday lets and tourist apartments. Similarly, measures are being demanded in Santorini, with Prime Minister Mitsotakis disclosing plans to reinvest tax revenue into local infrastructure developments. Furthermore, he highlighted the government's strategy to regulate the tide of ships docking simultaneously in certain areas, alongside introducing environmental protections and addressing water scarcity issues. Moreover, the premier expressed Greece's intention to hike taxes on short lets and halt new licences within Athens, aiming to assist the city's long-term residents. Reportedly, Venice's authorities imposed a 5 (4.29) tourism tax in April, but it was instantly met with protests as locals hit the streets bearing signs to air their grievances about the policy. Critics suggest that this tax has turned the historic city into a "theme park", hoisting banners such as "Veniceland". Other placards included: "No to the ticket, yes to homes and services for everyone" and "Stop speculating on Venice". Haj application form 2025 last date extended The Haj Committee of India has extended the last date of application for Hajj 2025 Tuesday September 10, 2024 0:58 AM , ummid.com News Network Hajj 2025 Application: The Haj Committee of India has extended the last date of application for Hajj 2025. The last date of application for Hajj 2025 was originally fixed as September 09, 2024. In a notification released today, the Haj Committee extended the last date of application for the annual pilgrimage to Makkah. "In view of the representations received from several State Haj Committees, the last date for filling up of online Haj Application Forms by the intending pilgrims is extended up to September 23, 2024", the Haj Committee of India said in the official notification released today. "Consequently, applicants possessing of machine readable valid Indian International passports issued on or before September 23, 2024 and valid up to January 15, 2026 will be eligible to apply for Haj 2025", the Haj Committee said. The Haj Committee of India (HCOI) had earlier published the Haj Policy 2025 for Hajj 1446 H before starting online application through its official website hajcommittee.gov.in. Haj Policy 2025 Haj Policy 2025, a 13-page PDF document, covers all details regarding division of Haj Seats between Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and Haj Group Organisers (HGOs), eligibility criteria, Haj Suvidha App features, Availability of Haj Application Forms (HAFs), age limit for Ladies travelling without their Mehrams, Distribution of Quota, Qurrah or draw of lots, waiting list, and list of 20 embarkation points for Hajj 2025. The Haj Committee of India said that the validity of passport for the pilgrims applying for Hajj 1446 AH should be January 15, 2026. Regarding the cover size, the HCoI said, it should be minimum 1 (one) and Maximum 5 (five) Adults + 2 (two) Infants. "If the number of family members exceeds five (excluding 2 Infants), applications should be made in more than one cover", the Haj Committee said. Regarding, ladies and female Haj pilfrims travelling without their Mehrams, the Haj Committee guidelines said, ladies aged 45 or above, who wish to go for Haj but do not have a male Mehram and their school of thought(Maslak) permits, are allowed to travel in groups of 4 or more ladies. Direct Link to apply for Haj 2025 Click here to apply for Hajj 2025: hajcommittee.gov.in . Click on Apply Now button on the Home Page. Enter your Mobile Number, Email Id, Name, Password, State and District. Enter the Security Code as you see in the box. Click on the checkbox to confirm all the details are filled correctly. Click on the green button "Submit Details". Please note all field marked as * are compulsory. The Haj Committee of India has not revealed the details of Advance Haj Amount paymount. The pilgrims however will be required to pay the processing fees online while submitting the form. Hajj 2025 Qurrah If the number of application is more than the Haj committee quota, the final list will be prepared by centralised computerised Qurrah or draw of lots. "The order of priority for confirmation of the seats in a state/UT is: Category-1: 65 or above age category including such LWM, Category-2: Ladies without Mehram below age of 65, and Category-3: General Category", the Haj Committee said. "For Haj-2025, it would be mandatory for pilgrims aged 65 or above to be accompanied by a companion with highest priority in allotment being given to the 65 or above age category. This age criteria was earlier 70 years and now it has been reduced due to arduous and strenuous nature of pilgrimage and harsh climatic conditions in KSA", the Haj Committee said. "After the Category-1 and Category-2 applications have been exhausted, the qurrah (draw of lots) will be held state/UT wise among the general category applicants for the remaining seats. Another waiting list, called as General Waiting List (GWL) or Category-3 waiting list will be prepared by conducting qurrah (draw of lots) among those applicants who applied under the general category but could not get a confirmed seat", the Haj Committee of India said. 20 Embarkation Points There will be a total of 20 Embarkation Points (EPs) for Hajj 2025 as against 21 last time. The pilgrims will be required to give two preferences for EP in order of priority. The details of EPs for Haj-2025 are as under: 1. Srinagar, 2. Gaya, 3. Guwahati, 4. Indore, 5. Bhopal, 6. Aurangabad, 7. Jaipur, 8. Nagpur, 9. Delhi, 10. Mumbai,11. Kolkata, 12. Bengaluru, 13. Hyderabad, 14. Cochin, 15. Chennai, 16. Ahmedabad, 17. Lucknow, 18. Kannur, 19. Vijayawada, 20. Calicut In case of number of passengers travelling from an EP goes above or below the economic operation of the air charter services, MoMA reserves the right to reallocate the passengers to any other EP in the interest of smooth air charter operations and air safety protocols, the HCoI said. The Haj flight schedule will be published in due course. Qurbani (Adahi) The Haj committee has also advised pilgrims to use the Qurbai facility provided by it through authorised entities. "Adahi (Qurbani) is permitted only through entities authorised by KSA for the same. Pilgrims should not fall prey tofraudsters in the name of Qurbani. "Adahi through authorised entities will be arranged by HCoI for the covers who opt for it (all pilgrims of a cover have to opt together). Once exercised, the option cannot be revoked. The Adahi (Qurbani) coupons will be optional. "The HCoI will issue a n advisory in format of dos & donts for pilgrims which will also have information about Adahi coupon (how does it look, colour, features etc)", the Haj Committee guidelines for Hajj 2025 said. Hajj Quota Saudi Arabia has allotted a quota of 175,025 pilgrims to India of them 70% will go through Haj Committee and the remaining will be given to private tour operators. The Government of India (GoI) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) sign the Haj Agreement every year, in which the number of Haj seats allocated to India is incorporated. Out of the total number of quota allocated to the Government of India (GoI), 70% will be allocated to the HCoI and the remaining 30% will be allocated to HGOs, the Haj Policy said. The Haj Committee quota this year is 10% more than the previous years. Till Hajj 2024, 40% of the seats from Indias Haj quota was given to PTOs. Hajj 2025 likely date is from June 04 to 09, 2025. The final date of Haj 2025 however will be decided based on Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH moon sighting. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Stone Park, Digital Tree Plantation Drive Makkah Civic Body Sets Example The Holy Makkah Municipality in two novel moves to contribute to climate goals have announced Digital Tree Plantation Initiative and establishment of Stone Park in its periphery. Monday September 9, 2024 11:13 AM , ummid.com News Network [The mountains in Makkah have already turned green after recent rains in the region.] Makkah Mukarramah: The Holy Makkah Municipality in two novel moves to contribute to climate goals have announced Digital Tree Plantation Initiative and establishment of Stone Park in its periphery. Tree Plantation Initiative The Holy Makkah Municipality has launched a digital afforestation initiative, enabling citizens and residents to join efforts to increase vegetation cover, expand green spaces, protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions. The municipality first identifies tree species appropriate for Makkah and the holy sites, along with suitable planting locations, according to the Saudi Press Agency reported (SPA). The details are then uploaded to the Nabatik online platform, which enables individuals to choose their preferred tree, select the location, make online payments and have the trees planted on their behalf, allowing the community to invest in tree-planting efforts from the comfort of their homes. Through the scheme, the municipality aims to contribute to climate goals, increase the number of trees in Makkah and the holy sites, and document afforestation efforts through the Nabatik platform. Stone Park In another important decision, the Makkah Municipality has unveiled plan to build a stone park covering approximately 1,000 square meters in Makkah. The civic body aims to utilize recycled materials and benefit from leftover stones generated by some projects in Makkah, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The proposed stone park has been designed to offer a serene environment for both residents and visitors, providing a tranquil space amidst the urban landscape. The innovative idea will improve the landscapes of parks and public facilities and provide unique places that combine natural beauty and local heritage through the use of local resources and sustainable technologies. The stone park will be built from environmentally friendly materials. New facilities such as seating areas, educational paths around the stones, and childrens play areas will be added. The rocks and stones used in the Stone Park are durable, easy to clean, and low-maintenance, minimizing the need for regular upkeep. The materials used for the stone park are designed to withstand climate challenges, including temperature fluctuations and rainfall. Additionally, the parks design allows easy modifications and adaptability. The mountains in Makkah have already turned green after recent rains in the region. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Get rid of Israeli universities: IIT Bombay students Citing the brutalities of the Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza, Palestine, a group of students have asked IIT Bombay to revoke all contacts and partnerships with Israeli universities Tuesday September 10, 2024 1:24 AM , ummid.com News Network Mumbai: Citing the brutalities of the Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza, Palestine, a group of students have asked IIT Bombay to revoke all contacts and partnerships with Israeli universities. In a letter to General Secretary Academic Affairs (GSAA), IIT Bombay the students accused Israel of genocide citd the rulings of International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC) and asked the IIT - B to end all academic exchange with Israeli univesities. "Students are calling for reconsidering and divesting from any collaborations or exchanges with Israeli universities. Especially when International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) have deemed Israel's warcrimes in Gaza and the West Bank illegal and genocidal", Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC) said in a post on social media platform X. Tagging the offer from Israel's Bar-Ilan International School invitation for the IITians to attend a free webinar on research programmes in Chemistry, APPSC IIT Bombay said, "Despite the ongoing Genocide of Palestinians by Israel, it's concerning to see the IIT Bombay administration continuing collaborations with Israeli universities." "We must stand against injustice and ensure that our partnerships align with our values of human rights for all", APPSC IIT Bombay said. APPSC IIT Bombay further wrote, In light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine and the accusations of genocide brought against Israel by international bodies such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, I feel compelled to raise a matter of significant ethical concern. "As a student and a member of this academic community, I believe it is time for us to reflect on the relationships we maintain with institutions complicit in actions that violate human rights. "Israeli universities, many of which have been closely linked to state policies and actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, stand in direct opposition to the values of justice, equality, and human dignity that we hold dear. "In solidarity with the Palestinian people, I urge the Institute and the student body to reconsider and divest from any collaborations or exchanges with Israeli universities. This is not only a moral obligation but also a meaningful act of support for those facing oppression, the letter stated. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. For five weeks, starting in early May, 27 students participated in 2 different programs through the University of North Georgias (UNG) education abroad programs, including trips to Belize and Peru, through the Center for Global Engagement. The tropical ecology in Belize program, which took place on the island of Tobacco Caye, is unique in that it was only offered to 16 upper-level biology majors and is taught entirely by UNG faculty. It is considered a great tool to prepare students for graduate programs or entering the marine sciences workforce. "The program allows them to explore and learn about marine ecosystems not found in the U.S.," Dr. Nancy Dalman, Biology Department head, said. "How I think it is significant for all students, regardless of the path they choose, is in what they learn about themselves and their ability to withstand unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable situations and in the self-confidence we saw so many of them gain over the course of the time there." The Belize students spent a week in a crash course lecture before their 11-day trip on the coast of Central America. Once they returned, they gave two presentations, an individual reflection and group research presentations. Itzel Moreno was one of 11 students able to practice their foreign language skills in the Spanish in Peru program. Moreno, a UNG senior pursuing degrees in nursing and modern languages with a concentration in Spanish language and literature, spent five weeks in Cusco, Peru. This trip was Moreno's second time studying abroad, and she shared she was able to do so through her Gilman Scholarship. She also mentioned just how important and impactful this experience would be for her after graduating from UNG. Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson is the Deputy Metro Editor. She can be reached at nancy.preyor-johnson@express-news.net. She previously worked as the deputy editor on the Express-News Editorial Board. The award-winning journalist and former teacher holds a master's degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies. A native of the South Texas town of Mathis, she has a bachelors degree in communications from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She serves on the executive board of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Connecting people to meaningful, sustainable employment is all in a days work at ManpowerGroup. ManpowerGroup believes that meaningful, sustainable employment has the power to change the world and works to build a brighter, more sustainable future through a focus on three key areas Planet, People & Prosperity: the planet, people, and Principlesprosperity, as well as principles of Governancegovernance. Recognized Ethical Leadership Recognised ethical leadership As a testament to its commitment to running a responsible business based on trust, transparency, and accountability, ManpowerGroup has received several global awards and achievements. In March 2024, the global workforce solutions company was once again named one of the Worlds Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. This marks the 15th consecutive year that ManpowerGroup has received this distinction, underscoring its leadership and commitment to integrity through best-in-class ethics, compliance, and governance. Notably, ManpowerGroup remains the only onecompany in itsthe industry to be recognizedrecognised for more than a decade for playing a critical role in driving positive change in societies and communities around the world. With over 75 years of history and a presence in over 70+ countries and territories, including Vietnam; beyond running a responsible business and setting high ethical standards, the companys commitment to building a brighter, more sustainable future extends tobeyond running a responsible business and setting high ethical standards. It also includes creating a positive impact on the environment and societies around the world. globally. A Strategic Partnershipstrategic partnership with MOLISA With a mission to empower individuals, communities, businesses, and societies;, ManpowerGroup connects nearly 600,000 people around the world to meaningful, sustainable employment across a range of skills and industries dailyevery day. ManpowerGroup Vietnam, a branch of ManpowerGroup, believes that a sustainable career starts bywith helping young people develop the skills they need to succeed in the fast-changing future of work. As part of its commitment to empowering individuals, communities, businesses, and societies, ManpowerGroup Vietnam maintainshas maintained a strategic partnership with the Ministry of LaborLabour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) since its establishment in 2008. This commitment, reinforced through five consecutive Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), involves collaborative efforts to develop and improve policies on laborthe labour market and employment, share knowledge and international experiences, and elevate the skills of the local workforce. This partnership emphasizesemphasises ManpowerGroup Vietnams dedication to shaping a meaningful and sustainable future of work for everyone. Enabling people to build their employability and prosperity through access to meaningful work lies at the heart of our purpose, said Mr. Simon Matthews, Chairman of the Board of Members cumand General Director, of ManpowerGroup Vietnam. This strategic partnership reflects our dedication and commitment into enhancing Vietnams laborlabour market competitiveness, meeting the requirements of international integration, and advancing sustainable development goals. Commitment to Supporting Businesssupporting business and Talenttalent in Vietnam To further demonstrate its commitment to shaping a meaningful and sustainable future of work, ManpowerGroup Vietnam actively contributes to improving the national laborlabour market with frequent seminars and workshops in partnership with various local and multinational organizationsorganisations, foreign chambers of commerce, and educational centerscentres in Vietnam. Over the past 16 years, ManpowerGroup Vietnam has connected thousands of individuals with meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities in the country and has shown its dedication towardsto enhancing operational excellence in Vietnam. ManpowerGroup Vietnam serves as thea one-stop-shop workforce solutions provider for hundreds of corporates, including numerous multinational corporationcorporations (MNCs) operating in Vietnam. Starting with a modest team, ManpowerGroup Vietnam has now grown into a robust team of nearly 200 recruitment experts nationwide. Their offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and recruitment hubs in various cities and provinces across the country allow them to promptly serve businesses and talentstalent across the country. nation. Beyond business achievements, the company regularly releases valuable laborlabour market research and reports, helping businesses stay updated on employment trends and develop effective talent strategies for each stage. Visit ManpowerGroup Vietnams official website and follow the company on Facebook and LinkedIn to learn more. - Website: https://manpower.com.vn/ Website: https://manpower.com.vn/Facebook: ManpowerGroup Vietnamhttps://www.facebook.com/ManpowerGroupVN - LinkedIn: ManpowerGroup Vietnam Ericsson has played a pivotal role in advancing Viet Nam's 5G development, marking a significant milestone in the country's digital transformation journey. Rita Mokbel, Head of Ericsson Vietnam, talked about the firms contribution to the counrys 5G development How is Ericsson contributing to Viet Nams 5G development? As you know, we have extensive global experience in 5G. Today, we power over 162 live 5G networks worldwide. Through these deployments, we have gained valuable experience and knowledge. Since 2011, we have also been driving digital transformation and have over 60,000 patents. We are recognised as a leader in network technology, particularly in 5G. For the fourth consecutive year, we have been ranked as a leader in the 5G network infrastructure market analysis. This reputation comes with significant responsibility and experience. In Viet Nam, we have been supporting our customers with 5G pilot projects since 2019. These pilots have helped us understand the specific needs of the Vietnamese market and have provided opportunities to test and refine our technology. As we move forward with 5G implementation, we will bring our latest, globally deployed, technology to Viet Nam, ensuring that our customers have access to the most advanced solutions from the start. We will also leverage our existing 4G infrastructure in Viet Nam. Our 4G technology will serve as an anchor band for the non-standalone 5G approach, facilitating a smooth transition to 5G deployment. We are committed to fully supporting our customers, not only in deployment but also in market growth, sharing our learnings from other markets and introducing new use cases in Viet Nam. Our commitment to Viet Nam includes building infrastructure, educating students and professionals and supporting our customers' go-to-market strategies. We are dedicated to helping build an end-to-end ecosystem that ensures success for both our customers and the governments vision. Given Ericsson's long-standing presence in Viet Nam, what specific challenges do you see the country facing in deploying 5G, and how is Ericsson addressing these challenges? Our customers, as well as the Ministry of Information and Communications, have been very proactive in deploying pilots across the country to experiment with 5G technology. In addition to these efforts, we will provide a comprehensive solution that ensures easy integration with existing 4G networks. We expect the deployment to be smooth and will leverage our experience to ensure a seamless transition. One of the general challenges weve observed both regionally and globally is accelerating adoption and increasing 5G traffic. There are several strategies to address this and our customers are exploring these options. Firstly, enhancing mobile broadband is crucial. Consumers expect 5G to offer a superior experience, such as higher-quality video streaming. 5G can provide up to ten times more capacity and handle ten times the traffic, with energy consumption potentially reduced by up to 30 per cent. Another opportunity is leveraging 5G for fixed wireless access. This approach allows our customers to reach new segments where deploying fibre is challenging or costly. These customers are often willing to pay a premium for connectivity in these areas. Additionally, 5G offers great potential for tapping into enterprise markets. With dedicated 5G networks or network slicing in a non-standalone approach, operators can provide tailoured connectivity and capabilities to enterprises, making their operations more automated and efficient. However, this also presents challenges, as operators need to gain deep industry knowledge to understand and meet specific requirements. We will work closely with our customers to bridge these gaps and help them become leaders in 5G development. Could you provide an example of a successful 5G deployment or use case in Viet Nam, especially one involving other mobile operators with support from Ericsson and its partners? In Viet Nam, Viettel has been a leading customer in piloting several private networks targeting sectors such as manufacturing and logistics. We anticipate that these efforts will continue to expand, with a growing focus on leveraging 5G technology. The benefits of 5G are significant, as it enables digital transformation across various industries. In both India and Viet Nam, we expect manufacturing, mining, airports, and ports to be key sectors that will benefit from 5G. Notably, the Vietnamese Government aims to develop around 100 smart cities, which will require extensive automation. This goal will be supported by 5G and private networks, driving significant advancements in these areas. How does Ericsson collaborate with local mobile service providers to ensure that Viet Nam remains at the forefront of 5G deployment? Migrating from 4G to 5G requires a smooth transition to ensure optimal network performance and a positive customer experience. Therefore, we believe it is crucial to carefully plan the deployment process. We work closely with our customers to design the best network configuration for optimal performance. This involves determining the appropriate network settings and configurations needed for a successful transition. With the non-standalone approach, 4G will continue to play a significant role, especially during the initial phase of deployment. This means there will be frequent handovers between 4G and 5G, which requires precise configuration. We bring our global expertise to ensure a seamless deployment. Additionally, our local teams, who have been involved in regional and global 5G rollouts, already possess valuable experience. We aim to combine this local knowledge with our global expertise to ensure a fast and smooth deployment. When deploying 5G, security concerns are a major focus. How does Ericsson address issues related to securing the infrastructure? Regarding security, the 5G platform is designed to be both secure and resilient. Ericsson addresses security from multiple angles, including standardisation, product development, deployment, configuration and operation. Our security practices adhere to 3GPP standards, which form the foundation of our secure product platform. We ensure that security is integrated into our solutions from the design phase through to product development. This means our equipment is built with security as a core consideration. During implementation, we focus on configuring networks to ensure their security and support our customers in maintaining secure operations throughout. Security is central to both our product development and the deployment of our networks, making it a key area of focus for us. VIENTIANE Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung inspected several Vietnamese-invested projects in southern Laos over the weekend and assessed the challenges they face. He visited the construction site of the Kaleum coal mine and the proposed site for the Kaleum Coal Fired Power Plant in Sekong Province, which are going to be operated by Phonesack company. The mine's current maximum annual capacity is about 20 million tonnes, of which three million tonnes would be sold to Viet Nam. The Petrovietnam Power Corporation (PV Power) is seeking lending partners to invest in the project and participate in its management, operation, and maintenance. Construction on the US$4.06-billion project is expected to begin in April 2025, and its first turbine is hoped to become operational in January 2028. Minister Dung also visited a bauxite mining and alumina processing complex of Viet Phuong Group in Sekongs Dakcheung District, one of Viet Nam's largest projects in Laos. The total projected investment is about $1 billion, and exports are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026. He thanked the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committees for their support and proposed that the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment would facilitate the implementation of the Lakmang Thermal Power Plant. With a capacity of approximately 600 MW, the plant would supply electricity for alumina processing. It is also expected to create a value chain from coal and bauxite ore to alumina and aluminum. Dung expressed his hope that the project will become a symbol for the two countries relations, and that local Lao authorities will create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese business in all fields. VNA/VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Finances Insurance Supervisory Authority has called on insurance companies to expedite compensation payments to those affected by typhoon Yagi. In an official dispatch today, the department urged insurers to coordinate damage assessments and ensure timely and full compensation in line with contractual agreements and legal regulations. Insurance companies have been instructed to advance compensation, resolve claims and report on the status of settlements by 12 September 2024. The department also requested the Vietnam Insurance Association to coordinate with insurers to provide humanitarian support where appropriate. In response to the disaster, several insurers have already sent staff to affected areas to assess the damage and initiate compensation for policyholders. These companies are collaborating with local authorities and organisations to offer assistance to impacted communities. Typhoon Yagi has caused extensive destruction, including damage to nearly 7,400 homes, widespread power outages and damage to infrastructure such as power lines, buildings and schools. Significant losses were reported in agriculture, with almost 98,000 hectares of rice and over 11,700 hectares of crops affected. The storm also damaged aquaculture, particularly in Quang Ninh, where 1,100 fish cages were destroyed. As of September 9, the storm had claimed at least 59 lives or left individuals missing, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention. VNS HA NOI The online museum platform Google Arts and Culture has officially launched an exclusive site for Viet Nam called Vibrant Vietnam, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) said. Vibrant Vietnam offers 31 online exhibitions with over 400 images and dozens of videos in high resolution, on the ethnic groups in Viet Nam. According to VNAT, the site will help people explore the culture, people and biodiversity of a vibrant Viet Nam a country which is home to 54 ethnic groups. Vibrant Vietnam is another effort by Google to honour and promote the natural landscape, cultural heritage and diversity of the Vietnamese ethnic communities, bringing those to a global audience. Hoang Quoc Hoa, director of the Tourism Information Centre under VNAT, said that Viet Nam appreciates Google's initiatives to support the promotion of Viet Nams values globally through digital platforms, particularly by way of Google Arts and Culture. "Those initiatives are in line with the current strategic orientation of Viet Nam's tourism industry, which is to promote the application of technology in publicizing the country through images and brands," he said. As the division responsible for digital transformation and tourism promotion at VNAT, we hope to continue receiving support and collaboration from Google in implementing creative projects to bring the image of Vietnamese tourism closer to friends and partners worldwide. According to a representative of Google Arts and Culture, Vibrant Vietnam is a typical example of how technology bridges cultures, bringing Viet Nams rich heritage and beautiful landscapes to a global audience. This latest initiative is a continuation of Google's long-standing commitment to support and accompany the Vietnamese tourism industry in showcasing its stunning landscapes, majestic natural wonders and unique local culture to international friends. Previously, Google implemented several promotional projects about Viet Nam such as Google Arts and Culture - Wonders of Vietnam, Google Adventure Vietnam and the tourism promotion campaign entitled Vietnam: Travel to Love! on the YouTube digital platform. Vibrant Vietnam has been launched with the cooperation with organisations such as the Institute for Social, Economic and Environmental Research (iSEE), the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum, the Sherman Centre for Culture and Ideas, and the Bat Trang Ceramic Museum. There is a virtual journey with five main themes along with a lot of useful information. In the theme of the geographical locations of ethnic groups, viewers will explore the unique distribution of Viet Nams diverse ethnic communities through the lens of biodiversity and ethnic groups. The theme of heritage and community showcases the distinctive cultural traits of Viet Nams ethnic communities, while the theme of sustainability of local values focuses on traditional customs and craft villages that are still preserved, such as the ancient indigo dyeing craft. Notably, in the theme of indigenous medicinal plants, viewers will have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of herbs from the Mong ethnic group in Sa Pa. Meanwhile, viewers will admire the grandeur of Viet Nams highest mountains and explore the biodiversity of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, Hoang Lien National Park and Bach Ma National Park. The virtual exhibitions featuring 429 images and 15 videos on the cultures of ethnic groups in Viet Nam can be discovered at artsandculture.google.com/project/vibrant-vietnam-people-places-nature. VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse hosted an official welcome ceremony for visiting Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and his spouse in Ha Noi on Monday morning. Following the ceremony, the two leaders held talks, during which the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation over the past time and sketched out orientations for the time ahead. They will also witness the signing of cooperation documents on this occasion. This three-day trip marks President Nyusi's first visit to Viet Nam since taking office and also the first by a Mozambican president to the Southeast Asian nation in over 17 years. Taking place in the context that Viet Nam and Mozambique will celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations next year, the visit aims to strengthen cooperation in traditional areas while expanding it to new ones such as telecommunications, energy and minerals, fisheries, and digital transformation. During the visit, President Nyusi is also scheduled to tour several businesses, educational and cultural establishments, and historical sites. Viet Nam and Mozambique established diplomatic relations on June 25, 1975. Over the recent years, the exchange of delegations between the two countries have been intensified and their cooperation mechanisms like the Intergovernmental Committee and political consultation maintained, laying a foundation for promoting comprehensive cooperation. Both sides have actively coordinated and supported each other at multilateral forums. Regarding trade and investment, Viet Nam raked in US$127 million from exports to Mozambique last year, with main items being fertilisers, garments, and farming equipment. Imports from Mozambique totaled nearly $420 million, with key products being coal and cashew nuts. Vietnamese businesses' investment in Mozambique is a bright spot in economic cooperation between the two nations, notably the success of Movitel - a joint venture between Viet Nam's Viettel Group and Mozambiques SPI company - that was established in 2012 with an investment of over $600 million. It is now one of the top three contributors to Mozambique's national budget, providing diverse telecommunications and IT services. In addition, the two countries successfully implemented several agricultural projects, notably the first phase of a project on cooperation in research and development of food crops in Mozambique during 2013-17, with potential for a second phase in the time to come. Currently, the Vietnamese community in Mozambique consists of approximately 200, mainly managers and employees working at Movitel. The remainders are education and healthcare experts. VNS HA NOI The upcoming state visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party Central Committee (LPRP) and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith from September 10 to 13 is a vivid demonstration of the great friendship and special solidarity between the two Parties and States, according to a Party official. Deputy head of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committees Commission for External Relations Nguyen Minh Tam, who was recently appointed Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos, described the visit as an important milestone in the history of the bilateral relations, contributing to bolstering the friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation to a new high, and in an effective and substantive fashion that helps bring prosperity to the two countries. In the past, political relations have been enhanced, with political confidence playing a key role in shaping the orientations of the bilateral ties, he said, stressing both countries have affirmed their great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive collaboration are common invaluable assets, an objective necessity, a historic rule, and a source of the greatest strength for the two nations that need to be preserved, promoted and handed down to future generations. They have promoted their existing cooperation mechanisms, while reviewing, adjusting and carrying out new ones, focusing on discussions about their cooperation in strategic issues, as well as policies related to the security and development of each nation. A wide range of external activities between high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and States have been arranged, and various cooperation agreements across important domains have been signed, helping deepen the comprehensive cooperation relations in the new period. According to Tam, the two countries have enhanced theoretical discussions, informed each other of their situations, and shared experience in building the Party and political system, developing the socio-economy, ensuring macro-economic stability, maintaining defence-security, expanding external relations, and international integration. They have accelerated communications work to educate their people about the history and tradition of the special Viet Nam Laos ties, and outstanding achievements while working together to build and renovate historic relic sites dedicated to the bilateral ties in each nation. High-ranking leaders and heads of ministries, sectors and branches have sent messages of congratulations to each other on the occasion of the establishment of each Party, and many anniversaries, showing their close affection. They have presented orders and medals to individuals and organisations with excellent achievements and contributions to consolidating and enhancing special relations. In the same vein, the defence-security cooperation has been maintained, being an important pillar in the bilateral relations that helps maintain political stability, and assure defence-security and social order in each nation. They have worked together to implement the protocol on defence and security collaboration for the 2020-24 period, and a cooperation plan in 2024 while continuing to effectively carry out such mechanisms as the defence policy dialogue and security cooperation conference. Besides, the two sides have worked to ensure security, maintain their broader areas of peace and social order, fight peaceful evolution, riotous overthrow, and transnational crimes, particularly drugs, and coordinate in the search and repatriation of the remains of the Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who laid down their lives during wartime in Laos. In his writing, Tam underlined that the external relations between the two countries have been maintained and enhanced. They have joined hands with Cambodia to bring into play the outcomes of the meeting of the leaders of the three Parties, agreement on the development triangle area among the three Prime Ministers, a joint statement among the three top legislators, and a plan to connect the three economies until 2030. The two countries, he continued, have effectively carried out the consultation and information exchange mechanisms between the two Parties external relations commissions, foreign ministries and other external agencies, adding they have worked closely with, and supported each other at regional and international forums, especially in ASEAN, ASEAN-led mechanisms, Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, and the UN, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Furthermore, they have joined hands to implement the protocol on the Viet Nam-Laos borderline, national border markers, and border and border gate management regulations, while protecting the legitimate rights and interests of their citizens and legal entities, creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese and Lao living and working in each others territory under legal regulations in each nation and international practice. Additionally, the two countries have stepped up collaboration across economy, trade and investment, with various agreements and documents signed to create a comprehensive legal corridor for cooperation. They have also exchanged experience in macroeconomic management. To date, Viet Nam has injected more than US$5.5 billion in 256 projects in Laos, making contributions to the host nations socio-economic development. Last year, two-way trade reached $1.6 billion, while the figure from January-August was around $1.3 billion. The two sides have also paid due attention to promoting cooperation in transportation, power, agro-forestry, rural development, culture, education training and people-to-people exchange. In the future, Viet Nam's consistent policy is to give its leading priority to developing cooperation ties with Laos in a deep, effective and sustainable fashion, seeing it as a strategic mission, and a top concern in its external policy. The two countries will continue enhancing coordination in strategic guidelines and policies, boosting confidence, and helping each other build strong revolutionary forces, with Party and personnel building seen as a decisive factor for each Partys leadership role, and a firm political foundation to promote the efficacy of the Viet Nam-Laos comprehensive cooperation partnership. Tam stressed that they will enhance leadership, and direct close and harmonious coordination between ministries and sectors in all areas, affirming that political relations will play a key role and shape orientations for the bilateral ties, while people-to-people friendship will be a firm social basis, collaboration in defence, security and external affairs a pillar, that in the economy, trade and investment a long-term foundation, and that in culture, education-training a strategic issue. Amid rapid and complicated situations in the region and the world, the two countries continue to affirm the importance and strategic significance of the special solidarity, and agree to enhance the comprehensive cooperation partnership based on promoting their independence, self-reliance, and equal and win-win cooperation so as to successfully carry out the renewal process in each nation. He added that the state visit to Viet Nam by Mr. Sisoulith will help develop the bilateral ties to a new high for the practical interests of the two peoples, and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world. VNS WASHINGTON, D.C. General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence, on September 8 held a phone call with former Chairman of the US Senate Appropriations Committee Patrick Leahy, who served as a Senator from 1975 to 2023 and twice as the Senate's President Pro Tempore, as part of his official visit to the US. Giang said that his official visit marks one year since the two countries set up their comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development, with an aim to implement a defence cooperation agreement reached by high-ranking leaders as noted in a Joint Statement on upgrading relations, and to further promote defence collaboration in various areas, including delegation exchanges, dialogues and consultations, settlement of war remediation, United Nations peacekeeping, training, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, cybersecurity and military medicine. Confirming that the Vietnamese government, Ministry of National Defence and citizens remember the contributions of various generations of US Senators to the development of bilateral relations, particularly through cooperation in addressing the aftermath of war, Giang noted that this area of cooperation is crucial to the process of reconciliation, healing and trust building between the two nations in the history of Viet Nam-US relations over the past 35 years. For Viet Nam, addressing the consequences of war is a necessary part of humanitarian cooperation that the State, Government, army and people deeply care about, the Vietnamese defence minister said, highlighting that Viet Nam and the US have made significant progress in this field. The Vietnamese defence minister stated his belief that the results of cooperation in this field will continue to bring the two countries closer together and inspire and motivate the people of both nations, particularly the next generations of parliamentarians, to turn this symbolic humanitarian cooperation into a shared legacy in bilateral relations and a model for international cooperation. Viet Nam hopes for continued assistance from the US, with priority given to the acceleration of the dioxin remediation project at Bien Hoa Airbase, handling dioxin-contaminated soil at Phu Cat Airbase, clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) and providing information, documents, equipment and technology for DNA testing to support the search and identification of Vietnamese soldiers whose information was lost or who went missing in the war. For its part, Viet Nam is committed to closely cooperating with the US in the efforts to search for their soldiers listed as missing in action (MIA), added Giang. As 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the US and the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in Viet Nam, Giang expressed his hope that the two countries will continue to work closely together to organise meaningful activities related to war legacy remediation. Welcoming Giang on his first official visit to the US as Viet Nam's Minister of National Defence, Leahy expressed appreciation and pleasure at the development of Viet Nam-US relations in recent years. He highlighted progress in overcoming differences and the pain of war to collaborate for a better future, as well as emphasising the recent upgrade of their relationship. The official said that he personally, along with many US Senators who have a special bond with Viet Nam, is committed to contributing to the bilateral relationship, particularly through activities related to the settlement of the aftermath of war, such as UXO clearance, dioxin remediation and support for people with disabilities in Viet Nam. He showed his wish that in the years to come, cooperation on war remediation will remain a foundation for further strengthening bilateral relations, contributing to both countries achieving their shared goals of peace and prosperity. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced Viet Nam's goal to be among the world's top 30 to 35 largest economies by 2030 during a high-level meeting on Monday. Chaired by the Prime Minister, the meeting focused on reviewing the country's progress in implementing the Socio-Economic Development Plan between 2021 and 2030. Key government leaders, including several Deputy Prime Ministers and ministry officials, attended the meeting. Delegates presented feedback and suggestions for the draft report assessing the Plan's progress. They highlighted achievements under the leadership of the Party, State, National Assembly and Government, while also addressing challenges and limitations as well as their underlying causes. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised the valuable input from delegates and emphasised the importance of finalising the draft report to present at the upcoming 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. He stressed that despite global challenges, Viet Nam has demonstrated resilience, innovation and decisive leadership, which has positioned the country for continued growth. Looking ahead, the Prime Minister underscored the need to focus on stability as a foundation for development, calling for synchronised innovation across all sectors. He also emphasised the importance of strategic breakthroughs in key areas, particularly in improving the socialist-oriented market economy, fostering science and technology innovation and focusing on emerging sectors such as the green and digital economies. The Prime Minister also outlined specific projects that will drive economic growth, including initiatives in digital transformation, green transition and clean energy development. Infrastructure projects like the North-South high-speed railway and the HCM City-Can Tho railway were highlighted as key priorities, alongside plans to enhance national data centres and international financial and trade hubs. VNS Alfredo Arasa Herrera, a repeat sex offender, has been sentenced to life in prison for molesting a 5-year-old in Kendall County. Herrera, 45, was convicted in May of indecency with a child by sexual contact for the incident that happened in 2014. Kendall County Public Jail Records A repeat sex offender has been sentenced to life in prison after a Kendall County jury convicted him of molesting a 5-year-old. Alfredo Arasa Herrera, 45, was convicted of indecency with a child by sexual contact for the incident that happened in 2014. Herrera was automatically sentenced to life in prison since he was previously convicted of indecency with a child by contact in Travis County in 2000, said Nicole Bishop, the Kendall County Criminal District Attorney, in a statement posted on social media. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The victim, now 14, testified in a jury trial in May that Herrera touched him sexually and threatened to kill his parents if he told anyone about the assault, Bishop said. Herrera and the child lived on the same property in Kendall County at the time, she said. The jury delivered a guilty verdict on May 23. The case was heard in the 451st District Court. The Boerne Police Department first learned of the assault in 2020 and transferred the case to the Kendall County Sheriff's office, Bishop said. The delayed reporting is a common occurrence in child abuse cases, said Alexandra Torres, the executive director of the Children's Alliance of South Texas. Several factors can stop a child from reporting abuse, including feelings of guilt and shame, she added. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The fact that a convicted child predator ever has the opportunity to abuse another child is tragic for the entire community," said Alessandra Dieke, the Kendall County assistant criminal district attorney. "The life sentence in this case will ensure that never happens again. Herrera also was convicted in 2018 for failing to register as a sex offender in Maverick County. In 30 years, Herrera will be able to petition for parole. He will be 75 years old. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HA NOI Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on Monday held talks with Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi in Ha Noi, highlighting cooperation and exchanges as a key to strengthening bilateral relations. Speaking with Party leader Lam on his first visit to Viet Nam as President of the Republic of Mozambique, President Nyusi sent his condolences on the passing of the late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the devastating consequences of Typhoon Yagi on the Vietnamese people. The Mozambican leader said that he was impressed by Viet Nams strong development and increasingly important role in the international community under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV). Lam congratulated Nyusi on Mozambique's achievements in political stability, solidarity, national unity and reconciliation, as well as the socio-economic growth that the country has witnessed under the leadership of its ruling FRELIMO Party. The Vietnamese leader said he believed that this visit would create new momentum for the bilateral cooperation and traditional friendship that have been nurtured by generations of leaders and people from both countries. The two heads of state also agreed to strengthen long-term relations between the two parties as a foundation for bilateral ties, especially through theoretical research activities, exchanges and training support for government officials. Viet Nam and Mozambique will also increase delegation exchanges at all levels to enhance political trust and further promote bilateral cooperation. They also plan to continue close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, including promoting collaboration in organisations of which they are respective members, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). After their talks, both leaders witnessed a signing ceremony for memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on cooperation between Viet Nams Ministry of Industry and Trade and Mozambiques Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, among other government departments, and between Viet Nams Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Mozambiques Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries. In recent years, relations between the two countries have seen significant progress, notably the success of Viet Nam's Movitel (Viettel) telecommunications joint venture in Mozambique. This project has contributed to economic development and brought benefits to people in both countries, and can serve as a model for future collaborations. Regarding trade, the two leaders agreed to facilitate the import of each countrys key products to the other, such as agriculture, textiles, seafood and coal. They also plan to explore the possibility of expanding the joint venture cooperation model to other fields such as cashew processing lines or seafood processing plants in Mozambique. Nyusi expressed his high regard for Viet Nams achievements in agriculture and hoped for further support in agricultural production and in replicating the success of trilateral agricultural projects between Viet Nam and other African countries. To maximise their strengths and potential, both sides agreed to expand cooperation in education, training and exchanges in expertise. Nyusi said he values Vietnamese healthcare experts not only in their professional capacity but also for their support in improving the skills of Mozambiques onsite medical staff. Viet Nam and Mozambique will also further promote the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the intergovernmental committee, political consultations, negotiations and signing of bilateral agreements in digital transformation, education and economy. Regarding issues in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), the two leaders shared the same perspective on the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation in and flights over the area. They also emphasised resolving disputes through peaceful means and in accordance with international laws, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). - VNS MOSCOW Chairman of the National Assembly of Viet Nam Tran Thanh Man and Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin held official talks on Monday in Moscow, Russia. The Russian host welcomed Man on his first visit to Russia following his election as the top Vietnamese legislator with strong support from the Vietnamese National Assembly. Chairman Volodin expressed confidence that, based on this visit, high-level contacts between the parliaments of both countries would become more frequent, laying a solid foundation and contributing positively to the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Viet Nam. Chairman Man conveyed the regards and well-wishes of Party General Secretary and President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other senior leaders of Viet Nam to the senior leadership of Russia, including Chairman Volodin. He expressed his pleasure at leading the high-level delegation from the Vietnamese National Assembly on an official visit to Russia, his first foreign trip as Chairman. He sincerely thanked Duma Chairman Volodin and Chairwoman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko for their invitations. Chairman Volodin said he highly appreciated this visit, which was the first by a key leader of Viet Nam to Russia since Russia successfully held a presidential election and restructured its government and also since Russian President Vladimir Putin's State visit to Viet Nam in June 2024. Chairman Man congratulated Russia on its recent achievements in ensuring political and social stability as well as economic development and enhancing its international position. He particularly congratulated Russia on successfully organising local elections on September 8. On behalf of the Party, State and people of Viet Nam, Chairman Man once again thanked the leadership of Russia for sending condolences on the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and for sending a delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, Tolstoy Petr Olegovich, to attend the State funeral. The Chairman also thanked the Russian leadership for congratulating President To Lam on being elected General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and for the important phone conversation that followed between General Secretary To Lam and President Vladimir Putin on August 8, 2024. During the meeting, the two sides discussed and agreed on measures to strengthen and expand cooperation in line with the traditional and comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Russia. They agreed to coordinate activities to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025. As representatives of legislative bodies, the two Chairmen agreed to cooperate in overseeing and facilitating the implementation of bilateral cooperation across various fields. Regarding local cooperation, Chairman Man noted that there are currently 20 partnerships between Vietnamese and Russian localities. He called for more frequent exchanges between these localities. Chairman Man thanked the Russian government for its support of the Vietnamese community living, working and studying in Russia as well as for helping them integrate into Russian society. Both sides emphasised the need to enhance labour cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. He urged the two sides to sign agreements to draw Vietnamese labourers to Russia and facilitate travel between the two countries. The two sides agreed that inter-parliamentary cooperation is a crucial pillar of bilateral relations that continues to be strengthened. Both sides frequently consult and support each other at multilateral parliamentary forums. The top Vietnamese legislator highlighted the importance of the State Duma's role and praised Chairman Volodin for his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations, including parliamentary cooperation. The two Chairmen confirmed that the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee between the Vietnamese and Russian parliaments is the first and highest cooperation mechanism that the Vietnamese National Assembly has established with a legislative body from another country. This committee has successfully held two sessions. During this visit, the third session will be held to review and address obstacles to further strengthening cooperation in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Russia. Chairman Volodin suggested that the two sides continue to explore and establish new cooperation mechanisms to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership. Chairman Man proposed that the two sides continue to enhance exchanges of high-level delegations between the leadership of the legislative bodies, cooperation activities between parliamentary committees and exchanges between friendship groups, young parliamentarians and women parliamentarians. They should also strengthen cooperation in legislative experience sharing, parliamentary activities and oversight of the implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements, he said. Later on Monday, in Moscow, the two countries' parliament leaders co-chaired the third session of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. During the session, Chairman Volodin underscored the longstanding and historically significant relationship between Russia and Viet Nam. The session aimed to discuss solutions for developing the bilateral relationship to benefit both nations. Chairman Man highlighted that the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in 2018 was a joint initiative between Russia and Viet Nam. Since then, two effective sessions have deepened the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries across various fields, including socio-economic development, defence and security. The Chairman also mentioned that following this parliamentary session, on September 11-12, the 25th session of the Viet Nam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade and Scientific-Technical Cooperation will take place. The governments of both countries will focus on resolving outstanding issues and setting future directions for cooperation. The year 2025 will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Russia, as well as significant anniversaries for both countries, including Viet Nam's 80th National Day and Russia's 80th Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War. Chairman Man said that these are major events that should be marked by increased high-level exchanges and cooperation at all levels to further deepen relations between the parties, states and people of both countries. At the conclusion of the third session, the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Russian State Duma issued a joint statement. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and visiting Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi on September 9 discussed and agreed on specific measures to further promote cooperation between the two countries. At their meeting in Ha Noi, PM Chinh thanked President Nyusi for his condolences to the Vietnamese people on the passing of late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who during his lifetime always fostered the development of the relationship between Viet Nam and Mozambique. Expressing his delight at revisiting Viet Nam, President Nyusi thanked Party General Secretary and President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, other leaders and people of Viet Nam for their warm and intimate welcome. He congratulated Viet Nam on its remarkable achievements in the fields of politics, society, economic growth and its enhanced position in the international arena. The President emphasised the determination of the State and Government of Mozambique in consolidating and developing cooperative relations in all fields with Viet Nam. The two leaders discussed and agreed on specific measures to implement the results of the earlier talks between Party General Secretary and President To Lam and President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi to further promote bilateral cooperation. In terms of politics, the two sides agreed to continue to increase delegation exchanges at all levels and through Party, State, National Assembly and Government channels to strengthen political trust and create new momentum for enhancing the bilateral cooperation. On this occasion, PM Chinh sent his regards and invited Prime Minister of Mozambique Adriano Maleiane to visit Viet Nam in the coming time when the two countries will celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025. The two sides expressed their delight at the positive development in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries in recent times, in which bilateral trade turnover in 2023 reached US$550 million, three times higher than in 2022. PM Chinh suggested the two countries promote the exchange of complementary goods such as agricultural products, fertilizers, machinery, garments, footwear from Vietnam and coal, cashew nuts, or wood from Mozambique. On this occasion, the PM thanked and requested Mozambique to continue to pay attention to and create favourable conditions for Movitel telecommunications joint venture, with the participation of Viettel Group, to operate stably and expand business, contributing more positively to the economic and social development of Mozambique. Expressing high agreement with the orientations and solutions to promote cooperation proposed by PM Chinh, President Nyusi affirmed that he would direct the Government of Mozambique to coordinate with Vietnamese ministries, agencies and partners to improve the effectiveness of economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, as well as expanding cooperation in other areas such as education, health, digital transformation, processing and manufacturing. The President emphasised his priority for agricultural and aquatic cooperation and expressed his hope that Viet Nam will continue to share experiences and support Mozambique in improving its capacity to exploit and process aquatic products and develop aquaculture projects. Regarding multilateral cooperation, the two sides agreed to continue to coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums and international organisations, especially at the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement and important organisations of which both nations are members such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the African Union (AU). In the context of the rapidly evolving, complicated and unpredictable developments of the global and regional situation, the two sides agreed to continue to closely cooperate and support each other at international and regional forums of mutual concern; share a common vision on ensuring security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; maintain a peaceful, stable environment, and legal order and resolve disputes at sea by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). On this occasion, PM Chinh thanked the Government of Mozambique for its attention and creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, work and study stably in Mozambique. He also expressed his hope that Mozambique will continue promoting people-to-people exchanges and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to invest and do business in the country. VNS CAN THO Khmer cultural identity and language are being passed down through free classes in the Mekong Delta's Can Tho City. These classes not only teach the language, but also spread the beautiful traditional culture of the Khmer people. Co o District is home to many Khmer people, however while many can speak their mother tongue, often they cannot read or write it. In Thoi Xuan Commune, children who want to learn Khmer usually have to go to the temple, but that is some distance away and often too far for them to travel. Therefore, respected people in the Khmer community have established classes to teach Khmer to the children. During the summer, the house of ao Hoa,70, living in Thoi Truong 1 Hamlet, Thoi Xuan Commune, Co o District, is filled with the sound of children learning to read Khmer. The class is equipped with desks, chairs, a blackboard which prominently displays a poster with the Khmer alphabet. Sharing his thoughts on turning his home into a summer classroom, Hoa was quoted by giaoducthoidai.vn as saying: "We strive to teach the children to appreciate and understand Khmer culture. In the past, Khmer language classes were held at the temple during the summer, but because of the distance, parents could not bring their children regularly, resulting in low attendance. So Hoa and his wife volunteered to let their home be used as a classroom. Desks and chairs were bought from a nearby school, but other furniture was made by Hoa. During breaks in classes the couple also prepare sweets for the children. "Our constant concern is how to ensure that the children learn the Khmer script, their native language and understand traditional Khmer culture, festivals and customs," he added. Supporting her husband in setting up the home classroom, Danh Thi Hien said: "We are passionate about preserving our cultural heritage, so we have been running this Khmer language class at home every summer for two years now." The classes are held every morning, except the last day and the first day of each lunar month. In the summer of 2023, 34 children attended Hoas class and at the end of the course, 30 of them completed the study. This year, 27 children enrolled in the class, ranging from 8 to 14 years old, all from Thoi Xuan Commune. Along with teaching Khmer language, the children also learn traditional Khmer dances and songs. Nurturing the love for Khmer Culture The class at Hoa's house is taught by Thach Diem and Danh Ho, both experienced and respected people in the Khmer community who volunteer their time to teach Khmer writing. Diem, 60, said that although he is getting older and still has farming work, he spends the rest of his time teaching children how to read and write Khmer. "Most of the Khmer children in the hamlet speak Khmer fluently but cannot read or write. I have experience teaching monks, so the community trusts me, Diem said. Despite being busy with farming, I make an effort to contribute my knowledge by teaching Khmer writing to the children." Equally dedicated to preserving the Khmer script, Ho also participates in teaching. He explained that during the summer months, the teachers instruct the children in reading, writing and basic communication skills in Khmer. The encouraging sign is that the children are very diligent and attentive in class and busy with reading and writing. After some time, the students' handwriting in Khmer has become very neat and beautiful. Son Gia Bao, an 8th grader, shared that besides improving his reading and writing, he also learns Khmer dances and songs in the class. "I have been attending this Khmer language class for two summers now. It is a lot of fun. I am learning to read and write in my ethnic script. At home, I also speak Khmer with my grandparents and parents," Bao said. In the class, there is a special student, Ly ao Thanh Phong, a 9-year-old student at ang Tan Tai Secondary School in Thu uc City, HCM City. Phong's mother is from Thoi Xuan Commune, and his father is from Long An Province and his whole family currently lives in HCM City. Phong has a deep love for his mother's native Khmer language and script, as well as the culture of his maternal grandparents. Last summer, when he learned that there was a Khmer language class in his maternal grandparents' village, an excited Phong asked his parents to let him attend. "When I went back to my grandparents' village, I made many new friends and got to experience the fascinating river and countryside life. Most importantly, I learned the Khmer script. Now, I can confidently read and write in Khmer," Phong said. Khmer language classes in temple In addition to community classes, many temples in Can Tho City offer free Khmer language classes. In the remote area of Vinh Thanh District, Samaki Temple has been running summer Khmer language classes for many years. Danh Phuoc who teaches in the classes, explained that most of the students could neither read nor write Khmer and had poor pronunciation. Therefore, he focused on teaching them how to blend sounds, pronounce correctly and write properly. Despite difficulties with facilities, the local authorities and dedicated teachers work together to provide students with the necessary knowledge to preserve their ethnic culture. "I dedicate my summer to teaching the students, hoping to give them a strong foundation in their culture. By the end of the course, they are able to speak, read and write," said Phuoc. Danh Thi Minh Chau, an 11th grader at Thot Not High School, could not hide her joy at attending the Khmer language class at Samaki Temple. The summer-long class helped her improve her reading, writing and speaking skills in Khmer and for Chau to gain a deeper understanding of traditional customs and rituals. "I will strive to excel in my studies and moral conduct. As a bilingual Khmer-Viet student, I am sincerely grateful to the teachers for their dedication over the past three months, giving us the opportunity to learn the Khmer script," Chau said. Located in Ninh Kieu District, Munir Ansay Temple remains vibrant at night with its Khmer language classes. The decision to offer Khmer classes is a passion project of Venerable Tran Sol, the abbot of Munir Ansay Temple. Monk Kim Tan Tai, who teaches Khmer at Munir Ansay Temple, said: "Many families still converse in Khmer at home, and the children are very good at speaking, so they learn the script quickly." Even university students who attend the class show great enthusiasm and learn quickly. According to the monk, teaching Khmer at the temple helps preserve the cultural values of the Khmer people. By equipping students with knowledge of their language and script, they can better preserve their cultural heritage. Participating in the class at Munir Ansay Temple, Tran Thi Minh Thao, a student at FPT College in Can Tho City, was thrilled: "Its wonderful that the temple offers Khmer classes because we only learn the common language at school. I signed up to improve my vocabulary, knowledge and understanding of my culture and traditions." Not only do they preserve traditional cultural values, but Munir Ansay Temple also supports generations of poor students who are eager to learn. As well as lessons being free at various locations in Can Tho City, and maintained through social contributions, donations are given to teachers to buy notebooks and learning materials. These efforts significantly contribute to preserving and promoting Khmer culture in the region. Permanent vice chairman of the Patriotic Monks Solidarity Association of Can Tho City, Venerable Ly Hung, noted that the association collaborates with local authorities and organisations to support students in improving their knowledge of the Khmer language. In Can Tho City, summer Khmer language classes are taught by 23 monks and 19 teachers across seven temples and concentrated residential areas. In the summer of 2024, 218 students received certificates of completion from the Khmer language courses. At the end of the summer classes, all students met the requirements to speak, have understanding and to write common Khmer words. Venerable Ly Hung hopes that the free Khmer language classes will continue and be sustained for a long time. He emphasised the need for the attention of revered monks, abbots and temple management boards, as well as government support for policies that help Khmer children preserve their language, script and cultural identity. VNS HA NOI At least 13 people have fallen into the Hong (Red) River after part of the Phong Chau Bridge in the northern province of Phu Tho was swept away by floodwaters at 10am today. According to early reports presented to Deputy Prime Minister Ho uc Phoc, who visited the site to direct relief efforts, there were about 10 automobiles and two motorbikes that fell into the waters. Concrete casualty numbers are not available yet, as search and rescue efforts are hindered by fast-flowing and rising river water in the aftermath of powerful Typhoon Yagi. The cause of the collapse appears to be strong water flow at the bottom of the river destabilising the bridge, leading to the collapse of one pillar and two main spans out of eight, according to Phu Tho's transport department. Four people have been rescued thus far, with three survivors hospitalised at Tam Nong medical centre for emergency treatment. Phan Truong Son, a survivor, told the media he heard a loud noise when he was travelling on the bridge and before he could respond, he and the bike were freefalling into the water below. He tried his best to swim to shore. Luckily, just when he thought he couldn't make it, he managed to grab onto a floating banana tree and eventually got rescued by a nearby boat. He only suffered minor injuries, but still felt shock and panic. The Phong Chau bridge will be sealed off and guards will be deployed to make sure no vehicle can enter. As for traffic, there are two options. Either a makeshift ferry or a pontoon bridge will be set up, according to deputy transport minister Nguyen Xuan Sang. A fixed pontoon bridge is currently preferred as the waterway does not have much traffic, but in the long term, a new bridge needs to be built as this one is beyond repair. The remaining standing part of the bridge is also at high risk of collapse. Search and rescue efforts can only be done when the weather permits, Sang said. Intermittent heavy rains are still taking place in the area, while the swelling river makes it very difficult and even dangerous to navigate and search for missing victims, especially ones that might have sunk to the bottom. Deputy PM Phoc said when water is high, search and rescue units can look for victims near the banks, and expand the search when conditions allow. Phu Tho's leadership asked to use its emergency budget to build a new bridge within one year, as this bridge is on a primary traffic route. About 100 officers from the Command of Region 3, Viet Nam People's Army have been deployed and stand ready for search and rescue. About 20 people have reported missing relatives and are awaiting news. Some have been asked to identify vehicles based on images captured on cameras at the time of the collapse. The Phong Chau bridge connects Tam Nong and Lam Thao districts in Phu Tho. It was built in 1995 and underwent maintenance in 2013. In 2019, authorities imposed a ban on trucks over 18 tonnes. In 2022, voters proposed to upgrade or replace the Phong Chau Bridge, but the transport ministry said the budget allocation for the time being does not allow this yet, so the Directorate for Roads of Viet Nam was ordered to enhance maintenance and repairs. VNS HA NOI As super typhoon Yagi raged across northern Viet Nam, the spirit of mutual support and solidarity deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture was felt by all those impacted by the storm. Images and video clips showing this spirit online document homeless individuals and those without solid shelter being taken to houses and provided with food, water and safe refuge during the storm, all free of charge; cars and trucks forming long lines to shield motorbikes as they cross bridges; and the sight of motorcyclists being buffeted by the wind, assisted to safety by local residents and emergency services. Nguyen Phuong Anh, a resident in Thanh Xuan District, Ha Noi, owns two apartments on Nguyen Tuan Street. She lives in the lower apartment, while the upper one, a spacious 100sq.m apartment with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, remains vacant. As the typhoon approached Ha Noi on Saturday, she posted on a social media account offering the vacant apartment to workers seeking temporary shelter during the worst of the storm. She then even offered to cover the cost of taxis to transport people to safe accommodation. After posting, she received numerous calls from those needing shelter, ultimately accommodating around 40 people in the apartment. Thankfully, with the support of the building management and other residents providing blankets and other necessities, everyone at the apartment was well looked after, she said. She also prepared food and essential supplies to help everyone through the storm. Tran Anh Tuyet, of ong a District, Ha Noi, head of charity group Thien Tam 84, offered her 18-room house in Lang Ha Ward as a shelter during the typhoon. Besides providing free shelter, Tuyet also covered travel and food expenses for those in need, even arranging taxi rides for those without transportation. Having faced financial hardships myself in the past, including enduring flooding during storms in a small house, I understand the struggles people face, she said. Witnessing others struggling from a safe, warm place prompted her to clean up her house to offer shelter to those in need. "My greatest wish is for everyone to stay safe and get through the severe storm," she added. In Co To Island District, Quang Ninh Province, 43-year-old Le Thi Loan, owner of CoTo View Hotel, decided to open her hotel to residents with inadequate housing during the typhoon. She posted information on social media, including the hotel's address and phone number, to help people find it. Those unable to reach the hotel were picked up by Loan and her staff in coordination with local authorities. By the night before the typhoon made landfall, over 40 people from various households on the island had sought refuge at Loans hotel. All the people coming to her hotel were from households with inadequate housing or rented rooms on the island. The island was without electricity due to the typhoon, but the hotel was running on a generator and meals were provided free of charge. In times like these, mutual support and protection are crucial, I think," Loan said. Crossing the storm together A video of two white cars coordinating to escort a motorbike across an overpass in Lieu Giai Ward, Ha Noi during the storm has been widely shared and received millions of interactions on social media over the weekend. The footage shows a motorcyclist struggling against strong winds during the typhoon. Fortunately, two car drivers worked together to create a safe passage by driving parallel to each other and shielding the bike from the wind. Many social media users expressed their emotions about the spirit and kindness of Vietnamese people after watching the clip. Anh Duong, a social media user, commented: I am crying when I watch the clip. My country has a lot of kind hearts. Dieu Ha, another social medial user, said: This is my Viet Nam, this is the unity of Vietnamese people. I am very proud to be Vietnamese. A lot of foreigners also commented on the clip, including the following: Not all heroes wear capes, That is incredible human action, Thank you Viet Nam for showing this to the world, and I was amazed by the unity of Viet Nam. Another video showed a convoy of cars and larger vehicles guiding a group of motorbikes across the Nhat Tan Bridge on Saturday afternoon, when torrential rains and very strong winds battered Ha Noi. Duong Nhuong, a 29-year-old from Tu Son District in Bac Ninh Province, was one of those assisted while riding across the bridge. She recounted that around Saturday noon, she was returning home from work when she encountered strong winds that made it impossible to continue. Fortunately, a kind-hearted environmental truck driver slowed down to shield me from the wind, she said. Then other cars and trucks followed the first to protect Nhuong and other motorbikes, shielding them from strong winds and preventing them from being blown away. Afterwards, Nhuong shared her experience on social media, noting the truck drivers number plate to express her sincere thanks. The post garnered nearly 10,000 likes and comments, with many netizens praising the drivers for their heartwarming actions during the storm. In Hai Phong City, La Xuan Phuong, a resident living in a tall building, said that at around 3pm on Saturday he saw a woman struggling to move her motorbike along Hung Vuong Street due to the fierce wind. The woman had to leave her bike and cling to a traffic divider, fearing the wind would carry her away. As the rain poured, the woman waited for help. About 15 minutes later, a white car zipped past but then suddenly reversed. The driver offered her a ride to shield her from the storm. Phuong then captured the act on his phone and shared it online, which resonated deeply with the community. He expressed admiration for the drivers bravery, noting that keeping the car door open in such weather could have been hazardous. Safety for all To ensure the safety of residents before the typhoon made landfall, the People's Committee of Co To Island District took decisive action to relocate households living in dilapidated homes to safer locations. Nearly 800 residents were evacuated to safety during the storm. The committee, along with local authorities, arranged for staff to manage and oversee evacuation and sheltering at designated safe areas, including assigning leaders and armed forces to each village. Similarly, in Ha Noi, on Friday night, 160 residents from the dilapidated A7 Tan Mai apartment complex in Hoang Mai District were relocated to Tan Mai Primary School, just 300m away, to ensure their safety before the super typhoon hit. The local government prepared essential supplies such as instant noodles, drinking water and blankets for the evacuees. The People's Committee of Tan Mai Ward formed task forces from various departments to support the displaced residents, ensuring no one went without necessities during the storm. Nguyen Huu Vy, an 86-year-old resident, expressed relief after being relocated to a classroom at the primary school. He shared his concerns about living in the old, deteriorating A7 apartment complex and was grateful for the temporary shelter provided. Similarly, Hoang Thi Huyen, 65, a displaced resident, said: Were grateful for the help. She expressed her appreciation for the care provided by the local authorities, highlighting the quality and cleanliness of the temporary accommodation. On Friday, chairman of the Peoples Committee of the city Tran Sy Thanh issued Directive No. 11/C-UBND, urging all sectors to urgently respond to the super typhoon Yagi. The directive emphasised the need to ensure the safety of residents, especially those in hazardous areas, including floating aquaculture farms, flood-prone regions and areas at risk of landslides. The citys Party Secretary Bui Thi Minh Hoai said: The primary focus must be on safeguarding lives and minimising damage. She urged authorities to assist vulnerable groups, including the elderly, sick, poor and those in difficult circumstances, as well as ensure no one was left without essential supplies. In Hai Phong City, the citys Party Secretary Le Tien Chau led the implementation of evacuation procedures and ensured communication lines remained open. He stressed the importance of providing adequate supplies and preparing for post-storm recovery. During a meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh outlined five key objectives, including focusing on rescue operations, finding missing persons, providing medical care and ensuring no one suffers from a lack of food, shelter or medical services. He urged localities to utilise reserves for urgent needs and seek central Government support if necessary. Chinh also called on unaffected individuals, businesses and organisations to support those impacted by the storm, emphasising collective responsibility and solidarity. He announced an immediate allocation of approximately VN100 billion (US$4.06 million) to Quang Ninh and Hai Phong for recovery efforts. VNS NEW YORK Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations Ambassador ang Hoang Giang has met Amanda Nguyen, the first woman of Vietnamese origin to fly into space. At the September 5 meeting, Giang congratulated Amanda Nguyen on being selected to fly into space on a New Shepard Rocket of Blue Origin, a US aerospace manufacturer, in mid-2025, stressing this event will contribute to affirming the ability and promote the image of Vietnamese women. The ambassador said Vietnamese women have always played an important role throughout Viet Nam's thousands of years of national construction and defence, as well as in its current development period. The Vietnamese State has placed great importance on promoting gender equality, creating favourable conditions for women to carry forward their role, contribute to socio-economic development, and actively join international efforts in this regard, he said. At the UN, Viet Nam has actively participated and made many practical contributions to ensuring women's rights and gender equality, and the country will continue upholding its strengths in this field in the coming time, especially as it takes on the role of a member of UN Women for the 2025-27 term, the ambassador said. Giang urged Amanda Nguyen to play a more active role in enhancing the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and the US. For her part, Amanda Nguyen expressed pride in Viet Nam and the honour of soon becoming the first woman of Vietnamese origin to travel to space. She hoped her upcoming spaceflight will help promote the image of Vietnamese women, connect the community, and advance cooperation to ensure gender equality and combat violence against and abuse of women. Amanda Nguyen was born in 1991 in the US. In the summer of 2025, she will become the first Vietnamese-American woman to travel into space, as part of the Space for Humanity project. She has been an active advocate against discrimination and sexual assault in the US. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 and was named one of Time magazine's Women of the Year in 2022. She received the 24th Annual Heinz Award for Public Policy and the Nelson Mandela Changemaker Award, made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and was recognised by Foreign Policy magazine as one of the top 100 global thinkers. VNS HA NOI Viet Nams disaster risk reduction partners on Monday discussed solutions to support Vietnamese localities affected by Typhoon Yagi during a conference held in Ha Noi. The conference was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep said that the typhoon caused a lot of damage to Viet Nam, especially in the northern region. As of Monday afternoon, 59 people are dead or missing, with serious damage to property and infrastructure across the north. The Vietnamese government, ministries, localities and organisations are working together to help areas heavily affected by the typhoon. Currently, partners have committed to giving 3,000 personal hygiene kits, 1,000 household tool kits, 1,000 kitchen sets and 2,000 home repair tool kits to Viet Nam. The support package will arrive at the country's border in the next few days. "I think emergency relief resources such as goods and cash will be extremely useful at this time. But, support resources to help with impacts like repairing houses, ensuring livelihoods and social security are even more useful. I believe that with the full and enthusiastic participation of the disaster risk reduction partners, it will help people in affected areas to quickly overcome the consequences of natural disasters and stabilise their lives," said Hiep. Sharing authorities' concerns about vulnerable communities in mountainous areas, Pauline Fatima Tamesis, United Nations Coordinator in Viet Nam, said they are always ready to support housing and food for the poor. She said she hopes the Vietnamese Government will gather an accurate assessment of damages so that support can be provided as quickly as needed. Sympathising with Viet Nams losses, Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam, said they can coordinate with partners to buy clean water for affected mountain families and support access to environmental sanitation for women and children. Chief Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Remi Nono Womdim will work to ensure food security, food, cash and livelihood recovery and commit to supporting emergency situations for Viet Nam. A spokesperson for the Viet Nam Red Cross Society's Central Committee said that on Monday afternoon, the unit would carry out relief work in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, the two coastal localities hardest hit by the typhoon when it made landfall in the country. In the northern provinces, the unit is currently organising initial support and calling for help from international organisations. However, the most difficult problem is that the procedures for receiving international support resources take a long time, so there needs to be a streamlined process for resources to reach disaster victims as quickly as possible. oan Thi Tuyet Nga, Head of the Science, Technology and International Cooperation Division under the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, said that on Tuesday, disaster risk reduction partners will divide into three groups to assess the damage in three affected provinces. VNS Transport, industrial, infrastructure, and logistics are just some of the areas of interest to South Korean financial backers in Haiphong. Closely following those are human resource factors, emphasising the importance of a well-trained and accessible workforce in influencing investment decisions. Ko Tae Yeon, general director of Heesung Electronics Vietnam Institutional quality holds moderate importance, indicating that the effectiveness of legal, regulatory, and governance frameworks is crucial, though not as critical as infrastructure and human resources in shaping foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. This analysis is part of my report on the enablers of FDI from South Korea into Haiphong. This research contributes to the broader understanding of FDI dynamics in Vietnam and provides valuable insights for enhancing the economic partnership between Haiphong and South Korea. FDI is widely recognised as a crucial driver of economic growth, particularly in developing countries. It provides capital influxes, enhances technology transfer, boosts productivity, and fosters international economic integration. In Vietnam, FDI has been instrumental in transforming the economy, contributing to its rapid integration into the global market. Haiphong, a key economic hub in northern Vietnam, has attracted significant FDI due to its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and favourable business environment, where South Korea has been one of the largest investors with heavy investments in manufacturing, electronics, and infrastructure sectors. As the third-largest city in the country, Haiphong is a vital industrial and port city located on the coast of the Gulf of Tonkin. With its deepwater port, Haiphong serves as a critical gateway for trade and investment, particularly for Northeast Asian countries like South Korea. The city has been a major beneficiary of Vietnams economic reforms, attracting significant foreign investment, particularly from South Korea, which has emerged as one of the top sources of FDI in Haiphong. South Korean investors have established numerous factories and industrial zones (IZs) in the city, contributing significantly to its industrial output and economic growth. There is a need for a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing capital from South Korea to Haiphong, given the rapid pace of economic globalisation and increasing competition for foreign investment. It is essential to identify the factors that make Haiphong an attractive destination for South Korean investors. Despite the steady inflow of investments, there remains a need for a comprehensive analysis that considers both macroeconomic and microeconomic factors, as well as the unique characteristics of Haiphong as a destination for South Korean investors. Thus, this analysis is the result of the implementation of my report. This research is necessary to fill the existing gaps in the literature and to provide actionable insights that can guide future investment policies and strategies. The primary purpose of this research is to examine and analyse the key factors affecting FDI inflows from South Korea into Haiphong. By identifying these factors, the study aims to provide a framework that can assist policymakers in creating a more conducive environment for attracting and sustaining South Korean investments in the port city. Clear guidance is available for Haiphong to enhance its attractiveness to South Korean investors, Photo: Hong Phong Assessing complex factors The central research question concerns the influential factors that shape the incentive for foreign direct investment in Haiphong. To tackle this inquiry, multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) arises as a suitable approach, frequently utilised to establish criteria priorities. The application of MCDM theory entails the determination of ranking outcomes for selected criteria and the assignment of weights. A variety of MCDM techniques are utilised in practical applications to allocate weights to various factors. Among them, Fuzzy AHP stands out as a robust MCDM method due to its capacity to handle uncertainties and imprecise information in decision-making processes. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) was employed as the primary research method. Fuzzy AHP is a multi-criteria decision-making tool that allows for the incorporation of both quantitative and qualitative data, making it ideal for assessing complex factors influencing FDI. The method emerges as a compelling choice in the specific context of FDI enablers exploration in dealing with uncertainties of fuzzy judgments and linguistic expressions of decision-makers. It enables decision-makers to express their preferences using linguistic terms, facilitating a more realistic representation of their perceptions. To achieve the objectives of this study, the research involved interviews and surveys with 30 experts in the field, including policymakers, business leaders, and academics, to gather insights and data. Out of the 30 responses received, a careful review was conducted to ensure the quality and consistency of the provided data. It was identified that three responses exhibited inconsistencies in the information provided. To maintain the integrity and reliability of the dataset, a decision was made to omit these three responses from the analysis, and the total number of replies chosen is 27. The decision to omit inappropriate data was guided by the principle of upholding the accuracy and coherence of the information gathered. This meticulous approach ensures that the analysis and insights derived from the questionnaire responses are robust and reflective of the genuine trends and perspectives within the diverse expert groups. By consulting experts, an average pair-wise comparison matrix has been created based on the weight of each response to determine the weight assigned to each factor (see Table). The calculation of the fuzzy geometric mean values of the factors involves the multiplication of matrix vectors that represent fuzzy integers. The weights calculated above represent the degree of significance assigned to each factor enabling FDI inflows from South Korean enterprises in Haiphong based on expert opinions and fuzzy logic calculations. The highest weight is assigned to infrastructure factors including industrial, transport, and logistics ones, suggesting that experts believe that the development of infrastructure plays a significant role in attracting FDI to Haiphong. Human resources are the following most influential factors, indicating that the supply of workers and quality of workers is crucial in shaping FDI inflows in Haiphong. The institutional quality has a moderate weight, suggesting that the effectiveness, efficiency, and reliability of a regions legal, regulatory, and governance frameworks are considered important but not as decisive as infrastructure and human factors in influencing FDI decisions. Other factors such as wage rate, consumer price index, political stability, and local supporting industries are positioned between the higher and lower weights, indicating their intermediate level of influence on FDI inflows. The moderate weight suggests that political considerations are important, but not as dominant as economic factors, in the decision-making process for FDI investors in Haiphong. Key recommendations The studys findings offer clear guidance for policymakers and stakeholders in Haiphong to enhance the citys attractiveness as a destination for South Korean investors. Based on the results concluded above, key recommendations to promote the attraction of South Korean capital influx into the city may include ensuring the availability of land within IZs and accelerating the development of the Southern Coastal Economic Zone to drive growth. Sustainable and environmentally friendly IZs should also be prioritised. In transportation and logistics, it is crucial to develop a multimodal system that connects Haiphong seaport with the hinterland and to strategically plan logistics centres that offer diverse value-added services. Human resource development is another critical area, where incentives should be provided to businesses for training and education, investments should be increased in educational infrastructure, and collaboration between businesses and training institutions should be strengthened. Additionally, expanding South Korean language programmes and ensuring social housing supply are essential for attracting and retaining the workforce. Public administration efficiency should be improved through digital transformation, while policy mechanisms should be continuously refined to create a stable, transparent, and investor-friendly environment. By implementing these solutions, Haiphong can strengthen its infrastructure, develop human resources, and improve institutional quality, thereby creating a more favourable environment for attracting capital from South Korea. This approach will enhance competitiveness and contribute to sustainable growth in the region. The May Legend redefines modern office standards in Haiphong With notable economic growth, a prime location, modern transportation infrastructure, abundant resources, and immense development potential, Haiphong is a compelling destination for domestic and international businesses and investors. NX Engineering Vietnam to build logistics centre in Haiphong On July 11, Nippon Express Engineering (Vietnam) Co., Ltd., a group company of Nippon Express Holdings, Inc., announced that the company is develop Haiphong Logistics Centre (the second phase). DEEP C Haiphong 3 IZ offering alluring prospects for industries The new DEEP C Haiphong 3 complex aims to woo pivotal projects worth hundreds of millions of US dollars. KCN Vietnam kicks-off second phase of KCN Deep C in Haiphong KCN Vietnam Group broke ground for the second phase of KCN Deep C Haiphong on August 2, supporting the northern port city to draw more foreign investment for the logistics sector. Gas consumption will continue to rise amid growing energy demand, increasing from eight million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoe) in 2020 to 20 mtoe in 2035. As part of this transition, the share of coal will decrease by seven mtoe by 2050. Joshua Ngu, vice chairman, of Asia-Pacific at Wood Mackenzie, believes the energy sector will remain the primary consumer of gas, with fuel expected to account for up to 14 per cent of total power generation by 2030. "Gas-fired power generation is becoming increasingly necessary to prevent potential electricity shortages in the near term," said Ngu. "As coal generation levels off in the midterm and renewable energy continues to face challenges with intermittency and grid constraints, gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) will become crucial for ensuring the countrys energy security and supporting sustainable economic growth." While gas demand is forecast to increase, Vietnam faces challenges in domestic production. The countrys current gas fields, primarily located in Southeast Vietnam, are maturing, leading to a 25 per cent decline in domestic gas supply over the past five years. However, recent developments, such as the Final Investment Decision (FID) for Block B in the Malay Basin, are expected to boost production by 0.4 billion cubic feet per day, which is equivalent to around 11.3 million cu.m, by 2030. Furthermore, the development of pipeline gas from Indonesias Tuna PSC in the Natuna Sea could be expected to flow into Vietnam by the 2030s. Wood Mackenzie's research has strongly suggested that Vietnam is fully exposed to the spot LNG market but has yet to sign any long-term LNG contracts. "The lack of contracted LNG supply, coupled with dwindling domestic resources, increases Vietnams exposure to potential price volatility and raises the risk of future blackouts or gas rationing," said Raghav Mathur, principal research analyst, Gas and LNG at Wood Mackenzie. "The misalignments in LNG-fired electricity prices, power purchase agreements, and construction delays in LNG-to-power projects have been substantial obstacles for LNG contracting in Vietnam." Wood Mackenzie addressed the fact that developing new gas infrastructure would ease concerns about gas shortages. The countrys main pipeline network is concentrated in the southern region, home to the economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City. Two LNG regasification facilities have been built in southern Vietnam, with the Thi Vai LNG terminal already operational and the Hai Linh terminal expected to come online this month. Several more regasification terminals are in the feasibility stage and will be operational by the early 2030s. "The Vietnamese governments approval of Power Development Plan VIII underscores the importance of LNG-to-power projects, targeting an additional 22.4 GW of LNG-fired capacity by 2030," said Yulin Li, Research Associate, Gas and LNG at Wood Mackenzie. However, for Vietnam to fully realise the potential of gas and LNG, there is a need for a dedicated energy system to focus on energy policy and regulation. "A robust policy framework is essential to attract investment in midstream and downstream gas infrastructure development," Li emphasised. According to Wood Mackenzies analysis, Vietnam should explore partnerships with solution providers capable of meeting the countrys requirements. Many credible providers are currently active in Vietnam, including PETRONAS. As one of the world's largest integrated LNG producers, PETRONAS produces over 36 million tonnes of LNG annually across facilities in Bintulu, Australia, Egypt, and soon Canada. This extensive network positions PETRONAS well to supply LNG to Vietnam. Cai Mep LNG Terminal to start commercial operations in September 2024 AG&P LNG, a subsidiary of Nebula Energy, along with its partner, Hai Linh Co., Ltd., a prominent petroleum product import terminal and trader, have announced the start of the commissioning of Cai Mep LNG Terminal. Ministry approves base price for LNG-fired power at 10.56 US cents/kWh The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has approved the base price for liquefied petroleum gas (LNG)-fired power produced by combined cycle gas turbine thermal power plants at 0-2,590.85 VND per kWh for this year. Lackadaisical LNG progress hinders plans A number of the countrys liquefied natural gas-to-power projects are moving forward at such a snails pace that it is threatening the implementation of the nations power development plan. Consortiums invited to get involved in Nghi Son LNG venture Nghi Son Economic Zone Management Authority has invited five consortiums of contractors to participate in bidding to implement the Nghi Son liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fired thermal power plant. A researcher works at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute lab. A team of Texas Biomed researchers led the discovery of a new COVID antibody that researchers say could serve as an emergency treatment for future outbreaks, opening the possibility of broader, more effective COVID therapy. William Luther, Staff / Staff The Texas Biomedical Research Institute has discovered a COVID-19 treatment that can protect from past, present and future strains, researchers say. The San Antonio research institution identified a monoclonal antibody that can neutralize the numerous COVID-19 variants, as well as related viruses in animals that could pose a threat if they were to begin spreading in people, according to a news release. The antibody, named SC27, was recently described in the peer-reviewed Cell Reports Medicine. Greg Ippolito, an associate professor at Texas Biomed, led the team of researchers that identified, developed and patented the antibody. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Other COVID-19 antibodies have been rendered ineffective as SARS-CoV-2 has evolved over the past several years," said Ippolito, who was recently recruited to Texas Biomed from the University of Texas at Austin. "Our new study suggests the virus is less likely to escape this treatment because SC27 targets and attaches to multiple parts of the virus' spike protein, including sections that are not mutating as frequently." The antibody could serve as an emergency treatment for future outbreaks. The team is looking to collaborate with industry to further develop the SC27 monoclonal antibody treatment, which could potentially benefit immunocompromised patients who are unable to get vaccines, the news release states. Researchers' next steps include preclinical studies in larger animal models. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The COVID-19 pandemic boosted Texas Biomeds international exposure, and its federally funded and contracted research work. The institution is adding a $20 million animal research complex to its 200-acre campus, which generates more than $70 million in annual revenue. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The North Carolina Senate took the first step in clearing the state's waitlist for private school vouchers Monday after passing a supplemental spending plan that also includes more Medicaid money, rural broadband access and requirements for sheriffs to assist federal immigration agents. The Senate reconvened after Republican chamber leaders announced last week that they reached a spending plan agreement that includes $463 million for the state's Opportunity Scholarship. It passed the proposal, as well as veto overrides, largely along party lines. The House is expected to take up a vote Wednesday. If the House passes the spending plan, it will go to Cooper for a likely veto. Senate leader Phil Berger said an override vote would be more likely to happen in November. After the General Assembly removed income caps to qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship program last year, voucher applications soared. About 55,000 children were waitlisted because of a lack of funding, and Republican lawmakers' inability to pass a budget readjustment bill in June before the legislative session ended only prolonged that issue. Now, the new proposal which outlines more spending through the early 2030s offers waitlisted families the option to be retroactively reimbursed for their fall private schooling costs. About $377 million for Medicaid spending and $160 million to address enrollment growth for K-12 public schools and community colleges are also in the plan. Rachel Brady of Wake Forest, a mother who led a rally in July urging the General Assembly to eliminate the waitlist, praised Mondays affirmative vote. Brady said it should ultimately give financial relief to her family and others who have chosen private schools for their children or who want to do so. Were so thankful they listened to us, Brady, who is among the waitlisted families, said in an interview. Were just so excited. Democrats dominated the Senate floor debate by voicing concern that voucher spending would negatively affect resources for public schools, especially in rural counties, while wealthy families also can now benefit from scholarships. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper also said last week that the plan could cause a budget crisis as state revenues trailed off during the past fiscal year. Additional tax cuts are already planned. We're telling children in underfunded schools that their education is less important than providing a taxpayer-funded handout to those who can afford private tuition, Guilford County Democratic Sen. Michael Garrett said on the floor. Presiding over debate was Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the GOP nominee for governor. While officially the Senates president, Robinson was largely absent from chamber floor sessions this year. The proposal also includes language from a House bill that enforces sheriffs' compliance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers, which are required to hold inmates charged with serious crimes if they are believed to be in the country unlawfully. Those inmates would be held up to 48 hours under a judicial official's order so ICE agents could pick them up. Republican advocates say the bill is necessary because some sheriffs in predominantly Democratic counties have previously disregarded ICE detainers. But opponents to the legislation say it would unconstitutionally target North Carolina's Hispanic community. About 30 people gathered for a news conference Monday with the Hispanic organization coalition Colectivo NC to echo those concerns before the vote. This bill not only strips away immigrant rights but also destroys the trust between law enforcement and our community, said Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, president of El Centro Hispano, which is an organization that advocates for the state's Hispanic community. With its members back in Raleigh for the spending plan vote, the Senate also took the opportunity to override the remaining five of Cooper's previous vetoes. Because the House previously overrode three of them in July, those will now become law. The first bill expands the types of roads that all-terrain vehicles can ride on, while the second focuses on tenancy law changes such as prohibiting local ordinances that prevent landlords from discriminating against potential tenants who receive federal housing vouchers. The last one blocks state agencies from accepting central bank digital currency payments, which are similar to cryptocurrencies. The chamber overrode two other vetoes on building code changes and court-filed documents, and they now go to the House for a second vote. DES MOINES Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered flags to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Monday to honor an Iowa native whose remains at Pearl Harbor have been identified by scientists. Milford native and Navy Fireman 1st Class Everett C. Titterington will be buried in Riverside National Cemetery in California. Titterington was killed Dec. 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor; he was 21 years old. Titterington was aboard the USS Oklahoma when it capsized after being struck by multiple torpedoes. Flags will fly half-staff at the Iowa Capitol and on the Capitol complex, as well as on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state, the governors office said. Individuals, businesses, schools and local governments are encouraged to do the same. Iowa jobless insurance rates remain lowest possible Taxes paid by Iowa employers to fund the states unemployment insurance fund will remain at the lowest possible level allowed by law for a third consecutive year, the governors office said this week. The rates are calculated using a formula that includes the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance, unemployment benefits history and wage growth. This years formula puts Iowa in the lowest of eight rate tables, meaning employers will be taxed between nothings and 7% to pay into the trust fund. Im pleased that well be able to continue to support Iowa employers by maintaining unemployment taxes at their lowest possible rate, Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement. Smart management of state resources, combined with smart ideas like (Iowa Workforce Developments) Re-employment Case Management program, have helped us place Iowas Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund in one of the best positions its ever been in. Iowa business owners will have one less thing to worry about as they try to navigate our uncertain national economy. Iowas unemployment rate for July remained at 2.8%, unchanged since April, according to the most recent state workforce data. The 2.8% unemployment rate is 0.2 % lower than July 2023 and is below the national rate of 4.3%. Northwest Iowa judge appointed Andrew Smith has been appointed as a District Court judge in Judicial District 3A in Northwest Iowa by Gov. Kim Reynolds. Smith, of Alta, has been serving as a district associate judge in District 3A. He received his undergraduate degree from Northeast Missouri State University and law degree from the University of Iowa, according to a news release. Smith fills a vacancy following the resignation of John M. Sandy, who was appointed to the Iowa Court of Appeals. Iowa Judicial District 3A covers Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, Lyon, OBrien, Osceola and Palo Alto counties. Post childbirth without paid leave, teachers leave their own children to teach others' Post childbirth without paid leave, teachers leave their own children to teach others' Reid Clanton, a veteran of the 1944 D-Day Landing, celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton, a veteran of the 1944 D-Day Landing, celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton, who grew up poor in Vealmoor, Texas, near Big Spring, was drafted into the Army in 1942 and took part in the 1944 D-Day Landing, the largest amphibious assault in history. Clanton was among Allied troops who landed on Omaha Beach, the most contested of the landing zones. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton, a veteran of the 1944 D-Day Landing, celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. He says he has never understood why he survived the war and so many others didn't. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton, a veteran of the 1944 D-Day Landing, celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. He says he has never understood why he survived the war and so many others didn't. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton survived a Depression childhood in rural Texas and the 1944 D-Day Landing. He celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton survived a Depression childhood in rural Texas and the 1944 D-Day Landing. He celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton survived a Depression childhood in rural Texas and the 1944 D-Day Landing. He celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton survived a Depression childhood in rural Texas and the 1944 D-Day Landing. He celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton survived a Depression childhood in rural Texas and the 1944 D-Day Landing. He celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton survived a Depression childhood in rural Texas and the 1944 D-Day Landing. He celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton survived a Depression childhood in rural Texas and the 1944 D-Day Landing. He celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton survived a Depression childhood in rural Texas and the 1944 D-Day Landing. He celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Reid Clanton survived a Depression childhood in rural Texas and the 1944 D-Day Landing. He celebrated his 100th birthday over the Labor Day weekend with family, friends and well-wishers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor When Reid Clanton looks back on June 6, 1944, what he remembers most vividly about Omaha Beach is the sand and water. Both were red with the blood of thousands of soldiers. On D-Day, Clanton was 19 and an Army private. This summer, he returned to Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion, and the memories rushed back. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was very emotional, Clanton said. The first thing I thought of was those guys on the crosses didnt make it, and I did. I didnt understand. He turned 100 last month, and as he celebrated the occasion with family, friends and well-wishers over the Labor Day weekend, Clanton seemed no closer to understanding how he survived the war. Clanton, a longtime Corpus Christi resident who now lives in Spring Branch, is one of a handful of World War II veterans in the San Antonio area who are known to have reached the century mark. Of 16 million Americans who served in the military during the war, 119,000 were still alive as of a year ago, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their median age was 98. Clanton served as a forward observer in the invasion of Europe. Armed with a radio, binoculars and a map, he called in artillery strikes as a member of the 84th Infantry Divisions Cannon Company, 335th Regiment. On D-Day, he climbed down a rope net toward a landing craft that rose and fell at least 50 feet with each swell of the English Channel. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Deciding when to jump was a big decision. Those who miscalculated often were injured. Clanton not only survived D-Day, he made it through the subsequent hedgerow fighting in France, the breakout called Operation Cobra and the Allies march into Nazi Germany itself. Then came the Battle of the Bulge. A Depression childhood Combat weighed heavily on Clanton. He expected to be killed at any moment, especially when he saw someone else die. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I wondered when mine was coming, he said. Clanton had his share of close calls. One day, a pair of German planes swept over his column. He shot at them with a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on his jeep but missed. Behind him, a number of American soldiers lay dead, torn and bloodied by the strafing run. A sniper hiding in a church steeple just missed him. He returned fire with the machine gun and killed him. Clanton grew up in Vealmoor, north of Big Spring, one of five children. It was the Great Depression. He remembers when the family needed meat and borrowed a neighbors dog to chase a rabbit. The dog sniffed one out, chased it into a hole and the kids took it from there, killing and then skinning the animal. His mother made biscuits out of chicken feed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Of course, I was unhappy there was no food, he recalled. They told me, If you want to, you can go out and find a job, because theres no food around here. Clanton quit school after the fourth grade and went to work for a farmer, driving a tractor. He lived in an earthen storm cellar 10 miles away from his family and earned $60 a month, plus board. It was just a hole in the ground with a bed in it, he said. Clanton sent his pay home to the family. It was a horrible life, he said. It lasted six years. Then a friend told him about a better-paying job in a California shipyard, and he jumped at the chance. Clanton eventually earned $200 a week beveling pipes in Sausalito in the Bay Area. At some point his sister, who lived in Long Beach, Calif., asked him to drive her back to Texas because she didnt want to make the trip alone. Clanton took a bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles to join her. There, he was beaten and robbed, he said. He was 17. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I wanted to lay down and cry, Clanton recalled. Back in Texas, he received his draft notice in 1942. 'Didnt get a scratch' On D-Day, Clanton was among 156,115 Allied troops who took part in Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious military assault in history and the start of a final push to liberate Europe from Nazi Germany. In all, 73,000 American ground and airborne soldiers landed on Omaha and Utah beaches, while 61,715 British ground and airborne troops took Gold and Sword beaches. Some 21,400 Canadian soldiers swarmed over Juno Beach. The soldiers landing on French soil were ferried aboard 4,126 landing craft and a mostly British fleet of 6,939 ships. The Allies also ruled the skies, thanks to an inventory of 11,590 aircraft. Omaha Beach, where Clanton went ashore, was the most contested of the landing zones, with 2,400 casualties the first day. Although the landing force there was initially bottled up and at risk of being driven off the beach, the Allies eventually put 34,000 GIs on Omaha that day. Across the entire 50-mile stretch of heavily fortified French coastline, 39 Allied divisions made it ashore, but at a high cost 4,414 Allied soldiers were killed, including 2,499 from the United States. Clanton escaped their fate, but never forgot what happened to the lieutenant he was serving as a radio operator. He got his leg blown off. I was standing right beside him, and I didnt get a scratch. After the D-Day landing, more than 100,000 Allied soldiers began what an Army history called the slow, hard slog across Europe to defeat the Nazis. For Clanton, other battles lay ahead, notably the Bulge, the last major German offensive on the Western Front, which lasted from Dec. 16, 1944, to Jan. 25, 1945. He remembers waist-deep snow and temperatures that plummeted to 20 degrees below zero. Thanks to alert medics, Clanton didnt succumb to frostbite, a common battlefield injury that winter. 'Kill or be killed' After the war, he got married and went to work for AT&T. He had earned various medals for his wartime service, including a Bronze Star, an American Campaign Medal, a WWII Victory Medal and a Combat Infantryman Badge, but he never received them because his service records went missing or were destroyed in a fire. Clanton finally received the overdue honors in May 2022 in a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston organized by U.S. Army North and the nonprofit Wish for Our Heroes, which worked with members of Congress and the military to obtain the necessary paperwork. But he never shook the feeling of wartime dread. Even today, as Clanton talks of his wartime experience in Europe, you sense its still there. They showed us a movie before we landed off the boat on the English Channel, he recalled. The name of it was Kill or Be Killed. They were showing us this movie where the Germans were taking the American soldiers and doing all kinds of bad things to them. The Thursday arrest of a 26-year-old undocumented man in Prairie du Chien has placed the federal debate about immigration policies at the heart of local discussion. Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, 26, of Venezuela, was arrested Sept. 5 by police in Prairie du Chien. He was booked into Crawford County Jail for two counts of second-degree sexual assault, two counts of domestic battery and count one each of strangulation/suffocation and physical abuse of a child. Police say Coronel Zarate had warrants from Dane County for strangulation/suffocation, false imprisonment, battery and disorderly conduct. Coronel Zarate is being held on $10,000 cash bail and has an initial court appearance set for Sept. 19. Third District U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden blamed the incident on the open border immigration polices of the Biden administration. This is a direct result of horrible democratic policies. The open border is a kitchen table issue here in Wisconsin. We must secure our nation or more of our citizens will be brutalized. @RebeccaforWI fully supports Harris the Border Tsar. Remember in November https://t.co/Oe5SAAcLwd Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) September 6, 2024 This is a direct result of horrible (D)emocratic policies, Van Orden posted on his X account. We must secure our nation or more of our citizens will be brutalized. Van Orden, a Prairie du Chien Republican, is running for re-election in a competitive race against Democrat Rebecca Cooke. During a Zoom press conference Monday, Van Orden said Coronel Zarate entered the U.S. at El Paso, Texas, and has been arrested and released twice once in Minneapolis and once in Dane County. He said Coronel Zarate is part of of a larger problem. This is a kitchen table issue ..., Van Orden said. Under the border czar (Kamala) Harris and the Biden Administration, theyve allowed 15 million illegal aliens into the country in a 3-year period of time. Its the largest influx of people entering this country in the history of our nation. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump also mentioned Coronel Zarates arrest Saturday during a campaign rally in Mosinee. He described the suspect as a bad guy who belonged to a savage Venezuelan gang. Bad guy. Shouldnt be in the country. Came out of jail. Came out of jail in his country. I will get these monster criminals out of Wisconsin. I will get them out of our country, Trump said. Cooke said in a statement Monday, Violence like this has no place in western Wisconsin. We need to keep our communities safe. For too long Democrats and Republicans have played politics on this issue. Ill work with anyone to secure our border. Prairie du Chien police chief Kyle Teynor said in a press release the incident occurred on the 300 block of East Wells Street. He said Coronel Zarate knew the victim, an adult female, and that the assault was not a random event. Teynor said a female juvenile was also inside the house and appeared to be injured during the altercation. He also said Coronel Zarate is suspected of being affiliated with Tren de Aragua, which he described as a transnational criminal organization known for trafficking humans, drugs and firearms. This incident highlights the need to be aware of the dangers that affiliates of these transnational criminal organizations pose to our communities, Teynor said. Violence towards others, no matter the circumstances, cannot be tolerated in our community. Our agency remains committed to holding violent actors accountable for their criminal offenses. Van Orden said Coronel Zarates gang affiliation was clear by his tattoos but allowed to enter the country anyway. Teynor said Coronel Zarate was found with fictitious IDs, including a fake Social Secuirty card. He said federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials has been notified of the arrest. David Avila pauses to collect himself while testifying at a sentencing hearing for Christian Alexander Moreno and wife Abilene Schnieder. Their dogs attacked Avila, who lived across the street from them, in September 2022. Months later, two of the couple's pit bulls killed Air Force veteran Ramon Najera Jr., 81. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News In a photo shown in court, trash and an open gate are seen outside the home of Christian Alexander Moreno and wife Abilene Schnieder. Two of the couple's pit bulls left their property and fatally mauled Air Force veteran Ramon Najera Jr., 81. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News David Avila, left, points to where he lived across the street from Christian Alexander Moreno and wife Abilene Schnieder. The couples dogs attacked Avila in September 2022. Months later, two of their pit bulls killed Air Force veteran Ramon Najera Jr., 81. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News David Avila lived across the street from Christian Alexander Moreno and wife Abilene Schnieder and was attacked by their dogs. This photo of an injury to Avila's leg was introduced in court at a sentencing hearing for the couple. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Christian Alexander Moreno, right, and wife Abilene Schnieder, both 32, are awaiting sentencing in the death of Ramon Najera Jr., 81. Najera, an Air Force veteran, was fatally mauled by the couple's pit bulls. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Jorge Aristotelidis, defense attorney for Christian Alexander Moreno, ponders a question during a sentencing hearing for Moreno and his wife, Abilene Schnieder. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News David Avila, left, shows prosecutor Raul Jordan where he lived across the street from Christian Alexander Moreno and wife Abilene Schnieder. The couples dogs attacked Avila in September 2022. Months later, two of their pit bulls killed Air Force veteran Ramon Najera Jr., 81. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Mario Cardenas Jr., brother of Abilene Schnieder, grimaces as he testifies at a sentencing hearing for his sister and her husband, Christian Alexander Moreno. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Abilene Schnieder and her husband, Christian Alexander Moreno, are awaiting sentencing in the death of Ramon Najera Jr., 81. Najera, an Air Force veteran, was fatally mauled by the couple's pit bulls. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Fernando Esparza testifies that he was attacked by dogs belonging to Christian Alexander Moreno and wife Abilene Schnieder. The couple are awaiting sentencing in the death of Ramon Najera Jr., 81, an Air Force veteran who was fatally mauled by their pit bulls. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Deborah Flores testifies that dogs belonging to Christian Alexander Moreno and wife Abilene Schnieder regularly jumped over her fence, and that she saw the animals attack people in the neighborhood. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News David Terrones, a witness to the fatal pit bull attack on Air Force veteran Ramon Najera Jr., 81, testifies at a sentencing hearing for the dogs' owners, Christian Alexander Moreno and wife Abilene Schnieder. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Christian Alexander Moreno, right, and wife Abilene Schnieder, both 32, are awaiting sentencing in the death of Ramon Najera Jr., 81. Najera, an Air Force veteran, was fatally mauled by the couple's pit bulls. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Christian Alexander Moreno, right, and wife Abilene Schnieder, both 32, are awaiting sentencing in the death of Ramon Najera Jr., 81. Najera, an Air Force veteran, was fatally mauled by the couple's pit bulls. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A neighbor of the San Antonio couple whose pit bulls killed an elderly Air Force veteran described in court Monday the horror of witnessing the unprovoked attack, one in a string of dog maulings across the city last year. David Terrones, who lived several doors down from the dogs' owners, testified that he heard people screaming and "yelling at the top of their lungs" before he went outside to investigate on Feb. 24, 2023. The scene in the 2800 block of Depla Street on San Antonio's West Side was shocking. A dark-colored pit bull was biting Ramon Najera Jr., 81, ferociously. Advertisement Article continues below this ad RELATED: Grisly new details emerge in deadly dog attack on Air Force veteran Najera "was covered with blood," Terrones testified. "He was standing, falling to the ground. His face was just full of blood." A short distance away, a white dog was attacking Najera's wife, Juanita "Janie," then 74, as she lay prone on the ground between the curb and the couple's car. Terrones said he yelled at her to cover her head, then grabbed a hose and sprayed at the dogs, trying to interrupt their frenzy. These details emerged Monday at a hearing to determine what punishment should be imposed on the dogs' owners, Christian Alexander Moreno, and his wife, Abilene Schnieder, for Ramon Najera's death. Moreno and Schnieder, both 32, negotiated a plea bargain last month to avoid facing trial in the case. They pleaded guilty to dangerous dog attack causing death, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A separate charge of recklessly causing bodily injury to an elderly person Najera's wife was dismissed as part of the plea deal. Janie Najera was injured in the attack but survived. Air Force veteran Ramon Najera Jr., 81, was killed by two pit bulls that escaped from a yard on San Antonio's West Side. Najera and his wife were visiting a friend who lived next door. One of the animals ripped a dialysis shunt from Najera's body as he struggled to escape. Courtesy photo/Raymond Najera State District Judge Velia Meza is scheduled to sentence the couple Sept. 20. Testimony over the appropriate punishment began Monday and is expected to last all week. Prosecutors have said they will seek the maximum 20-year sentence for both defendants. As an alternative to incarceration, the judge could sentence Moreno and Schnieder to up to 10 years of probation. They also could be fined up to $10,000 each. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'Stream of blood' The gruesome mauling part of which was captured on video sparked public outrage over San Antonios long-standing problem with aggressive dogs. It led to stepped-up enforcement by San Antonio Animal Care Services, along with a bigger budget and increased staffing for the city agency. Several witnesses testified Monday that Moreno's and Schnieder's pit bulls repeatedly escaped their fenced yard and ran loose around the neighborhood during the 18-month period preceding the fatal attack. They described how the chain-link fence at Moreno's and Schnieder's home was in poor repair and wasn't adequate to keep their dogs in the yard. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two witnesses said they were bitten by the couple's pit bulls in the months before the deadly mauling. Moreno and Schnieder showed no emotion, listening quietly to the testimony. A neighbor who lived across the street from them testified that their pit bulls came onto his property, attacked him and drew blood on Sept. 11, 2022, about five months before Najera's death. "I was shaking. I was really upset," David Avila, 29, recalled. "I had a stream of blood going down my leg." He said the fence around the dog owners' yard was in poor repair, had gaps at ground level and was tied together with string or wire in places. A gate at the driveway sometimes was left wide open, Avila said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When prosecutor Raul Jordan asked him to describe the attack, Avila requested a moment to compose himself, grew tearful and put a hand over his eyes during a long silence. Avila said he had gone into the street to collect his compost bin when the couple's dogs barked at him aggressively and then followed him onto his fenced property. His 5-year-old daughter was outside at the time, and he yelled at her to go in the house, he said. Avila said he appealed to the defendants' children to control the dogs but they didn't take any action. "Those dogs were trespassing onto my property at that point and attacking me," he said. 'State of shock' Avila recalled how, months later, he was at a tire shop when one of his siblings called to tell him about the fatal attack on Najera. "I found it tragic, just really sad," he said. "I was in a state of shock." Prosecutors showed the court a photograph of a handwritten sign that had been displayed above Moreno's and Schnieder's carport, directing profanity toward anyone who had called police, child protective services or the mayor's office about the couple. Another neighbor, Fernando Esparza, testified that he had been attacked by Moreno's and Schnieder's dogs. A third neighbor, Deborah Flores, 37, who lived on a nearby street, said the couple's dogs repeatedly trespassed on her yard and carport. She provided surveillance videos showing the dogs wandering onto her property. Flores said she saw the dogs attack another man, who wasn't identified, in front of her house in the 900 block of Darby Boulevard, biting him while he was on the ground. Flores said she warned Moreno she would take action to protect her home and her children if necessary, but that he ignored her. Schnieder's brother, Mario Cardona Jr., 26, provided emotional testimony about how he abruptly left his sister's and brother-in-law's home after living with them off and on for several weeks. Cardona said Moreno accused him of stealing money before pulling out a gun and telling him to get out of the house, Cardona said. Moreno "held a gun to my chest," Cardona said. "At least three feet range. I was scared." He said Moreno's parting words were: "Just get out ... Don't ever come back again." Cardona said he left immediately and never reported the incident to police. "Because you don't turn your back on family," he said. Cardona denied that he stole any money. He also rejected a defense attorney's suggestion that he had acted inappropriately with the couple's daughters. 'Help him! Oh my gosh!' Najera and his wife lived in Leon Valley at the time of the attack. They had driven to the West Side neighborhood to visit the home of a friend who lived next door to Moreno and Schnieder. The Najeras' friend is a seamstress, and they wanted to drop off a pair of trousers for her to hem. The dogs attacked Janie Najera while she was on her friends property. The animals then turned on her husband. Cellphone video shot by a bystander who tried to help Ramon Najera shows one of the pit bulls ripping a dialysis shunt from his body before he collapsed face-down and lost consciousness. One neighbor tried to end the mauling with a rake. Another drove up and sounded her car horn to frighten the dogs, to no avail. A passenger in the car can be heard on the video screaming, Help him! Oh my gosh! Firefighters arrived before the police and had to stand on top of the Najeras' car, using axes and poles to fend off the dogs. The animals bit a San Antonio Fire Department captain and a neighbor. In court on Monday, when prosecutors played video of the fire department personnel under siege by the dogs, Schnieder stared resolutely down at the defense table, one hand pressed to her temple. Moreno stared unflinchingly at the screen. Ramon Najera suffered bone-exposing bite and skin and muscle-shredding wounds on his arms and other parts of his body, court records show. He was pronounced dead at University Hospital. His wife was hospitalized for several days recovering from severe lacerations to her right leg. Both dogs that attacked the couple and a third that ran loose on the street during the incident were later euthanized by Animal Care Services. The attack on the Najeras was one in a series of such incidents in San Antonio last year. In August 2023, a neighbors dogs attacked an elderly man on the West Side, causing injuries so severe that doctors amputated both of the mans legs. Max De Los Santos, then 76, was on his own property when the canines besieged him. He had gone to his driveway to look for his keys. The dogs shredded De Los Santos right leg, exposing tendons, muscles and bone from the knee to the foot. They ravaged the back of his left leg, tore gaping holes in his right arm and ripped off part of his right ear. In September 2023, Paul Anthony Striegl Jr., 47, was attacked by a dog that escaped from his next-door neighbors yard in a trailer park on the Northeast Side. Striegl was rushed to Brooke Army Medical Center, where he died weeks later of complications from the attack. Governor Tim Walz's campaign rally for Monday is now postponed due to the ongoing Davis Fire. The Harris-Walz campaign tells 2 News that Walz will still come to Reno but his campaign rally is postponed. "We will continue to work with federal, state and local partners to monitor the situation, and we urge the impacted communities to heed the evacuation and safety guidance from local authorities." ORIGINAL STORY: Governor Tim Walz is scheduled to be in Reno on Monday as part of the Harris-Walz campaign's 'Sun Belt State Tour.' Governor Walz is planning to be flying into Reno-Tahoe International Airport on Monday afternoon, where he'll be met by the press. At 5:30 p.m. the governor will deliver remarks at a Harris-Walz campaign rally in Reno. The Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate will be visiting Texas, Nevada and Arizona during the tour, which marks his first solo travel to the Sun Belt since becoming Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate. After leaving Reno, Governor Walz will be heading to Las Vegas before continuing to Arizona. James Earl Jones was 5 years old, living in rural Mississippi with his maternal grandparents in the bleak aftermath of the Great Depression, when it happened. The household numbered 13, so someone had the idea to take the boy out of state to live with another relative in order to ease the burden, he would later say. But when they got there, the child hung on to the car and refused to let go. As he later remembered, It was the only way I could express that I wanted to be with them. They accepted that. Members only Soon, Jones moved with the family to Michigan. But the transition and the earlier trauma of separation had been so acute that he developed a stutter, and then he just quit talking. From ages 5 to 14, he remained essentially mute. When he finally found his voice, Jones, whose death on Monday at his home in Dutchess County, New York, was confirmed by his reps, would use it to become one of the most lauded actors of his time on stage, in film, on television and even as the sound of a cable news channel (This is CNN). His baritone, remarkable and unmistakable, carried authority, spoke of rare experience and commanded respect. Deep, rumbling, august, as one journalist described it. Its the sound Moses might have heard when addressed by God. He used it memorably in voice roles such as Mufasa in The Lion King (1994) and as Darth Vader, the galactic villain from Star Wars (1977), though he was uncredited for the first two films in this franchise. To give the character a maximum dark-side effect, director George Lucas told Jones, Go as low as you can. James Earl Jones, left, and Darth Vader at the "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" charity premiere at Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York. Jim Spellman/WireImage/Getty Images Jones, whose solemn appearance often hid a self-deprecating sense of humor, had fun with it. Once, traveling cross-country soon after the first Star Wars came out, I used Darth as my handle on the CB radio, he told The New York Times. The truck drivers would really freak out for them, it was Darth Vader. I had to stop doing that. One of the few honorary EGOT winners someone who has earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award, though his 2011 Oscar, for Lifetime Achievement, was an honorary award Jones was a pioneering Black performer in the 1960s, when the civil rights movement was at its most turbulent. A Bexar County judge ordered that a 12-year-old accused of threatening 'mass violence' against San Antonio schools will remain in custody. seng kui Lim / 500px/Getty Images/500px A judge ordered that the 12-year-old San Antonio boy charged with threatening mass violence against area schools remain in custody. 386th Juvenile District Court Judge Jacqueline Jackie Valdes chose not to place the boy on probation, which would have allowed his parents to take him home. Valdes also ordered a risk and psychological evaluation. The juveniles next court appearance will be in two weeks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His arrest came hours after the San Antonio Independent School District and other districts advised parents of a threat against campuses. The boy was arrested Sunday in the 1700 block of South Hamilton Avenue and charged with seven counts of making terroristic threats, one for each school. Under the Texas Penal Code, a terroristic threat is one intended to place someone in fear of imminent, serious bodily injury. The San Antonio Police Department, the Texas Rangers and several school district police departments worked together to identify the suspect and bring him into custody, police said. They were assisted by the Southwest Texas Fusion Center, a multiagency intelligence hub overseen by SAPD. Police released an image of an Instagram post allegedly written by the suspect, which listed seven schools and said: B ready ya school getting shot no Kap 100%. No Kap is slang for no lie. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The backdrop was a photo of an assault-style rifle. Police found no weapons in the juveniles home, and officers affirm the threat was not credible, the San Antonio Independent School District said in a message to parents later Sunday night. Of the schools listed in the social media post, four are in San Antonio ISD: Tafolla Middle School, Ramiro P. Estrada Achievement Center, Rhodes Middle School and Sarah S. King Elementary School. Also listed were Alonso S. Perales Elementary School, part of Edgewood ISD, and Abraham Kazen Middle School in South San Antonio ISD. A seventh targeted school was identified as Idea School, an apparent reference to one of the many campuses in the IDEA charter schools network. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Antonio-area school districts said Sunday night that social media posts threatening violence against schools appeared not to be credible. Some districts are bolstering campus security anyway. Ajax9/Getty Images/iStockphoto San Antonio police have arrested a 12-year-old they said used social media to make threats of "mass violence" against seven schools in the area. The suspect was arrested at 8 p.m. Sunday on the near West Side, hours after San Antonio-area school districts announced that they were beefing up security in response to menacing social media posts. The San Antonio Police Department, the Texas Rangers and several school district police departments collaborated in a crash effort to identify the suspect and bring him into custody, police said. They were assisted by the Southwest Texas Fusion Center, a multiagency intelligence hub overseen by SAPD. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sgt. Washington Moscoso, an SAPD spokesman, said the 12-year-old, who was not identified, "was successfully apprehended without incident and charged with seven counts of felony terroristic threat." Police released an image of an Instagram post allegedly written by the suspect, which listed seven schools and said: B ready ya school getting shot no Kap 100%." No Kap is slang for no lie. The backdrop was a photo of an assault-style rifle. Police found no weapons in the child's home, "and officers affirm the threat was not credible," the San Antonio Independent School District said in a message to parents later Sunday night. Of the schools listed in the social media post, four are in San Antonio ISD: Tafolla Middle School, Ramiro P. Estrada Achievement Center, Rhodes Middle School and Sarah S. King Elementary School. Also listed were Alonso S. Perales Elementary School, part of Edgewood ISD, and Abraham Kazen Middle School in South San Antonio ISD. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A seventh targeted school was identified simply as Idea School, an apparent reference to one of the many campuses in the IDEA charter schools network. The suspect was arrested in the 1700 block of South Hamilton Avenue and charged with seven counts of making terroristic threats, one for each school. Under the Texas Penal Code, a terroristic threat is one intended to place someone in fear of imminent, serious bodily injury. The basic offense is a misdemeanor but becomes a third-degree felony under certain conditions, including when the threat is intended to "place the public or a substantial group of the public in fear of serious bodily injury." "SAPD wants to remind parents to monitor their children's social media activity," Moscoso said. "The SAPD takes all threats seriously and will arrest when any laws are broken." Earlier Sunday, SAPD and San Antonio ISD released statements that sought to assure parents that the social media threat was not credible, while promising extra vigilance and a stronger law enforcement presence just in case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Our SAISD Police Department investigated this activity in collaboration with area law enforcement, including SAPD, and at this time, it is determined not to be a credible threat," the school district said. The statement added, however, that "as a precaution, we are enhancing police presence around our campuses this week to ensure everyones safety." San Antonio ISD said it had received tips about the social media post through P3 Campus, an anonymous reporting system. The district encouraged members of the public to continue to use the system to report suspicious activity. "Look for the button on the district webpage, or the banner on each campus webpage," the district said in a Facebook post. A parent commenting on the post said she had seen the threatening message Sunday morning on Instagram. "It makes me not want to send him to school," she wrote, referring to her son. Another parent commented: "What is going to be done in schools to make us feel safe about dropping off our kids to school tomorrow morning?" Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a message sent to families after the arrest of the 12-year-old suspect Sunday night, Laura Short, SAISD's chief communications officer, said: "We take all potential threats seriously, and we will continue to take additional safety measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff." Short encouraged parents "to consider having conversations at home about responsible use of social media." The two-track official response earlier in the day downplaying the threat while promising added security reflected the challenges school districts and law enforcement agencies face in an era of frequent threats against schools and sporadic deadly shootings. Last week, a 14-year-old student allegedly shot and killed two fellow students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga. In May 2022, in the worst school shooting in Texas history, an 18-year-old armed with an assault-style rifle killed 19 fourth-graders and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Apparel Group, one of the retail and lifestyle powerhouses in India, has announced its strategic franchise collaboration with Carrefour, marking an important milestone in Carrefours launch into the Indian market. This partnership is poised to introduce Carrefours exclusive brands initially in North India with plans for a nationwide expansion. The first Carrefour locations are planned to open in NCR Region in 2025. The Apparel Group, founded in 1996 in Dubai, is a leading player in the apparel retail and food and beverage (F&B) sectors. With over 24,000 employees, the group manages a portfolio of 85+ brands and operates over 2,300 stores across 14 countries spread across the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia & Africa. Apparel Group is well-established in India, boasting a network of over 250 stores across more than 35 cities and 15 states. Building on this extensive market presence, Apparel Group is now expanding its footprint by partnering with Carrefour and introducing the renowned brand to the Indian consumers. This strategic move marks a significant step in Apparel Group's growth, leveraging its deep market knowledge and infrastructure to bring Carrefour's renowned global retail experience to new regions across the country. Nilesh Ved, Owner of Apparel Group & Chairman of AppCorp Holding said: We are extremely proud and excited to announce our partnership with Carrefour, one of the world's leading retailers. In a very dynamic and rapidly changing market for food retail, we plan to open our first Carrefour stores during the summer of 2025. This partnership represents a significant step in strengthening our position in India. Our goal is clear: to offer the best products at very attractive prices to all Indian customers and make Carrefour their preferred choice for shopping. Patrick Lasfargues, Carrefour's Executive Director of International Partnership, said Thanks to this partnership, we are very happy to launch in India and grow our footprint in one of the fastest growing economies in the world. We will be expanding with multiple formats across the country to adapt to this dynamic countrys retail landscape. India is now the cornerstone of the Carrefour International Partnership 2026 development plan, marking a significant step forward in our strategy to expand into over 10 new countries by 2026. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Carrefour's growth in the region, while reinforcing Apparel Group's strong market position. Chinese visitors answer Africa's call of the wild 09:23, September 09, 2024 By Cheng Si ( China Daily Tourists take a hot air balloon ride over Serengeti National Park in Tanzania in July. (CHINA DAILY) Tourism experts are optimistic about the growth of China's outbound travel to Africa, fueled by deepening cooperation and Chinese travelers' emerging passion for exotic destinations. Travel industry statistics for the recently completed summer holiday period, from early July to late August, showed positive results. Qunar, a travel portal, said that flight bookings from China to Africa for the period increased 1.2-fold year-on-year, with the top destinations being Egypt, Tanzania, Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa. Qunar said the diversity of natural landscapes and the variety of cultural and natural attractions, such as the majestic pyramids in Egypt and the great migration of animals, are enticing more Chinese tourists. Additional flights and more friendly visa policies have also increased the continent's attractiveness for Chinese visitors, it said. Tanzania's breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary wildlife are still vivid in the mind of 35-year-old Sui Qing. A livestreaming anchor in Shanghai, Sui spent 10 days traveling through the East African country in late May with six friends. Tourism experts are optimistic about the growth of China's outbound travel to Africa, fueled by deepening cooperation and Chinese travelers' emerging passion for exotic destinations. Travel industry statistics for the recently completed summer holiday period from early July to late August showed positive results. Qunar, a travel portal, said that flight bookings from China to Africa for the period increased 1.2-fold year-on-year, with the top destinations being Egypt, Tanzania, Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa. Qunar said the diversity of natural landscapes and the variety of exotic cultural and natural attractions, such as the majestic pyramids in Egypt and the great migration of animals, are enticing more Chinese tourists. Additional flights and more friendly visa policies have also increased the continent's attractiveness for Chinese visitors, it said. Tanzania's breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary wildlife are still vivid in the mind of 35-year-old Sui Qing. A livestreaming anchor in Shanghai, Sui spent 10 days traveling through the East African country in late May with six friends. "Africa has been one of my dream travel destinations ever since I was a kid," she said. "I planned to go there when I was in college but failed to do so because I didn't save enough money. "I've traveled to Russia, Spain, France, and many other European destinations after making a good living in recent years, and I decided to go to Africa to fulfill the wish of the younger me," she said. Sui said most of the travel expenses went on the flights and accommodation, which came to about 50,000 yuan ($7,000) per person. "My friends and I booked a tailored group tour for our safety, and we all thought the trip was worth the money. We got very professional services both from the hotel staff and tour guides, who were kind and friendly to us Chinese people," she said. "I saw many animals like lions, zebras, and elephants at very close range, and I wanted to cry when I saw these animals how beautiful and amazing nature is." Sui said the group traveled during a relatively slack tourism period in Tanzania, and the prices of flights and accommodation may have doubled for the great migration of animals, which started in June. Chinese tourists are welcomed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Feb 11, 2023. (Photo/Xinhua) Rich attractions Africa has grown rapidly in popularity with the Chinese public over the past 15 years, thanks to deepening cooperation with China on the economy, education, and technology, experts and tourism industry insiders said. This has piqued the interest of more travelers from the mainland wanting to experience Africa in person, they added. "China's outbound tourism to Africa started to scale upward around 2010 because of the addition of flights and optimized visa policies to the continent," said Yang Jinsong, director of the International Institute of the China Tourism Academy. "Educational programs aired on some state-run channels popularizing knowledge about Africa and its landscape have also stimulated people's curiosity and yearning to travel there." African countries' increased involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative for more than a decade has also burnished their reputation and popularity with Chinese people, which has benefited the continent's tourism industry. Li Peng, who is in charge of long-distance tours for travel portal Tuniu, said Africa has attracted more adventurous young Chinese travelers in recent years. Middle-aged travelers with deep pockets and overseas travel experience used to be the main Chinese tourists to Africa. Flights between China and Africa had been steadily increasing until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in late 2019. "As tourism destinations have resumed operations in the post-epidemic era, so have the flights," said Li. "So far, the number of nonstop flights between China and Africa has recovered to roughly 40 to 50 percent of the level in 2019. We've seen outbound tourism to the continent make a good recovery from November last year," he added. In 2023, the number of overall international travelers to South Africa surged, according to official statistics from the country. Of those travelers, 37,000 were Chinese, marking a year-on-year rise of 205.5 percent. Tanzania has also seen a jump in Chinese tourists from 34,000 in 2019 to 44,000 last year. "Africa has abundant tourism resources both natural and cultural," Li said. "For example, northern Africa is rich in cultural relics and views like the pyramids in Egypt and the Sahara Desert. The eastern part of the continent is famous for its natural vistas and spectacular migrations of wild animals. Southern Africa has diversified landscapes including deserts, coastal views and grassland, offering Chinese travelers multiple cultural and nature experiences," he said. Li said destinations including Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Namibia have gained in popularity with Chinese travelers in recent years thanks to popular TV programs. Visitors from China pose for a photo in front of the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, in October. (Photo/Xinhua) Improvements needed Africa, however, still faces problems when it comes to safety and adequate tourism infrastructure and services. High on the list of concerns are not enough quality hotels, inadequate Wi-Fi coverage, and traffic problems. "Safety is the most important issue for travelers," said Yang Jinsong, from the China Tourism Academy. "The emergency response in some African countries whenever travelers encounter a dangerous situation still needs some effort to improve. Also, higher prices for flight tickets, accommodation, and short-range transport within the continent, may also hamper its tourism growth," he said, adding that language barriers caused by many African countries using French, may be an additional inconvenience for Chinese travelers. However, Yang remains bullish on future tourism exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa. "Many African countries, such as Mauritius and Morocco, have visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies for Chinese people, and the people there are very friendly and kind to Chinese people," he said, adding that deeper and closer cooperation on the economy, culture, and other sectors will consolidate the continent's attractiveness to Chinese people. Yang is confident that travel costs from the Chinese mainland to Africa will drop in the near future due to the expansion of bilateral exchanges. "Africa is a young continent with much greater economic potential yet to be fully tapped that is in the process of urbanization and industrialization," he said. "So, tourism products and services will see their costs decrease during the continent's development," Yang added. African tourist destinations have also made greater efforts to win over more Chinese tourists by adding additional flights, organizing promotions, and optimizing visa policies to make it easier for Chinese travelers to access the continent, he said. South Africa, for example, is planning to increase the number of return flights to the Chinese mainland from three times a week to one a day. It is also organizing exhibitions in several major Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, to promote its attractions. Hu Juanjuan, trade relations manager for South African Tourism, told a recent forum in Beijing that the number of Chinese travelers to South Africa had recovered to 60 percent of the pre-pandemic level. The country's tourism bureau has set a target of attracting over 50,000 Chinese tourists in the 2024-25 fiscal year, and hopes to get the number back to the 2019 level by 2026, Hu said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Hollywood actor Tony Plana, at right, shares a laugh with, from left, actors Catherine Lee, Wanda Webbe and Bill Gundry before taking the stage for the Seniors in Play show at the Doris Griffins Senior Center in San Antonio in 2018. Plana and Gundry helped lead the acting workshop for adults 65 and older. The nonprofit will be featured in the annual San AnTONY awards at the Tobin Center on Sept. 17. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News Seniors in Play members Mary Williams and Bob Hall take part in one of the classes the nonprofit program offers at 13 senior centers in San Antonio. Photo Courtesy of Seniors in Play Last year, Rosemary Ybanez Livar brought the crowd to its feet when she closed the San AnTONY awards show at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. The annual event celebrates community support and talent in programs such as Seniors in Play, a nonprofit for older residents that the film and television actor Tony Plana founded in 2017. Livar, a member, helped Plana set up the program and performed that night under her stage name, Roze, delivering a rap song she wrote titled, I aint never been old. About the author A 22-year veteran of the Air Force, Vincent T. Davis embarked on a second career as a journalist and found his calling. Observing and listening across San Antonio, he finds intriguing tales to tell about everyday people. He shares his stories with Express-News subscribers every Monday morning. Open up your mind, she rhymed to a startled audience. Theres no crime in getting old. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Livar described aches and isolation, the evolving color of hair, how change and growth has kept her young. She reveled in the here and now, not longing for days when she wore miniskirts or hot pants. Livar ended on an upbeat call for older folks to stand tall and be thankful to be alive. The crowd applauded her delivery of a musical style not often associated with someone her age. Its important we accept who we are today and stop wishing for days gone by, Livar, 68, said by phone. And celebrate who we are now. On Sept. 17, Livar will be back in the glow of stage lights at the Tobin with fellow members of Seniors in Play. The awards show, from 6-9 p.m., will celebrate seniors, senior centers, teachers, volunteers and donors who make the program possible. Plana will host, introducing a special guest, actor and San Antonio native Jesse Borrego. This years honorees are Erika Prosper, the First Lady of San Antonio, George Hernandez, former president/CEO of University Health System, and Bexar County Precinct 2 Commissioner Justin Rodriguez. Information is available from Denise Thieme, the nonprofits development director, at 210-201-3858 or by email at Dthieme@seniorsinplay.org. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sponsors include Community First Health Plans, Frost Bank, the Alamo Colleges Foundation, H-E-B, UT Health San Antonio, University Health and Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Seniors in Play has helped older residents find their second act. Members already have served their country, taught younger generations or toiled in a variety of jobs. Theyve had successful careers, raised families and contributed to society. Now, many are tapping into creativity long unused, dormant or never realized. Plana and his team use the performing arts to help members develop their well-being, maintain cognitive health and focus on creativity in a social setting. Currently, free classes are offered at 13 senior centers in San Antonio. Plana uses improvisation and reflects on personal stories to create a safe space. Having them share their own experiences opens up that window to them, Plana said. Thats where the real connection happens, where they reap the rewards of coming into this newly formed family. I call this the rewards of rigor because youve applied yourself to the discipline, to the process. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For more than four decades, Planas career has put him in more than 200 films or television shows, including Officer and a Gentleman, JFK and Ugly Betty. Plana and his wife were invited to San Antonio to tour WellMed senior centers and see programs available to seniors. He felt something was missing and wanted to offer a creative outlet at the centers. Hed done the same thing in Los Angeles, working with youngsters, for 16 years. I remembered the transformative power this experience had with the children, Plana said. There was this whole collaborative creative experience of working with other kids and using their imagination to create something that didnt exist before and sharing with others. Livar belongs to the Ambassador Group thats been together since the program began. A cousin, who starred with Plana in Three Amigos, asked her to introduce the actor around San Antonio. A high point was working with the late Bill Gundry, a director Livar said made everyone feel as they were his best friend. During the pandemic, the program was sustained with online Zoom classes. Livar's only regret is that a friend wasnt able to join the program before she passed weeks ago. I dont want to leave anyone in San Antonio behind, she said. Tony Plana is trying to close that gap. Its important, we are important and Im grateful hes brought this to our city. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bob Hall shared his appreciation for the experience after a recent rehearsal for the awards show. A retired Navy veteran, he got involved with the program in 2019, when he saw a sign at the Bob Ross Senior Center while at a water aerobics class. Hall gave it a shot and loved it. He backs Planas dream to get seniors involved with reading, writing and being mobile. Hall has played several stage roles, including a magical fairy that was a stretch, he said to one of several guys drinking beer on a riverbank. Outside of the group, his first performance was at the Overtime Theater, where he played a cowboy who was a ghost. Its like a community, Hall, 68, said. Its fun to get on stage and pretend to be somebody Im not. I like the concept of getting older folks to stretch beyond their comfort zones. ... I like seeing older people say I can do this. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Livar is ready to rhyme once again about being free and loving her age. This year, San AnTONY producers asked her for an encore of her rap performance. The program has taken her acting to another level, Livar said. Shes done a music video with her husband and was chosen for a small role in an independent film. BIBA, one of the leading womens wear brands in India, founded by Meena Bindra in 1988, has unveiled a new ad film announcing its collaboration with actress and fashion icon Kriti Sanon. The partnership speaks of BIBAs commitment to honouring and paying tribute to Indias heritage and rich cultural roots amid the introduction of modern-day and contemporary designs. The ad film, titled Theres something BIBA about her, captures the true spirit of BIBA as a brand, where every outfit is crafted so that it becomes the meeting point of modernity with traditions. The ad film shows Kriti Sanon taking the audiences on a culturally enriching journey with a twist of modernity and the easy-going fashion trends of the 21st century. Sanon is seen to be adorned with gorgeous and colourful BIBA outfits crafted in exquisite designs. It further portrays the photographers asking her about the designer (making the connotation towards some well-known designer), and it then takes the viewers through the journey of the artisans who meticulously create such handcrafted aesthetic designs each day and bring out the BIBA in every woman. The ad concludes by narrating When she owns her roots with such grace, there is something BIBA about her, equating BIBA to our roots and heritage. Watch the ad film: In conversation with Adgully, Siddharath Bindra, Managing Director, BIBA, speaks about the concept and the creative thought behind the new campaign launched by BIBA, the message that the film is trying to convey, the reason for the collaboration with actress Kriti Sanon as the brand ambassador. He also discusses the TG for the campaign along with its marketing/ media mix strategy, what forms the core of the creative communication process at BIBA, the plans of BIBA for the festive season this year, and more. Could you take us through the concept and the thought behind the new campaign launched by BIBA? What is the message the ad film is trying to convey and how does it aim to resonate with the audiences? What does the tagline Theres something BIBA about her stand for? Our latest campaign is all about paying homage to our Indian roots and how the spirit of BIBA encapsulates tradition with modernity in every collection. We have partnered with the Bollywood fashion sensation Kriti Sanon for the same, as she is a BIBA woman in every way. Through this campaign, we are showcasing our commitment to honouring Indian heritage while introducing contemporary and modern designs. We are celebrating the spirit of the modern Indian woman of today who is not only independent and successful, but also does not shy away from embracing Indian culture. The tagline, Theres something BIBA about her, celebrates the woman and how she gracefully balances tradition with a modern flair, when she inspires everyone around her with her compassion, when she rises to the top while staying connected to her roots she is a reflection of what BIBA stands for and hence, there is something BIBA about her. What was the reason for the collaboration with actress Kriti Sannon as the brand ambassador for the campaign? How does this decision reflect the evolving brand identity of BIBA and what does it imply for the brands future? We had to choose a person who embodies BIBAs values and spirit. It was not just about collaborating with a famous personality, but with someone whose persona and journey so far reflects what BIBA stands for. Kriti Sanon embodies the spirit of BIBA holistically balancing tradition with a contemporary twist. She brings forth an authentic personality in an empowered state, inspiring many young women who are wearing many hats and embracing each role to the fullest. She is graceful, elegant, and has a modern sensibility all qualities that form the core of BIBA. The preferences of the Indian consumer are constantly evolving, which is reflective of the evolving identity of women today. We see a variety of styles, tastes, and choices. With the onboarding of Kriti as our new brand ambassador, our target audience has expanded to include a younger, more fashion-forward demographic while remaining connected to our core customers who value traditional wear. The ad film shows how actress Kriti Sannon owns her roots gracefully, expressing the essence of the rich cultural heritage of India blended with contemporary and modern designs. What led to the inception of this idea and how important is it to carry and own our roots wherever we go through our clothing? Through the ad film, we are celebrating fashion and the culture and heritage of India. Carrying and owning your Indian roots through clothing can be a meaningful way to connect with your heritage while expressing your identity. Clothes are a natural extension of your personality and embodying your culture through clothes is a very organic way of self-expression. India is a country that is so rich in culture and being an Indian wear brand we take a lot of inspiration from the rich heritage of our country. We feel its essential to celebrate India and we do this through our collections. What made Kriti Sanon the ideal choice for portraying the concept of the juxtaposition of tradition with modernity by wearing BIBA? Kriti is a beautiful amalgamation of traditional values and modern sensibilities. She is grounded and rooted in Indian culture despite being so successful and independent. As a personification of traditions and modernity, we felt she was an ideal fit who would resonate well with our core audience that values rich traditions and the younger lot which has a more evolved fashion sense. Which creative agency has conceptualised the campaign and what was the creative brief given to them? The campaign has been conceptualized by Enormous. The creative brief was a reflection of BIBAs ethos as it revolved around the spirit of the modern Indian woman, who is independent and successful and openly embraces her Indian culture and roots. We wanted to showcase the BIBA woman in a world of celebration infused with energy in whatever she does and wherever she goes. For her, life is full of opportunities and she believes in shining through all of it with BIBA with confidence and grace. Who is the TG for the latest campaign by BIBA and what is the marketing/ media mix strategy of the campaign? How has the TG of the BIBA evolved over the years and what does it indicate about the evolving consumer behaviour towards the womens ethnic wear industry in India? The target group for this campaign includes our core base and every woman who has an interest in Indian wear. The fashion landscape is constantly evolving and so is the woman and her choices. From following traditions to embracing them and adding their elements to revel in them the woman today has expanded her boundaries. We also see the increase in demand for fusion styles from our audiences as they take like the blend of tradition and modernity. We also see youngsters taking an interest in Indian fashion and the possibilities of creating various looks within this space. To ensure that we speak to consumers the right way, BIBA is actively using multiple approaches to connect with both our loyal audience and the younger generation. We have included digital content, influencer collaborations, and collections that seamlessly blend tradition with contemporary trends, ensuring that every woman finds a piece of her heritage in BIBA. Our media mix is a combination of offline and online activities, with a focus on digital and analytics. What forms the core of the creative communication process at BIBA, and what are the upcoming marketing campaigns/ initiatives by BIBA? BIBAs marketing plan for the upcoming year focuses on its strategic seasonal launches, with the Autumn-Winter collection leading the way, showcasing the latest in Indian wear for women. Apart from this, we are also focusing on our festive wear and wedding collections. Biba Girls is an important category for us and we have a lot of brand love from our customers. We will be focusing on this as well. What are the expectations of this campaign and how is BIBA leveraging AI, and social media to promote it and reach newer consumers through this campaign? We stay on top of social media trends and engage with younger consumers through vibrant content and collaborations with young influencers. These partnerships help enhance brand affinity and make our collections more relatable. In todays marketing landscape, influencers play a crucial role. They help bridge the gap between brands and consumers by making our products more relatable and aspirational. By bringing a personal touch they reach niche audiences which might be difficult to tap through traditional advertising. We carefully select the influencers who genuinely align with our brand values and resonate with our target audience to ensure a meaningful collaboration. This approach ensures authenticity and helps build a stronger connection with our audience. What are the plans of BIBA for the festive season this year and what is its festive marketing strategy? What are the new developments, and innovations at BIBA? Our marketing strategy for the festive season revolves around amplifying brand visibility and driving engagement through targeted digital campaigns that highlight the range BIBA has to offer. We work with and leverage various channels, including digital, print, outdoor, and in-store promotions, to create a festive buzz and connect with consumers emotionally. During this time of the year, we significantly have to increase our marketing spend to capitalize on the heightened consumer activity, ensuring that we stand out in a competitive market and maximizing our reach during the festive and wedding shopping season. The last two years have posed a challenging environment for the apparel sector, but we are optimistic the upcoming festive season will be different. We are looking forward to a strong revival and are expecting the apparel demand to bounce back this festive season. Is BIBA launching a new collection through this campaign? What is the design philosophy of this new collection and its USP? We have launched our Autumn-Winter 2024 collection, which is a celebration of Indias rich cultural heritage. It is infused with contemporary designs, vibrant colors, and luxurious fabrics, designed to cater to all three generations alike. It offers something special for every woman in the family. The collection features a diverse range of styles, from classic Indian wear to celebration wear. The designs have been thoughtfully curated blending tradition with modernity ensuring the wearer feels confident and beautiful. Additionally, the collection features modern geometric prints and fusion wear, blending tradition with contemporary trends. Also Read: BIBA unveils ad campaign celebrating Indian heritage ft Kriti Sanon Urban Company, which offers expert professional services at the doorstep, has always been on a mission to bridge the respect gap between the white-collar and blue-collar workers in India over the last one year. Workplaces are often defined in a manner that is limited to cubicles and glass cabin view, whereas the homes of people are the workplaces of millions of blue-collar workers that include UC Professionals. With its powerful storytelling and thought-provoking campaigns, Urban Company has consistently championed the cause of empathy, respect, and protecting dignity of labour, offering much support to workers from all sections of the society. They have recently launched a new film under their Dignity of Labour series after Chhota Kaam, and Chhoti Soch, which challenged the societal taboos. The third film in the series by Urban Company, titled Chhoti Baat, expresses this existing bias through a meaningful and deep conversation between a father and daughter. In the ad film, a daughter is seen sharing with her father on a video call how her boss does not let anyone work in peace, and that even if she is doing something right, it becomes wrong, which shatters her willingness to go to office. In turn, her father is shown to advise her that if her boss has no trust in her, he should do the work himself. Ironically at that time, a plumber was working at her place and her father says with concern that a plumber has come to her place and she is sitting there, suggesting that she should be around him so that he knows that somebody is watching him. Her father further states that if she is not chasing the workers constantly, no work will get done in the end. The daughter is then seen arguing that the plumber is doing his work and she does not like keeping a watch on them. The father says that her likes or dislikes do not matter as it is important to extract work out of these people, which leads the daughter to pose the question Which people?, referring to what her father just said. The daughter herself then asks her father since he is a surgeon, would he like it if the patients relatives keep checking on him in the operation theatre, asking whether everything is going fine or not. The father then responds suggesting that she is making an unnatural comparison to which she answers that she is comparing work with work. She then says that in the office her boss sits on her head and now she will sit on the plumbers head, then what will be the difference between both of them, as she does not wish to be like her boss. Further, she states that her father only told her that if she has no trust in the plumber, she can do the work herself and that it is something to think about. She then goes to see off the plumber who completes his work and receives a message from her father on the phone that it is truly something to think about. The ad Chhoti Baat then concludes that the biggest reward of all work is respect. Watch the ad films: https://youtu.be/bffSW7obMiY?si=2vf59uTAL1kwcZlu https://youtu.be/W4n3A0OLBtU?si=WiYUgQBJEzerCRcu https://youtu.be/kU3y54ybZqA?si=ZlE8-3syZUnpTUFd In conversation with Adgully, Leena Gupta, Founding Member and Creative, Talented, speaks about the concept and creative thought behind the newly launched campaign Chhoti Baat in the Dignity of Labour series, the creative brief given to Talented, the message that it is trying to convey, the expectations out of it, marketing/ media mix strategy of the campaign, what forms the core of the creative communication process at Urban Company, and more. What is the concept and thought behind the newly launched campaign in the 'Dignity of Labour' series Chhoti Baat? The Dignity of Labour series by Talented and Urban Company is three films old. With each narrative, we aim to bridge the gap between the countrys blue and white-collar workers by tackling biases that sit at the intersection of caste, class, gender, and other aspects of a persons identity. With our third film, Chhoti Baat, in the series, which we lovingly call Chhotaverse internally, we wanted to challenge the traditional perception of a workplace held by corporate India. With this film, we have also had the opportunity to move the needle towards allyship. After the last two installments, where we had the UC Professionals countering the bias head-on, in front of consumers and their families, in this film, we see the consumer taking up the responsibility and becoming an ally to our cause of dignity of labour. What was the creative brief that was given to Talented by Urban Company? The genesis of the Dignity of Labour series was a problem of brand perception. People didnt feel safe calling unknown UC Professionals to their houses for blue-collar jobs. Our research revealed that homeowners are caretakers first and homeowners second. They are fiercely protective of the status quo in their personal space. The brand needed to address their apprehensions strategically and more purposefully. We realized that this perception of being unsafe was born directly from an inherent respect gap between the countrys blue and white-collar workers. Thus, the idea of dignity of labor forms the bedrock of each film in this series, where we demonstrate that UC Professionals bring their best selves to every home; through their skill, deep training, and the inherent pride they feel towards it. What are the expectations out of the campaign Chhoti Baat by Urban Company and what is the message it is trying to convey? Around this time each year, LinkedIn is flooded with chatter about leadership in workplaces good managers, bad managers, handing-out-peanuts-in-the-name-of-increment managers. However, the very same employees who engage in discourse around leadership styles, work-life balance, and mental health, often dont make the best employers, at home. With the film Chhoti Baat, we wanted to highlight this limited glass-cabin view of workplaces. Our homes are workplaces for millions of blue-collar workers, including UC Professionals. Thus, it is our collective responsibility to make sure that our expansive vocabulary around what a toxic workplace constitutes, trickles down to our backyard, and in the way we treat our house help and support staff. Everyone deserves an environment in which they can do their life's best work, and its up to us to create one, in our own homes. Even though Urban Company is a service sector brand, where the customer always is king, we have had the wonderful opportunity of not subscribing to this motto. With every film, we have pointed out the biases and prejudices that our customers harbour, and rallied to close the respect gap between blue and white-collar workers. What is the marketing/ media mix strategy of the campaign Chhoti Baat by Urban Company and Talented? Considering the length of this film and optimizing for the best viewing experience; YouTube (including CTV) and OTT platforms lead media distribution for the Chhoti Baat campaign. However, most of our reach is built organically through influencer collaborations across LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. What forms the core of the creative communication process at Urban Company? At the heart of any good creative communication is a deep understanding of our consumers, derived from gathering insights from their app behavior, brand health measures, and most importantly, in-depth consumer immersions. Depending on the business objective, communication can differ. When optimizing for growth, the creatives focus on persuasion, based on an insight into consumers' challenges in the category that we can credibly solve. For perception shifts, we lean heavily on mirroring behaviour, language and everyday observations, to disarm unconscious biases, as has been our attempt with the Chhotaverse films. Once we have built a strong, shared understanding of the objective and insight with our creative partners, its about enabling them to deliver work that truly resonates. Could you take us through the creative conceptualization process behind the filming of the Chhoti Baat campaign by Urban Company? Every narrative that we put out as a part of the Dignity of Labour series comes from real, lived experiences. Through hours of interviewing UC Professionals, the teams at Talented and Urban Company derive insights into the various ways in which the respect gap between blue and white-collar workers exists. Headed by strategist Sai Karthik, we invest in a process called bias banking an almost anthropological survey that looks at the biases UC Professionals face, at the intersection of caste, class, gender, region, and so on. Lived experiences of these biases are then developed into scripts, in collaboration with subject matter experts. For instance, for Chhoti Baat we partnered with Balram Vishwakarma, a Bahujan storyteller who helped us tell this story with the sensitivity it deserves. How is Urban Company bridging the gap between blue-collar and white-collar employees through its Dignity of Labour campaign series? Over the last 10 years, Urban Company has been instrumental in reshaping Indias access to blue-collared services. To create a mutually beneficial platform for our two constituents, customers and service professionals, the Dignity of labour campaign series isnt just a communication platform for us, but a precondition for a sustainable business that ensures consistent year-on-year earnings growth for our partners, safety nets in the form of insurance and medical cover. Over 57,000 Urban Company Professionals have benefitted from skill training programs and accreditations, climbing the ladder to upward social mobility. With this series, we intend to create the conditions for social progress for our blue-collared partners and nudge society to see them the way we do as professionals. And with that intent, we have made progress in partner earnings, partner welfare, and their social mobility, with more details here. The largest Non-Banking Financial Company-Micro Finance Institution in the country, (NBFC-MFI) CreditAccess Grameen Limited has made the announcement of the elevation of Nilesh Dalvi, the Senior Vice President - Head of Investor Relations & ESG as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), with immediate effect. He will continue to be responsible for overseeing Investor Relations and ESG-related matters. With more than 16 years of diverse experience across India, the United States, the Middle East, and European markets, Nilesh brings a wealth of expertise to his new position. Since joining CA Grameen in 2019, he has demonstrated exceptional skills in Investor Relations, Business Planning and Budgeting, Financial Analysis & Strategy, Capital & Fund Raising, Ratings, and ESG initiatives. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) from CFA Institute, USA, holds a Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification from Global Association of Risk Professionals, USA, and a Masters degree in Finance along with a Bachelors degree in Electronics from Mumbai University. Speaking on the appointment, Nilesh Dalvi, said, I am honoured and excited to step into the role of Chief Financial Officer of an organisation dedicated to enhancing the well-being of rural communities. I look forward to strengthening our financial framework and driving our vision forward, ensuring we continue to be a trusted partner in the inclusive finance space. Ganesh Narayanan, Chief Executive Officer of CreditAccess Grameen, remarked, We are pleased to promote Mr. Nilesh Dalvi to the position of Chief Financial Officer. His extensive financial expertise, experience, and exceptional leadership skills make him an excellent fit for this role. I am confident that Nilesh will not only bolster our market position but also create lasting value for all stakeholders through his strategic vision and dedication. Attributed to Ishvani Patel, Founder & CEO at ILEM Japan The journey from a marketing intern to CEO in the wellness industry is a transformative experience filled with valuable lessons. This path, often enriched by diverse cultural encounters and a commitment to authenticity, offers crucial insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. Here are five essential takeaways from such a journey: Embrace Cultural Immersion and Authenticity: One of the earliest and most critical lessons in the wellness industry is the importance of cultural immersion. Engaging deeply with various cultures provides invaluable insights into different wellness practices and lifestyles. For example, immersing oneself in a culture like Japan's, with its focus on well-being and unique wellness teachings, can profoundly influence one's approach to the industry. This immersion fosters authenticity, crucial for developing products and experiences that genuinely connect with a global audience. Authenticity goes beyond mere marketing; it's about creating a brand that reflects a sincere appreciation and understanding of diverse cultural perspectives. Align Purpose with Passion and Quality: In the wellness industry, where consumers are increasingly discerning, a brand's mission must resonate on a deeper level. It's not just about profit; it's about fulfilling a meaningful purpose, such as promoting holistic health or making wellness practices accessible. This alignment drives commitment to qualityensuring that products are not only effective but also ethically produced. For instance, focusing on providing top-quality, authentic products that embody a balance between internal and external well-being can set a brand apart in a crowded market. Cultivate a Community-Oriented Approach: Successful wellness brands go beyond selling products; they build communities. This community-centric approach involves creating spacesboth physical and virtualwhere like-minded individuals can connect, share experiences, and support each other's wellness journeys. Aspiring entrepreneurs might aim to create a community centered around specific wellness philosophies or practices, serving as a bridge between different cultural approaches to well-being. This strategy transforms customers into loyal advocates, enhancing brand loyalty and fostering a sense of belonging. Adapt While Upholding Core Values: As wellness brands expand into global markets, they face the challenge of balancing adaptation with the preservation of core values. Each market has unique cultural nuances and consumer behaviors, requiring brands to be flexible and responsive. However, while adaptation is necessary, it must not come at the expense of the brand's essence. Adopting philosophies that emphasize long-term health, minimalism, and holistic well-being, rather than quick fixes, can resonate with conscious consumers worldwide while maintaining the brand's integrity. Commit to Continuous Learning and Authentic Leadership: The wellness industry is rapidly evolving, driven by advancements in science, technology, and shifting consumer preferences. Staying ahead of these trends requires a commitment to continuous learning. Successful leaders in this field prioritize ongoing education, embracing new information and methodologies that can enhance their offerings. Moreover, authentic leadership is key to fostering a positive organizational culture. Leaders who embody the wellness principles they advocate inspire trust and respect among employees and customers alike. The path from intern to CEO in the wellness industry is rich with lessons that extend beyond professional development. It encompasses personal growth, cultural understanding, and a deep commitment to improving lives. By embracing cultural immersion, aligning passion with purpose, fostering community, balancing adaptation with authenticity, and committing to continuous learning, wellness entrepreneurs can build brands that not only achieve commercial success but also contribute meaningfully to global well-being. For instance, an entrepreneur might start by immersing themselves in a specific culture, gaining insights into unique wellness practices. They could then create a brand that bridges these cultural insights with global wellness trends, offering products that embody balance between internal and external well-being. By focusing on high-quality, heritage-inspired, plant-based, and cruelty-free products, they can appeal to conscious consumers worldwide while staying true to their core values. As the brand grows, the entrepreneur can foster a community centered around these wellness philosophies, serving as a bridge between different cultural approaches to well-being. Throughout this journey, their commitment to continuous learning and authentic leadership becomes crucial, enabling them to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving wellness industry and create an engaging, supportive workplace that reflects the brand's wellness principles. In conclusion, the journey from intern to CEO in the wellness industry offers profound lessons in personal growth, cultural understanding, and dedication to enhancing lives. By integrating these lessons, wellness entrepreneurs can create brands that not only succeed commercially but also contribute significantly to global well-being. Organic Tattva, under its campaign #PureFestivals, proudly announces the launch of their new film on Ganesh Chaturthi. This film is a reminder of the role of women in traditional festivities while also advocating for the purity of faith, festivities and food while underscoring the importance of equal participation of women in celebrations. The film opens with visuals of women in traditional household roles, preparing bhog (offerings) for Ganpati and decorating their homes. As the narrative unfolds, these women are seen donning vibrant performance attire, joining the dynamic Dhol Tasha Pathak ensemble on the streets to welcome the idol. This striking contrast reflects that women are not confined to domestic roles but are active and powerful participants in all facets of their lives especially in festival celebrations. Organic Tattvas film aims to celebrate bappa in its true spirit and also the participation of women's roles in Indian festivals. By showcasing women stepping out of their kitchens and into the limelight of festive performances, the brand throws light on the importance of womens participation and the celebration of women's contributions beyond traditional boundaries of gender roles. We are excited to present this film to celebrate Bappas arrival and bringing purity to his bhog through our products . This also reflects on the strength and versatility of women during Ganpati, said Mr. Rohit Mehrotra, Co-Founder of Organic Tattva. Organic Tattva is a preferred brand for those who wish to offer the best of health and taste to their loved ones . During Ganpati ,our rice flour , Jaggery and Chana Dal are in high demand amongst all other products and we are glad to be a part of the festivals in many homes in India . The core of Pure Festivals can only be achieved when faith, festivities, and food are put together. We are doing our bit by providing the purest food for your bhog; add your bit and make the faith and festivities pure too. The brands commitment to purity through its products also advocates for a holistic approach to celebrating festivals with integrity and respect . The thought of Pure Festivals resonates from the fact that India is a potpourri of culture and festivals throughout.Our aim was to create a campaign that not only emotionally invokes belonging but a sense of responsibility too . It should spark meaningful conversations about breaking stereotypes and embracing tradition without impacting equality. This Ganpati, lets celebrate not just the festival but also the empowerment and participation of women in every facet of it. Lets cheer for each effort that makes the festivals pure, said Manisha Singh, Director at Maximus Collabs, the agency which conceptualised and produced the film. The film will premiere during the Ganpati festival, a time of joyous celebration and reflection. Also Read: Filter Coffee Co. and Bharat Vedica Partner for Organic Growth via Digital Strategies Tirupati Edible Oils, one of the pioneers in the edible oil industry, has unveiled its new festive campaign, Har Tyohar, Healthy Tyohar featuring Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan. The campaign revolves around the theme of Healthy Wali Happiness, focusing on the importance of health as an essential component of happiness, especially during the festive season. The campaign captures the spirit of festivals celebrated with loved ones, savouring delicious dishes, and creating lasting memories. At the heart of the campaign is the idea that the right edible oil can play a pivotal role in promoting holistic well-being. Kareena Kapoor Khan, known for her widespread appeal, represents this message by showcasing the care she takes in selecting the right oil for her family's health. The narrative emphasises that making small, mindful choices, like selecting the right oil for daily cooking, can significantly impact ones health and overall well-being. Sharing his insights on the campaign, Priyam Patel, Managing Director of NK Proteins, said, This campaign is poised to target key markets in Gujarat and priority markets in western and northern India like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Delhi NCR. We expect it to drive significant growth for the brand in FY 2024-25. At Tirupati, we have always been dedicated to highlighting the health benefits of our edible oils. With this vibrant new campaign, we aim to extend the goodness of Tirupati Edible Oils to even more homes. Kareena Kapoor Khan said, I am thrilled to be a part of Tirupati Edible Oils new campaign, Har Tyohar, Healthy Tyohar. Festivals are a time for joy and celebration, and I believe that good health is the foundation of true happiness. By choosing the right oil for our meals, we can make a positive impact on our health while enjoying the festive season. I am proud to support a brand that is dedicated to promoting well-being through mindful choices. Dr. Bhavna Shah, Deputy CEO of NK Proteins, said, This campaign is a testament to our commitment to inspiring healthier lifestyles. As a brand, we understand the role that good nutrition plays in enhancing the quality of life. By promoting the concept of Healthy Wali Happiness, we aim to make our consumers feel empowered to make better choices that lead to healthier, happier lives. Our goal is to be a part of every family's journey towards well-being during this festive season and beyond." Shaileen Patel, General Manager of Business Development and Marcom at NK Proteins, added, Through Healthy Wali Happiness, Tirupati Edible Oils aspires to motivate families to make thoughtful decisions regarding their health and well-being, ensuring every festive occasion is truly special. We aim to highlight the intrinsic link between health and happiness, showcasing that a healthy family is indeed a happy family. Window Magic, Indias premier fenestration brand and a major player in Engineered uPVC and Aluminium Doors and Windows, has unveiled its new logo, marking a significant milestone in the companys journey. The new logo captures the essence of Window Magics brand identity while incorporating contemporary aesthetics, ensuring that the company continues to resonate with both existing and new customers. Upgrading our logo represents more than just a visual change, said Manish Bansal Director & CEO, Window Magic. It signifies our ongoing evolution and commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry. The new design embraces modern aesthetics and reflects our core values and dedication to excellence Clarity and simplicity are at the heart of the new logo. We believe that a clear and clutter-free design communicates our brands message more effectively. Our goal was to create a logo that quickly and efficiently conveys the essence of who we are without unnecessary distraction. Incorporating a concise tagline within the new logo reinforces our core message and values, providing a concise reflection of what Window Magic stands for. This addition strengthens our brand identity and ensures that our mission is communicated clearly to all who encounter it. The most notable change in the new logo is the colour shift. The previous logo featured a pink hue that, while giving a feminine look, often appeared less impactful and sometimes even misleading with black tinges that could give an impression of a printing error on various media. In contrast, the new logo embraces a vibrant magenta colour. This bold and contemporary shade is designed to enhance visibility and make a striking impression, aligning with our modern brand ethos. Additionally, the new logo incorporates a tagline Yours for Years which underscores our dedication to crafting products that are both durable and reliable.This update represents more than just a cosmetic change; it symbolizes our ongoing commitment to evolving and improving our brand experience. The new logo is designed to resonate more effectively with the audience and reflect the enduring values of quality and reliability." Also Read: Windows unveils highly-anticipated teaser for Bohurupi FILE - Then-Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis waves to supporters after making her concession speech, Nov. 4, 2014, in Fort Worth, Texas. Tony Gutierrez/AP AUSTIN, Texas (AP) On a busy Texas highway days before the 2020 election, former Democratic lawmaker Wendy Davis used her phone to record the scene unfolding around their Biden-Harris campaign bus: A convoy of President Donald Trump supporters weaving close while her fellow passengers called 911 for help. In a federal court in Austin on Monday, a jury watched the video filmed by Davis who ran for governor in 2014 on the first day of a civil trial that seeks to hold some of those Trump supporters responsible for what Davis and others on the bus say was an intimidating threat of political violence. "It was a day that was very different from anything I experienced campaigning, said Davis, who testified that she felt riddled with fear and anxiety. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In opening statements, a lawyer for Davis and the other plaintiffs argued that the six Trump Train drivers participated in an orchestrated attack aimed at intimidating people on the bus and making the campaign cancel its remaining events in Texas. The defense argued that the drivers did not conspire against the Biden-Harris campaign bus that day, and instead joined the train as if it were a pep rally. They also claimed that the bus had several opportunities to exit the highway on its way from San Antonio to Austin. It was a rah-rah group that sought to support and advocate for a candidate of their choice in a very loud way, attorney Francisco Canseco said. The civil jury trial over the so-called Trump Train comes as Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris race into the final two months of their head-to-head fight for the White House in November. Democrats on the bus said they feared for their lives as Trump supporters in dozens of trucks and cars nearly caused collisions, rammed a Biden-Harris campaign staffer's car and forced the bus driver to repeatedly swerve for safety. Videos of the confrontation on Oct. 30, 2020, including some recorded and shared on social media by the Trump supporters themselves, show a group of cars and pickup trucks many adorned with large Trump flags crowding the campaign bus, boxing it in, slowing it down and keeping it from exiting the highway. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For at least 90 minutes, defendants terrorized and menaced the driver and passengers, the lawsuit alleges. They played a madcap game of highway chicken coming within three to four inches of the bus. They tried to run the bus off the road." The highway confrontation prompted an FBI investigation, which led then-President Trump to declare that in his opinion, these patriots did nothing wrong. Davis rose to prominence in 2013 with her 13-hour filibuster of an anti-abortion bill in the state Capitol. The other three plaintiffs are a campaign volunteer, staffer and the bus driver. We felt overwhelmed by what was going on and we didn't have any support, Davis testified. Monday's trial ended with the defense beginning their cross-examination of Davis and will resume Tuesday. The trial is expected to last two to three weeks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified monetary damages, accuses the six named defendants of violating the Ku Klux Klan Act, an 1871 federal law to stop political violence and intimidation tactics. The same law was used in part to indict Trump on federal election interference charges over attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection. Enacted by Congress during the Reconstruction Era, the law was created to protect the right of Black men to vote by prohibiting political violence. On the two previous days, Biden-Harris supporters were subjected to death threats, with some Trump supporters displaying weapons, according to the lawsuit. These threats in combination with the highway confrontation led Democrats to cancel an event later in the day. Canseco said before the trial that his clients acted lawfully, exercising their free speech rights and not infringing on the rights of people on the bus. Its more of a constitutional issue, Canseco said. Its more of who has the greater right to speak behind their candidate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The trial judge is Robert Pitman, an appointee of President Barack Obama. He denied the defendants pretrial motion for a summary judgment, ruling last month that the KKK Act prohibits the physical intimidation of people traveling to political rallies, even when racial bias isnt a factor. While one of the defendants, Eliazar Cisneros, argued his group had a First Amendment right to demonstrate support for their candidate, the judge wrote that assaulting, intimidating, or imminently threatening others with force is not protected expression. Just as the First Amendment does not protect a driver waving a political flag from running a red light, it does not protect Defendants from allegedly threatening Plaintiffs with reckless driving, Pitman wrote. A prior lawsuit filed over the Trump Train alleged the San Marcos Police Department violated the Ku Klux Klan Act by failing to send a police escort after multiple 911 calls were made and a bus rider said his life was threatened. It accused officers of privately laughing and joking about the emergency calls. San Marcos settled the lawsuit in 2023 for $175,000 and a requirement that law enforcement get training on responding to political violence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ___ A Stephen King adaptation filmed in Alabama has been getting mixed but generally positive reviews since its recent film-festival debut. Filming for The Life of Chuck took place in late 2023 at locations including downtown Mobile and a closed Bay Minette school campus. At the end of filming, director and co-writer Mike Flanagan expressed gratitude to Foley, Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, Bay Minette and Mobile for their hospitality as a small but fierce crew worked on his tenacious little miracle of a movie. The Life of Chuck is a novella in three parts, presented in reverse chronological order, concerning the life of Charles Krantz. In the first, his death coincides with the apparent end of the world. The film version stars Tom Hiddleston, along with Mark Hamill, Karen Gillan, Matthew Lillard, David Dastmalchian and Chiwetel Ejiofor. It recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, generating a number of reviews. A sampling of review excerpts follows. RogerEbert.com: Flanagans work, especially the Haunting Netflix shows, has also been distinguished by deep emotional undercurrents, and thats the tool from his kit that he leans into most of all with this moving study of how valuable every moment is that were on this floating ball of dust. We have a habit of getting carried away by the minutia and the worries of the world, and The Life of Chuck argues that nothing matters more than right now. And a good dance number. The Wrap: Mike Flanagan has always undertaken cinematic confrontations with mortality, but none have ever been quite as magnificent and moving as The Life of Chuck. The Tom Hiddleston-starring feature is less of a horror film than it is an existential grappling with the end while also being a jubilant celebration of the moments that make life worth living along the way. Its Flanagans vibrant equivalent of Charlie Kaufmans Synecdoche, New York that finds hope and meaning in his own way just as it is one of the best modern Stephen King adaptations one could hope for. RELATED: Stephen Kings 10 scariest movies ranked A crew works on the production of "The Life of Chuck" on Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Mobile.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com The Hollywood Reporter: It comes as no surprise that reigning scare-meister Mike Flanagan has a soft spot for Stephen King, having successfully adapted Geralds Game and Doctor Sleep for the big screen. But his latest stab at King, the genre-warping The Life of Chuck, makes for an oddball if less ideal fit. The end result offers up such unexpected developments as a dancing Tom Hiddleston and Mark Hamill as a Jewish zayde (grandpa), [that] Flanagans rabid fan base might prefer to wait for his planned take on The Exorcist franchise. Screen Rant: Its sentimental in the best ways and lighthearted despite a grim core. The Life of Chuck asks us to wash away the fear and sadness so often felt with death, and reminds us to find the joy in life, even when its at its most chaotic. While the film can be a touch slow at times, it fully embraces its sweet, tender side. IndieWire: Many of the points being made here are of a generic enjoy every sandwich type of bent. But there is something touching about Chucks core premise, which is that even the smallest and most ordinary of lives is animated by a divine spark. Whether one finds this uplifting or eye-rolling is a matter of taste, and cynics will likely find Flanagans latest far too saccharine for theirs. Viewers with a sweet tooth, meanwhile, may find themselves thoroughly charmed by Chucks dorky earnestness. The Daily Beast: Though The Life of Chuck is an intensely faithful adaptation of a King novella (from 2020s If It Bleeds), its a film thats as sweet as it is scary, and whose frights are the sort that come from all-too-relatable fears about being alone, being apart, and being unable to hold onto the people and memories that matter most. Flanagan previously directed two other King adaptations. One of them, Geralds Game, also was filmed in the Mobile area. It does not appear that a general release date has been announced for The Life of Chuck. A 13-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl and are in custody in connection with alleged threats of gun violence at Montgomery Public Schools. An 11-year-old girl was detained and charged with making terroristic threats before being released to a guardian, said Montgomery police Maj. Saba Coleman. The male teen was arrested Sunday night by the Montgomery Police Departments Special Operations Unit and the FBIs Safe Streets Task Force, said Coleman. The teen girl was arrested Monday. Further information was not released on the 11-year-old girls case. On Sunday, Montgomery Public School city school officials said they were aware of social media posts suggesting potential threats. We take these matters very seriously and have activated all safety protocols, including working with local law enforcement to identify those involved and take appropriate action, the statement read. Schools will continue to operate on their regular schedules, with our priority being the safety of students and staff. We appreciate the communitys prompt reporting of this issue to both local authorities and the school system. Coleman said upon learning of the social media posts which included threats to Bellingrath Middle School and McKee Middle School an investigation was immediately launched. The young teens are charged with terrorist threat. They are being held in the Montgomery County Youth Detention Facility. Threats of gun violence in our school system, whether online or in person, are treated with utmost seriousness by MPD,' said Interim Police Chief James N. Graboys. Our investigators worked diligently and closely with the Montgomery Public School System and local and federal partners to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible for these threats. The Montgomery Police Department wants to reassure the community that the safety and security of our schools and students is our top priority,' Graboys said. We will continue working tirelessly to prevent and address potential threats to our educational institutions. We thank the public for their vigilance and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe learning environment for all. At a news conference Monday with law enforcement and education officials, Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melvin Brown urged students to reread the districts student handbook and student code of conduct in wake of the threats. As mentioned, social media is a powerful tool but also a dangerous place to make dangerous decisions bad decisions, he said. Its crucial that students understand the impacts of their online behavior and adhere to the school districts social media policy. Brown cautioned students to please think before you post. Every post, every comment, every image has the potential to be seen by a wide audience, he said, including college admissions officers, coaches and potential future employers. Alleged school shooting threats were also being investigated in Elmore, Autauga and Etowah counties. Prattville police said they were aware of threats but said they did not believe they were credible. We are aware of many, many screenshots floating around and ae taking our kids safety as priory #1 today, according to a Prattville police department statement issued Monday. That being said, any further posts being made that are attempting to circumvent the safety measures by threatening further violent acts to our kids will not be tolerated and posters will be investigated and prosecuted. Also Monday, both Center Point High School and Clay-Chalkville High School in Jefferson County were mentioned in a threatening message on social media. There was no indication this was a credible threat and the school day has continued as normal, school spokesman John Huddleston said. Both schools have notified their parents of this information. In Southside, in Etowah County, a 15-year-old boy was taken into custody Monday morning and charged with making a terroristic threat after he allegedly made a threat to Southside High School. The teen was placed in juvenile detention. In Birmingham, police were investigating an alleged threat at Huffman High School. Schools spokeswoman Sherrel Wheeler Stewart said regular activities are continue and the security team is follow protocol for high alert. Last week saw a flurry of similar reports across the state, which is not uncommon following a high-profile school shooting, the most recent one taking place on Sept. 4 when a 14-year-old shot and killed two teachers and two students at a Georgia high school. In Dothan, a student was arrested after an alleged threat made on social media of a school shooting at Dothan Preparatory Academy, authorities announced Friday morning. On Thursday, Eufaula City Schools canceled all classes and after-school activities Thursday after receiving a threat of violence, officials said. It was unclear what type of threat was made, but officials said it was targeted at the districts high school. Also Thursday, Walker County officials announced an increased security presence at Oakman area schools Thursday following threats made on social media. About 100 people from Haitian, Hispanic and white congregations gathered Sunday afternoon in Albertville for a prayer rally the organizers said was about healing divisions in the community and forging bonds. Billed as an evening without speeches or politics, people sat in lawn chairs or stood with Bibles, bowing their heads and holding pieces of paper with prayer requests dealing with needs in schools and in the community. I think this a positive movement for our community, trying to organize, because we need that right now, said Jeff Lamour, a Haitian resident of Albertville and businessman. Lamour was one of the events organizers. Its a moment of healing in our community, and we all need to be more united. Just people. Just us and Jesus. At least 10 churches were represented at the event, which was the latest in a series of community gatherings sparked following a controversy that first played out on social media dealing with immigration. In August, photos of Haitian immigrants in Albertville being bused to and from work at a poultry processing plant prompted questions about who the people were and where they came from, leading to what city officials called baseless accusations, and hurtful rhetoric. This resulted in a series of community meetings and the formation of a non-profit. Immigrant workers have been a focus of residents concerns in Athens and Sylacauga, with city officials facing questions about the effect on crime, school overcrowding and housing. Officials in both Albertville and Athens say Haitian immigrants make up a small percentage of the population, and they have seen no increase in crime since larger amounts of immigrants began arriving this year following unrest on the Caribbean island. See also: Haitian immigrants fleeing unrest and facing exploitation find Alabama is the best place to live Chris Johnson, pastor of nearby Albertville First Baptist Church, said the event was part a grassroots movement. There are definitely people that feel differently about the situation in our community, but there are so many of us who want this to be a place of peace, where people are welcome to come and lay down roots, and be the family that God has called us to be, Johnson said. In our personal life, we are connected to our Haitian friends and our Hispanic friends in a strong way. And there are lot of people in our city as well. There are some here who are trying to learn a new culture and figure that out, but there are a lot of positive things happening here too. Lamour said he is currently involved in organizing efforts to teach recent Haitian immigrants English, as well as working to translate the Alabama drivers manual into Creole. He said some immigrants obtain Florida drivers permits - either by buying them or paying another person to take the drivers test. We want to reeducate people to integrate people into our community, he said. Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis will step down at the end of this year, Gov. Kay Ivey announced today. Ivey had called for Davis to resign last week because of what she described as mishandling of applications for federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Davis called the governors claims inaccurate and declined to resign. Ivey scheduled a meeting for Tuesday of the State Board of Veterans Affairs, which she chairs, to ask the board to fire Davis. During a meeting today with Ivey and her senior staff, Davis agreed to resign effective Dec. 31, 2024, the governors office said in a press release. Caring for our countrys veterans is something I have been passionate about throughout my life, and especially throughout my tenure as lieutenant governor and now as governor, Ivey said in a statement. Alabama veterans are a priority for the Ivey Administration, and we cannot let anything stand in the way of their care. Our meeting with Commissioner Davis today was respectful, frank, and informative, with both sides gaining new perspective and insight about the challenges each of us face in fulfilling our respective roles. I appreciate Commissioner Daviss record of service as Commissioner, and I appreciate him doing the right thing for our state and the future of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. As I have said before, we have important work to continue doing, and I want to see nothing get in the way of us remaining focused on the thing that truly matters here improving veterans care. The ADVA issued a statement on behalf of Davis, who is a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral and has led the ADVA since 2019: Today, Commissioner Kent Davis had a very cordial and informative meeting with Governor Ivey and her senior staff. This matter has been resolved to the mutual benefit of all parties and we are looking forward to the dedication of the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home in Enterprise on Friday. The governor cancelled Tuesdays special meeting of the State Board of Veterans Affairs. Ivey will work with members of the board to prepare to hire a new commissioner when Davis resignation takes effect at the end of the year, according to the press release from her office. Some of the top leaders in the Alabama Legislature spoke out in support of Iveys call for Davis to be removed from the job. The governor, in a letter to Davis calling for him to step down, cited what she said were unjustified delays and a general inability to manage $7 million in grant funds from ARPA for veterans services. She said the problems jeopardized the states ARPA obligations and nearly prevented veterans service providers from receiving needed funds. The governor also wrote that Davis did not cooperate and collaborate with other state agencies, which she said was a crucial part of his job. The governor released a letter from Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell to Davis cancelling an interagency agreement between the ADVA and the Mental Health on managing the ARPA grant funds because of problems Boswell described that she said put her agency at risk of negative audit findings. Davis issued a statement on Friday disputing what he called inaccurate claims and said none of the actions by the ADVA jeopardized Alabamas use of the ARPA funds. We have continuously been transparent in our departments mission and day-to-day operations in our service to Alabamas 400,000 veterans, Davis said in the statement Friday. This includes earlier this year when ADVA attempted to work with members of the Governors staff, cabinet and the Department of Finance regarding American Rescue Plan Act funds. In August, Davis filed an ethics complaint against Boswell, according to Lagniappe. The Ethics Commission dismissed the complaint, according to Alabama Daily News. Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Albritton said the allegations in the complaint, even if true, would not violate the ethics law. Ethics complaints are not public records under Alabama law. Ivey called the complaint entirely frivolous. Last week Ivey also announced she had removed Col. John Kilpatrick from his position as a member of the State Board of Veterans Affairs. Kilpatrick, in a statement through the Military Officers Association of America, said the following: My appointment to the Board was a result of my position as President of the Alabama Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America. Members of the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs serve at the pleasure of the Governor. It was my honor to serve our Veteran community as a member of the Board, and Im proud of the work I did on behalf of Alabama Veterans. I will continue to work every single day to improve access to high quality health care for Alabama Veterans and their families. Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance is repeating claims about Haitian immigrants in Ohio that authorities in the city, which has seen large scale immigration, say are not true. On social platform X, Vance shared a video clip of a speech he gave earlier about immigration issues in Springfield, Ohio, ending it with a question seemingly pointed at Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic challenger to former President Donald Trump: Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio. Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country. Where is our border czar? pic.twitter.com/rf0EDIeI5i JD Vance (@JDVance) September 9, 2024 Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldnt be in this country, Vance wrote. Vance is referencing reports on right-wing media outlets that Haitian immigrants in Ohio are eating dogs, cats, and geese and ducks in public parks. The claim has been amplified by others, including billionaire X owner Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump. 20,000 Haitian migrants were dumped into the small town of Springfield, Ohio, Trump posted on Truth Social. According to the Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun, the claim is not accurate. The paper reported that the Springfield Police Division said Monday they have received no reports related to pets being stolen and eaten. The claim appears to have originated from a Facebook group post that has gone viral, where a user claimed their neighbors daughters friend had lost her cat and found it hanging from a branch at a Haitian neighbors home and prepared for eating. The poster also claimed Rangers and police told them that they have been doing it at a park with ducks and geese. The paper said the stories may be confused with a case in Canton, Ohio, 175 miles northeast of Springfield. A woman there was charged with cruelty to companion animals for allegedly killing and eating a cat in a neighborhood in front of witnesses. Haitian immigration to Springfield has been an issue for months, as city officials there say between 12,000 to 15,000 immigrants - by some counts 20,000 - have settled in the area in the last four years, attracted by jobs in warehouses, manufacturing and the service industry, among other sectors. The city set up an FAQ page to address specific questions about Haitian immigration. Springfield had a population of about 58,000 in 2022, according to census figures. The story - as well as others shared at Springfield City Council meetings and on online forums - are similar to others seen and heard in Alabama in cities associated with recent Haitian immigration. In August, photos of Haitian immigrants in Albertville being bused to and from work at a poultry processing plant prompted questions about who the people were and where they came from, leading to what city officials called baseless accusations, and hurtful rhetoric. This resulted in a series of community meetings and the formation of a non-profit. Immigrant workers have been a focus of residents concerns in Athens and Sylacauga, with city officials facing questions about the effect on crime, school overcrowding and housing. Officials in both Albertville and Athens say Haitian immigrants make up a small percentage of the population, and they have seen no increase in crime since larger amounts of immigrants began arriving this year following unrest on the Caribbean island. At a recent Springfield council meeting, residents wanted to know - like residents in Sylacauga - about who was watching the Haitian population. According to The New York Times, speakers claimed, without evidence, that Haitians were responsible for drug trafficking, theft and disease. Haitians are occupying our land,one resident said, saying Haitians would run everyone else out of town. The surge in population in Springfield has affected different sectors of the local economy. The New York Times reported the community health clinic saw a 13-fold increase in Haitian patients between 2021 and 2023, from 115 to 1,500, overwhelming its staff and budget. School enrollment has surged, and affordable housing is tight. Tensions were also exacerbated by an Aug. 22, 2023 school bus crash that killed one student and injured dozens more. Hermanio Joseph, 36, a Haitian immigrant who did not have a valid drivers license, crossed over the center line into the oncoming lane on state Route 41, with his 2010 Honda Odyssey. He was sentenced earlier this year to a prison term of nine to 13.5 years, according to the Springfield News-Sun. A historic Mountain Brook church is being demolished this week. Shades Valley Presbyterian Church, 2305 Montevallo Road, was built in 1953 by a congregation founded in 1943. This is the ebb and flow of the life of the church, as much as we do love our old and historic buildings, said the Rev. Sue Westfall, general presbyter for the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, a regional body of the Presbyterian Church (USA) which oversees 60 congregations with 8,000 members in North Alabama. The congregation had dwindled to about 75 to 80 in weekly worship and was no longer able to keep up maintenance on the historic building, so the remaining members merged into Southminster Presbyterian Church in Vestavia Hills in March 2022. That building was a place of so many meaningful experiences of worship, gathering and fellowship, a very beloved place, said the Rev. Leanne Pearce Reed, who was pastor of Shades Valley from 2017-2022 and is now co-pastor of Southminster. While we grieve seeing the building go down, were excited about what is happening here at Southminster. The last service at Shades Valley Presbyterian was held at the church on May 29, 2022. Southminster Presbyterian has about 300 active members after the merger. Its a vibrant church, Westfall said. The merger went really, really well. Whats going in its place? The Shades Valley Presbyterian church campus was sold to Montevallo Partners LLC on July 25, 2022, for $7.15 million, according to Jefferson County tax records. Montevallo Partners is owned by real estate developer John F. Chapman and Margie Ingram, owner of Ingram and Associates, which is selling 14 home sites on the former church campus. The 14 lots are being sold for between $1.25 million and $1.5 million, with custom-built homes available on the sites for $2 million to $2.7 million or more, said Dorothy Tayloe, a broker for Ingram and Associates and sales representative for the new development, called Chester Court. When you say a church is being demolished, you say it with a little regret, said Tayloe. You cant help but have some regret, she said. That being said, what is being planned to go on that site will be an enhancement for the area. When you come across that (Hollywood Boulevard over U.S. 280) overpass and come into Mountain Brook, youre going to see a nice-looking residential development. There will also be a condominium building with three townhomes built on the campus, she said. It will all be along Montevallo Road, she said. The lots will be behind the condominium building. Eight of the 14 lots have contracts on them, Tayloe said. Brasfield & Gorrie is handling the demolition of the church. Theyre busy doing the prep work to get the site ready to be built on, she said. Its going pretty quickly. Grading work and preparation work on the lots should be construction-ready by the end of the year. Five builders are approved for construction, with architectural design by Nequette Architecture. Ive definitely run into people who said, I was confirmed in that church or My parents went to that church or were married in that church, Tayloe said. Its sad to see any church where they dont have a big enough congregation where they need to go move into another Presbyterian church. Presbyterian proceeds benefit charities Southminster Presbyterian Church said more than $1 million from the proceeds from the sale of Shades Valley Presbyterian went to Presbyterian-supported ministries, including Stillman College, Firehouse Ministries, Greater Birmingham Ministries, Living River: A Retreat on the Cahaba, Presbyterian Home for Children, IMCK / Good Shepherd Hospital in Congo, and Habitat for Humanity. The rest of the money went into an endowment at Southminster Presbyterian Church for future ministry. The presbytery has shut down five churches in the Birmingham metro in the past five years, including the 182-year-old Five Mile Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, which closed in 2023. In addition to Shades Valley and Five Mile, other closures include Fairfield Highlands Presbyterian, Center Point Presbyterian and Second Presbyterian (which merged into Edgewood Presbyterian), Westfall said. The Presbytery of South Alabama, a regional branch of the Presbyterian Church (USA) based in Mobile, recently downsized, selling its headquarters on the Eastern Shore Parkway in Daphne. Shades Valley Presbyterian Church, 2305 Montevallo Road in Mountain Brook, shown during demolition work on Sept. 9, 2024. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com)ggarrison@al.com John Archibald, who has spent nearly four decades at AL.com as a reporter, columnist and podcaster, has been elected to the Pulitzer Prize Board. Columbia University announced the addition of Archibald, a two-time Pulitzer winner, and two other new board members Gina Chua of Semafor and poet Natasha Trethewey on Sunday. The 19-member board, composed of top journalists and news executives across the United States and academics and leaders in the arts, oversees the Pulitzer Prize awards. Its a ridiculous honor and I am proud to do it, Archibald said. I really do feel like it is important for local journalism in a place like Alabama to have representation. It says a lot about AL.com that they help us do the kind of work that draws this kind of attention. Archibald won the Pulitzer for Commentary in 2018 for his lyrical and courageous columns. He also served as the lead reporter on AL.coms 2023 Local Reporting Prize-winning investigation of predatory policing in the town of Brookside. Archibald wrote and co-hosted Unjustifiable in 2021, the national Murrow Award-winning podcast that detailed the story of a Black woman killed by Birmingham police in 1979. Also in 2021, he wrote Shaking the Gates of Hell: A Search for Family and Truth in the Wake of the Civil Rights Revolution, praised by NPR for books published that year. Archibald was the inaugural writer in residence at Boston University in 2023 and a Nieman fellow at Harvard University for 2020-2021. This is a big deal for Alabama, said Challen Stephens, investigative editor at AL.com. John has dedicated himself to covering news in Alabama, uncovering stories that matter to the people who live here, stories that can help change lives here, and its welcome to see that dedication recognized at the highest national level. Charges have been dismissed against a man indicted for murder in connection with a fatal April 2023 shooting in Scottsboro. Jackson County Circuit Judge John Graham Friday dismissed charges against Jerry Carl Hicks, 26, of Scottsboro, who was arrested in the fatal shooting of Aaron Morris Nix, 33, at LaCabana Mexican Restaurant on Veterans Drive. The incident happened April 7, 2023. According to court documents, Hicks, his wife and six-year-old son went to the restaurant and ate a meal. Hicks had not been drinking, and was completely sober, the court determined. Nix, 33, entered the restaurant to pick up his niece, a waitress at the restaurant when her shift ended, and to use the bathroom. A toxicology report from his autopsy found he had twice the alcohol content in his blood to be considered intoxicated for drivers, according to court documents. According to Hicks, Nix loudly asked why Hicks would allow his son to go to the bathroom by himself. The child said nothing happened in the bathroom. Hicks testified that Nix had an altercation with him in the parking lot, began yelling at him, then bumped his chest and hit him three times, while Hicks wife and child were inside his vehicle. Hicks said he warned Nix that he had a gun - a 9 mm Luger, which he had a permit to carry. Nixs sister, who was in his car, said during testimony that Hicks called her brother a racial slur and fired more than one shot. But Graham noted that testimony varied from her statement given to police following the incident. Hicks denied using a slur. Hicks said he shot Nix when he saw the man, who was wearing a heavy leather jacket, reach his hand near his waistband and thought he was about to shoot Hicks. According to investigators, Hicks fired once and hit Nix near the neck. He later died. A pocket knife was observed at the scene, according to the Clarion. The defendant was fearful for himself and his wife and child, Graham wrote in his decision. A growing number of state lawmakers are backing Alabama Gov. Kay Iveys call for the resignation of the commissioner of the states veterans affairs department prior to a special meeting Tuesday that could lead to his removal. A joint statement was issued Monday from the Alabama Legislatures General Fund chairs -- Alabama State Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore; and Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville along with the chair of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre; and the chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, supporting Iveys call for Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis to resign. The statement reads: As members of the Alabama Legislature, we have proudly passed legislation and allocated resources to advance our states support for its veteran men and women. However, we share a lack of confidence in the current Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioners ability to adequately lead the agency and work collaboratively with other areas of state government. We fully agree with Governor Ivey and join her in calling on Commissioner Kent Davis to do the right thing for the Department and step down from his position. In recent years, we have had growing concerns and frustration, the most recent example being the agencys mishandling of its proposed ARPA grant program. This would have been a significant problem had it not been caught by the Finance Department. Fortunately, we were able to quickly resolve the issue by working with the governor to authorize $7 million to veterans groups. Taking care of our veterans in Alabama is too important to let anything stand in the way of that mission. We look forward to a new and even stronger chapter at the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. Also supporting Iveys call for Davis resignation are Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville; and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper. Davis, through the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) was not immediately available for comment. Davis, on Friday, declined Iveys call for his resignation. She has called for a special meeting of the Board of Veterans Affairs for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to consider Davis ouster. Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell speaks at the Mental Health Equity and Liberation Summit. The concerns over Davis revolving around accusations that (ADVA) mishandled $7 million in American Rescue Plan Act money earlier this year. The concerns were raised in an April 12 letter from the Department of Finances Legal Division in which questions were raised about why a selection committee for the ARPA funds that was composed of ADVA and Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) representatives altered the number of award recipients from 15 to 33. The decision was changed seemingly overnight from two meetings on Jan. 10 to Jan. 11. According to the Department of Finance, it is unknown which members of the State Board of Veterans Affairs took part in a discussion with the selection committee that might have resulted in the pool of ARPA awards being expanded from 15 to 33. ADMH, in early April, told the Department of Finance it was terminating its agreement with ADVA and would no longer administer the ARPA programs. ADMH Commissioner Kim Boswell, in a n April 2 letter, accused ADVA of putting her agency at risk of a potential audit and other negative consequences due to comes questionable requests. One of the concerns raised by the agency involves an unnamed grant recipient who requested funding for lobbying. Boswell said that lobbying was prohibited. Ivey, on Thursday, announced she had removed Col. John Kilpatrick from his position on the State Board of Veterans Affairs. None of the statements in recent days from Ivey, Davis, or Kilpatrick acknowledged an ethics complaint filed with the Alabama Ethics Commission. A spokesperson with ADVA said on Friday he had not seen the complaint and was unaware what was in it. Ethics complaints are not considered public documents in Alabama and are not accessible for the publics viewing. The spokesperson, however, said the complaint was released publicly to the Lagniappe which may have (tainted) the process, before being dismissed by the Ethics Commission. The commission had reportedly dismissed a complaint raised by Davis against Boswell, according to the publication. 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. English News CIFTIS to be built into world's most influential fair for services trade Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 9 Septembre 2024 China has signed services trade cooperation agreements with 15 countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Brazil, and Argentina. It has reached and implemented cooperation documents related to services trade with BRICS countries, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, and Central and Eastern European countries. By Luo Shanshan, People's Daily The 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) will be held from September 12 to 16 in Beijing. Since its inception in 2012, the CIFTIS has been successfully held for 10 sessions. This year's CIFTIS will continue to focus on the theme "Global Services, Shared Prosperity" and keep working to build itself into the world's most influential fair for services trade. Highlighting its role as an open platform, this year's fair will see a high-level global trade in services summit and more than 100 forums and events, and authoritative reports will be released, said Tang Wenhong, China's assistant minister of commerce. Since its inception, the CIFTIS has attracted over 900,000 attendees and exhibitors from 197 countries and regions, becoming an important platform for deepening international cooperation on services trade. This year, more than 80 countries and international organizations will hold exhibitions at the fair, with 13 of them, including Portugal and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, holding independent offline exhibitions for the first time. France will be the guest of honor for the first time and will build a special pavilion to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France. So far, more than 420 Fortune Global 500 and leading enterprises have confirmed their offline participation in the 2024 CIFTIS. Thirty-seven Chinese local trade delegations, as well as trade delegations of China's state-owned companies and state-owned financial enterprises, have been established. They are expected to facilitate targeted matchmaking and realize more practical achievements. The latest developments in technology will be showcased at this year's CIFTIS, covering satellite internet, big data and computing power, energy conservation and carbon reduction. It will highlight new services and scenarios in digital culture and tourism, smart education, and intelligent sports. Over 100 institutions and companies including the United Nations Postal Administration and Philips will present their achievements, unveiling new technologies and innovations like an AI-assisted orthopedic surgery robot and the integration of the metaverse with real-world data, leading the industry's innovation trends. Sima Hong, deputy mayor of Beijing, said that the 2024 CIFTIS will include a comprehensive exhibition and a thematic exhibition. The comprehensive exhibition is set at the China National Convention Center, showcasing new achievements and trends in services trade. The thematic exhibition is located in Shougang Park, which will display the latest achievements, technologies, and applications in the digital, intelligent, and green services trade. According to Tang, in the first half of this year, China's services trade volume reached a historical high for the same period, totaling 3.6 trillion yuan ($507.84 billion), a year-on-year increase of 14 percent. Among them, services exports amounted to 1.5 trillion yuan, up 10.7 percent, and services imports jumped 16.4 percent to over 2.1 trillion yuan. Tang said that the proportion of services trade in China's total trade volume reached 14.5 percent in the first six months of 2024, an increase of 1 percentage point from the same period last year. Traditional services such as travel and transportation have shown strong vitality. In the first half of the year, China's foreign trade in travel-related services surged 47.7 percent to surpass 961.7 billion yuan, becoming a key pillar of the country's services trade. The import and export of transportation services reached 925.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.2 percent. Trade in knowledge-intensive services also showed sound growth momentum. Overall, the development of services trade for the whole year is expected to remain stable and positive with the continuous improvement of the trade structure, Tang said. Trade in services is an important area of international economic and trade cooperation, said Wang Dongtang, a senior official with China's Ministry of Commerce. In recent years, China's Ministry of Commerce has actively enhanced the development mechanism of trade in services and promoted multifaceted and broad-ranging international cooperation to further expand the "circle of friends" in services trade, Wang explained. China has signed services trade cooperation agreements with 15 countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Brazil, and Argentina. It has reached and implemented cooperation documents related to services trade with BRICS countries, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, and Central and Eastern European countries. China strives to establish an open and mutually beneficial network of international cooperation in services trade for win-win outcomes. Moving forward, it will continue to strengthen policy coordination, project docking, and research cooperation with relevant trading partners. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Immersive cultural, tourism activities on the rise across China Fruit trade between China, ASEAN thrives U.S. tariff hike on China a protectionist move that goes against trend of times Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) The presidential election is heating up as both nominating conventions have concluded. As we approach the home stretch of the election season, it's important to take a closer look at the opinion polls. Where are the opinion polls now and what if anything can be inferred? It's essential to remember that polls are a snapshot in time. They survey a small group of individuals and then extrapolate those results to the entire population, in this case, actual voters. YouTube screen grab The surveyed sample is crucial, as oversampling Republicans, Democrats, or Independents can skew the results. While statistical weighting can help even out a skewed sample, the ultimate survey occurs on election day, on Nov. 5. Rasmussen Reports is a respected pollster that surveys likely voters rather than simply registered voters or anyone who responds to the survey. They recently conducted polling in battleground states, which is more revealing than national polling, as the U.S. presidential election is 50 separate state elections based on the Electoral College. Winning the national popular vote doesnt always translate to winning the election as Hillary Clinton learned in 2016. According to Rasmussen Reports, a recent survey in battleground states revealed a tight race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The survey showed, If the election were held today, 48% of likely voters in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin would vote for Trump, while 47% would vote for Harris. It's hard to predict the outcome at this point. There are still a few months until the election, and there will likely be at least one October surprise. What are the key issues concerning voters? It is reminiscent of when Bill Clinton challenged George H.W. Bush in 1992, and the campaign mantra was, It's the economy, stupid! Thirty-five percent (35%) of battleground state voters say the economy is the most important issue for them, followed by border security (17%) and abortion (13%). Surprisingly illegal immigration and the border fall far behind the economy. That may change as news of Venezuelan gangs taking over apartment buildings in Aurora Colorado, Chicago, Dallas, and New York City makes headlines. Many other cities likely have or will face the same. An illegal alien truck driver killed a Colorado man and received less than a one-year prison sentence. Deportation? Fat chance in sanctuary Colorado. Voters may change the 2024 election mantra to Its the border, stupid. Rasmussen Reports noted voter sentiment, On the issue of illegal immigration, 61% believe the government is doing too little to reduce illegal border crossings and visitor overstays. In addition, Fifty-nine percent (59%) believe its likely that the increased illegal immigration in the past few years was purposely allowed by the Biden administration. Kamala Harris has been the number two in that same Biden administration for almost four years. She is Bidens Border Czar despite media efforts to suggest otherwise. If Trump can effectively link Harris to the economy and the border, which is quite evident, it would give Trump an advantage on the two most important voter concerns. Trump's focus should be on these issues, rather than rehashing the 2020 election or Joe Biden's dementia. Trump can ask voters, Are you better or worse off now compared to 4 years ago? and focus on his economic plan. What do other polls indicate? The Real Clear Politics average of 12 polls shows Harris up by 1.9 points, but once again these are national polls. However, they also provide an average for battleground states. In Arizona, its Trump up 0.5 point, a tie in Nevada, Harris up 1.4 points in Wisconsin, 1.1 points in Michigan, 0.5 point in Pennsylvania, and Trump up 0.7 point in North Carolina, and 0.2 point in Georgia. Nate Silver, election analyst and FiveThirtyEight founder believes: Former President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is the slight favorite to defeat Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris this November going into Labor Day weekend and the campaign's home stretch. The model update suggests that Trump has a 52.4% chance of winning the Electoral College while Harris has a 47.3% chance of prevailing, making Trump the favorite in Silvers model for the first time since August 3. The bottom line is that today, it's too close to call. As Rush Limbaugh often said before elections, the deciding factors may be largely or completely unknown at this point. Wars, pandemics, power grid outages, and other calamities may be looming. Scandals are also in the mix, with Trump being the most investigated human being in history, starting from his famous escalator ride in Trump Tower in June 2015. If he had skeletons in his closet, we would know about them by now. Could Trump be imprisoned through lawfare? Will Harris crash and burn as Biden did in his debate performance a few months ago? Assassination is also on the table, as we learned two months ago. Desperate times call for desperate measures and dont put it past the deep state, either through willful incompetence or intentionality, to attempt it again. Censorship is increasing, with election interference through the deliberate manipulation and suppression of news and information. Those who exercise their right to free speech are being punished, especially if their speech is inconvenient to the ruling class narrative. Aside from countries like the U.K. and Brazil stomping the boot of oppression on the neck of free speech, big tech is joining the censorship. For instance, when asked Why vote for Trump, Amazons Alexa responded, I cannot provide responses that endorse any political party or its leader. However, when asked Why vote for Harris, Alexa gushed with many reasons to vote for Kamala Harris. Amazon attributed it to a glitch, one of many in the tech world that always favors the Democrats. Funny that. Then there is the Trump-Russia canard. A handful of conservative pundits are accused of working with Russia. As GatewayPundit reported: Earlier today the Biden-Harris Regime announced it was launching a whole government action to purge so-called Russian propaganda and disinformation ahead of the 2024 election. Biden accused Russia of a sustained effort to influence the upcoming election, according to CNN and NBC News. This smells like an FBI/DOJ/CIA entrapment scheme on par with Jan. 6, the Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping attempt, or the Alfa Bank hoax, sowing the seeds for Congress to not certify a Trump electoral victory. Ask Russian President Vladimir Putin what he thinks about Russia's desire for Trump to be elected, as reported by MSNBC. If we can name a favorite candidate, it used to be Joe Biden. Now hes not participating in the election campaign, and he recommended to all his allies to support (Kamala) Harris, so that is what we are going to do. Russia wants President Harris, another Democrat patsy. Russia invaded neighboring countries under Obama and Biden, but not Trump. Putin would be wise to say little and let the U.S. government play the Trump-Russia collusion card, installing Putins preferred candidate Kamala Harris. Thats the real Russian collusion, not with Trump but with the U.S. ruling class. A lot of tactics will be used to undermine the intentions of American voters in this crucial election. Opinion polls can give us an idea of what might or should happen, but they may not accurately predict the actual outcome. How do the candidates look two months out? Trump appears confident and composed, while Harris uses fake accents to appeal to different ethnic groups, often cackling or ignoring tough questions from the media. Mail-in ballots will be sent out soon, and voters will be making their choices long before Rush Limbaughs unknown events materialize. At this point, the race is far from over. Get ready for an exciting September and October and enjoy the show! Brian C. Joondeph, M.D., is a physician and writer. Follow me on Twitter @retinaldoctor, Substack Dr. Brians Substack, Truth Social @BrianJoondeph, and LinkedIn @Brian Joondeph. As Vice President Kamala Harris hides her support for Medicare for All, covertly championing her belief that healthcare is a fundamental human right, it becomes increasingly urgent to confront several myths that cloud the healthcare debate. Harriss plan, echoing progressive rhetoric of universal coverage, hinges on the assumption that all necessary health care can and should be provided by government to every American, both those legally here as well as illegal immigrants. Before considering any reform of healthcare, we must address several widely accepted but fundamentally flawed beliefs that undermine our understanding of the healthcare system. After dispelling these myths, we can Empower We the Patients. Cost is not spending. A recent headline proclaimed, healthcare costs are expected to jump by 9% in 2025. But this isnt about costsits about spending. The distinction is crucial as we evaluate Harriss Medicare for All initiative, which, while well-intentioned, risks inflating spending without addressing the underlying inefficiencies that drive these numbers. The U.S. spent $4.8 trillion on healthcare in 2023, but about half of that wasnt on actual careit was on the bloated bureaucracy that Harriss plan would likely expand rather than streamline. The resources needed to produce health care servicesthe true costvastly differ from the inflated spending figures driven by administrative bloat. Real reform requires understanding and addressing this difference, not conflating the two. Coverage does not equal care. One of the most persistent myths Harris seems to embrace is the idea that coverage equals care. Her vision for healthcare reform is laser-focused on expanding insurance, yet experience shows that insurance coverage does not guarantee timely or quality care. Patients with government plans like Medicaid often face long waits for treatment, sometimes with fatal consequences. Conversely, those without insurance often receive necessary care under existing laws, revealing the complex reality that coverage does not equate to access. Simply having insurance doesnt ensure patients receive the care they need. Harriss Medicare for All proposal, focused on expanding coverage, misses this critical distinction. Your doctor doesnt decide your carean administrator or bureaucrat does. We like to think that our doctors will always provide the best possible care, but that decision is often out of their hands in today's healthcare system. Harriss plan would deepen this problem by expanding the role of bureaucrats in deciding what care is approved and provided. Your physician does not choose your medicationsa pharmacy benefits manager does. Your primary care doctor does not refer you to the surgeon with the best outcomesyou must go to whomever your insurance company contracts with. As Harris proposes, expanding government control over healthcare decisions would only further distance patients from personalized care decisions. There is no right to healthcare in a free society. Harriss push for Medicare for All is rooted in the belief that healthcare is a basic human right. However, this notion raises serious questions about the implications for patients and providers. Rights, such as free speech or religious freedom, are inherent and do not require someone elses labor or resources to exercise. Declaring healthcare as a right would effectively compel medical professionals to provide services on demand, regardless of their consent. True rights do not impose obligations on others. Harriss vision would undermine the autonomy of healthcare providers, reducing their freedom and potentially compromising care quality. Medical autonomy no longer exists in the U.S. In the United States, personal freedom, including medical autonomy, is enshrined in the Constitution. However, through the current third-party payment structure, entities like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and private insurers, which follow federal regulations, effectively decide Americans medical care. Harriss proposal would likely strengthen this system, further eroding patient choice. As Harris pushes for greater government involvement in healthcare, patient choice and autonomy erosion will only accelerate. Tyranny has returned to the U.S. healthcare system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government exerted unprecedented control over medical decisions, from mandating vaccines to restricting treatments. Harriss approach, which would further centralize healthcare decisions, threatens to entrench this medical tyranny, where government dictates override individual choice and freedoms. The pandemic was a stark reminder of how quickly government overreach can strip away individual freedoms. Harriss plan risks making tyranny the new norm in healthcare. There is no such thing as free healthcare. The promise of free healthcare is perhaps the most dangerous myth. Medicaid insurance, for example, may come at no charge to the patient, but it is extremely costly for taxpayers. Healthcare services provided by doctors, nurses, and therapists are not freeunless you believe in slavery, which no free society should. Harriss Medicare for All proposal, which markets itself as being free at the point of service, conveniently ignores the enormous costs that would be imposed on taxpayers. Someone always pays. Under Harriss plan, taxpayers would bear the massive financial burden of free services. As Harris continues to advocate for Medicare for All, we must dismantle these myths. Doing so can shift the conversation from idealistic but unrealistic promises to practical, effective solutions that truly empower patients and respect the freedoms upon which this country was built. Only then can we hope to create a healthcare system that serves the people rather than expanding government control at the expense of individual choice, market efficiency, and even freedom itself. Deane Waldman, M.D., MBA is Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Decision Science; former Director of Center for Healthcare Policy at Texas Public Policy Foundation; former Director of New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange; and author of 12 books, including multi-award winning, Curing the Cancer in U.S. Healthcare: StatesCare and Market-Based Medicine. Contact him at www.deanewaldman.com. Vance Ginn, Ph.D., is president of Ginn Economic Consulting, host of the Let People Prosper Show, and previously chief economist of the Trump White House's Office of Management and Budget. Follow him on X.com at @VanceGinn. Image: Pixabay license. Since the beginning of time, humans have allowed themselves to get consumed by hatred and involved in bloody conflicts. Although the West, where descendants of faithful churchgoers have largely dispensed with God, imagines that it has put Wars of Religion behind it, there are others who think otherwise: The Islamists. (The dispute is not about race, to be sure, but religion and ideology as in Political Islam.) History tells us that Muslims have been at war with us for centuries, originally invading our ancient lands in the Levant, Africa, and Anatolia. Later, they took the war to the Iberian Peninsula and the Balkans. In the twentieth century, unable to raise an invading army like the Moors and Ottomans, Arabs have profoundly humiliated the West by raising the prices of crude oil. Watching their own wealth accumulate beyond belief, they have resorted to economic blackmail to obtain political concessions. Intermittently, both Arabs and Turks have sent hordes of illiterates to our shores, playing on our Christian mercy; given the present standoff, this compassion truly disagrees with cynical self-preservation. In addition, Islamists have massacred us in our own cities (e.g. New York and Washington on September 11, 2001, Madrid on March 11, 2004, and London on July 7, 2005). Under blasphemy laws based on Sharia, Muslims persecute our fellow believers in Muslim-majority societies. Followers of religions other than Islam (e.g. Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists) are considered second-class citizens (dhimmis). When exposed to savage attacks from the Muslim mob (e.g. spurred on by zealous imams or under false pretenses people involved in private disputes), they are defenseless. Neither law enforcement nor the courts protect them. However, it is as if we, who are at a safe distance from the daily harassment and massacres, have refused to accept the declaration of war. We, who enjoy the benefits of Western prosperity and a highly developed civil society, are being remarkably stubborn and persistently act as if we simply cannot believe it. Apparently, we put our own peace of mind above compassion for our Christian brothers and sisters. Younger generations of Westerners without religious ties or historical insights refuse to take the religious war seriously. Afraid to appear reactionary in the political environment at home, they agree to the wildest absurdities of identity politics, but cannot themselves identify with those from the Third World who share and die for the faith (and morality) of their own ancestors. Susceptible to false narratives about peaceful coexistence, which usually obscure the precedence of one religion over the others on closer inspection, we put up with daily micro-attacks by members of the Muslim diaspora on our customs and very identity as Westerners. Every single day, there is a slight shift in the way people interact as private individuals and the way public institutions cooperate. The abrogation of the social contract that applies in the open society is taking place right before our eyes. Social cohesion the defining characteristic of a high-trust society is corroding at an alarming rate. Instead of setting themselves up for assimilation, Muslims adopt a self-segregating, presumptuous wait-and-see attitude. Nonetheless, changes are barely visible from day to day. Adding up over time, they only become obvious when we take a long-term perspective. Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, we insist on the inherent peacefulness of our enemy. In the progressive elite, they literally compete for the right to assert themselves as apologists. As if we are afraid to be in touch with our own (righteous) anger, we close our eyes to the realities of the world. Apparently, we find it difficult to imagine that others might hate us for what we do and who we are. It is nothing less than counterintuitive in our view. It challenges our complacent, hypocritical modern-day image of ourselves. Therefore, we turn a deaf ear to all the so-called wake-up calls. The very term War on Terror, coined after the attack on the Twin Towers in Manhattan, testifies to our hypocritical attitude towards our own fear or strictly speaking cowardice. First, war is not waged against the psychological effect of acts of terrorism, namely terror, but against terrorists perpetrators of terrorism. Second, the terrorists who give themselves up to martyrdom with contempt of death are not simply individuals who have been radicalized in some indefinite sense. They are ardent Muslims who follow the call of their prophet. In political circles, there is an obvious reluctance to name the enemy, although he triumphantly celebrated the attack on New York with noisy motorcades, flags, and fireworks both in the Middle East and in Western Europe (i.e. the so-called Eurabia). A powerful indication of the times to come. In the event of major terrorist attacks, we hasten to reassure each other that the terrorists will never succeed in changing our way of life. The reassurance sounds like the parodying echo of a religious spell rather than a prediction, though. An embarrassing ritual of yesterday, it fails to do the trick. As the attacks increase in frequency and scope, people lose heart. Of course, we prepare for other times. In cases, where a perpetrator commits terrorist acts on his own (a so-called lone wolf), we gladly excuse him with mental illness and refuse to interpret his despicable behavior in the proper context: The war on the West. Other interpretations that were more in line with reality could force us to take precautions. The Islamists persistently fight us as our hereditary enemies. They have put the perspective of eternity on this war. Never does it occur to them to doubt the goal or the final victory. On the contrary, they are persistent and patiently lurk on the weakness of their enemy. They continue the struggle generation after generation. Very tellingly, they do not hesitate in the face of temporary adversity. Their historical sense of purpose characterizes them. Our response, by contrast, is ambiguous, not to say contradictory. On the one hand, we do not believe that they really hate us. How could they, bearing in mind our extensive willingness to confess our (colonial-racist) sins and repair the damage? On the other hand, we cannot bear the thought that they hate us and go to great lengths to placate them. Thus, we actually prefer to appease our enemies, giving in to their demands for special privileges one by one, rather than insist on our way of living. Current projections suggest that the demographic balance may tip in favor of Muslim majority within a shorter number of years in several Western countries. Once they feel strong enough, emboldened by Islamists, which actively oppose cultural integration and lead the way, Muslims may unfortunately assume an arrogant attitude towards people of other faiths, as if social dominance is a prerogative of theirs. The infiltration of the West is pervasive. While hot-tempered mobs rule the streets, propagandizing genocide and hailing the caliphate, Arab oil money buys up news media and universities, leading to suppression of critical thinking, persecution (i.e. defamation, cancellation) of anti-totalitarian heretics, and enslavement of the defeatists. Unless we intend to face a future as second-class citizens, we need to stand firm on Western values and pick up the gauntlet in our parliaments. It is incumbent on our legislators to keep guard over our societies in the West and save them from the disintegration and anarchy that result from unrestricted immigration from the Middle East and North Africa. A reasonable concern is whether our parliamentarians are up to the task. As the public debate has been reshaped by social media, elected officials only think in the short term. The younger of them have practically no insight into world history, but are preoccupied with personal profiles, likes, and social events. Meanwhile, the enemy is gathering strength for the final push. Even if we act like spoiled, silly children, there is still a war on. The truth of the matter is, of course, that our enemies continue to wage war every single day of the year. However, we for our part refuse to accept the challenge, unwilling to believe what lies ahead. This amounts to a distinct phenomenon of Western war denial. Image: Public domain. In Springfield, Ohio, there are reports that Haitian migrants, including illegals, are out eating people's pet cats. And dogs. And seagulls. And ducks in ponds. And geese in public parks. And horses. And that's starting to bother the locals: NEW: Springfield, Ohio man says Haitian illegals are decap*tating ducks from parks & eating them, accuses commission members of getting paid off for allowing it. They're in the park grabbing up ducks by their neck and cutting their head off and walking off with 'em and eating pic.twitter.com/uE3wI3CXl3 Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 8, 2024 Still cant get over this Haitian dude walking around with an entire goose like its a freshly prepared bag of Chic-fil-a. We are so cooked. pic.twitter.com/Hgp3zwMumQ Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) September 9, 2024 Haitians eating dogs, cats, ducks and geese. pic.twitter.com/XNIOE1RYyS Arthur Fleck (@Arthur_Fleck88) September 6, 2024 Residents in Springfield Ohio are dealing with a surge of Illegal Migrants from Haiti that are eating pets, cats, dogs, geese. This is past the point of disgusting. One woman came home to find her cat skinned and hanging in a tree. Let me tell you something, any MF tries to get pic.twitter.com/lHnpWrzceY Black Insurrectionist--I FOLLOW BACK TRUE PATRIOTS (@DocNetyoutube) September 9, 2024 Beautiful reunion. Im posting this as a warning if you have horses farm animals, even your domestic pets cats dogs get security cameras protect them with all you have. the illegals are stealing them slaughtering horses for their meat Haitians stealing animals for Santeria pic.twitter.com/RppEV6NdQd Lisa (@lisssa0114) September 5, 2024 Not surprisingly, the memes are flowing on X: People are up in arms over illegal immigrants eating their pet cats. Good, they should be, but lets not forget about women and children being sex trafficked, rape trees, crime waves, gangs taking over apartment buildings and fentanyl. pic.twitter.com/PjJfO4vl5m Francisco Vandalay (@f_vandalay) September 9, 2024 Clover is voting for Trump because she doesn't want to be eaten by Haitians. SAVE THE CATS! VOTE TRUMP! pic.twitter.com/3k9Z1H0rbU Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) September 9, 2024 We all know what dog abuse allegations did to Mitt Romney's and Kristi Noem's political prospects. People like their pets and work hard to protect them. They are distressed when they lose them. And most important, they have a right to them, it's called "the pursuit of happiness." The pets have certain rights, too. If their owners were to kill them, they'd be in jail for animal cruelty, as well as pariahs in the larger society, too, which migrants seem to be escaping from. The old one set of rules for us, one set of rules for them seems operative. As for ducks and geese, these creatures aren't pets, but they are in the parks for all to enjoy, not just those who want to roast them for their personal dinners. Nor are they expected to serve as meat for migrants. When migrants come down with parasites from eating that uninspected "meat," someone will need to pay their medical bills. You can just guess who. The bottom line here is that the public has a right to see its commonly enjoyed ducks and geese go unmolested, too. Naturally, anyone complaining is labeled a racist by the open-borders left, which pretty well is a bid to shut down conversation about it: Springfield, Ohio resident confirms Haitian immigrants are eating geese, but says it would be racist to care. pic.twitter.com/Ey7o01FqKf Jeremy Kauffman (@jeremykauffman) September 8, 2024 But the people I see complaining are black people, so these leftists can sit down. As to whether all of this is really happening is hard to confirm as there haven't been significant news reporting on it. Since so many animals have been named, one suspects it could be mass hysteria. But again, that's because hard facts aren't getting out. Too easy to declare such questions and facts racist is one explanation. But there are problems and conventions in certain cultures that shouldn't be dismissed. Like this -- a perfect illustration of lawlessness and disorder. We supposedly sent enough tax money and donations to rebuild the entire place twice over. https://t.co/UW4ySxEVRf Sharyl Attkisson (@SharylAttkisson) September 9, 2024 What's more, Haiti is basically a subsistence economy, so it's not unheard of that people may eat unconventional foods for survival purposes and keep those customs even after a crisis has passed. There also have been reports of cannibalism that came out of Haiti earlier. Anyone who can snack on a human leg isn't going to have much fear of ripping a goose's head off and chowing down. The third factor is more cultural still -- that animals are sometimes used in Haitian voudou rituals with little regard as to how they are obtained. Lastly, the problem of unvetted migrants being let into the country has already acclimatized them to the idea that laws don't matter and America is there for the taking. Who cares if a pet belongs to someone else, migrants already have been told they can take what they want with no consequences whatsoever, so it's not surprising that such things are happening. So all of these things would probably make people believe that illegal migrants, or even legal ones who should not have been let in, have been taking people's pets. Still, it's unconfirmed beyond the tweets, but a little background on Springfield suggests that there are problems. Springfield is reportedly a town of 60,000 that has taken in 20,000 Haitian migrants in the past few years. Even if some or all are here legally, which is questionable, that's too many to assimilate. Migrants can't assimilate in those conditions even if they want to. That makes Springfield a petri dish for new cultural experiences such as pet loss, and some of the other barbaric practices seen in lawless Haiti. The broader picture is that violent crime has surged since the advent of the migrants: I live in the area pic.twitter.com/LV1H9doaNL (@Stealth_B__) September 8, 2024 Even if no pets are being eaten by migrants, that level of crime surge is intolerable. And besides crime, there's disorder. In this Daily Mail piece, a woman told a city commission meeting that she was being forced out of her home because of all the lawless migrant squatting. That people are worried on so many fronts, including even pet welfare, adds to the total number of things Americans are worried about with the surge of illegal migrants -- rapes, robberies, burglaries, con artists, murders, random shootings, apartment takeovers, gang activity, welfare costs, education costs, hospital costs, jail costs and the rest. People shouldn't have to worry about their pets, too. But that's the state of things even as Democrats scream at J.D. Vance over his criticism of childless cat ladies. Now the childless cat ladies really have something to worry about -- illegals coming for their pets. What Democrat is going to shift course on the current policy to protect people's pets, and presumably, the interests of childless cat ladies? Maybe shutting down the open border as Vance advocates is the better idea after all. Like your cat? Vote for Trump. Image: Twitter meme There are 41,237 big medium and small businesses in the Pittsburgh area and it probably shouldn't surprise anyone that Kamala Harris "spontaneously" found herself at Penzey's Spices amng them while campaigning for votes in that city. Sure, she's big on shopping for culinary luxury goods, having demonstrated those tastes on her first official visit to Paris in November 2021. splashing out $582 on elite Parisian cookware. She's also posed in front of her gas stove, the kind favored by gourmet chefs as the green lobby tries to take them away from the rest of us. She's posed with a factory-folded apron on in 2019. She's done a cooking show with an Indian-American chef Mindy Kaling. She knows wine, lots and lots of wine, and imbibes a lot of wine, too. She likes to try on clothes while shopping with reporters. And she takes her interior decorating seriously. It's just so full a life for her, given the amount of news that comes out about these extra-curricular activities, as compared to, say, doing her job. So naturally, she drew this kind of ace investigative coverage from the campaign visit from the Washington Post: Kamala Harris just went to Penzeys Spices and bought Creamy Peppercorn Dressing Base, Fox Point Seasoning, Trinidad Lemon-Garlic Marinade, Turkish Seasoning, and Tuscan Sunset Salt Free Italian Seasoning. James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) September 7, 2024 Umm, salt-free Tuscan Sunset: Hand-mixed from: basil, oregano, red bell pepper, garlic, thyme, fennel, black pepper and anise. To make oil & vinegar salad dressing: Cover 1 TB. Tuscan Sunset Seasoning with 1 TB. water, let stand a few minutes. Add 1/3 cup olive oil and 1/4 cup balsamic Get a load of the scoring that ace reporter from the Post got from that. But the real news is that this has got to be the biggest Republican-hating company out there -- one that lost money and 40,000 subscribers on its alienation of half its customer base, and just kept on insulting Republicans. Kamalas campaign stopped at Penzeys Spices Store. Im sure it had nothing to do with their politics. pic.twitter.com/3RkTCh9dtt KJUNE (@kjune65) September 8, 2024 Kamala took a study break to make a quick public appearance at Penzey Spices, a Republican HATING retail shop in Pittsburgh. She had a pre-planned stop with crying liberal women for a photo op, then fled back to keep cramming for a job interview for a position she's unqualified pic.twitter.com/PL9tBrfSjX leslie (@leslie59904273) September 8, 2024 This is place Kamala Harris held a fake impromptu stop. A place that jokes about the 5/2020 riots while Kamala pushed bail indiscriminately, incl. for rioters. I guess Penzey's Spices wasn't close enough to really appreciate the burning. pic.twitter.com/4zFSyMrSPy Marc Olivier (@molivier1A) September 8, 2024 Heres some receipts from Penzeys Spice shop that Kamala organically and naturally just happened to pop into today when she was taking a break from her 45 day debate prep. Its all fake. All staged. Another TDS business. pic.twitter.com/4GG8uMQ33i Tony Scalies (@TonyScalies) September 7, 2024 Once again, 40,000 business in Pittsburgh, this one not even local, and she picks this one. They hate us. They really, really hate us. Oh, but they're not haters, their owner, Bill Penzey insists on his company website under a special tab titled "About Republicans." Try not to retch: From the environment, to racism/discrimination, to health, to saving our democracy at home and growing it abroad, half the time Republicans are intentionally blocking the solution to the problems we face. The other half of the time they are the problem we face. The truth of our time is weve arrived at the point where theres no way to respect the nonsense the Republican Party is promoting and have any hope of overcoming the problems we as a nation and we as a planet face. Given the choice between saving America and planet Earth or saving the feelings of Republican voters, we are choosing to side with saving our country and our world. Im sorry its come to this. And no, there is no HATE!!! in any of this. There is a whole lot of propaganda at the heart of much of how Republican voters have been steered away from conservative values to what they now seem all too happy to vote for. The thing to remember about propaganda is that it doesnt just misinform, it also works to make people immune from the truth by convincing them any facts that counter their propaganda are nothing more than HATE!!! But we really have no hate for Republican voters. None at all. I actually like and respect most of you guys. Sure, there are a growing number that are there for the racism, but I still believe the majority of you have good hearts that want to help and do the right thing. I know you to be trustworthy, and honest, and funny, and caring, and good souls. The problem isnt what you are, the problem is what you are now voting to support. You guys have been turned around. "There for the racism"? Who the hell is Bill Penzey, who signed this tripe, talking about? He seems to have forgotten that Democrats are the Party of the Klan. As for liking and respecting us "guys," his bizarre claims about Republicans, told only on the farthest part of the left, tell a different story. He does, however, like Republican money, just not the people who pay it. But it's not all that different from Kamala, who insists that she's a moderate, she's willing to be president for all people including Republicans, and she holds the same extremist views on Republicans that Penzey does. It's a pretty weird thing that she picked Penzey's of all companies to make her campaign stop at, given its rabid hatred for anyone with a different point of view. Was there really no one else to make the campaign stop at in Pittsburgh? It's such a bad choice, it makes me suspect there wasn't. Image: Screen shot from Fox News video posted on Twitter No matter how much you disdain and despise the mainstream mediait is not enough. Not nearly enough. Case in point: the newly rebranded Minnesota Star Tribune recently ran an articleon the front page of the A sectionabout the history of the KKK in Minnesota. The headline read Her mission: Documenting history of KKK in Minnesota. Clever. The piece never mentioned the Democrat party, never once noted that the party was the home of the KKK, the pro-slavery party, the Jim Crow party, the anti-integration party, the anti-reconstruction party. Misinformation. Disinformation. Mal-information. Lying by omission. Shameful. Instead, the article hinted throughout that it was those with the mindset of todays Trump Republicans that were responsible for the horrors of extreme discrimination. The story, by Trey Mewes, cited the work of recently retired Steele County librarian Nancy Vaillancourt, and noted, The KKK spread to many corners of the state, from Minneapolis to Virginia, where school board members all claimed they were KKK members and urged that the Bible be taught in public schools. Gag me. I doubt that every school board member in Virginiaor Minneapolisin a state that promptly volunteered to fight for the union in the Civil War, upon entering the union, was a proud, card-carrying member of the KKK. But the real point was to smear Christianity, by saying that these wildly racist animals urged that the Bible be taught in public schools. The Biblein partwas taught in many public schools at the time. And the attempt to associate Christians with the KKK is more than absurd. It is the opposite of realityand singularly repulsive. Many Christians were abolitionists. The paper that some in Minnesota call Fish Wrap West (as opposed to the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, which is Fish Wrap East)and others use as a liner for their bird cageswent on to state that KKK members at the time denounced what they called outside influence from foreigners, Catholics, Jews, and anyone who didnt agree with Christian nationalist teachings. Yeah, sure, those who wanted to keep African-Americans enslaved were devout Christian nationalists who wished to indoctrinate or intimidate anyone who wasnt. Those responsible for this article mightve been thinking of a different religion, truth be told. This attempt at journalism was beyond pathetic. It was akin to chronicling and bemoaning the Holocaust without mentioning the Nazi party. It was as if a historian wrote of Americas war with Japan without mentioning the attack on Pearl Harbor. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. Call it whatever you want to call it, but 2024 is one heck of a confusing mess. Vice President Dick Cheney, the man the Democrats loved to hate, is supporting Vice President Kamala Harris. Professor Alan Dershowitz, the man the Democrats used to love, is not voting for VP Harris. Did I see that coming? I didnt and you probably didnt, either. So why is Dersh leaving the Democrats? Lets listen to him: Image: YouTube screen grab (edited). The retired Harvard Law School professor, who is a longtime self-described liberal Democrat, told radio host Zev Brenner on Aug. 23 that he felt the Chicago gathering was the worst convention in American history because of the number of speakers who have publicly expressed opposition to Israel. They had more anti-Jewish, anti-Zionist people who were speaking, starting with [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] a miserable, anti-Zionist bigot, Dershowitz said during an appearance on Talkline with Zev Brenner. Then of course they had [Sen. Elizabeth] Warren, who is one of the most anti-Jewish people in the Senate. Then they had Bernie Sanders, one of the most anti-Jewish people in the Senate. Dershowitz argued the Democratic Party gave anti-Israel arguments legitimacy by allowing those that espouse them to speak at the convention. You are darn right, Professor. It didnt help that VP Harris had another appointment when the Prime Minister of Israel spoke to Congress. Its one thing for Beto ORourke to go MIA when President Biden came to Texas in 2022. Or for Sen. Jon Tester to skip the Democrat convention. Those are examples of raw politics and opportunism. Having the VP leave Washington when our strongest ally in the Middle East pays a visit is a signal that the Biden-Harris administration does not have Israels back. Mr. Dershowitz has other problems with the Democrats. You can hear him talk about it on his podcast, from lawfare to concerns about the cancel culture to a Democrat Party that he does not recognize anymore. So hello, Dick, and goodbye, Alan. I didnt see Cheney coming, but Dershowitz is not a total shock. I hope that other Jewish-Americans are paying attention. P.S.: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Cutting right to the chase: Leftists are suckers for dictatorial authority. Early into the COVID hysteria, I was walking alone and outdoors. A woman wearing a face mask saw me coming towards her and immediately started bawling me out for not covering my face. To this day I often see people wearing face masks while driving alone in their cars. Remember the twenty-second rule for hand washing? Whatever happened to that? It is a tyrants paradise where people are obsessed with obeying the rules. And here we are. Every year an extremely thick book of new rules is issued by our government otherwise, we might actually have to think for ourselves. This brings to mind my chance meeting with a woman who is now our county superintendent of schools, while she was door knocking for her campaign. Her bad luck. I told her that I supported school choice so schools would have to compete for students and even faculty just like colleges and universities do. She gave the standard leftist response: Many parents just arent competent enough to choose schools for their children. Avoiding a knock-down, drag-out I avoided asking her if nameless, faceless bureaucrats would be better at doing this? Parents at least have motivation on their side. They seriously want to do the right thing regardless of their ability. In addition to obedient followers, this set-up also requires leaders who are both cynical and capable. Hence our current dilemma. Like them or not, weve run out of that kind of talent. How else can one ever explain the spontaneous implosion of Joseph R. Biden and then the selection-by-default of the giggler-in-chief Kamala Harris? This deficit is pervasive throughout the modern world. In addition to our own statist clones, European leaders are also trying to dictate to the Israelis that they stop trying to defend themselves from imminent annihilation -- while they are telling Hamas to stop trying to exterminate their Jewish neighbors. They might as well try writing very angry letters to the editor. Consistent with their compulsive obedience to authority, leftists also eschew the personal processes of study and analysis. They prefer, instead, to let experts explain to them the details of reality. Should someone disagree with their dogma, that person is considered to be either ignorant or arbitrarily argumentative. Living in a deep blue city in a deep blue state, I am often told that my opinions are not really serious -- but rather mischievous attempts at provocation -- for the sake of my own perverse amusement. They have little, if any, tolerance for legitimate disagreement but I do kind of enjoy watching them make fools of themselves. Just now, while walking along in my hood, I got into a discussion about this years election. The January 6th event is the albatross they couldnt help but hang around Trumps neck even though he didnt do anything to incite violence other than be who he is. Then my nearby neighbor, a retired attorney, brought up Trumps favoritism towards the rich and powerful through tax cuts. I had to tell him that official IRS statistics show that the top 5% of income earners pay over 60% of the income tax being collected. He argued What about the tax rates? I said, Who cares about the rates? Its the amount of money being collected that matters. Talk about study and analysis let alone tolerance and inclusion. And, of course, adherence to dogma. Image: AT via Magic Studio Is loyalty an old fashioned concept to be tossed in the cemetery of outmoded beliefs? Is it dead? For some politicians, the answer is a resounding yes! But, why? Loyalty is defined as ones allegiance, commitment and dedication to ones country, a political party, and/or a consumer brand. Currently, in the United States, the focus is on ones loyalty to a political party. Perhaps, more specifically, the laser beam is focused on those who once held high political office suddenly deserting the political party, to whom they are indebted for years of fame and power, to vote for a candidate from the other side. This desertion feels like the epitome of hypocrisy, betrayal, fraud, and abandonment of ones core beliefs in exchange for exactly what? The target of this authors disgust is the Cheney family, though probably more Republican desertions will be heralded between now and election day. Dick Cheney was Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He served under President George W. Bush, who thankfully has stated he will not endorse Harris. Prior to serving as Bushs Vice President, Cheney was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming, and subsequently served as President Gerald Fords Chief of Staff. All as a Republican. Cheney has stated his reason for supporting Harris is because Trump is the most dangerous person in the country to be president. What? Really? I dont recall Trump giving plane loads of money to Iran our sworn enemy. I dont remember Trump pulling out of Afghanistan, which resulted in the deaths of 13 Americans with many more stranded in-country, along with the billions of dollars in materiel that was simply abandoned and is now for sale to Americas enemies. And, at the expense of the American taxpayers. Both of which occurred under Harriss tenure as Vice President and who was reportedly in her own words the last person in the room when these egregious decisions were made. I dont remember Trump ever having been made Border Czar as Harris has been for the last three years. Under her watch, she has been to the border exactly once and approximately 67 million illegals have sashayed across our Southern border. And, unfortunately they are not just from Mexico and Central American countries looking for a job and more pay, as they were in the past. No! Now they are from every country in the world and mostly single males, with motives unknown. Cheneys reasoning is extremely suspect. But his disloyalty is worse. Here is a man who the body politic elected to the second highest office in the United States. And even that was weird: George W. Bush had asked Cheney to help vet potential vice presidential candidates then boom Cheney picked himself! There is also an added boon to being in high political office or a presidents cabinet member one can sell ones entire stock portfolio (to prevent a potential conflict of interest) without having to pay taxes on capital gains. And Dick Cheney is not the only one in his family to have benefited from Republican backing. His daughter, Liz Cheney was a Republican member in the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming from 20172023. Clearly capitalizing on her famous familys name, Lizs dislike for Trump is not as surprising, however, as she has always voiced her dislike of Trump. But loyalty demands, unless your partys leader is a murderer, rapist, child molester or thief, support of said leader. One can disagree with and not vote for a partys representative, but loyalty should demand that you keep those thoughts to oneself. Concern should be directed at a candidates policies, not their personalities. The Cheney family disloyalty to the party that supported and nurtured them could result in a more precarious situation for Israel, higher prices for food gas and essentials in the United States, a ban on fracking driving up food and gasoline prices once again, as distribution costs rise, and the insanity of a tax on unrealized gains, which are just numbers on paper and purely debatable until the capital gain is realized. The Cheney family should be ashamed ashamed for the suffering they ultimately heap on America in their hubris and disloyalty. Image: DonkeyHotey, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr, unaltered. One of the hallmarks of narcissism is that when things go wrong, its always someone elses fault. Being a narcissist means never having to say youre sorry. Nothing more perfectly illustrates this truism than an essay from yesterdays Los Angeles Times blaming Republicans for Californias myriad woes. While the author is correct that, when Republicans had the chance, they didnt make smart decisions, the reality is that its the Democrats who have led California to the desperate place its in now. Steve Lopezs essay doesnt make the mistake of blaming Republicans for all the states problems. He concedes that Democrats have long controlled the former Golden State, which is plagued by homelessness, crime, out-of-control housing costs, and poverty. He contends, however, that none of that happened overnight, nor did it happen exclusively under Democratic leadership. Lopez believes that Republican mismanagement during the times that Republicans controlled the government is as much to blame as Democrat mismanagement. Image by Andrea Widburg. The easy challenge to that argument is that, since 1970, the legislature has had a Democrat majority, which became a vetoproof supermajority in 2018. Moreover, Democrats have held the governors office nonstop since 2011. For the seven years before that, the governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger, who ran as a Republican but governed as a Democrat. In other words, Republicans have had a shrinking say in Californias governance for decades, so its really hard to blame them for the current problems. Nevertheless, Lopez makes a valiant effort. Ill quickly go through what he gets right and what he gets wrong and then wrap up with all the awful Democrat policies that have truly brought the Golden State to its knees. According to Lopez, Republicans are all or partly responsible for the following: Theyre responsible for the mental illness problem, he says, because (i) a Republican joined with two Democrats in 1967 to limit involuntary psychiatric treatment, which eventually led to shutting down insane asylums, and (b) Ronald Reagan signed the legislation. Lopez neglects to add that the Democrats controlled the legislature that year, so Reagan would have had to waste political capital vetoing the bill. Theres more going on than that, though. In the 1960s, deinstitutionalizing the mentally ill was a national trend based on exposes about terrible abuse in mental institutions (e.g., Ken Keseys 1962 book One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest). Urged on by the ACLU and eventually required to act by the Supreme Court, legislatures across America did away with the whole concept of insane asylums. This movement proved to have been a terrible idea, but no governmentincluding Californias Democrat-controlled governmenthas dared to walk it back. Theyre responsible for the influx of illegal aliens, he says, because (i) agri-business needs the labor and writes checks to GOP lawmakers and (ii) illegal aliens come to escape Mexicos narco-violence, which is fed by American-manufactured guns. That charge ignores that the GOP has no political power in California. While agri-business dollars may go into GOP pockets, that cannot change Democrat legislative or gubernatorial action. We all know that Democrats are invested in illegal immigration, so dont blame the Republicans on this one. Theyre responsible for crime, he says, because Republicans refuse to back gun control. Two things: First, for now at least, neither Democrats nor Republicans can get around that little thing called the Second Amendment. Second, the problem of gun crime is one of culture, not guns. We know this is true because, as John Lott has analyzed repeatedly, most comprehensively in his book More Guns Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws, the NRA is right: An armed society is a polite society. And if you dont want to believe John Lott or the NRA, believe the Obama administrations study showing that, as of 2013, guns were making Americans safer. They were used defensively between 500,000 to 3 million times per year, far outstripping annual gun deaths. So, every one of Lopezs assertions has some truth (e.g., deinstitutionalization, agri-business, the GOP not backing gun control), but all are also completely wrong. Now, lets talk about Democrat policies that have destroyed California: California has the nations highest state taxes on individuals and one of the highest corporate tax rates. This drives out the population and breaks businesses. California enacted some of the strictest COVID regulations, which also broke businesses. California is a sanctuary state (which is illegal, violating the federal governments constitutional authority over immigration), with illegal aliens driving up crime, flooding schools (where their lack of English drives down education for all), putting pressure on available housing, and sucking up taxpayer-funded resources, such as K-college education and healthcare. Effectively decriminalizing all low-level drug use and sales, in addition to legalizing marijuana (another unconstitutional usurpation of federal power), which drives up crime and drives down employment. (Drug users are not good workers.) Embracing policies that encourage homelessness, such as allowing street camping, providing endless supplies for living on the streets, allowing open-air drug markets, etc. Even with most deinstitutionalization, many of the people living on Californias streets are crazy enough to be institutionalized. Moreover, since almost all the homeless are engaged in criminal activity, Californias Democrat government could fund special treatment wings in prisons for substance-abusing criminal homeless people. Crazy gender policies, especially in education, which demoralize and drive out normal, nuclear families. Insane energy policies, including the nations highest gas taxes, shutting nuclear power plants, making refineries impossible, and mandating electric cars and trucks. Again, this makes life expensive for normal people and drives out business. Wacky environmental control over water policies in a state that regularly experiences droughts. Widespread rent control in major urban areas which limits housing stocks and disincentivizes landlord upkeep of rental properties. Ultimately, while Republicans are not without sin, Democrats own Californias coming collapse. As many of you know by now, Google lost a huge antitrust trial in the US. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is planning to instruct Google on how to make amends. The outline is coming by December, thats when Google will find out what to do regarding its search monopoly. Following Googles defeat in search monopoly hearing, an outline for changes is coming by December This information is coming from Reuters. Along with this statement, we did not find out what remedies will be included, not at all. We did not find a single detail regarding those remedies, well have to wait until December. The Justice Department attorney, David Dahlquist, did say that the remedies will be comprehensive. They will also take into account how Google plans to integrate artificial intelligence into search, it was said. What is expected is that prosecutors request Google to divest certain business units. That could include Googles Android OS unit. The company could also be requested to stop paying billions of dollars to smartphone OEMs to keep its search engine as default on their devices. Google requires a detailed proposal regarding remedies Googles attorney, John Schmidtlein, said that Google needs a detailed proposal from prosecutors. He was quite clear about that, as Google will need to adhere to those demands to the best of its ability. What Google also said, again, is that it plans to appeal the ruling in this search monopoly case. On the flip side, the US District Judge, Amit Mehta, who was the judge in that case, said that he could hold a hearing in the sprint (in regards to that appeal). He also said that a ruling could be delivered by next August. If you thought this case was over, well, were far from it. The DoJ needs to deliver a list of remedies, but despite that, Google will certainly appeal the original ruling. It remains to be seen how will that affect the original ruling, and will Google be able to minimize the impact. Lenovo brings one of the most interesting-looking computers to IFA Trade shows like IFA are used to do several things. Companies will either use them to announce devices or launch them. Not only that but they also use them as a way to showcase their experimental and radical ideas that may never hit the market. This is the case with Lenovo. The company showed off the interesting Lenovo ThinkBook Auto Twist AI concept. Weve seen some radical laptop concepts from Lenovo in recent years. While this isnt the most unique, its still able to turn some heads (and this includes its own). The headlining feature of this laptop is the fact that it can rotate its 13.3-inch display 270. While were used to laptops that can rotate their screens on the X-axis, the ThinkBook Auto Twist can rotate its screen on the Y-axis as well. This gives it a much higher degree of mobility than other laptops. So, you can use it just like a 2-in-1 with the ability to act as a tablet. Rather than having to lift the computer to put it into tablet mode, you can simply rotate the screen on the Y-axis and then on the X-axis. Also, if you want to use it in Stand mode, you just need to rotate the laptop and rotate the screen rather than having to pick it up. Its all AI-powered The real kicker here is that the computer can do this automatically. Thats right! The hinge that lets the screen rotate is motorized, so it can do so without you touching it. If you want it to go into Tent Mode, all you have to do is tell the computer to do so. It will recognize what you want it to do and move the screen accordingly. It moves slowly at between 20 and 30 per second. However, this is a prototype at this point. If Lenovo does decide to push this to the masses, were sure that it will have sped things up. Another application of this computers AI prowess is the auto-tracking. The laptops display will automatically turn to make sure that its facing you at all times. This could be very useful if youre trying to watch something on the computer and youre also moving around your room. Also, it could be useful if youre giving a presentation and you need to be centered in your camera at all times. This might not be the biggest smash-hit PC in homes this year or the next year, but it shows that Lenovo is thinking forward and looking to bring some exciting tech for the future. This is why it earned the award for Best of IFA. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has become one of the most anticipated Qualcomm chips in years. The company will implement entirely new custom cores, which should have a positive impact on both energy efficiency and performance. However, the improvements will also bring higher prices. A new leak has revealed how expensive the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip will be. Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could be 20% more expensive than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 In recent years, prices for Qualcomms latest flagship mobile SoCs have been on the rise. In late 2023, a company executive confirmed that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will be no exception. That could lead to more expensive flagship phones and tablets by 2025, as manufacturers have less room to maneuver on the final price. That said, according to Ice Universe on Weibo, the chip will cost around $240 per unit. For reference, the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 costs around $200. The tipster does not provide any further details on key aspects regarding the price. Qualcomm will reportedly offer the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in variants with and without 5G modems (SM8750 and SM8750P, respectively). However, the post does not specify whether that price will be for the model with the Snapdragon X80 5G modem or for the WiFi-only one. The latter model primarily caters to flagship tablets that lack cellular connectivity. Also, probably not all Android brands will get the same price. Companies with larger market volumes usually get better prices, as they guarantee more units sold. Samsung is among the companies that usually get more favorable terms thanks to its current position. This chip will use custom Oryon cores If you are not aware, Qualcomm will implement custom Oryon cores in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. The company designed the Oryon cores for Snapdragon X chips intended for Windows laptops. Qualcomms latest flagship SoC with custom cores was the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The latter relied on the older Kryo designs with some tweaks. However, the Oryon cores are a fresh start from scratch, so expectations are high. Most audio engineers work in a professional or personal studio designed to be perfectly noise-free. However, there are times when working in a studio just isnt possible. Sony has a pair of high-quality reference monitors that are designed for those times. The company unveiled the new Sony MDR-M1. There are times when you have to work while not in your studio, which means that youll be in a more noisy environment. Your open-back headphones just arent made for environments like these. Theres more than enough noise to interfere with your mix. This is where the Sony MDR-M1 come in. These are closed-back monitors that are designed to faithfully reproduce the audio as if you were in a studio. The Sony MDR-M1 will let you bring the studio with you Sony is one of the top companies on the consumer audio scene, and these new monitors seem to go against expectations. People mostly choose open-backed headphones for mixing and engineering. The fact that the MDR-M1 are closed-back might turn some people away. However, the beauty of these headphones is that theyre designed to block as much ambient noise as possible. This will be helpful when youre trying to mix in a less-than-ideal environment. Obviously, if youre trying to mix on a plane, youll get more noise than if you were trying to mix in a hotel room. High-quality drivers This is Sony were talking about, so you know that these headphones come with some quality hardware. Sony fitted these headphones with two custom-made drivers that will deliver some rich and highly detailed audio. This is for two main reasons. Firstly, theres a soft outer layer for the drivers. This outer layer helps produce deeper and richer bass. This is coupled with a hard internal cone. This cone helps when producing higher tones. This two-pronged approach to audio helps make these some of the best that you can get in this price range. The drivers can accurately represent the music youre listening to. Amazing audio The Sony MDR-M1 promise to give you studio-quality audio, and we have no reason to doubt that. They have an Ultra-wideband range from 5kHz to 80kHz. Sony included a tuned port, which the company says acts as a ventilation hole to control low frequencies. This is great for people who are mixing music with a fair amount of bass. Its best to have control over the bass because having muddy bass can really ruin a mix. The Sony MDR-M1 are designed to be worn for long periods of time. They have soft ear pads that conform to the shape of your head. This way, youll be able to wear them for hours without feeling any sort of discomfort at all. What comes in the box? Theres not a lot that comes in the box, but what youre getting is useful. They come with two cords included. One of them is a replaceable cable that comes with a stereo mini-plug adaptor and plug adaptor. The second cord is shorter, and it can be used depending on what equipment you have. Specs Type: Closed dynamic Driver Unit: 40 mm (1.58 in) neodymium magnet Power Handling Capacity: 1,500 mW (IEC *1) Impedance: 50 at 1 kHz Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW Frequency Response: 5 Hz 80,000 Hz (JEITA) Mass: Approx. 216 g (7.62 oz) (without cable) Price and availability You can pick up the Sony MDR-M1 for $249 USD ($349 CAD). Theyre not available to buy yet, but you can pre-order them. You can either pre-order them at Sony.com, Amazon, B&H, Guitar Center, Sweetwater, or other authorized vendors. France's new right-wing Prime Minister Michel Barnier started consulting all sides Friday to cobble together a government capable of mustering a majority in parliament after two months of political deadlock. The 73-year-old, a former foreign minister who recently acted as the European Union's Brexit negotiator, is the oldest premier in the history of modern France. Taking over from 35-year-old Gabriel Attal, a centrist half his age who was the country's first openly gay premier, Barnier pledged to take on his new task with "humility". He said education, security and "immigration control" were his priorities and said he would be unafraid to speak the truth on the country's "financial debt", but also promised "change". President Emmanuel Macron named Barnier after weeks of impasse as France hosted the Olympics and part of the Paralympics after his centrist alliance lost its relative majority in parliament in a snap election. Macron took the risk of dissolving parliament in June and calling for the vote after the far right trounced his alliance in European elections. The election saw a left-wing alliance emerge as France's biggest political force, but without enough seats for an overall majority. Instead the anti-immigration far-right National Rally (RN) of Marine Le Pen became the single largest party in the lower chamber of the European Union's second largest economy, with the most votes in any confidence motion, followed by Macron's centrist group. Le Pen, who leads RN lawmakers in parliament, has said her party would not be part of the new cabinet, but would wait for Barnier's first policy speech in front of parliament to decide whether or not to back him. Critics say Macron has made Le Pen the de-facto kingmaker, despite long presenting himself as a bulwark against the far right. The left in particular has reeled at Barnier's nomination and will likely seek to topple him in the lower house. "I am very angry, like millions of French voters who I think feel betrayed," Lucie Castets, the 37-year-old economist who the left wanted to become premier, told RTL. "The president is placing himself in cohabitation with the National Rally," she said, vowing to table a motion of no confidence against Barnier. Le Monde daily described Barnier as a "prime minister under the surveillance of the RN". The left-leaning Liberation daily put a picture of Barnier on its front page with "approved by Marine Le Pen" as a rubber stamp. Barnier was to meet Attal, who remains leader of the president's centrist Together for the Republic (EPR) group in parliament, on Friday before talking to the leaders of his own Republicans (LR) party to discuss the make-up of a new cabinet, his aides said. Meetings with left-wing politicians, the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party and the RN should follow, the aides said. "He wants solid, competent and effective ministers," one of his aides said, and "will have the freedom of choosing" them. England secured a record 275-run win over Ireland as the hosts were bowled out for just 45 in the second ODI in Belfast. Two days after England clinched the opening match, Tammy Beaumont put her side on the front foot again with a brilliant unbeaten 150 at the top of the order her 10th ODI century. Freya Kemp added 65 as Ireland were set a daunting target of 321 to win, and Englands bowlers then ripped through the home side to claim victory inside 17 overs, with stand-in captain Kate Cross and Lauren Filer both taking three wickets each. An emphatic victory in Belfast pic.twitter.com/m5pdgb9hf4 England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 9, 2024 The victory, Englands biggest womens ODI win in terms of runs, sees them clinch the series with one match to play. England fielded a largely second-string side in Belfast, with the majority of their T20 World Cup squad not involved. But the visitors, who won the toss and elected to bat, were in the driving seat after Beaumonts brilliant knock of 150 from 139 balls which included 16 boundaries and one six was supported by Kemps 65 off 47 deliveries. Ireland were up against it and England made a quickfire start with Cross removing both home captain Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter in the opening over. Kate Cross (centre) is mobbed by her team-mates as England raced to a comprehensive win (Liam McBurney/PA) Cross (three for eight) was back at it in her second over, taking her ninth wicket of the series so far, when she trapped the dangerous Orla Prendergast lbw to leave Ireland on seven for three. That soon became eight for four in only the fourth over when Leah Paul edged behind off Filer. Filer (three for 10) then had her second and third of the afternoon after Rebecca Stokells miscue fell to Beaumont at slip before a yorker sent Arlene Kelly packing in the same over for a duck. Georgia Davis claimed her first international wicket on her debut, with Kemp then removing opener Una Raymond-Hoey for 22 the only Ireland batter to reach double figures. Kemp trapped Jane Maguire, with Davis removing her sister Aimee Maguire, as Ireland were bowled out for 45, their lowest ODI total ever. The concluding match takes place in Stormont on Wednesday. The Governments plan to introduce VAT on private school fees is deeply misguided, the Commons has heard, as it was claimed state schools are facing a capacity crisis over the influx of pupils leaving the independent sector. Reform UKs deputy leader Richard Tice said Buckinghamshire and Bristol did not have enough spare places to absorb children whose parents are opting to withdraw them from private schools, as some institutions are passing on the new tax to fees paid by parents. From January, the Government plans to remove the VAT exemption and business rates relief for private schools to enable funding for 6,500 new teachers in state schools. Eton College is among the schools that has said it will raise its fees. Mr Tice, who represents Boston and Skegness, said: What is the Secretary of State going to do about the capacity crisis that is rapidly emerging as tens of thousands of children are being forced out of independent schools by this Governments deeply misguided VAT policy? He said 20 schools in Buckinghamshire have no places whatsoever, adding: Bristol City Council is considering buying places from an independent school, to put back in the school, on taxpayers expense, a child that has just recently left at the parents expense. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the public backed the initiative, saying: We were elected on a manifesto to drive high and rising standards in our state schools, the public back our policy. We think it is right that we prioritise investment in our state schools, where the vast majority of our children go to school, and where the vast majority of (Mr Tice)s constituents go to school, I suggest he spends a bit more time thinking about their interests. Currently, independent schools do not charge 20% VAT on their fees because of an exemption for the supply of education. The Commons heard 1,102 private schools closed between May 11 2010 and July 5 2024. Education minister Stephen Morgan said the number of pupils in private schools increased in the last school year, and that 13 more private schools opened than closed. Labours Stoke-on-Trent MP Gareth Snell said a private school in his constituency was closing due to financial viability questions, and asked what support would be available. Mr Morgan said: Private schools are, of course, businesses responsible for their own finances however, the department stands ready to assist. Meanwhile Labour MP for York Central, Rachael Maskell asked for a meeting with the department over a private school in her constituency, the Steiner School, which she she could face closure due to the policy. (It) enables many children to access school who have anxiety or otherwise wouldnt be in education, she said. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the public backed the initiative (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Mr Morgan said: We expect private schools will want to continue to demonstrate wider public benefit through the provision of means tested bursaries, and through partnerships with state funded schools after these changes are made. Shadow education secretary Damian Hinds said the Governments education tax on private schools will lead to bigger class sizes and more schools full. Mr Hinds said: What will ministers say next September to parents who, because of their education tax, find bigger class sizes, more schools full and fewer having been able to get their first choice school in Bristol, in Bury, in Salford, in Surrey? Mr Morgan replied: The number of children in private schools has remained steady, despite a 20% real terms increase in average private school fees since 2010 and a rise of 55% since 2003. While we cannot predict closures, we will use indicators such as occupancy to monitor this. My department works with local authorities to help them fulfil their duty to secure places. Ms Phillipson said that special educational needs and disabilities (Send) pupils who have formal education, health and care plans (EHCPs) will not be impacted by the Governments plans. The Commons heard 1,102 private schools closed between May 11 2010 and July 5 2024 (Ben Birchall/PA) Responding to Tory former minister John Glen, who asked ministers to assess the existing provision in private schools for Send children, she said: We will make sure that where children have an education, health and care plan, that policy change where it comes to VAT on fees, will not affect those children. She added: Whilst I do recognise the point he makes, and I do believe that parents have a right to choose where their children go to school, the vast majority of parents in our country who send their children to state school are also ambitious and aspirational for their children. Ms Phillipson went on to deny that times tables are going to be taken off the national curriculum, following recent reports. The Telegraph reported that a teaching union source had said times tables should be made optional. Conservative MP Patrick Spencer (Central Suffolk and North Ipswich) asked the Education Secretary for a cast-iron guarantee the Government was not going to remove them. Ms Phillipson replied: Id caution (him) about believing everything he reads in the press. Times tables are an important part of our system, high and rising standards, we will drive that from Government. Harrowing stories from patients and NHS workers who experienced the Covid-19 pandemic have been published by the inquiry examining its impact. More than 32,000 people have contributed to the Every Story Matters record, which is designed to assist UK Covid-19 Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett in reaching conclusions and making recommendations on how to handle future pandemics. Monday marks the publication of the document, which is the result of the largest public engagement exercise ever undertaken by a UK public inquiry. Every Story Matters is still open for submissions across a variety of topics. The record covers the experiences of health professionals and patients across primary care and hospitals, as well as emergency and urgent care, end-of-life care, maternity, shielding, and long Covid. It covers how some patients found accessing healthcare during the pandemic very difficult and stressful, how families faced significant challenges in supporting their loved ones at the end of life, and how health workers felt planning for the pandemic was poor and the speed of the response too slow. The document also includes detail from 604 in-depth interviews carried out with those who were involved with healthcare. UK Covid-19 Inquiry secretary Ben Connah said: In this, our first published record, we draw together thousands of experiences that demonstrate the impact of the pandemic on patients, their loved ones, healthcare systems and settings, and the people working within them. It is a tough read in places but it really brings to life how people experienced our healthcare systems during those pandemic years I would encourage everyone with a story to share it with us. To find our more visit everystorymatters.co.uk. Some contributors to the record said senior medics made end-of-life decisions for patients, partly to spare their junior colleagues having to do it. One said of young doctors: They were surrounded by people dying, more than one patient in a day, and often uncomfortable and looking distressed when they died. If you dont have that confidence, that certainty and its all a bit new to you and youre surrounded by chaos and suffering and death then I think its much more stressful. End-of-life care also frequently involved hospital staff being with dying patients when their loved ones could not. Nobody wants anybody to die on their own, and as nurses you try really hard to make sure that that doesnt happen, one hospital nurse said. If family members cant be there, youre there. You just are. You just do it. One healthcare assistant said they held a dying patients hands as their family watched through a window. Another worker said: Were trying to get quality for families, and so, even if, you know, I can wake a patient up for two hours so they can have a chance to have a coherent conversation with their loved ones, thats a win, because thats precious. And, you know, if theyre going to die, if we can make that passing as dignified and as not horrible as it can be, knowing its going to be horrible, and if we can take just some of the edges off it, its still going to be bad. A hospital doctor spoke of having to tell a patient with a bowel perforation over the phone that they were going to die because they could not be offered an operation. This was because the operation was moderately high risk and was assessed as riskier due to Covid-19. At the time the evidence was suggesting that doing operations on people wasnt particularly safe, particularly if they had Covid, they said. It meant that people who in any other time would be offered an operation, an emergency operation to fix something catastrophically wrong with them such as bowel perforation, which normally we would go ahead with without thinking twice about, we offered far fewer of those operations. And, in doing so, knew that people were going to die as a result, and that was obviously very hard. The document also showed how some medics believed the Nightingale hospitals set up to treat patients was a misuse of resources. One said: We set up huge Nightingale hospitals with ICU (intensive care) capabilities which were under-used, likely due to lack of highly trained staff or ICU need. A bit of lateral thinking could have meant these being used for less intensive care such as care of the elderly, rehab beds or Covid+ intermediate care beds, freeing up hospital beds for patients that needed them. Some NHS staff also told the inquiry how stressful it was to be redeployed from their usual role. One physiotherapist said: When it came to being redeployed, we were actually redeployed as ICU nurses this had not been communicated to us prior to starting our shifts and all the jobs that that entails. We had no training as there were too many patients and were asked to do 12.5-hour shifts. We undertook all of this willingly as we knew that this was a challenging time. Disgraced former film producer Harvey Weinstein underwent emergency heart surgery on Monday, his representatives said. The 72-year-old was taken to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan from the Rikers Island jail in New York on Sunday night, where he is being held in custody, a spokesperson for his attorney Arthur Aidala told the PA news agency. The former film mogul was taken to hospital after experiencing chest pains. Harvey Weinstein (Anthony Devlin/PA) Weinstein is serving a prison sentence following a rape and sexual misconduct conviction in Los Angeles related to an incident in 2013 where he appeared uninvited in a womans hotel room during a Los Angeles film festival. He was sentenced to 16 years prison in February 2023. He is currently in custody in Rikers Island jail complex while awaiting a retrial in Manhattan after a 2020 conviction for rape was overturned earlier this year in a majority decision from the Court of Appeal in New York. In July, Weinstein was treated in hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs, and Covid-19. Last week, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the UK said it had discontinued its indecent assault case against Weinstein, saying there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. The former Hollywood film producer was facing two criminal charges of alleged indecent assault against a woman, who is now aged in her 50s, in London in 1996. Harvey Weinstein (David Mirzoeff/PA) On Thursday, Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division, said: Following a review of the evidence in this case, the CPS has decided to discontinue criminal proceedings against Harvey Weinstein. The CPS has a duty to keep all cases under continuous review and we have decided that there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. We have explained our decision to all parties. We would always encourage any potential victims of sexual assault to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met. Juda Engelmayer, a spokesperson for Weinstein, previously told PA: We are grateful for the decision and to know that in some parts of Western society justice is indeed still blind. Mr Weinstein is appreciative towards those who worked hard to come to this conclusion and is deeply saddened that any of his actions may have caused anyone difficulty. He hopes that other jurisdictions can find their way clear to distinguish the difference between disappointment, sadness, regret and illegal, criminal behaviour. Harvey believes in his heart that he never crossed those lines. Weinstein has denied that he raped or sexually assaulted anyone. He became one of the most prominent focuses of the #MeToo movement, which took root in 2017 when women began to go public with accounts of his alleged behaviour. In 2020, the producer of hit movies including Pulp Fiction, The English Patient, Good Will Hunting, Gangs Of New York and Shakespeare In Love was stripped of his honorary CBE awarded for his contribution to the British film industry. Improvements made in heart disease mortality rates have stalled, and even regressed since 2010, an upcoming review of the health service by surgeon and independent peer Lord Darzi is set to find. The report, commissioned by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, is expected to highlight the full extent of the challenges facing the NHS when it is published on Thursday. In the report, Lord Darzi will say: Once adjusted for age, the cardiovascular disease mortality rate for people aged under 75 dropped significantly between 2001 and 2010. But improvements have stalled since then and the mortality rate started rising again during the Covid-19 pandemic. The British Heart Foundation said in its submission to the review: We are extremely concerned that the significant progress made on heart disease and circulatory diseases (CVD) in the last 50 years is beginning to reverse. The number of people dying before the age of 75 in England from CVD has risen to the highest level in 14 years. A Department for Health & Social Care spokesperson said there were wide variations in the standard of care delivered to patients with cardiovascular problems. Heart attack patients in some towns and cities wait up to three-and-a-half hours longer for the same procedure than other patients living in the same region, the investigation for the report found. The time taken for a rapid intervention to unblock an artery has risen by more than half an hour from an average of 114 minutes in 2013-14 to 146 minutes in 2022-23, the spokesperson said. They added: Its alarming that the progress made on heart disease and stroke is now in decline. It points to a failure to help people stay healthy, and a failure of the NHS to be there for us when we need it. This Government is acting to cut waiting times and reform the NHS, so it catches illness earlier, which is better for patients and less expensive for our health service. It comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the NHS broken in ways which are unforgivable. Speaking to the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Sir Keir said reforms to the NHS by the Conservatives in power were hopelessly misconceived, and blamed the previous government for leaving it in an awful state following austerity and the pandemic. The last government broke the NHS, he said. Lord Darzi, a former health minister under Gordon Brown, sat as a Labour peer before resigning from the party in 2019 (Chris Radburn/PA) Our job now through Lord Darzi is to properly understand how that came about and bring about the reforms, starting with the first steps, the 40,000 extra appointments. But weve got to do the hard yards of reform as well. And as I say, I think its only a Labour Government that can do the reform that our NHS needs, and well start on that journey. Criticism of the review from the Conservatives is expected due to Lord Darzi analysing a period of their previous government when he had opposing political ties. Lord Darzi, a former health minister under Gordon Brown, sat as a Labour peer before resigning from the party in 2019. The Conservative shadow health secretary Victoria Atkins accused Labour of using Lord Darzis health review as cover to raise taxes in the upcoming Budget. Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Ms Atkins said: This report, I fear, is cover for the Labour Party to raise our taxes in the budget in October, and they are laying the groundwork for this. They werent straight with us about winter fuel payments, theyre not being straight with us about taxes, and we need to have a grown-up conversation about the NHS, but this is not the way to go about it. Maria Corina Machado (left) said the exile of the president-elect, Edmundo Gonzalez (right) changes absolutely nothing for the urgency and legitimacy of the opposition campaign. Photograph: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters The Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has insisted the campaign to end Nicolas Maduros authoritarian rule is stronger than ever, but the banishing of one of its key figures to Spain has thrown many supporters off balance. Related: Gonzalez is Venezuelas best hope for democracy, says Blinken, as leader vows to fight on Edmundo Gonzalez, who the US and other countries have recognised as the winner of Venezuelas 28 July presidential election, flew into exile on Sunday after several weeks holed up in the Dutch ambassadors residence in Caracas. An arrest warrant, seemingly designed to force the retired diplomat to flee, had been issued a week earlier. In a short statement issued from his new home in Madrid on Monday, Gonzalez said he hoped his departure would help change things in Venezuela and usher the country into a new phase. I did it thinking of my family and of all Venezuelan families in this moment of such tension and anguish, added Gonzalez, 75, who said he had always championed democratic values. But the message in which some detected a valedictory tone compounded the uncertainty which has hung over Venezuela since Maduro claimed victory in Julys election without offering proof. Machado, a popular opposition leader whose shoes Gonzalez agreed to fill in the election after she was banned from running, sought to dispel such apprehension on Monday. Related: Venezuelas opposition leader calls for global movement to rescue country In my opinion, it changes absolutely nothing, Machado told journalists of his exile, vowing that the opposition campaign would lose none of its urgency or legitimacy. All of us know that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia is Venezuelas president-elect and he will continue to be, whether hes in Venezuela or any other part of the world, she said, claiming the opposition was now stronger than ever while Maduros regime was weaker and more isolated. Experts agreed that Gonzalezs departure would have little direct impact on the opposition campaign, given that he had effectively been in hiding since a few days after the election. While Machado was able to successfully transfer her considerable political capital to Gonzalez before the vote, he was previously a little-known figure who had not been involved in frontline politics. It is a psychological blow and of course in politics, psychological blows are important and the government is treating this as a great triumph. Theyre mocking the opposition in very cruel terms, said Phil Gunson, a Caracas-based Venezuela expert for the International Crisis Group. More troubling for the opposition, Gunson believed, was the absence of a clear strategy that could help them build on their remarkable electoral triumph against Maduros authoritarian regime, which came against all the odds. I dont know if that strategy exists but its certainly not visible to anybody outside the immediate circle of Maria Corina Machado and that, to me, is more worrying than whether Edmundo is in the Dutch ambassadors residence or whether hes in Madrid, Gunson said. The five men reported to have escaped from the Vale de Judeus prison, clockwise from top left: Shergili Fargiani, 42, from Georgia; Mark Roscaleer, 37, UK; Rodolfo Lohrmann, 61, Argentina; Fabio Loureiro, 34, Portugal; Fernando Ferreira, 63, Portugal. Photograph: National union of prison guards, Portugal A British inmate is among five prisoners on the run after breaking out of a high-security prison in Portugal, local authorities have said. The man, named locally as Mark Roscaleer, and his fellow fugitives were said to have escaped from the Vale de Judeus facility on Saturday with help from people on the outside. He is serving a nine-year prison sentence for kidnap and robbery, according to Portuguese media. What failed here is the Portuguese state, due to the lack of guards and investment. Security is at stake, said Frederico Morais, the president of the prison guards union. He told Portugals SIC Noticias news channel the escaped prisoners were extremely dangerous, and warned the public not to approach them. According to the Reuters news agency, the five inmates included an Argentinian and a Georgian, as well as two Portuguese men. They escaped from the prison, about 18 miles north of Lisbon, at about 10am local time on Saturday, authorities said. According to the Portuguese prison service, the men aged between 33 and 61 had external help through the launch of a ladder, which allowed the inmates to scale the wall and access the outside. Police officers had been deployed to recapture the escapees, it added. The two Portuguese inmates were serving 25-year sentences for offences including drug trafficking, criminal association, theft, robbery and kidnapping, the prison service said. The other three had been convicted of offences including theft, kidnapping and robbery. Portugals justice ministry, which oversees the prison system, was not immediately available for comment. Vale de Judeus is a high-security prison with capacity for 560 inmates, according to its website. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: We are aware of reports of a British man who has escaped from prison in Portugal and are in contact with the local authorities. British authorities declined to comment when asked to confirm Roscaleers identity. The Electoral Commission also said ministers should consider allowing people without photo ID to vote if someone else vouches for them at the polling station. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA Ministers should expand the ID that people can use to vote, the elections watchdog has recommended, after a report found as many as 750,000 people might not have voted in the 2024 general election because they lacked the necessary documents. The Electoral Commission said the government should also look at allowing people without ID to vote if someone who did have proof of identity was able to vouch for them at a polling station. Its study into the voter ID laws, which were introduced under the Conservatives in 2022 and used for a national election for the first time on 4 July this year, found that an estimated 16,000 voters were turned away from polling stations for lacking ID and did not return, 0.08% of the total number of people who voted. However, when polling carried out for the research asked people who did not try to vote at all their reason why, 4% said it was because they lacked ID. When the polling included a prompted list of reasons, it rose to 10%. Given the 60% turnout of Great Britains registered electorate of about 47 million people, even 4% of those who did not try to vote because of the ID rules would amount to about 750,000 denied a vote. The study excluded Northern Ireland because it has had its own voter ID laws since 1985. While the report noted that the 2024 election turnout of 59.8% was the lowest since 2001, it said it was impossible to accurately say whether this was linked to the new rules. The research found that this phenomenon was particularly prevalent among people from more deprived social backgrounds. There were also signs this was the case for disabled people and those who were unemployed, it said, but not at statistically significant levels. Similarly, while polling for the study found 87% of Britons overall were aware of the ID rules, this fell to 71% for 18- to 24-year-olds and 76% for people from minority ethnic communities. When the ID law was introduced, campaigners criticised the narrow list of permitted forms of photo ID, which included seven different types of ID for older people, but none for students or other younger people. Related: After this weeks squalid experiment, see voter ID for what it is: a Tory scam to steal elections | Andy Beckett In its report, the Electoral Commission said it should also include the Oyster photocard for students aged 18-plus in London, as well as the nationally used Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount card and the Veterans card. It also said ministers should consider a system whereby someone lacking the documents to vote could have someone else attest to who they were. In an attempt to help people without ID, people were able to apply for a free form of ID called a voter authority certificate. However, the report found that while 210,000 people applied for them, just 26,000 were used at the general election. The report suggests the paper document be offered digitally to encourage take-up. In opposition, Labour said the voter ID laws were not necessary, and the government is now expected to make changes to limit their impact in preventing some people from voting. Vijay Rangarajan, the Electoral Commissions chief executive, said: This was the first time all voters across the UK were required to show photographic ID at a general election, and the data shows almost everyone was able to do so successfully. However, our research shows that the need for ID discouraged some people from voting and we dont want to see any voters lose their say. The commission will review how our public campaigns and other work can continue to support the effective implementation of voter ID and minimise the barriers to voting. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which deals with electoral issues, said: The government is committed to strengthening our democracy and making sure every legitimate voter can exercise their democratic right to vote. The government will carefully consider the report as part of our thorough evaluation of voter ID rules, to understand how they impacted voters, before bringing forward proposals in due course. Yotam Ottolenghi, restauranteur, chef and cookery writer, at his restaurant in Islington, north London - Andrew Crowley for The Telegraph Yotam Ottolenghi has said his children do not like his elaborate cooking. The British-Israeli chef, renowned for complex recipes that use exotic spices and ingredients, has two sons with his husband Karl Allen. But the boys, aged nine and 11, prefer French toast and omelettes and have told their father: I dont like Ottolenghi. The chef owns a series of eponymous delicatessens and restaurants in London and has written a series of recipe books which have sold more than 11 million copies worldwide. His dishes include sesame-crusted feta with black lime honey syrup, or banh xeo a Vietnamese pancake and Indonesian soy sauce kecap manis, daikon radishes, snow peas and enoki mushrooms. The tastes of Mr Ottolenghis children, however, are much simpler. They do not exclude vegetables but only if they are prepared in a certain way. My children arent bothered by the colour as much as by the size, the chef told Stern, a German magazine. They want to be able to grab what they eat. They would eat a whole green bean in an instant. But things that are tiny like bits of parsley they dont eat them. Theyll eat a cucumber or a carrot. But if I chop them up and put them in a salad as a coleslaw, they wont touch them any more. Ottolenghi started in 2003 as a delicatessen and bakery with eight chairs in Notting Hill, west London. Its intricate recipes used little-known ingredients such as freekeh, black garlic and barberries. But in a new book called Comfort, co-authored with Verena Lochmuller, the German chef, Mr Ottolenghi has promised a more simpler offering. There are a lot of restaurant cookbooks that are too ambitious, too technically difficult, Mr Ottolenghi said. In Ottolenghi books there are a list of ingredients you have to buy but the recipes themselves are not especially demanding in technical terms. Over the years they have also become simpler fewer ingredients, fewer processes, less washing-up. Ms Lochmuller added: Every time we make a recipe, we think, how many steps is that, how much time does it take? How many pans do you need for it? Does the average household even have that many pans? Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, who has championed a tough line on Haiti, told the United States on Friday that he was open to normalizing relations with its impoverished neighbor as security improves. Meeting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was back from a rare visit to Haiti, the popular Dominican leader promised to look both at restoring political ties with Haiti and reopening airspace closed for months to flights to and from Haiti. "Our intention is to try to normalize as much as possible, while always respecting the security of Dominicans," Abinader told a joint news conference with Blinken. "Thanks to efforts by the United States, we now have a peace force in Haiti, so to the extent that they can move forward on internal security, we will also move forward in the normalization of relations," he said. Abinader won a resounding reelection in May in part due to the popularity of his hard stance on Haiti, with which the Dominican Republic shares a border and has long had tense relations. Abinader began work on a 164-kilometer (102-mile) concrete wall with Haiti and last year had more than 250,000 Haitians deported, leading Amnesty International to accuse the Dominican Republic of racism. Haiti, the Western Hemisphere's poorest country, had plunged into virtual anarchy with gangs taking over the capital Port-au-Prince and the security and health systems collapsing. In Port-au-Prince on Thursday, Blinken voiced hope for progress in Haiti after early efforts by a new international security force headed by Kenya and largely funded by the United States. Blinken praised Abinader's record at home, saying he has shown "real leadership" in combating corruption and ensuring the Judiciary's independence. Migrants try to cross the Channel to reach the UK. The National Crime Agency (NCA) is central to Sir Keir Starmers plans to tackle people-smuggling gangs - Benoit Tessier/REUTERS The crime agency charged with tackling people-smuggling gangs is on its knees, a report has warned. The National Crime Agency (NCA) is losing more officers than it recruits as it suffers a brain drain with a quarter of senior managers leaving annually, according to the report. Nine per cent of NCA roles are unfilled, more than double the average of 3.9 per cent for the public sector, while spending on temporary staff and consultants has nearly quadrupled since 2015-16, the report, called Is Britains FBI on its knees?, found. The agencys delivery in mission-critical areas, from tackling traffickers and hostile states to thwarting child abusers, is being hobbled by a high level of critical vacancies and a lack of investment. The report by Spotlight on Corruption, a UK-based anti-corruption charity based on official reports and submissions by the NCA said the root cause was pay stagnation, with officers salaries cut by 16.3 per cent in real terms since 2013-14. Failure to address this would be potentially catastrophic, it warned. A critical moment has now arrived. If the NCA is to deliver on its mission to protect the UK from hostile threats, fraud and corruption, and serious organised crime more generally, major reform, particularly to pay and conditions, is needed, said the report. While the NCAs pay issues are not unique within the public sector, for an agency tasked with protecting the public from these threats the implications of not addressing the NCAs pay issues are potentially catastrophic. The NCA, which has more than 5,600 staff, is central to Sir Keir Starmers plans to tackle the small boats crisis. A new Border Security Command is being set up to bring together the NCA, spy agencies and Border Force to crack down on the people smuggling gangs with new anti-terror style powers. The NCA has more than 70 live investigations into the most harmful and prolific people smuggling gangs targeting the UK. However, Spotlight on Corruptions report, released on Monday, warned that its ability to tackle gangs and other serious organised criminals was seriously hampered. As the lead agency responding to cyber crime, the NCA needs advanced technology but instead its IT systems are creaking and it has insufficient capabilities to tackle issues such as ransomware attacks. In two of the past three financial years, the agency lost more staff than it recruited. The workforce shrank in 2022-23, even though it recruited more than 500 new officers. Lynne Owens, the former head of the NCA and now deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, warned four years ago that the Government needed to double the amount spent on fighting organised crime, including raising NCAs budget from 424 million to nearly 1.1 billion. However, the report said: Despite its best efforts, the agency risks operating continually at suboptimal levels due to staffing shortages, chronic retention and recruitment problems, and low staff morale. The NCAs problems have been persistently exacerbated by the unwillingness of successive governments to invest in the agency sufficiently to ensure it can function as the elite law enforcement agency with a lead role for reducing crime and protecting the UK against serious and organised crime. Dame Diana Johnson, the crime and policing minister, said the NCA was getting an extra 100 investigators to tackle the people-smugglers and that money was being switched from the scrapped Rwanda policy to provide additional resources. We are in the middle of a spending review. We want to make sure that our agencies have the resources they need, she said. A spokesman for the NCA said it was world-leading in many areas, and has achieved significant and continued success over its decade in operation, adding: Last year alone, our officers made more than 4,700 disruptions our most ever, and more than a dozen every single day. We are committed to working with the Government to ensure that the agency has the right structure and operating model, and, crucially, is able to attract, retain and support a talented workforce. We know that it is imperative that we deliver value for money while achieving our mission of protecting the public from serious and organised crime, now and as the threat evolves. HMP Risley, in Cheshire, is one of the prisons expected to release several dozen offenders. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian Hundreds of survivors of crime are unaware that their perpetrators will be freed on Tuesday despite requests that this would not happen, the victims commissioner has claimed. As the government prepares to release 1,700 offenders to ease overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales, Helen Newlove said some victims were unaware of their offenders release and could not seek protective measures. The claim comes hours after No 10 warned that prisoners must be released early or the country would face unchecked criminality because there would be nowhere to jail criminals. Lady Newlove said: From the beginning, I sought assurances that all impacted victims would be informed of any early release dates, affording them the opportunity to request protective measures. I understand this has not been possible in every case, leaving some victims unaware of their offenders early release. While I recognise the challenges in reaching certain groups of victims, this is regrettable and must be addressed. Whitehall sources confirmed that a sizeable minority of victims had not been warned. The release of offenders is expected to start from 8am from prisons across England and Wales. Prisons expected to release several dozen offenders each include Brixton, Humber, Berwyn and Risley. Under the scheme, some offenders will be released after serving just 40% of their custodial term. Downing Street acknowledged it was incredibly difficult for victims to know that the offenders were being released before completing their sentence. A No 10 spokesperson said: As the prime minister said this weekend, no prime minister should be in a position where there are not enough prison places. That is why we took the immediate decision that we did. And without doing so, prisons would have completely run out of places, and we faced unchecked criminality on our streets with police unable to make arrests. The policing minister, Diana Johnson, told the BBC: For those who will be released tomorrow, probation have been working very hard to make sure that there are plans in place. People are released on licence and can be recalled if they commit further offences. So theres a whole range of things that are already in place to make sure tomorrow goes as well as we can expect, but clearly nobody wants to be doing this. Perpetrators of serious violent offences, domestic abuse and sexual offences are supposed to be exempt from the scheme, called SDS40, but campaigners against domestic violence say the exemptions list is not comprehensive enough. The charity Refuge has warned of the possibility of grave repercussions. Survivors may not even know when their perpetrators are being released, as the insufficient victim contact scheme only covers serious sexual or violent offences, where the offender receives a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, the organisation said. An estimated 10% of cases that result in a 12-month or less sentence are related to domestic abuse. In a further 10% of cases, the offender has been flagged by probation for domestic abuse. Harriet Wistrich, the director of the Centre for Womens Justice, said: We are aware that a number of victims of domestic violence are extremely anxious about the proposed releases and while specific exclusions have been made for a range of specified domestic abuse offences, there is still a risk that some violent offenders will not be captured by these exclusions. In circumstances where there is significant underresourcing of probation services there will be real and legitimate fears from survivors that offenders who know where they live may not be adequately protected. Probation officers have been given as little as a weeks notice to prepare for the release of some offenders, amid concerns that many could struggle to find housing or adequate support. Officers are usually given more than three months to prepare services to help monitor and rehabilitate a serious offender. Martin Jones, the chief inspector of probation in England and Wales, said that late information about who was being released would place huge additional pressures on probation staff. The eternal optimist says that the scheme will go well. But the realist in me says that some of those released will go on to reoffend, and a small proportion of those will be serious offences, he said. In a further development, the prisons watchdog has published a highly critical annual report that found that many prisons are severely overcrowded and understaffed, with violence one of the most pressing concerns in more than a third of institutions. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, said that of the 32 closed prisons inspected, 30 were rated poor or insufficiently good in the inspectorates assessment of purposeful activity. Rather than prisoners participating in activities or interventions to reduce their risk of reoffending and support their mental and physical health during their time behind bars, inspectors found a surge in illicit drug use, self-harm and violence, the report said. Violence was one of the most pressing concerns that inspectors raised in 14 of the 39 prisons and youth offenders institutions inspected. At Lowdham Grange in Nottinghamshire violence had increased by 55%. Taylor said: Early-release schemes provide welcome short-term breathing space, but our report highlights worrying shortfalls in work to prepare men in particular for release even without the added pressures these schemes impose, and they are not in themselves a solution to decades of underinvestment and inertia in a vital public protection service. Prisons must be equipped to deliver the work for which they were designed: to reduce the risk of further offences being committed and more victims of crime created. David Knowles worked as a senior audio journalist and presenter at The Telegraph David Knowles, the Telegraph journalist behind the award-winning Ukraine: The Latest podcast, has died. Mr Knowles, 32, who worked as a senior audio journalist and presenter, died while in Gibraltar on Sunday following what was believed to be a cardiac arrest. He joined The Telegraph in 2020 as deputy head of social media and was later promoted to head of social media. Upon the outbreak of the Ukraine war in 2022, Mr Knowles launched Ukraine: The Latest, a weekday podcast that is still running two years later. This year, Ukraine: The Latest won the Best News Podcast at the Publisher Podcast Awards. David Knowles launched the Ukraine: The Latest podcast and worked alongside Dom Nicholls, centre, and Francis Dearnley, right - Paul Grover for The Telegraph Mr Knowless father, Peter, described his eldest son as someone who loved life and he lived it just as well as he could. He said: Davids commitment to journalism was intense. He was never more proud than when he finally shrugged off a management job title and regained a title with the word journalist in it, and he was utterly engaged with the story of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the impact on its people, making four trips to the country and always planning the next. Chris Evans, the editor of The Telegraph, said: David was a talented and popular journalist who was perhaps best known for helping to make our Ukraine podcast such a success. Before that, he was an impressive leader of our social media team. We would like to offer our sympathy to his family and friends. Mr Knowles launched Ukraine: The Latest as a Twitter Space before it became a fully fledged podcast. Starting on the day of the Russian invasion in February 2022, it is now approaching 100 million downloads. He anchored the podcast and became known as its voice, travelling across Ukraine with his audio equipment to capture stories to pull into special episodes that told how the lives of ordinary Ukrainian people were being destroyed by Putins war. David Knowles joined The Telegraph in 2020 as deputy head of social media - David Rose He and the podcast team also toured the show in America last year, where a large part of its audience is based. More recently, Mr Knowles and the team were invited to speak at the US embassy in London, at the Chalke History Festival, and at Armed Forces Day in Scarborough about the Ukraine war. The Ukrainian embassy in London also paid tribute. In a post on X, the embassy said: We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of the Telegraph journalist of Ukraine: The Latest podcast [David Knowles]. His dedication to reporting the truth about the war in Ukraine and his commitment to telling the stories of those affected by it will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. Ukraine mourns this profound loss alongside you. Click here to view this content. Aaron James, pictured with his wife, Meagan, says he is "back to being a normal guy, doing normal things" a year after the transplant - HALEY RICCARDI/NYU LANGONE HEALTH Doctors are truly amazed by the results of the worlds first eye transplant, despite the patient being unable to see out of the donated organ. Aaron James, a worker on high-voltage lines, survived a 7,200-volt electric shock in June 2021 and lost much of the left side of his face, including his nose, lips, front teeth and eye as well as his left arm. The 42-year-old Arkansas native and 10-year military veteran underwent a 21-hour operation in May 2023 during which he had a half-face transplant, which included an entire eye, from a brain-dead male donor in his 30s. Click here to view this content. It was the first time a whole-eye transplant had been performed in medical history and included a retina and optic nerve as well as some blood vessels. Scientists and doctors who performed the pioneering work provided an update on the procedure in the medical journal Jama, saying the transplant had not been rejected, something never before managed. Dr Eduardo Rodriguez, chairman of the Hansjorg Wyss department of plastic surgery at NYU Langone Health in the US, said: We are truly amazed by Aarons recovery, with no episodes of rejection. They add that although Mr James is unable to see out of the transplanted organ, there are early signs of functionality, with the retina responding to light and indicators the brain is receiving some weak signals from the eye. Doctors say this raises hope that one day, whole-eye transplants could be performed to restore sight. Photographs showing the progress of Mr James post-operation recovery - NYU LANGONE HEALTH/PA Dr Daniel J Ceradini, director of research and associate professor at Hansjorg Wyss, said: The whole thing has been a monumental achievement, considering how Aaron has done post-operatively and how good he functions and looks. Maintaining blood flow to the eye and its delicate tissues is a particular challenge of such a procedure, the scientists said, as well as ensuring the retina maintains its sensitivity to light and the nerves are healthy enough to send messages to the brain. The one-year check-up revealed several potentially positive findings, the authors write, including good pressure in the eye itself as well as ample blood supply. Dr Jeffrey Goldberg, professor and chairman of ophthalmology at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University, who was not involved with the procedure, said the MRI scans of Mr Jamess brain showed that some signals from the eye were reaching the visual cortex of the brain. Meagan James says it was pretty special to be able to kiss her husband on the lips for the first time in two years - JAMES FAMILY/PA Getting the optic nerve of the donor eye to communicate with the brain of the patient was, Dr Goldberg says, the greatest barrier stopping eye transplants going beyond just aesthetics and being able to restore vision. This case study, he says, is a tantalising data point towards the hope of achieving this goal in future eye transplants. Even with its caveats, this case brings excitement and enthusiasm as an inaugural event, reinvigorating motivation for this lofty goal on the way to the next scientific advances, Dr Goldberg wrote in an opinion article also published in Jama. Despite not being able to see with his left eye, Mr James said he felt honoured to be patient zero. Most transformative year of my life The very first thing that I can remember when I woke up from surgery is being able to smell, because before that, I didnt have a nose, so I couldnt smell, and that also meant I could not taste anything, he said. This has been the most transformative year of my life. Ive been given the gift of a second chance, and I dont take a single moment for granted. Ive gained my quality of life back, and I know this is a step forward in the path to help future patients. Mr James, who also lost his left arm in the accident and now wears a prosthetic, said that since surgery, he was pretty much back to being a normal guy, doing normal things. Meagan James, 39, his wife of more than 20 years, said her emotional moment was when she kissed her husband on the lips for the first time in two years. She said: Just to have that back was pretty special. Dont hide behind Peter Dutton and Gina Rinehart: independent senator David Pocock (L) and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young call on the Albanese government to work together on a better deal for the environment. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Greens and crossbench senators have told the government not to hide behind Peter Dutton and Gina Rinehart and instead work with them on a better deal for the environment. The Greens environment spokesperson, Sarah Hanson-Young, and independent senators David Pocock and Lidia Thorpe offered to support legislation to establish a new environment protection authority (EPA) and a separate new agency to manage environmental information, if the government agreed to a series of proposals to strengthen environmental protections. The government has been locked in negotiations with both sides of parliament to try to pass the bills after it delayed a broader package of legislation to fix failing national environmental laws. In a report by a committee examining the bills, tabled late on Monday, government senators recommended an amendment that would give the environment minister power to create national environmental standards, as recommended by Graeme Samuel in his review of Australias nature laws in 2020. Guardian Australia understands the government does not intend to adopt this recommendation, and its position that a standard-making power not form part of the bills remains unchanged. While travelling in Western Australia last week, Anthony Albanese said the government would consider watering down its proposed EPA model to try to secure the Coalitions backing. This would involve dropping a plan to allow the regulator to make decisions about development proposals meaning it would handle compliance and enforcement only, something the mining industry has lobbied for. Related: Australia may delay release of 2035 climate target as world awaits outcome of US election The Coalition is still seeking a comprehensive set of amendments to the bills. This would include changes to the proposed penalty regime and most importantly, the introduction of the full overhaul of the EPBC [Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation] Act, as has been outlined in the Coalitions dissenting report, the opposition environment spokesperson, Jonno Duniam, said. Hanson-Young said if the government did a deal with the Coalition it would be nature negative and bad for forests, bad for nature, bad for wildlife, bad for the climate. Dont run away and hide behind Peter Dutton and Gina Rinehart, she said. Roll up your sleeves, lets get to work lets actually protect Australias environment. In letters to the PM and the environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, the Greens and crossbenchers called on the government to amend the bills to deliver immediate, tangible impacts for nature protection. While we reiterate our disappointment at the governments broken promise to implement comprehensive environmental law reform in this term of parliament, we consider this legislation an opportunity to work together to begin implementing some of the urgent protections nature needs ahead of the election, the letter says. In addition to amendments that would strengthen the EPAs independence, the letter urges a commitment to address native forestry by ending the exemption from Australias environment laws for logging covered by a regional forest agreement (RFA). They are also seeking integration of climate considerations into the environmental assessment process but the letter does not use the term climate trigger and greater inclusion of First Nations knowledge and expertise in environmental governance and decision-making. Plibsersek said the government was talking to all parties. From the beginning, I have said that delivering improvements to national environment laws would require a bit of common sense, cooperation, and compromise, she said. But I think Greens voters would be disappointed if the Greens party delayed a tough new environment watchdog like the EPA with strong new powers, she said. Related: A symbol of our nation: waratah among 20 more species added to Australias threatened wildlife list Or if they tried to stop fines for serious environmental crimes going up from around $15m to $780m, or if they voted against increasing the frequency of the state of the environment report from every 5 years to every 2 years. Pocock said it was vital that the EPA was truly independent. After the tabling of the senate committees report on Monday, Duniam said the Coalitions comments make clear our reservations that the governments bills are ill thought through. We are unable to accept these bills in their current form, he said. He accused the government of trying to get what they think is a win in the portfolio this term of parliament no matter the cost, and without adequately considering potential risks and benefits to the environment or the broader economy. Independents in the lower house have also called for the exemption granted to RFAs to be removed. At a separate media conference on Monday morning the independent MP for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps, said the exemption should be removed before Australia hosts a global nature positive summit in Sydney in October. She also called for a clean out of the NSW Forestry Corporation board. According to clinical psychologist Dr Avital Pearlman, using AirTags is nothing to be frowned upon per se but its the conversations around it that are key The little dot moved across the map on the screen, travelling further away from the South African city of Cape Town, towards a mountain range. From Kent, where he was monitoring his sons progress, Peter sent a panicked text: Youve taken the wrong train, youre going in the wrong direction! When Peters 18-year-old son went backpacking around South Africa, they agreed that he would add an AirTag to his bag. Of course, his son wanted independence, but so much could go wrong and rather than have his parents imaginations go into overdrive, picturing kidnappings, robberies and worse, why not take a tiny, 32mm lightweight tracking device to help avert disaster; or at least keep everyone abreast of what was going on so they could know when to call the police? Peter is not the only parent to do this. AirTags were launched in 2021, originally so that you would never lose your keys again you attach the 35 disc to a personal item, it links to your phone and tracks it. But AirTags are increasingly being used by parents to keep tabs on children too. And the summer is peak time as families head off around the world on holidays opening up infinite possibilities to get lost, wandering off at French markets or with new friends. This weekend, it emerged that Zara and Mike Tindall are using among those using AirTags to keep tabs on their children. The Tindalls elder daughter Mia, who is 10, was photographed on a family outing to the Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire on Saturday, to watch Mrs Tindall competing, with a small silver AirTag attached to her shorts. One woman says the tracking devices have been a game-changer with her sons, aged eight, seven and four. She gives them to her children when they go on holiday or on days out. We first did it after one of them got lost in the park they usually all run off in different directions and he was so frightened, she says. I used to put a card with my contact details on them in their pockets, but a parent at my childrens school told me about AirTags and it is so much more relaxing now we have them. One of my sons walked off in the airport recently because he saw something exciting and we were easily able to locate him and scoop him up. Her phone alerts her every time a child has strayed, saying Item has been left behind, for all to hear. The children dont mind they wear them on key rings and the youngest on a ribbon around his neck. It will be tempting to do it when they are teenagers, says the mother. But then it stops being about safety and starts being more about discipline, a bit Big Brother. But for now they dont mind at all. Apple released its AirTag in 2021 - Alamy When Apple launched the device, it specified that it was not designed for children or pets presumably to avoid being held liable, and an inbuilt feature helps prevent tracking for sinister purposes, specifically in abusive relationships or by stalkers. A notification pops up on an Apple device if an unknown AirTag has been planted in your bag or on your person, and the device will also beep when it starts moving, to alert those around of its existence. It can be divisive. Despite living in an era where most children own a smartphone and are electronically tethered to their parents (via the Find my iPhone app or similar) we are also more wary of surveillance than ever before, protective of our (and our childrens) privacy and somewhat disdainful of the helicopter parenting culture that stifles our kids independence. But despite these concerns, I too have done it. When my son began secondary school and started getting the train to the centre of London and back, aged 11, it was a big increase in independence. Yes, he had a phone, but phones can get lost and get forgotten at school and run out of battery or data, so a little disc in his blazer pocket made a nerve-racking new journey slightly less intimidating for me and him. A straw poll on my class WhatsApp group confirmed Im in good company. One mother admitted that she puts an AirTag under the inner sole of all her kids shoes. Another avid fan said it had opened up new worlds. She had always been too scared to take her kids to amusement parks, until she discovered the AirTag. There are other brands of tag, including Weenect GPS tracking and the downside of Apples tag is other iPhones need to be around for the GPS to work (and you need to keep your phone charged). According to clinical psychologist Dr Avital Pearlman, using AirTags is nothing to be frowned upon per se but its the conversations around it that are key. Its about transparency and your children being aware that youre using it, she says. That communication is the important bit. Teenagers, specifically, shouldnt feel that theyre intruded upon. Ideally theres a shared understanding about what the needs are in terms of tracking devices and why the needs exist. Safe and sound: Naomi Greenaway with her family on holiday At the end of my sons first year at secondary school, when the blazer needed to go up a size and the AirTag had fulfilled its mission, it was retired to a drawer. (Although it then started sending me separation notifications every time I left my house useful, perhaps, if its keeping tabs on your wallet, otherwise, downright annoying.) Then, when my daughter, 14 at the time, was preparing to go on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition, the little disc found its way into her rucksack, which allayed her fears and mine of getting lost in the wilds of Hertfordshire. When my youngest daughter was 10, keen for independence, my husband and I had to decide whether she was going to be AirTagged. Its in the tween years that parents often buy their child a smartphone for this exact reason but I was loath to do so. An AirTag allowed me to know where she was without the myriad issues a smartphone brings. Author and campaigner on tech ethics Tanya Goodin has some more advice: First, we should be asking: What messages are we giving our kids? says Goodin, whose book, My Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open launches in paperback next week. Is it that the world theyre going out into is so terrifying they need to be tracked at all times? That we ourselves are so fearful of it that we need to do it? And would you let them track you or your partner? In our day, of course, we all roamed free and survived and perhaps thrived on the freedom. In fact, if our parents had been tracking us back then, would we ever (Mum and Dad, this is obviously just a hypothetical example) have climbed the gates into the park at night? I cant help wondering what sort of sad, sanitised childhood that would have been. Perhaps all this location sharing is squeezing the fun out of this generations childhoods too. Dr Pearlman believes harping back to the good old days isnt necessarily helpful when parenting our own kids. Yes, we may have had more freedom, but they are forever connected to their telephones and social media so that freedom just isnt there any more. My teenagers know where their friends are at all times, thanks to the Snap Map function on social media platform Snapchat, which shows users the location of all their contacts in avatar form on an illustrated map. How AirTags work: the tag is attached to a personal item, it links to the owner's phone and tracks it In my childrens case, their Snapchat contacts are strictly people they know in real life too. You can opt out, but that would mean that when you turn up in a hotel on Lake Garda, you might never discover that you have a friend staying at the hotel next door, as my daughter did last year. Whether we track them or not, our kids are already connected to each other. But the question is, in reality, does it increase their safety if were following them too? Its a slightly false sense of safety, Dr Pearlman says. We cant control what happens to our children, even when we know where they are, but the knowledge that they are where they are meant to be offers peace of mind. In my experience as a parent, having that digital connection to my offspring can be of immense comfort at specific moments. When I first dropped my eldest daughter at nursery almost 15 years ago, being able to log on to the nurserys nanny cam from home made an emotionally draining experience a little more bearable. Fast forward to the present day, and seeing her wind her way into the centre of town on my phone screen, using the Find My Friends app, as she took her first Uber with friends, felt similarly comforting. In fact, I often wonder how my parents coped, waiting for me to come home on a Saturday night and into the early hours. So when the inevitable request came from my youngest daughter to start getting the bus to school, the question remained: to AirTag or not to AirTag? Goodins view? Youll have to ask her. My daughter didnt miss a beat with her response: Yes! Then if I dont turn up at school when Im meant to, youll know where I am. That was enough for me to bring the AirTag back out of retirement. It provided peace of mind for both of us, at least until the dreaded moment she got a smartphone. Iona Cleave tucks into a perfectly round Fukushima peach bought from Harrods - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph It was mere seconds after I entered the gilded halls of Harrods food court in search of the most expensive fruit I will ever buy that a sprightly assistant bounded over. Right this way to the Fukushima peaches, the suited man said before leading me to a dazzling display cage. There positioned between a 150 melon and 60 bag of grapes was the bounty I had come to taste: fleshy fruit grown in a Japanese region devastated by one of the worlds worst nuclear disasters. Three exorbitantly large, perfectly round peaches sat atop a kind of miniature throne. For 80 you can take all three home. The precious fruit went on sale at the luxury department store on Saturday, the first time peaches from Fukushima, in northeastern Japan, have been sold in a British shop. A pack of three exorbitantly large peaches will set you back 80 - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph At the fruit stall, I caught the tail-end of the sales pitch by the greengrocer, ... and they play music to the melons, dont ask me why, but it makes them sweeter. Three baffled customers nodded and moved away. People are buying them, he then told me, adding that he had sold one pack of peaches on Sunday. Theres a lot of interest and hype about the price. I watched as punters stared, largely mystified at the display. Some said they were impressed at their size, others simply gasped at their price. Its like trying to sell grapes from Chernobyl, Chris, 61, from New Zealand said after I told him where they were from. There is no way I would eat those. It is definitely not for me. Warren, 72, also from New Zealand, chided his friend for his lack of bravery, telling him that radiation doesnt last forever. Laughing, he said: I wouldnt be afraid to try one, but youd have to really love peaches at that price. Feeling like I had outstayed my welcome at the fruit counter, I walked out of Harrods with my pricey haul. The peaches are said to be part of a campaign by the Fukushima plant operator to dispel myths about its exports and help the region recover - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph Outside on the busy Brompton Road, as I raised my purchase to my mouth, I thought about the history of this peach. The devastation caused to its home, the painstaking work of local farmers determined to cultivate it once again, and here I was, still a little scared. I took a bite. I suffered no imminent death, no noticeable taste of radiation. It was, frankly, underwhelming. The peach was disappointingly hard, with no stop-in-your-tracks taste that should warrant 2.25 a bite. Where was its legendary sweetness I had read about? Im no peach expert. However, Diana Henry, author of How to Eat a Peach, certainly is. Discouraged that the peaches were sold before they were ready, she tried to imagine what the flavours she tasted could have been like if given a bit more time to mature. A thinking fruit This is a thinking fruit. You need to contemplate it with your mind like the Japanese do, she said, explaining that peaches have always been considered special in Japanese culture. They signify the banishment of evil. She described tasting a floralness similar to a white-flesh peach, but still the sweetness and juiciness associated with a yellow-flesh peach, with an added note of tartness. The lack of fuzziness on the skin was also an unusual bonus, she said. But was it worth 27 a peach? No, absolutely not. Japanese media reported that the peaches are part of a sales campaign by The Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), the operator of the Fukushima plant, to dispel myths about its exports and help the region recover. In March 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake generated powerful tsunami waves that caused meltdowns in three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The disaster forced the evacuation of more than 150,000 residents across the region, thousands of whom have never returned despite dissipating levels of radiation. Britain lifted the restrictions on food imports from Fukushima in 2022, deeming the levels of radiation safe enough to ingest. However, such products are only imported in small quantities and largely sold to Japanese restaurants and specialist stores. Yoshio Mitsuyama, chairman of the Fukushima Prefectural Association in London, told the Telegraph: Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Fukushima has faced the damage caused not only by the earthquake and tsunami but also by radioactive related rumours, especially for the food products. Although it has been more than 10 years since the incident happened, some still worry about the safety of food products from Fukushima. Sale of Fukushima peaches at Harrods demonstrates the safety and quality of the products and could contribute to the trades between Fukushima and Europe. Describing the appeal of Fukushima peaches, he added: The peach is one of the most symbolic agricultural products of Fukushima. We can visually see that the size of these peaches are much bigger than average peaches in the UK. The texture and taste are also different. It originates in the difference of the variety but also the difference of cultivation method. Broccoli has reported to have a protective effect against an autoimmune form of diabetes in children. Photograph: Image Source/Getty Images Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage have been found to have a protective effect against developing the autoimmune form of diabetes in children, says your article (Study links bananas, oats and yoghurt to greater diabetes risk in susceptible children, 8 September). Every parent would love to know how they were induced to eat them. Harold Mozley York Your editorial on public libraries (8 September) notes that the poorest areas often suffer disproportionately when it comes to funding. As a bookseller, we introduced a scheme this summer whereby a child can choose a book, along with a token, and then swap them once read. This has proved successful and we hope to develop this in the run-up to Christmas. Rob and Kim Turnbull Reiver Reads, Carlisle market hall Re your article (I chose to live at home as a university student. Heres why Id recommend it, 9 September), if students were to attend local universities and live at home, it might solve a lot of our housing problems. In Bath, large areas of family housing stock are now occupied by students for barely three-quarters of the year. Jane Paxton Bath My mother grew up in a teetotal home in Edinburgh in the 1930s. When she was a teenager, a doctor recommended daily Guinness for her anaemia (Letters, 5 September). This was the only alcohol in the house and she hated it. In later life, she only drank wine. Tim Scott London The hearts on 1970s pencil cases were usually pierced by an arrow, emphasising the direction of intent (Letters, 5 September). Liz Fuller London Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. The young golden eagle, photographed here on 5 September, showed behaviour radically different from normal, said an expert from BirdLife Norge. Photograph: Francis Ari Sture/AP A young golden eagle has been killed after reportedly attacking and wounding at least four people, including a 20-month-old toddler, in a large area of central and southern Norway. The public broadcaster NRK said that in the most recent attack on Saturday the bird swooped on the girl, who was was playing in her familys farmyard in the central Trndelag region, despite being beaten away by her mother and a neighbour. It came out of nowhere and grabbed our youngest daughter, the toddlers father, whose name was not disclosed, told the broadcaster. Her mother jumped up and grabbed hold of it, but had to fight to get it to let go. A neighbour also had to help. He said the two adults eventually managed to get the eagle off the girl, who needed stitches and was left with scratchmarks on her face, including under her eye, but it kept coming back even though the neighbour chased it away with a stick. Golden eagles, which have a wingspan of up to 2 metres (about 6ft 7in) and are common across much of Scandinavia, generally eat smaller mammals, foxes and sheep. This one likely had a behavioural disorder, said Alv Ottar Folkestad, an eagle expert with BirdLife Norge. Folkestad told the Associated Press that the birds behaviour was radically different from normal, adding that the series of attacks, which happened over a vast area over the course of the past week, appeared all to have been by the same bird. Details in the plumage make me believe it is the same bird, Folkestad said. Strong high-altitude winds in recent days would have made it relatively easy for the eagle, a female born this year, to fly long distances, he said. Francis Ari Sture, 31, a bicycle courier, told AP he was attacked at least six times by the bird while he was out hiking last Thursday, despite using his backpack as a shield and pushing the eagle down to his feet so he could kick it away from him. Sture said he was afraid he would slip because if he fell unconscious, the eagle might start to eat me. Doctors at the nearest hospital who treated him for deep gouges to the face said his sunglasses and long-sleeved shirt saved him from worse injuries. Mariann Myrvang, who was attacked the previous day, told NRK she cried out for help when something big and heavy landed on my shoulders. She said she was forced to go down on my knees, because I simply couldnt stand up. Myrvangs husband grabbed a fallen tree branch and beat the eagle away, she said, but its claws penetrated deep into her flesh and, like the birds other targets, she was given penicillin, a tetanus injection and stitches in hospital. Per Kare Vinterdal, a game warden in Orkdal, told VG newspaper he had arrived on the scene shortly after the attacks on the toddler on Saturday afternoon and was able to euthanise the bird. He did not say how it was killed. Google Pixel 9 review lead image, showing the 256GB Pixel 9 Pro model This article contains affiliate links. The products or services listed have been selected independently by journalists after hands-on testing or sourcing expert opinions. We may earn a commission when you click a link, buy a product or subscribe to a service. Price: 1,099 for 256GB model (discounted to 999 for launch), also available in 128GB Our rating: 9/10 We like: Astounding AI camera functions Human-like AI assistant Mature, classy hardware We dont like: Occasional hiccups with AI High price No high-storage models What is the Pixel 9 Pro? Released in August 2024, Googles Pixel 9 Pro is one of the best smartphones weve tried this year and quite different from the others, being built from the ground up for AI. Its unique features include Gemini, an AI assistant which talks just like a human. You can ask it to operate everything from the camera to the calendar, interrupt it and correct it while it is talking. AI also powers a suite of remarkable new picture-editing features. The Pixel 9 Pro is not actually the best-specced Pixel phone, because this year Google added a Pixel 9 Pro XL model to the top of the range. It costs 100 more and has a 6.8-inch screen compared to the Pros 6.3 inches. The XL is intended to compete with Samsung and Apples range-topping phones. There is also a Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with an 8-inch folding screen. It costs 1,749. How we test phones We always rate the quality of a phones design and hardware, especially the screen and CPU, followed by the quality of the cameras, the quality of the picture editing software, the unique software and the battery life. For the Pixel 9 Pro review, we compared it to last years Pixel 8 Pro (pictured below), and put the device through its paces with photography, gaming, and everyday office apps, as well as gauging its battery life over multiple days of use. With this years Pixel device focusing squarely on AI, we also tested multiple AI functions in many apps to work out whether new voice assistant Gemini is as groundbreaking as they claim. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more about Telegraph Recommended reviews. Design: 8 out of 10 The Pixel 9 Pro (right) is smaller and classier than the 8 Pro (left) Google has been making Pixel phones for almost a decade now and the hardware feels mature and looks classy. The camera visor, which has become an iconic Pixel look, has been streamlined,but still looks distinctively Pixel-y, with a jutting rounded structure at the back. The 9 Pro is smaller than last years Pixel 8 Pro. The design has also been tweaked, as you can see above (the 9 is on the right). Crucially, theres a new ultrasonic fingerprint scanner which is faster and more responsive than last years optical one. The 120Hz OLED screen is brighter than previous Pixel generations and looks gorgeous with video. Camera: 7/10 Click here to view this content. On the main camera, this is a filler update, rather than a revolution. Google has boosted the Panorama mode, with helping hands that help you to structure the perfect shot. I tried it out in my local park, above. It now works in low light for capturing sunsets. Otherwise, the hardware remains much the same as it was last year: theres a triple rear camera including a 50 megapixel wide angle lens, 48 megapixel ultrawide and a 48 megapixel telephoto, with the Pro models offering extras such as more manual controls. The big news is a serious upgrade to the selfie camera, with a jump up from 10.5 to 42 megapixels. Overall, Pixel 9 Pro remains a very capable camera phone indeed. Pixel phones have leaned heavily into AI for many years, long before the arrival of the fancy Gemini assistant. Like previous Pixels, the front and back cameras here deliver pepped-up shots which use machine learning to smooth out lighting issues. This means that even relatively inexperienced photographers can achieve great results. Picture editing: 10/10 Rob's sons 'reimagined' by the Pixel's AI into a forest of giant mushrooms The big wow feature this year is Add Me, a new function which has been added to Googles Pixel camera app which is already liberally salted with AI-enhanced features. Once youve upgraded to the latest versions of the camera app and Googles augmented reality app, Add Me appears in the bottom left: you then take one shot with one photographer and another with a second, leaving space for the photographer to insert themselves virtually. It works incredibly well, guiding both photographers through the process and delivering convincing results. Another AI-powered feature, Reimagine in Magic Editor, is similarly mind-boggling, allowing you to add unreal and fantastic backgrounds and objects directly into pictures. I was able to take a picture of my children in front of a forest and turn the trees into gigantic toadstools, which were convincingly and instantly inserted into the background (the AI refused, however, to create a background of a raging fire). Its an insanely powerful tool and something that would have been unimaginable even 18 months ago. Other extras include upscaling to 8K resolutions for video and an Auto Frame mode, which reframes your shots for artistic effect, using generative AI to fill in the blanks: it works reasonably well, but its less thrilling than the other AI tricks on offer here. Software: 8/10 Rob deep in conversation with Gemini Live Google has gone absolutely all-out with the AI functionality on this phone, in an effort to make AI assistants as indispensable and everyday a technology as the smartphone itself. Does it work? Sometimes its electrifyingly good - sometimes, its a bit weird (although saying that, its inevitable that Google will work out the kinks in its Gemini AI over the course of the year). The big sell here, and something thats utterly unique, is Gemini Live, an AI chatbot that can chat with you like a human. You can interrupt it and it remembers what you are talking about, and generally chats in a human-like fashion. Normally you need to pay a 19 a month subscription to access it, but the Pixel 9 comes with a year of free Gemini Advanced, the Google One subscription which comes with Gemini Live. Its great fun. when Gemini Live gets it right, its a very fun experience, with a whiff of the future about it. Its really the first chatbot that feels like talking to the ships computer in Star Trek or other sci-fi robots. But Gemini Live does occasionally get things wrong, and badly so. In our first conversation with it, Gemini started talking confidently about a non-existent character class in a game, and continued to do so even after being chastised for being wrong. Possibly more useful is Geminis ability to integrate with other apps in the phone, making it practically useful in a way previous chatbots simply havent been. It can (for example) respond to commands like, What appointments do I have next week?, reading out a list, and even, Whats the most important email Ive had today? Googles new Pixel Watch 3 smartwatch and Pixel Buds Pro 2 earphones are designed to work seamlessly with Gemini, letting you hold conversations with the AI via their built-in microphones without getting your phone out of your pocket. Performance and battery life: 8/10 A full charge from empty takes around 80 minutes The Pixel 9 Pros battery life is solid enough for the phone to last all day, even with fairly heavy use. However, in our tests we found it less long-lasting than last years 8 Pro. The new Tensor G4 chipset copes well with everything from standard office and productivity apps to games like Diablo Immortal. The Google-designed chip is also built to cope with the demands of on-device AI. Specifications Click here to view this content. Verdict Previous phones which have led with AI have failed to deliver enough wow factor, but this certainly raises the bar. Functions such as Add Me and Gemini Live are both impressive and fun to play with. The Pixel 9 Pro no longer directly competes with the superphones at the very top of the market, but its certainly a contender against the likes of the Samsung S24 and iPhone 15, with AI-enhanced camera performance, speedy silicon and a lot of personality. Googles Pixel phones have a loyal cult following and the clever ideas here show exactly why. 999 Buy now Price at John Lewis FAQ What are the key features of the Google Pixel 9? The Pixel 9 has Gemini AI built in, enabling a new suite of photo-editing features such as Add Me, which enables the picture-taker to add themselves to a shot. Its AI assistant understands normal conversation and can carry out complex operations. It has the brightest screen and best camera yet seen on a Google phone. What is the difference between Pixel 9 and 9 Pro? The Pixel 9 Pro has the same dimensions as the Pixel 9 but a better screen, more RAM and a telephoto camera. This enables features such as zoom enhance, night sight video, macro focus video and video boost which upscales content to 8K. There is also a Pixel 9 Pro XL, with all the same features as the Pro apart from a larger, 6.8-inch screen and a longer battery life. How big is the Google Pixel 9? The Google Pixel 9 has a 6.3-inch screen and weighs 199g, with 8.5mm thickness. The Pixel 9 Pro is the same size. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch screen. Is the Google Pixel 9 camera better than previous Pixel models? The main 50MP camera is the same but the Pixel 9 comes with a 48MP ultra-wide camera, compared to the Pixel 8s 12MP. The biggest difference, however, is in the new AI photo features such as Add Me. What storage options are available for the Google Pixel 9? The Pixel 9 comes in 128GB and 256GB models. The Pixel 9 Pro comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB models, as does the Pixel 9 Pro XL . What is the lifespan of a Google Pixel? Google promises that durability improvements have made this years generation of Pixels twice as durable as before. Its Ingress Protection rating is IP68, meaning it can survive being underwater for 30 minutes. Google promise seven years of software support, so it wont become obsolete until at least 3031. When is the release date? The Pixel 9 was released on August 22, 2024. Panama on Friday deported 130 Indian irregular migrants who had entered the country via the inhospitable Darien jungle, under a deal on repatriations signed with the United States in July. This was the first such expulsion outside of the Americas under the deal, and the fourth in total. Washington pledged $6 million for migrant repatriations from the Central American nation in the hopes of reducing irregular crossings at its own southern border. Panama's director of migration, Roger Mojica, told reporters the Indians were deported on a charter flight to New Delhi for "irregular migration." At the same press conference, US Security Attache for Central America Marlen Pineiro said Washington was "very grateful to the government of Panama for all this support," adding that: "Irregular migration cannot continue." The Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama has become a key corridor for migrants traveling overland from South America through Central America and Mexico to the United States. Despite the dangers, including attacks by criminal gangs, more than half a million undocumented migrants -- mostly Venezuelans -- crossed the Darien last year. Transit countries such as Panama and Mexico have come under increased pressure from Washington to tackle the highly contentious migration issue in a US election year. The July deal makes provision for a first phase of deporting migrants with a criminal record, but could see the repatriation of any person entering Panama through the notoriously dangerous and rugged Darien Gap region. It was signed the same day that Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino took office, after a campaign in which he pledged to crack down on Darien Gap crossings. With Friday's deportation, Panama has expelled 219 migrants in two weeks. Merrick Garland announces the justice departments antitrust lawsuit against Google over its digital advertising business, on 24 January 2023. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters A second antitrust trial pitting Google against the US Department of Justice began on 9 September, with a federal judge in Virginia hearing opening statements over whether the tech giant illegally monopolized the digital advertising industry. The case could have far-reaching implications for Googles primary source of revenue as well as the tech industry and online publishers. The long-awaited trial is the second major US antitrust suit against Google, after the company lost a landmark case last month that determined the company illegally monopolized the online search industry. Unlike in that trial, the justice department is seeking specific remedies in its second case, ones that would force Google to break up parts of its business and divest some of its advertising technology. Related: Google broke law to maintain online search monopoly, US judge rules The justice departments second lawsuit, filed in January 2023, centers around Googles acquisition and application of digital ad tech. Website publishers looking to make money from advertising rely on this technology to act as a kind of middleman. Googles services allow sites to sell ads on their pages and for advertisers to buy ad space that reaches potential customers, while Google takes a sizable cut of the ad dollars from both sides. Googles monopolies in each of these separate markets was no accident but rather the result of a campaign to condition, control, and tax digital advertising transactions over 15 years, the justice department said in a pre-trial filing. This campaign was exclusionary, anticompetitive, and mutually reinforcing. The justice department singled out several of Googles acquisitions to argue that the company now dominates every facet of digital advertising. Google bought the ad tech company DoubleClick in 2007 for $3.1bn, which provided the tech giant with an online marketplace for publishers looking to sell ad space. The justice department alleges that DoubleClick now controls over half the ad market for open-web display transactions. Over the next few years Google acquired two other companies, Invite Media and AdMeld, which gave it access to advertisers looking to buy ad space and the ability to connect them with publishers. These deals resulted in Google controlling both the supply and demand sides of online advertising as well as the point of exchange where those sides meet, the justice department claims. In her opening statement, the justice department lawyer Julia Tarver Wood alleged that Google had built a trifecta of monopolies through its acquisitions. Googles lawyer Karen Dunn, meanwhile, framed the governments argument as having an antiquated understanding of how the internet works, and claimed Google was just one company among a range of serious competitors. Although there is nothing illegal about the general model of matching websites and advertisers to target consumers, the justice department claims that Google has built a monopoly through a series of ruthless anticompetitive maneuvers. These include eliminating rivals through acquisitions or exclusionary practices that amount to wielding an illegal monopoly over the industry, according to the suit. One industry behemoth, Google, has corrupted legitimate competition in the ad tech industry by engaging in a systematic campaign to seize control of the wide swath of high-tech tools used by publishers, advertisers, and brokers, to facilitate digital advertising, the justice department wrote in its complaint. Related: A US judge ruled that Google built an illegal monopoly. What happens next? One Google ad executive who is quoted in the governments complaint compared the companys business model to Goldman Sachs or Citibank owning the New York Stock Exchange. The suit alleges that Google uses its dominance to deliberately overcharge advertisers, while keeping at least 30 cents of every dollar that flows to website publishers through its advertising technology. That windfall has resulted in the company earning tens of billions of dollars each year from its advertising technology, making up the bulk of its total revenue. The harm is clear: website creators earn less, and advertisers pay more, than they would in a market where unfettered competitive pressure could discipline prices and lead to more innovative ad tech tools, the complaint states, adding that it forces publishers to pass the costs on to the consumer through paywalls and subscriptions. It cites one of Googles own employees who allegedly characterized the companys position as that of an authoritarian intermediary. Federal prosecutors are planning to present internal Google documents and witness testimony to support their argument. Executives from publishers including Disney, the New York Times, BuzzFeed, Vox and NewsCorp are all listed as potential witnesses to testify against Google. Founders and CEOs of ad tech companies, as well as advertisers, are also set to testify. Prosecutors will also call a long list of current and former Google employees. Related: US considers breaking up Google after illegal monopoly ruling, reports say Googles defense in pre-trial filings has been to argue that refusing to deal with rival companies is not an antitrust violation and that the justice department is not correctly defining the digital ad market. The company issued a statement earlier in June calling the lawsuit a meritless attempt to pick winners and losers in a highly competitive industry. Although the trial was originally slated to take place before a jury, Google managed to avoid that outcome by paying the government over $2m to settle claims that its ad tech overcharged federal agencies. Monetary damage claims usually result in jury trials, while judges decide non-monetary claims directly in antitrust cases. The case is being heard by Judge Leonie Brinkema, an 80-year-old Bill Clinton appointee who previously oversaw the contentious trial of one of the 9/11 conspirators. Brinkema made headlines in that case when she paraphrased TS Eliot after the guilty verdict, telling the defendant that he would die with a whimper. Google lost its previous antitrust trial, which focused on its dominance over the online search industry, after a federal judge ruled in August that it had built an illegal monopoly through multibillion-dollar exclusionary contracts. The company is in the process of appealing that ruling, and its unclear what penalties it may face. The review, commissioned in 2022, has led to an urgent internal inquiry into Great Ormond Street hospitals paediatric orthopaedic service. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA The families of children who were harmed at Great Ormond Street hospital are urging it to publish a report written last year after concerns were raised about a surgeon who worked there. The hospital trust has launched an urgent review of the care of 721 children seen by the consultant orthopaedic surgeon Yaser Jabbar over a five-year period. The trust had previously commissioned a review by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) of its paediatric orthopaedic service in 2022 after concerns were raised by a number of our patient families and staff. A lawyer representing the families of the children is now urging Great Ormond Street to publish those findings, which have been seen by the Sunday Times. The newspaper reported that the 100-page document concluded that senior executives had manifestly failed in their responsibility and that the hospitals orthopaedic department was not currently safe for patients. Caroline Murgatroyd is a senior associate solicitor at Hudgell Solicitors who is representing families of children who have leg length discrepancies, nerve injuries and in one case an amputation. She told Times Radio: There has been reference to this report that was produced last year. Now that report hasnt been made available publicly I havent seen it, the families havent seen it. My understanding is that report does address some of the departmental failures, and details some of the reports that were made by staff. And there is a big lack of information there at the moment as to when concerns were first raised, how they were dealt with so Id really encourage Great Ormond Street to release that report to the public. She added that it was really, really important that [families] understand how this came about and how it could go on so long. While she praised the hospitals work in reviewing individual patients medical records and reporting where failures in care have been identified, she said there could be more transparency in terms of the wider departmental issues of what was actually going on at the trust and governance. Thats really important to families, because they want to know why this happened and what course of events led to all of this. And so we can also make sure that it really doesnt happen again, she said. Murgatroyd said accusations made by some of the families she is representing include the wrong choice of surgery; surgery performed to an unreasonable standard; failure to advise parents about the risk and benefits of undergoing and not undergoing surgery, so failure to obtain informed consent. Of the 39 cases that had been reviewed by Great Ormond Street so far in an anticipated 18-month process, 15 patients had come to no harm, nine had suffered low to moderate harm and 13 had come to severe harm that is likely to include lifelong injuries, the hospital said. A spokesperson for the hospital said: We have contacted all patients and families who have been impacted and where harm has been identified, discussed their cases with them under our duty of candour. The full report contains personally identifiable data relating to patients and staff and it would not be appropriate to share it. However, the trust intends to share the contents of an executive summary through our publicly available board papers on 24 December. Public release of this information needs to be timed to take into consideration patient communications, which remains our priority. Jabbar, who lives in Dubai and no longer works at the London hospital, is reported to be an expert in limb reconstruction but has not had a licence to practise medicine in the UK since 8 January, according to the General Medical Councils website. He has been approached for comment. The Summerland fire on the Isle of Man in 1973. About 3,000 people were inside the complex when the blaze began. Photograph: Picture library Do you remember Summerland? I did, on 14 June 2017, when I saw the images of Grenfell Tower burning on the news. Summerland was a holiday complex on the Isle of Man that burned down on 2 August 1973, killing 50 people and seriously injuring a further 80. It was designed as an allweather tourist attraction with a capacity of 10,000, but its walls were clad with combustible materials and the roof, made of Oroglas, an acrylic sheeting, was to melt in the heat on to those trapped below. That evening, around 3,000 people were inside when some boys, smoking in a kiosk at the side of the building, caused a fire that spread to the main complex with catastrophic results. The subsequent public inquiry condemned the use of flammable materials in its construction, and changes in both building regulations and fire safety were introduced as a result. So when I woke and saw Grenfell Tower ablaze on that June morning seven years ago, I remembered Summerland and could not comprehend how flammable materials had once again been allowed to encase buildings. In 2018, a BBC documentary, The Fires That Foretold Grenfell, featured the Summerland fire, together with those from the last three decades at Knowsley Heights, Garnock Court, Harrow Court and Lakanal House. And last year, its 50th anniversary made the news briefly, perhaps partly due to revived interest in Grenfells wake. The Grenfell inquiry has laid bare the cavalier attitude of those selling and installing combustible materials for the refurbishment of existing buildings, and their total disregard in compromising the fire safety features that had been built into their original design. Its resultant recommendations must not be allowed to become forgotten in the passage of time and yet another unforeseen tragedy to occur. Deborah Gahan Barnstaple, Devon Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. Kamala Harris speaks in Detroit, Michigan, on 2 September 2024. Photograph: Andrew Roth/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will arrive in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday for their first (and potentially only) presidential debate. The event will mark the first time that Harris and Trump have ever met face to face, and it comes less than two months after Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race following his own fateful debate performance in June. The change at the top of the Democratic ticket appears to have unnerved Trump and his campaign advisers, who have struggled to land attacks against Harris. The debate will present Trump with his most significant opportunity yet to negatively define Harris in voters minds, as polls show a neck-and-neck race in key battleground states. For Harris, the debate could allow her to deliver on her oft-repeated promise to voters: that she will prosecute the case against Trump. Her political history both on the debate stage and in Senate hearings suggest she is well-positioned to make that case. But Harris is not without her vulnerabilities either. Here are five key moments from Harriss career that could offer a preview of her debate strategy: Sense of humor Before Harris became vice-president, she served as the attorney general of California and then the states junior senator. When Harris ran for her Senate seat in 2016, her top opponent was Democratic congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. The two candidates faced off in an hour-long debate in October 2016, and despite the robust conversation around policy, the event is best remembered for Sanchezs bizarre closing statement. Sanchez chose to punctuate her final comments with a dance move: the dab. For those who were not extremely online in 2016, a dab involves stretching out an arm and lowering ones head into the crook of the other arm. Harris reacted to the move with baffled amusement, tightly pressing her lips together, in an apparent attempt to hold back laughter, before she said with a chuckle: So theres a clear difference between the candidates in this race. The simple retort effectively undercut Sanchez and bolstered Harriss pitch. And it worked; Harris defeated Sanchez by 23 points a month later. Harris has already deployed her sense of humor to undercut Trump, who has shown no tolerance for mockery, and she may be looking to do so again on Tuesday. Prosecutorial skills After taking her seat in the Senate, Harris quickly made a name for herself as a tough questioner who could put witnesses on the spot as she dissected their political records. Jeff Sessions, Trumps first attorney general, experienced this first-hand in June 2017. When he appeared before the Senate intelligence committee, Harris pressed Sessions on his contact with Russian nationals during the 2016 campaign, as he was serving as a surrogate for Trump. Harris rattled off a series of questions to Sessions, who grew frustrated as he struggled to give clear, concise answers. As Sessions tried to further elaborate on one of his answers, Harris told him: Sir, I have just a few minutes Sessions then interrupted, saying, Will you let me qualify it? If I dont qualify it, youll accuse me of lying, so I need to be correct as best I can Im not able to be rushed this fast. It makes me nervous. The exchange cast even more scrutiny on the Trump campaigns relationship with Russian officials and showcased Harriss prosecutorial skills. A clash with Kavanaugh Harriss questioning of Brett Kavanaugh went viral in 2018, when she pressed the supreme court nominee on his conversations about special counsel Robert Muellers investigation and his views on abortion access. Harris asked Kavanaugh whether he had discussed Muellers investigation with anyone at a law firm founded by Trump lawyer Marc Kasowitz. Be sure about your answer, sir, Harris told Kavanaugh. The nominee fumbled for a moment before saying, I would like to know the person youre thinking of. Harris replied: I think youre thinking of someone, and you dont want to tell us. A Republican senator interjected to relieve the pressure on Kavanaugh, but Harriss questioning raised questions about the nominees credibility. An even more telling exchange came when Harris asked Kavanuagh, Can you think of any laws that give government the power to make decisions about the male body? Kavanaugh replied: Im happy to answer a more specific question. When pressed, he conceded: Im not thinking of any right now, senator. That comment gained renewed attention in 2022, when Kavanaugh became one of the supreme court justices who ruled to overturn Roe v Wade, ending federal protections for abortion access. Harris has blamed Trump for that decision, as he nominated three of the justices who issued the ruling, and she is sure to uplift the fight over abortion access on Tuesday. A challenge on busing Harris launched her first presidential campaign in January 2019, but she and other Democratic candidates found it difficult to overtake Bidens early polling advantage. Related: Harris attacks Bidens record on race in Democratic debates key moment At a primary debate in June 2019, Harris decided to confront Biden head-on. Biden had recently attracted controversy for praising the past civility of politics, citing his cordial relationships with two late segregationist senators as examples. Harris attacked Biden over the comments and connected them to his past opposition to busing, the practice of transporting children to schools outside their local neighborhood to help achieve racial equity in classrooms. You know, there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bussed to school every day. And that little girl was me, Harris told Biden. So I will tell you that, on this subject, it cannot be an intellectual debate among Democrats. We have to take it seriously. The attack line increased Harriss national profile, boosting her standing in the polls. But that surge became the high-water mark for Harriss campaign, and she was forced to withdraw from the race in December. Mr Vice-President, Im speaking Despite their earlier clash, Biden selected Harris as his running mate after winning the nomination, and the new vice-presidential candidate immediately got to work promoting their campaign. In her debate against Mike Pence in October 2020, Harris had to push back against the then vice-president as he attempted to talk over her. In what became a viral moment, Harris told Pence, Mr Vice-President, Im speaking. The catchphrase inspired campaign merchandise and painted Pence as out of touch. The success of that moment might explain why Harriss campaign fought to have the candidates mics unmuted at all times during the debate on Tuesday, as that could create an opportunity to establish a similar dynamic against Trump. But Trumps team successfully fought that rule change, so mics will only be unmuted when moderators cue a candidate to speak. Regardless, the pushback against Pence might still teach Trump a lesson going into the debate: Harris refuses to be steamrolled. An imprecise answer Trump has reason for concern as he plans for Tuesday. But Harris has also displayed vulnerabilities that could help Trump in the debate. In Harriss first major interview since becoming the Democratic nominee, CNN host Dana Bash started off with a rather obvious question: what were her plans for day one of her administration? Well, there are a number of things, Harris said. I will tell you first and foremost one of my highest priorities is to do what we can to support and strengthen the middle class. When I look at the aspirations, the goals, the ambitions of the American people, I think that people are ready for a new way forward. The vague answer prompted Bash to follow up by reiterating, So what would you do day one? Harris then described her plans to implement an opportunity economy, including expanding the child tax credit, but the exchange underscored the nominees penchant for avoiding specifics when discussing policy. Trump is not exactly known for his detailed policy positions either, but voters will be looking for Harris to outline a more precise vision for her presidency when she takes the debate stage on Tuesday. Harvey Weinstein suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, fluid on his heart and lungs, and had Covid and double pneumonia - Etienne Laurent Harvey Weinstein has been taken to hospital for emergency heart surgery after experiencing chest pains. The disgraced movie producer, who was being held in Rikers Island prison, has been reportedly suffering a host of health problems. Mr Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital last night due to several medical conditions, Weinstein representatives Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer said in a statement to ABC News. We can confirm that Mr Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today, however, we cannot comment any further than that. In February 2020, the producer behind movies such as Shakespeare in Love and Pulp Fiction, was found guilty of rape after a succession of women made allegations against him. Two months later, the New York Court of Appeals threw out the conviction, finding Weinstein did not get a fair trial because a judge improperly allowed testimony by accusers he was not formally charged with assaulting. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in February 2023 in a separate rape trial in California. He is appealing against the verdict. Producer due to face New York court Weinstein had been due in court this week where prosecutors had been presenting evidence to a New York grand jury as they work to secure a new indictment against him on sex crimes charges. He has denied having any non-consensual sexual encounters with anyone. In December 2022 a court in Los Angeles found him guilty of four of seven charges including rape and sexual assault. While Weinstein is also appealing against his conviction in Los Angeles, legal observers believe he might find that conviction tougher to overturn because of the different ways New York and California handle sex crimes. In California, the law permits prosecutors to introduce of allegations of sexual offences that are not listed in the indictment specifically in sex crime cases, in accordance with California Evidence Code section 1108. As a result, lawyers can show evidence of a defendants past sexual misconduct, calling in witnesses whose accusations are not part of the charges against the defendant. In New York, no such law exists. Indeed, the state specifically bars the admission of such evidence, which was why the appeals court ruled 4-3 he had not received a fair trial because prosecutors did use cite alleged incidents not included in the specific charge. Reports suggest Weinstein has long struggled with serious health problems, and has been admitted to hospital multiple times. Weinstein suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, fluid on his heart and lungs, and had recently contracted Covid and double pneumonia, according to a statement by Weinstein representatives to ABC News. In July, he was treated for Covid-19 and double pneumonia. In 2020, he was admitted to hospital with chest pains. He also was taken to Bellevue hospital that same year to open a blocked artery, according to CBS News. Two of the babies died at St Thomas hospital in London. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA A mother whose premature baby died in hospital after receiving contaminated intravenous food has told her sons inquest it was the worst experience a parent could have. Yousef Al-Kharboush was nine days old when he died at St Thomas hospital in London on 1 June 2014 after developing sepsis from liquid food infected with bacteria called Bacillus cereus. He was one of 19 premature babies who became infected in a major outbreak across nine hospitals in 2014. The inquests into Yousefs death, as well as those into two other babies who died in separate outbreaks involving contaminated feed one-month-old Oscar Barker, who also died in June 2014, and three-month-old Aviva Otte, who died in January 2014 began on Monday at Southwark coroners court. The senior coroner, Dr Julian Morris, said his role was not to find blame but to identify the babies and how they died. The coroner revealed he was thinking of taking the unusual step of issuing a prevention of future deaths notice, a legal warning to one or more public or private bodies that they should take specific action to avoid any more deaths occurring in similar circumstances. Morris said: The other duty I have to consider is whether to provide a prevention of future death report thats something I will consider as we hear the evidence over the next couple of weeks. Yousef and his twin brother were born at 32 weeks gestation by emergency caesarean section at St Thomas after their mother, Ghanda Al-Kharboush, was told that one of the babies was not growing properly. Although both twins were fed intravenously while in intensive care, only Yousef died. In a statement read out to the court, Al-Kharboush, said she realised Yousef was struggling when she went to express milk for him on 30 May 2014. She spoke to a nurse about how Yousef was not as noisy as normal and his breathing did not seem regular and was told her son was not coping as well as he had been. Shortly after receiving a scan, Yousef stopped breathing. I was distraught and all of a sudden there was a hive of activity around Yousef. His condition continued to deteriorate. It was so hard to see our son in pain. I felt useless and could do nothing for him, Al-Kharboush said. It is the worst experience that a parent could have. The inquest heard how Yousef rallied a little after receiving antibiotics and was taken to see his twin but that this would be the only time he saw his brother. But later his mother noticed he had no colour and blotches on his chest. I wanted to stop his pain, she said. I took him in my arms while attached to the ventilator, I told them to remove it in the hope that this one last chance to breathe unaided might prove successful. Oscar Barker died at another hospital in June 2014 from multiple organ failure. Like Yousef, he and his twin were born prematurely. His mother, Hollie Barker, told the inquest that she realised something was wrong after being told Oscar had a bad night. Barker told the court that a consultant had told her that a bug had been found on the liquid baby food, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), that had been feeding Oscar. She said: At some point the hospital told me that the bug found on the TPN was very unusual and thats where they believe that the bug had originated, from outside the hospital. By September 2014, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency had carried out four inspections of ITH Pharmas manufacturing facilities and suggested this had been an isolated incident and action had been taken to avoid a recurrence, the inquest heard. A recall had also been ordered. Aviva Otte also died at St Thomas hospital from liquid TPN contaminated with Bacillus cereus in January 2014. At that time, St Thomass TPN was produced in-house and its subsequent provider of TPN, ITH Pharma, did not produce the batch that killed Aviva. ITH Pharma, which provided TPN, was fined 1.2m by a crown court in 2022 after providing TPN from which 19 premature babies became infected across nine hospitals in 2014. An ITH Pharma spokesperson said after Mondays hearing: We offer our deepest sympathies to the families affected by the events of 2014. We are committed to assisting the coroner to ensure that the wider circumstances of these three deaths are fully investigated. The inquest, due to last three weeks, resumes on Tuesday. Labour backbenchers may regret rebelling - House of Commons /AFP While there has been much media reflection on the abrupt end to the new Governments honeymoon period, less attention has been paid to the individual experience of backbench Labour MPs. I know that being elected to the Commons for the first time can be a deliriously exciting time. Even in the wettest and coldest summer in living memory, for those hundreds of newbies sitting on the government benches, the sun will not have stopped shining since that first week in July. Armed with a freshly-minted mandate from their admiring constituents, they will have embarked on their new career filled to the brim with optimism and excitement. In my own case, the honeymoon that began in June 2001 came to an abrupt and anxious end three months later on September 11. For the current cohort of new Labour MPs, the Grinch who spoilt everything was Rachel Reeves. This is, of course, unfair on the Chancellor. Everyone knew that some difficult spending decisions were going to have to be made at some point. But there is a difference between vague election campaign rhetoric and real-life decisions that impact on real people and their standard of living. Suddenly governing on behalf of the many, not the few, feels like a lot less fun than newly-elected MPs thought it would be. Tomorrows vote on Reevess decision to remove the Winter Heating Allowance from better off pensioners is expected to be a significant flashpoint in the life of this young administration. Backbenchers are being inundated with angry emails from constituents demanding that their representative vote against the cut. If I could offer a single piece of advice to those MPs, it would be this: reject such appeals. Of course it is tempting to heed the clarion call of the mob, to submit yourself and your career to the temptations of political martyrdom. Better to be lionised as a fierce and principled defender of truth and righteousness in your own back yard than to be seen by local electors as just another bit of cannon fodder for an increasingly unpopular administration, surely? In 2003, as Britain and America geared up for an invasion of Iraq in order to deal with what we thought was the real threat of weapons of mass destruction held (and previously used, remember) by that regime, I and many of my colleagues had to deal with an avalanche of emails, letters and personal representations from angry and concerned constituents. Having decided, after much angst and analysis, to support the government, I chose not to buckle, to face the consequences of my decision and to argue my and the governments case and, crucially, to vote with the Labour whip when the vote arrived. That wasnt an easy thing to do, but I still believe that it was right. Which in the end is the only consideration that requires taking account of. A few home truths, then. First, the vast majority of constituents will not lift a finger to contact their MP in order to express outrage at the decision to restrict the Winter Heating Allowance to those who claim Pension Credit. Your email inbox is not a scientifically-selected proportion of your electorate. To most voters, this is an esoteric and complex policy change whose details escape them. Even those who disagree with it may not necessarily believe it to be important enough to affect how they intend to vote at the next election. Second, many, if not most, of those who are sending unflattering demands to their MPs will have voted against the incumbent parliamentarian anyway. This is not to suggest that only the opinion of Labour voters should be considered; it is merely to point out that what looks, on an email application, like a death warrant for a political career, could just as easily be no more than the continuation of an election campaign to whose result the supporters of your opponents are not yet reconciled. Third, governing is never easy, and its not supposed to be. MPs are asked every day to defend decisions that are unpopular with someone somewhere. Those who expected unalloyed praise for every decision they or their government make should consider an alternative career, perhaps as a full-time official of the National Union of Students. Fourth, this parliament is only weeks into what is likely to be a five-year stretch. If Keir Starmer and his lieutenants have any sense, they will ensure that most of the big, really unpopular decisions will be made in the first half of this parliament (in other words, there will be more decisions just as unpopular, or even more so, than this one), allowing backbenchers to boast to their hearts content about supporting various government initiatives to feed homeless kittens and the like as election day 2029 approaches. Be patient: this will be a long slog. Remember that after winning an unprecedented landslide in 1997, one of Labours first decisions was to cut single parents benefit payments, a move that elicited all the protests and warnings of dire consequences from the Left that could be expected. Yet four years later, the government was returned with a barely reduced majority. None of this is to suggest that MPs should ignore their constituents. They must be replied to and engaged with, sympathetically, with facts and figures, with understanding, but also robustly. At the end of the day, we are a parliamentary democracy whose operation depends on the party whipping system. By all means, if your socialist conscience is so precious and fragile that it cant tolerate a brief period of unpopularity among people who would never vote for you anyway, then sure, walk into the voting lobby with the Conservatives. But be prepared to face the consequences, at least one of which is that you will struggle to be taken seriously as a serious politician for however long your career lasts from now on. eye watching from screen Every day our businesses and government organisations are being clobbered by cyber attacks. So whats the last thing we want them to do? Probably make the attacks easier, and park the most valuable secrets in front of the house with a take what you want sign. As companies experiment with artificial intelligence (AI), they are flinging open doors that really should be locked very tight and in many cases, they dont even know theyve done it. To picture the potential damage, security expert Michael Bargury talks me through an example using Microsofts own demonstration site for Microsoft 365. He quietly alters the businesss bank details; staff are oblivious to the change. Bargury, chief technology officer of Tel Aviv-based security firm Zenity, is one of the leading experts in exploring how business AI can be used for mischief. The attacks exploit one of AIs key selling points to business: automating repetitive tasks. Previously, getting a hack to work required knowledge of a scripting language. Now, anyone can create a bot with a couple of clicks and its turning hacking into a public sport. In the past, many hacks also required hundreds of hours of social engineering tricking an individual into clicking on something. But with Microsofts Copilot and other business AI bots, people can simply say a set of words and open a Pandoras box. Bargury calls it promptware. The typical Fortune 500 company already runs around 3,000 Copilot AI bots, Zenity found, and some 63pc of private business chatbots can be operated by the public. All of the defaults are insecure, an astonished Bargury discovered. Things are about to get much worse. While Microsoft has changed the defaults, the underlying problem is not fixable, which is that AI cant distinguish between data and computer instructions. I may send you a one-line message wishing you happy birthday that contains hidden hacking instructions and the AI will obliviously let it happen. Microsoft says it is constantly revising the guard rails on its large language models, but Bargury isnt impressed. Guard rails arent enough because its not a solvable problem, he tells me. No wonder Copilot has earned the nickname Coparrot it simply repeats what it hears. Worse, companies are being encouraged to pour everything they have into the pot. An AI model devours everything it can: supplier contracts, employee salaries, redundancy lists, strategy papers, or the directors very private Teams chats. AI breaks down boundaries we have traditionally maintained in the offline world, where information was privileged, and was only shared on a need-to-know basis. Now were making everything accessible to anyone. Rather like the cartoon monster in the Beatles movie Yellow Submarine, the Suckophant, AI devours all the other monsters, then the Beatles, and eventually the screen itself. In summary, its a lethal combination: were allowing far more people to do more stupid things far more easily, while exposing far more private information to the bad people. Click here to view this content. Incredibly, Microsoft is also capturing private information we have not intentionally committed to a system, just so it can all be fed to an AI model. A new feature of Windows called Recall silently takes a snapshot of your computer screen every few seconds and stashes it away. Recall doesnt care if whats on your screen is your sales forecasts, a banking app, passwords or pornography it remembers everything. In truth, the technology industry has never been very good at respecting boundaries, or even basic security, and this goes back a long way. One industry veteran who helps define international security standards told me: The people building software and networks do not think security is something valuable it gets in their way, and they wont do it. Enterprises are left picking up the pieces. The attitude is very much f--- security, f--- intellectual property, and lets fix it with lawyers afterwards. Googles former chief executive Eric Schmidt now a major investor in AI and one of the most influential figures in US science policy admitted as much in a talk to undergraduates at Stanford, according to reports last month. Quizzed about the ethics of stealing IP to build a start-up, Schmidt advised students to go ahead and worry later: just hire a whole bunch of lawyers to go clean the mess up. Schmidt was merely saying the quiet part out loud, noted the tech publication The Verge. The video of the talk has been deleted. Former Google chief Eric Schmidt has perpetuated the let lawyers fix it afterwards mentality that's rife in the tech industry - Mike Blake/Reuters Ministers need to stop fantasising that AI automation will save the NHS and improve public service efficiency. The House of Representatives has already banned Copilot, deeming it a risk to users due to the threat of leaking House data. The MIT economist Daron Acemoglu, author of the book Why Nations Fail, was recently asked to predict the potential impact of AI on business and society on a scale of nought to 10. It could go up to seven he thought, if all went well, but on its current trajectory, it was heading for a minus six. His interviewer, who moves in rarified high status policy and media circles, sounded astonished. Well, he said, your mistake is only looking at the good stuff AI can do, but youve failed to look at any of the bad stuff. Or count the costs. Perhaps his next book can be called Why Civilisations Fail. Were doing all we can to hasten their demise. The peaches, seen here available for sampling at Harrods, are prized for their perfect form and reputation as the worlds sweetest - The Jiji Press Harrods has begun selling luxury peaches grown in Japans Fukushima region, which 13 years ago suffered the worlds worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. The first of the unusually sweet white peaches, which cost 80 for a box of three, went on sale on Saturday at the Knightsbridge department store. It is the first time peaches from Fukushima, in northeast Japan, will be sold in a British shop and comes amid fears over the risk of radioactive contamination of food products from the area. The sales campaign is being run by The Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), the operator of the Fukushima plant, which is now in charge of its decommissioning. It is part of an effort to dispel negative associations and improve export sales to help the region recover. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was destroyed in March 2011 after a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake generated powerful tsunami waves causing meltdowns in three reactors. It forced the evacuation of more than 150,000 residents across the region, thousands of whom have never returned, despite dissipating levels of radiation. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was destroyed in March 2011 after a powerful earthquake created a tsunami causing meltdowns in three reactors - Getty Images Britain lifted the last import restrictions on food products from Fukushima, largely consisting of fish and seafood, in 2022. Such products are only imported to the UK in small quantities and sold to Japanese restaurants and specialist stores. Tokyo, at the time, thanked the UK for making decisions based on scientific evidence that will help the reconstruction of the region. Fukushimas peaches were sold at the annual Japan Festival in London last October and reportedly sold out, sparking the deal with Harrods, which will also start selling Shine Muscat grapes from the region in October. The peaches are prized for their exceptional taste, perfect form and reputation as the worlds sweetest and most expensive peaches, with sugar content more than double usual supermarket varieties. We would like to continue to convey the appeal and tastiness of Fukushima Prefectures produce to the world, an official from Tepco told Japan News. Harrods has been approached for comment. Japan is keen to show that produce from Fukushima is safe to eat - Reuters/Toru Hanai Other promotional food events will also take place across the US, where rice and scallops from Fukushima will be promoted. The mountainous region of Fukushima is the second biggest producer of peaches in Japan, accounting for more than a quarter of the industry, with its tasty fruits attributed to a combination of fertile soil and an amenable climate. Known for its rich agricultural heritage in Japan, it is renowned for its cherries, pears and grapes as well as peaches, painstakingly cultivated by local farmers. Its seafood, quality white rice and nihonshu sake are also famed across Japan. Since the 2011 nuclear disaster, however, farmers and fishermen have been hit hard due to safety concerns over radiation, despite regular testing and reassurances from the government that the food is safe. The international peach promotion comes as a trial to remove the highly radioactive debris from the destroyed Fukushima plant is set to begin on Tuesday. An earlier attempt to retrieve around 880 tons of extremely hazardous material stuck inside its reactors the most daunting part of the decade-long project to decommission the plant had failed. The commissioners of the royal commission into defence and veteran suicide: Peggy Brown, Nick Kaldas and James Douglas. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian Welcome to the Afternoon Update. The royal commission into defence and veteran suicide has handed down its final report. The chair, Nick Kaldas, said the royal commission should be a line in the sand and a call to action once and for all. Speaking at Parliament House in Canberra, Kaldas said he believed there had been a failure of leadership and despite dozens of past inquiries and hundreds of previous recommendations the dial hasnt moved. The reports recommendations include: a new executive agency to take responsibility for supporting defence members to transition into civilian life; a policy of mandatory discharge for defence members convicted of sexual and related offences; and fostering a strong culture of reporting unacceptable behaviour. Top news Harris and Trump tied in latest polls | As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump prepare to go head to head on Wednesday morning Australian time, a poll reveals they are neck and neck in approval ratings. Trump is up one percentage point, 48%-47%, over Harris. It means a win for either candidate is within reach. Bridget McKenzie walks back comments calling for divesture powers on airlines | Writing in the Australian Financial Review, the Nationals senator called for powers to force Qantas to divest Jetstar, which she said may be one of the only ways to ensure competition in the Australian aviation market. McKenzie later clarified her stance, calling for the treasurer to look at the tools on how hes going to address excessive airfares. Hunter Valley bus crash sentence not about revenge | Addressing a packed courtroom, the Newcastle district court judge Roy Ellis said the bus driver, Brett Button, could expect a lengthy jail term, but told the victims grieving families justice is not about revenge. Button pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving resulting in the deaths of 10 people and injuries to 25 others. Man who allegedly poured coffee on baby flees country | A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 33-year-old foreign national who police say left the country on 31 August just 12 hours before he was identified by police. Tax treaty between Australia and Slovenia | Australian businesses will be subject to reduced withholding tax rates under an agreement which will improve access to Slovenian technology. Its the first tax treaty between the two countries and Andrew Leigh said it represents a a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship. South Australia wants social media ban for under 14s | Premier Peter Malinauskas said the proposal was backed by a substantial and growing body of research that shows social media addiction is causing children potentially long-lasting harm. He said social media companies industrialise addiction in children and penalties for breaches would be in the seven figures. Three children in critical condition after Melbourne house fire | The children, all aged under five, were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a house fire in Melbournes north-west last night. No one else was injured. Broken Sydney train track causes cancellations | Major delays persisted into the afternoon despite the rail being fixed by 10am. Sydney Trains said it was investigating the cause of the issue. In video Huge crowds in Tel Aviv demand deal to free hostages video People poured onto the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest against the Israeli governments failure to secure the return of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Similar protests were held in Jerusalem. See the video here. The protests came a week after one of the largest demonstrations of the war, which came after the discovery of another six dead hostages in Gaza. Israel has been under increasing pressure from the US and other allies to reach a ceasefire deal, but the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has so far pushed back, causing growing anger among Israelis who want the hostages returned safely. What they said *** I look at this side of the house and I look at the female representation that we have here and I am absolutely convinced that we need to do better. Karen Andrews The Liberal MP tells the House of Representatives that she has stepped back from opposing gender quotas, which she had previously opposed because she never wanted to be appointed into a role for anything other than my ability to do the job. In numbers Before bed read Stephanie Vallas shares her story of being homeless as a single mother of three kids after her previous rental property was deemed uninhabitable. Vallas, who suffers from chronic pain and depression, described seeking help when none was available as a vicious cycle. Daily word game Todays starter word is: SPAR. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply. Sign up If you would like to receive this Afternoon Update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or start your day with a curated breakdown of the key stories you need to know with our Morning Mail newsletter. Madrid on Sunday said it would grant political asylum to Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who was heading into exile in Spain after a month in hiding in the crisis-hit South American country. Gonzalez Urrutia -- who disputed President Nicolas Maduro's July 28 re-election -- left Venezuela after ignoring three successive summons to appear before prosecutors, arguing that attending the hearing could have cost him his freedom. Madrid's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that Gonzalez Urrutia had requested political asylum in the European country, and that Spain would "obviously" grant it to him. He earlier confirmed on X that the opposition leader had departed on a Spanish military aeroplane, adding that Spain was "committed to the political rights" of all Venezuelans. Caracas said it had agreed to his safe passage. Venezuela has been in political crisis since July when authorities declared Maduro the victor of the election. The opposition cried foul, claiming it had evidence Gonzalez Urrutia had won by a comfortable margin. Numerous nations, including the United States, European Union and several Latin American countries, have refused to recognise Maduro as the winner without Caracas releasing detailed voting data. After the election, Venezuelan prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez Urrutia over his insistence that he was the rightful winner of the election. Venezuela's vice president Delcy Rodriguez said on social media that Caracas had agreed to the safe passage of Gonzalez Urrutia, who had taken "refuge voluntarily at the Spanish embassy in Caracas a few days ago". Speaking at a socialist party meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described Gonzalez Urrutia as "a hero who Spain will not abandon". Attorney General Tarek William Saab said he would make an "important announcement", which the public prosecutor's office said would take place at 11:00 am (1500 GMT) on Sunday. Lawyer Joel Garcia, who has defended opposition figures in Venezuela, said that if Gonzalez Urrutia was charged with everything the government has accused him of, he could face a jail sentence of 30 years. Authorities said Maduro had won re-election to a third, six-year term with 52 percent of the vote. The opposition published its own voting records, which it says showed Gonzalez Urrutia winning 67 percent of the vote. Venezuela's electoral authority has said it cannot provide a full breakdown of the election results, blaming a cyber attack on its systems. Observers have said there is no evidence of any such hacking. Post-election violence in Venezuela has claimed 27 lives and left 192 people injured, while the government says it has arrested some 2,400 people. Prior to the election, Gonzalez Urrutia was a little-known retired diplomat. He became the last-minute presidential candidate after main opposition figure Maria Corina Machado was banned from running by state institutions seen as loyal to Maduro. After Venezuela's last election, in 2018, Maduro was proclaimed winner amid widespread accusations of fraud. He has led the oil-rich but cash-poor country since 2013. His tenure -- which has suffered from domestic economic mismanagement as well as international sanctions -- has seen GDP drop 80 percent and more than seven million of the country's 30 million citizens emigrate. Caps on international student numbers are set to hit over a dozen Australian universities, including the Australian National University, which will have its allocation slashed by more than 14%. Photograph: AAP Australian National University will have its international student allocation slashed by more than 14%, according to new data, one of 15 institutions set to lose a slice of the cohort as the government is criticised for the random and arbitrary caps. Department of Education figures, made public on Friday evening, show 23 universities will be able to enrol more international students than they had in 2023 while 15 will have their numbers slashed. The increases, though, are modest, not exceeding more than a few hundred additional foreign students. Related: Plan to cap international students fundamentally destructive for states finances, Victorian treasurer says Federation University Australia has been the hardest hit by the cap: regional Victorias largest educational institution will only be permitted to take 1,100 overseas students from 2025, compared with 2023s intake of 2,306. Charles Sturt University has received the most generous cap increase to 1,000 students, the data shows, representing a 517% increase in their capacity to enrol students in 2025 compared with their 2023 figures (less than 200). But its a -66% decrease on the universitys 2019 intake, which were significantly higher at 2,994, prior to the introduction of ministerial direction 107 a regulation enacted in December 2023 that gave priority to students applying to low-risk institutions and caused disproportionate delays and visa rejections across regional campuses. Murdoch University in Perth had its international student cohort slashed by 34% to 3,500, down from 5,272 in 2023. The University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne, both composed of more than 40% international students, have received -7% decreases on their 2023 intake, making their 2025 cap 11,900 and 9,300 respectively. Despite being composed of less than 35% international students, Victoria University and the University of Wollongong have had harsher caps imposed of -11% and -8%, bringing their cap down to 3,600 and 3,700 respectively. The revelations come amid warnings the tertiary education sector has not been adequately consulted on policy and faces extensive staff cuts in coming months. Industry spokespeople have warned the plan to cap international student enrolments at a maximum of 270,000 would lead to thousands of job losses and the closure of as many as 300 independent colleges. Federation University Australia, Murdoch University and Australian National University are each composed of 35% or above international students, a figure Deakin and RMITs vice chancellors have argued would be a better overall cap to introduce. Instead, the caps imposed on remaining institutions with more than 35% international students vary widely. Western Sydney Universitys vice-chancellor, Professor George Williams, said he was frankly shocked by the details of the cap, which he said would significantly hamper his institutions international enrolments. His institutions 2025 intake figure is a -2% decrease on 2023s total of 3,461 students. The formula is deeply flawed, deeply random and arbitrary, he told Fridays hearing. It will have perverse unintended consequences and cause great damage. Guardian Australia understands the limits were developed based on data provided by institutions, including recent levels of new international student commencements and concentration of foreign student enrolments in their onshore cohorts. The deputy Greens leader and spokesperson for higher education, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, said it was crystal clear opposition to the bill was pretty universal. Gaping holes in the caps, perverse outcomes, uncertainties, unknown inconsistencies and a lack of consultation are just some of the flaws that make this bill and the whole policy process a complete mess, she said. The University of Notre Dame Australia has been granted a cap of 700 international students, a 140% increase on 2023, while the University of the Sunshine Coast has been given a cap of 1,200, a 108% increase on 2023 numbers but just 12 more foreign students than commenced at the university in 2019. The minister for education, Jason Clare, said the caps were a fairer way to manage the system, which would allow almost every regional university to enrol more international students next year than they did last year. It should not just be the big metro unis that benefit from international education, he said. But Regional Universities Network CEO, Alec Webb, said winning has never felt so much like losing. As a result of ministerial direction 107, he said institutions had received punitive cap allocations that offer little-to-no growth, certainty or sense, with the ongoing uncertainty raising questions over whether many universities would be able to reach the upper limit caps theyd received. In many cases, this runs counter to the intent of the policy, he said. The long lead times for student visas means that future international students will continue to see their term 1 2025 enrolment aspirations blocked. Charles Darwin University (CDU) vice-chancellor professor Scott Bowman agreed. He said the uncertainty that had arisen from recent visa crackdowns would continue to favour large metropolitan universities that hadnt been as severely impacted by visa rejections and delays as regional campuses. These universities have comparatively benefitted and continue to enrol large proportions of international students from concentrated low-risk countries.. He pointed to data showing the Northern Territory experienced a -67.4% drop in visa grants in the first half of 2024 compared with 2023 at the same time New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT had their grant shares increase, raising questions over whether theyd be able to reach their caps. The Holmes Institute CEO, Stephen Nagle, told Fridays inquiry Labors proposed bill would gut the private sector, comparing it to a Soviet-style intervention. He said as a result of the seemingly random cap, some of his campuses would be forced to close, while around 100 jobs would be lost. The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) chief executive, Troy Williams, said the body had been inundated with questions from members who were perplexed, bewildered and deeply worried. He said some independent providers had been given caps of zero without explanation, while others would be forced to halt enrolments in excess of -80%, likely causing thousands of job losses. The impact of these cuts on the number of international students able to come to Australia is staggering with up to 300 independent colleges expected to close, he said. Their employees will lose their jobs, as will other employees in colleges that will have to scale down to survive. The government is waiting for the conclusion of an age-verification trial which begins its final phase this week before specifying the age. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images The Albanese government plans to impose a minimum age for teenagers accessing social media and gaming platforms, with legislation to be introduced into parliament before the next election. The prime minister will announce the nationwide move on Tuesday but will stop short of specifying the age, arguing the government wants to wait for the conclusion of an age-verification trial which begins its final phase this week. We know that technology moves fast, Albanese said in remarks provided before the announcement. No government is going to be able to protect every child from every threat but we have to do all we can. Parents are worried sick about this. We know theyre working without a map no generation has faced this challenge before. The government is also expected to draw on a report prepared by former high court chief justice Robert French and commissioned by the South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, which outlines a legislative framework for establishing a minimum age. Related: Blunt-force approach: LGBTQ+ advocates say proposed teen social media ban overlooks benefits Malinauskas favours setting the age at 14 but Guardian Australia understands the federally legislated age could be higher. The Albanese governments move will be aimed at social media and other relevant digital platforms understood to mean gaming. Frenchs 276-page report includes a proposed draft bill based on setting the age at 14 and requiring social media and other companies to establish parental consent before allowing children aged 14 or 15 to use their platforms. The draft bill imposes a positive obligation on social media platforms to stop children in the restricted age range from accessing their services and to use appropriate available technology and processes to prevent that access. The evidence shows early access to addictive social media is causing our kids harm, Malinauskas said in support of the federal governments move. This is no different to cigarettes or alcohol. When a product or service hurts children, governments must act. We will work closely with the commonwealth to implement this ban, which will be welcomed by parents across the country. The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allen, has announced her government will also restrict childrens access to social media. Parents are trying to manage content on devices at home, but its hard, Allen said in a video message posted on Facebook. Its like a social media tsunami they feel they cant stop. Allen said the rules would target the tech companies because theyre the ones we need to hold to account. National cabinet discussed issues around a minimum access age and age verification when it met in Canberra last week. It is unclear whether separate state legislation would be required in line with the federal move. Related: Snapchat rejects Australian push to raise age for allowing teenagers on social media to 16 The third stage of an age-verification trial aimed at preventing children from accessing pornography and limiting social media access for teens aged between 13 and 16 begins on Tuesday. That will involve live-testing different technologies that could be used to a determine users age. The communications minister, Michelle Rowland, said the trial was an important element in finalising the policy. We expect platforms and online services [to] do their share because we want to make sure Australian kids can use the internet in an age-appropriate way that supports their learning and lives in a positive way, she said. Albanese said his message to parents was: Weve got your back, were listening and determined to act to get this right. Peter Dutton has also previously indicated support for a minimum social media access age to be set at 16 and promised to implement it within 100 days if he wins office at the next election. Kristina Rihanoff and her fiance Ben Cohen were partners on the 11th series of Strictly Come Dancing - Instagram Strictly Come Dancings Kristina Rihanoff and her fiance, Ben Cohen, are in so much debt that they are fighting not to lose everything including their relationship, a court heard. Mr Cohen, a former England rugby player, made the admission while appearing in court alongside the Russian dancer after she drove her 30,000 Audi Q3 without insurance in Horsemarket, Northampton, in April. Rihanoff, who appeared in court under the name Kristina Pchenitchnykh, was convicted of the driving offence and unsuccessfully appealed on Friday, with Mr Cohen appearing as her witness. Mr Cohen told Northampton Crown Court that the pair set up several businesses including a yoga studio which had suffered as a result of the Covid pandemic. I get up every day and I fight not to lose everything to lose my cars and my house and my relationship. Im so overdrawn, he said. Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff appearing on Strictly - Henry Nicholls/SWNS When questioned about the strains on his and Rihanoffs relationship, he said: Were still living together. Were in it financially. Were in business together so the problem is that we opened the business before Covid and we got the worst severities of it and in all honestly this is just another problem for me to deal with. Ive got credit cards that are overdrawn. Im overdrawn in both accounts. We have got a business debt because of Covid. Its just another problem. One of the original Strictly Curse couples, the pair were partners on the 11th series of the BBC dancing show in 2013. Mr Cohen separated from Abbie Blayney Cohen, his then wife, a year later and the couple were divorced in 2016. Revealing their engagement to Hello! magazine in 2022, Rihanoff said: It was the biggest surprise of my life. Although wed talked before about getting married one day, I hadnt the slightest idea that Ben was planning this. I was overcome with emotion and said: Yes, yes and yes straight away. The show has a long and troubled history of leading to relationship trouble among its contestants. The first series of Strictly in 2004 was dogged by claims of an affair between newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole, her dance partner. Kaplinksy has always insisted there was nothing between her and Cole but the gossip culminated in the collapse of both her 12-year relationship and Coles relationship with fellow dancer and fiancee Camilla Dallerup. Rachel Riley split from her husband shortly after taking part in the 2013 series, during which she was partnered with dancer Pasha Kovalev. Although she claimed at the time that they were not involved, Riley and Kovalev later revealed, in 2014, that they were in a relationship. The couple set up several businesses including a yoga studio - Instagram Rihanoff sobbed throughout the hearing and had to leave the courtroom. Upon her return, she was wrapped in a white blanket holding a tissue to her eyes. She was spared a driving ban, despite totting up 12 penalty points, due to exceptional hardship, the court heard. Northampton Crown Court was told that the ex-Strictly professional needed a car to judge ballroom competitions around the country, and to take her two daughters to school. The court also heard she regularly took her stepdaughter to hospital to be treated for a heart condition. Mr Cohen confirmed that he had been solely responsible for sourcing insurance for the couples cars. The court was told that Mr Cohen had been searching for cheaper insurance online at the end of February after being quoted 7,500 by Aviva. He said he had taken out a policy with Dial Direct on Feb 22, paying monthly by direct debit. In March he was abroad when he received a text message telling him Dial Direct was going to cancel his insurance unless he sent his no claims details. He said he did not have a no claims bonus so he did not send any details to the company, so the policy was cancelled on March 7. Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen during rehearsals for Strictly - Guy Levy/BBC On April 14, Rihanoff was stopped driving uninsured in Northampton town centre. The court heard that when police officers phoned Mr Cohen, he immediately tried to take out another policy with the same company. When asked if he knew, on April 14, that the policy had been cancelled, he replied: I 100 per cent did not know that policy would be cancelled because the no claims information theyd been asking for wasnt relevant to me. He added: I didnt know until I got that call from Kristina then I was (saying) what are you on about? Mr Cohen also said he had not told Rihanoff about the cancellation of the insurance. He also admitted he had not asked Rihanoff about the dates of her previous speeding offences before taking out the policy. Recorder Louise Cox rejected her appeal, but told Rihanoff she had every sympathy with her. She said: We find you had an honest belief you were insured but dont accept that belief was reasonable grounds to account for your lack of insurance. The judge said that Rihanoff should have made sure she was insured before driving. Rihanoff, of Sywell, Northamptonshire, was ordered to pay 357 in appeal costs. The new series of Strictly begins this Saturday amid a string of scandals over alleged bullying and abuse. Counter-protesters clash with police in Parliament Square in central London during a pro-Palestinian protest march on Armistice Day, Saturday 11 November 2023. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA The former prime minister Rishi Sunak and his home secretary Suella Braverman have been criticised in an official report for wrongly lambasting the Metropolitan polices handling of pro-Palestinian protests. The report from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services gives police a largely clean bill of health about its impartiality. The official policing inspectorate said the attacks from senior politicians risked damaging public views about police impartiality, and thus trust in law enforcement. The report was ordered by Braverman when home secretary, at a time when the Conservative government was accusing police of being biased against the right and too soft on those supporting leftwing causes. The ploy backfired and the report from the policing inspectorate ends up criticising the former home secretary. It will be seen as a victory for policing against the previous Conservative government, with whom relationships were strained. A key part of the inspectorates report focuses on the days before last Armistice Day weekend in November 2023. Conservatives condemned a pro-Palestinian march the day before Armistice Day and far-right counter-protests were expected. Days before the already tense weekend, Braverman accused police in a newspaper article of double standards, being tougher on rightwing protesters compared with those backing leftwing causes, and bolstered claims of two-tier policing. Met leaders privately viewed the home secretarys comments as toxic, and helping to incite hostility to officers who face verbal and physical attacks from the far right. Braverman was later sacked, in part for her outburst. Sunak lambasted the Met after a prominent campaigner, Gideon Falter, was stopped from walking through another pro-Palestinian march. Later television news footage appeared to show police actions were reasonable. The report says criticism before key events should be made in private: Senior politicians should take great care to make sure they are in possession of the full facts before making public statements that can have a detrimental effect on the public perception of police impartiality. One chief constable we interviewed told us that their experience has indicated an increasing drive from central government to compel chief constables to police and enforce the law in a certain way We formed the view that the polarised positions taken by politicians and the public may prevent them from seeing the police as being impartial. It sometimes leaves the police in an invidious position. The chief inspector of constabulary, Andy Cooke, confirmed that passage of his report referred to Sunak and Braverman. He said of their comments: In my view, yes it was unfair. In another section the report says: In all but the most extreme and unusual of circumstances, MPs and councillors should be very mindful not to publicly criticise, interfere with or otherwise try to influence any decisions in advance of the police implementing them. Examples of such actions by MPs were evident prior to protests planned for Remembrance Day 2023. The report makes 22 recommendations, including a clearer definition of operational independence for police leaders, and of their roles and those of elected police and crime commissioners. Privately, police leaders say some PCCs interfere in policing and some politicians believe senior officers hide behind operational independence to avoid answering for poor decisions. In the report, Cooke said the introduction of PCCs had made policing more political: The operational independence of chief constables is a cornerstone of policing in the UK. And the exercise of democratic accountability and governance is also a fundamental element of policing There is a delicate balance to strike between these equally important concepts. Chief officers told us that they often experience what they believe to be improper pressure or interference from significant political figures. We found that overt attempts to influence operational policing challenge the polices impartiality and could reduce public trust. The report also says the Equality Act needs to be reviewed because it has not kept up with modern challenges. Cooke cited the example of an officer who is genderfluid and whether they required two warrant cards the official police identification document one identifying them as female and another as male. Chief constable Gavin Stephens, the chair of the National Police Chiefs Council, said: We are a police service for every community and in taking decisions, policing must remain independent and empowered to keep the public safe without any undue influence. A Home Office spokesperson said: We welcome the report and will work closely with policing to consider the recommendations. Telegram From the moment Pavel Durov was arrested in France last month, Russias public space erupted in indignation. Depending on who you asked, France had launched an attack on freedom of speech; a Russophobic harassment of one of the countrys greatest entrepreneurs; or a Nato-led intelligence operation aimed at penetrating the command and control of Russias army in Ukraine. The furore led others to the opposite conclusion: agitation in Moscow proved, they argued, that Mr Durov was a Kremlin agent; his public persona as an exiled free-speech champion, a cover story; the secure messenger he runs, a spy tool. So what does Mr Durov know? And is the Telegram founder about to hand over the keys to Russias war in Ukraine to Nato? The truth is shrouded in several layers of fog. Theres the usual mystery surrounding questions of intelligence and national security; theres the difficulty of distinguishing genuine concern from paranoia and propaganda; and there is a war on, with all the proverbial implications for truth. I think the Kremlin is worried he knows where the bodies are buried and that Western intelligence can obtain a lot of insight into Russias conduct of the war, said John Foreman, a former UK defence attache in Moscow. But is this a substantive concern, or is it the paranoia of Russian security services and ongoing belief in the Wests insidious plot to do Russia down? Pavel Durov was arrested in France last month - Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg An intelligence plot seemed far-fetched, he said, but the issue was murky. Theres a lot more going on here than it suggests ... At its head, it looks like Russia fears the West will de-encrypt secrets and stop disinformation, but what is it at its heart? Mr Durov, 39, came to prominence in Russia for founding Vkontakte, a social network modelled on Facebook. He lost control of that company after refusing to hand over data on Ukrainian protesters and left Russia in 2014, saying he would never return. He went on to find wealth with Telegram, an instant messaging app he launched in 2013 and that became wildly popular in Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East both for private communication and as a source of uncensored news. Today it is widely used by both Russian and Ukrainian war propagandists, and especially in the Russian army for battlefield communications. Thats the root of the anxieties triggered in Russia when he was arrested at Le Bourget airport outside of Paris on Aug 24. People call for the release of Pavel Durov outside the French embassy in Berlin - snapshot-photography/F Boillot/Shutterstock French authorities have charged him with permitting the app to be used for a range of illegal activities including child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking. He denies the allegations, which his lawyer has called absurd. Mr Durov, who has been released on bail but banned from leaving the country, said in his first public statement on Friday that he should not have been targeted personally, and warned against going after innovators in social media. No innovator will ever build new tools if they know they can be personally held responsible for potential abuse of those tools, he said. Neither he, nor the French authorities, have said anything to suggest the arrest is about espionage. But the suspicions will not go away. And to understand why, you have to go back to his last clash with a regulator over censorship. The biggest mystery about Durov these days is what actually happened in 2018 and 2020, when Telegram was blocked in Russia, and then for some mysterious reasons, the ban was lifted, said Andrei Soldatov, an exiled Russian journalist who specialises in the Russian security services. The Kremlin at that time asked or rather demanded of Durov two things. Paper planes a reference to the logo of Telegram are displayed in Moscow as a show of support for Mr Durov - AFP The first request, from Roskomnadzor, the countrys media watchdog and censor, was to be more proactive at removing illegal, harmful, extremist content. For free speech campaigners, that was suspicious because the Russian law on extremism can be (and often is) stretched to include legitimate political criticism of the authorities. Mr Durov resisted. But there was a second request, which was way more important. And this second request came directly, came from the FSB, and that was about providing encryption keys to get access to Telegram, said Mr Soldatov. The Federal Security Service wanted to be able to read private messages sent on the app (it is worth noting here that most Telegram conversations are not secure you have to select secret chat to turn on the safety features). That would be in line with Russian cyber surveillance doctrine, which is basically that the authorities have or ought to have back-door access to all communications on Russian soil. Mr Durovs answer was that this was impossible: the encryption keys for each chat are unique, generated randomly when a chat is started, and stored on users phones, not on Telegrams servers: there was no key he could hand over even if he wanted to. But FSB officers are not stupid, says Mr Soldatov they would have understood that they were asking for the impossible if the encryptions were generated as described. I do not think, given what I know about FSB or how they behave, that they could just give up, he guesses. They probably used this as a pressure point to gain some other concession. Mr Durov leaves the Judicial Court of Paris on Aug 28 - Anadolu In 2020, Roskomnadzor lifted its ban on Telegram (which was easily circumvented and never really worked) after coming to an agreement on restricting some harmful content. Pragmatism seemed to have won. The assumption among some Russian activists though no one could quite prove it was that another, unspoken, deal had also been done regarding the FSBs demand for a backdoor. There is no conclusive proof that any such deal was made. Telegram and Mr Durov insist that they did not hand over encryption codes. But if that suspicion was correct, it would explain the agitation of Russian military bloggers. After all, if he could open the backdoor for the FSB, he could do it for the French, too. If Ukraine-sympathetic Western officials and pro-war Russian military commentators can agree on one thing, it is that the implications could be serious. The fact Telegram has become almost the main means for controlling units in the zone of the SVO [special military operation] is only a secret for some people in the main communications directorate, Rybar, a generally reliable Russian war blog, noted after Mr Durovs arrest. Why there isnt a secure military messenger is not a question for me, another blogger gloomily posted as he urged followers to delete Telegram messages immediately. Messaging apps are convenient It is a good question. But the answer may be broader than the military bureaucrats in Moscow that Rybar and other Russian war bloggers alluded to. It may be that in war, as in civilian life, the convenience and ubiquity of smartphones and messaging apps is difficult to compete with. In other words, it is just more practical for commanders of overstretched, under-resourced and improvisation-dependent armies to ping out orders over Telegram, Whatsapp, or Signal (the app preferred by Ukrainian soldiers) than to use clunky, bespoke alternatives. Thats not to say such options do not exist. Both Ukraine and Russia have experimented with specially encrypted phones and numbers, or resorted to old-fashioned wire-connected field telephones to avoid hackers. Rybar reported that a Russian military messenger app is under development, but has been allowed to languish by indifferent officials. It would be both sad and funny if Mr Durovs arrest finally prompted them to take the project seriously, the channel noted. Concern West could access military secrets But the case goes well beyond the question of military security. Mr Foreman, citing Russians he has spoken to, says there are three camps of Russian officials angered at Mr Durovs arrest. Many are concerned that the West could penetrate Telegram and access military secrets. But there are also those who see it as an opportunity to show the double standards of the West, which claims to champion freedom but cracks down on Russian-owned media an example of Russophobia. Thirdly, there are those angry about a clampdown on their tool for spreading disinformation in the West. And theres another layer of anxiety to consider, says Mr Soldatov. For many of the Russian war bloggers most agitated by Mr Durovs arrest, Telegram is their most important, perhaps only, publishing platform. If it is compromised or ends up being blocked, they could lose their main publishing platform and huge audiences they have built up there. The same goes for news channels and bloggers in Ukraine, Iran (despite an official ban), and several other countries where the platform has become a key source of news (and misinformation). All that reflects the many roles Telegram, and also other apps, now play in modern societies; closed and democratic, at war and in peacetime. In that sense, followers of the tech revolution put Mr Durovs arrest in France in the same loose category as his previous clash with the Kremlin, or Brazils ban on X, formerly Twitter, over Elon Musks refusal to censor far-Right accounts. All are skirmishes possibly the first of many between nation states and the tech barons who created and control the vast cyber world we all now inhabit. No Russian official can publicly praise France for arresting a Russian citizen. But Roskomnadzor and the FSB have also sought to tame the tech world. While they publicly condemn the French authorities, they will privately be taking notes. File image of a student Education debates are catnip to Labour: half the new MPs are teachers and the other half are just out of school, in ill-fitting suits, stumbling over questions cribbed from the internet. If youre bobbing, be prepared to be called, said the Deputy Speaker after a new boy garbled his presentation on the role of fate in Return of the Native. He sat down red-faced. Tears looked close. The new Secretary of State in charge of T-levels, BTECs and no running in the corridor is Bridget Phillipson, whose rhetoric suggests a deep love of romantic poetry. Universities must be engines of growth. The latest review is a platform for improving core findings. And she referred to pupils as learners, which is one exotic metaphor away from service users. British 15-year-olds are the unhappiest in Europe, revealed Lib Dem MP Alison Bennett. No wonder! The Government suffocates education in the language of HR, and is determined to make life even less colourful by clobbering independent schools and banning the stuff that makes adolescence bearable, such as a cheeky cigarette. No doubt a raid on unlicensed tuck shops is next. I am a former teacher, said Labours Chris Vine, as if applause were in order, my wife is a teacher and most of my friends are teachers - and their happy message is that teachers mental health is at rock bottom. Hardly a surprise: his private life sounds like one long staff meeting. How to raise classroom morale? Well, its reported that unions are asking the Government to cease testing on times tables and grammar - a lot of work for little gain - and if we could only strip back French, science, art, Latin and rounders, our depressed educators neednt do any teaching at all. The ideal curriculum would consist of showing the little tykes a VHS of The Crucible on repeat. Meanwhile, elementary zoology can be grasped by tuning into the Commons. A female Labour MP, wearing leopard skin, stared greedily at the back of another draped from head-to-toe in zebra print. I fantasised an Attenborough narration: And here, on the green benches of the Serengeti, the socialist stalks its kill A couple of Labour MPs asked about the private school VAT increase; Rachael Maskell (fast becoming the real leader of the opposition), noted its impact upon schools that help kids with the very anxieties that MPs were discussing. The Tories picked up on this, too, but seemed more interested in whether or not universities are run by the Chinese. Conservative MPs, whose own memories of education are poisoned by Boris stealing their gobstoppers, were thin on the ground. Theyre focused on the leadership election, which continued with a hustings in Committee Room 14. The candidates waited outside to be called in - as if to the headmasters office! - and largely ignored each other. Only Tom Tugendhat showed life, cheerfully asking how families are (wouldnt know: not spoken to them in years). Reportedly the target of an underhanded campaign to force him from the race, Tommy T had the liberated air of a kamikaze pilot who has been told that hes flying tomorrow - and neednt pack a suitcase. A screengrab from a Harris campaign advert which features scathing comments about Donald Trump by some of his most senior former cabinet officials Click here to view this content. Retired military generals have described Donald Trump as a danger to Americas security as they endorsed Kamala Harris. On the eve of a critical debate between Ms Harris and her Republican rival, 10 former top US military chiefs released a letter calling the vice-president the only candidate who is fit to serve in the countrys highest office. While Ms Harris had demonstrated her ability to take on the most difficult national security challenges in the Situation Room and on the international stage they wrote, Trump posed a danger to our national security and democracy. The letter, signed by retired General Larry Ellis and retired Rear Admiral Michael Smith, among others, accused Trump of disparaging service members and putting them in harms way, including with his deal to free 5,000 Taliban fighters. It coincided with a new Harris campaign advert placed in Palm Beach featuring Trumps most senior former officials warning of the risks of his White House return. The attack advert shows a montage of scathing comments about the Republican ex-president by some of his most senior former cabinet officials in what appears to be an effort to goad him ahead of their televised live showdown on Tuesday night. The attack advert featured clips from Mike Pence, Trumps vice-president, (left) and Mark Esper, his defence secretary (right) In 2016 Donald Trump said he would choose only the best people to work in his White House, the attack adverts narrator said. Now those people have a warning for America: Trump is not fit to be president again. It featured a montage of clips from Mike Pence, Trumps former vice-president, Mark Esper, his defence secretary, John Bolton, his national security adviser, and Gen Mark Milley, his chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who alluded to Trump as an autocrat. We dont take an oath to a king or queen, or a tyrant or a dictator. And we dont take an oath to a wannabe dictator, Gen Milley says in one clip in an apparent reference to Trumps claim he would be a dictator... on day one if re-elected. In the attack advert, Gen Milley is heard saying we dont take an oath to a wannabe dictator The advert will air nationally on Tuesday on the conservative network Fox News and in West Palm Beach, Florida, in a bid to rile Trump in the home media market of his main residence, Mar-a-Lago. It will also air in Philadelphia, where Ms Harris and Trump will face each other on stage for the first time on Tuesday night. Quentin Fulks, a senior Harris campaign official, said the advert will remind Fox News viewers, perhaps even a certain defeated former president himself that Trumps own national security team cant stomach him anymore. The live televised presidential debate marks the first time the two candidates will have met in person, and at a critical juncture before election day on Nov 5. Ms Harris, 59, has been intensively preparing for the encounter with traditional mock debate sessions. Ms Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff in Pennsylvania on Sunday - MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images A former adviser to Hillary Clinton has been playing the role of the 78-year-old Trump, even dressing in the Republicans trademark attire of a navy blue suit and red tie. Ms Harris has been sequestered in a Pennsylvania hotel since last Thursday to prepare detailed responses to policy questions, in contrast to Trump, whom advisers said was holding more informal briefing sessions. The vice-president is also bracing for the possibility Trump could lose his cool and hurl insults at her. Its not beyond the pale that he will mumble this b---h, one source told NBC News. 10 former top US military chiefs say Trump poses 'a danger to our national security and democracy' - Scott Olson/Getty Images Trump at a campaign event in Wisconsin on Saturday - Scott Olson/Getty Images Meanwhile, Ms Harris has finally outlined her policy agenda on her campaign website after weeks of evading questions on her shifting policy positions. Titled New Way Forward, it details her economic and foreign policy agenda with a vow to cut taxes for more than 100 million working and middle-class Americans by expanding two tax credits and providing a $25,000 credit for first-time home buyers. Her agenda includes a proposal to extend Joe Bidens price cap on life-saving prescription drugs and the first-ever federal ban on corporate price gouging on food and groceries. On immigration, Ms Harris promised to revive a bipartisan security bill that would allow the president to shut down the border when crossings from Mexico surged. Her website also casts her as a tireless and effective diplomat on the world stage after four years in office who was working with Mr Biden around the clock to secure a hostage and a ceasefire deal in Gaza. Click here to view this content. Bret Walker SC said the section of the Online Safety Act did not account for who bears responsibility if an organisation issued a notice ceases to exist. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters A notice issued to Twitter over its tackling of child sexual abuse material did not account for the company ceasing to exist when Elon Musks X Corp merged with Twitter in March 2023 soon after, X Corp has said, in a landmark case challenging a penalty from the Australian online safety regulator. X took the eSafety commissioner to court last year challenging the $610,500 fine issued against the company over failing to answer questions in the notice, with the case being heard in the federal court on Monday and Tuesday this week. The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, issued legal notices to what was then Twitter, among others, in February last year, under the Online Safety Act asking the company to answer questions on what it was doing to crack down on child sexual abuse material on its platform. Related: Australia fined X $610,500. But will Elon Musks company pay up? Inman Grant told Guardian Australia at the time the fine was issued that, despite giving the company extensions in time to respond, Twitter had left some questions totally blank, to obfuscate [from providing] inaccurate information. In the federal court on Monday, Bret Walker SC, acting for X, said the original notice that led to the fine was served to what was then Twitter Inc, which merged with X Corp in March of 2023. Everyone agrees that Twitter ceased to exist. Thats the critical point, he said. Walker said the section of the Online Safety Act regarding the notices being issued did not account for who bears responsibility for the notice, should the organisation it was issued against cease to exist. The point about a notice is that the time ticks from the day of issue, and the statute, perfectly sensibly, does not provide for the cessation of existence of the person to whom it is directed as to a continued operation of that notice thereafter, he said. Counsel for the eSafety commissioner did not address this point on Monday. The court will hear from two expert witnesses on Tuesday who Walker indicated would have opposing views on whether whether the responsibility for the notice transferred to X Corp. The case will be a test of the commissioners powers under the Online Safety Act, including the issuing of notices for platforms to account for how theyre meeting the governments basic online safety expectations. Related: Australian senators post about Wakeley stabbing among those Elon Musks X urged to delete Inman Grant has issued dozens of these notices to providers, including most recently last week, when YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snap, Reddit, Discord and Twitch were asked how many children they have on their platforms, and what methods they use to assure the age of those signing up. eSafety has commenced a separate civil penalty proceeding against X in relation to its alleged non-compliance with the notice, the office of the eSafety commissioner said on Monday. That proceeding is on hold until the federal court case has been determined. Walker flagged so far that only one of the notices issued under the act was issued to the new X Corp entity. Inman Grant told the ABC last month that X currently has seven ongoing legal cases with her office. The hearing also comes as the Albanese Labor government is reviewing the Online Safety Act, with a report due to government at the end of October. Prison officers must be allowed to strike, unions have said - Michael Cooper/PA Prison officers must be allowed to strike, unions have said, as they piled pressure on the Government to scrap pernicious legislation banning walkouts. Under Section 127 of the Criminal Justice Public Order Act 1994, it is illegal to induce a prison officer to take (or continue to take) any industrial action. The Trades Union Congress backed a motion calling for the law to be repealed at its annual conference in Brighton on Monday. Mark Fairhurst, the national chairman of the Prison Officers Association, claimed Labour were in favour of scrapping the legislation in opposition, but conveniently forgot to include the pledge in their package of workers rights reforms. He also accused the previous Labour government, led by Gordon Brown, of breaking a promise to the union to deliver the change. Mark Fairhurst, the national chairman of the Prison Officers Association, claimed Labour were in favour of scrapping the legislation in opposition He told the conference: Thirty years, 30 long years, we have been subject to Section 127 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994, and the last Labour government in opposition assured us that if they got into power, they would repeal it. They failed us. And this Government was in favour of it in opposition, they agreed we should have our trade union rights back. So its time for them to deliver. And theyve said in the first 100 days of power, they will repeal anti-trade union legislation, but conveniently forgot about Section 127 of the 1994 Act. Well, their decision on this will tell us all we need to know about this Labour Government, because theyre either for the working class or theyre against us. He added: Lets ditch this piece of legislation in the Brighton sea at the front of this hall, and if the Labour Government refused to repeal it, they can damn well join it in the drink. So Congress, I ask you, lets get rid of this pernicious piece of legislation once and for all. Give us our trade union rights back, our human rights back, our workplace rights back, but more importantly, give me the right to strike back. The motion, which said the pernicious piece of legislation should and must be repealed, was passed at the conference on Monday. When Pope Francis becomes the first pontiff to visit an independent East Timor, he will confront a clergy beset by child abuse scandals that have been largely ignored by the deeply Catholic country's freedom heroes. Cases include Nobel-winning Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, who helped Asia's youngest nation free itself from Indonesian occupation, but who the Vatican secretly punished over claims he had sexually abused young children for decades. There are calls for the 87-year-old pontiff to speak out on child abuse when he lands in the former Portuguese colony Monday as part of his Asia-Pacific tour. "We ask Your Holiness to encourage the leaders and the people of Timor-Leste to take more effective measures to prevent sexual abuse," the Timor-Leste NGO Forum, a civil society coalition, wrote in a letter Wednesday to Francis. BishopAccountability.org, a documentation centre on Catholic Church abuse, also called on the Vatican's sexual abuse commission chief, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, to "urge" Francis to "be the victims' champion" on his visit. Catholic-majority East Timor is one of many countries that has suffered the global scourge of child abuse by members of the clergy long veiled in secrecy. In 2002 Pope John Paul II accepted the abrupt resignation of Bishop Belo, then the head of East Timor's church, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996. The Vatican said it was for health reasons but did not explain further. It then permitted him to be sent to Mozambique as a missionary where he worked with children, before he moved to Portugal. The Vatican secretly sanctioned the bishop in 2020 after claims he sexually abused underage boys over a 20-year period up to 2002. It banned Belo from any contact with children or with East Timor, conditions it said he formally accepted. Only when Dutch magazine De Groene Amsterdammer reported the restrictions in 2022, including testimony from a victim who said they were raped by Belo, did the Vatican go public. The Dutch magazine report's author says allegations about Belo were known in 2002. Francis later suggested the decision to let Belo retire instead of face consequences was made when attitudes were different. The bishop had won the Nobel Prize for his defence of human rights during the Indonesian occupation, which lasted more than two decades. He is revered at home for sheltering young demonstrators and saving their lives. It has helped him retain strong support among the country's 1.3 million people, of which 98 percent are Catholic. "We feel we have lost him. We miss him," Maria Dadi, East Timor national youth council president, told AFP. "Because after all he really contributed to the struggle of Timor-Leste." In another case, defrocked American priest Richard Daschbach was found guilty in 2021 of abusing orphaned, disadvantaged girls. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison, but has also found support at the highest levels of Timorese society. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao courted controversy last year when he visited Daschbach to celebrate his birthday and shared cake with the convicted paedophile. He also attended his trial. For many in the country, they favour Belo returning for the pope's visit. "We are very sad without the presence of Bishop Belo," said 58-year-old academic Francisco Amaral da Silva. "The government and the Catholic Church should invite him." East Timor's presidential office did not respond to a request for comment. President Jose Ramos-Horta has said punishments for Belo should be handled by the Vatican. The pontiff will meet with the Catholic faithful, children, Jesuits and preside over a huge mass during his stay in the capital Dili. But it remains unclear if he will raise cases that have shocked observers of one of the world's poorest countries. The pope's schedule does not include a meeting with victims, and the Vatican did not comment before he departed Rome. Yet he could ad-lib the subject in one of his speeches, which would be a strong gesture. Francis could also meet victims privately as he has done before, the latest on a 2023 Portugal trip. But survivor advocates said the pope must acknowledge the sexual violence by Church officials on East Timorese children, including by Belo. "Those abused by Bishop Belo and other clergy will expect a public statement by Pope Francis on the Church's continued failure to deal with its wayward clergy," said Tony Gribben, founder of the Northern Ireland-based Dromore survivors group. Gribben said a meeting would "have limited value", citing apologies given by Francis to abuse victims on an Ireland trip in 2018. "The event was a well-crafted PR exercise," he added. "But since then, it's business as usual." US soldiers stand guard behind barbed wire as Afghans sit on a roadside near the military part of the airport in Kabul on 20 August 2021. Photograph: Wakil Kohsar/AFP/Getty Images Partisan divisions over the chaotic 2021 pullout of western forces from Afghanistan have burst into the open ahead of Tuesdays presidential debate in Philadelphia after a Republican-led congressional report attempted to implicate Kamala Harris in the episode. A 250-page report from the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee castigated the Biden administration for failing to anticipate the Talibans rapid takeover and neglecting to prepare for the orderly departure of non-combatant personnel. The decision led to a shambolic evacuation effort and numerous American civilians and US-allied Afghans being left stranded as the country fell to hardline Islamist forces that America and its Nato allies had spent 20 years trying to defeat. The report, written by the committees Republican chairman, Michael McCaul, zeroes in on the supposed role played by the US vice-president mentioning her name 251 times, although no evidence has emerged that she was directly involved in the decisions leading to one of the most damaging foreign policy chapters of Joe Bidens presidency. By contrast, a 115-page interim report issued by McCaul on the committees investigation on 2022 name-checked Harris just twice. Democrats seized on the contrast, accusing McCaul of inflating Harriss part in the incident simply because she had replaced Biden as the partys presidential nominee. Vice President Kamala Harris was the last person in the room when President Biden made the decision to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan; a fact she boasted about shortly after President Biden issued his go-to-zero order, states the latest report, titled Wilful Blindness: An assessment of the Biden-Harris administrations withdrawal from Afghanistan and the chaos that followed. The reports front page carries a picture of Harris prominently displayed below that of Biden, and above an image of Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, who played a more prominent role in the withdrawal. Despite warnings against withdrawing by senior leaders, Vice President Harris aide disclosed the vice president strongly supported President Bidens decision, McCauls report goes on. President Bidens former Chief of Staff Ron Klain affirmed Vice President Harris was entrenched in the presidents Afghanistan policy. Related: Biden privately defiant over chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, book says Democrats accused the Republicans of trying to exploit the withdrawal for election purposes while overlooking the fact that the partys presidential nominee, Donald Trump, took the original decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan when he was president. Republicans now claim [Harris] was the architect of the US withdrawal though she is referenced only three times in 3,288 pages of the Committees interview transcripts, wrote Gregory Meeks, the Democrats ranking member on the committee in a 59-page rebuttal to McCauls report. Harriss alleged role in the withdrawal seems likely to arise when she meets Trump for their only scheduled televised debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Sharon Yan, a spokesperson for the White House national security council, said the the report was based on cherry-picked facts, inaccurate characterizations and pre-existing biases. She added: Ending our longest war was the right thing to do and our nation is stronger today as a result. Harriss campaign has tried to promote her role in Bidens foreign policy decisions since she replaced at the top of the Democratic ticket. But she has said little about the Afghan withdrawal. The House report notes that she was on a trip to Singapore and Vietnam at the time and publicly pledged that the administration would protect Afghan women and children. It concludes: Her promise has clearly not been fulfilled. Related: Democrats seize on Trump cemetery photo op disgrace as election issue Democrats accusation of using the Afghan pull-out for campaign purposes echoes criticisms of Trumps now notorious visit to Arlington national cemetery last month to mark the third anniversary of the event. The former US presidents campaign was rebuked by the US army after its staffers reportedly became embroiled in a confrontation with a cemetery worker when she tried to enforce rules against filming and photographing in a section reserved for service members killed in the Afghan and Iraqi conflicts. Pictures and footage subsequently emerged of Trump posing at the graveside of personnel killed in a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate, near Kabul airport which resulted in the deaths of 13 US personnel and roughly 170 Afghans. Trump denied that his visit was a campaign event, pointing out that he had been invited by families of the fallen servicemen. The Venezuela opposition presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, waves to supporters during a political event in June. Photograph: Ariana Cubillos/AP The Venezuelan opposition leader and former presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, has gone into exile in Spain, dealing a bitter blow to opponents of the countrys authoritarian president, Nicolas Maduro. The Spanish government said on Sunday that a Spanish air force plane carrying Gonzalez and his wife had landed at the Torrejon de Ardoz military base outside Madrid He has requested asylum and the Spanish government will of course process this and concede it, Spains foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, told the public broadcaster RTVE on Sunday. I have been able to speak to [Gonzalez] and once he was aboard the airplane he expressed his gratitude toward the Spanish government and Spain, he added. Of course I told him we were pleased that he is well and on his way to Spain, and I reiterated the commitment of our government to the political rights of all Venezuelans. Shortly after touching down, the 75-year-olds press team distributed an audio message in which he said he was confident that soon we will continue the fight to achieve freedom and the recovery of democracy in Venezuela. The choice for Gonzalez to leave was made because his life was in danger, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said on X earlier, citing a brutal wave of repression in the election aftermath. Gonzalez, a retired diplomat, went to ground in the days after Venezuelas 28 July election, which detailed voting data published by the opposition suggests he won. But Maduro has claimed victory and in early September a warrant for Gonzalezs arrest was issued for alleged crimes that could have led to him spending the rest of his life in prison. Venezuelas vice-president, Delcy Rodriguez, said Gonzalez, who several foreign governmentshave announced as the legitimate winner of the ballot, had left after voluntarily seeking refuge in the Spanish embassy. She claimed granting him safe passage out of the country was designed to contribute to political peace. Gonzalez had been in hiding for a month but his situation became particularly uncomfortable in recent days after he was accused of a series of crimes including criminal association, which carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years, and conspiracy, which can be punished with a 16-year sentence. Maduros recent decision to make Diosdado Cabello, one of his political movements most hardline figures, interior minister also heightened concerns. Maduros administration has accused Gonzalez and his key backer, the prominent opposition leader Machado, of being part of a US-backed fascist counter-revolution targeting their Chavista regime. Cabello has repeatedly called Gonzalez whom friends and acquaintances describe as a softly spoken public servant and grandfather a coup-mongering rat. Joel Garcia, a lawyer who has defended several opposition figures in Venezuela, said that if Gonzalez was charged with everything the government has accused him of, he could face a jail sentence of 30 years. Speaking at a socialist party meeting on Saturday, Spains prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, had described the opposition leader as a hero who Spain will not abandon. Venezuela has been in political crisis since authorities declared Maduro the winner of the 28 July vote with a score of 52%. However, tally sheets collected by volunteers from more than two-thirds of electronic voting machines and published online indicate Gonzalez won by a more than 2-to-1 margin. Venezuelas top court which is controlled by Maduros allies has confirmed his supposed victory but numerous countries and bodies, including the US, EU and several Latin American nations, have refused to recognise Maduros re-election for a third six-year term unless Caracas releases full voting data. Opposition hopes that their apparent electoral success might translate into a peaceful transition of power evaporated in the days after the vote. Two days of street demonstrations were extinguished by a harsh government crackdown nicknamed Operacion Tun Tun (Operation Knock Knock). Human rights groups say more than 1,700 people have been detained, including more than 100 teenagers and several key opposition figures who were captured by secret police. Six other important opposition figures are holed up at Argentinas embassy in Caracas, which is in the custody of Brazil because Maduro has cut ties with Buenos Aires. In recent days, the embassy compound has been surrounded by police and intelligence agents and had its electricity cut. Previously unknown to most Venezuelans, Gonzalez a last minute stand in after Machado was banned from running raised the hopes of millions desperate for change after a decade of economic freefall during which GDP has dropped 80% and more than 7 million people emigrated. Speaking at his apartment in Caracas shortly before the election, the former ambassador vowed to build a prosperous, democratic and peaceful country a country of and for everyone. News of Gonzalezs departure prompted an outpouring of frustration and distress on Sunday among opposition supporters and members of the international community. Today is a sad day for democracy in Venezuela In a democracy, no political leader should be forced to seek asylum in another country, the EUs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said in a statement. Borrell said Gonzalez who EU states believed had won the recent election by a large majority had been taken in at the Dutch ambassadors residence in Caracas last Thursday. His request for political asylum was a result of repression, political persecution, and direct threats to his safety and freedom. In an article entitled simply Edmundo Left, the Venezuela-focused website Caracas Chronicles painted a bleak outlook for the opposition. Weve witnessed in the past how the remote-controlled or holographic opposition leadership quickly deflates [in exile], it said, arguing that the arrest warrant issued against Gonzalez had been purposely designed to force him to flee. Maduro never had the intention of arresting Gonzalez They could have apprehended him at any moment, the expected outcome was to make him leave, Caracas Chronicle argued, noting how his exit contradicted the opposition campaigns mantra that it would fight until the end. Related: Venezuela revokes Brazils custody of Argentine embassy housing Maduro opponents With Gonzalez gone, a nation turns its lonely eyes to one person: Maria Corina Machado, the website concluded. There is no immediate sign that Machado will follow her colleagues footsteps into exile. Asked by the Guardian on Thursday if she planned to abandon her country, the 56-year-old conservative was categorical, replying: I believe my duty is to stay in Venezuela. However, Machado admitted that every day it became harder and riskier to stay given the dangerous times the country was living through. The Chavista era began a quarter of a century ago after the 1998 election of Maduros mentor, Hugo Chavez. The former military officer vowed to use Venezuelas vast oil reserves to bankroll a social revolution in a country that remained profoundly unequal despite being long considered South Americas Saudi Arabia. But the collapse of oil prices after Chavezs premature death in 2013 and his governments failure to prepare for such an eventuality plunged Venezuela into a historic depression that was compounded by harsh US sanctions. Venezuelas economic collapse caused one of the largest migration crises in Latin American history with about 8 million citizens moving abroad. It also produced a succession of challenges to Maduros increasingly authoritarian rule, including mass protests, a 2018 assassination attempt, the recognition of parallel president Juan Guaido in 2019 and the recent election. He has survived them all, thanks to political repression, the continued support of the armed forces, and the backing of China and Russia. Victims not told their attackers will be released from prison early Victims are not being told their attackers are being released early from jail and risk bumping into them on the street, a victims commissioner has warned. In an article for The Telegraph, Claire Waxman, the victims commissioner for London, said many victims were unaware of their offenders impending release under the Governments scheme that will see some 1,750 criminals freed early Tuesday. She warned it would be a horrible shock that could put them at risk as they would not have safety plans prepared or have accessed the support they needed to cope with their perpetrators release. It comes as Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, warned that the pace of preparing prisoners for release and setting up the scheme, which was announced just two months ago, increased the risk of further offences by the freed offenders. He said he was enormously concerned that victims were not being prepared for their offenders release. The last thing we want is people to be retraumatised, he said. We need preparation being doneso victims have been given sufficient warning that they know that the prisoner is going to be coming out. Accommodation is found in a place that is appropriate, that there are restrictions put in place so that people arent able to come into contact with former victims of crime. Horrible shock The 1,700 prisoners are being freed 40 per cent of the way through their sentences rather than halfway. It includes anyone jailed for under four years for violence, burglars and thieves but excludes sex offenders, terrorists and people convicted of domestic offences such as stalking or coercive control. Charities have expressed concern that those released include offenders jailed for assault against their current or ex-partner unless they were also sentenced for a domestic abuse offence. Victims are only entitled to automatic alerts on the release of an offender under the Governments victim contact scheme if it was a violent or sexual crime for which the perpetrator was jailed for 12 months. There will be many for whom the release will come as a horrible shock those who opted out of this scheme, werent aware of it, or werent eligible for it, said Ms Waxman, herself a victim of stalking for 20 years. For example, a domestic abuse victim whose perpetrator receives less than 12 months for an assault would not be told about the early release and so wont have prepared safety plans or accessed support, and now risks bumping into them in the street or at their home. Baroness Newlove, the victims commissioner for England and Wales, warned leaving victims in the dark could undermine their trust in the criminal justice system. Clear and timely communication with victims is crucial to building trust and confidence, she said. From the beginning, I sought assurances that all impacted victims would be informed of any early release dates, affording them the opportunity to request protective measures. I understand this has not been possible in every case, leaving some victims unaware of their offenders early release. While I recognise the challenges in reaching certain groups of victims, this is regrettable and must be addressed. Baroness Newlove warned of undermining public trust in the justice system if victims were left out of the loop - LORNE CAMPBELL/TITANIC HOTEL/GUZELIAN Probation officers have warned that some sex offenders could also be released early, for secondary offences such as burglary or theft. If they have served their jail sentence for the sex crime but have a consecutive prison term for burglary, for example, they will be entitled to being freed 40 per cent of the way through that. Tania Bassett, of the National Association of Probation Officers, said: For their victim that meant their offender was going to be away for longer and they could feel safe but now that they are coming out earlier will make them more anxious. Prison governors are staggering the release of prisoners through the day, with particular attention focused on ensuring rival gang members are separated and not held in the same holding room at the same time to avoid violence flaring up. Mr Taylor warned it was going to be a risky time with probation officers responsible for supervising them facing staff shortages, very large caseloads of offenders and a disproportionate number of inexperienced staff. If people are coming out, theyre not properly prepared, and theyre homeless, then what well see is the danger that theyll commit more offences, or that theyve breached their bail conditions, in which case theyll end up back inside again, he said. Leaves the public less safe Mr Taylors annual report revealed the crisis in the overcrowded prisons where 60 per cent had more offenders than they were designed for. Violence was up 20 per cent in a year fuelled by drugs. Half of inmates in some prisons were testing positive. Nine per cent said they developed an addiction while behind bars. The chief inspector blamed the lack of purposeful activity and rehabilitation in jails with prisoners spending up to 22 hours in their cells. Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, said the report lays bare the stark reality in our prisons, and the dire situation we inherited. This Government will tackle the crisis head on and today, changes will come into force to prevent a total collapse of our criminal justice system that would leave the public less safe, she said. If we had not acted when we came into office, there was a real risk that the courts would have been forced to delay sending offenders to jail and police left unable to arrest dangerous criminals. This is a temporary measure, giving us time to set about long-term change in the prison system building the prisons we need and driving down re-offending. Balancing public safety and a broken justice system By Claire Waxman The Governments SDS40 plan, which begins tomorrow, will see many offenders serving standard determinate sentences released earlier than their sentence set out. It is a sad reflection on the state of the justice system, following more than a decade of mismanagement and chronic underfunding by previous Governments. Difficult decisions like this one would not be necessary if we had a fully functioning justice system, but we find ourselves in extraordinary times. This Government faces impossible choices in balancing the safety of victims and the public with the need to keep the justice system from breaking under the severe pressure it continues to be under. This should be seen for what it is: a damning indictment of the under-funding and mismanagement of justice in this country. These mistakes cannot continue to be made. Traumatic time for victims While the news of offenders being released early will be of great concern to many, we have worked closely with the Government to try and ensure that those who pose the greatest risk are excluded from these measures. Offenders convicted of violent offences (serving over four years), sex offences, stalking offences, coercive control, and breaching a number of protective orders are all excluded from these measures. Unlike schemes by previous Governments, SDS40 has provided the time for proper preparation work, and probation staff have been working around the clock to maintain public safety. In London, we have worked together to ensure victims are informed and signposted to information and support, that robust licence conditions are in place to protect victims and keep the public safe, and that there is sufficient capacity to manage those who pose the greatest risk. Of course, there will still be offenders released who are a cause for concern, and we have pushed for stringent risk management such as multi agency protection arrangements and electronic tagging to ensure they are well managed. Although these offenders will continue to be monitored on licence in the community, their release from prison will be a traumatic time for victims, and it is difficult to escape a feeling of injustice. Frightening position My chief concern remains the many victims unaware of their offenders impending release. While all victims on the Victim Contact Scheme (VCS) should have been informed, there will be many for whom the release will come as a horrible shock those who opted out of this scheme, werent aware of it, or werent eligible for it. For example, a domestic abuse victim whose perpetrator receives less than 12 months for an assault (making them ineligible for the VCS) would not be told about the early release and so wont have prepared safety plans or accessed support, and now risks bumping into them in the street or at their home. Im angry that over a decade of neglect by previous governments who have deprioritised justice and failed to address this inevitable crisis has put victims of crime in this frightening position. The early release of offenders is a tough but necessary decision that will help temporarily ease the overcrowding crisis in prisons, but it does not address the fundamental flaws of the justice system. Victims still wait years for justice, funding shortages exist across the board, there are too few barristers and staff, the court estate is in a state of disrepair, prisons are near-full, and the Probation service is under-resourced and overstretched. Our justice system remains in a precarious position, and if we want to keep the public safe, we need better support for victims, more timely and effective justice, and to transform our prisons to ensure that rehabilitation is the focus. If urgent reforms arent made, victims and the public remain at risk and will continue to suffer the consequences. As Victims Commissioner for London, I will continue to use my position to advocate for the necessary changes, working with partners and with the Government. Claire Waxman is the victims commissioner for London Halsall was left petrified by what he saw as the relentless torment by the Electoral Commission - Paul Cooper On July 17, 2018, Alan Halsall was at home listening to the Today programme when he learned he was subject to a criminal investigation. It was seven in the morning, he recalls. And all of a sudden they said that Vote Leave was being fined and I and [fellow Brexit campaigner] Darren Grimes were going to be subject to a possible criminal prosecution, and as I understood it I could potentially end up in jail. It was awful. I cant tell you how bad it was. It made it difficult to sleep. It was a terrible, terrible time. The police investigation was the low point of four years of torment Halsall endured at the hands of the Electoral Commission, which referred Halsalls case to the Metropolitan Police. As the responsible person for Vote Leave, his name was above the door for electoral spending around the Brexit referendum. In the wake of the vote, the commission accused him of having misused campaign funding, saying he was part of an organised campaign that exceeded spending rules. In reality, as Halsall sees it, he was the fall guy for an ideologically motivated attack by Remainers within the Electoral Commission, who were desperate for anything that might invalidate the result of the June 2016 vote. I can only assume that it was antagonism to the result of the referendum, he adds. Not just from the Electoral Commission, but other people in the establishment, the blob, whatever you want to call it, who werent happy with the result. They thought how can we get another referendum? and one of the ways to do that would be to show that Vote Leave had acted criminally. Im not a conspiracy theorist but you cant help but think, why else report me to the police? Why were they bothered about me? Its not because I come from Southport and Im six-three with bright red hair. I can only assume its because they wanted to push for another referendum, against the democratic wishes of the country. A letter from the Electoral Commission in August 2016 was just the start of Alan Halsalls nightmare - Paul Cooper In 2020, the police dropped their investigation. Four years later, fully exonerated, Halsall has detailed his ordeal in a book, Last Man Standing, published in July, which has a foreword by Dominic Cummings. Part memoir, part political reportage, the book is an eye-opening behind-the-scenes account of what it feels like to be caught up in a Byzantine enquiry when you have done nothing wrong. Id like people to realise what can happen if we dont have any protections for the individual from the state, Halsall says. That really does worry me. Its not just me. The post office, the [infected] blood scandal, its all part and parcel of the same thing. We have to start thinking about it and thinking, this is not the society we were. An urbane, polite and successful businessman, Halsall makes an unlikely villain. He grew up in Lytham, the youngest of four boys in a prosperous upper middle-class family in the northwest of England. It was while studying at Newcastle University in the early 1970s that Halsall had the first inklings of Euroscepticism, against the backdrop of Ted Heaths push for Britain to join the European Economic Community (EEC). Even in my university years, Halsall writes in the book, I couldnt quite find it desirable to be part of a growing economic area, and I was very concerned by the early signs of French intransigence. After he graduated, Halsall flirted with the law before taking over his family toy business, which he ran successfully for decades before he sold it in 2006. In 2002, he bought the heritage pram company Silver Cross out of administration, and rebuilt it into a business with annual sales of more than 20m. One surprising interlude in the book is when Silver Cross was sued by Jennifer Lopez, the American pop star. They had given her a couple of free prams and posted pictures of her using them on their website without permission. She sued them for $20m; they settled for an undisclosed amount. It was awful, he says. I thought it was a bit off, having given the prams to her. He sold Silver Cross in 2015. Early the following year, Matthew Elliott, the chief executive of Vote Leave, asked Halsall if he would be the responsible person for the organisation, which was hoping to be the main Brexit group in the upcoming referendum. The role entailed taking responsibility for donations and expenses and providing a signed declaration to the Electoral Commission about the organisations finances. Trusting in the fairness of the British system, Halsall accepted. The Electoral Commission decided that Vote Leave had broken the rules, partly on the strength of whistleblower reports and allegedly without speaking to anyone from Vote Leave first - Andrew Parsons / i-Images Halsalls ordeal began soon after the Brexit vote. The rules around campaign spending stipulated that no group could spend more than 7m. But at the last minute, Vote Leave received a 1m donation that took them over that limit. The rules also stated that there could be no common plan in other words groups could not work in harness to spend more than 7m so Vote Leave donated the leftover money among other pro-Brexit groups. Of particular interest were donations made to Aggregate IQ, a Canadian data analytics firm, by Vote Leave on behalf of BeLeave, Darren Grimes group. The law around a common plan is not just a question of whether the bodies had the same end goal in this case Brexit but to do with the specifics around funding and donations. As an independent campaigner, Grimes could spend up to 700,000 and was allowed to receive a donation from Vote Leave, provided his campaign was run independently. He was eventually exonerated after winning his appeal against sanctions imposed by the Electoral Commission over the Aggregate IQ payments. Like Halsall, the Met Police dropped their investigation into Darren Grimes in May 2020 - Jeff Gilbert Halsall received his first letter from the Electoral Commission in August 2016. He answered their questions to their satisfaction, or so he thought. But it was only the start of the nightmare. Pressure from third parties, including the Good Law Project, the group set up by the Remain-supporting barrister Jolyon Maugham, who helped to secure a judicial review into whether the Electoral Commission had applied the law correctly, meant the queries continued. By the fateful morning of July 17, nearly two years later, the commission had decided that Vote Leave had broken the rules, partly on the strength of whistleblower reports and allegedly without speaking to anyone from Vote Leave first. Every time I looked at my phone I was petrified it would be my lawyers telling me the latest development, he says. It was inquiry after inquiry after inquiry. It takes over your life. But it wasnt anything like as bad as when I was reported to the police. Although he was confident he hadnt done anything wrong, Halsall was still anxious. The electoral commission had to do one of two things, he says. They had to show I was either dishonest or reckless when I signed [the donations] off. I knew I wasnt dishonest because Im not a dishonest person, so it comes down to recklessness. Recklessness is a state of mind: how could they prove that? But I was worried, because you never know what happens in a criminal trial in front of a jury or a judge who has different biases. Halsall says his experience has taught him that Britain ought to be wary of quangos like the Electoral Commission, which are notionally impartial but, he says, can be subject to institutional drift, especially when their staff tend to be young and Left-leaning. We got through fine before the Electoral Commission was created, he says. Quangos tend to attract people who have more of a Leftward view of society. You can see that with the makeup of the people involved. So you have a Leftwing bias and nobody to judge them. Theyre blind to their biases, because who is saying they are biased? He says the rot set in with Tony Blair. History will show that it came from Blair, and his brilliantly successful premiership from the point of view of moving the country to the Left. Why was the Electoral Commission founded in 2001? It came from Blair. How many quangos were set up? The latest thing is that the right are regarded as weird people. Where does it end? 'Id like people to realise what can happen if we dont have any protections for the individual from the state' - Paul Cooper As to how Brexit has been executed, he has mixed feelings. It is very disappointing that a lot of the legislation which I thought would have been overthrown hasnt been, he says. If we have that from a Conservative government, what chance have we got from a Labour government? But theres time. We were in it for a long time. I wouldnt have taken the role on if I had known Id be persecuted so much. But Im an optimist. I believe were out of the EU for good. Yes, there are issues, but I am hopeful that a new Conservative government in a few years time will actually behave conservatively. Although Vote Leave paid a 61,000 fine linked to civil offences concerning spending limits, they never admitted wrongdoing. Halsall says they paid it because they could not secure a limit on their legal costs if they carried on fighting the case. The Met Police dropped their investigation into both Halsall and Grimes in May 2020. At the time Halsall said he was delighted his nightmare was over. Now, thanks to his book, his tale stands as a lesson about the risks of falling on the wrong side of a powerful institution. An Electoral Commission spokesperson said: We open investigations based on evidence irrespective of the political views of the party or campaigner concerned. It is right that potential electoral offences are properly investigated, but it is also important to recognise the impact investigations can have on those concerned. Since the referendum, the Commission has sought to improve its processes and to bring a greater focus to the impact of investigations for those directly involved, which is reflected in our updated Enforcement Policy. We have also increased our resources and capacity to support parties and campaigners to understand their responsibilities and maintain compliance with the laws. Matthew Coverley said there were initially 'positive conversations' about his first application to join the RAF A flying instructor is suing the Ministry of Defence for race discrimination over a Royal Air Force recruitment policy that gave priority to female and ethnic minority recruits over white men. Matthew Coverley had two applications to join the RAF rejected for what he claims were disingenuous reasons, an employment tribunal was told. The experienced military pilot initially thought the decision to reject him was strange but started to suspect he had been discriminated against when news broke of the forces controversial recruitment policy. The tribunal heard that in August 2022, the RAFs head of recruitment, Group Captain Lizzy Nicholl, resigned in protest at a recruitment policy to give priority to female and ethnic minority recruits over white men. It was heard she complained of bullying by those who tried to make her implement it. As a result, Mr Coverley launched his tribunal against the MoD and has now been given the green light by a judge to proceed with claims of race discrimination at a full hearing. A preliminary hearing in Watford heard he served in the British Army from 1996 until 2018, achieved the rank of Warrant Officer and became a flying instructor graduate of the Central Flying School. Between 2014 to 2018, Mr Coverley served with the RAF as attached personnel, holding the position of Lead Army Pilot. In 2017, it was heard he expressed an interest in joining the RAF, but also applied for a civilian job as a backup, for when his Army service came to an end. He was successful with the latter and joined Ascent Flight Training, which is a company that provides military training to the RAF through civilian instructors. Positive conversations In 2020, he then applied to join the RAF. Mr Coverley said he had had positive conversations about his application, with documents seen at the hearing suggesting he had been placed in a pool of potential recruits as of July 2020. However, in November 2020, he was removed and had his application rejected on the grounds that he needed phase one training because he was not a commissioned officer pilot. Mr Coverley said he never heard anything more about his application after the initially promising conversation not even that it had been closed. He claims the reason for closing his application was disingenuous because he did not need phase one training. In July 2022, he applied to join the RAF again, but received an email two weeks later rejecting him, which said that aircrew were not being recruited. Mr Coverley told the hearing he found this a strange response but had to accept it before he later found out the RAF had not stopped recruiting aircrew. Discrimination denied The tribunal heard that following the resignation of Group Captain Nicholl an internal investigation took place in October 2022 to find out whether there had been positive acts of discrimination since 2020. In February last year, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston appeared in front of the parliamentary defence select committee, where he denied any discrimination had taken place. The hearing was told a damning internal report by the RAF was published in June 2023, which included the following: The Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2030 set the goal of increasing representation of underrepresented groups at all levels. The report also referred to specific targets having been set in terms of percentages of recruitment of women and ethnic minorities. After its publication, Mr Coverley began to research the matter himself, the tribunal heard. Full hearing In July 2023, he filed a service complaint with the armed forces internal system. However, he was told its complaint process only applied to serving or former personnel in respect of complaints that arose within their service period. Mr Coverley therefore decided there was no point pursuing his complaint and instead started legal proceedings against the MoD. Considering whether his claims could proceed, Employment Judge Samantha Moore ruled Mr Coverley had not known about the possible discrimination until June 2023 and allowed his claims to proceed. She added: I find it is just and equitable to extend time in respect of [Mr Coverleys] complaints relating to both his 2020 and his 2022 applications, which means the tribunal does have jurisdiction to hear them and they will now proceed to a full hearing. The full hearing will take place at a later date. The Princess of Wales brave openness about her cancer will no doubt give hope to many others, charities have said. Kate announced that she had completed her chemotherapy course in a heartfelt video, in which she speaks about her cancer journey as footage plays of the Waleses and their children. The princess said the path to healing and full recovery is long and she must continue to take each day as it comes as she looks ahead to returning to public duties. The Princess of Wales said she has finished chemotherapy and is looking forward to being back at work (Kensington Palace/PA) Charities reflected her comments about the possible challenges in recovery, and one said her candour will encourage more open conversations about the impact cancer can have on peoples lives. Dame Laura Lee, the chief executive of Maggies charity, which supports cancer patients and their families, said: It is fantastic news that the Princess of Wales has finished her chemotherapy, and it will benefit so many people living with cancer to see her come through treatment and share this video. As the princess said, the cancer journey is complex, and a lot of people can find it tough when they end their cancer treatment and return to work. She added: Your family, friends and work colleagues might think you are back to normal but the person who has just been through it all can still feel vulnerable and in need of a lot of support. Dame Laura said everyones road to recovery is different and encouraged people to take it one step at a time depending on what feels right for them. Maggies has centres in the UK and abroad and Dame Laura added that it is here for anyone who needs help to cope with emotional and physical difficulties in finishing treatment. The Princess of Wales with the Prince of Wales, Prince George (right), Princess Charlotte (second right) and Prince Louis (left) (Kensington Palace/PA) Meanwhile a spokesperson for Macmillan Cancer Support said: Were grateful to the princess for being so open about her experience as this will no doubt give hope to many others going through similar experiences, and encourage more open conversations about the impact cancer can have on peoples lives. It added: We know that cancer can disrupt every aspect of a persons life, so it is fantastic to hear that the Princess of Wales has completed her chemotherapy treatment and is returning to some of her public engagements. Were grateful to the princess for being so open about her experience as this will no doubt give hope to many others going through similar experiences, and encourage more open conversations about the impact cancer can have on peoples lives. Everyones experience with cancer is different, and the period after treatment ends can be very difficult. Its so important that people are allowed the space and time to return to work in the way that suits them. It said Macmillan can help people every day of the week in person, online and through its free, confidential support line. Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UKs chief executive, commended Kates bravery. She said: On behalf of Cancer Research UK, I would like to extend our well wishes to the Princess of Wales as she enters the next stage of her cancer journey. It remains incredibly important that Her Royal Highness has the time and space to recover privately after finishing chemotherapy. The Princess of Wales bravery brings attention to an experience faced by nearly one in two of us, and prompts us all to reflect on our own health and listen to our bodies. There are many signs and symptoms of cancer, but its important to remember that you must contact your GP if you notice something that isnt normal for you. It probably wont be cancer. But if it is, spotting it at an early stage means treatment is more likely to be successful. Sir John Eliot Gardiner has started a new orchestra and choir after leaving his previous ensemble over an assault allegation. The 81-year-old conductor apologised last year for losing his temper with a bass musician who went the wrong way off stage at a concert in the south of France. On Monday, Sir John announced the Constellation Choir and Constellation Orchestra, under the umbrella Springhead Constellation, which will be led by him. He said: Since my return to conducting in Montpellier in July, I have been deeply moved and inspired by the extremely warm and enthusiastic messages of support I have received from musicians, presenters and promoters alike. Sir John Eliot Gardiner will tour concert venues with the new ensemble (Sim Canetty-Clarke/PA) He withdrew from engagements including a BBC Prom and said he was seeking specialist help after allegedly hitting William Thomas at a performance of Berliozs Les Troyens with the Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique and Monteverdi Choir in La Cote-Saint-Andre. In July, the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras (MCO) board said it had decided Sir John would not be returning to the organisation as leader and artistic director. Sir John said at the time that he believed it was best he parted ways with the orchestra, and apologised repeatedly and unreservedly for losing control in such an inappropriate fashion. After he left, more than 100 musicians from the orchestra asked for his return, which the MCO branded a dirty tricks campaign against it by a small group. Two-time Grammy winner Sir John said: I made clear when I parted company with the MCO earlier this summer that I was not in any sense ready to retire. I said I would be focusing on a rich variety of new projects. Springhead Constellation and this tour which will be the first of many represents the realisation of that commitment and I am hugely energised about what we can go on to achieve together. More than anything else, I am so excited and grateful to be working with such exceptional musicians once again, not forgetting the important lessons I have learnt and needed to learn from the past year. Among the players joining his tour will be principal oboist Michael Niesemann, principal viola player Fanny Paccoud, and lead violinist Kati Debretzeni. We are very excited to announce that Christophe Rousset will be joining us for our Baroque Christmas tour of Bach and Charpentier, with concerts at La Scala, Milan and MCO's home at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London. Read more: https://t.co/i3c0RmsikK pic.twitter.com/Kt1sWTugz2 MonteverdiChoir&Orch (@mco_london) August 22, 2024 Sir John added that it is a unique new project embodying a vibrant collective of musical ensembles, creative artists and makers. Our flagship groups the Constellation Orchestra and the Constellation Choir will produce ambitious, multidisciplinary performance projects that tour around the world. Our aspiration is to create accessible, engaging and educational performances that resonate across all generations and geographies. They will perform a series of concerts at five venues in Germany, France, Austria and Luxembourg this December, before planning to tour throughout 2025 and into 2026. The dates are as follows: December 7 at Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, December 9 at Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna, December 11 at Philharmonie Luxembourg, December 12 at Konzerthaus Dortmund, and December 15 at the Palace of Versailles. Ms Paccoud, who has worked with the conductor since 2013, said the the world needs John Eliot and his unique way of making music. She added: Every concert, every project has been excellent, and I felt his work just had to continue. He has the power to bring the very best out of everybody and Im extremely excited and full of hope for this tour and the future. Sir John conducted the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists during the Kings Coronation at Westminster Abbey in May 2023. He founded the two groups along with the Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique, which make up the MCO. French conductor Christophe Rousset is set to conduct the MCOs Christmas programme. Sir Keir Starmer will warn workers that decisions on pay will be shaped by the tough decisions needed to protect the economy. The Prime Minister will say his goal of a pro-worker, pro-business partnership will turn the page after years of industrial unrest under the Tories and rewrite the rules of the economy. But in a message aimed at curbing demands for inflation-busting pay rises in the public sector, Sir Keir will tell the Trades Union Congress the Government will not risk economic stability. Since taking office the Government has offered above inflation rises to millions of public sector workers and struck deals aimed at ending long-running disputes involving train drivers and Englands junior doctors. But Sir Keir, the first Prime Minister to address the TUC Congress since Gordon Brown 15 years ago, will warn unions that pay restraint may still be required. He will tell the Brighton gathering: I do have to make clear, from a place of respect, that this Government will not risk its mandate for economic stability, under any circumstances. And with tough decisions on the horizon, pay will inevitably be shaped by that. I owe you that candour because as was so painfully exposed by the last government when you lose control of the economy its working people who pay the price. His comments follow union calls for pay restoration to address years of below-inflation rises in the public sector. He will hope his cautious message on pay will be balanced by his promise of a new package of workers rights and a new era of more positive industrial relations. I make no apologies to those, still stuck in the 1980s, who believe that unions and business can only stand at odds, leaving working people stuck in the middle, he will say. Setting out his vision for the politics of partnership, he will say: With us in government, with business, and most importantly of all, with working people the mood is for partnership. And not just on pay on everything. (PA Graphics) To turn around our NHS, give our children the start in life they deserve, make our public services fit for the future, unlock the potential of clean energy. A new era of investment and reform. The common cause of national renewal. His speech comes as he battles a backlash from unions, campaigners and his own MPs over the scrapping of winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners by restricting the handout to those on pension credit or other benefits, with a potential Labour revolt in the Commons on Tuesday. Sir Keir will claim the Conservatives salted the earth, forcing the new Labour administration to take difficult decisions on spending. The crisis we have inherited means we must go deep into the marrow of our institutions, rewrite the rules of our economy and fix the foundations so we can build a new home, the Prime Minister will say. A country where growth not only comes from the enterprise of working people, but where growth serves the interests of working people. He will add: So it is time to turn the page, business and unions, the private and public sector, united by a common cause to rebuild our public services and grow our economy in a new way. Higher growth, higher wages, higher productivity. The shared purpose of partnership as the path through the mess the Tories made, and onwards to national renewal. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: We are delighted to welcome Keir Starmer to Congress the first Labour prime minister to address delegates in 15 years. The PMs commitment to making working pay, to boosting security at work and to scrapping toxic anti-union legislation is a stark contrast to the Conservatives race to the bottom on employment standards. The task of rebuilding Britain and delivering decent jobs is an urgent national mission. After 14 years of Tory misrule and chaos we understand there are tough challenges ahead. But we share the PMs ambition for a high-wage economy and stand ready to work with business and Government to achieve this. Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake said: If Keir Starmer cared about working with businesses, or had even a basic understanding of how they operate, he would listen to the howls of opposition from business leaders about his plans to strengthen the unions and force unworkable proposals on employers that will cost jobs. Instead, he is just doing his union paymasters bidding, raising taxes and drowning businesses in a tidal wave of new French-style rules and red tape. Labour must change course now or they risk rewiring the economy back to a time where union bosses held the country to ransom. The Stormont Executives 88-page draft programme for government sets out three key missions people, planet and prosperity with an underpinning cross-cutting commitment to peace. The programme, titled Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most, also highlights nine policy areas that the coalition will prioritise in the remainder of the mandate. They are: To grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy. Deliver affordable childcare. Cut health waiting times. Ending violence against women and girls. Protecting Lough Neagh and the environment is among the policy areas in the programme for government (Niall Carson/PA) Better support for children and young people with special educational needs. Provide more social, affordable and sustainable housing. Safer communities. Protect Lough Neagh and the environment. Reform and transformation of public services. The document includes a link to a dashboard that will be used to measure wellbeing across a series of ten indicators happier children, cleaner environment, equal society, healthier lives, brighter futures, stronger economy, safer communities, caring society, better homes and living peacefully. The success of actions taken under the programme for government (PfG) will be assessed against these indicators. Headline proposals set out in the draft PfG include: A reform and transformation unit to work across all departments to reform public service delivery in Northern Ireland. A key element of this work will see a public sector transformation board oversee investments funded from a 235 million transformation fund. Reform within the health service is identified as instrumental in reducing Northern Irelands spiralling health service waiting lists. The PfG also says difficult decisions on the reconfiguration of services in the region will be needed. Improved housing is among the targets (Liam McBurney/PA) A tourism strategic action plan to showcase Northern Ireland as a visitor location. The delivery of a sub-regional economic action plan with proposals to invest 1.3 billion in the coming years to stimulate regeneration and tourism across Northern Ireland. Development of an early learning and childcare strategy to build on already announced moves to cut childcare bills for parents. The plan also sets a goal of providing the standardised provision of 22.5 hours of pre-school learning to all children in Northern Ireland. A pledge to transform the education system to provide high-quality, efficient and sustainable services for children with special educational needs (SEN) and disability. Delivery of a Northern Ireland housing supply strategy to increase the supply of homes and reduce housing stress. The Executive will seek Treasury approval on borrowing rules to give the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) more power to increase investment in its homes and improve energy efficiency. Launch a new fuel poverty strategy by 2025 to support those struggling with the cost of living. A delivery plan to implement objectives in the Violence Against Woman and Girls strategy. Drive forward a speeding up justice programme to reform the way in which cases are handled, to ensure the most serious cases are dealt with quicker and courts are not clogged up with less serious motoring offences. Digital transformation across criminal justice organisations. The Executive hopes to make progress with the redevelopment of Casement Park (Liam McBurney/PA) The Executive will seek to increase police officer numbers to 7,500 in line with a commitment made in the 2020 New Decade, New Approach agreement. A cross-governmental strategy to reduce offending and reoffending. A new environment strategy to be adopted as Northern Irelands first environmental improvement plan (EIP). The Executive will set carbon budgets and develop its climate action plan, detailing cross-cutting steps to reduce carbon emissions, adapt to changing weather patterns and work towards net zero. A net zero accelerator fund will be used to attract more net zero investment in Northern Ireland. The plan also includes a focus on flood risk management and improving water quality. Establishment of a just transition commission to help farmers adapt to net zero policies. A 15 million investment in the energy and resource efficiency support scheme to help local businesses cut their energy bills. The publication of a circular economy strategy. The PfG also commits to making improvements to the planning system in Northern Ireland. In regard to the stalled rebuild of Casement Park in west Belfast, the plan says the Executive will make progress on the redevelopment. It also includes a pledge to consider the recommendations of a recent all-island rail review, which recommended significant expansion and upgrade of the current network in Northern Ireland. In relation to the existing commitment to expand the Ulster University campus at Magee in Londonderry to hold 10,000 students, a Magee taskforce is to develop and oversee an action plan, which will be published before the end of this year. Brandy Ross of Colorado Springs, Colorado is amazed. Ross's Saint Bernard mix, Bear, went missing while being watched by a petsitter nearly two years ago. But somehow fate has brought the two back together. "It's weird. It was it was crazy. Like our emotions were everywhere," she said of their reunion. The miraculous part of the story isn't just that Bear found his way back to his family it's that it seems that he survived in the wilds of Colorado all on his own. The story is every pet owner's nightmare. Speaking with KRDO, Ross explained that her beloved Saint Bernard mix just disappeared. "Like, that was the hardest part. Was going home after I had left him with the sitter and then coming home to not having my dog," she explained to the news outlet, speaking of what happened years ago. Related: Couple Finds Their Missing Dog Chilling at the Local Bar in Hilarious Video Ross and her family searched high and low for the animal, but it seems like he vanished into thin air. They posted about the dog on social media for weeks, but no one had seen him. Soon after Bear went missing the military family moved to New York. All really did seem lost. That is until this summer, in July, when people started reporting that they'd spotted Bear out and about. A group of volunteers decided to look for the dog. For two weeks, they placed food in the area where the dog was last seen. "We then set up a time to put up what's called a messy trap," volunteer Danielle Neiner explained to the news outlet. "It's a giant trap where they walk in. They hit a light, basically towards the back that triggers the door to close," she said. By the time they found the animal he was in rough shape. "He was pretty matted, very dirty, all that different stuff," Neiner explained. "He's definitely underweight, but health-wise, he's had no health problems." It seems impossible. After all this time, had they really found Bear? "The whole night I'm like, oh my gosh, is this my dog?" Ross recalled. "And then she read the numbers and she's like, it's him. And I was like, no way. And I was literally bawling my eyes out and like, could I? Even now I'm in shock that this is him." "It's like so crazy that survived for two years in the Colorado weather," she explained. "And to now be like, he's okay. It's weird. It was it was crazy. Like our emotions were everywhere." In another sweet gesture, community members are paying for Bear to make his way from Colorado to his new home in New York. He set out on September 1. His family was so excited they couldn't wait for his to arrive. "So we already bought all of his bed and his bulls, and my kids help me buy him toys, and I video with him, every week, a couple times a week," Ross said. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. Five people were shot along a highway in the southern US state of Kentucky, US media reported Saturday, as police hunted for a suspect considered "armed and dangerous." Randall Weddle, mayor of London, Kentucky, told local media that in addition to the wounded there were more people hurt in a car accident caused by the shooting. The shooting did not appear to be random, he told the Louisville Courier Journal, while a radio host reported that it was sparked "by two cars in an altercation." The suspected shooter opened fire onto Interstate 75 from a wooded area off the highway, Weddle said. There were "multiple severe injuries" but no confirmed deaths, local news station WYMT reported. Authorities were searching for Joseph Couch, 32, considered a person of interest in the shooting that temporarily closed I-75 in both directions due to the "active shooter situation." "Consider armed and dangerous," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post. "Do not attempt to approach." Kentucky State Police spokesman Scottie Pennington posted on Facebook that "we are urging people to stay inside." He later told the Louisville Courier Journal that "we have no clue where (the suspect) is at." Rural Laurel County is south of the city of Lexington along I-75, a major north-south artery cutting across the eastern half of the United States. Saturday's incident comes after two students and two teachers were killed in a school shooting in Georgia. A 14-year-old boy was charged with murder while his father, who had allegedly purchased the gun for him as a gift, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder. Gun violence is common in the United States, a country where there are more firearms than people. Despite polls showing Americans favor more gun restrictions, a powerful gun rights lobby, constitutional protections and a passionate culture around firearm ownership mean that attempts to clamp down on weapons are always met with stiff political resistance. A 2022 gun safety package passed by Congress was the most notable in decades, beefing up background checks and supporting states that passed so-called "Red Flag" laws, which allow for the seizure of weapons from people deemed high risk. Still, advocates say much more needs to be done. That same year, over 48,000 people died as a result of firearms, according to the surgeon general, which this year issued a landmark advisory declaring gun violence a "public health crisis." Gun rights and gun violence regularly feature in elections. Republican candidate Donald Trump, seen by his party as a champion for gun rights, posted on social media that "our hearts are with the victims" of the Georgia shooting. Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, a onetime prosecutor and attorney general of California and former US senator, called on Congress to "finally" pass an assault weapons ban. It would be similar to the one President Joe Biden helped write as a senator and get passed into law in 1994. It expired after a decade, without being renewed by Congress. A union leader has launched a scathing attack on the previous Conservative government, saying it was the one of the most right-wing, incompetent, morally bankrupt administrations the country has ever seen. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said he enjoyed watching the succession of Tory ministers losing their seats. In his keynote speech to the TUC Congress in Brighton, he said it felt good to be meeting under a Labour Government for the first time in 15 years. Some Tory MPs had the good sense, or the lack of backbone, to do the chicken run before the votes were cast, he said. The likes of Kwasi Kwarteng and Michael Gove scuttling away from the mess they left behind. Others decided to face the voters, and, while I am not one to revel in other peoples misfortune, I have to say I enjoyed every single Portillo moment in the early hours of July 5. It was a roll call of political failure. Goodbye and good riddance to every single one of them. Now, they may be gone, but their miserable legacy remains. The legacy of public services ruined by negligence and austerity, the legacy of an economy shattered by a shambolic Brexit and unfunded tax cuts for the rich, and the legacy of a Britain divided by nasty culture wars, dodgy PPE contracts, and Downing Street parties. He said the British people had cast their verdict on one of the most right-wing, incompetent, anti-union, morally bankrupt governments this country has ever seen. Mr Nowak said unions will work with the Government to face down those on the right wanting to sow division and discord in communities. Our message to the tinpot politicians, the street thugs and any ragtag group that tries to promote their message of hate is clear not in our workplaces, not in our communities, not on our watch. Mr Nowak also criticised Reform MP Nigel Farage, saying he is no friend of workers. Nigel Farage isnt a friend of the working class. Hes a fraud.@Nowak_Paul to #TUC24 pic.twitter.com/QfHRJZV0Dq Trades Union Congress (@The_TUC) September 9, 2024 A public school-educated, private equity-loving, NHS-privatising Putin, apologist fraud. Mr Nowak added that unions are planning to work closely with the new Government to rebuild the country after 14 years of Tory chaos. We know Keir Starmer and this Government have the interests of working people at heart in the way that the Conservatives never did, and never will. But no government can put right 14 years of Tory chaos overnight, and no government can take on the job of rebuilding this country on its own. Politics isnt a spectator sport. We need to roll up our sleeves and get involved. So, lets pledge today we will work with the new Government to rebuild our public services. Amy Adams had two special guests join her on the red carpet for the world premiere of her upcoming movie, Nightbitch. The 50-year-old actor smiled and posed for pictures at the Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 7 in between her husband and actor Darren Le Gallo and their 14-year-old daughter, Aviana, marking a rare public appearance for the teenager. Adams wore a navy blue, printed off-the-shoulder gown while Aviana looked like her moms twin in a black dress. Proud husband and dad Le Gallo matched his daughter in an all-black ensemble. Amy Adams attends the world premiere of her new film, "Nightbitch," at the Toronto International Film Festival with husband Darren Le Gallo and their 14-year-old daughter Aviana Olea Le Gallo. The trio turned the Canadian film festival into a family affair ahead of the screening for Adams new movie, which tells the story of a stay-at-home mom who believes she is turning into a dog. The movie, based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Rachel Yoder, is an allegory about the challenges and primal nature of motherhood. Adams and Le Gallo, who have been married since 2015, dont make many red carpet appearances with their daughter. But, they do mention her in interviews and post about her on social media from time to time. At TIFF, Adams spoke to People about bringing Aviana to the premiere and showing the movie to her. Parts of it Im excited to share with her, being that its her mom Im gonna be a little bit more protective of certain aspects of the filmmaking, she said. Adams added, I think what I want her to know about my experience of motherhood is how much shes enriched my life and made me the woman that I am today. I tell her that all the time, but its true, and Im glad that shes here tonight to get to celebrate with me. Although Adams hasnt posted on Instagram in years, her husband uploads family photos occasionally. In May, Le Gallo shared a picture of Aviana enjoying a day at the beach in Los Angeles in honor of her 14th birthday. Happy Birthday to my 14yr old Where does the time go? he asked. Im so very proud of you. What a gift it is to watch you grow into the young woman youre becoming. He added the hashtag grateful to the end of his caption. Celebrity friends wished Aviana a happy birthday, too. Adams' "Arrival" co-star Jeremy Renner commented, Wow shes all grown up. Happy Birthday. Octavia Spencer said, 14!!!! Happy birthday, beautiful. Last year, Le Gallo celebrated Avianas 13th birthday with another sweet tribute on Instagram. He uploaded an adorable photo that showed Aviana cuddling a dog. Happy Birthday to my girl, he cheered in the caption. Cannot believe youre a teenager!! So proud of you. This article was originally published on TODAY.com The first minister has said the priorities set out in the Northern Ireland Executive's draft programme for government (PfG) were "ambitious and focused". The 88-page document, entitled 'Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most', sets out the executive's ambitions under several core areas. It outlines nine "immediate priorities" the executive intends to work on this year and for the duration of its electoral mandate. "This is government in action, this is us putting in place our plans, what we're prioritising to make people's lives better," Michelle O'Neill said. The executives agenda was signed off on Thursday and presented to assembly members on Monday. When asked how the priorities would be funded, Ms O'Neill told BBC Newsline that Northern Ireland's funding model isn't right. "That needs to change, so we'll be at the Treasury's door again on Thursday to continue our engagement around the funding model here," she added. An eight-week public consultation on the draft PfG is under way. Deputy First Minister Emma-Little Pengelly acknowledged the budget "is tight, but there are things we can do". "We're asking the public take a look at this and give us their views about these priorities, and once we have finalised those priorities we will put in place key measurements and attach a budget," she added. What are the Executive's nine priorities? Ms Little-Pengelly outlined there would be nine priorities for the Executive in its current mandate. Grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy Deliver more affordable childcare Cut health waiting lists Ending violence against women and girls Better support for children and young people with special educational needs Provide more social, affordable and sustainable housing Safer communities Protect Lough Neagh and the environment Reform and transformation of public services The Executive's priorities were presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday [BBC] The paper highlighted the executive will "make progress" on the long-delayed redevelopment of Casement Park GAA stadium in west Belfast. It will also be "considering" the recommendations of the All-Island Rail Review, which proposed a major investment in the railway network. Other areas include a commitment to expand Ulster University's Magee campus in Londonderry to accommodate up to 10,000 students, with an "action plan" to be published by the end of the year. Speaking in the Stormont Chamber the deputy first minister said: "We must all focus on delivering this programme together for everyone. "We know that there are challenges but there are opportunities." The first minister said the Executive is in "listening mode". "This is very much the basis in which we think we can go out to consultation but there is no doubt that there will be very constructive comments that will come forward," Ms O'Neill added. Matthew O'Toole, from the SDLP, leads the opposition in the assembly [BBC] The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) withheld support for the recent budget because of the allocation of cash to the health ministry which it holds. This time the new Ulster Unionist leader-in-waiting Mike Nesbitt said voting against the programme for government was not even on his radar. The SDLP leader of the opposition Matthew OToole previously said of the draft PfG to call it broad brush would be generous. Speaking on Monday, he welcomed the fact that the document had been published, given that the opposition had been "constructive in calling for a (PfG) for months now". Mr O'Toole called for ministers to address the target for reducing waiting list times, as he could not find this when looking through the document. What reaction has there been to the PfG? Mark Spence from the Construction Employers Federation said the document falls drastically short of what is needed in order to deal with Northern Ireland's housing crisis. "It is vital that urgent steps are taken to deal with decades of underfunding in our water and wastewater system which means that homebuilders cannot get new housing connections and a planning system which is no longer fit for purpose," he said. Glyn Roberts from Retail NI said the PfG "needs to be a co-design with business and other key stakeholders in civic society if we are to realise and share the full potential of this region". "We want to be partners, not just consultees in the implementation of the new Programme for Government," Mr Roberts added. Suzanne Wylie from the NI Chamber said despite a challenging fiscal environment it was time for "ambitious delivery" after a decade without a PfG. Northern Ireland's Children's Commissioner Chris Quinn said: Whilst there are positives, I am disappointed that is no specific outcome focusing on children and young people, as there was previously, and I would have expected outcomes in addressing child poverty to be a fundamental aspect of the PfG." What is the Northern Ireland Executive? The Executive is responsible for the governance of devolved affairs in Northern Ireland, while the Assembly provides scrutiny of ministerial decisions. The current Executive is made up of four parties: Sinn Fein, the Democratic Unionist Party, the Alliance Party, and the Ulster Unionist Party. The number of departments allocated to each was determined using the dHondt system. The Executive is led by the first and deputy first ministers, a joint office with equal responsibilities. The Social Democratic and Labour Party sits as Stormonts opposition in the Assembly chamber. When was the last programme for government? Devolved government was re-established in Northern Ireland in February after a 24-month hiatus. This was because of the Democratic Unionist Partys protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements. In recent months ministers have discussed their priorities for the Executive. The previous programme for government agreed in 2016 went out for public consultation but was never implemented following the resignation of Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister. Before this, the last PfG to be agreed and implemented was in 2011. Vice President Kamala Harris said in an interview that aired Monday that she expects former President Donald Trump to lie during the ABC News presidential debate on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign and surrogates continued to insinuate on Monday that the former president's strategy at the debate will be to tie Harris to what they say are her policy failures and "disasters" as a leader of the Biden-Harris administration. With time ticking down until the two meet for the debate, both candidates are working to spin expectations in what is expected to be a key moment for both campaigns as they look to appeal to voters ahead of what's expected to be a close contest in November. In a radio interview with morning show host Rickey Smiley, Harris said "we should be prepared for the fact that he is not burdened by telling the truth." MORE: Tuesday's presidential debate presents rare opportunity to shape election: Experts "And we should be prepared for the fact that he is probably going to speak a lot of untruth," she said in the interview recorded Wednesday while Harris was at a rally in New Hampshire. PHOTO: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump ABC News Presidential Debate moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis. (Michael Le Brecht II/ABC NEWS) "I think he's going to lie," she said. During a press call held by the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee on Monday afternoon, Trump Campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Harris "will finally be forced to defend her record" on issues such as crime and the border. Trump Campaign Senior Adviser Jason Miller claimed Harris is the one running the White House -- not President Joe Biden -- and so other major happenings such as the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment or the Maui, Hawaii, wildfires are on her: every single one of these disasters are on Kamala Harris. Later, responding to a question about the tone Trump will take with Harris, Miller said Trump is going to be himself." The ABC News debate, moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 9 p.m ET. A prime-time pre-debate special will air at 8 p.m. ET. It will air on ABC and stream on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. Viewers can also stream the debate on the ABC app on a smartphone or tablet, on ABC.com and connected devices. PHOTO: Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, speaks during a debate, Oct. 7, 2020, in Salt Lake City, left, Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks during a debate, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP) While Harris' strategy has been focused on establishing her presence and redefining herself for voters, she now plans to prioritize attacking Trump's record and getting under his skin during the debate. Harris told Smiley that she "intend[s] to point out" that Trump "tends to fight for himself, not for the American people." MORE: Harris-Trump ABC News presidential debate time, how to watch it live PHOTO: Donald Trump participates in a Fox News Town Hall with Sean Hannity at the New Holland Arena on September 04, 2024 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) The Harris campaign has also noted that this is new territory for Harris as it marks her very first presidential debate, compared to what will be Trump's seventh. This is the first time the pair have ever faced off against each other. Harris continues to hunker down in Pittsburgh, engaging in mock debates on a stage with full lighting that has been established in her hotel to help stimulate Tuesday's environment. She is also relying on many of the advisers who helped prepare Hillary Clinton in 2016, including Philippe Reines who stands in for Trump and approaches his role like a method actor -- playing the part of Trump while wearing a wig, according to a source. The Trump campaign is aware of Harris' extensive debate preparation -- with former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is advising Trump on the debate, saying on "Fox and Friends on Monday that "Harris should not be underestimated" given her "solid" debate prep. "She's taking this debate seriously," Gabbard said. "She will come prepared with memorized lines, ready to recite and deliver them in what I think, a very effective way." MORE: Donald Trump preparing for debate with help from Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard: Sources Gabbard said Trump "doesn't need to" prepare like Harris, and he has instead engaged in nontraditional prep that includes speaking to the American people through interviews and town halls. PHOTO: Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives on Air Force Two at Atlantic Aviation Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 2024, ahead of the presidential debate with Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Gabbard added that Harris' record speaks for itself and that Trump is "very much focused on the issues." He will emphasize her role as the incumbent vice president leading the current administration. MORE: Harris debate strategy is to draw contrast with Trump on policy, personality: Source Still, the former president is preparing more than he's letting on, sources told ABC News. Trump is holding informal policy sessions with a small team of advisers, including Gabbard and Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. Gaetz has been firing questions at Trump around some of the more challenging issues, such as his legal troubles, according to the sources. ABC News' Emily Chang, Soo Rin Kim, Kelsey Walsh and Lalee Ibssa contributed to this report. Harris, Trump campaigns spin expectations ahead of ABC News debate originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Two months following his hospitalization for various health issues, Harvey Weinstein has undergone surgery for emergency cardiac treatment. The 72-year-old movie mogul, who is currently incarcerated as he awaits a retrial on sexual assault charges, was "rushed" to Bellevue Hospital Sunday night "due to several medical conditions" and underwent emergency heart surgery, representatives Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer confirmed to USA TODAY on Monday. "We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today however cannot comment any further than that," their statement read. "As we have extensively stated before, Mr. Weinstein suffers a plethora of significant health issues that need ongoing treatment. We are grateful to the executive team at the New York City Department of Correction and Rikers Island for acting swiftly in taking him to Bellevue Hospital." Two months following his hospitalization for various health issues, Harvey Weinstein has undergone surgery for emergency cardiac treatment. ABC News was first the report the news. Weinstein was transported after claiming he "didn't feel well," and the surgery removed fluid from his lungs and heart, Rothfeld told NBC News. Weinsteins lawyer, Arthur Aidala, told The Associated Press that Weinstein had complained of chest pains over the weekend. Harvey Weinstein: Movie mogul contracts COVID-19, double pneumonia following hospitalization The surgery comes after Weinstein was hospitalized for "myriad" health conditions in July, including testing positive for COVID-19 and contracting double pneumonia. He was taken to the Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward in New York City, where he was treated for the "conditions that he is still afflicted with on a daily basis such as diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis (and) fluid on his heart and lungs." Amid his ongoing legal troubles, Weinstein was expected to make a court appearance this week, per ABC News, as prosecutors have been presenting evidence for a possible new indictment on sex crime charges. Harvey Weinstein faces retrial after rape conviction overturned In February 2020, Manhattan jurors found Weinstein guilty on rape charges, but New York Court of Appeals judges threw out the conviction in April. This spring, they found that the embattled Hollywood heavyweight did not receive a fair trial because a judge improperly allowed testimony by accusers that Weinstein had not been formally charged with assaulting. Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison after a jury found that the Miramax film studio co-founder sexually assaulted former production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006 and raped aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013. He was also sentenced to 16 years following a separate rape trial in California, although he has not begun serving the sentence. Manhattan prosecutors revealed in July that they intend to charge Weinstein for "additional violent sexual assaults" after more women agreed to testify. The new accusers have not been publicly identified, and prosecutors are seeking to shield certain evidence from public view while they prepare to seek a new grand jury indictment. During a July 19 hearing, Judge Curtis Farber set a tentative court date of Nov. 19 for Weinsteins retrial, signaling he was also open to an earlier trial date in September depending on how pretrial discovery plays out. The disgraced media mogul has denied wrongdoing or having any non-consensual sexual encounters with anyone. He is being held in New York City's Rikers Island jail ahead of his retrial. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harvey Weinstein heart surgery: Embattled director hospitalized in NY By Eric Beech and Lisa Richwine WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein had emergency heart surgery on Monday after experiencing chest pains the previous evening at a New York City jail, ABC News reported, citing unnamed sources. Weinstein, 72, is due in court this week where prosecutors had been presenting evidence to a New York grand jury as they work to secure a new indictment against him on sex crimes charges, ABC reported. Weinstein, who has denied having any non-consensual sexual encounters with anyone, was found guilty on rape charges in February 2020. The New York Court of Appeals threw out the conviction in April, finding Weinstein did not get a fair trial because a judge improperly allowed testimony by accusers he was not formally charged with assaulting.Weinstein suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, fluid on his heart and lungs, and had recently contracted COVID and double pneumonia, according to a statement by Weinstein representatives to ABC. A spokesman for Weinstein did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. (Reporting by Eric Beech; editing by Rami Ayyub and Caitlin Webber) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) A senior Ukrainian official said Monday that Western partner countries must allow Ukraine to use weapons they have supplied to strike military warehouses inside Russia because of strong suspicions Iran has provided ballistic missiles for the Kremlins war effort. The United States has told allies it believes Iran has sent short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraine, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press at the weekend. Western countries supporting Ukraine in the war have hesitated to let its military strike targets on Russian soil, fearing they could be sucked into Europe's biggest conflict since World War II, but the head of the Ukrainian presidential office said protection is not escalation. In response to the supply of ballistic missiles to Russia, Ukraine must be allowed to destroy warehouses storing these missiles with Western weapons in order to avoid terror, Andrii Yermak said on his Telegram channel. He did not specify which country was supplying the missiles. Russia has already subjected Ukraine to repeated and devastating long-range missile and drone bombardments that have killed more than 10,000 civilians since the start of the war in February 2022, according to a United Nations tally. The barrages have also crippled electricity production. Ukraine has refused to cave in, however, and recently launched a bold incursion into Russias Kursk region even while toiling to hold back a Russian push in eastern Ukraines Donetsk region. Russia has been receiving Iranian-made Shahed drones since 2022. The possible shipment of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia as well has alarmed Western governments as President Vladimir Putin reaches out to other countries to provide him with support. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday said of the Iranian missile reports that this kind of information is not true every time. He added, however: Iran is our important partner. We are developing our trade and economic relations. We are developing our cooperation and dialogue in all possible areas, including the most sensitive ones, and will continue to do so in the interests of the peoples of our two countries. In Iran, foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani denied Tehran armed Russia with missiles. We strongly reject allegations about Irans role in sending weapons to one side of the war and we assess these allegations as politically motivated by some parties, Kanaani said. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Saturday expressed deep concern about that possibility. Iran must completely and definitively stop providing weapons to Russia in order to prove with actions, not words, the sincerity of its political leaderships statements about non-involvement in fueling the Russian war machine of death, a statement said. CIA Director William Burns warned in London at the weekend of the growing and troubling defense relationship involving Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Those ties, he said, threaten both Ukraine and Western allies in the Middle East. Chinas Defense Ministry on Monday announced joint naval and air drills with Russia starting this month. While China has not directly provided Russia with arms, it has become a vital economic lifeline as a leading customer for Russian oil and gas. It has also supplied electronics and other items with both civilian and military uses. ___ AP journalist Jon Gambrell contributed from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine State media in Damascus said the strikes took place in the Hama province (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) At least 16 people, including five civilians, were killed on Sunday in Israels airstrike on Syrias Hama countryside, Syrian state media reported. It is the deadliest Israeli attack reported by Syrian authorities since the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus was hit in April, which sparked a barrage of drones and missiles from Tehran in response. Israel allegedly targeted a military research centre in the vicinity of the city of Misyaf, injuring at least 36 people, several critically. Syrian air defences confronted an aggression that targeted several points in the central region, SANA news agency reported. The attack reportedly damaged a highway in Hama province and sparked fires that firefighting teams were battling to control early Monday. Fayssal Haidard, director of the Masyaf National Hospital said that Israeli aggression had caiused the deaths of five civilians. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor based in the UK, said 13 violent explosions rang out in the zone housing scientific research centres in Masyaf where pro-Iranian groups and weapons development experts are present. Israel has for years been targeting what it has described as Iranian or Iran-backed targets in Syria, where Iranian forces and Tehran-backed militias deployed widely to support President Bashar al-Assad during Syria's civil war. It has stepped up the campaign since the 7 October attack by Hamas inside Israel which triggered the war in Gaza. In that attack, Hamas killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 people. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, about a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a ceasefire in November. The nearly 11-month-long Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people according to Palestinian health officials and has displaced about 90 per cent of Gaza's 2.3 million people, often multiple times. The increase in strikes includes the 1 April attack that hit the Iranian embassy compound and killed senior Iranian commanders including one of Tehran's top generals. Israel has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment in Syria, particularly since Syria is a key route for Iran to send weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran. Hezbollah has been clashing with Israeli forces along the Lebanon-Israel border for the duration of the war in Gaza, trading near-daily rocket fire and threats of escalation. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military about the latest strikes in Syria. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes inside Syria in recent years, but has rarely acknowledged or discussed the operations. The enemy launched an air aggression from the direction of northwest Lebanon, targeting a number of military sites in the central region shortly before 11.20pm local time, the Syrian news agency quoted a military source as saying. Our air defence shot down some missiles. Two regional intelligence sources said a major military research centre for chemical arms production located near Misyaf was hit several times. However, a senior regional military source close to Damascus and Tehran denied the accounts that it was a chemical weapons facility, saying that the target was a well-known Syrian research facility. Syrian state media also reported that the strikes caused material damage to Masyaf-Wadi al-Uyun highway and sparked a fire in Hair Abbas area. The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the attack as an act of blatant aggression. In addition to the 16 fatalities and 36 wounded, it had caused material damage to some residential areas, it said in a statement. Tehran strongly condemned the criminal attack in Syria, Irans foreign minister spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said. We do not confirm what was reported by media outlets linked to [Israel] about an attack on an Iranian centre or a centre under Irans protection, he told reporters. Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report Can you write a story about Lauren Sanchez without mentioning her very famous billionaire mogul of a fiance? Sanchez is an Emmy-winning journalist, a pilot, the owner of an aviation company, a mom of three, a philanthropist, and now a debut childrens author. Her new book, The Fly Who Flew to Space (32 pp, The Collective Book Studio) is out Sept. 10. After her name, there is frequently only a comma and the description: the fiance of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. While Sanchez was on TV in some way either as a sports reporter, morning show host or journalist for more than two decades it was this relationship that recently pushed her into the national spotlight. Now she is often portrayed as a glamour girl at the Met Gala in an Oscar de la Renta strapless gown, at the White House for a state dinner in an off-the-shoulder corset dress, or on what is likely the worlds largest yacht in a white crochet bikini. Sometimes the person portraying her this way is herself on Instagram. "As women, we can wear a lot of hats, Sanchez, 54, says. We dont have to be put in a box. Lauren Sanchez is the author of "The Fly Who Flew to Space." Her Instagram feed also is filled with photos of her flying helicopters, on a stage at the Aspen Ideas: Climate conference, and celebrating graduations and birthdays with her children. People see a very narrow view of you, she says in a call from Los Angeles, where she typically spends two weeks with her two youngest children, and then two in Miami when they are with their dad. She is about to start a book tour for The Fly," a charming read with playful illustrations and a message every parent hopes their children receive: Anything is possible. Stay curious. Dream Big. If you look at people with an open heart, and really believe that people are multifaceted and can be anything they want, I think it changes the world, she says. Because we really are more than one thing or what the world wants to define us as. So what people think of her feels less important, but also hopefully this is a chance for people to get to know me on a different level than just what they see in a magazine. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez arrive for an official State Dinner held by U.S. President Joe Biden in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 10, 2024. REUTERS/Bonnie Cash Sanchez's story takes flight with a tiny bug in an airplane Almost eight years ago, Sanchez was flying a plane with her children when they noticed a fly inside the cockpit. We all started imagining what kind of adventure that tiny little fly was on flying way above the sky away from its family. It sparked this thought about how even the smallest creatures can embark on incredible journeys if they dare to explore. I didnt really write it, I kind of imagined it, she says, laughing. It happened to me. The simple, unexpected moment made her think it could be a good childrens book. She toyed with the idea, typing notes into her phone with a fly named Flynn. And then she sort of let it go. In 2021, she was stumped while writing goals for the upcoming year. Thats when her second oldest son, Evan, reminded her: Youve been talking about this childrens book forever, why dont you write that? "The Fly Who Flew to Space" is a new children's book for ages 4-8. There is a little bit of Sanchez in the book. Or maybe a lot. Writing for me never came easy even a childrens short story it just wasnt. I thought about it, pondered it, went back and forth. Is this right? she says. As a girl growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sanchez struggled in school. She had dyslexia. This part of her story isnt new. But now she is sharing something new: Her son Evan, 18, is also dyslexic. I felt really out of place in school. It was just difficult, she says. Watching her son struggle was worse. He was in second grade and he didnt want to go to school. He was embarrassed. It was tough, she says. Recently she asked him if it was OK for her to talk about his dyslexia because I can talk about mine, she says. Instead, he told her, "I dont mind, I hope it helps other kids. When talking about her children, Sanchez's voice often breaks, the way a moms voice does when she talks about her children's struggles and her own pride in their courage. The love is always present. She hopes her story and Evans told through Flynn will help other kids. I learned that embracing my curiosity and opening myself to new experiences, I could still achieve big things things are possible, she says. When she wrote the book, she decided the fly should go higher than an airplane and go to space. She, of course, was more recently inspired by Bezos, who owns private space exploration company Blue Origin. "Being around someone who is just so dedicated to pushing the boundaries in exploring the unknown is incredibly inspiring to all of us in the family," she says. "Our dinner conversations often revolve around space and innovation. He really just challenges us all to dream big. At the dinner table I was saying something and he said, 'No, dream bigger. Go bigger.' So it's not a surprise that some of that excitement found its way to Flynn's adventure." She worked with illustrator Raleigh Stewart. Once Flynn was brought to life, it was a whole different story, she says. If the flies on page 2 look familiar, its because they are. Flynn's family is also hers. Youll notice a very glam fly and one who looks just like Bezos, if a fly could look like him. The book and illustrations were really personal, even having to pick all of the flies with Raleigh, the characters in Flynns story are all inspired by my own family. Every single one of my kids is somehow represented in my book. She asked her children, Nikko Gonzalez, 23, Evan Whitesell, 18, and Ella Whitesell, 16, to find themselves. "Some of them were happy about it,' she says, and "some were like, are you kidding me mom, is that my fly? Curiosity leads Sanchez: 'Be curious, take chances' Sanchez isnt committing to writing another book yet. Shes focused on the environment, as the vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, which fights climate change. If this was the year of her children's book. Next year, she says, is the year of learning Spanish. Lauren Sanchez published her new children's book in English and Spanish. Her book is also released in Spanish, something that was important to her. And there are a few tiny details that Latinos might notice, including the papel picado or paper banners at Flynn's home. Publishing a book in Spanish and English "reflects the diverse multicultural world we live in today and the one I grew up in. ... Language can connect people, she says. For me, a way to celebrate and honor my culture and make sure every child feels seen and included." She also saw the Spanish version of the book as a way to be accessible to more families, or to help families learn a new language together. Sanchez didn't learn Spanish as a child, but has picked up some along the years. When she does speak, her accent is perfect central Mexico. Her mother spoke to her in English and Spanish, but says, "she didnt want me to have an accent, she felt back then it was going to hurt me." Now her kids all take Spanish. And they speak better than me. They embrace it, they love it, she says. She plans to work with a tutor and become fluent, especially as she spends more time in Miami. I want to inspire kids to believe in themselves and their dreams no matter how big or small they are, no matter how tough they think school is. Its really encouraging them to be curious, take chances and know they are amazing and adventures await you, she says. Like Flynn, Sanchez remains curious and open to the next adventure. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lauren Sanchez reveals how fiance Jeff Bezos inspired her new book Legendary actor James Earl Jones, best known for his innumerable movie roles and the booming voice of the character of Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" franchise, has died, his representative confirmed to ABC News. He was 93 years old. Jones died on Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, New York, surrounded by his family, according to longtime agent Barry McPherson. MORE: In Memoriam: Notable people who died in 2024 The thespian, whose powerful, deep voice brought to life the iconic villain of Darth Vader, acted for more than six decades and won three Tony Awards, including a lifetime honor in 2017, two Emmys and a Grammy. He was recognized for lifetime achievement by the Academy Awards in 2011. Jones was born in 1931 in Mississippi and famously battled a severe stutter as a child. MORE: James Earl Jones on African American actors not getting enough roles "People would come to the house and there'd be introductions made and I couldn't introduce myself," he told PBS in 2014 of just how bad the affliction was back then. Jones said he learned to stayed silent for long stretches at a time. "I found it was, oh, so good sometimes because silence isn't bad. It's good to listen. And I learned to listen," Jones told PBS. PHOTO: James Earl Jones as Paul Robeson, with his bust, at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, in 1978. (Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty Images) It was the stutter that led Jones into acting after a high school teacher used poetry to help him speak more clearly. After college and then the Army, serving in the Korean War, Jones eyed Broadway for his start in theater and the arts. In the 1950s and '60s, Jones was a Broadway staple. From "On Golden Pond" to "The Best Man," his work earned four Tony nominations, winning for "The Great White Hope" in 1969 and "Fences" in 1987. MORE: NYC Broadway theatre to be renamed in honor of James Earl Jones Almost simultaneously, he was garnering acclaim on TV as well. The eventual two-time Emmy Award winner earned his first nod in the 1960s for his work on "East Side/West Side." He picked up both his Primetime Emmy wins in 1991, for best supporting actor in the miniseries "Heat Wave" and best actor for the series "Gabriel's Fire." He also won a Daytime Emmy for the children's special "Summer's End" in 2000. PHOTO: Darth Vader in a scene from 'Star Wars' in 1977. (20th Century Fox/Getty Images) Jones later earned his first Oscar nod, adapting "The Great White Hope" to the silver screen in 1970, playing boxer Jack Jefferson. Jones was just the second Black actor after Sidney Poitier -- who was nominated in 1958 and 1963 -- to be recognized by the academy with a nomination. For the better part of the 1970s, Jones continued to juggle his work on stage, TV and film. Then, in 1977, he was cast as the voice of a new villain, Darth Vader, in the space saga, "Star Wars: A New Hope." While bodybuilder David Prowse would be the figure behind the black mask of the Sith lord, Jones was the voice that uttered so many iconic lines in the film and its sequels -- including, "I find your lack of faith disturbing," and then, of course, to Luke Skywalker in 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back," his big reveal, "No, I am your father." Jones was always humble about being the voice of such an iconic foe. "I'm simply special effects," he told the American Film Institute in 2009 about voicing a character who was physically played by someone else. "George [Lucas] wanted, pardon the expression, a darker voice, so he hires a guy born in Mississippi, raised in Michigan, who stutters. That's the voice, that's me. I lucked out. From all these so-called handicaps, I lucked out to get a job that paid me $7,000, and I thought that was good money." In a 2004 documentary titled "Star Wars: Empire of Dreams," Jones spoke about when he first found out that Vader, the film trilogy's main villain, would reveal that he was the long-lost father of Skywalker, the primary hero. "I said to myself, 'He's lying,'" Jones admitted. "I wonder how they are gonna play that lie out." PHOTO: James Earl Jones celebrates his 80th birthday by blowing the candles out on his cake at The Golden Theatre, Jan. 17, 2011, in New York. (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) But it wasn't a lie. From 1977 to 1983, the three original "Star Wars" films would become some of the most revered and original movies of their time, not just for special effects, but also for the shocking plot and themes. After "Star Wars," Jones made memorable appearances in Eddie Murphy's 1988 film "Coming to America," then starred opposite Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams" in 1989. A few years later, he once again lent his voice to a famous character, starring in the Disney animated feature "The Lion King" as Mufasa. MORE: James Earl Jones on his well-known voice Jones had almost 200 credits to his name, according to IMDB, as he stayed active for more than 60 years, including in movies like "The Sandlot," shows like "House" and "The Simpsons," and in his return to a galaxy far, far away in 2004's "Revenge of the Sith." He came back to voice Vader several more times in recent years, including in the animated series "Rebels," 2016's "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker" and the 2022 Disney+ series "Obi-Wan Kenobi." He also reprised his role in the "Coming to America" sequel, "Coming 2 America," in 2021. In 2011, Jones was given an honorary Academy Award for the breadth of his acclaimed work. It was while Jones was starring in the play "Driving Miss Daisy" in London in 2011 that he was surprised by co-star Vanessa Redgrave, who waited until the end of the show to let the crowd in on his honor that year. The cast and the academy held a special ceremony for Jones right on the stage, with Sir Ben Kingsley coming out to hand Jones his Oscar. "If an actor's nightmare is being onstage naked and not knowing his lines, what the heck do you call this?" he said of the surprise honor. "How do I feel? Well, more than flabbergasted. ... That's the only word I can think of for this improbable moment in my life." In March 2022, it was announced that Broadway's Cort Theatre would be renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre. Jones married twice. His second wife, Cecilia Hart, died in 2016 after 34 years of marriage. The couple is survived by their son, Flynn Earl Jones. Legendary actor James Earl Jones dies at 93 originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Armored vehicles engage in tactic assessment China Military Online) 09:26, September 09, 2024 An armored vehicle attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA 79th Group Army passes through the mock enemy's artillery barrage during a company-level tactic assessment in late July 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Lijun) Armored vehicles attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA 79th Group Army pass through the mock enemy's artillery barrage during a company-level tactic assessment in late July 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Lijun) Soldiers assigned to a brigade under the Chinese PLA 79th Group Army participate in an offensive operation during a company-level tactic assessment in late July 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Lijun) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) When he was a witch doctor, Moussa Diallo would regularly smear himself in a lotion made from a clitoris cut from a girl subjected to female genital mutilation. "I wanted to be a big chief, I wanted to dominate," said the small but charismatic fiftysomething from northwest Ivory Coast. "I put it on my face and body" every three months or so "for about three years", said Diallo, who asked AFP not to use his real name. Genitalia cut from girls in illegal "circumcision" ceremonies is used in several regions of the West African country to "make love potions" or magic ointments that some believe will help them "make money or reach high political office", said Labe Gneble, head of the National Organisation for Women, Children and the Family (ONEF). A ground down clitoris can sell for up to around $170 (152 euros), the equivalent of what many in Ivory Coast earn in a month. Diallo stopped using the unctions a decade ago, but regional police chief Lieutenant N'Guessan Yosso confirmed to AFP that dried clitorises are still "very sought after for mystical practices". And it is clear from extensive interviews AFP conducted with former faith healers, circumcisers, social workers, researchers and NGOs, that there is a thriving traffic in female genitalia for the powers they supposedly impart. Many are convinced the trade is hampering the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM), which has been banned in the religiously diverse nation for more than a quarter of a century. Despite that, one in five Ivorian women are still being cut, according to the OECD, with one in two being mutilated in parts of the north. Before he had a crisis of conscience and decided to campaign against FGM, Diallo said he was often asked by the women who performed excisions around the small town of Touba to use his powers to protect them from evil spells. Female circumcision has been practised by different religions in West Africa for centuries, with most girls cut between childhood and adolescence. Many families consider it a rite of passage or a way to control and repress female sexuality, according to UN children's agency UNICEF, which condemns cutting as a dangerous violation of girls' fundamental rights. Beyond the physical and psychological pain, cutting can be fatal, lead to sterility, birth complications, chronic infections and bleeding, not to mention the loss of sexual pleasure. Diallo would often accompany the women who do the cutting out into the forest or to a home where dozens of girls would be circumcised, often surrounded by fetishes and sacred objects. So it was relatively easy for the former faith healer to obtain the precious powder. "When they would cut the clitorises they would dry them for a month or two then pound them with stones," he said. The result was a "black powder" which was then sometimes mixed with "leaves, roots and bark" or shea butter that is often used in cosmetics. They could then sell it for around "100,000 CFA Francs (152 euros) if the girl was a virgin" or "65,000 (99 euros) if she already had a child" or barter it for goods and services, Diallo added. The ex-witch doctor said he was able to get some of the powder recently -- a mix of human flesh and plants, he believes -- from a cutter in his village. AFP was shown the powder but was unable to analyse it without buying it. Former circumcisers interviewed by AFP insisted that clitorises cut from girls are either buried, thrown into a river or given to the parents, depending on local custom. But one in the west of the country admitted some end up being used for magic. "Some people pretend they are the girls' parents and go off with the clitoris," she said. Witch doctors use them for "incantations" and sell them afterwards, she claimed. Another circumciser said some of her colleagues were complicit in the trade, "giving (genitalia) to people who are up to no good" for occult purposes. Mutilated when she was still a child, one victim told AFP that her mother warned her to bring home the flesh that had been cut. The trade is regarded as "organ trafficking" in Ivorian law and is punishable -- like FGM -- with fines and several years in prison, said lawyer Marie Laurence Didier Zeze. But police in Odienne, who are in charge of five regions in the country's northwest, said no one has ever been indicted for trafficking. "People won't say anything about sacred practices," lamented Lieutenant N'Guessan Yosso. The cutters themselves are both feared and respected, locals told AFP, often seen as prisoners of evil spirits. "A clitoris cannot give you magical powers, it's just nuts," said gynaecologist Jacqueline Chanine based in the country's commercial capital Abidjan. Even so, the practice is still stubbornly widespread in some parts of the country, according to researchers. Dieudonne Kouadio, an anthropologist specialising in health, was presented with a box of the powder in the town of Odienne, 150 kilometres north of Touba. "It contained a dried cut organ in the form of a blackish powder," he said. His discovery was included in a 2021 report for the Djigui foundation, whose conclusions were accepted by the Ministry for Women. Farmers in Denguele district, of which Odienne is a part, "buy clitorises and mix the powder with their seeds to increase the fertility of their fields", said Nouho Konate, a Djigui foundation member who has been fighting FGM in the area for 16 years. He said parents of young girls were "gutted" when he told them of the trafficking. Further south and in the centre west of the country, women use clitoris powder as an aphrodisiac, hoping to prevent their husbands straying, said criminologist Safie Roseline N'da, author of a 2023 study on FGM which also pointed to the trade. She and her two co-authors discovered that blood from cut women was also being used to honour traditional gods. They are far from the only Ivorian folk remedies that use body parts, according to lawyer Didier Zeze. "The mystic has a central place in daily life" in the Ivory Coast -- where Islam, Christianity and traditional animist beliefs co-exist -- said the Canadian anthropologist Boris Koenig, a specialist in occult practices there. "It touches every sphere of people's social, professional, family and love lives," he said, and there is generally nothing illegal about it. The trade, however, is "one of the reasons that FGM survives" in the Ivory Coast, NGOs argue, where the rate of cutting is generally falling and is below the West African average of 28 percent, according to the OECD. Back near Touba, the former witch doctor Diallo recalled how up to 30 women would be cut in a day in the places his magic protected. The dry season between January to March was the favoured period for circumcisions, when the hot Harmattan wind from the Sahara helps scars heal, he said. Staff at the region's only social work centre say the cutting is still going on but hard to quantify because it never happens in the open. Instead it goes on in secret, hidden behind traditional festivals which have nothing to do with the practice, kept going they say by circumcisers from neighbouring Guinea -- only a few kilometres away -- where FGM rates are over 90 percent. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs shares an update after welcoming a "surprise" Red River Hog baby. On September 4, 2024, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo shared the news that their 8-year-old Red River Hog had become a first-time mom. Take a look. The zoo shared a first-look video of the cute new baby on social media and released details on the "surprise" birth. Related: Abilene Zoo Announces Birth of Adorable Tiny Red River Hog Piglet "Welcome, baby Red River hoglet! Finn, the mama, and baby are bonding behind the scenes," the video caption reads. In the video, we see the proud new mama, who is very interested in the camera, and her tiny baby, who's not far behind her. The baby is so small but super adorable. It has the same reddish-brown fur with lighter-colored stripes, cute pointy ears, and an adorable little tail. In the clip, the baby is searching the ground and smelling. As the mama leaves the camera's view, the baby notices how far their mom has gotten, and they storm out of the camera's view in an adorable small run. It may seem strange to some, but Red River hog babies are some of the cutest in the whole animal kingdom with their striped markings, tiny statures, and energetic behaviors, Amy Tuchman, senior keeper in African Rift Valley, shared in a press release about the baby birth. Little one and mom seem to be doing great. Were seeing a lot of nursing, napping, and activity from the baby. It likes to climb over Finns face, and weve seen it jumping and running when it gets little bursts of energy. Finn is really sweet and patient with it. The zookeepers call this a "surprise" because they hadn't confirmed Finn's pregnancy. They just walked in one morning, and there was the little one. "Although first-time dad, Gus, and Finn had been seen breeding, keepers were not certain a baby was on the way," the zoo explains in its press release. But everything seems to be going very well for the new little family. "Finns keepers say she has embraced her hoglet with all of the key behaviors they want to see from a first-time mom," the zoo writes. "The baby is nursing regularly, Finn nuzzles and cleans the baby, and the baby gets zoomies in the comfort of their indoor den." So far, the zookeepers have been very hands-off and letting the new mama do her thing. "Because Finn and the hoglet have been bonding well, animal care staff are unlikely to handle the baby unless theres a medical need," the zoo shares. "The babys sex has not been identified and likely wont be for another several weeks. In keeping with CMZoo tradition, the baby likely wont be named for at least 30 days." Facts About Red River Hogs According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Red River Hogs are "are also called 'tufted pigs' due to their long, white whiskers and tufts found on the ears," and they're the "most colorful" member of the pig family. They typically live around 15 years in human care, grow up to 50 inches, and weigh up to 285 pounds. The institute explains that their native habitat is "primarily in rainforests and adjacent savanna. " "They can also be found in dry forests and cultivated areas not far from rainforests, preferring lots of brush to forage and hide in." They're considered "least concern" for conservation efforts and have "proven to withstand habitat change well." Their greatest threat is humans, who hunt the species in central Africa, and the animals are protected in many areas in their natural space. This image made from body camera footage provided by the Pierce County, Wash., Sheriff's Department shows a suspect wanted in a series of shootings along Interstate 5 in Washington state the day prior as they surrender to deputies early on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Pierce County Sheriff's Department via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) SEATTLE (AP) A man charged with randomly shooting at cars along Interstate 5 near Seattle on Labor Day faces additional charges for allegedly firing at vehicles in an adjacent county on the same night, court records show. King County prosecutors filed five first-degree assault charges against Eric Jerome Perkins last week. They said he injured five people during a shooting spree on the freeway just south of Seattle, in King County, on the night of Sept. 2. Pierce County prosecutors have filed four additional assault charges against Perkins, claiming he shot at four other people in three different cars in the Tacoma area later that night. They also added one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, saying he had a gun after having been previously convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity. Adam Faber, a Pierce County Prosecuting Attorneys Office spokesman, said since Perkins is being held in the King County jail on a $1 million bail, I don't expect him in Pierce anytime soon. His arraignment on the first set of charges is set for Sept. 19. Perkins has a criminal history in California that includes two burglary convictions, two convictions for receiving stolen goods and one count of threatening with intent to terrorize and obstruct, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Herschkowitz said in a court filing. Perkins was not being represented by a lawyer as of Monday, according to the King County Superior Court. Will Casey, spokesman for the King County Department of Public Defense, said their office has not been assigned to his case but may in the future. No lawyer was listed on the Pierce County case either, Faber said. After the shootings near Seattle, Perkins headed south and fired at a Tesla on Interstate 5 near the town of Fife, according to the probable cause declaration. It said the two women in the car saw the driver in a white sedan pull up next to them and fire a shot, hitting both in the neck. They were taken to the hospital, where one remains. At about 10:55 p.m., another driver reported a car pulled up beside his van near the Tacoma Dome and fired two shots into the passenger side. The van driver took evasive action to avoid being shot again. A third victim said the white sedan fired a shot shattering the passenger side window and cutting his arm. Perkins was arrested in Pierce County at about 12:40 a.m. on Sept. 3. He told police that people were stealing his identity, making threats and following him, so he took matters into his own hands and shot at cars to get them to back off, Washington State Patrol Detective Russell Haake said in a court filing. Perkins claims he tried to get help from the Tacoma and Fircrest police departments, but when that failed, he feared for his life and borrowed a Glock 40 handgun from a friend, according to the filing. He told the trooper that he shot at the cars because they were trying to box him in. The mother of a student at a school in Louisiana was involved in a fight with other students after she was let into the school through a side door, according to witnesses. The fight reportedly happened at IDEA Bridge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at around 7 a.m. on Aug. 22 as students were waiting for classes to start, according to WAFB. Baton Rouge Police responded to the altercation, but the incident remains under investigation and charges are pending. Police Corporal Saundra Watts said a mother was on campus and was let in through the door near the school's gymnasium before she became involved in a fight, WAFB reported. LOUISIANA BOY, 10, ARRESTED IN DOUBLE HOMICIDE OF FORMER MAYOR, HIS DAUGHTER Student Jahnque Brown, who was struck in the incident, said she was defending herself against another student, his sister and his mother. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "She's threatening her and saying, 'Oh let's go outside and fight, come on, we're gonna fight,' stuff like that. Like, you know, just threatening her, and then everything just starts popping off. And I get hit," Jah'n'que told WAFB. Jah'n'que's mother, Yakisha Brown, said she is concerned for her children's safety at school following the fight. "There was a whole lot of lives involved in that and I feel it's unjust, its just not right," Brown told the outlet. Jah'n'que said no staff or administrators were in the room to put a stop to the fight. "Nobody was in there. No teachers, no administration," Jah'n'que said. 'Were in the gym at the time, and theyre supposed to be in the gym. Theyre supposed to be watching us, everyone. Theyre supposed to be coming in the gym, and theyre supposed to be there before we even get in there." She continued: "We were there for like, a good five minutes. I'm not even gonna lie, like students were trying to stop it, yeah, but it was no, no administration or anything like that was there." But the school said school officials responded to the fight and were able to defuse the situation and remove the mother from school grounds. "IDEA Bridge is aware of an incident that took place at our campus," school communications director Rebecca Suarez told WABF. "We received reports that a physical altercation involving a parent took place." LOUISIANA GOVERNOR ISSUES BACK-TO-SCHOOL ORDER BANNING CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN K-12 PUBLIC CLASSROOMS "Appropriate staff were on site to respond to the incident," she added. "Duty personnel and administrators were able to [defuse] the situation and remove the parent from the campus. All students and staff are safe. The campus partnered with local law enforcement in the investigation." Brown said the fight never should have happened and called on the school to adopt changes to the security and safety protocol. "I feel like when my child goes to school, that her life is in their hands," she said. "So this makes me very very very worried to know that no one was there all that time that this was going on. We can't leave no room for error, the wolves could've should've but it didnt that don't exist today because of what's going on in the world." The IDEA Public Schools website states that visitors are only allowed to enter the school through the main door. Original article source: Louisiana mother involved in fight with students after being let in school A man captured in a shocking video earlier this year attacking a Nevada judge by leaping over the bench, has pleaded guilty but mentally ill to attempted murder, according to reports. The Las Vegas Review Journal reported that 31-year-old Deobra Redden pleaded guilty before his trial began on Tuesday to six charges, though he maintained he was not guilty of attempted murder against a victim 60 or older. When he returned to court Thursday, Redden withdrew the pleas and instead entered a guilty but mentally ill plea to each count. The charges Redden pleaded guilty to include battery of a protected person aged 60 or older resulting in substantial bodily harm, intimidating a public officer, battery on an officer resulting in substantial bodily harm, willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property resulting in substantial bodily harm, battery by a prisoner and unlawful act related to bodily fluid. Pleading guilty but mentally ill could affect the type of facility Redden is placed inside a prison as well as the type of mental health treatment he can receive. NEVADA MAN SEEN ATTACKING CLARK COUNTY JUDGE IN VIRAL VIDEO SENTENCED TO UP TO 4 YEARS Defendant Debra Redden lunges toward Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus at a sentencing hearing on January 3, 2024. Only Jan. 3, Judge Mary Kay Holthus was gearing up to inform Redden of his punishment inside Clark County District Court before the scene descended into chaos when Redden was denied bond. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In a video obtained by Fox News Digital, Reddens attorney requested the judge give his client probation. "I think its time he got a taste of something else," Holthus responded. Redden is then seen flying in the air over the bench with his arms and legs outstretched, before landing on the judge. VIDEO SHOWS NEVADA MAN LEAP AND ATTACK CLARK COUNTY JUDGE AFTER BEING DENIED PROBATION The defendant, who had grabbed the judge's hair, had to be wrestled off her by her clerk, Michael Lasso, and several court and jail officers, some of whom threw punches. Lasso was treated for cuts on his hands and a marshal was hospitalized for a dislocated shoulder and a gash on his forehead. Holthus suffered some injuries but was back to work the next day. FOX 5 in Vegas reported that before Redden pleaded guilty on Thursday, Holthus and the court clerk who jumped in to pull the suspect off the judge, took the stand. Holthus was the first witness and walked through her process of reviewing cases and determining probation and sentencing terms. LAS VEGAS COURTROOM ATTACK HIGHLIGHTS ISSUE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST JUDGES, EXPERTS SAY Deobra Redden, who was seen in a viral video attacking District Judge Mary Kay Holthus, appears again in front of Holthus to complete his sentencing at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Jan. 8, 2024. The judge could not recall if she sent Redden to jail or if he was already in custody, adding that she ruled that his probation was revoked. Holthus also said Redden remained calm during the hearing in January, and it seemed like a typical hearing. Once the video played out in court, the station reported, Holthus became emotional. "Obviously, I hit my head, my family didnt want me driving, and so my daughter wanted to go get a scan," Holthus said. "I had a headache for a few days and the spots where he had pulled out the hair it was sore where he had pulled out. My back, my arm, everything was stiff like you know when you get jostled around. "He knocked me literally, almost through the wall, out of my chair. He knocked me so hard; he knocked me out of my shoes," she added. "He was so determined and so violent and so it was scary. I didnt think I was going to get out of there." Reddens case was intended to go to a jury trial, but when Redden changed his plea, the jury members were dismissed. He is expected back in court on Nov. 7, 2024. Redden's criminal record is marked by mostly violent offenses and includes prior convictions for three felonies and nine misdemeanors, District Attorney Steve Wolfson said, according to The Associated Press. He previously served prison time in Nevada on a domestic battery conviction, records show. Fox News Digitals Greg Norman contributed to this report. Original article source: Nevada man seen attacking judge in viral video pleads guilty to attempted murder: report By Karen Lema and Mikhail Flores MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Monday that evangelist preacher Apollo Quiboloy will not be given special treatment following his arrest on Sunday, after a weeks-long police search for the celebrity pastor. Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed "owner of the universe" and "appointed son of god", is wanted on charges of child and sexual abuse and allegations of human trafficking in the Philippines. He is also wanted by Federal Bureau of Investigation in the U.S. on charges of sex trafficking and bulk cash smuggling. Quiboloy, who has rejected all charges, is followed by millions of people in the Philippines, where church leaders hold heavy sway in politics. "There is no special treatment," Marcos told reporters on Monday. "We will treat him like any other arrested person and respect his rights." "We will demonstrate once again that our judicial system in the Philippines is active, vibrant and working," he added. More than 2,000 police were deployed to search for Quiboloy, who had been hiding inside a "Bible school" at the sprawling compound in the southern city of Davao owned by his church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), police said on Monday. Police gave Quiboloy until Sunday to surrender, otherwise they would "assault" the building, Davao regional police chief Nicolas Torre told a press briefing on Monday. Quiboloy was presented to the media on Monday, but his face was concealed by a cap, sunglasses, mask and scarf. Quiboloy's lawyer, Israelito Torreon, said the pastor surrendered to the police and military because he did not want the situation to further escalate. "The innocence of Quiboloy will be affirmed by the court," Torreon told DZBB radio. "The surrender was a formality. At the end of the day, whether he likes it or not, the end result will ultimately be the same," Torre said. Interior Minister Benjamin Abalos Jr. told the same briefing the government was looking to file charges against people who helped Quiboloy evade arrest. Quiboloy is also a longtime friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who has filed a criminal complaint against Abalos and several police officers for damaging Quiboloy's property. Marcos said Quiboloy's camp had set conditions for his surrender, including a guarantee he would not be sent to the United States to face charges. "Putting conditions is not an option for someone who is a fugitive," Marcos said, describing the law enforcement operation to capture Quiboloy as "police work at its best". "It is with some relief that I can say that this phase of the operation is over. We will now leave Quiboloy to the judicial system," he said. The Philippines' Department of Justice acknowledged the country's extradition treaty with the U.S. but said in a statement on Monday that Quiboloy will first face trial and serve any sentence in the Philippines before any extradition request is granted. (Reporting by Karen Lema and Mikhail Flores; Editing by Michael Perry) Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks Friday at the U.S. border with Mexico in San Diego. Police in Springfield, Ohio, said Monday they had received no credible reports of immigrants harming pets, contradicting a claim by Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance. The senator from Ohio, as well as other Republican lawmakers and several conservative commentators, have in recent days asserted without evidence that the arrival of thousands of immigrants from Haiti had created chaos in Springfield. In a post on X, Vance wrote Monday that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldnt be in this country. The Springfield Police Division said in a statement that they were aware of the rumors and had no information to support them. In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community, the police said in a statement emailed to NBC News. They added that they had no information to support similar assertions about immigrants squatting or disrupting traffic. Additionally, there have been no verified instances of immigrants engaging in illegal activities such as squatting or littering in front of residents homes. Furthermore, no reports have been made regarding members of the immigrant community deliberately disrupting traffic, the police said. After NBC News asked the Vance campaign about the lack of evidence for his claim, a spokesperson said that the senator had received a high volume of calls and emails over the past several weeks from concerned citizens in Springfield and that his tweet is based on what he is hearing from them. The spokesperson did not say, however, whether any of those calls or emails had included evidence of violence against pets, and did not offer proof of Vances statements. There is a long history of conservative politicians and pundits denigrating Haitian immigrants in particular, including with baseless allegations of cannibalism, according to historians who have studied the former French colony. Viles Dorsainvil, president of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center, a nonprofit organization in Springfield, condemned the recent rumors as uninformed and racist. Its just bigotry, discrimination and racism, he said. There is a group of people who have been fabricating some news just to denigrate Haitians. Dorsainvil said his organization helps immigrants with job applications, legal support and more. He added that Haitians have moved to Ohio because of the gang conflict and political turmoil in their home country. They are looking for a place to raise their family and look for a job. But it happens that the city has not been prepared for the influx of Haitians coming here, he said. The false claims about threats to pets began going viral on social media over the weekend, fueled in part by a fourth-hand story that appeared to come from a Facebook group focused on local crime in Springfield. The group was set to private on Monday, but according to screenshots posted on X, someone in the Facebook group posted that my neighbor informed me that her daughters friend had lost her cat. The poster went on to describe Haitians allegedly taking the cat for food. Conservative pundit Charlie Kirk posted a screenshot of the Facebook post Sunday on X, and within 24 hours, it had received more than 3 million views. The rumor was picked up by other right-wing commentators, including Jack Posobiec, who posted about it on X more than 30 times Sunday and Monday. Others echoed the allegations, including X owner Elon Musk, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Please vote for Trump so Haitian immigrants dont eat us, Cruz wrote on X, as a caption on a photo of cats. By midday Monday, Haitians were the No. 1 trending topic in the U.S. on X. In his post on X, Vance attributed his information about pets to unspecified reports and suggested that Vice President Kamala Harris was to blame for Haitian immigrants generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio. In 2021, President Joe Biden tasked Harris with tackling the root causes of migration. Vance also asserted without evidence that the Haitian population in question is made up of illegal immigrants. A Springfield city website says thats not true. Haitian immigrants are here legally, under the Immigration Parole Program, the website says, referring to a federal humanitarian program for migrants. Representatives for Kirk, Posobiec, Musk, Cruz and Jordan did not immediately respond to requests for comment. X and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, also did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As many as 20,000 Haitian immigrants have arrived in the Springfield area in recent years, and although theyve helped to revitalize the city, there have been protests, The New York Times reported this month. In May, a jury found a Haitian immigrant guilty of causing a school bus crash that killed an 11-year-old boy. Collage of a woman, identified as Melissa Jubane, a cardiac nurse at St. Vincent Hospital, alongside an unidentified man. A nurse allegedly murdered by her Oregon neighbor just two weeks after getting married had plans to move out to be with her long-distance husband in Washington state, her family shared. Police recovered the remains of Melissa Jubane, 32, on Friday evening after a three-day search that ended in the arrest of her 27-year-old neighbor, Bryce Johnathan Schubert, who was charged with second-degree murder. The newlywed was reported missing on Wednesday after failing to show up to her morning shift at St. Vincent Hospital in southwest Portland. Her co-workers requested a wellness check on her, but police didnt find any signs of her at her apartment. Melissa Jubane and her husband, Bryan Llanetero, were celebrating their wedding just two weeks before she was found dead. Noemi Pacba Llantero/Facebook Jubane married Bryan Llantero, of Hawaii, on the island of Honolulu on Aug. 24 and had just returned to Oregon before she vanished. The newlyweds first met in Hawaii and dated for over a decade, flying back and forth to see each other. Llantero had last heard from his new wife the morning she went missing, according to KHON. Jubane would stay in her Oregon apartment because of its proximity to her workplace while Llantero stayed in Washington state with Melissas family, her mother-in-law, Imelda Llantero, told the local news station. But after tying the knot, Jubane planned to look for a job in Washington so she could live with her new husband, Imelda Llantero said. Melissas mother-in-law, Imelda Llantero, said the family is devastated over her death. khon2 Melissa Jubane and her family at her graduation. Facebook Since her alleged murder, family members have taken to social media to advocate for justice and preserve her memory. Jax Marquez, one of Jubanes cousins, has turned to dedicating parts of her social media to her, including changing her profile picture to read Justice for #melissajubane. She has the sweetest soul in the world and I wanted to be able to create a space for those that had any interactions with her, those that knew her, had really close relationships with her, just anybody that has sweet memories of her, Marquez said in a post on Instagram. Police recovered the remains of Melissa Jubane, 32, on Friday evening. Beaverton Police Department Jubanes father also expressed his heartbreak online. Im in so much pain right now for you my daughter Melissa Jubane. As promised by the Beaverton Police Authorities to us, your justice will be done soon, Valentin Jubane, Melissas father, wrote in a post on Facebook. I have trust in our God The Almighty and His only son our Lord God Jesus Christ. You are loved by so many good people around the world. Another one of Melissas cousins, Onilobes Allan, urged politicians to protect potential victims from bad actors. [] our government need[s] to protect [people like Melissa] so we can have a chance to live in peace and have happiness in the world but unfortunately got taken advantage and was killed by someone that is very evil. Im asking the government to make laws that protect good citizens, he wrote in a post on Facebook. Pope Francis received a rapturous welcome from the tiny Southeast Asian nation of East Timor, one of the worlds most Catholic countries, where almost half the population turned out for an open-air Mass on Tuesday. The 87-year-old leaders visit marks the penultimate stop of a marathon trip through Asia and the South Pacific. Local authorities estimate that a crowd of 600,000 gathered for the popes Mass, the Vatican told reporters. By early Tuesday morning, streets in the capital Dili were packed with cheering crowds, from elderly worshippers to babies in strollers, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pope. Photos showed a sea of people carrying yellow and white umbrellas, the colors of the Vatican, as they tried to shield themselves from the sun, and at one point a man was seen hosing down the crowd with water to cool them down. People wait for Pope Francis to arrive at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Dili, East Timor, on September 10, 2024. - Firdia Lisnawati/AP Some attendees had been waiting in the seaside park where the mass took place since 4 a.m. - more than 12 hours before the event began. Estefania Clotaria-Monterio Gutierrez Ornai, 25, was among them, keen to secure a place in the front row. I hope that through his visit here, he can show us to be more respectful to each other and encourage us that, one day, one of us could become the pope like him! she told CNN. On arriving at the park to shouts of Viva Papa Francesco, people with physical disabilities lined up to meet the pontiff, and a group performed a traditional, cultural dance for him. During the Mass prayers were also said in local dialects. Crowds wait for the pope under yellow and white umbrellas. - Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters At the conclusion of the Mass, the pope addressed the crowd in Spanish with a priest translating into Timorese. Francis drew laughs and cheers when he referenced crocodiles: there are large numbers of crocodiles in the sea around East Timor, and traditional belief holds that reptiles represent peoples ancestors. Be careful, the pope told them. I was told that crocodiles are coming to some beaches. Crocodiles that come swimming and have a stronger bite than we can handle. Be attentive to those crocodiles that want to change your culture, your history. And stay away from those crocodiles because they bite, and they bite a lot. During his homily, he also praised East Timor for the large number of children in the country, which he said was a great gift. Crowds waiting for Pope Francis sheltering from the sun. - Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters It is not the first time Francis has addressed birthrates in this trip: in Indonesia he praised the country for having large families and contrasted that with low birthrates in other parts of the world. After the Mass concluded, the Timorese singer, Maria Vitoria da Costa Borges known as Marvi performed on stage. A onetime winner of Portugals The Voice, she performed alongside another Timorese singer, known as Bepi. Francis addresses sexual abuse But the issue of clerical sexual abuse is also hanging over this leg of the popes visit to the region as revelations of mistreatment concerning high profile East Timor clergy have emerged in recent years. During his speech to the countrys political authorities, the pope called on them to tackle every kind of abuse to guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people. East Timor, also known as Timor Leste, is one of the worlds youngest countries and has deep ties to the Catholic Church, which was influential in its tumultuous and bloody fight for independence from Indonesia. The country of just 1.3 million people is the second-most Catholic country in the world, with 97% of the population identifying as Catholic, the highest share outside of the Vatican. Pope Francis greets Catholic worshipers in Dili, East Timor, on September 10, 2024. - Willy Kurniawan/Reuters The government of East Timor allocated $12 million for Francis first visit to the deeply devout country, an amount which has been criticized as an exorbitant burden given it remains a small economy and one of Asias poorest nations. The pontiffs visit also puts fresh scrutiny on the scourge of sexual abuse in the church and on whether Francis will directly address the issue while hes in East Timor, as he has done in other countries. Two years ago, the Vatican acknowledged that it had secretly disciplined East Timor bishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Carlos Ximenes Belo, after he was accused of sexually abusing boys decades before. In past trips abroad, Francis has met with victims of abuse. Though not on the official program of his visit, some analysts have said if Pope Francis addresses the abuse while in East Timor, it would send a strong message to survivors and those who have not come forward, whether in the country or around the region. A regional bastion of Catholicism Pope Francis 12-day visit to Asia includes Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore underscoring a significant shift inside the Catholic Church as it pivots to Asia. He is the second pope to visit East Timor, after Pope John Paul II in 1989, but its the first papal visit for the country since it gained independence in 2002. The visit comes less than a week after the country marked the 25th anniversary of its vote to secede from Indonesia. Located between northwestern Australia and Indonesia, the country occupies half of the island of Timor and was used by the Portuguese since the 17th century as a trading post for sandalwood. Pope Francis is pictured leading Mass on Tuesday. - Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images Four hundred years of ensuing Portuguese colonial rule led to the widespread spread of Catholicism in East Timor and other cultural differences from Muslim-majority Indonesia. Today, East Timors economy is heavily reliant on its oil and gas reserves, and still contends with high levels of poverty following decades of conflict. Christina Kheng, a theologian who teaches at the East Asian Pastoral Institute, told CNN that the young nation is still struggling with post-war unity and nation building. Pope Francis wears a scarf he was presented with when he arrived in Dili, East Timor, September 9. - Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters Like other countries in the region, East Timor is in the middle of the United States and Chinas push for influence in Asia, with US ally Australia at the forefront in providing assistance. Bishop Belo and sex abuse allegations A leading pro-democracy figure during the Indonesian occupation was Bishop Belo, the former head of the Catholic Church in East Timor, who won the Nobel Peace Prize alongside President Jose Ramos-Horta in 1996 for their work in bringing a peaceful end to the conflict. In 2022, the Vatican confirmed that it had sanctioned Belo two years prior, following allegations from two men who said the bishop raped them when they were teenagers and gave them money to buy their silence. The Vatican said that Belo, who is understood to be based in Portugal, had been placed under travel restrictions, prohibition of voluntary contact with minors, of interviews and contacts with Timor Leste. While the allegations against Belo date back to the 1980, the Vatican said it first became involved in the case in 2019. CNN has asked the Vatican if the case of Bishop Belo will be addressed during the popes trip. Dutch newspaper De Groene Amsterdammer broke the news and said its investigation found that other boys were also allegedly victims of Belos abuse dating back to the 1980s. Belo has never been officially charged in East Timor and has never spoken publicly about the accusations. Bishop Belo was a leading pro-democracy figure in East Timor but has faced historical sexual assault allegations - Firdia Lisnawati/AP/File Many abuse victims in East Timor have been reluctant to come forward due to the churchs deep connection to the independence struggle, and because of the governments treatment of the few who have been convicted. Since Pope Francis became the leader of the worlds 1.2 billion Catholics in 2013, multiple reports detailing decades of sexual abuse, systemic failures and cover-ups across multiple countries have been released. While he was criticized for some of his actions such as when he defended a Chilean bishop accused of covering up a sex scandal in 2018, a decision he later described as a grave error he has since taken a firm stance on the issues and introduced some reforms, including provisions for holding lay leaders of Vatican-approved associations accountable for cover-ups of sexual abuse. The church and East Timors independence struggle Amid civil war, East Timor was annexed by Indonesia in 1976 and declared the countrys 27th province following Portugals democratization and its decision to shed its colonies the year before. Between 1975 and 1999, more than 200,000 people about a quarter of the population were killed in fighting and massacres or died as a result of famine as Indonesias occupying forces tried to brutally assert control. Indonesia was condemned by the international community for its crackdown, including in 1991 when its troops massacred young independence supporters at the Santa Cruz cemetery in East Timors capital Dili. The capture and jailing of Timorese guerilla leader and now Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao the following year further fanned a resurgence in opposition to Indonesian rule. Indonesian troops remove a Virgin of Mary statue as they clean up the house of Bishop Belo in Dili September 18, 1999. Belo was among the tens of thousands forced to flee the territory as pro-Jakarta militias embarked on a wave of violence following a vote for independence from Indonesia. - Reuters It was Indonesian President Suhartos fall from power in 1998 and an ensuing shift in policy toward East Timor that paved the way for a UN-sponsored referendum on East Timors independence which passed with more than 78.5% support in 1999. Soon after the vote, pro-Jakarta militias backed by the Indonesian military went on a killing and looting rampage in the capital, attacking churches, and targeting priests and those seeking refuge as they hunted down independence supporters. Much of East Timors infrastructure was destroyed in the violence and about 200,000 people were forced to flee their homes. An Australian-led international peacekeeping mission ultimately intervened and East Timor officially won independence in 2002. During Indonesian occupation, the Catholic Church played a huge role in defending people from attacks and pushing for a vote on independence its church workers and the clergy paying a bloody price as a result. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Companies in the financial, transport, energy and health sectors have reportedly been targeted in several countries [Getty Images] A notorious Russian military unit has carried out cyber-attacks on Ukrainian allies around the world designed to disrupt aid efforts, according to a joint defence briefing by Western intelligence agencies. They said attacks both before and after the full-scale invasion in February 2022 were carried out by the same group believed to be behind the poisonings of a former Russian double agent and his daughter in Salisbury in 2018. Unit 29155, which has been linked to high-profile espionage and sabotage campaigns in recent years, shifted its attention to cyber operations in 2020, agencies in the UK, US and several other countries said in a joint statement. The intervention comes as European governments seek to counter what they say is increased Russian espionage in the wake of the Ukraine war. A spike in cyber-attacks on Ukraine ahead of the February 2022 invasion had previously been widely reported. But an expert told the BBC the joint warning issued this this week suggested a broader range of activity than previously disclosed took place against several European countries. The focus at the time was all to do with what they were trying to do to Ukraine, said Keir Giles, an expert on Russian cyber activities at the UK-based Chatham House think tank. What these latest announcements made clear is that the targets were much broader than that, and they're talking about a range of different government and civilian agencies, civil society agencies across Western Europe and across the EU and Nato. Intelligence agencies in the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Canada and Australia all signed the declaration. Western intelligence agencies said the attacks were carried out by a division within Unit 29155. The cyber team has used names including Cadet Blizzard and Ember Bear, they said. It said the hackers were "responsible for the WhisperGate campaign", a coordinated attack on Ukrainian government agencies in January 2022, and has since been focussed on attempts to "scout and disrupt" aid deliveries to Kyiv. Critical infrastructure, government agencies and private companies involved in finance, transport, energy and health have all been targeted across a number of EU and Nato member states, as well as in Asia and Latin America, it claimed. Mr Giles said the activities referred to in the note appear to relate to 2022, but added: People need to be aware that this stuff is ongoing and that Russia is attacking us." He continued: What's particularly pronounced at the moment about Russia's cyber activities is the way they look like preparation for an overt attack on Nato, particularly with the reconnaissance and preparation for sabotage of logistics links, rail networks and so on across Europe. Edmundo Gonzalez arrived in Spain on Sunday [Getty Images] Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez has vowed to "continue to fight" for democracy in his own country, after being granted asylum in Spain. Mr Gonzalez left Venezuela, after having spent weeks in hiding, arriving at the Torrejon military air base in Madrid with his wife at about 16:00 local time on Sunday (14:00 GMT). The departure of the 75-year-old from the country followed turmoil in the wake of the 28 July elections, in which President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory - something which was disputed by Mr Gonzalez, and many sections of the international community. In an audio message distributed by his press team, he said he was "confident that soon we will continue the fight to achieve freedom and the recovery of democracy in Venezuela". Prior to his departure, an arrest warrant had been issued in Venezuela, with the government accusing him of conspiracy and of forging documents, among other "serious crimes". Thanking his supporters for expressions of solidarity and confirming his arrival in Spain, Mr Gonzalez said: "My departure from Caracas was surrounded by episodes of pressure, coercion and threats that I wouldnt be allowed to leave." Earlier, the country's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado wrote on social media that he had made the decision to leave the country because "his life was in danger", citing a "brutal wave of repression" in the election aftermath. Ms Machado, a popular candidate in the country, had been expected to run as the candidate against Mr Maduro, but was prevented from doing so at the last minute by institutions loyal to the president. The opposition said it had evidence Mr Gonzalez had won by a comfortable margin, and uploaded detailed voting tallies to the internet which suggest Mr Gonzalez beat Mr Maduro convincingly. The US, the EU and the majority of foreign governments have refused to accept Mr Maduro as the winner without Caracas releasing detailed voting data to prove the result. In a statement on Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Mr Gonzalez's departure from Venezuela "is the direct result of the anti-democratic measures that Nicolas Maduro has unleashed on the Venezuelan people, including [Edmundo] Gonzalez Urrutia and other opposition leaders, since the election". He added: "The election results and the will of the people cannot be merely swept aside by Maduro and the Venezuelan electoral authorities. We stand with Gonzalez Urrutia in his call to continue the struggle for liberty and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela." Earlier on Sunday, Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell said: "Today is a sad day for democracy in Venezuela." He added that "in a democracy, no political leader should be forced to seek asylum in another country". He said Venezuela needed to end its oppression of opposition leaders and free all political prisoners. Speaking at a socialist party meeting on Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described Mr Gonzalez as "a hero who Spain will not abandon". The country's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Madrid would grant Mr Gonzalez asylum as it was "committed to the political rights" of all Venezuelans. Mr Gonzalez's departure came as security forces in Venezuela surrounded the Argentine embassy in the capital, Caracas, where six opposition figures have been sheltering. Venezuela's foreign ministry alleged that terrorist acts were being plotted inside. Rice's whale were found to frequent Texas coasts in the Gulf of Mexico, after new research was released by the NOAA in February 2024. NOAA Fisheries WASHINGTON Offshore oil companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico are facing the prospect of a potential shutdown in new drilling activity later this year, amidst a longstanding legal battle over the endangered Rices whale and other endangered species. In a federal court ruling last month, the National Marine Fisheries Service was ordered to rewrite a critical opinion on endangered species in the Gulf upon which federal agencies rely to issue new permits and other authorizations for offshore drilling. The court found the fisheries service had failed to reflect the real dangers posed by oil and gas drilling in its current opinion, which is now scheduled to be invalidated on Dec. 20. But the agency has said it could take until spring to complete the document, leaving the Department of Interior no clear path to manage offshore oil and gas drilling there, said Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This could flip everything on its side, he said. I imagine activity slowing down immediately. These are projects that rely on lots of approvals and permits, and if youre looking at your plans and you know youre not going to be take action J, K and L at some date after you finish A, B and C you may just need to take a pause all together. The Department of Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the fisheries service, both said they were reviewing the judges ruling. Oil and gas lobbyists are already looking for stopgap moves, including challenging the order in appellate court and asking Congress to intervene to keep permitting going while the fisheries service completes its opinion. At stake is an industry worth tens of billions of dollars a year, responsible for nearly 20% of U.S. oil production and a mainstay of the Texas and Louisiana economies. At the same time, environmentalists have argued that the federal government has not done enough to protect the Rices whale and other species from the dangers of offshore oil and gas activity, which include oil spills, underwater noise from ships and sonar, and vessel strikes. The Rices whale is one of the most endangered animal species on Earth, with an estimated 100 left, primarily in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico off the Florida panhandle though individuals are now understood to travel to the western Gulf. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They green light oil and gas development with pretty minimal protections for species. Theyve done it for years, starting before Deepwater Horizon, said Chris Eaton, as senior attorney with Earthjustice. Earthjustice and other groups filed suit against the fisheries service in 2020, seeking to place permanent restrictions on oil and gas drilling in the Gulf. The case has bounced around courts for years, with the Biden administration at one point settling the case by agreeing to restrict ship activity in an 11 million-acre zone across the Gulf. But that settlement was effectively invalidated under a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling last year that forced the administration to allow leasing in the area. Now its up to federal officials to find a way to protect the Rices whale and other endangered species while also allowing oil and gas activity that is inherently dangerous to marine life in the Gulf. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For now there are no easy answers, but with more than three months until the court-imposed deadline, oil and gas lobbyists were hopeful an agreement could be worked out in time. Pennsylvania courts have been handing down a flurry of decisions on mail-in balloting ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, including a Thursday ruling that a county should have counted provisional votes cast by people who made mistakes with their mail-in ballots. The two Butler County voters in this case forgot to put their mail-in ballots inside a secrecy envelope and, as a result, these so-called naked ballots were excluded from the official tally, according to the lawsuit filed earlier this year. While the voters also cast provisional ballots, election officials declined to count them. More: Pa. judges say rejecting misdated mail-in ballots violates 'fundamental right to vote' A panel of Commonwealth Court judges has concluded that was an error, reversing a lower court ruling. The debate centered on several ambiguities in state law, which seems to use words such as ballot and cast in slightly different ways in various parts of the election code. However, the judges said they aimed to resolve those apparent conflicts in a way that honors the intent of state lawmakers. Butler Countys position that the provisional ballots should not count means that individuals who make mistakes when submitting mail-in ballots end up not having their votes tallied, the judges noted. This construction disenfranchises Electors, Commonwealth Court Judge Matthew Wolf wrote. A voter drops a mail-in ballot into a box outside the Erie County Courthouse in 2020. The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, which represented the two mail-in voters in the case, praised the courts ruling as providing statewide clarity" on an important voting rights issue. Provisional ballots were implemented more than 20 years ago for this very reason, to be sure that voters who want to participate in elections had their votes counted without human error getting in the way, said Marian Schneider, senior policy counsel for voting rights at the ACLU of Pennsylvania. Attorneys representing the Republican National Committee and Republican Party of Pennsylvania, which intervened in the case on behalf of Butler County, argued that letting voters cast provisional ballots because of a flawed mail-in ballot is a form of curing, or fixing voting errors. Pennsylvania courts have previously ruled that counties dont have to allow curing. However, the Commonwealth Court judges said casting a provisional ballot is different from curing. More: Pa. bill would update precinct votes online. Mail ballots don't permit it GOP appeals another case on mail-in voting in Pennsylvania Also this week, the Republican National Committee and Republican Party of Pennsylvania appealed a separate court ruling on mail-in voting. In that case, Commonwealth Court judges decided counties should not exclude mail-in ballots simply for being misdated. The dates on mail-in envelopes are not used to ensure the ballots are timely cast or for any other important election integrity purpose, according to the ruling. The refusal to count undated or incorrectly dated but timely mail ballots submitted by otherwise eligible voters because of meaningless and inconsequential paperwork errors violates the fundamental right to vote recognized in the free and equal elections clause, a Commonwealth Court judge wrote in the ruling. GOP officials have appealed the decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In their filing, they argued that the latest ruling contradicts court precedent and that requiring voters to put correct dates on their ballots is in no way an onerous burden. (There) is nothing difficult about signing and dating a document, let alone so difficult as to deny the right to vote, attorneys for the GOP wrote in their appeal, adding that there are a number of rules voters must follow in order to participate in an election. More: Commonwealth Court rules in Erie Republican's favor on access to Pa. voters' mail ballots Bethany Rodgers is a USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania capital bureau investigative journalist. This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Pa. judges rule on provisional voting case Body camera footage released Monday showed the interview between Georgia police and suspected school shooter Colt Gray and his father, Colin Gray, as part of a 2023 investigation. Colt, who was then 13, was interviewed after the FBI received anonymous tips that someone was threatening to shoot up a nearby school with an AR-style rifle and shotgun. The footage, which has been shared across news outlets and social media, shows Colt denying to police that he made the threats on Discord, a social media site. Colin tells officers that while Colt has access to unloaded hunting rifles in the house, he is learning about firearms and safety. The father also acknowledges that we do a lot of shooting, we do a lot of deer hunting. During the interview, Colin says he knows nothing about Colt making threats and expresses concern, saying, Im going to be mad as hell if he did, and then all the guns will go away and they wont be accessible to him. Colin also tells officers that he and Colt had discussed school shootings in the past and that "he's getting picked on at school." Police, in the bodycam footage, tell the Grays they have no choice but to take Colt at his word that he did not make the threats. Colt and his father have both been arrested and charged in the Sept. 4 shooting that killed four and injured nine at Apalachee High School. In text messages shared with Yahoo News between officers from the day they visited the Gray residence, there is mention of the specific FBI tip about the AR-style rifle. Police have said an AR-style semiautomatic rifle was used in last weeks shootings. Later in the text conversation, Capt. Kelly LaCount asked, Did he have an AR-15? to which former Capt. Dale Dillow replied, Only hunting rifles. When asked whether the officers physically searched the property, Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum told Yahoo News, The bodycam shows what was done. Questions and concerns remain on whether school officials mishandled warnings of a potential school shooting, especially as Colts mother, Marcee Gray, and other family members have spoken out about being in contact with the school as recently as 30 minutes before the shooting happened. Apalachee High School and the Barrow County Sheriff's office did not immediately respond to Yahoo News request for comment. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation directed Yahoo News to the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office, which did not immediately respond. Marcee Gray told family members over the weekend that she had called Apalachee the morning of Sept. 4 to warn a counselor about her son, the Washington Post reported. She allegedly made the 10-minute call to the school around 9:50 a.m. while at her fathers house in Fitzgerald, Ga., CNN reported, which is about a three-and-a-half hour drive away. Marcees father, Charles Polhamus, told CNN that he was next to her when she got a text from Colt that morning saying, Im sorry, mom. Its not clear whether the message is what made her decide to call the school counselor. Annie Brown, Marcee's sister, told the Washington Post that the counselor told Marcee during the call that Colt had been talking about a school shooting that morning. The school and family had been in contact about concerns about Colts mental health a week before the shooting. Lyela Sayarath, a student who was in Colts class at the time of the shooting, told the Washington Post that a school administrator visited the classroom that morning, but there had been some confusion about Colt and another student who had a similar name. Neither student was in the room at the time the administrator came by, and the administrator had left with a backpack belonging to the wrong student. I am so, so sorry and can not fathom the pain and suffering they are going through right now, Marcee Gray told the Washington Post. A since-deleted Facebook post that Brown, the aunt, posted on the afternoon of Sept. 4 was discovered by the Daily Beast. In it, Brown said, Just check yourself before you speak about a child that never asked to deal with the bullshit he saw on a daily basis. Correction, Sept. 10, 11:12 a.m.: Due to a miscommunication with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, an earlier version of this story misstated the nature of the body cam footage released by the sheriff's office. The footage was from the 2023 investigation into the Grays. Several retired military officials issued a letter in support of Vice President Kamala Harris as Republicans attempt to tie her to the chaotic 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Vice President Kamala Harris is the best and only presidential candidate in this race who is fit to serve as our commander-in-chief. She has demonstrated her ability to take on the most difficult national security challenges in the Situation Room and on the international stage, the group wrote in a National Security Leaders for America letter. The letter cited Harris rallying our allies against Russias brutal invasion of Ukraine to standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies in the Indo-Pacific against Chinas provocative actions, to advancing U.S. leadership on space and artificial intelligence. The letter comes after House Republicans and Democrats issued dueling documents casting blame for mistakes made in the US exit from Afghanistan. The Republican report cites Harris as having worked in lockstep with President Biden behind the scenes to withdraw all US troops. It also aims to implicate Harris in its accusations by referring to the current government as the Biden-Harris administration. The group of retired generals placed blame on former President Donald Trump for putting service members in harms way while he was in office, and argued he didnt leave the Biden administration in a position to execute a withdrawal efficiently. Without involving the Afghan government, he and his Administration negotiated a deal with the Taliban that freed 5,000 Taliban fighters and allowed them to return to the battlefield, the letter claimed. Then, he left President Biden and Vice President Harris with no plans to execute a withdrawal, and with little time to do so. This chaotic approach severely hindered the Biden-Harris Administrations ability to execute the most orderly withdrawal possible and put our service members and our allies at risk. The exit of American troops from Afghanistan had always been a critical goal for Biden. During his time as vice president, Biden repeatedly pushed then-President Barack Obama to draw down troop numbers advice which Obama ignored, ordering a troop surge before beginning a drawdown. Trump also worked toward a withdrawal during his time as president. His administration entered into an agreement with the Taliban for a May 1, 2021, deadline for troops to exit the country; Biden as president said that timeline wasnt feasible, and pushed it back several months to the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Biden hoped to avoid any optics during the drawdown that would draw comparisons to the chaotic withdraw of US military troops from Vietnam in 1975, which was immortalized by pictures of Americans hurriedly rushing to a helicopter from the roof of the US embassy during the fall of Saigon. Discussing his plan in July 2021, Biden vowed there would be no circumstance in which you are going to see people being lifted off the roof of an embassy of the United States from Afghanistan. The reality, though, was more complicated. The bloody and chaotic withdrawal included a suicide bombing that killed 13 American troops and about 170 Afghans outside Kabuls airport. Inside, some Afghans fell to their deaths after clinging to the underside of American military planes in a last-ditch and futile effort to escape Taliban rule exactly the type of imagery Biden had hoped to avoid, and which presented the first major foreign policy issue for Bidens presidency. It would later be overshadowed by Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the Hamas attack against Israel last October. Since then, Democrats and Republicans have traded blame for the chaotic withdrawal. Republicans accused Biden of demanding a withdrawal no matter the costs while Democrats blamed Trump for striking the Taliban deal that set the withdrawal in motion in the first place. Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, who served as Trumps national security adviser, has argued Trump deserves some of the blame for the chaos. Even three years later, the politics of the withdrawal continue to trail the campaign. During a visit to Arlington National Cemetery last month to commemorate the Kabul airport bombing, staffers for Trumps campaign reportedly brushed aside a cemetery worker who tried preventing the campaign from taking photos or video in the section of the cemetery containing the remains of troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Trumps campaign insisted there were no violations of the law and attacked the worker involved in the confrontation. Harris responded to the controversy by saying Trump is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself. This story has been updated with additional report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to travel to the United Kingdom on Monday, the State Department said, a week after Britain suspended some arms export licenses with Israel over equipment that could be used in the war in Gaza. In the trip slated to go through Tuesday, Blinken will open the U.S.-UK Strategic Dialogue, "reaffirming our special relationship," Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, said on Saturday. Blinken will also meet with senior government officials to discuss issues including the Indo-Pacific, the AUKUS defense pact between the U.S., Australia, Britain and the Middle East, and collective efforts to support Ukraine in the war against Russia. Britain said on Sept. 2 it was immediately suspending 30 of its 350 arms export licenses with Israel, saying there was a risk such equipment might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law in Israel's war with Hamas in the densely populated Palestinian enclave of Gaza. The administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running to succeed him, is under pressure from critics of the war to suspend some arms deliveries to Israel, Washington's closest Middle East ally. A U.S. official said in July the Biden administration would resume shipping 500-pound bombs to Israel but would continue to hold back on supplying 2,000-poind bombs over concerns about their use in Gaza. CIA Director William Burns, chief U.S. negotiator for an end to the war in Gaza, said in London on Saturday that a more detailed ceasefire proposal would be made in the coming days. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by David Gregorio) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blinken to travel to UK to discuss Middle East, Ukraine Authorities in New Jersey and Florida have arrested three juveniles in connection to separate online school threats. In New Jersey, a threat was posted to social media and said a shooting would occur at five schools, according to local news outlet NBC10 Philadelphia. As a result, Woodbury Public Schools and the Deptford Township School District announced they would be closed on Monday. In a letter to the Woodbury School community, Superintendent Andrew Bell said there was no immediate indication that the threat was valid, but that schools were closed out of precaution. While we do not believe the threat to be credible, we are exercising extreme caution to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families. Please be assured that school safety remains our top priority, and we are taking every precaution necessary to maintain a secure environment, Bell said. Deptford Township superintendent of schools Kevin Kanauss shared a similar message. After carefully reviewing the progress of the investigation with our security team and law enforcement this evening, I have decided to close schools for Monday, September 9, 2024, out of an abundance of caution and for the safety and security of our entire Deptford Spartan Community, Kanauss said. Police in Glassboro and Woodbury said two juvenile suspects were arrested in connection with the threat. Through the collaborative efforts of several agencies involved, two juveniles, one from Woodbury and one from Glassboro, have been located, identified and arrested regarding the threats made to our schools on social media, the Glassboro Police Department said in a Facebook post. We want to thank all agencies involved as well as the members of the community who spoke up and provided information to assist us in the quick resolution of this incident. GPD said while there was no active threat, additional security will be provided in and around schools in the district. The Woodbury Police Department shared a similar statement of a juvenile arrested in its city, adding that an investigation remains ongoing. In Florida, a 14-year-old high school student was arrested for "making written threats to kill or conduct a mass shooting," according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office. Detectives said the girl posted the threats on Instagram with one listing several schools that would be targeted. "Other posts contained additional threats of a school shooting or other violence," the sheriff's office said. "Multiple individuals saw these posts online and reported them to law enforcement." After authorities made contact with the teen, she reportedly claimed the posts were intended as a joke. She now faces numerous charges, including making written threats to kill/conduct a mass shooting. The threats in Florida and New Jersey come amid a sensitive time for school safety. Authorities say a 14-year-old shooter opened fire on a Georgia high school last week, killing two students, two teachers, and injuring nine others. RELATED STORY | Authorities identify 4 victims in Georgia high school shooting Canva As the American population ages, more families are turning to skilled nursing facilities to help look after their loved ones. Skilled nursing facilities, or SNFs, are staffed by trained medical professionals who care for people requiring nursing, medical, or rehabilitative services. Most people in SNFs have been discharged from the hospital but cannot safely return home, often due to an inability to move on their own or perform medical treatments. In addition to caring for older adults, SNFs can provide rehab for people of any age, as well as support for people living with disabilities. SNFs are in a class of their own. They typically don't provide the same level of care as hospitals, and unlike nursing homes, they are meant to provide temporary care. Given their unique purpose, they fill an important niche in the caregiving landscape. In July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated its Medicare payment policies and rates for SNFs, increasing spending by over 4%, or $1.4 billion in the fiscal year 2025. Though the cost of staying in an SNF varies based on location and the type of care required, 2024's median national cost for a private room in an SNF is $330 per day and $294 per day for a semiprivate room, according to an estimate from SeniorLiving.org. Along with the recent updates, financial penalties on facilities with health and safety deficiencies can be imposed, raising the stakes for SNFs. Nursing Homes examined data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to determine which states bring in the most revenue at their skilled nursing facilities. The data was calculated by dividing the net patient revenue by the total number of beds. It exclusively represents dedicated skilled nursing facilities and does not include nursing homes or other facilities with skilled nursing beds. While the demand for care at SNFs rises, many of these facilities operate under precarious financial circumstances. According to an Economic State of Skilled Nursing Facility Industry report released in February 2023, SNFs are facing a series of unprecedented challenges, including issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, like a decline in occupancy rates, increases in operating costs, and staffing problems. The 2023 projected median operating margins, or profitability ratio, show many SNFs barely breaking even, according to the report. Those rising costs are passed on to the consumer. Given the dire financial state of many SNFs, facilities are under mounting pressure to become profitable. Nursing Homes How states are responding to rising care costs The cost of care in SNFs varies widely across the nation. Alaska has the highest health care costs in the nation, in part due to the state's low population and subsequent smaller pool of trained medical professionals. Facilities in rural communities may also end up paying much more for utilities like electricity and heat, and costs can be higher if they need to stay in a hospital. Alaska also has the fewest skilled nursing beds per capita in the U.S. To help address the growing SNF crisis in America's northernmost state, lawmakers approved a proposal for the construction of a $48 million, 150-bed skilled nursing facility in Anchorage in the spring of 2023. Like Alaska, SNFs in Hawaii are likely so expensive because many basic necessities like utilities and food tend to be more expensive on the island than on the mainland. Hawaii also has a severe shortage of health care professionals of all kinds, especially nurses. A 2021 report from the Hawaii State Center for Nursing found that the state had roughly 300 to 400 fewer nurses than necessary to meet demand. To counter rising costs, representatives in Hawai'i and Alaska are pushing for the adoption of the Equitable Payments for Nursing Facilities Act of 2023. If passed, the act would authorize a cost-of-living adjustment for SNFs in states with notably higher operating costs. New York, Washington D.C., and Delaware also came in near the top of the list; the reasons for their high costs are harder to tease out. However, one major challenge facing SNFs is a nationwide nursing shortage. New York alone is expected to face a shortage of nearly 40,000 nurses by 2030. The cost of staffing SNFs has also increased by 20% over the last two years, up from 12% the previous year. This sharp increase may be due to staffing shortages among the many medical professionals employed by these facilities, including registered nurses, physician assistants, and physical therapists. Part-time certified nursing assistants who provide crucial services in SNFs are also experiencing high turnover rates, which may point to facilities offering too few or too many hours. Despite the financial and logistical obstacles facing SNFs, there are signs of improvement on the horizon. Government spending bumps, like those recently introduced by CMS, will help reduce the cost burden for some people seeking care and help stabilize SNF bottom lines. Occupancy rates in SNFs are also rising steadily. What's more, if the Equitable Payments for Nursing Facilities Act is passed, it could help to standardize costs across state lines. Health care researchers are also testing new ways to provide care in places lacking sufficient skilled nursing facilities. In one ongoing study, researchers from the UMass Chan Medical School are examining the feasibility and efficacy of providing at-home, post-hospital skilled nursing care to 650 patients. As the population ages, Americans will need more careand more solutions. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. This story originally appeared on Nursing Homes and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Over the past two weeks, former President Donald Trump has become increasingly explicit in describing plans to use the Department of Justice to prosecute scores of people he has declared corrupt, if he wins in November. Legal experts said Trump will face obstacles. Judges, prosecutors and juries, for example, could decline to try or convict people if there is scant evidence they committed a crime. But the experts also said the Supreme Courts recent immunity decision gives a president the power to order the attorney general to indict any individuals they wish without facing legal consequences themselves. Trump has enormous power if he really wants to do it, said Stephen Gillers, a professor at New York University Law School. There would be almost no stopping him from obtaining an indictment. Last Tuesday, Trump released a book in which he threatened to jail Mark Zuckerberg. Without citing evidence, he accused the Facebook founder of trying to sway the 2020 election and warned he would do so again in 2024. President Donald Trump and his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, in Quantico, Va., on Dec. 15, 2017. We are watching him closely, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison, Trump said, as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election. At a Saturday rally, Trump vowed to crack down on corruption in health agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, again without citing evidence. In a social media post afterward, he threatened to carry out election fraud prosecutions against election clerks, campaign donors and others. WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences, Trump wrote. Please beware that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials." Last month, after the Democratic National Convention, Trump reposted artificial intelligence-generated images of his enemies including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates in orange jumpsuits with the caption: HOW TO ACTUALLY FIX THE SYSTEM. Trump has also reposted a photo of special counsel Jack Smith with the statement, He should be prosecuted for election interference & prosecutorial misconduct. And over the summer, Trump posted photos of former President Barack Obama and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney with text calling for their prosecution at public military tribunals. Flouting a 50-year-old norm Since the Watergate scandal which included a criminal conviction of President Richard Nixons former attorney general the Justice Department has maintained a tradition of acting independently from the president when it comes to specific criminal investigations. To prevent even the appearance of partisan influence over the departments activities, the Justice Department makes its own decisions about individual criminal targets based on an elaborate set of rules. The attorney general takes policy direction from the White House, but for the last 50 years, any effort by the White House to direct a specific criminal prosecution would have been seen as a scandal, under both Democratic and Republican presidents. This post-Watergate tradition, however, is nowhere enshrined in law. There is no evidence Trump picked targets for criminal investigations during his first term as president, but he had to be talked out of firing Robert Mueller in an effort to thwart the special counsels investigation of his campaigns interactions with Russians. No law would prevent Trump from going much further in a second term, and some conservative lawyers associated with him have asserted that he could flex greater authority over his attorney generals decision making in individual cases. Jeffrey Clark during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md., on Feb. 23. One of those lawyers is Jeffrey Clark, a former DOJ official who Trump sought to install as his acting attorney general in the weeks after the 2020 election in an effort to use the department to overturn his defeat. Clark currently helps run the Center for Renewing America, a Trump-aligned organization helmed by Russ Vought, a potential chief of staff to Trump in 2025. Since leaving the Trump administration, Clark has argued that the attorney general should not be independent. All of the executive power of the federal government is conferred on the President including power over the Justice Department, Clark wrote last year. Officials subordinate to the President are vested with executive power only insofar as the President delegates such power to them. Another Trump legal ally, Mike Davis, a former aide to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and to Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, has promoted the concept that a second Trump administration should rely on an acting attorney general, not a Senate-confirmed attorney general, to act on Trumps wishes more efficiently. Trump, during his first term, said, As you know I like acting. It gives you great flexibility. Davis has also said he would rain hell on Washington, D.C., if he became attorney general and would bring indictments against President Joe Biden and members of his family, former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and George Soros, a billionaire and major Democratic donor. Davis told NBC News that he does not expect he would fill the role of acting attorney general but that another Trump ally could. He suggested that a second-term Trump DOJ could convene grand juries and seek indictments within weeks of taking office, noting that private citizens could be preparing possible referrals that the DOJ could use against people whom Trump supporters accused of waging "lawfare" against the former president. These lawfare Democrats should lawyer up and be prepared for accountability on Jan. 20 at 12:01 p.m., Davis said. Davis said that the department could seek an indictment of anyone for whom there is probable cause that they participated in a criminal conspiracy, making the case that the department under Attorney General Merrick Garlands tenure took a very aggressive, broad view with their lawfare against Trump, his allies and supporters, like those charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. These partisan Democrat plaintiffs, prosecutors, outside lawyers, court witnesses, judges and other lawfare activists in Albany, Atlanta, D.C., New York City, Palm Beach, and Phoenix should all lawyer up, Davis said. At a minimum, they are fact witnesses if not co-conspirators in this blatant criminal conspiracy. Davis said the indictment could be brought in federal court in Fort Pierce, Florida, where Trump could potentially find a more favorable jury pool, and because that is near where the FBI executed a search of Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate. Stephen Richer, a Republican who oversees elections in Maricopa County, Arizona, said he worries that Justice Department officials in a second Trump administration would retaliate against local election officials who do not substantiate Trump's fraud claims. I think that we will see potentially, professionals who are more willing to bend general rules of prosecutorial ethics or legal standards who will occupy these positions, Richer told NBC News. He said that the first Trump term showed that the path to rising in a Trump administration is to fully embrace whatever the marching orders are, even if they are contrary to law, contrary to ethics. Fear and chaos Legal experts and current and former DOJ and FBI officials said that Trumps threats appear to be part of an effort to pressure officials like secretaries of state who certify election results to back his claims. A current law enforcement official who asked not to be named said the mere threat of prosecution will have a chilling effect that could cause officials to hesitate to challenge Trumps claims of widespread fraud. They called it a form of intimidation. Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University, also said that Trump would likely have a mixed record in winning prosecutions. Most line prosecutors would recoil from prosecuting people with little evidence, he said. Career FBI and DOJ officials would likely refuse to carry out a criminal investigation or prosecution if there isnt probable cause, the senior law enforcement official said. The Justice Manual the DOJs guidebook of rules and procedures bars prosecutors and agents from carrying out unwarranted investigations. But they cautioned that theres a great deal of gray area and judgment involved in assessing evidence, particularly early in investigations. Partisan political officials could pressure career civil servants to carry out Trumps orders. They could potentially fire people who refuse to conduct investigations. Project 2025, a conservative group, has called for slashing the number of career DOJ and FBI officials and replacing them with political appointees who will carry out Trumps wishes. In the groups playbook for a second Trump DOJ, Gene Hamilton, a former DOJ lawyer under Trump and current executive director of America First Legal, wrote that the new administration must identify and address all individuals who were a part of the system that sought to prosecute Trump over the past eight years. Donald Trump, left, and Attorney General William Barr at the White House on May 22, 2019. Hamilton wrote that it must dismantle the department corruption as a means of restoring the trust of the American people. Gillers, the NYU professor, said that Trumps most powerful weapon is fear. While wealthy Americans like Zuckerberg could fight a wrongful prosecution for months, average citizens may just give up. What I see happening now is an attempt to control people Trump sees as in his way by scaring them, Gillers said. High-profile prosecutions can, like libel claims, terrorize those who dont obey. He doesnt have to win the prosecutions, only bring them. It ended with "Nomadland" and it's starting again with "Joker: Folie a Deux." After more than three years in the dark, the River Oaks Theatre is again turning on the lights. Culinary Khancepts, the Houston-based company that operates the Star Cinema Grill chain and took over the lease of the shuttered historic Art Deco theater at 2009 W. Gray in 2022, announced today that the theater will start showing movies again on Oct. 3 with "Joker: Folie a Deux," starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, as the major attraction. The tradition of midnight showings of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is also coming back, with the first screening set for Oct. 5, followed by another on Oct. 18. 12 Important Moments in River Oaks Theatre History Nov. 28, 1939: The River Oaks Theatre opens with the film "Bachelor Mother," a comedy with Ginger Rogers and David Niven. 1976: California-based Landmark Theatres takes over the lease to operate the theater. Sept. 8, 1982: A screening of the controversial Italian film "Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom" led to the arrest of the theater's manager for promoting obscene material. The manager was acquitted by a jury in 1983. January 1983: Members of the KKK and anti-Klan groups protested outside the theater during a screening of "Fire on the Water," a 1982 documentary about the conflict between white fishermen on the Gulf Coast and recently arrived Vietnamese immigrant fishermen. May 15, 1986: The theater reopens after being renovated with three screens instead of one (the balcony was turned into two auditoriums) as well as new projection equipment. December 1996: The theater is the site of the premiere of "The Evening Star," the "Terms of Endearment" sequel starring Shirley MacLaine and Bill Paxton. August 2006: After rumors of imminent closure, a protest sprung up to save theater, leading to a movement that, 15 years later, would ultimately help save the theater from being torn down or repurposed for a different type of business. March 2021: The River Oaks Theatre closes after a prolonged battle between then-landlord Weingarten Realty and then-tenant Landmark Theatres, who held the lease. August 2021: Jericho, N.Y.-based Kimco Realty buys out River Oaks Shopping Center owners Weingarten Realty, setting the stage for new negotiations regarding the River Oaks Theatre. February 2022: Houston-based Culinary Khancepts, which operates the Star Cinema Grill chain, with several locations throughout suburban Houston, announces that it's taking over the lease for the River Oaks Theatre and plans to reopen it. July 16, 2024: Culinary Khancpets announces that Robert Saucedo, a 13-year veteran of Alamo Drafthouse, is taking over as artistic director. Oct. 3, 2024: The River Oaks Theatre is set to reopen. MORE RIVER OAKS: Artistic director Robert Saucedo talks about his plans for the theater Also opening Oct. 3 in the three-screen multiplex are the indie films "In the Summers," Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio's coming-of-age story starring Residente from the Puerto Rican musical duo Calle 13 and produced by Houstonian Sergio Lira, and the South Korean thriller "Sleep," which has been a film festival favorite. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Coming up on the schedule are such special events as the 50th-anniversary showing of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (Oct. 5) and a screening of "The Herricanes" (Oct. 24), a documentary about Houston's all-female tackle football team. Cult classics are also in the spotlight, with showings set for "Fight Club" (Oct. 4), "Mulholland Drive" (Oct. 6), "10 Things I Hate About You" (Oct. 11), "Donnie Darko" (Oct. 11), "Office Space" (Oct. 18), "Eraserhead" (Oct. 20), "Amadeus" (Oct. 25) and "Halloween" (Oct. 31). Comedy will also be part of the lineup, with appearances by stand-ups Jared Goldstein (Oct. 17) and Ericka Rhodes (Oct. 18). Culinary Khancepts is trying to create a unique space in Houston that is both an arthouse and repertory theater, with the added elements of a live-performance space and food service at your seat. There is also an attached restaurant, Leo's River Oaks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Earlier in the summer, the marquee of the River Oaks was used as a way to find new employees. Cary Darling "The project holds a special place in our hearts," said Culinary Khancepts president/CEO Omar Khan in a release. "As the only Houston-owned and operated cinema chain, and with a deep connection to the city, we were uniquely positioned to preserve this historic theater. It would have been unthinkable for Houston to lose this beloved arthouse." The full schedule and tickets for all events, starting at $11, are now available at theriveroakstheatre.com. The first 800 moviegoers on Oct. 3 will receive a custom gold coin inspired by the tradition from the 1900s when theaters would give the first customer a gift of gold. The theater's marquee will be turned on tonight at 7. Culinary Khancepts extensively renovated the space, with new seats, screens, projection and sound systems in the main downstairs auditorium, which now has 243 seats, and the two upstairs auditoriums that seat 50 each. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston arthouse mainstay The River Oaks closed on March 25, 2021, following a prolonged dispute between then-landlord Weingarten Realty, which controlled the River Oaks Shopping Center of which the theater is a part, and California's Landmark Theatre chain, which operated the theater. The final film shown before the lights were turned off was the Oscar-winning "Nomadland." People gather at River Oaks Theatre on the final day of showing films Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The theater, which opened in 1939 showing the comedy "Bachelor Mother," starring Ginger Rogers and David Niven, is now the last vintage theater in Houston that will still be in use as a venue for films. It was once part of the powerful Interstate Theatre chain but by the mid-1970s had been taken over by Landmark. From the 70s through its closure, the River Oaks, along with the now defunct Greenway (also operated by Landmark), the Angelika (which became a Sundance Cinema and is now the AMC Houston 8), the Alamo Drafthouse, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Rice Cinema and 14 Pews, became prime places to catch arthouse, indie or repertory films in Houston. The theater developed a reputation for specialty programming, such as the midnight showings of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," and built a loyal following that was key to organizing the protests that arose up in the early 2000s when it seemed like the theater might have to close. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Members of the Save Our Shrine historical preservation organization gathered to take a promotional photo at the River Oaks Theatre Wednesday, August 30, 2006, in Houston. Save Our Shrine organizer Carolyn Farb, says posing for the photo was also a peaceful protest to plans to tear down the theater Nick de la Torre/HOUSTON CHRONICLE Tension between Landmark and Weingarten Realty over the details of its lease renewal hung like a cloud over the theater's future in recent years. In 2018, there was even talk of Amazon taking over the theater. Everything came to a head in 2021 when an agreement couldn't be reached between Weingarten and Landmark, forcing the River Oaks to shut down. The closing sparked outrage among film and architecture fans in Houston and led to the founding of the nonprofit Friends of the River Oaks Theatre, a group dedicated to saving the theater that included Houston-born directors Richard Linklater and Wes Anderson as well as rapper Bun B among its ranks. DINNER AND A MOVIE: Ranking seven of Houston's top seven dine-in, luxury movie theaters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What a great day for the city of Houston, then-Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a news conference at the time. The River Oaks Theater is open again and will be preserved for future generations. In July, Culinary Khancepts announced that the theater's artistic director would be Robert Saucedo, a 13-year veteran of the Alamo Drafthouse chain. Through the renovations, the name of the River Oaks Theatre remained part of the public conversation through the efforts of Friends of the River Oaks Theatre, which sponsored screenings of classic and cult movies at various venues around town over the past three years. In July, the theater, though still undergoing construction, was the site of a tribute to Linklater. Attendees mill around the entrance after the light came back on during the marquee re-lighting of the River Oaks Theater Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Houston. The marquee has been dark since 2021. Michael Wyke/Contributor David Purdie, left, and Zoe Wallace, right, hug and raise their arms as the lights pop on during the marquee re-lighting of the River Oaks Theater Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Houston. The marquee has been dark since 2021. Michael Wyke/Contributor Robert Saucedo, artistic director, speaks with the press after the lights are turned on during the marquee re-lighting of the River Oaks Theater Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Houston. The marquee has been dark since 2021. Michael Wyke/Contributor Matt Calkins, general manager, hangs letters as he puts up a sign message before the start of the marquee re-lighting of the River Oaks Theater Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Houston. The marquee has been dark since 2021. Michael Wyke/Contributor Matt Calkins, general manager, steps around letters as he organizes the sign message before the start of the marquee re-lighting of the River Oaks Theater Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Houston. The marquee has been dark since 2021. Michael Wyke/Contributor Jeet Singh and Rubi Morgan take a selfie with the River Oaks Theatre marquee after watching "Minari" on the second last day of the theater Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. The pair was going to buy tickets of the last screening of the theater, but the show was sold out so they picked the second last day. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer River Oaks Theatre, exterior, Houston, circa 1950s. Bob Bailey Studios/Collection of Lovita Irby Fans and patrons of the Landmark River Oaks Theatre demonstrate against the potential closure of the historic movie on March 7, 2021. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Omar Khan, president and CEO of Star Cinema Grill, addresses attendees of a press conference at the River Oaks Theater in Houston on Feb. 2, 2022. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer People gather at a candle light vigil for River Oaks Theatre after its final showings March 25, 2021. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Marco Ruiz searches for photographs of the James Bond series at the Friends of the River Oaks Theatre, the non-profit established to help save the shuttered River Oaks Theater from demolition, fundraiser event on June 11, 2023, in Houston. The group was selling the old theater seats as well as photos from many major movies. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Dressed in a vintage usher costume, Kristinn Hanka of J&D Entertainment holds popcorn for the press conference announcing the future of River Oaks Theater in Houston on Feb. 2, 2022. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Volunteer Sarah Gish cleans a seat from the shuttered River Oaks Theater to get these theater seats to be sold at the Friends of the River Oaks Theatre, the non-profit established to help save the theater building from demolition, fundraiser Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Houston. The group was selling the old theater seats as well as photos from many major movies. About 400 seats were listed for sale. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Branch Sheppard, left, looks on as Richard Linklater signs his movie poster at the hard hat tour and toast to Richard Linklater at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor River Oaks Theatre Artistic Director Robert Saucedo poses for a photograph outside the theater. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Mayor Sylvester Turner in the crowd during the hard hat tour and toast to Richard Linklater at River Oaks Theater on May 18, 2024. Gary Fountain/Contributor Cars drive by as media and attendees gather around the River Oaks Theater during a press conference announcing the small movie theater reopening in Houston on Feb. 2, 2022. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer River Oaks Theatre under renovation, November 2023 Cary Darling Joaquin Phoenix, left, and Lady Gaga in a scene from "Joker: Folie a Deux," one of the films on the schedule for the reopening of the River Oaks Theatre. Niko Tavernise/Associated Press The familiar sign shines again during the marquee re-lighting of the River Oaks Theater Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Houston. The marquee has been dark since 2021. Michael Wyke/Contributor From LA to NYC, old theaters are new again The restoration of the River Oaks Theatre is part of a notable trend of vintage movie theaters finding new life as places to see films again instead of being converted into some other use or, worse, facing the wrecking ball. In Los Angeles, Quentin Tarantino purchased the Vista on Sunset Boulevard and the New Beverly Cinema in the Fairfax district, while a superstar directorial consortium, including Jason Reitman, Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Guillermo Del Toro, and JJ Abrams, has purchased the Bruin theater in Westwood near UCLA. Advertisement Article continues below this ad BEFORE THE OPENING: First look at River Oaks Theatre during Richard Linklater gala Across town, Netflix now operates the Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, the Bay Theater in Pacific Palisades, Calif., and the Paris Theater in New York City. Meanwhile, director Kevin Smith bought the theater he used to frequent as a kid in Atlantic Highlands, N.J., and reopened it as SModcastle Cinemas. A worker installs lettering for the original 'Ghostbusters' film on the marquee of the historic Vista Theatre, which opened in 1923 and was restored by owner Quentin Tarantino, on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, Calif Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images/Getty Images U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, presents a global update on human rights in the world, during the opening of the 57th session of the Human Rights Council at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) GENEVA (AP) The U.N. human rights chief on Monday urged voters to be wary of strongman politicians and personalities "that throw glitter in our eyes as more elections loom in a busy electoral calendar this year. Volker Turk didn't mention leaders or countries by name, but alluded to a schedule that includes votes to come in countries like Georgia, Tunisia and the United States. Turk spoke in his traditional opening remarks to sessions of the Human Rights Council, which typically list a wide array of rights concerns globally. The 47-country body whose membership changes each year was opening a five-week autumn session. I urge voters to ask themselves which of the political platforms or candidates will work for the human rights of everyone, he said. And I urge all voters to be vigilant. Be wary of the shrill voices, the strongman types that throw glitter in our eyes, offering illusory solutions that deny reality. He denounced some politicians who scapegoat migrants, refugees and minorities around electoral periods in places like France, Germany, Hungary, the United Kingdom and the U.S. High in his mind were the spillover of conflicts on civilians. He warned of cycles of hatred that could continue in the Middle East after the horrific Oct. 7 attacks in Israel in which 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed. More than 40,000 Palestinian have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't differentiate between fighters and civilians in its count. Ukrainian civilians were trapped in cycles of terror because of repeated military strikes by Russian forces in Ukraine, Turk said. He also lamented that Russia has declined to grant access to his team to look into the rights situation in its southwestern Kursk region which Ukrainian forces recently invaded. "Troubled by the impact of recent escalations on civilians, including in Kursk, my office has pursued access to all affected areas to be able to monitor the human rights situation. I regret the Russian Federation has so far declined to grant such access to relevant areas, he said. The rights chief spoke of a humanitarian crisis amid conflict in Sudan and cited estimates that at least 20,000 people have been killed, saying: The world cannot let this continue. The Austrian-born U.N. veteran contrasted both hopeful and worrying developments. He noted a positive trend toward the abolition of the death penalty worldwide, but a rise in executions in Iran and Saudi Arabia. He hailed a shift toward decriminalization of same-sex relations in many places, but decried a spate of laws that aimed to penalize them in countries like Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq and Uganda. Turk blasted attempts to muzzle freedoms of expression and assembly and a free press, pointing to detentions of journalists in Azerbaijan which hosts a U.N. climate conference in November arrests of opposition leaders in Tunisia, and undue restrictions on civic space in China, among others. Also Monday, the rights council was taking up discussions on rights situations in Afghanistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. This year's council president Omar Zniber, Morocco's ambassador in Geneva cautioned that a U.N. liquidity crisis has crimped some council activities. He cited a 60% budget shortfall for the United Nations as of July, saying that automatically has an impact on all the organization's activities. The U.N. had a $3.6 billion budget for 2024 approved last year. For example, Zniber said that council staffers had to appeal for funding to allow for an extra two days of operation in this session allowing it to run until Oct. 11 instead of Oct. 9 and said that 17 council activities had to be postponed during its June session. So we can only say that, indeed, the (council) activities suffer from this lack of liquidity," he told reporters Wednesday before the session. Council sessions at the U.N. Geneva complex incur costs like security, facilities management and interpretation. By Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. prosecutors unveiled criminal charges on Monday against two alleged leaders of a white supremacist gang, saying they used the Telegram social media site to solicit attacks on Black, Jewish, LGBTQ people and immigrants aiming to incite a race war. The group, dubbed "The Terrorgram Collective", used the site to celebrate white supremacist attacks around the world and solicit racially motivated violence, prosecutors said in an indictment unsealed in federal court in Sacramento, California. Dallas Humber, 34, of Elk Grove, California, and Matthew Allison, 37, of Boise, Idaho, each face 15 criminal counts, including soliciting hate crimes and conspiring to provide material support to terrorism. The two were in custody, officials said; it was not immediately clear if they had lawyers. The most serious charges carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. The group's targets also included U.S. government officials and critical infrastructure sites, with an overall goal of causing societal collapse in the United States, U.S. Justice Department officials said during an online news conference. "This indictment reflects the department's response to the new technological face of white supremacist violence as those seeking mass violence expand their reach online to encourage, solicit and facilitate terrorist activities." said Kristen Clarke, the head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Humber and Allison helped create and promote a document that sought to justify the group's ideology and included detailed instructions on carrying out terror attacks, including how to build bombs, according to the indictment. The pair also collaborated on a list of "high-value" targets for assassination that included a sitting U.S. senator and a federal judge who were viewed as enemies of the white supremacist cause, prosecutors alleged. Humber and Allison became leaders of the group in 2022, helping oversee a network of Telegram channels and group chats that offered support for users to commit white supremacist violence, according to the indictment. The messaging app has been under scrutiny after its founder, Russian-born Pavel Durov, was detained in France last month as part of an investigation related to child pornography, drug trafficking and fraudulent transactions associated with the app. Durov, who has since been released, condemned the decision to detain him, which touched off a renewed debate about free speech and the culpability of social media executives for content on their platforms. Durov has vowed to tackle criticism of the app's moderation policies. A Telegram spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment on the indictment. (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Stephen Coates) Inside a highly classified facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee the same facility that enriched uranium for the first atomic bomb in the era of the Manhattan Project workers are turning old, unexploded warheads into fuel that will power cities. The recipe to create advanced reactor fuel involves melting weapons-grade uranium with low-enriched uranium in a crucible a massive, metal cauldron heated to around 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit to turn its contents into molten soup. Emerging from its furnace, a glowing orange cast filled with the hot liquid uranium is slowly lowered into a cooling chamber. The hardened finished product, which looks like black charcoal, can be safely held in-hand. This fuel is set to power the next generation of Americas nuclear reactors small, modular power stations that are easier and cheaper to build. They require far less upkeep and physical space than the aging fleet of large nuclear power plants. HALEU is canned at a secure federal facility in Oak Ridge, Tenneseee. - National Nuclear Security Administration One downside? They also require a more-enriched and energy-dense uranium. Until last year, the United States got the vast majority of its enriched uranium from Russia. A bipartisan law passed after Russias invasion of Ukraine put a stop to that. Now, scientists and companies are racing to produce it at home. Downblending old weapons from the nuclear arsenal is not the only way to make this fuel, known as high assay low-enriched uranium or HALEU for short. A couple of facilities around the country are also making it, and they are expected to produce most of the fuel in the long run. The federal government is expected to award over $2 billion in the coming months to uranium enrichment companies to help kickstart the supply chain. In the meantime, the feds are doing a couch cushion exercise, scouring high and low for suitable nuclear fuel that might have slipped through the cracks, said Michael Goff, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Energy Departments Office of Nuclear Energy. In addition to the US nuclear stockpile, the Idaho National Laboratory is also downblending part of its collection of fuel from research reactors. That the US is looking to its own arsenal for nuclear fuel speaks to how much of a scramble there is to get new-age reactors off the ground like TerraPower, the Bill Gates-backed project in Wyoming that recently broke ground. Projects like TerraPower are awaiting the fuel shipments, anxious they may run out of time. The company was set to get its first fuel shipments from Russia the worlds only commercial HALEU supplier. That changed after the war in Ukraine. We are getting to the point where we need to see more urgency from the government, said Jeff Navin, TerraPowers director of external affairs. Theres a huge national interest to move quickly. We dont fully understand why that same sense of urgency hasnt gotten to the Department of Energy in getting this material out. Bill Gates at the groundbreaking for TerraPower's nuclear power plant near Kemmerer, Wyoming, in June. - Benjamin Rasmussen/The New York Times/Redux Bottom line, the amount of HALEU the US can get from its nuclear weapon stockpile is relatively small. Its going to need a bigger production line. The long-term solution is we have to have enrichment, said Jeff Chamberlin, the acting principal assistant deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation. Even if we down-blended all that material tomorrow, we couldnt supply the demonstration needs of all the advanced reactor companies the US has stated right now. Why the US needs special nuclear fuel The United States currently gets about 20% of its power from nuclear. Inside the US Energy Department, theres high interest to increase that percentage in the coming years because nuclear energy is reliable and doesnt produce climate pollution. We need some firm, clean baseload electricity nuclear provides that, said Goff. In order to meet our energy security needs and our climate goals, we do need significantly more nuclear energy deployed. The nuclear power industry is increasingly looking to smaller reactors, which run on HALEU. These reactors can last longer than conventional ones and fit into smaller spaces making them more versatile and easier to set up. The uranium for conventional reactors is enriched up to 5% and HALEU is uranium enriched between 5-20%. Highly enriched uranium is anything more than 20% and is used in weapons or naval submarines. In other words, if conventional reactor uranium is Miller Lite, and highly enriched uranium is Everclear grain alcohol, HALEU is the nice cool glass of Belgian beer that strikes the balance between two extremes, said Dan Leistikow, vice president of corporate communications at US-based uranium enrichment company Centrus Energy. You can get more energy in smaller spaces, said Josh Jarrell, director of the Idaho National Laboratories fuel cycle science and technology division. You can be more energy dense, you can make more effective fuel, theoretically, we could generate electricity more economically. Centrus is one of two enrichment companies in the US working to break America of its dependence on Russia, which supplies the vast amount of the worlds enriched uranium. Congress recently passed an import ban on Russian uranium, leading to a supply squeeze both for HALEU and fuel for conventional reactors. Idaho National Labs is also working to convert warhead uranium into reactor fuel. - Idaho National Labs After a lack of investment over decades, Centrus is aiming to restore a domestic enrichment capability with US technology to meet the demand for the countrys electricity and for its national security, Leistikow told CNN. It will take years to get there. The Energy Department estimates the advanced nuclear industry will need 40 tons of HALEU by 2030. Centrus is seeking funding from DOE to expand its operations, but it can currently enrich a little less than 1 ton per year. What will the countrys leftover nuclear arsenal contribute? Six tons by 2027. TerraPowers Navin said six tons is a great start, but far from enough for his companys first core load, let alone other advanced nuclear projects in the US. Exactly how much highly enriched uranium the US has is a classified secret, and there are a lot of interests competing for it, from national security to research nuclear reactors. But Congress recently directed the NNSA and Energy Department to prioritize converting Americas old nuclear arsenal for advanced reactor fuel. Within their possession, they have more than enough (highly enriched uranium) to make many, many, many tons of HALEU, Navin said. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By David Shepardson and Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Monday to bar new drones from Chinese drone manufacturer DJI from operating in the United States, one of a series of measures aimed at China that lawmakers are considering this week. The bill, which still needs to be approved by the U.S. Senate before it could become law, would prohibit the company's products from operating on U.S. communications infrastructure. It would not prevent existing DJI drones from operating in the United States. Lawmakers have repeatedly raised concerns that DJI drones pose national security risks, something the company rejects. "With this action, Congress will ensure that future versions of DJI drones cannot be imported, marketed or sold in the United States," said Representative Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee. DJI, which sells more than half of all drones in the United States, opposes the bill that it said "restricts the ability of U.S. drone operators to buy and use the right equipment for their work, solely on the basis of the equipment's country of origin." Congress has repeatedly voted to impose new restrictions on Chinese technology and in April voted to require China's ByteDance to divest to sell its TikTok U.S. assets by Jan. 19. Another bill approved Monday would bar the Homeland Security Department from buying batteries from six Chinese companies including CATL. Another bill passed seeks to deter China from invading or imposing a blockade of Taiwan, including one that would publish the assets of top Chinese leaders and cut them and family members off from the U.S. financial system if Beijing took action against Taiwan. The U.S. House is also expected to vote later this week on tightening rules barring U.S. electric vehicles tax credits with Chinese content. In January, new rules took effect limiting Chinese content in batteries eligible for EV tax credits. The House bill would make those limits more stringent. With less than two months before the 2024 presidential and congressional elections, it is not clear if any China legislation will become law this year. (Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Chris Reese) Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez landed in Madrid on Sunday afternoon, Spain said, after fleeing his home country with an arrest warrant accusing him of terrorism, conspiracy and other crimes related to Julys disputed presidential election. Gonzalez, his wife and Spanish officials landed at the Torrejon de Ardoz military air base, according to a statement from Spains Foreign Ministry. He is now seeking asylum in Spain, CNN understands. Gonzalez said Sunday his departure from the country came despite coercion and threats that he would not be allowed to leave though he did not make explicit who had made those threats. In an audio note shared with CNN en Espanol by his press team, Gonzalez said he trusts that very soon, we will continue the fight for freedom and democracy in Venezuela, and thanked his followers for their messages of solidarity. He said later that he had decided to leave thinking of Venezuela and that our destiny as a country cannot, should not be, one of a conflict of pain and suffering. He also thanked the Spanish government for granting him protection and called for continued political dialogue within Venezuela. Venezuelas Attorney General Tarek William Saab told CNN on Sunday that authorities will close the case against Gonzalez after his departure. We, along with Edmundo Gonzalezs lawyer in the upcoming days will establish the form, time and place to judicially close that case, he said. Venezuela has been in a state of crisis since the poll, in which authoritarian incumbent Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner by the countrys electoral authority a body stacked with his allies with 51% of the vote. But tens of thousands of tallies published by the opposition showed a convincing win for Gonzalez. Venezuelas opposition and multiple Latin American leaders refused to recognize Maduros victory, which sparked deadly protests during which thousands were arrested. In a statement on Sunday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Gonzalezs departure was the direct result of the anti-democratic measures. The election results and the will of the people cannot be merely swept aside by Maduro and the Venezuelan electoral authorities. We stand with Gonzalez Urrutia in his call to continue the struggle for liberty and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela, Blinken said. A day earlier, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said in a statement that Gonzalez has left the country and requested political asylum from Spain. She added that Gonzalez had been staying at Spains embassy in the capital Caracas, as a voluntary refugee, and that Venezuela allowed him to leave for the sake of the tranquility and political peace of the country. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Gonzalez was at his own request flying to Spain on a Spanish Air Force plane. The government of Spain is committed to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans, he wrote on X. The ministers office would not give further details on how long Gonzalez had been in the Spanish embassy. However, the foreign ministry of the Netherlands said Sunday that prior to his stay in the Spanish Embassy, Gonzalez had spent weeks in the Dutch embassy in Caracas, moving in a day after the July 28 election and staying there until early September. At (Gonzalezs) urgent request, the day after the elections, I decided to give him hospitality at the state residence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Caracas for as long as necessary, the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp said in a statement. Veldkamp said that in early September, Gonzalez announced his intention to leave both the Dutch embassy and Venezuela to continue his fight from Spain. The EUs top diplomat Josep Borrell said Gonzalez was at the residence of the Netherlands in Caracas until September 5. The Dutch foreign minister said he stressed to Gonzalez the importance of the oppositions work and the transition to democracy but despite everything, he expressed his desire to leave and continue his fight from Spain. Threat to life Gonzalezs lawyer Jose Vicente Haro has previously told CNN his client had not sought refuge in an embassy. However, he told CNNE on Sunday that due to his clients need to defend his life and personal safety Gonzalez had taken different decisions from what he had originally wished for. Haro said the decision to leave Venezuela was reached only late on Friday evening and followed privileged and confidential information about potential danger to his life. The lawyer said Gonzalez only had two options: prison unjustly for crimes he didnt commit or preserve his life and abandon the country. Asked why Gonzalez chose Spain, Haro said he assumes its because one of Gonzalezs daughters lives there. His daughter was seen Sunday outside the Torrejon de Ardoz military air base in Madrid, after Gonzalez and his wife arrived on a Spanish military plane. The lawyer said the situation outside Argentinas embassy wasnt a major factor in Gonzalezs decision to seek asylum, but it was something Gonzalez considered. On Friday, Venezuelan security forces surrounded the Argentine embassy in Caracas after two opposition members took refuge inside, joining four others who took refuge there earlier this year. Many aspects were taken into account, if we had a siege situation in the Argentine embassy, we could have a situation in any embassy accredited in Venezuela, Haro said. Forced into exile The Organization of American States (OAS) said Sunday that Gonzalez had effectively been forced into exile after an arrest warrant was issued by Venezuela Prosecutors Office last Monday. The Prosecutors Office had accused him of crimes associated with terrorism in relation to the disputed election and said he had failed to respond to three summons regarding its investigation into an opposition website that posted results from the contested vote. When asked about the coercion and threats that Gonzalez said led to his decision to request asylum in Spain, Venezuelas Attorney General said on Sunday that the pressure and threats came from opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Gonzalez was the victim of pressure from his party that forced him to make decisions, he said. There is an absolute fracture in that extremist opposition. CNN has reached out to Machado for comment. Though the Venezuelan government says it allowed Gonzalez to leave, it has not explained why it granted safe passage to a citizen wanted by the justice system, other than saying it was for the sake of political peace. The Maduro government has granted similar safe passages to opposition leaders in the past, with critics accusing it of silencing the opposition through enforced absence. The OAS said Gonzalez only did what was required by the Venezuelan governments actions. The (Maduro) regime has not only failed to produce the slightest evidence of an electoral result but has forced into exile the candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, the OAS said in a statement. The United States has pressured the Venezuelan government to release specific data regarding its presidential election, citing concerns about the credibility of Maduros claimed victory. It has also seized one of Maduros planes, saying it was bought in violation of US sanctions. Opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa posted on his X account that, though Gonzalez had left, the opposition must continue fighting to ensure that their claimed election win is respected. The important thing is that he was elected, that his election was proven and that popular sovereignty must be respected, he said. CNNs Abel Alvarado and Philip Wang contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Extreme heat is being replaced with a refreshing taste of fall for many in the western United States. However, the change in the weather pattern won't come without challenges including increased risks of fire danger and flooding. During the first week of September, the weather across much of the West felt more like a continuation of August rather than the start to meteorological autumn. It was a steamy start to September in the Northwest; temperatures in Seattle, for example, soared 4.5 F above the historical average, peaking at 90 F, the hottest it has been since July 9. Even the milder climates, like Central California, were battling the heat. High temperatures in Fresno, California, were above 100 every day but one, averaging 6.9 F degrees above the early-September norm. AccuWeather forecasters say that the pattern change will not only wipe away the heat but also bring the return of some much-needed precipitation. "A big dip in the jet stream along the Pacific coast brought in much cooler air to the Northwest, while others farther south will experience a significant drop in temperature as well," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr. High temperatures in places like Sacramento and Fresno, California, have dropped as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit into midweek, with more downturn coming. This bulge southward in the jet stream is expected to push inland as the week progresses, bringing the cooler conditions across the interior West and shifting the core of the heat out into the Plains. "Wednesday will be a very different day than the Northwest has seen in a while, with temperatures that will run 15-20 degrees below historical averages," said Zehr. The last time places like Portland, Oregon, were in the 60s was Aug. 23, and before that mid-June. Temperatures are expected to rebound some for the remainder of the week, with most locations likely to see temperatures at or slightly below historical averages into the coming weekend. With this refreshing push of cool air, windy conditions will overspread much of the interior West, renewing the fire risk. Gusty winds, combined with the low humidity and already dry vegetation will make it easy for any spark to quickly swell into a wildfire into Wednesday. The cool, moist air should bring the wildfire risk back down. The dip in the jet stream will also open the door for a storm to move inland over the Northwest into midweek, adding a noticeably different weather pattern. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP "Rain will spread into the Northwest coast with rainy weather throughout Wednesday. Some showers linger on Thursday, though the center of the storm moves across the northern Rockies," Zehr said. Widespread rainfall amounts of 0.10-0.20 of an inch are expected from far-Northern California to coastal British Columbia, on east to central Montana and Wyoming. The heaviest rain is likely to concentrate from the Cascades of Washington and Oregon and then west to the coast, as well as in the highest elevations of Idaho and western Montana. In both locations, rainfall could total more like 1.00-1.50 inches. "Given how dry it is, and how dry it has been, areas across the Northwest may be more susceptible to flooding issues, even with lower rainfall totals," warned Zehr. It's normal for parts of the West to experience drier weather during the summer, often referred to as the "dry season." However, this past summer has been even drier than the historical average, leaving many locations with dry conditions. Every state from the Rockies on westward has more than 50% of the state as abnormally dry, and some with larger pockets of moderate or severe drought, especially in the Northwest. Temperatures are expected to be above average for most of autumn, which may continue to fuel the ongoing drought, according to AccuWeather long-range experts. As the pattern continues to evolve, a last pulse of the North American monsoon is forecast to occur this weekend to early next week with some boost from tropical moisture. Some of the downpours and thunderstorms over the interior Southwest can be robust to the point of producing flash flooding and strong wind gusts. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 9: White House national security communications adviser John Kirby speaks during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on September 9, 2024 in Washington, DC. Kirby defended the Biden Administration after House Republicans released a report criticizing the administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden has not talked with the family of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, the dual U.S.-Turkish citizen who was killed by Israeli troops in the West Bank last week, the White House said Monday. White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby said Monday that Biden has not spoken to the family as of yet. We don't have a call to talk about today, Kirby said at Mondays White House press briefing. Obviously, we mourn with her family, of course. Eygi, 26, was taking part in a protest against the expansion of Israeli-occupied settlements in the West Bank when she was shot in the head by Israeli troops and died of her wounds on Friday. More: President Biden sanctions West Bank settlers in a rebuke of Israeli violence While Biden nor Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has issued a statement on Eygis death, the Biden administration on Friday did offer condolences to her family and called for an investigation. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Friday that the administration is urgently gathering more information about the circumstances of her death, and will have more to say as we learn more." The administration faced criticism from the Uncommitted National Movement, a progressive organization seeking an end to U.S. military support of Israel, after Biden and Harris expressed swift outrage over the deaths of Americans kidnapped by Hamas, but have not spoken out about Eygys death, while maintaining silence over Eygi. While Biden and Harris express deep outrage over Americans held in Gaza, their response is disturbingly muted when Palestinians, and even American citizens, are killed by Israels military, the organization said in a statement on Friday. This imbalance in outrage reflects a deeper injustice in U.S. policy that devalues Palestinian lives and those who stand in solidarity with them. The killing of American citizen Aysenur Eygi by the Israeli military in the West Bank reveals the deadly consequences of U.S. weapons funding for Israels far-right government. Uncommitted National Movement (@uncommittedmvmt) September 7, 2024 The group also called for the United States to stop supplying weapons to Israel and for the Justice Department to investigate Eygis death. Kirby on Monday said Israeli officials reached out to the Biden administration to emphasize theyre promptly investigating the shooting and are moving swiftly to present findings and conclusions. We'll obviously hold our judgment until we see that, Kirby said. Weve called for a complete, thorough, swift and transparent investigation. Well see what they learn. Contributing: Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden has not called family of American citizen killed in West Bank Economists are warning that Europe's aging population could drive a slowdown in growth on the continent. Janina Steinmetz/Getty Images The global population is getting older. The trend will lead to lower returns, earnings growth, and valuations, JPMorgan strategists say. If the share of people over 65 increases 1%, returns will decline 0.92%, they estimate. The aging of the world population is expected to accelerate in the coming decades, which will likely produce bad outcomes for the stock market, JPMorgan strategists say. The strategists say that historically, an older population has led to declining returns, lower earnings growth, and weaker valuations. Over a 10-year period, a 1% increase in the number of people over 65 is correlated with a 0.92% decline in annual stock returns, the strategists calculated in a report released last week. They point mainly to slower growth and falling valuations. With an older investor base looking to save for retirement, investment capital declines, leading to less innovation. That, plus slower growth in the workforce, will have a negative impact on earnings growth, the strategists say. "Domestic population aging may reduce earnings growth for several reasons. It leads to slower workforce growth, reducing domestic economic growth. There is also evidence that aging can reduce innovation and productivity growth," the strategists said. That's especially true for companies that derive revenue from international operations, the strategists say. "For companies that derive more of their revenue from abroad, like multinationals, global population aging (in a GDP-weighted sense) is likely to be more consequential for earnings growth than local population aging," the strategists wrote. That means equity market indexes with small and mid-caps will likely see more impact from local population aging than those with exclusively large caps. Valuations will also take a hit, the strategists said. As the elderly empty their retirement funds, national savings decline, thus raising bond yields. Older populations also pull out of the market at higher rates, driving down stock prices. Those trends, plus lower earnings growth expectations, justify lower valuations, the strategists say. The strategists say there's one bright spot, though. That's healthcare, which older populations tend to spend more on. "We find a clear positive relationship between aging and excess returns on the sector, driven entirely by faster earnings growth," the strategists said. A 1% increase in the population share of those over 65 will lead to a 0.85% increase in health care returns over a 10-year period, the strategists say. The strategists note, too, that the populating aging trend won't impact countries equally. In China, the elderly share of the population is set to increase by seven percentage points in the next decade. The US, meanwhile, will see a more moderate rise from 18.1% to 21.5%. Past reports have also warned of the aging population's impact on the economy. Earlier this year, Barclays economist Jonathan Millar said boomers, a historically large generation, are approaching "peak burden" on the US economy in the next few years. Meanwhile, a larger share of people over 55% owning stocks in the US may be a downside risk to the market, as older investors often don't have the luxury of holding through a downturn and could exacerbate volatility by selling during market pullbacks. Read the original article on Business Insider Once again, there is a light over at the Frankenstein place. "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is returning to the renovated River Oaks Theatre on Oct. 5 for midnight screenings with a live cast. Another screening is set for Oct. 18, with more to follow. The theater is set to officially reopen Oct. 3 with the films "Joker: Folie a Deux," "In Summers" and "Sleep." 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' When: Midnight, Oct. 5 and Oct. 18 Where: River Oaks Theatre, 2009 W. Gray Details: $20; theriveroakstheatre.com How could we not bring 'Rocky' back? asks River Oaks Theatre artistic director Robert Saucedo. Its such an important part of history. Its one of the top requests weve had. Were lucky to have so many great shadow cast troupes to work with. "Rocky" has been a part of the River Oaks Theatre's programming off and on since 1992. Cinephiles, queer folks and people who just like to yell at the screen have made it a home for two generations. The film itself, written and scored by Richard OBrien and starring Tim Curry, is a musical parody of classic science fiction and horror drive-in movies with an LGBT twist. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE RIVER OAKS: River Oaks Theatre artistic director Robert Saucedo talks about his plans for the theater. In the 1970s, the film became a cult classic at midnight screenings where people would dress up as characters, talk back to the screen and dance in the aisles. Since then, its become a codified form of unique performance art practiced across the world. If COVID showed us anything, its that people miss and love communal experiences, says Saucedo. 'Rocky' was one of the first cinematic versions of those. Live mockings and movie parties, 'Rocky' was there first. Over the course of the last 49 years, it has evolved with audiences. RIVER OAKS REOPENING: Here are some of the other films that the revived River Oaks Theater is going to be showing. Not only is "Rocky" part of the history of the venerable theater, it helped save it from the wrecking ball. Kyle Vaughn is the cast director of the Royal Mystic Order of CHAOS, the last cast to perform at the theater before it closed in 2021. Vaughn fell passionately in love with the old Art Deco theater, charmed by its odd combination of 1930s glitz and aging grime. When the theater was in danger, he helped organize the resistance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We organized the first protests for the theater, and those evolved into the Friends of the River Oaks nonprofit, says Vaughn. In a way, 'Rocky Horror' saved the space. Were all immensely, crazy proud of that. It is bedlam at a Royal Mystic Order of CHAOS screening of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' Courtesy Kyle Vaughan Vaughn has been performing with CHAOS since 2017, mostly as the zombie delivery boy Eddie played by Meat Loaf in the film. Hes deeply impressed with the redesign of the theater. The stage in front of the main screen downstairs has been rebuilt and expanded, allowing for a wider range of live events beyond "Rocky Horror." The cast also has greater access to backstage areas. Meanwhile, the seats have been updated to recliners, cutting the capacity but improving the quality of the experience. Saucedo has already promised to use the River Oaks for a variety of programming. We want to ride and keep some of that energy in mind, says Vaughn. Weve learned how to mobilize a lot of people, especially queer youth. We want to continue that. Its been nice to see the good guys win. Advertisement Article continues below this ad CHAOS will alternate shows with another troupe, the Sisterhood of Lili St. Cyr. The new group is helmed by burlesque dancer Ghoulia Child, who has performed "Rocky" before at a variety of venues, including Numbers nightclub. She first saw the show herself with her mom at the age of 13 in 2009, later joining CHAOS playing Susan Sarandons character, Janet, as well as singing the opening song, Science Fiction Double Feature. Saucedo was deeply impressed with Childs pitch to perform. She showed up to her interview with budgets, prop mock-ups, and a full-on business plan. The Sisterhood is a rarity in the long history of "Rocky" casts in that her performers will be paid for their performances. Im a full-time performer, and I recognize my whole cast is putting in work, says Child. Its important to me to honor that. Artists deserve to get paid. Im very proud that we are one of the few casts that have paid their people from the very beginning. The goal is to have the two casts alternate monthly or bimonthly shows, sharing large props and space. This is a far cry from the 1990s, when "Rocky' ran Friday and Saturdays every week, but Vaughn and Child both believe that this will cut down on audience and cast burnout. Rocky' is a huge undertaking for any group, and doing it monthly is quite a feat, says Child. I think well have time to do bigger and better versions of our shows. We want to make every show memorable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They could hardly have found a better champion in Saucedo. As program director of the Alamo Drafthouse in Houston, Saucedo brought a variety of events with live components to the cinema. He plans to expand that at River Oaks, booking bands, burlesque, Q&As and more. Child will be part of those as well. She is helming a new series called Sinematic that will pair live burlesque with showgirl movies such as "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." The similarity to "Rocky" is obvious. After years in the dark, "Rocky" is coming back and changing the landscape of Houston movie theaters again. What was once a dying fandom looks more alive than ever. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Indigenous Australian ICT and cyber security provider Baidam has teamed up with Infoblox, a global cloud networking and security services provider, in a joint effort to take down fake websites and scam domains using the Domain Name System (DNS). The venture, named Baidam Takedown Services, will track and remove stolen proprietary information from online forums or fraudulent hosts, including credentials, personally identifiable information and credit card data. It will operate outside Baidams Gundan Security Operations Centre in Brisbane, Queensland. Some construction workers have had their salaries cut by half by recruitment agencies. Local union also blames a property market downturn for the suspension of a scheme that brought in almost 10,000 non-local workers. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) Hong Kong authorities blocked a scheme involving mainland Chinese workers after more than 120 migrants reported being cheated out of their wages. The union representing construction workers, the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union (HKCIEGU), welcomed the decision at a press conference held last week to illustrate the abuses suffered by migrant workers. The union explained that Chinese agents who recruit staff for construction sites have defrauded and intimidated workers. More reports were coming in after we held the press conference," said the union's vice president, Chiu Kin-keung, speaking to the Hong Kong Free Press. If they were not feeling very desperate, these workers would not have come to us. They are very scared as they are not familiar with Hong Kongs institutions and regulations, he explained, adding that the complaints received are only the tip of the iceberg". Workers reported, for example, that they had to hand over their ATM cards and had half of their wages subtracted. Three months after the agent withdrew part of their wage, the agent asked all workers to sign a paper confirming all wages had been well received. Some workers refused to sign and the agent threaten to fire them, the union said during the press conference. Other workers said they were forced to pay additional costs for training or work extra days without pay. Workers who were fired were sent back to mainland China. None of the workers who suffered abuse and threats were present at the press conference to avoid reprisal. Starting last year, Hong Kong has been trying to address a growing labour shortage, expanding the sectors allowed to recruit staff from outside the territory, through the Labour Importation Scheme. Since its implementation, 9,731 nonlocal workers were employed on construction sites. In response to the complaints (which the authorities are investigating), the Hong Kong Development Bureau has rejected all 18 applications submitted to recruit another nonlocal 1,750 workers, despite the department itself setting a quota of 12,000. According to the union, however, a downturn in the property market has played a role in the suspension of the Labour Importation Scheme. From what I know, because property values are falling quite severely, some architects have been required to take unpaid leave, and some workers are underemployed, said a HKCIEGU spokesman. I wouldnt say the exploitation of non-local workers was the only reason for halting the quotas, he added. Travelling with a high-level delegation, the Iranian leader will be in Baghdad next Wednesday, followed by Erbil. A memorandum of understanding on cooperation and security will be signed. Planned for some time, the visit was postponed following the death in a helicopter crash of Pezeshkians predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi. Tehran (AsiaNews) Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has chosen Iraq for his first official trip abroad, just over two months after the election that sanctioned the victory of the candidate of the "reformist" faction. On Wednesday, Mr Pezeshkian will be in Baghdad (then in Erbil, northern Iraq) where he will meet Iraqi leaders to discuss economic and diplomatic issues (regional, etc.). This comes amid intense tensions in the Middle East linked to Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, its "northern front" against pro-Iranian Hezbollah, and attacks by Yemens Houthi militia on Red Sea shipping, with serious repercussions for international trade. Accepting the invitation of his Iraqi counterpart, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, President Pezeshkian will lead a high-level delegation for a visit that had been planned for his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The two parties are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and security, agreed to by Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last word on international affairs and foreign policy. Since taking office, Pezeshkian has vowed to "prioritise" strengthening ties with Irans neighbours. Relations between Iran and Iraq, both Shia-majority countries, have developed over the past two decades, following periods of intense tensions and a bloody war in the 1980s. Iran is one of Iraqs main trading partners and exerts considerable political influence not only in the capital, but also in other areas of the country, including the Shia-majority south, not to mention southern Lebanon, through political and armed groups. Even in Iraqs current parliament and government, some politicians and parties are virtual proxies of the Islamic Republic. In March 2023, the two countries signed a security agreement covering their common border, months after Tehran attacked several times Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq. Since then, they agreed to disarm Iranian Kurdish rebel groups and remove them from border areas. Tehran accuses exiled opposition groups of importing weapons and fomenting the 2022 protests, which erupted after the death Mahsa Amini, an Iranian Kurdish woman who died in morality police custody following her arrest for not wearing a hijab correctly. In January, Iran launched a deadly strike in northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, targeting a site used by "spies of the Zionist regime (Mossad)," an apparent reference to Israel. On Saturday, an exiled Iranian Kurdish group said one of its activists, Behzad Khosrawi, had been arrested in Iraq's northern city of Sulaymaniyah and handed over to "Iranian intelligence." Local Asayesh security forces said Khosrawi was arrested "because he did not have residency" in the Kurdish region, and denied he had any connection to "political activism. On the third stage of his apostolic journey to Asia and Oceania, Francis landed today in Timor-Leste, a country fully independent only since 2002. The pontiff praised "the commitment to achieve full reconciliation with Indonesia, an example to the world. But he also called for faith to be your culture to find answers to social ills like poverty, gang violence, and child abuse. Dili (AsiaNews) Pope Francis arrived today in Timor-Leste, the third stage of his apostolic journey to Southeast Asia and Oceania. In his first address, the pontiff said that today the sky over Timor-Leste is "clear of the black clouds of war". Yet, the country faces new challenges like poverty, fair management of resources, safeguarding the dignity of children exposed to abuse, who call on the Catholic faith to inspire criteria, projects, and choices in accordance with the Gospel ". After taking his leave from Port Moresby following this morning's meeting with young people in the capitals main stadium, Francis arrived in the capital of Timor-Leste in the early afternoon, local time. Thousands welcomed him along the streets in what is the only Asian country with a Catholic majority along with the Philippines. In his first words in Dili, Francis stressed how Christianity, born in Asia and arriving at these faraway lands of the continent through Portuguese missionaries" in the 16th century, testifies here, "to its universal vocation and the ability to harmonise with the most diverse cultures, which, by encountering the Gospel, find a new, higher and deeper synthesis. The official welcoming ceremony took place at 6 pm, at the presidential palace in Dili, which was built in the cooperation of the People's Republic of China. After his meeting with President Jose Ramos-Horta, Francis addressed the authorities, representatives of civil society groups, and the diplomatic corps, in a room that echoes the countrys recent history and long and painful journey to freedom. Almost 27 years went by from 28 November 1975, when independence was proclaimed at the end of Portuguese colonial rule, and 20 May 2002, when it was finally implemented. Indonesian occupation and the long conflict cost the lives of more than 100,000 East Timorese, killed by war and famine, a huge loss for a country whose population today numbers just 1.3 million people. In his speech Pope Francis described them as years of passion and the greatest trial, years from which the country "has been able to rise again, finding a path of peace and openness to a new phase, one of development, improving living conditions, enhancement at all levels of the uncontaminated splendour of this territory and its natural and human resources. "Let us give thanks to the Lord," he added, "that, in going through such a tragic period of your history, you have not lost hope, and for the fact that, after dark and difficult days, a dawn of peace and freedom has finally dawned. Francis said that a key moment in this journey came in 1989, when Timor-Leste was still under the control of the Indonesian army, and John Paul II spoke at Taci Tolu, the site where Francis will lead the Eucharist tomorrow. The pope praised the "tireless commitment to achieve full reconciliation with the brothers and sisters of Indonesia", an attitude that has found its first and purest source in the teachings of the Gospel. "Heaven willing," he noted, "that even in other situations of conflict, in different parts of the world, the desire for peace and purification of memory may prevail, to close wounds and replace hatred with reconciliation and opposition with cooperation. In Timor-Leste, peace remains a work-in-progress and Pope Francis knows it all too well. New challenges are on the horizon, starting with the "consolidation of institutions", which have remained weak in past 20 years due to old disagreements among the various groups that took part in the liberation struggle. The countrys needs remain huge. Speaking to the authorities and the diplomatic corps, the pontiff cited the problem of emigration, "which is always an indication of an insufficient or inadequate use of resources, as well as the difficulty of offering everyone a job that produces a fair profit and guarantees families an income corresponding to their basic needs. Other problems are poverty, which is "present in many rural areas", the fair management of wealth such as oil and gas, "social ills" like alcohol abuse among young people and violent gangs. Lest we forget, there are many many children and adolescents offended in their dignity. For this reason, we are all called to act responsibly to prevent any kind of abuse and ensure a peaceful growth for our children. Francis also mentioned the motto chosen by the local bishops for this trip, May your faith be your culture; in fact, the Catholic identity in which the people of Timor-Leste take pride, ought to inspire criteria, projects, and choices in accordance with the Gospel. This path will allow the people of Timor-Leste to look to the future with hope. Indeed, despite all their problems, the country has one precious resource. You are a young people," Francis noted, "not because of your culture or your settlement on this land, which are very ancient, but because about 65 per cent of the population of Timor-Leste is under 30 years of age. "This figure tells us that the first area in which to invest is education, the family and schools with education putting children and young people at the centre, promoting their dignity. Enthusiasm, freshness, projection towards the future, courage, resourcefulness, typical of young people, combined with the experience and wisdom of the elderly form a providential mixture of knowledge and generous impulses towards tomorrow. "I entrust Timor-Leste and all its people to the protection of the Immaculate Conception, the heavenly Patroness invoked with the title of Virgem de Aitara, said the pontiff at the end of his address. "May she accompany you and always help you in the mission of building a free, democratic and solidarity-based country, where no one feels excluded and everyone can live in peace and dignity. Today's news: Former Jemaah Islamiyah leaders in Indonesia continue to hold deradicalisation meetings; Indian government disbands committee critical of delays in the census; In Pakistan, thousands protest to demand the release of former premier Imran Khan; House prices continue to fall in China. VIETNAM At least 20 people were killed in Vietnam by Typhoon Yagi. The injured number over 220. The headquarters of several multinational companies in the coastal city of Haiphong remained closed yesterday and countless damages were reported. In several areas the electricity supply was interrupted and several highways in the north of the country were flooded. INDONESIA Former leaders of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) held another deradicalisation awareness rally in Bekasi, on the outskirts of Jakarta, to urge some members of the organisation to turn themselves in to contribute to peace and economic development in Indonesia. If you have weapons, hand them over to the authorities. You will not be detained,' one of JI's leaders, Abu Rusdan, who was arrested in 2021, said in a video conference, INDIA The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation disbanded the Standing Committee on Statistics because, according to the Indian authorities, its work overlapped with that of the National Sample Survey Steering Committee. In fact, members of the organisation claim the dissolution occurred because they pointed out delays in the conduct of the national census on which the disbursement of state aid depends. PAKISTAN Thousands of people took to the streets yesterday to demand the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in prison for over a year. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) organised a demonstration in the capital, Islamabad, with the approval of a local court (the first since Khan was arrested) despite the fact that the city administration had blocked the main access points. Clashes with the police were reported. CHINA House prices in China continue to fall despite the government's attempts to save the property market. According to the research institute China Index Academy, August was the 28th consecutive month in which prices fell, down almost 7% year-on-year. Experts say that the measures implemented by Beijing since May are not enough to reverse the market trend, which has been in crisis for three years. RUSSIA - EUROPE According to Eurostat data, released by the Verstka agency, EU countries issued over 115,000 residence permits to Russians in 2023, slightly less than the over 116,000 in 2022, reaching a record of about 232,000 in the two war years, five times more than the previous five-year period, mainly in Germany, Poland, Spain and Cyprus. MOLDOVA The banks of Moldova also expressed their indefinite refusal to accept payments linked to Russia through the system of the Zolotaja Korona, the Golden Crown of the former Soviet countries with multilateral exchanges, and only Eurocreditbank announced that it will try to restore services after appropriate corrections, without specifying the timeframe. Robert Guillerman with Willie D. Rachel Guillerman Robert Guillerman Rachel Guillerman Robert Guillerman Rachel Guillerman Robert Guillerman and family Rachel Guillerman Robert Guillerman and family. Rachel Guillerman Robert Guillerman Rachel Guillerman Robert Guillerman Rachel Guillerman Robert Guillerman with the staff of Southwest Wholesale. Rachel Guillerman Robert Guillerman and his siblings. Rachel Guillerman Robert Guillerman, the founder of Southwest Wholesale music distributor who was instrumental in elevating Houston's underground rap scene to the national stage by getting the music of DJ Screw, UGK and Lil' Keke into stores, has died. The news was confirmed by his daughter. Guillerman, 73, had ongoing heart problems and died Thursday night at Houston Methodist, where he'd been for two weeks. MORE FROM JOEY GUERRA: Megan Thee Stallion is everywhere and we can't get enough Guillerman not only had an encyclopedic knowledge of Houston rap but a genuine love for it. His daughter Rachel Guillerman recalled driving all over Houston listening to music, attending concerts and having ice cream with artists. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "When he heard 'Mind Playing Tricks on Me' by the Geto Boys, he played it so many times. I've heard it millions of times. He loved that song," Rachel said. Robert Guillerman with Bushwick Bill and Willie D of the Geto Boys. Rachel Guillerman As kids, she and her siblings spent summers and holidays helping their dad pack product. They met everyone from Dr. Dre to The Judds at Southwest Wholesale, whose distribution included acts of all genres. "That was his legacy. It was our whole life. They were our second family," she said. "He did so much for so many people for so long." Dozens of rappers posted tributes on social media over the weekend and shared stories of their relationships with Guillerman. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Robert Guillerman and family with Dr. Dre. Rachel Guillerman "A lot of you may not know who this is, but this man is one (of) the most important pieces to Houston music culture. A true trendsetter and pioneer," wrote Lil Keke. "Nothing but respect and honor from me and my family. You did a lot for me and my career. We made history together." In 1997, Guillerman and Southwest Wholesale got Lil Keke's debut album, "Don't Mess Wit Texas," into stores around the country. It featured his breakout single "Southside." Slim Thug shared his thoughts on Lil Keke's post, writing, "Damn RIP to a Htown pioneer." The post was also reshared to rapper Pimp C's Instagram page. Robert Guillerman Rachel Guillerman Guillerman was born in Kentucky but spent most of his life in Houston. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1969 and worked at UPS before moving to San Antonio in 1976 to start Southwest Wholesale with a childhood friend. He moved operations to Houston in 1980, working as a link between record labels and retail stores. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 1990, Southwest expanded its operations to directly distribute music to stores. It was then that Guillerman became crucial in lifting Houston's rap scene, at the time limited to local success, to unprecedented heights without the backing of major labels. Southwest Wholesale became one of the largest independent music distributors in the country. Bobby Phats, host of the long-running hip-hop and R&B show "The Groove" on KPFT, said Guillerman's impact "was huge because the label system wasn't checking for Houston or southern U.S. artists at all. Houston rappers were getting big money when most indie rappers were struggling to make anything at all." Robert Guillerman Rachel Guillerman Guillerman also became friends with the artists and educated them on maintaining creative control and ownership of their music, along with maximizing profits. "The rap guys have a better sense of how to market than the other genres do. They're willing to pour their profits back into promotion. They've figured out the economics. If they're going to sell 20,000, a major label is not going to be happy with that. But if they do it themselves, well, 20,000 units can be $150,000 in their pocket," Guillerman told Texas Monthly in 1998. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Among the first artists to benefit from Southwest's expertise and reach were UGK, DJ Screw, South Park Mexican and M.U.C.H. Posse, who had a regional hit in 1992 with "On Fondren." During a 2020 appearance on The Donnie Houston Podcast, Guillerman recalled those early days. Robert Guillerman and family with Mark Wahlberg, aka Marky Mark. Rachel Guillerman "We would come in, at 6 o'clock, 5 o'clock in the morning. We worked until 7 or 8 at night. If there was any kind of possibility that we could get an order out, depending on what time UPS closed their doors at their hub, we would be taking orders up until then and shipping them all over the country." Beyond Houston, Southwest Wholesale was pivotal in the success of Cash Money Records, the New Orleans label whose roster included Lil Wayne and Juvenile. Guillerman also worked with Master P's No Limit Records and gave artists access to Pen & Pixel, the graphic design firm whose influential, blinged-out artwork was a must for '90s rap acts and is still replicated today. Robert Guillerman and family Rachel Guillerman Guillerman's varied career also took him to unexpected places. During the podcast, he recalled a phone call from Madonna, who wanted to sign Yungstar, a member of the Screwed Up Click. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He worked with Selena and helped EMI get her posthumous "Dreaming of You" album into stores after unprecedented demand. It sold 175,000 copies on its first day of release, a record at the time for a female artist. "For us it was bigger than when Elvis died, than when John Lennon died," Guillerman said. "No telling how big she could have been." When Southwest Wholesale closed in 2002, Guillerman cofounded Ruggles Green, a fast-casual restaurant that specialized in locally sourced organic foods, vegan and gluten-free dishes. 9 September 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more In the era of modern globalization, one of the most pivotal and strategic objectives for the global economy is the shift toward a digital economy. The proliferation of information and communication technologies (ICT) has profoundly influenced the global economic landscape, catalyzing the emergence of the digital economy. The swift integration of digital technologies into various economic sectors highlights the necessity of evolving from traditional goal-setting and strategic planning to prioritizing digital transformation. The digital economy has become a fundamental driver of innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth on a global scale. Azerbaijan is actively advancing in this digital transformation. A notable development is the upcoming implementation of the "Polyhedron-Digital Radar of Azerbaijan," a national digitization rating system. This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the country's digitization efforts, enabling Azerbaijan to benchmark its progress and enhance its digital infrastructure. During his speech at the event "Paperless Government: Environmental Impact of Digitalization and Innovation," held in Baku as part of the "29 Climate Talks: The Road to COP29" program on September 4, Shahin Aliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, discussed these advancements. Aliyev highlighted that various global rating indices evaluate the state of digitization in countries, and Azerbaijan aims to achieve high rankings in these reports. However, he also emphasized the need for a measurement approach tailored to Azerbaijan's specific needs. Consequently, a national evaluation methodology, known as the "Polyhedron" approach-measurement mechanism, has been developed. This methodology, adapted to Azerbaijan's digital development concept, combines three main directions with other fundamental issues. The "Polyhedron" will be assessed across nine different components, and there is an intention to share this approach-methodology with other countries and organizations. The platform will be introduced to the public soon. The Digital Document Circulation subsystem, developed and implemented by the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, has seen significant progress. Currently, 1,083 institutions, including state bodies and subordinate sub-institutions, are integrated into this subsystem. More than 500,000 documents have been exchanged between institutions through the system, which not only enhances the efficiency of document exchanges but also minimizes paper usage. The subsystem's functionality has been expanded to include inter-institutional information on documents, starting with the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, and is being extended to other institutions. New features, such as updates on document status and cancellations, are improving communication and efficiency. Positive aspects of digitization in Azerbaijan Enhanced efficiency: The Digital Document Circulation subsystem has significantly increased the efficiency of document exchanges between institutions, reducing the time and resources spent on handling physical documents. Reduced paper usage: The shift to digital documentation has minimized paper consumption, contributing to environmental sustainability and reducing costs associated with paper and printing. Improved transparency and tracking: The new functionalities allow for real-time updates on document status, cancellations, and other processes, enhancing transparency and enabling better tracking of document flow. Increased integration: The expansion of the Digital Document Circulation subsystem to 1,083 institutions demonstrates the successful integration of digital solutions across various government bodies, fostering a more cohesive digital infrastructure. Necessary measures for further improvement Expansion of digital services: To fully leverage the benefits of digitization, further expansion of digital services across additional sectors and institutions is needed. This will ensure comprehensive digital coverage and accessibility. Training and capacity building: Continuous training and capacity building for government officials and staff are essential to effectively utilize new digital tools and systems. Public awareness and engagement: Increasing public awareness and engagement regarding digital services and tools will facilitate smoother transitions and encourage wider adoption of digital solutions. Ongoing evaluation and adaptation: Regular evaluation of the digitization strategy and methodologies, such as the "Polyhedron," will help identify areas for improvement and ensure that the digital infrastructure evolves in line with global standards and national needs. Security and data protection: As digitization advances, ensuring robust security measures and data protection protocols is crucial to safeguard sensitive information and maintain public trust. The Digital Document Circulation subsystem, developed in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 2279, dated August 1, 2023, exemplifies Azerbaijan's commitment to a "Paperless Government." By facilitating real-time, secure document exchanges between state bodies, Azerbaijan is making significant strides in its digital transformation journey. In summary, the transition to a digital economy represents a critical and strategic goal within the framework of modern globalization. The widespread adoption of information and communication technologies has not only reshaped the global economic landscape but also underscored the importance of embracing digital transformation. As digital mechanisms continue to permeate deeper into economic structures, focusing on the digital economy becomes essential for driving innovation, enhancing competitiveness, and fostering sustained economic growth. To remain at the forefront of this global shift, it is imperative for nations to strategically prioritize digital initiatives and adapt their economic frameworks accordingly. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 11:56 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more State support in Azerbaijan is unlocking new opportunities for developing the "green economy," according to Mukhtar Babayev, the designated president of COP29, Azernews reports. Speaking at a conference on "The Role of Small and Medium Business in the Green Economy," organized by the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBD) with the backing of the Ministries of Economy, Ecology, and Natural Resources, Babayev highlighted the significance of state measures in promoting "green energy." "The steps taken by the state in the field of 'green energy' provide a long-term vision for the private sector and investors and stimulate the development of new projects," Babayev stated. He emphasized the need to increase environmental projects in public and private sectors and encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to build sustainable infrastructure and adopt "green technologies." This, he noted, would foster both economic growth and environmental efficiency. "To overcome the financial challenges faced by SMEs during this transition, it is essential to expand their access to preferential financial resources. Through financial instruments related to Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG), SMEs should be facilitated in investing in ecological and sustainable projects," Babayev explained. The minister also discussed the importance of integrating green and sustainable development concepts and social responsibility as core management principles for all companies. Banks and financial organizations should also consider environmental and climate factors alongside economic criteria when making decisions. "Budget labeling is an approach used in forming state budgets in international practice. It allows for aligning state expenditures with environmental goals and ensuring more efficient and sustainable use of resources. It has become necessary to consider environmental indicators when allocating financial resources," Babayev added, stressing the importance of supporting ecologically sustainable projects. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 16:56 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijan is one of the countries with high potential for renewable energy sources. This was stated by Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov at the conference on "The Role of Small and Medium Business in the Green Economy," held in Baku with the support of the Ministries of Economy, Ecology and Natural Resources, and the organization of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency. "In order to harness this potential, important projects are being implemented within the framework of public-private partnerships with leading energy companies. All of this is aimed at increasing the share of renewable energy investment in the country's total energy balance to 30% by 2030," he said. "I should especially mention Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur, which have been declared 'green energy' zones. These areas have significant potential for green energy sources. The solar energy potential in the Fuzuli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan regions, as well as the wind and hydropower potential in the Lachin and Kalbajar regions, are highly valued. The government provides incentive mechanisms, concessions, and stimulating measures to encourage the development of businesses in Garabagh. By enhancing information and knowledge, developing relevant skills, and improving access to climate financing and technology, as well as addressing the shortage of qualified personnel and strengthening international cooperation and experience exchange, we will further enhance the role of SMEs in the green economy. In this regard, Azerbaijani SMEs will contribute to the government's economic policy by increasing the application of green technologies and improving their competitiveness and profits," the minister added. "In general, since the green economy is a comprehensive issue, the joint efforts of all relevant government agencies, businesses, associations, academic circles, and the public are crucial. The purpose of the conference is to bring together a large number of interested parties to exchange ideas and unite our efforts," M. Jabbarov emphasized. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 17:17 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more During a business trip to China, a delegation led by Israfil Mammadov, the Executive Director of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), attended the opening ceremony of the 24th China International Investment and Trade Fair and held meetings with various public and private sector institutions, Azernews reports. At a round table meeting with He Lifeng, Deputy Prime Minister of the State Council of China, and representatives from other state institutions, discussions centered on potential joint activities between the sovereign wealth funds of Azerbaijan and China, potential areas of partnership, sustainable development, and the implementation of green energy practices. The visit also included meetings with several key figures such as Liu Haoling, Vice Chairman of China Investment Corporation; Jonathan Gray, President of Blackstone Investment Group; Bruce Flatt, CEO of Brookfield Asset Management; and Xuan Changneng, Vice Chairman of the People's Bank of China. SOFAZ also engaged with representatives from China Energy Engineering Corporation, CATL, HiTHIUM, and other leading industrial and energy companies. These discussions focused on expanding cooperative relations between SOFAZ and these institutions, exploring investment prospects, and enhancing future partnerships. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 16:43 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The Azerbaijani Embassy in Latvia, in partnership with the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, has presented the book "Eternal Treasures of Azerbaijan in UNESCO" at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design in Latvia, Azernews reports. The book, published in Latvian, aims to promote Azerbaijani culture and mutual cultural exchanges between the two countries. The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Latvia, Elnur Sultanov, praised the publication of the book, highlighting its significance in familiarizing Latvians with Azerbaijani culture. He underlined that the book's release coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia, as well as the 30th anniversary of the National Commission's establishment. Sultanov stressed Azerbaijan's commitment to intercultural dialogue as a UNESCO partner, citing the "Baku Process" launched by President Ilham Aliyev. He also highlighted the country's success in having 5 examples of tangible cultural heritage and 23 examples of intangible cultural heritage included in UNESCO's lists as a result of the work of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva. The event featured a "Genetic Code of Memory" exhibition, organized by the Embassy and "Azerkhalcha" OJSC, which showcased Azerbaijani carpets and their cultural significance. The Deputy Chairman of the Latvian Seimas' Education, Culture, and Science Committee, Liga Klavina, praised the positive dialogue between the two countries and noted the importance of cultural heritage protection. The director of the Academic Library of the University of Latvia, Venta Kotsere, appreciated Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage and expressed his confidence that the book will promote Azerbaijani culture in Latvia. Furthermore, Buta dance ensemble performed, accompanied by kalaghayi, while a traditional Azerbaijani tea table was served. The event was attended by members of the Latvian government and parliament, heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of local cultural and media circles, and members of the Azerbaijani community living in Latvia. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 14:16 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijani culture and history have been highlighted at the 37th Moscow International Book Fair, Azernews reports. The country's presence at the event was facilitated by its Culture Ministry and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia. Representatives from the ministry and children's writer Solmaz Amanova participated in the book fair. On the opening day, the Azerbaijani delegation took part in various events. At the national stand, visitors learned about Azerbaijan's history, culture, and book art through newly published valuable books. The stand also provided information about the country's rich literary heritage. Azerbaijan has made a significant impact at the 37th Moscow International Book Fair, winning 10 diplomas in 9 nominations. Children's writer Solmaz Amanova won the "Published in the CIS" nomination and the Grand Prix with her book "Turaj and Magic Comb". Other awardees included Sabuhi Ahmadov for his monograph on Azerbaijani weapons, Sirus Mirzazade for his photo album on painting and graphics, and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum for its photo album. The Moscow International Book Fair brought together over 300 publishers and book distributors from Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Germany, Iran, China, and other countries. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 11:33 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan has proposed dissolving the Armenia-Nagorno-Karabakh interparliamentary commission, citing the incompetence of the "other side," Azernews reports, citing Sputnik Armenia. Simonyan made these remarks during a session when Artsvik Minasyan, secretary of the Hayastan faction, asked whether he planned to convene a meeting of the commission after a three-year hiatus. Simonyan stated that, in his view, there are no longer any officials representing Nagorno-Karabakh, and the title "president of Nagorno-Karabakh" no longer exists. He emphasized that the dissolution of the commission should be seriously considered. Simonyan pointed out that only one meeting of the commission was held in 2021, with a second one planned but later canceled due to health concerns of the then speaker of the Karabakh parliament. He questioned the relevance of discussing the commission now, arguing that Nagorno-Karabakh effectively dissolved itself by decree from its leader. Artsvik Minasyan disagreed with Simonyan, pointing out that the concept of the "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" is still preserved in various documents, including international treaties, and that no single person has the authority to dissolve it or nullify these documents. Artur Khachatryan, another member of the Hayastan faction, noted that last year, a decree on the dissolution of Nagorno-Karabakh was signed solely to prevent a massacre of the Armenian population, given the disparity in forces. He added that the leader of Nagorno-Karabakh, Samvel Shahramanyan, who signed the decree, later stated that he had revoked his own decree. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The Spring Independent School District will rename its community engagement center after U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who died at 74 in July. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer The Spring Independent School District will rename its community engagement center after U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who died at 74 in July. Jackson Lee was a key political figure in Houston for decades and one of the longest-serving members in Congress where she was first elected in 1994. She died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee has been an unwavering member of this community supporting Spring ISD as long as I can remember for the past 10 years, said Spring ISD Superintendent Lupita Hinojosa. Regardless if it was a celebration or if it was a disaster, Shelia Jackson Lee was always by our side here at Spring ISD. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The board of trustees unanimously approved the decision to rename its Family and Community Engagement Center to honor Jackson Lee at its August board meeting. GERALD GOINES TRIAL: Defense tells jury officer lied but felony murder charges not merited Hinojosa said that she and trustees Kelly Hodges and Deborah Jensen had a chance to attend the funeral and after Hodges and Jensen suggested the board consider naming a building after Jackson Lee. Legacy of support After discussion with the board, Hodges and Jensen knew the community center described the congresswoman well due to her support for families in the district. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Every project that Shelia Jackson Lee had involved our families, said Hinojosa. It was always a project with support that directly impacted our families in our community. Hinojosa said Jackson Lee was instrumental during hard times with support during disasters, pandemics and helping to get school bills passed to help the district. The Family and Community Engagement Center will be renamed Shelia Jackson Lee Family and Community Engagement Center. This building is at 17125 Ella Boulevard not far from the districts administration building. The center offers several programs that serves students and families in the district, such as its mentoring program and early learning program. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hinojosa said Jackson Lee has always made sure to be present and interact with students in the district. She said one of her favorite memories of the congresswoman was at a robotics competition where Jackson Lee showed support for students during the competition. Hinojosa said shes never seen Jackson Lee miss a graduation in Spring ISD until this year. 9 September 2024 16:38 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more The issue of Armenians detained in Azerbaijan has not been included in the draft peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku, Azernews reports, citing the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Alen Simonyan, informed journalists about this. In response to a question about whether Armenia could raise the issue of their repatriation as a condition for participating in the COP29 climate summit in Baku in November, Simonyan said it was premature to make comments on such discussions at this time. It should be noted that over the years, Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General's Office has initiated criminal cases against 15 Karabakh separatists, including Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, all former "presidents" of the former de facto regime in Karabakh, as well as former "foreign minister" David Babayan, "parliament speaker" David Ishkhanyan, generals Levon Mnatsakanyan and David Manukyan, and former "state minister" Ruben Vardanyan. They have been placed on international wanted lists. In September 2023, following a local anti-terrorist operation, these separatists were detained, brought to Baku, and handed over to the investigation. They have been charged with terrorism, financing terrorism, creating illegal armed groups, and conducting training with the intention of committing terrorist acts. In June of this year, Baku announced that the investigation into their case had been completed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 19:46 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more The Zangazur Corridor holds great importance not only for Azerbaijan but also for many regional states, such as Turkiye, Russia, and even Armenia. The corridor has the potential to foster the development of trade and transportation connections, promote regional integration, and encourage economic cooperation. However, the stance of certain countries, particularly Iran, on the Zangazur Corridor reflects their regional interests and strategic plans. Iran is aware of the corridor's potential impact on the region and seeks to maintain its position. Specifically, Tehran, worried that its relations with Armenia might weaken after the opening of the corridor, primarily directs its claims against Russia and continues to send subtle, indirect messages. Iran evades responding positively to Azerbaijans proposals for peace, stability, and cooperation, including initiatives like the "3+3" platform, instead contributing to instability. It is important to note that the Zangazur Corridor does not pose a threat to the territorial integrity of either Armenia or Iran. On the contrary, if Iran pursued a more reasonable policy, it could increase its role in this corridor. However, Irans approach to the corridor's opening, its personalisation of the issue, and its illogical statements are unacceptable. We should recall that in the recent statement by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to Baku was particularly noted, reflecting Irans "concerns about destabilisation" in the region. This is simply ridiculous. For 30 years, when Azerbaijani lands were occupied by Armenia, Iran, despite claiming to share the same religion and values, refused to support Azerbaijan. Iran ignored the devastation in Garabagh, including the vandalism of mosques by Armenians. Now, it is strange that Iran opposes Azerbaijan's efforts to establish communication lines within its own territories. It is clear that the main issue here is not regional peace, stability, or tranquillity. Iran openly realises that it is losing its influence over Armenia and is attempting to take out its frustrations on Russia. The only way to restore its relations with Armenia to their previous state is by aligning itself with the West, which appears to be Tehrans current plan. However, it remains unclear who is behind this plan. After a long period of silence, it is difficult to determine whether this strategy is being driven by Irans new president or its supreme leader. In either case, Iran must accept the integration of Azerbaijans western regions with Nakhchivan and the security of the resulting transportation corridor, as outlined in the trilateral statement, which will be ensured by Russias Federal Security Service forces. Considering that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrovs statements are entirely in line with the trilateral statement signed in 2020, it is evident that Iran is directly targeting this agreement. This further demonstrates that Iran is planning to align with the West by creating regional tension. This situation highlights the uncertainties and strategic obstacles in Irans foreign policy and complicates regional and international dynamics. It should be noted that the Caucasus is already a region filled with tensions. The failure of peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia is reigniting the short-term calm that had been established. Armenias failure to follow through on its peace promises while breaking the ceasefire along the border with Azerbaijan is testing Bakus patience. Iran's desire to intervene in Azerbaijan-Armenia relations and its opposition to the opening of the corridor, as well as its attempts to encourage Armenia to align with the West, are shameful. For 30 years, Armenia committed countless crimes and atrocities against Azerbaijan in this region. Yet Iran never once condemned this disgrace. Now that Garabagh has been liberated and the opening of the Zangazur Corridor is on the agenda, Tehran is panicking, using the excuse that its "special" trade with Armenia will be restricted and that its economy will weaken, making statements that could escalate tensions once again. Iran must understand that the issues being discussed between Azerbaijan and Armenia concern only those two countries. If Iran could turn a blind eye to the massacres that occurred on these lands for 30 years, just as it ignored Armenias unjust stance, it should also refrain from interfering in other regional matters. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 11:17 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, has extended his condolences to the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, Ali Yerlikaya, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Gendarmerie, Army General Ali Cardakc, Azernews reports. The message of condolence states: "I was deeply saddened by the news of the martyrdom of military personnel as a result of the crash of a transport vehicle belonging to the Gendarmerie Command in Tunceli province of the brotherly Republic of Turkiye. Your grief is our grief as well. We express our solidarity with the families and loved ones of all those who perished in this tragic accident, wishing them patience from God, and a speedy recovery to our injured military serviceman. May their souls rest in peace and their memories be cherished. May God have mercy on them." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 13:32 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more The Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad, supported by the State Committee for Work with Diaspora and the Ministry of Science and Education, and organized by the World Association of Azerbaijani Scholars, has commenced in Baku, Azernews reports. The event began with the national anthem of Azerbaijan, followed by a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs who died for Azerbaijans territorial integrity. Subsequently, Farah Aliyeva, Head of the Department of Humanitarian Policy, Diaspora, Multiculturalism and Religious Issues of the Presidential Administration, read out President Ilham Aliyev's address to the event participants. The three-day event gathers nearly 200 scientific figures, including over 80 Azerbaijani scholars from 23 countries. The forum aims to foster connections among Azerbaijani scientists abroad, facilitate interactions with local scientists, and promote the exchange knowledge and experience. Participants will also visit the cities of Shusha and Khankendi and engage in discussions with teaching staff at Garabagh University. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 11:40 (UTC+04:00) The large number of scientists among our compatriots living abroad creates ample opportunities for the development of the Azerbaijani diaspora, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in his address to the participants of the Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad, Azernews reports. I would like to emphasize that the organization of the Forum holds symbolic significance at a time when our territorial integrity and sovereignty have been fully restored. To ensure the systematic nature of the activities of our diaspora, notable efforts have been made to establish closer relations with our compatriots working in the field of science and to support their active participation in various programs and projects that serve our national interests. I am confident that the Forum will be highly effective in terms of networking among Azerbaijani scientists living in different countries, deepening their relationships with our science and educational institutions, facilitating our countrys rapid approach to global goals by taking advantage of joint achievements, and integrating Azerbaijani science into the global scientific community. I believe that the Forum will be marked by a thorough exchange of ideas and discussions aimed at the sustainable and innovative development of science in Azerbaijan and will identify valuable opportunities for cooperation, enabling our scientists to contribute their knowledge and experience to the restoration of our historical liberated territories, the head of state added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 11:31 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Azernews reports. "Your Excellency, On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and, through you, to your entire people on the occasion of the Day of the Foundation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. I believe that relations between our countries will further develop, and our cooperation will continue to expand both bilaterally and in multilateral formats in line with the interests of our peoples. On this remarkable day, I wish you good health, happiness, success in your endeavors, and your people everlasting peace and prosperity. Sincerely, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 6 September 2024" --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 13:27 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more Azerbaijan was represented at the international forum "Food Security and Sustainable Development Goals for Landlocked Developing Countries" held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, Azernews reports. The forum was attended by representatives from government agencies, the private sector, international organizations, and experts working in the agricultural sector from 32 countries. Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, the country's Minister of Agriculture Ibrokhim Abdurakhmanov, and the Director-General of the FAO, Qu Dongyu, were among the participants. Azerbaijan was represented by Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Elchin Zeynalov. The purpose of the forum was to discuss the establishment of sustainable agriculture based on modern technologies in landlocked developing countries, ensuring food security, agricultural trade, climate change adaptation, and logistics opportunities. During the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov of Uzbekistan, EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski, and President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development Alvaro Larios spoke on the impact of climate change on agriculture, ensuring food security, and the current state and transformation of agri-food systems. In his speech, Elchin Zeynalov highlighted that Azerbaijan is a rapidly developing economy in the region. The Deputy Minister emphasized that the diversification of the economy and the development of national agri-food systems are key objectives. He noted that Azerbaijan is eagerly engaging with global initiatives and continues to collaborate effectively with international partners. Zeynalov stressed the importance of transitioning to digital and innovative practices in the agricultural sector, stating that digital technologies influence economic development and reshape agricultural and food markets: "Digitization is required in every sector of agriculture to make efficient use of limited resources. This shift will also help us reduce and adapt to climate change risks. Azerbaijan, in turn, is undergoing a transformation toward modern and digital agriculture. We are also leveraging digital technologies to develop rural areas and integrate them into the value chain. Azerbaijan, as a significant transit and logistics hub in the Eurasian region, plays a crucial role as a trade bridge between the 'East-West' and 'North-South' transport corridors. These corridors can greatly benefit the development of our trade relations." Following this, various panel sessions were held within the framework of the forum, where participants exchanged views on topics such as food trade, the implementation of investment projects, sustainable reforms in the agro-industrial systems of landlocked developing countries, and other relevant issues. An investment forum in the agricultural sector was also organized as part of the event. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 16:28 (UTC+04:00) On September 9, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, made a phone call to Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. First of all, the President of Kazakhstan congratulated the head of state on the successful parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan and the decisive victory of the New Azerbaijan Party. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the congratulations. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the Azerbaijani Presidents participation in the Consultative Meeting of Heads of States of Central Asia. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his thanks for the invitation to the Consultative Meeting. The head of state extended his congratulations on the successful organization of the 5th World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan. In turn, the President of Kazakhstan emphasized the active participation of Azerbaijani athletes in these Games. The conduct of the Azerbaijan Cultural Days in Kazakhstan this month was noted with satisfaction. The parties emphasized the strategic partnership nature of the relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The President of Kazakhstan stated that Astana is ready to serve as a platform for negotiations on a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The head of state noted that the proposal to hold these negotiations between the two countries in Astana is acceptable for Azerbaijan. During the phone conversation, they also exchanged views on issues related to the bilateral agenda. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 18:21 (UTC+04:00) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is encouraging Tehran to facilitate a meeting to resume discussions on Iran's nuclear safeguards issues, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated, according to Azernews. "After the elections in Iran, I corresponded with President Pezeshkian, indicating my disposition to meet him in Tehran to re-launch the dialogue and cooperation between the Agency and Iran. He agreed to meet with me at an appropriate juncture. I encourage Iran to facilitate such a meeting in the not-too-distant future so that we can establish a constructive dialogue that leads swiftly to real results," Grossi said during his address to the IAEA Board of Governors. Grossi also highlighted that there has been no progress in the last 15 months regarding the implementation of the joint statement from March 4, 2023, between the IAEA and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). "In the context of Irans agreement that the joint statement continues to provide a framework for cooperation with the Agency and for addressing the outstanding safeguards issues, I call upon Iran to implement the Joint Statement through serious engagement with the Agencys concrete proposals," Grossi added. In March 2023, the AEOI and IAEA reached an agreement on several matters. Both parties agreed to cooperate in accordance with the IAEA's competencies and Iran's rights and obligations under the comprehensive safeguards agreement. Iran expressed willingness to provide additional information and access to address outstanding safeguards issues at three locations. Voluntary access for further verification and monitoring by the IAEA will be arranged through a technical meeting in Tehran. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 9 September 2024 20:13 (UTC+04:00) By Qaiser Nawab Chinas engagement with Africa has often been analyzed by Western observers through a narrow lens of competitionparticularly regarding access to natural resources and strategic influence. This viewpoint, however, fails to capture the true essence and depth of the China-Africa partnership, which is rooted in mutual respect, genuine collaboration, and a shared commitment to development. This relationship goes beyond mere economic transactions; it represents a new model of international relations, one that is grounded in the principles of South-South cooperation. The China-Africa partnership has been built on a foundation of mutual respect, sincerity, and shared aspirations for development. President Xi Jinping has consistently emphasized "sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith" as the guiding principles of Chinas engagement with Africa. These principles reflect a deep commitment to ensuring that both parties benefit from their collaboration, and that their relationship is not simply transactional but transformational. Since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000, China and Africa have worked together on numerous initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving infrastructure across the continent. These efforts have led to significant developments, including the construction of roads, railways, ports, and other critical infrastructure that have spurred economic growth and improved the quality of life for millions of Africans. What sets the China-Africa partnership apart from other international relationships is its emphasis on equality and mutual benefit. Unlike traditional aid models that often come with strings attached or impose conditions on the recipient countries, Chinas approach to Africa is one of partnership and solidarity. This is particularly important in a global context where many developing countries have been historically marginalized and subjected to unequal power dynamics in their interactions with more developed nations. Addressing the Four Deficits: Governance, Trust, Development, and Peace One of the most compelling aspects of the China-Africa partnership is its potential to address what President Xi Jinping has termed the "four deficits" facing humanity: the governance deficit, trust deficit, development deficit, and peace deficit. These deficits represent some of the most pressing challenges of our time, and the collaboration between China and Africa offers a unique opportunity to develop solutions that are tailored to the specific needs and contexts of developing countries. 1. The Governance Deficit The governance deficit refers to the challenges many countries face in establishing effective, transparent, and accountable systems of governance. In many parts of the world, weak governance structures have hindered development and contributed to instability. Through its partnership with Africa, China has supported efforts to strengthen governance by sharing its own experiences and providing assistance in areas such as public administration, anti-corruption, and capacity building. Chinas approach is characterized by respect for the sovereignty of African nations, recognizing that each country must find its own path to good governance. By providing support without imposing a specific model, China allows African nations to develop governance systems that are responsive to their own unique challenges and opportunities. 2. The Trust Deficit The trust deficit refers to the lack of trust that often exists between nations, particularly between developed and developing countries. This deficit has been exacerbated by historical inequalities and the legacy of colonialism, which has left many countries in the Global South wary of external intervention. The China-Africa partnership is helping to bridge this trust gap by demonstrating that international cooperation can be based on mutual respect and shared goals. The relationship between China and Africa is built on a foundation of trust, with both sides committed to transparency and open communication. This trust is further reinforced by the tangible results of their collaboration, which have had a positive impact on millions of lives across the African continent. 3. The Development Deficit The development deficit is perhaps the most visible of the four deficits, manifesting in the stark disparities in wealth, infrastructure, and quality of life between the Global North and South. Chinas involvement in Africa has been transformative in addressing this deficit, particularly through its investments in infrastructure, education, and technology. China has played a pivotal role in the construction of major infrastructure projects across Africa, including highways, railways, and ports, which have facilitated trade and improved access to markets. Additionally, Chinas investments in education and technology transfer have helped to build local capacity and promote sustainable development. By focusing on long-term development rather than short-term aid, China is helping African nations to build the foundations for self-sustaining economic growth. 4. The Peace Deficit The peace deficit refers to the prevalence of conflict and instability in many parts of the world, which hinders development and exacerbates poverty. Africa has been particularly affected by this deficit, with numerous conflicts leading to loss of life, displacement, and economic disruption. China has been an important partner in efforts to promote peace and stability in Africa. Through initiatives such as peacekeeping missions, conflict resolution support, and security cooperation, China has demonstrated its commitment to helping African nations achieve lasting peace. By addressing the root causes of conflict, such as poverty and lack of opportunity, the China-Africa partnership is contributing to a more peaceful and stable world. A Model for South-South Cooperation The China-Africa partnership is a powerful example of South-South cooperation, which refers to the collaboration between developing countries in the Global South to achieve common development goals. This model of cooperation is based on the principles of solidarity, mutual benefit, and respect for sovereignty, and it offers a viable alternative to the traditional North-South model of development assistance. Chinas engagement with Africa is a testament to the potential of South-South cooperation to drive global development. By working together, China and Africa are demonstrating that developing countries can take the lead in addressing the worlds most pressing challenges, from poverty and inequality to climate change and conflict. This partnership is also helping to shift the balance of power in the international system, giving a stronger voice to the Global South and promoting a more equitable and inclusive global order. Countering the Narrative of a "Clash of Civilizations" The China-Africa partnership also serves as a powerful counter-narrative to the idea of a "clash of civilizations," a theory that suggests that cultural and religious differences are the primary source of conflict in the modern world. Instead of conflict, the China-Africa relationship is built on cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect. This partnership demonstrates that countries with different cultures, histories, and political systems can work together to achieve shared goals. By promoting multilateralism, defending free trade, and opposing protectionism and unilateralism, China and Africa are showing that the future of international relations lies in cooperation, not conflict. Their joint efforts to democratize international relations and reform the global governance system are essential to ensuring that all countries, regardless of size or power, have a voice in shaping the future. Chinas engagement in Africa is more than just a bilateral relationship; it is a beacon of hope for the Global South and a model for the future of international cooperation. By working together, China and Africa are addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, from governance and trust to development and peace. Their partnership is a powerful example of how countries can collaborate to create a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world. As the global landscape continues to evolve, the China-Africa partnership will play a crucial role in shaping the future of international relations. By promoting South-South cooperation and building a community with a shared future for humanity, China and Africa are leading the way towards a new era of global development. The author is a global expert on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Students on their way to classes at the main UTSA campus on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. Bob Owen/San Antonio Express-News With the lucrative industry for content creators and digital media marketing expanding, a Texas university is now teaching students how to succeed in it through a new degree program. This fall, the University of Texas San Antonio began offering a digital media influencing degree in which students learn professional skills for becoming successful in the online sphere. Anyone with a phone can post videos online, but Chad Mahood, an associate communication professor behind the program, said having a degree in it can help students show future employers that their content creating abilities are more effective than the average person. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were trying to convince our students that if you want to be a social media influencer, you have to demonstrate intentionality in everything you do, Manhood said. Mahood said the degree is the evolution of a concentration in digital media program that the school has offered for over a decade. The degree program is not just an avenue for students to learn how to build an online platform, but rather, to develop skills in marketing to online consumers. We concluded upon years of teaching that the students who do better at this dont just create content that is good, but content that is based specifically for their audience and their audiences behavior, Mahood said. Central Houston Nissan Marketing Manager Jose Lopez shows the business TikTok page Monday, April 15, 2024 in Houston. The local dealership has repeatedly gone viral for its TikTok videos. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer In their classes, students in digital media influencing will conduct controlled experiments to test how effective their content is in reaching their audience and getting them to buy products. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Students will also build a portfolio through content creation projects as they go through the program. Many students coming into the program may already have an online presence theyve built up and can add to it through their courses. Krista McDaniel, CEO of Kreative Media, a marketing agency that works with influencers to pair them with products, said the size of the content creation industry and the pace at which its evolving make her think an official degree would benefit students looking to break in. She said most people can find success through quality videos and picking a niche, but once their success hits a critical mark, having the professional skills and knowledge to market oneself makes all the difference. You can DIY it, but once you get to 5,000 followers, you dont know how to put together the kit you can present to agencies, McDaniel said. If they dont understand the value of their actual brand, then theyre devaluing their rates. With the industry currently valued at $250 billion and projected to reach $480 by 2027, according to Goldman Sachs, the market for content creation is likely to grow. Mahood said he sees no end in sight for there to be a rich resource for jobs as a large part of the information people consume comes through social media. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For anybody skeptical about if they should put the money in this degree or investment in their child, ask yourself: How do you find out about anything? Mahood said. Youre probably not getting it over the radio or reading it all in a print newspaper. Its coming mainly from scrolling through your phone. Brands are asking for it all the time. Its not going anywhere. An influencer can sell a product 10 times more than just meta ads, McDaniel said. But becoming a stand-alone social media influencer isnt the only path laden with success, Mahood said. He tells his students that joining a collaborative content creation team, or working an industry job while building a personal brand on the side are also productive ways to advance in the field. And getting those jobs in the digital marketing sphere is a lot easier with a relevant bachelors degree. I have more students walking in who just want a path to $100,000 dollars a year making their brand, and it's our job to say, We can help you with that, but its a slim chance, Mahood said. I cant give them magic tricks. I can give them an entire toolkit of possibilities to get to that path if they want to and maybe convince them along the way that thats not the only path. There are other paths that can be just as fulfilling. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Student activity is quiet in the late afternoon at the UTSA main campus in San Antonio on March 3, 2017. Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News UT San Antonio is one of the first schools in the country to offer a specific program aimed at helping students break into the burgeoning sector of content creation. The program has an in-person and online option. According to Manhood, the in-person program has 72 students admitted so far, and the online has 8. A week after classes started, Manhood filled 16 of 20 newly opened seats. The online option is a good fit for students returning to school after taking a break from their degree or for night students who work day jobs. It feels like they are suddenly excited about a 4-year degree again, Manhood said. If the beginning of your education involved psychology, marketing or communication, we can get you back in. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 9 September 2024 20:45 (UTC+04:00) Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Monday reaffirmed Russia's commitment to maintaining its cooperation with Iran across all sectors, Azernews reports. "Iran is our important partner, we are developing our trade and economic relations, we are developing our cooperation and dialogue in all possible areas, including the most sensitive areas, and we will continue to do this in the interests of the people of our two countries," Peskov told reporters. Peskov's comments follow last week's reports that Iran had transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, which the Iranian Mission to the United Nations denied on Friday. Peskov also confirmed that he saw the Wall Street Journal report, but added that "not every time such information corresponds to reality." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Now that Kamala Harris has been coronated the Democratic Socialist designee for nomination as their candidate for President of these United States, after that political party's contrived primary process "democratically" elected Joseph R. Biden: What are your feelings about this party's progressive posture within their self-styled exercise of "Saving Democracy for America," and how truly critical the outcome of this presidential election will be? 32.32% I am ecstatic that this "Democracy's" First partially Black, First partially Indian, First female Co-Parent, and this nation's primary necessity is to her elect our First woman president.32.93% I really do not care about all these "Firsts." I will continue to pray, and work for this Representative Republic to elect someone competent, and brilliantly patriotic to be our next president.34.76% I will never vote for any politician that "first" does not have the core values to understand how dire this Constitutional Republic's situation has become. A leaked US Army document reveals another huge threat to America that has come across the Biden - Harris open borders. The extremely violent Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua is now embedded acroos the United States. It has even moved its headquarters from Venezuela to just south of the Rio Grande in Mexico. The document, labelled "Controlled Unclassified Information" from the US Army North Division, was leaked to the O'Keefe Media Group. It spells out where the Tren de Aragua has established operations across the US, with its deepest penetratoin in the Denver area. In Denver, TdA has been taking over apartment complexes, as they also have in Chicago. The document says that TdA members have been given the green light to attack law enforcement officers in the Denver area. The entire leaked report can be read at this link: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/leaked-us-army-documents-thousands-violent-venezuelan-prison-gang-members-run-amok-across Venezuela is one of those countries where the Biden-Harris regime has prioritized allowing migrants into the US with little or no vetting. The arrival of this violent crime gang is the result of that badly misguided policy. It is also a country they have been flying in migrants at taxpayer expense with their "parole pipeline". With these TdA crimiinals, perhaps "parole" is an appropriate word for what Biden and Harris are doing. A man in Miami Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty to his role in a $4.2 million durable medical equipment fraud scheme. Christopher Vehovec and his conspirators allegedly received kickbacks and bribes in exchange for providing medical equipment companies with completed physician orders for medically unnecessary equipment, the Justice Department said in a Sep. 6 release. Mr. Vehovec used telemedicine companies to obtain these prescriptions and they were subsequently fraudulently billed, according to the report. An empty shopping-center space in Middletown, Ky., has earned city council approval to be converted to a medical office building, according to a Sept. 9 report from the Journal-News. The building was proposed by Oak Street Health, and is expected to provide primary care for Medicare-eligible older adults. The facility will be renovated internally, according to the report. While some council members expressed concerns over the zoning change to allow the medical office building, the council still approved the change. Natick, Mass.-based medical device company THD America and its parent company will pay $700,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act. Between 2014 and 2017, the company allegedly knowingly caused colorectal and general surgeons to use incorrect codes to obtain inflated reimbursements from Medicare and state Medicaid programs for the use of THD's hemorrhoid removal system, according to a Sept. 6 news release from the Justice Department. The removal system was sold to physicians for use in transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization, according to the release, and THD required physicians to bill for the procedure using a temporary code for new and emerging procedures, which are often denied. To avoid denials, THD encouraged colorectal and general surgeons to improperly bill Medicare and Medicaid programs using the temporary code plus an additional CPT code or to bill for other CPT codes. Physician pay is not keeping up with rising practice costs. Here are 10 notes on physician pay, pulled from Medscape's 2024 "Physician Compensation Report" for 2024 and Medical Economics' 2024 Physician Report 1. Here are the 10 highest-paid physician specialties: Orthopedic surgeons: $558,000 Plastic surgeons: $536,000 Cardiologists: $525,000 Urologists: $515,000 Gastroenterologists: $512,000 Radiologists: $498,000 Dermatologists: $479,000 Anesthesiologists: $472,000 Oncologists: $464,000 Otolaryngologists: $459,000 2. Among physician specialists, women earn an average yearly salary of $333,000, whereas men of the same credentials earn an average of $435,000. 3. Pay among specialists increased by an average of 3% compared to average earnings in 2023. 4. Fifty-one percent of physician respondents said they do not feel fairly compensated. 5. Physicians located in the West North Central area of the U.S., consisting of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, were the highest-paid physicians by region, earning an average of $404,000 each year. 6. Twenty-eight percent of physicians have a net worth ranging between $2 million and $4.9 million in 2024. 7. An additional 25% of physicians have a net worth of less than $500,000, while 21% are worth $1 million to $1.9 million. About 15% are worth $500,000 to $999,999, while 11% are worth over $5 million. 8. Practice-owning physicians made an average of $295,000 in 2023 and nonowners made $283,000. 9. Here is the breakdown of physician pay by practice type: Private practice: $288,000 Hospital-owned practice: $330,000 Inpatient hospital: $325,000 Nonprofit: $240,000 Concierge practice/ direct-pay model: $349,000 10. Here is how the average income of physician owners and non-owners has changed in the last three years: 2023 Owner: $295,000 Nonowner: $283,000 2022 Owner: $290,000 Nonowner: $260,500 2021 Owner: $289,000 Nonowner: $252,000 Irving, Texas-based U.S. Oral Surgery Management has added four new partner practices to its network, including its first in New Hampshire. The new partners are Granite State Oral Surgery, which has two offices in New Hampshire; Oral Surgery & Implant Associates of Greenville (S.C.); Hattiesburg (Miss.) Oral Surgery & Implant Center; and East Bay Oral Surgery in Lafayette, Calif. USOSM now supports 250 surgeon partners in 28 states, according to a news release shared with Becker's. Family members of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas bring a photograph of the couple to the trial of retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Goines trial on two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Tuttle and Nicholas began Monday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Defense attorney Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube puts her hands up as she tells the jury that Rhogena Nicholas was shot and killed by Houston police officers because she didnt listen to their command and didnt raise her hands when the officers entered her house during the opening statement at 482nd District Court Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Retired HPD officer Gerald Goines was on trial for two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Nicholas during the Harding Street Raid. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines, center, and his defense team arrive at 482nd District Court for his trial on two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines, center, and his defense team arrive at 482nd District Court for his trial on two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines pleads not guilty to two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas at the 482nd District Court Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Prosecutors Keaton Forcht tells the jury that retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines was one of four police officers that were shot during the Harding Street Raid as during his opening statement of the murder trial of Goines at 482nd District Court Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Goines was on trial for two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines, center, listens to the prosecutor reading his two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas at the 482nd District Court Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Defense attorney Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube puts her hand on retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines shoulder as she is telling the jury that Goines is not responsible for the deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas during her opening statement at 482nd District Court Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Goines was on trial for two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Tuttle and Nicholas. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer 7815 Harding Street in Houston where the occupants of the home were shot to death during a police raid on January 28 and five Houston Police Department members injured on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer 7815 Harding Street in Houston where the occupants of the home were shot to death during a police raid on January 28 and five Houston Police Department members injured on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines appears at 482nd District Court for his trial on two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Witnesses are sworn in at the 482nd District Court in front of Judge Veronica M. Nelson for the trial of retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Goines trial on two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Tuttle and Nicholas began Monday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer A view of the inside of 7815 Harding on Friday, May 10, 2019, in Houston. The home is the scene of a botched drug raid that took place on Jan. 28, 2019 and left the two homeowners dead and five police officers injured. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff photographer Retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines, right, goes back to the 482nd District Court after a brief break Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Goines was on trial on two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines, right, goes back to the 482nd District Court after a brief break Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Goines was on trial on two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer To prepare fellow Houston police officers for the soon-to-be botched heroin bust, Gerald Goines the veteran officer at the center of the deadly Harding Street raid briefed a tactical team that the targets home did not have a dog. Officer Richard Morales testified that he told Goines that was not true. A neighbor shared cellphone footage of botched drug raid on 7815 Harding Street that ended in two deaths and five Houston Police officers being injured. The video was shared in court on September 9, 2024 during ex-HPD Gerald Goines felony murder trial. Sarah Sanchez The home at 7815 Harding St., where Dennis Tuttle, 59, and Rhogena Nicholas, 58, lived and died, had a dog that another officer had seen in the front yard weeks earlier, Morales testified. The oversight was among the first signs outlined Monday during Goines felony murder trial that he had not fully investigated an alleged drug den to know what awaited Squad 15 with their no-knock warrant. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The raid then led to four police officers, including Goines, being shot during a volley of gunfire, which could be heard but not seen on Morales body camera footage shown in court. The couple, fatally shot during the raid, collapsed to the ground just feet away from their dead dog, Star, also killed during the raid, according to crime scene photos. Goines is charged in their deaths. Family members of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas bring a photograph of the couple to the trial of retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Goines trial on two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Tuttle and Nicholas began Monday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Prosecutors laid out an unraveling web of falsehoods and ineptness that led to the infamous raid on Jan. 28, 2019, telling jurors seven men and nine women on the first day of Goines felony murder trial that they found no sign that the officer had carried out an in-depth investigation to merit the raid. The officer instead fabricated a confidential informant who bought heroin from the couple to justify the warrant to a municipal judge, prosecutor Keaton Forcht said during opening statements. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Goines, who earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges, is charged with two counts of felony murder using tampering with a government record as the underlying offense a charging mechanism that legal observers have called a risky and novel prosecution. He is also accused of tampering with a government record, theft and engaging in organized criminal activity. Goines lies not in question The defense team whose numbers more than double the prosecution's hired to represent Goines made no attempt to shy away from his falsehoods. Defense attorney Nicole Deborde Hochglaube acknowledged outright that her client lied to obtain the warrant, warning of a more complicated situation behind the charges and challenging the prosecution to prove that Goines caused the deaths. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE ON GOINES: What to know about the ex-HPD cop on trial for murder "This case is not a murder, and it has never been a murder," DeBorde Hochglaube said. "When the district attorneys office makes a decision about what theyre going to pursue, they have control over those choices. They chose to file this case as a murder. They have to prove that Gerald Goines is the cause, she continued. She said Goines remained hospitalized for nearly a month after the raid and underwent nine surgeries. Youre going to be unhappy with (Goines), but he didnt murder anybody, DeBorde Hochglaube told jurors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The attorney contends that Goines, at the time, believed that armed dope dealers lived at the Harding Street home, as reported by an anonymous 911 caller. The caller was later convicted and sentenced to federal prison for lying in her dispatches to police. She cast blame on Tuttle himself, claiming that the homeowner and military veteran hid inside and shot at the officers with precision accuracy. His wife refused to comply with police commands to show her hands and was on the verge of grabbing a wounded officers firearm, she continued. Mac Secrest, another Goines attorney, aimed his questioning at whether Tuttle or Nicholas knew police in tactical uniforms were entering their home. Officer Morales initially testified that he did not hear the narcotics team announce themselves as they entered the Harding Street home. The team was outside the home as he arrived, and gunfire erupted as he ran up the driveway, according to his body camera footage. Secrest reminded Morales of his internal account of the shooting, that he heard someone shout police and bash through the front door. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines is photographed during the opening statement of his two felony murder charges in the January 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas at the 482nd District Court Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Weeks of testimony expected The high-profile trial, expected to last into October, comes more than five years after the shooting, which prompted a rush of concern for the wounded officers in the immediate aftermath. Sympathy turned to shock as Houstons top brass revealed glaring issues in the narcotics division and allegations that Goines acted wrongfully ahead of the raid. The raid also led to stricter rules on the use of no-knock warrants which dont require officers to announce their presence when entering a home. Goines retired in disgrace in 2019 amid the mounting scandal. Lawyers, who are now subject to a restrictive gag order, selected the jurors after a nearly monthlong series of interviews aimed at identifying who had heard of Goines and the raid, whether they formed an opinion about the allegations and if they could reach a verdict based on the evidence alone. Prosecutors have requested a handful of Houston police officers take to the witness stand to recall the raid, effectively pitting Goines against his former colleagues, according to court records. His defense team, meanwhile, issued subpoenas for other officers who worked closely with Goines and who were accused of an overtime scheme in the wake of the raid. One of the lawyers behind pending civil litigation related to the raid has also been called to court, records show. Black Directors Health Equity Agenda, a Chicago-based coalition of Black board directors, seeks to address health disparities in public hospitals and community health centers with a $1.5 million grant from Kaiser Permanente. Announced Sept. 5, the grant from Kaiser Permanente's fund at the East Bay Community Foundation will enable BDHA to create a health equity playbook for healthcare board directors and executive leaders, according to the coalition's news release. The playbook, drawn from community assessments, strategic framework development and evidence-based action plans, will be shared through collaborative engagements with key leaders at conferences, webinars, roundtable discussions and other educational forums, the release said. Deloitte Consulting will also support the creation of this playbook for public hospitals and community health centers. "To achieve health equity, we must commit to working together to make sure everyone has access to high-quality care," Ronald Copeland, MD, senior vice president and chief equity, inclusion and diversity officer for Kaiser Permanente, said in the release. "Through BDHEA's efforts, we hope to strengthen and empower community health centers and nonprofit hospitals to reduce, if not eliminate, all preventable and unjust health disparities, with trustees who are steadfast advocates for their communities." The grant will also support BDHEA's Board Diversification and Inclusion Project, an initiative to bolster diversity and inclusion of healthcare boards, according to the release. Ernst & Young will provide support to the project. David Brooks has been named chief administrative officer of Dukes Memorial Hospital in Peru, Ind., effective Sept. 9. Mr. Brooks has more than 25 years of healthcare experience, according to a Sept. 6 news release from Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Lutheran Health Network, the hospital's parent organization. He has been COO of Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Lutheran Hospital since early 2023, the release said. UChicago Medicine's chief equity officer, Brenda Battle, BSN, RN, will retire at the end of the year, the academic health system said Sept. 9. Ms. Battle has spent 12 years at UChicago Medicine, an urban academic system predominantly serving Black patients. She is the senior vice president for community health transformation, chief equity officer and head of the Urban Health Initiative, which houses the organization's population health and community benefit programs. Under Ms. Battle's leadership, the health system has more than doubled its investment to improve the health of residents in communities on Chicago's South Side to more than $5 billion. She has led myriad programs and partnerships to address health inequities in the region. In 2021, Ms. Battle led efforts to form South Side Health Community, a nonprofit composed of 13 organizations, including safety net hospitals, health systems and federally qualified health centers. Her contributions engaged stakeholders and secured $146 million in state funding to establish the nonprofit organization. "Throughout her tenure, Brenda has been a visionary leader, driving the advancement of health and racial equity both within the institution and across Chicagoland," Tom Jackiewicz, president of the University of Chicago Health System, said in a news release. "Her unwavering belief in the power of community and collaboration has sparked transformative change, as she built strong alliances with community leaders to reduce health disparities and expand access to care." In 2023, Ms. Battle supported the creation of a new role at UChicago Medicine: chief obstetrical transformation officer. Sarosh Rana, MD, stepped into the role in fall 2023 and leads initiatives to close maternal health disparities by working to improve access to high quality obstetrical care and support services. University and health system officials are responding to a no-confidence letter against K. Craig Kent, MD, UVA Health's CEO and executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Virginia, and Melina Kibbe, MD, dean of the school of medicine. On Sept. 7, after 128 U.Va. Physicians Group-employed faculty called for the leaders' immediate removal, University of Virginia President Jim Ryan sent a letter to all 1,400 UVA School of Medicine faculty members. Mr. Ryan's letter, which was shared with Becker's, said some allegations in the no-confidence letter "are fairly evident references to specific matters that we have already addressed or are actively working on. Others are new to us, but we will do our best to run them to the ground and get to the bottom of them." The letter also defends Drs. Kent and Kibbe. "What is described in that [no-confidence] letter is not a full or fair representation of who I have seen. It also does not give them any credit for the remarkable work they have done to strengthen the health system," Mr. Ryan wrote. He added that he believes the best step forward is a thorough review and "com[ing] together as a community to have a conversation a real, honest and ongoing conversation about how to manage change." A statement from University of Virginia Health System board member William Crutchfield Jr., along with a separate health system statement shared with team members, both conveyed similar sentiments and were shared with Becker's. Mr. Crutchfield wrote: "It is my opinion that our health system is better today than it has been at any time over that period. And it is evolving into one of the truly top health systems in the nation. Drs. Kent and Kibbe must be given an enormous amount of credit for this accomplishment." The statement shared with team members says: "We truly believe that healthy organizations thrive on constructive feedback, and we are committed to doing the work to better understand the concerns of this group of faculty members." The Sept. 5 no-confidence letter at the center of the officials' responses came from 128 U.Va. Physicians Group-employed faculty, addressed to the university's board of visitors and published by The Cavalier Daily. The five-page letter accuses Drs. Kent and Kibbe of fostering a negative work environment that compromises patient safety and "is contributing to an ongoing exodus of experience and expertise." The letter specifically accuses the leaders of allowing "egregious acts" at the Charlottesville-based health system and medical school, including hiring physicians despite quality concerns; using threats against faculty who raise issues about safety, capacity and moral distress; using promotion and tenure delays as retaliation; and excessive executive spending amid staffing shortages. Mr. Crutchfield's letter disputes various allegations in the no-confidence letter. UVA Health has 18,000 employees total. Internal promotion to CEO was the most common result of COO turnover this year, according to a Crist Kolder Associates report. The report measures C-suite executive turnover from Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies and contains data through Aug. 1. Of the 671 companies studied, there were 37 COO turnovers. Of those, 5.4% were in the healthcare space. External promotion to CEO from COO accounted for 2.7% of the turnover results, compared to 40.5% for internal CEO promotion. Fifteen companies internally promoted their COOs to CEO so far in 2024. Among those, 87% of the COO positions are not filled, according to the report. Retirement was the next most common result of COO departures, at 29.7%. Further, 16.2% have "yet to land," according to the report. External movement to another COO role and internal movement to a CFO role both accounted for 2.7% of turnovers. Both promotion to CEO roles and transitions to external COO roles have been seen in hospital and health system COO turnovers recently. After serving as COO at St. David's Georgetown (Texas) Hospital, Janie Thompson headed to Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kan., both part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare. Alistair Machoka was recently named CEO of Corona (Calif.) Regional Medical Center. He had previously served as COO of the hospital from 2018 to 2021. Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health marked a milestone for its hospital-at-home program as the health system keeps growing the care model, the Yale Daily News reported. Yale New Haven Health launched "hospital at home" in 2022 and recently celebrated the treatment of the program's 1,000th patient, according to the Sept. 9 story. "Our patients are extremely happy to be cared for in their own living space. They can eat their own food, sleep in their own bed, and that, in itself, has improved the patient experience," program head nurse Nana Boahemaa, DNP, RN, told the newspaper. "I think virtual nursing and home hospital care is the future. Finding new, innovative ways of doing more in a patient's home is where we have to head." Yale New Haven hospital-at-home patients have not had any serious safety events and their outcomes have been the same, if not better, than inpatients, program medical director Carly Brown, MD, told the Daily News. "We're not going to rest until we get to 25, to 30, to 40, to 50 patients at home," Yale New Haven Health Chief Clinical Officer Thomas Balcezak, MD, told the publication. Madera, Calif.-based Valley Children's Healthcare recently proposed a settlement that would give about $50 to each employee in a lawsuit alleging the hospital did not pay sufficient wages. However, one nurse said she is owed more than 500 times that amount and filed a motion to prevent her own lawsuit from being precluded, The San Joaquin Valley Sun reported. Bonnie Ferreria filed a lawsuit against the hospital in June to receive all wages owed to her, alleging Valley Children's paid on-call employees $6 to $8 per hour, which is less than minimum wage and violates California law, she said. According to the lawsuit, $5 million total is owed to affected employees, the Sun reported. "When the employee was called back to work at the hospital, and returned to the hospital, a different rate would apply, but the employee would, at times, forfeit the less-than-minimum wage on-call pay," the lawsuit reads, according to the Sun. However, Ms. Ferreria recently learned of a preliminary settlement in a separate class-action lawsuit in which Valley Children's would pay employees $400,000 total to settle all of its wage claims, the Sun reported. It stems from Briana Westfall and Gloria Garcia v. Valley Children's Hospital, which was filed in October 2022 and claimed the hospital did not provide meal and rest breaks or pay employees overtime wages. In the preliminary settlement notice, Ms. Ferreria learned she would receive $54.58 in the deal. She said she is owed at least $27,832, the Sun reported. Ms. Ferreria filed a motion to allow intervention in the Westfall case in order to file a complaint opposing the proposed settlement. The settlement includes a clause regarding the "release of all claims arising out of their employment with" Valley Children's. Brian Whelan, Ms. Ferreria's attorney, said in a declaration that the proposed settlement would prohibit Ms. Ferreira from proceeding with her lawsuit, the Sun wrote. He also alleged that he was not made aware of the Westfall case despite the settlement's potential to affect his client's lawsuit. A hearing for Ms. Ferreria's request is scheduled for Sept. 26, according to the Sun. "Although Valley Children's Hospital strongly denies all allegations in the Westfall lawsuit, we've agreed to a settlement so we and our employees can focus on providing high-quality healthcare to our patients and our community, rather than on litigation. The court has preliminarily approved the settlement," hospital spokesperson Zara Arboleda said in a statement shared with Becker's. "A duplicate lawsuit, known as the Ferreira matter, similarly is without merit. Its potential claims will be settled under the 'Westfall' resolution. Valley Children's looks forward to putting these cases behind us." Editor's note: This story was updated as of 4:05 p.m. Sept. 10. The Biden administration on Sept. 9 said it is finalizing a set of rules designed to eliminate loopholes and improve funding among insurers and health plans for mental healthcare services. The rules are jointly issued from the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury and meant to strengthen the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008, a federal law that prevents health insurers and group health plans from imposing more restrictive limitations on mental health and substance use disorder benefits compared to medical or surgical benefits. The Biden administration proposed the rules in July 2023, receiving over 9,500 public comments. The administration noted at the time that insurers often make accessing mental healthcare difficult, forcing millions to seek out-of-network treatment at higher costs, pay out of pocket or forgo care altogether. HHS flagged weak compliance with MHPAEA among health insurers and plans in its 2022 report to Congress, with plans "too often" having not completed or even started comparative analyses of non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) required under the law until the Employee Benefits Security Administration requested them. Comparative analyses of NQTLs compare how non-numerical restrictions on treatment, like approval processes or network access, are applied to mental health and substance use disorder benefits versus medical benefits. Here are seven things to know about "Requirements Related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act," issued Sept. 9 and found in full here: 1. The rule requires more than 200 additional health plans to comply with MHPAEA, providing critical protections to 120,000 consumers. This is an enhancement to the 2008 MHPAEA, which did not require non-federal governmental health plans to comply with its requirements. This set of rules sunsets that measure for optional compliance. 2. The rule explicitly prohibits health plans from using more restrictive prior authorization or narrower networks to make it harder for people to access mental health and substance use disorder benefits than their medical benefits. 3. The rule requires insurers and health plans "to collect and evaluate data and take reasonable action, as necessary" to address material differences in access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits as compared to medical/surgical benefits that result from NQTLs. The rule also addresses the shortcomings identified in the 2022 report to Congress by explicitly listing what is required in health plans' comparative analyses of NQTLs. 4. If a plan or issuer receives a final determination that an NQTL is not in compliance with the comparative analysis requirements, the relevant department may direct the plan or issuer to not impose the NQTL with respect to MH/SUD benefits unless and until the plan or issuer can show they are following the rules or take steps to fix the issue. 5. The final rules generally take effect for group health plans and group insurance coverage on the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2025. Some specific provisions apply starting Jan. 1, 2026. For individual health insurance coverage, the rules take effect for policy years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026. Until then, plans and issuers must continue complying with existing regulations, including the 2021 MHPAEA amendments under the Consolidated Appropriations Act. 6. Insurers are expected to oppose the new rule, as many voiced objections to the proposed regulations last fall. "The fundamental challenge before us is a significant increase in demand for [mental health/substance use disorder] treatment that has far outpaced the number of available licensed providers to adequately meet that demand," America's Health Insurance Plans noted in its October 2023 comments to HHS challenging the proposed rule. "We are concerned these proposed rules focus on documentation and demonstration of compliance with arbitrary new standards that will do nothing to increase the number of available MH/SUD providers or facilitate access to quality MH/SUD care." "AHIP recognizes there is a necessary role for demonstrating parity, but cautions against an inefficient, vague, and excessive approach that prioritizes analyses of health care coverage over access to health care itself," the group said. It challenged the finding in HHS' 2022 report to Congress that health plans were ill-prepared to share comparative analyses of benefits, arguing that "continued uncertainty over the scope and interpretation of the Departments in their requests for documentation" resulted in perceived noncompliance. 7. The American Hospital Association voiced support for the proposed rule in its October 2023 comments, making a point to note its perceived need for greater requirements for comparative analyses. "Plans and issuers have had ample time to build the internal structures necessary to analyze their benefits to ensure compliance with MHPAEA," AHA wrote. "While plans once were able to claim the definition of compliance with NQTLs was too nebulous to understand or apply to their benefit designs, the provisions regarding precisely what must be included in a comparative analysis as proposed in this rule will provide clarity about the appropriate application of these coverage limits." New Orleans-based Ochsner Health was met with some uncertainty when it launched its pharmacogenomic program in March 2022 and became one of the first health systems to standardize genomic testing. "Those initial conversations, people didn't know what you were talking about and really had a lot of skepticism," Catherine Oliver, PharmD, the system's director of clinical pharmacy services, told Becker's. More than two years later, as the industry has seen the program's benefit and value, Dr. Oliver said those conversations have gone from "what are you talking about?" to "how do I do this?" Pharmacogenomic testing, also called PGx testing, analyzes a patient's DNA through a blood or buccal swab sample to determine how that patient metabolizes medication and potential side effects that patient may experience. The panel Ochsner uses identifies more than 25 genes and multiple variants of those genes. This allows Ochsner physicians and pharmacists to tailor patient medication dosage or offer different medication options. This information is particularly helpful for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, which is where Ochsner first implemented policies requiring pharmacogenomic testing to be used. "There's just so much evidence that it significantly improves safety without negatively impacting the efficacy of the drug within oncology," Dr. Oliver said. The testing has always been available for any Ochsner provider to use and since the program launched, Ochsner has seen not only an increase in use but an increase in beneficial outcomes. "We have expanded beyond oncology into the mental health space and for other medications in the primary care space, such as cholesterol medications," Dr. Oliver said. "We are really promoting its value in primary care as well." One of the unique aspects to Ochsner's utilization of pharmacogenomic testing is how the company's health insurance policy covers the test for Ochsner employees based on medications they have been prescribed or the diagnoses they have. While an oncology patient will have the testing done through a blood draw during a medical appointment, a relatively healthy patient who might see a physician only once a year can self-administer the test through a mail-in buccal swab kit provided by Ochsner's partner lab, OneOme. Test results are shared in the patient's electronic medical record for review by the Ochsner pharmacists, who can then make medication recommendations to the patient's physician. "We have built out all of the clinical decision support for physicians. We really made it easy for any provider to be able to use the genetic information to positively impact their patients," Dr. Oliver said. "Once they order a medication that may interact with the patient's genetic results, they're getting an alert. They're getting a pop up [within the medical record] that tells them a better alternative or if there's a dose adjustment that needs to be made." Integration into the electronic medical record with pharmacy support is the first advice Dr. Oliver gives organizations asking for insight into building their own pharmacogenomic testing programs. "Making it easy to order, making it easy for those results to come back and the security of knowing there's a pharmacist involved really helped our physicians feel more comfortable about ordering it," Dr. Oliver said. "Even if they didn't really know exactly what they were going to do with the test, they knew that they had access to a pharmacist who could walk them through." Educating physicians aside, Dr. Oliver said the next largest barrier is cost. Elias Obeid, MD, from Hackensack Meridian Health's John Theurer Cancer Center in New Jersey, expressed similar concerns when discussing his center's new molecular testing initiative with Becker's. Coverage for pharmacogenomic testing varies by state and insurance provider. Louisiana, where Ochsner Health is based, requires insurance providers to cover the testing for certain chemotherapy drugs. Originally available only in Ochsner's Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Northern Louisiana service areas, testing is now available in the system's Lafayette and Mississippi regions, Dr. Oliver said. According to Ochsner's website, individuals without coverage can expect to pay around $100 out of pocket for the test, but not more than $350. Dr. Oliver said the system is "advocating for all" to have affordable access to the test. As Ochsner covers the test for eligible employees under the system's health plan, the system intends to pool that patient population data alongside its data from oncology patients to present a stronger publication with that larger patient volume, Dr. Oliver said. The health system hopes to publish results from a payer perspective that shows the testing's long-term value. "The overall benefit is decreased healthcare utilization," Dr. Oliver said. That value could come in the form of immediately preventing side effects from chemotherapy drugs or more long-term benefits, such as lowered cholesterol or improved mental wellness from tailored medication doses. Ochsner is also partnering with other organizations including Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan and Charlotte, N.C.-based Atrium Health to demonstrate patient outcomes are not negatively impacted by dose adjustments related to pharmacogenomic testing results. Her advice to other health systems or physicians wary of implementing a similar program? Do not be afraid of something new. "It's coming soon and it's coming quickly," she said. "You want to be ahead of that, because patients are going to ask for it." Body Mass Index has been a widely used health metric for nearly 200 years, but now, researchers are exploring a new alternative that could provide more accurate health information and account for race and gender body roundness index, The New York Times reported Sept. 6. BMI was created using information from white men and was never intended for medical screening. However, it has become the most widely used health metric, despite its limitations in determining muscle and fat. It also doesn't account for racial, ethnic, age, sex and gender diversity, the American Medical Association warned. But a new metric Body Roundness Index is showing promise where BMI failed. The formula was developed by Diana Thomas, a mathematician and professor at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. She first described the metric in a 2013 paper published in the journal Obesity. BRI measures how round a person is using a formula that takes into account height and waist, instead of weight. The formula, which ranks subjects on a scale of 1 to 15, may provide a better estimate for center-body obesity and abdominal fat, which is linked to increased risks of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. A paper published in June in JAMA Network Open used data from 33,000 Americans between 1999 and 2018. It found those with a BRI score of 6.9 and up were at the highest risk of dying from cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. Those with a score under 3.41 also faced mortality risks that were 25% higher than those in the midrange. "There's extreme variation in the population in the degree of muscularity of people, even those of the same weight," Steven Heymsfield, MD, a professor of metabolism and body composition at Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, told the Times. "The percentage of fat can vary from 10% to 40% among people of the same BMI, age and sex. The BRI is a way of capturing these variations." Students leave school for the day on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Bellaire High School in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Some Bellaire High School parents said they support new safety measures following two weapons incidents on campus within a week. Houston ISD police detained a student after finding a gun on campus Aug. 27. A weapon was found and confiscated on campus Aug. 30, and HISD would not specify whether this was a gun but parents referred to the weapon as a gun. No one was injured in either incident, Principal Michael Niggli wrote in parent communications. "Please know that we take these situations very seriously, as the safety of our students and staff is always our absolute top priority," Niggli wrote to parents Friday. "We will increase our police monitoring on campus going forward and will continue and strengthen our preventative safety measures." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some parents said it may be time to consider metal detectors, clear backpacks, pat-down searches or other measures to keep weapons off the campus of roughly 3,100 students. Students leave school for the day on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Bellaire High School in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Tiffany Morrissette, a parent of twin juniors and a frequent parent volunteer, said she felt concerned but noted that the school contacted her "right away" after the incidents and handled it well. She said she would love to see new safety measures in place preferably metal detectors or clear backpacks, though Morrisette noted that students do not have lockers and have to carry all their belongings in backpacks. "I mean, I guess I'm open as a parent to anything we can do that would make a little bit of difference, because even one gun we keep out is one less chance of something horrible happening," Morrissette said. She also highlighted on-campus reminders to deter people from propping open school entries and a patrol of parent volunteers who visit the school and report safety concerns, a program that the district noted in its response. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "But the guns are still getting in the school," Morrissette said. "Thank goodness the last two people who had them in the school were for protection, from what we've learned from the outside, not to hurt anyone on the inside. But accidents can happen. Guns still shouldn't be there." Traci Waugh, parent of a sophomore, supported boosting safety and said "the most obvious measure" would be metal detectors and have students enter in waves. "I mean, it's so frightening to drop your child off and think of what could happen. That might be the last time that you see them because someone decides to go crazy in the school that day," Waugh said, adding she appreciated the existing safety measures. Waugh also noted the Say Something program where people can anonymously report safety concerns. Metal detectors are a measure student Ella Naglis was open to, noting they are used at other high schools. Naglis doesn't feel as safe knowing there was a gun on campus. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "And I'm a little bit worried, I guess," Naglis said. "But the thing is, I think the police handled it pretty quickly because it didn't spread around the school or anything. We just found out after school. So, overall, maybe a little bit. But not a whole lot." Students leave school for the day on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Bellaire High School in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Bellaire's incidents are top of mind after a shooter killed four people at a Georgia high school Wednesday, the Associated Press reported. Parent Shameka Dozier noted the Georgia shooting followed the week of the weapons confiscation. She communicated with school leadership before about safety, and she said stronger measures, such as metal detectors and pat-down searches, can be taken to find weapons and vapes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dozier, who emailed Niggli after the second weapon confiscation, said school leadership should reach out to HISD and the board to support safety measures, rather than parents having to go to the district to demand change. The CDC has confirmed the nation's first case of bird flu in a person who had no known occupational exposure to infected animals, the agency said Sept. 6. The adult patient, a Missouri resident, was hospitalized Aug. 22 and has since recovered, according to federal and state health authorities. The individual had underlying medical conditions and was treated with an influenza antiviral. State officials have said no transmission among close contacts or others has been identified, though an investigation is ongoing. This marks the 14th human case of H5N1 avian influenza reported in the U.S. this year. The other 13 patients were all exposed to infected dairy cows or poultry. The CDC said its current assessment is that the risk bird flu poses to public health remains low, but it noted that results from an investigation on the Missouri case will inform whether guidance changes are needed. "The question now is: How did this patient acquire the infection?" William Schaffner, MD, an infectious diseases expert at Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told NBC News. "We need a very, very thorough investigation" to ensure the virus has not acquired mutations that make it more transmissible among humans. "This will be of enormous interest," Dr. Schaffner said. The H5N1 outbreak has affected nearly 200 dairy herds in 14 states since late March, according to the CDC. Health officials have been following the outbreak and have reiterated there is no evidence human-to-human transmission is occurring, though infectious disease experts have raised concern that the nation is not conducting enough testing to quickly identify and respond if and when that does occur. "I'm really glad we have a robust flu system that picked this up, but [it] just begs the question: How many cases have we missed?" Katelyn Jetelina, PhD, a California-based epidemiologist who has been closely following the avian flu outbreak in dairy cattle and poultry, told The Washington Post. "In these situations, we can't fly blind. If we have a full picture, we can better act, communicate and prevent." A preliminary genetic analysis of the virus sample in the Missouri case did not show evidence of changes that would make the virus more transmissible to humans, a federal health official who spoke on the condition of anonymity since the investigation is ongoing, told The Washington Post. The Missouri case is also the first time the country's flu surveillance system has detected a case of H5 bird flu, the CDC said. A specimen from the patient first tested positive for influenza A but tested negative for seasonal subtypes, which triggered further testing. "CDC continues to closely monitor available data from influenza surveillance systems, particularly in affected states, and there has been no sign of unusual influenza activity in people, including in Missouri," the agency said. Effective Sept. 10, healthcare facilities providing breast imaging services will be required to notify patients of their breast density in mammography reports. Nina Vincoff, MD, division chief of breast imaging for New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health, told Becker's what the new regulation means for radiologists. What is the FDA breast density notification requirement? Radiologists are required to send two mammography reports, one to physicians and a more simplified "lay" report to patients. A patient's breast density has almost always been included in the report radiologists send to physicians. Whether breast density has been included in the patient report has varied by state. New York, where Dr. Vincoff practices, since 2013 has required providers to inform patients if they have dense breasts. "Over time, more and more states have put in this kind of legislation, but what needed to be in the letter varied state by state. The language wasn't always the same and some states didn't have breast density legislation at all," Dr. Vincoff said. "The FDA is stepping in now and saying, 'This needs to happen in every single state and you need to use very specific language.'" Why should patients know their breast density? Dense breast mammograms are significantly whiter than non-dense breast mammograms. Cancer, too, typically appears white on a mammogram, meaning a radiologist is often "looking for something white in a field of white," Dr. Vincoff said. "But having dense breasts doesn't just make your mammogram more difficult to read, it also increases your risk for developing breast cancer," she said. Having dense breasts means a patient may be a good candidate for additional cancer screening. "It's really important information for a patient [to have] for both reasons," Dr. Vincoff said. The FDA regulation requires patients in every state to be notified not only of their breast density, but also told what that density means. Patients will learn that their density means their mammogram might be limited and they might have an increased risk for developing breast cancer. What screenings should physicians offer patients with dense breasts? Ultrasound and MRI are the two procedures offered for patients with dense breasts, according to Dr. Vincoff, though what is best for each patient varies. "If you are otherwise low risk and have dense breasts, then ultrasound might be a good test for you," Dr. Vincoff said. "If you are at increased risk and you have dense breasts, MRI might be a better test for you." One issue with the regulation is it does not standardize what physicians should do after a patient is notified of their breast density, she said. MRI-aided breast cancer screenings have been shown to contribute to false-positive biopsy recommendations while simultaneously preventing cancer deaths, according to a recent study. "There aren't clear guidelines around the next steps," Dr. Vincoff said. "What might make you choose ultrasound versus MRI? That information isn't spelled out anywhere for people in this letter and doctors might not be aware of some of those distinctions." Will insurers cover additional cancer screening for patients with dense breasts? Some patients who learn they have dense breasts may seek out, and be candidates for, additional breast cancer screenings. While the FDA now requires providers to inform patients of their breast density, it does not impose any requirements on insurance companies to cover additional screenings based on those findings. "The FDA isn't in that business; that's not what the FDA does," Dr. Vincoff said. "This notification isn't necessarily going to allow the women who might benefit from having supplemental screening have access to it. They're going to be empowered with knowledge, but they still might not have access." Dr. Vincoff said coverage is the next step for organizations that lobbied for the breast density notification, adding, "there's going to be a lot of action happening in the Capitol next week." Will anything change with the new FDA breast density notification requirement? The new FDA regulation does not change much for radiologists or physicians. Instead, it ensures patients in every state will now have information their physicians have had access to for years. "It's not about how we read the mammogram or even about the report that we're sending to your doctor. [Breast density] has always been in the letters that went to the doctors. Where it wasn't within, was the letters that went to the patients. That's what's changing." Hawaii earned the No. 1 spot as the happiest state in the U.S., thanks in part to residents reporting the highest levels of life satisfaction and the lowest depression rate in the nation, according to a new analysis published by WalletHub. The personal finance company released its 2024 survey, "Happiest States in America," on Sept. 9. The ranking compares states across three criteria: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment. WalletHub subdivided its criteria across 30 metrics, ranging from a state's depression rate to the share of adults feeling productive. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing maximum happiness. WalletHub then calculates a weighted average across all metrics for each state to determine its overall score and ranking. Hawaii is the happiest state, according to WalletHub. Its residents report the highest levels of life satisfaction in the nation and the lowest depression rate. WalletHub noted other factors, such as 86% of adults reporting good or better health (second-best in the U.S.) and nearly 72% being active and productive daily. More information on the study methodology and the complete listing from WalletHub is available here. The 10 happiest states, per the analysis: 1. Hawaii 2. Maryland 3. New Jersey 4. Utah 5. Delaware 6. Minnesota 7. Connecticut 8. Idaho 9. Nebraska 10. Massachusetts The 10 least happy states, per the analysis: 1. Louisiana 2. Arkansas 3. West Virginia 4. Tennessee 5. New Mexico 6. Alaska 7. Alabama 8. Oklahoma 9. Mississippi 10. Kentucky Ryanair co-founder Declan Ryan on giving away his fortune, battling depression, and his friend Michael OLeary Interview for the Oxygen Advantage podcast offers rare glimpse into the life of the entrepreneur Declan Ryan, left, spoke with Patrick McKeown on the Oxygen Advantage podcast Liam Collins Sun 8 Sep 2024 at 22:31 Ryanair co-founder Declan Ryan has said he has given away most of his wealth through his philanthropic agency, One Foundation. James Earl Jones, the American actor known for being the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars, has died at the age of 93. The Hollywood stars voice was also lent to the likes of Mufasa in Disneys 1994 film The Lion King, various audiobooks and to CNN for its This is CNN tagline. During his career, he won a host of awards including Emmys, Tony Awards, a Grammy and was given an honorary Oscar. James Earl Jones with his lifetime achievement Oscar (John Stillwell/PA) On Monday, his long-time agent Barry McPherson confirmed the veteran actor had died. Born in 1931, Jones overcame a stutter in his childhood and later became one of the most instantly recognisable voices in the world. The actor was arguably best known for giving the Star Wars supervillain Darth Vader his classic husky voice, but he was already an award-winning star of stage and screen when the original movie was being developed by George Lucas in the 1970s. He later reprised the voice in 2005 for Revenge Of The Sith and he returned to the role nine years later in the first episode of Star Wars Rebels, and in 2016s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Before his Star Wars role, he wowed critics with his Tony Award-winning performance as a boxer in 1968 play The Great White Hope, later taking on the lead in the 1970 movie adaptation, for which he picked up a Golden Globe. He later secured the best actor Tony award for a second time for Fences and in 2017 he was presented with the Tony for lifetime achievement in the theatre. The actor demonstrated versatility in everything from Shakespearean epics to television dramas and comedies. James Earl Jones (Katie Collins/PA) He played memorable film roles including reclusive writer Terence Mann in 1989s Field Of Dreams and a South African minister in Cry, The Beloved Country. His notable films included the 1988 romcom Coming To America starring Eddie Murphy and 1982 epic Conan The Barbarian, where he played opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. Jones garnered two Primetime Emmys for his roles in the 1990 thriller Heat Wave and the 1990 crime drama Gabriels Fire, and he won the Grammy in 1977 for best spoken word recording for Great American Documents. His stage credits include a host of Broadway productions and several plays in London, one of the latest being a production of Much Ado About Nothing at The Old Vic in 2013. In 2022, the Shubert Organisations Cort Theatre on Broadway was renamed after Jones to recognise his lifetime of immense contributions to Broadway and the entire artistic community, according to a statement by the Shuberts at the time. Among his numerous awards, Jones received the National Medal of Arts, a Kennedy Centre Honour and an honorary Oscar in 2011. Hollywood stars are among those who have paid tribute, including Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker, writing on social media #RIP dad with a broken heart emoji. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Wire star Wendell Pierce hailed him as the living embodiment of artistry, integrity, creativity, and dignity in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He added: James Earl Jones is the sole reason I became an actor. He stirred a vocation in me that gave voice to my unsung heart songs. By example, he led me on the exploration of my own personal humanity and the study of human behaviour in others and the intangible, ever-present soul. He was a once-in-a-generation talent that has left an enormous legacy in American culture. In his tribute on X, Star Trek star George Takei said: A great spirit and boundless, unique voice has left us. James Earl Jones has passed, and he is returned to the great beyond. We are all the lesser for his loss, and we collectively mourn his passing and honour his great body of work. It comes as the Northern Irishman is seen in Barcelona together with Katie Alexander Ofcom has confirmed it is no longer probing Eamonn Holmes GB News Breakfast Show and has discontinued the investigation. Back in May the regulator revealed it was investigating Breakfast with Eamonn and Isabel under rules about due impartiality and broadcaster views/opinions. At the time former First Minister Arlene Foster accused the media regulator of trying to silence GB News after it warned the news channel it was considering whether to impose a fine or revoke its licence. Ofcom ruled that GB News Peoples Forum: The Prime Minister, which saw Rishi Sunak take questions from the audience during a live, hour-long programme on February 12, broke broadcasting due impartiality rules. Ofcom received four complaints relating to generally accepted standards on Breakfast With Eamonn And Isabel earlier this year, but none of those complaints were pursued by the regulator after assessment. In a release issued on Monday, the regulator said their investigation into the show on 6 July, 2023, had been discontinued along with a number of other potential investigations into GB News programmes. It comes as the presenter has been spotted on holiday alongside Katie Alexander as the pair headed off on a luxury holiday to the Mediterranean, with the getaway said to be the latest proof of their closeness, according to a source. Pictures show the pair arriving in Barcelona having reportedly flown from Heathrow Airport this morning. Holmes was seen driving a mobility scooter through the terminal while Katie pushed their luggage and a walking frame and they were also seen laughing and joking with other cruise passengers at Barcelona Port. The insider told The Sun the sunshine holiday has also left the Northern Irishmans former partner Ruth Langsford wowed. Holmes and Langsford, who were axed from This Morning in 2020, announced in May that they had broken up after 14 years of marriage, with a spokesperson revealing they are in the process of divorcing. The TV pair, both 64, wed in 2010 after 13 years together and are said to be determined to stay friends and keep things amicable. However, recent months have seen a raft of reports saying GB News presenter Holmes has become close with Ms Alexander, a 42-year-old relationship therapist. According to the Daily Mail, Ms Alexander offers in-person, telephone and online therapy services, at a price of 45 for a 50-minute session. According to the newspaper she is divorced and a mother to three children. It was rumoured that the Northern Irishman had already popped the question after Ms Alexander was spotted wearing a sparkling diamond ring. But Holmes reportedly sent his estranged wife a message to reassure her that he was not engaged. Two weeks ago Holmes spent his holiday from GB News showing Ms Alexander around Northern Ireland, with the pair spotted in Carrickfergus at American diner Papa Browns. Last week Loose Women star Langsford directly addressed fans asking why she was still wearing her wedding ring despite her split with Holmes. She shared a video on Instagram that saw her describing a recipe for a green smoothie she drinks each day. The TV host could be seen wearing her wedding ring in the clip, with one person asking in the comments section: Why has she still got her wedding rings on? Langsford bluntly replied: Because Im still married. While Langsford was expected to open up about their separation when she returned to the Loose Women presenting panel in July, she is yet to comment on the matter. Ex-PSNI officer pleads guilty to crash murder bid on ex and mum Enniskillen man rammed vehicle into funeral home while drunk in 2022 CCTV footage shows moment ex-policeman crashes car into funeral home in attempt to murder ex-girlfriend Garrett Hargan Mon 9 Sep 2024 at 22:00 A former PSNI officer has pleaded guilty to trying to kill his ex-girlfriend and her mother by driving his car through the window of their funeral home in Scotland. Gordons Chemist says financial pressures on our community pharmacies to blame for fees Pharmacies are under growing financial pressure in NI. (Stock image) Credit: Getty Images Pharmacies are being forced into charging for the delivery of prescriptions as the sector faces growing financial pressures, one company has said. The warning comes after letters from Gordons Chemist were posted through the doors of customers in Belfast explaining it was introducing fees. One source who contacted the Belfast Telegraph on behalf of an elderly neighbour said Gordons had indicated an annual charge of 72, a monthly payment of 8, or a pay-as-you-go option of 5. Many pharmacies previously offered the service for free, but with Covid increasing demand for home deliveries, and rising funding pressures, they are reviewing the arrangement. Gordons said: Increased operating costs, and in particular wages, has led to a growing financial pressure on the pharmacy sector, which is well documented. This has led to 14 pharmacies closing in the region in the last year, which is more than what closed in the previous 10 years. The government do not provide funding for the delivery of prescriptions. Pharmacy owners, including Gordons Chemists, have always covered the significant and growing associated costs. However, this is no longer sustainable. We have had to make the difficult decision to either stop providing this service altogether, or to start charging patients. Knowing how vital this service is to our patients, the latter was the only option for us, and we understand most other pharmacy owners have made the same decision to start charging for deliveries. The company insisted the income from delivery charges would fall well short of covering the costs involved, but will ensure that the service can continue. We are currently in the process of contacting our delivery patients individually across the region and we thank them for their understanding, Gordons added. The broader implication of this issue is the essential role community pharmacies can play in the healthcare system, especially during times of crisis. It comes after Community Pharmacy NI warned last week the soaring cost of some medicines including common blood clot drug Apixaban was financially crippling for its members. It said some chemists had been forced to borrow money from family members to meet their drug wholesaler bills. For a first world health service, this is the sorry state of affairs, said chief executive Gerard Greene. Community Pharmacy NI chief executive Gerard Greene What we continuously hear is that there is no money, yet if primary care and community pharmacy was stabilised, community pharmacy can provide solutions to many of the issues facing our health service. Community pharmacies provide local, accessible healthcare services in every town and village across Northern Ireland. We can help prevent people from being admitted to hospital, we can help address the bottleneck in general practice. Community pharmacy is a solution that is ready to be utilised if the will and the resource is there to do it. The Department of Health said: Against the backdrop of the current severe budgetary pressures and the multiple demands for additional funding across all parts of health and social care, it was agreed that community pharmacy would receive an opening budget of 147m an increase of 19m compared to the opening position in April 2023. This increased allocation supports the provision of community pharmacy services aligned to the 2022-2025 commissioning plan developed by the department working in partnership with Community Pharmacy NI and through which community pharmacies are commissioned to deliver services. The department continues to face severe budget pressures and has a funding gap of circa 340m, for which the NI Executive has indicated that there is no additional money available, and all departments have been asked to deliver efficiencies. Almost 1,000 convicts recalled to prison after licence breaches in NI. (Stock image) Credit: Getty Images Almost 1,000 convicts, including at least 24 life sentence prisoners, have been recalled to prison for breaching the terms of their release in the past five years. A Garda killer who is serving time for driving at a separate officer is now facing a trial in Northern Ireland. Donegal man Martin McDermott, who has 115 convictions, is accused of assault and criminal damage in an incident in which it is alleged McDermott (39) tried to drag a man from a car. A bottle was thrown through the rear window of a car and an iron bar used in the alleged attack, it was heard during an extradition hearing this week. It is not McDermotts first time through the extradition process, having been sought by authorities to get him back from north of the border. He was previously convicted of the manslaughter of Garda Gary McLoughlin after he crashed into a patrol car near Buncrana, Co. Donegal, in 2009. McDermott is serving almost five years imposed in 2022 after being convicted of forcing a garda to jump aside as he drove through a checkpoint in Co.Donegal. He was pursued by gardai before eventually crashing, but then assaulted the officer, kicking him in the chest after being found hiding in undergrowth. The father-of-three admitted charges of endangerment, assault, drink-driving and driving without a licence. It was heard in court that McDermott became addicted to drugs while in Castlerea Prison, and later fled to Dublin on his release to escape pressure from the media. He said he now suffers from a medical condition as a result of a cyst on his brain. During his sentence hearing in that case, McDermott told of his regret over the death of Garda Gary McLoughlin in 2009. McDermott read out a letter of apology and said he wanted to put his past behind him. An appeal court judge later said McDermotts decision to drop his case against the severity of the four years and nine-month sentence was sensible. This was very serious offending, with someone with extraordinary prior offending for something of a very similar nature; almost carbon copyso hes being very sensible. While inside prison, McDermott picked up another six-month sentence for an unprovoked assault on a man in Derry in August 2021. Officers were called to the scene in the city and it took four police officers using CS spray to eventually subdue him. He is currently due to be released from prison in Ireland some time next year. McDermott first hit the headlines following the death of Gda McLoughlin, who was hit by a car driven by McDermott. He got a seven-year sentence for manslaughter as a result of the officers death. McDermott had led gardai on a 30km pursuit before smashing into Gda McLoughlin and his colleague Gda Bernard McLaughlin near Buncrana. He pleaded not guilty to manslaughter but admitted to dangerous driving causing death. Within the first year of his seven-year sentence, McDermott absconded from an open prison and was later arrested in Derry and returned to custody. He ended up serving just four years of that sentence. A ruling on whether McDermotts latest extradition will be allowed will be made in the near future. Cars enter a filled parking lot as Houston Independent School District hosts a campus hiring event at Delmar Fieldhouse Wednesday, June 12, 2024 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Houston ISD has 2,097 uncertified teachers out of more than 10,000 teachers for 2024-25, according to district records first provided to and reported by ABC13 KTRK. About 1 in 5 teachers, out of a district total 10,618 teachers as of Aug. 5, are working toward certification, according to records requested by the TV station for the total number of uncertified teachers on staff. The Houston Chronicle reported in August that state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said the district hired around 850 uncertified teachers in the context of summer hiring. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles listens Doris Delaney presents data on Houston ISDs STAAR testing results for the 2023-2024 school year during a Houston ISD board of managers at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Miles has framed vacancies prior to his leadership due to a mentality that the district couldnt hire uncertified teachers. HISDs chief human resources officer Jessica Neyman also spoke of this approach in 2023-24, when the district hired at least 830 uncertified teachers. And then the notion that, well, you have to be a certified teacher to be effective, Miles said. Yes, more likely than not you will be more effective than a teacher without a certification. Yes, thats true. But that doesnt mean in effect where non-certified teachers will be ineffective. We came in. We changed that concept. It is unclear at this time what subjects and grade levels uncertified teachers are covering. Waivers to hire uncertified teachers cannot be applied to special education, bilingual education, English as a Second Language or pre-kindergarten teaching roles, according to the Texas Education Agency. ABC 13 reported that uncertified teachers were hired into prohibited positions, including special education roles, last academic year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HISD is not alone in relying on uncertified teachers to fill vacancies. Nearly half of first-time new teacher hires were uncertified in 2022-23, according to a July Texas Tech University report. The report indicated that students with new uncertified teachers experience learning loss, losing about four months of learning in reading and three months in math, unless the teacher has previous experience working in a public school. The latest data I have showed that uncertified teachers turnover at three times the rate as other teachers. And so part of it is that, 'OK, Ive never been in a classroom before. I dont know what classroom management looks like because Ive never seen it modeled,' the reports author, Jacob Kirksey, said. RECORD HISD TURNOVER: Search to see how your campus was impacted Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, this summer called for the district to hire certified teachers for vacancies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And we dont want to see them just picking people off of the street, putting them in a classroom in front of our students for the sake of saying that theres a teacher in the classroom, the union leader had said. Because we really believe that high-quality instruction must be given by someone who is qualified, capable and well-trained to deliver that instruction. Police said the driver of a Renault Clio collided with a bicycle-mounted officer in the Belmont Road area of east Belfast (PA) A man in his 50s has been arrested after a police officer was knocked off a bicycle while on duty in east Belfast. The officer was treated in hospital for an injury which has been described as non life-threatening following the collision in the Belmont Road area on Sunday afternoon. Police said that around 3pm the driver of a Renault Clio collided with one of the bicycle-mounted officers patrolling the Belmont Road area in the cycle lane. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content They said the driver failed a scene breath test and fitness test, and that during arrest, he struck out at another officer. They said he was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink/drugs, careless driving causing grievous bodily injury, assault on police and resisting police. Following questioning, he was released on police bail to allow for key inquiries to be completed. Sergeant Gary Jackson said: My thoughts are with our colleague who has our full support as he recovers from this injury. As part of our inquiries, we are appealing for information and would appreciate anyone who was in the Belmont Road and Belmont Avenue areas at this time and witnessed this collision, or who would have dashcam or doorbell footage, to call us on 101. A concert in Portaferry featuring a high-profile Eton College music teacher has been cancelled after he was barred from teaching for life last week over his searches for indecent images of children. David Goode, who had performed at the Proms and spent 17 years teaching at the elite Windsor school, was suspended in December 2021 after making inappropriate searches on his work laptop. He was arrested on suspicion of possession and distribution of indecent images of children but the charges were later dropped. In 2022, police said there was no evidence to prove Mr Goode was in possession of the images. He was due to perform at the Portico of Ards on December 1, but the listing was taken down on Sunday with all tickets to be refunded. Dr Verity Peet, manager of the Portico, said: This matter has just been brought to our attention too and I can assure you that David Goodes recital at Portico will NOT be going ahead. The event has now been cancelled and all ticket buyers fully refunded. Mr Goodes website still lists the Portaferry concert alongside a date in Leeds which still appears to be going ahead. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) found that the 52-year-old had made 229 searches for terms such as gay little boys, cute thai littel [sic] boys and Algerian gay boys. Mr Goode admitted that his searches were sexually motivated and, in 2022, wrote a letter to a colleague saying he was massively regretful. He had previously been warned about accessing pornography on the schools IT network in 2017. The TRA found that his conduct risked bringing the teaching profession into serious disrepute and banned him from teaching indefinitely. Mr Goode had formally resigned from Eton College, a prestigious boarding school, before an internal disciplinary hearing could take place in April 2022. The school fully supported the decision to ban him from teaching. The TRA panel emphasised the strong public interest consideration in banning Mr Goode from the profession, to safeguard pupils and other members of the public. They noted that although Mr Goode had shown remorse and taken steps to address his behaviour, the severity of his unacceptable professional conduct was serious enough to justify a permanent ban. The panel spoke with Thames Valley Police who told them that the only reason Mr Goode wasnt prosecuted was because he wasnt in possession of indecent images and there was no doubt in their mind that he had accessed such images. David Oatley, acting on behalf of the secretary of state for education, endorsed the panels decision and decided that Mr Goode will not be entitled to apply to restore his ability to teach. Mr Oatley said: This means that Mr David Goode is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or childrens home in England. Mr Goode had attended Eton himself, before studying at Cambridge, and had been at the school since 2005. Pacemaker Press 08-09-2024: A new 340m public transport hub has opened in the centre of Belfast with the start of bus services. Translink has estimated the new Grand Central Station will cater for up to 20 million journeys a year. The Europa bus centre closed its doors at 23:30 BST on Saturday, with the first bus departures - to Dublin and to Belfast International Airport - from the new station at 05:00 BST on Sunday. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Translink has estimated the new Grand Central Station will cater for up to 20 million journeys a year. (Pic: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press) Crowds gathered at Belfasts new 340m Grand Central Station on Sunday for the first day of the station's phased opening. The Europa Bus Station officially closed its doors at 11.30pm on Saturday, while the first people getting buses from the new transport hub off the Grosvenor Road departed to Dublin and Belfast International Airport from 5am on Sunday morning. Frankie McCardle and his wife Geraldine from Finaghy decided to visit the station for the historical opening. We were just out for a walk around Queens [University] and we came down to have a look. Its really amazing to see, Frankie said. The pair feel the new station will help to modernise Belfast. Frankie and Geraldine McCardle Its like a different city, Geraldine was saying just when we came in, it's just like an airport. Its brilliant to see something like this in Belfast, we badly needed it especially with the other two stations so its amazing to see it here today, Frankie said. Ciara Finnegan from Portaferry and her family were some of the first people to arrive at the new station after getting the bus from Dublin airport. Its nice and bright. Its a big change from the Europa which is probably welcomed by a lot of people, she said. Ciara feels the new station will be more accommodating for tourists visiting Northern Ireland. Its a lot bigger and more welcoming than what we had before so fingers crossed it encourages a bit more travel, she said. Nick McRobert from Belfast decided to take his five-year-old daughter Harriet to the opening of the station. We are down for a wee mooch just to see the new station, its a big change for Belfast and I think it will be pretty fantastic when it is fully opened, Nick said. Nick MRobert and his daughter Harriet He wanted to bring his daughter to the station to witness the historic opening. Hopefully in 30 years' time Harriet will remember that she was here the very first day it opened, Nick said. Nick feels the new station is the perfect welcome for tourists visiting Northern Ireland. I think its definitely something we have needed, visitors coming in from Dublin and from the airport and things, it will be impressive for them, he said. The new station will be the largest integrated transport hub on the island of Ireland and will feature retailers such as M&S, Brewdog and Pret a Manger within it with the hope it becomes a thriving retail centre. However, none of these retailers are currently operating in the station so local business Fuelled by Yellow Door is currently running a pop-up coffee shop in the station. Three of their baristas, Sam Netherton (20), Emma Wilson (19) and Will Lettin (20), said they feel privileged to see the station opening. Its very modern, you feel like you are in London or something. I was surprised by how big it was, especially from the outside it just looks so impressive, Emma said. The trio are excited to show tourists visiting Belfast some of their NI delicates. I think its good that we are here because we are Translink has received some backlash due to a lack of Irish language signs in the station, with Irish language activists calling on Translink to add bilingual signage. West Belfast SDLP councillor Paul Doherty voiced his concerns. "It's very disappointing that the lack of Irish language signage at the new Grand Central Station has marred the very positive opening of the biggest transport hub on this island in the heart of Belfast, he said. Doherty said there was an agreement in the council that the station should have bilingual signage. Grand Central Station (Credit: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press) "Council has voted in favour of bilingual signage at the new station and I cannot understand why Translink has gone against this, he said. " This station will be used by travellers not only from Belfast and the North, but by tourists from around the world and it's important different languages are represented. Doherty added that he has spoken directly to Translink about the issue. "The exclusion of Irish and other languages has caused real concern and I raised it directly with Translink when I met with them on Friday. This new station must be reflective of the inclusive city we are trying to build and I urge Translink to put this right." Some also feel the station is too large and have questioned if it is worth the investment. Caitlin Williams (22) from Newry got a bus into the station today. I just think its too big, it feels really empty at the minute, she said. Aaron Colbert (21) from Belfast echoed her concerns. I dont really see the point of a new station unless they are going to update the rail line, to me that would be more of a priority, he said. Police at the scene of the crash which killed 70-year old Paul Marshall Police at the scene of the crash which killed 70-year old Paul Marshall A 70-year-old man has died after a road traffic crash in Belfast last week. Paul Marshall, who was from Belfast, died in hospital after he was taken from the scene at Millfield junction in the city centre close to Belfast Met Millfield campus last Monday. Last week, a 34-year-old man was charged in connection to the crash and appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 4. John Taggart is accused of causing catastrophic injuries to Mr Marshall after his van allegedly mounted kerbing and struck him while almost three times over the alcohol limit. A judge was told police called to the scene of the crash located the victim under the vehicle. When police breathalysed Taggart, the reading was said to be nearly three times over the legal drink-drive limit. The 34-year-old, of Seaview Drive in north Belfast, was charged with causing grievous bodily injury by careless driving and driving with excess alcohol. Read more Former Christian Brother accused of historical sex offences opts not to give evidence at trial Police said as is normal procedure, a full file will be submitted, and charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. A police spokesperson said: "A thorough investigation is continuing; we would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dashcam or other footage which could assist. As part of our enquiries, we would like to speak to a man wearing a blue coloured jacket and dark trousers who was in the Millfield area at the time of the collision, who we believe may be able to assist with our investigation. Californian Rishi Sharma pictured with Charles Battalgia, a US veteran who was a double amputee when wounded aged 19 by a German mortar, one of more than 2,500 veterans Rishi has interviewed. A Californian who has spent seven years living in the back of a car and travelling the world interviewing Second World War veterans to share their stories is arriving in Northern Ireland next week. Rishi Sharma has shunned the sunshine of the Golden State, instead he is spending his time journeying to all the Allied countries. His quest has taken him across every state in the USA, on to Canada, New Zealand and Australia, into the UK and hes getting to meet his heroes along the way. Thats the biggest thrill of it, he said, speaking after documenting the latest veteran story in London before heading across the Irish Sea. His labour of love has seen him visit, interview and document the memories of more than 2,500 people who had their part to play in the Second World War. Californian Rishi Sharma has travelled around the world for seven years interviewing veterans of WW2 and he's been in Northern Ireland next week hoping to find more. At high school, I watched Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan and saw these stories of boys who were my age having to go through hell, he said. I started reading about the war and became engrossed in it. But I wanted to know more and I started looking up these veterans online which was pretty easy in the States. I ended up actually meeting face-to-face with people whose stories Id read in books. I found out there were veterans living at an assisted housing place near me and I just cycled over there. The director of the place was so excited to see a young person interested in what these guys had done that he introduced me to 25 veterans. I started filming their stories. But after that, I started to look further and when I got a car I travelled more and more in search of these veterans. Now 26, not even the Covid pandemic stopped his mission. That was actually the first time Id been home in five years, he said. But it didnt last long. The veterans were still keen to meet me, I took every precaution I could and carried on. There is, of course, only so long Rishi can continue. Time moves on and there are fewer and fewer veterans around to sit down in front of his camera and tell their stories. I might have another five or six years of doing this, he said, so Im determined now to get as much out of it as I can. These are people who deserve recognition for what they did 80 years ago. Im still looking to talk to as many veterans as I can. These are just such incredible people. We complain nowadays if the WiFi is down, but these guys lived in a time when they were facing life-or-death situations. Yet they didnt complain. I just think its so important that we record their experiences while we can. Theres a belief in America that they were the only ones who gave up so much during the war, he continued. Its forgotten that so many people in Europe, right where so much of the war was fought, gave up so much as well. I wanted to set that record right in American minds. Californian Rishi Sharma has travelled around the world for seven years interviewing veterans of WW2 and he's been in Northern Ireland next week hoping to find more. That appeal got Rishi started. He still doesnt charge anything for the interviews. And the veterans and their families receive a copy to keep. Id love to think there will be kids sitting down in 200 years and watching about the sacrifices their ancestors made. Actually seeing them tell the stories, he said. Edited versions go on his YouTube channel with permissions and theyre available for schools and colleges so the next generation can hear the stories from the men and women involved themselves. I feel this is my only way to say thank you to them, he said. Not only should people get to know their name or see a photo of them in a book, they should know their characteristics, their jokes, their personalities and see them for who they really were. I also hope its a really cathartic opportunity for the veterans to get these emotions out before they pass. It can be a very lonely place when youre the only person with these thoughts in their head. It wont be the first time Rishi has been to Northern Ireland. Back in 2020, after setting up camp in Donegall Pass in south Belfast, he then met with two veterans in Omagh, Co Tyrone, aged 101 and 102, who saw action during the German blitzkrieg of the Low Countries in 1940 and the Allied advance through Italy in 1944. I have two more veterans of the war to meet when Im in Northern Ireland this time, said Rishi. But Id be happy to stay around for longer if there are any more out there who would like to tell their stories. If any of their family members would like to get in touch with me, Id be delighted to meet up while Im in Northern Ireland. Anyone who knows any veterans who would like to participate can contact him via e-mail at info@rememberww2.org. The Belfast man contended that the arrangements which involve MLAs designating as either nationalist or unionist on key decisions breached human rights law. But a judge rejected claims that the system discriminated against Assembly members who categorise themselves as others. Mr Justice Scoffield ruled: This is not a matter where there is a realistic prospect of the court holding that the constitutional arrangements which have been adopted in this regard are unlawful. Mr McCord, whose son Raymond Jr was murdered by loyalist paramilitaries in 1997, was described in the case as a peace campaigner and nascent politician. He has stood as a candidate in past elections and expressed a desire to contest future Stormont polls as a prospective unaligned MLA who would designate himself as other. According to his case the rights of Assembly members who class themselves as neither nationalist or unionist would be unjustly undermined during decision-making which require cross-community consent. If elected his vote would not count in 17 important areas where cross-community support is required, the court heard. Mr McCord also stated one of his main goals as a candidate would be to remove sectarianism in Northern Ireland. In correspondence disclosed as part of the challenge, his representatives wrote to Naomi Long, leader of the cross-community Alliance Party, setting their views on the designation system. She responded in agreement with the view that the arrangements put non-aligned MLAs and their constituents at a disadvantage on key issues, and set out plans to push for reforms. Proceedings were issued against the Secretary of State in a challenge to the mechanism put in place under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Lawyers for McCord argued that the system is incompatible with rights to vote and to stand for election, along with a prohibition on discrimination protected by Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights. MLAs who designate as others are a lower class of legislator under the cross-community structures, it was alleged. The Secretary of State responded that the case was premature because Mr McCord is not an elected MLA and may not even stand at the next Assembly poll. It was also submitted that the current system gives legislative effect to agreed provisions of theGood Friday Agreement, with any changes to be determined through the political process. Ruling on the challenge, Mr Justice Scoffield described the breaches alleged by Mr McCord as unarguable. He stated: It is not the role of the court to seek to redesign the legislative arrangements passed by Parliament and adopted by the Assembly, after agreement in the course of the Belfast Agreement and endorsement by referendum. The system adopted falls squarely within the broad margin of appreciation which, in my judgement, should properly be afforded to the state to seek to secure stable government in the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland. The judge acknowledged there were valid points to be made about the continuing operation of the community designation mechanism. But he added: The value, efficacy and fairness of the system is properly a matter for political debate. The increase in recent elections in the number of those voting for parties who designate as other and the resultant increase in the number of MLAs so designated may prove a catalyst for further such debate. Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar will tell his story 'with courage and candour', say his publishers Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has sold rights to his memoirs, after a bidding war involving nine publishers. The deal, for a substantial six-figure sum, has been signed with Sandycove, an imprint of the publisher Penguin. The autobiography, which will cover both his political and personal life, will be published in autumn 2025. At least 100 flights to and from London Gatwick have been cancelled by the latest bout of staff shortage in the airports control tower disrupting the travel plans of 15,000 passengers and costing airlines millions of pounds. According to Nats, the air-traffic control provider that runs the tower, temporary air traffic restrictions are currently in place at the airport in order to maintain safety. Four round-trips between Gatwick and Amsterdam are axed, along with two return journeys to each of Faro, Paris, Geneva and Belfast. Key easyJet holiday flights to and from Heraklion in Crete, Naples and Lisbon are also cancelled. EasyJet, which has its main base at London Gatwick, incurred around two-thirds of the cancellations. At least 64 easyJet arrivals and departures have been grounded on one of the busiest and most lucrative days of the summer. A Nats spokesperson said: These restrictions are due to short-notice staff absence at the air traffic control tower and in addition to existing restrictions already in place due to adverse weather across UK and Europe. We apologise sincerely for the inconvenience and are working closely with the airport and airlines to try and keep disruption to a minimum. The mass cancellations are a repeat of problems suffered at the Sussex airport a year ago and in June 2024. A spokesperson for easyJet said: Nats air-traffic control staffing shortages at Gatwick led to a significantly reduced flow rate being imposed on all airlines today which is resulting in flights to and from Gatwick airport being subject to disruption including some cancellations. We are extremely disappointed that customers are once again being impacted by this and while this is outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused. We are doing all possible to minimise the impact of the disruption and have notified those on cancelled flights of their options to rebook or receive a refund and are providing hotel accommodation and meals where required. British Airways grounded its evening flights to and from Bordeaux and Jersey on top of previous cancellations unrelated to the air-traffic control issues. BAs sister airline, Vueling, cancelled a dozen flights, mainly serving Spain. Norwegian axed its flights linking Gatwick with Bergen, Copenhagen and Stavanger. Wizz Air grounded flights serving Vienna and Venice. In addition, Turkish Airlines cancelled its evening operation to and from Istanbul, while TAP Portugal axed a Porto service. A spokesperson for Gatwick said: Due to short-notice absence in the air-traffic control tower, temporary restrictions have been put in place today, in addition to existing restrictions in place due to adverse weather across UK and Europe. These may result in some delays and cancellations. London Gatwick apologises to any passengers impacted by these restrictions. Please contact your airline for more information. Airlines are likely to incur financial losses running into millions: they must pay for hotel rooms and meals for all passengers stranded overnight, find space for them on other flights and lose revenue from passengers who abandon their journeys. Earlier, British Airways cancelled dozens of flights at Heathrow. The cause is not known. Analysis of Covid-related contracts worth some 15.5 billion has identified corruption concerns, campaigners have claimed. The research by Transparency International UK suggests there are questions to answer about the nature of 135 contracts made during the pandemic. The group points to at least 28 contracts, worth 4.1 billion, which went to organisations with close connections at Westminster, particularly with the Conservatives who were in government during the pandemic. It also raises concerns about contracts awarded through the VIP lane, a system deemed unlawful by the high court, of which 15 contracts worth 1.7 billion were awarded to politically connected suppliers. The analysis also raises red flags about contracts which went to new inexperienced suppliers, and uncompetitive processes. It comes as the Covid-19 Inquiry is set to reconvene for its third module, examining the impact of the pandemic on the UKs health services. Daniel Bruce, chief executive of Transparency International UK, said: The scale of corruption risk in the former governments approach to spending public money during the years of the Covid pandemic was profound. He added: The Covid procurement response was marked by various points of systemic weakness and political choices that allowed cronyism to thrive, all enabled by woefully inadequate public transparency. As far as we can ascertain, no other country used a system like the UKs VIP lane in their Covid response. He urged the authorities to ensure full accountability, as ministers look to appoint a Covid corruption commissioner. The report titled Behind the Masks, due to be launched in Westminster on Monday afternoon, recommends ministers investigate the concerns it highlights, bolster its procurement practices and safeguards against impropriety. A Conservative spokesman said: Government policy was in no way influenced by the donations the party received they are entirely separate. Rachel Reeves told the Commons in July a Covid anti-corruption probe would go ahead, aimed at clawing back money from Covid fraud. A spokesperson for the Treasury, which is now leading efforts on investigating Covid era corruption, said: The Chancellor has been clear that she will not tolerate waste and will appoint a Covid corruption commissioner to get back the money that is owed to the British people. The commissioner will report directly to the Chancellor, working with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and their report will be presented to Parliament for all Members to see. A new record of experiences of patients and NHS workers during the pandemic has been published by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (Victoria Jones/PA) Harrowing stories from patients and NHS workers who experienced the Covid-19 pandemic have been published by the inquiry examining its impact. More than 32,000 people have contributed to the Every Story Matters record, which is designed to assist UK Covid-19 Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett in reaching conclusions and making recommendations on how to handle future pandemics. Monday marks the publication of the document, which is the result of the largest public engagement exercise ever undertaken by a UK public inquiry. Every Story Matters is still open for submissions across a variety of topics. The record covers the experiences of health professionals and patients across primary care and hospitals, as well as emergency and urgent care, end-of-life care, maternity, shielding, and long Covid. It covers how some patients found accessing healthcare during the pandemic very difficult and stressful, how families faced significant challenges in supporting their loved ones at the end of life, and how health workers felt planning for the pandemic was poor and the speed of the response too slow. The document also includes detail from 604 in-depth interviews carried out with those who were involved with healthcare. UK Covid-19 Inquiry secretary Ben Connah said: In this, our first published record, we draw together thousands of experiences that demonstrate the impact of the pandemic on patients, their loved ones, healthcare systems and settings, and the people working within them. It is a tough read in places but it really brings to life how people experienced our healthcare systems during those pandemic years I would encourage everyone with a story to share it with us. To find our more visit everystorymatters.co.uk. Some contributors to the record said senior medics made end-of-life decisions for patients, partly to spare their junior colleagues having to do it. One said of young doctors: They were surrounded by people dying, more than one patient in a day, and often uncomfortable and looking distressed when they died. If you dont have that confidence, that certainty and its all a bit new to you and youre surrounded by chaos and suffering and death then I think its much more stressful. End-of-life care also frequently involved hospital staff being with dying patients when their loved ones could not. Nobody wants anybody to die on their own, and as nurses you try really hard to make sure that that doesnt happen, one hospital nurse said. If family members cant be there, youre there. You just are. You just do it. One healthcare assistant said they held a dying patients hands as their family watched through a window. Another worker said: Were trying to get quality for families, and so, even if, you know, I can wake a patient up for two hours so they can have a chance to have a coherent conversation with their loved ones, thats a win, because thats precious. And, you know, if theyre going to die, if we can make that passing as dignified and as not horrible as it can be, knowing its going to be horrible, and if we can take just some of the edges off it, its still going to be bad. A hospital doctor spoke of having to tell a patient with a bowel perforation over the phone that they were going to die because they could not be offered an operation. This was because the operation was moderately high risk and was assessed as riskier due to Covid-19. At the time the evidence was suggesting that doing operations on people wasnt particularly safe, particularly if they had Covid, they said. It meant that people who in any other time would be offered an operation, an emergency operation to fix something catastrophically wrong with them such as bowel perforation, which normally we would go ahead with without thinking twice about, we offered far fewer of those operations. And, in doing so, knew that people were going to die as a result, and that was obviously very hard. The document also showed how some medics believed the Nightingale hospitals set up to treat patients was a misuse of resources. One said: We set up huge Nightingale hospitals with ICU (intensive care) capabilities which were under-used, likely due to lack of highly trained staff or ICU need. A bit of lateral thinking could have meant these being used for less intensive care such as care of the elderly, rehab beds or Covid+ intermediate care beds, freeing up hospital beds for patients that needed them. Some NHS staff also told the inquiry how stressful it was to be redeployed from their usual role. One physiotherapist said: When it came to being redeployed, we were actually redeployed as ICU nurses this had not been communicated to us prior to starting our shifts and all the jobs that that entails. We had no training as there were too many patients and were asked to do 12.5-hour shifts. We undertook all of this willingly as we knew that this was a challenging time. Villages in SE China's Fujian become magnets for youth, tourists People's Daily Online) 09:32, September 09, 2024 Photo shows a view of Siping village, Pingnan county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Lan Zhifei) Neat houses, small bridges and flowing creeks create a picturesque scene of traditional dwellings among green hills in Siping village, southeast China's Fujian Province. Tourists flock to this idyllic spot, seeking a taste of rural Chinese life. The scene was starkly different seven years ago, said Pan Jia'en, deputy head of the Institute for Rural Revitalization Strategy at Southwest University in Chongqing Municipality. Before promoting rural revitalization through cultural and creative industries in 2017, the village had fewer than 20 residents, most of them elderly, according to Pan, a native of Ningde city, where Siping is located. Photo shows a view of Siping village, Pingnan county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Lan Zhifei) The turnaround began in 2017 when Pingnan county started attracting talent and renovating ancient dwellings to transform the nearly empty village. This strategy caught the eye of Pan and his team when they surveyed the village in 2020, inspiring him to dig deeper into the mechanics of rural revitalization and bring more new ideas and energy to the village. "The beautiful landscape and rich cultural heritage here struck a chord with me. I'd like to stay and help further leverage rural history and culture to contribute my part to Pingnan county's rural revitalization," he said. As a participant in the development of Siping, Pan has helped bring more resources, including capital and talent, to the village. This summer, university students from across China flocked to Siping, contributing to the village's development under their teachers' guidance. Photo shows a view of Siping village, Pingnan county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhong Qiaohua) Today, in addition to "honorary villagers" and new residents, Siping has pioneered the concept of "online villagers," a network of supporters from far and wide who contribute ideas for the village's development, said Pan Jiaru, Party branch secretary of the village. With strong government support, these people have strengthened Siping's brand image. "Our village has become more beautiful with more revenue, and villagers have fattened their wallets," Pan Jiaru said proudly. Just 4 kilometers away from Siping, another success story is taking shape in Longtan village. Chen Zhongye, a "new farmer," has become an internet sensation with videos showcasing rural life. Photo shows an aerial view of Longtan village, Pingnan county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Weiyi) Last year, Chen transformed his old house into a cultural and creative center. He started by designing local products, then expanded into milk tea, coffee and traditional lacquer fans. Meanwhile, the local government has implemented policies to boost Longtan's development and attract more visitors. Chen Xiaozhen, Party branch secretary of Longtan village, reflected on its transformation. Seven years ago, Longtan was still a provincial-level poverty-stricken village, Chen said. But through consistent efforts and by creating opportunities for "new villagers," an environment where fresh ideas can flourish has been fostered, and the culture and tourism industries have thrived. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) In this weather satellite photo taken Monday morning, Tropical Storm Francine can be seen rotating in the Gulf of Mexico, at left. NOAA/National Weather Service As the Texas Gulf Coast prepares for the passage of Tropical Storm Francine, many of its residents are understandably wary and wondering how this new storm compares to Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall in Southeast Texas on July 8. Although both Tropical Storm Francine and Hurricane Beryl began as tropical waves of low atmospheric pressure in the Atlantic Oceans storm spawning waters of the Main Development Region, Beryl emerged in late June and became the earliest-forming Category 5 hurricane on record. The National Weather Service anticipates a flood risk inland with the arrival of storms this week. National Weather Service TRACK STORMS: Track Tropical Storm Francine with the Texas Hurricane and Tropical Storm Tracker. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tropical Storm Francine started developing in earnest in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico late Sunday. The storm started much closer to Texas than Hurricane Beryl, which gained strength in the tropical Atlantic even before making its first landfall in the eastern Caribbean Sea. That proximity to Texas doesnt mean Francine cant rapidly develop into a hurricane, but it almost certainly wont have enough time or distance to develop into a Category 5 hurricane as Hurricane Beryl did in the Atlantic, forecasters said. However, the waters in the Gulf of Mexico are warm, and the storm is expected to intensify into at least a Category 1 hurricane before it makes landfall likely in south-central Louisiana on Wednesday. The National Hurricane Centers latest projected path of Potential Tropical Cyclone Six shows it approaching Texas in the coming days. National Hurricane Center Hurrevac Gulf of Mexico track of Hurricane Beryl from operational National Hurricane Center public advisories. National Hurricane Center Both Beryl and Francine regained strength in the Gulf of Mexico after crossing the Yucatan Peninsula from the Caribbean. Whereas Beryl took a northwesterly course before crashing into Southeast Texas, Francine's projected path has the storm eventually taking a more northeasterly path and spending more time in the open water. That extra heat energy absorbed from the water means Francine could become an even stronger hurricane than Beryl was at landfall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its still too early to compare the potential damage of the tropical storm directly to Beryl, but the National Hurricane Center warns that Francine will be capable of producing life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the Louisiana and upper Texas coastlines beginning Tuesday night. For reference, Hurricane Beryl made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. As a tropical storm moving inland into Southeast Texas, Beryl brought sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts of 50 to 70 mph across Southeast Texas. The storm also dumped 3 to 6 inches of rain across Southeast Texas, and moderate storm surge flooding across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas came with tides of 2 to 3 feet. One EF2 tornado was reported in Jasper. The effect on Southeast Texas from Tropical Storm Francine depends on the systems path and its intensity, both of which remained uncertain on Monday. But forecasters are becoming more certain by the hour. Meanwhile, CenterPoint Energy announced the utility company is monitoring the weather forecasts and preparing for potential severe weather along the Texas coast and in the Houston area to avoid potential widespread power outages like what occurred following Hurricane Beryl. Nature should be embedded in the national curriculum to close an access gap between schools in poorer and wealthier areas, the WWF has said. The wildlife group found that the majority of schoolchildren are missing out on outdoor learning and regularly experiencing nature. Research published in its School for Nature report on Monday suggests that only 24% of schools provide daily opportunities for pupils to get out into nature. The analysis of responses from 1,885 schools also revealed a nature gap between schools in better-off and more deprived areas. While 52% of students in state schools with a low percentage of free school meals are given daily opportunities to experience nature, only 18% attending state schools with a high percentage of free school meals have these opportunities, the research suggests. Elsewhere, the findings showed that the likelihood of experiencing nature on a daily basis at school drops from 30% to 12% as pupils progress from primary to secondary school. In terms of outdoor learning, 56% of secondary schools said they do not offer any such opportunities to any pupils while 79% of parents said they believe their childrens screentime has gone up since the pandemic. WWF said the research suggests that a students chances of benefitting from spending time in nature including boosting their physical health, mental wellbeing and quality of education are a lottery, depending on the school year group, size, location, and affluence of the catchment area. The report added that access to nature also benefits teachers who can experience higher job satisfaction through outdoor learning, and boost their teaching practice and professional development. Tanya Steele, WWFs chief executive, said: Schools and teachers have a vital and unique role to play in building childrens connection with nature helping them learn about the wonder of the natural world and how to protect it. Getting out into nature is good for our physical and mental wellbeing too and it doesnt have to cost the Earth. Bringing nature into the playground, even in small ways, can give pupils a chance to learn and connect with the natural world around them. Citing case studies around the country, the report outlined how schools are creating opportunities for schoolchildren to experience nature through a natural environment onsite or through trips and clubs. But the research also suggests that half of schools in the UK say that none of their pupils have daily opportunities to spend free time or play in a nature-rich environment at school. It indicated that the most common practice when it comes to access to nature is through school trips and extra-curricular activities but these can be infrequent and optional with the cost of living crisis causing both parents and schools to cut back. Rather than addressing inequalities based on education phase and socio-economic factors, optional activities may actually reinforce and exacerbate existing disparities, WWF said. The wildlife organisation is also calling for all schools to be supported in allowing pupils to have regular nature experiences as a part of their educational entitlement. WWF said that by embedding outdoor learning into the curriculum means teachers are planning when, how and what to teach outside the classroom, and are ensuring nature features in pupils education. It also backed the Peoples Plan for Nature drawn up by a citizens assembly of members of the UK public last year, which includes calls for regular time in nature, with knowledge and appreciation of nature built into the school curriculum throughout school life. A Department for Education spokesperson said: We want all children to feel the benefits of being outside in nature. Our National Education Nature Park scheme, encourages more than 3,000 nurseries, schools, and colleges with the least access to green spaces to improve their outside teaching and learning facilities, providing more access to nature for all. As part of the scheme, we also announced 15million of capital funding, over academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25, to support settings and young people that need the most help in accessing nature. Concern over Labours planned cuts to the winter fuel allowance continues to lead the nations papers. The Guardian, The Times and the i report scores of Labour MPs could refuse to back the controversial plans. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Daily Mail says Labour research claims the proposal could kill 4,000. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Daily Express leads with Tory MP Andrew Rosindell calling the plans a cruel, planned betrayal of pensioners. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Elsewhere, The Telegraph says a major governmental review is set to find NHS progress is going backwards for the first time in 50 years. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Lucy Letby inquiry is to look into whether the NHS failed to learn from the crimes of serial killers Beverley Allitt and Harold Shipman, according to the Daily Mirror. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Financial Times reports the Bank of Londons board of directors and new management were unaware of its unpaid tax debts. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content And the Daily Star says an autumn freeze is on the way. US authorities are searching a rugged and hilly area of south-eastern Kentucky for a man suspected of shooting at nine vehicles and wounding five people on a busy highway. Joseph A Couch, 32, was named as a suspect in Saturdays shootings on Interstate 75 after authorities recovered his SUV on a service road near the crime scene. They later found a semi-automatic weapon nearby that they believe was used in the shooting, said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriffs Office. The search was focused on the remote area around where the shootings happened, which is north of London, a community of about 8,000 people roughly 75 miles south of Lexington. Were going to go in and were going to find this guy, Mr Acciardo told reporters as law enforcement raced to find Couch before darkness fell in the remote, densely forested area. Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, of Laurel County Sheriffs Office, spoke at a news conference about the shooting along Interstate 75 (Timothy D Easley/AP) Authorities consider Couch to be armed and dangerous, and they cautioned members of the public who might spot him not to approach him. Couch is from Woodbine, a small community about 20 miles south of the shooting scene. Mr Acciardo said law enforcement zeroed in on him Saturday after they found his abandoned vehicle. Investigators found an AR-15 rifle on Sunday in an elevated wooded area next to highway that he could have shot down upon the interstate from, Mr Acciardo said. Couch was initially considered a person of interest in the case until he was upgraded to a suspect on Sunday based on the totality of everything law enforcement has found out so far, Mr Acciardo said. Authorities believe there was only one gunman and Mr Acciardo said they do not think the shooting was sparked by road rage. He said it appeared to be a random act of violence. Theres been some speculation, but were not ready to address that at this point, he said. An image released by London Police Department in Kentucky shows suspect Joseph A Couch (London Police Department/AP) Mr Acciardo said authorities were notified at about 5.30pm on Saturday about gunshots along the highway near exit 49. An individual who was off that exit fired multiple rounds into the northbound and southbound lanes, striking nine vehicles and wounding five people, he said. When our first two units got to the scene there, they said it was a madhouse: people on the sides of the road, emergency flashers going, bullet holes, windows shot out, nine vehicles shot. Can you imagine that? Just chaotic, Mr Acciardo said during a news conference. The wounded one person from Kentucky and the others from out of state were in a stable condition in hospital early on Sunday. Some had very serious injuries, including one who was shot in the face, Mr Acciardo said. Residents of Laurel County were on edge as authorities searched with a drone, helicopter and on foot in a remote and sparsely populated wooded area near the highway. Mr Acciardo said authorities had been bombarded with a hundred or more calls from people claiming to have seen Couch at places including a grocery store. State lawmakers from Laurel County urged residents in the area to stay at home during the search. The head of the United Nations says that the UN has offered to monitor any ceasefire in Gaza and demanded an end to the worst death and destruction he has seen in his more than seven-year tenure. Secretary-general Antonio Guterres said in an interview with The Associated Press that it is unrealistic to think the UN could play a role in Gazas future, either by administering the territory or providing a peacekeeping force, because Israel is unlikely to accept a UN role. But he said the UN will be available to support any ceasefire. The United Nations has had a military monitoring mission in the Middle East, known as UNTSO, since 1948, and he said, from our side, this was one of the hypotheses that weve put on the table. Of course, well be ready to do whatever the international community asked for us, Mr Guterres said. The question is whether the parties would accept it, and in particular whether Israel would accept it. Israels military assault on Gaza, triggered by Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7, has stretched for 11 months, with recent ceasefire talks failing to reach a breakthrough and violence in the West Bank reaching new highs. Trucks of humanitarian aids wait to cross the Rafah border (Amr Nabil/AP) Stressing the urgency of a ceasefire now, Mr Guterres said: The level of suffering we are witnessing in Gaza is unprecedented in my mandate as secretary-general of the United Nations. Ive never seen such a level of death and destruction as we are seeing in Gaza in the last few months. The war has killed more than 40,900 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in its count. The war has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90% of Gazas population of 2.3 million, often multiple times. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government have accused the UN of being anti-Israel and have been highly critical of UN humanitarian operations in Gaza. Facing protests at home and increasing urgency from allies, Mr Netanyahu has pushed back against pressure for a ceasefire deal and declared that no-one will preach to me. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Abir Sultan/Pool via AP) Looking beyond a ceasefire, Mr Guterres stressed that a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not only viable, its the only solution. The United States and others support Palestinian statehood, but Mr Netanyahu, who is leading the most conservative government in Israels history, has opposed calls for a two-state solution. Mr Guterres asked rhetorically whether the alternative is viable. It means that you have five million Palestinians living there without any rights in a state, he said. Is it possible? Can we accept an idea similar to what we had in South Africa in the past? He was referring to South Africas apartheid system from 1948 until the early 1990s when its minority white population marginalised and segregated people of colour, especially black people. I do not think you can have two peoples living together if they are not in a basis of equality, and if they are not in a basis of respect mutual respect of their rights, Mr Guterres said. So the two-state solution is, in my opinion, a must if we want to have peace in the Middle East. Money is tight due to historic underfunding by Whitehall, but the DUP is determined to work night and day to improve lives I know that ordinary people care less about the documents the Executive produces and more about delivery on the ground, writes DUP leader Gavin Robinson Since Stormonts return seven months ago, the DUP has been firmly focused on delivery on the issues that matter. Unlike those who shirk the important decisions or would rather see all power reside at Westminster our ministers have acted in the best interests of everyone in Northern Ireland. In education, we have raised the starting salary for teachers who were grossly underpaid compared to their counterparts in the rest of the British Isles. For working parents, we listened to the concerns about crippling childcare costs. Seven months ago we took the Education Department because we said we wanted to fix childcare. Our team designed a scheme and slashed childcare bills by a further 15%, saving working parents up to 160 per month 12,000 parents signed up for the scheme within the first month. That is the DUP delivering on an issue which matters to everyone, and we have more to do to make the sector sustainable. DUP leader Gavin Robinson Im glad we have been able to work with the other parties in the Executive to agree a programme of legislation which will be developed over the next few years. I believe in working collectively for the greater good. Agreement on a Programme for Government is a great step forward and will undoubtedly pave the way for further progress and unlock even better outcomes for all in our society. The PfG will be published shortly, but I will not pretend it is a silver bullet to the many challenges Northern Ireland faces. I know that ordinary people care less about the documents the Executive produces and more about delivery on the ground. The necessary funding does not exist to take forward every policy agreed by the Executive. Therefore, I am not going to pretend every problem that besets our frontline services can, or will, be resolved in the short window available before the next Assembly election. This may be an unpopular view in some quarters, but I believe the public deserve straight talking. Years of chronic underfunding by the Treasury has tied the hands of ministers and ultimately only a step-change by the Labour Government can remove these shackles. The interim fiscal framework falls well short in this regard, and has neglected the crippling legacy of vital public services being funded below need. For those, however, who simplistically speak about Northern Ireland households paying more taxes, I urge caution. Household budgets are already squeezed. Government must be able to tackle waste and achieve greater efficiencies as opposed to simply asking hard-pressed householders to pay more whilst not seeing better outcomes. Ratepayers should not be expected to plug holes in our public services when those holes have been largely created by the Treasurys failure to provide reasonable funding in the first place. We will be campaigning in Stormont and Westminster for a better funding deal which meets our needs and addresses the historic underfunding. I have never been shy about challenging our Civil Service where I see inefficiency, but public sector staff must be paid fairly, whilst at the same time there must be headroom to invest in transformation of services. This cause is not served by attacks on those ministers and public bodies who are willing to put their head above the parapet and advocate for fair funding to do the job. There can be no repeat of the treatment dished out to Chief Constable by the Department of Justice in recent days. This simply takes the heat off Whitehall. Inevitably, the current challenges mean there must be a laser-sharp focus on inescapable pressures facing frontline services and our society. Tackling the backlog in hospital waiting lists, delivering effective SEN provision, and responding to the crisis facing our water and sewerage network must be high on the agenda if we are to protect the most vulnerable and drive forward our economy. In this sense, the next Programme for Government may not have all of the answers, but it is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss. Our team of DUP MLAs and MPs know there are issues hitting families up and down the country. We will work night and day to secure solutions and we will fight tooth and nail for more funding. I realise it will be tough. We will work with other parties in the Executive to deliver needed improvements, particularly in education and health. The evangelical ex-teacher has spent over 400 days in prison why? Former teacher Enoch Burke has returned to the medium-security Mountjoy Prison in Dublin after he was found guilty by the high court of breaching a court order. Hes now spent over 400 days in total behind bars in total after continually failing to abide by an injunction won by officials at Wilson's Hospital School, Westmeath, which barred him from being on the premises. He was dismissed from his job as a teacher at the school after refusing to name a transgender student by their new pronouns. The Burkes are an evangelical Christian family who have made a name for themselves in the Republic of Ireland, and now internationally. In June, they were seen protesting outside St Annes Cathedral as NI politicians arrived for a celebration event for the cathedrals 120th anniversary. His family insist that Enoch is doing time because hes a Christian standing up to the so-called woke trans agenda. Multiple media outlets across the world have echoed this view. Why exactly is Enoch Burke behind bars, and how much of his life could he end up spending there? Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Shane Phelan, the legal affairs editor with the Irish Independent. Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. MONTPELIER The Vermont Arts Council announces more than half a million dollars in grant awards to 86 Vermont organizationsfrom arts nonprofits to arts schools, museums to makerspaces, from libraries to community art centers, and more. All are helping to expand arts access through specific programs or are bringing year-round, high-quality arts programs and services to Vermonters across the state. Without the generous support provided through the arts grant, our mentorship program would not have the ability to engage our wider school community in our work and our learning, said Dave Paarlberg-Kvam who teaches at the Sustainability Academy, an elementary school located in the Old North End of Burlington. The school was awarded an Arts Project grant to support research, artwork, installation, and a public event to showcase how the Vermont dairy industry is connected to the students and families of the school. The grants are a part of two programs: Arts Operating and Arts Project. Local organizations receiving grants: * GNAT-TV, Manchester Center. $3,000 Arts Project Grant to support filmmakers in creating documentaries or episodic TV series to be broadcast on GNAT-TV. * Rupert Village Trust, Rupert. Arts Project Grant, $3,010 to support a series of three ukulele workshops and performances for the community. * Shakespeare in the Woods, Pawlet. Arts Project Grant, $4,000 to support the final week of Shakespeare in the Woods 2024 Season. * Threshold Collaborative, North Bennington. Arts Project Grant: $4,000 to support a theatrical reading to celebrate the creation of a second anthology by the Voices of St. Josephs Orphanage Writers Group. Support for arts projects that bring people together and funding for unrestricted operating grants that allow organizations to fulfill their missions are essential for a thriving creative sector. We are proud to support Vermonts cultural organizations as they work to strengthen the wellbeing of our communities through shared arts experiences, said Vermont Arts Council Executive Director Susan Evans McClure. Arts Operating Grants provide unrestricted, general operating funds to arts organizations that offer year-round, high-quality arts programs and services that support the Councils mission to cultivate and advance the arts and creativity throughout Vermont." A total of $420,000 in funding was awarded to 60 organizations, the highest amount ever awarded, thanks to an anonymous fundholder of the Vermont Community Foundation. The Council awards three-year and one-year Arts Operating grants. In 2023, the Council awarded three-year operating grants of between $8,000 and $9,000 per year to 40 Vermont organizations. With this years funding, these organizations are beginning the second year of the three-year grant. This years funding also supports 20 organizations with one-year grants, which are between $3,000 and $4,000. Applications for one-year funding were evaluated by an external panel based on the quality of arts programming, community and audience responsiveness, and organizational capacity. One-year grants were awarded to a broad variety of organization types (theaters, museums, community art centers, art schools, makerspaces, and more) and artistic disciplines (visual arts, fine crafts, film, theatre, music, literary arts, and more). In addition to the support of an anonymous fundholder of the Vermont Community Foundation, the program is supported through the State of Vermont and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information about the Arts Operating Grant and a list of recipients, visit https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/find-a-grant/organizations/arts-operating/ Arts Project Grants support nonprofits, municipalities, and schools in their efforts to add vibrancy to Vermont communities through projects that provide equal and abundant access to the arts and cultural activities. It also includes projects that re-envision public spaces, strengthen community identity through the arts, and addresses issues related to the impact of recent flooding. Grant awards range from $2,500 to $4,000. Under the Arts Project Grant program, a total of $98,700 in funding was awarded to 26 organizations. Grant proposals were evaluated by an external panel based on the quality of arts programming and project management. Among this years projects are a documentary film by teens, an art installation and public event to showcase a theme of the Vermont dairy industry, backdrops for an upcoming exhibit about the American Revolutionary War in Vermont, and a theatrical reading to celebrate the creation of a second anthology by the Voices of St. Josephs Orphanage Writers Group. The program is supported through the State of Vermont and the National Endowment for the Arts as well as the Vermont Community Foundations Arts Endowment Fund. For more information about the Arts Project Grant and a list of recipients, visit https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/find-a-grant/organizations/arts-project/ In the category of Cultural Facilities Grants, the following local orgranizations are listed in the 2025 grant funding round: * Bennington Museum: $20,000 to support HVAC updates in the historic church gallery. * Dorset Players: $17,779 to support the replacement of auditorium speakers and related sound equipment. * Oldcastle Productions, Bennington: $24,000 to support the installation of audio, visual, and lighting equipment. * Park-McCullough Association, Inc., North Bennington: $13,854 to support the installation of fire-stopping between the basement and first floor and four de-humidification units. About the Vermont Arts Council: The Vermont Arts Council envisions a Vermont where all people have access to the arts and creativity in their lives, education, and communities. Engagement with the arts transforms individuals, connects us more deeply to each other, energizes the economy, and sustains the vibrant cultural landscape that makes Vermont a great place to live. Since 1965, the Council has been the state's primary provider of funding, advocacy, and information for the arts in Vermont. Learn more at www.vermontartscouncil.org In this weather satellite photo taken Monday morning, Tropical Storm Francine can be seen rotating in the Gulf of Mexico, at left. NOAA/National Weather Service Residents along the coast of Texas and Louisiana waited with bated breath early Monday to see where the worst of Tropical Storm Francine would hit. The Tropical Cyclone Six was upgraded to a tropical storm late Monday morning by the National Weather Service as it inched closer to the southeast coast from the Gulf of Mexico. The storm's predicted path showed it's likely to hit Louisiana later in the week, but a possible track west means Southeast Texas could experience heavy rain, strong winds and flooding. LIVE HURRICANE AND STORM TRACKER: Track the path of Tropical Storm Francine Advertisement Article continues below this ad Though the storm's path is tracking east, city of Galveston officials are closely monitoring the weather, according to an update posted to Facebook Monday morning. Byron Frankland, Galveston emergency management coordinator, said the island is currently under coastal flooding watch and is anticipating high tides and rainfall as a result of Francine. "The public needs to be well aware of any updates that come out from the National Weather Service or the National Hurricane Center," he said. "Don't wait until the last minute if you're going to evacuate. Do it early and be prepared." Beryl's effects on Galveston After July's Hurricane Beryl, much of Galveston Island was left without power. Five days after the Category 1 storm made landfall, 28,000 customers were still waiting for restoration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In response, the city of Galveston opened several cooling centers and portable shower units, specifically focusing on the West End of the island, which was hit hard by the storm. Beyond physical damage, businesses were financially affected when Beryl prevented a majority of tourists from visiting the island during what is typically the peak economic season. Despite the loss of power, the island never lost access to water or sewer, Frankland said. Moving forward, he said the city plans to continue improving its hazard mitigation planning to ensure infrastructure holds during severe weather. "We realize that we still have some areas of opportunity to improve on that," he said. "These are ongoing projects. They all take time and money. And we're doing the best that we can." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Louisiana prepares for Francine In Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana where the storm is expected to hit late Wednesday, local leaders held a public briefing Monday morning to discuss the parish's prepared resources and response plan if Tropical Storm Francine remains on its predicted path. Anthony Bartie, Police Jury president, said he signed an emergency declaration for the Calcasieu Parish area as officials continue to monitor the situation. "We have to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst," he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the meantime, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury set up several machine sandbagging and self-bagging locations so residents can prepare their homes ahead of the potential severe weather. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. BENNINGTON Bennington law enforcement icon and Purple Heart Veteran Wally Mattison celebrated his 100th birthday Saturday afternoon with a gathering of love, admiration, and memories of a kind and heroic life well lived. The only thing that really matters is to be kind, Mattison said. Mattison, a native son of Bennington, one of eight children, was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1943. After training as a light machine gunner, he was deployed to the European Theater of Operations in March 1944 and assigned to the 29th Infantry Division. In June 1944, shortly after the D-Day Invasion, Wally landed in France, fighting on the front lines of the Normandy Campaign. On Sept. 12, 1944, one week after his 20th birthday, a bullet caught Mattison in the lower back. He received the Purple Heart and later the French Medal of Honor Frances highest civil and military decoration for his heroic actions. Upon returning home to Vermont, Mattison embarked on an illustrious 40-year career with the Bennington Police Department, retiring as a captain and acting chief. He remains a beloved character to everyone he has met, including strangers, friends, co-workers, and especially his four children, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. On Saturday, the Bennington Elks Club was filled with dozens of those well-wishers, from Mattisons family to a long list of friends and co-workers. The milestone was celebrated with the announcement of an ongoing Bennington Sheriffs Department $1,000 scholarship in his name for a deserving student interested in a career in law enforcement. Bennington County Sheriff James Gulley Jr. informed the crowd of the yearly scholarship in Wally Mattisons name to be given to a young student with aspirations of a law enforcement career to the crowd's cheers. He then shared the genesis of the scholarship with Banner. Wally is a legend in our community, Gulley said after presenting the scholarship. His service, not only to the military but to law enforcement here in Bennington, is something for everyone to celebrate. We were thinking of ways to honor him on his birthday, and we thought what better way to memorialize Wally while impacting people going forward than to have a yearly scholarship in his name. Gulley then shared a personal story of Wallys impact on his own budding law career that he has remembered all these years later. When I was a young Bennington police officer, we had an incident in front of Price Chopper. As I was trying hard to handle what was happening, I distinctly remember Wally watching what was occurring with a keen patience, keeping a watchful eye, making sure I was safe, encouraging me, allowing me to do my job without stepping in, but making sure everything was OK. That was over 20 years ago. I never forgot that. It set an example for me on how to lead and support others. I bet there are dozens of stories about how he influenced and helped law enforcement members in this room alone. Wally, wearing his World War II Veterans cap and familiar red flannel shirt, took it all in, stopping to shake hands and say hello in his familiar crusty and endearing manner that all who know him have come to expect with smiles and laughter. I got to speak with Wally two days before his party at the Vermont Veterans Home, where he has been staying lately due to an illness. Wally quickly recognized me from other times I spoke with him and thanked me for coming. As we spoke face to face last week, Wally seemed to drift back and forth between memories and my questions, returning again and again to a conversation we had three years ago that seemed to mean a lot to him. The conversation, a vivid memory from his time in Germany at the close of World War II, conveys who Wally is and what has been essential in his life. I still have that article about the German lady, he said. I show it to people when they come over to see me. I still remember her face, even today. Our job was to go door-to-door behind the German lines, checking houses for weapons and soldiers. It was right when the war ended. We had been ordered to kick people out of their houses. They didnt have anywhere else to go. I remember this wonderful family sitting there at the table, the wife trying to give me some of the potato pancakes that they were sharing between them. I told her I didnt want any, but she insisted I have some. She knew why Id refused, even though I was hungry. They barely had enough food for themselves, but they wanted to share what they had. I know how scared they must have been seeing us there standing inside their house with their children. There was an old lady alone in one of those houses. She grabbed my arm and offered me her room to stay in, her bed so that I could rest. She was shaking, trembling, as tears poured from her eyes that poor old lady. I never forgot her or the way she stood there, trying to be brave in front of these enemy soldiers, so scared and all alone. Thats what most affected me. To this day, I can still see her face. It seemed that many in the Elks Club on Saturday will always remember Wally Mattisons face and how he has influenced them over his many years in Bennington. They showed up by the dozens just to let him know. A Lenox Memorial High School student was removed by police officers on Monday after posting a threat on Snapchat, officials say. The student did "something stupid that they thought was funny," Superintendent William Collins said. "There was never a real risk." WINDSOR With its big bore Harley-Davidson carburetor and custom exhaust, Michael Kenyons matte black 1962 Austin Cooper turns heads as much for its appearance as for its unlikely roar. With a roof rack resembling a roll cage, a significant lift, and fat tires with a tread designed for mud, Kenyon takes his car from his home in Dalton to his hobby shop in Savoy and to car shows, where its garnered some awards. This car doesnt go off road, although it does negotiate the bumpy back roads of Savoy. I built this to sell, so that Id have money to fix my Volkswagen, and I then built something so cool, I couldnt sell it, he said. The Volkswagen is a yellow 1970 Super Beetle convertible. So the Volkswagens still a project and this is like my main thing. Born in North Adams, Kenyon graduated from McCann Technical School. His major was automotive and he worked in garages for years, as well as at Carr Hardware in Pittsfield as its business rental manager. Now 49, married with a son, he lives in Dalton. The project came after a collision changed his life forever. A fateful day On the day before Thanksgiving in 2015, Kenyon was driving with Eve, his corgi-cocker spaniel mix, when an out of state driver hit him, sending his customized Geo Tracker into a sign post. The dog was OK, but the car was totaled. He also suffered life-altering injuries, leaving him with a spinal injury and nerve damage. Now disabled, he said he can only stand for about 10 minutes at a time. His biggest challenge on this project was overcoming his injuries to actually do the work, he said. I built it when I was hurt, he said of the Austin Cooper. And I really needed some positive things in my life, just to know that I could still do something cool. After the crash, I really wanted something custom and different, he said. Now, he hopes to park it at fairs and festivals to promote charities. Building the car As the base, Kenyon used the chassis of a Suzuki SJ 410 built in Canada that he bought from a farmer in New Hampshire. He built his custom car with the help of some friends, tinkering for two years to meld the body of the Austin Cooper to the chassis of the Suzuki. He put in four-wheel drive and disc brakes. The Austin Cooper was found on the side of the Massachusetts Turnpike before his friend bought it and put it on a race-car chassis. After his friend decided not to finish that project, Kenyon paid $1,000 for it in 2016. This car was flipped on the roof before I got it, Kenyon said. The roof has still got some dents in it. The front fender was caved in. This corner was smashed in. It was not in good shape. The project waited while Kenyon amassed parts, including windows and a handmade front windshield from England that took eight months to arrive. The hood emblem is a skull and crossbones, his son's choice. Under the hood, there are more rusty tools as well as a glass whisky flask with a brass cap holding antifreeze. Inside, he fashioned a gear shift and door handles from his grandfathers and fathers tools. His fathers toolbox rides in the hatch, along with a rusted jack that belonged to his grandfather. He also created a knife rack purely decorative in the back window. The seats are covered in an autumn-themed camo. The interior to the doors have stickers reading I dont work for you, and Feelings arent on the top of the tool list. I love old stuff, anything old, you know, like my Volkswagen, and I just like old stuff, he said. It has character. It has a soul. Has he had many passengers in the two-seater? Its not, you know, the fanciest or most comfortable car, he said, though his wife, Alicia, rode along for the Pittsfield Fourth of July parade in 2020. Lessons to drive by Across the county, the car continues to grab people's attention. On Friday, he stopped at Friendly Fred's in Windsor to catch up with some friends where the car caught the attention of a stranger. He showed at the Pittsfield Airport on Wednesday, and his car got a trophy at the North Adams Motorama a few years ago. When the snow flies, the Austin Cooper heads to a carport. So whats Kenyon's winter ride? A 2008 Toyota JF Cruiser. Reflecting on his project, Kenyon now has a larger purpose: "To try to encourage people that have given up or think that they cant do something that they can take something thats totally worthless and not have any money and make something so cool that people love it. Tuesday's threats turned out to be a hoax. But the stress and anxiety was palpable among students, parents and administrators alike, not only in Pittsfield, but also in North Adams and Great Barrington, where similar threats were made to two high schools. Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia Texas House candidate Lauren Ashley Simmons. Courtesy Lauren Ashley Simmons. Unseating a four-time incumbent in a primary is a big deal, especially in a heated, high-profile race that ended in a decisive runoff victory. But you won't find Lauren Ashley Simmons taking a victory lap. She's getting to work even if she doesn't have the job just yet. "I feel an even stronger level of accountability to the district because it wasn't an open seat," Simmons, a union organizer, told the editorial board. "People fired their representative that did have committee appointments, that did have seniority." In a solidly Democratic district, Simmons, 36, can feel pretty confident heading into November against a Republican challenger, Lance York, who doesn't seem to be campaigning at all. Simmons, meanwhile, is talking with representatives and seeking out the mentorship of elder House members, such as Rep. Alma Allen. She's well prepared to fight for the issues she's long fought for both personally and professionally: women's health care, a higher minimum wage, well-funded public schools and more. But she's hoping to learn the defensive strategies that she knows can make all the difference as a Democrat in a red state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I would love to be able to 'point of order' some terrible Death Star bill or something," she said, referring to a parliamentary tactic that can delay or derail legislation on the floor and also to a bill passed last session intended to curb local control in progressive cities. It's still hung up in the courts. In her contentious primary dominated by controversies surrounding state Rep. Shawn Thierry, who recently declared herself a Republican and a Trump supporter, many voters saw only a glimpse of Simmons herself and heard little of her biography. One debate that centered around Thierry's impassioned defense of a bill that restricted gender-affirming care for transgender youth reached particularly bombastic rhetorical heights: Thierry compared trans health care to Black genocide. Our screening with the two candidates made news after the lawmaker interrupted her challenger to say that the only representatives who supported Simmons were "the gay ones." Then, after the initial primary vote, a narrative emerged that Simmons' support was mostly from white constituents on the West side of the district, seemingly underscoring Thierry's claim that she represented Black voters equally troubled by transgender care. Runoff results told a more nuanced story: Simmons won almost every neighborhood and bested Thierry by nearly 2,000 votes. Simmons was happy to dispatch with the idea that Black voters are a monolith or that many harbor transphobic ideas. Door-knocking in Sunnyside, she says she came across a woman who told her, "Greg Abbott can't tell me how to raise my kids," summarizing the sentiment she heard from many voters as she went door to door. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The reasons we believe Simmons will be an effective lawmaker have nothing to do with her foiling of a divisive incumbent. It's her drive, passion and first-hand experience with some of the very issues she hopes to champion in Austin. 2024 ENDORSEMENTS: Browse all of the recommendations by The Editorial Board Getting pregnant at 19, she struggled without sufficient support and dealt with postpartum depression. She's had to make tough health care decisions for her daughter, who has sickle cell disease. She attended some of the same schools most affected under the state takeover of Houston ISD. She told us that her income is still modest enough that she closely inspects the prices on packages of chicken to save 15 cents. With experience as an organizer, including for the Houston Federation of Teachers, Communication Workers of America and the National Domestic Workers Alliance, she was out after Hurricane Beryl helping low-income residents replace lost food and get ice. Just a few weeks ago, she buried a friend who died giving birth. Simmons wants to be the representative who gives a 12-minute speech about kids losing their school libraries or access to summer food programs both issues we've seen in Houston. She wants to fight for housing affordability, to hold CenterPoint accountable after the failures of Beryl, and to strengthen maternal care across the state, issues that have bipartisan potential despite her progressive leanings. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I have a lot on my shoulders," Simmons told us. "I have to do better for people because they deserve it." We believe Simmons is the clear choice to make better happen. The British Labour governments approach to the legacy of Northern Irelands troubled past has been praised as a significant change from the previous administration. Tanaiste Micheal Martin welcomed consultation with Troubles victims and pledges to tackle the controversial Legacy Act which was introduced by the Conservative government. Advertisement The issue had caused division between the British and Irish governments, with the Irish Government taking an inter-state case against the UK over the Act last December. Advertisement Speaking in Newry, Co Down on Monday, the Tanaiste said he wants to see the issue of legacy dealt with and families able to pursue truth or justice. I warmly welcome the initiatives and decisions taken already by the Secretary of State Hilary Benn in respect of immunity, inquests and facilitating the return of civil cases, he said. I had a very substantive meeting at the weekend with Hilary Benn in respect of legacy. Ive tasked my officials to engage with his officials to tease through remaining issues and of course he is engaged in a consultation process with victims groups and with political parties. I will also again re-engage with victims groups in respect of navigating the next phase of the agenda which was articulated by the new Labour government in Britain to repeal and replace the Legacy Act. So there will be legislative proposals. Advertisement We will engage with the British government. I welcome the Secretary of States commitment to engaging with the Irish Government in respect of this. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn MP meeting Irish Tanaiste Micheal Martin at Hillsborough Castle (Northern Ireland Office/PA) Its a significant change from the previous governments approach on legacy. Advertisement Mr Martin said he is committed to seeing the issue resolved once and for all, and to working with Mr Benn to this end. The families of the victims need a process and they need closure, he said. That is essential. I have been involved in this now for decades. I can remember the Eames Bradley report of many, many years ago, and its been stop/start, and its been very, very unsatisfactory for the families of loved ones who were brutally murdered during the Troubles. Many want information retrieval, others want justice and avenues to justice, so we have got to develop mechanisms that respond to the different needs of families of victims. A Garda who was repeatedly stabbed during a domestic incident in Co Cork is among a number of officers who have been awarded for their bravery. Eight Scott medals, which is the highest honour that can be bestowed by the Garda Commissioner, were handed out to retired, deceased and serving gardai for their courage. Advertisement Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee were among those who attended the ceremony in Dublin on Monday. Garda Timothy McSweeney with his silver Scott medal, during a ceremony to award deceased, retired and serving members of An Garda Siochana with bravery medals (Niall Carson/PA) Of the eight medals, two have been awarded posthumously, including to a Garda who was shot dead by the IRA. Advertisement The silver medal was awarded to Garda Timothy McSweeney, who was stabbed during an incident after he was called to a house in Douglas in March 2022. After entering the house, Garda McSweeney was confronted by a man who was drunk and behaving aggressively in front of a woman, who was in fear for her life and those of her children. The woman has been trying to escape the house with her children when Garda McSweeney arrived. He said: (The man) was intoxicated and he asked to go into the kitchen to get his jacket, and then he did he grabbed a large knife and came at me with the knife. Advertisement I immediately told the woman and children to run. The struggle went on for about five minutes, and I managed to get him on the ground and got the knife off him. I then called for assistance. Jean Lahiffe, wife of the late Detective Garda Morgan Lahiffe, and his daughter Avril, hold his picture and bronze Scott medal which was awarded posthumously (Niall Carson/PA) I received stab wounds to my hand and arm and tore my knee. Advertisement Asked how he was able to retrieve the knife after being stabbed, Garda McSweeney said: It was fear of him getting the knife off me and what he could do to the woman and children, so that drove me to carry on and every muscle in my body to get him down on the ground and get the knife off him. I am deeply honoured to receive the medal, I didnt realise it was such a big occasion. My family are honoured. I am here with my wife, and two girls and my mother and brother. So it is a great family day. Detective Garda Morgan Lahiffe was awarded a bronze Scott medal posthumously after he and another Garda, Gerry OSullivan, tackled three armed men at a supermarket in Togher, Co Cork in August 1971. Advertisement The raiders pointed a gun at them but they later pursued the armed men as they tried to escape and caught them before they made off. Inspector Joseph Finnegan (left) and Sergeant Kieran Flynn (right) with their bronze Scott medals and retired superintendent Tony McNamara (Niall Carson/PA) Detective Lahiffe died in December of last year. Garda Lahiffes daughter Avril said: We are very proud. It is a huge honour to receive this award. To say that it is his second medal is fantastic. Its a very emotional day. He only passed away in December so he was very close to getting it himself. Its a huge honour for him and he enjoyed serving the community. His widow Jean Lahiffe said: I am feeling very happy. It is sad he is not here to get it himself. In March last year, Sergeant Niamh Connaughton and Detective Garda Warren Farrell were attacked and held at gunpoint after intercepting an armed robbery at an off licence in Clondalkin in Dublin. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee shakes hands with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris during the ceremony (Niall Carson/PA) They were both able to restrain the raiders, despite being held at gunpoint. Detective Farrell said: We went in (to the shop) without thinking and tackled the two armed individuals who were there. They pointed a gun at us and at the time I hardly thought about it but after when I thought about it, it was frightening. Sergeant Connaughton said: I was assaulted but thankfully no one was seriously injured. When you think about it after, thats when you realise what had actually happened. I was punched in the face but I am okay now, thank God. It affected my work after for a while, and my sleep. It takes a while to get over it, but we are here. Sergeant Niamh Connaughton and Detective Garda Warren Farrell with their bronze Scott medals (Niall Carson/PA) It is a privilege and we are delighted to have these medals. Not many people do. Others who were awarded included Sergeant Kieran Flynn and Inspector Joseph Finnegan who rescued three people who got stuck during dangerous weather from a sea cave. The two gardai also located the bodies of two men who died in the incident. Gardai Commissioner Drew Harris said the conditions for being awarded the Scott medal are very high. I want to acknowledge how deserving all todays recipients are of such recognition, Mr Harris said. Today is a day to recognise the outstanding contributions youve made to the country and that youve made to An Garda Siochana. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris speaking during the ceremony (Niall Carson/PA) Youre here today for very individual reasons and as a result of very, very different situations. Ms McEntee said their stories illustrate the different opportunities, challenges and dangers experienced by gardai. It brings home to all of us the stark risks of a career as a Garda. It reminds us that those who choose to wear the uniform cannot choose what every day brings, Ms McEntee said. From rescue and recovery at sea, to responding to the increasing incidences of the crime of violence in the home, we see the evolving, unpredictable but hugely fulfilling and important nature of your roles. It is a testimony to the dedication and bravery of our gardai. There is an inherent danger in your chosen profession. To protect others means that, sometimes, you must put yourself in harms way. You must run towards danger, as others run from it. And you do so without any expectation of recognition. But that doesnt mean that bravery and selflessness should go unrecognised. A man has been accused of "butchering" a woman, repeatedly stabbing her in the neck and head and stomping on her, during a "frenzied" attack in her north Dublin home. Matthias Kelly, 41, appeared at Dublin District Court on Monday and was denied bail after being charged with assault causing harm to the complainant, who is in her 30s, production of a kitchen knife with a six-inch serrated blade, and burglary of her house at Newbury Lawns, Clonshaugh, Dublin 17, in the early hours of Saturday. Advertisement He has an additional charge for criminally damaging the sitting room and front bedroom windows at his ex-partner's and her children's home at Millbrook Avenue in Coolock on the previous evening. Judge John Brennan heard that Mr Kelly, who has no fixed abode in Coolock, Dublin, "made no reply" when charged. Detective Donal Bolger told the court, "There was blood everywhere" during the second incident, and he objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case. He told a contested bail hearing that "the injured party was lying in blood, covered in blood, it was like a murder scene". Advertisement According to the detective, it was alleged the accused first went to his ex-partner's home shortly before 5 pm on Friday and "smashed" the windows. At around 12.15 am on Saturday, at the second location, he allegedly gained entry "and picked up a large serrated knife from the kitchen". The woman at that house knew him, and the court heard she woke up to find him in her bedroom standing over her. It was claimed he stabbed her multiple times to her head and neck while telling her, "You're dead, you're dead". Advertisement Judge Brennan heard that she fought back, kicking him in the groin area, and the knife fell to the floor. However, it was alleged he repeatedly stomped on her head as she tried to crawl away. The court heard she had injuries to her chin, neck, shoulder and black eyes. She was treated at Beaumont Hospital before she discharged herself and went home but discovered three further wounds to the back of her head while removing hair extensions, and she was readmitted to the hospital. Detective Garda Bolger said the man was arrested at a house where he had been staying in Coolock. Advertisement The court heard his clothes were bloodstained, and he was taken to Coolock Garda station, interviewed four times and had DNA samples taken from him. The judge was told gardai gathered CCTV evidence from the area. A mobile phone allegedly belonging to the defendant was seized and examined. It was said to have contained a text message from the accused to another male, saying, "I'm after a butchering your one; I'm going to be locked up". The court also heard claims that six days beforehand, another WhatsApp message from his phone was sent to the woman, saying, "I'm going to cut your throat". Advertisement The detective garda anticipated "further, more serious charges" against the accused once a file has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. He also had witness intimidation fears and said that lodgers were at the house at the time. He agreed with defence solicitor David Bassett that the accused was cooperative and had the presumption of innocence. The defence argued that hearsay evidence had been given because the witness was not in court; however, the detective said the woman had been through a traumatising incident. Posing questions about the extent of the injuries, the defence solicitor presented the court with a photo allegedly taken of her after the incident. Detective Garda Bolger replied that he had seen the woman, and her hair was "completely matted in blood". Mr Kelly, who has yet to indicate a plea, did not address the court. The solicitor said that his client had no warrant history or record of offences on bail and would obey conditions and stay out of Dublin. The court heard he had suffered a head injury and was on medication. Judge Brennan held that bail conditions would not address the detective's concerns; he denied Mr Kelly bail and remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday. Legal aid was granted. Families explore the halls off Silos Elementary School looking for their classroom on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News The claim: Vice President Kamala Harris new campaign attack ad shuffles through the pages of Project 2025, calling it the "922-page blueprint to make Donald Trump the most powerful president ever." Trump and his campaign have distanced themselves from the conservative presidential transition plan but Democrats continue to link him to it, highlighting Trumps past ties to many of its contributors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The narrator in Harris ad "Control" repeats some claims about the document that we have covered before, such as "requiring the government to monitor womens pregnancies" (it requires states to report abortions and miscarriages) and imposing "severe cuts to Medicare and Social Security." (Project 2025 calls for changes to Medicare, but does not support Social Security cuts.) The narrator says the manual calls for "eliminating the Department of Education and defunding K-12 schools." We have covered how Project 2025 dismantles the U.S. Department of Education as part of a push to have more "limited" federal involvement in school policy. Trump supports that move. For this fact-check, we wanted to know how Project 2025 would affect federal funding for public schools. PolitiFact ruling: Half True. Losing federal dollars wouldnt zero out budgets for most districts. Public schools, with some exceptions, receive the majority of their funding from local and state governments. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government provided around 8% to 10% of K-12 school funding. COVID-19 relief funding pushed the share to about 14% in 2022, but it has expired. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the federal contribution still translates into billions of dollars, and states and school districts that receive a higher share of those dollars would feel a disproportionate hit. Discussion The Harris campaign pointed PolitiFact to Department of Education K-12 spending data. In fiscal year 2023, the agency received $79.6 billion for K-12 funding; the money was earmarked primarily for programs to support special education and education for disadvantaged, low-income students, among other initiatives. The departments 2023 budget $274 billion includes a large chunk for student loans and college aid, which includes income-based aid such as Pell Grants. In an emailed statement, Project 2025 told PolitiFact the fact that school budgets rely on federal money for only a small share of their funding means cutting the department "hardly defunds schools." The project proposes transitioning some programs to the states over 10 years and cancels others it deems ineffective. In a video about his education policy, Trump promised to shutter the department and "to send all education work and needs back to the states." He did not say how federal dollars would be redirected. His Republican National Convention platform also calls to cut federal funding "for any school pushing critical race theory, radical gender ideology, and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trumps campaign didnt say how he would redirect lost federal dollars. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said his administration will improve "academic excellence for all students from all educational backgrounds" by "increasing access to school choice, empowering parents to have a voice in their child's education and supporting good schools and teachers." Project 2025 calls for dismantling the Department of Education and transferring its Title I program, which helps fund schools with large populations of K-12 students from low-income families, to the Department of Health and Human Services. The plan aims to provide the funding in a block grant, giving states more flexibility on how to spend the money by being less prescriptive. The proposal phases out Title I over 10 years, shifting the funding responsibility to the states. The plan recommends a similar move for the departments Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funding, converting the special education money that now goes to schools into HHS-run block grants for states to distribute to parents. What would happen next is hard to say, because state education spending varies widely. "Some states might fund their own programs to help students in ways that are similar to what the federal programs do today," Holly Kurtz, director at EdWeek Research Center, and Sterling Lloyd, the centers assistant director, told PolitiFact in a joint email. "Other states could choose to go in a different direction with their spending." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Presidents could not do this on their own. Abolishing the department would require an act of Congress and bipartisan support, which has proved a long shot. "Congress is one that decides the federal education budget, and the funding thats in there is pretty popular on both sides of the aisle," said Marguerite Roza, director of Georgetown Universitys Edunomics Lab. "States can always say no thank you to federal funds and rules, and so far none have. Not one." Trump made a similar campaign pledge to reduce the Education Department in 2016, but curtailed his plans once in office. His first budget for the 2018 fiscal year proposed cutting the department's budget by 13%, rather than calling for its elimination. Trump proposed similar spending cuts in his next two budgets; none were approved. The majority of K-12 public school funding money comes from state and local governments through a mix of state income taxes, state sales taxes and local property taxes. The amount of federal money flowing to schools varies across states and school districts. For example, Arkansas' federal share is 20%, South Dakota's is 21% and Mississippis is 23%. New York's is 7% and Massachusetts is 9%. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Districts that serve more students from low-income families and students with disabilities would feel the brunt of federal funding cuts more severely than districts that serve fewer of those students. A young golden eagle attacked a toddler in Norway, clawing her so badly that she needed stitches, in what an ornithologist says is likely to have been the birds fourth such attack on humans in the past week. The birds unusual aggression occurred over five days across a vast mountainous area of southern Norway. Advertisement The golden eagle common in Norway and the Scandinavian countrys second-largest bird of prey typically eats smaller animals, as well as foxes and sheep. Advertisement The toddler and the birds other victims needed stitches and medication for deep gouges. The bird was killed after the attack on the small child. The golden eagle likely had a behavioural disorder that prompted the attacks, Alv Ottar Folkestad, an eagle expert with BirdLife Norge, told The Associated Press on Monday. What happened is radically different from normal, he said, adding that the attacks were probably all by a female eagle born this year. Advertisement Details in the plumage make me believe it is the same bird. The plumage means that no two golden eagles are alike, Mr Folkestad said, adding that in the past days there were favourable weather conditions with high-altitude winds for the eagle to fly long distances over southern Norway. In the most recent attack, a 20-month-old girl was playing outside a farm in Orkland, a small municipality in the south, on Saturday when the eagle came out of the blue and clawed her. The girls father, who was not there during the attack, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the mother and a neighbour raced to fight the eagle. Advertisement The raptor attacked three times before it was killed when hit with a piece of wood, Mr Folkestad said. The father said his daughter got a couple of stitches in the back of her head and has scratch marks from the eagles claws under her chin and on her face. Advertisement The VG newspaper said that one of the wounds was just under one of the girls eyes. The girl and the mother are doing fine. Neither the toddler nor the family were identified and they have asked not to be contacted, NRK said. Police said they were aware of the attack but have no detailed knowledge of the incident, saying a gamekeeper had been contacted. Three other people have reported being attacked, including a man who caught the incident on camera. Mariann Myrvang, who was attacked on Wednesday, told NRK she cried out for help when something big and heavy landed on my shoulders. I went down on my knees, because I couldnt stand up. Armed with a branch, her husband managed to chase the eagle away. The claws went deep into Ms Myrvangs flesh and she later received penicillin and a tetanus shot at the hospital. The golden eagle measures between 80cm and 93cm long (about 2ft 7.5in to 3ft long) and have a wingspan of about two metres (6.5ft). The male bird is the smallest and weighs between 3kg and 4kg (6.6lbs to 8.8lbs). Females can weigh up to 5kg (11lbs). Ryanair boss Michael OLeary has issued fresh calls for the resignation of the chief executive of air traffic control (ATC) provider Nats. Mr OLeary urged Martin Rolfe to step down and allow someone competent to take over after flights were disrupted at Gatwick Airport on Sunday due to Nats staff shortages. Advertisement The airlines chief executive has repeatedly criticised Mr Rolfe, particularly over the widespread disruption at UK airports during last years August Bank Holiday Monday, which was caused by a Nats technical failure. Gatwick flights have frequently been disrupted due to ATC staffing issues. Advertisement Nats previously said it is working in line with a staffing plan agreed with Gatwick bosses when it took over the provision of ATC services at the airport in October 2022, which includes training further controllers. Mr OLeary said: UK Nats staff shortages caused multiple flight delays and cancellations at Gatwick Airport on Sunday, September 8th. This is the latest in a long line of cock-ups by UK Nats, which has yet again disrupted multiple flights and thousands of passengers at Gatwick. Airlines and passengers deserve better. Advertisement Ryanair again calls on UK Nats chief executive Martin Rolfe to step down and allow someone competent to run an efficient UK ATC service, which airlines and passengers are entitled to expect. If he wont go, then (new Transport Secretary) Louise Haigh should sack him. Nats and Gatwick have been approached for a comment. TobyMac's Hits Deep 2025 Tour | Merge PR NASHVILLE, TN. (SEPTEMBER 06, 2024) Awakening Foundation announces TobyMac's Hits Deep 2025 Tour with tickets on sale on September 19th. The outstanding line-up will be announced soon! Kicking off on January 23rd for a 30+ date tour, the Hits Deep 2025 tour will be a party in each city. "The Hits Deep tour is back for another year, and this one will be crazy special," shares TobyMac. "We have invited some of our favorite artists to bring their Hits to the stage - can't wait to share who they will be very soon. Every one of these artists has written songs that echo through the halls of my home. And yes, I may even have some new songs to share that will be released over the next few months. Lets gooooo!" Supported by World Vision, Altrua HealthShare, K-LOVE and Air1 Radio, tickets will go on sale at Noon Eastern on Thursday, September 19th here. See below for the complete tour schedule for Hits Deep 2025. Thu, Jan 23 - Pensacola, FL - Pensacola Bay Center Fri, Jan 24 - Huntsville, AL - Propst Arena at Von Braun Center Sat, Jan 25 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum Sun, Jan 26 - Greenville, SC - Bon Secours Wellness Arena Thu, Jan 30 - Orlando, FL - Kia Center Fri, Jan 31 - Sunrise, FL (Fort Lauderdale) - Amerant Bank Arena Sat, Feb 1 - Estero, FL (Fort Myers) - Hertz Arena Sun, Feb 2 - Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena Thu, Feb 6 - North Little Rock, AR - Simmons Bank Arena Fri, Feb 7 - Grand Prairie, TX (Dallas) - Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie Sat, Feb 8 - Grand Prairie, TX (Dallas) - Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie Fri, Feb 14 - Jacksonville, FL - VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena Sat, Feb 15 - Duluth, GA (Atlanta) - Gas South Arena Sun, Feb 16 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena Thu, Feb 20 - Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena Fri, Feb 21 - Fairfax, VA (Washington DC) - EagleBank Arena Sat, Feb 22 - Fairfax, VA (Washington DC) - EagleBank Arena Sun, Feb 23 - Norfolk, VA - Chartway Arena Thu, Feb 27 - Toledo, OH - Huntington Center Fri, Feb 28 - Indianapolis, IN - Gainbridge Fieldhouse Sat, Mar 1 - Hoffman Estates, IL (Chicago) - NOW Arena Sun, Mar 2 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena Thu, Mar 6 - Baton Rouge, LA - Raising Cane's River Center Fri, Mar 7 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center Sat, Mar 8 - Cedar Park, TX (Austin) - H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Sat, Mar 15 - DATE COMING SOON Sun, Mar 16 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena Sat, Mar 22 - Lubbock, TX - United Supermarkets Arena Sun, Mar 23 - San Antonio, TX - Frost Bank Center Tue, Mar 25 - Las Cruces, NM - Pan American Center Wed, Mar 26 - Tucson, AZ - Tucson Arena Fri, Mar 28 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center A blockbuster two-week trial to decide the future control of some of the worlds most famous news brands in the Murdoch family empire begins this week. Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, 93, is expected to appear in a courthouse in Reno, Nevada, some time after the case begins on Tuesday (Wednesday in Australia), to argue that handing control of his vast and influential assets to his eldest son Lachlan in the event of his own passing is in all their interests. Courtroom stand-off: Rupert Murdoch and his children Elisabeth, Lachlan and James. Credit: Jamie Brown Since Rupert hatched a plan to change the terms of the family trust, pistols have been drawn, positioning the much publicised Murdoch family members against each other in their own Succession-style civil war. The latest instalment in the Murdoch family drama has escalated real-life comparisons with the HBO series Succession, which follows conservative media mogul Logan Roy and his children, widely thought to be loosely based on the Murdochs. New York: James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a icon of stage and screen lending his deep, commanding voice to Mufasa in The Lion King and Darth Vader in Star Wars has died. He was 93. His agent, Barry McPherson, confirmed Jones died on Monday morning (US time) at home. James Earl Jones arrives at the Tony Awards on June 12, 2016, in New York. Credit: AP Jones won two Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts and was given an honorary Oscar and a special Tony for lifetime achievement. He cut an elegant figure late in life, with a wry sense of humour and a ferocious work habit,Jones said he was always in service of the work. After a 14-year absence, Judy Davis is returning to the Australian stage at Sydneys Belvoir Street Theatre next year. The three-time Emmy Award-winner, acclaimed for her role as Judy Garland on the small screen, has been coaxed from film and television projects to star in Australias first stage adaptation of Helen Garners novel The Spare Room. Judy Davis and Liz Alexander in The Spare Room. Credit: Belvoir St Theatre Davis was last seen on stage in 2011 in Belvoir Streets The Seagull. She directed husband Colin Friels in the companys production of Dance of Death six years ago. Friels and the couples daughter, Charlotte, will also join Belvoirs 2025 season for a reboot of Shakespeares King Lear. Its very special to have Judy back on stage, Belvoirs artistic director Eamon Flack said. I think she is an electrifying actor and an electrifying storyteller who is born to play this role. Teal MP Zali Steggall has described the man from the public gallery who yelled bullshit earlier as overweight, prompting hysterical shouts from Coalition MPs towards the independent, who then accused Nationals leader David Littleproud of threatening her. As question time ended, Steggall rose to call out the behaviour of the farmers in the public gallery as tempers flared when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked about Labors move to end live sheep exports. The National Farmers Federation today protested at Parliament House against the ban. Zali Steggall during question time on August 19. Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald The leader of the Nationals asked the question to the prime minister and indicated that guests objecting to the live sheep lobby were in the gallery and pointed to the gallery here. When they decided to leave, a gentleman in jeans, black T-shirt, overweight and bald, flipped the bird, Steggall began, before members of the opposition yelled in protest against her remarks. For the benefit of the Speaker, the description is so that person may be identified from video content, because upon leaving the gallery, [he] flipped the bird to the chamber. And in doing so, looked to the leader of the Nationals for support. Littleproud could be seen yelling at Steggall, which prompted Steggall to accuse him of threatening her. Nationals leader David Littleproud during question time yesterday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Are you threatening me? Leader of the Nationals, are you threatening me? Mr Speaker, the leader of the Nationals thinks its appropriate to threaten me, Steggall says. Steggall continued her answer, arguing if we are here to improve standards, it has to come from all, including visitors. I can also point out, I do take offence to the threat that was made to me by the leader of the Nationals that I should be careful, that is not appropriate conduct in this chamber, Steggall said. Loading After Steggalls answer, deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley made a point of order. I thought that that was disgraceful, that body-shaming remark by the member for Warringah, the pejorative description of a member of our public galleries, and it should be withdrawn immediately, Ley called to the House. Speaker of the House Milton Dick asked if Steggall wished to withdraw her description, which Steggall refused. No, because I would like the video footage to be identified, Steggall said. Dick finished the dramatic development in the chamber by reminding everyone to behave better, including members of the public. Down in the Brighton badlands, scene of break-ins and carjackings and a spirited law and order debate prosecuted on social media by model, TV host and footy WAG Bec Judd, some residents have taken matters into their own hands. Fed up with attempting to get the council to act, members of the Brighton Bathing Box Association have hired their own security guards to monitor the brightly coloured huts, which can fetch north of $300,000 and are sited on council-owned Dendy Street Beach. Matthew Graham and family at their Brighton bathing box. Credit: Penny Stephens About 20 boxes have been defaced with graffiti or broken into. Now owners have clubbed together to hire security guards to carry out spot checks overnight. The boxes are major tourist attractions. I mean, even Australian Open champ Novak Djokovic has posed in front of them. The Brighton Bathing Box Association currently covers all costs for existing security arrangements in the Dendy Beach precinct, owner and committee member Matthew Graham told CBD. Vaughan Hinton with Elle McFeast other ABC staff from the 1995 Mardi Gras Parade. Hinton believed that people encounter the real issues through their ordinary lives not through dogmas or doctrines and how they deal with those issues is the Australian way of being religious. As well as covering the stories of believers and adherents of the countrys various faith traditions, to reflect the breadth of Australian experience, the program was to include people who opposed particular religious doctrines, who were shunned by certain religious bodies, or who argued against religious positions. Vaughan also oversaw the creation of the ABCs Indigenous program unit, recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander producers and researchers, and two highly successful series The First Australians, airing Aboriginal-made documentaries, and Blackout, featuring Aboriginal and Islander performers and stories on Indigenous social affairs, which aired during prime time. The unit also produced the documentary One People Sing Freedom, which looked at the Aboriginal response to the bicentenary in 1988. In effect, he helped construct the ABCs Indigenous unit, knowing that success was making himself redundant as Indigenous program makers stepped forward. The significant national events remit gave him responsibility for broadcasting Anzac Day parades, the opening of the Vietnam War Memorial and the establishment of Canberras Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Coral Sea Commemoration. Fabian Lo Schiavo as Mother Inferior on the ABC program Encounters with reporter Vaughan Hinton and producer Brian Nicholis, 1985. Credit: ABC From early on, media and public service had been in Vaughan Hintons DNA. His mother Miriam Vaughan had married William Percy Hinton and their trial separation began when Vaughan was six. Vaughan wrote in his memoir Marrying my father was the worst thing my mother did, and it proved a disaster for her. Vaughan was the eldest child of two, and his younger brother, Patrick, would also go on to a distinguished media career. When Vaughan completed school at Toowoomba Grammar and his mother asked him what he wanted to do, he replied I want to be a broadcaster, and so it was in 1948 that he started his career in media as a cadet reporter on the Toowoomba Chronicle. He also worked with local ABC radio. From 1954, he completed his national service, becoming part of the 25th Infantry Battalion. His mother brought him up in Christian Science, but he later chose to become an elder of the Presbyterian Church of St Stephen in Toowoomba and then editor of the Queensland Assemblys publication The Messenger. On discovering, in 1963, that there were still refugees from World War II living in camps waiting to secure entry visas into safer countries, Vaughan decided there must be something he could do to address this situation. So he took up a position with the Australian Council of Churches (ACC) to seek to make a positive difference, even though it meant moving with his wife, Elizabeth, and daughters Nicola and Caroline to Sydney. At that time, the ACC was growing significantly in influence. The churches became deeply involved in social justice issues during the 1960s and 70s, particularly refugees. After the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), the Catholic Church finally became engaged with Protestant Churches in the Worldwide Christian Ecumenical movement. In 1967, Vaughan started Force Ten, a joint new Roman Catholic-Protestant overseas aid program. In 1970, he was appointed national secretary of Australias first fully ecumenical organisation the Joint Secretariat for Action for World Development. He was also seconded to the World Council of Churches in Geneva, the East Asia Christian Conference in Bangkok and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva. His job involved significant travel often to refugee centres, but also war zones. For Vaughan personally, 1978 was a significant year one in which he, though still married, was in the process of coming out. In 1978, homosexuality was still a jailable offence in Australia, so this decision had not only deeply emotional implications, but legal ones. Broadcaster Vaughan Hinton on location. It was also when Vaughan became a 78er the honorific used in the LGBTQI community to identify those who were at the first Sydney gay and lesbian Mardi Gras protest march and who endured the subsequent police crackdown and arrests. Although not known to each other at the time, Kym Skinner, his future partner of 45 years, was also at that protest march. Somehow, Elizabeth and Vaughan negotiated their separation not only in the best interests of their daughters but some 25 years later, when his former wife was terminally ill, Vaughan and Kym opened their home to Elizabeth, and nursed her until her death. Former television presenter Andrew OKeefe has lost an appeal against his convictions for domestic violence after a judge found he has a tendency to spit at the woman in a low, demeaning act and that her injuries were consistent with being kicked, pushed and scratched. Obviously, Im very disappointed, OKeefe said outside Sydneys Downing Centre District Court on Monday. Andrew OKeefe leaves court after losing an appeal against his domestic violence convictions. Credit: Steven Siewert OKeefe was found guilty by a magistrate in January of common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and breaching an apprehended violence order after a violent and degrading incident against a woman inside a unit in Sydneys east in September 2021. Prosecutors had alleged OKeefe pushed the woman into a doorway, punched her, caused her to fall on the ground, kicked her thigh leaving bruising, used his nails to scratch her chest, and made a spitting motion. The latest showcase by Aukey in IFA 2024, which was held in Berlin, Germany, unveiled three new wireless chargers that feature cooling fans. The company promises that these can help iPhones charge faster. Its latest chargers are powered by its so-called Omnia-Frez technology, which also preserves battery life and protects from fast degradation. Aukey's MagFusion Pro Wireless Chargers Come With Fans Aukey has officially revealed its latest MagFusion Pro series, which ushers in a new era for wireless magnetic chargers in the industry. The company is offering three models that have different uses. First, there is the MagFusion 3-in-1 Pro, which offers magnetic charging for iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watches. This charger promises to deliver the required power each device needs. It is a tabletop charging accessory that looks like a streaming microphone and retails for $129.99. Next, there is the MagFusion Game Frost, which is an attachable magnetic charger that promises charging improvements while playing games on the iPhone. Aukey has priced this at $42.99. Lastly, there is the MagFusion Dash Pro, which brings a wireless car charging experience and attaches via AC vents. It is available for $40.99. All of these chargers feature fans that claim to reduce charging temperature and will be available come Q4 2024. Faster iPhone Charging? Aukey's Omnia-Frez Technology These fans on Aukey's MagFusion Pro series are powered by its latest "Omnia-Frez" technology, which can reduce charging temperatures to as much as 20C (68F) and promises safer charging. Using the iPhone 15 Pro as an example, Aukey said that its charging was reduced by as much as 26 minutes because of this new cooling technology as it also uses the Qi2 charging standard. Aukey also claimed that this technology can help preserve the iPhone's battery health and prolong the device's power cell lifespan. Wireless Charging and Apple iPhone MagSafes Wireless charging has been around for almost a decade now, and this practical feature has been popularized by Android smartphones, which first adopted the Qi wireless charging standard. This was introduced by the Wireless Power Consortium to the world. Later on, other manufacturers followed their lead, including Apple's MagSafe. Magnetic charging has been around from Apple for quite some time, and it is a known technology that was available on MacBooks before the USB-C change. This has since evolved to offer significant experiences that forego the need for wires, and it can also preserve the charging port's lifespan as it can also be used for data transfers. Wireless chargers rely on magnets installed on a device's back case, focusing on inductive charging, which relies on low-powered magnets to bring batteries juice whenever needed. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size City of Canada Bay Council will ask residents to vote on the nine councillors they want to serve for the next four years, as well as directly elect the mayor. The council is currently led by Liberal mayor Michael Megna, who was appointed to the position after Mayor Angelo Tsirakis was found by the Independent Commission Against Corruption to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct. He was then sacked from the council. The Sydney Morning Herald sent questions to each of the 23 candidates up for election at the City of Canada Bay Council about why they are running and what they want to accomplish if they are elected. Six responded. Their responses have been lightly edited for clarity. We asked candidates where they stood on key policy issues theyre likely to vote on while in office, and what they thought about the current state of council services. Click the below buttons to see the results. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Best known for the delay in rebuilding the North Sydney Olympic Pool, North Sydney Council has 10 councillor spots available on Saturday. But North Sydney residents will be without the most notable of them all: Jilly Gibson, the eccentric councillor who stormed out of her final council meeting after she lost a vote to name a plaza after her. The council is led by Zoe Baker, of the Real Independents North Sydney. The Sydney Morning Herald sent questions to each of the 56 candidates up for election about why they are running and what they want to accomplish if they are elected. Of those, 33 responded. Their responses have been lightly edited for clarity. A Brisbane dad was moved to tears after winning $2.5 million from the Gold Lotto, almost two weeks after his numbers were drawn. The Stafford resident had no idea he had been carrying the winning ticket in his wallet until he remembered to check it after walking past the newsagent. A Brisbane man has won $2.5m in a division one Gold Lotto draw. He said after discovering his $2.5 million win at work, he broke down in tears. The money is set to hit his bank account next week, and he revealed that he plans to pay off his home loan and his kids education. This will help us to own the house, fund the kids education and help some family members, he said. We would also love to go on a family holiday. The winning numbers in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4499 on 31 August 2024 were 6, 39, 15, 20, 32 and 4 while the supplementary numbers were 30 and 1. A workmate of the man who murdered Kelly Wilkinson knew of his plan to tie up and burn his estranged wife and helped him get petrol, a jury has heard. Bradley Bell, of Pimpama, faced trial in Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday after pleading not guilty to the murder of Wilkinson, 27, on April 20, 2021. The 29-year-old is accused of murdering Wilkinson by aiding her estranged husband Brian Earl Johnston, 37, to carry out his plan to stab her and set her on fire. A vigil was held for Kelly Wilkinson. Credit: Jocelyn Garcia Crown prosecutor David Nardone told the jury Bell had admitted to police in July 2021 helping Johnston in the lead-up to him attacking Wilkinson at Arundel on the Gold Coast. Police are investigating whether three children were home alone when they were critically injured in a house fire in Sydenham, in Melbournes north-west, on Sunday night. Five-year-old Izabel, her three-year-old brother Kalais and their 21-month-old sister were pulled unconscious from the house and rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after emergency services responded to reports of explosions on the suburban street just after 9.30pm. Police are yet to determine where the childrens parents were at the time of the blaze. Emergency services were called to the Fergus Court house after reports of a loud bang on Sunday night. Credit: Joe Armao The children remained in a critical condition at the Royal Childrens Hospital on Monday night. Outside the hospital, Kalais father, Jayde Petalas, described them as the best little kids who he loved more than anything. His rapid rise irked colleagues, who saw him as leapfrogging others, said Christopher K. Johnson, a former senior CIA China analyst and now the head of China Strategies Group, a consultancy. He earned Xis trust as head of protocol for the Foreign Ministry from 2014 to 2017. In that role, he was responsible for the minutiae of burnishing Xis image on the world stage. Before the Chinese president visited Belarus in 2015, Qin demanded a 2am visit to a museum on the itinerary where he counted steps, according to a former Belarusian diplomat. His wife, Lin Yan, befriended Xis wife and made mooncakes for her, one US official said. Qin Gang attending a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in April 2023. Credit: AP Qin was promoted to vice minister of foreign affairs in 2018 and then ambassador to the United States in 2021, a position he held for only 18 months before returning to Beijing to become Chinas youngest foreign minister since the 1950s. Qins rapid ascension was perhaps the most prominent among a younger generation of aggressive diplomats often known as wolf warriors, after a proudly nationalist Chinese action blockbuster from 2017. He was an early adopter of the aggressive style of diplomacy, earning favour with Xi, Johnson said. This guy was a wolf warrior before it was cool to be a wolf warrior. From day one as foreign minister, Qin positioned himself as the lead enforcer of Xis diplomatic agenda, not as lieutenant to Wang, who had been promoted to director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission and technically outranked him. Loading During his first major news conference, in March 2023, Qin channelled Xi, who warned days earlier of containment by Washington, with blunt remarks about a coming confrontation with the US. Current and former US officials who have dealt with Qin describe an individual who lacked the diplomatic finesse of more experienced colleagues and found it difficult to switch out of wolf warrior mode. One tense moment came in August 2022 when Qin was Beijings ambassador in Washington. Then-House speaker Nancy Pelosi had just left Taiwan, completing a two-day trip despite Beijings vociferous objections to a high-ranking US official visiting the island, a self-governed democracy that China claims as its own. Senior Biden administration officials were meeting with Qin during that period, sometimes twice daily, to try to prevent the crisis from spiralling into conflict. It was the only senior-level channel between Beijing and Washington at the time, making it particularly crucial. The officials made it clear that the US was not seeking confrontation but would respond if the Chinese took aggressive measures. After Pelosi left, China reacted by firing missiles into the waters around Taiwan, and the White House summoned the ambassador. In one fraught exchange, one official recalled, Qin made what appeared to be a threat about China erasing the median line, referring to an unofficial boundary down the middle of the strait separating China from Taiwan that both sides had long observed to maintain stability. Loading His statement alarmed the US officials, who saw it as escalatory and pressed to know whether this was an official position. Qin responded with a performative tirade on the affront Pelosis mission represented to China, a second official said. This is not the time for polemics, then-White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said, according to the official. Its a moment for precision. Qins time in the spotlight was brief. He disappeared from public view five months after becoming foreign minister, setting off a cascade of rumours about his downfall. He was formally dismissed in July last year after only 207 days in the job. Wang, 70, returned to replace his successor as foreign minister. It has been unclear what led to Qins ouster. A leading theory among political analysts of China is that he had an extramarital affair with a well-known Chinese television journalist, Fu Xiaotian, and the couple had a child out of wedlock born in the US. Because censors closely guard the private lives of top officials, personal indiscretion is rarely seen as a serious offence in the male-dominated world of Chinese politics. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang being interviewed by Chinese state TV anchor Fu Xiaotian. Credit: YouTube But Fus celebrity lifestyle, including social media posts about meeting world leaders and travelling on private jets with her infant son, made the affair a potential security vulnerability for China, analysts said. Rumours circulated that Beijing suspected she had been passing secrets to a foreign intelligence service, but they have never been substantiated. Fu, like Qin, has been absent from public life for over a year. In July, the ruling Communist Party summarily dismissed from the 205-member Central Committee several officials, including the former defence minister, who had been investigated for corruption. But Qin, the readout stated, had merely resigned from the committee. He remained a comrade a member of the Communist Party hinting at a milder punishment. It was the first sign that Qin was indeed alive. TV anchor Fu Xiaotian interviews designer Diane von Furstenberg. The Politburo crediting Qin with the title of comrade indicates that he has not been expelled from the party and could be reassigned to a new, lower-ranking role, said Neil Thomas, an expert on Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, a think tank. In the Xi era, similar demotions have been meted out to leading cadres found guilty of relatively minor political infractions, Thomas said. Qins apparent demotion follows a precedent set by Shen Guofang, a former assistant foreign minister who was abruptly reassigned in 2005 to a job as editor-in-chief at World Affairs Press. No reason was given for his move, but it was rumoured that he was being punished for an affair. Shen nonetheless kept a public profile in his new job, giving regular speeches and interviews, in which he has claimed to have no idea why he was reassigned. Questioned about Shens transfer at the time, Qin, who was then the Foreign Ministry spokesman, called it routine. World Affairs Press is located in an alley in central Beijing and has a bookstore open to the public. It consists of a small room stocked with Chinese diplomat memoirs and books by Xi Jinping. When a reporter visited the bookshop this week, employees said they had not heard of Qin working at the publishing house. A receptionist who answered the phone said she did not know whether it was true. A former translator for top Chinese leaders, Victor Gao, was recently pressed on Qins whereabouts in an interview with Al Jazeera. He is somewhere in China, said Gao, who is now vice president of the Centre for China and Globalisation think tank. You will never see him. Exactly 10 years have passed since first I came face to face with Donald J. Trump. Meeting outside the golden doors of his elevators in Trump Tower just nine months before he descended his golden escalator, the future president could not have been more charming. Its a great honour, he said, happily shaking my out-stretched hand. Polite almost to the point of obsequiousness, it was as if he regarded the British Broadcasting Corporation, my then employer, as an offshoot of the British monarchy. Nick Bryant with Donald Trump ahead of their 2014 interview in New York. Credit: BBC As he led me through to his boardroom a more elegant space than the wood-panelled firing chamber on The Apprentice he was lucid, intelligent and unexpectedly humble. These were the days when he enjoyed the company of journalists. Not yet had we become enemies of the people or fake news. Only when the camera went on did Trump more resemble the figure we know today. More boastful. More outlandish. More conspiratorial he launched into a riff about wind farms. As he reminisced about his decaying casino empire in Atlantic City its demise, in the hands of new owners, was the topic under discussion he spoke wistfully of lost greatness, previewing the nostalgic nationalism that would drive his presidential campaign. In the first four months since the appointment of Adam Croucher as the new state manager, Pepper Money has focused on building its Victorian teams capabilities to address the evolving needs of brokers in a competitive and changing lending environment. Houthis Intensify Attacks on US and Israeli Ships in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Amid Gaza War Fallout (Photo: Military Media Yemen/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)) Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed on Sunday that they successfully shot down a U.S.-made MQ-9 Reaper drone over the country's contested Marib province. This incident marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, where the Houthis have intensified their military operations, particularly since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war. The U.S. military, while acknowledging the Houthi claim, stated that it had "received no reports" of any American drones being downed over Yemen. The Houthis' military spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, announced the drone's downing in a prerecorded video message, stating that the aircraft was "carrying out hostile activities" over Marib, a region rich in oil and gas resources. Saree did not provide any visual evidence to support the claim, although the group has previously released such footage days after similar incidents. Despite the lack of immediate proof, the claim aligns with a pattern of Houthi attacks on U.S. drones, which have become more frequent in recent months. The MQ-9 Reaper, valued at around $30 million, is a sophisticated surveillance and attack drone capable of flying at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and remaining airborne for up to 24 hours. The U.S. has deployed these drones extensively over Yemen for years, both for military operations and intelligence gathering. Following the Houthi announcement, their al-Masirah satellite news channel reported that U.S.-led airstrikes had been carried out near the city of Ibb, south of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The U.S. military has not confirmed these strikes, but it has been conducting operations against Houthi targets in Yemen with increasing frequency, particularly since January. The downing of the drone comes amid a broader campaign by the Houthis targeting maritime vessels in the Red Sea, a crucial global shipping corridor. Since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted, the Houthis have claimed responsibility for attacks on more than 80 ships, including merchant vessels and oil tankers. These assaults have raised significant concerns among global powers, particularly given the strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, through which a substantial portion of the world's oil supply is transported. One of the most high-profile attacks involved the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, which was struck by Houthi missiles in the Red Sea. The tanker, carrying one million barrels of oil, was left burning and stranded, with salvage operations complicated by the ongoing conflict. The Houthis have justified these attacks as part of their support for the Palestinian cause, declaring that they will continue until Israel ends its military operations in Gaza. The U.S. has condemned these actions as reckless acts of terrorism. Last week, U.S. forces intercepted a Houthi-launched drone targeting a Saudi oil tanker and destroyed a "support vehicle" used in the operation. The U.S. military described these incidents as part of a broader pattern of destabilizing activities by the Houthis, which they attribute to Iranian support, despite Tehran's repeated denials. The Houthis' attacks have not been limited to military or maritime targets. In July, the group claimed responsibility for landing an explosive-laden drone in Tel Aviv, an attack that killed one person and further escalated regional tensions. This attack was part of the Houthis' declared "jihadist duties" in support of the Palestinian people, according to Saree. The ongoing conflict in Yemen, which began in earnest when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, has left the country devastated. Despite a U.N.-brokered ceasefire in December 2023, sporadic fighting and targeted attacks have continued, with the Houthis increasingly focusing on international targets linked to the U.S., U.K., and Israel. California's wildfires are a result of climate change. (Photo: Fred Greaves/Reuters) As wildfires rage across California and Nevada, thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate their homes, facing a dual threat of rapidly spreading flames and a record-breaking heatwave. The most alarming of these fires, the Line Fire, has consumed more than 17,000 acres in San Bernardino County since it ignited on Thursday, prompting a state of emergency declaration from California Governor Gavin Newsom. The Line Fire, which has already quadrupled in size since Saturday morning, is wreaking havoc in the mountainous regions of Southern California. Residents in the Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake areas have been ordered to evacuate, with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department warning that more than 35,000 structures-including homes, businesses, and other buildings-are under threat. As of Sunday, the fire remains 0% contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire's rapid spread has been exacerbated by a combination of critically dry vegetation and unpredictable winds, conditions that have made firefighting efforts exceptionally challenging. "Hot and dry conditions mixed with thunderstorms are expected to challenge firefighters for the next few days," Cal Fire said in a statement, highlighting the erratic behavior of the blaze. The situation is so severe that the Line Fire has generated its own weather patterns, including pyrocumulus clouds, which can produce dangerous lightning and erratic winds, further complicating containment efforts. More than 600 fire personnel are currently battling the Line Fire, with three firefighters reported injured as they fight to protect the threatened communities. Firefighters have so far managed to defend many homes from the advancing flames, but the unpredictability of the fire means that all areas are of concern. "We have to make sure we have crews on all sides of the fire ready to stand their ground," said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua. The situation in San Bernardino is mirrored by other fires across California and Nevada. In the Angeles National Forest, the Bridge Fire has quickly grown to 200 acres, forcing the closure of several roads and further straining firefighting resources. In Clearlake, California, the Boyles Fire has displaced 4,000 residents, with at least 30 structures already engulfed by the flames. Nevada is also grappling with its own wildfire crisis. The Davis Fire, located south of Reno, has burned approximately 3,300 acres and destroyed at least six structures. This wind-driven blaze has led to the evacuation of about 20,000 people in Washoe County, with more than 6,000 residents left without power as utility company NV Energy cut electricity to prevent further ignitions and protect first responders. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency on Sunday as firefighters continue to battle the uncontrollable flames. Compounding the wildfire crisis is an intense heatwave gripping the region. Southern California and the Desert Southwest are under excessive heat warnings, with temperatures soaring between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit-10 to 20 degrees above average for this time of year. The National Weather Service has issued air quality alerts due to the combination of extreme heat and elevated fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke. As the fires spread, residents are experiencing firsthand the terrifying unpredictability of nature. Highland resident Brian Gano recounted to CNN affiliate KCAL News how he and his family attempted to defend their home from the encroaching flames. "The flames were right up on us because the wind shifted," Gano said, describing how they used a high-pressure hose to try and keep the fire at bay. Others, like Diya Hirpara, are preparing for the worst. "We're just kind of on the edge, just waiting," Hirpara told reporters, expressing the anxiety felt by many residents who have stocked up on supplies in case they need to flee at a moment's notice. Visitors to the affected areas have also found themselves caught in the path of destruction. Mark Weidhase, a Canadian tourist, described how he and his girlfriend were forced to evacuate while visiting the mountains near Big Bear. "I love the mountains, but not when they're on fire," he said after witnessing the smoke and flames from the Line Fire up close. The scale of the wildfires this season is staggering. Cal Fire reports that more than 838,000 acres have already burned across California this year-more than three times the amount by this time last year. The fires have been fueled by a combination of drought conditions and extreme heat, both of which are exacerbated by climate change. While each fire cannot be directly attributed to climate change, scientists agree that the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events are making conditions ripe for wildfires. Together, these facilities will produce semiconductor chips for applications across automotive, mobile devices. | File photo Tata Electronics has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tokyo Electron to buy equipment and services for its under-construction chip units in Gujarat and Assam. Under the agreement, Tata Electronics and TEL will also focus on training Tata Electronics' workforce on TEL equipment and supporting ongoing improvement and research and development initiatives. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp "Tata Electronics...signed a memorandum of understanding with Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL), a leading global supplier of semiconductor equipment and services. The two companies will collaborate to accelerate semiconductor equipment infrastructure for India's first Fab being built by Tata Electronics in Dholera, Gujarat, and for its assembly and test facility in Jagiroad, Assam," Tata Electronics said on Monday. Tata Electronics is building India's first Fab in Dholera, Gujarat, with a total investment of Rs 91,000 crore and assembly and testing of semiconductor chips with investment of Rs 27,000 crores in Jagiroad, Assam. Together, these facilities will produce semiconductor chips for applications across automotive, mobile devices, artificial intelligence (AI), and other key segments to serve customers globally, the statement said. "TEL has a history of working closely with its customers, and its expertise in the semiconductor equipment space will help build a dynamic ecosystem to support the timely execution of bringing up our Fab and advanced packaging factories," Tata Electronics managing director and CEO, Randhir Thakur said. TEL will explore opportunities to leverage India's talent to establish an engineering service in India to support its global product development, the statement said. "This strategic collaboration spans both front-end fabrication and back-end packaging technologies, highlighting our commitment to delivering exceptional support and value to Tata Electronics. By leveraging our collective strengths, we aim to accelerate development and drive innovation across multiple technology nodes," TEL, President and CEO, Toshiki Kawai said. An artist gives final touch to the idols of Lord Ganesha ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, in Nagpur on Saturday. The ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which began on Saturday, is expected to generate a business worth Rs 25,000 crore, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), said, sharing multiple media reports in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Of this, the market for Ganesha idols alone is expected to exceed Rs 500 crore. Moreover, businesses are seen steering clear of Chinese products in favour of domestic goods in a bid to support the local economy. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp With each year, there has been an increasing call for turning the festival eco-friendly, by using clay idols of the Hindu deity Ganesha instead of traditional Plaster of Paris (PoP) ones. Swiggy, Zepto ride high on festive fervour Capitalising on the festive excitement, quick commerce platforms like Zepto and Swiggy are also actively promoting various initiatives to boost their sales. On Sunday, Swiggy, which is gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO), drew attention by launching a modak dispenser at Mumbais Carter Road. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Swiggy co-founder Phani Kishan A said that the dispenser has been dispensing over 4,000 modaks daily, drawing large crowds. Modak is a traditional Indian sweet, often associated with this festival. Likewise, Zepto co-founder Aditya Palicha took to LinkedIn to share key shopping trends over the weekend, revealing that festival-related sales had significantly jumped this year. He said that modak sales on the platform had increased fivefold, while Ganesh idol sales had surged tenfold. Festival decor sales also saw a tenfold increase. Palicha noted that Bengaluru led all cities, accounting for 25 per cent of all sweet orders. On Sunday alone, Zepto sold 1,500 modaks per hour. He also added that this year, the platform focused exclusively on eco-friendly Ganesh idols. The use of PoP for Ganesh Chaturthi has been a significant concern for environmentalists as the chemical composition of the idols causes irreparable water pollution from being immersed in water bodies. Come September 26, businesses in Canada will only be allowed to fill 10% of their workforce with low-wage foreign workers, down from the previous 20%. This decision comes as a response to the rising unemployment rates in Canada. But how will this impact Indians working under the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Programme, and what should they do next? Before diving into the details, lets understand what the TFW Programme is. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The TFW Programme allows businesses in Canada to temporarily hire foreign workers when they cant find qualified Canadian workers to fill job vacancies. Employers must show that theyve tried to recruit Canadians before being allowed to bring in foreign workers, usually for up to two years. "The TFW Programme is designed to be used only when qualified Canadians, permanent residents, as well as asylum seekers and refugees, are not able to fill job vacancies, Mary Rose Sabater, a communication adviser at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), told Business Standard. On August 26, 2024, Minister Randy Boissonnault announced that the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers in Canada would be reduced. "The recent changes made to the TFW Programme align with broader federal objectives to reduce the share of temporary residents to 5% of Canada's population," Sabater explained. How many Indians are currently under the TFW Programme? According to data provided by IRCC to Business Standard, as of July 2024, 52,455 valid work permits were issued to Indian citizens under the TFW Programme. Of these, 29,455 were held by workers in higher-skilled categories such as managerial roles, professionals, and skilled technical workers. The remaining 22,000 permits are likely held by workers in lower-skilled jobs, though exact details werent provided. Breakdown of skill levels (January-July 2024): Managerial Level (0): 2023: 830 work permits January-July 2024: 495 work permits Professionals (A): 2023: 1,655 work permits January-July 2024: 750 work permits Skilled and Technical Workers (B): 2023: 13,095 work permits January-July 2024: 9,250 work permits Higher-skilled total: 2023: 15,580 work permits January-July 2024: 10,495 work permits Note: The data provided are preliminary estimates and subject to change. The total unique count may differ since individuals could hold multiple types of permits over a period. Additionally, values are rounded to the nearest multiple of five to protect privacy, so totals may not always align exactly. What does this mean for Indian workers in Canada? For those already working in Canada under the TFW Programme, there wont be an immediate impact. These latest changes will not affect the validity of existing work permits for temporary foreign workers already in Canada, Sabater said. What about workers whose permits are expiring? Workers with expiring permits will need to act quickly. "Foreign nationals interested in working in Canada through the TFW Programme should apply for positions posted by employers with an approved Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). To find these job opportunities, individuals must visit the Job Bank website," Sabater added. Finding a new job in Canada As of September 9, 2024, there are 12,244 job vacancies listed on the Job Bank website (https://www.jobbank.gc.ca). Temporary foreign workers in Canada have the right to change employers without fear of punishment or deportation, according to the government. However, if you want to switch employers, you will need to apply for a new work permit. On the Job Bank website, workers can filter jobs based on various criteria such as language requirements and job type. For example, if youre looking for positions that require knowledge of both English and French, you can set your search filters accordingly. What are the rules for work permits? If you have an employer-specific work permit and want to change jobs or employers, youll need to apply for a new one. International Experience Canada (IEC) participants should check if they are eligible to change employers under their specific work permits. Its possible to start working for a new employer before your new work permit is fully processed, as long as you request authorisation to work while waiting. Who is eligible to apply for a new work permit? To apply for a new employer-specific work permit, you must: * Have applied for a new work permit in Canada. * Currently hold an employer-specific work permit or be eligible to work without one. Youre not eligible if you are: A business visitor. A short-term worker under the Global Skills Strategy. Extending your work permit You can extend your participation in the IEC Programme only in certain situations, such as: Your job has been extended. You need to change employers. The expiry date on your work permit is incorrect. Youve received a new passport or need to remove medical restrictions. If none of these situations apply to you, you have two options if you want to stay in Canada as a worker: 1. Submit a new profile for the IEC and wait to receive another invitation to apply, provided your country of citizenship allows for multiple participations. 2. Apply for another type of work permit. If youre applying for a new work permit, its recommended to do so at least 30 days before your current one expires to maintain your legal status in Canada. If your work permit expires before your application is processed, you can continue working under whats called maintained status until a decision is made. However, if your application is refused, you must leave Canada by the date indicated on the refusal letter. The Bengaluru Police has filed a comprehensive chargesheet of 1,652 pages in the fourth case registered against former MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing charges of rape and sexual assault, in a special court here, officials said on Monday. Revanna is currently under judicial custody at Parappana Agrahara Jail here, and a Special Investigation Team is probing four separate cases against him. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp According to the police, the chargesheet was filed against Revanna on June 12 at the cyber crime police station of CID in Bengaluru. In this case, was booked for sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation, and violation of privacy of IT Act. The complainant in this case is a woman who was allegedly sexually harassed over a video call. In a statement, police stated that a total of 113 witnesses who were supplementary to the case were examined as prosecution witnesses and recorded statements under section 161 CrPC. Statements of victim, key witnesses were recorded as per section 164 Crpc. "All physical, scientific, mobile, digital and other circumstantial evidence were collected and sent for forensic laboratory expert examination and after receiving opinion, a comprehensive chargesheet of 1,652 pages were prepared against the accused suspended MP and submitted to the Special Court here," it added. Revanna was arrested by the SIT on May 31 upon arrival at Bengaluru Airport from Germany in connection with a case registered at the Holenarasipura Town Police Station. He was remanded in custody the following day. Revanna had failed in his bid to retain the Hassan parliamentary constituency in the recent polls. The cases of sexual abuse came to light after pen-drives containing explicit videos allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna were reportedly circulated in Hassan, ahead of Lok Sabha polls there on April 26. JD(S) suspended him from the party following the cases filed against him. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will launch key initiatives for prevention of cybercrime here in the national capital on Tuesday on the occasion of the first foundation day celebration of the Indian cybercrime Coordination Centre (14C). Shah will also dedicate the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) to the nation on the occasion. The institution has been established at I4C in New Delhi with representatives of major banks, financial intermediaries, payment aggregators, telecom service providers, IT intermediaries, and states, as well as Union Territories Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). They will work together for immediate action and seamless cooperation to tackle online financial crimes. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the CFMC will serve as an example of "cooperative federalism" in law enforcement. Shah will also launch the Samanvaya Platform, a joint cybercrime investigation facilitation system. Since 1992, the publication has provided detailed annual data on health infrastructure and human resources, with updates as of March 31 each year | (Photo: Shutterstock) There is a need to integrate the Health Management Information System (HMIS) portal with the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal and other portals of the health ministry to ensure that the data is uploaded timely and analysed carefully, Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra said On Monday. Chandra made the remarks as he released "Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure and Human Resources) 2022-23", an annual publication formerly known as "Rural Health Statistics", here. The document has been published since 1992. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Highlighting the document as a source of reliable and authentic information on various aspects of the National Health Mission (NHM), Chandra said, "The annual publication is a valuable document furnishing much-needed information on manpower and infrastructure within the NHM, helpful in policy making, improving processes and problem solving." He added that the document gives a cross-analysis across the states on the availability and deficiencies in manpower and infrastructure. The data is immensely helpful in understanding the requirements of the states, their priority areas and formulating policies and targeted campaigns, Chandra said. The health statistics also aid in making a comparison in the performance of the states on different parameters, he highlighted. Since 1992, the publication has provided detailed annual data on health infrastructure and human resources, with updates as of March 31 each year. This data is crucial for the stakeholders in the health sector as it supports effective planning, monitoring and management of the health infrastructure across the country. By providing a clear snapshot of the current state of healthcare infrastructure and human resources, the publication serves as a foundational tool for identifying gaps and addressing needs in various areas, including in rural, urban and tribal regions. U.S. export control measures on national security grounds draw pushback Xinhua) 09:40, September 09, 2024 WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. export control measures in semiconductor and quantum sectors on the grounds of national security have drawn pushback from industry insiders and observers. The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is implementing export controls on several semiconductor, quantum, and additive manufacturing items "for national security and foreign policy reasons," according to documents released Friday. Authorities will allow a 60-day period for public feedback before making a final decision. "Though China is not explicitly named in the documents, the controls are in line with a series of moves the Biden administration has taken to limit Beijing's developments in areas such as AI and computing," a report by CNBC said. "As the U.S. continues to step up its efforts to limit China's growth, the global industry has shown a degree of reluctance," the report said, adding that Chinese firms remain key clients of many of the world's leading semiconductor companies, including those in the United States. In the latest sign of reluctance, Christophe Fouquet, Dutch computer chip equipment supplier ASML's chief executive officer, said on Wednesday that a U.S.-led effort to limit the company's exports to Chinese customers under the guise of national security had become more "economically motivated" over time. "I think to make the case that this is about national security is getting harder and harder," Fouquet made the remarks at a Citi conference in New York, adding that he expects pushback to grow. Dick Schoof, the prime minister of the Netherlands, said that the government is weighing the economic interests involved in ASML's decision to restrict exports to China. ASML is the country's largest company. Since April, the U.S. government has been pressuring the world's leading supplier for the semiconductor industry to cease servicing certain equipment it previously sold to Chinese customers. South Korean Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said recently that for countries or companies trying to comply with the United States, there should be some kind of "carrots," Bloomberg reported. "We have had a closer economic relationship with China than with any country in the era of globalization," Cheong said, noting that China accounts for roughly half of South Korea's semiconductor sales. "We'll have to find a way to the extent that the impact on our companies' business is minimized," he said. Jeffrey Sachs, an economics professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, told Xinhua in an earlier interview that although the United States has tried to limit China's growth by restricting China's access to the most cutting-edge microchips and other digital technologies, it's not working according to plan, because China has accelerated its own development of these advanced chips. "So I think the U.S. approach was wrong in principle and not very effective in practice. And I hope that it is reconsidered," said the economist. "There are better ways for the U.S. and China to find a normal relationship than the U.S. unilaterally imposing this kind of technology restriction." Sachs, also a senior United Nations advisor, argued that the United States should not use economic containment in the name of national security, calling for proper discussions to find better ways. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, on Sunday began consultations in Tripoli with key Libyan political and institutional actors with a view to relaunching the political process through national reconciliation and the organisation of general elections to achieve stability in the oil-rich North African country In a recent case of cyber fraud, the human resources (HR) manager of a US-based IT company was tricked into purchasing Apple gift cards worth Rs 10 lakh. Cybercriminals, impersonating the companys CEO, managed to deceive the HR manager into believing the purchases were necessary as gifts for all employees, The Indian Express reported. The scam, known as a whale phishing attack, led to an investigation after the HR manager reported the incident to Paud police station under Pune Rural police jurisdiction. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp How was the whale phishing attack carried out? The fraudulent activity began when the HR manager received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number with a US code earlier this year. The sender claimed to be the CEO of the firm, and the message included a profile picture of the CEO, making it appear legitimate. The message explained that the CEO was busy on a conference call and did not want to be disturbed, instructing the HR manager to purchase Apple gift cards worth Rs 5,000 each for the companys employees via Amazon. Trusting the message, the HR manager bought 100 gift vouchers and informed the sender of the completed purchase. The scammer then requested that another 100 cards be bought and sent to the email address provided. The HR manager complied, consulting with a senior company official based in India. However, suspicion arose when the senior officer inquired about how the gift cards were delivered, and the HR manager revealed the email address to which they were sent. It became evident that cybercriminals had used a fake number and email to impersonate the CEO. Upon realising the scam, the HR manager approached the police, leading to an FIR being registered. Authorities have since launched an investigation into the phone numbers and email addresses involved in the scam, the national-daily added. Pune City, a whale phishing hotspot? Pune City has seen an increase in whale phishing attacks, with around 10 such cases reported since July of last year. Notably, global vaccine producer Serum Institute of India fell victim to a similar scam, losing Rs 1 crore. Another case in February saw a real estate company duped of Rs 4 crore. What is a whale phishing scam? A whale phishing scam, also known as whaling, is a sophisticated type of phishing attack that targets high-profile individuals within an organisation, such as executives, CEOs, or other senior leaders. These individuals are referred to as whales because of their importance and the potential for significant financial gain if the scam is successful, similar to a whale in the sea. In this type of scam, attackers craft personalised and convincing emails or messages to deceive the target into revealing sensitive information, approving large financial transactions, or granting access to confidential data. Scammers conduct thorough research on their targets, incorporating specific details about the persons role, colleagues, or business operations to make their communications seem legitimate. Because the targets are often key decision-makers within an organisation, the impact of a successful whale phishing attack can be devastating. It can lead to major financial losses, data breaches, or damage to the organisations reputation. How does the scam work? Whale phishing scams use social engineering techniques to manipulate the victims trust and create a false sense of urgency. The tactics typically include: - Researching the target: Scammers gather detailed information about the targets background, interests, and professional relationships to tailor the attack. - Impersonating trusted individuals: They pose as well-known figures within the organisation, such as CEOs, board members, or even business partners, to make the scam appear credible. - Sending convincing messages or calls: The scammers communication often appears urgent and legitimate, playing on specific concerns of the target. Scammers may use pressure tactics, fake documents, or fabricated situations to push the target into quick compliance. - Exploiting vulnerabilities: Attackers may take advantage of current events, news, or internal matters within the company to make their requests seem more plausible. How to protect yourself from whale phishing? - Stay alert: Carefully examine any unexpected emails, messages, or requests, even if they seem to come from a familiar source. - Verify the sender: Do not rely solely on the caller ID or email address. Always use known and official channels to confirm the legitimacy of a request. - Watch out for pressure tactics: Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to rush you into making hasty decisions. Take your time to verify the situation before acting. - Keep sensitive information private: Never share confidential information, such as login credentials or financial details, over email or phone without proper verification. - Educate employees: Organisations should provide training on phishing awareness and cybersecurity best practices to ensure that staff can recognise and respond appropriately to potential threats. Blog Archive: Oct 2024 (40) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (156) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday asked automobile-component manufacturers to bring in investment from countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) to reach the export target worth $100 billion by 2030. While addressing the 64th annual session of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (Acma), he said: If you were to look at our agreements with different countries -- like the EFTA agreement with Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland -- now they have committed to put in $100 billion in India. They dont have much manufacturing in those four countries but they do have some technologies. They would be interested in investing for profits in (Indian) market, even if they dont have a particular technology. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp On September 4, the Swiss government submitted a dispatch to its Parliament as a first step towards ratifying the EFTA agreement. Goyal said the automobile industry needed to market the after-sales sector by impressing upon customers the importance of using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) products via social media campaigns or through other means. We need to educate them that the value (one) pays for an OEM product would always be far less in terms of the value and the years of service that (one) is getting. When you collectively look at the new automobile market and the after-sales (sector), I think the future for your sector is absolutely bright and nobody in the world can compete with Indian component manufacturers, he added. The minister urged industry leaders to prepare a road map to become the largest auto market in the world, laying emphasis on combining the industrys organic growth with an international outreach to secure investment and focus on research and development (R&D). Currently, India is the third-largest auto market in the world. The government is soon going to come up with guidelines for the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), where Rs 1 trillion has been allocated for supporting public-private academia partnerships and I hope all of you will take the benefit of that, Goyal said. Further, he invited auto-component industry leaders to examine the development potential of the governments upcoming 20 industrial smart cities. Goyal asked them to capture global opportunities in new-age technologies such as those of electric vehicles (EVs). Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 will reflect in a much bigger way about EVs and their associated ecosystem. They are getting bicycles on board also. That sector needs to grow in India. We used to have an edge once upon a time. We lost a lot of that edge in the last three-four decades, he said. The minister talked of the potential for the auto sector to achieve economies of scale by catering for the domestic market. The market capitalisation of Premier Energies has crossed Rs 50,000 crore after the stock price of the solar cell manufacturer rallied 9 per cent to hit a new record high of Rs 1,190.35 on the BSE in Mondays intra-day trade. Premier Energies was trading 6 per cent higher at Rs 1,157 on the BSE, with a market cap of Rs 52,155 crore at 1:57 PM. In comparison, the BSE Sensex was up 0.27 per cent at 81,402. Since listing, the company's stock has rallied 42 per cent in the past four trading days. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Currently, the market price of Premier Energies has zoomed 165 per cent against its issue price of Rs 450 per share. The company made a stellar debut on the stock markets on Tuesday, September 3. The company's shares listed at Rs 991 on the BSE, marking a whopping 120.22 per cent premium over the issue price. Premier Energies is ranked as the second-largest integrated solar cell and module manufacturer in India and also holds the position of the country's second-largest solar cell producer by annual installed capacity. Their total annual installed capacity stands at 2 GW for solar cells and 4.13 GW for solar modules. The company also provides end-to-end solar services for ground-mounted, rooftop, floating, canal bank, canal top, and hybrid power generation systems, as well as operations and maintenance (O&M) services for executed projects. On Thursday, September 5, Premier Energies informed that the company has received an order from the Uttar Pradesh Department of Agriculture for the supply, installation and commissioning, with five years of comprehensive warranty, of 8,085 solar water pumping systems across various districts in the state. This project, valued at Rs 215 crore, is scheduled for completion by March 2025, the company said in an exchange filing. This initiative falls under Component-B of the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Scheme that is aimed at ensuring energy security for farmers in India, along with honouring Indias commitment to increase the share of installed capacity of electric power from non-fossil-fuel sources to 40 per cent by 2030 as part of the country's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). Analysts believe that Premier Energies is well positioned for future growth due to its strong market position, well diversified customer base along with high technical expertise. With pro-active regulations, policy support and commitments towards renewables energy by the government, the domestic solar manufacturing market is likely to witness an accelerated growth trajectory in the medium-term, according to analysts. Solar is projected to become the preferred and most economical power source globally and is expected to overtake hydropower, followed by natural gas in CY2026 and coal in CY2027. Indias annual solar capacity additions will likely double over the next two to three years, moving from 82GW in CY24E to 198 GW in CY28E, with a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) growth of 24.7 per cent. The key growth drivers are urbanisation and industrialisation, which are expected to drive the countrys electricity demand in the foreseeable future. That apart, the governments initiatives such as Make in India, PLI, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, among others, have further bolstered industrialisation, while India is likely to add 10,000 electric vehicle charging infrastructure by CY2025. Premier Energies has a diversified customer base, with customer relationships spread both within India and overseas. It has a a strong order book of around Rs 6,200 crore, and relationships in a wide range of markets that bring in overseas revenues, and strong growth with consistent profitability over the past few years, noted analysts. Manufacturers like Premier Energies with its dominant market position are well equipped to benefit from the expansion in the market. Continued restriction on trade with China by developed economies like the US and Europe would continue to provide export opportunities for the company in the medium-term. The international solar wafer and cell prices are in declining trend since mid-2022 and current prices might be lower than FY21 levels. Declining raw material prices have positively impacted the financial performance of the company during FY24 and Q1 FY25. Thus any volatility in the raw material prices would be negative for the company, analysts at Choice Equity Broking said in the company's IPO note. First batch of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) were established in 1975 following the recommendations of a working group. The idea was to establish regionally focused banks, familiar with local issues, to extend banking services to rural areas. RRBs are owned jointly by the Government of India, the state government concerned, and the sponsoring commercial bank with an equity holding of 50, 15 and 35 per cent, respectively. While the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates RRBs, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) supervises them. As reported by this newspaper last week, the Union government During his trip, Rahul Gandhi will interact with the members of the Indian diaspora and youths in Washington. | PTI Photo Opposition is the voice of the people, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said in Dallas, Texas, underscoring that its main focus is to raise issues concerning the people after understanding their perspectives "carefully" and "sensitively". Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is on a four-day unofficial trip to the US. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp During an interaction with students at the University of Texas in Dallas on Sunday, Gandhi said, "Opposition at its heart is the voice of people, there is a whole sequence of events that go on, but what you generally think about is where and how can I raise the issues of the people of India." "You are thinking from an individual perspective, and also from (a) group perspective, industry perspective, farmer perspective, the important thing is you do it sensitively and after listening and understanding carefully," he added. Talking about Parliamentary proceedings, Gandhi described them as a "pleasant war" of ideas and words. "You go to the Parliament in the morning, then it's like a war, you go in and then you fight, it's a pleasant war, it's reasonably fun at times, can be nasty also, but it's a war of ideas and words," he said. "When you are new to politics, you see an issue, you think that is an issue, but when you go into details, you realise that there is nuance and complexity, so understanding that nuance and then planning your day according to that, that's how it generally works," he said. Gandhi arrived in Dallas on Saturday night and was welcomed by dozens of members of the Indian-American community led by senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda and president of Indian National Overseas Congress, USA, Mohinder Gilzian. During his trip, Gandhi will interact with the members of the Indian diaspora and youths in Washington, DC, too. He also plans to meet lawmakers and senior officials of the US government during his visit to Washington DC, beginning Monday. A pricing model used by global vaccine alliance Gavi has previously beaten down the cost of shots by securing large volumes, making it viable for manufacturers | Photo: Bloomberg By Sanne Wass and Janice Kew The price of Bavarian Nordic A/Ss mpox vaccine is set to become a key sticking point in talks to secure millions of shots for Africa, with the Danish company under growing pressure to lower its charge. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp As the first batch of more than 200,000 doses arrive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, talks led by agencies including Unicef are underway to secure more vaccines for crisis-hit African countries. Initial agreements are slated to be finalised by mid-September. Bavarian Nordic, one of the few companies with an approved mpox vaccine, is set to be a key supplier of as many as 12 million doses that the agencies plan to procure by 2025 to deal with an mpox outbreak declared a global public health emergency. ALSO READ: Fast-spreading mpox variant detected in Congo's densely populated capital But with a shot significantly pricier than many other vaccines commonly used for immunisation in Africa, costs remain a key barrier to getting more orders in place. The Africa Centres for Disease Control has pegged the price for Bavarians vaccine at $100 per dose, while the World Health Organization quoted it at $141. Thats more than what most countries on the continent can afford and more than many spend on health per capita in the face of multiple health challenges, including cholera, measles, malaria and HIV. Pricing is a problem, said Helen Rees, chair of the WHOs African advisory group on immunisation. The price has put the jab among the treatments where the cost is going to make things prohibitive, she added. A pricing model used by global vaccine alliance Gavi has previously beaten down the cost of shots by securing large volumes, making it viable for manufacturers and helping ensure products get where they need to be. But at this stage, Bavarians mpox jab doesnt fit that structure, she said. In this kind of circumstance, youve got limited supply and a manufacturing side of things that is expensive this is not a cheap product to make, Rees said. Theres a real cost associated. The spread of the new strain of mpox from Congo where children account for more than 80 per cent of deaths from the disease has seen the number of cases on the continent increase in nations such as Burundi and Gabon. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has urged countries stockpiling vaccines to donate. Compared with other commonly used vaccines in low- and middle-income countries, Bavarians shot sold under the names Jynneos, Imvamune and Imvanex is considerably more expensive, said Andrew Hill, a senior research fellow at the University of Liverpool, who studies the cost of drugs. Vaccines against most infectious diseases typically cost $1 to $3 per dose when given as part of mass vaccination programs to millions of people, he said. Cost-prohibitive? Bavarian Nordic cant carry on charging these high prices in Africa and will have to give large discounts or grant permission to generic companies to mass produce this vaccine at close to cost price, Hill said. Otherwise, Africa wont be able to afford to protect their population as the epidemic of the new clade Ib grows, he said. Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organisation, in a letter to Bavarian last month urged the company to provide equitable access to the mpox vaccine, saying it feared that Bavarian with its pricing may be exploiting the latest global health crisis, putting profits over people. With few rivals for its vaccine in Africa, Bavarian is in the drivers seat in setting the price for its jab. While Emergent BioSolutions Inc. and KM Biologics Co. have developed mpox vaccines, theres a very big difference between the three vaccines that tilt in Bavarians favour, said Thomas Bowers, health-care equity analyst at Danske Bank A/S. Emergent BioSolutions ACAM2000, which obtained FDA approval for mpox in late August, isnt recommended for people with a weak immune system and, therefore, probably wont be used in Africa, Bowers said. Japans LC16 vaccine made by KM Biologics is likely to form part of Africas vaccine programme, but wont trigger competition on prices, he said. Meanwhile, Moderna Inc. and BioNTech SEs mRNA vaccine candidates are still quite a few years from the market. The challenge for Bavarian is to negotiate a price that nations can afford but that remains commercially viable. Chief Executive Officer Paul Chaplin in an interview last month recognised that pricing no doubt is going be an issue, saying the company wants to look at it responsibly but find the right balance. At the end of the day, if we financially damage Bavarian Nordic in any way, that doesnt benefit the worlds society because then theres no vaccine available for anyone, Chaplin said. Chief Financial Officer Henrik Juuel told the Danish state broadcaster last week that Bavarian, when negotiating the price with Unicef, will take into account which countries will pay. Bavarian also entered agreements during the last mpox outbreak with differentiated prices depending on the country buying them, according to a company spokesperson. Large discount Bowers of Danske Bank expects a price of roughly $100 per dose for organisations in Africa buying the vaccine, saying this is still a relatively large discount compared to the private market in the US, where the net price is around $200. Even if you can produce the dose for $10 or $20 apiece, thats only the production itself, but owners have invested billions of kroner into developing the vaccine and preparing it for production, and they have taken a big risk, Bowers said. Thats also part of what has been put into the dose price. So its natural that you dont just give it away as a gift. Yet $100 is still double the price being paid in some instances by the American government, which Bowers said gets a discount because its sponsored the entire development programme. Health organisations in Africa could negotiate a lower price if they make larger orders and commit to a vaccine programme of at least four to five years, Bowers said. A long-term commitment would give more security for Bavarian, which pays for the maintenance and upkeep of factories even when theyre not producing any vaccine, he said. While the jab has passed clinical trials as a two-dose immunisation, its unclear whether countries in Africa would go for a one-shot approach to halve the cost. According to Bavarians CEO, data from a number of studies show that a single dose offers up to 80 per cent efficacy and a significant reduction in hospitalisations. The Chronicle is pleased to announce the addition of California Local News fellow Olivia Cruz Mayeda, who will cover East and South Asian communities on the newspapers Race & Equity Team. Cruz Mayedas addition is made possible by a partnership with UC Berkeleys California Local News Fellowship program, a state-funded initiative to support local journalism and improve coverage of underrepresented communities. Now in its second year, the program is supporting 75 early-career journalists for two-year terms at news outlets of varying sizes and different mediums in 35 counties. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Race & Equity editor Raheem Hosseini said Cruz Mayedas pitches and approach to her work made her a standout candidate for the unique journalism collaboration. Olivia was the first person I thought of when the California Local News Fellowship opportunity came around, Hosseini said. Shes a proactive story finder with a sensibility all her own. She also has a knack for asking questions that make me think hard about what we do and why were doing it. Olivia is the kind of journalist I want to inherit this changing profession and to challenge us into the future. A fifth-generation Japanese and Filipina American resident of the Bay Area, Cruz Mayeda said her approach to journalism is informed by her intergenerational ties to the region and her deep appreciation for its communities of color. Being multigenerational in the bay is a critical touchstone in my writing and video producing, Cruz Mayeda said. And I want to carry that experience with a lot of care to every newsroom Im a part of. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At KQED, Cruz Mayeda wrote, directed, produced and edited the six-episode docuseries Deep Down, about Deep East Oakland, premiering Tuesday, Sept. 10. She also wrote and hosted the multimedia series Fit Check, a celebration of personal expression through fashion. Cruz Mayeda said she is excited to use traditional and multimedia approaches to tell fresh and resonant stories about the Bays Asian American communities. The plurality of communities of color in the Bay is deeply beautiful to me each city, neighborhood and family holds so many dimensions of experience, she said. Im tremendously grateful for the opportunity to tell those multidimensional stories. About the San Francisco Chronicle The San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfchronicle.com) is the largest newspaper in Northern California and the second largest on the West Coast. Acquired by Hearst in 2000, the Chronicle was founded in 1865 by Charles and Michael de Young and has been awarded six Pulitzer Prizes for journalistic excellence. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @SFChronicle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad About the California Local News Fellowship The majestic rings of planet Saturn, which span about 2.82 lakh kilometres in width, are set to disappear for a brief period in 2025, Nasa confirmed to CBS news. This event, expected to occur in March, is caused by the alignment of Saturns rings with Earths line of sight. Saturn, tilted at an angle of 26.73 degrees, takes about 29.4 Earth-years to complete one orbit around the Sun. As Saturn moves along its orbit, the orientation of its rings changes relative to Earth. Scientists explain that every 13 to 15 years, the rings align edge-on from our perspective, making them appear almost invisible. This rare phenomenon last occurred in 2009. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Despite their impressive width, Saturns rings are incredibly thin, ranging from just 10 to 30 metres in most areas. This extreme thinness will contribute to their temporary invisibility. As Saturn progresses along its orbit, the rings will gradually reappear. How many rings are there on Saturn? Nasa explains that Saturns ring system has an intricate structure, which if laid out edge-to-edge, would stretch across the distance between Earth and the Moon. There are seven primary rings of Saturn, labelled according to their discovery: D, C, B, A, F, G, and E, extending outward from the planet. The main rings are A, B and C, with A being the outermost ring, easily seen with Earth-based telescopes. Interestingly, each ring orbits at a different speed around the planet. In a 2018 paper, NASA explained that Saturns rings will eventually face extinction, though this process will unfold over a huge period of time. According to the space agency, Saturns rings are being pulled into the planet due to the force of gravity. The event occurs in the form of a dusty rain of ice particles under the influence of Saturns magnetic field. Due to this, scientists expect the entire ring system to vanish in 300 million years. A gaseous planet, Saturn is mostly a ball of hydrogen and helium. The Aga Khan Museum proudly announces a monumental year of exciting programs and digital experiences celebrating a decade of impact and achievement. With an exceptional lineup of exhibitions, events, and innovative digital offerings, the Museum invites visitors to explore its inspiring journey of fostering connections through intercultural dialogue. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240909916550/en/ The Aga Khan Museum proudly announces a monumental year of exciting programs and digital experiences celebrating a decade of impact and achievement. As part of the year-long celebration, visitors will enjoy a selection of curated exhibitions and programs that reference the Museums spectacular architecture, its founding vision of light, and its history over the past 10 years. Photo credit: Janet Kimber. Over the past 10 years, the Aga Khan Museum has steadily grown its impact as a beacon of cultural exchange, fostering understanding and appreciation of the rich, diverse tapestry of Muslim cultures and their interconnectedness with the world, reflects Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis, Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum. As we look forward to further driving the Museums relevance and impact into the future, our commitment to serving our audiences is stronger than ever. We are excited to continue evolving in line with their needs and our mandate to positively impact lives and contribute to resilient, peaceful, pluralistic societies. As part of the year-long celebration, visitors will enjoy a selection of curated exhibitions that reference the Museums spectacular architecture, its founding vision of light, and its history over the past 10 years: Aga Khan Museum: Celebrating the Past, Reimagining the Future On display: September 7, 2024June, 2025 Located in the Rasheed Dhuka and Nooruddin Khawja Family Gallery, this special exhibition is a dynamic showcase of photographs and video material, charting the Museums evolution and programs over the past decade. It invites visitors to reflect on the Museums transformative journey and envisions its future as a catalyst for intercultural understanding through the arts. Light: Visionary Perspectives On display until March 17, 2025 An homage to His Highness the Aga Khans vision of light as inspiration for the Museums architecture and mandate, the immersive exhibition features internationally acclaimed contemporary artists from around the world, each engaging with the theme of light. Ten breathtaking installations explore the diverse qualities and symbolism of light from its physical presence to its metaphorical and spiritual manifestations. Signature Sponsor: Orbital Technologies Inc. Presenting Sponsor: Sunray Group Moon On display: September 24, 2024March 17, 2025 Luke Jerrams Moon the centrepiece in the Museums most successful exhibition to date, The Moon: A Voyage Through Time (2019) returns by popular demand. This internally illuminated replica moon, measuring five metres in diameter, seeks to fill us with calm, hope and wonder in complex times, and to remind us of the many ways we are all connected. Over the past 10 years, the Museum has become a dynamic cornerstone in the community, hosting an array of events and festivals that empower meaningful intercultural and intergenerational encounters and connections. These vibrant celebrations are a testament to the Museums commitment to fostering pluralism through the arts, while showcasing the rich and inclusive diversity of Canada. This year, the Museum is excited to present: EnlighTEN x Global Toronto Music Festival September 2829, 2024 Marking the Museums biggest celebration this year, visitors will enjoy a site-wide festival presented in partnership with Small World Music. A collaborative element of the Global Toronto Music Festival, the festival will feature a diverse lineup of free live performances, creative workshops and activities for the whole family, and a special cake-cutting ceremony. Duende Flamenco Festival: Vida Al Andalus November 1417, 2024 Also in its 10th year, the Museums annual Duende Flamenco Festival returns with a celebration of contemporary flamenco's rich history, influenced by over 800 years of Muslim rule in Iberia. Blending elements from Rajasthan, the Balkans, Ottoman Turkiye, and North Africa, the festival will spotlight the Roma communities where flamenco originated and continues to thrive. The Museums Performing Arts programming is generously supported by the Nanji Family Foundation. With several innovative digital launches, the Museum marks an exciting step toward reaching global audiences in creative ways. These platforms welcome deeper engagement opportunities for online visitors, sparking new ways to explore programming, while providing the best user experience throughout. Connected Launching early 2025, the Museums brand-new streaming service will allow online audiences to experience the wonders of the Museum right on their screens. Through a yearly subscription, members will unlock exclusive access to a growing library of inspiring content, including public programs filmed on-site and a series of livestreams of Museum events. Updated Website Prioritizing user experience and intuitive navigation, the new website offers an intuitive online journey with enhanced accessibility. Alongside the update, the Museum has digitized 12 historical manuscripts some of the most significant artworks in its holdings. The Aga Khan Museums website redesign and system integration project is funded by the Government of Canada under the Community Services Recovery Fund. Learn The Museum has launched significant enhancements to its educational offerings through a new Learn feature on the newly designed website. Learn provides curious minds of all ages access to a wealth of educational resources. Content highlights include online courses, teachers' resources, virtual tours, and a diverse selection of videos showcasing artists, curators, and subject-matter experts all designed to enrich the learning experience. This exhilarating year of celebration showcases the Museums achievements and future aspirations as a locally and internationally recognized art institution where inclusive, intercultural dialogue and human connection flourish through the arts. To learn more about the Museums anniversary celebrations, visit agakhanmuseum.org. The Aga Khan Museum acknowledges the support of its government partners, including the Government of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council. About the Aga Khan Museum The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada, has been established and developed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational activities and performing arts, the Museums mission is to spark wonder, curiosity, and understanding of Muslim cultures and their connection with other cultures through the arts. Designed by architect Fumihiko Maki, the Museum shares a 6.8-hectare site with Torontos Ismaili Centre, which was designed by architect Charles Correa. The surrounding landscaped park was designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240909916550/en/ While rents in Oakland and San Francisco are below their pre-pandemic levels, theyve kept some people from moving to those cities and pushed others out. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2021 A tech company sued by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly helping landlords keep rents high has connections to scores of large apartments in the Bay Area, records show. Texas-based RealPage feeds clients private rent data into an algorithm that then recommends prices for their homes. Attorneys for the federal government, who along with California and seven other states sued RealPage last month, argue that setup allows landlords using the companys services to effectively collude with each other in violation of antitrust law. Local officials have already taken note. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously passed an ordinance last week banning the use of algorithmic devices to recommend rents, a move board President Aaron Peskin spearheaded even before the federal lawsuit was filed. If Mayor London Breed signs the legislation, San Francisco will become the first U.S. city to approve such a ban. San Jose is also considering a similar ordinance, the Mercury News reported. Advertisement Article continues below this ad RealPage insists that it serves a relatively small share of the rental market and points out that it doesnt force its clients to accept its recommendations. But tenant advocates and some legal experts say the plaintiffs have a strong case. This is huge, said Leah Simon-Weisberg, a Bay Area tenant attorney. This is going to be transformative if its really taken seriously. RealPage, based in Richardson, Texas, feeds clients private rent data into an algorithm that then recommends rental prices for their properties. Lola Gomez/TNS While rents in San Francisco and Oakland are far below their pre-pandemic levels, theyve kept some people from moving to the cities and pushed others out. Rents have continued to climb in other parts of the Bay Area. Many rental industry giants that use RealPage including several operating in the Bay Area have also been named in class-action lawsuits filed by tenants in recent years. Among the targets are Greystar Real Estate Apartments, the largest apartment manager in the U.S., whose portfolio includes more than 100 buildings in the Bay Area. It manages a 13-story apartment building at 1333 Gough St. in San Francisco and a 40-story apartment building at 385 14th St. in Oakland. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Essex Property Trust, a San Mateo-based real estate investment company that manages more than a dozen buildings in the region, is another target of lawsuits for its use of RealPage. The company told its investors that it planned to vigorously defend against these lawsuits. In a report to the Board of Supervisors, RealPage said that just 6% of rental housing units in the San Francisco metropolitan area which includes Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda counties and 10% of units in the city use its services. It also emphasized that it doesnt require its clients to set rents at the prices its software recommends. While RealPage shares the San Francisco Board of Supervisors goal of helping renters, this ordinance will do nothing to make housing more affordable in the city, where there is a severe supply shortage of rental units that needs to be addressed, RealPage said in a statement after the ordinance was approved. The company added that the algorithm used by its San Francisco clients will no longer account for their competitors prices. RealPages market share will probably be a core part of the federal lawsuit, according to legal experts. A 2022 ProPublica investigation found that property managers using RealPage oversaw the vast majority of apartments in some neighborhoods. The news organization also reported that RealPage executives and the companys marketing materials bragged about its algorithms ability to drive rents upward. San Francisco supervisors have passed an ordinance banning the use of algorithmic devices to recommend rental prices. Nick Otto/Special to the Chronicle 2020 The Justice Departments lawsuit alleges that RealPages service, which is powered by its clients private data, sets rents higher than a truly competitive market would produce. Both elements the nonpublic pricing information and competing landlords use of the same algorithm are important for the case, said Doug Melamed, an antitrust expert at Stanford Law School. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think this is a pretty good case for the government because both of these are involved, he added. I think that crosses the line. Even if RealPages clients dont control an overwhelming share of the market overall, Melamed added, the Justice Department could still succeed if it shows those property managers dominate a subset of apartments. For example, if a high percentage of newer apartments use RealPage, that could bolster the governments argument that the company is restricting competition in that part of the market. But Melamed cautioned that the strength of the case leans heavily on what information comes out during the lawsuit. Even if the Justice Department wins, he added, its likely the court will merely bar companies like RealPage from both aggregating data and providing a pricing algorithm but not from doing one or the other. Obviously it depends on the facts, Melamed said. All we have is advocates version of the facts right now. Five of Californias seven known gray wolf packs produced pups this year. These wolves pictured are from the Lassen packs 2017 litter. Provided by California Department of Fish and Wildlife Five of Californias seven known gray wolf packs have produced multiple pups this year, nearly doubling the population of the endangered species in the state, according to wildlife authorities. In its quarterly report, published Friday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that the birth of 30 pups brings the total number of known wolves in the state to 65. Seeing wolves return to the places this magnificent species once called home and have these adorable new pups is as inspiring as it gets, said Amaroq Weiss, senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Though the gray wolf is native to California, the canines were hunted to near extinction in the 1920s. The population has experienced a resurgence since 2011, however, with scientists optimistic that California is becoming more habitable for its endangered gray wolves. The resurgence began with the observation of OR-7, or Journey, a radio-collared wolf that became the first in nearly a century to range into the state from southwestern Oregon. That wolfs daughter founded the Yowlumni pack in Tulare County, which was named in December and whose remote presence in the southern Sierra surprised wildlife officials. The Yowlumni pack produced seven pups, the southernmost in the state, officials said. The Beyem Seyo pack in Plumas County and the Harvey pack in Lassen County, both located in the northern part of the state, added five and seven pups respectively. Just two packs appeared to have birthed no pups, according to wildlife officials. Scientists observed a total of four lone wolves during the quarter in Tehama and Plumas counties. They also continue to survey Modoc County, where wolves were spotted in recent years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad By John Besley, PA Monday's front pages focus on a range of stories from the Garda force still shrinking despite a new recruitment campaign to a funding crisis at Irish universities. The Irish Times reports garda numbers fell during the summer months as efforts to increase the size of the force to the Government target of 15,000 continue to falter. There are now fewer sworn Garda members than at the start of last year, despite a recruitment campaign. The Irish Examiner reports a core funding crisis in third-level education is putting the very viability of universities at risk, one of the countrys most respected business leaders has warned. The Echo focus a Cork school being promised therapists would be restored have not been contacted about it yet. Read all this and lots more in Monday's Irish Daily Mail. pic.twitter.com/3guty4Ncx0 The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) September 9, 2024 Concern over Labours planned cuts to the winter fuel allowance continues to lead the nations papers. Morning, readers. Here's a look at today's front page of the Belfast Telegraph. https://t.co/FRWL9Io3ON Stay with us for all your breaking news today. pic.twitter.com/iGmssa0eff Belfast Telegraph (@BelTel) September 9, 2024 The Guardian, The Times and the i report scores of Labour MPs could refuse to back the controversial plans. The Guardian: Scores of MPs could refuse to back Starmer over cut in fuel payments #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/SmKRJw0OlC George Mann (@sgfmann) September 8, 2024 The Times: Crime agency tasked with tackling Channel gangs on its knees #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/KDRpOlDAJ5 George Mann (@sgfmann) September 8, 2024 i: Ministers consider plan for cheaper energy bills as Starmer faces winter fuel anger #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/RUFmXVVMpc George Mann (@sgfmann) September 8, 2024 The Daily Mail says Labour research claims the proposal could kill 4,000. Daily Mail: LABOUR SAID CUTTING OAP WINTER FUEL CASH COULD KILL 4,000 #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/5cZb53YW8X George Mann (@sgfmann) September 8, 2024 The Daily Express leads with Tory MP Andrew Rosindell calling the plans a cruel, planned betrayal of pensioners. Daily Express: Axing of winter fuel payments was cruel planned betrayal #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/EGdG7w9jLC George Mann (@sgfmann) September 8, 2024 Elsewhere, The Telegraph says a major governmental review is set to find NHS progress is going backwards for the first time in 50 years. The Daily Telegraph: NHS in decline for first time in 50 years #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/X647JtAf7Y George Mann (@sgfmann) September 8, 2024 The Lucy Letby inquiry is to look into whether the NHS failed to learn from the crimes of serial killers Beverley Allitt and Harold Shipman, according to the Daily Mirror. Daily Mirror: LETBY INQUIRY EXCLUSIVE -THE DEADLY LINK #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/7Ntxa0rMj4 George Mann (@sgfmann) September 8, 2024 The Financial Times reports the Bank of Londons board of directors and new management were unaware of its unpaid tax debts. Financial Times UK: Bank of Londons heavyweight board caught unawares by unpaid tax bill #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Jt4gaiUcmK George Mann (@sgfmann) September 8, 2024 And the Daily Star says an autumn freeze is on the way. An 18-year-old man riding a jet ski died after colliding with another on Lake Shasta, officials said. ER Productions Limited/Getty Images An 18-year-old man died over the weekend following a personal watercraft collision on Lake Shasta, law enforcement officials said. Deputies with the Shasta County Sheriffs Office responded to reports of the collision on Saturday afternoon. They found two injured people on the shoreline the 18-year-old and a 19-year-old man, neither of whom were immediately identified. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The 18-year-old had injuries to his chin and face, sheriffs officials said. The other man was suffering from a knee injury. Deputies ascertained that the two men were on a personal watercraft when they collided with a 21-year-old man riding his own personal watercraft. The 21-year-old did not require medical attention, sheriffs officials said. The two injured men were transported to the Bay Bridge Marina. When they arrived, the 18-year-old victim became unresponsive, officials said in a statement. He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Shasta County officials said the incident remained under investigation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Forward is an ecumenical group which offers mutual support for those who have lost a spouse. First-Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Chattanooga will host a new small group, seven sessions in all, beginning Saturday, October 5, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., in the Parlor. These support groups offer space for the newly and sometimes not so newly bereaved to share experiences and begin to find ways to step Forward into the future. If you or someone you know is interested in joining this group, please contact the Church office at 756-2021. There is no charge to participate. Saturday, Nancy Pelosi took time out from hawking her book in Austin, Texas to do an interview with Kara Swisher before Tuesdays debate. Instead of ideas on reducing high prices on food or the crisis in Gaza with its implications for safety of our Jewish students, Pelosi tore into Democrats favorite subject, Donald Trump. She suggested Trump wouldnt show up to debate Harris. The Pelosi interview, which by the way was live, unlike the one and only interview presidential candidate Harris has done in 50 days, had the little audience laughing. Then the former speaker went on to call Trump a coward and join the journalist in a silly love-fest about Liz Cheney, daughter of the man Dems once loved to hate, Dick Cheney. Nancy must have a memory loss about 27 Democrats filing impeachment charges against Dick Cheney in 2007. X (Twitter) is full of posts mocking Cheney the war monger who now supports Kamala Harris. Did Mrs. Pelosi or the reporter address that weird conundrum? Only in the alternate reality world of leftists and progressives can they now gleefully celebrate Liz and Dick Cheney or think Trump is a coward who will dodge a debate. That kind of bizarre thinking has created so many hoaxes and why the country is headed in the wrong direction (ABC News 11/5/23). Ralph Miller The heavy metal uranium is, besides its radioactive reputation, known for its intricate chemistry and diverse bonding behaviors. Now, an international team of scientists utilized synchrotron light at the Rossendorf Beamline (ROBL) to explore the unique properties of low-valent uranium compounds, as the researchers report in the journal Nature Communications. Here, at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) runs four experimental stations for radiochemical experiments. Uranium, belonging to the periodic tables actinide elements, has long intrigued scientists due to its complex electron configurations. Its unusual and diverse bonding characteristic manifests itself in a variety of oxidation states at times, even exotic. In our current study we were focused on low-valent uranium, which contains more electrons in its inner shells compared to other, more common uranium compounds. Specifically, we investigated the behavior of uraniums so-called 5f electrons electrons that, despite being located in the inner shells, play a crucial role in the elements chemical properties. These electrons significantly influence how uranium bonds with other elements, PhD student Clara Silva from HZDRs Institute of Resource Ecology explains the motivation of the work. Due to the radioactive nature of uranium, the experiments were carried out here, a facility specifically designed for actinide research. This environment provided the necessary safety protocols and advanced equipment to conduct the study, says Prof. Kristina Kvashnina, head of ROBL and the Institutes Department Molecular Structure. To gain the new insights, the team used a technique called resonant inelastic X-ray scattering known as RIXS. RIXS is a powerful method that involves bombarding a material with X-rays and then measuring the energy lost as the X-rays scatter off the material. This energy loss provides detailed information about the electronic structure of the material, helping scientists understand how electrons, like those in the 5f orbital of uranium, behave and interact. The researchers supplemented their findings with another specialized X-ray technique: the so-called HERFD-XANES method provides highly detailed information about the electronic structure of materials by combining high-energy resolution fluorescence detection the HERFD part with X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis, abbreviated as XANES. Understanding uraniums unique bonding behavior For the first time, we were able to accurately identify and directly detect the three-valent oxidation state in uranium, or U(III) in short, revealing how uranium atoms interact and bond with elements such as fluorine and chlorine, Kvashnina outlines the results of her groups work which was 15 years in the making. The findings shed new light onto the nature of actinide bonding and demonstrate how uraniums 5f electrons respond to changes in their environment. Studying low-valent uranium compounds is not without its challenges. These compounds are less stable than other uranium-containing materials, requiring carefully controlled conditions to prevent unwanted reactions. To maintain the stability of the uranium samples, the research was conducted under anoxic conditions meaning no exposure to oxygen and at extremely low temperatures. Additionally, the complexity of the data required the use of cutting-edge theoretical methods to accurately model the electronic structure and bonding properties of uranium. Unexpected insights and broader implications One of the most surprising findings of the study was the degree of sensitivity of uraniums 5f electrons to their local environment, which affects the ionic character of its bonds. This discovery challenges existing theories about actinide bonding and opens up new avenues of research in actinide physics and chemistry, Silva sums up. And, besides being of its fundamental importance, the teams work is also interesting in practical terms, for instance, both for general aspects of radiation protection and for the safety of radioactive waste repositories: Low-valent uranium compounds are particularly notable for their low solubility, which reduces their environmental mobility and helps contain contamination. A new study has found that the ancient Scythians, nomadic warriors who were known for their bloodthirsty and violent ways, did, in fact, make leather out of human skin. The Scythians were alive between 800 B.C. and 300 A.D., and they spread from Central Asia into parts of Europe. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus described how the Scythians used the slain corpses of those they had defeated in alarming detail. Apparently, they stripped off their skin and tanned them into leather that was fashioned into quivers, which are containers that held arrows. Researchers were able to confirm Herodotus written reports after conducting an analysis of leather scraps from Scythian burial sites in southern Ukraine. They examined 45 samples that were excavated at different times over the years from 18 burials across 14 sites. They discovered that the majority of the leather was made from domesticated animals, including sheep, goats, horses, and cattle. But shockingly enough, two samples, which came from quivers, were made of human skin. The quivers had been buried in kurgans, elaborate mounds where the bodies of rulers or other individuals of high status were laid to rest. The quivers date back to 2,400 years ago. The surprise discovery is the presence of two human skin samples, which for the first time provide direct evidence of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus claim that Scythians used the skin of their dead enemies to manufacture leather trophy items, such as quiver covers, wrote the authors of a study published in the journal PLOS One. In years past, an analysis of the grain of the leather wouldve needed to be taken since DNA gets wiped out during the process of tanning leather. This has caused knowledge of Scythian leather production to remain rather limited. But, in recent years, scientists have developed more effective methods to identify the contributing species. The team of researchers analyzed the leather using a technique called peptide mass fingerprinting to inspect specific proteins in the organic material that will show what kind of animal it was made from. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. In the past, scientists were under the impression that dark electrons do not exist in solid materials. However, researchers at Yonsei University in South Korea have recently discovered the presence of dark electrons in solid materials. According to the researchers, their findings may help further scientific understanding of matter, quantum states, and exotic properties. Dark electrons are what make up dark matter. They are associated with the quantum state of matter, meaning that they exist in a state that appears to be undetectable using standard analytical techniques. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy is a powerful experimental technique for physicists to understand how electrons behave in solids, said Keun Su Kim, a co-author of the study and professor of physics at Yonsei University. From experience, it has been well known that not all electrons are detected by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. In other words, some electrons are detectable, but the others are not. Dark electrons cant be detected because they do not interact with photons or any other electromagnetic forces. As a result, dark electrons are unable to absorb light, rendering them invisible. They could be responsible for phenomena such as high-temperature superconductivity. For the first time, scientists have evidence suggesting that materials around us contain dark electrons that are hidden from us. Previously, studies that aimed to find dark electrons used materials with only one pair of sublattices, like graphene and black phosphorus. However, the research team chose materials with two pairs of sublattices. We have dug into this problem to extend it to materials with two pairs of sublattices and found that there are some electrons that cannot be detected in any experimental conditions, Kim said. Simply speaking, we could see experimental signals only for electrons expected to be detectable (bright states) and could not see any experimental signals for electrons expected to be undetectable (dark states). Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. This 27-year-old woman has a best friend named Jane, whos 28 and recently got engaged. She and Jane have been tight ever since they met back in college, and like many girls, they would discuss their future nuptials together. During those conversations, Jane always claimed that she wanted to have a destination wedding. Plus, her friend hoped she and the rest of their closest friends would be bridesmaids. So, when Jane accepted her 29-year-old fiance Brads proposal about a month ago, she didnt expect anything to change. When I saw Jane and Brad the day they got engaged, one of the first things Jane said to me was how excited she was for me and our other friend to be her bridesmaids, she recalled. But, in the time since then, that plan has apparently gone out the window. Once Jane and Brad actually began wedding planning, they opted to have a tiny destination wedding in Colorado instead. Additionally, they only intended to invite immediate family in order to save some money. They also plan on having a casual party for all the rest of their family and friends after, but there will be no ceremony or sit-down dinner and will be very clearly NOT a second wedding, she added. She was honestly quite hurt and disappointed upon finding out she wasnt invited to Janes actual big day. Still, she understood that the happy couple could throw whatever kind of event they wanted. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Lunar swirls are light-colored patterns on the moon that almost look like they have been painted on the darker lunar surface. Some of them are hundreds of miles long. So far, the origin and cause of these strange swirls have remained a mystery. But now, scientists are one step closer to cracking the case. They discovered that the composition of lunar soil, also known as regolith, is a major contributor to the alternating dark and light patches of the swirls. The best-known lunar swirl is the Reiner Gamma, which can be seen even by amateur astronomers through a backyard telescope in Oceanus Procellarum. Scientists know that the rocks within the swirls are linked to magnetic anomalies under the moons surface. However, the process that creates them has been unclear. The scientific community has long been examining the differences between the bright and dark regions in these distinctive albedo markings, said Debrah Domingue, the lead author of the study and a scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Arizona. In 2023, researchers at the institute used observations from NASAs Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to determine that the lighter parts of the swirls were typically several feet lower than dark areas. Domingue and colleagues also investigated three possible causes for the brighter markings. They looked at the differences in what the regolith was made from, the grain size in the regolith, and how compact it was. They concluded that the composition of regolith, particularly the presence of plagioclase and ferrous oxide, played a key role. Plagioclase is an aluminum-bearing mineral, while ferrous oxide is an iron compound. Grain size differences might also contribute to the brightness variations, but we do not see differences in compaction within our study area, Domingue said. We also note differences in grain types and structures between bright and dark area soils. This indicates that there is more than one process at work to form these features. At present, there are three main explanations for the swirls that could also explain their relationships with composition and surface elevation. The first theory is that a dense iron asteroid struck a particular region on the moon long ago, resulting in the formation of a magnetic field. The magnetic field could now be shielding the surface from space weather, such as the solar wind and cosmic rays. The pattern of the swirls may represent the lines of the magnetic field. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Television crews switch out a mic stand as their shifts change and new live trucks take over covering a story in Oakland. A news crew was robbed in Oakland on Saturday, according to police union officials. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle A television news crew and their security guard were robbed at gunpoint while reporting a story in Oakland, said spokespersons for the Oakland Police Officers Association. A KGO-TV reporter, crew member and their security guard were rushed by suspects who brandished firearms before stealing their camera equipment, spokespersons from the union said. Oakland police officials were investigating the robbery, which occurred at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the 4400 block of Market Street, near Market and 44th streets. Oakland police officials did not specify that it was a news crew. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The individuals fled after robbing the group, police officials said. Spokespersons for the union said one of the suspects took by force the handgun of the news crews security guard before fleeing in an older model gold Toyota Camry 4D. Spokespersons for KGO-TV declined to comment. In 2021, a security guard protecting a local TV reporter was shot in the abdomen by a group attempting to rob the crew of its equipment, the Chronicle reported. The reporter was filming a segment on an Oakland store that had been burglarized. The guard, Kevin Nishita, died days later. He was a former Bay Area police officer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Television news crews, who typically utilize expensive cameras and other equipment to compile stories, have been frequent targets for robbery. A Czech TV crew covering San Franciscos famed Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit last year was robbed at gunpoint in the early evening outside of City Lights bookstore in North Beach. The robbers snatched more than $18,000 worth of equipment, the Chronicle reported. In 2022, a film crew taking video at San Franciscos Twin Peaks were robbed by armed individuals who fled, the Chronicle reported. Home News 'Abortion isn't Healthcare': Christians unite in London for March for Life UK Thousands of people gathered in central London Saturday to take part in the annual March for Life U.K. The march processed from the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster to Parliament Square. It was joined by Christians of different denominations, with Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox church services taking place in the morning. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe This year's theme was "Abortion isn't Healthcare" and guest speakers included ethicist Dr. Calum Miller, fertility specialist Ira Winter, ex-abortionist Dr. Haywood Robinson, and pro-life campaigner Dawn McEvoy of the Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland and Both Lives Matter. "Pro-choice, that's a lie. Babies never choose to die," Haywood chanted from the stage in Parliament Square. "As a retired family physician who practiced medicine for 40 years, I know what real healthcare is and I assure you, abortion the killing of our children is not healthcare," he said. Joining the march was the Catholic Church's lead bishop on life issues, Bishop John Sherrington, who said he was there "to encourage and support all those many people across our countries who are passionate about the gift of life and want legislation that respects that gift." Also joining the march was Patrick Regan King, pro-life advocate and pastor of The Angel Church in London, who said that pro-life remains a "taboo" subject in parts of the Evangelical church. "People don't want to talk about it, they don't want to deal with it honestly from the pulpit, or only in very broad, vague terms. But the power of redemption is recognizing abortion for what it is, recognizing the sin that it is against God, but also recognizing that there's freedom," he said. Originally published at Christian Today Home News Wanted for child sex crimes, megachurch pastor Apollo Quiboloy surrenders after weeks-long manhunt After a contentious two-week standoff with Philippines police at his church's 74-acre compound in Davao City, popular televangelist and Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy surrendered to authorities Sunday to answer to child sex trafficking and other charges. The pastor's attorney, Israelito Torreon, said in a statement that Quiboloy surrendered because he couldn't stand the suffering of his followers much longer on church grounds. "This is to inform the Filipino People that Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy decided to surrender to the PNP/AFP because he does not want the lawless violence to continue to happen in the KOJC Compound and he could not bear to witness a second longer the sufferings that his flock was experiencing for many days," Torreon said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Quiboloy, who faces charges of child abuse and human trafficking, which he and his followers have denied, is also on the FBI's Most Wanted list for similar charges in the United States. An indictment from the U.S. Department of Justice in 2021 charged Quiboloy and two of his top administrators with trafficking young women and girls in the U.S. who were coerced into having sex with him under threats of "eternal damnation." The controversial megachurch pastor allegedly claimed that sex with him was a "privilege" and "God's will." Late last month, some 2,000 local police officers descended on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound to arrest Quiboloy. But he reportedly hid inside an underground bunker where investigators were unable to locate him. PNP officers discovered an elaborate network of rooms, including a number of bedrooms, in a multilevel basement of his mansion on the church's compound, The Daily Tribune reported. Confidential police sources told the publication that the basement is where investigators believe he held women against their will and abused them. In his statement Sunday, Torreon said Quiboloy was waiting to hear from his attorneys on what the best legal remedies would be available to him to fight the charges, but the police raid at his church disrupted that process. "Heart-wrenching and mind-boggling events transpired where a warrant of arrest has been turned into a license to convert his beloved KOJC Compound into a police garrison, the sacred KOJC Cathedral being desecrated, the JMC School turned into a mining pit, his followers as recipients of brutalities, one of whom even died, scores injured, many got arbitrarily arrested, vehicles unilaterally confiscated, all of which caused Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's heart to bleed," Torreon said. "Hence, even if he has the right to await the result of the legal remedies being resorted to by his lawyers, he decided to make the ultimate sacrifice by surrendering himself to the PNP and AFP," he added. Torreon listed a number of high-ranking members of the local security force who convinced him to surrender. Quiboloy is a longtime friend of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. He claims to have 4 million tithing followers in the Philippines, 2 million more overseas and reaches 600 million viewers worldwide through his TV station. In a 2010 interview with ABC News, Quiboloy said every member of his kingdom shared his wealth and is welcome to stay at his mansion. He further noted that God revealed to him in 1983 that he should own a jet and argued that everyone should accept what they get from God in life, even if it is poverty. "If it is not God's will for me to have these things I have, you can take it away," he said. "It is God's will that we follow. ... If he wanted me to live like a rat, if he wanted me to live in wealth or in poverty, it does not matter to me. Put me there, and I'll be happy as long as it's God's will." Since Quiboloy's arrest, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told reporters he won't receive any special treatment. "There is no special treatment," Marcos said Monday. "We will treat him like any other arrested person and respect his rights." Marcos said even though Quiboloy's legal team had set conditions for his surrender, including a guarantee he would not be extradited to the U.S. to face charges, they are not in a place to negotiate terms. "Putting conditions is not an option for someone who is a fugitive," Marcos said. "It is with some relief that I can say that this phase of the operation is over. We will now leave Quiboloy to the judicial system." The Philippines Department of Justice stated that the pastor will have to face the domestic legal system before any extradition request by the U.S. is granted. The 2021 charges in the U.S. against Quiboloy are an expansion of allegations made in early 2020 against three Los Angeles-based administrators of the church. The allegations name nine defendants, including the now 74-year-old Quiboloy, and his two administrators, Teresita Tolibas Dandan, also known as "Tessie," and "Sis Ting," now 62, of Davao City. The "international administrator" was one of the top overseers of KOJC and the Glendale-based Children's Joy Foundation in the U.S. The other top administrator, Felina Salinas, also known as "Sis Eng Eng," 53, of Kapolei, Hawaii, allegedly collected and secured passports and other documents from KOJC workers in Hawaii. She also allegedly directed funds solicited from church members to church officials in the Philippines. Quiboloy, Dandan and Salinas are charged in count one of a superseding indictment, which alleges the sex trafficking conspiracy. Each of them is charged in at least three of five substantive counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. Home Opinion Speak up for your elected officials (in prayer) Even before widespread social media, there was no shortage of influences vying for teenaged interest. During my high school years, MTV, TRL and Buffy the Vampire Slayer all drew in the younger crowd. However, during school hours there was one television station that held my attention: C-Span, the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network. As you can imagine, not many young people were crowding around to catch the latest updates of government proceedings in Washington. One of my teachers, Ms. Terry Richardson, would play the public service channel in class where we heard callers on the program share their thoughts on policy issues. Although I dont remember most of the issues, I remember the point my teacher made: if you dont talk with your legislators, other people will talk for you. As most of my teachers throughout my school years would tell you, I was someone who wanted to talk for myself. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe After an internship at the Florida Capitol, I continued working in politics and eventually served as the Chief Legislative Aide for two state senators. I learned the importance of citizens voicing their opinions and helping legislators represent them well. But here is something my time listening to C-Span would have never taught me. Just like citizens need legislators who will speak out on their behalf, legislators need citizens who will speak up on their behalf in prayer. Many of those who serve are citizens just like us moms, dads, business owners and employees who have counted the cost of public service and with determined hearts have answered the call. Their heart for service comes with great sacrifice that many dont see, and the burden they bear is significant. Serving communities through politics is hard. Many state and local elected are considered part-time, yet they give their all. I saw senators miss their childrens birthdays, their churchs Sunday service and their friends weddings because their citizens needed them. Some legislators offices receive over 25,000 visitors in a year. These public servants would attend all-day, back-to-back legislative hearings, then travel back to their local communities to serve at the grand opening of a local business or speak at a charity event. There is a role for us to play in addition to voting and calling our legislators to voice our views. We are called to pray. What does the Bible say about praying for our governmental leaders? In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, we read, First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (ESV). During my time serving with state legislators, I remember sitting back on difficult days and praising God that there were people praying for me. I felt the burdens of the day lighten and peace pave the way all because people spoke up on my behalf in prayer. Prayer matters. Prayer might sound simple after all, it is just talking. Yet, prayer is potent not because of the power of our speech, but because of the power of the one to Whom we pray. When someone brings a piece of legislation to his or her senator, that proposal is important because the senator can change something. When we take our prayers to God, our prayers are important because our God can change everything. God is sovereign over all of creation, all-powerful, all-knowing, and outside of time and space. It is more than worth our time to bring our concerns, requests, thanks, praise and worship to Him. He cares. When I stepped away from serving elected officials, I was encouraged to help launch a prayer initiative, Project K.E.E.P. (Keeping Elected Officials Encouraged through Prayer), which we did as a project of Medi-Share on September 11, 2021. Every day, volunteers pray for elected officials by name. Since its inception, individuals have prayed for 3,426 elected officials, including members of Congress, state legislators and members of the Executive and Judicial branches. It is our privilege to pray for and encourage those who have chosen to serve at the various levels of government, including and maybe especially those with whom we disagree. During this current season, our elected officials are facing difficult and divisive issues where many voices are vying for their attention. As a former legislative staffer, I thank you for adding a few more names to your prayer time. Your prayers make a difference. Home News Donors may unknowingly be providing support to trafficking, exploitation of children: study Donors who believe they're helping orphaned children in foreign countries may unknowingly be contributing to a trafficking scheme that consists of deceiving families and exploiting children for labor or sexual purposes, according to a recent study. Rebecca Nhep, the senior technical advisor at Better Care Network, an international network of organizations focused on finding solutions for children globally who lack familial care, published the study "The Role of Clientelism in Facilitating Orphanage Trafficking" last month in the Journal of Human Trafficking. The study highlights the role patron-client relationships play in the "recruitment, transfer, exploitation, and concealment of child exploitation within unregulated residential care facilities." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The research centers around unregulated residential care facilities, particularly in Cambodia and Myanmar. Orphanage trafficking is a form of child trafficking that typically involves transferring a child to a residential facility to exploit them sexually or use them for profit, Nhep stated. Those who participate in orphanage trafficking usually lie about the child's orphan status by falsifying various documents, including birth certificates, parental death certificates and abandonment certificates. The lie about the child's orphan status is meant to fulfill the necessary criteria for admitting them into residential care or attract funds from donors looking to sponsor a child in need. In a statement provided to The Christian Post, a spokesperson for Nhep asserted that the issue is particularly relevant for people of faith. Research suggests that Christians in the United States are major supporters of orphanages, as they donate $2.5 billion annually to residential care. "There are countless ways for Christians to help end orphanage trafficking and support vulnerable children," Nhep told CP in a statement. "We must start by becoming informed donors and volunteers and directing our support to community-based services for families." With many victims of orphanage trafficking being born into impoverished families that need support, Nhep stated that parents are often "deceived with promises of support and education into handing their children over to orphanages set up to exploit children." "The more well-meaning international donors and volunteers give their time and resources to orphanages, the more motivation unscrupulous orphanage operators have to recruit children from vulnerable families," she stressed. "Instead, our resources can go toward community-strengthening services that help to keep families together." The study suggests that potential donors are deceived as well, with children sometimes being required to lie and share false stories to raise money. "Additionally, patron-client relationships were utilized to secure children's cooperation in their portrayal as orphans for the benefit of donors, voluntourists, and visitors, perpetuating the false narratives of orphanhood presented in donor communications," the study reads." According to the study, clientelism refers to "enduring, dyadic, asymmetrical relationships established between patrons and clients to facilitate mutually beneficial exchanges." Research conducted for the study included semi-structured interviews with 14 qualified social workers from Cambodia and 10 from Myanmar. The 24 social workers interviewed for the study consisted of people who, at present or in the past, supported the "transition or closure" of multiple residential care facilities. Participants in the study noted that directors of residential care facilities often relied on their clientelist networks to target children from lower-middle-class families. These types of clientelist relationships can be formed in various ways, such as directors offering monetary assistance in exchange for a parent admitting their child to a residential care facility. "Numerous instances were cited in which clientelism was manipulated to facilitate sexual exploitation of children in RCFs. In every case that involved sexual exploitation, directors were identified as perpetrators engaged in either sexual offenses or the procurement of children for child sexual exploitation," the study stated. "Clientelist relationships were employed by directors to target and groom children and their families, at times serving as a precursor to the establishment of RCFs expressly set up to facilitate sexual exploitation." The study recommends raising awareness among families about orphanage trafficking and ensuring child protection social workers are educated on the risks of clientelism in residential care facilities, among other suggestions. Home News London council removes Progress Pride flag after complaint of political bias Lewisham Council in London, England, has removed a Progress Pride flag from its headquarters following allegations of political bias and a threat of a High Court injunction. The complaint was lodged by Christian political candidate Maureen Martin, who accused the council of violating the Local Government Act by displaying the flag during an election period. Martin, representing the Christian Peoples Alliance in Lewisham East, initiated legal action through her lawyers, who warned the council that they would seek injunctive relief in the High Court unless the flags were taken down. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Christian Concern, whose legal arm, Christian Legal Centre, supported Martins lawyers, stated that the flag was displayed without planning permission at the councils main office in Catford, South London. The flag incorporates elements representing LGBT and marginalized communities alongside the traditional six-color rainbow flag. The Progress Pride flags design is deliberate, including colors like light blue, pink and white, which symbolize traditional gender identities as well as those transitioning or identifying as gender-neutral or intersex. However, unlike the standard pride flag, the Progress Pride flag requires special permissions to be displayed, a stipulation not met by Lewisham Council. In their legal correspondence, Martins lawyers drew attention to the contentious nature of transgender rights in the United Kingdom, stressing that non-binary identities, promoted by the Progress Pride flag, are not recognized or protected under U.K. law as per the highest court rulings. They referred to the Local Government Act 1986, which prohibits local authorities from publishing material that seems designed to support a political party. According to the lawyers, by flying the flag, the council was perceived to be endorsing political parties advocating for expanded rights for trans-identified individuals and related identities during an election period. They demanded that the council not only remove the flags but also ensure they are not displayed during future election periods and refrain from supporting the ideological causes represented by the flag. In response to the legal challenge, a council representative stated that the flag had been taken down. However, according to Christian Concern, other local authorities in places like Reading and Bournemouth continue to display the Progress Pride flag without the necessary permissions. Martin criticized the widespread display of the Progress Pride flag, particularly during the month of June, arguing that the underlying ideology has negatively impacted vulnerable children. Greater awareness must be urgently raised about what these flags stand for, and public authorities flying them must be brought to account, Martin said. In May, over 30,000 people signed a petition protesting plans to display Progress Pride within the jurisdiction of the Westminster City Council. The petition was launched by Christian Concern ahead of the display planned for LGBT pride month in June, when it is typical for shops, train stations and other public spaces to be decked out in pride flags every year. In March, the government published a new definition of extremism, which included the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to among other things negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. Christian Concern feared at the time that Christians who are pro-life, gender-critical or have traditionalist beliefs about marriage might fall foul of the new definition. CLCs Chief Executive Andrea Williams described the flags as intimidating and exclusionary towards Christians and others who oppose the pride ideology. These flags shouldnt be dominating our town centers and neighborhoods, she said. Last year, Martin received a significant payout after her dismissal by the housing association L&Q, where she had campaigned that marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman. Home News Orphan ministry leader hopes Christians in China will step up as country stops intl adoptions China has announced that it will no longer allow children to be sent overseas for adoption, ending a practice that has been in place for over three decades. The policy change stems from the countrys former strict one-child policy, which led to the international adoption of thousands of children, primarily girls and children with disabilities. The head of a Christian orphan network expressed concern regarding the fate of these unwanted children, but said he has hope that believers in China will step up and care for the most vulnerable. Commenting to Christian Daily International about the sudden change, Jedd Medefind, president of Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), said China has been steadily constricting international adoption for many years. Most observers expected that to continue, but this sudden shutdown still came as a surprise to many. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe It's especially heartbreaking for the families who've already been matched with children, some for many years. They don't consider these children statistics or photographs, but as their daughters and sons, he said. Since China first opened its doors to international adoption in 1992, more than 160,000 Chinese children have found homes with families around the world. Of these, approximately 82,000 were adopted by families in the United States, according to data from China's Children International (CCI). On Thursday, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning confirmed the policy shift, explaining that the decision aligns with global trends in adoption practices. She noted that the only exceptions to the new rule would be cases involving the adoption of a child or stepchild by foreign relatives within three generations. "Apart from the adoption of a child or stepchild of blood relatives of the same generation who are within three generations of foreigners coming to China to adopt, China will not send children abroad for adoption," Mao said. She expressed gratitude toward foreign families and governments that have adopted Chinese children, acknowledging the love and kindness theyve shown over the years. It remains unclear how the policy shift will affect families in the process of adopting Chinese children, leaving many prospective adoptive parents in limbo. The decision comes amid broader demographic challenges faced by China. After two consecutive years of population decline, the country is struggling to encourage young couples to marry and have children. Despite incentives, many young women are hesitant to start families, citing concerns over the high cost of childcare, job security, and an uncertain economic future. Chinas one-child policy, which was in place from 1979 to 2015, played a significant role in shaping the country's adoption landscape. Under the policy, many families chose to keep boys, traditionally seen as the main family caregivers, and gave up girls for adoption. This led to a surge in international adoptions, particularly to Western countries. As China seeks to address its population decline and shift its focus toward domestic adoption and family planning, the end of international adoptions marks a significant turning point in the countrys social policy. Medefind is not convinced that the change will lead to more Chinese families adopting these children, however. Virtually all children adopted from China in recent years were at least 4 or 5 years old or older and also had some kind of disability, he says. Therefore, he is concerned that these children simply won't have a way to ever reach a permanent family not overseas, and almost certainly not domestically either. Chinas move to halt international adoptions mirrors recent actions by other nations. In May, the Netherlands banned its citizens from adopting children from foreign countries, while Denmark has also stopped international adoptions after its last adoption agency ceased operations. It's impossible to know what will happen to each of the Chinese children who'll now be kept from joining a family via intercountry adoption, but from all we've seen in countries that have taken similar steps to curtail international adoption, the prognosis isn't good, Medefind says. Large numbers of kids simply grow up without families, in institutions or worse. He observed that countries that banned intercountry adoption sometimes see a modest initial uptick in domestic adoptions of healthy infants, but many other children simply languish. It's likely most of the children who would have been adopted internationally the majority of which have special needs will never find a family. They will grow up facing the profound struggles that come with orphanhood and disabilities in a culture that looks down on both. Medefind, however, also sees the new situation as an opportunity for Christians in China to distinguish themselves from the wider culture and reveal Christs love to the most vulnerable. My earnest hope is that many caring Chinese families, especially the growing number of devout Christians in China, will consider adopting an older child, a sibling group, or a child with special needs. That'd be an incredibly counter-cultural choice in a society that prizes bloodlines and views both orphanhood and disability as permanent defects, he says. Committed Christians around the world motivated by the love of God and their own sense of being adopted into His family are increasingly making choices like that, and I have a great deal of respect for and hope in Chinese believers for this also. Originally published at Christian Daily International Home News Police arrest Muslim who vowed to kill the God of the Jews in London church A Muslim woman was arrested at The Angel Church in Islington, England, after she vowed to "kill the God of the Jews" and disrupted a worship service last Sunday by screaming "Allahu Akbar." The Sept. 1 incident involved antisemitic threats towards the congregation, according to the United Kingdom.based advocacy group Christian Concern. The woman, who has not been named, stormed into the church around 10 a.m., shortly before the Sunday service, vocally targeting the congregation. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Pastor Regan King, who was in the church with his Jewish wife, Rachel, and their young children, said the woman shouted Islamic calls to prayer in Arabic and declared her intention to "kill the God of the Jews." The pastor acted quickly to ensure his family's safety and confronted the woman, demanding she leave the premises, according to Christian Concern. However, the woman's aggression escalated, prompting an urgent call to the Metropolitan Police. "Police were called at around 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 1 to a church in EC1 to reports that a woman was inside the venue making anti-Semitic comments and causing alarm to a number of worshippers present," a Metropolitan Police spokesman said in a statement shared with The Daily Mail. "Officers attended, and when they attempted to arrest the woman, she kicked and punched one of the officers, and pushed a second. ... She was arrested on suspicion of a religiously-aggravated public order offence and assaulting emergency workers, and was taken into custody. She was later released on bail pending further inquiries." According to Christian Concern, the suspect tried to appeal to one of the officers she believed to be a Muslim, urging him to "remember Allah." The officer, maintaining his professionalism, informed her he did not speak Arabic and advised her to communicate in English. As the situation intensified, the woman resorted to physical violence against the police, kicking, punching and pushing them, which led to additional charges of assaulting emergency workers. Officers were forced to use leg and feet restraints to safely transport her to a police van. She was later released on bail pending further inquiries. "My family and I are deeply concerned and shaken by this incident, especially my wife who is Jewish. She is traumatized and now fears going outside," the pastor was quoted as saying. "Since October 7th, especially (when Hamas attacked Israel last year), as a family and church, we have experienced multiple incidents of antisemitism and anti-Christianity. Yet we are undeterred and will continue to operate as usual albeit with plans for increasing our security." In the aftermath, a police faith liaison officer visited the pastor, reaffirming the seriousness with which local authorities treated the incident. The pastor clarified that his church welcomes people of all backgrounds to hear and be transformed by "the message of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, who brings salvation to all who trust Him." King added: "The darkness of our world would threaten to divide, discourage, and destroy, yet it cannot conquer the light of Christ's truth. While this incident created significant concern and distress, we did what never fails we prayed." Despite this, local media have been reluctant to label the attack as Islam-motivated, a point of contention within the community, Christian Concern noted. Christian Concern Chief Executive Andrea Williams said the organization will support church leaders, Christians and Jews in communities who are subjected to such attacks and abuse. "We are encouraged that the police responded swiftly and decisively during this incident, but believe more must be done to protect synagogues and churches across the U.K. from emboldened radical Islam," she said. Home News Report reveals dramatic new information about Oct. 7 failures leading to Nova party massacre Israels Channel 12 News over the weekend published new information about the Nova party massacre on Oct. 7, indicating that the police didnt receive intelligence warnings from the army. According to the findings, the southern district of the Israel Police had concerns over the party being held just several hundreds of meters from the border with Gaza, near Kibbutz Re'im. The day before the party began, the responsible police commander for the event had asked the army for plans regarding a possible terrorist infiltration. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Eyal Azoulai, commander of the Negev region on Oct. 7, said that the party at first wasnt approved to continue until Saturday because of riots along the border fence at the time. I turn to a senior officer from Southern Command and ask him a precise question: Is there any security consideration that I should be aware of? The answer I get is that the consideration is not security, Azulai told Channel 12. We wanted to understand if it is possible to have some kind of military force with an armored vehicle there, Azulai said. The army informed us that its decision is to provide regional security, not the security of soldiers. In addition, the report found that within the army, the information that a large-scale party was going on near the border was only passed down to the battalion commanders, meaning lower-level officers were not aware of the event when the Hamas invasion started. Even in the high-level discussion by senior IDF commanders during the night, just several hours before the attack began, the party wasnt mentioned. In addition, to protect intelligence sources, no warning was given to the police. The Israel Police did not receive any indication that anything was happening, Azulai said. It is possible that if we were part of this then we would at least make a decision to close the party. The Hamas invasion began with massive rocket fire, causing partygoers to start running away. Police officers directed them to take their vehicles and flee on road 232, either to the north or south. Hundreds who left in the first minutes and continued without stopping, despite the rocket fire, were saved. The IDF Home Front Command usually instructs those traveling in a vehicle to exit and seek shelter or lie flat on the ground in the case of rocket alarms. On the morning of Oct. 7, many of those who stopped to hide in shelters were later murdered there. According to the findings of the report, the decision of the Polices Southern District to stop the party in the first minutes of the invasion, lower the fences, open the escape routes, and disperse the participants saved uncountable lives. A little before 7 a.m., Hamas terrorists took over Mefalsim Junction to the north of Reim and started killing the revelers fleeing in this direction. The police quickly realized what was happening and blocked the road in this direction. Police officers then instructed the partygoers to start walking on dirt roads toward the east, away from Gaza, and pulled many standing in traffic out of their vehicles, giving them the same instructions. This saved hundreds of lives, according to the report. While the terrorists also had no prior information about the party, some hour and a half after the start of the invasion, they noticed the large event and began arriving from two directions. A battle ensued at the entrance to the party grounds, with terrorists armed with rifles, grenades, and RPGs, overwhelming the few police officers and civilians who tried to hold them off. When the barrier was breached after an hour-long battle, the Nova massacre began. Despite the magnitude of the mass event, with thousands of attendees, its location wasnt prioritized for immediate army backup. Large forces only began arriving there around noon after Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai called IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi to tell him that there was no security response in the area at all. Senior military officials later said that the police should have evacuated the party area, and that the army was, in fact, informed that the partygoers had been dispersed, making the area a lower priority amid the myriad of battlegrounds on that morning. The IDF responded to the Channel 12 report by stating: The findings presented do not constitute the IDFs investigation into the party. The battle at the Nova party is being investigated these days and is still ongoing. When it is concluded, it will be presented to the public transparently. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News School forced girl to sleep with male, allowed nonbinary female to supervise boys' showers: lawsuit Jefferson County Public Schools in Colorado allowed a "nonbinary" female to supervise boys' showers and forced a female student to share a bed with a male, violating parental rights over children's privacy and accommodation decisions on school trips, according to a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of parents. The lawsuit accuses JCPS of not providing truthful information to parents concerning who will be supervising and sharing accommodations with their children on school-sponsored trips, the advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom, which filed the complaint on behalf of three families, said in a statement. The policy at the center of the controversy directs that students be "assigned to share overnight accommodations with other students that share the student's gender identity" rather than according to their biological sex. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Official communications from JCPS state that "girls will be roomed together on one floor, and boys together on a different floor." However, the lawsuit states that JCPS has redefined "girl" and "boy" to align with a student's gender identity. Kate Anderson, ADF senior counsel and director of the ADF Center for Parental Rights, underlined the importance of parental rights in directing the upbringing and education of their children. "Parents, not the government, have the right and duty to direct the upbringing and education of their children, and that includes making informed decisions to protect their child's privacy," Anderson said. The filing cites specific incidents that spurred the legal action. For example, on a trip to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., the 11-year-old daughter of Joe and Serena Wailes was unexpectedly made to share a bed with a boy who identifies as a girl. The Wailes family had not been informed of this arrangement in advance and had their requests for accommodations to opt out of such policies repeatedly denied by JCPS. In another incident, Bret and Susanne Roller's 11-year-old son discovered that his high school counselor, tasked with supervising the boys' showers on a camping trip, was a "nonbinary" female, contrary to the prior information given by the district. The Rollers were also not provided with this information beforehand, which took place during their son's first time away from home. Further concern arose with Rob and Jade Perlman, who worry about the sleeping arrangements for their children on school trips. Their son is set to attend JCPS's Outdoor Lab, and their daughter, an athlete, frequently travels for school sports. The Perlmans are apprehensive about the privacy and safety of their children due to the district's policy of rooming students based on gender identity. The lawsuit contends that JCPS has failed to provide accommodations for students who are uncomfortable or whose religious beliefs are violated by the district's policies. Furthermore, the district's lack of transparency prevents parents from making informed decisions regarding their children's participation in school trips. The lawsuit, Wailes v. Jefferson County Public Schools, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. A spokesperson for the school district said in a statement provided to Crisis in the Classroom that it is "still determining facts" surrounding the claims made in the lawsuit, saying it was only "recently informed" of what occurred on the trips. "However, it appears that the student's transgender status was not known when room assignments were made and our understanding is that as soon as their transgender identity was known, room assignments were adjusted," JCPS statement reads. The school district added that its policies seek to reduce stigma for trans-identified and nonbinary students. "The guidelines will support healthy communication between educators and parents/guardians to further the successful education development and well being of every student," the school district added. In January, ADF sent a second letter to JCPS urging the district to allow parents to opt their children out of policies that assign rooming based on gender identity. "The district has still failed to state whether parents, like our clients Joe and Serena Wailes, can opt their children out of any policy that rooms children by gender identity rather than sex," Anderson said at the time. "Such an opt-out can be accomplished in a number of confidential ways to protect the privacy of all students. The Waileses' troubling experience is not isolated; we've spoken with other parents who've had similar incidents occur during the school district's required sixth-grade Outdoor Lab trips." Home News Windsor Village Church celebrates early prison release of former pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell When her husband, Kirbyjon Caldwell, who formerly led the 14,000-member Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Texas, began his six-year prison term in June 2021 for defrauding members of his church and other investors, Suzette Caldwell, the church's current senior pastor, said she "cried a river." On Sunday, she issued prayers of thanksgiving and praise from her pulpit as she revealed that her husband is no longer behind bars. "As you may have heard, Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell is at home," she said to cheers. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "He's under home confinement, but as soon as he has the green light from his case manager, then he will be at church," she continued. "He's doing very well. He looks healthy; he's in good spirits. He's ready to go. Y'all know Pastor Kirbyjon, that has not changed." Kirbyjon Caldwell, who served as a spiritual adviser to former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty in March 2020 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection to his role in a multimillion-dollar investment scheme that preyed on the elderly. The former megachurch leader and Gregory Alan Smith, an investment adviser based in Shreveport, Louisiana, were charged with 13 counts, including conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to prosecutors, Smith and Caldwell raised around $3.5 million in historical Chinese bonds from 29 investors between 2013 to 2014 that carried no value outside the memorabilia market. Both men reportedly tricked investors into believing that they were buying the bonds through a Shreveport-based company called Smith Financial Group LLC. The U.S. Department of Justice charged that the former Republic of China issued the bonds before losing power to the communist government in 1949. In a going away video to his church family, Kirbyjon Caldwell said he and his lawyer were not aware that he was committing wire fraud. "Over three years or so ago, I was indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Wire fraud is very inclusive [of a wide range of activities], obviously. I did not know I was committing wire fraud, neither did my attorney at the time, and that's the way it goes," the 67-year-old former church leader said. Windsor Village issued a statement after the pastor's sentencing in January 2021 stating that he was "remorseful" about the scheme and that all of his victims had been repaid. "The court found that Caldwell made full restitution to all of the victims. Notable, restitution began prior to indictment and was completed before sentencing," the church said. "Many victims were paid over and above the amount that they invested. Voluntary restitution is virtually unheard of and extremely rare in these kinds of cases." The church noted that Caldwell was also removed as an ordained elder in the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Kirbyjon Caldwell served his time at a satellite prison camp adjacent to the Beaumont low-security prison within the Beaumont Federal Correctional Complex in eastern Texas. These prison camps usually have dormitory housing, a relatively low staff-to-inmate ratio, and limited or no perimeter fencing, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The camps are work and program-oriented. Suzette Caldwell reiterated on Sunday that her husband completed full restitution more than 40 months ago. "We're expecting great days ahead. We all knew that it wasn't about him. It was about you," she told the faithful. In a statement shared on the church's Facebook page Monday, Kirbyjon Caldwell said: "Hey there! I regret not being able to see you at church yesterday. As Pastor Suzette shared, I am at home under home confinement. Thanks for your prayers and prayerful support. I love you in Jesus' Name, and I will see you soon!" Eli Harik of San Francisco wears a mask while looking up at the dark orange sky hanging over the Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco, Calif. Wednesday, September 9, 2020 due to multiple wildfires burning across California and Oregon. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Dark orange skies hang over the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, Calif. Wednesday, September 9, 2020 due to multiple wildfires burning across California and Oregon. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle The twinkling Bay Lights on the Bay Bridge are seen illuminated as dark orange skies hang over downtown San Francisco, Calif. Wednesday, September 9, 2020 due to multiple wildfires burning across California and Oregon. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Salesforce Tower is seen illuminated as dark orange skies hang over downtown San Francisco, Calif. Wednesday, September 9, 2020 due to multiple wildfires burning across California and Oregon. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Dark orange skies hang over the San Francisco skyline seen from Treasure Island in San Francisco, Calif. Wednesday, September 9, 2020 due to multiple wildfires burning across California and Oregon. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Dark orange skies hang over the San Francisco skyline seen from Treasure Island in San Francisco, Calif. Wednesday, September 9, 2020 due to multiple wildfires burning across California and Oregon. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle This column was written on the one-month anniversary of Orange Skies Day, the Sept. 9, 2020, wildfires-related event that caused Bay Area atmosphere to transform into a dark and frightening orange hue for most of the day. We're recirculating on the anniversary, so that we always remember. First note for historians, looking back at Orange Skies Day: Absolutely none of it was cool. The Bay Area residents fooled by the absent sun and sleeping through their alarms were the lucky ones. Most of of us cycled between pacing and the fetal position, as smoke from wildfires layered with fog and clouds to create an otherworldly charred orange hue to the sky. Orange and yellow rays seemed to force their way between closed blinds, making the entire day feel like that moment in Close Encounters of the Third Kind when toys came alive and alien abductions started. The atmospheric change seemed to hack into reality; the skies actually got darker as the morning progressed. Suburban street lights that had gone out at dawn came back to life at 11 a.m., and the Bay Lights on the Bay Bridge never found their off switch. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And then there was the most Black Mirror part of the most Black Mirror day in recent Bay Area history: When we tried to photograph the apocalyptic sky with our phone cameras, the devices insisted it was all in our heads. That phenomenon of making the orange skies look clear on a phone camera is called auto-white balance, the Atlantic explained helpfully, two days after I was nearly driven mad. It was just one day in a chaotic year where the national headlines tended to consume the local ones. Hurricanes and fires and Blade Runner 2049 skies were regional crises. They didnt have a chance to gain sustained attention, at a time when the entire world was experiencing a pandemic at once. (Nerdy note for future historians: Just as it was Flavor Aid, not Kool-Aid, used in the cyanide poisoning in Jonestown, the original Blade Runner took place almost entirely in darkness. The 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049, with cinematography by Roger Deakins, is the correct Orange Skies Day pop-culture reference.) But with a month to look back, it is becoming clearer that Orange Skies Day is a seminal where-were-you-when-it-happened Bay Area moment, that over time will separate itself and become the 2020 event that lingers strongest in our collective memories. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There have been a small handful of these moments over the past half century. Perhaps the one closest to Orange Skies Day arrived in 1976, when several inches of snow fell in San Francisco. Both phenomena were weather-related, and both transformed the palette of the city in a way that Bay Area eyes will initially reject. In 2020, the sky turned from blue to orange. In 1976, the asphalt turned from black to white. There have been movements, concerts and celebrations that meet the where-were-you criteria, from the Summer of Love in 1967, to the Super Bowl and World Series Parades of the 1980s, 1990s and 2010s. The year 1987 brought the U2 Stop the Traffic concert in Justin Herman Plaza, which had San Franciscans momentarily picking sides between Bono and Dianne Feinstein over graffiti on a piece of public art that had maybe a 15% favorability rating. Residents share their thoughts about the orange-red sky looming over the Bay Area. Manjula Varghese / The Chronicle The biggest where-were-you-when-it-happened Bay Area moment of the past half century has to be the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. After hearing the Bay Bridge collapsed on the radio first, I remember my imagined vision of the devastation almost as clearly as the (much less destructive) real thing. My colleagues who worked on that day have an elevated level of respect. You stop what youre doing and listen to those stories. I think Orange Skies Day is going to be like that. Advertisement Article continues below this ad My hope is that its like the 1976 snowfall, an isolated event that becomes a little more mythical with each passing year. Ideally, our children and grandchildren look back in 50 years, and Sept. 9, 2020, will seem like a piece of science fiction. More realistically, as extreme weather events become more frequent, it will be looked at as the harbinger of a new era. I suspect my own actions, holing up and getting almost no work done, will be rightfully forgotten, even in my own mind. I will always remember the travels of Chronicle photographer Jessica Christian, who went from the Bay Bridge to the Cupids Bow sculpture along San Franciscos Embarcadero to Treasure Island, taking iconic photos and videos to illustrate the dystopia along the way. The assignment ended with a tweet by President Obama featuring her photos. As we get more distant from these moments, and we hit the first, fifth and 25th anniversaries, well remember the details a little less and focus on the myth a little more. Lets not do that. Lets think about the grocery store workers and security guards, the bus drivers and newspaper photographers who went to work that day, unsure if theyd ever see the sun again, but committed to do their job regardless. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The freakish absurdity led to comedy, with social media users matching the skies to paint samples, and making the same Mad Max: Fury Road jokes over and over. Lets let that be the part that fades away, and remember the fear. When it felt like we might never see blue skies again and would make some real changes if they returned. Home News Woman says Grace Community Church wrongfully disciplined her over marital separation A woman has accused the John MacArthur-led Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, California, of disciplining her when she sought separation from her husband, who has reportedly been abusive to her. Lorraine Zielinski had her name publicly announced in July during a Grace communion service as someone who has been put under church discipline concerning issues regarding the separation from her husband. Last month, she said Grace approved her to undergo the fourth step of church discipline, which is "to be ostracized from the fellowship," according to Grace's website. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In an email she sent Grace leaders in August that was forwarded to The Christian Post, Zielinski argued that "GCC has sadly defamed me and subjected me to church discipline in an inappropriate way." She claims that when she and her husband would undergo marriage counseling at Grace, she "often felt bullied and talked down to" and that "what I had said was not taken into consideration and was usually dismissed." "I was so stressed by these meetings that my doctor, who has been treating me for brain lesions, advised me to the best of my ability and if it was in my power, to not enter into any stressful situations, including meetings such as these," she wrote. "Sadly, every time I raised this point with the pastors, it was completely ignored and unaddressed in what seemed like a shocking display of lack of care for my physical health. I came to notice that this became a pattern of those I would be in counseling with." Zielinski stated that she didn't file for divorce, even though it was suggested by her lawyer. After filing for separation, she said it was her husband who filed for divorce and made it known to her and her daughter that he planned to remarry. "This was before the pastors realized that it did not look right, and then they made him amend his divorce filing," she claimed. After her husband moved out, Zielinski said one Grace pastor "insisted" that her husband move back "with absolutely no regard for the safety of me and my daughter." She also considered the public disciplining "invalid," as she had already resigned her membership from Grace in December 2023 due to her issues with the pastoral response to her marriage problems. She asserts that she was open from the beginning to try to reconcile with her husband "under the right circumstances" and was the one who wanted marriage counseling in the first place. "I even suggested other solid Bible churches since I was no longer a member at GCC, and also because for the reasons described above, the pastors and counselors at GCC had broken my trust," she wrote. Between her experience and others whom she had talked to, Zielinski concluded that, at Grace, "men were believed and their statements were accepted as true, women were often disbelieved or ignored or dismissed as less discerning and more gullible, and there was never any meaningful accountability for the men." In an interview with CP last month, Zielinski confirmed that she "moved out of the area" and was not communicating with her husband, from whom she remained separated. When asked if she was considering legal action, Zielinski replied that she is "still trying to deal with a lot of what has taken place, and it's still very difficult to talk about." The Christian Post reached out via email and phone call to multiple people within Grace Community Church for a response to Zielinski's allegations. No one returned a comment by press time. According to the church's website, all Christians "should hate divorce as God does and pursue it only when there is no other recourse." "With Gods help a marriage can survive the worst sins," the Grace Community Church website reads, adding, "The only New Testament grounds for divorce are sexual sin or desertion by an unbeliever." In March 2022, The Roys Report reported that prominent pastor and author MacArthur shamed and excommunicated a mother in 2002 for filing for separation from her husband, David Gray, a former teacher at GCC who was later convicted of child molestation. When the woman reported Gray's abusive behavior to GCC, church leaders allegedly never reported the allegations to authorities and even harassed the mother to change her mind about the separation, according to the report. Hohn Cho, a former elder at Grace who resigned from his role in April 2022, later filed a complaint to the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors regarding the allegedly unethical counseling practices at GCC. The ACBC officially recognizes Grace as an approved training center. Last year, however, ACBC removed Grace Pastor Bill Shannon, who oversees GCC's biblical counseling ministry, from their list of approved counselors and as an ACBC fellow. Home Opinion The scariest parable Jesus ever told Sometimes what I read in the Bible scares me, and I mean it literally sends a shiver down my spine where I physically twitch. How about you? It happened again just the other day as I was reading through Matthews Gospel. I came to chapter 22 and the parable of the marriage feast, which Im telling you is, hands down, the scariest parable Jesus ever told. Lets walk through it together and Ill show you why it floors me every time. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Why parables? Before we start, lets understand what Jesus parables really were. They werent sermon illustrations or a friendly type of sage-driven storytelling, but rather a form of judgment handed down after Israels religious leaders formally rejected Christ and equated His work with the devil. You can read about it in the 12th chapter of Matthew, which is the books hinge chapter. You also see the same thing in Mark 3. After Jesus rejection comes the parables and their reason: The disciples came and said to Him, Why do You speak to them in parables? Jesus answered them, To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand (Matt. 13:1013). Lets now dive into this particular one, which can be broken up into three distinct sections: 1. the rejected invitation and its consequences (verses 17); 2. the gathering of the other wedding guests (verses 810); and 3. the improperly clothed guest (verses 1114). Gods promises go both ways Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again he sent out other slaves saying, Tell those who have been invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast. But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire (vv. 17). Given what we know now, the first part of the parable isnt difficult to interpret. The idea of the marriage feast draws a straight line to the one associated with Christs eschatological triumph the marriage supper of the Lamb found in Rev. 19:79. We first see the grace and patience of the king [God] in sending multiple messengers calling people to the event. The first envoys represent the Old Testament prophets sent to Israel, while the second group likely denotes John the Baptist, Jesus and his disciples, and those afterward like Paul. This brings to mind what Jeremiah was inspired to say to ancient Israel: Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets, daily rising early and sending them. Yet they did not listen to Me or incline their ear but stiffened their neck (Jer. 7:2526). And what happened to those who stiffened their neck at God? This is where things first start to get scary. Scripture tells us repeatedly that there is a limit to Gods patience (Gen. 6:3; Prov. 29:1; Dan. 5:2231; Matt. 21:4044; Luke 13:9; Rev. 2:21, 22). We talk a lot about God keeping His promises about salvation, but we can forget He is also a promise keeper when it comes to His judgment. You dont need a more terrifying illustration of this than 70 AD, which proved that God's judgment does fall, just as Jesus promised in the parable. The historian Josephus says this about the destruction of Jerusalem, which Jesus was referencing: While the sanctuary was burning neither pity for age nor respect for rank was shown; on the contrary, children and old people, laity and priests alike were massacred (VI.271). Its believed that more than a million Jews perished and afterwards, Israel ceased to exist as a significant nation. God indeed was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire, just as Jesus stated. And if He kept His promise of judgment for them, what about us? Scary to think about? You bet. Gods general call Next, we read: Then he [the king] said to his slaves, The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast. Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests (vv. 810). I doubt this part is hard for you to figure out. When Israel stiff-arms Christ, others are brought to Him, mostly from the Gentiles (cf. 8:11, 12; 21:41), though other Jews cant be excluded. This is what Jesus talked about in John when He said, I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd (John 10:16). This part of the parable isnt frightening at all but is instead comforting to read: and the wedding was filled with guests. But it isnt over; dont miss the fact that those who were brought in were both evil and good. Lets see what happens next. Speechless before God But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes? And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen (vv.1114). This part really gets to me. The third section can be thought of as another parable, making this a double-edged statement, which may be why the chapter opens with Matthew saying Jesus spoke to them again by parables (plural). Suddenly, the king (God) appears to look over the guests, an act representing the omniscient inspection of every professed believer in Jesus that will occur one day. The fact that both good and evil are present at the feast is something seen in another parable the dragnet found in Matthew 13:4750. The king finds a man who isnt properly clothed for the event and stands speechless before the king, who promptly casts him out of his wedding events light and into darkness. But wait a minute why is the king upset that the guy isnt appropriately dressed? Werent all the guests quickly hurried to the feast as they were? Near East historians tell us it was customary for prominent hosts of major events to provide suitable garments for their guests. 2 Kings 10:22 details one such occurrence done even at pagan affairs: He said to the one who was in charge of the wardrobe, Bring out garments for all the worshipers of Baal. So he brought out garments for them. The only way the man would be without such a provision and still in his own clothes is if he declined the kings garment. Just like the original guests who turned down the kings initial invitation and met with terrible consequences, we have a dreadful repeat. The lesson? You dont come into the presence of the King of kings clothed in your own righteousness. Instead, you want to say with Isaiah: I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels (Is. 61:10). Paul tells us, For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Gal. 3:27). And we dont do this ourselves because, like the parable says at the end, many are called, but few are chosen (vs.14). Salvation, then, in the final analysis, is not a human accomplishment but the gift of Gods sovereign grace. To those of us clothed by God, we will hear Enter into the joy of your Master (Matt. 25:21). But those who refuse the righteousness offered them will have a different fate: I will punish the princes, and the kings children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel (Zeph. 1:8). Theres that shiver down my spine again. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus didnt use a parable to get His point across, but plainly said: On that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness (Matt. 7:2223). May we never hear those words. Take the Kings robe now if you havent already. Christians unite to launch National Week of Prayer for the UK Christians from different denominations, traditions and organisations are uniting for a new National Week of Prayer. It will take place from 12 to 20 October 2024 with the vision of gathering Christians from across the four nations of the UK to repent and pray for a spiritual awakening and more lives transformed by Jesus. Church leaders backing the initiative include the Orthodox Archbishop of London, Archbishop Angaelos, and the Bishop of Winchester, Philip Mounstephen. "There is nothing more powerful for us to do, than to pray. Stand together, pray together," said Archbishop Angaelos. "When we gather together, the Lord is in our midst. This week of prayer, let us pray for our nation for those deprived the right to believe or have their own faith." Bishop Mounstephen said, "We are an empowered people and in the Spirit we can pray to the creator of the universe and believe that things can and will change. Let us pray!" Open Doors UK & Ireland, 24-7 Prayer, CARE and the Evangelical Alliance are just some of the organisations getting involved in the campaign. They will be partnering together to encourage people across the UK and British Isles to organise regional prayer events. On 16 October, hundreds of people will gather at the Emmanuel Centre, near the Houses of Parliament in London, to pray for the nation and remember God's continued work in this land. Kamesh Flynn, the project co-ordinator, said, "Throughout the past few months, we have been humbled at how open and engaged people across the nations have been in committing to praying for the nation as a Church collectively. "No matter the denomination, individual area of influence, or whether you are gathering three people or 3,000 people, we believe this is a moment for the UK to return to God and flourish in the identity found in Him." Father Dominic Robinson, from Central London Catholic Churches, added, "We want to invite you to gather for the National Week of Prayer as Christians together, remembering our need for God, thanking God for His great gifts, and praying as Christians together for the reawakening of the soul of our nation." For more details, go to: https://www.nationalweekofprayer.uk/ Tencent Clouds expansion in Asia Pacific (APAC) reflects its strategic efforts to capitalize on the growing demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud computing services. According to IDCs Worldwide AI and Generative AI Spending Guide (August 2024), the global AI market is expected to surge from US$235 billion in 2024 to US$632 billion by 2028. Tencent Cloud stands to benefit, particularly in APAC, where market size is predicted to grow from US$45.4 billion in 2024 to over US$110 billion by 2028. Despite these opportunities, Tencent Cloud faces challenges from competitors, requiring a careful balancing act between innovation and market adaptability. AI-driven initiatives across key sectors AI is becoming a vital driver of digital transformation, improving operational efficiency, cost management, and productivity. Tencent Cloud has made significant strides in APAC across sectors like software, financial services, and government, offering solutions in AI infrastructure, AI-enabled customer service, and guided selling. One notable development is the Hunyuan Turbo, an AI model designed to double training efficiency and reduce model training costs by 50%. While this demonstrates Tencent Clouds technical capabilities, the real challenge lies in ensuring the scalability and consistency of these solutions across multiple industries. Tencent Clouds deployment of palm verification for secure identity authentication, particularly in collaboration with Telkomsel in Indonesia, underscores its ability to innovate. Advancements in financial services Tencent Clouds role in the financial sector highlights its capacity to innovate in areas such as fraud analysis, threat intelligence, and customer service. Its deployment of the TDSQL database in Bank Neo Commerce in Indonesia showcases the potential for cloud technology in financial services, particularly in managing high transaction volumes. Nevertheless, Tencent Cloud faces stiff competition from more established cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure in the region. While Tencent Clouds localized, cost-effective solutions give it a competitive edge, the company still needs to differentiate its offerings through innovations that compete with other global players. Tencent Clouds AI-powered tools, such as the Coding Assistant, which boosts programmer productivity by 40%, are steps in the right direction. Tencent Real-Time Communication (TRTC), another Tencent Clouds innovative flagship product serving various sectors like internet, fintech, retail, gaming, media, and telecommunications, is also in high demand and contribute to the excellent market performance of Tencent Cloud in APAC. Partner ecosystem for strategic growth Tencent Clouds growth strategy heavily relies on its extensive partner ecosystem, including system integrators, resellers, and collaborators. This approach allows the company to offer a wide range of cloud solutions across various industries. Its partnership with Malaysias GRM Data Centre in establishing the first Cloud Dedicated Zone (CDZ) in Southeast Asia is a strong example of its efforts to meet regional needs. Tencent Clouds partner-driven model has proven effective in driving growth. When combined with the companys rich experience building and running successful digital products, Tencent Cloud stands out as a compelling alternative to other more prominent public cloud hyperscalers like AWS, Microsoft Azure and Alibaba Cloud in the region. Looking ahead Despite the complex market landscape, Tencent Cloud has achieved significant international growth, reporting a consistent double-digit growth over the past three years, with APAC growing by 50% year-on-year. While Tencent Cloud has invested heavily in research and development, spending over US$42 billion in the last six years and securing over 5,000 AI-related patents, continued innovation is necessary to maintain its competitive edge. Tencent Cloud must also focus on its ability to balance local and global strategies while competing against more established international players. Its position in gaming, media, and content creation offers strong footholds; however, further refinement of its core offerings and attention to regulatory challenges will be crucial to sustaining growth. Dr William Lee, Senior Research Director Cloud Infrastructures, Datacenters and Telco Research, IDC Asia/Pacific Aboneaza-te la rubricile dorite si primeste zilnic notificari pe email cu link-uri la articolele care au fost adaugate in ultimele 24 de ore. Notificarile vor fi expediate la adresa indicata mai jos. Daca doresti sa schimbi adresa - o poti modifica editand informatia de profil aici. Commentary: Peace is ultimate "vaccine" for Gazan children 09:49, September 09, 2024 By Li Jun ( Xinhua RAMALLAH, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict grinds into the 11th month, children suffer the most. A recent polio outbreak has triggered an emergency vaccination campaign for 640,000 children under the age of 10, and is worsening an already dire crisis for Gaza's most vulnerable. While vaccines may provide temporary protection against diseases, the only solution that can truly guarantee these children a future of health, safety, and dignity is peace. Gaza's children are among the most innocent casualties of this brutal conflict. Shortages of food, clean water, and basic healthcare are gravely threatening their survival. The United Nations sounded the alarm in July, warning that famine has taken hold across Gaza. For countless families, the prospect of starvation is no longer a distant threat but a terrifying reality. But hunger is only one of many perils. Gaza's sanitation infrastructure lies in ruins, with 70 percent of its sewage pumps destroyed. Wastewater treatment facilities are inoperable, and the collapse of the clean water system has pushed Gaza's fragile public health system to the brink. The resurgence of polio after 25 years, a disease eradicated in most of the world, is a damning indictment of the catastrophic conditions Gaza's children are forced to endure. Displacement is another grim reality for Gaza's youth. Since the conflict began, 1.9 million people have been displaced, nearly half of them children, according to the United Nations. As Muhannad Hadi, the UN humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, recently observed, evacuation orders meant to protect civilians often achieve the opposite, driving families into overcrowded, unsafe areas with few services and constant danger. For Gaza's children, displacement is not a temporary ordeal; it is a constant state of being. While hunger, malnutrition, and diseases are devastating enough, the specter of violence looms even larger. Airstrikes, explosions, and gunfire have become the horrifying soundtrack of daily life for Gaza's children. After 11 months of relentless warfare, much of Gaza lies in ruins, leaving its children to navigate a shattered world with no sense of security. The casualty statistics are staggering. According to Palestinian officials, more than 40,000 Palestinians have died in this conflict, with over 16,000 of them being children. At least 17,000 children have lost one or both parents. Some 3,500 children face imminent death from malnutrition. Among the more than 94,000 wounded in Gaza, a significant number are children. These cold numbers disclose the human tragedy behind them -- the loss of young lives that were filled with potential. The silent plea of Gaza's children echoes with painful clarity: "In Gaza, we never grow up." Gaza's children, like all children, deserve to grow up in safety, with access to food, education, and hope. What they need is not just vaccines; they need peace and normal life first. Vaccinations may offer temporary relief, but they cannot protect these children from bullets and bombs. For them, peace is the ultimate "vaccine," the only shield that can safeguard their future. Vaccines treat the symptoms; peace is the cure. The conflict must end. Peace must prevail -- not just for Gaza's children, but for the shared aspirations of peace-loving people everywhere. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Cars drive past Blair Park along Moraga Avenue in the Moraga Canyon area of Piedmont. Its one part of the wealthy enclave that could see a large number of new housing units. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle After her mother passed away in 2021, Teddy Gray King realized her parents 3,000-square-foot home in Millbrae was too big for her father. So she decided to move her 88-year-old dad into a one-bedroom cottage in the backyard of her Piedmont home. King said the cottage, also known as a granny flat or accessory dwelling unit, helped address the states housing crisis by adding density to her home and allowing her father to sell his Millbrae house, freeing it up for another family. King bought the prefabricated box, which has a base price of $268,000, from an Oakland-based company and had it airlifted into her backyard in 2022. In a place like Piedmont where many houses have a big backyard, its kind of a perfect way for infill development (and) its pretty low impact from the visual perspective, said King, who served on the City Council for eight years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad King joins a wave of residents adding backyard cottages in Piedmont, a wealthy city of about 11,000 residents that spans just 1.7 square miles and has few empty lots to develop. The city which has a median household income of over $250,000 and is 68% white is mostly single-family homes with few places where multifamily housing is allowed. In fact, the only housing units completed in Piedmont since 2018 were backyard cottages, according to state data. Two other wealthy Bay Area cities Los Altos and Hillsborough also built only these kinds of units in 2022 and 2023. As cities across California grapple with massive jumps in state housing mandates, it might not be as easy for local governments to rely on backyard cottages to meet the new requirements. Piedmont is now required to plan for 587 units by 2031 a staggering increase from its prior state mandate to plan for 60 homes. While housing activists are happy with the increase in ADUs, they also caution that theyre not a replacement for denser housing. The focus on backyard units reflects a boom following state legislation passed in 2016 that requires cities to approve ADUs if they meet parking and size requirements. The number of ADUs permitted in California increased from just over 1,000 in 2016 to nearly 25,000 in 2022, according to California YIMBY, a housing advocacy group. And the momentum may only grow after two state bills signed last year that are meant to boost their construction by allowing property owners to sell ADUs separately from their primary home and banning local governments from requiring owners to live in their backyard units. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While relying mostly on these units, Piedmont added more housing than the state required between 2015 and 2023: 100 units 97 cottages and three single-family homes instead of the minimum of 60. The city does not keep data on whether any of the ADUs are rental properties. But even if the cottages are filled by family members who dont pay rent, they still create new housing and free up other places for new people. Matt Lewis, a spokesperson for California YIMBY, said theres a generational transition happening in cities like Piedmont where residents have adult children or other family members who want to move into backyard flats. Lewis said he supports Piedmont and other cities loosening restrictions on ADUs, but theres more cities should do beyond building cottages, such as repurposing existing buildings to accommodate more homes. Every city has the ability to increase the number of homes within its borders, Lewis said. We have some of the lowest density cities around and its because of the constraints cities have put not just on building but how many homes you can put in a building. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Piedmont officials say residents attitudes toward building more housing have changed, which will make the process easier. Unfairly, Piedmont has a reputation for being exclusive and unwelcoming and I dont think thats necessarily true, said Kevin Jackson, the citys planning and building director. A good amount of our community really wants to welcome new neighbors into their community. Piedmont Mayor Jennifer Cavenaugh said the city doesnt have a lot of unused lots that can be repurposed for housing. Cyclists ride past Blair Park along Moraga Avenue in the Moraga Canyon area of Piedmont. The city has a plan that could see nearly 200 units built in the area. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Cavenaugh said the city is now focusing on a new plan for nearly 200 units through the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan, which covers an area in the northeast corner of Piedmont identified for potential multi-family housing. Portions of Moraga Canyon, which includes Blair Park and Kennelly Skate Park, are undeveloped city-owned property. A draft of the plan will likely be available in the fall for community feedback, said Jackson. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jackson said the city is also allowing increased density along its commercial corridor on Grand Avenue. In addition, the city is processing applications under a state law, SB9, that allows homeowners with large lots to quickly build more units on their property by either splitting their lot and building another home or converting their home into a duplex or both. So far, Piedmont has approved two applications, Jackson added. What form did the campaign take and how did it raise funds? The Steel City Cup is a relatively new annual karting campaign. I launched the racing event at Parkwood Karting in Sheffield in 2023 to raise funds for Childrens Hospital Charity, for which I am an ambassador and service user. The aim was to encourage businesses in Sheffield and its surrounding areas to get involved in a team-building and networking event, while raising money. The event took place over one day in 2023. In 2024, it was announced that the event would take place again, this time over two days with a qualifying round. Teams came from law firms, motor dealerships, engineering businesses, and an online retailer. Credit: Sashkin/Adobe Stock. High-value legacies have long been viewed as something of a golden goose for fundraising, with the potential to transform charities futures. From the 41m Oxfam legacy left by Richard Cousins through to a colossal 175m gift to fund forest restoration in Warwickshire from the estate of Felix Dennis, such donations have become legendary. And yet, these are exceptional examples. The high-value legacy market is of course far broader than this and, while definitions can vary, here we take it to mean gifts of 500,000 or more. Remember A Charity Now in its 15th year, Remember A Charity Week (9-15 September 2024) brings together member charities, campaign supporters (solicitor firms and will-writers), wealth advisers, and partners to encourage more people to consider leaving a gift to charity in their will. I began my role as chair of Remember A Charity in January this year, so this will be my first Remember A Charity Week in the position, and what an amazing one its set to be. Theres much Im looking forward to seeing, including the following highlights. Celebrating with celebrity support Its been an honour to have etymologist and Countdown star Susie Dent work alongside us to promote willanthropy this year. Working with Susie, were exploring the power of words to inspire the nation to consider leaving a charitable legacy. Our research shows that 35% of people avoid conversations about wills because they dont want to think about death, yet two-thirds agree its important to have these conversations with loved ones. Some 60% of adults believe that words can transform hearts and minds and inspire significant change which is exactly what we believe promoting the term willanthropy can achieve. Throughout the week, we aim to further inspire the giving public to join the willanthropy movement, by showcasing the collective power of this special way of giving. Mapping out the impact To mark this years campaign, well be launching the Great Map of Willanthropy an interactive map of legacy giving showcasing the impact that legacy gifts to UK charities have had throughout the world. Our members have each been given ten pins to map out where in the world tangible differences have been made because of a gift in a will and where even more could be achieved through the power of legacies. Our aim is to bring to life just how powerful and far-reaching legacies are, while highlighting the potential impact that future gifts could have. Small numbers, big difference While fewer than 1% of charitable estates in recent years have included gifts over 500,000, these donations generate more than one-quarter of the sectors legacy income. Based on the current UK legacy market value, this equates to around 1bn annually. Imagine what could be achieved through unlocking the potential of engaging with those high-net-worth supporters. Reasons for optimism Most people in the charity sector know how tough the last few years have been, with both the cost-of-living crisis and residual challenges were still facing because of the pandemic. Plus, HM Courts and Tribunals Service delays in probate processing led to a significant lag in charities receiving notifications and income, causing a lack of confidence in short to medium-term income. Although, Im pleased to see that this situation has been improving over the last few months. All these challenges facing the sector show us why celebrating the impact of legacies this Remember A Charity Week is so important. As a collective force, we as a sector can highlight the power and longevity of gifts in wills, without which many organisations wouldnt have been able to achieve all that they have over the last few years. High value legacies Just in the time that Ive been chair, Remember A Charity has started to do a lot more work around supporters who can leave transformational gifts. Our message is and always has been that every gift makes a difference, and that remains true. But we are doing as much as we can to support our members to develop their high value legacy programmes and to engage with individuals whose gifts make the greatest impact. This includes working with wealth advisers and exploring how charities can increase their engagement with the professionals trusted to advise individuals whose gifts can make a huge difference. Remember A Charitys recent report Understanding the Role of Wealth Advisers in Growing Legacy Giving is available free for everyone and is designed to help organisations start or evolve their high-values legacies programme. Equipping and engaging Members are supported with the promotion of their own legacy giving campaigns through access to Remember A Charity Week assets such as video, graphics, messaging and the sharing of ideas. Campaign supporters are engaged to help start conversations with their clients and further normalise discussions around legacies. If you only do one thing this Remember A Charity Week If you can only do one thing this year, I encourage you to celebrate publicly and proudly what legacies have helped your organisation and beneficiaries achieve. Supporting a charity through leaving a gift in a will is a very valid and now much more normalised way of supporting a charity. A decision made in someones lifetime based on what they love in life can help sustain a charity and those it serves to benefit. Talking about legacy giving as an option to your supporters will help them better understand what their gift could achieve once its received. Remember A Charity is always looking at new ways to talk with passion and positivity about the impact gifts in wills have. We thrive on the collaboration with our membership and to be able to talk as a collective to the public is a special thing. I feel enormously privileged to be chair of such a dynamic campaign, and am very excited for the future and to be involved with supporting charities in finding creative and strategic ways to interact with their audiences. So, this September, lets all get talking legacies. Civil Society Voices is the place for informed opinion, and debate about the big issues affecting charities today. Were always keen to hear from anyone, working or volunteering at a charity, who has something to say. Find out more about contributing and how to get in touch. is the place for informed opinion, and debate about the big issues affecting charities today. Were always keen to hear from anyone, working or volunteering at a charity, who has something to say. Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. On June 21, 1990, a Virginia jury found me guilty of murdering my girlfriends parents, Derek and Nancy Haysom. Later that night I tried to kill myself. The injustice felt so great that I just wanted to be gone, and a plastic bag over my head seemed like the best way to achieve that end. When I failed at suicide, I decided to fight. Not all victims of wrongful convictionsand studies suggest there are about seventy-six thousand of us in Americado. Some prefer to accept their fate rather than take up a struggle that seems hopeless. Of course I filed the usual appeals and petitions. But I quickly realized that the justice system that had wrongfully convicted me was highly unlikely to admit its own mistake. Appellate judges almost always begin their careers as prosecutors and trial judges. They know that locking up criminals is a tough business. Sometimes, they seem to feel, you have to turn a blind eye to ensure that justice is served more broadly. My next step was to apply to three different Innocence Projects. But their resources are so limited that they can take only very few cases. And of those, only about a hundred and fifty result in exonerations each year. I also applied for parolefourteen times, in factbut Virginia has the lowest parole rate in the country, 2 or 3 percent. Also, you have to show remorse to be considered, and I could not show remorse for a crime I had not committed. So my parole hearings lasted no more than a few minutes. The last path open to me, I felt, was the media. My 1990 trial was the second in the history of the United States to be televised live, gavel to gavel, on local TV; only the trial of Lyle and Eric Menendez in California had preceded mine. My lawyers told me that the presence of cameras in the courtroom had contributed to my wrongful conviction. Since the media had helped put me behind bars, I felt only the media could get me out of prison. So from 1990 onward, I wrote countless letters to journalists, hoping to interest them in my story. It took me six years to find the first reporter willing to listen: Ian Zack of the Charlottesville Daily Progress. His 1996 article Trial and Error? won a journalism award and is still one of the best ever published about my case. Sign up for CJRs daily email Another eleven years passed until I got lucky again, with Bill Sizemore of the Virginian-Pilot. His 2007 article No hope for Jens Soering won an award from the Virginia Bar Association and later led to our cooperation on one of my books, A Far, Far Better Thing (Lantern Books, 2017). In 2013, Virginia public radio WVTFs Sandy Hausman began publishing regular reports on my case, earning her an Edward R. Murrow Award in 2017. That same year, the Washington Post Magazine published Laura Vozzellas long investigative piece on the case, perhaps the gold standard for this long, sad story. All these journalists focused their reporting not on me, but on my supporters. These included a deputy attorney general, seven criminal investigators, and two DNA scientists. On April 9, 2018, four of those seven police officers held a news conference and asked the governor to grant me an absolute pardon. One of them was the original lead detective on the murders for which I was convicted. But whenever the media call a high-profile criminal conviction into question, conservatives leap into action to defend the reputation of the legal system. They believe, perhaps rightly, that every high-profile exoneration undermines the publics confidence in the courts. Moreover, opposing prisoners who claim to be innocent allows politicians to position themselves as tough on crime. Thats what Kamala Harris did during her tenure as attorney general of California, as the New York Times pointed out in 2019. She fought to keep George Gage, Daniel Larsen, Johnny Bacca, and Kevin Cooper in prison even though there was compelling evidence of their innocence. In those days, Democrats like Harris were eager to appear even more pro-police and pro-prosecution than Republicans. The Virginia medias extensive coverage of the 2018 press conference put Gov. Ralph Northam (D) under pressure. He must have felt he needed to take some kind of action, or there would be even more news conferences with even more cops calling for my exoneration. But he also seemed to realize that, if he granted me a pardon, Republicans would accuse him of being soft on crime. So Northam waited until after Virginias midterm election on November 5, 2019. Even though Democrats won resoundingly, he didnt grant me a pardon; he released me on parole instead. I believe the same public pressure that forced his hand made it more difficult for him to give me what I wanted: an absolute pardon. The sheriffs department responsible for my wrongful conviction celebrated Northams decision: their spokesman said that my release on parole meant they had done nothing wrong. And my supporters were happy, too; they just wanted me to come home. The only one disappointed by Northams decision was me. For several hours, I seriously considered turning down parole and remaining in prison, to force the governor to pardon me. Luckily, I was able to call a friend who explained to me why Northam would never do that. The same public pressure that forced him to act on my case at all simultaneously prevented him from admitting yet another embarrassing failure of the justice system. He had to protect himself against public criticism from two different directions: my supporters and his political opponents. The same conflicting pressures seem to exist in other media-driven cases. Leo Schofield, a Floridian convicted of killing his wife in 1987, was featured on the hugely popular podcast Bone Valley, which made a compelling case for his innocence. On April 30, 2024, Schofield was released on parole, without a pardonjust like me. The West Memphis Three, three Arkansas teens convicted of murdering three boys in 1994, became the subject of several documentaries questioning their guilt. Eventually, they took what is called an Alford plea, which amounts to pleading guilty (while maintaining innocence) in exchange for early release. In 2011, they were allowed to leave prisonas convicted felons. These solutions also have a pleasant side effect for the convicting states: Virginia, Florida, and Arkansas do not have to pay us compensation. Had I been granted a pardon, for instance, I could have applied for $1.4 million. Northam saved his taxpayers that unnecessary expense by paroling me instead. In addition to emerging penniless, Schofield, the West Memphis Three, and I have to live with the stigma of being criminals. Of course we try to explain to everyone that this really isnt true, but no one wants to listen to our sad stories of some long-ago injustice. Decades later, who can really tell whether were telling the truth? In some cases, the mediaonce our great ally in the fight to be exoneratedturn against us. That is what happened to me. Once the story of my innocence had been told to exhaustion, the media machinery looked for a new angle, I supposea different way to market the product. I did not fully understand the medias need for constant novelty and artificial drama when I left prison. I thought the truth was exciting enough: a conviction that once seemed reliable became ever more shaky as new evidence emerged. That was the story Ian Zack, Bill Sizemore, Sandy Hausman, and Laura Vozzella had told. And that was the story I thought the Netflix producers wanted to show their viewers. At least, thats what they told me and the police officers who had supported me. On that basis, we all agreed to participate without payment for our interviews. (I received a modest sum for my legal file.) I have permission to speak for those police officers when I say that we all feel betrayed. My sources inside the Netflix team told me that directors were instructed to leave out certain story lines that would have made the case for my innocence too compelling: my codefendants confession, a luminol test of the getaway car, an FBI profile, a local judges son as an alternate suspect. Including these elements would have reduced the dramatic tension, I was told. Another element Netflix left out of the series was a long interview with Professor J. Thomas McClintock of Liberty University. He had reexamined DNA evidence in the case at the state forensic lab in 2022, and he concluded that none of the blood at the crime scene could be linked to me. It pointed to two unknown men, he said. In his Netflix interview, Professor McClintock explained his work in great detail, because he was so excited to have discovered the truth through science, as he put it. But Netflix chose someone else to present the DNA evidence, along with a more ambiguous conclusion. At least I was able to appear in the series to give my side of the story. That is more than can be said for a story The Atlantic ran by Amanda Knox, once a friend and ally, who now says she has developed doubts about my innocence. The Atlantic never contacted me before publishing, and editors have not responded to an article I sent them rebutting many of Knoxs claims. I take solace in the fact that having doubts about my innocence or guilt is the very definition of reasonable doubt. If Knox were on my jury, shed have to vote not guilty. In the end, I came to see The Atlantics perspective, and to understand the devils bargain that victims of wrongful convictions strike with the media. The story of my innocence has been told; its become boring. A much more interesting, titillating story is the one Knox told in her article: maybe Ive been lying all along. That seems much more likely to generate clicks. The media giveth, and the media taketh away. (When presented with a detailed breakdown of these allegations, The Atlantic responded that it stood by its article, which was extensively fact-checked. We dont discuss our editorial process, a spokeswoman said, but we would point out that the piece includes an exhaustive summary of all of the evidence in the case. Netflix declined to comment.) Jens Soring is a resilience coach, author, and YouTuber. Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. Theres a hot new term doing the rounds among media critics: sanewashing. The term itself actually isnt new, and it wasnt born in media-criticism circles, per se; according to Urban Dictionary, it was coined in 2020 on a Reddit page for neoliberals (which Linda Kinstler wrote about recently for CJR), and meant attempting to downplay a person or ideas radicality to make it more palatable to the general public. (It was deployed in discussions around, for example, defunding the police.) Recently, though, various observers have applied the term to media coverage of Donald Trump. Aaron Rupar, a journalist who is very active on X, has been credited with coining sanewashing in this specific context, but the term appeared to really blow up last week, after Parker Molloy wrote a column about it in The New Republic. (She expanded on the idea as a guest on the podcast Some More News.) The word has since been picked up by media bigwigs including Paul Krugman and Rachel Maddow, and appeared in outlets from Ireland to India. As applied to Trump, the idea is that major mainstream news outlets are routinely taking his incoherent, highly abnormal rantsbe they on social media or at in-person eventsand selectively quoting from them to emphasize lines that, in isolation, might sound coherent or normal, thus giving a misleading impression of the whole for people who didnt read or watch the entire thing. In her column, Molloy called out CNN for sanitizing a Trump screed about tomorrows presidential debate and the New York Times for omitting an allusion to a conspiracy theory about vaccines and autism from its summary of a Trump pledge to tap Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to help make health policy; since then, she and others have applied the same analysis to coverage of Trumps incoherent remarksparticularly around the costs of childcare and a proposed Elon Muskled efficiency commissionat an economic forum in New York. This sanewashing of Trumps statements isnt just poor journalism, Molloy wrote. Its a form of misinformation that poses a threat to democracy. If the word sanewashing is not new, neither is the idea that the media is masking Trumps incoherence. As Molloy noted in her column, she wrote a similar pieceheadlined By reframing Trumps incoherent, inaccurate ramblings as bland political copy, journalists are carrying water for the presidentin 2020, for the liberal watchdog group Media Matters for America; she also quoted from a more recent article in which Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief of The Atlantic, criticized headlines about a Trump rally that focused on extraneities like the weather and Trumps frustration with the teleprompter, rather than his bizarre rhetoric about sharks. Last week, amid all the sanewashing discourse, other critics expressed related ideas without using the word. The Atlantics Isabel Fattal re-upped Goldbergs column in the context of Trumps economic remarks, noting that when she read some of the coverage, she could witness in real time the process of trying to impose sense where there is none. At the LA Times, Michael Hiltzik argued that media descriptions of another recent Trump appearancein which he suggested that children are going to school and coming back a different genderdid not give anything like the flavor of his diatribe, and called for ignoring his own papers rule that we shouldnt apply language associated with mental illness to people who arent known to be mentally ill. On MSNBC, Mike Barnicle blasted the media for not adequately covering Trump as a damaged, delusional old man. Greg Sargent echoed Barnicle, also in The New Republic. As I see it, newsroom policies discouraging remote diagnoses of mental health are generally to be followed, even if they shouldnt curb any and all discussion in this area; also, Trump does have (or at least is associated with) policies that merit scrutiny, however incoherently he articulates them, andas even some critics acknowledgethere has been at least some sharp recent coverage centering the incoherence. The idea that the media as a whole has ignored Trumps fitness for office is very hard to sustain. Nonetheless, I find the sanewashing criticism persuasive, on the whole. Too often, major outlets clean up Trumps languageespecially in shorter formats, like headlines and ledesto the point where it barely resembles what he actually said. And, if the press hasnt ignored Trumps fitness, Sargent made a compelling case, in his column, that it hasnt subjected his age and condition to anything like the level of focused scrutiny that was applied to President Biden on such grounds. (Sargent deftly illustrated this by swapping Trumps name into real headlines about Biden.) As I wrote after Bidens disastrous debate performance in June, Trump was incoherent that night, too, but seemed to get away with it because he showed more energy. If journalists are sometimes sanewashing Trump, why are they doing it? Critics including Molloy and Barnicle have suggested that it has something to do with that old desire to project a false equivalence, or balance, between the two leading candidates. Goldberg blamed a bias toward coherence, whereby Trump benefits from journalists classic conception of their role as being to make sense of the world around them. (It works like this: Trump sounds nuts, but he cant be nuts, because hes the presumptive nominee for president of a major party, Goldberg wrote.) There are other possible explanations. Could it be that elite journalists think so little of Trump that they effectively condescend to him by cleaning up his speech? Do they think that picking meaning out of his word salads makes them sound clever or original? Is he held to a lower standard than his opponents because the latter are expected to speak in full sentences and he never has been? Is Trump sounding incoherent simply old news at this point, in an industry that prizes novelty? Whichever it isand all these explanations could, theoretically, be in play at the same timeits worth noting that the sanewashing phenomenon figures into a debate that is almost as old as Trumps political career itself, and legitimately thorny: whether to expose news consumers more to his rhetoric, or shut it out. Proponents of the former approach have argued that broadcasting Trumps rallies live, for example, offers an unvarnished window onto his incoherence; proponents of the latter have argued that the first approach exposes audiences to unchecked lies and gives Trump free airtime. I wrote about this debate earlier in the year and concluded that it has been so circular because there isnt really a satisfying answerit felt true to me that many people have become desensitized to how Trump talks, but also that journalists cannot expect people to consume streams of raw information all the time. Sign up for CJRs daily email The biggest problem, I concluded, was not journalists failure to resolve an unresolvable debate about exposure, but their failure to accurately describe Trumps rhetoricwithout resorting to euphemism, for exampleand to do so with due prominence. The sanewashing critique speaks to this same problem, at least in part. When I wrote earlier this year, it was in the context of Trump saying, at a rally, that his failure to win reelection would lead to a bloodbath in the countryremarks, many critics suggested, that were subsequently sanewashed by allies and pundits who suggested that he was talking metaphorically about the auto industry. I argued at the time that the furor over the phrase missed the point: Trump said many unambiguously dangerous things at the same rally that got far less attention. This problem is still with us, and it still involves blood. Over the weekend, Trump said (again at a rally) that removing immigrant gangs from the US would be a bloody storyremarks that got media coverage, but not as much as they merited given their implications. Ditto an explicit Trump pledge to prosecute those he believes cheated in the coming election. (Last night, an Axios newsletter mentioned this threat in its last lines, having opened with dueling tax-cut promises by Harris and Trump that amount to each candidate trying to make Election Day feel like Christmas morning.) If sanewashing the incoherent things Trump says is a problem, then so is failing to proportionately cover his all-too-coherent threats. To whatever extent journalists show people Trumps unadulterated speech, it will always be part of our job to describe it. At root, the critics of sanewashing are really just asking the media to report accurately on what were all seeing in front of us, as Fattal put it in The Atlantic. Sections of the media, not least those from which the critics hail, are doing this already; if major outlets arent always doing likewise, the fact that they do it sometimes shows that accurate descriptions of violent and incoherent rhetoric are communicable within the existing linguistic and reportorial codes of elite media. (The Atlantic is a highly elite publication, and seems to have little problem clearly describing the things Trump says.) Tomorrow night, viewers will get an unadulterated dose of Trump when they tune in for his debate against Harris on ABC. Well, somewhat adulterated; Harris will be there too, of course, and Trumps mic will be muted when she is talkingto the frustration of Harriss team, which wanted her to be able to grill Trump in real time and also reportedly saw benefit in letting viewers hear Trump acting out. Ironically, it was Bidenwho agreed to the terms for the debate before dropping outwho demanded muted mics; even Trumps opponents, it seems, cant agree on whether its best to shut him up or let him be heard. Unlike at the Biden-Trump debate in June, a pool of journalists will reportedly be close enough to the stage to hear the candidates this time. It might end up being their job to tell us what Trump said off-mic. Unavoidably, itll be all our jobs to describe what Trump said with the mics on. Other notable stories: Over the weekend, the Times reported on an effort by the Heritage Foundationthe right-wing think tank that spearheaded Project 2025, the far-right policy blueprint for a second Trump term (which Trump has recently disavowed)to seed falsehoods about the integrity of the 2024 election across social media and conservative news outlets. In other news about Heritage and the Times, The New Republics Kate Aronoff asks why the latter has invited the formers president, Kevin Roberts, to appear at a forthcoming live journalism event about the climate crisis. Theres nothing wrong, per se, with a newspaper inviting influential right-wingers to join panels, Aronoff writes, but looking through Robertss own words on the subject of climate change, its hard to imagine the case for putting him onstage to talk about it. And for The Observer, in the UK, Jack Apollo George, a freelance journalist, reflected on helping an AI company train its models to produce better, more accurate prose. Taking on the job was a little like being told you were going to be paid a visit by Dracula, and instead of running for the hills, you stayed in and laid the table, George writes. But our destroyer is generous, the pay sufficient to justify the alienation. If our sector was going up in smoke, we might as well get high off the fumes. ICYMI: The decline of local news has become a campaign problem Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. A former Deutsche Bank trader on lost her London lawsuit against the bank for just over 2.6 million pounds ($3.4 million) after she was not paid an individual bonus nearly a decade ago. Shikha Gupta worked until 2017 for Deutsche Banks non-core operating unit, which was set up in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis to streamline its operations. Gupta said she helped dispose of billions of dollars of assets for Deutsche Bank, in particular helping it pay a $7.2 billion settlement in 2016 with the U.S. Department of Justice over pre-crisis sales of mortgage-backed securities. Her lawyers said at a trial at Londons High Court in June that Gupta was an exceptional employee who was promised a considerable individual bonus, but was given just 21,250 pounds alongside colleagues as part of a team reward for 2016. Deutsche Bank, however, said no formal guarantee was provided to Gupta. The lenders lawyers also said Deutsche was making over 9,000 employees redundant, nearly 10% of its global workforce, and simply could not afford to pay a bonus. Judge Catherine Howells dismissed Guptas claim, saying she did not accept Gupta was given assurances she would receive an individual bonus and that Deutsche Bank was entitled to consider it was unaffordable. A Deutsche Bank spokesperson said: We welcome the courts decision. Guptas lawyers did not respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Tobin; Editing by Mark Potter) Former Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn went on trial last week on charges of fraud and market manipulation in connection with the corporate scandal over Volkswagens use of rigged software that let millions of cars cheat on emissions tests and emit high levels of harmful pollutants. Prosecutors say Winterkorn knew about the illegal software well before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its discovery of the violation in September 2015. He resigned days later. He has said he learned about the practice only shortly before the announcement and earlier testified during civil proceedings that the allegations against him are not correct. Winterkorns attorney, Felix Doerr, said ahead of court proceedings in Braunschweig on Tuesday that our client definitively rejects the accusations brought against him. He said that Winterkorns position as CEO was not justification to make him responsible for the scandal in all its aspects. Winterkorn, 77, was scheduled to go on trial in 2021 with four other VW executives but his case was postponed due to health issues. The diesel scandal had wide-ranging consequences for the company and the auto industry. Volkswagen wound up paying more than 31 billion euros ($34 billion) in fines and legal settlements. Sales of diesel-powered cars, once favored for their fuel efficiency over gasoline-powered vehicles, plunged as a share of the car market in Europe. Winterkorn faces three separate sets of charges: defrauding auto purchasers by selling the cars with illegal software, stock-market manipulation by not revealing required information to investors, and making false statements before a parliamentary commission of inquiry in 2017. He face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Court sessions are scheduled through September 2025 in the complex case. The fraud indictment alone stretched to 692 pages including the other four defendants, while the case file consists of 300 volumes with 75,000 pages of supporting documents. Prosecutors alleged in their indictment that Winterkorn learned of the issue at least by May 2014, but continued to permit the practice and allowed rigged cars to be sold. They say that the software appeared in Volkswagen cars in Europe and the U.S. as early as 2006. The software turned up emissions controls during testing, then turned them down during everyday driving, allowing the cars to emit more than the permitted levels of nitrogen oxide. Nitrogen oxide can irritate peoples airways and contribute to the development of asthma. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Eagles of Death Metal perform at a free outdoor concert at Potrero del Sol Park as part of SF Live on Saturday, Sept. 7. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Eagles of Death Metal perform at Potrero del Sol Park as part of SF Live on Saturday. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Eagles of Death Metal perform at a free outdoor concert at Potrero del Sol Park. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Eagles of Death Metal perform at Potrero del Sol Park. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle The band Eagles of Death Metal perform at Potrero del Sol Park. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle People attend a free outdoor concert featuring Eagles of Death Metal at Potrero del Sol Park as part of SF Live. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Trevor Rizzo holds his nephew, Cassian, at a free outdoor concert featuring Eagles of Death Metal at Potrero del Sol Park. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle People enjoy a free concert featuring Eagles of Death Metal at Potrero del Sol Park. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Katie Rose, co-owner of Kilowatt Bar, talks to attendees at SF Live. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Justine Filipello enjoys the Eagles of Death Metal at Potrero del Sol Park. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle DArcy Drollinger, emcee at SF Lives concert featuring Eagles of Death Metal at Potrero del Sol Park, talks to attendees. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle People attend a free concert featuring Eagles of Death Metal at Potrero del Sol Park. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle Southern California rockers Eagles of Death Metal took over Potrero del Sol Park in San Francisco to deliver a raucous set for revelers wanting to enjoy the citys last-days-of summer weather. The outdoor daytime concert on Saturday, Sept. 7, was the latest installation of SF Live, a six-month series of free music shows that started in May presented through a joint partnership between the city and live events producers Illuminate, San Francisco Parks Alliance, Noise Pop and Union Square Alliance. Each concert is curated by organizers from historic local music venues, with this one appropriately presented by Mission Districts Kilowatt Bar. Oakland glam-synth group Candy Whips and Los Angeles rock band Starcrawler also performed during the five-hour event. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Meanwhile, SF Live also presented Punk at the Shell, featuring Opposing Force, Natural Human Instinct, Slumped and Scowl at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell. SF Lives next show on Thursday, Sept. 12, will be headlined by Tony Lindsay, former vocalist for the band Santana. The series is slated to run through November, thanks to $2.5 million of state funding. For more details about SF Live, visit sflivefest.com. A fast-growing wildfire in Southern California, has burned 27 square miles, forcing thousands to evacuate had is putting roughly 35,000 homes and buildings at risk. The Line fire near San Bernardino more than quadrupled in size over the weekend, prompting officials to issue evacuation orders for more than 11,000 people. Several roads to the area are closed. Sweltering heat was expected to affect Southern California through at least Monday. The fire started on Thursday, grew quickly and became a major incident over the weekend. There are currently 36,328 structures threatened, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures, a CalFire update states. Night flight capable aircraft will be utilized when possible to try to hold the fire within currently containment lines. Early next week, cooler weather will moderate fire activity below the marine layer. However, fire activity above the marine layer will remain active. Gov. Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County, securing federal assistance to support response to the fire. The fire is now at 20,553 acres and 3% contained. There are currently 1,855 personnel assigned to the fire. Top photo: A firefighter douses flames while battling the Highland Fire in Aguanga, California on Oct. 31. Texas and four other states have reached a settlement with operators of an alleged $1 billion illegal cryptocurrency investment scheme highlighted by tokenized partial ownership of a skyscraper, according to the Texas State Securities Board. The regulators are hoping to return hundreds of millions of dollars to investors in the project who lost funds. The Texas State Securities Board announced the settlement with Josip Heit, the owner of GSB Group, and his companies, which sold products such as token-based ownership in a skyscraper, investments in the metaverse and a cryptocurrency that they claimed could be staked for rewards convertible into gold. Hundreds of thousands of investors in the US and Canada got hurt, Joe Rotunda, enforcement director at the Texas State Securities Board, said in an interview. We have negotiated a settlement that will ensure that all clients in any state or province that join the settlement receive 100% of their deposits, less any withdrawals, Rotunda said. This is really a North American settlement. We dont often have the opportunity to get pure financial relief on a broad scale. This is rare. Among other allegations, the project failed to raise the necessary $175 million through the sale of cryptocurrencies that represented partial ownership of a skyscraper, causing significant losses for investors who purchased and held the underlying assets, according to the agency. And in October 2023, GSB announced losses tied to trading and allegedly started limiting many investors ability to withdraw certain types of profits. The settlement currently includes Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas and Georgia, according to the Texas securities regulator. All clients who invested in any product GSB offered everything from crypto tokens to an educational academy should be able to get their money back, if their state or Canadian province joins the settlement. State and provincial regulators began pooling their resources to investigate the scheme in October. Texas filed an enforcement action last November. It was one of many federal and state actions against crypto-industry players in recent years. Many such actions have only resulted in partial restitution for victims, or relatively small payments for damages. The claims process will be administered by AlixPartners LP, which managed the process for clients of fraudster Bernie Madoff and performed blockchain analysis for the bankruptcy management of crypto exchange FTX, which imploded in 2022. Our goal is to identify all of the clients and make sure they know about this process, they have the opportunity to get their funds back, Rotunda said. Any state that wants to join into this deal can sign the term sheet starting on Monday. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. CLEVELAND, Ohio A Richmond Heights man was killed Saturday in the parking lot of an apartment building, police said. The office of the Cuyahoga County medical examiner identified the victim as Dewon QueShawn Lee, 29. He was wounded about 12:45 a.m. in the parking lot of the Dorchester Village Apartments located at 137 Ruth Ellen Drive. Officers found Lee face down in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to the head. Lee was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called to assist. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. Police say there are searching for several suspects who left the scene after shots were fired. Dono Curtis, left, and Jade Collins dance to Maria, performed by Alek Shrader, during the 49th annual Opera in the Park in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, Sept. 8. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle Soprano Arianna Rodriguez performs Quando men vo from Puccinis La Boheme during the 49th annual Opera in the Park. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle Baritone Amartuvshin Enkhbat performs Nemico della patria from Giordanos Andrea Chenier during the 49th annual Opera in the Park in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, Sept. 8. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle Audience members watch from the hillside during the 49th annual Opera in the Park at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, Sept. 8. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle Soprano Mei Gui Zhang performs Je vieux vivre from Gounods Romeo et Juliette during the 49th annual Opera in the Park. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle San Francisco Opera Music Director Eun Sun Kim conducts during Opera in the Park. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle Tenor Michael Fabiano, left, and soprano Toni Marie Palmertree perform Teco io sto from Verdis Un Ballo in Maschera during the 49th annual Opera in the Park. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle The crowd at the 49th annual Opera in the Park. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle Members of the San Francisco Opera toast with Champagne during Libiamo from Verdis La Traviata as the 49th annual Opera in the Park comes to an end in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, Sept. 8. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle Donzheh Pidduck, 4, reads a copy of the Chronicles program with her dad Chester Pidduck during the 49th annual Opera in the Park. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock emcees the 49th annual Opera in the Park in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, Sept. 8. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle Few patches of grass in Robin Williams Meadow were left uncovered as visitors swarmed Golden Gate Park for an afternoon of bite-size opera. Thats why Rex and Gale Morgan left their Santa Rosa home early Sunday, Sept. 8, to secure a space for the citys free annual Opera in the Park. By 10 a.m. more than three hours before festivities were to begin they staked their claim to a spot that had an unobstructed view of the stage. They put out two foldable chairs and a wine cooler for a picnic. There is great music, great weather and a nice crowd, said longtime attendee Rex Morgan, 78, as the couple watched the morning fog give way to a sunny afternoon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kimberly Thompson, a San Francisco Opera supernumerary since 1989, at the 49th annual Opera in the Park. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle Co-sponsored by the Chronicle, the 49-year San Francisco Opera tradition returned to the park for its third year after a pandemic hiatus to serenade about 10,000 people, from opera aficionados and show tune fans to musical newbies. While clear, blue skies dominated the Sunday afternoon event, San Franciscos blustery summer weather wasnt always on the Operas side. For instance, when tenor Alek Shrader first sang Maria from West Side Story for the shows opening, the microphone went out, with the wind getting the better of the microphone, said Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock. But that just made the audience more excited when Shilvock invited Shrader, who performed in the Operas production of Partenope in June, back to the stage to close out the program. Bass-baritone Jongwon Han performs Riez, allez from Massenets Don Quichotte during the 49th annual Opera in the Park. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle The Sunday concert which included four songs from the season-opener, Verdis Un Ballo in Maschera, in which Mongolian baritone Amartuvshin Enkhbat made his stunning company debut on Friday, Sept. 6; performances by mezzo-soprano Irene Roberts, who is set to star as Offred in Poul Ruders The Handmaids Tale in its West Coast premiere on Saturday, Sept. 14; and selections from Bizets Carmen and Puccinis La Boheme, which are set to be performed at the War Memorial Opera House in the coming months gave locals a taste of the Operas 2024-25 season and the virtuosity of the cast under the baton of Music Director Eun Sun Kim. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Audience members wave Chronicle-provided Bravo! signs as they applaud performances at the 49th annual Opera in the Park in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, Sept. 8. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle Throughout the day, the audience waved their Chronicle-provided Bravo! signs in approval. It makes it so accessible for young folks and people who cant afford to go to the opera very regularly, said Richmond District resident Jared Fries, 35, who lay on the grass with his younger 29-year-old brother, Sammy, and his dog, Afi. Fries went to the opera house for the first time after getting a discounted ticket to the Operas production of Verdis Il Trovatore last fall through the Dolby Familys Opera for the Bay program, which he discovered at last years Opera in the Park. (This season, Bay Area residents who havent purchased a ticket to a main-stage performance at the Opera in the past three years can purchase two $10 tickets to Tristan and Isolde, Beethoven 9 or Carmen through the Dolby program.) Members of the San Francisco Opera raise a glass during Libiamo from Verdis La Traviata at the 49th annual Opera in the Park. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle Audience members like Fries, many of whom wouldnt claim to be opera aficionados, also eagerly took part in the fun. They chuckled to Adler fellow Nikola Printzs fiery impression of the seductive titular lead in Bizets Carmen, complete with snaps and stomps. When performers returned to the stage with Champagne glasses in their hands for a concluding toast to sing the traditional closer Libiamo from Verdis La Traviata, spectators got up on their feet and swayed along. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Such an opportunity for locals to come together is especially valuable as the city struggles with post-pandemic economic recovery and a drug overdose epidemic. Jade Collins, left, and Dono Curtis dance to Maria, performed by tenor Alek Shrader, during the 49th annual Opera in the Park in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, Sept. 8. Juliana Yamada/Special to The Chronicle San Francisco gets such a bad rap, said Jennifer OReilly, who set up a picnic with her friend Rashmi Garde, both 59, in a shady, hillside area in the meadow. Having community events like this shows that the city is still here and still alive and isnt a dystopian hellscape. Un Ballo in Maschera continues through Sept. 27, while the book-to-stage adaptation of The Handmaids Tale opens on Saturday. Sunday performers Printz, Arianna Rodriguez, Olivia Smith and Samuel Kidd are also set to star in the part-opera, part-party Carmen Encounter in November. It is your opera house, Shilvock said in a closing address to the audience. Please come and be a part of it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For a full schedule of the Opera season, visit sfopera.com. Fresh-baked pastries at Bartavelle Cafe in Berkeley, pictured in 2023. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Sam Anderson talks with Bartavelle regular Donna Hubbard in 2023. The Berkeley cafe is closing. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Bartavelle Cafe, a beloved Berkeley institution started by a Chez Panisse alum, is closing. The cafe and wine bar at 1621 San Pablo Ave. will serve its last slices of toasted Acme bread with jammy eggs and cortados on Sunday, Sept. 15, barring a miracle, owners Suzanne Drexhage and Sam Sobolewski wrote on Instagram Saturday. We expect this may come as a big shock to many of you, but the fact is that even a seemingly busy restaurant is operating on razor thin margins and its gotten exponentially harder since the pandemic, they wrote. The specifics are as harrowing as they are mundane. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $85,000 to cover a final payroll and about $50,000 in late payments to vendors. They also have loans and credit card debt, according to the GoFundMe. Bartavelle, despite its popularity, had been struggling to keep up with rising costs almost since last summer, when it moved into a larger space whose construction was more expensive than anticipated and required more employees to operate, Sobolewski said. Then came this summer and eight weeks of flagging business. Sales were down 40% from last summer, he said. This put the final nail in the coffin, with Bartavelle falling behind on payments to vendors and unable to make payroll. Weve always managed to just barely keep it together, keep it going, Sobolewski said. But reality finally caught up to us. Toasted Acme bread with jammy eggs, anchovies and homemade raspberry jam at Bartavelle Cafe in Berkeley. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Since 2012, Bartavelle has been known for its simple yet satisfying seasonal menu of sandwiches, toasts (including the peak-season tomato tartine, which has its own following) and pastries. Drexhage worked for years at wine importer Kermit Lynch and then at Berkeley institution Chez Panisse as a server and cooking intern before launching Bartavelle with her son, Sobolewski, who runs the front of house. The mother and son duo originally opened Bartavelle in Alice Waters former Cafe Fanny, a tiny space between Kermit Lynch and Acme Bread. They later moved into a small takeout window around the corner, where there was almost always a line. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last summer, Bartavelle relocated into its gleaming new space down the street. It operated as a cafe during the day, and at night it stayed open as Bar Sardine to serve natural wine and a small, snacky menu. Chronicle associate restaurant critic Cesar Hernandez named it one of Berkeleys best restaurants, and one of the best places to drink coffee in the Bay Area. But with inflation and diners shifting post-pandemic habits, Bartavelles model went from barely sustainable to unsustainable pretty quickly, Sobolewski said. They considered making drastic changes to survive, he said, such as no longer baking their own pastries and cutting back on the amount of food made to order, but that felt like it would be turning Bartavelle into a skeletal version of itself. The owners are open to possible alternatives to closure, including someone investing in or buying the business. But as of now, there is not a plan to save Bartavelle, Sobolewski said. Its the latest closure announcement in the Bay Area, following the loss of places like Oaklands Lion Dance Cafe and Shakewell. If you can go out and support a place that you believe in, that you share their values and you love what they do, you should. And you should do it consistently, Sobolewski said. They might not be there the next time you want to go. This story has been updated to include comments from Sam Sobolewski. Apple just unveiled the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which join the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus the company announced earlier. These are Apple's more premium phones that have nicer screens and cameras than the regular models. Apple's iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, and the Apple 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display, larger than those of previous models, which measured in at 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches, respectively. The new models also have the "thinnest borders on any Apple product," Apple said, calling them "by far our best iPhone displays ever." The titanium is nearly half the weight of stainless steel and is "more scratch resistant than other forms of titanium others have used." The four finishes include white, black, natural and "desert." The company also said the new iPhone 16 Pro Max has "the best iPhone battery life ever" but did not offer additional details. The new iPhone Pro models include an A18 Pro chip with second-generation 3-nanometer transistors and a new 16-core neural engine that powers Apple Intelligence, designed specifically for generative artificial intelligence workloads, the company said, leading to a 17% increase in total system memory bandwidth. It is "even faster and more efficient than A18," the company said. The A18 Pro chip also powers new camera features, per Apple, including a new 48-megapixel "fusion camera," which can read data 2x faster, and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera that allows for more detail in wide-angle shots. The 5x telephoto camera offers more detail for zoom photos. Apple also introduced video capture in 4K at 120 frames per second, the iPhone camera's "highest resolution and frame rate yet." The Pro models have four "studio-quality" mics with reduced noise, designed in part for vocal and acoustic recordings, the company said, as well as spatial audio capture. A new "Audio Mix" feature, which Apple called an "industry first," uses machine learning to identify and separate background elements from a user's speech, the company said. Apple said a new update to Voice Memos, coming "later this year," will allow people to layer other tracks atop previously recorded voice memos. For example, the feature could help musicians testing out song ideas layer a guitar track over a vocal track they have previously recorded. The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999, and the Pro Max starts at $1,199, Apple said. Both models will be available for preorder on Friday, with in-store sales starting on Sept. 20. Hayden Field As November's Election Day draws nearer, so does bitcoin's eventual breakout from this year's narrow trading range, according to Bernstein. The flagship cryptocurrency has been stuck between $55,000 and $70,000 for most of the year after reaching its all-time high in March and is likely to remain in limbo until the U.S. determines its next president on Nov. 5. The outcome of the presidential election whether former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris were to win could result in a sizable impact on bitcoin prices, Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani said. "We expect the delta between the two political outcomes to be wide," he said in a note Monday. "We expect bitcoin to claim back new highs, in case of a Trump win and by Q4, we expect bitcoin to reach close to $80,000-$90,000 range. However, if Harris wins, we expect bitcoin to break the current floor around $50,000 and test the $30,000-$40,000 range, which it was when the bitcoin ETF momentum started in Q4'2023." BTC.CM= YTD mountain Bitcoin year-to-date Standard Chartered has forecast a bitcoin rally to $150,000 if Trump wins. Trump has made big overtures to the crypto industry over the summer. He has positioned himself as the pro-crypto candidate , appearing as a keynote speaker at this year's Bitcoin Conference in Nashville and saying he would remove U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler if elected. Harris has not shared a public view on crypto. Many crypto industry participants were disappointed when her campaign recently shared her policy positions with no mention of bitcoin or cryptocurrencies. "A crypto-friendly election outcome and positive regulatory environment is not priced in," Chhugani said. "The crypto market today is a story of survival in one of the toughest macro and regulatory environments. And the fact that bitcoin today is up 112% [ over the past 12 months] is a testament to the fundamental resiliency of decentralized digital assets and recent success of ETFs." "A positive regulatory environment would take away the policy risk for financial institutions and banks to participate, thus removing the handicap for digital assets to compete with traditional assets for institutional flows," he added. "After last 3 years of regulatory purge, a positive crypto regulatory policy, can spur innovation once again and bring the users back to financial products on the blockchain." Democratic lawmakers have been seen as less friendly toward cryptocurrency due largely to Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren's openly anti-crypto stance and Gensler's past legal battles with the crypto community than Republicans. That is changing quickly , however. TD Cowen recently pointed out that if Harris wins the election, her administration could be less hostile toward crypto than President Joe Biden's has been, although the comparison to a potential second Trump presidency is more challenging. egetable prices in China have risen significantly this summer, with analysts pointing to high temperatures and frequent rainfall as the main reasons. BEIJING China on Monday reported its consumer price index rose by 0.6% year on year in August, missing expectations as transportation and home goods prices, as well as rents declined. The CPI was estimated to have climbed 0.7% year on year in August, according to a Reuters poll. Food prices climbed by 2.8% year on year in August, the first positive print since June 2023, according to Wind Information data. Pork prices surged by 16.1% in August, while vegetable prices climbed by 21.8%. Pork, a food staple in China, has an outsized weighting in the country's consumer price index. Wang Yifan, agricultural analyst at Nanhua Futures, said that breeding cycles indicate pork prices can rise further in September and October, but will face pressure during the rest of the year. Core-CPI, which strips out food and energy prices, climbed by 0.3% in August from a year ago, a slower rise for a second-straight month. If you're considering a political candidate, it makes sense to examine their record on fiscal issues and how their policies have affected their constituents' finances. But what about the candidate's personal finances? Such are the conversations surrounding Minnesota governor and vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz. Walz and his wife Gwen earned about $300,000 in 2023, according to documents shared with the Wall Street Journal. His Republican rival, Senator J.D. Vance, disclosed 2022 income between $1.2 and $1.3 million. Even more interestingly, Walz told the Journal that he made a roughly $135,000 early withdrawal from a workplace retirement account last year to fund his daughter's college education. It's a move that financial advisors would tend to steer most clients away from. "Most of the time, it's not advisable," says Gerika Espinosa, a certified financial planner with DMBA in Salt Lake City, Utah. "Because people are doing it at the expense of their own retirement and then their retirement suffers. And then it's kind of a lose-lose situation." Walz is in an unusual situation For Walz, $135,000 represents a relatively small chunk of what he can expect to earn in retirement. The Wall Street Journal estimates the Walzes' retirement savings at more than $1 million, meaning that the early withdrawal likely represented somewhere in the neighborhood of 10% of the retirement fund. What's more, Walz's situation is a little different than most Americans'. He can expect ample pension income in retirement thanks to his years working as a teacher, national guardsman and politician some of which he's already collecting. Of Walz and his wife's roughly $300,000 in 2023 income, about $135,000 came from pensions or annuities. DON'T MISS: How to master your money and grow your wealth Walz's work history means that his retirement picture looks like a bit of a throwback, says Jamie Bosse, a certified financial planner and senior advisor at CGN Advisors in Manhattan Kansas. "When I first got into financial planning, they taught us that retirement spending was a three-legged stool. You could rely on pensions, Social Security and your personal savings," she says. Nowadays, with many pension plans frozen or eliminated and worries mounting about the future stability of Social Security, "that stool is really like a pogo stick," says Bosse. "Now more than ever, your future financial independence is directly related to your ability to save a portion of your income for retirement." In other words, Walz's move isn't ideal for anybody. But it's especially dangerous for the majority of Americans who will have to rely heavily on their investments to fund their retirement. Why it's best to avoid early withdrawals Joe Biden is posting on his social media X about his withdrawal from the US Presidential race. At least four major foreign influence operations aimed at the U.S. election have been identified by authorities and researchers in recent months, and U.S. intelligence officials warned Friday that foreign actors are ramping up their efforts to meddle. The Justice Department alleged the most high-profile influence operation of the 2024 cycle in an indictment Wednesday, accusing two Russian propagandists who work for the Russia-backed state media outlet RT of committing money laundering by funneling nearly $10 million to a conservative media outlet. The Justice Department also seized 32 domains from a Russia-based group of fake news sites that researchers call "Doppelganger." Those websites often mirrored legitimate news operations in an effort to spread pro-Russia narratives. Less than a month earlier, Iran was accused by the former President Donald Trump campaign of hacking into the email accounts of some of its staffers and leaking emails to U.S. news outlets. China has been accused of creating fake social media accounts pretending to be Americans. Representatives for those countries have denied the accusations. Together, the efforts highlight the ongoing concerns about foreign efforts to alter the 2024 U.S. election, which forecasters and pundits say has the chance to be a historically close race. But the campaigns also appear to have floundered. The Russia-backed media company had a middling YouTube presence that failed to attract significant viewership, while Iran's hack-and-leak has thus far failed to generate the kind of attention seen by previous operations. China's campaigns have similarly been found to have been narrow and lacking in reach. There are no indications to show any of these campaigns have had significant success in swaying voters, or even that they've directly reached many Americans, said Emerson Brooking, the director of strategy at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, which studies online propaganda. "I would emphasize how important it is to keep this in perspective," Brooking said. "That even when the numbers sound big, as a share of election-related activity and discourse in the United States, it is a drop in the ocean." "Your uncle's bad opinions probably don't come from the Russians," he added. That has done little to dent the momentum of these campaigns or the efforts to hunt them down. The Office of the Director National Intelligence's Foreign Malign Influence Center, the U.S. intelligence community's dedicated group for countering foreign propaganda aimed at the election, has maintained that election manipulation efforts are ongoing and that each country has clear goals: Russia aims to support Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, Iran aims to hurt Trump's candidacy, and China has decided not to use its existing propaganda apparatus to promote one U.S. presidential candidate over the other, though experts say it is perpetually interested in undermining U.S. support for democracy. Timothy Armoo, a co-founder and former CEO of influencer marketing firm Fanbytes, is not what you might expect from a multi-millionaire. He doesn't own any mansions or property at all saying he prefers to spend some of his money on eclectic investments, ranging from exotic fruit businesses in Africa to funding the sale of a lithium mine. Armoo made his money selling Fanbytes to digital marketing agency Brainlabs in May 2022 for an eight-figure sum (the exact amount has not been made public). But the young entrepreneur told CNBC Make It that he felt "almost too crippled to spend the money" after growing up poor in public housing in south London. Describing what he called a "scarcity mindset" that he developed growing up, Armoo said: "I was convinced that if I started to spend the money, it would all start to go." "I would track it every week, maybe twice a week," he said. "I had this spreadsheet where I would track to the penny how much I had." Armoo knew he had to find a way to come to terms with the fact that he was now wealthy, and wasn't about to lose it all so he called his bank. "I said: 'I would like to come and take out a million pounds in cash.'" After various checks, Armoo collected the cash from the bank and took it home in a big bag. He then spread it all out over his bed. "I just looked at it," he said. "The reason I did that was that I wanted to make it very visceral to me that: 'Dude, if all else fails, if you spend everything on gambling, or you spend it on crypto, or something bad, at the very least, you have a million pounds in cash.'" CEO Keba Konte, at his Berkeley coffee shop in 2023, founded Red Bay in 2014. The company recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle One of the Bay Areas most prominent coffee roasters has filed for bankruptcy as it faces spiraling costs from multiple lawsuits, according to court filings. Red Bay Coffee, known for its culturally inclusive approach to coffee and for creative drinks like candied yam lattes, filed in late August for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which allows businesses to restructure their finances and continue operations. CEO Keba Konte will continue to operate the business, which includes five Bay Area coffee shops, as a debtor in possession. The San Francisco Business Times first reported the story. Konte and Red Bays legal counsel were not immediately available for comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Red Bay holds just over $251,000 in assets, which includes about $27,000 in cash and about $224,000 in additional property, with liabilities of over $3.3 million, Konte estimated in bankruptcy filings. The companys net losses from January to July of this year exceeded $850,500. In a court declaration, Konte, who said he draws an annual salary of $180,000 from the business, cited the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the high cost of two lawsuits against the roaster as major stressors on the business finances. Bags of coffee beans at Red Bay Coffees retail location in Berkeley. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle One of these lawsuits dated Dec. 31, 2018, relates to an employment claim from Ashley Stewart, a Black woman and a former account executive for Red Bay. In the lawsuit, Stewart alleges she was sexually harassed in separate incidents by three different co-workers. She also alleges discrimination based on gender and sex, the companys failure to prevent these and retaliation, among others. Red Bay denied the claims in a response filed on Feb. 19, 2019. The other case mentioned in the bankruptcy filing relates to a breach of contract brought by a Los Angeles landlord that controls a building Red Bay no longer occupies. Last summer, Konte told the Chronicle that he had plans to open in Southern California. There is also one open investigation before the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission related to claims raised by a former employee. Keba Konte, founder of Red Bay Coffee, prepares a latte at the companys Berkeley cafe. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle The company, headquartered in Oaklands Fruitvale neighborhood, operates cafes including at the San Francisco Ferry Building and Oaklands Grand Lake neighborhood. Its most recent new additions were in Berkeley and San Franciscos Cow Hollow. In addition to its coffee shops, Red Bays other active business channels include retail sales of canned coffee beverages and roasted beans, direct-to-consumer sales, and wholesale account sales. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Konte began Red Bay in 2014 as a way to offer greater representation in the local specialty coffee world. An artist, he had previously operated a cafe and art gallery called Guerilla Coffee in Berkeley. Globally, Black and Brown people are the ones growing the coffee, Konte told the Chronicle last year, noting the coffee originates in East Africa and is grown in tropical regions. But when you engage with the specialty coffee scene in the U.S., historically, it has been a very white environment. Red Bay cafes have hosted inclusive community events, such as Queer Soup Night in 2019. Josie Norris/The Chronicle In the bankruptcy filing, Konte wrote of Red Bays unrivaled employment and training practices, which involve welcoming into leadership those historically marginalized within the specialty coffee industry, especially people of color, the formerly incarcerated, women and people with disabilities. The cafes also became known as community gathering spaces, frequently hosting cultural events. Black coffee is a movement, Konte previously told the Chronicle. In the last three or four years its really caught fire. Actor James Earl Jones attends the "The Gin Game" Broadway opening night after party at Sardi's on October 14, 2015 in New York City. Jemal Countess | Getty Images One of the most famous voices of all time has gone silent. James Earl Jones, whose prodigious acting talent was often overshadowed by his distinctive baritone over a seven-decade career that spanned stage and screen, died Monday, his representative said. He was 93. A contemporary of Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte, Jones didn't land the same coveted leading roles at a time when there were few to go around for Black actors in Hollywood, but he earned unmatched longevity as a character actor, from his first movie credit in 1964's "Dr. Strangelove" to his reprisal of his role as King Joffer in the 2021 sequel to "Coming to America." "James Earl Jones doesn't get enough credit for being a path-blazer for actors like Denzel Washington who came after him," said Rae Dawn Chong, his co-star in the 1986 comedy "Soul Man." It was treading the boards of Broadway and beyond where Jones forged his place at the top of the marquee. Of his turn as the title character in the 1964 production of "Othello" in Central Park, The New York Times gushed: "Mr. Jones commands a full, resonant voice and a supple body, and his jealous rages and frothing frenzy have not only size but also emotional credibility." It was, of course, that resonant voice that would eventually become his trademark. While he earned two Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, an honorary Academy Award and a Grammy over his long career, he may be best remembered for an uncredited role in "Star Wars" supplying the voice for Darth Vader, which has reverberated far beyond that galaxy far, far away. "I'm a journeyman," Jones told "TODAY's" Al Roker in a 2017 interview. "I wandered into some interesting situations." Making his journey all the more remarkable is that one of the most recognizable voices in Hollywood history had to overcome a severe stutter during his childhood in Mississippi and Michigan before he could take the first step. Actor James Earl Jones sits for a portrait at the Longacre Theatre in New York, NY on September 16th, 2014. Jesse Dittmar | The Washington Post | Getty Images Jones, born Jan. 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, said he grew up as a shy and quiet child, wary of speaking and drawing attention to his speech impediment. With his father, Robert, a boxer turned actor, having left home to establish a theater career in Chicago, Jones was shipped to his maternal grandparents' farm in rural Michigan at age 5. There, the trajectory of his life changed in high school, when an English teacher taught him how to sound out each word carefully. "I [could] now say things that great writers wrote. I would never have thought of it myself," Jones told "TODAY" years later. Jones discovered a love of acting at the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in 1955 after a two-year tour of duty in the Army. That's when he moved to New York City, as his father had years earlier, to break into acting. He worked as a janitor part time to pay the bills while he studied at the American Theatre Wing, according to Biography. With his booming baritone and stage presence, Jones didn't have to wait long to get noticed, making his Broadway debut in the late 1950s in the play "Sunrise at Campobello." In 1961, he gained acclaim for the U.S. premiere of Jean Genet's "The Blacks" at the St. Mark's Playhouse, which co-starred a cast of then-unknowns, including Cicely Tyson, Maya Angelou and Louis Gossett Jr. Having reconnected with his father, the younger Jones appeared in several stage productions with him in New York, including "Infidel Caesar" and "Moon on a Rainbow Shawl" in 1962 and "Of Mice and Men" five years later. The younger Jones became a regular in the Shakespeare in the Park program in 1962, with his lauded performance in "Othello" two years later catapulting him to stardom in the New York theater scene. James Earl Jones and Darth Vader "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" . Jim Spellman | Wireimage | Getty Images The production earned him more than critical accolades: Jones would ultimately marry his Desdemona, co-star Julienne Marie. The marriage, which lasted from 1968 through 1972, caused a mild stir at the time given the era's racist taboos surrounding interracial marriage. Being in New York, then also the center of the TV universe, had advantages for a working actor. Jones scored his first Emmy nomination in 1964 for a guest-starring turn in the drama "East Side/West Side." But national audiences would get their first exposure to him the same year in a small role in "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb." Jones hit the pinnacle of any Broadway veteran's career with the play "The Great White Hope," in which he starred as a fictionalized version of the real-life boxer Jack Johnson. His performance earned him the Tony for best actor in a play in 1969, breaking the color barrier of the most important acting awards in theater. "When he was 'The Great White Hope,' it was shortly after [Martin Luther] King's assassination, and there were riots in the streets of the United States," said Dominic Taylor, a professor of African American theater at UCLA. "And here is this Black man who wins for this role in which he's Jack Johnson, basically. I don't think people today are aware of how earthshaking that was." Jones would go on to star in the 1970 cinematic adaptation of the play, a turn that would earn him a Golden Globe and his only Academy Award nomination. Jones would lose the best actor Oscar to George C. Scott ("Patton"). That early success, however, didn't seem to translate into many more high-profile film roles in the 1970s, although he did star opposite Diahann Carroll in the 1974 dramedy "Claudine." "Hollywood back then only had room for a certain number of Black actors," said Wilson Morales, the founder and editor of blackfilmandtv.com. "He never really got the big roles compared to Sidney Poitier. "Almost all the roles that he had over the years, they were largely supporting roles," Morales said of Jones. Jones would win a Grammy for best spoken word recording in 1977, an early sign of the recognition for his voice. His most visible on-screen role may have been playing author Alex Haley in the landmark 1977 television miniseries "Roots," based on Haley's family history. Despite the estimated 130 million viewers who tuned in for "Roots," it would turn out to be just the second-highest-profile gig he booked that year. Director George Lucas tapped Jones to do some voiceover work for a quirky space opera called "Star Wars" to dub over Darth Vader actor David Prowse's heavy British accent, made worse by the muffle effect of the mask. Jones later said he asked to keep his name out of the credits because Prowse did all the work, but such humility wouldn't keep him from being enshrined as part of the biggest pop culture phenomenon in modern history. Read more from NBC News: Princess Kate says she's completed 'tough' chemotherapy treatment for cancer Research shows our bodies go through rapid changes in our 40s and our 60s Existing newborn screenings may be able to identify risk of sudden infant death syndrome, study finds Jones married the actor Celia Hart in 1982, the same year he starred opposite budding action star Arnold Schwarzenegger as an evil sorcerer in "Conan the Barbarian." The marriage would produce a son, Flynn, the same year, and it would last until Hart's death of ovarian cancer in 2016. Now a father, Jones continued to work steadily through the 1980s. Chong remembered the first day she met Jones on the set of "Soul Man," then intimidated as a girl who grew up with "Star Wars." "All the cast was a little afraid of him, not just because he was this towering great of an actor who was Othello in New York and his history," Chong said. "But in fact, he [turned out to be[ a gentle giant, extremely generous. He's very kind and soft-spoken." Settling into his 50s and past the expiration date for the leading man parts of the era, Jones piled together an impressive run of supporting parts, including roles in "Field of Dreams" (1987), "Matewan" (1987) and "The Hunt for Red October" (1990), a role he would reprise for two sequels. Perhaps his most famous role of the decade not counting "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" (1983), of course was as Eddie Murphy's father in the 1988 comedy "Coming to America." "You have to remember 'Coming to America' was the biggest Black film of its time," Morales said. "It was the 'Black Panther' of the era." He also kept one foot on the boards, earning his second Tony award in 1987 for August Wilson's "Fences" a role that Denzel Washington would play in a movie version 29 years later. In 1990, Jones was cast as the lead in the TV drama "Gabriel's Fire," the type of signature role that might have been better appreciated had the series run on a premium cable network two decades later. At the time, however, TV execs considered the material too dark and canceled the show after one season. Show co-creator Jacqueline Zambrano remembered being called to meet with Jones about a script during a break in shooting. In most cases, that meant the star would have diva-like demands for rewrites. "I sat down and immediately opened my notebook and I had my pen poised," Zambrano said. "He started talking about a particular scene and asking me questions. Then we went on to another scene, and, you know, we talked as long as we could until they were ready for him on set. James Earl Jones accepts the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre onstage during the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017 in New York City. Theo Wargo | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images Here are Monday's biggest calls on Wall Street: JPMorgan reiterates Apple as overweight The firm is standing by its overweight rating on the stock heading into Apple 's iPhone event Monday. "The 'unknowns' and watchpoints from the upcoming launch event will include pricing and shipping dates, release date of iOS 18 and additionally incremental features and integrations over the ones already highlighted at WWDC to reinforce higher engagement from developers as well as AI partners." Morgan Stanley downgrades Church & Dwight to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said the stock's thesis has already "played out." "We are downgrading CHD to EW, with our prior OW thesis having essentially played out, and relative valuation now fair after a 28% run-up in the stock since the beginning of 2023, 2,400 bps above the median of our coverage group at 4%, and 1,500 bps above large cap staples peers." Deutsche Bank downgrades Colgate-Palmolive to hold from buy Deutsche said the stock's upside is already priced in. "We are today downgrading Colgate-Palmolive (CL) to a Hold rating (from Buy), even as we raise our target price to $109 on a roll-forward in time. In our view, CL continues to execute well, with potential paths to upside on both revenue and gross margin looking ahead into FY25." UBS upgrades Janus Henderson to neutral from sell UBS said management's new vision is going to "bear fruit" for the capital market company. "We are assuming coverage and upgrading JHG from Sell to Neutral, as recent results indicate improving fundamentals and early signs of success under CEO Ali Dibadj's new strategic vision." Jefferies upgrades Exlservice Holdings to buy from hold Jefferies said the analytics and digital solutions company is an AI beneficiary. "We also upgrade EXLS to Buy on industry leading growth and, counter intuitively, it being an AI beneficiary." Citi upgrades MarineMax to buy from neutral Citi said the boat dealer is a "strong play" in a Fed pivot. "We are upgrading shares of MarineMax from Neutral to Buy, while raising our target from $40 to $44." JPMorgan initiates Wave Life Sciences as overweight JPMorgan said the biotech company is well positioned. "We initiate coverage of Wave Life Sciences with an OW rating and Dec-25 PT of $10." JPMorgan reiterates Eli Lilly as overweight The firm said the biopharma company is well positioned for growth and is a best idea. "And while shares trade at a significant premium to peers, we see unprecedented growth for LLY over the next decade led by the company's incretin franchise as supporting the multiple." Morgan Stanley reiterates Microsoft as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's sticking with its overweight rating on the stock. "On August 21, Microsoft shared new disclosures regarding segment changes, metrics changes, and the corresponding re-allocation of an unchanged FQ1 outlook." Morgan Stanley reiterates Nvidia as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's sticking with its overweight rating on the stock. " NVIDIA gross margins are likely to come down slightly, but the concerns are overblown in our view." JPMorgan initiates GE Healthcare as neutral JPMorgan initiated the stock with a neutral and said it's not "fully comfortable with the margin of safety nor have material confidence in the timing of a China rebound and therefore initiate with a Neutral rating." "We are initiating on GE HealthCare with a Neutral rating and December 2025 price target of $90." Morgan Stanley reiterates Costco as overweight Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $950 per share from $855. "We believe COST's growth drivers are durable, and both historical performance as well as our view of the future of retail point to further upside." Morgan Stanley reiterates CrowdStrike as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's sticking with its overweight rating on the cyber security company. "We're tactically cautious into CRWD's investor day on 9/18." JPMorgan upgrades U.S. Steel & Nucor to overweight from neutral JPMorgan said in its upgrade of Nucor that it has "strong product diversification." The firm also upgraded U.S. Steel and said investors should buy the dip. "Hence, we upgrade NUE to OW-rated and STLD to N-rated given strong product diversification. We also upgrade X to OW-rated after the recent pullback represents an attractive buying opportunity on standalone valuation support." Citi reiterates Dell as buy Citi said it sees multiple positive catalysts ahead after the company's inclusion in the S & P 500. "Dell's shares rallied (+5%) post close on Friday September 6, following the announcement that the company will rejoin the S & P 500 index, beginning September 23." Bank of America upgrades JetBlue to neutral from underperform Bank of America said it sees an "improving backdrop" for the airline. "Air travel demand as measured by TSA throughput has been stable in recent weeks as domestic capacity continues to moderate, coinciding with falling fuel prices. While we view these recent trends as an industry tailwind, we see JBLU's positioning as further supported by ongoing self-help measures as demonstrated by last week's positive investor update." Bank of America upgrades Texas Capital to buy from underperform Bank of America said the bank holding company's shares are compelling. "On Friday, TCBI announced a series of transactions which help to narrow the gap vs. mgmt.'s 2025 financial targets (reiterated). Additional progress is still required but we believe this business update eliminates the bear thesis on the stock." Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes an announcement on the future of his campaign in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. August 23, 2024. Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will appear on the ballot in Michigan in November, the state's Supreme Court ruled Monday, a decision that could boost the national candidacy of Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris over GOP nominee former President Donald Trump. The Supreme Court overturned the state's Court of Appeals ruling Friday that had removed Kennedy from the state's ballot against the wishes of Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The majority decision by the high court on Monday was unsigned. But the text of the order implies that five of the seven justices who considered the case voted to keep Kennedy's name on the ballot. Harris leads Trump in Michigan polling averages regardless of the number of candidates. But her edge over Trump shrinks in a head-to-head matchup there. Michigan's 15 votes in the Electoral College the entity that selects the winners of the U.S. presidential elections is the second-highest number of any swing state, after Pennsylvania. When Kennedy suspended his campaign on Aug. 23 and pledged to support Trump, he said he planned to remove his name from ballots in swing states among them Michigan where doing so would benefit Trump. Kennedy, who was nominated by the Natural Law Party in Michigan, sued Benson after she rejected his request to remove his name. Benson in her decision cited Michigan law, which says that minor party candidates who accept a nomination cannot withdraw from an election. The majority in the Michigan Supreme Court, in its ruling Monday, wrote that Kennedy "has neither pointed to any source of law that prescribes and defines a duty to withdraw a candidate's name from the ballot nor demonstrated his clear legal right to performance of this specific duty." "Thus, [Kennedy] has not shown an entitlement to this extraordinary relief," the court majority said in its ruling. The two justices who dissented from the ruling, Brian Zahra and David Viviano, wrote that by keeping Kennedy on Michigan's ballot, "the Secretary of State is improperly and needlessly denying the electorate a choice between persons who are actual candidates willing to serve if elected." The dissenters in their last words underscored how significant the majority ruling could be to the outcome of the presidential race. "We can only hope that the Secretary's misguided action now sanctioned with the imprimatur of this Court will not have national implications," they wrote. Wisconsin and North Carolina also denied Kennedy's request to remove his name from the ballots there. As in Michigan, Kennedy sued officials in those two other states seeking to drop his name from their ballots. A North Carolina appeals court on Friday sided with Kennedy, ordering the state's election officials not to mail out ballots with his name as they had planned to do on that same day. Paul Cox, the general counsel for North Carolina's elections board, wrote in a memo to county election directors on Friday that "no decision has been made on whether this ruling will be appealed." A judge has yet to rule on Kennedy's lawsuit in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, Harris' polling lead over Trump shrinks when the race narrows to two candidates, according to RealClearPolling, and in North Carolina, Trump pulls ahead in that scenario. Kennedy successfully withdrew his name from ballots in four other battleground states: Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada and Georgia. But polling shows that in Georgia and Nevada, a two-way race may increase Harris' chances, not Trump's. A handful of stocks could prove to be smooth sailing for investors looking to ride out a historically volatile September. Stocks got off to a shaky start this month, with last week marking the worst performance since March 2023 for the S & P 500. Even though the market clawed its way higher on Monday, September is known as a volatile stretch for investors and further swings could be ahead. The broad-based index has logged losses over the past four Septembers. Further complicating the market's effort to break with historical precedent is the backdrop of the 2024 election. Some investors expect the final result will not be known on election night, further drawing out the process and the uncertainty that accompanies it. Against this backdrop, CNBC Pro screened for stocks that could be candidates to ride out an uneasy fall, abiding by the following criteria: Stocks maintain a beta below 1, indicating low volatility Shares have advanced more than 13% year to date, beating the broader market Average analyst price targets imply at least 10% ahead You can search for more stocks and customize this screen here, or make your own using the CNBC Pro Stock Screener Tool . Eli Lilly made the list. Shares have advanced about 55% in 2024, and analysts polled by LSEG forecast nearly 11% upside ahead for the pharmaceutical stock. What's more, the stock touts a low beta of roughly 0.44. The company's second-quarter results easily surpassed Wall Street estimates last month, and it boosted its full-year revenue forecast on the back of strong demand for its diabetes treatment Mounjaro and its weight loss drug Zepbound. LLY YTD mountain Eli Lilly stock. TJX also made the low-volatility list due to its beta of 0.88. Shares of the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls parent have advanced roughly 25% in 2024. The retailer has found success wooing a more cost-conscious consumer away from discounters such as Target. The company upped its full-year earnings forecast on the heels of stronger-than-expected second-quarter results. TJX executives also noted plans to increase its presence globally with a $360 million stake in Brands for Less. TJX YTD mountain TJX Companies stock. Analysts polled by LSEG forecast more than 12% upside ahead for TJX stock. Other low-volatility names on the list include Omnicom Group and Kroger . Swiss company VAT Group is poised to benefit significantly from the growth in artificial intelligence, according to analysts at a number of investment banks. Investment firm Vontobel highlighted the company as a key player in the AI chips supply chain. The stock is listed in Switzerland and also trades in the U.S . Vontobel's analyst said that AI could be "the biggest technology shift of our lifetimes," with the global semiconductor industry projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. "We estimate that AI-related semiconductors will account for 30-40% of the total chip market by 2027," said Michael Foeth, senior equity analyst at Vontabel, in a note to clients on Aug. 5. "Semiconductor equipment technology is enabling this inflection," he added, naming VAT as a key stock set to benefit. VAT Group Vontobel has a "buy" rating on VAT Group, with a price target of 540 Swiss Francs ($641), representing a potential 35% upside. The company, headquartered in Haag, Switzerland, specializes in the development and manufacture of vacuum valves used in semiconductor production. Their products are used by other semiconductor supply chain companies, such as Lam Research , to set up so-called "ultra-clean rooms" for chip production. VAC.N-CH 1Y line Vontobel is not alone in its bullish stance on VAT. Investment bank Jefferies' Olivia Honychurch has a price target of 700 Swiss francs on the stock, indicating an upside of 75%. UBS also notes potential risks associated with ongoing AI-trade tensions between the United States and China, which could impact up to 10% of global semiconductor equipment capital expenditure. FactSet estimates that 25% of the sector's total revenue is derived from China, while U.S. sales comprise 22%. However, RBC Capital Markets the most bearish among those covering VAT upgraded the stock to "sector perform" from "underperform" in August, citing confidence in the wafer fab equipment (WFE) market. "We remain overall confident on the WFE market outlook and VAT's role within. Estimates drop somewhat (lower high-margin China business and FX headwinds) without impairing the underlying story," said RBC's Sebastian Kuenne. Comet, Inficon Vontobel also highlighted Comet and Inficon as potential beneficiaries of the AI boom, albeit with more measured expectations. The bank has a "hold" rating on Comet, a provider of x-ray and radio frequency technology, with a price target of 345 Swiss francs, indicating a 10% upside. Inficon, which specializes in making instruments for gas analysis and measurement, also has a "hold" rating from Vontobel, with a price target of 1,270 Swiss francs, suggesting an 8% upside. Analysts at major Wall Street banks are getting more cautious on chip darling ASML , raising concerns about the critical chip equipment maker's demand outlook. Earlier this week, investment bank UBS downgraded ASML to "neutral" and cut its price target on the stock to 900 euros ($1,000.78) from 1,050 euros previously. In the note, UBS said that it expects to see a "plateau in litho intensity," or the percentage of cost associated with lithography tools versus other wafer fabrication equipment tools, in both logic and memory chips. ASML is behind a key technology involved in chip manufacturing known as EUV, or extreme ultraviolet lithography. The company's EUV machines generate a short wavelength of light in large quantities to print small, complex designs on microchips. These tools are critical pieces of equipment for the semiconductor industry, with major firms ranging from TSMC to Intel relying on ASML's technology to produce their chips. Other Wall Street banks have subsequently come out with their own respective analyses on ASML and they're more downbeat than they were before. Morgan Stanley followed UBS in cutting its price target for the shares to 925 euros, down from a previous 1,000 euros and removed ASML from its basket of "top pick" stocks. The bank's analysts stressed that they still view ASML as a "growth cyclical name with high-quality earnings," but that its valuation may have "peaked" at 30 to 35 times its price-to-earnings ratio in July. Still, the stock "can re-rate from here, we believe, as rewards outweigh risks," Morgan Stanley said. Morgan Stanley analysts added that, though artificial intelligence infrastructure spending remains high, ASML could be vulnerable to an "unwind of inflated expectations" related to the technology. ASML had been a key beneficiary of the AI momentum earlier this year, with the stock climbing as much as 50% from the start of the year to a peak of 1,002 euros at one point in July. However, ASML has seen considerable declines since then, falling nearly 30% from its all-time high. On Friday, analysts at Bank of America cut their price target on ASML shares to 1,064 euros from 1,302 euros previously, citing "lower EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization] estimates and lower multiples." The bank remains bullish on the stock, though, keeping ASML in its top pick for EU semiconductor equipment stocks. "We see the recent pull back as particularly enhanced buying opportunity," analysts at the bank said. Uncertainty over adoption of 'High NA' tool One thing analysts have raised concern on was the timeline for adoption of ASML's next-generation "High NA" EUV machines. NA stands for numerical aperture. These machines are expected to allow chipmakers to build even more sophisticated chips to power the next generation of electronic devices. In Morgan Stanley's note, the bank said that it expects adoption of ASML's High NA machines to be "lumpy," and sees "risk of an 'air gap' in 2026, with ramp more likely in 2027-28." Still, analysts at Morgan Stanley added that growth in cutting-edge logic and memory chips bodes well for ASML's ongoing order book recovery this year. UBS cautioned ASML's machines could face a slowdown in demand due to an "architecture shift" to gate all around architecture, or GAA. GAA refers to a transistor design that places a gate on all four sides of the channel of an electric current flow to improve a chip's performance and power efficiency. Another key factor that may weigh on ASML is semiconductor firms re-using existing inventory of ASML EUV they already own to produce new chips, rather than buying fresh equipment. UBS suggested that this trend could be particularly heightened among memory chip firms. Several top memory chip makers work with ASML, including Samsung and Nvidia supplier SK Hynix. Morgan Stanley warned of a "slowdown in Installed Base Management (IBM) growth," citing a potential peak in usage of its existing machines in the years 2025 and 2026. U.S.-China restrictions could apply demand pressure Meanwhile, ASML has also found itself the target of geopolitical headwinds. Another factor that top bank analysts cited in their caution on ASML was that U.S.-China tensions over trade and technology could exacerbate a possible slowing of China demand in the years ahead. "We expect semi-cap equipment vendors, including ASML, to remain optimistic on China demand through the rest of this year and into next," Morgan Stanley analysts said in their note Thursday, adding they don't expect a significant decline in China revenues next year, even as China declines in the overall sales mix. However, it said there are risks to the demand picture in China, namely a potential slowdown in demand in 2026 and possible changes to export restrictions that could further impact ASML sales over the mid-to-long term. On Friday, the U.S. government rolled out new export controls on critical technologies, including advanced chipmaking tools. The Biden administration had already previously imposed restrictions on exports of ASML's advanced semiconductor equipment to China. Subsequently Friday, the Dutch government announced it would bring licensing requirements of ASML 's machines under its purview, effectively taking over control of the firm's exports to China. The government said this move is aimed at defending Dutch national security. ASML said in a statement Friday that the latest measures mark a "technical change" that are not expected to have any impact on its financial outlook for 2024 or for its "longer-term scenarios." Christophe Fouquet, CEO of ASML, said at a Citi conference in New York earlier this week that U.S.-led restrictions on the company have become more "economically motivated" over time, adding he expects more push-back on the curbs. In UBS' note Wednesday, the bank said that it expects China spending on lithography machines to normalize "following a strong push towards localization in the context of trade tensions." Analysts at the bank said they expect the share of ASML's revenues that come from China to decline by 24% and 11% in 2025 and 2026, respectively. A great buying opportunity? Not all Wall Street banks have a downbeat view on ASML looking ahead. Investment bank Jefferies said in a note to clients earlier this week that, in contrast to UBS' view, a move toward GAA architecture would do little to affect demand for ASML's EUV machines. The bank said that lithography tools and GAA semiconductor architecture were "both two sides of the same coin." The firm said in a follow-up note, following the fresh U.S. restrictions, that it saw weakness in ASML shares this week as "a great buying opportunity." Jefferies added that it doesn't see any impact from the U.S.-led trade curbs on ASML on the company's outlook for 2025 and subsequent years. NSE The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has lifted restrictions imposed on employees of Infosys and connected entities, dismissing allegations of insider trading that led to the original orders in 2021.In the final order dated September 9, 2024, SEBI vacated the directions issued through an interim order and a confirmatory order that had previously restricted the involved parties.The regulator's decision follows an investigation into insider trading claims from December 1, 2019, to November 30, 2020, encompassing financial results for four quarters. SEBI's earlier actions were based on the belief that certain employees and their connections had profited from trades influenced by unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI).The restrictions had drawn significant attention, particularly after two employees, Pranshu Bhutra and Venkatasubramaniyam VV, filed appeals with the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT), which quashed SEBI's orders in April 2022. Following this, 16 people received a show-cause notice in December 2022.SEBI's investigation suggested that Bhutra had access to UPSI due to frequent interactions with Venkatasubramaniyam and another colleague, Sunil Kumar Dareshwar. Allegations claimed that Bhutra passed this information to Amit Bhutra, who then shared it with other recipients of the notice. However, the final order stated that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims, leading to the dismissal of all allegations against the involved parties.In addition to lifting the restrictions, SEBI also released any funds impounded from those alleged to have benefited from the trades. This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding insider trading allegations within Infosys. NSE Lee Thiam Wahs first retail venture was selling snacks from a roadside stall in Malaysia. Several decades later, the entrepreneur has transformed that humble beginning into a sprawling retail empire of more than 2,600 convenience stores across the nation.Today, the 60-year-old will be minted as a billionaire after his company 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd goes public in Kuala Lumpur.The $531 million initial public offering is Malaysias largest in seven years. At the IPO price of 1.65 ringgit ($0.38) per share, Lees fortune is about $3.3 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.The listing cements Kuala Lumpur as the busiest location for market debuts in Southeast Asia this year and shows investor optimism in the nations growth potential. The firms shares are seen as a way to build exposure to the consumer sector in an economy thats projected to expand as much as 5% this year.It comes at a crucial moment for both Malaysias IPO landscape and Southeast Asias capital markets, said Mohit Mirpuri, a senior partner and fund manager at Singapore-based SGMC Capital Pte Ltd. This could boost market sentiment and position Malaysia as a key player, in regional listings, he said.Lee was born in 1964 in Klang, one of several cities littering the stretch between Kuala Lumpur and the shores of the Malacca Strait. His father, a construction worker, and his mother, a hawker, had 11 children and could only afford to send Lee to school for six years.His first retail venture that roadside stall was born of necessity. As a child he contracted polio and permanently lost the use of his legs.Nobody would hire me due to my physical limitation, he told Forbes in 2012. I have to help myself.Lee opened a grocery shop in 1987 and a decade later he was running eight stores under the name Pasar Mini 99, where his wife, Ng Lee Tieng, 44, started her career as a purchasing executive in 1997. Until the IPO, the couple were the companys sole owners.Today, the chain is the largest of its kind in Malaysia, holding a 40% share in the mini-market segment and nearly 12% among all grocery retailers, according to the IPO prospectus.Lees journey is an inspiring example for small business owners, showing that with determination, perseverance and a customer-focused approach, its possible to scale a business, even from humble beginnings, said SGMCs Mirpuri.Lee will remain as the companys chief executive officer. The 99 Speed Mart chain forms the bulk of his net worth, along with cash collected from dividends and the share sale.He also holds stakes in multiple closely held businesses, including the sole Malaysian franchisor of Burger King restaurants. Last year he also briefly emerged as one of the biggest individual shareholders in Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd. with a roughly 5% stake, regulatory filings show.As the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index equities benchmark heads to its best year since 2010, listings are back after years of lackluster growth.99 Speed Marts listing attracted 14 cornerstone investors that included abrdn Asia Ltd. and UOB Asset Management (Malaysia).About 28% of the proceeds from the IPO will go to the company, which plans to setup new outlets and distribution centers, purchase delivery trucks and repay loans, according to the prospectus. The company posted a profit after tax of 133.2 million ringgit on revenue of 2.4 billion ringgit for the first three months of 2024.The mini-mart operators tagline Near n Save is part of a business model that emphasizes convenience and easy access for consumers, said Arun George, an analyst at Global Equity Research who publishes on the platform Smartkarma.The scale of the firms operations create a barrier to entry and expansion for other mini-market players in Malaysia, hindering their ability to compete effectively he said. Daymond Gascon/The Chronicle For years, rumors flew that Kyra Worthy, executive director of SF SAFE, a nonprofit contracted with the San Francisco Police Department, was mishandling tax dollars. For those in city government, Worthys arrest earlier this year for allegedly funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars toward expensive parties, among other things, hardly came as a surprise. The question was what took so long? During the past few years, members of the citys Public Works department, the Department of Building Inspection and the Public Utilities Commission were convicted for money laundering, fraud and bribery. Understandably, these incidents have eroded public trust in city government. Clearly, the city needs better systems to unearth governmental corruption and effectively investigate contractors who receive taxpayer funds. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Proposition C on the November ballot is an anti-corruption measure that would create the new position of inspector general. Operating in the San Francisco Controllers Office, the inspector general would endeavor to weed out misconduct and fraud in city government and with contractors like SF SAFE. Notably, this would not be an elected position, subject to political pressure. Instead, the inspector general would be appointed and supervised by the controller also a mostly autonomous unelected position pending approval of the mayor and the Board of Supervisors. The inspector general would then issue regular public reports, shining a light on its investigations. Inspectors general have enjoyed success in other cities: Washington, D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans and Atlanta have the position. The first report released by Chicagos new inspector general earlier this year highlighted the shoddy investigation of a police officer accused of assault and the case of a city water department employee who fraudulently obtained $40,000 in federal Paycheck Protection Program funds. Whistleblower complaints of alleged misdeeds in San Francisco are already fielded by the Controllers Office. But the controller isnt authorized to issue subpoenas to investigate city contractors like SF SAFE. The Ethics Commission, another city watchdog, can do this. However, an inspector general backed by auditors and other resources within the controllers office could take on larger, more complex cases. About Opinion The editorial positions of The Chronicle, including election recommendations, represent the consensus of the editorial board, consisting of the publisher, the editorial page editor and staff members of the opinion pages. Its judgments are made independent of the news operation, which covers the news without consideration of our editorial positions. An inspector general would allow the city to be proactive about misconduct, not just reactive. When news articles or rumors unearth alleged wrongdoing, an inspector general would be empowered to pursue those leads, even if a whistleblower hasnt stepped forward. As the measures author, Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, told the editorial board, We do a good job when someone points out the fire, but we dont do a good job when we smell smoke. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Take a look at the map below. It probably seems to you like everythings in order. Thats no fault of yours, given that the world maps youve looked at, whether in your high-school geography class or in the poster collection of someone who wants to appear worldly, are wildly inaccurate. Dont worry, the issue doesnt lie in which countries connect and where. Its not like Mexicos been attached to New Zealand this whole time and nobody told you. Don't Miss What is wrong and significantly so is the surface area and comparative size of the continents and countries you see. For example, looking at this, you might be able to tell that Africas obviously a bit bigger than the U.S. What it doesnt clearly communicate is that the entire landmass of the U.S. doesn't even cover a third of Africa. The U.S. measures in at a puny 3.8 million square miles, while Africa dwarfs it at 11.7 million square miles. Jacopo Bertolotti It s like realizing the guy you just spilled your drink on was sitting on a really tiny chair. So why the hell have we been looking at places like the U.S. and Europe through a fish-eye lens, like theyre popping a sick kickflip, this whole time? Is it just because of good old Eurocentrism, white cartographers making the places they care about bigger because of a deep-seated insecurity? Well, no, but there are some pretty good arguments that those preferences have both supported and benefited from the widespread adoption of this particular map. The problem here is obnoxiously simple: trying to show the surface of a sphere using a rectangle, which is straight-up mathematically impossible. If you dont believe me, go try to peel a clementine and end up with neatly squared off fruit-skin. So, things have to be massaged into place. The process of representing the surface of our famously round earth as flat is called a projection, and the one youre familiar with is known as the Mercator projection. It was drawn up by a Flemish man with sea travel at top of mind. After that end, he gridded out latitude and longitude, and then paint-by-numbersed his way to a world map. You can start to see where that causes problems, since a latitudinal line a couple miles out from the north pole is a whole lot shorter end-to-end than, say, the equator. How this works out is that the further a country is from the equator, the more it balloons up, and eventually you have people thinking Africa and Greenland are the same size. When you actually stack one on the other, well, its not even something that could be reasonably called a stack as much as a stain. Advertisement As for what the world actually looks like, as mentioned before, that's impossible to show perfectly in any two-dimensional media, the never-ending curse of the cartographer. That doesnt mean that there arent a whole lot of projections that do a much better job than the Mercator. A popular alternative, one thats been heavily pushed by cartographers for school adoption to mixed success, is the Gall-Peters projection, seen below. Advertisement Advertisement This map also has its inaccuracies, specifically the vertical stretching that might be giving you the most agita, so stay calm. What it does do much better is illustrate the relative areas and latitudinal distances between continents. Still, its different enough to be unsettling, especially when you know youre sitting on that thing right now. Part of the reason its suggested for school syllabi is because its more accurate, but not so accurate that everyones going to start breaking windows. You might be asking then, whats the most accurate projection we have? To that, I have an answer, but probably not one youre going to like. Its surprisingly recent, showing just how tough this nut of ours is to crack. Its known as the Authagraph projection, and it was produced in 2016 in Japan. Both the countries and the oceans are accurately represented. So why arent we all using it? Well, if the Gall-Peters projection caused an existential crisis, Id recommend not scrolling down. What looks like a child spectacularly failing a test in first grade is, in fact, the most accurate map of the Earth ever created. Put this up on a plane seat television and people are going to think they hit a wormhole. You live in this hole. Your children will live in this hole. There is no escape One underrated advantage of being human is you can go wherever you like. You can survive just about any spot on Earth (sometimes with the help of protective equipment). You can also reach just about any spot on Earth (usually with the help of vehicles). If you dedicate your life to it, you can even leave the planet altogether, and maybe we can travel much farther than that as well, once we figure wormholes out. Other species arent quite as lucky. 5 The Fish in a Hole Don't Miss In Death Valley, theres this little crack in the ground that we call Devils Hole. If it were larger, maybe wed have some more formal name for whatever geological feature this is, but its really just a hole, with a pool of water in it. Its as wide as a small backyard swimming pool and three times as long. Stan Shebs And it has devils in it. Its the devils hole, not the devils hole, which would be obscene. Inside the water there lives the Devils Hole pupfish. Depending on what time of the year it is, there may be a hundred of these fish there, maybe two hundred. That means the species is critically endangered because thats also the total number of the fish that live anywhere. Weve tried moving and cultivating the fish elsewhere, so that the whole species cant get wiped out by a slight change in the water level or single tremor in the ground. We tried moving some to other springs so theyd reproduce there, or sticking a bunch in a tank. They didnt last there. Not for long at least. Olin Feuerbacher Thats because theyre the Devils Hole pupfish. Its right in the name. Some people resent the amount of money and effort that goes into protecting the inhabitants of this tiny pool. In 2016, a trio of dudes broke past the protective barriers around it (using a shotgun), jumped in the pool, vomited in the water and left a dirty pair of underwear behind. We dont know how many fish died that day, but it was definitely at least one, and for a single stream of vomit to wipe out a whole percent of a species is impressive indeed. 4 The Stranded Squirrel Advertisement We dont think the Grand Canyon existed six million years ago. But squirrels existed, including the Aberts squirrel, which was named, of course, after some guy named Abert. Then the canyon popped into place, thank to the Colorado River flowing and the land moving around. After a few million years, some squirrels found themselves north of the canyon, while others found themselves south. The south squirrels are the Abert squirrel and have a wide presence in the world, including in Mexico and in the Southwest of the U.S. The north squirrels, however, became their own species. Theyre called Kaibab squirrels because theyre stuck on that bit north of the canyon, the Kaibab plateau. Grand Canyon NPS Not the Kebab plateau. Do not eat this squirrel. It cant move north because the north is the desert. It cant move south because the south is the canyon and while it can physically descend that way easily enough, the climate in the canyon is just as inhospitable for this narrowly evolved squirrel as the desert is. Advertisement So, its trapped there. Luckily, it doesnt want to go anywhere else, as far as we know. The Kaibab plateau has all the acorns and fruit it wants. Advertisement 3 The ManhattAnt The ant Lasius emarginatus lives in many different places, if the countries of Europe count as places. But if we step outside Europe (as well as the connected neck of Asia where the ant also lives), its habitat suddenly becomes very small. In the Americas, we spotted it in just New York City. Smaller than that: We saw it just in Manhattan. In 2012, we noted its distribution as between 63rd and 76th streets in Manhattan, though its been expanding every year since then. AntWeb It will expand farther, and America will collapse, like Europe before it. People in Manhattan dubbed it the ManhattAnt. Which prompts the question: Wait, were there no ants in Manhattan before they discovered this one? There were dozens of species of ants but people tended not to notice them since the bugs stayed in parks or otherwise at ground level. The ManhattAnt, in contrast, adapted to the boroughs verticality, making its way into apartments 25 stories high. Advertisement Zaybacker/Wiki Commons And look at the size of that thing! Wait, never mind, this ones magnified. Apartment dwellers who previously felt very comfortable leaving bowls of cookie crumbs on every surface suddenly became aware of and embarrassed by the kind of slobs they are. But the ManhattAnt doesnt really eat crumbs or other human foods. It just eats other bugs. That means there were always bugs in your high-rise, folks. Some bugs are just better at hiding. 2 The Devils Cigar Advertisement Advertisement One aspect of the ManhattAnt thats not a mystery is how it got to New York from Europe. Humans must have accidentally brought it, by ship. This next bicontinental wanderer is weirder. Chorioactis geaster is a fungus known as the Texas star in America, because we only see it in Texas, in just seven of the states 250-plus counties. Its also known as the devils cigar (we keep associating these lone species with devils, for some reason), while in Japan, they call it kirinomitake. They have a name for it in Japan because it exists in Japan, in just two of Japans 47 prefectures. Its in those parts of Texas and Japan, and nowhere else. Tim Jones It also appears to be an egg from Alien. So, did someone take a boat from Japan to those Texas counties? Highly unlikely, and not just because those Texas counties are landlocked. The fungus cant have come that way because it has grown in both those disparate spots for 19 million years. Advertisement The spots where it grows in Texas and Japan happen to be at approximately the same latitude, which seems to mean something, though we have no idea what. We suppose some ancient albatross picked up a devils cigar from Japan and flew 7,000 miles east without stopping. Then it landed in Texas, which was fortunate, because thanks to it, Texas now has a state mushroom. Good bye, Twitter. That was John Cleeses foreboding message to his 5.5 million followers on Twitter, er, X.com last night. Given that this post was Cleeses 67th since Labor Day (thats about 10 tweets a day if you dont want to get out your calculator), it will be interesting to see if his tweet was truly a final bon voyage or more in line with those we mean it this time! Monty Python farewell reunion tours. Don't Miss What set Cleese off enough to make him (maybe) leave the platform? After all, users regularly get his goat, setting off Tweet flurries as he argues with fans over who really understands Monty Python comedy. Yesterdays offender seems to be none other than the big boss himself, Elon Musk, who had shared a 100 emoji in response to a slam on presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Musk has tweeted worse, but Cleese was on an anti-Trump tear last week, shout-posting about Trumps incoherent speeches on the campaign trail. While not a U.S. citizen, Cleese is a long-time entertainer on this side of the pond. I care about America because Ive been coming here since 1964, he tweeted last week, and I care for a lot of people here. Advertisement Advertisement Thats why hes been posting videos of stumbling Trump speeches, claiming the candidate is just as cognitively compromised as Joe Biden. Completely addled, declared Cleese. Will he have his finger on the Doctor Nuclear Bacon when the shark comes for him and Cary Grant in a swimsuit? Will Cleese be able to stay away? After all, losing his social media platform means limiting his ability to raise money for a Terry Jones statue or share clips from his old corporate training films. Advertisement Advertisement One person whos not convinced that Cleese is gone for good? Thats daughter Camilla, with whom he's supposedly remaking Fawlty Towers. You can practically hear her eyes rolling in response to dads foot-stomping tantrum. This wont age well, she predicted to her famous father. See you in the morning! A shooting occurred in San Franciscos Tenderloin District on Sunday, according to police, leaving two people and a dog wounded. Getty Images Two people and a dog were shot in San Franciscos Tenderloin District on Sunday, police said. Officers found the two people and the dog suffering from gunshot wounds on Willow Street, several blocks north of City Hall, at 4:09 p.m. Sunday, said San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Robert Rueca. Paramedics transported the victims to the hospital, police said. It was unclear whether they were expected to survive as of Sunday evening. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police did not provide information about the dogs condition. The front of the unit overlooking Broadway, where Sal Lindsay once painted and hosted late-night games of Risk and backgammon. Photo: Davey Ron/JDA Studios Details: Price: $4.495 million ($5,000 monthly maintenance) Specs: 4,000 square feet, currently divided into 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 kitchens, Extras: Roof access, private landing, original exposed brick and steel columns, flexibility to add windows 10-minute walking radius: Fanellis, Angelika Film Center & Cafe, Palace Skateboard Apparel Listed by: Michael Falchiere and Harry Zikos, Oxford Property Group Anyone who stopped by Sal Lindsays Soho loft in the evening used to get a warning: Bring enough cigarettes to last because none of the shops nearby stay open. We used to joke that once the sweatshops closed, nothing went down Broadway but tumbleweeds, said Lindsays son, Chris Bos. No bodegas, no little delis. There was nothing. Which is why, when Bos was a teenager, he spent a lot of time in his bedroom, where Lindsay, a single mom, let him build a quarter-pipe for friends to do BMX tricks or skate. Visitors included friends he met at Washington Square Park a young Vincent Gallo, the legendary skater Harry Jumonji. The noise didnt carry, said Lindsay, who used the front of the 4,000-square-foot apartment as a painting studio. I never had any idea, anytime, what they were up to. Lindsay, a figurative painter, moved into the apartment at 491 Broadway in 1971. She and her husband, John Bos, a theater director, were the first of what she called the homesteaders in the building. They took the top floor, 12, because it was emptying out: A business downstairs had used it for storage and was downsizing, taking out boxes as the new renters put up walls. Over the years, the couple added antique doors and stained glass they had salvaged in Pennsylvania, where they met as students and where Bos had worked leading the Theatre of the Living Arts. Lindsay tiled a bathroom in a sweeping mosaic of a woman in a green dress. Lindsay is 86 and still paints from a studio in the loft she has had since 1971. Photo: Adriane Quinlan Some of her work is visible in the mosaic, like this bath with the feet and mouth of a woman just out of frame of a green polka-dot dress. Photo: Davey Ron/JDA Studios Within a few years, the neighbors downstairs were no longer garment manufacturers and importer-exporters they were other artists. The building was one of 17 organized by George Maciunas, the so-called Father of Soho whose training as an architect and practice as a Fluxus artist with utopian visions inspired him to take on a real-estate problem: Artists needed cheap space, and there were plenty of industrial buildings downtown. Maciunas got preliminary agreements to buy a handful of buildings and won grants for the first down payments from the J.M. Kaplan Fund and the National Foundation for the Arts, which were looking for a test case to challenge the industrial zoning restrictions that hurt artists, according to historian Charles R. Simpson. Then, Maciunas advertised shares in the co-ops to artists for as cheap as $1 a square foot and had enough interest to form waiting lists. He organized applicants into buildings, helped them hire architects and lawyers, and showed them how to build and manage themselves. 491 Broadway is the tallest building in this photo, one in from the corner at Broome. The image was taken in 1905. Photo: Museum Of The City Of New York 491 Broadway was formalized by 1974, at which point Lindsay had been living there for three years already. Maciunas himself moved into the fifth floor, recruiting neighbors from his first artist co-op at 80 Wooster Street, including director Richard Foreman, who set up his OntologicalHysteric Theater in his loft playing to audiences that sat on bleachers, including a Times reviewer who gaped at a cast playing various potatoes. When Foreman moved out, he sold to the artist Camille Billops and the academic James Hatch, who used the space to grow their archive of Black American art history, organizing regular film screenings and inviting the public to watch them conduct interviews with major figures. A collective of Austrian performance artists set up their studio on the 11th floor. The painter Ida Applebroog took space on the eighth, the graphic designer Hans Kung and his family were on nine, and Lindsay recruited her friend the painter William S. Dutterer to take Maciunass fifth-floor loft when he decided to move upstate, said Dutterers widow, Jamie Johnson. As Bill told it, the minute he arrived at their front door, they gave him a big hug, and before he said a word, they said to him, The fifth floor is coming up for sale. Why dont you and Jamie buy it? The work of maintaining the 12-story 19th-century industrial building was divided among tenants, and Johnson and Dutterer ended up being in charge of the boiler for 40 years, putting them in pretty close, sometimes intense, contact with neighbors, she said. Lindsay and Bos were in charge of clearing snow and salting in winter. The ninth floor took in packages. And the president and treasurer overseeing their work was Hollis Melton, a photographer who moved into the sixth floor with her husband, Jonas Mekas the filmmaker and Village Voice critic, who also took a commercial space on the second floor, remembered their son, Sebastian Mekas. There, in the 1980s, Mekas kept a library for his Anthology Film Archives and would host $3 viewings under a short-running video program. Meanwhile, his familys home upstairs showed up in the films Mekas shot including the five-hour As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty, which features his daughter roller-skating through the loft. Mekas in the loft (left) and the dining table where friends including Allen Ginsberg and Nam June Paik would sit for late-night talks. Provided by the Estate of Jonas Mekas / Hollis Melton . Mekas in the loft (left) and the dining table where friends including Allen Ginsberg and Nam June Paik would sit for late-night talks. Provided by the... more Mekas in the loft (left) and the dining table where friends including Allen Ginsberg and Nam June Paik would sit for late-night talks. Provided by the Estate of Jonas Mekas / Hollis Melton . It was a strange place to grow up as a child, said Sebastian Mekas, who remembered the surreal neighborhood treeless, dark and the oddness of the lofts themselves with high-ceilings that pets found use for. This one cat, Apache, would somehow get onto the sprinkler pipes. Once it even slipped and was clinging on and had to be rescued with the ladder. The cat, Apache, and its owner Jonas Mekas in the loft. Provided by the Estate of Jonas Mekas / Hollis Melton . The cat, Apache, and its owner Jonas Mekas in the loft. Provided by the Estate of Jonas Mekas / Hollis Melton . Jonas Mekas moved to Greenpoint in 2004, Kung sold a few months ago, Dutterer died in 2007, Bilops died in 2019, Hatch died in 2020, and the commercial unit on floor two is no longer a film archive its a marketing agency. Now, Lindsay the buildings original artist might, at age 86, be the only homesteader left. Still, the space worked well for her, even as her life changed. Around 1980, her husband moved out and, to make ends meet, she carved out space for a renter in the in back moving her son toward the center of the apartment, in a large, windowed room near the entry where she now has her studio. In 1998, Bos wed his high-school friend Johanna on the roof. She had no second thoughts about moving into his room. I grew up with everybody on top of each other. So this to me was like, Oh my God theres room. Theres space. Bos with his mother, and Bos with his wife at their wedding. They were friends as teenagers, though Chris hung out with skaters in Washington Square Park and Johanna was friends with punks on Tompkins Square. Provided by Chris Bos . Bos with his mother, and Bos with his wife at their wedding. They were friends as teenagers, though Chris hung out with skaters in Washington Square P... more Bos with his mother, and Bos with his wife at their wedding. They were friends as teenagers, though Chris hung out with skaters in Washington Square Park and Johanna was friends with punks on Tompkins Square. Provided by Chris Bos . When they had a second child on the way, they switched with Lindsay and turned her former studio into a full apartment with its own kitchen and bath. When their sons became teenagers, they took over the separate apartment in back. It gave the boys a sense of independence, Johanna Bos said. Theres enough space here that even though we drive each other crazy at times, we have learned to cohabitate. Her mother-in-law agrees. There are times where therell be days we dont see each other. Bos grew up in the apartment like his sons did (upper left), riding bikes downtown and getting in trouble throwing firecrackers off the roof. Provided by Chris Bos. . Bos grew up in the apartment like his sons did (upper left), riding bikes downtown and getting in trouble throwing firecrackers off the roof. Provided... more Bos grew up in the apartment like his sons did (upper left), riding bikes downtown and getting in trouble throwing firecrackers off the roof. Provided by Chris Bos. . But the apartment doesnt make sense for them anymore. They want to be in more of a neighborhood, to have an outside space for their two dogs. And to their brokers, it makes sense to sell: The familys luck, renting on the top floor because it happened to be emptying out, means they now live in whats being marketed as a penthouse with room to add windows along a side of the building that isnt visible from the street. And those views are tremendous: The building is the tallest in an area where their neighbors are four, five, or six stories. From their unit, on the 12th floor, you can look downtown over lower Tribeca and watch traffic snake along the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. Plus their gradual maintenance means the details here are still intact: exposed brick walls, steel columns. And the bones are rare: Soho buildings on Broadway have bigger floor plates than those on side streets, and the cast-iron structure means there are very few supports. So this is a 4,000-square-foot loft that really someone could do anything with. A blank canvas. Its original, said their agent, Michael Falchiere. And its sort of a one-of-one. Lindsay in a nook near the center of the apartment during a visit from her ex-husband, John Bos, who helped build much of the walls of the loft, converting it from a raw space. Off that nook is an airy central family dining area. A Lindsay painting of the family hangs on the wall. Photo: Davey Ron/JDA Studios Lindsays current studio. The room was once Boss bedroom, and his wife Johanna lived here before they moved to the front of the apartment. Photo: Davey Ron/JDA Studios The room gets bright light from high west-facing windows. On the wall hang some of the works that she shows with the gallery Carter Burden. Photo: Davey Ron/JDA Studios Lindsay, a figurative artist, added mosaics around a sink in one of the apartments three kitchens. (One is in the independent apartment in back, one is in the center off her studio, and one is at the front where the Bos family grew up.) Photo: Davey Ron/JDA Studios In the back, a separate apartment is where Bos once built a quarter-pipe and where his sons can live independently with their own kitchen and bathroom. A window overlooks Broome Street. Photo: Davey Ron/JDA Studios Lindsay and her ex-husband, John Bos, divided the apartment with antique glass they salvaged and her uncles antique bookshelves. Photo: Adriane Quinlan With a second child on the way, Bos switched with his mother, bringing his family to the front of the apartment and building out a more modern kitchen. The painting (right) is an early piece by Lindsay. Photo: Davey Ron/JDA Studios The shared roof where Johanna and Chris Bos married is just one level up. Photo: Davey Ron/JDA Studios At 12 stories, the building is high for Soho and has uninterrupted views. Photo: Davey Ron/JDA Studios Those views are where the agents listing the house see value, and their brokerage specializes in renovation, offering buyers plans to upgrade the space and a network of builders that they regularly rely on. This is a rendition of what a buyer could expect. Photo: Joel Pitra/DDReps Light already streams in with skylights in every room, but the brokerage also says a builder could add windows along the north wall. Photo: Joel Pitra/DDReps Vulcan Steel Limited (Vulcan) announced today the appointment of Gavin Street as the companys Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). As Vulcans CCO, Gavin will be responsible for the companys commercial activities, including engagement with customers and business strategy. Gavin will commence his employment with Vulcan in early October 2024 and will be based in Melbourne, Australia. Prior to joining Vulcan, Gavin held a number of leadership positions including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) roles at Lawrence & Hanson Australia (L&H) and Reece Groups Australia and New Zealand operations (Reece ANZ). In his most recent role at L&H, Gavin was responsible for more than 150 branches and over 1,100 employees. As CEO of Reece ANZ, Gavin had responsibility for more than 630 branches and over 5,000 employees. During Gavins tenure at Reece Group, he was also Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Technology Officer. Prior to Reece Group, Gavin was CFO at Westpac New Zealand. This appointment at Vulcan follows the confirmation of Lou Cadman as the companys New Zealand leader with overall responsibility for Vulcans businesses in New Zealand from August 2024. Lou joined Vulcan as the companys New Zealand aluminium leader in March this year. Before joining Vulcan, Lou was CEO for eight years at New Zealand Panels Group, a major manufacturer and distributor of interior decorative and architectural panel products in New Zealand, and was responsible for over 300 employees. Lou had also previously held senior roles at Fletcher Building, Fletcher Challenge Forestry division and Southern Spars. Commenting on Gavins and Lous appointments, Vulcans Managing Director and CEO, Rhys Jones, said: Vulcans ambition for growth and focus on creating shareholder value will see us continue to further improve our service offering and expand our customer reach over time. Gavins and Lous appointments are an integral and welcome addition to our team to ensure our growth strategies are implemented well. We look forward to their contribution to our team and customers. ENDS Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: TRU - WHO Agency UNITAID Features TRU in Tech Landscape Report PaySauce Quarterly Market Update - September 2024 October 2nd Morning Report Rua Releases Annual Report for Year Ended 30 June 2024 SCL - Settlement of orchard sales The Warehouse Group 2024 ASM and Director Nominations AIR - Update on Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer Comvita Limited - Annual Report 2024 September 27th Morning Report Spark announces departure of Finance Director Tower Limited (NZX/ASX: TWR) announces today: The conclusion of its strategic review. The removal of its additional solvency margin requirement by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ). Reaffirmation of its FY24 guidance and intended dividend. Its capital return proposal. Strategic review concludes In December 2023, Tower commenced a strategic review exploring options to maximise value for all Tower shareholders and optimise its capital structure to enhance competitiveness in the market. As part of this process, the Company and its financial advisors Goldman Sachs engaged in wide-ranging discussions with several parties regarding potential opportunities including partnerships, risk transfer solutions and alternative ownership and capital structures. While some of these discussions provided valuable insight and perspectives for Towers business, none advanced to the formal proposal stage. Consequently, the Board has decided to conclude the strategic review. The strategic review process did identify several initiatives including potential quota share arrangements, that could be employed to support future growth if required. Tower Chair, Michael Stiassny said the Boards objective in undertaking the strategic review was to ensure the Companys ownership and capital structures remain optimal to deliver long-term value to all shareholders. We have determined that the best course of action at this time is to continue executing our current business strategy under the existing ownership structure. Although the strategic review has been concluded, the Board remains open to considering any future proposals or opportunities that align with the best interest of all Tower shareholders, he said. The Company will also keep pursuing organic growth opportunities that deliver accretive value. RBNZ removes licence condition As of 16 August 2024, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) reduced Towers minimum solvency margin from $15m to $0. The removal of the additional solvency margin requirement recognises Towers risk and capital management processes, solvency position, fewer remaining Canterbury earthquake claims and the materiality of those claims diminishing significantly over time. Based on unaudited management accounts, Tower Limiteds (Parent) adjusted solvency margin as at 30 June 2024 was $147.2m. Towers current internal capital management processes and dividend policy set a target solvency margin which is higher than the regulatory minimum required by the RBNZ. Therefore, this reduction will not directly impact dividends or other capital management actions. Guidance reaffirmed and intended dividend As advised on 8 August 2024, Tower expects to report underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of more than $45m for the financial year ending 30 September 2024. In addition, if no large events were to occur in FY24, underlying NPAT would be increased by an additional $32m ($45m less tax). In accordance with Towers ordinary dividend policy of 60-80% of adjusted earnings, the Board intends to pay a final dividend of 5 cents per share provided it remains prudent to do so. This would bring the full year dividend to 8 cents per share. The Board is mindful that the Company continues to remain focused on delivering sustainable growth, satisfactory and proportionate profits, and consistent dividends in the future, Mr Stiassny said. Return of capital proposal As a result of work undertaken as part of the strategic review of Towers capital structure, assessing current opportunities, the sale of Pacific subsidiaries, and simplification of its business, the Tower Board has determined it is in shareholders best interests to return excess capital to them. The Board has approved a return of NZ$45m of excess capital to shareholders, by way of mandatory share buyback. The return of capital is expected to deliver meaningful earnings per share accretion to Towers shareholders. The return of capital will be conducted as a scheme of arrangement, and will be subject to: Receiving High Court approval of the arrangement; and Shareholder approval at the Tower Annual Shareholder Meeting in early 2025. In addition, the return of capital will be conditional on: Tower receiving confirmation from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) that the capital return is not in lieu of a dividend; Tower continuing to satisfy solvency and prudential capital requirements, including under its capital management process, up to the time the capital return is given effect; and The Tower Board remaining satisfied up to the time the capital return is given effect that it remains prudent to undertake the capital return. Given the importance of IRD confirmation, Tower will seek this before initiating the Court process. For the avoidance of doubt, this capital return will be in addition to Towers ordinary dividend as outlined earlier in this announcement. The Company will communicate further details with the release of its FY24 full year result in November. If approved by shareholders, the return of capital would likely be implemented in March 2025. ENDS Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: TRU - WHO Agency UNITAID Features TRU in Tech Landscape Report PaySauce Quarterly Market Update - September 2024 October 2nd Morning Report Rua Releases Annual Report for Year Ended 30 June 2024 SCL - Settlement of orchard sales The Warehouse Group 2024 ASM and Director Nominations AIR - Update on Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer Comvita Limited - Annual Report 2024 September 27th Morning Report Spark announces departure of Finance Director No one can say that the Labour Government isnt even-handed. It is showing as much concern for vulnerable children as it is for pensioners. Which is to say, very little. The withdrawal of the winter fuel payment from all elderly people except those on pension credit is attracting the most criticism but more attention should be paid to one of the consequences of the Governments decision to impose VAT at 20 per cent on private school fees. Among those affected will be around 100,000 children at private schools identified as having special educational needs, but whose parents have not been able to persuade local authorities to grant them what is known as an Education, Health and Care Plan. Many of them are at special schools, where smaller class sizes and an intimately focused care have nurtured those on the autistic spectrum in a way that big state schools are unable to do. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the imposition of VAT as part of ending tax advantages for the super-rich Yet as Sue Peacock, a consultant in the field of special needs, told the i newspaper: Most of the parents I know are already struggling to meet the fees, adding that many had resorted to the private sector out of desperation because their children had been so unhappy in mainstream schools. This is far from the caricature presented by the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, who described the imposition of VAT as part of ending tax advantages for the super-rich. She also justifies this vindictive policy on the grounds that it will pay for an extra 6,500 teachers in state schools. This would amount to a quarter of a new teacher per school. In a Lords debate on this last week, it was noticeable that a number of Labour peers opposed the measure, including the renowned medic Lord (Robert) Winston, who accused his own party of levelling down by taking money from private schools, which he observed, in terms of ameliorating problems in the state sector, is trivial compared with what is needed. I declare an interest here in that my wife, Rosa Monckton, spoke in the same debate. We have a daughter with Downs Syndrome: Rosa set up a charity in her name, Team Domenica, which is a Special Further Educational Institution. It prepares young adults with complex disabilities for work (mostly in catering). At the moment, none of its candidates are below the age of 18. But if Team Domenica were to take on people between the ages of 16 and 18, then not only their fees, but those of all the others attending, would, under Labours plan, be liable to VAT. It would be a cruel disincentive against an attempt to transform the lives of those too often neglected. Alexis Quinn, a 40-year-old charity worker, will not be able to afford school fees for her 12-year-old autistic daughter, Addison, who is thriving in the small class size of her private school Now there is to be a legal challenge to this policy. Lawyers backed by a fundraising campaign have sent a pre-action letter claiming it breaches Article 2 of Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The case is being brought on behalf of Alexis Quinn, a 40-year-old charity worker whose 12-year-old daughter, Addison, is autistic. The local state school advised it could not accommodate Addisons needs; eventually Ms Quinn enrolled her daughter at 16,800-a-year Rochester College, where she says Addison is thriving in much smaller class sizes. But she cannot afford to keep her there if the fees are pushed up by 20 per cent: Weve been forced out of the state sector, and now it feels like we are being forced out of the independent sector. Another example of the consequences of this policy, which is being imposed from January, in the middle of the school year, comes from Buckinghamshire. A mother who had been sending her daughter to a private school but feared she would soon no longer be able to afford it, applied for a place at two state secondary schools through the councils online portal and received an email saying: We cannot offer any places at your preferred school/schools because they are full. It continued: However, if you can provide evidence that you can no longer finance the independent school fees, please advise and we can make a local authority non-preference allocation. Who knows if other local authorities will demand that parents prove they can no longer afford private education in order to get access to a preferred state school? I understand Labours view that the state sector has been neglected: but it is pure class war to increase its funding only by punishing parents who have chosen often by making extraordinary sacrifices to go private. Even on its own justification, the policy achieves the opposite: it is the richest who will be the least affected. And it is families with vulnerable children, such as Addison Quinn, who will be the most harmed. What a travesty. Lammy owes Grenfell judge an apology Sir Martin Moore-Bicks report on the Grenfell Tower fire spared no one in its excoriating judgments ministers, officials and, above all, the cladding companies, whom he effectively accused of a fraudulent conspiracy against the publics safety. This must have come as a surprise to the man who is now our Foreign Secretary, David Lammy. When the retired Court of Appeal judge was appointed to head the Grenfell Inquiry in July 2017, Lammy said that this white, upper-middle class man should not have been trusted with the job. He continued: I think the victims will also say to themselves: when push comes to shove, there are some powerful people here contractors, sub-contractors, local authorities, governments and they look like this judge. Whose side will he be on? Even allowing for Lammys emotional state (a friend of his family had perished at Grenfell), this was an appalling smear against Moore-Bicks character. A similar attack was made at the time by the then local Labour MP, Emma Dent Coad, who said: We need someone who actually understands human beings... I dont think he should do it. I dont think there will be any credibility. For the record, Sir Martin Moore-Bick is no toff: he is an ex-grammar school boy and his father was a dairyman. Anyway, last week Dent Coad admitted that Moore-Bicks report had done a good job: It revealed shocking details I was not previously familiar with. But she made no apology for her original claim when she had never met or spoken to Moore-Bick that the judge was, for class reasons, unable to empathise with the victims. And from David Lammy? Not a word. This is, of course, a trivial matter compared with the corporate depravity and dishonesty laid bare by Moore-Bicks report, and the pain of the families still seeking justice. But if the Foreign Secretary were capable of feeling shame, he would publicly acknowledge his own deplorable misjudgment. Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi may well be the king of political comebacks. As vaccines minister during the Covid pandemic, he appeared to walk on water, with one of the most successful jab roll-outs in the Western world. Then, after a spell as Education Secretary, his fortunes changed as he was lumbered with the humiliating title of one of the shortest-serving chancellors on record, after being hired by a beleagured Boris Johnson in the dying days of his premiership. Zahawi returned to Cabinet as party chairman under Rishi Sunak, but was sacked in disgrace after it emerged he negotiated a multimillion pound settlement with the taxman during his brief stint as Chancellor and therefore in charge of HMRC. Now the multi-millionaire founder of YouGov, who quit as an MP at the last election, may be re-entering the political fray. Word is Zahawi, 57, who has a 20million townhouse in London, will throw his hat in the ring as the Tories' mayoral candidate. Comeback king? Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi may be re-entering the political fray as the Tories ' mayoral candidate A yes from Boris: Former PM Johnson has given Zahawi's mayoral ambition his blessing Labour's Sadiq Kahn is on his third term and the Tories think next time round, with the Labour Government likely to lose its shine by the 2028 contest, they have a chance at the mayoralty for the first time since Boris. Zahawi and Boris are firm friends and I hear the former PM has given Zahawi's mayoral ambition his blessing. Daft claim of the week Labour's Lord Watts said there should be an investigation into impartiality at the BBC because it was 'dominated by Conservatives'. Next he'll accuse Communist rag the Morning Star of being stuffed with capitalists. A swift 3,500 with Nige... To the Reform UK fundraiser at the George Hotel in Leeds, where MP Lee Anderson was given a rapturous reception by guests many of whom used to be Tory party activists. One even paid 3,500 just to have a drink with Nigel Farage. At the rate he drinks a pint, it will be short meeting. Next round's on Nigel: One Reform UK supporter paid 3,500 just to have a pint with Mr Farage Both loyal and indiscreet Only days after the memorial service for Lord Fellowes a loyal servant of the Queen for 30 years and the husband of Princess Diana's sister Jane the playwright Sir David Hare revealed a chance meeting with the Old Etonian at Lord's in the early 1990s. 'Fellowes said: 'If ever you do write about the Palace, be sure to give me a call.' Fellowes was Private Secretary to the Queen at the time. 'I was astonished,' writes Hare in The Spectator. 'He was both loyal and indiscreet a hard combination to pull off.' Playwright David Hare recalls Lord Robert Fellowes, the late husband of Princess Diana's sister Jane, was both 'loyal and indiscreet' The real price of Labour Two years ago, Labour captured Wandsworth Council, a jewel in the Tory local government crown, for the first time since 1978. Now the locals are paying the price. The council has quietly announced it is to borrow 450million paid back over 50 years. The council will be paying more in interest than it actually borrows. Same old Labour, spending money they haven't got. Liam's yet to break his silence Most new MPs have broken their duck but Liam Conlon, son of Starmer's gauleiter Sue Gray, has yet to utter a word in the Commons. Labour super-donor Lord Alli gave 10,000 to Conlon's local party to help get him elected. He and the voters of Beckenham & Penge might soon be asking for a refund. Bob's your betrayed novellist Robert Harris has dedicated his latest bestseller, Precipice, to his grandson George. But he admits he's unhappy with his daughter, George's mother. She works at rival publisher Simon & Schuster, which brought out Bob Mortimer's new book on the same day. 'That destroyed whatever chance I had of going to number one,' he quips. 'I feel like King Lear. How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child.' A young woman living in Sydney has shared six things she dislikes about life in the city, and many Australians are agreeing with her. Marli Lozoya, an event producer from California, said that speed cameras, tolls, 'bipolar' weather and 'hefty' income tax are a few of the things she never experienced back in the US. Although the American said that life in Australia on a working holiday visa is 'still worth it', the NSW capital has some downsides that she revealed in a video. 1. There are annoying speed cameras everywhere The traveller couldn't get her head around Sydney's high number of speed and mobile phone detection cameras, which are often 'in the middle of nowhere'. She added that you'll just receive the nasty shock of a fine in the mail at some point, without ever realising that you had broken the law. 2. There are way too many road tolls The young woman complained about the 'super expensive' road tolls absolutely everywhere and said that the cost of paying them adds up throughout the month. Marli Lozoya, from California can't believe how many tolls and speed and mobile phone detection cameras Sydney has The American also finds it funny that whenever you are pulled over by the police in Australia you are immediately subjected to random breath testing. 3. The weather is 'bipolar' 'I had to get used to the weather over here it's very bipolar, it'll be raining in the morning and then a beautiful sunny afternoon. Being from California that's definitely something I had to get used to,' she said online. 'They weren't kidding when they said four seasons in one day.' The young woman no longer bothers checking her weather app when heading out of the house, but will simply look out the window instead. The harbour city is becoming a difficult place to live with expensive rental prices and what many call a 'hectic' work life balance 4. Sydney is too far from Asia The American looked forward to visiting Asia while Down Under, but was shocked to discover that flights to most Asian cities from Sydney are still long distance. Flights from Sydney to Bali are six hours and 35 minutes, and Tokyo is still ten hours away. 5. The taxes on income are 'hefty' The traveller was also shocked that Australian taxes come to 'about half' of your paycheck and that the more you earn, the more tax you pay. Whereas in her home state of California, the highest percentage of income tax payable is 12.3 per cent, and the lowest is just one per cent. 6. The 'brutal' dating scene in Australia The American asked if she 'dare' talk about dating in Australia, which is fast getting a reputation among locals and travellers for being 'the worst'. Many have accused Aussie men of being 'too casual' when it comes to planning dates and pursuing women, leaving many despairing of ever finding love. Hundreds of Sydneysiders agreed with the American about life in the harbour city being a drain, but some said she forgot to mention the exorbitant rental prices. 'I've lived in Sydney my whole life and I hate it,' one said. 'The best thing about Sydney is leaving it,' another agreed. 'Australia doesn't like Sydney,' a third added. One person said that although Australian taxes are high, they pay for free health care and education, and unlike America, there are no guns to worry about. Some people debated whether Sydney's weather was worse than Melbourne, and another said that climate change was to blame for the 'four seasons in a day'. But one Aussie didn't think tolls and unpredictable weather could tarnish Sydney's solid reputation: 'If they're your only problems, I think we're doing alright!' This comes after a young Melburnian who tried living in Sydney for a few years said she was headed back to Victoria for good because the lifestyle is 'so much better'. Jen Rothwell returned to the VIC capital after three and a half years of experiencing the disappointing reality of life in the harbour city. She blamed social media lies, a cliquey culture and the fast paced city life as reasons why Sydney isn't the best place to live. 'Prior to moving to Sydney, everyone on social media gives this perception of living by the beach and having that really nice sort of beach lifestyle,' Jen said. But Jen, who resided in the Sydney Inner West suburb of Newtown, said the reality isn't constantly 'walking around Bondi' - and the 'weather isn't even that amazing'. When thinking of a 'relationship contract', for many of us, a prenup - which states how assets will be divided if a marriage breaks down and very much focuses on practicalities rather than romance - will spring to mind. But it appears Gen Z are no longer waiting for their nuptials to draw up agreements with both parties vowing 'not to hurt each other's feelings', 'celebrate anniversaries', 'never cheat on each other' and 'never get bored of one another'. Videos showing handwritten negotiations - sometimes decorated with markers and gel pens - have flooded social media, with users claiming it means they're now 'locked in' with their partner. Married couples such as Hunter & Devin of @thecordlefamily also shared their story of how a 'relationship contract' helped their relationship stay on track when they were boyfriend and girlfriend in high school. 'I made him sign his signature,' she giggled, showing piece of notebook paper written in pen, stating she will love God first, and him second. 'Look, it worked! You didn't break the contract, you abided by it.' There's a new trend among Generation Z that involves drawing up contracts with both parties being asked to agree to terms such as 'not hurt each other's feelings' and 'celebrate anniversaries' 'I guess you're right,' he agreed. Other examples of the agreements are more colourful - TikToker @lillian_heinze shared one adorned with pink highlighter and hearts. Clauses include serious promises, like 'never giving up on each other', and more lighthearted expectations, such as 'posting' one another on social media. Elsewhere, @user165237580 shared a clip making her boyfriend sign one 'because they're locked in for life'. While most appear fun and jokey in nature, influencer @loulouorange recently shared a video explaining how she and her boyfriend only have one month of the year where they can break up. 'We're not allowed to discuss whether we plan to renew before May, but I can always tell my bf is a 'yes' when he randomly starts doing the dishes every April (very transparently trying to lock down my 'yes'),' she wrote as the caption. In the video she talks about the various commitments that couples undertake throughout the year, such as weddings, birthdays and anniversaries - and how breaking up with these in the diary can be difficult. Instead the couple have a 'break-up window', where they can decide to call things off, if desired, when their lease is up for renewal. While it's unclear whether the TikTokker is being fully serious, it's a subject that's resonated with her followers. 'This is smart,' wrote one follower. While another said, 'I don't know if this would make me feel safe, trapped, or anxious that my partner is forcing themselves to stay with me when they're not really not happy.' While another commented, 'I could never view my relationship as a business contract.' As well as being an extremely formal way for a couple to communicate, drawing up a contract can lead to other issues, sex and relationship therapist Rhian Kivits told FEMAIL. Handwritten 'love contracts' are being used to show Gen Z couples' commitment to one another Married couples such as Hunter & Devin of @thecordlefamily also shared their story of how a 'relationship contract' helped their relationship stay on track The US couple pledged 'God first, you second' in a handwritten contract that went all the way back to high school 'The problem here is that there is a risk the couple will hold the love contract against each other if things don't go to plan promoting rigidity and blame in the relationship,' she explained. Rhian also felt that the concept of a 'love contract' lacks maturity, as it leaves little room for flexibility. 'Never getting bored of each other is also an unhelpful clause within the contract,' the expert added. 'When a couple is committed to their relationship, they tend to work on their connection and take action to make sure that things don't go stale. 'But the promise made within this love contract doesn't take into account the way that our feelings and aspirations can evolve over time. This seems to lack flexibility and maturity.' Rhian was also dubious about couples agreeing to be faithful to one another via a contract. 'Never cheating on each other might reflect the couple's commitment to fidelity and loyalty,' she explained. 'But in practice, those who want to cheat are unlikely to be deterred because they've signed a hand-written piece of paper. 'We know infidelity happens within many marriages, and so I don't believe the love contract provides any true protection or security.' Rhian suggested that it may even be a reaction to the flurry of celebrity cheating scandals and high-profile breakups dominating headlines. 'They don't think well of cheating and other poor behaviours in relationships, and they want control over their own lives, experiences and reputations as a result of what they're perceiving online,' she expressed. However, the expert wasn't completely adverse to the idea of a relationship contract, stating that its success lies in choosing realistic terms that don't dictate behaviours. 'The idea of a relationship contract is not new. In fact, in therapy, I often talk with couples about their contract, because every relationship is a contract, whether this is unspoken, or more explicitly acknowledged,' she continued. 'When the contract is explicitly discussed, it means that we are aware of each other's wishes, boundaries and expectations and therefore we are aware of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable within the relationship. 'Pledges like choosing honesty, kindness, taking time to nurture the relationship, exploring new things together, developing healthy communication, listening to each other, solving problems together and choosing to grow together are healthier.' From their bizarre belief that Jesus Christ visited the Native Americans to their well-known fondness for polygamy, Mormons havent always made it easy for others to warm to them. Women like Taylor Frankie Paul, therefore, must have seemed like a godsend to the eccentric American sect. Young, perky and wholesome, she lived in a mansion in Utahs Salt Lake City with her equally photogenic husband Tate and their three adorable children. The videos Taylor relentlessly posted online showing the family getting dressed for church, washing up dozens of baby-feeding bottles or dancing around her spacious home made the life of a conventional young Mormon woman (who generally marry young and rear large families) fascinating to millions. True, some of her skimpier wardrobe choices hardly followed Mormon doctrine that thou shalt not be proud in thy heart: let all thy garments be plain, and nor did her love of filming herself dancing and lip-syncing to rap music. The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, an eight-part reality TV series that follows eight young and glossy Mormon women with multi-million social media followings But then such content is the lifeblood of Generation Z social media platform TikTok, where she attracted more than four million followers. In the process she spawned an entire online movement, known as MomTok, of young, glamorous Mormon mothers all with the Rapunzel-like tresses de rigueur in their church sharing their perfect lives in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with vast social media audiences. Conservative women consider them inspiring, while feminists often find their lives appalling but everyone seems intrigued. But, for Taylor, as a new TV series will re-explore, the perfection suddenly ended in June 2020 when she posted an announcement that sent online interest in her soaring even as it horrified fellow Mormons. She and husband Tate were getting divorced. Worse still, for a church that demands chastity outside marriage, the momfluencer sensationally admitted that the couple had been soft swingers. This practice, she explained, was a kind of wife-swapping in which young Mormons were allowed to take other sexual partners within their group of married friends on certain conditions. These included refraining from going all the way and indulging in penetrative sex unless their spouse was in the same room when it was going on. Taylor admitted that she did step out of that agreement and though she insisted it hadnt been the only factor her husband was divorcing her. Soft swinging, she went on, was rife among her extended group of good-looking, well-heeled Mormon friends who following church tradition generally marry in their teens or early 20s and so usually never have more than one sexual partner. The whole group was intimate with each other, she said. Taylor faced an intense backlash from within her church. Many of her girlfriends themselves also prominent on social media ran for cover, publicly insisting that they had never swung, softly or otherwise. Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen, the boyfriend with whom shed cheated on her husband Her claims sparked an intense debate, with some church members insisting Taylor was just a mendacious attention-seeker who was a Mormon in name only. Others claimed that any religion that pressures young members to remain chaste until theyre married and then never so much as look at a member of the opposite sex again shouldnt be surprised if they end up experimenting sexually as they get older. If that wasnt scandal enough for her famously austere church, Taylor, now 30, last year made headlines again when she was arrested after drunkenly going ballistic (her word) on Dakota Mortensen, the boyfriend with whom shed cheated on her husband. Taylor admitted aggravated assault after prosecutors say she hurled a phone, a wooden play set and several heavy metal chairs at Dakota. One of the chairs hit his five-year-old daughter whod been sitting next to him on a sofa. The Taylor scandal captivated social media. A search for Mormon Swinging Moms Scandal on TikTok now elicits more than 100 million videos. And if that wasnt bad enough, now the church has to contend with The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, the resulting eight-part reality TV series that will focus on Taylor and seven other young and glossy Mormon women with multi-million social media followings. The group, all in their 20s or early 30s, includes Jennifer Affleck, whose husband Zac is a cousin of Hollywood star Ben. Commissioned because of the notoriety of Taylor, the series is technically unscripted. But producers will expect sex, catfights and late nights up with the Chardonnay rather than discussions of babysitting arrangements and the Book of Mormon. A publicity photo for the series showed Taylor and her seven co-stars each with a conspiratorial shushing finger to their lips. For a church which believes that, outside marriage, even kissing, dancing and touching are morally wrong, none of this is good news. The scandalous world of a group of Mormon mom influencers implodes when they get caught in the midst of a swinging sex scandal that makes international headlines, the streaming giant Hulu, which commissioned the series, breathlessly claims. Now, their sisterhood is shook to its core. Faith, friendship and reputations are all on the line. Will #MomTok be able to survive and continue to give the rulebook a run for its money, or will this group fall from grace? Taylor was sentenced to a day behind bars and ordered to undergo substance-abuse and domestic-violence evaluations after agreeing a plea deal in her assault case. Although a shocking video allegedly had shown her kicking her boyfriend Dakota, hitting him several times with a metal barstool and putting him in a choke lock, theyre actually still together and had a child her third in March. Dakota, an estate agent, also continues to appear in her social media posts. However, as the series begins, shes worried about his fidelity. (The producers must be secretly overjoyed). She has said of the show: I want people to have a better understanding of who I am. I wanted to be vulnerable and show people that when you hit rock bottom, there is hope. How many of the other women were or perhaps are part of Taylors soft swinging network remains to be seen but she isnt the only one among the friends who, by Mormon standards, has had a chequered past. Some are divorced, one was notable for staying by Taylors side during her fall from grace, and another, Demi Engemann, 30, has been singled out as a potential swinger because she often complains about the age gap with her 46-year-old husband. Meanwhile, Whitney Leavitt, another of the cast, has denied swinging in her own marriage but encouraged others to try it if they were interested. Whitney, a mother of two who as Taylor once did is currently showing off her pregnancy bump online, suffered her own social media crisis. In 2021, she performed a TikTok dance to a Kendrick Lamar rap song in a neonatal intensive care unit next to her newborn baby who was seriously ill with a respiratory condition and hooked up to breathing tubes. More recently, Whitney, 31, got in trouble, even with her own followers, for promoting a sex toy on Instagram. The series, now available online on Disney+ in the UK, comes out amid growing evidence in the Mormon heartland of Utah that polyamory and so-called ethical non-monogamy are on the rise. Earlier this year, it was reported that dating websites had noticed a flurry of activity in Salt Lake City, Utahs state capital and the home of most affluent Mormons. The proportion of users seeking open relationships there now exceeds the national average. This shocking development, say some observers, is rooted in Mormonisms troubled history. Started by self-proclaimed prophet Joseph Smith in rural New York state in the 1820s, the church allowed its members to practise plural marriage, a form of religiously sanctioned polygamy that allowed men to have several wives, sometimes underage ones. Under intense pressure from the US government and society in general, the Mormon church officially disavowed the practice in 1904, although some Mormons continued to observe it. Yet in 2020, the Mormon-dominated Utah government decriminalised polygamy on the grounds that many people were practising it in secret anyway and, to prevent abuses, it was better to be open about it. Perhaps with her salacious soft-swinging revelations, Taylor was simply exposing another way in which Mormon sex lives differ from the norm. There certainly hasnt been so much as a sniff of extramarital misbehaviour from other leading lights on Mormon Mum social media. Some, admittedly, have left the faith, but others continue to tread the difficult path of being look-at-me influencers at the same time as being part of a church which preaches modesty and is often accused of reducing women to second-class citizens. They include such stars of the so-called Tradwife movement as 34-year-old Utah farmers wife Hannah Neeleman. Better known to her ten million social media followers as Hannah@Ballerina Farm, she posts about the joys of homemaking, farming, and recently ferociously getting back in shape after having eight children in order to compete as a beauty queen. The shows Demi Engemann (centre) stood by Taylor Why do Mormons account for so many of the most successful momfluencers on social media? One theory is that because Mormon girls are often encouraged to keep diaries when theyre growing up, they take readily to documenting their lives on TikTok and Instagram. Meanwhile, voices from within the Mormon Church complain bitterly that Taylor Paul and her fellow MomTok celebrities arent remotely representative of rank-and-file church members. Real Mormon wives are nothing like these glorified Barbies with their vacuous dance routines, they say. Heres the reality that will never feature in a reality TV series, says Mormon academic Jana Riess. Most Mormons are deeply, predictably, embarrassingly boring when it comes to their sex lives. This may be true but, unfortunately for Mormons, theyre hot TV and film property right now. Hulu has had a string of recent hits with other shows that have tackled Mormonism never flatteringly including the 2022 true crime drama miniseries Under The Banner Of Heaven, starring Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones. This concerned the brutal 1984 murder by two fundamentalist Mormon brothers of their 24-year-old sister-in-law and her 15-month-old daughter. At trial, the pair claimed to have carried out the killings after a divine revelation. Also released in 2022, the documentary series Mormon No More focused on two lesbian Mormons and their churchs historical hostility to gay people. And earlier this year, another Hulu documentary series, Daughters Of The Cult, explored the dark life of Ervil LeBaron, the leader of a fundamentalist Mormon sect with 13 wives (some of them children) who had his myriad opponents murdered. He justified the killings on the grounds of blood atonement, a discredited Mormon belief that held that in order for sinners (including adulterers) to be redeemed, they should be killed in such a way that their blood is shed on the ground and acts as a sacrificial offering. It seems unlikely that Taylor Frankie Paul will be made to pay for her soft swinging sins with blood atonement though there may be some traditional members of the Mormon church who almost believe she deserves it. She's known as the photographer who discovered Kate Moss and heralded in a new era of fashion - heroin chic. However British fashion snapper Corinne Day was never particularly keen on such associations; which ultimately led to her decision to leave the world of fashion behind and instead turning to documentary-style photography. Despite the London-born trailblazer's attempt to shake her connections with the controversial movement that was accused of promoting anorexia, it was too late - the industry was hooked on her candid, unedited style of work, which starkly contrasted the often-flamboyant imagery prevalent in the '80s. Corinne's dedication to revealing life's intimate moments on camera never once faltered, and even in her weakest moments during the lead up to her emergency surgery for a brain tumour in 1996, she demanded her partner Mark Szaszy capture her on camera. Some 13 years later, the fashion industry mourned the loss of one its highest regarded figures after the brain tumour prematurely ended Corinne's life, but her legacy has by no means faded, with her objective of sharing real, gritty imagery still prevalent across the industry today. The cover of The Face magazine in 1990 launched Corinne Day's career as a photographer and Kate Moss's in the modelling industry She started her career in the world of fashion on the opposite end of the camera, working as a model in Italy during her teenage years. In her spare time, Corinne photographed her model flat mates, but unlike the made-up images typical at the time, she chose to stray away from performative glamour and towards unfiltered imagery. 'I loved seeing them with bags under their eyes because I thought they were even more beautiful,' she recalled reported Studio Nicholson. 'They had a life in them. It wasn't bland, or fake and covered in makeup,' Day added. Acknowledging her fascination, Corinne approached fashion magazines to secure commissions, and in the spring of 1990, she visited Storm model agency to find the face of her next shoot. She picked out a fresh-faced 15-year-old Kate Moss, who was not yet known in the industry - a choice that would change the course of her and Kate's life forever. Corinne presented the polaroid to Phil Bicker, the art director of The Face - a prevalent art, fashion, and culture magazine at the time, originally published from 1990 to 2004, before a recent relaunch in 2019. 'I saw the same thing in Kate as Corinne saw, that she represented something very real: the opposite, in fact, of all the unreal high glamour of fashion,' Bicker recalled in conversation with the Guardian. He continued: 'I sent Corinne and stylist, Melanie Ward, down to Camber Sands to do a shoot with her'. Pictured: Kate Moss (centre) with her mother, Linda Moss (right), and fashion photographer Corinne Day in October 1991 When Corinne selected a polaroid of Kate to feature in her shoot in 1990, it kickstarted both of their careers (seen in 2010) Kate worked with Corinne on multiple occasions, with some of the portraits featured in the Face of Fashion exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in 2007 It was a shoot that transformed the industry, with images of a young Kate bare faced laughing at the English beach cemented in fashion forever. In the issue, dubbed 'The 3rd Summer of Love', Kate frolicked along the coastline topless, smoked cigarettes while bundled against a wall, and ran through the sand with a child-like glee across her face. Corinne channelled her experience as a model into the images, refusing to touch them up, remarking that she had always hated being made 'into someone I wasn't' when modelling. Ironically, Bicker manufactured the 'natural' images. He told the Guardian: 'It looked natural and simple but it was carefully constructed to look like that. In fact, as I recall, I sent them down there two or three times until they got it right.' The shoot led Corinne to secure a string of commissions for some of the most prestigious names in the industry - i-D, Gun and Penthouse, and the controversial Vogue shoot. Taken in 1993 under British Vogue's 'Under-Exposure', Moss posed in her London flat in few clothes. Outcry followed, spectators commented on Kate's body type, claiming she promoted an unrealistic body type and perpetuated unrealistic ideals or 'heroin chic'. Describing the shoot with photographer Corinne Day, Ms Moss said: 'I just felt really good. The whole shoot, I felt really comfortable, I loved creating the images. You know, it wasn't glamorous. It was in my flat in London.' 'Our bedroom was like a bedsit. That's the kind of fashion I liked. It was much simpler.' Corinne captured Kate at 16 in a series of candid and natural images, which later went under the hammer at Christie's Corinne and Kate were accused of promoting anorexia and 'heroin chic' in the controversial Vogue image Kate was among the friends that raised money for Corinne to undergo chemotherapy in Arizona (seen in 2010) The supermodel recently revealed the abuse she faced for her 'heroin chic' aesthetic. The 50-year-old, who became the poster girl for the trend in the Nineties, said that people would approach her in the street and accuse her of promoting eating disorders. She told a new Disney+ documentary: 'Parents would come up to me and say, 'My daughter's anorexic'. It was awful. 'I think because I was just skinny, and people weren't used to seeing skinny. But if I'd been more buxom, it wouldn't have been such a big deal. It's just that my body shape was different from the models before me.' Reflecting on the backlash to the original photo, which is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in west London, fashion editor Catherine Kasterine told the documentary: 'The public were not ready. They were absolutely appalled. 'Immediately, the pictures were completely vilified and slammed. Perhaps we'd underestimated how that look had in our minds been quite normal.' Vogue editor Dame Anna Wintour said: 'That look very undernourished-looking model made people uncomfortable. 'Many of us at Vogue worried about heroin chic or anorexia, all the things that are associated with that look. It got to such a fever pitch. I remember physically being in the White House when the Clinton administration took the issue on.' Corinne's autobiography reads: 'These photographs upset her [Kate's] model agency and a whole bunch of other people in the press in England and America,' She added: 'I thought these photographs were quite funny at the time. They certainly weren't the kind of photographs normally seen in Vogue. I had photographed Kate in her own flat. 'The photographs looked cheap and tacky everything that Vogue was not supposed to be.' 'I think the press took the photographs far too seriously reading a lot more into them than what was really there. Vogue stopped working with me after that.' The debate on heroin chic led Corinne to withdraw from the fashion industry, instead choosing to work on documentary-style photography with her partner Mark Szaszy. It was in 1996 that Corinne's life took a turn after she collapsed in her New York apartment. She was rushed to hospital where medics found a brain tumour and performed an emergency operation. Still, she insisted that Mark document the lead up to the operation via camera, arguing photography should show the things people don't normally get to see. It is a series of images published in her photography book called Diary in 2000, alongside intimate images of her friends, with Corinne striving to present an accurate representation of youth culture at the time. She made a recovery from the illness and continued work for Vogue and other high-fashion brands. But in 2008, her tumour returned. Corinne's friends, including Moss, started a campaign called Save the Day to raise money for chemotherapy treatment in Arizona by selling Day's limited-edition prints. She battled the illness for two years later until her passing in 2010 at the age of 45, with a statement on her website saying she passed 'peacefully at home, after a long illness.' Tributes flooded in for Corinne, with the then-Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman saying: 'Corinne was a photographer of huge talent and integrity. 'Her work for British Vogue was entirely original and will always be remembered. She could capture raw beauty like few others.' She's one of the UK's most celebrated designers with a surname that is recognised the world over. But back in 1995, Stella McCartney was a stressed-out student frantically prepping for her graduation show at Central Saint Martins in London. During her time at the acclaimed fashion college, the up-and-coming designer - who is the second daughter of Paul McCartney and his late wife Linda - befriended Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Yasmin Le Bon. So when it came to choosing models for her university project, the designer - who features heavily in Disney+'s upcoming documentary In Vogue: The 90s - jumped at the chance to call in a favour from her high-flying friends. However, the mother-of-three has since said she is 'embarrassed' to have included her supermodel pals in her university show - and the media frenzy that followed. Pictured: Stella McCartney poses with Naomi Campbell following her graduate Central Saint Martins show in 1995 Pictured: Stella McCartney dressed Kate Moss in a green slip dress and towering high heels for the show As Stella prepares to lift the lid her time as a wild child of 1990s fashion, FEMAIL takes a look back at the fashion show that put her on the map. Like all fashion design students at Central Saint Martins, Stella had to create her own collection in her final year. The designer settled on a highly tailored range and created miniature top hats for all of her models to wear. But while it was common practice for students to ask their friends to walk the runway, Stella admitted she was initially anxious about turning to her inner circle. The designer recalls in the documentary: 'All the other students were choosing their models, then they were getting their mates. I had mates, but my mates were the supermodels. 'I was like, 'Everyone's gonna hate me if I do that...' but life's too short, and they were genuinely my mates. Those girls were the hottest girls on the planet. 'They were doing every show in every city, and they did a little college fashion show, for me. That was amazing.' On top of this, Stella's parents Paul and Linda McCartney also had front row seats at her show, which graced the front pages of several newspapers the next day and catapulted the young designer to stardom. Supermodel Naomi Campbell wore a pinstriped co-ord and miniature top hat for Stella McCartney's graduate show When it came to choosing models for her university project, the designer - who features heavily in Disney+'s upcoming documentary In Vogue: The 90s - jumped at the chance to call in a favour from her high-flying friends Looking back on the media frenzy surrounding the show, model Naomi Campbell added: 'I don't think anyone's ever had a graduation like that. I've never seen any graduate from St Martins have their collection on the front cover of every single newspaper.' Stella said that the show sparked a backlash from her fellow students and added: 'As [I was] the child of such famous people, it became this whole drama. I was like, 'Agghhh, get me out of here.' Reflecting on her early friendship with Stella, Kate told the documentary that she didn't realise who her friend's parents were at first. She said: 'We were just hanging out in Notting Hill, going to the same bars or restaurants or whatever, and I didn't know she was a McCartney. 'Then I saw her driving around in a Mercedes, and I was like, "She's at college. How could she afford that?" Then she told me and then she asked me to do her graduate show.' Pictured: Stella McCartney with Kate Moss in London in the 1990s. Appearing on Desert Island Discs in 2017, Stella revealed Kate lived with her for a time Reflecting on her graduate show, Stella said in 2017: 'I look back on that moment and just feel a bit embarrassed that I was so naive' After doing her art foundation at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, Stella McCartney enrolled at Central Saint Martins in the early 1990s. Throughout her studies, the designer tried to distance herself from her famous father and used the name Stella Martin. Appearing on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in 2017, Stella insisted she would 'never tell anyone' who her parents were - but said the inevitable discovery was 'always a bit painful'. She added: 'You could tell people in the corridor were kind of looking at you differently.' During her studies, Stella met Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Yasmin Le Bon - who were already regarded as three of the biggest names in modelling. Although Stella didn't comment on how she connected with the trio, the designer did reveal in the BBC interview that Kate lived with her for a time when she was a student at Central Saint Martens. As such, the designer decided to call in a favour towards the end of her final year and ask them to walk the runway in her designs. In her Desert Island Discs interview, Stella said: 'I look back on that moment and just feel a bit embarrassed that I was so naive. 'They were my mates and that's who I was hanging out with when I was at college [...] 'So when it came to choosing the models for my degree show, I kind of thought I might as well ask my friends.' Looking back on the show, Stella acknowledged that the move 'probably p**** off' her course mates too. However, the designer said the year of her graduation was a 'very Brit moment' and she wanted to feature the faces that were representing the UK on the world stage. Stella then went on to say that the models may have agreed to feature in one of the other graduates shows had they asked. After graduating Central Saint Martins, Stella was announced as the creative director of Chloe two years later - and has worked frequently with Kate Moss ever since, including her own brand. Both Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell also appeared on the runway for Chloe in 1997, which was Stella's first year in the role. Pictured: Kate Moss and Stella McCartney seen in the noughties in London after having lunch with Noel Gallager's ex-wife Meg Matthews Pictured: Kate Moss and Stella McCartney on the Chloe runway in 1997 following the designer's debut collection Pictured: Kate Moss' daughter Lila, 21, seen walking the Stella McCartney runway at Paris Fashion Week in March In 2014, Stella picked her old friend to appear in her Winter ad campaign and told Vogue Arabia: 'Kate epitomizes the Stella McCartney woman and I wanted to capture her dreams and the moments we have shared over the years.' The model also appeared in Stella's 2019 campaign and said in an interview for the brand's website: 'Ive had a long personal friendship with Stella and its always been natural for us to work together and support each other.' Speaking to the Evening Standard for Kate's 50th birthday in January, Stella added: 'She was my introduction into the fashion industry, and weve never really left each others side. Shes my ride or die, my number one s**g.' Earlier this year, the model's daughter Lila even appeared in Stella McCartney's Paris Fashion Week show. The 21-year-old wore an oversized, vibrant blue knit dress as she strutted down the runway in front of Vogue's Anna Wintour. The streaming platform has called upon a roster of influential contributors to feature in landmark fashion series In Vogue - a behind-the-scenes look at the fashions that defined the 1990s. The forthcoming show will also give viewers access to the insights of Vogue's top editors, among them Global Editorial Director Anna Wintour, British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful, Sustainability Editor Tonne Goodman and Contributing Editor Grace Coddington. Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, now an established designer, will offer her own insight into '90s fashion and the role Vogue played in its evolution across the decade. In Vogue will showcase rare, never-before-seen archives from key figures in the industry and reveal the untold story of the decade's most celebrated pop cultural moments and movements. The first three episodes of In Vogue: The 90s will land on Disney+ on 13 September - followed by three more on 20 September. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry once said they 'absolutely adore and love' Texan self-help author Brene Brown - so much so, that the Duchess of Sussex included her in the September 2019 issue of British Vogue that she guest-edited. The professor, who's penned five New York Times bestselling books and can count A-list stars such as Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow among her fans, also featured on the couple's first Archewell Audio podcast for Spotify. And the links between Meghan and the popular author don't end there; the Duchess on Saturday spoke at a bookstore co-owned by literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who's worked alongside Brene. Meghan was speaking at Oprah Winfrey's book club session at Godmothers bookstore in Summerland, located just miles from where she lives in Montecito. The TV presenter is a close friend of Brene, with the pair having appeared on Oprah's network together. But not only do Meghan and Brene run in similar circles, it's clear the self-help guru to the stars has become somewhat of an inspiration for Harry's wife, who appears to be adopting some of the language and phrases used by the author. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry once said they 'absolutely adore and love' Texan self-help author Brene Brown (pictured) For instance, during her tour of Colombia with the Duke of Sussex, last month, the Duchess spoke about the lessons she's learned in life at the Afro-Descendant Women and Power: Voices of Equity summit. With her husband in the audience, Meghan told the panel about how she's in her 'chapter of joy' and linked that to gratitude. It's an idea that Brene has often discussed, with the author revealing to Oprah's website previously: 'Joyous people are grateful people.' The American professor added: 'We simply cannot know joy without embracing vulnerability - and the way to do that is to focus on gratitude, not fear.' She continued: 'I believe joy is a spiritual practice we have to work at. For me, that means appreciating everyday moments: a walk with my husband, fishing with my kids on the Gulf Coast. It means not living in fear of what I could lose, but softening into the moments I have.' Meghan echoed this way of thinking during her speech when discussing how 'we can continue to inspire and create change'. She told the panel in Colombia: 'From my standpoint, how I will continue to express this, both through our foundation and through being able to move through the world, I suppose, is just looking at this as my chapter of joy. 'And the more that you are able to look at your life and really, truly, recognise that if you're going to be grateful for your life, you have to be grateful for all aspects of it. The professor, who's penned five New York Times bestselling books and can count A-list stars such as Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow among her fans, also featured on the couple's first Archewell Audio podcast for Spotify. Pictured, Meghan Meghan was speaking at Oprah Winfrey's book club session at Godmothers bookstore in Summerland, located just miles from where she lives in Montecito. The TV presenter is a close friend of Brene, with the pair having appeared on Oprah's network together (pictured) 'The parts that were opportunities of growth and may have felt very difficult as well as the parts that feel inspiring, joyful and full.' She once again mentioned her 'chapter of joy' in her closing statement, telling the audience: 'You may have noticed, my husband and I were talking about it this morning, I just really relaxed on this trip - that's probably because it's Colombia and you all know how to have fun. 'There is something so liberating about being able to be yourself and be comfortable in your skin and be surrounded in a space that is excited to see you exactly the way that you are. 'I think that is part of the chapter for me, of joy, that will hopefully continue to inspire and allow me to keep doing the work that we love to do, which is to just be of service and to see other people live their lives through that same joyful spirit.' Another topic both Brene and the Duchess seem to agree on is setting boundaries. During an episode of her Archetypes podcast, Meghan spoke of her frustration at 'cowering and tiptoeing into a room' during work situations due to the fear she could be perceived negatively. 'I'm particular, I think a high tide raises all ships, we're all going to succeed so let's make sure it's really great because it's a shared success for everybody,' she said. 'But I also find myself cowering and tiptoeing into a room and the thing I find most embarrassing when you're saying a sentence and the intonation goes up, like it's a question. 'And you're like, ''oh my God, stop stop like whispering and tiptoeing around it." Just say what it is that you need. 'You're allowed to set a boundary. You're allowed to be clear, it doesn't make you demanding. It doesn't make you difficult, it makes you clear.' The Duchess of Sussex (pictured in Colombia in August) included her in the September 2019 issue of British Vogue that she guest-edited And the links between Meghan and the popular author (pictured right) don't end there; the Duchess on Saturday spoke at a bookstore co-owned by literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh (pictured centre), who's worked alongside Brene The mother-of-two has previously been branded 'Duchess Difficult' following claims about her 'dictatorial' behaviour and 5am emails which allegedly prompted her aide Samantha Cohen to quit. Other 'broken' royal staff told of being reduced to tears by bullying and temper tantrums. Meghan has always strenuously denied any claims of bullying. Brene has similarly shared how setting a boundary is not a negative behaviour, explaining on Oprah.com: 'Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others. 'We can't base our own worthiness on others' approval (and this is coming from someone who spent years trying to please everyone!). Only when we believe, deep down, that we are enough can we say "Enough!"' Discussing similar topics isn't their only link, the bookstore Meghan spoke at on Saturday for Oprah - close friend of Brene - is co-owned by Jennifer Rudolph Walsh. Jennifer - previously WMEs head of worldwide literary who was thanked by Prince Harry in his book Spare, 'for her always positive energy and soulful counsel', according to Town & Country - has represented Oprah and Brene as clients. Meanwhile, Meghan joined the WME stable last year as part of what experts claimed was a major relaunch following negative publicity due to Harry's memoir and attacks on the royals in their Netflix documentary. Her agent Ari Emanuel is a key player in the fashion industry and his wife Sarah Staudinger is the founder and designer of the luxury Staud brand, which Meghan loves. Mr Emanuel is the chief of the talent agency WME, which represents the Sussexes' friends Oprah and Tyler Perry, and is said to be 'the best in the business' when it comes to 'corporate deals and making money'. Meghan's British Vogue cover included 15 'trailblazers', such as activists, artists, and fashion stars, and the issue became the publication's fastest selling edition in history Elsewhere, another similarity between Meghan and Brene is that both of their podcasts are now with other production companies, rather than Spotify. Brene's last episode for her exclusive contract with Spotify aired in 2023 and now her podcasts Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead have found a new home at the Vox Media Podcast Network. Meanwhile, Spotify and the Sussexes's audio production company Archewell Audio released a joint statement in 2023 saying they had 'mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together'. Prince Harry's wife announced in February that she had signed a deal with Lemonada Media, a female-founded company that wants to 'make life suck less'. The Duchess, who produced only one series of her podcast Archetypes for Spotify before parting ways with the company, signed with Lemonada to develop and host a new series. It's unclear when more work will be broadcast. In August 2020, Prince Harry revealed he and Meghan absolutely adore Brene, who helps people embrace their vulnerability. Her online talk The Power of Vulnerability has been viewed more than 50 million times. Brene, a married mother of two, is known for inspirational quotes such as you either walk into your own story and own your own truth or you live outside your story hustling for your worthiness. On her website she writes: I believe that you have to walk through vulnerability to get to courage, therefore embrace the suck. My motto right now is: Courage over comfort. Brene is the first researcher to have a filmed lecture on Netflix; The Call to Courage special debuted on the streaming service in April 2019 The Prince admitted Brene became a friend after he and Meghan relocated to their 11 million Californian mansion. Speaking during an online event with members of the Queens Commonwealth Trust, the Prince spoke of his admiration for both Brene and Tristan Harris, who runs the Centre for Humane Technology, a non-profit organisation focused on the ethics of consumer technology. He said: I love the fact youre quoting Brene Brown and also quoting Tristan Harris because they are two people we absolutely adore as well, and we know. We love them! This adoration for Brene was further proven when the Duchess included, as she noted, an 'inspiring read' from the author in the British Vogue issue she guest-edited in 2019. Her cover included 15 'trailblazers', such as activists, artists, and fashion stars, and the issue became the publication's fastest selling edition in history. Brene's article was titled: '"Speak Your Truth. Follow Your Wild Heart": How Brene Brown Learned To Cope With Cruelty Online.' Then, in 2020, Brene featured on Harry and Meghan's first Spotify podcast, alongside the couple's other famous friends, including Sir Elton John, Deepak Chopra and James Corden. The famous faces reflected on 2020 and their hopes for 2021 in the holiday special, with Harry introducing the author as 'someone who has helped a lot of people see things more clearly this year... who we think is awesome.' Brene has had a varied career, working as a professor, author, podcast host and self-help guru. She has spent two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy and imparts her wisdom to students, readers and listeners. Previously struggling with addictions to smoking, alcohol and emotional eating, she has since transformed her life and now helps others. She has penned five New York Times bestselling books and her TED Talk on The Power of Vulnerability further propelled her in the public eye, going viral with millions of views on YouTube. Brene is the first researcher to have a filmed lecture on Netflix; The Call to Courage special debuted on the streaming service in April 2019. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Steve. They have two children, Ellen and Charlie. Queen Letizia glowed in smart-casual as she returned to royal duties following her summer holiday this morning. The Spanish Queen, 52, opted for a white top with three quarter-length sleeves and black trousers as she received representatives from the Spanish Association of Lateral Sclerosis. She accessorised with simple gold hoop earrings and little other jewellery as she welcomed them to the Royal Palace in Madrid. As she looked ready for business in her chic monochrome outfit, the royal mother-of-two showcased a brighter overall look compared to her funeral attire on Sunday. She and King Felipe looked solemn in black as they attended a service to celebrate the life of the King's cousin, Juan Gomez-Acebo. Queen Letizia of Spain looked bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as she got back to royal duties today, following her summer holiday Juan died on August 12 at the age of 54 following a battle with cancer - less than six months after his younger brother, Fernando Gomez-Acebo, passed away at the age of 49. Juan's funeral, which took place at the Cathedral of the Armed Forces in the Spanish capital, was also attended by King Felipe's parents - former monarch King Juan Carlos I, 86, and Queen Sofia of Spain, 85. According to Spanish publication TodoAlicante, Juan, who was the son of Infanta Pilar and Luis Gomez-Acebo, kept a low profile working as a painter after studying fine arts. Before his death, Juan was in a relationship with architect Teresa Veret. He also had a son, Nicholas, 11, from his first marriage to Winston Holmes Carney. The royal opted for a white pleated blouse paired with dark tapered trousers and white sandals with a chunky heel Letizia has been opting for flat shoes in recent months after breaking her foot earlier this year The Spanish queen looked ready for business as she returned to royal duties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain (pictured) attended the funeral of the Spanish King's cousin, Juan Gomez-Acebo, in Madrid on Sunday Queen Letizia, 51, wore a demure black A-line dress with puff sleeves for the solemn occasion Queen Sofia of Spain (pictured), 85, King Felipe's mother, was also in attendance at the Cathedral of the Armed Forces in Madrid Walking arm in arm, Queen Letizia and King Felipe were greeted by royal fans hoping to get a picture of the royal couple. Both the King and Queen, along with the other mourners, were dressed in black for the solemn occasion. Tanned after the Spanish royal family's annual summer break in Mallorca, Queen Letizia, 51, wore a demure black A-line dress with puff sleeves, which she accessorised with a pearl necklace. She added a pair of patent black kitten heels and a small leather handbag. The mother-of-two wore her shoulder-length, brown hair in a side-parting and brushed back behind her ears to reveal a pair of silver and pearl earrings. King Felipe, 56, meanwhile, looked smart in a black suit with a white shirt and black tie. Queen Sofia of Spain looked equally formal in a long, pleated black skirt and a black jacket with embroidery around the shoulders, which she paired with black shoes with block heels. The elegant mother of King Felipe wore three strings of pearls around her neck and a pair of dainty earrings, as well as numerous bracelets on her right wrist. Her husband, Juan Carlos I, who made use of a walking stick, chose a navy suit to pay his final respects to Juan Gomez-Acebo. King Juan Carlos I (pictured), 86, attended the funeral of his nephew Juan Gomez-Acebo, who died at the age of 54 following a battle with cancer King Juan Carlos I used a walking stick and was supported as he made his way into the cathedral The former Spanish monarch, who abdicated in 2016, wore a navy suit for the sombre occasion Princess Anne of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (right), 85, and her daughter Princess Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (left) attended the funeral on Sunday King Juan Carlos I was pictured greeting another mourner at his nephew's funeral Among the mourners gathered at the Cathedral of the Armed forces in Madrid were Princess Anne of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, 85, and her daughter Princess Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. The King and Queen's daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, did not appear to be present. It was only in April that Queen Letizia and King Felipe attended the funeral of Juan's younger brother, Fernando Gomez-Acebo, who died atthe age of 49 on March 1 from Covid-19. The royal couple looked sombre as they paid their respects to King Felipe's cousin at the mass at Castrense Cathedral in Madrid. Fernando was the Spanish monarch's first cousin and a nephew of King Juan Carlos. He was the youngest son of Infanta Pilar and Luis Gomez-Acebo. When King Felipe and Queen Letizia arrived at the funeral mass, they were welcomed by waving crowds. There was an air of melancholy as they walked hand-in-hand through the cathedral's grounds. Queen Letizia donned a form-fitting black dress with detailing at the waist and cuffs for the occasion. Crowds gathered near the Cathedral of the Armed Forces in the Spanish capital, with royal fans hoping to get a picture of the King and Queen Queen Letizia accessorised her demure dress with a pearl necklace and a pair of matching earrings The mother-of-two, 51, wore patent black kitten heels and carried a small handbag King Felipe wore a black suit with a white shirt and black tie for the occasion Walking arm in arm, the royal couple appeared to greet onlookers in Madrid Queen Letizia wore her shoulder-length brown hair loose and brushed back behind her ears to reveal a pair of pearl earrings King Felipe and Queen Letizia both bowed their heads as they paid their respects Queen Sofia of Spain accessorised her black outfit with three strings of pearls and numerous bracelets She accessorised her outfit with a black leather handbag and stunning pearl brooch. Queen Letizia kept her make-up subtle and wore her brunette locks in a simple style. King Felipe paid respects to his cousin in a navy blue double-breasted blazer and matching trousers. He paired the suit with a crisp white shirt and a black tie. Fernando's funeral came soon after another poignant event for the Spanish royals - a remembrance service for victims of terrorism. At the commemorative event paying tribute to the nearly 200 victims of the 2004 train attack in Madrid, Queen Letizia looked sophisticated in a navy long-sleeved gown. The royal acessorised her outfit with matching kitten heels and a leather clutch bag for the event, which took place at Spain's Royal Collection Gallery. Sarah Burton, known to many as the designer behind Kate Middleton's wedding dress, has been announced as the new creative director of Givenchy - the design house behind Meghan Markle's nuptial gown. The 50-year-old artist worked as creative creator for Alexander McQueen for 26 years - she was its creative director for 13 of those years. Sarah took over the role in 2010, following the death of its founder Lee Alexander McQueen. According to Vogue Business, industry estimates suggest she helped grow the Kering brand's sales to around 830 million by 2022. Her last collection for the British design house came in Spring/Summer 2024, after which she became a free agent. Top fashion designer Sarah Burton (pictured in London in April) is the new creative director of fashion house Givenchy The designer worked at Alexander McQueen for 26 years, 13 of which, as creative director, during which she designed the now-Princess of Wales' wedding dress (Prince William and the Princess of Wales on their wedding day in April 2011) The event was described as emotional, featuring a standing ovation, and many tears. Following her departure from McQueen, her next move was highly anticipated. Last December, it was revealed that Matthew Williams would be stepping down from his role as Givenchy's creative director. No successor was named. In the meantime, he turned his attention back to to his brand 1017 Alyx 9SM. Following Matthew's three-year tender at LVMH-owned Givenchy, its studio team led the design process, while a new creative director was found. Now it has been announced that Sarah Burton - who described Givenchy as a 'jewell' will be taking over, and will be responsible for all of the women's and men's collections. Speaking about the role, which is effective immediately, Sarah said: 'It is a great honour to be joining the beautiful house of Givenchy, it is a jewel. 'I am so excited to be able to write the next chapter in the story of this iconic house and to bring to Givenchy my own vision, sensibility and beliefs.' Clare Waight Keller, a former creative director at Givenchy, was the designer behind Meghan Markle's wedding dress (pictured: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their wedding in Windsor in May 2018) Sidney Toledano, chairman of the Givenchy board, added: 'Sarah Burton is an exceptional creative talent whose work I have passionately followed for many years. 'Her unique vision and approach to fashion will be invaluable to this iconic maison, known for its audacity and haute couture. SARAH BURTON - HER HISTORY IN DESIGN Sarah Burton was born in Macclesfield and educated in Manchester, before studying Fashion at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, graduating in 1997. In 1996, Burton joined Alexander McQueen and became head of design in 2000 under McQueen. In May 2010, she was appointed creative director. In 2011, she was announced as the designer of the Princess of Wales dress for her wedding to Prince William. In 2012, she was awarded an OBE for her services to the British Fashion industry. During her 13 year tenure as creative Dcrector, ahe produced womens and mens collections to great critical acclaim, as well as establishing an extensive education programme supporting young creatives. She left Alexander McQueen in October 2023. In December 2023, Burton was awarded the Special Recognition Award at The Fashion Awards, honouring her outstanding contribution to the fashion industry. Source: LVMH Advertisement 'I am convinced that her creative leadership will contribute to the future success and international standing of the maison.' In July, another new hire - Alessandro Valenti - became the CEO of Givenchy. Describing the arrival of Sarah Burton as head of our creative design as 'a very exciting moment for Givenchy', Alessandro added that her 'remarkable career path and creative vision have already won her a vast fan base'. He said: 'We are certain that under her direction, Givenchy will continue to innovate and captivate an extensive audience across the world stage. 'I eagerly anticipate the new creative energy Sarah will bring as she works alongside our outstanding teams in our exceptional workshops and we embark on this new chapter in the history of Givenchy.' Sarah's new role makes her the woman to hold a creative director at an LVMH house. Her antecedents include Alexander McQueen, who held the position between 1996 and 2000. As the second woman to head design at Givenchy, Sarah follows Clare Waight Keller. Clare, who was its creative director between 2017 and 2020 is known by many as the designer behind the wedding dress worn by Meghan Markle during her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018. She spoke about the gown during the couple's 2022 Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, appearing on episode four. During the episode, Clare said the minimalist silk outfit, without lace or any other embellishments, had to be 'flawless'. She said: 'Looking at the design of the dress, there were many conversations about how you want to present yourself to the world. 'Most of us have a wedding with 70 to a hundred people. 'This was billions of people watching. 'It has to be flawless, it has to be perfect.' Sarah Burton will present her first collection for Givenchy in March 2025. Synlait Milk Limited (Synlait) has completed the strategic review of its North Island assets, including its manufacturing facility in Pokeno and its blending and canning facility in Auckland. The review was undertaken as part of Synlaits business recovery plan. It explored a wide range of factors, including potential ownership structures, mothballing the Pokeno facility, and how to balance its capability to process dairy and non-dairy hybrid nutrition products. Synlait CEO Grant Watson commented: The review has been detailed and thorough. Its given us the insight needed to lift the financial performance of these world-class assets. We now have a pathway to profitability in our North Island operations. One of the reviews findings was that switching between processing plant-based proteins and dairy hinders the Pokeno plants operational efficiency. In addition, it found that transportation and a number of manufacturing costs mean it is not financially viable for Synlait to keep processing milk at Pokeno. As a result, Synlaits Board and Management have decided to focus Pokenos operations solely on producing advanced nutrition products which do not require raw milk. The Dunsandel facility will remain the hub of the business for dairy operations. Synlait has 54 farmer suppliers in the Waikato and the company will meet all of its contractual obligations to them, including incentive payments. Grant commented: We are proud of our cohort of North Island farmers and very much value the working relationship we have with them. They will remain Synlait suppliers until the end of their supply agreements and we will remain their first port of call for support. What will change is that Open Country will be collecting and processing their milk. The Board will not actively seek a buyer for Pokeno, however in the event a compelling offer was made for the asset, the company may consider it. Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: TRU - WHO Agency UNITAID Features TRU in Tech Landscape Report PaySauce Quarterly Market Update - September 2024 October 2nd Morning Report Rua Releases Annual Report for Year Ended 30 June 2024 SCL - Settlement of orchard sales The Warehouse Group 2024 ASM and Director Nominations AIR - Update on Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer Comvita Limited - Annual Report 2024 September 27th Morning Report Spark announces departure of Finance Director Christian Cowan presented Spring/Summer 2025 on Sunday during New York Fashion Week. The runway presentation took place at the BLADE EAST tarmac in front of a dramatic backdrop of the East River and Queens skyline. 'I'm a big cinemaphile, I love a movie, I love a cinematic universe, I love anything that's not the real world... the real world's a lot,' Christian told Daily Mail. 'I was watching this film called Madame Sin which was a less popular, later on film by Bette Davis where she plays this villain that's real fabulous. 'And I was like done we're doing that! I'm paying homage to a lot of the horror and murder mysteries that I've loved watching.' Christian Cowan presented Spring/Summer 2025 on Sunday during New York Fashion Week 'I was watching this film called Madame Sin which was a less popular, later on film by Bette Davis where she plays this villain that's real fabulous,' Christian told Daily Mail On the catwalk we saw many of Cowan's signatures such as star motifs and ostrich plumes, only this season he chose an unlikely color palette of silver, black and cobalt blue. 'Within my collections I always will look to find newness and innovate in what we are but also encapsulate the things that our customers really adore,' he shared. 'And our customers love a little sparkle, they love things that will get them noticed. 'They've been asking me for daywear options more tops, more trousers, more skirts.' When I went to theMet this year I wore a similar suit it white and I had the real rose in there and I thought the concept was too good to just wear it at the Met and never again ... 'I'm paying homage to a lot of the horror and murder mysteries that I've loved watching' We saw many of Cowan's signatures such as star motifs and ostrich plumes on the catwalk for spring, only this season he chose an unlikely color palette with silver, black and cobalt blue prominent throughout 'Within my collections I always will look to find newness and innovate in what we are but also encapsulate the things that our customers really adore' The beauty mimicked that of Bette's character As the official skincare sponsor, La Roche-Posay worked with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Angelo Landriscina Models stormed the catwalk in beauty looks that mimicked that of Bette Davis' character. The edgy look consisted of black chin length wigs (with the help of TRESemme), razor-thin eyebrows, fluttering eyelashes and flawless skin. As the official skincare sponsor, La Roche-Posay worked with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Angelo Landriscina. Dr. Landriscina worked with each of the models on a personalized skin prep routine customized to their individual skin type and concerns, prior to makeup application. Products such as Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer, 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum, and La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra were used. The edgy look consisted of black chin length wigs, razor-thin eyebrows, fluttering eyelashes and flawless skin We saw many of Cowan's signatures such as star motifs, ostrich plumes, only this season in an unlikely color palette For the special evening Christian donned a grey double-breasted suit with a metal rose skewering the fabric, similar to the style he wore to the Met Gala with partner Sam Smith The brands tailoring techniques previewed on the 2024 MET Gala red carpet continue to impress. For the runway presentation Christian donned a grey double-breasted suit with a metal rose skewering the fabric, similar to the style he wore to the Met Gala with partner Sam Smith. 'I thought the concept was too good to only wear it at the Met Gala,' he said. He included the stunning metal accent for both men and women. Cowans love of bringing underwear to outerwear was taken to the next level with unmentionables appeared to be sewn over garments. Models were accessorized with heavy-handed jewelry by Astrid & Miyu and DSW footwear. Several models walked with sleek, minimalist umbrellas, exclusively crafted for the show in collaboration with SHED RAIN. Each guest in attendance was gifted an umbrella to celebrate the SS25 collection. Sharp, layered tailoring is seen on both men and women with metal roses skewering through the fabric that act as closures Cowans love of bringing underwear to outerwear was taken to the next level Every dog owner knows that the hard, plastic, post-surgery cone is their beloved pet's worst nightmare. Is there anything more humiliating for an animal than struggling to achieve basic canine tasks such as eating a bowl of kibble or picking up a stick in the park? But now an award-winning photographer has turned the dreaded cone of shame into works of art - while raising money for rescue dogs with urgent medical needs - and dog lovers already can't get enough of the cute results. The photographs appear in Winnie Au's new book Cone of Shame, with a portion of proceeds going to Animal Haven's Recovery Road Fund. Au, who has 46,000 followers on Instagram and has worked with Hershey's, NFL, and Pepsi, most recently photographed star real estate broker Ryan Serhant for his Netflix series Owning Manhattan. Sebi, a seven-month-old Brussels Griffon, wears a collar made of artificial grass on a plastic base Waldo the Bedlington Terrier looks too cute in custom wool pom-poms to match his coat Winnie Au started the project to help pay for rescue dogs with urgent medical needs Most recently, she collaborated with designer Marie-Yan Morvan to create custom collars made using anything from eggshells and swimming pool noodles to suede and silk flowers, to bring dignity and charm to what is otherwise a grim experience for both dog and human. 'I wanted to take that post-surgery humiliation - that saddest moment for every pet -and twist it into something beautiful and majestic,' says Au. 'I wanted to take the shame out of the cone.' 'These pics are soooo cute,' commented one of her followers on Instagram when she posted a sneak preview this week. 'The world needs this!' wrote another. 'You're killing me with these! So great!' said one more. And another commenter said: 'This is actually the coolest photography concept I've ever seen... thank you for bringing attention to our furry friends!' The project was born out of Au's own loss of a beloved pet. Her adorable Corgi, Tartine, was the first dog she and husband Florent had together, and she describes her as 'a fluffy piece of heaven.' 'We were obsessed,' she says. 'We followed a blog called OCD: Obsessive Corgi Disorder. I found a niche Japanese magazine called Corgi Style that I fawned over. Florent named one of his video game usernames after her. I started a blog comparing Tartine to my meals. 'Corgi-shaped mugs entered our home. Our friends would forward us videos with titles like "Corgi Flop" and "Corgi Rae Jepsen." 'Our crowning achievement was having her named as one of BuzzFeed's "Most Important Corgis of the Year." Yes, that's a list you can get on, and we were pleased as punch to revel in Tartine's five minutes of internet fame.' Anges, a Chihuahua-Whippet, wears fetching pink feathers Silk flowers, leaves, and plants create a regal-looking cone for Blue, a French Bulldog Olive, a Miniature Schnauzer, is happy with her matching gray pampas grass on a felt collar The author, Winnie Au, with her Basset Hound rescue Clementine The book was inspired by Au's Corgi Tartine (right) who sadly passed from throat cancer Tartine developed a slight cough and they hoped it was nothing to worry about, but when they received the dreaded news that she had throat cancer, they made the difficult decision to undergo radiation and chemotherapy. And eventually, after months of hospital visits and painful treatment, they had to let her go. 'She just seemed to be having more bad days than good ones,' writes Au. 'She eventually wasn't able to eat at all, and she was suffering. We decided to put her to sleep, and it was one of the hardest things we've ever had to go through. We were heartbroken. 'We missed the little clicking of her paws on the ground, we missed our daily walks, and we had no idea what to do with her bed, her bowls, all of her cute corgi things.' She adds: 'We were lucky at the time and had pet insurance that covered most of our costs... But I realized that when your dog is sick or injured, it's horrible to have to make medical decisions based on finances. So I vowed to do something about it.' By donating proceeds from her work to help other animals has, she says, 'been a cathartic process and has helped me channel some of the pain I felt from the loss of Tartine into something positive and fulfilling.' She and Florent were determined they'd never get another dog, but a few months later, after fostering a rescue dog called Clementine, they decided to adopt her permanently. 'Once Clementine came into our lives, both of our hearts melted all over again,' Au writes. But the book is dedicated to their first puppy love - the sweet Corgi 'who taught us how to be selfless and joyful,' writes Au. 'Thank you for completing our family.' Cone of Shame by Winnie Au is published by Union Square & Co. Despite multiple degrees, he's been struggling to find a full-time job since 2010 A father-of-four is reckoning with more than a decade of disappointment in striving to find steady work despite having an MBA. Marcial Quinones, 48, remembers when he could find a well-paying full-time gig in tech without even a high-school diploma, he told Business Insider. But he's well aware that that those easy-breezy days for job-seekers in the tech industry belong to a bygone era. 'I wish there was an easier way, but traditional ways of looking for employment have been overshadowed by artificial intelligence and lack of human interaction,' Quinones speculated to the outlet. Marcial Quinones, 48, was able to find good jobs in the tech industry in the 1990s without even a high school diploma Over the years, he's held a variety of part-time jobs as well as built his own inventory software that he sells to companies. But at this point, he also realizes that, likely thanks at least in part to automated hiring systems, the gaps in his resume are now a major factor holding him back. Early on, Quinones seemed to overcome the odds, growing up with an abusive father before dropping out of school in the seventh grade. At age 18, finding himself in a transitional independent living facility and suddenly about to become a first-time father, he committed to getting his act together. 'At that point in my life, I was trying to change everything and become better because I knew that I would be a father I started taking things more seriously and tried to figure out what to do with my life,' he said. Sans high-school diploma, he became a head technician for an Arizona computer company. In 1999, he was hired by Intel as an IT manager and held the position for a year before being laid off amid the dot-com bubble. Over the coming years, he went on to get an associate's degree, and later bachelor's degree, in computer programming. Thanks to bad luck going back decades, he hasn't been able to find steady work in his area of expertise since 2010 (stock image) He then enrolled in an MBA program in 'technology management' before landing a New Jersey-based job as a chief technology officer for an import and export company. But, only two years into the position, in 2010, he lost the job thanks to an unspecified difficult situation within his family that he found it 'extremely difficult to recover from.' Ever since then, he's been struggling to find steady work - but it's definitely not for lack of effort. Quinones started out posting on Facebook in search of jobs and would walk into local businesses to ask about hiring, only to be brushed off time and time again. He even created an inventory management software program that he's sold to various clients over the years - though even this original invention hasn't been enough to garner a steady income stream. His wife has helped support the family of six through a remote sales job, he added. All the while, Quinones has picked up work through gigs like printing images on merch and driving for Uber (though only netting $70 daily after expenses) - while doing car and plumbing fixes himself to save on costs. In 2015, he began a master's program in family and marriage counseling, but was unable to complete it due to his financial aid running out. When he tried to pick back up where he'd left off in the program a few years later, he found out that many of his credits no longer counted thanks to a change in the curriculum requirements. He told BI he's redone his resume in the range of 25 times, even dropping $300 for a professional overhaul that still yielded zero interviews. The publication also verified that he's received 'five to 10 rejections daily this year,' via screenshots he shared. Quinones also surmised he's in an awkward middle ground where he's overqualified for entry-level work in IT but doesn't have the qualifications to get his foot in the door in another industry. He further noted that his race may be another factor holding him back - as he suddenly began getting more interviews when he changed his first name on his resume to Tony (a shortened version of his middle name). In an ideal world, given that he's located in rural Pennsylvania 30 miles from any cities, he also needs to land a remote position. He's also aware that at this point his skillset may likely be behind what a lot of companies are looking for, giving the fast pace of chance in the tech industry. 'If you haven't been employed in a while, I can't magically snap my fingers and make it happen,' Quinones said. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives docuseries has been making headlines thanks to a viral swinging scandal - but there's another sex act on the show that may be even wilder. On episode three of the Hulu series, Demi Engemann, 29, gets outed by castmate Whitney Leavitt, 30, for using a box of Fruity Pebbles cereal during oral sex with her husband Brett. Although the intimate moment happened before the women started filming the show, Whitney shared it with some of the cast behind Demi's back. For extra emphasis, Whitney then jokingly demonstrated the sex act with friend Mayci Neely, 29, by squatting over her face. When asked what role the cereal actually played in the act, Whitney said cryptically, 'What can I say? The fruity cereal has to do with taste.' The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Demi Engemann (pictured) has spoken out about a wild sex act she was involved in that was featured on the hit series On episode three of the Hulu series, Demi (right) gets outed by castmate Whitney Leavitt for using a box of Fruity Pebbles cereal during oral sex with husband Brett (left) Later that night, Whitney gifted Demi with a box of Fruity Pebbles cereal in front of the other women - leaving the mom-of-one utterly mortified. 'This specific thing that she was trying to make light of and make a joke was something that was completely intimate and off the table, that was between Brett and I,' Demi told producers. 'We swore to each other that we would never tell a soul about that. I just think it's below the belt.' Demi later admitted that she'd got into an argument with her husband after he learned that their X-rated sexscapade had been discussed on camera. Speaking to DailyMail.com about the fallout from the racy moment last week, Demi said that she wasn't worried about the moment airing on the show any longer. 'We're pretty open, within reason - we have kids and we wanna be respectful,' she explained. 'But we're pretty open with how obsessed we are with each other and how we push the boundaries and have fun with it for sure,' she continued. When asked what role the cereal actually played in the act, Whitney (pictured) said cryptically, 'What can I say? The fruity cereal has to do with taste' Later that night, Whitney gifted Demi with a box of Fruity Pebbles cereal in front of the other women - leaving the mom-of-one utterly mortified 'I think it was more just a lesson learned for me that there are some things that you should keep to yourself and keep between man and wife. 'I don't think [Brett] is worried. He's so understanding and supportive and sweet and we have such good communication, so we're long past that. 'It's just a funny thing at this point.' Fans on social media have gone wild over the outrageous moment, with many trying to figure out exactly what Demi did in the bedroom with the breakfast treat. 'I just want to be explained what Demi did with the Fruity Pebbles honestly,' posted one, while another wrote, 'Has anyone figured out what that Mormon lady did with Fruity Pebbles?' The women shrieked with laughter as a stunned Demi opened the box of cereal 'This specific thing that she was trying to make light of and make a joke was something that was completely intimate and off the table, that was between Brett and I,' Demi told producers Fans on social media have gone wild over the outrageous moment, with many trying to figure out exactly what Demi did in the bedroom with the breakfast treat Another viewer said that Whitney was 'out of line' for gifting Demi with the box of Fruity Pebbles. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives follows a group of glamorous influencer moms who have their faith and friendships rocked by a couple-swapping scandal. While reality TV fans are loving the series, some members of the Mormon community have been outraged by the show's portrayal of their faith. Additionally, the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted a cryptic statement on their website seemingly aimed at the Hulu series last month. 'Some portrayals are fair and accurate, but others resort to stereotypes or gross misrepresentations that are in poor taste and have real-life consequences for people of faith,' they wrote when discussing the representation of Mormonism in the media. 'While this is not new, a number of recent productions depict lifestyles and practices blatantly inconsistent with the teachings of the Church. 'Others irresponsibly mischaracterize the safety and conduct of our volunteer missionaries,' the statement continued. 'We understand the fascination some in the media have with the Church, but regret that portrayals often rely on sensationalism and inaccuracies that do not fairly and fully reflect the lives of our Church members or the sacred beliefs that they hold dear.' The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives follows a group of glamorous influencer moms who have their faith and friendships rocked by a couple-swapping scandal The series is produced by the team behind Netflix's My Unorthodox Life, which followed designer Julia Haart after leaving her strict orthodox Jewish community behind to become a hotshot in the fashion world. 'The scandalous world of a group of Mormon mom influencers implodes when they get caught in the midst of a swinging sex scandal that makes international headlines,' teases a press release. 'Now, their sisterhood is shook to its core. Faith, friendship and reputations are all on the line. 'Will #MomTok be able to survive and continue to give the rulebook a run for its money, or will this group fall from grace?' Kmart has released a new range of 'cute' dinnerware that looks just like a nostalgic design from the 80s. The just-launched cabbage plates, bowls and platters (from $8 - $16) bear a striking resemblance to Bordallo Pinheiro ceramics from Portugal which retail for up to $200. Eliza Reid, a bargain hunter and event manager from VIC, shared the 'stunning' dining find ahead of the summer entertaining season. 'This might be throwing it back for a few people but Kmart have now dropped some cabbage bowls, plates and platters,' she said in a video. 'Obviously, they're a cheaper version of the fine china, but very cute, nonetheless.' The striking green serving ware includes two mini bowls ($8), two green side plates ($8), a cabbage oval platter ($12) and a large cabbage bowl ($16). The 'elegant', retro crockery is microwave and dishwashing safe and is already flying off shelves across the country. Nostalgic fans remember eating off 'cabbage ware' at their mother and grandmothers tables, and couldn't wait to snap up the 'value for money' version. Eliza Reid, behind Instagram account bargain_homewares, was excited to share Kmart's take on cabbage ware Fans of the iconic 80s dinnerware are racing to Kmart to get their hands on the bargain version 'I am totally grabbing a couple of these even though I already have some Bordallo plates,' one said. 'That cabbage bowl filled with a pile of bright fresh coleslaw or pasta salad would look amazing,' another added. Some said that The Reject Shop also stocks dupes of the iconic Portuguese plates. This comes after Kmart launched a popular new appliance that pizza lovers have called the 'best kitchen launch ever'. The new Pizza Maker ($69) comes with a 31 cm ceramic stone perfect for cooking frozen or fresh pizza - and shoppers have called it a 'game changer'. 'The dials on this make it possible to cook on a lower heat for longer, to get that base to wood-fired perfection is kind of expensive these days, so the maths is math-ing,' one said. Cancer deaths are projected to rise by a sixth across Labours first term compared with the last five years, a charity has warned. Analysis by Cancer Research UK suggests that there will be about 912,000 deaths from all cancers in the UK between now and 2029 a rise of 17 per cent. Experts also project new diagnoses will jump by more than a fifth over the same period around 2.2million in total. They urged the Government to develop a long-term strategy for the disease, with a focus on funding research, early diagnosis and prevention. Michelle Mitchell, of Cancer Research UK, said: These numbers highlight the devastating impact cancer continues to have on patients across the UK. Behind each worrying statistic is someone who could lose precious moments with the friends, family and loved ones they leave behind. Ms Mitchell called for bold action to help people live longer, healthier lives. Decades of research have meant that cancer survival has doubled in the past 50 years, but this progress is slowing, she added. The Government must ensure they deliver on their commitments to tackle cancer and make the UK a world leader in research and care. Michelle Mitchell (pictured), of Cancer Research UK, called for bold action to help people live longer, healthier lives. Decades of research have meant that cancer survival has doubled in the past 50 years, but this progress is slowing, she added Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Experts project new diagnoses will jump by more than a fifth over the same period around 2.2million in total. They have urged the Government to develop a long-term strategy for the disease A patient about to undergo a CT scan. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: We have inherited a broken NHS. Too many cancer patients are waiting too long for treatment, and we are determined to change that (stock image) A doctor showing a patient the male reproductive system. Peter Tomlinson, 81, from Worcestershire, said he worries the NHS is not geared up to deal with cancer following his experience after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009 after his wife Ali, who was herself a doctor, urged medics to perform a biopsy (stock image) There are no quick fixes or easy solutions bold action is needed to help people live longer, better lives. The Government should develop a long-term strategy for cancer which funds research and innovation, prevents and diagnoses cancers earlier, and addresses strains on the NHS. Peter Tomlinson, 81, from Worcestershire, said he worries the NHS is not geared up to deal with cancer following his experience. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009 after his wife Ali, who was herself a doctor, urged medics to perform a biopsy. After having hormone therapy and radiotherapy, Mr Tomlinson said he came out relatively unscathed but stressed this was down to Ali. Sadly, his wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013. Despite surgery and medication, she died aged 72 in the autumn of 2020. My cancer was caught early not by my GP, not by a consultant, but by my wife, said Mr Tomlinson. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. GPs are under such pressure and I know that symptoms of early cancer can be difficult to spot, but then youve got the waiting time before the test. Then youve got to wait for the results of the test. He added: The Government needs to understand the emotional impact of cancer on the patient. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: We have inherited a broken NHS. Too many cancer patients are waiting too long for treatment, and we are determined to change that. We will improve cancer survival rates by hitting all cancer waiting time targets within five years, and double the number of MRI and CT scanners so no patient waits longer than they should. Despite fears of a surge of cancers in young people, at least one form of the disease appears to be on the decline among the under-50s. Rates of deadly skin cancer are rapidly falling in young people, according to a new major study involving 90,000 people. It bucks a concerning trend of increasing rates of some types of the disease, specificially breast, lung and bowel. Over the last two decades the number of under 50 year-old Brits diagnosed with bowel cancer has risen by 24 per cent. In the new study, experts from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden analysed national data tracking cases of the most serious type of skin cancer melanoma, which is mainly caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun, over time. Tracking data in both men and women from 1990 to 2022, they found that from 2015, cancer rates declined significantly in the under 50s particularly in women. A new Swedish study shows rates of skin cancer are on the decline among young people, a pattern that is also being replicated in the UK Strictly professional Amy Dowden was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy and almost died from sepsis The biggest change was among 20-to-29-year-olds and 30-to-39-year-olds, who saw declines in incidents rates of the disease of up to five per cent. By the end of the study rates of melanoma had declined to 18 cases per 100,000 women and 10 cases per 100,000 men, declines of 5.2 per cent and three per cent respectively. For 20-to-29-year-old women, data showed a decrease of 5.2 per cent to seven cases per 100,000 while men remained stable at threes cases per 100,000. Melanoma rates in the 40-to-49-year-olds didn't decrease dramatically but were noted to level off from 2015 onwards. For young people below the age of 20, a demographic which included children, rates didn't change but the authors noted cases were rare throughout at less than one case per 100,000 population. In contrast, the study published in the journal JAMA Dermatology, found rates of the disease in general increased among the over 50s during the same period. HOW TO STAY SAFE IN THE SUN Sunburn increases a person's risk of skin cancer. It can happen abroad or in the UK. To stay sun safe, experts recommend people: Seek shade between 11am and 3pm, which is when the sun's rays are typically strongest Wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen Apply sunscreen 30 minutes, and again just before, UV exposure Opt for water-resistant sunscreen if necessary and reapply after swimming, sweating or using a towel Cover up with protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses Be extra careful with babies and young children. Infants under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight Do not use sunbeds or sunlamps Checks moles and skin for any changes Source: NHS Choices Advertisement Dr Hildur Helgadottir an expert in cancer at Karolinska, said: 'We can see a trend break in young adults around 2015 where the incidence curves are falling.' 'This is the first time we see this in Sweden, and we are the first European country to report a decline.' While the data can't provide a direct reason why rates Dr Helgadottir and colleagues suggested four factors could be at play. The first was the potential success of the country's sun safe campaign urging people to take precautions like wearing sunscreen on sunny days. Another was declining use of sunbeds in Sweden, as well as young people staying in indoors more due to rising use of mobiles and computers. The final factor Dr Helgadottir suggested was that immigration meant Sweden was seeing an influx of younger people with darker skin that stood up better against the sun. She added that the results also showed a need to continue to emphasise the importance of sun protection to hopefully reduce incidence rate among older demographics. Data from the charity Cancer Research UK (CRUK) also shows a small decline in melanoma rates among younger Brits in recent years. The most recent data, from 2017-2019 shows there about 15 cases per 100,000 people among Brits aged 25-to-49. This is a decline from a peak 16 cases per 100,000 people in this age range in 2014-2016. A similar decrease was also recorded in the under 24s with rates declining from 1.4 cases per 100,000 in 2004-2006 to just under one case per 100,000 in the most recent data round. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Cancer risk broadly increases in age but young people, defined as those under the age of 50, aren't immune. While still overall rarer than in older groups experts have been concerned by an unexplained rise in cases of cancers, like that of the colon, among young adults. CRUK data shows the incidence rate of the disease among younger Brits (aged between 25-49) is now just over 162 cases per 100,000 people each year. This is 22 per cent higher than the figure in the 90s. And the increase cannot be dismissed as just being due to better cancer detection methods, experts argue. For comparison, rates among the over 75s, who account for about half of all cancer cases in the UK, only increased by 9 per cent in the same period. Cases among the under 50s are still, statistically speaking, rare, only accounting for one in 10 cases of the disease in Britain. However, the rate of increase, and the fact that so far scientists have been unable to pin the cause, is worrying experts. Your browser does not support iframes. Actor Chadwick Boseman is one famous face killed by early onset cancer, defined medically as a case of the disease striking someone under the age of 50, in the Black Panther star's case it was colon cancer Signs of skin cancer range from innocuous to obvious, but experts warn that treating cases early is key to making sure they do not spread or further develop Oncologist Dr Shivan Sivakumar, from the University of Birmingham, previously described the situation as an 'epidemic'. He said: 'There is an epidemic currently of young people (under 50) getting cancer. 'It is unknown the cause of this, but we are seeing more patients getting abdominal cancers.' A study published in the British Medical Journal last year found cases of early onset of cancer increased overall globally by 79 per cent between 1990 and 2019. The experts also predicted cases of cancer in the young are set to rise further, by an additional 31 per cent by 2030. A number of famous faces have been hit by early onset cancer. Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden, 34, is one being diagnosed with breast cancer twice last year. Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman is another being tragically killed by colon cancer at 43. Kate Middleton's shock cancer diagnosis earlier this year has also shone a light on the startling trend. About 17,500 cases of melanoma are diagnosed in the UK each year, with the most common symptom being the appearance of a new or change in an existing mole. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK and causes around 2,000 deaths per year. Despite this it is one of the Britain's most survivable cancers with nearly 9 out of 10 patients alive a decade after their diagnosis. READ MORE: Strangest things men have shoved up their bottoms for pleasure A Japanese man died from kidney failure three years after putting a stick of eyeliner up his backside. The unnamed patient, who was in his 60s, was rushed to the hospital after his brother found him unconscious at home. A CT scan revealed a 3.5-inch long tube of eyeliner near his rectum, which doctors believe he used 'for sexual stimulation.' The patient - who was a cross dresser - was too unstable for surgery and died two days after being admitted to the hospital. An autopsy revealed that the eyeliner had penetrated his bladder and caused a egg-sized mass to form. An unnamed man in Japan died of a kidney infection three years after inserting a tube of eyeliner in his rectum (stock image) The above image from the patient's autopsy shows the tube of eyeliner penetrating a large bladder stone, which likely formed as a result of the eyeliner penetrating and injuring the bladder Doctors believe the patient died of sepsis as his body overreacted to a kidney infection. According to the case, published in a medical journal, the unnamed patient suffered intermittent bouts of abdominal pain for three years. Two weeks before his death, he complained of anorexia and diarrhea to his brother, who he lived with. The patient's medical history is unknown, as he rarely went in for checkups. Though he was still unconscious when he arrived at the hospital, he suffered a high heart rate and low blood pressure. He also had a 100 degree Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) fever. Doctors gave the patient antibiotics, as they believed there could have been an infection, and norepinephrine for his low blood pressure. His vital signs were too poor for him to undergo surgery. However, he died two days later after repeated attempts to revive him. After his death, a police investigation revealed that the patient had a habit of wearing women's clothes. They also found a vibrator hidden in a stocking in his room. The patient's left fingernails were painted red at the time of the autopsy. This lead experts to believe that he inserted the eyeliner into his rectum 'for sexual stimulation.' Your browser does not support iframes. The above CT scan shows the eyeline near the patient's bladder. The eyeliner tube was attached to a bladder stone, which likely formed from sediments and bacteria found on the tube Researchers from the University of Rochester, New York, found that men were more likely than women to come to hospital with a foreign object lodged in their rectums The autopsy showed small wounds on the patient's buttocks and an ulcer in his perineum, a small patch of skin between the anus and scrotum. The eyeliner had penetrated his bladder and was found inserted in a 2.5 by 2.3 inch bladder stone, roughly the size of an egg. The mass likely formed from the eyeliner's damage to the bladder. The injury caused a rectovesical fistula, which caused the patient's rectum, lower colon, and bladder to become stuck to each other. Additionally, he suffered an infection in his left kidney, which spread to his spleen. This could have been from the fistula making it difficult for the patient to urinate, leading to urine building up in the bladder. The team also noted that an infection could have been caused by bacteria lingering on the eyeliner, which could have accumulated over the three years it was stuck in the bladder. The infection led to sepsis, which occurs when the immune system overreacts to infections and attacks healthy organs. The doctors believe this is the first case report detailing a complication from a foreign body in the rectum several years after the initial incident. They noted that while 'this is an extremely rare case,' sexual activity 'should be considered a possible manner of death, even if the activity was performed several years previously.' Perhaps it's a bottle (or two) of sauvignon blanc with dinner most evenings. Or a well-deserved sherry in the late afternoon, followed by a gin and tonic while cooking. It might even be a couple of pints with friends in the pub several days a week and more on match days at the weekend. And on holiday? No one's counting. When The Mail on Sunday's Dr Ellie Cannon asked readers to write to her in confidence about their alcohol consumption, concerned that most people were not honest with their GPs about how much they drank, these were the typical stories that flooded in. Most admitted to 'probably drinking too much' every day and also, as Dr Cannon suspected, to lying to their doctors about doing so for fear of being judged, lectured or even labelled an 'alcoholic'. And the truth is, of course, that like it or not in almost all of these scenarios you'd be drinking above the 14 units a week recommended for both men and women by Government health chiefs. It's less than most people think: roughly equivalent to six pints of beer, a bottle and a half of wine or 14 single measures of spirits. The guideline was introduced back in 2016 by then Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies, following a review of the evidence of the harms caused by drinking too much alcohol. 'Drinking in moderation and healthy eating are key,' says Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer The update, which saw Dame Sally branded a 'killjoy', reduced the limit for men from three to four units a day to 14 units spread over a week, advised everyone to have several completely alcohol-free days, and recommended pregnant women drink no alcohol at all. Given the recent headlines which suggest just one glass of wine a day puts us at higher risk of cancer and liver damage, and equally concerning links emerging between alcohol consumption and dementia risk, many experts argue this is a reasonable approach which reflects the evidence and makes those risks very clear. Most agree that, even if the guidelines appear 'nannying', the UK's escalating drinking culture is causing us harm. But how worried do we actually need to be if drinking at or even above 14 units a week and have the risks been overstated? While the harm alcohol causes to our health is very real, from heart attacks and strokes to cancer and even dementia, some experts say the risk from drinking moderately is so small as to be almost meaningless and equivalent to the risks we face every day from a host of other mundane behaviours which we don't consider risky. Indeed, as Dame Sally's successor, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, said recently, 'drinking in moderation', along with stopping smoking, healthy eating and exercise were key to staving off illness and disability in later life. Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, who was one of a group of experts consulted as part of the guideline update in 2016, gave a more detailed view: 'An hour of TV watching a day, or a bacon sandwich a couple of times a week, is more dangerous to your long-term health. 'There's no such thing as a safe level of drinking,' argues Professor Dame Sally Davies, the former Chief Medical Officer 'In contrast, an average driver faces much less than this lifetime risk from a car accident. It all seems to come down to what pleasure you get from moderate drinking.' In other words, it's a risk like any other and only you can say what you feel comfortable with. John Holmes, professor of alcohol policy at the University of Sheffield, whose team in the Sheffield Addictions Research Group produced modelling work which informed the 2016 guidelines, is similarly reassuring about the evidence. 'There is no magic number here no cliff edge where, if you drink below that level you're safe to drink, and over that and you're going to die,' he says. 'Broadly speaking, the risk increases with each additional drink you consume, and it increases particularly sharply for higher levels of consumption. Ultimately, it's just a guideline not a limit, as it's often described.' Decades of scientific research has now proven links between alcohol and at least eight different types of cancer, dementia, heart attacks, strokes and liver cirrhosis. In particular, the role of alcohol in increasing the risk of breast cancer has been much more clearly established in recent years. Former breast surgeon Liz O'Riordan has written in the MoS about her fear that alcohol might have caused her breast cancer, which has now returned twice. Prof Holmes says the updated Government guidance was intended to convey a message about the increased evidence of harm, while advising people how to consume alcohol at the lowest level of risk. It was based on a simple principle also used in developing alcohol guidelines in Australia: namely, that people see a risk of one in 100 as broadly 'acceptable'. The team worked out, based on the evidence, how much an average person would have to drink every week across their lifetime to get to a point where one in every 100 died of an alcohol-related problem. Their conclusion was that it was 'roughly' 14 units. But Prof Holmes explains: 'There's a lot of uncertainty in the '14 units' figure, and probably a range which is acceptable, which might be up to 21 units. 'But it's set at 14 because we also had to consider what we wanted the new guideline to do in terms of changing behaviour. We needed it to be easily understandable, something we could defend scientifically, and it had to communicate this message that the evidence of risk from alcohol had increased since the previous guidelines. Professor Sir David Spielgelhalter, statistician and expert on risk, claims 'an hour a day of watching TV is more dangerous to your health' 'If you want to keep your risk low, the idea is you keep this number in mind. If you have 15 to 16 units a week, you've slightly increased your risk, but it's not huge. If you're having 20 to 30 units a week, you've substantially increased your risk.' It's a view echoed by Prof Spiegelhalter, who told the Mail on Sunday: 'The UK recommended limits are described as 'low-risk', but this does not mean that anything above this is 'high-risk'. 'It would be wrong if people thought that drinking anything above the recommended limits is necessarily harming them they could perhaps be considered as aspirational targets.' To put this into context, Prof Spiegelhalter has pointed to a major study published in the Lancet in 2018 which was based on 600,000 drinkers and examined 40,000 deaths. 'The study estimated that, compared with people drinking within current UK guidelines, those that drank up to twice the current guidelines had, on average, around six months lower life expectancy,' he said. 'Of course, any effect of additional alcohol will vary hugely between people, but this gives an idea of the magnitude of the trade-off.' In other words, it's small. He illustrates this further by analysing another large US study, which made headlines around the world by suggesting one drink a day was enough to increase the risk of death. But again, the statistics provide important context, Prof Spiegelhalter points out. If 100,000 15- to 95-year-olds drank no alcohol in a year, 914 of them would develop a health problem which can also be caused by drinking, the study shows. If all of them drank one alcoholic drink every day during that year, 918 of them would develop such a problem an extra four people. It means, Prof Spiegelhalter says, that 25,000 people would have to collectively consume 400,000 bottles of gin in a year to get one extra serious alcohol-related health event. And if those same drinkers instead had two drinks a day, or 2.5 units of alcohol equivalent to 17.5 units a week, and 25 per cent more than the UK guidelines 977 would develop a problem. That's an extra 63 people. 'This still indicates a very low level of harm in drinkers drinking just more than the UK guidelines,' he concludes. Of course, there is still the risk of harm if you regularly consume a lot more than the guidelines and women are more at risk than men. At moderate levels, the risk is equal, which is why the guidelines are set at 14 units for both men and women. Government health chiefs recommend 14 units a week for both men and women. It's less than most people think: roughly equivalent to six pints of beer, a bottle and a half of wine or 14 single measures of spirits But the more women drink, the higher the risk, partly because alcohol levels remain higher in women's blood for longer. Women have higher rates of liver disease, heart damage and cancer from lower levels of drinking. The expert group advising the Government on the 2016 guideline update briefly discussed introducing different categories of risk depending on how much alcohol you drank but ultimately decided this would prove too confusing. It is, however, a useful guide for both male and female drinkers. Prof Holmes explains it is based on categories often used in research, which splits consumption into three layers of risk: low risk is up to 14 units a week; hazardous, or increasing risk, is between 14 and 35 units for women and between 14 and 50 for men; and harmful or high risk is over 35 units for women and 50 for men. 'Whereas 14 units a week corresponds to a one in 100 risk of dying from alcohol, if men drink 50 units a week that risk increases to roughly one in six or seven,' Prof Holmes says. Each person's individual risk will also be different depending on their genetics, their age and how healthy they are. As for alcohol-free days, the evidence is even weak on whether this is beneficial. 'There's some evidence that, if you're a heavy drinker, having a few days off can help the liver recover,' explains Prof Holmes. 'But, broadly, making this recommendation part of the guidelines was about frequent drinking being habit-forming, which might push up consumption not because we have evidence that drinking every day is worse for you. I mean, the suspicion is it isn't great, but the evidence is far less certain.' It is, however, not all good news. It is looking less likely that there are protective effects from drinking alcohol in small amounts. That 'medicinal' glass of red wine may not be beneficial after all. The theory was based on older studies which compared the health of teetotallers with other drinkers, and which found those who do not drink could be as unhealthy as those who drank more heavily. There seemed to be a mild protective effect for the heart in those who consumed a small amount of alcohol. Drink more than that, and those benefits were lost as the increased risk from cancer and other problems took over. But some research failed to account for the fact that some teetotallers are former heavy drinkers, or don't drink because of poor health. Prof Holmes says: 'We're pretty confident now that we've been overestimating any benefits, and they may not exist at all,' he says. Research suggests that updating the guideline has not, in any case, had much of a lasting impact on our alcohol consumption. Professor Robert Dingwall, a sociologist at Nottingham Trent University, says: 'The risks for most people are trivial. What you do have is a concentration of people for whom alcohol is a real problem and the public health challenge is how you get to that group, rather than change the advice for the population as a whole.' Prof Holmes says: 'The way I often describe it is that most people have been given a pretty good hand, and there's a good chance they'll win the bet when it comes to their risk from alcohol. But you're betting against the house. It's up to you whether you fancy your chances or not.' Doctors have ramped up their warnings over how ultra-processed foods could be contributing to the surge of colon cancer cases in young people. And while candy, chips and processed meats have gotten the most attention recently, there is a growing number of people who report eating 'clean' but still get the disease. Gastroenterologist at the University of Miami Dr Maria Abreu, who was recently awarded a grant to study this phenomenon, believes part of the problem is the amount of emulsifiers in modern foods, including those that are in healthy products, such as low-fat yogurts, light salad dressings and peanut butter. The common additives that help give dairy-free and low and non-fat foods their combined and creamy texture, but have been linked to gut inflammation and disruption of the gut microbiome - the collection of healthy bacteria in the body's digestive tract. Gastroenterologist at the University of Miami Dr Maria Abreu believes a contributing factor to the rise of colon cancer is a change in the body's microbiome, which could be caused by the amount of emulsifiers in modern foods Your browser does not support iframes. Under normal conditions, the gut microbiome protects the digestive tract from pathogens and infections and helps prevent and reduce gut inflammation. When the microbiome is thrown off by medications or certain foods with additives - or the digestive tract is damaged by inflammation - it may increase the risk of cancer. Dr Abreu told WSVN 7 News: 'Something in the microbiome has changed, and its setting in motion this chronic inflammation in the [gastrointestinal] tract. 'These ultra-processed foods create a lot of noise in the microbial system. 'Things like emulsifiers that are added in, things that are creamy, you know, the nonfat yogurts and all these things, really can change the gut microbiome very profoundly.' Common emulsifiers include soy lecithin, sucralose, xanthan gum, carrageenan, maltodextrin and polysorbate. Popular 'Light and Fit' yogurts, zero-sugar Greek yogurts and 'complete' protein yogurts frequently contain some type of emulsifier to give the products their creamy consistency. Vegan and 'light' mayonnaises also list emulsifiers on their ingredient labels. Cottage cheese, 'light' salad dressings, pickles, cereals, dairy and meat substitutes and even gums can all also contain these potentially harmful ingredients. The FDA has reviewed and approved these ingredients and has deemed them 'generally regarded as safe,' but there are some studies that have shown concerning associations. Data from JAMA Surgery showed colon cancer is expected to rise by 90 percent in people ages 20 to 34 One study found exposure to carrageenan was associated with intestinal ulcers and abnormal, potentially cancerous tissue growth. Another study found animals exposed to carrageenan developed ulcers and intestinal inflammation. While some studies have linked xanthan gum to health benefits such as weight loss and lower cholesterol, one set of researchers found consumption of xanthan gum led to an altered gut microbiome. A 2015 study found people who consumed maltodextrin had a reduced number of good bacteria in their gut and an increased number of bad bacteria, which could damage the intestines and raise the risk of inflammatory bowel conditions. And another study linked maltodextrin to chronic inflammatory conditions and infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Multiple studies have looked at the link between the gut microbiome and colon cancer. A 2021 study concluded: 'Because the colorectal region is a site where changes in the gut microbiota can influence the organs directly, [colorectal cancer] CRC is considered to be affected by the gut microbiome more than other tumors. 'Studies of the gut microbiome revealed that [disruption of the microbiome] occurred more frequently in CRC patients than in healthy people.' A 2022 study stated: 'The alterations in the gut microbiome play a major role in the progression and development of CRC.' Joe Faratzis, 34, from Los Angeles, is pictured above in his twenties before his stage-four colon cancer was detected (left) and during treatment which began in 2020 (right) Laurie Koshers, pictured above with two of her children, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at 44 years old Mrs Koshers was a lifelong vegetarian and avid runner, so her cancer diagnosis came as a shock Studies have also discovered that the gut microbiome may also help target CRC treatment in some patients. The US has the sixth highest rate of early-onset cancers - disease in people under 50 - with 87 cases per 100,000 people younger than 50 years old - and colon cancer is among the fastest rising. Researchers from the University of Missouri-Kansas City looked at rates of colorectal cancer in people 10 to 44 years old over the last two decades and found cases had risen in all age groups. The rate of colorectal cancers grew 500 percent among children ages 10 to 14 and 333 percent among teenagers aged 15 to 19 years. Rates rose by 71 percent among people 30 to 34 to seven cases per 100,000 people. Among people 35 to 39, rates rose by 58 percent to 12 cases per 100,000 people. Among these young cancer patients is 44-year-old Laurie Koshers from Virginia. Despite eating healthy and avoiding processed foods, Mrs Koshers was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2018. Mrs Koshers is a lifelong vegetarian and avid runner, so her cancer diagnosis came as a shock. And while experts are increasingly blaming ultra-processed foods, doctors say patients like Mrs Koshers highlight that other factors could be behind the surge. Shanghai launches 10-billion-yuan fund to foster future industries Xinhua) 10:20, September 09, 2024 SHANGHAI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese financial hub of Shanghai on Saturday announced the establishment of a 10-billion-yuan (about 1.41 billion U.S. dollars) fund to nurture future industries. According to the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, the fund is fully financed by the Shanghai government and has a term of 15 years that can be extended by an additional three years if required. It aims to boost confidence in early-stage technology investment and accelerate the transformation of cutting-edge innovations into new quality productive forces. The Shanghai State-owned Capital Investment Co., Ltd. will lead the creation of a market-oriented platform to manage the fund. This is a key step as Shanghai continues its rapid ascent to becoming a global hub for scientific and technological innovation. The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Pujiang Innovation Forum, which was co-hosted by China's Ministry of Science and Technology and the Shanghai municipal government. The forum runs from Sept. 7 to 10. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) by Eric S. Margolis Twenty-three years ago this month the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon shook the United States and horrified the world. Almost three thousand Americans died. The US launched attacks across the Muslim world in what the media called the War on Terror. The repercussions of these events continue today. Pakistani family members leave the area after viewing the walled compound of a house, seen in background, where al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was caught and killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan. [Anjum Naveed/AP] Washington quickly blamed Saudi/Yemeni jihadist Osama bin Laden for these attacks and vowed to hunt him down. But was he really guilty? As a veteran of the Afghan Wars and Mideast struggles, I still dont believe most of Washingtons claims, most notably that the perpetrator was Osama bin Laden. It was subsequently revealed that the 9/11 attacks were likely planned in Germany and Spain, not Kabul, Afghanistan. The head of Pakistani intelligence told me he believed bin Laden may have known in advance of the planned attacks but was not personally involved. Lets recall that bin Laden was a CIA asset during the war against Soviet occupation of Afghanistan which I covered. Other senior Afghan mujahidin leaders concurred with this view. They believed the 9/11 attacks originated from Saudi Arabia. Many Saudis believed their nation was occupied by the US. Most of the 19 aircraft hijackers on 9/11 were Saudis. They were based around Delray Beach, Florida. But the US could not admit this embarrassing fact. Interestingly, bin Laden, whose path I crossed in Afghanistan, claimed that the 9/11 attacks were in revenge for Israels attacks on Beirut and other parts of southern Lebanon in 1982. Israel asserts the Lebanon attack was part of its campaign to crush the Palestine Liberation Organization which sought refuge in Lebanon. US-supplied Israeli heavy artillery destroyed important parts of Lebanons capitol, Beirut, killing large numbers of Lebanese civilians over three months. Water and food to Beirut were cut off by Israel, a harbinger of the punishment currently being inflicted on Gaza. Lebanese neo-fascists allied to Israel massacred large numbers of Palestinian civilians at Sabra and Shatila in Beirut. I was there for Day 1 of the Lebanese civil war. The George W. Bush administration was determined to conquer Afghanistan to secure a route for oil pipelines from Central Asia to the Arabian Sea. Bush had no idea about any of this but his far-right Defense Secretary Dick Cheney was lusting for oil and hated Afghanistans resistance movement, Taliban, which refused to take orders from the White House. Cheney decided to invade Afghanistan. 9/11 was, of course, his perfect excuse, no matter the facts. The Afghans became the whipping boy for Washingtons egregious blunders during the 9/11 period. President Musharraf of Pakistan told me that Washington threatened to bomb us back into the Stone Age if Pakistan did not allow US forces to attack Afghanistan from Pakistan. He gave in. The tame US media amplified the war of lies against Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden. After 9/11, I was the principal CNN commentator on Afghanistan. Few Americans knew anything at the time about this distant, mysterious nation except for me. I was with all the senior Afghan resistance leaders and with Taliban when it was formed to stop attacks by Communist forces, stop opium production and protect Afghan women from wide-scale rape. Big TV in the US decided to label the Afghan resistance terrorists. I refused to use this dishonest terminology originated by Israel to delegitimize the Palestinians. I refused to parrot the anti-Afghan propaganda being promoted by US TV. I called all the film clips of bin Laden supposedly blessing the 9/11 attacks as crude fakes. They were produced by the Afghan communists, Americas allies of the moment. Unsurprisingly, I was kicked off CNN and blacklisted by them. According to a CNN producer, the Bush White House called CNN and ordered that I be taken off the air. Bin Laden became the poster boy for evil Muslims and the whipping boy for all of Washingtons mistakes in its new colonial wars in the Muslim world. Osama bin Laden wanted to see heavy-handed US influence evicted from the Muslim word. He failed. He was murdered gangster style in Pakistan in 2011 by a US hit squad. At the time, the so-called `worlds most dangerous terrorist was living in quiet retirement in Pakistan. The real culprits behind 9/11 have never been revealed. Copyright Eric S. Margolis 2024 Eric S. Margolis is an award-winning, internationally syndicated columnist. His articles have appeared in globally recognized newspapers and He appears as an expert on foreign affairs on CNN, BBC, France 2, France 24, Fox News, CTV and CBC. As a war correspondent Margolis has covered conflicts in Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Sinai, Afghanistan, Kashmir, India, Pakistan, El Salvador and Nicaragua. He was among the first journalists to ever interview Libyas Muammar Khadaffi and was among the first to be allowed access to KGB headquarters in Moscow. As a mother of four school-age children, Jennifer Barton has become a master of making sure uniforms are clean, that homework gets done on time and that everyone leaves for school each day with a healthy packed lunch. But every year, especially at this time, she struggles with head lice. Over the past decade her children Diana, 14, Liv, 11, Stella, nine, and Ada, seven, have had at least one or two infestations a year between them. This hasnt just affected them its also been a problem for Jennifer and her husband Will, 40, who works in finance. Head lice affects thousands of households every year in this country and while cases dropped during the pandemic, they are now soaring Jennifer Barton with her daughter Liv, who is now 11. Jennifer checks her childrens hair every day having lost count of the number of times shes caught head lice from them The first sign, she says, is the dreaded itching on the scalp. Even if only one of our kids has lice, we treat the whole family with dimeticone-based head lice treatment [a silicone-like compound which smothers the bugs] until the lice have been eradicated because they spread so easily. She also checks her childrens hair every day. We learned years ago that this is the only way to stay on top of things, she says, wearily. Head lice affect thousands of UK households every year and while cases dropped during the pandemic, they are now soaring if the market for head lice products is a guide (Superdrug reported that sales of treatment spray surged by 121 per cent compared with a year ago). And the problem is never more acute than at this time of year, when children are once again in close contact with each other in classrooms. Jennifer says: I was stressed the first time my eldest got nits because it felt overwhelming. I wasnt prepared for how prevalent they still tend to be, even as kids get older' Most parents dread the email that typically comes weeks into the school term announcing another outbreak. But although parents are often embarrassed to admit their child has head lice, they are very common and nothing to be ashamed about, says Dr Sharon Wong, a consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation. They are nothing to do with personal hygiene. Lice are actually one of our oldest parasites, adapting to changes in human behaviour. As David Reed, associate provost at the University of Florida, and an expert on the genetics of mammals and their parasites, recently told National Geographic, this is apparent from the size of their claws, which match the diameter of human hairs. Their ability to adapt is reflected in the fact that when we started wearing clothes, lice developed into two forms, body and head lice. People often refer to them as nits but those are actually the empty shells of head lice eggs, explains Dr Wong. Driving the rise in cases, suggested an earlier Dutch study in 2016, is the trend for youngsters putting their heads together and taking selfies. This is something Dr Wong says is possible as head-to-head contact is the most common way to spread head lice. Sharing personal items such as hats or hairbrushes is less likely, according to research from James Cook University in Australia in 2010. Similarly with bedding: the NHS advises that washing clothing and bedding on a hot wash is unnecessary, as its unlikely to prevent the spread of head lice. The popularity of long hair may also play a role. A survey earlier this year by the University of Valencia in Spain suggests having short hair halves the risk of getting head lice. However, as Dr Wong, explains: People with all hair lengths can get head lice, although they may be easier to see and eradicate in short hair. Despite their tiny size (an adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed), they can spread with terrifying ease. About 30 seconds of contact is all thats needed and that is easily done in households and schools, says Dr Wong. This is why they can easily become ubiquitous among children in playgroups, schools, clubs and get passed on during playdates and sleepovers. Jennifer, 42, has lost count of the number of times shes caught head lice from her children. Her first infestation was when her eldest Diana was in nursery. I was stressed the first time my eldest got nits because it felt overwhelming, she recalls. Id heard about it, but I wasnt prepared for how prevalent they still tend to be, even as kids get older and into secondary school. During one bout of head lice, Jennifer was pregnant with her youngest child. After being alerted to the possibility by a fellow mum, she immediately checked her own daughter and found a couple of lice. She was worried about using chemical treatments so enlisted her husbands help in treating the problem with conditioner and wet combing where you comb wet hair using a fine-toothed nit comb and a thick conditioner, which effectively traps the lice and helps remove them and their eggs. Consultant dermatologist Dr Sharon Wong says it takes just 30 seconds to catch head lice - and even youngsters putting their heads together for selfies might be at risk Thankfully wed caught them super early so there were only a couple of lice and we managed to get them off, says Jennifer. Although some parents swear by the old wives tale remedy of combing with vinegar, Dr Wong says home cures are not as effective as chemical treatments. The best way to get rid of head lice, she explains, is to use dimeticone-containing products. These are derived from silicone oil and work by smothering the lice and suffocating them. Essentially lice consume more water or fluid than they actually need, which they excrete through their respiratory system. Dimeticone blocks the respiratory tubes, preventing the lice from releasing excess fluid, which then kills them, says Dr Wong. And because it is not an insecticide, its not harsh on the scalp. Dr Wong also suggests using the wet comb method as a belt-and-braces approach, as dimeticone normally needs two applications, a week apart. In the UK there are two insecticides, permethrin and malathion, which work by attacking the insects nervous system. However, increasingly head lice have become resistant to both. Back in the 1980s, permethrin had a near 100 per cent clear-up rate, but a study published in the BMJ in 2007 found it cleared only 13 per cent of cases. Its a similar story for malathion. The rise in insecticide-resistant super lice is a global problem, explains Ian Burgess, a medical entomologist at Insect Research and Development, Cambridge, a centre which advises the NHS on parasites and tests new products. Malathion was introduced in 1991 and by 1993 we found there was resistance to it, he says. In the clinical studies using permethrin in the late 1990s and 2000s, we were getting at best 30 per cent of people cured. Ian Burgess says there are new treatments on the horizon though he cannot reveal details: I am just given them to test, I dont know whats in them. But even if they are better, we need to keep a watch and make sure lice dont get used to them because we have even seen the odd case of lice becoming tolerant to dimeticone. Prevention may be better than cure: but counterintuitively, shaving your head wont work unless you do it every day, says Ian Burgess. Although some parents swear by the home remedy of combing with vinegar, Dr Wong says chemical treatments using dimeticone-containing products are most effective We did a study in Bangladesh where, in summer months, the kids shave their heads because its so hot. In one place, twin girls with long hair both had lice and one cut her hair to a bald pate. The girls shared a bed and within two days the one whod shaved her head had stubble coming through and lice again. For the Barton family, head lice prevention is a military operation with the parents regularly checking for new signs of infestations. My husband is amazing at comb-through removal. We also treat at the first sight of a louse and repeat after a few days, with daily comb-throughs in between, says Jennifer. Hair stays in ponytails, brushes are disinfected, sheets, pillows and clothes all washed. You have to stay on top of it. Our nine-year-old recently got them at a sleepover and its taken several weeks to get rid of them. Dr Wong agrees that such vigilance is key along with treating all family members simultaneously regardless of whether theyve been infected. And most importantly, she adds, have patience. The number of solar panels fitted to homes in Britain has dropped 19 per cent since last year, according to analysis from Coventry Building Society. Over 80,000 solar panels were installed on homes throughout the first seven months of 2024, a 19 per cent reduction on the 106,000 installed during the same period of 2023. The dip in installations in 2024 could be due to the UK having the coolest summer since 2015, while 2023 was one of the warmest summers on record. In 2023 the rate of solar panel installations on UK homes reached a seven year high, with over 165,000 new installations from January to December. Make hay while the sun shines: Solar panels offer a chance for huge electricity bill discounts, and can even be profitable, though consumers will have to factor in installation costs However, 2024 is still the second-highest year for installations since 2015. Around 1.4 million UK homes had solar panels by June 2024, according to Government figures - almost 5 per cent. Sophie Mason, of Coventry BS, said: 'The lack of a British summer may not have put solar panels at the top of everyones to-do list, but theyre still proving to be a popular investment. 'Over 400 solar panels have been installed on homes each day this year, on average, which is a definite surge from same period five years ago.' It typically costs around 5,000 to 6,000 to buy and install an average 4kw solar panel array to a property. The highest year on record for solar panel installations was 2011, when 200,589 panels were installed this was following the launch of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme in 2010. The FIT scheme was a government initiative that paid solar panel owners for electricity they did not use and sold back to the grid. It was closed to new applications in April 2019, although homeowners already signed up continue to get payments until their contract ends, normally 20-25 years after they applied. In June 2019 the government launched the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which also compensates homeowners for selling excess renewable energy to the grid. But the two schemes differ in their details - for example, the FIT paid a single tariff to all those signed up, whereas the SEG tariff depends on what individual energy firms want to pay. 'How do you eat yours?' So goes Cadbury's resurrected slogan for Creme Eggs, coinciding with the 200-year anniversary of the iconic chocolate maker. Granted, the slogan refers to its popular Easter treat, but applies to the brand's other products too. The classic debate is whether chocolate belongs in the fridge or not, something that I couldn't get an absolute answer on. 'We've done some work on this,' says Adam Harris, who has the title of wellbeing chocolate technology platforms lead at Cadbury. How do you eat yours? Cadbury produces around 500million Creme Eggs every year Long lasting: Launched in 1938, Cadbury still makes its Roses chocolate tins 'Half of consumers say they love the chocolate straight out the fridge, half want it at room temperature. It's very much personal preference.' If you want his two cents, it's in the fridge during summer and at room temperature during winter. Not a definitive answer to the debate, but it's the best I can get him to commit to on my visit to Bournville, Birmingham, where Cadbury - one of Britain's most successful ever export stories - is based. It would be fair to say that for many people, it is a bar of Cadbury that they think of in this debate, whether they imagine it in the fridge or not. Having now been making chocolate for two centuries, the iconic purple packaging has become a staple in households across the country and is pervasive in the daily lives of millions - a celebration in good times and a comfort in bad. For Cadbury though, this is an important part of its marketing, as well as its relationship with its consumer base. Louise Stigant, Cadbury's UK managing director, told me: 'There are the big moments like Christmas and Easter, but there are also those moments of getting a good school report, and maybe mum has bought you a Freddo. 'I think that's where it is part of people's rituals with the most important people in their lives; their family and their friends. I think that builds a love [for the brand].' Unsurprisingly, the brand is also something that many feel protective over. After Cadbury was taken over by Kraft in 2010 amid considerable pushback in the UK, including from the Government, rumours abounded that the Dairy Milk recipe had been changed an accusation that many still level towards the chocolate maker. For what it's worth, Cadbury maintains that it hasn't altered the make-up of the beloved bar. But with so much heritage behind Cadbury, and a devoted following for its products, creating new products and dispensing with old ones isn't a simple process. Stigant added: 'The balance when we think about innovation is holding on to the heritage and the love of the products that people really recognise, and then bringing some new and exciting innovation to their to their shopping baskets' 'Cadbury has spent 200 years building the brand in a way that people find it very close to their hearts.' And while they are indeed keen to look backwards, having opened a brand-new archival department to celebrate the anniversary, the business is also set on continuing its innovation and development. Sarah Foden, archive manager at Cadbury, said: 'There's a quote about an archivist always having one eye on the future and not on the past, because it's always about how the things from today are going to be of value in the future for people looking back.' The archives are indeed impressive, and a treasure trove for any history lover. For those more eating-inclined, however, the future is bright and covered in chocolate. The bars of the past: Cadbury products and packaging designs have changed over the years Over the past decade and a half, Cadbury's parent company Mondelez has invested 275million into Cadbury's UK operations, including expanding its research and development team to 600 staff across its sites in Bournville and Reading. Cadbury said all of its chocolate bars made and sold in 150 countries begin development in its global R&D centre located in its Bournville factory. Adam Harris works out of a scaled-up domestic kitchen, filled with ingredients and equipment that allow him and other R&D staff to experiment with new product ideas. He said: 'We use lots of different routes of inspiration. So the cooking world is obviously a great place to start. 'But we look further out. We look at consumer trends, what is going on in the world, what is happening in the fashion world, what is happening in the motor industry. It will all influence consumers lifestyles.' He said, 'That's why we keep going back to the consumers. If the consumers say they don't like it, we're not going to launch it, because we've got to make sure they're happy, and they have expectations that these products taste great.' But tastes change, Harris says, and the products Cadbury produces need to evolve with them. It's true, having glanced through the Cadbury archives, I'm not sure how many consumers would be keen on a Cadbury Marzipan Tray or, indeed, a Cadbury Pineapple bar. 'One of my favourite products was Cadbury Snaps, it was a curved chocolate, a bit like a chocolate Pringle but in that instance it didn't meet consumer needs, so we took it off the market,' Harris told This is Money. 'A product for today might not meet the needs for the future. That's why we're constantly innovating. Consumers want new opportunities, new taste, new textures and new flavors. One such development is Cadbury's newly launched Dairy Milk & More range, consisting of 'Caramel Nut Crunch' and 'Nutty Praline Crisp'. Innovation: Adam Harris says consumer tastes are constantly changing, meaning that the R&D department must find new ways to use their ingredients The reason for their existence? 'The younger consumers want to have multi-sensorial eat journeys. The product has multiple textures in it, making it a different eat to a bar of Dairy Milk.' The innovation process doesn't just consist of Harris and his colleagues playing around with ingredients in a kitchen, however. The R&D department at Bournville has its own pilot plant that it uses to carry out test runs of new products. 'We do everything from what you do in your kitchen at home, through to manufacture,' Harris said. 'And each step we have to understand what the changes are, obviously as you scale things up there is an impact on the way the product is made. 'In the pilot plant, we have everything from lab bench level to almost equivalent to what's in the factory,' he added. This allows the innovation team to check whether its ideas can work on an almost industrial scale, proving that it can be translated to the factory proper. Unsurprisingly, the factory dwarfs the single pilot line, with 23 lines in total. Community focus: Cadbury says its home is in Bournville, where it has been located since 1879 How Cadbury has a community focus While the Bournville complex is by no means small, it is somewhat still surprising that Cadbury has remained on the same site since it was built in 1879, instead of moving like so many other firms do. The brand didn't start in Bournville of course, with John Cadbury, a Quaker, initially founding a grocer's shop in Bull Street, in central Birmingham. It was his sons, George and Richard who decided to relocate the company away from the industrial heart of the city to its current site in Bournville. 'The home of Cadbury is Bournville,' Foden tells me: 'Location wise, it is really important to us to be here and to be on this wider sort of campus.' Indeed, Cadbury says community is at the heart of the brand. The Bournville village that surrounds the campus was, after all, built alongside the factory to house its workers. Cadbury is still active in the surrounding area through the Cadbury Foundation, which invests in local community projects and charities. 'If you were to go back sort of 15 years, the cost of making chocolate here in Bournville was much more expensive than average in Europe,' Stigant said, 'therefore, the investment [from Mondelez] was important to secure manufacturing in the Bournville site, and that's allowed us to drive efficiency and make sure that we can compete with other chocolate manufacturers.' While marking 200 years of the brand is something that has been highly celebrated by Cadbury, its focus very much remains on the future, and on innovation. 'It's really important that this plant, this business, is in really good shape to last another 200 years and be there for future families to enjoy Cadbury,' Stigant said. Aldi UK sales reached record levels as the supermarket unveiled plans to invest 800million in more than 20 new stores by the end of the year. The supermarket chain, which currently has more than 1,000 stores, revealed its sales grew 16 per cent to 17.9billion for the 12 months to December 2023. The results mark the group's highest ever period of sales growth. The supermarket chain, which currently has over 1,000 stores, revealed that its sales grew by 16 per cent to 17.9billion for the 12 months to December 2023 Over the same period, pre-tax profit more than tripled to 536.7million from 152.6million. Following the upbeat results, the budget retailer revealed it planned to open 23 new stores before the end of the year. Locations include Muswell Hill in London and Caterham in Surrey. The investment will come in a record 800million annual investment programme and a 1.4billion two-year plan. It had previously revealed that it plans to open 500 stores, taking its total to 1,500 across the UK. Aldi said its focus on lowering prices and opening stores would bring 'high-quality, affordable groceries to millions more British families'. Giles Hurley, chief executive officer for Aldi UK and Ireland, added: 'For every 1 of profit generated last year, we're investing 2 this year opening more stores and building the supply infrastructure to bring high-quality, affordable groceries to millions more families the length and breadth of Britain. 'We're also investing at record levels to cut prices, reward our amazing colleagues and support more causes in our local communities. 'All while creating thousands more jobs and even more opportunities for our growing base of British suppliers and farmers.' Aldi's success has come at a time when millions of cash-strapped shoppers have deserted the more expensive traditional grocers during the cost-of-living squeeze. In June, results from Which? found the average bill for a trolley of 65 items at Aldi was 118.41, coming in 32.60 less than at Waitrose, which was the most expensive, at 151.01. The group had previously broken its record sales total, with an 8 per cent rise in the four weeks to 24 December, topping 1.5billion for the first time. I have a buy-to-let flat in a shared building which I have wanted to sell for a number of years. However, every time I find a buyer the freeholder refuses to sign any paperwork so the sale falls through. The freeholder owns five of the seven flats in the building so is the majority owner so I cannot get a group together to help. S.N. Leasehold dilemma: Our reader is unable to sell their flat because their freeholder refuses to sign the paperwork that the buyer's solicitor need. We asked two experts for their opinion Ed Magnus of This is Money replies: This sounds like a nightmare and is yet another example of where leaseholders are being let down. Typically, leaseholders require their freeholder or management company to fill in and sign a form known as the Leasehold Property Enquiry (LPE1) form. The LPE1 form includes details about ground rent, insurance, service charges and fire safety. Some leases also include a provision that means a leasehold property cannot be assigned to a new leaseholder unless the freeholder gives their consent in writing. This is known as a licence to assign. The simplest solution here would be to contact the freeholder and try and resolve the situation. But I can only assume you have tried this tactic given the fact that this has stopped multiple sales, rather than just the one. When I first put your question to a legal expert, the initial answer that came back was: 'this is a surprisingly tricky question with no straightforward answer.' But they endured and two lawyers came back with their advice on the matter. We spoke to Mike Hansom, a consultant in property litigation at BLB Solicitors and Simon Nosworthy, head of residential conveyancing at Osbornes Law. Do leaseholders need freeholders to sign paperwork to sell? Simon Nosworthy replies: Unfortunately this is not the first time I have come across this and it is an extremely difficult position for a property seller to be in. It is quite unbelievable, but the freeholder is under no legal obligation to fill out the forms you need to progress the sale of your property the LPE1 forms. This leaves people like yourself in an impossible position if a freeholder chooses to be obstinate or play God over your sale. Mike Hansom adds: It is unclear why the freeholder is being so difficult, but unfortunately there is no straightforward answer, because there is no general legal obligation compelling a freeholder to answer pre-sale enquiries. There is a clear gap in the law here because strictly the landlord has not refused consent or blocked the sale. However, as you have discovered, the outcome is that your buyers pull out, rendering the property unsaleable. What should they do now? Mike Hansom replies: In practical terms, your best option is trying to pin down the landlord to understand why they are not responding and attempt to negotiate with them. You could offer to pay their reasonable costs of providing the answers (which they are entitled to in any event). You might point out they are breaching the Rics Service Charge Residential Management Code of Practice. Expert: Mike Hansom , a consultant in property litigation at BLB Solicitors Paragraph 13.10 of the Code states the landlord 'should' provide answers in a reasonable timescale using LPE1. Unfortunately, the Code is not legally enforceable, so you cannot obtain an injunction compelling the landlord to comply. However, it would be relevant to whether the property tribunal orders the landlord to hand over control of the freehold to a tribunal-appointed manager. As the landlord owns multiple flats in the building, are key individuals ever on site? If they are not contactable in person, the landlord's name and address must be included on all service charges and ground rent demands. In addition, you have a statutory right to be provided with certain information by the landlord. You may obtain some information for the buyer's solicitor through these alternative means. However, this will take time and might not be enough. It also does not create a good impression for prospective buyers. How much can you afford? Find out how much you can afford to borrow for a monthly payment amount with This is Money's mortgage affordability calculator. Although unlikely in your case, another possible explanation is that the landlord is missing or has ceased to exist. For example, it is an insolvent company. In such cases, an absent landlord insurance policy can assist. Simon Nosworthy adds: One option open to you is to approach an experienced property litigation lawyer to assist, but this will of course incur legal fees. Instructing a lawyer to threaten legal action to recover your wasted costs often focuses the mind of the other side. Having a solicitor acting for you also sends a powerful message to the freeholder that you are serious about getting them to fill out the necessary forms. However, while a legal letter often has the desired effect, there is no guarantee of this and it is unlikely your claim would hold up in court. 'This is a legal loophole that needs to be closed and I would urge you to approach your local MP to lobby them to do so. Expert: Simon Nosworthy , head of residential conveyancing at Osbornes Law What should their last course of action be? Mike Hansom replies: If all else fails, section 24 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1987 entitles you to apply to the property tribunal to appoint a manager. If successful, the tribunal appoints an independent person to assume management of the building, forcing the landlord to hand over the reins. The Manager then completes LPE1. Your application is brought on the grounds the landlord has failed to comply with the Code of Practice mentioned above. If the landlord has breached the Code or terms of the lease in other ways, those would also be relevant considerations for the tribunal. Unfortunately, this is a lengthy and potentially costly application, and success is at the discretion of the tribunal, which is similar to a court. But the threat of an application may be enough to make the landlord cooperate. Scottish Widows is planning to 'supercharge' pension engagement as it launches a revamped app and TikTok channel in a bid to drive young people to take notice of their pensions. The life insurance and pensions firm said it is investing 100million to improve its digital offering, including launching its TikTok channel ahead of 'pension engagement season,' This is Money can reveal. As many as one in four people in their 20s aren't saving anything for retirement, according to data from Scottish Widows, with 38 per cent of people not on track to save for their minimum lifestyle requirements. Scottish Widows has rebranded its app platform, investing 100m to boost digital engagement Jackie Leiper, managing director at Scottish Widows, told This is Money: 'People are on their internet banking accounts almost every single day. 'We know that pensions and investments get nowhere near that level of interaction and engagement from people. 'The investment we're making is to create a digital ecosystem and experience that allows people not only to look at their products with us, but actually to connect the accounts with other providers as well.' Scottish Widows hopes by launching a TikTok channel, it can tap into viewers, especially younger people, who are interested in improving their pension and before it is too late to make a real difference. Leiper added: 'If you're in your 20s, you're not really thinking about retiring, are you? But actually, we know that people in their 20s and 30s can make the biggest difference by small steps that they take.' Generally, people don't really start to take notice of their pensions until they are in their 40s, Leiper said, 'by which point they've got quite a short window to really make some real difference or take some real action'. Working with TikTok, Scottish Widows found that searches for '#retirementplanning' had increased 300 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 compared with a year ago, while '#retirement' had increased 60 per cent. Meanwhile, 81 per cent of TikTok users said they want to know more about personal finance, with a third actively searching for this content on the platform. The '#retirementplanning' tag had more than 10 million views in the first quarter of 2024. Scottish Widows: Leiper says most people won't expect a traditional firm to be at the cutting edge of digital engagement Scottish Widows said young people could gain the most by engaging with their pensions early in life, arguing that if the auto-enrolment age threshold was lowered to 18 and the lower earnings limit was reduced, savers could add an extra 46,000 to the average future pension pot, an increase of 45 per cent. 'This generation of people in the 20s and 30s aren't going to have any of the gold-plated pension schemes that perhaps my generation have had, so the steps they can take now could really make a huge difference for them,' Leiper said. 'The TikTok channel is quite experimental, but it is showing that there is a demand there and that if we can go where the people go then that's probably our best opportunity to make the biggest difference.' On top of the TikTok channel, Scottish Widows is also updating its brand and app, including introducing gamification features which it hopes will help to easily explain difficult concepts to users. Having launched just weeks ago, the firm's compound interest in-app game has already seen 53,000 visitors, or one in five app visitors. Leiper said its 'beat the gap' and 'pension mirror' games, meanwhile, have 'had amazing engagement and really helped to simplify down the messages and help people make decisions more easily.' 'The gamification team are miles ahead of our competitors and nobody else is doing this in the pensions and investment space, certainly in the UK,' Leiper added, 'most people wouldn't expect to see it from quite a traditional company like ours.' Scottish Widows is currently recruiting a full gamification team, with the aim of creating standalone games for everyone to use., as well as expanding its features to other aspects of its business. 'Ultimately what we would be hoping that people do is actually start taking steps to close the gap they've got, so that they have what they need for retirement,' Leiper said. A man has lost a third of his lungs, suffered kidney failure and now has septic arthritis in some of his joints after drinking unfiltered spring water which left him with a rare and 'likely incurable' infection. Chris Capper, a 33-year-old former roofer, moved to Home Hill, a rural town in northern Queensland, a few years ago to care for his sick father. He was visiting friends in the nearby town of Mount Elliot when he drank natural spring water on their property in July, 2021. Mr Capper has been sick ever since and believes it was the unfiltered water that made him ill. He visited countless doctors who were unable to figure out why he was so unwell and it wasn't until July last year that he was found to be suffering from a lung disease believed to be caused by nontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) - bacteria found in soil, water and dust. Mr Capper now takes 16 tablets a day, including four different types of antibiotics, but is still severely unwell and is receiving no answers from mediacal experts as to when his suffering may end. The infection has spread through his blood stream to his left hip, lumbar spine and skin nodules. 'I can't help myself at all and the doctors don't know much about the bug so it just feels like they're waiting for me to die,' he told Daily Mail Australia. Chris Capper, a 33-year-old former roofer, moved to Home Hill, a rural town in northern Queensland , south of Townsville, a few years ago to care for his sick father. He has been sick since mid-2021 after drinking unfiltered spring water Mr Capper has lost a third of his lungs to the infection (pictured is an x-ray of his lungs) 'My brain is stuffed from all this medication and they don't even know if it's going to work.' Mr Capper has been regularly driving 14 hours to Brisbane to receive care at The Prince Charles Hospital. He said at one stage his kidney function dropped so low it was at just six per cent. His legs have also been seizing up, he is experiencing vision loss and at times his hands are unable to close. Mr Capper said he vomits blood, bleeds when going to the toilet, and has no energy. Symptoms of NTM disease include a cough with phlegm and sometimes blood, fever and night sweats, loss of appetite and weight loss, and a lack of energy. Before doctors were able to determine what disease Mr Capper was suffering from, he received an x-ray that showed a hole in his lungs. Six weeks later a third of his lungs had been 'eaten' by the infection. The bacteria from the infection has also spread to his elbows, leaving him with septic arthritis. On top of his recent health battle, Mr Capper also suffers from type 1 diabetes and cystic fibrosis - an inherited disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs. His father died in September last year and Mr Capper has no other family around him. While he relies on friends occasionally, he said there was only so much they could do. Work hasn't been possible for Mr Capper while he's been caring for his father and unwell himself. 'I live in a rural town and they've got this attitude of ''you'll be right'' but I'm from the city where you ask for help and get it,' he said. In a report from one of his doctors last month and seen by Daily Mail Australia, the physician said his biggest concern was that Mr Capper 'is slowly dying', from the infection he deemed 'likely incurable'. 'Our goal is really to try and suppress the infection and buy him some time,' the doctor wrote in a letter, recommending Mr Capper receive treatment closer to home at the Ayr Hospital. Mr Capper has been driving from his home in Home Hill, in northern Queensland, down to Brisbane for treatment Mr Capper spends weeks at a time in hospital hooked up to an IV drip that pumps him with antibiotics. 'My hip is shattered, I've got stomach ulcers and my eyes bleed. The doctors call it modern day tuberculosis,' the 33-year-old said. Mr Capper has been unable to work for the last few years due to his health and said he's nearly blown through his inheritance. While he owns his house, Mr Capper said there was too much damage to sell it, and he hadn't been able to repair it amid his health battle. He has since launched a GoFundMe to help raise money to buy a $4,500 insulin pump for his diabetes, along with his ongoing medical costs. It's understood the Prince Charles Hospital has funded some of his medication costs. EXCLUSIVE A bus driver accused of sexually assaulting disabled children has lashed out after he was questioned about the allegations by Daily Mail Australia. Joseph Raymond Saba, 51, allegedly molested two girls - aged 13 and 14 - between January 30 and June 6 this year while driving them to a Western Sydney school. He was arrested at 10am last Monday and charged with six counts of allegedly intentionally sexually touching a child between 10 and 16-years-old. Saba faced Blacktown Local Court later that day, where he was granted conditional bail. Since his arrest, Saba has gone to ground at a relative's property to avoid the media presence at his Greystanes home. When he was approached by a Daily Mail Australia reporter outside a family member's residence on Thursday, grey-haired Saba refused to open up about the allegations against him. 'Get away,' he yelled, wearing a grey hoodie over a black t-shirt, matching joggers and black sneakers, with his right fist and forearm bizarrely inside a plastic bag. 'Don't talk to me!' Joseph 'Joe' Saba, 51, is pictured outside a relative's home on Thursday Saba, who has run a transport business for more than a decade, refused to open up about the allegations Business records obtained by Daily Mail Australia show that Saba has operated a transport business as a sole trader for almost 20 years. The business was registered under the name Paradise Transport, but changed its name to JS Courier Services in July. Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia they were shocked to hear about Saba's arrest. They said Saba, who goes by the nickname 'Joe', seemed 'friendly' and would wave to local residents when he and his partner ventured out to walk their dog. The arrest came just weeks after NSW Police's State Crime Command's Child Abuse Squad launched an investigation in August after receiving reports a bus driver was allegedly assaulting children with disabilities. Under his bail conditions, Saba must report to police twice a week and not go within a 100m of the school. He must also not try to contact his alleged victims or any prosecution witnesses. He is next due to face court on September 19. In a city famous for its rich musical legacy, Paris is readying itself for a performance that could make waves far beyond its renowned arts and cuisine scene. Omar Harfouch is visiting the country with his Concerto for Peace on Wednesday, September 18, at the prestigious Theatre des Champs-Elysees. However, this isn't just about another night of classical music - this is a bold statement for world peace and a symphony with a purpose. Harfouch's Concerto for Peace is not just a concert; it's a powerful message to a world increasingly torn apart by conflict. For Harfouch, a distinguished pianist and composer, this concert is more than just a showcase of talent; it's an opportunity to use music as a force for good, aiming to foster global harmony. Omar Harfouch (pictured with Hollywood star Kevin Costner) is visiting Paris with his Concerto for Peace on Wednesday, September 18, at the prestigious Theatre des Champs-Elysees 'Music has the power to break down barriers,' Harfouch shared. 'With the Concerto for Peace I want to build bridges where there are divides and create moments that connect us all, using music as our universal language.' Behind this ambitious project, Harfouch spent many months meticulously composing a piece that fuses a variety of musical styles - from classical symphony and world music to contemporary influences. The result is a harmonious blend meant to speak to audiences around the globe, with the hope of creating a worldwide conversation by pulling from a wide array of cultural and traditional sounds. The performance will bring together some of the world's finest classical musicians under the baton of conductor Mathieu Bonnin, with the Beziers Mediterranee Orchestra playing Harfouch's visionary score. 'This piece showcases the power of collaboration,' Harfouch explained. 'Each musician adds their unique voice, and together, they create a unified message of peace. It's proof that through diversity, we can find harmony.' As the concert date approaches, rehearsals are now in full swing, with musicians tirelessly refining every note. The scale of this project - from the intricate composition to the logistics of assembling an international ensemble - is said to Harfouch's commitment to his cause. The Concerto for Peace is poised to be more than just an artistic triumph; it aims to make a profound social impact and be a concert of grand proportions The Concerto for Peace is poised to be more than just an artistic triumph; it aims to make a profound social impact and be a concert of grand proportions. In an era when traditional diplomacy often falls short, Harfouch's concert offers a fresh approach - one where peace isn't just a concept but an experience. The event will be broadcast live, with part of the proceeds supporting international peace efforts, broadening its impact even further. The hope is that this concert's influence will be felt long after the final notes have faded - leaving a legacy behind the music. Harfouch's initiative merges art and activism, presenting a vision of global unity that begins in Paris and reaches out to the world. Following the Paris concert, Harfouch will take his Concerto for Peace to another stage of global significance - the United Nations in Geneva, just two days later. The choice of venue could not be more fitting, as the UN symbolises international cooperation and the quest for peace. Performing this piece at the UN amplifies its message, underlining the concert's goal of transcending borders and promoting unity worldwide. Reflecting on his journey to this point, Harfouch has revealed he's hopeful about music's potential to inspire change. 'Art has the ability to touch hearts and change minds,' he mused. 'If this concerto can shift even a single perspective or foster just a bit more understanding, then it will have achieved something truly significant.' A seasoned advocate for peace and coexistence, Harfouch has already spoken powerfully in forums such as the UK Parliament and the European Parliament. With his Concerto for Peace, he will be doing more than just offering a musical performance; he is issuing an inspirational call for unity that will resonate far beyond the final curtain. Lt. General Sami Sadat, one of Afghanistan's most senior special forces commanders, was in the middle of an offensive against the Taliban when he heard that President Joe Biden had ordered American troops to leave the country. He described his disbelief to congressional investigators reviewing the disastrous withdrawal in an interview last year. 'It felt like a dagger into my heart, that day he looked like a tyrant, he sounded like a tyrant and he acted as a tyrant,' he said in bombshell testimony released for the first time in the Republican-led Afghanistan withdrawal report. The House GOP's long-awaited report, published Sunday, revealed a catalogue of missteps leading up to Biden's decision, followed by complacency and mismanagement as American forces and diplomats left amid chaotic scenes. Sadat, 39, was a commander of the Afghan National Special Operation Corps and Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Afghan National Army, at the time of Taliban takeover. Taliban security personnel take part in a military parade to celebrate the third anniversary of the Taliban government takeover, in Bagram, Afghanistan, 14 August 2024 Your browser does not support iframes. His account captures how Afghan soldiers felt they had been abandoned after fighting with the U.S. for two decades. The order from Biden crippled Sadat and his forces, he told Congress, all before the U.S. government eventually surrendered Bagram Air Base and enforced a frantic Noncombatant Evacuation Order (NEO) to get thousands out. The scene was reminiscent of the fall of Saigon half a century earlier when U.S. military forces and diplomatic personnel were caught flat footed and had to escape from the U.S. embassy in a panic-stricken airlift. The videos from Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) - the main evacuation point during the withdrawal - show similarly desperate images of Afghans running alongside U.S. military aircraft with shattered hopes of getting a ride. The House Foreign Affairs Committee, the body behind the probe, has held countless hearings on the operation that left U.S. citizens and close allies behind in a Taliban-controlled country. 'When President Biden was making the announcement to go to zero for U.S. troops, I was in southwestern Afghan leading an operation, I watched it with interest,' Sadat told investigators of the president's order prompting the drawdown. 'The bad moment was when the announcement came in,' he continued. He describes not only being totally taken aback by the order, but how it's implementation put typically allied Afghan and U.S. forces at odds. 'The truth of the matter is that after President Biden announced the withdrawal, the U.S. forces and Afghan forces were in complete disarray with each other.' Afghan Gen. Sami Sadat (left) greets U.S. Gen. Scott Miller, the head of the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan, in the southern province of Helmand in April 2021. 'For the past one year the Afghan forces have held their ground pretty well,' Sadat said. U.S. and Afghan forces were taken over by the Taliban just months after this photo Sadat along with coalition forces. He trained in the U.K. as he rose the Afghan military ranks President Joe Biden speaks about the end of the war in Afghanistan on Aug. 31, 2021 U.S. President Joe Biden (C) meets with the National Security Council on the Ukraine-Russia crisis, in the situation Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2022 'It was excruciating to separate two war brothers two militaries that worked for twenty years.' U.S. military forces held a presence in Afghanistan since shortly after the World Trade Center towers fell. American and Afghanistan military forces have forged a close operating relationship over the decades since. 'President Biden not only betrayed the U.S.-Afghan Strategic agreement but also betrayed the wishes to his own troops, causing a strategic defeat to Afghans and Americans from the very White House that held the highest realm of the U.S. military,' Sadat told HFAC investigators. But it was not just Biden who he cast blame on. 'What followed next was a rapid withdrawal of the U.S. forces from the country while the Taliban rapidly deployed against the Afghan troops, politically there was immense pressure by Secretary Blinken and his envoy on our President to resign office.' The country's president, Ashraf Ghani, fled the country on August 15, 2021. It was the same day Taliban forces marched into the capital Kabul and took power. Sadat's testimony accompanies a fresh report from the committee highlighting the extent of the Biden-Harris administration's Afghanistan failures. Some of the top new discoveries in the report show that the former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson was on vacation just weeks before the military withdrawal and while the Taliban was running rampant taking over cities across the country. The civilian evacuation was not formally ordered until August 16, a day after the Taliban had swept into Kabul, where U.S. citizens, diplomatic personnel and military were positioned close to HKIA. In the mad dash to leave the country, classified documents and items were recovered by Taliban forces, including those left behind at the U.S. embassy. Some embassy staffers sought to light sensitive materials alight burning them in microwaves. The 2021 fall of Kabul was the capture of Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul by the Taliban on 15 August 2021. U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III safely transported approximately 640 Afghan citizens from Hamid Karzai International Airport Aug. 15, 2021 Sadat (L) described the withdrawal as damaging to the U.S. and Afghan forces coalition Additionally, there were reports that Blinken and Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin had wanted Ghani to resign as the Taliban spread throughout major cities and provinces. 'Personally I lost my U.S. friends and our edge on the battlefield as the U.S. removed its air force and the contractors supporting our air and ground forces,' Sadat testified. When Biden entered office in January 2021 he had 2,500 troops in the country after former President Donald Trump began unwinding the American military footprint there. However, there were thousands of military contractors in the country, reports indicate, some estimating that they far outnumbered U.S. troops in Afghanistan at the time. 'Taliban would have never been able to defeat the Afghan troops if it was not for a careless and heartless decision of President Biden ordering immediate, unconditional and un-coordinated withdrawal,' the general said. And on August 26, 2021, disaster struck. An Islamic State suicide bomber attacked a crowd of Afghans seeking to enter HKIA to evacuate the now Taliban-controlled country. More than 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops died in the attack. The last U.S. forces departed the country days later on August 30 - ending a 20-year American presence. After the final troops left the country, more than 300 American citizens had to be rescued after the fact, as they were left behind, according to the committee's report. Again Sadat stressed to the committee: Biden's 'act made the world less secure, less harmonized and more vulnerable by every measure.' After 20 months, seven public hearings and 18 more witnesses, Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Monday published their long-awaited report into the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. It lays out what they allege are the missteps that led to President Joe Biden decision to announce in April 2021 that he was ending America's 20-year war. The report also accuses three spokesmen and women of the Biden administration of withholding information from the American public by glossing over American failures and ignoring how the Taliban acted in bad faith, as well as talking up the abilities of Afghan fighting forces before finally blaming them for the collapse of the Kabul government. It centers its criticism on: Ned Price, spokesperson for the State Department; Rear Admiral John Kirby, spokesperson for the Department of Defense; and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, spokesperson for the president. These are the ways they tried to spin a failing mission, according to the report. The US would hold the Taliban to account State Department spokesman Ned Price speaks during a daily press briefing at the State Department in February 2021. He was one of the public faces of the withdrawal In February 2021, Price announced that the U.S. would review whether the Taliban were sticking to the terms of the Doha Agreement, guaranteeing the exit of American troops. It would include an 'assessment of whether the Taliban are fulfilling their commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence, and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan Government and other stakeholders.' It was supposed to ensure that the Taliban kept their part of the deal. But when he sat for an interview with the investigation, at the end of last year, Price admitted that the assessment did not have any impact on the withdrawal. 'I recall having a number of conversations around the fact that in some ways, Taliban adherence was immaterial,' he told investigators. For its part, The National Security Council dismissed the findings of the report and its criticism of officials, accusing Rep. Michael McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's, of acting in bad faith. 'Everything we have seen and heard of Chairman McCaul's latest partisan report shows that it is based on cherry-picked facts, inaccurate characterizations, and pre-existing biases that have plagued this investigation from the start,' said Sharon Yang, spokesperson for oversight and investigations. 'As we have said many times, ending our longest war was the right thing to do and our nation is stronger today as a result. 'Bringing our troops home after 20 years put us in a stronger position by allowing us to redirect our resources to confront threats to international peace and stability, such as Russias war in Ukraine, an ongoing crisis in the Middle East, China's increasingly aggressive actions, and terror threats that exist around the world.' NATO allies supported the withdrawal The XVIII Airborne Corps released an image of the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan, Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, revealed he urged Biden to leave at least 2500 troops in Afghanistan and warned Kabul would fall in a matter of weeks if not Biden officials repeatedly claimed that military partners in Afghanistan backed the decision to leave. Both Price and Psaki said allies agreed on the next steps in Afghanistan, and an official on a background briefing said he had been at a summit where troop contibuting countries 'ultimately agreed with the decision to come to draw down this year. They understood that the time had come.' Yet that was not what Biden's generals were hearing from their counterparts. In their testimony before the committee, General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Frank McKenzie, head of Central Command, both said that NATO allies recommended against dropping the number of U.S. troops to zero. Milley said: 'They certainly were unhappy, and they voiced that unhappiness in different publications.' There were no Al Qaeda safe havens Jen Psaki was White House press secretary during the withdrawal and one of the most visible faces of the Biden administration as the chaos unfolded Pandemonium unfolded at Kabul airport as thousands of people ran on to the runway in a desperate attempt to escape Taliban rule, fearing bloody reprisals by the Islamists Public faces of the administration repeatedly echoed Biden's line that the job had been done: That the Al Qaeda masterminds behind the 9/11 attacks had been killed or captured and their bases destroyed. Psaki claimed on April 14, 2021, that 'Al-Qaeda is not being harbored in a safe haven in Afghanistan how it was 20 years ago.' Price said: 'We went into Afghanistan 20 years ago just about 20 years ago with a singular mission, and that was to go after the group that was responsible for the 9/11 attacks and to see to it that Afghanistan could not again be leveraged as a staging ground for attacks on the United States. We were able to achieve those goals.' Yet at the same time, senior military figures and U.N. monitoring reports detailed the growing presence of Al Qaeda. Milley said: "Al Qaeda is still in Afghanistan. They were there in mid-August," directly contradicting Biden's position. The US would prop up Kabul's fighting force The U.S. spent tens of billions of dollars training, arming and paying the Afghan National Army Taliban fighters, some wearing face masks, are seen celebrating and raising their guns in the air at the airport On April 13, 2021, in a press call, Psaki said: 'The United States is going to remain deeply engaged with the government of Afghanistan, committed to the Afghan people who have made ... extraordinary sacrifices during this conflict.' She was echoing Biden who said the U.S. would continue to support the government and its armed forces. But the investigation concluded the Biden administration overstated its ability to prop up the Kabul government. By then, Biden's generals were already sounding the alarm. General McKenzie told a Senate committee he was 'concern[ed] about leaving with a date certain' because he did not have confidence in the 'ability of the Afghan military to hold the ground that they're on' without U.S. and NATO support in the form of 'intelligence, ... fire support, the enabling things that actually give them an edge over the Taliban.' Afghan forces were stronger than the Taliban Taliban fighters and residents sit on a captured Afghan National Army Humvee vehicle along the roadside in Laghman province on August 15 John Kirby was Pentagon spokesman during the withdrawal from Afghanistan The Biden-Harris administration repeatedly told the American public that Afghan forces numbered 300,000, giving them an numerical advantage against the Taliban, according to the investigation report. The truth was different, said Milley. He gave the real number as 175,000 conventional army troops fighting against a 'guerilla insurgency' of as many as 100,000 fighters. That type of ratio, he told a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in March, 'balanced more in favor of the Taliban.' And administration spokespersons played down the scale of Taliban attacks. On May 3, 2021, Kirby described Taliban attacks as 'small, harassing attacks over the course of the weekend' but said the Pentagon saw nothing 'thus far that has affected the drawdown.' Two months later the Taliban controlled 221 of Afghanistan's 407 districts, compared to the Afghan government's 73, while the rest were contested. The denials continued up until the moment Kabul fell. On Aug. 13., Kirby said: 'Kabul is not, right now, in an imminent-threat environment.' Two days later, the Taliban were in control of the capital and the country. Chaos? What chaos? A baby is handed over to the American army over the perimeter wall of the airport for it to be evacuated, in an iconic image that captured the chaos of the moment In June, Price fended off questions about evacuations for Afghan allies by saying the Kabul embassy would stay open to process applications. Soon after Psaki said 'extensive planning' was under way in case an evacuation became necessary. But the arrival of the Taliban in Kabul sent thousands of people flocking to the airport in search of safe passage. Videos showing desperate Afghans clinging to the wheels of planes readying to take off shocked the world. A suicide bomber struck in the final days of the withdrawal, killing 13 American personnel and about 170 Afghans. Yet for the administration, the operation was a logistical success. When the administration released its own review, Kirby, now at the White House, said: 'For all this talk of chaos [at Hamid Karzai International Airport], I just didnt see it, not from my perch.' Meanwhile, gunmen at Taliban checkpoints were beating civilians trying to get to the airport, and State Department memos described 'volatile' scenes and 'congestion' around the gates. No one predicted the rapid fall of Kabul Taliban fighters stand guard in Kabul days after seizing the capital as they prepared for a news conference to declare victory in August, 2021 'I don't think anyone assessed that they would collapse as quickly as they did,' is how Psaki put it two weeks after the fall of Kabul. 'Anyone. Anyone in this room. Anyone in the region. Anyone anywhere in the world.' Yet senior military figures had long advised that the only way to support the government in Kabul was to leave at least 2500 troops. Milley, for example, later said he had warned that Kabul could be overrun by November without them. When quizzed by the investigation and asked whether she misled the public, Psaki said: I answered the question based on the information I had available at the 12 time, which is what we are all basing information on in these briefings.' No American left behind The report accuses Biden of misrepresenting the extent to which Americans were left behind. In an interview with ABC News, he promised to get all American home. Yet Consel General Jayne Howell told the committee that the exit was set for August 31 no matter how many Americans remained the country. Even so, the PR message was clear. Psaki, for example, used the White House briefing room to insist: 'I think its irresponsible to say Americans are stranded. They are not. We are committed to bringing Americans, who want to come home, home.' Two months later they were not all home. In October 2021, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl testified to the Senate that there were 439 Americans still in Afghanistan. Afghan soldiers were to blame National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said: 'When push came to shove, they decided not to step up and fight for their country' triggering outrage With their American comrades and mentors heading out the door, the Taliban advancing, and foreign contractors no longer in the country to keep their air force flying, many members of the Afghan National Army simply melted away rather than face a futile fight. Some administration officials saw a chance to blame them for the collapse. Jake Sullivan, Biden's National Security Adviser, said on Aug. 16: 'We spent 20 years, tens of billions of dollars training them, giving them equipment, giving them support of U.S. forces for 20 years, and when push came to shove, they decided not to step up and fight for their country.' In fact, the investigation reports, key Afghan commanders were appealing to their American contacts for U.S. support to make one last stand in defense of Kabul. And it concludes the blame shifting was an insult to the 69,095 Afghans who had died fighting for their country alongside 46,319 civilians. A California State Senator has been accused of keeping her married male chief of staff as a sex slave and injuring his back while 'forcing' him to perform oral sex. Republican California State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, 50, was hit with the accusations Thursday by former chief of staff and father-of-three Chad Condit, the 57-year-old son of former congressman Gary Condit. Condit claims the married mother-of-six frequently demanded oral sex - including in the car which caused him to suffer a back injury, in the civil lawsuit filed in Sacramento Superior Court. Condit claims that the relationship was one of 'sex-based quid pro quo' that he characterized as being punctuated by 'unwelcome advances and sexual behaviors coupled with punishment and flexing of power.' Alvarado-Gil was elected in 2022 and hired Condit as chief of staff. She fired him in December 2023 and vehemently denies the allegations, branding him a 'disgruntled former employee' who has 'fabricated an outlandish story ... to get a payday.' Condit claims that Alvarado-Gil had a proclivity for oral sex and that she treated it as a perk of power. California State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, 50, (left) was hit with the accusations Thursday by former chief of staff and father-of-three Chad Condit (right), the 57-year-old son of former congressman Gary Condit California State Senator Marie Alvarado Gil 'They were driving together and they pulled over to go to the restroom,' the lawsuit recounts of one alleged incident during a trip to Inyo County. 'When he came back to the car, she had her pants pulled down and said, "I want you to kiss it and prove your loyalty." 'She had her legs spread and turned towards him exposing her vagina. Her direction was for him to submit to her demand and to orally pleasure her vagina.' The lawsuit claims that he 'was numbed and acted without thinking' after months of alleged abuse by Alvarado-Gil. On the final occasion that she demanded oral sex, Condit says he suffered a grievous injury due to the confined space of the car they were sharing. Condit claims that he performed the act 'in a car seat with his body having to twist and contort in the confined space of the car.' As a result, the chief of staff suffered three herniated discs in his back and a collapsed hip, according to the suit. He says that he began to push back against her sexual demands following the injury and that this 'made her unhappy with him.' Condit's father, former Democratic Congressman Condit, has also been accused of affairs - including with missing intern Chandra Levy who was found murdered a year after her 2001 disappearance. Condit's father was never named a suspect. Speculation around whether the politician committed the murder, however, allegedly prompted Alvarado-Gil - who went on to fire Condit this past December - to allegedly ask her then-staffer if he 'would be like his father,' the suit claimed. It also claimed the alleged inappropriate comments intensified over time, including in March 2023 when the politician allegedly asked him about his feelings on 'throuples' - a term that refers to a consensual relationship between three people. Alvarado-Gil asked 'whether (he) thought his wife would be into that,' the suit claimed - with attorneys for Condit also writing how Alvarado-Gil would allegedly share her sexual fantasies with him and other staff members for all to hear. State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, D-Jackson, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, July 10, 2023 For one, the Senate District 4 representative allegedly told him 'that she prefers short black men and old white guys like (Condit),' and that if 'if [Republican state Sen. Roger Niello] was younger and I was single, I would jump bones.' By August 23, 2023, the son of the former California Rep. said he made it clear the then-Democrat's advances were not welcome, leading to him being met with threats to his job. He also said he began to reject Alvardo-Gil's demands for oral sex, using his back injury as an excuse. Among them was Alvardo-Gil allegedly issuing him a 'bogus disciplinary letter with accusations of inappropriate behavior made by Alvarado-Gil against him', and visiting his home to accuse him of seeing someone to his wife. The month before, Alvarado-Gil, who suddenly switched her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican this past August, wished Condit a very public Happy Birthday, writing, 'Thank you for all you do.' In October, Condit underwent back surgery for his alleged injuries, the lawsuit said - before Alvarado-Gil fired him at the end of the year. Condit claimed that prior to being fired, Alvardo-Gil threatened to hire his wife Helen, with whom he has three kids. Alvardo-Gil, meanwhile, is married as well, with six children. In the suit, Condit claimed her boss had a 'lifetime free pass' to cheat on her husband, who cheated on her as well. The California State Senate is also named in the lawsuit, as Condit claimed staffers there allowed the alleged harassment, which he said never included sexual intercourse. Chad Condit is the son of former US Congressman Gary Condit (pictured leaving his DC apartment in 2001) Condit's father, former Democratic Congressman Condit, has also been accused of affairs - including with missing intern Chandra Levy (pictured) who was found murdered a year after her 2001 disappearance. Condit's father was never named a suspect 'The Secretary of the Senate blindly accepted Alvarado-Gil's retaliatory actions and ratified her abuse of him,' the lawsuit read. Secretary of the Senate Erika Contreras said Friday in response: 'The Senate has not been served in this matter, but we are in discussions with counsel to assess next steps. 'The Senate takes all complaints incredibly seriously but is unable to comment on matters involving pending litigation.' Ognian Gavrilov, an attorney for Alvardo-Gil, added: 'A disgruntled former employee has fabricated an outlandish story, presented without evidence, to get a payday. 'We expect that the Senator will be fully cleared of any wrongdoing of these bogus, financially motivated claims.' Condit and Alvarado-Gil, meanwhile, have feuded publicly in the past, with the latter filing an ethics complaint with Attorney General Rob Bonta in May, requesting an investigation into how Condit pursued funds for certain infrastructure improvements. A few months later, Alvarado-Gil made headlines for switching party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, citing frustration with the majority party's crime policies. She was first elected to represent her district, which is mostly Republican, in 2022. Condit was part of her campaign. Businesses have put hiring on hold as Labour faces accusations of economic doom-mongering ahead of the Budget. In a further sign that confidence among employers is ebbing away following the election, a report shows firms are 'holding back from hiring' new staff. It also called for ministers to present 'a vision for a positive, prosperous Britain' amid mounting fears Labour's pessimism and plans for bumped up workers' rights are harming the economy. The report, published today by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG, came as business leaders warned the prospect of a series of brutal tax hikes in the Budget next month was already pushing wealth creators out of the UK. Fresh statistics from Henley & Partners, which helps wealthy investors move overseas, showed a net loss of 4,200 millionaires in the first five months of the year, with 5,300 expected to leave before January. Businesses have put hiring on hold as Labour faces accusations of economic doom-mongering ahead of the Budget. Pictured: Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves The report, published today by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG, came as business leaders warned the prospect of a series of brutal tax hikes in the Budget next month was already pushing wealth creators out of the UK. Pictured: The City of London skyline Fresh statistics from Henley & Partners, which helps wealthy investors move overseas, showed a net loss of 4,200 millionaires in the first five months of the year, with 5,300 expected to leave before January. Pictured: Bank Station in the financial centre of London Fears are mounting that Labour will hike National Insurance contributions paid by employers a so-called jobs tax as well as capital gains tax and inheritance tax. There is also talk of higher fuel duty and a raid on pension savings. In comments that may add to the alarm among business leaders, the leader of Britain's trade union movement will today hail Labour's planned expansion of workers' rights and say he is coming after 'bad bosses'. Trades Union Congress general secretary Paul Nowak will tell its annual conference in Brighton: 'I want to put every anti-union, anti-worker boss on notice. 'If you think you can get away with paying poverty wages, forcing people into work when they're sick and firing and rehiring your staff think again.' Today's report stated: 'Recent Government warnings that the UK's economy may weaken further before improving add to the overall sense of uncertainty, affecting recruitment plans. 'Firms holding back from hiring led to a sharp contraction in the number of people placed into permanent roles in August' Trades Union Congress general secretary Paul Nowak will tell its annual conference in Brighton: 'I want to put every anti-union, anti-worker boss on notice' Today's report stated: 'Recent Government warnings that the UK's economy may weaken further before improving add to the overall sense of uncertainty, affecting recruitment plans (stock image) Last night Shadow Business Secretary Kevin Hollinrake (pictured) told the Mail: 'Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer seem to think that talking down Britain, hiking up taxes and bringing in a tidal wave of new business regulation will grow the economy' An index tracking permanent placements fell to 44.6 in August, down from 47.7 in July. A reading of less than 50 signals that hiring numbers have fallen. The report also raised concerns about the government's gloomy rhetoric. 'The new government said growth was its main priority but it needs to deliver now. A vision for a positive, prosperous Britain has to accompany the fiscal realism that is being served up right now,' the report said. Last night Shadow Business Secretary Kevin Hollinrake told the Mail: 'Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer seem to think that talking down Britain, hiking up taxes and bringing in a tidal wave of new business regulation will grow the economy. 'It comes as no surprise that businesses are heeding their gloomy warning, driving them away and putting at risk the growing and resilient economy they inherited.' An investigation has found that 135 Covid contracts worth 15billion handed out under the Tory government were potentially corrupt. More than 5,000 contracts, including those related to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and testing, which were awarded across 400 public bodies were analysed by Transparency International UK. The anti-corruption campaign group drew up a list of 14 'red flags' such as whether a contract had been awarded without having a competitive tender process, those handed to a politically connected company and ones given to firms that delivered a faulty or unusable product. If a contract had three or more of these 14 red flags, it was deemed 'high-risk'. Transparency International has asked the Covid counter-fraud commissioner who is tasked to recover public money lost to pandemic fraud to look into 135 contracts worth 15.3billion which it has identified as 'high risk'. An investigation has found that 135 Covid contracts worth 15billion handed out under the Tory government were potentially corrupt The contracts included the supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as face masks, gloves and aprons, which were in high demand during the pandemic (file pic) Some 24 contracts, worth 1.7billion, were referred by Tory MPs, including Grant Shapps Penny Mordaunt and Matt Hancock were also revealed as having referred some of the PPE contracts, which an anti-corruption campaign group claims 'had corruption red flags' Some 24 contracts, worth 1.7billion, were referred by Tory MPs, including Matt Hancock, Grant Shapps, Esther McVey and Penny Mordaunt. At least 28 agreements, worth 4.1billion, were awarded to firms with known political connections to the Conservative Party. Fifty-one contracts, worth 4billion, went through a 'VIP lane', which saw companies recommended by MPs and peers being fast-tracked for approval. Under this process, mostly no competitive tender process took place and it was ruled unlawful by a judge in January 2022. The group's report said: 'Politically connected donors were able to lobby to secure access to prized government contracts behind closed doors and away from public view.' Eight contracts, worth 500million, were awarded to firms no more than 100 days old. Close to 10billion was spent on PPE which was found to be defective or unusable. Labour MP Joe Powell, co-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on anti-corruption and responsible tax, said: 'Amid a cost-of-living crisis, it is simply unacceptable that so much money could have been lost to cronyism and human error.' Close to 10billion was spent on PPE which was found to be defective or unusable The Democrat governor of North Carolina claims that if Kamala Harris can turn his state blue, she will beat Donald Trump in November. North Carolina has traditionally leaned red but has become more of a tossup since Barack Obama won it in 2008. Roy Cooper, the outgoing governor, is one such example of Democrats who have won statewide and believes if Harris repeats his feat, she'll win the presidency. 'She knows that if she wins North Carolina, she is the next president of the United States, because Trump has no other pathway', Cooper told Face the Nation Sunday. Cooper, who was teased as a possible running mate for Harris before he declared that he didn't want the gig, noted that Harris has visited the Tar Heel State 17 times as VP. Roy Cooper, the Democrat governor of North Carolina, claims that if Kamala Harris can turn his state blue, she will beat Donald Trump in November 'This was Biden-Harris's closest loss in 2020, only 1.3%. So the fact that Kamala Harris, as Vice President of the United States, has been to North Carolina 17 times shows that she cares about our state', he told CBS. Cooper is term limited but his former Attorney General Josh Stein is favored to defeat Trump-endorsed Republican Mark Robinson on November 5. However, while polls show Harris closer to Trump than Biden got four years ago, it still leans toward the former president. Both RealClearPolitics and FiveThirtyEight's poll averages show Trump with a lead by less than a point as of Sunday. However, Cooper believes a Harris-Walz upset is possible after Cook Political Report declared the race a tossup. 'When we continue to get this information out to the American public, and to people here in North Carolina, that Kamala Harris has an economic plan that's going to help lower the cost for everyday people, that's going to help families thrive, that is going to protect women's reproductive freedom. I think at the end of the day, that's going to be what works here,' Cooper said. Cooper also didn't deny that he would show interest in a job with a Harris-Walz administration, only saying 'we'll see' when questioned if he'd like to be considered. Earlier this week, Democrats saw some hope in the south after polls revealed a boost in support for Kamala Harris in Georgia and North Carolina. Cooper, the outgoing governor, is one such example of Democrats who have won statewide and believes if Harris repeats his feat, she'll win the presidency While polls show Harris closer to Trump than Biden got four years ago, it still leans toward the former president Harris is leading Republican rival Donald Trump by two percentage points in both states, according to the latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll. The Vice President's campaign is heavily focused on its efforts in the south with Harris frequently visiting Georgia, which President Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020, and North Carolina , which she's still hoping to flip from Trump. Local Democratic leaders, citing the surging enthusiasm for her candidacy, are now convinced Harris, 59, can secure the first double win in Georgia and North Carolina since Jimmy Carter in 1976, Bloomberg reported. But the latest I&I/TIPP Poll shows that Trump maintains strength amongst voters in the major swing states, with his odds better than 50 per cent in five of them. As it stands currently, Trump is predicted to win Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada and Georgia - all of which Democrats took in 2020 - and North Carolina. Harris maintains the lead in the 'blue wall' states of Michigan and Wisconsin. Since Biden dropped his reelection bid and endorsed Harris, the vice president has focused on the so-called 'blue wall' states that have been the centerpiece of successful Democratic campaigns. She's also frequently visited Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and North Carolina. Harris is understood to have opened up an electoral path in the traditionally Republican states of Georgia and North Carolina, which no Democrat has won together in nearly five decades. Cooper also didn't deny that he would show interest in a job with a Harris-Walz administration, only saying 'we'll see' when questioned if he'd like to be considered Local Democratic leaders, citing the surging enthusiasm for her candidacy, are now convinced Harris, 59, can secure a double win in Georgia and North Carolina The Harris campaign has the largest in-state operation in Georgia of any Democratic presidential campaign cycle, Bloomberg reported. It is operating 24 offices with more than 190 staff members. Harris and Trump are set to debate for the first time on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. The contest will be televised and hosted by ABC News but simulcast on several other networks and streaming services. A San Francisco business that has served the community for 35 years is to close its doors for the final time later this week after enduring shoplifting on a daily basis alongside a spate of break-ins. The owners of Bayside Market, situated in the city's South Beach area, say the constant thefts alongside a lack of action by local law enforcement has made the situation 'unbearable' and shutting up shop is now the only option. Co-owner David Pesusic has said costs and crime were the driving factors behind the decision to close. He lays the blame squarely at inaction by local politicians. 'Our family business is going down the tubes because the idiots in City Hall can't protect us,' he told the San Francisco Chronicle. Bayside Market, situated in the city's South Beach area, say the constant thefts alongside a lack of action by local law enforcement means the place will close this week after 35 years In a letter to customers posted to the door Courtesy David Pesusic expanded on his comments and explained his reasons for closing down after more than three decades in business In a letter to loyal customers posted to the door, David Pesusic expanded on his comments and explained his reasons for closing down after more than three decades in business. 'All city hall cares about is the homeless and the fentanyl crisis, not the everyday law-abiding citizens trying to make a living,' Pesusic wrote in a latter taped to Bayside Market's front door. Pesusic said that city officials were doing nothing to stop open drug use nearby nor helping to prevent daily thefts from the store. 'To that effect, having to deal with shoplifters every day and multiple break-ins has just become unbearable, especially when law enforcement doesn't arrest and city hall doesn't prosecute,' he wrote. 'We've had numerous incidents with shoplifters,' Pesusic told SFGate. 'We've called the police, and they don't show. How do you stay in business when there's no one to show up and help? It's absolutely frustrating.' An increase in the electric bill to $8,000 a month, together with a dip in sales with the store's lease coming to an end, were all factors in the store's coming closure. City officials appear to be doing little to stop open drug use nearby nor helping to prevent daily thefts from the store The co-owner of Bayside Market says he feels there is complete indifference about the incidents of theft by local police and no longer calls to report crimes because no one shows up A map reveals the major businesses which have left, or have announced they are leaving, San Francisco in recent months. Retailers like Whole Foods, Anthropologie, Old Navy, AmazonGo, Saks Off Fifth and now American Eagle are among those taking part in the mass exodus But Pesusic cites the constant incidents of shoplifting as one of the main reasons for calling it quits. 'There are too many cons, so we decided to close the store. It's sad, because we've been there for 35 years,' Pesusic said. 'We shouldn't be in this situation, but we can't survive.' Three weeks ago staff attempted to prevent an individual who was about to make off with several items when they suddenly became violent towards workers. The man took off his belt and began swinging the metal buckle portion of the strap over his head. Out of concern for customers Pesusic called 911 for assistance but nobody showed up. Manager at the store Ricardo Quintero agrees there have been more crime related incidents in the last few years including two break-ins at the store within the last two years. He feels there is complete indifference about the incidents from local police and no longer calls to report crimes. 'We were looking and hoping for changes, but it doesn't seem like there are changes on the horizon,' Quintero said. The desolate reality of San Francisco's hollowed out city center was laid bare earlier this year by footage showing every store in an entire retail block shuttered and empty. The prime real estate was once home to outlets including Uniqlo, H&M, Rasputin Records, and Lush, but all have disappeared in a city center plagued by crime, drugs, and homelessness. San Francisco is reeling from soaring crime, an emptying downtown, and residents moving away to safer, cheaper areas The tech worker from Austin was left stunned by his visit to the Bay Area, which is in the grip of a drugs crisis. Pictured: Homeless people using drugs in the city in 2022 Crime in the city actually went down in the first quarter of 2024 with decreases in every major crime category tracked including homicide, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, arson, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft. But part of the reason may be due to the fact fewer people are bothering to report it. 'We don't even call 911 anymore because they don't respond,' Pesusic said to the Chronicle. 'This isn't fun, playing security-slash-police officer, trying to hold on to my inventory. 'These guys think our store is a pantry where they can take whatever they want. We've been spit at, we've had knives pulled on us, we've been called names,' Pesusic said. Some of the 12 workers at the store will move to a second location while the rest will be laid off. Matt Dorsey, who sits on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors says he understands why Pesusic is pulling down the shutters. 'I don't blame anybody who is giving up and it breaks my heart to see it,' Dorsey said to the Chronicle. 'I feel like I need to apologize on behalf of my city.' Dorsey has said that it is drug use combined with an ineffective drug policy that has whipped up the perfect storm. Lax bail reform policies see anyone caught stealing or facing drug possession charges simply released back onto the street, sometimes later that same day. It gives little disincentive to prevent repeat offender from carrying out their crimes. 'It's not helping small businesses, like Bayside Market, which are facing rampant drug-driven theft and violence, and least of all, it's not helping anyone with a substance use disorder,' Dorsey said. 'I think we have to take more coercive interventions.' The Mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, has said the time for compassion is over when it comes to dealing with the city's homeless crisis which has left streets caked in excrement Earlier this summer, the fed up Mayor of San Francisco has said the time for compassion is over as she announced plans to tackle the city's homeless crisis which has left locals fearing for their safety. Mayor London Breed revealed the city is set to take a 'very aggressive' approach to remove encampments from the streets which have blighted the City by the Bay for the past four years. Certain parts of the city, including the troubled Tenderloin district have become known for their squalor and misery, becoming so bad that local businesses unable to recruit staff and residents have felt forced to flee. The crime-ridden downtown area has seen the closure of many shops and restaurants since its drastic downfall, despite Breed attempting to hype statistics claiming offenses went down in 2023. In October 2023, it was reported that seven Starbucks stores were planning to close as the city continues to deal with crime, drug use, and homelessness. At the end of August 2023, video was released showing San Francisco's newly shut-down flagship Nordstrom store that was almost barren after nearly three decades in business. Homeless people congregate downtown, pushing their possessions in shopping carts or sitting on duffle bags, awaiting city services such as referrals for shelter, food or clothing, or mental health and substance abuse treatment. A mayoral candidate has vowed to ditch WFH in Melbourne and drag council workers back into the office to try and revitalise the city. Arron Wood revealed if he wins the October election he will order the 1,700 City of Melbourne government workers back into the office at least four days a week. The drastic measure is part of his wider plan to 'revitalise Melbourne's economy by getting more people to come into the city safely and on time'. Mr Wood also announced a $25 million package to ensure Melbourne is re-instated as an international city, the Herald Sun reported. His plan comes a month after the NSW government demanded its 450,000-strong workforce return to the office with the move sparking outrage. Mr Wood said he was being driven by the needs of small businesses, revealing that he was a small business owner for 20 years. Mr Wood said businesses are at 'crisis point' due to the cost-of-living crisis and noted a survey found 45 per cent had considered closing down over the last year. City of Melbourne mayoral candidate Arron Wood (pictured) has announced a $25 million package to make Melbourne an international city once more A mayoral candidate has vowed to ditch WFH in Melbourne and drag council workers back into the office to try and revitalise the city 'When youre at a point of crisis, the City of Melbourne needs to be pulling every lever within its power to make sure it stops that loss of small businesses,' he said. His proposal comes just weeks after another Melbourne mayoral candidate, former AFL player Anthony Koutoufides, announced he would not just force council workers back into the office - but also all government and corporate employees. In August, the candidate said abolishing working from home for all workers would be his 'first priority'. 'We will work with the state government to introduce new laws that government and corporate workers must work at least four days a week in their office to enliven the city,' he said. Mr Koutoufides recently tried to sweeten the deal for employees by announcing he would buy city workers a morning coffee each Monday for at least a month to entice them out of the suburbs. Mr Wood said he was being driven by the needs of small businesses, revealing that he was a small business owner for 20 years But his plan garnered a huge push-back, and Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilakari said the position of lord mayor does not come with the 'right or ability' to intervene in any working arrangements between workers and employees. Mr Hilakari also said that since the lock-downs, employees have found new ways of working that 'better serve the needs of their families, increase productivity', as well as alleviate stress. 'Workers decide how we spend our money. Ideas to force people back to the CBD to subsidise unsuccessful city businesses will only come at the expense of local small businesses in the suburbs,' he said. Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra has said that businesses need more people in the city, but only employers can make the decision to force them back into the office - not a council mayor. In early August, premier Jacinta Allen's office said that WFH provides more flexibility that 'helps more women stay in work' and the amount of people in Melbourne's CBD is already back to pre pandemic levels and the city is 'pumping'. Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr Wood for comment. The 'evil' father of Georgia school shooting suspect Colt Gray deserves to die for turning his son into a mass murderer, the boy's grandfather has said. Colin Gray faces four counts of manslaughter and two counts of second-degree murder amid claims he gave his son the AR-15-style rifle used in the massacre at Apalachee High School on Wednesday. Gray's ex-father-in-law said the 14-year-old was 'driven by his father to do what he did' as it emerged that Colt's grandmother visited the school outside Winder just hours before the shooting to discuss his behavior. 'Spending 11 years with that son of a b***h screaming and hollering every day, it can affect anybody,' Charles Polhamus, 81, told the NY Post. 'He needs the death penalty.' Colin Gray, 54, the father of alleged Georgia school shooter Colt Gray shook in court on Friday as he appeared to face four counts of manslaughter and two counts of second-degree murder Colt Gray, 14, was 'driven' by his abusive father to carry out the massacre that left four dead, his grandfather Charles Polhamus claimed Gray, 54, appeared in court on Friday after he was arrested over his role in the shooting that killed two students and two teachers, and left nine injured. The alleged gunman's parents split in 2022 after they were evicted from their home and Colt was living with Gray when the shooting took place. 'Colt has to pay for what he did, but I'm telling you, he was driven, no question in my mind,' Polhamus said from his home in Fitzgerald. 'Colt is like a lot of young kids these days with the tablets and some of the garbage they pull up, the blood and all the fighting. 'If you don't think that has an impact on young kids, you're missing the boat, and that was also part of Colt's problem. 'It's part of it and living with a dysfunctional dad who was a screamer and a hollerer. 'No question about it. Prior to going through this, he was a good kid. I will preach that forever.' Polhamus said his wife Deborah had gone to the school a day before the shooting as family concern about Colt mounted. 'They were having some problems with him not going to school, and this kind of thing,' he told CBS. Colt Gray's mother Marcee was previously ordered by a court to have only limited contact with Colt's father after she pleaded guilty in December to a charge of family violence Mason Schermerhorn, 14, an autistic student at Apalachee High School, was the first victim to be identified. He was among four people killed in the mass shooting Heartbreaking messages between a student at Apalachee High School and his mom have revealed the moment kids learned there was an active shooter Teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie were also killed in the tragedy 'My wife had gone up there the day before and met with the teachers to get him some.' Polhamus spoke out after it was claimed that his daughter, Marcee Gray, called her son's school to warn them of an 'extreme emergency' minutes before the shooting started. 'I told them it was an extreme emergency and for them to go immediately and find [my son] to check on him,' the mother told her sister in text messages seen by the Washington Post. The outlet reported that a call log from the family's shared phone plan shows Gray made a 10-minute call to the school at 9.50am on Wednesday, about half an hour before Colt allegedly opened fire. She then got in her car and started driving toward the school, more than three hours away. But about half-way there she learned that the tragedy she was racing to prevent had already taken place. 'I was the one that notified the school counselor at the high school,' he told her sister. Further text exchanges reported from Marcee's sister showed that Colt's school and family were also in contact regarding his deteriorating mental health at least a week before the shooting. Georgia school shooter Colt Gray made his first court appearance on Friday Colin Gray appeared shortly after his son in the same courtroom In one text, Brown reportedly told a relative that Colt was having 'homicidal and suicidal thoughts.' 'He shouldn't have a gun, and he should've been in THERAPY months ago,' she added in the text. Brown said that her nephew had spent months 'begging' for mental health help, but the 'adults around him failed him.' Colt Gray's AR-15-style rifle can be seen in the corridor of Apalachee High School Marcee was previously ordered by a court to have only limited contact with Colt's father after she pleaded guilty in December to a charge of family violence. Months earlier in May 2023, the family had been visited by local law enforcement after receiving an FBI tip about threats to carry out a school shooting. Colt denied making the threats, and Gray told cops that although he kept hunting rifles in the home his son was not allowed to use them unsupervised. But the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the boy's father allowed him access to the AR-style rifle used in the shooting, as investigators probe claims it was gifted him as a Christmas present in December last year. Polhamus said his former son-in-law cost the family their 'half-million-dollar farm' after spiraling into drug addiction following a back injury. And he said his daughter was dragged into her then husband's addiction but had always remained committed to their three children. 'She is a good person and a mom,' he insisted. 'But I'm back to what I said about narcissists: They can change anybody. 'Marcee never did anything to Colt. All she did is help him out.' He also said his grandson sent her a message on the morning of the shooting, telling her 'I'm sorry Mom'. 'Colt didn't cause that to happen. He did it,' Polhamus said. 'He didn't wake up one day and decide I'm going to kill people. No, he didn't do that. He came out of an environment. 'If you step in a wad of s***, what happens to your foot? You step in a wad of s***. 'This is no different. To live in that for 11 years, my daughter and her children. 'If you live in that kind of relationship for 11 years you're not going to stay stable.' People wept at a vigil for the victims of Georgia's deadliest ever school shooting Several classmates shared similar stories describing how Colt quietly slunk out of algebra class at around 10am on Wednesday, before he returned minutes later with a gun. Another student, Bri Jones, 14, said she almost opened the door to Gray but stopped herself 'as he was pulling his gun out.' 'I froze up, like I froze up and I said 'no' to myself,' Jones told CNN. 'He would have got every single one of us in that class.' Jones said she almost opened the door, but stopped herself thanks to a tip from her mother. 'I always look out the door before I open it it's a habit my mom taught me,' she said. Although she saw the gun, Jones said her teacher urged her to open the door 'because she didn't know he had a gun because she was at her desk.' 'She was going to walk over there, open it, and I was like, 'no, he has a gun',' Jones recalled. 'The shooter, he looked up,' Jones continued. 'He was looking at me, my teacher, and then somebody was in the hall. He turned his head, and he just started shooting. 'Once he started shooting, it's like he kept going, it was so many gunshots after gunshots... It felt like he was just shooting forever and then like it stopped.' Students said when Gray failed to enter his own classroom, he opened fire into the one next door as their door was open. At that moment, teacher Richard Aspinwall was shot dead in front of his horrified class, which student Malaysia Mitchell said left her traumatized. 'We had to drag our teacher's body fully into the classroom,' she told CNN. 'We heard him take his last breath.' Fourteen-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo also died in Georgia's deadliest ever school shooting, along with math teacher Christina Irimie, 53. 'He pulled the triggers,' Polhamus said. 'He killed people and he's my grandson, and it breaks my damn heart. Colt is being tried as an adult and was told at his court appearance on Friday that he could spend the rest of his life behind bars for the violent present. His father faces eight counts of cruelty to children as well as his murder and manslaughter charges. He's getting what he deserves. My grandson is getting what he deserves, too,' Polhamus said. 'Vengeance is mine, say the lord.' Qantas could be forced to sell its budget company Jetstar under a proposal to make room for more competition in the aviation industry. Coalition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie called for the government to regulate the sector through forced divestiture - which sees businesses sell off its subsidiaries. It is part of the Opposition's wider push to open several high-profile markets to increased competition, much to the dismay of head retailers, the Australian Financial Review reported. Its strategy already saw the party ask several companies, including Bunnings, to a parliamentary inquiry into price gouging and the mistreatment of suppliers. Calls for the government to have a heavier hand with several key industries - including aviation and supermarkets - are expected in the early half of next year ahead of the federal election, which must be held by May. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has expressed his approval of the proposed measures, championed by National Party MPs. Senator McKenzie believed if Treasurer Jim Chalmers did not support the divestiture of Qantas, he will have failed to 'ensure consumers' interests are protected, and not at the mercy of the entrenched duopoly'. 'Australians want an airline sector where you have genuine choice, where your plane takes off and lands on time, and your bags arrive at your destination with you,' she said. Qantas could be forced to sell its budget company Jetstar under a proposal to make room for more competition in the aviation industry If Qantas were to drop Jetstar it would create more room for a third major airline to challenge Qantas and Virgin Australia, which together hold 97 per cent of Australia's domestic aviation market. That market already squeezed out two competitors this year - Bonza and Regional Express. The introduction of another carrier could lead to the reduction of domestic airfares with a Treasury paper in late August concluding the entry of a second airline on any route leads to prices falling by up to 10 per cent. Transport minister Catherine King shared her belief Australia's small population could not support a third carrier following the collapse of Rex in July. However, Australian Travel Industry Association chief executive Dean Long claimed there was 'clear room in the market for at least three, clearly defined airlines' as Australia already had three - Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin, owned by two businesses. 'There's no reason why we couldn't have a third, robust company in the market if the competition settings were right,' he said. 'That means slot reform at Sydney Airport, because if you can access Sydney Airport you can be profitable that's fundamentally the reason challenger carriers don't work.' If Qantas were to drop Jetstar it would create more room for a third major airline to challenge Qantas and Virgin Australia, which together hold 97 per cent of Australia's domestic aviation market Senator McKenzie called for the government not to specifically force Qantas to sell Jetstar but instead wanted to see it handed the powers to do so. A review into Australia's aviation sector last month proposed the government introduce an ombudsman with powers to force airlines and airports to follow their own terms and conditions. It also recommended an overhaul of the landing rights at Sydney Airport, the country's largest, to allow room for more international carriers. The most recent Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report found the price of airfares have continually decreased following a peak immediately after the Covid pandemic. It recorded a 5.2 per cent drop in the last 12 months alone. Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson last month attributed the company's $2.1billion earnings to its two-brand strategy, which gave it footing at both ends of the market. 'Qantas benefited from increased corporate and resources travel and ongoing high demand for international premium seats while Jetstar delivered its highest result as it grew to meet increased demand from price-sensitive leisure travellers and saw the benefits from its new aircraft,' she said. Qantas declined to comment. Hollywood actor Idris Elba will join the Prime Minister in Downing Street to launch a new effort to tackle knife crime. Elba, an anti-knife crime campaigner, will join Sir Keir Starmer on Monday morning as he launches the coalition which aims to stop young people from being dragged into violent gangs. The coalition will bring together campaign groups, families of people who have lost their lives to knife crime, and young people who have been affected by it as well as Elba and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Technology companies, sporting organisations, the health service, and the police are also involved in what is expected to the first annual knife crime summit. The coalition will work with experts to develop an understanding of what causes young people to be dragged into knife crime. Elba, an anti-knife crime campaigner, will join Sir Keir Starmer on Monday morning as he launches the coalition which aims to stop young people from being dragged into violent gangs (pictured: Idris Elba and Sir Keir Starmer on June 25) Hollywood star Elba and Sir Keir spoke to the families of knife crime victims in west London, including the mother of a young man killed by a single stab wound on June 25 It comes after Elba and Sir Keir spoke to the families of knife crime victims in west London back in June, including the mother of a young man killed by a single stab wound 'We need to tackle the root causes of knife crime, not just the symptoms,' said Elba. He added: 'The coalition is a positive step toward rehabilitating our communities from the inside out.' The Prime Minister is expected to share how personal the task is for him, drawing from his legal career. Ahead of the gathering, Sir Keir said: 'As director of public prosecutions, I saw first hand the devastating impact that knife crime has on young people and their families. This is a national crisis that we will tackle head on. 'We will take this moment to come together as a country politicians, families of victims, young people themselves, community leaders and tech companies to halve knife crime and take back our streets.' Ministers have already taken steps to ban so-called ninja swords, and plan to strengthen the laws around the online sales of knives. Commander Stephen Clayman, the national policing lead for knife crime, has been tasked with leading a rapid review to understand how these weapons are sold online and delivered to under 18s, and to close loopholes in the law. He will report back to the Home Secretary by the end of the year. Ms Cooper said: 'Getting weapons off our streets and making sure there are tough and clear consequences for violence are vital. 'And we also need to prevent young people heading down this path that means offering young people more hope, more opportunities.' Sunday's announcement is the first step in the Government's 10-year plan to tackle knife crime, which will be central to its mission to keep our streets safe. It comes after Elba and Sir Keir spoke to the families of knife crime victims in west London back in June, including the mother of a young man killed by a single stab wound. Pastor Lorraine Jones told Sir Keir, and actor and anti-knife crime campaigner Elba, at a meeting in Hammersmith, west London, that she saw her son, Dwayne Simpson, killed with 'one jab wound' that 'went straight through his heart' Ahead of the gathering on Monday, Sir Keir said: 'As director of public prosecutions, I saw first hand the devastating impact that knife crime has on young people and their families. This is a national crisis that we will tackle head on' He said: 'I've had conversations which are difficult, like ''Idris, you're telling people to put away our knives, but what am I going to hold?''' 'And I feel like I don't know what to say to them, because they're literally holding these out of fear. But they have solutions,' he added. Pastor Lorraine Jones told Sir Keir, and actor and anti-knife crime campaigner Elba, at a meeting in Hammersmith, west London, that she saw her son, Dwayne Simpson, killed with 'one jab wound' that 'went straight through his heart'. She said she had continued to live in Brixton, south London, since her son was killed ten years ago, because it is 'like a battlefield I can't retreat from'. She said: 'We want to be around the table with you, because we do have the answers right now. We've got patrols, Idris, volunteers that are patrolling before school and after school, because we haven't got enough police officers. 'We haven't got enough people in the community, we are desperate. And the most brutal thing is we're saying it's becoming the norm. We don't want it to become the norm. 'It's not normal for us to be burying our children, or five-year-olds seeing dead bodies and shrines in our neighbourhood.' Elba said in an Instagram video later that it was a 'very important' meeting families of victims and campaign organisations to discuss 'what we need to do as a country to fight this'. He said it was a non-political issue. Sir Keir said it was 'difficult to hear' stories from the knife crime campaigners. He added: 'And it should be difficult to hear, and it's very important that it is heard from beginning to end.' September 8, 2024: Russia is accusing dozens of minority ethnic groups of being disloyal to Russia. There are still a lot of minorities in central, southern and far eastern Russia. Simply because these minorities are not ethnic Russians, the government assumes they oppose the war in Ukraine. Russia has arrested and imprisoned some of these minority individuals on false charges of anti-war activity. Some members of these minority groups live in exile outside Russia. From these safe locations the exiles can report on the continuing repression of their groups inside Russia. It is still possible for the minority peoples inside and outside Russia to communicate with each other and the government does not like what is being reported by the minority exiles. The criticism makes Russia look bad and that makes it more difficult for Russia to develop better relations with foreigners. Russia needs these contacts to support its smuggling operations and sustain their propaganda effort to portray Russia as the victim in the Ukraine War. This propaganda campaign is running into problems because of past Russian behavior towards minorities. For example, in 2019 Norway increased its military forces along its 193 kilometer border with Russia. This buildup came eight years after Russia did the same on its side of the border. On the Norway side there are a lot fewer people, as in only 75,000 in Finnmark. Covering 48,000 square kilometers, this is the largest region in the country and the only one above the Arctic Circle. For two months a year the sun never comes up in Finnmark and the major economic activities are fishing, reindeer herding, tourism and oil and natural gas production. There are also a lot of government jobs, like maintaining the largest military firing range in Norway and the NATO Arctic Warfare training center. Another major military activity in Finnmark is monitoring Russian troops. Across the border is the Kola Peninsula where there are several naval bases for the Russian Northern Fleet. Norway has a major military radar station on the north coast of Finnmark as well as an ELINT (electronic intelligence collection) ship permanently stationed up there in addition to maritime patrol aircraft. The recemt military expansion in Finnmark mainly consists of restoring some of the forces that were removed in the 1990s after the Soviet Union dissolved. A military base near the Finnmark firing range was revived and a 400-man mechanized cavalry battalion stationed there. Another 200 rangers were added to the border patrol and arrangements made to bring more Home Guard units to Finnmark if there was an immediate threat. The Home Guard is a reserve force trained, equipped and organized for rapid mobilization. There are 45,000 Home Guard troops countrywide but several thousand of these are organized as rapid reaction forces and some of these were trained to quickly move to Finnmark. Most of the Home Guard are assigned to local defense in wartime. For many rural areas some of the Home Guard, consisting of people who work as herders or hunters, are organized for operating in thinly populated areas like Finnmark and along the Russian border. Norway only has 5.5 million people so these numbers mean a lot more than they might indicate. The active duty armed forces are only 17,000 personnel and about a thousand of them are the active duty component of the larger Home Guard. In wartime, with all reservists and Home Guard activated, total military personnel reaches 63,000. For nearly a century the main threat to Norway was Russia. The German attack and occupation during World War II were unexpected but the Russians have always been right on the border. Since 2011 there have been more armed Russians on the border. Because of growing oil and natural gas discoveries along Russia's northern border, the Russians ordered the formation of a special brigade of arctic troops to patrol the vast region and be ready to deal with any problems that might require military force. The 8,000 troops in the Arctic Brigade were stationed in the Kola Peninsula, near the borders with Finland and Norway. The Kola Peninsula has long contained key air, naval and army bases. The new brigade took a few years to get organized and trained and Norwegians began to take notice. The need for more troops in Finnmark became obvious in 2014 when Russia invaded eastern Ukraine and made it very clear that NATO was considered an active and growing threat to Russia. For their Arctic Brigade Russia looked to other arctic military powers for ideas, and sources of the best equipment available. This was part of a trend in Russia, to seek new military equipment wherever it can be found, and not depend on the often second-rate stuff produced by Russian defense firms. That ended in 2014 when sanctions were placed on Russia because of its aggressive military moves towards Europe and the West in general. By then the Arctic Brigade had its equipment and some of it was airmobile. There were also specialized vehicles that can move over snow and ice. Many of the communications are satellite-based, and everything is able to handle the extreme cold found along Russia's northern coast. Russias new Artic brigade, like most Russian ground units on its borders and even the guards of Russian air bases and ICBM silos, has been stripped of most personnel since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Those have almost all become casualties and not been replaced. All Arctic nations have specialized units like this, which often contain a large proportion of tribal peoples long native to the Arctic. The United States, for example, has a Winter Warfare School in Alaska, and a reserve brigade there organized and trained to deal with situations in the vast Alaskan backcountry. Canada also has an Arctic Warfare School, and troops recruited from native Inuit/Eskimo/First Nations populations. Finland has a similar system, and Russia sought to implement something similar. There are about 100,000 Sami people in Finland, who are similar to the Aleuts of North America and northeast Russia. Several thousand Sami are in Russia. Most are in Norway and Sweden, which was more tolerant of the traditional Sami lifestyle consisting of fishing, hunting and herding reindeer. Because of this Norway has a lot of Sami Home Guard and reservist personnel who are available to monitor what Russian armed forces might do along the border in wartime. Northern Finnmark and the Russian Kola Peninsula are not conducive to large scale military operations. Even during World War II, when the Soviet forces advanced into German occupied Norway at the end of the war, they did not advance far into Finnmark once they realized the Germans had withdrawn and burned down most of the civilian structures and forced Finnmark civilians to move south. Most of Finnmark had to be rebuilt and cleared of landmines right after the war. That has not been forgotten and was one of the reasons the Home Guard was formed in 1946. Norway then became a member of NATO and created a rather formidable air force relative to its population size. Norway has recently received American F-35s and its pilots have always been trained to head to Finnmark to deliver some air support for the soldiers and National Guard forces up there. With the advent of smart bombs in the 1990s, that air support became even more effective, especially when delivered by a stealthy F-35. Norway received its first four F-35s in 2017 and will have 52 by 2025. These are replacing 56 modernized F-16s. With the F-35, and any other NATO warplanes in the area, the small number of Finnmark troops have far more firepower available than at any time in the past. A boy who died after getting into trouble in water at a beauty spot in Wigan has been named and pictured. Alex Crook, 15, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene at Scotman's Flash on Saturday afternoon. Greater Manchester Police said it does not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. Alex's aunt Rachel Marron set up a JustGiving page in tribute to her nephew, which included a photo of him in his school uniform. She wrote: 'I've set up this page to help my brother and Alex's mum after the devastating loss of their son. 'As you can imagine trying to sort a funeral for your 15-year-old son is something no-one should ever have to do.' Alex Crook, 15, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene at Scotman's Flash on Saturday afternoon In a heartbreaking tribute to the teenager, a relative of Alex wrote: 'Where do you start Alex, I'm heartbroken beyond words, we will make sure Oscar grows up knowing his big brother, a hole has been left [that] will never be filled, we are so proud of the man you [were] becoming, you were such a good boy. 'I'm going to miss you so much, your cheeky little smile, that little frown which Oscar has the exact same [...].' In a post on social media, Scotman's Flash also confirmed the tragic news, writing they are 'deeply saddened' by the incident. 'Our staff noticed the young man in the water and attempted to save him but were sadly unable to,' the post continued. 'We'd like to thank them for their courage and determination. The boy was pulled from the water after getting into trouble at Scotman's Flash on Saturday afternoon 'Our thoughts are with the young man's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.' A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police previously said: 'At around 3pm yesterday (Saturday 7 September 2024), officers were called over concerns for a 15-year-old male in the water at Scotman's Flash, Wigan. 'He was recovered from the water by members of the public but sadly, he passed away despite the best efforts of emergency services. 'There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and his family are being supported by specialist officers at this time.' A photo of fresh food piled high in a skip bin behind a regional Coles has outraged Australian shoppers. Thousands of dollars' worth of groceries were left for collection behind the supermarket in Drouin, a 1.5-hour drive east of Melbourne in regional Victoria. The photo of skip showed it nearly completely full, with the supermarket forced to throw away the fresh produce after intense storms and high winds caused the store to lose power last week. Customer safety required that the perishable goods were dumped. Juices, dips, ice-creams, cheeses, pizzas, and various meats and fish can be seen piled into the 1.5-metre deep skip. 7News reported a generator was not on site at the Coles store when power was lost, so the food perished before any emergency power supply could be set up. More than 34,000 Victorian residents lost connection to power at some point during the storms. Eastern regional areas were especially affected, with powerlines brought down in towns such as Newborough, Drouin and Warragul. 'Why didn't they just say to people, come get this before our time runs out? They would rather bin it than give it away,' one frustrated man wrote online. A 1.5-metre tall skip bin was seen filled with perishable products behind a regional Coles. 'Yes, throw it in the bin and wave at those that have nothing on the way home,' another said. 'How about we bring in fines for all supermarkets that dump useable food?' One woman couldn't believe Coles had lost the food in the first place. 'Coles make profit over $1 billion yet they can't afford to buy a generator?' However others saw it from the supermarket's perspective, saying if anyone got sick from contaminated food, Coles would have to take the rap. 'Legally they cannot (donate the goods), if they give someone food poisoning and kill them they are liable.' A Coles spokesperson said the safety of its customers is paramount. The Coles store lost power during recent fierce wind storms and perishable products had to be thrown out 'Due to the extreme weather that hit much of Victoria early last week, there were widespread power outages, including in the Drouin and surrounding areas,' the spokesperson said. 'Food safety is paramount at Coles and unfortunately as a result of products being un-refrigerated for an extended period of time, for safety and quality reasons, we needed to dispose of a number of products to ensure customer safety. 'Where possible, Coles always donates product that is fit for use and safe for consumption to food rescue organisations.' Do YOU know the person attacked? A campaign to free baby killer Lucy Letby has turned hostile - with one medical witness said to have been physically assaulted by an activist with 'pro-Letby' beliefs. Neonatal nurse Letby, 34, is serving 15 whole-life sentences after she was convicted of murdering seven newborn babies and trying to kill six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital. However, campaigns have been calling for her to be freed as activists claim the nurse's conviction for killing the infants is not safe. Her parents Susan and John Letby are actively hoping to overturn what they believe is 'the biggest miscarriage of justice in British legal history,' sources claimed. One medical witness who gave evidence for the prosecution claimed they were physically assaulted last week by a member of the public with 'pro-Letby beliefs', The Sunday Times first reported. The witness said they have since reported the attack to Cheshire police, who confirmed they were investigating. Do YOU know the person attacked? Email katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk Lucy Letby, 34, (pictured) was found guilty last year of murdering seven babies and trying to kill six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital Protesters and experts have sought to undermine the prosecution case in Letby's trials, arguing that the evidence was not safe Meanwhile, another medical witness claimed they were considering referring a number of messages via social media to the police. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has branded the calls to free Letby as 'crass and insensitive'. He said the public should continue to view the former nurse as a murderer amid growing demands for her release. Asked about the row by LBC's Lewis Goodall, Mr Streeting said: 'It is crass and insensitive to be waging a public campaign in this way. Because we can debate it, you and I, listeners can debate it, we can read the newspapers. 'We're not the Criminal Case Review Board. We have an independent judiciary in this country, I think we have a fair and successful independent judiciary in this country.' Letby's parents' calls for the convictions to be revisited have outraged the parents of two babies targeted by the serial killer, who worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire. Letby was given a whole life order for killing babies in a neonatal unit Letby worked at the Countess of Chester hospital (pictured) when she killed the infants on the hospital's neonatal ward Baby E was murdered by Letby after she caused an internal bleed and injected the baby with air. Baby F was one of the survivors of Letby's attempts to kill despite being poisoned with insulin. The parents of the two youngsters, who were twins born to a mother following a number of IVF attempts after she had been told she could not have children, have hit out at those who claim their children had not been attacked by the nurse. They sat through the trial in full - and have criticised campaigners who they say were not present in court to hear all of the evidence. Some of those who have signed open letters calling for Letby's convictions to be reexamined have also refused to identify themselves, claiming that to do so would jeopardise their careers. This is the moment a hooded thug pulled out a huge knife after a homeowner confronted him for allegedly trying to break into his house. Footage shows a young man wearing black clothes pulling a massive knife out of a shaft and threatening another man. The second man appeared to have confronted the knife-wielding thug seconds before and said: 'Don't touch my house.' According to witnesses, the man ran towards the individual, but immediately backed away upon seeing the weapon. The incident happened around 5pm on Friday and has left the community in Greenhithe, Kent, in disbelief. Footage shows a young man wearing black clothes pulling a massive knife out of a shaft and threatening another man The second man appeared to have confronted the knife-wielding thug seconds before and said: 'Don't touch my house' According to witnesses, the man ran towards the individual, but immediately backed away upon seeing the weapon No injuries have been reported following the incident in Quay Lane. The brazen nature of the event, happening in broad daylight, has sparked concern among local residents. The incident has heightened worries about safety in the area, and residents have been encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Locals have been urged to keep an eye out for the knife-wielding suspect. Police are currently investigating the incident and are appealing for any witnesses or those with information to come forward. A spokesperson said: 'Kent Police was called at around 5pm on Friday 6 September 2024, to a disturbance in Quay Lane, Greenhithe, where a person was reported to have been seen with a weapon. Officers attended and a teenage boy was arrested nearby. A knife was seized. 'The suspect was taken into custody and later charged with making threats with a knife, threats to commit criminal damage, common assault and possessing cannabis. He was remanded to a hearing at Medway Magistrates Court on Monday 9 September.' A fatal hit-and-run has cost a Miami police officer his job after he drove off from the scene, leaving the victim dying in the street. Esmat Khedr, 63, was riding her electric bicycle past police headquarters in Washington Avenue when she was struck from behind by a blue Ford Bronco which sped off without stopping. Seconds later frantic onlookers flagged down and alerted Miami Beach police officer Edward Cavalie, 41, who was passing in his squad car, but he told them to find someone else and drove away. When his colleagues arrived on the scene they were powerless to help the unconscious woman who was later declared dead on arrival in hospital. The callous officer has been fired, but Khedr's devastated husband has been left wondering whether his wife might still be alive if Cavalie had bothered to help. 'Every day he's taking his lunch to my mother's grave and eating at the grave, because he needs to feel she's still alive and she's eating with him,' one of their sons told wsvn.com. Former Miami Beach police officer Edward Cavalie at his swearing in on July 11 last year Security footage caught Cavalie's squad car driving off (top left) seconds after he had been alerted to the dying hit-and-run victim (circled top) Cavalie had been with the department for less than a year when the crash took place on the afternoon of April 28. The Bronco was being driven by Demarcus Cortez Harrington, 43, who clipped Kehdr's bike as he passed, throwing her onto the curb where she hit her head. Witnesses saw Harrington glance back in his side-view mirror without stopping and shrug his shoulders before continuing his journey, an arrest warrant states. Newly released security footage shows onlookers speaking to Cavalie who 'directed the civilians who reported the collision to enter the police station and file the report themselves,' according to Miami Beach police Chief Wayne Jones. Cavalie is seen rounding the corner and driving off before other officers rush out of the police building as witnesses began filing the police report they had asked Cavalie to. Harrington meanwhile pulled over when he was out of eyesight and was challenged by a friend who had been driving immediately in front of him. The friend, who knew Harrington from a local strip club, later told police they were returning their hired Ford Broncos to Miami International Airport when he heard the 'smack' of Harrington's collision. After pulling over he asked Harrington if he had 'run anyone over' and pleaded with his friend to go back to the scene, according to a police report. Esmat Khedr, 63, had made a new life for herself in Florida and was living in nearby Pennsylvania Avenue with her husband after moving from their native Egypt Camera's caught the moment the blue Ford Bronco being driven by Demarcus Harrington clipped Khedr's electric bicycle sending her headfirst into the curb Passers-by rushed to help the fatally injured woman as both Harington and Cavalie drove off Demarcus Cortez Harrington looked in his side-view mirror and shrugged after striking Khedr in his hired Ford Bronco, according to witnesses But Harrington reacted furiously, insisting he was 'not going back to jail' and leaving his friend afraid he would 'shoot and kill him', if he spoke to police. Harrington ditched the hired Bronco and left the scene on foot, and it took officers nearly two months to track him down and charge him with leaving the scene of a crash causing death. It was just three days however before internal investigators were alerted to Cavalie's conduct. 'This response was negligent and a clear violation of our departmental policy,' Jones said. 'After a comprehensive investigation, Mr Cavalie's employment was terminated immediately.' Khedr had been living in nearby Pennsylvania Avenue after arriving from Egypt with her husband. Her sons, who are still living in the North African nation and did not want to be identified, told Miami 7News that their family is struggling to come to terms with what happened. 'We're still suffering from it now,' one told the station. 'Nothing can bring my mom back. It was a very bad moment. It was very difficult. 'Our thoughts, like, you know, we couldn't imagine, first of all, something like that could happen. Accidents can happen anywhere, but hit-and-run, this is something so bad. 'She's a person taking care of everyone. She always needed people to be happy around her. She's a very kind person. 'When you see one of your family members taken in a crime, it's always you feel bad, you feel like, 'I need justice'.' Harrington has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2001 in his native Iowa and has served time in prison for a series of felonies. He is being held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center ahead of his next scheduled court appearance on October 2. A friend who was driving in the Bronco ahead of Harrington's said they 'almost came to blows' as the alleged killer refused to return to the scene after the pair pulled over nearby Khedr's sons told 7News that their mother 'always needed people to be happy' Chief Jones said Cavalie was still in his probationary period after joining the department in July last year, and that his 'negligence' should not reflect on the rest of his officers. 'It is critical to emphasize that every member of this department is held to the highest standards, and any behavior similar to that exhibited by Mr Cavalie will not be tolerated,' he added. 'His actions are not indicative of the dedication and professionalism of the hardworking men and women of the Miami Beach Police Department.' 'Our prayers remain with the victim of this tragic incident.' King Charles is said to have a 'spring in his step' as the Sovereign looks forward to the 'second chapter' of his reign. The start of Charles's reign has been blighted by deepening rifts with his son Prince Harry and his brother Prince Andrew as well as Kate Middleton and the King's surprise cancer diagnoses. However, as his reign enters its third year, the King is said to be eager to return to work with a 'renewed vigour.' A source told the Daily Mirror: 'There has been a lot going on, but the King has always been upbeat. Not once has he allowed himself to question the future he's dealt with everything head on. 'Now he is back in business. There is a spring in his step and a renewed vigour with it too. Everything is looking positive, which is welcome.' King Charles and Queen Camilla during the King's coronation. The start of Charles's reign has been blighted by deepening rifts with his son Prince Harry and his brother Prince Andrew as well as Kate Middleton and the King's surprise cancer diagnoses Prince Harry in May this year. A palace insider claimed that the King wanted a better relationship with his youngest son but they said Charles was 'focussed on things he believes are more important right now' Prince Andrew and the King in September 2022. Meanwhile it has been previously reported that the King was said to be losing patience with his brother Prince Andrew over his continued refusal to leave Royal Lodge A source added: 'The King very much feels this is the second chapter of his reign and he is very positive about the future.' The King's so-called first chapter of his refine has been defined by growing rifts within the between Charles and his son, Harry, and brother Andrew. A palace insider claimed that the King wanted a better relationship with his youngest son but they said Charles was 'focussed on things he believes are more important right now.' Meanwhile it has been previously reported that the King was said to be losing patience with his brother Prince Andrew over his continued refusal to leave Royal Lodge. Charles has long been trying to get the Duke of York out of the 30-room, 30 million property in Windsor, which he lives in with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Andrew, 64, has insisted on staying in the mansion despite stepping down from official duties nearly five years ago. The other major event of his reign so far was the King's surprise cancer diagnosis in February. A source told the Daily Mirror : 'There has been a lot going on, but the King has always been upbeat. Not once has he allowed himself to question the future he's dealt with everything head on It was also recently announced that the Princess of Wales - who was also diagnosed with cancer this year - could be returning to public life very soon . It is understood Kate could make an appearance at the Remembrance Day service this November Through his treatment, the Monarch is to have taken 'great comfort and strength' from his family's love and support throughout. The King and Queen are currently making their final preparations for their first international tour as Charles and Camilla prepare to head to Australia and the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa next month. It was also recently announced that the Princess of Wales - who was also diagnosed with cancer this year - could be returning to public life very soon. It is understood Kate could make an appearance at the Remembrance Day service this November and plans are also said to be already underway for her annual televised 'Together at Christmas' carol service at Westminster Abbey in December. A woman who beat the odds and secured herself a house in a major city now faces homelessness after losing her $29,000 deposit. Queensland academic Dr Loretta McKinnon claimed her entire living situation spiralled into chaos when the Commonwealth Bank was 13 minutes late in finalising the settlement of her would-be home. The three-bedroom Brisbane home, owned by Nancy Lee who hails from a family that owns numerous properties in south-east Queensland, was sold to Dr McKinnon for $580,000 at auction in late 2021. However, the academic claims the Commonwealth Bank was late to finalising the settlement due to an incorrectly ticked box on documents. Ms Lee then refused to grant a settlement extension, resulting in the end of their contract. Communication between the parties has since dissolved and resulted in several years' worth of legal battles. Last month the Supreme Court of Queensland ordered Dr McKinnon's $29,000 deposit - mostly money she loaned from her father - be 'forfeited' to the vendor. The funds were previously held in a trust by the real estate agents who handled the bungled sale. Dr Loretta McKinnon (right) bought a home in north Brisbane at auction for $580,000 in late 2021 Dr McKinnon claimed her entire living situation spiralled into chaos when the Commonwealth Bank was 13 minutes late in finalising the settlement of her would-be home (pictured) Further worsening the situation is the fact Dr McKinnon currently lives in the disputed property at Windsor, north Brisbane, with Ms Lee as her landlord. She received even more bad news in August when the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal ordered her eviction by mid-October. If she does not vacate the property by then, she faces being escorted off by police. 'I am feeling extremely low,' Dr McKinnon told news.com.au. She is not sure where she will live next month. Earlier this year Dr McKinnon faced being declared bankrupt after receiving a notice to pay $448,000 over the failed sale. The order has since been overturned due to a discrepancy. A 90-day settlement period had originally been granted to Dr McKinnon so she could sort her finances in order to afford the property. Ms Lee's solicitor previously highlighted his client's lack of legal obligation to extend the sale period but did not respond to the outlet's latest request for comment. Queensland's law has since changed to align with other states in allowing a two-week grace period of failed settlements. However, the amendment was not made in time to help Dr McKinnon's case. Dr McKinnon (pictured) has since been ordered to vacate the home, which she is renting, amid an ongoing legal battle to own the property Last month the Supreme Court of Queensland ordered Dr McKinnon's $29,000 deposit - mostly money she loaned from her father (pictured together) - be 'forfeited' to the vendor Dr McKinnon continued to struggle for ownership of the home, which she claims is rightfully hers. She previously said: 'It's disadvantage upon disadvantage. So horrendous.' The Commonwealth Bank was unable to comment due to privacy reasons. Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart has called for Israeli-style Iron Dome missile defence systems to protect the country's mining assets in the nation's north because of their crucial economic role. In an address to the Bush Summit in Port Hedland, WA, Mrs Rinehart issued dire warnings that Australia is headed for economic and defence crises without a change in approach. Mrs Rinehart told her audience that over the past decade, Australia's mining industry has earned trillions of dollars in export earnings. She noted this revenue in turn supported many Aussie businesses and paid $252billion in wages and $357billion in taxes and royalties over the last 10 years. These taxes and royalties allowed Australia to provide for nurses, police, defence, veterans, elderly, emergency services and more. But the mining magnate said if plans to get to 100 per cent renewable energy ever actually happened, the country's economy would be stripped of this revenue. That created a conundrum, she said. 'Which services would you like cut without the mining industry revenue, and how much more tax would you like to pay? 'Why jeopardise this bonanza, why kill the geese laying the golden eggs?' A nuclear power advocate, Mrs Rinehart argued that 'the truth' is that 'sustainable energy can't underpin our base power load requirements, the sun doesn't always shine, wind doesn't always blow, the additional capital to try to hook this in will be humongous'. Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart (pictured) has used her address to the Bush Summit in WA to issue dire warnings that Australia could be headed for economic and defence disasters Mrs Rinehart called for Iron Dome style defence styles to protect northern Australia - the country's economic engine - from missile attack Mrs Rinehart did not say there was no value to renewable sources of energy. But she pointed out what she sees as their severe limitations. 'In Australia solar panels generate electricity for about 20-25 per cent of the year,' she said. 'Wind is only a little better, typically it has a 'capacity factor' between 30-40 per cent.' 'Hydropower can be a little better again, perhaps generating power 50 per cent of the time (but) compare those to coal and natural gas. 'These thermal power plants typically have capacity factors between 70-90 per cent because they can generate electricity consistently as long as fuel is available.' The businesswoman then made a case for nuclear power, which has been promised by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton if the Coalition wins the coming federal election, which is due by next May. 'Although it's not here well not yet - nuclear power would be the best of the lot, operating over 90 per cent of the time as it requires less maintenance and is designed to operate for longer stretches,' Mrs Rinehart said. Proposal to pay for a stronger defence force She also addressed Australia's defence spending, which she said is 'unrealistically and irresponsibly limited'. Poll Is Gina Rinehart right, should Australia allow more mining to raise more taxes to spend on defence? Yes No Is Gina Rinehart right, should Australia allow more mining to raise more taxes to spend on defence? Yes 302 votes No 46 votes Now share your opinion 'The government's most important responsibility ... is the defence of our country,' she said, adding that this too is inextricably linked to the mining industry. 'It's no good having the resources in the Pilbara unless we can export them and receive revenue from them, hence we should have defence to keep our railways and ports open, and our vital sea lanes.' Mrs Rinehart said a bigger defence spend would be achievable if Australia allowed more mines to open and cut red tape. Borrowing from Donald Trump's 'drill, baby, drill' phrase, she said 'dig baby dig! Get rid of the government obstacles delaying development, and instead turn (mining for minerals) into revenue urgently'. She said the world must learn from what's happening in Ukraine 'that warfare is changing, and hence our defence thinking needs to change too'. 'One glaring example is Ukraine-made war drones costing little but destroying a $1billion Russian naval ship. We need defence investment that works today.' Mrs Rinehart first told her audience that over the past decade, Australia's mining industry has earned trillions of dollars in export earnings. Yandi iron ore mine in the Pilbara is pictured Ms Rinehart said Australia's defence spending is 'unrealistically and irresponsibly limited'. Australian soldiers are pictured in the UK training Ukrainian recruits Mrs Rinehart said the Pilbara mining region 'should have the protective iron domes like the ones in Israel, plus war drones and smart sea mines, plenty of them, and similarly across our sea lanes and ports and some islands, from the north west through to the north east'. She said that a stronger defence capability was also necessary as 'we have only seven days of fuel reserve in Australia'. 'It is critical that we can keep our sea lanes open to receive fuel, be that from Singapore, USA or elsewhere. 'We may have the attitude, let's not spend on our defence, let's rely on the USA, but how would that work in reality if we can't protect our sea lanes and ports so they can enable fuel, defence equipment and heavy supplies from the USA to reach us.' Australian shoppers have spotted embattled former Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci working the checkout of one of the supermarket giant's metropolitan stores ahead of his retirement from the group. Mr Banducci was spotted behind the counter at the Woolworths in Marrickville Metro in Sydney's inner west on Sunday, just days after Amanda Bardwell officially took over responsibilities as the group's CEO. Mr Banducci announced his retirement as Managing Director and CEO in February with an internal note to staff, later posted on LinkedIn. 'I do not intend to go quietly into the night and look forward to working with all of you to help our customers spend less, for us to be rightly famous for the care we show our customers and each other and to continue to be better together,' he wrote in the letter. Mr Banducci now has a short 'handover' period following his official departure from the CEO position on the last day of August. One shopper snapped a picture of Mr Banducci's day as a covert cashier and claimed he was seen 'copping an earful' from an elderly lady. '(The) lady was having a go at him for cosplaying a wage earner while not paying his workers enough. Pretty on the money,' they wrote online. Daily Mail Australia understands Mr Banducci reported the shift had gone smoothly and there weren't any incidents with disgruntled customers. Former Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci was spotted in Woolworths' Marrickville Metro outlet '(The) lady was having a go at him for cosplaying a wage earner while not paying his workers enough. Pretty on the money,' a shopper claimed online about Mr Banducci's interaction with a customer in a Sydney Woolworths Woolworths says it is not uncommon for executives and corporate staff to spend time working at the supermarkets to gain insight to the company's daily operations. 'It is common practice for our senior management and office-based employees from our support offices to work in-stores to support our store teams,' a Woolworths spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. 'Woolworths Group actually has a program which requires all new hires in office-based roles, no matter what their role is, to spend several days in a Woolworths Group store as an introduction to the heart of the retail business,' she said. In his eight years as CEO Mr Banducci has been known to visit the stores at the times of the group's results announcements to provide additional comments to investors and media. Mr Banducci made his final results announcement in August, revealing prices at the supermarket fell 0.2 per cent and 0.6 per cent in the March and June quarters respectively, and that he would spend his last weeks with the grocery giant working in store in Marrickville and making home deliveries. His formal resignation came in February just days after a disastrous interview with ABC's Four Corners and after facing growing controversy over the supermarket giant's role in the increasing cost of living for Australians. ABC Journalist Angus Grigg grilled Mr Banducci on the lack of competition in the supermarket industry. His line of questioning saw Mr Banducci storm off in the midst of the interview, though he returned later to finish taping. Mr Banducci experienced a meteoric rise to CEO of Woolworths Group from his beginnings in consultancy. His most recent LinkedIn listing reads: CEO Woolworths group, February 2016 to September 2024, to Woolworths Team Member, September 2024 to present. After announcing his retirement, he fronted a senate inquiry into supermarket pricing and was pinned by Greens senator Nick McKim who accused him of dodging questions about Woolworths' profitability. 'I think I'm done guys': Mr Banducci walked out of an ABC Four Corners interview which aired in February But, Woolworths' management hailed Mr Banducci as a great leader, citing record profits in recent years. Group Chair Scott Perkins said at the time: 'Brad has led a remarkable turnaround and transformation of the Group'. 'The test of any CEO is to leave the business in much better shape than when they started. 'On that simple metric, history will judge Brad to have been one of Woolworths Groups finest leaders,' he said. Hillbilly Elegy director Ron Howard said that the JD Vance running for vice president is a different man than the one he knew when he helmed the adaption of the Ohio Senator's famous memoir. Howard, an Oscar-winning director and long-time fixture of Hollywood, directed the adaptation of Vance's bestselling book, which was released to mixed reviews on Netflix in 2020. Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, Howard says he's 'very surprised and disappointed by much of the rhetoric that Im reading and hearing' and believes Vance has changed. 'People do change, and I assume thats the case. Well, its on record. When we spoke around the time that I knew him, he was not involved in politics or claimed to be particularly interested. So that was then.' In a separate interview, he made it clear that his relationship with Vance aside, he's with Kamala Harris, adding that 'theres no version of me voting for Donald Trump to be president again, whoever the vice president was'. Hillbilly Elegy director Ron Howard said that the JD Vance running for vice president is a different man than the one he knew when he helmed the adaption of the Ohio Senator's famous memoir Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, Howard says he's 'very surprised and disappointed by much of the rhetoric that Im reading and hearing' and believes Vance has changed Howard said that when they talked about the film, his conversations with Vance did not touch on politics. 'Well, we didnt talk a lot of politics when we were making the movie because I was interested in his upbringing and that survival tale', he told Deadline. He added to Variety that he's 'concerned' by the positions Vance has espoused since he's entered politics. Howard said that people need to participate in the political process rather than be concerned about his old movies. 'I think the important thing is to recognize whats going on today and to vote. And so thats my answer. Its not really about a movie made five or six years ago. It is, but we need to respond to what were seeing, hearing, feeling now, and vote responsibly, whatever that is., We must participate. Thats my answer'. The Netflix film - adapted from a 2016 memoir of the same name - has been panned by critics for what they've called an insensitive depiction of poverty in rural Appalachia. However, it still did score some raves and an Oscar nomination for Glenn Close as Vance's grandmother. The book Vance wrote had painted an evocative portrait of a tough upbringing in a forgotten American. He was perfectly placed to explain why those rust belt towns had turned to Trump even as he warned that the man himself was like an opioid, an 'easy escape from the pain.' Howard said that people need to participate in the political process rather than be concerned about his old movies The Netflix film - adapted from a 2016 memoir of the same name - has been panned by critics for what they've called an insensitive depiction of poverty in rural Appalachia It could have made him a fixture of the chattering pundit classes, called on to explain the appeal and meteoric political rise of a loud-mouthed New York property developer that had baffled the establishment on the left and the right. What changed, said a friend who knew the couple at Yale, was the way prestigious institutions railed against Brett Kavanaugh - whom Vance's wife clerked for - during his confirmation and at Trump in office. A friend who knew Vance and his future wife at law school said it was one of the factors that pushed him towards Trump and politics, after previously being highly critical. 'There were two things that I think were frustrating for JD' he said. 'One was seeing how Yale, like kind of our Yale communityprofessors, alumniwent after Brett Kavanaugh and the rank partisanship that was shown in that.' The other thing, he added, was the way the mainstream media, which raved about his book slated the movie when it came out in a way that felt like an attack on the America he had written about. Vance had always been a conservative but the partisanship, the story goes, led him to embrace Trump and his Republican movement. September 8, 2024: A Ukrainian intelligence operation carried out a surprise attack on a Russian air base near the Arctic Circle. This is 1,800 kilometers from Ukraine and was apparently carried out by Ukrainian operatives who, pretending to be Russian truck drivers, transported the drones to northwest Russia. This is a heavily forested area that is sparsely populated. It is also where several Russian naval and air bases are located. The Ukrainians attacked the air bases and the long-range Russian bombers that operated out of these bases for attacks on Ukraine. Russia believed these bases were safe because they were so far from Ukraine and had about a dozen Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 long-range bombers. These bombers fly to the Ukraine border, launch air-to-ground missiles and return to their base in the north. The Ukrainian attack put several Russian bombers out of action. The Russians were mystified and the Ukrainians would only say that they did it without supplying any details. Given the geography of the situation, it was deduced that the Ukrainians transported the attack drones to northwest Russia and launched them from there. Because the Ukrainian and Russian languages are so similar, it is easy for Ukrainian intelligence to recruit Russian speaking Ukrainians to carry out this mission. Western economic sanctions and the usual lousy Russian maintenance practices have caused the Russian railroads to fall into such disrepair that they are no longer able to move much cargo. That means more work for commercial truckers and their vehicles, which can be smuggled in from China and Central Asia. Russian security forces have much else to do and dont spend much time monitoring who is doing what with trucks. The attack up north caused Russia to cancel an event in the Baltic Sea city of St Petersburg where two nuclear powered submarines and two surface ships were on display for the public to admire. These four navy vessels were withdrawn from the event and moved to an undisclosed location. A chef who starred in a Netflix series heroically defended herself in a San Francisco liquor store after a homeless man allegedly called her a racial slur. Wendy Drew, who appeared in the hit show 'You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment,' was leaving Cafe Terminus at 9:30 pm on Sunday, September 1, when a stranger began an expletive-ridden rant in her direction. 'I'm on the phone with my mom, and this regular-looking guy walking his dog walks by and calls me the N-word,' Drew told KTV. 'Why are you calling me that?' The celebrity chef said she responded. A black chef who starred in a Netflix series heroically defended herself in a San Francisco liquor store after a homeless man allegedly called her a racial slur Wendy Drew, who appeared in the hit show 'You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment,' fought back against the man who called her a racial slur 'Then he turns and starts hitting me on the head. He punched me like three times on the head. I'm like, "you're not going to get away with hitting me",' she told The San Francisco Standard. Drew managed to push the man into a Drumm Street liquor store, where she asked bystanders to call 911 while exchanging blows with the man. Surveillance video from inside the shop showed the chef bravely holding on to the assailant, who unleashed a barrage of violent punches aimed at her face. From the footage, authorities were able to identify the man as Irvin Rivera-Lara, 31, a homeless individual with a violent record. Drew managed to push the man into a Drumm Street liquor store, where she asked bystanders to call 911 while exchanging blows with the man In the video, as Drew and Rivera-Lara wrestled near a fridge, a customer could be seen walking over and pepper-spraying the assailant in the face. Then the homeless man grabbed the chef's hair and the two of them continued to strike at each other until they fell down behind the cash register. Rivera-Lara tried to get up, but Drew resolutely held on to his body. Meanwhile, the homeless man's dog stood nearby and barked excitedly. 'I basically had him in a bear hug. I had my legs around him, and he kept trying to get away,' the Netflix star recounted to the San Francisco Standard. 'His dog comes by. I thought the dog wants to bite me, but the poor thing was just licking my face,' she continued. 'I loosened my grip, and that's when he started repeatedly punching me in the face.' According to Drew, her assailant tried to tell the police that he was acting in self-defense, but an officer quickly rebuffed him, saying 'I'm not buying that nonsense' Surveillance video from inside the shop showed the chef bravely holding on to the assailant, who unleashed a barrage of violent punches aimed at her face In the footage, Rivera-Lara could be seen finally managing to stand up. He then leaned over Drew and let fly a flurry of savage punches that hit her in the face. But the iron-willed chef refused to yield. She rose to her feet and staggered toward the door, where she attempted to block the attacker's exit. After some violent scuffling, Rivera-Lara was able to push Drew aside and leave the store. But she followed him outside and told him, 'you're not getting away. You are going to jail today.' Then she was able to get the attention of her boyfriend and other men who ran out of Cafe Terminus and held Rivera-Lara until the authorities arrived. According to Drew, her assailant tried to tell the police that he was acting in self-defense, but an officer quickly rebuffed him, saying 'I'm not buying that nonsense.' The attack left the chef's face badly injured. At the hospital, a bloody gash had to be glued shut, and she required a tetanus shot. 'I also got a concussion and broken nose. It may require surgery; they aren't sure yet,' she told the San Francisco Standard. The attack left the chef's face badly injured. At the hospital, a bloody gash had to be glued shut, and she required a tetanus shot When Drew first saw Rivera-Lara, she thought that he resembled 'a tech bro,' and she was surprised to learn that he was a homeless man with a violent record. 'He just looked like someone who was taking his dog for a walk,' she said. 'It turned out he was homeless. It didn't seem like he had any mental issues at face value.' Rivera-Lara has been arrested on suspicion of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, committing a hate crime, and providing false information to an officer. Only last year, he was arrested on suspicion of attacking a Haight Street sandwich shop's owner, who had confronted him about peeing on trash near his business. Jacquie Lambie has spoken out about her mental health struggles, revealing she was so determined to take her own life that she wrote goodbye letters to her children - before waking up in a psychiatric ward. The independent Tasmanian senator opened up about her personal struggles in a book called Profiles In Hope by former Liberal MP John Brogden, which also details the mental health issues of 14 other high-profile Australians, including James Packer. Senator Lambie's troubles began in 2000 when she was medically discharged from the Australian Defence Force after she injured her spine during a field exercise. She spent about seven years embroiled in a court battle against the Department of Veterans Affairs, which tried to argue that she wasn't injured - despite her crippling pain. Ms Lambie eventually won the case, but lost almost everything in the process - living on welfare, a single mum with two kids, and addicted to painkillers. In the book, she told Mr Brogden: 'The reason I had the depression was the pain. I just couldn't deal with it.' 'By the middle of August 2009 I couldn't live with the pain anymore. I'd had enough. I left the kids some letters.' Senator Jacqui Lambie (pictured) has opened up about her mental health struggles in a new book Jacqui Lambie sustained a serious spinal injury during a training exercise when she was in the military (pictured) Ms Lambie said the letters were written three weeks beforehand because she knew she was going to try to take her own life, but hadn't worked out how. After her attempt, she woke up in hospital and found out she had been in an induced coma for 48 hours. 'I had my two sons standing there and my father. And the looks on their faces, I'll never forget it. It was ghastly. They were like, "Why?",' she recalled. She said her life completely changed once she was admitted to a psychiatric ward and got the pain treatment she needed. 'Once I got [the pain] under control, the depression just lifted,' she said. Ms Lambie has previously said she entered politics because she didn't want anyone else to struggle the way she did. On Monday morning, she spoke about a series of recommendations following a three-year Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide - which she contributed to in 2022. 'As much as we've all gone out there and we've aired our grievances, [there are] many out there...who are still serving,' she said. Jacqui Lambie joined politics because she didn't want anyone else to experience her ordeal Senator Lambie is pictured with her son Dylan in 2016. She previously thanked him looking after her when her mental health spiralled 'But the hard work starts today, that's the truth of the matter. 'We need somebody to make sure these recommendations are going to get through as quickly as possible and those recommendations, the legislation, is going to be right and it's going to serve its purpose.' Ms Lambie gave evidence to the Royal Commission in 2022, breaking down as she relived her experience. She said: 'I want to thank my two sons who went through a lot and watched their mother deteriorate so badly over a 10-year period and the ending of that.' The senator told the inquiry that her youngest son, Dylan, struggled with meth addiction. Directly addressing him in front of the cameras, she said: 'To my youngest son, I know you have paid a very, very heavy price for what you had to do to care for me over that period of time, and I know you are still paying the price of that. 'Thank you sincerely. And I will speak on your behalf and tell them what you went through and the impact that it's had on your life. So, thank you very much.' The results of the Royal Commission will be tabled in parliament on Monday. If this has raised any issues for you, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 EXCLUSIVE A 48-year-old Estonian lawyer has failed to convince authorities he was in a romantic relationship with a 104-year-old woman, ending his bid for a visa to stay in Australia. Mart Soeson insisted he would still be with Elfriede Riit, with whom he had never had sex or shared a bed, if she had not died in a Sydney nursing home in April. Ms Riit, who was also Estonian and fled Europe after World War II, had previously been married for almost 40 years to Mr Soeson's maternal grandfather. The Department of Home Affairs rejected Mr Soeson's application for a permanent residency visa in December 2018 due to concerns his commitment to Ms Riit was not genuine. Mr Soeson challenged that ruling in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal which has now affirmed the department's decision not to grant him a visa. The tribunal found that while Mr Soeson and Ms Riit had an 'emotional connection' they did not have 'a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others'. It was also not satisfied that at the time of Ms Riit's death the pair had a relationship which was 'genuine and continuing'. Mr Soeson had given sworn evidence in February about the nature of his union with Ms Riit and addressed their 55-year age gap in comments to Daily Mail Australia. A 48-year-old Estonian lawyer has failed to convince authorities he was in a romantic relationship with a 104-year-old Australian woman. Mart Soeson (right) had insisted he would still be with Elfriede Riit (left) if she had not died in a Sydney nursing home in April 'Yes, I know we have the age gap,' he said. 'And I know it's an issue for some people. 'But generally, age gap is an issue in the case of an older woman and younger man. It's never an issue in case of an older man and young woman - but I'm not able to change that attitude.' Mr Soeson met Ms Riit in early 1996 when he came to Australia to study advanced English and she invited him to stay in her home at Bankstown. Ms Riit was the second wife of Mr Soeson's grandfather Alfred, to whom she had been married from 1948, shortly after they both came to Australia, until his death in 1987. Mr Soeson, who had never previously been in a relationship, said it was not love at first sight with Ms Riit and 'nothing happened overnight'. He eventually returned to Estonia but repeatedly came back to Australia in the following years to see Ms Riit and their bond grew gradually. 'I could not shake the feeling that I was missing something in my life, and that something was Elfriede,' Mr Soeson said in an affidavit. The Department of Home Affairs rejected Mr Soeson's application for a permanent residency visa in December 2018 due to concerns his commitment to Ms Riit was not genuine. Mr Soeson is pictured with Ms Riit outside the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Mr Soeson took annual leave to make further trips to Sydney in 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 for the sole purpose of seeing Ms Riit. During that last visit the pair recognised their feelings for each other had deepened and moved beyond friendship. 'Having spent the last five holiday season together the relationship between Elfriede and I had become extremely close,' Mr Soeson said in his affidavit. 'Elfriede was completely in love with me and I was feeling the same way about her.' Mr Soeson said Ms Riit showed her love for him by spending more time in the kitchen cooking his favourite dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 'Elfriede and I also became physically closer, and she constantly hugged me and paid attention to me in ways that she hadn't before,' he said. The tribunal's presiding member David Barker said the law did not require the pair to share a bed for their relationship to be recognised but asked Mr Soeson to confirm there had never been any sexual intimacy between them. 'Yes, none,' he said. 'We have intimacy - holding hands, hugs, kissing. We have a spiritual and intellectual relationship. We have a strong emotional connection to each other.' Mr Soeson met Ms Riit in early 1996 when he came to Australia to study advanced English and she invited him to stay in her home at Bankstown. She knew him as the grandson of her late husband Alfred Mr Barker had observed that sex was an important part of most couple's lives and asked Mr Soeson if he and Ms Riit had ever discussed not being physically intimate. 'We didn't talk about it,' he said. 'We never thought about this, to be in sexual relationship.' The couple had not shared a bedroom because Ms Riit's snoring disturbed Mr Soeson. Ms Riit would also wake screaming from nightmares about World War II and the brutal Soviet occupation of Estonia. Mr Barker said when Ms Riit attended the tribunal in January she 'did not appear oriented in time or place' and was 'quite distressed' by her surroundings. '[Ms Riit] repeatedly cried out "take me home", "I want to go home" and made incoherent noises which were in an agitated and distressed tone of voice,' he wrote in his judgement. Mr Soeson's mother provided a statement to the tribunal in which she suggested her son might be a 'sapiosexual' - someone sexually attracted to highly intelligent people. Mr Barker rejected the claim Mr Soeson found Ms Riit's intellect sexually attractive based on there having been no intimacy between the pair and them never discussing the topic. Mr Soeson would regularly visited Ms Riit in her nursing home where he brought his alleged lover her favourite foods including chocolate and berries Mr Soeson said what would become an 'exclusive committed long-term' relationship with Ms Riit first became romantic in January 2013 when she was 92 and he was 37. 'What started out as a wholesome bond I had with my late grandfather's widow slowly but surely turned into a very meaningful and loving relationship,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Every urge I tried to fight regarding our future did not mean anything when I truly thought about how happy she made me.' Mr Soeson said he entered a de facto relationship with Ms Riit in September 2018 when he was 43 and she was 98. The couple lived together at Ms Riit's home until she was forced to move into an aged care facility on doctor's orders in September 2022. Mr Soeson would regularly visited the nursing home where he brought his alleged lover her favourite foods including chocolate and berries. They attended concerts and chapel services, watched television together and went out to have coffee with friends and to visit medical specialists. Three witnesses who supported Mr Soeson told the tribunal about the assistance he gave Ms Riit by changing the batteries in her hearing aids. One of the problems with Mr Soeson's visa application was that he had sometimes referred to himself as Ms Riit's grandson when dealing with government agencies. Mr Soeson said he and Ms Riit had not shared a bedroom or ever had sex but insisted their half-century age difference was irrelevant On other occasions, people who encountered Mr Soeson and Ms Riit had assumed she was his grandmother rather than thinking they might be in a relationship. 'It happens quite often, assuming that,' Mr Soeson told the tribunal. 'I didn't view her as my grandmother. I've never called her "grandmother". There was no grandson-grandmother relationship.' Mr Soeson was beside Ms Riit on April 13 when she peacefully crossed her hands on her chest and said her final farewell to her companion of more than a decade. 'We were together to the end,' Mr Soeson told Daily Mail Australia. Ms Riit's death, which was due to an infection and Alzheimer's disease, had represented another obstacle to Mr Soeson remaining in Australia but would not alone have been insurmountable. Mr Barker had explained in May that Mr Soeson could still seek a partner visa under provisions in the relevant legislation which covered an applicant's 'sponsor' dying. For the visa refusal to be overturned, the tribunal would have had to be satisfied Mr Soeson's de facto relationship with Ms Riit would have continued if she were still alive. Mr Soeson said he entered a de facto relationship with Ms Riit in September 2018 when he was 43 and she was 98 Mr Soeson would also need to have shown he had developed close business, cultural or personal ties while in Australia. 'If she wouldn't die our relationship would be continuing,' Mr Soeson told Mr Barker. 'And if she would live I would be together with her as well.' Mr Soeson, who works as a painter, told the tribunal he had close links to Sydney's Estonian community and had adopted local customs such as observing Anzac Day. 'I have a job here,' he said. 'My home is here. I gave up my meaningful life in Estonia with my career and family ties to be with Elfriede in Australia.' Mr Soeson had said there were plenty of reasons he should not be sent back to Estonia. 'I have friends here,' he said. 'I have my partner. Elfriede is dead now and she's here. My grandfather as well is here, buried here.' 'I have my reasons to be here. I have my reasons to visit my close ones in cemetery as well.' Mr Soeson and Home Affairs have been contacted for comment about his future. An influential 'Christian Nationalist' pastor who claims that God does not want women to vote has sparked fury again after asserting that black doctors are given a 'free pass' in medical school. Joel Webbon of the Covenant Bible Church in Texas told his social media followers that he would always choose a white doctor over a black doctor because 'if one of them was not qualified and was given a free pass, it'd be the black guy.' The bearded cleric runs his church from a roadside restaurant outside Austin, but boasts nearly 200,000 followers on social media, and made his latest incendiary remarks on an edition of his Theology Applied podcast. He claimed he would feel the same way if he was black, but was denounced for 'pure raw racism' as the comments went viral on X. 'You cannot become a doctor without passing actual tests,' pointed out one responder. 'I also pray he never has to be saved by a black doctor and they are the only ones around.' Joel Webbon of the Covenant Bible Church in Texas insisted that black doctors are more likely to have been given a 'free pass', making them more dangerous than white doctors The controversial pastor made his remarks on his Right Response Ministries podcast The Christian influencer who runs Right Response Ministries claimed his wife had once offered him a choice between a white and a black doctor. 'When we moved to Texas, I needed to get a new cardiologist,' he said. 'And so my wife, she does a lot of this for me, because before we had kids she was an RN, and she knows a lot more than I do. 'She does the research, and she shows me two doctors, both within the same practice, same company, hospital. 'And one was a young white dude, and one was a young black dude. And I said I prefer the young white dude. 'The reason why is not because I'm white,' he insisted. 'We currently live in a historical moment in the West, and particularly in these United States, where I know that both of these guys could be perfectly qualified. 'But I also know that if there's a chance that one of them was not qualified and was given a free pass, it'd be the black guy. I know that that young white guy, there's no way he got a free pass.' He did not explain how any doctor could practice without a medical license, but attempts to tackle the under-representation of black students in medical schools have faced a growing backlash since the Supreme Court voted to outlaw affirmative action in higher education last year. Administrators at UCLA's world-famous David Geffen School of Medicine came under pressure in June amid warnings that standards had dropped because of their efforts to recruit more black students. Previously Webbon revealed that his wife, pictured, requires his approval for every book she reads, while claiming that women should not be allowed to vote According to Webbon, he is in charge of everything in his household, including when his children go to the bathroom Critics on social media were quick to point out that black students still have to pass the same exams as their white counterparts to qualify as medics. The school has fallen from sixth to 18th place in the rankings since 2020 with some staff claiming that the admissions bar for underrepresented minorities is now 'as low as you could possibly imagine'. But critics on social media were quick to point out that black students still have to pass the same exams as their white counterparts to qualify as medics. 'Do yall think that just because someone is a black doctor they didn't have to take the classes, pass the test, get board certified, etc like everyone else?' demanded Andre Marcel Harris. 'What's funny is that it's probably the other way around given that nepotism and networking can often supersede merit or talent,' wrote Riley Xskobar. 'Unfortunately, he's right,' joked David Isaacson. 'I mean there's NO WAY the white doctor got a free pass. Say...by having wealthy parents that could use their wealth to fraudulently inflate entrance exam test scores, bribe college officials to gain admission, etc.' The provocative pastor made a name for himself earlier this summer when he called for women to be stripped of the right to vote. 'If we had a Christian nation and women could vote, then within 50 years we will no longer have a Christian nation,' he opined. 'God has not designed women for warfare, and that's part of what politics is. It's really all that politics is; it's war without the blood. 'I believe that the sword has been given to men. The sword iswithout being crude, I think this is a factit is a phallus. It is assigned by God to men.' Webbon compared women to five-year-old children, explaining that 'She is like a child in the way that God has appointed men to protect them.' In an earlier podcast edition he explained that he needs to approve every book his wife reads, and that he is in charge of everything in his household, including when his children go to the bathroom. 'I have four people in my life that I dictate the hours in their day,' he noted. 'I dictate what time they go to the bathroom. When we eat, what we eat, what we wear. 'They are my children. Those are the people that I have almost limitless authority with,' he continued. He has also spoken of the need for America to be ruled by a 'Caesar-type' Christian dictator who 'just rules with an iron fist' and forces everyone to, at least, 'pretend' to be Christian. The bearded cleric runs his church from a roadside restaurant outside Austin but boasts nearly 200,000 followers on social media 'For anyone in the area who may be looking for a biblical church with a spine, willing to take a stand against the WOKE NONSENSE of the culture and the CIVIL TYRANNY of the state, we would be honored to have you join us' his church website declares And his remarks won plenty of approval from some commentators on social media Some supported his remarks on black doctors, suggesting DEI initiatives have reduced standards across the board. 'DEI has tarnished the records of successful doctors because it values skin color over merit,' wrote Make Abortion History. 'Until it's destroyed it will be an unfortunate reality that people have to consider in life and death situations.' 'This isn't racist,' added Cornhusker01. 'Med Schools have to meet race quotas for minorities and white people aren't a part of that.' 'If you lower standards for the sake of optics you are better off using your optics to make the right call in avoiding the ones that got by on low standards,' insisted a third. Others pointed to studies suggesting that black people prefer to be treated by black doctors and secure better health outcomes as a result. But still more accused him of promoting a parody of Christianity for the sake of publicity. 'Racism, pure and simple,' wrote Richard Natale. 'He skipped over the parts in the Bible addressing all gods children.' 'He is the antithesis of a true follower of Jesus,' claimed Kevin Fifield. 'As such, he should be publicly shunned until he repents.' One of Australia's most highly-respected judges has died in a farming accident just three weeks after beginning his retirement. Former SA Supreme Court Justice Malcolm Blue KC, 70, was killed in an incident involving a tractor at a vineyard in Willunga South, south of Adelaide, shortly before 11am on Saturday. Justice Blue had retired last month after a 47-year legal career, including a 13-year stint as a Supreme Court judge. During his time on the court, the 70-year-old earned the respect of both legal professionals and politicians. The judge's family said he had been excited to spend more time with his loved ones in retirement. 'We are devastated by Malcolm's loss. He was a much-loved and loving father, partner and brother, and cherished his family,' the family told Adelaide Now. 'Malcolm was always kind, funny, smart and wonderfully supportive for family, friends and legal colleagues. 'He was both gentle and brilliant and will be missed terribly. Former Supreme Court Justice Malcolm Blue KC (pictured) was fatally injured in a incident involving a tractor at a vineyard on Saturday morning 'Having achieved so much during a long and distinguished legal career, Malcolm was looking forward to spending more time with his family on the property. 'Malcolm will be deeply missed by his partner Angela, daughters Charlotte, Victoria and Alex, three sisters, along with his extended family, many friends, and colleagues in the legal fraternity.' The circumstances of Justice Blue's death at the Fleurieu Peninsula remain unclear. SA Police are preparing a report for the coroner and Safework SA is investigating the case. Justice Blue handled several of the state's most high-profile cases while working in the Supreme Court. Some of those included the Hillier triple murders in 2016, Robert Fitzsimmons' drunk stomping death in 2014 and the dispute over $360million worth of defects at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 2016. Justice Blue was appointed to the King's Counsel, one of law's highest honours, in 2001 and graduated from the University of Adelaide. SA premier Peter Malinauskas paid tribute to Justice Blue during a press conference on Sunday. 'Mr Blue was a great South Australian who served his community exceptionally well over a very long period of time,' Mr Malinauskas said. 'I'm sure that South Australia will appropriately honour him as someone who's made a major contribution.' The circumstances of Justice Blue's death remain unclear with Safework SA investigating the case Chief Justice of South Australia Chris Kourakis acknowledged Blue's death would be felt across Australia's judiciary system. 'The judges of the Supreme Court, the judiciary of this state and across the country, and the legal profession mourn the loss of their colleague,' he said. 'Justice Blue was a pre-eminent intellect and jurist who selflessly devoted his energy to the work of the court and making justice more accessible to the people of South Australia.' A murder squad detective has tragically taken his own life at a police station in Perth. The male officer is understood to have died during the early hours of Monday morning. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the mans death. WA Police said the death is being considered non-suspicious and a report is being prepared for the Coroner. Police Commissioner Col Blanch has extended his condolences to the family of the officer, his colleagues and all who knew him. 'Information regarding this officers death has been shared with his colleagues, and health and welfare support has been offered to all police officers and staff who may be impacted by this tragedy,' Mr Blanch said. The detective is understood to have been stopped at Perth International Airport on Saturday and police are investigating whether that incident is related to his death, The West Australian reports. The tragedy comes just 11 months after WA Police announced the state's homicide squad was under resourced and run off its feet after a surge in murder cases. In response to the issue, extra officers - from both suburban and urban areas - were pulled off their usual beat and sent to the Northbridge-based homicide unit to help out. For confidential support 24/7 call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 This video is no longer available This video is no longer available Alex Jones has wildly claimed that Kamala Harris will take ecstasy before her first debate with Donald Trump to manage her anxiety. Jones, a longtime Trump supporter, absurdly alleged on his Infowars show that Harris 'is going to be on drugs' and 'going to be bombed out of her gourd'. The commentator, who faces $1.5 billion in restitution payments for claiming the Sandy Hook Massacre was a hoax, insisted that the September 10 showdown in Philadelphia won't be the first time the vice president takes drugs. 'She looked like that at the DNC. Big pupils, feeling good. Yeah, they're going to give her a molly. I'm dead serious,' he claimed. He also leveled that Harris was 'drunk and on Xanax' in her CNN interview with Tim Walz, the first major interview she'd done since she announced her campaign. Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones claimed that Kamala Harris will be on drugs at her first debate with Donald Trump and has been using for much of her campaign Jones, who supports Trump, claims that Harris 'is going to be on drugs. She's going to be bombed out of her gourd' Jones theorized that Harris will be using drugs due to 'serious performance anxiety' on his show. 'It's going to be spectacular in that she's going to fall flat on her face without a teleprompter,' Jones said. The Infowars founder - long known for his outrageous claims - is set to see his media empire shut down to help a bankruptcy court trustee pay the $1.5 billion he owes Sandy Hook families for calling the massacre a hoax. A U.S. bankruptcy court trustee is planning to shut down Jones platform and liquidate its assets to help pay the $1.5 billion in lawsuit judgments Jones owes. Jones has been saying on his web and radio shows that he expects Infowars to operate for a few more months before it is shut down because of the bankruptcy. But he has vowed to continue his bombastic broadcasts in some other fashion, possibly on social media. He also had talked about someone else buying the company and allowing him to continue his shows as an employee. Jones has about $9 million in personal assets, according to the most recent financial filings in court. The debate will be held in primetime in Philadelphia on ABC News, with several other networks and streaming services also carrying the contest Jones theorized that Harris will be using drugs due to 'serious performance anxiety' on his show Infowars' parent company, Free Speech Systems, has about $6 million in cash on hand and about $1.2 million worth of inventory, according to recent court testimony. Harris has been holed up in a hotel in Pittsburgh preparing for the showdown in Philadelphia next week. Insiders told the New York Times that she had enlisted the help of Trump stand-in, complete with trademark suit and tie, to practice her debate tactics with. Trump meanwhile is said to be holding more ad-hoc 'policy sessions' to help him refresh his memory on his record while in office. With just two months until Election Day, Harris and Trump enter the final stretch with a nonsignificant polling split. But despite the tiny gap, the results show a shifting back towards the former president after Harris entered the race at the end of July. Just two days until the presidential nominees' first debate, a New York Times/Siena College poll puts Trump 1 percent ahead of the vice president 48 percent to 47 percent within the survey's 3-point margin of error. The latest was conducted September 3-6 and is largely unchanged from the same national survey of likely voters taken in late July after President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign and endorsed his No. 2. Notably, the polling suggests that despite Harris' 'honeymoon phase,' support for Trump's bid for a second, nonconsecutive White House term remains strong. The debate will be held in primetime in Philadelphia on ABC News, with several other networks and streaming services also carrying the contest. The parents of a three-year-old boy who died when a curtain cord became wrapped around his neck have appealed for better safety messages in the hope of preventing further tragedies. When the parents of the toddler, who cannot be named, put him down for his regular afternoon nap on January 20 last year, they could hear him 'babbling away'. But a coroner's court in Christchurch, New Zealand, heard that when the father went to check on his son at about 4pm, he was not in his bed. He found the child 'in front of the curtain with a cord wrapped around the front of his neck', Coroner Heather McKenzie wrote in her findings. The dad carried the toddler to his mother and they called the emergency services and started CPR. Paramedics arrived just five minutes later but the boy could not be revived, the New Zealand Herald reported. '(His) parents described him as their beautiful, cheeky, and sweet little buddy,' Ms McKenzie said on Monday. 'They are devastated and heartbroken to have lost him and also suffer seeing (their daughter) grieving for her brother.' The parents of a three-year boy who died in horrific circumstances have appealed for better safety messages in the hope of preventing further such tragedies (stock image) 'They want to avoid the same thing happening to any other parent/family and believe that there should be better safety messages regarding blind cords.' The family had been at the beach on the morning of the tragedy and after lunch put the boy for a sleep. 'The day had been like any normal day, nothing was different, and (the boy) behaviour was normal for him,' Ms McKenzie said. '(His father) thinks he closed the blind and curtain ... and the bedroom door was closed. He heard (the child) 'babbling away' to himself as he usually does.' The toddler's bed was away from the wall and he often got up from it himself if he woke before his parents came for him, sometimes hiding behind the curtain in between the blinds. The father told the police the cord wasn't around his son's whole neck, just the front. 'The cord was used to pull the blind up and down. Usually (the boy's mum) would remind (the dad) to put the blind up and wrap it high around the railing,' the coroner said. 'He did not think (the boy) had ever played with the cord before. Other than hiding behind the curtains, he had never been known to have jumped or played with them.' Coroner McKenzie said there was nothing out of the ordinary in the child's bedroom. While sometimes the boy 'stacked up his pillows to reach his drawers to get his books', he had not done so that day. 'It appears to me on the available evidence that (the boy) was playing in or otherwise near the blind, the cord became wrapped around the front of his neck, and he was unable to extricate himself,' Ms McKenzie said. 'I do not know how long he had been there before (his father) discovered him. In all of these circumstances, I find that (his) death was a tragic accident. '(The child) was a very much-loved son and brother. He is greatly missed.' In Australia, a mandatory standard applies to internal blinds, curtains and window fittings produced after 2010, but there are currently no similar mandatory safety guidelines in New Zealand. Ms McKenzie said that there were no recommendations she could make which would go further than those already made by Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale after the death of a 19-month old by accidental asphyxiation from a roman blind cord in 2018. In that case, Ms Borrowdale said 'The family tragically affected by this death were unaware of the hazard posed by inner blind cords, located at the reverse of the blind. 'Their custom-made blind was supplied with no safety information.' Ms Borrowdale quoted the co-author of a US study of window cord fatalities, Dr Gary Smith, who said: 'Messaging is not enough. Designing the problem out of existence, in this case by manufacturing only cordless blinds, is the most effective strategy.' She also quoted advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer (ACCC) Commission, which was published before it mandated stricter regulations in 2014. A coroner's court in Christchurch, New Zealand heard that when the father went to check on his son at about 4pm, he was not in his bed (stock image) 'The ACCC does not believe that parental education alone sufficiently mitigates the hazard,' it said. Ms McKenzie said curtain cords should be treated with the same caution parents exercised around baths, swimming pools, the sea, lakes and rivers. 'Window blind strangulation incidents can be fatal within minutes and can occur silently. In this regard, they are similar to child drownings,' she said. 'Accessible window blind cords should be considered as hazardous to young children as standing bodies of water.' A neighbourhood war has erupted after a sign was erected in a busy street that is often congested with cars for school pick-ups and drop-offs stopping non-residents from using it. Residents of the often-congested Liverpool Street at Hoxton Park, in Sydney's west, became so fed-up with motorists using their backstreet as a shortcut, they barricaded either end with wheelie bins. In response to the resident's complaints about the traffic volume, as well as safety concerns, Liverpool City Council have placed signs which restrict right turns into the street to only residents of the suburb. Due to the street's heavily use by parents of three nearby schools, the council voted unanimously in August to restrict access to the 230-metre street after a speed bump put in last year failed to stop the onslaught of traffic. There are around 30 houses across Lismore Street and Ballina Close and they are in the middle of Malek Fahd Islamic School, Good Samaritan Catholic College and Hoxton Park Public School. Lismore Street, which connects First Avenue and Pacific Palms Circuit, has been consistently used as a rat-run between Hoxton Park Road and Kurrajong Road. The street has also become a time-saver for shoppers on their way to the Carnes Hill Marketplace or people travelling to Michael Clarke Recreation Centre. Residents have said that during peak hour, they 'can't leave their homes' due to the sheer volume of traffic blocking them in. Liverpool Street in Hoxton Park, western Sydney, had a sign placed at each end of the street (pictured) to restrict people using the street due to heavy congestion caused by the location of three local schools Lismore Street (pictured where red location marker is) has become a convenient short cut that sees an average of nearly 6,000 daily trips In a report by Liverpool City Council's traffic committee, there have also been a 'number' of car accidents on the street. 'Most ... have not been reported to the police, however our consultation corroborates their occurrence,' it said. 'This includes an incident during the consultation period. 'This has raised immediate safety concerns causing residents to take matters into their own hands by attempting to block the street with rubbish bins.' The report detailed that on average, there had been 5,883 daily trips recorded on Liverpool Street, with 85 per cent of vehicles travelling at or below 48km/h. The report mentioned that it was still 'awaiting on police information' about any crash data from the street. Council since took the committee's recommendation - and on the weekend erected the permanent signs at each end of the street, stating there was no right turn but 'Hoxton Park residents and buses excepted'. The signs have divided the community, with the topic becoming so heated, comments have now been turned off on the local Facebook Group. There has been push back to the restrictions with an online petition garnering hundreds of names in support of removing the signs (stock image) 'Watch out! Police patrolling Lismore Street. Just copped two points and $272 fine,' one wrote. Another added: 'So my husbands licence says Hoxton Park and mine says Carnes Hill, otherwise same address. He can turn right but I cant? Thats ridiculous.' The change has seen many view the residents as 'entitled', but those who live in the street have been waiting for years for something to be done. Motorists who use the road often have started a petition to try and get the decision reversed. 'Hoxton Park has three schools within 800metres of each other, making it very hard to drop off and pick up kids as all the streets and roads in the surrounding areas are congested during this time,' the petition organiser Peter Newman wrote. 'Liverpool Council had restricted access to Lismore Street from Pacific Palms Circuit making it more busy and congested on the other roads and if anything more dangerous. Residents have been stuck in their driveways, unable to get to work because of the volume of vehicles in their street (stock image) 'We want the sign removed. Favouring two streets and inconveniencing thousands is not the right solution.' But one local resident explained why the new sign was so important, saying it was 'a very little street' that becomes 'very congested during school days'. 'Im sure residents who live on that street have had enough if they cant leave their homes due to the congestion!' she wrote. 'Cant blame them if they want to reduce the amount of vehicles accessing their little street.' In a statement on Monday, Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said 'the people who live in this area are OK to go through that area'. 'Also if you are visiting someone, doing school drop off, going to sport or have any business in that area you are fine,' he wrote on Facebook. 'Lismore Street was only designed for 3,000 cars but its getting 6,000 cars a day. 'People on that street are stuck in their driveways and cant get out and there have been physical fights between drivers and residents in the last week.' A Liverpool City Council council spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that, 'For the last fortnight, there have been signs in the street warning motorists about the coming turn restrictions, which are designed to stop Lismore street from being used as a rat run. 'Council took the action following many direct complaints from residents as well as social media posts about Lismore Streets high traffic volume and a series of car accidents. 'A Council investigation revealed some 41,000 cars a week were using the street, way in excess of its rated maximum capacity (14,000 cars a week). 'Residents were consulted about the changes and were in favour of measures to stop speeding cars, reduce the volume of traffic and improve pedestrian safety. 'Council has also received many messages of thanks from grateful local residents for listening to their concerns and taking action.' The devastated father of two-year-old twins from Oklahoma who were found dead in the backseat of a hot car has broken his silence after heartless rumors were circulated online about their death. Avery and Ariel were found unresponsive in the backseat of a family vehicle around 3pm on Thursday in the neighborhood of Norman where temperatures reached 90F outside. Speaking to DailyMail.com, dad Marshall Suter revealed he was at work and was contacted by an officer about the tragic news his little girls were gone. 'I didnt know anything until 11:15pm on the 5th September and I was told in person by the police that they passed away. My heart's been a wreck ever since.' Marshall Suter, the devastated father of two-year-old twins from Oklahoma, Ariel and Avery, who were found dead in the backseat of the family's hot car, has paid tribute to his toddler girls Twin toddlers, Ariel and Avery, were found dead inside a hot car around 3pm Thursday in Norman, Oklahoma The girls were supposed to have been taken to daycare by a family member but ended up being left in the back of the car for most of the day It was an unnamed family member who had started driving the white car, before turning around and realizing that the twins had passed away in the backseat. That family member was meant to drop the children off at daycare but forgot. By the time the pair were found, it was too late. Officers pronounced the children dead at the scene after being called for a wellness check. Police are still investigating how or why they were left in the scorching car. On Sunday night, Suter paid tribute to the twins who were born in 2022, describing them as the 'brightest and best twins the world couldve had' with a love that was 'the most pure' he had ever experienced. 'They were loved by everyone in the family. They did everything together,' Suter told DailyMail.com. 'From the hugs to the kisses to the laughs. Their love was the most pure I had ever felt. And I wont be able to feel that again. Mom and dad love their baby girls. 'No day will ever be the same. Our hearts are shattered. Losing a child might have be the hardest thing ever, and I lost two. I dont think Ill ever be okay again,' a heartbroken Suter said. 'From the hugs to the kisses to the laughs. Their love was the most pure I had ever felt. And I wont be able to feel that again. Mom and dad love their baby girls,' Suter said in tribute Officers soon located the vehicle (pictured) and pronounced the girls dead at the scene. Police are still investigating why they were left in the scorching car A floral tribute has been set up near McKinley Elementary in Norman, Oklahoma Police are not currently recommending charges for the deaths and say the family is cooperating with inquiries. 'We would have had to determine that there was probable cause indicating a willful negligence directly linking them to the death of those children, and at this time, the investigation is just showing us that its far more an accident,' Sarah Schettler with the Normal Police Department told KOCO 5. Police believe the children had been in the car all day - but the timeline of events is still vague. 'This is truly tragic and has been very hard on the family involved especially where hateful comments are concerned. I hope this will at least show people that it wasnt intentional and truly an accident. This family would just like some peace in this difficult and heavy time,' a family member told KFOR. Katherine Dawson, Ariel and Avery's mother, also took to social media on Saturday about their tragic deaths. 'I know at this time lots of people are wanting to reach out and be there for us. Both Marshall and I are struggling more than imaginable. We ask that you please respect that we need some space right now while we process and grieve. 'If you need to reach us we have lots of family on both sides that can get in contact with us,' Katherine said. Suter and Dawson, who share four children together including Ariel and Avery, often post loving photos of their kids on social media - commemorating birthdays and holidays. Andrew Kabara, a neighbor in the area, said cars often park on the street because a lot of parents drop off students at McKinley Elementary School or the University of Oklahoma - a couple blocks from where the toddlers were found. 'We pay attention to most of them,' Kabara told The Oklahoman. 'This is a close-knit neighborhood, and we want to know who's coming through here and all of that, but never thought something like this,' he added. On the day the girls' were discovered Kabara said he grew worried after he spotted multiple cars pull up across the street. 'We feel for the children who passed and their parents and the rest of their family. 'We can't imagine. After we heard it [Friday] morning, our hearts just broke that they were just two little kids across the street from us. 'That just broke our hearts. We can't believe something happened so close. It's a shame,' Kabara said, adding that their deaths were 'a tragic mistake.' Flowers have been placed on the lawn near where Ariel and Avery were found. The medical examiner is expected to announce the cause of death in the coming weeks. A GoFundMe page was created by Kourtnee Usey, the cousin of Marshall Suter, the girls' father. 'All funds will be used to give these precious little babies the funeral they deserve, and take some weight off of this fathers shoulders after dealing with such a tragic and HEARTBREAKING loss,' Kourtnee wrote. 'No one truly knows the pain of losing a child until you are going through it.' As of Sunday night, the page raised more than $4,000. The twins are seen with their mother Katherine Dawson (right) and their other siblings in December 2023 Police are not currently recommending charges and said the family is cooperating with the investigation. A child's car seat can be seen on the side of the road DailyMail.com contacted the Norman Police Department. The horrific incident marks the first heat-related child death in the state this year. A three-year-old boy was found dead inside a roasting SUV on August 13 after his father abandoned him to go shopping. The child died inside an SUV in the parking lot of a supermarket in Kalamazoo County, Michigan when his father stopped there after work. The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office is treating the death as a heat-related incident. Temperatures in Vicksburg, a village in Kalamazoo County where the death took place, reached the mid-80s that day. September 9, 2024: Russian military and political leaders were shocked by the August 6 Ukrainian invasion of their Kursk province. The Ukrainians unexpectedly rushed in over 10,000 troops, hundreds of armored vehicles and a well thought out plan of what to do. The Russians never expected Ukrainian forces to invade Russia and there was confusion and consternation among Russian military and political leaders over what to do. The Ukrainians quickly seized control of a thousand square kilometers of Russian territory including 28 towns and villages. This caused a massive evacuation of civilians, with about 150,000 fleeing their homes. About three dozen civilians were killed and 150 wounded. Ukrainian forces destroyed three bridges that brought supplies to Russian forces in Ukraine. The incursion also seized control of a pipeline transporting natural gas to Western Europe. Despite the state of war and economic sanctions on Russia, some essential exports, like natural gas, are still going to European customers. This natural gas disruption caused natural gas prices in Europe to increase more than five percent. The attack also disrupted some internet and telephone service in Russia. Worse, the Ukrainians captured key railroads such that Russian rail supply lines to Russian-0ccupied southern Ukraine have lengthened by about 40 percent one-way right when they must rush troops to this new gaping hole in their lines. Those troops must get there with their own vehicles because the Russians lack the rail capacity to both move them by train and keep supplies going to Russian forces in occupied Ukraine. Ukraine also captured hundreds of Russian soldiers, most of them unarmed conscripts performing support tasks. The incursion also confirmed the decline in Russian military power after more than two years of war. After a week, Russia had been unable to muster a defensive effort. Most Russian troops are tied down in eastern Ukraine where they keep launching attacks and keep failing to accomplish anything except get more Russian soldiers killed or wounded. The Kursk operation caused Russia to call off these attacks in eastern Ukraine and send some of these troops to Kursk province. All Russia had available for the Kursk incursion were several hundred conscript soldiers who were not supposed to be sent into combat. These troops were unable to stop the Ukrainian and most of them were captured, or simply threw up their hands and surrendered. The Russian FSB, the secret police/intelligence agency successor to the Soviet era KGB, is in charge of border security. The Ukrainian revealed that the Russian border with Ukraine was not well guarded by FSB personnel and local National Guard forces. Russian civilians complained that neither FSB or National Guard personnel did anything to help civilians fleeing the invaders. The civilians accused their government of deliberately abandoning them. Russian leader Vladimir Putin was revealed to be weak and unable to muster forces to confront the invasion. Putin is already receiving a lot of criticism from Russians, including some of his close associates, for the mishandling of the Ukraine invasion and the heavy costs paid by ordinary Russians as well as Putins wealthy business associates and supporters. So far Putin has refused to make peace on terms the Ukrainian could accept. The Ukrainians want the 27 percent of their country occupied by Russia between 2014 and 2023. The Ukrainians have turned the tables and exposed how Russia has exhausted their military resources to achieve these gains and are now in a mood to give it all back in return for peace and an end to economic sanctions. The Ukrainian incursion has made it obvious that Russia has lost the war it started. Russia is now in a situation where they will have to surrender all their occupied Ukrainian territory to end the war and hope that NATO and Ukrainian demands for restitution do not become another economic problem for them. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been running Russia for twenty-five years and is likely to lose his job over the Ukraine fiasco. The economic and military cost to Russia has been great and everyone justifiably blames Putin. He wanted to keep Ukraine out of NATO and while absorbing Ukraine back into the Russian Empire. Once peace is declared, Ukraine will become the 33rd member of NATO and be well protected from any future Russian attacks. A man accused of throwing coffee over a nine-month-old baby at a Brisbane park has finally been identified by police - but the foreign national has now fled overseas. Little Luka had been on a picnic with his mother, in Hanlon Park, in inner south east Brisbane, when the man allegedly approached them at about midday on August 27 and poured a thermos of scalding coffee over the infant before fleeing. The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms and has undergone four operations in Queensland Children's Hospital. Queensland Police raised fears last week the man may have travelled interstate or overseas before confirming on Monday he had fled the country. The 33-year-old man was in NSW on August 28 before he flew out of Sydney Airport on August 31 on his own passport - just 12 hours before police confirmed his identity. A warrant has since been obtained for his arrest for grievous bodily harm, which carries a possible life sentence. Detective Inspector Paul Dalton, who described the incident as a 'savage attack' without an apparent motive, said the accused was 'aware of police methodologies' and had been 'conducting counter-surveillance activities'. 'This is probably one of the most complex and sometimes frustrating investigations I've had to be involved in and lead,' he told reporters. A man accused of throwing coffee on a nine-month-old baby at a Brisbane park has fled overseas with cops issuing a warrant for his arrest The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms Baby's Luka's mother and father said they were 'devastated' to hear the man had fled. 'It sounds like they were very, very close in catching him, and this obviously means that we're going to have to wait who knows how long to get justice for our son,' she told the ABC. 'So it's a bit heartbreaking.' The mother, who requested anonymity, said she had been living in 'fear' since it happened and didn't want to leave the hospital because it 'became our safe space'. 'Returning home I had panic attacks, and still continue to do so. I do feel relief that he's not in this country, in some sense, but I will always have fear and anxiety being out in public with my son,' she said. 'It's affected my mental health for the rest of my life.' Detective Inspector Dalton said the man was clearly 'aware of what we (the police) do to find people' and that cops had been stymied in their efforts when they had initially been given the wrong name. 'It wasn't until the first of September that we were able to put a name to the face in the CCTV,' he said. Detective Inspector Paul Dalton (pictured), who described the incident as a 'savage attack', said the accused was 'aware of police methodologies' and had been 'conducting counter-surveillance activities' 'Even at that stage, we probably didn't have enough evidence to obtain a warrant. 'We've since been to New South Wales and Victoria to gather that information, and the warrant has been granted.' Detective Inspector Dalton said he knew which country the man had fled to but could not share that information while the investigation was still live. He said the man had been in and out of Australia since 2019 and had been 'lawful' each time. 'There's no adverse holdings that we can find on him in Australia,' Detective Inspector Dalton said. He said the man was in the country on a visa and had addresses 'across the eastern seaboard' but not in Queensland. The accused had been an 'itinerant' worker in Queensland, NSW and Victoria and police had interviewed some of his former colleagues. Detective Inspector Dalton said the attack was the 'most cowardly' he had witnessed in his career. 'A young mother and a baby sitting on the ground and you are allegedly approaching them from behind,' he said. Little Luka has undergone four surgeries following the sickening, unprovoked attack Detective Inspector Dalton said the attack was the 'most cowardly' he had witnessed in his career (pictured: the suspect who has now fled overseas) 'Can you think of anything more vulnerable than that? And to take advantage of that? Youre probably right, its one of the most disgusting ones Ive come across.' Detective Inspector Dalton vowed that he would not stop until the man is caught. 'Ive got 30 detectives working for me. They are devastated that they missed this person by 12 hours,' he said. 'I think only the family would be more upset about that.' Detective Inspector Dalton encouraged anyone with any information to come forward. 'People may feel safe now that this person has fled Australia, to actually come forward to police,' he said. 'I encourage them to do that. There'll be no judgement on you whatsoever.' The man is described as being in his 30s or 40s and of a proportionate build with tanned skin. He was wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts at the time of the attack. Police have tracked his movements after the attack to the southern Brisbane suburb of Tarragindi, where he changed his clothes outside a church. He then caught a rideshare car into central Brisbane, before moving onto Caxton Street where the trail went cold. An Ohio woman pleaded with local officials to make some changes, after revealing that she is being driven out of her home of 45 years because of migrant activity. Last month, the aggrieved resident addressed the city commission of Springfield, where an influx of legal Haitian immigrants has revitalized the local economy, but also sparked controversy among the population. 'I'm done with what I'm seeing,' the woman said in a voice trembling with emotion. 'It is so unsafe in my neighborhood anymore.' The resident, who gripped the sides of the lectern as she spoke, continued: 'I have the homeless that were trying to camp out, and I have made concessions with them.' An Ohio woman pleaded with local officials to make some changes, after revealing that she is being driven out of her home of 45 years because of migrant activity She said that she 'tried to help' these individuals, so that they would not try to 'squat' on her property. 'It is so unsafe,' she lamented. 'I have men that cannot speak English in my front yard screaming at me, throwing mattresses...[and] throwing trash in my front yard.' 'Look at me,' the unhappy resident said, gesturing toward herself. 'I weigh 95 pounds. I couldn't defend myself if I had to.' Because of her fears, the woman revealed that her 'elderly' husband had decided that they would leave their home of 45 years. 'He said..."Guess what? It's time to pack up and move.' Springfield, Ohio, has become a flashpoint in the debate over immigration, after droves of Haitian migrants arrived in the city in 2020 to fill jobs vacancies Then the woman addressed the city officials directly, saying: 'I don't know what you expect of us as citizens.' 'I understand that they are here under temporary protective status and you are protecting them,' she continued. 'Who's protecting us if we're protecting them?' she asked. 'I want out of this town,' she said, frankly. But before she walked away from the podium, she added: 'Please give me a reason to stay.' Springfield, Ohio, has become a flashpoint in the debate over immigration, after droves of Haitian migrants arrived in the city in 2020 to fill jobs vacancies. Willing to do the blue-collar jobs locals were unenthusiastic about, the Haitians, who were already in the country legally, moved to the town. At a city commission meeting, furious locals used the forum to voice their feelings about the Haitians, making several wild claims in the process Within a few years, 20,000 immigrants arrived, swelling Springfield's population, which was only 58,000 in 2020. The Haitians had social security numbers and job permits, paid taxes, and lived in houses that were empty and boarded up as the town shrank. However, their arrival put a strain on medical services and the education system. Having filled empty homes, later arrivals also contributed to a housing crisis egged on by landlords prioritizing immigrants who would pay more, instead of low-income locals on government subsidies. Bubbling tensions overflowed after a school bus crash caused by a Haitian immigrant veering into the wrong lane killed Aiden Clark, 11, on August 22 last year. A bitter resident has even claimed that local car insurance rates were surging because the immigrants don't know how to drive. Bubbling tensions overflowed after a school bus crash caused by a Haitian immigrant veering into the wrong lane killed Aiden Clark, 11, on August 22 last year At a city commission meeting on July 30, furious locals used the forum to voice their feelings about the Haitians, making several wild claims in the process. One vocal resident, local Republican committee member Glenda Bailey, claimed the Haitians were 'occupying our land' and had low IQs. 'They have become the occupiers. What they've done is they've replaced the population in Springfield,' she claimed, warning they would soon become the majority and kick everyone else out. Others falsely claimed the Haitian immigrants brought drugs, crimes, shoplifting, and disease with them - all refuted by city officials. Springfield Police also dismissed claims the immigrants caused trouble, saying property crime was only up in line with national trends. One vocal resident, local Republican committee member Glenda Bailey, claimed the Haitians were 'occupying our land' and had low IQ Workers at Springfield business McGregor Metal, which hired 30 Haitian immigrants among its staff of 300 There was also no evidence of Haitian gangs in the town. 'I think it's sad that some people are using this as an opportunity to spread hate or spread fear,' deputy director of public safety and operations Jason Via told NPR. 'We get these reports "the Haitians are killing ducks in a lot of our parks" or "the Haitians are eating vegetables right out of the aisle at the grocery store." 'And we haven't really seen any of that. It's really frustrating. As a community, it's not helpful as we try to move forward.' A man has copped a massive fine, lost his ute, his boat and his ability to fish for five years after authorities caught him with almost two dozen endangered fish. The Melbourne man, aged in his 60s, was found with a friend at Lake Hume in Victoria's north-east with 22 golden perch fish in his boat and 200 abalone meats at one of their homes in 2023. Both men pleaded guilty to illegal fishing offences in early September. The man in his 60s was fined $20,000, banned from fishing in the state for five years and had his ute confiscated. His fishing partner was fined $850 and the pair had their fishing gear and the 5.1-metre boat they were in at the time confiscated as well. Victoria's bag limit for golden perch is five per person and the state's possession limit for abalones is 10 per person at any time. Victorian Fisheries Authorities discovered the men while they were still on their boat fishing in the lake. They both had their homes subsequently searched by officers and all the abalone meats were found in one property. One man has been fined $20,000 and $850 and both had their fishing gear confiscated after authorities caught them illegally fishing on Victoria's Lake Hume in 2023 The pair were found with 22 golden perch fish despite the maximum bag for each angler being only five Both men initially told officers they had only caught 10 golden perch, according to Victorian Fisheries' Acting director of education and enforcement Paul Shea. 'Further investigation, however, revealed another 12 golden perch concealed under the boats floor, making a total of 22 goldens ranging in size from 39cm to nearly 60cm,' Shea said. 'Officers seized their 5.1-metre boat on the spot, along with their fishing gear and fish.' Mr Shea said it was important for the men to be punished in order for the state to maintain sustainable fisheries. Pro-Palestine supporters have been accused of targeting children after a protest was staged outside Perth's only Jewish school. A photo of the protest outside Carmel School, which has students from Kindergarten to Year 12, was posted by the Australian Jewish Association on X on Monday. The caption read: 'Jewish children targeted. Outside Carmel School, Perth's only Jewish school. '"Free Palestine" hate has swept across Australia as Labor governments have stood by. 'How low will they stoop?'' The photo showed two people carrying the Palestinian flag, while at least one other protester was wearing the flag as a cape. One held a sign that read: 'Criminals. Cut ties with apartheid Israel.' WA Police told Daily Mail Australia that police gave the protesters a number of 'move on' orders, and one male protester was arrested. Pictured: Pro-Palestine protesters outside Carmel School - Perth's only Jewish school - on Monday The Australian Jewish Association posted a photo of the demonstration on X, with the caption: 'Jewish children targeted' Police said: 'At about 9.50am today, a group of people gathered to protest outside a community hub on Cresswell Road in Dianella. 'Officers from Mirrabooka Police District and Central Regional Operations Group were in attendance and issued a number of Move On Notices. 'One male was arrested, however, he has since been released without charge pending further inquiries.' Social media users were horrified by the demonstration. 'When they have to go after Jewish children theres a bigger issue with these people than just supporting Palestine, this should never be taken out on Australias Jewish community,' one user said. Another wrote: 'What the f*** do Australian-born Jewish kids have to do with a...war on the other side of the planet?' A third user said: 'This is child intimidation.' On Friday, the school announced a project to commemorate the first anniversary of October 7, when tensions between Palestine and Israel escalated due to an attack by Hamas. In a Facebook post, it asked students to bring old colourful toys and household items to school for the project. 'We appreciate your support for this project, and urge you all to contribute to this wonderful piece of art, fostering a spirit of unity and strength,' the post read. Defence personnel need better health services and stronger protection from sexual violence and toxic behaviour, a Royal Commission has found. It found that veterans should have a smoother transition from military to civilian life and easier access to claims and entitlements. After an exhaustive three-year investigation, a final report on defence and veteran suicides has been released. 'Just as our veterans and defence personnel step up for our country, we have an obligation to step up for them,' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament on Monday. 'The Government will thoroughly consider every recommendation.' The inquiry received almost 6,000 submissions and heard from hundreds of witnesses about issues ranging from bullying to abuse in the Australian Defence Force. Chair Nick Kaldas said a failure of leadership led to the countless inquiries beforehand not being acted on. 'What is clear from some of the horrible stories that we've heard is that many people simply turned a blind eye over many years and felt it was too hard, or they simply didn't care enough to tackle the problems,' he said. Defence personnel (pictured) need better health services and stronger protection from sexual violence and toxic behaviour, a Royal Commission has found 'We hope that the Royal Commission has achieved one thing, which is to make the problems undeniable. 'It's really up to the government and our parliament now ... it should not be a political issue, united to help and support our veterans and our serving members.' Independent senator Jacqui Lambie, who served in the military for more than a decade and called for a Royal Commission, said 'Defence was already on the defensive'. 'If you want to fix things, then you have to be open and honest where your problems are,' she said. 'Otherwise you are never going to fix it, and that is why people are not joining, and that is why they're leaving in droves.' Senior officials also gave evidence at the inquiry, including former Defence Force chief Angus Campbell, who apologised unreservedly for the military's failures. Independent senator Jacqui Lambie (pictured) served in the military for more than a decade and called for a Royal Commission There have been at least 57 previous inquiries relating to Defence and veteran suicide over the past three decades, resulting in about 770 recommendations. An interim report released in 2023 made 13 urgent recommendations, including eliminating the massive backlog of veteran compensation claims by March 2024. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 The National Crime Agency - which is at the heart of Keir Starmer's plan to 'smash the gangs' - is 'on its knees' and losing more officers than it recruits. A new report warned that its performance in areas such as tackling traffickers and hostile states is 'hobbled'. Spotlight on Corruption, an anti-corruption charity, says this is because of a high level of important vacancies and a lack of investment which is 'potentially catastrophic'. The NCA is at the heart of the Prime Minister's plans to 'smash' people smugglers in the Channel. It has more than 70 live investigations into the most prolific trafficking gangs but the new report warns that its ability is seriously hampered. The National Crime Agency - at the heart of Keir Starmer's plan to 'smash the gangs' - is 'on its knees' and losing more officers than it recruits The NCA is at the heart of the Prime Minister's plans to 'smash' people smugglers in the Channel. File image of an NCA officer The government's new Border Security Command will be responsible for the strategy to tackle people traffickers, while the NCA is responsible for much of the enforcement. But the NCA lost more people than it hired in two of the three years the report examined, according to The Times. In 2022-2023, it hired over 500 new officers but its staff numbers shrank regardless. More than a quarter of senior managers are leaving each year and nine per cent of advertised posts are not being taken. And its IT systems are 'creaking', the report warns, and the NCA will struggle to deal with ransomware attacks. These problems are being 'exacerbated' by the unwillingness of the government to invest in the agency, according to the report. This has led to it spending 90 million in the last year on temporary staff and external consultants. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper meet with law enforcement agencies and members of the NCA on September 6 One of the main reasons behind this is the morale and job satisfaction at the NCA being the lowest of 105 surveyed government organisations. Its staff are paid less than those in the civil service and the private sector - and less than the police. This is despite its investigations often being more intricate and targeting higher threat levels. The NCA is often referred to as Britain's FBI - but its 894m budget is tiny compared to its American counterparts $11 billion. An NCA spokesperson said its turnover is seven per cent and added: 'Serious and organised crime threatens our national security, economic prosperity and the safety of the public we serve; the challenges we face when tackling it are immense, and growing. 'The Agency is world leading in many areas, and has achieved significant and continued success over its decade in operation. Last year alone, our officers made more than 4,700 disruptions, our most ever and more than a dozen every single day. 'That said, the Spotlight report highlights a number of issues regarding our funding, pay structures, staffing and investment aspects we have identified in our own reports, and are actively working to address. ''We are committed to working with Government to ensure that the Agency has the right structure and operating model, and, crucially, is able to attract, retain and support a talented workforce. 'We know that it is imperative that we deliver value for money while achieving our mission of protecting the public from serious and organised crime, now and as the threat evolves.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper at the National Crime Agency (NCA) headquarters A Home Office spokesperson added: 'The National Crime Agency plays a vital role in tackling organised criminal gangs, and this government is committed to investing in the National Crime Agency and its people to ensure that it has the capacity and capability to tackle growing threats. 'Last month, we announced 100 extra National Crime Agency officers who will work with partners across Europe to smash the criminal smuggling gangs that are driving dangerous small boat crossings, which is on top of the 50 per cent uplift in NCA officers stationed in Europol.' The NCA has previously been accused of having a 'toxic male culture' where sexism and bad behaviour may be 'brushed under the carpet' and top officers escape sanction. It was likened to an 'old boys' network' last year by some staff who said 'casual sexism' is tolerated and 'predatory sexual behaviour' is treated with leniency. In a report on how the NCA deals with corruption, inspectors warned: 'Senior staff under investigation for misconduct were treated differently to those of lower grades. 'Junior officers will usually be suspended immediately if suspected of sexual misconduct. 'But we found examples of officers more senior than their victims, with multiple allegations against them, being moved to other departments.' In some instances, those found guilty of misconduct were allowed to rejoin their teams or move to other government departments or police forces. There were examples of staff being let off with written warnings for 'predatory sexual behaviour'. Inspectors said many staff felt 'poor behaviour isn't worth reporting because senior leaders tolerate it.' A staff survey suggested that 34 per cent of victims who had complained about prejudicial or improper behaviour felt they had been punished for speaking out. 'We were repeatedly told about 'toxic male cultures', inspectors said. 'We found they were tolerated by women in the organisation because women are outnumbered and fear the stigma and repercussions of speaking out.' NCA Director General Graeme Biggar said NCA officers are 'professional and our culture is generally positive and inclusive' NCA Director General Graeme Biggar said at the time: 'The report finds that most of our officers are professional and our culture is generally positive and inclusive. 'But it also identifies pockets of bad behaviour and casual sexism, and that we have not provided the leadership to ensure they are tackled. 'These findings cause me deep discomfort, and I apologise to officers, particularly female officers, that we have let down, through the conduct of their colleagues, through our leadership, or through inconsistencies in our disciplinary outcomes. 'As Director General, I am determined that we set high standards, and that we are clear that there is no place in the NCA for those who do not meet them. In particular, we will not tolerate harassment or discrimination, and we will root out unacceptable behaviour. 'We are taking extensive action to address the report's findings, and have already implemented many of the recommendations.' Peterborough Cathedral has been slammed over its plan to host a 39-a-ticket Ibiza-style concert. All Souls' Day in the Cambridgeshire city will bring a 'night of Ibiza Classics' featuring saxophonist and DJ double-act Lovely Laura and Ben Santiago. Staff at the 12th Century cathedral said the money was vital for paying bills and building the congregation, but critics have said the event was evidence cathedrals are losing 'confidence in their core mission'. Peterborough Cathedral, the burial place of Henry VIII's first wife Catherine of Aragon, follows its Canterbury counterpart which raised 12,000 through two sellout nights earlier this year. Canterbury Cathedral's two silent discos also sparked uproar with crowds of ecclesiastical Christian protesters gathering outside the Kent venue to sing hymns as ravers entered in February. Peterborough Cathedral has been slammed for its plan to host an Ibiza-style concert with a 39 ticket price on this November's All Souls' Day The event will bring a 'night of Ibiza Classics' to the 12th-century religious centre It will feature saxophonist and DJ double-act Lovely Laura and Ben Santiago (seen together) Peterborough Cathedral's head of marketing and communication, Paul Stainton, said there was no choice but to diversify the use of the building. He highlighted to The Telegraph that Cathedrals are self-funding, getting no money from the Church of England. 'Our electricity bill has gone up 120,000 this year,' he revealed. 'If we don't do other things we wouldn't be able to survive.' The church's accounts for 2021-2022 show it ending that time with a surplus of 190,152. Mr Stainton also hoped non-religious events such as November 2's concert might attract new faces to the cathedral and added the cathedral would be completely cleaned up and ready for normal worship by the following morning. But some of the existing clergy questioned whether a night inspired by Ibiza a hedonist's haven should occur on a day of religious significance. All Souls' Day tends to be commemorated by a candle-lit service where congregants remember fellow Christians they have lost. The Reverend Daniel French, the presenter of the Irreverend podcast and vicar of Salcombe, said the event is 'incongruent with the Christian message'. 'An Ibiza night is going to be pumping out a message of hyper-individualism and sexual licence,' he said. 'That doesn't feel quite right.' Mr French expressed doubt that Peterborough's clergy really believe the night will attract more people to their church, saying it is not 'a coherent form of evangelism'. However, despite the protests outside Canterbury Cathedral in February, over a dozen churches revealed plans to hold events similar to the silent discos in the following months. Canterbury Cathedral hosted two sellout events earlier this year for 3000 revellers, dubbed the 'Rave in the Nave' to raise funds for the historic site Ecclesiastical Christian protesters gathered outside the Kent cathedral to sing hymns as ravers entered The two sellout events for 3000 revellers, dubbed the 'Rave in the Nave', saw partygoers take in a 90s-themed disco, playing hits from the likes of Britney Spears, Eminem and Spice Girls. Glowstick-clutching revellers danced the night away in the 1,400-year-old religious landmark's iconic Nave, which was illuminated by LED lights from the headphones. However, Christian protesters claimed the events were 'the very opposite of holy'. Dr Cajetan Skowronski, a medical doctor involved in the Sacred Matters campaign group which opposes cathedrals in the UK being turned into 'nightclubs', said: 'While respectful of our right to protest, the Dean was dismissive of our petition, stating that we were an extreme minority - for not wanting an alcohol-fuelled rave to the music of Eminem in God's house.' $1 million offered to anyone who can help solve gangland murder The criminal community has been asked to turn over those responsible for the unsolved murder of an underworld figure, with a $1 million reward on offer described as a chance to start a new life. Mohammed Keshtiar was gunned down by a drive-by shooter in a laneway off the popular Chapel Street precinct in South Yarra, Melbourne, on August 4, 2023. A stolen grey Prado approached Mr Keshtiar and his associate on Almeida Crescent and a passenger fired multiple shots in their direction. A person in dark clothing then got out of the car and fired more rounds at Mr Keshtiar as he lay incapacitated on the ground. The gunman made a quick getaway in the car, which was later found on fire in Endeavour Hills. Passersby attempted to help Mr Keshtiar but he died in hospital, while his associate was not hurt. Victoria Police Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas described it as a 'deliberate, planned and organised assassination', and a concerning display of public violence. He said Mr Keshtiar was linked to a number of outlaw motorcycle gangs and associated with Middle Eastern-organised crime groups, with detectives keeping an open mind over whether the killing was linked to a ongoing underworld war over the profits of illegal tobacco. Mohammed Keshtiar was gunned down by a drive-by shooter in a laneway off the popular Chapel Street precinct in South Yarra, Melbourne, on August 4, 2023 The gunman made a quick getaway in a stolen grey Prado, which was later found on fire in Endeavour Hills 'We know that our victim has connections to a number of organised crime groups and this has added complexity to the investigation and obviously makes it difficult for us to understand the true motive behind Mohammed's shooting,' Det Insp Thomas said on Monday. He said police believed multiple people were aware of the killing before it happened and asked them to come forward, acknowledging some people may question offering a reward to someone with 'significant criminal history'. 'No one deserves to be killed in the manner in which this person has been killed, he has family,' Det Insp Thomas said. 'He has loved ones that deserve to know what exactly has happened. '$1 million is legitimate money that they can take away with them and and create a new life with, I think it's sufficient and it's substantial.' The parents of a nine-month-old baby who needed four surgeries after having hot coffee poured over him have revealed their devastation after learning their son's alleged attacker has fled overseas. Little Luka had been on a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park, in inner south east Brisbane, when the man allegedly approached them at about midday on August 27 and poured a thermos of scalding coffee over the infant before fleeing. The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms and has undergone four operations in Queensland Children's Hospital. On Monday afternoon, Detective Inspector Paul Dalton confirmed the family's worst fears when he revealed that the suspect had fled Australia. The 33-year-old man was in NSW on August 28 before he flew out of Sydney Airport on August 31 on his own passport - just 12 hours before police confirmed his identity. A warrant has since been obtained for his arrest for grievous bodily harm, which carries a possible life sentence. Baby's Luka's mother and father said they were 'devastated' to hear the man had fled. 'It sounds like they were very, very close in catching him, and this obviously means that we're going to have to wait who knows how long to get justice for our son,' she told the ABC. Little Luka had been on a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park, in inner south east Brisbane , when the man allegedly approached them at about midday on August 27 The suspect (pictured) allegedly poured a thermos of scalding coffee over the infant before fleeing. Luka suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms 'So it's a bit heartbreaking.' The mother, who has requested anonymity, said she had been living in 'fear' since it happened and didn't want to leave the hospital because it 'became our safe space'. 'Returning home I had panic attacks, and still continue to do so. I do feel relief that he's not in this country, in some sense, but I will always have fear and anxiety being out in public with my son,' she said. 'It's affected my mental health for the rest of my life.' She said she felt 'immense sadness' for the pain her son has experienced at the hands of a complete stranger. 'It should be a happy, joyful time. I'm a first-time mum and he's taken that away from me,' she added. Luka's father said his son was in 'good spirits' and 'doesn't want to sit still' despite undergoing a 'pre-skin graft' today. But they warned his recovery could take years. 'It's not just those surgeries, afterward it's laser, needling, massage, making sure movement isn't affected,' his mother added. Generous Australians have so far donated over $152,000 to a GoFundMe page, set up to support baby Luka's ongoing recovery. Luka's father said his son was in 'good spirits' and 'doesn't want to sit still' despite undergoing a 'pre-skin graft' today Detective Inspector Paul Dalton, who described the incident as a 'savage attack' without apparent motive, said the accused was 'aware of police methodologies' and had been 'conducting counter-surveillance activities'. 'This is probably one of the most complex and sometimes frustrating investigations I've had to be involved in and lead,' he told reporters on Monday. Detective Inspector Dalton said the man was clearly 'aware of what we (the police) do to find people' and that cops had been stymied in their efforts when they had initially been given the wrong name. 'It wasn't until September 1 that we were able to put a name to the face in the CCTV,' he said. 'Even at that stage, we probably didn't have enough evidence to obtain a warrant. Detective Inspector Paul Dalton (pictured), who described the incident as a 'savage attack', said the accused was 'aware of police methodologies' and had been 'conducting counter-surveillance activities' 'We've since been to New South Wales and Victoria to gather that information, and the warrant has been granted.' Detective Inspector Dalton said he knew which country the man had fled to but could not share that information while the investigation was still live. He said the man had been in and out of Australia since 2019 and had been 'lawful' each time. 'There's no adverse holdings that we can find on him in Australia,' Detective Inspector Dalton said. He said the man was in the country on a visa and had addresses 'across the eastern seaboard' but not in Queensland. The accused had been an 'itinerant' worker in Queensland, NSW and Victoria and police had interviewed some of his former colleagues. Detective Inspector Dalton said the attack was the 'most cowardly' he had witnessed in his career. 'A young mother and a baby sitting on the ground and you are allegedly approaching them from behind,' he said. Little Luka has undergone four surgeries following the sickening, unprovoked attack Generous Australians have so far donated over $152,000 to a GoFundMe page, set up to support baby Luka's ongoing recovery 'Can you think of anything more vulnerable than that? And to take advantage of that? Youre probably right, its one of the most disgusting ones Ive come across.' Detective Inspector Dalton vowed that he would not stop until the man is caught. 'Ive got 30 detectives working for me. They are devastated that they missed this person by 12 hours,' he said. 'I think only the family would be more upset about that.' Detective Inspector Dalton encouraged anyone with any information to come forward. 'People may feel safe now that this person has fled Australia, to actually come forward to police,' he said. 'I encourage them to do that. There'll be no judgement on you whatsoever.' The man is described as being a proportionate build with tanned skin. He was wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts at the time of the attack. Police tracked his movements after the attack to the southern Brisbane suburb of Tarragindi, where he changed his clothes outside a church. He then caught a rideshare car into central Brisbane, before moving onto Caxton Street where the trail went cold until he was found to have fled the country. Have you stayed in a B&B which has a 'very mindful, very demure' vibe? Or recently dined in a restaurant full of rizz? If you don't know what the hyper-modern terms mean, you're not the only one. TikTokkers have recently had their feeds flooded with videos of confused middle aged users reading out a 'Gen Z script' full of befuddling slang. Businesses are trying to entice younger customers are now hopping on the trend with older members of staff describing rooms with rizz (charisma), waiting rooms that give zen, and museums that slay. Seemingly originating from a video promoting Fyfield Manor in Oxfordshire, owner Christine Brown wanders around the grounds of the 880-year-old B&B The 26-year-old's mother said she just 'did as she was told' and was 'amazed' by the results This Boots employee described his branch as 'slay' in one video Seemingly originating from a video promoting Fyfield Manor in Oxfordshire, it seems that every business under the sun is trying the trend. The comical video received more than 11m views in four days, showing owner Christine Brown wandering around the grounds of the 880-year-old B&B. Filmed from a distance, she is shown in the Georgian-panelled dining room as she says it 'understood the assignment' - meaning it does its job perfectly. She goes on to say that the Victorian windows are demure and mindful - referring to a viral TikTok phrase which stemmed from a video from Jools Lebron talking about how to do work-appropriate makeup. According to The Times, the B&B owner's daughter came up with the idea for the video after seeing people filming their parents going to the shop and other mundane activities which users found hilarious due to the quirks of the older generation. The video tried to pack in as many terms as it could while still being comprehensible Even a Specsavers branch filmed a version - although the presenters are on the younger side The 26-year-old's mother said she just 'did as she was told' and was 'amazed' by the results. 'I didn't even know what any of the words meant!' she said. From museums to farms, it seems like no business is exempt from attempting the trend - to various degrees of success. Many commented praise in the form of other seemingly incomprehensible Gen Z slang - 'booking for my next menty b [mental breakdown] for sure', one said. The more popular videos featured older buildings - such as Beamish Museum in County Durham. Demurely dressed in a three-piece suit and bowler hat, the presenter described things as 'lit' (a more outdated slang word for good) and 'G.O.A.T' (greatest of all time). More up to date terms included praise, saying the tram 'slaps' while the scent of the bakery 'is sending me' (making him happy). Even a Specsavers branch filmed an employee saying its green decorations made it 'brat summer' in the building - although the presenters are on the younger side. Lisa Hale, head of consumer PR at Specsavers, told The Times: 'We have a team of social media experts who monitor up and coming trends on our social media channels seven days a week. Tapping into trends is a really important tactic for brands, especially those who don't feature in the day to day lives of consumers.' Influencers posting about the National Gallery on Instagram or TikTok may make the gallery more trendy and revive it as a go-to hotspot It follows the National Gallery hiring social media influencers in a bid to attract Gen Z visitors and promote its art to a new audience. To try and entice younger visitors, the central London attraction is using content creators to promote its work through a series of videos. Marking its 200th anniversary, the gallery gave 4,000 to 20 influencers which include artists, comedians and historians. Others involved include former contestants from BBC's RuPaul's Drag Race and The Great British Bake Off. The National Gallery's social media and community manager told The Times she thought Gen Z are more likely to visit if they see collections posted on the accounts of content creators they trust instead of 'try hard' attempts. Influencers posting about it on Instagram or TikTok may make the gallery more trendy and revive it as a go-to hotspot. It could also help give the National Gallery an edge over rivals with a more 'accessible' image like the Tate Modern. September 9, 2024: The February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine occurred when the Ukrainian military had about 250,000 troops available. Since the invasion began Ukraine has added over half a million more personnel. Most of these were volunteers but some were conscripts. Unlike the Russian army, most of the new personnel did not go into combat formations but were instead assigned to support units. Support troops were often armed, because they frequently operated in a combat zone getting needed supplies of fuel, food and ammunition to the combat units. When needed, the troops were also supplied with adequate cold-weather uniforms and other items that maintain health and morale. This included medical care and rapid movement of severe casualties to hospitals. The lightly wounded were treated and allowed to rejoin their unit. This is a common reaction of combat troops and Ukraine supplies the medical care that can determine which wounds are not debilitating and allow soldiers to quickly return to their units. Many combat injuries consist of concussions or flesh wounds that can be diagnosed and treated quickly. Unlike the Russians, Ukrainian support troops use forklifts to move ammunition and other supplies onto and off trucks. The Russians still do it by hand, just as theyve done for over a hundred years, which often means that it doesnt get done if there are not enough troops to do it. The invading Russians forces had few or none of the support services Ukraine provides for its own troops. This has provided Ukrainian troops with a major advantage. Unlike Russian troops in Ukraine, Ukrainian soldiers suffer less from malnutrition, cold weather, untreated wounds and supply shortages. During the first few months of the war the Ukrainians had to improvise but they did so with the intention of keeping their casualties lower than what the Russians were suffering, and seeing to it that new or existing troops got the training and logistical support they needed to be most effective. Russia went in the opposite direction, providing increasingly less training and logistical support for new troops sent to Ukraine to replace their heavy losses. The Russian reinforcements suffered heavy losses from this lack of supplies, medical care and leadership. Many of these Russian troops surrendered or deserted at the first opportunity. Russian efforts to remedy this are disrupted by prompt and precise Ukrainian attacks on their supplies. Ukrainian troops survive longer in combat and suffer fewer casualties, which means the average Ukrainian combat soldier is more experienced, trained, led and supported than their Russian counterparts. Ukrainian forces are prepared for a winter campaign and Russian forces are not. Unable or unwilling to train and support their troops as well as the Ukrainians have, the best Russia can do is offer to negotiate. The Ukrainians wont do this unless the Russians agree to immediately start removing their forces from all Ukrainian territory they occupy. Thats fine with most of the Russian soldiers in Ukraine, but not with the Russian leaders back home who staked their reputations and political power on their ability to defeat the Ukrainians. Details of the treatment of Russian troops in Ukraine gets back to military-age men in Russia and their families with predictable results. While NATO forces, including Ukraine consider military age men those from 18 to 27 years old, Russia defines military age men as 18 to 50 years old. Opinion polls show declining support for the war in Ukraine, but a large minority of Russians still support it. As the losses in Ukraine grow, that support for the war declines and criticism of the Russian government grows. Some Russians recall an old adage from World War II about what to do when fighting the Nazis. Send in your toughest Ukrainians to fight the enemy and call on the United States for more lend-lease military equipment. In 2022 it was the Russians invading newly, since 1991, independent Ukraine. The Russians were not as effective as the World War II Germans but the Ukrainians were still a tough bunch in combat and were able to call on NATO for nearly $200 billion worth of arms and equipment. Most of this aid came from the United States. History was repeating itself with tough Ukrainians supplied by the Americans defeating the Russian, rather than the German invader. Russia never put as much emphasis on material support for the troops as Western nations did. The Russian approach was to apply overwhelming force initially to defeat the enemy. If that failed, as it increasingly did in the 20th century, Russian troop losses increased. Ukraine understood that and with NATO assistance, was able, especially after 2014, to adopt a Western style of military operations. Some western military leaders underestimated the impact of this on Ukrainian successes and lower casualties. While Western militaries accept these support policies for their own troops and the resulting lower combat casualties, they were surprised and initially incredulous at the rapidity with which Ukrainians adopted and benefitted from standard NATO practices. The key here is Ukrainian motivation to defend their independence and freedom from Russian aggression. Ukrainians were not only motivated but also had the skills and determination to quickly learn how to use new weapons and techniques. Intangible factors like this are difficult to measure or simply create. This motivation was present when Ukraine managed to gain independence after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Even then the Russians insisted Ukraine was part of Russia. Ukrainians had more determination to break free of Russian control than Russia was able to handle in the 1990s. After 2000 the Russians began developing plans to regain control of Ukraine. Russia had some support for this inside Ukraine but it was not as much as the Russians believed existed. When Russia began applying force between 2014 and 2022, they had less and less support inside Ukraine, where it was becoming clear that the worst thing that could happen to Ukrainians was to become part of Russia again. After World War II, Russian occupation from 1945 to 1990 made a deep impression on eastern Europeans. They understood that the Russians were aggressive and could not be trusted. Western Europe, which did not experience Russian occupation and allied with Russia to defeat the Germans, was more optimistic. The war in Ukraine has been something of a reality check for Western Europeans, although not as much as in the United States and Canada. For NATO members like Poland, the Baltic States and Romania, which are closest to the problem, the Russian threat is very real and there are still many people in these countries who already lived through it. South Australian MP Troy Bell transferred money from his personal bank accounts back to the accounts of not-for-profits he is alleged to have stolen from, but there was 'conservatively' $436,000 that wasn't returned, a court has been told. The independent member for Mount Gambier is facing trial in the SA District Court after pleading not guilty to 20 counts of theft and six counts of dishonestly dealing with documents, allegedly committed between 2009 and 2013. Since the trial began on June 18 a jury has heard evidence that Mr Bell, 50, abused his position as an Education Department employee to steal money meant to help vulnerable high school students. Instead he used it to fund property investments and pay debts. Much of the trial has focused on the movement of money between bank accounts, and included five days of evidence from a forensic accountant. Beginning her closing address on Monday, prosecutor Jemma Litster said there was no doubt Mr Bell was a man who was well liked with evidence that his personality and the way he interacted with people engendered trust and goodwill. 'It's the prosecution case that he abused that trust and goodwill. That's one of the reasons why his fraud went unnoticed for so long,' she said. 'It's just human nature. I suggest people are less likely to challenge or scrutinise the conduct of someone who they like or someone who they admire.' Former South Australian MP Troy Bell has been accused in court of stealing $436,000 from not-for-profits It is alleged that Mr Bell stole funds intended to support high school students at the Independent Learning Centre in Mount Gambier, an annex of the Millicent High School, to assist disengaged students who had returned to study. Ms Litster has told the court the funds were deposited or transferred into accounts Mr Bell had personally set up in the name of the ILC. He had received those funds on behalf of two not-for-profits, the South-East Education and Training Association and the Limestone Coast Education and Training Association. On Monday, she said his alleged offending occurred 'out of the line of sight' and 'failed to rupture the trust of those around him'. 'No one who was interacting with him was actually aware of what he was doing with the LCETA and SEETA monies, which were the subject of movements towards the Bell accounts,' she said. She said the evidence suggested that even Mr Bell's wife, Michaela, wasn't fully aware of his offending and in intercepted phone calls played to the court, he was trying to 'placate her'. It is alleged Bell took money intended for the Independent Learning Centre in Mount Gambier, an annex of the Millicent High School that assists disengaged students who had returned to study 'I suggest to you that he was simply communicating to her that her husband wasn't a criminal and that their family would be OK,' Ms Litster said. She said the reason that there had been 'backwards' transfers between Mr Bell's personal accounts and the not-for-profits' accounts was 'obvious'. 'The accused had to return funds to keep the programs functioning, otherwise they would have ground to a halt, and his system would have been exposed further,' she said. 'There was still $436,023 that went out that didn't come back. And members of the jury, that was a conservative calculation, I suggest, in Mr. Bell's favour - the accountant didn't include certain invoices.' The trial, before Judge Rauf Soulio, is continuing. Anthony Albanese will propose new laws to ban children under a certain age from registering social media accounts. The Prime Minister will on Tuesday announce his plan to introduce legislation to prevent children from accessing social media - in an attempt to safeguard their emotional and mental welfare. A minimum age is yet to be announced, but he previously backed moves to lift the proposed limit from 13 to 16 to give teenagers more time to mature without social pressures that are enhanced in an online environment. 'We know that technology moves fast. No Government is going to be able to protect every child from every threat, but we have to do all we can,' Mr Albanese said on Monday. 'Parents are worried sick about this. We know they're working without a map - no generation has faced this challenge before, which is why my message to Australian parents is we've got your back. 'Too often, there's nothing social about social media - taking kids away from real friends and real experiences.' It is understood the proposed laws are backed by all jurisdictions, with South Australia originally flagged to be the first state to implement the rules. On Monday, SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said: 'This is a problem that demands swift and decisive leadership and I thank the Prime Minister for demonstrating it.' Anthony Albanese (pictured) will announce new legislation on Tuesday 'The evidence shows early access to addictive social media is causing our kids harm - this is no different to cigarettes or alcohol. 'When a product or service hurts children, governments must act.' The SA state government drafted a bill to ban children from under the age of 13 from using social media. He previously said consequences for social media companies that do not comply with the new rules would be 'severe and harsh'. NSW Premier Chris Minns previously said 16 would be appropriate, while Queensland Premier Steven Miles suggested 14. The legislation will be informed by government's $6.5million 'age assurance trial', which began on July 1 as one of Labor's 2024-25 Federal Budget commitments. New legislation would prevent children under a certain age from registering to use social media (stock image) Labor had promised to test age assurance technologies that could be effective n preventing access to pornography before the age of 18, and restrict social media access to teenagers between 13 and 16. Phase one and two involved research into attitudes about age assurance technologies, along with consultations with parents, academics, young people and digital platforms. Phase three will begin this week and involves testing the technology. The legislation would impose a 'duty of care' on social media companies, which means they would have to ban children under a certain age from registering. Platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram would be required to take reasonable steps to prevent access. Failure to comply could result in legal action taken on behalf of a child who suffered significant mental or physical harm. More than 150 dolphins have fallen victim to the latest gruesome killing spree in the Faroe Islands, prompting a torrent of criticism from horrified animal rights charities - but also some disgusted locals. An estimated 156 Atlantic white-sided dolphins were deliberately killed in the traditional hunt, known as a grindadrap, in a matter of hours at Skalabotnur on Saturday. Harrowing pictures and footage showed how the helpless animals were stabbed and hacked at in the bay, turning the water blood red, before being hauled ashore, lined up and executed. Adult females were seen torn apart next to their calves with their remains left to leak blood through the wooden jetty into the water below. More than 150 dolphins have fallen victim to the latest gruesome killing spree in the Faroe Islands Dolphin carcasses are left on the wooden jetty, seeping blood through the wooden slats and into the water Harrowing pictures and footage showed how the helpless animals were stabbed and hacked at in the bay, turning the water blood red, before being hauled ashore An estimated 156 Atlantic white-sided dolphins were deliberately killed in the traditional hunt, known as a grindadrap, in a matter of hours at Skalabotnur on Saturday A toddler inspects the carcass of a dolphin killed in this weekend's grind The Faroe Islands are a self-governing archipelago forming part of the Kingdom of Denmark in the North Atlantic between Norway and Iceland. The grindadrap, often referred to as the grind, usually kills hundreds of pilot whales every year and was traditionally a vital food source for the Faroese people. Pilot whales are actually one of the largest kinds of dolphins and are highly social creatures that remain with their birth pods throughout their lives. The grind sees locals using boats to herd the animals into shallow waters, where hunters can stand waist-deep in the water and stab them to death with spears and barbs, turning the water a deep crimson in dystopian scenes. But today, the cruel practice is no longer a necessity and endures largely as a tradition, enraging animal rights activists worldwide who criticise the grind as wanton killing. And with each passing year, those who oversee the grind face mounting resistance from a growing number of their own people who feel the practice should be limited to ensure only a small number of dolphins are hunted. They also argue that certain species, such as Atlantic white-sided dolphins or bottlenose dolphins, should be excluded from the grind. On September 12, 2021, 1,428 Atlantic white-sided dolphins were killed at the same beach, resulting in widespread condemnation. In an effort to appease the critics, Faroese authorities issued a temporary quota limit of 500 Atlantic white-sided dolphins per annum for the years 2022 and 2023. The Faroese themselves state that this is part of their tradition and that the hunt provides free food for their community. But more continue to speak out on social media, questioning why the killing of Atlantic white-sided dolphins is still permitted at all. This year's grind prompted several residents to take to social media, arguing the practice is needless and that the islanders would be better served by seeing the dolphins swimming off their shores. Dolphins are slashed open before being hoisted up by their tails Dolphins are seen in the bay with gaping holes Pictures show the first 'grind' of 2024 in June, during which 40 whales were slaughtered A man and his small child are seen looking at the slaughtered whales on the shore following June's hunt An aerial view shows blood spilling out into the sea, turning the harbour red, earlier this year Pilot whales are laid out on the ground after being slaughtered during the Grindadrap earlier this year One Skalabotnur resident Tota Arnadottir, said: 'I believe the overall joy from them would be much greater if we, who live by the fjord, could watch them.' Torun Beck said: 'The pilot whales from last week weren't to be driven ashore because there was enough. But now you're killing Atlantic white-sided dolphin as well. 'Who is hungry? Shame on you.' Irdi Jacobsen added: 'We don't have a tradition of killing Atlantic white-sided dolphin, and I don't understand why we should do it now.' Atlantic white-sided dolphins have only formed part of the grindadrap since 1992. They are more agile and swift than the long-finned pilot whales traditionally targeted in the grind, and the ability to hunt them today results solely from improvements to boats which offer more power, speed and manoeuvrability than traditional Faroese craft. Rob Read, Chief Operating Officer of the Paul Watson Foundation UK - an ocean conservation organisation that documents the slaughter of the grind and campaigns against it, said: 'The grindadrap aside, the Faroese are a modern and wealthy society. 'There is no need for this food to feed their community and today's killing will not result in supermarkets stocking less food. 'Once again tradition is simply being used as an excuse, much the same as in other nations who have used tradition as an excuse for things such as fox hunting and bullfighting.' Unions have joined condemnation of stripping the winter fuel allowance from millions of pensioners as Keir Starmer faces a revolt from dozens of MPs. Demands for a U-turn have been growing as union chiefs - many of whom fund Labour - gather for their annual conference in Brighton. The move to strip millions of old people of the handouts, worth up to 300 a year, has been slammed as 'wrong' - as it emerged that Labour's own research previously raised alarm that thousands could die. Sir Keir is scrambling to minimise a damaging rebellion after being forced to call a Commons vote on the measure tomorrow. The government had originally tried to dodge a confrontation by using a so-called 'negative resolution'. But up to 50 MPs are now thought to be considering whether to break ranks. There was fresh confusion this morning after policing minister Diana Johnson suggested Chancellor Rachel Reeves is looking at ways of softening the impact of the cut on pensioners. But Treasury sources told MailOnline that was not the case. Unions have joined condemnation of stripping the winter fuel allowance from millions of pensioners as Keir Starmer (pictured giving an interview over the weekend) faces a revolt from dozens of MPs TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said he had 'real concerns' about the policy Although Sir Keir's huge majority means the outcome is not in doubt and many could opt to abstain instead of voting against, it is being seen as an early test of the PM's authority. Peers are also preparing to mount resistance, with critics vowing to table a so-called 'fatal' amendment in a bid to thwart the change taking effect. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused the government of 'picking the pocket of pensioners' while leaving the wealthiest 'untouched'. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the plan was 'wrong' and had to be dropped. 'We need to make sure that he is making the right choices and leadership is about choices. He needs to be big enough and brave enough to do a U-turn on this choice. It's completely wrong,' she said. 'People do not understand how a Labour government has decided to pick the pocket of pensioners and, at the same time, leave the richest in our society totally untouched. That is wrong and he needs to change course.' TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: 'I've got real concerns about the cuts to winter fuel allowance because I don't want any pensioner going into this winter worried about putting the heating on. 'That's why I hope in the Budget the Chancellor will set out the support that she'll make available to those pensioners who aren't well off by any means. To make sure that they're not frightened to use the heating this winter. 'But I think it's fair to say the Chancellor's got a huge range of challenges. She's been bequeathed a toxic economic legacy by the previous government. There's lots of things that she needs to fix. The state of our public services, the fact that we've got a universal credit system that's not fit for purpose.' In an interview yesterday, Sir Keir refused to say if Labour MPs would be punished for rebelling against the Government amid rumours that dozens may abstain in tomorrow's Commons showdown. He said: 'Well, that'll be a matter for the Chief Whip and we'll assess that as we go along.' The PM said he is now 'glad' a vote is going ahead, adding: 'I think it's very important for Parliament to speak on this. This is really tough, and I do get that it's tough, it's not easy, and no Prime Minister wants to take a decision like this. 'But the winter fuel payments are now to be targeted, they were untargeted before, and I think everybody thought that wasn't a particularly good system, so it needed to be targeted.' Asked whether he was 'willing' to be unpopular, Sir Keir replied: 'We're going to have to be unpopular. Popular decisions aren't tough, they're easy.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted he is 'not remotely happy' about stripping the annual fuel bill subsidy. He told Sky News: 'I think it is a tough choice and we've had plenty of political criticism for it, I think, which demonstrates the political pain of it. 'I'm not remotely happy about it, and I'm not remotely happy about having to say to some of my constituents, 'I'm sorry that I'm going into work this week to vote for something that will take money away from you'.' He insisted the Government had to act to fill the 22billlion 'black hole' in the public finances which the party claims was left by the Conservatives. Mr Streeting added: 'We didn't come into government determined to take away people's winter fuel allowances. That's not the primary motivation here. The motivation is to balance the books.' But, hinting at further cuts, he warned: 'It's not just pensioners. We've got the Budget and the spending review coming up.' Chancellor Rachel Reeves has warned there are more cuts and tax rises to come in the Budget Labour analysis published in 2017 when Sir Keir Starmer sat in the Shadow Cabinet - warned that Conservative plans to axe the allowance for ten million elderly voters would increase excess deaths by 3,850 that winter. It called Theresa May's proposal, which was later abandoned, the 'single biggest attack on pensioners in a generation in our country'. Touring broadcast studios this morning, policing minister Dame Diana said: 'I understand for many MPs this is a really hard decision. 'I myself have had lots of constituents contact me, so I know how difficult this is.' Asked by the BBC if she was surprised by the reaction, she said: 'No, I'm not surprised by the amount of concern that there is about this, and obviously we do not want to see anyone struggling with energy bills, particularly pensioners. 'The winter fuel allowance, we know is not a targeted benefit at the moment but it's going to be targeted and that's why it's so important that the poorest pensioners are getting everything they're entitled to to support them.' An 87-year-old British man has been arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of his 'sick and bedridden' wife in Greece. The pensioner allegedly tried to suffocate the 89-year-old woman with a pillow in their apartment in Paleo Faliro, around 6km west of Athens city centre, yesterday. The man told police he tried to kill her because she 'asked him to and wanted to die', local media has reported. When he thought she was dead, the 87-year-old allegedly told a neighbour on a different floor what he had done and the police were called. Officers reportedly found the woman still alive and lying on the bed in the apartment naked. Pictured: Paleo Faliro, around 6km west of Athens city centre, where the incident allegedly took place (file picture) Pictured: Flisvos beach on the Paleo Faliro promenade in Greece (file picture) She was taken to the Janeio hospital for treatment. Her condition is currently unknown. It comes after British pensioner, David Hunter was jailed for 19 months in 2022 for killing his terminally-ill wife in Cyprus. The 76-year-old, originally from Northumberland, smothered his cancer-stricken wife Janice with a pillow in December 2021 before trying to kill himself with a drugs overdose. Mr Hunter told the court in Paphos how his wife had 'cried and begged' him to end her life and 'liberate' her as she endured agonising pain from blood cancer. And after refusing her pleas for six weeks he suffocated her in December 2021 and then tried to kill himself with a drugs overdose. He was put on trial for murder but last year judges dismissed this charge and convicted him of manslaughter. Hunter was sentenced to two years, but was freed after Cyprus authorities deemed he had already served his time in Nicosia prison. David Hunter, 76, was released from a Cypriot jail on July 31 last year after spending 19 months behind bars for killing his terminally-ill wife Hunter said he would 'never in a million years' have taken his wife's life unless she had asked him to The 76-year-old said he would 'never in a million years' have taken his wife's life unless she had asked him to. He showed the court how he held his hands over his wife's mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became 'hysterical'. Jude Law admitted he would refuse to bow to King Charles as he doesn't believe in treating someone differently because they were born with a title. And he's not the only Hollywood star to rebel, from Russell Crowe calling the Princes 'mate' at their father's coronation to Tom Hiddleston hugging the Queen when she was the Duchess of Cornwall. The Holiday actor, 51, said he is 'intrigued' by the history of the Royal Family but doesn't know if he's a royalist. He said: 'I don't know that I want to bow down to anyone, personally. Jude Law (pictured as King Henry VIII) admitted he would refuse to bow to King Charles because he doesn't believe in treating someone differently because they were born with a title Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon also broke the rules when she approached Queen Elizabeth II at a polo match to introduce herself 'But I've never been a great believer in treating someone a certain way because they are born under a title,' he told The Telegraph. New Zealander Crowe - who starred in the 2000 hit Gladiator - informally referred to both Prince Harry and Prince William as 'mate' at last year's coronation. He joked afterwards that he thought the equerry was going to 'pass out' from the shock of it. He fondly said the newly-crowned King was a 'good bloke' after the festivities wrapped up, describing him as 'deeply intelligent and good company, and gallant'. He added: 'I'll never forget the warmth in our last handshake. Good bloke. New Zealander Crowe - who starred in the 2000 hit Gladiator - fondly said the newly-crowned King was a 'good bloke' last year The Gladiator star stepped up to become the unlikely defender of the new King calling him a 'good bloke' who 'was kind' and 'also funny Writing a series of Tweets on Twitter, Crowe reflected on when he met the monarch 'I don't think any of us can really understand what that life of duty and expectation must feel like. He's taking over the family business. That is his destiny. Like it is for many, from publishers to plasterers.' He said: 'I view the costumes and the ritual and the pageantry with distant interest, if any. 'I don't know what it's all supposed to mean in 2023, nor in any other time for that matter. 'I don't really think we need a King, but I'm sure Charles III will do the very best job he can.' Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon also broke the rules when she approached Queen Elizabeth II at a polo match to introduce herself. Normally, people only meet the monarch after being vetted by royal officials and are introduced by another person first. Tom Hiddleston similarly shocked royal fans in 2016 by embracing the Duchess of Cornwall. Camilla with Tom Hiddleston (left) and Chris Evans at BBC Radio 2's headquarters in London Tom Hiddleston similarly shocked royal fans in 2016 by embracing the Duchess of Cornwall The actor was pictured with his arm around Camilla when she visited the BBC Radio 2 studios in central London where she was due to join DJ Chris Evans to hold judges meeting for his inspirational children's writing competition, 500 Words. The presenter greeted the royal warmly with a kiss as she entered the studio and then immediately turned to Hiddleston and said: 'Your royal Highness, The Night Manager.' 'Sunday nights just aren't the same without you,' the now-Queen said at the time, making a reference to his role in the show. 'Well I can only apologise unreservedly for that,' said the charming star. 'But you might come back again?' she asked excitedly. 'Well you never know,' he replied. 'We will have to ask John Le Carre [the writer].' Well it was brilliant,' Camilla said. 'Everyone sat gripped.' Hiddleston replied: 'Well that's good to hear. Unfortunately I missed it, I was away making another film in Vietnam.' 'So you have never seen the whole thing?' Camilla remarked in surprise. 'No, no really I haven't,' he said. 'You must get the DVD,' the duchess joked, before asking what the actor was doing now. Elon Musk is heading towards becoming the world's first trillionaire by 2027, according to a new global wealth report. Musk, 53, is currently the world's richest person with a net worth of $251billion, according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index. However, a new report by Informa Connect Academy has revealed Musk's wealth has been growing at a staggering average rate of 110 per cent a year. This means that if the Tesla CEO's wealth continues to climb at the same rate - he could be crowned the world's first trillionaire within the next three years, according to the findings. The report - titled the 2024 Trillion Dollar Club - puts Musk's Tesla business at a market value of $669.3billion. According to a report by Informa Connect Academy, Elon Musk is on track to become the world's first trillionaire by 2027 Gautam Adani, 62, the founder of the Adani Group, is set to become the second person to achieve trillionaire status, according to findings The company's growth rate is also impressively high, at 173.3 per cent according to Informa Connect Academy, which means Tesla alone could exceed $1trillion by as early as next year. The academy's analysis suggested business conglomerate founder Guatam Adani from India would be second in line to achieve trillionaire status. That would reportedly happen the year following Musk, in 2028, if his annual growth remains at 123 per cent. Jensen Huang, chief executive of tech firm Nvidia, and Indonesian energy and mining mogul Prajogo Pangetsu are also predicted to become trillionaires by 2028, according to the findings. Bernard Arnault, the LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton boss and the world's third-richest person with around $200billion, is on track to snap a trillion dollars in 2030 - the same year as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The top two richest companies valued by the growth report were Microsoft at $3.4trillion and Apple at $2.5trillion. Both of the tech giants hit the trillion-dollar mark back in 2019 and 2018 respectively. A number of companies have secured predictions of over $1trillion with Taiwan-based TSMC most recently being crowned top place. Nvidia joined the Trillion Dollar Club in May last year and in June hit $3trillion, positioning it at the time after Microsoft and before Apple as the world's second-most-valuable company. The world crowned its first billionaire, Standard Oil founder JD Rockefeller, in 1916. Just days before Informa Connect Academy crowned Musk as the most likely to become the world's first trillionaire, the businessman said astronauts could land on Mars within four years as NASA faces pressure over its delayed plans to land on the moon. Musk's SpaceX is set to launch its first uncrewed Starships to the Red Planet in two years when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens- to test the reliability of landing intact on Mars. If the tests prove unsuccessful, SpaceX, which Musk founded in 2022, will launch crewed flights to Mars in four years. Musk's other businesses include neurotechnology firm Neuralink, and The Boring Company - a tunnel construction company. He also brought Twitter for around $44billion in late-2022 before controversially rebranding it X and most recently the multi-billionaire faced a feud with Brazil' Supreme Court which saw the platform banned in the country. Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes initiated the nationwide shutdown at the beginning of the month after Musk refused to name a legal representative to the country, missing a deadline imposed by Moraes. Moraes, 55, and Musk have been embroiled in a months-long feud over free speech, far-right accounts, and misinformation - with the new ban becoming the result of the escalating tensions. Internet service providers across the nation, which is home to 215million people and was one of X's largest markets, completely blocked the platform on August 31 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. Moraes said X will stay suspended until it complies with his orders, and also set a daily fine of 6,790 for people or companies using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access it. Albanian criminal gangs are openly recruiting cannabis farmers on Tiktok after previously turning to social media to advertise people smuggling routes, it has been claimed. Gang bosses have been seeking live-in labourers and offering them up to 30 percent of the profit from street sales amid a steep decline in the number of Albanians crossing the Channel to the UK. It comes after the gangs used similar tactics to advertise illegal smuggling routes to the UK for fellow Albanians, including via lorries, ferries and boats. It is believed the open recruitment drive - with potentially large monetary reward - is necessary because of a sharp increase in deportations since the former government reached a deal with Albania at the end of 2022. The number of Albanians arrested in the UK for cannabis offences has also risen, the Telegraph reports. Gang bosses have been seeking live-in labourers and offering them up to 30 percent of the profit from street sales, the Telegraph reports It follows a campaign by criminal bosses to charge Albanians thousands of pounds to be smuggled into the country In July 29 Albanians received jail sentences of between eight months and two years, and a further 24 were convicted in August. Although recruiters are still advertising, they have been forced to increase the incentives for farmers and workers. One advert said: 'I am the owner of a cannabis house. I chatted to my worker then all things went wrong. Now I am giving this employee 30 per cent of the profit made in that house without living expenses,' the Telegraph reports. TikTok told MailOnline the video was taken down several weeks ago. It added its community guidelines state the platform is committed to ensuring it is not used to take advantage of vulnerable people or to promote content facilitating or coordinating human smuggling acts and services. Others offered 25 percent of the plants grown, or thousands of pounds in payment. These gangs have become dominant in the illegal cannabis trade in the UK in recent years, which was cemented by the arrival of more than 12,000 Albanians who entered the country illegally in 2022. After the government crackdown, just 150 Albanians have been reported to have entered under such routes this year. Angela Eagle, the Border Security Minister, told the paper: 'It's shocking that criminal gangs use social media to prey on vulnerable people, luring them into working in abhorrent conditions and cultivating drugs such as cannabis with false promises of profit. Many adverts promised a '100 percent safe passage' or 'top of the range' inflatable boats and life jackets Prices start from 3,000 for adults and 2,500 for children and all guarantee '100 per cent safe passage' using top of the range rigid inflatable boats with life jackets provided 'Whether online or on our streets, there must be no hiding place for those who break the law. 'We are surging enforcement activity to make more arrests, increasing prosecutions not just in the UK but with partners across Europe, and ensuring all of our relevant partners are working hand-in-glove under our new border security command.' Previously, the gangs had been using TikTok and Instagram to advertise people smuggling services to fellow Albanians. Many promised a '100 percent safe passage' on 'top of the range' inflatable boats and life jackets. Some of the adverts said charges began at 3,000 for an adult and 2,500 for a child - while others quoted far higher rates. Working in conjunction with Kurdish gangs, Albanians were publicising the routes and taking money from would be travellers while offering those that don't have the cash the option of working for criminal gangs in the UK to pay the money back. A source in the Albanian capital Tirana told MailOnline at the time: 'The gangs are making thousands from people who want to cross and it's all because in Albania wages and work are very low and non-existent. 'An Albanian guy in a small village knows his prospects are poor if he stays in his country but he knows if he goes to the UK he can make a lot of money and send it back to his family.' Three women from the UK have said they were raped by the Tate brothers as new allegations against the pair, currently under house arrest in Romania, continue to emerge. Two women told the BBC they were raped by Andrew Tate, 37, with one claiming she was strangled until she passed out - before waking up to find him still having sex with her. A third woman has alleged she was raped by Tristan Tate, 36, and that he held her by the throat as he did so. The online influencers were arrested in Romania last month accused of crimes against 35 women, including allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old girl. Now under house arrest, the pair are facing allegations of human trafficking, including the trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, forming an organised criminal group, money laundering, and influencing statements. Two women told the BBC they were raped by Andrew Tate, 37, with one claiming she was strangled until she passed out - before waking up to find him still having sex with her Andrew and Tristan Tate are facing allegations of human trafficking, including the trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, forming an organised criminal group, money laundering, and influencing statements The alleged crimes date between 2014 and 2024. The Tates deny all the charges against them. In the UK multiple women have also come forward and accused both brothers of violent rapes. A court is also set to rule on October 7 on whether the brothers committed tax evasion in the UK after Devon and Cornwall Police brought a case claiming they had not paid any tax on 12 billion of earnings. Speaking to the BBC, two women who are not involved in the Romania case gave detailed claims of rape and sexual violence. One woman, named as Anna, said she went on several dates with self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate in Luton in 2013, before going back to his house. She claimed they kissed, before Tate told her: 'I'm just debating whether I should rape you or not.' She alleges he then grabbed her by the throat and 'smashed' her onto his bed and raped her, while strangling her 'extremely hard'. She added that Tate sent her a series of disturbing messages afterwards, telling her: 'Am I a bad person? Because the more you didn't like it, the more I enjoyed it.' Anna said Tate sent her a series of disturbing messages after the alleged rape Three women spoke to the BBC - two alleged rape by Andrew, 37, and one by Tristan, 36 He is then said to have sent her a text message which read: 'I love raping you. 'And watching u let me while still debating if its [sic] a good idea or not. 'I like the conflict you have. And you do have it. Don't deny it.' Anna reported the rape to police in 2014, with two other women also separately making similar allegations. A file was finally sent to the CPS in 2019, but no charges were ever brought due to a lack of evidence. Hertfordshire Police and the CPS have been contacted for comment. A second woman, named as Sienna, said she met Andrew Tate in 2014, again in Luton. She described having a few drinks and then going home with Tate for a 'standard one-night stand'. But several months later, she saw him again - and this time, she said he violently attacked her. Anna told how she went home after seeing Tate and immediately broke down (actor pictured) The brothers are facing multiple charges in Romania and a civil court in the UK is due to rule on alleged tax evasion in October Sienna told the BBC they began having sex as they had previously, but Tate then suddenly began strangling her. She described struggling to breathe and gasping for air as she struggled, before falling unconscious. When she came round, she claims Tate was still having sex with her. She said: 'I was absolutely terrified. I just remember gasping for air... It was rape.' Sienna woke up the next morning with one of her eyes completely bloodshot from the strangulation - something the BBC verified with a friend of hers, who saw the injury and was told about the incident at the time. She did not report the incident to the police, but now regrets not doing so. Both Tate brothers have denied all the allegations against them. Andrew Tate previously claimed he has never strangled a woman during sex. He has been criticised around the world for his self-proclaimed misogyny, which experts say is influencing young boys and men. A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: 'In total Hertfordshire Constabulary has investigated allegations made by three women. 'Initially we carried out an arrest on 18 July 2015 in relation to an allegation of assault (against female 1). 'While in custody the suspect was further arrested on the same day in relation to an allegation of rape and assault (against female 2). He was subsequently further arrested on December 17, 2015, on suspicion of rape (female 3). 'This was a complex and challenging case that was fully investigated by specialist officers from the constabularys Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT) who, during the course of the investigation, sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). 'The case was closed in late 2019 after a case file had been sent to the CPS and the decision was made not to prosecute. All those involved in the investigation were further updated. 'As is normal practice in cases of a complex nature, officers were in regular contact with CPS colleagues throughout the investigation to ensure that a full and complete case file was presented to them for consideration. 'Hertfordshire Constabulary is fully committed to tackling violence against women and girls and has specialist officers who work to safeguard victims of these crimes. 'If further information comes to light in relation to this case, it will be fully investigated. 'Information can be reported online, using our online web chat, or by calling our non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. 'Anyone affected by issues such as sexual violence or domestic abuse can access help and support through a number of support services in Hertfordshire. The support given is free and can be accessed independently of reporting to police. 'Any victim of crime can access support services through Hertfordshires victim care centre, Beacon. Call 03000 11 55 55 or visit hertfordshirebeacon.org for more information. 'Anyone who wishes to make a complaint about the way their case has been handled can do so via our online complaints process.' Representatives for the Tate brothers have been contacted for comment. A former deputy principal has had almost a year cut from his jail sentence after getting busted by undercover police while trying to meet an underage girl for sex. Damian Wanstall was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison in July 2023, with a non-parole period of two years. The now 50-year-old, who was deputy principal at Kellyville High School in Sydney at the time, was sprung by police after posting an online classified advertisement under the heading: 'Any legal Indian or Filo teens want fun.' The ad read: '40yo Aussie daddy seeking sexy play this weekend. Will reward. Can host discreetly Rouse Hill.' He was contacted by an undercover police officer pretending to be a 14-year-old girl, arranging what he thought was a meet-up for sex in the western Sydney suburb of Westmead. Instead, he was arrested by police with $200 in his pocket and pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material. On Monday in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, a panel of three judges quashed his initial sentence and unanimously imposed a shorter sentence of two years and and eight months. His non-parole period was also shortened to 18 months and will expire on November 16. Former high school deputy principal Damian Wanstall was busted by undercover police while seeking sex from a purported underage girl. The appeals court found that Judge Andrew Colefax wrongly assumed Wanstall had given false instructions to his lawyer at an earlier hearing in the Local Court. In re-sentencing the former deputy principal, the court accepted the 50-year-old had been drinking heavily and was intoxicated at the time he sought out teenagers for sex. Psychiatrist Dr Andrew Ellis told the court that alcohol provided an explanation for the out-of-character behaviour but did not excuse Wanstall for what he ultimately did. The court rejected the ex-deputy principal's claims that publicity around his case amounted to extra-curial punishment, with Justice Deborah Sweeney noting that media reports 'were not inaccurate or sensational'. Wanstall was the deputy principal at the north western Sydney Kellyville High School at the time of his offending However, the loss of his career as a result of the offending was taken into account as extra punishment during the re-sentencing. In a letter to the court, Wanstall appeared to show genuine remorse for his conduct, saying he was ashamed, disgusted and appalled by what he had done, Justice Sweeney wrote. However, he still cast some blame on the undercover officer and expressed regret for how his life had been negatively impacted by the crime. The judge noted that he had positive prospects of rehabilitation, tutoring inmates at Kirkconnell jail near Bathurst and doing administrative duties for the educational services there. The charge Wanstall admitted carries a maximum penalty of 15 years. The NSW Department of Education previously said Wanstall had been dismissed immediately once convicted. ...: ... The mother of a six-year-old girl killed in a buggy crash on a planned sleepover has told a court her life has 'remained in hell' for the three years since the tragedy. Olivia Stevens was crushed when her classmate's dad's Polaris ATV rolled after hitting previous tyre ruts in the front paddock of their Rosedale home in Victoria's Gippsland region on September 11, 2021. The vehicle was being driven by Damien Gibson, 36, with seven unrestrained children in the four-seater - including five of his own. Gibson returned before the Victorian County Court on Monday after accepting a sentence indication of a maximum five-year jail stint and pleading guilty to culpable driving causing death last month. The court was told Olivia and her mother, Jana Stevens had visited the Gibson family for a planned BBQ and overnight stay, arriving at 2.30pm. Shortly before 4pm, Mrs Stevens left to go pick up her eldest son from an event but Olivia, who was in the pool, wanted to stay. Just minutes later, Gibson took the children out on his new buggy, purchased less than a month earlier, and rolled the vehicle while attempting to perform a hard right turn in deep grass. Olivia was thrown from the ATV and crushed under roll bars, and was pronounced dead after she was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Olivia Stevens, 6, (pictured) was killed on a planned sleepover after her friend's father crashed a buggy on the afternoon of September 11, 2021 The father, 36-year-old Damien Gibson (pictured), faces a maximum five-year jail stint after pleading guilty to culpable driving causing death last month In court on Monday, Mrs Stevens relieved the questions that have gone through through her mind every day since Olivia died. 'Did she know she was dying? Was she calling for her mum and dad? Was she in pain?,' she asked. 'I thought for a long time that maybe she was forgotten under the buggy as the other kids were screaming and she was probably quiet.' Prosecutors told the court none of the riders were wearing seatbelts or helmets, with Gibson's offending described as 'gross negligence' in his decision to drive. 'A very clear message needs to be sent to the community that these vehicles aren't toys,' the prosecutor said. Olivia's mother, Jana Stevens (pictured), told the court that her life has remained in hell since that fateful day and the only reason she can keep going is for her two sons Mrs Stevens told the court she remembered receiving the call to come back as the 'moment the world came crashing down on me'. 'Olivia was an incredible child ... she was the emotional glue in our family. 'There isn't a moment when we don't think of her - its like we're stuck in pain.' Through tears, Mrs Stevens said her life has remained in hell since that fateful day and the only reason she can keep going is for her two sons. She questioned why it had taken Gibson almost three years to accept responsibility. Olivia's father, Scott Stevens, told Gibson he would never forgive him. 'Olivia was the light and soul of our family, you have taken that away from us,' he said. 'You have turned my dreams black, you have taken happiness from me and us.' Olivia was remembered by her mum as the emotional glue of the family Gibson's barrister Peter Morrissey SC told the court his client was not a bad person, he 'just thought he was better than he was'. 'His own kids was on that vehicle, there's a terrible randomness about who it was who was killed in the end,' he said. Mr Morrissey said Gibson will be 'sorry until the day he dies' and had written a letter of apology, but was not going to read it out in court in respect of Mrs Stevens' wishes. Gibson will be sentenced by Judge Richard Maidment in October. The trial of a Frenchman accused of drugging his wife and inviting more than 80 strangers into their family home to rape her while she was unconscious restarts today, with the victim's sons set to take the stand and give testimony. Courageous Gisele Pelicot has bravely waved her right to anonymity so that the world can hear the depth of depravity her husband of 50 years sank to in order to satisfy his twisted sexual desires. The case, heard in the town of Avignon in France's Provence, has appalled anyone who has listened to how former electrical engineer Dominique Pelicot abused his wife over a decade. Madame Pelicot, 72, last week faced down the 51 men including her husband who have been accused of raping her, all of whom were stuffed into the Vaucluse Criminal Court each day as proceedings continued. Now, David and Florian Pelicot will each tell how the terrible betrayal of their father Dominique shattered a once happy and close-knit family. David and Florian Pelicot enter the courtroom on the morning of Monday, September 9 Courageous Gisele Pelicot has bravely waved her right to anonymity so that the world can hear the depth of depravity her husband of 50 years sank to in order to satisfy his twisted sexual desires Gisele Pelicot, 72, arrives at court in Avignon, France The Pelicots' daughter Caroline gave evidence in a harrowing testimony last week Dominique Pelicot is accused of recruiting men online to assault his wife repeatedly over a 10 year period In a three-hour testimony last week, the grandmother-of-seven described the moment she learned from police officers how she was drugged unconscious and then raped by strangers as she laid motionless on the marital bed, while her husband watched on, recording the abuse on camera for his own personal pleasure. She told the court: 'I was subjected on the altar of vice. It's a dead woman on a bed. This isn't a bedroom, it's an operating theatre. They treat me like a garbage bag, a rag doll. These aren't sex scenes, these are rape scenes, it unbearable.' In her evidence, the couple's only daughter Caroline Peyronnet told the court last week how her world fell apart when her mother called her to inform her of his crimes. Her agony was compounded when detectives discovered Mr Pelicot had also taken photographs of Caroline lying motionless on a bed in her mother's underwear. Madame Peyronnet, 45, described her father as 'one of the worst sexual predators of the last 20 years.' The trial has heard that Pelicot's perversion was only discovered after he was arrested for taking photos up women's skirts at a supermarket near the couple's home in the pretty village of Mazan, in the shadow of Mont Ventoux in September 2020. A police search of his computer discovered 20,000 homemade films and photographs of men he met on the internet raping his wife dating back to 2011. Detectives traced 50 of some 84 men that Pelicot had met on a now defunct website and invited to his home to carry out the abuse. Madame Pelicot, 72, last week faced down the 51 men including her husband accused of her rape Madame Pelicot, 72, relived the trauma that she experienced when police investigator showed her graphic films of her being raped repeatedly by her husband Dominique and more than 80 strangers while she was unconscious Madame Pelicot is determined that the public knows that she played no part in her husband's warped sexual fantasies that he played out at their picturesque chalet home in the Provence village of Mazan (pictured) They discovered that Pelicot routinely put powerful sedatives in his wife's drink and food to render her unconscious for when her abusers arrived at the family home under cover of darkness. Pelicot urged the men to sneak into the modest country chalet and undress in the kitchen to leave no trace. Then, he turned on the camera and filmed as each man inflicted their terrible abuse on his wife, before meticulously filing and cataloguing the home moves under various skin-crawling titles. The men, all from the Provence area of the south of France, are aged between 26 and 73 and include a fireman, a nurse, a civil servant, a plumber, a soldier and a journalist. Detective traced 50 of these men and together with Pelicot, charged them all with rape. Some 16 of the accused, including Pelicot, have admitted the offence. But 35 maintain they are innocent, with one man telling police he believed Madame Pelicot had consented as her husband was present. Pelicot faces up to 20 years in jail. The other men face shorter sentences if found guilty. The trial is set to last until December. A Jetstar passenger whose drunken behaviour forced a plane to turn around mid-flight has been fined thousands of dollars to cover the cost of fuel dumped by the returning aircraft. Wade Douglas Corbett, 34, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday where he was fined $9,000 for being disruptive on Jetstar flight JQ 989 in September last year. His antics forcing the pilot to turn around one hour into the Sydney-bound flight, leaving 150 passengers stranded in Perth overnight. Last week, Corbett pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly behaviour on an aircraft and one count of failure to comply with safety instructions. During the flight, Corbett was refused more alcohol due to intoxication before he intimidated cabin crew. He then refused the pilot's orders to fasten his seatbelt before locking himself in the toilet, where he refused to come out. To land safely back in Perth, the pilot was forced to dump $20,000 worth of fuel. Once back on the tarmac, airline staff contacted Australian Federal Police for assistance in escorting Corbett off the plane. Wade Douglas Corbett, 34 has been fined $9000 by Perth Magistrates Court on Monday for being disruptive on Jetstar flight JQ 989 in September last year Corbett was ordered to pay more than $8,630 in fuel costs on top of the $9,000 fine. Federal Police Acting Superintendent Shona Davis hopes the case will serve as a reminder 'that criminal behaviour on board can come at a heavy cost to the offender'. 'It's far simpler to obey the directions of airline staff than cause unnecessary issues, which can end up hitting you in the hip pocket,' she said. 'The AFP is committed to ensuring all travellers have a safe journey from their departure through to their arrival at their destination.' After a court appearance in September last year Corbett laughing apologised to the passengers he had left stranded in court and began flexing his bicep for no discernable reason After an appearance at Perth Magistrate's Court last September Corbett was asked what he had to say to the passengers inconvenienced by his antics. He laughed and said 'sorry guys'. He then began flexing his bicep as reporters continued to demand answers. Corbett had been flying to NSW for an unrelated court matter before he disrupted the flight. A puppy was left in the care of court staff after its owner was jailed for driving dangerously in a 100mph police chase. Vincent Harvey, 46, of Fish Ponds Road West, Sheffield, rocked up to Grimsby Crown Court with his adorable puppy in tow. As he entered the dock, he left the French Bulldog cross in the care of staff, hoping that he would be handed a suspended sentence and they would be reunited. But things didn't quite go to plan, as the 46-year-old was jailed after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on the A18 near Grimsby. The incident saw the motorist, who admitted to driving on a provisional licence without insurance, hit speeds of over 100mph as police pursued him. Caring security staff at Grimsby Crown Court were left to take care of an adorable pooch after his owner was jailed for dangerous driving (Pictured: Staff and the French Bulldog cross) Prosecuting, Ashley Lambert-Jefferson told the court a Fiat 500 was reported stolen in the Sheffield area on March 23. Humberside Police Sergeant Mitchell Walker was patrolling the area in an unmarked police car at around 9.50 when he spotted a Fiat, with an altered registration plate. The officer followed the vehicle noticing its plate had been changed by tape, morphing a zero into an eight. Following this observation, Sergeant Walker also spotted the car overtake another vehicle at speed near Humberside Airport. The car's began to travel more quickly, hitting speeds of 90mph to 95mph as it neared the village of Great Limber. He sped through the village at 70mph, straddling double white lines as oncoming traffic approached. Activating his blue lights, the police chase continued to around two miles to Keelby, with the motorist attempted to dupe the policeman by putting on his hazards. However as Harvey slowed down, he began to speed away - at one point reaching 100mph as he hurried towards Keelby. Shortly thereafter, the driver pulled over and was arrested. Mr Lambert-Jefferson told the court how the driver had shown disregard for other road users and risked pedestrians in residential areas in villages. Harvey was unrepresented in court but told the judge he had not stolen the car. He claimed it belonged to his sister and a friend had alerted him that it was parked on a driveway in Sheffield. He claimed that, when he went to collect it, a van turned up so he fled. 'It chased me. That's why I ended up in Grimsby,' he said. Recorder Andrew Haslam KC said it was 'merciful' there had not been many road users on the A18 at the time of the police chase. 'You deliberately decided to ignore the rules of the road with no regard for the danger to others. There was a risk to other members of the public,' he said. The Recorder branded the high speed police chase as 'a serious offence of bad driving'. with Harvey put behind bars for eight months. The reckless driver has also been banned from driving for two years and four months, and has also been ordered to take an extended retest. Luckily empathetic security staff cared for the nine-week-old puppy Harvey had left behind, feeding him and cleaning up as it defecated and urinated on the Crown Court floor. Vincent Harvey, 46, of Fish Ponds Road West, Sheffield, was jailed after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was sentenced to eight months behind bars (Pictured: Grimsby Crown Court One court official offered to take the dog home. He said: 'I think I will rename it DD for dangerous driving.' Security officials Beverley Owen and Steve Dyball fed the pooch whilst they figured out what to do with the pet. Beverley said: 'Really we shouldn't have to do this but we can't not. What can you do?' Staff shared they keep dog food to feed foxes that occasionally creep around the court precincts. A friend of the defendant was contacted to pick up the puppy. Unions hailed their new influence today as Labour pushes ahead with repeal of anti-strike laws and overhauling workers' rights. TUC chief Paul Nowak boasted about the prospect of 'recasting' the economy in his keynote speech to the annual conference in Brighton. He also jibed that he 'enjoyed' top Tories losing their seats in 'Portillo Moments' at the election, saying 'goodbye and good riddance'. Delegates are due to debate a call by Unite to introduce a 'wealth tax' later, with the union claiming it could bring in 25billion. The wrangling comes as ministers reaffirm their intention to scrap Tory laws restricting industrial action, after handing out a series of bumper public pay deals to settle disputes. Businesses have also raised concerns about the impact of a new package of rights for staff, including to flexible working and sick leave from day one. TUC chief Paul Nowak (pictured) will boast about the prospect of 'recasting' the economy in his keynote speech to the annual conference in Brighton Mr Nowak said in his speech to the congress in Brighton: 'Some Tory MPs had the good sense, or the lack of backbone, to do the chicken run before the votes were cast. 'The likes of Kwasi Kwarteng and Michael Gove scuttling away from the mess they left behind. 'Others decided to face the voters, and, while I am not one to revel in other people's misfortune, I have to say I enjoyed every single Portillo moment in the early hours of July 5. 'It was a roll call of political failure. Goodbye and good riddance to every single one of them. Now, they may be gone, but their miserable legacy remains. 'The legacy of public services ruined by negligence and austerity, the legacy of an economy shattered by a shambolic Brexit and unfunded tax cuts for the rich, and the legacy of a Britain divided by nasty culture wars, dodgy PPE contracts, and Downing Street parties.' He said the British people had cast their verdict on 'one of the most right-wing, incompetent, anti-union, morally bankrupt governments this country has ever seen.' Mr Nowak also laid into Reform MP Nigel Farage, saying he is no friend of workers. 'A public school-educated, private equity-loving, NHS-privatising, Putin apologist fraud.' Mr Nowak added that unions are planning to work closely with the new Government to rebuild the country after 14 years of Tory 'chaos'. 'We know Keir Starmer and this Government have the interests of working people at heart in the way that the Conservatives never did, and never will,' he said. 'But no government can put right 14 years of Tory chaos overnight, and no government can take on the job of rebuilding this country on its own. 'Politics isn't a spectator sport. We need to roll up our sleeves and get involved. 'So, let's pledge today. We will work with the new government to rebuild our public services. 'We'll play our part in recasting Britain's industrial future, and above all we will work with the Government to face down those on the right who wish to sow division and discord in our communities.' He will add that the trade union message is going to be taken into more workplaces, working with good employers to secure decent jobs. 'I want to put every anti-union, anti-worker boss on notice. If you think you can get away with paying poverty wages, forcing people into work when they're sick and firing and rehiring your staff think again. 'We're going to take on the bad bosses and we are going to win.' Delegates are also due to debate a call by Unite to introduce a 'wealth tax', claiming it could bring in 25billion.File picture of Unite's Sharon Graham protesting earlier this year Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake said it was 'amazing how these union bosses claim to be so knowledgeable about how to run a private sector workforce without ever having actually employed anyone they have paid out of their own pocket'. He warned Labour's planned workers' rights package would 'drown businesses in red tape, encourage unions to hold employers to ransom and slow growth'. Mr Hollinrake added: 'If they had spent more time consulting businesses, particularly the owners of small and medium-sized businesses who truly power our economy rather than just their union paymasters maybe they would think twice. 'Labour must listen to the chorus of opposition from businesses, not just their union paymasters, and change course now.' If you thought flying first class was the epitome of luxury, Swiss International Air Lines is about to raise the bar - or maybe weigh it down. The Swiss flag carrier is in the midst of a revamp that promises a sky-high experience, but a significant flaw has emerged in the design of its plush new first-class seats: they're simply too heavy for the plane. Swiss is set to install its deluxe "Swiss Senses" suites in its Airbus A330 fleet, boasting six-foot walls, sliding doors, and a whopping 37 square feet of personal space. But while first-class passengers may enjoy their extra legroom and cocoon-like enclosure, the aircraft itself is feeling the weight - quite literally. The new seats, meant to debut in the winter of 2025-2026, are so massive that they're making the aircraft nose-heavy. Swiss Airline's new first-class Swiss Senses seats, meant to debut in the winter of 2025-2026, are so massive that they're making the aircraft nose-heavy Swiss engineers are now working to restore balance by installing a hefty "balancing plate" at the rear of the plane, as reported by CNN. As airplane designs evolve, the trend of beefing up first and business class for added privacy - while lightening economy seats - has shifted the balance in a number of aircrafts. In a statement, Swiss noted: "These two contrasting trends are changing the center of gravity of the aircraft in which such seats are installed." It also said that aircraft types that have been originally designed to be nose-heavy are particularly affected this includes the A330. On the other hand, Swiss' Boeing 777s, which will also get the new suites, won't face the same issue, while the carrier's Airbus A340s will not have the new seats installed. The "Swiss Senses" seats are part of a larger overhaul inspired by customer feedback. Many passengers have called for modernised cabins on long-haul flights, particularly on the Airbus A330-300s, which currently serve destinations in the Middle East, the United States, and Canada. The number of first-class seats will also be reduced from eight to four to limit added weight. Many passengers have called for modernised cabins on Swiss' long-haul flights, particularly on the Airbus A330-300s While some questioned whether the weight issue was a planning oversight, Swiss denied it was an error. A spokesperson explained that initial weight estimates were 'rough' and have since evolved as manufacturing of the seats progresses. While the current first class seats on Swiss weigh 205 kilograms or 452 pounds, the final weight of the new suites won't be known until they are fully installed. Meanwhile, a photo of a plus-sized passenger struggling to fit between the armrests on a plane has sparked a fierce debate over whether obese travellers should have to pay for an extra seat. The man was snapped by a fellow traveller as he squeezed into his aisle seat during a flight from Helsinki to Copenhagen last Monday. Internal conflict threatens the ruling German 'traffic light' coalition over its audacious plan to use British infrastructure in Rwanda to settle illegal migrants in the latest bid to appease drifting voters on the right. Anxious politicians have suggested Germany could revive the scheme scrapped by Britain's Labour government in an apparent effort to recoup support after the far right AfD made gains with its first-ever state-election win earlier this month. But the move to shore up support has alienated factions on the left, with the Greens, centre-left SPD and liberal FDP fiercely opposing the plan as being both illegal and costly. 'Even if we went ahead with it, it would mean the whole asylum system in Germany and other European Union countries would be dependent on one dictator in Rwanda. Basically, the EU would be in the hands of [President Paul] Kagame,' Erik Marquardt, an MEP with the Green Party, told i. Concerns about immigration have been pushed to the forefront of German politics with a series of attacks by Islamists rocking the country in recent months, most recently at a gathering of Christians in Solingen late last month. Far-right protesters hold a banner reading 'remigration now' as they march through the streets of Solingen, following a stabbing rampage, on August 26 A 26-year-old Syrian man, suspect of the Solingen attack, is escorted by police on Aug 25 Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits the scene of the knife attack on August 26 Demonstrators display a banner reading 'AFD ban now' during a demonstration in Erfurt, 1/9 The German government faces increasing pressure to be seen to respond to migration as support for the AfD gathers pace in the East. The hard right party secured its first-ever state-election win in Thuringia on September 1 and came a close second in neighbouring Saxony. Germany's Brandmauer - literally 'firewall', a coalition agreement not to ally with the AfD - remains in place to stop the party getting into power, but support for stricter policies on migration continues to galvanise the far-right at the expense of the SPD, the FDP and the Greens. Post-election polls suggest asylum and migration are the two key issues for Germans nationwide, and that support for the party is genuine - rather than a protest vote - piling pressure on the coalition government to act. 'The problem is not migration. It's Islamism,' Mr Marquardt told i. 'Our approach is to try to find solutions. And the idea that there is one easy solution through just one measure, like sending people to Rwanda, is simply wrong. 'It is basically populism, and it was the same in the UK; the British government decided to put this populism into laws, and it was a big waste of money.' German migration commissioner Joachim Stamp suggested the country could utilise British developments in Rwanda for a similar scheme last week. He claimed Russia and Belarus were intentionally pushing migrants into western Europe to destabilise Germany and its neighbours. 'My suggestion would be that we concentrate on this group. It's about 10,000 people a year,' he said on a podcast, adding that the deterrent of a Rwanda scheme could 'take away the motivation to come to the EU'. Such a scheme would require changes to EU law on how asylum is processed. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged to 'examine' the case for an overseas asylum processing centre in November last year. He insisted any scheme would be 'in compliance with the Geneva Convention on Refugees and the European Convention on Human Rights.' But Scholz also recognised plans would be fraught with 'a whole series of legal questions'. A spokesperson for the Rwandan government welcomed the suggestion, saying they were 'happy to work with anyone on this who shared their desire to find a long term solution to the migration issue'. Germany welcomed a more open policy towards migration under the leadership of Chancellor Angela Merkel, allowing more than one million asylum seekers to cross over into Germany in 2015. But Poland shares the claim that Russia has weaponised migration, encouraging asylum seekers to cross over into central Europe with attempted illegal border crossings from Belarus on the rise. In line with other Western nations, the allure of populist parties appears to be partly motivated by the loss of highly-paid jobs. Volkswagen announced last week it was considering shutting factories in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history, warning that the European automotive industry was in a 'very... serious situation'. The Hope Hotel in Rwanda, which was prepared to accept asylum seekers from the UK A far right supporter with a shirt of the right-wing extremist minor party, The Third Path (Der Dritte Weg) attends a protest, in Solingen on August 26 Rwandan President Paul Kagame speaks during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing on September 5 'The economic environment became even tougher, and new competitors are entering the European market. In this environment, we as a company must now act decisively,' chief executive Oliver Blume said. The announcement marked a U-turn from a promise not to cut jobs in Germany until at least 2029. The AfD has also won support for its critical stance on Germany's support to Ukraine. Germany has been one of the biggest contributors of aid to Ukraine since the war broke out. But concern over spending has offered support to fringe parties not toeing the line, despite the imminent threat posed by Russia to Europe. It is the case that has left police baffled - how could a popular student walking home from a night out with a tracking device vanish into thin air? Jack O'Sullivan made sure he had his Apple AirTag on him when he set out to a party with friends six months ago, and that he explained how it worked to his concerned mother. But when he failed to come home, it sparked a huge search that has still not born fruit half a year on. His bizarre disappearance has left many scratching their heads - and raised fresh questions over police competence and how effective modern tracking technology really is. Much like the cases of Jay Slater and Nicola Bulley before it, the mystery has caught the eye of TikTok mediums and amateur sleuths, many of whom have tormented his family with hoax calls and demands for money. With police seemingly reaching a hurdle over the encrypted AirTag data, Jack's mother, Catherine, has taken matters into her own hands and goes out every single day to search Bristol with the help of kind volunteers. Jack's parents say the police's theory that he fell in the water 'doesn't hold up.' Jack O'Sullivan (centre) is pictured graduating with his parents Catherine (front) and Alan (right) and brother Ben (left) Volunteers have scoured Bristol to help Jack's family search for him Mrs O'Sullivan has been praised for 'adopting the role of Chief Inspector, Chief Constable and Detective Superintendent all rolled into one' but concerned people have slammed the force and said it 'beggars belief' she feels the need to do so. Avon and Somerset Police have been slammed by Jack's family and the local community for not doing enough to find the 23-year-old. Mrs O'Sullivan, 52, told Sky: 'Initially we were in the hands of the police and just were very accepting that everything we were told was being done was actually being done. 'It's just that as time's gone on, we realise that things have been missed and not done as thoroughly as we thought they were.' A post on the Find Jack Facebook page read: 'The fact that Jack's mother, and family, have been forced to adopt the role of Chief Inspector/Chief Constable/Detective Superintendent all rolled into one beggars belief. 'Arranging with landowners to access their property for clues, trying to gain access to drains etc. At a time when the mental load must be so overbearing for her, imagine having to try and orchestrate all of these leads for your own son. 'Catherine O'Sullivan you are the very definition of a true mother, leader of the pack, and the whole of Bristol and the UK support you every step of the way. You incredible woman.' She replied: 'Thank you - Your words as so kind but unfortunately so true! We are really doing everything we can but at times it feels impossible. 'I really don't want to be an incredible woman - I just want to be Jack's mum. Please god help us find my boy!' Others slammed the force, with one commenting: 'Shame on Avon and Somerset Police. Pull your finger out and do something to help find Jack.' Catherine O'Sullivan with her missing son Jack O'Sullivan, who was last seen in March A missing poster in Bristol of Jack O'Sullivan, 23, who vanished in March Volunteers pictured searching for Jack in Cumberland Basin, Bristol Volunteers gather at Cumberland Basin, Bristol, where missing Jack was last seen A map drawn by a woman claiming to be a medium having visions of Jack's location. His mother has said mediums have been 'giving me locations all over Bristol to go and look for him' Many armchair detectives and TikTok mediums have posted about Jack's case Those on the Facebook group slammed amateur sleuths who have been spamming the page Some called it 'shocking' and blasted it as 'injustice' that more hasn't been done to help. On top of that, those on the Facebook group slammed amateur sleuths who have been spamming the page. A post read: 'Can I just say that speculation in this group isn't helping anybody, let alone Jack's loved ones. 'This group is to try and help find Jack, not play detective. They already have one of those. Yes we already know the police have been shocking but it's happened and we are where we are. How do AirTags work? An AirTag sends out a secure Bluetooth signal that can be detected by nearby devices in the Find My network. But this can only be shared with up to five people and is encrypted for privacy. Some devices can still send their location for up to 24 hours after they've been turned off or have low battery life. So after 24 hours, Apple would no longer have access to the location - even if they could bypass the encryption. The AirTag might not show the location if it's in an area that isn't near an iPhone to send the data to the findmy app. The Apple website says: 'Not even Apple knows the location of your AirTag or the identity of the device that helps find it.' Advertisement 'Stop with 'I think this happened' posts and just think how you would feel if you were the parent reading these comments on a regular basis. 'I know many people think it's helping but it really isn't. This is stressful enough for family and friends without certain people making it worse.' An admin replied to thank the user and said: 'The last week has been challenging.' Another person added: 'The trend in recent years playing at armchair detectives in missing people cases like it's a game, with no thought to the real people involved is disgraceful.' Yesterday, an admin posted on the group warning of fake GoFundMe pages. 'Please please please do not part with any money - this one says the deadline is 22nd Sept - which is total rubbish. 'There is an official GoFundMe but we aren't pushing it at the moment, people have been incredibly generous and we think we have enough for what we need to pay for right now.' The family have also received appalling messages saying Jack 'is being held and asking for ransom amounts for him' as trolls try to cash in. His mother added she has 'lost all faith' in Avon and Somerset Police's investigation into Jack's disappearance and goes out to search 'daily' - even hiring a private investigator. She told the BBC: 'I have had messages suggesting that Jack is being held and asking for ransom amounts for him. 'People telling me that awful things have happened to him and where I might find him. 'But what would anybody do in my situation? I have to read them, as bad as I know it is, putting myself through hell at times, but I can't ignore anything.' She posted on Facebook: 'I have been contacted by mediums telling me Jack has been held hostage, murdered and giving me locations all over Bristol to go and look for him. I have had requests for payment so he can be released! This is a file image of an Apple AirTag, which works as a tracking device for items such as keys I have shared this type of information with the police but not had any response. They just ignore us!' The amateur sleuths, fake GoFundMe pages and trolls distressing the family is disturbingly reminiscent of the behaviour of the public during Jay Slater's disappearance in Tenerife. While many people sent love and support, others posted conspiracy theories and threatened his friends and family. Mrs O'Sullivan previously spoke out about the missing teenager to say it 'brought everything back' and said she sympathised with Jay's mother. It comes as questions grow over Jack's Apple AirTag data. 'I said to the police, Jack's keys have got an AirTag. And I really thought that was going to be a really positive location finder,' Mrs O'Sullivan told MailOnline. Jack's family are hoping more answers could lie in the phone and AirTag data. They say they don't believe Avon and Somerset Police have fully analysed it because of being consistently 'let down' by the investigating force. The family were initially told by police that Apple privacy laws would not allow them to pursue any of the AirTag data. His mother previously told MailOnline that she uncovered this footage while trawling through CCTV herself. Although police have not confirmed this is Jack, the family say it his 'walk and gait' The O'Sullivan family went back to the police again, who this time indicated they had accessed the data. They were, however, told by officers that they thought 'the battery must be flat on the AirTag because it's not providing information'. Jack's mother explained: 'We said, well it wasn't flat when he'd left the house, because he demonstrated how it worked to me at 6pm that night. 'The police then changed the story again and said, 'Well actually we don't think it was set up correctly, it was never registered'. 'We were going around on this ridiculous circle of not getting anywhere.' Mrs O'Sullivan said that the police's latest statement two weeks ago was that the AirTag had been 'registered to Jack's ex-girlfriend's account' which is why they couldn't locate it. 'But I actually contacted her this weekend just to verify that and she said, 'No that's not true, I didn't register it',' she revealed. 'So we just can't get a straight answer.' Jack left the house party in the early hours of the morning of March 2 and mobile data shows that his phone was still in use at 6.44am - hours after he was last seen on CCTV. Jack's phone remained active on Find My Friends until 6.44am and Catherine could hear the phone ringing through when she was calling him, indicating the device was still working Jack O'Sullivan, 23, has not been seen since he vanished after a house party in Bristol in March The last confirmed sighting of Jack is at 3.13am as he walks onto a grassy area at the junction of Brunel Lock Way and Brunel Way, Bristol. But while Catherine was forced to trawl through CCTV herself, she spotted a person - who she is adamant is her son - walking over Plimsol Bridge at around 3.25am, heading back in the direction of Bristol city centre. When police were alerted to this, they later uncovered a second clip showing someone walking along the Bennett Way slip road at around 3.38am. Jack attempted to call a friend who was still at the party at 3.24am. When the friend called back 10 minutes later, Jack answered but only said 'hello' before the call cut off. His phone remained active on Find My Friends until 6.44am and Catherine could hear the phone ringing through when she was calling him, indicating the device was still working. She said: 'We're desperately trying to get hold of the phone data that they [the police] tell us they've analysed. And they tell us 'we have already told you the findings'. Well we would like to be certain of that, because they did the same with the CCTV. 'They said they were certain of their findings, and they totally missed Jack on it. 'So from our perspective, we can't trust what we're being told so we would rather have things ourselves and pay somebody to analyse it, and then we can then feel certain that it's done. Jack had been at a house party with friends when he left in the early hours of the morning 'If it hasn't shown information, it hasn't shown information. But we we can't trust their processes because of what's gone before. 'What we do know is what the police have told us is that between when a call was made, we know when a call was received, and we know there are other chunks of data usage on that phone up until 5.40am. 'And we know the phone was on the network until 6.44am. I'm not technical, so I don't fully understand. But I've been told that the phone will ping off different masts and then you can kind of triangulate the location from it. 'And we want to see if we can try and plot a route or the last time that phone worked. If we can be a little bit more specific with the area then that's got to help in some way.' One of the latest updates is that the family have managed to get a replacement SIM card because Catherine is the account holder of Jack's phone so it is in her name. The police said that they did not feel it was necessary, so the family have paid for it to be looked at by a cyber security company in Manchester. The experts have had the SIM for two or three months and are trying to see if any of the apps had any form of location trackers on them, but it hasn't provided answers yet. Avon and Somerset Police say that since Jack's disappearance, more than 20 different teams and departments have been involved in the investigation. They have been supported by other agencies and emergency services, such as the fire and ambulance service, National Police Air Service, and RNLI. A spokesperson said more than 100 hours of CCTV have been reviewed, 200 hours of searches on the river and the surrounding banks, mounted police searches from Bristol city centre to Flax Bourton, 40 land searches, and 16 drone deployments. The force said it has received almost 100 calls from the public with possible sightings, and eight media appeals have been issued. Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said: 'Our staff and officers remain committed to doing everything we can to find Jack and we do not underestimate what a distressing time this has been, and continues to be, for his family. 'When I look at missing persons investigations [in Avon and Somerset] over the last year, we've had around 5 and a half thousand. 'Missing people are somebody's loved ones, they're somebody's family, and we don't close the door on that.' The force renewed its appeal for witnesses and said they will update Jack's family when their handling of the complaint is finalised. MailOnline has contacted the force for further comment. Idris Elba said he wants to make sure his 10-year-old son never experiences knife crime today as he attended a summit with Keir Starmer. The Hollywood star spoke passionately about his campaigning on the issue as he joined bereaved relatives in Downing Street. The gathering was organised to launch a coalition aiming to stop young people from being dragged into violent gangs. Technology companies, sporting organisations, the health service, and the police are also involved. Sir Keir said he wants to make it harder to buy dangerous weapons online as he pledged to 'double down' on efforts to tackle knife crime. 'Far too many knives are too easily available, whether that's online, whether that's through the post,' he said. idris Elba, Yemi Hughes - whose 19-year-old son Andre Aderemi was murdered in 2016 - Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper during a knife crime summit in No10 today Elba, star of series such as Luther and Marvel's Avengers films, told the meeting: 'Talk is good, but action is important.' Pictured left, Tanisha Dadar, the cousin of Ronan Kanda who was killed in 2022 Hollywood star Idris Elba has joined bereaved relatives and campaigners at a No10 summit on knife crime Phil and Emma Dix, the parents of Joe Dix who was killed in Norwich in January 2022, arriving to attend the summit Lynne Baird (left) and Rae-Anne Preece from the Daniel Baird Foundation - established in memory of Daniel Baird, 26, who was fatally stabbed in Birmingham in July 2017 - carry a 'bleed kit' as they arrive for the meeting in No10 Baroness Doreen Lawrence, the mother of Stephen Lawrence who was stabbed to death in London in 1993, arrives for the summit There are examples of knives 'bought online being posted through without any markings, and then people picking them up without any identification, and then those knives being used'. It is 'just too shocking that needs to be dealt with'. Sir Keir said: 'Before the election, I made commitments to people around this table and others in relation to a determination to deal with knife crime. And it is a determination.' The premier said ministers 'need to deal with the sanctions for those that are found with knives'. However, he stressed the importance of 'reaching into the lives of young people who may be going off the tracks and trying to bring them back before they do so'. Sir Keir acknowledged 'there is no quick fix' to the problems and urged the campaigners and experts around the table in No 10 to be 'brutally frank' with their views. Elba, star of series such as Luther and Marvel's Avengers films, told the meeting: 'Talk is good, but action is important.' He said it was important there was a coalition of interests involved in the summit. 'We needed joined-up thinking, we needed so many different perspectives: parents' perspectives, youth workers' perspectives, charity organisations, governance, policing. 'We need all of these perspectives to sit around the table when you think about this. 'We aren't going to end knife crime. We can't, that's not realistic. 'But we can tackle the attributes towards it. At the centre of it is obviously young people my son's 10, and I'm hoping the work that we do annually, keep pushing, (can) help him by the time he's 16. 'There are kids right now that are 16-24, they're in that cycle right now that we might not be able to help, but with our joined-up thinking we can help future generations.' The National Police Chiefs' Council lead for knife crime, Commander Stephen Clayman Sir Keir acknowledged 'there is no quick fix' to the problems and urged the campaigners and experts around the table in No 10 to be 'brutally frank' with their views Pooja Kanda, whose son Ronan was murdered in 2022 with a weapon bought online, told the summit she was 'horrified, absolutely horrified' by what was available to her son's killer. 'It was as easy as picking up a loaf of bread from a supermarket,' she said. Calling for action, she said: 'I'm not a policy expert in reducing crime. I'm a grieving mother. 'But I will do all I can to ensure that the failings that led to my son's murder are corrected.' She added: 'It blows my mind at how easy it is to purchase these weapons and have them delivered to your door with absolutely no checks or accountability held.' An 'ISIS-inspired' terror plot to kill Pope Francis with bows and arrows during his visit to Indonesia has been foiled by police. Seven suspects were arrested across September 2 and 3 following tip-offs from concerned citizens. Bow and arrows, a drone and ISIS leaflets were found during a raid of one of the alleged militant's houses. Some of those arrested had also pledged allegiance to ISIS, The Straits Times has reported. The suspects, who have been named only as HFP, LB, DF, FA, HS, ER and RS, were reportedly angered by the Pope visiting Jakarta's Istiqlal mosque, the largest in South-east Asia. Bow and arrows, a drone and ISIS leaflets were found during a raid of one of the alleged militant's houses Pope Francis waves his hand ahead of his departure from Jakarta to Papua New Guinea on September 6 Pope Francis is greeted by Cardinal Archbishop of Jakarta, Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo on September 6 There was also fury over the government's request for TV stations to broadcast the Pope's visit over the usual Islamic call to prayer. A spokesman for Indonesia's terror-crushing unit Detachment-88 said investigations are 'ongoing' and it is unclear if the detainees knew each other. 'We have a mechanism to monitor and filter. We had tip-off information from members of the public,' Colonel Aswin Siregar added. Pope Francis is currently on a 12-day tour of the Asia Pacific during which he will visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. He arrived in East Timor on Monday, where he will hold a huge mass expected to attract more than half the country's 1.3 million population. Catholic devotees in Asia's youngest nation have clamoured to see Francis - making pilgrimages from faraway towns and hours-long crossings of its border with Indonesia. Tens of thousands lined the streets of capital Dili, waving Vatican-coloured flags and umbrellas while screaming as the 87-year-old was driven through the streets flanked by security. Pope Francis waves his hand ahead of his departure from Jakarta to Papua New Guinea on September 6 Pope Francis is taken past a guard of honor ahead of his departure from Jakarta to Papua New Guinea at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Pope Francis waves his hand ahead of his departure from Jakarta to Papua New Guinea at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport He appeared in good spirits after landing from Papua New Guinea for the third stop of a gruelling 12-day Asia-Pacific tour, waving and smiling to a swarm of devotees trying to catch a glimpse of him. 'This will be a proud moment for me and my family, I think also for all the people of Timor-Leste,' said a waiting 42-year-old Nunsia Karmen Maya. The pontiff was gifted a traditional scarf after arriving to an honour guard and greetings by President Jose Ramos-Horta at Dili's airport, which has been closed to civilian flights for three days. He will address East Timor officials and diplomats later on Monday but the trip's highlight will be the colossal mass on Tuesday, which is expected to draw 700,000 worshippers. In Dili, a small seaside city sandwiched between mountains and the turquoise waters of the Ombai Strait, celebrations over the three-day visit were already in full swing. The city has had an expensive makeover before the visit and authorities have relocated poor street-dwellers, including vendors in areas where Francis will travel, prompting criticism on social media. Catholic faithful wait on a street to welcome Pope Francis in Dili on September 9 Devotees try to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis as he visits East Timor on September 9 Many have made pilgrimages from faraway towns to try and see Pope Francis in East Timor Catholic faithful wait on a street to welcome Pope Francis in Dili on September 9 Rights groups say some makeshift homes built by the poor were demolished in preparation for the mass. The government says they were erected illegally. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao swept the streets with locals to help clean up the city before the pontiff's arrival. A masters student has faced court accused of slashing her boyfriend with knives in a furious rage after finding out he had been sending messages to his ex. University of Technology Sydney postgraduate student Jacinta Angel Ferraro allegedly attacked her boyfriend with two kitchen knives at his western Sydney home in Parramatta shortly after 7pm on June 9. The alleged attack occurred after Ferraro went through his phone and uncovered texts between him and his ex-partner from a fortnight earlier, Supreme Court documents state. 'The defendant picked up two kitchen knives, a serrated bread knife with a 19cm blade and a paring knife with an 11cm blade,' police allege. 'The [man] put his hands up while the defendant was advancing towards him with a knife in either hand'. Police allege Ferraro raised the knives and slashed at her boyfriend, causing deep lacerations down to the bone of his arm and to his pinky finger. Ferraro then allegedly threw several items at her boyfriend and hurled a PlayStation 4 games console and an internet router over the balcony. The alleged victim was taken to hospital by friends, where he underwent surgery. Masters student Jacinta Angel Ferraro (pictured) allegedly attacked her boyfriend with two kitchen knives Hospital staff contacted police the next day, who searched the man's unit and found dried blood on the floor and bloodstained knives Ferraro was arrested in Woollahra in Sydney's east. She was charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging property. All three charges are domestic violence offences. Police allege Ferraro, who has not entered pleas, stated she inflicted the injuries on her boyfriend an act act of self-defence. However, she refused to elaborate further and wouldn't participate in a recorded interview. After being refused bail by police and a local court magistrate, it was granted by the Supreme Court last week, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The Crown's written submission opposed bail arguing it would be a 'serious and unacceptable risk of harm to the community and to the complainant'. Ferraro is also accused of throwing things at her boyfriend. She also allegedly hurled his PlayStation 4 games console and an internet router over a balcony 'The applicant appears to display a propensity toward violent and aggressive behaviour,' the Crown told the court. Ferraro's defence lawyer Kon Papanicolaou submitted that the boyfriend's injury was 'not severe, being a cut to the victim's right pinky finger which caused a deep laceration'. 'On instructions received from the applicant, she had locked herself in the bathroom and the victim attempted to gain entry,' Mr Papanicolaou wrote. 'This is to be corroborated by the bathroom door being punched and a hole in the bathroom door There is the prospect of self-defence being raised.' Mr Papanicolaou also said pre-existing mental health conditions might make a custodial sentence inappropriate and said the long delays currently bedeviling the legal system could make any time custody awaiting trial 'a heavy burden'. Ferraro has been diagnosed with complex ADHD, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Justice Hament Dhanji granted Ferraro bail but placed strict conditions. She must report daily to police, surrender her passport, obey a 6pm-9am curfew while living with her mother, abstain from drugs and alcohol and get a medical mental healthcare plan. Ferraro must also abide by the apprehended violence order in place preventing her from contacting the alleged victim. Jacinta Angel Ferraro was recently freed on bail and will reappear in court later this month Ferraro is yet to pleas to any of the charges and is scheduled to next face court on September 26. On her Instagram bio, Ferraro states she is studying a masters of social enterprise & not4profit. Her most recent post shows her attending a rave featuring electronic dance music duo Showtek on June 10 - hours after the alleged attack. She's also president of the student-run UTS Events Society and has been a DJ at several events under the name Angelic Delight. 'I've been detached from my emotions mentally and focused on the love for music only,' she wrote in a post earlier this year. He believes they have blocked his hotel operating because they are not native An Irish expat claims he has lost 1.5million after Spanish officials blocked his refurbished countryside hotel from reopening. Michael Walsh, 40, bought the iconic Malaga business to run alongside his wife and three children, who moved to the southern city four years ago. He had hoped to re-open the charming Finca La Mota, in Alhaurin El Grande, at the end of May. But just a week before they were set to reopen he was told it 'did not have a hotel licence', despite it being run as a hotel for three decades. 'They lied the whole way through, it's absolutely disgraceful. They've stopped me from opening my business and it's bankrupting us,' he said. 'It was just one excuse after another. I knew it would take years to fight in court,' he added, claiming the local bureaucracy had avoided giving official refusal and were targeting him 'because we are expats'. Former Cork hotel owner Michael (left) moved with his wife to Malaga four years ago They had planned to reopen the countryside retreat set amid mountainous parks in May But he was told it 'did not have a hotel licence', despite being run as a hotel for three decades The former Cork hotel owner told the Olive Press: 'They lied the whole way through, it's absolutely disgraceful. 'They've stopped me from opening my business and it's bankrupting us.' He claims he has 'lost the entire summer season', having to return over 300,000 (around 250,000) in cancelled bookings, including 16 weddings, worth 150,000 (125,000). He claims the renovation work alone came to 650,000 (550,000) and added he had to pay 25 employees for a week's work out of his own pocket. The successful rural hotel and restaurant had formerly been run by American and Dutch owners. 'I cannot understand what has gone wrong,' said the previous owner this week. 'It has always been a popular hotel regularly visited by local politicians to eat. We never had a problem. 'It really makes no sense.' Walsh claims the hotel licence was first granted by the official Andalucian tourist registry in Sevilla 32 years ago. Officials from Alhaurin town hall claim, however, the licence is no longer 'valid' due to a subsequent bylaw requiring hotel properties to measure at least 25,000m2. They ignored a clear caveat, claims Walsh, that overruled this law if a licence was granted before it was introduced. When Walsh pointed this out to officials, he claims they said there were also 'noise complaints' and warned they would impose a 'hefty fine' if he tried to open. As he tries to fight the council alongside his lawyer, he says he is losing at least 5,000 (4,200) every week to keep the property. The rural hotel and restaurant had formerly been run by American and Dutch owners Walsh claims the hotel licence was first granted by the tourist registry in Sevilla 32 years ago He said he has 'lost the entire summer season', having to return 300k+ in cancelled bookings 'They won't give us an official refusal and I can't figure out why the town hall doesn't want 25 extra jobs here. It is because we are expats,' he asked. He has so far had seven meetings with officials and is 'determined' to fight, even enlisting support from a European Council lawyer who has approached Spain's Minister for Tourism. 'I love Spain, I've never had any regrets about moving here. Everyone is so welcoming, friendly and we are completely integrated into the community, but this is so unfair,' he added. Alhaurin town hall failed to reply to numerous phone calls and emails. Neither the local police nor Guardia Civil would comment on alleged noise complaints. A man in his 50s has been charged with attempted murder after the stabbing of a police officer. Russel Smith, 53, was arrested after a British Transport Police officer was seriously assaulted while on duty at Preston Railway Station, a spokesperson revealed. The incident came as the Lancashire city hosted festivalgoers for Radio 2 in the Park last weekend. A statement said: 'At around 9.30pm on 7 September, a British Transport Police officer was on duty when he was seriously assaulted. 'Paramedics also attended and the officer was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with being stabbed. Thankfully his injuries are not believed to be life threatening or life changing.' Russel Smith, 53, has been charged with attempted murder after a British Transport Police officer was seriously assaulted at Preston Railway Station Pictures from Saturday night showed a discarded and bloodied police uniform inside the station The incident caused one entrance to the station to be closed as the Lancashire city hosted festivalgoers at Radio 2 in the Park for the weekend The statement added that Smith - of Shakespeare Road, Preston - has been charged with one count of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article. An earlier comment said a member of rail staff also suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident. The Fishergate entrance to Preston's station was closed and a nearby road was also closed to accommodate the increase in pedestrian traffic elsewhere as a result. Pictures from Saturday night showed a heightened police presence in the hours after the incident and a discarded police uniform in the station's foyer. Smith is due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court today. A man on trial in France for drugging his wife and inviting dozens of men to rape her over a decade told a criminal psychologist that his wife was to blame for his actions because she wouldn't go swinging with him. Dominique Pelicot, 71, was excused from sitting through today's hearing after his lawyer told the trial judge that he had suffered 'medical problems' over the past 48 hours for which he had not received 'adequate treatment'. But psychologist Annabelle Montagne told the court in Avignon this morning that she interviewed the retired electrician in December 2020 - a month and a half after he was taken into custody - where he admitted to carrying out the campaign of abuse of his wife Gisele. 'Pelicot said: ''My wife and I had a discussion about swinging but she didn't agree so I drugged her'',' the psychologist recounted. Madame Montagne said Pelicot maintained he loved his wife, but she added: 'He sees his partner as an object to satisfy his sexual and narcissistic needs. His wife is then a partial object and no longer an object of total love.' It comes as another prison psychologist this morning told the court that Pelicot had a 'split personality', lacked empathy and inherited the temper of his father, who was said to be a violent abuser. She also revealed Pelicot maintains the sickening abuse of his wife would have continued if he had not been arrested - and complained that his life had been ruined by the criminal charges brought against him. The disturbing revelations into Pelicot's mind were revealed before his two sons, David and Florian, took to the stand to give evidence against their father. Dominique Pelicot is accused of recruiting men online to assault his wife repeatedly over a 10 year period Gisele Pelicot, 72, arrives at court in Avignon, France David and Florian Pelicot enter the courtroom on the morning of Monday, September 9 The couple's only daughter Caroline Peyronnet told the court last week how her world fell apart when her mother called her to inform her of Mr Pelicot's crimes Psychologist Marianne Douteau this morning told the court how her client lamented his arrest, complaining that the case against him had ruined his life and that he and his wife could have continued in a happy marriage had his misdeeds not been discovered. '(Pelicot) complains that this criminal case against him has destroyed his life. 'He claims everything could have continued as before if he had been arrested. He said: 'Gisele would not have known anything, we would have continued to be happy'.' Madame Douteau subsequently told the court of several major events in Pelicot's upbringing, explaining that he revealed in a lengthy February 2021 interview with her that he was raped by a hospital nurse when he was aged just nine years old. Meanwhile, Pelicot's father Denis was said to be a vicious wife-beater who sent his son out to work from the age of 14 and took 80 per cent of his wages. His parents also took in a young girl, whom Denis is said to have abused. The psychologist concluded that Pelicot had inherited a personality like that of his father angry, stubborn and impulsive. She said: 'Dominique Pelicot comes from a troubled family in which young children were abused. '[Pelicot] has a two-sided personality; he is a patriarch but he is also irresponsible and manipulative. Behind closed doors he does not respect limits. 'He has a split personality between the person he wants to be and the person he is. 'He does not show any empathy - but he is not inauthentic [in his expressions of love for his wife],' she concluded. The psychologist also explained how Pelicot admitted he was very sexually demanding and routinely sought out sex on the internet. He told her: 'I went on the internet every day, I was constantly on sites offering wife-swaps.' The psychologist told how Madame Pelicot was cut off from her support network in Paris after the couple moved to the south of France in 2013 for their retirement, at which point Dominique Pelicot ramped up his heinous campaign of abuse until his eventual arrest in 2020. Courageous Gisele Pelicot has bravely waved her right to anonymity so that the world can hear the depth of depravity her husband of 50 years sank to in order to satisfy his twisted sexual desires The Pelicots' daughter Caroline gave evidence in a harrowing testimony last week Pelicot fell in love with Gisele, whom he considered 'a saint', when they were 18-year-olds and the pair married just two years later, setting up a home in the Paris region. They both recall having a happy marriage, although she had an affair with a work colleague some 14 years after tying the knot while he also engaged in extramarital adventures. Pelicot trained as an electrician and worked for French energy giant EDF, but in the early 2000s decided to retrain and start a new career as an entrepreneur in real estate. He divorced his wife in 2004 in what he described as a 'strategic move' to shield her from huge debts he built up in a failed business venture to become an estate agent, with the couple forced to borrow cash from various different sources. Despite their monetary issues, the couple remarried in 2007 to huge fanfare, with Gisele's stable income from her position as a manager in a Paris-based company meaning they were ultimately able to make ends meet. But the picture of an idyllic marriage painted by Dominique Pelicot was torn down by his brother along with his sons David and Florian, who described their dad as an angry liar who could not stand to be contradicted and flew off the handle when he was confronted with his failings. The case, heard in the town of Avignon in France's Provence, has appalled anyone who has listened to how former electrical engineer Dominique Pelicot abused his wife over a decade. Madame Pelicot, 72, last week faced down the 51 men including her husband who have been accused of raping her, all of whom were stuffed into the Vaucluse Criminal Court each day as proceedings continued. In a three-hour testimony last week, the grandmother-of-seven described the moment she learned from police officers how she was drugged unconscious and then raped by strangers as she laid motionless on the marital bed, while her husband watched on, recording the abuse on camera for his own personal pleasure. She told the court: 'I was subjected on the altar of vice. It's a dead woman on a bed. This isn't a bedroom, it's an operating theatre. They treat me like a garbage bag, a rag doll. These aren't sex scenes, these are rape scenes, it unbearable.' But the defense have announced they will be filing complaints after threats were made against their clients and their relatives, according to Le Parisien. Several lawyers of the defendants prosecuted within the trial will reportedly file their complaints later this week. 'Personal information about the accused, their identity, surname, first name, profession, address and sometimes photos taken in the courtroom itself were disseminated on social networks, in defiance of the most basic rules of our law, the foundation of our democracy,' lawyer Isabelle Crepin-Dehaene told the press on behalf of all her colleagues gathered behind her. 'The seriousness of these facts leads us, the defence lawyers, to have to refer criminal proceedings to the public prosecutor in order to prevent any new form of violence or even, which is to be feared, any attack on the physical integrity of the accused and their relatives. 'As of this week, around fifteen complaints will be filed by the various lawyers that we are, in the hands of the territorially competent public prosecutors, others will follow in the coming weeks,' she warned. In Madame Pelicot's evidence, the couple's only daughter Caroline Peyronnet told the court last week how her world fell apart when her mother called her to inform her of his crimes. Her agony was compounded when detectives discovered Mr Pelicot had also taken photographs of Caroline lying motionless on a bed in her mother's underwear. Madame Peyronnet, 45, described her father as 'one of the worst sexual predators of the last 20 years.' The trial has heard that Pelicot's perversion was only discovered after he was arrested for taking photos up women's skirts at a supermarket near the couple's home in the pretty village of Mazan, in the shadow of Mont Ventoux in September 2020. A police search of his computer discovered 20,000 homemade films and photographs of men he met on the internet raping his wife dating back to 2011. Detectives traced 50 of some 84 men that Pelicot had met on a now-defunct website and invited to his home to carry out the abuse. Madame Pelicot, 72, last week faced down the 51 men including her husband accused of her rape Madame Pelicot, 72, relived the trauma that she experienced when police investigator showed her graphic films of her being raped repeatedly by her husband Dominique and more than 80 strangers while she was unconscious Madame Pelicot is determined that the public knows that she played no part in her husband's warped sexual fantasies that he played out at their picturesque chalet home in the Provence village of Mazan (pictured) They discovered that Pelicot routinely put powerful sedatives in his wife's drink and food to render her unconscious for when her abusers arrived at the family home under cover of darkness. Pelicot urged the men to sneak into the modest country chalet and undress in the kitchen to leave no trace. Then, he turned on the camera and filmed as each man inflicted their terrible abuse on his wife, before meticulously filing and cataloguing the home moves under various skin-crawling titles. The men, all from the Provence area of the south of France, are aged between 26 and 73 and include a fireman, a nurse, a civil servant, a plumber, a soldier and a journalist. Detective traced 50 of these men and together with Pelicot, charged them all with rape. Some 16 of the accused, including Pelicot, have admitted the offence. But 35 maintain they are innocent, with one man telling police he believed Madame Pelicot had consented as her husband was present. Pelicot faces up to 20 years in jail. The other men face shorter sentences if found guilty. The trial is set to last until December. Brits have already signed up for Vladimir Putin's offer to escape the woke West and move to Russia for its traditional values, reports in the country claim. Already 17 people have been in touch with Russian diplomats in Britain seeking details of Putin's fast-track residence permits, Moscow has said. It comes after Putin changed immigration laws to tempt Westerners to embrace his dictatorship. The aim is to save them from 'destructive neoliberal ideological attitudes' in the West. Putin believes he is offering 'humanitarian aid' to people 'who share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values'. Americans Leo Lionel and Chantel Felice Haer have already moved to Russia along with their children, aged 16, 14, and 11 Putin has rewritten immigration laws in a new decree to tempt Westerners to embrace his dictatorship Canadian Arend Feinstra with his wife (pictured), left the Canadian province of Ontario and moved to Russia with their eight children to start farming there All 17 applied in the ten days after Putin's announcement via Russia's consulate-general in Edinburgh, according to the Kremlin-run Mash media outlet. There is as yet no separate figure for the Russian embassy in London. 'In the West, it seemed like they were just waiting for [Putin's] document to appear - in the first 10 days alone, 17 citizens of Foggy Albion [Britain] wanted to move to us,' reported Kremlin-loyal Tsargrad TV. 'Tired of the liberal agenda - that's how everyone who contacted the Russian diplomatic mission explained their decision.' Putin is waiving immigration quotas and the need for language exams for 'anti-wokers' seeking refuge in Russia. However, it is unclear if men accepted by Russia could later end up being pressured to fight in Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Russia paved the way for the new scheme by allowing entry to Americans Leo Lionel and Chantel Felice Haer along with their children, aged 16, 14, and 11. 'Personally I want to thank your President Putin for allowing Russia to become a good place for families in this world climate,' he said. 'We intend to use this opportunity to benefit our family. 'I feel like I've been put in an arch of safety. And it's very important. Thank you so much.' All 17 applied in the ten days after Putin's announcement via Russia's consulate-general in Edinburgh (pictured), according to the Kremlin-run Mash media outlet 'I just want to say that I feel very honoured,' said his wife. 'It feels like I just got married to Russia, and I look forward to building a future here with my family.' Major-General Irina Volk of the Russian Interior Ministry said: 'The desire to move to Russia for permanent residence arose against the background of the abolition of traditional moral and family values in American society, as well as the low level of education.' Another couple, Canadian Arend Feinstra with his wife, left the Canadian province of Ontario and moved to Russia with their eight children. 'We didn't feel safe with our children there and for the future,' he said. 'There's a lot of left-wing ideology, LGBTQ, trans, just a lot of things that we don't agree with they teach there now. 'We wanted to get away from that for our children. 'But also, for economic reasons, the farming has better opportunities. We felt that Russia was best.' Pro-Putin MP Maria Butina told Russians there was a 'liberal dictatorship' in the West. 'It is important to emphasise that the peoples of these countries are not our enemies, but their governments, who have gone mad, are insane, and are imposing such policies,' she said. Pictured: Major General Irina Volk, spokesperson of the Russian Interior Ministry 'It gets to the point - for example, in Germany.that if your child comes to school and says that he does not support all these same-sex unions, then he is taken away and sent for re-education'. She said many Westerners 'would like to connect their future with Russia precisely because we have the opportunity for freedom and a traditional way of life. 'And these are not necessarily farmers, many of them are representatives of academic circles, teachers, doctors, teachers. 'These are qualified personnel who decide to sell everything, come to Russia precisely because they have a sufficient level of intellectual development, education and spiritual development to understand that if you stay in your countries, you can lose your children, lose your family'. Butina, 35, was previously jailed in the US on the espionage charge of 'conspiring to work for a foreign government'. Now an MP for the pro-Putin United Russia party, she was arrested in the United States in July 2018 and sentenced to 18 months in prison. She pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to act as a foreign agent. Butina was convicted of seeking to infiltrate conservative groups in the US including the National Rifle Association. She was deported to Russia October 2019 after her sentence was slightly reduced for good behaviour. A 'rogue' children's doctor who performed alleged botched surgeries at Great Ormond Street Hospital before moving to Dubai to continue operating has been ditched as a speaker by a major conference, MailOnline can reveal. Former NHS surgeon Yaser Jabbar, 43, treated 721 children at Great Ormond Street Hospital, leaving some with serious injuries, different leg lengths and even requiring amputation. Jabbar stopped treating patients at the hospital in 2022 after concerns were raised about his work, before moving to the Middle East and claiming to be one of the most sought-after doctors in his field. MailOnline revealed yesterday he was living and working in Dubai - speaking about his 'expertise' at conferences and operating on children at the Clemenceau Medical Center and orthopaedic specialists Orthocure. But this morning Jabbar was removed from the website of a major conference he was due to speak at in Dubai this week, as well as disappearing from the hospitals' websites where he had been lauded as 'one of the best'. Yaser Jabbar, 43, is living in Dubai where he speaks about his 'expertise' at conferences and continues to operate on children at the Clemenceau Medical Center and at orthopaedic specialists Orthocure Jabbar treated 721 children while working at Great Ormond Street Hospital, a report has revealed The conference organisers have removed Jabbar from its programme, replacing him with 'TBC' The MENA International Orthopaedics Congress had previously announced Jabbar as a speaker in July, saying: 'Join us to gain knowledge from his wealth of experience!' Today the announcement has been deleted from social media and Jabbar's name removed from the conference brochure, with the session he was due to lead marked 'TBC' instead. Both hospitals Jabbar was working at have also wiped him from their sites since MailOnline got in contact with them on Sunday. It is understood he had been continuing to operate on both adults and children at the Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC) and was also listed as a consultant at Orthocure, both in Dubai. CMC described Jabbar as 'internationally sought for both adult and paediatric trauma and reconstruction, and is considered a leading figure in the region.' It added Jabbar was 'recognised for his expertise and appointed as a consultant limb reconstruction surgeon at the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.' It made no mention of the reasons for his departure, but did publish a long list of operations he could perform for both adults and children. Orthocure also heaped praise on Jabbar, describing him as 'internationally sought after' with more than 20 years of clinical experience. It claimed he has a 'sizable international and embassy patient base'. Neither MENA, CMC or Orthocure responded to requests for comment. Jabbar's fall from grace began after colleagues and families began to raise concerns about the treatment provided by the surgeon in London. He is accused of carrying out an unknown number of unnecessary and harmful surgeries on children as young as four-months old. Jabbar had been announced as a speaker at this week's MENA conference - but the announcement has since been deleted and his name removed from the website The Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC)'s page on Jabbar listed various conditions he claimed to treat He stopped operating at the hospital in late 2022, before embarking on an 11-month sabbatical. Great Ormond Street has now launched an urgent review of all the youngsters treated by Jabbar in its orthopaedic department. Out of just 37 children treated by Jabbar at the hospital who have already been assessed, 22 of them have come to some degree of harm with 13 classed as severe harm, according to leaked documents from a review by the hospital. One child needed to have a leg amputated following a surgeries carried out by Jabbar and another is facing the threat of amputation. Some have been left with different length legs, in some cases by as much as 20cm, while other injuries include muscle damage and nerve injuries. A confidential report into his work found young patients were subjected to procedures that were not beneficial or justified. The hospital trust said the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) was asked to review its paediatric orthopaedic service following accusations about the surgeon. Of the 39 cases that have been reviewed so far, 15 patients have come to no harm, nine have suffered 'low to moderate harm' and 13 have come to 'severe harm' - that is likely to include lifelong injuries, the hospital said. All 721 patients or their families have been contacted as part of the review, which is expected to take 18 months to complete, Great Ormond Street said. In one case a child underwent an amputation which, according to the RCS review panel, could possibly have been avoided with a different route of treatment. Some children suffered leg length discrepancies following operations, which will require years of further treatment. Mr Jabbar, who no longer works at the London hospital, has not had a licence to practise medicine in the UK since January 8, according to the General Medical Council's website. Earlier this year, Great Ormond Street Hospital wrote to the families of all children treated by Mr Jabbar, and apologised for any 'worry and uncertainty' the letters about the care provided by him may have caused. It could now face multiple claims for compensation. Great Ormond Street has launched an urgent review of all the youngsters treated by former surgeon Yaser Jabbar, 43, (pictured) in its orthopaedic department But Jabbar was able to simply leave the UK and continue his career in the UAE, seemingly without interruption. In May, he spoke at another conference in Dubai where he discussed the role of AI in healthcare. Posting on social media, Jabbar said at the time: 'Healthcare is in crisis almost universally and presents unique challenges for the personnel journey. 'Hopefully, by sharing the experiences of myself and others we can have a small but profound impact, starting in a region that still has so much to offer. 'Let's not repeat the mistakes of others, but learn and forge a new way'. While Jabbar has moved away from UK jurisdiction, parents of his patients at Great Ormond Street have said they are 'very upset' with the treatment that their children received under Jabbar's care. One father of a six-year-old boy said his child suffered 'terrible pain' after undergoing a lower limb reconstruction in July 2021. This procedure involved surgically breaking the bone, then inserting metal rings, known as Ilizarov frames, and tension wires to hold the leg in place. He said that he raised concerns when a different frame was used during the operation. 'After a couple of days the frame became loose and my child was in a lot of pain. You could feel the bone in his leg, which felt out of position, like it wasn't lined up and was protruding the wrong way,' the father told The Times. 'We tried to raise our concerns repeatedly through the official complaints procedure, and I copied the clinical director into many emails, but heard nothing back', he added. Pictured: A male leg with an Ilizarov's external fixator on it - many of the concerns over Jabbar's surgery came from this type of procedure The front entrance of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children where Yaser Jabbar worked as an consultant orthopaedic surgeon The father said the initial investigation that was carried out left him feeling as if everything was being 'brushed under the carpet' which was 'very upsetting'. He said his child was in 'terrible pain' and was forced to undergo more surgeries to correct 'errors' made in the initial operation. A review of the youngster's case found Jabbar's surgery was 'incorrect and unsuitable' for the patient. An investigation by the hospital comes following a confidential investigation by the Royal College of Surgeons who produced a damning report on Jabbar's practices earlier this year. It said he had shown 'unacceptable and unprofessional behaviour', which included being aggressive towards colleagues. During his UK career Jabbar worked across several different hospitals and also travelled abroad to perform operations. Social media posts show he also participated in teaching exercises at universities including Imperial. It is understood the concerns relate to lower limb reconstruction, which included limb-lengthening operations involving a clinical device called a Ilizarov frame. The metal apparatus, invented by Soviet physician Dr. Gavriil Abramovich Ilizarov, is composed of stainless steel rings which are fixed to the bone with wires and pins and is gradually stretched to lengthen the bones. The functions of the apparatus were derived from the mechanics of a shaft bow on a horse's harness. Jabbar left Great Ormond Street last September after an 11-month sabbatical that he took after concerns were raised about his practices. Jabbar left Great Ormond Street last September after an 11-month sabbatical that he took after concerns were raised about his practices A spokesperson for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children said: 'We are committed to learning from every single patient that we treat, and to being open and transparent with our families when care falls below the high standards we strive for. 'Following concerns raised by our staff and families, we asked the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) to review our paediatric orthopaedic service. We accept the findings in full and are taking steps to act on all its recommendations. 'As part of the review, the RCS raised concerns around the practice of a surgeon who no longer works at the Trust, and other practice within the service. We are taking these concerns incredibly seriously. 'We have contacted all patients of the surgeon and a group of independent experts from other paediatric hospitals are reviewing the care of all the patients of this surgeon. We are incredibly sorry for the worry and uncertainty this review may cause them. 'There are a number of clear routes for staff to raise concerns the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian service, the Patient Safety team, any member of the Executive team and a Non-Executive Director with responsibility for Freedom to Speak Up. 'Despite thorough investigations, we can find no records of concerns being raised by any of these routes prior to June 2022. 'Staff made senior management aware of concerns in June 2022 and a fact-finding investigation started shortly after, with follow up actions and reviews to address immediate issues, leading us to contact the RCS within 18 working days from the point senior management were made aware to discuss commissioning an external review. 'Following the return of the reports from the RCS, our Orthopaedic Service Review Improvement Programme has since April 2024 been overseeing work to review the patients of the surgeon and wider service improvement work. We apologise to patients and families who have been impacted. 'Reviews into services or individuals are an important part of our work to ensure the quality and safety of our services. We will ensure that the all the findings of this review are addressed at pace, and we will reflect on any wider learnings around our culture. 'We have contacted all patients and families who have been impacted and where harm has been identified, discussed their cases with them under our duty of candour. To all of them, we wish to convey our sincere apologies.' Dr Jabbar, MENA, the CMC and Orthocure have been contacted for comment. Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com Police investigating whether they had been left home alone Girl, 5, in coma among three kids fighting for their lives The dad of one of the three children rescued from a burning home has recalled the harrowing late night call he received as they continue to fight for life in hospital. Two girls, aged five and one, and a three-year-old boy were pulled unconscious from the rear of a property in Sydenham in Melbourne's north-west after neighbours raised the alarm on Sunday night. Firefighters rescued the children one-by-one before all three were rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital. Police are now investigating whether they had been left home alone. Jayde Petalas, who is father to three-year-old Kalais, dashed to the hospital after getting a call from police. Kalais and his one-year-old sister are in critical conditions after suffering severe smoke inhalation, while five-year-old Izabelle is also fighting for life in a coma. 'It was hard to see, they were cold, alone,' Mr Petalas told Nine News. 'They would have been petrified. I hope they didn't feel anything to be honest. 'Obviously they would have, I just tell myself they didn't. It shouldn't have happened. They're the best little kids - so innocent.' Father Jayde Petalas (pictured with one of the children) said it had been confronting to see the three young children in hospital There are grave fears that Mr Petalas' five-year-old stepdaughter Izabelle may not survive. Police are still trying to establish what sparked the fire and whether the children were home alone at the time. The kids and their mother Shania Lee moved into the property a week ago. Mr Petalas does not live at the home. The children were trapped inside for about half an hour, according to neighbours. 'When I first came out a few of us heard screaming,' an unnamed resident recalled. Adolf Kolaritsch added: 'Just explosions, that's all it was and then fire shooting out into the air. Another said it was heartbreaking to hear that the children were 'fighting for their lives'. A loud bang heard before the flames engulfed the home, followed by a series of further explosions, sparked concerns fireworks may have played a role in triggering the blaze. However, Victoria Police Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Acting Inspector Adam Henry said they had so far found no evidence of that. He also stressed that was also too early to say if the fire was suspicious. Mr Petalas is pictured with two of the children Izabelle and Kalais, who were pulled unconscious from a Melbourne house fire All three of the children were found unconscious from smoke inhalation in an area towards the front of the home, he said. 'This is an incredibly tragic incident, and one that certainly would have been very confronting for the first responders,' Inspector Henry said. The blaze is believed to have started at the rear of the home, which was gutted by the fire. 'At the time (fire crews) were unaware that anyone was inside the property and it is our understanding that the family had only moved in a week earlier,' Inspector Henry said. Det Insp Henry said police will speak to Ms Lee 'in due course' but 'at this time she is with her children and it's where she needs to be' 'It is important that we don't pre-empt any possible outcomes or make any assumption,' he said. Neighbours said they heard explosions before and during the fire that raged for half an hour while the children were inside Police have brought in arson and explosives experts to investigated what started the blaze Forensic police were seen combing through debris outside the home after they joined fire investigators and Victoria Police's Arson Squad at the scene Forensic police were seen combing through debris outside the home after they joined fire investigators and Victoria Police's arson squad at the scene on Monday. Detectives also canvassed the area in search of CCTV they believe might help determine where the children's guardians were at the time of the blaze. Neighbours claimed a car had been parked under the home's carport before the fire, but was not there when the home burst into flames. It's understood police are working to establish if anyone in the home had left around the time the blaze erupted. The crime scene remains taped off as police continue to probe inside the house for clues. A dog was carried out of the backyard by a firefighter on Monday morning. It appeared uninjured and is believed to have fled the fire and returned home later. A dog was carried out of the backyard by a firefighter about 9.30am on Monday. It appeared uninjured and is believed to have fled the fire and returned home later Detectives are also canvassing the area in search of CCTV they believe might help determine where the children's guardians were at the time of the blaze Police have urged anyone with information to come forward. Fire Rescue Victoria said they found smoke and flames billowing from the brick home's roof. 'Firefighters arrived on scene within six minutes to find a single storey brick dwelling fully involved,' an FRV spokesman said in a statement. 'Crews wore breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze and conduct an internal search of the property.' Fire Rescue Victoria said the properties either side of the house were not affected but would be checked for smoke damage. Power and gas companies were requested to attend the site. This is the disgusting moment a tourist was caught on CCTV allegedly dropping a cockroach into her dish and then avoided paying the bill for her meal in a restaurant. The woman could be seen in footage sitting at the head of a table in the Puerto Chale Restaurant in Guadalajara, Mexico, before making her sneaky move. The table is packed full of food and the female diner picks away at her food while chatting with three other people at the table. After a few moments, the woman can be seen looking around before sliding her hand under the table and pulling out what appears to be a small container. She gives her hand a quick shake over her plate before returning to her meal and conversation as if nothing had happened as what is said to be a dead cockroach falls onto the dish. The female tourist was spotted at the Puerto Chale Restaurant in Guadalajara, Mexico, dropping what is said be a dead cockroach into her food After her alleged sneaky move was made, she raised her hands to her face to seem shocked and disgusted at the insect in her food She was seen smiling at her party after a waitress came to take the food back to the kitchen The woman asks a man sitting beside her to pass her a fork and she continues to eat without making a scene. After poking her fork around the plate of food for a moment, she notices something in her meal and raises her hand to her mouth in a show of shock and disgust. A waitress dashes over while the woman points out the insect in her food. She can be seen gagging and making vomiting gestures as the oblivious waitress grabs the dish off the table and returns it to the kitchen. The woman then wipes her mouth with a tissue and she engages in conversation with the table once again. The man next to her smirks and moments later, the man looks up and makes direct eye contact with the CCTV camera lens She turns her head and also looks up to the camera before continuing her conversation and ultimately lodged a complaint at the till. The complaint led to them being let off the bill, according to the owner of the Mexican restaurant. They explained that the woman threatened to cause a scandal if they charged her for the food. She seems to realize there was a CCTV camera above her head The woman continued eating before lodging a complaint and receiving a refund As soon as the group left the premises, the manager reviewed the CCTV images and claimed that the family allegedly staged a premeditated scam. They shared the video of the 'unfortunate incident' on their TikTok page where it went viral with 3.3million views and thousands of comments. One local said: 'What a terrible family, what disgusting people.' Another commented: 'If the restaurant let them leave without paying, it's their fault because they should have checked the footage immediately.' Some locals have even given the woman the nickname 'Roach Lady'. It is unclear if the restaurant owner has filed a complaint against the family. The daughter of Scottish aid worker David Haines, who was beheaded by Isis terrorists, is planning a mission to Syria to bring back his remains. As the 10th anniversary of his murder approaches, Bethany Haines has revealed that she will never admit defeat in the battle to return David to Scotland. She told the Daily Record: 'The drive to find my dad will never stop as long as I live.' Her quest is based on detailed witness testimonies and collaborations with other victims' families. These have led her to identify sites in the Syrian desert which she is prepared to personally excavate. Bethany, 27, also revealed she is planning a memorial next month in David's home city of Perth to mark the anniversary and celebrate his life. The mother-of-one's stance is different to David's brother Michael, who told at the weekend how he has accepted that the remains of the humanitarian worker may never be brought home. Bethany Haines, 27, pictured, has vowed to locaste the body of her slain father David Haines, who was murdered by Isis in 2014 David Haines, pictured in 2012, was murdered by the notorious terror group while he was working in Syria for a French aid Bethany, who was just 17 when her dad's gruesome death was beamed to the world in a sick Isis video, says that watching the video was the worst moment of her life. But she believes it is powering her resolve to fulfil a debt she believes she owes to her father. She said: 'We are getting closer, and we are getting more and more information and there are very promising leads we can follow. 'It is being checked and verified and we are confident in a couple of places, so it is just about kind of being able to do boots-on-the-ground stuff. The aim now is to arrange support in Syria for actual physical searching, with spade and shovel if need be, and with the right people to help identify remains, in terms of DNA etcetera.' The political landscape has been thrown into chaos by the Israeli-Hamas conflict. Bethany said: 'The situation in Gaza has made travel impossible but I'm speaking to people who I believe can make things happen with the logistics of going into Syria and providing security for the people that are involved in it. It is something that will be done, I hope, in the near future.' She added: 'We are confident in the information we've been given by a number of sources. It's not just kind of one person saying, 'Oh, by the way, X marks the spot.' It's been multiple sources this has come from, and we are confident that they are in a certain area. 'I'm looking at maps, at Google Earth, looking at specific areas that have been detailed via sources, and homing in to see any change in the way that things look. I'm looking for any disturbance in the earth in a specific area, which could imply a possible mass grave.' A month after the film had been posted online, Bethany forced herself to watch the video of her father's execution on September 13, 2014. He was working for a French aid agency when he was abducted by Isis. She believes it has given her strength and determination she would not otherwise possess. She said: 'It was the worst moment my life. I don't think being told about my dad's death was as bad as actually seeing it, because you finally have to accept that there is no coming back.' Bethany feels unable to forgive the monsters who tortured her dad and the other innocent hostages including fellow Briton Alan Henning and US aid workers Kayla Mueller, James Foley, Steven Sotloff and Peter Kassig. She met British-born Alexanda Kotey, one of four British Isis militants dubbed 'The Beatles', at the time of his trial in Virginia in 2022. He told her that her dad's last words to his killer Mohammed Emwazi, dubbed 'Jihadi John', were 'make it quick'. Bravely, David had accepted the inevitability of his own death. But she rejects any notion Kotey may feel regret for her dad's murder. Bethany said: 'It takes a certain kind of person to be able to forgive and I'm not that person. I feel entitled to bear this grudge. They've not asked for forgiveness. Until they ask for it, it's not ever going to be something that I'd be willing to consider.' She feels bitter about efforts to distort the truth on the location of mass graves by Kotey - dubbed 'George' by the captives - and El Shafee Elsheikh, known as 'Ringo'. She said: 'They are in jail, they have given their stories, which seem to change every time they're asked, that's not helpful. They could come out and say where my dad is but they don't. It's more of a power thing, being able to hold on to bargaining chips that might see them getting over to the UK to serve their sentences here.' El Shafee el-Sheikh, left, and Alexanda Kotey, right, were both members of Isis. The British terrorists were part of a terror cell which was dubbed 'The Beatles' David Haines, pictured, had been held hostage by Isis for more than 18 months before he was murdered by the terror group in September 2014 Bethany said her priority in life now is her nine-year-old son Aiden, who looks like his grandad. She said: 'Aiden knows that his grandad David was a man doing very good things, killed by bad men while he was helping people. He knows the reason I had to go to America to the Kotey trial to make sure that he went to jail.' Partly in pursuit of her quest to find her dad, Bethany will travel to France next year to observe a trial of six Isis guards who had a part in his death. She said: 'I expect to submit a victim impact report, as I did in Virginia, but I wish to hear for myself every detail of French suspects' testimony.' Bethany said a number of French people are alleged to have been holding her dad and other hostages, such as John Cantlie as well as Jim Foley and Stephen Sotloff, prior to their murders. She said: 'They are believed to have been the daily guards. 'The Beatles' would kind of come once a week, then 'The Beatles' took over. 'But a few still remained, providing food for them and whatnot, doing interrogations. They may have been involved in burying bodies.' A memorial was held in Perth after David's death but Bethany believes the 10th anniversary - on a date to be arranged next month - will provide a fitting moment to reflect. She said: 'Marking the anniversary is really important to me because I still want people to remember not the orange jumpsuit, not 'Jihadi John' who killed dad, not Isis, not the beheadings of dad and other hostages. I want them to remember him for the man he was, which is kind of why I planned this memorial service. 'I want to erase that image of dad as a skinny prisoner of war-looking guy about to be beheaded by 'Jihadi John'.' Bethany hopes the service can be in Perth Congregational Church, which her dad was heavily involved in as an elder and a scout leader. She added: 'The first memorial we did, which was quite soon after my dad's death, I was 17 and I wasn't really a part of it. And my mum and I weren't in a space to be doing that so it was all kind of a blur, and I feel like this time I want to do it my way.' David's older brother Mike dealt with his grief by founding a charity to combat extremism and speaking to schools about tolerance and forgiveness. He told the Daily Record how he has found closure over the murder of his inspirational and much-loved brother - despite accepting that the family may never find his remains. He said: 'I don't need David's body to find closure. 'I accept that his remains lie somewhere in the Syrian desert. I understand that many people would find it hard to move on, knowing that their loved one could lie in a mass grave, discarded and badly treated, because it's inhuman, an affront. 'But in finding forgiveness for Isis I realised I had to accept many things that I can't change. I don't need David's remains. I don't need a place to go to remember him, because he walks with me every day, everywhere. 'It is part of the process for me, that allows me to break free of the hold Isis had over me while I felt hatred for them.' The Scottish Conservatives are on the verge of falling apart amid a 'toxic' leadership campaign, a senior party grandee warned today. Former leader Jackson Carlaw told supporters of three candidates vying to replace Douglas Ross to 'wind your necks in' amid an increasingly acrimonious campaign. Tensions have reached a new level in recent days, with contender and former deputy leader Meghan Gallacher making a complaint to the party about one of its own MPs. The complaint is understood to revolve around an accusation that Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont threatened her career - which he denies. Mr Carlaw told the Daily Telegraph there was 'genuine concern' that the party would be able to unite behind the winner of the leadership vote before the next Holyrood election in less than two years' time. 'One of them will be elected leader. But the atmosphere is now becoming so toxic that I am appealing to people as a former leader, and as the oldest Conservative MSP, as someone who has not declared for any of the candidates, who is not tribally aligned, for people to wind their necks in now and allow the balance of this election to be conducted without further rancour and to be prepared to work together on the other side of it,' he said. Former leader Jackson Carlaw told supporters of three candidates vying to replace Douglas Ross to 'wind your necks in' amid an increasingly acrimonious campaign. Tensions have reached a new level in recent days, with contender and former deputy leader Meghan Gallacher (left) making a complaint to the party about one of its own MPs. The complaint is understood to revolve around an accusation that Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont (right) threatened her career - which he denies. 'That is not going to be the basis on which we can all pull together in a relatively short period of time to fight a major election where we're the only party who are actually saying anything distinct or different, and where there has to be a proper alternative put to the people of Scotland.' The former leader said it is 'absolutely incumbent' on members to 'stop this now'. The leadership is being contested by Ms Gallacher, Murdo Fraser and Russell Findlay, after Douglas Ross announced he was stepping down before the general election. Ms Gallacher claims to have experienced sexism while pushing for votes from members in the contest. She also claimed that a senior member of the party - who she did not name - had been briefing against her and suggested to members she was going to drop out. The leadership is being contested by Ms Gallacher, Murdo Fraser (right) and Russell Findlay (left), after Douglas Ross announced he was stepping down before the general election. She then subsequently made a complaint to the party that Mr Lamont, who heads the board in charge of candidate vetting, left her feeling that he threatened her about her career prospects after receiving a call in which he warned her their relationship had been damaged and was likely beyond repair. Mr Lamont - who has announced his support for Russell Findlay in the contest - strongly denied the allegations, which he described as 'defamatory and false' and added: 'I am now considering further action including legal options.' In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday, Mr Fraser described Mr Carlaw's intervention as 'wise words'. 'The sexism, misogynistic bullying, threats of legal action and constant blue-on-blue attacks we have seen must end,' he said. 'Our members and supporters are rightly angered by this behaviour. This needs to be a contest of ideas and vision.' In an interview with the Herald on Sunday, Ms Gallacher said there is a culture of sexism in politics which is not unique to her party, and claimed she has experienced comments about balancing the role with childcare in a way the other candidates had not. Douglass Ross, who is stepping down, lost his Westminster seat at the election She said: 'What has been striking - and I know that my male colleagues have not been getting this - I'm constantly being asked ''how are you going to balance childcare, how are you going to manage having a young daughter and also having the top job?'' 'But if we don't prove that someone else can do it, we're just going to have that same old narrative that women can't get that top job. I think there is still that sort of culture instilled in people. 'I don't think everyone necessarily means it, but there are definitely quiet (sexist) undertones. I don't think they understand the impact that can have on the individual.' At the weekend, Mr Lamont instructed his lawyers to write to Ms Gallacher demanding that she withdraw the claims about their telephone conversation. He is understood to be adamant he has not been involved in phoning members as part of Mr Findlay's campaign and insists she can provide no evidence because it didn't happen. He also insists he did not threaten her career and had instead said their relationship had been damaged by false claims and they would need to work together after the contest. It is understood that another MP heard Mr Lamont's call - while Ms Gallacher said the call was heard by her husband. Mr Lamont said: 'These claims are defamatory and false. I am now considering further action including legal options.' The Mail yesterday contacted Ms Gallacher's campaign team to ask if she had received the letter from Mr Lamont and if she would be withdrawing her claims but did not receive a response. After details of Ms Gallacher's complaint were first reported, Mr Fraser called for an investigation. He said: 'This is a deeply disturbing report. These claims by my friend and fellow candidate Meghan Gallacher need to be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken. I have contacted Meghan to offer my support at what must be a very difficult time.' A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: 'The party has received a complaint and this will be investigated in the usual way.' MBABANE NACA Chairperson Sipho Big Fish Makhabane has announced that nominations for the Eswatini National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) will be closing tomorrow. This was announced by the Chairman through a press statement where he encouraged latecomers to submit entries, while also highlighting that the number of entries received has doubled in recent days, indicating a surge of interest as the call for entries comes to a close. With only a few hours left before the deadline, l would encourage latecomers to submit their entries before the deadline passes. We appreciate the support of all our artists and hope to see more of you at the regional awards, he said.Makhabane further applauded artists and organisations who have supported them so far. Together we can continue to celebrate and recognise the immense talent in our country. Arts As we look forward to the regional awards, we ask for your continued support and encouragement as we work to showcase the best of Eswatinis arts and culture, Makhabane said. Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stanley Dlamini expressed his excitement at the variety of genres represented in the entries, citing that it is wonderful. It is wonderful to see such a rich and diverse spread of talent across Eswatini. The impact of our activations has been tremendous, allowing us to identify and develop talent from every corner of the country, he said. Gift Masilela from the Eswatini Country Music Association said they are excited about the awards especially that Country music is being recognised in the country. I am very happy about the recent addition of Country music in these awards as the Country music has been overlooked for the longest time. This means that our artists will be motivated and they will now see that Country music exists in Eswatini, he said. Dynamic The NACA Awards promises to be bigger and better as they recently got sponsorship from Mollis Group which amounts to E20 000. This means E70 000 has now been injected into the awards as Dot Media recently announced their sponsorship amounting to E50 000. Mollis Group is a dynamic, mission-driven company that specialises in marketing South African-made products on the global stage. Resources Lebo Radebe, Chairman of Mollis Group Africa, shared that they are honoured to have partnered with NACA Awards and support local talent. Our mission is to showcase the incredible talent and resources that our nation harbours, contributing to its economic prosperity. Were honoured to partner with the NACAs and support the incredible talent within Eswatini. We hope this donation inspires other sponsors to get on board and show their support for the Arts and Culture industry, Radebe said. There's one issue turning a die-hard Democrat against President Joe Biden as a leader and Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Dawn Allen said her enthusiasm about Joe Biden during the last election cycle 'was probably greater than any other president that's ever run.' But that was before her son Benjamin died from a fentanyl overdose last year at just 22 years old. She has grown frustrated with what she sees as Biden's blase approach to the opioid crisis. So much so that she now says she won't vote for a Democrat. She has gone from a loyal Democrat door knocker to someone who is much more in line with former President Donald Trump, the candidate who talks much more about fentanyl. Trump has frequently criticized the Biden administration - including Harris who served as its 'border czar' - over record-breaking illegal immigration which he argues is fueling crime and the fentanyl crisis. 'It feels like a really bad breakup,' the 47-year-old mother of three other children told NBC from her home in a Chicago suburb. 'I'm really, really hurt.' Dawn Allen is pictured with her son Benjamin. He died last year at age 22 from a fentanyl overdose Allen has gone from a loyal Democrat door knocker to someone who is much more in line with former President Donald Trump, the candidate who talks much more about fentanyl Allen is part of a group of families who've lost relatives to opioids that are pushing government officials to do more to address an epidemic that killed more than 81,000 people last year alone. Many people in that group say Trump talking tough on stemming the flow of drugs into the US resonates with them. That's despite the fact that during Trump's four years as president, opioid deaths increased by 47 percent, according to CDC data. In 2017, 47,600 people died from opioid overdoses, and in 2020, Trump's last full year in office, more than 70,000 died. Fentanyl deaths increased even more during Trump's term. Andrea Thomas, who lost a daughter in 2018 and has become a leader in the movement, told NBC that the fentanyl awareness crowd 'leans to the right - no question.' 'Our US government is almost complicit, and now there is such an unlimited supply of this poison here it's indicative of stockpiling,' she said. The GOP convention in July by contrast featured a mother whose 15-year-old son died of an accidental fentanyl overdose. Anne Funder, pictured, gave a tear-jerking speech memorializing her son Weston By contrast, the Democratic National Convention never had a prime-time speaker even mention the opioid crisis, let alone fentanyl specifically Republicans are seizing on the energy present with this movement - which put signs raising awareness about the fentanyl crisis outside the Democratic National Convention last month - and have decided to make this a cornerstone issue of the campaign. The DNC never had a prime-time speaker even mention the opioid crisis, let alone fentanyl specifically. The GOP convention in July by contrast featured a mother whose 15-year-old son died of an accidental fentanyl overdose. Anne Funder blamed her son Weston's death on Democrats. 'I hold Joe Biden, Kamala Harris - the border czar, what a joke - Gavin Newsom and every Democrat who supports open borders responsible for the death of my son,' she told the crowd at the RNC. Trump himself frequently talks about fentanyl, while Harris has largely stayed quiet on the issue. Pictured: A billboard in Chicago that was up during the DNC to pressure Democrats into taking the issue seriously Trump has called for expanding the death penalty to drug dealers, using the army to target Mexican cartels and dramatically cutting down on border crossing to stop drug smuggling 'We'll bust up and dismantle the gangs, savage criminal networks, and bloodthirsty cartels. And we will stop the fentanyl,' Trump said during a recent campaign appearance in Michigan. Trump has also called for expanding the death penalty to drug dealers, using the army to target Mexican cartels and dramatically cutting down on border crossing to stop drug smuggling. Experts have tried to put a damper on Trump's proposed fixes to the problem, with some of them saying most fentanyl is smuggled in by Americans, through lawful points of entry. A DEA report from 2020, while Trump was still president, said China was 'the primary source' of fentanyl and related substances, not Mexico. Nonetheless, fentanyl activists say Trump is at least drawing attention to the issue, whereas Biden isn't. Allen, who lost her son Benjamin last year, has his picture up on the wall Allen said she and other parents don't feel seen or heard by the Biden Administration 'We don't feel seen, we don't feel heard,' Allen said. 'I'm surprised that somebody hasn't realized or figured out that this is a huge population of people, that if we believe that you were going to respond to this and do something about it, you could very easily earn our favor.' The Biden Administration has countered by saying they've met with hundreds of opioid-affected families, made historic investments in treatment and seized record amounts of fentanyl at the border. But there's no getting around the fact that Biden oversaw a giant increase in fentanyl deaths. In 2021, during Biden's first year of office - when many Americans were locked down at home during the pandemic - fentanyl deaths rose by 23 percent to more than 70,000. In 2019, Trump was able to convince China - long the biggest source of fentanyl smuggling through international mail - to regulate production of the drug. But Mexican cartels adapted and began importing the ingredients from China to make fentanyl pills from scratch. Fentanyl is often included as a filler for illegal drugs like ecstasy and cocaine. It is commonly pressed into pills Experts say the increase in fentanyl deaths since then are a direct result of this, since the incredibly powerful substance is laced into nearly all illegal drugs and counterfeit pills. This means that if a person thinks they're buying cocaine, methamphetamine or Percocet, it's likely they could ingest a lethal dose of fentanyl without ever knowing. Biden has targeted sanctions at Chinese makers of the chemicals that go into fentanyl, but that hasn't stopped the flow to Mexico. Biden has also made Narcan, a drug that reverses overdoses, more widely available. Experts say this likely contributed to fentanyl deaths declining by 2 percent last year. April Babcock, who lost a son in 2019 and started an advocacy organization, said she's glad that Narcan has helped but doesn't think its the end all be all. 'We're not going to Narcan our way out of this,' Babcock said. Babcock said the parents in her organization, Lost Voices of Fentanyl, have already set a date for their Washington D.C. rally in 2025. 'Whoever gets in that office, we are going to hold their feet to the fire,' she said. 'Even if it's Trump.' A terrified woman endured fierce wind, freezing rain and seagulls 'like dinosaurs' on a tiny uninhabited island off the coast of Wales in a brave bid to raise money for her local community. Di Mills, 65, spent 24 hours on the bleak, craggy East Mouse island, which has no facilities, grass or plants and only a tiny patch of flat rock to sit on. Measuring just 450ft by 200ft, the islet is also 'covered in poo' and routinely lashed by the brutal Irish sea. Yoga teacher and school bus driver Ms Mills, who lives in the village of Rhosybol, Anglesey, camped on the rock to stop an historic local boat house from falling into the hands of property developers. Di Mills posted an emotional video from the windswept East Mouse island, describing it as 'scary' and the seagulls 'like dinosaurs' East Mouse is a tiny, inhospitable islet off the coast of Anglesey, Wales Ms Mills told how she was plagued by fierce wind, rain and seagulls 'like dinosaurs' during her 24 hours on the bleak uninhabited island In an emotional video posted on Facebook, she said: 'I'm OK but that was scary for me. 'Im not great in the dark, and the seagulls are like dinosaurs, and the wind and the frigging rain at 3am... 'All is good, but this Airbnb I would not recommend.' East Mouse, also known as Ynys Amlwch, is a few hundred yards off the coast of the village of Bull Bay. Ms Mills described her experience there as an 'eye opener', telling BBC Wales: 'I'm happy that I achieved it but if someone offered me 10,000 to do another night, I wouldn't do it. The historic boat house that Ms Mills wants to save for the community is currently for sale at 100,000, advertised as a good redevelopment opportunity Members of the local rowing club gave Ms Mills a hero's welcome when she returned to dry land after her testing challenge 'The weather was not great and it was really rough going out. My husband took me out on a Jet Ski and we had rowers bringing my stuff behind. 'The sea was very choppy and as I embarked on the island, I did the splits and fell in, so that wasn't the best of starts. It was a typical Bridget Jones entry on to the rock. 'I tried to get dried but there's only one flat bit on the rock where you can sit, its like slices all over the islet, there's nowhere comfortable to sit.' She added the smell of the islet was 'unbelievable' as it is 'covered in poo' and frequented by flocks of aggressive sea birds. After 24 hours on the rock, she returned to a hero's welcome. At Porth Llechog, members of the local rowing club formed a guard of honour with their oars. Ms Mills is part of a campaign to buy the Bull Bay boat house for the community so it does not become a holiday let property. The boat house has facilitated 41 sea rescues, saving 63 lives, and is currently on the market for 100,000, described by estate agents as having 'glorious views' and 'great redevopment potential'. Ms Mills said she had been 'overwhelmed' by support since returning from the island and will soon reveal how much she raised from her stunt. A horrifying scene unfolded in Vietnam this morning as a steel bridge collapsed, sending 12 vehicles plummeting into the engorged Red River. The tragic incident, which took place on the morning of September 9 in Phu Tho province, has left at least 13 people missing, while three survivors were pulled from the water and rushed to the hospital. Dashcam footage from a nearby motorist captured the terrifying moment the structure crumbles beneath a lorry into the river, sending the vehicle plunging headfirst into the depths below. The clip also showed a motorcyclist narrowly avoiding the same fate as he came to a screeching halt just moments before the bridge gave way. Another motorcyclist, 50-year-old Pham Truong Son, recounted the harrowing experience of falling into the river, telling VNExpress that he heard a loud noise just before the bridge collapsed beneath him. Dashcam footage from a nearby motorist captured the terrifying moment a bridge in Vietnam collapses, sending a lorry plunging into the river below The tragic incident, which took place on the morning of September 9 at the Red River in Phu Tho province, has left at least 13 people missing 'I felt like I was drowned to the bottom of the river,' he said, adding how he managed to stay afloat by clinging to a drifting banana tree until rescuers arrived. Rescue operations are ongoing, with military teams conducting searches in the treacherous waters of the Red River, as reported by NeedToKnow. However, the number of people missing remains unclear, as it is not yet known how many individuals were in each of the ten cars, trucks, and two motorbikes that fell into the river when the bridge collapsed. The Phong Chau Bridge, inaugurated in July 1995, was reportedly in a state of deterioration, though the exact cause of the collapse has not yet been confirmed. The 375-metre-long structure, which connects the Lam Thao and Tam Nong districts, is suspected to have given way during severe weather caused by the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi. The typhoon, which has weakened to a tropical depression, continues to wreak havoc across Vietnam, bringing heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides that have claimed at least 59 lives, including 50 in recent floods, according to AP News. Since it made landfall on Saturday, the typhoon has already devastated much of Vietnam, leaving a trail of destruction that has brought businesses and factories to a halt, particularly in the central and northern regions. Meanwhile, Spanish police confirmed that a British couple hiking in a Majorcan canyon were swept away to their deaths when a flash flood hit their group. The clip showed a motorcyclist narrowly avoiding the same fate as he came to a screeching halt just moments before the bridge gave way An aerial view of the partially collapsed Phong Chau bridge into Red River The Phong Chau Bridge, inaugurated in July 1995, was reportedly in a state of deterioration, though the exact cause of the collapse has not yet been confirmed Rescue operations are ongoing, with military teams conducting searches in the treacherous waters of the Red River The number of people missing remains unclear, as it is not yet known how many individuals were in each of the ten cars, trucks, and two motorbikes that fell into the river Alexander Johnson's body was found in the Torrent de Pareis in the Tramuntana mountain range in Sa Calobra on the Spanish island on Friday morning. 'Police found the lifeless body of the young British man who disappeared last Tuesday while hiking in the Torrent de Pareis with a group of friends and his partner,' said the Guardia Civil police force in a statement. A police helicopter spotted the 32-year-old's body 'half-submerged in an area where branches and rocks had accumulated' today and officers on the ground were dispatched to recover it, the police added. This confirms previous reports that Mr Johnson and his girlfriend, Sarah Jane Thompson, 26, were swept away by a flash flood that hit the Torrent de Pareis. Mr Johnson is feared to have been caught by the water as he tried to save his partner, whose body was found on Wednesday morning in the flooded canyon. The owner of an Aurora, Colorado, apartment complex has agreed to sell the property after claiming it was taken over by Venezuelan gangsters. Aurora officials will drop dozens of charges against the owner of the Aspen Grove apartment complex as part of the agreement, as reported by the Denver Gazette. The Aspen Grove was shuttered in August, with about 300 people evicted, after the city identified health and safety issues including rodent infestations, sewage backups, lack of electricity and trash pileups. Authorities had accused the landlord, Zev Baumgarten of failing to maintain the 99-unit property, located at 1568 Nome St. The management company, on its part, has blamed the property's condition on gangs, claiming Tren de Aragua members have scared management away and are forcing residents to pay rent to them. The owner of an Aurora, Colorado , apartment complex has agreed to sell the property after claiming it was taken over by Venezuelan gangsters. Aurora officials will drop dozens of charges against the owner of the Aspen Grove apartment complex as part of the agreement Three complexes have seen gang activity in Aurora, according to the properties' managers Colorado police and local officials and activists have denied their claims. As part of the deal with Aurora officials, the owner has also agreed to pay up to $60,000 to clean up and secure the Aspen Grove. Landlord Baumgarten has also been accused of similar violations at the Edge of Lowry Apartments at 1258 Dallas St, where viral footage showed armed men breaking into units. A third complex, the Whispering Pines at 1357 Galena St, has also been affected by gangs, with a law firm hired by management claiming that Venezuelan gangsters have been running the building since late 2023. All three properties are managed by Brooklyn-based CBZ Management. The Tren de Aragua, a criminal group from Venezuela, has had a 'stranglehold' on the Whispering Pines Apartments in Aurora since late 2023, the law firm Perkins Coie claimed in a letter to Aurora officials. Footage from a resident in the Aurora complex appeared to show armed men knocking on an apartment door, intensifying fears the Tren de Aragua gang was in control of the complex The firm found that the gang has engaged in assaults, threats of murder, extortion and even child prostitution, as reported by CBS News Colorado. The report, issued in August, says that 'Tren de Aragua has threatened to kill (and, in certain instances, has apparently actively attempted to kill) members of Whispering Pines management.' The gang's activities reported escalated this year, with a housekeeper claiming in April 2024 that a two individuals 'went into an apartment, came out with large firearms, and were coming to kill [the property manager].' The property manager said the two individuals were gang members and arrested as they were coming to kill him.' The manager also claimed 'gang members allegedly stabbed a Whispering Pines resident for refusing to pay "rent" to the gang.' He told the law firm that in June the gangsters offered to help him if he paid them 50 percent of the funds collected in rents. A housekeeper reported that a gang member told her: 'This is our business plan... If he [property manager] doesn't like it, we'll fill him with bullets.' Four alleged Tren de Aragua members have been arrested in Aurora in connection to an attempted murder in July In a visit to the apartments where the armed men were filmed, interim Aurora police chief Heather Morris said gang members had not taken over and werent collecting rent Four alleged Tren de Aragua members have been arrested in Aurora in connection to an attempted murder in July. ICE officials told Fox News all four are undocumented immigrants who were detained and released after crossing the Texas border. However, Aurora police has claimed the gang has not taken over any buildings, and city officials indicate the buildings, along with two other apartment complexes, were run down because of neglect by the property manager, CBZ Management. In a visit to the apartments where the armed men were filmed, interim Aurora police chief Heather Morris said gang members had not taken over and werent collecting rent. The remarks came after Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said that 'criminal elements' had taken over some unspecified buildings and were extorting residents. Aurora police are seen at the complex. They say that claims that the building has being taken by a gang are false Aurora Police agent Matthew Longshore reiterated Thursday in an email to The Associated Press that the agency has confirmed residents are not paying rent to gang members, but they found apartment managers are no longer sending representatives to the complex. The City of Aurora is already taking legal action against Zev Baumgarten with CBZ for 'years of neglecting properties and numerous code violations' after another building he managed in Aurora was shut down as uninhabitable. Its residents were evicted in mid-August. Trials for Baumgarten that had been scheduled for August and September have been delayed for at least six months. Among the nearly 1 million Venezuelan migrants who entered the U.S. in recent years were suspected gang members tied to police shootings, human trafficking and other crimes yet theres no evidence that the gang has set up an organizational structure in the U.S., Jeremy McDermott, the Colombia-based co-director of InSight Crime, told the AP this summer. He published a recent report on Tren de Araguas expansion. Many of the immigrants from Venezuela and other Latin American countries who live in the Aurora complex say there are no gangs there, and they are being unfairly painted as criminals. They pinned blame on New York-based CBZ Management for refusing to take care of bedbugs, rodents and constant water leaks despite monthly rent costing $1,200 or more. Residents fear they could be evicted, but the city said Wednesday there were no immediate plans to pursue that option. 'The only criminal here is the owner of the building,' Moises Didenot, who is from Venezuela, said Tuesday through a translator at a news conference in a dusty courtyard at the complex. He showed reporters some mice he recently caught on sticky traps in the basement apartment he shares with his wife and 11-year-old daughter. Only two of the burners on their stove work, their ceiling fan is missing a blade and as soon as they clean their bathtub, mold quickly creeps back, he said. This is the shocking moment a flight to Ibiza was diverted after a drunk Brit reportedly downed vodka, hit the crew and spat at other passengers. The plane from Manchester landed in Toulouse where the man and his wife were dragged off at 5.30pm on Sunday. The couple were sat about 10 rows apart and the man spent the first hour of the flight 'swigging duty free vodka', according to a witness. A passenger said the man began arguing with a male cabin crew member and punched him in the face. A flight was diverted after a drunk Brit downed vodka, hit the crew and spat at passengers After he left the plane, his partner started harassing another passenger, hitting and shouting He then started 'kicking off' and the passenger described the drunk man as 'out of control'. Attendants reportedly warned him the plane would be diverted if he didn't calm down, and he replied 'I don't give a f***'. The drunk Brit assaulted another passenger and spat at a woman as he was restrained in the disturbing incident which lasted around 40 minutes. But after he left the plane, his partner started harassing another passenger, hitting and shouting at him. Police physically restrained the woman, who was barefoot, before removing her too. The Ryanair flight spent just over an hour and a half on the tarmac before resuming the journey to Ibiza. It comes after Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary called for flyers to be limited to two drinks at airports to crackdown on a rise in disorder on flights last week. Attendants reportedly warned him the plane would be diverted if he didn't calm down, and he replied 'I don't give a f***' The boss of Ryanair, Michael O'Leary (pictured), called for an alcohol limit at airport bars amid claims drunken and drugged up passengers disrupt flights Mr O'Leary said there has been a 'notable rise' in bad behaviour because of inebriated travellers (Stock image) He wants a two-drink limit on each boarding pass, explaining: 'It's not that easy for airlines to identify people who are inebriated. As long as they can stand up, they'll get through. 'Then, when the plane takes off, we see the misbehaviour.' Mr O'Leary said airports are opposed to changes, insisting that they refuse to serve passengers who are too drunk. But he added: 'They do serve the relatives of the drunken passenger.' A Ryanair spokesperson said: 'This flight from Manchester to Ibiza diverted to Toulouse after a small group of passengers became disruptive inflight. 'The crew called ahead for police assistance, who met the aircraft upon landing at Toulouse and offloaded two passengers before this flight continued to Ibiza. 'We sincerely apologise to passengers for any inconvenience caused as a result of these unruly passengers' behaviour, which was beyond Ryanair's control. 'This is now a matter for local police.' A charity worker accused of beating a Michelin star chef to death near Notting Hill Carnival appeared in court today charged with murder. Police officers found Mussie Imnetu, 41, unconscious with a head injury in Queensway near Notting Hill Carnival at 11.22pm on August 26. He was taken to hospital where he died four days later on August 30. The Swedish national was head chef at the Arts Club Dubai and had worked under Alain Ducasse, Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, according to its website. He had been visiting the UK on business. Omar Wilson, 31, was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday in east London and appeared at the Old Bailey today charged with murder Wilson is accused of the murder of Michelin star chef Mussie Imnetu, 41, pictured, who was attacked on August 26 and died four days later on August 30 Omar Wilson, 31, was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday in east London and appeared at the Old Bailey today charged with murder. He spoke to confirm his name and date of birth wearing a grey prison tracksuit. Prosecutor Julian Winship said Mr Imentu was seen speaking to a group of three people around 11.20pm. He said Wilson approached Mr Imentu and headbutted him. He said: The deceased was attended to by paramedics and very sadly died on August 30. Mr Wilson is currently self-employed and a director for a charity. Judge Mark Lucraft, KC, the Recorder of London, remanded Wilson in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on November 25. A provisional two week trial date was set for February 3. Wilson first appeared in court on August 30, charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent but was charged with murder after Mr Imnetu died. Mr Imnetu had suffered catastrophic brain injuries, including bleeds on the brain and multiple cardiac arrests, the court was told. Detectives are continuing to appeal for information about Mr Imnetus movements and released a CCTV image of him leaving The Arts Club on Dover Street shortly after 1pm on Monday. He arrived at Dr Power restaurant in Queensway at around 10.30pm and was still alone at that time. Mr Imnetu was attacked outside the Dr Power restaurant on Queensway on August 26. He had been visiting the UK from Dubai when he was attacked A Met Police spokesperson earlier said: At 11.22pm on Monday, officers who were deployed as part of the Notting Hill Carnival policing operation became aware of a man who was unconscious with a head injury in Queensway, W2. They provided emergency first aid until paramedics arrived. The man, later identified as 41-year-old Mussie who was visiting the UK from Dubai, was taken to a west London hospital where he remains in a critical condition. Detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command continue to appeal for anyone with information about the incident, or Mussies movements earlier in the day, to come forward. Anyone with information should call the police on 101, messages @MetCC on X or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 giving the reference 8020/26AUG. A cowardly former policeman has been locked up after he tried to kill his ex by drunkenly driving his car through the window of her business. Horrifying CCTV footage shows jilted William McBurnie speed through the window of a funeral directors shop with his ex, Zoe Turnbull, and her 71-year-old mother Beverley pressing themselves against the wall in terror. The 57-year-old left both the women injured as he tried to kill them in the attack in December 2022, in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire. He has now been locked up after admitting attempted murder at the High Court in Livingston. Judge Lord Mulholland warned him that he was going to be sent to prison for a very long time for the cowardly and selfish act. William McBurnie, 57, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of his partner, Zoe Turnbull, and her mother, Beverly Turnbull, after driving a car through the front of her office Funeral director Zoe Turnbull , 46, was in a relationship with McBurnie for around two years after he inserted himself into her life The court heard that McBurnie, a former advanced driver and driving instructor with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, had been drinking whisky since 6am on the day of the attack. He was nearly three times the limit when he deliberately accelerated along an adjoining street and drove at speed through a give way sign towards the shop in Market Street. His car mounted the pavement, smashed through two large flower planters and through the plate glass window, sending glass flying everywhere and hitting the office desk so hard it was impaled in a rear wall. The CCTV footage of the incident shows how close McBurnie came to hitting both women as they desperately pressed themselves against the side walls of the office. As he climbed out of the wreckage, the two women were seen in the background hugging each other outside the shop. Advocate depute Alex Price Marmion said McBurnie had been seen stopping his car at the junction opposite the shop on two occasions the previous week. CCTV captured the lead-up to McBurnie's van ploughing through the front of Zoe Turnbull's office The vehicle careered through the plate glass front, narrowly missing Zoe Turnbull and her mother, Beverly CCTV footage shows the two women scrambling out the wreckage of the office before McBurnie exits his van The van caused huge damage before smashing into and destroying a reception desk On the day of the attack, he was again seen pausing at the junction before turning to the right and driving off after a customer left the undertakers. Moments later, after driving round a triangle of roads in Jedburgh town centre, Miss Turnbull, 46, spotted McBurnies car speeding straight towards the glass-fronted office. She shouted to her mother, who was standing behind a frosted glass panel of the front window: Hes coming. Hes coming. Hes coming through the window. She pinned herself against the side wall of the office as the accuseds car crashed through, narrowly missing the two of them. McBurnie, who suffered a burn injury to his wrist as the cars airbags went off, immediately said: Sorry. I dont know what I was thinking. Miss Turnbull, a mother-of-two who had been in a relationship with McBurnie for around two years said: I never wanted to be in a relationship with him but when I tried to tell him or stand up for myself he would kick off. I was trapped in my own home. Behind closed doors he was controlling every aspect of my life yet in public he would act charming to everyone. It made me feel sick. That man aggressively inserted himself into our lives. He exerted a continuous reign of terror on me and my family. im glad his true self can now be revealed as a result of this conviction Im now determined to stay strong and take back control of my life. The advocate depute said Miss Turnbull had suffered a bruised leg and had since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the incident. She also now had tinnitus, deafness in her right ear and a low tolerance of noise and had experienced two episodes of cardiac arrest from broken heart syndrome, caused by extreme stress. Her mother had experienced atrial fibrillation, breathlessness and fatigue. Both women submitted victim impact statements to the court. The advocate depute said the accused had been drinking heavily for several months following the break-up of his relationship with Miss Turnbull and had been behaving in an increasingly alarming manner towards her. He had bombarded her with unwanted texts, phone calls and emails and repeatedly turned up at her office begging her to restart their relationship. Gareth Jones, defending, said McBurnie, who worked as a freelance photographer for a Borders newspaper, had expressed genuine remorse for his actions. He added that the accused only had a vague recollection of what was going through his mind about Zoe Turnbull at the time of the offence. However, he accepted that his actions had been entirely reckless and that he had done it with the intention of killing her. The court called for background reports and adjourned the case until Thursday 19th September at Livingston. McBurnie was remanded in custody until then. Zoe Turnbull, is now being helped by Digby Brown Solicitors in a civil action after suffering physical injuries as a result of the terrifying incident. She has to wear hearing aids after losing her hearing and suffered injuries to her back and legs after being struck by flying debris. AirTags were originally launched to help owners keep track of their valuables but are increasingly becoming the device of choice to keep tabs on your loved ones. From naughty children, to cheating partners and even elderly parents with dementia, AirTags are turning into a human tracking device - and not just for personal objects. The gadget was originally designed to act as a key finder, but their use as a human tracking device recently came into the spotlight after Mike Tindall was seen clipping it to his daughter Mia, 10. The England rugby ace was seen enjoying a day out with his daughter, who is 22nd in line to the throne, at a horse show with the 35 Apple product pinned to her shorts. Now people are sharing their own tales of using them as tracking devices, including worried parents who say they are doing it to give them 'a little more assurance' about their child's safety. AirTags were originally launched to help owners keep track of their valuables but are increasingly becoming the device of choice to keep tabs on your loved ones (stock image) Mike Tindall (right) has attached an AirTag to his daughter Mia's (left) shorts One mother who posted a video to TikTok of her attaching an AirTag to her daughters shorts said: 'Im not a perfect parent and toddlers have a mind of their own. So, I make an effort to keep up with my kids no matter what! We all know that anything can happen anywhere. So, this gives me a little more assurance about my kids safety, especially in super crowded places like festivals and airports. I tuck it in for privacy and so that no one will see it to remove it.' Poll Would you use an AirTag to track your partner? Yes No Would you use an AirTag to track your partner? Yes 836 votes No 1220 votes Now share your opinion Another, who attached one to her baby's ankle, said that it 'relieves so much anxiety' on trips to places like Disney Land. And even spouses have revealed how they are using the gadget to 'know exactly where they are at all times', including TikToker's who sowed them into their husband's shoes and hid them in their boyfriend's bags. Another social media user joked it was a 'cool hack' to keep your husband safe, before hiding them in his sneaker pocket because 'you never know what might happen in a bar, especially late a night'. Tutorials of 'how to track your man' have also been posted online, receiving thousands of views. Tutorials of 'how to track your man' have also been posted online, receiving thousands of views One TikToker hid an AirTag in her husband's shoe so she can see where he is when he goes to the bar Another woman hid one in her boyfriends bag so she can 'track him' A wife tucked one in to her husbands shoe to keep tabs on his location BACP registered Counsellor, Georgina Sturmer, told MailOnline: 'The rise in technology and social media has been accompanied by a sense that we are used to the concept of tracking. Of tracking other people, and of being tracked ourselves. This can give us a sense of safety and security. It also offers a practical, logistical advantage - knowing what time to put the dinner on, for example. 'But when this technology is used without or knowledge, or to intrude on our privacy, it adds a worrying edge. It can lead to suspicion, control and a feeling that we are losing our individual freedom.' A whopping 65% of women say they busted their partners affair by using technology and 38% of women suspicious of their partners shenanigans have gifted them gadgets that make it easier to discreetly keep tabs on them, research from the UKs largest extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com revealed. Legal experts - unsurprisingly - say tracking loved ones with AirTags without their knowledge can be seen as 'a breach of privacy rights'. Mike Schmidt, an attorney from Schmidt & Clark LLP, told MailOnline: 'All parties being tracked need to be informed and to consent to the tracking. 'This consent should be explicit, not assumed, and documented to safeguard against potential legal disputes. 'In some cases, not obtaining proper consent can lead to accusations of stalking or harassment, which can have serious legal consequences.' Mr Schmidt continued: 'The intent behind using the tracking device is a huge factor. If the primary goal is to ensure safetysuch as keeping track of a childs location for safety reasons rather than monitoring their every movethis needs to be clearly communicated. 'Transparency about the reasons for tracking helps to avoid any potential misunderstandings or conflicts. 'Parents should discuss their reasons openly with their children, addressing any concerns they might have. 'This not only builds trust but also helps in ensuring that the use of such technology is seen as a protective measure rather than a tool for control.' HOW TO DISABLE AIRTAG TRACKING The easiest way to disable the AirTag and become untraceable is by removing the battery which means the device can't send its location back to the owner. Another way of vanishing from the map is turning off the 'Find My network' in phone settings and getting friends or the people you are with to do the same as the AirTag will not be able to ping the location off of any of their phones. You can wrap the AirTag in tinfoil which can block the signal and disable the tracking until it is unwrapped. Advertisement Parents are increasingly using Apple AirTags to track their children, with companies selling bracelets and shoe soles to keep the 28 tracking device attached to them. It seems fair and sometimes necessary to attach an AirTag to a younger child - like Mike Tindall who clipped one to his 10-year-old daughter Mia's shorts at the Burghley Horse Trials. However, some parents have been using them to unknowingly track their older children. One girl posted a video on TikTok with the caption 'Wondering why my parents always know where I am even though I didn't tell them where I was going' showing her finding an AirTag hidden in her car by her parents. Forcing an older child or a teenager to carry an AirTag can actually make them become sneaky and look for ways to get around the technology, experts say. Chartered Security Professional, James Bore, told MailOnline: 'The moment your children want to have autonomy, that's when you have to shift into having more of a discussion with them. 'Anything where it's hidden or where it's just enforced, isn't going to work. 'If you do that, you are going to create resentment. You are going to create hostility. You're going to get the sneakiness. You're going to get resistance to communication. 'And the most important thing, if you really want to protect a teenager, is that they feel that they can have a conversation. 'They can speak about things that happened. They can speak about things that worry them without that fear based over protectiveness.' Parenting expert, Chioma Fanawopo, explained how tracking an older child or teenager with an AirTag can break down trust between them and the parent, no matter how pure the intentions are. She said: 'Teenagers are naturally pushing for independence and privacy, and tracking, no matter how well intentioned, can feel stifling. Even if parents are emotionally aware and explain their reasoning, teens might still feel they need to assert their autonomy, which can lead them to find ways around the AirTag. They might see the tracking as a lack of faith in their judgement, which can damage the relationship and lead to resentment or defiance.' Poll Would you use an AirTag to track your child? Yes No Would you use an AirTag to track your child? Yes 673 votes No 126 votes Now share your opinion Ms Fanawopo suggests reducing tracking around age 16 as 'for teens, communication and trust-building become more critical than surveillance'. Relationship and parenting expert, Sylvia Smith, from marriage.com, said: 'Kids these days are enterprising and computer-literate, so it may not be that big of a deal for them in trying to figure out ways of deactivating tracking or not being monitored. This would create an unhealthy dynamic where the need to outsmart their parents becomes necessary rather than simply communicating openly. The key here is finding a balance between tracking technology and trust, with clear boundaries.' Licensed Parent-Child Interaction Therapist (PCIT), Jessi Gholami, from Start Here Parents!, thinks the reaction to the introduction of AirTag tracking for children and teens can highlight deeper issues within the family. She said: 'What I find interesting is how these technologies tend to amplify already-existing family dynamics and trust issues. If there's a strong bedrock of mutual understanding and respect, adding AirTag-style location sharing could potentially be a non-issue, done with full enthusiastic consent. But if you're dealing with a high-conflict relationship marred by control battles, hostility or trust deficits, that same tech could easily exacerbate tensions. 'These technologies almost become sort of a modern metaphor for the underlying family processes at play. For parents grappling with those thundering developmental pushes for adolescent autonomy, an AirTag could easily be perceived as a hostile power move - a total violation of that young person's blossoming personal agency. But in a more cohesive family system, that same device might be requested as a routine safety checking, with no relational fallout whatsoever. 'I suppose you could say these tech quandaries end up mirroring the deeper psychological struggles around separation, trust, and loosening our protective grip as children individuate. If you think about it, an AirTag dilemma might ultimately shine a revealing light on the relational coping skills and family dynamics that need some therapeutic attention and reframing.' Ms Gholami suggests that families engage in some serious self-reflection before implementing AirTag tracking. She said they should 'explore the emotional undercurrents driving those tracking desires or privacy concerns with an open mind because oftentimes, those dicey tech arguments are just proxies for much richer conversations we need to have about evolving roles, hopes, and personal boundaries.' Apple explicitly state on their website that the 'AirTag is designed to discourage unwanted tracking' and included a feature that sends a notification to your phone if if one is travelling with you. If you still can't find the AirTag, it will play a chirping sound to let you know where it is. The website says: 'Of course, if you happen to be with a friend who has an AirTag, or on a train with other passengers who have AirTag, dont worry. These alerts are triggered only when an AirTag is separated from its owner.' An army vet remains on the run days after firing an AR-15 at a crowded highway in Kentucky - and authorities have now revealed how he purchased the firearm just hours before the shooting. Joseph Couch, 32, has evaded capture since Saturday afternoon, and his gun was found in a woods along with ammo, his car, and what cops in Laurel County said could be his cell phone. The find was the product of a dayslong search Saturday and Sunday, through the rugged, hilly and heavily wooded terrain near Exit 49 off I-75. The evening before, Crouch fired the same weapon from a cliff ledge on the side of the interstate about nine miles north of London. He struck 12 cars and five people, leaving them wounded. No one was killed, and the search for Couch continued early Monday morning. Joseph Couch, 32, remains on the run after firing an AR-15 at a crowded highway in Kentucky Saturday Authorities on Sunday revealed the Army veteran purchased the firearm hours before the shooting, which stopped traffic near Exit 49 on I-75 'We have numerous individuals that are still searching in the wooded area up there,' Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said at the crime scene Sunday. 'The ATF, FBI and Marshal Service, their ERTS (Emergency Response Teams) are there to help us process what we've got so far,' he said. 'Last night, we recovered the suspect's vehicle in that area - that's why he is a person of interest. The vehicle came back registered to him. 'That recovery was made late last night and that's why we had the information that we had today,' he continued, before revealing what officials had just found seconds before. just in the last few minutes. We located an AR-15,' he said. 'It's, gonna be processed, and it is in a wooded area next to the interstate.' He added how the weapon was found 'in a location [where Couch] could have shot down upon the interstate,' before fielding a question about where cops had found the car the night before. 'It's on a forest service road at the top of the hill off of Exit 49, down another little trail off of that forest service road,' he said. 'We have numerous individuals that are still searching in the wooded area up there,' Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said at the crime scene Sunday, before revealing how investigators had found the would-be murder weapon moments before Couch, meanwhile, remains at large, likely in the heavily wooded area adjacent to the highway Cops recovered what they confirmed to be Couch's Toyota, after describing his shooting as 'sniper-like' and not the result of road rage The freeway was filled with motorists, though none were fatally struck by the unspecified number of bullets. Five were hit in total, all in stable condition 'Very near the interstate but not close enough that [Couch] could have fired from that location. 'He had to walk on over toward the interstate, which is where we recovered the weapon at.' Following the discovery, cops upgraded Couch from a person of interest to a suspect - a development that, when asked about, Laurel County sheriff John Root said also stemmed from 'some information' he could not share. Root added how he and investigators believed Couch was still in the area, hiding out in woods State police Master Trooper Scottie Pennington said were like 'walking in a jungle,' with machetes needed to traverse thickets of woods. Acciardo added that it appeared the attacker planned the shooting from that location specifically, due to how remote it is and the terrain is hilly. Also rocky and hard to navigate, the area was only found by Laurel County Sheriff's Captain Richard Dalrymple when he held onto a tree and looked down on the site - a ledge located about 30 feet down from a cliff overlooking Exit 49. Dalrymple, during a briefing later that night, that Couch bought about a thousand rounds of ammunition and the weapon used in the incident, legally, on Saturday morning, just hours before the shooting. Laurel County sheriff John Root said Couch was upgraded to a suspect Sunday due, in part, to 'some information' he could not share A shattered window from Couch's hail of gunfire is seen here, as he remains on the run and could still be armed, cops on Sunday said Late Sunday, Laurel County Sheriff's Captain Richard Dalrymple revealed Couch legally bought about a thousand rounds of ammunition and the weapon used in the incident Saturday morning, just hours before the shooting Following that revelation, the massive, 150-man search for Couch was called off for the night. It had since commenced Monday, beginning at 8am. Earlier Sunday, Acciardo described Couch's shooting as 'sniper-like', asserting that it was not the result of road rage and premeditated. He added that investigators did not believe at the time that the shooter - a confirmed Army vet who lived in Woodbine - knew any of the victims or had contact with them before letting off the barrage of bullets. Despite finding the weapon he used in the incident, cops on Sunday said the suspect could still be armed and dangerous, with those who see him warned to not approach and instead contact authorities. Investigators also aired the possibility that Couch could have committed suicide somewhere in the woods, though that remains to be seen. Police said the victims he shot suffered injuries to the face, chest, and arms, but were all in stable condition at a hospital Sunday night. None were named. A witness, however, spoke Sunday on ABC's Good Morning America, recalling how she driving with a friend southbound on I-75, heading to Tennessee, when the shooting erupted around 5:30pm Saturday. Witness Christina Dinoto spoke Sunday on ABC's Good Morning America, driving with a friend southbound on I-75, heading to Tennessee, when the shooting erupted On Monday, the search for Couch continued, with London Mayor Randall Weddle saying his office is 'monitoring the situation' 'All of a sudden, we just heard this loud, deafening sound,' Christina Dinoto said. 'And my ear, my right ear, started ringing,' she continued. 'We didn't know what the sound was, but we both looked at each other and said, was that a gunshot?' At that point, she said, she pulled off the interstate in Knoxville to discover what she believes was damage left behind a bullet fired by the suspect. As a motive remains unknown, the now three-day search has left locals in the area on edge, with all public schools in Laurel County canceled on Monday. Meanwhile, the search for Couch continues, with London Mayor Randall Weddle saying his office is 'monitoring the situation'. A girl who was just about to celebrate her eighth birthday tragically died after being struck by a 92-year-old driver who accelerated 'instead of pressing the brakes' in Miami, Florida. Stephanie Alonso was hit by an unidentified elderly woman around 4pm on September 2 while she and her mother walked toward Navarro Pharmacy on Southwest 32nd Avenue and 22nd Street, CBS News Miami reported. Surveillance footage showed the woman, who was driving a red Nissan SUV, accelerating into the girl and sideswiping her mother, a police spokesman told the outlet. Officials said she was parking and drove onto the sidewalk, striking the mother and daughter, after the driver 'confused the gas pedal with the brake,' a witness told WSVN. Stephanie was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she remained in critical condition after 'part of her head was removed,' her father told CBS News Miami. She died on Friday, a little over two weeks before her birthday on September 21. Stephanie Alonso, seven, died on Friday after being struck by a 92-year-old driver in Miami, Florida on September 2 while her and her mother walked toward a pharmacy A woman, who witnesses said was the driver, is seen at the scene of the crash The girl's father, Joany Figueredo, is trying to process the loss of his child and believes the tragedy could have been prevented if there was an age restriction for drivers. 'She hit my daughter, and she hit the wall. She got out of the car and acted like nothing happened,' he told NBC 6 South Florida. The woman remained at the scene and was issued a ticket for careless driving. It is unclear if she will face additional charges. 'What is happening? Why is a person who is 92-year-old driving? There should be an age limit on driving,' Figueredo told the outlet. DailyMail.com contacted the Miami Police Department for comment. The distraught father is now focused on laying his daughter to rest and fighting 'for a law that would work in favor of limiting the age for driving.' The girl's father, Joany Figueredo, believes the tragedy could have been prevented if there was an age restriction for drivers A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help Stephanie's family pay for her funeral. In it, she's remembered as 'a bright and joyful little girl' who had 'so much life ahead of her.' Just before she died, Figueredo posted an image of his daughter to his Facebook page as friends and family expressed their support. He also posted an image of him holding a tiny hand covered with scrapes. 'This unexpected tragedy has shattered our hearts,' read a note on the GoFundMe page. Before Stephanie died, her father posted an emotional picture of him holding a tiny hand covered with scrapes Stephanie would've turned eight on September 21 and was remembered as 'a bright and joyful little girl' A Miami Beach police officer was recently fired from his position after leaving a woman to die in the street after a hit-and-run. Edward Cavalie, 41, was passing in his squad car while Esmat Khedr, 63, was riding her electric bicycle past police headquarters in Washington Avenue when she was struck from behind by a blue Ford Bronco which sped off without stopping. Even after frantic onlookers flagged Cavalie down, he told them to find someone else and drove away from the scene. When his colleagues arrived on the scene they were powerless to help the unconscious woman who was later declared dead on arrival in hospital. Though the callous officer was fired, Khedr's devastated husband has been left wondering whether his wife might still be alive if Cavalie had bothered to help. MBABANE Princess Sakhizwe says there is hope for the local film industry, as it is yet to develop. She was speaking during an interview with this publication at Manzini Lifestyle Centre, Julios Cinelux Cinema, where the film Baka Ngwane premiered on Saturday evening. Aspiring According to Sakhizwe, filmmakers, actors and aspiring film creatives should not give up hope as the industry is yet to take flight. There is hope for the local film industry, because we have seen even people from South Africa coming to witness the premiere of the new film. The industry, is yet to grow, and I would like to encourage all aspiring actors in the kingdom to not give up. They should continue to work hard even though we know the art industry has not yet developed. As emaSwati, we are coming to help and support them, she said. Applauded While conveying the motivational message, she also applauded the Executive Producer of the film, Pholile Shakantu, for the remarkable work she has done for the film industry. The passion that honourable Pholile Shakantu has about the story of the film Baka Ngwane captured our attention, and we then decided to come and witness the premier. Her confidence and willingness to teach emaSwati about where we come from as a nation also inspired one to attend the event. It was a beautiful gathering, and I was happy to see a woman like Shakantu stepping up to elevate the local film industry, she said. Stemming According to Shakantu, the film Baka Ngwane celebrates the vibrant culture, rich heritage and remarkable birth of the Kingdom of Eswatini, stemming from Bantu-speaking Nguni people. Worth mentioning, local songstress and actress Mandisa Mamba is also featured on the film. She plays the character of Queen Choshile. The recently launched Eswatini National Arts and Culture Policy also echoes the words of Princess Sakhizwe, saying there is a need to promote the development of the film industry in the kingdom. The film industry remains underdeveloped in Eswatini, despite the country producing internationally acclaimed creatives. The policy will promote the development of the film industry based on traditional drama, music, dance forms and modern forms of dance presentation. This will include all theatre genres, including support for professional theatre groups. The policy will encourage the development of dramatic skills and offer opportunities for presentation to the public through television, film and public performances, reads part of the policy. A man who doused a baby with a flask of piping hot coffee in a heinous unprovoked attack in Australia last month managed to flee the country, sparking an international manhunt. The disturbing incident took place on August 27, when the nine-month-old child - named as Luka - was enjoying a picnic with his parents in Hanlon Park in Brisbane, the capital of Australia's Queensland region. Witnesses say a 'strange man' sidled up to the unsuspecting family and dumped the scalding contents of a thermos flask on the boy's head before sprinting away. Baby Luka sustained significant injuries and was forced to undergo multiple surgeries and skin grafts, his parents told Australian media. Queensland police last week issued an arrest warrant on charges of grievous bodily harm. But the suspect somehow managed to elude capture and is believed to have boarded a flight out of Sydney airport just 12 hours before investigators confirmed his identity. A senior investigative official claimed the suspect must have been 'aware of police methodologies' and had conducted 'counter-surveillance activities' to escape the country, while the victim's mother told reporters in Brisbane of the family's heartbreak. The suspect somehow managed to elude capture and is believed to have boarded a flight out of Sydney airport just 12 hours before investigators confirmed his identity The suspect (pictured) allegedly poured a thermos of scalding coffee over the infant before fleeing. Luka suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms Little Luka has undergone four surgeries following the sickening, unprovoked attack Little Luka had been on a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park, in inner south east Brisban, when the man approached them at about midday on August 27 'It sounds like they were very, very close (to) catching him,' the baby's mother told reporters earlier today. 'This obviously means that we're going to have to wait who knows how long to get justice for our son - it's a bit heartbreaking.' Detective Inspector Paul Dalton described the case as one of the 'most complex and frustrating' he had ever investigated. Although police now know the suspect's name and destination, they have refrained from sharing further details to avoid jeopardising the ongoing manhunt. Police did however confirm that the suspect, who has been described as an itinerant worker, has travelled back and forth to Australia several times since 2019 and has lived in both New South Wales and Victoria. CCTV and enhanced images of the man who conducted the savage attack on the young baby were obtained by Queensland police shortly after the incident. But it took investigators five days for police to identify the individual who carried out what they described as a 'cowardly' act. 'He was aware of what we do to find people,' Det Insp Dalton said. 'I was in the investigation centre when we put a name to the face and it was a very happy room, only for us to do a check-in 15 minutes and find out we've lost him,' he added. 'We've got 30 detectives working for me. They're devastated that they missed this person by 12 hours. 'I was deflated, but that deflation quickly turned into determination and resilience to get the job done.' The man could face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted. Generous Australians have so far donated over $152,000 to a GoFundMe page, set up to support baby Luka's ongoing recovery Detective Inspector Paul Dalton (pictured), who described the incident as a 'savage attack', said the accused was 'aware of police methodologies' and had been 'conducting counter-surveillance activities' Det Insp Dalton said the man drove to New South Wales a day after the alleged attack before flying out of the country from Sydney on August 31. The baby boy's mother said that it was some relief that the alleged attacker was no longer in Australia. 'I had no idea where this person was, I didn't want to leave this hospital because it became our safe space,' she said. 'Returning home I had panic attacks, and still continue to do so. 'I do feel relief that he's not in this country, in some sense, but I will always have fear and anxiety being out in public with my son - it's affected my mental health for the rest of my life.' Baby Luka's father believed the police had done everything they could to find the man but the mother wanted answers. 'I just want to know why, why he did this,' she said. 'These are questions that may always be unanswered.' Det Insp Dalton said he was still scratching his head over a possible motive. 'There's not many investigations where you don't get a clear motive. It's strange,' he said. Luka's father said his son was in 'good spirits' and 'doesn't want to sit still' despite undergoing a 'pre-skin graft' today Baby Luka is pictured in the park in Brisbane prior to the attack Police said the 33-year-old man had no family or criminal record in Australia and had worked all over the country in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. He had either been on a working or a holiday visa since first coming to Australia in 2019. Police will now work with international partners to find him. 'The AFP has already started inquiries in the relevant country, with relevant authorities,' an Australian Federal Police statement said. Asked what his message to the man would be, Det Insp Dalton said: 'We will keep going until we find you - I have not lost that determination.' The parents said their son was in good spirits following the attack, but may take years to recover from the injuries he sustained. A GoFundMe page for the child has so far raised more than $150,000. Video and photos have emerged that appear to show recently deposed South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs snorting white powder from a plate. The footage, obtained by the Adelaide Advertiser, appears to show the former opposition leader bending over a plate in the kitchen of his Kingston Park home in Adelaide's south. Despite the footage being from inside his home and the pictured person bearing a strong resemblance to Mr Speirs, he says it is not him, and suggests the footage could be a 'deep fake'. Using what looks like a rolled up $5 note, the man in the footage appeared to loudly sniff the substance off the plate. The video's metadata reveals it was taken at 4.12am on June 30 when Mr Speirs was still the Liberal leader. A second still image timestamped two hours later showed the same man at the kitchen bench with seven lines of white powder on the plate and a plastic bank card on show. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Mr Speirs has done anything illegal. When confronted by a reporter at his home about the images, Mr Speirs insisted they were 'certainly not me' and that he was horrified by the 'troubling' photos. Video has emerged appearing to show former Liberal leader David Speirs using a $5 note to sniff a white substance off a plate 'That is very strange. No, no way,' Mr Speirs said. 'No, no way no, definitely not. I would never have done that. Never, never, never. 'I'm quite horrified by that. 'I'm really troubled by that. I'm very, very sorry about that.' In a follow-up text sent to the Advertiser Mr Speirs said he 'strongly disputed' the authenticity of any video as described. 'I believe this is a deep fake or an elaborate hoax,' he said. Mr Speirs has strongly denied that it is him the images and raised the possibility they may be 'deep fakes' On Sunday, he texted that he was overseas for two weeks in June. 'During that time other persons had access to my home, giving rise to the opportunity for someone to obtain footage of my premises,' he wrote. 'I am extremely disappointed by this and assure South Australians that I would never take illicit substances, I never have and I never will.' At the time the images were purportedly taken, Mr Speirs was the state's Liberal opposition leader and hoped to defeat Premier Peter Malinauskas at the next election. Later that day, he attended an 11am press conference at Arkaba Medical Centre in Parkside. Mr Speirs became state opposition leader after the Liberals lost the state election in 2022 and former premier Steve Marshall stepped aside. David Speirs said he was horrified by the 'troubling' photos Mr Speirs announced his shock resignation last month, declaring he'd 'had a gutful' of backroom machinations to replace him as leader. 'I don't have the energy to fight for a leadership that, quite frankly, in the current circumstances, I just don't want to pursue anymore,' he said. 'I was probably a different type of leader for the Liberal Party, a different background the party's never been led by someone from the southern suburbs before. 'I brought something different was it too soon for me to lead the party, or was the party simply not ready for me to lead it?' Mr Speirs, who remains a backbench MP representing the electorate of Black, has since called for federal intervention in the South Australian Liberals. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Speirs for comment. Great Ormond Street is facing mounting pressure to publish a report about a 'rogue' surgeon who left children with serious injuries - as it was revealed today he has been ditched from a top conference in Dubai. The London hospital trust launched an urgent review of the care of 721 children seen by consultant orthopaedic surgeon Yaser Jabbar, 43, after complaints from colleagues and family members. Of the 39 cases that have been reviewed so far, 15 patients have come to no harm, nine have suffered 'low to moderate harm' and 13 have come to 'severe harm' - that is likely to include lifelong injuries, the hospital said. All patients or their families have been contacted as part of the review, which is expected to take 18 months to complete, Great Ormond Street said. It comes after MailOnline revealed Jabbar, who currently lives in Dubai, had been due to speak at a major medical conference this week and was continuing to operate on children and adults at at least two major hospitals in the region. Great Ormond Street has launched an urgent review of all the youngsters treated by former surgeon Yaser Jabbar, 43, (pictured) in its orthopaedic department Great Ormond Street is facing mounting pressure to publish the report as it continues to review more than 700 patients treated by Jabbar Jabbar appears to no longer be scheduled to attend the event and has been removed from both hospital websites after being contacted by MailOnline yesterday. The trust for Great Ormond Street commissioned an external review of its paediatric orthopaedic service in 2022 'after concerns were raised by a number of our patient families and staff'. At the time it was agreed Jabbar would go on an eleven-month sabbatical while the review took place. It is now facing calls to publish the findings by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS). The 100-page document reportedly concluded that senior executives had 'manifestly failed in their responsibility' and that the hospital's orthopaedic department was not 'currently safe for patients'. Of the cases already reviewed, the report found one child has since had to have one of their legs amputated - which could have been avoided if the surgery by Jabbar had not been carried out. At least one other child is facing the possibility of amputation if no other treatment succeeds, it is understood. Other patients have been left with life-long severe injuries and needed corrective surgery. MailOnline revealed yesterday after leaving Great Ormond Street he was living and working in Dubai - speaking about his 'expertise' at conferences and operating on children at the Clemenceau Medical Center and orthopaedic specialists Orthocure. But this morning Jabbar was removed from the website of a major conference he was due to speak at in Dubai this week, as well as disappearing from the hospitals' websites where he had been lauded as 'one of the best'. The MENA International Orthopaedics Congress had previously announced Jabbar as a speaker in July, saying: 'Join us to gain knowledge from his wealth of experience!' Today the announcement has been deleted from social media and Jabbar's name removed from the conference brochure, with the session he was due to lead marked 'TBC' instead. Jabbar had been announced as a speaker at this week's MENA conference - but the announcement has since been deleted and his name removed from the website The conference organisers have removed Jabbar from its programme, replacing him with 'TBC' The Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC)'s page on Jabbar listed various conditions he claimed to treat Both hospitals Jabbar was working at have also wiped him from their sites since MailOnline got in contact with them on Sunday. It is understood he had been continuing to operate on both adults and children at the Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC) and was also listed as a consultant at Orthocure, both in Dubai. CMC described Jabbar as 'internationally sought for both adult and paediatric trauma and reconstruction, and is considered a leading figure in the region.' It added Jabbar was 'recognised for his expertise and appointed as a consultant limb reconstruction surgeon at the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.' It made no mention of the reasons for his departure, but did publish a long list of operations he could perform for both adults and children. Orthocure also heaped praise on Jabbar, describing him as 'internationally sought after' with more than 20 years of clinical experience. It claimed he has a 'sizeable international and embassy patient base'. Neither MENA, CMC or Orthocure responded to requests for comment. A lawyer representing families who had children treated by Jabbar, Caroline Murgatroyd, a senior associate solicitor at Hudgell Solicitors, urged the hospital to release the report to the public. 'There has been reference to this internal report that was produced last year, now that report hasn't been made available publicly - I haven't seen it, the families haven't seen it,' she told Times Radio. 'My understanding is that report does address some of the departmental failures and details some of the reports that were made by staff. Jabbar moved to Dubai following an 11-month sabbatical taken after concerns were raised about his treatments Jabbar treated 721 children while working at Great Ormond Street Hospital, a report has revealed 'And there is a big lack of information there at the moment as to when concerns were first raised, how they were dealt with... so I'd really encourage Great Ormond Street to release that report to the public.' She added: 'I think it's really, really important that (families) understand how this came about and how it could go on so long - we're talking a five year period over which children were treated. 'I think it's really, really important that there's a lot of transparency here. Great Ormond Street Hospital has been quite good with that so far in terms of individual patients, and they've started the process of reviewing each patient's medical record and reporting to them about where they've identified fails in care. 'But I think in terms of the wider departmental issues of what was actually going on at the trust and governance, that's where I think they could be more transparent. 'I think that's really important to families, because they want to know why this happened and what course of events led to all of this. And so we can also make sure that it really doesn't happen again.' Ms Murgatroyd, said that she was representing families of children who had received incorrect surgeries, leg length discrepancies, nerve injuries and one client who had undergone an amputation. She said some of the accusations include the 'wrong choice of surgery; surgery performed to an unreasonable standard; failure to advise parents about the risk and benefits of undergoing and not undergoing surgery, so failure to obtain informed consent'. A spokesperson for the hospital said: 'We have contacted all patients and families who have been impacted and where harm has been identified, discussed their cases with them under our duty of candour. 'The full report contains personally identifiable data relating to patients and staff and it would not be appropriate to share it. 'However, the Trust intends to share the contents of an executive summary through our publicly available board papers in December 24. Public release of this information needs to be timed to take into consideration patient communications, which remains our priority.' Jabbar, who no longer works at the London hospital, is reported to be an expert in limb reconstruction but has not had a licence to practise medicine in the UK since January 8, according to the General Medical Council's website. Jabbar has not responded to requests for comment. Thousands have been forced to evacuate as California cities burn under out-of-control wildfires amid a days-long heat wave of triple-digit temperatures. Video footage has captured the out-of-control wildfires this weekend with blazes ravaging thousands of acres across California, Oregon and Nevada. The so-called Line Fire was burning uncontrolled along the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) east of LA. The fire in Southern California has spread to over 20,500 acres. UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said the fire has 'room to grow now in essentially three directions and there are population centers and pretty dense, dry vegetation in between those population centers.' An aerial view, a mix of rain and smoke from the nearby Line Fire creates a heavy stew of air pollution on September 8, 2024 over San Bernardino, California Firefighters work to extinguish numerous fire-ravaged homes as the Boyles Fire burns in Clearlake, California The fire began Thursday evening, and the cause is under investigation. The fire remained uncontained Sunday afternoon. As of Sunday morning, the blaze had charred about 27 square miles (70 square kilometers) of grass and chaparral, leaving a thick cloud of dark smoke blanketing the area. The fire burned so hot Saturday that it created its own thunderstorm-like weather systems of pyroculumus clouds. That could bring more challenging conditions such as gusty winds and lightning strikes, according to the National Weather Service. Firefighter Gus Laws extinguishes flames on a home as the Boyles fire burns in Clearlake, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 8 Firefighters work against the advancing Line Fire in Mentone, California The Line Fire in San Bernardino County is still at 0 containment Hundreds of firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire in high temperatures in San Bernardino County, which grew to 1180 acres (about 4.8 square km) with 24 hours Firefighters also faced steep terrain, which limited their ability to control the blaze, officials said. About 500 firefighters were battling the blaze, supported by water-dropping helicopters that hovered over homes and hillsides, along with aircraft. Now, the out-of-control wildfire in the foothills of a national forest east of Los Angeles is threatening ten of thousands of buildings. Running Springs resident Steven Michael King told the Associated Press that he had planned to stay to fight the fire and help his neighbors until Sunday morning, when the fire escalated. Firefighter Nolan Graham sprays water around a scorched garage as the Boyles fire burns in Clearlake, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 8 Thousands told to evacuate as California cities burn under out-of-control He had prepped his house to prevent fire damage but decided to leave out of fear smoke could keep him from finding a way out later. 'It came down to, which is worse, being trapped or being in a shelter?' he said outside an evacuation center Sunday. 'When conditions changed, I had to make a quick decision, just a couple of packs and it all fits in a shopping cart.' Joseph Escobedo said his family has lived in Angelus Oaks for about three years and has never had to evacuate for wildfire. His family, with three young children, was among the remaining few who haven't left the area as of Sunday afternoon. 'It's kind of frightening with the possibility of losing your home and losing everything we worked really hard for,' Escobedo said as his family packed up the essentials to leave. 'It's hard to leave and not be sure if you're gonna be able to come back.' The Line Fire jumps highway 330 as an emergency vehicle is driven past Saturday, Sept. 7 Horse huddle in a pen as smoke from the Line Fire fills the air Fire crews monitor the Line Fire, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Running Springs A member of a bulldozer fire crew watches the advancing Line Fire in Mentone Smoke and flames from the advancing Line Fire rise above a ridge Law enforcement officers hold a coversation as the Boyles Fire burns in Clearlake, California Arrowbear Lake resident Michael Lee said he left his home with his dog Saturday afternoon. Lee, a photographer, had turned back to retrieve a camera and didn't get to the evacuation center in Highland until nearly seven hours later. 'I wanna get back to home,' Lee said sitting in his car outside the evacuation center. 'The triple-digit weather down here is nasty.' State firefighters said three firefighters had been injured and more than 35,000 structures were threatened, including single and multi-family homes and commercial buildings. Thunderstorms expected later in the day could make it even more challenging to rein in the fire. 'Afternoon thunderstorms could cause new ignitions and potentially influence activity around the fire perimeter,' state firefighters said in a Sunday morning update. 'Hot and dry conditions mixed with thunderstorms are expected to challenge firefighters for the next few days.' Smoke already blanketed downtown San Bernardino, where Joe Franco, a worker at Noah's Restaurant, said his friends in the surrounding evacuation zones were gearing up to leave at a moment's notice. 'They're just kind of hanging on tight and getting their stuff ready to move,' Franco said. 'Normally they're here, but a lot of people are not coming today.' Smoke from the advancing Line Fire fills the air Flames from the Line Fire ignite over a residence Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Highland, California The Line Fire continues burning in the San Bernardino National Forest's mountains over Highland, California A truck burns outside a residence as the Boyles Fire burns in Clearlake, California Redlands Unified School District cancelled Monday classes for roughly 20,000 students, and Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for San Bernardino County. Meanwhile, a small vegetation fire, less than a square mile (2.6 square kilometers), burned at least 30 homes and commercial buildings and destroyed 40 to 50 vehicles Sunday afternoon in Clearlake City, 110 miles (117 kilometers) north of San Francisco, officials said. Roughly 4,000 people were forced to evacuate by the Boyles Fire, which was about 10 percent contained Monday morning. An NHS hospital in Wales has been sanctioned after two grieving families were given the wrong bodies for their relatives' funerals. Grange University Hospital has had its recognition as a mortuary 'partially suspended' following the mistaken release of two complete strangers' bodies in a matter of weeks. Health chiefs at the modern 350million hospital in Gwent blamed 'human error' on two bodies complete strangers being released from their mortuary for family funerals. In the first bungle, a cremation ceremony was carried out 12 miles away at Sirhowy Valley Crematorium as mourners gathered. But the wrong body was cremated and the family were only told months later that the service had, in fact, burned the body of a stranger. Grange University Hospital (seen) in Wales has had its recognition as a mortuary 'partially suspended' following the mistaken release of two complete strangers' bodies in a matter of weeks Aneurin Bevan University Health Board chief executive Nicola Prygodzicz has met with one family who went through the ordeal of holding two funerals in a fortnight last year to apologise It was only two weeks after the health board informed the family of the error that a second funeral finally put their loved one at rest. The person wrongly cremated had no known living relatives according to the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in South Wales. Its chief executive Nicola Prygodzicz met with the family who went through the ordeal of holding two funerals in a fortnight. She said: 'We are utterly heartbroken about what has happened to the family and we take responsibility for this isolated incident. 'No words we can say, or actions we can take, can put this right. 'We are deeply sorry, and our thoughts and full support remain with the family.' A spokesman for the crematorium said: 'We do not have permission to provide any comments without the consent of families.' It is understood that the cost of the second funeral is being met by the health board. Prygodzicz added: 'We would also like to reassure the public that this is an exceptional case. 'We identified this mistake through our own processes and after an initial review we are confident that this is down to an isolated human error.' A second blunder happened weeks later in November 2023 when again the wrong body was released - but details of the case have not been revealed. UKAS - the UK's national accreditation service - found 'evidence of active ongoing risks and significant areas of concern' at the hospital mortuary. Assessors found 'evidence of a lack of standardisation' in the procedures for patient release five months after the two 'serious' mix-ups. The investigation uncovered how deceased patients arriving at the mortuary from the community have different identification tags and paperwork from those who arrive there from the hospital. It also flagged up 'inconsistency' with information added into the mortuary register. UKAS also raised concerns about a 'lack of security measures in place' including CCTV coverage and no list of personnel with access to the facility. UKAS found seven 'areas of improvement' and decided to partially suspend its accreditation of the Grange's mortuary service over 'serious concerns on security and safe patient management'. The Aneurin Bevan health board said it had put in safeguards against any further incidents and is working with mortuary staff to 'deliver continued improvements'. A spokesman for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said the two 'unprecedented' incidents at the mortuary 'were found to have the same root cause'. He said the health board launched its own investigation, audited the department and introduced safeguards against repeat mix-ups - and has to date completed 17 of 19 recommendations made by its own investigators. 'It is important to note that UKAS is not a regulatory body, and that UKAS accreditation is not a mandatory requirement, but we voluntarily ask them to review our services to maintain good practice,' the spokesman said. 'Enhanced CCTV is being implemented. All our mortuary sites are secure, with swipe card access in place'. Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan apologised for the mistakes while she was health secretary. Baroness Morgan said: 'I'm very sorry for the dreadful distress that has been inflicted on these families.' Google is back in court to answer accusations that it has cultivated an illegal monopoly on the lucrative digital ad market, marking the second attempt by the US government to possibly break up one of the most profitable companies in the world. This comes a little over a month after US Judge Amrit Mehta ruled in a separate case that Google did in fact resort to illicit means to preserve its dominant search engine. The new antitrust case is being brought in the Eastern District of Virginia by the US Department of Justice and 17 state attorneys general, all of whom are alleging that Google's iron grip on the market for ad-tech software used to buy and sell internet ads is illegal. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema will hear opening statements on Monday in a trial that's expected to last four weeks. There is no jury leaving the tech firms fate in the hands of witnesses and Judge Brinkema. Google's CEO Sundar Pichai (pictured) testified in the last antitrust trial that led to an unfavorable ruling for the company. It's unknown if he'll be taking the stand again The trial will focus on the open web display ad market and the tools powering ad auctions that happen in the milliseconds it takes for a webpage to load. Google is a behemoth in this market, owning a publisher ad server that almost all online publishers use, from news websites to independent bloggers. With it, they can manage their ads and connect the tools needed for advertisers to buy ad space. Crucially, Google also provides the ad exchange that connects publishers and advertisers. The DoJ alleges this trifecta has helped the company stamp out rivals in the online advertising business, while also inflating advertising costs and cutting revenue for publishers. The government wants to break up this all-encompassing tool, called Ad Manager, which is the combination of Googles publisher ad Server and ad exchange, and delivered Google an operating profit of $368 million in 2020. If the judge rules against Google, she could force it to sell off Ad Manager, destroying a consistent source of revenue for the company If the judge rules against Google, she could force it to sell off Ad Manager, destroying a consistent source of revenue for the company and broadening the landscape of the online advertising industry. The DoJ is pushing for the decision. Google has led a 'campaign to condition, control, and tax digital advertising transactions over 15 years,' the governments lawyers said in a recent court filing. 'This campaign was exclusionary, anticompetitive, and mutually reinforcing.' Among the allegations is how Google enticed businesses with shady dealings, and enforced its monopoly by forcing companies into compliance. Google disagrees, arguing that it's been rewarded with sky high profits because of its innovations. Their lawyers say the DoJ is out of touch with the reality of the private sector. A ruling against Google could effectively eliminate billions worth of revenue it books every year from its ad tech business. Pictured: The court in the Eastern District of Virginia, where the trial is taking place 'In court, we will show that ad buyers and sellers have many options, and when they choose Google they do so because our ad tech is simple, affordable, and effective. In short - it works,' Google wrote in a blog post on Sunday. Judge Brinkema criticized Google last month for this earlier corporate policy that allowed automatic deletion of employee chat records, saying it was 'not the way in which a responsible corporate entity should function.' 'An awful lot of evidence has already been destroyed,' she said. The DOJ has asked the judge to infer that the evidence destroyed was unfavorable to Google, with the company arguing the government knew about its auto-delete policy years before bringing it up now. The judge opted not to formally sanction Google for this, but said it would factor into which witnesses were credible or not. Former President Donald Trump is backing a controversial ballot measure to allow adults to possess up to three ounces of marijuana in his home state of Florida, crossing powerful figures who want to kill it. The move comes despite Trump's longstanding warnings about the risks of alcohol and drug uses, and puts him at cross-purposes with a powerful billionaire donor who is investing millions to try to defeat the measure as well as Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump revealed his position on his Truth Social website, after a tumultuous rollout of his decision to oppose a separate and even more controversial abortion amendment that goes before Florida voters. 'As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product,' Trump posted on his Truth Social website. 'As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November. As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens.' Former President Donald Trump said he will vote for an amendment in Florida that would let people possess small amounts of marijuana Former Trump rival turned campaign backer Gov. Ron DeSantis trashed the proposal earlier this summer, focusing on the 'putrid' odor of marijuana. He said he 'could not believe the pungent odor' in places where it was legal, arguing, 'It has not been good for quality of life.' Back in April, DeSantis said New York City now reeks of marijuana following legalization moves there and in other jurisdictions. 'Look whats happened in Denver, Colorado. Look whats happened in Los Angeles, New York City. You know, Ive talked to people that have moved from New York and theyre like, they used to have, you know, an apartment somewhere and it used to (smell differently). Now, what does it reek of? It reeks of marijuana. I dont want the state to be reeking of marijuana.' Gov. Ron DeSantis split with Trump on the measure and has complained about the 'pungent odor' in states that legalized recreational pot possession Your browser does not support iframes. In late August, Trump revealed he will oppose an amendment in Florida that would expand access to abortion in his adoptive state. That came despite Trump criticizing the six-week abortion ban signed into law by DeSantis. Opposing the measure is hedge funder Ken Griffin, whose net worth climbed to $43 billion through holdings in Citadel. He is a top Republican donor who is seen as a key potential Trump supporter, although his donations so far have gone to other Republicans. Griffin called it 'a terrible plan to create the nations most expansive and destructive marijuana laws,' and pledged to donate $12 million to bankroll the effort. 'Passage of Amendment 3 would create a monopoly for large marijuana dispensaries and permit pot use in public and private areas throughout Florida. That will help no one other than special interests and it will hurt us all, especially through more dangerous roads, a higher risk of addiction among our youth, and an increase in crime,' Griffin wrote in an op-ed last month. Griffin hasn't made any contributions to the Trump campaign, his office confirmed. Several of the six Israeli hostages who were slaughtered by their Hamas captors in Gaza last month attempted to fight off their killers, their families have reportedly been told by the IDF. Israeli Channel 12 News reported that IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari briefed some of the devastated families of the six who had their lives cruelly snatched on the details of their captivity and how they were executed. Hagari informed the families of what are believed to be the initial findings of the IDF's investigation into the brutal killings, and showed them footage taken from inside the Rafah tunnel where they were held hostage and murdered. The IDF believes the six hostages, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23 - an Israeli-American - Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Carmel Gat, 39, Almog Sarusi, 26, Alex Lubnov, 26, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino, 25, were killed 10 days ago - around a day before the IDF discovered the tunnel. 'Several of the six are assessed to have defended themselves and struggled with those who shot them,' it adds. Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among six hostages whose bodies were recovered on August 31. He was among victims taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 massacre Eden Yerushalmi was also abducted from the Nova music festival and weighed just 80 pounds when the IDF discovered her body, her family were informed recently Ori Danino was taken captive by Hamas from the Nova Music Festival on October 7 The report further states that in the narrow tunnel, there were no air vents which left the hostages struggling for breath. There were no toilets or showers, meaning the hostages - who were snatched by Hamas during the October 7 massacre - were left washing with the water from the bottles they drank from. Other harrowing details included that protein bars were found scattered within the cramped tunnel as the hostages were fed very little food. Yerushalmi, 24, weighed just 80 pounds when his body was recovered. IDF officers also found a generator and small torch which did not have much power, along with a chess set, pens, and notepads which they then passed on to the respective families, according to the report. Members of one of the family, who were not named, told Channel 1 that the hostages 'did everything to survive in impossible circumstances and in the end Hamas murdered them. 'Their only demand was that the government save them, and the government failed in its mission,' they aded. Channel 13 also revealed that forensic findings showed evidence that 'Hersh, Ori, Alex and Almog defended Eden and Carmel' while they were trapped in the narrow tunnel. The bodies of the six hostages were recovered on August 31 from an underground tunnel in the Rafah area and formally identified in Israel, a military statement said at the time. An initial autopsy on September 1 revealed they had been shot multiple times at close range just two or three days earlier. it was also revealed that three of the six hostages who were found dead in the Gaza tunnel were set to be released in a prisoner exchange deal the following day, a senior Hamas official claimed. 'Some of the names of the captives announced as found by the (Israeli) occupier... were part of the list of hostages to be released that Hamas had approved' in a potential exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, the unnamed official stated. Almog Sarusi, 26, was enjoying the rave when Hamas terrorists attacked Carmel Gat was visiting her family in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7 Alex Lobanov, 26, was the head barman at the festival The aftermath of an attack on the Supernova music Festival by Hamas gunmen, October 9 'Hersh, Carmel and Eden were all on the list of hostages set to be released in the July 2 ceasefire proposal presented by Biden. We could have saved them,' the official said. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said their Hamas murderers shot them dead 'in cold blood. They riddled them with bullets... They shot them in the back of the head'. They were among 251 hostages seized during the surprise October 7 attack on a music festival in southern Israel by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages remain in captivity, dozens of whom the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's President Isaac Herzog took to X, formerly Twitter, at the beginning of the month to pay tribute to those that devastatingly lost their lives. 'The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces... On behalf of the State of Israel, I embrace their families with all my heart, and apologize for failing to bring them home safely'. Herzog also defiantly confirmed that Israel will continue to 'fight relentlessly' against Hamas. 'The blood of our brothers cries out to us. Our sisters and brothers are still there enduring Hell. The supreme covenant between the state and its citizens is to ensure their safety. We have the sacred and urgent mission to bring them home,' he ended the post. The brutal Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7 when the Palestinian Islamist group attacked an Israeli music festival in southern Israel, killing 1,200 and snatching around 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. At least 40,691 Palestinians have now been killed and 94,060 injured in Israel's counter offensives in Gaza, the enclave's Hamas-run health ministry said in a statement last month. A Springfield, Ohio, resident has claimed that Haitian migrants have been decapitating ducks in public parks and eating them. The aggrieved man made the claim during a city commission meeting last month to address the influx of legal Haitian immigrants - which has revitalized the local economy, but also sparked controversy among locals. 'I really challenge you guys to get out here and do something,' he told the meeting. 'These Haitians are running into trash cans, running into buildings... they're flipping cars in the middle of the streets...' The man added: 'They're in the park, grabbing up ducks by their neck, and cutting their head off and walking off with them. They're eating them.' A Springfield, Ohio , resident has claimed that Haitian migrants have been decapitating ducks in public parks and eating them Springfield, Ohio, has become a flashpoint in the debate over immigration, after droves of Haitian migrants arrived in the city in 2020 to fill jobs vacancies Reports of migrants eating animals like ducks remain unconfirmed. 'In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community, the City of Springfield told DailyMail.com in a statement on Monday. Springfield, Ohio, has become a flashpoint in the debate over immigration, after droves of Haitian migrants arrived in the city in 2020 to fill jobs vacancies. Willing to do the blue-collar jobs locals were unenthusiastic about, the Haitians, who were already in the country legally, moved to the town. Within a few years, 20,000 immigrants arrived, swelling Springfield's population, which was only 58,000 in 2020. The Haitians had social security numbers and job permits, paid taxes, and lived in houses that were empty and boarded up as the town shrank. However, their arrival put a strain on medical services and the education system. At a city commission meeting, furious locals used the forum to voice their feelings about the Haitians, making several wild claims in the process 'I think it's sad that some people are using this as an opportunity to spread hate or spread fear,' deputy director of public safety and operations Jason Via told NPR. 'We get these reports "the Haitians are killing ducks in a lot of our parks" or "the Haitians are eating vegetables right out of the aisle at the grocery store." 'And we haven't really seen any of that. It's really frustrating. As a community, it's not helpful as we try to move forward.' Having filled empty homes, later arrivals also contributed to a housing crisis egged on by landlords prioritizing immigrants who would pay more, instead of low-income locals on government subsidies. Bubbling tensions overflowed after a school bus crash caused by a Haitian immigrant veering into the wrong lane killed Aiden Clark, 11, on August 22 last year. During the meeting with commissioners, a local woman pleaded with local officials to make some changes, after revealing that she is being driven out of her home of 45 years because of migrant activity. An Ohio woman pleaded with local officials to make some changes, after revealing that she is being driven out of her home of 45 years because of migrant activity Bubbling tensions overflowed after a school bus crash caused by a Haitian immigrant veering into the wrong lane killed Aiden Clark, 11, on August 22 last year 'I'm done with what I'm seeing,' the woman said in a voice trembling with emotion. 'It is so unsafe in my neighborhood anymore.' The resident, who gripped the sides of the lectern as she spoke, continued: 'I have the homeless that were trying to camp out, and I have made concessions with them.' She said that she 'tried to help' these individuals, so that they would not try to 'squat' on her property. 'It is so unsafe,' she lamented. 'I have men that cannot speak English in my front yard screaming at me, throwing mattresses...[and] throwing trash in my front yard.' 'Look at me,' the unhappy resident said, gesturing toward herself. 'I weigh 95 pounds. I couldn't defend myself if I had to.' Because of her fears, the woman revealed that her 'elderly' husband had decided that they would leave their home of 45 years. Infamous vegan activist Tash Peterson has sparked outrage and confusion after she took to the streets wearing nothing but a bikini and fake blood to protest the sale of items made from animal skin. The semi-clad activist protested in a bloodied stunt outside of David Jones on Hay Street in Perth's CBD, on Monday in a joint protest with animal rights organisation PETA against the department store giant. She made her message loud and clear by lying on top of a 'blood-soaked chopping block' which read: 'David Jones: Drop Wild-Animal Skins'. In a video posted to her Instagram Peterson said 'animals are not jackets, bags and belts, they are people who feel pain'. 'Animals are brutally tortured, abused and murdered their skins alive to be turned into your jacket, your shoes, bags and belts,' she said while standing on the block. Bemused and baffled shoppers walked past trying to ignore the commotion while another was spotted eating her lunch behind the activist as she continued her furious rant against David Jones. 'This is blatant animal abuse, animals should have the right to live just like us,' she said. Her snake print bikini was meant to resemble an 'abused reptile' to alert the public to their claims of animal abuse. Notorious vegan activist Tash Peterson (pictured) has appeared scantily clad and covered in fake blood to protest David Jones in Perth's CBD The most recent stunt comes after Peterson pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly behaviour and criminal damage for a similar stunt at another Perth shopping centre two days out from Christmas in December. Previous incidents included her pouring fake blood on the glass of a butcher's and two separate stand-offs at Fyre restaurant in the northern Perth suburb of Connolly last year. Peterson vowed to the West Australian last week to be more 'tactical' with her protests. But on Monday, Peterson was back the CBD taking part in the bloodied stunt while describing the punishments for her previous protests as 'absurd'. 'It's absurd that pouring fake blood all over a butcher store to bring attention to animal abuse is viewed as a crime, whilst the real blood and body parts of murder victims being sold in that very butcher store is legal,' she explained as she walked down Hay Street in a bikini. She also claimed that an undercover police officer had 'infultrated' her group to 'gather information about my activism'. The protest (pictured) came just a week after Ms Peterson pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly behaviour and criminal damage for an incident in December 'The police are putting in massive resources in attempt to stop me from protesting for animal rights,' she told followers. 'But let me be clear, I will never stop speaking up for the most oppressed victims on this planet. Peterson is currently banned from leaving Western Australia due a six-month community-based order issued by a magistrate in Joondalup Magistrates Court last month. She was also hit with thousands of dollars in fines and ordered to complete 30 hours of community service. Other previous antics have led police and policymakers in WA to describe her as 'Australia's biggest pest'. Bamboo weaving innovatively inherited in SW China's Sichuan People's Daily Online) 10:26, September 09, 2024 In less than two minutes, a lifelike bamboo-woven fish "swims" into existence at the hands of Chen Yunhua, a local bamboo weaving master, drawing exclamations of admiration from international media present at the International Bamboo Art Museum located in Qingshen county, Meishan city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Chen Yunhua, an inheritor of Qingshen bamboo weaving, a national intangible cultural heritage, instructs a foreign media worker on bamboo weaving at the International Bamboo Art Museum in Qingshen county, Meishan city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhao Zule) Qingshen county is known as the "Hometown of bamboo weaving in China". Qingshen bamboo weaving, with a history spanning over 3,000 years, is famous for its exquisiteness, intricacy, uniqueness, and excellence. Today, Qingshen bamboo weaving has evolved into a product system comprising 25 categories and over 3,000 varieties, including flat and three-dimensional weaving, as well as bamboo weaving with porcelain wares. The products are exported to more than 50 countries and regions worldwide. Many countries have abundant bamboo resources but do not fully utilize them. Negasi Ambaye Abay, deputy CEO of the Ethiopian News Agency, felt this deeply, explaining that his country also has many bamboo trees, but no one transforms them into daily necessities or art pieces, nor has a complete industrial chain been established. He was greatly inspired by the visit to Qingshen. Photo shows a work that integrates porcelain with bamboo weaving. (Photo/Xu Peng) Common bamboo weaving patterns include herringbone, cross, hexagonal, spiral, and twisted wire weaves. Master craftsman Zhang Deming from Qingshen took these techniques a step further by blending bamboo weaving with porcelain wares to craft sophisticated and refined works. This innovative approach has opened doors to partnerships with top fashion brands worldwide, enhancing the global reputation of Qingshen bamboo weaving. To better promote bamboo weaving techniques and culture, Zhang developed a bamboo weaving kit for beginners. The kit includes two porcelain bodies, bamboo strips, and basic weaving tutorials. "With the 'bamboo weaving kit', people from any country or region can experience the charm of bamboo weaving. This provides us with more space and possibilities for innovation in bamboo weaving techniques," Zhang explained. Zhang Deming, a crafts and arts master, displays bamboo weaving techniques to foreign friends. (Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China Meishan municipal committee) With years of experience as a teacher, Zhang hopes more people will create happiness and experience the same feelings he does through learning bamboo weaving skills. "We are not only weaving with our hands; we are weaving with our hearts. We are not just making works of art; we are weaving 'happiness'," says Zhang. In recent years, Qingshen county has strengthened partnerships with bamboo-rich regions abroad, setting up intangible cultural heritage exchange centers and overseas bamboo art training centers in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries and regions. These centers have trained over 10,000 individuals from more than 30 countries and regions, helping local communities weave their paths to happiness with bamboo. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Sir, Every five years people start campaigning for Parliament seats, by doing good deeds for their communities. But, the elections have become more of a transactional political affair. Anyone without money is guaranteed to lose with a huge margin. In recent years, we saw people being literally given E200 notes to vote for certain candidates. Some were given blankets and food stuffs. Ruined The Elections and Boundaries Commission was informed about such incidents, but it was apparently toothless to deal with it. It has ruined the Tinkhundla System of Governance to the point that we now need a serious restructuring of this system. The implication is deep because it means we have in government and Parliament people who have the propensity to commit corruption. How can we expect them to fight corruption if they earned Parliament seats through bribery. These are the very people who are supposed to form select committees to probe corruption. They produce reports with names that are censored for unsatisfactory reasons. My point is not that we should go for multiparty system, because even there corruption can thrive. Learnt We have learnt this from South Africas situation, where billions are spend on trying to fight corruption and State capture. So, the best thing is to tighten screws in our own system. We must come to a point where people pay bribes but do not get elected. This way, they will stop the habit and look for legal means to earn a Parliament seat. In the past elections, we elected people who are even too shy to speak in public. That is the kind of Parliamentarians we made. Some are clueless about government processes and politics in general. In recent years, we elected people who were not politicians but development officers. This was far better than what we have now. I would have asked Members of Parliament (MPs) to move a motion for an overhaul of the Tinkhundla system, but such a motion will never be moved because the current state of the system is good for the MPs and Senators that we have. Last year, police said they would investigate the election process for senators, but such an investigation was a still born baby. How was it going to succeed because the culprits had deep pockets and an insatiable appetite for power. If this process continues, the next elections will be doomed and people will start revolting. At worst, those calling for multiparty will started to have their voices heard. NC Vilane It was almost 9pm in Portland, Oregon, when the police department warned that a mob was gathering on a corner of Southwest Park Avenue. This was October 2020, and American streets were still ablaze from the Black Lives Matter rioting that followed the murder of George Floyd. Some are trying to pull down a statue with a chain, said a tweet from the authorities. And quite a statue it proved to be. Within an hour, the revered figure of Abraham Lincoln, the founding father of modern America, had been hauled from his plinth assassinated for a second time. A telling new low in the culture wars that today engulf America and the west, this mindless act of vandalism was, for me, the moment that crystalized the terrible danger we now face. Within an hour, the revered figure of Abraham Lincoln, the founding father of modern America, had been hauled from his plinth, assassinated for a second time. The past itself is under attack. We are witnessing nothing short of a war on history, a moral crusade which seeks to make people ashamed of their origins and who they are. Nowhere is this crusade more aggressively pursued than in the United States of America and nowhere are the consequences more wide-reaching and destructive. The tentacles have reached into every corner of education and public life, as I explain in my new book. The importance of Lincoln in all this can hardly be overstated. Born in a log cabin in Kentucky, he rose to become not just the 16th President but among the most consequential of all to hold that office. It was Lincoln who invoked government of the people, by the people, for the people in his Gettysburg address. A prominent opponent of slavery (for which he was gunned down), Lincoln is a hero, surely, to all reasonable Americans who believe that black lives matter. Yet not, it seems, to the rioters who desecrated his memory and not to their fellow travelers among the liberal elite. Today, its these cultural commissars those who dominate the seats of learning and the media who drive this narrative of hate against Americas achievements and its legacy. Often, they do so through the pages of their favorite mouthpiece, The New York Times. Some are trying to pull down a statue with a chain, said a tweet from the authorities. And quite a statue it proved to be. It is the Times which sponsors, the 1619 Project, for example, a program instructing children that the American Revolution was not so much a war of independence as an act of great selfishness to preserve the racial oppression of exploited peoples. Taking its name from the year the first recorded slave ship arrived in Virginia, the project is enthusiastically endorsed by online influencers, by the leaders of Americas cultural industry and by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey. The power of such people helps explain why so many children have been brainwashed through anti-American indoctrination. Books that remind children of the positive features of history have been taken off school shelves. So have masterpieces including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Libraries have taken objection to Laura Ingalls Wilders depiction of native Americans in her Little House on the Prairie books. In 2018, the American Library Association retrospectively cancelled her lifetime achievement award. These are no mere details. When books are cancelled by libraries, they are rendered invisible to future generations. Instead, our past is relentlessly demonized as a story of shame. Inspiring human achievements are routinely downplayed or called into question part of what the Australian historian Geoffrey Blainey has called the Black Armband view of history, invoking a past haunted by abuse and exploitation. History, in this view, is malevolent and the hold it exerts perpetuates oppression and misery. Academics such as Professor Robert Meister of the University of California, Santa Cruz, have stated it directly: the past is evil. If attacking the memory of Lincoln was egregious, an official decision to smear the 1776 Declaration of Independence is bewildering. Executives from Washingtons National Archives, where the document is displayed, are critical of the language used to describe the indigenous population of the time. So, its been disfigured by a trigger warning telling visitors that views expressed in the Declaration are outdated, biased and offensive. This might seem unnecessary, bizarre even, as almost anything produced in the 18th century is likely to be outdated. But its worse than that. This sour commentary is misleading and destructive. The Declaration of Independence was way ahead of its time, a document that would inspire independence movements for centuries to come. A telling new low in the culture wars that today engulf America and the west, this mindless act of vandalism was, for me, the moment that crystalized the terrible danger we now face. Nowhere is this crusade more aggressively pursued than in the United States of America and nowhere are the consequences more wide-reaching and destructive. Written mainly by Thomas Jefferson and famous for its insistence that all men are created equal and possess certain inalienable rights, it is, arguably, the foundation document of America itself. A blow for liberty around the world. Far from being outdated, the Declaration retains its relevance today. By treating its content as biased and offensive, Americas official National Archives imply that the very creation of the United States was flawed. Everything that has followed since must, presumably, bear the same sinister hallmark. And, yes, that is very much the view of those now trying to tear down America and the West. The harm done by vandalizing the past in this way is all too evident. Young people, the human casualties, are growing up with a weak and troubled sense of connection with what preceded them. We must remember how to learn from those whose footsteps we are following and embrace their achievements if we are not to lose an entire generation to ignorance and falsehood. We must counter this malevolent crusade, this war on history. And we should take note of Winston Churchills prescient warning: a nation that forgets its past has no future. Frank Furedi is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent. Pilots flying the Brazilian plane that crashed last month and killed all 62 people on board reported a failure in the aircraft's de-icing system before it tragically spiraled to the ground, a preliminary report revealed. The plane's black box recorded a pilot stating that there was 'a lot of icing' two minutes before VoePass Flight 2283 crashed in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo on August 9, the Brazilian Air Force's Center for Research and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents said during a press conference. The black box also indicated that the plane's de-icing system, which is responsible for preventing ice build-up on the wings, turned on and off several times, the report found. 'The crew members are commenting on failures in the [de-icing] system,' lieutenant colonel Pablo Froes said. 'The first time, during the climb, we had the commander, the pilot in command, commenting via the CDR (communication system), that there was a failure in the airframe system.' Aerial wreckage of Voepass Flight 2283 that crashed in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo on August 9 and killed all 62 people on board. A preliminary report from the Brazilian Air Force's Center for Research and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents found that the pilots reported a failure in the plane's de-icing system The Voepass Airlines plane was filmed spinning out of control before it crashed into the backyard of a home on August 9 The investigative team stopped short of saying that the reported failure caused the plane to crash. Weather reports from the day of the incident predicted ice formation in the area where the aircraft was flying. The report's findings indicated that the loss of speed alerts were triggered, but the Voepass crew never declared an emergency situation before the plane plummeted the ground. 'What we know is that the airplane was flying in an area with severe icing conditions,' Froes said. The findings may support investigators' belief that the crash was caused by ice formation on the plane's wings and failure of its de-icing system. The flight took off from Cascavel Regional Airport at 11:46 a.m. in Cascavel, Parana and was bound for Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo. Cell phone footage showed the plane spinning in the sky before crashing into the backyard of a residence, killing 58 passengers and four crew members. The turboprop airplane made a sharp turn and descended about 13,123 feet in under two minutes, according to aviation flight-tracking company Flightradar 24. A pilot of Voepass Airlines Flight 2283 said there was "a lot of icing" on the aircraft two minutes before it crashed, according to a preliminary report Voepass Airlines Flight 2283 crashed behind a condominium in Vinhedo, a city in the southeastern Brazilian state of Sao Paulo It reached an altitude of 16,404 feet at 12:23 pm and began to descend at 1:21 pm. It was flying at a decreased altitude of 4,101 feet at 1:22 pm before it plummeted. 'There are still many doubts. This accident shouldn't have happened, not in the conditions in which the plane was flying and was being operated. It had protection equipment,' said Carlos Baldin, head of the Center for Research and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents investigation division. Baldin added that the investigators are not operating under a deadline to release the full report. In a statement, Voepass Airlines agreed with the reports findings that the aircraft and the pilots were properly certified and said that the airplane's required systems were in operation. The airline added that it will continue cooperating with the investigations. A photo of the same aircraft from July 2023 shows that the ATR-72-500 twin engine turboprop plane's de-icing system was labeled 'inoperative' The preliminary report comes two weeks after it was revealed that that the same aircraft had a nonworking de-icing system a year before the tragedy. A photo of the same aircraft from July 2023 showed that the plane's de-icing system was labeled 'inoperative.' Another photo of a different Voepass plane also showed an 'inoperative' de-icing system marked by a yellow sticker. A third photo taken inside the cockpit of a different Voepass plane showed a fuel level indicator was also deemed nonfunctioning. A fourth picture that was reportedly taken August 1, eight days before the crash, showed that that knob on another plane's performance monitor had fallen off during a flight. It would permit the pilot to register the aircraft's overall weight, and the system transmits data confirming if air performance is correct and whether ice is restricting the flight. A female high school teacher is facing criminal charges for allegedly having sex with a student in Georgia. Chasity Cheyenne Knight, 25, of Uvalda, was arrested on August 27. Law enforcement reached out to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to assist with a possible case of sexual abuse by a teacher with students at Toombs County School District on August 19. Their investigation revealed Knight had been allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student in January while she was still a teacher. The age and gender of the victim has not been released. Chasity Cheyenne Knight, 25, is facing sexual assault charges after an investigation revealed she had allegedly been in a sexual relationship with a student in January The Georgia Bureau of Investigation began their investigation on August 19 after law enforcement asked for their assistance. Pictured: The high school where Knight worked Knight was charged with one count of Improper Sexual Contact by Employee, Agent or Foster Parent. The school district certified the resignation of Knight on April 11 from Toombs County High School, according to their meeting agenda. Knight is licensed to teach agricultural education in Georgia. Assistant Superintendent Tabatha Nobles told DailyMail.com: 'The Toombs County School System has recently been notified by law enforcement of an investigation into an allegation that we had no prior knowledge of relating to a former employee being involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student. 'The Toombs County School System will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement throughout this investigation.' In Georgia, the punishment for Knight's charges can vary depending on the severity - but for first degree offenses, those found guilty can face one and up to 25 years imprisonment, along with a fine up to $100,000. The school district certified the resignation of Knight on April 11 from Toombs County High School, according to their meeting agenda This comes just months after a former high school teacher was sentenced to 13 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to having sex with a student as many as 30 times, including once on a school field trip to Washington DC. Heather Hare, 33, was a family consumer science teacher at Bryant High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her relationship with the student occurred between August 2021 and April 2022. Investigators found that Hare had sex with the student in her car, her home and even in her classroom. The student was a senior at the time. They first encountered each other, she was assigned to give him one on one counseling. At one point, the teacher confessed to the teen that she fantasized about them having sex at the home that she shared with her husband and young daughter. The pair's relationship grew through messaging on Instagram and Snapchat. In April 2022, they have sex during a field trip to the nation's capital. Exactly 12 months later, Hare was arrested on first-degree sexual assault charges. Psychologists testifying in one of France's worst-ever sexual abuse trials this week revealed chilling insights into the mind of the man at the centre of it all - Dominique Pelicot. Mr Pelicot, a 71-year-old retired electrician, is facing up to 20 years in prison along with 50 other defendants, all of whom are accused of the 'aggravated rape' of Dominique's wife, Gisele. He oversaw a near-decade-long campaign of abuse between 2011 and 2020 in which he systematically drugged his wife unconscious and invited dozens of strangers to their family home to rape her on camera. Now, a slew of psychologists and detectives who interviewed Mr Pelicot following his arrest in September 2020 revealed that he complained the criminal charges against him had 'ruined his life' and said he and his wife could've continued living 'happily'. Speaking at his trial in a court in Avignon, in France's Provence, they described him as a 'Jekyll and Hyde' man who considered himself a 'good husband' - even though he routinely drugged his wife and directed men to violate her without her knowledge or consent. They also concluded that although he has acknowledged his crimes, he will always remain a danger and 'cannot be treated'. Dominique Pelicot is accused of recruiting men online to assault his wife repeatedly over a 10 year period Gisele P. re-enters the courthouse during the trial of her husband accused of drugging her for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan Dominique Pelicot is accused of orchestrating the rape ring Courageous Gisele Pelicot has bravely waved her right to anonymity so that the world can hear the depth of depravity her husband of 50 years sank to in order to satisfy his twisted sexual desires A psychological report submitted to the court suggested Mr Pelicot displayed a tendency towards 'paraphilia' sexual arousal in atypical situations and also 'somnophilia' an attraction to unconscious partners. This made him a 'very caring and much-loved grandfather by day' but 'a rapist at night', psychologist Bruno Daunizeau explained in the report. The 'two-faced personality' of a 'sex addict' and 'manipulative pervert' meant Mr Pelicot acted like the split-personality character in 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', the Gothic horror novel by Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson. 'During the day, you can be normal, and have another face at night,' said Dr Daunizeau. Marianne Douteau, another psychologist, told the court that Mr Pelicot still felt his life could have carried on as normal, despite the crimes he has admitted to. She agreed he had a 'split personality', and had inherited the temper of a violent father. Ms Douteau said Mr Pelicot 'complains that this criminal case against him has destroyed his life. 'He claims everything could have continued as before if he had not been arrested.' Mr Pelicot is said to have claimed: 'Gisele would not have known anything, we would have continued to be happy.' Dr Douteau added that Mr Pelicot 'has a two-sided personality he is a patriarch but he is also irresponsible and manipulative. Behind closed doors he does not respect limits.' Mr Pelicot told detectives that he considered himself a 'good husband' to the woman he married in 1971 and had three children with. He said he was 'respectful of his wife's desires and refusals' to sex, but 'also had fantasies about swinging,' and 'got pleasure in' seeing his wife undergo sexual acts that she normally refused'. This afternoon, Dr Paul Bensussan said Mr Pelicot had tried to justify his abuse of his wife by the abuse he himself suffered as a child, tellinng the court that he believed the defendant will always present a danger. The doctor said: 'Pelicot is a persistent liar... he has a split personality. Even if he says he acknowledges his crimes, he will remain a voyeur and exhibitionist. 'I do not believe that this can be treated. 'Sexual orientation is given for life, whether that sexuality is deviant or not. And the problem with perversion is that the doses must be increased. 'The only cure is old age because this leads to physical decline... this is not a satisfactory treatment.' Gisele Pelicot speaks to the press alongside her lawyer on September 5, outside the courtroom in Avignon, France Gisele Pelicot, 72, told the court in Avignon how she wanted to 'disappear' when police revealed the dark truth to her after arresting her husband in late 2020. Pictured: Gisele Pelicot (R), accompanied by her son David (C) and Florian (L) as they leave the criminal court in Avignon, France, September 5 David and Florian Pelicot enter the courtroom on the morning of Monday, September 9 Caroline Peyronnet, 45, told the Avignon court how she believed her father had drugged her too, after police showed her photos of her lying unconscious on a bed in her mother's underwear Turning to Madame Pelicot and her children, Dr Bensussan said: 'I will have to be a be a little crude and I apologise in advance to the civil parties [Madame Pelicot and her children]. 'Pelicot explained that she refused what he wanted (to have sex with other partners). But asleep she could refuse him nothing. 'This is rape by order... (for him) it is as if she were the one who had soiled the family.' Another psychologist who interviewed Mr Pelicot in December 2020 a month and a half after he was taken into custody, told the court on Monday: 'Pelicot said: ''My wife and I had a discussion about swinging but she didn't agree so I drugged her''.' Annabelle Montagne said Pelicot maintained he loved his wife, but she added: 'He sees his partner as an object to satisfy his sexual and narcissistic needs. His wife is then a partial object and no longer an object of total love.' On Friday, Mr Pelicot's own daughter described him as 'one of the greatest sexual predators' of all time. Caroline Darian, 46 told the Vaucluse Criminal Court that he secretly photographed her in the nude, along with her two sisters-in-law. This was at the same family home in Mazan, some 20 miles from Avignon, which Mr Pelicot had invited the men to after contacting them online. Ms Darian was convinced that like her mother she was routinely drugged so that her father could defile her. Mr Pelicot, who has been remanded in custody since his arrest in 2020, was considered too ill to give evidence on Monday, so will be cross-examined by prosecutors later in the week. He was first arrested in September 2020 for filming up women's skirts at a supermarket in Carpentras. His devices were searched, and police discovered he had meticulously catalogued thousands of photos and pornographic videos of women, including family members. It was while in custody that Mr Pelicot reported a hard drive, hidden under a printer, which contained a file called 'Abuses'. It classified the nickname and telephone numbers of attackers, together with some 3,800 photos and videos of Gisele Pelicot being raped, between 2011 and 2020. Detectives have listed a total of 92 rapes committed by 72 men, 51 of whom have been identified. The sons of Gisele Pelicot, Florian, right, David, left, and her daughter Caroline, centre, arrive in the Avignon court house, southern France, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 Madame Pelicot is determined that the public knows that she played no part in her husband's warped sexual fantasies that he played out at their picturesque chalet home in the Provence village of Mazan (pictured) Mr Pelicot moved his family from greater Paris in 1991, and later allegedly set up the sex ring. It involved advertising on a site for 'partners' on an online forum called 'Without Her Knowing' on the coco.fr site. Of the 83 men involved, 51 aged between 26 and 73 were identified and arrested by the police. Mr Pelicot is said to have sedated his wife by putting Temesta a powerful anxiolytic into her evening dinner. Alleged rapists involved in the case include civil servants, ambulance workers, soldiers, prison guards, nurses, a journalist, a municipal councillor, and truck drivers. In a separate case, Mr Pelicot has been charged with raping and murdering a 23-year-old estate agent in Paris in 1991. He has admitted one attempted rape in 1999, after DNA testing proved a case against him. The Avignon aggravated rape case continues, and is due to last until December 21. Fourteen of the other defendants have admitted rape, while the rest deny any wrongdoing. This is the moment a brave man confronted an alleged phone thief wielding a massive knife in central London. The man with a knife - dressed all in black with his faced covered and wearing a bicycle helmet - was waving the blade in the air as passers by pointed after him. As he turned his bike in the middle of Tottenham Court Road, a Scottish man ran up and confronted him. The person filming could be heard saying anxiously 'oh, that's a big knife'. As the Scot continues to yell at the knifeman, another member of the public throws a plastic bottle full of liquid at the bike. The Scottish man shouted: 'Come on, come on son' before the man on what appeared to be an e-bike drove off. A man with a knife - dressed all in black with his faced covered and wearing a bicycle helmet - was waving the blade in the air as passers by pointed after him This is the moment a brave man confronts an alleged phone thief wielding a massive knife Your browser does not support iframes. Social media users rallied behind the hero, with one saying: 'Rambo knew he was 100 per cent gonna get knocked out on camera.' 'If you have a knife and there's a Scottish bloke still ready to fight you, run, run and swim' another said. MailOnline has contacted The Met Police for comment. It comes as central London is plagued by phone snatchers. Footage filmed by an internet streamer shows a woman standing close to an Oxford Circus Street exit on her way to work looking at her phone. Behind her a man on an e-bike silently approached her and grabbed her phone out of her hand before escaping. Moment the bike thief snatches the phone on his e-bike near Oxford Circus tube station The phone grabber closes in on his silent e-bike clad all in black Visibly shocked, the woman jumped slightly and then stood rooted to the spot in disbelief. Britain, and in particular London, is in the midst of a phone grabbing crisis. Criminal gangs target members of the public who are distracted by something on their phone and then swoop on them. Often the gangs use electric vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters because they are silent and fast, maximising their chances of snatching the phone and getting away. In the underworld the stealing of phones is big business, and many handsets end up abroad, where they are broken down for parts and sold on. MailOnline revealed how the Chinese city of Shenzhen is at the heart of a lucrative and illicit international stolen phones black market. Owing to the city's casual approach to enforcing criminal property laws, gangs can sell the phones on for cut prices or take the phones apart and flog parts. Due to the city's focus on technology, it has become known as China's 'Silicon Valley'. Dress all in black the thief nears his victim outside of an entrance to Oxford Circus tube Across the city their are vast markets, some lawful and other illegal, offering to sell gadgets, including huge numbers of stolen mobile phones from Britain. Despite the extensive amount of CCTV covering London's busiest areas, gangs target people in those locations precisely because they think they will be more safe and have their guard down. The gangs also operate at music festivals and events where large crowds make it difficult to track movements. According to Freedom of Information requests submitted by the company Get Phone Repairs, in London Westminster, Southwark and Camden are the worst areas. Their data shows that in 2023 in London alone, 52,144 mobiles were stolen. They say that averages as 5.93 phones stolen for every 1000 people in the capital city worth 18.5 million for the year. The Metropolitan Police published statistics on mobile snatches for January 2022 to January 2023 there were nearly 90,000 thefts. Of the 88,949 only 1,915 were recovered and returned to their owner, meaning more than 87,000 phones could have been shipped abroad in just one year from London. A sadistic killer and rapist who is set to be released from prison will remain 'a danger to all women and girls', his victim's mother has warned. Doreen Soulsby's daughter Joanne Tulip was stabbed 60 times in a frenzied attack by farm worker Stephen Ling, who then carved depraved swastikas and crosses into her body. He was jailed for life in 1998, but the Parole Board has now ruled he is safe for release into the community. Ms Soulsby said she was 'absolutely appalled and disgusted' by the decision and she remains convinced Ling will strike again. 'That man committed horrific offences against my daughter and yet is deemed to not be a high risk and is safe to be released from prison. Its outrageous,' she said. Sadistic Stephen Ling attacked Joanne Tulip at his home in 1997, raping her then stabbing her 60 times before carving depraved symbols into her body Joanne Tulip was 29 when she died at the hands of farm worker Stephen Ling, who was jailed for life with an 18-years minimum tariff in 1998 Ms Tulip's mother Doreen Soulsby says he remains convinced her sadistic murderer will reoffend if he is released into the community, as recommended by the Parole Board 'How can the Parole Board believe this man doesnt pose a danger to society when he took my daughter away from her family by committing the most brutal and sadistic crimes? 'Ling needs to stay locked up behind bars he is a danger to all women and girls. 'The recommended decision to release Ling into the community is a betrayal to not only Joanne's family but to the families of other victims in similar situations how can they have faith in our justice system when victims get outcomes like these?' Two months ago, the Parole Board heard that in Ling is preoccupied with sex and feels that he is entitled to it. Ling has demonstrated this through sexual feelings and conducting sexual acts in prison, including writing his sexual fantasies in a journal, it was heard. He was 23 years old when he murdered Ms Tulip, a hairdresser, at his home in Stamfordham, Northumberland. He is now 49. Ms Soulsby said: 'He has missed all his young adult life socialising with women and having a physical relationship. I fear the first thing he will do when he gets out of prison is to try and socialise with women again. Doreen Soulsby has said it would be a 'nightmare' if her daughter's killer was released into the community Ms Soulsby has been campaigning to keep Stephen Ling in prison 'I strongly believe this man will offend again. 'The Government is supposedly committed to halving violence against women and girls. If they are true to their word then they will block this recommendation and will keep Ling in a closed prison. 'They must do everything they can to ensure women and girls are kept safe from this sadistic man. I just hope and pray the Justice Secretary takes this on board before considering any Parole recommendation for Lings release into the community. 'If Ling is released and the Justice Secretary does not take action, there will be public outcry and confidence in the justice system will be severely damaged and will never be restored.' Ling was jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 18 years before being eligible for parole after Ms Tulip's brutal murder at his home in 1997. The Parole board has now recommended he is safe for release after hearings in July. Two psychologists recommended that Ling should come out and placed on a risk management plan. Psychologist A said she believed the risk he poses is 'not imminent' and is 'manageable in the community', adding: 'I believe that now means his risk is at a level where he does not need to be kept in prison anymore.' Psychologist B told the Parole Board: 'I believe he meets the test for release and no longer needs to be detained for the protection of the public.' The panel heard that a past risk assessment identified a number of factors that led to him attacking Ms Tulip which included preoccupation with sex, sexual interest in indecent exposure, capacity to use force to secure sexual gratification, entitlement towards sex and a negative attitude towards women. The assessment also identified issues in Ling's own self-worth and self-esteem. Both psychologists agreed that there was no evidence of an enduring interest in inflicting violence to achieve sexual gratification. Asked if he appreciated the 'gravity' of his offending on Ms Tulip and her loved ones, psychologist A said Ling discussed it quite regularly, which can be 'helpful' in deterring him from straying into unhealthy thoughts. Psychologist B said: 'He will refer to himself as a monster when talking to me. 'He has talked about the struggle to come to terms with the person he was that night, leading up to it as well. 'I agree that I think it helps occasionally to revisit the enormity of the index offence to avoid complacency.' Questioned on why Ling used so much violence in his offending in 1997, psychologist B said: 'There was both a panic, a desire to get away with the crime, and there was a kind of rage that erupted that was about her, about women, about his life, about himself and he absolutely lost control.' Psychologist A added: 'I think the areas of risk that we do understand well in regards to attitude towards women, a desire for revenge and humiliation, the sex and rape fantasies ... those factors combined with that extreme emotional reaction, linked to the triggers that we have discussed just now, give an explanation for that behaviour.' In its published decision, the Parole Board panel said: 'The panel was satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public.' His release was subject to conditions, which include informing the authorities of any relationships he might develop, being subject to monitoring and a curfew and staying out of an exclusion zone to avoid contact with his victim's family. At the time, Ms Soulsby branded the secretive Parole Board hearings 'a farce', saying: 'There's no consideration for victims at all.' She has been fighting against Ling's release, saying it would be a 'nightmare' if he were freed. She successfully persuaded Dominic Raab, then the justice secretary, to block Lings attempt to move to an open prison in 2022. During Ling's Parole Board hearings in July, he opted not to appear on camera. Ms Soulsby, who watched proceedings via a link, said at the time: 'It's just a farce. The fact that you can't see or hear the offender is just ridiculous for it to be a public hearing. 'I thought, at last, he is going to be accountable for what he has done, he will have to face it all.' The proceedings heard that Ling had been struggling with anxiety and stress, which his prison offender manager said was linked to 'the fear of judgement, shame, guilt' from his offending. Two British backpackers were deported from Indonesia after jokingly joining in with a motorbike taxi protest against low wages. Benjamin James Lovell and friend Benjamin Thomas Sloan cheered the locals on and even donned headbands in the capital Jakarta on August 29. They were also caught on camera marching alongside the drivers and wearing their green uniforms in support of the protest against low wages on ride-hailing apps. The pair were heard chanting 'ojol the best' as they waved red flags given to them by Indonesian locals. The term 'ojol' comes from a combination of 'ojek' or motorcycle taxi service, and the word 'online'. But Mr Sloan and Mr Lovell were arrested shortly afterwards on immigration charges for joining the movement. Benjamin James Lovell and friend Benjamin Thomas Sloan cheered the locals on and even donned headbands in the capital Jakarta on August 29 The pair pictured at the airport in Indonesia as they were deported Hundreds of people stage a protest against low wages on ride-hailing apps The backpackers are understood to have told police they joined the protest as a joke but officers said they would proceed with deporting them. They were pictured at the airport holding their passports shortly before boarding their deportation flight. Ronald Arman Abdullah, head of the Central Jakarta Immigration Office, said both Brits were arrested for reportedly violating Article 75 of Law No. 6 of 2011 regarding immigration. He said: 'They were observed giving speeches during the protest near the Horse Statue, Monas, last Thursday. 'I directed the team to take action and detain them. They were subsequently brought to the office for further investigation.' The two men who entered Indonesia on tourist visas were reportedly detained for six days before being deported back to the UK on September 4 at their own expense. They were also caught on camera marching alongside the drivers and wearing their green uniforms in support of ride-hailing apps Grab and Gojek The two men hold up their passports as they are deported from Indonesia More than 1,000 motorcycle taxi riders staged protests across Indonesia on August 29 to speak out against low pay and allegedly unfair practices by ride-hailing companies The backpackers are understood to have told police they joined the protest as a joke but officers said they would proceed with deporting them Silmy Karim, Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, said: 'Protest areas are restricted for foreigners. Despite their status as tourists, their involvement in the demonstration constituted a clear breach of immigration rules. 'I commend the Central Jakarta Immigration Office for their swift action. To prevent further violations and uphold Indonesia's standards, immigration officers across the country are vigilant in monitoring both urban and border areas. Foreigners who breach regulations will face consequences.' More than 1,000 motorcycle taxi riders staged protests across Indonesia on August 29 to speak out against low pay and allegedly unfair practices by ride-hailing companies in the country. They urged the government to implement more protections for drivers of motorcycle taxis which are a widespread form of transport in Indonesia. Benjamin James Lovell and friend Benjamin Thomas Sloan were caught up in crowds - even jokingly putting on headbands and cheering with the locals Downing Street hit back at celebrity plumber Charlie Mullins today after he revealed he is selling his luxury London home and leaving the UK to avoid Labour tax rises. The Pimlico Plumbers founder, 71, a high-profile supporter of Nigel Farage and Reform UK, revealed at the weekend he has put his opulent penthouse on the River Thames on the market for 12million. Instead the entrepreneur plans to plough his money into property in Spain and Dubai, having sold the firm for 145million in 2021. He insisted that his family would 'go mad' if they had to pay increased inheritance tax on the apartment - in the same block as a home owned by Tom Jones - and other assets. Asked if Mr Mullins' actions were 'patriotic', a No10 spokeswoman said: 'The PM believes that the UK is the best place to do business and invest in and the focus of the government is in insuring we are supporting businesses and providing them with the stability and longevity to do business here.' The Pimlico Plumbers founder, 71, a high-profile supporter of Nigel Farage and Reform UK (pictured arriving at a party fundraiser last week), revealed at the weekend he has put his opulent penthouse on the River Thames on the market for 12million. He insisted that his family would 'go mad' if they had to pay increased inheritance tax on it and other assets he amassed after selling the firm for 145million in 2021. Instead the flaxen-haired entrepreneur, pictured at his penthouse with girlfriend Ra Ra in 2022, plans to plough his money into property in Spain and Dubai Keir Starmer has said he is ready to make 'unpopular' decision to improve the economy She added: 'The Prime Minister has been clear that growing the economy is the central and first mission of this government. 'But at the same time it is also right you have to first fix the foundations of our economy and that is why we are being straight with the public and restoring public finances.' Mr Mullins has said he wants to have 'no assets in the UK whatsoever' and intends on not paying tax next year as he leaves the country. Ms Reeves said that her budget in the Autumn will see 'difficult decisions' made, while Sir Keir Starmer warned those with the 'broadest shoulders' would bear the heaviest burden. Experts have warned that increasing taxes will lead to an exodus of millionaires, with advisors to the UK's richest households revealing last month that some are already moving to protect their assets. Mr Mullins, who previously called Labour's plans 'a typical socialist money-grab', has been outspoken about his plans to leave the country to avoid being hit by Labour's tax raid. The property comes with a prime view of MI6 headquarters and the River Thames, while Tom Jones is a neighbour Since moving in Mr Mullins has filled the penthouse with his favourite film and music memorabilia It also includes a 7ft blue and white Chinese vase in the lounge is based on a Famille Blue Chinese Temple, and originally stood in Sir David Tang's 'Shanghai Tang' fashion store in Regent Street He told The Telegraph: 'I'll have no investments here, no bank account here. It's all in the process now. I think my last tax bill is January and that's me done. 'I'm selling my property because of the inheritance tax. It's a 12m property if I lose 6m, I'm brown bread. Family would go mad.' It means that the 3,500sqft sub-penthouse, which has views of MI6 headquarters, Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Westminster Cathedral has gone back on the market. It will be a bitter pill to swallow for the entrepreneur, who said two years ago he had fallen in love with the property and filled it with a unique collection of giant Chinese vases, signed photos of Muhammad Ali and Michael Jackson and giant quartz stones. The master bedroom boasts floor-to-ceiling curved windows, two walk-in showers as well as a free-standing bath. There's also a guest bedroom and a third bedroom. Each of the rooms has a beautiful terrace area, affording the property with stunning 360-degree views of London. Mr Mullins beamed like a proud father when he showed off the home in 2022, saying: 'The owners were initially reluctant to sell it. It's a brand new apartment and has never been lived in. They allowed me to rent it and I finally persuaded them to sell it to me. I can't believe that I own a place like this if I'm honest. 'It was undoubtedly the views that attracted me to it - and the architecture too. I love its contemporary design, which fits perfectly with the vista on the banks of the river opposite the iconic MI6 building recognisable in recent James Bond films. The former plumber posed with his girlfriend Ra Ra in front of the Harley Davidson petrol pump, which is a light-up champagne cupboard, and other Harley Davidson memorabilia on the walls Charlie can see the MI6 headquarters, Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Westminster Cathedral from his 12million, 3,500sqft sub-penthouse There is a specially-made designer coffee table with a chrome 'crack' splitting it into three, and an 80-inch TV He filled his penthouse with art, sculptures, pottery and artefacts chosen by him, for him, or commissioned by him The property has a cabana-style bar, which is being propped up by the lifesize statue of an antique bronze skeleton holding two bottles of Moet & Chandon Mr Mullins has filled the home with opulent sculptures and ornaments, such as this water font, as well as eye-catching paintings of London 'The design of the exterior is curved to reflect the curve of the Thames, which creates fantastic terrace space too. The concierge service is exceptional too and it's very, very secure. 'I've had 10 apartments along the river and this one is head and shoulders above them all. I've never seen quality workmanship like it. 'I have homes in Spain and Hutton Mount in Essex, but this is a different class. There's no place like London. It's beyond a dream to own an apartment here.' The property was bought with the proceeds of his 145million sale of Pimlico Plumbers in 2021, a deal that also saw him sign a three-year non-compete clause. That comes to an end in the coming weeks, with Mr Mullins setting up a new firm WeFix, which bills itself as 'the Harrods of the handyman world'. However, the Reform UK supporter says if he had known Sir Keir was going to win the election he 'wouldn't have opened up here' and 'if we get too much setback with Labour, we'll move to Dubai'. It would mean that Mr Mullins, who grew up in poverty in Elephant and Castle and became on the wealthiest men in Britain despite not having any formal qualifications, would have no business interests in the UK. Henley & Partners, which helps wealthy investors to move overseas, estimates that Britain is on track to lose a record 9,500 millionaires this year, more than any country except China. Its analysis found that the UK suffered a net loss of 4,200 millionaires in the first five months of this year, with a further 5,300 expected to go before January. The most popular destinations are Dubai, Switzerland and Portugal. The Times has reported that one company offering relocation services to the wealthy recorded a 69 per cent jump in enquiries in August compared with a year earlier. Ms Reeves has blamed a 22 billion 'black hole' in the public finances left by the Tory Government for the 'difficult decisions' which she will set out on October 30 The number of transactions in the high-end property market is slumping as wealthy buyers delay committing themselves. According to House of Commons statistics, the top ten per cent of income tax payers contribute more than 60 per cent of all income tax receipts. An exodus of wealthy taxpayers could mean that Ms Reeves' measures could lead to a net fall in revenue for the Treasury. A proposed packaging tax will add as much as 9p to the cost of glass bottles, while new 'sin taxes' on convenience foods and chocolate, cakes and crisps are being considered. Meanwhile, Sir Keir faces a Commons rebellion against the move to axe millions of pensioners' winter fuel payments, with up to 30 Labour MPs set to vote against the Government this week. Sir Keir will also release the findings of a review into the NHS, chaired by Lord Darzi of Denham, a leading surgeon and former health minister, which is expected to act as the springboard for a ten-year Government plan for 'fixing' the service. A 'mansion tax' proposed by the then-Labour leader Ed Miliband at the 2015 general election would have levied an annual charge on owners of properties worth more than 2 million. Under his plan, the owners of a 3 million home would face a charge of around 10,000 a year, raising 1.7 billion annually. Asked whether a version of the mansion tax could be introduced in the Budget, a Treasury spokesman said: 'The Chancellor has been clear that difficult decisions lie ahead on spending, welfare and tax to fix the foundations of our economy and address the 22 billion hole in the public finances left by the last Government. Decisions on how to do that will be taken at the Budget.' Republican discontents could derail Speaker Mike Johnson's plan to fund the government as he attempts to keep it from shutting down later this month. Congress needs to pass government funding bills before the end of this month or a shutdown of the critical organs of the federal structure will ensue on October 1. Johnson unveiled a funding proposal publicly on Friday and Democrats in both chambers are already vehemently against the measure. They are against Johnson's tricky attachment of a conservative bill - the SAVE Act - to government funding. The SAVE Act would bolster security against illegal immigrants voting in U.S. elections, but Democrats say it's unnecessary. And as leadership tries to tally how many members they can count on, some are telling Republican Speaker Johnson they are not backing him up. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is counting on getting all of his GOP colleagues on board with his funding plan with the SAVE Act attached, after all, immigration is a top issue for the party. But one Republican told DailyMail.com 'Hell no' he won't be helping Johnson's gambit Your browser does not support iframes. Further exasperating the issue is the number of votes Johnson can lose to still pull off this gambit. Currently, 220 of the 435 members in the House of Representatives are Republicans while there are 211 Democrats. There are four vacancies. Johnson can only afford to lose four votes from his Republican party to pass the bill. And one of those members told DailyMail.com 'Hell no' he is not backing the speaker's funding plan. 'I'm voting Hell No on the 'Continuing Appropriations and Other Matter Act' this week,' Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie said in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'I don't care which bright shiny object is attached to it, or which fake fight we start and won't finish.' 'Congress is spending our country into oblivion, and this bill doesn't cut spending,' he concluded - cementing his position against the bill over it not addressing the explosive growth of the $35 trillion U.S. national debt. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has ardently fought against increased government spending in funding votes throughout his career But a House leadership aide told DailyMail.com the team is not worried, and many on-the-fence Republicans are enticed by the bill's current form. '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,' they said. However another senior House GOP aide told DailyMail.com 'it only takes a few' Republicans to defect to crush this effort. And Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., this source said, is also against Johnson's bill. The Montana Republican who is retiring at the end of this term posted on social media that though he backed it, he thinks it could tank the funding effort and equated it to a 'messaging' stunt by leadership. 'I wasn't sent to Washington to deliver disingenuous and dishonest messaging bills. I was sent to Washington to deliver results for Montanans. Attaching the SAVE Act to a CR doesn't increase its chances of passage or reduce our deficit it creates a messaging bill,' he wrote. The aide also said House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., who lost his primary earlier this year to John McGuire, may be inclined to go against the bill because 'he's got nothing to lose.' A senior House GOP aide told DailyMail.com Rosendale and Good could likely come out against the funding bill proposed by Speaker Johnson The fiery conservative leader who lost his seat by a couple hundred votes has often not seen eye-to-eye with Johnson, and this could be a way to jam the leader on the Virginian's way out. However, Good has signaled his support for the bill, including on his X where he claimed to 'fully support' Johnson's plan. Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., reportedly vented his frustration with Johnson's plan on a conference-wide phone call last week, saying if a government shutdown does occur as a result of the funding fight, as many as 10 Republicans could lose their races this year. But in a statement to DailyMail.com, he said he supports Johnson's plan 'Every member of Congress, whether Republican or Democrat, should prioritize keeping the government open while ensuring only U.S. citizens can vote in our elections,' he said. 'I'm ready to support a bill that achieves both goals. Our democracy will be stronger if Senate Democrats join House Republicans in advancing these two critical initiatives.' 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 Democrats claim laws already prohibit noncitizens from voting in U.S. elections Those Senate Democrats have already 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 statement last week. On Monday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also called on his caucus to vote against Johnson's funding bill. 'The partisan and extreme continuing resolution put forth by House Republicans is unserious and unacceptable,' he wrote in a 'dear colleagues' letter. 'In order to avert a GOP-driven government shutdown that will hurt everyday Americans, Congress must pass a short-term continuing resolution that will permit us to complete the appropriations process during this calendar year and is free of partisan policy changes inspired by Trumps Project 2025.' The Biden-Harris administration's Office of Management and Budget also came out against the Johnson plan, writing Monday it 'strongly opposes' the passage of the bill. But the SAVE Act is not extreme, Republicans allege, often pointing at the original bill that passed the chamber earlier this summer with five Democratic votes. The SAVE Act would require voters prove their identity with IDs, passports, birth certificates or another form of official documentation 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. 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, like Massie, are not wanting another CR. A cold case revolving around a missing child may be coming to an end following the discovery of human remains. Elijah Vue, was last seen February 20 at a home in Two Rivers - the same Wisconsin town where the skeletal remains were found by a deer hunter Saturday. The unnamed citizen immediately alerted law enforcement, leading to dozens of investigators descending on the private property - a 'remote area' near Girl Scout Camp Manitou-Two Rivers, cops said. Located three miles away is the home of 39-year-old Jesse Vang, where prosecutors said he was sent to stay by his mother Katrina Baur, 31, 'to learn how to be a man'. Vang was Baur's boyfriend at the time of the disappearance, and both are in custody over child neglect charges related to the three-year-old's disappearance. The duo in recent months begged for lower bail in hopes of being released. Scroll down for video: Elijah Vue, was last seen February 20 at a home in Two Rivers - the same Wisconsin town where skeletal remains were found Saturday The discovery, made by a deer hunter, led to dozens of investigators descending on the private property in Two Rivers, Wisconsin - a 'remote area' of Girl Scout Camp Manitou-Two Rivers 'Determining the identity will be a lengthy process,' Sheriff Hartwig said at a briefing Sunday, as speculation swirled about the body's identity. 'We appreciate the public's patience and understanding as we continue the investigation.' The following morning, Elijah's grandmother, Jodi Baur, issued a post to Facebook, in which she bashed those spreading rumors that the remains belonged to the boy. 'It is likely, but not confirmed until DNA has come back,' she wrote, six months after her daughter pleaded not guilty to charges of chronic child neglect and obstructing an officer during an appearance in Manitowoc County court. 'They have not confirmed exactly 'what' was found.' She billed such speculation as 'completely out of line', and criticized the 'rumors, blame and hate' she said had been spreading. A few months before, Baur pleaded with court official to keep her daughter behind bars, citing a 'history of erratic behavior' she said was brought on by her failed relationship with the boy's incarcerated and abusive father, Jimmy Vue. 'She always said Elijah was her little ray of sunshine,' Wisconsin Dells resident recalled to WISN-12 at the time. Located three miles away is the home of 39-year-old Jesse Vang, where prosecutors said he was sent to stay by his mother Katrina Baur, 31, 'to learn how to be a man'. Both in custody over child neglect charges 'Determining the identity will be a lengthy process,' cops said at a briefing Sunday, as speculation swirled as to the body's identity 'We appreciate the public's patience and understanding as we continue the investigation' The find comes after six months of searches from local cops and federal agents all fell flat The remains are now being tested by local officials, though the results will take an unspecified amount of time, authorities said Pictured, the site where the remains were found Saturday, just outside the city of Two Rivers Residents in the relatively rural area responded to the find as well, after the case surrounding Vue made waves not only in Wisconsin, but throughout the US. 'I don't think we have any children around here other than him that came up missing,' Two Rivers resident Pearl Luebke told WTMJ-TV Milwaukee, as the Wisconsin State Crime Lab and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Anthropology Department work to identify the remains. 'We went into our silo and looked down in there,' Mary Edwards, a neighbor, recalled of her own searches in the area. 'Every time I drove I looked in ditches,' she said, after searches from both local cops and federal agents fell flat. 'Its all over Facebook, all over social media, and people are driving around taking videos. Everyones assuming its Vue,' added Cinderella Luebke, another Two Rivers resident, of the rumors being referred to by the missing boy's grandmother. A spokesperson for the camp addressed assertions being spread online as well, after the Sheriffs Office confirmed the camp is not where the remains were found. 'There is no police investigation going on at Camp Manitou', the statement, posted to Facebook, said. 'The rumors circulating about police investigating Camp Manitou are erroneous.... Camp Manitou is not involved in this investigation.' Residents in the rural area responded to the possible development as well, after it made headlines throughout much of the US. Two Rivers' Kathy Hasselman and Mary Edwards are seen here Pictured, Vang's home in Two Rivers, where the toddler was allegedly subjected to cold showers, stand for hours on end, and even endure a dirty diaper - after which Baur told detectives that Vang merely 'the enforcer of rules in the relationship' Surveillance photos released by cops in March show Vang and the boy at a local auto shop days before his February 20 disappearance Still, the camp was covered with investigators Saturday and Sunday as they presumably worked to recover the remains, which were found after several failed searches of rural areas surrounding Two Rivers. Surveillance photos released by cops in March, meanwhile, showed Vang and the boy at a local auto shop just days before his disappearance - after investigators said he forced the boy to cold showers, stand for hours on end, and endure a dirty diaper under his care. Baur, meanwhile, insisted that the reason she sent her son to stay was to address the three-year-old's behavior. He did so by making him stand for up to three hours at a time while repeating the phrase 'I'm sorry, Mommy', prosecutors wrote in a criminal complaint. He's also said to have been banned from playing with the only one of his toys at Vang's house - a tool kit - due to him being on 'time out' throughout. Officials also claimed that Baur lied to investigators when questioned about her whereabouts at the time Elijah disappeared - on 'at least two occasions.' She allegedly denied being in Two Rivers between February 12 and February 20 and in the Manitowoc County area on February 16 or 17 - both of which were found to be false. Locked up on $15,000 bail, she was denied a reduction just last month, but was allowed to start seeing her other six-year-old child with 'strict supervision.' Katrina Baur (right) appeared emotionless as she pleaded not guilty to charges including chronic child neglect and obstructing an officer in March. Pictured next to her is defense attorney, who entered the plea. She also unsuccessfully sought to get a bail reduction Her boyfriend, meanwhile, remains locked up on $20,000 cash bond - a number he also attempted to get down, unsuccessfully, with a one-page, handwritten letter sent to a judge in March. A photo seized from her phone showed the toddler blindfolded and bruised before he went missing. Her boyfriend, meanwhile, remains locked up on $20,000 cash bond - a number he also attempted to get down, unsuccessfully, with a one-page, handwritten letter sent to a judge in March. Vang briefly appeared in court that same month, during which prosecutors outlined his involvement by citing text messages sent during his time with the toddler. 'I told you to trust me.. I'm a make sure he hates me and being here,' wrote Vang according to a court filing dated Tuesday, at approximately 4:36am on February 18. Four days before, a since-deleted photo was taken of the toddler, bandaged and badly bruised. 'Don't want him to *hate* YOU. Just fear you,' Baur replied upon receiving the apparent update. 'It's OK,' Vang answered: 'Some one had to be the bad person.' He would report Elijah missing two days later, eight days left him is his care. Vang briefly appeared in court that same month, during which prosecutors outlined his involvement by citing text messages sent during his time with the toddler As of Monday, neither had been charged in the boy's disappearance In his call to police, he told dispatchers the tot had disappeared while he dozed off during a nap. He claimed he brought the toddler in the bedroom with him, but that he was gone when he awoke three hours later. At the time, Two Rivers resident Yolanda Godfrey - who lived a few doors away from where the toddler was allegedly tortured - told WISN Channel 12: 'It happened right outside my back door, practically... I had to be here. 'You know, I've lived in Two Rivers for almost 18 years,' she went on. 'It's, you know, it's just frightening.' That said, the multi-agency manhunt for the missing child may now be at an end, after it exhausted more than half of local police pre budget overtime wages in just its first month. Cops in the area, however, warned Monday that the discovery is still being vetted, and will take some time for the remains to be IDed. In the interim, neither Baur nor Vang have been charged in the boy's disappearance. MBABANE The Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) President, Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane, virtually addressed congregants who came to celebrate the life of Zanele Mbokazi. This was during yesterday service which was held at the Ambassadors House Ministries under the leadership of Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule, who was married to Zanele. Zanele died after battling lung cancer and was buried in Durban, South Africa (SA) in early August.Simelane, who constantly addressed the bishop during the live video, thanked the church for having allowed political organisations to attend the service to celebrate the life of Zanele. The president said it was an emotional moment to address the bishop after his loss. He said he would not talk much about how great Zanele was and what role she played in standing with them. Temporary Simelane said in his life, he had learnt that all moments, no matter how precious they may be, are temporary, but the footprints left on those moments have the potential to be permanent or live longer. He said peoples signatures have a chance to live beyond the moments. He said he had come to realise that it would not be of any help for him to try and be relevant to change today, not knowing that there will ever be another chance to speak about the bishop from the heart.Simelane said his moment in this life is to live like a wild animal, which is always hunted. I do not want to regret why I have not spoken my heart about you bishop. He said reality had taught him that all moments were temporary. The president said in the Book of Proverbs 31 verses 8 and 9, it reads: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Simelane added that whoever wrote the Word had the name of Bishop Nkambule in their mind and understood him well. He said he salutes the bishop, not on behalf of himself but on behalf of emaSwati who were shot, that nobody talked about how they died. Simelane said it was not easy for the bishop to stand for the truth but he did so, knowing very well what would follow, hence he was not shocked to learn that Nkambule was not safe. He said: We as the people of Eswatini will never forget you bishop. Simelane stated that the books of history for the country will never forget him and in the fullness of time a monument of Nkambule will be mounted in one of the places in Eswatini. This, he said, would be solely for standing for the truth no matter the challenges and standing for God even in times when the church was distancing itself and did not want to be associated with Nkambule. Simelane said he was aware that the day was to celebrate the life of Zanele, but his spirit had directed that he talked about Nkambule. Germany will bring in controls on all its land borders to deal with the 'continuing burden' of migration and 'Islamist terrorism', the country's interior minister has told the EU. Nancy Faeser of the struggling Social Democrat party (SPD) has finally accepted that Germany has no choice but to enforce proper border controls if it has any hope of coping with the staggering amount of unauthorised entries. According to German newspaper Bild, the new rules will see 'harsh rejections of migrants at the borders'. Faeser has reportedly already informed the EU Commission of the decision, which is fuelled by deep-rooted panic over Germany's current migrant situation and internal security threats. It marks, however, a U-turn from her stance just last month when she refused to extend strict controls first introduced last year on Germany's borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. People hold banners that read 'Direct democracy' and 'No to mass immigration, yes to remigration' as far-right protesters march through the streets of Solingen Nancy Faeser of the struggling Social Democrat party (SPD) is to enforce temporary border controls at all national land borders Far-right protesters hold a banner reading 'remigration now' as they march through the streets of Solingen, following a stabbing rampage, on August 26 This policy has already seen more than 30,000 people turned back at the borders since mid-October last year amid concerns over the rise in first-time asylum requests. Now the rules will be applied across the length of Germany's 2,300-mile land border with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland. The latest action comes shortly after an 'emergency' migration meeting between the conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group and regional representatives, where discussions focused on tightening immigration policies. Austria, however has not welcomed the development, saying it would not accept any migrants turned away at the border. 'There's no room for manoeuvre there,' Austria's Foreign Minister Gerhard Karner told Bild. 'It's the law. I have directed the Head of the federal police to not allow any returns,' he added. A far right supporter with a shirt of the right-wing extremist minor party, The Third Path (Der Dritte Weg) attends a protest, in Solingen on August 26 Teenage girls draped in German flags attend an election campaign rally of the right-wing Alternative for Germany on May 28 Concerns about immigration have already been pushed to the forefront of German politics, heightened by a series of attacks carried out by Islamists, most recently in Solingen. The German government has also been facing increased pressure to respond to migration as support for right-wing party, the AfD has rapidly gathered pace. And at the end of last month Germany's police union announced that Schengen was making Germany's security crisis even worse and must be abandoned immediately. Manuel Ostermann, deputy federal chairman of the Federal Police Union, has launched a fierce condemnation of Schengen, the EU's hair-brained border-free scheme, in an interview with Focus magazine. 'The crisis in Germany's security is a direct consequence of Schengen's ineffective policies. Schengen's inability to manage migration effectively has put Germany's safety at stake.' 'Germany must realize the current failure of Schengen and either make a concerted effort to return to the current legal situation or terminate Schengen,' Here he pointed to the rising crime rates in Germany, exacerbated by the migration crisis, as proof that Schengen is no longer viable. Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits the scene of the knife attack on August 26 He said Schengen's open borders have made it easier for criminals to operate across Europe, impacting Germany's safety. 'Schengen has failed to protect Germany from the influx of criminals, necessitating immediate action.' 'We must continue to notify our internal borders because border controls, whose effectiveness has been proven, are no longer maintained under Schengen. 'The failure of Schengen is evident in the increased crime rates, making it clear that changes are needed.' An once iconic skyscraper that became a symbol of destruction in Louisiana after it was ravaged by back-to-back hurricanes has been imploded after having sat abandoned for nearly four years. The 22-story Hertz Tower crashed down in a matter of seconds on Saturday after a demolition crew set off a series of explosions inside. The tower fell in a large cloud of dust into a pile about five stories high. The building, formerly known as the Capital One Tower, had been a dominant feature of the Lake Charles city skyline for more than four decades. But after Hurricanes Laura and Delta ripped through in 2020, causing an estimated $167million in damages to the skyscraper, Hertz Tower became an eyesore that had shattered windows and was covered in shredded tarps. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter, whose administration successfully secured $7million in private money to pay for the demolition, described the implosion as 'bittersweet'. Slide me The Hertz Tower in Lake Charles, Louisiana crashed down in a matter of seconds on Saturday after a demolition crew set off a series of explosions inside. The skyscraper is pictured in August 2020 and after the demolition on Saturday The skyscraper fell on Saturday in a large cloud of dust into a pile about five stories high Hurricane Laura, a category 4 storm, ripped through Louisiana in August 2020 with maximum sustained winds of 150mph. The hurricane battered roofs, claimed more than 25 lives in the region and left mud and debris filling streets. Hurricane Delta then crashed ashore in southern Louisiana in October, just six weeks after Laura took a similar, destructive path onto the US Gulf Coast. 'I know how hard the city tried to work with several development groups to see it saved, but ultimately...it proved to be too tall a task,' Mayor Hunter, who was in office during both hurricanes, said before Saturday's implosion. 'At this juncture, I am ready for a resolution. It's been four years. It's been long enough.' For years the owners of the building, the Los Angeles-based real estate firm Hertz Investment Group, promised to repair the structure once they settled with their insurance provider Zurich in court, The Advocate reported. The estimated cost of bringing the building back up to code was $167 million. Eventually, the two parties settled for an undisclosed amount. Hertz still owns the property and the future of the site is undetermined, according to the city. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter, (not pictured) whose administration successfully secured $7million in private money to pay for the demolition, described the implosion as 'bittersweet'. Pictured is the moment the skyscraper was imploded on Saturday Locals watch the implosion of the Hertz Tower on Saturday, September 7, 2024. The once iconic skyscraper became a symbol of destruction in Lake Charles after it was ravaged by back-to-back hurricanes nearly four years ago The building had been a dominant feature of the Lake Charles city skyline for more than four decades. But after Hurricanes Laura and Delta ripped through in 2020, causing an estimated $167million in damages to the skyscraper, Hertz Tower became an eyesore. Pictured is the moment the building was imploded on Saturday Hertz still owns the property and the future of the site is undetermined, according to the city. Pictured is the smoke-filled sky after the skyscraper was demolished on Saturday Tuff Gary, left, and Morgan LeBlanc watched the implosion of Hertz Tower with their children Hudson, Tuff, Jr., and Zander on Saturday, September 7, 2024 Lake Charles, which sits on the banks of the Calcasieu River and is a two-hour drive from Houston, is home to around 80,000 residents. While the city is known for its copious amounts of festivals, bayous, casinos and its Cajun flair, it also has been labeled by the Weather Channel as America's 'most-weather battered city.' The Hertz tower offers an example of the city's long road to recovery following back-to-back hurricanes that inflicted an estimated $22billion in damage, according to the National Hurricane Center. While there are signs of rebuilding and growth in much of Lake Charles, there are still buildings that remain in disarray and residents living in the same conditions as four years ago. Locals are still waiting for financial relief to rebuild their homes and looking for affordable housing after the hurricanes' destruction exacerbated the housing crisis or stuck in court with their insurance provider to get a fair payout. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available A young boy will spend weeks in a wheelchair after he was 'bowled over' by two dogs roaming around a park unleashed. An afternoon at the playground ended in agony for Archie O'Neill, 4, while playing at Brighton Reserve in the beachside suburb of Scarborough in Perth's north on Sunday. It's understood the dogs were running around off-leash at the top of a hill when they sprinted downhill and slammed into the little boy. Archie suffered a broken leg after taking a nasty tumble when the dogs knocked him over. 'The kids were just playing, running up and down a hill at the park and the dogs just came around the corner and bowled him (Archie) over,' his mum Jemma Holcroft told Seven News. Dad Ben added: 'Archie's on the floor crying I picked him up, cradled his leg, the more it went on the more I thought he was properly injured by it.' The boy's parents claimed the dogs' owners were defensive showed little care or concern for Archie afterwards. 'One of them said to me as I walked over "did he (the dog) just take your son out",' Ms Holcroft said. 'And I said "yeah, he did". Jemma Holcroft (left) and Ben O'Neill ( right) comfort their son Archie who broke his leg after being 'bowled' over by dogs roaming around the park off a leash 'I was obviously pretty worked up at the time and then nothing (from the owner), almost mocking'. Dogs at Scarborough Reserve must remain on a leash at all times. Lawyer John Hammond told Seven News the dog owners might not be so dismissive if they knew the potential penalties. 'Unless your dog is restrained at all times, except in a dog exercise area, then you are liable,' he said. 'You could be charged with an offence you could also cop a very substantial civil claim in the 10s of thousands of dollars if someone gets injured.' Archie will spend the next months in a wheelchair recuperating from a broken leg Archie was playing at Brighton Reserve in Scarborough when the terrifying ordeal unfolded The City of Stirling Council confirmed it's investigating the incident. However, Ms Holcroft is more interested about receiving an apology from the owners. 'If they could just reach out and say sorry to the little dude and say sorry to the family because we have got a very difficult six weeks now,' she said. Australia's economy will take a $200 billion hit over the next 30 years if government cut migration even slightly to reduce the spiralling cost of real estate and rents, a leading thinktank has warned. Grattan Institute chief executive officer Aruna Sathanapally, appearing on Q&A on Monday night, said it was lack of supply that was causing the housing shortage, not too much demand. 'We can ... cut migration but we shouldn't pretend that isn't a costly way to go about solving a housing problem when the source of the problem is our failure to build enough houses for the population we always knew we were going to have by this point,' Dr Sathanapally said. The thinktank chief said cutting migration would lead to even further shortages in skilled workers and tradesmen, forcing up their wages at a cost to businesses, and capping student visas would harm one of Australia's few burgeoning industries; tertiary education. 'If we don't get our housing system right and we can't accommodate the workforce that we need, the working age population we need, that creates all sorts of problems elsewhere,' Dr Sathanapally said. 'So even a reduction as such as what the Coalition has proposed of 25,000 in terms of our skilled migration, we've calculated that would cost us more than $200 billion over 30 years and that's because migrants pay more in tax than they take in services.' A housing expert has revealed the true failure of Australia's housing problem and has said if the government would reduce migration to solve the crisis, the economy would suffer $200b over three decades (stock image) Gratton Institute chief executive officer Dr Aruna Sathanapally (pictured) was a panellist on Q&A on Monday night, discussing the housing crisis In June it was revealed Australia is accepting more than 10,000 immigrants a week despite Anthony Albanese's vow to halve the number of new arrivals by next year. More than 1,500 new arrivals are arriving each day, or 60 migrants every hour, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australia will take in more than 500,000 immigrants in 2024 alone, and while Dr Sathanapally said the answer is to build more houses and apartments, the building industry simply cannot keep up with that level of demand. An additional 4,200 homes are needed every week to keep up with the current level of growth, however less than 1,000 are currently being built. Sustainable Population Australia president Peter Strachan called for immigration to be cut immediately, citing the 'dire effect' of mass migration on housing affordability, infrastructure and government services. He said mass migration was designed to further enrich wealthy home owners and keep downward pressure on wages. 'Over the past 20 years, immigration has been far too high, based on the false claim that we lack sufficient skilled workers,' Mr Strachan said. 'The resultant population growth has created more skills shortages than it has filled. 'The real reasons for mass immigration are to keep wages low and house prices rising. This is not in the interests of Australians, nor the interests of migrants who are among the disadvantaged for both jobs and housing.' An additional 4,200 homes are needed every week to keep up with the current level of growth, however less than 1,000 are currently being built Mr Strachan urged net overseas migration to be limited to just 70,000 per year. Australia is expected to be home to 45million people in 2070 following a push to grow the population by 75 per cent in just a few generations. 'We can maintain the refugee intake at 20,000 and still have room for the skilled migrants employers want to sponsor, along with their family members,' Mr Strachan said. 'However, Australia should stop importing people on points-tested visas, who tend not to get skilled jobs. 'The only reason the government does this is to push immigration above the numbers employers want. This drives consumption and GDP up, but productivity and per capita GDP go down.' A Maryland man has been sentenced to 13 months in prison for making over 12,000 harassing and threatening phone calls to Congress staff at lawmakers' offices. Ade Salim Lilly, 35, from Maryland, pleaded guilty in May to charges of interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure and making repeated telephone calls. His harassment campaign, which spanned from February 2022 to November 2023, targeted 54 members of Congress, resulting in at least one death threat to a congressional staffer. Lilly's threats included a chilling call to one staff member, in which he warned: 'I will kill you, I am going to run you over, I will kill you with a bomb or grenade.' Over two days in February 2023, Lilly called one lawmaker more than 500 times, as reported by AP News. Maryland native Ade Salim Lilly has been sentenced to 13 months in prison for making over 12,000 harassing and threatening phone calls to Congress staff at lawmakers' offices Out of the thousands of calls, over 6,526 calls were to offices within the District of Columbia, according to USA Today. Most of his interactions were with interns and staffers, according to officials. Prosecutors said Lilly would 'become angry and use vulgar and harassing language' in some of the telephone calls. Following a cross-country move to Puerto Rico in November 2023, Lilly was arrested. The case drew attention to the rising threats against lawmakers, with Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger testifying that such incidents have surged by 400 per cent in the past six years. Lilly's sentence, which was issued on September 3, includes three years of supervised release after his prison term. Capitol Police vowed to continue enforcing laws against harassment, with Chief Manger releasing a statement on the day of sentencing, saying: 'We will enforce the law anytime someone crosses the line from free speech to harassment or threats.' While prosecutors had sought an 18-month sentence, citing concerns about the normalisation of such threats during the current election cycle, the federal judge overseeing the case settled on 13 months. Lilly's harassment campaign, which spanned from February 2022 to November 2023, targeted 54 members of Congress, resulting in at least one death threat to a congressional staffer The judge also expressed concern over the rise in violent attacks on politicians, referencing high-profile incidents like the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and the hammer attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband. 'We've got a real problem on our hands,' he said, before passing sentence. Lilly's motive for the harassment remains unclear, though he claimed in court: 'My intent was always to do whats best for our future generations.' It comes after a mother-of-two bombarded a glamorous travel company boss with more than 100 phone calls and set up 20 fake online profiles to abuse her in a 'Baby Reindeer-like' harassment campaign after wrongly believing she was dating her ex. Emma Buckley, a 36-year-old care supervisor, publicly branded Sarah Kidger, 34, a 'home wrecker', a 'psycho' and a 'sl**', and also shared malicious messages that caused financial damage to her company. Protestors have scaled a tower on Williamsburg Bridge in New York City to unfurl a large Palestinian flag, an act of disruption that stopped traffic for roughly 15 minutes. Exclusive images from DailyMail.com show the flag waving in the wind on the Brooklyn tower of the bridge, which is 310 feet tall, on Monday morning. A user on the Citizen app claimed at least two officers were seen scaling the tower to remove the flag. Police patrol boats were also spotted. The bridge, which connects Brooklyn and Manhattan, was shut down in both directions when police intervened at around 9:56am, according to Notify NYC. It was reopened at 10:10am, though commuters were warned of 'residual delays.' Pictured: The giant Palestinian flag that flew on the Brooklyn tower of the Williamsburg Bridge for at least 15 minutes before it was taken down Monday morning The New York Police Department said it received an anonymous call about the flag and dispatched a unit to remove it Exclusive DailyMail.com pictures shows how the flag looked from the bridge's bike path A police patrol boat is spotted at the base of the Williamsburg Bridge's Brooklyn tower The New York Police Department said it received an anonymous call about the flag and dispatched a unit to remove it, NBC New York reported. The incident remains under investigation. The Williamsburg Bridge, along with many other crucial water crossings in and out of the city, were besieged by pro-Palestine protestors in January who are demanding a ceasefire in Israel's war in Gaza. A group of a little over a dozen people with signs and banners were seen taking a spot on the normally busy Williamsburg. A total of 325 agitators were arrested after cutting off traffic in and out of Manhattan by barricading Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge and Holland Tunnel. It later came to light that these mass protests were coordinated by groups with links to AOC and Susan Sarandon. Groups including the Palestinian Youth Movement, Democratic Socialists of America, Writers Against War on Gaza Jewish Voice for Peace, Al-Awda and Critical Resistance all took part in the action. A group of a little over a dozen people with signs and banners were seen taking a spot on the normally busy Williamsburg as part of a series of New York City protests in January The Brooklyn Bridge, which connects downtown Manhattan to Dumbo in Brooklyn, was swarmed by police arresting the protesters during the January protests These protesters, who seemed to have trapped their arms together, forming a human barricade, using metal tubes, concrete, and duct tape Activists tried again in April, that time blocking the Brooklyn Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge and roads to Chicago's O'Hare Airport. This latest stunt comes just days after universities across the country started the fall semester after college campuses became the epicenter for pro-Palestine protests this spring. The most rowdy of them all occurred at Columbia University, where students seized the historic Hamilton Hall on campus and were later booted out by police in riot gear. Just days ago, an attempt to reboot the frenzied scenes that dominated Columbia much of the last semester was shut down by the NYPD. Police arrested two people out of the dozens of anti-Israel demonstrators who gathered at the upper Manhattan university and Barnard College on the first day of classes. the New York Post reported. Subsequent anti-Israel protests in April had demonstrators igniting flares on the Brooklyn Bridge before they were thrown into the east river Traffic is seen lined up on the Golden Gate Bridge on the same day in April Anti-Israel agitators that blocked traffic on the Bay Area bridge were seen holding up a large sign that says: 'Stop the world for Gaza' They formed a picket line and banged drums while uninvolved students filed through to get to their lectures. The protestors held signs declaring 'resist until victory,' while others could be heard chanting 'over 100,000 dead, Columbia your hands are red' and 'don't cross the picket line, we must honor Palestine.' A neurosurgeon has survived a plane crash in Brazil for the second time in 18 months. Jacinto Lay, 50, attempted to make an emergency landing on a highway in the northeast city of Teresina on Sunday after his engine failed. Surveillance video showed the doctor's plane making the crash landing. The small aircraft plowed into a van with four people inside and struck a motorcycle carrying two passengers before slamming into a bus station. Additional footage showed Lay in an upside-down position moments before bystanders pulled him from the plane wreckage. He was rushed to Teresina Emergency Hospital, where he was treated for head trauma. Dr. Jacinto Lay suffered head trauma and two leg fractures after crashed his plane during an emergency landing on a highway in Teresina, Brazil on Sunday Lay reported engine failure moments before he crashed in the northeast Brazilian city of Teresina on Sunday Bystanders pulled Lay from the wreckage after the crash landing He underwent surgery on Sunday and Monday for a brain injury and two leg fractures, Brazilian news outlet G1 reported. Lay, who runs his own clinic in Teresina and has practiced medicine for 20 years, was transferred to a private medical facility upon the request of his family, the hospital said in a statement. He was in serious but stable condition. Kelliane dos Santos, 27, who was sitting on the motorcycle behind her husband, was also taken to the same hospital. Doctors said that the mother of one suffered head trauma and was under observation in the intensive care unit. She was also in serious but stable condition. Some of the passengers in the van were treated for minor injuries but not hospitalized. 'I thought I was going to be decapitated,' Jose do Nascimento, the van's driver, told TV Clube. Kelliane dos Santos was sitting behind her husband on a motorcycle when she got hit by the plane Lay was also involved in a plane crash in March 2023 Lay contacted the Teresina control tower after he noticed the plane's engine was not functioning, according to a transcript of the conversation. He declared an emergency, citing propeller failure, and said he was looking for a spot to land. After being told by the control tower operator that they were going to provide a location, Lay shouted: 'Propeller loss in flight. Will try to land in the Sierra sector. Will try to land on the BR (Brazilian Highway) that goes to Barro Duro.' The plane hit the windshield of a van carrying four passengers and a motorcycle with two passengers The van's windshield was destroyed after it was hit by the plane Jose do Nascimento was driving the van with his wife and two grandchildren inside when they were hit by the plane The Regional Service for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents II is leading an investigation into the incident. Lay miraculously survived a crash March 26, 2023, in Timon, Maranhao after a piece in one of the windows of his plane was loosened. He had surgery to repair an ankle fracture. On January 14, 2023, a gang linked to Bolivian drug traffickers broke into an aeroclub and stole Lay's Cessna. 'I never thought someone would steal a plane,' Lay told G1 at the time of the theft. 'It's the first time I've heard of this here in the state. The feeling is of insecurity, helplessness, it's very sad what happened.' The aircraft was carrying a shipment of drug and crashed eight days later in Mato Grosso due to lack of fuel. Authorities arrested 22 suspects in the states of Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Piaui and Pernambuco. The latest polls have tilted the Daily Mail's election model in Donald Trump's direction giving him a decisive lead over Kamala Harris a day before he goes head to head with his Democratic rival on the debate stage. The algorithms show he now has a 55 percent chance of becoming president, a 4.5-point boost since last week. The model works by crunching all the latest polling numbersnational and statealong with decades of historical trends and economic data before feeding the results through the electoral college to work out who is most likely to hit the 270 votes needed to win the election. Our result comes hard on the heels of a New York Times/Siena College poll giving Trump a one-point lead at the weekend, suggesting Harris's honeymoon is coming to an end. Feeding that and other recent surveys into the model, developed for us by J.L. Partners, shows that the crucial battleground of Pennsylvania has now moved clearly into the Trump column. Your browser does not support iframes. It has gone from a 50 percent tossup to a 60 percent chance of a Trump win, largely because of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to end his independent run. And there is more bad news for the vice president in the so called 'Blue Wall.' Again it comes down to RFK Jr. and th impact of his name being removed from ballots in Michigan. Harris's chance of winning that swing state has dropped from 64 percent to 52 percent. However, there is some good news for the vice president. She has firmed up her chance of success in Wisconsin, moving from a 55 percent chance of victory to 63 percent. James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners, said momentum was clearly now with Trump. 'Though the race remains incredibly tight, he is increasing his chance of victory. He does this via the Sun Belt, but also through Pennsylvania. 'Much of the movement is due to changes with who is on the ballot in each state. As things stand, RFK Jr has been removed from the Michigan ballot. If that holds, it significantly weakens Harris in the state. The race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will go down to the wire Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 'This is our last update before Tuesday's presidential debate. The ramifications of that on the modeland the racecould be very significant.' Overall the model suggests Trump has a path to 287 Electoral College Votes while Harris is on course for 251. But Harris is predicted as the most likely (65 percent) to win the popular vote. The model will be updated each week with all the latest data, showing the shifting contours of the race for the White House right up to November 5. Tuesday brings a potentially decisive moment when Harris meets Trump in a televised debate. A brave teenager who was shot in the chest, wrist and arm in the Apalachee High School shooting plans to return to campus as soon as she has recovered. Natalie Griffith will be released from hospital today after undergoing emergency surgery to reconstruct her wrist, which was shattered when her classmate and accused gunman Colt Gray opened fire. The 14-year-old is excited to return to the school band which she is a part of. Natalie's mother, Marilda, told DailyMail.com her daughter plays the flute and has been doing so since she was in elementary school. Pictures shared by the family show Natalie doing what she loves, participating in the band during school rallies and sporting events. 'She is the bravest little girl that I have ever seen,' Marilda said. Despite being hooked up to machines, Natalie was able to muster a smile Gray surrendered to authorities within minutes of allegedly opening fire. The 14-year-old was charged with four felony counts of murder, and will be tried as an adult. If convicted, he faces spending the rest of his life behind bars 'I ask her, ''Natalie, do you want to change schools? We can probably change schools, sweetie.'' And she said, ''No, no, mom. I want to go back to school. I want to go back to the band. I want to go back to my normal life''.' Natalie has been recovering in hospital since Wednesday morning, when alleged shooter Gray opened fire in her algebra class. Her father, Doug told Fox5 that one bullet went 'through her arm, one across the chest and the most damaging shot is to her wrist.' Photos from inside the hospital room show Natalie resting in her bed, drawing in a notepad while her other arm remainds in a cast Natalie's mother, Marilda, told DailyMail.com her daughter plays the flute and has been doing so since she was in elementary school Pictures shared by the family show Natalie doing what she loves, participating in the band during school rallies and sporting events Her spirits have been kept high during recovery by a steady stream of visitors - from friends to teachers. Photos from inside the hospital room show Natalie resting in her bed, drawing in a notepad while her other arm remains in a cast. Despite being hooked up to machines, Natalie was able to muster a smile. In a GoFundMe raising money for Natalie's continued treatment, a friend of the family said the extensive surgery was required 'to save part of her arm and hand' and included 'a total reconstruction of her wrist.' 'The doctors and nurses have been amazing and loving and we know that the road ahead for Natalie and her family is going to be long. 'The positivity of Natalie is beyond any words could express despite the situation. 'Everyday at the hospital we have seen a smile in her face and positivity. She is amazing.' While Natalie is eager to get back to the classroom, it's unclear when exactly Apalachee High School will reopen in the wake of the tragedy. Gray's father Colin was also arrested and charged with four counts of manslaughter, and two counts of second-degree murder In a statement from September 6, Barrow County School System Superintendent Dallas LeDuff said: 'School will resume for all students, except for those at Apalachee High School, on Tuesday, Sep. 10. 'For our Apalachee families, we will send a message to you separately with information about returning.' There has not yet been a public update on when classes will resume at Apalachee High School. Gray surrendered to authorities within minutes of allegedly opening fire. The 14-year-old was charged with four felony counts of murder, and will be tried as an adult. If convicted, he faces spending the rest of his life behind bars. Gray's father Colin was also arrested and charged with four counts of manslaughter, and two counts of second-degree murder after police alleged he gifted his son the AR-15-style rifle used in the massacre. If convicted on all counts, Colin also faces spending the rest of his life in prison. Two young sisters have died in an apparent drowning at a pond on the grounds of their scenic Long Island townhouse. Ruth Evangeline Gali, 4 years and 11 months, and her sister, Selah Grace Gali, 2 years 11 months, were found unresponsive on Saturday afternoon at Fairfield Townhouses on Victorian Court in Holtsville, a hamlet in Suffolk County located approximately 50 miles from Manhattan. Suffolk County Police responded to a call at 3.16pm from a family member who reported the children missing. When officers arrived Good Samaritans had already been searching around the property. Minutes later the children were located and pulled from the water - 911 dispatchers helped instruct the callers on how to perform CPR, Brookhaven Town supervisor Dan Panioco told Newsday. The children were rushed by ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital where they were pronounced deceased, police said. Sisters Ruth, 4, and Selah Gali, 2, drowned in a pond near their home on Saturday The sisters were pulled out of the pond on Saturday afternoon and were unresponsive It is unclear the circumstances surrounding the drowning. The mother, Sudha Gali, was too traumatized to speak with reporters on Monday, according to friends and family members who visited her at her home. Some of their visitors were seen standing at the pond where the children drowned reciting a prayer. Flowers were placed at the footbridge that goes to the pond, only a few feet away from where the girls were found. Neighbors said the children's father, David Gali, has been stuck in India over visa issues, and has been trying to get home. According to some residents, the child's mother put her daughters down for a nap before she - and the grandmother who also lives with the family - fell asleep. However, a spokesperson with the Suffolk County Police Department confirmed with DailyMail.com that 'the girl's mother was not sleeping - she was awake,' and what was being reported were rumors. Outside their quaint home is a sign celebrating their older daughter's 'first day of kindergarten.' Many in the quiet residential community were devastated by the loss and described the parents as 'wonderful people.' Bella Baldy told ABC News she ran to the water to try and save one of the children because she knew CPR - but sadly it was too late. It was unclear how long the children were in the water. Other residents - who asked for anonymity - recalled the gut-wrenching scene of a 'frantic mother' searching for her children on that tragic day. Tommy, who has been living in the development for a year, noted that there are no fences or gates around the pond. He said that a dog - that was blind and hearing-impaired - drowned in the same pond a few days before the girls died. Their Holtsville home on Victorian Court features a sign 'today is my first day of Kindergarten' Flowers are left at the foot step of the bridge Another view of the pond that is located on the grounds The ChristForLife Church organized a GoFundMe to benefit the family. According to the post, David and Sudha have been members of Christ for Life Church since the time of their marriage. He explained that the are working towards bringing David back into the US with an emergency visa based on compassionate grounds. 'After Davids visa is sorted, the funeral arrangements will have to be made,' they wrote, in part. 'We cannot even imagine what Sudha and David are going through right now,' they wrote. As of Monday, more than $97,000 has been raised towards their goal of $100,000. Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating their death and are asking anyone with information to call the Homicide Squad at 531-853-6392. DailyMail.com has reached out to Fairfield Properties, the property management company, for comment. MBABANE - As schools prepare to reopen tomorrow, SNAT and head teachers have expressed concerns about schools readiness to resume classes, citing a range of pressing issues. They alleged that school bank accounts were nearly empty, due to governments failure to fulfil its payment obligations, leaving many schools without essential resources like food, electricity and water. Furthermore, they also claimed that government has not permanently hired the 4 000 qualified teachers needed to fill the 4 000 vacant posts left by retired, deceased, transferred, dismissed and resigned staff. He said this exacerbated the challenges faced by schools.According to the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General (SG), Lot Vilakati, school bank accounts are reportedly dry, as government has not fulfilled its obligation of paying all the monies due to schools. Food Vilakati alleged that there is no food and electricity in schools at the moment, while other schools have no water.We still have 700 high school degreed teachers, who are yet to be relocated from primary to high schools and open spaces for teachers qualified to teach in primary schools. The government has failed to hire 4 000 permanently qualified new teachers to fill the 4 000 vacant posts from retired, deceased, transferred, dismissed and resigned teachers (those who are in Taiwan), Vilakati said.Adding, he said from the close to 700 primary schools, government managed to hire 20 Grade Zero teachers. Vilakati stated that, from the above-mentioned problems, and from the many they have been reporting, they want to clearly state that schools are not ready to reopen.Opening schools will just be for the comfort of the Ministry of Education and Training and not for the good and future of the liSwati child. If government is going to continue opening schools without addressing the listed basics, then education is doomed in the country, he said.Furthermore, the SG mentioned that they would honour the schools reopening but operations would be minimal. He said the operations would be minimal based on the aforementioned challenges faced by schools. We closed schools while pupils were knocking off at noon and they will continue to knock off early, he said.On the same note, the Swaziland Association of School Administrators (SASA) Chairperson, Gcina Thusi, alleged that it is a fact that schools are not ready for reopening tomorrow. Thusi said the Free Primary Education (FPE) Act states that governments responsibility is to provide the first trench of the FPE grant to schools at the beginning of the first term and provide the second trench at the beginning of the second term. He said currently, they were yet to start the last term and the FPE grants have not been paid. We taught the whole second term without the FPE grant. We even conducted mock-examination without any payments and we were forced into debt. To us, government failed to honour the Act, Thusi alleged. The chairman shared that they even struggled to pay support staff salaries because schools, more especially primary schools have no money. When we receive the first trench FPE payment, we always estimate how long it will last before we can receive the second trench. The second trench is a bit higher and it helps schools to operate. Last term, schools were struggling and they will continue to struggle if they open without payments, he said. He went on to state that some schools do not have food.Thusi said the shortage of food in schools is a real struggle. He said they do not know when it will end.He said the only schools that may have food currently were those that received their share on the last week when schools closed last term. A majority of schools do not have food. The only thing I can think of now is that head teachers will be forced into debt in order to ensure that schools have food for pupils, Thusi stated. Furthermore, he mentioned that the only solution is for government to pay FPE and deliver enough food to all schools.He further said, even though there are teething challenges in schools, they opened schools as per the governments expectations.Thusi said the truth is that government has allegedly not honoured its part to ensure that schools are ready for reopening tomorrow. SCHOOLS OPENING NOT POSTPONED - MINISTRY NHLANGANO - Schools reopening has not been postponed. The Ministry of Education and Training has clarified that schools are set to open as per the academic calendar. The clarification was made by the ministrys Communications Officer Gugu Masuku yesterday.This follows rumours that the opening of schools has been postponed because of the Shiselweni Reed Dance.On social media, old posts of schools opening postponements were circulated, which has left many confused about the opening of schools.Masuku said schools will open, adding that the Reed Dance is held on the weekend and not on school days. She said, as usual, schools would break and Imbali proceed to the Reed Dance without any interruption. Schools will break early and on Friday and Imbali willing to attend the Reed Dance will do so, she said. Schools are expected to open tomorrow, September 10, 2024 for the third term.Completing classes will be writing their external examinations, which start around October for Form Vs. This is less than a month from now. Changes Masuku said had there been any changes, the ministry would have released an official statement, but since there was none, everything is supposed to go according to the school calendar. It is worth noting that when schools were about to close for the second term, some head teachers voiced out their concerns over the shortage of food and even suggested closing schools early. They stated that they did not have food (also known as zondle) that is normally given to pupils daily. They shared that the pupils wrote their exams on empty stomachs. This, according to the head teachers, was worrying them as some pupils, especially those from rural areas, came from less privileged families. They shared that some were dependent on the schools feedings scheme for food.One head teacher shared that during lunch break, the pupils used to camp next to his office and bang metal plates with spoons; indicating that they were hungry, yet there was no food. Shiselweni Regional Education Officer Siboniso Gumbi stated that he is aware that some schools have not received food.When reached for comment if food had been delivered to schools, he said delivering food is a process. He said food would be delivered when schools open. Gumbi said it has already been delivered in other schools. The judge in Bryan Kohberger's Idaho murders trial has agreed to move the proceedings in yet another blow to the victims' families. Kohberger had asked for a change of venue, citing the impossibility of an impartial jury in the county where the murders happened. His lawyers said he'd be 'lynched' if he ended up being acquitted in Latah County. Judge John C. Judge has granted his request and it will now be up to the state's Supreme Court to determine where the trial, scheduled for June, 2025, will take place. The decision also means a new judge will be assigned to the case. It the latest setback in the long drawn out proceedings since the November 2022 killings. The judge in Bryan Kohberger 's Idaho murders trial has agreed to move the proceedings in yet another blow to the victims' families Idaho police said the four University of Idaho students were murdered in their sleep between 3am and 4am (Pictured: Victims Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Maddie Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and 20-year-old Ethan Chapin) Kohberger, a former criminal justice student at Washington State University, which is across the state line in Pullman, faces four counts of murder in the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. The Goncalves family had expressed their wish that the trial remained in Moscow. Reacting to the decision on Monday, they told NewsNation's Brian Entin they are 'incredibly disappointed' by the change of venue - and slammed Judge Judge in their statement. 'The only good thing about this decision is it will be Judge Judge's last decision in this case. The family has always felt that judge Judge favors the defense and it was a common theme that whatever the defense wanted or needed they got,' the family said. In his decision, dated Friday, Judge Judge said 'The Latah County courthouse itself poses significant issues for a trial of this length and magnitude.' He also cited 'extensive negative publicity surrounding Kohberger.' His defense team sought the change of venue, saying strong emotions in the close-knit community and constant news coverage will make it impossible to find an impartial jury in the small university town where the killings occurred. Prosecutors argued that any problems with potential bias could be resolved by simply calling a larger pool of potential jurors and questioning them carefully. Judge John C. Judge has granted Kohberger's request and it will now be up to the state's Supreme Court to determine where the trial, scheduled for June, 2025, will take place. 'The traumatized town of Moscow is understandably filled with deeply held prejudgments of guilt,' Kohberger's defense said in a filing, claiming that if he is freed residents would 'burn the courthouse down - outrage would be a mild description.' To bolster their arguments for a change of venue, the defense said they conducted a phone survey of residents that found over 98 percent were aware of the case, and 67 percent believed Kohberger is guilty. They claimed that Latah County residents told pollsters that if Kohberger is not convicted, they 'would probably find and kill him.' 'There would likely be a riot and he wouldnt last long outside because someone would do the good ole boy justice,' another anonymous resident said, according to the defense. In a legal filing, the defense claimed that 'prospective jurors who have been exposed to prejudicial pretrial publicity enter the courtroom with case-specific knowledge gleaned from the media, social media, and discussions with friends, family members, and co-workers.' Kohberger was taken into custody in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, a small town in the heart of the Poconos Mountains more than 2,000 miles from where the gruesome killings took place 'Uncovering the full extent of jurors' case-specific knowledge and opinions in high-profile cases can be extremely difficult,' they said. However, prosecutors countered that the 'change of venue (is not) going to solve any of these problems.' 'The state's position on venue is that the case should be held here. It's a Latah County case. We believe that we can select an appropriate panel of jurors from Latah County,' Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said at an earlier hearing. The hearings on the trial's venue have caused delays and infuriated the families of the victims, who have accused Kohberger and his attorneys of deploying repeated delaying tactics to try and postpone the trial. The trial is currently scheduled for June 2025 but could well face being pushed back again, depending on any upcoming rulings sought by Kohberger's attorneys. Kohberger's team brought in media monitoring expert Todd Murphy, who testified over the level of media exposure Latah County has received over the infamous slayings. He testified that Latah County has received more exposure to the killings than Ada County, where the trial may have been moved to. Murphy added that while national stories may continue to receive interest during the trial, pre-trial hearings such as this one often see a significant uptick in interest in local news. Boyfriend and girlfriend Ethan Chapin (left) and Xana Kernodle (right) were slain in bed together in the gruesome murders in November 2022 The families of the victims have shared their frustration at the unending delays, with the mother of Kaylee Goncalves (left, with Madison Mogen) saying: 'It's gut-wrenching how slow everything has to go. Why does this have to be so drawn out?' Prosecutors maintained that any prejudgment among the jury pool could be mitigated through screening and widening the number of prospective jurors. Latah County prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted over the four slayings. Kohberger has maintained his innocence since his arrest in December 2022, over a month after the murders that shocked the nation - with his attorneys insisting they 'absolutely believe' he did not commit the crimes. The month-long search for the alleged killer led to widespread media attention, with the families of the victims using the spotlight to condemn the proceedings against Kohberger. In December 2023, the mother of victim Kaylee Goncalves said the ongoing process has been 'gut wrenching.' 'It's gut-wrenching how slow everything has to go. Why does this have to be so drawn out?' Kaylee's mother Krisi said in an interview with KHQ. 'It's important, I get it, but there are facts, we have certain facts, we have certain knowledge. I can't believe that this is how it works.' An aviation-obsessed teen, her mom, and a high school teacher who had been teaching her how to fly were among four killed in a private airplane crash in Vermont Sunday. Paul Pelletier, 55, Frank Rodriguez, 88, Susan Van Ness, 51, and her daughter Delilah Van Ness, 15, were named as victims in the crash - all had been residents of Connecticut. Licensed pilot Pelletier taught aerospace and manufacturing at Middletown High, where Delilah had been his student, the school said in a statement. A family member further told cops how the girl had been receiving flying lessons from Pelletier, while Rodriguez, a pilot as well, was there to accompany them. It currently remains unclear who had been piloting the four-person craft. The plane left Connecticut's Windham Airport around 8:30am Sunday, before landing in Vermont two hours later for a brunch reservation. They dined at an upscale eatery in Basin Harbor, with plans to return that day. When they didn't, families reported them missing, leading to the plane being discovered the following morning in a 'wooded area to the east of the Basin Harbor Airport'. The airport is set right next to the resort where the four had just ate. Scroll down for video: Delilah Van Ness, 15, was one of four killed in a private airplane crash Sunday. It happened in Vermon, and her and the three other on board's bodies were found the following morning The young girl, who had been interested in aviation, was receiving flying lessons from 55-year-old Paul Pelletier, who was also pronounced dead Monday morning. He taught aerospace and manufacturing at Middletown High, where Delilah had been his student All were pronounced dead at the scene, Vermont State Police said in a statement. 'A preliminary investigation determined that the four-seat, single-engine Piper aircraft had departed Windham Airport in Connecticut at about 8:30am Sunday,' cops wrote at 8:40am. Following the two-hour flight, 'the privately owned plane landed and the occupants arrived for a brunch reservation at Basin Harbor,' cops confirmed - revealing 'the party departed the restaurant shortly after noon and were to fly back to Connecticut. 'A witness reported seeing the airplane on the runway at about 12:15pm, the statement added - before echoing earlier ones from cops claiming officials had received 'no reports indicating an aircraft in distress' before the crash. 'However, after the plane failed to return to Connecticut as expected, relatives of the occupants reported the situation to the Connecticut State Police and the Middletown (Connecticut) Police Department,' the statement continued. 'Those agencies worked with the Federal Aviation Administration and used cellphone location data to determine the planes last known location was near the airstrip in Vermont.' Afterwards, with the assistance of a drone flown by Middlebury cops, investigators were able to locate the wreckage at about 12:20am Monday, state police said. First responders confirmed all four - including mother and daughter Susan and Delilah - were deceased. The bodies were then brought to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington, where they are now undergoing autopsies to determine cause and manner of death. Also identified was Susan Van Ness, 51, Delilah's mother. She was remembered as 'a valued member of [the] Middletown community' The bodies were brought to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington, where they are undergoing autopsies. Pictured: Paul Pelletier. It remains unclear if the plane pictured was the one that crashed Pelletier (right) is pictured flying a plane with his wife, who he is survived by. In addition to his work at the school the girl attended since elementary, he taught teens how to operate drones Susan, meanwhile, worked as the Chief of Programs at the National Diaper Bank Network in Middletown, a non-profit dedicated to providing needy kids with 'an adequate supply of diapers,' its website states Pelletier (pictured), a 55-year-old from Columbia, Connecticut, was among the dead. It remains unclear if he was the one flying the plane Following the discovery, Middletown Public Schools officials issued a statement, revealing the nature of the victims' relationships. 'Paul, our dedicated Aerospace and Manufacturing teacher at Middletown High School since 2019, Delilah, a bright and cherished student who had been part of our Middletown school family since her elementary years, and Delilah's mother, Susan, a valued member of our Middletown community, were aboard a small plane that tragically crashed in Vermont,' it read. 'The reasons for the crash are still unknown and are under investigation by the Vermont State Police. 'This unimaginable loss has left a void in our hearts and our community. Paul, Delilah, and Susan were special individuals. 'Their absence will be felt in our classrooms, hallways, and throughout our district and city.' The statement made no mention of Rodriguez, who Middletown police said had been accompanying the group, according to the unnamed relative who reported the group missing. The department was then able to trace the last known location of the cell phones of those onboard to trace the plane the area of Basin Harbor Airport, paving the way for the discovery, which was made when cops deployed a drone into the wooded area. Pictured, the resort and surrounding harbor on Lake Champlain where the group had brunch before embarking on the ill-fated flight Seen here, woods near the Basin Harbor Airport where the plane was found in Ferrisburgh early Monday morning The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, meanwhile, are still investigating the crash, which remains unexplained more than a day later. DailyMail.com has reached out to the FAA for comment. As the federal probe continues, posts on social media show how Pelletier was a seasoned pilot who often flew single-engine crafts - and also taught young aspiring pilots how to fly drones. He is seen posing and flying several planes on Facebook. Delilah's social media showed her as a studious high schooler interested in aviation. She said online that her interests are 'robotics, aviation, cello, and art.' She he was recognized by Connecticut Science Center at the age of just 14 for her work developing the ScreenBird, a handheld device and motion camera that work in tandem to make images appear as if they were a touch screen. This allows for an image the user can interact with, with mouse-clicks and edits made while holding the device. Pictured, Windham Airport in Connecticut, where the plane departed at about 8:30am Sunday with plans to head back that day. It never returned Her mother Susan, meanwhile, worked as the Chief of Programs at the National Diaper Bank Network in Middletown, a non-profit dedicated to providing needy kids with 'an adequate supply of diapers,' its website states. As for Rodriguez, he was a pilot once part of the Super Saber Society - a group of all-volunteer pilots recruited to fly low-elevation missions in enemy territory for ground commanders to send to their troops during various conflicts. A biography on the group's website recalls how he flew a F-100 from 1957 to 1959 with the US Air Force's 49th Tactical Fighter Wing out of Etain-Rouvres AB, France, and again from 1959 to 1961 with the out of Spangdahlem AB in Germany. The nickname bestowed on him by the flying force was 'Speedy', the bio states. The investigation into the crash, meanwhile, remains ongoing, and is being treated as a federal investigation. It is unclear who was flying at the time of the crash. When contacted about the crash Monday, The Basin Harbor Resort declined to comment. This is a developing story; please check back for updates. An elaborate taxi cab scam in Canada has swinded thousands of dollars from victims with the help of bogus roof signs that are sold on websites such as Amazon. The scammers light up their signs and pose as cab drivers to trick people into riding with them - before running off with their bank cards. Victims of this scam are told they have to pay with a debit card to ride. The taxi driver will take the card and insert it into a modified point of sale terminal, where the device records the card data and pin, according to police. Then, the driver hands them back a fake - but similar-looking - debit card. The fraudster either races to the bank, where they withdraw as much as they can, or they make fraudulent purchases - leaving victims with fleeced accounts. After falling for the unofficial-lit-up taxi sign, victims of this scam are told they have to pay with a debit card to ride. The taxi driver will take the card and insert it into a modified point of sale terminal, where the device records the card data and pin. Pictured: Victim Jessica Chin King Calgary resident Kathryn Kozody found $2,000 missing from her bank account after she fell for the fake taxi scam Fraudsters are planting fake taxi signs on the roof of their cars, then stealing the bank details of unassuming customers (stock image) A total of 919 reports, totaling $1.7million in losses, have been submitted to the Toronto police department since June 2023, CBC reported. Toronto resident Jessica Chin King fell for the fake taxi sign. After a 15 minute ride, she discovered that $600 had been withdrawn from her account. She told DailyMail.com: 'What sold the taxi for me was it had a taxi sign on the top of it. I just found out that anybody can buy them on Amazon and you can use them for whatever. Before I got into the taxi, he asked me if I was paying debit which I found weird and at the end of the ride he handed me a machine, which you can also buy on Amazon and then when I inserted my card, the machine took my card info and my pin. What the scam taxis do is keep a bunch of cards in between their legs and he switched my TD card with someone elses TD card so when he handed me the machine there was somebody elses card in there. Kathryn Kozody, who lives in Calgary, discovered $2,000 was missing from her bank account and that she had a debit card with someone else's name. Kozody told CBC: 'It really felt like an invasion of privacy and a violation to be a victim of this scam.' The woman said that she started 'freaking out' when she realized the next day that her account was being fleeced by the fraudster. King also expressed similar outrage - saying that she was 'in shock' when money started being withdrawn from her account. But she said she was glad that the only thing that they took was her bank details. She said: 'I was in the car with somebody who wasn't a taxi driver. Anything could have happened. I was thankful that it was only my bank [account] that was compromised.' Taxi roof signs used in scams have led to losses totaling $1.7million since June 2023, according to the Toronto police department This generic taxi roof sign costs $21.99 on Amazon. It has a magnetic base with a strip on the bottom and is powered by plugging the cable into the car's cigarette lighter The signs are cheap to purchase. One Amazon listing for a generic taxi roof sign costs $21.99. It has a magnetic base with a strip on the bottom and is powered by plugging the cable into the car's cigarette lighter. The Canadian Taxi Association has asked sites such as Amazon, Temu and eBay to stop selling this product. But Amazon said the signs will remain on its site because it's legal to sell in Canada. With the help of these official-looking signs, the scam has become widespread across the country - including reports filed in five cities in southern Ontario such as Sarnia, the outlet reports. In Sarnia, it was reported that two individuals were involved in a two-day run that saw residents with losses that totaled $20,000 to $30,000, on July 13 and 14. A day later, a man was allegedly approached by two men in a black sedan. The 'passenger' in the vehicle asked the victim if he could use his debit card because he didn't realize the driver didn't accept cash. After agreeing to do so, the victim later found out he'd been scammed out of $2,400, Sarnia Police Service reported in a media release. Licensed taxi cabs use roof signs that are purchased from specialty suppliers and are hardwired to the car. In the United States, these signs are legal to purchase. But in both Canada and the U.S. it's illegal to drive a taxi without a license. In New York City, taxi drivers who drive without a Taxi and Limousine Commission license can be fined between $1000 to $2000 or can be imprisoned for up to 60 days. DailyMail.com has contacted Amazon for comment. A flying instructor is suing the Ministry of Defence for race discrimination over an RAF policy that gave priority to female and ethnic minority recruits. Matthew Coverley had two applications to join the Royal Air Force rejected for what he claims were 'disingenuous' reasons, an employment tribunal was told. The experienced military pilot initially thought the decision to reject him was 'strange' but started to suspect he had been discriminated against when news broke of the RAF's controversial recruitment policy. As a result, he has taken the MoD to tribunal and has now been given the green light by a judge to proceed with claims of race discrimination. Matthew Coverley claims he was rejected by the RAF because it was trying to meet quotas on female and minority ethic employees A preliminary hearing in Watford heard Mr Coverley served in the British Army from 1996 until 2018, achieving the rank of Warrant Officer, and became a flying instructor graduate of the Central Flying School. Between 2014 to 2018, he served with the RAF as attached personnel, holding the position of Lead Army Pilot. In 2017, as his army service came to an end, it was heard he 'expressed an interest' in joining the RAF but also applied for a civilian job as back up. He was successful with the latter and joined Ascent Flight Training, a company that provides military training to the RAF through civilian instructors. In 2020, he then applied to join the RAF. He said he'd had 'positive conversations' about his application, with documents seen at the hearing suggesting he had been placed in a pool of potential recruits as of July 2020. Allegations that the RAF broke employment law when it attempted to favour female and ethnic minority candidates led to calls for Chief of the Air Staff Sir Mike Wigston, pictured, to step down last year However, in November 2020, he was removed and had his application rejected on the grounds that he lacked the necessary training but he claims this was untrue. In July 2022, he applied to join the RAF again, but received an email two weeks later saying aircrew were not being recruited another thing he claims was false. The tribunal heard that in August 2022, the RAFs head of recruitment, Group Captain Lizzy Nicholl, resigned in protest at a recruitment policy to give priority to female and ethnic minority recruits over white men. It was heard she complained of bullying by those trying to make her implement it. The RAFs motto is Per Ardua Ad Astra, which means Through Adversity to the Stars, but it has also used the slogan Rise Above the Rest In February last year, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston appeared in front of the parliamentary Defence Select Committee, where he denied any discrimination had taken place or that the policy had never been implemented. However, the hearing was told a damning internal report by the RAF was published in June 2023, including the following words: 'The Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2030 set the goal of increasing representation of underrepresented groups at all levels.' The report also refers to 'specific targets' having been set in terms of percentages of recruitment of women and ethnic minorities. After its publication, it was heard Mr Coverley began to research the matter himself. In July 2023, he filed a complaint with the armed forces internal system but it went nowhere. He therefore decided there was 'no point' pursuing his complaint and instead started legal proceedings against the MoD. Considering whether his claims could proceed, employment judge Samantha Moore pointed out the most recent of Mr Coverley's rejections came in 2022, making it nine months out of time. She said: 'In this case the reason for delay relied on by [Mr Coverley] is that he did not know about [the MoD]s discriminatory policy until June 2023 and prior to that had no reason to believe the rejection of his applications in 2020 and 2022 were, or might have been, tainted with discrimination. '[The MoD]'s case is that he must have been aware of the media coverage in August 2022 and February 2023, or at least the matters covered in those stories. 'He had been a member of the armed forces for 22 years and had been very keen to join the RAF. 'His friendship circle was with present and past members of the armed forces and on the balance of probabilities he would have known about the news stories and discussion of an alleged discriminatory policy.' It also argued his written submissions were written in a way that 'suggested he had had some knowledge of the discriminatory policy' prior and that this awareness had simply 'crystallised' in June 2023 due to the public statement and associated media coverage. The judge ruled Mr Coverley had not known about the possible discrimination until June 2023 and allowed his claims to proceed. She added: 'I find it is just and equitable to extend time in respect of [Mr Coverley]s complaints relating to both his 2020 and his 2022 applications, which means the tribunal does have jurisdiction to hear them and they will now proceed to a full hearing.' A full hearing will take place at the end of April. China is placing corporate spies into Microsoft and other major American companies posing a huge national security threat DailyMail.com can reveal. A new law that went into effect in China on July 1 mandates that foreign companies in the country with 300 or more employees must delegate an 'employee representative' to their Beijing-based affiliate's board of directors. This representative is likely an individual planted by the CCP to be friendly to the socialist government, a House aide told DailyMail.com. And not only that but the representative could act as 'both a disciplinary tool and an intelligence-gathering tool for the Chinese Communist Party.' One company that could be subject to the new law is Microsoft, which boasts a robust presence in the communist-run country. President Joe Biden, left, greets China's President President Xi Jinping in Woodside, Calif., Nov, 15, 2023. An aide from the House of Representatives told DailyMail.com that China's new restrictions could present a security risk to U.S. companies 'Once youre on the board, you are privy to all sorts of incredibly sensitive information, incredibly sensitive decision-making and you can exert a substantial amount of pressure on the people that are on the ground in China,' the source told DailyMail.com. These employee directors could be 'activated as needed' to accomplish the CCP's clandestine goals, the source continued. The role on the board would put the presumably CCP-aligned representative in direct contact with important company decision makers and proprietary strategy. They then could apply pressure to ascertain specific employee data such as addresses and spouse information, the aide added. A man walks past Microsoft's local headquarters in Beijing on July 20, 2021, the day after the US accused Beijing of carrying out the cyber attack on Microsoft and charged four Chinese nationals over the "malicious" hack The House aide stressed that large multinational American corporations like Microsoft could be targeted under the new Chinese law 'If one day they want to exert pressure on Microsoft or any of the many other multinational companies that operate there, they know who to call,' the House source said. 'What theyre going to do is just steal all the data, every single bit of data.' Microsoft did not immediately return a request for comment. These new board members could take minutes at meetings and report them to the CCP or even coerce subordinates to carry out actions in the interest of the party. A particular worry stressed by the source were 'pressure points' that could be exposed by these board members. Not to say how it could help the CCP poach top talent and access sensitive documents as the member could see 'employee data.' The front desk of a Microsoft office in Beijing, China 'This is their wife. This is where they live. You know, this is where the kid goes to school,' the source warned. 'It is an act of slow-moving suicide for all these companies to stay in China in these arrangements. It is malpractice of the highest order and arguably a violation of basic business judgment.' Apple, Google and Walmart did not immediately return requests for comment. The scale of the deaths in an Essex mental health trust could be 'significantly' higher than 2,000, the chairwoman of the public inquiry has warned. Baroness Kate Lampard CBE said as she opened the Lampard Inquiry that 'we may never have a definitive number of deaths put forward within the inquiry's remit'. She said she is 'committed to publish' a number but 'this number is only ever likely to be approximate and I find it shocking we may never be able to say for sure how many people died in the remit of this inquiry'. However, she said the figure will be 'significantly in excess' of 2,000. The Lampard Inquiry will investigate the deaths of people who were receiving mental health inpatient care in Essex between 2000 and 2023 and Baroness Lampard added that it will 'investigate alleged failings on a scale that's deeply shocking'. The cases to be investigated will include people who died within three months of discharge, and those who died as inpatients receiving NHS-funded care in the independent sector. Baroness Kate Lampard CBE (pictured) said as she opened the Lampard Inquiry that 'we may never have a definitive number of deaths put forward within the inquiry's remit' Family members of those lost after receiving treatment for mental health concerns hold up pictures during a protest outside the Lampard Inquiry at Chelmsford Civic Centre before the start of the hearings into the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex A number of bereaved parents and families gathered outside the inquiry venue in Chelmsford on Monday, laying placards on the pavement with photos of loved ones who had died. Among the banners on display was one saying 'We will not be silenced', another read 'We demand truth justice accountability change' and a third stated: 'Failed by Essex mental health services'. Why is there an inquiry into Essex mental health services? The mothers of two men aged 20 who died at the Linden Centre in Chelmsford first called for an inquiry. One of them was Ben Morris, who was found dead in 2008 after telling his mother Lisa that he wanted to leave the facility, the BBC reports. The second one was Melanie Leahy's son Matthew, who died in 2012, just days after he reported being raped. The Care Quality Commission also raised concerns regarding the safety of the wards and staffing from 2014 to 2018 - but its recommendations were not acted on. This was followed by a corporate manslaughter probe over the death of 25 patients in nine mental health units launched by Essex Police in 2017. In 2019, a report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman into Ben Morris' and Matthew Leahy's deaths said there was a 'systemic failure to tackle repeated and criticals failings over an unacceptable period of time'. But in 2020, Melanie Leahy and the families of 24 other patients who died in the Essex mental health wards set up a petition for an independent inquiry into the deaths, resulting in a debate in Parliament, with then-health minister Nadine Dorries confirming in 2021 that an inquiry would be held. Melanie Leahy and her son Matthew In 2023, a Channel 4 Dispatches report showed staff sleeping on wards while they were supposed to watch over patients. Since Ms Dorries first confirmed an inquiry would be held, it was given full legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence. More and more deaths were included in the inquiry due to 'ongoing concerns' over the service in the Essex wards. Advertisement Some bereaved parents had indicated that they would protest outside the venue because they had been refused core participant status in the inquiry, a special status which grants participatory rights including being able to suggest lines of questioning via counsel to the inquiry. The Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry was established in 2021 without statutory status. It was upgraded to a statutory footing last year, which means it has legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence. Opening the inquiry on Monday, Baroness Lampard said hearings will be 'investigating matters of the gravest concern and significance'. She extended her 'deepest sympathy' to the loved ones of those who have died, and held a minute's silence as a mark of respect. 'Each death represents a tragedy,' she said, and praised the 'courage, resilience and strength the families have demonstrated in some of these most tragic circumstances, including bringing to light some of the issues'. 'Without their dedicated and tireless campaigning it's unlikely we would be here today,' Baroness Lampard said. Nicholas Griffin KC, counsel to the inquiry, said evidence will be heard throughout 2025 and into 2026. He said commemorative evidence from families and friends of those who died will be heard next week, with further virtual hearings for more commemorative statements from November 25 to December 5. Mr Griffin said it was thought important that an inquiry 'with an Essex focus should hold its opening hearings in Essex'. But he said organisers were 'aware of the sensitivities of a number of locations in this county', which includes places that people took their life. He said that, with this in mind, a 'neutral venue' in London had been identified for hearings next year. He said that Arundel House, near Temple underground station, also had 'trauma-informed space... allowing access to emotional support'. Steven Snowden KC, for law firm Hodge Jones & Allen which is representing 52 core participants in the inquiry, raised an article published in The Daily Telegraph before the inquiry on Monday. The article includes details of leaked WhatsApp messages from Ms Dorries, including an alleged exchange with then-health secretary Matt Hancock in November 2020. In the messages, Ms Dorries wrote that she was 'picking off' families whose relatives had died as a way to ensure a 'full public inquiry' into 'suspicious' deaths was not launched, the inquiry heard. Mr Snowden told the inquiry on Monday: 'What she (Nadine Dorries) did, we say, is a classic example of cover-up. Campaigners being actively undermined. A divide and conquer strategy when all those families sought was the truth.' He continued: 'We may make a formal request in due course that Nadine Dorries and Matt Hancock be called to give evidence but that's a matter for another day.' Family members of those lost after receiving treatment for mental health concerns hold up pictures during a protest outside the Lampard Inquiry Lisa Morris, the mother of Ben Morris, who was found hanged in his room at the Linden Centre mental health facility in Chelmsford, outside the Lampard Inquiry at Chelmsford Civic Centre before the start of the hearings into the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex Melanie Leahy, whose 20-year-old son, Matthew, died in November 2012 while a patient at the Linden Centre mental health facility in Chelmsford, with a picture of him outside the Lampard Inquiry at Chelmsford Civic Centre before the start of the hearings into the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex Speaking on the first day of the inquiry, Mr Snowden said some patients in the care of NHS trusts in Essex were 'traumatised, or re-traumatised, by ill-treatment and abuse' and some suffered 'avoidable injury, whilst on an NHS ward'. 'What is more, it happened time and again,' he said. 'Every time it happened, there was an opportunity to prevent further death and ill-treatment. 'But lessons were not learned, practices did not change, poor decisions were repeated, the tragedies continued, and continue to this day.' Priya Singh, a partner at Hodge Jones & Allen which represents more than 120 victims and families at the Lampard Inquiry, said: 'It has been shocking to hear that the inquiry is expecting to uncover many more deaths. 'There is no time to wait, people are still dying, not just in Essex, but potentially, nationally. 'We've heard encouraging sounds today, but the families have fought too hard and for too long to get this inquiry and will hold the inquiry team to account every step of the way. 'In turn, the inquiry team must demonstrate its trustworthiness and capability to deliver meaningful change to our clients. Nothing less will do. 'Today must mark the start of the families finally being treated with the dignity and respect that was so lacking in their loved one's care.' For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. Unassuming little warehouses outside the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco have some of the best discounts you can ever hope to find on excess products that went unsold at major retailers like Costco and Target. These businesses, often called salvage stores, resell overstock, discontinued and returned items at a massively reduced price. They often buy retailers' surplus at a discount themselves, which is how they're able to pass on many of their hard-to-believe deals onto small town communities in California. Twice as Nice, which has a strong presence in the Bay Area, stocks its shelves with name brand items such as home appliances, back-to-school supplies and more for 50 percent cheaper, SFGate reported. Costless, an outlet primarily in the Anaheim area, is able to sell popular Costco Kirkland brand products for as much as 98 percent off. Costco and Target have emerged as the most popular stores for resale businesses to scour for good products to flip Pictured: The inside of a Costless outlet store, which is able to sell popular Costco Kirkland brand products for as much as 98 percent off There's also Jona's Outlet, which operates on the outskirts of Los Angeles and almost exclusively resells Target merchandise. There, you can pick up shoes and bras that were once in a Target for just $3. It has a 2 for $5 deal on bras as of August 26. Dave's Wholesale in Chula Vista, a sizable city in San Diego County, sells Costco's brand of boucle chairs for nearly $100 cheaper. It also carries Costco leather recliners for almost $200 off. One of the biggest players slinging overstock products is GTM Discount General Stores - which stands for 'Get the Money.' Its Southern California warehouses carry about 20,000 items and have more than 200 suppliers, receiving numerous deliveries five days a week. The result is, they can sell name brand clothing, furniture and electronics from big for up to 70 percent off, according to the company website. Twice as Nice owner and operator Sadana Traxler gave SFGate an inside look into how these businesses end up turning a profit. A Jona's Outlet in Southern California. The business almost exclusive resells Target products A rack of backpacks, totes and duffle bags at Twice as Nice, which has a strong presence in the Bay Area Jona's Outlet announced this sale on Instagram on August 26 Traxler and her husband Josh currently run the Twice as Nice outlet in downtown San Bruno, which is about 12 miles from the heart of San Francisco. The pair will usually bid on Costco surplus online, often buying as many as five or six pallets of goods. Anyone can do this on Costco's liquidation marketplace - as long as you go through the process to become an approved buyer. This involves filling out your state's sales tax exemption certificate. Though Twice as Nice resells these to the surrounding community for cheap, the merchandise isnt defective, Traxler said. The reason why the items are let go to begin with is because their packages are dented or ripped and cant be put back on the shelves. In fact, Costco has an inventory condition scale, ranging from brand new to Grade C/D, which means the products are heavily scratched or dented. Overall, the business model is to scour retailers' liquidation sites and 'find a good deal and pass it on' to her customers, Traxler said. The first GTM store opened way back in 1981 in downtown San Diego, and now the retailer employs over 100 people at multiple locations Pictured: The Twice as Nice location Sadana and Josh Traxler run This idea is not at all new. Traxlers father-in-law, now 83, opened the first location in Half Moon Bay. The first GTM store opened way back in 1981 in downtown San Diego. Besides getting products to people who need them for cheaper, this practice of reselling the leftovers of corporate mega-production also ameliorates a major environmental problem. Over $800 billion worth of merchandise is returned annually, according to a 2024 paper by A. Shaji George, an information and communication technology expert who has also studied trends in e-commerce. All of the boxes stuff consumers send back to Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers have to go somewhere, and if no else buys these unwanted products, they'll end up in landfills. About 9.5 million pounds of returns end up in American dumps every year. Transporting returned items alone generates over 15 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually. Michael Toohey, the manager of ReMart, an 'eco-store' based in Anaheim, is keenly aware that he can help lessen the impact returned goods have on the environment. 'If we can take that toaster and literally refurbish it, clean it up, and make it work, then we feel like were doing our part,' he said. Prince Andrew will be forced to pay for the upkeep and security of Royal Lodge himself or consider living elsewhere because King Charles's financial support will stop, sources have claimed. Charles has long been trying to get his younger brother out of the 30-room, 30milliion property in Windsor, which he lives in with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Andrew, the Duke of York, has insisted on staying in the mansion despite stepping down from official duties nearly five years ago. The King has been funding private guards at the mansion since Andrew's armed cops - costing 3million a year - were removed in 2022 amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. But now the pressure to move is growing as substantial subsidies from the King and the Royal Family are not going to be available indefinitely, the BBC reported. If Andrew can privately fund the costs of the maintenance and security, then he can stay, but if not he will have to consider living elsewhere. King Charles is said to be losing patience with his brother Prince Andrew over his continued refusal to leave Royal Lodge. Pictured: The pair in 2022 Andrew, 64, has insisted on staying in Royal Lodge (pictured) despite stepping down from official duties nearly five years ago Meanwhile, sources have told the BBC that moving out to a smaller property such as Frogmore Cottage would be more due to finances than family disagreements. Charles is said to be at the end of his tether and has made it clear there are now only 'two possible options' for Andrew, The Times reported. The first is for the duke to find a way of being financially independent by paying for his own expenses, which would cover his security and the maintenance on his home. The second, according to sources close to the King, is for Andrew to move into 'more suitable accommodation'. Charles has encouraged Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate, which is the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex before their move to California. The cottage comes with being within the existing security cordon of the royal Windsor estate and was refurbished by Harry and Meghan. The Duke may have been set an autumn deadline to leave Royal Lodge, it was reported last month. The ultimatum reportedly came from the monarch, who has long been trying to get his disgraced younger brother out of the property. Andrew has been reluctant to leave, having signed a 75-year lease with the Crown Estate when he moved in in 2003 on condition of making a 1million down payment and paying 260,000-a-year in rent. Royal Lodge in Windsor is surrounded by stunning grounds and scenery Andrew rejected the opportunity to move to nearby Frogmore Cottage (pictured) Royal Lodge (pictured) was once known as King's Lodge but its name was changed by the Duke of Cumberland when he became King George IV in 1820 Prince Andrew has been refusing to leave the mansion to the King's frustration. Pictured: Prince Andrew Duke Of York rides out at Windsor Castle There is also the added complication of much-needed repairs to the buildings on the property, some of which have fallen into disrepair and the bill for renovations already rising to 7million. Charles's overtures to get Andrew to leave appeared to have taken a twist after it was reported he told his brother's security team their services will no longer be required. Charles has been 'letting his feelings' towards Andrew be known by getting rid of the security team guarding his brother's home, it was also claimed last month. The ten-strong team of security guards, who were being funded by Charles, were told they will not be required from the autumn prompting speculation the duke will be forced to move. In June, it was claimed Charles 'wants to rent out Windsor Royal Lodge for 1million a year' but Andrew will have to move out of the mansion first. The King is reportedly eager to generate commercial revenue from the stunning home - just as soon as he boots out the disgraced Duke of York who is refusing to pack up and leave, The Sun reported. Top national security figures on Monday defended Kamala Harris against Republican attacks that she was to blame for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. 'Vice President Kamala Harris is the best and only presidential candidate in this race who is fit to serve as our commander-in-chief,' the retired generals and admirals wrote in their National Security Leaders for America letter. 'She has demonstrated her ability to take on the most difficult national security challenges in the Situation Room and on the international stage.' It comes after House Republicans published their investigation into the 2021 withdrawal, blaming the disastrous end to the 20-year war on President Joe Biden and his vice president. It accused them of focusing on politics and optics, rather than preparing proper evacuation plans. 'Vice President Kamala Harris is the best and only presidential candidate in this race who is fit to serve as our commander-in-chief,' the retired generals and admirals wrote in their letter. She is seen here with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in June The report, authored by Rep. Michael McCaul of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, cites Harris's own claim to having been 'the last person in the room' when Biden made the decision to bring home the last American troops And it says Harris worked 'in lockstep with President Biden behind the scenes to withdraw all US troops.' However, Democrats say it understates President Donald Trump's role in the decision and his administration's deal with the Taliban to reduce the number of U.S. troops to zero in May 2021. The national security figures, led by (Ret) Admiral Steve Abbot, who served as deputy homeland security advisor to George W. Bush, warn that Trump is danger to democracy. 'He repeatedly fails to take responsibility for his own role in putting service members in harm's way,' they said. 'Without involving the Afghan government, he and his administration negotiated a deal with the Taliban that freed 5,000 Taliban fighters and allowed them to return to the battlefield. 'Then, he left President Biden and Vice President Harris with no plans to execute a withdrawal, and with little time to do so. This chaotic approach severely hindered the Biden-Harris Administrations ability to execute the most orderly withdrawal possible and put our service members and our allies at risk.' Biden's announcement in April 2021 that he was ending the war sent Taliban fighters on a whirlwind advance. They met little resistance. Government forces, without foreign contractors to keep aircraft flying or American allies to provide support, melted away rather than wage a futile last ditch effort. Ten senior national security leaders issued a statement in support of Kamala Harris, saying she was the best candidate to be the next commander-in-chief The national security figures said Donald Trump was to blame for the chaos Taliban fighters marked the third anniversary of seizing Kabul on August 14, 2024 Thousands of Afghans descended on Kabul's airport as US troops left in 2021 The Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15. The result was chaos as tens of thousands of foreign nationals and Afghans converged on the city's airport trying to find passage to safety. The world watched in horror as desperate young men tried to cling to planes as they took off, some falling to their deaths. Disaster struck days later when an ISIS-K suicide bomber killed about 170 Afghans and 13 American service personnel. Republicans and Democrats have traded accusations that they were to blame ever since. In a tragic twist, a source has revealed the alleged reason why an 87-year-old British pensioner tried to suffocate his wife with a pillow. The Greek authorities have since arrested the man on suspicion of murder. He appeared before an Athens prosecutor after he allegedly tried to suffocate the 89-year-old woman with a pillow in their apartment in Paleo Faliro, around 6km west of Athens city centre on Sunday. Authorities said a neighbour called the police after the 87-year-old sought her assistance. The Greek authorities also revealed that the 87-year-old pensioner allegedly suffers from dementia. Pictured: Paleo Faliro, around 6km west of Athens city centre, where the incident allegedly took place (file picture) Pictured: Flisvos beach on the Paleo Faliro promenade in Greece (file picture) The pensioner has so far insisted he acted at the request of his wife who wanted to end her life after years of deteriorating health and severe dementia that had left her bed bound. 'He couldn't do it,' said a senior police expert. 'He just barely went to cover her face with a pillow and his wife fell unconscious. He then ran to get help from his neighbour.' Officers reportedly found the woman still alive and lying on the bed in the apartment naked. The victim was rushed to a local state hospital where she is recovering, authorities said. The couple had retired in Greece decades ago, according to neighbours. The case comes after British pensioner, David Hunter was jailed for 19 months in 2022 for killing his terminally-ill wife in Cyprus. The 76-year-old, originally from Northumberland, smothered his cancer-stricken wife Janice with a pillow in December 2021 before trying to kill himself with a drugs overdose. Mr Hunter told the court in Paphos how his wife had 'cried and begged' him to end her life and 'liberate' her as she endured agonising pain from blood cancer. And after refusing her pleas for six weeks he suffocated her in December 2021 and then tried to kill himself with a drugs overdose. He was put on trial for murder but last year judges dismissed this charge and convicted him of manslaughter. Hunter was sentenced to two years, but was freed after Cyprus authorities deemed he had already served his time in Nicosia prison. David Hunter, 76, was released from a Cypriot jail on July 31 last year after spending 19 months behind bars for killing his terminally-ill wife Hunter said he would 'never in a million years' have taken his wife's life unless she had asked him to The 76-year-old said he would 'never in a million years' have taken his wife's life unless she had asked him to. He showed the court how he held his hands over his wife's mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became 'hysterical'. Eswatini has, on Friday September 6, marked 56 years since independence from the British rule. For any nation under foreign occupation and rule, liberation from occupation becomes a paramount focus. Eswatini was no different. I recall famous speech made by the British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, on February 3, 1960, where he said In the 20th century, and especially since the end of war, the processes which gave birth to the nation State of Europe have been repeated all over the world. We have seen the awakening of national consciousness in people who have for centuries lived in dependence upon some other power. Fifteen years ago this movement spread in Asia. Many countries there, of different races and civilisations, pressed their claim to an independent national life. Today, the same thing is happening in Africa and the most striking of all impressions that I have formed since I left London a month ago is of the strength of this African national consciousness. In different places it takes different forms, but it is happening everywhere. The wind of change is blowing through this continent and whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact. And our policies must take account of this. It is during this period, that our country agitation for independence gained momentum. I will not bother the reader about the intricacies of negotiations between the British Rulers and Eswatini King, the National Council and political parties at the time. When the big day finally arrived. I can imagine the excitement across the country that finally Libuyile lemaSwati. On this day, King Sobhuza 11 is quoted as having said It is a day of jubilation for Swaziland. It was indeed a rebirth our country and emaSwati. The country ushered in a new government following the landslide win by Imbokodvo National Movement. This was indeed a reflection of the will of emaSwati then, as citizens were given an opportunity to elect a government of their choice, a situation that sadly changed in 1973, when the independence Constitution was abrogated. As the nation was celebrating Minibuses then, I am sure it was clear that the road to true freedom will be long and fraught with challenges. Because freedom is not just the day of independence, but it must be translated to freedom from want, freedom from fear, human dignity, among other aspirations. Major strides since 1968 The country has indeed made a lot of strides since gaining independence. One of the policy directive that was taken by the independent government was is commitment to human capital development, where scholarships is made available to every deserving student. This policy stance benefits thousands of emaSwati who, after training, are able to be absorbed in the job market. The government also invests in infrastructure development which included construction of health facilities, schools, roads, water systems, electrification just to mention a few. The countrys major challenges since 1968 included HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and June 2021 civil unrest. The success in controlling HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 demonstrated that with politics no problem is insurmountable. Is there anything to celebrate in 2024 for those trapped in the fringes of society? For emaSwati whose dignity has been eroded, there is of course nothing to celebrate. Over 58 per cent are trapped in poverty. The definition of poverty and the World Bank clearly portrays how emaSwati trapped in poverty are. The World Bank defines poverty as pronounced deprivation in well-being, and comprises many dimensions. It includes low incomes and the inability to acquire the basic goods and services necessary for survival with dignity. Poverty also encompasses low levels of health and education, poor access to clean water and sanitation, inadequate physical security, lack of voice and insufficient capacity and opportunity to better ones life. The United Nations defines it thus Fundamentally, poverty is a denial of choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity. It means lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. It means not having enough to feed and clothe a family, not having a school or clinic to go to, not having the land on which to grow ones food or a job to earn ones living, not having access to credit. It means insecurity, powerlessness and exclusion of individuals, households and communities. The above definitions of poverty paint a clear picture of majority of emaSwati who are trapped in despair of poverty and its indignity. What needs to be done? There is the need for genuine national dialogue, not mere public hearings, where emaSwatis views on governance, poverty, unemployment, corruption, the justice system, accountability among other issues, will be heard.Let the government make Eswatini Independence from the British rule meaningful, especially for the majority of the poor. Nancy Pelosi, in an interview with ABC's The View on Monday, revealed she hasn't spoken with Joe Biden since he was forced from the presidential race and argued that a Democrat must be in charge this January 6th when the 2024 election is certified. That means the duo hasn't spoken in nearly a month and half. Biden exited the presidential race on July 21st under a pressure campaign from Democrats orchestrated by the former speaker, who was concerned, like many party members, that Biden would lose the White House to Donald Trump and drag House and Senate Democrats down with him. Pelosi was prepared to go public with her concerns, DailyMail.com revealed last month, if Biden didn't step down voluntarily. The former speaker told 'The View' that it wasn't about ousting Biden, she really just wanted him to run a better presidential campaign. 'My point was we need a better campaign,' she said. 'So it wasn't about him not running. It's just, if this is the case, we have to run in a different way.' Nancy Pelosi, in a stunning twist, changed her story on how Joe Biden exited the race Pelosi then went on praise the president effusively. 'The president made his decision, patriotic, selfless, the most consequential president of modern times. This has been a great president of the United States,' she said. Biden, 81, and Pelosi, 84, had a close friendship, going back to their nearly 50 years on Capitol Hill together, and spoke often. Pelosi's ultimatum is said to have left the Bidens furious and has all but ruined the friendship between their families. It wasn't just Pelosi who pressured Biden after his disastrous June 26th debate performance with Trump. Other party bigwigs, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, told Biden they no longer thought his candidacy was viable. Asked by DailyMail last month if he was still angry with Pelosi or if he has spoken to her recently, Biden simply replied: 'No, I haven't spoken to her.' He added that he was the one who made the decision to drop out. Biden's exit resulted in Kamala Harris becoming the party's Democratic nominee. She is currently running neck-and-neck with Trump in the polls. Pelosi, who holds the title speaker emerita and still wields massive power in the House, also had a word of warning ahead of the November 5th election: put Democrats in charge of the House or be prepared for another January 6th. Control of Congress is also on the ballot this November. And the new lawmakers will be sworn-in on January 3rd. That means they will be in charge on January 6th, the day that Congress officially certifies the 2024 presidential election. 'The fact is though, Hakeem Jeffries must be the speaker of the House,' she told the hosts of The View about the current House Democratic leader. 'He must have that gavel. He must have that gavel on January 6th. I had the gavel on January 6th. It made a difference in what happened that night. He must have that gavel, and so I would say in this particular year,' she added. Your browser does not support iframes. President Joe Biden, sick with COVID, a week before he dropped out of the race Then-Speaker Pelosi, alongside then-Vice President Mike Pence, certified the results of the 2020 election on January 6th, 2021, when Biden beat Trump. Trump falsely argued he was the true winner. His supporters rushed Capitol Hill that day and broke into the Capitol in an effort to overturn the election results. After several hours, U.S. Capitol Police were able to retake control of the building. Pelosi, Pence and the other lawmakers returned to the House chamber and certified Biden's win. Trump has already suggested the 2024 election will be stolen from him and has said he will jail people 'involved in unscrupulous behavior' related to voting. 'WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again,' he wrote Saturday on his Truth Social account. 'We cannot let our Country further devolve into a Third World Nation, AND WE WON'T!' In the aftermath of the November 2020 election, Trump and his allies pushed to overturn the results through phone calls, tweets, and lawsuits in key swing states. Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi on January 6th, 2021 Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post this weekend, indicated he thinks the 2024 election will be stolen from him Trump faces federal charges and state charges in Georgia related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. He has denied any wrong doing. Harris, as the sitting vice president, will be on Capitol Hill on January 6th, 2025, to oversee - along with the speaker of the House - the certification of the election results. A 24-year-old illegal migrant has been indicted over serial child rapes that took place on posh Martha's Vineyard - the Massachusetts getaway beloved by the rich and famous. Warley Neto, a Brazilian national, who had been living illegally in the country since 2018, was charged with five counts of rape of a child and five counts of enticing a child under 16-years-old. On August 23, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) went to the island to arrest Neto at Dukes County Superior Court in Edgartown. Last year, the illegal alien was arrested in another incident by Edgartown police on charges of strangulation, assault and battery on a family or household member and threat to commit a crime. In April, he was sentenced to a year in jail on the charges. A month later, a grand jury returned indictments against him on five charges of child rape and five charges of enticing a child under 16. He was arraigned in May on the charges, The Vineyard Gazette reported. Warley Neto, a Brazilian national, who had been illegally living in the country since 2018, was charged with five counts of rape of a child and five counts of enticing a child under 16-years-old A scenic view of Martha's Vineyard in Edgartown, Massachusetts According to officials, Neto unlawfully entered the United States near Paso Del Norte, Texas in March 2018. The following day, the United States Border Patrol served the illegal alien a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge, who released him from custody three days later. On February 18, 2023, ERO lodged an immigration detainer against Neto with the Dukes County Jail and House of Correction after he was arrested by the Edgartown Police Department for strangulation or suffocation, assault and battery on a family household member, and threat to commit crime. In June 2023, the Edgartown District Court found Neto guilty his crime and he was sentenced to 364 days behind bars, but suspended all but 90 days of the sentence. Enforcement and Removal Office in Boston lodged an immigration detainer against Neto with the Tisbury Police Department after their arrest of Neto January 12 for a warrant related to five counts rape of a child and five counts enticing a minor under 16. These charges were elevated to the Dukes County Superior Court. The Dukes County Superior Court indicted Neto four days later on the current charges - five counts of rape of a child and five counts of entice of child under 16-years-old. On August 22, ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer against Neto with the Dukes County Jail and House of Correction and the Dukes County Superior Court. He was taken into custody the next day at the Dukes County Superior Court after the Dukes County Sheriffs Office honored EROs immigration detainer and transferred custody of Neto to ERO Boston. Victorian seaside homes in Oak Bluffs a town located on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County Jaw's Bridge located in the tony Martha's Vineyard, a New england destination full of beautiful beaches spectacular views, and quaint villages 'Warley Neto allegedly repeatedly assaulted a Massachusetts child and represents a significant threat to the safety of our neighborhood,'' ERO Boston Field Officer Director Todd Lyons stated in a news release. He further stated that 'too often local jurisdictions refuse to honor immigration detainers and release dangerous offenders back into the community to reoffend.' 'ERO Boston will continue to apprehend and remove the most egregious noncitizen offenders from New England. Neto is scheduled for a pretrial hearing in superior court on October 24. Trans prisoners in New York City will have access to 'gender-affirming' devices such as prosthetic penises and breasts under a new bill proposed by a Democratic lawmaker. Councilwoman Crystal Hudson's bill would also give guards at NYC prisons access to items like breast binders, wigs and tucking undergarments, as first reported by the New York Post. Hudson is expected to introduce the bill during Thursdays city council meeting. The legislation is backed by fellow Democratic councilmembers Farah N. Louis, Chi A. Osse. 'This bill would establish a process for people in custody to obtain wigs, hair extensions, chest binders, tucking undergarments or gaffs, prosthetics, or other similar items or medical devices that are used by individuals to affirm their self-determined gender identity,' according to the NYC Council website. Councilwoman Crystal Hudson's bill would also give guards at NYC prisons access to items like breast binders, wigs and tucking undergarments According to the bill, it would be up to the NYC Department of Correction to decide who foots the bill for the gender-affirming care 'The bill also requires Department of Correction staff to have access to gender-affirming items or medical devices while at work.' According to the bill, it would be up to the NYC Department of Correction to decide who foots the bill for the gender-affirming care. Prosthetic penises are sold on Amazon for about $130 while tucking undergarments go for about $15 and silicone breasts for $39. DailyMail.com has reached out to Hudson's office for comment on the bill. According to her website, Hudson 'was first elected in 2021 and made history as one of the first out gay Black women ever elected in New York City.' The DOC confirmed to DailyMail.com that began quietly providing chest binders to detainees last year after apparently receiving them 'as a donation.' The bill is backed by fellow Democratic councilmembers Farah N. Louis, left, and Chi A. Osse The DOC declined to say who donated the binders. Benny Boscio, president of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association told the Post that the gender-affirming items could be used as weapons by inmates. 'Allowing inmates access to prosthetics would also enable them to hide drugs and weapons, such as make-shift razor blades, that could easily be used to assault other inmates and our officers,' Boscio said. The NYC DOC currently has 42 out of 6,135 detainees who identify as transgender, per their Quarterly Report on TGNBI Individuals in Custody. Afghanistan's embassy in London will close at the end of the month due to the Taliban government sacking all the staff. The closure follows an announcement by the Taliban in July that it would no longer recognise embassies set up by the previous regime, including the mission in Princes Gate, Kensington. Afghan ambassador to the UK Zalmai Rassoul said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the embassy will close on September 27 'at the official request of the host country'. He added: 'We thank and appreciate all colleagues, citizens, and related institutions who have sincerely co-operated with the Afghan Embassy in London during this period.' A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'The embassy is being closed following the dismissal of its staff by the Taliban.' Afghanistan's embassy in Princes Gate in Kensington will close at the end of the month due to the Taliban government sacking all the staff The closure follows an announcement by the Taliban in July that it would no longer recognise embassies set up by the previous regime. Pictured: Taliban ride motorbikes to celebrate the third anniversary of Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on August 14 Pictured: General Deputy Head of the Military Affairs Commission Mullah Yaqoob (R) attends a military parade to celebrate the third anniversary of the Taliban government takeover Afghan ambassador to the UK Zalmai Rassoul said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the embassy will close on September 27 'at the official request of the host country' Many Afghan embassies in Europe have continued to operate since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, while others, including the embassy in Washington DC, have been forced to close due to lack of support from the Taliban regime. The UK does not recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and has moved its own embassy from Kabul to Qatar. But the Government has previously said there is 'no alternative to engaging pragmatically with the current administration', and the UK continues to work with other nations to provide humanitarian support to the Afghan people. Since the hardline Islamist group seized power following the withdrawal of US and coalition forces in 2021 they have set up a ministry for the 'prevention of vice'. Last month officials published its 114-page vice and virtue rulebook that covers aspects of everyday life such as public transport, music, shaving and celebrations. The 2021 fall of Kabul was the capture of Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul by the Taliban on 15 August 2021. Pictured: US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III safely transported approximately 640 Afghan citizens from Hamid Karzai International Airport August 15, 2021 Taliban fighters marked the third anniversary of seizing Kabul on August 14, 2024 Since the hardline Islamist group seized power they have set up a ministry for the 'prevention of vice'. Pictured: Burqa-clad Afghan women walk on a road in Kandahar, Afghanistan Pictured: Two Burqa-clad Afghan women walk on a road in Kandahar, Afghanistan The laws, which have been approved by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, say that it is compulsory for all women to cover their bodies in public and that face coverings are essential to 'avoid temptation and tempting others'. Clothing should not be thin, tight or short, and failure to adhere could result in arrest. Meanwhile, a woman's voice is deemed intimate and so should not be heard singing, reciting poetry, or reading aloud in public. It is forbidden for women to look at men they are not related to by blood or marriage and vice versa. The law also bans music, women travelling alone, and men and women socialising together unless they are related to each other. Last month, a report by the United Nations said the ministry was contributing to a climate of fear among Afghans. Fiona Frazer, head of the human rights service at the UN mission in Afghanistan, said at the time: 'The position expressed by the de facto authorities that this oversight will be increasing and expanding gives cause for significant concern for all Afghans, especially women and girls.' The laws, which have been approved by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada (pictured), say that it is compulsory for all women to cover their bodies in public and that face coverings are essential to 'avoid temptation and tempting others' Thousands of Afghans descended on Kabul's airport as US troops left in 2021 Meanwhile House Republicans published their investigation into the 2021 withdrawal yesterday, blaming the disastrous end to the 20-year war on President Joe Biden and his vice president. It accused them of focusing on politics and optics, rather than preparing proper evacuation plans. The report, authored by Rep. Michael McCaul of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, cites Harris's own claim to having been 'the last person in the room' when Biden made the decision to bring home the last American troops And it says Harris worked 'in lockstep with President Biden behind the scenes to withdraw all US troops.' However, Democrats say it understates President Donald Trump's role in the decision and his administration's deal with the Taliban to reduce the number of U.S. troops to zero in May 2021. The national security figures, led by (Ret) Admiral Steve Abbot, who served as deputy homeland security advisor to George W. Bush, warn that Trump is a danger to democracy. 'He repeatedly fails to take responsibility for his own role in putting service members in harm's way,' they said. House Republicans published their investigation into the 2021 withdrawal yesterday, blaming the disastrous end to the 20-year war on President Joe Biden and his vice president Some national security figures said Donald Trump was to blame for the chaos 'Without involving the Afghan government, he and his administration negotiated a deal with the Taliban that freed 5,000 Taliban fighters and allowed them to return to the battlefield. 'Then, he left President Biden and Vice President Harris with no plans to execute a withdrawal, and with little time to do so. This chaotic approach severely hindered the Biden-Harris Administrations ability to execute the most orderly withdrawal possible and put our service members and our allies at risk.' Biden's announcement in April 2021 that he was ending the war sent Taliban fighters on a whirlwind advance. They met little resistance. Government forces, without foreign contractors to keep aircraft flying or American allies to provide support, melted away rather than wage a futile last ditch effort. The Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15. The result was chaos as tens of thousands of foreign nationals and Afghans converged on the city's airport trying to find passage to safety. The world watched in horror as desperate young men tried to cling to planes as they took off, some falling to their deaths. Disaster struck days later when an ISIS-K suicide bomber killed about 170 Afghans and 13 American service personnel. Republicans and Democrats have traded accusations that they were to blame ever since. Donald Trump's supporters are using AI to generate images of the ex-president snuggling cute kittens and darling ducks in a new baffling trend. It all started after an Ohio man made wild and unsubstantiated claims that illegal migrants from Haiti are eating pets and wild birds. Responding to the bizarre report, MAGA-aligned social media users flooded X with images of the ex-president acting as a protector and guardian of the beloved animals. 'President Trump will deport migrants who eat pets,' Trump's campaign wrote on X Monday in response to the now-viral story. 'Kamala Harris will send them to your town next. Make your choice, America.' And now Trump's vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, is clearing the air on the controversy behind the alleged cat and duck dinners. An AI-generated image shows a fictitious Donald Trump acting as a guardian to a cat and duck after reports emerged indicating the two species were being eaten by migrants in Ohio. Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance called into question Kamala Harris's handling of U.S. immigration while mentioning the accounts on his social media on Monday Your browser does not support iframes. 'Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio,' Vance posted on X Monday alongside a video of him previously speaking about the crisis facing the town. 'Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country,' he added mentioning the grisly accounts. 'Where is our border czar?' the post continued. In the attached video Vance reads a document describing how the town is managing the Haitian migrant population. 'Springfield has seen a surge in population through immigration that has significantly impacted our ability as a community to produce enough housing opportunities for all,' the Republican read at a Senate hearing. 'Springfield's Haitian community has increased 15,000 to 20,00 over the last four years in a community of under 60,00 previous residents.' Another AI-generated image shows Trump holding a cat and a duck at a campaign rally Another AI image shows the former president wielding a sword and armor behind his animal friends Another picture shows Trump rescuing a chubby cat from a fire 'Cats lives matter. Ducks lives matter. Vote for Trump to save them,' one user on X posted alongside an image with Trump holding a duck and cat while draped in a red cape. 'Todays finds in a certain political corner of X: memes of Trump saving cats and ducks from Haitian migrants,' conservative commentator Marina Medvin posted on X. 'I normally find Trump memes annoying but these are well done,' her post continued. Another user on the platform posted an AI-generated image of Trump sporting armor and a sword: 'Don't worry, America. Donald Trump is coming to end Kamala's border policies and defend your cats and ducks.' But not all the AI-generated creations went to plan. One image did not go to plan and showed duck-like animals with cat-like heads One user even generated a cat wearing a MAGA hat 'I asked AI to make a picture of Trump saving the kittens and ducks and this is what I got,' a user posted alongside an image showing duck-like animals with the heads of cats.' 'Safe to say we still got some time before AI takes over,' they added. A Springfield, Ohio , resident has claimed that Haitian migrants have been decapitating ducks in public parks and eating them. The viral posts started after a Springfield, Ohio, resident claimed to have seen Haitian migrants decapitating ducks in public parks and eating them. The Ohio man stood up to address the issue during a city commission meeting last month to address the influx of legal Haitian immigrants. 'I really challenge you guys to get out here and do something,' he told the meeting. 'These Haitians are running into trash cans, running into buildings... they're flipping cars in the middle of the streets...' Reports of migrants eating animals like ducks remain unconfirmed. 'In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community, the City of Springfield told DailyMail.com in a statement on Monday. The man added: 'They're in the park, grabbing up ducks by their neck, and cutting their head off and walking off with them. They're eating them.' New York's top cop Edward Caban is allegedly on the brink of resigning amid an explosive federal corruption probe into members of Mayor Eric Adams' administration. The announcement is expected in the coming days, multiple sources told Politico on Monday. As of Monday afternoon, he has not yet stepped down - despite calls from some city officials to do so. 'We remain focused on ensuring New Yorkers are safe every single day, and that's our top priority,' City Hall spokesperson Fabien Levy said. 'We're not going to speculate on rumors at this point.' On Monday's press conference, Eric Adams spoke of Caban saying: 'I chose him for his experience and what he brought after 30-something years of service.' Police Commissioner Edward Caban is expected to resign in the coming days, multiple sources told Politico on Monday The news comes just days after the FBI seized Caban's phone as part of a probe into New York City corruption on Thursday 'Rumors are always out there,' he added. 'There was nothing that came from me that fed those rumors.' 'I don't think anything in life in guaranteed.' The news comes just days after the FBI seized Caban's phone as part of a probe into New York City corruption on Thursday. Federal agents also confiscated the cell phone of NYPD chief Raul Pintos and two precinct commanders in Queens and Manhattan. The FBI swooped on Caban on the same day as the homes of several top aides of mayor Eric Adams were targeted by federal officials; deputy NYC mayor Phil Banks and Sheena Wright were also raided as part of a separate probe. The FBI swooped on Caban on the same day as the homes of several top aides of mayor Eric Adams were targeted by federal officials; deputy NYC mayor Phil Banks and Sheena Wright were also raided as part of a separate probe Sources told Pix11 the raid on Caban stemmed from a separate probe to the investigation into Adams' campaign financing (the exterior of the home where NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban lives is shown) Those raids unfolded in tandem at Wright's Hamilton Heights townhouse in upper Manhattan and Banks' Hollis, Queens property. Banks' brother, former MTA official and current lobbyist Terence Banks, was also targeted. Meanwhile another top Adams' aide, Timothy Pearson, had his phones subpoenaed, according to the New York Post. Sources told Pix11 the raid on Caban stemmed from a separate probe than the investigation into Adams' campaign financing. It comes after the FBI took Mayor Adams' cell phone and laptop and raided the home of his campaign treasurer, Brianna Suggs, last November amid an investigation into his 2021 campaign. It comes after the FBI took Mayor Adams' cell phone and laptop and raided the home of his campaign treasurer, Brianna Suggs, last November amid an investigation into his 2021 campaign Several leaders called for Caban's resignation, including City Councilman Robert Holden. Holden said 'I do think he has to do something because it does cast a bad, deep shadow over the police department,' as reported by CBS News. 'We have to have confidence he's staying within the law. He sets an example for the whole department.' IT must be heartening for rapists to know that police chiefs want them to feel a strong sense of belonging though their victims wont be so happy. Top brass have defended the practice of allowing rapists and rape suspects to declare their own sex or gender, claiming it fosters respect, integrity, fairness and human rights. This might appear to be a step through the looking glass, but its the culmination of many years of dangerously wrong-headed policy-making. As we revealed at the weekend, Police Scotland intends to maintain its ties with LGBT Youth Scotland, the controversial gay and trans rights charity. It has been drafted in to train call handlers despite the fact that it produced a coming out guide for schoolchildren which was co-written by a convicted paedophile. Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has been accused of wasting time on right-on rhetoric Scandals Children in Need has cut its funding for the group, which has been mired in any number of scandals and was once led by a man who carried out a vile sex attack on a baby boy (and advised the SNP government on issues such as legalising same-sex adoption). None of this was enough for Police Scotland to stop giving the charity cash, even though its detectives carried out the investigation which nailed its former boss, James Rennie, and his accomplices members of one of Britains worst paedophile rings. Is it any wonder that the force is now espousing radical trans ideology given that its in thrall to a discredited outfit which has been accused of brainwashing pupils with pronoun badges, and encouraging them to sign LGBT rainbow flags? The expression of concern for rapists feelings came in a letter from police to a Holyrood committee investigating a petition from Edinburgh policy analysis group Murray Blackburn Mackenzie (MBM). It objected to the fact that an offender who was born male but who identifies as female would be recorded in crime statistics as female. MBM was right to warn that allowing men to identify as women would distort those figures, though its remarkable that such an argument should have to be made surely police could have worked this out for themselves? Bizarrely, MSPs have been discussing the petition for three years a glacial rate of progress even by Holyrood standards. It was in the course of this snails pace probe that police confirmed that the sex/gender identification of individuals who come into contact with the police will be based on how they present or how they self-declare. Were told that this practice adheres to legislative compliance, operational need and the values of respect, integrity, fairness and human rights, whilst promoting a strong sense of belonging. Well, that clears it all up then, but what about the victims who would presumably take a different view, and are similarly owed a sense of belonging and fairness? Their rights have been downgraded over many years of liberal hand-wringing and kowtowing to a bonkers equalities agenda which long ago spiralled out of control. Back in 2016, MSPs declared that criminals should no longer be called offenders in the Scottish justice system to avoid upsetting them, so that murderers and rapists would be known as service users or even customers. The word offender can often encourage stigma, making reintegration back into the community harder or so the argument ran. The change won Scottish Government backing after it was recommended by the justice committee, though in the real world this bilge has never caught on. How many of us would talk about our house being broken into by a customer? And theres now a housebreaking on average once an hour so there are clearly a lot of service users around. As far back as 2008, Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS), as it was then, demanded a more modern, customer-focused police force. HMICS called for a move away from thinking about service users as victims, witnesses, suspects, or criminals (and all the other categories of people who need police help) to the idea of providing customer services. So, the rot set in many years ago, on the SNPs watch and even before the launch of the single force. Those 2008 guidelines also stipulated that when someone phones the police, the call handler should tell them what they can expect from the service. Evidence Now Police Scotland, which was set up in 2013, has adopted that advice, but in the case of minor crimes what the customer can expect is not very much, or nothing at all. That is because the force has effectively opted out of fully investigating lower-level offences where there isnt an obvious lead though its hard to find one when officers dont turn up to look for evidence. This is known euphemistically as a proportionate response but for thousands of crimes a year which are deemed to be minor the response will be zero. Meanwhile, Chief Constable Jo Farrell has been wasting time on right-on rhetoric, such as her apology on behalf of police to the LGBT community for enforcing laws which criminalised love. She said she was sorry for recent and historical injustices suffered by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex people. In social media posts, she said she was sorry for the serious and long-lasting physical and mental pain and harm caused by policing which contributed to mistreatment and prejudice. It cant have been a shock when former senior officers accused Ms Farrell of engaging in a publicity stunt and said her apology had further alienated officers and staff. Laws are made by parliament and enforced by police who dont get a vote on whether they should be implemented. Insult Ms Farrells apology was illogical, and only added insult to injury for the much-depleted rank-and-file who had been told by Ms Farrells predecessor shortly before he retired that policing was institutionally racist, misogynist, and discriminatory. Meanwhile, crime is rising and for some categories of crime fewer perpetrators are being brought to justice. Figures last month showed Police Scotland recorded 8,838 housebreakings in the year to the end of June, equivalent to more than 24 homes being targeted every day and nearly three-quarters went unsolved. Police Scotland recorded a total of 300,070 crimes compared to 292,702 in the year to June 2023. Officer numbers are at their lowest level since 2008 when those daft guidelines about calling criminals customers were first mooted which helps to explain the absence of bobbies pounding the pavements. Last year the SNP governments own research showed record levels of violent crime, theft and vandalism are not being reported because the public has no confidence the police will respond. That confidence will dwindle even further and eventually disappear completely unless woke policing is brought to a rapid end and officers get back to the job theyre paid to do. Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has been rushed to the hospital for emergency heart surgery. The 72-year-old was taken to Bellevue Hospital from Rikers Island in New York City on Sunday night after reporting chest pains, ABC News reported. 'Mr. Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital last night due to several medical conditions. 'We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today,' Weinstein's representatives Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer said. They added: 'As we have extensively stated before, Mr. Weinstein suffers a plethora of significant health issues that need ongoing treatment. We are grateful to the executive team at the New York City Department of Correction and Rikers Island for acting swiftly in taking him to Bellevue Hospital. ' Weinstein, who has denied having any non-consensual sexual encounters with anyone, was found guilty on rape charges in February 2020. Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has been rushed to the hospital for emergency heart surgery. He is seen in August, 2024 The 72-year-old was taken to Bellevue Hospital from Rikers Island in New York City on Sunday The New York Court of Appeals threw out the conviction in April, finding Weinstein did not get a fair trial because a judge improperly allowed testimony by accusers he was not formally charged with assaulting. Weinstein suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, fluid on his heart and lungs, and had recently contracted COVID and double pneumonia. It comes as Weinstein is expected in court later this week as prosecutors are taking steps to potentially charge him with up to three additional sex assaults. Weinstein was seen in a wheel chair in recent court appearances. He asked to stay in custody at Rikers, saying he has been undergoing medical care there. The Manhattan district attorneys office in New York has begun presenting evidence to a grand jury of up to three previously uncharged allegations against Weinstein - two sexual assaults in the mid-2000s and another sexual assault in 2016. Prosecutors shared some information about the additional allegations that the grand jury is weighing at a court conference on Tuesday. Weinstein remains in prison as he was found guilty of the rape and sexual assault of Italian actress and model Evgeniya Chernyshova in Los Angeles and was sentenced to 16 years They include alleged sexual assaults at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, now known as the Roxy Hotel, and in a Lower Manhattan residential building between late 2005 and mid-2006, and an alleged sexual assault at a Tribeca hotel in May 2016. Weinstein remains in custody in New York while awaiting a retrial in Manhattan thats tentatively scheduled to begin November 12. He became the most prominent villain of the #MeToo movement, which took root in 2017 when women began to go public with accounts of his behavior. After the revelations emerged, British police said they were investigating multiple allegations of sexual assault that reportedly took place between the 1980s and 2015. Weinstein was the producer of hit movies including Pulp Fiction, The English Patient, Good Will Hunting, Gangs Of New York and Shakespeare In Love At the original trial, Weinstein was convicted of forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and rape in the third degree for an attack on an aspiring actor in 2013. Those allegations will be part of his retrial. Weinsteins acquittals on charges of predatory sexual assault and first-degree rape still stand. After the retrial, Weinstein is due to start serving a 16-year sentence in California for a separate rape conviction in Los Angeles, authorities said. Weinstein was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022. A teenager assaulted a detective constable during a police interview and put him in a chokehold as he shouted 'Allahu Akbar', a court has heard. Muhammad Zakir Arif, from Bury, Greater Manchester, lunged at the male officer as he was questioned on suspicion of being involved in terrorism offences. The 18-year-old had been arrested a day earlier when he was stopped travelling in a taxi as a passenger and was found to be in possession of a Zombie-style knife and a machete in a rucksack. Prosecutor Joe Allman told Manchester Crown Court that Arif put up a 'significant struggle' when arrested as he kicked out at officers and shouted 'Allahu Akbar ' - meaning 'there is no God but Allah' as well as other words in Arabic. The Architecture student went on to say: 'I would rather die than waste my life in here. I only had those in my bag because I like weapons, I wasn't going to do anything. 'Do you want to know why you'll all be getting bombed? It's like kicking a rabid dog with you bombing Iraq. After a while, the dog will bite back and that bite will be your bomb.' Architecture student Muhammad Zakir Arif (pictured), from Bury, Greater Manchester, lunged at the male officer as he was questioned on suspicion of being involved in terrorism offences When interviewed the following day by counter-terrorism officers he said 'I just want to say one thing...' and then spontaneously jumped from his chair, said Mr Allman. Arif shouted 'Dawlat al Islam baqiyah', which translates as 'the Islamic State is remaining', and repeatedly punched the male detective to the head and body, the court was told. The defendant was forced into a corner but managed to place the detective into a headlock and squeeze his neck before other officers rushed to the assistance of their colleague who was later sent home to recover from pain to his neck and shoulders. Arif also refused to give police the access codes to two recovered iPhones which had been requested on grounds of national security. He claimed 'uncovered' images of his wife were on the devices but the Crown noted he was not in fact married. Arif, of Harrington Close, was on bail at the time of his arrest after he was convicted months earlier of two robberies and an attempted robbery in January 2023. One of the robberies against a 17-year-old boy was committed at knifepoint and filmed on mobile phone by an associate, the court was told. Prosecutor Joe Allman told Manchester Crown Court (pictured) that Arif put up a 'significant struggle' when arrested as he kicked out at officers In July, Arif pleaded guilty to assaulting the detective causing actual bodily harm and intentionally strangling him. He also admitted two counts of possessing a bladed article in a public place and two counts of failing to comply with a statutory notice issued under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa) 2000. Arif was not charged with any terrorism offences. On Monday he was sentenced to two and a half years custody at a young offender institution for the knifepoint robbery which Judge Patrick Field KC described as an 'appalling and deplorable incident' in which he chased his victim and made him beg for forgiveness. Arif received a six-month consecutive custodial term for the 'wholly unprovoked' assault on the police officer and was handed concurrent sentences for the remaining offences. In mitigation the court heard that Arif had been 'struggling with his mental health for some time' but that various character references had been provided which referred to the 'positive relationship' he enjoyed from his 'supportive family'. He has continued to refuse to hand over the access codes to the two mobile phones. White House national security advisor John Kirby got asked Monday why no one in the government had been held to account for the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan responding that administration members have 'held ourselves accountable.' Kirby made the comment after he came out swinging against a House Republican report on the chaotic pullout from Afghanistan. He attended the White House press briefing specifically to push back at the slashing document, said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. It came out about a day before Vice President Kamala Harris' high stakes debate against former President Donald Trump. Among the House Republican report's damning conclusions is that President Joe Biden 'has yet to accept even a semblance of responsibility for the events that unfolded in Afghanistan. To the contrary, he has consistently boasted to the success of the operation, as recently as during the June 2024 presidential debate mistakenly claiming that no troops died under his watch. Nor has he held any of his subordinates accountable for the policy decisions that placed U.S. servicemembers, diplomats, and Afghan allies in critical danger.' Kirby got asked if anyone had faced accountability for what happened in a withdrawal that featured a terror attack that killed 13 Americans, thousands of Afghans who had assisted the U.S. being left behind, delays in getting out U.S. civilians, and a Taliban that swept to power and gained control of potent U.S. provided equipment, as the U.S. disengaged from a two decade war. 'We have all held ourselves accountable for the progress of the withdrawal across the administration, and it was a true interagency effort to get those 120,000 people out and to make sure we removed our diplomats and our military personnel safely,' said Kirby, who was at the Pentagon during the withdrawal. 'As I said, not everything went according to plan. Nothing ever does. And we mourn the loss of those 13 lives at Abbey Gate every single day here. Their sacrifice ... is not forgotten. But again, we hold ourselves all accountable.' White House national security communications adviser John Kirby got asked if anyone had been held accountable for the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan Kirby began his remarks with an attack on the 353-page report, saying it 'says little or nothing new,' while speaking to the 'one-sided, partisan nature of this report. 'The very day this administration took office, the Taliban was in the strongest position it had been in years. The Afghan government the weakest. The Trump administration cut a deal called the Doha Agreement that mandated a complete us withdrawal from Afghanistan, and yes, that included Bagram air base by the end of May 2021. That deal also released 5,000 Taliban fighters from prison 5000 fighters. In return, the Taliban agreed not to attack us troops, which is a good thing, because the former president reduced our presence in Afghanistan from about 14,000 down to 2,500.' Kirby got asked why no one in the administration had faced 'accountability' for the chaotic withdrawal The sudden collapse of the Afghan government brought a rush to try to evacuate Americans as well as Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces during the 20 year occupation U.S. forced raced to complete the withdrawal amid rocketfire at Kabul's airport Your browser does not support iframes. Although Kirby did not get asked about it, the report by committee staff for House Foreign Affairs chairman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) included some of his own statements leading up to the pullout. On May 3, 2021, Kirby called military actions by the Taliban 'small, harassing attacks over the course of the weekend' but said the DOD saw nothing 'thus far that has affected the drawdown.' Those attacks ended up being part of a growing wave. Within two months, the Taliban had seized control of 221 of Afghanistan's 407 districts. On July 4 2021, Kirby said that a 'safe, orderly drawdown enables us to maintain an ongoing diplomatic presence, support the Afghan people and the government, and prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe haven for terrorists that threatens our homeland.' Ultimately the U.S. had to withdraw diplomatic personnel suddenly after the sudden collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan government. The smirking son of a millionaire advertising tycoon appeared in court on charges of arson and criminal mischief for allegedly setting fire to an Israeli flag during a pro-Palestine protest. James Carlson, a father-of-two, was arrested at Columbia University on April 30 after police disbanded a two-week campus encampment. The 40-year-old is accused of burning another person's Israeli flag during a protest on the campus on April 20. Carlson is not a student, staff, or faculty member at Columbia. He is facing separate charges of trespassing in the third degree regarding that specific incident. James Carlson, a father-of-two, was arrested at Columbia University on April 30 after police disbanded a two-week campus encampment The 40-year-old is accused of burning another person's Israeli flag during a protest on the campus on April 20 Carlson was arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday following District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr's announcement that he would be indicted Police use a vehicle named 'the bear' to enter Hamilton Hall from a public street, which was occupied by protesters, as other officers enter the campus of Columbia University He has also been charged over damages made to police property inside a holding cell after he was arrested on April 30 following another protest. Police allege he kicked and broke a glass panel in the holding cell. Carlson was arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday following District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr's announcement that he would be indicted. He was all smiles in the court room, and brought a poster which read 'US Jews say ceasefire in Gaza now' to display before his case was heard. District Attorney Bragg said: 'This defendant's alleged activity went beyond legal and peaceful protest. 'Committing arson in a crowded protest endangers the safety of others, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated.' Prosecutors allege an unnamed protester snatched an Israeli flag from the hands of a Jewish man at the Columbia University protest on April 20. Carlson was all smiles in the court room on Monday as he was indicted by a Grand Jury The smirking son of a millionaire advertising tycoon appeared in court on charges of arson and criminal mischief for allegedly setting fire to an Israeli flag during a pro-Palestine protest He brought a poster which read 'US Jews say ceasefire in Gaza now' to display before his case was heard NYPD riot cops released dramatic video showing the moment they stormed Columbia University's occupied Hamilton Hall Images and video showed extensive damage to Hamilton Hall after protestors were evicted Before the alleged victim could take the flag back, Carlson took it from the other protester and 'began burning it with a lighter.' He was 'thwarted from fully lighting the flag on fire when the witness pulled it away,' the District Attorney said in a press release. Carlson, who also goes by Cody Carlson and Cody Tarlow, was described as a 'long-time figure in the anarchist world' by officials at the time of his arrest. He is the son of Richard Tarlow and Sandy Carlson Tarlow, a millionaire advertising duo who started Carlson & Partners together and were known for their cosmetic and fashion clients including Revlon, Victoria's Secret, Ralph Lauren and Neutrogena. Richard died at the age of 81 in May 2022 while Sandy died in 2003 at the age of 53. The 40-year-old is reportedly married to model Kim Heyrman and lives in a $3.4 million Brooklyn brownstone townhouse in New York James is the son of Richard Tarlow (pictured here with Kristin Kehrberg in 2018) and Sandy Carlson Tarlow (who died in 2003), millionaire advertising duo who started Carlson & Partners together and were known for their cosmetic and fashion clients including Revlon, Victorias Secret, Ralph Lauren and Neutrogena Carlson was one of about 40 protesters arrested on the first floor of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, after police swooped in to end the pro-Palestine encampment which had gripped campus for almost two weeks. Similar protests were taking place at nearby campuses (like NYU, pictured) at the same time Carlson graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brooklyn Law School and later became an animal rights lawyer who clerked at the US District Court in 2013. He also had a short stint as an undercover investigator on factory farms and slaughterhouses recording animal abuse, according to the publication. The 40-year-old is reportedly married to model Kim Heyrman and lives in a $3.4 million Brooklyn brownstone townhouse in New York. The couple share two children. Carlson was one of about 40 protesters arrested on the first floor of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, after police swooped in to end the pro-Palestine encampment which had gripped campus for almost two weeks. Pictures and video taken of the aftermath show the hall's trashed interior strewn with activists' belongings. Columbia's President, Minouche Shafik, called in the NYPD in to 'restore order and safety' to the campus amid the escalating protests, which also included a massive encampment on the school's lawns. Bragg's office said: 'We will continue to work closely with the NYPD and local colleges and universities to ensure the safety of students, staff and community members during any protest or demonstration.' When mother-of-three Holly took the drastic step of having both her breasts removed, she did so believing it might save her life. Breast cancer had claimed her mother when Holly was just 14 and her own chances of developing the disease now stood close to 90 percent. Yet within months of the surgery and the breast reconstruction that followed, Holly felt like she was closer to death than ever before struggling with a range of debilitating conditions including chronic pain, blurred vision and difficulty breathing. 'I kept getting sicker and sicker,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I felt like I was going to die.' It wasn't until Holly, 57, stumbled across a Facebook support group with 50,000 women whose symptoms matched her own that she believed she had finally discovered the cause of her illness: Breast Implant Illness, or BII. There is little support for sufferers, with some medical professionals preferring to dismiss BII entirely, but an increasing number of women from working moms to celebrities are speaking out about their experiences. An increasing number of women from working moms to celebrities like Crystal Hefner (pictured with Hugh in 2010 before having her implants removed in 2016) are speaking out about their experiences with breast implant illness. Former Playboy model and alleged former mistress of Donald Trump, Karen McDougal, had hers taken out in 2016 (pictured in 2006). Crystal Hefner, wife of late Playboy founder, Hugh Hefner, had her breast implants removed in 2016 at the age of 38 telling Facebook followers that 'my breast implants slowly poisoned me'. Another former Playboy model and alleged former mistress of Donald Trump, Karen McDougal, had hers taken out the same year. 'I would get sick every couple of months and be sick for six to eight weeks at a time,' McDougal told People magazine at the time. 'It just never went away.' Still, despite these stories and BII cases being reported around the world for more than 30 years, the condition is neither widely researched nor well understood. It is thought by medical professionals to be caused by either auto-immune or inflammatory responses to implants which, in turn, trigger a series of mental and physical conditions such as anxiety, rashes and chronic pain. And the skyrocketing number of cases of women having their breast implants removed is difficult to ignore. 'Removals have been going up for the last five years,' confirms Dr Scot Glasberg, president of research group The Plastic Surgery Foundation. Some 250,000 American women receive implants each year, and as many as 74,000 had their implants removed in 2023, a 40 percent increase from 2019, according to the latest data from The Aesthetic Society, a global organization of plastic surgeons. Dr Glasberg says there is a 'host of reasons' behind the rise. '[Yet] the biggest is that women are worried about breast implant-related tumors and concerned over breast implant illness.' Abbey Williamson, 28, from Columbus, Ohio, was told by multiple specialists told her she was 'crazy' for linking her debilitating symptoms to BII She had her implants removed in 2023 and claims that her symptoms disappeared almost immediately BII has been reported by women regardless of whether their breast implants remain intact or rupture and leak. And the physical toll can be crippling. It certainly was for Holly, who found herself so sick she couldn't work while racking up $100,000 in medical bills. She saw dozens of specialists in the ten years that followed the onset of her BII, yet none of them could figure out what was wrong. Diagnosis of the condition can be uncertain. Many plastic surgeons question whether the condition is truly real 'Unfortunately, it hasn't reached the status of a defined illness [widely recognized by the medical community],' Dr Glasberg said. 'There is no test that can tell us you have it,' he explains. 'There's no imaging test, women come with a whole host of symptoms.' That can be a major obstacle for women desperately seeking help. This lack of concrete medical advice has left thousands of American women with nowhere to go, resorting to online forums and support groups for guidance. One such group, Breast Implant Illness and Healing by Nicole, has more than 190,000 members, receiving over 70 posts a day from women sharing symptoms and asking for advice. Abbey Williamson, 28, from Columbus, Ohio, first discovered the group after multiple specialists told her she was 'crazy' for linking her debilitating symptoms to BII. The police officer and mother-of-one had silicone implants put in in 2020 after feeding her daughter changed the shape of her breasts and left her self-conscious. Abbey soon became sick, collapsing at work and on patrol and even having to be hospitalized. She was placed on light duties and referred to a cardiologist, neurologist and rheumatologist in turn, but none of them could say what was wrong with her. The idea that her symptoms could be linked to her implants was dismissed. 'I had doctors roll their eyes at me when I mentioned BII,' Abbey told DailyMail.com. As her symptoms got worse, her friend who is a nurse recommended she join the Facebook group. 'I scrolled for hours and just read women's posts about the same thing. Honestly, that page quite literally saved my life, and changed my life, because I don't know if I would ever have made the decision to explant had I not had that community.' Abbey had her implants removed in 2023 and claims that her symptoms disappeared almost immediately. 'I remember coming out of surgery and it was like I could see again,' she said, 'the rashes went away, I had no more joint pain, I could work out again. 'I have not passed out or had a single episode like that since they were removed.' 'I would get sick every couple of months and be sick for six to eight weeks at a time,' McDougal told People magazine at the time. 'It just never went away.' Holly's surgeon photographed her breast implants after they were removed to ensure they had a record of the make and serial number The disbelieving attitude of health care professionals is a common theme among the women who spoke to DailyMail.com. 'Women tell me they go to their doctors and say I don't know what's wrong with me,' says Diana Zuckerman PhD, founder of the National Center for Health Research, 'and doctors say, well you're getting older, you're 30. 'Or they say 'you've got children, you're not getting enough sleep'. 'It's a combination of women not being listened to and doctors not knowing what to do, especially plastic surgeons being defensive and not helpful.' Breast implants are a billion-dollar industry, bringing in an estimated $1.54 billion in revenue in 2021 alone, according to The Aesthetic Society. 'There's enormous money and pressure against doing better research,' says Zuckerman, 'there is so much money on the other side of this issue.' Now, as more independent tests are done, the results are rather different, she says. And the picture they paint is increasingly damning. One 2020 study, published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery by plastic surgeon Dr Lu-Jean Fang of 750 women with BII, found removing the implants caused a statistical improvement in every one of their symptoms. Fang said the results showed the condition is real and that women's symptoms are very likely caused by their implants. 'This is real,' agrees Zuckerman, 'and it can be very serious, but we still don't know how often it happens. Influencer Malin Nunez had her breast implants removed after developing what she believed to be BII in 2019 - she shared a before and after picture on her Instagram at the time Model Sarah Harris from New Zealand had her breast implants removed after developing a series of debilitating symptoms. She had the surgery in 2022 and felt immediately better. The Food and Drug Administration now lists the condition as a potential side effect of breast implants a major step forward, according to BII believers. 'Symptoms such as fatigue, memory loss, rash, 'brain fog,' and joint pain may be associated with breast implants,' states the FDA's official website. And around five years ago, the FDA required doctors provide patients with a checklist of potential complications, although Zuckerman says this doesn't always happen and might be counteracted by the surgeons assuring their clients they are still safe. 'As is true with all informed consent forms, patients often don't read them carefully and what they remember is what the doctor told them,' he says. Holly and Abbey claim that they were never explicitly warned about the risks by their doctors. 'Maybe it was in the terms and conditions small print, but they never told me,' insists Holly, who says she'd been assured that her silicone implants were 'lifetime devices' that would leave her feeling healthy and looking the same. 'They told me [the implants] would last 25 years, that they'd make me feel normal,' she says. In 2022 12 years after the operation and with her condition finally confirmed by a plastic surgeon, 57-year-old Holly joined the soaring number of American women having silicone implants removed from their bodies. Today, Holly is almost back to full health. 'With the implants I had 30 symptoms,' Holly tells the Mail through her tears. 'Afterwards, I could breathe again. I could finally take a deep breath.' Wyoming residents have been issued an urgent warning to keep their distance from wild animals - with 15 cases of rabies identified in skunks this year alone. Skunks, bats and raccoons are the most common carriers of the disease, but health officials have warned people should always be vigilant around wild animals. Getting bitten by a rabid animal can be a costly exercise, requiring several injections which can run into the thousands of dollars. All 15 rabid skunks have been found in Sheridan County, according to data shared by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory. This is double the amount of cases found by this time last year. Wyoming residents have been issued an urgent warning to keep a distance from wild animals - with 15 cases of rabies identified in skunks this year alone A warning from Sheridan County reads: 'The Southeast/Southwest areas just outside of the City of Sheridan to the town of Big Horn are where most of these skunks are coming from. 'If you live in the area, please be advised of this and proceed cautiously when out and about.' Meanwhile, six bats have also tested positive for rabies, each from Carbon, Goshen, Laramie, Sheridan, Sweetwater, and Teton, Cowboy State Daily reported. The data sample was a total of 426 examinations of skunks and bats. Last year, 526 bats and skunks were tested, finding 14 positive results in bats and six in skunks. Kim Deti, from the Wyoming Department of Public Health, said exposure to rabies can cost someone their life, and should be treated seriously. 'It is deadly if someone develops symptoms,' she said. A warning from Sheridan County (pictured) reads: 'The Southeast/Southwest areas just outside of the City of Sheridan to the town of Big Horn are where most of these skunks are coming from' Rabies impacts the central nervous system and is fatal. Early symptoms in humans include insomnia, confusion, anxiety and slight paralysis. As the infection worsens, carriers will become agitated, suffer hyper salivation, have difficulty swallowing and suffer a fear of water. Data suggests victims usually die within days of the occurrence of symptoms. Caspers Rocky Mountain Infectious Disease doctor Mark Dowell told the publication of the first case of rabies he remembers in Wyoming. He said an older woman 'woke up with a bat on her leg', but thought very little of it after her husband caught it and took it outside. About six to 12 months later, he recalled that the woman 'started acting somewhat unusual neurologically and they thought she had dementia.' After the symptoms developed, her husband remembered the bat and the woman received a brain MRI, which indicated she had rabies. Medical staff 'ran the test, they were positive and of course she expired,' Dr. Dowell said. While there are relatively few cases of rabies scares in the United States annually, people who report to healthcare professionals at the first sign of potential exposure are generally treated successfully. Most of the new Government's policies were originally proposed by Jeremy Corbyn, a close ally of party's hard-left former leader has boasted. John McDonnell, who served as Shadow Chancellor under Mr Corbyn, said many radical reforms now under way were included in the party's 2017 and 2019 election manifestos. Speaking at the TUC conference in Brighton yesterday, Mr McDonnell praised a series of achievements by Sir Keir Starmer's administration - although he condemned the cuts to Winter Fuel Payments. 'Incoming Labour government, I congratulate them on the programme they've put forward. If you look at the last eight weeks, announcement after announcement has been superb,' Mr McDonnell told a fringe meeting. He listed rail renationalisation, trade union rights, social housing, climate change, renters' reforms and bus policy as ideas he supported. Most of Keir Starmer's (pictured yesterday) new Government's policies were originally proposed by Jeremy Corbyn, a close ally of party's hard-left former leader has boasted John McDonnell (pictured at Labour conference last year), who served as Shadow Chancellor under Mr Corbyn, said many radical reforms now under way were included in the party's 2017 and 2019 election manifestos Former Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell take part in an anti-racism march in central London orgainised by Stand Up To Racism in March 2024 And he went on, to cheers from the audience: 'It's interesting, most of those policies are derived from the 2017, 2019 manifestos. But you're not allowed to say that.' Although he did not mention it, the new Government's contentious policy of adding VAT to private school fees was also first suggested by Mr Corbyn. Mr McDonnell also praised recent 'wage settlements', which have included a no-strings-attached pay deal worth 15 per cent over three years for train drivers and an offer of 22 per cent over two years for junior doctors. 'Again, another achievement by the Labour government.' But he said it was unacceptable to also 'bring forward policies which are going to impoverish people,' in a reference to the looming cuts to Winter Fuel Payments. Mr McDonnell currently sits as an independent after having the Labour whip suspended for voting to scrap the two-child benefit cap in July. He will also vote against the Winter Fuel Payment cuts on Tuesday. Last night a Tory party spokesman told the Mail: 'John McDonnell has revealed what we already knew - Labour hasn't changed. 'This impassioned endorsement of Keir Starmer's policy programme just goes to show that Labour hasn't had any new ideas since the Corbyn era. 'It's about time Starmer was honest that all his window dressing can't disguise his Party is still the same old Labour.' A liberal columnist says Kamala Harris has to repudiate the unpopular positions of Joe Biden and say how she'll be a change from her current boss to beat Donald Trump. Harris has struggled to differentiate herself from Biden, who was underwater in the polls before he dropped out of the race. Jonathan Chait, a reliably left-wing pundit who pushed for the Dems to dump Biden after his debate disaster in Georgia, now says Harris has to 'cut Biden loose'. He slammed Harris' CNN interview for 'turning the page by contrasting herself exclusively against Donald Trump, rather than [Joe Biden]'. Chait then asks, ahead of Tuesday night's pivotal debate: 'Why is this a struggle? Why not directly repudiate unpopular Biden positions?' A liberal columnist says Kamala Harris has to repudiate the unpopular positions of Joe Biden and say how she'll be a change from her current boss to beat Donald Trump Harris has struggled to differentiate herself from Biden, who was underwater in the polls to Donald Trump before he dropped out of the race He goes on to cite polls released by the New York Times Sunday which say 61% of voters want someone to bring 'major change' from Biden. However, only 25% of those surveyed would see Harris as being a 'major change' from the president. He says that these polling figures and Biden's unpopularity before he dropped out of the race make him a 'liability' for Harris. Chait argues 'Harriss strategy should focus entirely on catering to the public with no attention whatsoever to Bidens feelings'. He finishes his New York Magazine piece by disagreeing with a Trump spokesperson who claims Harris is tethered to Biden completely as the VP. 'The vice-presidency is a strange office, lacking any formal authority. Its inhabitants have generally lamented the powerlessness of the job. Harris really ought to stop thinking about her position as a confining dilemma and realize that it is a liberating opportunity to define her campaign as whatever she wants it to be, unburdened by what has been.' The latest polls - which include the Times' poll Chait cited - have tilted the Daily Mail's election model in Donald Trump's direction giving him a decisive lead over Kamala Harris a day before he goes head to head with his Democratic rival on the debate stage. The algorithms show he now has a 55 percent chance of becoming president, a 4.5-point boost since last week. Jonathan Chait, a reliably left-wing pundit who pushed for the Dems to dump Biden after his debate disaster in Georgia, now says Harris has to 'cut Biden loose' Chait argues 'Harriss strategy should focus entirely on catering to the public with no attention whatsoever to Bidens feelings' The model works by crunching all the latest polling numbersnational and statealong with decades of historical trends and economic data before feeding the results through the electoral college to work out who is most likely to hit the 270 votes needed to win the election. Our result comes hard on the heels of a New York Times/Siena College poll giving Trump a one-point lead at the weekend, suggesting Harris's honeymoon is coming to an end. Feeding that and other recent surveys into the model, developed for us by J.L. Partners, shows that the crucial battleground of Pennsylvania has now moved clearly into the Trump column. Tuesday brings a potentially decisive moment when Harris meets Trump in a televised debate. The Harris campaign's goal for the debate is to create a viral moment similar to what Harris experienced during her questioning of Brett Kavanaugh in his Supreme Court confirmation hearing and during her vice presidential debate with Mike Pence, when she famously told him: 'I'm speaking.' Those moments played over and over again on social media, casting her in a good light. Her advisers expect many Americans will see the debate through those types of social media moments. Trump, however, will be on mute while Harris answers questions, denying him the opportunity to interrupt and her the opportunity to snap back at him. Harris is locked up with staff in Pittsburgh, going through five days of intense debate prep before the September 10th showdown in Philadelphia. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The debate will be the first time she and Trump actually meet. The two have been in the same room before Harris, as senator, attended Trump's State of Union addresses in the House chamber when he was president but the two have never been formally introduced. The pressure is on. Joe Biden's performance in the first presidential debate resulted in his departure from the race. While no one expects the same result for Harris, she will need to show she can take on the former president. A man from Ohio has shared his shock over learning his grandson was told he would need a translator for him to attend preschool in the state. In a minute-long video, the man claims his daughter had recently attended a meet and greet at her son's preschool only to find that he would be the only one in attendance to speak English. Staff at the school in New Philadelphia in Tuscarawas County, but which has not been named outright, told the boy's mother that she would need to pay for a translator for the child to attend if he wanted to be taught in English. 'My daughter enrolled my four-year-old grandson into preschool last week and they have a little meet and greet,' he began. A man from Ohio has taken to TikTok to express his shock after his grandson was told he would need a translator for him to attend preschool in the state 'I live in small town Ohio. She takes him down to the meet and greet where they tell her the she has to hire a translator with her own money in order to send him to pre-school because he is the only student that doesnt speak Spanish. Really?' The man appeared incredulous at the suggestion that she should have to pay for a translator out of her own money. 'Obviously she didnt do it and she pulled him out of pre-school,' he explained. 'This migrant problem is not a red state, blue state thing because I like in a red state and were overrun with them. Its our whole government. Its all of them,' the man went on. 'Can you believe that? Cant go to pre-school because he doesnt speak Spanish. Unbelievable.' Although the specific preschool has not been identified, it is well documented how Ohio looking to attract more migrant refugees to the area in a bid to improve the state's economic output. Migrants walk along the highway through Suchiate, Chiapas state in southern Mexico during their journey north toward the U.S. border The man explained how his daughter was asked to pay for a translator for his grandson to learn English The state capital Columbus, already home to 900,000 residents, was recently named as the fastest growing metro area in the country and now city leaders are looking to continue such growth - and they say attracting immigrants is the answer. Donald Trump won the largely red state by 8-percentage-points in 2020, yet despite its Republican leanings, the state's capital has become welcoming towards migrants. But there are real concerns from Ohioans about how the city might meet the needs of a sudden influx of refugees with worries over a possible rise in crime, not to mention the language barrier with just 3 percent the state's residents able to speak Spanish. One Republican, Bernie Moreno, took to X last month claiming that because of the current administration's policies, migrants have 'destroyed' Ohio communities. Columbus, Ohio is looking to attract more migrants refugees to the area in a bid to improve the city's economic output Columbus' Democratic Mayor Andrew J. Ginther has made the place a sanctuary city in all but name Don DePerro CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce says the city needs to continue to welcome refugees Moreno, himself a migrant, is a Cleveland businessman and is running to win the seat occupied by Democrat Sherrod Brown since 2007 in one of the most closely watched in the country. Moreno did not go into specifics as to which cities have been 'destroyed' but his comments appeared to stoke fears of migrants arriving following a surge at the southern border earlier in the year. Some have claimed that undocumented migrants commit more crime than people born in the United States, although research from 2021 suggested such claims were false. Moreno has been vocal in his use of rhetoric over immigration repeatedly referring to what has been occurring at the southern border as an 'invasion'. Republican, Bernie Moreno, took to X last month claiming that because of the current administration's policies, migrants have 'destroyed' Ohio communities Moreno, himself a migrant, is a Cleveland businessman and is running to win the seat occupied by Democrat Sherrod Brown since 2007 in one of the most closely watched in the country Although Columbus does not refer to itself as a sanctuary city, it does follow sanctuary policies. It means Columbus displays a particularly welcoming attitude towards migrants arriving in the city. In 2015 a Police Division Directive was adopted that banned local law enforcement from detaining or arresting illegal aliens for ICE without a warrant or observation of a crime. The directive also rules out the use of city funds or personnel 'for the sole purpose of detecting or apprehending any person based on suspected immigration status, except in response to a court order.' 'We are in an economic and cultural boom. It also comes with its challenges. More people need more homes, more transportation, more child care, more health care and more teachers. Businesses tell us every day that they need more people in the labor force,' Columbus' Democratic Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and Don DePerro CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce wrote in an op-ed for USA Today. 'As two proud leaders... we need to continue welcoming refugees. Our American-born labor force is aging, and Ohioans are having fewer children. Welcoming refugees is not just the right thing to do, it also makes economic sense.' Jorge Herrera, from Nicaragua, works on a factory floor in Columbus, Ohio, earlier this year Columbus is becoming an increasingly popular destination for migrants. More than 9,000 immigrants had a Columbus address in new immigration court proceedings in fiscal year 2023, a 350 percent increase from fiscal year 2019, according to immigration court data made available by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. Overall in Ohio since the start of the 2024 fiscal year, the Biden administration has issued around 16,300 work permits to asylum applicants and certain people who received humanitarian parole, including under the new legal pathways, a Department of Homeland Security official said. But the arrival of record numbers of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border has posed a political problem for Biden against former President Trump, who has made cracking down on immigration a top issue in his campaign. A White House spokesperson said the Biden administration has called on Congress to pass bipartisan immigration reform legislation that has been stymied by Republicans. It has also sped up processing work permits and created new legal pathways through which hundreds of thousands of migrants were immediately eligible to apply for permits. The head of the United Nations has branded the scale of death and destruction in Gaza as the worst he has ever seen. Secretary-general Antonio Guterres said in an interview with The Associated Press that it is 'unrealistic' to think the UN could play a role in Gaza's future, either by administering the territory or providing a peacekeeping force, because Israel is unlikely to accept a UN role. But he added that 'the UN will be available to support any ceasefire'. Stressing the urgency of a ceasefire now, Mr Guterres said: 'The level of suffering we are witnessing in Gaza is unprecedented in my mandate as secretary-general of the United Nations. 'I've never seen such a level of death and destruction as we are seeing in Gaza in the last few months.' Secretary-general Antonio Guterres said it is 'unrealistic' to think the UN could play a role in Gaza's future, either by administering the territory or providing a peacekeeping force, because Israel is unlikely to accept a UN role A man cycles past vendors displaying wares outside heavily damaged buildings in a camp sheltering people displaced by conflict in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip Smoke rises from an explosion in Gaza, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict The United Nations has had a military monitoring mission in the Middle East, known as UNTSO, since 1948, and he said, 'from our side, this was one of the hypotheses that we've put on the table'. 'Of course, we'll be ready to do whatever the international community asked for us,' Mr Guterres said. 'The question is whether the parties would accept it, and in particular whether Israel would accept it.' Israel's military assault on Gaza, triggered by Hamas' attacks in southern Israel on October 7, has stretched for 11 months, with recent ceasefire talks failing to reach a breakthrough and violence in the West Bank reaching new highs. The war has killed more than 40,900 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in its count. The war has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million, often multiple times. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government have accused the UN of being anti-Israel and have been highly critical of UN humanitarian operations in Gaza. Internally displaced Palestinians, carrying their belongings, set up tents on the ruins of their homes after the Israeli army asked them to evacuate from the city of Rafah, in Khan Yunis camp The number of fatalities in the airstrike carried out by Israeli army on Al-Mawasi area, located west of Khan Yunis, Gaza, which the Israeli army previously claimed was 'safe,' has risen to 71 on July 13, 2024 A house destroyed in an Israeli strike lies in ruins after a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel expired Facing protests at home and increasing urgency from allies, Mr Netanyahu has pushed back against pressure for a ceasefire deal and declared that 'no-one will preach to me'. Looking beyond a ceasefire, Mr Guterres stressed that a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not only viable, 'it's the only solution'. The United States and others support Palestinian statehood, but Mr Netanyahu, who is leading the most conservative government in Israel's history, has opposed calls for a two-state solution. Mr Guterres asked rhetorically whether the alternative is viable. 'It means that you have five million Palestinians living there without any rights in a state,' he said. 'Is it possible? Can we accept an idea similar to what we had in South Africa in the past?' He was referring to South Africa's apartheid system from 1948 until the early 1990s when its minority white population marginalised and segregated people of colour, especially black people. 'I do not think you can have two peoples living together if they are not in a basis of equality, and if they are not in a basis of respect - mutual respect of their rights,' Mr Guterres said. 'So the two-state solution is, in my opinion, a must if we want to have peace in the Middle East.' Vice President Kamala Harris has long supported the idea of taxpayers funding sex change surgeries for transgender inmates, but a new document reveals just how far she would go to make sure everyone in prison is comfortable with their gender. A newly surfaced ACLU questionnaire from 2019 shows that Harris supported the idea of offering sex-change surgeries to illegal immigrants or migrants held in federal custody. Harris checked 'yes' in response to a question whether she would offer government funded care for 'transgender and nonbinary people' - including 'those in prison and immigration detention.' 'It is important that transgender individuals who rely on the state for care receive the treatment they need, which includes access to treatment associated with gender transition,' Harris wrote, detailing her response. 'Transition treatment is a medical necessity, and I will direct all federal agencies responsible for providing essential medical care to deliver transition treatment,' she added. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks onstage during a Pride Celebration hosted by the Vice President Of The United States Harris was not always a fearless defender of prisoners receiving the gender care they needed. When she was attorney general of California, Harris joined prison leaders by filing a request in May 2015 to the Ninth Circuit court to block sex reassignment surgery for a biological male who was transitioning into a female. She lost the case, after a federal judge in San Francisco ordered the state of California to provide the surgery. Later in her career, Harris pivoted to claim she helped the transgender inmate receive the care they needed. United States Vice President Kamala Harris holds a roundtable marking LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the VP's office of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building United States Vice President Kamala Harris holds a roundtable marking LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the VP's office 'When I learned about what they were doing, behind the scenes, I got them to change the policy, Harris falsely claimed during a LGBT forum during the 2020 Democratic primary. 'I commit to you that always in these systems there are going to be these things that these agencies do.' Harris has since embraced many the sensitivities of transgender community including on issues of gender. She has publicly proclaimed her gender pronouns (she/her) during events where transgender people are present, becoming the first vice president of the United States to do so. Her campaign has also signaled it's intention to include transgender people by giving the option for applicants to select nine different genders. Vice President Kamala Harris exits Air Force Two in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Migrants walk along the highway through Suchiate, Chiapas state in southern Mexico, Harris also went further than most Democrats to demonstrate to the ACLU she was committed to cutting funds for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 'Our immigrant detention system is out of control, and I believe we must end the unfair incarceration of thousands of individuals, families and children,' Harris wrote on the questionnaire. 'I was one of the first Senators after President Trump was elected to advocate for a decrease in funding to ICE.' MUST WATCH: Senator @KamalaHarris on #AbolishICE I think theres no question that weve got to critically re-examine ICE, and its role, and the way that it is being administered, and the work it is doing. And we need to probably think about starting from scratch." pic.twitter.com/iGjC12C52o Way Too Early with Jonathan Lemire (@WayTooEarly) June 24, 2018 Harris also voiced her support for completely reimagining the existence of the federal immigration enforcement agency during her failed presidential campaign in 2016. 'I think there's no question that we've got to critically re-examine ICE and its role and the way that it is being administered and the work it is doing,' Harris said to MSNBC anchor Kasie Hunt. 'And we need to probably think about starting from scratch.' Detectives are investigating if three very young children critically injured in a Melbourne house fire had been left home alone when the blaze erupted. A five-year-old girl, a three-year-old boy and a one-year-old girl remain in the Royal Children's Hospital in a critical condition after being pulled from the rear of the burning property by firefighters. It is understood neighbours alerted firefighters to the blaze just before 9.30pm on Sunday, with emergency crews arriving at the Fergus Court home, in the north-western suburb of Sydenham, just six minutes later. They raised the alarm after reportedly hearing a loud bang before the flames engulfed the home, followed by a series of further explosions, sparking concerns fireworks may have played a role in triggering the blaze. But on Monday, Victoria Police Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Acting Inspector Adam Henry said they had so far found no evidence of that. All three of the children were found unconscious from smoke inhalation in an area towards the front of the home, he said. The fire is believed to have started at the rear of the home, which was gutted by the fire. 'At the time (fire crews) were unaware that anyone was inside the property and it is our understanding that the family had only moved in a week earlier,' Inspector Henry said. Three kids are fighting for their lives after an inferno engulfed their Melbourne home, as police bring in arson and explosives experts An investigation has now been launched into the circumstances of the blaze at the home in Fergus Court in the northwestern suburb of Sydenham about 9.30pm on Sunday Forensic police were seen combing through debris outside the home after they joined fire investigators and Victoria Police's Arson Squad at the scene 'Firefighters entered and subsequently located three children ... all three were conveyed to hospital with life threatening injuries and all remain in a critical condition.' Inspector Henry said it remained unknown how the fire was started. 'We believe the fire started inside the property, not from anything outside or exterior,' he said. 'I understand that neighbours have heard loud bangs, but there is nothing at this time to indicate that the fire was started by fireworks either being used by the children or by anyone else in the area.' Police believe the fire may have been building for up to 30 minutes before authorities were alerted. The detective said there was nothing to indicate anyone from outside had set fire to the home. 'We are still working to determine who else may have been in the property with the children at the time of the fire or if they were alone,' he said. The mother of the children is yet to be formally interviewed by detectives. 'Police have already spoken briefly to the mother of the three children,,' Inspector Henry said. 'However she is understandably quite distressed by the incident and remains at the hospital with her children.' A dog was carried out of the backyard by a firefighter about 9.30am on Monday. It appeared uninjured and is believed to have fled the fire and returned home later Among those already spoken to by police include one of the children's biological fathers. 'At this stage it is too early to say whether the fire is suspicious or not and it's important we don't pre-empt any possible outcomes or make any assumptions,' he said. Detectives were seen canvassing the neighbourhood for CCTV on Monday in the hope of getting a better idea of what happened and who was home at the time of the blaze. 'We'll speak to the mother in due course. At this time she's with her children and that's where she needs to be,' Inspector Henry said. Police told reporters during a press conference on Monday afternoon that detectives were not looking for anyone else in relation to the fire. 'We'll work tirelessly through the next couple of days to determine the cause of the fire,' Inspector Henry said. Detectives are also canvassing the area in search of CCTV they believe might help determine where the children's guardians were at the time of the blaze Forensic police were seen combing through debris outside the home after they joined fire investigators and Victoria Police's Arson Squad at the scene. Neighbours have claimed a car had been parked under the home's carport before the fire, but was not there when the inferno took grip of the building. It is understood police are working to establish if anyone in the home had left around the time the blaze erupted. The crime scene remains taped off as police continue to probe inside the house for clues. A dog was carried out of the backyard by a firefighter about 9.30am on Monday. It appeared uninjured and is believed to have fled the fire and returned home later. The dog was kept in a fire duty pod, along with a child's couch, outside the property until council workers took it away. Police have urged anyone with information to come forward. Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. We open with trees and dappled sunlight. Then ferns, close-up in all their magical symmetry. A slow piano begins, setting the tone. The camera reveals the Princess of Wales in a simple white sundress decorated with black broderie anglaise at the wheel of her car as she drives through country lanes. As the summer comes to an end, she begins, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment The lens lingers on her hand as it rests gently on the gearstick, the jewels on her ring finger softly glowing. Cut to slow-motion walking, some standing near a tree, a close-up on those famously luscious locks, and then the footage jolts into a home-movie style reel. Prince William and the children, dressed in artfully mismatched weekend casual, larking around in the Norfolk sand dunes. The princess leans her head on his shoulder as they toy with each others hands, they giggle as they lie, arms intertwined, on the sand. In an uplifting video message shared today, the Princess of Wales revealed she has finished her course of 'preventative chemotherapy' The princess' personal message to the nation is accompanied by a stunning three-minute long video showing her and William in Norfolk with their three children Catherine spoke of her 'relief' at her programme of chemo finally coming to an end Catherine and Princess Charlotte link arms as they walk through a field Catherine hugs Charlotte during a tender exchange caught on camera The Cambridges and their three children clamber over tree trunks near their Norfolk home Is this recording? asks Prince George, as his face zooms in on the camera, his mother smiling quietly to herself in the background. They play cards with Granny and Grandpa Middleton. Later, the princess walks alone through a summer field, her fingers trailing the long grass, the evening sun burning on the lens, before the soaring crescendo of piano and strings, faintly Celtic in tone, indicates the climax of this charming royal tableau. The voiceover is the princesss own; as for the rest well, its pure silver screen. The moment in the field is unmistakeably reminiscent of the opening frames of Ridley Scotts Gladiator. Is there a subliminal message here? Either way, as royal announcements go, it certainly represents quite a departure. Not even the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have ever managed to produce anything this slick or so emotionally charged. It also stands in stark contrast to the Kings own approach. His Majesty has adopted a fairly old-school, stoical attitude to his own illness, continuing to make public appearances and seeming on the surface at least to be the very personification of that old Churchillian adage, KBO (Keep Buggering On). The Princess of Waless cancer journey meanwhile has on the surface at least been rather different. Granted, we dont know and will likely never know the exact nature of her diagnosis. But, whatever the physical effects, emotionally it seems to have hit her very hard a scary and unpredictable time, as she herself says. As is often the case when serious illness strikes, it has caused her to look deep into herself, to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved. Where the King has coped by trying to keep business as usual as much as humanly possible, the princess has almost completely withdrawn from public life. This film marks the beginning of her return. There might be some royal watchers who will judge it a little over-the-top. It certainly has an Instagrammable quality to it, a visual sophistication which traditionalists might find slightly jarring. But I think thats a generational thing. The Prince and Princess of Wales are millennial royals. They grew up in a visual age, but also an age where expressing ones feelings is not so frowned upon as it was for King Charles and his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth. There is also a strong sense here that this is not just about the Waleses as a family but William and Kate as a couple. They are not often given to PDAs public displays of affection but that does not mean they dont love each other deeply. Princess Catherine's mother Carole featured in the emotional video announcing the end of Kate's cancer Kate Middleton's family featured in the emotional three-minute video The family share a cosy picnic Princess Charlotte hugs her parents as they look out over a beach in Norfolk The Cambridge children are seen playing around in intimate family scenes Catherine kisses her eldest's head in a tender embrace Cheeky Louis is seen climbing a tree while his mother watches on Catherine appeared happy and relaxed in the video, which will delight her millions of supporters Catherine and William hug each other on a picnic blanket in an adorable moment from the video Here we see a little of that love expressed physically in a way that is as unexpected as it is unfamiliar. They are presenting themselves not only as Royals, parents but also as sweethearts. Its also a tacit but highly effective rebuttal of the rumours, largely put about on social media, that have dogged them in recent years. Would I have dialled down the slow-motion whimsy a little? Probably. But there is no doubting the authenticity here, or the heartfelt intention and a genuine desire to connect with the public on a human level, to thank the nation for its patience, and to show real gratitude for all the support. But, for me, whats perhaps most touching about this film is the way the Waleses have turned the princesss experience into something positive; such a contrast to the response of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to their own travails, which only seem to have led them down a more and more negative path. The truth is we all face challenges in life, whether through illness, misfortune or otherwise. The real test is what you learn from these experiences, and where they take you. It seems to me that, despite it all (not just the cancer but the awful Windsor infighting), the princess is in a happy place. Its joyful to see. New Delhi, Sep 9 (UNI) To enhance the skills and capability building of their personnel, the Indian Army and Indian Air Force on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara. The agreement was signed in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw here, an official statement said. The MoU will enable the two services to acquire higher expertise on logistics. It will ensure development of in-house expertise on various facets of logistics operations and contribute effectively towards the national development plans - PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and National Logistics Policy 2022. Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath described the collaboration as a monumental partnership towards further strengthening the logistics backbone of the Armed Forces in sync with the vision of Aatmanirbharta in defence. He emphasised that logistics is no longer just a support function of the Armed Forces, but is emerging as an important factor in military operations and national security. An efficient logistics system plays a key role in quickly mobilising the forces and delivering resources to the right place in less time. Keeping in mind the conditions in which our forces operate, we need a seamless movement of troops, equipment and supplies. The MoU will prove to be very important in terms of how the needs of our forces can be fulfilled through knowledge, innovation and collaboration, Singh said. Asserting that the MoU will prove to be beneficial in achieving self-reliance in defence sector, Rajnath said, If we need expertise in logistics, we should get its training from our own resources like Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. If we need equipment, we should get it manufactured in India itself. The foundation of a strong India can be laid only by being Aatmanirbhar. On the MoUs provision of experiential learning through real-world case studies, the Defence Minister exuded confidence that Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, through the leadership, management, and operational experience of the Armed Forces personnel, will help shape a new generation of logistics experts and managers who will fulfil the dynamic needs of modern warfare. Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed confidence that the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will serve as a vital partner in empowering the Armed Forces with cutting-edge logistics education, research, and innovation. The event was attended by senior officers of Ministries of Defence and Railways, including CDS, Air Force Chief, Army Chief, Defence Secretary, Chairman, Railway Board and Vice Chancellor, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. UNI RBE CS1635 From camouflage to poison, animals have developed dozens of ingenious ways of avoiding being eaten. However, researchers have now found that the Japanese eel has an ability that takes slipping the jaws of death to a whole new level. Incredible video shows the shocking moment an eel 'reverses' back out of its predator's stomach after being eaten. Scientists from Nagasaki University developed a new X-ray video method to capture the first-ever footage showing how eels force their way to freedom by slipping through a fish's gills. Lead researcher Professor Yuuki Kawabata told MailOnline: 'Contrary to our expectations, witnessing the eels desperate escape from the predators stomach to the gills was truly astonishing for us.' Researchers from Nagasaki University have captured a bizarre X-ray video showing how juvenile eels escape from inside their predator's stomachs In a previous study, Professor Kawabata and her colleagues had already observed that some juvenile Japanese eels were able to escape from the stomachs of other fish. However, until now they had no idea how the eels were able to achieve this bizarre feat of escapology. The researchers spent a year developing a new method of X-ray videography to see what was actually happening to the eel inside the fish's stomach. Eels were injected with a contrasting agent called barium sulphate, allowing their thin bones to show up on an X-ray of the fish's insides. During the experiment, 32 juvenile eels were injected with this chemical before being fed to a native predatory fish called a 'dark sleeper', or odontobutis obscura. Like many predatory fish, the dark sleep swallows its prey whole along with the surrounding water by rapidly opening its mouth. The researchers had observed that Japanese eels (pictured) were able to escape from their predators' stomachs, but until now they did not know how this was possible Once inside, prey are deposited in the stomach where they are killed by the acidic and oxygenless environment in 211 seconds on average. However, when the footage taken inside the fish's stomach showed that this was not the case. Before the experiment, Professor Kawabata says they had expected the eels to try and escape directly from the predator's mouth into their gills. Professor Kawabata says: 'The most surprising moment in this study was when we observed the first footage of eels escaping by going back up the digestive tract toward the gill of the predatory fish.' Instead of making their way into the mouth, the researchers observed that the eels would force their tails through the oesophagus and directly into the gills. From there, the eels coiled their bodies to pull their heads loose and swim away. The researchers observed that some eels would circle the fish's stomach. Of the eels tested 13 were able to push their tails through the gills and nine were able to escape completely 'We have discovered a unique defensive tactic of juvenile Japanese eels using an X-ray video system: they escape from the predators stomach by moving back up the digestive tract towards the gills after being captured by the predatory fish.' In their paper, published in Current Biology, the researchers suggest that the long body of the eels makes it more likely that their tails remain poking out into the oesophagus. Of the 32 eels tested, all but four attempted to force their way out of the fish's digestive tract with 13 managing to get their tails loose and nine managing to escape fully. On average, the eels were able to escape from the dark sleeper's gills just 56 seconds after being swallowed. A number of eels also displayed 'circling' behaviour during which they raced around the stomach of the predator fish as if looking for a way out. 32 eels were injected with barium sulphate to make them show up under X-ray and were then fed to a native predatory fish called a 'dark sleeper' (pictured) However, only those eels which transitioned to inserting their tails through the oesophagus were actually able to avoid death. The researchers note that the fish seem to be aware of that their dinner is attempting to escape and will often try to fight back Co-author Yuha Hasegawa told MailOnline: 'Many predatory fish exhibit resistance behavior by swallowing the escaping eel again, during which they draw water into their mouths and expel it through their gills. 'The eels might take advantage of this water flow to successfully escape via the predator's gills.' However, the predatory fish do not seem to be hurt by the escape attempt. Using an X-ray camera, the researchers found that the eel would force its tail into the oesophagus of the fish before reversing out of the gills Due to the fact that larger eels were able to escape more often, the researchers think that it might be critical for young eels to rapidly develop the strength and locomotor skills they need to escape. Dr Hasegawa says: 'This discovery has provided us with new insights: muscle strength and tolerance to highly acidic and anaerobic environments, as well as their elongated and slippery morphology, are necessary for eels to quickly escape from the digestive tract before being digested.' In the future, the researchers hope that this X-ray technology will be useful for more research into how prey are able to escape after being eaten. The big day for Apple fans around the world is finally here, with the iPhone 16 expected to be launched later today. Apple is hosting an event this evening where it's expected to unveil its latest flagship devices. The event has the tagline 'It's Glowtime', but beyond that, Apple has remained tight-lipped about exactly what to expect. However, rumours and speculation are already rampant over everything from the price to the release of the long-awaited Apple Intelligence. Here's everything we know so far - and how you can watch Apple's event live today. The moment that Apple fans have been waiting for is finally almost here, with the iPhone 16 set to be revealed to the world tomorrow When will the iPhone 16 be unveiled? Apple is hosting a launch event today at its headquarters in Cupertino, California. The invite confirms that the event will take place at 10:00 PT (18:00 BST). This date - a Monday - comes as somewhat of a surprise, with Apple having hosted the majority of its previous iPhone launch events on Tuesdays. 'It's Glowtime. Please join us in person for a special Apple Event at Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park. September 9, 2024 10:00a.m. PT,' the full invite reads. This new date may help the company avoid a busy Tuesday featuring a US presidental debate and a ruling from the European Commission on whether Apple needs to pay $14 billion in taxes. Apple's invite includes the classic Apple logo with a redesigned twist. An animation sees the logo swirl between hues of blue, purple, orange, and pink, seemingly in reference to the 'It's Glowtime' tagline. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to come in blue, green, white, black and pink The Pro models will likely come in slightly more muted tones white, black, grey, and bronze While the reason for this remains unclear, the glowing colours bear a striking resemblance to Apple's newly updated Siri voice assistant. This could be a tease for the full release of Apple's highly anticipated AI system, Apple Intelligence. How can you watch the Apple event live? MailOnline will be covering the launch event live on 9 September from 10:00 PT (18:00 BST). Alternatively, you can watch it at apple.com, on the Apple livestream on YouTube, or on the Apple TV app. When will the iPhone 16 go on sale? If the iPhone 16 is unveiled at the event tomorrow, pre-orders will likely go live on Friday September 13. The first devices will then likely be sent out next week, on Friday September 20. What devices do we expect in the iPhone 16 lineup? Rumours suggest that we can expect four new iPhone models called the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. All models are expected to be slightly bigger than previous models, marking the first time Apple has upped the iPhone's display size since the iPhone 12. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to be sticking with the current 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes. However, rumours suggest we'll see larger iPhone 16 Pro models this year, with the iPhone 16 Pro expected to measure 6.3-inches and the iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.9-inches. Although this is only an increase of less than 5 per cent on both models, it's the first time that Apple has increased the iPhone's display size since the iPhone 12. Rumours suggest the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will have the same camera setup as their predecessors, with a 48MP main lens alongside a 12MP ultra-wide lens on the rear, and a 12MP front-facing camera What is Apple Intelligence? Apple Intelligence is essentially a snazzy brand name for Apple's new-found focus on AI, triggered by the huge success of the ChatGPT chatbot 18 months ago. The tech giant announced Apple Intelligence with great reverence as 'the personal intelligence system that combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver intelligence'. To put it more simply, it's an umbrella term for all the jobs AI will be able to do on your iPhone, iPad and Mac computer - as long as it has the upcoming iOS 18 software and an all-important AI chip inside the device. The biggest part of Apple Intelligence is the integration of OpenAI's hugely popular chatbot ChatGPT with Siri, Apple's in-built virtual assistant. It also includes tools like AI-generated emoji, an image generator and a 'Clean Up tool' that makes subtle edits to photos. Advertisement What colours will the iPhone 16 come in? When it comes to colours, leaked images suggest that fans will have a range of stunning hues to choose from. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to come in blue, green, white, black and pink. Apple is expected to use the same coloured glass featured on the iPhone 15, but with a more pastel hue. Meanwhile, the Pro models will likely come in slightly more muted tones white, black, grey, and bronze. How much will the iPhone 16 cost? Leakers disagree over the iPhone 16 pricing. Some claim that it could be the same price as its predecessor, the iPhone 15, which starts at 799/$799. However, with the cost of phone components increasing, others argue that the iPhone 16 will be at least 100/$100 more than the iPhone 15 - putting starting prices at 899/$899. If this is the case, the iPhone 16 Plus could be 999/$999, while the iPhone 16 Pro could be 1,099/$1,099, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max 1,299/$1,299. What camera will the iPhone 16 have? Rumours suggest the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will have the same camera setup as their predecessors, with a 48MP main lens alongside a 12MP ultra-wide lens on the rear, and a 12MP front-facing camera. However, upgrades are expected to come in the form of improved AI-powered editing tools, like those seen in recent rival devices, including the Google Pixel 9. Meanwhile, the Pro models are expected to have larger sensors, allowing for brighter, more colourful photos. The Pro line is expected to trade out the 12-megapixel lens of the iPhone 15 for a 48-megapixel lens on the ultrawide camera. That will allow for better performance in low lighting and better clarity in wide-angle and macro photos. 'Apple Intelligence' refers to a slew of new AI-powered features coming on Apple's upcoming software update, iOS 18, from AI-generated emoji to a new version of Siri that uses ChatGPT, OpenAI's notorious chatbot Are there any new features we expect? Last year, Apple introduced a brand-new button on the two iPhone 15 Pro models, called the Action Button. This replaced the long-standing mute switch, and allowed users to access almost any shortcut with the touch of a button. Rumours suggest the Action Button could be included on all four iPhone 16 models this year. What's more, a second new button is also tipped to be included, dubbed the 'Capture' button, which could allow users to quickly activate the camera. However, the biggest changes to this year's iPhones are expected to come in the form of software. Back in June, Apple announced a new AI architecture dubbed Apple Intelligence, which will feature in the iPhone 16. The biggest part of Apple Intelligence is the integration of OpenAI's hugely popular chatbot ChatGPT with Siri, Apple's in-built virtual assistant. Back in June, Apple announced a new AI architecture dubbed Apple Intelligence, which will feature in the iPhone 16 Users will be able to press and hold the side button to activate Siri as normal, but with ChatGPT behind it, Siri will be able to 'answer thousands of questions about how to do something' that it couldn't before. For example, you could say, 'Play that podcast that Jamie recommended' and Siri will locate and play the episode, without the user having to remember whether it was mentioned in a text or an email. Or you could ask, 'When is mum's flight landing?' and Siri will find the flight details and cross-reference them with real-time flight tracking to give an arrival time. Meanwhile, one of the more fun parts of Apple Intelligence is AI-generated emoji, which Apple has called 'Genmoji' (a mix of 'generated' and 'emoji'). In the Messages app, you can type a short description of the emoji you want, such as 'smiley relaxing wearing cucumbers' or 'squirrel DJ'. Apple Intelligence will include AI-generated emoji, which Apple has called 'Genmoji' (a mix of 'generated' and 'emoji'). But those in the EU may have to wait until next year to get many of the company's new AI features However, it remains unclear just how many of Apple's long-awaited AI features will be launched at the event today. Apple Intelligence is not expected to launch fully until mid-October with the release of iOS 18.1. Even then, features like ChatGPT integration are not expected to be ready until next year. Those in the EU and China will face even longer delays likely to stretch well into 2025 as Apple clashes with regulatory bodies. Apple analyst Mark Gurman, in the latest edition of his newsletter, says: 'The new Apple Intelligence tools will indeed be a big part of Mondays launch event for the iPhone 16. 'But it also will become increasingly clear that consumers will have to wait for the best features.' Apple is preparing to release the 'Apple Watch X' which could feature a radical redesign, according to a leaker Will Apple announce any other devices? Apple is preparing to release the 'Apple Watch X' which could feature a radical redesign, according to a leaker. Akin to the iPhone X in 2017 that celebrated a decade of the iPhone, Apple Watch X could mark 10 years since the world glimpsed the first Apple Watch. The claim comes from Gurman based in California, who says Apple is 'preparing a big update' in his weekly newsletter. 'Apple Watch is nearing its 10th birthday and the company has a chance to mark the occasion,' he says. Apple may reveal a new generation of AirPods boasting an upgraded case featuring a speaker, and improved sound-cancelling 'With the X model, Apple designers are working on a thinner watch case and have explored changing the way bands are attached to the device.' Gurman says the watch could have a larger display and 'other enhancements under the hood' in terms of hardware. For example, new AI-capable chips 'could lay the groundwork for some AI enhancements down the road'. Rumours also suggest that Apple may unveil two new models of AirPods as entry and mid-tier products. According to Mr Gurman, Apple will 'distinguish the two models by giving the new mid-tier version a higher-end case with a speaker - making it easier to locate with Apples Find My feature - as well as noise cancellation to match the AirPods Pro.' Extreme rainfall and searing temperatures are set to become more common in the next two decades thanks to climate change, a damning new report warns. Scientists in Norway estimate that nearly three-quarters of the global population around 5.6 billion people will see dramatic changes in dramatic weather conditions unless carbon emissions fall. The experts found that a large region including Spain, Italy, Morocco, Peru, India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are expected to get 'clear and rapid' increases in temperature and rainfall. Even in the most optimistic scenario, more than 1.5 billion people around the world will be affected by unbearable heat, flash floods and more. Co-author Dr Bjrn Samset told MailOnline: 'These cuts are also crucial, but for the coming years we are locked into a more extreme future.' Researchers have found that 70 per cent of the world's population will face extremely fast changes to temperature and rainfall in a high-emission scenario (right) while 20 per cent will still be affected in a low-emission scenario (left). On this map, darker regions show areas predicted to experience the most rapid change What is the Paris Agreement? The Paris Agreement, which was first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change. It hopes to hold the increase in the global average temperature to below 2C (3.6F) 'and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C (2.7F)'. Advertisement The researchers from the CICERO Center for International Climate Research in Oslo combined four large climate simulations to work out how much peak rainfall and temperature might shift over the next two decades. While previous studies have looked at how climate change may affect weather patterns at the country level, this paper took a broader perspective. Lead author Dr Carley Iles says: 'We focus on regional changes, due to their increased relevance to the experience of people and ecosystems compared with the global mean, and identify regions projected to experience substantial changes in rates.' Under the high-emission scenario in which little is done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this method finds that a large area of the globe will undergo extreme changes. In this case, regions such as the Mediterranean, Northwestern and Southern America, and Eastern Asia are expected to see 'sustained, unprecedented rates of change for two or more decades'. The researchers combined several climate simulations to predict how rainfall and temperature would change in the next 20 years. This method shows that a large area around the equator (highlighted green) will see unprecedented rates of change. This diagram also shows predictions for individual regions in blue for low-emission scenarios and red for high-emissions Collectively, the regions expected to see rapid changes in extreme weather events will cover 70 per cent of the world's population (5.6 billion) unless emissions are reduced dramatically. The UK, along with the rest of Northern Europe, is not expected to see any rapid temperature changes but could see a significant increase in peak rainfall. However, this paper also suggests that it may be too late to undo some of the consequences of human-caused climate change. Dr Samset says: 'The main takeaway is really how quickly weather conditions will change around the world over the coming two decades, regardless of cuts in emissions.' In the low emissions scenario in which greenhouse gases are cut fast enough to meet the requirements of the Paris Agreement, 20 per cent of the world's population (1.6 billion) will still be affected. The researchers were surprised by how similar the high-emission (red) and low-emission (blue) scenarios were. These graphs show the rate of change of annual maximum daily temperature (right) and the amount of rain on the five wettest day period of the year (left) If emissions are cut, the most dramatic changes will be limited to the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia. 'Emission cuts work, but the changes weve already caused are so strong that they will dominate for a while yet,' Dr Samset adds. As the researchers point out, societies and ecosystems can tolerate a certain amount of natural variation when it comes to weather. Due to cyclical fluctuations in the climate and seasonal patterns like El Nino, peak temperature and rainfall do change over time. However, when the rate of change exceeds a certain level this can surpass what the natural world and human society can adapt to. If the world continues to become hotter and wetter at the rate predicted by the researchers, this will increase the likelihood of extreme events. Rapid changes to maximum daily temperatures make events like the 2021 Pacific Northwest Heatwave (pictured) more likely. Research has shown that this would not have been possible without climate change The researchers say that many of the changes of climate change cannot now be stopped. This map shows the regions will see rapidly strengthening extreme weather even if the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement are met For example, in 2021 the US Pacific Northwest experienced a heatwave of unprecedented magnitude which saw many locations break all-time maximum temperature records by more than 5C (9F). Subsequent research has shown that this event would not have been possible were it not for the effects of climate change. In their new paper, published in Nature Geoscience, the authors warn that the effects of events like this can include death and destruction. 'Heatwaves may cause heat stress and excess mortality of both people and livestock, stress to ecosystems, reduced agricultural yields, difficulties in cooling power plants, and transport disruption,' they say. The regions most likely to be affected are those least equipped to deal with extreme weather. This includes Pakistan which experienced successive drought and flooding in 2022 (pictured) 'Society seems particularly vulnerable to high rates of change of extremes, especially when multiple hazards increase at once.' This is particularly worrying since those regions predicted to see the most rapid changes contain low-income countries that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather for example by having cheap infrastructure. This paper also found that some of the attempts to combat human impact on the environment may actually exacerbate extreme weather. For example, in a process called 'aerosol-induced surface cooling', pollutants in the air block some of the sunlight that would otherwise reach Earth. This effect has actually kept global warming somewhat in check over the last 50 to 100 years and has masked some of the worst impacts. Air pollution reflects sunlight and keeps the surface cool, as cities like Beijing (pictured) clean up pollution the researchers warn that extreme heat conditions become more likely Falling air pollution in cities like Beijing (illustrated) actually increases the likelihood of localised extreme weather events As countries take the necessary steps to remove dangerous air pollution, this will allow more radiation to reach the Earth leading to local temperature spikes and particularly wet rainy seasons. Of course, reducing air pollution is vital for public health and the researchers aren't suggesting air pollution shouldn't be tackled. But doing so could lead to spikes in extremely hot and wet weather events. Co-author Dr Laura Wilcox, a meteorologist from the University of Reading, says: 'Rapid clean-up of air pollution, mostly over Asia, leads to accelerated co-located increases in warm extremes and influences the Asian summer monsoons.' 'Now, the necessary cleanup may combine with global warming and give very strong changes in extreme conditions over the coming decades.' Just six hours before its eagerly anticipated launch event for the iPhone 16, the Apple Store website has gone down. While users can usually browse an array of devices when visiting the website, they're now greeted with a message reading: 'Be right back. 'We're making updates to the Apple Store. Check back soon.' A stylish blue and pink version of the Apple logo is also displayed, just like the one on Apple's official invite for today's product unveiling. The event, titled 'It's Glowtime', will take place in Cupertino, California, at 10:00 PT (18:00 BST). Just hours before the eagerly anticipated iPhone 16 launch event, the Apple Store website has gone down. A message reads: 'Be right back. 'We're making updates to the Apple Store. Check back soon.' While Apple has made no mention of a new iPhone, the company has revealed a new device every year around autumn for over a decade now. There's expected to be four iPhone 16 models the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, in a range of different colours. All models are expected to be slightly bigger than previous models, marking the first time Apple has upped the iPhone's display size since the iPhone 12. iPhone 16 is expected to have a new button located on the right hand side, which could be a game-changer for selfie fans. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to come in blue, green, white, black and pink. Meanwhile, the Pro models will likely come in slightly more muted tones white, black, grey, and bronze. Apple's invite includes the classic Apple logo with a redesigned twist. An animation on its website sees the logo swirl between hues of blue, purple, orange, and pink, seemingly in reference to the 'It's Glowtime' tagline Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 family will likely go live this Friday, September 13, while the first devices will then likely be sent out next week, on Friday September 20. The company is also reportedly about to reveal a special 10th anniversary Apple Watch, marking a decade since the first one was unveiled. Rumours also suggest that Apple may unveil two new models of AirPods as entry and mid-tier products. MailOnline will be covering the launch event live on 9 September from 10:00 PT (18:00 BST). Alternatively, you can watch it at apple.com, on the Apple livestream on YouTube, or on the Apple TV app. Residents in California experienced a swarm of five earthquakes within the last 48 hours. A 4.4-magnitude was felt in the north around Lake County on Saturday and two more struck the area the following evening, ranked as a 2.7 and 2.8-magnitude. Locals in southern California also reported two more quakes on Saturday, with the largest ranking a 3.9-magnitude. Northern California typically sees a spate of about 50 earthquakes per month, experienced two quakes this weekend, in addition to the two felt in the southern area of the state. The swarm ranged from 2.7 to 4.4 magnitudes, with the largest striking at 7:00am ET Saturday The 2.7-magnitude earthquake struck Covelo shortly after 12pm PT on Sunday and the second 2.8-magnitude occurred at 10:52pm PT that same day. These reports came a mere day after residents in southern California received a ShakeAlert, which notifies people of an impending quake and warns them to take cover - moments before it hit. The first measured 3.5 on the Richter scale as it struck at 10.05am local time. The epicenter was 4.3 miles southeast of Ontario, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The second, stronger 3.9 magnitude quake, rattled in at 10.34am, with an epicenter almost exactly in the same spot. The quakes were felt by millions across the area after they hit on Saturday morning. 'I felt shaking early this morning 6-7am, thought to myself in my sleep that it was an earthquake and woke this morning to see the news,' one person wrote on Reddit following Sunday's earthquakes. The US Geological Survey has not reported of any damage caused by the five earthquakes. It is uncommon for residents in northern California to notice the quakes, with the majority ranking as a three-magnitude or less, but some people reported feeling their home shaking from the seismic activity. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that people typically only feel earthquakes that have a magnitude 3.0 or higher but it also depends on the quakes' depth and location. At their deepest, quakes can begin as far as 400 miles underground. Earthquakes that reach 43 miles or less are considered shallow and will only result in mild to moderate damage. Residents were issued a ShakeAlert ahead of the earthquakes on Saturday, and one person stated they felt the shaking around 7am However, 2024 has seen a record number of mini-quakes across the state and geophysicists are now warn California could be at risk of a generation-defining massive earthquake. '2024 has had more earthquakes than any year we've seen since 1988,' Caltech geophysicist Dr Lucy Jones told reporters. 'We should expect this to continue.' Experts believe a major quake in Southern California - usually defined as 7.0 and up - could kill at least 1,800,leave 50,000 injured and cause more than $200 billion in damage. The spate of quakes occurred as a heat come encompassed the state, leaving many people questioning if the record-breaking heatwave was at fault. Roughly 25 million residents faced heat alerts this weekend that stretched from California's southern border up to Washington and Idaho, but the USGS assured that it was not to blame. 'There is no such thing as 'earthquake weather,' the USGS said. 'Statistically, there is approximately an equal distribution of earthquakes in cold weather, hot weather, rainy weather, etc.' Flaws in a third-party app that allows smaller airlines to upload pilots and flight crew onto pre-cleared lists could have helped 'fake pilots' skip key security screenings. The bug would have let malicious actors add anyone they wished to the Known Crewmember program database which lets the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) identify airline staff who can bypass their security checkpoints. The two cybersecurity researchers, 'bug bounty hunters,' who found the flaw said that they had privately reported the issue last April to both the Federal Aviation Administration and the US Department of Homeland Security, which runs the TSA. The troubling discovery follows a TSA report that 300 people have evaded airport security since March 2023: 'a larger number than we realized,' the agency said. Flaws in third-party app FlyCASS - which allows smaller airlines to upload pilots and flight crew onto pre-cleared TSA lists - may have helped 'fake pilots' skip security checks, cybersecurity researchers said. Above, TSA screenings in action at the Denver International Airport in 2019 Only the FAA has taken appropriate action, they said, adding 'the TSA press office issued dangerously incorrect statements about the vulnerability.' The pair of security researchers, Ian Carroll and Sam Curry, said they uncovered the vulnerability in login systems for the third-party website of the vendor FlyCASS. FlyCASS allows small airline clients the ability to upload their air crews' information to both the TSA's Known Crewmember (KCM) system and FAA's Cockpit Access Security System (CASS). 'Anyone with basic knowledge of SQL injection could login to this site and add anyone they wanted to KCM and CASS,' the duo said, 'allowing themselves to both skip security screening and then access the cockpits of commercial airliners.' 'We realized we had discovered a very serious problem,' Carroll and Curry added. Computer science experts at the University of California at Berkley have described SQL injections as 'one of the most common web attack mechanisms utilized by attackers to steal sensitive data from organizations.' The technique leverages a common issue with the Structured Query Language (SQL) used to host databases of information on the web. The attack allows a hacker to upload actionable SQL code into user interfaces like contact forms on websites or, in this case, the FlyCASS web-based app for airlines. Using a series of basic SQL injections, the security researchers were first able to gain administration privileges in FlyCASS for the small, Ohio-based cargo airline Air Transport International. Carroll and Curry reported that they were then able to upload a fake airline employee for Air Transport International, named 'Test TestOnly' with an ID photo and were able to authorize 'TestOnly' for both KCM and CASS access. TSA press secretary R. Carter Langston denied that the security researchers' findings were as dire as the duo claimed. Using 'SQL injection' techniques, security researchers were able to gain administration privileges in FlyCASS for small, Ohio-based cargo airline Air Transport International Carrol and Curry reported that they were able to upload a fake airline employee, named 'Test TestOnly,' (above) and were able to authorize the fake for both KCM and CASS access The two cybersecurity researchers have now also accused the TSA of issuing 'dangerously incorrect statements about the vulnerability' - minimizing the risk it may post to air traffic TSA, according to Langston, 'does not solely rely on this database to verify the identity of crewmembers.' 'TSA has procedures in place to verify the identity of crewmembers,' Langston told Bleeping Computer, 'and only verified crewmembers are permitted access to the secure area in airports.' 'No government data or systems were compromised and there are no transportation security impacts related to the activities,' the agency spokesperson emphasized. In an update to their report, Carroll and Curry pushed back, noting that the admin privileges they were able to hack their way into allowed them to also edit already existing profiles in the Known Crewmember database, not just add new ones. 'Since our vulnerability allowed us to edit an existing KCM member,' they said, 'we could have changed the photo and name of an existing enrolled user, which would likely bypass any vetting process that may exist for new members.' Update: At 12:46 Eastern time on Tuesday, the day after publication of this article, a spokesperson with TSA's Media Ops Division reached out to DailyMail.com with 'an updated statement.' TSA's updated statement reads: In April, TSA became aware of a report that a vulnerability in a third partys database containing airline crewmember information was discovered and that through testing of the vulnerability, an unverified name was added to a list of crewmembers in the database. This vulnerability was immediately resolved by the third party. No government data or systems were compromised and there are no transportation security impacts related to the activities. TSA does not solely rely on this database to verify the identity of crewmembers. TSA has procedures in place to verify the identity of crewmembers and only verified crewmembers are permitted access to the secure area in airports. TSA worked with stakeholders to mitigate against any identified cyber vulnerabilities. It comes after a 2,260ft escalator was installed at scenic Enshi Canyon The rise and rise of mountainside escalators continues in China. We previously reported on a 688-metre-long (2,260ft) escalator being installed at scenic Enshi Canyon, Hubei province. Now China has built a 1,100ft (350-metre) escalator costing $2.2 million/1.6million that takes visitors up Tianyu Mountain in Zhejiang Province and it even sprays mist on them to keep them cool. Tourists disembark the escalator a short distance from the top of the 300-metre- [980ft] high peak. From there, it's a short walk to the summit. There is a three-kilometre- (1.8-mile) long winding road to the top of the mountain that takes around 50 minutes to walk up. The escalator ride is around 10 minutes and costs 30 Chinese yuen (3.30/$4.32). And it's proving incredibly popular, with videos and images showing the escalator packed to capacity. China has built a 1,100ft (350-metre) escalator costing $2.2 million/1.6million that takes visitors up Tianyu Mountain in Zhejiang Province and it even sprays mist on them to keep them cool There is a winding road to the top of the mountain that takes around 50 minutes to walk. The escalator ride is around 10 minutes and costs 30 Chinese yuen (3.30/$4.32) A worker for the city tourism development company in Chun'an told China Daily: 'In the beginning, we considered building a cableway. 'However, given the cableway's limited transportation capability and high-security risk, the escalator is relatively safer and has a high transportation capability.' While many lauded the staircase from an accessibility standpoint, others dubbed the structure a blight on the landscape. One user, 'Jorge Fernandez', commented: 'This is a great idea for those of us who cannot climb to the top due to physical limitations.' 'M.ch4rmaland3r10' agreed: 'As much as I appreciated climbing the mountain, I think this is an inclusive way for older or people with disability to enjoy the journey up.' But 'Magellan-s2p' said 'it takes away some of its charm' and 'Youxkio' claimed: 'This is just the beginning. Soon even Everest will have its own escalators.' Tourists are dropped off at the Tianyushan scenic spot, just a short distance from the mountaintop and can easily reach the peak on foot The Enshi Canyon escalator cost some 4.3 million/$5.6million and takes 18 minutes to ride from start to finish. Around 7,300 people can be transported every hour from the top of the site right down to the canyon. A spokesman at Enshi Grand Canyon Scenic Spot told MailOnline: 'Tourists can take the escalator to go down the mountain all the way. It improves the degree of comfort during their journey.' The Enshi Canyon escalator (above) cost some 4.3 million/$5.6million and takes 18 minutes to ride from start to finish If you've been dreaming of a Venetian getaway but dreading the crowds and steep prices, this Portuguese city may just be the next best thing to visit. Dubbed by holidaymakers as the 'Venice of Portugal,' the charming coastal city of Aveiro offers a similar atmosphere to its Italian counterpart. Aveiro has earned its nickname thanks to its picturesque canals, vibrant boats, and Art Nouveau architecture. Gondola-like vessels - called moliceiros - glide along the city's three main canals, offering water tours of the estuary that cuts through the heart of the city. Aveiro is around half the size of Venice, meaning its streets are far more relaxed, allowing visitors to explore without navigating through dense crowds. Dubbed by holidaymakers as the 'Venice of Portugal,' the charming coastal city of Aveiro offers a similar atmosphere to its Italian counterpart Aveiro has earned its nickname thanks to its picturesque canals, vibrant boats, and Art Nouveau architecture Much like Italy's "City of Water," Aveiro has a rich maritime history and a thriving fishing industry, as reported by LadBible. For those seeking a slice of adventure, there are plenty of activities to dive into, from canal cruises to salt spas to surfing lessons along Portugal's stunning central coastline. The city is also known for its sandy beaches, including the popular Barra Beach and the scenic Sao Jacinto Beach, perfect for sunbathers and swimmers alike. During summer months, temperatures can reach 29 degrees Celsius, making it an ideal European destination to catch some rays. If you're more interested in sampling local flavours and beverages, Aveiro has you covered at a fraction of Venice's cost. Instead of gelato and tiramisu, you'll find plenty of cheap beer to keep your spirits high - and at just 2 (1.74) for a pint, you may even forget all about missing Italy's iconic treats. Additionally, a meal at a good restaurant can set you back just 8 (6.98), meaning you can indulge in local Portuguese dishes without breaking the bank. According to the Center of Portugal, traditional dishes served in restaurants and homes across Aveiro include "ovos-moles" - a sweet dessert made of sugar and egg-yolks - and "Caldeirada de Enguias," an eel stew seasoned with saffron. Aveiro is around half the size of Venice, meaning its streets are far more relaxed, allowing visitors to explore without navigating through dense crowds During summer months, temperatures can reach 29 degrees Celsius, making it an ideal European destination to catch some rays Much like Italy's "City of Water," Aveiro has a rich maritime history and a thriving fishing industry Aveiro train station If you're still not sold on swapping Venice for Aveiro, the cost of getting there might convince you. Flights to the nearest airport in Porto are a steal, with return tickets from the UK costing as little as 26 on Ryanair and easyJet. With flights departing from cities including London, Leeds, Bristol, Belfast, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, there's no shortage of options. After landing, it's just a quick hour-long drive to Aveiro. Accommodation is equally affordable, with a stay at the four-star beachfront Costa do Sal Hotel Boat Lounge costing as little as 27.50 per person per night when sharing a room - half of what you'd expect to pay in Venice. So, for those looking to soak in the beauty and history of a canal city without emptying their wallet, Aveiro offers a budget-friendly and crowd-free alternative to Venice - complete with sunny beaches, colourful boats, and plenty of local charm. Grace viewers have branded the drama an 'absolute mess' just minutes into the latest episode. Fans of the show have slammed ITV for totally changing the plot as the eagerly awaited comeback failed to live up to viewer expectations. The popular drama saw John Simm reprise his role as DS Roy Grace for its fourth season. Its storyline is based on Peter James's bestselling Detective Superintendent Roy Grace books, but as the second episode of the latest series aired, fans were left raging, accusing the writers of straying too far from the book's plot. Sunday's episode opened with a man found in a nun's habit and restrained to a metal railing on Brighton Beach. Grave viewers have branded the drama an 'absolute mess' just minutes into the new series return Fans of the show have slammed ITV for totally changing the plot as the eagerly awaited comeback did not live up to viewer expectations When Roy arrived at the scene with DS Glen Branson - played by Richie Campbell - they predicted the victim had died by drowning following a visual examination. A pathology test later revealed that very strange circumstances caused the man's death - he had drowned in sheep's milk. The deviation from the plot riled up viewers as they said the storyline had floated too far away from the novel's plot. Flocking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans of the show shared their disappointment in the latest episode. '#Grace weird this conversation between the women having no crossover with the main plot at all.' 'This is an absolute mess. There is artistic licence to make a TV drama but this has no correlation to the book! #Grace.' 'I wonder why they totally change the plot.#Grace' '#Grace It's nowt like the book. I want Bryce and Red' The popular drama saw John Simm reprise his role as DS Roy Grace for its fourth season Sunday's episode opened with a man found in a nun's habit and restrained to a metal railing on Brighton Beach When Roy arrived at the scene with DS Glen Branson - played by Richie Campbell - they predicted the victim had died by drowning following a visual examination The deviation from the plot riled up viewers as they said the storyline had floated too far away from the novel's plot 'This one's totally different to the book isn't it. John Simm said it was but' An official synopsis from ITV reads: 'The first film in the new series is called Dead Man's Time. A vicious robbery at a secluded Brighton home, draws Grace and Branson into a puzzling enquiry when thousands of pounds worth of beautiful antiques are stolen from the house. 'As Grace digs deeper into this mysterious crime, he unearths a web of ancient grudges - a web which leads him down a dark, murderous trail through the world of Brighton antiques, in a race against the clock, to untangle who is at the heart of this robbery, and bring Gavin Daly the answers he has been desperately chasing for many years. 'In episode two, Want You Dead, Grace and Branson investigate a case where nothing is truly as it first appears. When an unidentified victim is found dead in curious circumstances, the post mortem reveals more questions than it does answers. 'As Grace works to identify the body, hoping this might provide some crucial clue as to the killer's motive, he soon has another death on his hands when a second victim shows up in central Brighton, discovered in similarly bizarre circumstances.' Season four began on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The remaining three episodes are scheduled to follow on subsequent Sundays. Netflix fans have swooned over the 'very handsome' British actor Aaron Pierre after watching Netflix's Rebel Ridge. The Underground Railroad star, 30, has left viewers captivated with his 'unique eyes' - so much so that they 'can't believe they are real'. The flick sees former marine Terry Richmond - played by Aaron - cycle into a small town on a mission of mercy in Rebel Ridge. The ex-Marine is there to bail out his cousin, who's currently under arrest. But before he can even reach the courthouse, Terry is hurled off his bike and into the center of a vast conspiracy that implicates every level of the town of Shelby Springs and it takes all of his skills to get out. Netflix fans have swooned over the 'very handsome' British actor Aaron Pierre Starring in Netflix's Rebel Ridge, The Underground Railroad star, 30, has left viewers in awe as they fantasize over his 'unique' eyes' - so much so that they 'can't believe are real' And while the gripping plot may have viewers on the edges of their seat, it was lead actor Aaron's dreamy looks that had fans raving. Flocking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans gushed over the star's appearance. One penned: 'He is very handsome' 'So handsome' 'I thought his eyes weren't real but a contact lens' 'I love his eyes' 'Dude be just so cute. Heart break go just full everywhere eh Gosh those eyes' 'Hello handsome' The flick sees former marine Terry Richmond - played by Aaron - cycle into a small town on a mission of mercy in Rebel Ridge And while the gripping plot may have viewers on the edges of their seat, it was lead actor Aaron's dreamy looks that had fans raving The drama has been a hit among viewers as the show has an impressive Tomatometer score of 95 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes and a Popcornmeter of 74 per cent. A synopsis reads: 'Terry Richmond enters the town of Shelby Springs on a simple but urgent mission - post bail for his cousin and save him from imminent danger. 'But when Terry's life's savings is unjustly seized by law-enforcement, he's forced to go head to head with local police chief Sandy Burnne and his combat-ready officers. 'Terry finds an unlikely ally in court clerk Summer McBride and the two become ensnared in a deep-rooted conspiracy within the remote township. 'As the stakes turn deadly, Terry must call upon his mysterious background to break the department's hold on the community, bring justice to his own family-- and protect Summer in the process.' The show's writer and director, Jeremy Saulnier told Netflix: 'As a filmmaker, I dig grounded '80s and '90s action films that not only deliver on spectacle but succeed in tying on-screen mayhem to a real and true emotional component. 'Smaller scale, bigger impact. Less veneer, less artificiality. 'They're rooted in a 'kick up the dust' level of craft and authenticity that I don't see often in the current space, and I was interested in making a film more like that.' John Boyega was set to play Terry Richmond in Rebel Ridge before Aaron Pierre was secured for the role. According to reports, John was reportedly cast for the leading role in November 2019 as the shooting was set to start in April 2020. But because of delays from the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic the film production did not start until May 2021. In June 2021, the film faced another major challenge when John unexpectedly removed himself from the project. Flocking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans gushed over the actor's hot look After many rumours swarmed about the star's reasoning to leave, his agent later revealed that the actor had to suddenly leave due to 'family reasons.' Speaking of his late acquired role, he told Netflix: 'Just to be gifted the opportunity to play a character so nuanced and layered and complex and deeply human as Terry Richmond is undeniable. 'These opportunities don't come by your desk every day. So when they do, you grab it with both hands, you embrace it, and you pull yourself into the character and the creation of said project. 'I also learned so very much every single day working with the tremendous talent that is Jeremy Saulnier. And the script, which Jeremy also wrote, was undeniable for me. And that's not a word that I use lightly.' New Delhi, Sep 9 (UNI) The 20th edition of India-USA joint military exercise 'Yudh Abhyas' 2024 commenced at Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan on Monday. This edition marks a significant increase in the scope and complexity of the joint exercise in terms of troop strength and equipment. The Indian Army contingent comprising 600 personnel is being represented by a battalion of the Rajput Regiment along with personnel from other arms and services. Meanwhile, the US contingent comprising of similar strength will be represented by the troops of 1-24 Battalion of the Alaska based 11th Airborne Division of the US Army. EastEnders is going live for one episode only as will let the public decide the fate of the storyline for the first time in honour of its 40th anniversary. For the show's anniversary, the week will feature an exciting twist and include an interactive element to show and potentially break the fourth wall. Fans will have the power to choose the outcome they desire for a love story. The BBC is keeping a tight lid on the love story, adding an extra layer of mystery and excitement for the viewers who will ultimately decide its fate. The outcome of the public's choice will played out live during a live episode as the cast and crew will be prepared to adapt to the scene picked out by the public. EastEnders is going live and will let the public decide the fate of the storyline for the first time in honour of its 40th anniversary For the show's first, the anniversary week will feature an exciting twist and include an interactive element to show and potentially break the fourth wall The episode will broadcast live from BBC Elstree Centre in February, 2025. Executive Producer said of the live episode, Chris Clenshaw said: 'The 40th anniversary is a milestone event for EastEnders, and we have been planning this week for a long time to ensure that it's a week full of drama and surprises. 'In fact, as our regular audience will know, we have already seen the return of familiar faces and have many more nods to our history to come which will all build up to our momentous anniversary week. 'This time, as well as going live, we are adding an extra twist and for the very first time in the history of the show and as a gift to the viewers, we are giving the audience the power to have their say in choosing the outcome of one of our storylines. 'Whilst we're still keeping the finite details of the 40th close to our chest, I can promise that it will be an unmissable week full of shocking twists that will change Albert Square, and the lives of those who live in it, forever.' It comes after the show confirmed a major star's dramatic exit and they've already filmed their final scenes. The BBC soap confirmed that Matt Di Angelo will be leaving the show following the nail-biting conclusion to his character Dean Wicks' murder trial in which he was wrongly accused of killing Keanu Taylor. And while viewers will have to wait and see the culmination of the trial, in a post shared to Instagram, it was verified that Matt would be waving goodbye to Albert Square. Fans will have the power to choose their most desired outcome for a love story. Whose love story is still being held under wraps by the BBC but it will remain in the viewer's hands It comes after the show confirmed a major star's dramatic exit and they've already filmed their final scenes [The Six L-R; Stacey Slater, Suki Kaur Panesar, Linda Carter, Sharon Watts, Denise Fox and Kathy Beale The BBC soap confirmed that Matt Di Angelo will be leaving the show following the nail-biting conclusion to his character Dean Wicks' murder trial in which he was wrongly accused of killing Keanu Taylor The post read: 'Farewell to the marvellous Matt Di Angelo AKA devious Dean Wicks. From all the cast and crew at #EastEnders thank you, youll be missed!' Meanwhile, in an accompanying video, EastEnders' Executive producer Chris Clenshaw wished Matt well as he paid tribute to the actor. He said; 'I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Matt for giving us one of the most vile characters, one of the most hated characters in Britain and on British TV. Thank you for coming back and playing out this next chapter of Dean's story.' The video also saw Matt clutching his final script as he told the camera: 'This is it. Dean's final scenes. Shot, sealed, delivered... it is done!' After the video saw a glimpse of Dean being dragged to his cell as Linda walked past, it then cut to Matt - who first joined the soap in 2006 -giving a farewell speech to his colleagues. He said: 'I really, really appreciate all your work. They're long days and you're a class bunch, you really are. So, thank you for helping me and I appreciate it. Thanks very much.' Turning to the camera once more, he added: 'It is done. He is no more. "Good riddance!", you all say. 'He's fun to play and this is an amazing place to work and I do genuinely love everyone here. Thank you for having me and until the next time?! Bye!' Jeremy Allen White stepped out for a coffee run in Los Angeles over the weekend with his children in tow. The 33-year-old Shameless actor was clad in a short-sleeved, button-up blue shirt, distressed light wash jeans, and well-worn white Nike Cortez sneakers. He wore a pair of sunglasses over his tousle of blonde curls and was clean-shaven. White, who set pulses raising with his latest Calvin Klein ad, was joined by daughters Ezer, five, and Dolores, three, who adorably coordinated in purple outfits. The Bear sensation carried a beige tote over his shoulders while holding one of his girl's hand and carrying an iced coffee. Jeremy Allen White stepped out for a coffee run in Los Angeles over the weekend with his daughters Ezer, five, and Dolores, three in tow It comes amid the star's court-ordered custody arrangement with ex-wife Addison Timlin, also 33. Addison, an actress, filed for divorce from Allen in May 2023 less than four years after they tied the knot in October 2019. In her divorce filing, she listed their date of separation as September 2022. Last October, White conceded several stipulations in his custody agreement with Timlin. One of the parameters notes that in order to spend time with their children, he must adhere to daily alcohol testing, according to TMZ. If the test is positive, the actor's custodial rights to the children will be revoked until further actions are decided. The custody arrangement also requires him to attend no less than 'two alcoholics anonymous ("AA") meetings each week', along with other therapy, per court documents. Following his split from Timlin, the actor has moved on with Spanish singing sensation Rosalia, 31. On Mother's Day this past May, Addison used Instagram to reflect on motherhood as she shared a carousel of photos with the former couple's little ones. The Hollywood hunk wore a pair of sunglasses over his tousle of blonde curls and was clean-shaven Jeremy shares his daughters with ex-wife Addison Timlin; the former couple pictured in January 2023 The family-of-four pictured in October 2021 She wrote, 'For the most part, I think Im a good mom. I witness them, theyre clean and fed and happy-and when theyre not- I try to imagine myself as a polymorphous energy of stillness and compassion- I love them to the ends of the earth.' On the other hand, she said, 'Sometimes mothering feels like my 5 year old and I taking turns shouting Im feeling overwhelmed! -her new favorite phrase and my most regular feeling. I hate how scared they get when my voice gets loud. I hate it when my voice gets loud. I hate remembering the feeling and I hate bringing it on to them. I even hate scooping them up afterward and saying Im sorry. But I love what happens in my body when I hold them and hold myself. 'I love that the second after I do, I hold my own mother and every mother I know. God, I spend so much time thinking about my own Mom, wishing I could go back in time and seep into her all the grace and love and gentleness this world has to offer,' Timlin added. Jeremy joined in the comments to support her, writing that is ex is a 'Super mom .' Big Cats 24/7 (BB2) Rating: David Attenborough isn't a fan. But the ten-minute 'making of' segments at the end of wildlife documentaries, though the purists disapprove, have become a favourite with millions of viewers. Big Cats 24/7 takes the concept and turns it into a whole series. Over six episodes, a supergroup of film-makers record themselves as they track lions, leopards and cheetahs in Botswana's Okavango Delta. The results are engrossing, whether it's the animals that interest you or the humans. Veteran cameraman Gordon Buchanan leads the unit, who are spread across the reserve with its floodplains, lagoons, grasslands and savannahs. Part of the fun of watching wildlife experts at work is marvelling at the dangers and privations they endure. Dominant male lions, Big Toe and Madumo, have been head of the Xudum Pride for half a decade The crew are on duty day and night, with cutting-edge heat-sensitive tech that works in pitch darkness. Pictured: Anna Dimitriadis, wildlife cinematographer, follows the Okavango Delta's big cats around the clock Big Toe and Madumo must keep control of the Xudum pride or risk losing all of their cubs The crew are on duty day and night, with cutting-edge heat-sensitive tech that works in pitch darkness, creating a sort of living photographic negative the lions picked out in glowing greys and white against deep shadow. Unable to see his hand in front of his face, Gordon could still track a pair of lions through his lens. 'This is a military-grade thermal-imaging cannon,' he whispered. 'Lions have got amazing night vision but it's not as good as this.' The crew keep in touch by radio. When one cameraman witnesses a leopard plunging from a tree onto an unwary impala, or sees a young lion braving crocodiles to wade across a flooded wetland, the rest of the team are immediately aware and able to co-ordinate. That reveals a side of natural history programmes the viewer rarely sees. At launch events for a few of the Attenborough epics such as Planet Earth, I've been fortunate enough to sit down and chat with the producers who plan these expeditions. It's striking that, though they might have spent months living in malarial hotspots or on Antarctic icebreakers, at constant risk from rhinos/hypothermia/heatstroke/poachers/delete-as-applicable, what really tested them was the logistical challenge of ensuring people were in the right place with the right equipment, permits and supplies, all the time. Male leopard 'Spok' scans the horizon for prey on Xudum Island in Botswana's Okavango Delta Male leopard, Mosweu scans his territory for signs of rival males With intruder lions in the area dominant male, Big Toe, patrols the territory to keep his family safe The dangers that thrill our imagination are mere occupational hazards to experienced film-makers. One of Gordon's colleagues, Vianet Djenguet, was alarmed to find himself stranded in his jeep as a lion came up to investigate. He stood up to make himself look as big as possible while keeping a seat between him and the 40-stone carnivore. Filming from another 4x4, Gordon thought this hilarious. 'He's just a big pussycat, no problem,' he teased over the radio. Vianet's laugh sounded rather forced. At times, the running commentary can get in the way of the stunning images, often capturing the landscape bathed in dawn pinks or sunset golds. We saw a young cheetah chasing down an impala, and hyenas gathering round the carcass of an elephant beside a termite mound. Two lions feasted on a zebra, their manes and muzzles smeared with gore. These are moments when no words are necessary. Jessika Power's beloved sausage dog Sushi is living with her ex-boyfriend in France as she tries desperately to fly him home. The serial reality star, 31, has revealed she was forced to leave Sushi behind with her ex partner, British DJ Brent Anthony. 'Sushi is with my ex because I had to leave in a rush for my father's funeral,' the Aussie MAFS star said in an Instagram Q&A on Monday. One of Jessika's 344,000 followers had asked who is looking after her dog now. 'I'm trying to get [Sushi] on a flight ASAP from France to the UK,' she wrote. 'If anyone knows of any airlines that can help let me know because it's a little unfair he's having to watch my dog as we aren't together anymore.' Jessika has appeared on a string of reality shows around the world since she found fame on MAFS Australia in 2019. She unveiled plans to move home to Australia last year after calling time on her two-year relationship with fellow British DJ Connor Thompson in June 2023. Aussie reality star Jessika Power. 31, has confirmed she had to leave her sausage dog, Sushi, behind in France She told fans last December she was 'saving money' to relocate back to the Gold Coast with Sushi, but not long after that began dating Brent and seemingly changed her mind. Instead, she moved to the French Riviera with Brent. In May, Jessika shared a sweet video of herself and Brent walking through Nice hand-in-hand before the reality star jumped into his arms. Eagle-eyed fans picked up on Brent and Sushi's absence from Jessika's posts in the last few weeks and have been flooding her comments sections with questions about what happened between the pair. Jessika has been in a relationship wit British DJ Brent Anthony since early 2024 and the pair were living together in Nice, France with her dog Sushi until recently Over the weekend, Jessika appeared to confirm she and Brent had broken up and he is the 'ex' that's looking after her dog while she's returned to the UK. 'Are you and Brent not together anymore?' one fan commented on a post of Jessika dolled up in 'dreamy' pink lingerie for OnlyFans. Jessika, who is reportedly the most successful of any MAFS Australia bride on the OnlyFans platform, shared the snap on Saturday. She responded: 'Brent and I have a lot of care for each other. Sushi will be back with me in a few months.' But the reality star all but confirmed their breakup in a reply to a fan's comment on this Instagram post over the weekend, revealing that she had left Sushi behind with Brent in France as she returned to the UK 'I would have loved to seen Brent follow you out to Aus you were great together,' the fan wrote back to Jessika a second time. On Monday, Brent shared multiple videos of himself cuddled up with Sushi on his couch playing video games. 'Arghhhh I can't wait,' Jessika replied, not offering any clarification as to whether she meant she can't wait to be reunited with Sushi in the UK, or she has hopes that she'll rekindle her romance with the DJ in Australia. The Married At First Sight star was forced to make a snap return to the Gold Coast in August to farewell her beloved father at a moving funeral. Jessika filmed herself riding in a black funeral car, which appeared to be in Queensland, as a group of motorcyclists followed behind. She also shared a quick look inside the wake, which appeared to be held in rustic pub. The former TV bride, who has dyed her hair back to blonde after being a redhead for a time, captioned the clips with the words 'Love you dad'. Jessika revealed the shock news of her dad's death in July, sharing the sad news of the passing of former professional boxer Troy Power. She also posted to social media to provide a mental health update after she was trolled when asking for donation's to fund her late father's funeral. 'I'm getting messages asking how I am, which I appreciate. I'm staying in my childhood home father's house which has been hard, but comforting,' she began. 'We grew up here and are surrounded by his things, which is helping.' Jessika then added the ongoing media coverage surrounding her father's funeral was having a negative effect on her mental health and has decided to keep his funeral details private. 'I know I'm a public figure, but I need this to be private,' she said. 'I'm not going to be sharing anything on the day, like where it is or the date. I'm not in the right headspace at the moment, funerals are devastating but they bring the family back together.' After an iconic career spanning five decades, Kathy Bates revealed she's ready to retire, after her new CBS series Matlock runs its course. The 76-year-old actor plays Madeline Matlock in a gender-flipped reboot of the original Matlock series that ran from 1986 to 1995 starring Andy Griffith. The actress has earned an Oscar, two Primetime Emmys and two Golden Globes throughout her storied career. During a new wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, Bates revealed she's ready to call it a career... which she was actually planning before Matlock came around. She revealed that a recent movie shoot last year (she won't identify which movie) had caused her to seriously consider retiring... before the Matlock script came her way. After an iconic career spanning five decades, Kathy Bates revealed she's ready to retire, after her new CBS series Matlock runs its course The 76-year-old actor plays Madeline Matlock in a gender-flipped reboot of the original Matlock series that ran from 1986 to 1995 starring Andy Griffith 'It becomes my life. Sometimes I get jealous of having this talent. Because I cant hold it back, and I just want my life,' she said. Weeks after telling her agents she wants to retire, they sent her the Matlock pilot script, and she found herself surprisingly connecting with the character, Madeline Matlock. She said that the injustices she faced early on in her career mirror the plight of her title character. 'Everything Ive prayed for, worked for, clawed my way up for, I am suddenly able to be asked to use all of it. And its exhausting,' she said. 'This is my last dance,' Bates insists about her retirement after Matlock, which got an 18-episode order from CBS ahead of its September 22 premiere. Bates added that she connected to the character because they both use their work as a conduit for their grief. 'Maybe on some deep level thats why I was attracted to this,' Bates admitted in the interview. Her co-star Skye P. Marshall, who plays another lawyer in the show, had nothing but praise for her work ethic. 'It becomes my life. Sometimes I get jealous of having this talent. Because I cant hold it back, and I just want my life,' she said Weeks after telling her agents she wants to retire, they sent her the Matlock pilot script, and she found herself surprisingly connecting with the character, Madeline Matlock 'When she gets a script and she reads through it, you will see her challenge the directors, challenge the writers in a very healthy way, Marshall said Though the actress didn't exactly see herself that way, with the interviewer mentioning she began to cry towards the end of the interview 'When she gets a script and she reads through it, you will see her challenge the directors, challenge the writers in a very healthy way, Marshall said. 'She is an all-around beautiful warrior who is so intuitive, so intelligent and unwilling to tolerate any injustice for anyone,' she added. Though the actress didn't exactly see herself that way, with the interviewer mentioning she began to cry towards the end of the interview. 'I have no right. I see the state of the world, and here I am sitting in a posh restaurant in a posh town with a posh career, going home to a posh house, and what right do I have to cry?' Bates said. Matlock debuts September 22 on CBS from showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman, which will later stream on Paramount Plus. Angelina Jolie was joined by her son Pax who showed off his gruesome forehead scars on their first red carpet since his horror e-bike crash just days after they were seen in public for the first time. The 49-year-old A-lister and her 20-year-old son Pax posed together as they hit the red carpet premiere for her film Without Blood at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday night. Pax, 20 - who suffered 'complex trauma' in the collision with a car on July 29 in LA - sported an arm cast under his black suit jacket. He was classically dressed as he also sported matching trousers, tie, and patent leather dress shoes with a crisp white dress shirt. Pax also accessorized with a pair of black sunglasses as he was arm-in-arm with his famous mother. Angelina Jolie was joined by her son Pax on their first red carpet since his horror e-bike crash just days after they were seen in public for the first time Pax showed off his forehead scars from the recent accident at the event Angelina oozed of old Hollywood glamour as she sported a slinky sleeveless black Dolce&Gabbana gown with matching gloves which went over her elbows. The mermaid skirt covered her matching heels as she sashayed down the red carpet. She wore her blonde locks straight down in a middle-part as she accentuated her porcelain skin with complementary make-up. The event for her film was star-studded as leading lady Salma Hayek stunned in a wine-colored gown at the gala event. The film starring the 58-year-old Mexican star is centered around a parable-like tale exploring themes of family, war, and revenge This comes just days after Pax was seen for the first time since his horror e-bike crash in July as he stepped out with the actress in LA on Wednesday. On the outing he sported an arm cast and a bucket hat emblazoned with 'Miracle' as he continued his recovery with family. It came as estranged father Brad Pitt, 60, attended the Venice Film Festival with age-gap girlfriend Ines de Ramon, 34. The 49-year-old A-lister and her 20-year-old son Pax posed together as they hit the red carpet premiere for her film Without Blood at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday night Pax, 20 - who suffered 'complex trauma' in the collision with a car on July 29 in LA - sported an arm cast under his black suit jacket Angelina oozed of old Hollywood glamour as she sported a slinky sleeveless black Dolce&Gabbana gown with matching gloves which went over her elbows Pax looked in good spirits as he spent quality time with his mother at lunch in Beverly Hills weeks after the accident. Angelina wore a cream top, cardigan and slacks with tan heels for the outing. Her locks were worn in a sleek ponytail and she sported chic shades. Angelina has been by Pax's side at the hospital since he crashed into a car during rush hour in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. A source told TMZ that witnesses who lived nearby initially believed Pax had died in the crash as they discovered him lying lifeless on the ground. It was not until paramedics arrived at the scene that Pax regained consciousness. Page Six is reporting that this was not the first time the young man has been involved in incidents involving two and four wheeled vehicles. 'His friends are concerned about him,' an insider told the outlet alleging, 'He's being reckless. They're worried.' She wore her blonde locks straight down in a middle-part as she accentuated her porcelain skin with complementary make-up The mermaid skirt covered her matching heels as she sashayed down the red carpet She was joined by leading man Demian Bichir The two were later joined by leading lady Salma Hayek Salma stunned in a sequin wine-colored number The 58-year-old star looked stunning She proudly held up the Mexican flag 'He has had a string of car crashes,' the source asserted. 'It's not great. Pax is a troubled kid, and Angelina is doing her best to help him.' The publication reported that LAPD sources said there was nothing new to add to the initial report of a traffic collision, when asked if charges might be pending. Responding police and paramedics opted to rush Pax to the hospital after he complained of head pain. Despite his injuries, TMZ's source claimed that Pax's bike did not show any obvious signs of damage. Pax who like several of his other siblings is estranged from his famous father had reportedly been driving down Los Feliz Boulevard around 5 p.m., which put him on the regularly crowded street during rush hour traffic. According to law enforcement sources, he had been coming up to an intersection when he crashed his bike into the back of the car, which had already stopped for the red light. The car's driver reportedly did their duty by getting out and checking on the injured Pax before police and paramedics arrived. Although it's not clear exactly where he collided with the car, witnesses at the scene said he complained of pain in his hip, and they said he appeared to have injured his head in the crash. Pax will have a 'long road of recovery' and 'suffered complex trauma' a source told People of his condition; seen in LA on July 11 A rep for Pitt recently declined to comment when asked if he planned to visit his son in hospital; they are seen in 2014 In recent months, Pax has been spotted around Los Angeles riding on a Talaria Sting R MX4 electric bike, which costs around $3,000, though it's not known if that was the same bike he crashed. He was most recently pictured on the dirt bike on July 11. Notably, he wasn't wearing a helmet when he was pictured riding the bike in public. California state laws require all bike and motorcycle riders under 18 to wear helmets, but it's unclear if the type of bike Pax was riding at the time would have required him to wear a helmet. The crash also reportedly took place on a street near Angelina's Los Angeles residence. Angelina rushed to the hospital to be by her son's beside following the crash. Pax, who was born in Vietnam, was adopted by Jolie at age three, joining siblings Maddox, 22, and Zahara, 19. He is reportedly close to them as well as siblings Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16. Maddox and Zahara were adopted by Jolie's then-partner, Brad, in 2005 and he adopted Pax in 2008. All three of the older children have been estranged from Pitt following an incident on a private airplane in 2016, when the actor allegedly hit one of his children. Pax, who was born in Vietnam, was adopted by Jolie at age three. Brad then adopted him in 2008; The former couple and their kids pictured in Tokyo in November 2008 Pax called his father a 'world class a**hole' who makes his four youngest children 'tremble in fear' in an explosive Instagram rant posted for Father's Day 2020, DailyMail.com revealed in November Brad and Angelina married in August 2014 after 10 years together but Angelina filed for divorce in September 2016; seen in 2006 No charges were filed after an investigation into the alleged incident. Pax called his father a 'world class a**hole' who makes his four youngest children 'tremble in fear' in an explosive Instagram rant posted for Father's Day 2020, DailyMail.com revealed in November. The star has found it 'depressing to see this dragged up', according to sources close to him, who went on to rubbish the claims. But in a cutting post, Pax wrote: 'You have made the lives of those closest to me a constant hell.' 'You may tell yourself and the world whatever you want,' he added., 'but the truth will come to light someday. Then he sarcastically added: 'So Happy Father's Day, you f*****g awful human being.' Jolie and Pitt are legally divorced but are still fighting over the sale of Miraval, the vineyard in France. Bruce Willis was pictured taking a ride in on a scorching Sunday in Studio City California, as the veteran actor continues his health battle with aphasia and dementia. The Pulp Fiction actor, 69, was seated in the passenger seat of a vehicle clad in a black ballcap and a collared button-up top with horizontal gray stripes. The Last Boy Scout star was seen peering in the side mirror of the vehicle amid an ongoing heat wave in Southern California, as temperatures soared as high as 107 degrees in Studio City on Sunday, according to AccuWeather. The Sixth Sense actor is father to five daughters: Mabel Ray, 12, and Evelyn, 10, with wife Emma Heming Willis, 46; and Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 30, with ex-wife Demi Moore, 61. Willis was accompanied by bodyguards on the daytime outing, eyewitnesses said, which came weeks after Rumer posted about him on Instagram Stories. Bruce Willis, 69, was pictured taking a ride in on a scorching Sunday in Studio City California, as the veteran actor continues his health battle with aphasia and dementia In the August 22 post, Rumer shared an image of herself holding her father's hand while answering a question about how the actor has been doing amid his health woes. Rumer said, 'He is great. I love him so much. Thank you.' In May, Rumer said on the Today show that her father had been doing 'good' and was bonding with her one-year-old daughter Louetta, who she shares with ex Derek Richard Thomas. 'I actually got to see him right before I came out' to New York, she said, and 'Lou is just starting to walk a little bit, and she was walking over to him, and it was so sweet. 'Its so nice because I feel like my dad is just like - hes a girl dad, through and through. It almost unlocks that kind of little-kid, girl-dad thing. Hes so sweet with her.' Rumer in the appearance said that she and her relatives have been forthcoming about the family health issue in hopes of spreading awareness to others in a similar circumstance. 'Our vulnerability and transparency as a family about what hes going through to me is so important,' she said, 'because if it can have any impact on another family that is struggling in any way with something like this, or bring more attention to the disease in hopes of finding a cure or anything that can be of service to anybody else, I think is really important.' The Die Hard actor is more than two years removed from his health battle going public after relatives including his daughters, wife and ex-wife issued a joint statement via Instagram March 30, 2022 announcing his aphasia diagnosis. The Pulp Fiction actor was seated in the passenger seat of a vehicle clad in a black ballcap and a collared button-up top with horizontal gray stripes The Last Boy Scout star was seen peering in the side mirror of the vehicle amid an ongoing heat wave in Southern California In the August 22 post, Rumer shared an image of herself holding her father's hand while answering a question about how the actor has been doing amid his health woes Willis and his wife Emma Heming Willis were pictured embracing this past June They said that the Hollywood icon 'has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities. 'As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him. 'This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. They continued: 'We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him. As Bruce always says, 'Live it up' and together we plan to do just that.' The family subsequently issued a statement on February 16, 2023 announcing that Willis had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD), calling it 'the most common form of dementia' and noting that 'there are no treatments for the disease' currently. 'As Bruce's condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research,' the family said. 'Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. 'We know in our hearts that - if he could today - he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families. The Mayo Clinic defines aphasia as 'a condition that affects your ability to communicate' that 'can affect your speech, as well as the way you write and understand both spoken and written language.' The actor is father to Mabel Ray, 12, (L) and Evelyn, 10, with wife Emma Rumer Willis, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis, Scout Willis, Emma Heming Willis and Tallulah Willis were pictured at an event in LA on September 23, 2019 The actor's family took to Instagram March of 2022 to reveal he was stepping away from acting following his diagnosis with aphasia The actor's family did not announce what caused his bout with aphasia, which has a number of potential causes. The condition could occur following a head injury or stroke, or can be a predecessor to a brain tumor or Alzheimer's disease. Patients who are living with the condition are typically treated with speech therapy and taught ways to communicate non-verbally. Katy Perry was spotted out in New York City with fiance Orlando Bloom this weekend, days ahead of her MTV Video Music Awards performance and Video Vanguard honor. The 39-year-old pop music sensation was clad in a black sweatsuit with white underpants that she teased in the look's low-slung, flared pants. Her jet black hair was slicked back into an imperfect low bun at the back of her head and she added oversized black sunglasses. She wore a full face of makeup underneath the sleek and sporty accessory and carried an iced coffee. For his part, the 47-year-old Australian actor was dressed in a white T-shirt, light wash jeans and white sneakers. Katy Perry was spotted out in New York City this weekend She was with fiance Orlando Bloom and their four-year-old daughter Daisy The 39-year-old pop music sensation was clad in a black sweatsuit with white underpants that she teased in the look's low-slung, flared pants The longtime couple had their four-year-old daughter Daisy Dove Bloom in tow, with the tot dressed in a bubblegum pink outfit. It was announced in mid August that Perry is the 2024 recipient of MTV's Vanguard award. 'Katy is a musical powerhouse and true pop culture icon,' said Bruce Gillmer, Chief Content Officer of Music at Paramount+. He added in the announcement, 'With her game changing creative vision, she has become a global phenomenon and taken over the worlds biggest stages.' The Roar songstress has been slammed by fans in recent months for working with controversial music producer Dr. Luke on her single Woman's World and for deflecting when she was asked about it by Call Her Daddy podcast host Alex Cooper. Fans accused her of 'gaslighting' them with her non-response to the outrage over her work with the music producer, who was was embroiled in a decade-long legal battle with Kesha over alleged sexual assault. The Tik Tok songwriter accused Dr. Luke, real name ukasz Sebastian Gottwald, of sexual and physical abuse. He went on to sue Kesha for defamation in 2014 but a settlement was reached in June 2023 before it went to trial. Katy's new album 143 has been promoted with a theme of 'female empowerment,' which has left many fans upset about Gottwald's involvement. The NYC outing comes days ahead of Katy's MTV Video Music Awards performance and Video Vanguard honor, for which she's documented rehearsals and other preparation The future Mr. and Mrs. recently attended the actor's The Cut film premiere at TIFF Katy said she understands her collaboration 'started a lot of conversations,' but failed to directly address the producer's problematic reputation. 'I understand that it started a lot of conversations. And he was one of many collaborators that I collaborated with,' she said, emphasizing that her lyrics come from her lived experience. 'When I speak about Woman's World, I speak about feeling so empowered now as a mother, as a woman, giving birth, creating life, creating another set of organs, a brain, a heart,' Perry explained. 'I created a whole whole heart and I did it. I'm still doing it. And I'm still a matriarch. And feeling really grounded in that, that's where I'm speaking from,' her answer continued. Laura Byrne and Matty 'J' Johnson are dividing fans by delving into one of the most controversial and divisive topics known to the internet - their own home renovation. The Bachelor power couple recently splashed out $2.19m on a rundown 'blue chip' home in a huge renovation project in Ulladulla, about 230 kilometres south of Sydney. In two weeks, just shy of 80,000 curious Aussies have opted in to watch, and argue about, their journey on the project's Instagram account @chante.mer.house. The reality TV stars turned entrepreneurs expanded their multi-million property portfolio by purchasing the dilapidated oceanfront home last month. The locale holds special meaning for the happy couple, as they tied the knot in 2022 at Cupitts Estate Winery, just down the road from their new holiday home. 'So I take it you dont like the tiles,' Laura captioned a photo of her selection with a laugh-crying emoji. The simple photo, that shows blush, deep purple, rust, and mustard coloured tiles intended to cover the living room fireplace, attracted thousands of fiery comments. Laura Byrne and Matty J have started renovations on their recently purchased South Coast holiday home in Ulladulla In one camp of opinion, one naysayer said the tiles looked 'a bit like the urine chart at the doctors', 'will not age well' and are 'pretty terrible' as well as 'DISGUSTING.' In the other, some design fans said they adored the colours and encouraged Laura to 'go with her instinct'. Somewhere in-between the two were the more polite critics who said they really, really didn't like them...but that Laura should do what she wants with her house. 'One of my favourite things about this house that we are keeping original is the doors,' Laura revealed in a new video that she filmed as worked on the property on Sunday. The Life Uncut podcaster is certainly keeping her hands full raising two children under five, designing her Toni May jewelry, hosting afternoon radio on Sydney's KIIS FM, preparing to launch her baby blanket and linen brand Mae & Moo and now, asking approximately eighty-thousand strangers to approve design choices on her renovation. 'Look at how gorgeous this is,' the mother-of-two exclaimed as she showed off the sunlight streaming through the front door's original stained-glass. 'Do we keep the doors with the wood and sand all this back so we have the stained glass and the wood finish, which I really love but the wood is quite damaged... Or do we paint it white?' she asked her followers. 'Currently the outside of the door is white and the inside is wood,' she explained. 'White would be easier, but I can't tell what I like better.' Meanwhile in the caption, Laura made her feelings about any suggestions to replace the front door known. Laura asked her followers whether she should paint the inside of her original front door white, to match its exterior, or leave the original unpainted timber, which is damaged 'If the beige brigade come for these doors I will riot,' she warned her followers in the video caption, taking a cheeky swipe at a certain group of home renovators who are often criticised on 'home reno fail' TikTok. The 'beige brigade' is a reference to the mostly millennial generation couples, who buy up old houses, gut them completely, and replace all character features with white walls and cookie-cutter design features. 'These old beauties are staying, but the big question is do we strip them back to all wood, or paint white?' Laura finished her caption. The house's previous owner, who died at the age of 94, had the life motto: 'Never economise luxury.' Laura and Matty are understood to be working with brands to sponsor their major renovations of the house In another video, shared two weeks ago, Laura provided a little tour of the bubblegum pink 'time warp' bathroom, which features 'a bidet in the room NEXT to the toilet'. 'How does one get to the bidet do you shuffle around the corner with your pants down? I NEED TO KNOW!!!' she captioned the video. The clifftop house has sprawling ocean views and is appropriately called Chante-Mer, which is French for 'sing the sea'. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom property is spread across two levels and was last sold in 1984 for $62,500. The home is set on 746 sqm overlooking Racecourse Beach and previously belonged to United Nations simultaneous conference translator Valerie Barnes, who died in 2021 aged 94. Valerie, who authored her memoirs and multiple books, was said to have the motto: 'Never economise on luxury.' Ironically, Laura and Matt are understood to be working with several brands to 'sponsor' the major renovations of the property. The couple plan to completely overhaul the 'old beauty' to its previous standard but, per the house's Instagram bio, will be 'resisting the millennial urge to paint everything white'. Laura and Matt have already shared photos of their daughters Marlie-Mae, five, and Lola, three, visiting their future 'dream home'. Laura and Matt's daughters Marlie-Mae, five, and Lola, three, both want the bigger bedroom The reality television stars currently live in a four-bedroom semi in North Bondi, which they purchased for $5.2million in 2023. They also boast a stunning $1.8million holiday home in Bangalow, near Byron Bay. After getting engaged in Fiji in April 2018, Laura and Matty finally tied the knot on the south coast in November 2022, five years after meeting on The Bachelor. They are one of the most successful couples to come out of the show and welcomed their daughter Marlie-Mae in 2019, followed by Lola in February 2021. Rob Kardashian has responded to his seven-year-old daughter Dream making her first-ever post on Instagram. The 37-year-old reality star shared Dream's cute video to his own Instagram Stories along with four laughing while crying emojis, according to an E! article. Rob also reportedly commented, 'I love you.' Dream in her post on Friday introduced herself by saying, 'Hi, my name is Dream, and welcome to my new page.' The daughter of Rob and ex-fiancee Blac Chyna, 36, had nearly 665,000 followers on Instagram on Sunday and a note on her page said 'account run by parents'. The Instagram account was started in 2016 when Dream was born. Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna 's daughter Dream, seven, has starred in the first-ever post on her Instagram page and her dad had a loving response on social media Her second post, uploaded on Saturday, announced that she would be walking her first-ever runway later that day. Dream's catwalk debut will be for the children's boutique Zeus & Lexi Kids and will occur during New York Fashion Week, which began on Friday. 'Walking my first fashion show in NYC' read Dream's caption, with a Statue Of Liberty emoji. 'Im so excited. Thank you @zeusandlexikids.' Rob's elder sister, Kim Kardashian, recently revealed she has permitted her own son Saint, eight, to start a YouTube channel. Kim shares Saint as well as three other children - daughters North, 11, and Chicago, six, and son Psalm, five - with her third ex-husband Kanye West. 'I finally allowed Saint to have a YouTube channel after signing an extensive contract! lol Please subscribe!' Kim wrote on her Insta Stories. The homemade 'contract' read in part: '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.' Saint is also not to film North - who has featured on her father's recordings before - while she is in the process of recording music. The account was set up by her parents and launched in 2016, but there were never any posts on it until a heartwarming video dropped this Friday In the clip, little Dream faced the camera and cheerfully told fans: 'Hi! My name is Dream, and welcome to my new page!' The next day, another post went up on Dream's page, announcing that she would be walking her first-ever runway later that day for a children's boutique at New York Fashion Week Rob shares Dream with his ex-fiancee Blac Chyna, who carried on an explosive feud with the Kardashian-Jenner family after the engagement ended; Rob and Chyna pictured in 2016 Although Dream never posted to her own Instagram until this week, she did occasionally appear on her adult family members' pages, including Rob's, pictured in 2018 Chyna is pictured on Easter 2019 with both her children, Dream as well as her son King Cairo, 11, whom she shares with the rapper Tyga - who himself used to date Kylie Jenner On an episode of The Kardashians last year, Rob's sister Khloe Kardashian described herself as Dream's 'third parent' and confessed that she was not in touch with Chyna '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.' Meanwhile, although Dream never posted to her own Instagram until this week, she did occasionally appear on her adult family members' pages - including those her parents and her aunt Khloe Kardashian, who calls herself Dream's 'third parent.' Rob shares Dream with his ex-fiancee Blac Chyna, who carried on an explosive feud with the Kardashian-Jenner family after the engagement ended. She unsuccessfully sued multiple members of the family - including Khloe - claiming they connived to have her reality show Rob And Chyna canceled. After losing the suit, Chyna became a born-again Christian and overhauled her life, quitting OnlyFans, having her plastic surgery reversed and going on the wagon. On an episode of The Kardashians last year, Khloe described herself as Dream's 'third parent' and confessed that she was not in touch with Chyna. 'I do not have a relationship with Dream's mom,' she said. 'It's hard to have a relationship with someone when they sue you for hundreds of millions of dollars.' LNG agreement with ADNOC is third such signed with UAE energy giant New Delhi, Sep 9 (UNI) The agreement between Abu Dhabi state oil giant ADNOC and Indian Oil Corporation for long-term supply of LNG is for one million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) and is the third such contract signed in just over a year with ADNOC, one of the world's largest energy companies. Both IOCL and GAIL had previously signed long-term Agreements for 1.2 MMTPA and 0.5 MMTPA, respectively, with ADNOC. These contracts have strengthened energy security in India by diversifying LNG sources. The MoU between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL), inter alia, provides for exploring ADNOC's participation in additional opportunities for crude storage in India and the renewal of their storage and management agreement on mutually acceptable terms and conditions. This MoU builds on ADNOCs existing involvement in crude storage at the Mangalore Brad Pitt stepped out for a night out with his girlfriend Ines de Ramon on Sunday. The 60-year-old actor was pictured holding hands with the jewelry designer, 34, as they headed out in New York City to enjoy a romantic evening together. The couple were later seen enjoying drinks at New York celebrity hotspot The Mulberry. Brad looked handsome in a white button-down, which he left undone at the top to reveal his long necklace, and his girlfriend was seen modeling a low-cut top too. Their outing comes amid his acrimonious, years-long divorce battle with his ex Angelina Jolie. On the same day, the actress made a red carpet appearance with their 20-year-old son Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt at the premiere of her movie Without Blood during the Toronto International Film Festival. Brad Pitt stepped out for a night out with his girlfriend Ines de Ramon on Sunday During Pitt's date night with de Ramon, he put on a stylish display sporting a pair of red checkered pants to go with his white shirt. For their outing, he opted for comfort with a pair of all-white sneakers. And even though the sun had already set, he sported a pair of tinted, ombre aviator sunglasses for a relaxed, edgy touch to his look. At his side, de Ramon modeled a chic, all-black ensemble with a white, leather shoulder bag in contrast. She wore a tiny vest with a plunging neckline and a cropped silhouette, which showed off her toned midriff. She paired the racy top with a pair of low-rise, wide-leg dress pants and chunky leather boots. She styled her long, brunette tresses in tousled beach waves and opted for a rosy, dewy makeup look for their night out. Their date night in the Big Apple comes a week after he made his red carpet debut with de Ramon, 34, at the premiere of his new movie Wolfs at the Venice Film Festival last Sunday. The 60-year-old actor was pictured holding hands with the jewelry designer, 30, as they headed out in New York City to enjoy a romantic evening together. The Fight Club star looked handsome in a white button-down, which he left undone at the top to reveal his long necklace, and his girlfriend was seen modeling a low-cut top too During Pitt's date night with de Ramon, he put on a stylish display sporting a pair of red checkered pants to go with his white shirt For their outing, he opted for comfort with a pair of all-white sneakers. And even though the sun had already set, he sported a pair of tinted, ombre aviator sunglasses for a relaxed, edgy touch to his look At his side, de Ramon modeled a chic, all-black ensemble with a white, leather shoulder bag in contrast She wore a tiny vest with a plunging neckline and a cropped silhouette, which showed off her toned midriff She paired the racy top with a pair of low-rise, wide-leg dress pants and chunky leather boots She styled her long, brunette tresses in tousled beach waves and opted for a rosy, dewy makeup look for their night out. Their outing comes amid his acrimonious, years-long divorce battle with his ex Angelina Jolie Their date night in the Big Apple comes a week after he made his red carpet debut with de Ramon, 34, at the premiere of his new movie Wolfs at the Venice Film Festival last Sunday Pitt has been dating de Ramon since late 2022. His romance with de Ramon appears to be getting serious as she reportedly moved in with him and the pair have been living together since February of this year As of late, including at the premiere, Pitt has been stepping out in a number of increasingly bold and trendy outfits as he seemingly undergoes a wardrobe makeover. With his new look, fans noticed he looked incredibly youthful and reignited viral facelift rumors once again. Pitt has been dating de Ramon since late 2022. It is Pitt's first public, confirmed romance since his separation from Jolie in 2016. He was previously romantically linked to Emily Ratajkoski and Nicole Poturalski, but his romance with de Ramon appears to be getting serious as she reportedly moved in with him and the pair have been living together since February of this year. His newfound love was previously married to The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley. Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian has been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The 42-year-old actress - who is best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap from 2001 to 2007 - has admitted she was left in 'total shock' when she found out the devastating news at the end of June. Ali - who now lives in Ireland with her husband and two young daughters - is currently having chemotherapy before she undergoes a mastectomy and radiotherapy. She told OK!: 'It was a total shock. I have mornings when I wake up and I've forgotten and then suddenly I remember. I'm still trying to process it.' Ali was breastfeeding daughter Isabella, 19 months - her youngest child with husband David O'Mahony - when she came across a lump. Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian has been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer after discovering a lump while breastfeeding Ali was breastfeeding daughter Isabella, 19 months - her youngest child with husband David O'Mahony - when she came across a lump The mother-of-two - who also raises Isla, four, with her husband - shared: 'I hadn't been breastfeeding Izzy at night but then David flew back to London for work and suddenly she was feeding like crazy. I was thinking, 'Maybe she's having a growth spurt or something.' 'And because of that, my boobs felt sore. The next morning, I woke up and thought, 'Ouch, this really hurts.' And that's when I felt a lump.' Ali assumed she had a 'blocked duct' and was given a course of antibiotics, but it wasn't clearing up, so on her doctor's advice, she headed to a breast clinic. She continued: 'It was a bank holiday in Ireland, so I went straight to the emergency doctor. 'It really seemed like I had mastitis, especially as I had been night-weaning Izzy before that. We thought I probably had a blocked duct. The doctor gave me antibiotics and said that if it didn't clear up in a few days I should go to the breast clinic. 'But it wasn't clearing up and the more I felt it, the more it felt like this wasn't just a blocked duct. I went to my GP and I said, 'Actually, can I go to the clinic now?' and she was very supportive of that.' Ali received the shock news via telephone but was reassured after being told they have 'intent to cure' her. Explaining that the clinic was too far to go for the diagnosis, she said: 'We agreed that I would text her and that she would then call me back. I could hear it in the tone of her voice, but she told me in the kindest way possible. Ali married her partner, West End actor David (pictured), in 2019. The couple are parents to Isla (pictured) and Isabella Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and affects more than two MILLION women a year 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. But what causes it and how can it be treated? What is breast cancer? It comes from a cancerous cell which develops in the lining of a duct or lobule in one of the breasts. When the breast cancer has spread into surrounding tissue it is called 'invasive'. Some people are diagnosed with 'carcinoma in situ', where no cancer cells have grown beyond the duct or lobule. Most cases develop in those over the age of 50 but younger women are sometimes affected. Breast cancer can develop in men, though this is rare. Staging indicates how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body. The cancerous cells are graded from low, which means a slow growth, to high, which is fast-growing. High-grade cancers are more likely to come back after they have first been treated. What causes breast cancer? A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'. Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors that can increase the chance, such as genetics. What are the symptoms of breast cancer? 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. How is breast cancer diagnosed? Initial assessment: A doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They may do tests such as a mammography, a special x-ray of the breast tissue which can indicate the possibility of tumours. Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer. If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if it has spread. For example, blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the liver or a chest X-ray. How is breast cancer treated? Treatment options which may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Often a combination of two or more of these treatments are used. Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery or the removal of the affected breast depending on the size of the tumour. Radiotherapy: A treatment which uses high energy beams of radiation focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells, or stops them from multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery. Chemotherapy: A treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplying. Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the 'female' hormone oestrogen, which can stimulate the cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments which reduce the level of these hormones, or prevent them from working, are commonly used in people with breast cancer. How successful is treatment? The outlook is best in those who are diagnosed when the cancer is still small, and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure. The routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 71 means more breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage. For more information visit breastcancernow.org or call its free helpline on 0808 800 6000 Advertisement 'She was very reassuring. She said the words that I'm holding on to, that they have 'intent to cure me.'' Doctors are convinced her cancer is 'hormone-driven' and are doing more research to establish if it's genetic, however, her maternal aunt and grandmother also had breast cancer. She is set to undergo a single mastectomy and is still waiting to hear if doing double is a good idea as a 'preventative measure'. The actress is also being seen by a psychologist who specialises in oncology and has been given a mentor who has had cancer. Ali has vowed to beat the disease and has every intention of returning to acting. She added: 'I will get through this and come out the other side. After my diagnosis, I went on Instagram and saw a post by my friend Dominic Power, my former co-star in The Bill, and I could see he was on set in Hollyoaks. I suddenly had a real pang of, 'I want to look into an actor's eyes and do a scene.' I really miss it.' In December the actress admitted she was still processing her grief following the death of her close friend, Lou In May Ali revealed news of Lou's passing to her Instagram followers in a heartbreaking post (pictured together) In December the actress admitted she was still processing her grief following the death of her close friend, Lou. She told Instagram followers: 'This year has been a year of sailing the lonely sea of grief. I haven't spoken about it and so it's been very tricky to know how to begin to show up authentically here and in my professional life. 'As the life I have carved out for myself is a very visible one and at times, a lot of times, I have wanted and needed to pull the duvet over my head. 'I am so grateful for the kindness, support and connection in this little corner of the internet and will continue to be here when I feel able and to also take the quiet time I need.' Ali had previously revealed news of Lou's passing to her Instagram followers that May, saying she had lost one of her 'oldest and closest' friends. She wrote: 'My little one will be 12 weeks this Saturday. The end of the fourth trimester - the end of a period that has been one of the toughest of my life. 'A week after she was born, I lost one of my oldest and closest friends. Trying to process this enormous loss whilst walking the hormonal tightrope of my postpartum period has been and remains to be incredibly intense. 'I've taken to having long showers so I can cry and let it all out so that I can then return to parenting a little lighter. 'Knowing that such life changing events happening in such close succession could leave my mental health sailing incredibly close to the wind has meant I've had to seek help wherever I could find it.' Doctors are convinced Ali's cancer is 'hormone-driven' and are doing more research to establish if it's genetic. However, her maternal aunt and grandmother also had breast cancer The 42-year-old actress is best known for playing Becca Dean in the Channel 4 soap from 2001 to 2007 (pictured on the show with former co-star Chris Fountain) She added: 'Some days are easier than others and I am holding my babies tightly but ultimately 'I miss my friend with all my heart. My beautiful, funny, dry as f**k friend. I miss her laugh, I miss our short hand. I miss our hugs when we hadn't seen each other for ages. 'Our always long overdue catch ups over wine by the river. Friday nights when I would drive from wherever I had been filming to crash out on her and her dear husband's sofa after a take away. 'So many memories, so many happy times. An incredible light went out that day. Lou, I will love you forever.' If you have have been affected by anything in this story, contact the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00. Ruth Jones was filmed mocking Gavin and Stacey fans in an awkward encounter on Wednesday as they continuously questioned her about the series finale. Filming for the final ever episode of the beloved BBC series is well underway, with a number of the cast seen shooting scenes around Barry Island in recent days. The upcoming Christmas Day special will mark the sitcom's return for the first time for five years, with fans desperate to know what writers James Cordon and Ruth have planned. However, the actress, 57, appeared exasperated by the constant stream of questions about whether there will be more episodes , with the star cheekily ridiculing the superfans as she remarked that it's called a 'finale' for a reason. Dressed in Nessa's trademark leather ensemble and cropped black wig, Ruth playfully declared: 'I'm not telling you anything', adding: 'If anyone asks me if there's going to be any more I don't know how I'm going to respond.' Ruth Jones was filmed mocking Gavin and Stacey fans in an awkward encounter on Wednesday as they continuously questioned her about the series finale The upcoming Christmas Day special will mark the sitcom's return for the first time for five years, with fans desperate to know what writers James Cordon and Ruth have planned [L-R James as Smithy, Mathew Horne as Gavin, Joanna Page as Stacey and Ruth as Nessa] At this, one follower yelled: 'You best marry him then!', referring to Cordon's character Smithy. At the climax of the last Christmas episode in 2019, Nessa got down on one knee to propose to Smithy, but viewers never got to hear his response. Addressing the response on Barry Island promenade in South Wales, Ruth fired back: 'Do you want me to tell you what happens?' to which the gathered crowd shouts 'no!' The actress, who was joined by co-star Joanna Page, then retorted: 'So why ask?'. When one person declared that fans simply want to see Nessa and Smithy together at the end, Ruth insisted: 'Well I'm not telling you anything, I'm not telling you what's going to happen.' Amid the fan excitement, Ruth sadly let down fans as she confirmed there will be no more episodes, telling them: 'It's definitely the end, definitely the end. 'Which will be good because you can't keep going forever!' Despite telling off Gavin and Stacey enthusiasts for their questions, Ruth was still all smiles as she thanked them for their interest before herself and Joanna graciously waved them goodbye. The actress, 57, appeared exasperated by the constant stream of questions about whether there will be more episodes , with the star cheekily ridiculing the superfans as she remarked that it's called a 'finale' for a reason Dressed in Nessa's trademark leather ensemble and cropped black wig, Ruth playfully declared: 'I'm not telling you anything', adding: 'If anyone asks me if there's going to be any more I don't know how I'm going to respond' The footage of the Ruth encounter was captured by Gavin and Stacey fan Claire Wheatley, 44, who had joined others waiting near the set as the cast filmed the special episode. The critically acclaimed series follows the lives of titular characters Gavin from Essex and Stacey from South Wales, documenting key points in their long-distance relationship and events that bring the two families together. Last week Ruth's character Nessa reunited with James Cordon's Smithy in as they continued filming scenes for the upcoming Christmas episode. The duo, who also wrote the series, were seen filming outside Gwen's house as they battled the rain. And the on-off couple were also joined by their son, Neil the baby. However born back in 2008 as the result of a one night stand between the pair Neil is no longer a baby and is now 15-years-old. When one person declared that fans simply want to see Nessa and Smithy together at the end, Ruth insisted: 'Well I'm not telling you anything, I'm not telling you what's going to happen' Despite telling off Gavin and Stacey enthusiasts for their questions, Ruth was still all smiles as she thanked them for their interest before herself and Joanna graciously waved them goodbye Arriving in the passenger's seat of Smithy's iconic car, Neil, played by Oscar Hartland, looked worlds away from the young 10-year-old boy who last appeared on the show in 2019. Emerging from the car Oscar was seen waving to fans and throwing up the peace sign as he waited to film his scenes. Meanwhile James was also seen carrying a guitar suggesting their could be a musical number in the highly-anticipated final episode. Uncle Bryn also joined the gang as he was seen dressed in his typical smart shirt, tie and beige tailored trousers. The finale will also star Joanna Page as Stacey, Mathew Horne as Gavin, as the whole gang reunite for the first time since the last Christmas episode in 2019. Joanna, 47, previously revealed her excitement after it was confirmed the iconic BBC sitcom would return for one final episode this Christmas, nearly five years after the last episode aired in 2019. Speaking during a special of her Off the Telly Podcast she told co-host Natalie Cassidy: 'I'm so excited to see the gang again and start filming, and I can't wait to find out if Smithy has said yes. The critically acclaimed series follows the lives of titular characters Gavin from Essex and Stacey from South Wales, documenting key points in their long-distance relationship and events that bring the two families together The fab four - including Mathew (second from right), were last seen in 2019's Christmas Special in which Nessa proposed to Smithy and the episode ended before he answered 'I can't wait to find out what's happening to everybody!' Before laughing: 'I'm going to have to keep that script away from your [Natalie's] little paws but yeah we are going to be able to review it on our show at Christmas and I will be very cross if you aren't sitting down on Christmas Day watching me!' At the climax of the last Christmas episode in 2019, Nessa got down on one knee to propose to Smithy, but viewers never got to hear his response. The pair had an on-off relationship during the series after several unplanned one-night stands led to their son, Neil the baby. In the last episode, which caught up with the characters 10 years after the previous instalment, it was revealed they were successfully co-parenting their son. And as the family gathered in Barry for the festivities, the episode ended with Nessa down on one knee and the episode ended immediately after she asked: 'Marry me?' Ruth Langsford has been left in 'shock' by how open Eamonn Holmes has been with his new relationship with Katie Alexander. The GB News host was spotted landing in Spain for a late summer getaway with his new girlfriend, 42, after his 14-year marriage collapsed in May. Now a source has told MailOnline that Ruth, 64, wasn't expecting her estranged husband to be so open about his new romance. The insider shared: 'Ruth is shocked by how open Eamonn is being about his relationship, after all they both still have their wedding rings on.' Revealing the real reason the estranged couple haven't removed their rings, they added: 'Neither of them want to be the first to take it off because they don't want to look like they're to blame for the split.' Ruth Langsford (pictured on Monday) has been left in 'shock' by how open Eamonn Holmes has been with his new relationship with Katie Alexander The GB News host was spotted landing in Spain for a late summer getaway with his new girlfriend, 42, on Sunday after his 14-year marriage collapsed in May In contrast, Eamonn is said to be 'smitten' with his new love. Speaking about the presenter and Katie's holiday plans, the source shared: 'They both love cruises and they feel like they can be free onboard to act how they want. They are both smitten.' When approached by MailOnline, Ruth's representatives declined to comment and Eamonn's representatives did not respond to comment. The couple flew from Heathrow Airport on Sunday morning before landing in Barcelona for the luxury holiday. Eamonn, who has struggled with back problems in recent years, was seen driving a mobility scooter through the terminal while Katie pushed their luggage and a walking frame. They were later seen at the Port of Barcelona where they were seen laughing and joking with other cruise passengers. It isn't the first trip the pair have been on this month, as Eamonn took his girlfriend Katie to visit his hometown of Belfast amid claims they are 'in it for the long haul.' During his time off, he was spotted by locals in Carrickfergus, dining at the same budget restaurant, Papa Browns, for four days in a row, The Sun reports. A member of staff at the American diner told the publication: 'He came in four days in a row. I noticed his girlfriend had an English accent. They looked happy.' An insider shared: 'Ruth is shocked by how open Eamonn is being about his relationship, after all they both still have their wedding rings on' (pictured in 2021) They continued: 'He appeared quite frail and it took a minute to recognise him, but he was always very polite and friendly. 'Both of them appeared at ease with being seen together. Eamonn really enjoyed it.' He is set to make his comeback on GB News Breakfast next week with co-host Isabel Webster, who has been hosting the show solo during his time off, reports the Express. Eamonn is said to be smitten with Katie and their relationship has been 'taken to the next level', MailOnline previously revealed. Friends claimed they are now spending most weekends together at his Richmond flat after his marriage to Ruth ended. Eamonn and Katie are mulling over when to take their relationship public and are said to have been offered 'big money' for the official first pictures of them together. The source shared: 'They've been offered some decent money for the first pictures of them together. 'Katie and Eamonn are definitely in it for the long haul. She says she loves him and he loves her.' The pair's friendship advanced when he moved out of the marital home he shared with Ruth after his devastated wife discovered messages between him and another mystery woman. In terms of Eamonn's health woes a source recently told The Mirror: 'He is doing the best he can under the circumstances but there is not too much to smile about. 'He is not looking to do any interviews and is just keeping his head down and just doing work at GB News and physio sessions to try to improve his mobility.' Speaking about the presenter and Katie's holiday plans, the source shared: 'They both love cruises and they feel like they can be free onboard to act how they want. They are both smitten' In 2016, Eamonn underwent a double-hip replacement operation lasting three-and-a-quarter hours after living with acute pain for many years. Speaking about his operation at the time, Eamonn said: 'Was I nervous? No! It was just like being on television. In the build-up I was stressed can I do this? Will I handle it?' Two years later, Eamonn detailed his battle with shingles and how he was struck with the virus on his son Declan's wedding day. During an appearance on Loose Women in September 2021, he spoke about his health battle which left him unable to work on This Morning three years ago. He also shared images of his puffy face covered in marks and scabs during his battle. Shingles is a viral rash caused by varicella zoster virus, the virus which causes chickenpox, being reactivated. In the UK, 90 per cent of adults have had chickenpox, so will have this virus lying dormant in their nervous systems. His years of chronic back pain started in spring 2021 - which came completely out of nowhere. The pain become so severe that it left Eamonn reliant on a walking stick, but soon found out the root cause. He eventually discovered it was three slipped discs that affected the movement of his right leg. The Block's heartthrob Ricky Recard and his new love Erin Lee have made their red carpet debut as a couple. The 34-year-old plumber was branded a love rat by his jilted ex, Lauren Smith, after he dumped her on the eve of their dream trip overseas to hook up with a married make-up artist he met while filming the show. The pair appeared relaxed and smitten as they posed together at the HEX Fight Series 32 event at Melbourne Pavilion on Monday night. Erin beamed as she cuddled up to Ricky, who slung his arm affectionately over her shoulder. She opted for a black crop top that put her taut tummy on display under a cropped leather jacket. Erin added a pair of blue jeans with a pair of boots and chose a warm makeup look with a nude lipstick. Ricky meanwhile chose a fitted white shirt underneath a dark denim jacket, along with black jeans. He added a bright multi-coloured cap and finished the ensemble with a pair of white high top sneakers. The Block's heartthrob Ricky Recard and his new love Erin Lee have made their red carpet debut as a couple. Both pictured Last week, the pair appeared not to have a care in the world as they headed out for a shopping trip in Seaford, Victoria - the area where Ricky lives. Erin walked ahead of her boyfriend, carrying what appeared to be a bottle of alcohol and a mixer. It's the first time the couple have been seen on the red carpet together since the reality star broke up with ex Lauren. She had waited three months at home for him while he filmed the new series of Nine's reno show on Phillip Island. The pair appeared relaxed and smitten as they posed together at the HEX Fight Series 32 event at Melbourne Pavilion on Monday night Ricky chose a fitted white shirt underneath a dark denim jacket, along with black jeans Just days after the split, he revealed he was now dating married mother-of-two Erin who had broken up with her heartbroken husband to be with the show's star. To add insult to injury, Recard jetted straight off on holiday with his new lover, leaving Lauren to go on their romantic getaway to Mexico for her 30th by herself. 'I was absolutely blindsided,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I spent three months looking after his dogs and his house while also helping his employee with the business.' The 34-year-old plumber was branded a love rat by his jilted ex, Lauren Smith (pictured), after he dumped her on the eve of their dream trip overseas to hook up with a married make-up artist he met while filming the show Smith said the couple had an overseas holiday arranged to celebrate her milestone birthday, which would have been the first trip away from her young daughter. 'We were due to go at the beginning of July for my 30th birthday but we broke up about two weeks after he got back from filming,' she said. 'I found out while I was in Mexico that he had apparently begun a relationship with Erin during the time I was away.' Recard has proudly boasted of his budding relationship with 40-year-old Erin on social media. The couple flew to Port Douglas in Far North Queensland last month and 'hard launched' their relationship on his private Instagram page. He posted an image of the couple together with the caption: 'Beach time with this stunner.' Recard and his new love enjoyed a getaway to Port Douglas together last month Lee also shared an image of her with Recard, with the message: 'Sometimes the path we never planned leads us to brighter things and the happiness we always needed. 'Trust the journey.' Lee's estranged husband Lucas Day - who is a lookalike for love rival Recard - insists his wife only hooked up with the Block tradie after their marriage ended 'We are separated now and I've dealt with it,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'They got together after we split when he got back from Mexico in July and we were done then.' Day also agreed he bears a striking resemblance to Lee's new lover, calling the similarity between the pair as 'strange'. Ricky, left, has made an impression with female fans after joining The Block alongside his best mate Haydn Wise (pictured) on the Yellow Team Over the weekend, Haydn and his wife Chelsea were seen bringing their newborn baby daughter Matilda, six months, to visit Ricky at his home Haydn and Chelsea looked every inch the doting parents as they cradled the little one and gushed over her For the outing, Haydn cut a casual figure in a black T-shirt and pink shorts, while Chelsea matched him in a baggy T-shirt and fitted leggings Chelsea was seen sweetly cradling baby Matilda in her arms as they strolled over to spend time with Haydn's best mate Ricky The couple were seen looking as close as ever as they got out of their vehicle during the outing The couple previously revealed their long road to welcoming their first child, after undergoing rounds of IVF before their daughter Matilda was conceived naturally 'It is a bit strange, it definitely is,' he said. In a recent interview with New Idea, Recard confirmed his new lover, but didn't identify her. Bizarrely though, despite her working as a make-up artist on The Block, he claimed she not know of his role on the show. 'I can definitely say she was impressed, and why wouldn't she be?' he said. 'The reason why she was impressed was not because I'm on The Block. She thinks it's pretty funny. 'She didn't know I was on The Block when we started seeing each other.' Lauren shared a gushing post about her now ex on Instagram He even claimed she poked fun at him and joked she was now dating 'someone famous'. Recard also responded to viewers who have called him the heartthrob on this year's hotly-anticipated 20th anniversary series. He has won female fans, with many viewers naming him their all-time celebrity crush as they swooned over his rugged looks. Fans have also been left charmed by his positive attitude and cheeky sense of humour, taking to social media to claim Ricky's Yellow Team as their favourites. The plumber laughed off being called a celebrity crush as he insisted he is not famous enough to be given the label. 'I don't know if I consider myself a celebrity, seriously,' he told Yahoo Lifestyle. 'I think as a celebrity, you've got to have a fair resume, right? Like Shelley [Craft], she's got The List - Saturday Disney for years, Funniest Home Videos, The Block. 'She's an Australian icon and I'm just an absolute nobody. But if people want to have a crush on me, that's cool. I appreciate the love.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Recard and Nine Network for comment. Kate Mara turned heads as she was joined on the red carpet by her co-star Paul Rudd at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Friendship on Sunday. The American actress, 41, who stars as Tami Waterman in the comedy movie, looked incredible as she cut an elegant figure in a black satin mini dress. The stylish ensemble boasted a square neckline with a bejewelled embellishment and a straight fit. Showcasing her trimmed pins, Kate added inches to her petite frame with a pair of strappy black stiletto heels and styled her locks up in a slick bun. Meanwhile, her co-star Paul, 55, who stars as mysterious yet friendly weatherman Brian, cut a smart casual figure in a black single-breasted blazer and a grey jumper. Kate Mara turned heads in a black satin mini dress as she was joined on the red carpet by her co-star Paul Rudd at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Friendship on Sunday The American actress, 41, looked incredible in the stylish ensemble which boasted a square neckline with a bejewelled embellishment and a straight fit He teamed the blazer with a pair of matching tailored trousers and beamed as he got several snaps with Kate throughout the evening. The American comedy movie centres on Craig Waterman (Tim Robinson), who enjoys his life. He likes New Balance shoes, Subway sandwiches and Marvel movies and lives in the suburbs with his wife Tami (Kate) and son Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer). Craig is happy to work at Universal Digital, a company that helps brands make their products more habit-forming and sees no reason to change anything or make new friends. However, weatherman Brian (Paul) moves into the neighbourhood and transforms everything for Craig. But Craigs obsessive and childlike nature threatens to ruin the friendship, and possibly everything else in his life. Kate's red carpet appearance comes after she attended the JW Anderson show during Milan Fashion Week with her husband Jamie Bell, 38. The Brokeback Mountain star looked stunning in a V-neck, sleeveless, pink satin dress. Showcasing her trimmed pins, Kate added inches to her petite frame with a pair of strappy black stiletto heels She styled her locks up in a slick bun as she got several snaps at the afterparty She teamed the look with open-toe black heels that bared her dark pedicure. And Jamie joined her in tailored black pants, a black sweatshirt, and black and white sneakers. The spouses, who wed in 2017, share two kids: a five-year-old daughter, and a son, born in November 2022. Meanwhile, her co-star Paul, 55, who stars as mysterious yet friendly weatherman Brian, cut a smart casual figure in a black single-breasted blazer and a grey jumper Kate's red carpet appearance comes after she attended the JW Anderson show during Milan Fashion Week with her husband Jamie Bell, 38 (pictured in June) The couple, who wed in 2017, generally keep their romance private (pictured in 2023) Kate and Jamie met on the set of Fantastic Four in 2014, where they played the roles of Sue Storm and Ben Grimm. The couple announced their engagement in January 2017 and tied the knot in a private ceremony in July of the same year. During an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2018, Jamie revealed that their ceremony took place just a few feet from their LA home. 'We had a lovely wedding. It was very small and intimate,' he said. Richard Hammond said he is getting ready to 'wake up and cry every day' as he prepares to bid goodbye to his partnership with Jeremy Clarkson and James May. The adventurous trio will release The Grand Tour: One for the Road, on September 13, which will conclude the former Top Gear co-hosts' 21 year partnership. Speaking on Monday's This Morning ahead of the final episode, Richard admitted he was 'struggling to get his head around' the end. Joining hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, he recalled his career on Top Gear and said: 'It went berserk and we didn't know it would go out of control. It feels really weird I can't get my head round it. 'I've been doing this for 22 years because of that partnership. I'll be forever grateful to Jeremy and James.' Richard Hammond said he is getting ready to 'wake up and cry every day' as he prepares to bid goodbye to his partnership with Jeremy Clarkson and James May Richard continued: 'It's not sunk in yet. I reckon six months from now I'll wake up every morning and cry. 'When I got the job, I was 31, I burst out crying when they called. I said to my wife, "this is going to change everything," and it did.' Prime Video has unveiled a first look at the final episode of The Grand Tour: One For The Road. The first look snaps reveal emotional Grand Tour stars Jeremy, 64, Richard, 54, and James, 61, uniting for one last time and sharing their last moments together after gracing television screens as a trio for the last 22 years. In their last adventure, viewers can expect to see Jeremy, Richard, and James ignore Mr Wilman's instructions and head to Zimbabwe in three cars theyve always wanted to own. The trio will embark on a stunning road trip through beautiful, challenging landscapes in a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre, and a Triumph Stag before finishing the episode with an emotional ending on a strangely familiar island. In one first look snap, the trio are spotted giggling around a campfire as they sip on a couple of beers and enjoy a relaxing break next to a stunning lake. In another snap, the trio cut smart casual figures as they pose up a storm with their vintage cars. The adventurous trio will release The Grand Tour: One for the Road, on September 13, which will conclude the former Top Gear co-hosts' 21 year partnership Richard admitted: It feels really weird I can't get my head round it. 'I've been doing this for 22 years because of that partnership. I'll be forever grateful to Jeremy and James' While a third snap shows Jeremy having a bit of a giggle with Richard as they all take a break from driving. Long-time producer Andy Wilman told the Edinburgh TV Festival that filming the episode was 'quite weepy' and 'quite heart-stringy'. Asked why the trio had decided to bring to a close the global phenomenon, Wilman said: 'We are getting to the point where enough is enough. On top of that, there is the sense that we want to end things on our own terms. It had to come to an end and we wanted to be the ones who called it.' They shot the last episode in September last year. It will see the hosts return to Kubu Island, Botswana, which was the location of their first ever special. Wilman described the episode as "deliberately gentle" as the three stars wanted to go back to basics. He said: 'They wanted to go "unplugged". We wanted to go back to 2005, leave the dynamite at home, we will go with s*** old cars. They give you more TV than modern new cars, they give you more stories, more laughs. So they wanted evocative cars that they adore and they wanted to be in Africa. It is the favourite continent we ever filmed in.' The producer added: 'Their camaraderie is next level. I think that you can see that they know this is the last time they will do this.' Prime Video has unveiled a first look at the final episode of The Grand Tour: One For The Road In their last adventure, viewers can expect to see Jeremy, Richard, and James ignore Mr Wilman's instructions and head to Zimbabwe in three cars theyve always wanted to own Thr trio drive three cars theyve always wanted to own, a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre, and a Triumph Stag, Driving behind the wheel of his car in a first look clip, Clarkson, 64, looks down to the camera, and emotionally says: 'So for the last time, here we go.' Slides on the screen read: 'After 22 years, the end has finally come.' The Grand Tour: One For The Road will launch exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries on 13 September. He's famed for his hulking, muscular physique, but Dave Bautista has stunned fans after slimming down for his new role. The professional wrestler turned actor has lost four stone while preparing for his starring role as a veteran assassin in latest film The Killer's Game. Bautista's new look was evident during a red carpet appearance at the Toronto Film Festival premiere of The Last Showgirl on September 6. 'I'm getting super trimmed, this is probably the lightest I've been since I was 19 years old,' he told YouTuber Chris Van Vliet. Bautista, 55, began his weight loss journey after filming M. Night Shyamalan thriller Knock At The Cabin in 2022, and admits he is lighter now than he was during his early wrestling days, when he competed under the name Deacon Batista. He's famed for his hulking, muscular physique, but Dave Bautista has stunned fans after slimming down for his new role 'The heaviest I've ever been is 370lbs (26st). When I started Deacon, I was about 325lbs (23st),' he said. 'Throughout most of my wrestling career I was about 290lbs (21st). Now I'm about 240lbs (17st). 'And I went a year and a half ago for Knock at the Cabin, I went 315lbs (23st). And that's when the nightmare started.' Bautista previously shared an astonishing throwback snap to when he was 16 years old and had none of the tattoos that now cover his body. In his 30s, he embarked on a successful career in pro wrestling and MMA, before becoming a movie star at age 45 in Guardians Of The Galaxy. Over the course of his adult life, his arms and torso gradually became blanketed with tattoos, including the Greek and Philippine flags in honor of his heritage. But in the flashback he posted to Instagram this week, he stood in a swimsuit in front of an ocean view, revealing he had no body art at the time. The picture was taken near the end of a rough childhood blighted by poverty and crime - during which he himself got arrested in his early teens. Bautista's new look was evident during a red carpet appearance at the Toronto Film Festival premiere of The Last Showgirl on September 6 Bautista previously shared an astonishing throwback snap to when he was 16 years old and had none of the tattoos that now cover his body He experienced a difficult upbringing that included stints in the more dangerous neighborhoods in and around Washington, DC; pictured in recent years on Instagram Bautista experienced a difficult upbringing that included stints in the more dangerous neighborhoods in and around Washington, DC. When he was a little boy, a corpse was discovered on his front lawn and he watched a shooting victim die in the street in front of his home. He, his sister, and some of the other children in the neighborhood were 'all standing around looking at this poor guy who was dying,' Dave recalled later in his memoirs. 'I think some of us were even telling jokes.' The actor confessed: 'By the time I was 13, I started getting in a lot more trouble for skipping school. I also got arrested for petty stuff. I'd get detention or juvenile hall, but the punishment wasnt severe; I never spent more than a day in jail.' Bautista insisted he 'wasn't stealing or breaking the law to get back at anyone or because I was mad or anything like that. I was stealing because all my friends were doing it. It was no big deal. It just wasnt out of the norm. It was what you did.' He added: 'It wasnt that I was stealing cars or doing dope or anything really, really bad. But I was definitely a thug, and everyone was afraid of where I was headed.' By the mid-2000s, he was also slowly building an acting career, culminating in his rise to international movie stardom in the 2014 film Guardians Of The Galaxy (pictured) By age 17 he was on his own, and he drifted eventually into a career as a nightclub bouncer until he engaged in a brawl at work that resulted in another arrest. He finally escaped poverty in his 30s, when he launched his wildly successful run in pro wrestling and became a four-time World Heavyweight Champion. By the mid-2000s, he was also slowly building an acting career, culminating in his rise to international movie stardom in the 2014 film Guardians Of The Galaxy. Amid a cast that included Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel, Bautista featured as the hulking Drax The Destroyer. The movie triggered Bautista's lucrative run in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including in Avengers: Endgame, the second highest-grossing motion picture of all time. He has also dipped his toe in a number of other franchises, including the Knives Out film series and the Dune movies starring TImothee Chalamet. Bautista has a wide array of projects currently in the pipeline, including a turn as Beowulf in the upcoming film Grendel, based on a novel that flips the Old English epic to tell the story through the eyes of its villainous monster. Jesse Maguire and Paige Beechey have left The Block in sensational fashion. The pair, who have been dubbed this season's 'villains', exited on Monday night after producers were forced to intervene. The engaged couple were caught arguing off camera, but with their mics still attached. Paige could be heard questioning her relationship with Jesse, stating, 'There is no us.' She added angrily: 'I don't give a f**k how you feel deal with it yourself' before threatening to quit the show. By 11.30pm that night, their argument was loud enough to be heard throughout The Block site. At that point, executive producer Justin Sturzaker stepped in, noting that the couple had had loud arguments before. 'It seems like a relationship that's getting pretty bad. Your neighbours can hear you too, you know?' he said to them. Jesse Maguire and Paige Beechey have left The Block in sensational fashion. Both pictured Sturzaker then suggested that Paige and Jesse speak to the show's psychologists. 'You don't have to voice all of your stuff just to Jesse. We need to get some other people in to talk to you, where you guys need to make a big decision,' he said. The pair did so over the weekend, and by Monday, announced that they had decided to leave the series. Paige said that the past week had been a 'cry for help' adding, 'It was just like a black hole in my head'. Host Scott Cam wished the pair well, telling them: 'We feel as though you need to get to a place that's out of here, to take care of yourself'. The engaged couple were caught arguing off camera, but with their mics still attached. Paige could be heard questioning her relationship with Jesse, stating, 'There is no us' It comes after a builder from The Block has revealed what Jesse and Paige are really like amid a huge backlash from viewers. Many viewers have taken issue with the couple's 'meltdowns' on screen, but one builder has revealed what it was really like working with the pair. Zak Sydenham of ZS Custom Builds jumped to the couple's defence amid the onslaught of criticism, saying he had a lot of 'fun' after working closely with them. The tradie also appeared to take a swipe at how the couple have been edited on the Channel Nine program. 'Despite what you see, [filming The Block] was full of laughs, shenanigans, and an overall enjoyable experience,' he gushed in an Instagram post. 'Thank you for trusting us to bring your ideas to life.' The builder went on to admit that while the couple 'had their moments', it was never as bad as it appeared on screen. The pair, who have been dubbed this season's 'villains', exited on Monday night after producers were forced to intervene 'They definitely had their moments, as did every couple, but it was never as bad as it's being portrayed [in the edit],' he told Yahoo Lifestyle. 'Obviously, what has been shown has happened and those conversations [took place], but there has been a whole lot that hasn't been shown that makes it seem like their reactions and comments are way out of line.' His comments come after it was revealed that Jesse and Paige will throw down their shovels and shockingly exit the program in week five. An insider revealed that the engaged couple, who are the youngest team this season, will leave the show to save their relationship, reported Yahoo Lifestyle. 'Jesse and Paige asked themselves a real question: Is the chance of making money worth risking their relationship?' a source told the publication. 'Channel Nine gave them the go-ahead to leave the show after some heated exchanges on their hot microphones. 'It was a really tough decision, but both Jesse and Paige believe Australia will embrace their decision positively.' The Insider went on to say fights between Jesse, 29, and Paige, 27, became 'pretty toxic' toward the end and tested the limits of their relationship. Sturzaker then suggested that Paige and Jesse speak to the show's psychologists. The pair did so over the weekend, and by Monday, announced that they had decided to leave the series Viewers have been critical of the pair ever since Paige went on a foul-mouthed rant during an episode last week. She let loose on architect Julian Brenchley in recent scenes, telling him she 'didn't give a f**k about his opinion' following an argument about the placement of her and partner Jesse's main bedroom. It wasn't long before fans of the show took to X, previously known as Twitter, to slam Paige for her on-air antics and call out her 'childish behaviour'. 'Little Miss Princess Paige has never had anyone say no to her. Time to grow up cupcake and function in a grown-ups world,' they wrote. Another disgruntled viewer said: 'Paige is a petulant child. Really thinks people are rude (when they're not), stomps her feet over everything and has now slagged off 2 sponsors. Not smart.' The current series of The Block was filmed earlier this year in the popular Victorian tourism hotspot Phillip Island. Phillip Schofield looked downcast as he stepped out in west London to stock up on e-cigarettes last Friday. The former This Morning presenter, 62, had a solemn face as was seen departing a corner shop after buying several vapes. At the time his affair scandal was revealed in May 2023, Phillip admitted he was vaping 'so much his hand blistered'. Phillip cut a casual figure as he sported grey jeans, a black and white jumper and black trainers. During his first news appearance after admitting to his affair with a younger colleague on the show, Phillip chatted with The Sun in a video interview while he smoked a blue vape. Phillip Schofield, 62, looked downcast as he stepped out in west London to stock up on e-cigarettes last Friday The former This Morning presenter had a solemn face as was seen departing a corner shop after buying several vapes He said: 'I am not sleeping, I am not eating. There's a lot of Southern Comfort. My mind is in constant, utter turmoil. I think back to regrets, forwards to... What do I do now? What I am going to do now? 'I've been vaping, a lot. I didn't realise until suddenly it hurt, but I've been sitting looking up at the sky or out of the window, just staring into space. 'I just sit on the sofa and stare. I realise by doing that, I've blistered both hands'. His dreary look is in complete contrast to the beaming selfie he shared on his Instagram last month. Over a year after the drama, Phillip kept things positive as he shared a snap of himself in a stunning sunflower field. He captioned his post: 'What a find!!! New happy place.' Though comments are limited on his social media, Phillip still received support from his former co-stars, with Rochelle Humes liking the image while Alice Beer commented 'Gorgeous' - the only comment on the post. Rochelle and Alice's public support comes as Phillip's reported comeback appeared to be gathering steam, with many stars showing their support for the disgraced presenter through his array of Instagram posts. At the time his affair scandal was revealed in May 2023, Phillip admitted he was vaping 'so much his hand blistered' He said: 'I've been vaping, a lot. I didn't realise until suddenly it hurt, but I've been sitting looking up at the sky or out of the window, just staring into space. I just sit on the sofa and stare. I realise by doing that, I've blistered both hands' His dreary look is in complete contrast to the beaming selfie he shared on his Instagram last month Over a year after the drama, Phillip kept things positive on his Instagram post on Monday, sharing a snap of himself in a stunning sunflower field. He captioned his post: 'What a find!!! New happy place' Alice Beer shared a supportive message on the post Rochelle was one of thousands of followers to like the photo ITV was thrown into turmoil earlier this year following Philip's admission to an 'unwise but not illegal' relationship with a much younger colleague, with the host eventually stepping down from ITV altogether. As well as the breakdown of his career, Phillip's relationship with co-host Holly Willoughby faltered in the midst of the scandal, with it being heavily reported that the two were at loggerheads. While Phillip took a significant break from the public eye in the wake of the scandal, in May he made a return to Instagram with posts featuring his dog Alfie. Stars including Richard E Grant, Rylan Clark and Kate Garraway have shared their support for Phillip through various 'likes' and comments underneath his posts. His most recent post featured a snap of his dog with the caption: 'Wet through with Uggs on.' While comments on his post had been limited, one came from Richard, who posted a row of heart emojis. Another video, posted on Friday, showed Phillip's dog messing around under a bed sheet, with This Morning consumer expert Alice Beer commenting: 'He is such a clown.' Rylan was also among the thousands to like Phillip's snap that he shared last week, while Kate Garraway also liked the star's post on July 14, ahead of England's Euro 2024 final against Spain. It comes ass Phil's reported comeback appears to be gathering steam, with stars including Declan Donnelly (pictured with Phil in 2013) and Richard E Grant recently showing support for the presenter The This Morning star left ITV under a huge cloud in May 2023, after admitting that he had an affair with a younger colleague on the show (pictured in 2021) Phillip also appeared to be making a gradual return to public life, attending the British Grand Prix with his wife Stephanie Lowe and their two daughters. In May he was also was pictured smiling with I'm A Celebrity star Declan Donnelly, 48, during a night out, charging rumours that a return to TV for the axed presenter is on the cards. He had reportedly just enjoyed a four-hour dinner with ITV's golden boy at a restaurant close to their homes when they were spotted in hysterics. Phillip's beloved daughter Molly is now his publicist after she quit the talent agency that once represented her father. PR guru Mark Borkowski says his tepid return to the public eye has come after a year away to disappear and get himself together. Calling him a rare talent, Borkowski said: 'He's testing the waters. But audiences are very forgiving.' Phillip told the BBC in an emotional interview last June the affair had finished his career and revealed that the fallout had left him feeling suicidal. He told how his two daughters - Molly and Ruby - had saved his life and had 'guarded me and won't let me out of their sight'. Phillip's most recent post featured a snap of his dog, with actor Richard E Grant sharing a series of heart emojis in the comments Another video, posted on Friday, showed Phillip's dog messing around under a bed sheet, with This Morning consumer expert Alice Beer commenting: 'He is such a clown' Rylan was also among the thousands to like Phillip's snap that he shared last week Kate Garraway also liked Phillip's post on July 14, ahead of England's Euro 2024 final against Spain He admitted during the sit-down interview with Amol Rajan denied he had groomed the younger colleague, before telling critics: 'Do you want me to die? Because that's where I am.' Phillip quit This Morning in a cloud of controversy having first lied to bosses about the 'unwise, but not illegal' relationship with the male runner 34 years his junior. An external review led by barrister Jane Mulcahy KC concluded ITV had made 'considerable efforts' to find out the truth when rumours began to swirl about the relationship in 2019. But the repeated denials meant the broadcaster was unable to uncover the truth until Schofield's admission. The fallout from the scandal led to the breakdown of his friendship with Holly Willoughby. After Phillip left the show in May, his co-host Holly Willoughby later quit in October due to an alleged kidnap plot. The pair were officially replaced by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley in March as the two took on the show full time after a series of guest presenters had been rotating the daytime slot. Back in March friends of the star have said that he is 'quite certain' he will never work again. Despite the scandal that brought Phillip's career to an abrupt end, several stars have stood by him, including Vanessa Feltz, who was pictured heading out for dinner with him in August [Vanessa pictured on This Morning] Following a return to social media in May, Phillip has made a handful of public appearances, sparking speculation he could be plotting a TV comeback Phillip quit This Morning in a cloud of controversy having first lied to bosses about the 'unwise, but not illegal' relationship with the male runner 34 years his junior One said: 'Phillip has been very, very down recently. He doesn't know how he is going to work again. It's devastating for him to realise but he also knows that there is not a lot he can do about it. He doesn't know who will take him. He knows there is no way back to ITV or the BBC.' Sources close to the star say that his friends are trying to encourage him to think he can have a 'fulfilling life' away from showbusiness. One said: 'Just because he may not be on telly again doesn't mean he can't enjoy his life. Phil isn't so sure though.' The star has though been tipped for a job on national radio his 'first love' with Britain's largest commercial stations said to be jostling to bring him in to woo new listeners from rivals, including BBC Radio 2. Georgia Tech is ending its 10-year partnership with a Chinese university due to national security concerns. The university has decided to shut down its Georgia Tech Shenzhen Institute and will seek approval to end its degree programs in Shenzhen. A partnership with Tianjin University and the Shenzhen Municipal Government began in December 2016 to offer educational opportunities in China's tech hub. But in December 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce added Tianjin University to its Entity List of foreign organizations deemed a national security concern, leading Georgia Tech to review its activities in China. This review resulted in the decision to cancel a planned doctorate program and limit the number of GTSI students. School officials announced on Friday that the partnership is "no longer tenable" going forward. Steven McLaughlin, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, acknowledged the challenge of this decision but highlighted Georgia Tech's commitment to global education. "The choice to end our many years of successful educational development initiatives to grant Georgia Tech degrees in the region was a difficult one," he said. "... Connecting globally remains one of our core values. Students who gain global experience during their time at Georgia Tech bring critical problem-solving skills that are required in today's workforce. We look forward to continuing to expand the international experiences available to our students." Around 300 students currently enrolled at GTSI will be able to complete their degrees. Amanda Holden looked sheepish as she copied her co-star Ashley Roberts's entire outfit on Monday, just four days after she wore it to work. Amanda, 53, was seen leaving the Heart FM studios in London wearing the same 4th & Reckless silver two-piece she had spotted on her colleague. The radio presenter looked incredible as she strutted down the street in a dark silver crop top and matching skirt. Amanda teamed the chic set with a pair of silver strappy stiletto heels and toted her essentials around in a silver Michael Kors clutch bag. To complete the look, Amanda further accessorised with a stack of bracelets and sported a pair of black shades. Amanda's outing comes after Ashley went braless in the same ensemble just last week as she left the Heart FM studios in Leicester Square. Amanda Holden, (left)a looked sheepish as she copied her co-star Ashley Roberts's entire outfit on Monday just four days after she wore it to work The Pussycat Dolls star-turned-Heart radio presenter, 42, looked nothing short of sensational as she flashed a glimpse of her toned midriff in the set. She accessorised with white Christian Louboutin shoes and a white Miu Miu bag, finishing her look with oval-shaped sunglasses. Ashley showed off her pert bottom as she hoisted up her skirt to climb into a waiting black cab. Ashley is the showbiz correspondent on Heart Breakfast and she also hosts her own show, on Heart 00s which airs Saturdays from 4pm. The Dance Monster judge is in a relationship with tattoo artist to the stars George Rollinson, who is 17 years her junior. At the end of August, Ashley shared exclusively with MailOnline that she endured 'disastrous' online dates and was even catfished before meeting boyfriend George 'the old fashioned way'. Ashley has been dating the hunky artist, 25, since November ahead of them making their first official appearance as a couple in April this year. Ashley shared that she was now in a 'happy place' and said: 'It's really nice to be in a relationship that's kind and thoughtful and supportive and we have fun.' The radio presenter, 53, looked incredible as she strutted down the street in a dark silver crop top and matching skirt Amanda teamed the chic set with a pair of silver strappy stiletto heels and toted her essentials around in a silver Michael Kors clutch bag She explained to MailOnline that while online dating works for a lot of people she and George met through mutual friends and their relationship 'came about naturally'. 'It was an unexpected thing, we met, and I was having a good time and living my best life, enjoying it and I was like "this is someone quite special" - I'm in a happy place.' Ashley, who reportedly signed up for celeb dating app Raya in 2022, recalled one bad date, laughing: 'I turned up and necessarily didn't recognise the person sat in front of me from [their profile] images.' 'And I was like 'wait a minute' and it's a bit uncomfortable because you have to sit through a meal, so that was on the disastrous side.' To complete the look, Amanda further accessorised with a stack of bracelets and sported a pair of black shades Meanwhile, the Pussycat Dolls star-turned-Heart radio presenter, 42, teamed a pair of white Christian Louboutin shoes with her look The Dance Monster judge is in a relationship with tattoo artist to the stars George Rollinson, who is 17 years her junior Ashley went on to muse: 'I was kind of on an adventure to try new things and went online and I gave it a go, but it actually worked out the old-fashioned way with George.' In May, Ashley and George, 25, publicly enjoyed a 300-a-night stay at D-Resort Gocek after previously hiding their relationship. Despite being together for the best part of a year, the couple did not go Instagram official until April. Ashley and George also enjoyed a trip to Miami at the end of 2023 but made sure not to be photographed together. Florence Pugh went braless in a lace cut-out dress as she stepped out during New York Fashion Week on Sunday evening. The actress, 28, looked effortlessly stylish in the flowing grey garment and flashed her cleavage in the plunging neckline. The blonde beauty looked radiant and glowing as she headed out for the evening in the big apple. Florence teamed her look with stylish gold heels, complemented with a pale pink handbag. The film star recently captivated the red carpet in a dazzling pink gown as she attended the premiere of their new film We Live In Time last week. Florence Pugh, 28, went braless in a lace cut-out dress as she stepped out during New York Fashion Week on Sunday evening The actress looked effortlessly stylish in the flowing grey garment and flashed her cleavage in the plunging neckline The British actress, who recently stirred up romance rumors with Peaky Blinders star Finn Cole, stole the show with her co-star, 41, at the Toronto International Film Festival. Last month, the trailer for We Live In Time dropped, offering a glimpse into the decade-long romance between Pugh's character, Almut, and Garfield's Tobias. Directed by John Crowley, the romantic drama teases a heartfelt journey of love and connection over ten years. At the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the film production company StudioCanal sold the movie to A24 for U.S. distribution. Nick Payne, who has worked as a writer on The Crown, wrote the screenplay and developed the script. The film is executive produced by Benedict Cumberbatch via his company SunnyMarch alongside Leah Clarke, Adam Ackland and Guy Heeley. Last week, Florence and Finn sparked romance rumours 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. The blonde beauty looked radiant and glowing as she headed out for the evening in the big apple The film star recently captivated the red carpet in a dazzling pink gown as she attended the premiere of their new film We Live In Time last week The film follows the story of a recent divorcee and an on-the-rise chef, played respectively by Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, over a decade in their lives together 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 However, Florence 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. 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. Florence split from her photographer boyfriend Charlie Gooch in October last year after a year of dating She famously dated Zach Braff for three years. The 21-year age gap between the pair drew attention during their courtship The pair reportedly enjoyed one another's company after the BAFTA Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday. Florence split from her photographer boyfriend Charlie Gooch in October last year. 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. In August 2022, Florence announced she and her ex-boyfriend Zach Braff had split up after three years together. The 21-year age gap between the pair drew attention during their three-year courtship. Selena Gomez has revealed that she 'can't carry' children due to medical reasons. The Lose You to Love Me hitmaker, 32 who recently surprised a Colorado high school volleyball team told Vanity Fair on Monday that she had to 'grieve' her inability to become a mother naturally. 'I havent ever said this,' she told the publication, 'but I unfortunately cant carry my own children. 'I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the babys in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while. Although her path to motherhood will 'look different', the actress insists she wants to be one someday. Selena Gomez has revealed that she 'can't carry' children due to medical reasons; seen in September 2024 She told the outlet: 'Its not necessarily the way I envisioned it. I thought it would happen the way it happens for everyone. 'Im in a much better place with that. I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me. 'It made me really thankful for the other outlets for people who are dying to be moms. Im one of those people. Im excited for what that journey will look like, but itll look a little different,' she said. Selena expressed that through surrogacy or adoption, the child will be 'mine.' 'At the end of the day, I dont care. Itll be mine. Itll be my baby,' she expressed. The Wizards of Waverly Place star had stressed her firm desire to be a mother at age 35 even before dating her current partner, music producer Benny Blanco. 'Before I met my boyfriend, I was single for five years, with the exception of going on a few dates. And I was like, "Okay, if this is the vibe, then what is the most important thing to me? Family."' she shared of her plans. She and the 36-year-old who produced her ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber's 2021 hit Lonely began privately dating midway through 2023. Blanco recently expressed his desire to have children with Selena while on The Howard Stern Show. 'Thats my next goal, to check the box. I love being around kids,' he said. 'I unfortunately have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the babys in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while,' she shared; seen with her Goddaughter Aubriella in 2024 'Im in a much better place with that. I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me,' she said; seen in August 2024 'It made me really thankful for the other outlets for people who are dying to be moms. Im one of those people. Im excited for what that journey will look like, but itll look a little different,' she said; seen in August 2024 The Wizards of Waverly Place star had stressed her firm desire to be a mother at age 35 even before dating her current partner, music producer Benny Blanco; Selena and Benny seen in July 2024 Blanco recently expressed his desire to have children with Selena while on The Howard Stern Show; Benny and Selena seen in July 2024 The Disney Channel alum previously said the medication she is taking to manage her bipolar disorder also interferes with her ability to safely carry And the Rare Beauty founder has since been open about her serious medical battles. In 2013 she was diagnosed with lupus and four years later successfully received a kidney transplant. Giovanni Pernice looked rather tense as he was seen at dinner on the last night of his holiday in Portofino on Saturday. The professional dancer, 34, appeared to have a lot on his mind as he stared into space with the Strictly report due to be published in the coming days. The star kept it smart as he opted for a smart suit for his final dinner as he was seen seated with friends. Meanwhile Amanda Abbington is said to be 'deeply disappointed' with BBC bosses over fears they're 'protecting' Giovanni amid bullying probe. The Sherlock actress, 50, has made a series of accusations about Giovanni's teaching methods and has described his behaviour as 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'. He strongly denies all of the claims. Giovanni Pernice looked tense on the final night of his Portofino holiday on Saturday as BBC bosses prepare to publish their reports on the bullying probe in the coming days However Amanda Abbington has been left 'deeply disappointed' with BBC bosses over fears they're 'protecting' Giovanni in a 'boys club' However Amanda isn't happy with the investigations outcome, as a friend of the star's told The Sun: 'She's deeply disappointed with the BBC. She thinks it feels like such a boys' club. 'As well as the probe taking so long, it feels like they are protecting Giovanni to save themselves and ignoring not only her experience but that of other women who've bravely come forward. 'Amanda feels tired, upset and very angry with the way it's all been handled. 'She is worried there will be a predictable whitewash and others will, once again, suffer from aggression and abuse.' MailOnline contacted Amanda and the BBC for comment. Meanwhile Giovanni is embarking on a new venture after he announced last weekend that he will be making his return to the TV dancefloor as part of the Italian version of Dancing with the Stars. Taking to Instagram to share the news he wrote: 'Hey guys !! Im delighted to announce that from next week I will be joining the cast of @ballandoconlestelle - the Italian Dancing with the Stars. 'I cant wait to get started and to get back to dancing for all of you! Thank you for all of your continued support!' The professional dancer, 34, appeared to have a lot on his mind as he stared into space with the Strictly report due to be published in the coming days The star kept it smart as he opted for a smart suit for his final dinner as he was seen seated with friends The Sherlock actress, 50, has made a series of accusations about Giovanni's teaching methods and has described his behaviour as 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'. He strongly denies all of the claims On Friday the dancer celebrated his 34th birthday as he took to social media in great spirits and thanked fans for their continued support. Referring to the upcoming news about his position on Dancing With The Stars, he added: 'I do appreciate your love and your endless support! Better days to come and exciting news to share with you very soon love you all Gio'. It comes after it was revealed Amanda has found BBC bosses line of questioning 'highly offensive' amid the show's ongoing misconduct probe. The actress has been quizzed for a second time about an illicit video shared with her by the dancer as well as a 'lewd remark' he made about another celebrity contestant when the video was sent. Giovanni is also reported to have made a crude comment about a member of Amanda's own family, only for her to 'effectively be asked' by BBC bosses whether the dancer meant the remark as light-hearted banter. A source told The Sun: '[Amanda] found this line of questioning highly offensive.' In regards to the alleged video they told the publication: 'The BBC can't ignore the fact the video was sent. There seems to be a trail of evidence'. 'Even if it is established the footage was shared with innocent intentions, the BBC are concerned this could constitute a breach of conduct according to the contract handed to the pro dancers.' A BBC spokesman said: 'As we have said before, we will not be commenting on individuals or engaging in speculation'. Amanda shares daughter Grace and son Joe with ex partner Martin Freeman, 52, who she was for 16 years from 20002016. Meanwhile Giovanni is embarking on a new venture after he announced last weekend that he will be making his return to the TV dancefloor as part of th e Italian version of Dancing with the Stars It comes after it was revealed Amanda has found BBC bosses line of questioning 'highly offensive' amid the show's ongoing misconduct probe On Friday the dancer celebrated his 34th birthday as he took to social media in great spirits and thanked fans for their continued support It comes after Martin reached out to her to support after the scandal and been someone to lean on amid the turbulent time, as well as her fiance Jonathan Goodwin, reports The Sun. It is expected that the probe into Giovanni will soon be completed by the BBC after several weeks of investigations. It comes after it was reported that Amanda recently handed over more texts with fresh revelations over Giovanni 's behaviour on Strictly. It has been claimed the dramatic intervention has thrown the BBC investigation into professional Giovanni's behaviour into chaos and has 'changed the course of the probe'. The Sun reports that Amanda has come forward with new bombshell messages just as the probe was about to conclude which reportedly show that Giovanni did 'step over the line of what is acceptable'. Amanda was reportedly questioned by BBC bosses for a second time about 'crude comments' she claimed were made by Giovanni. She is said to have been quizzed via video call last week as she sat down with two ex-Met detectives to discuss her allegations about the professional dancer, 33. They reportedly discussed claims of sexual comments during rehearsals, as well as 'new evidence'. Giovanni has denied all allegations made against him. MailOnline contacted representatives for Amanda, Giovanni, and The BBC for comment. Amanda has made a series of accusations about Giovanni's teaching methods and has described his behaviour as 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'. He strongly denies all of the claims. In one interview, Amanda compared the dance show to 'the trenches' telling Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left 'horrified' by clips that also allegedly exhibited 'humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature'. In another, where she spoke to Christine Lampard on Lorraine , she said: 'It was inappropriate, it was mean, it was nasty, it was bullying and I put up with it for five, six weeks. An investigation was launched after several celebrities including Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott (pictured) sparked abuse and bullying scandals on the family show Amanda shares her children with ex partner Martin Freeman (pictured 2015) and he has reportedly reached out to support the actress amid the scandal 'It started very early on and when it started to happen I would shut down because I recognised those red flags. 'And so I would shut down and it would be difficult to get in, and that would be a self-fulfilling prophecy.' Talking about her schedule on the show, she said: 'I was going into the rehearsal room every day. I've been in rehearsal rooms for 32 years. 'I know what rehearsal rooms are supposed to be like. 'I don't care what background you're from whether it's dancing, acting, singing you have a duty of care to bring into that rehearsal room compassion, understanding, sensitivity and kindness. 'And that wasn't extended to me (at Strictly). And so I just said I don't think this is right.' Angelina Jolie is helping her kids get into the family business, but that doesn't mean she lets them off easy at work. The Oscar winner, 49, hired her sons Maddox, 23, and Pax, 20, who is recovering from an e-bike crash, to work on the set of Without Blood in the assistant director department. The AD department serves as a liaison between the director and other departments. 'They work hard,' star Salma Hayek, 58, told People at the film's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, adding that the director was 'very professional with them' on the set. 'She's demanding. They got the respect of the crew, and they were good with the crew, and they were very in their place,' the Academy Award nominee explained. Angelina Jolie hired her sons Maddox, 23, and Pax, 20, (seen here) to work on her latest film Without Blood. 'They work hard,' star Salma Hayek, 58, told People at the film's premiere at the TIFF on Sunday, adding that the director was 'very professional with them' on the set 'They were not treating me like they treat me outside of there. They were very, "You have to come," and I go, "Okay!" It was kind of fun.' 'They work hard. They are very serious about what they do.' Hayek and Jolie worked together on 2021's Eternals and became friends. The Mexican-born beauty said she had to adjust to the way she interacted with the boys on set. 'It is kind of funny, I was teasing them at the beginning, but then I had to say, "No. I have to separate and just treat them like professionals because it's disrespectful,"' she explained. Pax had recovered enough from his recent e-bike accident to join his mom of the red carpet. Maddox did not attend the festival. Without Blood is a 'parable-like tale of family, war, and revenge' according to the TIFF synopsis. 'In a frontier landscape at the beginning of the 20th century, gunmen descend on a remote farmhouse, determined to exact revenge. Their target, a doctor alone with his son and daughter tries desperately to protect his children. Inevitably, bullets fly.' 'She's demanding,' Hayek said of Jolie as a director, adding Maddox and Pax 'got the respect of the crew, and they were good with the crew, and they were very in their place' (Pictured in Toronto on September 8) Pax was recovered enough from his e-bike accident in Los Angeles to join his mom for her big night. Maddox did not attend (Pictured with Rutger Joedemaekers, Lorenzo De Maio, Jorge Antonio Guerrero, Patricio Jose, Demian Bichir and Juan Gervasio in Toronto on September 8) Hayek said there was a bit of a role reversal with Jolie during the making of the film. 'In [Eternals] I was a little bit of a mother figure to her. In this movie, I felt like she was my motherly figure because she would come to the set and run it like a family,' the actress explained. She was a very efficient mother, but she was also there emotionally every step of the way.' Hayek's daughter, Valentina, 16, whom she shares with husband Francois-Henri Pinault, was on the set as well, which the doting mom said made the shoot 'feel just so comfortable and lovely.' Leonardo DiCaprio and his 26-year-old girlfriend, model Victoria Ceretti were spotted in New York City. The couple appeared to have done some shopping as the Italian beauty carried a white shopping bag. The Titanic actor, 49, wore a face mask and ball cap as is his custom and had ear phones in as his girlfriend looked at him with a stern expression on her face. Leo wore a white t-shirt, grey hoodie and Army green pants while Vittoria looked chic in a white t-shirt and unbuttoned flannel shirt with wide-legged jeans. Vittoria returned to her runway work at New York Fashion Week after recently enjoying a European vacation with the What's Eating Gilbert Grape star. Leonardo DiCaprio and his 26-year-old girlfriend, model Victoria Ceretti were spotted in New York City Last month she was seen taking off her bikini top as they frolicked on a luxurious yacht off the South Of France. The actor and his younger flame have spent a chunk of the summer cruising around the Mediterranean, stopping at such fashionable pleasure spots as Sardinia. While they were in Italy, Vittoria was spotted sporting a ring on her engagement ring, unleashing an avalanche of rumors about the true state of their relationship. Her left hand was bare of jewelry when she was seen on the yacht near Cannes accompanied by her shirtless boyfriend. Vittoria indulged in a bit of sunbathing on a deck chair and removing her tiny bikini top, leaving its straps seen dangling down her sides. Meanwhile Leo could be glimpsed enjoying a dip in the ocean, then climbing back up onto the vessel, where a crew member was already waiting for him with a towel. Vittoria and the other scantily clad women on the yacht were evidently unable to retain his undivided attention, as he sat staring at his phone while they flaunted their figures sunbathing in front of him. Leo and Vittoria were first linked over the summer of last year, when she had just turned 25, and have been spotted together on several occasions since. The couple appeared to have done some shopping as the Italian beauty carried a white shopping bag The Titanic actor, 49, wore a face mask and ball cap as is his custom and had ear phones in as his girlfriend looked at him with a stern expression on her face, seen here in January 2024 Leo and Vittoria were first linked over the summer of last year, when she had just turned 25, and have been spotted together on several occasions since, seen here in 2024 Vittoria and Leo are said to have met at last year's Cannes Film Festival, where his movie Killers Of The Flower Moon was premiered, seen here in April 2024 in Japan Vittoria and Leo are said to have met at last year's Cannes Film Festival, where his movie Killers Of The Flower Moon premiered. They were first linked in August 2023, after a flurry of rumors that had connected Leo to Vittoria's fellow supermodel Gigi Hadid. Vittoria was previously married from 2020 until 2023 to the Italian DJ Matteo Milleri, who is part of the Berlin-based duo Tale Of Us. Vittoria was discovered in 2012 and has since walked over 400 fashion shows, as well as covering various international editions of Vogue 23 times. Pregnant Jenna Coleman looked positively radiant as she took to Instagram on Monday with a round up of snaps from the summer. The actress, 38, showed off her blossoming bump as she stripped of naked for a risque selfie in a blurred mirror. The Queen Victoria star revealed her pregnancy in June as she debuted her baby bump at a dinner at Chatsworth House. And in her latest snaps the star shared a fashionable array of looks as she posed in the mirror in a navy blue leaf print dress. Joking in the caption she wrote: 'Summer spent cookin' with an chick hatching emoji. Pregnant Jenna Coleman showed off her blossoming bump in a naked mirror selfie as she took to Instagram with a collection summer snaps on Monday The actress, 38, made sure to share a fashionable array of looks as she posed in the mirror in a navy blue leaf print dress The star is preparing to welcome her first child with her boyfriend Jamie Childs after the pair met back in 2020 on the set of the first season of The Sandman in 2020. The couple were first romantically linked in December 2021 and before they were spotted together for the first time in February 2022. They were photographed on a stroll in Islington smiling and holding hands, just days after they were seen outside her 2.2million home as furniture was moved in. The couple went on to work together again on Jamie's first film Jackdaw, with Jenna playing a character called Bo. However, the pair work to keep their relationship private, with their public appearances together being rare and Jenna having never spoken publicly about their romance. Meanwhile Jenna has previously joked that she has been cast as a mother so many times she has 'no noises left' for any future childbirth scenes. The Doctor Who star once said: 'I've done so many labour scenes I've got no noises left. I don't know what to do any more. 'They've got to stop having me in labour. I haven't even had children yet, I don't know what I'm doing.' Joking in the caption she wrote: 'Summer spent cookin' with an chick hatching emoji The star is preparing to welcome her first child with her boyfriend Jamie Childs after the pair met back in 2020 on the set of the first season of The Sandman in 2020 Jenna looked positively radiant as she posed for a sweet selfie in a pair of stylish shades She also shared a snap of her and her boyfriend (L) and their friends camping She fretted about playing a mother in the BBC's 2018 psychological mystery The Cry, revealing that she messaged friends with children to get a better insight into what motherhood entails. After it aired Jenna said: 'I spent a good first chunk of it just thinking they'd completely miscast me. 'Why on earth me? I'm not a mother. It was something so, well, primal that I haven't literally experienced. And I have really struggled with that.' Jenna and Jamie sparked speculation that she and Jamie had taken their relationship to the next level after being seen wearing a ring on her wedding finger in January. On a stroll together in north London, Jenna could be seen sporting a chunky gold band, while walking hand-in-hand with Jamie, who tenderly stroked her hair at several points. She met her director boyfriend, 35, on the set of the first season of The Sandman in 2020, and they were first rumoured to be dating the following year (pictured in November) While it didn't mark the first time she'd been seen wearing the ring, she usually wore it on a different finger leading to speculation that the move was significant. The Jetty star previously dated Tom Hughes, who played her husband Prince Albert in ITV's Victoria. Jenna and Tom met in 2013 on the set of BBC drama series Dancing On The Edge, but went their separate ways in 2020. At the time it was reported that the pair were 'terribly sad' by the end of their relationship, with the actress moving into her own pad and they reportedly attempted to 'salvage a friendship.' She might be one of the world's biggest supermodels, however there is one modelling pose that Kate Moss cannot pull off. The star, 50, is Vogue's most prolific cover girl, but she hasn't yet mastered a 'glamorous wink'. Appearing in a explosive new Vogue documentary for Disney+, Kate's wink became hot topic after Edward Enninful exposed her failure. The former editor in chief of British Vogue revealed that when he was shooting with Kate for the iconic series of covers he did for i-D magazine he realised her flaw. He said: 'Kate Moss can't wink! So many of the models couldn't wink!' Kate Moss has revealed the ONE modelling pose she can't pull off and how it has tripped up many of the catwalk greats (pictured on Vogue in May 2019) The star, 50, is Vogue's most prolific cover girl, but she hasn't yet mastered a 'glamorous wink' (pictured 2013) And Kate agreed with Edward as she added: 'I can't wink, literally. I cannot do a glamorous wink! 'It was always, "oh nooo, an i-D cover!" But of course, historic, I always thought they were the coolest, so yeh, I loved doing them.' She explained she ended up having to cover one eye to pull off the look proving that it doesn't always come naturally to the catwalk stars. i-D magazine was launched by Terry Jones in 1980 and was dedicated to a illustrating a more punk-era London. Quickly earning its worthy position in fashion and style, the magazine revolutionised the world of fashion and fashion publishing. As well as Kate, other supermodels also featured in the magazine such as Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell who would each pose in their signature wink. Kate features in the new series alongside A-listers Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham as they take a deep dive into defining moments of 90s Vogue. Titled In Vogue: The 90s, the fascinating six-part series telling the definitive story of the fashion industry during the decade through the eyes of Vogue editors, Hamish Bowles, Edward Enninful, Tonne Goodman and of course the famous Anna Wintour. She explained she ended up having to cover one eye to pull off the look proving that it doesn't always come naturally to the catwalk stars Appearing in a explosive new Vogue documentary for Disney+, Edward Enninful revealed that when he was shooting with Kate for i-D magazine he realised her flaw. He said: 'Kate Moss can't wink! So many of the models couldn't wink!' And Kate agreed with Edward as she added: 'I can't wink, literally. I cannot do a glamorous wink!' Titled In Vogue: The 90s, the fascinating six-part series telling the definitive story of the fashion industry during the decade through the eyes of Vogue editors (pictured Anna Wintour) Jam-packed with some of the most influential names across fashion, film and music, the series takes viewers on a thrilling journey across continents and through ten years that changed fashion forever. Kim Kardashian and Naomi Campbell also join the star-studded lineup, as well as Elizabeth Hurley, Nicole Kidman and Missy Elliott. As the trailer begins an interviewers asks Anna: 'Do you mind awfully taking your sunglasses off?' Before the fashion queen quickly replies: 'No I'm going to wear them'. The first three episodes, Volume I, will launch exclusively on the streaming platform on September 13, before the final three episodes, Volume II, follows on September 20. Each episode focuses on a defining 90s moment from Hollywood and grunge to the Met Gala, the globalization of American fashion and hip hop. Kim Kardashian and Naomi Campbell also join the star-studded lineup, as well as Elizabeth Hurley, Nicole Kidman and Missy Elliott which will be released on Sept 13 Kim made history in 2014 as the first Kardashian to land a Vogue cover, gracing the American edition with her then-husband Kanye, before going on to have her first solo cover in May 2019. And in her short feature in the trailer reality queen exclaims: 'Oh my god' as the stars each describe the 90s. In a decade that 'turned the fashion industry upside down,' Victoria Beckham describes the period of time as a 'whirlwind' as she is shown with her former pixie cut hairstyle. As the celebrities reflect on the period they add that it was a 'crazy, messy, astonishing time'. James Argent put on a passionate display with his new girlfriend Nicoline Artursson as the couple were spotted snogging in St Tropez. The former TOWIE star, 36, seemed besotted with his former Miss Sweden love as the pair enjoyed a dip in the sea. In pictures obtained by The Sun, James and Nicoline couldn't keep their hands off each other while in the water, before going for a stroll along the beach. A source told MailOnline that Nicoline is 'lovely' and that Arg 'deserves all this happiness after going through a lot. James whisked his new girlfriend away for a lavish long weekend at Indie Beach at Plague de Pampelonne, the publication revealed. Nicoline, 31, won the Miss World Sweden beauty pageant in 2011 and modelled for Abercrombie & Fitch. She was also asked to take part in the French version The Bacherlorette but declined to focus on her studies. James Argent put on a passionate display with his new girlfriend Nicoline Artursson as the couple were spotted snogging in St Tropez over the weekend The former TOWIE star, 36, seemed besotted with his former Miss Sweden love as the pair enjoyed a dip in the sea Rumours swirled on the pair's romance after James liked a picture of Nicoline shared to her Instagram at the World Vision Gala last month. Sharing a snap of herself in a navy satin one-shoulder wrap dress, complete with a high-leg split, Nicoline wrote: 'It's an absolute pleasure to be apart of this years WORLD VISION GALA to help everyone come together for a greater cause! 'Huge thank you to everyone who attended for all the support and contributions! 2011 I was crowned as Miss Sweden and it's a Title I've forever cherished and honored for its deep purpose.' It is James's first relationship since splitting from his ex Stella Turian last November. In March, Arg told the My Dirty Laundry podcast that he really struggled on Valentine's day because of his single status - and had to stay off social media because it got him down so much. Having tackled his demons, staying sober for two years and losing 15 stone in weight, James said: 'I'm in a really good place. Everything in my life is perfect, apart from my love life. It would be nice if that would change. 'I'll be completely honest, this year I really struggled on Valentine's Day. I remember, I woke up and thought, I am not going to look at social media. 'It's not that I'm heartbroken or upset, but just because I knew it's not going to make me feel great because I didn't have a Valentine, I don't have a girlfriend. In pictures obtained by The Sun, James and Nicoline couldn't keep their hands off each other while in the water, before going for a stroll along the beach Nicoline, 31, won the Miss World Sweden beauty pageant in 2011 and modelled for Abercrombie & Fitch Sharing a snap of herself in a navy satin one-shoulder wrap dress, complete with a high-leg split, Nicoline wrote: 'It's an absolute pleasure to be apart of this years WORLD VISION GALA to help everyone come together for a greater cause!' 'But, I couldn't help it. There was times where I'd just have a little glance and all you would see was couples. Everyone's madly in love. Everyone's happy. 'Everyone's out on dates. There's flowers, there's balloons, there's chocolates,there's date nights or trips or happily married couples - and yeah, it did start to affect me a little bit.' But James has said that rather than wallow in misery, he tried to go out to make himself feel better, but a trip to the shops didnt' help the situation at all. He said: 'I thought, I'm gonna get out the house and a food shop and I went to my local supermarket and what made things a million times worse, every single aisle that I looked at was a Valentine's Day dine-in meal for two... 'It was starters, main, dessert and a drink for 20 quid. And I was like, 'oh no', it just absolutely, it just got to me. James broke up with Stella, 16 year his junior, in November after a year-long romance and said 'It's not that I'm heartbroken or upset, but just because I knew social media was not going to make me feel great because I didn't have a Valentine, I don't have a girlfriend. Before that, James dated his former TOWIE co-star Lydia Bright - they were childhood sweethearts and dated on and off between 2008-2016 and he now credits her as being one of his best friends (pictured in 2011) 'But I went to bed that night, had a good night's sleep and then the next day I was fine. I was happy again, I was fine. 'So it just goes to show you that you can have good days, you can have bad days, you can have days where you're feeling a certain way. 'If you get a good night's sleep, the next day is always a new day and it wasn't that bad. For some reason, Valentine's Day this year, I didn't think it would even bother me, but it wasn't a great experience.' Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko sparked romance rumors once again on Sunday as they put on a cozy display after Dancing with the Stars rehearsals in Los Angeles. The pair, who were spotted getting close in New York City last week, were seen sharing a big hug outside following a practice session. Nader, 27, looked sleek in a pair of black leggings and a black halter top. The model wore bright white sneakers as she walked to her car, and carried a large black leather shoulder bag. Her dark locks were pulled back into a high ponytail, showcasing her high cheekbones. Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko sparked romance rumors once again on Sunday as they put on a cozy display after Dancing with the Stars rehearsals in Los Angeles Savchenko, 40 looked relaxed in a short sleeve white T-shirt with a dark pair of straight leg jeans. The dancer also wore bright white sneakers and shades. The dad of two shares his daughters Olivia, 13, and Zlata, seven, with his ex-wife and fellow dancer Elena Samodanova, 39. The couple divorced in 2020 after 14 years of marriage and Samodanova now lives in Hong Kong with the girls. DWTS has previously sparked numerous love stories. Kym Johnson appeared on the show from 2006-2017 and met her husband, Shark Tank judge Robert Herjavec, 61, when he competed in 2015. The couple tied the knot in 2016 and are parents to two children. CODA actor Daniel Durant, 34, and dancer Britt Stewart, 34, met on the show when the worked together on season 31. Stewart learned American Sign Language so she could communicate with her partner, who is deaf. The couple went public with their romance on Valentine's Day 2023 sharing a selfie with Durant posting 'My Valentine. Happy Valentine's Day.' The pair were seen sharing a hug outside following a practice session in Los Angeles on Sunday The pair have fueled the flames by hanging out together in New York City and posting suggestive videos on social media Kym Johnson appeared on the show from 2006-2017 and met her husband, Shark Tank judge Robert Herjavec, 61, when he competed in 2015. The couple tied the knot in 2016 and are parents to two children (Pictured in Beverly Hills in January 2020) CODA actor Daniel Durant, 34, and dancer Britt Stewart, 34, met on the show when the worked together on season 31. They got engaged on Christmas Eve 2023 (Pictured in Los Angeles in February 2023) They got engaged on Christmas Eve on a hiking trip with their families, but have not announced a day for the nuptials. Pros Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy created their own chemistry as cast members, while competing for the trophy with other partners. They shared a brief romance from 2012 to 2013 and rekindled the flame in 2014, tying the knot three years later. They are parents to sons Shai, seven, Rio, one, and welcomed their third son in July. Not all the relationships inspired by the show have lasted. Matthew Lawrence, 44, and Cheryl Burke, 40, met when Lawrence's brother Joey, 48 was competing in 2007. The pair got together, but broke up a year later, reigniting the flame in 2017 and walking down the aisle two years later. Sadly, the marriage did not last and they divorced in 2022. Matthew Lawrence, 44, and Cheryl Burke, 40, met when Lawrence's brother Joey, 48 was competing in 2007. The pair wed in 2019. Sadly, the marriage did not last and they divorced in 2022 (Pictured in Los Angeles in August 2017) Nikki Garcia, 40, and Artem Chigvintsev, 42, met on the show in 2017 and tied the knot in 2020. Chigvintsev was arrested August 29 in Napa, CA on a domestic abuse charge. He is due in court in November (Pictured in Los Angeles in December 2019) Nikki Bella, now Nikki Garcia, 40, and Artem Chigvintsev, 42, seemed to be dancing in step when they worked together in 2017. The got engaged in Paris in November 2019 and welcomed their son Matteo in July 2020. The couple returned to Paris to tie the knot in 2022, but the union did not end happily. Chigvintsev was arrested August 29 in Napa, CA on a domestic abuse charge following an alleged incident at the couple's home. He was released from police custody on a $25,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on November 4. James May is now serving up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, after introducing a menu for pooches. The former Top Gear presenter, 61, owns the pub in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire, and has made sure to keep his dog guests well fed. James has started offering pooches a variety of meals, from Sunday roasts and fish and chips to bark bangers. Four-legged customers can also get their paws on a tipple with Bark Brew beer and Paw Star Dog Martini's being offered. Both the Sunday roasts and fish and chips will cost 6.50, whilst all the sausages and drinks are capped at 3 each. James May is now serving up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, after introducing a menu for pooches The former Top Gear presenter, 61, owns the pub in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire, and has made sure to keep his dog guests well fed One customer said: 'I did not expect to actually see James May wandering about so of course had to grab a photo with him. He was surprisingly shy but maybe I caught him at a bad time. 'The staff were lovely and welcoming and we'd love to come back next year to do the same again. Ian stated: I was particularly looking forward to it as it's dog friendly and they had a "doggy" menu.' Alina added: 'Put aside the minor-celebrity connections and take this place for what it is - a perfect blend of a tiny inn, gastropub and locals hangout.' Jonathan said: 'The pub itself reminds you of an old rustic cottage or a barn. Very cosy feeling. The staff are very polite and helpful, the food menu is on the small side however there are great dishes to choose from.' Another said: 'Dogs are very welcome, even in the restaurant, which even though we don't have dogs ourselves, we loved. It added to the friendly, happy, relaxed atmosphere.' In February, James revealed the way to success in the bar trade is to have 'clean bogs and good food'. Otherwise, he claimed, people will not want to visit and spend money. Those bars who are reluctant to change are destined to fail. James, who is part owner of the Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire said fewer people going to pubs and that things have changed dramatically over the past few decades. James has started offering pooches a variety of meals, from Sunday roasts and fish and chips to bark bangers One customer said: 'I did not expect to actually see James May wandering about so of course had to grab a photo with him. He was surprisingly shy but maybe I caught him at a bad time' Four-legged customers can also get their paws on a tipple with Bark Brew beer and Paw Star Dog Martini's being offered Both the Sunday roasts and fish and chips will cost 6.50, whilst all the sausages and drinks are capped at 3 each He said: 'I've been thinking about this one for a while. In this day and age a good pub has to serve decent food. 'Not all bars can be blessed with a good location. I live in London and my local pubs in Hammersmith, Chiswick and Fulham are located near the river. The best spots have outside areas which are brilliant during the summer. 'But, I believe that for pubs to survive in future they have to adapt to the times and provide more activities. 'There are too many pubs. There are people who complain when a pub shuts down, but it has closed because it was not good enough to survive.' In February, James revealed the way to success in the bar trade is to have 'clean bogs and good food' Otherwise, he claimed, people will not want to visit and spend money. Those bars who are reluctant to change are destined to fail The new addition to the menu comes after his TV colleague and pal Jeremy Clarkson's pub - The Farmer's Dog opened in Burford, Oxfordshire. The TV star said he hoped to make a success of The Farmers Dog but added using only British produce meant that profit margins would be much lower. He said using pork from his Diddly Squat farm would cost 0.74p to turn into sausage to be sold at the pub. But if he used imported pig meat it would be 0.18p. It costs us 0.74p to get a sausage into here, but if I buy imported pig meat it is 0.18. There is something wrong with the food system in this country,' Jeremy said. Alice Evans caused a stir in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday after getting caught taking photos of her ex-husband, Fantastic Four star Ioan Gruffudd at their child support hearing. The British-American actress, 56, was temporarily booted from court for the misconduct, which is strictly against court regulations and could have resulted in a contempt charge. The drama unfolded as the feuding exes sat on opposite sides of the courtroom, with Evans shooting an occasional icy grimace at her ex, who just stared forward as they waited for the start of a hearing about child support payments for their two young daughters. When their attorneys were called into Judge Josh Freeman Stinn's chambers for a conference, Evans wearing all black suddenly lifted her cell phone and started taking pictures of Gruffudd with Andrea Burkhart, one of his witnesses who Alice says has been trolling on Twitter and YouTube. That's a major no-no inside LA Superior Court. Not content with the distance she was from her ex, Evans then got up, strode across the courtroom to face him and continued to take photos of him at point-blank range as he sat, looking incredulous, in a dark blue suit and tie and sporting a mustache and goatee. Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd had an awkward encounter in court on Monday after the actress began taking photos of her ex in the courtroom. They are both pictured leaving after a hearing in LA The couple, whose 14-year marriage ended in a bitter divorce filing in 2021, are still in the process of resolving their child support issues over their two daughters (pictured in 2018) in court Her startling actions prompted a shocked LA County deputy on duty in the courtroom to shoot out of his seat and accost Evans. 'Stop that. Delete those. I'm not asking youI'm telling you,' the officer ordered her sternly. He then told her to leave the courtroom and in the corridor outside, he stood over the nervous-looking Evans as she obeyed his instructions to delete all the photos she had taken of Gruffudd, 50, and lectured her about the court's very tight rules barring pictures from being taken inside courtrooms without a judge's permission. The deputy eventually allowed her back into the courtroom, but just a few minutes later, seeing her openly holding her phone, he ordered her outside again to make sure she hadn't taken any more photos and warn her a second time against doing so. It's the latest clash in the nasty, three-year war between Gruffudd and Evans, who showed up at court Monday in a black jacket over black blouse and black pants, wearing black-rimmed glasses and with her blonde hair tied back. An expected face-to-face confrontation in court between Evans, and Gruffudd's new love his 32 year-old fiancee Bianca Wallace didn't happen Monday. That instead will move to February 13 when a full hearing will be held to decide how much spousal support Gruffudd should pay and determine child support payments for Ella, 15 and Elsie, 11. At that hearing, Gruffudd plans to call Wallace as a witness against his ex. On Monday, Judge Stinn heard that both sides had reached a stipulated agreement in which Gruffudd pays $3,000 a month temporary child support and $1,500 a month temporary spousal support until the February hearing where a more permanent support arrangement will be forged. Evans was ordered to briefly leave the courtroom and delete the photos she had taken on her iPhone The British-American actress showed up at court Monday in a black jacket over black blouse and black pants, wearing black-rimmed glasses and with her blonde hair tied back Gruffudd has previously complained that a court-ordered scheme to reunite him with his daughters in therapy sessions was sabotaged by his ex-wife Gruffudd's attorney Joseph Langlois suggested Monday that Evans should 'be making more effort to be gainfully employed,' supporting herself rather than relying on payments from his client. Evans's lawyer countered, telling the court that having two children to look after 'limited Alice's abilities to have employment'. Judge Stinn agreed to sign off on the temporary child and spousal support till February but warned Evans that she should make 'reasonable efforts to become self sufficient within a reasonable period of time,' which he said as a general rule is around half the time of the marriage (Evans and Gruffudd were married for 14 years). Gruffudd has fought Evans's demands for more money, claiming he's paid some $400,000 more in spousal support that he needed to under their pre-marital agreement and calling her claims of poverty 'exaggerated and false.' In their most recent skirmishes, in documents filed with LA Superior Court, he hit out at Evans' 'false narrative that she and the children have been left completely destitute 'Alice has misrepresented her income and earnings, failing to account for thousands of dollars in unidentified deposits each month and Alice continues to live with bloated monthly expenditure.' he blasted. Gruffudd whose latest movie, Bad Boys: Ride or Die has grossed more than $400 million worldwide complained that a court-ordered scheme to reunite him with his daughters in therapy sessions was sabotaged by Evans, meaning that he's only spent nine hours with Ella and Elsie so far in 2024. And he accused Evans of 'engaging in a pattern of damaging and defamatory conduct against me, aimed at intimidating and harassing me and my fiance, Bianca Wallace, while alienating our two young children from me.' An earlier court ruling granted Gruffudd to his two daughters on a weekly basis after a judge ordered the two girls, Elsie, 11, and Ella, 15, to attend 'reunification therapy' sessions with their father The actor, however, has accused Evans of interfering in therapy sessions between Gruffudd and his two daughters- including one instance when she allegedly threw herself on the floor pretending to have a panic attack Ioan Gruffudd and ex-wife Alice Evans had some happy times but they have been warring for years in court over their divorce which was finalized in July 2023 Wallace who was an extra on Gruffudd's TV series Harrow is expected to testify that Evans 'stalked, harassed and abused' her, repeatedly violating a three-year domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) which she and Gruffudd took out in August 2022, after enduring a barrage of vitriolic and derogatory text messages, emails and social media posts from her. 'Evans has been engaged in a long-standing smear campaign against me .she has a history of spreading lies about me. I will present evidence of her continued violation of said DVRO,' said Gruffudd. Evans lashed back last week in her own court filing, saying that her ex had 'totally mischaracterized' her financial position, that she is indeed broke and that he had left her 'completely in the lurch', removing her access to a joint account. She accused him of cutting off her phone and internet in January 2023 without any warning, before defaulting on the mortgage and forcing the sale of the marital home. And she claimed that she had to pawn two watches to make rent in August and had 'no idea' how she will meet her financial obligations in September as Ioan has allegedly 'ignored' her pleas for help. Evans declared that she was 'aghast' at her husband's claim that she was disruptive to reunification therapy sessions and she insisted he, not she, was to blame for his broken relationship with his daughters. In her sworn statement she claimed that Gruffudd no longer wanted to be a part of his girls' lives. '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 (Wallace). He chose Instagram for that. He again chose Instagram to inform the children he was engaged. Last month it was revealed Gruffudd called his fiancee Bianca Wallace to testify in court. Wallace is expected to say Evans 'stalked, harassed, and abused' her in violation of a legal restraining order Gruffudd went public with his new romance with Wallace in October 2021, nine months after he announced his marriage was over. He confirmed their engagement earlier this year '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. 'I would love for Ioan and the children to mend their relations. 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.' Evans denied that she's still making hateful internet posts about Gruffudd and Wallace, violating the restraining order against her, though she did admit that she had in the past and was 'remorseful' about it. 'I have not engaged in that conduct for YEARS,' she said. '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.' The former couple met on the set of the movie 102 Dalmatians more than 20 years ago, when they played onscreen love interests Kevin and Chloe. They would eventually fall in love in real life and get married in Mexico in 2007. Gruffudd filed for divorce in March 2021, shortly after the blonde actress claimed on social media that her husband of 14 years was walking out on her and their two daughters. Their divorce was finalized in July 2023 and two months after Evans and Gruffudd reached a custody agreement, the details of which the court sealed (though Evans has claimed she has full custody). The pair's spousal and child support issues, however, are still being resolved in court. It was Britain's most lavish golden wedding party. Boris Johnson's wife, Carrie, 36, and pop star Ellie Goulding, 37, were among those to slip on a pair of flares for the 50th anniversary celebrations for JCB billionaire Lord (Anthony) Bamford and his wife, Carole, who created the Daylesford organic food empire. Guests passed by the Tory donor's collection of Ferraris and Porsches which were parked in the drive of the couple's Daylesford estate in Gloucestershire. Seven hundred guests including Sarah, Duchess of York, Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Lord (David) Cameron and his wife, Samantha, and Dame Joan Collins, enjoyed entertainment provided by Sir Van Morrison, disco legend Nile Rodgers and DJ Pete Tong. The theme was 1974 the year the Bamfords were married. Ellie Goulding wore flared trousers and a matching top with three large flowers on to Lord Anthony Bamford and his wife Carole's 50th wedding anniversary party Boris Johnson's wife, Carrie (pictured above), 36, was also among those to slip on a pair of flares for the 50th anniversary celebrations for JCB billionaire Lord (Anthony) Bamford and his wife, Carole, who created the Daylesford organic food empire Ellie Goulding paired her outfit with brown platform heels, which were mostly covered by her flared trousers Lord Bamford, 78, recalled to guests that Carole had told him after romance blossomed: 'I am in love with two men you're one of them, the other is Elvis.' She was referring to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, then still alive. Their younger son, George, told guests he returned home one evening to find his parents singing and dancing to I'm Too Sexy, by Right Said Fred. Nigel Farage's new employee should fit right in Nigel Farage's new recruit Caroline Edmondson, who will be running his Westminster office, should fit in with the convivial set around the Reform Party leader. At a recent drinks party given by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Edmondson was on remarkably liquid form, pawing at certain male guests (including Mr Speaker) and slurring her words. She announced that she had just been having drinks on the terrace with Farage. Maybe it was her job interview? Caroline Edmondson (right) will run Nigel Farage's (left) Westminster office (undated picture) Harry 'plans third foreign tour in a year' Their recent visit to Colombia was criticised by local politicians for its cost to the country, but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex seem to have acquired a taste for foreign travel. The couple are said to be planning to make a third 'quasi-royal tour' before the end of this year. 'That's his world; that's what he's used to,' an 'insider' says of Prince Harry to Hello!. The magazine suggests likely destinations are Lesotho and Botswana, where his charity Sentebale operates. Their first foreign trip was to Nigeria in May. Their recent visit to Colombia (pictured) was criticised by local politicians for its cost to the country, but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex seem to have acquired a taste for foreign travel Cash boost for King's Foundation Despite a 'cash for access' scandal, King Charles's charity has enjoyed an upturn in its fortunes. The asset base for the King's Foundation climbed to 141 million in the year to March, 4 million up on 2023. Income amounted to 26.1 million, a 3 million rise on the previous 12 months. In spite of the ongoing probe into historic donations, the charity's governance structure was given a clean bill of health by Scots charity regulators. Despite a 'cash for access' scandal, King Charles's (pictured in June) charity has enjoyed an upturn in its fortunes Graham Norton's mother is his sternest critic 'My mother watches the show on Friday and I speak to her on Saturdays,' the presenter says. 'A good review is, "I thought it was all right". A bad review is, "How do YOU think it went?" 'Is it any wonder I have grown up seeking the validation of strangers with that sort of parenting?' A major Gavin and Stacey cast announcement has been revealed as an award-winning actor makes a surprise return to the BBC comedy. The actor, who previously starred in the show, is set to make a cameo in the upcoming Christmas Special. The star played a larger than life character in series one and two of the hit show and was spotted filming their scenes over the weekend. Sheridan Smith, who plays Rudi, the younger sister to James Corden's Smithy, has reprised her role for the finale episode. The actress, 43, didn't star in the 2019 Christmas Special but has reportedly been back on Barry Island for the latest round of filming. A major Gavin and Stacey cast announcement has been revealed as an award-winning actor makes a surprise return to the BBC comedy Sheridan Smith , who plays Rudi, the younger sister to James Corden 's Smithy, has reprised her role for the finale episode (pictured) The actress, 43, didn't star in the 2019 Christmas Special but was back on Barry Island for the latest round of filming marking her return after more than 10 years A source told The Sun the actress stepped right back in to Rudy's shoes and it was 'like no time had passed at all'. The source added: 'Sheridan was over the moon she could go back into the fold and her scenes are brilliant.' Sheridan is not only a familiar face to Gavin and Stacey fans, but the actress, who recently starred in Opening Night in London's West End is also a familiar face to writer James. The pair dated during their time on the hit BBC sitcom between 2007 and 2009, and the former US talk show host even called her the 'love of his life' before they split. The two actors have remained on good terms and no doubt fans are excited for the surprise cameo this Christmas. Barry Island has been busy the past couple of weeks and recently James, Ruth Jones, who plays Nessa, and Oscar Hartland who plays Neil the baby were spotted filming in the street. Emerging from the car on Friday afternoon Oscar was seen waving to fans and throwing up the peace sign as he waited to film his scenes. Meanwhile James was also seen carrying a guitar suggesting their could be a musical number in the highly-anticipated final episode. A source told The Sun the actress stepped right back in to Rudi's shoes and it was 'like no time had passed at all' James and Sheridan dated during their time on the hit BBC sitcom between 2007 and 2009, and the former US talk show host even called her the 'love of his life' before they split On Friday morning Mathew Horne shared an adorable moment with fans as he took time out of filming to share his birthday cake Uncle Bryn also joined the gang as he was seen dressed in his typical smart shirt, tie and beige tailored trousers. The finale will also star Joanna Page as Stacey and Mathew Horne as Gavin, as the whole gang reunite for the first time since the last Christmas episode in 2019. On Friday morning Mathew shared an adorable moment with fans as he took time out of filming to share his birthday cake. Mathew, 46, appeared on set for the first time on Thursday, reuniting with James Corden following their feud. The actor ran over to fans with his giant birthday cake which they had bought him, as he pretended to nearly trip and drop it, asking: 'Has anyone got any cutlery?' Mathew was in complete awe of fans supporting his character 'Gavalar' during filming on Barry Island. As he walked up the hill while eating chocolate from his cake, fans sang 'Happy Birthday' to him. Another fan shouted: 'GAV-A-LAR!' Laughing and taking a bow, he joked: 'Thank you! Has anyone got any cutlery? No? We should swan into one of these houses and get some knives and stuff. 'I want you to take that [the cake] and share it', he told fans. Jenna Dewan doted on son Callum, four, as she stepped out in LA on Monday - amid her volatile court battle with ex-husband Channing Tatum. The actress, 43, who shares Callum and baby daughter Rhiannon with fiance Steve Kazee, opted for a casual look of jeans, a white T-shirt and aviator sunglasses. Callum wore shorts, sneakers and a Tupac shirt as he spent quality time with his mom. Step Up star Jenna wore her tresses in soft waves and sported a pop of pink lipstick. The outing comes amid a seemingly endless court battle with Tatum, 44 - who she was wed to from 2009-2019 and shares daughter Everly, 11, with. Jenna Dewan doted on son Callum, four, as she stepped out in LA on Monday - amid her volatile court battle with ex-husband Channing Tatum Lawyers for both stars accuse the other side of trying to delay the long court battle, which has lasted since 2018. The sticking point of the legal proceedings is the distribution of money Tatum earns from the Magic Mike movie franchise. Dewan has been engaged to actor Kazee, 48, since 2020. Dewan and Kazee are parents to Callum, four, and baby daughter Rhiannon. Tatum is engaged to actress and director Zoe Kravitz, 35, and stars in her directorial debut Blink Twice. Tatum and Dewan met while working on the 2006 movie Step Up. They got engaged in 2008 and were married in Malibu, California in 2009. It's unclear if the former couple signed a prenuptial agreement. Last month, a source told DailyMail.com exclusively: 'Unfortunately, this case has dragged on for six years because Channing has unrealistic expectations of divorce and how marital assets are to be divided in California.' The actress, 43, who shares Callum and baby daughter Rhiannon with fiance Steve Kazee, opted for a casual look of jeans, a white T-shirt and aviator sunglasses The outing comes amid a seemingly endless court battle with Tatum , 44 - who she was wed to from 2009-2019 and shares daughter Everly, 11, with (pictured in 2015) Tatum is engaged to actress Zoe Kravitz, 35; the duo was pictured in London this month The source also said that they think 'their case will never end until Channing gets reasonable and meets Jenna in the middle. The Magic Mike franchise includes the 2012 original and multiple sequels - 2015's Magic Mike XXL and 2023's Magic Mike's Last Dance, as well as the 2021 HBO Max reality series Finding Magic Mike and a Las Vegas show. Tatum and Dewan issued a joint statement in 2018, saying that they were breaking up and that 'We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together. 'Absolutely nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now. Another huge nationwide retailer filed for bankruptcy this morning - raising questions over the future of its 1,400 stores. The Chapter 11 filing from discount home goods retailer Big Lots is the latest from big American retailers and restaurant chains, with the highest profile until now being Red Lobster. A total of 21 have filed for bankruptcy in the first half of this year - the most since the pandemic wrecked havoc with businesses in 2020, S&P said in a July report. Bosses at Big Lots hope to sell the business to private equity firm Nexus Capital after closing more stores in a bid to cut costs. They must also reduce its huge debt. But several other retailers this year hoping to restructure have ended up having to close down entirely and sell off their stock, including dollar store 99 Cents Only, home improvement chain LL Flooring and furniture retailer Conn's. 'Big Lots is hoping to avoid the path of retail chains 99 Cents Only Stores and Conn's which have had to liquidate in bankruptcy,' said Sarah Foss from Debtwire. Discount home goods retailer Big Lots is reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy after years of falling sales and store closures (Pictured: A store closure in Manassas, Virginia) Big Lots - which three months ago said it had 'substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue' - has secured $707.5 million to keep it going. The Ohio-based company already announced last month it would close down more than 300 of its almost 1,400 stores across the US. Retail analyst Neil Saunders said bankruptcy was 'the inevitable destination' for a chain that had posted 16 consecutive quarters of sales declines. Big Lots history The company that would go on to become Big Lots was founded in 1967 by Sol Shenk. In 1982, the company - then known as Consolidated International - launched Odd Lots, which was later renamed Big Lots. It was one of the first types of store known as close-out - which meant it sold goods that were nearly out of date in the case of food or not the current season for fashion and homewares. The chain grew over the years to include stores operating under several names including Mac Frugal's Bargains, Closeouts, and Pic 'N' Save. They were all converted to the Big Lots name in 2001. Advertisement Saunders, head of retail at GlobalData, pointed out one major factor for customers ditching Big Lots - that it is bad bad value, which 'undermines the retailer's key point of differentiation'. Alarm bells rang on Friday when Big Lots postponed the release of its financial results - a highly unusual move Rumors had been swelling over the past week that Big Lots was on the brink of bankruptcy after years of falling sales. Saunders said Big Lots has two main issues: 'The first is that Big Lots is not always good value for money. 'Many of the items it sells are not high end and are not drastically expensive, but equivalents can often be found much cheaper at other stores, including Walmart. 'At a time when consumers are comparing prices more, this has lost Big Lots custom and loyalty. 'It also undermines Big Lots' key point of differentiation that of value for money and it raises a question of what, exactly, the retailer is bringing to the market.' He added: 'The other issue the assortment [of items on offer] is very jumbled and muddled, which is partly a function of the way the business operates. 'However, there is far too much choice and not nearly enough treasure for consumers to be enticed by. This creates an unsatisfactory shopping experience, especially compared to other players operating in the discount space, such as off-price retailers.' He pointed out that if Big Lots had cash in the bank 'it might have been able to navigate through these challenges'. 'Sadly, this is not the case, he added. 'As of the latest quarter filed, the company had $573 million of long-term debt and growing interest payments. 'Bankruptcy will allow Big Lots to try and put itself on a more stable footing. This includes restructuring debt and closing poorly performing stores. 'The sale to Nexus Capital, which is something of a stalking horse bid, gives certainty that the chain will survive in some form.' Nexus, as a so-called stalking horse bidder, will buy Big Lots if not better offer arrives. Big Lots stock halved in value in premarket trading on Monday morning to 26 cents. It comes after it also fell by 50 percent to 56 cents last week after news of the bankruptcy fears emerged. CEO Bruce Thorn warned during the company's last earnings call three months ago that Americans were cutting back spending on big ticket items, especially for furniture, which was hurting sales. This morning he said: 'The actions we are taking today will enable us to move forward with new owners who believe in our business and provide financial stability.' The chain has seen its takings fall consistently for each of the past ten quarters. It lost an eye-watering $132 million in the first three months of 2024. In August, Big Lots said it would close as many as 315 stores across states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire and Vermont which are due to close. The latest closures were on top of 40 further stores which closed their doors in June. It means the Columbus, Ohio-based chain will have lost a quarter of its 1,392 store footprint this year. On Reddit, Big Lots store managers have complained that they are getting more and more stock that customers do not buy. 'In the last month we received four of the largest trucks we have seen all year and triple the amount we normally get,' one wrote. 'The warehouse is pretty much full to capacity and none of [it] is selling.' Another posted: 'Isn't that the weirdest thing? So much stuff, but none of it is what people want.' The store sells furniture and homeware alongside toys, beauty products and groceries Big Lots is know for its reduced price items Problems for Big Lots come amidst a widespread 'retail apocalypse' which is seeing stores struggle with consumer pullback and increasingly tight margins. There were almost 2,600 store closures in the first four months of 2024. If that trend continues, almost 8,000 will have been lost by the end of the year. Bargain stores like Big Lots as well as dollar stores have been hit particularly hard. For example, 99 Cents Only announced in April it would shutter all 371 of its locations across California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. Meanwhile, 1,000 stores belong to Family Dollar and its sister company Dollar Tree will shutter over the next three years. In recent months, Walmart has also closed three more of its underperforming locations. Best Buy closed ten in March. In addition, Macy's is closing 150 shops over the next three years - including the shuttering of 55 this year. Drug store Rite Aid has said it will close more than 800 stores after entering bankruptcy. Most of these have been in just two states - with customers scrambling to find a new pharmacy in Michigan and Ohio. For decades, Indian households have upheld certain gender rolesmen return to a home-cooked meal while women cook after returning home from work My wife came across a feed on her social media, Men come back home to a cooked meal; women come home to cook a meal. It is not the women who need freedom; it is the men who should have the freedom. The first half of the statement is something that we observe in almost all Indian households. It was the second part that I could not comprehend till I introspected. I was born in 1959, a few years after India gained independence. I was the firstborn in my generation. During those days, and even now in many parts of the country, young couples are blessed by family and friends to have a male firstborn. My mother told me that my paternal aunt went to the terrace to announce my birth to the locality by banging a steel plate with a spoon, A son is born. I was a cherished and much-loved child, and then an adult. I would not say that I was unduly pampered due to my gender, though my wife and daughters disagree. One thing was certain. I was not expected to enter the kitchen except to fetch a glass of water, and certainly not for cooking. My mother would insist on reheating the cooked food in case my wife had to go out for some work, till she could not do it any longer due to her medical condition.I was not alone in my generation to receive special treatment. A friend would be served freshly made bread by his wife, however late he returned from the office, or however tired the lady was after a hectic day spent in the kitchen or running after the children. Almost all my friends from that era were pampered first by their mothers, aunts, sisters, and even females from the extended family, and then by their wives and daughters.Many of us, from relatively better social milieu, have raised our children to question the age-old customs. More women are going out for work. Men are also raised to help with household chores. Young couples make efforts to take care of each other. There is no gender bias. A friends son-in-law loves cooking, especially preparing masala tea. It is almost a ritual for him to prepare tea whenever he and the daughter visit the parents. The maid and a few others were scandalized at this blatant display of deviation from the traditional, till they had tasted the special tea. The change is slow, and only in certain sections of society. Women in many families are still expected to learn the art of looking after the household, husbands, and children, even after a tiring day at work. They are made to feel guilty for leaving their newborn child at home to resume work. Men still do not enter the kitchen, and more often are not permitted to enter the kitchen, even if they have an interest or an inherent desire to help the wife. Men need the freedom to make their choices without being judged by people. They also need the freedom to break the shackles of gender biases. Certain gender-specific roles and responsibilities were assigned based on the requirements of the times. Many of these may no longer be relevant. It is for us to adapt to changing times, and we can. We have reached where we are because of the ability of humans to change. Welsh writer and critic Stephen Bayley expresses it well, The assumption must be that those who can see value only in tradition, or versions of it, deny mans ability to adapt to changing circumstances. (The writer is an author, speaker, coach, arbitrator and strategy consultant and conducts workshops on creative writing; views are personal) Soaring onion prices are causing concern for both consumers and politicians alike, with historical evidence showing that onion price can sway electoral outcomes Kya pyaj rulayega Would the onion bring tears? is the common refrain in poll-bound states of Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra. and many a time it has hit not only the common man but even the political masters. The rise in Indian onion prices is feared to spurt international prices and food bills. Could the prices come down to wipe off tears? Maybe not. Its support prices have increased manifold. The Centre is procuring onion at a price 74 per cent higher than last year in Maharashtra, the highest onion-growing state. Last year, onion was procured at Rs 16.93 per kg. This year it is being procured at Rs 29.5 per kg through direct benefit transfer (DBT) to eliminate middlemen. The centre is not taking any chances. It is selling through NAFED outlets, mobile vans and others at Rs 35. For how long it could be sustained? Even at Rs 16.93 per kg procurement, national prices rarely came down below Rs 30 a kg. Onion prices hover around Rs 60 and 70 a kg. The overall national prices are unlikely to come down as the Maharashtra government is investing Rs 1500 crore to buy onion from the state to keep its farmers and traders happy to secure a political future. The government imposed a ban on onion exports in December 2023 to curb rising retail onion prices, ahead of the Lok Sabha election. It led to a fall in onion prices by approximately 40 per cent from Rs. 42.2 a kg in December 2023 to Rs. 24.5 kg in March 2024. On 23rd March 2024, the ban was extended indefinitely Lok Sabha election. Prices lowered. The declining onion prices continued to create uproar among the farmers and traders. The government lifted the ban with the third phase of polling on May 4 to six countries - Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. Historically, high onion prices have led to discontent among consumers, whereas lower onion prices have upset a large voting bloc of farmers, making the onion market a crucial topic for the government, especially around elections. India is one of the largest producers and consumers of onions and fluctuations in onion prices have large-scale socio-economic impacts on the domestic and international markets. In 2023-24 yield came down by 15 percent to around 25.47 million tonnes (MT), compared to the previous year's production of about 30.21 MT, according to an official release. The production may further fall this year.Traders fear that despite the lifting of the ban with 40 per cent export duties Indian onion remains highly-priced at $ 770 per MT (Rs 64 a kg). The Egyptian onion is sold at $ 387 per MT, almost half of the Indian price making it uncompetitive. Countries such as Egypt, Pakistan and China compete with India in the Asian onion export market. The onion has been a political game-changer since the 1980 general elections when rising onion prices contributed to the return of Indira Gandhi to power wiping out the Janata Party. Again because of high onion prices in 1998, the BJP lost to the Congress despite having changed its chief minister a few months before.In the 2024 Lok Sabha 2024 elections, the BJP has significant losses in Maharashtras onion-growing belt. Except for one seat, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has been completely trounced in this crucial agricultural region. Out of the 13 Lok Sabha constituencies where the majority of onion farmers are concentrated, 12 have been won by the opposing INDIA bloc. This is a stark contrast to the 2019 parliamentary elections, where NDA comprising BJP and formerly united Shiv Sena won 11 out of these 13 seats, with BJP alone securing seven.Since the extension of the export ban, there has been simmering anger among onion cultivators of Nasik, which has the largest Asian onion market at Lasangaon. The export ban led to significant financial losses for farmers, who struggled to recover their cultivation costs as wholesale prices nosedived. Other major constituencies with significant onion grower populations, such as Dhule, Ahmednagar, Nandurbar, Baramati, Beed, Latur, Maval, Shirur, Solapur, Shirdi and Osmanabad, also saw NDAs influence wane. The government has also decided to fill in the state emergency reserves with 500,000 tonnes of onions for the 2024-25 period. This initiative aims to mitigate future price volatility and protect farmers from sudden market fluctuations. It is also planning to increase 27 per cent onion acreage during the kharif season for onion in addition to the rabi crop. According to food analyst Mintec Analytics of the UK, the BJP has historically invested more in manufacturing and infrastructural development than in agricultural growth. Agricultural exports reached $ 48.9 billion in 2023-24, a decline of 8 per cent from $ 53.2 billion in FY 2022-23. The export value in FY 2023-24 is significantly short of the ambitious target of $ 60 billion set by the BJP government. Also, the agri-exports during the last 10 years grew by 1.9 per cent since 2014 against the annual average growth rate of 20 during 2004-14. The onion is a staple vegetable for the poor, indispensable to many Indian cuisines and recipes, from spicy curries to tangy relishes. In Maharashtra, if there are no vegetables or you can't afford to buy vegetables, people eat 'kanda bhakari' (onion with bread), says a food historian Dr Mohseena Mukadam. It is more than butter for politicians, whose success depends on how they can handle the onion. The cheers and tears of impending state elections are closely linked with onion. (The author is a senior journalist; views expressed are personal) Millions of people with skills are being sidelined in India, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said in Dallas, Texas, and referred to Eklavya from Mahabharata, who had to chop off his thumb on his guru's demand. During an interaction with students at the University of Texas in Dallas on Sunday, Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said that India does not lack skills, it lacks respect for skills. "Have you heard of the Eklavya story? If you want to understand what is happening in India, it is millions and millions of Eklavya stories every single day. People with skills are being sidelinedthey are not being allowed to operate or thrive, and this is happening everywhere," the official X account of the Congress quoted Gandhi as saying. In the Mahabharata, Dronacharya, an expert in military warfare, asks Ekalavya, who is from a tribal community, for the impossible sacrifice of his right thumb as guru dakshina' when he seeks to learn archery from him. "Many people say that India has a problem with skills. I don't think India has a problem with skills. I think... India does not have respect for people who possess skills," Gandhi said. In his address, Gandhi asserted that India's potential can be unleashed by respecting skills and supporting people with skills financially and technologically. "You won't unleash India's power by empowering just 1-2 per cent of the population," he said. Gandhi is on a four-day unofficial trip to the US, during which he will interact with the members of the Indian diaspora and youths with stops in Dallas, Texas and Washington DC. He also plans to meet lawmakers and senior officials of the US government during his visit to Washington DC, beginning Monday. Asserting that India, the US and other countries in the West are facing the problem of unemployment while China is not, as it is dominating global production, Gandhi underscored the need to focus on manufacturing in India. He said the West, America, Europe and India have "given up on the idea of production" and handed it to China. "The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organise consumption... India has to think about the act of production and organising production..." "It's not acceptable that India simply says, okay, manufacturing, what you call manufacturing or production, is going to be the preserve of the Chinese. It's going to be the preserve of the Vietnamese. It's going to be the preserve of Bangladesh," Gandhi said. "The only way to provide jobs for a large number of people is to start producing things, to start manufacturing," he said. "Until we do that, we will face high levels of unemployment. And frankly, it's not sustainable." "... If we carry on down this path of forgetting about manufacturing, you're going to see massive social problems coming in India and in the United States and Europe. The polarisation of our politics is because of this..." he added. He also stressed the need to encourage vocational training to bridge the gap between the business and education systems and flagged the "ideological capture" of the latter. In his address, Gandhi also spoke about new tech taking people's existing jobs. "If you position yourself properly, it can be an opportunity; if you position yourself poorly, you could be in trouble," he said. "What happens is that while technology does take jobs away from some people, it also creates opportunities for others." "I don't believe that jobs will vanish entirely, but rather that different types of jobs will be created and different sectors will benefit," he said. Gandhi arrived in Dallas on Saturday night and was welcomed by dozens of members of the Indian-American community led by senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda and president of Indian National Overseas Congress, USA, Mohinder Gilzian. In his address, Gandhi said there is a need to link the education system with the business system through vocational training. "Bridging that gap or linking these two systems, skills and education, through vocational training is fundamental. I think, currently the huge problem with the education system is the ideological capture, where ideology is being fed through it...," he said. Gandhi said he is convinced that India can take on China if it starts aligning itself for production and starts respecting skills. "I'm absolutely convinced of it. States like Tamil Nadu have already shown it. It's not that Indian states have not done it. Pune has shown it. Maharashtra has shown it. So, it is being done, but it's not being done at the scale and with the coordination that it needs to be done," Gandhi said. Feature: Greek twin sisters excited at increasingly easier travel between Greece, China Xinhua) 10:41, September 09, 2024 ATHENS, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Thanks to a new visa policy introduced not long ago, Greek twin sisters Marianna and Sofia Erotokritou are excited at increasingly easier travel between Greece and China. The twin sisters have been studying and living between the two countries since 2013. The twins held single-entry visas when they were students, eventually progressing to double-entry and multiple-entry visas. Visa application processes have become more and more streamlined over the years, they said. The pair have become known for posting videos in Chinese on social media about Greek tourist destinations, as well as the country's culture, and way of life. At the same time, they also introduce Chinese civilization and everyday life to Greeks, attracting millions of views. Three years ago, Marianna and Sofia Erotokritou were appointed "Ambassadors of Greek Tourism in China" by Greece's Tourism Ministry, in acknowledgement of their efforts to promote Greece in China. "We currently hold a one-year work visa. It would be great if we could get a new five-year multiple-entry visa in the future," Marianna told Xinhua. Since July 10, Greek citizens have been able to obtain five-year multiple-entry visas for the purposes of business, tourism, and family visits in China. Previously, only two-year multiple-entry visas were available. The new policy is aimed at promoting exchanges between Greece and China. George Xiradakis, vice president of the Greek China Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Tourism, and Shipping, also praised the new visa policy. He described it as a "very positive step," particularly for business travelers who frequently visit China. "Businessmen or businesswomen no longer need to spend a long time planning their trips, wasting time and money, and once they decide to visit China based on business needs, their travel will be much easier. This is an important initiative launched by the Chinese government," Xiradakis told Xinhua. Greece is among the countries that have benefited from changes to visa policies for visits to China in recent months, Pan Ziyang, consul at the Chinese embassy in Athens, told Xinhua in a recent interview. "We try to encourage everyone, more and more people, to visit China," Pan said. In addition to the visa policy changes, Greece now also benefits from an increase in direct flights to China. Starting this spring, Air China has extended its Athens-Beijing service to five flights per week, while Juneyao Airlines has introduced a second direct route from Athens to Shanghai which runs three weekly flights. China has launched a series of measures to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals and their stay in China, including relaxed visa application requirements and simplified procedures, exemption of border checks for certain transit passengers and more convenient mobile payment for foreigners. According to China's National Immigration Administration (NIA), the country recorded 14.64 million inbound trips made by foreigners in the first half of this year, up 152.7 percent year on year. The NIA expects the number of foreigners visiting China to continue to rise in the second half of this year. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) BJP on Monday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his latest remarks in the United States, calling him a black spot in Indian democracy. The party accused Rahul Gandhi of trying to weaken Indian democracy with his remarks whenever he is abroad, in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reportedly signed between the Congress and the Chinese Communist Party during the UPA rule. BJP claimed that Congress had signed a party-to-party MoU with China during its rule. The series of efforts that Rahul Gandhi has been making to weaken Indian democracy is the outcome of that MoU. If I am wrong, I dare Rahul Gandhi and (Congress president) Mallikarjun Kharge to make the MoU public, the party stated in its first reactions to the Rahul's recent visit abroad. Everybody knows that Rahul Gandhi is an immature and part-time leader. But People have put a huge responsibility on his shoulders since he became the leader of opposition (in the Lok Sabha). But I feel sad to say that Rahul Gandhi is a black spot in Indian democracy. He does not even know what to talk about when he visits a foreign country, said Gaurav Bhatia, BJP's national spokesperson, at a Press conference at the BJP headquarters. He was replying to reporters' queries on Rahul's remarks against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at an event in the US. Love, respect and humility are missing from Indian politics, Rahul said in his address to the Indian-American community, where he also criticised the RSS for believing that India is one idea. The Leader of Opposition made the remarks on Sunday in Dallas, during his first interaction with the Indian diaspora on his current visit to the US. During an interaction with students at the University of Texas in Dallas, Rahul also underscored the need to focus on manufacturing in India, saying India, the US and other countries in the West are facing the problem of unemployment while China is not as it is dominating global production. The former Congress chief also said there is no shortage of skills in India and the country could compete with China if it starts aligning itself for production. Reacting sharply, Bhatia said Rahul cannot utter a single word or give a statement against China. He weakens India.... He stands by China, the BJP leader said. Bhatia said that this was not the first time that Congress leader has demeaned the country while speaking on foreign soil but unfortunately he has also received thumbs up and support over his statements from certain quarters from abroad. In a major boost to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Defence Ministry on Monday signed a contract with State-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for 240 AL-31FP aero engines for Su-30MKI aircraft at a cost of over Rs 26,000 crore. Official sources said the aero-engines will be manufactured by the Koraput division of HAL and are expected to fulfil the need of the Indian Air Force to sustain the operational capability of the Su-30 fleet. The deal for the engines comes amid concerns over the depleting fleet of the IAFs fighter squadrons and delays in the supply of Tejas jets by HAL. The number of the IAFs fighter squadrons has come down to around 30 as against the authorised strength of at least 42. The contract agreement was inked by senior officials of the ministry and the HAL in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. The HAL would supply 30 aero-engines annually as per the contractual delivery schedule. The supply of all 240 engines would be completed over the next eight years, according to the defence ministry. During manufacturing, HAL plans to take support from the countrys defence manufacturing ecosystem, involving MSMEs and public and private industries, said the official. By the end of the delivery programme, HAL would enhance the indigenisation content up to 63 per cent to achieve an average of over 54 per cent, the defence ministry said. It said this would also help increase the indigenous content of repair and overhaul tasks of the aero-engines. What could be the first indication of the failure of a poll alliance or pressure tactics on the Congress for an alliance, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday decided to go solo in the Haryana Assembly polls as it released its first list of 20 candidates. This comes amid days of hectic parleys between the two parties over seat-sharing arrangements that dragged on looking at the nomination window for the polls closing on September 12. This decision could complicate the potential alliance between the AAP and the Congress in Haryana and might impact the possibility of the two major INDIA bloc allies coming together for the Delhi Assembly polls next year. Interestingly, the AAP has fielded candidates from at least 12 seats including Naraingarh, Assandh, Samalkha, Uchana Kalan, Dabwali, Meham, Rohtak, Bahadurgarh, Badli, Beri, Mahendragarh and Badshahpur where the Congress has already announced its candidates. Interestingly, AAP has fielded its partys vice president of Haryana unit, Anurag Dhanda from Kalayat, which is considered to be a stronghold of former chief minister and veteran Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Besides, this AAP has fielded Kuldeep Gadrana from Dabwali, a bastion of the Chautala clan, Indu Sharma from Bhiwani, Vikash Nehra has been fielded from Meham, while Bijender Hooda is in the poll fray from Rohtak, which is considered as Hoodas stronghold. The Congress has so far announced 41 candidates for the Haryana Assembly polls to elect 90 MLAs, scheduled for October 5. The votes will be counted on October 8. The talks between the Congress and the AAP have been stuck over the number of seats to be contested by the latter, with Arvind Kejriwal-led party demanding 10 seats and the Congress offering five. The Haryana unit Congress leadership opposed alliance talks as they were not ready to accommodate AAP on these seats. Some of the seats AAP was demanding already had strong Congress candidates, State Leaders told the Central leadership. Hooda was against any seat-sharing pact with AAP. Hooda even reportedly walked out of one of the party meetings held on the matter in Delhi. In fact, State unit Haryana Congress Leaders were worried that an alliance might give a platform to AAP and help find its footing in the region. According to AAP insiders, the alliance seemed nearly sealed on Saturday and the delay from Congress in final confirmation led to an impasse, irking the AAP which had threatened to release the names of all 90 candidates if no final word is received from the grand old party till Monday evening. Other party contestants include Kuldeep Chikara from Bahadurgarh, Randir Guliya from Badli, Sonu Ahlawat Sheria from Beri, Ravinder Faujdar from Ballabhgarh, Dharmender Khatana from Sohna, Bir Singh Sarpanch from Badshahpur, Gurpal Singh from Naraingarh; Narender Sharma from Pundri, Jaipal Sharma from Gharaunda, Amandeep Jundla from Assandh, Bittu Pahalwan from Samalkha, Pawan Fauji from Uchana Kalan, Kuldeep Gadrana from Dabwali, Happy Raina from Rania, Ranbir Guliya from Badli, Sonu Ahlawat from Beri and Manish Yadav from Mahendragarh. On the issue of an alliance with the Congress, AAPs Haryana president Sushil Gupta said, I want to say it very clearly that we have been preparing for all the 90 seats since day one. There is not much time left for the polls, the last date for filing nominations is September 12. So the wait is over. He asserted that the AAP is in a position to provide a strong alternative in Haryana, adding that the partys second list of candidates will also be released soon. Another AAP leader, Sanjay Singh, said the party will fight the Haryana polls with full strength. Earlier in the day, Gupta had said the AAP would release the names of its candidates from all 90 seats if the Congress failed to seal the deal by the evening. Gupta said the countdown for the exit of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun in Haryana and added that the AAP will not allow the BJP to benefit at any cost. He was replying to reporters question on whether the AAPs decision to go solo will benefit the saffron party in Haryana. On the alliance prospects with the Congress, Singh said, We do not have sufficient time. We are now engaged in finalising the candidates names for the remaining seats. On Sunday, AAP leader Raghav Chadha, who was holding talks with Congress leaders over a prospective alliance, said both parties were trying to form a coalition for the Haryana polls, keeping aside their individual aspirations. The Congress and the AAP had fought the Lok Sabha polls together in Delhi while they had contested the election separately in Punjab. In the general election, the Congress had given one seat to the AAP in Haryana, which it had contested unsuccessfully. In the 2019 Haryana polls, the AAP had contested 46 seats, but failed to taste success. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held wide-ranging talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan focusing on boosting overall strategic ties between the two countries. The Crown Prince arrived here on Sunday. India and the United Arab Emirates inked four agreements to expand energy cooperation as well as focusing on boosting overall strategic ties. In their talks, Modi and Al Nahyan are understood to have also deliberated on pressing global challenges, including the situation in Gaza. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said PM Modi and Crown Prince Al Nahyan discussed the multifaceted relations between India and the UAE with an aim to broaden the comprehensive strategic partnership. "The two leaders discussed the multifaceted India-UAE relations and avenues to broaden the comprehensive strategic partnership to new and emerging areas," Jaiswal said. After holding talks with Modi, the visiting leader paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial Rajghat. An Agreement for long-term LNG supply between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and another between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Ltd (ISPRL) are among the four pacts. Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) also inked an MoU for the operation and maintenance of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The fourth pact is a production concession agreement for Abu Dhabi onshore block-one between Urja Bharat and ADNOC. A separate pact was inked between the Gujarat Government and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC on setting up food parks in India. Following the landmark visit of Modi to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) for cross-border transactions. The two countries are among each other's top trading partners with a bilateral trade of about USD 85 billion in 2022-23, according to official data. The UAE is also among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments in 2022-23. About 3.5 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE. The UAE was invited as special invitee for G20 during India's Presidency of the grouping. In Feb 2023, the India-UAE-France (UFI) trilateral was formally launched. With India's active support, the UAE joined SCO as dialogue partner in May 2023. The UAE also joined BRICS as a member on January 1 with India's support. The India-UAE defence cooperation has also witnessed a renewed momentum in the last few years. In January 2024, the first India-UAE bilateral army exercise 'Desert Cyclone' was held in Rajasthan. Nahyan also called on the President Draupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan during which she praised the UAE leadership for ensuring the welfare, particularly the special care taken during the difficult times of the Covid pandemic, of more than 35 lakh Indian citizens in the West Asian country. Murmu was also happy to note the high rate of participation and contribution of women in all aspects of Emirati society, a statement issued by the President's office said. "Both Leaders agreed that India and the UAE have societies with a syncretic and multicultural heritage, and that the path of peace, tolerance, and harmony shown by Mahatma Gandhi and HH Sheikh Zayed, are deeply imbibed in our national character," the statement added. Protest cannot be at the cost of duty, the Supreme Court observed on Monday as it directed the West Bengal doctors protesting over the rape and killing of a postgraduate medic at the State-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata to return to work immediately. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud directed the protesting doctors to get back to work by 5 pm on Tuesday and assured them that there will be no adverse action if they resume duty. The State of West Bengal must take steps to create confidence in the minds of the doctors that their concerns regarding their safety and security are being duly attended to. In order to ensure this, all the district collectors and SPs (superintendents of police) shall take stock of the situation in all Government medical colleges and public hospitals and provide adequate safety. We also direct that in the event the doctors return to duty on or before 5 pm (on Tuesday), no adverse disciplinary action should be taken against them. If there is continued abstention of work, there may be a likelihood of adverse action, the bench, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said. The court said the protesting doctors cannot be oblivious to the needs of the general community. Any protest cannot be at the cost of duty. The young doctors must now return and attend to the patients. We know what is happening on the ground. First, return to work. The district collectors and superintendents of police will ensure (your) safety. You have to now return to work, the bench said. Appearing in the court on behalf of the West Bengal Government, senior advocate Kapil Sibal submitted that 23 people have died in the State as doctors are on strike protesting against the rape and killing that has triggered nationwide protests. The Supreme Court also voiced concern over the absence of a key document that was needed for the postmortem of the medic raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, and asked the CBI to investigate into it. The court also flagged that there was at least a 14-hour delay by Kolkata Police in registering FIR in rape and murder incident. The top court directed the CBI to submit a fresh report by September 17 on the probe in the case. The apex court also directed immediate removal of photographs of the victim from all social media platforms to protect the dignity and privacy of the deceased. On the issue of security of medical institutions in the State, the Supreme Court said All DMs, SPs in West Bengal to take stock of situation to ensure safety, security of Government medical colleges. The apex court also directed a senior officer of the West Bengal Governments Home department and a senior CISF officer to ensure all three companies of the CISF, which are deputed for security at the RG Kar Hospital, are given accommodation. The Government on Monday said that the 26-year-old male who recently travelled from the country experiencing Mpox transmission has tested positive for the viral disease. However, in a bid to allay fears, the Union Health Ministry in a statement issued here stated that the virus is of the West African clade 2, not related to the current clade 1 public health emergency. The patient is currently isolated at a designated tertiary care isolation facility at Delhi Governments LNJP Hospital. The patient remains clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities, the Ministry said. It added that it is an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards. It is not a part of the current public health emergency reported by WHO which is regarding clade 1 of Mpox, it maintained. The case aligns with earlier risk assessments and continues to be managed according to established protocols, it said, adding that public health measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, are actively in place to ensure the situation is contained. There is no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time, the Health Ministry stated even as it urged states and Union territories to stay vigilant and avoid unnecessary panic. Authorities are advised to enhance surveillance, including screening, testing, and contact tracing, to manage the situation effectively and prevent further spread, said Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra in a letter to States and Union Territories(UTs). The Centre has also advised them to ramp up surveillance including screening, testing and tracing contact of all suspect Mpox cases and identify isolation facilities in hospitals for both suspect and confirmed patients. Presently, three Centre-led hospitals in the national capitals have been designated for treatment of the Mpox cases if needed. Chandra asked the States and UTs to review public health preparedness, particularly at the health facility level, identify isolation facilities in hospitals, and ensure the availability of required logistics and trained human resources at such facilities. The Secretary also called for the orientation of all key stakeholders with a focus on surveillance units under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) at state and district levels to re-orient them on definitions of suspect, probable, confirmed cases, contact tracing and other surveillance activities. In the letter, Chandra asked all states to make people aware of the Mpox disease, its mode of spread, the need for timely reporting and taking preventive measures, besides reviewing the public health preparedness and isolation facilities for both suspect and confirmed cases. In the letter, Chandra said the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 14 declared the current outbreak of Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Health units at points of entry (airports) have been instructed to strengthen health screening of incoming travellers to detect any suspected case, the Union Health Secretary said, adding the laboratory network under Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also been strengthened. Dr. Jugal Kishore, Director Professor and Head of Community Medicine at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, described Mpox symptoms as resembling those of chickenpox or smallpox, including sores, blisters, rashes, or pimples on the face or body, sometimes with yellow pus. Additional symptoms may include itching, vomiting, fever, headache, muscle stiffness, and lethargy. He said there was no need to panic but precautionary measures need to be taken such as avoiding crowded places, maintaining distance, washing hands frequently, and avoiding contact with immunocompromised individuals. He stressed the importance of consulting a doctor if Mpox symptoms appear, given the potential confusion with chickenpox. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that Indore is a rapidly growing city. There are immense possibilities of development in this city. Madhya Pradesh and Indore city are located in the central part of the country. Keeping this in view, there is a need to develop here in a planned manner. If there is a planned development of Indore city and Madhya Pradesh, then other states will also get its benefit. CM Dr. Yadav reviewed the development works in Indore today. In this, many important decisions were taken regarding the all-round development of Indore. In the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yadav, it was decided that an action plan will be prepared for the all-round development of the proposed Indore Metropolitan Area and Indore Regional Development Area. A special action plan will be prepared for the development of 29 villages included in the Indore Municipal Corporation limits. Yadav gave instructions to prepare this action plan in one month. It was also decided that in place of the proposed elevated bridge from LIG to Navlakha in Indore city, 6 more bridges will be built at the junctions as per the requirement. It was also decided that the land ownership related issues of 29 villages included in the municipal corporation limits and other old settlements of the city should be resolved and arrangements should be made to pass their maps. Also, it should be ensured that all the basic facilities are available in these villages like legal colonies. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also fixed the time limit for completion of various construction works approved and in progress in Indore district. It was told in the meeting that only three percent utility has been found for the elevated bridge from LIG to Navlakha. In view of this, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that when there is such low utility, there is no need for an elevated bridge. Instead, alternative arrangements should be made. Bridges should be built at different junctions instead of elevated bridges. It was told that 6 over bridges need to be built on this route. Yadav directed to prepare an action plan for this. He also reviewed the Amrit Yojana and directed that in view of the requirement of 2047 in the city, an action plan should be prepared regarding water supply and sewerage line and work should be started soon. A plan should also be prepared regarding the amount. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Indore and surrounding areas are developing rapidly. There is a need for planned development in these areas. The Metropolitan Area and Indore Regional Development Area should be developed. A plan for holistic and well-planned development of every village and every area of ??Indore, Ujjain, Dhar, Dewas included in this region should be prepared, headded. All development agencies should prepare a development plan in a co-ordinated manner. He said that there are immense possibilities of industrial development in Indore. Keeping this in view, an action plan should be prepared. Along with this, 4-lane roads should also be expanded rapidly. He said that with the approval of Indore-Manmad railway line, Malwa-Nimar as well as Gwalior region will also develop. This railway line will become a bridge of development to Mumbai, Indore and Delhi. He said that there are immense possibilities of development of air cargo in Indore. The Chief Minister also directed to prepare a proposal regarding the expansion of railway line in Indore and surrounding areas. Yadav reviewed the ongoing Indore-Ujjain 4 lane to 6 lane road, MR-11, MR-12, Tejaji Nagar to Balwada, Indore to Harda and other roads of the master plan. He directed that the said works should be completed within the stipulated time frame. Besides, discussions were also held regarding Indore Bypass to Village Panod, Kampel Road, 2 lane road from Chandragupta Maurya statue to Dewas-Ujjain Road, construction of Western Bypass in Indore city, Eastern Bypass Road in Indore city. Delhi Finance Minister Atishi on Monday said that the decision of keeping research grants exempted from the Goods and Service Tax (GST) net in the 54th GST Council meeting is a blow to tax terrorism and a crucial step toward national development. She said that the Delhi governments fierce opposition at the 54th GST Council meeting has secured a major win for research and educational institutions. Atishi took to X and shared, The AAP has continuously opposed GST on research grants. Today, in the GST Council meeting, the Delhi and Punjab governments raised the issue that GST should not be levied on research grants received by educational institutions - whether it is a government grant or a private one. I am happy that today the GST Council has decided not to impose GST on research grants. This is a big step for the development of the country. Additionally, the Minister stated that in the meeting of the GST Council, the AAP governments of Delhi and Punjab strongly opposed the imposition of GST on research grants received by educational institutions. Taxing research grants of educational institutions is akin to tax terrorism. And we are happy that the central government and the rest of the state governments agreed on this issue, said the Delhi Minister. The senior AAP leader added that the issue which was repeatedly raised by the AAP governments of Delhi and Punjab that GST should not be imposed on research grants. This is a big decision for our educational institutions which contribute to the development of the country through research, she added. Director in President's Secretariat Shivendra Chaturvedi on Monday wrote to the delegation of Delhi BJP MLAs who met the President Draupadi Murmu on August 30 with an appeal to dismiss the government given the "constitutional crisis plaguing" the Capital, stating that they have forwarded their demands to Ministry of Home Affairs. In his letter to the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Delhi assembly Vijendra Gupta who led the delegation of BJP MLAs, Chaturvedi said, "This is to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 30th August, 2024 addressed to the President of India jointly signed by seven other MLAs and one former MLA of Delhi Legislative Assembly." He added, "The said communication has been forwarded to the Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, for appropriate attention." Earlier, the Delhi BJP MLAs submitted a memorandum to the President, where they stated, "We, the Members of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, approach Your Excellency with profound concern and utmost urgency regarding the ongoing constitutional crisis in the National Capital Territory of Delhi." They added, "The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has repeatedly and egregiously violated constitutional norms and principles, necessitating your immediate intervention to safeguard the democratic fabric of our nation's capital." The Delhi BJP members alleged that despite his imprisonment, Kejriwal has refused to resign, creating an unprecedented situation that has led to a complete breakdown of governance in Delhi. "Kejriwal has made life of Delhiites miserable with no government department working effectively. The memorandum highlighted unprecedented governance paralysis, non-constitution of the sixth Delhi Finance Commission, violation of constitutional procedure: suppression of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports, rampant corruption and financial irregularities and deliberate obstruction of Central government welfare schemes. To establish Uttar Pradesh as the food basket of India, the Yogi Adityanath government is implementing a range of initiatives to increase crop yields. The government has set the target to boost production by 30% in the next six years through a Rs 4,000-crore investment, leveraging innovation and technology with the collaboration of farmers and scientists. The state, home to the highly fertile Indo-Gangetic belt, offers nine distinct agricultural climates suitable for growing a wide variety of crops and fruits, while the rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarayu ensure year-round water availability. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh benefits from abundant labour and a large market due to its population, further strengthening its potential in agriculture. The Yogi government has been consistently working to boost crop yields through various initiatives, and these efforts have started showing results. However, when compared with national and global production levels, there remains considerable potential for improving yields in Uttar Pradesh. To address this, the government has embraced ambitious Central projects such as UP AGREES (Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening). Two years ago, the government collected district-wise and crop-wise data on maximum and minimum productivity. The aim was to understand the reasons behind the disparities in crop yields and determine what measures could be taken to boost production in districts with lower yields, thereby closing the gap. Now, the Yogi government, with support from the World Bank, is undertaking this exercise again through the UP AGREES initiative. This time, the effort is more extensive, utilising greater resources and following a timely, well-planned approach. It may be noted that Uttar Pradesh leads the country in total agricultural production, contributing around 24% of the nations output. The state ranks first in wheat production, accounting for 31% of the countrys yield, and is second in paddy production, the main crop of the Kharif season, with a 15% share. Despite these achievements, the per-hectare production of most crops in Uttar Pradesh remains below the national average per quintal. It lags behind the states with the highest per-hectare production and falls short when compared to global maximum production levels. For instance, aside from rice, wheat, millet, sorghum, and gram, Uttar Pradesh trails behind leading states in the production of other major crops. In Uttar Pradesh, the productivity of rice is 27.59 quintals per hectare, compared to 43.66 quintals in Punjab. Wheat productivity in UP stands at 36.04 quintals, while Punjab achieves 48.62 quintals. For other crops, the figures are as follows: jowar 15.78 (Andhra Pradesh 30.70), bajra 22.21 (Haryana 23.72), maize 23.31 (Tamil Nadu 68.20), urad 4.98 (Maharashtra 5.68), moong 3.58 (Maharashtra 5.55), sesame 2.26 (West Bengal 9.74), gram 13.76 (Gujarat 15.68), arhar 9.88 (Jharkhand 11.38), masoor 9.88 (Madhya Pradesh 11.39), pulses 10.79 (Gujarat 12.75), mustard 14.12 (Haryana 22.17), and oilseeds 10.54 (Tamil Nadu 20.43) quintals per hectare. To enhance production, UP AGREES has focused on districts in Purvanchal and Bundelkhand where yields are relatively low. The government and the organisation are optimistic about achieving a 30% increase in productivity by investing Rs 4,000 crore in these regions, leveraging innovation and technology with the support of farmers and scientists. Given that the productivity in western Uttar Pradesh is already high, boosting productivity in Bundelkhand and Purvanchal will significantly advance UPs goal of becoming the worlds food basket. Even with these improvements, there remains substantial potential for growth. The Delhi High Court has allowed a minor rape victim to undergo termination of her over 26 weeks pregnancy, observing that unwanted pregnancy constitutes a grave injury to the mental health of the survivor. The court also directed the Safdarjung Hospital to preserve samples from the foetus for DNA testing which may be required for the pending criminal proceedings. The high court said the victim has the ultimate right whether to give birth to the conceived child or to terminate the pregnancy, and her opinion has to be given primacy. "This court is of the considered opinion that the suffering of the victim who is aged about 16 years would be compounded if she is forced to continue the pregnancy at a tender age. Apart from above, the victim is bound to face social stigma which may not permit the scars left by defilement of her body to heal," Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta said. The court said it was cautious that though the pregnancy is of over 26 weeks of gestation but the risks associated with termination of pregnancy is not higher than the risk of delivery at full term of pregnancy. "Merely because there is no foetal abnormality, it cannot be held that the reproductive choice of the victim may be curtailed. It may be underlined that unwanted pregnancy constitutes a grave injury to the mental health of the rape survivor/victim, as also confirmed in the opinion rendered by the medical board," it said. The court was dealing with a petition by the girl, filed through her guardian, seeking permission to undergo medical termination of pregnancy and to direct the Safdarjung Hospital to preserve the terminal foetus for the purposes of DNA testing which would be required in the criminal case. The court was informed that the girl was over 26 weeks pregnant with an alleged history of sexual assault in March this year. The pregnancy was detected on August 27 when she complained of abdominal pain and was taken to a hospital. A case of rape and sexual assault was registered by police. The high court passed the order after the report of the medical board of Safdarjung Hospital clarified that carrying the pregnancy to full term is likely to adversely affect the physical health of the victim as well as her mental health. It was further informed that the victim and her mother have been counselled and informed of the procedural and medical aspects, including possible complications. In a positive development for mental health advocacy, the number of suicide cases in Jamshedpur has shown a notable fall over previous years, as reported by Jeevan, a city-based suicide prevention center. This downward trend marks a significant shift from past statistics, signaling increased awareness and access to mental health support within the community. According to Jeevan's data, suicide rates have gradually decreased from 2021 to 2024. In the case of students, the number of reported male and female suicides has dropped from 23 cases (7 males and 16 females) in 2021 to just 9 cases (4 males and 5 females) in the first eight months of 2024. A similar trend is observed in general suicides, with the overall number of male and female cases reducing from 255 in 2021 (178 males and 77 females) to 129 in 2024 (93 males and 36 females) as of August. Jeevans director, Dr Jeoraj Jain, shared these insights with the media while addressing the ongoing efforts to curb suicide cases in the city. Jain emphasized that not only have suicide cases diminished, but the number of individuals seeking help from the center has also seen a steady rise. "In 2022-23, 748 people reached out to our helpline for assistance. This number is expected to cross 1000 in 2023-24, as awareness of our services continues to spread. It is encouraging to see more individuals recognizing the importance of seeking support during their difficult times," Jain stated. Dr. Jain highlighted that in 2024, Jamshedpurs suicide rate has dropped to 10 per lakh, compared to the national average of 11-12 per lakh. Our goal is to bring this figure down to 5 per lakh in the near future, he said. Despite this progress, Jamshedpurs suicide rate remains the highest in the Bihar-Jharkhand region. When asked about government support, Dr. Jain acknowledged that Jeevan operates primarily on the dedication of its volunteers, as well as support from Tata Steel and its associated company, JAMIPOL. He also pointed out the challenges faced by the states suicide helpline, which has been largely non-functional, leaving Jeevan to shoulder the responsibility of providing essential services. Jeevans impact, however, extends beyond Jharkhand. In response to a request from the Chhattisgarh government, Jeevans volunteers have also trained local teams in suicide prevention measures. Over the years, the center has successfully saved more than 700 lives since its inception in 2006. In 2022, Jeevan received 750 calls from individuals contemplating suicide, and by 2023, this number had risen to 911. Despite limited resources, the center continues to aim for greater outreach and support. In response to the rising demand for their services, Jeevan plans to expand its operations to provide round-the-clock support. Currently, the organizations volunteers work tirelessly, but resource limitations, including space constraints, prevent them from operating 24/7. Weve placed sign boards outside schools and colleges, encouraging students to reach out when they need help, said Dr. Jain. The organization also conducts community counseling sessions aimed at educating the general public on how to handle mental health crises. The Faculty of Commerce at Karim City College, Jamshedpur, has been recognized for its remarkable contribution to skill development and promoting employment opportunities. The Board of Practical Training, Eastern Region, Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded the college during the Regional Apprenticeship Day celebration held on September 7, 2024, in Kolkata. This recognition follows the successful organization of a two-day Apprenticeship cum Job Mela, which took place on September 14-15, 2023. Organized in collaboration with the Board of Practical Training, Eastern Region, Kolkata, the event was a part of the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS). It provided a platform for students to enhance their skills and connect with potential employers, underscoring the institution's commitment to fostering job readiness among its students. Dr. Md. Moazzam Nazri, Head of the Faculty of Commerce and the College Nodal Officer for NATS, served as the Coordinator of the event and proudly accepted the award on behalf of the college. Dr. Mohammad Zakaria, Secretary, Dr. Mohammad Reyaz, Principal, along with faculty members and non-teaching staff, congratulated Dr. Nazri and his team for their exceptional efforts in making the Apprenticeship cum Job Mela a success and for this prestigious honor. This achievement reinforces Karim City College's dedication to providing students with opportunities that bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring a brighter future for all participants. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh will be made a model in matters of development. The pace of development will be enhanced by eliminating the difficulties that come in development works. Many important works will be completed before Simhastha-2028. Discussions have been held with the Government of India regarding the operation of Vande Bharat Metro for better connectivity between Indore-Ujjain. The work of elevated road and bridge construction will be completed. Traffic problems will be resolved. CM Dr. Yadav was talking to media representatives after reviewing the development works in Indore today. Chief Minister Yadav said that the work of the metro currently underway has also been reviewed today. The speed of the Circle Vande Metro will be relatively high. There has also been a discussion regarding the use of the current broad gauge rail line. The state government will complete all the important works with the co-operation of the Central Government. Full support and guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is being obtained. In the Amrit Kaal of Independence, attention is being paid to make Madhya Pradesh a model. Along with the development of big cities of the state, efforts are being intensified to promote progress in rural areas. Chief Minister Yadav said that along with the rail route, attention is being paid to the development of road and air routes. The focus is on the development of residential, industrial and commercial areas. Work is underway for planned development. Necessary co-ordination is also being done. There has also been a discussion on increasing the pace of construction work going on in Indore. After expansion of the boundaries of urban bodies, basic facilities will also be enhanced in the added villages. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed authorities to take "expeditious action" to complete the desilting of drains, including Barapullah, Kushak and Sunehri Pul, in Delhi. Observing that silt removed from a drain is kept by its side and flows back into it when it rains, the tribunal directed the authorities to take steps to remove it. The green body, which was hearing a matter related to the discharge of effluent via drains into the Yamuna river and issues related to it, including establishment of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and desilting and dredging of drains, also imposed a Rs 20,000 fine on the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for filing a late reply on the matter. On August 13, the tribunal while considering the desilting of drains, had sought a response from the DJB within two weeks. In its order passed on September 4, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel noted that the DJB had filed its report belatedly and this obstructed proceedings. "It will be open to the competent authority of the DJB to find out the official responsible for causing the delay in filing the report and recover the cost from him," the bench said.Regarding the desilting of drains, the tribunal said, " Expeditious action is required to be taken to complete the process of desilting. Undisputedly, the silt removed from the drain is kept by the side of the drain at some locations which on account of rains flows back to the drain. NTPC has signed an MoU with USAID on Monday through its India Mission in Delhi to develop a roadmap for transforming NTPC townships and offices as Net Zero Establishments. The MoU was signed by NTPC Executive Director Dr Vijay Prakash and Deputy Mission Director (A) USAID Aaron Schubert and Bhutan in the presence of Director (Operations), NTPC Ravindra Kumar in Delhi. NTPC Limited, the largest integrated power utility in India, is addressing the issues related to climate change proactively. NTPC was the first energy company across the world to declare its Energy Compact Goals as a part of the UN High Level Dialogue on Energy. As a next step forward, NTPC has decided to make its townships and offices net zero in Scope 2 emissions by the financial year 2025-26. In addition, NTPC is also making its best efforts to declare its townships and offices net zero in water and waste at the earliest. The MoU aims at developing strategies and roadmap for achieving the net zero status for NTPC Townships and Offices; benchmarking, implementation and certification, and scaling up initiatives at national level. Earlier in 2022, NTPC had already signed a Statement of Intent with NITI Aayog for collaboration on developing a net zero GHG emissions roadmap for NTPC Group in alignment with the Panchamrit goals of Government of India. Amid allegations from opposition parties regarding the encounter of Mangesh Yadav, an accused in a robbery case in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar addressed these claims on Monday, firmly denying any bias. He stated that police actions are not influenced by caste. Responding to allegations by the Samajwadi Party that the police are targeting criminals based on caste in their encounters, the DGP, while speaking to reporters at the inauguration of the 73rd All India Police Wrestling Cluster-2024, said: The police do not engage in such practices. I deny all such allegations. The police act with complete impartiality. Mangesh Yadav, who had a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head and was implicated in a robbery at a jewellers shop in Sultanpur last month, was killed in an encounter with the Special Task Force (STF) of the state police on September 5. Regarding the recent attempt to derail the Kalindi Express train in Kanpur, DGP Kumar said, All our senior officers have visited the site, and we are taking the matter very seriously. We will inform the media of any developments as soon as we have concrete information. Asked about the involvement of the Anti-Terrorist Squad at the scene in Kanpur, Kumar responded, We will investigate all aspects thoroughly. It is too early to comment without a full investigation. Politics has intensified following the encounter of Mangesh Yadav, who had a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head, in Sultanpur. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has questioned the legitimacy of this encounter, prompting a retort from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati criticised both the BJP and SP, labelling them as corrupt and accusing them of colluding. Congress state chief Ajay Rai also called for a judicial investigation into the incident. Expressing her views on the social media platform X, Mayawati wrote, Following the encounter in Sultanpur district, the BJP and SP are trading accusations regarding law and order. Both parties are engaging in political manoeuvring under the guise of addressing crime, criminals, and caste issues. In reality, they are akin to Chor chor mausere bhai. Like the BJP, the SP government also had a deplorable record on law and order. The public has not forgotten how SP goons and mafia used to rob and assault Dalits, other backward classes, the poor, and businessmen in broad daylight. She continued, Under BSP rule, law and order were truly upheld, with justice administered impartially, without caste or religious bias. No fake encounters occurred under our administration. I caution the public to be wary of the BJP and SPs staged law and order dramas. UP Congress president Ajay Rai also criticised the encounter, labelling it as fake and demanding a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge. Rai visited Mangesh Yadavs family in Jaunpur to offer condolences and investigate the incident. He questioned the polices account, pointing out inconsistencies. Rai claimed that Mangesh Yadav was allegedly taken from his home late at night and that the encounter occurred two days later, suggesting the police story was flawed. He noted that only 10 per cent of the looted goods had been recovered, raising questions about the whereabouts of the rest. Rai further accused the police of creating a climate of fear in the state, alleging that police actions under Yogi Adityanaths administration have been increasingly autocratic. He argued that either properties are demolished by bulldozers or fake encounters take place, and called for a judicial inquiry by a High Court judge to uncover the truth and hold guilty officers accountable. Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur also questioned the encounter, writing to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for an investigation. He posted a photo of an STF deputy SP wearing slippers at the encounter site, expressing surprise at the perceived lack of seriousness by the police. Akhilesh Yadav had previously raised concerns about the encounter, suggesting that the ruling party had connections with those involved in the Sultanpur robbery, and that the main accused was coerced into surrendering before the encounter. He alleged that others were shot based on caste considerations. In response, CM Yogi Adityanath countered that the Samajwadi Party seems to oppose the killing of dacoits in police encounters. The STF had killed Mangesh Yadav in an encounter on September 5. Yadav, who had a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, was accused of robbing a jeweller in Majorganj on August 28, along with four accomplices. Jewellery worth Rs 1.5 crore was stolen during the robbery, which was captured on CCTV. During the encounter, Yadav was killed, and three other robbers were shot in the legs. St. Stephen's College on Monday approached the Delhi High Court challenging a single judge's order for granting admission to seven students on the basis of the seats allocated by the Delhi University. The appeal is listed for hearing on Tuesday before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela. On September 6, the single judge had granted the relief to the seven students, saying the candidates were not at fault but had to face undue hardship due to an ongoing dispute between the institution and the university. The court said the indecision on the part of the college part had left the petitioners in a state of uncertainty, preventing them from taking any further action at that stage. "On one hand, the petitioners faced the challenge of uncertainty over securing admission to their preferred college, St Stephen's, and on the other hand, they were also deprived of the opportunity to select and opt for their second-choice college. "The prolonged 'under-process' status effectively blocked their participation in subsequent allocation rounds, causing them to miss out on other potential options for securing a seat," the single judge had said. The seven students had sought a direction to the college to provide them seats for the courses for which they have qualified. They had sought admission under the "single girl child quota" fixed by the DU. According to the university's bulletin for admission information, one seat in each programme in every college is reserved under the "supernumerary quota for a single girl child". The petitioners had submitted that despite being allotted seats by the university in the college for the BA Economics (Honours) and BA programme courses, their admissions were not completed within the stipulated time. While the university had supported the petitions, they were opposed by the college. The college opposed the DU's stand that it was obliged to admit all candidates who were allotted seats through the university's Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS). The college said it can admit students only within the sanctioned limit. The single judge, in the verdict, noted that the seat matrix for the current academic session was prepared and forwarded by the college itself to the DU. It said the seat matrix offered by the college clearly indicates that it had offered 13 different BA programmes, each with its own specific allocation of seats for various categories of students. TPC Area Commander Muneshwar Ganjhu surrendered before Ranchi Police on Monday. Muneshwar Ganjhu surrendered in the SSP office in front of Ranchi SSP Chandan Sinha and CRPF officials. Muneshwar is originally a resident of Damaru village of Keredari police station area of Hazaribagh district. A total of 26 cases are registered against him in different police stations of Ranchi, Hazaribagh and Chatra districts. Muneshwar surrendered before the police after being influenced by the surrender policy of the Jharkhand government. He was involved in many criminal incidents. Muneshwar said that the TPC organization is engaged in levy collection and exploitation. This party is no longer talking about justice and injustice. "The top leaders of this party only want levy money. The top Naxal commanders of the TPC organization instruct the lower commanders to exploit and do things against the principles and to unnecessarily harass the villagers of the area for levy. Frustrated by the harassment of the villagers by the Naxalites, they are surrendering before the police to live a normal life with their families," he said. Muneshwar has appealed to his other Naxal comrades to also lay down their arms and surrender before the police by taking advantage of the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the Jharkhand government. The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday released its first list of 20 Candidates for the October 5 Haryana assembly polls, hinting at a roadblock in alliance talks with the Congress. The last date for filing nominations for the 90-member assembly is September 12. The party has fielded its Haryana unit vice president Anurag Dhanda from Kalayat and Indu Sharma from Bhiwani. Vikas Nehra has been fielded from Meham and Bijender Hooda from Rohtak. The party was in talks with the Congress for a possible alliance in the state. However, the talks have been stuck over the number of seats to be contested by the AAP. According to sources, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party is demanding 10 seats while the Congress is offering five. Earlier in the day, AAP's state unit chief Sushil Gupta said his party will release the names of candidates from all the 90 seats if the deal is not finalised by the evening. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday described the situation in Gaza as India's "foremost concern" and said New Delhi supports an Israel-Hamas ceasefire "as soon as possible". Jaishankar made the remarks while speaking at the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in the Saudi capital. "The current situation in Gaza is now understandably our foremost concern. India's position in this regard has been principled and consistent. While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians," he said. Jaishankar said that any response must take into account the principles of humanitarian law. "We support a ceasefire as soon as possible," he added. On October 7, Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, launched an unprecedented attack on Israel by land, air and sea, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 others. Israel launched offensive in Gaza, causing widespread devastation and killing around 40,000 people, according to local health officials. The two sides have so far failed to reach a cease-fire to end the 11-month-old conflict. Jaishankar said India has consistently stood for a resolution of the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution. India has also contributed to the building of Palestinian institutions and capacities, he added. "Where the humanitarian situation is concerned, we have provided relief and increased our support to UNRWA," he added. The GCC is an influential grouping, comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The total volume of India's trade with GCC countries stood at USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23. Jaishankar said it was a great pleasure for him to participate in the first India-GCC Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue and added that the meeting is not just an occasion to reflect on achievements but an opportunity to chart an ambitious and far-reaching course for the future. "The relationship between India and the GCC is rooted in a rich tapestry of history, culture, and shared values. These bonds have grown stronger with time, evolving into a partnership that spans economics, energy, defence, technology, education, people-to-people ties and beyond," he said. Underlining that there are many ways to contemplate partnership between the two sides, the minister offered the framework of 3Ps People, Prosperity and Progress. "Our people-to-people ties are the bedrock of our relationship. Close to 9 million Indians work and live amongst you, acting as a living bridge between us. Their contributions to your economic progress are widely recognized. We thank you for ensuring their welfare and comfort," he said. He said trade has not only expanded in volume but also in diversity, encompassing a wide range of goods and services that fuel economies and create jobs. "The task before us is to invest in each others future and support each others continued prosperity," he said. He identified the GCC as a cornerstone of global energy supply and said India is one of the worlds largest and fastest-growing markets. "Much of the future demand is going to come from us. Our deeper collaboration will help in stabilizing markets, driving innovation and enhancing energy security," he added. "Our partnership in the areas of renewables, technology and innovation, health, space, and education can also help realize our respective national goals," Jaishankar said. Jaishankar said that the GCC-India relationship is built on a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the future. "It has a larger goal of advancing progress in a world that is characterized by technological advancements, changing geopolitics, shifts in the global economy and the urgent need to address environmental sustainability," he said. Noting that the Gulf region occupies a central place in contemporary geopolitics, the minister said that, "in a world polarised by conflict and tension, we share a commitment to global peace, security, and stability." Underlining that sometimes it is adversity that brings out the real importance of friendships, the minister said that the pandemic underlined how relevant we are to each other for health security, food security and maritime security. "Similarly, the demands of AI, of electric mobility and of green growth highlight the importance of sharing human resources. Conflict and tensions bring out the importance of cooperating on connectivity. In a world moving towards multipolarity, we can be mutually supportive of each others aspirations," he said. "Let us use this platform to deepen our ties, explore new avenues of cooperation, and build a collaborative future," he said. The Supreme Court on Monday voiced concern over the absence of a key document that was needed for the postmortem of the medic raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, and asked the CBI to investigate into it. The top court also directed the protesting resident doctors in West Bengal to resume work by 5 pm on Tuesday and said no adverse action shall be taken against them on resumption of work. The court passed the direction after the West Bengal government assured it that no action, including punitive transfers, shall be taken against the protesting doctors on resumption of work. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said there was no reference of the 'challan' (document) used, and sought an answer from the CBI and the West Bengal government. "Where is the challan of the body when it was handed over for postmortem? the bench also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, informed the bench that the challan was not part of their records Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, told the bench that he could not find the document immediately and would get back to the court on this question. The court also flagged the at least a 14-hour delay by Kolkata Police in registering FIR in rape and murder incident. The top court directed the CBI to submit a fresh report by September 17 on the probe in the case. The apex court also directed immediate removal of photographs of the victim from all social media platforms to protect the dignity and privacy of the deceased. On the issue of security of medical institutions in the state, the Supreme Court said "All DMs, SPs in West Bengal to take stock of situation to ensure safety, security of government medical colleges". Earlier in the day, the court perused the report filed in a sealed cover by the Solicitor General. "A status report has been filed by CBI, it appears that investigation is in progress, we direct the CBI to file fresh status report...We don't want to guide the CBI on its investigation," the bench said. Mehta told the bench that the probe agency has decided to send forensic samples to AIIMS for further investigation. The apex court also directed a senior officer of the West Bengal government's Home department and a senior CISF officer to ensure all three companies of the CISF, which are deputed for security at the RG Kar Hospital, are given accommodation. It also directed that all requisition, security gadgets needed by the CISF should be handed over to it today. The matter is posted for next hearing on September 17. At the outset, the West Bengal government told the top court that 23 people have died as doctors are on strike protesting the rape and murder of the postgraduate medic. Sibal submitted a status report filed by the state health department. "A status report has been filed. The state health department has filed a report. Tweny-three people have died as doctors are on strike," Sibal told the bench. On August 22, the apex court had tore into the Kolkata Police over the delay in registering the unnatural death of the woman doctor, calling it "extremely disturbing", and questioned the sequence of events and the timing of its procedural formalities. The top court had earlier constituted a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other health care professionals. Terming the incident as "horrific", the apex court had excoriated the state government over the delay in filing the FIR and allowing thousands of people to vandalise the state-run facility. The alleged rape and murder of the junior doctor in a seminar hall of the state-run hospital has sparked nationwide protests. The medic's body with severe injury marks was found inside the seminar hall of the hospital's chest department on August 9. A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case the following day. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on August 14. Vande Bharat Express going from New Delhi to Varanasi on Monday witnessed a technical snag due to which it stopped between Bharthana-Samho stations in Etawah district, officials said. Later, Railways made other arrangements to take the passengers to their destination station. North Central Railway Prayagraj Division Public Relations Officer Amit Singh told PTI that the engine of train number 22436, New Delhi - Varanasi Vande Bharat Express, developed a technical fault after passing from Bharthana station at 9 am. He said that the train stopped between Bharthana - Samho and efforts were made by the technical team to fix the fault in the train. Meanwhile, a relief engine was sent to the spot from Sarai Bhupat station and it reached there at 10:24 am. The train was brought to Bharthana station, he said. From Kanpur, a special train was arranged at around 2:45 pm to send the passengers from Kanpur to Varanasi, he added. Days after getting bail in the kidnapping case of a 17-year-old girl, a man allegedly abducted the teenager again and repeatedly raped her. He was arrested on Monday, police said. The accused Veer Nath Pandey, originally from Bhojpur district in Bihar, had previously been jailed for kidnapping the same girl. After being released on bail, Pandey allegedly kidnapped the teenager again on August 5, 2024, and sexually assaulted assault for a month, according to police. The police said the initial complaint was filed in May 2024 by the girl's father at the Koirauna police station here in which he alleged that his daughter was missing, leading to an FIR for kidnapping. The police investigation resulted in the girl's recovery and Pandey's subsequent imprisonment, they said. Inspector Manoj Kumar, in-charge of the Koirauna police station, said, "After Pandey's release on bail, he abducted the victim while she was going to defecate. On September 2, Pandey abandoned the girl near Jangiganj railway station and fled. The girl approached the police the same day, alleging severe sexual abuse by Pandey over the past month." An FIR was filed against Pandey under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rape and kidnapping, as well as under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he said. Inspector Kumar said the victim's medical examination confirmed the rape. Pandey was apprehended on Monday at Itahara Chauraha, and further legal proceedings are underway, he added. Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH Free Report) had its price objective lifted by Truist Financial from $140.00 to $165.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the business services providers stock. Several other analysts have also commented on BAH. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Booz Allen Hamilton from $180.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Booz Allen Hamilton from $136.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Booz Allen Hamilton from $185.00 to $165.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on shares of Booz Allen Hamilton from $155.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Booz Allen Hamilton from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $168.00 to $165.00 in a research report on Monday, July 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $159.33. Get Booz Allen Hamilton alerts: View Our Latest Report on BAH Booz Allen Hamilton Price Performance Shares of NYSE:BAH opened at $152.11 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.07. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $151.99 and a 200 day simple moving average of $150.22. The company has a market cap of $19.67 billion, a PE ratio of 33.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.59. Booz Allen Hamilton has a fifty-two week low of $106.90 and a fifty-two week high of $164.43. Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The business services provider reported $1.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by ($0.14). The firm had revenue of $2.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.92 billion. Booz Allen Hamilton had a net margin of 5.57% and a return on equity of 65.80%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Booz Allen Hamilton will post 5.96 EPS for the current year. Booz Allen Hamilton Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th were paid a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 14th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.34%. Booz Allen Hamiltons dividend payout ratio is presently 44.35%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Booz Allen Hamilton news, Director Melody C. Barnes sold 1,041 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $143.31, for a total transaction of $149,185.71. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 18,123 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,597,207.13. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.59% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Booz Allen Hamilton A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of BAH. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,406,880 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,544,798,000 after acquiring an additional 222,884 shares in the last quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 4,252,168 shares of the business services providers stock worth $631,192,000 after acquiring an additional 22,708 shares in the last quarter. AGF Management Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton by 63.4% during the 2nd quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 1,750,610 shares of the business services providers stock worth $269,419,000 after acquiring an additional 679,280 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,672,961 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $257,469,000 after buying an additional 96,553 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $188,129,000. 91.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Booz Allen Hamilton (Get Free Report) Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation provides management and technology consulting, analytics, engineering, digital solutions, mission operations, and cyber services to governments, corporations, and not-for-profit organizations in the United States and internationally. It focuses on artificial intelligence services comprising of machine learning, predictive modeling, automation and decision analytics, and quantum computing. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Booz Allen Hamilton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Booz Allen Hamilton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com cut shares of CBIZ (NYSE:CBZ Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report report published on Thursday. Separately, Sidoti raised shares of CBIZ from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the company from $80.00 to $86.00 in a report on Monday, August 12th. Get CBIZ alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on CBZ CBIZ Stock Performance NYSE:CBZ opened at $68.72 on Thursday. CBIZ has a 1 year low of $49.15 and a 1 year high of $86.36. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $74.56 and a 200-day moving average of $75.37. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.82 and a beta of 0.92. CBIZ (NYSE:CBZ Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The business services provider reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.68 by ($0.29). CBIZ had a net margin of 7.12% and a return on equity of 14.58%. The firm had revenue of $420.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $430.38 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.55 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that CBIZ will post 2.64 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of CBIZ A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CBZ. Truist Financial Corp grew its holdings in CBIZ by 7.1% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 10,978 shares of the business services providers stock worth $813,000 after acquiring an additional 723 shares during the period. Chase Investment Counsel Corp grew its holdings in CBIZ by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Chase Investment Counsel Corp now owns 32,845 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,433,000 after acquiring an additional 978 shares during the period. Creative Planning grew its holdings in CBIZ by 6.8% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 15,932 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,181,000 after acquiring an additional 1,012 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its holdings in CBIZ by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 27,279 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,021,000 after acquiring an additional 357 shares during the period. Finally, Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in CBIZ during the 2nd quarter worth $1,395,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.44% of the companys stock. About CBIZ (Get Free Report) CBIZ, Inc provides financial, insurance, and advisory services in the United States and Canada. It operates through Financial Services, Benefits and Insurance Services, and National Practices segments. The Financial Services segment offers accounting and tax, financial advisory, valuation, risk and advisory, and government healthcare consulting services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for CBIZ Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CBIZ and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan European Discovery (LON:JEDT Get Free Report) insider James Will purchased 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 5th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 447 ($5.88) per share, with a total value of 44,700 ($58,777.12). JPMorgan European Discovery Stock Down 1.1 % JEDT stock opened at GBX 441 ($5.80) on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.04, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The stock has a market capitalization of 641.83 million, a P/E ratio of 2,441.67 and a beta of 1.23. The business has a 50-day moving average of GBX 459.57 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 461.40. JPMorgan European Discovery has a fifty-two week low of GBX 352.68 ($4.64) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 493.27 ($6.49). Get JPMorgan European Discovery alerts: JPMorgan European Discovery Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 27th were given a dividend of GBX 8 ($0.11) per share. This is a boost from JPMorgan European Discoverys previous dividend of $2.50. This represents a dividend yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 27th. JPMorgan European Discoverys dividend payout ratio is currently 5,555.56%. JPMorgan European Discovery Company Profile JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust plc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by JPMorgan Funds Limited. The fund is co-managed by JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of Europe, excluding the United Kingdom. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan European Discovery Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan European Discovery and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rexford Industrial Realty (NYSE:REXR Free Report) had its price target decreased by Mizuho from $50.00 to $49.00 in a research report sent to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Mizuho currently has a neutral rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 28th. StockNews.com upgraded Rexford Industrial Realty from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from $66.00 to $61.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. Finally, Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from $51.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research note on Monday, August 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $54.00. Get Rexford Industrial Realty alerts: View Our Latest Report on REXR Rexford Industrial Realty Stock Performance REXR stock opened at $49.35 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $10.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 1.73. Rexford Industrial Realty has a 1 year low of $41.56 and a 1 year high of $58.02. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $49.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $47.74. Rexford Industrial Realty (NYSE:REXR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by ($0.21). Rexford Industrial Realty had a net margin of 30.71% and a return on equity of 3.31%. The firm had revenue of $237.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $227.70 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.54 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 21.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Rexford Industrial Realty will post 2.35 earnings per share for the current year. Rexford Industrial Realty Increases Dividend 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 given a $0.4175 dividend. This represents a $1.67 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.38%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. This is an increase from Rexford Industrial Realtys previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. Rexford Industrial Realtys dividend payout ratio is 153.21%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CEO Howard Schwimmer sold 30,358 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.86, for a total transaction of $1,483,291.88. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 50,673 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,475,882.78. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Rexford Industrial Realty Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its position in Rexford Industrial Realty by 169.4% during the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 555 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty in the second quarter worth $26,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Rexford Industrial Realty during the second quarter valued at $41,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Rexford Industrial Realty by 1,252.2% in the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 933 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 864 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Rexford Industrial Realty by 136.6% during the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,086 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 627 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 99.52% of the companys stock. Rexford Industrial Realty Company Profile (Get Free Report) Rexford Industrial creates value by investing in, operating and redeveloping industrial properties throughout infill Southern California, the world's fourth largest industrial market and consistently the highest-demand with lowest-supply major market in the nation. The Company's highly differentiated strategy enables internal and external growth opportunities through its proprietary value creation and asset management capabilities. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Rexford Industrial Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rexford Industrial Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SentinelOne (NYSE:S Free Report) had its price objective raised by Susquehanna from $22.00 to $28.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a positive rating on the stock. Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on S. Canaccord Genuity Group raised shares of SentinelOne from a hold rating to a buy rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $28.00 to $23.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 4th. Loop Capital boosted their price objective on shares of SentinelOne from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price objective on shares of SentinelOne from $37.00 to $32.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of SentinelOne from $29.00 to $27.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 31st. Finally, Baird R W upgraded shares of SentinelOne to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $27.96. Get SentinelOne alerts: View Our Latest Report on S SentinelOne Price Performance Shares of SentinelOne stock opened at $22.01 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.58 and a beta of 0.67. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $22.25 and its 200-day simple moving average is $22.05. SentinelOne has a 12 month low of $14.33 and a 12 month high of $30.76. SentinelOne (NYSE:S Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 27th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $198.94 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $197.32 million. SentinelOne had a negative net margin of 38.91% and a negative return on equity of 15.42%. SentinelOnes revenue was up 33.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted ($0.26) EPS. Analysts anticipate that SentinelOne will post -0.73 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at SentinelOne In other SentinelOne news, insider Ric Smith sold 14,583 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.54, for a total value of $343,283.82. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 639,834 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,061,692.36. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other SentinelOne news, insider Ric Smith sold 14,583 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.54, for a total value of $343,283.82. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 639,834 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,061,692.36. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Tomer Weingarten sold 60,864 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.47, for a total transaction of $1,306,750.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,099,356 shares in the company, valued at $23,603,173.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 546,278 shares of company stock worth $11,002,617. Corporate insiders own 5.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of SentinelOne by 7.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 25,158,987 shares of the companys stock valued at $586,456,000 after acquiring an additional 1,694,407 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of SentinelOne by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 10,373,253 shares of the companys stock valued at $284,642,000 after acquiring an additional 162,846 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of SentinelOne during the 4th quarter valued at about $228,872,000. Eminence Capital LP increased its stake in shares of SentinelOne by 24.2% during the 2nd quarter. Eminence Capital LP now owns 6,854,236 shares of the companys stock valued at $144,282,000 after acquiring an additional 1,337,145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sylebra Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of SentinelOne by 10.5% during the 2nd quarter. Sylebra Capital LLC now owns 6,765,974 shares of the companys stock valued at $142,424,000 after acquiring an additional 643,097 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.87% of the companys stock. About SentinelOne (Get Free Report) SentinelOne, Inc operates as a cybersecurity provider in the United States and internationally. Its Singularity Platform delivers an artificial intelligence-powered autonomous threat prevention, detection, and response capabilities across an organization's endpoints, cloud workloads, and identify credentials, which enables seamless and autonomous protection against a spectrum of cyber threats. Read More Receive News & Ratings for SentinelOne Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SentinelOne and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Shopify (TSE:SHO Free Report) to a hold rating in a research report report published on Thursday, Zacks.com reports. Several other brokerages have also commented on SHO. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Shopify from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Argus upgraded shares of Shopify to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. JMP Securities upgraded shares of Shopify from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, May 9th. Atb Cap Markets raised shares of Shopify from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised shares of Shopify from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and four have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Shopify currently has an average rating of Buy. Get Shopify alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on SHO Shopify Price Performance Shopify Company Profile Shopify ( TSE:SHO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported C$0.25 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.15 by C$0.10. The company had revenue of C$2.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$2.75 billion. (Get Free Report) Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc is a lodging real estate investment trust (REIT) that as of the date of this release has interests in 19 hotels comprised of 9,997 rooms. Sunstones business is to acquire, own, asset manage and renovate or reposition hotels considered to be Long-Term Relevant Real Estate, the majority of which are operated under nationally recognized brands, such as Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Shopify Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shopify and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NRI Wealth Management LC purchased a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 43,150 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $2,703,000. Chipotle Mexican Grill accounts for 2.1% of NRI Wealth Management LCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,816.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 8,356,173 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $523,514,000 after purchasing an additional 8,186,198 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,260.5% in the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 3,132,332 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $196,241,000 after acquiring an additional 3,060,498 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 3,988.6% in the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,996,492 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $187,730,000 after acquiring an additional 2,923,203 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,732,471 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $7,942,665,000 after acquiring an additional 25,238 shares during the period. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,947.9% in the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 2,633,801 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $165,008,000 after acquiring an additional 2,581,625 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.31% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Insider Transactions at Chipotle Mexican Grill In related news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total value of $951,103.92. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 358,300 shares in the company, valued at $19,591,844. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.02% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and issued a $70.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $74.00 to $62.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $57.00 to $55.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, KeyCorp reduced their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $68.00 to $66.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Chipotle Mexican Grill has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.36. View Our Latest Research Report on CMG Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance Shares of NYSE CMG opened at $53.68 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $73.51 billion, a PE ratio of 57.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 1.25. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 12 month low of $35.37 and a 12 month high of $69.26. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $54.95 and a 200-day simple moving average of $81.01. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.94 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.23% and a return on equity of 44.01%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 18.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $12.65 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.08 EPS for the current year. Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile (Free Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Adapt Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund acquired 14,644 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,501,000. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF comprises approximately 1.6% of Adapt Wealth Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. MCF Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. Unique Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $41,000. City State Bank lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 123.7% during the 1st quarter. City State Bank now owns 255 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $48,000. Get iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Price Performance Shares of BATS:QUAL opened at $170.66 on Monday. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 12 month low of $71.96 and a 12 month high of $88.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $45.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.03 and a beta of 1.03. The companys fifty day moving average price is $172.30 and its 200 day moving average price is $166.79. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Profile The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks, selected and weighted by high ROE, stable earnings growth and low debt\u002Fequity, relative to peers in each sector. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Diageo plc (LON:DGE Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Hold from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation and two 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 GBX 3,008 ($39.55). A number of equities research analysts have commented on DGE shares. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a GBX 2,800 ($36.82) target price on shares of Diageo in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. Royal Bank of Canada raised Diageo to a sector perform rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from GBX 2,100 ($27.61) to GBX 2,400 ($31.56) in a report on Monday, August 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a neutral rating and issued a GBX 3,200 ($42.08) target price on shares of Diageo in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Citigroup restated a buy rating and set a GBX 3,000 ($39.45) price target on shares of Diageo in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Get Diageo alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Diageo Diageo Stock Performance Diageo Increases Dividend Shares of DGE stock opened at GBX 2,395 ($31.49) on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 186.26. The company has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 2,480.06 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 2,685.14. Diageo has a 52 week low of GBX 2,165.60 ($28.48) and a 52 week high of GBX 3,268.50 ($42.98). The firm has a market capitalization of 53.17 billion, a PE ratio of 1,846.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.34. The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 29th. This is an increase from Diageos previous dividend of $0.41. This represents a dividend yield of 1.92%. Diageos payout ratio is 6,230.77%. About Diageo (Get Free Report Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and sale of alcoholic beverages. It offers scotch, gin, vodka, rum, raki, liqueur, wine, tequila, Chinese white spirits, cachaca, and brandy, as well as beer, including cider and flavoured malt beverages. The company also provides Canadian, Irish, American, and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor whiskies, as well as ready to drink and non-alcoholic products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Diageo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Diageo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legacy Bridge LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 19.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,462 shares of the companys stock after selling 828 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company makes up approximately 1.8% of Legacy Bridge LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest holding. Legacy Bridge LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $3,134,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.6% in 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 during the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 26,949,773 shares of the companys stock worth $15,709,466,000 after buying an additional 89,720 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $5,992,890,000. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 6.0% during the first quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,031,531 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,248,210,000 after acquiring an additional 453,939 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 5.1% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 6,972,393 shares of the companys stock worth $5,424,243,000 after purchasing an additional 335,560 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Trading Down 1.1 % Shares of NYSE:LLY opened at $902.71 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $516.57 and a 12-month high of $972.53. The business has a 50 day moving average of $895.97 and a two-hundred day moving average of $828.57. The company has a market capitalization of $857.96 billion, a PE ratio of 132.95, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.42. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $3.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.64 by $1.28. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 18.86% and a return on equity of 67.52%. The firm had revenue of $11.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.83 billion. As a group, analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 16.51 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced 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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is currently 76.58%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth LLY has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $875.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Berenberg Bank boosted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $994.00 to $1,015.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 24th. Argus lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $770.00 to $840.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $1,106.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Tuesday, August 27th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $961.76. Get Our Latest Analysis on Eli Lilly and Company Insider Activity In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 210,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $939.82, for a total value of $197,362,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 96,943,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $91,109,731,514.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders have sold 661,900 shares of company stock worth $604,721,602 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by KeyCorp from $172.00 to $178.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. KeyCorps target price would suggest a potential upside of 2.55% from the companys previous close. Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Raymond James upped their price target on shares of Extra Space Storage from $160.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Scotiabank raised their target price on Extra Space Storage from $159.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock a sector underperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Truist Financial upped their price target on Extra Space Storage from $152.00 to $167.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on Extra Space Storage from $166.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Extra Space Storage from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $167.46. Get Extra Space Storage alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on EXR Extra Space Storage Stock Performance Insider Buying and Selling at Extra Space Storage NYSE:EXR opened at $173.58 on Monday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $165.41 and its 200-day moving average is $152.28. The stock has a market cap of $36.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.86. Extra Space Storage has a 1-year low of $101.19 and a 1-year high of $179.23. The company has a current ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. In other news, EVP William N. Springer sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.33, for a total transaction of $350,660.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 11,919 shares in the company, valued at $2,089,758.27. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP William N. Springer sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.33, for a total transaction of $350,660.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 11,919 shares in the company, valued at $2,089,758.27. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Joseph D. Margolis sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.58, for a total value of $1,144,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 31,690 shares in the company, valued at $4,835,260.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 12,323 shares of company stock valued at $1,994,709. Corporate insiders own 1.36% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Extra Space Storage A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in EXR. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage in the second quarter worth approximately $2,631,000. Brown Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in Extra Space Storage in the 2nd quarter valued at $840,000. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its holdings in shares of Extra Space Storage by 0.4% in the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 45,643 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $7,093,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Extra Space Storage by 15.6% during the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 34,371 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $5,342,000 after purchasing an additional 4,641 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pathway Financial Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 1.6% during the second quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 11,258 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,742,000 after purchasing an additional 177 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.11% of the companys stock. About Extra Space Storage (Get Free Report) Extra Space Storage Inc, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 3,714 self-storage stores in 42 states and Washington, DC The Company's stores comprise approximately 2.6 million units and approximately 283.0 million square feet of rentable space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Extra Space Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Extra Space Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE:FRT Get Free Report) CEO Donald C. Wood sold 30,292 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.17, for a total transaction of $3,519,021.64. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 6,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $771,020.29. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Federal Realty Investment Trust Price Performance Shares of FRT stock traded up $1.67 on Monday, hitting $117.12. 535,694 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 600,013. The firm has a market cap of $9.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.09, a PEG ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 1.74 and a quick ratio of 1.74. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $110.22 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $104.08. Federal Realty Investment Trust has a 52 week low of $85.59 and a 52 week high of $117.23. Get Federal Realty Investment Trust alerts: Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE:FRT Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.32 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.68 by ($0.36). The firm had revenue of $295.80 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $293.61 million. Federal Realty Investment Trust had a net margin of 24.69% and a return on equity of 10.07%. The firms revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.67 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Federal Realty Investment Trust will post 6.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Federal Realty Investment Trust Increases Dividend Institutional Investors Weigh In On Federal Realty Investment Trust The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 1st will be paid a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 1st. This is an increase from Federal Realty Investment Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $1.09. Federal Realty Investment Trusts payout ratio is currently 155.16%. Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust by 133.3% during the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 45,035 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,599,000 after acquiring an additional 25,730 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust by 6.7% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 309,103 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $31,567,000 after purchasing an additional 19,453 shares in the last quarter. Heitman Real Estate Securities LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust by 1,553.3% during the 4th quarter. Heitman Real Estate Securities LLC now owns 207,700 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $21,403,000 after purchasing an additional 195,137 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its position in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust by 53.0% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,355,907 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $139,726,000 after purchasing an additional 469,425 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mizuho Markets Americas LLC grew its stake in Federal Realty Investment Trust by 66.0% during the 4th quarter. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC now owns 51,610 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $5,318,000 after buying an additional 20,519 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.86% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts recently commented on FRT shares. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Federal Realty Investment Trust from $119.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Truist Financial increased their price target on Federal Realty Investment Trust from $115.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on Federal Realty Investment Trust from $112.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research note on Monday, August 26th. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust from $104.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Federal Realty Investment Trust from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Federal Realty Investment Trust has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.82. Read Our Latest Report on FRT Federal Realty Investment Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail-based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, DC to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Founded in 1962, Federal Realty's mission is to deliver long-term, sustainable growth through investing in communities where retail demand exceeds supply. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Federal Realty Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Federal Realty Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. United Super Pty Ltd in its capacity as Trustee for the Construction & Building Unions Superannuation Fund boosted its holdings in Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:IT Free Report) by 87.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 36,057 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 16,818 shares during the quarter. United Super Pty Ltd in its capacity as Trustee for the Construction & Building Unions Superannuation Funds holdings in Gartner were worth $16,192,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Gartner during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. DSM Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Gartner in the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division bought a new stake in shares of Gartner in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Crewe Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Gartner by 223.3% in the 2nd quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 97 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, J.Safra Asset Management Corp grew its stake in shares of Gartner by 58.7% in the 1st quarter. J.Safra Asset Management Corp now owns 146 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $70,000 after buying an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. 91.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Gartner alerts: Gartner Stock Up 0.0 % Shares of IT stock opened at $483.68 on Monday. Gartner, Inc. has a 12 month low of $323.61 and a 12 month high of $509.15. The firm has a market cap of $37.27 billion, a PE ratio of 48.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 1.32. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $471.55 and a 200-day moving average of $459.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.80. Insider Activity at Gartner Gartner ( NYSE:IT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The information technology services provider reported $3.22 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.02 by $0.20. Gartner had a return on equity of 142.05% and a net margin of 13.67%. The company had revenue of $1.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.58 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.85 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Gartner, Inc. will post 11.59 EPS for the current year. In related news, Director Karen E. Dykstra sold 1,683 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $465.55, for a total value of $783,520.65. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 19,825 shares in the company, valued at $9,229,528.75. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Scott Hensel sold 5,580 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $490.00, for a total value of $2,734,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,724 shares in the company, valued at $9,664,760. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Karen E. Dykstra sold 1,683 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $465.55, for a total value of $783,520.65. Following the transaction, the director now owns 19,825 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,229,528.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 27,998 shares of company stock worth $13,834,898. 3.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages recently commented on IT. Wells Fargo & Company raised Gartner to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. UBS Group upped their target price on Gartner from $510.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Bank of America upped their target price on Gartner from $525.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on Gartner from $450.00 to $510.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Gartner from $440.00 to $470.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $521.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on IT Gartner Company Profile (Free Report) Gartner, Inc operates as a research and advisory company in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Research, Conferences, and Consulting. The Research segment delivers its research primarily through a subscription service that include on-demand access to published research content, data and benchmarks, and direct access to a network of research experts. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:IT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Gartner Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gartner and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:EAF Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Reduce from the five brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $1.75. Several brokerages recently weighed in on EAF. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of GrafTech International from a neutral rating to an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of GrafTech International from $1.20 to $1.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 29th. Get GrafTech International alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on GrafTech International GrafTech International Trading Up 13.0 % Shares of EAF stock opened at $0.68 on Wednesday. GrafTech International has a 1 year low of $0.52 and a 1 year high of $3.97. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $0.81 and a 200-day moving average price of $1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 57.38, a current ratio of 4.22 and a quick ratio of 2.01. The company has a market cap of $174.90 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.62 and a beta of 0.94. GrafTech International (NYSE:EAF Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.11) by $0.06. The company had revenue of $137.33 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $122.48 million. GrafTech International had a negative net margin of 50.11% and a negative return on equity of 121.77%. As a group, equities analysts predict that GrafTech International will post -0.43 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of GrafTech International Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of EAF. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of GrafTech International by 211.9% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 14,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 9,511 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its position in shares of GrafTech International by 58.4% during the 1st quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 25,535 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 9,416 shares in the last quarter. Welch Group LLC raised its position in shares of GrafTech International by 71.2% during the 1st quarter. Welch Group LLC now owns 34,243 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 14,243 shares in the last quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of GrafTech International during the 4th quarter valued at about $49,000. Finally, Paloma Partners Management Co purchased a new stake in shares of GrafTech International during the 1st quarter valued at about $76,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.83% of the companys stock. GrafTech International Company Profile (Get Free Report GrafTech International Ltd. research, develops, manufactures, and sells graphite and carbon-based solutions worldwide. The company offers graphite electrodes to produce electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals; and petroleum needle coke, a crystalline form of carbon used in the production of graphite electrodes and synthetic graphite. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for GrafTech International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GrafTech International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harrington Investments INC boosted its stake in Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE:HMC Free Report) by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 39,824 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 410 shares during the quarter. Harrington Investments INCs holdings in Honda Motor were worth $1,284,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Honda Motor by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 9,644,064 shares of the companys stock valued at $298,098,000 after buying an additional 232,148 shares in the last quarter. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD raised its position in shares of Honda Motor by 20.9% during the 1st quarter. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD now owns 5,176,690 shares of the companys stock valued at $191,538,000 after buying an additional 896,048 shares in the last quarter. Equity Investment Corp raised its position in shares of Honda Motor by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Equity Investment Corp now owns 2,028,328 shares of the companys stock valued at $75,515,000 after buying an additional 50,677 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Honda Motor by 9.1% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,692,108 shares of the companys stock valued at $52,303,000 after buying an additional 141,552 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brandes Investment Partners LP raised its position in shares of Honda Motor by 47.1% during the 4th quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 522,236 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,142,000 after buying an additional 167,120 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 5.32% of the companys stock. Get Honda Motor alerts: Honda Motor Price Performance Shares of NYSE HMC opened at $31.31 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.37. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has a 12-month low of $27.69 and a 12-month high of $37.90. The firms 50-day moving average price is $31.67 and its 200-day moving average price is $33.50. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Honda Motor ( NYSE:HMC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $1.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.38. Honda Motor had a net margin of 5.34% and a return on equity of 8.72%. The company had revenue of $34.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $33.75 billion. On average, equities research analysts expect that Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will post 4.44 EPS for the current year. Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Honda Motor from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on HMC Honda Motor Profile (Free Report) 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Honda Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Honda Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Liberty Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report) by 80.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 140,958 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 62,864 shares during the period. Liberty Wealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $7,476,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Bangor Savings Bank lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 3,125.0% in the 2nd quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 516 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 36.2% in the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 757 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 201 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Finally, Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MA acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Down 1.7 % Shares of EFV opened at $55.45 on Monday. The companys fifty day moving average is $54.73 and its 200-day moving average is $54.28. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 12 month low of $49.15 and a 12 month high of $59.57. The firm has a market cap of $17.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.89 and a beta of 0.70. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Profile iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of KB Home (NYSE:KBH Free Report) from a sector perform rating to an underperform rating in a report published on Thursday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have $70.00 price target on the construction companys stock. Other analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on KB Home from $74.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. Wedbush lifted their price objective on shares of KB Home from $64.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of KB Home from $86.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of KB Home from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Finally, Zelman & Associates reiterated an underperform rating and set a $69.00 price target on shares of KB Home in a research note on Monday, May 13th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $72.88. Get KB Home alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on KB Home KB Home Trading Up 0.6 % Shares of KBH opened at $79.35 on Thursday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $78.72 and its 200-day simple moving average is $71.78. The firm has a market cap of $5.97 billion, a PE ratio of 10.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.81. KB Home has a 12-month low of $42.11 and a 12-month high of $88.31. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 18th. The construction company reported $2.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.37. KB Home had a net margin of 9.43% and a return on equity of 15.66%. The company had revenue of $1.71 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.64 billion. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that KB Home will post 8.38 EPS for the current fiscal year. KB Home Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 8th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 8th. KB Homes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 13.23%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On KB Home Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of KB Home by 433.0% during the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 485 shares of the construction companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 394 shares in the last quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of KB Home in the first quarter worth $60,000. Plato Investment Management Ltd lifted its position in shares of KB Home by 72.0% in the first quarter. Plato Investment Management Ltd now owns 1,080 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $77,000 after acquiring an additional 452 shares in the last quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of KB Home by 625.3% during the second quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 1,117 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $78,000 after acquiring an additional 963 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in KB Home during the 1st quarter worth about $120,000. 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for KB Home Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Home and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LGT Group Foundation lessened its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 8.8% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 143,645 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 13,873 shares during the period. LGT Group Foundations holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines were worth $9,397,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of AEM. Continuum Advisory LLC lifted its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 1,134.4% in the 2nd quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 395 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 363 shares in the last quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC bought a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines in the first quarter valued at $30,000. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 406.4% in the 1st quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 709 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 569 shares during the last quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co lifted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 92.1% during the 2nd quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co now owns 730 shares of the mining companys stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 350 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ORG Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines during the 2nd quarter worth about $52,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.34% of the companys stock. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Performance NYSE AEM traded up $0.76 on Monday, reaching $77.65. The stock had a trading volume of 128,170 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,720,329. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 1-year low of $43.22 and a 1-year high of $83.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 1.51 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The company has a market cap of $38.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 80.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $75.93 and a two-hundred day moving average of $66.85. Analyst Ratings Changes Agnico Eagle Mines ( NYSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (TSE:AEM) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The mining company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $2.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.03 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 8.44% and a return on equity of 7.16%. Agnico Eagle Miness revenue for the quarter was up 20.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.65 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 3.65 EPS for the current year. A number of research firms recently issued reports on AEM. TD Securities lifted their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from $90.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Agnico Eagle Mines from $79.00 to $77.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. StockNews.com raised shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from $81.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Finally, CIBC increased their price target on Agnico Eagle Mines from $81.00 to $101.00 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $82.86. Get Our Latest Report on Agnico Eagle Mines About Agnico Eagle Mines (Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM). Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:BULZ Get Free Report) shares gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $105.67, but opened at $109.36. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN shares last traded at $110.10, with a volume of 31,664 shares traded. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Trading Up 2.1 % The company has a market cap of $78.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 83.95 and a beta of 4.73. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $142.75 and a 200-day moving average price of $136.90. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Company Profile (Get Free Report) The MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN (BULZ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Solactive FANG Innovation index. The fund tracks 3x the daily price movements of an equal-weighted index of US-listed technology companies. BULZ was launched on Aug 20, 2021 and is issued by REX Microsectors. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NET Power Inc. (NYSE:NPWR Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Monday after an insider sold shares in the company. The company traded as low as $7.39 and last traded at $7.45, with a volume of 653174 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $7.84. Specifically, major shareholder Npeh, Llc sold 66,825 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.88, for a total value of $526,581.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 189,329 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,491,912.52. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Npeh, Llc sold 83,325 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.10, for a total transaction of $674,932.50. Following the sale, the insider now owns 416,675 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,375,067.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Get NET Power alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Barclays decreased their price objective on NET Power from $13.00 to $11.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. NET Power Stock Performance The stocks fifty day moving average is $8.86 and its 200-day moving average is $9.75. NET Power (NYSE:NPWR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 12th. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $0.24 million for the quarter. Equities analysts forecast that NET Power Inc. will post -0.4 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On NET Power Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of NPWR. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of NET Power during the second quarter worth $136,000. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in NET Power during the 2nd quarter worth about $20,537,000. ELCO Management Co. LLC raised its stake in shares of NET Power by 13.4% in the 2nd quarter. ELCO Management Co. LLC now owns 20,924 shares of the companys stock valued at $206,000 after purchasing an additional 2,474 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC bought a new stake in shares of NET Power in the second quarter valued at about $470,000. Finally, K2 Principal Fund L.P. boosted its position in shares of NET Power by 153.9% during the second quarter. K2 Principal Fund L.P. now owns 33,037 shares of the companys stock worth $325,000 after buying an additional 20,026 shares during the period. 53.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. NET Power Company Profile (Get Free Report) NET Power Inc operates as a clean energy technology company. The company invents, develops, and licenses clean power generation technology. NET Power Inc was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for NET Power Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NET Power and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report)s stock had its overweight rating reiterated by equities research analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $45.00 target price on the biopharmaceutical companys stock. Cantor Fitzgeralds price target points to a potential upside of 54.00% from the stocks previous close. Several other research firms also recently issued reports on PFE. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded Pfizer from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the company from $28.00 to $34.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Daiwa America upgraded shares of Pfizer from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Pfizer from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of 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 issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $34.54. Get Pfizer alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Pfizer Pfizer Stock Up 2.3 % Shares of PFE traded up $0.66 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $29.22. The stock had a trading volume of 12,747,717 shares, compared to its average volume of 38,181,027. The firm has a market cap of $165.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -486.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $29.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $28.05. Pfizer has a twelve month low of $25.20 and a twelve month high of $34.62. 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 (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $13.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.96 billion. Pfizer had a negative net margin of 4.66% and a positive return on equity of 8.42%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.67 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Pfizer will post 2.66 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pfizer Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PFE. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. now owns 26,306 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $736,000 after acquiring an additional 342 shares during the last quarter. Sachetta LLC increased its holdings in Pfizer by 7.3% in the 2nd quarter. Sachetta LLC now owns 5,010 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $140,000 after purchasing an additional 342 shares in the last quarter. Ironvine Capital Partners LLC raised its position in Pfizer by 2.1% in the first quarter. Ironvine Capital Partners LLC now owns 16,953 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $470,000 after purchasing an additional 353 shares during the last quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.6% during the second quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC now owns 58,328 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,632,000 after purchasing an additional 353 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Patrick M Sweeney & Associates Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 0.8% during the second quarter. Patrick M Sweeney & Associates Inc. now owns 42,162 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,180,000 after purchasing an additional 355 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock. About Pfizer (Get 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Private Management Group Inc. lowered its stake in Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY Free Report) by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 699,847 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 45,767 shares during the quarter. Private Management Group Inc. owned 0.23% of Ally Financial worth $27,763,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Quest Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Ally Financial by 119,571.4% in the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 33,508 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,329,000 after acquiring an additional 33,480 shares in the last quarter. Oak Thistle LLC bought a new position in shares of Ally Financial in the 2nd quarter worth $314,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Ally Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,269,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Ally Financial by 182.2% during the second quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 726,718 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,829,000 after buying an additional 469,199 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Candriam S.C.A. acquired a new position in Ally Financial during the second quarter worth $522,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.76% of the companys stock. Get Ally Financial alerts: Ally Financial Trading Down 3.4 % Shares of ALLY stock opened at $39.56 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.15, a PEG ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.41. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $41.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $39.82. Ally Financial Inc. has a 1 year low of $22.54 and a 1 year high of $45.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.91. Ally Financial Announces Dividend Ally Financial ( NYSE:ALLY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.97 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.33. Ally Financial had a net margin of 10.26% and a return on equity of 8.37%. The firm had revenue of $2 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.03 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.96 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Ally Financial Inc. will post 3.51 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 1st were given a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 1st. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.03%. Ally Financials payout ratio is 48.98%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently commented on ALLY. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Ally Financial from $46.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Citigroup assumed coverage on Ally Financial in a research note on Monday, June 24th. They issued a buy rating and a $50.00 price objective for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on Ally Financial from $51.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Ally Financial from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and increased their price target for the company from $39.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Monday, July 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Ally Financial from $33.00 to $37.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $43.41. View Our Latest Research Report on Ally Financial Ally Financial Company Profile (Free Report) Ally Financial Inc, a digital financial-services company, provides various digital financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda. The company operates through Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, and Corporate Finance Operations segments. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ALLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ally Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ally Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp cut its stake in Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD Free Report) by 19.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 153,626 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 37,367 shares during the quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corps holdings in Prologis were worth $17,254,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Davis Selected Advisers lifted its position in shares of Prologis by 30.7% in the second quarter. Davis Selected Advisers now owns 236,886 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $26,605,000 after acquiring an additional 55,630 shares in the last quarter. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC raised its position in shares of Prologis by 88.1% in the second quarter. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 5,894 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $662,000 after buying an additional 2,761 shares during the last quarter. Choreo LLC purchased a new position in shares of Prologis in the second quarter worth about $2,090,000. Wedbush Securities Inc. boosted its position in Prologis by 11.7% during the second quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 11,548 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,297,000 after acquiring an additional 1,206 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prudential PLC lifted its stake in Prologis by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 40,921 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,596,000 after purchasing an additional 1,905 shares in the last quarter. 93.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Prologis alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Prologis In other news, CIO Joseph Ghazal sold 5,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.07, for a total transaction of $671,164.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive now directly owns 13,187 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,702,046.09. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Prologis Trading Up 1.1 % Prologis stock traded up $1.36 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $128.59. 855,296 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,600,660. The firm has a market cap of $119.06 billion, a PE ratio of 37.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a current ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $122.67 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $118.83. Prologis, Inc. has a 12-month low of $96.64 and a 12-month high of $137.52. Prologis (NYSE:PLD Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.33 by ($0.41). Prologis had a net margin of 36.37% and a return on equity of 4.88%. The business had revenue of $2.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.86 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.83 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Prologis Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.96 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $3.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.99%. Prologiss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 112.28%. Analyst Ratings Changes PLD has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Truist Financial upped their price target on Prologis from $125.00 to $137.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Barclays lifted their price target on Prologis from $123.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Prologis from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. StockNews.com raised shares of Prologis from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, Bank of America restated a neutral rating and set a $128.00 price target on shares of Prologis in a report on Monday, August 12th. Seven research 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 companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $133.12. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Prologis Prologis Profile (Free Report) Prologis, Inc is the global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets. At March 31, 2024, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 1.2 billion square feet (115 million square meters) in 19 countries. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Prologis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prologis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prudential PLC lifted its stake in shares of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU Free Report) by 9.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 167,573 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 14,209 shares during the quarter. Prudential PLCs holdings in Prudential Financial were worth $19,638,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Creekmur Asset Management LLC increased 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 valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Lynx Investment Advisory acquired a new stake in Prudential Financial in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC lifted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 1,312.4% during the 2nd quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 26,934 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 25,027 shares during the last quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Prudential Financial during the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, ESL Trust Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Prudential Financial in the 1st quarter valued at about $34,000. 56.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Prudential Financial alerts: Prudential Financial Price Performance Shares of NYSE PRU opened at $112.96 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $118.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $115.73. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 1-year low of $87.95 and a 1-year high of $128.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.13 and a quick ratio of 0.13. The company has a market cap of $40.33 billion, a PE ratio of 19.26, a P/E/G ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.30. Prudential Financial Dividend Announcement Prudential Financial ( NYSE:PRU Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The financial services provider reported $3.39 earnings per share 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 analysts expectations of $13.78 billion. Prudential Financial had a net margin of 4.86% and a return on equity of 16.00%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 13.31 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared 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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.60%. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio is currently 88.44%. Insider Activity at Prudential Financial In other Prudential Financial news, major shareholder Insurance Co Of Ame Prudential bought 652,884 shares of Prudential Financial stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of $27.57 per share, with a total value of $18,000,011.88. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 3,883,390 shares in the company, valued at $107,065,062.30. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, major shareholder Insurance Co Of Ame Prudential purchased 652,884 shares of Prudential Financial stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 20th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $27.57 per share, for a total transaction of $18,000,011.88. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,883,390 shares in the company, valued at $107,065,062.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Ann M. Kappler sold 2,839 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,535 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,648,705.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth PRU has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised Prudential Financial from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $113.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, August 12th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered 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. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reissued a market perform rating and issued a $121.00 price target on shares of Prudential Financial in a research report on Wednesday, August 21st. Barclays assumed coverage on Prudential Financial in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. They set an equal weight rating and a $118.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Prudential Financial from $118.00 to $128.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $120.83. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on PRU About Prudential Financial (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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PRU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Prudential Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prudential Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR Get Free Report) CAO Robert T. Macalik acquired 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 6th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $50.25 per share, with a total value of $25,125.00. Following the acquisition, the chief accounting officer now owns 29,800 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,497,450. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Matador Resources Stock Down 1.6 % MTDR stock opened at $50.66 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $58.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $61.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. Matador Resources has a 12-month low of $50.16 and a 12-month high of $71.08. The company has a market cap of $6.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.94 and a beta of 3.27. Get Matador Resources alerts: Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The energy company reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.29. The company had revenue of $847.14 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $822.55 million. Matador Resources had a return on equity of 21.12% and a net margin of 29.01%. The businesss revenue was up 32.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.42 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Matador Resources will post 7.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Matador Resources Dividend Announcement Institutional Trading of Matador Resources The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. Matador Resourcess payout ratio is presently 10.96%. Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC raised its stake in shares of Matador Resources by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 37,532 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $2,506,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Matador Resources by 1.9% in the second quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 9,255 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $552,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its stake in shares of Matador Resources by 3.6% in the second quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 5,714 shares of the energy companys stock worth $341,000 after buying an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd lifted its position in Matador Resources by 121.4% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 414 shares of the energy companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 227 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its holdings in Matador Resources by 16.6% during the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,709 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $102,000 after acquiring an additional 243 shares during the period. 91.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts recently commented on the stock. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Matador Resources from $85.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Truist Financial cut their target price on Matador Resources from $91.00 to $86.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Mizuho increased their price target on Matador Resources from $83.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 14th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $75.00 price objective on shares of Matador Resources in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Matador Resources from $88.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $78.17. View Our Latest Research Report on Matador Resources Matador Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Matador Resources Company, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, production, and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States. It operates through two segments, Exploration and Production; and Midstream. The company primarily holds interests in the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Matador Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Matador Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Horan Capital Advisors LLC. reduced its holdings in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 42,623 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 260 shares during the quarter. Horan Capital Advisors LLC.s holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $3,141,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Morningstar Investment Services LLC boosted its stake in Charles Schwab by 98.0% during the 4th quarter. Morningstar Investment Services LLC now owns 4,691,362 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $326,284,000 after purchasing an additional 2,322,156 shares in the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. boosted its stake in Charles Schwab by 24.3% during the 4th quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 4,393,223 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $302,254,000 after purchasing an additional 857,734 shares in the last quarter. M&G Plc bought a new position in Charles Schwab during the 1st quarter valued at $11,452,000. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in Charles Schwab by 19.7% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 9,472,698 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $651,722,000 after purchasing an additional 1,558,975 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its stake in Charles Schwab by 10.4% during the 1st quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 190,597 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $13,788,000 after purchasing an additional 17,925 shares in the last quarter. 84.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Insider Activity In other news, insider Bernard J. Clark sold 8,164 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total transaction of $612,300.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 121,666 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,124,950. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Charles Schwab news, Director Carolyn Schwab-Pomerantz sold 9,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.49, for a total value of $652,410.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 570,657 shares of the companys stock, valued at $41,366,925.93. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Bernard J. Clark sold 8,164 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total value of $612,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 121,666 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,124,950. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 107,800 shares of company stock valued at $7,145,364 over the last 90 days. 6.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Charles Schwab Price Performance Shares of SCHW stock opened at $62.90 on Monday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $66.44 and its 200-day moving average is $70.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $111.86 billion, a PE ratio of 26.32, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.97. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52 week low of $48.66 and a 52 week high of $79.49. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $4.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.68 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 18.14% and a net margin of 26.30%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.75 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.05 EPS for the current fiscal year. Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.59%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.84%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have recently weighed in on SCHW. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Charles Schwab from $91.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. JMP Securities reduced their price objective on Charles Schwab from $85.00 to $82.00 and set a market outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Charles Schwab from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Piper Sandler lowered Charles Schwab from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $80.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reissued an outperform rating and set a $80.00 price objective on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Charles Schwab currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $74.00. Read Our Latest Analysis on SCHW Charles Schwab Company Profile (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP Free Report) by 1.8% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 21,659 shares of the railroad operators stock after buying an additional 385 shares during the quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLCs holdings in Union Pacific were worth $4,901,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Forum Financial Management LP boosted its position in Union Pacific by 0.6% during the first quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 7,037 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,731,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the period. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,100 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,007,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the period. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 3,015 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $741,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,581 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $584,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Finally, Elevated Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in Union Pacific by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,269 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $312,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the companys stock. Get Union Pacific alerts: Insider Activity at Union Pacific In other Union Pacific news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,552 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.59, for a total value of $875,887.68. Following the transaction, the president now owns 64,945 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,014,787.55. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Susquehanna lowered their price target on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $250.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on Union Pacific from $281.00 to $275.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 26th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $290.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 26th. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $290.00 to $273.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 8th. Finally, Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and issued a $266.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $258.79. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Union Pacific Union Pacific Stock Performance Union Pacific stock opened at $249.63 on Monday. Union Pacific Co. has a 52-week low of $199.33 and a 52-week high of $258.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $240.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $239.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $152.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.82, a P/E/G ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.05. Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $6.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.05 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 42.62%. The firms quarterly revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.57 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.11 EPS for the current fiscal year. Union Pacific Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. This is a positive change from Union Pacifics previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.15%. Union Pacifics dividend payout ratio is 51.15%. Union Pacific Company Profile (Free Report) Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Union Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Union Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Van Berkom & Associates Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Brunswick Co. (NYSE:BC Free Report) by 9.8% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 921,555 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 82,624 shares during the quarter. Van Berkom & Associates Inc.s holdings in Brunswick were worth $67,062,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Quest Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Brunswick by 99,353.8% in the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 12,929 shares of the companys stock valued at $941,000 after purchasing an additional 12,916 shares during the period. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. raised its stake in Brunswick by 17.0% in the 2nd quarter. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. now owns 6,232 shares of the companys stock valued at $454,000 after purchasing an additional 905 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Brunswick by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,246,106 shares of the companys stock worth $90,679,000 after acquiring an additional 29,028 shares during the period. Foster & Motley Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Brunswick by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter. Foster & Motley Inc. now owns 9,982 shares of the companys stock worth $726,000 after purchasing an additional 483 shares during the period. Finally, Consolidated Planning Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Brunswick during the second quarter worth $210,000. 99.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Brunswick alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently weighed in on BC shares. B. Riley cut their price objective on shares of Brunswick from $108.00 to $97.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Northcoast Research upgraded Brunswick from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $100.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Benchmark reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $100.00 target price on shares of Brunswick in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of Brunswick from $95.00 to $93.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Roth Mkm reissued a buy rating and set a $94.00 target price on shares of Brunswick in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $88.21. Brunswick Stock Performance BC traded down $0.31 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $75.18. The companys stock had a trading volume of 8,140 shares, compared to its average volume of 728,494. Brunswick Co. has a twelve month low of $66.47 and a twelve month high of $99.68. The stock has a market cap of $4.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.03 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $76.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $81.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. Brunswick (NYSE:BC Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.90 by ($0.10). The company had revenue of $1.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.55 billion. Brunswick had a net margin of 5.92% and a return on equity of 23.46%. Brunswicks revenue for the quarter was down 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.35 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Brunswick Co. will post 5.26 earnings per share for the current year. Brunswick Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 21st will be paid a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 21st. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.23%. Brunswicks payout ratio is currently 31.23%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Brunswick news, Director Nancy E. Cooper sold 358 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.34, for a total value of $29,119.72. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 23,877 shares in the company, valued at $1,942,155.18. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.81% of the companys stock. Brunswick Company Profile (Free Report) Brunswick Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets recreation products in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Propulsion, Engine P&A, Navico Group, and Boat. The Propulsion segment provides outboard, sterndrive, inboard engines, propulsion-related controls, rigging, and propellers for boat builders through marine retail dealers under the Mercury, Mercury MerCruiser, Mariner, Mercury Racing, Mercury Diesel, Avator, and Fliteboard brands. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brunswick Co. (NYSE:BC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Brunswick Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brunswick and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. X Square Capital LLC cut its holdings in Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares (NYSEARCA:ERX Free Report) by 62.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,959 shares of the companys stock after selling 10,000 shares during the period. X Square Capital LLC owned about 0.11% of Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares worth $388,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Edge Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares in the first quarter valued at approximately $298,000. TRUE Private Wealth Advisors lifted its position in shares of Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. TRUE Private Wealth Advisors now owns 14,860 shares of the companys stock valued at $967,000 after buying an additional 299 shares during the last quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares during the 1st quarter valued at $1,214,000. Jump Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares during the 4th quarter worth $1,336,000. Finally, IMC Chicago LLC purchased a new stake in Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares in the 4th quarter worth about $1,736,000. Get Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares alerts: Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares Stock Down 2.5 % NYSEARCA ERX opened at $56.79 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $310.07 million, a PE ratio of 9.05 and a beta of 0.96. Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares has a 52 week low of $50.00 and a 52 week high of $77.52. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $63.12 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.52. Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares Company Profile The Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X Shares (ERX) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Energy Select Sector index. The fund provides 2x leveraged exposure to a market-cap-weighted index of US large-cap companies in the energy industry. ERX was launched on Nov 6, 2008 and is managed by Direxion. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ERX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares (NYSEARCA:ERX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2x Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kirk Diamond won the 2024 Juno Award for Reggae Recording of the Year in March. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has removed the Reggae Recording of the Year category from the 2025 JUNO Awards. The Jamaica Observer reports that the news was delivered quietly to members of the JUNO Reggae committee without much explanation, leaving artists and producers concerned about the future of reggae representation in the country. The announcement hinted at declining streaming numbers, reduced sales, repetitive submissions, and the dominance of a few artists over the years among the factors behind the categorys removal, according to a source. The guidelines page on the JUNO website also states: If the total number of submissions for a category is less than ten (10) the category may be dropped from the current years awards. The JUNO Awards introduced the Best Reggae/Calypso Recording category in 1985, which ran until 1991. After a brief hiatus in 1992 and 1993, during which reggae songs were included under the World Beat Recording category, the Reggae Recording of the Year category was established in 1994. Recent winners of the award include Kirk Diamond, who won in 2018, 2023, and 2024; Kairo McLean, who won in 2022 and 2023; Tome and Sean Kingston (2021); Lyndon John X (2020); Dubmatix (2019); and Exco Levi, who won the award in 2012 through 2015 and 2017. Carrie Mullings, a second-generation Jamaican living in Canada and a former chair of the JUNO reggae committee, expressed deep disappointment with the decision. I cant even count the ways that this news has affected the community, Mullings said, speaking with the Jamaica Observer. To have the most prestigious award in Canada remove reggae is so disheartening. When were in a time of peace, love, and unity, in trying to raise a flag of consciousness across the world, in a time where people are suffering the most, we know that mental wellness can be achieved by the words and lyrics spoken and sung by reggae musicians and ambassadors in reggae music to have that same conscious message that needs to resonate around the world, so it is affecting our community a great deal. Mullings, who served on the committee for 17 years and resigned in 2022, emphasized the need for unity within the reggae community to address this issue. We need to come together, we need to organise, and we need to be a collective voice about the decision-making. Weve spent many years involved in the JUNOS [and] weve also had many submissions. We have to learn to stop fighting one another. Ive spent many years defending reggae and defending artistes; its time for us to do better, be better, she said. The 2025 Juno Awards will take place in Vancouver on March 30. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has issued a stark warning to Congress, arguing that a long-term continuing resolution (CR) funding bill would severely hamper the militarys ability to address pressing national security challenges. In letters sent to key congressional leaders over the weekend, Austin outlined a litany of negative consequences, including a decline in readiness, hindered recruitment efforts, and a weakening of the defense industrial base. Get alerts: As Congress prepares to return to session this week, the debate over government funding has intensified. Lawmakers are facing a September 30 deadline to prevent a government shutdown, and a CR is seen as the most likely short-term solution to keep federal agencies operating. However, the potential for a long-term CR extending beyond the typical temporary funding measure has sparked alarm within the Pentagon. Austins Concerns: A Multifaceted Threat Austins letters, addressed to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, paint a bleak picture of the potential impact on military operations if a long-term CR is enacted. These actions subject service members and their families to unnecessary stress, empower our adversaries, misalign billions of dollars, damage our readiness, and impede our ability to react to emergent events, Austin wrote. He emphasized that the military has already suffered from operating under 48 CRs since 2011, totaling almost five years of temporary funding. Among the specific concerns raised by Austin: Recruitment Challenges: A long-term CR would exacerbate the already dire situation in military recruitment, which faces record-low enlistment numbers. A long-term CR would exacerbate the already dire situation in military recruitment, which faces record-low enlistment numbers. Defense Industrial Base: The temporary funding would hinder vital investments in the defense industrial base, impacting the development and production of critical equipment and technologies. The temporary funding would hinder vital investments in the defense industrial base, impacting the development and production of critical equipment and technologies. Program Delays: Numerous vital programs would face delays or cancellations, including military construction, nuclear weapons modernization, and advanced drone development. Beyond the Immediate Impact: The Fiscal Responsibility Act Looms Beyond the immediate impacts of a long-term CR, Austin expressed deep concern about the ramifications of failing to pass full government funding bills by January 1. This deadline is tied to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, a bipartisan agreement reached last year between President Biden and House Republicans. The act mandates a reduction in discretionary spending limits for national security by 1 percent below fiscal 2023 levels if Congress fails to pass a full budget by January. This could result in a $42 billion cut to the Pentagons 2025 budget request, significantly impacting military operations and capabilities. These cuts would become a reality if a CR is still in place by April 30. The repercussions of Congress failing to pass regular appropriations legislation for the first half of [fiscal] 2025 would be devastating to our readiness and ability to execute the National Defense Strategy, Austin stated in his letters. Political Divide and Potential for Showdown The ongoing political divide in Congress further complicates the potential for a long-term CR. House Speaker Mike Johnson has linked a CR to stricter voter ID requirements, a move opposed by Senate Democrats. This potential showdown could further delay a resolution and push the government closer to a shutdown. While the White House and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have expressed support for a temporary CR, they have also emphasized the need for a bipartisan solution. In a letter to his colleagues, Schumer stated that the Senate will not let poison pills or Republican extremism put funding for critical programs at risk. The Stakes: National Security and Global Stability The consequences of a prolonged funding stalemate extend far beyond the immediate impact on the Pentagon. A weakened military could have significant implications for national security, international relations, and global stability. With mounting geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts worldwide, ensuring the militarys ability to meet its responsibilities is paramount. As Congress grapples with the complex task of funding the government, the urgency of finding a long-term solution to avoid a devastating impact on the military is undeniable. The choices made in the coming weeks will have far-reaching consequences for the nations defense and its place in the world. A public exhibition is to be held following news of planned construction of a lithium battery storage system in the townland of Ballyhanedin near Feeny. According to the relevant planning application, the proposed development consists of the construction of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) involving proven lithium battery technology, which will provide services to the National Grid system. The planning application was submitted to the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council by Neo Environmental, a consultancy providing environmental and technical services to the commercial energy, property and infrastructure sectors across the UK and Ireland. The proposed build was flagged by locals in Claudy, five miles from the site. According to a local community group, a "concerned neighbour" said that they "feel the local community should be aware of this application". A public exhibition is set to be held at 7pm on Monday 16th September in Banagher Parish Hall, Feeny for the planned battery energy storage system. Battery energy storage systems (BESS), are devices that enable energy from renewables, like solar and wind, to be stored and then released when the power is needed most. Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in mobile phones and electric cars, are currently the dominant storage technology for large scale plants to help electricity grids ensure a reliable supply of renewable energy. Campaigners gathered in front of Stormont on the eve of the return of the Assembly calling for MLAs to prioritise tackling an environmental crisis that is killing Lough Neagh. Noxious blooms of blue-green algae covered large parts of the lough last summer and also affected other waterways and beaches in the region. The algae returned this summer. The UK and Irelands largest freshwater lake provides more than 40% of Northern Irelands drinking water and supports Europes largest commercial eel fishery. It also drains around 40% of Northern Irelands land, of which three-quarters is agricultural. Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertiliser running off fields is believed to be a major contributory factor in the blue-green algae blooms. The spread of the invasive zebra mussel species is also understood to have played a role in the blooms, as they have made the water clearer, allowing more sunlight to penetrate, stimulating more algal photosynthesis. Climate change is another factor cited In July, Stormonts Environment minister Andrew Muir secured Stormont Executive approval for a 37-point action plan for Lough Neagh. At the time, Mr Muir said the approval was the first step on a journey towards the long-term rehabilitation of water quality in the lough. However campaigners have called for tougher action to be taken, including against those found to have polluted the lough. The Save Lough Neagh coalition organised the gathering on Sunday, which was addressed by campaigners as well as People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll and Green Party Belfast councillor Brian Smyth. Paddy McNicholl, from the coalition, called for the pressure to be kept on politicians. Were here on the eve of Stormonts return to say that enough is enough, he said. Our environment is not just dying before our eyes with Stormont in action, but being killed with their policies that have caused this crisis. He said Lough Neagh is symptomatic of the environmental crisis in the North. He added: But if we can save Lough Neagh then we have a chance at saving our rivers, other loughs, a chance at saying no to any fossil fuel projects and giving nature rights at last, he said to applause. We need to keep feet on the street and we are not going away any time soon. We need the climate to be at the top of the agenda, not the bottom of the agenda at long last. He also said there is to be a large march on October 26 in Belfast coinciding with one in England calling for clean water. Aldi Ireland has announced that Derry entrepreneurial Irish food producers Shay and Marc Donley have won contracts as the shared overall winners of Grow With Aldi 2024. As a result, the father and son's local business Maceys Factory has secured a contract that will see their products stocked in all 162 Aldi stores nationwide. The duo won alongside Wicklow and Cavan businesses, and all three local food producers will see their products on shelves across Ireland. Aldi selected the winners following a nationwide call-out that saw emerging food and drinks producers form all over the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland apply to take part. In May, 27 shortlisted finalists saw their products on sale in Aldi as part of a 'Specialbuy' pilot promotion. The fan-favourite Derry duo came out on top with products including cinema-quality popcorn and candy floss. Speaking about his win, Shay Donley of Maceys Factory, said they were "over the moon" to be selected. "At Maceys Factory, were committed to delivering quality snacks that put a smile on peoples faces. We are so grateful to be given this opportunity to take our business to the next level and look forward to having ALDI customers all over Ireland discover our delicious popcorn & candy floss," Shay said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maceys Factory (@popcornfactoryni) Speaking about this years Grow with ALDI competition, Rachael OConnor of ALDI, said the selecting panel were once again impressed by the finalists, adding that they are "proud to work with the likes of Maceys Factory" as the Derry business "embodies what it means to be a true innovator in the food and drinks sphere". READ NEXT - Derry public encouraged to prioritise mental health in the workplace Commitments to rescue Northern Irelands public services and restoring the environment, as well as a robust hate crime bill, are to feature in the Stormont Oppositions Plan for Change. The Official Opposition in the Assembly, made up of SDLP MLAs, is set to launch the plan on Monday morning hours before further detail of the Stormont Executives Programme for Government is expected to be revealed. The Opposition said its plan also challenges the Executive to set clear targets and ambitions rather than vague aspirations. The Plan for Change is described as setting clear targets for 2030, but also legislative and administrative actions which an Executive could implement by the end of the current mandate in 2027. It comprises five key themes, including to rescue public services with a costed wait list strategy with a clear implementation timeline, and a childcare strategy including aiming to dramatically reduce costs by 2030. Themes also include an aim to transform Stormont, calling for a covenant from Executive parties not to collapse Stormont for the remainder of this term and new legal powers for the Fiscal Council to report on Executive performance. Meanwhile the plan also calls for the unlocking of economic potential, restoring the environment with an independent Environmental Protection Agency and a Nature Restoration Bill with binding targets to halt biodiversity loss, and a robust and standalone Hate Crime Bill to tackle race hate and intolerance. Opposition leader Matthew OToole described the plan as setting out actions which are practical but ambitious. He said since entering Opposition earlier this year following the restoration of devolved government, the SDLP has consistently sought to be constructive. Today we are publishing our proposed Plan for Change, which has clear actions to improve peoples lives by the end of this Assembly mandate, he said. We know the Executive is about to launch its own full Programme for Government and we think they should be as clear and specific as possible about their targets and plans. So far, they have simply given us a list of gauzy, aspirational priorities. The public deserves more than that they deserve specific actions that will deliver measurable targets. People dont need hundreds of pages of waffle, they need clear plans and then action. Our plan sets out actions that are practical but ambitious. We are clear what we would do, now the Executive needs to be clear on what it will do. Simply being in office and staging photo opportunities isnt enough. 1. Apple iPhone 15 Digit Rating 6 /10 Screen Size: 6.1 u0022 Rear camera : 48 MP Storage: 512 GB GB Battery capacity: 4200 (mAh) Overall 6 The base iPhone is always one of the best compact flagships and that trends remains with the iPhone 15. It is one of the most well-rounded compact phones of recent years. We get a nice 6.1-inch OLED display with a Dynamic Island. It is powered by the Apple A16 Bionic chipset and is the first vanilla iPhone to come with a USB type-C port. The iPhone 15 Plus comes with Apples latest 48-megapixel primary shooter, and has a 3,349mAh battery which can charge from 0 to 50 percent in just 30 minutes. 2. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Digit Rating 7.9 /10 Screen Size: 6.1 u0022 Rear camera : 48 MP Storage: 128 GB GB Battery capacity: 4300 (mAh) Overall 7.8 Build and Design 8.9 Value for Money 7.8 Specs and Features 7.8 Performance 7.4 Apples top product, the iPhone 15 Pro is a premium compact offering. The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is the best of the lot when it comes to small smartphones. We are getting Apples latest A17 Pro chipset, a 6.1-inch AMOLED display with ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate). The iPhone 15 Pro is also equipped with Apples best yet camera setup, barring the 5x optical zoom that the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with. The iPhone 15 Pro also comes with a titanium build, which not only makes the smartphone more premium, but also makes it stronger. We are also getting a 3,274mAh battery with the iPhone 15 Pro, which may not offer the best battery backup, but definitely has one of the best standby times, if you keep always-on display off. 3. Samsung Galaxy S24 5G Digit Rating 8.3 /10 Screen Size: 6.2 u0022 Rear camera : 50 + 10 + 12 MP Storage: 256 GB GB Battery capacity: 4000 (mAh) Build and Design 8.6 Features and Specifications 8.8 Performance 8 Value for Money 8.4 PROS: Compact and classy design Excellent AMOLED screen with slimmer bezels Impressive battery life A slew of exciting AI features Seven years of OS updates CONS: Cameras need an upgrade Slow 25 W charging Phone heats and throttles during long gaming sessions Samsungs latest compact flagship smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is probably the best small smartphone in the market for Android users. The Samsung Galaxy S24 comes with proper bleeding edge specifications, and an Exynos 2400 chipset. The Samsung Galaxy S24 comes with a 6.2-inch Dynamic 2X LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and an FHD+ resolution. The Samsung Galaxy S24 also comes with several other premium features like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and an IP68 rating. The Samsung Galaxy S24 offers incremental upgrades from its predecessor without revolutionary changes. The brighter, larger LTPO 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and Armor Aluminum 2 frame with a matte finish are notable improvements. One UI 6.1 enhances functionality, alongside the Galaxy AI features. We are also getting a slightly bigger battery as compared to the predecessor with a 4,000mAh unit that supports 25W fast charging. 4. Google Pixel 9 Digit Rating 7.5 /10 Screen Size: 6.65 u0022 Rear camera : 64 + 50 + 50 MP Storage: 256 GB GB Battery capacity: 5100 (mAh) Digit AI-Q Score 8.5 Build and Design 8.7 Features and Specifications 8.2 Performance 6.7 Value for Money 7.5 PROS: Polished AI features Great camera performance in daylight Excellent battery life Clean Android experience CONS: Lags behind in performance No telephoto camera Display lacks flagship specifications Slow charging speeds The Google Pixel 9 is the best compact AI phone of 2024, so far. With a 6.3-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED display, the Google Pixel 9 brings an impressive array of AI features that set it apart, making it a standout device for those who value a good software experience. Even the 4,700mAh battery is looking improved. But there are some misses. While the Google Tensor G4 chip shows improved performance, it still lags behind its competitors and the heating issues, while fewer, still persist. The camera system delivers solid results, especially in daylight, but lacks some pro-level features. Furthermore, we arent really getting super fast charging with the Google Pixel 9. 5. Google Pixel 9 Pro Screen Size: 6.5 u0022 Rear camera : 50 + 50 + 50 MP Storage: 256 GB GB Battery capacity: 5050 (mAh) The latest Google Pixel flagship, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has been launched with some very good AI features. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with Googles latest Tensor G4 chipset paired with 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with a triple rear camera setup that includes a primary 50MP shooter, a 48MP ultrawide angle shooter, and a 48MP telephoto shooter. The Pixel 9 Pro XL also has a big 5,060mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging and 15W wireless charging. 6. Motorola Razr 50 Ultra Digit Rating 7.6 /10 Motorola Razr 50 Ultra Screen Size: 6.9 u0022 Rear camera : 50 + 50 MP Storage: 256 GB GB Battery capacity: 4000 (mAh) Digit AI-Q Score 3.2 Build and Design 8.6 Features and Specifications 8.6 Performance and Camera 6.6 Value for Money 7.6 PROS: The best cover display on a Flip IPX8 water resistance Packed with nifty features such as Smart Connect and Gemini Good cameras CONS: No ultra-wide camera Throttles a lot Some bugs in continuity across displays The Razr 50 Ultra is one of the two uniquely compact smartphones. It features a 4-inches pOLED cover display with 165Hz refresh rate! Here, you can run pretty much all apps and can even take calls. But, if you want to use the full device, you then get a 6.9-inch LTPO pOLED display with 165Hz refresh rate. This one also supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, so it is as immersive as it gets. The Moto Razr 50 Ultra is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM. We also get a dual rear camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary shooter and a 50-megapixel telephoto shooter. With the 4,000mAh battery, the Moto Razr 50 Ultra also offers 45W fast wired charging and 15W wireless charging. 7. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Digit Rating 8 /10 Screen Size: 6.7 u0022 Rear camera : 50 MP Storage: 256 GB GB Battery capacity: 4000 (mAh) Digit AI-Q Score 8.5 Build and Design 8.9 Features and Specifications 8.4 Performance and Camera 7.3 Value for Money 8 PROS: Improved battery life Good cameras Long software support Tons of Galaxy AI features Improved IP rating CONS: Slow charging Cover screen is not the best in the business 60 Hz cover display Price hike The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 brings significant refinements over its predecessor that enhance the overall user experience. It has a bigger 4,000mAh battery, IP48 dust and water resistance, an upgraded 50-megapixel primary camera, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. These enhancements, combined with its class-leading performance, make the Z Flip6 a compelling choice. Priced 10,000 higher than the Z Flip5, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is ideal for those seeking a flagship experience with top-tier performance, extended software support, and advanced AI features. Disclaimer: Digit, like all other media houses, gives you links to online stores which contain embedded affiliate information, which allows us to get a tiny percentage of your purchase back from the online store. We urge all our readers to use our Buy button links to make their purchases as a way of supporting our work. If you are a user who already does this, thank you for supporting and keeping unbiased technology journalism alive in India. DROXO introduces intelligent storage tank maintenance solutions targeting worldwide markets Semiconductor process technology advancements have enabled extreme miniaturization of electronic devices. Coupled with battery technology breakthroughs and AI algorithm maturity, these developments have given rise to increasing popularity of unmanned vehicles. In particular, the market of unmanned aerial vehicles is of the largest scale. According to the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the global unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone market is projected to reach US$140 billion in ten years. Aside from drones, unmanned vehicles are being designed and used for a wide range of application scenarios. For example, governments around the world are investing into autonomous driving vehicles as part of their efforts to improve public transportation. Automated guided vehicles (AGV) are also widely used at warehouses and factories to raise efficiency and reduce labor costs. DROXO CEO Chun Lin Liu noted that drones are used to do many things, for example, spraying pesticides, shooting videos and delivering packages. There have been a multitude of successful use cases. However, drones have limitations such as inability to navigate confined spaces. For the routine maintenance or repair of industrial equipment made of carbon steel such as petrochemical storage tanks, large vessels and wind turbines, purpose-built unmanned vehicle solutions are required. This market segment currently does not offer a lot of choices. Existing solutions are mostly provided by foreign device suppliers and generally do not deliver satisfactory results. DROXO is among the few suppliers capable of providing complete smart storage tank maintenance solutions. Its products have been used to successfully address customer needs in Taiwan. DROXO is also in talks with overseas partners to expand its footprint worldwide. DROXO builds special-purpose solutions to overcome challenges in large storage tank maintenance Starting out its business developing drone technologies, DROXO chose to endeavor on agriculture drones with a lower entry barrier when it was first established in 2019. It was able to commercialize its agriculture drones and made significant progress within a short period of time. On the foundation, DROXO independently developed wall-climbing intelligent vehicles which received the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Business Startup Award - Innovative Traditional Industry Category 2023. On the basis of the outstanding achievements, DROXO continues to fulfill customer needs by integrating all types of sensors, mechanical designs and automation accessories while staying committed to technological advancements and innovations. On top of that, DROXO leverages its robust hardware mechanical design and software/firmware development capabilities accumulated over time to develop smart vehicles for industrial applications. Not only has DROXO had its R&D results validated but it has also mastered critical technologies. According to Liu, DROXO's wall-climbing intelligent vehicles enable the maintenance work on storage tanks to be performed without the need for scaffolding. Leading chemical suppliers have approached DROXO for the labor cost savings its solutions can bring when they are used to inspect or service large storage tanks. Multiple leading Taiwan-based manufacturers including China Steel, LCY Chemical and Chang Chun Chemical have adopted DROXO's solutions for the purpose of eliminating the risks and uncertainties when using human workers to service or inspect storage tanks. AAROW series of storage tank maintenance solutions. Credit: DROXO Foraying into Japan and the Middle East, DROXO taps immense maintenance opportunities DROXO has recently introduced a whole-new and complete range of intelligent storage tank maintenance solutions, including AAAROW Scan, AAROW Blast, AAROW Coater and AAROW DECK. Among them, AAROW Scan adheres to the tank wall using neodymium magnets and checks the wall and coating thickness with non-destructive inspection equipment. The inspection results are presented in 3D visualization on ARROW DECK. DROXO's unique product received the 2024 Taiwan Excellence Silver Award. Liu commented that the traditional approach of using human workers to perform storage tank maintenance is very risky. First of all, workers might fall from a scaffold or inhale harmful fumes when doing coating. Furthermore, workers manually measuring tank wall thickness might make mistakes and fail to discover weak spots that will soon crack. The traditional approach also does not allow manufacturers to build 3D models of the tank. Each one of these challenges can be addressed with DROXO's intelligent storage tank maintenance solutions. DROXO operates by providing services instead of selling products. Apart from Taiwan, it is also working with partners in Singapore, Japan and the Middle East to provide services in the local markets. DROXO has focused efforts on technology R&D. Thanks to the assistance from flyingV, stationed in TTA, not only is DROXO able to strengthen its financial planning and business operation skills, but it also gained access to funding from venture capital firms, allowing it to secure market presence in the competitive unmanned vehicle sector. SLMs to increase presence in GenAI business opportunities, says DIGITIMES Research Ever since ChatGPT burst onto the scene in December 2022, the pursuit of generative AI (genAI) based on Large Language Models (LLMs) has been the focus of global tech giants. However, as AI development progresses and the number of parameters in models increases, bottlenecks and challenges start to surface. As a result, the tech industry is turning its attention to another rising trend: Small Language Models (SLMs). According to DIGITIMES Research, SLMs are becoming a significant technological trend in the generative AI field. Tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Meta, Apple, and Nvidia, as well as numerous AI startups, are all launching open-source SLMs or integrated development platforms, aiming to build application ecosystems to capitalize on SLM business opportunities as early as possible. DIGITIMES Research analyst Evan Chen pointed out that there is currently no clear definition of what is categorized as an SLM. Currently, the industry (and thus DIGITIMES Research) has drawn the line for SLMs at 10 billion (10B) parameters, since "it's a nice, round number." Chen also highlighted the six major advantages of SLMs, namely "better development efficiency, better deployment flexibility, lower setup costs, faster response times, enhanced security and privacy, and better explainability." Credit: DIGITIMES Research, September 2024 Challenges and bottlenecks of LLMs The generative AI boom has become a global phenomenon across nearly all tech industry sectors. Tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Apple, as well as dedicated AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, have all entered the fierce AI competition. Throughout this process, LLMs have always been seen as an indication of one's AI R&D capability. However, as time went on, several challenges and bottlenecks in LLMs started to surface. Chen pointed out that one of the biggest issues is that LLMs have gotten so big that companies are starting to run out of training data, a situation acknowledged by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, whose GPT-4 has pushed the parameter count for LLMs over the 1-trillion mark. This issue will likely be further exacerbated by increasingly strict legal regulations on what data can be used in AI training. The lack of new training data will not only affect how much LLMs can improve and continue to expand down the line, but it also affects companies that are developing LLMs. As the parameter requirement grows and the amount of publicly available data gets used up, training material for LLMs will start to overlap. When more and more LLMs are being trained on increasingly similar datasets, it will lead to a lack of differentiation. This issue may come much sooner than later, considering just how many companies are getting involved in LLM development nowadays. If there is no clear differentiation between each LLM, it will be tough for companies to sell their LLMs to customers as a unique service/product, and the commercialization of genAI itself is already a challenge many companies have yet to figure out a solution for. Furthermore, LLMs are also not the best suited for genAI to take the next step, which is to move from the cloud to each device as on-device AI. The large parameter count of LLMs means they require a significant amount of memory to store them, and transferring data comes at high costs. For AI to be applicable on smartphones and laptops, which have limited storage space, downsizing the LLMs is essentially necessary. Advantages of SLM The first and more easily noticeable advantage of SLMs is that their smaller scale leads to a reduction in hardware resource demands for computation and storage, which also leads to lower power consumption and heat dissipation requirements, thus driving down overall costs. Secondly, by being much less resource-hungry, SLMs are more suitable to operate on edge devices and end-user devices, where resources like storage space, power, and computing capabilities are limited. Products like AI PCs and AI smartphones could serve as key platforms for running SLMs offline. Chen mentioned Google's Gemini as an example, which has already reduced its size down to around 3GB. Thirdly, because SLMs have fewer parameters and smaller training datasets, the process of training and fine-tuning is easier compared to LLMs, significantly shortening the development-to-application cycle of genAI technology. The smaller scale also means that SLMs have a faster inference processing speed than LLMs, enabling them to respond more quickly to user demands. Lastly, due to their simpler composition compared to LLMs, SLMs offer better model interpretability, allowing developers to more easily understand the internal workings of the model, diagnose issues, and adjust parameters. Challenges remain Despite all their advantages, SLMs also have certain drawbacks that still need to be addressed. Due to their reduced parameter scale and often smaller training datasets, the accuracy of SLMs is generally not as high as that of LLMs, especially when handling more complex tasks like processing longer texts. At the same time, since SLMs are often trained or fine-tuned on domain-specific datasets, their inference performance tends to be better within that specific domain but lacks versatility compared to the more general LLMs. Moreover, because SLMs are not as universally applicable as LLMs, the industry lacks a standard evaluation method for SLMs. Companies looking to implement SLMs may need to invest more effort in selecting the appropriate base or pre-trained model. Chen noted that SLM research has identified these issues and is actively trying to address them. One of the primary objectives of SLM research now is to find the minimum parameter requirement for an SLM to be accurate and effective. The ideal target for this is to have SLMs operational with parameters below 5B. Potential applications of SLM Even though SLMs are still a work in progress, Chen has theorized some potential areas where SLMs may be highly applicable on top of their implementation in on-device AI. The first is in highly specialized fields that have clearly defined but complex and extensive rules. An SLM can be trained exclusively on specific text in this domain and become a very useful tool. A good example of this is coding, which has a dedicated and pre-determined style of writing that is highly different from general language use. Another example is math. While it is not exactly "text," it does follow a very specific set of extensive rules that need specialized training to be effective. Finally, Chen believed that SLMs would be suitable for smaller, more niche languages that don't have extensive training datasets like English or other European-adjacent languages. For instance, from Taiwan's perspective, if Taiwan wants to make an AI for Traditional Chinese, the SLM approach will be much more viable due to the lack of sufficient training data. About the analyst Evan Chen is an analyst at DIGITIMES Research. His current research focus is on edge computing, expanding into areas such as edge AI and TinyML-related hardware devices and software services. His research also covers field applications in smart transportation, smart retail, and smart manufacturing. Credit: DIGITIMES Research Taiwan's 300 MW offshore wind farm completes installation, sparking industry strategy shifts In a significant milestone for Taiwan's renewable energy sector, the Zhong Neng Offshore Wind Farm has completed the installation of all 31 wind turbines, marking a new chapter in the country's green energy transition. The 300 MW project, a joint venture between China Steel Corporation (CSC) and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), is set to begin full operations by the end of 2024, ahead of its initial schedule. Shyi-Chin Wang, Chairman of Zhong Neng and CSC, praised the collaboration with CIP, highlighting how the project overcame numerous challenges, including the global pandemic, to finish early. China Steel, a leading force behind the project, is now reassessing its role in future wind developments. According to Wang, the company plans to shift from leading offshore wind projects to taking a minority stake in future developments. This strategic move will allow CSC to concentrate on its core steel business while still securing green power for its operations, which is critical for its 2050 net-zero emissions goals. The Zhong Neng project also brings attention to the ongoing debate over local content requirements in Taiwan's offshore wind sector. With the European Union challenging Taiwan's localization policies at the World Trade Organization, industry leaders are calling for more flexibility. Wang advocated for a "survival of the fittest" approach to the local supply chain, suggesting that selective importation of components could help reduce costs and enhance competitiveness. CIP, a key partner in Zhong Neng's development, has solidified its position in Taiwan's offshore wind sector. Marina Hsu, Regional Managing Director of CIP, defended the localization efforts, stating that Zhong Neng boasts the highest local content rate among Taiwan's offshore wind projects. Following the successful completion of the Changfang-Xidao projects, Zhong Neng is CIP's second completed offshore wind farm in Taiwan. As the country aims to generate 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025, the Zhong Neng Offshore Wind Farm's completion represents a crucial step forward. The project is expected to generate over 1.1 billion kWh annually, powering approximately 300,000 Taiwanese households and reducing carbon emissions by about 550,000 tons per year. CIP is now focusing on financing the first phase of the Fengmiao project, a 500 MW offshore wind farm that will be Taiwan's first to secure corporate power purchase agreements with major industries, including semiconductors and telecommunications. This project underscores Taiwan's growing importance as a hub for renewable energy in Asia. While celebrating this achievement, the industry faces new questions about balancing the development of a domestic supply chain with maintaining cost competitiveness in the global market. As companies like CSC recalibrate their strategies, Taiwan's offshore wind sector is entering a new phase, with stakeholders seeking a sustainable path forward in the island's energy transition. South Korean equipment makers benefit as Chinese companies like BOE and TCL CSOT target OLED OLED deposition equipment provider Sunic System recently achieved significant success by supplying its equipment to several Chinese panel manufacturers. Other South Korean companies, such as HB Technology, Hanwha Momentum, and Rorze Systems, have also secured equipment orders from BOE for its 8.6G IT OLED production line (B16), further validating their technical competitiveness. According to reports from Ddaily and ET News, the display industry noted that Sunic System benefited from supplying OLED deposition equipment to Chinese display manufacturers. In the second quarter of 2024, Sunic System reported revenue of KRW42.6 billion (approx. US$32.15 million), marking an impressive year-on-year growth of 743.4%. The company also turned a profit, achieving an operating profit of KRW7.4 billion. In the past, Sunic System's growth has been primarily centered around orders from LG Display (LGD). However, the company has recently expanded its partnerships with Chinese companies. As the market for IT OLED expands, Samsung Display (SDC) and BOE have begun constructing 8.6G lines. However, with LGD having not yet made further investments, Sunic System is focusing on expanding in the Chinese market to sustain its growth. In June 2023, Sunic System supplied China's SeeYA with Micro OLED deposition equipment worth KRW32.1 billion. In February 2024, it provided similar Micro OLED deposition equipment to Lakeside Optoelectronics, and in June 2024, it supplied 6G OLED deposition equipment to TCL CSOT and signed a contract with BOE to supply deposition equipment for the 8.6G OLED mass production line. Under these circumstances, industry attention is now on Sunic System's future supply scale. The first phase of the agreement with BOE involved equipment for a monthly production capacity of 16,000 units. Since BOE plans to expand its capacity to 32,000 units per month by 2029, additional deposition equipment will be required. If the current equipment supplied by Sunic System meets technical expectations, BOE will likely place additional orders. Besides Sunic System, BOE also selected ICD, LG Electronics, AP Systems, Hansong Neotech, Device ENG, TSE, and others as suppliers in June 2024. In August 2024, BOE also chose suppliers like HB Technology, Hanwha Momentum, and Rorze Systems to supply products such as mask AOI equipment, infrared ovens for thin-film encapsulation (TFE), and 8th-gen glass substrate cutting equipment. Moreover, BOE is currently holding tenders for three types of heat treatment equipment: high-temperature diffusion furnaces, PI curing equipment, and low-temperature flatbed ovens. Wonik IPS, Viatron, and the Japanese company Koyo are competing for these contracts, with reports suggesting a high likelihood that Wonik IPS will secure the order. Analyses believe that South Korean equipment manufacturers, with their leading OLED technologies, are favored by Chinese panel makers, and the possibility of additional future orders is high. European carmakers struggle as China retaliation looms over tariffs The European Union's temporary tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, introduced in early July, have triggered a sharp decline in registrations across the continent. SAIC Motor's MG, the top Chinese import brand, saw its European registrations plummet nearly 40% in July, following a 60% drop in June, according to data from JATO Dynamics. The tariffs, aimed at ensuring fair competition, have left European automakers in a tougher spot than their Chinese rivals, supply chain insiders say. The looming threat of Chinese retaliationpotentially targeting European gasoline carshas added to their concerns. Even more troubling for European automakers is that vehicles produced in China and exported back to Europe are also subject to the EU's tariffs. These companies face higher levies compared to competitors like BYD and Tesla, further eroding their market edge. SAIC Motor faces the steepest tariff, with an additional 38% tacked onto the existing 10% rate. In contrast, Tesla's tariff was cut to 9%, BYD's to 17%, and Geely's to 19.3%. European automakers are feeling the pinch. German brands with joint ventures in China, such as BMW's partnership with Brilliance Auto and Volkswagen's with JAC Motors, face tariffs 4% higher than BYD, reaching 21.3%. Volkswagen voiced frustration, saying the tariffs would undermine the price competitiveness of European vehicles, and called on EU member states to overturn the measures. The EU defended its decision, saying the tariffs are based on established rules and evidence. During the initial phase of implementation, joint ventures involving Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen were hit with some of the highest tariffs, up to 37.6%. These automakers had only recently begun producing cars in China and hadn't yet imported them to Europe, which made it difficult to comply with EU data requirements, leading to their classification as "non-cooperative." Despite the tariffs, most Chinese automakers are pressing ahead with plans to expand in Europe. Their response? Tweaking product lines and planning local production. One immediate strategy has been to replace fully electric vehicles, which are subject to the tariffs, with hybrids or gasoline-powered models. For instance, MG launched its first hybrid model, the MG3 hatchback, in August, with demand exceeding expectations. SAIC has already pledged that its total European sales won't dip in 2024. Others, like Great Wall Motors, are scaling back their investments in new energy vehicles or shelving them entirely. The second approach involves setting up local production. SAIC has begun manufacturing in France, while BYD is building factories in Hungary and Turkey. Chery is teaming up with Spain's Ebro-EV for joint production, and both Xpeng and Changan are scouting European sites for potential plants. The strategy is a long-term bet to sidestep trade conflicts by establishing local roots. According to Dataforce, Chinese EV registrations in Europe fell by 9,000 in July, totaling around 14,000 vehiclesa 9.7% year-on-year drop. Many Chinese automakers had rushed to register vehicles before the tariffs took effect. Notably, BYD bucked the trend, doubling its European registrations in July, though its market share remains below 0.1%. India roundup: India's Kaynes reaffirms commitment to Telangana despite Gujarat project approval Ahead of SEMICON India, the Indian government approves a chipmaking facility proposed by Kaynes Semicon, which commits to setting up multiple chipmaking projects in more Indian states. India's Kaynes reaffirms commitment to Telangana despite Gujarat project approval Kaynes SemiCon, a subsidiary of Kaynes Technology, has reiterated its commitment to establishing an advanced electronics manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, Telangana, despite recently securing approval for a project in Gujarat. India approves Kaynes Semicon's ATMP facility in Gujarat The Indian government has approved Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd's proposal to establish a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat. This facility will contribute to the broader initiative of developing a thriving semiconductor ecosystem in India. Two Indian startups showcase innovations at Semicon Taiwan 2024 Two Indian startups, Silizium Circuits and Calligo Technologies, are making their mark at Semicon Taiwan 2024, as they seek to establish a foothold in the global semiconductor market. Tamil Nadu signs MoUs with US firms to establish itself as a manufacturing hub During a 17-day US tour aimed at attracting investments, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin met with representatives from Apple, Google, and Microsoft and signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with US firms, including Applied Materials, to bolster the Indian state's position as an electronics powerhouse. Indian IC design startup raises US$3milion, to launch security chips made by UMC India-based IC design house BigEndian Semiconductors raised US$3 million and aims to partner with Taiwan-based UMC to launch security chips amid the emergence of a local semiconductor ecosystem. Louth Library Service has announced an exciting line-up for their autumn lecture series as part of Louth County Councils Commemorative Programme 2024. The talks will look at the early years of the Irish state, as well as reflecting on events during the Decade of Centenaries. These events are designed for adults specifically and are free to attend with no booking required. The lectures will be presented by leading authors, historians, and broadcasters, including RTE's very own Dr. David McCullagh. Acting County Librarian, Amanda Branigan, said: "Louth Library Service would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the Commemorations Unit of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in funding the Louth County Council Commemorative Programme 2024." READ NEXT: Decision on 205 new homes in Dundalk appealed to An Bord Pleanala The series began on 5 September with a fascinating lecture led by historian, author and broadcaster Dr. Myles Dungan. What's going on and when? The Big House and the Irish Civil War, led by historian John Dorney, will take place on Wednesday 11 September at 6:30pm at Drogheda Library. This lecture will look at how the country mansion of the Anglo-Irish landed class, or "the Big House", was a consistent target for republicans throughout the Irish Revolution of 1919-23. Leading the talk, historian John Dorney is the editor of 'The Irish Story' website and author of 'Peace After the Final Battle: the Story of the Irish Revolution, 1912-1924' (2014) and 'The Civil War in Dublin: the Fight for the Irish Capital, 1922-1924' (2017). RTE's Dr. David McCullagh will be presenting "Reaching for the stars" - de Valera & America in Dundalk Library on Saturday 21 September at 3pm. This talk will look at one of Ireland's most iconic politicians Eamon de Valera and his relationship with America throughout his life and career. This will be a fascinating look at how important the United States was in giving de Valera political support which helped him defeat his rivals as well as financial support without which he couldnt have fought elections or established the Irish Press. Broadcaster Dr David McCullagh is an anchor presenter of the RTE news flagship, The Six-One News. He is a former presenter of Prime Time and was Political Correspondent for RTE for 12 years. He has a PhD in politics from University College Dublin and is the author of five books on Irish history, including 'De Valera Rise,1882-1932' and 'De Valera Rule, 1932-1975', the acclaimed two-volume reassessment of Eamon de Valera. His most recent book, The Great Irish Politics Book, is a guide to politics for children. Turtle Bunbury, "one of Irelands most prolific historians", will be leading the lecture on The Irish Diaspora at Ardee Library on Thursday 10 October at 6:30pm. Since 1800 an estimated 10 million people have left Irish shores and today, more than 80 million people worldwide claim Irish descent. This talk will trace the story of the Irish abroad from the first missionaries through the seafarers, warriors and explorers of centuries past. In this talk, Turtle Bunbury will be homing in on a variety of convicts, imperialists, emigrants, famine refugees and political activists. Turtle Bunbury has published over 20 books. The award-nominated podcaster's book 'The Irish Diaspora' has also been descried by BBC History Magazine as "impeccably researched packed with vivid detail." China expresses dissatisfaction with Netherlands export control expansion Xinhua) 10:52, September 09, 2024 BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Sunday expressed dissatisfaction with the Netherlands' decision to further expand the scope of export controls on lithography machines, which builds on the semiconductor export control measures implemented in 2023. An MOC spokesperson made the remarks in response to a relevant media query. Recently, China and the Netherlands have conducted multi-level and multi-frequency communication and consultation on the issue of semiconductor export controls, the spokesperson said. In recent years, to maintain its global hegemony, the United States has been constantly generalizing the concept of national security and coercing certain countries to tighten export control measures on semiconductors and equipment, which has seriously threatened the stability of the global semiconductor industrial and supply chains and undermined the legitimate rights and interests of relevant countries and enterprises, the spokesperson said. "China firmly opposes this." The spokesperson noted that the Dutch side should keep in mind international economic and trade rules and the overall situation of Sino-Dutch economic and trade cooperation. They should respect market principles and the spirit of contract, and avoid relevant measures that hinder the normal cooperation and development of the semiconductor industry of the two countries, the MOC spokesperson added. China urges the Netherlands not to abuse export control measures on semiconductor products and to earnestly safeguard the common interests of Chinese and Dutch enterprises while maintaining the stability of the global semiconductor industry and supply chains, the spokesperson said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Mother of three Sinead Leahy doesnt do things by halves. She shed several stone, going from a size 20 to 12, ahead of a charity mountain climb for a cause that is close to her heart. We finally achieved our goal reaching the summit of Carrauntoohil, despite really tricky weather conditions, says Sinead, from Ballyphehane, who is an avid supporter of Corks Street Angels, an organisation that helps the homeless and the vulnerable on the streets of Cork. The brave group of climbers were ecstatic on reaching the top of the highest mountain in Ireland, despite inclement weather conditions. Because my husband, our kids, and members of our families and neighbours joined us to do the climb, it felt very emotional, says Sinead. We were all together fighting the elements to get to the top. Sinead felt emotional during lockdown when people were struggling. Like lots of people during lockdown, I had spare time on my hands, she says. I started clearing my wardrobe and collecting bits and pieces from friends to donate to the homeless. I brought them to the table outside The Savoy where the basics and essentials are donated to people in need. At the beginning, I spent a few hours there, and then I got more involved, and then I became a regular volunteer with Cork Street Angels. They were delighted with an extra pair of hands. What do Street Angels do to help people in need? We distribute hot food and other crucial supplies to people in dire need in the city, says Sinead. Often, we do a run down the citys side streets to distribute the kind donations we get from generous people for the homeless. It is work that is getting busier. We are seeing increasing numbers of young people who are homeless on the streets, says Sinead. That is heart-breaking. We see new faces every night. We see regular people, we see older people who cant manage on their pension who come for food parcels, we see faces all the time. Certain supplies are always in big demand. Sleeping bags and tents are always in big demand. People become homeless for a myriad of reasons. My eldest boy has a pal who suffered the loss of a loved one, says Sinead. He had a good career, he was in a loving relationship. Then his whole world fell apart. It broke my heart when I saw him at the table outside The Savoy. "He touched my heart. I thought of my own kids at home. It could be one of my own kids at the table. We are all just around the corner from a different life. Sinead Leahy who climbed Carrauntoohil with family and friends. Sinead saw another view of life when she reached the summit of Irelands highest mountain, after losing several stone to climb Carrauntoohil for Street Angels. The fund has already reached 2,000 over a couple of weeks. She got good encouragement to get to the top of the mountain. When I put the challenge up on Facebook for everybody to see, my son Darragh said, Do you realise what you are doing? Now everybody knows. You cant back-track. Sinead admits that the idea sounded a bit mad, even though she planned the momentous climb a year previously. I said to myself; its next summer. Whos counting? says Sinead. She didnt delay in preparing herself for the climb of a lifetime. I was afraid Id come up short, she says. When I was size 20, I couldnt even walk to the shops, says Sinead. She wasnt comfortable. Last summer, we were travelling home from holidays in Spain, recalls Sinead. For the first time ever, I needed to ask the flight attendant for a seat belt extender. Her son asked a question. My youngest son looked over and said, Whats that for? It was the sheer embarrassment of it, and I turned to my husband Dave and said that it wouldnt be the same for next years holiday. What else spurred on this woman who doesnt do things by halves to tackle her weight? When I went so see my doctor, I was told that if things continued as they were, I would become diabetic and I would need daily injections for the rest of my life. How did it feel being told that? It frightened the s*** out of me, Sinead says. It gave me the kick I needed to change. She kick-started her mission to lose weight and get fit for her health and for her ambition to climb Carrauntoohil for Street Angels. I used to eat a lot of takeaways, Sinead admits. I cut down on them and I joined a gym and got the help of a personal trainer, Alana. She got a lot of help from her friends too. A few friends and I started a walking group, walking a couple of evenings a week, Sinead says. She put a plan into action. I changed my eating habits and began to pre-plan meals getting more organised, says Sinead. She took other steps to keep her motivated. Sinead Leahy, with husband Dave. Before and after her weight loss. Every time I dropped a size, I got rid of my old clothes, says Sinead. It kept me more on track. Other people benefited. I gave them away to the homeless! Sinead adds. She blossomed. I became more confident. Before, when I was bigger, if a photograph was taken, Id put a child in front of me to hide my size. I was so conscious of my size. Now I am much healthier. Sinead is in a happy place. I love volunteering with Street Angels, she says. I get great satisfaction from it. I find it uplifting. I tell her Sinead is making a difference helping those less fortunate. I dont know about making a difference, she says. I just listen to people, and I respect them. Is she still on Facebook? Sinead laughs. Yes. The fund, Carrauntoohil Climb for the Homeless is still active. She followed through, never faltering. Her sons must be proud of her. Yes, they are, says Sinead. By the way... Being a Street Angel; is Sinead a house devil? My kids might think so! she laughs. Street Angels can be contacted on 087-2768745. If the Government is serious about tackling poverty, it needs to address the long-term causes of deprivation, the head of one of Corks oldest charities has said. With Budget 2025 due to be unveiled on Tuesday, October 1, many charities have submitted pre-budget wish-lists. For Cork Penny Dinners, which is on the frontline helping more than 1,000 people in need each day, the list is a short one. The Government needs to address the long-term causes of poverty, its as simple as that, said Caitriona Twomey, volunteer co-ordinator of the Little Hanover Street charity. There is no point of bringing in a budget that falls short of long-term solutions. Giving people a few extra bob in a one-off welfare payment might work for a week, but thats the end of it then until the next budget. Government are simply not looking at long-term solutions, and until they do, theyre at nothing, Ms Twomey told The Echo. They need to start looking at how they can help working people who are on minimum wage, businesses that are struggling to keep their doors open, giving them a reprieve. They need help to people who are elderly, people who are sick, do something to address the epidemic in mental health issues. They need to look at social welfare, and they need to seriously tackle the cost of living. False perception Ms Twomey said there was a false perception that the cost of living was something which only affected the poorest people in society. Years ago, people associated Cork Penny Dinners with people who were struggling with substance addictions, men who were a bit too fond of the drink. But these days, while we still help people who have difficulties with addiction, were also meeting people who are in jobs, who have mortgages, who are paying for everything else and cant afford to buy food. The numbers coming to us for help are increasing every year. These days we get can anything from 1,000 people coming to us for help every day. Concrete measures She said unless Government took concrete measures to tackle the long-term causes of poverty, things would only continue to worsen. Everything needs to be on the table. Education, mental health, generational poverty, disability, addiction, imprisonment, taxation, mortgage relief. Unless the Government starts to think big, nothing will change, she said. Its like putting a plaster on a puncture and hoping for the best. Its not going to work. The principal of a Cork special school included in a pilot scheme late last month to restore therapists has said her school had not been contacted by a therapist by the end of the school day on Friday the second week of term. Anne Hartnett of St Pauls Special School in Montenotte, told The Echo there had been all this fanfare when the pilot scheme was announced. It is they who announced they would be back in the schools in September, said Ms Hartnett, who is also co-chairperson of the National Association of Special School Principals. Its the end of the second week and there hasnt even been a communication between a therapist and a special school in my experience. St Pauls Special School, which welcomes students with the most complex and profound needs, was one of four Cork special schools included in the scheme. The other schools were Carrigaline Community Special School, Rochestown Special School, and Our Lady of Good Counsel Special School in Ballincollig. Withdrawn The therapists had been withdrawn from the schools at the outset of the pandemic, in early 2020, and as a new model of therapists going directly to families with children who have special needs was being implemented. In a statement in response to a query from The Echo, a Department of Education spokesperson said that the focus would be on the provision of additional speech-and-language therapy and occupational-therapy supports. It is anticipated that a school with 100 children will be assigned a dedicated resource of approximately two whole-time equivalent therapists, said the spokesperson. A Health Service Executive spokesperson, also in response to a query from The Echo, said the HSE disability service and the Childrens Disability Network Team lead agencies were engaging with colleagues in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) to progress the pilot scheme for the four identified special schools in Cork. Working group A local working group, with representatives from education, health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, is being established to oversee the implementation of this project. According to Ms Hartnett, the National Council for Special Education was to appoint a regional co-ordinator, who would act as a conduit between the schools and the HSE. Ive had no contact from the NCSE to confirm that co-ordinator has been appointed, Ms Hartnett said. Maybe he or she is, but they definitely havent made contact with me. The Echo sent a query to the NCSE, early last week, but has yet to receive a response. Ms Hartnett said: I will believe it when it actually happens, but, in the meantime, we still have children who, day in, day out, are missing out on those vital, essential therapies and have been missing out for the past four to five years. That is a thundering disgrace. The St Pauls principal said she believed that the Department of Education and the Government were trying to resolve the issue, but she laid the blame for the ongoing delays at the doorstep of the HSE. They are not helping in any way, shape or form, because they are not consulting with us, she said. When youre putting together a service, surely you talk to the people involved. The children cant speak for themselves. According to the statement from the Department of Education, the timing of the second tranche of schools [to be included in the pilot scheme] would be the subject of detailed discussion between the relevant stakeholders. It is anticipated that the additional 10 schools will be identified by the end of October 2024... to commencing those in a position to progress in January 2025. A motion before tonights meeting of Cork City Council calls for the opening of three new public toilets in the city each year over the next five years. Padraig Rice, Social Democrats councillor in the south-central ward and a candidate in the next general election, claimed that public toilets were an important public service completely neglected by the city council. Places like the Lough badly need a public toilet. Parents bring their children to the playground, but there are no toilets. It makes no sense, Mr Rice said. More public toilets would really benefit not just parents and children but also many older people and people with disabilities. The lack of public toilets had been highlighted during the pandemic, he said, with reports of members of the public urinating in the lanes by the Lough. However, Mr Rice said, instead of installing a toilet to solve the problem, the council had instead installed a gate. We need accessible public toilets across the city. Everyone should have access to a toilet. Most other European cities are capable of providing these essential public services. Paris, for example, has, on average, six public toilets per square kilometre. It shouldnt be beyond our ability to manage a network of public toilets, he said. In the 1980s, Cork city had 14 public toilets. Given how much the city has grown, we should have a similar number nowif not more. Mr Rice said that the public toilets that do exist in the city are poorly advertised and called for better signage. Citing the public toilet on the Grand Parade, he said many locals were unaware off its existence and asked what hope this left a visitor to the city. My motion calls for three new toilets per year over the next five years. I have asked for a dedicated line in the next budget to make sure this happens, he said. A 45-year-old Cork man with 82 previous convictions was told by the sentencing judge for his latest crime, You are a middle-aged man now. Its time you addressed your addictions. James Carey with an address at Cork Simon Community laughed and shifted in his seat in the video booth from Cork prison when Judge Mary Dorgan passed this comment at Cork District Court about the defendant getting on in years and it being time for a positive change. He was sentenced to five months in prison for burglary. Sergeant John Kelleher said the crime was committed at Quinlans restaurant on Princes Street, Cork, at 6.30pm on August 14. The background was that the accused was observed on CCTV entering the premises that evening, going upstairs and entering a room that was for staff only. Once inside he stole various items including the jacket belonging to one member of staff. Judge Dorgan commented: This was an upsetting matter for the member of staff who had his jacket and other property stolen. James Carey pleaded guilty to carrying out burglary. Defence solicitor Eddie Burke, said the accused had admitted the offence at the earliest opportunity. He said Mr Carey had been engaged in rehabilitation for some time but unfortunately fell back into addiction and committed this offence. A Garda who was repeatedly stabbed during a domestic incident in Co Cork is among a number of officers who have been awarded for their bravery. Two Cork gardai were among eight members of An Garda Siochana - deceased, retired and serving - to be presented with Scott medals for bravery on Monday morning. The Scott medal is the highest award that can be bestowed by the Commissioner of An Garda Siochana and is awarded for most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty. The award dates back 100 years to 1924, when US philanthropist Colonel Walter Scott donated to An Garda Siochana a $1,000 gold bond, in perpetuity, to endow a bravery medal, the Walter Scott Medal. At a ceremony at An Garda Siochana National Bureau Headquarters, Walter Scott House, in Dublin, which was hosted by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and attended by Justice Minister Helen McEntee, eight Scott medals were awarded. Among the recipients were Garda Tim McSweeney, who had responded to a domestic incident at a house in Douglas on March 24 in 2022. Garda McSweeney was told by the female resident of the house that a man who was in the house and in a state of intoxication and agitation would not leave and she was in fear for her safety and that of others in the house. When the man grabbed a large knife from a kitchen drawer, a violent struggle ensued and the man continued what was described in court as a frenzied attack against Garda McSweeney until the armed support unit arrived. Despite suffering a number of knife wounds to his arms and an injury to his knee and back when he was dragged to the floor, Garda McSweeney continued to struggle with the man until he managed to restrain him. A woman who was present in the house that night said in court: I want to thank Garda Tim McSweeney. I believe he saved my life. Garda McSweeney was awarded the Silver Scott Medal. He said: (The man) was intoxicated and he asked to go into the kitchen to get his jacket, and then he did he grabbed a large knife and came at me with the knife. I immediately told the woman and children to run. The struggle went on for about five minutes, and I managed to get him on the ground and got the knife off him. I then called for assistance. I received stab wounds to my hand and arm and tore my knee. Asked how he was able to retrieve the knife after being stabbed, Garda McSweeney said: It was fear of him getting the knife off me and what he could do to the woman and children, so that drove me to carry on and every muscle in my body to get him down on the ground and get the knife off him. I am deeply honoured to receive the medal, I didnt realise it was such a big occasion. My family are honoured. I am here with my wife, and two girls and my mother and brother. So it is a great family day. The Bronze Scott Medal was awarded posthumously to Detective Garda Morgan Lahiffe for his part in foiling an armed robbery in Togher in 1971. Jean Lahiffe, wife of the late Detective Garda Morgan Lahiffe, holds his picture ahead of a Bronze Scott Medal being awarded posthumously to him, during a ceremony to award deceased, retired and serving members of An Garda Siochana with bravery medals at Walter Scott House in Dublin. On August 20, 1971, Det Garda Lahiffe and Garda Gerry OSullivan responded to the call that three armed raiders had entered the Five Star Supermarket in Togher. When they entered the supermarket, the two gardai were confronted at gunpoint and forced to retreat. The armed raiders got into a car and drove onto Clashduv Road and were pursued by the two gardai, with Garda OSullivan getting out of the car at a phone box to alert headquarters and request assistance. Detective Lahiffe died in December of last year. Det Garda Lahiffes daughter Avril said: We are very proud. It is a huge honour to receive this award. To say that it is his second medal is fantastic. Its a very emotional day. He only passed away in December so he was very close to getting it himself. Its a huge honour for him and he enjoyed serving the community. His widow Jean Lahiffe said: I am feeling very happy. It is sad he is not here to get it himself. The Gold Scott Medal was awarded posthumously to Superintendent John Curtin, who was shot and killed in Friarsfield, Tipperary, on the night of March 21, 1931. He remains the highest ranking serving garda to have been killed by the IRA. The Gold Scott Medal was awarded posthumously to Detective Sergeant Denis OBrien, who was shot and killed in his own driveway by IRA men armed with Thompson sub-machine guns in Rathfarnham in Dublin, on September 9 1942. One gunman was subsequently sentenced to death by hanging. The Bronze Scott Medal was awarded to Sergeant Niamh Connaughton and Detective Garda Warren Farrell who foiled an armed robbery in an off-licence in Clondalkin, Dublin, on March 27, 2013. The Bronze Scott Medal was awarded to Inspector Joseph Finnegan and Sergeant Kieran Flynn, who were part of an operation carried out by the Garda Underwater Unit in Belderrig, Co. Mayo, on October 25, 1997. Three people who had become trapped in a sea cave were successfully rescued, and, proceeding with great difficulty, Garda Finnegan and Garda Flynn recovered the bodies of two men who had died. A 41-year-old Cork man spat into a shopkeepers face when he was being deflected from shoplifting at the premises and he was jailed today for five months as the victim described the offence as the lowest of the low. Daniel Walsh of 15 Charles Daly Road, Ballyphehane, Cork, who has mental health problems compounded by alcohol, pleaded guilty to assaulting the shopkeeper. A victim impact report was presented at Cork District Court where Judge Mary Dorgan quoted from it as she imposed sentence. I have been working in Cork city for 22 years and no one has ever spat in my face. The fact that my mouth was open and the culprits saliva entered my mouth made me feel very sick physically and also deeply upset me as I felt violated. I was asking the culprit to stop stealing from my shop on Oliver Plunkett Street and in my opinion, spitting in someones face is the lowest of the low. Judge Dorgan agreed with the view taken by the victim. Sergeant John Kelleher said that the 41-year-old had 98 previous convictions including numerous counts for engaging in threatening behaviour and six for assaults. I was reminded recently of an incident that happened a few years ago involving my late mother-in-law, Moyra Swords. She was in her nineties at the time and her eyesight was fading badly. Her hearing wasnt great either. She was travelling from Dungarvan with her daughter Ann, when they were stopped at a garda checkpoint. When the garda approached the drivers window, Moyra immediately began rummaging through her handbag to find some change for the garda. She thought it was someone collecting for a charity and happily handed money to Ann to give to the garda. Ann was mortified and told her mother to put the bag away in case the gesture was construed differently. She had visions of poor old Moyra being hauled off in handcuffs for trying to bribe an officer of the law. Thankfully, the garda saw the funny side of it. Moyra always insisted on leaving a tip wherever she went, so she would have survived well in America, given her willingness to hand over money. She wouldnt have had a problem with their tipping culture, unlike some of her counterparts. It was reported recently that a restaurant owner in America wanted all Europeans banned from the country because they were useless tippers. He had obviously been upset by some customers from this side of the pond, but having an issue with Europeans not tipping is ironic, given that it was the Europeans who introduced tipping to the States in the first place. According to businessinsider.com, the origins of tipping are uncertain, but historians say it likely began in Europe during the Middle Ages, when many people lived under a feudal system. Tipping emerged as a master-serf custom in which masters would tip their servants for good service. By the 1700s, it extended to customers tipping service-industry workers. Historians say tipping in the USA was almost non-existent prior to about 1840, but in the years leading up to the Civil War, many wealthy Americans discovered the practice on their travels to Europe. When they returned, some began tipping as a way to signal their status and show off their worldliness. Europeans also began immigrating to the US, bringing the custom of tipping with them. Initially, most Americans didnt take to tipping, in part because they said it encouraged classism and further distinguished the wealthy from the common person. Anti-tipping sentiment persisted and, in 1904, the Anti-Tipping Society of America was founded and its 100,000 members pledged to not tip anyone for a year. In 1915, Iowa passed legislation that said anyone convicted of accepting a tip of any kind would be fined or imprisoned for a maximum of 30 days. In Arkansas, any waiter found guilty of accepting a tip was fined $10. But, in 1919, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the states anti-tipping law was unconstitutional, and by 1926 all anti-tipping laws were off the books. Now, Americans are tipping more than ever before, so what about us? Well, for those of us not familiar with the rules of the tipping game in this neck of the woods, the website Irishgraves.com offer the Complete Guide to Tipping in Ireland. They suggest that while it is not mandatory, it is a way to show appreciation. Around 10% of the bill is usual for restaurants, and 10-15% for taxis and tour guides. Service staff prefer cash tips, but its also okay to tip with a credit card, but they tell us to always check if theres already a service charge on the bill. In pubs, tipping isnt expected per drink, but rounding up or giving about 10% of the total bill for table service is polite, and for hotel staff such as housekeepers or porters, 1 to 2 per day is appreciated if you liked their service. At restaurants or cafes in Ireland, when a service charge is not added, tipping your server 10-15% of the total bill is customary. I have an issue with that. Staying in a hotel in Ireland is expensive and so is eating out. I was at a restaurant recently with the family and our drinks bill alone - two pints and two glasses of house wine - came to 27.30. Add that to the cost of the meal, then include a tip of 15%, and that amounts to a tidy sum. I didnt leave a tip on that occasion and Im slow to tip in this country because we pay too much for pretty much everything already, including eating out, hotel accommodation, and alcohol. I spend a lot of time in Cyprus where restaurants are reasonably priced, so going for a meal isnt a major consideration and I will happily leave a tip. Maybe, in Ireland, we could learn something from Japanese culture. Tips there are considered an insult, according to Readers Digest. The Japanese consider exceptional service to be part of the job, and employees take great pride in their work. The advice for visitors is not to tip, regardless of whether youre dining at a high-end restaurant in Tokyo or taking a taxi in Kyoto. Instead, Japanese culture emphasizes hospitality, known as Omotenashi, which ensures customers receive the best service possible without the expectation of additional compensation. Taxi drivers in Japan do not expect tips, and that includes telling them to keep the change. The exact fare is all that is required. Professional tour guides and translators in Japan dont expect tips. A heartfelt thank-you or a positive review will suffice as an expression of your appreciation. Its also worth noting that, in some places, tipping is even considered to be offensive. So, to avoid upsetting anyone and in the interest of being respectful, Im opting out of the tipping culture. The next time a tip is required, Im going to offer a heartfelt thank-you instead. By David Young, PA The Stormont Executives 88-page draft programme for government sets out three key missions people, planet and prosperity with an underpinning cross-cutting commitment to peace. The programme, titled Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most, also highlights nine policy areas that the coalition will prioritise in the remainder of the mandate. They are: To grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy. Deliver affordable childcare. Cut health waiting times. Ending violence against women and girls. Protecting Lough Neagh and the environment is among the policy areas in the programme for government. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. Better support for children and young people with special educational needs. Provide more social, affordable and sustainable housing. Safer communities. Protect Lough Neagh and the environment. Reform and transformation of public services. The document includes a link to a dashboard that will be used to measure wellbeing across a series of ten indicators happier children, cleaner environment, equal society, healthier lives, brighter futures, stronger economy, safer communities, caring society, better homes and living peacefully. The success of actions taken under the programme for government (PfG) will be assessed against these indicators. Headline proposals set out in the draft PfG include: A reform and transformation unit to work across all departments to reform public service delivery in Northern Ireland. A key element of this work will see a public sector transformation board oversee investments funded from a 235 million transformation fund. Reform within the health service is identified as instrumental in reducing Northern Irelands spiralling health service waiting lists. The PfG also says difficult decisions on the reconfiguration of services in the region will be needed. Improved housing is among the targets. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. A tourism strategic action plan to showcase Northern Ireland as a visitor location. The delivery of a sub-regional economic action plan with proposals to invest 1.3 billion in the coming years to stimulate regeneration and tourism across Northern Ireland. Development of an early learning and childcare strategy to build on already announced moves to cut childcare bills for parents. The plan also sets a goal of providing the standardised provision of 22.5 hours of pre-school learning to all children in Northern Ireland. A pledge to transform the education system to provide high-quality, efficient and sustainable services for children with special educational needs (SEN) and disability. Delivery of a Northern Ireland housing supply strategy to increase the supply of homes and reduce housing stress. The Executive will seek Treasury approval on borrowing rules to give the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) more power to increase investment in its homes and improve energy efficiency. Launch a new fuel poverty strategy by 2025 to support those struggling with the cost of living. A delivery plan to implement objectives in the Violence Against Woman and Girls strategy. Drive forward a speeding up justice programme to reform the way in which cases are handled, to ensure the most serious cases are dealt with quicker and courts are not clogged up with less serious motoring offences. Digital transformation across criminal justice organisations. The Executive hopes to make progress with the redevelopment of Casement Park. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. The Executive will seek to increase police officer numbers to 7,500 in line with a commitment made in the 2020 New Decade, New Approach agreement. A cross-governmental strategy to reduce offending and reoffending. A new environment strategy to be adopted as Northern Irelands first environmental improvement plan (EIP). The Executive will set carbon budgets and develop its climate action plan, detailing cross-cutting steps to reduce carbon emissions, adapt to changing weather patterns and work towards net zero. A net zero accelerator fund will be used to attract more net zero investment in Northern Ireland. The plan also includes a focus on flood risk management and improving water quality. Establishment of a just transition commission to help farmers adapt to net zero policies. A 15 million investment in the energy and resource efficiency support scheme to help local businesses cut their energy bills. The publication of a circular economy strategy. The PfG also commits to making improvements to the planning system in Northern Ireland. In regard to the stalled rebuild of Casement Park in west Belfast, the plan says the Executive will make progress on the redevelopment. It also includes a pledge to consider the recommendations of a recent all-island rail review, which recommended significant expansion and upgrade of the current network in Northern Ireland. In relation to the existing commitment to expand the Ulster University campus at Magee in Derry to hold 10,000 students, a Magee taskforce is to develop and oversee an action plan, which will be published before the end of this year. 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. More than 116 miles of Californias stunning coastline is in the process of becoming designated as part of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary the third largest in the country. The designation process reached a major milestone last week when the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the marine sanctuary was released. Under the preferred alternative of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Chumash Heritage Sanctuary would cover 4,543 square miles of offshore and coastal waters along more than 100 miles of the central coast of California, a press release from NOAA said. This is a huge moment for the Chumash People and all who have tirelessly supported our campaign over the years, said Violet Sage Walker, Northern Chumash Tribal Council chairperson, in the press release. My father, the late Chief Fred Collins, began the journey to protect these sacred waters 40 years ago, and we have been so proud to continue his work. I am delighted to celebrate his vision, todays success, and the future of our People who will always be connected to past, present and future by this special stretch of coastline and the true magic its waters hold. Theo FEIS comes almost a decade after Tribes, Indigenous Peoples, leaders in the community, organizations, state and local officials, businesses and members of Congress began the designation process. The environmental impact statement evaluates the projected environmental, economic and social effects the proposed sanctuary would have, as well as reflects the public input given during multiple stakeholder engagements. Efforts to make the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary the first Indigenous-focused sanctuary nomination have spanned many years and todays milestone is the product of committed individuals working together across backgrounds, across sectors and across governments to advance co-stewardship while respecting Indigenous Knowledge, said Brenda Mallory, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Under President Biden and Vice President Harriss leadership, we will achieve a lasting legacy that accounts for a shared and common heritage for all to treasure while also building a clean energy future and combating the climate crisis. The proposed sanctuary would become the 17th in the National Marine Sanctuary System, contributing to the Biden-Harris Administrations America the Beautiful initiative. The initiative supports local conservation efforts to preserve and restore a minimum of 30 percent of the countrys lands and waters by the end of the decade. View of Cojo Anchorage in the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Robert Schwemmer / NOAA Today, our Administration is taking a critical step toward designating the first Indigenous-proposed National Marine Sanctuary, Vice President Kamala Harris said in the press release. As a Senator, I was proud to support efforts to create the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off Californias coast to honor our commitments to Indigenous communities and promote natural spaces. The sanctuary would recognize and celebrate the connections of Indigenous Peoples to the region, as well as be managed with active Tribal and Indigenous community involvement that encompasses Indigenous knowledge, values and traditions. The sanctuary is anticipated to bring comprehensive community- and ecosystem-based management to nationally significant natural, historical, archeological and cultural resources including kelp forests, rocky reefs, sandy beaches, underwater mountains and more than 200 shipwrecks, the press release said. The National Environmental Policy Act requires NOAA to wait 30 days following publication of the FEIS before it can make its final decision regarding designation. National marine sanctuaries promote the protection and long-term conservation of the regions natural and cultural resources that local economies rely on. Every tribal nation across the country maintains a significant cultural tie to its aboriginal lands and waters. Sadly, for many, those connections have been difficult to reach. But today, with this announcement, the Chumash people take great strides in restoring our connection to our maritime history, said Kenneth Kahn, chairperson of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, a planned co-steward of the sanctuary. As outlined in the FEIS preferred alternative, the national marine sanctuarys boundaries would not include places that are planned sites for offshore wind turbines or wind energy transmission cables. However, a potential proposed sanctuary expansion would be considered by NOAA in the future, after approval of the transmission cables. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will be a step forward for communities and nature alike, said Governor of California Gavin Newsom in the press release. By respecting and supporting tribal leadership and stewardship, we are bringing California one step closer to meeting our aggressive clean energy goals while protecting biodiversity and above all else, honoring the land and waters alongside those who have stewarded this area since time immemorial. England's Peterborough Cathedral has drawn criticism after its plan to host a $51 (39-pound sterling) -a-ticket Ibiza-style concert on All Souls Day. Tickets have gone on sale for the event on Nov 2 advertised as "a night of Ibiza Classics" featuring saxophonist and DJ double-act Lovely Laura and Ben Santiago. However, those critical of the event said that the historic cathedrals had "lost confidence in their core mission," The Daily Telegraph reported on Sept 7. Staff at the 12th-century cathedral, where Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon, is buried, said the money was vital for paying bills and attracting new congregants. Peterborough Cathedral is following the style of its Canterbury counterpart, which raised 12,000 pounds ($15,700) through two sellout nights earlier this year. Canterbury Cathedral's two silent discos also sparked uproar ecclesiastical Christian protesters gathering outside the Kent venue to sing hymns as ravers entered in February. Paul Stainton, the head of marketing and communication for Peterborough Cathedral, said there was no choice. "Cathedrals are self-funding they don't get anything from the Church of England," he said, according to the Telegraph. "Our electricity bill has gone up 120,000 this year. If we don't do other things we wouldn't be able to survive." Stainton explained that secular concerts such as the Ibiza Classics night could attract new people to the church. Premier Christian News headlined a story on the controversy: 'It wouldn't happen in a mosque' Cathedral criticised over plans for Ibiza classics night Speaking to The Telegraph, Rev Daniel French who is the vicar of Salcombe said the event was "incongruent with the Christian message...This is not like a Handel concert with cheese and wine in the interval. "I'm not trying to be a snob, but there you would have the aesthetic, whereas an Ibiza night is going to be pumping out a message of hyper-individualism and sexual licence. That doesn't feel quite right. "I would be cynical about clergy saying this is getting people into the church. I don't believe it is a coherent form of evangelism. A lot of the young adults I am meeting are asking for a faith that is demanding and in many ways more traditional. "I can't imagine this happening in a mosque." According to the Mailonline French said, An Ibiza night is going to be pumping out a message of hyper-individualism and sexual licence,' he said. 'That doesn't feel quite right.' All Souls Day is a day of prayer and remembrance for the departed, observed by Christians on Nov. 2. The next iPhone will be revealed later today at 1PM ET. Well, iPhones. Were expecting four new devices: the base iPhone 16, a larger iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 16 Pro and another beastly iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Pro models might get slightly larger screens, with the regular Pro likely to move to 6.3 inches from 6.1 inches, while the Pro Max should hit 6.9 inches, an increase from 6.7 inches. The iPhone 16s camera module could be getting a design refresh too. While those are likely to be the stars, Apple doesnt miss a chance to showcase even more of its hardware, especially if it ties to the iOS juggernaut. There are plenty of rumors of redesigned AirPods, as well as an updated Apple Watch. Apples next standard smartwatch may have a bigger screen more in line with the Ultra. The company may also introduce a new band system with new connectors that are easier to swap out. The event kicks off at 1PM ET. You can follow along on our liveblog , where well also be highlighting our first impressions on all the new products. Mat Smith The biggest stories you might have missed YouTubers built a six-foot tall working replica of the iPhone 15 Pro Max How to use a VPN on Roku The Apple Watch Ultra 2 drops below its Prime Day price You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! It supports up to 8K at 60Hz for video and 4K at 120Hz for gaming. A more future-proof Philips Hue Sync Box has arrived, with support for HDMI 2.1. The box plugs into your TV and creates a light show synced with your onscreen content. Now, it can match 4k at 120Hz, so its better suited to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The box can sync with up to 10 color-capable Hue lights. As with the previous model, you can tweak the brightness and intensity to your liking in the Hue app. Continue reading. It included Tenet Media and four other channels. YouTube has pulled five right-wing political channels believed to be connected to the Department of Justices Russia-linked US media indictments this week. The platform pulled the channel of Tenet Media , the company reportedly implicated in the indictment. The DOJ accused Russian operatives of paying the media organization to spread disinformation designed to influence the 2024 US elections. On Wednesday, the DOJ indicted two employees of RT (formerly Russia Today), a Kremlin-backed media outlet. They were accused of illegally funding a Tennessee-backed media organization, now all but officially confirmed as Tenet Media. Continue reading. Its designed for garments, wearables, handbags and more. LG This is LGs Stretchable tech. It appeared as part of clothing and bag concepts at 2025 Seoul Fashion Week. Korean designers added displays to the front of garments, sleeves and clutch bags. LG had to tweak the tech, of course. It built the substrate material from a silicon similar to that used in contact lenses. Screens on clothing, though? Groundbreaking . Continue reading. The Apple iPhone 16 launch event is now live and you can stream it on YouTube or the company's website. You can also follow along as we live-blog the news, and hopefully we'll get a chance to check out the new iPhone which will come equipped with iOS 18 after the event. The biggest news we're expecting from Apple's It's Glowtime event is the iPhone 16 lineup. Following past events, we're also anticipating a new Apple Watch or two. But a late-breaking update from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests that we won't be seeing a full refresh on the Apple Watch Ultra line just a new Ultra 2 color. (See below for details). Beyond that, rumors have been swirling about various changes to the AirPods line, including new noise-canceling models and maybe even a small refresh to the AirPods Max. And what about new M4 Macs, HomePods, iPad mini or even the baseline iPhone SE? Some of those may hit later this year, while others probably won't see the light of day until 2025 or beyond. But until Tim Cook takes the (virtual) stage, however, everything is pure speculation. With that said, lets get into the most likely leaks and rumors ahead of the Apple event. iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro No matter what else happens, these new handsets will take center stage during the Apple event. Thats good news for people ready for an upgrade. The bad (ish) news? The vast majority of leaks and rumors indicate that this will be another year of iterative improvements, so dont expect a game-changing new hardware feature. Cherlynn Low / Engadget There are likely to be four new models announced at the event, which is similar to what Apple did last year. The new phones will allegedly be called the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, according to industry analyst Mark Gurman. This is the exact same naming convention as last years iPhone 15 reveal, so the rumors of Apple adopting an iPhone Ultra moniker seem to have been greatly exaggerated. Even if Apple doesn't use the Ultra naming, the Pro models might be getting slightly larger screens, which is always nice (if you like big phones, that is). The regular Pro is likely to move to 6.3 inches from 6.1 inches, while the Pro Max should hit 6.9 inches, an increase from 6.7 inches. Finally, there will likely be a new color or two, as always. Bloombergs Gurman suggests that Apple is ready to ditch the blue model in favor of the return of rose gold. Separately, 9to5Mac has reported on a new "gold-colored titanium" hue for the iPhone 16 Pro model. Based on a source who apparently nailed last year's gray titanium color, they are showing off what appears to be more of a dusky sand hue than gold. On the hardware side of things, look for a new chipset that takes advantage of the companys recent push toward AI, also known as Apple Intelligence. Beyond that, the upgraded A18 chip will be an iterative improvement, specs-wise. As is typical, the Pro and Pro Max will likely get a more powerful chip than the standard models. It looks like the base amount of RAM here will be 8GB, so as to handle those aforementioned AI tasks. Its also been rumored that the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will get the Action Button, a feature introduced last year for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct replacement for the mute switch, by default, but can be adjusted to control a bunch of different things. The Action Button can be used to to change ringer settings, turn on the flashlight, launch the camera and more. Cherlynn Low/Engadget Theres also talk of another new button, this one on the right side of the phone. This will control camera features, operating like a button on a DSLR. Reporting indicates that a soft press will trigger autofocus and a harder press will take a photo. Consumers may also be able to swipe along the button to zoom in and out while shooting photos or taking videos. Its been reported that this camera button will only come with the Pro and Pro Max, which makes sense since the high-end models typically offer a more robust camera experience. To that end, new iPhones always get a camera spec bump, but we dont know exactly what that will look like this time. Its been reported, however, that the iPhone 16s camera module could be getting a design refresh. Apple might be ditching the square and going with a vertical orientation. This might only apply to the base iPhone 16 and maybe the Plus, as the Pro and Pro Max phones tend to place a much higher emphasis on photos and videos. Apple We already know whats coming on the software side of things, thanks to the recent WWDC event. Based on previous years, iOS 18 should be available within the week following the event. The software update features a more customizable Control Center and Home Screen. It'll also finally bring RCS support to iPhones. As for Apple Intelligence, youll have to wait a bit. It was announced as part of iOS 18, but its been delayed until iOS 18.1. This isnt a huge deal, as that OS refresh is expected in October, but does mean that early adopters of the iPhone 16 wont be able to fool around with AI right away. The new iPhone drop may also spell the end of Apples widely panned FineWoven case, which was just introduced last year as an alternative to leather but has been criticized for durability issues. Bloombergs Mark Gurman recently reported that FineWoven inventory is getting low, suggesting the company is either phasing it out or planning a refresh. One leaker on the Saturday ahead of the event shared a look at an array of iPhone cases in neutral colors, claiming these may be coming out in a new material to replace FineWoven. Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 Ever since 2016, iPhone events have also included a deep dive on the latest Apple Watch. This year looks to be no different. As a matter of fact, this is a big year for the Apple Watch. We are coming up on the gadgets tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as to whether the next entry will be called the Apple Watch Series 10 or the Series X. No matter what it ends up being called, Apples next standard smartwatch is reported to have a bigger screen thats more in line with the Ultra. Its expected that the company will ditch the 41mm form factor and introduce a 49mm design. Rumors have also suggested that Apple has completely redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This will likely make these straps easier to adjust, but theres a downside. This move could make it so all of those old bands no longer work. Cherlynn Low / Engadget Of course, theres going to be a new chip to power these watches, but we dont have any specifics. Its been suggested that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apples recent foray into AI, but that integration is likely to happen later on. For now, Apple Intelligence will be tethered to iPhone, iPad and Mac. There are likely to be two watches revealed at the event, which are codenamed N217 and N218. Its possible one of these will be the Apple Watch Ultra 3, though Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says the high-end smartwatch wont get a major redesign this time out. Itll likely be an iterative refresh. On the software front, it looks like Apple has run into some snags while developing long-anticipated health tracking tools. Health monitoring is one of the key features of the Apple Watch, so the company has been working on new sensors to detect high blood pressure and sleep apnea. However, the tech will likely not be ready for this years smartwatch. Apples also been developing a glucose sensor for almost a decade so, who knows, maybe itll finally show up with the Series X. Finally, its highly possible that Apple announces a new version of the budget-friendly Watch SE. This was last updated in 2022, so a refresh is overdue. There has been some reporting that Apple will be swapping out the aluminum exterior with a rigid plastic shell. This should help get costs down even further. As it stands, the Apple Watch SE is $250, but Samsungs cheapest wearable is the $200 Galaxy Watch FE. Apple may want to compete closer to that price range. Two new sets of AirPods Billy Steele/Engadget Its been reported that Apples prepping two new variants of its standard earbuds. According to a Bloomberg roundup that was published on September 6, Apple will introduce an entry-level model and a mid-tier version, which would effectively replace AirPods 2 and AirPods 3. The big news here is that both new AirPods versions are likely to transition to a USB-C case to keep pace with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Pro. Its been suggested that the cheaper of the two forthcoming models would lack wireless charging, but that the mid-tier version would support this technology. This is the same strategy Apple followed with previous generations, so it makes sense. The case for the more expensive AirPods may also include a speaker, which would make it easier to find with Apple's Find My feature. Both versions should feature similar designs, though the mid-tier variant is likely to support active noise cancellation like the Pro model. If that's the case, it's not really clear what's left to differentiate those earbuds from the AirPods Pro, but we'll find out soon enough. As for the AirPods Max, four years on, we might finally an updated model, too. In a tweet just a day before the big event, Mark Gurman says we could see a new pair of premium headphones. They'll get USB-C and "better noise cancellation." One more thing The iPhone event doesnt typically have a one more thing moment, but theres one piece of hardware that could get a surprise shout out. Its been rumored that Apple is preparing a massive redesign of the Mac mini, which would include ditching the USB-A port, according to Gurman. Analysts have suggested that this will be the companys smallest ever desktop computer and could be around the same size of an Apple TV streaming box. There will reportedly be two versions of the upcoming Mac Mini, one with the standard M4 chip and another with the more powerful M4 Pro chip. The base model is rumored to start shipping from suppliers this month, so its possible Apple will spend a few minutes on the computer at the iPhone event. However, dont count on it. This is an event for iPhones and smartwatches and a miniaturized desktop could feel out of place. And, just like it did last fall, Apple could easily hold a Mac-specific event later this year. There's also a lot of noise online about an upcoming iPad mini refresh. Apple's smallest iPad hasn't had an update since 2021, and is currently "considered 'constrained' internally," according to Gurman. While a new model is likely to come soon, it's not common for Apple to announce iPads during its iPhone event. Beyond that, a whole bunch of software updates are about to drop. Theres iOS 18, which weve written about extensively, and iPadOS 18. As for smartwatches, watchOS 11 is also coming out sometime this fall. Apple already detailed all three operating systems at WWDC, but the upcoming iPhone event would be a good time to announce official release dates. One... early thing? Here's something we know for sure: Apple has a updated Beats Powerbeats Pro update coming next year. Beats teased an update to the earbuds on its Instagram account on September 4 with a short Reel. In the clip, Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani swings a bat while wearing the upcoming earbuds, before a "Powerbeats Pro 2" wordmark and "Coming 2025" flash up on screen. That's it there's no mention of specs, pricing, or a tighter release window, but we do at least see a tweaked design. You can read senior reporter Billy Steele's analysis of this glimpse here. Chances are we won't hear about this new set of buds at the iPhone event, but expect to see them adorning many more athlete and celebrity ears before long. The Engadget Podcast with special guest Mark Gurman This embedded content is not available in your region. In preparation for Apple's September 9 event, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman joined Engadget Podcast hosts Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar to talk all things Apple. The trio talked at length about the latest Apple rumors, including the new camera button for iPhone, tweaks to screen sizes, the new AirPods lineup and what to expect from the latest Apple Watch models. There's also a little more detail on the future of Apple, from next year's "super slim" iPhone redesign through to the company's burgeoning ambitions in home robotics. You can listen to the episode above, and a full transcript is available here. Update, September 9 2024, 8:00AM ET: This story has been updated multiple times since its original publishing. The updates were as follows, in chronological order: Sir Ian McKellen fired scathing criticisms for members of the royal family. The beloved actor had some particularly strong opinions about both Prince Harry and King Charles during an interview with 'The London Times.' McKellen questioned Harry's intelligence in the Friday published piece, and pointedly stated that he did not believe he had a strong enough support system. "As for Harry, mind you, he had the pick of all the pretty women in the world," he said. "I hope he's got the right one." The British actor said the Duke of Sussex, 39, was "probably not bright enough" to navigate life as a working royal before calling Prince Philip "deeply unhappy." When discussing the mental faculties of King Charles, 75, he stated, "He sort of survives, but he is clearly damaged." Furthermore, he attested that the late Queen Elizabeth was also "quite mad at the end." McKellen also recalled a story of an interaction he had with the queen before her death in 2022. "When I received a medal for acting [the Companion of Honour in 2008], she said, 'You've been doing this for an awfully long time.' I said, 'Well, not as long as you.' I got a royal smile for that, but then she said, 'Does anyone still actually go to the theater?' That's bloody rude when you're giving someone a medal for acting. It meant, 'Does anyone care a f**k about you because I don't. Now off you go!' " The 'Lord of the Rings' actor did not mince words when he plainly declared he was "definitely on Prince Harry's side" when it came to the family's reported feud. "Imagine being born into the royal family. I've been in public life a bit, but these people are in prison," he said. "They can't do anything normal. Can you imagine having to be nice to everyone you talk to?" The publication added that the 85-year-old was "genuinely concerned" about the royal family's mental health. "Hats off to anyone who manages to stay sane in that world," he said. "Like the [late] Duke of Edinburgh managed to do, although even he was deeply, deeply eccentric and, I suspect deeply unhappy." Ian McKellen starred as Gandalf in the 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' franchises. He also appeared in the 'X Men' film series, the live adaptation of 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Mr. Holmes,' playing the title character. Travis Scott's label wants a recount after Sabrina Carpenter's "Short N' Sweet" album beat the rapper's "Days Before Rodeo" mixtape to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart this week. Cactus Jack Records sent a letter to Billboard and Luminate, which tracks Billboard's weekly chart data, disputing Carpenter's narrow No. 1 victory over Scott, Vulture reported. Scott's label alleged that Luminate did not include more than 1,200 units of "Days Before Rodeo" sold in the 15 minutes before the end of the last day of tracking, which was Aug. 29. These units would have pushed Scott to the top had they been added to the rapper's final figure. According to Billboard, Carpenter's "Short n' Sweet" logged 362,000 album units, while "Days Before Rodeo" sold a little over 361,000 units. However, Luminate insisted that its data was accurate and that the correct process was followed. "We are confident that our numbers are correct in accordance with our processes and methodology," a spokesperson for the company told the outlet. Cactus Jack's letter listed a number of accusations and concerns, including potential sabotage to help Carpenter earn a No. 1. RELATED: Travis Scott Arrested For Allegedly Attacking Bodyguard Days After Disorderly Intoxication Charge Dropped Scott's label claimed it reached out to a Luminate employee regarding the rapper's additional units that were not counted, but its request to update the data was rejected. Cactus Jack claimed that this employee, who was not named in the report, previously worked for Carpenter's label Island Records and allegedly had "a personal incentive" for her to top the Billboard chart. The employee worked for Island Records but left in May 2021, four months after the "Espresso" hitmaker joined the company, Vulture confirmed. Scott and Carpenter have not publicly addressed the letter. RELATED: Spotify Accused Of Autoplaying Sabrina Carpenter's Songs To Boost Her Streams The claims received mixed reactions on social media, with some saying they believe that this week's chart was "rigged" and that Scott was robbed of the No. 1. "Naaaa this crazy. The billboard data employee who ignored it came from Sabrina label..." DJ Akademiks wrote on Instagram. "They couldn't let a 10-year-old mixtape beat out [Sabrina Carpenter's] new album," another Instagram user claimed. "They had to rig it." Over on X, formerly Twitter, one user reacted to the letter by tweeting, "I thought it was obvious they rigged it." "I told you that they don't want the Black man to win against the industry plant," another alleged. "It [was] so obvious." However, others were skeptical of the claims in the letter. "How do y'all believe anybody's numbers at this point lol," one Instagram user wrote. "I mean him doing [360,000] units on a project that's been out for 10 years kinda seems [suspicious] too," another claimed. A third user pointed out, "Every time somebody doesn't go No. 1, the chart is [rigged]... but when they do go No. 1, it [is] never [rigged]." "I don't think Travis Scott fans realize how massive Sabrina Carpenter is," an X user commented before acknowledging, "Granted it was still extremely close." Jenn Tran may be reconsidering her final rose choice. On Sunday, fans of 'The Bachelorette' were buzzing when Jenn was spotted with Jonathan Johnson, the contestant who finished third during her season. Their reunion came just days after the 'After The Final Rose' special on September 3, where Jenn disclosed that her engagement to Devin Strader ended two months after filming. The pair posted a few suggestive TikTok videos, prompting viewers to speculate about their current relationship status. In one clip, Jenn lip-syncs, "Everybody wants to know what I would do if I didn't win," before Jonathan appears and mouths, "I guess we'll never know." One fan referenced a Taylor Swift lyric in the comments, describing Jonathan as "literally golden." The duo responded with a 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' audio where Jenn says, "With me, he's fine and amazing, but when he's not with me is whenever we have problems." Jonathan chimed in: "And that's not so good." The pair also shared two additional TikToks on Jonathan's account. In one, he jokingly admits, "She broke my heart," captioning it, "im not holding a grudge [sic]." Jonathan also used an audio clip from 'Love Island USA' to hint at Jenn's possible desire to rekindle their relationship, with the TikTok sound, "You made your bed. Hump in it." Their TikToks came shortly after Jenn opened up about her split from Devin. She explained on 'After The Final Rose' how things changed after they left Hawaii engaged and that Devin gradually distanced himself before breaking up with her in a brief phone call. Jonathan later praised Jenn for her grace and strength, writing on Instagram how proud he was of how she handled the breakup. Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez flew into Spain to seek asylum, hours after quitting his country amid a political and diplomatic crisis over July's disputed election. Forget the polls, ditch the data and stop sending journalists to swing-state diners to interview undecided voters: historian Allan Lichtman already knows who is going to win the US presidential election. "Harris will win," Lichtman confidently announced to AFP. He was speaking at his home in the leafy Washington suburb of Bethesda shortly after unveiling his much-discussed, once-every-four-years White House prediction, based on what he calls the "13 keys" method. It can be easy to dismiss Lichtman's signature methodology as just another gimmick in the endless, drawn-out "horse race" style coverage of US elections -- where journalists, pollsters and pundits are constantly trying to see who is up and who is down. But the American University history professor has answers for his critics -- and a track record that's hard to beat, having correctly called all but one election since 1984. Lichtman pays no attention to opinion polls. Instead, his predictions are based on a series of true-or-false propositions applied to the current presidential administration. If six or more of these "keys" are false, the election will go to the out-of-power challenger -- in this case, Republican candidate Donald Trump. - Sage of Bethesda? - One of the keys, for example, posits that the president's party won seats in the most recent midterm elections. The Democrats actually lost control of the House in the 2022 midterms, meaning this particular key is termed "false," tipping the scales toward Trump. A few more keys break Trump's way: President Joe Biden stepped down, meaning Democrats lost the key which determines the "incumbency," a vital advantage. Biden's vice president and replacement as nominee, Kamala Harris, is surging on optimism among party faithful. But Lichtman rules that she does not qualify for another of the keys, which is being a charismatic, "once-in-a-generation" candidate in the style of Ronald Reagan or Franklin Roosevelt. More points to Trump, yes. But after that the keys start breaking in rapid succession for Harris. For example, the Biden administration's massive environment and infrastructure legislation ticks the box for the key requiring a "major policy change" by the current White House. Another key for Harris is the exit of fringe independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She also satisfies the key demanding lack of major scandal. Do the math and it turns out that only three keys are falling for Trump. But to be declared the presumptive winner, he would have needed six. And there's another key which could go Harris's way, if the administration reaches a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza. It's a move that would likely require Democrats to push harder against the Israeli government -- sure to cause strain among poll-obsessed advisors in a party trying to straddle a base that is heavily divided over the issue. Yet, a ceasefire would mean the Democrats actually delivered a policy achievement, Lichtman argues, and deliver one of the keys on foreign policy. "I don't like to speculate, because the devil is in the details, but that could be seen as a big success," he said. - Forget the 'noise' - Critics of the "13 keys" home in on the speculative nature of some of the true-false propositions. What is a charismatic leader, for example? Yet the sage of Bethesda, as some have dubbed him, is well-versed in arguing his case. "I've been doing this for 40 years. I think I've heard every conceivable question," he said. "'Aren't your keys subjective?' I obviously have an answer to that -- they're not subjective, they're judgmental. "We're dealing with human beings. Historians make judgments all the time, and the judgments are very tightly constrained." Amid the "noise" of national political punditry, Lichtman argues, presidential elections are a simple "vote up or down on the strength and performance of the White House party." In that way, his method is anti-horse race -- focused on good governance rather than campaigns, since in reality "we forget virtually anything a candidate has to say." The one election where Lichtman's calculations did not predict the president was the 2000 victory of George W. Bush. Lichtman can defend his record by pointing out that this was a legally complicated nail-biter in which Democrat Al Gore won the popular vote but Bush took victory courtesy of a Supreme Court decision. nro/sms/bbk Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. Warm. High near 80F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 48F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Small and medium-sized farms are being urged to register a business banking complaint before the December deadline. The Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS), a free-to-use and independent service, aims to resolve disputes between SMEs and their bank. Complaints must relate to incidents that took place on or after 1 April 2019 that have not already been subject to an independent review or settled. The BBRS offers a number of different routes to resolution, from adjudication to conciliation, mediation and direct settlement. To be eligible, businesses must have a turnover of less than 10m, a balance sheet of less than 7.5m and not be eligible for the Financial Ombudsman Service. The service was set to close to new registrations in 2023, but was given a temporary extension until 13 December. Dirk Paterson, customer director at the BBRS, said farmers should contact the service to find out whether they are eligible for help before the 13 December deadline. He said: We want to make sure as many businesses as possible know about this free, independent service so they can resolve any outstanding issues with their banks. This service has enabled a significant number of SMEs to achieve resolutions and we dont want any eligible businesses to miss out on this opportunity. Farming businesses who are unsure of whether or not they qualify can use its online tool on its website. The service will remain open after 13 December, but only to process the registrations it has received before this deadline. Government vets have confirmed the first case of bluetongue virus in Essex, as three vaccines were recently given the green light for farmers to use. Essex is the latest county to be impacted by the virus, with the total number of farms affected now at 34, according to Defra's latest update, on Sunday (8 September). So far, the highest concentration of cases is in the East of England, particularly Norfolk and Suffolk, which are both under a restricted zone established at the beginning of September. Essex was placed under this zone a few days after Norfolk and Suffolk, but the county has only just now confirmed its first case. The virus was also detected in a single bull on a farm in East Yorkshire last week, leading to the creation of a 20km temporary control zone (TCZ), which is much smaller than the stricter restricted zone. The increasing amount of cases follows the government's decision to permit the use of three bluetongue vaccines to curb infections. The vaccines are suppressive, meaning they will reduce some of the clinical signs experienced by animals with the disease, but they do not prevent infection. But the UK's Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said this development was still an important step forward in curbing the virus. "They will aid in reducing clinical signs in animals and the impact of disease on farms, but it is not a protective vaccine," she said. "We are still urging farmers to follow all of our guidance in order to prevent the disease spreading to their herds and any further. I urge farmers to contact their veterinarians if they wish to use the vaccines and to continue monitoring their animals frequently for clinical signs and report suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal Plant Health Agency. The restricted zone in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex means livestock keepers must follow tougher restrictions on animal and germinal product movements. All infected premises in the three counties are under restriction and susceptible animals can only be moved under licence from infected premises. Essential moves of susceptible animals can take place without a licence within the restricted zone but cannot be moved out of the zone without a specific licence. A general licence to move animals to designated abattoirs is also available. It follows confirmation of the disease in a single sheep on a farm in Norfolk in late August, which made it the first UK bluetongue case this summer. Before this, in November 2023, government vets identified the first case of the disease in Britain since 2007. BTV is a notifiable disease. Suspicion of it in animals in England must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301. Tributes have been paid to a farmer who died on his farm in North Wales, with investigations continuing into the 'unexplained' death. Police have named the man as Islwyn Owen, 67, who farmed in the village of Llanycil, near Bala, in Gwynedd. Emergency services were called to his farm at 20:50 on Wednesday 4 September. The death is currently being treated as "unexplained" by police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A local councillor told the BBC that the community was "shocked" following his death. Councillor Alan Jones Evans, who represents the Llanuwchllyn ward, described Mr Owen as a "conscientious and busy farmer". He said: "That was his life agriculture, I was a tidy farmer and that was his world intact. Everyone knew who Islwyn was," he said. "I would like to extend my condolences to his widow, Margaret. Islwyn was well known in agriculture locally and beyond. "He was a familiar face at every agricultural show and society in the whole area, and this news is a loss to the local area." Police said they were working in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive to understand the circumstances leading up to the incident. It comes after the safety regulator released figures showing that farming continues to have the poorest safety record of any occupation. A total of 27 people lost their lives on farms in Great Britain in 2023-2024. In steamy erotic thriller X in Provence, author Tani Ruiz exposes a dark sexual underbelly of one of Frances most scenic locations, as seen through the eyes of a woman whose ideal man turns out to be a raging narcissist. We spoke to Tani to find out more. Q. As a former journalist, you researched your novels expose of a steamy sexual underbelly of Provence. In short, what did you find out about the other, unreported side of this scenic French paradise? A. The sex-sodden underbelly that I describe in the book has two aspects to it. First, I found that theres a whole infrastructure catering to the erotic, sensual and sexual, venues such as partner-swapping clubs (clubs echangistes), mixed saunas and nude beaches scattered along the coastline. Such places are not unique to Provence, of course; sex clubs and taboo-free saunas are probably fixtures of most urban areas in France and Im surmising they would not come as a surprise let alone a shock to the locals. From what I saw and learned, there seemed to be a casualness about going to a swingers club, hanging out at a steamy sauna or holding sexual soireees with invitees at home, at least among a certain swathe of people. This sex-as-a hobby side of Provence hasnt, to my knowledge, been spotlighted, and in that sense, remains rather hidden. Were used to hearing superlatives about la dolce vita the sweet, almost innocent aspects of the good life in this slice of southern France but theres nothing innocent about the array of X-rated activities that, I must admit, I witnessed with my own eyes in Provence. The other phenomenon that I gleaned and glimpsed for myself was the juxtaposition of the beauty of Provence with a certain banality in the conversations in certain circles. Perhaps this is a common feature of many rural communities, where the discussion centres on local gossip. In the context of Provence, I found that sex was a key subject among friends at the dinner table and other gatherings, along with food, wine and fetes. The chitchat about sex was often accompanied by covert and not-so-covert looks, innuendos, flagrant flirting and an air of sexual intrigue and acting out including in plain sight and hearing of wronged partners and those at risk of being cuckolded. The dramas divulged seemed to be spicier than the soap operas on television! Bear in mind that X in Provence is a snapshot of a very particular time (the 1990s), so I make no claims as to how things stand in present-day Provence. Q. At the heart of X in Provence is the female protagonist Rais descent into a relationship with an ideal man who turns out to be a classic narcissistic. As a woman author, why did you think it important to explore this theme? A. I think many women have travelled this path or a version of it. One crucial point I wanted to get across as a woman author is that making bad decisions about partners falling into destructive relationships is non-discriminatory. It doesnt matter how intelligent you are, how many degrees you hold, how high highly educated and worldly or well-off you are. All of us are prone to being blind-sided, of pairing up with the wrong person, no matter what our backgrounds are or where we hail from. In the book, the protagonist is highly educated and cosmopolitan. She has a great career. And yet she falls into a relationship with a man who turns out to be the opposite of what she imagined. Should she have known better? In her case, the sting of loneliness, the power of lust, the longing for love, a deep emptiness, and the fear of ending up alone were the push factors. Low self-esteem tends to be a great leveller. I wanted to drive home that were all vulnerable to taking wrong turns regarding relationships because of how we are configured emotionally and how we feel about ourselves, notwithstanding the potency of sexual chemistry to pull the wool over our eyes. Q. In the novel, Rai moves continents to start a new life with Alain, with disastrous consequences. As an author, what would your advice to Rai have been? Should she have followed her head or heart? A. On balance, I wouldve counselled Rai to follow her heart, knowing the pain that awaited her. The risk was, if she had been pragmatic and stayed put, she might always have regretted her decision not to move to France. But more importantly, she had to make this mistake and learn the hard way in order to evolve and grow her consciousness. We humans are constantly making mistakes, large and small, and some with deleterious consequences. It can be wretched to go through but we learn through our errors, even if we have to repeat them in order to make change and finally wake up. I would have told Rai to choose her heart because that was how she was attuned, even or perhaps especially because she was living in a city where career and money-making tended to be ranked as more important in life than love. Also, I think its harder to blame yourself if things go wrong when youve followed your heart rather than your head, but thats just my opinion. The question she might have asked herself at the outset is this: Is my heart being duped? Q. Based on your research into narcissistic relationships for X in Provence, which involved interviewing women who had been involved with narcissistic partners, what do you think women need to understand should they find themselves in such a relationship? Tani Ruiz, author of X in Provence, is a former journalist who has lived around the world. The mum-of-two is now based in Spain. A. Its important that women understand the mechanisms of power wielded by narcissists and other men (and women!) with traits deemed toxic. We should be aware that such people tend to be master manipulators and home in on their partners weaknesses in order to erode and destroy their sense of self-worth. This pummelling of the others weak spots for the greatest destructive impact is a pernicious vicious circle. The more the narcissist berates us and bashes our self-esteem, the worse we feel about ourselves, and the more we need the narcissists approval. Well then seek ways to win that approval, confirming to the narcissist how weak and pathetic we are validating their worst impulses. Women who have been involved with narcissists often describe how strong, assertive and confident they were at the outset of the relationship. Their fault was to be seduced by a charmer who came across as caring, attentive and understanding. But how quickly their confidence drained away once the insidious manoeuvres began. The narcissist is always right and they are wrong everything is always the womans fault. Truth is turned on its head. Thus women should understand that 1) their weak points (such as low self-esteem) are a narcissists first line of attack, and 2) their sense of self-worth is hinged on a sliding scale, in reverse proportion to the narcissists sense of power. Often without realising it, women succumb, turning submissive where before they would have stood their ground. Women should understand that the ultimate consequence of this cycle is self-hate and self-loathing, where anger is turned inwards instead of directed outwards at the appropriate target. The silver lining, if you can call it that, is that hitting rock bottom can be the catalyst for true healing where the focus is on why we have given away our power. It can be the point at which women assume responsibility for their behaviour rather than focusing on the awfulness of the narcissist. Gently, lovingly, we must hold the mirror to ourselves. Q. How does Rais low self-esteem play into the situation she finds herself in? A. Rai has placed herself in a very vulnerable situation risky for someone lacking a solid, confident foundation. Having abandoned her career and moved continents, she has to mould herself to Alains way of life and adapt to a completely new culture and language. She was able to mask her fragile self-esteem in an environment where she thrived professionally and where she was the decision-maker, but once she moves to Provence, the fact of finding herself out of her depth, linguistically speaking, and a newbie to rural living where her skill sets count for nothing, her self-esteem takes a further hit. When Alains true nature is revealed, she is a sitting duck for the ensuing abuse and master machinations that take place in his territory. Her trajectory is straight from the narcissists playbook where she becomes mired in self-hate and relentlessly self-flagellates. Q. What is your own view on Rais sexual experimentation, such as venturing to a sex club, urged on by Alain? A. I support free self-expression, and that includes sexual expression, as long as it is between two fully consenting adults. In that case, anything goes is my motto, whether its partner swapping clubs, nudist, sex-in-the-open beaches, threesomes or whatever combination takes your fancy. In theory, Rais sexual experimentation can be seen as part of her adapting to a new culture and expanding her sexual horizons. Alain is introducing her to a whole new world; how exciting! And she does find titillation and pleasure in the unbridled sexuality that she sees and throws herself into, her libido able to express itself fully. But its yin and yang. At the deepest levels there is unease. Rai feels pressured into going along with the program for the wrong reasons, from a place of insecurity the feeling that she is not good enough or just not enough for Alain, which is why he needs the outside sexual stimulation. Thus, I view her sexual experimentation not as a healthy phenomenon but as a form of coercion. The fact that Rai is afraid to communicate her insecurities to Alain is a testament to her low self-worth. Q. Like Rai, you have done a fair bit of continent-hopping across your career. What have you found to be the most challenging part of adapting to a new culture and language? A. Arriving in a new place, particularly a new continent, without knowing anyone or being part of a community in other words completely cold is a huge challenge, exacerbating culture shock. In this sense, relocating because of a new job where there is an office and a ready-made social life is much easier than moving as an operating-from-home freelancer or because you seek adventure. Of course, Ive had a more intense chemistry with some places than others. For example, I feel much more at home in the tropics than in colder climes and thus when I moved from northern Europe to Thailand, for example, I had a much easier time than when I moved in the opposite direction, notwithstanding the vastly different cultural landscape in this Asian country, which I loved. A new language is a barrier and becomes more challenging with age. Not insignificantly, unless you launch yourself completely into language learning, you tend to move in foreigner circles. Ive found I have often been able to get by with English or French, which is not a motivational factor when it comes to putting time and effort into being taught a new tongue. Theres a great dividend for diligence: more intimate social interactions and friendships with locals and a better appreciation of the culture. A. What was the most satisfying part of writing X in Provence, your debut novel, and the most challenging? A. The most satisfying aspect was the passion and energy I felt writing the book. I didnt count the hours I spent at the computer and sometimes had to be dragged away! The most challenging part? I discovered that after years of reporting facts, focusing on specific themes and describing particular contexts, I was stilted when it came to unplugging my imagination. I had to add adjectives! I had to create dialogue! I had to imbue settings with an ambiance! This was all new territory for me because as a news reporter I was trained to get rid of the extraneous and concentrate purely on events, actions, analysis and ensuring the accuracy of quotes. Words needed to convey information they were the planks of an information conveyor belt. Descriptive language let alone feelings had no place in reportage. It was a sharp learning curve, finally leading to the understanding that I had to separate the journalist me from the storyteller me. X in Provence tackles the age-old theme of unrequited love with originality, daring, and heft. Q. What do you hope readers gain most from reading it? A. First, I hope they find the book an engrossing and richly provocative read. I would hope that readers learn something new about Provence (the X-rated Provence?) and that they gain some insights into the sheer craziness of destructive love, how unforgivingly it can imprison, and how intelligence and education count for nothing in this matrix. I think this is an important takeaway, particularly for readers who have never experienced a harmful or unhealthy relationship and may question why on earth a person would stay with a narcissist and tolerate abuse. To these souls, it may seem unimaginable. I would like to think that these pages will lead to personal reflections about the readers own life and relationships in positive ways maybe greater appreciation for all that is good in their world or greater discernment of what needs to change. Finally, I hope theres the feel-good gain: we can survive the most sombre of days and breathe lightly again. Q. What should readers expect from you next? A. I have various projects in mind. First, Im thinking of writing about the journey to motherhood late in life, more specifically a memoir of how I had twins solo well into my forties. This took place in bustling, exotic Bangkok, where I lived for more than 14 years, having initially gone for just three months to help out in the wake of the Asian tsunami. X in Provence by Tani Ruiz available on Amazon, priced 11.99 in paperback and 3.50 as an in eBook. An audiobook version is coming soon. For more information, visit www.taniruiz.com or follow Tani on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or Twitter. Exclusive Extract from X in Provence X in Provence weaves together the charm of A Year in Provence, the erotic tension of Fifty Shades of Grey, and the profound intrigue of Eyes Wide Shut. Netflix will surely come calling. Heres an exclusive extract, courtesy of author Tani Ruiz. It was a cool Saturday morning in mid-June. Wed just finished breakfast and were discussing the logistics of Christophes visit the following weekend when Alain abruptly shifted the focus back to the present. Cherie, what do you think of going to a special club in Avignon tonight? He posed the question as if it had just popped into his mind. Its a healthy place where men and women can explore their sexuality together. He began to elaborate on the activities that went on under its roof. It was fun, it was fantasy and it was safe. Safe? Are you sure about that? You and I are still getting to know each other. Were exploring here. I was utterly thrown off guard, wondering how long hed been thinking of this intrusion into private territory. I didnt want to go. My darling, we will only do what you are comfortable with. So florid and reassuring was his description of how the club would bring us closer together that by the time we left the house I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. We set off for Avignon at around eleven, after extensive grooming. That night he ensured that I was properly attired, which is to say, not attired much at all: fishnet stockings, a slinky black Spandex skirt, a decollete top, high heels. I almost didnt recognise myself. There was no sign of any sort outside the club, only an iron grill in front of the door, which was opened after a few knocks by a man who closely scrutinised us before letting us pass. Why this inspection? I whispered to Alain. They dont let any unaccompanied men in, only couples and women. Inside was a narrow vestibule where Alain had to paya steep admission price I noted. Beyond that was a lavishly appointed bar and just ahead, a strobe-lit dance floor that gave onto a darkened lounge whose walls were hugged with sofas. On one wall was a large screen showing films of an explicit nature. We drank a glass of champagne, moving from bar to lounge, eyeing the women who gyrated snake-like under the strobes. by Matt Shine for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on Bruce Springsteens wife Patti Scialfa has been battling cancer in secret. Bruce Springsteen's wife Patti Scialfa has been battling cancer The 71-year-old songwriter/guitarist - who plays in her husband E Street Band - was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer called multiple myeloma back in 2018 and she stepped back from touring as she faced the health crisis in private. She revealed her cancer battle in new documentary 'Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,' which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in Canada on Sunday night (08.09.24). Speaking about her decision to scale back her stage commitments, Patti explained: "Ive been performing with this band for 40 years. With those first performances, it felt so good to be back onstage. "Touring has become a challenge for me. In 2018, well, Bruce and I were doing a play on Broadway. I was diagnosed with early stage multiple myeloma." She went on to reveal she tries to come to a show every so often but she's no longer a regular on stage. Patti added: "This affects my immune system so I just have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go. Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs onstage, and thats been a treat. Thats the new normal for me right now, and Im OK with that." The documentary marks the first time Patti has spoken publicly about her cancer diagnosis. Her husband Bruce has also faced a series of health crisis during the last few years of touring. He was struck down with peptic ulcer disease which forced him to take a six-month break from work because it affected his singing. Speaking earlier this year on Sirius XM's E Street Radio, he explained, "You sing with your diaphragm. You know, my diaphragm was hurting so badly that when I went to make the effort to sing, it was killing me, so I literally couldn't sing at all, you know? "And that lasted for two, three months, along with just a myriad of other painful problems." Elle Macpherson doesnt believe her cancer will return. Elle Macpherson doesnt believe her cancer will return The supermodel, 60, has caused a backlash from medics and cancer experts after she recently revealed she had been diagnosed with the disease seven years ago but opted for alterative remedies after having a lumpectomy at the start of her treatment. She has now said in a detailed interview on her techniques on 60 Minutes Australia about how she believes her disease wont recur and how she is in a state of utter wellness: I dont anticipate any and I have no indication that there would be. Zero. The body has the infinite capacity to heal and I am in utter wellness... fear is something that can really make you ill. So Im not interested in that. I think it's a wise way to live life, to focus on well-being. Elle would not be drawn during her TV chat on answering whether she felt she had cured her cancer. Instead she responded: The word cure is a very interesting word no, I healed through breast cancer. I had a very formidable team that helped me through it. So now I would, you know Im clinically in remission thats words that you know most doctors would say. Elle admitted there is a time and place for traditional, Western medicine but said she chose to adopt a more natural lifestyle because thats what works for her. After reports she ignored pleas from dozens of doctors to take conventional cancer treatments, she went on: Listen, I got a lot of advice. I spoke to 32 doctors along the way. It wasnt an easy decision, but it was a decision that I felt was right for me. And I have come to the understanding that there are no right or wrong decisions or choices in how people choose to heal. This was the decision that not only felt right for me but also worked for me. Elle went on to explain that she does get regular medical check ups, including scans and blood tests. She had a lumpectomy, which is a surgery to remove cancer from the breast while leaving most of the tissue in place, before she was urged to have a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Elle instead underwent eight months of intense therapy with doctors in Phoenix, Arizona, using a team of holistic medicine specialists. Elle Macpherson felt it was not logical to have a mastectomy as she battled breast cancer. Elle Macpherson felt it was not logical to have a mastectomy as she battled breast cancer The supermodel, 60, has been at the centre of a massive backlash from medics and cancer groups since she recently revealed she had been diagnosed with the disease seven years ago but opted for alterative remedies in instead of traditional medicine after having a lumpectomy at the start of her treatment. She has now added to the backlash by addressing her approach in an interview on 60 Minutes Australia, in which she said surgery flew in the face of her belief system, which led her to rely on anintuitive, heart-led holistic approach. Elle who is in remission from cancer said: As you can imagine, (the diagnosis) was a bit of a shock. I think any woman, most women, when theyre diagnosed, dont think it will to happen to them. After having a lumpectomy Elle was told her cancer may have spread, and was urged to have a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone replacement. But she said about the idea of taking the gruelling set of treatments: I sit here cool as a cucumber talking about it but the reality is, you know, it was a very big deep breath moment let's put it that way. You know, its not logical. It was just an inner sense. I had a feeling that there was a different way to approach this and I followed it. It was a choice of losing my breasts, or losing my life, that I was given. So it was not a vanity choice, let me put it that way. It was a natural route in my treatment from within. Elle insisted she has always followed natural medicine, and said her choice was as unconventional as the rest of her life. The model went against the advice of 32 doctors by refusing chemotherapy after undergoing a lumpectomy for HER2 positive oestrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma. She had eight months of intense therapy with a team of doctors in Phoenix, Arizona, all specialising in various holistic medicine disciplines. Kate Moss suffered "awful" abuse after she was accused of glamorising an unhealthy body image. Kate Moss has reflected on her career in the 1990s The 50-year-old supermodel became part of the "heroin chic " fashion trend in the mid 1990s with her "waif"-like style and Kate has now confessed she was singled out for criticism because she was different to previous stars of the catwalk. Speaking in new Disney Plus documentary 'In Vogue: The 90s', Kate explained: "Parents would come up to me and say, 'My daughter's anorexic'. It was awful. "I think because I was just skinny, and people weren't used to seeing skinny. But if I'd been more buxom, it wouldn't have been such a big deal. It's just that my body shape was different from the models before me." Kate was just a teenager when she shot to fame as a model and one of her most famous shoots for Vogue magazine - which she posed in lingerie - helped cement her as part of the trend, but the pictures shot by photographer Corinne Day sparked a major backlash. Vogue fashion editor Catherine Kasterine said of the shoot: "The public were not ready. They were absolutely appalled. Immediately, the pictures were completely vilified and slammed. Perhaps we'd underestimated how that look had in our minds been quite normal." Vogue editor Dame Anna Wintour added: "That look very undernourished-looking model made people uncomfortable. "Many of us at Vogue worried about heroin chic or anorexia, all the things that are associated with that look. It got to such a fever pitch. I remember physically being in the White House when the Clinton administration took the issue on." In the documentary, Kate also opened up about her controversial 1990s advertising campaign for Calvin Klein in which she posed topless with Mark Wahlberg during his years in the music industry as Marky Mark. She said: "It was quite overwhelming. I was 18, you know, he was a big superstar rapper, and I still felt like I was just a girl from Croydon. They asked me to be topless. It was just a lot of people on set, a lot of men. I did feel vulnerable." In an enthralling and revealing biography, Lynn Florkiewicz brings Rossano Brazzi back to life, accompanying him through the streets of Italy as he reflects on his life. Beneath the serious Latin Lover image crafted by Hollywood, she discovers a mischievous and fun man, a scholar and classically trained actor. From ancient Bologna to glamorous Beverly Hills, Rossanos career experienced extreme highs and plummeting lows. Along the way, he demonstrated courage in the Italian resistance, became an integral part of Romes la dolce vita. Moving to Hollywood in 1948 he soon became a heartthrob of Hollywoods golden age, Rossano was mobbed by fans worldwide and pursued by countless actresses, including one who offered to pay his wife a million dollars to divorce him! Rossano, along with his two wives, family, friends, colleagues, and agents, all contribute to his story with anecdotes and insights into the man, not just the actor. In this first-ever biography written about Rossano Brazzi, the author delves deep into his career, personal life, beliefs, humanitarianism, hopes, dreams, and regrets. RELEASE DATE: 28/09/2024 ISBN: 9781835740460 Price: 12.99 Competition Prize provider The Book Guild Ltd We are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a copy of this fascinating book, a must read for lovers of Hollywoods golden age. All you need to do is answer the question below then complete and submit the attached entry form. Question: Where was Rossano Brazzi born A. Rome B. Bologna C. Milan GOOD LUCK by Matt Shine for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on Closing Date : 26th September 2024 King Charles reportedly feels like he is "back in business" and is looking forward to the "second chapter of his reign". King Charles is said to be feeling much more positive about the future The 75-year-old monarch's time on the throne so far has been blighted by health troubles after he was struck down with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year and forced to take a step back from public life while undergoing treatment but he has since been getting back to work and is now said to be feeling much more positive about the future. A source told The Mirror newspaper: "There has been a lot going on, but the King has always been upbeat. Not once has he allowed himself to question the future he's dealt with everything head on. "Now he is back in business. There is a spring in his step and a renewed vigour with it too. Everything is looking positive, which is welcome.' "The King very much feels this is the second chapter of his reign and he is very positive about the future." As well as facing his own health struggle over the last year, Charles was dealt a further blow when his daughter-in-law Catherine, Princess of Wales was also diagnosed with cancer shortly after his own came to light. She also stepped away from public duties while undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Charles has been getting back to work recently and undertaking more public engagements while he's also due to head Down Under for a tour of Australia and Samoa alongside Queen Camilla in the autumn. The visit will mark their first major overseas trip since news of Charles cancer was broken. Charles stayed away from public duties for around three months after he was diagnosed with cancer in January with Camilla taking on much of his workload. He returned to work in April with a visit to a cancer centre in London where he met with fellow patients, and insiders had said down time will be incorporated into the Down Under trip to make sure Charles does not work too hard. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is going through a "chapter of joy" in her life. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is going through a 'chapter of joy' The 43-year-old former actress - who has children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, with husband Prince Harry - is determined to be grateful for "all aspects" of her life and wants to enjoy all her experiences. Meghan was a surprise guest at an event for Oprah Winfrey's book club on Saturday (07.09.24) night and MailOnline reports she told guests assembled at the Godmothers bookstore in Summerland, California: "I'm looking at this time as my chapter of joy. The more you are able to look at your life and really, truly recognise and be able to be grateful for your life - you have to be grateful for all aspects of it. "My intentionality is to enjoy this chapter and be able to love through every piece of this as best we can." The event was also attended by actor Marco Leone, astrology and psychology expert Dr Jennifer Freed, and author, teacher and psychic medium Laura Lynne Jackson, with the latter hailing the duchess as one of the evening's "light-filled speakers". Godmothers, which is co-owned by literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, is promoting celebrity books including Meghans childrens tale The Bench and Prince Harrys Spare memoir, with the autobiography found at the front of the shop as part of its Hometown Heroes shelf. He is being billed as belonging to the community despite spending most of his life being raised in Britain before he quit the country with Meghan for a new life in the US in January 2020. Meghan and Oprah, 70, have been friends for years, with the chat show host one of the guests at the duchess wedding to Harry in May 2018. Her and Harrys $14 million Montecito mansion is close to Oprahs home, and in 2021, the former 'Suits' star and her husband famously sat down with the broadcaster for an 85-miniute interview. To read the full story, become a PRIME member today. PRIME Unlimited Access to Insightful Industry Information All Corporate Members and TexPro Subscribers are eligible to access F2F PRIME CONTENT using the same login credentials. The 69th SOBHA Filmfare Awards South 2024 took place at Hyderabad's JRC Conventions & Trade Fairs Centre on August 3, 2024. Veteran actor Srinath was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony. The award was presented to him by B. R. Lakshmana Rao for his incredible contribution to Indian cinema for decades. While receiving the award, the actor noted that the moment motivates him to work for many more years. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so happy today to receive this beautiful Lifetime Achievement Award. If they give me Lifetime Achievement Award, that does not mean I should retire. It encourages me to work for another ten years. So, I will work for ten more years. My thanks goes to my director, my guru, Sir Puttanna Kanagal, who made me what I am today. He taught me to not lose my heart in the face of success or failure. He wanted me to be an artist, not an actor... Thanks a lot to everyone," he added. Other attendees, including Nani, Prakash Raj, Jyothika, Siddharth, and others applauded the veteran actor, while fondly listening to his heartfelt speech. Take a look at the moment below: HONG KONG, Sept 8, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - The physical exhibitions of the 43rd HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and 12th Salon de TIME, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd, successfully concluded yesterday.Despite the fairs closing temporarily due to typhoon Yagi, businesses were still able to capture more opportunities as the organisers extended the opening hours for three of the five fair days. Buyers and exhibitors were also proactively encouraged to use the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model for business exchange.The physical exhibitions attracted some 17,000 buyers from 106 countries and regions. Global buyers from outside Hong Kong mainly came from Mainland China, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, highlighting Hong Kong's importance as a watch trading centre. The EXHIBITION+ hybrid model will enable exhibitors and buyers to enjoy extended business discussions until 14 September.Salon de TIME and CENTRESTAGE, HKTDC's concurrent fashion event, were also fully open to the public for the first time. The public count for the events exceeded 15,000 visits. Watch and fashion enthusiasts were able to appreciate the pinnacle in craftsmanship and design and purchase their favourite items.HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said: 'The Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME brought together over 700 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions. In addition to welcoming international buyers, this year's Salon de TIME was fully open to the public for the first time, providing a one-stop sourcing platform and creating new business opportunities. Exhibitors were able to learn about customer preferences immediately, which will help strengthen product design and research and development, enhancing competitiveness in the future.'Ms Chong added: 'An exciting line-up of mega events will captivate visitors this autumn. The Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) and the concurrent electronicAsia will be held on 13-16 October, followed by the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) on 27-30 October. The International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo will be held from 29 October to 1 November. These fairs will be held under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, helping businesses capture new opportunities.'Survey uncovers promise in ASEAN and the Middle EastTo gauge watch and clock industry trends for next year, the HKTDC conducted an on-site survey, interviewing some 900 exhibitors and buyers on the market outlook and product trends.The survey found that 42% of respondents expect overall sales to grow over the next 12-24 months, while 47% expect sales to remain unchanged. Japan, Taiwan, Australia & Pacific Islands, and South Korea were seen as offering the best growth prospects over next two years among traditional markets, while ASEAN, the Middle East and India were seen as offering the most promising growth prospects over the next two years among emerging markets.In terms of product trends, 40% of respondents expected smartwatches to continue as the most popular watch category. Other respondents pointed to quartz analogue watches, cited as the most popular watch category by 17%, mechanical watches, cited by 15%, and digital watches, cited by 14%. When asked about watches with the highest growth potential, 46% of respondents cited smartwatches, 37% said fashion watches and 19% said leisure watches.Green Solutions Suppliers label debuts this yearIn recent years, more watch manufacturers have been using sustainable materials to make watches and watch straps. Amid the sustainability trend, the two fairs introduced Green Solutions Suppliers label this year to make sourcing easier for buyers. These labels were used by 30 exhibitors.Amy Chow, Vice President of Hong Kong exhibitor Gordon C & Co Ltd, said: 'The Green Solutions Suppliers label helped attract buyers to our booth. Buyers from the Middle East and Southeast Asia were very interested in our eco-friendly watches. The business atmosphere is good this year. We expect that new orders at this year's exhibition will increase by 10-20% compared to last year. About 10-15% of new orders will be for environmentally friendly watches.'Armoura Designs Ltd, an Irish jewellery and watch company, has been using the hktdc.com Sourcing platform to find suppliers. Mr Stuart McGrath, the company's Managing Director is impressed with the platform and has connected with various quality suppliers through it. He said: 'This is my first time visiting the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair in person. I have found five watch suppliers for OEM projects and have also procured a green packaging solution from an exhibitor. The total value of these business deals is around US$110,000 (~HK$858,000). The EXHIBITION+ model enables me to source online and offline for more opportunities.'Ethos Limited is a retail chain for deluxe watches in India. Mohammad Sajjad, the company's Assistant Vice President, visited the fairs to look for new brands. He said, 'I have ordered sapphire watches and sapphire watch cases, stainless steel watches and automatic health indicator watches from three Hong Kong exhibitors. The order amount was around US$1.2 million (~HK$9.4 million). This time, I also used the Scan2Match function. It is a useful and resourceful tool. It helps record details of exhibitors of interest in a digital, eco-friendly manner.Ilona Remesova, Prime's Purchasing Manager, a buyer from Czechia, said that she continued to contact exhibitors during the fairs' temporary closure through HKTDC's Click2Match smart business matching platform at her hotel and successfully arranged online meetings. She also returned to the venue when the exhibition reopened and continued the conversation with the exhibitors she contacted online before.Photo download: https://bit.ly/3zajKvpThe 43rd HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and 12th Salon de TIME drew to a successful close yesterday, attracting some 17,000 buyers from 106 countries and regions.The World Brand Piazza showcased 10 top-tier watch brands, captivating visitors.Salon de TIME was fully open to the public for the first time this year.The two fairs featured pavilions from Guangdong, Guangzhou and Taiwan, as well as South Korea (above), which returned after the pandemic.Swiss Independent Watchmaking Pavilion (SIWP), Franceclat and International Luxury Group (above) returned this year, presenting more international brands.During the watch fairs, the Hong Kong Tourism Board arranged a sightseeing tram tour on 3 September and a Wing Chun experience on 4 September, enhancing the experience for exhibition visitors.The Hong Kong International Watch Forum (above) and Asian Watch Conference invited various experts to discuss industry prospects, design trends and development strategies.The 41st HK Watch & Clock Design Competition featured an Open Group and a Student Group. Artist Benjamin Yuen served as a guest judge and attended the awards ceremony.An array of exciting activities took place during the fairs, including watch parades (above), a watch engraving demonstration and Smart Bidding. Fabulous prizes were also given out during lucky draws.Media enquiriesPlease contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:Johnny TsuiTel: (852) 2584 4395Email: johnny.cy.tsui@hktdc.orgBubble MaTel: (852) 2584 4369Email: bubble.ma@hktdc.orgWebsitesHong Kong Watch & Clock Fair: hkwatchfair.hktdc.comSalon de TIME: hkwatchfair.hktdc.com/teAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.Source: HKTDCCopyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Personio, Europe's leading HR software company for small and mid-sized businesses, has today announced a series of advancements designed to alleviate the burden of manual and time-intensive administrative tasks for HR teams, and free them up to focus on delivering impact for their organizations. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240908737716/en/ Personio releases a series of advancements to further alleviate the burden of manual and time-intensive administrative tasks for HR teams. (Photo: Business Wire) This comes at a time when data from Personio's latest research, Workforce Pulse 2024: Solving talent and engagement challenges, shows that retaining talent is the most important people challenge organizations need to address in the next year, as voted for by 35% of HR decision makers (HRDMs). This is followed by 35% who believe improving wellbeing should be a focus and 31% who say the same for improving productivity. The new innovations announced today help HR teams address these challenges with more functionality in people analytics and performance review cycles that adapt on the fly, alongside quicker ways to build and automate custom workflows. Maria Angelidou-Smith, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Personio, said: "Understanding our customers' needs and solving their challenges is the top priority for our Product organization. We've always seen it as our goal to ease the heavy load on HR teams and streamline how work gets done. I'm excited to introduce a range of new products and capabilities in people analytics, task automation, employee development, and more, all designed to help HR focus on the strategic work that truly makes a difference across their organization." People Analytics: improved data insights HR managers are often overwhelmed by scattered HR data and siloed systems. Personio's Workforce Pulse survey found that 72% of HRDMs agreed that HR is a more data-centric function than it was in the past. This makes it challenging for HR teams to pull actionable insights to inform decisions, while data reconciliation can take time and lead to a disjointed view of HR data. New features in People Analytics address these challenges to enable data-driven decision making, ensuring that it's easy to use data within Personio's ecosystem to understand the state of the workforce in real-time. These new product innovations empower HR managers to extract actionable insights from up to date data to drive strategies, people programs and resourcing discussions, while still enabling seamless consolidation of HR data into a reliable source. Performance Development: adaptable processes for people reviews For HR managers, getting an overview of key employee performance data can feel like a disconnected struggle, while building a high-performance culture can often feel challenging. This means running reviews can be stressful, as traditional performance review processes are rigid and often don't allow for candid feedback, which can help move the needle on better performance. New innovations in Personio's Performance Development product make HR teams and managers more effective by giving them the ability to create processes that match their organization's unique culture. This advancement means work is halved HR Managers can adapt performance cycles on the go, with employee changes automatically surfaced and actioned in one click. Personio's upgraded solution equips HR with structured yet highly adaptable processes for performance cycles, as well as enabling easy access for all stakeholders to actionable insights so they can make better and faster talent decisions. As Nina Johansson, HR Manager at British Rowing, puts it: "Personio's Performance Development module has been really helpful because we can pull data from every performance cycle across the business into one place. It's so much easier to see who's done what and it's standardized so we know what kind of questions are coming through. Plus we can get both peer-to-peer and bottom-up feedback." Workflow Automation: custom workflows and templates HR teams have to deal with the admin overload of manually running hundreds of business processes across siloed systems and teams. To address these challenges, new features in Personio's Workflow Automation solution enable HR teams to codify best-in-class business processes and run them at scale. New Workflow Automation features include pre-built templates that standardize common business processes with intuitive and adjustable steps. Additional features include a tool that enables HR teams to design custom workflows that suit their business needs and a monitoring dashboard that helps them keep track of how their workflows are progressing. And, coming soon, a redesigned inbox that spotlights critical tasks with all of the details teams need to make quick decisions and keep workflows moving forward smoothly. These updates and innovations come at a time when new customer data from Personio shows that HR teams using the platform experience on average a 39% improvement in HR productivity and an average 29% increase in HR cost savings. Organizations using Personio also saw an average monthly increase of 45% in employee time saving and a 20% improvement in employee satisfaction scores. For a detailed overview of What's New with Personio this quarter, including product demo videos, please visit the website. Personio study: Workforce Pulse 2024: Solving talent and engagement challenges (published August 2024) Personio study: The Power of Personio Report (published August 2024) About Personio: Personio is the all-in-one HR platform that unlocks the power of people for small and medium-sized organizations. Trusted by over 12,000 organizations that together manage more than 1 million employees, Personio drives productivity for HR teams, managers and employees by improving HR processes and boosting employee experience. Our ever-evolving product makes Personio a clear choice for organizations looking to upgrade their people platform for now and the future. Learn more about our product, or how to join our teams in Munich, London, Madrid, Dublin, Berlin, Barcelona, New York, Amsterdam and remotely, here: www.personio.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240908737716/en/ Contacts: Press enquiries: Personio SE Co. KG Matthew Tubbs Communications Lead E-Mail: press@personio.de Firstlight Group Ellie Rust Alex McKie Tel: 44 (0) 7860 650 103 +44 (0) 7943 457 798 E-Mail: personioteam@firstlightgroup.io Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSX-V:PX)(OTC PINK:PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $400,000 (the "Offering"). The Offering will consist of the sale of units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of $0.025 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.05 for a period of three years from the initial closing date of the Offering. The Company intends to use the gross proceeds for working capital, including exploration and metallurgical work, as well as general corporate purposes including land maintenance costs. The Offering is subject to customary closing conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSX-V. The closing of the Offering may occur in one or more tranches, with the initial closing date of the Offering expected to occur on or around September 30th, 2024 and is not subject to receipt of a minimum amount of gross proceeds. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month and one day hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws and TSX-V policies. The Offering is open to participation by insiders. The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. 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 km2 Obuasi 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 Saguenay, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - First Phosphate Corp (CSE: PHOS) (OTC: FRSPF) (FSE: KD0) ("First Phosphate" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has secured a facility lease for a 10,000 tonne per annum iron phosphate cathode active material pre-cursor ("pCAM") plant ("First Saguenay") in Saguenay (La Baie), Quebec, Canada. Iron phosphate is a key pre-cursor used in the production of cathode active material ("CAM") for lithium iron phosphate ("LFP") batteries. Local Support and Job Creation in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, Canada The establishment of the First Saguenay plant is intended to lead to the creation of approximately one hundred new high-tech jobs in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Region of Quebec, Canada. The development of First Saguenay is supported by a number of local parties in the region's economic development landscape including: Promotions Saguenay (economic development corporation for the city of Saguenay) Saguenay-Le Fjord Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCISF) Alliage 02 (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Manufacturers and Industrial Parks Corporation) Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Economic Maximization Committee (CMAX) Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation (Mashteuiatsh) "This announcement is another very positive step for phosphate mining in our region, and the start of the LFP sector in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec," states Ms. Andree Laforest, deputy for the Quebec riding of Chicoutimi, Quebec Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister responsible for the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. "We've been talking about this potential for a long time, and we're finally seeing the efforts of the First Phosphate team come to fruition today and for years to come. The Company's regional production will have positive effects for us and for Port Saguenay, which will be a major player in the development of this sector." "This plant is the first link in the LFP Battery Valley in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean," emphasizes Eric Larouche, Chairman of the Board of Promotion Saguenay. "Our goal is to facilitate the creation of this North American value chain, right here at home in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec: from the phosphate mine, to LFP cathode powder and, eventually, to the LFP battery itself." "This commitment with First Phosphate today sends a clear signal about our potential to position within the battery ecosystem: home-grown raw material and an international shipping corridor. The builders in our region will assume their role in global decarbonization efforts," emphasizes Francois Tremblay, Quebec Member of Parliament for Dubuc. An important First Step in Establishing First Phosphate Downstream Operations in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, Canada First Saguenay is to be retrofitted into a large portion of the existing building at 5373 Chemin Saint-Anicet, La Baie, Quebec, adjacent to the existing processing plant owned by Logistique Proco Inc. ("Proco"). Proco is to act as the building contractor. Proco is well established in the engineering and construction sector in Quebec, having worked on major projects in the province and, many, specifically in the battery sector (https://www.proco.ca/fr/realisations). The First Saguenay lease with Proco is for 10 years and is renewable thereafter. The facility is heated, equipped with process water, wastewater treatment, natural gas, high-voltage electricity and served by direct North American rail link into the facility. Moreover, the entire facility occupies more than 305,000 square feet of industrial space, portions of which should become available progressively for expanded First Saguenay operations, as well as several hectares of adjacent green-field industrial land available for expanding operations. The investment needed for the commencement of operations at First Saguenay is estimated at approximately USD $65 M (CAD $90 M). The lease is conditional upon First Phosphate arranging the financing necessary to carry-out the proposed activities prior to April 30, 2025. First Phosphate is considering various options for financing and structuring First Saguenay including non-dilutive options. First Saguenay Iron Phosphate Facility (exterior view) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8917/222576_d306a751147dfac1_001full.jpg An important First Step in Establishing the North American LFP Battery Valley in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, Canada First Saguenay is to serve as a key and complimentary part of the Company's planned downstream processing facilities and full vertical integration plans from phosphate mine to creation of LFP CAM. First Saguenay is intended to work synergistically in the transformation and value-added processing of the feedstock from the Company's proposed mining operations which are located approximately 80 km and 120 km from the Company's two major phosphate properties in the region. First Saguenay has a strategic logistical advantage located at 20 km from the deep-sea port of Saguenay, where the Company intends to organize the next phases of its industrial activities, as well as its inbound and outbound international trade. The industrial zone at Port Saguenay will become an important location in the development of the LFP battery industry, and First Phosphate plans to set up its future advanced processing operations at the port together with other worldwide LFP battery players. First Saguenay is also positioned at a few kilometers from Canadian Air Forces NATO Base Bagotville and its local airport providing passenger and freight linkages to the world. First Saguenay is to be linked directly and seamlessly to the Canadian National Railway network which connects directly to other railway networks across North America for easy entry of supplies and delivery of product to clients across the North American battery industry. Details of First Phosphate's strategy to create a fully integrated supply chain for LFP batteries in North America, based on the establishment of the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec, Canada as the LFP battery valley of North America, can be found at: https://firstphosphate.com/fr/lfp-battery-strategy. Logistical Advantage of the LFP Battery Valley in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, Canada To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8917/222576_d306a751147dfac1_002full.jpg Feasibility and Client Relationships The Company has begun the first phase of its project feasibility study with Ultion Technologies ("Ultion"), a US-based company that is a pioneer in the LFP battery industry. The study is to determine the infrastructure required to support the permit applications as well as the lease facility retrofitting requirements. The technology to be implemented is proven and already operating in two other facilities in the world, one with a capacity of 10,000 tonnes per annum and another with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes per annum, as announced on December 11, 2023 (https://firstphosphate.com/ultion-technologies-mou). Thanks to the industrial capacity of the chosen technology, First Saguenay expects to be able to move directly into commercial-size, scalable production without having to go through a pilot stage. Initial production from First Saguenay is anticipated for the first quarter of 2026 to meet anticipated demand from the Company's existing partners: American Battery Factory (https://firstphosphate.com/abf), Ultion (https://firstphosphate.com/ultion-technologies-mou and other potential clients in the fields of energy storage, electric vehicles and specialized battery products with which the Company is in advanced discussions. The commencement of operations at First Saguenay entails meeting a number of project requirements. The Company is working diligently through the process to satisfy all such requirements. About First Phosphate Corp. First Phosphate (CSE: PHOS) (OTC: FRSPF) (FSE: KD0) is a mineral development company fully dedicated to extracting and purifying phosphate for the production of cathode active material for the Lithium Iron Phosphate ("LFP") battery industry. First Phosphate is committed to producing at high purity level, in responsible manner, and with low anticipated carbon footprint. First Phosphate plans to vertically integrate from mine source directly into the supply chains of major North American LFP battery producers that require battery grade LFP cathode active material emanating from a consistent and secure supply source. First Phosphate holds over 1,500 sq. km of royalty-free district-scale land claims in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Region of Quebec, Canada that it is actively developing. First Phosphate properties consist of rare anorthosite igneous phosphate rock that generally yields high purity phosphate material devoid of high concentrations of harmful elements. -30- Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements This news release contains certain statements and information that may be considered "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "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", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" and other similar expressions. In addition, statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements, including, among other things, the Company's planned exploration and production activities, the properties and composition of any extracted phosphate, the Company's plans for vertical integration into North American supply chains including the full integrational plans from phosphate mine to the creation of LFP CAM, the viable commercialization of Company products and demand for the end product, availability of partnership and client relationships, the availability of existing or new facilities to accommodate the First Saguenay operations and any enlargement thereto, the completion of the Financing, including any non-dilutive options, the acquisition and retrofitting of infrastructure, and receipt of all required approvals, project timelines and budgets, the implementation of the technology and the ability to move straight into commercial size, scalable production, the availability of raw materials necessary to operate First Saguenay on terms acceptable to the Company, and the viable commercialization of Company products. These statements and other forward-looking information are based on assumptions and estimates that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, expectations of the Company's long term business outcomes given its short operating history; expectations regarding revenue, expenses and operations; the Company having sufficient working capital and ability to secure additional funding necessary for the exploration of the Company's property interests; expectations regarding the potential mineralization, geological merit and economic feasibility of the Company's projects; expectations regarding drill programs and the potential impacts successful drill programs could have on the life of the mine and the Company; mineral exploration and exploration program cost estimates; expectations regarding any environmental issues that may affect planned or future exploration programs and the potential impact of complying with existing and proposed environmental laws and regulations; receipt and timing of exploration and exploitation permits and other third-party approvals; government regulation of mineral exploration and development operations; expectations regarding any social or local community issues that may affect planned or future exploration and development programs; expectations surrounding global economic trends and technological advancements; and key personnel continuing their employment with the Company, as well as, the Company's market analysis of the expected economics of First Saguenay's operations, including the initial investment, operating expenditures, raw material costs and availability, and ability to leverage and grow third party client relationships, the historical track-record of the technology, the direction from its partners regarding infrastructure needs and implementation, and the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to complete the Financing, maintain corporate capacity; and stability in financial and capital markets. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include: limited operating history; high risk of business failure; no profits or significant revenues; limited resources; negative cash flow from operations and dependence on third-party financing; the uncertainty of additional funding; no dividends; risks related to possible fluctuations in revenues and results; insurance and uninsured risks; litigation; reliance on management and key personnel; conflicts of interest; access to supplies and materials; dangers of mineral exploration and related liability and damages; risks relating to health and safety; government regulation and legal uncertainties; the company's exploration and development properties may not be successful and are highly speculative in nature; dependence on outside parties; title to some of the Company's mineral properties may be challenged or defective; Aboriginal title and land claims; obtaining and renewing licenses and permits; environmental and other regulatory risks may adversely affect the company; risks relating to climate change; risks related to infrastructure; land reclamation requirements may be burdensome; current global financial conditions; fluctuation in commodity prices; dilution; future sales by existing shareholders could cause the Company's share price to fall; fluctuation and volatility in stock exchange prices; and risks related to market demands. There can be no assurance that any opportunity will be successful, commercially viable, completed on time or on budget, or will generate any meaningful revenues, savings or earnings, as the case may be, for the Company. In addition, the Company will incur costs in pursuing any particular opportunity, which may be significant. These factors and assumptions are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors and assumptions that could affect the Company and, though they should be considered carefully, should be considered in conjunction with the risk factors described in the Company's other documents filed with the Canadian and United States securities authorities, including without limitation the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Information Form dated November 29, 2023 and Annual Report on 20-F which are available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking information or information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222576 SOURCE: First Phosphate Corp. Kunstliche Intelligenz hat spatestens nach dem Raketenstart von Chat GPT das Leben aller verandert. Doch der Superzyklus steht nach Meinungen von Experten erst am Anfang. Wahrend Aktien wie Nvidia von der ersten Aufwartsentwicklung stark profitieren konnten, versprechen aussichtsreiche Player aus der zweiten Reihe noch enormes Aufwartspotenzial. Im kostenlosen, exklusiven Spezialreport prasentieren wir ihnen 5 innovative KI-Unternehmen, die bahnbrechende Entwicklungen in diesem Sektor pragen konnten. Warum sollten Sie dabei sein? Trotz der jungsten Erfolge steht die Entwicklung der kunstlichen Intelligenz noch am Beginn eines neuen Superzyklus. Experten gehen davon aus, dass der Sektor bis 2032 global auf 1,3 Billionen US-Dollar explodieren wird, wobei ein groer Teil auf Hardware und Infrastruktur entfallen wird. Nutzen Sie die Chance! Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 5 KI-Aktien das grote Potenzial zur Vervielfachung besitzen. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen die aussichtsreichsten Investments im KI-Sektor. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! International Day to Protect Education from Attack Statement by Education Cannot Wait Executive Director Yasmine Sherif NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- When a school is bombed, hope dies. When children are abducted from their classrooms and pushed into unimaginable forms of modern slavery and abuse, our dream of peace and equality is destroyed. When teachers are too afraid to teach, our society is in peril. This year's International Day to Protect Education from Attack comes at a time of unprecedented violence, hate, fear and terror in countries across the globe. In Gaza, nearly 90% of school buildings have been damaged or destroyed. In fact, the education system has been decimated, according to UNRWA. This horrific catastrophe has left over 40,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Unfortunately, the number of attacks keeps growing at an alarming rate worldwide. In March 2024, gunmen abducted 287 students in Northwest Nigeria, a continuation of the abhorrent attacks that have undermined peace and development efforts in a country of vast potential. These types of attacks all-too-often end in death, maiming, child marriage, sexual violence, forced recruitment into armed groups and other grave violations. This is an urgent global problem with global consequences. On average, eight attacks on education or cases of military use of schools were recorded daily around the world in 2022 and 2023, according to the newly released 'Education Under Attack 2024' report. Last year alone, more than 10,000 students and educators were killed, injured, abducted, arrested or otherwise harmed by these attacks. The highest numbers of attacks on education were recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the State of Palestine and Ukraine. Attacks on education also increased in Sudan, Syria and Nigeria. Justice and human security are the foundation of International Humanitarian Law, and the values enshrined in the Safe Schools Declaration, UN Charter and Convention on the Rights of the Child. Today, we must stand firm against attacks on education. Today, we must hold the perpetrators of these attacks accountable for these actions. Today, we must provide renewed hope for the girls and boys who have endured these horrific ordeals to return them to the safety and solace of the classroom. We have learnt from history that the most effective way to destroy a people, their identity, their culture and their human rights is to destroy their education. Now, more than ever, "Never again" must mean never again! Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2499295/UNI481106Ed_attack_header.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/when-a-school-is-bombed-hope-dies-302241272.html Qatar Foundation's Stars of Science: a platform for the Arab youth to deliver scientific innovation and entrepreneurship DOHA, Qatar, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For 16 years, from the bustling heart of the Arab world, an innovative spark has been transforming the entrepreneurial landscape: Stars of Science. More than just a television show, it is a rollercoaster of ideas, dreams, and technological marvels poised to revolutionise entrepreneurship across the region. Since its debut in 2009 under the visionary guidance of the Qatar Foundation for Science, Education and Community Development (QF), the show has become a cornerstone of the Arab world's quest to cultivate a vibrant startup ecosystem, aligning seamlessly with Qatar's ascent as a hub for research and innovation. Qatar's tremendous growth in recent years has been driven by massive projects that support, develop, and catalyse innovation. These initiatives include world-class research centres, some of the world's best universities within QF's Education City, tech hubs like Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP)--a member of QF--and a vast infrastructure driving digital transformation. These efforts have propelled visionary shows like Stars of Science to the forefront, presenting a platform for transforming creativity into tangible solutions through a dynamic ecosystem that provides tailored support for Arab talents. Over 15 thrilling seasons, Stars of Science has championed 168 innovators, resulting in numerous prototypes and a treasure trove of patents addressing pressing issues in the Arab world and beyond. At the recent Web Summit Qatar 2024, Qatar announced a groundbreaking $1 billion earmarked for startups, supercharging the nation's ambition to be a global tech hub. Qatar further accelerated its momentum by announcing a staggering 9 billion QAR investment in tech and AI at the Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) 2024, showcasing Qatar's unyielding resolve to ignite a beacon of opportunity for innovators far and wide. This economic boost for the tech and startup ecosystem in Qatar will further empower initiatives such as Stars of Science to continue serving as a unique platform for scientific breakthroughs. As the longest-running edutainment Arabic TV program of its kind, the show has successfully bridged the gap between scientific research and market-ready innovation prototypes. The achievements of the alumni stand as compelling evidence of the groundbreaking advancements the show has catalysed across various fields, including technology, sustainability, biomedical research, AI and robotics, and consumer products. Take, for instance, the success stories of Stars of Science alumni: Majed Lababidi from Syria, a Season 3 participant, is a serial innovator who has launched several startups in Qatar and now serves as the Director of Ecosystem Integration at Alchemist Accelerator-Doha, a prestigious Silicon Valley-based accelerator. Similarly, Hassan Al-Balawi from Saudi Arabia, a Season 7 participant, introduced his startup, WakeCap Technologies, on the show. WakeCap, which leverages AI to enhance workplace safety, has since soared, securing substantial funding and forging transformative global partnerships. The ripple effect of Stars of Science is profound, inspiring a cultural shift towards innovation and entrepreneurship. "Stars of Science shines as a beacon of inspiration and innovation, especially in the Arab world. It is unparalleled in its dedication to nurturing the potential of young minds in science and technology. For over a decade and a half, the programme has consistently proven its transformative impact and enduring effectiveness," says alumnus Mohammed Al-Qassabi from Qatar. For science enthusiasts and the curious at heart, Stars of Science will air from 7 September 2024 to 19 October 2024 on five channels in the region and online. Please visit the broadcast guide for channels and timings at starsofscience.com. About Stars of Science: Throughout 16 years of success, Stars of Science - the edutainment TV initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF) - has leveraged its position as the premier innovation show in the Arab world to empower Arab innovators to successfully transform innovative ideas into tangible solutions, strengthening the culture of innovation within Arab youth. In its sustained journey that started in 2009, the show has demonstrated how young Arab innovators develop technological solutions for their communities, aiming to improve people's well-being, provide financial opportunities to their local citizens, and advance sustainable development. Over a 12-week process, the contestants develop their solutions experimentally in a shared innovation space, competing against time with the mentorship and support of a team of experienced engineers and product developers. An expert panel of jurors assesses and selects more promising innovators and their projects every week across several prototyping and testing rounds until three finalists remain to compete for a share of the Grand Prize. Jury deliberation and online voting from the public determine the rankings of the two top winners. To know more about Stars of Science, please visit: Website, Facebook, X, Youtube, Instagram, Tiktok, and LinkedIn For media inquiries, please contact: Ghewa Barakat - gbarakat@webershandwick.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2499339/Stars_of_Science.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2499340/Stars_of_Science.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2499341/Stars_of_Science.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2494007/4898139/Stars_of_Science_Season_16_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fuelling-the-arab-worlds-tech-revolution-from-tv-competitions-to-triumphs-302241261.html KALMAR CORPORATION, TRADE PRESS RELEASE, 9 SEPTEMBER 2024 AT 9.00 (EEST) Kalmar and DP World Southampton continue their joint eco-efficiency journey with new hybrid straddle carrier order Kalmar has concluded an agreement with long-term customer DP World Southampton to supply a further 14hybrid straddle carriersfor their container terminal. The significant order was booked in Kalmar's Q2 2024 order intake, and delivery is scheduled for Q2 of 2025. DP World Southampton is the UK port of choice for many global leaders in the container shipping industry thanks to its strategic location on the UK's south coast. The terminal has been operating Kalmar straddle carriers since 2007. This order will bring the total number of Kalmar straddle carriers at the terminal to 82. DP World is committed to reducing and mitigating the carbon footprint of its operations through cutting energy use in its facilities and investing in product designs that conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Hybrid straddle carriers help to meet this goal by significantly reducing both the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of straddle carrier operations compared to traditional diesel-powered machines. Hybrid machines also generate much less noise. The units operated at Southampton are powered by hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a biofuel made from 100% renewable raw material. Andrew Bowen, DP World in the UK COO: "Given our long-standing business relationship with Kalmar, we are delighted with the order of the latest batch of hybrid straddle carriers, which will continue to help boost productivity and optimise operational costs at our Southampton logistics hub. At DP World, we are strongly committed to being a global leader in sustainable cargo handling, and these new models will play a key role in progressing that goal here in the UK." Karri Keskinen, Head of Sales, Horizontal Transportation, Kalmar: "With this order Kalmar and DP World continue their joint journey towards a more sustainable future for cargo-handling operations at Southampton. We are particularly proud to be able to say that our hybrid straddle carrier technology now makes up the majority of the straddle fleet at the terminal." Further information for the press: Karri Keskinen, Head of Sales, Horizontal Transportation, Kalmar, tel. +358 40 700 2198, karri.keskinen@kalmarglobal.com Maija Eklof, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Dealer Management and Customer Insight, Kalmar, tel. +358 20 777 4096, maija.eklof@kalmarglobal.com Kalmar Attachments More than 35 billion illicit cigarettes were consumed across the 27 EU member states in 2023, close to 2022 figures. France continues to be the largest illicit market in the EU, and now accounts for 47.7% of total illicit cigarette consumption in the region. Illicit consumption has grown for the fifth consecutive year in Europe, reaching 52.2 billion cigarettes across the 38 countries included in this study. Nearly one in 10 cigarettes in the continent are illicit. More than 110 clandestine cigarette factories were dismantled in 2023, as illegal manufacturing sites are being set up nearer large end markets. Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) (NYSE: PM) today warns about the high levels of contraband and counterfeit cigarettes in the European Union (EU) year over year, with 35.2 billion illicit cigarettes consumed in the region in 2023, accounting for 8.3% of total consumption in the EU, an increase of 0.1 percentage point compared to 2022. PMI praises European law enforcement agencies for their continued crackdown on criminal networks that profit from the illicit tobacco trade, and calls on regulators to advance a sensible, data-driven policy approach that puts consumers-and public health-front and center and that effectively addresses the challenges posed by the millions of adult smokers who are turning to the black market rather than quitting or, for those who do not quit, switching to smoke-free products. The results of the 2023 KPMG annual study on illicit cigarette consumption, commissioned by Philip Morris Products SA, revealed that the illicit market in the EU continues to be a major threat for public health, public security, and states' economies. Counterfeit cigarettes remain one of the main sources of illicit consumption in the region, with 12.7 billion (36%) cigarettes consumed-as criminal networks increasingly target higher-taxed and higher-priced markets. Overall, governments in the EU lost an estimated 11.6 billion in tax revenue, up from 11.3 billion in 2022. France is still leading the ranking as the country with the largest illicit consumption in all of Europe, with 16.8 billion illicit cigarettes and an estimated 7.3 billion in tax revenues lost. "We are witnessing an evolution of organized crime groups in Europe, as they are increasingly locating production facilities nearer Western European countries. We consider this phenomenon to be a direct consequence of failed policy approaches that have not done enough to curb illicit trade and reduce smoking prevalence, and it is putting consumers, governments, legitimate businesses, and society alike at risk," said Christos Harpantidis, Senior Vice President of External Affairs, PMI. "Law enforcement agencies have played an instrumental role in disrupting crime rings dealing in clandestine cigarette production across Europe, as well as cross-border contraband operations. However, if we want to curb illicit trade in the region altogether, we need a holistic approach that complements tough penalties and strong law enforcement with awareness and education campaigns about the real-life impact of illicit trade, a predictable fiscal and regulatory environment where adult smokers are not being driven to the black market, and coordinated and committed public-private partnerships." Interviews with law enforcement agencies included in the KPMG report shed light onto transnational organized crime's professionalization of their role in the supply chain of illicit cigarettes. According to information from law enforcement agencies, publicly available media articles, and PMI estimates, criminals have expanded the setup of illegal cigarette factories; in 2023 alone, law enforcement data shows that at least 113 clandestine cigarette manufacturing sites in 22 European countries were disrupted by regional and local authorities. The steady increase of counterfeit cigarette consumption for the fourth consecutive year across Europe-mainly driven by the U.K. and Ukraine-is now coupled with the rise of all other illicit trade categories, including illicit whites and contraband. Combined with the continued recovery of cross-border legal volumes, after COVID-related travel restrictions ended in 2022, total non-domestic consumption across the 38 European countries in the study has also reached its highest level ever (15.5%), equal to more than one cigarette out of six. Despite this scenario, KPMG revealed that in 26 European countries illicit consumption share was less than 10% of total consumption. Of these, 16 markets had an illicit consumption share of less than 5%. And in 25 of the 38 European countries included in the study, the share of illicit cigarette consumption was either stable or declining, compared to 2022. "It's truly encouraging to see a decrease in illicit consumption in countries like Italy, Poland, Romania, and Spain. We need to continue working together with law enforcement agencies and governments to ensure that illicit trade does not become an even larger problem across the EU," stated Massimo Andolina, President Europe Region, PMI. "Illicit trade undermines efforts to reduce smoking prevalence; it's bad for public health and consumers and creates financial damage for governments and lawful operators. Regulators must make this fight a top priority, while at the same time enabling smoke-free products to be available and affordable for all adult smokers who don't quit cigarettes." "If we want to tackle illicit trade, governments must deploy relentless law enforcement action against criminals profiting from the black market. This has proven successful over excessive taxation on consumer goods, or even prohibition," added Harpantidis. "In order to end smoking overall, traditional tobacco control policies must be complemented with innovative approaches. Governments must recognize that embracing alternatives to cigarettes for those adults who would otherwise continue to smoke will reduce smoking-related harm much faster than existing measures alone." The KPMG report has expanded to 38 European countries For the first time since its publication in 2006, the KPMG annual research study has broadened its scope and incorporated all Balkan countries. Now, the research covers 38 countries: the 27 EU member states, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the U.K. The Balkan region has shown lower presence of illicit cigarettes compared to some of the Western European countries, such as France or the U.K. Ukraine, on the other hand, remains the country with the second highest volume of illicit cigarettes consumed, at 8.4 billion. This is the 18th consecutive year that KPMG has estimated illicit cigarette consumption across Europe. What are Europeans saying? Illicit trade has a direct impact on people's lives across Europe. It makes unlawful and inferior-quality tobacco products easily accessible-discouraging smoking cessation efforts, undermining youth access prevention measures, and preventing adult smokers from considering better alternatives to cigarettes. It has serious consequences for consumers, as these illegal goods are produced in substandard conditions, in complete disregard of the rule of law and applicable tobacco control regulations. To better understand societal views regarding illicit trade, PMI commissioned independent public opinion research firm Povaddo to conduct a survey among adults in 14 European countries. The survey, which was executed in January 2024, found that: More than half (60%) believe their country (and the EU as a whole) has a problem with illicit tobacco and illicit nicotine-containing products. Almost three quarters (74%) agree that governments must consider illicit trade as an unintended consequence when deciding how to regulate and tax tobacco and nicotine-containing products. 77% agree that illicit trade robs governments of significant tax revenue. Illicit trade fuels ruthless criminal gangs, often impacting the most vulnerable communities and populations. It deprives governments of tax revenue needed to provide public services, including security. The proceeds from illicit trade often help facilitate other serious crimes such as human trafficking, corruption, and money laundering. For PMI, eliminating the illicit tobacco trade has been a long-standing priority. We implement preventive and protective measures to fight illicit trade and work with public and private sectors to advance efforts against this global issue. As we advance on our journey toward delivering a smoke-free future, we are increasing our efforts to secure both our supply chain and the products we sell and to protect consumers and our brands from smugglers and counterfeiters. We collaborate with law enforcement agencies and other organizations all over the world to root out and shut down illegal activities, including counterfeiting and smuggling operations. PMI also continues to support relevant European regulations, such as the EU Tobacco Products Directives' tracking-and-tracing provisions. A detailed overview of the results and methodology of the KPMG report is available here. For more information about PMI's illicit trade prevention efforts, visit PMI.com. Note to editors Definitions of illicit cigarette categories, as detailed in the KPMG report Counterfeit: Illegally manufactured and sold by a party other than the original trademark owner. In the KPMG report, counterfeit volumes are reported from the participating manufacturers of BAT, IB, JTI, and PMI. Illicit whites: Usually manufactured legally in one country/market, but which the evidence suggests have been smuggled across borders during their transit to the destination market under review, where they have limited or no legal distribution and are sold without payment of tax. Other C&C: Mainly contraband, i.e., genuine products that have been either bought in a lower-tax country and that exceed indicative quantities/limits or acquired without taxes for export purposes to be illegally resold (for financial profit) in a higher-priced market. This category may also contain counterfeits of brands that are not trademark-owned by empty pack survey participant manufacturers. Povaddo survey methodology PMI commissioned Povaddo LLC to field the survey in the following countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and Ukraine. A total of 14,119 interviews were conducted among legal age, general population adults (approximately 1,000 per country) between Dec. 29, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024. The data has been weighted at a country level by age, gender, and tobacco/nicotine product consumption to reflect national population statistics. The survey carries an overall margin of error of +/- 1% at the 95% confidence interval. Results are available both at an overall level (14 countries) and at an individual country level. Country-level results carry a margin of error of +/- 3.2% at the 95% confidence interval. Philip Morris International: Delivering a Smoke-Free Future Philip Morris International (PMI) is a leading international tobacco company, actively delivering a smoke-free future and evolving its portfolio for the long term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's current product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products. Since 2008, PMI has invested over $12.5 billion to develop, scientifically substantiate and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, with the goal of completely ending the sale of cigarettes. This includes the building of world-class scientific assessment capabilities, notably in the areas of pre-clinical systems toxicology, clinical and behavioral research, as well as post-market studies. In 2022, PMI acquired Swedish Match a leader in oral nicotine delivery creating a global smoke-free champion led by the companies' IQOS and ZYN brands. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized versions of PMI's IQOS devices and consumables and Swedish Match's General snus as Modified Risk Tobacco Products and renewal applications for these products are presently pending before the FDA. As of June 30, 2024, PMI's smoke-free products were available for sale in 90 markets, and PMI estimates that 36.5 million adults around the world use PMI's smoke-free products. Smoke-free business accounted for approximately 38% of PMI's total first-half 2024 net revenues. With a strong foundation and significant expertise in life sciences, PMI announced in February 2021 its ambition to expand into wellness and healthcare areas and, through its Vectura Fertin Pharma business, aims to enhance life through the delivery of seamless health experiences. "PMI" refers to Philip Morris International Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240909118299/en/ Contacts: Philip Morris International David Fraser T. +41 (0)58 242 4500 E. david.fraser@pmi.com Kupfer wird oft als das Gold der Energiewende bezeichnet, weil es aufgrund seiner hervorragenden elektrischen Leitfahigkeit eine zentrale Rolle in vielen Technologien spielt, die fur nachhaltige Energiesysteme entscheidend sind. Experten gehen aufgrund der Angebotsknappheit von einem Superzyklus aus. Korrektur als Einstiegschance Nach Hochststanden im Mai korrigierte das rote Metall stark. Die Abwartsspirale verstarkte sich in den vergangenen Tagen aufgrund schwacher Konjunkturdaten aus den USA und China. Langfristig konnte sich die aktuell laufende Korrektur als exzellente Einstiegsmoglichkeit herausstellen. 3 Kupferaktien mit hohem Potential Im neuen, kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir drei aussichtsreiche Unternehmen vor, die bei einem weiteren Anstieg uberproportional profitieren konnten. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! BERLIN, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Midea, a leading brand in HVAC industry, has introduced its new indoor hybrid heat pump that has won the prestigious Innovative Heating Technology Gold Award at the IFA exhibition. CirQHP Indoor Hybrid is a compact indoor heat pump that removes the need for an outdoor unit. This feature provides greater flexibility in installation options, making it an excellent choice for homes located in close proximity to neighbors or townhouses. CirQHP Indoor Hybrid is a perfect solution for those who have been hesitant to switch to heat pump technology due to some of its constraints. There is no high investment cost, no house renovation needed, the product can be integrated directly to the existing gas boiler solution. CirQHP Indoor Hybrid is a real game-changer, with its compact dimensions, stylish design, courtesy of the Midea Italy Design Center, and clear, simple structure that make it both easy to install and aesthetically pleasing. It can be connected to existing radiators and underfloor heating, and its outstanding features make it an ideal fit for those who are looking for an environmentally-friendly, reliable and cost-effective way to heat their homes. With a heating capacity of 4.5 kW, CirQHP Indoor Hybrid offers an energy efficiency class of A++ in heating and can operate in weather as cold as -20C. The product can automatically switch between gas boiler and heat pump for the most cost-efficient mode for end-users, and the integrated energy consumption monitor helps to keep an eye on costs. The system swaps between two energy sources following the end-user preferences: ambient temperature, real-time energy costs or environmental mode for a reduced carbon footprint. Europe is already leading the transition from fossil fuels to heat pump technology, and the Midea CirQHP Indoor Hybrid is a perfect fit for this market, especially because it works with the natural refrigerant R290. Midea's commitment to innovation and sustainability has once again set the bar high for the industry. With the CirQHP Indoor Hybrid, Midea has developed a product that addresses the challenges of traditional heat pumps, making it an ideal solution for those who are looking for a more affordable sustainable way to heat their homes. Hybrid synergy, all indoors! View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mideas-cirqhp-indoor-hybrid-a-game-changer-in-heat-pump-technology-302241808.html VICTORIA, Seychelles, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- It is with great pleasure that leading fintech company, SquaredFinancial, announces the upcoming forex trading seminar series that it will be hosting throughout the GCC region, starting in September from the UAE. The GCC has been one of the company's top destinations, and in response to an ever-growing demand of online traders in the region for a highly professional forex education, SquaredFinancial is expanding the range of educational services it offers, hosting seminars in 5 different locations, bringing its experts on the ground. With over two decades of expertise in the fintech industry, SquaredFinancial has always relied on knowledge and education as a path to elevate investors' trading skills. And with the aim to help them receive quality education, it is presenting them the opportunity to meet in person with industry veterans, Nour Hammoury, Chief Market Analyst at SquaredFinancial, and Dominque El Khoury, Global Head of Sales and Business Development: GCC and MENA at SquaredFinancial. The company's expert analysts are regularly hosted on world-class news channels such as BBC, Al-Jazzera, CNBC, Bloomberg, and many others, to provide views on the markets. They also host interactive webinars, talk shows, seminars, open discussions, and daily analyses of the markets and trends in both English and Arabic. The Roadshow kick-starts with the first two seminars in the UAE, specifically in Dubai and Al Ain, while the roadmap covers quite a range of countries in October and November, namely Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. Nour Hammoury, Chief Market Analyst at SquaredFinancial, emphasized the importance of continuous education in the financial markets. He stated: "Each day presents new developments and challenges that impact the markets. Our goal is to raise awareness, educate traders, and help them to try to avoid common mistakes. It's a long journey, but practice is the most effective way to learn. That's why we give weekly webinars and trading sessions, in addition to daily analyses and talk shows, and now our roadshow in Arab countries". Investors are invited to join SquaredFinancial in Dubai and Al Ain for an insightful seminar and elite networking opportunity. Whether they are seasoned traders or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to stay up to date in the world of trading. It is a fantastic chance to learn from industry experts, discover new strategies, benefit from a tailored education program, and connect with fellow traders. Those interested are invited to click Dubai or Al Ain to read more about the seminar topic and to register for free in the location and on the date of their preference. About SquaredFinancial SquaredFinancial is a well-capitalized FinTech firm founded in 2005. It aims at becoming a one-stop shop that meets investors' financial needs. With around two decades of experience in financial technology and trading, it offers global solutions to traders of different generations and backgrounds, who are looking for an intuitive and sophisticated investment gateway. It is led by market experts and leadership veterans who share a passion for trading and a vision to reshape the industry landscape. As a regulated firm, it provides investors with an online platform backed by cutting-edge technology that offers the opportunity to trade a wide range of instruments from different asset classes. SquaredFinancial has recently launched its proprietary mobile trading app and its innovative fixed-time deposit account. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2499913/SquaredFinancial_Roadshow.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2481186/4899132/SquaredFinancial_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/squaredfinancial-announces-its-forex-seminars-roadshow-in-the-gcc-302241813.html ZCCM INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS PLC [Incorporated in the Republic of Zambia] Company registration number: 771 Share Code: ZCCM-IH ISIN: ZM0000000037 ["ZCCM-IH" or "the Company"] INVITATION TO THE ZCCM-IH SHAREHOLDER OPEN DAY ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc ("ZCCM-IH" or the "Company") wishes to announce that it will be hosting a Shareholder Open Day on Friday, 4th October 2024, at Southern Hotel, from 10:00 hours to 12:00 hours (CAT). The event will be streamed live via ZOOM. This annual event is an opportunity for us to engage with you, our valued shareholders, and provide updates on the company's performance, strategic direction, and future outlook. The event will feature presentations by the Chief Executive Officer who will cover a detailed presentation on our strategic roadmap, the Chief Investments Officer who will speak about upcoming projects, including growth initiatives and investment opportunities and the Chief Financial Officer who will present a comprehensive overview of our financial performance, including detailed analyses of our half year results. Shareholders are requested to register in advance to attend the Virtual Shareholder Open Day. This can be done via the following link: https://zccm-ih.financifi.com/register/ Virtual Shareholder Open Day Registration Instructions Fill in the fields as labelled. Please note that the fields marked by a star (*) are mandatory. Select to receive alerts via Electronic Mail ("Email"), Short Message Service ("SMS"), or both. Select the "Event Announcements" option. Please note that other alert options can be selected as well. Read through and confirm acceptance of our privacy policy by selecting the "Privacy Policy" option. Confirm attendance by clicking "Register". Notes After Registration, a link to join the Virtual Shareholder Open Day will be sent to your selected alert option/s on or before 03rd October 2024. The window for registration to attend the Virtual Shareholder Open Day shall remain open until the commencement of the event. Shareholders joining via ZOOM will be able to ask questions throughout the event via text only on the ZOOM. To ensure all questions are answered, it is highly recommended that questions are sent to ZCCM-IH prior to the commencement of the event. Questions can be sent to ZCCM-IH in advance to the following Email address: corporate@zccm-ih.com.zm By Order of the Board Charles Mjumphi Company Secretary Issued in Lusaka, Zambia on Monday, 09 September 2024 Lusaka Securities Exchange Sponsoring Broker T | +260-211-232456 E | advisory@sbz.com.zm W | www.sbz.com.zm Stockbrokers Zambia Limited (SBZ) is a member of the Lusaka Securities Exchange and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia First Issued on 09 September 2024 ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: yG1vY8hoZmaay3KbYsuaa2hkm5dmxmOUamiblpOZmMqXnZpjxW5qnJ3KZnFommtu - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-87568-zccm-ih-invitation-to-the-zccm-ih-shareholder-open-day-sens-_-zccm-ih-09.09.2024.pdf Grande Portage Resources Ltd. (TSXV:GPG)(OTCQB:GPTRF)(FSE:GPB) ("Grande Portage" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its recently filed updated **NI #43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate, the Company has developed a Conceptual Mining Plan to determine the optimal development pathway for its Herbert Gold project located in SE Alaska. To that end, earlier this year, the Company engaged the services of OreLogic LLC, a consulting firm providing mine planning and project development services. OreLogic is led by Kyle Mehalek, formerly Chief Mining Engineer at Hecla Mining's Greens Creek Mine in southeast Alaska, one of the largest and lowest-cost primary silver mines in the world. The Company's gold deposit, formerly known as the Herbert Gold project, has been re-named the "New Amalga Mine Project" in recognition of the gold mining heritage of the local project area. The historic Amalga Gold Camp located approximately four miles (6.5km) from the project site, produced tens of thousands of ounces of lode gold during the early 20th century. Today, little evidence remains from this once-bustling hub of mineral production, the site having been overtaken by the rapidly advancing temperate forest. The Conceptual Mining Plan evaluates the development of a selective underground mining operation which would extract high-grade material with minimal dilution. Due to the project's location near tidewater and less than 4 miles (6.5km) from existing paved highway, the Company considers off-site processing to be the most favourable configuration and is investigating numerous business opportunities including strategic partnerships, potential use of third-party facilities around the Pacific Rim, and direct shipment to smelters in East Asia. The Company's board of directors, management and its advisors assess that an offsite-processing configuration for the New Amalga Mine is the optimal development pathway, providing a number of potential benefits including: Elimination of the requirement to develop a tailings disposal facility near the mine. No tailings would be generated at the site. Elimination of the requirement for permanent waste rock storage facilities. All waste rock generated from mine access development would be returned to the underground workings for stope backfill. No use of gold processing reagents at the site. Dramatically reduced land usage and overall environmental footprint. Greatly simplified post-mining closure and reclamation. De-risking of the environmental review and permitting process. Minimization of project construction CAPEX. The scope of the Company's Conceptual Mine Plan includes underground mine design, underground development and production scheduling, surface facilities design and layout, ore transportation and logistics planning, ore marketing evaluation and internal financial modelling. Use of "real world" inputs and benchmarking against existing mining operations has been extensively applied. Ian Klassen, President and CEO comments: "We are extremely pleased to deliver a few key milestone developments thus far in 2024. Our updated mineral resource estimate continues to confirm that the deposit has grown and is open to future expansion. Importantly, the deposit has continued to mature and expand whilst maintaining world-class high gold grades. The now completed Conceptual Plan was a comprehensive and time-consuming undertaking. The Company wishes to thank OreLogic and Kyle Mehalek, in particular, for his vision, common sense approach and underground mining development expertise. The Plan is an important step forward to better understand how to best maximize this gold asset whilst continuing to focus on what's in the best interests of the local community and the regulatory regimes in southeast Alaska. Our commitment is to exceed all regulatory requirements and environmental expectations while also contributing to the local economy and creating valuable, long term job opportunities for the hard-working residents of the Juneau area". Grande Portage intends to continue to advance the New Amalga Mine project using a Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) platform and to that end it expects to announce further steps in due course. ** Indicated Resources of 1,438,500 ounces at 9.47gpt gold and Inferred Resources of 515,700 ounces at 8.85gpt gold (See Company news releases dated June 12, 2024 & July 22, 2024). Fig. 1 Project Location near paved highway and tidewater Fig. 2 View of Conceptual Underground Mine Layout for the New Amalga Mine Kyle Mehalek, P.E.., is the QP within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release. Mr. Mehalek is independent of Grande Portage within the meaning of NI 43-101. About Grande Portage: Grande Portage Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded mineral exploration company focused on the Herbert Gold discovery situated approximately 25 km north of Juneau, Alaska. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Herbert property. The Herbert Gold property system is open to length and depth and is host to at least six main composite vein-fault structures that contain ribbon structure quartz-sulfide veins. The project lies prominently within the 160km long Juneau Gold Belt, which has produced over seven million ounces of gold. The Company's updated NI#43-101 Mineral Resource estimate reported at a base case mineral resources cut-off grade of 2.5 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) and consists of: an Indicated Resource of 1,438,500 ounces of gold at an average grade of 9.47 g/t Au (4,726,000 tonnes); and an Inferred Resource of 515,700 ounces of gold at an average grade of 8.85 g/t Au (1,813,000 tonnes), as well as an Indicated Resource of 891,600 ounces of silver at an average grade of 5.86 g/t Ag (4,726,000 tonnes); and an Inferred Resource of 390,600 ounces of silver at an average grade of 7.33 g/t silver (1,813,000 tonnes). ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Ian Klassen" Ian M. Klassen President & Chief Executive Officer Tel: (604) 899-0106 Email: Ian@grandeportage.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Please note that under National Instrument 43-101, the Company is required to disclose that it has not based any production decision on NI 43-101-compliant reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments, or feasibility studies, and historically production decisions made without such reports have increased uncertainty and higher technical and economic risks of failure. These risks include, among others, areas that are analyzed in more detail in a feasibility study or preliminary economic assessment, such as the application of economic analysis to mineral resources, more detailed metallurgical and other specialized studies in areas such as mining and recovery methods, market analysis, and environmental, social, and community impacts. Any decision to place the New Amalga Mine into operation at levels intended by management, expand a mine, make other production-related decisions, or otherwise carry out mining and processing operations would be largely based on internal non-public Company data, and on reports based on exploration and mining work by the Company and by geologists and engineers engaged by the Company. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED UNDER THE POLICIES OF THE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE SOURCE: Grande Portage Resources Limited View the original press release on accesswire.com Erinnern Sie sich, als Moderna und BioNTech von unbekannten Unternehmen zu globalen Marktfuhrern wurden und fruhzeitige Investoren reich belohnt haben? Die Branche steht vor einem erneuten Innovationsschub von bahnbrechenden Medikamenten bis hin zu revolutionaren Therapien. Warum sollten Sie dabei sein? 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Transaction to Accelerate Project Timeline and Reduce Start-Up Costs VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sage Potash Corp., (TSXV: SAGE) (OTC: SGPTF) ("Sage" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with a subsidiary of International Process Plants ("IPP") for the purchase of processing equipment for $12.6 million. (Unless otherwise stated, all currency references are in Canadian dollars.) This equipment is capable of processing up to 300,000 tonnes per year of potash. The majority of the equipment being purchased, which had never been assembled or used and currently is in storage in Europe, was fabricated in 2012 at a cost of approximately 36 million (US$54 million) at the time. The balance of the equipment to be acquired by the Company will come from IPP's inventory of second-hand machinery. Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company will satisfy the purchase price by paying $6,300,000 in cash, issuing 12,600,000 common shares to IPP at a deemed price of $0.20 per share, and issuing IPP a secured convertible debenture with a principal amount of $3,780,000. The secured convertible debenture will mature in five years while accruing interest at 12% per annum, and in addition, the holder may convert any or all of the outstanding indebtedness into shares of the Company at $0.40 per share at any time. The Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein are subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). In addition, the Company is announcing a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of 37,600,000 common shares at $0.20 each for gross proceeds of $7,520,000 and convertible debentures with an aggregate principal amount of $3,780,000. The convertible debentures offered under the Private Placement will not be secured, but will otherwise have the same terms and conditions as the IPP secured convertible debenture. The gross proceeds of the Private Placement of $11,300,000 will be used to satisfy the obligations under the Purchase Agreement and for general working capital, with $5,000,000 being allocated to working capital and the remaining $2,520,000, together with the $3,780,000 aggregate principal amount of the convertible debentures, being applied to the $6,300,000 cash closing requirements under the Purchase Agreement. The cash requirements under the Purchase Agreement will therefore mirror the value of the equity and convertible debentures being issued to IPP. The Private Placement is integral to the proposed transactions under the Purchase Agreement, and therefore, the Company expects to rely on the "part and parcel pricing exception" provided for in the policies of the TSXV. Moneta Securities (monetasecurities.com) is acting as financial advisor for Sage in connection with the aforementioned transactions. Sage's CEO, Peter Hogendoorn says, "We are excited about what is essentially $17.6M in combined support we are receiving from both IPP and Moneta in assisting us to advance our project into pilot production, from which we can grow the project both in terms of ongoing geological data and cash flow to service both resource and incremental production expansion. Today's stainless steel and titanium fabrication lead-times for equipment add significant uncertainty to project financing, both in terms of cost and time. By buying this existing equipment now, Sage is mitigating project risk and cost, as well as providing added clarity to the project's timeline, which is what project funders require. We believe this ultimately enhances shareholder value as we seek to reduce the United States' nearly 100% reliance on imports for potash supply." This seminal acquisition was led by Shilo Sazwan, who recently joined Sage along with his engineering team. Mr. Sazwan states, "Considering stainless steel and titanium costs have more than doubled since these components were produced in 2012, we estimate that we are saving in the order of US$75 to US$100 million in project costs, not to mention the 4-5-year fabrication lead-time before we could even begin assembly." Mr. Sazwan and his engineering team have over twenty-five years' experience in procuring high quality processing plants and equipment on the secondary market. This plant will be Mr. Sazwan's ninth plant to be built at significant cost savings. "Sage Potash's commitment to quickly and cost-efficiently execute this project aligns perfectly with our 46-year mission of providing high-quality, existing unused and used equipment for fast-tracked projects," said Ron Gale, President of IPP. "More and more companies are realizing the benefits of unused or quality second-hand equipment and plants. They're doing this at a fraction of the cost and time as competitors." The Private Placement and transactions contemplated under the Purchase Agreement are subject to acceptance by the TSXV. All securities issued under the Private Placement and the Purchase Agreement will be subject to a hold period of four months. To view images of the acquired fertilizer plant please visit sagepotash.com/300000-tpy-fertilizer-plant/ About Sage Potash Corp. Sage Potash is a Canadian company vested solely in the Sage Plain Property and intends through sustainable solution mining techniques to become a prominent domestic potash producer within the Paradox Basin situated in Utah. For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or contact the Company by email at info@sagepotash.com. About International Process Plants International Process Plants (IPP) is a global solutions provider for process plants and equipment. IPP buys and sells existing plant sites, used process systems and individual equipment. Part of the IPP Group, Universal Glasteel Equipment (UGE)offers new and re-glassed glass-lined equipment and parts, as well as re-glassing services. Gale Process Solutions (GPS) designs and builds new alloy process equipment and pressure vessels, including its proprietary Porcupine Processor mixer/reactor/dryer, with many of these items in stock for quick delivery. IPP has offices in 15 countries, helping manufacturers save time and money with immediately available assets to grow their capabilities. Its holdings include 18 complete plant sites, 110 plants for relocation and 15,000 process systems and major pieces of equipment. For more information, visit internationalprocessplants.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Peter Hogendoorn CEO & Executive Chairman (604) 764-2158 Website: www.sagepotash.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. This news release may contain "forward-looking statements", which are statements about the future based on current expectations or beliefs. For this purpose, statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate or true. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2499663/Sage_Potash_Corp__Sage_Potash_Announces_Equipment_Purchase_and_F.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2499664/Sage_Potash_Corp__Sage_Potash_Announces_Equipment_Purchase_and_F.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sage-potash-announces-equipment-purchase-and-financing-302241773.html FE Battery Metals Ltd. (CSE:FE) ("FE" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received the required exploration work permit from Quebec's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (Ministere des Ressources naturelles et des Forets, MRNF). The Company successfully held information meetings with the local municipality and First Nations communities to provide updates on the 2024 work program. Following these consultations, the work permit was officially issued. The Company is also pleased to announce the commencement of the 2024 exploration program at the Augustus Lithium Property. This program will include trenching, stripping, and channel sampling focused on lithium anomalies identified through 2023 soil sampling efforts. Additionally, new soil sampling grids will be established on the Property to identify further lithium exploration targets. The field crew will mobilize to the project in the by mid-September 2024. Afzaal Pirzada, P.Geo., Geological Consultant of the Company, and a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. New Exploration Permitting Requirements in Quebec In Quebec, beginning on May 6, 2024, an authorization (ATI) from the Quebec Mining Ministry, the Ministere des Ressources naturelles et des Forets (MRNF), will be required before conducting impact-causing exploration work. The following impact-causing exploration work (ATI) is now subject to the new exploration permitting requirement: (1) work carried out using hydraulic machinery or explosives, in particular (a) excavating in overburden, (b) rock stripping, (c) bulk sampling, (d) overburden or bedrock drilling, or (e) seismic refraction geophysical surveys; or (2) work carried out using a hydraulic pump for gold mining purposes. The MRNF has indicated that an ATI is not required for low-impact on-site exploration work, exploration work on land covered by a mining concession or a mining lease, exploration within a tailings area, or underground exploration. The MRNF will issue an ATI where a proponent satisfies the following conditions: (i) it has gathered and responded to the questions, requests and comments of the concerned municipalities and Indigenous communities; and (ii) it files a completed application form. The application form includes information required under the Regulation, in particular the identification of the zone of interest where the impact-causing exploration work will be carried out, the duration of the work, and a report on the exchanges with the applicable municipalities and Indigenous communities. About the Augustus Lithium Property The Company owns 100% interest in Augustus Lithium Property in Landrienne & Lacorne-Townships, Quebec, Canada. The Property consists of over 750 mining claims covering a total area of over 15,000 hectares located approximately 40 kilometres northwest of the town of Val d'Or on map sheets 32C/05 and 32D08. The Property claims are spread in several claim blocks optioned from different vendors. The Company has prepared a work plan on the property to continue to advance its exploration efforts with further surface work and diamond drilling ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF FE BATTERY METALS LTD. "Gurminder Sangha" Gurminder Sangha CEO & Director For further information, please contact the Company at: gsangha@febatterymetals.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Forward-looking Information Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. "Forward-looking information" in this news release includes information about the Company's information concerning the intentions, plans and future actions of the parties to the transactions described herein and the terms thereon. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions about the Company's ability to obtain required approvals. The Company has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of the Company's normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. SOURCE: FE Battery Metals Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com LAFAYETTE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2024 / RIGID, a leading provider of construction and industrial services, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Patriot Industries, a prominent player in the heavy civil construction sector. The acquisition was finalized on August 9, 2024, and marks a significant milestone in RIGID's ongoing strategy to expand its capabilities and market presence across the Gulf Coast and beyond. Expanding Capabilities and Market Reach The acquisition of Patriot Industries is a strategic move that will enhance RIGID's ability to deliver comprehensive construction solutions. Patriot Industries, founded in 2012 and based in Port Allen, Louisiana, has established itself as a trusted leader in heavy civil construction. The company specializes in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, including roadways, concrete construction, site development, and earthworks. Over the years, Patriot Industries, and its owners Baker Brooks, Chandler Rice, and Jack Rogers, have earned a strong reputation for its commitment to quality, safety, and innovation, serving clients across Louisiana and the broader Gulf Coast region. *"Patriot Industries has consistently demonstrated a commitment to quality, safety, and innovation, making them an ideal partner for RIGID Constructors,"* said Steve Means, CEO of RIGID Constructors. "By integrating their expertise and resources into our operations, we will be better positioned to take on more complex and larger-scale projects, while maintaining the high standards of service our clients expect." Patriot Industries: A Legacy of Excellence Patriot Industries has been at the forefront of the heavy civil construction industry in the Greater Baton Rouge Area for 12 years. The company has played a critical role in developing and maintaining essential infrastructure, including flood control systems, and large-scale land development projects. Known for its skilled workforce and implementation of new construction technologies, Patriot Industries has consistently delivered projects on time and within budget, earning the trust of public and private sector clients alike. The company's headquarters in Port Allen, Louisiana, serves as a strategic hub, allowing Patriot Industries to efficiently manage projects across the state and the Gulf Coast. The company's portfolio includes a range of projects, including The Comite Diversion's Cypress Bayou Rock Chute, which have contributed to the region's economic growth and infrastructure development. Seamless Integration for Enhanced Operations The integration process will be carefully managed to ensure that the strengths of Patriot Industries are fully leveraged within RIGID's' existing framework. Patriot's leadership team and key personnel will join RIGID, bringing with them decades of experience and a deep understanding of the heavy civil construction sector. This move will not only preserve the strong relationships Patriot Industries has built with its clients and partners but will also enhance RIGID's ability to deliver on its commitments. Operational Synergies and Future Growth Patriot Industries will operate as a subsidiary of RIGID Constructors in the near term, allowing for a smooth transition and the retention of its brand equity. Over time, the combined resources will facilitate operational synergies, including shared expertise in project management, advanced construction technologies, and a broader workforce. This buyout will enable RIGID to bid on and execute a wider range of projects, particularly in the private infrastructure sector. "We are thrilled to join forces with RIGID," said Baker Brooks, President of Patriot Industries. Our companies share a common vision of excellence and a commitment to safety and quality. Together, we will be able to offer enhanced services to our clients and pursue new opportunities that align with our growth objectives." Commitment to Safety and Quality Both RIGID Constructors and Patriot Industries are deeply committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality. The integration will focus on harmonizing safety protocols, ensuring that all projects adhere to industry best practices, and leveraging the combined expertise of both companies to set new benchmarks for operational excellence. Looking to the Future As RIGID Constructors and Patriot Industries move forward together, the combined entity is poised for significant growth. The acquisition is expected to create new job opportunities, stimulate economic development, and solidify RIGID Constructors' position as a leader in the heavy construction industry. Contact Information Megan Murphy Marketing Manager, Ivory Digital megan@ivorydigitalstudio.com (225) 255-0359 SOURCE: RIGID View the original press release on newswire.com. Regulatory News: BALYO (FR0013258399, Ticker: BALYO) (the "Company"), technology leader in the design and development of innovative robotic solutions for industrial trucks, today announces that an ordinary and extraordinary general meeting (the "Shareholders' Meeting") will be held on October 23, 2024, at 11 am (CEST), at the headquarters of the Company, located at 74 avenue Vladimir Ilitch Lenine 94110 Arcueil, France, in the perspective of a contemplated capital increase, with preferential subscription rights, of 36 million (the "Rights Issue The preliminary meeting notice will be published in French in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires, and will be available on the Company's website, in the "Investors" "General Assemblies" section. The purpose of the Shareholders' Meeting is to approve a delegation to the Board of Directors in order to allow the Company to reinforce its balance sheet through the completion of the contemplated Rights Issue. In addition to reinforcing its balance sheet, the objective of this rights issue is to allow the Company to satisfy its cash requirements for the 12-month period following the implementation of the Rights Issue. All documents related to the Shareholders' Meeting will be available on the Company's website, in the "Investors" "General Assemblies" section, within the legal timeframe, and shareholders will be notified by an announcement. The contemplated Rights Issue is subject to (i) the approval by the Shareholders' Meeting of a financial delegation to the Board of Directors, and (ii) the French Autorite des marches financiers' (the "AMF") approval on the prospectus relating to the Rights Issue. Upon satisfaction of the above-mentioned conditions, the SoftBank Group ("SoftBank" through SVF II Strategic Investments AIV LLC ("SSI AIV"), the main Company shareholder), is planning to (x) subscribe to the Rights Issue prorata its shareholding of circa 80% following partial conversion of the convertible bonds in the Company issued to SSI AIV and (y) in the event of any shares remaining unsubscribed at the completion of the rights issue period, SSI AIV is willing to subscribe for such shares, up to 100% of the offering. SSI AIV's subscriptions would be partially effected through set-off against the then outstanding amounts owed to SoftBank under (i) the shareholder loan executed on March 21, 20241 (approx. 13.2 million), and (ii) part of the convertible bonds issued by the Company and subscribed by SSI AIV on June 14, 20232 (approx. 2.7 million). SoftBank has indicated that it contemplates, following the completion of the Rights Issue, to keep the Company listed for a period of at least 12 months. The financial terms of the Rights Issue would be determined on the basis of the then-applicable market conditions. For any questions, please contact the Investor Relations team by email at the dedicated address: investors@balyo.com. About BALYO Humans around the World deserve enriching and creative jobs. At BALYO, we believe that pallet movements in DC and manufacturing sites should be left to fully autonomous robots. To execute this ambition, BALYO transforms standard forklifts into intelligent robots thanks to its breakthrough Driven by Balyo technology. Our leading geo guidance navigation system enables robots to locate their position and navigate autonomously inside buildings without the need for any additional infrastructure. To accelerate the material handling market conversion to autonomy, BALYO has entered into two global partnerships with KION (Fenwick-Linde's parent company) and Hyster-Yale Group. A full range of globally available robots has been developed for virtually all traditional warehousing applications; Tractor, Pallet, Stackers, Reach and VNA-robots. BALYO and its subsidiaries in Boston and Singapore serve clients in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The company has been listed on EURONEXT since 2017 and its sales revenue reached 26.7 million in 2023. For more information, visit www.balyo.com. 1 Find the terms and conditions on BALYO's investor website in the "Documentation" section. 2 "Proposed tender offer from SoftBank Group to acquire Balyo's shares", June 14, 2023 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240909052876/en/ Contacts: BALYO investors@balyo.com NewCap Financial Communication and Investor Relations Thomas Grojean Aurelie Manavarere Phone: +33 1 44 71 94 94 balyo@newcap.eu GREATER DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater Des Moines Partnership continues to bolster small business and entrepreneurial success with its innovative Spark DSM Business Incubator and Scale DSM Business Accelerator programs. Launched in 2022, these initiatives have become vital resources for small businesses of all backgrounds, including those from traditionally underserved communities, aiming to grow and scale within the Greater Des Moines (DSM) market. Spark DSM Business Incubator The Spark DSM Business Incubator initially started as a program of the Downtown Farmers' Market presented by UnityPoint Health - Des Moines. The Market team knew there were small businesses that would be good fits for the event that were not being reached by traditional application efforts and may not have known what it takes to be a Market vendor. The incubator model helped The Market reach new vendors and give them the opportunity to try out a booth space for a few times throughout The Market season to determine whether they wanted to apply to be a Market vendor for the following season. The incubator quickly expanded to include other major Partnership events such as the World Food & Music Festival presented by Veridian Credit Union. These signature events collectively draw nearly 1 million people annually to support local. Spark DSM has already assisted over 70 businesses since its inception. Notably, 23 vendors have transitioned to full-time market participants, with two opening brick-and-mortar locations: Nadia's French Bakery and Tullpa Restaurant, both examples of the program's impact on local economic growth. The Spark DSM Business Incubator is sponsored by EMC Insurance and Principal. Scale DSM Business Accelerator The Scale DSM Business Accelerator powered by Interise, now in its third year, continues to elevate established businesses through a rigorous seven-month program. Scale DSM helps businesses gain access to knowledge, management know-how and networks needed to increase revenue, create jobs and positively impact the community. Participants complete Interise's award-winning and internationally recognized StreetWise program, which is centered around practical, case-based peer learning for small businesses. With 14 participants in 2024 alone, and 19 successful graduates over the past two years, Scale DSM exemplifies The Partnership's commitment to helping businesses foster long-term financial success. Led by Ryan Bhattacharyya, a Professor of Practice in Management and Entrepreneurship at Iowa State University, the accelerator attracts businesses across diverse sectors including food service, retail, construction and more. Scale DSM is sponsored by Wells Fargo. Success Stories Participants in both programs have flourished, leveraging enhanced visibility, community connections and business training to expand their customer base and establish their brands. "The Spark DSM Business Incubator has been a transformative experience for my restaurant in many different ways," said Gloria Henriquez, owner of Tullpa Restaurant, a South American restaurant that bring the flavors and culinary traditions of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia to DSM. "It has been pivotal in increasing our visibility and attracting a broader audience, helping to elevate my restaurant to the next level." "We keep growing, and the Scale DSM Business Accelerator has helped with a focus on understanding the finances, the product we are offering and how to leverage our resources to complete projects," said Perlla Deluca, owner and CEO of Southeast Constructors, Inc., a women-owned Latina business that specializes in Heavy Construction in Des Moines and the Midwest. "It has given me additional confidence and helped me polish my skills to acquire more contracts and have a successful plan ahead." More information about program participants is available upon request. For more information about Spark DSM and Scale DSM as well as the Greater Des Moines region, visit the Greater Des Moines Partnership website. About the Greater Des Moines Partnership The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 400 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com. Contact: Kyle Oppenhuizen koppenhuizen@DSMpartnership.com (515) 286-4972 Learn More About DSM USA Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/688037/Greater_Des_Moines_Partnership_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/greater-des-moines-partnerships-spark-dsm-and-scale-dsm-programs-empower-small-businesses-to-thrive-302242320.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - Mineral Road Discovery Inc. (CSE: ROAD) (the "Company" or "Mineral Road") is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases of July 26, August 12 and August 15, 2024, it has increased and closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement and has raised an additional $7,500 through the issuance of 150,000 common shares at a price of $0.05 per share. All shares issued are subject to a four month hold period expiring January 7, 2025. Proceeds will be used for general working capital. Total raised to date pursuant to this Offering is $572,500. The securities referred to in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, unless an exemption from such registration is available. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities for sale, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities. Any public offering of securities in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus containing detailed information about the company and management, as well as financial statements. "United States" and "U.S. person" have the respective meanings assigned in Regulation S under the U.S Securities Act. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. Not for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222723 SOURCE: Mineral Road Discovery Inc. Top Four Conveyor Car Wash Company Wins a Gold Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Award Ahead of Company's 16th Annual Event on September 20th THOMASTON, GA / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2024 / Tidal Wave Auto Spa's Charity Day, the company's annual one-day philanthropy event in which the company donates 100% of wash proceeds to local charities and organizations, won a coveted Gold Future of Work Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Award for Best Initiative for Philanthropy and Corporate Giving for the second consecutive year. Tidal Wave Auto Sap Logo The company celebrates this achievement just a few weeks out from their 16th annual Charity Day event on Friday, September 20th. This year's event is set to be the company's largest Charity Day yet, with 269 participating Tidal Wave locations partnering with over 250 charitable organizations across their footprint. Over the event's 15-year history, Tidal Wave Auto Spa has donated over $1,360,000. "I'm thrilled that Charity Day has been awarded with another Gold Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Award in Philanthropy and Corporate Giving," said founder and CEO Scott Blackstock. "An incredible amount of collaboration and hard work happens behind the scenes year after year to make this event possible, and I'm very proud of the positive impact we've been able to make in our communities. We're looking forward to continuing this tradition for years to come." The 2024 Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards recognizes best practices for initiatives in Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Sales Performance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and the Future of Work. Entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group analysts, and executives based on these criteria: Alignment to their business need and environment. Program design, functionality and delivery. Adoption, integration, user experience, innovation and creativity. Overall effectiveness, impact, and measurable benefits. "Our award recipients demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence in human capital management," said Brandon Hall Group Chief Executive Officer Mike Cooke. "This year, we've witnessed some of the most groundbreaking applications of HCM strategies in our organization's history. Many of these innovations leverage cutting-edge technologies and foster unprecedented levels of cross-functional collaboration, resulting in remarkable improvements in operational efficiency and employee engagement." About Tidal Wave Auto Spa Tidal Wave Auto Spa is an industry-leading conveyor car wash company founded in 1999 by Scott and Hope Blackstock in Thomaston, GA. Tidal Wave is committed to providing cutting-edge car care technology and exceptional customer service at each of their 280 locations sprawling 28 states across the South, Midwest, and Northern United States. In 2020, Tidal Wave partnered with Golden Gate Capital to facilitate their accelerated growth across the country. Tidal Wave is one of the top five conveyor car wash companies in the country and has been included in the Inc. 5000 list for America's Fastest Growing Companies since 2020. The company was recognized as a 2023 Champion of Charity Honoree by Professional Carwashing & Detailing and has raised over $3 million dollars for organizations in their communities. Contact Information Heather Coleman Marketing Manager media@tidalwaveautospa.com Andrea Traylor Senior Director of Digital Marketing andrea.traylor@tidalwaveautospa.com 2058212220 Related Images Tidal Wave Auto Sap Logo SOURCE: Tidal Wave Auto Spa View the original press release on newswire.com. BROOKFIELD, News, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE: BAM, TSX: BAM) and Brookfield Corporation (NYSE: BN, TSX: BN) announced that they will host their Investor Day on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Brookfield Asset Management's event will run from 10:00 a.m. (ET) until 1:00 p.m. (ET). Brookfield Corporation's event will run from 2:00 p.m. (ET) to 4:00 p.m. (ET). The live webcast, along with copies of the presentations, can be accessed by all interested parties through https://brookfieldinvestorday.cventevents.com/9N3ezn (https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrookfieldinvestorday.cventevents.com%2F9N3ezn&data=05%7C02%7Calexandra.ellis%40brookfield.com%7Cdb30b8549a114303302308dccc1df428%7Cdaf884b0be164f2a8bbbdc6099a56844%7C0%7C0%7C638609676233214140%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pc1SH9HHJPKTHrWnAy4FoKfAFcIyEjBQUZ8ZXmwt26o%3D&reserved=0). Please register for the webcast at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the event to download any necessary software. For those unable to view the event live, a replay will be available on its website shortly after the event. About Brookfield Asset Management Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE: BAM, TSX: BAM) is a leading global alternative asset manager with approximately $1 trillion of assets under management across renewable power and transition, infrastructure, private equity, real estate, and credit. We invest client capital for the long-term with a focus on real assets and essential service businesses that form the backbone of the global economy. We offer a range of alternative investment products to investors around the world - including public and private pension plans, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, insurance companies and private wealth investors. We draw on Brookfield's heritage as an owner and operator to invest for value and generate strong returns for our clients, across economic cycles. About Brookfield Corporation Brookfield Corporation is a leading global investment firm focused on building long-term wealth for institutions and individuals around the world. We have three core businesses: Alternative Asset Management, Wealth Solutions, and our Operating Businesses which are in renewable power, infrastructure, business and industrial services, and real estate. We have a track record of delivering 15%+ annualized returns to shareholders for over 30 years, supported by our unrivaled investment and operational experience. Our conservatively managed balance sheet, extensive operational experience, and global sourcing networks allow us to consistently access unique opportunities. At the center of our success is the Brookfield Ecosystem, which is based on the fundamental principle that each group within Brookfield benefits from being part of the broader organization. Brookfield Corporation is publicly traded in New York and Toronto (NYSE: BN, TSX: BN). For more information, please visit our website at www.bam.brookfield.com or contact: Media Kerrie McHugh Tel: (212) 618-3469 Email: kerrie.mchugh@brookfield.com Investor Relations Jason Fooks Tel: (212) 417-2442 Email: jason.fooks@brookfield.com For more information, please visit our website at www.bn.brookfield.com or contact: Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSX: CJ) ("Cardinal" or the "Company") confirms that our September dividend of $0.06 per common share will be paid on October 15, 2024 to shareholders of record on September 30, 2024. The Board of Directors of Cardinal has declared the dividend payable in cash. This dividend has been designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes. About Cardinal Energy Ltd. Cardinal is a Canadian oil and natural gas company with operations focused on low decline oil in Western Canada. Cardinal differentiates itself from its peers by having the lowest decline conventional asset base in Western Canada. Cardinal has recently announced the commencement of its first thermal SAGD oil development project which will further increase the long-term sustainability of the Company. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222648 SOURCE: Cardinal Energy Ltd. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - Cypherpunk Holdings Inc. (CSE: HODL) (OTC Pink: CYFRF) ("Cypherpunk" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce it will be changing its name to "Sol Strategies Inc.". The Company's stock symbol on the Canadian Securities Exchange will remain as "HODL", and the Company expects its shares will commence trading under the new name on market opening on or about Thursday, September 12, 2024. A new CUSIP number has been obtained to replace the previous CUSIP number. No action will be required by existing shareholders with respect to the name change. Certificates representing common shares of the Company will not be affected by the name change and will not need to be exchanged. The Company encourages any shareholder with questions or concerns to contact the Company or to discuss any of the foregoing with their broker or agent. About Cypherpunk Holdings Inc. Cypherpunk Holdings is dedicated to investing in companies, technologies, and protocols within the blockchain ecosystem. With a strategic focus on cryptocurrency and blockchain innovation, the Company leverages its extensive industry expertise to identify and support high-potential opportunities in the digital asset space. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Generally, any statements that are not historical facts may contain forward-looking information and forward-looking information 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 indicates that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be" taken, "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to the Company's expectation or belief regarding its investment in shares of Animoca Brand and Animoca Brand's future performance or business. There is no assurance that the Company's plans or objectives will be implemented as set out herein, or at all. Forward-looking information is based on certain factors and assumptions the Company believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. 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 information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222725 SOURCE: Cypherpunk Holdings Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - Intellabridge Technology Corporation (CSE: KASH) (OTCQB: KASHF) (FSE: KASH) ("Intellabridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, in accordance with its Restricted Stock Unit Plan, the Board of Directors has approved the issuance of an aggregate of 180,000 Restricted Share Units ("RSUs") to its Independent Non-Executive Directors. The issuance of these RSUs is in recognition of the valuable contributions of the Directors in guiding the Company's strategic direction and growth. The RSUs will vest in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the Company's RSU Plan, subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) and compliance with all applicable securities laws and regulations. The total number of RSUs granted is 180,000, representing 0.25% of the Company's issued and outstanding share capital. Upon vesting, each RSU will entitle the holder to receive one common share of the Company. The Board of Directors believes that this grant aligns the interests of the Directors with those of the shareholders and reflects the Company's commitment to promoting and incentivizing its key leadership. The Company also informs the stakeholders and investors of the resignation of Ms. Terri Bell Clouse, who decided to step down from her position on the Board of Directors effective August 25, 2024. Ms. Terri Bell Clouse served as an Independent Director on the Board for more than 3 years. During her tenure, Ms. Terri made significant contributions to the company's strategic development and direction. Her leadership has been instrumental in helping the company's early stage of product development and marketing, and her support has been invaluable to the company's success. "Ms. Terri Bell Clouse has been instrumental in guiding Intellabridge through its formative stages, from product development to market launch. Her dedication and insightful leadership have been invaluable," said John Eagleton, CEO. "As we embark on the next chapter of our growth, we seek a successor who can propel Intellabridge to the forefront of the fintech industry, driving our mission for every transaction to have a positive social and environmental impact." The Board of Directors will begin the process of identifying a suitable successor to ensure a smooth transition and continued strong governance. Intellabridge Technology Corporation remains committed to maintaining a high standard of leadership and governance. The Board and management team are focused on delivering long-term value to our shareholders and stakeholders. The information provided herein, does not constitute material change for the Company. About Intellabridge Technology Corporation Intellabridge Technology Corporation (CSE: KASH) (OTCQB: KASHF) (FSE: KASH) is a fintech company in the business of impact finance with a mission to make every transaction have a positive impact on the world through its Karma cashback solutions and automated customizable donations to charitable organizations based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For more information on Intellabridge, visit www.intellabridge.com. For more information on the Karma Card, visit www.getkarmacard.com. For more information on Karma Connect, visit www.karmaconnect.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD of DIRECTORS INTELLABRIDGE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION "John Eagleton" John Eagleton, CEO The CSE 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/222750 SOURCE: Intellabridge Technology Corporation Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. (CSE: HPSS) (OTCQB: HPSIF) (FSE: E092) ("Hybrid" or the "Company"), a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, is pleased to announce a new order for its advanced power units from the California Air National Guard (CANG). This order was secured through the Company's strategic distributor, Military Battery Systems, Inc., further solidifying Hybrid's growing presence in the U.S. defense sector. This latest order demonstrates the continued adoption of Hybrid's innovative power solutions across various branches of the U.S. military. The Company's power units offer significant advantages over traditional power sources, providing a highly portable, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative that aligns with the increasing need for sustainable and reliable energy in military operations. "We are excited to support the California Air National Guard with our advanced power solutions," said Francois Byrne, CEO of Hybrid Power Solutions. "This order, facilitated by our valued partner Military Battery Systems, further validates the effectiveness and reliability of our products in meeting the rigorous demands of military applications. It also underscores the growing recognition of the importance of sustainable power solutions in enhancing operational capabilities while reducing environmental impact." Hybrid's power units are designed to deliver superior power quality, a critical feature for powering sensitive electronics and equipment used in modern military operations. This capability ensures a stable and clean power supply for crucial missions, enhancing overall effectiveness and reliability in the field. Key advantages of Hybrid's power units for military applications include: Enhanced Portability: Lightweight and compact design for easy transportation and rapid deployment. Superior Power Quality: Provides clean, stable power essential for sensitive electronic equipment. Reduced Environmental Impact: Offers a sustainable alternative to conventional power sources, supporting military sustainability initiatives. Low Noise Operation: Enables quieter operations, crucial for various military scenarios. Operational Flexibility: Capable of powering a wide range of equipment to support diverse mission requirements. "This order from the California Air National Guard represents another significant milestone in our journey to revolutionize power solutions for the military sector," added Byrne. "Our ongoing collaboration with Military Battery Systems continues to open doors to critical markets where the need for dependable, clean power is paramount. We remain committed to innovation and supporting the U.S. Armed Forces with cutting-edge power solutions that enhance their operational capabilities while advancing their sustainability goals." The growing relationship with various branches of the U.S. military, strengthened by the expertise of Military Battery Systems, is expected to drive further expansion in the defense sector. Hybrid Power Solutions continues to explore new opportunities to apply its innovative technology across various defense applications, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of military power solutions. About Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. is a Canadian clean energy innovator listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "HPSS". The company specializes in developing sustainable energy solutions that redefine power access and storage across industries. With a focus on innovation and environmental responsibility, Hybrid continues to lead the charge in providing scalable, cost-effective power solutions for a greener future. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222651 SOURCE: Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - Permex Petroleum Corporation (CSE: OIL) (FSE: 75P) ("Permex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce today that the common shares of the Company will be reinstated for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange"), effective September 9th, 2024, in connection with the revocation of the Company's cease trade order (the "CTO") issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission on April 16, 2024. The CTO was issued due to the Company's failure to file its audited and interim financial statements, the related management's discussion and analyses, and the related certifications for the year ended September 30, 2023, and the interim period ended December 31, 2023, respectively (together, the "CTO Financial Statements"). The CTO Financial Statements have now been filed and are available for review by interested parties on the SEDAR filing system. The Company has also filed interim financial statements, the related management's discussion and analysis, and the related certifications for the interim periods ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024 respectively. These additional filings are also available for review by interested parties on the SEDAR filing system. Private Placement The Company also has terminated its non-brokered private placement (the "Prior Offering") previously announced on February 28, 2024, April 16, 2024, May 29, 2024 and June 18, 2024, and now intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Current Offering") of up to 18,635 convertible debenture units of the Company (each, a "Unit"). Each Unit consists of one convertible debenture (a "Debenture") in the principal amount of US$1,000 and 245 common share purchase warrants (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable for a period of five years from the date of issuance for one common share of the Company (a "Share") at an exercise price of US$4.90. The Debentures will mature (the "Maturity Date") one-year from the date of issuance. The Debentures will bear simple interest at a rate of 15%, payable on the Maturity Date or the date on which all or any portion of the Debenture is repaid. Interest will be paid in cash or Shares based on a conversion price of US$4.08 (the "Conversion Price"), subject to Exchange approval. At any time during the term of the Debentures, a holder of Debentures may elect to convert the outstanding principal and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon into Shares at the Conversion Price. The Debentures will automatically convert into Shares at the Conversion Price in the event the Company completes a financing of Shares for aggregate gross proceeds of at least US$7,500,000, where the price per Share sold in such financing is equal to, or greater than, the Conversion Price. The proceeds of the Current Offering are expected to be used for drilling and development, any future acquisition transactions the Company may engage in, and general working capital purposes. The Units being offered in the Current Offering will be offered only to persons who either qualify as an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or who are located outside of the United States and are not a "U.S. person" as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. In connection with the Current Offering, the Company may pay finders' fees as permitted by the policies of the Exchange. All securities issued pursuant to the Current Offering and underlying securities will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under the U.S. Securities Act and other applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside of Canada. None of the securities to be offered in either the Current Offering or the Prior Offering have been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or under any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This news release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the U.S. Securities Act. About Permex Petroleum Corporation Permex Petroleum (CSE: OIL) (FSE: 75P) is a uniquely positioned junior oil & gas company with assets and operations across the Permian Basin of West Texas and the Delaware Sub-Basin of New Mexico. The Company focuses on combining its low-cost development of Held by Production assets for sustainable growth with its current and future Blue-Sky projects for scale growth. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Permex Petroleum US Corporation, is a licensed operator in both states, and owns and operates on private, state and federal land. For more information, please visit www.permexpetroleum.com. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws that is intended to be covered by the safe harbours created by those laws. "Forward-looking information" includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking information includes, without limitation, information regarding the date the Company's shares will be reinstated for trading on the Exchange, the completion of the Current Offering and the use of proceeds from the Current Offering. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made, including without limitation, that: the Company's shares will be reinstated for trading on the Exchange; the Company will complete the Current Offering as anticipated, or at all; and that the Company will be able to use the proceeds from the Current Offering as anticipated. Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including without limitation: that the Company may not be reinstated for trading on the Exchange in a timely manner, or at all; the inability for the Company to close the Current Offering; the inability to use the proceeds from the Current Offering as expected; recent market volatility; and the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities. 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. We seek safe harbor. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222760 SOURCE: Permex Petroleum Corporation ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and France Digitale, the leading startup association in Europe, are once again partnering to co-host CES Tech Trends, a global kickoff event for CES 2025 . CES Tech Trends will be held on September 18, 2024 at the Musee des Arts Forains in Paris during France Digitale's FDDay 2024 , a top innovation event that convenes European entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to discuss the latest trends in business, tech, and society. CES Tech Trends will preview what to expect at CES 2025. Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2025 returns to Las Vegas January 7-10, 2025. "We are thrilled to return to Paris for CES Tech Trends, kicking off the road to CES 2025 with a showcase of French innovation that's solving some of the world's biggest challenges," said Gary Shapiro, CEO, CTA. "We look forward to our renewed partnership with France Digitale and to seeing the best of France's dynamic innovation ecosystem." CES Tech Trends will feature conference programming highlighting entrepreneurship and its global impact, the latest market research, and the fastest-growing global tech trends leading into CES 2025. FDDay stands as the most exciting startup "family reunion" in Europe and returns for its 12th edition in 2024. This year, over 4000 founders, investors and innovation leaders will gather to inspire creativity, close deals with partners, network, and raise funds with investors. "We are very happy to partner once again with CTA to co-host the CES Tech Trends during our FDDay in Paris. It's a tremendous recognition of the importance of the French innovation ecosystem in the world and its strategic role crafting the new trends driving tech in 2024 and beyond." said Maya Noel, managing director, France Digitale. French innovation continues to drive groundbreaking advances in the global technology industry. More than 215 French companies, including 180 startups, exhibited at CES 2024, making the French startup delegation among the largest at the 2024 show. Registration to attend CES Tech Trends and FDDay 2024 in Paris is open . For more information, visit www.francedigitale.org . For the latest information on CES 2025, visit CES.tech . About France Digitale: Founded in 2012, France Digitale is the largest startup association in Europe, bringing together over 2000 startups and investors (venture capitalists and business angels). The association's goal is to help build Europe's future tech champions by uniting and raising the voice of those who innovate to change the face of the world. France Digitale is co-presided by Frederic Mazzella, Chairman and founder of BlaBlacar, and Benoist Grossmann, CEO of Eurazeo. Learn more on www.francedigitale.org . About CES: CES is the most powerful tech event in the world - the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This is where the world's biggest brands do business and meet new partners, and the sharpest innovators hit the stage. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES features every aspect of the tech sector. CES 2025 takes place Jan. 7-10, 2025, in Las Vegas. Learn more at CES.tech and follow CES on social. About Consumer Technology Association (CTA): As North America's largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world's leading innovators - from startups to global brands - helping support more than 18 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES - the most powerful tech event in the world. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2212991/CES_CTA_Logo1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/frances-top-innovative-startup-event-dives-in-to-ces-tech-trends---most-powerful-tech-show-returns-to-paris-for-france-digitales-fdday-302242698.html ArcanaBio, a Copenhagen, Denmark-based biotech company developing developing diagnostic technologies, raised funding from BioInnovative Institute (BII). The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its R&D sector. Led by CEO Kristjan Gunnarsson, ArcanaBio is a biotech company dedicated to developing diagnostic technologies, with a focus on nano-photonics and biosensors. The company aims to bring laboratory-grade testing into everyday environments, empowering individuals to take charge of their health. Leveraging novel nano-photonics technology coupled with AI, its liquid biopsy solution aims to enable the protein characterization, bringing reference-grade diagnostics to the home. ArcanaBio will join BIIs Deep Tech Lab Quantum program in Copenhagen from September 2024. FinSMEs 09/09/2024 Candid Therapeutics, a San Diego, CA-based biotechnology company dedicated to developing potentially transformative drugs to address autoimmune diseases, raised $370M in funding. The round was co-led by Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, Fairmount, TCGX, and venBio Partners. Other healthcare investors included Foresite Capital, Third Rock Ventures, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Samsara BioCapital, Qiming Venture Partners USA, OrbiMed, Boxer Capital, Redmile Group, Vida Ventures, Two River, Franklin Templeton, LifeSci Venture Partners, Mirae Asset Capital Life Science, Polaris Innovation Fund, Soleus Capital and others. Candid Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated discovering and developing therapeutic programs that address unmet medical needs in immunology. In addition to the funding, Candid acquired Vignette Bio and TRC 2004. This acquisition integrates two bispecific TCEs: CND106, a BCMAxCD3 bispecific antibody from Vignette Bio, which was initially founded by Foresite Labs who exclusively licensed ex-China rights for the drug candidate from EpimAb Biotherapeutics. CND261, a CD20xCD3 bispecific antibody from TRC 2004, which was established through a collaboration between Two River and Third Rock Ventures who exclusively licensed ex-China rights for the drug candidate from Genor Biopharma. CND106 and CND261 have both completed Phase 1 dose escalation studies with combined data in over 130 oncology patients. Both drug candidates have shown potential to become therapies for various autoimmune diseases. The founding team of Candid includes: Ken Song Timothy Lu Bernie Huyghe Arvind Kush FinSMEs 09/09/2024 Ingo Payments, an Alpharetta, GA-based company which specializes in account funding and disbursements solutions defined as Money Mobility, acquired Deposits, a Dallas, TX-based provider of modern banking software tools and infrastructure. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. This acquisition accelerates the launch of Ingos Modern Money Stack, which will enable banks, fintechs and brands to transform money flows into full, feature-rich accounts that foster new relationships, revenue streams, and utility, delivered in a modern, modular, compliant and cost-efficient way. Led by CEO Joseph Akintolayo, Deposits is a fintech company providing modern banking software and infrastructure. It offers a suite of modular, API-driven solutions that enable banks and organizations of all sizes to rapidly build and deploy customized financial products and deliver financial experiences through its technology platform. Led by CEO Drew Edwards, Ingo Payments, an Ingo Money Inc. brand, enables banks, fintechs and brands to build, launch, and scale innovative financial experiences through its bank-grade, compliance-first end-to-end platform, complete with money mobility capabilities built on modern money stack, that provides the foundation for account funding, mobile deposits, payouts, digital wallets, bank account creation, card issuing, PFM, and rewards solutions across a wide range of industries and use cases. By vertically integrating issuing, payment processing, and risk underwriting services, it helps clients reduce third-party risk, operational complexity, and cost, while accelerating time to market. Founded 23 years ago in partnership with a traditional bank, Ingo operated twelve bank branches serving the underserved Latino population in Atlanta. FinSMEs 09/09/2024 Netflix added new disclaimers to the six-episode show last week after its officials were summoned by Indias information and broadcasting ministry read more Indian news agency ANI has sued Netflix Inc (NFLX.O), opens new tab and producers of an Indian series about a plane hijack, asking for four episodes to be taken down as they used ANI content without permission, ANIs lawyer told Reuters on Monday. The series, called IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack - a fictionalised version of the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814 from Kathmandu - has been embroiled in controversy since its release last month. Advertisement Social media users and members of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party have criticised the show for what they said was an incorrect portrayal of the hijackers as Hindus with Hindu names when they were Muslims. Netflix added new disclaimers to the six-episode show last week after its officials were summoned by Indias information and broadcasting ministry. It also said the code names used in the series reflected those used during the actual event. They have used copyright archival footage of ANI without licence, they have also used the (ANI) trademark, Sidhant Kumar, counsel for ANI, said. Since the series has come into such criticism, our trademark and brandname is being tarnished, Kumar said, adding that ANI wants Netflix to take down four episodes where its content has been used. The Delhi High Court had agreed to hear the case and sought the response of Netflix, he said. There was no immediate response from Netflix for a request for comment from Reuters, which has a minority stake in ANI. India blames Pakistan and Pakistan-based militant groups for the December 1999 hijack, which was resolved after New Delhi freed three Islamist militants, including Masood Azhar, the head of one such group. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, is on a two-day official visit to India. He is holding bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi and will call on President Droupadi Murmu. The trip assumes importance as the two countries seek to enhance their historical relationship and increase cooperation in new areas read more The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is on his first official visit to India. Upon his arrival at New Delhi airport on Sunday (September 8), he was received by commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and accorded a ceremonial welcome. His two-day official visit begins today (September 9). The Crown Prince, who is accompanied by several ministers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government and a business delegation, is meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bilateral talks. Advertisement What is on the agenda and why is the visit of Abu Dhabis Crown Prince to India significant? Lets dive deeper. India-UAE ties India and the UAE have historical ties defined by centuries-old maritime trade. India is the UAEs second-largest trading partner after China. For India, the UAE is one of the top export destinations. In 2022, the two nations signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to enhance trade and reach the target of $100 billion by the end of the decade. Since then, the trade between India and the UAE has touched historic highs from $72.9 billion in FY22 to $84.5 billion in FY23. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the UAE was among the top investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments (FDI) in 2022-23. During PM Modis last visit to the UAE in February, the two countries signed the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). As per The Hindu, this made the UAE the only nation with which New Delhi has both a trade and an investment pact. India and the UAEs partnership transcends beyond trade. The 3.5 million-strong Indian diaspora in the Gulf nation its largest expatriate group is an integral part of the growth and development of the UAEs economy and society, as per the MEA. The UAE, along with other Gulf Cooperation Council nations, is among the major contributors to Indias foreign remittance inflow. Advertisement Recently, the central banks of the two countries green-lit the use of local currencies (Rupees and Dirhams) for cross-border transactions including trade, remittance, and investment flows. As per Businessline, Indias popular Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has been linked to the UAEs instant payment system Aani, which is expected to benefit the Indians living in the Gulf country. Moreover, Indias Rupay cards can also be used in the UAE. Defence and security cooperation between the two countries has witnessed a boost in recent years. The defence ties have evolved to incorporate training, joint naval and air exercises, high-level exchanges and conducting an Annual Defence Dialogue. Advertisement New Delhi and Abu Dhabi also engage in multilateral cooperation. They are part of the India-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC) to improve global connectivity. With Indias support, the UAE joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a dialogue partner last May. The India-UAE-France trilateral initiative was launched in 2023. India and the UAE also coordinate on the I2U2 initiative with the United States and Israel. The UAE has also joined the BRICS grouping. While Indian companies have a presence in the UAE, some top enterprises from the Gulf country do business in India. The two nations plan to expand technological ties by building digital infrastructure, research and development (R&D) for energy security and trade focusing on green hydrogen and energy storage, as per The Hindu. Advertisement India and the UAE have displayed their strong relationship on the world stage multiple times. PM Modi alone has made seven trips to the UAE in his 10-year tenure. He was invited to inaugurate a Rs 700-crore BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi this February, which is built on the land gifted by UAE ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Abu Dhabis Crown Prince in India The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi will pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on Monday (September 9). Besides interacting with PM Modi on a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation, Sheikh Khaled will also call on President Droupadi Murmu. Advertisement He and PM Modi could discuss the wider outcomes of Israels ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza, reported NDTV. A historic visit begins as HH Shk Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi arrives in . Shk Khaled was received by Hon. @CimGOI @PiyushGoyal followed by a ceremonial welcome. @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/IyizxHYBb3 India in UAE (@IndembAbuDhabi) September 8, 2024 On the second day of his official trip, the Crown Prince will be in Mumbai to take part in a business forum, which will also mark the presence of business leaders from the two nations. As per a Reuters report, India and the UAE could review their trade agreement CEPA in the wake of concerns by Indian industry over a sharp rise in imports of precious metals from the Gulf country. Sources told the news agency that the Crown Prince was unlikely to participate in the review talks. ALSO READ: Why life insurance for Indian workers in UAE matters The significance of the trip As this is Sheikh Khaleds first official visit to India as the Crown Prince, it assumes all the more importance. His participation in the business forum in Mumbai highlights the growing trade and investment partnership between the two nations, reported Financial Express. The visit signifies the increasing strategic importance of the ties between India and the UAE. According to the MEA, India and (the) UAE share historically close and friendly ties. In recent years, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and (the) UAE has deepened in a wide range of areas including political, trade, investment, connectivity, energy, technology, education, and culture. The Crown Princes visit will further reinforce strong India-UAE bilateral relations and open avenues for partnership in new and emerging areas. With inputs from agencies A new report by Unison, the UKs largest trade union, shows that local governments across Wales, Scotland and England are billions of dollars in the red and at risk of widespread collapse. Some experts have pointed the finger at the previous Conservative governments policy of austerity cuts, but others have blamed local authorities decision-making and poor governance read more Unison in the report noted that eight councils in the UK have effectively declared bankruptcy known as Section 114 since 2018. UKs local governments are at risk of collapse. A new report shows that governments across Wales, Scotland and England are billions of dollars in the red. This could result in critical services like garbage collection being affected and result in massive cuts to government jobs. It comes in the backdrop of the new Labour government set to unveil the first Budget of its term on October 30. But what do we know about this report? Why are the local governments at risk of collapse? Advertisement Lets take a closer look: What do we know? The report was put out by Unison the UKs largest trade union. It was compiled based on financial documents in the public domain as well as councils estimates of their finances. The paper warned that local governments faced a shortfall of $5.6 billion in their funding this coming year. There is a serious risk of the widespread collapse of local government, the document read as per CNN. It also added that the shortfall could nearly double to around $11.1 billion if the financial gaps remain unplugged. Unison in the report noted the massive shortfall local authorities are facing. Councils are required by law to set a balanced budget, which means they must take steps to deal with any funding gaps, a task thats becoming increasingly difficult. Many councils have been forced to announce job cuts, reduce services, and increase charges to residents and businesses. They have also had to use their own cash, the paper noted. Unison in the report noted that eight councils in the UK have effectively declared bankruptcy known as Section 114 since 2018. It noted that councils shuttered 1,243 youth centers and 1,168 childrens centers from 2010 to 2023. Meanwhile, the UK closed 1,629 public toilets and another 1,376 libraries in that period. Advertisement Councils are teetering on the brink of financial disaster, Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said in a statement as per CNN. Unison predicted that Hampshire, Bradford, Birmingham, Somerset and Leicester councils would face the largest funding gaps by 2025-2026. Birmingham, the UKs second-largest city, essentially declared itself bankrupt in September 2023. These constituencies are followed by Kent, Surrey, Nottingham, Cornwall and Leeds. Why are local governments at risk of collapse? Some experts have pointed the finger at the previous Conservative governments policy of austerity cuts. As per Financial Express, Britain first began cutting funding to local governments in the aftermath of the 2008-2009 financial crisis. Unison quoted the Institute for Fiscal as noting that councils funding fell nine per cent between 2010-11 and 2024-2025. Advertisement This, despite a substantial increases in demand for services. Countless essential services and very many vital jobs are at risk, with terrible consequences for communities across Britain After 14 years of ruthless austerity, the very fabric of local society is under threat, McAnea added as per CNN. The Tories launched austerity under the David Cameron government in the aftermath of the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Local authorities were clobbered by the previous government, whose harsh financial settlements left councils with no option but to sell off the family silver, auction off green spaces, close key community facilities and let thousands of workers go, McAnea told Financial Times. Advertisement Theres an unquestionable need to turn the page on the destructive cuts of the past and prioritise investment in services and staff. But others have said this is an oversimplification. Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of think-tank the Local Government Information Unit told BBC, With every council that issues a section 114 there are specific circumstances, there are decisions that have been made that have led them to that point. And its appropriate in those cases to ask questions about decision-making, governance, and accounting. As per BBC, Birmingham is in the hole due over an equal pay lawsuit and a substandard new IT system, while Nottingham lost millions after council-owned energy firm Robin Hood Energy cratered in 2020. Thurrock, meanwhile, put in hundreds of millions in commercial investments which were later found to be overhyped. Croydon has inefficient local government and invested in a housebuilding scheme that has been delayed. Advertisement But Carr-West did note a systematic problem with local government financing. Over the last 13 years, weve seen the amount of money that central government gives to local government reduced by more than 40 per cent, Carr-West added. A UK government spokesperson told CNN the new regime would fix the foundations of local government. We will get councils back on their feet by getting the basics right providing more stability through multi-year funding settlements, ending competitive bidding for pots of money and reforming the local audit system, the spokesperson added. With inputs from agencies A two-week standoff between the cops and his followers ended after celebrity Filipino preacher Apollo Quiboloy surrendered on Sunday. He is facing charges of sexual abuse and human trafficking in the Philippines. A longtime friend of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, the 74-year-old pastor is also wanted in the US read more Apollo Quiboloy, head of The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, a non-Catholic religious group and spiritual adviser to then Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, speaks during a press conference in Davao City on May 23, 2016. File Photo/AFP A celebrity Filipino preacher, accused of sexual abuse and human trafficking, who was on the run for months was arrested on Sunday (September 8). Apollo Carreon Quiboloy reportedly surrendered in the southern city of Davao amid a two-week manhunt in his sprawling religious complex. Confirming the news in a Facebook post, the Philippines Interior Minister Benhur Abolos posted a picture with the accused and wrote, Pastor Quiboloy has been caught! Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed owner of the universe, is wanted on similar charges of sexual abuse and allegations of human trafficking in the Philippines and the United States. Advertisement Lets take a look at who he is and how he was finally arrested. Who is Apollo Quiboloy? Quiboloy, 74, founded the religious group Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in 1985 in Davao City, Philippines, a majority-Catholic country. The church, which claims to have seven million (70 lakhs) followers worldwide, reportedly has a 75-acre compound in the southern Philippines. As per KOJCs official website, the church runs several businesses, including a college, resort and media outlets in the Southeast Asian country. Evangelist pastor Apollo Quiboloy (L) welcomes senator and presidential candidate Manuel Villar (C) and his vice-presidential candidate Loren Legarda during his 60th birthday celebration in Davao city, southern Philippines April 25, 2010. File Photo/Reuters Quiboloy, who calls himself an appointed son of god, claimed in 2019 that he stopped a major earthquake from hitting the southern Philippines, as per the Associated Press (AP) report. The preacher has a close relationship with former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. Quiboloy, a longtime friend of the former leader, served as his spiritual adviser, wielding immense influence over local and national politicians. Duterte relied on the pastors vocal support for his political campaigns, reported New York Times (NYT). Wanted by FBI The Filipino pastor is wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In 2021, a federal grand jury in California indicted him on various charges including conspiracy, sex trafficking of children and sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, as per The Washington Post report. The other charges included marriage fraud, money laundering, cash smuggling and visa fraud, reported AP. Advertisement The US indictment accused Quiboloy and his alleged accomplices of operating a sex trafficking ring that coerced women and underage girls as young as 12 to have sex with the preacher under threats of abuse and eternal damnation. According to US prosecutors, for about 15 years, the survivors were forced to devote their lives and bodies to Quiboloy, including by having sex with him which he called night duty. The evangelist preacher has also been accused of orchestrating a labour trafficking scheme that brought church members to the US through fraudulently obtained visas, CNN reported citing prosecutors. These members were forced to drum up donations for a bogus California-based charity. Advertisement A federal warrant was issued for Quiboloys arrest in the US in November 2021. He is on the FBIs most wanted list, which described his aliases as Sir, Pastor and The Appointed Son of God, as per the NYT report. However, no US warrant was served in the Philippines, where he continued to preach from the churchs headquarters in Davao City. Quiboloy has rejected all charges against him. ALSO READ: Who is Alice Guo? Ex-Mayor of a small Philippine town, accused of being a spy for China Arrested, finally Quiboloy went into hiding earlier this year after a Philippine court ordered his arrest on allegations of child and sexual abuse and human trafficking. Advertisement According to AP, the Philippine Senate separately directed his arrest for failing to appear in public committee hearings looking into criminal charges against him. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had urged Quiboloy to surrender, assuring him of fair treatment by authorities. In April, the embattled pastor, as per The Sun, had said: I am not hiding from the charges because I am guilty. Thats not true. I am just protecting myself. Last month, about 2,000 police officers backed by riot squads surrounded the church compound in Davao where Quiboloy was believed to be hiding. A large number of his followers turned up and tried to block the authorities. They allegedly threw stones at officers and blocked a highway with burning tyres, Davao police said, as per CNN. Advertisement The police spokesperson Major Catherina dela Rey said cops had to deploy teargas to disperse the angry mob after they became unruly and violent, reported The Sun. ALSO READ: 58 in Kenya starve themselves to meet Jesus: The demons of cult explained During the police raid, the Philippine Justice Department said officers rescued two trafficking victims a woman and a 20-year-old man from the compound, as per The Washington Post. Cops believed the pastor was hiding in an underground bunker in his religious complex. In the days leading to his arrest, police told NYT they used thermal imaging and radar technology that recorded the warmth and heartbeat of a human body, deep in the earth. At 1:30 pm (11:00 am IST) local time, Quiboloy and his four aides were given a 24-hour ultimatum to come out of the churchs sprawling compound by Sunday. They surrendered four hours later, as per the Philippine News Agency. The Philippine National Police gave an ultimatum for them to surrender, otherwise, we would raid a particular building, where weve been barred from entering, another police spokesperson was quoted as saying by AP. Apollo Quiboloy (3rd R), Philippine pastor and founder of the Philippines-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church, and co-accused (in orange) are presented to members of the media during a press conference presided by Philippines Secretary of Interior Benjamin Abalos Jr. (L) inside the national police headquarters in Manila on September 9, 2024. AFP The pastor and four other co-accused were flown out of Davao by military aircraft and taken to the national police headquarters in Manila on Sunday night. The pastors arrest concluded the two-week-long standoff between the police and his supporters. On Monday, the Philippine President said Quiboloy would not get special treatment. There is no special treatment. We will treat him like any other arrested person and respect his rights. We will demonstrate once again that our judicial system in the Philippines is active, vibrant and working, he said, as per Reuters. Quiboloys lawyer, Israelito Torreon, said the pastor surrendered to avoid the situation from escalating. The innocence of Quiboloy will be affirmed by the court, Torreon told DZBB radio. The surrender was a formality. At the end of the day, whether he likes it or not, the end result will ultimately be the same, Torre added. For now, Quiboloy will remain in the Southeast Asian nation. The Philippines Department of Justice has said he will first face trial and serve any sentence in the country before any extradition request by the US is granted. With inputs from agencies The Indian community in over 25 countries gathered on Sunday to demand justice in the rape and murder case of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. An alumni of the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital spearheaded these global protests read more Protest against the rape and murder of a trainee medic in Kolkata in Stockholm, Sweden. It has been a month since the gruesome rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College on August 9 shocked India and the world. The case continues to unravel with the Supreme Court asking the Central Bureau of Investigation to submit a new status report by September 17. The Reclaim the Night protests have gripped West Bengal for weeks now, as Sunday witnessed a wave of demonstrations with thousands taking to the streets demanding justice. The anger is growing and spreading beyond India. The Indian communities in more than 130 cities across 25 countries have joined the stir. While the protests began in small groups across Japan, Australia, Taiwan and Singapore on Sunday (September 8), they quickly spread to cities in several European countries and the United States. Advertisement Protests across the globe In Swedens Stockholm, a large group of black-clad women gathered in Sergels Torg Square to sing songs in Bengali and hold signs demanding accountability for the crime and safety of Indian women, reports Reuters. The news of this heinous crime committed on a young trainee doctor while on duty numbed and shocked each of us at the sheer ruthlessness, brutality and disregard of human life, said Dipti Jain, an organiser of the global demonstrations. People from the Indian diaspora gather to protest the rape and murder of a trainee medic in Kolkata in Dublin, California, US Reuters Jain, now a British citizen and alumni of the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, organised a women doctors protest in the UK last month. Supreme Court to hear case on September 9 The Supreme Court heard the case on Monday (September 9). Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has asked the CBI to submit a fresh status by next week. He sought clarification on the victims time of death and the unnatural death entry made after. The matter will be taken up on September 17. The Centre has recently filed an application in the apex court alleging unpardonable non-cooperation by the West Bengal government in extending logistical support to the CISF, tasked with providing security at the hospital. The CJI has now asked the officer of the home department and CISF to ensure all companies of CISF are provided accommodation within the hospitals vicinity. We direct an officer of the home department and the CISF shall jointly ensure that all companies of CISF are provided accommodation within the vicinity of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, he said. Advertisement Dean of RG Kar Medical suspended The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested the former principal of the RG Kar Medical College, Dr Sandip Ghosh, on September 2 for alleged financial irregularities at the hospital. As per a report by India Today, there were instances indicating the syphoning of funds by collusive tender management, and the money then reached the accused in this case. CBI sources said further verification and investigation were going on. CBI officials produce the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh, arrested in connection with the alleged financial misconduct at the establishment, at a City Court in Kolkata. PTI The case stems from allegations levelled by Dr Akhtar Ali, a former deputy superintendent at RG Kar. Ali accused Ghosh and his associates of wastage of government funds, nepotism, and irregularities in vendor selection and recruitment. Advertisement The anti-rape bill On September 3, the West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the State Legislative Assembly, aiming to create a safer environment for women and children. Speaking in the Assembly, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, Rape is now a national shame. Let us come together for social reform which is needed to prevent rapes. Also Read: Kolkata rape-murder: Who is Anup Dutta, the policeman under scanner as CBI demands polygraph test? The legislation proposes capital punishment for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victims death or cause her to become vegetative. Advertisement The case A junior doctor was murdered and raped at the state-run hospital. The medics body with severe injury marks was found inside the seminar hall of the hospitals chest department on August 9. A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case the following day. The hospital authorities reportedly tried to cover up the crime by first telling the victims family that she died by suicide. The parents of the Kolkata doctor have also accused the Kolkata Police of attempting to destroy evidence since the beginning of the case. With inputs from agencies India reports suspected case of mpox Xinhua) 11:06, September 09, 2024 NEW DELHI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- India's federal health ministry on Sunday said a suspected case of mpox (monkeypox) was identified in the country. "A young male patient, who recently traveled from a country currently experiencing mpox transmission, has been identified as a suspect case of mpox. The patient has been isolated in a designated hospital and is currently stable," the ministry said in a statement. Mpox is a zoonotic disease that presents symptoms which include fever, an extensive characteristic rash and usually swollen lymph nodes. The World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern in mid-August, warning of the potential for increased transmission of the disease globally. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Japans Prince Hisahito turned 18 on Friday, September 6, becoming the first male royal family member to reach adulthood in almost four decades. He is the youngest of the 17-member all-adult imperial family, which currently has only four men. Hisahitos status as the last heir apparent poses a major problem for a system that doesnt allow empresses read more In this photo provided by Japan's Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Prince Hisahito, the son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, is pictured at the Akasaka Palace imperial garden in Tokyo, July 15, 2024. AP For many, turning 18 may be a typical life achievement, but for the royal family of Japan, it marks a significant milestone. Prince Hisahito, the son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, turned 18 on Friday, September 6, becoming the first male royal family member to reach adulthood in almost four decades. Announcing his official adult status within the Imperial family, Prince Hisahito expressed his desire to gain knowledge through each and every experience, absorb various things and grow through them. Advertisement It is even more special for a family that has ruled for more than a millennium but faces the same existential problems as the rest of the nation a fast-ageing, shrinking population. Heres all we know about him. About Prince Hisahito Hisohito, set to become emperor one day, is the nephew of Japanese Emperor Naruhito. He is enrolled in a Tokyo high school that is connected to the University of Tsukuba for his third year of study. A 2022 Civil Code amendment reduced the age of adulthood from 20 to 18, meaning that he has already attained maturity while still a high school student. His father, Crown Prince Akishino, was the last male to reach adulthood in the family in 1985. Hisahito is the youngest of the 17-member all-adult imperial family, which currently has only four men. In this photo provided by Japans Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Crown Prince Akishino, center, poses for a photograph with his wife Crown Princess Kiko, second right, and their children, Princess Mako, left, Princess Kako, right, and Prince Hisahito, second left, at their residence in Tokyo on November 14, 2020. AP On the members birthday, ceremonies have historically been held to commemorate their admission as an adult member, according to The Japan News. Hisahitos rituals, however, will take place in the spring of the next year or later to avoid interfering with his university preparations. Among the rituals are the Choken-no-Gi initial audience with the Emperor and Empress, as well as donning a crown that the Emperor gave him. Advertisement Prince Hisahito has long been interested in insects and even co-authored an academic paper on a survey of dragonflies on the grounds of his Akasaka estate in Tokyo. In his statement, he said he wanted to cherish his remaining months of high school and to continue working hard to pursue his future ambitions. Hisahitos status as the last heir apparent poses a major problem for a system that doesnt allow empresses. Succession problem There have been eight empresses in Japans patrilineal line of succession, with the last one ascending to the throne in the 18th century. The lineage is said to have originated with the sun goddess Amaterasu around 600 BC. Advertisement However, Japan Today notes that throughout the countrys imperial history, there has never been an emperor or empress descended from a matrilineal family. The current emperor of Japan is Naruhito, the grandson of Hirohito, the emperor with the longest reign. With his wife Masako, he has one daughter, Princess Aiko, who is 22 years old. Only three people can claim the throne for him: his presumed younger brother Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino (58), his nephew Prince Hisahito, 17, and his paternal uncle Prince Hitachi (88). Despite being much celebrated, Naruhitos succession issue persisted after Aikos birth in 2001. Princess Aiko, a former diplomat with a Harvard education, is the publics pick to become the empress. Advertisement Despite her direct line of descent, the current legislation prohibits her from assuming that job. It did, however, prompt the Japanese government to start discussing whether to amend the legislation to let women to succeed to the throne. When Fumihitos wife gave birth to Prince Hisahito in 2006, the matter seemed to have been settled. According to DW, governments have since learnt that a single male heir is not a long-term solution. The administration is currently discussing ways to maintain stable succession without depending on females. A mostly conservative government panel entrusted with maintaining stable succession postponed making a judgement on whether to make women or members of matrilineal families eligible for the throne in 2021. Advertisement In a poll conducted by Kyodo News, 52 per cent of respondents said they agreed with the panels decision to postpone, while 46 per cent opposed, practically splitting the nation. Critics say those measure would have a limited effect as long as the male-only succession is maintained because it is workable largely with the help of concubines in the pre-modern era, according to The Associated Press. A possible solution According to The Week, which cited DW, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) appears to be leaning towards amending the law to expand the imperial family and head off a succession crisis. The LDP declared in January that the 2021 measures are now realistic, indicating a change in its viewpoint. First, instead of making the current rule that female imperial family members who marry off become commoners incapable of bearing male children, they should be allowed to keep their royal rank. The second is to restore family lines that were lopped off following Japans surrender to dramatically reduce the emperors power by occupation officials. With both plans, the emperors family would have a far larger pool of descendants and a higher chance of a male heir. Professor of political science at Temple Universitys Tokyo campus Hiromi Murakami told DW that the partys change appears to be a good sign, a sign that the LDP is finally listening to the opinion polls on the future of the imperial family. With inputs from agencies Fresh of the success of its successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, India is now reportedly interested in joining Russias lunar nuclear power plant project. The initiative, spearheaded by Russian state nuclear energy firm Rosatom, is part of Moscows bigger project of building a base on the Moon in partnership with China. But what do we know about the proposed power project? read more The rising moon is seen behind tree branches in Gardanne, France, August 20, 2024. File Image/Reuters Is India aiming for the Moon again? According to a report, India is interested in joining Russias lunar nuclear power plant initiative. This comes in the aftermath of Indias successful Chandrayaan-3 mission which made it the first to make a soft landing on the south pole of the lunar surface. India is making plans to set up its first space station, Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS), by 2035. The country, which signed the Artemis Accords in 2023, also wants to put a human on the Moon by 2040. Advertisement But what do we know about the programme? Why is it important? Lets take a closer look: What do we know? As per Eurasian Times, the project is being spearheaded by Russian state nuclear energy firm Rosatom. This is part of a bigger project to build a base on the Moon in partnership with China. The idea behind the lunar nuclear power plant is to provide power to the base. The proposed plant will be a small one capable of generating around half a megawatt of energy. TASS quoted Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev as saying that both Moscow and New Delhi are keen to participate in the project. Likhachev was quoted as saying at the Eastern Economic Forum, The new solution that we are asked to implement is the option of a lunar nuclear power plant with an energy capacity of up to half a megawatt. By the way, with the involvement of the international community, our Chinese and Indian partners are very interested in this. We are trying to lay the foundation for several international space projects, Likhachev added. Roscosmos in May announced that it had already begun working on the nuclear power plant. It said the power plant would be established to the Moon by 2036. Advertisement Moscow said the plant would likely be built autonomously without humans being directly involved, as per Eurasian Times. As per The Times of India, Russia and China had announced plans to build a joint lunar base in 2021. This base, called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), would go on line in phases from 2035 and 2045. Why is it important? According to Moneycontrol, nuclear power is critical to lunar exploration. The outlet reported that Nasa, due to the limit of solar power, has been pondering using nuclear reactors to power lunar bases. While solar power systems have limitations on the Moon, a nuclear reactor could be placed in permanently shadowed areas (where there may be water or ice) or generate power continuously during lunar nights, Nasa states.The Moons 14-day lunar nights makes a continuous supply of solar energy impossible. Advertisement People watch a live stream of Chandrayaan-3 spacecrafts landing on the moon, inside an auditorium of Gujarat Science City in Ahmedabad, India, August 23, 2023. Reuters Nuclear energy thus offers a constant and steady energy source needed to establish a long-term presence on the Moon. It quoted experts as saying that despite the difficulties involved with the project, safety remains a top concern. It said scientists are confident that conveying nuclear fuel to the moon is safe and that there are minimal radiation risks even taking into account a failure to launch. They noted that reactors are designed to automatically shut down in case of any problems. The Times of India quoted experts as saying that India is playing its diplomatic cards carefully. Advertisement They noted how New Delhi sent Shubhanshu Shukla of the Gaganyaan mission to Nasas Houston facility. Shukla will be heading to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 missio a collaboration between ISRO and Nasa. India in 2023 with its Chandrayaan-3 mission became just the fifth nation to achieve a successful robotic landing on the Moon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had then urged ISRO to pursue new and ambitious goals including sending astronauts to Moon by 2040. With inputs from agencies All that 10-year-old Tala Abu Ajiwa from Gaza wanted was to play with her friends, hoping to briefly escape the grim reality of war surrounding her. However, an Israeli blast in the neighbourhood killed her. Now a photograph of Tala, her body wrapped in a white shroud with her pink roller skates still on, is going viral, becoming another defining image of the devastating conflict read more The heartbreaking image of Tala, her body wrapped in a white shroud with her pink roller skates still on is being widely circulated across social media, becoming another defining image of the war in Gaza a place UNICEF has called 'a graveyard for children.' IMage courtesy: X Tala Abu Ajwa, a 10-year-old girl from Gaza, laced up her pink rollerblades and headed outside to play with friends, hoping to briefly escape the grim reality of war surrounding her. But that moment of respite was tragically cut short when an Israeli strike tore through her neighbourhood, taking her life. The heartbreaking image of Tala, her body wrapped in a white shroud with her pink roller skates still on is being widely circulated across social media, becoming another defining image of the war in Gaza a place UNICEF has called a graveyard for children." Advertisement Heres a closer look at her story She loved to play. She loved life On Tuesday evening, Tala insisted and begged her mother, Hadeel, to let her go rollerblading with her friends. My neighbour told me, My children are downstairs, let her go play with them. I said okay, go down for a bit, then come back, Hadeel told ITV News. Her father, Hussam Abu Ajwa, was also hesitant at first as blasts and gunfire had become more frequent around their home in Gaza but eventually, like any other parent gave in to her pleas. She begged me and said, Please, Daddy, let me go out. I felt sad because she wanted to play with the girls, Hussam told AFP. But moments later he heard two mighty explosions, sending him running outside where he found his 10-year-old daughter buried beneath a pile of rubble. A piece of shrapnel from an Israeli strike had torn through an apartment in the building, slicing through the air and striking Tala in the neck. One of the friends she was playing with was injured, and another - just three years old - was also killed. Witnessing a scene of devastation, Hussam recognised his daughter by her roller skates, as it was the only thing that was visible, he told NPR. Witnessing a scene of devastation, Hussam recognised his daughter by her roller skates, as it was the only thing that was visible, after the strike he said. File Photo/ Abu Ajwa told NBC News, that he rushed his daughter to the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. The medics didnt even have time to remove the pink rollerblades on Talas feet, and despite efforts to save her life, she died. Advertisement Her father told NPR, Those roller skates she was wearing, shed really wanted me to buy them. I got them for her, and it was the reason, praise be to God, for her death when she went down [the stairs to play]." She loved to play. She loved life, he further said. Talas death is yet another addition to the heartbreaking toll of children lost to Israeli fire, leaving countless parents grieving for their sons and daughters. Gazas Health Ministry reports that over 40,000 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict, with a third of the victims being children. The Israeli Defence Forces told NBC News, that it was unaware of a specific strike that took place in the coordinates but had struck a target in its vicinity. It did not address questions about the type of weapon used or whether it had opened an investigation into Talas killing. Advertisement Her ambition was to go back to school The 10-year-old had survived 332 days of war, enduring relentless bombardments, hunger, and uncertainty. Her father, Abu Ajwa, a high school chemistry teacher, had been forced to flee with his family eight times since the Israeli attack on October 7. The family of five often escaped on foot, sometimes in the middle of the night, searching for safety. She used to say to me, Why dont we live like all the other children in the world? I wish we could live a peaceful life. We dont want wars, Mum. Ive had enough of wars, her mother, Hadeel, painfully recalled. The day before she died, Abu Ajwa said that his daughter told him she dreamed of becoming a dentist and going back to school, NPR reported. Her ambition was to go back to school and for her backpack to be filled with books again, instead of clothes for every time were displaced, her mother said. I bought her a new backpack, but she just put clothes in it again. Advertisement The UN says the war has devastated most of Gazas schools, with most either destroyed or damaged. Children havent been in school in nearly a year, with classrooms turned into crowded shelters for displaced families with nowhere else to go. PThe UN says the war has devastated most of Gazas schools, with most either destroyed or damaged. Children havent been in school in nearly a year, with classrooms turned into crowded shelters for displaced families with nowhere else to go. File Image/Reuters The longer children stay out of school, the higher the risk of a lost generation, fuelling resentment & extremism, United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, chief Philippe Lazzarini Lazzarini said. With no ceasefire, children are likely to fall prey to exploitation including child labour and recruitment into armed groups. Speaking to NBC News, the grieving father expressed a heartbreaking hope that his daughters death would spark global action to end this hideous war. Advertisement I swear, if the war ended and the bloodshed stopped, I would still be sad about my daughter, Abu Ajwa said, at one point holding up her blood-stained rollerblades. But I would also be happy that Tala was the reason for putting an end to the massacres. With input from agencies Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition candidate who is considered the winner of the July 28 presidential election by millions of Venezuelans and foreign governments, left the country after being granted asylum in Spain. The surprise exit comes days after authoritarian President Nicolas Maduros government ordered his arrest read more Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez looks on on the day he casts his vote in the country's presidential election, in Caracas, Venezuela on July 28. likely winner of the July 28 election. The likely winner fled the South American nation on Saturday and received asylum in Spain. File photo/Reuters Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia was the likely winner of the Venezuela election two months ago. But now as political turmoil grips the country, the opposition leader has fled to Spain, where he will be granted asylum. The 75-year-old left Venezuela on Saturday (September 7), after having spent weeks in hiding at the Spanish embassy in Caracas. A Spanish Air Force plane carrying Gonzalez and his wife landed at Torrejon de Ardoz military base near Madrid on Sunday (September 8). Advertisement Spains foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, told the public broadcaster RTVE, that Gonzalez had requested asylum and the Spanish government agreed. I have been able to speak to [Gonzalez] and once he was aboard the airplane he expressed his gratitude toward the Spanish government and Spain Of course, I told him we were pleased that he is well and on his way to Spain, and I reiterated the commitment of our government to the political rights of all Venezuelans, he said, according to the Guardian. So whats going on in Venezuela that forced the winner of its elections to flee? We take a look. Who is Edmundo Gonzalez? Gonzalez was almost an unknown figure in Venezuela until five months ago. He became the opposition alliances last-minute candidate after Maria Corina Machado, the winner of its October primary, was barred from public office over alleged fraud, which she denies. Before this, Gonzalez served as ambassador to Argentina between 1999 and 2002, when Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros mentor Hugo Chavez was in power. He is known for using a diplomatic tone in his short speeches. In April, after a collation of 10 parties picked Gonzalez, life took a new turn for the little-known retired diplomat and grandfather. Overnight, he became a household name, someone on whom millions placed their hopes for an end to more than two decades of single-party rule. Opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez leads a demonstration against the official election results that declared that President Nicolas Maduro won reelection in Caracas, Venezuela on July 30. AP Accompanied by Machado, he crisscrossed the country in the final weeks of the campaign, energising massive crowds of Venezuelans who blamed Maduro for one of the worst-ever economic collapses outside a war zone. Advertisement Gonzalez does not have the charisma of 56-year-old Machado, who was received like a rock star wherever she campaigned for him. He walks slowly, expresses himself reservedly and has a slight hand tremor. Public speaking is not his forte, and the septuagenarian tends to stick to prepared scripts delivered in a monotone voice. He much preferred that the cameras and microphones point at Machado, reports AFP. But the yin-yang strategy proved more popular than many Maduro opponents had imagined. What happened in the Venezuela elections? Presidential elections were held in Venezuela on 28 July. The state-run electoral council and the countrys highest court, filled with government loyalists, declared that Maduro won a third term. However, voting tallies published by the opposition indicated that Gonzalez won. It also collected evidence showing that the retired diplomat prevailed by more than a 2-to-1 margin. Advertisement Foreign governments condemned the official results as lacking credibility. Even some leftist allies of Maduro withheld recognition, demanding that authorities release a breakdown of results at all 30,000 voting machines nationwide, as it has in the past. Venezuelan Opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez wave as they address supporters, in Caracas, Venezuela on July 30. Gonzalez went underground after detailed voting data published by the opposition suggested he won File photo/Reuters Experts from the United Nations and the Carter Center, which observed the election at the invitation of Maduros government, determined the results announced by electoral authorities lacked credibility. In a statement critical of the election, the UN experts stopped short of validating the oppositions claim to victory, but they said the voting records it published online appear to exhibit all of the original security features. Advertisement The United States also recognised Gonzalez as the winner of Venezuelas disputed election, claiming that there was overwhelming evidence of Maduros defeat. Why did Gonzalez flee Venezeula? After the election, both Machado and Gonzalez went into hiding amid a brutal crackdown that led to more than 2,000 arrests and the deaths of at least 24 people at the hands of security forces. Maduro insisted that the two belonged behind bars. While Gonzalez maintained a low profile, Machado came out in public a handful of times to lead anti-Maduro protests. Both used social media to hammer home Gonzalezs asserted victory with 67 per cent of the ballots that were cast, according to an opposition count. Advertisement On Thursday, Machado called on the world much of which has refused to accept Maduros claim to victory to recognise Gonzalez as Venezuelas president-elect. A supporter of Gonzalez holds a dart board with a picture of Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro, outside the Torrejon de Ardoz Air Force Base, where Gonzalez arrived, outside Madrid, Spain, on September 8. The text reads Murderer of Venezuela. Reuters However, on Sunday, she said he fled to Spain as his life was in danger. She attempted to put a positive spin on the departure, assuring Venezuelans that the 75-year-old would be back on 10 January for a swearing-in ceremony, marking the start of the next presidential term. His life was in danger, and the increasing threats, summons, arrest warrants and even attempts at blackmail and coercion to which he has been subjected, demonstrate that the regime has no scruples, Machado said on X. Let this be very clear to everyone: Edmundo will fight from outside alongside our diaspora. Prior to his departure, an arrest warrant had been issued in Venezuela, with the government accusing Gonzalez of conspiracy and of forging documents, among other serious crimes, reports the BBC. What does Gonzalezs departure mean for Venezuela? Gonzalez has joined a growing number of once-prominent government opponents who have fled into exile, leaving his political future uncertain and tightening Maduros grip on power. In Spain, he joins at least four former presidential hopefuls who were imprisoned or faced arrest for defying Maduros rule. His departure comes as a big setback for the opposition movement, backed by the US. On the streets of Caracas on Sunday the mood was one of despair at the loss of someone who, against the odds, reignited a movement to end more than two decades of single-party rule. What little hope we had left, it went with him, said Laura Vargas, a resident, as she scrolled through the news on her cellphone while sitting on a park bench, reports AP. Anti-government protesters unload debris from a truck to build a barricade along a highway during a protest against Nicolas Maduros government in Caracas on March 20. Gonzalez gave hope to millions of Venezuelans when he ran the election that the single-party rule would come to an end. File photo/Reuters What has the Venezuelan government said? What happens next? Venezuelan officials have yet to comment on the development. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said in a statement late Saturday that the government decided to grant Gonzalez safe passage out of the country to help restore the countrys political peace and tranquillity. Spains center-left government said the decision to leave Venezuela was Gonzalezs alone, and he departed on a plane sent by the countrys air force. He had sought refuge in the Dutch ambassadors residence in Caracas after the election, the Netherlands government said Sunday, as he secretly negotiated his exit. However, Gonzalez has vowed to continue to fight for democracy in Venezuela, after being granted asylum in Spain. In an audio message distributed by his media team, he said he was confident that soon we will continue the fight to achieve freedom and the recovery of democracy in Venezuela. My departure from Caracas was surrounded by episodes of pressure, coercion and threats that I wouldnt be allowed to leave, he said. The European Unions foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, a former Spanish foreign minister, described Gonzalezs departure as a sad day for democracy in Venezuela. Referring to Gonzalez as the apparent winner of the presidential elections, Borrell in a statement said the EU will maintain its support of the Venezuelan people in their democratic aspirations. The US secretary of state has said Gonzalez remains the best hope for democracy. Antony Blinken said on X on Sunday that Gonzalezs departure from Venezuela is the direct result of the anti-democratic measures that [President] Nicolas Maduro has unleashed on the Venezuelan people. Venezuelans voted for change. Maduros post-election repression has killed or jailed thousands, and winning candidate @EdmundoGU remains the best hope for democracy. We must not let Maduro and his representatives cling to power by force. The will of the people must be respected. Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 9, 2024 Many believe that Gonzalezs decision to exit was right. The truth is hes more useful fighting abroad than in hiding or imprisoned, Gustavo Tovar-Arroyo, a human rights activist, who was himself forced to flee into exile in 2012, told AP. The big question remains whether Gonzalez will return to his country or join the 212,000 Venezuelans living in Spain. _ With inputs from agencies_ Referring to an affidavit by the Pakistan government in a court, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Islamabad treats residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as foreigners but India considers them our own. PoK is a 13,297 square km area illegally ruled by the rival country. Then why did it call it a foreign land? read more Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said India considers PoK residents as 'our own'. PTI Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged the residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to join India. Addressing an election rally in the Ramban district ahead of the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, he said Pakistan treats people from PoK as foreigners but India considers them our own. Citing an affidavit by a Pakistan governments lawyer in the court, Singh said that the neighbouring country has called the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as foreigners. We dont call them foreigners. They are our people. Let them come and join us, NDTV reported. Advertisement The defence minister asserted that J&K would witness development on such a massive scale that people in PoK on seeing this should say that we do not want to live with Pakistan and instead will go to India. What is this affidavit mentioned by Rajnath Singh where Pakistan admitted PoK is a foreign land? Lets take a closer look. What is PoK? Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a 13,297 sq km area ruled directly by Islamabad. In 1947, Pakistan illegally occupied certain parts of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. These are referred to as PoK by India. In October of 1947, Pakistan-backed Pashtun tribesmen invaded Kashmir. The 14-month hostility marked the first war between India and Pakistan. During Partition, Maharaja Hari Singh, the Hindu ruler of Muslim-majority Kashmir, had decided Kashmir would not accede to either India or Pakistan. However, as the invaders made inroads in Kashmir, the ruler signed the Instrument of Accession to India on October 26. A day later, Indian troops arrived in Srinagar. The Pakistani army also formally entered the battlefield, leading to the war lasting for over a year. A ceasefire was declared on the night of December 31, 1948. As the ceasefire line was enforced from January 1, 1949, about 13,297 sq km area of Kashmir remained under the control of Pakistani forces, as per Indian Express. Advertisement This occupied region is divided into two parts: the so-called Azad Jammu and Kashmir or AJK and Gilgit Baltistan (GB), which makes up 86 per cent of the total area of PoK. Over the years, Pakistan ceded parts of Gilgit Baltistan to China, in exchange for Beijings aid in infrastructure development and support on the global stage, noted the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). Pakistan admits PoK is foreign land In a rare public admission, the Pakistan government said in May that PoK is a foreign territory that does not come under its jurisdiction. Pakistans Additional Attorney General told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the government cannot produce the kidnapped poet and journalist Ahmed Farhad Shah before the court as he was in police custody in PoK a foreign land, as per an IANS report. Advertisement As per reports, the Pakistan governments lawyer had argued that PoK has its own constitution and courts, adding that judgements of Pakistani courts in the region appear as verdicts of foreign courts. Shah was reportedly abducted by four men outside his residence in Islamabad late on the night of May 14. The poets wife had alleged Pakistans spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was behind his disappearance. India, Pakistans official stands on PoK India maintains that PoK and GB are part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir on account of the Union Territorys accession to India in 1947. In May, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that PoK was, is and will always be part of India. I have no doubt in my own mind that someone living in PoK is comparing their situation with someone actually living in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that how is it that people today are actually progressing there, he said. Advertisement Rajnath Singh has previously said New Delhi will never give up its claim of PoK, adding that it would not have to capture it through force but people would themselves want to come to India after seeing the development in Kashmir. PoK , , LoC pic.twitter.com/4ha4qJMBeD Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 24, 2022 Advertisement Home Minister Amit Shah had told Lok Sabha earlier that whenever I mention the State of Jammu and Kashmir, it means both Pak-Occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin are part of it. According to Indian Express, Islamabad rules PoK and Gilgit Baltistan. However, it maintains the farce that they are autonomous territories. This is because including them in Pakistans map would damage its global position that the entire Jammu and Kashmir is disputed. As Newsweek Pakistans article mentioned, PoK is not constitutionally a part of Pakistan. Article 257 of Pakistans Constitution states, When the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir decide to accede to Pakistan, the relationship between Pakistan and that State shall be determined in accordance with the wishes of the people of that State. The so-called Azad Jammu and Kashmir Interim Constitution Act of 1974 and Pakistans Constitution Act, 1974, define the power-sharing between Islamabad and PoK. Its constitution allows PoK to have its own President, Prime Minister, judicial system and police force. The sub-section II of Section VII of the interim Act act states that No person or political party in Azad Jammu and Kashmir shall be permitted to propagate against, or take part in activities prejudicial or detrimental to, the ideology of the States accession to Pakistan. In May 2016, several political parties in PoK had demanded to scrap the laws that require candidates contesting elections to sign an affidavit of allegiance to the ideology of the states accession to Pakistan. With inputs from agencies India recorded a suspected case of mpox found in a man, who recently travelled from a country suffering an outbreak of the virus, the health ministry said on Sunday. Mpox can spread through close contact and can turn fatal in rare cases. It causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body read more The hands of a patient with skin rashes caused by the mpox virus are pictured at the treatment center of Vijana Hospital in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo August 30, 2024. Reuters Mpox was declared a global emergency last month, requiring urgent action to curb the virus transmission. The highly contagious virus has been spreading rapidly to other countries, including Sweden, Thailand, Singapore, Pakistan and others. India, too, has recorded a suspected case of monkeypox in a man who travelled recently from a country suffering an outbreak. Heres all we know about it. What do we know about the first suspected case? A young male patient who recently returned to India from a country with active mpox transmission has been identified as a suspected mpox case, the health ministry said on Sunday. Advertisement It has said the patient has been isolated in a hospital and is in stable condition. An undated colorized transmission electron micrograph of mpox virus particles (pink) found within an infected cell (yellow), cultured in the laboratory, captured at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. File Photo-Reuters The Ministry did not specify which strain of the mpox virus the patient might have, but tests were being conducted to confirm the infection. The case is being managed in line with established protocols, and contact tracing is ongoing to identify potential sources and assess the impact within the country, the Ministry said. The development of this case is consistent with the earlier risk assessment conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and there is no cause of any undue concern, the Ministry added. India detected 30 cases of an older strain, known as Clade II, between 2022 and March 2024. What is mpox? Mpox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to a genus of viruses called Orthopoxvirus. The Orthopoxvirus family consists of the variola virus, which causes smallpox, the cowpox virus, and the vaccinia virus. Mpox drew global attention in 2022 during an outbreak that affected the US, Europe, Australia, and many other countries. The virus spreads by close contact and exists in two different forms, known as clades: I and II. Advertisement Men who engage in sexual activity with other men are most vulnerable to contracting Clade II mpox, which is mostly transmitted through personal and sexual contact. Endemically found in West Africa, Clade II mpox is the strain that sparked a global outbreak in 2022. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that it is less severe, with more than 99.9 per cent of patients surviving. Clade I, on the other hand, is endemic to Central Africa and has killed up to 10 per cent of those infected. Clade 1b has triggered global concern due to the ease with which it spreads though routine close contact. Advertisement The strain is a modified variant of clade I, an endemic type of mpox that has been present in the Congo for many years and spreads by contact with infected animals. What are its symptoms? After the virus enters the body, it replicates and spreads through the body via the bloodstream. Symptoms usually dont appear until one to two weeks after infection, according to The Conversation. The common symptoms of mpox include skin lesions, fever, headache, muscle and back pain, low energy, rash (including symmetrical or genital rash), and swollen lymph nodes. While mpox is rare and usually non-fatal, the new variant of the disease kills around 10 per cent of infected people, according to The Conversation. Advertisement As per WHO, most of the cases of mpox have been reported among males between 18 and 44 years. Over 120 countries have reported Mpox cases between January 2022 and August 2024, according to the WHO. There have been over 100,000 lab-confirmed cases and around 220 deaths. How can it be treated? According to the US-based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are no treatments are available to cure mpox infection. However, studies suggest that the smallpox vaccine can help prevent mpox infections and decrease the severity of the symptoms. A person holds doses of Bavarian Nordics Imvanex vaccine, used to protect against mpox virus, at the Edison municipal vaccination centre in Paris, France. File image/Reuters One vaccine known as Imvamune or Imvanex is licenced in the US to prevent mpox and smallpox. Advertisement The MVA-BN vaccine, or the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic, has been approved by the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union/European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada. In 2022, Japan gave a nod to the smallpox vaccine LC16 for use against mpox. Russia licenced OrthopoxVac the same year for vaccination against smallpox, mpox and other Orthopoxviruses. How is India preparing for the virus? Last month, The Hindu reported that India had been on alert since a new strain of mpox became virulent in Africa. The health ministry has directed heightened vigilance at all international airports and land ports, particularly those bordering Bangladesh and Pakistan. The government has also issued a directive over the virus and suggested screening, testing and contact tracing of all suspected patients. To ensure effective management of any potential monkeypox cases, the ministry has designated three central government-run hospitals in New Delhi and approved three indigenously developed kits for detecting mpox. It has notified states to identify hospitals to prepare isolation facilities for treating suspected and confirmed cases, as per NDTV. An advisory asked the states and the Union Terrorities for intensive and clear risk communication directed at healthcare workers, identified sites in health facilities (Such as skin, pediatric OPDs, immunisation clinics, and intervention sites identified by NACO) as well as in the community about simple preventive strategies and the need for prompt reporting cases. With inputs from agencies The Centre banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir (JeI) under anti-terrorism law in 2019 and renewed the ban again in 2024 read more Sayar Ahmad Reshi is one of the four candidates backed by Jamaat-e-Islami in J&K polls (Photo: PTI) In the first show of force in Jammu and Kashmir since 1987, the outlawed Jamaat-e-Islami held an election rally for the first time on Sunday. As the Jamaat stands proscribed, it has indirectly fielded candidates by putting its weight behind a bunch of independent candidates. The Jamaat on Sunday held a rally at Bogam village in South Kashmirs Kulgam. Even though the Jamaat-backed candidates had been carrying out a door-to-door campaign, the rally was a major step up for the group. The footage from the site shows several hundreds of people in attendance. Advertisement Jamaat-e-Islami held massive rally in South Kashmirs Kulgam Reports Younus Rashid pic.twitter.com/wS6RJ8bgO2 Rising Kashmir (@RisingKashmir) September 8, 2024 The Jamaat remains banned under the anti-terrorism law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). In 2019, the Narendra Modi government banned the JeI for five years for being in close touch with terrorist groups and over expectations it would escalate secessionist movement in J&K. The ban was renewed for another five years in 2024. The Jamaat has long been associated with terrorism and separatism in J&K. In the 1990s, it was considered as the patron of the Pakistan-backed terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen. Top separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who headed the separatist movement for several years, was also associated with Jamaat. Jamaat eyes at electoral comeback In the first phase of the J&K elections on September 18, the Jamaat has indirectly fielded at least four candidates, according to The Indian Express. The four candidates are former members Dr Talat Majeed, Sayar Ahmad Reshi, Nazir Ahmad, and Ajaz Ahmad Mir. Reshi is in contest with the communist heavyweight MY Tarigami, who has been fielded by the J&K National Conference (NC)-Congress bloc. At the rally in Bogam, Reshi said that the J&K had a vacuum that needs to be filled, as per The Express. Advertisement Reshi said that even though fingers will be pointed at them, the JeI drew its support from the sea of people. Keeping the options for post-poll ties open, Reshi said the JeI candidates will support any party which will work for J&K, but added they will call out suppression. We will support any party that would work to restore the dignity of the peopleWe will support the Constitution of India. But if there is suppression, we will call it suppression. We will also plead for peace and tranquillity, said Reshi, as per the newspaper. Mir, who is contesting with Jamaats backing after being denied a ticket by J&K Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said they will represent the aspirations of the people in the assembly. Advertisement We will not promote corruption and work transparently. We will talk about Kashmir and Kashmiris. We will represent the aspirations of the people in the Assembly, said Mir, as per the newspaper. Can Jamaat shed its terrorist associations of past? Even as Jamaat looks forward to enter electoral politics, the question remains whether it has moved past its terrorist associations. The Jamaat was considered to be the patron of Hizbul Muhajideen and the organisation itself called it the armed wing of Jamaat. It was not until 1997 that Jamaat issued a formal declaration that it had no armed wing. The Jamaat was part of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), a group of separatist parties and leaders formed in 1993 in Kashmir. Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the top separatist leader of Kashmir who called for Kashmirs accession to Pakistan, was also with Jamaat till 2003. Advertisement In his book India, Pakistan And The Secret Jihad, Praveen Swami noted that Jamaat was the patron of Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest terrorist group in J&K at the time. With its formidable network of cadre across Jammu and Kashmir, however, the Jamaat-e-Islami soon became the patron of the largest jihadist group, the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. A plethora of other groups emerged, most of them, like the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, with expressly Islamist sympathies and committed not to the independence of Jammu and Kashmir, but its accession to Pakistan, noted Swami. Even as Jamaat pursued terrorism, it also once participated in politics. In the contested 1987 elections, the Jamaat participated under the banner of the Muslim United Front (MUF). Advertisement Despite decades of terrorist association, Jamaat is now participating in elections and also reaching out to the government. The Deccan Herald reported that some Jamaat leaders released from jails in recent months are negotiating with the central government for the lifting of the ban. The J&K is holding assembly elections after nearly 10 years. The voting will be held in three phases on Sept. 18, 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will be held on October 8. Assembly elections were last held in J&K in late 2014. After weeks of results, the J&K PDP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed a coalition government in March 2015 with Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as Chief Minister of J&K. Following his death, his daughter Mehbooba Mufti became the CM and ran the government until June 2018 when the BJP quit the coalition and Mehbooba resigned as her government collapsed. This led to the imposition of governors rule in the state. In November 2018, the then-J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the assembly. Then, in August 2019, the Modi government abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated J&K into two union territories of J&K and Ladakh. The 2024 J&K elections are the first assembly elections in the post-Article 370 era. During an interaction with the Indian diaspora in the United States, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also charged the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with hijacking the Indian educational system read more Indians are no longer afraid of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the United States. At an event in which he addressed the Indian diaspora in the US state of Texas, Rahul said that Indians stopped fearing PM Modi after the election results. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, even as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured the majority and formed the government, Modis BJP lost the majority on its own. Rahul said that within minutes of the election results, the fear of the BJP and the PM vanished among Indians. Advertisement These are huge achievements, not of the people of India but of the people of India who realised we are not going to accept attacks on the Constitution, religion, or states, said Rahul, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Rahul lashes out at RSS over ideology The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was the main target of Rahul at the event in Texas Dallas as has been the case in his previously foreign visits. Rahul said that while the RSS believed in a singular and regressive idea of India, the Congress party believed in the multiplicity of ideas for India and in a liberal society. He said that while the RSS wants to confine women to kitchens, the Congress believes in womens aspirations. Rahul also linked the ridiculous thinking of a large number of Indian males towards women with the RSS. The first thing is to think of women the same way you think of men. This is part of the ideological fight with the BJP and the RSS. The BJP and RSS believe that women should restricted their roles, stay at home, cook food, not talk much, and we believe women should aspire to be whatever they want, said Rahul. Rahul Gandhi launched multiple attacks on BJP and RSS while addressing a gathering in the US. He claimed, 'BJP and RSS believe that women should be restricted to specific roles: stay at home, cook food, and not talk too much.' His statements have sparked a war of words pic.twitter.com/vrdcIO9LDk TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 9, 2024 Advertisement Further slamming the RSS, Rahul said that the Indian universities are being captured by the organisation as most of the vice chancellors (VCs) are affiliated with the RSS. As the organisations believes in a particular perspective of Indian history, life, and future, this is not good and amounts to ideological capture of Indias educational institutions, said Rahul. This is not the first time that Rahul has slammed the RSS abroad. Last year, during a visit to the United Kingdom, Rahul had dubbed the RSS a secret society and equated it with the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group in the Middle East thats widely considered to be a terrorist organisation. The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. Advertisement You can call it a secret society. Its built along the lines of the Muslim Brotherhood and the idea is to use the democratic contest to come to power and then subvert the democratic contest afterwards, said Rahul at the time. Rahul further said, Its shocked me at how successful theyve been at capturing the different institutions of our country: the press, judiciary, Parliament, Election Commission all the institutions are under pressure, under threat and controlled in one way or another. The GST Council on Monday arrived at a broad consensus on reducing GST on health and life insurance premiums from the current 18 per cent, but a final decision would be taken in the next meeting, according to a report, citing sources read more The GST Council on Monday arrived at a broad consensus on reducing GST on health and life insurance premiums from the current 18 per cent, but a final decision would be taken in the next meeting, according to a report, citing sources. According to a Money Control report, funds given for research to universities established by the law of Centre, state governments, and those who have obtained income tax exemption, will also be exempted from GST. Advertisement Universities and research centers which have been established by a law of the central government. Two, universities and research centers established by a law of the state governments or those which have obtained income tax exemption can receive research funds both from public which is government and from private and they shall not pay GST. They are exempted from paying the GST, confirmed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while addressing the media after the meeting on Monday. #WATCH | Delhi: After the GST Council meeting, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "Universities and research centers which have been established by a law of the central government. Two, universities and research centers established by a law of the state governments pic.twitter.com/92txcceZ9T ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2024 Sitharaman said that GST Council has also reduced rate on cancer drugs to 5% from 12% and on namkeen to 12% from 18%. GST rates on cancer drugs are also being brought down. Its being reduced from 12% to 5% in order to further reduce the cost of cancer treatment. Then also decision on Namkeens extruded expanded savory food items. GST rate on these is being reduced prospectively, not retrospectively, prospectively from 18 to 12%, Money Control quoted the finance minister as saying. Advertisement On Monday, the Fitment Committee, comprising the Centre and state tax officials, presented a report giving data and analysis and implications of GST reduction on life, health and reinsurance premiums. Broad consensus has been reached on GST rate reduction on health and life insurance but modalities would be decided in the next council meeting, PTI quoted one of the sources as saying. Emerging out of the meeting, West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the issue of GST on health insurance was raised by her in the meeting of the GoM on rate rationalisation last month. The issue of GST on health insurance was raised by me. I said that the full exemption should be givenThe Chief Minister of Goa supported me. Many of the ministers were of the view that it has to be reduced. They were agreeable to reduce but from 18% to 5%. Now, whether it will be exempted or it will be reduced to 5%, GoM has been constituted, which will give its report by October last and then it will be decided in the next meeting, said Bhattacharya. Advertisement #WATCH | Delhi: After the GST Council meeting, West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya says, " The issue of GST on Health insurance was raised by me. I said that the full exemption should be given...The Chief Minister of Goa supported me. Many of the ministers were of pic.twitter.com/1b1RHlU7kf ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2024 Delhi Finance Minister Atishi said that some opposition states raised the issue that the currently charged 18% premium on health insurance is too high, so there was a consensus in the GST Council that there should be GST reduction. But now this issue has been sent to GoM. GoM will examine the entire issue, she added. Atishi said that she is happy that the Centre and the state governments have agreed to not impose GST on educational institutions which get government grants or research grants from any private institution. #WATCH | After the GST Council meeting, Delhi Finance Minister Atishi says "...The Delhi Government, Punjab Government and Aam Aadmi Party have been continuously raising this issue that the educational institutions which get research grants should not be subjected to GST. pic.twitter.com/mj274w2haT ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2024 Advertisement The Delhi Government, Punjab Government and Aam Aadmi Party have been continuously raising this issue that the educational institutions which get research grants should not be subjected to GST. Imposing GST on it is equal to tax terrorism and we are happy that the Central Government as well as all the state governments agreed to this and it has been decided that now if any educational institution gets any government grant or research grant from any private institution, the GST Council has decided that no GST will be imposed Meanwhile, it was also decided that the GST on helicopter services for pilgrims and tourists will be reduced to 5%, down from the current 18%. The 54th meeting of the GST council was chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday and comprised state ministers. Sources said most states were on board with rate reduction as the monthly GST collections are seeing an uptrend providing room for taking taxpayer-friendly measures. If GST rates are reduced, it would be beneficial for crores of policyholders as the premium would come down. The monthly gross GST collections have stabilised at around Rs 1.75 lakh crore compared to Rs 90,000 crore in the first year of Goods and Services Tax (GST), introduced on July 1, 2017. Insurance premiums in the pre-GST regime used to attract service tax. With the pan-India rollout of GST in 2017, the service tax was subsumed into GST. In 2023-24, the Centre and states collected Rs 8,262.94 crore through GST on health insurance premiums, while Rs 1,484.36 crore was collected on account of GST on health reinsurance premiums. The issue of taxation of insurance premiums figured in Parliament discussions with Opposition members demanding that health and life insurance premiums be exempt from the GST. Even Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari wrote to Sitharaman on the issue. Sitharaman in her reply to a discussion on the Finance Bill had said that 75 per cent of the GST collected goes to states and the Opposition members should ask their state finance ministers to bring the proposal at the GST Council. With inputs from agencies An agreement for long-term supply of Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been inked between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Limited on Monday, September 9 read more During the bilateral meeting, PM Modi and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussed the multifaceted India-UAE relations and avenues to broaden the comprehensive strategic partnership to new and emerging areas. Source: X/@MEAIndia India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Monday, signed five memorandum of understandings (MoUs) or agreements during the official visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is on a two-day (September 8-9) India visit, has been invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making it his first visit to New Delhi as the Crown Prince. Advertisement India-UAE sign 5 MoUs: What are they? 1 - India and the UAE have signed an agreement in the field of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations and Maintenance between Emirates Nuclear Energy Company and Nuclear Power Cooperation of India Limited (NPCIL). 2 - An agreement for long-term supply of Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has also been inked between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Limited. 3 - A MoU has also been signed between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL). 4 - The government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company have also signed a MoU on food parks development in India. 5 - A production concession agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 has been signed between Urja Bharat and ADNOC. On the occasion of the visit, the following MoUs/ Agreements were signed pic.twitter.com/LbpTeLXsli Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 9, 2024 Earlier in the day, PM Modi and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabu held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and other officials were present in the meeting. Advertisement The bilateral talks centred around strengthening the overall strategic partnership between India and the UAE. India-UAE ties taking greater strides! PM @narendramodi met with HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi today. The two leaders discussed the multifaceted - relations and avenues to broaden the comprehensive strategic partnership to pic.twitter.com/0xGlmN4Vdm Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 9, 2024 The Indian Prime Minister on Monday welcomed Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and both the leaders exchanged a warm embrace. Also Read: WATCH: PM Modi hugs Abu Dhabi Crown Prince on his first India visit, whats on his 2-day schedule The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi will be meeting President Droupadi Murmu and on Tuesday (September 10), he will visit Mumbai where he will participate in a Business Forum in which business leaders from India and the UAE will participate. In February this year, PM Modi visited UAE and held discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the India-UAE bilateral relationship. The visit witnessed the exchange of eight agreements. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. During the hearing of RG Kar rape and murder case on Monday, the Supreme Court expressed serious concern over the absence of document relating to the transfer of body of the raped-murdered doctor for post-mortem. It asked the CBI to find out the reason for this read more The Kolkata rape and murcer case was presided over by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. Source: PTI. The Supreme Court, on Monday (September 9), asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a fresh status report in RG Kar rape and murder case by September 17 after the probe agency pointed out the forensic report in the case and said who collected the samples has emerged as a relevant question. The rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9 has been taken up by the apex court on its own initiative. The case was presided over by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. Advertisement Status report has been filed by CBI, it appears that the investigation is in progress. We direct the CBI to file a fresh status report we will take it up on Tuesday, lets see what happens now, the top court said during the hearing on Monday. We dont want to guide the CBI on its investigation, the court further said. The SC noted that there was a delay of at least 14 hours in filing the FIR in the Kolkata trainee doctors rape-murder case. The top court even expressed serious concern over the absence of document relating to the transfer of body of the raped-murdered doctor for post-mortem. It asked the CBI to find out the reason for this. Both the CBI and the West Bengal government had submitted their respective status report to the court on Monday. SC Kolkata rape and murder case hearing Medical evidence of forceful penetration Appearing for the CBI, Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta presented a medical report which mentioned medical evidence of forceful penetration in the genitals and the cause of death was manual strangulation." The report classified the death of the junior doctor at RG Kar Hospital as homicidal and confirms evidence of sexual assault. Mehta further said that the CBI had decided to send samples to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. We have forensic examination report and one thing is admitted that when the girl was found at 9:30 am, her jeans and undergarments were removed and lying nearby semi-nude and injury marks also on body they have taken samples. they have sent to CFSL (Central Forensic Science Laboratory) in West Bengal. CBI has taken a decision to send the sample to AIIMS and some other lab, he said. Advertisement The Solicitor General further said: Person enters, girl is nude and this is the result of FSL. So who took the sample is relevant." SC seeks clarification on timing of unnatural death Following the status report submission by the CBI, the apex court sought for a clarification on the timing of the unnatural death (UD) report in the Kolkata rape and murder case of the trainee doctor at the RG Kar Hospital. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, said that the death certificate was given at 1:47 PM, while the police registered the entry UD at 2:55 PM. SG Mehta, however, countered stating that according to records, the report was filed at 11:30 pm. Advertisement The CJI then asked clarification on these two timelines. The court also sought clarification on whether the CCTV footage of the search and seizure procedure, conducted from 8:30 PM to 10:45 PM, had been handed over to the CBI. To this, Mehta responded that the footage was provided in four clips, totaling 27 minutes. Sibal clarified that, due to a technical glitch, the footage was originally stored in two parts but was ultimately provided in full. 23 people killed in doctors strike: WB govt to SC In a status report submitted to SC in a sealed envelope by Sibal, the state health department claimed that 23 people have died as a result of the doctors strike. Advertisement Immediately remove victims photo from social media The SC ordered immediate removal of RG Kar rape and murdered victims photos from social media platforms and electronic media forthwith to protect the dignity and privacy of the deceased. Provide accommodation, security equipment to CISF at RG Kar Hospital During the hearing, Mehta highlighted inadequate accommodation for female Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at RG Kar Hospital, noting that three companies of CISF women had to travel 1.5 hours due to lack of proper housing. The court directed the West Bengal government to provide accommodation to CISF personnel near RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and ensure that necessary gadgets for the CISF are provided by 9 pm on September 9. Advertisement We direct an officer of the home department and the CISF shall jointly ensure that all companies of CISF are provided accommodation within the vicinity of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the CJI said. The court also asked the Mamata Banerjee government to provide six buses and three light motor vehicles by 5 pm on September 9. The US presidency under Joe Biden has been keen to portray the war in Ukraine as a defining factor in Americas foreign policy, where cultivating ties with Moscow wasnt appreciated; the same may be continued if Kamala Harris comes to power read more Before the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as the running opponent to Donald Trump, a Trump 2.0 in Washington seemed more imminent. The unpredictability of Trumps presidency, demonstrated in foreign policy matters, posed a considerable challenge for states. Despite those concerns, his reappearance in Washington should be a safer gamble for India rather than an Indian-origin US President taking charge. The assumption of a Trump 2.0 being more favourable to India mostly has to do with Russia. Since the onset of the Ukrainian crisis, India has found it a challenging task to navigate its relationship with its age-old ally Moscow and its newfound partner,Washington. Advertisement The US presidency under Joe Biden has been keen to portray the war in Ukraine as a defining factor in US foreign policy, where cultivating relationships with Washington and parallelly partnering with Moscow was not an option. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent visit to Russia, New Delhi had to face severe criticisms from the United States. The American Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, went to the extent of cautioning India not to take the ties with the US for granted. With Trump on the scene, the option of engaging Moscow and Washington together would not seem so unviable, given his indifference to the entire epoch of the Ukrainian war. His position on this, as evident from his tweets and speeches at election rallies, should reflect his stance and bring some respite to India if Trump ever gets back the presidential chair. One thing that Trump has made clear is his disinterest in the Ukrainian conflict. As with all other foreign policy-related issues, he prefers to view this war strictly through the lens of US strategic interests. For Trump, Americas involvement in it does not serve a purpose. He has been against sending ammunition to Ukraine unless it enters into peace talks with Moscow. As for NATOs role in safeguarding Ukraine, his isolationist perception of foreign policy could never perceive its relevance. He happens to believe that Washingtons NATO allies are needlessly abetting the crisis in Ukraine by their meddling. Trump had always found the NATO allies overly dependent on the US. The war in Ukraine has further exacerbated that reliance and widened the gap, according to Trump. Advertisement If Trump wins this election, the following becomes a strong possibility. He will make sure to pull US aid out of Ukraine. Once the US is out, it is only a matter of days before the entire strategic arrangement crumbles. Trump has categorically held that had he been in Bidens place, the war would have found its end within 24 hours. He has never further mentioned if he would actually like to see Ukraine prevail in the conflict. Choosing J D Vance as his running mate, who fervently stood against the US substantial financial aid to Ukraine, should also be adequate to reflect Trumps stance on the Ukrainian crisis. Advertisement Despite the situation with Russia not being as convoluted as it is now, during Trumps last presidency it had not exactly been smooth either. The situation in Ukraine has started simmering since then. Trump also unwillingly had to heed the US Congresss demand to sanction Russia on the use of chemical weapons for poisoning an ex-spy in the United Kingdom. Amidst the worsening US relations with Russia, India finalised its $5.5 billion deal to procure five units of S-400 air defence missile systems from Russia, reserved only for its closest strategic partners. The deal disappointed the United States, and speculations were abuzz that New Delhi would be slapped with the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Trump cautioned India that it will soon find out, which India never did! Advertisement Regardless of the S-400 deal with Russia, India and the United States agreed on their shared security threat from China and made an impactful headway in the Indo-Pacific through the QUAD. While Trump was in office, his isolationist foreign policy outlook allowed India to juggle other actors to bargain for better strategic deals without sabotaging its ties with the US. If back in power, Trump will push for a settlement between Ukraine and Russia and might even be interested in engaging with Russia. During his last presidency, Trump and Putin met five times to discuss a way forward, albeit with no significant developments, amidst the existing frosty relations between the two countries. Nonetheless, efforts were made towards normalisation. Advertisement Trumps apathy to Ukraines predicament and his relatively less staunch stance on Russia would work in Indias favour. In a Trump 2.0, the dynamics of India-Russia relations during the Ukrainian war may be less scrutinised. As unpredictable as Trump can be, India can expect a breathing space to juggle the West and Russia without fearing worsening relations with the US. More than an Indian-origin President taking the seat in Washington, Trump would be favourable for New Delhi. Anondeeta Chakraborty is a postgraduate student at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Indian policy of de-hyphenation of relationships, each standing on its own bilateral matrix, and the neutralisation of the Pakistan factor have been quite successful in West Asia read more With most countries in West Asia, New Delhi worked on a bilateral basis, which yielded their own dividends for a certain period of time. Image: India's EAM S Jaishankar / File Photo This is not even arguable that one of the biggest successes of the present government is its West Asia policy, which, although proverbially called Link West, in reality is an Act West policy. West Asia and India never had it so good when the much-needed highest-level exchanges have occurred with such regular frequency and special emphasis as has happened in the past decade. PM Modis visits to the region and to some countries several times have converted the transactional relationship into a truly strategic partnership, as many of these countries, especially from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), have adopted their own Act East policy, towards India and China in particular, geared by strategic autonomy amidst a severely fractured and transitional global order where super and major powers are engaged in a MAD syndrome directly or through proxies. While New Delhi was able to successfully neutralise the Pakistan factor that drove Indias foreign policy approaches for decades, the regional majors began to look at Indian opportunities with a new multifocal prism of options and have increasingly become stakeholders of consequence in the rise of India. Advertisement Essentially, Indias West Asian policy was driven by 3Es and 3Ms, which encapsulate energy security, economy and trade, expatriates (welfare of over 9 million Indians), maritime security and cooperation for the safety of sea lanes of communications (SLOCs), multipolarity, and mutual respect and interests. With most countries, New Delhi worked on a bilateral basis, which yielded their own dividends for a certain period of time, as is evidenced by the spate of exchanges and interactions. During Indias G20 Presidency also, the special invitees included the UAE, Oman, and Egypt, while Saudi Arabia is as such a member of the G20. Indian policy of de-hyphenation of relationships, each standing on its own bilateral matrix, has been quite successful. Indias continued support for an independent and sovereign state of Palestine and strategic partnership with Israel at the same time have been understood and appreciated by all. It has called out and voted against the expansion of settlements by Israel in the West Bank, or, for that matter, voted at the UN General Assembly against the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the USchanging the status quo. India has maintained relations with both Iran and Israel and across the Shia-Sunni divide. Although the eleven-month-old Israel-Gaza war continues to take a human toll with inherent intransigence and escalation-ridden tendencies by both sides, India continues to call for ending the hostilities and returning to dialogue while engaging in consultations with all sides and actors. Advertisement India has also realised that with its increasing acceptance as a major yet benign power, the world expects much more from it, especially in so far as the regional conflicts are concerned. Recent efforts to calm down the Russia-Ukraine war and both sides placing greater confidence in Indias objective assessments and approaches for peace, dialogue, and diplomacy with respect for the UN Charter speak for themselves. Regional and sub-regional approaches are equally essential for a holistic foreign policy. In recent times, India became a part of I2U2 (India, Israel, the UAE, and the US), sometimes referred to as West Asian QUAD, and the IUSU (India, the US, the US, and Saudi Arabia), which eventually resulted in the signing of the IMEEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) Agreement on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, in which the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel will be the stakeholders from the region. Even though, due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, it has been somewhat slowed down, New Delhi and Abu Dhabi have been meticulously working on their respective domains for the requisite infrastructure. India and the Arab League had signed a cooperation agreement in 2008 under which periodic business-to-business interactions and other verticals continued to work efficiently. Advertisement Since the GCC, comprising Oman, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, has intense strategic engagement with India for energy, food, and fertiliser, as well as hosting the largest numbers of Indian expatriate workers and successful businesses, it is imperative that closer and institutionalised bilateral cooperation with the GCC moves ahead. Hence the visit of S Jaishankar, Indias External Affairs Minister, to Riyadh (September 89) acquires much greater significance. During his visit, the first India-GCC foreign ministers meeting is taking place. India and Gulf countries have been working on a free trade agreement (FTA) for several years, but with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE in record time, a certain mutually beneficial and acceptable template has been made available. Advertisement India and Oman are also hoping to finalise a bilateral FTA in the near future. These will open up more economic opportunities for both sides. GCC does have FTAs with South Korea and EFTA, among others, whose synergies could be harnessed for the IMEEC as well. In any case, the Foreign Ministers meeting will be an opportunity to review and deepen institutional cooperation between India and the GCC across various sectors. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are also Indias third and fourth largest trading partners, and their investments in Indias strategic sectors for mutual benefit have been significant. In fact, as Jaishankar is in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is in India (September 910) for his first visit along with a business delegation and will call on the Indian leadership apart from discussing further opportunities between India and the UAE. Advertisement Already in the wake of weaponisation of financial instruments, India, the UAE, and several other countries are either working or adopting trade in bilateral currencies. Moreover, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran have also joined BRICS, and some others like Turkey and Algeria might follow where newer cooperation opportunities will be witnessed . As India and GCC in particular and West Asia in general enhance their strategic engagement as a group, it would be useful to create a high-level India-GCC/West Asia Strategic Forum with the participation of leadership, industry, think tanks, and academia. Hopefully this will be yet another outcome of the India-GCC Foreign Ministers meet. The author is the former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta and is currently a Distinguished Fellow with Vivekananda International Foundation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. While the World Uyghur Congress, allegedly funded by the West, takes a pro-Israeli stance, those groups based in Turkey, in line with the Turkish government, stand in solidarity with the Palestinian cause read more However, in response to the humanitarian disaster caused by Israels military operations in Gaza, no Uyghur organisation has so far condemned the actions as 'genocide'. Representational image. Reuters Since Hamas launched surprise attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, Tel Avivs relentless counter-attacks have killed far more than Hamas militants, with estimates putting the civilian death toll at over 38,000 peopleprimarily women and children. Meanwhile, attacks against Palestinians are also on the rise in the West Bank, where Hamas does not operate. Various experts and international organisations have described the physical destruction of Gaza, the loss of thousands of innocent lives and property, and the forced exodus of its population as ethnic cleansing and even as potential genocide". Muslims around the world have united to support the Palestinian peoples struggle to safeguard themselves from Israels aggression. Advertisement However, there is an Islamic organisation that stands in solidarity with Israel, overlooking the history of Palestinian suffering and openly supporting Israel, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), based in Germanys Munich city. The WUC stated on October 9, 2023, condemning Operation Al-Aqsa Typhoon as a terrorist attack, just a couple of days after Hamass surprise attack on Israel. Omer Kanat, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the WUC and Executive Director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), went one step ahead and publicly condemned Hamass actions and expressed solidarity with the victims of the attacks. Similarly, the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP), a Canada-based Uyghur rights group, issued a statement condemning the barbaric attacks by Hamas terrorists on innocent Israelis. Additionally, the Campaign for Uyghurs, affiliated with the WUC, while expressing solidarity with the victims of the attacks, stated that the organisation stands with the Jewish state. However, in response to the humanitarian disaster caused by Israels military operations in Gaza, no Uyghur organisation has so far condemned the actions as genocide. The fact mentioned above contradicts the widespread assertion of Chinese action against Uyghurs in Xinjiang as genocide. Consequently, Uyghur groups have faced severe criticism from the Muslim world. On social media, posts about Uyghurs claiming to be victims of genocide while supporting Israels actions in Gaza have sparked intense debate among Muslim groups. Critics accuse these Uyghurs of ignoring Islamic principles and supporting genocidal actions. In an astounding development, the Malaysian opposition built up tremendous pressure on the Anwar Ibrahim government to stop patronising the Uyghurs and even ban their activities on Malaysian soil. It is essential to mention that Kuala Lumpur has been soft to a few Uyghur organisations, who have opened up their diasporic activities there. Advertisement Further, the President of the Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations of Malaysia (MAPIM), Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, criticised the WUC for contradicting the Islamic world and Islamic principles. Mohd Azmi said, We want the World Uyghur Congress to correct its attitude and stance because the Uyghur as a Muslim ethnic group should show a parallel stance with Muslims around the world and also those who love the justice of the liberation of Palestine. In addition, Mohd Azmi did not rule out the possibility that Western countries might sponsor the WUC. I think there may be an influence from Western countries because they are based there. So it clearly shows that they are carrying the Wests agenda, thus scratching the image of the Uyghur to the point that it can be looked at as an askance by the international community, he explained. Advertisement Earlier, in a short piece published by these authors, they argued how the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) supported the WUC, with average annual funding ranging from $5 million to $6 million since its inception in 2004. The NED, too, provided financial support to Hidayet Oguzhan, the leader of the East Turkistan Education and Solidarity Association, and instructed him to ramp up anti-China rallies and sow discord between China and Turkey. The NED also funded Rushan Abbas, head of an East Turkistan organisation, to frequently visit Turkey and work with East Turkistan forces to stir up trouble. The WUC has not only received substantial funding from the US but also has developed a closer and deeper relationship with the US-based Zionist organisations. On July 10, 2023, the United States Zionist organisation, the Elis Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, announced a generous amount of $550,000 as a donation to three organisations, the WUC, the UHRP, and Jewish World Watch (JWW), to support its operational activities. Advertisement Furthermore, the Uyghur leader, Omer Kanat, actively participated in activities organised by a few Zionist organisations in the US. On October 7, 2023, the day of the Hamas attacks on Israel, Omer Kanat attended an event hosted by the Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, DC. Similarly, on October 25, 2023, Omer Kanat participated in the Basic Rights Award ceremony organised by the Lantos Foundation. The foundation openly supports Zionist atrocities and condemns Hamas for launching terrorist attacks to eliminate the Jews and their homeland'. In the name of supporting Uyghurs human rights project, both the NED and Jewish foundations have their political considerations. To counter the growing outpouring of global support for Palestine, the US, and Israel, propagandists are trying to misdirect the widespread outrage towards China by reviving the Uyghur genocide narrative. Advertisement Some people, even within the Uyghur diaspora, argue that the WUC does not stand for all the Uyghurs. Some Uyghurs who live in Turkey, including the East Turkistan National Assembly, showed their different stands in the Israel-Hamas conflict. They stand with Palestinians to fight for freedom as Muslims. Geopolitical considerations might be an element of their decisions; they have to keep pace with the Turkish government as refugees. However, not receiving donations from Western countries may be a more important reason for them having an independent stand towards Israel. Selena Green is a feminist advocate and human rights activist with eight years of experience as a coordinator of various human rights organisations. Mahesh Ranjan Debata teaches at the Centre for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The views expressed are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost views. The new iPhone 16 series brings many features like Camera Control, a 48MP Fusion camera along with a 12MP camera and a powerful A18 chip, delivering a performance boost and enhanced battery life read more Both, the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus will be available in five bold colours: ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black, with storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB. Image Credit: Apple Apple has officially launched the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, both equipped with the innovative Apple Intelligence, which provides a personalised, privacy-focused AI experience. These new models bring advanced Camera Control, a 48MP Fusion camera, and a powerful A18 chip, delivering a performance boost and enhanced battery life. With improved features for both photography and everyday tasks, these models are set to redefine user experience. iPhone 16 launch: Pricing and Availability The iPhone 16 starts at Rs 79,900, while the iPhone 16 Plus is priced at Rs 89,900. Both models will be available in five bold colours: ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black, with storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB. Pre-orders will begin on September 13, with availability starting on September 20 in over 58 countries, including India, the US, the UK, and Japan. Advertisement iPhone 16 launch: Apple Intelligence features Apple Intelligence is the standout feature in the iPhone 16 lineup, designed to simplify daily tasks by understanding personal context and drawing from it to create more personalised experiences. This system ensures privacy with its Private Cloud Compute technology, balancing on-device and server-based processing for efficient and secure performance. Apple Intelligence enhances writing across various apps, offering systemwide tools for rewriting, proofreading, and summarising text. It also extends to audio transcriptions, automatically generating summaries for recorded calls in the Notes and Phone apps. Notifications are now smarter, with prioritised messages in Mail surfacing time-sensitive emails and providing important information at a glance. Siri has been revamped with a new design and improved language understanding, enabling users to switch seamlessly between voice and text while engaging in more natural conversations. Siri will also gain new abilities, from content recognition to interacting across multiple apps, and will support ChatGPT for further functionality. Like the iPhone 16 Pro series, Apple Intelligence will be available as a free software update with iOS 18.1, rolling out next month. Initially available in US English, it will expand to other languages and regions, including the UK, Canada, and Australia, later this year. Apple Intelligence will also support additional languages such as French, Japanese, and Spanish in 2024. iPhone 16 launch: Generational leap with the A18 Chip The A18 chip is at the heart of the iPhone 16s performance, offering a substantial improvement in speed and power efficiency. Built on second-generation 3-nanometer technology, the A18 chip supports large generative models, running machine learning processes up to 2x faster than its predecessor. The 6-core CPU is 30 per cent faster than the A16 Bionic chip while using 30 per cent less power, and the 5-core GPU delivers 40 per cent faster graphics performance. Advertisement For gaming enthusiasts, the iPhone 16 models support hardware-accelerated ray tracing, providing more realistic lighting effects and higher frame rates. Game Mode in iOS 18 ensures smoother gameplay, with improved responsiveness for wireless accessories like AirPods and game controllers. iPhone 16 launch: Cameras The iPhone 16 lineup introduces Camera Control, a feature that seamlessly integrates hardware and software for a more intuitive camera experience. Users can quickly launch the camera, take photos, and start video recording with a simple press of a tactile switch. The camera preview allows for easy adjustments to zoom, exposure, and depth of field. Later in the year, Camera Control will unlock additional features, such as identifying objects, finding restaurant details, and integrating third-party tools like Google and ChatGPT. Advertisement The 48MP Fusion camera with a 2x Telephoto option offers users two cameras in one, allowing for closer framing of subjects. The Ultra Wide camera supports macro photography and captures up to 2.6x more light for enhanced image quality. Both models also feature spatial photo and video capture, providing remarkable depth for Apple Vision Pro users to relive precious memories. Next-generation Photographic Styles enable users to personalise their photos with real-time adjustments to colours, highlights, and shadows. These customisable styles are rendered during live preview and can be applied or reversed after capturing the photo. Additionally, video recording has been enhanced with Spatial Audio, and new audio editing tools like Audio Mix allow users to adjust the sound post-capture for a more professional result. Advertisement iPhone 16 launch: Sleek Design and Enhanced Durability The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus boast a sleek design with industry-leading durability. Both models feature a stronger back glass, water and dust resistance, and Apples next-generation Ceramic Shield, which is 2x tougher than glass on any other smartphone. Internally, the devices have been redesigned to house a larger battery while also improving heat dissipation. This re-engineered design, combined with iOS 18s power management features, delivers a significant boost in battery life. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are available in two sizes, 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches, both with a Super Retina XDR OLED display. The Dynamic Island feature, introduced in earlier models, enhances the user experience by providing seamless interaction with notifications and controls. The Action button, borrowed from the Apple Watch Ultra, offers quick access to functions like the camera, flashlight, voice memos, and more. Advertisement iPhone 16 launch: Sustainability As part of Apples ongoing commitment to sustainability, the iPhone 16 models are designed with over 30 per cent recycled content. The enclosure is made from 85 per cent recycled aluminium, and the battery features 100 per cent recycled cobalt. Additionally, over 95 per cent of the lithium used in the devices is recycled, a first for the iPhone. The packaging is entirely fibre-based, which aligns with Apples goal of eliminating plastic from its packaging by 2025. Over the years, Ather has raised approximately $500 million across several funding rounds, according to data from Tracxn. The company plans to issue new shares as part of the IPO, along with the sale of up to 22 million shares from existing investors read more Athers move to go public comes at a time when Indias electric vehicle (EV) market is heating up, driven by government incentives and the increasing cost of fuel. The Indian government has set ambitious targets, aiming for 30% of private cars and 70% of commercial vehicles to be electric by 2030. Image Credit: Reuters Ather Energy, the Indian electric scooter manufacturer, has filed its draft prospectus, aiming to raise approximately $370 million through its initial public offering (IPO). The Bengaluru-based startup is looking to capitalise on the growing demand for electric vehicles in India, the worlds third-largest automobile market. According to sources familiar with the situation, Ather is seeking a valuation between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. The company plans to issue new shares as part of the IPO, along with the sale of up to 22 million shares from existing investors. However, Ather Energy has not commented on these developments yet. The proceeds from the IPO are expected to be utilised for expanding the companys manufacturing capabilities, particularly with the construction of a new facility in Maharashtra. Additionally, funds will be allocated for repaying existing debts and furthering research and development efforts. Advertisement Riding the wave of Indias EV growth Athers move to go public comes at a time when Indias electric vehicle (EV) market is heating up, driven by government incentives and the increasing cost of fuel. The Indian government has set ambitious targets, aiming for 30 per cent of private cars and 70 per cent of commercial vehicles to be electric by 2030. As a key player in this rapidly growing sector, Ather is looking to strengthen its position through the IPO, particularly as competition intensifies. Backed by Hero MotoCorp and Indias sovereign wealth fund, the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, Ather Energy holds about 19 per cent of the electric two-wheeler market as of late August, according to government data. Despite this strong position, the company faces stiff competition from other well-established automakers and heavily funded startups. Ola Electric, which recently went public, leads the market with a 31 per cent share, followed closely by TVS Motor with 20 per cent and Bajaj Auto at 19 per cent. Athers investor, Hero MotoCorp, lags behind with just 5 per cent of the market. Athers financial standing Ather was founded in 2013 by Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain and has come to be known for its innovative approach to electric scooter design. Impressively, 80 per cent of the companys key components are developed in-house, showcasing its commitment to controlling the quality and uniqueness of its products. Over the years, Ather has raised approximately $500 million across several funding rounds, according to data from Tracxn. With Axis Capital, HSBC, JM Financial, and Nomura leading the IPO efforts, Ather Energy is positioning itself to attract significant investor interest. As Indias electric vehicle market continues to grow, the success of Athers IPO could help it stay competitive in this fast-evolving industry. Despite its market share and strong backing, Ather reported a loss of $126 million on revenue of $213 million for the fiscal year ending March 2023. These figures highlight the companys need to raise additional funds to further its growth, expand production, and reduce costs as it scales up. Googles ad tools are a significant part of Googles advertising business, which contributed to over 75 per cent of the companys $307.4 billion revenue last year read more The DOJ's lawsuit criticises Googles control over the ad buying, selling, and exchange processes, with some critics comparing Googles dominance to if a major financial institution owned a major stock exchange. Image Credit: Reuters Google is facing its second antitrust trial since September 2023, this time focusing on its dominance in the advertising technology sector. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that its advertising services have created an unfair competitive environment, leading to monopolistic control over the ad-tech industry and driving up costs for advertisers. The trial, which is set to begin in Alexandria, Virginia on Monday, will examine Googles less visible technologies that connect website publishers with advertisers. These tools are a significant part of Googles advertising business, which contributed to over 75 per cent of the companys $307.4 billion revenue last year. Advertisement Brian Wieser, an advertising consultant and financial analyst, highlighted the scale of Googles influence, noting that it is the largest seller of advertising globally. He remarked that Googles reach extends throughout the industry, either directly or indirectly, affecting virtually every player in the market. This case follows a ruling in August that found Google guilty of creating a monopoly in the search engine market, disadvantaging competitors such as DuckDuckGo, Bing, and Yelp through anti-competitive practices. Google argued that its superior search engine technology justified its dominant position, a defence it is likely to use in the upcoming trial as well. Googles arguments and industry impact Google has contested the DOJs claims, arguing that its share of the broader advertising marketincluding social media, streaming TV, and apps is 30 per cent or less. The company contends that the DOJs focus on website advertising does not account for the intense competition it faces in other areas of the ad market. Potential witnesses in the trial include competitors like Trade Desk and Comcast, as well as publishing companies such as PubMatic. The case will also explore the impact of Googles advertising technology on news organisations. A study by Northwestern University revealed that one-third of U.S. newspapers have closed or been sold since 2005, a trend attributed to the consolidation in the advertising market. Jonathan Kanter, the DOJs antitrust chief, has highlighted how the consolidation has posed a threat to journalism. Advertisement Current or former executives from News Corp, the Daily Mail, and Gannett, all of which have previously sued Google, may also provide testimony. Google plans to call small businesses and publishers as witnesses, arguing that breaking up its ad operations could hinder innovation, increase advertising costs, and impede growth for small companies. Legal implications and what it means for the ad market The DOJs lawsuit criticises Googles control over the ad buying, selling, and exchange processes, with some critics comparing Googles dominance to if a major financial institution owned a major stock exchange. The DOJ argues that Google has forced key competitors out of the ad tech market, discouraged new entrants, and marginalised remaining competitors. Advertisement Googles response is expected to label the lawsuit as backward looking and out of touch with reality. The trial, anticipated to last several weeks, will take place in Alexandria, Virginia, with both sides working towards a resolution. The DOJ is expected to submit a detailed remedy proposal to Google by the end of the year, and a solution is anticipated by August 2025. As the search engine case nears its conclusion, this new trial will scrutinise Googles role in the ad-tech sector, potentially reshaping the landscape of digital advertising and competition. NVIDIAs sharp decline highlights a growing issue for investors: NVIDIAs market volatility has surged, now exceeding that of other leading tech companies and even making Bitcoin appear relatively stable by comparison read more NVIDIA's volatility has pushed its 30-day realised volatility to approximately 80, which is about four times higher than Microsofts, double that of Bitcoin, and greater than the volatility seen in high-profile meme stocks such as those associated with Donald Trumps media company and Elon Musks Tesla Inc. Image Credit: Reuters NVIDIA the leading artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker, has experienced a dramatic decline in its market value, losing approximately $406 billion this week alone. This drop, representing over 20 per cent of its market capitalisation, has had a noticeable impact on major equity benchmarks, reflecting broader concerns about the US economy and a possible overvaluation in the AI sector. In the past two weeks, NVIDIAs stock has plummeted by a fifth of its value. This sharp decline highlights a growing issue for investors: NVIDIAs market volatility has surged, now exceeding that of other leading tech companies and even making Bitcoin appear relatively stable by comparison. Over the last 30 trading days, NVIDIAs shares have fluctuated between $90.69 and $131.26, with a particularly steep drop occurring on Tuesday. This volatility has pushed its 30-day realised volatility to approximately 80, which is about four times higher than Microsofts, double that of Bitcoin, and greater than the volatility seen in high-profile meme stocks such as those associated with Donald Trumps media company and Elon Musks Tesla Inc. Advertisement The recent downturn marks NVIDIAs worst two-week performance in two years, as reported by Bloomberg. Contributing factors include a lacklustre forecast, issues with the companys Blackwell chip, and the recent escalation of an antitrust investigation by the US Justice Department. Moreover, the broader semiconductor industry faced additional setbacks when Broadcom Inc. issued a disappointing sales forecast. Long-term prospects remain positive Despite the recent slump, NVIDIAs stock has still provided substantial returns to investors this year, having more than doubled in value and adding $1.3 trillion to its market capitalisation. The outlook for NVIDIA remains optimistic, with Wall Street analysts expecting the company to continue benefiting from the ongoing expansion of AI infrastructure. This growth is projected to persist for several more quarters. NVIDIAs largest clients, including Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Alphabet, and Amazon, which collectively account for over 40 per cent of NVIDIAs revenue, have maintained their spending plans. Recent financial results from NVIDIA reinforced this positive view, with revenue more than doubling and exceeding expectations. However, while adjusted earnings and revenue forecasts surpassed analyst predictions, they fell short of the higher end of estimates, leading to some investor disappointment. This mismatch between investor expectations and actual results has raised concerns about the sustainability of AI spending. Nevertheless, the evolving AI landscape suggests that NVIDIA and other chipmakers will continue to experience significant volatility. For long-term investors, this volatility might present opportunities to invest in AI-related stocks at a lower entry point. Advertisement Slump brings opportunities Rhys Williams, chief strategist at Wayve Capital Management, suggests that despite the current market turbulence, the AI sector is still in its early stages. For those prepared to invest with a long-term perspective, the current market conditions could be seen as a chance to acquire AI-related stocks at attractive prices. Williams advises that for investors ready to commit capital today, adding AI stocks could be a promising strategy. As the AI industry continues to develop and expand, the volatility observed in NVIDIAs shares and those of other chipmakers is likely to persist. Investors will need to carefully navigate this volatility while keeping an eye on the long-term potential of the AI sector. The incident took place on Sunday at the Allenby Bridge crossing over the River Jordan. The bridge is also known as the King Hussein Bridge read more Israeli security forces gather at the scene of a deadly terror attack near the Allenby Crossing between the West Bank and Jordan on September 8, 2024. AP A Jordanian truck driver opened fire at a border crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, killing three Israeli security officials. According to The Times of Israel, the incident took place on Sunday at the Allenby Bridge crossing over the River Jordan. The bridge is also known as the King Hussein Bridge. The attack took place just hours after Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza killed a senior aid official and two women and two children from his family. Advertisement A terrorist approached the area of the Allenby Bridge from Jordan in a truck, exited the truck, and opened fire at the Israeli security forces operating at the bridge, the Israeli military said in a statement after the incident. The terrorist was eliminated by the security forces, and three Israeli civilians were pronounced dead as a result of the attack, the military furthered. Meanwhile, Jordans foreign ministry condemned the incident and noted that the country has opened an investigation into the matter. Jordans firm position rejecting and condemning violence and targeting civilians for any reason, the ministry said in a statement. About the culprit After the preliminary investigation, Jordanian authorities said that the probes have so far concluded that the attack was committed by a lone assailant. Authorities from both sides have closed the border crossing. Preliminary investigation also showed that the gunman was a 39-year-old truck driver who came from the influential Huwaitat tribe in southern Jordan. The Israeli military noted that the shooting was carried out at close range in a commercial section of the border crossing. This is the region where trucks from Jordan and the Gulf go to unload for onward transport into the occupied West Bank and Israel. The border where the shooting incident took place has largely remained quiet since Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994. Shortly after the incident, Israel announced that it was closing all three of its land border crossings with Jordan. The Israeli army has also reportedly cordoned off the West Bank city of Jericho, which is the nearest to the Allenby Bridge crossing, in case other would-be attackers had already entered. Meanwhile, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the gunman an abhorrent terrorist. Advertisement We are surrounded by a murderous ideology led by Irans axis of evil, he said in a statement issued at the start of a cabinet meeting. Since the start of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, there has been a major rise in violence in the West Bank. The violence also includes the Israeli army raids on Palestinian towns along with increasing attacks by Israeli settlers. With inputs from agencies. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attends the first India-GCC Foreign Ministers Meeting in Riyadh, aiming to strengthen ties in trade, investment, and energy. This article lists key highlights and diplomatic moves from this historic event read more EAM S. Jaishankar with Abdulmajeed Al Smari, Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs after arriving in Riyadh, Sunday. Indias External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is attending the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Riyadh today. This landmark event aims to bolster relations between India and the GCC nations, focusing on key areas such as trade, investment, and energy. The meeting underscores the growing importance of the Gulf region for Indias foreign policy. Here are six important things to know about the visit: 1. Purpose of the meeting: The first-ever India-GCC Foreign Ministers Meeting in Riyadh is designed to enhance cooperation between India and the Gulf nations. The discussions will center on strengthening ties across trade, investment, and energy sectors. Advertisement 2. Indian context: The GCC region is home to approximately 8.9 million Indian expatriates and is a crucial trading partner for India. This meeting is a strategic step to deepen Indias engagement with the Gulf countries. 3. Bilateral talks: During his visit, Dr. Jaishankar is expected to hold one-on-one discussions with foreign ministers from GCC member states. These talks will aim to further solidify bilateral relationships and address mutual interests. 4. Cultural Engagement: On the first day of his visit, Jaishankar explored significant cultural sites in Riyadh. His itinerary included the Saudi National Museum, the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (DARAH), and Murabba Palace, highlighting the historical connections between India and Saudi Arabia. 5. Two-day tour: The meeting is part of a two-day tour of Saudi Arabia by Dr. Jaishankar, underscoring the importance of this diplomatic engagement for Indias strategic interests in the Gulf region. 6. History: The gathering marks a significant moment in India-GCC relations, reflecting the growing importance of collaborative efforts between India and the Gulf nations in various sectors. Indias National Security Adviser Ajit Doval heads to Moscow for a pivotal BRICS meeting focused on the Ukraine conflict. Discover the key details and implications of this high-stakes diplomatic visit read more Indias National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, is set to attend a BRICS meeting in Moscow on September 10-11, 2024. This high-profile conclave of national security advisers from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa comes at a crucial time, amid growing international calls for a resolution to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Dovals visit, following recent diplomatic engagements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both Moscow and Kyiv, highlights Indias potential role in mediating peace and advancing dialogue in the region. Here are 7 things you need to know about this meeting: Advertisement 1. Purpose: The main goal of Dovals meeting in Moscow is to discuss strategies for peace in the Ukraine conflict amid increased calls for dialogue. 2. Background: Dovals visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent trips to Moscow and Kyiv. Modis visits in July and August have sparked discussions about Indias potential role in mediating the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Yesterday, Italys PM Giorgia Meloni told press that India could play a major role in resolving Russia-Ukraine conflict. This statement came after a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 3. Upcoming visits: In addition to the current visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October. This summit will bring together top leaders from the BRICS nations. 4. Expected dicussions: During his visit, Doval is anticipated to meet with his Russian counterpart to explore ways to advance peace efforts. India is waiting for signals from both Russia and Ukraine regarding its potential involvement in mediation. 5. Ukraines Perspective: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed a desire for India to actively support Ukraine rather than merely balancing relations with both Moscow and Kyiv. Zelenskyy has called for India to play a more decisive role in the conflict. 6. International Calls for Mediation: Recent statements from international leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, suggest that India and China could play crucial roles in finding a resolution to the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also mentioned India, Brazil, and China as potential intermediaries in the peace process. 7. Indias Position: India has consistently advocated for resolving the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Prime Minister Modis commitment to peace was evident during his visit to Ukraine, where he emphasized Indias readiness to support peaceful resolution efforts. A dorm at Njia Boys High School in the central county of Meru caught fire as students were having supper and no casualties were reported, a police statement said. read more A blaze destroyed a dormitory at a Kenyan school on Sunday, police said, the third such incident in just days. A dorm at Njia Boys High School in the central county of Meru caught fire as students were having supper and no casualties were reported, a police statement said. The building housing about 150 students completely burnt down, the inferno consuming everything, and property of unknown value was destroyed, it said. Last Thursday, 21 boys perished when flames engulfed their dormitory at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County as they were sleeping. Advertisement And on Saturday, another fire erupted at a girls high school in Isiolo county, also in the centre of the country. A local official said there were several injuries, but police said no one was hurt. Last weeks deadly inferno has thrown the spotlight on safety at Kenyas schools, with President William Ruto vowing that those responsible would be brought to justice. A Bangladeshi smuggler was killed in a shooting incident with the Border Security Force (BSF) in Tripuras Sepahijala district on Sunday. The confrontation occurred when smugglers, armed with sharp-edged weapons, tried to cross the international boundary, leading to a scuffle that escalated to gunfire read more A Bangladeshi smuggler was killed in BSF firing in Tripuras Sepahijala district on Sunday, an official said. Border Security Force personnel, while dominating the area of Kalamchoura, observed several people, armed with sharp-edged weapons, on either side of the fence, trying to smuggle goods across the international boundary, he said. When challenged to stop, they didnt pay heed and got aggressive. They tried to encircle the BSF jawans on duty. Sensing imminent danger to life, a BSF jawan fired a shot from a non-lethal rifle in self-defence. But the smugglers became more aggressive and a scuffle broke out between two sides. As the situation was going out of control, a jawan fired at them. One Bangladeshi smuggler was killed, a BSF official said. Advertisement Subsequently, a search operation was launched in the area. A huge quantity of sugar and wooden planks were recovered from there, he said. It was learnt that the deceased was a resident of Mirpur in Bangladesh, the BSF official said. A BSF jawan was attacked by smugglers from the neighbouring country in Kalamchoura on June 2 and they tried to drag him inside the Bangladesh side, he added. The Philippines and China have exchanged accusations of intentionally ramming coast guard vessels in the disputed waterway in recent months, including a violent clash in June in which a Filipino sailor lost a finger read more Members of the Philippine Coast Guard stand alert as a Chinese Coast Guard vessel blocks their way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Reuters China called on the Philippines to seriously consider the future of a relationship at a crossroads in a Monday commentary published by the Peoples Daily, the newspaper of the governing Communist Party, amid tensions in the South China Sea. The Philippines and China have exchanged accusations of intentionally ramming coast guard vessels in the disputed waterway in recent months, including a violent clash in June in which a Filipino sailor lost a finger. Advertisement The incidents have overshadowed efforts by both nations to rebuild trust and better manage confrontations, including setting up new lines of communication to improve handling maritime disputes. China-Philippines relations stand at a crossroads, facing a choice of which way to go, the commentary said. Dialogue and consultation is the right path, as there is no way out of the conflict through confrontation. Manila should seriously consider the future of China-Philippines relations and work with China to push bilateral relations back on track, it added. The commentary was published under the pen name Zhong Sheng, meaning Voice of China, which is often used to give the papers view on foreign policy issues. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Portions of the waterway, where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as fish stocks. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 found Chinas sweeping claims had no legal basis, a ruling Beijing rejects. Advertisement In June, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines security, after Manila accused China of a deliberate action to stop the resupply of Philippine troops stationed at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. In Mondays commentary, China blamed the Philippines for the so-called humanitarian problem that Filipino sailors aboard what China considers an illegally stranded ship at nearby Sabina Shoal had no access to supplies, adding the people aboard are absolutely allowed to leave. 58-year-old Qin has been formally reassigned at least on paper to a low-level position at World Affairs Press, a state-owned publishing house affiliated with the Chinese Foreign Ministry, according to a report, citing two former US officials read more In a dramatic turn of events, former Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang, who disappeared from the public eye in the summer of 2023 amid a flurry of wild rumors including claims of imprisonment and suicide, is indeed alive though his current position has been relegated to a significantly diminished role. According to The Washington Post report, citing two former US officials, 58-year-old Qin has been formally reassigned at least on paper to a low-level position at World Affairs Press, a state-owned publishing house affiliated with the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Advertisement The officials indicated that his current role reflects a substantial reduction from his previous high-profile position close to Chinese President Xi Jinping. The demotion which took place sometime in the spring, the former officials said is a fall from grace but also means hes off the hook. Hes not going to jail, but his career is over, The Washington Post quoted one of the officials as saying. According to the report, citing the official, Qins reassignment to a low-level position likely serves both as punishment and a cautionary tale. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has declined to comment on Qins current role and did not respond to inquiries about his new position, reported The Washington Post. Dramatic rise Qins rapid rise was remarkable. At 56, he was not only tapped as minister but also elevated to state councilor, a senior position that Wang Yi, Qins predecessor, did not achieve until his 60s, after five years as foreign minister. According to the report, citing Christopher K Johnson, former senior CIA China analyst, his swift rise sparked discontent among colleagues who saw him as bypassing others. Qin, a Xi loyalist, built his reputation as head of protocol from 2014 to 2017, meticulously managing Xis international image. His promotional efforts included demanding a 2 am museum visit before Xis 2015 Belarus trip, and his wife, Lin Yan, befriended Xis wife, preparing mooncakes for her, according to The Washington Post report, citing sources. Advertisement Promoted to vice minister in 2018 and US ambassador in 2021, Qin became Chinas youngest foreign minister since the 1950s. His swift rise reflects the aggressive wolf warrior diplomacy style, which gained Xis favor and marked a new generation of assertive Chinese diplomats. This guy was a wolf warrior before it was cool to be a wolf warrior, Johnson was quoted as saying. From Day 1 as foreign minister, Qin positioned himself as the chief enforcer of Xi Jinpings diplomatic agenda, rather than a subordinate to Wang Yi, who had been promoted to director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission and technically outranked him. Advertisement In his first major news conference in March 2023, Qin echoed Xis warnings of containment by Washington, making blunt remarks about an impending confrontation with the United States. According to The Washington Post report, current and former US officials describe Qin as lacking the diplomatic finesse of his more experienced peers and struggling to shift out of wolf warrior mode. A tense moment took place in August 2022 when Qin, then Beijings ambassador in Washington, dealt with the aftermath of House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan. Despite Beijings objections, Pelosi completed her trip, leading to intensified meetings between senior Biden administration officials and Qin to prevent escalation. The US officials emphasised that Washington was not seeking confrontation but would respond to aggressive Chinese actions. Advertisement After Pelosis departure, China fired missiles into the waters around Taiwan, prompting a summons of Qin by the White House. In a tense exchange, one official recalled Qin making what seemed like a threat about China erasing the median line, an unofficial boundary in the Taiwan Strait. This statement alarmed officials, who viewed it as escalatory, reported The Washington Post. Qins subsequent response was a performative tirade against Pelosis visit, the report quoted another official as saying. This is not the time for polemics, the official quoted the then-White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell as saying. Its a moment for precision. Brief tenure Qins tenure as foreign minister was brief. He disappeared from public view five months into the role, sparking rumors about his downfall. Officially dismissed in July after just 207 days, he was replaced by Wang Yi. Advertisement According to the report, the reason behind Qins ouster remains unclear, but a leading theory is that he had an extramarital affair with Chinese journalist Fu Xiaotian, resulting in a child born in the US. Analysts suggest Fus high-profile lifestyle and possible security risks may have played a role. Despite rumors that she might have passed secrets to a foreign intelligence service, these claims remain unproven, added the report. Both Qin and Fu have been out of the public eye for over a year. In July, the Communist Party dismissed several officials from the Central Committee, but Qin was only noted as having resigned. He remained a comrade a member of the Communist Party hinting at a milder punishment. This was the first indication that Qin was still alive. The Politburo crediting Qin with the title of comrade indicates that he has not been expelled from the party and could be reassigned to a new, lower-ranking role, The Washington Post quoted Neil Thomas, an expert on Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, a think tank, as saying. In the Xi era, similar demotions have been meted out to leading cadres found guilty of relatively minor political infractions, Thomas said. Qins demotion mirrors the case of Shen Guofang, a former assistant foreign minister who was similarly reassigned to a publishing role in 2005 amid rumors of an affair. Shen continued to maintain a public profile, though he claimed ignorance about the reason for his reassignment. World Affairs Press, where Qin is now reportedly employed, is a small bookstore in Beijing. Employees and a receptionist there said they were unaware of Qins current role, according to The Washington Post report. A former translator for top Chinese leaders, Victor Gao, was recently pressed on Qins whereabouts in an interview with Al Jazeera. He is somewhere in China, The Washington Post quoted Gao, who is now vice president of the Center for China and Globalization think tank, as saying. You will never see him, Gao added. With inputs from agencies Last year, Kim marked the countrys founding day on Sept 9 with a parade of paramilitary groups and diplomatic exchanges in which he vowed to deepen ties with China and Russia read more A missile is displayed during a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea's army, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea February 8, 2023, in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Reuters Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sent greetings to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the occasion of North Koreas founding anniversary, state media KCNA said on Monday. I am sure that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and the DPRK will be strengthened in a planned way thanks to our joint efforts, Putin said, according to KCNA. DPRK is short for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the Norths official name. Advertisement Xi called for deeper strategic communication and cooperation with North Korea in his message, KCNA said. Last year, Kim marked the countrys founding day on Sept 9 with a parade of paramilitary groups and diplomatic exchanges in which he vowed to deepen ties with China and Russia. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, there have been tensions along the disputed borders with Pakistan and the two sides have frequently clashed read more Pakistan and Taliban have clashes frequently since the fall of Kabul in 2021 to the Taliban (Photo: AFP) In the latest round of clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the Pakistani soldiers have killed at least eight Taliban militants, according to reports. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, there have been tensions along the disputed borders with Pakistan and the two sides have frequently clashed. The Taliban rejects the Durand Line that Pakistan says demarcates the border, which was set as the border between the British India and Afghanistan in 1893. Advertisement The Dawn has reported that the latest Taliban-Pakistan clash occurred near Pakistans Kurram district along the border. The clash began on Saturday morning when the Taliban militants attacked a Pakistani check post with heavy weapons in the Palosin area on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, according to the newspaper. The paper quoted the sources as saying that the Pakistani response killed at least eight militants, including two key commanders, and injured 16. The two commanders were identified by the sources as Khalil and Jan Muhammad. Separately, state-run Pakistan Television linked the attacks to Talibans attempt to construct a security outpost along the border. This is not the first time casualties have been reported in clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Last month, the Torkham border crossing was shut for three days after the Taliban regime of Afghanistan claimed that Pakistani warplanes had violated the Afghan airspace by flying over Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. Since the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, tensions have also flared between the two sides over Pakistans allegation that Taliban shelters terrorist group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has ramped up violent attacks across the country in recent years. Pakistan has alleged that TTP has camps in Afghanistan and have found a safe haven there. Amid ongoing feud with the party controlling the parliament, Senegals President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has said he would dissolve the parliament in coming days read more Bassirou Diomaye Faye became the President of Senegal in March with a promise of radical reform. Six months later, as Senegal continues to struggle economically, Faye and the predecessors party which still controls the parliament are locked in a blame game. The feud between the presidency and the parliament is such that the parliament has refused to recognise the prime minister appointed by Faye and Faye has announced he would dissolve the parliament in coming days, which would make way for fresh parliamentary elections. Advertisement As the two parties continue to bicker, Senegal remains socioeconomically troubled as the national debt remains above 72 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and a third of the youth are unemployed. Senegal grapples with political crisis After winning the presidential election, Faye appointed Ousmane Sonko as the Prime Minister of Senegal. The announcement is at the core of the feud between Faye and the parliament, which continues to be controlled by his predecessor Macky Salls party. The parliament has not recognised Sonko as the prime minister as it has argued that Sall had abolished the position in 2019 and even though it was reinstated in 2019, the parliament never rectified the reinstatement, according to The Guardian. As the parliament has not recognised him, Sonko has refused to present his policy agenda to the parliament. Thierno Alassane Sall, the leader of the party controlling the parliament, has questioned Sonkos legitimacy. [He] wants to impose his law. He forgets that he was not elected by anyone and he only draws his legitimacy from the president of the republic who appointed him, said Alassane Sall, as per The Guardian. As the deadlock continued, Faye announced he would dissolve the parliament. The newspaper reported that, as per law, the parliament can only be dissolved after September 12, as the parliament cannot be dissolved until it has sat for at least two years. Advertisement The broken promises of new president Faye swept to power on a leftist, anti-establishment, and pan-African platform. He had also promised to work on national reconciliation, the cost-of-living crisis, and fighting corruption, according to The Guardian. Now, six months later, the state of affairs contradicts the promises and pan-Africa agenda appears to be a distraction from the failure to set the house in order. He has sought to mediate between the military-ruled states of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, and the regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas). Even though the previous administration of Sall was accused of cronyism, Faye has faced the same allegations. The Guardian reported that nearly half of his appointments are affiliated with the party and are not based on merit. Advertisement Faye also promised to reassess Senegals relationship with France but his first foreign visit after taking office was to France, the nations former colonial ruler. The European Union has claimed that Iran provided ballistic missiles to Russia, a move Tehran denies and which the Kremlin neither confirms nor denies. The EU warned of potential significant sanctions if the delivery is confirmed, amid ongoing Western concerns over Irans military support to Russia in the Ukraine conflict read more Demonstrators hold yellow and blue umbrellas as they protest against Russia's war in Ukraine and demand the support for efficient air defense for Ukraine, on September 7, 2024 in Prague, Czech Republic. AFP/File Photo The European Union said Monday its allies had shared intelligence Iran had supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, a claim that Tehran rejected but that the Kremlin did not explicitly deny. US media outlets reported last week that Washington believed Iran had transferred the weapons to Russia for use on the battlefield in Ukraine, citing anonymous sources. We are aware of the credible information provided by allies on the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia, EU spokesman Peter Stano said. Advertisement We are looking further into it with our member states and if confirmed, this delivery would represent a substantive material escalation in Irans support for Russias illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Stano added that the EU leaders unanimous position has always been clear. The European Union will respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran. Irans foreign ministry said it strongly rejected accusations it had a role in exporting arms to Russia. The West has been warning Tehran against sending Russia missiles for months, and the EU has already repeatedly hit Iran with sanctions for supplying drones to Moscow for the war in Ukraine. - Severe response - We strongly reject the claims on Irans role in exporting arms to one side of the war, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said during a weekly press conference. The Kremlin did not issue a denial on Monday when asked specifically about the Wall Street Journal report that Iran had sent missiles. We have seen this report, it is not every time that this kind of information is true, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Iran is our important partner, we are developing our trade and economic relations, we are developing our cooperation and dialogue in all possible areas, including the most sensitive areas. Advertisement The United States has said any deliveries would invoke a severe response and damage Tehrans efforts to improve relations with the West following the countrys election of reformist Masoud Pezeshkian as president. Faced with punishing Western sanctions, Moscow has turned to Iran and North Korea for weapons supplies to keep its war machine going in Ukraine. Ukraine says it has been attacked with Iranian-designed Shahed drones on an almost daily basis from Russia, and has found fragments of North Korean missiles on its territory. The reported delivery of missiles to Russia comes as the Kremlin has once again stepped up its bombing campaign against Ukraines key infrastructure ahead of winter. Our understanding is that our partners in Israel are looking into the circumstances of what happened, and we expect them to make their findings public, and expect that whatever those findings are, expect them to be thorough and transparent, said US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel read more Turkish-American woman Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a graduate of the University of Washington, poses wearing her mortarboard and keffiyeh in a family photograph taken at the University of Washington's 2024 commencement ceremony, in Seattle, Washington, US, on June 8, 2024. Reuters File The United States on Monday called on Israel to complete a full inquiry into the killing of an American Turkish woman last week in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, saying it believes Israel has begun such a probe. Turkish and Palestinian officials said on Friday that Israeli troops shot 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi who had been taking part in a protest against settlement expansion. Our understanding is that our partners in Israel are looking into the circumstances of what happened, and we expect them to make their findings public, and expect that whatever those findings are, expect them to be thorough and transparent, US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told a news briefing. Advertisement Palestinian news agency WAFA said the incident took place during a regular protest march by activists in Beita, a village near Nablus that has seen repeated attacks on Palestinians by Jewish settlers. Israels military said it was looking into reports that a female foreign national was killed as a result of shots fired in the area. The details of the incident and the circumstances in which she was hit are under review. Patel did not provide further information on the circumstances of the killing. Turkeys President Tayyip Erdogan condemned Eygis death, saying in a post on social media that Turkey will continue to work in every platform to halt Israels policy of occupation and genocide. Israel denies its actions in occupied Palestinian territories amount to genocide. A rise in violent attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank has stirred anger among Western allies of Israel, including the United States, which has imposed sanctions on some Israelis involved in the settler movement. Since the 1967 Middle East war, Israel has occupied the West Bank of the Jordan River, which Palestinians want as the core of an independent state. Israel has built settlements there that most countries deem illegal, which Israel disputes citing historical and biblical ties to the land. Harris is the best and only presidential candidate in this race who is fit to serve as our commander in chief, they wrote in the letter posted on X by Harris campaign read more A group of 10 retired top US military officials endorsed US Vice President Kamala Harris in a letter made public on Monday, saying she is the only presidential candidate fit to serve as the nations commander in chief and calling her Republican rival Donald Trump a danger to our national security and democracy. The letter, signed by Retired General Larry Ellis and Retired Rear Admiral Michael Smith, among others, cited Trumps comments disparaging members of the military and his own chaotic approach to Afghanistan ahead of the US withdrawal, including negotiating a deal with the Taliban that allowed 5,000 of the groups fighters to return to the battlefield. Advertisement In contrast, they wrote, Harris has demonstrated her ability to take on the most difficult national security challenges in the Situation Room and on the international stage, from Russias invasion of Ukraine to tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific. Harris is the best and only presidential candidate in this race who is fit to serve as our commander in chief, they wrote in the letter posted on X by Harris campaign. The Democratic vice president and Trump, who is running for the third time after serving from 2017 to early 2021, face a tight race before the Nov. 5 election in an unprecedented contest in which the future of American democracy looms large. The letter coincided with a new Harris campaign ad released before the two candidates Tuesday night debate featuring former Trump officials warning that a second Trump presidency would pose major risks. In 2016 Donald Trump said he would choose only the best people to work in his White House. Now, those people have a warning for America. Trump is not fit to be president again, fears his vice president, the ad says. It featured videos from Trumps former vice president, Mike Pence, former Defense Secretary Mike Esper, former national security adviser John Bolton, and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. Advertisement The letter also comes a day before House Speaker Mike Johnson hosts a congressional gold medal ceremony honoring the 13 service members killed in the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal in August 2021. Trump and his fellow Republicans have tried to blame Harris for the Afghanistan pullout, with those in Congress issuing a report on Monday. The retired military officials, in their letter, blamed Trump for failing to take responsibility for his own role in putting service members in harms way, noting his deal to free Taliban fighters without involving the Afghan government and for not leaving a withdrawal plan after he left office following his 2020 election loss. Israeli airstrikes in Syria overnight have resulted in 14 deaths and over 40 injuries, according to Syrian state media. The strikes, which targeted areas including a scientific research center and sites associated with Iranian militias, have caused extensive damage and sparked fires read more The number of people killed in overnight Israeli strikes in Syria has risen to 14 with more than 40 wounded, Syrian state media said Monday morning. Israeli strikes hit several areas in central Syria late Sunday, damaging a highway in Hama province and sparking fires, Syrian state news agency SANA said. The initial death count reported by the Masyaf National Hospital in western Hamas province was four. SANA, citing hospital head Faysal Haydar, said 14 were killed and 43 wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, said at least four of those killed were civilians. Advertisement One of the strikes targeted a scientific research center in Maysaf and others struck sites where Iranian militias and experts are stationed to develop weapons in Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Local media also reported strikes around the coastal city of Tartous. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of war-torn Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations. The strikes often target Syrian forces or Iranian-backed groups. Israel has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment in Syria, particularly since Syria is a key route for Iran to send weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Hezbollah has been clashing with Israeli forces for the past 11 months against the backdrop of Israels war against Hamas an ally of Hezbollah in Gaza. The price challenge has deterred some countries from launching vaccination campaigns. Burundi, the second most affected country globally has yet to receive vaccines. The most commonly used mpox vaccine, made by Bavarian Nordic, requires two doses, compounding the financial burden for resource-constrained nations. read more The Congo remains the outbreak's epicenter, which has spread to neighboring countries and beyond, but the lack of vaccines in Africa has hindered efforts to contain the disease. Image- AFP With costs of mpox vaccines sky-high, Africas leading health agency is seeking donations to secure four million vaccine doses needed to fight the outbreak across the continent over the next six months. So far this year, nearly 25,000 cases of mpox, including 643 deaths, have been reported across Africa, with the outbreak originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and spreading to over a dozen other countries. Vaccine supplies are urgently required considering the severity of the situation, but the skyrocketing costs have posed a significant affordability barrier for countries already struggling with multiple health crises including cholera, measles, malaria, and HIV. Advertisement According to the reports, manufacturers are charging up to US$140 per dose, making the vaccines unaffordable for most African nations, which now rely heavily on donations mostly from Western nations that have large stockpiles. Bavarian Nordic, a leading manufacturer of mpox vaccine, has been identified as a key supplier of as many as 12 million doses by 2025, as part of a procurement plan by global health agencies to address the mpox outbreak. The Africa Centres for Disease Control has pegged the price for Bavarians vaccine at $100 per dose, while the World Health Organization quoted it at $141. Thats more than what most countries on the continent can afford, as Bloomberg reported. Pricing is a problem, Bloomberg quoted Helen Rees, chair of the WHOs African advisory group on immunisation as saying. The price has put the jab among the treatments where the cost is going to make things prohibitive, she added. A pricing model used by global vaccine alliance Gavi has previously beaten down the cost of shots by securing large volumes, making it viable for manufacturers and helping ensure products get where they need to be. But at this stage, Bavarians mpox jab doesnt fit that structure, she said. In this kind of circumstance, youve got limited supply and a manufacturing side of things that is expensive this is not a cheap product to make, Rees said. Theres a real cost associated. WHO emergencies chief Mike Ryan highlighted the staggering cost of vaccinating large populations: If you want to vaccinate five million people in Congo, thats going to cost you a billion dollars. The DRCs health minister, Samuel-Roger Kamba, emphasized the urgent need for 3.5 million doses, while the entire African continent requires 10 million to halt the outbreak. Advertisement Wealthier countries like the United States, which has stockpiled approximately 7 million doses, and Spain, with 2.5 million doses, are well-positioned to launch vaccination campaigns in the event of outbreaks. However, Africas limited access to vaccines has hindered efforts to contain the spread of mpox. Since the start of 2024, the continent has reported 5,549 confirmed mpox cases, with 643 deaths. The DRC remains the epicenter, accounting for 91% of the total cases. In the event of an outbreak, these rich nations can promptly launch vaccination campaigns to protect their citizens, as seen during the 2022 US mpox outbreak, where over one million shots were distributed by years end. As the Democratic Republic of Congo received its initial batch of mpox vaccines, talks facilitated by agencies like Unicef are ongoing to secure additional vaccines for crisis-stricken African countries, with initial agreements expected to be finalized by mid-September. Advertisement The Congo remains the outbreaks epicenter, which has spread to neighboring countries and beyond, but the lack of vaccines in Africa has hindered efforts to contain the disease. Since the start of 2024, there have been 5,549 confirmed mpox cases across the continent, with 643 associated deaths, representing a sharp escalation in both infections and fatalities compared to previous years. The cases in Congo constituted 91% of the total number. Most mpox infections in Congo and Burundi, the second most affected country, are in children under age 15. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has called on countries with stockpiles of vaccines to work with us and our partners to get those vaccines to where they are needed now. Each year at the 9/11 Memorial, young relatives of victims read the names of those lost, reflecting a generational shift as many were born after the attacks. Their participation underscores a deep, ongoing connection to the events of September 11, 2001, and the importance of preserving their stories and legacies read more People look at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum as the Tribute in Light is illuminated on the skyline of lower Manhattan on the day of the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Reuters/File Photo A poignant phrase echoes when 9/11 victims relatives gather each year to remember the loved ones they lost in the terror attacks. I never got to meet you. It is the sound of generational change at ground zero, where relatives read out victims names on every anniversary of the attacks. Nearly 3,000 people were killed when al-Qaida hijackers crashed four jetliners into the twin towers, the Pentagon and a field in southwest Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001. Advertisement Some names are read out by children or young adults who were born after the strikes. Last years observance featured 28 such young people among more than 140 readers. Young people are expected again at this years ceremony Wednesday. Some are the children of victims whose partners were pregnant. More of the young readers are victims nieces, nephews or grandchildren. They have inherited stories, photos, and a sense of solemn responsibility. Being a 9/11 family reverberates through generations, and commemorating and understanding the Sept. 11 attacks one day will be up to a world with no first-hand memory of them. Its like youre passing the torch on, says Allan Aldycki, 13. He read the names of his grandfather and several other people the last two years, and plans to do so on on Wednesday. Aldycki keeps mementoes in his room from his grandfather Allan Tarasiewicz, a firefighter. The teen told the audience last year that hes heard so much about his grandfather that it feels like he knew him, but still, I wish I had a chance to really know you, he added. Allan volunteered to be a reader because it makes him feel closer to his grandfather, and he hopes to have children wholl participate. Advertisement Its an honor to be able to teach them because you can let them know their heritage and what to never forget, he said by phone from central New York. He said he already finds himself teaching peers who know little or nothing about 9/11. When it comes time for the ceremony, he looks up information about the lives of each person whose name hes assigned to read. He reflects on everything and understands the importance of what it means to somebody, his mother, Melissa Tarasiewicz, said. Reciting the names of the dead is a tradition that extends beyond ground zero. War memorials honor fallen military members by speaking their names aloud. Some Jewish organizations host readings of Holocaust victims names on the international day of remembrance, Yom Hashoah. Advertisement The names of the 168 people killed in the 1995 bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City are read annually at the memorial there. On Sept. 11 anniversaries, the Pentagons ceremony includes military members or officials reading the names of the 184 people killed there. The Flight 93 National Memorial has victims relatives and friends read the list of the 40 passengers and crew members whose lives ended at the rural site near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The hourslong observance at the 9/11 Memorial in New York is almost exclusively dedicated to the names of the 2,977 victims at all three sites, plus the six people killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. All are read by relatives who volunteer and are chosen by lottery. Advertisement Each is given a subset of names to render aloud. Readers also generally speak briefly about their own lost kin, frequently in touching detail. I think often about how, if you were still here, you would be one of my best friends, looking at colleges with me, getting me out of trouble with Mom and Dad, hanging out at the Jersey Shore, Capri Yarosz said last year of her slain uncle, New York firefighter Christopher Michael Mozzillo. Now 17, she grew up with a homemade baby book about him and a family that still mentions him in everyday conversation. Chris would have loved that is a phrase often heard around the house. Advertisement She has read twice at the trade center ceremony. It means a lot to me that I can kind of keep alive my uncles name and just keep reading everybody elses name, so that more of the upcoming generations will know, she said by phone from her familys home in central New Jersey. I feel good that I can pass down the importance of what happened. Her two younger sisters also have read names, and one is preparing to do so again Wednesday. Their mother, Pamela Yarosz, has never been able to steel herself to sign up. I dont have that strength. Its too hard for me, says Pamela Yarosz, who is Mozzillos sister. Theyre braver. By now, many of the children of 9/11 victims such as Melissa Tarasiewicz, who was just out of high school when her father died have long since grown up. But about 100 were born after the attacks killed one of their parents, and are now young adults. Though we never met, I am honored to carry your name and legacy with me. I thank you for giving me this life and family, Manuel DaMota Jr. said of his father, a woodworker and project manager, during last years ceremony. One young reader after another at the event commemorated aunts, uncles, great-uncles, grandfathers and grandmothers whom the children have missed throughout their lives. My whole life, my dad has said I reminded him of you. I wish you got to take me fishing. I wish I had more of you than just a picture on a frame. Even though I never got to meet you, I will never forget you. The United States has some 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group read more US troops walk as an army helicopter flies over the village of Oreij in Iraq, 22 February 2017. Photograph. File Image/ AFP Iraq and the United States have agreed on a phased pullout of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition but have yet to sign a final agreement, the Iraqi defence minister said Sunday. The United States has some 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group. They have been engaged in months of talks with Baghdad on a withdrawal of forces, but fell short of announcing any timeline so far. Advertisement On Sunday, Iraqi Defence Minister Thabet al-Abbassi told pan-Arab television channel Al-Hadath that the coalition would pull out from bases in Baghdad and other parts of federal Iraq by September 2025 and from the autonomous northern Kurdistan region by September 2026. The pullout is two-phased and maybe we will sign the agreement within the next few days, Abbassi said. He added that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had said in a meeting that two years were not enough to carry out the withdrawal. We refused his proposal regarding an (extra) third year, Abbassi said. Coalition forces have been targeted dozens of times with drones and rocket fire in both Iraq and Syria, as violence related to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza since early October has drawn in Iran-backed armed groups across the Middle East. US forces have carried out multiple retaliatory strikes against these groups in both countries. The Islamic State group seized parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014, and was defeated by Baghdad three years later and in Syria in 2019. But jihadist fighters continue to operate in remote desert areas although they no longer control any territory. Advertisement Iraqi security forces say they are capable of tackling IS remnants unassisted, as the group poses no significant threat. It is pertinent to note that the Masyaf area has been repeatedly targeted in recent years and most of the attacks in the region have been widely attributed to Israel. The Syrian region is home to the Scientific Studies and Research Center, known as CERS or SSRC read more Amid the brewing tensions in the Middle East, reports are emerging that Israel conducted strikes in central Syria killing at least 7 people and injuring 15 others. According to Syrian news agency SANA, the Israeli strikes targeted the Masyaf area, west of Hama, which is thought to be used as a base for Iranian forces and pro-Iranian militias. The hospital director in the Masyaf area confirmed the death toll and stated that some of the injured victims are in serious condition, fearing a rise in the casualties. The number of victims of the Israeli aggression on several sites near Masyaf comes to five deaths and 19 wounded, some of them seriously, said Faysal Haidar, the director of a government hospital at Masyaf. According to SANA, two more people died in the attack, following the statement. Advertisement It is pertinent to note that the Masyaf area has been repeatedly targeted in recent years and most of the attacks in the region have been widely attributed to Israel. The Syrian region is home to the Scientific Studies and Research Center, known as CERS or SSRC. In the past, Israel has claimed that Iranian forces use the centre to manufacture precision surface-to-surface missiles. Will Israel take the responsibility? Two regional intelligence sources told SANA, that the Israeli strikes prompted two fires in the area, which firefighters were working to extinguish. Since the start of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Israel has been accused of escalating its strikes on Iranian-backed militia targets in Syria. The Jewish nation was also accused of attacking Syrian army air defences and some Syrian forces. There has been no immediate comment from Israel, which typically does not comment on specific reports of strikes in Syria. In April this year, Israel was accused of conducting the most high-profile attack in Syria since the war. Suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Irans embassy in Damascus. Iran eventually issued a statement over the matter and said that the strike killed several military advisers including three senior commanders. In retaliation, Tehran unleashed a barrage of missiles at Israel, most of which were blocked by the Jewish nations air defence system. With inputs from agencies. A useful conversation with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia today on the sidelines of the GCC meeting, said Jaishankar on X read more External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday held a useful conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers Meeting. A useful conversation with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia today on the sidelines of the GCC meeting. pic.twitter.com/BlbrC6CY47 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 9, 2024 Advertisement Taking to X, Jaishankar wrote, A useful conversation with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia today on the sidelines of the GCC meeting. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a post on X said that Foreign Minister Lavrov held a meeting with Jaishankar. Russias Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov held a meeting with Foreign Minister of India @DrSJaishankar. Riyadh, September 9, 2024#RussiaIndia pic.twitter.com/wOzI9TtYFW MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) September 9, 2024 Jaishankar also met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, and discussed key global issues, including the G20 agenda, BRICS cooperation, and the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Nice to meet FM Mauro Vieira of Brazil on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Meetings. Discussed G20, BRICS and the Ukraine conflict. pic.twitter.com/1LujJFo9TT Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 9, 2024 Advertisement Nice to meet FM Mauro Vieira of Brazil on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Meetings. Discussed G20, BRICS and the Ukraine conflict, he posted on X. Jaishankar arrived in Saudi Arabias capital Riyadh on Sunday to attend the First India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers Meeting. Saudi Arabias Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs, Abdulmajeed Al Smari, welcomed Jaishankar in Riyadh. Upon arrival in Riyadh, Jaishankar, in a post on X stated, Arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to take part in the First India - Gulf Cooperation Council Foreign Ministers Meeting. Thank Abdulmajeed Al Smari, Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs for the warm reception. Advertisement The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a press release, said, India and the GCC enjoy a deep and multifaceted relationship, in areas including political, trade & investment, energy cooperation, cultural and people-to-people ties. The GCC region has emerged as a major trading partner for India and is home to a large Indian expatriate community, numbering around 8.9 million. The Foreign Ministers meeting will be an opportunity to review and deepen institutional cooperation between India and the GCC across various sectors, it added. After concluding his visit to Riyadh, Jaishankar is scheduled to travel to Germany for a two-day visit from September 10-11. This will be his first bilateral visit to Berlin. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The dogs Einar, Eliot, Enzo and Emi were bestowed with their ranks Friday as part of a new Polish programme aimed at honoring the service of dogs used to detect explosives, a job valued for its role in protecting human life. read more Polish army dogs and their handlers are seen during a ceremony in Nowy Dwor Mazowiecki, Poland, on September 6, 2024. AP File The new privates received their ranks amid military pomp in a town near Warsaw where a Napoleonic fortress attests to a long military history. The group was made up of a German shepherd, a Dutch shepherd and two Belgian Malinois. The dogs Einar, Eliot, Enzo and Emi were bestowed with their ranks Friday as part of a new Polish programme aimed at honoring the service of dogs used to detect explosives, a job valued for its role in protecting human life. Advertisement Gen. Wiesaw Kukua, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army, decided last year that dogs serving in the Polish army would qualify for six military ranks ranging from private through corporal to sergeant. The change has been welcomed by their loyal human handlers. The rank is meant to honor the hard work of the dog in service, said Lance Corporal Daniel Kesicki, who recently completed a five-month training course with Eliot, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois. To me its a symbolic recognition that the dog is serving the homeland. The dogs honored Friday belong to the 2nd Mazovian Engineer Regiment, which in 2007 became the first unit of Polands armed forces to introduce dogs into service, according to spokesman Capt. Dominik Paza. He said none have died in action. During the ceremony the dogs handlers were one by one handed a badge with their animals rank which they attached to their dogs harnesses. The ceremonies take place during other military events, and this one occurred during the commemoration of the regiments 80th anniversary. The dogs were given their ranks for having completed basic training and having served for more than a year. Advertisement The ranks are a largely symbolic recognition so that we, too, are aware that such a dog is a member of the armed forces, Paza said. It is not just a tool for detecting explosives, but it is a living being, he said. The unit was recently deployed to Paris for the Summer Olympic Games and the Paralympics, where the regiments soldiers and four of its 16 dogs reinforced French security efforts in scanning facilities for explosives. Everything passed off peacefully. Polish army dogs have carried out service elsewhere in international missions, including Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the NATO nations support for US-led efforts. Advertisement Poland, a close ally and neighbor of Ukraine, earlier this summer also announced that it was sending 12 trained dogs to support the Ukrainian military in clearing mines. The soldiers who work with the dogs volunteer for the assignment, and it becomes a commitment that lasts for the rest of the dogs life. Soldiers who were with their dogs on Friday explained that they select their dogs, train with them, live with them, and care for them even after their four-legged charges become too old to work. Kesicki described Eliot as an obedient companion who has become integrated into his family life. The dog can already do a lot after the beginning course alone, and we still have a few more years of service ahead of us, he said. Advertisement Paza, the spokesman, laughed when asked if a dog could ever outrank his handler or if a soldier might have to salute a dog. Soldiers do not salute dogs, Paza said. The handler will always be of a higher rank than his dog. It is simply impossible for a service dog to have a higher rank than his handler. Though the master-dog hierarchy is preserved, great love and appreciation are clearly shown to creatures in Poland, where pets are everywhere and some even lay their beloved companions to rest in special pet cemeteries. The Polish government has in recent years also ensured retirement benefits to dogs and horses working in the police, border guard and fire departments. Advertisement On Friday, as the sun beat down on a hot square in the middle of town, Gen. Kukua interrupted the ceremony and ordered the overheated dogs removed even as human soldiers continued to stand there in their uniforms and boots. Staff Sergeant Micha Mynarczyk served in Afghanistan with a dog named Elvis starting in 2011. Together they checked vehicles arriving at the base of an international force in Ghazni for explosives. Elvis died in 2018. Now Mynarczyk is paired with Kobalt, a German shepherd who received his private rank in April. Private Kobalt goes home with him at night and plays with his children. While he loves the entire family, he never loses sight of who is master. All of the work the dog does, is done for me, Mynarczyk said. Its a bond, its a friendship. The current situation in Gaza is now understandably our foremost concern. Indias position in this regard has been principled and consistent. While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians, he said at the first India-GCC Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue read more External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday described the situation in Gaza as Indias foremost concern and said New Delhi supports an Israel-Hamas ceasefire as soon as possible. Jaishankar made the remarks while speaking at the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in the Saudi capital. The current situation in Gaza is now understandably our foremost concern. Indias position in this regard has been principled and consistent. While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians, he said. Advertisement Jaishankar said that any response must take into account the principles of humanitarian law. We support a ceasefire as soon as possible, he added. On October 7, Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, launched an unprecedented attack on Israel by land, air and sea, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 others. Israel launched offensive in Gaza, causing widespread devastation and killing around 40,000 people, according to local health officials. The two sides have so far failed to reach a cease-fire to end the 11-month-old conflict. Jaishankar said India has consistently stood for a resolution of the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution. India has also contributed to the building of Palestinian institutions and capacities, he added. Where the humanitarian situation is concerned, we have provided relief and increased our support to UNRWA, he added. The GCC is an influential grouping, comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The total volume of Indias trade with GCC countries stood at USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23. Jaishankar said it was a great pleasure for him to participate in the first India-GCC Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue and added that the meeting is not just an occasion to reflect on achievements but an opportunity to chart an ambitious and far-reaching course for the future. The relationship between India and the GCC is rooted in a rich tapestry of history, culture, and shared values. These bonds have grown stronger with time, evolving into a partnership that spans economics, energy, defence, technology, education, people-to-people ties and beyond, he said. Advertisement Underlining that there are many ways to contemplate partnership between the two sides, the minister offered the framework of 3Ps People, Prosperity and Progress. Our people-to-people ties are the bedrock of our relationship. Close to 9 million Indians work and live amongst you, acting as a living bridge between us. Their contributions to your economic progress are widely recognized. We thank you for ensuring their welfare and comfort, he said. He said trade has not only expanded in volume but also in diversity, encompassing a wide range of goods and services that fuel economies and create jobs. The task before us is to invest in each others future and support each others continued prosperity, he said. Advertisement He identified the GCC as a cornerstone of global energy supply and said India is one of the worlds largest and fastest-growing markets. Much of the future demand is going to come from us. Our deeper collaboration will help in stabilising markets, driving innovation and enhancing energy security, he added. Our partnership in the areas of renewables, technology and innovation, health, space, and education can also help realize our respective national goals, Jaishankar said. Jaishankar said that the GCC-India relationship is built on a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the future. It has a larger goal of advancing progress in a world that is characterized by technological advancements, changing geopolitics, shifts in the global economy and the urgent need to address environmental sustainability, he said. Advertisement Noting that the Gulf region occupies a central place in contemporary geopolitics, the minister said that, in a world polarised by conflict and tension, we share a commitment to global peace, security, and stability. Underlining that sometimes it is adversity that brings out the real importance of friendships, the minister said that the pandemic underlined how relevant we are to each other for health security, food security and maritime security. Similarly, the demands of AI, of electric mobility and of green growth highlight the importance of sharing human resources. Conflict and tensions bring out the importance of cooperating on connectivity. In a world moving towards multipolarity, we can be mutually supportive of each others aspirations, he said. Advertisement Let us use this platform to deepen our ties, explore new avenues of cooperation, and build a collaborative future, he said. We strongly condemn this criminal attack by the Zionist regime on Syrian soil, said foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani in Tehran, calling on Israels backers to stop supporting and arming it read more After overnight Israeli strikes killed at least 16 people in central Hama province in Syria, Iran on Monday accused Israel of carrying out what it described a criminal attack in the country. We strongly condemn this criminal attack by the Zionist regime on Syrian soil, AFP quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani as saying at a news conference in Tehran, calling on Israels backers to stop supporting and arming it. Following the Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers on October 7, Israel has intensified its strikes against Iranian-backed militia targets in Syria. The escalation also includes attacks on Syrian army air defenses and some military forces. Advertisement Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes on targets within government-controlled areas of Syria in recent years, though it seldom acknowledges or discusses these operations publicly. These strikes frequently target Syrian military forces or Iranian-backed groups. Israels primary goal is to prevent Iranian entrenchment in Syria, as Syria serves as a crucial route for Iran to supply weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Syrian state media on Monday that Israeli strikes killed 16 people even as a war monitor reported a higher death toll in the intense raids on military sites. According to AFP, the Israeli military declined to comment on the latest reported attack. Syrian official news agency SANA, citing a medical source, said the number of dead in the Israeli aggression on a number of sites on the outskirts of Masyaf was 16 martyrs and 36 wounded, including six critically, updating an earlier toll of 14. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported intense Israeli strikes overnight, providing an updated of toll of 25 dead including five civilians, four soldiers and intelligence personnel and 13 Syrians working with pro-Iran groups. Three more bodies were unidentified, the Observatory added. With inputs from agencies They gathered in Mexico City as the Senate began to debate the initiative pushed by outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and approved by the lower house, called the Chamber of Deputies, in which the ruling party holds sway read more This aerial view shows hundreds of students and judiciary workers marching in front of the Senate of the Republic to protest against the judicial reform proposed by the Mexican government in Mexico City on September 8, 2024. AFP Thousands of Mexicans, mainly court employees and law students, protested in the capital Sunday against a controversial judicial reform proposal that would see judges elected by popular vote. They gathered in Mexico City as the Senate began to debate the initiative pushed by outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and approved by the lower house, called the Chamber of Deputies, in which the ruling party holds sway. The proposed reform, which would see the election of judges of the Supreme Court and other tribunals as well as magistrates, has sparked diplomatic tensions with the United States, prompted protests by opponents, and upset financial markets. Advertisement The judiciary will not fall, changed protesters who marched on the Senate, expected to vote on the proposal Wednesday. Striking judicial workers have asked the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter, a request that Lopez Obrador has said has no legal basis. In rare public remarks the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Norma Pina, appeared to lash out Sunday at the reform proposal, although she did not name it specifically, saying Mexico risked the demolition of the judicial branch. Pina said last week the court would discuss whether it has jurisdiction to halt the reform. In her remarks Sunday, carried on social media, Pina presented two alternative reform proposals and called on Lopez Obrador and Congress to listen to Mexicans comments about the reform package. Today it is still possible, Pina said. We can change things. The United States, Mexicos main trading partner, has warned that the reforms would threaten a relationship that relies on investor confidence in the Mexican legal framework. Lopez Obrador, who will be replaced by his ally Claudia Sheinbaum on October 1, argues that the change was warranted because courts currently serve the interests of the political and economic elite. Erdogan, who has been a vocal critic of Israel during its war against the Hamas militant group in Gaza, called on Islamic countries at the weekend to form an alliance against what he described as Israels expansionism read more Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to convene an emergency summit to discuss the war in Gaza and what he called Israels attacks on Jerusalem. Erdogan, who has been a vocal critic of Israel during its war against the Hamas militant group in Gaza, called on Islamic countries at the weekend to form an alliance against what he described as Israels expansionism. Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan said Israel was targeting the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem as part of its expansionist drive. Jerusalem and the mosque - known to Jews as Temple Mount - was Ankaras red line, he added. Advertisement The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has 57 member states and claims to be the collective voice of the Muslim world. It is unthinkable for the OIC, whose duty is to take care of the Jerusalem cause, to remain indifferent to these attacks. It is urgent that the organisation convenes at the leadership level without losing more time, Erdogan said. He added that Turkey would apply to the International Court of Justice in The Hague over Israels killing of a Turkish-American woman, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, at a protest in the West Bank last week. We will take every legal step for her blood not to remain on the ground, Erdogan said. The genocide-committing Israeli leadership will absolutely be held accountable for the crimes it has committed, he added. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to purge military graduates who took a pro-secular oath during their graduation ceremony, calling them opportunists and promising a thorough investigation read more The Turkish president has hit out at military graduates who took a pro-secular oath during their graduation ceremony, promising that those behind it would be purged from the military. Speaking at a conference for Islamic schools in the northwestern city of Kocaeli on Saturday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described those involved as opportunists. He added that an investigation was underway and vowed that the few impertinent individuals responsible will be purged. Whoever they are, it is not possible for them to be part of our military, Erdogan said. Advertisement Erdogan was present at the graduation ceremony at the Turkish Military Academy in Ankara on Aug. 30. Valedictorian Ebru Eroglu led the 960-strong graduating class in reciting the official military oath about defending Turkey. But video footage from about an hour later shows about 400 of the graduates gathered in a field, raising their swords and chanting We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal a reference to the secular founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Eroglu then led the group in the Officers Oath, in which they vowed to defend a secular, democratic Turkey. That oath was discontinued from the academy in 2022. Turkey has become more overtly religious under Erdogan, shedding some of the secularist traditions of the original Kemalist republic. Turkeys military has traditionally viewed itself as the guarantor of secularism, which has resulted in a series of coups. It led three takeovers between 1960 and 1980 and toppled a conservative government in 1997. However in 2016, an attempt to overthrow Erdogan and his religious-conservative administration was foiled and thousands of people were purged from the armed forces, the judiciary, and other public institutions. Some pro-government commentators were highly critical of the actions of the military graduates, suggesting it might be a challenge to Erdogans government. Others online praised it as a sign that the Turkish military will remain secular regardless of the ruling party. Erdogan ally Devlet Bahceli, head of the Nationalist Movement Party, later called for an investigation. On Thursday, the Ministry of National Defense confirmed that a probe had been launched. In addition to the controversy, this years graduation also stood out for being the first time in Turkeys history that all three branches of the military army, navy and air force saw women graduating at the top of their respective classes. Maduros disputed win in the July 28 election is challenged not just by the opposition or historic geopolitical rivals such as the United States, but also by leftist allies of Venezuela such as Brazil and Colombia read more Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro delivers a speech after a march in support of his victory in the July 28 elections, at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on August 17, 2024. File image/ Reuters Venezuelas battered opposition is running out of options for challenging President Nicolas Maduros claim to have won reelection. Opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia fled in exile to Spain over the weekend. The popular leader he stood in for at the polls, Maria Corina Machado, is in hiding. Other opposition figures have been arrested and Maduro is firmly in charge of the oil-rich nation showing no sign of yielding. Maduros disputed win in the July 28 election is challenged not just by the opposition or historic geopolitical rivals such as the United States, but also by leftist allies of Venezuela such as Brazil and Colombia. Advertisement The latter have come up empty-handed in their efforts to help find a peaceful solution to the crisis. Inside the country, chatter abounds about what the opposition calls a stolen election but people make their criticisms in whispers: no one wants to join the more than 2,400 people who have been arrested since the vote, including children, with some even accused of terrorism. Maduro would be sworn in for a third term on January 10, and in the next four months, anything can happen. But for now, Venezuela looks like this: Maduro and other heirs of the late iconic socialist leader Hugo Chaves are closing ranks, the opposition is trying to somehow reorganize itself and the outside world is assessing how to confront a Maduro whom international sanctions and pressure have long failed to shake. Sweeping away everything The National Electoral Council, loyal to Maduro, proclaimed him the winner of the election with 52 percent of the votes. That means another six-year term in power for the former bus driver handpicked by Chavez to succeed him. The opposition published copies of voting records from polling stations, saying the data proves the claim of a Maduro win is bogus and that Gonzalez Urrutia won by a landslide. That act of publishing the results online has triggered a probe by the government and charges that the opposition engaged in conspiracy, usurping functions and sabotage. Advertisement The government has meanwhile not released detailed voting records to back up its claim of victory it says it cannot, because the election tally system was hacked. Maduro insists he won and at least in public rules out any kind of negotiation with the opposition. It is clear that the government is not seeking to yield, and to the contrary it is digging in, said Antulio Rosales, a political scientist and professor at York University in Canada. It is a strategy of domination, of sweeping away everything, said Giulio Cellini, head of the LOG political consultancy. The goal, he said, is to keep Maduro in place no matter what the cost is, because the cost of giving up power is even greater. Advertisement After Venezuelas last election, in 2018, Maduro also claimed victory amid widespread accusations of fraud. With the support of the military and other institutions, he managed to cling to power despite international sanctions. Maduro has led the oil-rich but cash-poor country since 2013. His tenure, amid sanctions and domestic economic mismanagement, has seen GDP drop 80 percent in a decade, prompting more than seven million of the countrys 30 million citizens to flee. Gonzalez Urrutia, a 75-year-old, little-known former diplomat until now said last week that he was not considering going into exile, as he has now done. But for many Venezuelans, his flight came as no surprise. He was under tremendous pressure, not just from a legal standpoint he defied three summonses to appear in court but also due to a rain of daily insults from Maduro, who called him filthy, a coward and even a Nazi. Advertisement Machado, the very popular leader of the opposition who was barred by Maduro-loyal courts from running for president, is now living in hiding. Many Venezuelans are now wondering if she too will flee into exile. Protests erupted right after the Maduro win was announced and in clashes with security forces 27 people died and nearly 200 were hurt. Experts say it is unlikely that the United States will react as firmly as Donald Trump did after Maduros disputed win in 2018. Then, the US administration said it no longer considered Maduro to be president and recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido instead. The most recent US punishment came earlier this month, when it seized one of Maduros planes, in the Dominican Republic. The United States is now expected to impose sanctions on individual members of the Maduro government. Advertisement Pablo Quintero, also of the LOG consultancy, said that over the short and medium term, the Maduro government expects to govern in isolation. They have trained for these kinds of situations and are willing to endure them in order to stay in power, he said. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning announces: At the invitation of Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council Sergei Shoigu, as usual practice, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will attend the 14th Meeting of BRICS High-Ranking Officials responsible for security matters/National Security Advisors in St. Petersburg, Russia from September 11 to 12. Samsungs latest series of folding screen phones are currently the market leaders of this segment. The Z Fold6 we reviewed earlier, is undoubtedly the companys best foldable 2-in-1 device yet, but at the same time, competition is getting thick and heavy. The same goes for the Flip6, with a tough competitive path ahead, we witness the 6th iteration of a celebrated compact phone with top-end performance and an updated flagship-level main camera. Would these updates be enough to attract new buyers? Will a few compromises that comes with the form factor convince the existing Samsung customer to switch? Lets find out in this long-term review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6. Design and Build The Z Flip6 is a remarkably well-engineered device. We dont mean this lightly because truly, it is a marvel of the flip phone, which now, many other brands are testing their engineering skills with. The hinge, as we all know, from generation 5, has been able to offer a sturdiness and stability that is currently unmatched. For the first time, we have a Flip that fully closes with almost zero gaps due to which, IP48 rating has been achieved, eliminating the problems of dust, almost. We say almost, because the problems do persist owing to the tough challenges in design and Indias environmental challenges. When the hinge is fully closed or open, there is no way dust can enter it, but when half closed, there are possibilities of small particles entering the hinge, but surprisingly, they were not able to make any scratches on it. Also remarkable is the new flat-sided design, which increases the sturdiness of handling the device, and the superb matte glass back, which withstood an incredible amount of no-case usage in tough conditions. Overall, both the design and the build quality of the Z Flip6 is top notch, with a few caveats that are unavoidable with a folding screen that requires an extremely complex hinge mechanism. When held closed, the device feels like super solid and when fully open, it feels like an extremely light device that is very easy to use. Both sides of the flip are covered with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. Together with an enhanced armor aluminium frame and a new rubberized protection layer around the inner display, the Z Flip6 is worthy of being called the most robust Galaxy Flip ever made. The Cover Screen Sporting a 720748 60Hz SuperAMOLED screen at the front is no easy feat, but it is not an upgrade from the Flip5. This screen, also covered by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, ensures that damage is minimal and scratches are non-existent, but at the same time, it introduces a few challenges to the experience. First off, the consistency in the experience between the inner screen and the outer screen is a bit of a hit-and-miss. Surely, we have gone through only two generations of nearly a full front screen for the Flip5 and the Flip6, but some feedback is due here. The screen resolution is comparatively lower, which introduces a difference not only in pixel density but also in the refresh rate and, mainly, the lack of LTPO technology. On the Fold6, we were delighted to take advantage of the low refresh rate screen and the always on display to always provide some kind of data that can be glanced at, but on the Flip, that kind of experience is limited in the sense that, you will lose more battery due to it being 60Hz all the time, and also live with an older black and white method where only the white pixels are lit. Surely, Samsung can do better here, as the competition seems to be taking advantage of this gap here and providing LTPO and higher resolution displays for theirs. Secondly, while the cover screen is indeed a magical place where almost all the basic functions of a phone can be used, it still requires some work to enable many apps and their mini versions to be able to be displayed when needed. For many apps, when we hit the notifications, it requires us to open the flip and use the screen inside, which is a bummer. Thanks to GoodLock, Samsungs best customization service always readily available to help, there is a possibility of enabling more apps to be displayed on the cover screen which we did, with ease and enjoyed it more. So, yes, by default, the experience is limited, but make sure to install the GoodLock app for unlocking the extended features and enjoy the cover screen to its full potential. Our favorite widgets were for the Sound Recorder because the mics are excellent are capturing real-world sound with astounding clarity. Then, we used the favorite contacts widget, the weather widget and the music player controls the most. For a quick glance, the cover screen is still way ahead of its curve, and we hope Samsung works on it a bit further to provide a more fuller experience in the next generations. Display When it comes to displays and Samsung, there is no competition. A 26401080 super wide Dynamic AMOLED 2x display awaits us, with 2600 nits of potential max brightness. Armed with LTPO tech, it can go down to 1 Hz and up to 120 Hz when needed. Such displays are top of the crop these days, and we are delighted to have the same in the Flip6 as well, considering it is a folding one. Yes, the cover of the screen is plastic and it kind of decreases the touch and feel of a premium experience, but thats a compromise we have to make for having such a great display that can fold itself neatly, and this time, surprisingly, without much crease. The crease has massively reduced thanks to the new hinge that ensures a really hassle-free inner-screen experience this time. The colors, the contrast, the viewing angles, the resolution, the HDR, the refresh rate, we had nothing to complain. In fact, it wowed everyone who had a glimpse of it, especially previous Flip users who had to live with a strong crease. Watching content on it was a delight and the switching speed between the inner screen and the outer screen and vice versa is a class act, thanks to the symphony of software and the processor, more on that later. Overall, a really good display from Samsung here, no complaints except the inevitable reality that flexible screens are plastic and there tend to be dust scratches on the installed screen protector (which should NOT be removed). Performance Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy 4nm Mobile Platform, you can expect no less than a flagship-level performance, and surely enough, the Flip6 delivers the goods because for the first time, we have been given 12GB of RAM, unlike the Flip5s 8GB. This is why we would call this phone a Compact Powerhouse, which delivers truly leading results in a form factor that has never been achieved before in the smartphone space. Its an ultra-fast and ultra-stable upgrade that can clearly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the S-series and the Fold. Lets check what it means via these benchmark scores. Beyond the benchmarks, when it comes to heating issues. It manages to stay cool under heavy loads most of the time, but I did see thermal persistence when the camera is used for a longer time. It refuses to cool down quickly in hot conditions, especially when used outside. Surely it does not reduce the performance nor result in issues related to the camera stopping the recording, but the device remains hot for a longer time than usual due to environmental conditions. Otherwise, it has pretty solid thermal performance. Check these benchmarks and satisfy your need for authentic numbers. Battery Life In our experience, the Z Flip6 has stellar battery performance for its class. Armed with a 4,000 mAh battery and a super-efficient processor, the battery easily lasts for a day considering one is a medium-power-user, with social media and the camera as the main apps. The standby performance is stellar, making the Flip6 a big step up from the previous versions. Camera While the number of cameras and their placements remain the same compared to the earlier one, the main camera has received a major upgrade, to the latest 50MP sensor, a large unit with tons of light gathering abilities and powered by a new engine that produces top-notch results in all lighting conditions, especially at night. This major upgrade has been a long time coming, with Flip users always feeling left out, when it comes to the camera performance. The second camera unit is the same 12MP sensor with its similarly good output. Lets take a look at some camera samples. Yes, that moon shot was taken with digital zoom, which is ample proof that the camera is serious this time, making this camera set up a perfect companion for content creators. But theres more to the Flip than meets the eye. First, we have the ability to access the main camera as a selfie-vlogging camera from the cover screen. This makes it one of the best selfie cameras out there, and yes, we can access the ultra-wide camera too, with the ability to change the orientation of the camera to suit our angles. We can also use the Flip as a stand by itself, by opening the screen half way and placing it on any surface, to shoot with the main camera. This is also possible with the inner-screens front camera, with the Flex mode. Another feature added to the cover screen camera is the auto-zoom, which uses the ultra-wide and AI tricks to make sure you are always in the frame, which means, you can walk around inside the frame and the camera will follow you, to the maximum extent possible. These exclusively Flip features are why content creators will enjoy using this phone, to shoot some interesting vlog content that is not possible with normal phones. Imagine getting to use that amazing main camera at night, where the light is low, and still you get some amazing low light photos and video. No front facing camera can match this, and thats all thanks to the unique form factor of the Z Flip6. Galaxy AI and OneUI The OneUI experience on the latest Samsung devices have been given a boost. GalaxyAI now permeates the OneUI experience wherever possible and offers unique on-device capabilities of image generation, like Portrait Studio and Sketch to image which are really fun additions to the gallery editing experience, apart from the already great erase and fill features that have been available since last years introduction in the S series. The text features are also great, like Live translate which works for calls, and the Composer which helps you with creating any kind of text content in messages or notes. The one we used the most was the Summarize feature that is available readily inside the browser. All these features add up to a unique set of tricks that can be used in everyday tasks and also turn into time-pass hobbies. While all the AI features are indeed welcome, we cannot overlook the fact that some key productivity features like the Samsung DeX are missing. But it kind of makes up with the Flex mode, using which you can turn your phones bottom half into a trackpad and a scroll wheel, to use the top half of the screen, like a micro PC. Sure, its not entirely useful when it comes to the tiny form factor, but there is hope that someday it could translate into a larger screen experience when connected via HDMI. Conclusion The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is a Compact, Creative Powerhouse of a smartphone. Due to increasing prices of the SoC and other materials, the price is now pegged at Rs. 1,10,000 in the Indian market, making it one of the flagship-level models. Thankfully, the hinge is great, the design and build are sturdy and solid. Creativity gets a major boost with the new cameras and AI. And it remains a powerhouse, thanks to a battery-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in its core. For content creators, who are looking for a great main-camera experience, with additional tricks of a flip cover screen, the Z Flip6 might be a tempting option, to say the least. For people looking for a compact phone experience, while not compromising on the power of a flagship, the Z Flip6 is a terrific option. For Samsung users, upgrading from a Flip3 or a Flip4, this will be a substantial step up in the experience, with Galaxy AI and a promised series of software updates ensuring longevity and trust. The Galaxy Z Flip starts at Rs. 1,09,999 for the 12GB+256GB model and the 12GB + 512GB model cost Rs. 1,21,999. It is available from online and offline retailers with offers. motorola just launched the razr 50, the companys latest foldable smartphone in India, as it had promised. The razr 50 has a large 6.9-inch FHD+ internal foldable LTPO pOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate. The phone gets the 3.6-inch FHD+ outer OLED screen with 90Hz refresh rate. The phone support for IPX8 underwater protection, Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the front and has been successfully tested for over 4 lakh folds, according to the company. It has a 6000 series aluminum frame. razr users will also receive Gemini Advanced for 3 months with access to Googles most capable AI models, at no extra cost. Theyll also get 2 TB of cloud storage and Gemini in their favorite Google apps like Gmail, Docs, and moreall included in the Google One AI Premium plan worth approximately Rs. 1950/month. This gets MediaTek Dimensity 7300X SoC, an upgrade compared to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC in the predecessor. The phone packs a 50MP main + 13MP ultra-wide camera with macro option, 32MP front camera and a 4200mAh battery with 33W wired fast charging, and 15W wireless fast charging. motorola razr 50 specifications Internal 6.9-inch (26401080 pixels) FlexView FHD+ pOLED LTPO display, 120Hz refresh rate, 10-bit HDR 10+, 120% DCI-P3 color gamut, up to 3000 nits peak brightness External 3.6 (1066 x 1056 pixels) pOLED display, 90Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection Octa Core (2 x 2.5GHz Cortex-A78 + 6 x 2GHz Cortex-A55 CPUs) MediaTek Dimensity 7300X 4nm processor with Mali-G615 MC2 GPU 8GB LPDDR4X RAM with 256GB UFS 2.2 storage Android 14, 3 years OS updates, 4 years security updates Dual SIM (eSIM + nano) 50MP main camera, f/1.7 aperture, OIS, 13MP ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 aperture 32MP front camera with f/2.4 aperture USB Type-C Audio, Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos Dimensions: 171.3 (open) / 88.08mm (closed)73.997.25mm (open) / 15.85mm (closed); Weight:188.4g Side-mounted fingerprint scanner Water resistant (IPX8) 5G SA/ NSA (N1/2/3/5/7/8/20/26/28/38/40/41/66/71/77/78 bands), Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6 802.11 ax (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.4, Beidou, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, USB Type-C, NFC 4200mAh battery, 33W TurboPower fast charging, 15W wireless charging Pricing and availability The motorola razr 50 comes in Spritz Orange, Sand Beach and Koala Grey colours and is priced at Rs. 64,999 for the single 8GB + 256GB model. With all the offers, the effective price of the phone is Rs. 49,999. It will be available for pre-booking from Amazon.in, Reliance Digital, Motorola.in and leading retail stores across India starting from tomorrow, September 10th, and will go on sale starting from September 20th. Launch offers Rs. 5,000 limited period festive discount Rs. 10,000 Instant Bank discount from leading banks for limited period No Cost EMI offer upto 18 Months starting at 2778/ per month on leading banks 3 months of Google Gemini Advanced Subscription along with 2TB of cloud storage space Jio benefits worth Rs. 15,000 Commenting on the launch, T.M. Narasimhan, Managing Director, Motorola India said: As the pioneers in the flip phone technology, we have once again set a new benchmark in the segment with the launch of the razr 50. This innovative and intelligent device represents our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of design, AI technology, and user experience. We believe that the razr 50 will not only further democratize the foldable smartphones but also surpass the expectations of our valued customers, just as the razr50 Ultra did. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code SENTINEL FILE PHOTO Sisters Layna and Janet Hutt hold photos of their father, Raymond Hutt, who died in 2016 at the age of 96. Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors of Montrose handled the funeral arrangements after Raymond died, and the Hutt family filed a complaint with the state afterward because his body was embalmed without permission, among other incidents that happened during his funeral. Resistance groups hail anti-Zionist operation in West Bank border with Jordan IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Sep 8, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Islamic Resistance groups have appreciated the anti-Zionist operation conducted by a Jordanian gunman on a bridge between Jordan and the West Bank as a response to Israeli crimes. In a statement on Sunday after an earlier anti-Israeli operation near the King Hussein Bridge (Karama/Allenby Crossing), the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas described the border crossing operation as a response to the crimes of the occupying forces in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Hamas stated that the recent anti-Israeli operation confirms Arab nations' opposition to the occupation regime and its crimes, as well as their support for the Palestinian people and their resistance. Hamas urged Arab and Islamic nations to rise up against the genocidal war against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the brutal attacks on the West Bank. The military wing of Hamas, the Ezzoddin al-Qassam Brigades, reacted as well, saying that the al- Karama shooting was the result of the Al Aqsa Storm Operation against Israel on October 7. Al-Qassam said that the weapon used by Maher Jazi, which was used in support of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian people, is more effective than arsenals of big armies. Meanwhile, Palestinian Islamic Jihad praised the "heroic" operation and regarded it as a representation of the mindset in Jordan and the Arab world. The statement said, "This heroic act is the most honest interpretation of the feelings of the Jordanian nation, as well as the Arab and Muslim nations towards the brutal killings committed by the Zionist enemy." Additionally, in a separate statement, the Iraqi resistance group Kata'ib Hezbollah praised the anti-Israeli operation. They highlighted that such operations show that the support of the free nations in the region for the oppressed Palestinian people will not be halted, despite the challenges, restrictions, and oppression of the authoritarian regimes. Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement reacted as well. It praised the anti-Israel operation, saying that difficult days are awaiting the enemy if it continues with its crimes. Ansarullah also said that the operation was just a simple response to the Zionist regime's crimes which are being committed under US support. The Zionist regime's media reported on Sunday that an anti-Zionist operation took place in the area of the Allenby crossing on the border of the occupied West Bank and Jordan, during which three Zionists were killed. The regime's emergency organization also confirmed the death of the three settlers, announcing that they were killed during the shooting at the crossing. Some news sources said that the shooter was the driver of a Jordanian truck who entered the crossing from inside Jordanian territory. Since the onset of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian fighters in the West Bank and occupied al-Quds have also carried out operations in response to the brutal crimes of the Zionist regime's army against the residents of Gaza. 3266**2050**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli forces launch raids on West Bank areas IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Sep 8, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli regime forces have once again launched attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. According to the Arabi21 Website, the Zionist regime's military on Sunday attacked Nablus city in the West Bank from the Al-Toor checkpoint, during which there were armed clashes with the resistance fighters. Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades announced in a statement that they had targeted the Zionist regime's soldiers with bombs around the area of Bab Al-Saha. The statement said that Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades fighters had confronted the Zionist enemy soldiers who attacked the old city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. **4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 3 Zionists killed in West Bank operation IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Sep 8, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Media reports said that three Israeli settlers have been killed in an anti-Zionist operation on the West Bank border with Jordan. The Zionist regime's media reported on Sunday that an anti-Zionist operation took place in the area of the Allenby crossing on the border of the occupied West Bank and Jordan, during which three Zionists were killed. The regime's emergency organization also confirmed the death of the three settlers, announcing that they were killed during the shooting at the crossing. On the other hand, the Lebanese Al Mayadeen TV channel reported that it is not unlikely the three killed were the regime's military forces. The Zionist media also reported that the occupying forces gunned the shooter down, but his identity is still unknown. Some news sources said that the shooter was the driver of a Jordanian truck who entered the crossing from inside Jordanian territory. Recently, in another anti-Zionist operation, a bus was shot at in the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil, which led to the killing of three settlers. Since the onset of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian fighters in the West Bank and occupied al-Quds have also carried out operations in response to the brutal crimes of the Zionist regime's army against the residents of Gaza. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah official says enemy has no way but to end war IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Sep 8, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A member of the central council of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah says that the enemy has only one way which is the cessation of aggression against Gaza. Resistance is capable of drawing new equations in the region while the enemy's sole way is to stop war, Arab media have quoted Sheikh Nabil Kaouk as saying on Sunday. In his remarks, the Hezbollah official said the Israeli regime is becoming weak day by day; while the power of Resistance is developing at the political and military levels. Hezbollah's response to the Zionist regime's threats proved that the resistance will not bow down to threats, he added. The Zionist regime is on way to withdrawal and defeat while the Resistance in Iraq, Palestine, Yemen and Lebanon is moving towards strategic and historic victory, the Hezbollah official says. Despite its military support from the United States and its pressures on the Gazans, the Zionist enemy is not capable enough to annihilate the Gaza Strip as the Resistance is so determined to gain victory, he underlined. A few days ago, the radio of the Israeli army announced that Hezbollah carried out major attacks on northern occupied Palestine by launching 1,307 missiles in August. 1483**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah releases videos of its anti-Israeli operations IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Sep 8, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has released videos of its major attacks against the Israeli army's bases. In its videos early on Sunday, Hezbollah showed its missile attacks against Israel's Biranit military base near Lebanon's border. The resistance movement also released footage of the destruction of the occupying regime's spy equipment by precision missiles in the border areas of Barkat Risha and al-Jardah. Some Arab sources reported late on Saturday that tens of missiles were launched from Lebanon to northern occupied Palestine. The attacks were announced minutes after the Israeli media reported that the warning alarms sounded in Kiryat Shmona, Meskav-am, al-Manara and Kfar Giladi settlements. The Hezbollah attacks were launched against Israeli bases in response to the killing of three Lebanese relief workers. The workers were putting out a fire caused by the recent Israeli attacks against Froun village in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's health ministry has announced that two others were wounded after Israel's attacks while one of them is in a serious condition. Condemning the regime's attack, the ministry termed it a clear hit to an official body of the Lebanese government. The Zionist regime's army has not had any reaction to the attacks yet. 1483**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel stubbornly opposes US proposal for ceasefire: Hamas IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Sep 8, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A senior official in the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas emphasized that the movement has not added any new clauses to the July 2 agreement, noting that the Israeli regime is stubbornly opposing the US proposal for the prisoner swap and a ceasefire in Gaza. According to IRNA's Sunday report, the Hamas official told Al-Mayadeen TV channel that the Israeli regime believes that the US proposal does not meet the security demands of the regime. The official also emphasized that the US has failed to propose a plan for a prisoner swap and a ceasefire that is acceptable to both warring parties, namely the Israeli regime and the Hamas movement. The US believes that Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of the Israeli regime, is the main obstacle to an agreement and that the Hamas movement has not added any new clauses to the July 2 agreement, the Hamas official added. The senior official further indicated that Hamas has communicated through intermediaries that there is no need for a new proposal, stating that the July 2 proposal is the only way to reach an agreement. Nearly 11 months into Operation Al-Aqsa Storm and the capture of hundreds of Israeli settlers by Palestinian resistance, the Israeli regime has not only failed to free these captives but a significant number of them have been killed in the regime's airstrikes and artillery attacks across various areas of Gaza. Netanyahu's opposition to a ceasefire in Gaza undermined the possibility of reaching an agreement for the release of the captives in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, which has led to widespread protests by the families of those captives in the occupied territories. So far, indirect negotiations between Hamas and the Zionist regime, mediated by Egypt and Qatar with US participation, have not yielded any results in establishing a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating a prisoner swap between the two warring parties. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address American, British warplanes pound Yemen again IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Sep 8, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The United States and Britain have carried out yet another aggression against Yemen, with their warplanes bombing the center of Arab country thrice overnight. According to Yemen's al-Masira network, in these attacks on Saturday night, the Mitam area in the east of the city of Ibb located in the center of Yemen was targeted. This Yemeni media did not mention the possible casualties or damage from these attacks. Various regions of Yemen, especially Hudaydah province, have been the target of aggressive attacks by the United States and England in the past months. These attacks are carried out with the aim of putting pressure on the Yemeni army in order to stop the naval blockade imposed on the Zionist regime. The United States and Britain first launched the attack on Yemen's Ansarullah positions on January 21 citing a UN Security Council resolution but the UN body had not allowed to violate Yemen's sovereignty rather protect the international maritime route. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli attack on emergency workers violates int'l laws: Lebanon PM IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Sep 8, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati has condemned the Zionist regime's attack on his country's emergency relief forces as a clear violation of international laws and a violation of human values. According to IRNA, quoted by the Lebanese media, Mikati said that this new aggression against Lebanon is not strange from a regime that has been committing successive crimes in areas of Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories. Citing Israel's non-adherence to international laws and norms, the Lebanese premier urged western ambassadors and representatives of international organizations to participate in an extraordinary meeting that will be held in Beirut on Monday. The Israeli regime continues its crimes against Lebanon and the Lebanese, especially those who were trying to extinguish the fire of its hatred, Mikati added. Abdallah Rashid Bou Habib, Lebanon's foreign minister, also stated that Israel has sent us a message through mediators that even if a ceasefire agreement is reached in Gaza, it will not stop the war on Lebanon. Meanwhile, Lebanon's Ministry of Health on Saturday night confirmed the death of three members of emergency team in the Israeli attack on the country. In a statement, the ministry states that the victims were putting out the fires erupted after the recent Israeli attacks on the village of Farun in southern Lebanon. In addition to the death of three people, two others were also injured, one of them critically, statement added. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah rockets rain down on Israeli positions IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Sep 8, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has fired dozens of rockets toward Israeli targets in the northern occupied Palestine in yet another retaliatory operation against the regime's brutalities in Gaza and southern Lebanon. The Al-Mayadeen news network reported on Saturday night that these missiles were landed to the area of Isba al-Jalil in the north of occupied Palestine. Hezbollah announced the operation minutes after the Israeli media reported that warning sirens were sounded in the settlements of Kiryat Shmona, Moskav Aam, Al Manara and Kfar Giladi. There are no reports of casualties and damage as yet from Hezbollah's retaliatory attack. The operation was carried out in response to the killing of three Lebanese emergency workers in Israel's recent attack on Lebanon. According to the official news agency of Lebanon, rescuers putting out the fires of the recent Israeli attacks on the village of Farun in southern Lebanon were the target of the attack that left three people dead and two others injured. While condemning the Zionist attack, the health ministry called it a clear blow to an official institution of the Lebanese government. The army of the aggressor Zionist regime has not reacted to this attack so far. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address National Armed Forces investigate a case of UAV fragments Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence 09/08/2024 In Latvia Information prepared by Media Relations Section On Saturday, 7 September, a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crashed in Rezekne municipality, Latvia. Currently, the authorities, including the State Police, are investigating the circumstances of the incident, but preliminary data indicate that it is a military UAV of the Russian Federation, and, according to the information available to the National Armed Forces, it flew into our airspace from Belarus. The National Armed Forces act in accordance with established procedures, including informing the NATO chain of command. The incident has been brought to the attention of the relevant government officials, law enforcement authorities and NATO countries in the region. The National Armed Forces detected the UAV entering Latvian territory, monitored its movement and located the crash site. The investigation is ongoing. "This situation is a confirmation that we need to continue the work we have started to strengthen Latvia's eastern border, including the development of air defence capabilities and electronic warfare capabilities to limit the activities of UAVs of different applications," says Andris Spruds, Defence Minister of Latvia. In view of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Latvia is stepping up the protection of its land borders, airspace and territorial waters, and the National Armed Forces are reinforcing their air defence capabilities on the eastern border. In addition, NATO allies ensure air patrolling mission over the Baltic States on a rotational basis. Latvian airspace is part of NATO airspace. At the NATO Summit in Washington, NATO member states agreed to strengthen air defence on NATO's eastern flank by introducing a more active rotational air defence model. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan rejects UN call for deployment of 'impartial' force to protect civilians Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 1:49 PM Sudan has rejected a call by UN experts for an "independent and impartial force" to protect civilians in the conflict-stricken African country. The conflict in Sudan is a power struggle between the army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy and head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict, which started in April last year, has killed tens of thousands of people, devastated wide swathes of Sudan and displaced millions of people, triggering one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The Sudanese foreign ministry, which is loyal to the army chief, said in a statement late Saturday that Sudan has rejected the call by UN experts for an "independent and impartial force" to protect civilians driven from their homes by war. It called the fact-finding mission created by the UN Human Rights Council to report on the conflict in Sudan "a political and illegal body" and the panel's recommendations "a flagrant violation of their mandate." "The Sudanese government rejects in their entirety the recommendations of the UN mission," the statement read. It accused the paramilitary RSF of "systematically targeting civilians and civilian institutions". "The protection of civilians remains an absolute priority for the Sudanese government," it said. The Sudanese foreign ministry statement also rejected the UN experts' call for an arms embargo. Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Sudan on Sunday. He warned, "The scale of the emergency is shocking, as is the insufficient action being taken to curtail the conflict and respond to the suffering it is causing." Ghebreyesus told the "world to wake up and help Sudan out of the nightmare it is living through." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian factions hail 'heroic' shooting operation at West Bank-Jordan crossing Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 1:32 PM Palestinian resistance factions have hailed a "heroic" retaliatory shooting operation near the Allenby Bridge on the border between the occupied West Bank and Jordan in response to Israel's unending genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip. In a statement on Sunday, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement said, "This heroic act is the most genuine expression of the sentiments of the Jordanian people, as well as the Arab and Muslim nations, towards the brutal massacres committed by the enemy." It went on to say that "such heroic operations are the only response understood" by the United States which has been a partner in Israeli crimes in Gaza and the West Bank. The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas also described the heroic operation as a "natural response" to the crimes committed by the occupying regime against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. It also noted that the shooting operation "reaffirms the Arab peoples' rejection of the occupation, its crimes, and its ambitions in Palestine and Jordan," adding that it confirms their strong support for the Palestinian resistance. Hamas further called on all Muslims to rise against Israel's aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, as well as the regime's "vicious assault" on the civilians in the West Bank. The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) also said the "heroic operation" confirms that the crimes and massacres committed by the Israeli "fascist" regime against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have major consequences. It further warned that the shooting operation was "just one episode in a broader series of reactions, which will not cease until the occupying regime withdraws from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the legitimate national rights of Palestinian people for freedom, independence, and return are recognized." On Sunday, at least three Israeli guards were killed in a retaliatory shooting operation near the Allenby Bridge on the border between the West Bank and Jordan. The Israeli military asserted that the assailant arrived at the terminal in a truck from Jordan and opened fire at workers at the crossing. He was then shot dead by Israeli forces, the army added. Israeli and Jordanian authorities have both announced that the Allenby Bridge crossing has been closed until further notice following the deadly retaliatory shooting incident there. Since Israel unleashed the war on Gaza in early October last year, 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. At least 692 Palestinians, including 158 minors, have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or extremist Jewish settlers since the war began. More than 5,700 Palestinians have been wounded and at least 10,400 detained. At least 40,939 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have also been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip during the regime's genocidal war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza Civil Defense says over 80 of its personnel killed in Israeli war Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 11:27 AM The Palestinian Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip says more than 80 members of its crews have been killed since the Israeli regime launched its genocidal war against the besieged territory in October last year. The organization said in a statement on Sunday that 83 civil defense responders were killed and 270 others were wounded over the past 11 months of the war. "That means 40 percent of crews have been subjected to physical harm, in addition to all losing relatives or homes," the organization said. It added that nearly 85,000 explosives were dropped over Gaza, with 17 percent remaining unexploded, leading to the destruction of 80 percent of total urban infrastructure. "Civil Defense headquarters were completely leveled, with 12 administrative vehicles, 11 fire engines, eight ambulances, three rescue and rapid intervention vehicles, and four water tankers also destroyed," the statement read. "Civil Defense crews are still suffering from a shortage of specialized rescue equipment as well as the unavailability of fuel and spare parts needed to protect lives and property." It also renewed its call to international rights groups to deliver more humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The organization confirmed that at least 10,000 Palestinians remain under the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes, and rescuers are unable to get to them due to the ongoing attacks, including the deliberate targeting of Civil Defense crews. The statement said Civil Defense has observed about 1,760 presumed-dead Palestinians in the besieged enclave whose bodies "disintegrated" due to the use of high-intensity weapons. Moreover, there are approximately 8,240 people who have been "forcibly disappeared" by the Israeli military, along with about 2,210 bodies that have disappeared from graves across the Gaza Strip, it added. Israel launched its brutal onslaught on Gaza on October 7, 2023, after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out a surprise operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people for over seven decades. The ongoing Israeli aggression has so far resulted in 40,939 documented Palestinian fatalities, with over 94,616 others injured. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuela's opposition leader Urrutia leaves country for asylum in Spain Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 10:35 AM Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia has fled the Latin American country for asylum in Spain. The lawyer for Gonzalez Urrutia told AFP on Saturday that his client, who was in hiding since he contested President Nicolas Maduro's July 28 re-election, has left the country for Spain. "I confirm that he has left for Spain," said Jose Vicente Haro, declining to comment further after the Venezuelan government said that it had allowed Gonzalez Urrutia to leave to seek asylum. Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Sunday that Madrid will "obviously" grant political asylum to Gonzalez Urrutia. "After taking refuge voluntarily at the Spanish embassy in Caracas a few days ago, [Gonzalez] asked the Spanish government for political asylum," Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on social media, adding that Caracas had agreed with the former diplomat's exit from the country. Gonzalez Urrutia reportedly left Venezuela on a Spanish military aircraft after spending several days in hiding in the Spanish embassy in Caracas, where he fled after judicial authorities issued an arrest warrant for him. Gonzalez Urrutia, along with his supporters, disputed the presidential election results, insisting that he won 70 percent of the votes and gained victory in the presidential election. Venezuela's right-wing opposition camp is backed by the US-led Western countries. However, Elvis Amoroso, President of Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE), announced Maduro won 51.2 percent of votes cast, securing a third six-year term in office for the leftist leader. Consequently, the attorney general's office requested an arrest warrant for Gonzalez which was issued by a court in Caracas. Venezuela's judicial authorities charged Gonzalez with electoral crimes including usurpation of authority, document forgery incitement to civil disobedience, and breaking the law. President Maduro, in his first speech after being declared winner by the CNE, thanked the more than 900 election observers who had helped guarantee a fair election, and denounced those alleging election fraud, saying, "We've seen this movie many times before." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Three Israeli settlers killed in retaliatory shooting operation at West Bank-Jordan crossing Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 10:26 AM At least three Israeli settlers in their 50s have been killed in a retaliatory shooting operation near the Allenby Bridge on the border between the occupied West Bank and Jordan, amid relentless ground and aerial offensives against the besieged Gaza Strip. The Israeli Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated the men at the scene, before being forced to declare their deaths. "We found three men lying unconscious, with no pulse and not breathing, with gunshot wounds. Together with the Israeli military medical team, we performed resuscitation efforts, but unfortunately, we had to declare their deaths on the scene," it announced in a statement. The Israeli military asserted that the assailant arrived at the terminal in a truck from Jordan and opened fire at workers at the crossing. He was then shot dead by security forces, the army added. Israeli and Jordanian authorities have both announced that the Allenby Bridge crossing has been closed until further notice following the deadly retaliatory shooting incident there. A Jordanian official told Reuters news agency that the crossing, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, has been shut as authorities begin an investigation into the shooting. Since Israel unleashed a war on the besieged Gaza Strip in early October 2023, casualties have been rising in the West Bank as a result of intensified near-daily Israeli raids into villages and cities in the occupied territories. At least 692 Palestinians, including 158 minors, have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or extremist Jewish settlers since the war began. More than 5,700 Palestinians have been wounded and at least 10,400 detained. At least 40,939 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have also been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip during the regime's genocidal war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sept. 7: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 9:10 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 41,000 Palestinians so far, the majority of them children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers. The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Saturday, September 7, are as follows: Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on September 7: Detonated a highly explosive device in the incursion zones of the Israeli military in the Agency Neighborhood of Tulkarem, occupied West Bank. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on September 7: Targeted Israeli military post located on Mount Gerizim (Jabal Al-Tur), south of the city of Nablus, occupied West Bank, using machine guns. Targeted Israeli military gatherings and their vehicles located in the "Netzarim" axis with a 107mm rocket and heavy-caliber mortar shells. Hezbollah's operations on September 7: Targeted the "Mount Neria" base (a battalion headquarters currently occupied by forces from the Golani Brigade) with a barrage of Katyusha rockets, Targeted the "Hadab Yaroun" site with artillery shells. Targeted Israeli soldiers stationed around the "Manot" settlement with rockets. Targeted the Rahib site with artillery shells. Targeted surveillance equipment at the "Misgav Am" site with appropriate weapons. Targeted Israeli intelligence headquarters at the "Mishar" base with a volley of Katyusha rockets. Targeted the Al-Marj site with artillery shells. Targeted "Heron" drone with a surface-to-air missile in the skies of the Bekaa area. Targeted the Samaqa site in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba Hills with appropriate weapons. Launched an air attack with a swarm of attack drones on the newly established headquarters of the 91st Division in "Ayelet HaShahar." Yemeni military's operations on September 7: Shot down an American MQ-9 drone while it was carrying out hostile spying activities in the airspace of Marib Governorate. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli attack on civil defense team in blatant violation of intl. law: Lebanon PM Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 7:59 AM Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has condemned the Israeli attack on a civil defense team as they were putting out fires on the southern side of the Arab country, describing the deadly assault as a blatant violation of international law and human values. Mikati stated that the latest Israeli act of aggression against Lebanon's southern village of Froun in the Bint Jbeil district is not surprising as the occupying regime has been committing successive crimes in different areas of Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories. Citing Israel's non-adherence to international rules and regulations, the Lebanese premier urged Western ambassadors and representatives of international organizations to participate in an extraordinary meeting that will be held in Beirut on Monday to address the ongoing hostilities. Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Rashid Bou Habib also stated that Israel has conveyed a message through mediators that even if a ceasefire agreement is reached in Gaza, it will not cease its strikes on Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement said it had bombarded the illegal Israeli settlement of "Kiryat Shmona with a volley of Falaq rockets" early on Sunday "in response to the enemy attacks... and particularly the attack" that killed the emergency workers in the Lebanese village of Froun. Hezbollah also announced in a separate statement that its fighters had fired rockets at the Israeli community of Shamir, near Kiryat Shmona. On Saturday, Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health said three emergency responders were killed and two others wounded, one of them critically, in an Israeli strike on Froun. The ministry said the attack had targeted "a Lebanese civil defense team that was putting out fires sparked by the recent Israeli strikes." Lebanon's civil defense agency said three of its employees were killed in "an Israeli strike that targeted a firefighting vehicle after they had finished a firefighting mission." The Israeli regime has been conducting near-daily attacks against southern Lebanon since October 7 last year, when it launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, killing close to 41,000 Palestinians so far. Hezbollah has been responding with strikes aimed both at retaliating against the regime and supporting the war-hit Gazans. The regime, which waged wars against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006, has repeatedly threatened to expand its attacks into another wholesale military onslaught against the country. Hezbollah has vowed to defend the Lebanese soil with all its resources. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah targets Israeli settlements with barrages of rockets Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 6:44 AM The Hezbollah resistance movement has fired heavy barrages of rockets toward settlements in the northern part of the occupied Palestinian territories in retaliation for Israel's deadly attacks on Lebanon. In statements released on Sunday, Hezbollah said that it has twice targeted the settlement of Kiryat Shmona with Falaq rockets. The resistance group also noted that it had fired Katyusha rockets toward the Shamir settlement. Israeli media reported there were no injuries in the Hezbollah strikes, however, they said, some rockets had impacted their targets and caused damage. Hezbollah said that it had conducted the attacks in support of "steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their brave and honorable resistance" against Israel. The raids, it added, came in response to the enemy's attacks on Lebanon's "southern villages and safe homes, especially the horrific massacre in the town of Froun." On Saturday, an Israel airstrike killed three Lebanese emergency workers and injured two others as they tried to contain a fire in Froun. The Lebanese Health Ministry said the aerial assault underscores the "barbaric and aggressive intentions" of the Israeli enemy, which "persists in carrying out violations prohibited by international law, leaving no space for humanitarian missions that are normally permitted even in the most brutal and devastating wars." Separately, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati denounced the strike as "a blatant violation of international law and a blatant aggression against human values." The Israeli regime has been staging numerous sporadic attacks against southern Lebanon since October 7, 2023, when it launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah has launched a series of strikes against Israeli positions in retaliation for the regime's aggression against Lebanon and in solidarity with Palestinians in the besieged Gaza. Hezbollah has vowed to keep up its reprisal operations as long as the occupying regime continues its brutal Gaza onslaught, which has so far killed at least 40,939 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 94,616 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Interview: Ethiopia's former PM says ever-closer cooperation with China produces win-win outcomes Xinhua) 11:08, September 09, 2024 ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- "China is a friend to us. The Chinese government and people have provided tremendous opportunities in Africa, and the intention is win-win," Hailemariam Dessalegn, Ethiopia's former prime minister, has said. In a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua, Dessalegn said that China's historic and enduring relationship with Ethiopia and the broader African continent has evolved over the years into an "all-weather" partnership with win-win outcomes for both sides. He said engagement with Chinese leaders "has taught me a lot about how the Chinese are looking into things carefully and cautiously and navigating through all the ups and downs." Dessalegn emphasized the similarities between the two ancient civilizations, saying that Ethiopia and China share a deep historical connection characterized by mutual respect and shared aspirations. Bilateral relations have seen new heights in recent years, including Ethiopia's membership in the BRICS alongside China and other like-minded nations, signaling the growing importance of the Global South, he said. In October 2023, China and Ethiopia announced the elevation of their ties to an all-weather strategic partnership during Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's visit to Beijing. Abiy also attended the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Dessalegn underscored the importance of Chinese engagement in Ethiopia's holistic socio-economic development, which includes robust infrastructure development and building the capacity of Ethiopians, particularly among the country's burgeoning youth. "For any country to move very fast in economic and social development, it needs a proper infrastructure in place. China has already developed that capacity, and Ethiopia is still developing that capacity. Having Chinese construction and engineering companies will help to bring about this change at the initial stage of our development," he said. "If you want the birds to come in, then you should build the nest," Dessalegn quoted a Chinese saying. He singled out the 752-km Ethiopia-Djibouti Standard Gauge Railway as one of the early harvests of Ethiopia's cooperation with China under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. "In terms of long-term benefits, the railway project is the most important. This is because it's a bloodline for a landlocked country like Ethiopia," he said, adding that the railway is Africa's first electrified transboundary railway. The former prime minister further called on China and Africa to collaborate in strengthening the South-South Cooperation framework, stressing that such cooperation can significantly enhance the collective capacity of the Global South and have a greater impact on the global stage. With both countries emphasizing mutual respect, capacity building and strategic autonomy, among others, the enduring China-Ethiopian relationship is a successful model of cooperation that extends beyond mere economic interests, ultimately heralding a promising trajectory for both nations and the Global South, said Dessalegn. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) US-British coalition conducts three airstrikes on Yemen's Ibb Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 6:10 AM The United States and British warplanes have launched a series of airstrikes on various targets in Yemen's southwestern province of Ibb, amid the ongoing maritime operations by Yemeni naval units against vessels linked to Israel in the Red Sea. Citing local sources, Yemen's al-Masirah television network reported that three strikes hit the Maytam area, located east of the provincial capital city of Ibb, early on Sunday. Further details remain unavailable. No immediate information has been released regarding potential casualties or the degree of damage inflicted. The US-British coalition has not commented on the airstrikes yet. Yemenis have openly voiced their solidarity with Palestine in its battle against the Israeli occupation, especially after the regime opened a devastating war on Gaza on October 7, killing close to 41,000 Palestinians to date, most of them women and children. The occupying entity has also imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there. The Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won't stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end. Leader of the Ansarullah resistance movement Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has said it is "a great honor and blessing to be confronting America directly." The attacks have compelled several of the largest shipping and oil corporations globally to halt their transit operations along one of the most critical maritime trade routes. Ttankers are now opting to navigate thousands of additional miles by circumventing the continent of Africa instead of utilizing the Suez Canal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni forces down another American drone in fresh pro-Palestinian, anti-US operation Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 2:29 AM The Yemeni Armed Forces shoot down another advanced American drone in support of Palestinians, who have come under a US-enabled Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip, and in protest at Washington's aggression against Yemen. The forces announced the development in a statement read out by their spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree on Saturday. Saree identified the targeted aircraft as an MQ-9 Reaper, a heavy drone, designed for combined combat and surveillance missions, which is worth around $30 million. The aircraft was struck "while it was carrying out hostile activities in the airspace of Ma'rib Province" in west-central Yemen, he added. "This is the eighth drone of this type that the Yemeni Armed Forces have succeeded in downing during the Promised Conquest and Sacred Jihad battle in support of Gaza," the official noted. The forces have been carrying out numerous strikes against the occupied Palestinian territories since October 7, when the Israeli regime began the war on Gaza. At least 40,939 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed so far during the brutal Israeli onslaught, which enjoys unquestioning political, military, and intelligence support on the part of the United States. The forces have also been targeting Israeli ships and vessels heading towards or away from the occupied territories as means of trying to force the regime into stopping the war and a siege that it has been simultaneously imposing on Gaza. The US has, on the other hand, been staging attacks against Yemen as means of trying to stop these operations. Saree, however, vowed that the Yemeni forces "will continue to fulfill their Jihadi duties in defense of the oppressed Palestinian people and in defense of our dear Yemen." He also warned, "We are in the process of enhancing our defensive capabilities to confront" the American aggression "by targeting their enemy military movements in the area of [our] naval operations." Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee of Yemen, meanwhile, scoffed at the US's attempts at conducting surveillance and combat operations against Yemen using the drones. "I call on America to send more MQ-9 drones as Yemeni air defenses enjoy grilling them," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spain welcomes Edmundo Gonzalez Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS STATEMENT 048 8 Sep 24 Edmundo Gonzalez has taken off from Caracas en route to Spain in a Spanish Air Force plane. The Spanish Government has provided the necessary diplomatic and material resources for his transfer, carried out at his request. The Spanish Government reiterates its commitment to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans, especially political leaders. -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthis Shot Down Eighth US Drone MQ-9 Reaper Sputnik News 20240908 DOHA, (Sputnik) - Shiite movement Ansar Allah (the Houthis) ruling northern Yemen s shot down US reconnaissance drone MQ-9 Reaper in northwestern Yemen, which was carrying out reconnaissance over Marib province, the eighth since last fall, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saria said on Saturday. "An American MQ-9 drone was shot down while carrying out enemy missions in the skies over Marib province. This drone was the eighth aircraft of this type shot down during the battle and holy jihad in support of Gaza," Saria told Al-Masirah broadcaster. Earlier, Ansar Allah leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi threatened to expand operations against Israel and Western countries supporting it on land. He stressed that "enemies will be caught off guard on land just as they were caught off guard at sea with the help of new technologies that will help to harm them." Al-Houthi also said that the response to the Israeli bombing of the port of Hodeidah in western Yemen is approaching. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The world must 'wake up and help Sudan out of the nightmare of conflict' says WHO's Tedros 8 September 2024 - Sudan's health system is "near collapse" after 16 months of war have left the country and its people facing what the UN's top health official described on Sunday as the "perfect storm of crises", which the world is largely ignoring. "The scale of the emergency is shocking, as is the insufficient action being taken to curtail the conflict," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the UN World Health Organization (WHO). Speaking to reporters from the Red Sea City of Port Sudan, Dr. Tedros said the conflict had so far killed more than 20 000 people - thought that number is likely higher - and sparked the world's largest internal displacement crisis, displacing over 10 million people inside the country, and forcing another two million to flee to neighbouring countries. 'Crisis falling on deaf ears' Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a deadly conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Following 500 days of fighting, in addition to the mounting death toll and soaring numbers of internally displaced people, catastrophic seasonal floods have further harmed vital infrastructure, disease outbreaks such as cholera and malaria are on the rise, numerous cases of conflict-related sexual violence have been reported, and famine is occurring in some areas of the country. As he wrapped up his two-day visit, Dr. Tedros stated, "25.6 million people - over half of Sudan's population - are expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity." He also noted that 70 to 80 percent of the country's health facilities are not operating at full capacity. Despite these sobering statistics, and WHO's sounding the alarm since the conflict began while working with partners to meet some of the challenges, "the international community has seemingly forgotten about Sudan and is paying little heed to the conflict tearing it apart, with repercussions in the region," said Dr. Tedros. 'The best medicine is peace' "The conflict has left some 25 million people...in dire need of humanitarian aid. Of these, 14.7 million require urgent assistance for a range of life-saving support, for which the humanitarian sector has requested $2.7 billion dollars, which is less than half funded." He called for a range of actions that could save millions of lives: protection of health facilities, health workers and patients - health should not be targeted; sustained access to deliver supplies and aid; scaled-up disease surveillance and vaccination coverage; and "a massive increase in finances from the international community to scale up the response." "We are calling on the world to wake up and help Sudan out of the nightmare it is living through," the UN health chief declared and said an immediate ceasefire is needed, leading to a lasting political solution. "The best medicine is peace," he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu vows continued fight against Hamas as war enters 12th month By VOA News September 08, 2024 Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Sunday to continue its war against Hamas militants in Gaza as the conflict enters its 12th month, saying his country is "surrounded by a murderous ideology led by Iran's axis of evil." The Israeli leader, speaking at a weekly meeting of top government officials, condemned the latest Middle East violence, a gunman's attack that killed three Israelis at the Allenby Bridge Crossing between the West Bank and Jordan. Israeli security forces returned fire and killed the assailant. Meanwhile, in Gaza, an Israeli airstrike killed five people, including two women, two children and a senior Civil Defense official. Netanyahu cast Israel's fight in Biblical terms, saying, "We will wield the sword of David together and with God's help, we will win." Quoting the Bible, Netanyahu asked, "'Shall the sword devour forever?'" "In the Middle East," he said, "without the sword, there is no 'forever.'" In recent days, there have been vast street protests of his handling of the 11-month war against Hamas, along with his failure to reach a cease-fire with the militants and for the return of the remaining 100 or so hostages held by the U.S. designated terror group. But Netanyahu told the other Israeli leaders that the "great majority of Israel's citizens ... know that we are fully committed to achieving the objectives of the war: To eliminate Hamas, to return all of our hostages, to ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel and to return our residents in the north and south securely to their homes." In Sunday's West Bank attack, the military said the gunman approached the Allenby Bridge Crossing from the Jordanian side in a truck and opened fire at Israeli security forces, who killed the assailant in a shootout. It said the three people killed were Israeli civilians, all men in their 50s. Jordan is investigating the shooting, its state-run Petra News Agency reported. The Western-allied Arab country made peace with Israel in 1994 but is deeply critical of its policies toward the Palestinians. Jordan has a large Palestinian population and has seen mass protests against Israel over the war in Gaza. The Allenby crossing over the Jordan River, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, is mainly used by Israelis, Palestinians and international tourists. Authorities in Israel and Jordan said the crossing was closed until further notice, and Israel later announced the closure of both of its land crossings with Jordan, near Beit Shean in the north and Eilat in the south. The Israeli-occupied West Bank has seen a surge of violence since Hamas' October 7 attack out of Gaza triggered the war there. Israel has launched near-daily military arrest raids into dense Palestinian residential areas, and there has also been a rise in settler violence and Palestinian attacks on Israelis. The Civil Defense in Gaza first responders who operate under the Hamas-run government said Sunday's Israeli attack targeted the home of its deputy director for north Gaza, Mohammed Morsi, in the urban Jabaliya refugee camp. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. The army says it tries to avoid harming civilians and only targets militants. The war was triggered by the shock October 7 attack on southern Israel last year that killed about 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, although the Israeli military says the death toll includes several thousand militants. The United States, Qatar and Egypt have spent months trying to broker a cease-fire and the return of the hostages, but the negotiations have repeatedly bogged down. This report included material from The Associated Press. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 08 September 2024 - Day 928 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the day, there have been 148 combat clashes, Russian forces launched 60 air strikes using 79 KABs, 473 kamikaze drones strikes and carried out 2,768 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements using different types of weapons. In the Kharkiv direction zagarbniki throughout the day carried out three attacks near vovcans ka. Defense Forces units have successfully repelled two offensive actions of the enemy, another confrontation is ongoing. According to the preliminary information, since the beginning of the day, the Russian enemy loss has been 59 occupants killed and wounded, two vehicles and four special equipment units have been destroyed, 37 BPLAs, in addition, two artillery systems, a tank, three Russian armored vehicles have been damaged. In the Kupyansky direction, the Defense Forces repelled 13 Russian attacks in the area of Sinkivka, Stepova Novosilka, Glushkivka, Lozova, Meat fry and Stelmahivka. Russian forces attacked 12 times in the Lyman direction, tried to advance in the direction of settlements Nevske, Novosadova, Torske, Dibrova and Cherneshina, currently two confrontations are being sharpened. During the day, Ukrainian defenders repelled five Russian assault actions in the areas of Verkhnyokamiansky, Spirny and Grigorivka. Currently, fighting is still ongoing in three locations. Eight combat clashes took place in the Kramatorsky direction. The activity of the Russian occupiers was shown in the area of Andriyivka, May, Time Yar, White Mountain, Predtecinyogo and Kli iivka. Seven Russian attempts to undermine Ukrainian units turned out to be futile, one attack in progress. The situation is under control. With the support of aviation, Russian forces 17 times tried to infiltrate Ukrainian defense in the Toretsky direction. During the day, the Russian occupiers attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders near the settlements of Northern, Zalizne and New York, Toretsk, Nelipivka and Druzhba. Ukrainian defenders have repelled 13 attacks, four attacks are still ongoing. 29 Russian offensive and assault actions have been repelled in the areas of populated areas of Green Field, Vozdvizhenko, Novotroitsky, Hrodivka, Novogrodivka, Selidovoye, Marinivka and Mykhailivka. Seven more fights are underway. Ukrainian troops are taking measures to maintain defined borders. According to preliminary data, for today Russian forces lost 314 eliminated and wounded occupants, one was taken captive, also Ukrainian soldiers destroyed ten cars and one BPLA. In addition, two howlers, two tanks, one car and one mortar were hit. In the Kurakhiv direction at this time of the day, there are 25 combat clashes. Russian Zagarbniks remain active, trying to advance in the areas of populated areas of Krasnogorivka, Dolynivka, Ukrainian, Georgiyivka and Konstantinivka. Defense Forces units repelled 20 attacks, five attacks are still ongoing. In the Vremivs komu direction, there were two collisions in the direction of Vodanogo. In the Orihiv direction, Ukrainian troops repelled two Russian attacks near Small Tokmacka and Robotiny, the opponent was unsuccessful. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Bryansk, Liptsy, and Volchansk directions, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 82nd Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 34th Marine Brigade, 113th Territorial Defence Brigade, 3rd National Guard Brigade, and 4th Border Security Detachment of the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service near Goptovka, Okhrimovka, Sosnovka, and Volchansk (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 160 troops and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 14th, 53rd, 54th mechanised brigades, 77th Airmobile Brigade, 3rd Assault Brigade of the AFU, and 114th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kovsharovka, Petropavlovka, Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, Kruglyakovka, Borovaya, Lozovaya (Kharkov region), and Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic). Three counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 77th Airmobile Brigade of the AFU and 1st National Guard Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 550 troops, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, one Kozak armoured fighting vehicle, six motor vehicles, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 howitzer. Anklav-N and Kvertus electronic warfare stations and six field ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Yug Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences and inflicted losses on formations of the 24th, 54th mechanised brigades, 10th Assault Brigade of the AFU, and the 12th National Guard Brigade near Chasov Yar, Zaliznyanskoye, Grigorovka, Seversk, and Katerinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to 625 troops, one Kozak armoured fighting vehicle, eight motor vehicles, one Strela-10 SAM launcher, two UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzers, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, one UK-made 105-mm L-119 howitzer, and one electronic warfare station. Six field ammunition depots were destroyed. As a result of active actions, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Novogrodovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of the 47th Mechanised Brigade, 144th Infantry Brigade, 49th Assault Battalion of the AFU, and the 109th Territorial Defence Brigade near Dzerzhinsk, Shcherbinovka, Kleban-Byk, Mikhaylovka, Krasnoarmeysk, Grodovka, Galitsynovka, and Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic). Eight counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 32nd, 100th mechanised brigades, 59th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 142nd Infantry Brigade, 25th Airborne Brigade of the AFU, the 12th and 14th National Guard Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 560 troops, one tank, U.S.-made MaxxPro and two Kozak armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, and three 122-mm D-30 howitzers. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions as well as inflicted losses on formations of the 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade of the AFU, the 102nd and 105th territorial defence brigades near Velikaya Novosyolka, Zolotaya Niva, and Dobrovolye (Donetsk People's Republic). Two counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 130 troops, four motor vehicles, and one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 39th Coastal Defence Brigade of the AFU, 37th Marine Brigade, 121st, and 124th territorial defence brigades near Gavrilovka, Veseloye, Otradokamenka, Novokairy, Antonovka, and Dnepropetrovskoye (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, and five motor vehicles. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out one temporary deployment point of the Yug Special Operations Centre of the AFU Special Operations Forces, UAV production, assembly, and ammunition loading workshops, as well as engaged manpower and hardware clusters in 127 areas during the day. Air defence units shot down four French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs, four U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 23 unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, 642 airplanes and 283 helicopters, 31,121 unmanned aerial vehicles, 579 air defence missile systems, 17,961 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,447 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 14,295 field artillery guns and mortars as well as 25,795 units of special military equipment 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 enemy attacks in the direction of Malaya Loknya, Cherkasskaya Konopelka, Maryevka, and Snagost. As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 40 troops killed and wounded. Moreover, one tank, one infantry fighting vehicle, and three armoured fighting vehicles were destroyed. Aviation, artillery, and actions of Russian troops inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 80th Air Assault Brigade, 92nd Assault Brigade, 152th Jaeger Brigade of the AFU, and 1004th Security and Service Brigade near Apanasovka, Borki, Vishnyovka, Vnezapnoye, Kazachaya Loknya, Maryevka, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Obukhovka, Lyubimovka, Knazhiy Perviy, and Snagost. Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes at concentration areas in Sumy region of foreign mercenaries and reserves of the 22nd Mechanised Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 1st National Guard Brigade, as well as 101st, 103rd, 107th, 113th, and 118th territorial defence brigades near Belopolye, Godunovka, Daryino, Rechki, Khoten, Voronovka, Svessa, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Vladimirovka, Yampol, Stetsovka, and Bachevsk. Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to up to 510 troops and 19 units of hardware, including three tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, 15 armoured fighting vehicles, two artillery guns, one electronic warfare station, and 13 motor vehicles. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 11,220 troops, 87 tanks, 42 infantry fighting vehicles, 74 armoured personnel carriers, 624 armoured fighting vehicles, 361 motor vehicles, 84 artillery guns, 24 MLRS launchers, including seven of the U.S.-made M142 HIMARS system and five of the U.S.-made M270 MLRS system, eight SAM launchers, two transport-loading vehicles, 21 electronic warfare and seven counter-battery radars, two air defence radars, eight units of engineering vehicles, including two counterobstacle vehicles and one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Private satellite network launches first global communication services Global Times By Zhang Yiyi Published: Sep 08, 2024 09:27 PM As a Chinese commercial aerospace company on Friday provided, for the first time, global low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication services, experts said on Sunday that the launch of China's private satellite network for global communications demonstrates the country's advancing telecom capabilities, with private companies now positioned to compete globally. The third orbital plane of Chinese private automaker Geely's Future Mobility Constellation was launched on Friday from Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi Province, with 10 satellites entering their intended orbits and functioning normally. The launch brought Geely's Future Mobility Constellation to 30 satellites, covering 90 percent of the world with near-constant communication. This marks the first time a Chinese commercial aerospace company has provided global LEO satellite communication services. China's commercial space industry is picking up speed, with several satellite constellation projects taking off this year. On August 6, the first batch of satellites from the Qianfan Constellation was launched, with plans to achieve global network coverage by the end of 2027. In May, LandSpace subsidiary Hongqing Technology filed a frequency and orbit request for its Honghu Constellation, aiming to deploy 10,000 satellites across 160 orbital planes. Despite a late start, China is rapidly advancing in building satellite constellations, particularly in the commercial sector, and catching up with global competitors, Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Sunday. "For example, orbital insertion technology has matured, and rocket reliability continues to improve. Commercial space companies are key to driving market growth by delivering tailored, efficient and cost-effective solutions to meet market demand," Wang noted. Whether China's LEO satellite development can truly lead globally still depends on market testing and adjustments for a period of time, Wang said. LEO satellite networks are a necessary step toward the 6G era, Wang noted. "Both state-owned and private Chinese companies, including telecom operators, satellite firms and manufacturers, are actively participating, creating a dynamic and competitive ecosystem," Wang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Exercise Kakadu begins in Darwin Issued by Defence Media 8 September 2024 Warships and personnel from over thirty nations will descend on Darwin this week for Australia's premier maritime warfare activity, Exercise Kakadu. Growing in size and complexity since its inception in 1993, this year's exercise includes warships, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft from participating nations with more than 3,000 uniformed personnel participating. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO RAN, welcomed participants and acknowledged the valuable partnerships that would be forged during the exercise. "Kakadu is the largest and most significant international exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy, it deepens relationships and interoperability between participating armed forces. Australia is a maritime nation that, like our neighbours, derives prosperity from access to the sea - assured by a strong Navy and strong partnerships." Vice Admiral Hammond said. "Kakadu provides an excellent opportunity for officers, sailors and aviators to practice their skills in a range of tactical maritime activities. This year the focus is on interoperability with greater integration of our international partners in all aspects of the exercise." Building on the success of 2022, this year's exercise will feature a multinational Exercise Control element housed at RAAF Base Darwin to coordinate air, sea and subsurface activities across the full spectrum or maritime warfare from mission planning and constabulary operations up to high end anti-submarine warfare and air defence exercises. "There's no economic security without maritime security," Vice Admiral Hammond said. "Each of the countries participating in Kakadu is united in this perspective and our shared commitment to keeping our nations safe, secure, and strong." The theme for this year's exercise is 'Regional Cooperation through Trusted and Proven Partnerships'. The at-sea exercise program is complimented by a harbour phase comprising of briefings, a Fleet Commanders and Senior Leaders' conference, ceremonies, and cultural, social and sporting events. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China holds intensive naval interactions with ASEAN members Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Sep 08, 2024 11:24 PM The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently held intensive naval interactions including joint exercises and warship visits with several ASEAN member states, a move experts said on Sunday has enhanced regional security cooperation amid tensions stirred up by the Philippines. A China-Singapore joint flotilla recently held a farewell ceremony in waters near Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province, wrapping up the successful Exercise Cooperation 2024, the PLA Navy said on Saturday. Warships from the two sides practiced joint strikes against maritime targets as well as search and rescue, and enhanced their tacit understandings. Another PLA naval flotilla, after completing the Peace Unity 2024 joint exercise in Africa, made a technical stop at Cam Ranh Port, Vietnam on Friday for a three-day replenishment. The Chinese and Vietnamese sailors are scheduled to conduct professional exchanges and joint exercises, in addition to visiting each other's warships, the PLA Navy said in another press release. The KRI Bima Suci, a training barque of the Indonesian Navy, on Friday arrived at a naval port in Shanghai for a five-day friendly visit, the PLA Navy said on Saturday. The Chinese and Indonesian navies are scheduled to hold deck receptions, warships visits and professional exchanges. Cambodian media the Khmer Times reported on Friday that the Chinese government plans to provide two new special naval ships at the request of Cambodia to enhance bilateral cooperation. Lieutenant General Mali Socheata, a Cambodian defense ministry spokesperson, said that the Type 056 corvette vessels are expected to be ready and delivered to Cambodia by 2025 or later. The recent intensive military exchanges among China and ASEAN member states showed that the main tone in the South China Sea remains one of cooperation and development, as well as peace and stability, despite tensions stirred up by the Philippines over Chinese islands and reefs. The moves set good examples in security cooperation, a Chinese expert told the Global Times. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Mongolia vow to expand cooperation Global Times Han Zheng calls for speeding up construction of economic corridor By Yang Sheng and Xu Keyue Published: Sep 08, 2024 11:23 PM Updated: Sep 08, 2024 11:56 PM Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Mongolian leaders during his visit to the country from Friday to Sunday after his trip to Russia for the Eastern Economic Forum, with the two sides vowing to deepen ties and expand cooperation. During his three-day visit, Han met separately with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and Parliament Speaker Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Chinese analysts said Mongolia attaches great importance to ties with China, and as a key neighbor of both China and Russia, Mongolia can play a significant role to boost regional development. In his meeting with Oyun-Erdene, Han called for cooperation in energy, connectivity and infrastructure construction, as well as consultation and coordination in international and regional affairs between the two countries. China welcomes Mongolia's designation of 2023-2025 as the "Years to Visit Mongolia," and stands ready to strengthen exchanges with Mongolia's youth, students and media. The Chinese vice president also expressed hope for deepening cooperation among China, Mongolia and Russia, calling for the speeding up of the construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor. For his part, Oyun-Erdene said that Mongolia is willing to work with China to push forward bilateral relations in a new era in the spirit of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and common development. Before Han's visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia earlier this month, which shows that both China and Russia treat Mongolia as an important partner and crucial neighbor, said Cui Heng, a research fellow with the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University. Cooperation between Northeast China and Russia's Far East will boost the regional integration of Northeast Asia, and with Mongolia as part of the region, it will surely be included in the grand plan and will benefit by this process. The China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor is a great example of this, Cui said. China, Mongolia and Russia share a common desire to boost regional development and interconnectivity. This is not only good for the three countries but also shows that international cooperation is still functioning despite the interruption by bloc confrontation and protectionism, Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday. Da noted the trilateral cooperation, which traditionally focuses on energy and mining, will be further expanded to the areas of climate change and green development. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese, US officials hold 'pragmatic' talks on trade issues Global Times By Wang Cong and Chen Qingrui Published: Sep 08, 2024 10:34 PM Updated: Sep 09, 2024 12:45 AM Chinese and US officials on Saturday held "professional, rational and pragmatic" talks about policy issues of mutual concern and specific issues raised by the business communities of the two countries, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said, adding to increasing exchanges between officials of the two countries aimed at stabilizing bilateral ties. The growing interactions between Chinese and US officials send a positive signal that the world's two biggest economies remain committed to maintaining communication, despite growing tension. However, to remove major hurdles for bilateral cooperation, Washington must stop its crackdown campaign against China's development, Chinese experts said on Sunday. According to a statement from the MOFCOM, China International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen and US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago co-chaired the second vice-ministerial meeting of the China-US commercial and trade working group on Saturday in North China's Tianjin Municipality. "A modern China with a massive population means opportunity for the US, not a threat," Wang said. Crucially, the Chinese side raised concerns about the US' so-called Section 301 tariffs against Chinese products, Section 301 probes into shipbuilding and other Chinese industries, overstretching of the concept of national security, sanctions on Chinese companies, restrictions on two-way investments and other trade remedy measures against China, and unfair treatment toward Chinese firms operating in the US. "The Chinese side opposes the use of claims such as 'overcapacity' as pretext to impose restrictive measures on trade and investment," the MOFCOM said. The two sides agreed to offer necessary support for trade and investment promotional activities, maintain communication on cross-border data flow and other areas. The meeting on Saturday comes as the US government reportedly plans to announce final decision for additional tariffs on a slew of Chinese products, including electric vehicles (EVs). However, amid growing opposition from US domestic businesses and industries, the US has delayed the announcement twice. Positive signal Despite tension between the world's two biggest economies, holding more talks on various levels is a positive signal and critical for the two sides to better understand each other's positions and avoid miscalculation, Chinese experts said. "Certainly, this shows the two sides can put some issues on the table and hold talks about them, which in itself is a constructive move," He Weiwen, a senior fellow from the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Sunday, noting the agreement on supporting trade and investment promotional activities offer a positive signal for businesses. Saturday's meeting also comes amid communication between Chinese and US officials at various levels. "The frequent interactions indicate positive attitude from both sides. Although such talks cannot immediately resolve all differences, they are constructive in managing and reducing tension, because the two sides can better understand each other's intensions so as to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation," He Weiwen said. To address issues and remove hurdles for bilateral ties, the US must treat China's development fairly and objectively, stop politicizing trade and economic issues, stop imposing additional tariffs and other crackdown measures against Chinese businesses and products, experts said. "While some in the US business community are opposed to the US' policies, generally speaking, the US government's intention to suppress China is already very clear," Liu Weidong, a research fellow at the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday, pointing to the US' ever-growing list of crackdown measures against China. Despite lingering tension, particularly in the area of national security, there is a real need for stability and cooperation in the economic area from both sides, Liu said. "The meeting mainly showed that there is still room for cooperation between China and the US in the economic field." The US' approach of suppressing China while pursuing talks with China at the same time is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future, experts said. "We need to have a comprehensive view of the China-US relationship, in which both positive and negative elements exist. Given such duality, we need to maintain a pragmatic attitude. Dialogue is essential, but actions are also necessary," He Weiwen said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea-US security exercise in Washington 'nuclear blackmail': North Korea Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 6:48 PM North Korea has condemned South Korea and the United States for holding simulation drills in Washington aimed at boosting nuclear weapons cooperation, decrying the move as "nuclear threats and blackmail." Seoul and Washington held their first tabletop simulation of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) on Thursday and Friday (local time). The key dialogue body aims to coordinate the allies' nuclear deterrence and to bolster nuclear deterrence and operational readiness on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea's foreign ministry, in response, issued a statement on Sunday titled "We will continue to take practical measures to cope with the long-term nuclear confrontation with the US," according to the Korean Central News Agency. In the statement, it expressed serious concern and bitterly denounced the drills, claiming they are disturbing regional strategic stability and increasing the possibility of a nuclear clash, Yonhap news agency reported quoting Korean Central News Agency. "The US nuclear threat and blackmail will be thoroughly deterred by the DPRK's more perfect and developed nuclear forces for self-defense," the statement in KCNA said. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The statement also objected that Seoul and Washington had also held "nuclear war drills" in succession, by mentioning other exercises, such as Iron Mace 2 and Ulchi Freedom Shield. "The DPRK will strictly control and manage the security situation of the Korean peninsula, which is getting ever more intense due to the US and its followers' nuclear war hysteria, and continue to take practical measures to cope with the long-term nuclear confrontation with the US," the statement added. Back in April 2023, US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed on the periodic deployment of American nuclear assets to the Korean Peninsula. They also agreed to establish the NCG and to expand military exercises. The NCG was launched by South Korea and the United States in July 2023. North Korea strongly condemned the agreement to deploy US nuclear assets to South Korea. Pyongyang vowed to respond to the threat, proportionally. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Russian President Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from V. Putin, president of the Russian Federation, on September 7. In the message, the Russian president extended heartfelt congratulations to Kim Jong Un on the occasion of the 76th founding anniversary of the DPRK. The relations of the two countries based on the excellent tradition of friendship and good neighborliness have reached a high level and it was clearly proved by our constructive talks with full contents held in Pyongyang shortly ago, the message said, adding: I am sure that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and the DPRK will be strengthened in a planned way thanks to our joint efforts. This undoubtedly conforms to the fundamental interests of the peoples of the two countries and will contribute to ensuring the security and stability in the Korean peninsula and the Northeast Asian region as a whole. I heartily wish you success in good health and all the citizens of your country peace and wellbeing. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Russian Party Leader Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev, president of the United Russia Party, on Sept. 7. In the message Medvedev extended his heartfelt congratulations to Kim Jong Un on the occasion of the founding anniversary of the DPRK. Under your leadership, the DPRK is advancing along the road chosen by it while steadily strengthening the national sovereignty and independence despite the unprecedented pressure by the forces destroying the structure, the message said, adding: The mutual cooperation between the United Russia Party and the Workers' Party of Korea is becoming an important component of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow. It expressed thanks to Kim Jong Un for supporting such initiatives of the United Russia Party as the movement against neo-colonialism "For the freedom of nations" and exchange between the United Russia Youth Guards and the Socialist Patriotic Youth League. Expressing belief that the steady promotion of dialogue between the two parties at all levels conforms to the fundamental interests of the peoples of the friendly two countries, the message wished Kim Jong Un good health and fresh success and the DPRK peace and prosperity. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Chinese President Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and president of the People's Republic of China (PRC), on September 9. In the message, Xi Jinping extended heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government and people and on his own behalf to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and the Workers' Party of Korea, the DPRK government and the Korean people on the 76th founding anniversary of the DPRK. Over the past 76 years, the Korean people have propelled the steady development of every affair of the state with their single-minded unity under the leadership of the WPK, the message said, adding: In recent years, you, general secretary, have made a series of achievements in the construction and development by guiding the Korean party and people to thoroughly implement the spirit of the Eighth Party Congress and the plenary meetings of the Party Central Committee. I am sure that the Korean people will certainly win a victory, steadily fresh and greater, in the course of promoting the socialist cause of Korean style under the leadership of the WPK headed by you. China and the DPRK are linked by the same mountain and rivers and the traditional friendship has been further consolidated with the passage of time. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and it is a "year of China-DPRK friendship". Under the new situation in the new period, the Chinese side will continue to view and deal with the China-DPRK relations at a strategic level and from a long-term angle and is ready to provide the peoples of the two countries with more welfare and make greater contribution to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world by jointly promoting the socialist cause while jointly and successfully defending, consolidating and developing the traditional China-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations by deepening the strategic communication and boosting coordination and cooperation together with the side of the DPRK. The message wished the DPRK prosperity and the Korean people happiness and wellbeing. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel supports sabotage teams, terrorists along Iran's borders: IRGC commander Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 5:26 PM The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Ground Force says the Israeli regime is accountable for the acts of sabotage and terrorist attacks targeting Iran's border areas. Speaking on Sunday, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said a review of the moves at Iran's boundaries shows that the enemies have hatched plots and strengthened hostile groups along the country's borders. "According to investigations, the Zionist regime supports the sabotage teams acting along the Iranian borders and the terrorist operations against the outposts [of the Iranian forces]," he added. The commander pointed to "fundamental changes" in the tactics and the strategy of war and stressed the need to improve the IRGC units in full proportionate to the existing conditions. In the modern wars, Pakpour noted, terrorists and anti-revolutionary elements use individuals or even equipment which are completely different from those in the past. He said micro aerial vehicles and smart weapons play a "determining" role in the modern wars. The enemy will definitely make a revision in its sinister goals if it encountered a fully prepared IRGC. The IRGC has in the recent years carried out extensive plans to improve security along the country's border provinces and underprivileged areas. It has managed to fight off terrorist teams affiliated with militant groups in the neighboring countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan's sovereignty 'inviolable': DPP official ROC Central News Agency 09/08/2024 04:17 PM San Francisco, Sept. 7 (CNA) The secretary-general of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said at an event in San Francisco on Saturday that "Taiwan's sovereignty is inviolable." "Taiwanese have the defining power to decide their own future," said Lin Yu-chang () at the meeting of the Taiwanese American Federation of Northern California (TAFNC). These themes of -- Taiwanese sovereignty and Taiwanese self-determination -- have been repeatedly raised in President Lai Ching-te's () talks since his May inauguration, Lin told the press before giving an opening speech at the dinner lecture. At the event, Lin said that Taiwan's international role has become more important as a result of major global events including the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War. He also said that the DPP needs to stay "young" and "vibrant" to respond to increasingly "challenging" global conditions. Earlier that day at a lunch meeting with another overseas Taiwanese group, Lin also said that "supporting Taiwan" was a bipartisan stance in the United States that represents the two countries' shared values of democracy and freedom. Lin, who was Taiwan's minister of the interior between January 2023 and May 2024, is currently on a 13-day visit to the U.S. Since arriving in the states on Aug. 31, the DPP secretary-general has visited New York, Washington, D.C., and Houston. Lin said he will not disclose which U.S. officials he has met or will meet during his visit, reflecting sensitivities surrounding the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November, currently tense U.S.-China relations and Beijing's continued hostility toward Taiwanese sovereignty and the DPP. The TAFNC was founded in 1973 to "promote Taiwanese and American cultural exchange," according to the association's website. (By Chang Hsin-yu and Wu Kuan-hsien) Enditem/JT NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address German warships' Taiwan Straits transit 'to cater to US' Global Times By Zhao Yusha Published: Sep 08, 2024 11:24 PM After nearly a month of speculation, German media reported on Saturday that two German warships are scheduled to transit the Taiwan Straits in mid-September. This move, if it takes place, will likely be seen as a muscle-flexing move and a nod to the US' Asia-Pacific policies, Chinese experts said, adding that it will be perceived by China as an unfriendly gesture, likely casting a shadow on Beijing-Berlin ties. The two German warships will become the first German naval vessels to pass through the Taiwan Straits in 22 years, Der Spiegel magazine reported on Saturday, citing unspecified sources as saying Beijing would not be formally notified of the German ships' passage to emphasize that Berlin views the trip as normal. Germany's defense ministry declined to comment, Reuters reported. The possible transit of German warships through the Taiwan Straits aligns with Germany's policy, which seeks to enhance Berlin's engagement in the region. This move also serves as a strategic gesture to play up to the US and NATO, particularly in light of the US' efforts to counter China's influence in trade and to secure greater American support for European security, an anonymous research fellow from China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations told the Global Times. In November 2023, US and Canadian warships passed through the Taiwan Straits. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command organized naval and aviation forces to be on high alert to track and monitor the US and Canadian vessels through their entire course and handle them in accordance with the law and regulations. If the German warships make such a move, it will be seen by China as a gesture of "flexing muscles" and an unfriendly move, said the expert, noting that it will surely cast a shadow on Beijing's ties with Berlin. When asked for comment on German warships' scheduled transit through Taiwan Straits, a spokesperson from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on August 20 that Taiwan question is China's internal affair. China has always been opposed to the undermining of China's territorial sovereignty and security under the guise of freedom of navigation, said the spokesperson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/09/08 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1. Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Saturday to Sunday, Sep. 7-8 2. PLA activitiesis 7 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister Tvinnereim's address on Ukraine and food security Government of Norway Speech/statement | Date: 08/09/2024 By Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim (Ukraine's Peace Formula) Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Kristiansen Tvinnereim's address at a meeting on Ukraine and food security September 4, 2024. The meeting is part of the Peace Formula, a Ukrainian initiative that includes a ten-point plan for peace. Chair, co-chairs, dear colleagues, and friends of Ukraine. Let me start by stating that Norway fully shares the vision outlined in the joint communique. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is a clear violation of the UN Charter and principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. All violations and abuse of international law are unacceptable - always, and everywhere. Together we must redouble our efforts to uphold the international order and end impunity. Global hunger was already a major concern. But Russia's invasion and relentless strikes on critical civilian infrastructure further jeopardized global food security. Prices on food and vital inputs for food production like energy and fertilizer, was negatively impacted. Food has become a global security challenge. As a result, food security is the top development policy priority for Norway. On top of an already high aid budget for global food security we last year allocated 250 million USD to alleviate the immediate consequences of the war in Ukraine for food security in developing countries. It has been distributed via key partners like FAO, WFP and IFAD. One result is that more than 2 million people are now better protected against crises through climate risk insurance programmes in Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Madagascar. I would also like to comment Ukraine's important contributions in this regard, not least through the Grain from Ukraine Initiative. The 23 000 tonnes of Ukrainian maize now on its way to Mozambique and Malawi is a testimony of Ukraine's global efforts. Norway is a proud partner in this important initiative, through our major civilian and military support programme to Ukraine. We must assist Ukraine in opening trade routes and ensuring free passage in the Black Sea. This is why Norway joined United Kingdom in the leadership of a "Maritime Capability Coalition" with Ukraine. Our goal is to enhance Ukraine's naval defense and improve its ability to operate along its own coast. Ensuring free, full and safe commercial navigation is of utmost importance. Ukraine has with a great deal of success managed to secure its transportation routes and navigation for exporting grain, sunflower and other food products. This has contributed to more stable prices for food and food production inputs - with positive effects both for Ukraine and the poorer countries. Stable access to fertilizer and fertilizer inputs is key for food security. Low quality and overprized fertilizer from Russia is reported to be sold on markets in African countries. This is detrimental to the countries' own goal of sustainable use of fertilizer, and to improve the soil health to raise the sustainability, productivity, profitability and resilience of African agriculture and food systems. Another priority for Norway is the increased demining action efforts in Ukraine. Humanitarian demining will not only save lives and protect civilians but also make contaminated areas accessible, secure agricultural production, and lay the foundations for recovery of agricultural land. Ongoing recovery and reconstruction efforts are crucial. An important channel for Norway is therefore the World Bank's Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund. Investing in a more sustainable world, free of hunger, is also an investment in our own security- for all our countries. I am therefore encouraged to see the strengthened international cooperation in this area. We welcome the G20s strong focus on the fight against hunger, and as a guest country we will continue to address food security challenges also within the G20 as well as through all of our bilateral and multilateral diplomacy In conclusion, it is important to emphasize that the devastating consequences of this war would never have occurred if Russia had not attacked. Russia started this war. Russia can choose to end it at any time. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says it has never been part of Russia-Ukraine conflict IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Sep 8, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani says his country has never been part of the conflict in Ukraine and has always supported a political solution to end the war there. Kanaani told IRNA on Sunday when asked about the alleged transfer of Iranian short-range ballistic missiles to Russia to use in the Ukraine war. The allegation was made in recent days in several Western media outlets amid intensified clashes between Russia and Ukraine. "As it has been emphasized repeatedly, the Islamic Republic of Iran, while opposing the war, supports a political solution to resolve differences between Russia and Ukraine to bring an end to the conflict," the spokesman said, adding that "Iran has never been part of the conflict and its continuation." He also said that the principal and declared approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the Ukraine crisis remains unchanged. Therefore, Kanaani continued, the allegations of the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia are "baseless" and they are repeated by certain Western states seeking political goals. The conventional military cooperation between Iran and Russia has been ongoing before the start of the Ukraine war, the diplomat noted. "The cooperation is within the framework of bilateral agreements and is based on international law and norms, and has nothing to do with the Ukraine crisis," he added. 4194**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says it has never been part of Russia-Ukraine war Iran Press TV Sunday, 08 September 2024 8:31 AM Iran says it has played no role in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, reiterating its call for dialogue to bring an end to the conflict. Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani made the remarks on Sunday, a day after US media alleged that Iran had transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, citing unidentified sources. Kan'ani said that Tehran's principled approach to the Ukraine crisis remains "unchanged" and that "completely baseless" claims about the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia are in line with the political objectives of some Western countries. "As it has been emphasized time and again, the Islamic Republic opposes the war and supports a political solution to resolve differences between Russia and Ukraine and end military conflicts," he added. "Since the start of the Ukraine crisis, Iran has never been a part of the military conflict and its continuation, and it has always supported a political solution and bilateral talks to end the battle." Russia launched what it called a special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022 partly to prevent NATO's eastward expansion after warning that the US-led military alliance was following an "aggressive line" against Moscow. Iran has maintained its policy of impartiality regarding the conflict. However, the US and its Western allies have repeatedly claimed that Iran is supplying weapons to Russia for direct use in the Ukraine war. Iran has categorically rejected the unfounded accusations, saying the Western countries are escalating the war through the supply of advanced weaponry to Kiev. Russia has also warned that the flow of Western arms to Ukraine is prolonging the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Members Romania, Latvia Accuse Russia Of Violating Airspace With Military Drones By RFE/RL's Romanian Service and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 08, 2024 Romania and Latvia, both members of NATO, on September 8 accused Russia of violating their countries' airspace with military drones, escalating tensions between Moscow and the West. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, incidents of Russian military drones or missiles flying across or crashing into neighboring states of Ukraine have been reported. Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions, as recently as July this year. In the latest incident, Romania's Foreign Ministry protested the alleged violation of the country's airspace by "criminal Russian aerial vehicles." In a statement on X on September 8, the ministry also urged "Russia to stop its reckless escalation," adding that it had opened consultations with NATO and its allies over the incidents. Earlier the same day, Romania said it scrambled two fighter jets that tracked the path of a drone that briefly violated Romanian airspace before heading toward Ukraine. The military said it was searching the area around the village of Periprava on the Ukrainian border, where it suspects a drone may have crashed. Mircea Geoana, NATO's outgoing deputy secretary-general and Romania's former top diplomat, said the military alliance also condemned Russia's violation of Romanian airspace. "While we have no information indicating an intentional attack by Russia against Allies, these acts are irresponsible and potentially dangerous," he wrote on X. Meanwhile, Latvia also reported a Russian military drone had violated its airspace and crashed on its territory on September 7. "We are in close contact with our allies. The number of such incidents is increasing on NATO's eastern flank, and we must solve them together," Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics wrote on X. The Latvian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the drone had flown into the country's airspace from Belarus and crashed in the municipality of Rezekne. "This situation is a confirmation that we need to continue the work we have started to strengthen Latvia's eastern border, including the development of air-defense capabilities and electronic warfare capabilities to limit the activities of UAVs of different applications," said Defense Minister Andris Spruds, according to AFP. With reporting by AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-russia-war-nato- airspace-drone-ukraine/33111505.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 6 Killed By Russian Air Strikes As Ukraine Presses 'Long-Range Solutions' By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 08, 2024 Russian attacks overnight killed and wounded several Ukrainian civilians at various locations, Ukrainian officials reported on September 8, shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine was continuing "long-range solutions" aimed at forestalling Russian air strikes inside Ukraine. In a video published late on September 8, Zelenskiy said that over the last week, Russian forces had targeted Ukraine with "more than 800 anti-tank missiles, almost 300 Shahed drones, and more than 60 ballistic missiles." "The terror can only be reliably stopped in one way -- by strikes on Russian military airfields, on their bases, and on the logistics of Russian terrorism," he said. According to the country's air force, Russia overnight on September 8-9 attacked with four guided missiles fired from the Belgorod region, as well as 23 Iranian-made Shahed drones. "The enemy's attack was repulsed by antiaircraft missile forces, mobile-fire groups, and electronic warfare units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine," the statement on Telegram said. An elderly couple was killed by Russian shelling in the Ukrainian city of Sumy overnight, officials reported on September 9. "Another four people were injured, including a 2-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy," the local prosecutor's office wrote on Telegram. One house was reportedly destroyed and 20 others damaged. Two Ukrainian animal-welfare workers were killed by a Russian strike against a hotel in the Donetsk region city of Mykolayivka, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reported on September 9. Officials in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, said on September 9 at least two people were killed by an explosion of unknown origin at an automobile factory. "Preliminarily, two people have been killed, and there may be people under the rubble," the Kyiv military administration wrote on Telegram, adding that rescue workers were on the scene. A two-story building on the site was "partially destroyed," officials wrote. The governor of Russia's Belgorod region reported that three people, including two children, were injured and two residences were "destroyed" by falling ordnance overnight. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote that antiaircraft forces had been activated during the night and "several aerial targets" had been shot down. Later on September 8, Gladkov said Ukrainian forces had attacked a fuel depot, triggering a series of fires. "The Ukrainian military, aided by lethal drones, attacked a fuel storage site in Volokonovsky district," Gladkov wrote on Telegram, referring to an area near the border. RFE/RL could not independently confirm the reports. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said on September 8 that its forces had taken the town of Novohrodivka, some 12 kilometers from Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub for the Ukrainian military in the east. The Ukrainian General Staff of the Armed Forces, in a late afternoon report, described the situation as "tense" throughout the Pokrovsk sector and said "fierce battles" gripped areas around several towns, including Novohrodivka. "So far, the enemy has carried out 23 assaults on Ukrainian positions," the report said. "Battles are going on in six locations." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-airstrikes- casualties/33111418.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kyiv Denounces Russian Voting In Occupied Crimea By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 08, 2024 Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has denounced Russia's elections in the occupied Ukrainian region of Crimea, noting that the procedure is a violation of international law. "We emphasize once again that the results of the so-called 'elections' in the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea...are worthless, and the 'elections' themselves are illegitimate," the ministry wrote. The ministry added that those involved in "the preparation and holding of the so-called 'elections'" will be prosecuted. From September 6-8, Russia's de facto authorities in the occupied region are holding voting for the Russian-imposed Crimean parliament, the municipal legislature of the port city of Sevastopol, and deputies of local councils. Russia has occupied the region since 2014. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-crimea-russia-elections- denounce/33111287.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Ministry report on repelling an invasion attempt of the AFU on the territory of the Russian Federation (8 September 2024) 08.09.2024 Over the past 24 hours, units of the Sever Group of Forces supported by Army Aviation and artillery repelled five enemy attacks in the direction of Malaya Loknya, Cherkasskaya Konopelka, Maryevka, and Snagost. As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 40 troops killed and wounded. Moreover, one tank, one infantry fighting vehicle, and three armoured fighting vehicles were destroyed. Aviation, artillery, and actions of Russian troops inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 80th Air Assault Brigade, 92nd Assault Brigade, 152th Jaeger Brigade of the AFU, and 1004th Security and Service Brigade near Apanasovka, Borki, Vishnyovka, Vnezapnoye, Kazachaya Loknya, Maryevka, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Obukhovka, Lyubimovka, Knazhiy Perviy, and Snagost. Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes at concentration areas in Sumy region of foreign mercenaries and reserves of the 22nd Mechanised Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 1st National Guard Brigade, as well as 101st, 103rd, 107th, 113th, and 118th territorial defence brigades near Belopolye, Godunovka, Daryino, Rechki, Khoten, Voronovka, Svessa, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Vladimirovka, Yampol, Stetsovka, and Bachevsk. Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to up to 510 troops and 19 units of hardware, including three tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, 15 armoured fighting vehicles, two artillery guns, one electronic warfare station, and 13 motor vehicles. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 11,220 troops, 87 tanks, 42 infantry fighting vehicles, 74 armoured personnel carriers, 624 armoured fighting vehicles, 361 motor vehicles, 84 artillery guns, 24 MLRS launchers, including seven of the U.S.-made M142 HIMARS system and five of the U.S.-made M270 MLRS system, eight SAM launchers, two transport-loading vehicles, 21 electronic warfare and seven counter-battery radars, two air defence radars, eight units of engineering vehicles, including two counterobstacle vehicles and one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Over 11,220 Soldiers, 87 Tanks in Russia's Kursk Region - Defense Ministry Sputnik News 20240908 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian armed forces have lost over 11,220 soldiers and 87 tanks in battles with the Russian military since the beginning of the Ukrainian attack on the Kursk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 510 servicepeople and 19 armored vehicles, including three tanks, an infantry fighting vehicle and 15 armored combat vehicles, as well as two artillery pieces, an electronic warfare station and 13 vehicles, the ministry added. Russia has also defeated the Ukrainian forces in the area of several regional settlements, including Apanasovka, Borki, Vishnevka and Vnezapnoe. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Destroy 3 Drones Over Belgorod, Kursk Regions Overnight - Defense Ministry Sputnik News 20240908 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defense systems on duty shot down two drones over the Belgorod Region and one over the Kursk Region during the past night, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. The Russian Defense Ministry stressed that the Ukrainian drone attack was terroristic in nature. "During the past night, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using an aircraft-type UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] against targets in the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted. Two UAVs were destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod Region and one over the territory of the Kursk Region by air defense systems on duty," the ministry said on Telegram. Earlier on Saturday, Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev said that a state of emergency had been declared in the Ostrogozhsky District due to detonations of explosive devices caused by the crash of a drone in the region. Russian officials have repeatedly slammed deliberate Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure, dubbing them as acts of terrorism that reveal the criminal nature of the Kiev regime. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Liberate Novogrodovka City in Donetsk - Defense Ministry Sputnik News 20240908 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ministry of Defense reported on the progress of special military operation and on the key achievements of the Russian Armed Forces in the last 24 hours. Russia's Tsentr (Center) group of forces has taken control of the city of Novogrodovka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Russian Defense Ministry told Sputnik on Sunday. "As a result of active actions by the units of the Tsentr group of forces, the settlement of Novogrodovka has been liberated," the ministry said in a statement. Ukrainian Losses in Last 24 Hours Kiev lost up to 625 servicepeople in battles with Russia's Yug (South) group of troops over the past day, as well as a Kozak combat armored vehicle, two UK-made 155mm FH-70 howitzers and an electronic warfare station, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. Russia's Sever (North) group of troops eliminated up to 160 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry said, adding that Kiev also lost up to 550 soldiers in fighting with Russia's Zapad (West) group of troops. Ukraine has also lost up to 560 soldiers in battles with Russia's Tsentr (Center) group of troops, the Russian ministry said. Ukrainian units have lost up to 130 soldiers and a UK-produced FH-70 howitzer in battles with Russia's Vostok (East) group of troops, the ministry added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Secretary Verma's Engagements in Krakow, Poland US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson September 8, 2024 The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma met yesterday in Krakow, Poland, with Polish Special Plenipotentiary for the Reconstruction of Ukraine Pawel Kowal, private sector businesses, and NGOs to discuss Ukrainian recovery plans. In addition, Deputy Secretary Verma met with leaders of the Jewish Community Centre, one of the largest U.S.-privately funded Ukraine refugee assistance organizations. The Deputy Secretary also visited the European Rover Challenge event, recipient of a U.S. grant, to meet leaders in computer engineering and artificial intelligence research and development, with multiple leading U.S. companies present. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Our Main Focus Now, at the Beginning of the Fall, is to Strengthen the Positions of Ukraine as Much as Possible - Address by the President President of Ukraine 8 September 2024 - 19:56 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! Today, we have already started working to implement all the agreements we reached with our partners this week. The Ramstein meeting, meetings in Germany, meetings in Italy. Separately, Ukraine's Defense Minister and our military worked in France, the UK, and also in Germany. We are very much counting on results from the conversation with U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin. There were important negotiations with Chancellor Scholz and President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni. We consistently work with representatives of both parties in the United States - on the sidelines of the Forum in Italy, I met with a delegation of the U.S. Congress. We talked, in particular, about the victory plan for Ukraine - about some of its details, and we will present all the steps to U.S. President Biden and both presidential candidates, Trump and Harris, in full. Our main focus now, at the beginning of the fall, is to strengthen the positions of Ukraine and Ukrainians as much as possible, protect our cities and villages from Russian terror, and, of course, provide more capabilities for our warriors on the frontlines. Pokrovsk, Toretsk, Kurakhove direction, and other areas of the highest concentration of Russian forces. I thank every brigade, every unit that holds their positions with true resilience. This week brought new agreements on ammunition for Ukraine, as well as funding for the production of weapons, drones, and missiles in Ukraine. Air defense remains an unwavering priority. And we continue to persuade our partners at all levels about long-range capabilities. Russia can avoid seeking peace only as much as the world avoids making strong decisions aimed at Russia's defeat. Long-range capabilities are one of those key, strategic decisions. I thank everyone around the world who is helping us bring these absolutely necessary steps by our partners closer. Now - for the announced steps at Ramstein, for other assistance that was agreed upon this week - I want to recognize Germany, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia. Thank you all, friends! And one more thing. The beginning of this September, unfortunately, was marked by brutal Russian strikes. Just after the strike on the Poltava Institute of Communications, 220 wounded are still receiving inpatient treatment. Among them are people with severe and very severe injuries. I thank all the doctors and nurses who are doing everything they can to help and to save as many lives as possible. I also want to acknowledge the rescuers - the entire team of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Poltava region, as well as in all the other regions where Russia is directing its missiles and drones. The Dnipropetrovsk region - especially Nikopol, Pavlohrad, our other cities, our other communities, our Kharkiv region, Donetsk region, Mykolaiv region, Lviv and Lviv region, Sumy region, and everywhere in Ukraine, our people and all the necessary services are working to rescue, help, and restore. This week, I extend great gratitude to all the workers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Poltava region, especially Anatolii Vasylenko, Oleksandr Skakun, Oleksandr Yaremenko, Vladyslav Yurchenko, Mykola Pavlovskyi, Viktor Kuzmenko, Ihor Lytvyshko, Oleksandr Bidanets, Roman Bykhovyi, and Ihor Postavnyi. Thank you, guys! And also to the officers of the National Police of Ukraine in the Poltava region who assisted in the rescue operation - thank you all, and especially Yevhen Liabakh, Petro Skichko, Darya Kurylo and Mykhailo Lukoshyn. Thank you to everyone who works and fights for Ukraine, for our people and our interests, the interests of our state, the Ukrainian state. Every day, every week must make Ukraine stronger. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Quantexa announced it is forming Quantexa Public Sector September 2024 by Marc Jacob Quantexa announced it is forming Quantexa Public Sector, a new global business unit dedicated to empowering public sector agencies around the world to transform government services with AI, automation and trusted data. Quantexa is rapidly building a track record of success in the public sector, helping agencies and departments use their cutting-edge Decision Intelligence Platform to better protect and serve more communities while maximizing operational efficiencies. Quantexas achievements in the public sector are being recognized as the company was named one of the top vendors in the inaugural Chartis RiskTechAI 50 2024 ranking and research report. The Chartis RiskTechAI 50 Report ranks global AI solutions in risk technology and has acknowledged Quantexas ability to use AI for specialized applications in tax fraud detection and government use cases. In the report, Quantexa technology has been commended in two categories: Advanced tax fraud capabilities and AI for government applications. This recognition underlines Quantexas industry leading expertise in leveraging AI for specialized applications in tax fraud detection and government use cases. An expanding portfolio of government clients seeing the benefit of Quantexas technology Earlier today, Quantexa announced that it has signed its first contract with the U.S. federal government through a new deal with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). USSOCOM will deploy Quantexa News Intelligence (QNI), an AI-enabled SaaS solution that provides real-time insights from global news data, to identify and monitor emerging risks and aid in making mission-critical decisions. This contract comes on the heels of QNI achieving Awardable status through the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace, the Department of Defenses suite of tools and services designed to accelerate the procurement and adoption of AI/machine learning, data, and analytics capabilities. USSOCOM is the latest addition to a growing roster of government agencies turning to Quantexas Decision Intelligence Platform and solutions to help solve data management, governance, and quality challenges. Other clients include UKs Cabinet Office, Mersey Care NHS Trust, Service NSW Australia, and Belgium Federal Public Service Finance. Quantexa public sector clients see success and cost savings achieved across a range of use case scenarios including stopping fraud occurring in tax, grants, and benefits programs, driving more efficient and effective financial crime and criminal investigations, facilitating the safe and secure movement of people and goods across borders, enriching intelligence operations, and proactive patient care efforts within national health programs. Quantexas increasing commitment to the public sector comes on the heels of the rapid adoption of AI across government agencies. According to Gartner, Global AI software spending in the government market is set to increase 18.0% in 2024 to $41.6 billion and reach $70.6 billion by 2027, with a five-year CAGR of 18.7%. Technology and service providers can use this presentation to support government planning activities for 2024 and beyond. Gartner also predicts that, By 2025, 95% of decisions that currently use data will be at least partially automated. Empowering investigative teams and healthcare professionals with critical capabilities such as entity resolution and knowledge graph technologies enables them to cleanse, enrich, match, and understand data by connecting siloed sources and visualizing complex relationships in real-world context. The result is the ability to support multiple use cases from one platform that provides exceptional data accuracy, far better-performing AI models, and effective Gen AI, with intuitive user experiences that improves the ability to collaborate and drives greater effectiveness and efficiency of agency resources. Quantexa Public Sector is led by current senior executives, with recent of appointment of West Point graduate and tech industry veteran Frank Ignazzitto to run the U.S. Public Sector team. Building a high-impact partner ecosystem Quantexa is committed to building a high-impact partner ecosystem to support the unique challenges public sector agencies face, including the need for scalable solutions that work with existing IT infrastructure. Composed of partners who bring specialized expertise across secure compute, cloud computing adoption, cybersecurity, and managed offerings, Quantexa works with its trusted industry partners to provide unmatched consulting and technology delivery that enhances operational efficiency, champions innovation, and enables agencies to provide better services to the public they serve. Technology Partners: AWS, Databricks, Google, Microsoft Delivery and Consulting Partners: Accenture, Akira Technologies, Brillient Corporation, Capgemini, Deloitte, DXC Technology, IBM, KPMG, PWC, ST Engineering Quantexas Decision Intelligence Platform and solutions are available to government agencies directly through Quantexa or through an expanding set of global contract vehicles and technology marketplaces. U.S. Special Operations Command Awards Contract to Quantexa September 2024 by Marc Jacob Quantexa announced that it has signed its first contract with the U.S. federal government through a new deal with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). USSOCOM will deploy Quantexa News Intelligence (QNI), an AI-enabled SaaS solution that provides real-time insights from global news data, to identify and monitor emerging risks and aid in making mission-critical decisions. This contract comes on the heels of QNI achieving Awardable status through the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace, the Department of Defenses suite of tools and services designed to accelerate the procurement and adoption of AI/machine learning, data, and analytics capabilities. QNI leverages advanced AI, machine learning, and natural language processing (NLP) to process millions of news articles daily, transforming them into enriched, actionable intelligence. The scale, accessibility, reliability, flexibility, and richness of the news data that QNI provides will strengthen USSOCOMs data intelligence operations to enable faster and more informed decisions. With QNI, Quantexa will provide USSOCOM with one of its biggest datasets for building intelligence. QNI provides instant access to news articles from over 90,000 global news publishers that are auto translated into English. QNI ingests, reads, tags, and makes available fourteen articles per second, every second. For USSOCOM and other U.S. Department of Defense agencies, defense-specific category filtering and entity-specific search capabilities will make pinpointing relevant and accurate news exponentially faster and easier than ever before, on a global scale. Quantexa is a trusted partner for government agencies around the world, including the U.K. Cabinet Office, Australias Executive Government and one of Europes largest tax authorities. VistaJet Connects China-Africa Business Ties, Propelling Cross-Continental Commerce Link for high resolution images. Image source: CCTV News. Hong Kong/Beijing, September 9, 2024 VistaJet brought business leaders, heads of state and governments together at one of the worlds largest forums in the 9th Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing from September 4 to 6. The FOCAC summit, which meets once every 3 years alternating between China and Africa, aims to expand and deepen the China-Africa cooperation and relationship. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) China has become Africas largest trading partner under programs such as the Belt and Road Initiative. Around 20% of the regions exports now go to China and about 16% of Africas imports come from China. This amounted to a record high of $282 billion in total trade volume in 2023. Growing the private aviation network in both China and Africa, VistaJet plays a crucial role to foster business ties and help drive mutually beneficial economic growth and development in the regions. During this years FOCAC, China further amplified its commitment to the development of Africa by pledging China's support across Africa with a funding of nearly $51 billion over the next three years, backing for more infrastructure projects, and the creation of at least 1 million jobs. Similarly, the second Indonesia-Africa Forum was held in Bali in early September, where Indonesia successfully recorded 32 business partnerships with a total value of over $3.5 billion, demonstrating the growing relationship between Asia and Africa. Philippe Scalabrini, President of Europe and Africa at VistaJet said: The role of private aviation does not stop at air mobility. Not only it is the safest and most efficient way for point-to-point travel, it also brings the world together and opens the door to deep collaborations and exploring new opportunities. Every day VistaJet is trusted by world leaders because it focuses on what it does best providing the most rigorous safety and security, upholding to its commitment of guaranteed aircraft availability for its Members to fly anywhere at any time to offer maximum efficiency in private travel. VistaJet plays a crucial role to foster business ties and help drive mutually beneficial economic growth and development in the regions. (Image Source: CCTV News.) Through 2023, VistaJet witnessed a steady increase in its Members base across regions, with a marked 35% year-on-year growth recorded in Africa. The demand for services from Africa and China in particular continues to rise in 2024 the most requested aircraft being Challenger 605 for regional flights and Global 7500 for long-haul travel up to 17 hours non-stop. In the past 12 months, VistaJet has deployed a dedicated fleet in Africa to accommodate the increasing flight demand among the continents countries, China and the rest of the world. With a Members fleet of aircraft covering 96% of the world, VistaJet continues to bridge the economic advancement of different regions in the world and showcases the indispensable role of private aviation in fostering business opportunities and economic growth. VistaJet is committed to exceptional service ensures that businesses can maximize their global potential efficiently and with ease. -ENDS- Information VistaJet | press@vistajet.com About VistaJet VistaJet is the first and only global business aviation company, leading the industry by setting higher standards of service and safety for 20 years. On its fleet of silver and red business jets, VistaJet has flown corporations, governments and private clients to 207 countries and territories, covering 96% of the world. Founded in 2004, the company pioneered an innovative business model where customers have access to an entire fleet whilst paying only for the hours they fly, free of the responsibilities and asset risks linked to aircraft ownership. VistaJets signature Program membership offers clients a bespoke subscription of flight hours with guaranteed access to the Vista Members fleet to fly them anytime, anywhere. VistaJet is part of Vista the worlds first private aviation ecosystem, integrating a unique portfolio of companies offering asset free solutions to cover all key aspects of business aviation. More VistaJet information and news at vistajet.com or for Greater China Region at vistajet.cn VistaJet Limited is a European air carrier that operates 9H registered aircraft under its Maltese Air Operator Certificate No. MT-17 and is incorporated in Malta under Company Number C 55231. VistaJet US Inc. is an Air Charter Broker that does not operate aircraft. VistaJet and its subsidiaries are not U.S. direct carriers. VistaJet-owned and U.S. registered aircraft are operated by properly licensed U.S. air carriers, including XOJET Aviation LLC. Attachments SINGAPORE, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKX Explorer, a leading blockchain search engine and Web3 analytics platform, has issued updates for September 9, 2024. OKX Explorer Enhances Bitcoin Ecosystem Coverage with Fractal Integration OKX Explorer now supports Fractal, a Bitcoin scaling solution that uses the Bitcoin Core code itself to recursively scale unlimited layers on top of the world's most secure blockchain. This integration aligns with OKX Explorer's commitment to providing comprehensive coverage and advanced tools for the onchain community and developers, particularly in the evolving Bitcoin ecosystem. Key highlights of this integration: Revolutionizing Bitcoin's scalability: Fractal significantly increases transaction throughput while maintaining consistency with Bitcoin Core software. OKX Explorer's comprehensive data insights and user-friendly interface provide seamless access to Fractal's innovative features, allowing users to explore and interact with Fractal's environment effortlessly. Fractal significantly increases transaction throughput while maintaining consistency with Bitcoin Core software. OKX Explorer's comprehensive data insights and user-friendly interface provide seamless access to Fractal's innovative features, allowing users to explore and interact with Fractal's environment effortlessly. Native support for emerging Bitcoin standards: Fractal's native support for standards like Ordinals, Runes and BRC-20 is complemented by OKX Explorer's advanced tracking capabilities. This integration enables users to monitor and verify transactions involving these new digital assets with ease, ensuring transparency and trust. Fractal's native support for standards like Ordinals, Runes and BRC-20 is complemented by OKX Explorer's advanced tracking capabilities. This integration enables users to monitor and verify transactions involving these new digital assets with ease, ensuring transparency and trust. Dynamic scaling and fast confirmations: Fractal's dynamic scaling capabilities and fast block confirmation times (30 seconds or less) make it ideal for internet-scale applications. OKX Explorer's real-time data tracking ensures that even the most data-intensive applications run smoothly on Fractal, providing users with fast transaction confirmations and real-time updates. Fractal's dynamic scaling capabilities and fast block confirmation times (30 seconds or less) make it ideal for internet-scale applications. OKX Explorer's real-time data tracking ensures that even the most data-intensive applications run smoothly on Fractal, providing users with fast transaction confirmations and real-time updates. Innovative features and future enhancements: Fractal's potential enablement of OP_CAT could unlock new possibilities for advanced scripting and smart contracts. OKX Explorer's comprehensive data insights will support the monitoring and development of these advanced features, ensuring a transparent and efficient system. Fractal boasts an impressive user base, with over 4.8 million wallet addresses and more than 9.1 million users. Its testnet has demonstrated remarkable activity, recording over 12.5 million active addresses in just 24 hours, with 10.6 million addresses engaging in Ordinals transactions. This high-volume performance showcases OKX Explorer's robust capabilities, offering users seamless access to detailed, real-time data insights while highlighting the platform's scalability and reliability. OKX Explorer is a leading blockchain search engine and Web3 analytics platform that provides extensive coverage of nearly 50 public chains, including all live Polygon chains and popular ones like BTC, EVM L1 and L2 chains, Tron and Solana, as well as comprehensive onchain data and developer tools. To learn more, visit OKX's Support Center. For further information, please contact: Media@okx.com About OKX OKX is a technology company with a mission to organize the world's blockchains and make them more accessible and useful. We want to create a future that makes our world more efficient, transparent and connected. OKX began as a crypto exchange giving millions of people access to trading and over time became among the largest platforms in the world. In recent years, we have developed one of the most connected onchain wallets used by millions to access decentralized applications (dApps). OKX is a brand trusted by hundreds of large institutions seeking access to crypto markets on a reliable platform that seamlessly connects with global banking and payments. OKX is committed to transparency and security, and publishes its Proof of Reserves monthly to build trust. OKX also regularly publishes educational articles, accessible via OKX Learn. These articles provide readers with in-depth analyses of all cryptocurrencies, including factors influencing Bitcoin prices and Ethereum prices. Our most well-known products include: The OKX Exchange, OKX Wallet, OKX Marketplace, OKX Explorer, OKX Chain and OS for developers, OKX Ventures and OKX Institutional Services. To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com Disclaimer XIAMEN, China, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On September 8, the 24th China International Fair for Investment & Trade ("CIFIT"), sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and co-organized by the Fujian Provincial People's Government, the Xiamen Municipal People's Government, and the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce, opened in Xiamen, Fujian Province, participated in by 119 countries and regions and 18 international organizations, of which about 80% are in the joint pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. Themed "Investment Linking the World," this year's CIFIT has a total exhibition area of 120,000 square meters. New highlights are the "Invest in China" area and the "China's Outward Investment and Cooperation" area, showcasing the achievements of foreign investment in China and vice versa. It is worth noting that the event has set up a 47,000 square meters Industrial Innovation and Development Pavilion, focusing on fields such as BRICS cooperation, supply chain innovation, new quality productive forces, and green and low-carbon. Its five areas (i.e., BRICS Exhibition on New Industrial Revolution, Digital Economy, China Supply Chain Innovation, New Energy and Green Innovation, and the 2024 China (Xiamen) International Technology Expo for Public Security and Legal Services) are geared up to demonstrate regional investment and cooperation achievements, new technologies and products in industrial innovation and development, as well as trends in strategic emerging industries and future-oriented industries. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Hungary, and Hungary is the guest of honor at this CIFIT. As the barometer and weather vane of China's inbound and outbound investment, CIFIT, founded in 1997, has been successfully held for 23 sessions. More than 30,000 projects have been signed, a great number of signature foreign-funded projects have been implemented in China, and numerous Chinese enterprises have reached the global market. Source: The Conference Department of the Organizing Committee of the 24th CIFIT ZURICH, 9 September 2024 21Shares AG ("21Shares"), one of the world's largest issuers of cryptocurrency exchange traded products (ETPs) and a subsidiary of 21.co, is pleased to announce a new initiative focussed on Staking, designed to educate the market on the basics of crypto staking, its potential benefits for ETP investors and 21Shares unique approach. Staking is a way for crypto holders to put the digital assets they hold to work and earn a passive income without selling them, representing a potential opportunity for investors. Through our Staking Primer and education initiative, 21Shares seeks to introduce clients and potential investors to this key component of the crypto ecosystem, said Adrian Fritz, Head of Research at 21Shares. Since inception in 2018, 21Shares has provided world-class research and insights to investors around the world, and has been on the forefront of crypto thought leadership and education. 21Shares staking research and education initiative represents our latest endeavor to make the world of cryptocurrency more understandable, simplified and relatable. Staking, integral to the functionality and security of Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchains, allows crypto holders to actively participate in transaction validation by locking up their assets. In return, participants earn rewards, contributing to both the stability of the network and the growth of their portfolios. As part of this education initiative, 21Shares is emphasizing the 21Shares Staking Primer , a comprehensive guide designed to educate investors on the fundamentals of staking and its critical role within the blockchain ecosystem. This resource provides clear insights into how staking works, the benefits it offers and the potential for generating passive income. In addition, investors can track key metrics related to their staking activities through 21Shares' Dune Dashboards , which provide real-time data on staking rewards, network participation, and yields. This transparency and accessibility further empower investors to make informed decisions as they engage with the staking process. The initiative also highlights a curated selection of Staking ETPs, including popular assets like Ethereum, Solana and Avalanche, among others. These products simplify the staking process, enabling investors to gain exposure to staking rewards without the complexities typically associated with managing individual staking operations. The staking research and education initiative underscores 21Shares' commitment to providing innovative and user-friendly investment products that cater to the evolving needs of the cryptocurrency community. By offering staking through ETPs, 21Shares continues to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the dynamic world of digital assets. For more information about 21Shares and to explore the full range of Staking ETPs, visit https://connect.21shares.com/staking-2024 Press Contacts: Audrey Belloff, Head of Communications, press@21.co About 21.co: 21.co is the worlds leader in providing access to crypto through simple and easy to use products. 21.co is the parent company of 21Shares , the worlds largest issuer of cryptocurrency exchange traded products (ETPs) which is powered by Onyx, a proprietary technology platform used to issue and operate cryptocurrency ETPs for 21Shares and third parties. The company was founded in 2018 by Hany Rashwan and Ophelia Snyder. 21Shares is registered in Zurich, Switzerland with offices in Zurich, London and New York. For more information, please visit 21Shares . ### Dublin, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Fruit Beverages in the U.S. Through 2028: Market Essentials" report from Beverage Marketing has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Against a backdrop of topline global fruit beverage trends, this report from Beverage Marketing Corporation provides in-depth coverage of the U.S. fruit beverage market and its key sub-segments including juices, juice blends, fruit drinks, refrigerated, shelf stable, concentrates and organic. It also breaks out nectars and super-premium juice and offers other key splits such as flavor by type, distribution channel break-outs, not-from-concentrate vs. from-concentrate, etc. Company and brand data is provided. Includes consumer demographics, ad expenditures and more. Five-year U.S. market forecasts are provided for the fruit beverage category and its sub-segments, flavors, packaging, regions, sales channels data etc. The report presents the data in Excel spreadsheets, which it supplements with an executive summary highlighting key developments and a detailed discussion of the leading fruit beverage companies. Also includes coverage of powdered fruit drinks and the organic fruit beverage markets. Data through 2023 and market projections through 2028. More than 175 Excel tables plus an executive summary detailing trends and comprehensive profiles of leading companies, their brands and their strategies. This year's edition includes five-year forecasts on a broad range of topics, making it an even better tool for spotting trends and opportunities in the fruit beverages industry and determining where to focus future resources for maximum success. Questions answered in this in-depth market report include: Which companies and brands in the United States experienced growth in 2023 and which did not? How much fruit juice is consumed per capita in the United States and how has this changed in recent years? How does this compare to fruit drink consumption? How did the various market segments perform in 2023, and how are they like to develop over the next five years? Which flavors of fruit beverages are growing the fastest? How will flavor by flavor market share trends shift over the next five years? How will fruit drink flavor trends differ from pure fruit juice trends? How will shelf stable flavor trends differ from chilled? Which segment of the market is expected to perform better through 2028 - juices or drinks? Which nations ship the most fruit juices to the U.S. and where are the leading destinations for U.S. juice? The report surveys the landscape of this stalwart beverage category, with volume, retail dollar, wholesale dollar and per capita consumption figures. All aspects of the market are considered, including segmentation by package size, distribution channels, flavor and processing method. Powdered and organic statistics are included along with advertising and demographic data. Backed by Beverage Marketing's reliable, all-sales-channel-inclusive data, readers get a thorough understanding of all facets of the market including: Historical and current statistics and BMC's exclusive projections on multiple facets of the market. and BMC's exclusive projections on multiple facets of the market. A look at the U.S. regional markets, with past, current and future volume and growth of fruit juice and fruit drinks. Detailed profiles and analysis of the leading companies and brands , discussions of their marketing activities and distribution strategies as well as company and brand sales and volume data. Coverage includes Tropicana (now majority owned by PAI), PepsiCo, Coca-Cola/Minute Maid, Ocean Spray, Keurig Dr Pepper, Florida's Natural Growers, Welch's, Brynwood Partners (Juicy Juice and Sunny Delight), The Kraft Heinz Company, Tree Top, The Wonderful Company and Lassonde Industries and more. , discussions of their marketing activities and distribution strategies as well as company and brand sales and volume data. Coverage includes Tropicana (now majority owned by PAI), PepsiCo, Coca-Cola/Minute Maid, Ocean Spray, Keurig Dr Pepper, Florida's Natural Growers, Welch's, Brynwood Partners (Juicy Juice and Sunny Delight), The Kraft Heinz Company, Tree Top, The Wonderful Company and Lassonde Industries and more. Company and brand historical and current data includes: Coca-Cola/Minute Maid brands : Minute Maid, Simply Orange, Minute Maid Single-Serve, Hi-C, Honest Juice Drinks, Five Alive etc; PAI Brands : Tropicana Pure Premium, Tropicana Value/Cold-fill, Naked Juice, Tropicana Chilled Drinks, Tropicana Light (formerly Trop50), Dole Chilled, Tropicana and Dole Frozen Concentrate, Tropicana 100% Chilled Juice; Refresco; Ocean Spray; Keurig Dr Pepper brands : Hawaiian Punch (Warehouse), Snapple, Mott's, Hawaiian Punch (DSD), Mistic, Nantucket Nectars, etc; Kraft brands : Capri Sun, Kool-Aid, Country Time; Harvest Hill brands: Sunny D, Juicy Juice, Veryfine; Florida's Natural Growers; Welch's; Roll International (POM Wonderful); Bolthouse; Arizona Juice; Apple & Eve/Northland; Martinelli; Calypso; Tree Top; PepsiCo brands: Twister, Lipton Brisk Juice Drinks, Dole Single-Serve, Lipton Brisk Lemonade, SoBe; Tampico; Old OrchardandBug Juice. : Minute Maid, Simply Orange, Minute Maid Single-Serve, Hi-C, Honest Juice Drinks, Five Alive etc; : Tropicana Pure Premium, Tropicana Value/Cold-fill, Naked Juice, Tropicana Chilled Drinks, Tropicana Light (formerly Trop50), Dole Chilled, Tropicana and Dole Frozen Concentrate, Tropicana 100% Chilled Juice; Refresco; Ocean Spray; : Hawaiian Punch (Warehouse), Snapple, Mott's, Hawaiian Punch (DSD), Mistic, Nantucket Nectars, etc; : Capri Sun, Kool-Aid, Country Time; Sunny D, Juicy Juice, Veryfine; Florida's Natural Growers; Welch's; Roll International (POM Wonderful); Bolthouse; Arizona Juice; Apple & Eve/Northland; Martinelli; Calypso; Tree Top; Twister, Lipton Brisk Juice Drinks, Dole Single-Serve, Lipton Brisk Lemonade, SoBe; Tampico; Old OrchardandBug Juice. Data on shelf-stable, from-concentrate and not-from-concentrate juices, frozen concentrate and chilled, ready-to-serve fruit beverages, nectars and super-premium juice through 2028. Fruit juice and drink volume by flavor and container type through 2028. Statistics on imported and exported fruit juices by flavor and country of origin and country of destination. Advertising expenditures of the leading companies and a look at category spending by media type (including internet advertising). Consumer demographic profiles comparing consumers of key brands. An overview of the powdered and organic fruit beverages segments and the key players. Five-year projections for the fruit beverage market including sub-segments, flavor trends, packaging, regions, sales channels and more. Key Topics Covered: The U.S. Fruit Beverage Market Fruit Beverages' Share of U.S. Multiple Beverage Market Volume 2018 versus 2023 Beverage Category Volume Trends 2023 Volume Share of Multiple Beverage Market by Category, 2023 Fruit Beverage Wholesale Dollar and Volume Growth 2017 - 2023 Volume Share of Fruit Juice versus Fruit Drinks 2018 versus 2023 Fruit Beverage Volume and Wholesale Dollar Growth Trends by Segment 208 - 2023 Fruit Beverage Per Capita Consumption 1999 - 2023 Fruit Beverage Regional Volume Shares 2023 Fruit Beverage Categories and Trends Competitive Landscape Notable New Products in 2023 and 2024 Leading Fruit Beverage Companies by Volume 2023 Leading Fruit Beverage Companies' Share of Volume, 2018 and 2023 Leading Fruit Beverage Brands by Volume 2023 Leading Fruit Beverage Brands' Share of Volume 2018 and 2023 Fruit Juice Volume by Segment 2023 Share of Fruit Juice Volume by Segment 2018 and 2023 Fruit Drink Volume by Segment 2023 Share of Fruit Drink Volume by Segment 2018 and 2023 Fruit Beverage Gallonage by Segment 2023 Share of Fruit Beverage Volume by Segment 2018 and 2023 Superpremium Juice Volume 2018 - 2023 Fruit Juice Volume by Flavor 2023 Fruit Juice Share of Volume by Flavor 2018 and 2023 Fruit Drink Volume by Flavor 2023 Fruit Drink Share of Volume by Flavor 2018 and 2023 Imported Fruit Juice by Volume 2023 Imported Fruit Juice Volume Share by Flavor 2018 and 2023 Imported Fruit Juice by Country of Origin 2023 Imported Fruit Juice Volume Share by Country of Origin 2018 and 2023 Exported Fruit Juice Volume 2018 - 2023 Fruit Beverages by Distribution Channel 2023 Fruit Beverage Volume Share by Distribution Channel 2018 and 2023 Leading Fruit Beverage Brands by Advertising Spending 2023 Leading Fruit Beverage Brands by Share of Advertising Spending 2023 Fruit Beverage Advertising Spending by Media 2023 Fruit Beverage Advertising Share by Media 2018 and 2023 Outlook and Future Projected Fruit Beverage Wholesale Dollar and Volume Compound Annual Growth 2003 - 2028 Projected Volume Share of Fruit Juice versus Fruit Drinks 2023 and 2028 Projected Share of Fruit Juice Volume by Segment 2023 and 2028 Projected Share of Fruit Drink Volume by Segment 2023 and 2028 Fruit Beverage Volume and Share by Distribution Channel 2023 - 2028 Projected Fruit Beverage Volume Share by Distribution Channel 2023 and 2028 LEADING COMPANY PROFILES Fruit Beverage Companies and Their Brands PAI Partners Tropicana Naked Juice Izze Coca-Cola Company/Minute Maid Ocean Spray PepsiCo Twister Lipton Dole SoBe Keurig Dr Pepper Mott's USA Snapple Beverage Group Florida's Natural Growers Welch's Brynwood Partners Juicy Juice Sunny D The Kraft Heinz Company Tree Top, Inc. Lassonde Industries Inc. Apple & Eve Old Orchard Brands The Wonderful Company For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hekava 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. CHANTILLY, Va., Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) announced today that the company was awarded a contract by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Honolulu District to provide the design-bid-build delivery of new U.S. Army housing units in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The three-year, $68.5 million single-award contract is new work for the company. Parsons was also selected by the USACE Honolulu District as a successful offeror on the districts Pre-Qualified Source Listing (PQSL), making the company eligible to receive future large task orders valued at $50 million or more in the districts area of responsibility. Parsons is a trusted delivery partner to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in advancing infrastructure projects that advance U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said Jon Moretta, President, Engineered Systems for Parsons. This award expands our work in the Kwajalein Atoll, a uniquely complex environment for infrastructure due to the logistical challenges of servicing the remote location as well as the highly corrosive and humid environment. We look forward to furthering the Corps of Engineers Honolulu Districts efforts to contribute to stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region. Under this contract, Parsons will deliver new army housing units on-island, the second such contract the company received in under a year. In October 2023, the company announced it was awarded a $44 million contract to deliver army housing units in support of the Department of the Armys modernization initiatives. Since 2019, Parsons has been awarded more than $400 million in INDOPACOM-related contracts by leveraging their program and construction management; engineering and planning; and complex infrastructure expertise. The company continues to partner with customers across the INDOPAC region to deliver integrated solutions across the national security and critical infrastructure portfolios. To learn more about Parsons global infrastructure solutions, visit Parsons.com/federal-infrastructure/. About Parsons: Parsons (NYSE: PSN) is a leading disruptive technology provider in the national security and global infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cyber and intelligence, space and missile defense, transportation, environmental remediation, urban development, and critical infrastructure. Please visit parsons.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn how we're making an impact. Forward-Looking Statements: This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs and assumptions, and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks, changes in circumstances, trends and factors that are difficult to predict, many of which are outside of our control. Accordingly, actual performance, results and events may vary materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, and you should not rely on the forward-looking statements as predictions of future performance, results or events. Numerous factors could cause actual future performance, results and events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: any issue that compromises our relationships with the U.S. federal government or its agencies or other state, local or foreign governments or agencies; any issues that damage our professional reputation; changes in governmental priorities that shift expenditures away from agencies or programs that we support; our dependence on long-term government contracts, which are subject to the governments budgetary approval process; the size of our addressable markets and the amount of government spending on private contractors; failure by us or our employees to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances or certifications; failure to comply with numerous laws and regulations; changes in government procurement, contract or other practices or the adoption by governments of new laws, rules, regulations and programs in a manner adverse to us; the termination or nonrenewal of our government contracts, particularly our contracts with the U.S. federal government; our ability to compete effectively in the competitive bidding process and delays, contract terminations or cancellations caused by competitors protests of major contract awards received by us; our ability to generate revenue under certain of our contracts; any inability to attract, train or retain employees with the requisite skills, experience and security clearances; the loss of members of senior management or failure to develop new leaders; misconduct or other improper activities from our employees or subcontractors; our ability to realize the full value of our backlog and the timing of our receipt of revenue under contracts included in backlog; changes in the mix of our contracts and our ability to accurately estimate or otherwise recover expenses, time and resources for our contracts; changes in estimates used in recognizing revenue; internal system or service failures and security breaches; and inherent uncertainties and potential adverse developments in legal proceedings, including litigation, audits, reviews and investigations, which may result in materially adverse judgments, settlements or other unfavorable outcomes. These factors are not exhaustive and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance. For a discussion of additional factors that could materially adversely affect our business and financial performance, see the factors included under the caption Risk Factors in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and speak only as of the date on which they are made. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement made in this presentation that becomes untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise, except to the extent we are required to do so in connection with our ongoing requirements under federal securities laws. Media Contact: Jonathan Larry +1 706.832.7330 jonathan.larry@parsons.com Investor Relations Contact: Dave Spille +1 703.775.6191 Dave.Spille@parsons.us VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coppernico Metals Inc. (TSX: COPR) (Coppernico or the Company), is pleased to provide an update on its ongoing Phase 1 exploration drill program. Drilling is being conducted through its Peruvian subsidiary, Sombrero Minerales SAC, at its Sombrero Project in Peru, which is targeting copper skarn mineralization. To date, the Company has successfully completed three diamond drill holes for a total of 1,161.1 metres at the Corrales zone (Figure 1), where preliminary findings have provided valuable insights into the geological setting and potential of the project. Assay results for the first three holes are pending. Figure 1 Planned Drill Holes in the Ccascabamba Area (~30 total, with 3 completed and 1 currently in progress) Coppernico is now testing the Hojota target area, located approximately 1 km to the east of Corrales, where the fourth diamond drill hole (24SOM-004) is currently underway (Figure 1). This fourth hole is drilling underneath channel sample 18SRT-09 which intersected 105 m @ 0.23% Cu and 0.13 g/t Au1. The hole is planned to be extended to at least 450 m in order to intersect an area of elevated chargeability (+20 mV) (Figure 2). Figure 2 Cross-section of hole 4 and planned extension to intersect area of elevated chargeability This fourth hole exhibits significant skarn alteration over long intervals, as well as zones of strong hematite (iron) replacement of original rock (Figure 3). Sulphide minerals including pyrite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite are present throughout and several intervals show a complex network of overprinting vein generations more than one of which contains chalcopyrite (Figures 4 and 5). These geological characteristics suggest a robust and multiphase mineralized system and further strengthen the potential for significant copper-gold skarn mineralization at this target. Figure 3 Zones of strong hematite (iron) replacement of original rock in fourth hole Figure 4 - Zones with high concentrations of sulphide minerals including pyrite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite in fourth hole Figure 5 - Zones with high concentrations of sulphide minerals including pyrite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite in fourth hole The Company intends to continue its drilling program in this target area, with additional widely spaced holes, to further assess the continuity, grade and scale of a potentially emerging copper skarn system. Coppernico will provide further updates as drilling progresses and assay results become available. Tim Kingsley, Vice President of Exploration, commented, As we advance the fourth of approximately thirty planned drill holes, we are very encouraged by the geological features we are intersecting. The pace at which our team is gaining geological insights through drilling has been impressive, each hole is improving our model and allowing us to have greater confidence in our interpretations of geophysical signatures. The Ccascabamba Area represents a large, very active hydrothermal system, and the extent of skarn alteration and the presence of sulphide minerals in hole 4 support our exploration thesis. This, combined with the complexity of the vein systems, indicate that we are in a highly prospective zone. As we move forward, we remain committed to deploying best practices in exploration, ensuring that we meet our environmental and social responsibilities. Ivan Bebek, Chair and CEO, added, "This is an exciting time for the Company as we undertake the inaugural drill program at the Sombrero Project. Our technical team is executing safely, on time, within budget, and we are fully funded through 2025. In anticipation of a busy quarter of results, we plan to be very active with conference participation, road shows and interviews to keep investors abreast of our findings as we explore this compelling, large, and active mineralized system. Conference Participation Coppernico is pleased to announce that Ivan Bebek, Chair and CEO, will be participating in key industry conferences throughout the fall of 2024, where he will be available for one-on-one meetings with investors, analysts, and industry stakeholders. Upcoming Fall Conferences: Precious Metals Summit Beaver Creek September 10-13, 2024, in Beaver Creek, Colorado, USA. CEO Presentation: Tuesday, September 10 at 3:15 pm MT in Room 1 September 10-13, 2024, in Beaver Creek, Colorado, USA. Capital Event Conference Muskoka September 27-29, 2024, in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. September 27-29, 2024, in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. Precious Metals Conference Zurich November 11-12, 2024, in Zurich, Switzerland. The conference presentations will be posted on the Company's website at www.coppernicometals.com Technical Disclosure and Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Tim Kingsley, M.Sc., CPG, Coppernicos VP of Exploration, who is a Qualified Person (as defined in NI 43-101). Analytical Protocols As of the date of this release, none of the core samples have been submitted for assay and no assurance can be given that significant grades of mineralization will be determined to be contained within these cores. The procedure for assaying and custody control includes systematic collection of core samples, which are then split using a diamond saw. One half of the core is sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis, while the other half is retained on-site for reference and verification. Chain of custody protocols are strictly followed to ensure sample integrity from the drill site to the laboratory. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ivan Bebek Chair & CEO For further information, please contact: Coppernico Metals Inc. Phone: +1 778 729 0600 Email: info@coppernicometals.com Website: www.coppernicometals.com Twitter: @CoppernicoMetal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coppernico-metals/ About Coppernico Coppernico is a mineral exploration company focused on creating value for shareholders and stakeholders through diligent and thoughtful project evaluation and exploration excellence in pursuit of the discovery of world-class copper-gold deposits in South America. The Companys management and technical teams have a successful track record of raising capital, discovery and the monetization of exploration successes. The Company, through its Peruvian subsidiary Sombrero Minerales S.A.C., is currently focused on the Ccascabamba (previously referred to as Sombrero Main) and Nioc areas within the Sombrero Project in Peru, its flagship project, and is reviewing additional premium projects in South America. The Sombrero Project is a land package of approximately 102,000 hectares located in the north-western margins of the world-class Andahuaylas-Yauri trend in Peru. It consists of a number of prospective exploration targets characterized by copper-gold skarn and porphyry systems, and precious metal epithermal deposits. The Companys NI 43-101 technical report, with an effective date of April 17, 2024, and as filed on SEDAR+ on May 23, 2024, focuses on the Ccascabamba and Nioc target areas of the project. Coppernico Metals Inc. is currently listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under symbol "COPR". More information about the Company can be found on the Companys profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). Cautionary Note No regulatory organization has approved the contents hereof. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as may, should, anticipate, expect, intend and similar expressions and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Companys drill plans, identifying targets for future exploration, the potential of the mineralization, and its financial position in the future. No certainty can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to the risks discussed in the Companys AIF and other continuous disclosure filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators, available at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being, exhaustive. Accordingly, readers should not place heavy reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this new release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release to conform such information to actual results or to changes in the Companys expectations except as otherwise required by applicable legislation. _________________________ 1 See NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Sombrero Main/Nioc Project, Ayacucho Department, Peru effective date April 17, 2024, prepared by APEX Geoscience Ltd. and Mining Plus. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/68283ff7-c74d-4774-a970-f82f25a5d038 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/36603930-b142-44e4-a6a3-a8468330acbf https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/54bd6f17-ff8b-4236-9a52-3e828e47e6a2 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/60fa3a10-0f44-44f2-8f06-864aaa7c9ae7 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0c4091bb-1a32-4c24-9f06-ba2e7bbee728 TORONTO, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Churchill Resources Inc. (Churchill or the Company) (TSXV: CRI) is pleased to provide an update on its on-going fieldwork at Taylor Brook and upcoming work on the Florence Lake nickel project. Highlights include: Taylor Brook Project Preparations are well along, and first drillholes have been spotted on the TB-01 Ni-Cu-Co Target, in readiness for the September 16th start-up. Geophysical and soil-sampling/prospecting surveys are continuing. Florence Lake Seahorse Lake Target An ~7.5km long nickel-bearing ultramafic intrusion identified with consistent historical surface grab samples grading 0.2-0.4% nickel Paul Sobie, CEO, commented: All is ready for the Taylor Brook drill program commencing on the 16th of September, with drill pads constructed and geophysical surveys completed at Target TB-01 on the TBSL-1 Grid. Large-loop Time Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) survey crews have moved 5km north to the Layden Extension Grid, where access and drill pad construction will also be taking place for Target TB-06. The geophysical crew will move back to TB-01 for Borehole Electromagnetic (BHEM) and Televiewer surveying of the TB-01 drillholes as they are completed. IP/CSAMT survey and line-cutting crews are taking a well-deserved break before work begins extending the grids to cover more of the 13km magmatic trend containing targets TB-01 and TB-06. At Florence Lake weve added a very large, bulk-tonnage nickel target to our portfolio in addition to our numerous high-grade targets in the greenstone belt. The Seahorse Lake Ultramafic Intrusive spans some 7.5km x 1km based on its magnetic signature. Historical grab sampling by Falconbridge returned pervasive surface nickel assays in the 0.2 to 0.4%Ni range, consistent with similar ultramafic intrusions being evaluated in Ontario, Quebec, BC, and Alaska. Seahorse lies ~70km west of the deep-water port of Postville, and an all-weather road proposed along the Labrador coast would pass within 15km of the property, greatly enhancing Florence Lake Project economics. Florence Lake Seahorse Bulk-Tonnage Nickel Prospect The Seahorse Lake ultramafic intrusive body was first noted by Noranda in 1990, and grab sampled systematically by Falconbridge in 1991. A recent (2022) aeromagnetic survey flown by the Geological Survey of Canada indicates an intense magnetic anomaly associated with the ultramafic intrusion, the majority of which lies on CRI ground to the south of the Florence Lake Camp (Figure 1). Falconbridge samples include a large number in the 0.2i to 0.4%Ni range over about 5km of the intrusive. The Company plans prospecting and sampling work in September-October to ground truth the 43 high-grade targets identified in 2022 on the property, as well as extending the surface sampling of the Seahorse Lake intrusion the full 7.5km. Figure 1 Seahorse Lake Total Magnetic Intensity Signature with Falconbridge 1991 Surface Sampling About Churchill Resources Inc. Churchill Resources Inc. is a Canadian exploration company focused on high grade, magmatic nickel sulphides in Canada, principally at its prospective Taylor Brook and Florence Lake properties in Newfoundland & Labrador. The Churchill management team, board and its advisors have decades of combined management experience in mineral exploration and in the establishment of successful publicly listed mining companies, both in Canada and around the world. Churchills Taylor Brook and Florence Lake projects have the potential to benefit from the provinces large and diversified minerals industry, which includes world class nickel mines and processing facilities, and a well-developed mineral exploration sector with locally based drilling and geological expertise. The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Derek H.C Wilton, P.Geo., FGC, who is a qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). Mr. Wilton is an honourary research professor of Economic Geology at Memorial University and is independent of the Company for the purposes of NI 43-101. Further Information For further information regarding Churchill, please contact: Churchill Resources Inc. Paul Sobie, Chief Executive Officer Tel. +1 416.365.0930 (o) +1 647.988.0930 (m) Email psobie@churchillresources.com Alec Rowlands, Corporate Consultant Tel. +1 416.721.4732 (m) Email arowlands@churchillresources.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", proposed, "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the completion of the Offering on the terms described herein or at all, receipt of all required regulatory approvals in order to complete the Offering, the intended use of proceeds from the Offering, the Companys objectives, goals and exploration activities conducted and proposed to be conducted at the Companys properties; future growth potential of the Company, including whether any proposed exploration programs at any of the Companys properties will be successful; exploration results; and future exploration plans and costs and financing availability. These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as 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 materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: the expected benefits to the Company relating to the exploration conducted and proposed to be conducted at the Companys properties; failure to identify any mineral resources or significant mineralization; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, including to fund any exploration programs on the Companys properties; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar to United States dollar exchange rate); change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining and mineral exploration; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); the unlikelihood that properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines; geological factors; actual results of current and future exploration; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated; soil sampling results being preliminary in nature and are not conclusive evidence of the likelihood of a mineral deposit; title to properties; and those factors described in the most recently filed managements discussion and analysis of the Company. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ac50eeb-faf2-4b27-bde1-ee51b3d54eb6 Covina, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prophecy Market Insights predicts that the global laundry detergent market size and share will grow from USD 74.2 Billion in 2024 to USD 117.6 Billion by 2034, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% over the forecast period. Laundry Detergent Market Report Overview Laundry detergent is an essential household product used to clean clothes and remove stains. It comes in various forms such as liquid, powder, and pods, each tailored for different washing machines and fabric types. The product is composed of surfactants, enzymes, and other active ingredients that break down oils, dirt, and grease, ensuring effective cleaning. With advancements in technology and consumer preferences, detergent formulations have evolved to meet specific needs like hypoallergenic options, eco-friendly products, and detergents designed for sensitive skin. Download a Free Sample Research Report with Latest Industry Insights: https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-sample/172 Our Free Sample Report includes: Overview & introduction of market study Revenue and CAGR of the market Drivers & Restrains factors of the market Major key players in the market Regional analysis of the market with a detailed graph Detailed segmentation in tabular form of market Recent developments/news of the market Opportunities & Challenges of the Market Competitive Landscape: The Laundry Detergent Market is characterized by rapid growth, technological innovation, and fierce competition. Companies are expanding their global presence, focusing on sustainability, and diversifying their service offerings to stay competitive. Some of the Key Market Players: Procter & Gamble (P&G) Unilever Henkel AG & Co. Colgate-Palmolive Reckitt Benckiser Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Kao Corporation LG Household & Health Care S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Clorox Company PZ Cussons Amway Corporation Ecolab Inc. Seventh Generation, Inc. The Himalaya Drug Company To Know More on Additional Market Players, Download a Free Sample Report Here: https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-pdf/172 Analyst View: Many businesses are changing their laundry detergent lines to be more ecologically friendly as sustainability becomes a top priority. Some of these innovations include cutting back on packaging waste, adding plant-based components, and creating detergents that use less water and energy when washing. The desire for sustainable and specialized goods that are combined with rising hygiene and cleanliness awareness are fuelling the target market's robust rise globally. Market Dynamics: Drivers: Rising Consumer Awareness of Hygiene Post-pandemic consumers are more conscious of cleanliness and hygiene, which has driven the demand for laundry detergents that offer deep cleaning and antibacterial properties. The emphasis on sanitation has boosted sales, particularly for premium and specialized detergents. Request for a Discounted Price on this Report @ https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-discount/172 Market Trends: Concentrated and Compact Detergents There is a growing trend toward more concentrated detergents that require smaller amounts per wash. This not only reduces the amount of product used but also minimizes packaging, aligning with sustainability goals. Segmentation: Laundry Detergent Market is segmented based on Product, Packaging Type, Price Range, Distribution Channel, and Region. Product Insights Liquid detergents is anticipated to boost the growth for target market as they are highly versatile, dissolving easily in water, making them effective in both cold and hot water settings. This flexibility allows them to be used across a wide range of washing machines and hand-wash applications, which is why they are preferred by many consumers. Packaging Type Insights Eco-friendly pack segment is the most dominating and widely used in the target market growth as this segment has gained substantial popularity due to the growing trend of sustainable living and the desire to reduce the carbon footprint. The push for eco-conscious products has positioned eco-friendly packs at the forefront of the laundry detergent market. Price Range Insights Mid-range is anticipated to boost the growth for target market as It offers effective cleaning performance with a wide range of features such as stain removal, fabric care, and fragrance options, all at a reasonable price. Distribution Channel Insights Offline is anticipated to boost the growth for target market as in the offline segment, customers have the opportunity to engage with trusted brands, interact with product samples, and rely on the expertise of sales staff. Request a Customized Copy of Report @ https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Insight/request-customization/172 Recent Development: In February 2024, Swash, the original laundry detergent from Whirlpool Corporation, is turning the detergent industry upside down and reinventing washing routines with a striking new appearance and feel that is making its retail debut. "Laundry Court" is the name of a new advertising campaign that Swash Laundry Detergent has introduced. Ronald Gladden from Jury Duty appears in the commercials, returning to the jury box while a courtroom discusses the seemingly nonsensical idea that Swash Laundry Detergent can make even the most difficult laundry disasters easy to clean up. Regional Insights North America: This region is characterized by a mature market with strong consumer preferences for high-performance and eco-friendly products. Innovation and convenience are key growth drivers. This region is characterized by a mature market with strong consumer preferences for high-performance and eco-friendly products. Innovation and convenience are key growth drivers. Asia Pacific: Rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles are driving demand for convenient and effective laundry solutions. Urban consumers are increasingly seeking modern high-performance detergents. Browse Detail Report on "Laundry Detergent Market Size, Share, By Product (Powder Detergents, Liquid Detergents, Fabric Softeners, Detergent Tablets, and Other Detergents), By Packaging Type (Refillable Packs, Single-use Packs, Eco-friendly Packs, and Bulk Packs), By Price Range (Budget, Mid-range, and Premium), By Distribution Channel (Online, and Offline), and By Region - Trends, Analysis, and Forecast till 2034" with complete TOC @ https://www.prophecymarketinsights.com/market_insight/Global-Laundry-Detergent-Market-By-172 Browse More Research Reports: About Us: Prophecy Market Insights is a specialized market research, analytics, marketing, and business strategy, and solutions company that offer strategic and tactical support to clients for making well-informed business decisions and to identify and achieve high value opportunities in the target business area. Also, we help our client to address business challenges and provide the best possible solutions to overcome them and transform their business. Prophecys expertise area covers products, services, latest trends, developments, market growth factors, and challenges along with market forecast in various business areas such as Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Information Technology (IT), Automotive, Industrial, Chemical, Agriculture, Food and Beverage, Energy, and Oil and Gas. We also offer various other services such as, data mining, information management, and revenue enhancement suggestions. Contact Us: Prophecy Market Insights US: 964 E. Badillo Street #2042 Covina, CA 91724 US toll-free: +1 860 531 2574 Rest of World: + 91 7775049802 Dublin, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Underfloor Heating Market by Type (Manifolds & Valves, Zone Valves, Heating Pipes, Wiring Centers, Zone Valves, Thermal Actuators, Heating Cables, Mats, Thermostats & Sensors), Offering, Installation Type (New, Retrofit), Region - Global Forecast to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global underfloor heating market was valued at USD 5.3 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach USD 7.6 billion by 2029, registering a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period. The rising urbanization, regulatory requirements for sustainable construction activities, enhanced air quality inside the residential as well as commercial complexes, zoning capabilities as well as other strategies foster a reasonable setting for underfloor heating market. Electric to grow significantly in underfloor heating market Underfloor heating systems that run on electricity function similarly to electric blankets. The system generates heat by passing electricity through the cable installed beneath the floor as heating pads. While this heating type is unsuitable for large areas or cost-effective, it is ideal for smaller spaces. Electric underfloor heating systems utilize non-corrosive and flexible heating elements, making them easy to install. They require fewer components compared to hydronic underfloor heating systems. These systems are commonly used to heat carpets, rugs, laminates, tiles, and wood floors and provide floor warming. New installation contributes significant share in the underfloor heating market In 2023, the new installation segment accounted for a larger market share, and a similar trend is likely to be observed during the forecast period, as the use of underfloor heating systems is on the rise in newly constructed residential and commercial buildings. Additionally, many developed nations, such as the US, the UK, and Germany, have implemented strict energy efficiency regulations for buildings. Underfloor heating systems can help developers reduce installation costs in new buildings by utilizing on-site laborers for basic system installation and specialist contractors for electric system and boiler commissioning and connection. Although the installation cost of water-based underfloor heating systems is initially higher than standard radiator systems, they are more energy-efficient (>30%) than traditional central heating systems. Additionally, underfloor heating systems are now being offered as a value-added feature by builders to attract home buyers. All these trends indicate that newly installed underfloor heating systems are expected to dominate the market in the near future. North America will contribute significantly to the growth rate in underfloor heating market North America is poised to contribute a significant share to the underfloor heating market for several compelling reasons. The region boasts a robust industrial, commercial as well as residential base across that forms an integral to managing complex heating processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, and improving efficiency. Advanced heating technologies enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data analytics, thereby supporting agile decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives. Research Coverage This research report categorizes the underfloor heating market by type, end-use, and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific). The report scope covers detailed information regarding the major factors, such as drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities, influencing the growth of the underfloor heating market. A detailed analysis of the key industry players has provided insights into their business overview, solutions and services, key strategies, Contracts, partnerships, and agreements. New product and service launches, acquisitions, and recent developments associated with the underfloor heating market. This report covers competitive analysis of upcoming startups in the underfloor heating market ecosystem. Reasons to Buy this Report The report will help the market leaders/new entrants with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the underfloor heating market, and subsegments. This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to position their businesses better and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps stakeholders understand the market pulse and provides information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 213 Forecast Period 2024-2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $5.3 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $7.6 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.3% Regions Covered Global Market Dynamics Drivers Increasing Demand for Cost-Effective and Advanced Heating Solutions Rising Adoption due to Government Support and Incentives Implementation of Stringent Building Codes Integration of Renewable Energy Sources Restraints Longer Response Time Than for Other Heating Systems High Installation Costs Time-Consuming and Complex Regulatory Approval Process Opportunities Technological Advancements and Digitalization Trends Emergence of IoT-based Underfloor Heating Systems Expanding Construction Industry Challenges Setup Issues Associated with Underfloor Heating Systems Pricing Analysis Average Selling Price Trend of Key Players, by Component Type Average Selling Price Trend, by Region Technology Analysis Key Technologies Internet of Things (IoT) Predictive Maintenance Complementary Technologies Artificial Intelligence (AI) Adjacent Technologies Graphene Heating Films Case Study Analysis nVent Raychem Installs Responsive Underfloor Heating System at Luxury Development Continental's Oneboard System Solves Structural Challenges at Newbuild Property Devex Systems Provides Hydronic Underfloor Heating at Australian Church Warmup Provides Hydronic Underfloor Heating System for Upmarket Apartment Complex Warmup Successfully Installs Zone-based Underfloor Heating System at Housing Development Thermo Floor UK Designs Modern Underfloor Heating System for Trinity College Chapel Trade Analysis Import Scenario (HS Code 841861) Export Scenario (HS Code 841861) Companies Featured Resideo Technologies Inc. nVent Warmup PLC Rehau Ltd. Magnum Heating Group B.V. Uponor Corporation Emerson Electric Co. Robert Bosch GmbH Danfoss Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Siemens AG Schneider Electric Incognito Heat Co. Myson Thermosoft International Corporation Flexel International Nexans Amuheat ESI Heating and Cooling Janes Radiant Heating Warmafloor Rayotec Ltd. RBT Underfloor Ltd. uHeat Schluter-Systems For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fq10zv About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment STAMFORD, Conn. and CLEVELAND, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aggreko Energy Transition Solutions (ETS), a division of Aggreko, a global leader in energy solutions, today announced the successful closing of a $66 million term loan financing for a 88.5-megawatt (MWdc) diversified portfolio of C&I and community solar assets. The solar portfolio is located across New York, Texas, and California and serves a mix of customers spanning utilities, corporates, and low- and moderate-income consumers. The financing provides a distribution to ETS for its acquisition and construction costs and is structured as a delayed-draw term loan to align with project completion milestones. KeyBanc Capital Markets led the transaction and served as the administrative agent. Jerry Polacek, President of Aggreko ETS, commented, "We are thrilled to be building upon our long-term relationship with KeyBank to fuel the growth of our C&I and community solar portfolios for our customers. Through this transaction, were able to demonstrate the value creation of the projects that were bringing online and reinvest funds into the next wave of solar and battery storage assets under development. Andy Redinger, Head of KeyBanc Capital Markets Utilities Power and Renewable Group remarked, We are excited to lead Aggreko ETS solar portfolio financing and look forward to our continued support of these projects for many years to come." About Aggreko Energy Transition Solutions Aggreko Energy Transition Solutions (ETS), a division of Aggreko Ltd., develops, owns, and operates utility scale and distributed solar and battery storage projects across the United States. ETS generates value by providing turnkey energy transition solutions to its customers that deliver affordable, reliable, and clean power. For more information, visit https://ets.aggreko.com/en-us About Aggreko Aggreko is a global leader in providing energy solutions that help businesses grow and communities thrive. Operating in a rapidly changing energy market where reliable supplies of energy have never been more critical, we provide customers with power and temperature control solutions when, where and for however long they need it. Using the latest technologies, we combine our innovative thinking with our sector knowledge to help our customers achieve their goals, however complex, through a range of flexible, modular solutions. Were investing in more sustainable products, fuels, and services to make greener solutions accessible for our customers, supporting their move to a more sustainable and efficient future. Founded in 1962, we are headquartered in the UK and employ over 6,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit our website at Home | Aggreko About KeyBanc Capital Markets KeyBanc Capital Markets is a leading corporate and investment bank providing capital markets and advisory solutions to dynamic companies capitalizing on opportunities in changing industries. Our deep industry expertise, broad capabilities and unique ideas are seamlessly delivered to companies across the Consumer & Retail, Diversified Industries, Healthcare, Industrial, Oil & Gas, Real Estate, Utilities, Power & Renewables, and Technology verticals. With over 800 professionals across a national platform, KeyBanc Capital Markets has more than $50 billion of capital committed to clients and an award-winning Equity Research team that provides coverage on nearly 500 publicly traded companies. Securities products and services are offered by KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, and its licensed securities representatives, who may also be employees of KeyBank N.A. Banking products and services, are offered by KeyBank N.A. Media Contact Justin Williams Trevi Communications for Aggreko justin@trevicomm.com +1 (978) 539-7157 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/122bab3e-faca-4f34-a78f-c7ee4494fe38 Dublin, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Integrated Marine Automation System - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global market for Integrated Marine Automation System was estimated at US$8.5 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$16.6 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.0% from 2023 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions. Integrated marine automation systems (IMAS) are advanced technological solutions that centralize the control and monitoring of various shipboard systems, including navigation, engine management, power distribution, and safety systems. These systems are essential for modern vessels, where the complexity of operations and the need for efficiency and safety are paramount. By integrating multiple subsystems into a single platform, IMAS enable seamless communication and coordination between different onboard systems, reducing the workload for crew members and minimizing the risk of human error. This integration not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances the safety and reliability of marine operations. As the maritime industry continues to evolve, with increasing emphasis on automation and digitalization, the role of integrated marine automation systems in supporting these advancements is becoming increasingly critical. How Are Technological Innovations Shaping the Integrated Marine Automation System Market? Technological innovations are significantly influencing the integrated marine automation system market, particularly through the adoption of advanced sensors, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). The integration of AI into IMAS is enabling the development of more intelligent and autonomous vessels, capable of making real-time decisions and optimizing operations without human intervention. Advanced sensor technologies are improving the accuracy and reliability of data collected from various shipboard systems, allowing for more precise monitoring and control. The use of big data analytics is also enhancing the capabilities of IMAS, enabling ship operators to analyze vast amounts of data and gain insights that can improve operational efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. Additionally, the rise of digital twins - virtual replicas of physical vessels - is allowing for the simulation and optimization of ship performance, further enhancing the functionality of integrated marine automation systems. These technological advancements are driving the development of more sophisticated and capable IMAS, which are increasingly being adopted across the maritime industry. Why Is There an Increasing Demand for Integrated Marine Automation Systems in the Maritime Industry? The demand for integrated marine automation systems is growing rapidly in the maritime industry due to the increasing complexity of modern vessels and the need to comply with stringent safety and environmental regulations. As ships become larger and more technologically advanced, the need for integrated systems that can provide seamless control over multiple functions is becoming more critical. The push towards autonomous and semi-autonomous vessels is also driving demand for IMAS, as these systems are essential for enabling the level of automation and remote operation required for these next-generation ships. Additionally, the growing focus on fuel efficiency and emissions reduction is leading shipping companies to adopt IMAS that can optimize route planning and engine performance, helping them to meet regulatory requirements and reduce operating costs. The increased emphasis on crew safety and training is another factor contributing to the demand for IMAS, as these systems provide enhanced situational awareness and decision support, reducing the likelihood of accidents and improving overall operational safety. What Factors Are Driving the Growth in the Integrated Marine Automation System Market? The growth in the integrated marine automation system market is driven by several factors that are shaping the future of maritime operations. One of the primary drivers is the increasing adoption of automation technologies, which require integrated systems to function effectively. The global push towards maritime safety and environmental sustainability is also a key factor, as shipping companies seek to comply with international regulations and reduce their environmental impact through more efficient and safer operations. The rising demand for autonomous and remotely operated vessels is further driving the adoption of IMAS, as these systems are essential for enabling the complex control and monitoring capabilities required for such vessels. Additionally, the growing emphasis on operational efficiency and cost reduction in the shipping industry is leading companies to invest in IMAS that can optimize fuel consumption, reduce maintenance costs, and improve overall fleet management. These factors, combined with ongoing technological advancements and the increasing digitalization of maritime operations, are expected to drive continued growth in the integrated marine automation system market. Key Insights: Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Remotely-Operated Integrated Marine Automation System segment, which is expected to reach US$8.4 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of a 10.2%. The Partial Automation Integrated Marine Automation System segment is also set to grow at 9.4% CAGR over the analysis period. Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, which was estimated at $2.4 Billion in 2023, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 8.3% CAGR to reach $2.3 Billion by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific. Report Features: Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2023 to 2030. In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Company Profiles: Coverage of major players such as ABB Group, Api Marine Inc., Consilium AB, and more. Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 229 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $8.5 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $16.6 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.0% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: MARKET OVERVIEW Influencer Market Insights World Market Trajectories Integrated Marine Automation System - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2024 (E) Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2024 (E) Global Economic Update MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Growth in Autonomous Vessel Operations Spurs Demand for Integrated Marine Automation Systems Advances in AI-Powered Navigation Systems Propel the Expansion of the Marine Automation Market Increased Demand for Real-Time Data Analytics Strengthens the Business Case for Marine Automation Integration Digitalization of Maritime Operations Expands the Addressable Market Opportunity for Automation Solutions Need to Sustain Growth Through Enhanced Cybersecurity Measures Boosts the Marine Automation Market Environmental Regulations Are Shaping System Requirements and Fueling Demand for Compliant Automation Solutions The Integration of IoT in Marine Systems Generates Increased Demand for Smart and Connected Automation Solutions Development of Predictive Maintenance Features in Automation Systems Spurs Market Growth Improved Fuel Efficiency and Emission Controls Expand Market Potential for Integrated Marine Automation Systems Growing Focus on Crew Safety and Reduction of Human Error Drives Adoption of Automation Systems Evolution of Hybrid and Electric Propulsion Systems Highlights the Need for Advanced Marine Automation FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS ABB Group Api Marine Inc. Consilium AB Honeywell International, Inc. Kongsberg Gruppen ASA Marine Technologies, LLC. Mtu Friedrichshafen GmbH Northrop Grumman Corporation Praxis Automation Technology B.V. Siemens AG Thales Group Tokyo Keiki, Inc. Wartsila Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ubp5za About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment LOS ANGELES, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacvue , the leading commerce acceleration platform that integrates retail media, commerce operations, actionable insights and measurement, has appointed Rahul Choraria, currently Chief Operating Officer, as Chief Executive Officer of Pacvue. Sandeep Kella, Co-founder and CEO since 2019, has been appointed to Executive Chairman of the Board to oversee the overall strategic direction of the company, alongside two new high-profile board appointees, Harry Shum and David Karnstedt. Two years ago I hired Rahul as our COO, and Ive been deeply impressed by his steady leadership and his ability to execute on our company vision, said Kella. I am incredibly proud of what weve accomplished at Pacvue. Together, we have built the most comprehensive software suite in the industry. With the increasing complexity of commerce and retail media, Pacvue is in prime position to capitalize on an incredible market opportunity. With Rahul at the helm we will be in an even better position to capture the market demand for a unified commerce operating system. Kella led the acquisitions of Helium 10 and Pacvue and helped build the most comprehensive software suite in the industry that sits at the center of a growing retail media ecosystem of global retailers, agencies, brands and sellers. The company has quadrupled revenue in the last four years and has been highly profitable since inception. I am honored to step into the role of CEO at Pacvue and build on the incredible foundation laid by Sandeep and the team, said Choraria. We have a unique opportunity to connect and unify the thriving, but fragmented, retail media ecosystem, and will continue to invest heavily into product innovation and global partnerships. Our vision remains the same to help our customers win in Commerce through our innovative and connected software suite. Choraria joined Pacvue in 2022 to work with Kella on integrating all business lines of Pacvue into a unified suite underpinned by an AI-powered infrastructure. His efforts have been instrumental in positioning Pacvue as the industry leader in retail media. Prior to Pacvue, Choraria worked at Advent International and Vista Equity Partners, two leading private equity firms, where he worked closely with management teams of technology companies to help scale and build enduring category leaders. As the new Executive Chairman, Kella will lead Pacvues board and welcome new appointees: Harry Shum, Ph.D. is a renowned computer scientist and business executive who was instrumental in leading Microsoft's overall AI strategy. In 2016, he was appointed as Executive Vice President to lead Microsofts AI and Research Group, overseeing more than 5,000+ computer scientists and engineers focused on the companys AI product offerings, including the Cortana virtual assistant and search engine Bing.com. Dr. Shum was elected to the National Academy of Engineering of the United States in 2017. David Karnstedt is a seasoned executive leader in the marketing technology ecosystem. He is currently the CEO of Branch and has a proven record as a scalable team-builder and world-class operator at Adobe, Efficient Frontier, Yahoo! & Overture. Karnstedt has also served on numerous Boards including Demandbase, Vantiv (VNTV), Quantifind and JumpTap. Visit Pacvue.com to learn about its latest commerce solutions and recent company developments. About Pacvue Pacvue is the leading commerce acceleration platform that integrates retail media, commerce management and measurement. The companys first-to-market platform drives incrementality, profitability and market share for brands, while turning insights into actionable recommendations. Backed by a global team of experts, Pacvue works with over 70,000 brands and agencies across 95+ retailers worldwide including Amazon, Walmart, Target and Instacart. With the incorporation of Pacvues enterprise solution with Helium 10 for SMBs, Pacvue is now the most comprehensive commerce and retail media platform available in the market. Founded in 2018, their global presence includes locations in Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, London, Shanghai and Tokyo. For more information, visit www.pacvue.com . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4af8f08f-4c9f-4021-accc-840d1de83fb4 TORONTO, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of its Helping Canadians Shine initiative, Sunlight laundry detergent, a Henkel brand, is proud to announce that it is supporting expansion of Free Laundry Access, a charity that helps Canadians in need access laundry services. Sunlight laundry detergent will help Free Laundry Access expand to a total of four locations across Toronto, Hamilton and Vancouver. Since its launch in 2021 by Toronto laundromat and cafe owner, Nancy Seto, Free Laundry Access has been providing its services from a single location in the west end of the city. "During the pandemic, I saw many individuals and families struggling to pay for washing and drying their clothes in our laundromat, says Seto. I asked myself, 'How can I help?' which inspired the launch of our Free Laundry Access program. Thanks to the Sunlight brands tremendous support, not only was I able to continue providing free laundry access from my own laundromat, but they are now helping us expand our program, providing hope, dignity and happiness to those in need." Nancy Seto, owner of Torontos Yummi Cafe Laundromat and founder of Free Laundry Access For many people, having clean clothes can provide the confidence needed to work, socialize, and participate in daily activities. The Sunlight brand is very proud to support the Free Laundry Access program, including its efforts to provide more Canadians in need with these important free laundry services, says Margarita Bajzelj, Director of Marketing, Henkel Consumer Brands Canada. The work of Free Laundry Access very much fits with our belief in shining a light on goodness and making a difference, one small act of kindness at a time. The purchase of Sunlight laundry detergent products will help support Henkel's donation of $100,000 to Free Laundry Access, which will feature monthly free laundry events at the following locations: Toronto, Ontario: Yummi Cafe Laundromat (956 St. Clair Avenue West) Wishy Washy Laundromat (3003 Danforth Avenue) Hamilton, Ontario: King Coin Laundromat (831 King Street East) Vancouver, British Columbia: East Van Laundry (183 East 16th Avenue) Participation in the program is at the discretion of Free Laundry Access, and free laundry access is not guaranteed. For details on Free Laundry Access events, dates, and eligibility, please visit https://www.sunlightcanada.ca/en/helping-canadians-shine.html. About Sunlight Laundry Detergent Trusted by Canadians for over a century, Sunlight laundry detergent has been committed to providing households with bright and fresh clean clothes, allowing families to make the most of their cherished moments. Beyond delivering exceptional products, Sunlight laundry detergent takes pride in supporting Canadian communities and recognizing the unsung heroes who make a positive impact on the lives of others. To learn more visit Helping Canadians Shine at https://www.sunlightcanada.ca/en/helping-canadians-shine.html. About Helping Canadians Shine Sunlight laundry detergent is committed to helping Canadians shine by supporting those making a difference in their communities. In 2023, Sunlight laundry detergent launched its Helping Canadians Shine program, inspired by Nancy Setos efforts to aid her community. In addition to supporting Free Laundry Access, Helping Canadians Shine has provided grants to deserving community initiatives across Canada. About Henkel in North America Henkels portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes Schwarzkopf hair care, Dial soaps, Persil, Purex, and all laundry detergents, Snuggle fabric softeners as well as Loctite, Technomelt and Bonderite adhesives. With sales close to 6.6 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) in 2023, North America accounts for 28 percent of the companys global sales. Henkel employs around 8,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com and on X @Henkel_NA. Media contacts: Naureen Rahman Harbinger 437-970-4359 nrahman@harbingerideas.com Henkel Contact Erica Cooper 475-232-4973 Erica.Cooper@henkel.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17470a47-03af-467a-97ef-c8bac490f146 New York, NY, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Sunday, September 29, nearly 40,000 people will participate in the 23rd Annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk NYC. The 5K course retraces the final footsteps of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller on September 11, 2001, from the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers. This annual event pays homage to the 343 FDNY firefighters, 23 NYPD officers, 37 PAPD officers, 3 court officers, and thousands of civilians who lost their lives on that fateful day, as well as those who have lost their lives in the decades since to 9/11-related illnesses and the Global War on Terror. Country music sensation Tyler Hubbard will headline the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk NYC post-run concert on Vesey Street. With 22 No. 1 singles on country radio, countless awards, and sold-out tours, Hubbard has already had a remarkable career as one half of the multi-platinum duo Florida Georgia Line. His debut self-titled solo album, released in January 2023, has amassed more than 1.5 billion streams to date. The album features Hubbards hit debut solo single, 5 Foot 9, which hit No. 1 on country radio and was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA. His second No. 1 single, Dancin in the Country, has also been certified 2x Platinum and marked his second No. 1 as a solo artist. Hubbards sophomore album Strong (4.12 via EMI Nashville) earned praise from Billboard, GRAMMY.com, PEOPLE and more. This year, Hubbard will bring his energy and passion for music to the Tunnel to Towers post-run concert, as he continues his journey of captivating audiences across the country. He is currently out on his headlining Strong World Tour, with dates in the U.S., Australia, and Canada. We are excited to have Tyler Hubbard join us at this years Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk NYC. His music and dedication to entertaining audiences perfectly align with our mission to honor my brother Stephen and all those who were lost on September 11, 2001, and in the years since, said Tunnel to Towers Chairman & CEO Frank Siller. Register now for the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk NYC by visiting T2T.org. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Zac Brown Band will no longer be able to perform at the post-run concert. About the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to do good by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Tunnel to Towers is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America Never Forget September 11, 2001. Visit T2T.org to learn more and follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook, X, and Instagram. About Tyler Hubbard With 22 No.1 singles on country radio, countless awards, and sold-out tours, Tyler Hubbard has already had a remarkable career as a songwriter and as one half of multi-platinum duo Florida Georgia Line. Now as a solo artist, he has amassed more than 1.5 billion streams to date. Hubbards Gold-certified debut solo album, aptly titled Tyler Hubbard, was released in January 2023 and has amassed more than 1.5 billion streams to date. It features Hubbards hit debut solo single 5 Foot 9, which hit No. 1 at Country Radio, was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA and has 612M global streams. It also features Hubbards second No. 1 single, Dancin In The Country, which has amassed more than 473M global streams, has been certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA, and marked his second No. 1 at Country Radio. Hubbard has made several television appearances as a solo artist, most recently at Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show and Fox & Friends, and also on the CMT Music Awards, NBCs TODAY Show and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Back Then Right Now, the first radio single of his new album Strong (April 12 via EMI Nashville), reached the top spot at country radio, making Hubbard the only artist to start two separate careers with at least three consecutive No. 1 songs. His latest single Park is currently at country radio. The Georgia native is currently out on his headline Strong World Tour, with dates in the U.S., Australia, and Canada. Listen to Strong, HERE. Attachment Delhi, Sept. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Turkey Cancer Drugs Clinical Trials Insight 2024 Report Offering: Turkey Clinical Trials Market Opportunity 2024 and 2030 (In US$ Million) Clinical Trials Regulatory Framework In Turkey Total Number of Cancer Drugs In Clinical Trials In Turkey Total Number Of Cancer Drugs Approved In Turkey 300 Pages Clinical Trials Insight on All Cancer Drugs In Clinical Trials By Company, Indication and Phase 50 Pages Clinical Insight On All Cancer Drugs Approved in Market By Company and Indication Insight On 18 Pharmaceutical Companies and 5 CRO Download Report: https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-turkey-cancer-drugs-clinical-trials Turkey has become an increasingly attractive destination for clinical trials, driven by a growing healthcare sector, strategic location between Europe and Asia, and an evolving regulatory environment. The country's diverse population, modern infrastructure, and competitive costs have made it a focal point for both local and international pharmaceutical companies seeking to conduct clinical trials. Over the past decade, Turkey has made considerable progress in expanding its clinical trial capabilities, although challenges remain in fully realizing its potential. One of Turkey's significant advantages in the clinical trial sector is its large and diverse population. With more than 80 million people, the country offers a vast pool of potential trial participants, which is critical for conducting robust, large-scale clinical trials. Additionally, the demographic diversity in Turkey provides pharmaceutical companies with the opportunity to test drugs across different genetic backgrounds and ethnic groups, improving the generalizability of clinical trial results. This makes Turkey a valuable location for trials intended for global markets. Turkeys healthcare infrastructure has seen substantial improvements, with numerous hospitals and research centers equipped to handle complex clinical trials. The country boasts a network of both public and private healthcare institutions that are increasingly participating in clinical research. Many hospitals are internationally accredited, ensuring that clinical trials meet global standards in terms of quality and safety. The modernization of healthcare facilities, coupled with a well-trained workforce of medical professionals, has further bolstered Turkeys attractiveness for clinical trials. In recent years, the Turkish government has also shown a strong commitment to fostering a favorable environment for clinical research. The Ministry of Health has introduced several initiatives to simplify the clinical trial approval process and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. The Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TITCK) is responsible for overseeing clinical trials, and recent regulatory reforms have aimed at shortening approval times, making Turkey more competitive with other countries in the region. Despite these improvements, approval times are still somewhat lengthy compared to those in Western Europe or North America, and further streamlining will be essential to attract more international trials. Turkey has seen growth in clinical trials across a variety of therapeutic areas, particularly in oncology, cardiology, and neurology. The country has become a hub for oncology research, driven by the increasing incidence of cancer in the region and the availability of well-equipped cancer treatment centers. Clinical trials for rare diseases and immunotherapies are also on the rise, reflecting global trends in medical research. Turkeys participation in global clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrated its capability to handle high-profile, large-scale trials under demanding conditions. However, several challenges continue to hinder the full realization of Turkey's potential in clinical trials. One of the key issues is the limited local funding for clinical research. While international pharmaceutical companies are active in funding trials in Turkey, local innovation often struggles due to a lack of financial support. This has led to a reliance on foreign investments and expertise for the majority of clinical trials conducted in the country. Furthermore, Turkey faces challenges in terms of patient recruitment and retention. Although the country has a large population, cultural factors and public awareness about clinical trials can sometimes limit patient participation. Increasing efforts to educate the public about the importance of clinical trials and ensuring that participants are adequately informed about their role in medical research will be critical to overcoming these challenges. In conclusion, Turkey is emerging as a key player in the global clinical trial landscape, thanks to its large and diverse population, improving healthcare infrastructure, and regulatory reforms. The country has demonstrated its capacity to handle complex trials, particularly in areas like oncology and rare diseases. However, addressing challenges such as regulatory bottlenecks, limited local funding, and patient recruitment will be crucial to further enhancing Turkeys standing as a clinical trial hub. As the country continues to invest in its healthcare sector and refine its regulatory processes, Turkey is well-positioned to play an increasingly significant role in the global clinical trials market. SALISBURY, N.C., Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marking six years of partnership, a transformative program tackling food insecurity on college campuses is underway in North Carolina. A collaboration between Food Lion Feeds and North Carolina Campus Engagement empowers student hunger ambassadors at 14 North Carolina colleges and universities to create awareness about food insecurity and compete against one another to collect the most food for neighbors experiencing hunger through the Food Lion Feeds Collegiate Hunger Challenge. Food Lion Feeds is Food Lions hunger-relief platform, and North Carolina Campus Engagement is a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to educating students on civic and social responsibility. Food Lion Feeds is excited to join forces with the next generation of leaders to find solutions to hunger on college campuses, said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. Aside from addressing food insecurity in our communities, the Collegiate Hunger Challenge also supports our educational partners. Through their participation, students gain valuable experience in community service and leadership. It empowers them to make a tangible difference while fostering a sense of social responsibility. Following the competition, Food Lion Feeds and North Carolina Campus Engagement will award a total of $25,000 to winning colleges for their efforts to fight hunger on and around their campuses. The partnership will award one $10,000 overall prize and a $5,000 prize from each sector community college, four-year public college and four-year independent institution. Since 2019, the Collegiate Hunger Challenge has awarded more than $160,000, equivalent to more than 1.6 million meals*. Throughout the challenge, which runs from Sept. 9, 2024, through Dec. 20, 2024, the participating colleges and universities accumulate points through various activities centered around addressing food insecurity and raising awareness about the issue. Since the statewide Collegiate Hunger Challenge began in 2018-19, more than 30 North Carolina colleges and universities have participated. Each school selects one or two MVP Student Hunger Ambassadors responsible for leading the effort as part of the challenge. We are so grateful to Food Lion for their ongoing partnership, said Leslie Garvin, Executive Director, North Carolina Campus Engagement. Not only does this initiative directly benefit students facing food insecurity, but it also develops and builds the leadership skills and dispositions of the Hunger Ambassadors, while promoting awareness, empathy and compassion throughout the campus. In addition to addressing tangible needs, we are destigmatizing student food insecurity and mobilizing campuses to continue to address this critical issue. The 2024 Collegiate Hunger Challenge participating North Carolina schools are: University Partner City Alamance Community College Graham Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte Davidson-Davie Community College Thomasville Duke University Durham Greensboro College Greensboro High Point University High Point Methodist University Fayetteville North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University Greensboro North Carolina Central University Durham Piedmont Community College Roxboro Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte University of North Carolina, Asheville Asheville University of North Carolina, Pembroke Pembroke Warren Wilson College Swannanoa Through Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion has helped to provide more than 1.2 billion meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. For more information on Food Lion Feeds commitment to ending hunger, visit foodlion.com/feeds. *$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local partner food banks. About Food Lion Food Lion is an omnichannel grocery retailer committed to nourishing its neighbors. More than 82,000 associates across 1,100+ stores deliver an easy, fresh and affordable shopping experience throughout 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. With a focus on hunger relief, Food Lion is a pioneer in food rescue. In 2014, Food Lion Feeds was created and has since donated more than 1.2 billion meals to those who are food insecure. The retailer has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. Founded and based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit foodlion.com. About North Carolina Campus Engagement North Carolina Campus Engagement is a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to educating students for civic and social responsibility, partnering with communities for positive change and strengthening democracy. Learn more at nccampusengagement.org. CONTACTS: Food Lion Media Relations 704-245-3317 publicrelationsteam@foodlion.com Sam Delap (NCCE) 336-278-7197 sdelap@ncengage.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/25d0124b-c025-4016-9ea8-64fa28cf49db VANCOUVER, Sept. 8, 2024 - Getchell Gold Corp. (CSE: GTCH) (OTCQB: GGLDF) (FWB: GGA1) ("Getchell" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the staking of 16 unpatented mining claims at its Dixie Comstock project bringing the total number of claims to 44, covering 725 acres (293.5 hectares). The Dixie Comstock Mine ("Dixie Comstock" or the "Project") is a past small-scale producer of gold, located in Churchill County, Nevada, 160 kms East of Reno abutting the eastern flank of the Stillwater Range in Dixie Valley. Dixie Comstock is a low-sulfidation, epithermal gold system localized along a moderately east-dipping range-front normal fault. Multiple episodes of gold bearing fluids have produced a 100m thick, shallowly dipping to the East, zone of mineralization that exhibits high-grade structurally controlled zones as well as an overall lower grade stockwork forming a rather consistent halo of mineralization. Gold was discovered at Dixie Comstock in 1935 with the majority of the historic development and mining taking place in the intervening years through to 1942 when mining activities were halted by an order issued by the War Production Board requiring all non-essential gold mines to cease production. Through this period four mining levels, vertical shafts, and 200-foot decline were developed and a flotation circuit mill with a cyanide plant constructed. Cumulative production was reported as having 17,880 tons of ore mined at a 0.8 ounces per ton ("opt") Au equivalent grade with recoveries of 4,182 ounces of Au and 6,737 ounces of Ag. Sporadic activity occurred between 1952 and 1975 culminating in the select mining and shipping of 86 tons of material grading 2.3 opt Au to the ASARCO smelter that produced 172 ounces of Au equating to recoveries of 87%. At the end of this period, all production occurred within 100 feet of surface. From 1982 through to 1991 various operators completed 64,563 feet of drilling, consisting of 179 reverse circulation, core, and rotary drill holes, with an average spacing of 50-70 feet. Drilling has delineated a well mineralized zone trending 300m NNE, approximately 100m thick, that has been traced for 200m down dip (Figure 1). The mineralization remains open down dip to the East (Figure 2). Following the 1990 drill program, Mine Development Associates Inc. ("MDA") of Reno, Nevada, was retained to review and model the data with the objective of generating a mineral resource estimate and mine model. In March 1991, MDA produced a technical report titled "Geologic & Mineable Reserve Study on the Dixie Comstock Property, Churchill County, Nevada, USA" (the "1991 MDA Study") in which the following was estimated (Table 2): MDA progressed to estimate a [Historic] mineable resource* (presented in Table 3), open pit mine model (Figure 3), and pit production schedule. * These estimates are considered historical in accordance with NI 43-101. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and the issuer is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The issuer cautions the reader and directs the reader below to important disclosure regarding the historical estimates. The open pit mine model was designed using a 50 overall slope angle for the main Gabbro host rock unit and a 45 overall slope angle for Hot Springs and the Alluvium. The pit was designed with 20-foot benches and a catch bench every 40 feet. A cutoff grade of 0.010 opt was used to obtain mineable reserves. A life-of-mine schedule was generated at a mining rate of 90,000 tons of ore and 285,000 tons of waste per month translating to a mine life of 28 months. One of the primary factors underlining the reason that the commissioning of the Dixie Comstock Mine did not proceed was due to the presence of a Wilderness Survey Area ("WSA") partially overlying the Project, constraining development and negatively impacting the economics. The WSA has been subsequently released, in Dec. 2022, completely removing the barrier and opening the greater area to mining and development. There has been no attempt to develop the Dixie Comstock Mine since 1991 (over 30 years) and the Project provides an excellent opportunity waiting to be realized. Scott Frostad, P.Geo., is non-independent and the Qualified Person (as defined in NI 43-101) who reviewed and approved the content and scientific and technical information in the news release. Corporate The Company further announces the resignation of Bill Wagener as CEO and Director of the Company. Bill Wagener has fully dedicated himself, over the last decade, to the operations and success of the Company. He was instrumental in acquiring the rights to the Company's flagship project, the Fondaway Canyon advanced exploration stage gold project, and stewarding the incredible exploration success and growth of the asset during the latter part of his tenure. Regrettably, due to personal obligations, Bill has determined the need to curtail his full-time responsibilities and is stepping down as CEO and Director of the Company. Bill will remain involved in the operations of the Company, albeit to a lesser extent, providing his services on a consultancy basis. "Bill is highly respected, and his commitment and devotion have left a palpable impression on the Company and anyone who has had the fortune to do business with him. I thank him for his years of service and thoroughly appreciate that Bill will remain involved with the Company to provide valuable continuity to the operations and administration." stated Bob Bass, Chairman. "I have been with Getchell Gold Corp. since its inception, and it is with a heavy but necessary heart that I have made this decision to step down as CEO. I know that the Company has been left in good hands and look forward to what the future holds." stated Bill Wagener About Getchell Gold Corp. The Company is a Nevada focused gold and copper exploration company trading on the CSE: GTCH, OTCQB: GGLDF, and FWB: GGA1. Getchell Gold is primarily directing its efforts on its most advanced stage asset, Fondaway Canyon, a past gold producer with a large mineral resource estimate. Complementing Getchell's asset portfolio is Dixie Comstock, a past gold producer with a historic resource and two earlier stage exploration projects, Star (Cu-Au-Ag) and Hot Springs Peak (Au). For further information please visit the Company's website at www.getchellgold.com or contact the Company at info@getchellgold.com. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the timing and execution of exploration or development at the Dixie Comstock Mine. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" 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 they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of Getchell 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. SOURCE Getchell Gold Corp. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. OR TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES Vancouver, September 9, 2024 - Inca One Gold Corp. (TSXV: INCA.H) (FSE: SU92) ("Inca One" or the "Company") provides the following general update on its CCAA proceedings and proposed new gold loan financing. As previously reported on April 8, 2024, the Company announced the receipt of a notice of default from OCIM Precious Metals ("OCIM") related to a missed gold loan payment. The Company was unsuccessful in its negotiations with OCIM to find an amicable solution to settle the outstanding debt that would have been in the best interests of all its stakeholders. On June 3, 2024, Inca One sought and obtained an order for creditor protection (the "Initial Order") from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "SCBC") pursuant to the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (the "CCAA"). The CCAA process allowed for the board of directors of the Company to remain in place and for management to maintain its responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Company, under the general oversight of a court appointed monitor, FTI Consulting Canada Inc. (the "Monitor"). The CCAA process provides protection to the Company from creditors. Nonetheless, the Company is committed to taking all steps necessary to protect and preserve the value of its business, property and the interests of all stakeholders in both Canada and Peru. On July 9, 2024, Inca One agreed to terms for a US$25M Gold Loan facility (the "Gold Loan" or "Debenture") that will be presented by Westmount Capital ("Westmount"). Westmount is a Public and Investor Relations company based in Geneva, since 2006. Westmount coordinates European roadshows for Canadian listed micro-cap companies with high growth potential, who are undervalued and under-covered. They have developed a strong network of qualified wealth investors, high-net worth individuals, Family Offices and decision makers in Europe. The terms of the Gold Loan presented by Westmount are as follows. The Gold Loan will mature 60 months after closing, which is expected to be on or about September 30, 2024 (the "Issuance Date"). The first US$20 million of the Gold Loan will be repaid in 16 equal quarterly installments, with the first repayment occurring 12 months from the Issuance Date and then every quarter thereafter. A final US$5 million payment will be due and payable at the end of the 60-month term. The Debentures will be priced in gold ounces at a 15% discount to the spot price of gold at the closing date. The Debenture holder will have the right to receive payment in either cash or the equivalent amount of refined gold. In addition to the discount, the Debentures will bear interest at 8% per annum payable quarterly in cash. The Gold Loan will be secured by the Company's gold inventory and processing facilities in Peru. Interested investors can contact Westmount directly at info@westmountcapital.com. "Our top priority at this moment is working with our advisors at Westmount Capital (westmountcapital.com) to secure the necessary financing for the US$25M Gold Loan," stated Edward Kelly, Inca One President and CEO. With the completion of this funding arrangement the Company's debts will be restructured and Inca One will be substantially funded. We will immediately restart operations once the funds are in place, and get back to creating value for stakeholders, shareholders, employees and local communities." Since the Initial Order and pursuant to the CCAA, the SCBC extended the Stay Period in favour of the Company under a Second Amended and Restated Initial Order (the "Second ARIO") and approved the Company to enter into an interim financing agreement with a private lender on August 2, 2024. This Debtor-In-Possession Term Loan ("DIP Loan") is for the principal sum of up to US$1 million and is to be used by the Company to meet its near-term general working capital requirements including legal, restructuring, administrative and general corporate costs in connection with the CCAA proceedings and the Court approved cashflows. To date all funds have been drawn and are being deployed as indicated. For additional terms of the DIP Loan, please see the Company's DIP Loan press release. On August 26, 2024, on application by the Company, the SCBC approved a Claims Process Order (the "Order") as part of the Company's ongoing CCAA proceedings. The Order provides for a "Claims Process" pursuant to which the Monitor will call for and adjudicate, as necessary, all claims against the Company. Copies of all Claims Process forms are available on the Monitor's website at http://cfcanada.fticonsulting.com/incaone/ (the "Monitor's Website"). Additionally, and pursuant to the CCAA, the SCBC further extended the Stay Period under a Second ARIO until October 7, 2024, allowing the Company the necessary time to complete the Gold Loan. The proceeds of the Gold Loan will be an important part of a Plan of Arrangement that will restructure the Company's financial obligations to its creditors and fund the future operations and inventory of the Company. During this CCAA period, the Company's common shares have been suspended from trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and its secondary stock exchanges (the "OTCQB") in the United States and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (the ("FSE") in Europe and will remain suspended pending clarification of company affairs. After the Company emerges from creditor protection and completes its application for relisting, its common shares are anticipated to be re-instated for trading on the TSXV, and OTCQB and FSE exchanges. Since the Company was forced to enter CCAA, Management and the Board of Directors have taken all the necessary steps to reduce costs and accordingly have placed both plants on care and maintenance. The restart of operations is expected once the Company emerges from CCAA proceedings. Inca One believes it will emerge from this restructuring process financially stable and ready to take advantage of the continued strengthening gold price and precious metals environment. About Inca One Inca One Gold Corp is an established gold producer operating two permitted, gold mineral processing facilities in Peru. The Company possesses a combined 450 TPD permitted operating capacity at its two fully integrated plants, Chala One and Kori One, generating over US$200 million in sales from its processing operations. Inca One is led by an experienced and capable management team that has established the Company as a trusted leader in servicing permitted, Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Miners (ASGM). Peru is one of the world's largest producers of gold, and its ASGM sector is estimated by government officials to be valued in the billions of dollars annually. Through the Company's partnerships with the UN backed PlanetGold Program and the Swiss Better Gold Initiative, Inca One supports the sustainable development and mining practices of the ASGM sector and the responsible gold supply chain from mine to market. To learn more, visit www.incaone.com. On behalf of the Board, NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Forward Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include risks relating to market conditions, metal prices, and risks relating to general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222627 Vancouver, September 9, 2024 - Battery Mineral Resources Corp. (TSXV: BMR) (OTCQB: BTRMF) ("Battery" or "BMR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the third shipment of copper concentrates produced at its mineral processing facility at Punitaqui, Chile. The Company supplied 1,198 dry metric tonnes ("DMT") of copper concentrates in the month of August. 351 DMT were delivered to Anglo's Chagres smelter in Catemu, Chile and are related to the Offtake Agreement (or the "Agreement") with Anglo American Sur S.A. ("Anglo" or "Anglo American"), a division of Anglo-American PLC. The copper concentrates were from copper smelting by-products (slags) supplied to BMR by Anglo. The balance, being 847 DMT, were produced from Battery's own Punitaqui mine operations and were sold to Ocean Partners Chile SpA and delivered to Terminal Portuario de Coquimbo (TPC) to be exported. TPC is a major export and import point in Chile, handling a significant amount of the copper concentrates produced within the country, and is located approximately 130 kilometers from the mine by paved road with year-round access. All of the copper concentrates in the month of August were produced at BMR's Punitaqui copper flotation plant and contained a weighted average of 23.91 percent copper, for approximately 631,400 pounds of copper in concentrate. Martin Kostuik, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "This third shipment of copper concentrate marks another significant milestone for Battery Minerals, with 847 DMT sourced from our own Punitaqui mine operations. We are progressing well on ramping up material sourced from the Punitaqui mines and continuing to find new opportunities for additional third-party mill feed. We look forward to persistently increasing value to stakeholders through growing cash flows from copper sales." Since the May commissioning of the recently refurbished and upgraded mineral processing facility at Punitaqui, the Company has shipped 2,453 DMT, for a total of over 1,326,000 pounds of copper in concentrate, to date. The Company is progressing steadily to bolster production results with a goal of delivering approximately 1,400 DMT per month in the near term and reaching up to 2,800 DMT of copper concentrate production per month by year-end. Mining activities are focussed on establishing access to the mineralized zones in both Cinabrio and San Andres. Activities continue to ramp up with both mines providing increasing amounts of stockpiles containing fresh mill feed. Cinabrio is the original mine that supplied mill feed for the first 10 years of prior operations, primarily operated by Glencore plc Third Party Mineral Processing Agreement The Company has engaged with Minera CEMIN-Pullalli SpA ("Minera CEMIN"), Minera CEMIN is a medium-sized mining company dedicated primarily to the extraction of oxide copper materials and production of copper and gold in Chile. Created in 1982, it has operations in Catemu, Pullally and Domeyko. Battery will purchase approximately 5,000 tonnes per month of sulphide copper mill feed from their Catemu processing plant, for a period of five months, as of the effective date of August 23rd, 2024. This mineral purchase agreement is strategic in the sense that it provides a ready outlet for Minera CEMIN's sulphide ore production while helping to fulfill the Company's goal of enhancing copper concentrate production and sales while the Punitaqui mines continue to ramp up to full production. Further Disclosure On August 16th, 2024 the Company announced that, on June 26, 2024, the Company was advanced a loan (the "Loan") in the amount of US$750,000 (approximately C$1,028,625) by Weston Energy II LLC ("Weston II"), a portfolio company operated by Yorktown Partners LLC and an existing shareholder of the Company. The Loan matures on December 5th, 2024, and accrues interest at a rate per annum equal to eight percent (8%). The Loan is unsecured and no bonus securities were issued for the Loan. The proceeds from the Loan will be applied towards the operations at the Company's Punitaqui copper project in Chile. The Loan is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. Exchange Rates All USD amounts for which CAD equivalent amounts are given in this news release were calculated at CAD/USD exchange rate of 1.3715, the exchange rate published by the Bank of Canada on August 15, 2024. MI 61-101 Matters Weston II is a "related party" to BMR pursuant to pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Prior to giving effect to the transactions disclosed in this news release, Weston II and its affiliates own or control (directly or indirectly) 107,578,740 BMR Common Shares on an undiluted basis and 193,011,575 BMR Common Shares on a diluted basis assuming conversion of all outstanding debentures (representing approximately 59.44% and 70.94%, respectively, of the outstanding BMR Common Shares). The Loan constitutes a "related party transaction" for the purposes of MI 61-101. The Loan is exempt from the formal valuation requirements of MI 6-101 as BMR is not listed on a specified market that would require compliance with such formal valuation requirements (as set forth in Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101). The Loan is further exempt from the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of the value of the Loan constituting less than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, and being less than $2,500,000 in any case (as set forth in Sections 5.7(1)(a) and 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101). About Battery Mineral Resources Corp. Battery Mineral Resources' mission is to build a mid-tier copper producer and has recently initiated mine and mill operations at the Punitaqui Mining Complex, a historic copper-gold-silver producer, in the Coquimbo region of Chile. Battery Mineral Resources is unique because it leverages the inherent value from its 100% owned subsidiary, ESI Energy Services Inc., a renewable energy equipment rental and sales company. The Company's portfolio also consists of two cobalt assets and one lithium asset located in North America and two graphite assets in South Korea. The Company is focused on providing shareholders accretive exposure to copper and the global mega-trend of electrification while being focused on growth through cash-flow, exploration, and acquisitions in favorable mining jurisdictions. Martin Kostuik, CEO Twitter: @BMRcorp_ Facebook: Battery Mineral Resources Corp. | Facebook LinkedIn: Battery Mineral Resources Corp.: My Company | LinkedIn Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. 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 of the Company on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to complete exploration and development activities, risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the ability of the Company to meet its anticipated development schedule, government regulation and fluctuating metal prices. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Battery undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222568 Montreal, September 9, 2024 - E-Power Resources Inc. (CSE: EPR) ("E-Power" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the voting results from the Company's Annual General and Special Meeting ("Meeting") held on September 6, 2024. A total of 21,672,022 common shares were voted, representing approximately 53.37 % of total shares issued and outstanding as at the record date of the Meeting. The following nominees for election as directors of the Company were elected by a majority of votes cast by the shareholders virtually present or represented by proxy at the Meeting: Number of Directors Votes For % Votes For Votes Against % Votes Against Number of Directors to be set at four 21,672,072 100 0 0 Election of Directors Votes For % Votes For Votes Against % Votes Against Jamie Lavigne 18,839,572 86.93 2,832,450 13.07 Michael Danielsson 14,495,572 66.89 7,176,450 33.11 William Pfaffenberger 17,789,572 82.09 3,882,450 17.91 Gabriel Erdeleyi 17,789,572 82.09 3,882,450 17.91 Appointment of Auditor Votes For % Votes For Votes Against % Votes Against To re-appoint SHIM & Associates LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants appointed as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and authorizing the directors to fix remuneration 17,782,579 94.43 1,050,000 5.57 Company's Stock Option Plan To approve all options, rights or entitlements pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan 21,672,022 100 0 0 Company's Restricted Unit Plan To approve all options, rights or entitlements pursuant to the Company's Restricted Share Unit 18,839,572 100 0 0 Company's Advance Notice Provisions To approve the Company's Advance Notice Provisions 17,789,572 94.43 1,050,000 5.57 Advisors Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP acted as special legal counsel to E-Power Resources Inc. in connection with certain dissident shareholder actions in connection with the Meeting. About E-Power Resources Inc. E-Power Resources Inc. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of graphite properties in Quebec. Its flagship asset, the Tetepisca Graphite Property, is located in the Tetepisca Graphite District of the North Shore Region of Quebec, approximately 215 kilometers from the Port of Baie-Comeau. For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or contact the Company by email at info@e-powerresources.com. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance are "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222594 Vancouver, September 9, 2024 - World Copper Ltd. (TSXV: WCU) (OTCQB: WCUFF) (FSE: 7LY0) ("World Copper" or the "Company") announces, project updates. Zonia The Company announces the results of an updated mineral resource estimate (the "Updated Resource Estimate") for the Zonia copper-oxide deposit in Arizona, USA ("Zonia" or the "Project"). The updated estimate includes 113.2 million short tons grading 0.303% total-copper in the Indicated category (686 million pounds of copper), and 59.2 million short tons grading 0.254% total-copper in the Inferred category, (300 million pounds of copper). This is a significant expansion of the 2023 resource estimate and is a result of using a higher copper price and refined mineralization models and modeling method. CEO Gord Neal states: "This updated resource significantly increases the value of an already prominent copper asse. This new report greatly de-risks the project by expanding the indicated resource classification of the deposit. This new resource definition could significantly extend the life of mine of the project. It also has the potential to substantially increase the throughput of future operations and boost the projected annual production profile. Combined with the resource expansion potential of the Zonia North properties, the Project is now exhibiting the potential to become a large-scale copper producer." Highlights: Updated Resource Estimate with: Indicated Resources of 113.2 million short tons grading 0.303% total-copper containing 686 million pounds of copper; and Inferred Resources of 59.2 million short tons grading 0.254 % total-copper containing 300 million pounds of copper. A strip ratio of 3.2 waste to mineralized material at the base case cutoff mineral resource estimate. A low strip ratio of 1.1 waste:mineralized material at the economic cutoff of 0.07% TCu Significant expansion of the Zonia resource estimate compared to the Historical Resource Estimate. Pre-development revenue from re-processing of historically mined and stockpiled material expected. The classified resources are outlined in detail in Table 1 at the base case total copper (TCu) cut-off grade of 0.18% and at a range of TCu cut-off grades in Table 2. The Updated Resource Estimate was completed by Sue Bird P.Eng., of Moose Mountain Technical Services ("MMTS"), an independent qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects , for World Copper as part of the Company's overall exploration plan for Zonia (see news release dated May 22, 2022). Table 1. Updated Zonia Mineral Resource Estimate at the Base Case Cutoff Grade Classification (Oxidation State) Copper Cut-off (%) Short Tons (Million) Grade (CuT %) Cu. Lbs. (Million) Indicated (Oxide) 0.18 102.6 0.307 629 Indicated (Mixed) 0.18 10.6 0.271 57 Total Indicated 0.18 113.2 0.303 686 Inferred (Oxide) 0.18 43.8 0.256 224 Inferred (Mixed) 0.18 15.4 0.247 76 Total Inferred 0.18 59.2 0.254 300 Notes to the Resource Tables: The effective date of the Updated Resource Estimate is August 27, 2024. Resources are reported using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards and were estimated using the 2019 CIM Best Practices Guidelines, as required by NI43-101 The base case Mineral Resource has been confined by "reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction" shape using the following assumptions: Metal price of US$4.00/lb of Cu Metallurgical recovery of 75% in oxides and 70% in the transitional zone Offsite costs (transport, smelter treatment and refining) of US$0.05/lb of Cu Processing Costs of US$4/lb milled and General & Administrative (G&A) costs of CDN$ 2.00/ lb milled Mining cost of CDN$2.00 / ton 48-degree pit slopes The 150% price case pit shell is used for the resource confining shape The resulting NSR = Cu*US$3.95/lb *0.75 for oxides and NSR = Cu*US$3.95/lb *0.70 in the transitional zone. It is reasonably expected, though not guaranteed, that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration (see "Cautionary Note to United States Investors"). Numbers may not add due to rounding. Table 2. Zonia Mineral Resources Over a Range of Cut-off Grades TCu Cut-off Grade (%) Indicated Inferred Tonnage (ktons) TCu (%) Cu Metal Content (Mlbs) Tonnage (ktons) TCu (%) Cu Metal Content (Mlbs) 0.15 134,064 0.282 755 77,178 0.233 360 0.16 127,261 0.288 734 71,303 0.239 342 0.17 120,427 0.296 712 65,336 0.246 322 0.18 113,166 0.303 686 59,196 0.254 300 0.20 98,721 0.320 632 46,896 0.271 254 0.21 91,774 0.329 603 41,100 0.280 230 0.22 84,777 0.338 573 36,302 0.29 210 Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability; however, a reasonable prospect of eventual economic extraction pit has been used to confine the Resource Estimate using parameters detailed in the table notes. The QP for the Mineral Resource estimate is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Resource Estimate. Factors that may affect the estimates include: metal price assumptions, changes in interpretations of mineralization geometry and continuity of mineralization zones, changes to kriging assumptions, metallurgical recovery assumptions, operating cost assumptions, confidence in the modifying factors, including assumptions that surface rights to allow mining infrastructure to be constructed will be forthcoming, delays or other issues in reaching agreements with local or regulatory authorities and stakeholders, and changes in land tenure requirements or in permitting requirement. Zonia Resource Modelling Data verification efforts for the Updated Resource Estimate carried out by MMTS included discussions with World Copper personnel, personal inspection of the Project area with the collection and submission of check samples to an external laboratory, an audit of the exploration drillhole database, and a detailed review of additional information obtained from historical reports and information provided by the Company. MMTS also completed checks on the geologic information as compared to the paper logs, and checks of the assay values contained in the exploration database as compared to assay certificates provided by World Copper. A technical report to support the Updated Resource Estimate for the Project, prepared in accordance with NI43-101, will be filed on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca) within 45 days of this news release. Zonia Norte Exploration Potential Building from the resource expansion from the Updated Resource Estimate, the next step and largest potential for a new discovery at Zonia is to the north-northeast of the current open pit and resource, where a large (2.5 x 1.5 kilometres) coincident copper-molybdenum-manganese geochemical anomaly has been identified (Zonia Norte; Figure 2). Historical surface rock geochemical sampling has delineated a copper-molybdenum anomaly that is spatially coincident and similar in size/shape with a broad zone of manganese depletion consistent with typical porphyry-copper mineralization. This anomaly is situated 1.5 kilometres to the north-northeast of the Zonia deposit, and exhibits the same pattern and size of geochemical anomalism to that deposit. It is significant that the anomaly is open to the north where outcrops are covered by post-mineral cover. This large geochemical footprint is interpreted to represent a second porphyry centre. Nearby historical drill holes indicate the area is deeply weathered and copper-oxide mineralization is present. The Zonia Norte porphyry target was fully permitted by the previous operator and is drill-ready once the permitting process is re-started. The drill programme will comprise 18 holes targeting copper oxide mineralization and total over 5,000 metres (18,000 feet). Further mapping over the target and adjacent areas is planned. High-grade historical copper occurrences (Copper Crown and others) along the north and east edges of the Zonia Norte anomaly will be mapped and sampled as part of the ongoing target delineation exploration programme at Zonia. These occurrences of high-grade copper have geological similarities to volcanogenic massive sulphide and/or replacement-type deposits. The Company remains focused on further advancing the Zonia copper oxide deposit into feasibility and subsequently into production. The project is scheduled to commence copper cathode production within 48 months, as it benefits from a location on private land with existing power and water in Arizona, the most prolific copper state in the US. Zonia's copper cathode production will assist in closing a portion of the copper supply gap that is essential for a successful global energy transition. The next corporate milestone is the commencement of a verification drill program on the leach pads (see news release August 24, 2024). Positive results from this drill program could mean significant pre- production cash flow for World Copper. Moving into production faster and with lower costs in the right jurisdiction is the optimal plan in a raising copper market. Escalones Further to the Company issued news release on January 23, 2024 related to the Escalones copper project (the "Escalones Project"), and the Decree of the President of the Republic of Chile, no. 34 published on November 30th, 2023, which established additional elements to be subject of protection by the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Chile in the area of Alto Maipo, where the Escalones project is located, the Company is required to demonstrate that the project is compatible with the conservation objectives for the Sanctuary as specified in a currently pending management plan. The management plan will be prepared by the landowner and will be subject to approval by the Ministry of the Environment. However, it is possible that through the management plan the Sanctuary will be recategorized as a different type of protected area. The landowner of the property on which the Escalones Project is located has been in contact with the Company regarding the same and The Company has been communicating with the landowner to secure a flexible management plan, in order for the area in which the Escalones Project is located to be categorized as a multiple-use conservation area. The Company has also been renegotiating access rights to the Escalones Project due to the lapse of the pre-existing easement. Due to the Company's uncertainty with respect to the foregoing developments and its lack of certainty on potential impacts on the exploration of the Escalones Project, the Company has made the decision to write down the Escalones Project to a nominal value in its 2024 second quarter financial statements. The Company will continue to monitor the full regulatory and permitting impact of the Decree and the management plan on the Company's plans to develop the Escalones Project. QUALIFIED PERSONS John Drobe, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Drobe is not independent of World Copper as he is a consultant of World Copper. Sue Bird, P.Eng., of Moose Mountain Technical Services ("MMTS"), an independent qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the Zonia project portions of this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. ABOUT WORLD COPPER LTD. World Copper Ltd., headquartered in Vancouver, BC, is a Canadian resource company focused on the exploration and development of its copper porphyry projects: Zonia in Arizona and Escalones in Chile. Both projects have estimated resources with significant soluble copper mineralization, and they boast exciting potential to expand the resource base. The company is dedicated to sustainable practices and leveraging technology to develop safe and productive mining operations in stable, mining-friendly jurisdictions. Detailed information is available at World Copper's website at https://worldcopperltd.com, and for general Company updates you may follow us on our social media pages via Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of WORLD COPPER LTD. "Gordon Neal" Gordon Neal President & Chief Executive Officer Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/WorldCopperLtd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldCopperLtd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldcopperltd Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements with respect to impact of the Decree and establishment of the Sanctuary, the results of negotiations with Gasco Inversiones regarding the management plan and access rights to the Escalones Project, exploration plans at the Escalones Project and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of World Copper are forward-looking statements. Although World Copper believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-Looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, World Copper has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, market fundamentals will result in sustained copper demand and prices, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of World Copper's projects and its ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. Forward-Looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of World Copper to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, the costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, future prices of copper, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on World Copper's business, financial condition and results of operations, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, including with respect to the Decree and the Sanctuary, title disputes, the inability of World Copper to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including, without limitation, of Gasco Inversiones, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in World Copper's continuous disclosure documents. All of World Copper's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedarplus.ca and readers are urged to review these materials. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. World Copper does not undertake any obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222617 Vancouver, September 9, 2024 - Japan Gold Corp. (TSXV: JG) (OTCQB: JGLDF) ("Japan Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of an extensive six-month review of its portfolio and resulting reduction from 35 to 26 projects from its holdings in Japan. The review was led by Mr. Fraser MacCorquodale, President and COO of the Company. The Company holds the largest prospective land package in Japan and has built a comprehensive framework of data for the evaluation of tenements covering areas of gold occurrences. "We have a large tenement holding across the three main islands of Japan, and we needed to take a strategic approach to ground reduction in order to focus and prioritize our resources and advance Japan Gold exploration targets', said Mr. MacCorquodale. "The relinquished tenements did not meet our target criteria." The Company has identified multiple gold exploration targets in the Kitami metallogenic province in North Hokkaido, the Noto Peninsula in Honshu, and in the Middle and Southern Kyushu epithermal gold provinces, where the Company has a dominant tenement coverage (see Figures 1-4). The gold mining regions are hosts of past and existing mines such as the world-class Hishikari Mine and where modern exploration activities are at an early stage for many prospects. Mr. John Proust, Chairman and CEO of the Company, added, "Japan Gold has spent over a decade collecting the data that is required to make discoveries. We are now focusing on our best prospects and concurrently advancing three priority projects under the Barrick Alliance. Fraser's depth of experience in analyzing epithermal gold deposits is accelerating the discovery process." About Japan Gold Corp. Japan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on gold exploration across Japan. The Company holds a significant portfolio of tenements covering areas with known gold occurrences, history of mining and prospective for high-grade epithermal gold mineralization. The Japan Gold leadership and operational team of geologists, drillers and technical advisors have extensive experience exploring and operating in Japan and have a track record of discoveries world-wide. Japan Gold has an alliance with Barrick Gold Corp. to jointly explore, develop and mine certain gold mineral properties and mining projects with the potential to host Tier 1 or Tier 2 gold ore bodies in Japan. Cautionary Note Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated results related to future partnerships and the Company's 2024 gold exploration program. These statements are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that include, but are not limited to, the timing and granting of prospecting rights; the Company's ability to convert prospecting rights into digging rights within the timeframe prescribed by the Mining Act; general economic, market and business conditions; competition for qualified staff; the regulatory process and actions; technical issues; new legislation; potential delays or changes in plans; working in a new political jurisdiction; results of exploration; the Company's ability to execute and implement future plans, arrange or conclude a joint venture or partnership; and the occurrence of unexpected events. Actual results achieved may differ from the information provided herein and, consequently, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this News Release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forwardlooking information or to explain any material difference between such and subsequent actual events, except as required by applicable laws. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5665/222630_9bf312f4b4390952_001full.jpg Figure 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5665/222630_9bf312f4b4390952_002full.jpg Figure 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5665/222630_9bf312f4b4390952_003full.jpg Figure 4 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5665/222630_9bf312f4b4390952_004full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222630 Vancouver, September 9, 2024 - Red Lake Gold Inc. (CSE: RGLD)("Red Lake Gold" or the "Corporation") announces that it has contracted Thunder Bay-based Fladgate Exploration Consulting Corporation ("Fladgate") to perform a follow-up field exploration program (the "Phase II Fall Soil Sampling Program") at its Whirlwind Jack Gold Project ("Whirlwind Jack") located near Red Lake, Ontario. "We are pleased to be immediately putting the majority of the capital raised last week to work for additional field exploration at Whirlwind Jack. Having had timely access to those funds in a challenging junior mining equity market allows Red Lake Gold to follow-up and infill upon the prospective soil sampling areas we previously reported on last month and importantly to gather additional data ahead of seasonal ground condition changes," stated Ryan Kalt, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Based on its proprietary exploration work to-date, Red Lake Gold believes that its Whirlwind Jack Gold Project may host a westerly extension of a prominent regional fault, commonly referred to as the LP Fault, which has already been identified on a mining project that adjoins the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project (the Great Bear Project, being advanced by Kinross Gold Corp.). Red Lake Gold is seeking to determine if gold endowment also exists at its Whirlwind Jack Gold Project within the potential area of this interpreted westerly extension and now more specifically, within priority areas of interest identified, in part, from exploration work done by the Corporation during 2024. To views held by Red Lake Gold, the Phase II Fall Soil Sampling Program is expected to more intensely focus within and close to a significant mag low corridor situated at the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project (compared to a broader project-wide soil sampling program completed earlier this year). As indicated, Red Lake Gold expects that the Phase II Fall Soil Sampling Program, which is scheduled to commence later this month, shall be fully funded using proceeds from the commission-free, non-brokered financing that the Corporation closed in September 2024 (see news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Closes Previously Announced Financing, dated September 4, 2024). The Corporation has 45,239,169 common shares issued and outstanding. Red Lake Gold, through ongoing work by its management team, is engaged in the continuous process of prioritizing a core project area for the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project to forward-comprise and explore as capital access, field conditions and other relevant project and corporate-related matters allow. Red Lake Gold notes that both the Box Target and Bug Lake Target (see news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Identifies Gold-In-Soil Anomalies, Highlights Multi-Kilometre Target Area Adjoining LP Fault, dated August 13, 2024) have been integrated within that currently identified core area. The Phase II Fall Soil Sampling Program will focus on collecting hundreds of infill samples in and around the more prominent results previously reported on at the Box Target and Bug Lake Target (see again the news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Identifies Gold-In-Soil Anomalies, Highlights Multi-Kilometre Target Area Adjoining LP Fault, dated August 13, 2024). Subject to successful completion, the Corporation currently anticipates receiving laboratory results for its Phase II Fall Soil Sampling Program approximately 6 to 7 weeks following completion of the in-field work. The Corporation shall endeavor to update shareholders on the results of the anticipated field program in the ordinary and appropriate course. The Corporation cautions that the exploration potential of and any exploration results from the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project may differ, materially, from exploration results of adjoining and/or regional projects, including but not limited to the adjacent Great Bear Project being advanced by Kinross Gold Corporation. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Thompson, P.Geo, Fladgate Exploration Consulting Corporation's President, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and responsible for the technical information for this phase of exploration on the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project. About Red Lake Gold Inc. Red Lake Gold Inc. is a Vancouver-based junior mining exploration company, traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol "RGLD". For more information, please visit www.redlakegold.ca. The Corporation is subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those risks and uncertainties set out in its public filings, such public filings generally being available, without limitation, through SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Corporation's Disclosure Hall on the CSE website (thecse.com/listings/red-lake-gold-inc/#disclosure). On Behalf of the Board of Directors Ryan Kalt Chief Executive 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 intention to conduct exploration work at its Whirlwind Jack Gold Project, the timing and completion of such exploration work and the results of such exploration work, including but not limited to the Phase II Fall Soil Sampling Program, and to the extent any such work is successfully completed, as well as to the general exploration potential of the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project held by the Corporation and the ability of the Corporation to access funding to advance and/or sustain its forward-looking corporate intentions/plans. 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. Vancouver, September 9, 2024 - Bolt Metals Corp. ("Bolt" or the "Company") (CSE: BOLT) (FRANKFURT: A2QEUB) (OTCQB: PCRCF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with an arms-length party (the "Vendor") (the "Option Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company may acquire ("Option") a 100% ownership interest in and to the New Britain antimony and gold property in the Slocan Mining Division, BC, Canada ("Property"). Property Highlights: Historic chip sample across 0.6 metre of vein material assayed 10.4% antimony, 9.7 g/t gold, 2358 grams per tonne silver (g/t), and 29.9% lead Multiple indications of high-grade antimony occurrences in the area are associated with gold, silver, and lead values Road accessible and unexplored for antimony potential Application of state-of-the arts geophysics and geochemical surveys could efficiently advance the property to the drill stage Company friendly, results driven option terms The Case for Antimony "A supply shortage has triggered the steepest rally in price "ever recorded" in the global antimony market since April, according to Fast Markets who began recording prices from January 1980. In May, prices reached US$17,589 per metric ton of antimony ingot, up 54% in 2024, according to the Shanghai Metals Exchange; prices in Europe reached US$22,700 a ton on June 14, up more than 75% on 2023. And now China has announced it will impose export limits on antimony because of "national security". The reason: an extreme shortage of supply from China, Russia, and south east Asia, while demand primarily from solar power and global arms production both soar. Antimony supply faces both a short-term volatility squeeze and long-term structural deficit". (The Oregon Group, August 28, 2024; "Why are antimony prices exploding") CEO Comment Mr. Branden Haynes, CEO of Bolt, remarked, "with China's export restrictions on antimony taking effect and several active conflicts around the world, the need for antimony has increased. Antimony is used heavily in a variety of military applications, as a fire retardant, in solar panels and electric batteries. Bolt's acquisition of the New Britain project will provide the Company the opportunity to focus on this essential mineral". New Britain Property The Property comprises 493 hectares located approximately 40 kms north, north-west of Kaslo, BC and is accessible by highway and forest service roads. Development at New Britain in the early 1980s included extending a short adit excavated to evaluate a quartz vein within a 20-metre-wide shear zone that strikes north and dips subparallel to bedding. The rocks within the shear are altered to sericite schist. High silver, lead and antimony values occur with massive sulphides on the apex of drag-folds within the shear. Mineralization consists of galena and tetrahedrite within quartz-calcite veins. A chip sample across 0.6 metre of vein material assayed 10.4% antimony and 9.7 g/t gold, 2358 g/t silver, and 29.9% lead1. There are multiple antimony occurrences in the area, including the North Star prospect in the Goat Range Park, and the West Ridge prospect at Eagle Plains Resources' Snowstorm property. Geological mapping and interpretation at Snowstorm indicate a southeast-northwest trend in geology and structure, interpreted to trend onto the New Britain property. The West Ridge prospect located 4.7 km to the northwest of the New Britain property was developed in the late 1920's, with a shallow shaft and a 150-metre adit. Assessment reports indicate mineralization of massive stibnite-galena in quartz veining assaying up to 16.1% antimony, 1.58% copper, 41.1% lead, and 1,539 g/t silver over a width of "at least 1 metre2. Mineralization on proximal properties and historical data is for informational purposes only and gives no assurance as to their reliability and relevance to possible future exploration programs at the property. The company has not completed any quality assurance program or applied quality control measures to the historical data. Key Transaction Details In order to exercise the Option and thereby acquire a 100% ownership interest in the Property, the Company would be required to make cash and share payments to the Vendor and incur exploration expenditures on the Property as follows: Cash payments of CAD $5,000 within 5-business days of the Effective Date, CAD $25,000 on the six-month anniversary of the Effective Date and CAD $50,000 on each of the 1st and 2nd year anniversaries of the Effective Date; Share payments of 500,000 common shares on the 1st anniversary of the Effective Date and 1,000,000 common shares on the 2nd anniversary of the Effective Date; Exploration Expenditures of CAD $100,000 prior to the 1st anniversary of the Effective Date and CAD $200,000 prior to the 2nd anniversary date of the Effective Date The Vendor maintains a 2% Net Smelter Returns Royalty of which the Company may purchase 1% for CAD $1,000,000 at any time subsequent to its exercise of the Option. Whether or not to exercise the Option is within the discretion of the Company. In addition, the Company may accelerate the Option Payments, in its discretion, at any time during the term of the Agreement. Qualified Person Mr. Garry Clark, P. Geo., a member of the Company's Board of Directors, a "Qualified Person" under NI 43-101, has reviewed the technical contents of this news release and has approved the disclosure of the technical information contained herein. 1 (BC Geological Survey - Assessment Report 8532; Donald W. Tully, P.Eng. for Paymaster Mines Inc.; September 15, 1980). 2 (BC Geological Survey - Assessment Report 16433; C. Geoffrey Spearing, B.SC. (Eng) and John Ostler, M.Sc., P.Geol. for Ambergate Explorations Inc.; October 15, 1987); and (BC Geological Survey - Assessment Report 18136; C. Geoffrey Spearing, B.SC. (Eng) and John Ostler, M.Sc., P.Geol. for Ambergate Explorations Inc.; November 1, 1988 Bolt Metals Corp. Branden Haynes - Director and CEO (604) 817-1595 info@boltmetals.com Reader Advisory This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward?looking information", including statements relating to the exercise of the Option and the making of Option Payments. The words "may", "potential", "should", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions, are intended to identify such forward?looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward?looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward?looking statements. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved or disapproved this news release. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, Sept. 09, 2024 - MAX Power Mining Corp. (CSE: MAXX; OTC: MAXXF; FRANKFURT: 89N) ("MAX Power" or the "Company") is entering the exploration phase at Canada's largest Natural Hydrogen land package in Saskatchewan with the engagement of Petro-Find Geochem Ltd. ("Petro-Find") to carry out an extensive soil gas sampling program across key initial targets at the Rider Project featuring dozens of historical hydrogen showings from old wells. Highlights: Saskatoon-based Petro-Find is a soil gas sampling leader in Western Canada and has developed a proprietary system that captures highly accurate readings for hydrogen from specialized gas probes driven into soils; The proprietary sampling methods will give crews on the ground real time data and maximum flexibility to cover large areas with increased density of sampling where warranted; Samples will be processed at Petro-Find's lab in Saskatoon for rapid analysis. The program is expected to commence upon harvesting of crops in southeast Saskatchewan. Mr. Denis Briere, MAX Power Special Advisor who has written the world's only NI-51-101 report for a naturally occurring accumulation of hydrogen gas (original discovery in Mali), commented: "The Rider Project is in the top category of Natural Hydrogen projects in the world in my view. With a policy framework in place for Natural Hydrogen exploration and development at Rider, MAX Power has a unique opportunity to make Western Canada the launch pad for an important new low-cost, low-emissions energy source in North America." Mr. Neil McMillan, Senior Strategic Advisor to MAX Power and former Chairman of Cameco, added: "Saskatchewan is famous for its rich resources including oil and gas, uranium and potash - we even have one of Canada's premier gold mines. We are in an enviable position with first mover MAX Power to do something very big with respect to Natural Hydrogen that could resonate around the world." Video - Neil McMillan Click on the following link for additional comments from MAX Power Senior Strategic Advisor Neil McMillan: https://vimeo.com/1005626147/594341e3a8 Sampling Method and Parameters Petro-Find will take soil samples spaced approximately 400 metres apart during this first phase exploration program. When the sample results are received, they will be contoured to map out initial anomalies. Areas of most interest can be followed up with future infill sampling programs to further refine Natural Hydrogen targets in soils. Figure 1: Map showing the location of MAX Power's Natural Hydrogen Permit Applications Engagement of Enki GeoSolutions MAX Power is pleased to report that it has directly engaged Enki GeoSolutions of Montreal for Natural Hydrogen consulting services. Mr. Stephan Sejourne is the CEO of Enki GeoSolutions and in conjunction with the consulting engagement will relinquish the title/role of "Scientific Advisor" to MAX Power (refer to June 28, 2024 news release). Mr. Sejourne has a long track record of coordinating or participating in multi-client industrial projects and multi-disciplinary academic or governmental projects in a variety of geological environments. Mr. Sejourne is an Adjunct Professor at Quebec's Institut de la recherche scientifique (INRS-ETE, Quebec City). Please note that Mr. Sejourne's position at the INRS-ETE was mislabelled as "Associate Professor" in the June 28, 2024 news release. Stock Option grant The Company announces the granting of an aggregate of 300,000 stock options to consultants of the company with an exercise price of 38 cents per share and will expire after two years and shall vest immediately. The stock options are subject to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Natural Hydrogen Video Learn more about Natural Hydrogen by clicking on the following link: https://vimeo.com/953002092/d6f8574ba4 MAX Power Natural Hydrogen Deck Learn more about MAX Power's first mover advantage in North America's Natural Hydrogen sector by clicking on the following link: https://www.maxpowermining.com/Presentations/MAXPower-NaturalHydrogen.pdf MAX Power Corporate Presentation Click on the following link to view MAX Power's Corporate Deck: https://maxpowermining.com/Presentations/MAXPower-Corporate.pdf Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Thomas Clarke, P.Geo., Pr.Sci.Nat., and Director for MAX Power Mining Corp. Mr. Clarke is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards. About MAX Power Mining MAX Power is an innovative mineral exploration company focused on North America's shift to decarbonization. MAX Power is a first mover in the rapidly growing Natural Hydrogen sector, through strategic alliances with Calgary-based Chapman Hydrogen & Petroleum Engineering Ltd., and European-based Larin Engineering HHC. MAX Power also holds a portfolio of properties in the United States and Canada focused on critical minerals. These properties are highlighted by a recent diamond drilling discovery at the Willcox Playa Lithium Project in southeast Arizona. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Rav Mlait" - CEO MarketSmart Communications MAX Power Mining Corp. Tel: 877-261-4466 info@maxpowermining.com Tel: 778-655-9266 Forward-Looking Statement Cautions This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, and any legislation specifically relating to natural hydrogen, exploration and acquisition of natural hydrogen properties; ability to locate, discover and/or extract natural hydrogen from the subsurface; commentary as it relates to the opportune timing to carry out natural hydrogen exploration; and any anticipated increasing demand for natural hydrogen; any results and updates thereto as it relates to any future drill program, and the funding of that program; and upcoming press releases by the Company. The Company has filed permit applications to the Saskatchewan government and there are no assurances that all or any of the permit applications will be accepted or granted to the Company. 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", "interpreted", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "suggests", "often", "target", "future", "likely", "pending", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", "possibly", "preliminary", 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 they involve number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of drill program results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out its 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. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d4d8b14-5365-4dda-9ff6-e1c7f0cd886d Vancouver, September 9, 2024 - CaNickel Mining Ltd. (TSXV: CML) ("CaNickel" or the "Company") announces that it has changed its auditor from Smythe LLP ("Former Auditor") to Baker Tilly WM LLP ("Successor Auditor"). The Former Auditor resigned as the auditor of the Company on its own initiative effective September 5, 2024, and the board of directors of the Company appointed the Successor Auditor as the Company's auditor effective September 5, 2024, until the next Annual General Meeting of the Company. There were no reservations in the Former Auditor's audit reports for the relevant period, being the financial year of the Company ended December 31, 2023, and any period subsequent to the most recently completed financial year for which an audit report was issued and preceding the resignation of the Former Auditor. In accordance with National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations ("NI 51-102"), the Company has filed a Change of Auditor Notice on September 9, 2024 with respect to the resignation of the Former Auditor and the appointment of the Successor Auditor (the "Notice") on SEDAR+ together with letters from both the Former Auditor and Successor Auditor, with each letter confirming agreement with the statements contained in the respective Notices, as applicable. There were no reportable events as defined in NI 51-102 between the Former Auditor and the Company. ABOUT CANICKEL CaNickel Mining Limited is a Canadian junior mining company that owns the Bucko Lake Mine, currently on care and maintenance, near Wabowden, Manitoba. From 2009 to 2012, nearly 450,000 tonnes of mineralized material were mined to produce 6.9 million pounds of nickel before the mine was put on care and maintenance due to low nickel prices. Further information on the Bucko Lake Mine is available at www.canickel.com or contact: CaNickel Mining Limited Suite 720 - 320 Granville St. Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6C 1S9 No securities exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222432 Calgary, September 9, 2024 - Cassiar Gold Corp. (TSXV: GLDC) (OTCQX: CGLCF) ("Cassiar Gold" or the "Company") announces that, further to its news release on September 3, 2024, it will be offering charitable flow through units ("CFT Units") and flow through units ("Units") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$1 million (the "Offering") to be used at its flagship Cassiar Gold Project in northern British Columbia, Canada. The Units, at a price of C$0.35 per Unit, and the CFT Units, at a price of C$0.37 per CFT Unit, will each consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share"), issued as a " flow-through share" pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada), and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable by the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of C$0.50 for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the Offering. The gross proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company to incur expenses ("Qualifying Expenditures"), on or before December 31, 2025, which will qualify as "Canadian exploration expenses" and as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" (all defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)), and the Company will renounce all Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the applicable subscribers of the Units effective December 31, 2024. In addition, with respect to British Columbia resident subscribers or who are eligible individuals under the Income Tax Act (British Columbia), the Qualifying Expenditures will be eligible for the 20% BC mining flow-through share tax credit. In connection with the Offering, certain finders may receive a cash fee and/or non-transferable finder warrants. Participation by insiders of the Company in the Offering will constitute a related party transaction as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that neither the fair market value of the securities to be issued under the Offering nor the consideration to be paid by insiders of the Company will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or before September 30, 2024, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four month hold period from the closing date of the Offering in accordance with applicable securities laws. About Cassiar Gold Corp. Cassiar Gold Corp. is a Canadian gold exploration company holding a 100% interest in its flagship Cassiar Gold Property located in British Columbia, Canada. The Cassiar Gold property spans 590 km2 and consists of two main project areas: Cassiar North, which hosts a NI 43-101-compliant inferred resource estimate of 1.4Moz at 1.14 g/t Au (cutoff grade of 0.5 g/t Au) known as the Taurus Deposit (see National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Cassiar Gold property, April 28, 2022, by S. Zelligan, J. Moors, C. Jolette, which is available on SEDAR+); and Cassiar South, which hosts numerous gold showings, historical workings, and exploration prospects. Historical underground mines in the Cassiar South area have yielded over 315,000 oz of Au at average head grades of between 10 and 20 g/t Au1, underscoring the high potential for further discovery and expansion of high-grade orogenic gold veins. The Company also holds a 100% interest in properties covering most of the Sheep Creek gold camp located near Salmo, British Columbia, Canada. The Sheep Creek gold district ranks as the third largest past-producing orogenic gold district in British Columbia with historical gold production of 742,000 ounces gold at an average grade of 14.7 g/t gold from 1900 to 1951. Minimal exploration work has been conducted since the 1950s. Cassiar Gold Corp. acknowledges, respects, and supports the rights of Traditional First Nations in the lands and communities where we operate. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward looking statements including those describing Cassiar Gold's future plans and the expectations of management that a stated result or condition will occur. Any statement addressing future events or conditions necessarily involves inherent risk and uncertainty. Actual results can differ materially from those anticipated by management at the time of writing due to many factors, the majority of which are beyond the control of Cassiar Gold and its management. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining, directly or indirectly, to the Company's exploration plans and work commitments. Although Cassiar Gold believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties, actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with the exploration and development industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; the uncertainty of mineral resource estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), constraint in the availability of services, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, the current COVID-19 pandemic, changes in legislation impacting the mining industry, adverse weather conditions and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. These statements speak only as of the date of this release or as of the date specified in the documents accompanying this release, as the case may be. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements except as expressly required by applicable securities laws. 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. [1] See April 28, 2022, NI 43-101 Report titled "National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Cassiar Gold Property" by Zelligan, P.Geo, Moors, P.Geo, Jolette, P.Geo. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222732 Vancouver, September 9, 2024 - David H. Brett, President & CEO, EnGold Mines Ltd., (TSXV: EGM) ("EnGold" or the "Company") reports that EnGold Chairman Rolf Van Driesum has stepped down from the Board of Directors of the Company to focus on other work and family priorities. The board and management are indebted to Mr. Van Driesum for his many years of dedicated service to EnGold and wish him every success in the future. "Rolf's faithful service to EnGold and its vision for developing the Lac La Hache Property has been tremendously valuable," said EnGold President & CEO David H. Brett. "I wish Rolf well in all his endeavors." The remaining four members of the Board of EnGold are John K. Brown, Tony Novak, Dale Reimer, and David H. Brett. About EnGold EnGold is a Vancouver-based copper, gold, silver, and magnetite exploration company focused solely on its 100% owned Lac La Hache property in the Cariboo region of BC which hosts the Spout Copper Deposit, the Aurizon Gold Deposit, and the G1 Copper Deposit and other targets within a large porphyry mineralizing system. With world-class infrastructure at its doorstep, Lac La Hache is a great location to be exploring. EnGold Mines Ltd. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222728 Audi contender Bortoleto gets first F1 test Gabriel Bortoleto, a named contender to complete Audi-owned Sauber's 2025 driver lineup, got his Formula 1 career up and running last week. Valtteri Bottas, Italian GP 2024 Sauber No decision has been made yet, boss Mattia Binotto said at Monza, but it won't take too long. The Italian admitted that Audi is undecided about signing a young driver like Bortoleto or Theo Pourchaire, or whether to stick with experience, such as incumbent Valtteri Bottas. We are working on a long-term project, said Binotto, but now we have to decide what is the best choice in the short term. If Audi does target Bortoleto, a 19-year-old Brazilian and frontrunner in Formula 2 this year, McLaren would have to agree to release him. That's because he was signed by McLaren's young driver program at the end of last year. And now, it's notable that he got his first taste of a F1 cockpit at speed with a test in a two-year-old McLaren at the Red Bull Ring last week. I saw it as something that could happen at any moment since they have been preparing me since the end of last year to perform exactly this kind of function for them, Bortoleto commented. From the information I received from the team, they were very satisfied with the feedback I reported about the car, my behaviour on the track, and the performance improvement we accumulated throughout the day. According to Auto Motor und Sport, Bortoleto's career is being handled by Fernando Alonso's management group, who do not deny contact with Audi . Indeed, Binotto openly mentioned Bortoleto's name when meeting with journalists at Monza, and the former Ferrari boss even chatted with the teenager on the Formula 2 grid. (GMM) FIA not easing anti-Russian pressure yet Well over two years after the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, F1's governing body is maintaining a strong anti-Russian sentiment. Italian GP 2024 Alpine That is the claim of Vladimir Chagin, a legendary Russian rally raid driver who is also involved in the organisation of the country's Silk Way rally. Last year, Chagin had to pull his team, Kamaz, out of the Dakar rally, as the company also supplies armoured vehicles to Vladimir Putin's war effort. And he says the FIA, the world's motor racing authority, is maintaining its hard-line stance against Russia for now. The FIA pressure is not decreasing, Chagin told Tass news agency at the Eastern Economic Forum, which is organised by the Russian government agency Roscongress. Our drivers cannot take part in international competitions, he said. "Russian drivers are required to sign an FIA questionnaire, which states their condemnation of the special military operation, criticism of our president, and support for Ukraine. "Of course, no Russian will sign such a document. Therefore, we hold our own competitions so that we do not lag behind in development, while we hope that a more favourable time will come soon. Also, foreign drivers are not allowed to participate in Russia under the threat of losing their international license, Chagin added. (GMM) Partial sale to value Aston Martin team at $2.6bn Aston Martin is set to capitalise on its rising prominence in Formula 1 by selling up to a quarter of the team. Lance Stroll, Italian GP 2024 Aston Martin Racing On Tuesday, F1 journalists will congregate at Aston Martin's rapidly developing Silverstone factory where they are expecting to be officially told that Adrian Newey has signed up for 2025 and beyond. That news will coincide with the similarly expected arrival of some new team co-owners - US-based investment firms HPS Investment Partners and Accel. Sky News, citing sources, says they are on the verge of investing hundreds of millions of pounds into the team's holding company . The report suggested the deals, following team owner Lawrence Stroll selling a minority stake to Arctos Partners last year, will value Aston Martin's F1 team at up to an eye-watering $2.62 billion. London's Times newspaper and Auto Motor und Sport in Germany believe Newey will also receive shares in the F1 team as part of his expected five-year, $30 million per year deal. (GMM) Russell not worried about Antonelli shootout George Russell insists he is not worried he could be left without a Mercedes race seat for 2026. George Russell, Italian GP 2024 Mercedes Red Bull's leadership power struggle this year triggered a series of high-profile personnel departures - including Adrian Newey. The turmoil, with Max Verstappen's father Jos very much now in the anti-Christian Horner camp, has now coincided with a significant performance decline. Toto Wolff has been openly campaigning to replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton with Verstappen for 2025, but the Dutchman appears locked into his contract at least until 2026. Some are therefore seeing 2025 at Mercedes as a shootout for perhaps just one cockpit for the following season between incumbent Russell and team boss Wolff's protege Kimi Antonelli. Russell insists he's not worried. It will be great at Mercedes in 2026, he said. Nothing has been signed for the future yet, but it is not something I am really thinking about. Verstappen ultimately might be more attracted by Aston Martin for 2026 and beyond, with the Silverstone based team to be named as Newey's new home on Tuesday. The team is also switching to works Honda power. Mercedes' technical director James Allison, however, thinks the Brackley based team is setting itself up very strongly for the new engine rules for 2026. I wasn't in the team in the run-up to 2014, when the new generation of engines was being developed, he is quoted as saying by DAZN, but those who were tell me the feeling is very similar now. Russell, 26, agrees with that. Mercedes is going to be a great place to be, especially with the engines, he said. "But there are other teams with a Mercedes engine too, so we can't be overconfident just because we think we're going to have a fast engine. "McLaren will have a fast engine and Williams will have a fast engine. I don't even see McLaren as a customer team, because everything is the same. They are their own team with the same engine. And as it stands, they are doing better than us right now. (GMM) Verstappen's engineer turned down F1 rival offers Max Verstappen's well-known race engineer has reportedly turned down offers from both Ferrari and McLaren. Gianpiero Lambiase, Belgian GP 2024 Red Bull Corriere dello Sport claims Gianpiero Lambiase, otherwise known as 'GP', was approached with the enticing offer to become Lewis Hamilton's race engineer at the Maranello based team from 2025. He apparently turned down that offer, with other reports suggesting he also said 'no' to McLaren. Referring to Ferrari's rejected offer, Corriere dello Sport reported: Several names have said no and declined the honour, including Lambiase, for whose arrival Vasseur strongly advocated for. It was just the latest in a series of successful and unsuccessful attempts by Red Bull's rivals to poach key staff, like sporting director Jonathan Wheatley who will leave to become the new team boss at Audi. Dr Helmut Marko said Red Bull simply couldn't compete with the offer. He (Wheatley) started as a mechanic and has an incredible career, which he can be very proud of, and he wanted a position that was more demanding for him, he told the Inside Line podcast. Unfortunately, the offer came from Audi, which we couldn't match, whether because of the position or the money they offered him. I understand him, he went for his opportunity. It is now rumoured that Red Bull may have been able to fend off Ferrari's attempt to poach Lambiase, 43, by offering him some of Wheatley's duties. We have a team with many young people and we have the opportunity to assign Jonathan's role to other people and we believe that we can manage this situation internally, Marko said. (GMM) This year Google added a new model to its flagship lineup - Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, dethroning last year's Google Pixel 8 Pro as a top-tier Pixel in the family. Despite what the name suggests, the 9 Pro XL is more of an iterative update than a revolutionary reboot. Furthermore, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's launch price is considerably higher than the going price for the 8 Pro. So, on paper, the 8 Pro seems like the more sensible choice. The devil is often in the details, though, so let's see if the 9 Pro XL deserves its price premium. Table of Contents: For starters, you can compare the complete specs sheets or directly continue with our editor's assessment in the following video or in the text further below. Size comparison Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) 221 g Google Pixel 8 Pro 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.4 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) 213 g The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and 8 Pro have near-identical dimensions, even though this year's 9 Pro XL has a 0.1" bigger display. Google was able to slim down the bezels and achieve more screen real estate. The newer Pixel is slightly thinner and heavier simultaneously, but we doubt anyone would notice in real life. Build quality and appearance are just about the same. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is on the front and back with an aluminum frame in the middle. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has adopted a slightly different camera island design, but that doesn't affect handling or usage. Display comparison Google Pixel 9 Pro XL LTPO OLED 120Hz 1344x2992 pixels 486 ppi 6.80" Google Pixel 8 Pro LTPO OLED 120Hz 1344x2992 pixels 489 ppi 6.70" The two devices have the same underlying display tech - LTPO OLED with up to 120Hz refresh rate. Adaptive refresh rate and HDR10+ support are at hand for both handsets, but the newer 9 Pro XL is the winner in this department for two simple reasons. Firstly, the Pro XL has the brightest display we've seen yet, going above 2,300 nits, while the 8 Pro maxes out at 1,600 nits. That doesn't mean the Pro XL is about 40% brighter because luminance is measured on a logarithmic scale, not linear. Still, the newer Pixel surely provides a better viewing experience outdoors. Secondly, you get 0.1" of extra screen diagonal with the 9 Pro XL and more screen real estate. The thinner bezels look more modern on the newer Pixel too. Battery life Even though the Pixel 9 Pro XL shares the same battery as its predecessor (5,060 mAh vs. 5,050 mAh), battery life has improved. It could be due to the newer Tensor G4 chip or other under-the-hood optimizations. Either way, the new Pixel has an Active Use Score of 12:32h, better than the 11:14h Active Use Score from the 8 Pro. While call and gaming runtimes are roughly the same, the 9 Pro XL edges out its predecessor with better web browsing and video playback, and these are, arguably, the tests that matter the most. Charging speed Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 5060 mAh 15min 39% 30min 67% Full 78min 37W Google Pixel 8 Pro 5050 mAh 15min 28% 30min 53% Full 83min 30W Both devices use the Power Delivery 3.0 standard for wired charging, but the 9 Pro XL's is rated at 37W, up from the 30W on the 8 Pro. And according to our tests, the gains are noticeable. The 9 Pro XL may still not be record setter but it's noticeably faster than the 8 Pro at the 15-minute and 30-minute marks, delivering more than 10 percentage points difference. However, the curve flattens as the 9 Pro XL gets closer to 100%. As a result, the full charging on the newer Pixel is just 5 minutes faster. When it comes to wireless charging, both phones cap at 23W and that's with the optional Pixel Stand, which provides the fastest wireless charging for these phones. Speaker test Technically, the 9 Pro XL offers louder speakers than the 8 Pro, but in real life, the difference isn't all that noticeable. What's noticeable is the sound tuning. The 8 Pro's speakers emphasize the vocals and mids, while the XL sounds warmer, with deeper and more pronounced bass. We can't say which one is better, as it all boils down to personal preference, but we suspect the newer Pixel will appeal to more users. Performance Pixel phones have never been the high-performance type and Google has always focused more on the software side of things. That's why the Pixel 9 Pro XL's new in-house Tensor G4 SoC isn't much of an improvement over last year's G3. That's not to say the phone doesn't run well. Quite the opposite - both devices are snappy and responsive in their day-to-day tasks. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Google Tensor G4 4 nm 128GB 16GB RAM Google Pixel 8 Pro Google Tensor G3 4 nm 128GB 12GB RAM There's no significant change in the memory configurations either. The newer Pixel gets 16GB of RAM across all storage variants, which is a step up from last year's 12GB configurations, but that's hardly an improvement, which you can feel or measure. The base storage option remains merely 128GB, but can go up to 1TB. Valid for both phones. Benchmark performance Google Pixel 9 Pro XL AnTuTu 10 1,380,138 Geekbench 6 4,854 3D Mark 8,841 Google Pixel 8 Pro AnTuTu 10 1,151,243 Geekbench 6 4,492 3D Mark 8,476 Naturally, the newer phone is faster than the older one, but the performance gains are somewhat modest. For instance, in CPU-heavy benchmarks like Geekbench 6, the 9 Pro XL scores 8% higher than its predecessor, but in a combined scenario like AnTuTu 10, that difference is closer to 20%. Interestingly, the 3DMark Wild Life benchmark shows almost no GPU improvements, just 5% gains that can be easily attributed to statistical error in some cases. All in all, don't expect any meaningful performance gain if you go for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Camera comparison Jumping from just Pro to Pro XL brings little to the table in terms of camera improvements as one would expect from the price hike and naming scheme. The two handsets share largely the same camera hardware. We've got the 50MP f/1.7, 1/1.31" main shooter 48MP f/2.8, 1/2.55" 5x periscope telephoto snapper and a 48MP ultrawide camera with some changes this year. The newer ultrawide unit gets a wider aperture (f/1.7 vs. f/2.8), but the sensor size decreases from 1/2.0" to 1/2.55". It's hard to tell which approach bears better results before looking at the samples. The selfie camera gets some love this year, though. The front-facing shooter is now 42MP, up from 10.5MP and still offers autofocus and ultrawide lens. Image quality As previously anticipated, the camera quality remains largely unchanged. The samples we took are from different days, which makes it harder to compare, but overall quality seems near-identical. We are hard-pressed to find any significant difference in rendition, colors, etc. Pixel 9 Pro XL: 0.6x 1x 2x 5x Pixel 8 Pro: 0.6x 1x 2x 5x This is valid across all cameras and in both daylight and low-light scenarios. Even though the ultrawide shooter has changed, we couldn't find any noticeable change in image quality there either. Pixel 9 Pro XL: 0.6x 1x 2x 5x Pixel 8 Pro: 0.6x 1x 2x 5x We did notice a slight tendency for a brighter exposure, hence brighter shadows, in some low-light scenes shot on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Selfies are excellent on both phones, but we expected a significant improvement on the new model. Pixel 9 Pro XL selfies Pixel 8 Pro selfies Video quality For some reason, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's videos are considerably worse than on the 8 Pro. They are soft and lack fine detail, which is true for all three cameras on the back. We suspect this is a software issue, which Google will address with a future update, but for now, the Pixel 8 Pro is the clear winner in this segment. In all fairness, the low-light video by the Pixel 9 Pro XL's main camera appears to have slightly better definition due to less agressive noise reduction. Pixel 9 Pro XL: 0.6x 1x 5x 1x low-light Pixel 8 Pro: 0.6x 1x 5x 1x low-light Verdict The 9 Pro XL offers upgrades that are too modest to justify the price difference of around 500/$500 at the time of writing. Sure, the 9 Pro XL has a brighter and a tad larger screen with thinner bezels; it offers a modest improvement in charging, battery life and speaker loudness, but that's not nearly enough to persuade a potential buyer to shed a few extra hundred bucks. Especially when you consider the long software support both devices are entitled to and the near-identical camera performance. In fact, the 8 Pro edges out its successor in this regard with better-looking video quality. Get the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for: The brighter and 0.1" bigger display. The slightly improved battery life. The slightly faster charging. The differently tuned speakers. The extra year of software support. As you can imagine, AI was a major part of tonights Apple event and the new iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are designed for the computational demands of Apple Intelligence (thats what Cupertino calls its AI) with a new 3nm chipset. The Action and the Camera Control will change how you interact with your iPhone too, these are design elements shared with the Pro. Lets start with the display. The panels are the same size as before, 6.1 for the iPhone 16 and 6.7 for the iPhone 16 Plus, which makes them 0.2 smaller than the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, respectively. They still run at 60Hz (no ProMotion here) and can go from as high as 2,000 nits in the sun to as low as 1 nit in the dark (this part hasnt changed either). The latest Ceramic Shield protection is 50% tougher than the original formulation and (Apple says) is twice as tough as the strengthened glass used by other phones. The iPhone 16 (6.1 display) and iPhone 16 Plus (6.7) The big upgrade this year is the Apple A18 chipset, which is two generations ahead of what the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus had (i.e. A16). This is a second-gen 3nm chip that is both more powerful and more efficient. Below is a more detailed breakdown and you can read our Apple A18 post for even more details. Long story short, the A18 CPU is 30% faster than the iPhone 15 CPU and 60% faster than the iPhone 12 CPU. The GPU is 40% faster than the iPhone 15 and twice as fast as the iPhone 12. Focusing on comparing just the iPhone 16 and 15, the 2024 phone can offer the same CPU performance while using 30% less power and the same GPU performance while using 35% less power. Apple also improved the system memory bandwidth by 17%. The new Apple A18 offers significant CPU and GPU performance upgrades Apple improved the thermals of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus and says that they achieve 30% higher sustained performance. This included reworking the motherboard and including a thermal substrate made from 100% recycled aluminum. Remember Resident Evil 7 Biohazard? That is a triple-A game that only ran on iPhone 15 Pro, iPads and Macs, but not the vanilla iPhone 15. Well, the Apple A18 GPU is fast enough for Biohazard and you can include Assassins Creed: Mirage on that list too. Honor of Kings: World will be available next year with an ultra graphics mode optimized for iPhone 16. The GPU also has hardware accelerated ray tracing, for games like War Thunder Mobile. Controllers are supported too. The iPhone 16 can play games that were exclusive to the Pro The NPU is even more impressive the 16-core design is twice as fast at machine learning tasks and is what will enable Apple Intelligence to run on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus whereas it cant run on the 15 and 15 Plus. We will cover iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence in more detail in a separate post. Here we want to mention the so-called Visual Intelligence its instantly accessible with a tap and hold on the Camera Control. Just point it at something and tap the Control again. It can recognize buildings, objects and even pets and bring up relevant information. Its smart too, if you point it at a poster for an upcoming event, the date and other details will be automatically added to your calendar. And thats just one of the things that the Camera Control can do. Its a capacitive touchpad protected by sapphire glass and made to feel like a real button with Apples excellent haptic feedback. The Camera Control in action You can tap it to launch the camera and tap again to snap a photo. If you tap and hold instead, it will record a video. Theres more a light press hides almost all UI elements so you can focus on the framing. All thats left is the zoom control, which you can dial in by sliding your finger. Alternatively, you can use the touch control to switch to other settings and change the depth of field, exposure and so on. Dont worry, European Commission, this isnt an Apple-only feature apps like Snapchat are already building new experiences with the Camera Control. Lets talk about the cameras themselves. The 48MP main camera hasnt changed much, it has an f/1.6 26mm lens and a sensor with 1.0m pixels, plus sensor-shift OIS. What has changed is the imaging pipeline behind it. Apple has introduced an intermediate mode that captures 24MP photos they offer more detail than 12MP shots combined with smaller file sizes than 48MP images. 48MP camera with 24MP and 2x modes new ultra wide camera with macro Also, it can record 4K video with Dolby Vision at 60fps. The new AI features also include wind noise reduction for videos. Theres no dedicated telephoto lens yet, but instead the main camera and processing pipeline offer 2x zoom with optical quality at 12MP or you could choose a high-resolution 48MP option. There is a new ultra wide camera or should we say new for the vanilla phones. Its the same 12MP module with a 13mm lens as last years Pros have. It has autofocus, which enables a macro mode. Also, the brighter f/2.2 lens allows it to capture 2.6x more light than before for better nighttime images. If you bought the pricey Apple Vision Pro, you can still capture Spatial Videos (and now Spatial Photos too), even if you picked an iPhone 16 or 16 Plus instead of one of the Pros. iOS 18 brings a revamped Photos app that can automatically organize your photos by grouping them based on who is in the shot or based on a trip you took. This is fully customizable, of course. Apple Intelligence will also include Cleanup, which can remove people that walked into your shot (including their reflections and shadows). The new Photos app will declutter your photo gallery Next, lets talk about the Action Button. No, lets start with saying goodbye to the Alert Slider. Goodbye. The Action button is a shortcut it can start a voice memo recording, identify a song, launch a voice translator, turn on the flashlight, you name it. This button is available for in-app actions too. For example, it can lock and unlock your car, if your vehicle supports it (Apple demoed the FordPass app). The new Camera Control and Action Button With iOS 18, the satellite connectivity feature is not just for emergencies you will be able to chat with friends and family and even send tapbacks. This feature will launch in the US and Canada first (as did the original satellite SOS feature). The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus frames are made from aerospace-grade aluminum (85% recycled material in the enclosure). For a more vibrant hue, the back glass has the color infused into it. You can pick between Ultramarine, Teal and Pink, along with the stalwart White and Black. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus colorways The two new models will be available from September 20, pre-orders will start on the 13th (this Friday). Both phones have 128GB base storage and you are looking at the same prices as last year the iPhone 16 starts at $800 and the iPhone 16 Plus at $900. Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus pricing 58 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Turkiye, the UAE, the U.K., and the U.S. are in the first wave to get the new iPhone 16 and 16 Plus on September 20. The second wave of countries include Macao, Vietnam, and 19 other countries and regions and they will get the new iPhones starting from Friday, September 27. Source The Motorola Edge 50 Neo was officially unveiled at the end of last month and it immediately went on sale in Europe. The phone will roll out to new markets, starting with India this will happen next Monday, September 16. Moto Edge 50 Neo in Poinciana, Latte, Grisaille and Nautical Blue Flipkart already has a landing page with all the details for the phone, except for the price. This is a pretty special device, so you may want to tune in next week for the launch. The Moto Edge 50 Neo is a relatively small phone with a 6.4 display, a high res LTPO 120Hz panel at that, which combines a good quality main camera (50MP, Sony LYT-700) with a telephoto module (10MP 3x), plus a 13MP ultra wide and a 32MP selfie. Its a rugged phone (IP68, MIL-STD-810H) despite having a fancy vegan leather back. The battery is solid too, with a capacity of 4,310mAh (vs. 4,000mAh for the Galaxy S24) and fast 68W wired charging (vs. 25W), in addition to 15W wireless. The only weak spot here is the Dimensity 7300 chipset. In Europe, the Neo costs 500 and the 7300 chip can be found on phones that cost half that. On the plus side, however, is that Motorola is committing to 5 OS updates. Let us repeat that 5 OS updates and 5 years of security patches. Okay, the phone launches with Android 14, which is nearly a year old at this point. However, v15 is not here yet. Anyway, its great to see long-term software support out of Motorola, especially on a non-flagship device. Depending on the pricing, the Edge 50 Neo can be a smash hit for Motorola. It offers a unique combination of size, price and premium features like the LTPO display (not present on the Pixel 9, for example) and telephoto camera (not on Pixel 9 or iPhone 16). You can follow the Source link to Flipkarts landing page or you can check out our hands-on with the Neo. We are working on a full review as well, so stay tuned for our detailed test results. Again, the Moto Edge 50 Neo launches next Monday (September 16) at noon and there will be a 1 hour flash sale. Source In the wake of a Georgia high school shooting that claimed the lives of four people, Guam Department of Education Superintendent Erik Swanson says he wants to station law enforcement officers full-time at school campuses. Two teachers and two students were shot and killed at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia last week, the Associated Press reports. Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student from the school, was arrested and charged with murder following the shooting. This is something that I know, every teacher, every parent, everyone probably had goosebumps here on Guam when they heard about this, said Angel Sablan, vice chairman of the Guam Education Board and head of its safe and health committee. Asked about the Georgia shooting, Swanson noted that it was two school resource officers who stopped and arrested the gunman. Reactivating the SRO program for Guam schools was one of a number of changes the superintendent said hes been considering to protect GDOE schools from shootings and other threats. Swanson said some larger school districts stateside have their own police forces but on Guam, putting SROs back on campuses would likely involve having a detachment of Guam Police Department officers placed in schools. That prospect was something that both he and the office of Police Chief Stephen Ignacio supported, but it was a matter of funding, Swanson said. If we can line the funding up, we have to do it, Swanson said. Pending legislation from Education Chairman Sen. Chris Barnett would put $1.5 million worth of excess tax revenue for fiscal 2024 towards the SRO program. According to Swanson, it would not be an easy task, even with funding, as personnel shortages for GPD and officer assignments would have to be worked out. Sablan, who is also the director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, said hes brought up the possibility of having park patrol officers step in to augment shortages at GPD and serve as SROs. Besides staffing, it also takes a special kind of officer to work as an SRO, Swanson noted. These are also police officers that have an interest in working with youth and are trained to do that, Swanson said. Officers can help to monitor the behavior of students and be a positive influence on students, Swanson said, alongside other mental health professionals already working in GDOE. GDOE used to have sworn law enforcement officers at school campuses, but the program ended after funding dried up in 2019. There were still SROs at campuses after 2019, but they mostly dealt with truancy matters and werent required to have a firearm license, complete a physical fitness test, or go through law enforcement training. The Guam Education Board in June approved a name change for those SROs, over confusion in the community. School layout, training Beyond getting officers on campuses, GDOE also has to look at the design of campuses and how well they can protect against a potential shooter, according to the superintendent. Swanson has remarked that the open-air layout of most Guam schools is not effective at defending against outside threats. A closed campus like Okkodo High School or John F. Kennedy High School scored better in that area, he said. What you want to be able to do is close it off and then control the spaces inside, he said. That requires the campus to be engineered for that purpose, but it also requires staff inside to be taught how to handle a situation. In last weeks shooting in Georgia, students barricaded themselves in their classrooms by piling up desks and furniture in front of their doors, AP reports. You have to do it specific to the site youre talking about, and it takes a lot of time and effort. Were starting by training our people on how to respond to individuals that are causing a problem, Swanson said. About 400 GDOE staffers got active shooter training this past summer, and that training has to continue on to the other 3,000 staffers over 20,000 students. The superintendent compared the training that had to be done to fire drills. We know how to not have a fire in a school and how to get out of it, but the intruder part, the individual with a weapon, we have to teach all of our folks what to do in their scenario, on their campus, with their reality, and then we have to help teach the parents, he said. We have a lot of work to do in that area. Sablan said he believed schools needed better monitoring at each of their entrance points, with some lacking staff to check IDs at the fence. Feature: Youth a cornerstone of stronger China-Africa cooperation Xinhua) 11:13, September 09, 2024 BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- With China's help, Africa is marching toward "a modernization that is just and equitable, that guarantees equal opportunities, and that moves us toward a shared future for humanity," Washington Aburiri, a Kenyan student at Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU), told Xinhua excitedly. He was also delighted about the bright prospect of China-Africa cooperation brought about by the just-concluded 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), during which Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the ten partnership actions for modernization to deepen China-Africa cooperation. In fact, Aburiri himself has been both a participant and beneficiary of the flourishing China-Africa cooperation. He studied rail traffic and signal control for four years at BJTU before returning to Kenya to work as a railway signal engineer on the Chinese-funded Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway. He then returned to BJTU in 2023 to pursue a master's degree in logistics engineering and management. "We gained a lot of knowledge and acquired valuable skills that will help us operate the transport system when studying in China," said Aburiri. Last year, Aburiri, along with some other representatives of Kenyan students and alumni at BJTU, wrote a letter to Xi, in which they expressed their desire to play the role of friendship ambassadors between Kenya and China. Along with the letter, they sent a special gift to the Chinese leader: A ticket to ride the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway. Earlier this year, Xi wrote back. In his reply, the Chinese leader said he was glad to see that they have bonded with China through this road to happiness, and benefited from China-Kenya and China-Africa friendship and cooperation. He encouraged them to continue contributing to the friendship between China and Kenya and between China and Africa, stressing that the magnificent picture of the Belt and Road Initiative and the grand blueprint of the China-Kenya comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership need more promising young people to realize. Aburiri noted that around 70 percent of the staff on the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway project are young people who take pride in contributing to such a significant endeavor and being part of the transition from old to new. Supporting young people and providing them with opportunities is the best way to build a strong community, he told Xinhua. "Young people are the cornerstone of the future," Aburiri said. Many young people have dedicated themselves to China-Africa cooperation and exchanges across various fields, including Thomas Donglona Adawa, a Chadian international student pursuing a doctorate at Peking University. In 2021, Adawa and over 40 other international students from Peking University wrote a letter to President Xi, sharing their experiences of studying and living in China, particularly highlighting "the development miracle we have witnessed here." "In his reply, President Xi encouraged us to share our thoughts and experiences with more people and play an active role in promoting friendship between the peoples of all countries," recalled Adawa, whose doctoral research focuses on "African issues and African solutions." So far, he has traveled to 15 provinces across China to study the country's economic and social development. "Chinese-style modernization is rooted in its unique history and culture, offering valuable inspiration for African countries," he said. "We must also explore a path to modernization that aligns with our own development needs." Thanks to the platform provided by the FOCAC, young people from China and Africa can continue to exchange ideas, which will undoubtedly contribute to the long-term development of China-Africa relations and support their shared path toward modernization, Adawa told Xinhua. Cultural exchanges among youth are a vital component of China-Africa relations. In 2013, during his visit to South Africa, President Xi witnessed the signing of an agreement between China and South Africa to jointly establish the Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology. In a reply letter to 50 faculty members and students from the institute in 2023, Xi encouraged them to be envoys for inheriting and developing the friendship between the two countries, so as to contribute to promoting China-Africa friendship and cooperation and building a community with a shared future for mankind. Wu Lin, co-dean of the institute, told Xinhua that since its establishment, the institute has trained over 10,000 students, sparking interest among African youth in the Chinese language, culture, and national development. "Youth has become a crucial link in the inheritance of China-Africa friendship and a key driver of mutual learning between China and Africa," said Wu. Among the just-unveiled ten partnership actions, one is to further boost China-Africa people-to-people exchanges. According to the action plan, China will establish an engineering technology academy, build 10 Luban Workshops with Africa, and provide about 60,000 training opportunities to the African people, mainly for women and young people. The future of China-Africa relations lies in young people. As Xi noted in the keynote speech addressing the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit, the baton of China-Africa friendship will be passed from one generation to the next and that China and Africa, working together, will build an even more vibrant community with a shared future. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Google is now making its Dark Web Monitoring service free for private accounts. The Dark Web Report can be used to monitor your own identity for data leaks. Until the end of July, the report was only available as part of a paid Google One subscription. The service can now be used in 46 countries with different functions in some cases. Anzeige Profile of up to ten email addresses With Google's Dark Web Report, a profile consisting of up to ten email addresses and other data such as name, date of birth, postal address and up to three telephone numbers can be monitored in one account. The service searches for the specified personal data on the dark web, notifies you of any new results found, including details of the leaked data, and provides recommendations for action for each data breach found. Data leaks are an issue for almost everyone When you register your personal data with companies or service providers, for example, your data is stored there and can also be leaked unintentionally or stolen in the event of a cyberattack. Data can also be unintentionally lost by public authorities, institutions or private individuals; data breaches are usually caused by people. The Dark Web Report was launched in Germany in Google One in mid-August 2023. Google's reason for removing the Dark Web Report from the paid Google One subscription is to make the function available to more Google users. A private Google account is required. The service is not available for Google Workspace accounts and accounts with parental control. Monitoring your own identity Anzeige Despite care, personal data can fall into unauthorized hands and those affected can become (repeat) victims of criminals not only as a result of this, but also through subsequent actions. Read also Mehrheit der globalen Bevolkerung hat Cyberattacken erlebt In some cases, data from different data leaks is combined and thus enhanced. For example, your email address and a password could be known from one data leak and your email could appear in another data leak with other personal data such as your name, address or IBAN. Read also Identitatsdiebstahl: Erste Hilfe bei Onlinebetrug unter Ihrem Namen There are various free services for monitoring the darknet and your own identity for data leaks. The best-known service is Have I been Pwned, whose database is also used by Firefox Monitor. The Hasso Plattner Institute and the University of Bonn, however, use their own databases for their identity leak checkers. (nen) The negotiations could result in the terminations of up to 200 positions, representing four per cent of the total staff of 5,000 at the Tax Administration. THE FINNISH Tax Administration announced last week it will initiate consultative negotiations with staff representatives to weigh up the future of altogether 900 administrative and tax-related positions. While the negotiations were launched for reasons related to productivity and operational re-structuring, the administration also pointed to the significant cuts to its operating budget by the central government. The Tax Administration will have to adapt its operations to the tune of at least 60 million euros by the end of 2027. We are in a situation where the responsibilities of some of our officials have decreased or will decrease noticeably and not in a temporary fashion, Markku Heikura, the director general of the Tax Administration, said in a press release on 3 September. He pointed to reasons such as increased use of automation, re-structuring of the organisation and the re-alignment of customer service objectives, describing the situation as challenging. I am fully confident that, together with employee organisations, we can find a solution that guarantees that the Tax Administration can continue operating effectively also in the future, he added. Heikura stated to Helsingin Sanomat in May that he is concerned that the spending cuts outlined by the government could have a negative impact on the ability to collect tax revenue, possibly resulting in hundreds of millions of euros in lost revenue. The spending cuts, he warned at the time, will inevitably necessitate a substantial trimming of services. In practice theyll lead to the winding down of development operations. Ill be pleased if we can manage with the new legislative revisions. Preparing for changes in the taxation environment will be impossible after the spending cuts, he said to the newspaper. Aleksi Teivainen HT Monday September 9, 2024 By Kalkidan Yibeltal The Ethiopian authorities released this picture of the dam last week after the completion of the fifth phase of filling Ethiopia has said Egypt must abandon its aggressive approach towards a controversial hydroelectric dam on the River Nile as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate. Addis Ababa was responding to a letter Egypt sent to the UN Security Council last week accusing Ethiopia of violating international law by continuing to fill the dam without agreement from downstream countries. This latest round in a long-running dispute comes as Egypt forges closer military ties with Ethiopias neighbour Somalia, which has its own disagreement with Ethiopia.The row dates back to 2011 when Ethiopia began building the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd) on the Blue Nile, a tributary from where 85% of the Nile's waters flow.Egypt sees this as an existential issue as it relies almost entirely on the river for its water and fears that the dam could mean that the flow of the river is disrupted. It also says that two colonial-era treaties guarantee that it has a right to veto upstream projects.But for Ethiopia, the huge project, set to be the largest hydroelectric plant in Africa, is an integral part of its efforts to develop the country and get electricity to millions of households.The dam is nearing its completion, with the reservoir filling with water since 2020, and has already started generating power.Egypt, along with Sudan through which the Nile also flows, have been raising concerns that their essential water supplies would be under threat, especially if there are successive years of drought.Multiple diplomatic efforts to reach a binding deal have not succeeded.The most recent efforts ended in December last year with both countries accusing the other of intransigence.In its letter to the Security Council, Ethiopia said Egypt was "only interested in perpetuating its self-claimed monopoly" over the river.In recent weeks, tensions across the Horn of Africa have grown, especially after a military pact was agreed between Egypt and Ethiopias eastern neighbour Somalia.Relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa deteriorated after landlocked Ethiopia signed a deal in January with the self-declared Republic of Somaliland over access to the sea and possible use of the coastline for a naval base.Somalia sees Somaliland as part of its territory and said the agreement was an act of aggression.This weekend, Ethiopias Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed warned against attacks on his country, saying anyone from afar and nearby daring to invade the country would be repelled.He did not specify which country he was talking about. Elon Musk is on the way to become the world's first trillionaire by 2027, according to an Informa Connect Academy report, which added that his wealth has been growing at an average annual rate of 110%. Elon Musk is currently the world's richest person, with a $237 billion net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. (Mike Segar/Reuters) Musk is currently the world's richest person, with a $237 billion net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Also Read: Apple iPhone 16 launch at Its Glowtime event today, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more Only a handful of companies in existence have by themselves, crossed $1 trillion in valuation. This includes Microsoft, Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Saudi Aramco, and Meta. The most recent case is that of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway in late August. Nvidia also joined the $1 trillion club in May 2023, and reached $3 trillion in June, becoming the second most valuable company in the world, with Microsoft ahead and Apple behind. Who are the other people on the list of potential future trillionaires? Gautam Adani may become the second after Musk in achieving the trillionaire status, according to the report, which added that this could happen in 2028 if his annual wealth growth rate remained at 123%. Also Read: Adani floats China subsidiary to give project management and supply chain services Adani is followed by Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Indonesian energy and mining mogul Prajogo Pangestu in the list of those who could become trillionaires by 2028 if their growth trajectories continue as they are. Bernard Arnault of LVMH, the world's third-richest person with a $181 billion net worth may become a trillionaire by 2030, similar to Mark Zuckerberg of Meta. The question of who would become the world's first trillionaire has always fascinated the public ever since John D Rockefeller of Standard Oil became the world's first billionaire in 1916. Also Read: China opens its manufacturing and healthcare sectors to foreign investment The GST Council will take a call on reducing tax rate on premiums of health and life insurance policies at its next meeting in November, an issue which was raised by Opposition parties in the last Parliament session. New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairs the 54th meeting of the GST Council, in New Delhi, Monday, Sept 9, 2024. (PTI) Briefing reporters on decisions taken in the 54th meeting of the GST Council held on Monday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said a Group of Ministers will be constituted to look into the GST on premiums of life and health insurance policies. Also Read: GST Council Meet: 18% GST on online payments below 2,000 not finalised, pilgrims' helicopter services GST cut While there appears to be a wide consensus among the states on reducing 18 per cent tax levied on health and life insurance policies, the Group of Ministers to be headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has been asked to submit its report by the end of next month on issues such as levy of GST on policies bought by resident welfare associations. The all-powerful GST Council will take a decision on the issue post-submission of the GoM report, Sitharaman said. The minister said a separate GoM will look into treatment of collections from a cess levied on luxury and sin goods post its sunset date of March 31, 2026. She said the Council in its meeting decided to cut GST on certain cancer drugs, helicopter rides for pilgrimage to Kedarnath and namkeens. The Council decided to bring down GST to 5 per cent on the transport of passengers by helicopters on seat share basis and to regularize the GST for past period on as is where is basis. It also clarified that the charter of helicopters will continue to attract 18 per cent GST. The GST rate on cancer drugs will be reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent while on some namkeens to 12 per cent from 18 per cent. During the meeting, the Council decided to cut the tax rate on cancer drugs to 5 per cent from 12 per cent and namkeen from 18 per cent to 12 per cent. Also Read: Google's antitrust trial over online advertising set to begin The Council also deliberated on the GoM's status report on rate rationalisation and online gaming. From October 1, 2023, entry-level bets placed on online gaming platforms and casinos were subject to 28 per cent GST. Prior to that, many online gaming companies were not paying 28 per cent GST arguing that there were differential tax rates for games of skill and games of chance. The GST Council in its meeting in August 2023 had clarified that online gaming platforms were required to pay 28 per cent tax and subsequently Central GST law was amended to make the taxation provision clear. Offshore gaming platforms were also mandated to register with GST authorities and pay taxes, failing which the government would block those sites. The Council had then decided that the taxation on the online gaming sector would be reviewed after six months of its implementation. Also Read: Elon Musk may become world's first trillionaire by 2027, followed by Gautam Adani in 2028: Report Bengaluru, Sept 9 A fast-track special court has sentenced a 51-year-old man from Tamil Nadu to three years of imprisonment for sexually harassing a minor girl during a Doha-Bengaluru flight. HT Image The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 on Ammawasai Murugesan. The incident took place on June 27, 2023, when Murugesan, under the influence of alcohol, inappropriately touched the minor girl while on the flight. The girls mother objected to his actions, after which flight attendants changed their seats. Upon landing, the girl's father reported the matter to Kempegowda International Airport police, leading to Murugesans arrest under Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. He was granted bail on July 27, 2023. During the trial, the victim testified via video link as she was abroad. Last week, the Additional District and Sessions Fast-Track Special Court in Bengaluru Rural district found Murugesan guilty and convicted him under the POCSO Act. The court order stated that if Murugesan fails to pay the fine, he would face an additional three months of imprisonment. Half of the fine amount 5,000 is to be paid as compensation to the victim. The court also noted that Murugesan is entitled to set off the time he spent in judicial custody from June 28 to July 27, 2023, against his sentence. The court has granted Murugesan bail to appeal against the conviction, citing his cooperative behavior throughout the trial and regular attendance in court hearings. Under Section 389 of the Criminal Procedure Code , he can remain out on bail until the appeal period expires. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. After Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot sanctioned prosecution order against CM Siddaramaiah, several leaders from the BJP demanded his resignation in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, which led to the speculations around the post of Karnataka Chief Minister. Congress is more confident about Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's resignation: BJP's R Ashoka Also Read - Bengaluru auto driver arrested for abusing women gets crowd-funding support to cover 30,000 fine Amid the speculation, several leaders from Karnataka also expressed their interest in the race for the Chief Minister post. Reacting to this matter, BJP leader R Ashoka said that Congress leaders are more confident than BJP leaders that CM Siddaramaiah will resign and a race is going on, as everybody is putting their claims. Also Read - 'Bengaluru belongs to Kannadigas': Viral X post calls every non-Kannada speaker an outsider, sparks heated debate Regarding the speculations, Karnataka Assembly LoP and BJP leader R Ashoka said, "More than BJP the Congress leaders have more confidence that Siddaramaiah will resign. A race is going on and everybody is claiming to be the CM. No development is happening in Karnataka." Karnataka BJP MLC CT Ravi said, "All the leaders of the Congress party know that CM Siddaramaiah will be removed. Many leaders of the Congress party are claiming to be the Karnataka Chief Minister." BJP leader Dr CN Ashwath Narayan challenged Congress and said if the Congress party has any respect for the Constitution, democracy or the law of the land then it should take action against its CM Siddaramaiah. BJP leader Dr CN Ashwath Narayan said, "Having aspirations is a positive thing but giving statements against each other, pulling each other leg is not fair...It is showing differences in the Congress party. People are getting ready for replacement. It's a good development. Since the present Chief Minister is facing a lot of corruption charges, he should quit. The Congress should have taken the immediate decision to remove the present Chief Minister. We respect the law of the land. If the Congress party has any respect for the Constitution, democracy or the law of the land it should take action against its CM." Earlier on August 31, the office of the Karantaka Governor told the high court in the State that sanction granted to prosecute Karnataka Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam was done after "application of mind." On the same day, amid the row over Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot granting permission for prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, state ministers and legislators conducted a 'Raj Bhavan Chalo' protest. The Congress has accused the Governor of discriminatory behaviour alleging that several other cases are also pending before the Governor, but he has not made any decisions on them. Protestors also sought for prosecution of Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy in a mining lease case. Thaawarchand Gehlot sanctioned prosecution against Siddaramaiah in a case of alleged corruption in the allotment of land to his wife by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar refuted reports of meeting US Vice President Kamala Harris and former US President Barack Obama during his upcoming trip. He called his US trip a personal one and requested media outlets not to spread any speculations. DK Shivakumar denies meetings with Kamala Harris and Barack Obama in his USA trip(PTI) Also Read - Liquor sales banned in Bengaluru today for St Marys Basilica feast: Report In the last few days, many local media channels said that DK Shivakumar will be meeting high-profile leaders in the US, including Kamala Harris and Barack Obama, ahead of presidential polls there. In a clarification, X post, DK Shivakumar wrote, Regarding my upcoming visit to the United States of America, I would like to dispel the ongoing rumours- my visit is purely for personal reasons and is in no way related to any political motive, nor is it due to any political invitation. I request everyone to kindly refrain from indulging in any kind of conjecture. He also penned a separate letter to All Indian Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge and called his US trip a private one. I will be in Washington from September 8 and will come back on September 16. This is my personal visit. He also stressed that no official meetings are scheduled during this trip as he will be with his family. Also Read - Traffic arrangements announced in Bengaluru for Ganesha immersion, St. Mary's Basilica procession Speaking to reporters before leaving, DK Shivakumar also urged union minister Pralhad Joshi to release funds for the Mahadayi project in the state. He said, I appeal to Pralhad Joshi with folded hands on the Ganesha Chathurthi to get us approval for the Mahadayi project and funds for the Upper Bhadra project. Shivakumar also said that he will discuss the Mahadayi project with CM Siddaramaiah and call for an all-party meeting soon. I will speak to the chief minister in about 15 days on whether to call for an all-party meeting, Mahadayi, or a meeting of the Commission. We will discuss the nature of our fight for Mahadayi, he added. Peoples Democratic Party president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday launched a rare attack on the Engineer Abdul Rashid-led Awami Itihad Party (AIP), calling it a proxy with governments protection. The remark triggered sharp reactions, with AIP accusing the PDP of helping the saffron agenda which culminated in the abrogation of Article 370. Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday accused jailed MP Sheikh Abdul Rashids Awami Ittehad Party of being a proxy of the BJP. (HT file photo) Mufti while addressing the media a day after PDPs candidate from Shopian, Yawar Banday, was injured during a scuffle between the workers of both parties questioned why the attackers werent put in jail. Engineer Rashid is in jail. Mufti [Mohammad Sayed, the founder of PDP] took 20 years to form a party and still we dont have the resources to field candidates from place to place. Who is behind his [Er Rashids] organisation that everywhere his people are being fielded? Where is the money coming from and how do they dare to be involved in hooliganism? she further questioned. Notably, AIP has fielded Raja Waheed from the constituency. Police on Sunday said a few people had sustained minor injuries in the scuffle. Both parties have been reported for poll violations and the police have taken cognizance of the incident, a statement from Shopian Police said. While questioning the government, Mufti further said: I want to ask the government if you raised Er Rashids party as a proxy when other proxy parties failed and now helping him with a lot of money and other things, why not be straightforward about not wanting other parties to fight. What sort of hooliganism is this?. AIP president Engineer Rashid, who is in Tihar jail in connection with an alleged terror funding case, had scored a big win over former CM and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah from Baramulla in the Lok Sabha polls. Buoyed by the win, the party has now fielded candidates in various parts of Kashmir and is expanding its base further including to south Kashmir, the base of PDP. The party has taken exception to Muftis remarks, with spokesperson Firdous Baba saying it was the PDP who in 2019 helped the saffron agenda of BJP to bloom, which culminated in the abrogation of Article 370. PSPs rise was possible due to boycotts in elections and they are frustrated with the rise of honest and suffering masses in politics and democratic arena of Jammu and Kashmir, he said, expressing dismay that the PDP leadership including Mufti having described BJP leadership as mentors and brothers. Now they have this epic level of hypocrisy to term honest, unbiased, pro-people AIP as something that we dont believe in. NC and PDP, the proponents of boycott politics in Jammu and Kashmir and adhering to dynasty at every level are unnerved by entry of AIP-like force, he said. National PG College has been selected as the host institution for the fully funded Atal Faculty Development Program (FDP) on Comprehensive Research Methodologies. For representation only (HT File Photo) The Atal FDP will be jointly organised by the department of computer science and the faculty of management studies, said Devendra Kumar Singh, principal of the college. This collaborative effort underscores the interdisciplinary approach of the college, aiming to equip participants with robust research skills applicable across various fields. Scheduled to commence on September 30, the programme will cover a broad spectrum of research methodologies, providing in-depth training and hands-on experience. The new dimension on which the FDP will focus will be the ethical use of modern artificial intelligence tools in research, he said. Experts from academia and industry will lead the sessions, ensuring that participants receive top-tier instruction and insights. These sessions will offer valuable insights into current trends and future directions in these fields. Hands-on workshops will allow participants to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, fostering a deeper understanding of complex concepts and encouraging collaborative learning, he said. The principal also said that the All India Council of Technical Education has recently recognised the BCA and BBA programmes of the college. The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) director of the college and the co-convenor of the college Prof Rakesh Jain said that this initiative is part of the colleges broader strategy to enhance the research capabilities of its faculty and students, thereby, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and innovation. The responsibility of conducting the FDP has been given to course coordinators Shalini Lamba and Nidhi Srivastava. Half-a-dozen armed men abducted two dancers of Bengal at gunpoint, from Village Gaurihi, under the Ramkola police station of Kushinagar district, on Sunday night. FOr representation only (HT File Photo) The dancers were rescued by the police after two hours from a Fortuner vehicle at Ganesh Crossing and police arrested at least six young men, including the son of a BJP leader. They have been identified as Arvind Singh, Krishna Tirpathi, Arthak Singh, son of BJP leader Aditya Singh, Nagendra Yadav, Anil Singh, Vivek Kumar and Arbadan Singh. ASP Ritesh Singh confirmed that the police had rescued the dancers who were forced to dance at gunpoint during a birthday party and six accused have been arrested after being identified by the dancers. Officials said two dancers of Bengal reside in Gaurihi village in a rented room .On Sunday night, the armed miscreants reached the room and knocked on the door demanding to open it, or face dire consequences . A frightened dancer informed the owner of the room, Amanullah, who immediately rushed to the spot and questioned the men for creating a ruckus but the miscreants opened two rounds of fire and pulled the dancers from the room, pushed them in two luxury cars and drove off. Amanullah informed the police on 112, and swinging into action, the police arrested the six young men. Officials said that the police had also recovered arms from the car and initiated an inquiry after registering FIR under relevant sections of IPC on the written complaints of the dancers. A 21-year-old student from Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT-G) was on Monday found dead inside his hostel room, police said. IIT-G authorities said they came to know about the incident, and they are also trying to ascertain the details. (Representative file photo) According to police, the body was found in a room of Brahmaputra Hostel of IIT-G on Monday morning, and the body has been sent to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for postmortem. Superintendent of police (SP) of Kamrup district, Ranjan Bhuyan told HT that investigation is under way to ascertain the cause of death. It is too early to share any details about the death because we are investigating the matter. The body has been sent for postmortem and we are waiting for the report, he said. Also Read: Probe on into death of Visva Bharati student from Varanasi: Bengal police IIT-G authorities said they came to know about the incident, and they are also trying to ascertain the details. Well issue a statement only after our initial investigation, authorities said. According to initial reports, the 21-year-old student was a resident of Uttar Pradesh, and a third-year student of Bachelor of Technology (BTech), Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) in IIT-G. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has green-lighted the worlds first melanistic tiger safari near Similipal tiger reserve of Odisha, officials aware of the matter said on Monday. Simlipal tiger reserve is the only tiger habitat in the world to have melanistic tigers that have broad black stripes running across their bodies and thicker than those seen in normal tigers. (File Photo/Image posted on X by Parveen Kaswan, IFS) A senior forest official said a panel of NTCA that was asked to look into the feasibility of the safari did not raise any objection as Manchabandha reserve forest near Baripada, the proposed site for the safari, is quite far from Similipal Tiger Reserve. The NTCA has now recommended that it be referred to the Central Zoo Authority that would review the project and suggest any changes that may be required in the detailed project report. After the DPR is approved, it will be forwarded to a Supreme Court committee for approval necessary for safari project on forest land. The approval from the CZA is now a mere formality, said a senior wildlife official. A 200- hectare site adjacent to National Highway 18 in Baripada has been identified as the site for the safari, touted as worlds first such safari of melanistic tigers. The state government plans to release six tigers, four melanistic and two white tigers, in the safari. While three melanistic tigers along with two white tigers will be brought from Nandankanan Zoo, one melanistic tiger will be brought from Ranchi as part of an agreement between the Odisha and Jharkhand governments. Simlipal tiger reserve is the only tiger habitat in the world to have melanistic tigers that have broad black stripes running across their bodies and thicker than those seen in normal tigers, so much so that their tawny skin colour is barely visible. The reserve first reported the presence of melanistic tigers in 2007. In 2016, a census carried out by the Odisha forest department in the reserve found six melanistic tigers. Melanistic tigers have an increased production of melanin, that results in black skin, feathers, or hair in an animal. Many royal Bengal tigers of Similipal belong to a unique lineage with higher-than-normal levels of melanin, which gives them black and yellow interspersed stripes on their coats. These tigers are not totally black and are described as pseudo-melanistic. Over three years ago, researchers, including scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru found that a single mutation in the gene Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) caused the tigers develop black stripes and a distinct pattern. During the study, the researchers identified a genetic variant that causes an observable trait change (called phenotype) in tigers. The genetic analysis of other tiger populations in the country and computer simulations suggested that the melanistic tigers in Similipal may have arisen from a very small founding population of tigers and are inbred. Of the 200-hectare patch, 40 to 50 hectares will be reserved as display area and the balance area utilised for creation of veterinary care facilities including a rescue centre, staff infrastructure and visitors amenities among others. At least 35 teachers including 15 women belonging to seven government schools were rescued after a boat in which they were travelling capsized in the Gandak river in Bihar's West Champaran district on Monday morning. Condition of a woman teacher, identified as Abha Kumari of Utkramit Madhya Vidhalaya Srinagar -1 is stated to be serious following the incident on Monday. (Representative image) Condition of a woman teacher, identified as Abha Kumari of Utkramit Madhya Vidhalaya Srinagar -1 is stated to be serious. The incident came close on the heels of an incident in which a government school teacher Avinash Kumar (25), was swept away by strong currents in Ganga on August 33 morning in Patna after he fell into the river while trying to board a boat on way to his school located in a riverine area in Patna district. He is still traceless. Also read: SC stays HC verdict asking UP govt to prepare fresh selection list of 69K assistant teachers Giving a detailed narration of Monday's ordeal, Santosh Kumar Choudhary, headmaster of Rajkiya Madhya Vidhalaya Srinagar said the incident occurred barely 100 meters after the boat carrying 38 people including 35 teachers and three local villagers and boatman left for our destination when a boat coming from opposite direction rammed into our boat near Patjirwa Keshwa Ghat under Srinagar Pujaha police station area of the district at around 8am on Monday. "Under the impact of the collision, the boat shook badly and overturned aided by the high current of water in the Gandak river which was in full spate," the headmaster who along with other teachers were thrown into the river said. Also read: St. Stephen's approaches Delhi HC's division bench against single judge order asking college to admit 7 students "I found a flush of water carrying me along its strong current and I was struggling to keep my head above the water level before I was rescued by the local villagers," said Munna Kumar, a teacher belonging to Utkramit Madhya Vidhalaya Srinagar. "It was a narrow escape for us as we all experienced a raging wave crashing into and throwing our body underneath the waters. We all struggled and by God grace survived. It would have been a major catastrophe had it happened little deep in the river," said Ajam Ali, a teacher echoing common refrain. However, at Patjirwa Keshwa Ghat, a common impulse suddenly overcame a dozen of villagers and rushed to the rescue the drowning teachers. "We were suddenly alarmed by the distress call and it took no time to understand what had happened. By God grace, no untoward incident occurred," Munilal Bin, who along with about a dozen of villagers rushed to rescue of teachers, using rope, bamboo pole in an operation that lasted for nearly 10 to 15 minutes. When contacted, Thakaraha's block education officer (BEO), Umesh Singh said as many as 35 teachers, 15 of them women, belonging to seven schools were on boat at the time of incident. "All of them have been rescued," said the block education officer, adding a teacher Abha Kumari has been admitted to GMCH at Bettiah. Also read: Educational institutions in Thiruvananthapuram city closed today due to drinking water shortage Meanwhile, the teachers have demanded their deputation in other schools till water level in the Gandak recedes. "It takes nearly 35 minutes of journey in water to reach our school. It is quite precarious," the teachers told media. The education department has instructed district authorities after the Patna tragedy to ensure only registered boats are used, and that all passengers wear life jackets in flood-prone areas. Additional life jackets will be provided at key ghats across the state. But that remains to be implemented. St. Stephen's college has approached the division bench of the Delhi high court against an order passed by the single judge directing the college to grant admission to seven students whose admissions were in limbo due to a dispute between the college and Delhi University (DU), claiming that the findings would create severe burden on it. In the plea, the college claimed that the varsity contrary to its undertaking regarding extra allocation and permitted intake, allocated more seats, because of which the college could not admit such candidates.(File) On Monday, Stephens counsel urged a bench of acting chief justice Manmohan and justice Tushar Rao Gedela urged the court to list the matter tomorrow, to which the court agreed. The college has appealed against an order passed by a bench of justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on September 6 in which, the judge besides directing Stephens to admit the students, had upheld varsitys policy to allocate extra seats in the initial round, which was disputed by the college. The Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS) which grants the varsity power to allocate seats to students in the initial rounds to commence the academic session on time, is binding on all the colleges affiliated with the universitys, justice Sharma had observed. The court, taking note of the colleges conduct of preparing a distinct seat matrix and setting separate cut off marks for each of the programs, opined that the 13 BA programmes offered by Stephens must be considered as separate and distinct for the purpose of seat allocation and admission. In its 54-page verdict, the court had however refused to adjudicate on the legality single girl child quota. The September 6 order was passed in a plea filed by seven students claiming that the college had neither accepted nor rejected their application despite completing all the formalities. Arguing through advocates Ravinder Singh and Raveesha Gupta, the students had claimed that they were facing undue hardships without any fault of theirs. Stephens plea before the high court painted a picture that the single judge misunderstood the intent and purpose of over-allocation of seats in the initial rounds and violated its fundamental right to administer the college, by directing admission to the students. Excess allocation policy, the plea claimed, was never intended to create additional seats and was only a shortcut to ultimately end up with the total number of seats. This is only an administrative convenience and cannot create any additional vested rights for students seeking admission, the plea read. In the plea, the college claimed that the varsity contrary to its undertaking regarding extra allocation and permitted intake, allocated more seats, because of which the college could not admit such candidates. The petition also stated that the varsity according to CSAS provisions could have allocated only one candidate under the category of the Single Girl Child in the BA Program, and instead allocated 10 number of candidates, which is wholly impermissible and untenable. ADRE Admit Card 2024 Live: Admit cards for graduate-level posts will be released on slrcg3.sebaonline.org (Getty Images/iStockphoto) ADRE Grade 3 Admit Card 2024 Live: The State-Level Recruitment Commission (SLRC) Assam is expected to release admit cards for the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE) for grade 3, graduate-level posts soon. When released, candidates can download it from slrcg3.sebaonline.org. ADRE grade 3 examination for graduate or bachelor's-level posts is tentatively scheduled for September 29, from 9 am to 12 pm. In the second half that day, the test will be held for HSSLC level (Driver posts). ...Read More The ADRE grade 3 exam for HSSLC or Class 12 level posts is scheduled for September 15, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Admit cards for this exam have been released and can be downloaded from slrcg3.sebaonline.org. For grade 4 posts, the exam will be held on October 27, in two shifts. Follow this live blog for the ADRE grade 3 admit card link, syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme and other details. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin of trying to pit states against each other to make a point about non-implementation of the new (NEP). Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan made the comments in response to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's statement alleging that the best performing states are being denied funds by the Centre. (PTI Photo) Pradhan made the comments in response to Stalin's statement alleging that the best performing states are being denied funds by the Centre under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme for refusing to implement NEP. Also read: Haryana TET Exam 2024 dates announced, check schedule and other important details here "Healthy competition amongst the states is always welcome in a democracy. However, pitting states against each other to make a point goes against the spirit of the Constitution and the value of a unified India. NEP 2020 was formulated through wide range of consultations and has the collective wisdom of the people of India," Pradhan wrote on X. The education minister questioned Stalin on the state's "principled" opposition to NEP. Also read: 35 teachers including 15 women saved from getting drowned in a boat mishap in Gandak at West Champaran "Are you opposing education in mother tongue including Tamil? Are you opposing the conduct of exams in Indian languages including Tamil? "Are you opposing the creation of textbooks and content in Indian languages including Tamil? Are you opposed to the holistic, multi-disciplinary, equitable, futuristic and inclusive framework of NEP?" he questioned. Stalin had this morning shared a news report on X about Samagra Shiksha funds being slashed by the Centre for the states refusing to implement NEP. Also read: SC stays HC verdict asking UP govt to prepare fresh selection list of 69K assistant teachers "Denying funds to the best-performing states for refusing to bow to the #NEP, while generously rewarding those who are not delivering on the objectives Is this how the Union BJP Government plans to promote quality education and equity? I leave it to the wisdom of our nation and our people to decide!" Stalin wrote. Dia Mirza is known for often expressing her views on cinema and the film industry. The actor recently spoke about the challenges she faced when she entered Bollywood in the early 90s. Dia, in an interview with Times of India recalled how she was intimidated due to the weight expectations from female actors in the early 2000s. (Also read: R Madhavan, Dia Mirza's Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein to re-release in theatres) Dia Mirza recently recalled about the ageism prevalent in Bollywood during early 2000s. Dia Mirza on career hardships in early 2000s Dia, when asked if she was hurt when things didn't work out in Bollywood said, I was hurt. I was horrified. I was intimidated. I was filled with fears because that's what was fed to us by the media, by the industry. Aurat ho, toh aapki shelf life hoti hai (You have a shelf life because you are a woman). Be in your 20s. You will not be cast with the stars. The male superstars need you to be a certain age. You have to look a certain way. You have to be a certain weight. Every single actress who came into the industry in the early 2000s was told that you have to be a certain weight. You have to look a certain way. You have to be single. Dia Mirza's acting career Dia made her acting debut with Govind Menon's Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein. She later acted in films like Dum, Tehzeeb, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Parineeta, Dus, Fight Club Members Only, Alag, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., Sanju, Thappad and Bheed. The actor recently featured in Anubhav Sinha's thriller series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The show also featured Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Arvind Swamy, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Aditya Srivastava, Patralekha, Amrita Puri, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Rajiv Thakur and others in pivotal roles. About IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack IC 814 is based on the December 24, 1999, hijacking of Indian Airlines IC-814 aircraft by five terrorists, which happened just 40 minutes after the plane took off from Kathmandu. Rajiv plays the hijacker Ibrahim Akhtar alias Chief in the series. The show is available for streaming on Netflix. Fardeen Khan delivered a big hit in his career with the 2005 film No Entry, which also starred Salman Khan and Anil Kapoor. However, the actor clarified that he is not part of the sequel to the film during a new interview with Bollywood Hungama. Fardeen shared that it is producer Boney Kapoor that should be knowing the details about the sequel. (Also read: Fardeen Khan opens up about depression, facing tough times: 'Its a natural process everyone goes through') Fardeen Khan won't be a part of No Entry 2, backed by Boney Kapoor. What Fardeen said During the interview, Fardeen said, "You should call Boney Kapoor for this As an actor you know it was my first attempt at all-out comedy where I had to play a little silly, funny, goofy kind of a character who's not (very smart) who's very vulnerable and naive. It was something very different from the way I saw myself. It really freed me up because I had to really let go. I was a bit hesitant doing that but (it was because of) Boney Kapoor's belief on me. He saw me doing some of a couple of such scenes in Khushi. He said 'Fardeen you're right for this role, it' and I was like 'Really?'. Because it was a remake of Charlie Chaplin (2002) and my role was played by Prabhu Deva. Of course, I interpreted it quite differently. Comedic genre is the hardest to do He went on to add, Theres a lot you can do with the way he writes and the lines he gives you. A lot of the scenes you know we couldnt keep a straight face while doing them. And then you also have actors like Anil Kapoor, and Salman Khan also killed that role. It all came together well. The ladies also did their part and they really enjoyed what they did. It doesnt happen very often because I think comedic genre is the hardest to do not only from an acting point of view but even from a writing point of view because you cant force the audience to laugh. You know laughing is a spontaneous reaction. I cherish all my memories with No Entry and it was a great learning experience for me. After starring in Dulha Mil Gaya in 2010, Fardeen took a break from acting. He made his comeback with a supporting turn in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar and Akshay Kumar-starrer Khel Khel Mein. Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama, made a rare public appearance on the red carpet to support her directorial debut. Stepping out at the prestigious 50th annual Deauville American Film Festival in France, Obama presented her film The Heart, for which she even received the Young Spirit Award. The 26-year-old rocked a Vivienne Westwood outfit for the big day. President Barack Obama jokes with his daughter Malia Obama as they walk to board Air Force One. Like her parents, Malia will be joining Harvard University in 2017, after taking a year off before that.(AP file photo) Malia Obama makes red carpet appearance The former first daughter, who previously shed her famous family surname for the name Malia Ann ahead of her Hollywood debut as a filmmaker, dazzled on the red carpet in a plaid outfit. Wearing her gorgeous brown locks down, she wore an off-the-shoulder red, white, and grey corset top paired with a high-low blue-and-white skirt, both from late designer Vivienne Westwood's fall 2024 collection. Also read: Taylor Swift hugs Brittany Mahomes at US Open as Travis and Patrick cheer, shooting down feud rumours The look was sealed with a pair of black knee-length leather boots and her beautiful smile. Malia not only flaunted her look but also referred to the designer as a queen. In a video by French magazine Paris Match, she can be heard saying, 'It's cool. I don't know much about fashion, but I'm happy to be wearing it. Malia Obama says she is excited ahead of directorial debut Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama, was thrilled about her red carpet debut, expressing to reporters, Im so excited. Ive never done anything like this before, so Im a little bit terrified but mostly just excited. Her appearance is a rare public moment for her. Earlier this year, Malia's short film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Before her Hollywood debut, she interned on the HBO series Girls and at Harvey Weinstein's production company. The Harvard grad also worked as a writer on Donald Glover's show on Amazon Prime called Swarm. Also read: Elton John calls Trumps Kim Jong Un little rocket man jab brilliant but pushes for calmer America About The Heart Malia Obama's short film, which lasts 18 minutes, shares a touching story about a son dealing with the loss of his mom and the surprising request she makes before she passes away. In a Meet-artist video where she talks about her work, Obama mentioned that her project is about thinking deeply about things we've lost, loneliness, forgiveness, and regret. She highlighted how the film shows the importance of being close and caring while dealing with these complicated feelings. The Heart has already garnered critical acclaim, being recognised in the best live-action short category at both the Telluride and Chicago Film Festivals. "We hope that you enjoy the film and that it makes you feel a bit less lonely or at least reminds you not to forget about the people who are," Malia Obama said describing her film. Jeremy Renner recently shared ghastly footage and photos of the Davis Fire as it approached his home near Lake Tahoe on Sunday, September 8. Earlier he confirmed in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in August that his primary residence is in Nevada. Jeremy Renner posted videos and photos of the encroaching Davis Fire(File Images/X/Jeremy Renner) The Avengers star took to Instagram to show his followers the fast-encroaching wildfire that prompted him to evacuate his property near Reno, Nevada. He shared a photo of thick smoke looming over the mountains, captioned with evacuated alongside several prayer hand emojis. He also tagged the location as Reno Tahoe and added a fire emoji. One photo, taken from his driveway, showed massive clouds of smoke and flames dangerously close to his home. A fire truck could be seen stationed on his property. When the wind shifts its either really good or really bad, Renner wrote over another shot of the blaze. ALSO READ| Lindsay Lohan's rare public sighting with husband Bader Shammas steals the show at the US Open Renner assured all he and others are evacuated and safe The 53-year-old star assured his fans that he and others had safely evacuated. Over a photo of local firefighters from Washoe County, he wrote, Everyone is evacuated and safe. Now for Mother Nature, giving thanks to the emergency crews working tirelessly in the area tagging Truckee Meadows Firefighters/ He also shared two videos, in one, a plane is seen dropping red fire retardant over the burning trees, attempting to slow the spread of the flames. Another video featured a fire truck driving past a massive cloud of dark smoke that appeared to be moving ominously toward the road. He also posted on X, captioning, Reno Tahoe fires . Real close to our community. Stay safe out there. The Davis wildfire has already damaged 14 structures and burned through 6,500 acres, leading Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo to declare a state of emergency on September 8, per CNN. This afternoon, I declared a state of emergency due to the Davis Fire. State agencies are working diligently to support local partners as we mitigate and eliminate this fire together, he said in an X post. ALSO READ| BTS is 7!: Fans go ballistic as Suga is excluded from K-pop Global Idol Group ad amid DUI controversy The wind-driven blaze forced the evacuation of 14,000 people in Washoe County, and as of Sunday night, the fire was reported to be 0% contained. In addition to the Nevada blaze, California is battling 14 active wildfires, with one in the San Bernardino Mountains burning through 20,552 acres of land, according to the same source. New Delhi, With the Kerala film industry rocked by a #MeToo wave, a new book will look at multiple cases of sexual violence, including the one that unmasked Malayalam cinema. New book to look at cases of sexual violence, including one that unmasked Malayalam cinema A Suitable Agency will represent journalist Nidhi Suresh's forthcoming book on sexual violence. The idea of the yet-to-be-named book comes at the back of Suresh's reporting for six years on multiple sexual assault cases. The tipping point was her 10-month-long investigation into the sexual assault of a top female actor in the Malayalam cinema. In February 2017, a well-known female actor was sexually assaulted in Kochi by six hired criminals. Dileep, a superstar actor, has been accused of orchestrating this crime. The case ignited, not just a resistance but an existential crisis in a state which is often looked upon as one of India's most progressive places. This is a story which pushed Kerala to the edge. It triggered a Weinstein scale movement which predated the global #MeToo campaign. The Women in Cinema Collective was set up in 2017 and forced the Kerala government to constitute the Justice K Hema Committee which recorded the testimonies of working conditions of women in Malayalam cinema. The report was not public for five years. A redacted version was released this August. This has now set off a second wave of #MeToo movement within Kerala. "What the domino effect of 2017 sexual assault really does is that it forces us to reckon with ourselves. It pushes us to reflect on our own ecosystems and the way these conversations play out within our own intimate spaces. I spent most of my school years in Kerala. "My own first encounters with intimacy and abuse took place in Kerala. As a Malayalee living in Delhi, I've always struggled to explain the shape and extent of patriarchy in Kerala," Suresh said. In the book, the author will deep dive to expose workings of the patriarchal power structures that enable sexual violence and how they attempt to control and manipulate the ensuing narratives thereafter, acoording to a statement. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. James Earl Jones, the legendary actor known for his iconic voice roles as Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, passed away this morning at his home in Dutchess County, New York, at the age of 93, per Deadline. FILE - James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen has died at age 93. His agent, Barry McPherson, confirmed Jones died Monday morning, Sept. 9, 2024, at home. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff, File)(AP) Born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones possessed one of the most recognizable voices in cinematic history. James Earl Jones' career on stage and screen His deep, commanding tone brought iconic characters to life, such as Mufasa in Disneys The Lion King (1994), and other roles like Voice Box in Robots (2005) and The Giant in Jack and the Beanstalk (2009). Beyond animated roles, Jones also starred in live-action films, including The Sandlot (1993) as Mr. Mertle and Coming to America (1988) as King Jaffe Joffer. ALSO READ| Jeremy Renner shares ghastly footage of Davis wildfire as he evacuates his home With a distinguished career spanning stage and screen, Jones is celebrated as one of the greatest actors of his time. He is also a rare EGOT recipient, having earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. His Academy Award was honorary, but Jones also won two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Daytime Emmy, a spoken-word Grammy in 1977, and three Tony Awards. In 2022, Manhattan's Cort Theatre was renamed The James Earl Jones Theatre in honor of his storied career in theater. This was especially significant as it was the same venue where Jones performed in Sunrise at Campobello in 1958, marking just the beginning of his Broadway journey. Over the course of his career, Jones became known as one of the finest stage actors, with standout performances that earned him three Tony Awards, including one for Lifetime Achievement in 2017. Jones kept Darth Vader's voice very narrow because he wasn't At the American Film Institute, he recalled about George Lucas and how they crafted iconic Darth Vader. George thought he wanted a pardon the expression darker voice. I lucked out, he said. I wanted to make Darth Vader more interesting, more subtle, more psychologically oriented. He (Lucas) said, No, no youve got to keep his voice on a very narrow band of inflection, cause he aint human, Jones said. ALSO READ| Terminator Zero commands anime ratings on Netflix's Global Top 10; My Hero Academia Season 7 makes gains on local chart Jones' talent extended to television as well. In 1991, he won two Primetime Emmys for Gabriels Fire and Heat Wave. He also won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children in 2001 for his work on The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey. Tamil actor Jayam Ravi and Aarti Ravi married on June 4, 2009, after dating for a few years. Their sons Aarav and Ayaan were born in 2010 and 2014. Ravi announced on X (formerly Twitter) today that he and Aarti are divorcing after 15 years of marriage. Looking back at when the couple spoke about their dating life with Galatta in 2023. (Also Read: Jayam Ravi announces divorce from wife Aarti Ravi after 15 years of marriage: 'This decision wasn't made in haste') Aarti Ravi and Jayam Ravi have been married for 15 years, they're now getting a divorce. Jayam Ravi and Aarti Ravi on their love story Jayam met Aarti, the daughter of TV producer Sujatha Vijayakumar, in Scotland. The couple kept their relationship on the down low before getting married in 2009. There was a point when they were dating but hadnt told their parents yet also. Aarti told the publication that their entire dating life was in the car. She revealed that he borrowed a friends car on their first date, and they couldnt go too far, so they kept making U-turns. Ravi also admitted that he was careful while dating it because they hadnt made their relationship public yet. He told them, I am a celebrity. Wherever we would go, I knew we would get clicked, and we hadnt made our relationship public or broken the news to our parents yet. Aarti also admitted that she was happier than sad about leaving home on her wedding day because they had waited for it a long time. She said, We waited a long time for that day, we got permission from our parents and it was a long process. So, the moment we got married was very, very special. I was very happy that I was getting married. Jayam Ravi announces divorce The couple courted divorce rumours in June after their 15th wedding anniversary when Aarti deleted all her photos with Ravi from her Instagram. While she later, reshared a post about his debut film Jayam (2003), it only managed to put rumours to rest temporarily. On Monday, Ravi announced on X that he and Aarti were going their separate ways. He released a long note, a portion of which reads, After much thought and discussions, I have taken the difficult decision to proceed with the dissolution of my marriage with Aarti. This decision was not made out of haste and it stems from personal reasons that I believe are in the best interests of everyone involved. Five-time Oscar winner Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron shared his experience of directing 'Disclaimer' and how challenging it was for him , according to The Hollywood Reporter. (Also read: Nicole Kidman leaves Venice Film Festival midway after learning her mom passed away: I have to go') Alfonso Cuaron attends the TIFF Tribute Awards during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) Cuaron made his feature film debut with the romantic comedy 'Solo con tu pareja', and directed the film adaptations 'A Little Princess', and 'Great Expectations'. He gained much popularity for directing the fantasy film 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban', the dystopian drama 'Children of Men', and many others. The challenging aspect for him was directing the psychological thriller miniseries 'Disclaimer'. "I realised I'd never done something overtly narrative. And maybe, okay, I don't know how to do it [TV]. That was part of the motivation," Cuaron said at the Toronto Film Festival. He added that TV was out of his comfort zone, "I said, guys, I don't know how to do TV. I think it's too late to learn how to do TV. I'm not interested in learning how to do TV. I do films and if [I do] this, I will approach it as a film." 'Disclaimer' is a 2024 psychological thriller miniseries written and directed by Alfonso Cuaron, based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Renee Knight. It stars Cate Blanchett and Kevin Klein. "I know how to do films, and I'm not very fast," Cuaron opened up about his early discussion to take up the project. Cuaron worked with his long-time cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, another veteran of the Mexican film industry. "At least in his collaboration, we're always bouncing ideas. I get so involved in his lighting, and he gets involved in my directing. It's very organic," said Cuaron. "'Disclaimer' tells the story of Catherine Ravenscroft (Blanchett), an acclaimed journalist who has built her reputation by revealing the misdeeds and transgressions of others," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Cuaron appreciated Blanchett as another key collaborator. "She's so involved in each one of the process, with the screenplay triggering rewrites, and with casting, I was conversing with her all the possibilities, and if she was hesitant, I wouldn't go there," Cuaron added. He remembered his early days as a director along with Mexican filmmakers Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro G. Inarritu. "We love each other. We trust each other and we're brutally and painfully honest with each other. The conversation isn't easy when we're collaborating and showing each other films. I'm terrified, because I know it can be tough," said Cuaron . "And sometimes me, or the other person is listening, and at the end you can tell the other person is listening and at the end is upset, and myself I feel they didn't understand anything," he added. 'Disclaimer', his seven-part psychological thriller, will have a Canadian premiere in Toronto. The Toronto Film Festival continues through September 15, as per The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI) Anupam Kher is making his directorial comeback after 22 years with Tanvi The Great, and it stars actor Iain Glen, known for his work on the fantasy epic Game Of Thrones. Anupam made the official announcement last month, and says, Unfortunately, or fortunately, our picture got leaked, so we thought it was better to accept it and talk about it. I am very fortunate that he is a part of Tanvi The Great. Anupam Kher on signing Iain Glen for Tanvi The Great Anupam and Iain worked together in the British series Mrs Wilson. Thats how I approached him, and I loved working with him. He is an amazing theatre actor, the 69-year-old says, sharing the Scottish actors experience of shooting in India: He was fascinated by Indian people. He had never seen such kind of hospitality, love, affection and this kind of professionalism as well. Iain was thrilled about the week that he was here. It was his first visit to India, and he said that he will come back again. With Tanvi The Great, Anupam took a different route by announcing the technicians on the film before revealing the cast. Ask him why and he says, I wanted to acknowledge the contribution of the technicians as they are the backbone of the film. They make it look like the way it looks, and this is what should be done. Our film is a musical and how can I not introduce my music director first? I am fortunate to have (composer) MM Keeravaani on board. And I have two Oscar winners in the film with him and (sound designer) Resul Pookutty. I think its important to not just acknowledge but applaud the work done by these people behind the camera. Anupam has brought together artistes from India and internationally, including Japanese cinematographer Keiko Nakahara. The film has a universal theme and is made for the world audience. Of course, larger-than-life cinema brings in the economics and the courage for people to make films, but in life, you remember films not for the money they made, but for the way they touched your heart, he ends. When it was announced that not Akshay Kumar but Kartik Aaryan would headline Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, netizens were left divided. While some were excited to see Kartik as Rooh Baba, others were unsure that he would be able to create the same magic that Akshay had in Priyadarshans iconic 2007 horror comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa. The actor-director duo was a sureshot recipe for a blockbuster! Akshay has even confirmed that he wont be seen in a cameo in Kartiks next release Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Well, Akshay is no longer a part of the franchise, but on his birthday today he did give fans an unexpected surprise. After 14 long years, the superstar is reuniting with his Bhool Bhulaiyaa director Priyadarshan for a horror comedy! Akshay Kumar in the first poster of Bhooth Bangla (Photo: Instagram/akshaykumar)(Instagram) Akshay and Priyadarshan on the sets of Bhool Bhulaiyaa As he rings in his 57th birthday, Akshay announced his next film titled Bhooth Bangla. The superstar took to his official social media handle to share the news with fans along with the first look. In this motion poster, Akshay sips milk from a bowl while a black cat sits on his shoulder. In the background we see the silhoute of a spooky mansion. Sharing his excitement in the caption below, Akshay wrote: Thank you for your love on my birthday, year after year! Celebrating this year with the first look of Bhooth Bangla! Im beyond excited to join forces with Priyadarshan again after 14 years. This dream collaboration has been a long time coming cant wait to share this incredible journey with you all. Stay tuned for the magic! Well, fans are also beyond excited for Bhooth Bangla. Some are even connecting it to Akshay and Priyadarshans OG blockbuster hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa. For instance, a social media user shared, Bhool bhulaiyaa wali vibe aa rahi hai Bangle ki kahani vs Mahal ki kahani, whereas another ecstatic fan gushed, This looks like actual Bhul Bhulaiya 2.0 . Another internet user stated: Finger Crossed for this one I feel this movie should be a biggest Hit of AK just like Bhool bhulaiya , whereas a comment read: I believe in priyadarshan direction he can make another bhool bhulaiya type movie with Akshay Kumar. Comment section of Akshay Kumar's new movie announcement Meanwhile, a few fans gave Akshay casting ideas for his leading lady. One social media user suggested: Actress should only be KRITI SANON perfectly match for horror comedy with Akshay Kumar , whereas another requested: CAST KIARA ADVANI as LEAD ACTRESS!. Well, we are truly grateful for this epic surprise gift that Akshay has presented to fans today. We wish the Khiladi a very happy birthday! The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing an alleged land scam in Jharkhand, in which chief minister Hemant Soren was arrested and later released this year, has found that 1,800 acres of unsaleable tribal land was grabbed by the mafia by changing the nature of the property through fabrication of records, people aware of the details said. The case pertains to alleged grabbing of prime land parcels designated as non-saleable under the Chota Nagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act. (File photo) The federal agency has received several complaints of land grabbing and also identified proceeds of crime worth 3,000 crore, the people added. The case pertains to alleged grabbing of prime land parcels designated as non-saleable under the Chota Nagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act, a legislation which seeks to protect the land rights of tribal and marginalised communities, through fake deeds made using false identities and land records at circle offices and registrar of assurances (RoA) in Kolkata and circle offices in Jharkhand. After taking action, including the arrest of high-profile individuals like Soren, several bureaucrats and middlemen, we received more such complaints of land grabbing. During the probe, we found that 1,800 acres of land were dealt with in similar fashion by the mafia. Our team has estimated that the total proceeds of crime is 3,000 crore, an ED officer said, seeking anonymity. We are verifying all the complaints and a further probe is underway, the officer added. At least 25 people, including Soren, have been arrested so far. The agency has claimed that land grabbers and their associates in revenue offices forged land records dating up to 1932. The chief minister was arrested on January 31 and released on June 28. In its charge sheet against the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader in March, ED claimed that Soren himself illegally acquired 8.86-acre land (estimated to be worth 31 crore) in Ranchi, even as he dismissed the allegation. During its searches last year, the federal agency recovered 11 trunks of voluminous property documents from the premises of an accused, Bhanu Pratap Prasad, along with 17 original registers. Also Read:Jharkhand ex-CM Champai Soren announces plan to float new political party, keeps doors open for alliance Earlier, the registration of landed properties in Bihar (when Jharkhand was a part of it) was carried out at RoA in Kolkata. This continued till 1991 after which the registration of properties in Bihar and present-day Jharkhand began taking place at concerned jurisdictional land registration offices. The accused manufactured back-dated deeds of the targeted landed properties from Kolkata and kept it in original registers at RoA. Then, they obtained certified copies of those deeds and then disposed of the properties in connivance with each other. They had fake stamps/seals through which they created these fake deeds, a second ED officer said, also seeking anonymity. Six members of two families from Bengaluru were killed and five, including a one-year-old boy, were injured in a head-on mishap between two cars in Karnatakas Tumakuru district in the early hours of Monday, police said. Police said the head-on mishap was so severe that both the high-end cars, Nexa and Tiyago, got completely smashed off and cranes were used to get out the injured and the deceased. (Representational image) Briefing about the accident, Tumakuru superintendent of police (SP) Ashok K V said that the incident occurred near Keregalapalya village of Madhugiri taluk in the district in which Janardhan Reddy, 60, Sindhu Reddy, 33, Vedas Reddy, 12, and Anand, 30, all from Pavgad taluk and Nagaraj, 33, and Siddaganga, 35, from Karenahalli were killed. He added that all the injured and the deceased were the residents of JP nagar in Bengaluru who had been to Hosakote to celebrate the Ganesh festival. While on their way back to their native place, the mishap occurred, killing six and injuring five, the SP said. The head-on mishap was so severe that both the high-end cars, Nexa and Tiyago, got completely smashed off, SP Ashok said, adding that cranes were used to get out the injured and the deceased. The injured have been admitted to government district hospital in Tumakuru. The Madhugiri police have registered a case. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Monday said the party is fully prepared to contest the Haryana assembly polls and has already finalised the process of declaring candidates. The remarks came hours after AAP Haryana president Sushil Gupta said the party will release the list of candidates on all 90 seats in the state by Monday evening if the AAP-Congress pre-poll alliance is not decided today. AAP leaders release 'Kejriwal Ki Guarantee' ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections on July 20. (AAP - X) Sandeep Pathak (AAP national general secretary) and Sushil Gupta have already made it clear that we are fully prepared, and we have already finalised the process of declaring candidates. As soon as they get a nod from the party leadership or Arvind Kejriwal ji, they will make the announcement (of candidates) and will go into election. AAP is a national political party. We have strong organisation in Haryana, said Sanjay Singh talking to reporters in Delhi on Monday afternoon. The response of Congress leaders is awaited on the AAP leaders remarks. On Monday morning, Sushil Gupta said, We have not received the news of alliance from our high command. If we do not receive the news of alliance today, we will announce the candidates today evening. Discussions between the Congress and AAP on seat sharing for the Haryana assembly elections have been going on for over one week but have so far remained inconclusive. The top leaders from both the parties till Sunday evening said talks were progressing in a positive direction and that both parties were hopeful of a good outcome. On Sunday, AAP leader Raghav Chadha said discussions are taking place in good atmosphere and both parties intend to form the alliance by keeping aside their self-interests in the interest of Haryana. The talks are happening in a positive atmosphere. Both parties are working towards contesting the elections together, prioritising unity and the demands of the people of Haryana, while setting aside individual party and candidate aspirations, he said. He, however, added that the AAP will not proceed with the alliance if there is no win-win situation He also said that ball by ball commentary cannot be done on the seat-sharing arrangement. Both the parties have the desire and hope to form an alliance. We will make a decision well before September 12, the last day of nomination, he said. The last date of nomination for the 90 seats of Haryana assembly is September 12. Chadhas remarks came hours after AAP MLA Somnath Bharti cautioned the party leadership against an alliance with the Congress. In a post on X, Bharti said: AAP must evaluate the effectiveness of a similar alliance formed in Delhi during the Lok Sabha elections. While Kejriwal did roadshows and senior AAP leaders and cabinet ministers campaigned for all three Congress candidates, the AAP candidates, including me, were not supported by the Delhi unit of Congress. A section of Haryana Congress leaders have also expressed reservations over a tie-up with the AAP for the elections. The Congress and the AAP had allied for the Lok Sabha polls in Haryana, Delhi and Gujarat earlier this year as part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) under which AAP contested one of the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana. People aware of the development said the two sides are unable to come to a consensus on the number of seats. Alliance talks between the two parties began on Tuesday, but no major breakthrough has been achieved even after several rounds of discussions. Initially AAP had demanded 10 seats which is too much for Congress to offer. Congress has offered only five-six seats to AAP which they are unwilling to accept. The Congress is not willing to give as many seats and the AAP is putting pressure that they should get more seats, said a person aware of the developments. On Saturday, AAP general secretary Sandeep Pathak said those underestimating the party will repent in the future. Sanjay Singh said, We do not have much time. (Pathak and Gupta) They are correct and justified. The people working for the organisation on the ground level will take a decision in consultation with national president Arvind Kejriwal and proceed further, we will support them. Now less time is left. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said an alliance between the Congress and the AAP will not make any difference for the ruling party in the state. Former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said: This shows that they (AAP and Congress) have accepted their defeat, otherwise, why would they think of forming an alliance. Polling in Haryana will take place on October 5 while the votes will be counted on October 8. The elections are likely to be fought on a host of issues ranging from anti-incumbency against the BJP government to discontent around the Agnipath recruitment scheme and the farmers protest. The wrestlers protest and caste fault lines are likely to be the other issues. The latest decision of the Andhra Pradesh government to ban Conocarpus trees, a widely grown exotic avenue plantation, because of their possible adverse effect on the environment and human health, has been caught in a legal wrangle. Conocarpus tree (HT photo) In July, deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan, who holds the environment and forests portfolio, announced the ban on Conocarpus (Conocarpus lancifolius) trees, which are extensively grown all along the highways and road dividers across the country due to their fast growth and ornamental look. However, the Andhra governments decision was challenged in the state high court on August 24 by social activist Vallamreddy Laxman Reddy, who heads an NGO, Jana Chaitanya Vedika, and two botanical scientists K Bayyapu Reddy, a retired botany and environmental professor of Acharya Nagarjuna University, and Attipalli Ramachandra Reddy, a professor of plant sciences of the University of Hyderabad. They argued that the adverse impact of Conocarpus trees to the environment and humans has not been scientifically proven yet and the government should stop felling of such trees. Based on Kalyans directions, the department authorities have already begun destroying the trees in several districts, including Kakinada where the Kakinada city alone recorded the felling of over 35,000 trees last month and Nellore. A senior official of the environment and forest department requesting anonymity said that environmental groups and social activists have reported the adverse effects of Conocarpus trees, following which the present government has decided to stop their growth and destroy the existing plantations. Native to Africa, these trees are known to be water guzzlers and grow exponentially within three years. They pollinate twice a year and the pollen can cause health complications such as cold, cough asthma and allergies. Additionally, they are also known to clog drains and freshwater pipelines, the official added. On August 30, as part of Vana Mahotsavam programme, Kalyan urged people not to grow Conocarpus trees as they are hazardous to the environment. Though they contribute to the greenery, they cause more harm than good. Already a few states such as Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka and Assam have banned these trees because they cause depletion of groundwater, the deputy CM said in a video message. However, the petitioners called the governments argument as an unscientific propaganda. The petition has been admitted by the high court and the hearing is expected to start in a week or two, Reddy said. In their public interest litigation (PIL), a copy of which has been seen by HT, Reddy and others sought a direction from the high court to the Andhra Pradesh government to stop the felling and destruction of Conocarpus plants unless it is scientifically proved to be harmful to the environment and humans. The petitioners requested the court to direct the state government to constitute a committee of experts to conduct detailed scientific study to conclude if plantation of Conocarpus plants should be encouraged. If anybody resorts to illegal cutting down of Conocarpus trees, the government should collect damages from them as per the Water, Land and Trees Act, for planting of substitute trees to preserve the eco-diversity and the environment, the petitioners said. Reddy said that the government has been resorting to a negative and unscientific propaganda that the Conocarpus trees would use more water, birds do not nest on these trees, its pollen causes respiratory allergy and asthma, animals do not graze on them and the fruits are not edible. There is also an apprehension that the Conocarpus trees do not give any oxygen, and air from these plants would kill people and its roots would damage underground pipelines and drainage pipes. There is no valid reason for these, he said. He added that there are studies that these plants have survived many hard conditions of weather. For the last 15 years, they contributed to the greenery in every city and area in Andhra Pradesh. They are grown on almost all national highways and also along state highways of Andhra Pradesh which grow about 6-7 feet and in some occasions, more than 10 feet, offering a beautiful view, environmental protection as well as prevent sound and air pollution, he said. In the petition, the three scientists said that Conocarpus timber is highly useful to build ships and boats, and the wood produces smokeless fire, which is ecofriendly. Hence, it is a good quality firewood. The Conocarpus plant is useful for biomolecules capable of curing cardiovascular and neurological disorders, the petition said. Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Union minister Giriraj Singh on Monday remarked that if there is any technology to connect with the deceased, the Congress leader should ask his grandmother (Indira Gandhi) about the role of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Union minister Giriraj Singh(ANI) Singh's reaction came hours after the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said that the Bharatiya Janata Party's parent organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) believes India is one idea, while his party believes India is a multiplicity of ideas. Giriraj Singh said that Rahul Gandhi has no idea about the time when his grandmother was fighting a crucial battle against Pakistan. He said, If there is any technology to communicate with those who have passed, Rahul should ask his grandmother about the role of the RSS during that time or he can look it up in the pages of history. The Union minister said that Rahul Gandhi would need several lifetimes to understand the RSS, alleging that a traitor to the nation cannot comprehend the organisation. He added that those who go abroad and criticise the country cannot truly understand the RSS. It seems Rahul Gandhi goes abroad only to tarnish the country's image. The RSS was born from India's culture and traditions, said Giriraj Singh. What did Rahul Gandhi say about RSS in the US? The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas. We believe that everybody should be allowed to participate, allowed to dream and should be given space regardless of their caste, language, religion, tradition, or history. This is the fight and the fight was crystallized in the election when millions of people in India clearly understood that the Prime Minister of India was attacking the Constitution of India, Rahul Gandhi said. Addressing Indian diaspora in Dallas, Rahul Gandhi also said that the fear of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has faded among the people since the Lok Sabha election results. Jawans of the Border Security Force (BSF)'s 32nd battalion are learning beekeeping to use it as an innovative solution to tackle cross-border infiltration from Bangladesh into India, News18 reported. BSF personnel keep vigil amid high alert at the India-Bangladesh international Border, at Chatrahati in South Dinajpur. (ANI)(HT_PRINT) The battalion has decided to deploy this innovative solution along the Bangladesh border. A group of BSF jawans from the unit in West Bengal's Nadia district were trained last week on how to use an apiary, a box type structure with several frames on which the bees build a hive. Also read | Bangladesh protests BSF killing of minor at India border A BSF official deployed in the area told News18 that cow smugglers and infiltrators have started maintaining a safe distance fearing getting stinged by the honeybees. He also claimed that smuggling and attempted infiltrations have almost reached zero. The 32nd battalion started beekeeping initiative in November 2023 under the government's Vibrant Village initiative, but the idea of using them to deter illegal activities has been a recent one. We often had cases of Bangladeshis cutting our fence and infiltrating into India illegally. Incidents of smuggling of cattle and other items was also very common. To our surprise, since we have installed apiaries on the fence, these incidents that were a daily affair, have gone to almost zero, commandant Sujeet Kumar said. Kumar said that other BSF units along the international border with Bangladesh will replicate this model. He also added that jawans will have a choice of taking beekeeping as a source of earning after retirement. Also read | BSF meet with Bangladesh counterpart uncertain Situation along Bangladesh border The committee appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held a review meeting on Saturday to review the situation along the border. The committee discussed the progress of various communications with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the safety of minority communities especially in bordering districts. The BGB have assured the Indian side of all necessary steps to address their concerns. The BSF has also been holding village coordination meetings to secure the help of villagers to thwart attempts at infiltration and other illegal activities. More than 600 such meetings have been held over past two weeks. Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Monday rebuked a lawyer and asked him to lower his voice during a hearing in the Supreme Court. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra during the second day of hearing on a suo moto case related to the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata, at the Supreme Court in New Delhi, Monday, Sept 9, 2024.(PTI) The incident took place when the bench comprising the CJI and Justices Manoj Misra and JB Pardiwala was hearing the Kolkata doctor's rape and murder case. The rape and murder of the junior doctor in a seminar hall of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9 has sparked nationwide protests. During the hearing on Monday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, told the court that he has videos and photographs to show that the lawyer was throwing stones at a protest over the crime, reported NDTV. This prompted lawyer, Kaustav Bagchi, also a BJP leader, to ask how a senior counsel like him (Sibal) can make such statements in court. To this, the chief justice of India, retorted, saying: "Are you trying to address the gallery outside the court? I have been noticing your demeanour for the last two hours." He also cautioned the lawyer to lower his voice. "Can you first lower your pitch? Listen to the Chief Justice, lower your pitch. You are addressing three judges in front of you, not the large audience who is watching these proceedings on the video conferencing platform," the chief justice was quoted as saying by NDTV. Bagchi then tendered an apology to the court. Subsequently, during the hearing, the chief justice expressed his disappointment, saying he is not used to multiple lawyers arguing at the same time. "I am not used to this kind of advocacy where 7-8 people are arguing at the same time," he said. SC asks protesting doctors to return to work During the hearing on Monday, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud referred to the doctors' protest in the wake of the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, saying that protests cannot continue at the cost of duty. The court, which is hearing a suo moto case in the matter, said if the protesting doctors don't return to work, it can't stop the West Bengal government from taking disciplinary action against them. CJI Chandrachud said if the doctors return to work by 5 pm tomorrow, no adverse action will be taken against them. We want to ensure that doctors resume work and we will give them safety, security... but they have to join work. When we said that no adverse action shall be taken against the doctors...Mr (Kapil) Sibal states that no action, including punitive transfers, should be there, he said. The defence ministry on Monday signed a 26,000-crore contract with Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 240 aero-engines worth 26,000 crore for the Indian Air Forces Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft. The Indian Air Force operates a fleet of 260 Su-30s and will get 12 additional fighters to make up for planes lost in accidents (File Photo) HAL will supply 30 AL-31FP engines every year from its Koraput facility in Odisha, with the delivery being completed in eight years. These aero-engines are expected to fulfil the needs of the IAF to sustain the operational capability of the Su-30 fleet for the countrys defence preparedness, the defence ministry said in a statement. The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the procurement on September 2. IAF operates a fleet of 260 Su-30s and will get 12 additional fighters to make up for planes lost in accidents. The engines will be built in Koraput from raw material stage with transfer of technology from Russia, and only some spares, forgings and castings are expected to be imported. By the time the deliveries are completed, the engines will have an indigenous content of up to 63%, the ministry said. Read more: GE Aerospace says working with HAL to fix new Tejas LCA engine supply delay This is a significant milestone in our Make in India campaign. It will strengthen aero-engine manufacturing in India and add momentum to our aim of Aatmanirbharta, defence minister Rajnath Singh wrote on X. The Koraput division has thus far manufactured and supplied 113 AL-31FP engines to IAF. HAL estimates that the air force will need around 900 engines through the lifecycle of the Su-30 fleet. IAFs Su-30s will also be upgraded by HAL at a cost of around 65,000 crore. It will involve equipping the fighters with the indigenous Uttam active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, electronic warfare suites, weapon control systems, avionics and new weapons. The engine order comes at a time when the State-run firm is grappling with a delay in the Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) programme, working towards finalising a deal for joint production of jet engines in the country, and awaiting contracts worth tens of thousands of crores for new fighter planes and helicopters. HAL is negotiating a deal with US firm GE Aerospace for the joint production of F414 engines in India. The two firms signed a memorandum of understanding in Washington in June 2023 to produce 99 F414 engines for Indias future LCA Mk-2 programme. The joint production of the engines will help the country overcome a striking technology gap, lay the foundation for indigenous development of bigger jet engines and possibly open doors to exports. On August 30, HAL signed a contract with SAFHAL Helicopter Engines for the joint design, development and production of a new engine called Aravalli for the future 13-tonne Indian multi-role helicopter (IMRH) and its deck-based version. SAFHAL is a joint venture between French firm Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL. The helicopters could go into production with the new engine by 2031. Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Monday announced a ban on the production, sale, and use of all firecrackers, including green crackers, until January 1 as part of attempts to control air pollution in the capital. Environment minister Gopal Rai. (X) He referred to the spike in air pollution in winter and local emissions due to the bursting of firecrackers. Given such a situation, like last year, this time also a complete ban is being imposed on the production, storage, sale, and use of all types of firecrackers so that people can be saved from the pollution. There will also be a complete ban on online delivery or sale of any kind of firecrackers, he said. Rai said they want people to celebrate Diwali by lighting lamps and distributing sweets. We have to celebrate the festival with flamboyance but we have to also control pollution. Rai said a joint action plan involving the police, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, and the revenue department will soon be formulated to ensure strict enforcement of the ban. So that there is no confusion among the people regarding firecrackers, this ban is valid for all types of firecrackers. This ban will remain in force in Delhi until January 1, 2025, so that people can get relief from the problem of pollution caused by burning firecrackers. Rai said the government wanted to avoid a last-minute ban, which may have inconvenience both traders and the general public. He added the government has been fairly active over the last few years in banning firecrackers, which are also part of the 21 point Winter Action Plan. We all have to take responsibility together to control pollution. If every citizen of Delhi becomes a pollution warrior and takes the lead to save the environment, then we will be able to save people from the dangers of pollution. A doctors' forum in West Bengal has written to Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, to protest his claim that a man died after not receiving treatment at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and demanded his unconditional public apology. TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee (File Photo) Doctors at RG Kar have been on a protest since the August 9 rape and murder at the hospital of a medic, who was undergoing training there. In its letter to Banerjee, the Trinamool's national general secretary, the Joint Platform of Doctors, West Bengal, expressed concern over the politician's statement, calling it untrue and malicious. This statement is categorically false and misleading. The young male patient, suffering from polytrauma due to a tragic road accident, was referred to a higher center from Srirampur, and was received at RG Kar promptly at 9:10am on the same day, September 6. The doctors on duty immediately attended to him and continued to to provide medical care at frequent intervals until his unfortunate demise at 12:30pm, as noted in the provisional death certificate, the letter read. Contrary to your claim, the patient did not bleed for three hours without receiving medical attention. Your assertion lacks any foundation in truth and disregards the efforts made by the medical professionals who did everything to save the patient's life, it added. Further, the doctors' body called on Banerjee to take prompt corrective action as his potentially dangerous claim might lead to repercussions for the medical community, already under immense pressure due to the August 9 incident. The RG Kar rape and murder, which has led to a national outcry, is being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The Supreme Court has also taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. A former Indian Army soldier was killed after he accidentally crossed the buffer zone between the Meitei and Kuki areas in ethnic violence-hit Manipur late on Sunday night, officials aware of the matter said on Monday. The violence in Manipur has escalated over the last week. (PTI/Representative) The body of Limkholal Mate, a former Havaldar in the Assam Regiment, was found in Sekmai in the Imphal West district. Mate was a resident of Motbung in Kangpokpi. We have information that he accidentally crossed the buffer zone and entered the Sekmai area last night... He was driving a car. Police recovered his body in the [Monday] morning. It looks like he was beaten to death, said an officer even as police were yet to issue a statement on the matter. Central paramilitary forces have been posted between the Meitei and Kuki areas, also known as buffer zones, to prevent clashes. Kukis live in the hill districts of Manipur while Meiteis in the Valley. People of the two communities have avoided entering each others area since the violence was sparked last year. The Committee on Tribal Unity, a civil society group, separately claimed that the woman was killed in a bomb blast on Sunday even as police were yet to confirm this. The violence in Manipur has escalated over the last week despite efforts to address the situation with the use of drones and rockets adding another dimension to it. If anyone had doubts about the importance of an American presidential debate, it was dispelled on June 27. In this combination photo, Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, speaks during a debate, Oct. 7, 2020, in Salt Lake City, left, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks during a debate, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP) The Telangana police on Monday arrested a 13-member gang from Rajasthan for allegedly conning a business establishment that runs electronics stores in Hyderabad to the tune of 4 crore. The gang would pay for their purchases through UPI and later raise a fraudulent transaction complaint with the bank to reclaim the money, PTI reported. Suspecting fraud after such successive attempts, the showroom Bajaj Electronics lodged a complaint with the police at multiple locations in the state. (HT File) The police Commissioner said 1.72 lakh cash and electronic appliances worth 50 lakh were seized from the gang. The gang operated in two separate groups -one would remain in Hyderabad to carry out the purchases while their associated would remain in Rajasthan to complete the payment. Explaining the gang's modus operandi, police said their members would purchase high-value goods from the city-based showrooms. The gang members send the shop's QR code to their partners in Rajasthan to make the payment through UPI, the PTI report added. After completing the purchase, the gang would sell the appliances in open market and share the profits. The member in Rajasthan would then raise a fraudulent transaction claim with the bank and reclaim the money paid for the appliance, police said. Suspecting fraud after such successive attempts, the showroom Bajaj Electronics lodged a complaint with the police at multiple locations in the state. After an investigation, police nabbed all 13 members of the gang, all aged between 20-25. The accused members include Som Raj, Sunil, Sharwan, Somraj, Shivalal, Ramesh, Shrawan, Pappu Ram, Shravan, Rakesh, Ramesh and Ashok Kumar. UPI frauds UPI based scams have been reported from multiple states over the past month. In July, Bhubaneshwar police said that they received nearly 2,400 cyber fraud complaints involving more than 36 crore. Most cases involved UPI fraud, and the accused were reportedly operating from foreign countries. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in June had unveiled a series of proposals aimed including the establishment of a Digital Payments Intelligence Platform. This platform, leveraging advanced technologies, aims to mitigate payment fraud risks and enhance the safety of digital transactions. Gujarat home minster Harsh Sanghavi said on Sunday that six people had been arrested in the Sayedpura area of Surat after they allegedly pelted stones at a Ganesh pandal. Surat: Devotees carrying an idol of Lord Ganesh to the pandal during Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations, in Surat, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (PTI Photo)(PTI) In the Sayedpura area of Surat, 6 people pelted stone on the Ganesh Pandal. All these 6 people were arrested and the police have also arrested the other 27 people who were involved in encouraging such an incident, he said. Police have been dispatched to various parts of Surat. Surat police commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot told ANI, Some children pelted stones at a Ganesh pandal, after which a clash broke out. The police immediately took away those children from there. He added, With the help of CCTV footage and video cameras, we are identifying the real culprits. The police also carried out lathi charges and used teargas while trying to find the perpetrators. All those who allegedly disturbed the otherwise peaceful event were rounded up by the police. The Surat commissioner stated that 1,000 people personnel had been deployed to maintain law and order in the city. The investigation into the case is still ongoing. Protests erupted in the city after the stone pelting incident. Meanwhile, in Kolkata, many committees have used their Ganesh pandals as a means to register protest and condemn the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar hospital on August 9. Many Ganesh pandals in Kolkata featured messages calling for justice for the victim and her family, with festivities maintaining a sombre tone in view of the murder and subsequent agitation. A big push towards manufacturing is the only way to resolve Indias employment crisis and address political polarisation, leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi interacts with students at the University of Texas in Dallas on Monday. (ANI) Speaking to students and members of the Indian diaspora in Texas on Sunday, Gandhi also argued that the 2024 general elections ended the fear of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and reiterated his critique of the government over the alleged capture of institutions, alleged favouritism shown towards select business houses, and the administrations ideological orientation. The West has an employment problem. India has an employment problem. But many countries dont have an employment problem. China certainly doesnt have an employment problem. Vietnam doesnt have an employment problemThe US was the centre of global production. It then went to Korea, Japan and eventually China, Gandhi told students at the University of Texas in Dallas. He is on a three-day visit of the US. Gandhi said that the West and India gave up on the idea of production and handed it to China and, instead, organised itself on the basis consumption. You are never going to employ India using IT, using consumption. India has to think of the act of production and organising production. It is not acceptable that manufacturing will be the preserve of the Chinese..We have to reimagine how to produce in a democratic environmentif we carry down this path, you are going to see massive social problems. The polarisation of politics is because of this, he added. Gandhi said that India didnt have a skills problem but a skill respect problem where those with skills werent respected, and the skills infrastructure, education system and business system werent connected deeply. He also said that the advent of new technologies such as artificial intelligence will take away some jobs, create new jobs, and will impact different sectors differently. To be sure, the government of India has publicly committed itself to enhancing the share of manufacturing in the economy. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there has been a focus on increasing the ease of doing business, implementing a Make in India push and the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self Reliant India) campaign, and an array of production linked incentive schemes in several sectors. This has translated into flagship investments, particularly electronics, but the share of manufacturing as compared to services remains limited;in addition, the scale of unemployment remains huge. While the focus of his interaction with students was the economy, Gandhi, in his address to the diaspora, also focused on politics. He spoke of India as an Union of states just like the US, and the need to respect diversity. The RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] believes India is one idea. We believe India is a multiplicity of ideas. Very much like the US, we believe everyone should be allowed to participate and given space. This is the fight. And this was crystallised in the election when millions of people understood that PM of India was attacking the Constitution of India. What I am saying to you - Union of states, respect to languages, respect to religions, respect to traditions, respect to caste is all in the Constitution, Gandhi said, with a copy of the Constitution in his hand. He also said that the :fear of the BJP had vanished. Within minutes of the election result, nobody in India was scared of the BJP or PMThese are huge achievements of people who realised we are not going to accept an attack on the Constitution, on our religions, on our states. On Monday, Gandhi will speak at Georgetown University and attend a dinner organised by Indian Overseas Congress in Washington DC. On Tuesday, Gandhi will interact with reporters at the National Press Club. He is also expected to meet American officials and legislators; his aides expect that as leader of Opposition, the quality of receptions and meetings Gandhi gets will be different from what he got during his last visit to the US in the middle of 2023, when his Lok Sabha membership was suspended due to a conviction that was later stayed by the Supreme Court. India reported its first case of mpox (earlier known as monkeypox) with the test reports of previously suspected case returning positive for the viral disease, the Union ministry of health and family welfare said in a statement on Monday. The Union health ministry said the patient is clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities. (Representational image) The strain, however, is the one that was seen in the previous outbreak in 2022, and not the more virulent one seen globally in the current outbreak, and there is no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time, the statement added. The previously suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox) has been verified as a travel-related infection. Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of Mpox virus of the West African clade 2 in the patient, the ministry said. On Sunday, the health ministry issued a statement that said specialised tests were underway to confirm whether a suspected case of mpox isolated in one of the designated hospitals to manage mpox is infected with the virus or not. This case is an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards, and is not a part of the current public health emergency (reported by WHO) which is regarding clade 1 of mpox, the ministry added. The patient, a young male who recently travelled from a country experiencing ongoing mpox transmission, is currently isolated at a designated tertiary care isolation facility. According to the ministry statement, the patient is clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities. The case aligns with earlier risk assessments and continues to be managed according to established protocols. Public health measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, are actively in place to ensure the situation is contained. There is no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time, the ministry said. The ministry advised the states again on Monday to screen and test all suspect cases in the community, and identify isolation facilities in hospitals for both suspects and confirmed patients. In a letter to states and Union territories on Monday, Union health secretary, Apurva Chandra, asked them to prevent any undue panic amongst the masses. Chandra underlined that the health ministry continued to closely monitor the evolving situation. He asked the states and Union Territories to review public health preparedness, particularly at the health facility level, identify isolation facilities in hospitals, and ensure the availability of required logistics and trained human resources at such facilities. The Union health secretary also called for the orientation of all key stakeholders with a focus on surveillance units under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) at state and district levels to re-orient them on definitions of suspect, probable, confirmed cases, contact tracing and other surveillance activities. In the letter, Chandra asked all states to make people aware of the mpox disease, its mode of spread, the need for timely reporting and taking preventive measures, besides reviewing the public health preparedness and isolation facilities for both suspect and confirmed cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) on August 14 declared the current outbreak of mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). As highlighted by WHO, the decision was taken in view of the continuously rising trend of mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last six months. Spread of mpox cases has been reported from newer East African countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. In its latest situational update, WHO has highlighted that the clinical picture of the cases has largely remained the same, and most cases are young males with a median age of 34 years (range 18-44 years). Among modes of transmission reported globally, sexual contact is the most commonly reported, followed by person-to-person non-sexual contact and among cases where at least one symptom is reported, the most common symptom is rash, followed by fever, Chandra said in the letter. Around half of the cases with available information on their HIV status are reported to be in persons living with HIV, he said. As part of disease surveillance, Chandra said that the disease surveillance network under IDSP continues to monitor for any clustering of cases. Health units at points of entry (airports) have been instructed to strengthen health screening of incoming travellers to detect any suspected case, and the laboratory network under Indian Council of Medical Research has also been strengthened. Further, considering the disease epidemiology, the State AIDS Control societies are requested to be kept on alert to pick up on suspect cases and improve community awareness on the issue to promote timely reporting of cases, said the health secretary in the letter. New Delhi: A suspected case of Mpox, or monkeypox, has been reported from one of the designated hospitals to manage the disease in the country, the Union health ministry said on Sunday, adding that further investigations are currently underway to confirm the diagnosis in a man who has a history of travelling to one of the affected African countries. Health ministry said that the suspected patient of the viral disease has been isolated and contact tracing was underway to identify possible source of the infection. (HT PHOTO) The ministry further said that the suspected patient of the viral disease has been isolated and contact tracing was underway to identify possible source of the infection. A young male patient, who recently travelled from a country currently experiencing Mpox transmission has been identified as a suspect case of Mpox. The patient has been isolated in a designated hospital and is currently stable, the health ministry said in a statement. Samples from the patient are being tested to confirm the presence of Mpox. The case is being managed in line with established protocols, and contact tracing is ongoing to identify potential sources and assess the impact within the country. Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. After a sudden increase in cases of monkeypox was recorded in parts of Africa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on August 14 declared Mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. This was the second announcement by WHO on global outbreak of the viral disease since 2022 when cases were reported from world over. The viral infection can spread between people mainly through close contact, and occasionally from the environment to people through things and surfaces touched by those infected with Mpox. In settings where the monkeypox virus is present among some wild animals, it can also be transmitted from infected animals to people who come in contact with them. Most people recover from monkeypox within a few weeks and the disease has only been fatal in rare cases. Symptoms include lesions, eruptions on the face, palms or soles, scabs, fever, muscle ache and chills. The incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) is usually from six to 13 days but can range from five to 21 days, with communicability of one-two days before the rash to until all the scabs fall off or get subsided. Mpox is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting from 2-4 weeks. Severe cases occur more commonly among children and are related to extent of virus exposure, patient health status and nature of complication. The development of this case is consistent with the earlier risk assessment conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and there is no cause of any undue concern. The country is fully prepared to deal with such isolated travel related case and has robust measures in place to manage and mitigate any potential risk, the health ministry said. There is no specific treatment for Mpox, however, patient isolation, protection of compromised skin and mucous membranes, rehydration therapy and nutritional support, antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections if they develop, and monitoring and treatment of complications are the commonly advised supportive measures against the infection. Preventive measures include practising good hand hygiene washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser after contact with infected animals or humans, and using appropriate personal protective equipment when caring for patients. Proper chlorination is also advised. India and the UAE on Monday concluded agreements for long-term supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and civil nuclear cooperation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan explored opportunities to expand cooperation to new areas such as AI and critical minerals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan upon his arrival at the Hyderabad House in Delhi on Monday. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo) The two sides also concluded agreements for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to enhance its participation in Indias strategic petroleum reserves, for an Indian State-run firm to bring crude oil from Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 to India, and for Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company to develop a food parksl in Gujarat. The Indian side rolled out the red carpet for Sheikh Khaled, effectively next in line after UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the crown prince was accorded the protocol usually associated with visits by heads of state or government. Sheikh Khaled, also chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, is accompanied by a delegation that includes ministers, senior officials and business leaders. Modi and Sheikh Khaled discussed the multifaceted relations and avenues to broaden the comprehensive strategic partnership to new and emerging areas, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X. Read more: Abu Dhabi Crown Prince becomes 3rd gen UAE leader to plant sapling at Rajghat The two leaders emphasised the need to explore new areas of collaboration, especially nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies. The 15-year agreement for LNG supply between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited envisages the supply of one million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) from ADNOCs lower-carbon Ruwais gas project. This is the third such contract signed by India in a little more than a year to strengthen energy security. IOCL and GAIL earlier signed long-term agreements for 1.2 MMTPA and 0.5 MMTPA, respectively, with ADNOC. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NNPCIL) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) will enhance cooperation in operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants, sourcing of nuclear goods and services from India, and exploring mutual investment opportunities. It will create a framework to share knowledge and expertise in all areas of nuclear energy development. Last week, the UAE announced the completion of the Arab worlds first nuclear power plant. Abu Dhabis Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will produce 40 terawatt-hours of electricity a year once its fourth and final reactor begins commercial operations. The MoU between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) will allow the UAE to ramp up its participation in crude storage in India and the renewal of an existing storage and management agreement. This MoU builds on ADNOCs involvement in crude storage at ISPRLs Mangalore cavern since 2018. India decided in 2004 to construct strategic petroleum reserves to ensure energy security. ISPRL has completed the filling of crude oil in underground rock caverns with a total capacity of 5.33 MMT at three locations, including Mangalore (1.5 MMT). ADNOC has stored 5.86 million barrels of crude in the Mangalore cavern. These reserves can be used in emergencies, such as serious disruptions in the global crude supply chain. The production concession agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 between ADNOC and Urja Bharat, a joint venture of IOCL and Bharat Petro Resources Ltd, is the first pact of its kind for any Indian company operating in the UAE. The concession allows Urja Bharat to bring crude oil to India, contributing to the countrys energy security. The MoU between the Gujarat government and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) envisages the development of a food and agriculture park at Gundanpara in Ahmedabad district by the second quarter of 2025. During Sheikh Khaleds visit to Mumbai on Tuesday, there will the soft launch of work on the India-UAE virtual trade corridor (VTC) and the MAITRI interface to facilitate the VTC. People familiar with the matter said this VTC will be part of the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). Sheikh Khaled will also participate in the India-UAE Business Forum in Mumbai, a platform for business leaders and officials from both sides to brainstorm future cooperation in various areas. Modi and Sheikh Khaled expressed satisfaction at progress under the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in recent years and discussed opportunities to widen and deepen the partnership in all areas, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. They also acknowledged that the success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the recent entry into force of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will provide impetus to the economic and commercial partnership. Sheikh Khaled, who is on his first visit to India since becoming crown prince last year, also met President Droupadi Murmu and discussed the historic and comprehensive ties between the two sides. Murmu expressed her gratitude to the UAEs leadership for hosting more than 3.5 million Indian nationals. The Army on Monday said it has foiled an infiltration attempt and killed two terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir, in Rajouri districts Nowshera sector. The infiltration attempt was foiled days before the first phase of assembly polling in Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI/Representative) In a post on X, the Army said an operation was launched based on inputs from intelligence agencies and Jammu and Kashmir Police regarding a likely infiltration bid. Two terrorists have been neutralised and a large quantity of war-like stores including two AK-47s and one pistol thus far recovered. The Army said a search operation was in progress. The infiltration attempt was foiled nine days before the first phase of assembly polling in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were among those expected to address election rallies in the region. Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh were in Jammu over the weekend in connection with the first assembly polls after a decade. The polling will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1 while the results will be declared on October 8. As many as 14 security personnel and 10 civilians have been killed in a spate of terror attacks in the Jammu region since June. The number of terrorists killed since January went up to eight with the killing of two terrorists in Nowshera. Opposition Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for abject failure in ending ethnic violence in Manipur, calling it unforgivable. People of Manipur are asking, why doesnt Modi ji want to end violence in the state? he asked on X. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge (X) The violence, which was triggered in May last year, has escalated with the use of drones and rockets in attacks over the last week. A former soldier was killed after he accidentally crossed the buffer zone between the Meitei and Kuki areas late on Sunday night. Kharge said former governor Anusuiya Uikey echoed Manipurs people when she said they were upset and sad and wanted Modi to visit them. He said Modi has not spent a single second in Manipur over the past 16 months even as violence continues unabated in the state and people suffer the consequences of the complicity of the prime minister and Union home minister Amit Shah. Kharge attacked Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh saying he has set a record in shamelessly brazening out his rank incompetence and reportedly demanded the transfer of the Unified Command to the state government to oversee security operations. Read more: 4 militants, 1 civilian killed in fresh violence in Manipur Kharge noted a team of Union home ministry officials, the state security adviser, and the army were handling the command. He said it looks like Shah has also given up on his Constitutional responsibility like Modi of ensuring security in Manipur, and was busy politicking and addressing rallies in elections going states. Kharge referred to drone and rocket-propelled grenade attacks in Manipur and said this is now turning out to be a national security threat. He demanded Singhs immediate dismissal and said the Union government must take full responsibility for the sensitive security situation. There should be a massive crackdown on all kinds of insurgent groups, with the help of the state forces, he said. The Supreme Court mandated and monitored Manipur Commission of Inquiry into ethnic violence must expedite its investigation. Kharge said the Modi government must not misuse federal agencies investigating the violence. He added attempts to foster peace and normalcy must start immediately by taking all political parties, representatives, civil society, and every community on board. Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday responded to media reports and social media posts claiming incursion by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Arunachal Pradesh. Union minister of parliamentary affairs and minority affairs Kiren Rijiju.(File) The reports claimed that PLA allegedly entered inside Indian territory in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh last week and that they were camping in the Kapapu area of the district for some time, according to PTI. Pictures of bonfires, painting of rocks and Chinese food materials found at the site have been shared on social media, the reports claimed. On Monday, Rijiju, however, pointed out that mere painting of marks in undemarcated locations doesn't mean the areas have been encroached upon. "China can't take our land. Overlapping of patrolling does take place in the undemarcated areas. They are not allowed to construct anything permanent. There is strict vigil from our side. Mere painting of marks in undemarcated locations doesn't mean the areas have been encroached on," Rijiju told PTI. He also said that India has been building infrastructure along the border and will continue to do so. "But we will not allow anyone to come near the Line of Actual Control," Rijiju added. India shares a 3,400 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing continues to claim that Arunachal Pradesh has "always been" its territory, a claim termed as "absurd" and ludicrous by New Delhi. New Delhi has also dismissed Beijing's move to assign "invented" names to the area, saying it did not alter the reality. India-China border row Relations between the two Asian countries have been at a six-decade low since the face-off on the LAC began in April-May 2020. Dozens of rounds of diplomatic and military talks have resulted in the two sides withdrawing troops from other friction points such as the north and south banks of Pangong Lake, Gogra and Hot Spring. Also Read | Four years on, a look at Galwan and beyond There have been more than 20 rounds of talks between Indian and Chinese corps commanders. (Inputs from PTI) Senior advocate Kapil Sibal informed the Supreme Court on Monday that 23 people have died as a result of the doctors' strike following the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital in August. Sibal who is representing the West Bengal after Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor said the state government has filed the status report of the investigation. Doctors across the country had gone on strike following the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. (HT FILE) However, the solicitor general said that he had not received the report. The bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and including Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra reviewed the report that was submitted in a sealed cover. The Centre has urged the Supreme Court to address the West Bengal government's failure to provide logistical support to the CISF, which is responsible for security at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Union home ministry in its application has described the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government's alleged lack of cooperation indicative of a deeper issue and requested that state authorities be directed to provide full support to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Junior doctors have been on strike demanding justice for the trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The Calcutta High Court handed the sensitive case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Nearly a month into the CBI's probe, only one arrest has been made, that of Sanjay Roy. A CBI official told PTI that the investigation has been hampered by missing evidence from the crime scene, which has made it difficult to connect key elements of the case and slowed progress. The central agency revealed that Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital had ordered the demolition of a restroom and a toilet near the seminar room on August 10, the day after the body was found. Kolkata rape-murder case highlights: The Supreme Court adjourned their hearing on matters related to the RG Kar case today and will resume hearing the case on September 17. The CBI will also file a fresh report on the investigation to the court on the same date. The bench consisting of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra had initially taken suo moto cognisance of the case on August 22....Read More During today's hearing, the Supreme Court pointed out various discrepancies such as the absence of a post mortem report challan, the filing of the FIR 14 hours late and differences in timelines of general diary entries by both sides. The court also asked that all photographs of the victim be taken off social media in order to respect her dignity and privacy. Latest Developments - The West Bengal government under Mamata Banerjee's leadership, has faced flak for mishandling the case, with opposition parties and activists calling for the chief minister to resign. -Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee denied allegations of attempts to buy the silence of the victim's family by bribing them. Terming such claims as slander she claimed that she offered the victim's family to do something in their daughter's memory if they wanted. -Banerjee also claimed that Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal offered to resign after protests, but the government wanted an officer well aware of potential law and order issues ahead of Durga Puja festivities. -On the unrelenting protests across the state, Banerjee alleged conspiracy by the Centre and some Left parties. She also accused few TV channels of disseminating provocative news for gaining TRP's. The TMC welcomed the apex court direction to the protesting doctors to return to work by 5 pm tomorrow. The party claimed that more than 7 lakh out-patients have been denied care since the protests began. -Meanwhile, the BJP asked Banerjee to stop making accusations and step down from her position instead. The party also claimed that hearing in the SC exposed her dirty face. A lawyer on Monday told the Supreme Court that the victim's vaginal swab in the Kolkata rape and murder case was not preserved at the required 4 degrees Celsius. Supreme Court of India(HT File) The lawyer said that the forensic report confirms the junior doctor was found at 9:30 am in a semi-nude state, with her jeans and undergarments removed and injury marks on her body. The vaginal swab had to be preserved at 4 degree centigrade. Three doctors purposely did not preserve it at 4 degree centigrade. Now that sample might be contaminated, he added. Follow Kolkata rape-murder case LIVE updates: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that in cases of rape and murder, the first five hours are crucial. During this period, the area should be cordoned off to prevent anyone from entering the crime scene and taking photographs, he added. On the receipt of information regarding an offence, there has to be an FIR. Without an FIR, Section 176 (3) cannot come into play. The forensic team was at the scene in the afternoon. They could have been called under Section 176, but there has to be a prior FIR because if there is no case, the forensic team cannot be called, said the lawyer. He also informed the apex court that the victim's legs were positioned at a 90-degree angle, which would require broken hips. He urged the bench to review the postmortem report to determine if the X-ray plates were handed over to the CBI. When the body is dispatched for postmortem after inquest, there must be something for the doctors to look at, said the CJI. Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, said that the dead body challan, which was provided to the victim's family has been submitted. However, he said he could not see the document immediately. The parents of the Kolkata rape-murder victim on Sunday accused the police of trying to cover up the crime. Joining a protest in the city against the grisly murder inside the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, they said they would be forced to "snatch" justice for their daughter. People chant slogans as they participate in a protest condemning and marking one month since the rape and murder of a trainee medic at a government-run hospital in Kolkata. (Reuters) The father of the victim said the huge outpouring of public support gave them the courage to fight for justice for their daughter. "We won't get justice easily. We have to snatch it. This will not be possible without everybody's help," the father of the victim said, per a TOI report. The doctor's mother said she shudders whenever she tries to think about the pain her daughter had to endure before her death. Whenever I think about the torment, the pain experienced by my daughter on that night, I shudder. She had dreams to serve the society, Now, all these protesters are all my children," she was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI. She accused the Kolkata police of not helping them. "From the very beginning, the cops didn't cooperate with us. We could have seen a glimpse of hope if they had cooperated even a little. Even after such a crime, the police tried to cover it up. Evidence too has been tampered with," she was quoted as saying by TOI. The Kolkata doctor was found murdered inside the seminar hall of the hospital on August 9. Her autopsy later confirmed rape and assault. She had around 25 internal and external injuries to her body. On the basis of CCTV footage, the police arrested a civic volunteer named Sanjay Roy. He was seen entering the hall at 4.03 am. Meanwhile, the role of the hospital authorities and the police have come under the scanner because they delayed the registration of the FIR for 14 hours. The parents have accused the hospital of trying to cover up the crime by telling them that their daughter died by suicide. They were also made to wait for three hours before being allowed to see the woman's body. A 14-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly raped by two men in Lucknow on Sunday, India Today reported. Police said the accused also hit her head with a brick leading to injuries. Police have formed several teams to trace the location of the second accused, who is believed to be absconding. The teen was on her way to a food outlet in Lucknow's Bakshi Ka Talab area on Sunday around 8 pm. The duo started stalking the teen and allegedly caught hold of her while she was walking near a lonely stretch. Also read | Rape survivors family refuses to meet SP MP Police said the accused later took turns to rape the victim and also hurled casteist abuses. Not only this, they hit me at my face with a brick with an intention to kill me. They attacked me many times on the back and other body parts and left me when they thought I was dead, the police quoted from the victim's complaint. The survivor managed to regain consciousness in some time and fled the scene. She informed her parents about the incident, who rushed her immediately to the hospital and also informed the local police. Also read | Mohali: Married man booked for raping woman One of the accused was arrested immediately after the incident. Police have formed several teams to trace the location of the second accused, who is believed to be absconding. "Based on the complaint of the girl, a case was filed at the Bakshi Ka Talab Police Station under relevant sections of the BNS, POSCO and SC/ST Act. One of the accused was arrested. Some people are also detained for questioning in the case", Deputy Commissioner of Police of Lucknow North Abhijit R Shankar told India Today. Police have registered a case against the accused under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and the SC/ST Act and also launched a probe. They are also awaiting the survivor's statement before a magistrate. A 12-year-old girl is among the four students enrolled at the Barkatullah Madrasa in Vidisha city of Madhya Pradesh, but a cloud of uncertainty looms over her further education at the institution, which now faces closure for allegedly enrolling non-Muslim students and projecting inflated enrolment figures to avail government benefits. Madhya Pradesh: Students fate in limbo as govt cracks down on madrasas The sixth graders grandmother, who works as a domestic help, said joining another school would be difficult for her granddaughter. I dont know how will she continue her studies as a government school had already refused admission to her earlier, the woman said, requesting anonymity. A large number of students enrolled in various madrasas across the Hindi heartland state stare at a similar situation as the 12-year-old girl. Barkatullah Madrasa is among 1,012 madrasas in Madhya Pradesh that have faced closure over the last three years the state had a total of 2,689 madrasas in 2021. The renewal of registration of another 577 madrasas is on hold over a raft of issues, including enrolment of non-Muslim students, poor infrastructure and fake enrolments to avail government benefits, officials said, adding that the registration is being put on hold on case-to-case basis. As of now, only 1,100 madrasas, are being run in Madhya Pradesh for providing religious knowledge with modern education, an administrative officer of the MP Madrasa Board said. State school education minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh said a fresh inspection is going on of all 1,677 madrasas. We will not allow religious education at madrasas to non-Muslim students. We will break this nexus and close down such institutions, the minister said. The government crackdown followed a probe report that pointed at alleged irregularities in some madrasas. We found that non-Muslim students were enrolled fraudulently for receiving funds for mid-day meals, (and) not for conversion, a school education department official, aware of the findings of the inquiry conducted following a complaint from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), said. The official, however, denied claims of conversion attempt at the educational institutions for Muslims. Manjeet Kapoor, who runs Barkatullah Madrasa said: I was just helping non-Muslim students. The madrasa was opened only for Muslim students to provide them modern education, but later it became a place for students of all religions. In October 2022, Manoj Kaushal, a child rights activist from Vidisha, wrote to NCPCR claiming that non-Muslim students were enrolled at madrasas in a tribal area. A team from NCPCR led by chairperson Priyank Kanoongo visited two madrasas, Barkatullah and Mariam Deeniyat, and found 48 non-Muslim students. Kanoongo then wrote to the state government in December 2022 and aired suspicion that these students might be converted. The panel wrote to the state government two more time, the latest in April this year, seeking an inspection of madrasas and action against those enrolling non-Muslim students. More than 9,500 non-Muslim students were found studying in over half of the total Madrasas inspected in 2023. However, no action was taken in this matter due to Model Code of Conduct imposed for assembly elections, a Madrasa Board official said. On August 16, the BJP-led state government issued an order seeking verification of non-Muslim students at the madrasas. In another order, on August 28, school education department asked district collectors to ensure all madrasas affiliated to the Madrasa Board were following the laid down guidelines. Kaushal, who first raised the matter, admitted that enrolment of non-Muslim students was primarily to boost numbers. We didnt find any students who can say he/she was forced to study. Only a few (of these non-Muslim) students visited madrasas while most of them were enrolled on papers only. The numbers were inflated to get benefits of the mid-day meal. Under mid-day meal, a madrasa gets 6-8 per day per student. The Madrasa Board and Association of Madrasas said they were already facing financial crises due to non-realisation of the Centres aid provided under the Scheme for Providing Education to Madrasas/Minorities (SPEMM) to give salary to teachers, books and uniform since 2016. The Centre didnt release fund for the past three years. We are writing to them, a Madrasa Board official said. Professor Syed Imad-Uddin, former chairperson of MP Madrasa Board, said Madrasa is for imparting Islamic education. The central government launched SPEMM for providing modern scientific education to students with Islamic education. The decision was for the upliftment of Muslims and non-Muslim students could not be enrolled at Madrasas, he said. Amid the ongoing uproar over the government crackdown, the grandmother of the sixth grader says her only concern is for her granddaughter to get education. From where, it doesnt matter. TMC MP Jawhar Sircar, who on Sunday declared he would resign as the party's Rajya Sabha member in the wake of the Kolkata rape and murder, was reportedly asked by chief minister Mamata Banerjee to reconsider his decision. Jawhar Sircar (L) and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee (R). In a letter to Banerjee on Sunday, Jawhar Sircar announced his resignation from the Rajya Sabha following the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital. He also urged the TMC chief to save the state. The politician also mentioned his plan to travel to Delhi to submit his resignation to Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. Citing sources, India Today reported that Sircar is expected to visit the national capital on September 11. After Sircar's decision, Mamata Banerjee called him and urged him to reconsider his decision to quit as a TMC Rajya Sabha member, the report said. Sircar also wrote that he had thought Mamata Banerjee would interfere in the old Mamata style. I thought you would interfere in the ongoing movement in the old Mamata style, but I did not see it, he said adding that ongoing agitation of doctors was against the unchecked overbearing attitude of the favoured few and the corrupt. He claimed there was angst and a lack of confidence in people against the government. Jawhar Sircar resigns from TMC: What's the reason? I have suffered patiently for a month since the terrible incident at RG Kar Hospital and was hoping for your direct intervention with the agitating junior doctors, in the old style of Mamata Banerjee. It has not happened and whatever punitive steps the government is taking now are too little and quite late, the letter reads. Sircar claimed that normalcy would have been restored sooner if the government had held accountable those responsible for improper administrative actions. He also mentioned that after his resignation, he would completely disassociate himself from politics. On August 9, a trainee doctor was found raped and murdered inside Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The police have arrested a man named Sanjay Roy for the crime. However, the hospital administration and the Kolkata police's role after the murder came under the scanner due to questionable decisions. The ex-principal of the hospital, Dr Sandip Ghosh allegedly tried to pass off the murder as a suicide. The victim's family was made to wait for over three hours before they were allowed to see the body of their daughter. The murder FIR was filed around 14 hours after the body had been found. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh on Sunday said he agrees to a big part of Jawhar Sircar's letter to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee regarding his decision to resign as Rajya Sabha member. We have heard Jawhar Sircar has taken a decision. He was one of the best bureaucrats in the country, the greatest from West Bengal. It is his personal stand, decision, and letter. I wont make a comment on it. He has the right to take a decision, Ghosh said. The Supreme Court on Monday rapped the West Bengal government, noting that there was no mention' in the state's report of a 'key document, as it resumed hearing the case of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, having taken a suo motu cognisance. Supreme Court of India. (ANI File Photo) It was pointed to senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Bengal government, that the report made no mention of the challan that is issued with the post-mortem report (PMR) of an individual, the trainee doctor in this case. Look at the PMR. The constable is supposed to carry this challanthere is no reference of the challan used. You (government) need to explain, tomorrow, if this document is missing. You will have to explain why this happened, remarked Justice JB Pardiwala, according to Live Law. The bench comprises Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, who is heading it, and Justices Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. Meanwhile Sibal, who also leads the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), submitted that the state shall submit an affidavit regarding the document. Also, in another crucial development, Chief Justice Chandrachud suggested during the hearing that there was a delay of 14 hours between the victim's death and filing of the First Information Report (FIR). Further, the bench directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the federal agency probing the case, to file a fresh report by September 17 detailing progress made in the investigation. Additionally, the judges ordered removal from social media of pictures of the victim. The bench was also informed by Sibal, the Bengal government's lawyer, that nearly two dozen people had lost their lives as a direct result of the doctors' strike in the state. The accused, Sanjay Roy, works as a civic volunteer of the Kolkata Police. The Opposition parties might get chairmanship of six of the 16 department-related standing committees of the Lok Sabha, though these are unlikely to include key ones such as home affairs or defence, in the upcoming reshuffle of the House panels that is expected to be completed before September 20, functionaries involved in the discussions said on Sunday. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju has started consultations with various political parties. (PTI) Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju has started consultations with different political parties and has indicated to leaders that the panels will be reconstituted before September 20. In the 17th Lok Sabha, the committees were announced on September 14. The Congress, according to a party leader, wants qualitative and quantitative improvement of their quota of chairmanship of panels in line with the partys improved performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The partys interlocutors with the government have indicated that when the Congress had just 44 MPs in the 16th Lok Sabha, it headed the finance and external affairs committees of Parliament. In the outgoing Lok Sabha, the party chaired the panels on chemicals and fertilisers, environment and commerce. During the discussions with various partieswhich included a meeting between Rijiju and some senior leaders on Sunday eveningthe government has indicated that it is not inclined towards an Opposition leader as the chairman of the home affairs panel. In the recent past, former Union minister P Chidambaram and Abhishek Singhvi had led the important committee. Of the 24 department-related standing committees, eight are headed by Rajya Sabha members. To be sure, the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairman pick the chairpersons of the House panels. But before the final decision is taken by the presiding officers, the government holds informal consultations with various parties. In the upcoming reshuffle, the Trinamool Congress is expected to get one chairmans post. It didnt get the chairmans post in the 17th Lok Sabha. The Trinamool, which is currently facing the wrath of the people of West Bengal over the gruesome rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College, is the third largest party in Parliament after the BJP and the Congress. The Samajwadi Party, which has been contacted by government managers over the phone, will head one panel and the DMK, another key Opposition party, will lead a committee. The TDP and the JDU dont have the requisite numbers to claim the chairmans post but the BJP will give the two allies the chairmanship of two panels from its own quota. The standing committees, which hold key to Parliaments supervisory role on the government, are yet to be reconstituted despite two sessions a special session and the monsoon session being concluded in the 18th Lok Sabha. Each standing committee oversees the functioning of one or a few ministries. New Delhi, "Protest cannot be at the cost of duty," the Supreme Court observed on Monday as it directed the West Bengal doctors protesting over the rape and killing of a postgraduate medic at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata to return to work immediately. Protest cannot be at cost of duty: SC to West Bengal medics protesting over Kolkata rape and killing A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud directed the protesting doctors to get back to work by 5 pm on Tuesday and assured them that there will be no adverse action if they resume duty. "The state of West Bengal must take steps to create confidence in the minds of the doctors that their concerns regarding their safety and security are being duly attended to. In order to ensure this, all the district collectors and SPs shall take stock of the situation in all government medical colleges and public hospitals and provide adequate safety. "We also direct that in the event the doctors return to duty on or before 5 pm , no adverse disciplinary action should be taken against them. If there is continued abstention of work, there may be a likelihood of adverse action," the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said. The court said the protesting doctors cannot be oblivious to the needs of the general community. "Any protest cannot be at the cost of duty. The young doctors must now return and attend to the patients. We know what is happening on the ground. First, return to work. The district collectors and superintendents of police will ensure safety. You have to now return to work," the bench said. Appearing in the court on behalf of the West Bengal government, senior advocate Kapil Sibal submitted that 23 people have died in the state as doctors are on strike protesting against the rape and killing that has triggered nationwide protests. "A status report has been filed. The state health department has filed a report. Twenty-three people have died as doctors are on strike," Sibal told the bench. The senior lawyer said the public is suffering and healthcare has been in total disarray in the state due to the protests. He said no permission or route map is being sought by the protesting doctors. Terming the rape and killing "horrific", the court had excoriated the West Bengal government over the delay in filing an FIR in connection with the incident and allowing thousands of people to vandalise the state-run hospital. The alleged rape and killing of the junior doctor in a seminar hall of the hospital has sparked nationwide protests. The medic's body with severe injury marks was found inside the seminar hall of the hospital's chest department on August 9. A civic volunteer of the Kolkata Police was arrested in connection with the incident the following day. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on August 14. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called for the need for independent people to helm Indias education system while accusing ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s ideological fount Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of damaging it. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Dallas on Sunday. (X) He said the education system was feeding ideologies and RSS was placing most of the vice-chancellors. One organisation [RSS] placing its people in our education system is really damaging. The people who run education in India must be Independent and not ideological, he said at an event in Dallas in the American state of Texas on Sunday. Gandhi, who is on a four-day visit to the US, said India needs to boost manufacturing if it wants to solve its unemployment problem. He highlighted Indias potential to compete with China in global production if it focuses on enhancing manufacturing. Gandhi said India has abundant skills but needs to align its strategies for production. He called for increased vocational training to bridge the gap between the needs of business and the education system while criticising its ideological capture. Gandhi said his role as the Opposition leader in Lok Sabha was more than just opposing the government. It is much broader and simpler. He added it was about injecting the values of love, respect, and humility, which are missing in the Indian political system across parties. Love all human beings, not just one religion, one community, one caste, one state, or people who speak one language. Respect all those building India, the most powerful and the weakest. He said a man wearing a turban, sitting in front of him deserves as much respect as someone who is not wearing one. ...so deserves the one who speaks Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. These are not just languages. They carry with them history, culture, music, food, dance, said Gandhi. If you tell people of Andhra Pradesh that Telugu is not as important as Hindi, you are insulting them and telling them their histories are not important. This is the battle being fought in India, he said. Gandhi recalled one of his speeches in Parliament and the description of the idea of fearlessness in every religion. When I was saying this, the BJP could not stand it. They do not understand. And we are going to make them understand. He referred to the 2024 national election results and said the people of India have decided they are not going to accept attacks on the Constitution, religion, and states. Gandhi praised the Indian diaspora in the US for their values of love and humility and called them the ambassadors of India. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said on Monday that the fear of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has faded among the people since the Lok Sabha election results. **EDS: VIDEO GRAB VIA @INCIndia ON MONDAY, SEPT 9, 2024** Dallas: LoP in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addresses the Indian Diaspora, in Dallas, USA. (PTI Photo)(PTI09_09_2024_000017B)(PTI) Addressing the Indian diaspora in Dallas, Texas, the Congress leader said that in his first speech in the Parliament after the polls, he mentioned Abhayamudra, a symbol of fearlessness present in all Indian religions. He claimed that the BJP could not tolerate or understand this. The other thing that happened was that the fear of the BJP vanished. We saw that immediately, within minutes of the election result, nobody in India was scared of the BJP or the Prime Minister of India. So these are huge achievements, not of Rahul Gandhi or the Congress party. We are peripheral. These are huge achievements of the people of India who realised democracy, said Rahul Gandhi. What did Rahul Gandhi say about RSS in Texas? He also said that the Bharatiya Janata Party's parent organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), believes India is one idea, while his party believes India is a multiplicity of ideas. The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas. We believe that everybody should be allowed to participate, allowed to dream and should be given space regardless of their caste, language, religion, tradition, or history. This is the fight and the fight was crystallized in the election when millions of people in India clearly understood that the Prime Minister of India was attacking the Constitution of India, Rahul Gandhi said. Read: Sam Pitroda in Texas: 'Rahul Gandhi is no Pappu, he is...' He said that every single word he has spoken is rooted in the Constitution, which he described as the foundation of modern India. He said that during the election, when he highlighted the Constitution, people understood his message. I saw it happening when I used to raise the Constitution, people understood what I was saying. They were saying that the BJP is attacking our tradition, attacking our language, attacking our states, attacking our histories. Most importantly, what they understood was that anybody who is attacking the Constitution of India is also attacking our religious tradition, said Gandhi. With inputs from ANI Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi termed his 4000 km-long Bharat Jodo Yatra as "an attack on myself during an interaction at the University of Texas in Dallas on Friday. Gandhi reflected on the hardships and self-doubts he had to overcome to finish the yatra. LoP in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addresses the Indian Diaspora, at Dallas in Texas, USA.(PTI) "For the first 3-4 days, I thought, 'What have I done?" Gandhi quipped, drawing a burst of laughter from the audience. "In some ways, Bharat Jodo Yatra was an attack on myself. This generates a completely different way of thinking and creates a unique relationship with people", Gandhi said as he credited the yatra for helping him develop a new way of thinking and understand the people better. The Congress MP likened the battle within himself to his concept of Lord Shiva, bringing in an element of spirituality into his conversation. You know the idea of Shiva. When they say Shiva is the destroyer, what is he destroying? Himself. Hes destroying his ego, his structure, his beliefs. So, Indian political thought and action are all about going inward, he added. Idea of love in politics Looking back at his journey, Gandhi boasted that his yatra had introduced the idea of love into Indian politics and that he was amazed at how that idea worked. To me, the most powerful thing that happened organically, was that we introduced certainly for the first time in India, possibly for the first time in many countries, the idea of 'love' in politics. And this is strange... because... [in] the political discourse in most countries, you will never find the word 'love'... You'll find hatred, anger, unfairness, corruption, Gandhi said. Elaborating on the reasons for conducting the yatra, the Raebareli MP alleged that all avenues of communication were shut in India during those times and the party decided to directly talk with the people. Also read | Rahul Gandhi accuses RSS of damaging Indias education system No matter what we did, it was all shut. We spoke in parliament. That's not televised. We go to the media, they don't pick up what we say. We even go with documents to the legal system, nothing happens. So, all our avenues were shut. And for a long time, we literally couldn't understand how to communicate. And then suddenly we hit upon the idea, Gandhi added. He is set to engage in several discussions as part of his visit to the United States from September 8 to 10. Gandhi is accompanied by the chairperson of Indian Overseas Congress, Sam Pitroda. (With inputs from agencies) Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday slammed leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his remarks at the University of Texas in Dallas in United States. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (L) and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma (R) Addressing the gathering, Gandhi said,"The West has an employment problem. India has an employment problem... But many countries in the world don't have an employment problem. China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. Vietnam doesn't have an employment problem." If you look at the United States in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, they were the centre of global production. Anything that was made, (be it) cars, washing machines (or) TVs, all was made in the United States. Production moved from the United States. It went to Korea and it went to Japan. Eventually, it went to China. If you look today, China is dominating global production, PTI quoted the Congress leader. ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi accuses RSS of damaging Indias education system Hitting out at Gandhi, the Assam CM said,"Rahul Gandhi promotes China in various ways. Undermining India, he tries to project China as the best nation. But, there is no democracy and no religious freedom for people in China. But, Gandhi doesnt talk about them." ALSO READ: Rahul attacks PM in US: People stopped being scared of BJP after LS results BJP calls Rahul Gandhi a black spot on democracy Not just Sarma, several BJP leaders have slammed Gandhi, accusing him of tarnishing India's image abroad. Have you ever heard that George Bush, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and Biden, ever spoke ill of America after going to some other country? They never said bad things about their own country. But Rahul Gandhi can do this, he is doing this. Rahul Gandhi is lying without knowing the country, the Prime Minister and the RSS, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said. ALSO READ: Sam Pitroda in Texas: 'Rahul Gandhi is no Pappu, he is...' Rahul Gandhi is a part-time leader. After becoming LoP, he has responsibility on his shoulders that the public has given him. He is a black spot on democracy. He doesn't even know what to say on foreign land. He could not say a word against China. He portrays India as a weak entity, ANI quoted BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia as saying. (With PTI, ANI inputs) Addressing the Indian diaspora in Texas, senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda declared on Monday that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is not Pappu. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with Sam Pitroda at an Indian diaspora event in New York.(PTI file photo) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) often mocks Rahul Gandhi by calling him "Pappu". Sam Pitroda said Rahul Gandhi is a highly educated strategist. "He (Rahul Gandhi) has a vision contrary to what BJP promotes by spending crores of rupees. I must tell you, he is no Pappu. He is highly educated, well-read, a strategist with deep thinking on any subject and sometimes it is not very easy to understand him," Pitroda said, per ANI. Sam Pitroda, the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, said Rahul Gandhi champions inclusion. "Going to school in the early fifties, Gandhian thoughts were the core of our learning. Inclusion and diversity were not just words -- this was what we live by and when I begin to see changes in our society, which attack the basic fabric, I worry about it. So the idea... is to make sure that we respect our people irrespective of race, religion, language, or state. We create the same opportunities for everybody, we provide dignity to labour and these are the issues that Rahul Gandhi is championing and that makes me very happy," he said. Pitroda said that Rahul Gandhi's agenda is to celebrate diversity. "Rahul Gandhi has a different agenda which is more focused on something that we have been trying to address for a long time but have not been able to quite address well and that is inclusion, celebration of diversity..," he said. Pitroda explained that democracy is not that simple and cannot be taken for granted. "Democracy is not that simple... Democracy requires work from a large number of people like us. We can't take it for granted because there are people who are focused on hijacking democracy. We have seen it in many countries... At the time of independence, there was this fervour about the independence movement and leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Maulana Azad, Sardar Patel, and Subhash Chandra Bose were very clear about the kind of nation they wanted to build. Everyone understood what freedom meant and the opportunities free India would create... I want you to join the Indian Overseas Congress, improve the quality of our activities, and quantity of our members and bring in a more diverse group of people," he said. Rahul Gandhi is currently visiting the United States, where he will take part in several interactions. With inputs from PTI, ANI External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday called for a ceasefire in conflict zone Gaza as soon as possible. Addressing the First India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Jaishankar said that the situation in Gaza is the foremost concern. Indias position in this regard has been principled and consistent. While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage-taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians. Any response must take into account the principles of humanitarian law. We support a ceasefire as soon as possible, the minister said. ALSO READ: Fallout of West Asia conflict emphasises need for derisking: EAM Jaishankar External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.(PTI file) "On the larger issue, we have consistently stood for a resolution of the Palestinian issue through a two-State solution. We have also contributed to the building of Palestinian institutions and capacities. Where the humanitarian situation is concerned, we have provided relief and increased our support to UNRWA," Jaishankar added. ALSO READ: At CII Conclave, Jaishankar lays out vision for stronger India-Mediterranean ties Adversity brings out real importance of friendships: Jaishankar The minister said that adversity" brings out the real importance of friendships. The pandemic underlined how relevant we are to each other for health security, food security and maritime security. Similarly, the demands of AI, of electric mobility and of green growth highlight the importance of sharing human resources, he said. Conflict and tensions bring out the importance of cooperating on connectivity. In a world moving towards multipolarity, we can be mutually supportive of each others aspirations, the minister added. Jaishankar added that the relationship between India and the GCC is rooted in a rich tapestry of history, culture, and shared values. These bonds have grown stronger with time, evolving into a partnership that spans economics, energy, defence, technology, education, people to people ties and beyond. There are many ways to contemplate our partnership. Let me offer the framework of 3Ps People, Prosperity and Progress, he added. Close to 9 million Indians work and live amongst you, acting as a living bridge between us. Their contributions to your economic progress are widely recognised. We thank you for ensuring their welfare and comfort, Jaishankar said. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday attacked Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for his visit to the United States, saying that his comments are spoiling the image of India on foreign soil. He also said that Gandhi's remarks in the US were anti-national, and that no patrior can indulge in such acts. Texas: LoP in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addresses the Indian Diaspora, at Dallas in Texas, USA. (PTI Photo)(PTI) This comes after Rahul Gandhi addressed the Indian diaspora in Dallas on Sunday. The Leader of Opposition said during his address that love, respect and humility are missing from Indian politics, and also criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for "believing that India is one idea". During an interaction with students at the University of Texas in Dallas, Gandhi also underscored the need to focus on manufacturing in India, saying India, the US and other countries in the West are facing the problem of unemployment while China is not as it is dominating global production. Attacking Gandhi on his remarks, Chouhan said on Monday, Rahul Gandhi is leader of opposition (in the Lok Sabha) and the LoP is answerable to the nation. Spoiling the country's image abroad amounts to an anti-national act and no patriot indulges in such acts. He also said that the Raebareli MP is frustrated after the Congress party lost in the Lok Sabha elections which is why he is blurting out such statements. Hitting out at the former Congress president, Chouhan said the RSS had created lakhs of dedicated workers who have devoted their life for India. The Union agriculture minister said, When I went to America when Manmohan Singh was the prime minister, I was asked whether the Indian premier was an under-achiever. At the time, I had responded that India's PM can never be an under-achiever. He also slammed Gandhi for saying that everything in India is Made in China, saying that such remarks disrespect the workforce of the nation. On Gandhi's statement that no one is afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chouhan said that this was indeed true "since people love Modi ji and that is why they have made him PM for a third consecutive time". Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge backed Rahul Gandhi's remarks in US, saying that the LoP never insulted India and will never do so. Kharge further said that BJP needs an excuse to bring up such issues. (With inputs from PTI) The Supreme Court on Monday directed Trinamool Congress (TMC) member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee and his wife, Rujira, to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Delhi in connection with the probe against them in an illegal coal mining case. TMC member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee. (X) A bench of justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma agreed with the ED that the investigation into the case established an adequate nexus of the offence and the offenders in Delhi and hence summoning them there was not wrong. The couple moved the court after the ED summoned them in September 2021. They expressed willingness for questioning at EDs Kolkata office since they live there. The bench cited the EDs status report and noted that the agency filed a complaint against the accused in a special court in New Delhi. It added inspector Ashok Kumar Mishra allegedly received 168 crore from the co-accused Anup Majee to be delivered to his political bosses. ...Rs. 168 crores were transferred through vouchers to Delhi and overseas which clearly established adequate nexus of the offence and the offenders with the territory of Delhi. We therefore do not find any illegality in the summons issued by the respondent [ED] summoning the appellants to its office in Delhi, the bench said. It added EDs Delhi office has territorial jurisdiction as a part of the offence was allegedly committed in the national capital as per the complaint. It is also not disputed that the appellant [Banerjee] being a Member of Parliament has also an official residence in Delhi. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the couple, told the Supreme Court that summons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) should follow the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). They added that PMLA Section 50 only provides ED the power to summon without specifying the procedure. They argued that Section 160 of CrPC, which deals with the summoning of witnesses, makes an exception for women. Singhvi pointed out that Rujira has two minor children to look after and she is not an accused in the case. The ED argued the PMLA has specific exceptions for women where it is needed. It added the legislature has consciously not provided an exemption for women in Section 50 as there are practical difficulties considering the volume of documents that the witness needs to be confronted with, making it difficult for the same to be done at the residence of the woman. The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking immediate suspension of military aid to Israel for its war in Gaza observing that imposing any such prohibition cannot be taken by courts as the decision whether any such step is warranted is to be taken by the government considering economic and geopolitical considerations. The Supreme Court of India. (File Photo) Deciding a public interest litigation filed by a group of retired public servants, scholars and public spirited citizens demanding an immediate halt of supply of weapons by Indian companies to Israel, a bench headed by chief justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said that such a petition cannot be maintainable as Israel being a sovereign nation cannot be amenable to the jurisdiction of Indian courts. The court said that the supply of arms by Indian companies to Israel would be governed by international contracts that cannot be interfered by a courts decision as Indian companies have firm commitments under contractual obligations. The petition was argued by advocate Prashant Bhushan who said that the Indian government, having ratified the Genocide Convention, is bound by the international agreement which does not permit supply of arms to a country engaging in genocide and war crimes. In the present case, he said Israel had indulged in killing innocents by bombing schools and hospitals and supply of arms by India at a time when the war at Gaza is going on will violate the Genocide Convention. The bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said, You are assuming it may be used for genocide. You have raised a delicate issue, but courts should not interfere in this matter. Government can evaluate what is the impact on Indian companies as it is conscious of the situation being a responsible power. The court said that a similar situation can arise in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine with a plea not to import oil from Russia. India sources oil from Russia. Can the Supreme Court say you should stop importing oil from Russia. These decisions are a matter of conduct of foreign policy and depends on needs of the nation. The court cited other situations that may arise relating to nature of extent of economic relations with Bangladesh or Maldives which had recently ordered Indian defence personnel to leave their country. The danger of court taking over the function of the government will lead to granting injunctory relief without fully appreciating the breach of international obligations as the fallout of the breach cannot be accessed by courts. It noted that it is always open for the government to impose restrictions under the Foreign Trade Act, the Customs Act as the restraint on courts to interfere in matters of foreign affairs is based on sound rationale. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta appearing for Centre informed the court that the petitioners have chosen to use words such as aggression and genocide against the actions of a sovereign country that may not be acceptable in the diplomatic discourse. He further said that the court, by issuing notice on such a petition, would be endorsing the allegations made in the plea. The court noted that Article 253 of the Constitution of India gives Parliament the right to introduce any law for implementing a foreign treaty. Absolute power is given to Parliament to implement the treaty. But to convert it into a municipal law has been left to Parliament. The petition was filed by 11 public spirited persons led by former diplomat Ashok Kumar Sharma along with economist Jean Dreze, former bureaucrat Harsh Mander and social activist Nikhil Dey among others. They argued that Article 21 of the Constitution of India is available even to non-citizens and the issue at hand calls for judicial review as Indias action could directly aid and abet the death of Palestinians in the ongoing war with Israel. The petition said, The actions of the state in granting licenses to companies for military exports to Israel, in violation of Indias binding obligations under international law, is arbitrary, unreasonable and unfair, being violative of Article 14 of the Constitution and must be struck down. The petition named a public sector enterprise M/s Munitions India Limited under the Ministry of Defence to be one of the companies supplying arms to Israel along with other private companies, including M/s Premier Explosive and Adani Defence and Aerospace Ltd. They urged the court to direct Centre to cancel any existing license/permission and halt the grant of new licenses/permissions to companies in India for exporting arms and other military equipment to Israel for its war in Gaza. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a recent decision in January 2024 ordered provisional measures against Israel for violating obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip. These provisional measures include immediate military halt to all killings and destruction perpetrated on the Palestinian people. The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking to restrain India and Indian companies from supplying arms and military aid to Israel for its war in Gaza. The top court said it cannot enter into arena of the nation's foreign policy. Indian firms involved in export of arms to Israel may be sued for breach of contractual obligations if it puts a hold on export, the Supreme Court said. The top court bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra were hearing a petition filed by Ashok Kumar Sharma and others through lawyer Prashant Bhushan 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. ALSO READ: Fallout of West Asia conflict emphasises need for derisking: EAM Jaishankar Supreme Court of India. (ANI File Photo) The petitioners alleged that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza and hence the Indian arms exports would amount to a violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. What the SC said in its order? According to the website, the top court noted that for engagement in foreign affairs, the Union government has the authority and jurisdiction. It also observed that to grant the reliefs sought by the petitioners, the Supreme Court will have to enter into findings on the allegations against Israel, which is an independent sovereign nation and not subject to the jurisdiction of the Indian courts. ALSO READ: Israel's Netanyahu sets condition to leave Gaza: Until that happens Can we direct that under the UNs genocide convention you ban the export to Israel...why this restraint. This is because it impacts the foreign policy and we do not know what the impact will be, CJI Chandrachud said. India-Israel close strategic partners India and Israel are close strategic partners, with growing collaboration in cutting edge defence technologies and military hardware. Israel supplies counter-terrorism equipment, including surveillance and cyber security systems, to India. 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 October 7, 2023. The Supreme Court will hear the case about the murder and rape of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital today. The Supreme Court's website shows that Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will hear the matter at 10:30am Supreme Court of India. (ANI File Photo) The Centre has urged the Supreme Court to address the West Bengal government's failure to provide logistical support to the CISF, which is responsible for security at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Union home ministry in its application has described the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government's alleged lack of cooperation indicative of a deeper issue and requested that state authorities be directed to provide full support to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The Centre has asked the Supreme Court to start contempt proceedings against state government officials if they fail to comply with the court's orders, citing wilful non-compliance. The Supreme Court on August 22 termed extremely disturbing the Kolkata Polices delay in registering the unnatural death of a trainee woman doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was hearing the matter. The Supreme Court had also asked protesting doctors to resume work and assured them that no adverse action would be taken after they rejoin. On August 20, while observing that the safety and well-being of doctors is a matter of national interest, the Supreme Court constituted a 10-member National Task Force to formulate a protocol for ensuring their safety and security in the wake of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. On August 9, a trainee doctor was found raped and murdered inside Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The police have arrested a man named Sanjay Roy for the crime. With PTI inputs The hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 from Nepal to Kandahar on December 24, 1999 and subsequent release of three terrorists in exchange for hostages to date remains shrouded in mystery and deep state conspiracies. A file photo of Indian Airlines IC-814 passenger aircraft at Kandahar with armed Taliban surrounding the plane The hijacking accompanied with conspiracies and terror politics have recently been revived by an eponymous fictional drama aired on an OTT platform with then Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Amarjit Singh Dulat and his then RAW colleague Anand Arni, who was also part of the Indian negotiating team, adding fuel to fire by giving their version of the transpired events to the media. ALSO READ: Remembering IC-814 hijacking and birth of Pak terror monster Masood Azhar Dulat says that Ajit Doval, then lead negotiator and now National Security Advisor, was sending frantic messages from Kandahar to resolve the issue fast and basically give in to demands of the flight hijackers. Arni says that the hijackers, led by now Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar Alvis elder brother Athar Ibrahim Alvi and coordinated by his younger brother Rauf Asghar Alvi, had demanded the release of 105 terrorists in turn of hostages and the negotiation team had pared this demand to only to release of Masood Azhar on December 29 and then upped it back to release of three terrorists on December 30, 1999. Arni said that the negotiating team talked to released terrorists before they and the hijackers were taken away. For the record, the IC-814 hijacking was handled by then National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra with intelligence inputs from RAW Chief Dulat and IB Chief Shyamal Dutta in New Delhi under guidance from then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and then Home Minister L K Advani. The Cabinet Secretary at that time was Prabhat Kumar and the CEO of Indian Airlines was Anil Baijal. The negotiating team send to Kandahar was led by then IBs Additional Director Ajit Doval, who then and even now has a hardline on Pak terrorists and their front Hurriyat as compared to Dulat, Joint Secretary (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) Vivek Katju, Joint Director (operations) Nehchal Sandhu, RAW was represented by C D Sahay and Anand Arni. Doval and Sandhu, who later went on to head IB, had worked together all through the Punjab and Kashmir terrorism since the 1980s and are largely regarded as finest counter-terror operatives of IB by their peers. Given that Doval is now the NSA and Sandhu does not talk to the media at all, the Modi government should think in terms of declassifying the record on IC-814 hijacking with both Dulat, who has no love lost for Doval since Kashmir days, and Arni giving their version of events. Since I reported the IC-814 hijacking for the Hindustan Times and have closely following terrorism emanating from Pakistan for the past 25 years, it is important to lay out facts as I know it after my off the record conversations with the then NSA Brajesh Mishra post-Vajpayee government being voted out of power in 2004. Here are facts : The negotiating team led by Doval had no access (physical or radio contact) to either hijackers of IC-814 or with the released terrorists at any point of time. The Doval team was negotiating with the then Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil and Civil Aviation Minister Akhtar Muhammad Osmani. The two Taliban leaders were taking direct instructions from Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar, who was stationed 25 kilometers from the Kandahar airport. No marks for guessing whom Mullah Omar was talking to as Pakistani deep state ISI headed by then Lt Gen Mahmud Ahmed was behind the hijacking. Ahmed was very close to Mullah Omar and was kicked out of ISI for his role in 9/11 terror attacks and the financing of Hamburg Cell led by Al Qaida operative Mohamed Atta. The initial demand of hijackers was the shroud of slain Harkat-ul-Ansar terrorist Sajjad Afghani, who lies buried in Jammu, and 36 terrorists in Indian jails. Afghani was arrested with Masood Azhar by IB from Srinagar outskirts in 1994 with Pakistan government even issuing a note verbale for release of Azhar who was carrying a Portuguese passport that time. This demand was pared down to threeMasood Azhar, Omar Saeed Sheikh and a small-time Kashmiri terrorist Mushtaq Ahmed Zargarby the negotiating team and at no stage was this demand reduced to only one. Given his experience in handling Pakistan terrorists as Additional Director handling Kashmir, Ajit Doval wanted more time to negotiate with the Taliban and conveyed it to then NSA Brajesh Mishra. However, with Vajpayee government under pressure from families of the hostages, Congress and National Conference politicians whose requests were hugely amplified by the visual and print media at that time, Mishra conveyed to Doval that he wanted hostages back before the turn of the millennium. The hostage recovery aircraft was a Boeing 737 that entered Afghanistan after clearance from the Zhob Air Traffic Control in Pakistan. The same plane overcrowded with hostages sitting and some negotiators standing in the cockpit took off from Kandahar before the last sunset of the 20th century. With the hostile Taliban regime at Kandahar airport and Mullah Omar running the show, the released terrorists were taken to the IC-814 plane on a Toyota Land HiLux cruiser for the hijackers to visually confirm that Azhar, Sheikh and Zargar had been released. After this the hostages and negotiating team were brought back to India on December 31, 1999 before midnight and no one knew where the released terrorists or the hijackers were taken. There is speculation that Masood Azhar went to meet Mullah Omar and the hijackers crossed over to Pakistan via Zhob ATC crossing in Balochistan. After India was humiliated by IC-814 hijacking, it was suggested by Doval that remaining 33 terrorists, whose release the hijackers had demanded, should be segregated in separate jails and taken care off as soon as possible as there could be more hijackings. This proposal had approval from Home Minster L K Advani and then IB Director Shyamal Dutta. The proposal was shot down by Brajesh Mishra. No marks for guessing on whose advice. Responding to constant attacks from Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for entering politics, wrestler Vinesh Phogat vowed to keep proving him 'wrong.' Khap representatives felicitating wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat in Jinds Julana on Sunday. (Manoj Dhaka/HT) Think of all that he has saidthat he would hang himself if any woman came forward to accuse him. Many did. And what did he do? He accused me of cheatingthat I wanted to change rules. That I do not want to compete at national levels or trials. But I competed nationally, competed at trials, went to Olympics. I qualified on my own. I have proved him wrong at every turn and will do so now as well, she told NDTV on Sunday. Phogat and fellow grappler Bajrang Punia joined the Congress party on Friday, ahead of October's assembly elections in Haryana, their home state, where the BJP, of which Brij Bhushan is a member, has been in power since October 2014. Phogat, who missed out on at least a silver medal at the recent Paris Olympics after being disqualified on being found overweight ahead of her final bout, has been fielded by the Congress from Julana. Punia, on the other hand, has been appointed as the working chairman of the All India Kisan Congress. Commenting on the wrestlers taking political plunge, Brij Bhushan had remarked that Vinesh's disqualification was God's punishment for her cheating. Last year, while serving as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the BJP leader faced protests by wrestlers led by Olympians Phogat, Punia, and Sakshi Malik, for allegedly sexually harassing several female wrestlers, including minors, a charge he has repeatedly denied. The matter is currently in court. Paris, recently, was dethroned as the world's top romantic destination. Instead, a survey - conducted by Talker Research and Funjet Vacations - crowned Maui, Hawaii, as the top choice for a romantic getaway. So, if you are planning your next vacation to a romantic destination with your beau, it's time to consider a more quaint option than Paris. Check out the top 5 places to visit in Maui with your partner. (Unsplash) Maui is Hawaiis second-largest island, offering travellers postcard-perfect experiences and sceneries, including palm tree-lined beaches, majestic waterfalls, bright green rainforests, adventurous activities, and a chance to immerse in its culture and cuisine. From exploring the Road to Hana to watching the sunset in Haleakala National Park, Maui has it all. Check out the top 5 places you must visit in Maui. Top 5 places to visit in Maui Road to Hana It's about the journey, not the destination! The Hana Highway is a 64.4-mile-long stretch connecting Kahului to Hana in east Maui with around 59 bridges and more than 600 curves. This epic journey will take you and your beau through the picturesque and iconic narrow highway that highlights the best of Hawaii's natural beauty: stunning landscapes, beautiful black sand beaches, a quiet coastline, and towering waterfalls. Haleakala National Park Home to the worlds largest dormant volcano, Haleakala offers breathtaking views from its summit. Many travellers hike, bike, or camp here to catch sunsets (and sunrises) of a lifetime. You and your partner will also get a chance to check out lunar landscapes, admire cinder cones, and trek wild hiking trails as you take on the journey to the Haleakala crater. Lahaina The best time to do whale watching in Lahaina is from December through April. (Unsplash ) Get a chance to immerse yourself in the vibrant arts scene, great restaurants, and charming shops in Lahaina. It is also a great destination to witness majestic humpback whales that frequent the waters surrounding Maui in the winter months. The best time for whale watching is from December through April. Paia Experience the laidback coastal lifestyle in Paia. (Unsplash) A small town in the heart of Maui's north shore, Paia is populated with surfers and travellers who enjoy laidback, bohemian vibes. So, get ready to have a laidback travel experience at this town with your partner. Relax while watching turquoise blue waters and checking out surf shops, healthy restaurants, music venues, and other low-key attractions. Molokini Crater Molokini Crater is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic caldera. (Unsplash) When was the last time you had a snorkel adventure inside a sunken volcano with your person? Well, for this reason alone, don't forget to check out the Molokini Crater in Hawaii. It is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic caldera where you can snorkel and dive in incredible clear waters with diverse marine life. In a case that underscores the dire consequences of overwork, a 30-year-old Chinese painter died of organ failure after enduring an intense 104-day work period with only one day of rest. According to the South China Morning Post, A'bao, who had been employed under a strict contract since February 2023, developed a severe pneumococcal infection that led to his death in June this year. A Chinese painter, A'bao, died from organ failure after a 104-day work stint with just one day off. The court found his employer 20% liable, awarding 400,000 yuan. (Pixabay) (Also read: Gen-Z employees in China are wearing gross pyjamas to office. This is the reason behind the viral trend) Chinese mans gruelling schedule A'bao had agreed to work on a project in Zhoushan, a city in Zhejiang province, until January this year. His schedule was grueling, with him working daily from February to May, and only taking a brief respite on April 6. On May 25, A'bao fell ill and took a sick day, but his condition worsened rapidly. Three days later, his colleagues rushed him to the hospital where doctors diagnosed him with a lung infection and respiratory failure. Despite medical efforts, A'bao died a few days later. Family seeks justice Following A'bao's death, his family filed a lawsuit against his employer for gross negligence. The case gained traction when social security officials controversially ruled that his death could not be classified as a work-related injury, citing the timing of his death as a key factor. The family argued that the relentless work schedule and lack of rest directly contributed to A'bao's demise. (Also read: Company locks employee in 'dark room for 4 days' to make him quit. Here's what happened) Employer's defense and legal ruling The company contended that A'bao's workload was reasonable and that extra hours worked were voluntary. They also attributed his condition to pre-existing health issues and claimed he did not seek medical help promptly. However, the court ruled in favor of A'bao's family, holding the employer 20% accountable for his death. The verdict highlighted that the prolonged work period was a clear breach of Chinese Labour Law, which limits work to 8 hours per day and 44 hours per week. The court awarded A'bao's family 400,000 yuan (approximately 47,19,036) in compensation, including 10,000 yuan for emotional distress. Despite the company's appeal, the original verdict was upheld in August, marking a significant step in addressing overwork issues in China. The case has sparked a broader discussion on labor practices and workers' rights in China. US Vice President Kamala Harris remembered her Indian grandparents and her childhood visits to India on the occasion of National Grandparents Day. The Democratic Party presidential candidate shared a throwback photograph that shows her with her grandparents, PV Gopalan and Rajam Gopalam, as she remembered the conversations she had with her grandfather. A throwback photo shared by US Vice President Kamala Harris on X(X/@KamalaHarris) As a young girl visiting my grandparents in India, my grandfather took me on his morning walks, where he would discuss the importance of fighting for equality and fighting corruption. He was a retired civil servant who had been part of the movement to win Indias independence, claimed Kamala Harris. PV Gopalan had joined the Imperial Secretariat Service during British rule in India which later merged into Central Secretariat Service. (Also read: 2024 race: Who is Kamala Harris? What's her Indian connection?) My grandmother traveled across Indiabullhorn in handto speak with women about accessing birth control, Harris, 59, added, crediting her grandparents for instilling in her a love for public service. Harris' maternal grandfather was born in Thulasendrapuram. Take a look at her post below: Kamala Harris can trace her ancestry to Tamil Nadu in India. She is of Indian descent from her mothers side and of Jamaican descent from her fathers side. Her mother, Shymala Gopalan, was the daughter of PV and Rajam Gopalan who moved to the United States at the age of 19 to pursue a Masters degree. Kamala Harris is contesting the US presidential election against Republican Donald Trump. In 2021, when she became Vice President, the village of Thulasendrapuram celebrated with firecrackers, posters and calendars with her pictures and free chocolate. (Also read: Kamala Harris gets major warning from Democrats ahead of face off with good debater Trump: He is a master at) Relocating to Mumbai for a job often means ending up with the contacts of several property brokers on your phone, as finding the perfect home in the space-starved city is no easy task. The steep rent for small living spaces, coupled with the numerous conditions imposed by landlords, make renting in Mumbai a tough endeavour indeed. A Pune man explains why he prefers hotels to renting an apartment in Mumbai (Representational image) Perhaps that is why one hybrid worker prefers to travel from Pune to Mumbai every week instead of moving to the city of his work permanently. And to do away with the headache of renting entirely, he stays in hotels and Airbnbs whenever he is in the Maximum City. Neil Borate, the Editor of Personal Finance at LiveMint, divides his time between Pune and Mumbai. In a LinkedIn post, Borate shared a list of three hotels in South Mumbai where he prefers to stay whenever he is in the city and how much he spends on hotels and Airbnbs in a month. Given up on renting Each week, I divide my time between Pune (my home) and Mumbai (for work). After some struggles, I've given up on renting in Mumbai. I go for Airbnbs and hotels instead, Borate explained on LinkedIn. The LiveMint personal finance editor said he likes the old world charm of Colaba hotels as he listed his three favourites - The Sea Green Hotel, The Strand, and The Westend Hotel. The cost of booking these hotels starts at roughly 5,000 per night. If you book these, don't come with expectations of modern hotels. You will generally get metal keys instead of key cards. There won't be gyms, pools or any other fancy amenities. Instead, enjoy the great location and history all around you, Borate advised. The cost of hotels vs renting In the comments section, Borate fielded questions about the cost of renting an apartment in Mumbai vs staying in hotels. So you are spending a lakh per month on hotels? asked one person in the comments section. Borate explained that he spends around 40,000 a month on hotels and Airbnbs in Mumbai, staying not just in hotels but also Airbnbs where the rent is cheaper. I spend about 2 nights a week in Mumbai. Not always in hotels. Sometimes Airbnbs at half the price. So no, I don't spend a lakh a month on hotels. Probably 40k, which is close to a 1 BHK rental anyway, he answered. A Polish woman claims she was held captive, tortured and raped for four years by a man she met online. The woman, identified only by her first name Malgorzata, had her lips and all her teeth removed by her captor in a cruel experiment that has sent shockwaves across the world, reported The Mirror. A Polish woman was held captive for four years by her abuser (Representational image) Mateusz Jach, 35, allegedly kept Malgorzata locked up in a stone barn that was previously used for animals. She had no access to electricity, running water, heating, a proper toilet or even sunlight - as the only window in the barn was bricked up. During the four years she was held captive, the 30-year-old woman was sexually abused, tortured and experimented upon. She even became pregnant and Her ordeal came to light after she landed in the hospital for a dislocated shoulder. While receiving treatment, she told a fellow patient that she had been kept locked up in a barn by a man she met online in 2019. While the woman was in hospital, she began talking to another patient about what had happened to her. They were speaking in confidence but the patient alerted the doctors about what had happened to her. She is in a really serious condition, both physically and psychologically, sources told the Daily Mail. Cruel experiments Malgorzata revealed chilling details of her captivity in the small town of Gaiki near Glogow to Polish news site MyGlogow. She was hospitalised multiple times during the four years she was kept as a sex slave by Mateusz Jach - first with a broken arm, then with a broken leg. The third time, she went to the hospital to deliver a baby that she was forced to give up for adoption - which she claims she did not want to do. The fourth time she ended up in the hospital was for a dislocated shoulder. ukasz Kazmierczak, the MyGlogow journalist who first reported the story, described her shoulder as very badly damaged. Doctors also found that Malgorzata had suffered extensive facial damage, while her entire body was covered with scars and bruises. From what we heard, the girl does not have lips now because of everything he had done to her. Her face is covered in bruises and she just has an open hole [where her mouth is] without the lips, a source close to the investigation told the Daily Mail. The woman said he [Jach] was doing some kind of trial on her. He was experimenting on her. He was trying out different things on her, the source added. The woman told MyGlogow that her captor would hose her down with cold water at night, and took steps to ensure she would not get to know where she was being held. "He put a balaclava on me so I wouldnt see where we lived when he took me to the hospital. The same when he took me out at night to wash up. Sometimes he would just spray me with a hose, but if I was obedient, I would get warm water Jach, 35, has been charged with mental, physical and sexual abuse. LONDON Afghanistans embassy in London is being shut down after it was disowned by the countrys Taliban rulers, the U.K. government said Monday. Afghanistan's London embassy to close after its diplomats were disowned by the Taliban The Foreign Office said the embassy is being closed following the dismissal of its staff by the Taliban. Britain does not recognize the Taliban government. Ambassador Zalmai Rassoul wrote on the social network X that the embassy would shut its doors on Sept. 27 at the official request of the host country. Neither the U.K. government nor the ambassador said what would happen to the embassy's staff. Diplomats who served under Afghanistans former Western-backed government were left in limbo when the Taliban seized Kabul and returned to power in August 2021. Many embassies in Europe and beyond have continued to operate, but have been accused by Kabul of failing to cooperate with the government. Afghanistan has sent Taliban-approved diplomats to some countries, including Pakistan and China. The U.K. decision comes after the Taliban administration announced in July that it no longer recognized diplomatic missions set up by the former government and that documents issued by embassies in Britain and 13 other mostly European countries were invalid. Many Taliban leaders are under sanctions, and no country officially recognizes them as Afghanistans legitimate rulers, though some nations retain active diplomatic missions in Afghanistan, including Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and China. The U.K. and other Western countries are grappling with how to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan without recognizing the Taliban government, which has dramatically curtailed education, employment and personal freedom for women and girls. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Cupertino, California: Apple on Monday unveiled the new iPhone lineup the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 which the company says are designed from the ground up for artificial intelligence features that go beyond the generative AI features that have become famous since ChatGPT burst onto the global stage at the end of 2022. CEO of Apple Tim Cook gives a presentation as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, US, on Monday. (REUTERS) The company also unveiled a new model of its watch the Apple Watch X that chief executive Tim Cook described as being the companys thinnest ever and with display that is the biggest ever, and upgrades to its AirPods and AirPods Max lineup. But the highlight of Mondays event by far was important for the features in the new iPhone 16 series, which many believe could globally become the most familiar way people experience AI. At the core of it was the latest A18 and A18 Pro chips to power Apple Intelligence, the companys own take on generative AI that can conjure text, images and other content on command. Apple says the A18 Pro is the fastest smartphone chip, at this time, its competition including Qualcomms Snapdragon chips. The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up. It marks the beginning of an exciting new era, Cook said. Apple says all Apple Intelligence features will be free to use, for all compatible iPhone users. Android phones have also begun the AI journey, with Google increasingly integrating Gemini, its own offering, within Android. In an attempt to set itself apart, most of the tasks will be performed on the iPhone itself instead of on the cloud, which helps data privacy a distinction that requires special processors the company introduced since its last version of the iPhone launched last year. Apple also demonstrated new AI features that people have been increasingly familiar with when interacting with AI chatbots. For instance, the new phone will allow people to have rough notes rewritten into a polished dinner invite, create new images or emojis by typing out descriptions, and look up photos by describing what was happening in the shot. The company also baked the AI into its camera, branding it as visual intelligence. This will allow the phone to give context-specific information or action (such as identifying the breed of a dog in front of the user, or present restaurant reviews when pointed at its signboard). Apples pivot began three months ago with a preview of its new approach during a developers conference, helping to build anticipation for Mondays showcase. Since that event in June, competitors such as Samsung and Google have made strides in AI as well. Google introduced its latest Pixel phones packed with their own AI features last month instead of hewing to its traditional October timetable in an effort to upstage Apples release of the iPhone 16. iPhones accounted for more than half of Apples $383 billion sales last year. For the Watch, the company touted a new feature to detect sleep apnoea. The company said it expects clearance from medical regulators in the US, Europe and Japan later this month. In its new AirPods 4, the company brought in a new optional noise cancellation, a key feature of its more expensive AirPods Pro earphones. The AirPods Pro too received a feature upgrade, which mean those owning the AirPods Pro 2 launched in September 2022, will be able to use. These include hearing protection, which dull any loud noises; hearing awareness, which offers a clinically validated hearing test; and a new feature that will turn the device into a professional grade hearing aid. The AirPods Max have also been updated with a USB-C port. CAIRO, Sept 10 - At least 14 Palestinians killed in Israeli strike on tent encampment in Gaza, medics say At least 14 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a tent encampment in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, medics and Hamas media said early on Tuesday, as the Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas command center. Residents and medics said a tent encampment in the Al-Mawasi area, which is designated as a humanitarian zone, was struck by at least four missiles. The camp is crowded with displaced Palestinians who have fled from elsewhere in the enclave. The Gaza civil emergency service said at least 20 tents caught on fire, and missiles caused craters as deep as nine meters . "Our teams are still moving out martyrs and wounded from the targeted area. It looks like a new Israeli massacre," a Gaza civil emergency official said. The Israeli military said it "struck significant Hamas terrorists who were operating within a command and control center embedded inside the Humanitarian Area in Khan Younis." "The terrorists advanced and carried out terror attacks against IDF troops and the state of Israel," the statement said, referring to Israeli Defense Forces. Ambulances were racing back and forth from the area to a nearby hospital, while Israeli jets could still be heard overhead, residents said. Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been forced from their homes at least once, and some have had to flee as many as 10 times. The war was triggered on Oct. 7 when Hamas, an Islamist group that controlled Gaza, attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed more than 40,900 Palestinians, according to the enclave's health ministry. The two warring sides each blame the other for the failure so far to reach a ceasefire that would end the fighting and see the release of hostages. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Riyadh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, taking stock of the progress of bilateral relations and discussing ways to further deepen them. EAM Jaishankar meets Saudi & Qatari counterparts Jaishankar arrived here in the Saudi capital on Sunday on a two-day visit to attend the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers' meeting. He met Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and discussed the "progress" in the bilateral relations. "Delighted to meet FM @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia today in Riyadh. Took stock of the progress in our bilateral relationship and shared perspectives on global and regional issues. Look forward to welcoming him in India," he said in a post on X. Jaishankar also met Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who also holds the portfolio of the foreign minister. "Began the day with a good meeting with PM & FM of Qatar @MBA_AlThani_. Discussed taking India-Qatar bilateral ties forward. Appreciated his insights and assessments on regional developments," he said in a post on X. In Riyadh, Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of several other GCC member countries. The GCC is an influential grouping, comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The total volume of India's trade with GCC countries stood at USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23. Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on Saturday said India and the GCC enjoy a deep and multifaceted relationship, including in areas of trade and investment, energy, cultural and people-to-people ties. Jaishankar is here on the first leg of his three-nation tour that will also take him to Germany and Switzerland. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Greener, smarter innovations from Chinese brands shine at Europe's largest consumer electronics expo 13:08, September 09, 2024 By Che Yunlong, Chu Yi, Du Zheyu ( Xinhua BERLIN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Imagine a refrigerator that opens immediately after the magic command of "Open Sesame" is given. But this time, simply say "Open," or just give it a gentle knock, then the door swings open automatically. This is just one of the various cutting-edge innovations on display at the ongoing 2024 IFA, or Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin, Europe's largest consumer electronics exhibition. Everyday household appliances, enhanced with imaginative designs and advanced technologies, left visitors amazed at how these familiar items could be transformed into such extraordinary products. As a barometer of technological innovation in the consumer electronics industry, this year's IFA, which is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, has attracted more than 1,800 companies from around the world and notably Chinese firms, which have a strong presence and showcase a wide range of products that blend artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and premium quality. INNOVATION Outside the exhibition halls, huge banners from Chinese consumer electronics giants like Hisense, Midea, and TCL welcomed visitors alongside signs marking the 100th anniversary of IFA. Upon entering, visitors were at once impressed by prominent Chinese brands such as Haier dominating entire exhibition zones. These led many to wonder: what has made Chinese consumer electronics so appealing to the European market? At Haier's exhibition booth, smart and interconnected home appliances like televisions, air conditioners, and dishwashers were presented in an immersive and interactive manner. The Chinese company has logged eight consecutive years of rapid growth in Europe and now holds a 9.1-percent market share. Haier Europe CEO Neil Tunstall told Xinhua that the consumer electronics industry has been global. There are specific needs for European consumers, and Haier has accelerated the innovation in Europe by bringing new ideas here. The speed and efficiency of Chinese firms have enabled them to bring new technologies to the European market swiftly. "What I experienced is that Chinese companies usually are a little bit faster. So they see the opportunity, they start to work on it, and then they are able to bring innovations to market more quickly," he said. Similarly, Hisense Europe CEO Han Jianmin noted that the global home appliances sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by advancements in technologies like AI. As consumers increasingly seek personalized, smart products, the industry is shifting from individual products to user-centered, scenario-driven solutions. Han said that Chinese consumer electronics companies, through continuous innovation and brand-building, are moving up the global value chain and presenting a fresh image in international markets. Analysts pointed out that these Chinese companies, built on years of accumulated expertise and a keen understanding of evolving consumer needs, have leveraged technological innovations and efficiency advantages of China's business environment. This has allowed them to rapidly enhance their products' intelligence and sustainability, thereby establishing a solid foothold in the European market. LOCALIZATION With globalization in full swing, more Chinese consumer electronics companies are turning to international market as a key strategy for business expansion and further development. Besides focusing on developing high-end products, many of them have also adopted localization strategies to integrate themselves into the European market. According to Tong Bo, a senior executive of Midea's global business division, the internationalization of consumer electronics products is a long-term process. Many Chinese companies, including Midea, have spent over a decade bringing their own products to European consumers. He underlined that this market in Europe remains highly competitive, and Chinese brands still face significant challenges in their expansion efforts. Chinese companies have gained valuable localization experience in both product development and marketing. For instance, some companies develop household solar energy storage systems specifically for German consumers to meet their rising demand for renewable energy solutions. Additionally, partnerships with local icons -- such as Hisense's collaboration with Volkswagen to design a Beetle-shaped refrigerator -- help Chinese companies increase their brand influence. Tong emphasized that working with well-known local brands allows Chinese companies to develop products tailored to European consumers, and using familiar marketing strategies makes their offerings more relatable and easier to accept. In addition, Chinese firms collaborate with European manufacturers through acquisitions to boost their market presence and enhance their brand image. Such a strategy saves time and costs, and lowers the likelihood of cultural clashes while entering an unfamiliar market. The combination of trusted European brands and innovative global companies is powerful, said Tunstall, as acquiring local companies with strong reputations helps Chinese brands gain market share while introducing advanced technologies to European consumers. COOPERATION, COMPETITION Representatives from both Chinese and European companies at the IFA exhibition highlighted how Chinese firms are transforming Europe's consumer electronics landscape through cooperation and competition. On top of that, by establishing research centers and factories in Europe, Chinese companies have enhanced local supply chains and created jobs. Tunstall noted that fierce competition in Europe's consumer electronics sector is driving healthy innovation. "Each company is racing to be faster than the other one. The energy efficiency, the benefits that the consumers have all the time are improving, and the products are becoming better and better," he said. International operation and collaboration also benefit the consumer electronics industry. Haier, for example, employs staff in Italy, Germany, and China, thinking globally while delivering innovative solutions locally. "This is like a big economy of scale, and it is the global cooperation," Tunstall added. Axel Kniehl, executive director of Marketing and Sales of German domestic appliances maker Miele, told Xinhua that regarding the fast development of Chinese consumer electronics companies, there are both challenges and opportunities for German companies like Miele. "Chinese companies like Haier and Midea are exponentially larger than we are and can invest more heavily in developing technologies. However, what we bring to the table is a deeper understanding of consumer needs," he said. European and Chinese companies, he said, are expanding into each other's markets and increasing their presence there, a natural progression and a positive development for the future of this industry. Rudolf Kloetscher, Member of the Management Board of Germany's consumer electronics giant BSH, owner of the home appliances business of Bosch and Siemens, told Xinhua that without competition and investment, the industry would be boring and even stagnate. "The more competition there is, the more innovative ideas and solutions emerge, pushing all of us to a higher level," he said. Kloetscher noted that BSH has established cooperative relationships with Chinese companies in both directions. It is believed that both Chinese and European companies are working together and learning from each other to advance the sector's future, he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) RABAT, Morocco Torrential downpours hit North Africa's normally arid mountains and deserts over the weekend, causing flooding that killed more than a dozen people in Morocco and Algeria and destroyed homes and critical infrastructure. Flooding kills more than a dozen people in Morocco and Algeria In Morocco, officials said the two days of storms surpassed historic averages, in some cases exceeding the annual average rainfall. The downpours affected some of the regions that experienced a deadly earthquake one year ago. Meteorologists had predicted that a rare deluge could strike North Africas Sahara Desert, where many areas receive less than an inch of rain a year. Officials in Morocco said 11 people were killed in rural areas where infrastructure has historically been lacking, and 24 homes collapsed. Nine people were missing. Drinking water and electrical infrastructure were damaged, along with major roads. Rachid El Khalfi, Moroccos Interior Ministry spokesperson, said in a statement on Sunday that the government was working to restore communication and access to flooded regions in the exceptional situation and urged people to use caution. In neighboring Algeria, which held a presidential election over the weekend, authorities said at least five died in the country's desert provinces. Interior Minister Brahim Merad called the situation catastrophic on state-owned television. Algerias state-run news service S said the government had sent thousands of civil protection and military officers to help with emergency response efforts and rescue families stuck in their homes. The floods also damaged bridges and trains. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. By Alexander Ratz and Sarah Marsh Germany tightens controls at all borders in immigration crackdown BERLIN -Germany's government announced plans to impose tighter controls at all of the country's land borders in what it called an attempt to tackle irregular migration and protect the public from threats such as Islamist extremism. The controls within what is normally a wide area of free movement - the European Schengen zone - will start on Sept. 16 and initially last for six months, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Monday. The government has also designed a scheme enabling authorities to reject more migrants directly at German borders, Faeser said, without adding details on the controversial and legally fraught move. The restrictions are part of a series of measures Germany has taken to toughen its stance on irregular migration in recent years following a surge in arrivals, in particular people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government is seeking to seize back the initiative from the opposition far-right and conservatives, who have seen support rise as they tap into voter worries about stretched public services, integration and security. "We are strengthening internal security and continuing our hard line against irregular migration," Faeser said, noting the government had notified the European Commission and neighboring countries of the intended controls. Recent deadly knife attacks in which the suspects were asylum seekers have stoked concerns over immigration. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a knife attack in the western city of Solingen that killed three people in August. The AfD earlier this month became the first far-right party since World War Two to win a state election, in Thuringia, after campaigning heavily on the issue of migration. Polls show it is also voters' top concern in the state of Brandenburg, which is set to hold elections in two weeks. Scholz and Faeser's centre-left Social Democrats are fighting to retain control of the government there, in a vote billed as a test of strength of the SPD ahead of next year's federal election. "The intention of the government seems to be to show symbolically to Germans and potential migrants that the latter are no longer wanted here," said Marcus Engler at the German Centre for Integration and Migration Research. A TEST FOR EUROPE A backlash had been building in Germany ever since it took in more than a million people mostly fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria during the 2015/2016 migrant crisis, migration experts say. It reached a tipping point in the country of 84 million people after it automatically granted asylum to around a million Ukrainians fleeing Russia's 2022 invasion even as Germany was struggling through an energy and economic crisis. Since then, the German government has agreed tighter deportation rules and resumed flying convicted criminals of Afghan nationality to their home country, despite suspending deportations after the Taliban took power in 2021 due to human rights concerns. Berlin last year also announced stricter controls on its land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Those and controls on the border with Austria had allowed it to return 30,000 migrants since October 2023, it said on Monday. Faeser said a new model would enable the government to turn back many more - but it could not talk about the model before confidential negotiations with the conservatives. The controls could test European unity if they lead to German authorities requesting other countries to take back substantial numbers of asylum seekers and migrants. Under EU rules countries in the Schengen area, which encompasses all of the bloc bar Cyprus and Ireland, are only allowed to introduce border checks as a last resort to avert threats to internal security or public policy. Germany shares its more than 3,700-km-long land border with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland. Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner told Bild newspaper on Monday that his country would not take in any migrants turned away by Germany at the border. "There's no room for manoeuvre there," he said. The measures may not immediately result in many more migrants being turned away at the border, but they could result in more returns to other European countries down the line, as well as acting as a deterrent, said Susan Fratzke at the Migration Policy Institute. The number of asylum applications in Germany already fell 21.7% in the first eight months of the year, according to government statistics. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander denied reports that Iran was transferring missiles to Russia, Iranian media said on Monday, amid concern in the West that they could be deployed in the war in Ukraine. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (AFP) CNN and the Wall Street Journal reported last week, citing unidentified sources, that Iran had transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. Brigadier Fazlollah Nozari, deputy commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, was quoted by the Iranian Labour News Agency as saying: "No missile was sent to Russia and this claim is a kind of psychological warfare." "Iran does not support any of the parties to the Ukraine-Russia conflict," Nozari said. The European Union, by contrast, on Monday described the information in the media reports as credible. "We are aware of the credible information provided by allies on the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia," EU foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano said in an email. "We are looking further into it with our Member States and if confirmed, this delivery would represent a substantive material escalation in Iran's support for Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," he said. EU leaders had previously said they would "respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran" to such a step, Stano added. "I cannot confirm the reports that the transfer has happened," White House spokesperson John Kirby said in Washington. Such a scenario would have a deleterious effects on both Ukraine and the Middle East, he added. Asked about the reports on Monday, the Kremlin said that Iran is Russia's partner and that the two countries were developing dialogue in all areas. Ukraine said last week that deepening military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow was a threat to Ukraine, Europe and the Middle East, and called on the international community to increase pressure on Iran and Russia. Any Iranian transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia would mark a sharp escalation in the Ukraine war, the United States said on Friday. That language was echoed on Monday by a NATO spokesperson, who said the Western military alliance was aware of the media reports but would not be drawn on whether they were accurate. "As Allies have stated previously, any transfer of ballistic missiles and related technology by Iran to Russia would represent a substantial escalation," the spokesperson said. Tehran and Moscow have drawn closer since Russia ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, with Iran supplying its Shahed drones to Russia's military. DUBAI, Sept 9 - A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander denied reports that Iran was transferring missiles to Russia, Iranian media said on Monday, amid concern in the West that they could be deployed in the war in Ukraine. Iran denies reports of missile transfer to Russia CNN and the Wall Street Journal reported last week, citing unidentified sources, that Iran had transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. Brigadier Fazlollah Nozari, deputy commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, was quoted by the Iranian Labour News Agency as saying: "No missile was sent to Russia and this claim is a kind of psychological warfare." "Iran does not support any of the parties to the Ukraine-Russia conflict," Nozari said. The European Union, by contrast, on Monday described the information in the media reports as credible. "We are aware of the credible information provided by allies on the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia," EU foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano said in an email. "We are looking further into it with our Member States and if confirmed, this delivery would represent a substantive material escalation in Iran's support for Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," he said. EU leaders had previously said they would "respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran" to such a step, Stano added. "I cannot confirm the reports that the transfer has happened," White House spokesperson John Kirby said in Washington. Such a scenario would have a deleterious effects on both Ukraine and the Middle East, he added. Asked about the reports on Monday, the Kremlin said that Iran is Russia's partner and that the two countries were developing dialogue in all areas. Ukraine said last week that deepening military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow was a threat to Ukraine, Europe and the Middle East, and called on the international community to increase pressure on Iran and Russia. Any Iranian transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia would mark a sharp escalation in the Ukraine war, the United States said on Friday. That language was echoed on Monday by a NATO spokesperson, who said the Western military alliance was aware of the media reports but would not be drawn on whether they were accurate. "As Allies have stated previously, any transfer of ballistic missiles and related technology by Iran to Russia would represent a substantial escalation," the spokesperson said. Tehran and Moscow have drawn closer since Russia ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, with Iran supplying its Shahed drones to Russia's military. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. A series of Israeli strikes hit multiple areas in central Syria late Sunday, killing at least four people, wounding 13 and sparking fires, state media reported. Israel air strikes hit central Syria; 4 dead(Reuters Photo) Syria state news agency SANA reported that Syrian air defenses confronted an aggression that targeted several points in the central region," damaging a highway in Hama province and sparking fires that firefighting teams were battling to control early Monday. Also read: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 61 as UN pursues vaccinations At least four dead and 13 wounded people arrived at the Masyaf National Hospital in western Hamas province, SANA said, citing hospital head Faysal Haydar. It was not immediately clear if they were civilians or militants. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, reported that one of the strikes targeted a scientific research center in Maysaf and other sites where Iranian militias and experts are stationed to develop weapons in Syria. Local media also reported strikes around the coastal city of Tartous. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of war-torn Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations. The strikes often target Syrian forces or Iranian-backed groups. Israel has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment in Syria, particularly since Syria is a key route for Iran to send weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Hezbollah has been clashing with Israeli forces for the past 11 months against the backdrop of Israels war against Hamas an ally of Hezbollah in Gaza. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly been invited to spend Christmas at Althorp House, the childhood home of Princess Diana, per Express report. Since stepping down from royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have missed several royal family gatherings, but Harry remains connected to his late mother's relatives. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)(AP) The Sussexes have not returned to the UK together for the holiday season since joining the royal family at Sandringham in 2018. Since stepping down from their royal duties and relocating to the United States in 2020, the couple has not participated in any royal family gatherings for Christmas. They have also been notably absent from other royal family traditions, such as the annual summer vacation at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. ALSO READ| Why King Charles III is losing patience with Prince Andrew? Prince Harry remains connected with his mother's side But, Prince Harry has maintained close ties with his late mothers side of the family, especially his uncle, Charles Spencer. The Duke of Sussex also reportedly appeared at his other uncle, Lord Robert Fellows's funeral, where he was keeping a distance from his estranged brother Prince William. Although both Harry and his brother, Prince William, were present at the service held at St. Marys Church in Norfolk, the two sat separately, reinforcing the ongoing rift between them. The funeral was the first time the brothers had been seen together since King Charles IIIs coronation in May 2023. During this brief trip, Harry reportedly stayed with his uncle Charles Spencer at Althorp House, where Princess Diana was laid to rest. Althorp holds deep sentimental value for Harry, as it is where his mothers final resting place is located, on an island in the middle of Round Oval Lake. ALSO READ| Kate Middleton is finally cancer free after Charles Spencer reportedly invited Prince Harry and Meghan to UK A source told the Express that Charles [Spencer] has invited Harry, Meghan, and the children to Althorp this Christmas. Its far too early to say whether they will take him up on it, but the offer is there if they want it. If the royal couple decides to make the long journey from Montecito, California, to Althorp in England, it would be Meghans first visit to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022. However, the Sussexes have not yet received a formal invite from the royal family for Christmas at Sandringham, which is typically hosted by King Charles. The insider, however, suggested, There hasnt been an invitation extended to Sandringham just yet, but that doesnt mean there wont be one forthcoming. ALSO READ| Prince Harry secretly in touch with his family amid feud with King Charles, Prince William: Expert It would be highly unlikely if there was an invitation extended [to Sandringham], and I dont think they [the Sussexes] would take them up on it anyway. Even in May, during the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in London, Prince Harry was seen warmly embracing his uncle Charles and his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes. The Israeli military has ordered another evacuation of some residential areas in northwest Gaza where it says Palestinian militants fired rockets on the nearby Israeli town of Ashkelon. Israel-Hamas war latest: Israel orders more evacuations in Gaza after militants fire rockets The orders issued on Monday came after a rocket attack triggered air raid sirens in Ashkelon the day before. The military said it intercepted one projectile and another fell in the sea. Israel ordered the evacuation of all of northern Gaza, including the territorys largest city, in the opening weeks of the war triggered by Hamas Oct. 7 attack. Most residents heeded the orders and headed south, but up to 300,000 remained in the north, where Israels air and ground operations have caused widespread destruction. The north has been surrounded by Israeli forces and largely isolated since October. Around 90% of Gazas population of 2.3 million people have been displaced in the 11-month-old war, often multiple times. Hundreds of thousands of people are crammed into tent camps along the coast with few if any public services. Here's the latest: Israel public broadcast station publishes a recording of conversation between father of a hostage and Netanyahu TEL AVIV Israels public broadcast station Kan has published a recording in which the father of one of the six Israeli hostages who were found dead last week in a tunnel in Gaza angrily confronts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Kan said Monday that the recording was made during a condolence visit by Netanyahu to the family of Uri Danino. The hostages father, Elhanan Danino, can be heard telling Netanyahu to stop messing around with nonsense petty politics and spins. theres no price for human life. He implored Netanyahu to unify the nation. Youre a leader. Elected. Sent to lead, he said. The father accused Netanyahu, who has been prime minister for most of the last 15 years, of having failed to stop Hamas during his time in office. Forgive me sir, it all happened on your watch, he is heard saying in the recording. My son was murdered in a tunnel that you built on your watch, - a reference to cash and concrete that reached Hamas in recent years. In the recording, the prime minister tells Danino that I wont tell you what goes on behind closed doors. It wont interest you that much either, and goes on to say he had dealt with the situation alone against the whole world. Facing the president of the United States and people here, and facing military elements here. Without referring to the recording, Netanyahu released a recorded statement saying: I hear the cry of the families of the hostages who have lost what is most dear to them. My wife and I go to heartbreaking meetings that just break our hearts to pieces. I hear, I listen, I dont judge either, and I am doing everything to return the hostages and to win the war, he said. Asked whether the Kan recording was real, the prime ministers office refused to elaborate. The Associated Press could not independently verify the recording. Was hington in talks with Israel to make sure there is accountability in killing of Turkish-American activist WASHINGTON A deputy State Department spokesman fended off questions Monday about whether the U.S. was being slow to respond to Fridays killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old Seattle resident and American citizen shot in the head at a demonstration in the West Bank. Rights groups and others say Israeli military investigations into abuses seldom find Israeli forces culpable or bring accountability, and the slain womans American family asked President Joe Biden over the weekend for a separate U.S. investigation. The deputy spokesman, Vedant Patel, said the Biden administration was still speaking to Israeli allies about the shooting, which witnesses alleged was done by an Israeli military gunman at a period when the demonstration was calm. Our partners in Israel have indicated they are conducting a process examining the killing and they will make public their finding, Patel said, adding that they will let that process play out. Should whatever happened deem that there be accountability by Israelis, we of course will expect that. Pressed by reporters on the contrast to the administrations swift condemnation of the killing of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Hamas custody last week, Patel said that reflected the direct murder of American Israeli citizens being held by a terrorist group. Patel said any direct investigation would be carried out by the Justice Department, not State. White House national security adviser speaks with Saudi Arabia's crown prince WASHINGTON White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday as the Biden administration struggles to push past differences between Israel and Hamas and seal a cease-fire deal to at least temporarily pause the 11-month war in Gaza. The call, which was confirmed by a U.S. official who was not authorized to publicly comment on the call that has not been publicized by the White House, comes as the U.S. administration is aiming to prevent the Gaza war from spreading into a regional conflict. Sullivan and the crown prince also discussed the U.S.-push for normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia as well as concerns about Irans nuclear program, according to a person familiar with the conversation. -Aamer Madhani Turkey's president says it will seek justice in international court for the slain Turkish-American activist ANKARA, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that Turkey would seek justice for the slain Turkish-American activist by taking her brutal killing to an international court. A witness said Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was shot dead by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. We will take every legal step to ensure that our daughter, Aysenur Ezgis blood is not left unavenged and we will continue our fight against the state of Israel by applying at the highest level to the International Court of justice in The Hague, Erdogan said following a Cabinet meeting. In his televised remarks, the Turkish leader also called on nations of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to meet urgently and present a united stance against what he said were Israeli expansionist policies concerning holy sites in Jerusalem. President Joe Biden expected to meet with top advisers to discuss cease-fire deal WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is expected to meet with top advisers at the White House on Monday to discuss efforts to get Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement on a cease-fire deal, according to a person familiar with the discussions. White House officials had talks earlier Monday morning about the state of the negotiations with Egyptian and Qatari officials, who have been serving as intermediaries with Hamas. The person, who wasnt authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the U.S. side is frustrated with Hamas demands for the release of more Hamas prisoners in the first stage of the deal after last weeks killing of six hostages. That demand is a non-starter for the Israeli-side, but the White House still has hope that Qatar can persuade Hamas to a more reasonable position on the hostage for prisoner swap. -Aamer Madhani West Bank funeral procession for Turkish-American pro-Palestinian activist NABLUS, West Bank Dozens of mourners attended a funeral procession for a Turkish-American activist who a witness says was shot dead by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. The procession on Monday for Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was organized by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Its security forces carried her body draped in a Palestinian flag with a traditional black-and-white checkered scarf over her face. Several Palestinian officials took part in the procession in the West Bank city of Nablus. A fellow pro-Palestinian protester said the 26-year-old was shot in the head by Israeli forces during a period of calm after a clash between the soldiers and Palestinian protesters. The military said it was investigating the shooting, and that the forces had fired at an instigator of violent activity in the area of the protest last Friday. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said it was working to repatriate her remains for burial in Turkey. U.S. officials did not respond to a request for comment. The West Bank has seen a surge of violence since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, with increasing Israeli raids, attacks by Palestinian militants on Israelis, and attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians. Death toll from Israeli strikes on Syria rises to 14, Syrian state media say DAMASCUS The number of people killed in overnight Israeli strikes in Syria has risen to 14, with more than 40 wounded, Syrian state media said Monday morning. Syrian state news agency SANA reported that Israeli strikes hit several areas in central Syria late Sunday, damaging a highway in Hama province and sparking fires. The initial death count reported by the Masyaf National Hospital in western Hamas province was four. As of Monday morning SANA reported 14 killed and 43 wounded, citing hospital head Faysal Haydar. It was not clear how many of those killed and wounded were civilians and how many were militants. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, reported that one of the strikes targeted a scientific research center in Maysaf and other sites where Iranian militias and experts are stationed to develop weapons in Syria. Local media also reported strikes around the coastal city of Tartous. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of war-torn Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations. The strikes often target Syrian forces or Iranian-backed groups. Israel has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment in Syria. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Alex Jones has made a ridiculous claim that Kamala Harris will use ecstasy to overcome her serious performance anxiety before her first debate with Donald Trump on September 10 in Philadelphia. Alex Jones alleged that Harris is going to be on drugs and going to be bombed out of her gourd.(AP) During his Infowars show, Jones, the staunch supporter of Trump, alleged that Harris is going to be on drugs and going to be bombed out of her gourd. The far-right radio show host and prominent conspiracy theorist, who was hit with a $1.5 billion penalty for fabricating the Sandy Hook Massacre, went on to claim that it will not be the first time that Harris will be consuming drugs. She looked like that at the DNC. Big pupils, feeling good. Yeah, they're going to give her a molly. I'm dead serious, jones claimed. He also accused Harris of being drunk and on Xanax during her CNN appearance with Tim Walz, which was her first significant interview since launching her campaign. Harris is going to fall flat on her face without a teleprompter, he said, adding, that it's going to be spectacular. Also Read: Trump vs Harris: Here's what to expect and when & where to watch highly anticipated US presidential debate on key issues Harris vs Trump: A look at presidential contenders' preparations Amidst preparations for her first 2024 presidential debate, Harris is said to be residing in Pittsburgh hotel. According to insiders who spoke with the New York Times, she had practiced her debate strategies with a Trump stand-in who was dressed in his signature suit and tie. Meanwhile, the GOP leader is reportedly conducting further spontaneous policy sessions in order to refresh his memory about his achievements during his term in office. A New York Times/Siena College poll released before the first debate between the presidential contenders puts Trump 1% ahead of Harris, 48 % to 47 %, with a 3-point margin of error. The latest survey, which took place between September 3 and 6, appears to be the same as the nationwide poll of potential voters that was conducted in late July following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race. The polling indicates that even with Harris in her honeymoon phase, there is still a lot of support for Trump's candidacy for the second term in office. A Trump biographer has claimed that the former president knows well that he is losing his mental footing. After Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race following his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, the former president is now the oldest candidate to run for president. Donald Trump hyper-aware that he is cognitively slipping, biographer says (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)(AP) Biden faced questions over his mental acuity on various occasions, including from Trump. However, now the former president is facing similar questions, and his biographer believes he is hyper-aware that he is cognitively slipping. The biographer believes Trump is trying to come up with convoluted explanations for his frequent rants and gaffes. In recent times, Trump has been questioned over his frequent mentions of Hannibal Lecter, garbled words and incomplete thoughts. On some occasions, he has even conflated names of prominent people. What were seeing now is a reflection of someone whos very troubled Timothy OBrien, author of TrumpNation: The Art of Being the Donald, told The Guardian that he believes Trump knows full well that he has been saying more ludicrous things than ever. The reason hes now offering these convoluted explanations of his speech patterns in his public appearances is because hes hyper-aware that people have noted that hes making even less sense than he used to, OBrien said. What were seeing now is a reflection of someone whos very troubled and very desperate. Jennifer Mercieca, a biographer who wrote Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump, provided a different reason behind Trumps explained rambling. Hes very good at putting a marketing spin on anything that might be perceived as a negative, she said. Hes had a lot of criticism lately for rambling, for being low energy during his rallies, for failing to read the teleprompter properly, mispronouncing words and so his response is to spin it. He says, I have experts, these friends of mine, unnamed others, who are very impressed with my ability to weave, she added. Trump recently tried to explain why he keeps mentioning Hannibal Lecter, a fictional cannibalistic serial killer. He was apparently making a statement about migrants, claiming the character was representative of people that are coming into our country. Last week, Trump also tried to explain why he tends to venture off topic. When I do the weave...Ill talk about nine different things and they all come back brilliantly together, Trump told a crowd in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Referring to the weave, Trump boasted, Friends of mine that are English professors, they say: Its the most brilliant thing Ive ever seen. Donald Trump promoted Hulk Hogan's Real American Beer on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Saturday night. The former president endorsed the WWE star's controversial lager despite not drinking alcohol himself. Hogan, who is a Hall of Fame wrestler, launched his beer across 17 states this summer. Hulk Hogan, professional entertainer and wrestler, tears his shirt open as he speaks on Day 4 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., July 18, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Segar TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY(REUTERS) Trump endorses Hulk Hogan's beer despite not drinking alcohol himself Hulk Hogan is doing a beer, and if he's doing it, it must be good. Great looking can and logo. Give it a try!!! DJT, Trump wrote about the WWE star's latest offering. His endorsement comes weeks after Hogan ripped up his American flag shirt on stage while extending his support for the GOP nominee at the Republican National Convention. ALSO READ: Trump, RFK Jr face risks over bid to release classified UFO files, filmmaker claims The former president reiterated his long-standing stance on being a straight-edge in a recent interview with Theo Von. No drugs, no drinking, no cigarettes, he told the 44-year-old comedian while noting that his abstinence stems from the influence of his brother, who struggled with alcoholism. reported Daily Express US. ALSO READ: Nikki Haley reveals Donald Trump hasn't asked her to be part of his campaign, I'm on standby Trump faces backlash after endorsing Hulk Hogan's controversial beer Trump's promotion of Hogan's beverage raised several eyebrows as he previously admitted to not drinking alcohol. One fan commented, After a 6 pack you want to rip your shirt off and say racist crap. I didn't know anybody could brew a beer that tastes like t-shirts and bigotry, a second wrote. Meanwhile, a third said, My customers tell me its terrible. We bought a few cases when it was first available and we cant sell them. No thanks! Id rather drink toilet water! a fourth user commented on X, formerly Twitter. HELLO... IF YOU NEVER START. YOU SAID THAT. I KNOW HE IS YOUR FRIEND BUT I USED TO BE AN ALCOHOLIC, JUST ONE BEER? queried another. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to stress that it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for using small amounts of marijuana for personal use. This comes days after the former president signalled he will vote in favour of legalising marijuana for personal use in Florida. Donald Trump says it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations over marijuana use (AP Photo/Morry Gash)(AP) As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use, Trump wrote in a September 9 Truth Social post. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product. As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November. Trump added, As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens. Someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other states Trump previously said that voters are likely to approve the measure "whether people like it or not" and therefore "it should be done correctly. This stance puts Trump at odds with other Republican figures, including Ron DeSantis. The Florida Governor previously said that legalising recreational cannabis use would "be bad for quality of life. Back in 2016, medicinal marijuana was made legal in Florida. The Pew Research Centre says that cannabis for personal and medical use is legal in 24 US states. 14 more states have legalised medical marijuana. Trump previously said, Someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other states. We do not need to ruin lives and waste taxpayer dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them." Recently, Trump's former Attorney General William Barr accused the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration of politicising the legalisation of Cannabis and ignoring the scientific evidence. "We hear a lot from the current administration about the rule of law,'" Barr wrote in a Fox News op-ed. "But by ignoring legal standards and scientific evidence in its rush to loosen restrictions on marijuana, the Biden-Harris administration is riding roughshod over the rule of law and playing fast and loose with the health and safety of the American people all for political gain." Donald Trump vs Kamala Harris: The 2024 campaign season's second general election debate and the first showdown between former President Donald Trump and US Vice President Kamala Harris will be a clash of contrasts. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris are set to face each other during their first debate on September 10. ABC-hosted 90-minute debate will take place on September 10 at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center. This comes months after the June debate between Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden, who later announced an end to his reelection bid and endorsed Harris after facing immense backlash over his lackluster performance and concerns around his age and fitness. The Tuesday night debate will not have a live audience or live microphones. The Harris team informed ABC in a letter obtained by The Washington Post that the US VP will be at a disadvantaged position by this arrangement, stating that it will prevent Trump from having face-to-face conversations with her. We suspect this is the primary reason for his campaign's insistence on muted microphones. In a statement to Axios, senior adviser to the Trump campaign Jason Miller clarified that they have accepted the ABC debate under the exact same terms as the CNN debate that were arranged when Biden was still running for president. David Muir, the anchor of ABC News Live Prime, and Linsey Davis, the anchor of World News Tonight, will host the most-awaited debate. Trump vs Harris debate: When and where to watch According to ABC News, the debate will be broadcast on ABC News at 9 p.m. ET with two commercial breaks. It will be streamed on ABC News Live, Disney+, Hulu and Fox News. Trump got the chance to select the podium location or the order of the final remarks after winning a coin toss on Tuesday, according to ABC News. The former president chose to speak last, allowing Harris to choose where to stand at the podium. She has opted for the right side of the podium. Also Read: Stop it: Nikki Haley slams JD Vance over not helpful remarks ahead of first Trump vs Harris debate Trump vs Harris debate: Know about rules set for face off The debate's framework is largely predetermined by the rules, which also specify where the candidates will standbehind their podiums, and what supplies they will receive, including water, pens, and pads of paper. According to ABC, there won't be any opening remarks, no contender will be given early access to topics or questions, and each candidate's closing remarks would be limited to two minutes. Contestants will not be allowed to ask each other questions, and props or already drafted notes are prohibited. Both Trump and Harris will have two minutes to answer questions, two minutes for rebuttals, and one minute for any further information. How Trump and Harris could corner each other Trump has attacked Harris multiple times since her abrupt rise to prominence, primarily on a personal level. Trump is most likely to target Harris on issues, ranging from questioning her race to her views on immigration, taxes, foreign policy, election involvement, etc. Prior to her election to the US Senate in 2017, Harris established herself as a formidable prosecutor while serving as the attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017 and the district attorney of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. Her experience was evident in her first vice-presidential debate against Mike Pence in 2020. During Senate hearings, Harris demonstrated her mettle by asking pointed questions of members of the Trump administration, especially Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh of the Supreme Court. On the debate platform, this will be Trump's second debate against a female opponent, but it may be his first against a formidable prosecutor. The Democratic candidate might take advantage of this to exert pressure on the former president or even stop him mid-bluster. On October 1, Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump's running mate, and Tim Walz, Harris' VP pick, will face each other in a debate hosted by CBS News in New York City. New York City mayor Eric Adams recently compared himself to the Bibles long-suffering Job and urged a local bishop to pray for me when at two Brooklyn churches. His comments came on Sunday, September 8, days after some of his top lieutenants were targeted by feds. Eric Adams comapares his own sufferings to those of Bibles Job (Photographer: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg)(Bloomberg) Adams visited the Power and Authority Evangelical Ministry on Sheffield Avenue and then the Changing Lives Christian Center on Linden Boulevard on Sunday. He spoke at both houses of worship about the Book of Job, and called it my favorite story. I had many Job moments in my life, Adams said at the Power and Authority Church, referring to the famously persecuted Biblical character. He compared the story to his own struggles with learning disabilities, dyslexia and diabetes. These are Job moments. When your faith becomes stronger, he added. This is where I get my strength from, the mayor later told reporters. This is the source of my energy. A reporter then went on to ask Adams if he believed he was being persecuted because feds visited Edward Caban, his police commissioner, and other close allies last week, and waved warrants and seized their electronics. If thats all you got out of that sermon, youre missing it, Adams replied. We all go through things. Adams was then seen walking to his car and shaking hands with Power and Authority Bishop Rotimi Onabanjo, according to New York Post. Pray pray for them all, Adams said. Pray for me. A spokesperson at the scene claimed Adams was not asking reporters to pray for him. He seems down to earth Several churchgoers supported Adams despite his recent run of trouble. Im a fan he seems down to earth, said Pamela Green, a 40-year-old mom who was visiting Changing Lives with her two kids. Elizabeth Armstrong, a 62-year-old nurse, agreed, saying, I have been reading about the investigations on him, yes. But to me, when you are in the political life and the limelight, you are gonna have things thrown at you. And it makes his job a little bit harder. Latoya Bass, 46, said of the mayors sermons, It was a good message. We are happy to have him in the house of the Lord. And I hope that the Lord recovers him and guides him so he will direct us, the city, in the right direction, Bass said. You have to start everything with the Lord, she added. If it is not done this way, it wont work. Luis Elizondo, a former Pentagon official with a distinguished intelligence background, has made startling claims. The ex-UFO Chief alleges the existence of not only extraterrestrial technology but also the discovery of non-human bodies here on Earth. This news comes on the heels of Elizondo's recent book release, "Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs," further fueling the public's fascination with the unexplained. One of the two non-human alien corpses displayed at Mexico Congress(X(formerly Twitter)/@iohmbra) Ex UFO Chief says non-human bodies exist on earth Luis Elizondo, a former US Army intelligence officer who helped track down terrorists after 9/11, has made shocking claims as a longtime researcher for the US Defense Department. He alleges that four non-human bodies were discovered in New Mexico in 1947, with additional finds in Mexico in the 1950s and Kazakhstan in 1989. Also read: Elton John calls Trumps Kim Jong Un little rocket man jab brilliant but pushes for calmer America In an interview with iNews, Elizondo hinted at the government's knowledge of these discoveries, stating, "We know where they were. We dont know where they are." He added cautiously, Ive got to be careful what I say here, to not get in trouble I still have my security clearance. Alien technology Elizondo said he had experience with alien tech, including alleged implants found in humans. He described handling material researched by US government scientists, figuring out it probably wasn't made by humans and had clear signs of advanced engineering. "I have held in my hand material that scientists for the US government have conducted research on, and theyve said: This is a very special material, its highly unlikely that its made by human beings and its engineered, he added to his statement. Also read: Don Lemon makes urgent plea to Taylor Swift before elections; wants her to quickly endorse The former head of the UFO said dealt with biological and tissue samples removed from humans that, upon analysis, behaved in ways not typical of natural human biology, suggesting they might be some form of technical device. Green orbs followed us Adding to his series of startling claims, Elizondo described how green orbs followed him and his colleagues home, seemingly in attempts to spy on them. He mentioned, We're not sure if they are actually UAP-related. He also claimed that many others involved in the programs experienced the same, describing the orbs as luminous green balls of light Very diffuse in nature, with no hard edgesthat would appear to peruse the house, move down the hall, and pass through walls. National security issue for America Elizondo claims that non-human creatures are "real" and a "national security issue" for the US. He has been eager to share the truth about UFOs with the American public for a long time and believes that the government has been involved in UFO research for decades. Alleged Georgia school shooter Colt Grays raging grandfather has called for the death penalty of the 14-year-olds father, Colin Gray, for his role in the tragedy. Charles Polhamus, Colts maternal grandfather, believes Colin must bear much of the blame for the massacre at Apalachee High School in Winder on September 4, which left two students and two teachers dead. Georgia school shooter Colt Gray's (R) grandpa says teen's dad, Colin Gray (L), should be given death penalty for his role in tragedy (Photo by Handout / Barrow County Sheriff's Office / AFP, Barrow County Sheriff's Office via AP) Spending 11 years with that son of a bit** screaming and hollering every day it can affect anybody, Charles, 81, told New York Post of Colin, his 54-year-old former son-in-law. Hes evil, Charles added, saying of the family, They couldnt, they didnt survive in it. Colin was married to Charles daughter, Marcee Gray. They share three children. Colt has to pay for what he did, but Im telling you, he was driven, no question in my mind, Charles said. He was driven by his father to do what he did. Thats as plain as I can put it, and I know Im right. [Colin Gray] got what he deserved, too, he added. Colin is facing two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the school shooting, and the charges push the legal limits of parental responsibility for the alleged gun crime committed by a child. The charges include four counts of involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of cruelty to children. Each count against Colts dad accuses him of providing a firearm to Colt Gray with knowledge he was a threat to himself and others, his Barrow County arrest warrant affidavit shows, according to CNN. Colin gave Colt an AR-15-style rifle for Christmas. The teen used the same weapon to cause the bloodshed at the school. He needs the death penalty, Charles said of Colin. Prior to going through this, he was a good kid Previously, Marcee accused Colin of abuse. Marcees record, however, is not clean either. Sources told the Daily Mail that she once threatened to kill her husband. Marcee reportedly even tied up her elderly mother once, leaving her for 24 hours. Meanwhile, Colt will reportedly be charged with murder as an adult. Colt is like a lot of young kids these days with the tablets and some of the garbage they pull up, the blood and all the fighting, Charles said. If you dont think that has an impact on young kids, youre missing the boat, and that was also part of Colts problem. Its part of it and living with a dysfunctional dad who was a screamer and a hollerer, he added. No question about it. Prior to going through this, he was a good kid. I will preach that forever. Charles also accused Colin of squandering the familys finances and ending up losing their half million dollar farm because of drug addiction following a back injury he suffered. He added that his daughter Marcee was also pulled into addiction. She is a good person and a mom, Charles said. But Im back to what I said about narcissists: They can change anybody. Marcee never did anything to Colt, he added. All she did is help him out. Neighbours, however, had a different take on Marcee. A former neighbour claimed that she would often lock Colt and his sister out of the house at night. And they would be banging on the back door, just screaming like, Mom! Mom! Mom! and crying. It was absolutely devastating, the woman said. At the time of the shooting, however, Colt lived with his father. Marcee recently broke her silence on the tragedy, saying, Its absolutely horrible. House Republicans on Sunday issued a scathing report on their investigation into the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, blaming the disastrous end of America's longest war on President Joe Biden's administration and minimizing the role of former President Donald Trump, who had signed the withdrawal deal with the Taliban. After GOP report against Joe Biden, White House spokesperson, Sharon Yang, said the report was based on cherry-picked facts, inaccurate characterizations, and preexisting biases.(AFP) The partisan review lays out the final months of military and civilian failures, following Trump's February 2020 withdrawal deal, that allowed America's fundamentalist Taliban enemy to sweep through and conquer all of the country even before the last U.S. officials flew out on Aug. 30, 2021. The chaotic exit left behind many American citizens, Afghan battlefield allies, women activists and others at risk from the Taliban. But House Republicans' report breaks little new ground as the withdrawal has been exhaustively litigated through several independent reviews. Previous investigations and analyses have pointed to a systemic failure spanning the last four presidential administrations and concluded that Biden and Trump share the heaviest blame. Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, who led the investigation as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the GOP review reveals that the Biden administration had the information and opportunity to take necessary steps to plan for the inevitable collapse of the Afghan government, so we could safely evacuate U.S. personnel, American citizens, green card holders, and our brave Afghan allies. At each step of the way, however, the administration picked optics over security, he said in a statement. McCaul earlier in the day denied that the timing of the report's release ahead of the presidential election was political, or that Republicans ignored Trump's mistakes in the U.S. withdrawal. A White House spokesperson, Sharon Yang, said the Republican report was based on cherry-picked facts, inaccurate characterizations, and preexisting biases. Because of the bad deal former President Trump cut with the Taliban to get out of Afghanistan by May of 2021, President Biden inherited an untenable position, either ramp up the U.S. war against a strengthened Taliban, or end it, Yang said in a statement. House Democrats in a statement said the report by their Republican colleagues ignored facts about Trump's role. The more than 18-month investigation by Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee zeroed in on the months leading up to the removal of U.S. troops, saying that Biden and his administration undermined high-ranking officials and ignored warnings as the Taliban seized key cities far faster than most U.S. officials had expected or prepared for. I called their advance the Red Blob,'' retired Col. Seth Krummrich said of the Taliban, telling the committee that at the special operations' central command where he was chief of staff, we tracked the Taliban advance daily, looking like a red blob gobbling up terrain." I don't think we ever thought you know, nobody ever talked about, Well, whats going to happen when the Taliban come over the wall?''' Carol Perez, the State Department's acting undersecretary for management at the time of the withdrawal, said of what House Republicans said was minimal State Department planning before abandoning the embassy in mid-August 2021 when the Taliban swept into Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. The withdrawal ended a nearly two-decade occupation by U.S. and allied forces begun to rout out the al-Qaida militants responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. The Taliban had allowed al-Qaida's leader, Osama bin Laden, to shelter in Afghanistan. Committee staffers noted reports since the U.S. withdrawal of the group rebuilding in Afghanistan, such as a U.N. report of up to eight al-Qaida training camps there. The Taliban overthrew an Afghan government and military that the U.S. had spent nearly 20 years and trillions of dollars building in hopes of keeping the country from again becoming a base for anti-Western extremists. A 2023 report by the U.S. government watchdog for the U.S. in Afghanistan singles out Trumps February 2020 deal with the Taliban agreeing to withdraw all American forces and military contractors by the spring of the next year, and both Trumps and Bidens determination to keep pulling out U.S. forces despite the Taliban breaking key commitments in the withdrawal deal. House Republicans' more than 350-page document is the product of hours of testimony including with former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, U.S. Central Command retired Gen. Frank McKenzie and others who were senior officials at the time seven public hearings and round-tables as well as more than 20,000 pages of State Department documents reviewed by the committees. With Biden no longer running for reelection, Trump and his GOP allies have tried to elevate the withdrawal as a campaign issue against Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now Trump's Democratic opponent in the presidential race. The report by House Republican cites Harris' overall responsibility as an adviser to Biden, but doesn't point to specific counsel or action by Harris that contributed to the many failures. Some highlights of the report: Decision to withdraw Republicans point to testimony and records that claim the Biden administration's reliance on input from military and civilian leaders on the ground in Afghanistan in the months before the withdrawal was severely limited, with most of the decision-making taking place by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan without consultation with key stakeholders. Yang, the White House spokesperson, denied that, saying the administration had sought input from officials in Kabul and others across the U.S. government. The report says Biden proceeded with the withdrawal even though the Taliban was failing to keep some of its agreements under the deal, including breaking its promise to enter talks with the then-U.S.- backed Afghan government. Former State Department spokesperson Ned Price testified to the committee that adherence to the Doha Agreement was immaterial to Biden's decision to withdraw, according to the report. Earlier reviews have said Trump also carried out his early steps of the withdrawal deal, cutting the U.S. troop presence from about 13,000 to an eventual 2,500 despite early Taliban noncompliance with some parts of the deal, and despite the Taliban escalating attacks on Afghan forces. The House report faults a longtime U.S. diplomat for Afghanistan, former Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, not Trump, for Trump administration actions in its negotiations with the Taliban. The new report says that Trump was following recommendations of American military leaders in making sharp cuts in U.S. troop numbers in Afghanistan after the signing. We were still in planning' when Kabul fell The report also goes into the vulnerability of U.S. embassy staff in Kabul as the Biden administration planned its exit. Republicans claim there was a dogmatic insistence by the Biden administration to maintain a large diplomatic footprint despite concerns about the lack of security afforded to personnel once U.S. forces left. McKenzie, who was one of the two U.S. generals who oversaw the evacuation, told lawmakers that the administrations insistence at keeping the embassy open and fully operational was the fatal flaw that created what happened in August," according to the report. The committee report claims that State Department officials went as far as watering down or even completely rewriting reports from heads of diplomatic security and the Department of Defense that had warned of the threats to U.S. personnel as the withdrawal date got closer. We were still in planning" when Kabul fell, Perez, the senior U.S. diplomat, testified to the committee. Ahead of her debate with GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, US Vice President Kamala Harris made a heart-warming post on National Grandparents Day, recalling the achievements of her maternal grandparents PV Gopalan and Rajam Gopalan. US Vice President Kamala Harris recalled a beautiful trip to India and paid tribute to her grandparents,.(AFP) In her post on X, Harris included an old family photo and claimed that her grandfather had participated in the fight for India's independence. As a young girl visiting my grandparents in India, my grandfather took me on his morning walks, where he would discuss the importance of fighting for equality and fighting corruption. He was a retired civil servant who had been part of the movement to win Indias independence, Harris wrote on X on Sunday. Harris was referring to civil servant PV Gopalan, who worked for both the Indian government following the country's independence and the British administration during its colonial period. According to reports, Gopalan assisted refugees from East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, in relocating to India. In addition, he served as an advisor to Kenneth Kaunda, the former president of Zambia. His wife Rajam Gopalan gained recognition for her social work in Zambia. My grandmother travelled across Indiabullhorn in handto speak with women about accessing birth control. Their commitment to public service and fight for a better future live on in me today, she added. Social media users react to Harris post Meanwhile, social media users disputed Harris' assertion about her grandfather, pointing out that he had been a member of the British Imperial Secretariat Service, which following India's independence changed its name to the Central Secretariat Service. How could a serving bureaucrat be part of the independence movement opposing the same government and violating service rules? one user questioned. Another person remarked, Everything you say is a lie. Youre not even an American. Stop lying about your grandmother on a bullhorn in India calling out for abortions. Youre a pathological liar, a third user wrote. Also Read: Kamala Harris suffers major polling blow ahead of debate with Trump: 'The honeymoon is officially over' Harris has often called PV Gopalan one of the original independence fighters in India. However, Gopalan was a conscientious civil servant, according to the records. Gopalan's son, Harris' uncle G Balachandran, claimed that his father may have been dismissed if he had publicly supported the end of British rule. In 1911, Gopalan was born in Painganadu, close to the presidency of Madras. Harris is set to face Donald Trump in the most-awaited ABC debate on September 10. Ahead of the first most-awaited debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Democrats issued a major warning to the US Vice President as she is all set to go toe-to-toe with the Republican presidential nominee. Calling Kamala Harris focused and disciplined, US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg cautioned that more will be needed to deal with Donald Trump.(AFP) Americans will be watching the highly anticipated debate on the stage of ABC News in Philadelphia with a great deal of anxiety and excitement after President Joe Biden's lackluster showing against Trump in Atlanta in late June. Calling Harris focused and disciplined, US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg cautioned that more will be needed to deal with Trump. In an interview with CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, he stressed he believes the primary objective will be to ensure that Americans recognise the disparity in viewpoints and be reminded that they already share her views on the most important subjects. He alerted Harris that facing Trump in a debate will require almost superhuman focus and discipline, adding that It's no ordinary proposition. According to Buttigieg, Trump is a master at making everything into a show that is all about him. Not because Donald Trump is a master of explaining policy ideas and how they are going to make people better off. It's because he's a master of taking any form or format that is on television and turning it into a show that is all about him. The less we are talking about him and the more we are talking about you, the better it's going to be for the vice president, he said. In a separate interview with CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, Senator John Fetterman shared his projections about the debate, admitting that Trump is a good debater, but Harris is going to do great. According to him, it will be a straight-forward debate and Harris will win, without a doubt. He, however, added that Trump will also do well. I mean we can all remember he wrecked all the Republicans, he's a good debater. But at the end of the day, I don't believe this debate is going to be definitive because it's going to come down to this choice and it's going to be close, the senator remarked. Also Read: Donald Trump says no boxes or artificial lifts will be allowed during upcoming debate: Form of cheating Trump campaign reacts to Dems' remarks Trump's spokesman Steven Cheung attacked Harris following comments from Buttigieg and Fetterman. Citing polling in battleground states, he told Newsweek on Sunday, Trump is ahead of Harris both nationally and in the battleground states. He continued by asserting that voters prefer a return to pro-America policies that are effective rather than Harris' weak and failed liberal policies. The New York Times/Siena College polling average from earlier this month shows that Harris is slightly ahead in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. There is a tie in Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona. According to the average of FiveThirtyEight, Trump is ahead in Arizona and North Carolina, while Harris leads in Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Donald Trump edged out Kamala Harris in one of the most widely followed national poll, which comes ahead of the much-awaited September 10 debate between the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. Donald Trump leads Kamala Harris by 48 percent to 47 percent, with a three-point margin of error, according to the New York Times/Sienna poll. According to the New York Times/Sienna poll, Trump leads Harris by 48 percent to 47 percent, with a three-point margin of error, showing an end to the Democratic candidate's honeymoon period and euphoric August. While Trump may have had a hard month with Biden's resignation and the burst of enthusiasm generated by Harris, his support remains remarkably resilient, as per the survey. The startling polling result may reflect a shift back toward Trump. The NYT report, which cites a poll in which 28 percent of possible voters indicated the need to know more about Harris, states that the ABC debate will play a crucial role for her candidature. During her 90-minute debate against Trump, the US VP will have the chance to elaborate on her proposed measures. In response to a question from a reporter ahead of the debate, Harris gave the thumbs up on September 8, saying that she was ready to debate him. In contrast to Harris, just 9 percent of voters expressed the desire to learn more about Trump. Overall, the poll may bring Democratic exuberance back to earth after a buoyant party convention in Chicago last month and rapid gains in support for Harris after Bidens poor showing in the polls. Harris held on to some of the gains she has made with key groups with whom Mr. Biden had been slipping such as women, young voters and Latino voters but fell short of traditional Democratic strength. She continues to struggle to build a solid lead with Latino voters, a crucial demographic, the NYT report said. Also Read: Kamala Harris gets major warning from Democrats ahead of face off with good debater Trump: He is a master at Election data expert Nate Silver, Trump react to new poll Commenting on the polling result, election data expert Nate Silver emphasised in a tweet about the importance of debate for Harris. Highest-rated pollster in the country and a large sample size, too. Fortunately for Harris she has the debate this week and none of this will matter if she has a good night, he wrote. The recent poll's major findings are similar to the previous New York Times/Siena College poll, which was published in late July. Trump was ahead of Harris by one percentage point in that poll, a difference that was far within the poll's margin of error. According to polls, the race is extremely close in the seven crucial swing states that will probably decide the outcome of the election. Harris has been actively campaigning since taking Biden's place atop the Democratic ticket. However, she has kept her unscheduled appearances to a minimum and avoided doing many interviews with the media. Meanwhile, Trump spokesperson Jason Miller told Politico that The honeymoon is officially over. Meghan Markle made a surprising public appearance at her friend Oprah Winfreys book club, a rare outing amid recent reports of challenges in her Hollywood relationships. The Duchess of Sussex attended a book event at the newly opened Goodmothers bookstore in California, where her husband Prince Harry's memoir was on display. Oprah Winfrey , Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.(Instagram) Harry reportedly didn't attend the literary conversation. Meghan joined a group of speakers at the event, which was held near her Montecito home. Meghan Markle reunites with Oprah Winfrey Meghan and Harrys explosive 2021 interview with Oprah, which was seen as a major blow to the Royal Family, continues to resonate with royal watchers. Goodmothers, a new bookstore co-owned by literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, recently opened with a series of events featuring famous authors and celebrities. Meghan attended the opening, dressed in a stylish business outfit. Also read: Prince Harrys US green card could be a financial dagger for royals: Why he may be on a rare golden visa Meghan Markle looked elegant in a sleeveless navy blue tuxedo jumpsuit from Club Monaco, pairing the look with a sleek ponytail and simple diamond studs. While the details of her speech at the bookstore remain private, attendees shared photos and stories from the event, which featured Meghan onstage speaking into a microphone alongside other notable figures like Oprah Winfrey, author Shaka Senghor, astrologer Jennifer Freed, and more. Harrys Spare displayed on hometown heroes shelf Prince Harrys memoir Spare, which was seen as another huge blow to the Royal Family, proudly made it to the Hometown Heroes shelf at the new bookstore. The display also included titles by other famous authors, including Gwyneth Paltrow's It's All Easy, as well as Meghan's children's book The Bench, according to The Mirror. More videos reveal Walsh talking about the key placement of Harry's autobiography. Also read: Barack Obamas daughter Malia Obama makes rare red carpet appearance to promote directorial debut In the promotional video, Walsh can be heard saying, This is our local author's shelf when you first walk in. I want it to be when you first walk in so that authors who are local to the area know that this is their hometown bookstore. And we celebrate our hometown authors as if they were our hometown heroes because to us they are. Meghan Markle prepares to launch lifestyle brand As Meghan and Harrys Netflix contract nears its end and their Spotify deal faces uncertainty, Meghan has encountered a setback for her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. She plans to launch the brand early next year but has faced a hurdle as the US Patent and Trademark Office has rejected her latest application. The decision appears to be related to the companys logo. An Oregon nurse was found dead on Saturday, September 7, days after she disappeared. 32-year-old Melissa Jubane went missing days after she returned home from her Hawaii wedding. Her body was found following a three-day search, and her 27-year-old neighbour is now suspected of murder. Oregon newlywed nurse Melissa Jubane found dead days after disappearing (Beaverton Police Department/Facebook) Jubane was a cardiac nurse at St. Vincent Hospital in Southwest Portland. Friends and family grew concerned after she failed to turn up for her morning shift on September 4, according to Beaverton Police. After receiving a call requesting a welfare check for Jubane at her apartment, a search for the missing nurse was conducted by responding officers, who were met by apartment complex staff. Officers could not find Jubane inside the apartment in Beavertons Five Oaks neighbourhood. Her remains were found by police on Friday evening, September 6, over two days after the welfare check. On August 4, Jubane married Bryan Llantero in Haleiwa, Oahu on the island of Honolulu. Her husband last heard from her around 6 am on the morning she failed to report to the hospital, KHON reported. In a Facebook post, Beaverton Police Department saidofficers and family members could not contact Jubane as her phone appeared to be turned off. Additionally, searches of Melissas bank and credit card records yielded no new information regarding her location, it added. Jubane entered into national law enforcement databases as a missing person on September 4. The police department revealed that her neighbour eventually became a suspect. As a result of an extensive investigation, it was determined that one of Melissas neighbors, 27-year-old Bryce Johnathan Schubert of Beaverton was involved in her disappearance. Subsequently, Schubert was arrested this evening and charged with Melissas murder. Melissa Jubanes remains have been recovered, the post reads. The police added that this is still an active investigation and urged anyone with information on the case to call 503.526.2280. Schubert was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree murder, according to jail records that New York Post viewed. Schubert was a nurse at Providence Portland Medical Center from September 2022 to October 2023, Fox 12 reported. After tying the knot on August 24, Jubane and Llantero had a ceremony with friends and family the next day. The two first met in Hawaii and dated for more than 10 years. They got engaged in Oahu last year. The two of them flew to Washington State on September 1 to spend Labor Day with Jubanes family. The next day, Jubane left for the apartment in Oregon. Jubanes mother-in-law said that she would stay at the apartment as it was close to her workplace. We dont deserve this Jubanes cousin, Onilobes Allan, paid tribute to her on Facebook, describing her as down to earth and funny. These are the kind of people our government need to protect so we can have a chance to live in peace and have happiness in the world but unfortunately got taken advantage and was killed by someone that is very evil. Im asking the government to make laws that protect good citizens. My family has been serving United States military since World War II until now and we dont deserve this, Allan wrote. To whom it may concern, we need JUSTICE FOR MELISSA and for all the good people in this country USA. Our hearts are broken at the news of the death of our Providence St. Vincent nurse and colleague, Melissa Jubane. This comes as a shock to us all and she is mourned by her co-workers. Melissa was an exceptional nurse. We appreciate all the expressions of concern from the community. Melissa was a person of Providence, and we will miss her, Providence St. Vincent Hospital said. Adult film star Jay Hefner whose real name is Saiveon Hopkins was shot dead in Lincoln, Nebraska. His family has described the untimely tragedy as a senseless act of gun violence," as the 24-year-old died trying to protect his cousin. 24-year-old Jay Hefner (aka Saiveon Hopkins) was a father to a "10 month old daughter, who adored him, he also helped his terminally ill mother care for his siblings."(GoFundMe) According to a GoFundMe fundraiser organised by Kyra Miller, a close friend of the deceased star's mother, Jeni Brown. Hopkins had flown down to Lincoln from his home in Ontario, Canada, to visit his family for a birthday celebration over the weekend. However, he was fatally shot on Sunday, September 8. The Sun further reports that the incident occurred around 1:30 am when officers responded to a fight in the downtown area in the 100 block of North 11th Street. Upon their arrival, officials found two men at the scene inflicted with gunshot wounds. They were eventually rushed to the hospital. The Lincoln Police Department (LPD) eventually issued an official press release: Despite immediate life-saving measures by medical personnel, the 24-year-old Lincoln man passed away from his injuries around 5:37 a.m. LPD is not releasing his name at this time while next of kin is notified." The official statement also highlighted that authorities were investigating three shootings in the city. However, the incidents are not believed to be related at this time. Also read | Georgia school shooter's grandpa says teen's dad should be given death penalty for his role in tragedy: Hes evil Deceased adult film star's identity confirmed 1011 Now later confirmed that the 24-year-old Lincoln man who succumbed to his injuries was, in fact, Jay Hefner. The other wounded man is said to be in his forties and was deemed stable with non-threatening injuries. The GoFundMe page dedicated to Hopkins confirmed: On September 8, 2024, my close friend Jeni Brown, lost her son due to a senseless act of gun violence while trying to protect his cousin from physical violence in Lincoln, NE. Miller described the 24-year-old man as a a shining light that was there for everyone who loved him. Father to a 10 month old daughter, who adored him, he also helped his terminally ill mother care for his siblings. The note added, Due to the financial strain already placed on the family for Jenis medical care and the unexpected passing, I am wanting to help raise funds to relieve them of the financial burden during an already devastating time. Funerals can be costly and we would like to honor Saiveon in a way that he deserves. Tributes pour in for Jay Hefner, aka Saiveon Hopkins Hopkins' girlfriend, Madeline Murchison, also took to her Instagram Stories to pay heartfelt tribute to her whole heart in human form. Also read | Oregon newlywed nurse found dead days after disappearing, neighbour accused of murder When your mom called I instantly broke down Ive never felt this type of hurt and honestly idk how to get through it. Any little thing Id call you, you were my safe place no matter what we were going through youd make sure to call me every night and fall asleep on the phone & tell me everything was going to be okay, Murchisonn continued in a separate post dedicated to her boyfriend. The 24-year-old's cousin @LeeiLonie_ also spread the sad news on Sunday by sharing the GoFundMe page via a tweet, saying, Last night my cousin was murdered in Nebraska if you can share this so we can lay him to rest. Per Hopkins' Instagram profile, he was also an ambassador for Fashion Nova, Rockstar Original and Drawlz Brand Co. Earlier this year, he shared online that he had finished a degree in dentistry. A Certified Veneer Tech Come Get A Seven Figure Smile From Da Kid @sevenfiguresmiles for Bookings !! he captioned the April 2 post. Marie Alvarado-Gil, a California state senator, has been accused of forcing a married former staffer into entering a sex-based quid pro quo relationship that left him with severe back and hip injuries. The female senator's former chief of staff, Chad Condit son of former Congressman Gary Condit, reportedly filed a lawsuit against her last week for pressuring him to perform X-rated acts while travelling for work. State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, D-Jackson, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, July 10, 2023. Alvarado-Gil announced Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, that she is switching to the Republican Party. (AP) According to the suit filed in Sacramento Superior Court, Condit claimed that he reluctantly did sexual favours for the Democrat-turned-Republican politician to keep his job. Marie Alvarado-Gil's former chief of staff had to undergo back surgery for his alleged injuries as a result of her sexual demands Suing Alvarado-Gil for allegedly creating a hostile work environment, the US senator's former chief of staff's lawsuit also alleges that during their final encounter, the senator asked him to do oral sex inside the confined space of a small car, riddling him with a back injury and resulting in three herniated discs and a collapsed hip. This was a sex-based quid pro quo relationship of unwelcome advances and sexual behaviours coupled with punishment and flexing of power, the suit charges. Also read | Senseless act of gun violence: Adult film star Jay Hefner, 24, shot dead while protecting family Additionally, Condit's complaint emphasises that he was fired in December as he continued turning down Alvardo-Gil's advances, using his back injury as an excuse. Before that, the senatoralso married and with six childrenallegedly abused her power and signed a disciplinary letter, levelling accusations of inappropriate behaviour against her former aide. The senator's ex-staffer adds in the suit that she had a lifetime free pass to cheat on her husband. Alvarado-Gil, portrayed as an erratic and controlling boss in the suit, first hired Condit as her chief of staff in 2022 after being elected to power. Back then, the senator was still a member of the Democratic Party. Female California senator's attorney rubbished the allegations levelled against her by Chad Condit Since the emergence of Condit's lawsuit, the senator's attorney has also counter-attacked her former aide's accusations. Also read | Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer dies at 58 after long illness; Atlanta Mayor pens tribute for remarkable legacy A disgruntled former employee has fabricated an outlandish story, presented without evidence, to get a payday, Ognian Gavrilov slammed the suit in a statement to Politico. We expect that the senator will be fully cleared of any wrongdoing of these bogus, financially motivated claims. The California senator switched teams to the Republican side last month, saying, The Democratic Party is not the party that I signed up for decades ago. Nikki Haley, a former Republican presidential contender, criticised Donald Trump's vice president candidate JD Vance by terming his controversial remarks about .childless women as not helpful. Nikki Haley slammed JD Vance over his childless women comments against Kamala Harris and other Democrats. Speaking to CBS anchor Margaret Brennan on the Face the Nation, Haley recalled the Ohio Senator's statement that he is disoriented and disturbed that the head of the most powerful teachers' union in the country doesn't have a single child. Brennan asked Haley to elaborate her stand on Vance's comments as he continues to say things that certainly are highlighted as being offensive to women. Its not helpful, Haley remarked, adding that You can either look at style or you can look at substance. Haley issues an advise to Republicans The former South Carolina Governor went on to say that she as a voter would choose to look at substance. When Brenan quizzed Haley about the substance she responded it is about is cutting taxes, lowering housing costs, immigration, and national security. The style is- no, it is not helpful to talk about whether women have children or whether they dont. Its not helpful to say any of those things that are personality driven or anything else. I have said that, and I will continue to say to Republicans, stop it! Thats not helpful. Vance faced backlash for calling Kamala Harris and other Democrats without children a bunch of childless cat ladies miserable at their own lives in a resurfaced 2021 video. He also claimed professional women who prioritise their careers over having children choose a path to misery. Vance's response to Haley's remark is awaited. Also Read: Nikki Haley makes bold declaration about Kamala Harris, tells Trump to quit whining about her The former ambassador to the UN recently acknowledged that she is not entirely in agreement with Trump's demeanor or strategy. She endorsed Trump after withdrawing from the race. Trump, who has lauded Haley for the support, has not called upon her to assist with his campaign. According to Haley, Trump knows I'm on standby and would be available if he needs her help. Trump and Harris will face each other on September 10 during their first presidential debate, which will hosted by ABC News. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are veering sharply in how they gear up for Tuesdays presidential debate, setting up a showdown that reflects not just two separate visions for the country but two politicians who approach big moments very differently. The Latest: Harris and Trump are prepping for the debate but their strategies are vastly different Harris spent the weekend cloistered in a historic hotel in downtown Pittsburgh where she focused on honing crisp two-minute answers, per the debates rules. Meanwhile, Trump has publicly dismissed the value of studying for the debate. The former president is choosing instead to fill his days with campaign-related events. Follow the s Election 2024 coverage at: /hub/election-2024. Heres the latest: Trump shows support for reclassifying marijuana as less dangerous drug Trump signaled support for reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug in a post on his social media platform late Sunday, putting his position in line with that of Harris. The commonality reflects a major shift toward broad public support for legalization in recent years and marks the first time that both major-party presidential candidates support broad cannabis reform, according to the U.S. Cannabis Council. Coming shortly before the two will meet for a pivotal debate, Trumps post sets up the possibility that he could criticize Harris for her past cannabis prosecutions when she was district attorney in San Francisco. Because drug prosecutions disproportionately affect nonwhite defendants in the U.S., the line of attack could also fit with Trumps efforts to increase his support among nonwhite men. Harris backs decriminalization and has called it absurd that the Drug Enforcement Administration now has marijuana in the Schedule I category alongside heroin and LSD. Earlier in her career, she oversaw the enforcement of cannabis laws and opposed legalized recreational use for adults in California while running for attorney general in 2010. Read more about Trumps stance on marijuana Nations top election security official expressed confidence in this years election Speaking in Detroit, Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told a gathering of local election officials from around the country Monday that she was inspired by their commitment to overseeing safe, secure, free, fair elections. She said their tireless efforts also should give Americans confidence that every vote will be counted as cast. Easterly acknowledged that election offices are facing numerous threats, from cybersecurity to intimidation of their workers. But she said their extensive preparations will ensure that we are ready for whatever lies ahead. President Biden plans to watch the debate between Harris and Trump White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden would be watching Tuesday from New York, where hes traveling ahead of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Bidens disastrous performance in the June 27 debate with Trump touched off a chorus of calls by fellow Democrats for him to step aside in the 2024 presidential race. He did about a month later. Harris became the Democratic nominee and shell face Trump this time. Jean-Pierre said Biden was very proud of his vice president. The debate begins Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. Grief over Gaza and qualms over US election add up to anguish for many Palestinian Americans Demoralized by the Biden administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war, Palestinian American Samia Assed found in Vice President Kamala Harris ascension and her running mate pick a little ray of hope. That hope, she said, shattered during last months Democratic National Convention, where a request for a Palestinian American speaker was denied and listening to Harris left her feeling like the Democratic presidential nominee will continue the U.S. policies that have outraged many in the anti-war camp. I couldnt breathe because I felt unseen and erased, said Assed, a community organizer in New Mexico. Under different circumstances, Assed would have reveled in the groundbreaking rise of a woman of color as her partys nominee. Instead, she agonizes over her ballot box options. For months, many Palestinian Americans have been contending with the double whammy of the rising Palestinian death toll and suffering in Gaza and their own governments support for Israel in the war. Alongside pro-Palestinian allies, theyve grieved, organized, lobbied and protested as the killings and destruction unfolded on their screens or touched their own families. Now, they also wrestle with tough, deeply personal voting decisions, including in battleground states. Read more about Palestinian Americans and the election What the Trump-Clinton debates might tell us about Trumps approach with Harris He claimed she would raise taxes and accused her of supporting open border policies that would allow an influx of unvetted migrants into the country. He blamed her for a litany of the current administrations failures and cast her potential presidency as four more years of the same. Donald Trump wasnt facing Vice President Kamala Harris. It was Hillary Clinton on the debate stage. As Trump and Harris prepare to debate for the first and potentially only time Tuesday, his three meetings with Clinton in 2016 illustrate the challenges facing both candidates in what is again shaping up to be an extremely close election. Harris will face a skilled and experienced debater who excels at rattling his rivals with a barrage of insults and interruptions, while projecting unflappable confidence and conviction. And Trump will be up against a longtime prosecutor known for landing pointed punches. He again faces a woman who would become the countrys first female president and must contend with the underlying gender dynamics at play. Read more about what the Trump-Clinton debate says about Trumps style Harris campaign plans for aggressive outreach in swing states after the debate Vice President Kamala Harris plans a four-day campaign trip through major swing states after the Democrats debate Tuesday with Republican Donald Trump. Her New Way Forward tour will include a new television spot, rallies, canvassing events and programs designed to target important voting groups, the campaign said Sunday, adding that the tour will culminate at the start of Hispanic Heritage Month on Sept. 15. In a tight race against the former president, the Harris campaign sees itself as having the room to persuade voters before focusing more intently on turnout with the beginning of early voting before the Nov. 5 election. Trump has also stepped up his outreach with rallies and interviews in seemingly friendly forums. Read more about Harriss post-debate plans Little debate that Pennsylvania is key as Harris and Trump prep for Philly showdown When Donald Trump and Kamala Harris meet onstage Tuesday night in Philadelphia, theyll both know theres little debate that Pennsylvania is critical to their chances of winning the presidency. The most populous presidential swing state has sided with the winner of the past two elections, each time by just tens of thousands of votes. Polling this year suggests Pennsylvania will be close once more in November. A loss in the state will make it difficult to make up the electoral votes elsewhere to win the presidency. Trump and Harris have been frequent visitors in recent days Harris plans to return Friday and the former president was speaking in Butler County on July 14 when he was the target of an assassination attempt. The stakes may be especially high for Harris: No Democrat has won the White House without Pennsylvania since 1948. Read more about Pennsylvanias role in this election What Harris past debates say about her potential approach to Trump From her earliest campaigns in California to her serving as President Joe Bidens running mate, Kamala Harris has honed an aggressive but calibrated approach to debates. She tries to blend punch lines with details that build toward a broader narrative. She might shake her head to signal her disapproval while her opponent is speaking, counting on viewers to see her reaction on a split screen. And she has a go-to tactic to pivot debates back in her favor: saying shes glad to answer a question as she gathers her thoughts to explain an evolving position or defend a past one. Read more about Harris debate style In new Harris ad, former Trump officials warn of dangers if he gets a second term A new Harris campaign ad airing running on Fox News on the day of the presidential debate features former Trump officials warning of what they say are the dangers of a second Donald Trump presidency. The ad is running in Philadelphia and West Palm Beach, Florida where Trump lives on Tuesday. It features clips from former Vice President Mike Pence saying he would not be endorsing Trump. Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, National Security Advisor John Bolton, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley all warn against the Republican. The presidential debate begins at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday on ABC. Look out for wild card Trump If you ask Trumps previous debate opponents what theyre watching for on Tuesday night and we did many say the same thing: Look out for the thing he says or does that Harris cant possibly prepare for. Trump is the ultimate wild card who's found tremendous political success by ignoring the traditional rules of politics. He will say or do whatever he thinks is best in the moment. And Harris, who has dedicated several days to debate prep, cant make a plan for everything. At this point, its hard to imagine Trump surprising anyone with new material. He has praised dictators, talked about genitalia size, suggested suspending the U.S. Constitution and said that Harris only recently turned Black. Trumps own team doesnt know what hell do or say on any given day. Thats incredibly risky for Trump. But it also puts enormous pressure on Harris. Abortion vs Immigration Republicans hope Trump makes immigration a defining issue of the debate. The GOP has effectively condemned the Biden administrations handling of illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border for much of the last four years. Harris will be eager to remind voters that Trump helped kill a bipartisan immigration bill that would have done much to fix the problem. But overall, Harris is likely to be on the defensive when the issue comes up. Democrats, meanwhile, want to focus on abortion. Trump, of course, appointed three Supreme Court justices who later overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that protected a womans right to choose abortion. Trump has repeatedly said he was proud that Roe was defeated. But aware that such a view isnt popular among many women, he has tried to moderate his stance on the divisive issue. Harris wont make that easy. Stating the obvious, as a woman, she is positioned to be a much more effective messenger on the issue than Biden was. And Trump cant afford to lose many more female voters. Body language matters There will, of course, be an obvious gender dynamic on stage Tuesday night. The candidates who have never met in person before will be expected to stay behind their podiums on Tuesday night. But Republicans are hopeful Trump will avoid any other provocations like pointing, yelling or otherwise approaching Harris in a way that might be off-putting to suburban women or other swing voters. Harris, too, will face unique challenges related to her race and gender as voters consider whether to make her the nations first female president. Some voters still say theyre not comfortable with the idea. If she comes across as angry, she risks playing into racist tropes about Black women. While the gender dynamic looms, do not underestimate the significance of their age difference, either. Harris is almost two decades younger than the 78-year-old Trump. Age was viewed as a political advantage for Trump when he was facing the 81-year-old Biden, but the situation is now reversed against the 59-year-old Harris. If he wins, Trump would be the oldest U.S. president ever elected. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. HIGHLAND, Calif. Days of triple-digit temperatures fed a wildfire in the foothills of a national forest east of Los Angeles Monday, pushing some 6,000 people to flee the area as another blaze in Nevada displaced more than 20,000. Thousands evacuate as wildfires rage outside Los Angeles and Reno, Nevada In California, the so-called Line Fire led at least 6,000 people to evacuate mountain communities, said Cal Fire spokesman Rick Carhart. We're dealing with triple-digit temperatures and hard-to-reach steep areas where there has not been fire in decades, or in recorded history, so all that vegetation has led to significant fuel loads, Carhart said. Mara Rodriguez, a spokesperson with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, which issues evacuation orders, said nearly 5,000 homes fell under the existing orders and nearly 17,000 more were under evacuation warnings. The blaze threatened thousands of home and commercial structures as it burned along the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, about 65 miles east of Los Angeles. As of Monday morning, the blaze had charred about 32 square miles of grass and brush and blanketed the area with a thick cloud of dark smoke. It was 3% contained. In Northern California, a fire measuring less than a square mile started Sunday and burned at least 30 homes and commercial buildings and destroyed 40 to 50 vehicles in Clearlake City, 110 miles north of San Francisco, officials said. Roughly 4,000 people were forced to evacuate by the Boyles Fire, which was about 10% contained Monday morning. The fires are among the most dangerous of the many burning in various parts of California. About 20 miles outside Reno, Nevada, the uncontained Davis Fire grew to about 10 square miles after igniting Sunday afternoon. It originated in the Davis Creek Regional Park in the Washoe Valley and was burning in heavy timber and brush, firefighters said. An emergency declaration issued for Washoe County by Gov. Joe Lombardo on Sunday noted that about 20,000 people were evacuated from neighborhoods, businesses, parks and campgrounds. Parts of south Reno remained under the evacuation notice on Monday, firefighters said, and some homes, businesses and traffic signals in the area were without power. The Southern California blaze burned so hot Saturday that it created its own thunderstorm-like weather systems of pyroculumus clouds, which can create more challenging conditions such as gusty winds and lightning strikes, according to the National Weather Service. The Reno fire is roughly 480 miles to the northeast of the blaze in the San Bernardino National Forest, where firefighters worked in steep terrain in temperatures above 100 degrees , limiting their ability to control the blaze, officials said. State firefighters said three firefighters had been injured. Evacuations were ordered Saturday evening for Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, areas east of Highway 330 and other regions. Running Springs resident Steven Michael King said he had planned to stay to fight the fire and help his neighbors until Sunday morning, when the fire escalated. He had prepped his house to prevent fire damage but decided to leave out of fear smoke could keep him from finding a way out later. "It came down to, which is worse, being trapped or being in a shelter? King said outside an evacuation center Sunday. When conditions changed, I had to make a quick decision, just a couple of packs and it all fits in a shopping cart. Joseph Escobedo said his family has lived in Angelus Oaks for about three years and has never had to evacuate for wildfire. His family, with three young children, was among the remaining few who hadn't left as of Sunday afternoon. Its kind of frightening with the possibility of losing your home and losing everything we worked really hard for, Escobedo said as his family packed up the essentials to escape. Its hard to leave and not be sure if youre gonna be able to come back. The affected area is near small mountain towns in the San Bernardino National Forest where Southern California residents ski in the winter and mountain bike in the summer. Running Springs is on the route to the popular ski resort town of Big Bear. Redlands Unified School District cancelled Monday classes for roughly 20,000 students, and Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for San Bernardino County. On Sunday, another blaze sparked amid searing heat in Southern California's Angeles National Forest. The blaze burning north of the city of Glendora, in Los Angeles County, was 820 acres and uncontained Monday. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department ordered visitors at a campground and residents of an adjacent river community to evacuate, the U.S. Forest Service said. Wildfires were burning across the West, including in Idaho where fire managers were preparing for an active day, with warm, dry and windy conditions expected Monday and even more challenging conditions Tuesday. The Boulder and the Lava Fires are burning in western Idaho. In central Oregon, firefighters were dealing with a number of blazes that prompted evacuation warnings, including one west of Mount Bachelor on the Deschutes National Forest that was estimated around 80 acres in size. - Associated Press reporter Kathy McCormack in New Hampshire contributed to this story. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump are allegedly under threat over their plans to release classified UFO documents to the public. Filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee, whose latest movie, The King of UFOs, investigates the UK's fascination with extraterrestrial life, claimed that the former president might be at risk of another assassination attempt, according to The Mirror. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump are allegedly under threat over UFO disclosure, filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee has claimed. RFK Jr, Trump under life-threatening risks over bid to make UFO documents public, filmmaker claims Lee claimed that the motive behind Trump's assassination attempt was to prevent him from disclosing top-secret government files that contain information about aliens and other extraterrestrial beings. The urologist also suggested that RFK Jr is also at grave risk for pushing the GOP nominee to release those documents. ALSO READ: Nikki Haley reveals Donald Trump hasn't asked her to be part of his campaign, I'm on standby I'm pretty sure that since RFK JR backed Trump's Presidential campaign, he has been putting pressure on the former President to release the truth about UFOs to the American public, Lee told the outlet. There is a theory that his uncle JFK (John Kennedy) was assassinated due to his knowledge of the Deep State involvement in the UFO cover-up, he added. The God vs AI director explained that some theories suggest that JKF also divulged these secrets to his lover film-star Marilyn Monroe and that she was also killed to keep it secret. Monroe was due to give a press conference just a few days after her death. I believe that RFK JR knows these links. ALSO READ: Sen Bernie Sanders hails ex-VP Dick Cheney, daughter Liz for defending democracy by endorsing Kamala Harris He [RFK Jr] began his presidential campaign talking about UFO disclosure but then he suddenly stopped talking about it as if he was warned off, maybe now that he has joined forces with Trump he feels confident to push his attacks on the Deep State cover up, Lee continued. Lee's new film, in which ex-Ministry of Defence UFO head Nick Pope discusses King Charles' knowledge about aliens under the five eyes agreement, explores what the British monarch can do to prepare the citizens for UFO disclosure. He said he inherited a strong interest in UFOs from his father, Prince Philip, who had been secretly investigating them since the 1950s. US presidential debate- biggest milestone of 2024 presidential election is a couple of days away and both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are pulling out all stops to ensure a big win. TOPSHOT - Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) dances as he leaves the stage after speaking alongside former US Representative Tulsi Gabbard during a town hall meeting in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on August 29, 2024. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP)(AFP) Contrary to public claim that he doesn't need any debate prep Donald Trump is holding informal sessions with his team of advisors including GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, according to ABC News report. Tulsi had once challenged Vice President Kamala Harris on the debate stage in 2019, the report states. Gaetz is helping Trump prepare tough questions around his legal troubles, federal indictments on election interference and retaining classified documents, criminal conviction in the New York hush-money case and stance on abortion Trump is also studying Harris' previous debate against former Vice President Mike Pence. It included her viral headline grabbing moment - Mr. Vice President, Im speaking. With concerns mounting over his recent comments on childcare GOP members want to tread cautiously. Recently Trump stumbled through a question about his child care plans and whether he would prioritise the issue. Trump spoke for a couple of minutes but failed to answer the question, Well, I would do that, and were sitting down. You know, I was somebody we had, Senator Marco Rubio, and my daughter Ivanka, was so impactful on that issue. Its a very important issue. Many critically questioned his mental ability after the gaffe went viral. Meanwhile, Harris has been engaged in traditional debate prep in Pittsburgh, where she was caught n the city on Sunday on a walk with second gentleman, Doug Emhoff. When asked by the media person whether she was ready and if she could show a thumbs up, she just ignored and disappeared around the side of a building. The ABC News presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will be held on September 10 at 9 p.m. ET and air on ABC and stream on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. A significant political divide is emerging within the U.S. tech industry as workers overwhelmingly support Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, while many of their top bosses are throwing their weight behind her Republican rival, Donald Trump. US Tech world divided over presidential choice, workers rally behind Kamala Harris as industry leaders back Trump(AFP) According to data compiled by political watchdog OpenSecrets, employees at major tech companies such as Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft have donated millions of dollars to Harris's campaign, far surpassing the contributions made to Trumps re-election efforts. The data, which includes donations from company employees, owners, and their immediate family members, highlights a stark contrast between the rank-and-file employees and tech billionaires like Tesla's CEO Elon Musk and venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, who are rallying behind Trump. Despite the growing discontent among some tech leaders with Democratic President Joe Bidens business policies, including tighter regulations on mergers and data privacy, several prominent figures in the industry remain supportive of Harris. Indian American tech billionaire Vinod Khosla, venture capitalist Reid Hoffman, and entrepreneur Mark Cuban are among those backing Harris's White House bid. Tech divide in US election: Workers back Kamala vs bosses for Trump The data reveals that employees at Alphabet and its subsidiaries, including Google, have donated $2.16 million to Harris's campaign, nearly 40 times the amount Trump has received from the same group. Amazon and Microsoft employees and their family members have contributed $1 million and $1.1 million, respectively, to Harris, while Trump's campaign has garnered only $116,000 from Amazon workers and $88,000 from Microsoft employees. Amazon employees, particularly those in corporate positions, are leading the charge in political contributions, far outpacing donations from workers in other retail sectors. For instance, Walmart employees have donated a total of $275,000 to both campaigns, with contributions nearly evenly split between Harris and Trump. Sarah Bryner, director of research and strategy for OpenSecrets, noted that campaign donations typically come from corporate employees with higher disposable incomes, such as those at Amazon, who earn an average annual salary of $133,000. In contrast, Walmarts corporate employees, based mostly in Bentonville, Arkansas, have an average salary of $85,000, which limits their capacity to contribute as much. Even employees at Meta and Apple, who have yet to reach the $1 million donation mark for Harris, are contributing significantly more to her campaign than to Trumps. Meta employees have donated $835,000 to Harris compared to $25,000 to Trump, while Apple employees have given $861,000 to Harris and $44,000 to Trump. Silicon Valley has traditionally leaned left, and this trend continues as more than 100 venture capitalists recently pledged their support for Harris, viewing her as a pro-innovation candidate with a favourable stance on business and technology. As the U.S. presidential election draws nearer, the political divide within the tech industry is becoming increasingly evident. While tech workers are rallying behind Kamala Harris, their bosses' support for Donald Trump reflects broader tensions over the future direction of U.S. business and technology policies. Remember the catchy beats of Nacho Nacho from RRR that won global trends and Oscars? It is now the new anthem for Kamala Harriss presidential campaign. An Indian-American entrepreneur and Democratic fundraiser is turning up the volume with a music video aimed at getting South Asians to vote for Harris in key battleground states as the US election date fast approaches. Democratic presidential candidate US Vice President Kamala Harris (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)(AFP) Kamala Harris campaign gets Bollywood boost with Nacho Nacho S. S. Rajamouli's RRR took the global stage by storm, earning accolades and sweeping awards, with its electrifying song "Nacho Nacho" (the Hindi version of the Oscar-winning "Naatu Naatu" from the Telugu blockbuster). Ajay Bhutoria, a key member of Kamala Harriss National Finance Committee, has given the hit a makeover with his creative team, putting Harris' name right in the spotlight. The 1.5-minute video starts off with "Hamari Ye Kamala Harris" (Our Kamala Harris), which is an addictive blend of campaign highlights and catchy tunes. Also read: Kamala Harris remembers childhood trips to India: My grandfather took me on walks Produced by Ritesh Parikh and sung by Shibani Kashyap, the video also includes messages from community leaders in Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Hindi uniting all Indian voters ahead of the upcoming November elections. Nacho Nacho to energise 5 Million South Asian voters Seems like Kamala Harris is tapping into her Indian roots for a major campaign boost. Bhutoria points out that Harris represents a "shining future" for Indian-Americans, ending the era of division and controversy associated with Donald Trump, in a statement given to ANI. The initiative aims to rally around five million South Asian voters across crucial states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Nevada, and Arizona, as outlined in the latest statement. Also read: Trump strategy for debate against Kamala Harris revealed, he's consulting Tulsi Gabbard and Matt Gaetz Bhutoria claimed that more Bollywood songs with campaign twists are in the making including one for Harris's running mate Tim Walz. As the U.S. presidential election heats up, this catchy tune is ready to turn up the volume for Kamala Harriss campaign against Republican rival Donald Trump, adding a Bollywood boost to the electoral beat. Trump Vs Harris debate On September 10, Americas presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will face off on ABCs platform. Harris, the current Vice President, rose to popularity after Joe Biden endorsed her as his successor mid-campaign. The race between Harris and Trump has been neck and neck according to major polls, and Tuesdays ABC News debate could be a total game changer. Trump has previously targeted Harris with comments about her background and personal life, and his rallies have frequently been marked by controversial language and attacks. It will be interesting to see how each candidate engages with American voters and whether their performance could sway this tightly contested election. Walt Ehmer, CEO and president of Waffle House, had died at the age of 58, the Atlanta Police Foundation announced on Sunday, September 8. Walt Ehmer, president and CEO of Waffle House, speaks on the phone after landing at the Wilmington airport with an emergency response team in Wilmington, N.C., Sept. 17, 2018. (AP) It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Walt Ehmer, the president and CEO of Waffle House and a beloved member of the Atlanta Police Foundation's Board of Trustees, the foundation posted on Facebook. The famous American restaurant chain related Ehmer's cause of death to a long illness in a statement to Fox Business. He will be greatly missed by his entire Waffle House family, read the statement. We will share more details in the coming days, including highlights of Walts 30+ year career at Waffle House. For now, we know all of you join us in extending our deepest condolences to Walts family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. The Atlanta Police Foundation described the late Waffle House boss as a dedicated leader and an unwavering supporter of our mission to build a safer, stronger Atlanta, who tirelessly advocated for public safety. Also read | Senseless act of gun violence: Adult film star Jay Hefner, 24, shot dead while protecting family His passion for community service and steadfast commitment to improving the lives of others will leave a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed, the foundation added. Atlanta Mayor also releases statement following Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer's passing Adding to the tributes pouring in after Ehmer's passing, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also extended his heartfelt condolences to his loved ones after learning of the sad news. His leadership, dedication and warmth touched the lives of many, both within the Waffle House family and beyond. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. May they find comfort in his enduring impact and the lasting mark he made on so many, Dickens issued a statement on the passing of Walt Ehmer. Also read | Trump, RFK Jr face risks over bid to release classified UFO files, filmmaker claims According to his profile on his alma mater, Georgia Tech University, Ehmer kicked off his Waffle House journey in 1992 and rose the ranks to become the company's president in 2002. According to HuffPost, Ehmer was also chair of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2013 and a member of the Georgia Tech Foundation Board and the Georgia Tech Advisory Board. He is survived by three children, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Other details surrounding Walt Ehmer's death have yet to be revealed. King Charles III is reportedly losing patience with his younger brother, Prince Andrew, over his refusal to vacate the Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion located on the Windsor estate. King Charles could sever ties with Prince Andrew (Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs, photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) The Duke of York has lived in the property with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson since 2003, having secured a 75-year lease with a nominal annual rent of 260,000, a gift from their late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. As part of the agreement, Andrew is also responsible for the upkeep of the property. Following the public fallout from his association with notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew's position within the royal family has drastically changed, with his role as a working royal coming to an end in 2019. And now King Charles has been urging him to relocate to a smaller, more suitable residence but the duke has consistently resisted leaving the Royal Lodge. ALSO READ| Kate Middleton potentially preparing for another Royal return in King Charles wants the matter settled with Prince Andrew A source close to the king told The Times, It is now two years into the Kings reign, and he wants the matter settled. It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity or it can be forced upon him. Its all rather sad. Charles has reportedly withdrawn the 3 million annual security funding he had been privately providing for his brother. Staff at the Royal Lodge have been informed that their contracts will not be renewed come October. With mounting pressure from the king, the question now is how long the duke will hold out before accepting the inevitable. He has become a prisoner of his own pride, one insider noted ALSO READ| Meghan Markle deeply regrets her behaviour towards royal family, believes her comments have backfired: report According to The Times, Andrew now faces two main options: he must either cover the substantial security costs himself or move to a smaller royal property. An insider familiar with the situation told The Times that the king is now considering privately renting out the Royal Lodge for an estimated 1 million per year. Originally featuring 10 bedrooms, the cottage was recently renovated and now has five. It was previously home to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle before their move to California. Raines, a leading hospitality management, development, and investment organization, has added Hotel Theo, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton property, to its management portfolio. Formerly known as Hotel Magnolia, Hotel Theo is now part of Woven by Raines, the lifestyle division of Raines. The property is owned by TCOR Hotel Partners and TriGate Capital. Located at 535 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130, between the French Quarter and the Warehouse District, Hotel Theo is an ideal spot for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the culture of The Big Easy and enjoy key attractions. The property itself also offers historic charm. It was originally built in the late 1800s and has been home to businesses such as an apothecary and bottling operations for Barq's soft drinks. The 101-key Hotel Theo offers modern amenities such as luxury linens, customized bulk bathroom amenities, premium high-speed internet, on-site fitness center, and 600 square feet of meeting space. The onsite restaurant, The Lyons Corner, is named for I.L. Lyons & Co., Wholesale Druggists, Importers and Manufacturing Chemists, the first business to be associated with the hotel's address. Raines has added more than 20 properties to its management portfolio since the start of 2024, including 16 hotels in a landmark deal with Atlantic Hotels Group. Raines has been dedicated to holistic, sustainable growth, especially in the lifestyle sector, where they continue to expand their lifestyle division, Woven by Raines. In 2023, the company commemorated its 35th year in the hospitality industry and acquired third-party management company HP Hotels, among other accomplishments. Hotel website The Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa opens in Benin. The hotel is located near the key points of interest in Cotonou, Benin's economic hub, including the highly popular tourist spots Esplanade des Amazones and Route des peches. Benin is renowned as a politically stable nation, with immense cultural heritage and rich traditions. Under its new country brand, A world of splendours, it aims to develop seaside and memorial tourism as a major tourist destination in West Africa. Located just 5 minutes from Cotonou international airport in a 29-hectare natural park, a vast green space in the heart of the city, the hotel has 198 rooms with exceptional views of the ocean and the city, including 14 suites and 5 Duplex Suites with a private pool. To bring the French zest that sets the Sofitel brand apart, four bars and restaurants will open over the period from September to December 2024. The Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa offers high-end services and facilities: featuring a 1,000 m2 spa with 5 treatment rooms, a duo room, and an indoor pool, the hotel promises a wellness experience with exceptional rituals using KOS Paris products, a Parisian brand of high-quality natural cosmetics. The spa has also developed an exceptional Origin Ritual using 100% organic, custom-made products from Benin created in collaboration with the brand Kael. Hotel website Alisa Guo has joined The Ned Doha as director of sales and marketing. With 17 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, she has a track record for developing and implementing comprehensive sales and marketing strategies for prestigious brands, her new hotel says. Most recently, Guo worked as director of sales, global at Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar. Before that, she had roles like senior manager of international market strategy and sales at Expo 2020 Dubai and leadership positions at Palazzo Versace Dubai and Burj Al Arab. With a background in sales, marketing and strategic planning, Guo is known for her driven leadership style, and the team at The Ned Doha look forward to what she will bring to the business. The Ned originated in London in 2017, created by Soho House founder Nick Jones. It later expanded internationally, first to New York with The Ned NoMad in 2022 and then to The Ned Dohar in Qatar in 2023. Each building has its own architectural significance and history. Members at the Ned's Club have access to dedicated spaces like members-only bars and restaurants, health clubs and rooftop spaces. Berlin, Germany Hotel bookings during Oktoberfest are pouring into Munich and are set to account for 32% of the host citys reservations this autumn. This is according to new data from SiteMinder, the name behind the only software platform that unlocks the full revenue potential of hotels, which analysed forward bookings during the worlds most iconic beer festival celebrated in Bavaria within southern Germany. SiteMinders data also reveals that, during the festival from 21 September to 6 October 2024, room rates for hotels and other accommodation properties in Munich have reached an average of 416 59% higher than the citys average daily rate of 261 this autumn and, notably, 138% above the citys average of 175 for the year-to-date. Additionally, the booking lead time for stays during Oktoberfest has lengthened, reaching 128 days compared to 125 days in 2023. The rise in bookings and room rates in Munich during Oktoberfest underscore the festivals significant impact on local tourism. With travellers securing their rooms in the city further in advance than last year, local hotels and other accommodation providers would do well to seize this opportunity by optimising their revenue strategies dynamically and in tune with the demand in real-time. Clemens Fisch, Regional Director for DACH at SiteMinder Adds Fisch: Oktoberfests widespread appeal, especially among international travellers, reflects the strengthened demand for hotel bookings centred on popular events. To stay ahead, local hotels should capitalise on the momentum surrounding Munichs two-week festival by offering upgrades and tailored package deals for guests eager to immerse in the celebrations. Doing so not only boosts their bottom line, but also makes the festival more exciting and memorable for their guests. Hotel rates across southern Germany have also increased during this years Oktoberfest. Alongside Munich, the average daily rate has reached 353 in key cities, including Augsburg, Regensburg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. This is remarkably higher than the year-to-date average of 162 across all cities and the autumn rate of 232. Meanwhile, as Oktoberfest kicks off this September, travellers from the Netherlands are leading the surge in international arrivals at German hotels, followed by travellers from the UK, US, Switzerland and Italy. Italian tourists, in particular, are expected to arrive in droves during the famed Italian weekend of the festival. Source: SiteMinder About SiteMinder SiteMinder Limited (ASX:SDR) is the name behind SiteMinder, the only software platform that unlocks the full revenue potential of hotels, and Little Hotelier, an all-in-one hotel management software that makes the lives of small accommodation providers easier. The global company is headquartered in Sydney with offices in Bangalore, Bangkok, Barcelona, Berlin, Dallas, Galway, London and Manila. Through its technology and the largest partner ecosystem in the global hotel industry, SiteMinder generates more than 120 million reservations worth over US$50 billion in revenue for its hotel customers each year. For more information, visit siteminder.com. Maria Cricchiola Director of Brand Communications & PR +61 2 9056 7415 View source Timbers Company, a leading name in luxury resort development and hospitality, marks its 25th anniversary this year, coinciding with five years of operations based out of Winter Park, Florida. Founded near Aspen, Colorado, Timbers has expanded from its origins as a trailblazer in private residence clubs to becoming a global player in high-end hospitality, with a portfolio of elite resorts in some of the most desirable locations worldwide. Over the years, the company has strengthened its operations and attracted top-tier executives, all while maintaining its dedication to delivering exceptional experiences. The decision to move its headquarters to Florida five years ago has been a strategic success for Timbers, positioning the company at the heart of one of the fastest-growing hubs for tourism and hospitality. CEO Greg Spencer attributes this relocation as a key factor in their ongoing expansion, stating, Our move to Winter Park was instrumental in attracting the industry's best talent, and our growth over the last five years reflects the dedication of both our current team and the vision laid out by our founder, David Burden. A Legacy of Growth and Leadership Since its founding, Timbers has been built on core principles of authenticity, integrity, and personalized servicevalues that have become the backbone of its success. As part of its growth strategy, the company has steadily increased its workforce, adding nearly 600 employees in the last five years alone. With recent executive hires such as Brian Corbett as Chief Operating Officer, Heidi Nowak as Chief Marketing Officer, and Darrin Griffin as Chief Development Officer, the company is primed to enter a new era of expansion. Our teams growth and the addition of key executives have strengthened Timbers ability to deliver world-class service to our owners and guests, Spencer said. Our portfolio has grown significantly, and were committed to continuing that trajectory, particularly with exciting new projects in both domestic and international markets. Innovating the Luxury Travel Experience with Andiamo In 2023, Timbers introduced Andiamo, a luxury vacation platform that sets a new standard in the high-end vacation rental market. Offering curated residences combined with personalized resort-like services, Andiamo bridges the gap between traditional vacation rentals and five-star hospitality. This platform addresses the growing demand for exclusive vacation homes with the consistency and reliability of a luxury brand. Unlike typical rental sites, Andiamo ensures that each residence meets the highest standards of quality and service, providing guests with an unparalleled vacation experience. This innovation has also bolstered Timbers' partnerships with travel advisors, who can now offer clients exclusive access to these properties with added perks like customized welcome amenities. Looking to the Future Timbers Company continues to evolve, with significant projects on the horizon. The company is in the final stages of rebuilding the iconic South Seas resort on Floridas Captiva Island, a project set to elevate the property after it was damaged by Hurricane Ian. The rebuild emphasizes resilience and environmental preservation, ensuring that the resort will be better equipped to face future challenges while offering enhanced amenities for guests. Looking ahead, Timbers is focusing on expanding in key regions, including Coastal Florida, Montana, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean. These ventures reflect the companys unwavering commitment to its mission: creating unforgettable experiences for families and travelers, while preserving the natural beauty of each destination for future generations. As Timbers celebrates its 25th anniversary, its legacy of excellence continues to grow, driven by a team that remains dedicated to offering extraordinary moments in some of the worlds most stunning locales. The next chapter in Timbers journey promises to be one of continued innovation, strategic expansion, and an enduring commitment to its guests and owners. About Timbers Company Timbers Company is one of the leading developers and operators of luxurious properties located in the world's most sought-after destinations. Timbers Company serves as the parent company overseeing Timbers Resorts, Soleil Hotels & Resorts and Andiamo, a platform offering streamlined access to Timbers' global collection of bespoke vacation residences, complete with all the amenities of a five-star resort. Timbers' integrated capabilities encompass ground-up and value-add development, hospitality management, investment advisory, portfolio management, rebranding and repositioning, asset management, and luxury rental management. Their unwavering commitment is to curate unforgettable, genuine experiences for owners and guests, drawing inspiration from local culture and natural splendor. For additional details, please visit www.timberscompany.com The following article presents the highlights of a plenary session, moderated by EHLs Prof. Steffen Raub, held on July 3, 2024 during the American Association of Wine Economists summer conference in Lausanne, Switzerland. EHL Hospitality Business School played host to the worlds leading wine economists and showcased the spectacular wine-producing regions, namely the Lavaux and the Valais. The astounding variety in grape varieties in vineyards around the world If you ask occasional wine consumers to name all the grape varieties they know, the list would maybe include a handful of names, including worldwide bestsellers like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz/Syrah. Ask the same question to wine afficionados and they may come up with a list of three or four dozen, possibly more, including more exotic options like Semillon, Palomino, Mourvedre or Mondeuse. However, the truly astounding fact about diversity in grape varieties is that there are upwards of a thousand of them that are planted around the world and used for wine production. One of the reference books in the domain, Grape varieties, coauthored by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding and Jose Vouillamoz provides detailed information about almost 1400 varieties. 400 of them can be found in Italy alone. At the recent conference of the American Association of Wine Economics (AAWE), held at EHL Hospitality Business School in July 2024, a panel discussion focused on diversity in grape varieties. Panel members included Kym Anderson (Professor Emeritus at the University of Adelaide and Vice President of the AAWE), Nicolas Depetris Chauvin (Associate Professor at HES-SO/Haute Ecole de Gestion, Geneva), Michael Schlegel (co-founder of SwissGrapes) and Jose Vouillamoz (Independent wine expert, writer and educator). The panelists tried to disentangle some of the benefits and drawbacks of having a diverse stock of grape varieties in a countrys vineyards. Hereunder we summarize some of the key insights that emerged from this panel for a broader audience of wine experts, wine growers, wine merchants, or simply wine lovers. How diverse is the Swiss vineyard really? As Jose Vouillamoz pointed out, the diversity of grape varieties in Switzerland is impressive at first sight. There are 252 grape varieties on record in Switzerland, out of which 168 are officially authorized in the Swiss AOC system. Adjusted for the modest vineyard size of just under 15.000 hectares, this diversity is even more impressive than the one in Italy. However, this picture needs to be put into perspective with actual production volumes. Close to 50% of the actual production is accounted for by only two grape varieties: Chasselas and Pinot Noir. Adding Gamay and Merlot to the picture one arrives at almost two thirds of the vineyard area. This means that, other than Chasselas, the production of the actual native grape varieties is rather anecdotal in quantity. The marketing perspective The diversity and strong presence of autochthonous grape varieties can be a double edged-sword from a commercial perspective, commented Michael Schlegel. On the one hand, distinctiveness is intriguing and in particular international clients are attracted to this diversity and yearn to discover varieties they have never tasted before. It is what makes Swiss wines unique in their eyes. Conversely, this same diversity also makes it difficult to convey a strong identity for Swiss wines. Many successful wine producing countries or regions are clearly associated with a handful of dominant varieties (think Burgundy and Champagne for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, New Zealand for Sauvignon Blanc or Australia for Shiraz). For Switzerland, such a clear association does not yet exist. Nicolas Depetris Chauvin seconds this perspective. According to him, wine is not an element that comes to mind when consumers are asked about the imagery that Switzerland conjures. Switzerland as a country still tends to be associated primarily with cheese, chocolate and luxury watches. Plus, of course, the Swiss army knife. Kym Anderson confirms that he was surprised to learn that wine is even grown in Switzerland upon his first arrival in the country. He adds that an additional limitation to the marketing potential of native grapes is that they may be difficult to pronounce for international consumers. The case for a stronger focus onlieu dits The communication of the uniqueness of Swiss wine could be strengthened by a stronger focus on geographical origin and, more specifically, the uniqueness of clearly delimited lieux-dits, akin to the Burgundian notion of a climat, comments Jose Vouillamoz. Many Swiss wine regions possess well-documented historical maps of clearly outlined individual vineyards with specific names. However, unlike a Vosne-Romanee Les Suchots or a Saumur-Champigny Le Breze, the historical vineyard names of Switzerland are not sufficiently communicated to be present in the consumers minds. Panel discussion on the diversity in grapes varieties in the Swiss vineyards, at the AAWE Conference 2024, at EHL Campus Lausanne. Photo by EHL The quality-price paradox of Swiss wines As some locals quip, Switzerland produces some of the most expensive simple wines but also some of the cheapest great wines in the world. The reasons behind this are manyfold. Vineyard holdings in Switzerland are on average rather small. The rugged terrain often makes it impossible to mechanize vineyard work. In combination with high labor costs this contributes to a total cost of production that does not put Switzerland in a position to compete on the world market for bottom-end or even mid-range wines. Conversely, at the top end of the market, one can find white, red and dessert wines of Swiss origin that compete with the greatest wines of the world. With the exception of some internationally known references (e.g. the Pinot Noir by famed producer Gantenbein), these wines still sell at very competitive prices. A clearer image for Swiss wine and more emphasis on the uniqueness of grapes and geographic origins may help these bottles to reach the price points they objectively deserve. Let's not forget about oenotourism Last, but not least, the diversity in the Swiss vineyard, combined with its often dramatic aspects and sheer beauty, suggests that another aspect should not be underestimated: the potential for oenotourism. Switzerland is a strong tourism destination with worldwide brand appeal. However, the attractiveness as a general destination has not yet been leveraged from the wine industry perspective. The objective here would be to lift wine to the level of national icons (alongside cheese and chocolate) and anchor in visitors minds that a trip to Switzerland is not complete without a tour of its vineyards and a tasting of its wines. Maybe an uphill battle at this point, but one that is worth fighting. EHL Hospitality Business School Communications Department +41 21 785 1354 EHL View source EHL Insights: Why Winter Semester Is A Good Time To Start A Bachelors Degree - Image Credit Unsplash+ Starting college mid-year can be a unique adventure, filled with opportunities and challenges. If you're considering or about to begin your college experience in the winter or spring semester, you're not alone. Many students find themselves in this situation and go on to have successful and fulfilling college careers. In this article, we'll explore what it means to start college mid-year, the impact it may have, and practical tips to help you hit the ground running. When do most colleges start? Most colleges follow a traditional academic calendar that begins in late August or early September and ends in May or June. This fall semester is typically followed by a winter break, with classes resuming in January for the spring semester. However, many colleges also offer the option to start in the winter or spring semester, which usually begins in January or February. Starting college in the winter or spring can be advantageous for several reasons. For instance, it allows students who may have missed the fall deadline, taken a gap semester, or needed additional time to prepare for college, to begin their higher education without waiting an entire year. Understanding the typical start dates can help you plan accordingly and make the necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth transition into college life. How entering college mid-year affects students Starting college in the middle of the year can feel like a big deal. It's a great chance if you missed the fall semester or needed some extra prep time, but it can also be extra challenging in terms of making friends and settling into classes and college work. Students entering during winter or spring semesters often encounter a different campus dynamic, as they join an established cohort. It's all about jumping in, getting involved in campus life, and meeting new people. Making friends and connecting with teachers can really amp up your college experience. Knowing what to expect can help you tackle this new chapter like a pro! Benefits of starting college in the winter/spring in-take - an EHL perspective 1. Smaller class sizes Traditionally, fewer students enroll in the winter intake, which means smaller class sizes, and a more enriched learning experience. With fewer students, youll have more opportunities to contribute, ask questions and engage in discussions. Professors will also be able to dedicate more time to address individual needs, and tailor their teaching methods for your success. Additionally, smaller classes allow for closer collaboration with classmates, encouraging diverse perspectives and the development of interpersonal skills. 2. Enhanced networking With a smaller student population, youll have the opportunity to foster closer relationships and forge more meaningful connections with both your peers and faculty members. This intimate environment promotes a stronger support network, facilitates increased collaboration on projects and assignments, and creates a conducive atmosphere for building valuable professional connections that can benefit you throughout your academic journey and beyond. 3. Time for extra experience Embarking on your academic journey in the winter semester grants you a valuable gap-semester to pursue a part-time job or internship at a restaurant, hotel, or service-oriented company. This will help you jump-start your learning with practical experience and equip you with real-world insights, practical skills, and industry exposure. With some real-world industry experience under your belt during this full semester, not only will your learning be more relevant and meaningful, but youll gain a competitive edge on the job market. It's a win-win situation for your personal growth and future career prospects. 4. Improved job prospects We know the job market can be tough, especially for young graduates. The good news is that graduating in a non-traditional month may make your job search just that little bit easier - as youll stand out from the majority of students who complete their studies in the summer months. Being an off-season graduate raises your visibility to employers and increases your chances of landing your dream job. After high school, I set out to explore South America. I completed a bus road trip from Uruguay, through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador to finally end my journey in Colombia. I learned a lot about different cultures and became more grateful for the life that I live. Linkedin 5. Financial preparation Having these months within the winter session to work and save money can help you feel better financially prepared before your program kicks off. That way, you can enter the year with financial confidence, and dedicate your full attention to your studies knowing that you have taken the necessary steps to be prepared. It's a smart move that sets you up for success in your educational journey and beyond. 6. Broadens horizons Before diving into your studies, take the opportunity to travel, explore the world and learn new languages. Embrace your wanderlust, gain fresh perspectives, and immerse yourself in different cultures. This adventure will fuel personal growth, boost global awareness, and enrich your overall world view. By starting your educational journey with a global mindset, you'll bring a unique perspective to the classroom, making your learning experience even more dynamic and impactful. 7. Enhanced English proficiency Choosing a February intake gives you extra months post high school-graduation to concentrate specifically on enhancing your English skills. This approach reduces application stress, fosters your academic success, and better equips you for an increasingly English-dominant global workspace. A number of students choose to defer their application to February intake in order to take language courses in the US, Australia, England or Ireland. These extra months allow them to focus on English studies, giving them the opportunity to score a much better result at TOEFL, IELTS or C1 Advanced exams. Naomi Depaux-Corny Senior Admissions Manager 8. A seamless transition If you're wrapping up high school at the end of the calendar year, the February intake might actually be perfect for you. Theres no need to wait, and you can dive right into your program after enjoying well-deserved month off of course! It's a seamless transition that ensures you make the most of your time and start your academic adventure on the right foot. Did you know that at EHL, the Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management has two intake periods? With start dates in both September and February, we offer flexibility for future students to tailor their timeline according to their individual needs. The admissions criteria and the courses offered are the same for both intakes, so really - the choice is yours!' How to successfully start college in the middle of the year 1. Prepare academically Before starting college mid-year, review the course catalog and understand any prerequisites or course sequences. Contact academic advisors and professors for advice on your academic plan. Consider online courses or self-study to catch up on fall semester material. This proactive approach boosts your confidence for classes. 2. Get involved on campus Integrate socially by getting involved on campus. Attend orientation for mid-year entrants, join clubs, and participate in events. Building a support network of friends and peers enhances your college experience. Introduce yourself and engage with others. 3. Utilize campus resources Colleges offer resources for student success. Use academic advising, tutoring, career services, and counseling. These can guide and support your transition to college life. Know the library, study spaces, and other facilities available to you for a smoother transition. 4. Stay organized Starting mid-year requires organization to manage tasks and responsibilities. Use a planner or digital calendar for important dates and deadlines. Create a weekly schedule for studying, classes, and activities to balance academic and social commitments. 5. Seek out support Seek support from professors, advisors, and peers. If you're struggling, reach out for help. Colleges have systems to assist you with challenges. Build relationships with professors and advisors for mentorship throughout college. 6. Maintain a positive mindset Starting college mid-year can be challenging, but a positive mindset helps. Approach it with openness and adaptability. Celebrate achievements, however small, and remind yourself you belong in college. Your unique path offers unique opportunities and experiences. What makes EHLs bachelor program different?' As the worlds leading Hospitality Business School, EHL boasts award-winning hospitality training facilities, three campuses for a truly international learning experience, a world-class faculty and an alumni network that spans over 150 countries. But EHL is about much more than that. Its a world of endless possibilities. Students and parents are often surprised when they first set foot on campus because its not a typical university setting; its a dynamic business school with hospitality at its core. At EHL, our profound passion for the industry permeates every aspect of our educational approach, and we incorporate cutting-edge teachings with hands-on experiences and real-world simulations to shape ambitious students into future CEOs, entrepreneurs and leaders. And thanks to our reputation for delivering best-in-class training, EHL opens doors for extraordinary career opportunities both within the hospitality industry, and beyond. Our graduates are actively recruited by companies such as Apple, LVMH, LOreal, Procter & Gamble, Nestle, and Tesla, and 96% land a job within 6 months of graduating. Ready to start college? Starting college mid-year offers a unique set of challenges and opportunities. By understanding the impact of entering college at this time, preparing academically, getting involved on campus, utilizing resources, staying organized, seeking support, and maintaining a positive mindset, you can thrive in your college experience. Remember, every student's college journey is different, and starting mid-year is just one of many paths to success. If you're ready to take the next step and explore how you can make the most of your college experience, consider reaching out to academic advisors or joining student organizations that can provide additional support and guidance. Welcome to the adventure of college life, and here's to a successful and fulfilling academic journey! Staying One Night in Manchester During the Oasis Concert Nights Will Cost Between 1,500 and 2,000 - Image Credit Unsplash+ eBooking.com has observed that accommodations in Cardiff, Manchester, London, and Edinburgh have dramatically increased their prices for the dates of the tour. eBooking.com has reported a significant increase in the prices of tourist accommodationshotels, hostels, campsites, apartments, and morein several cities across the UK and Ireland, where 17 Oasis concerts will be held during the summer of 2025. In terms of price hikes, accommodations in Manchester have experienced the largest increase, with rates skyrocketing to 7.9 times the average nightly price. "We are talking about truly exorbitant prices: staying one night in Manchester during the Oasis concert dates will cost between $1,500 and $2,000" said Toni Raurich, Director of eBooking.com. Following Manchester, the cities of Cardiff and Edinburgh have seen average nightly rates increase by 4.3 times during the tour dates. Further down the list are Dublin (where rates have increased by 2.6 times) and London (where prices have gone up by 2.2 times). "In the capitals of Ireland and the United Kingdom, the increase has been more moderate, as a greater number of available accommodations has better-balanced supply and demand during the concert dates, preventing such disproportionate price rises," Raurich explained. New-Build Holiday Inn Resort Pushkar to Open January 2029 in India - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Satyadeo Hotels Pvt Ltd to develop Holiday Inn Resort Pushkar, Rajasthan. Scheduled to open in January 2029 in the prominent tourist and spiritual destination of Pushkar, the resort will bring world-class hospitality to guests visiting the city. A pioneer brand with a rich heritage, Holiday Inn has continued to evolve through the years, keeping the guest at the heart of all innovation and earning its status as one of the worlds most loved, trusted and recognized hotel brands. In India, the Holiday Inn brand family enjoys a well-earned reputation among both guests and hotel owners, a testament to its compelling value proposition and efficient development model. Located just a 2-hour drive from Jaipur, Holiday Inn Resort Pushkar will be well poised to cater to the demand from leisure and religious travellers. Once opened, the hotel will offer exceptional culinary experiences across three dining venues that cater to diverse guest preferences. For guests looking to unwind, the hotel will feature a fitness centre, pool, rejuvenating spa, as well as a retail store. The hotel will also be equipped with six meeting rooms and a ballroom to cater to MICE and social events. Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts said, We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Satyadeo Hotels Pvt Ltd. with the signing of Holiday Inn Resort Pushkar. Pushkar, known for its spiritual significance and its growing reputation as a destination for leisure, spiritual tourism, and weddings, presents a prime opportunity to introduce the trusted Holiday Inn brand to a wider audience. The new resort will cater to the evolving needs of both domestic and international travelers, offering a blend of comfort, convenience and a world-class hospitality experience. He added, The Holiday Inn brand aligns perfectly with the growing demand for quality, affordable accommodation in the country. The signing underscores our strategic focus on expanding our essential brands in secondary markets across India. We are confident that Holiday Inn Resort Pushkar will become a preferred choice for both spiritual and leisure travelers, further solidifying our footprint in the region. Pankaj Kashyap, Managing Director, Satyadeo Hotels Pvt Ltd. added, We are pleased to once again partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts, a globally and locally trusted hospitality brand, to launch Holiday Inn Resort Pushkar. Following the success of voco Jim Corbett, we are confident that this collaboration will redefine hospitality standards in the Pushkar. Our deep-rooted local knowledge, combined with IHG's renowned expertise and exceptional loyalty program, will deliver an unparalleled guest experience. Women Comprise 15.6% Of B2B Travel Tech Leadership: What The Statistic Means - Image Credit Unsplash+ The wide gap between female and male leadership within the travel technology industry is shrinking - at a snail's pace - but becoming smaller still. Over the past few years, there have been a number of appointments of women in leadership roles across the travel industry - with a notable uptick in the airline space. In May Ariane Gorin became CEO at Expedia Group. And there are now multiple airlines with women at the helm. Joanna Geraghty took over at JetBlue this year and Vanessa Hudson became CEO at Qantas last year. And in 2022, Marjan Rintel took the reins at KLM and Guliz Ozturk became CEO at Pegasus Airlines. Efforts are also being made to help bolster the visibility of women in the space. In August, for example, Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance launched a speaker directory to boost the presence of diverse voices at industry events. I think we're on the right path. But it also feels like it's a slow path forward, said Nina Kleaveland, the founder and CEO of Lanyard who also created the group Female Founders in Hospitality. New data underscores the slow shift. The results of a July analysis by Belvera Partners, a public relations firm that represents numerous brands across the industry, show that 15.6% of leadership members - CEOs of the top companies and most visible individuals - across the B2B travel technology industry are women. The statistic marks a very minor uptick from a similar collection the firm did in 2021 as it continues to seek to bolster conversation and progress in the gender equality arena. The group keeps a regularly updated subway-style map featuring more than 400 stops - or B2B travel technology players including travel management companies and technology providers for aviation, accommodation distribution, car rentals, experiences and short-term rentals as well as journalists, lobby groups and personalities. When we first created the map it seemed like a lighthearted way to explain our industry, but over time weve begun to realize that actually its a serious exercise, said Roman Townsend, managing director of Belvera Partners. Townsend said when used to assess the industry, the map can provide a snapshot - one that can be illuminating. I hope [this is] something to make us all take stock of just how woeful a lack of diversity there is in our industry, said Townsend of the result. Industry experts believe the data point is worth paying attention to. It's one of the first stats we have for the industry - this industry specifically, said Kleaveland. The result, she said, is low - and she wishes it was higher. And while she acknowledged that it may not be an all encompassing statistic, she said it's important to have the data as a starting point. I do feel like it's something and I think it's a good benchmark. What does the new data tell us? Belvera used its map in combination with LinkedIn, which it used to establish gender identification, to reach its conclusion that 15.6% of leaders in the space are women. The map doesnt include every company in the industry, Townsend clarified, but he believes its an accurate representation. Inclusion is based on companies it considers leaders - a mixture of those that are so big you cant deny their importance and smaller ones that we think innovative or at the very least we see mentioned regularly by media and at conferences, said Townsend, noting larger online travel agencies and consumer travel tech agencies are included too, though the majority are B2B companies due to the nature of the travel tech industry. When breaking the industry down by sector, Belvera found that lobby groups had the most female leaders, coming in at 36%, with car rental companies coming up in the rear at 10%. This is the second time the firm has conducted research like this. Theoretically, Julys results show a level of improvement. In 2021, Belvera found that 12.4% of CEOs were women. But given that the map has evolved since that time - the sample size is larger and the landscape has evolved, changing the companies and players listed - that statistic isn't optimal for direct comparison. Townsend added he sees the map as representative of the larger travel technology industry - not just the B2B space. Can we extrapolate from that that the whole of the travel tech industry has the same level of female representation at a leadership level?" Townsend said. "Thats impossible to say for sure, but my sense is that, yes, the figures would be broadly the same. These results match my experience of 15 years in the industry meeting with people from all around the world. The map also now includes short-term rental and fintech sectors - which werent included before, though some of the companies now present were incorporated into other areas. Regardless, theres an obvious discrepancy in the gender breakdown of travel tech leadership in the B2B space. Its a problem that exists across the business continuum. To put this statistic into a larger context, the 2024 Grant Thornton IBR found that the portion of female CEOs globally sat at 19% this year - down from 28% last year. But female senior management was up 1.1 percentage points year over year at 33.5%. Kleaveland, who calls herself an optimist, called Belveras findings a starting point. Luisa Oyarzabal, vice president of business strategy and operation transformation at GoNexus Group, which focuses on experiences and mobility travel, said her team is disheartened by the results but also motivated. "This stark disparity highlights a significant challenge in our sector - a challenge that we must confront head-on, said Oyarzabal. Ayse Yasar, vice president of sales at Bedsopia, a B2B accommodation booking platform, pointed out that women are often the primary decision makers when it comes to travel planning - especially in a family setting. If youve no or few females in your top team in your company, how can [you] claim to understand that market? Yasar asked. Why the imbalance persists The polarity in leadership rates exists beyond just travel technology and startups, according to Kleaveland. There's a lack of female presence in executive leadership roles across the industry, generally, said Kleaveland, citing regular reporting from the American Hotel and Lodging Association. As for why that is, Kleaveland believes the issue is rooted in a combination of factors: There arent many female role models in the space and its statistically harder for female founders to receive funding, for example. To a significant extent the problem is self-perpetuating as the lack of female leaders doesnt inspire junior females on, nor do the panels at conferences or people quoted in media help as they too are often male dominated, said Oyarzabal. Some of the issue stems from patterns that have come to pass over the decades. So much of the talent [in the industry] kind of comes out of tech and engineering, and I think, traditionally, there were fewer women than men pursuing those careers, said Lorraine Sileo, senior analyst and founder of Phocuswright Research. Sileo added that while the number of female speakers on stage at Phocuswright conferences has increased over the years, the numbers of those who are CEOs can probably be counted on one hand. What can be done While Belveras data theoretically shows an improvement in terms of percentage of female leadership, there is more work to be done. I think we're on the right path. But it also feels like it's a slow path forward. Nina Kleaveland - Female Founders in Hospitality The right steps forward, of course, are to be determined. But many have ideas as to how to improve leadership equilibrium. Kleaveland believes there needs to be more funding for female-founded companies and that the industry needs to provide more support for companies on their journeys to success. Maria Seller, senior director of travel solutions for Terrapay, said she wasnt surprised by the result. I recommend that all travel tech companies employ a chief female user experience officer to ensure that their offering really is appealing and relevant to female travelers, said Sellar. Sileo doesnt see the disparity resolving in the near future. I've been doing this for over 25 years, and I've not seen an uptick in female leadership. But she does believe work is being put in, she said, referencing groups to promote female leadership and experience in travel - like Kleavelands Female Founders in Hospitality group, for example. We also need to have just more talent kind of in the pipeline as well, to teach people like this is a good industry, she said. Maybe a lot of women go into industries where they feel like they're going to make more money. And travel, historically, has been a low paying job career for women - unless they reach the C-suite, it could be much lower paying for really smart women than other industries. How the industry lures more people in, to let them know that it can be lucrative and that there can be flexibility involved, matters, Sileo said. She said she believes the industry needs to also prioritize recruiting - which can start at the university level. And more data on the gender gap is important for progress, too. Bottom line - awareness of the issue is important and metrics are key to measure the progress. "I think the industry has suffered from a lack of data about representation of females in leadership positions so the combination of the AHLA survey as well as this travel map [from Belvera] are helpful as baselines to understand what the gender gap looks like so we can start to make progress on closing the gap," Kleaveland said. Join the Female Founders Networking Lunch at the Phocuswright Conference Are you a female founder, advisor, investor, or ally in the hospitality industry? Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to network over lunch, engage in intimate roundtable discussions and participate in dynamic speed networking sessions. Register here. This article originally appeared on PhocusWire. Lydia Sheridan - Image Credit JLL JLL has announced the appointment of Lydia Sheridan as Head of Marketing Australia and New Zealand. Ms Sheridan has 17 years experience in the marketing and communications industry, most recently as JLLs Head of Marketing in New Zealand for two years. Dan Kernaghan, JLLs CEO Australia & New Zealand, said, We are thrilled to announce Lydia as the new Head of Marketing for JLL Australia and New Zealand. Her appointment marks a significant step in differentiating our firm in the market. With her strategic marketing skills, Lydia will be instrumental in strengthening our brand presence, driving business growth, and enhancing client experiences. Additionally, Lydia will play a vital role in effectively communicating JLL's sustainability efforts, showcasing our unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility. We have the utmost confidence in Lydia's leadership and eagerly anticipate her contributions to driving our marketing strategy forward, said Mr Kernaghan. In her new role, Ms Sheridan will lead a team of specialists responsible for the strategy and delivery of all marketing activities in the Australian and New Zealand markets. On being appointed, Ms Sheridan said, Its a privilege to lead the marketing function in Australia and New Zealand. JLL has a talented team, a strong brand and so many successes to share, so its an exciting time to take on this role. Before starting at JLL, Ms Sheridan worked at Eke Panuku Development, Auckland Councils urban development authority, where she was Head of Marketing and Communications. There she oversaw marketing and communications for Eke Panukus urban regeneration programs across Auckland, as well as for the citys property portfolio. Ms Sheridan has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is a Certified Practising Member of the Australian Marketing Institute. She previously worked for world-renowned architect Andrew Patterson and spent three years as an editor at global architectural magazine Trends. Ms Sheridan joins JLLs Australasian Executive Committee and Global Field Marketing Leadership Team. Rep. Fitzgerald calls for Conditional MLC Redesignation U.S. Rep. Fitzgerald has submitted a request for conditional MLC redesignation, aiming to address problems with its current structure. His proposal could reshape how the organization functions, impacting stakeholders across the music industry. Rep. Fitzgerald calls for Conditional MLC Redesignation in letter to Copyright Registrar by Chris Castle of Music Tech Solutions songwriters probably dont have anything more important to do today in their business beyond reading and understanding Rep. Fitzgeralds excellent letter U.S. Representative Scott Fitzgerald joined in the MLC review currently underway and sent a letter to Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter on August 29 regarding operational and performance issues relating to the MLC. The letter was in the context of the five year review for redesignation of The MLC, Inc. as the mechanical licensing collective. (That may be confusing because of the choice of The MLC as the name of the operational entity that the government permits to run the mechanical licensing collective. The main difference is that The MLC, Inc. is an entity that is designated or appointed to operationalize the statutory body. The MLC, Inc. can be replaced. The mechanical licensing collective (lower case) is the statutory body created by Title I of the Music Modernization Act) and it lasts as long as the MMA is not repealed or modified. Unlikely, but we live in hope.) I would say that songwriters probably dont have anything more important to do today in their business beyond reading and understanding Rep. Fitzgeralds excellent letter. Rep. Fitzgeralds letter is important because he proposes that the MLC, Inc. be given a conditional MLC redesignation, not an outright redesignation. In a nutshell, that is because Rep. Fitzgerald raises manylets just say issuesthat he would like to see fixed before committing to another five years for The MLC, Inc. As a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, Rep. Fitzgeralds point of view on this subject must be given added gravitas. In case youre not following along at home, the Copyright Office is currently conducting an operational and performance review of The MLC, Inc. to determine if it is deserving of being given another five years to operate the mechanical licensing collective. (See Periodic Review of the Mechanical Licensing Collective and the Digital Licensee Coordinator (Docket 2024-1), available at https://www.copyright.gov/rulemaking/mma-designations/2024/.) The redesignation process may not be quickly resolved. It is important to realize that the Copyright Office is not obligated to redesignate The MLC, Inc. by any particular deadline or at all. It is easy to understand that any redesignation might be contingent on The MLC, Inc. fixing certainissuesbecause the redesignation rulemaking is itself an operational and performance review. It is also easy to understand that the Copyright Office might need to bring in some technical and operational assistance in order to diligence its statutory review obligations. This could take a while. Lets consider the broad strokes of Rep. Fitzgeralds letter. Budget Transparency a lack of candor and transparency Rep. Fitzgerald is concerned with a lack of candor and transparency in The MLC, Inc.s annual report among other things. If youve read the MLCs annual reports, you may agree with me that the reports are long on cheerleading and short on financial facts. Its like The MLC, Inc. thought they were answering the question How can you tolerate your own awesomeness? That question is not on the list. Rep. Fitzgerald says Unfortunately, the current annual report lacks key data necessary to examine the MLCs ability to execute these authorities and functions. He then goes on to make recommendations for greater transparency in future annual reports. I agree with Rep. Fitzgerald that these are all important points. I disagree with him slightly about the timing of this disclosure. These important disclosures need not be prospectivethey could be both prospective and retroactive. I see no reason at all why The MLC, Inc. cannot be required to revise all of its four annual reports filed to date (https://www.themlc.com/governance) in line with this expanded criteria. I am just guessing, but the kind of detail that Rep. Fitzgerald is focused on are really just data that any business would accumulate or require in the normal course of prudently operating its business. That suggests to me that there is no additional work required in bringing The MLC, Inc. into compliance; its just a matter of disclosure. there is no reason to keep secrets about how you handle other peoples money There is nothing proprietary about that disclosure and there is no reason to keep secrets about how you handle other peoples money. It is important to recognize that The MLC, Inc. only handles other peoples money. It has no revenue because all of the money under its management comes from either royalties that belong to copyright owners or operating capital paid by the services that use the blanket license. It should not be overlooked that the services rely on the MLC and it has a duty to everyone to properly handle the funds. The MLC, Inc. also operates at the pleasure of the government, so it should not be heard to be too precious about information flow, particularly information related to its own operational performance. Those duties flow in many directions. Board Neutrality The board composition of the mechanical licensing collective (and therefore The MLC, Inc.) is set by Congress in Title I. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the major publishers and their lobbyists who created Title I wrote themselves a winning hand directly into the statute itself. (And FYI, there is gambling at Ricks American Cafe, too.) As Rep. Fitzgerald says: Of the 14 voting members, ten are comprised of music publishers and four are songwriters. Publishers were given a majority of seats in order to assist with the collectives primary task of matching and distributing royalties. However, the MMA did not provide this allocation in order to convert the MLC into an extension of the music publishers. I would argue with him about that, too, because I believe thats exactly what the MMA was intended to do by those who drafted it who also dictated who controlled the pen. This is a rotten system and it was obviously on its way to putrefaction before the ink was dry. For context, Section 8 of the Clayton Act, one of our principal antitrust laws, prohibits interlocking boards on competitor corporations. Im not saying that The MLC, Inc. has a Section 8 problemyetbut rather that interlocking boards is a disfavored arrangement by way of understanding Rep. Fitzgeralds issue with The MLC, Inc.s form of governance: the collective is anything but independent Per the MMA, the MLC is required to maintain an independent board of directors. However, what weve seen since establishing the collective is anything but independent. For example, in both 2023 and 2024, all ten publishers represented by the voting members on the MLC Board of Directors were also members of the NMPAs board. This not only raises questions about the MLCs ability to act as a fair administrator of the blanket license but, more importantly, raises concerns that the MLC is using its expenditures to advance arguments indistinguishable from those of the music publishers-including, at times, arguments contrary to the positions of songwriters and the digital streamers. Said another way, Rep. Fitzgerald is concerned that The MLC, Inc. is acting very much like HFA did when it was owned by the NMPA. That would be HFA, the principal vendor of The MLC, Inc. (and that dividing line is blurry, too). It is important to realize that the gravamen of Rep. Fitzgeralds complaint (as I understand it) is not solely with the statute, it is with the decisions about how to interpret the statute taken by The MLC, Inc. and not so far countermanded by the Copyright Office in its oversight role. Thats the best news Ive had all day. This conflict and competition issue is easily solved by voluntary action which could be taken immediately (with or without changing the board composition). In fact, given the sensitivity that large or dominant corporations have about such things, Im kind of surprised that they walked right into that one. The devil may be in the details, but God is in the little things. Investment Policy Rep. Fitzgerald is also concerned about The MLC, Inc.s investment policy. Readers will recall that I have been questioning both the provenance and wisdom of The MLC, Inc. unilaterally deciding that it can invest the hundreds of millions in the black box in the open market. I personally cannot find any authority for such a momentous action in the statute or any regulation. Rep. Fitzgerald also raises questions about the investment policy: Further, questions remain regarding the MLCs investment policy by which it may invest royalty and assessment funds. The MLCs Investment Policy Statement provides little insight into how those funds are invested, their market risk, the revenue generated from those investments, and the percentage of revenue (minus fees) transferred to the copyright owner upon distribution of royalties. I would urge the Copyright Office to require more transparency into these investments as a condition of redesignation. It should be obvious that The MLC, Inc.s investment policy has taken on a renewed seriousness and can no longer be dodged. Black Box It should go without saying that fair distribution of unmatched funds starts with paying the right people. Not connect to collect or play your part or any other sloganeering. Tracking them down. Like orphan works, The MLC, Inc. needs to take active measures to find the people to whom they owe money, not wait for the people who dont know they are owed to find out that they havent been paid. Although there are some reasonable boundaries on a cost/benefit analysis of just how much to spend on tracking down people owed small sums, it is important to realize that the extraordinary benefits conferred on digital services by the Music Modernization Act, safe harbors and all, justifies higher expectations of those same services in finding the people they owe money. The MLC, Inc. is uniquely different than its counterparts in other countries for this reason. I tried to raise the need for increased vigilance at the MLC during a Copyright Office roundtable on the MMA. I was startled that the then-head of DiMA (since moved on) had the brass to condescend to me as if he had ever paid a royalty or rendered a royalty statement. I was pointing out that the MLC was different than any other collecting society in the world because the licensees pay the operating costs and received significant legal benefits in return. Those legal benefits took away songwriters fundamental rights to protect their interests through enforcing justifiable infringement actions which is not true in other countries. In countries where the operating cost of their collecting society is deducted from royalties, it is far more appropriate for that society to consider a more restrictive cost/benefit analysis when expending resources to track down the songwriters they owe. This is particularly true when no black box writer is granting nonmonetary consideration like a safe harbor whether they know it or not. I got an earful from this person about how the services werent an open checkbook to track down people they owed money to (try that argument when failing to comply with Know Your Customer laws). Grocers know more about ham sandwiches than digital services know about copyright owners. The general tone was that I should be grateful to Big Daddy and be more careful how I spend my lunch money. And yes I do resent this paternalistic response which Im sorry to say was not challenged by the Copyright Office lawyer presiding who shortly thereafter went to work for Spotify. Nobody ever asked for an open check. I just asked that they make a greater effort than the effort that got Spotify sued a number of times resulting in over $50 million in settlements, a generous accommodation in my view. If anyone should be grateful, it is the services who should be grateful, not the songwriters. And yet here we are again in the same place. Except this time the services have a safe harbor against the entire world which I believe has value greater than the operating costs of the MLC. Id be perfectly happy to go back to the way it was before the services got everything they wanted and then some in Title I of the MMA, but I bet I wont get any takers on that idea. Instead, I have to congratulate Rep. Fitzgerald for truly excellent work product in his letter and for framing the issue exactly as it should be posed. Failing to fix these major problems should result in no redesignationfired for cause. Share on: We keep our menu simple and let the dough and other high-quality ingredients speak for themselves Mass Cultural Council Launches LCC Program Grant Cycle BOSTON Mass Cultural Council announces that grant applications are now available for the FY25 Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program. In FY25, Mass Cultural Council will invest $5.7 million into the LCC Program, the nation's largest volunteer-based, grassroots arts and culture public funding network. In total, 329 local and regional cultural councils award annual grants, ensuring public investment in, and access to, arts and culture in every Massachusetts community. LCC grant awards, typically between $500-$750, support a broad range of projects and programs, such as operating support, ticket subsidies, field trips, artist residencies, public art, fellowships, community events/programs, site specific projects, and other activities, based on local priorities. Both individuals and organizations are eligible for funding. September 5, 2024 Information Session October 16, 2024 Applications Due Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the program guidelines for more information, including directions on how to apply. Dalton Ladder Truck Donation Unavailable DALTON, Mass. The North Collier Fire Rescue District in Naples, Fla., cannot donate its ladder truck because it will return to service as a reserve piece. During a July Board of Water Commissioners meeting, Fire Chief Christian Tobin reported that while he was on vacation in Florida, his former colleagues informed him that a donation of the 1998 Pierce Quantum 107-foot aerial ladder truck might be possible. Tobin was suspended in August following allegations of sexual harassment, grant overspending, and "employee concerns." "I can't stress enough that they will donate this truck to somebody ... they want the truck off the books and off the lot," Tobin said during the July meeting. During last week's meeting with the Board of Water Commissioners, interim Fire Chief Chris Cachat informed the board that this was no longer true and that the apparatus was unavailable for donation. In addition, Cachat said the original estimate of $5,000 for shipping and handling was inaccurate, and after research, the cost would have been between $10,000 and $12,000. In other news: Cachat informed the board that the station's ambulance director, Leon Morin, has left the department. Morgan McDonough, the department's paramedic, has been with the department for about two years and is currently serving as the interim director. The department is thankful that Morin will remain per diem because he is a very good paramedic, Cachat said. Morin could not keep his position because he has two other jobs and is from the Westfield area. He works over 100 hours per week and has four children, so something had to give, Cachat said, and that unfortunately, it was his job with the Dalton station because it is farther away from his home. An email was sent internally to the current paramedics and emergency medical technicians to gauge their interest in someone taking over his position. The station has received some letters and is reviewing them. At a later date, they will contact the board with their recommendations. The airport's new logo, right. Pittsfield Municipal Airport Gets New Logo PITTSFIELD, Mass. A new logo is ready for takeoff at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport. The Airport Commission last week approved a cleaner design that depicts a jet flying over a green mountainscape. It is a far cry from the former branding, which had more than 10 saturated colors. "Our current logo has probably 13 colors in it, which is difficult to do anything with. It was formatted in a way that we really didn't have much control over how to use it," Airport Manager Daniel Shearer said. "We were aiming for something that represented Pittsfield and Berkshire County." It will be rolled out on new materials and signage as updates are made, he reported. Commissioner Debra Miersma explained that the former logo was an artifact from the former century. She and Shearer worked with local graphic designer Adam Hitt to deliver a "bright and fresh" design that speaks to the current airport not what it was in the 1970s or 1980s. "New logos typically have a lot more clean, white space," she said. "We took a look at logos from other airports that are smaller as well as larger so this was done with actually quite a lot of thought." Commissioner Michael Mah was the lone vote in opposition, as he didn't feel the logo represented general aviation (GA) because it shows a jet. "At the risk of getting booed, I look at this and it says to me, at least, 'We're very happy to see large corporate jets,' but I don't see anything where we're talking about a smaller GA plane coming in," he said. Shearer explained that they avoided using a stereotypical airliner "but at the same time, if you go with the smallest aircraft, it's not representative of the airport as a whole as well so this was middle of the road." Mah would have liked to see a GA aircraft shown alongside the jet, saying logos should express a whole company or operation. "As soon as I looked at this I just said, 'The logo is saying that we're jet friendly,'" he added. Miersma responded that the image had to be very clean and they wanted an image that represented aviation and flight. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Shailene Woodley has addressed the backlash she faced for sharing Melania Trumps statement about Donald Trumps assassination attempt. The Divergent star, 32, made headlines in July for posting Melanias open letter to her Instagram Story. Asked in a new interview with Bustle if she felt her actions were misunderstood, Woodley responded affirmatively, explaining that she had shared the post because she found it to be a beautiful message of human compassion. I read it and I was like, This is so beautiful. I was in circles of people that I deeply respect friends, colleagues, progressive, very intelligent thinkers, shakers and movers and many of them were saying, He missed! F***ing assassin missed! Maybe it was a setup. Maybe it was a conspiracy. I was going, Have we forgotten that two human lives were taken? Two people died. That is sad. That is devastating. I could not understand how people were speaking about something with such passion for death, the Big Little Lies alum said. Woodley, who is a passionate environmentalist and previous Bernie Sanders supporter, said she only posted the first page of Melanias statement because the second page was more political. The first page was very much like, Look, underneath the political mask is a man, a grandpa, who comes home to his children, his grandchildren, and plays music. The man underneath that mask is my husband, Woodley said. I posted that letter because I thought it was a beautiful message of human compassion, and then I forgot about it because I have a life and I dont live for what social media says, she continued. Then a week later, I got a text from a friend that said, Are you OK? I Googled my name, because Im like, Oh f***, what did I say? And of course, there were all these news articles about Melania Trump, and I was like, Oh my God, that is now this? Hundreds of articles because I posted about a woman saying shes grateful her husband is alive? Really? open image in gallery Shailene Woodley and Donald Trump ( Getty Images ) Woodley said the criticism made me shake my head, adding: If [who I am] is not coming through in the way that Im intending, Im not going to participate on social media. I participate in my own ways now that maybe are less public because I want to add to the right noise. I dont want to add to unnecessary noise. The Fault in our Stars actor noted that her beliefs are pretty well-known by the things [she has] done publicly in the quote-unquote activist world. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free In July, Trump was nearly assassinated by a gunman who opened fire at his Pennsylvania rally. Following the incident, former First Lady Melania broke her silence regarding the murder attempt, making an impassioned plea for Americans to come together as one. When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barrons life, were on the brink of devastating change, she wrote in a statement shared on social media at the time. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband, Melania said before implying on the second page of the statement that voting for Trump would help realize this world again, where respect is paramount, family is first and love transcends. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Dozens of Afghans have been freed by the Taliban after they were deported back to their homeland from Germany for the first time since the terror group seized power three years ago, according to reports. Up to 28 Afghans, described as criminals by Berlin, were sent back to Afghanistan just over a week ago as German chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to crack down on foreign criminals in his country, der Spiegel reported. The Taliban released them after asking for written assurances they would not commit any crimes in Afghanistan, Suhail Shahin, head of the Talibans political bureau in the Qatar, was quoted as saying. The deportations were criticised by human rights groups who claimed the nationals would be unsafe in Afghanistan. Amnesty International accused Berlin of being an accomplice of the Taliban. Mr Scholz vowed to deport criminals from Afghanistan and Syria following the stabbing of a German police officer by a 25-year-old Afghan suspect in May. German chancellor Olaf Scholz has vowed to deport foreign nationals convicted of crimes back to Afghanistan despite human rights concerns ( AP ) Mr Scholz said: It outrages me when someone who has found protection here commits the most serious crimes. But Berlin will not take steps towards the normalisation of its relations with the Taliban, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. As long as the general conditions are as they are, and the Taliban behave the way they do, there will be no effort to normalise relations with the Taliban, the spokesperson said. There are contacts on a technical level, especially through our representative office in Doha, the spokesperson added, referring to months of negotiations over the deportations. Although in the works for months, the deportations went ahead a week after a deadly knife attack in the town of Solingen in which the suspect is a Syrian citizen who applied for asylum in Germany. The deportations went ahead a week after a deadly knife attack in the town of Solingen ( AP ) The suspect was supposed to be sent back to Bulgaria last year but reportedly disappeared for a time and avoided deportation. Mr Scholz has previously announced measures to remove benefits from refugees who arrive in Germany through other EU countries, leaving them with the bare essentials of bed, bread, and soap. Last week, top German officials met with the countrys opposition and state governments to discuss ways to speed up deportations and curb migration. Since then, German politicians have urged the government to set up a special task force to increase the number of foreign criminals in Germany being deported from the country. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Chinas former foreign minister Qin Gang, who mysteriously disappeared from public view in the summer of 2023, has been demoted to a publishing job, according to a media report, signalling an end to his political career. Mr Qin, 58, who was known for his wolf warrior diplomacy and regarded as one of Beijings most influential policymakers, was unceremoniously removed as foreign minister last July after a month-long disappearance from public view. The former diplomat had been rapidly climbing the leadership ladder, serving as an ambassador to the US for 18 months before his appointment as foreign minister. Since his demotion, Mr Qin has been working in a low-level job at World Affairs Press, a publishing house affiliated with the Chinese foreign ministry, anonymous US officials told the Washington Post. His fall from grace means that hes off the hook; he is not going to jail but his career is over, one official told the newspaper. US secretary of state Antony Blinken with Qin Gang in Beijing, China, in June last year ( AP ) After Mr Qins disappearance, rumours swirled about his possible imprisonment, suicide, and an extramarital affair with a Chinese journalist, Fu Xiaotian, which might have posed a security risk. After taking over as Chinas youngest foreign minister since the 1950s, Mr Qin, now 58, served only 207 days in the position. He was replaced by his predecessor, Wang Yi, who is 70. It remains unclear why Mr Qin was removed. He was also recognised for being one of the first diplomats to speak aggressively in defence of Chinas increasingly assertive foreign policy, a style known as wolf warrior diplomacy. The Financial Times reported that Ms Fu, a host for the Chinese broadcaster Phoenix TV, based in Hong Kong, had a child delivered by a surrogate mother in the US, citing people close to the journalist and Chinese foreign policy establishment. According to observers, Ms Fus celebrity lifestyle and social media presence, including posts about her travels on private jets with her son, potentially posed a security vulnerability for the Chinese Communist Party. It was also alleged that Beijing suspected her of passing secrets to a foreign intelligence service. The allegations have never been confirmed or supported by concrete evidence. Mr Qins removal last year was part of an overhaul of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in which several officials were dismissed. They included defence minister General Li Shangfu, who was subsequently investigated for corruption. The Independent has been unable to reach Mr Qin or Ms Fu for comment. They have not commented publicly on the reports of their affair or Mr Qins removal from his post. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India reported its first suspected case of mpox in a man who had travelled from a country facing an outbreak of the virus, the health ministry said. The man has been isolated in a designated hospital for treatment and is reported to be in a stable condition. The ministry did not specify where the case was detected or the strain of the virus, but said efforts to find people who might have come in contact with the patient were underway. A young male patient, who recently travelled from a country experiencing mpox transmission has been identified as a suspect case of mpox, the ministry said. "The case is being managed in line with established protocols, and contact tracing is ongoing to identify potential sources and assess the impact within the country. The ministry said there was no cause of any undue concern. The country is fully prepared to deal with such an isolated travel-related case and has robust measures in place to manage and mitigate any potential risk, it said. The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, its highest level of alert, last month. It called on member states to fund a $135m-plan to fight the spread of the virus after doctors raised concerns about a new deadlier strain, known as Clade 1b that has spread through several African countries, particularly Burundi, Central African Republic, Rwanda, and Uganda. Mpox is from the same virus family as smallpox but produces milder symptoms of fever, chills and body ache. Serious cases can lead to lesions on the face, hand, chest, and genitals. Sweden reported Europes first case of Clade 1b on 15 August. In Asia, Thailand reported the first case on 22 August and Pakistan and the Philippines each reported suspected cases of the virus thereafter. India put its airports, seaports and land crossings on alert last month in view of the spread of the mpox virus and prepared some government hospitals and laboratories for a possible outbreak. Clade 2 caused a public health emergency in 2022 but was deemed relatively mild. Clade 1 has a high fatality rate and a mutant strain of it, called Clade 1b, has spread rapidly. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A boy in Malaysia is being praised for the heroic act of risking his life to save two rabbits from a fire. The boy, identified only as Jason, can be seen in a viral video climbing a concrete wall to reach a rabbit cage to rescue the trapped animals in Selangor state. He balances on shrubs and tree branches growing out of the wall to reach the cage as a massive fire rages just metres away in an outdoor parking space in the Kajang Utama area. The rescue operation was filmed by wedding planner Balanagamma Punaimuthi, who was on her way to work when she noticed the place was on fire. open image in gallery Boy saves rabbits from a burning car park in Malaysia ( Screengrab/ Tiktok @banujeeva8 ) There were two rabbits still trapped but no one was helping them, she told Star News. Ms Balanagamma, 32, said she and her husband called her cousin, Jason, to help them free the rabbits. The boy arrived at the scene with tools to cut open the cage and rescue the animals. Pull it out fast. Leave it down it will be safe, she can be heard directing the boy in the background. Come down quickly, she screams as the fire intensifies. My cousin was slightly burnt on his hands, but we were very happy that the rabbits were saved, Ms Balanagamma said. open image in gallery Boy in Malaysia praised for the heroic act of saving a couple of rabbits from fire ( Screengrab/ TikTok @banujeeva8 ) She took the rabbits home and saw that one had suffered burn injuries. She nursed the animals before returning them to their owners. We love animals, and also have pet rabbits of our own, she said. You are a hero, thanks for saving them," a TikTok user commented under the video, referring to Jason. Another person said: Thank you, kindhearted person. You are the real hero. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Watch as Pope Francis visits East Timors capital Dili on Monday 9 September, where he will attend a welcome ceremony, meet president Jose Ramos-Horta and other government officials, and members of the civil society and the diplomatic corps. The 87-year-old pontiff is on an ambitious 12-day visit to four countries across Southeast Asia and Oceania, his longest overseas journey yet. He came to East Timor from Papua New Guinea, where on Sunday he delivered medical supplies to a small town located at the edge of a vast jungle, in one of the most remote areas of the world. Francis landed in Dili, the Timorese capital, on Monday afternoon. He was met at the airport by the president and a group of school children dressed in traditional outfits, who offered him flowers and a tais, a woven ceremonial scarf. East Timor, a half-island nation north of Australia, gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, after a brutal, decades-long occupation. Francis is the second pope to visit, following John Paul II, who came in 1989, in a trip that gave the country's independence movement an historic boost. The country is likely the most Catholic in the world, with the Vatican saying some 96 per cent of Timorese are adherents to the faith. Although Timorese have remained overwhelmingly Catholic, the church in the country has been affected recently by abuse scandals. In 2022, the Vatican confirmed it had sanctioned Timorese Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo following allegations he sexually abused boys in Timor in the 1990s. Belo, who shared the 1996 Nobel peace prize with Ramos-Horta for their independence efforts, lives in Portugal. A year earlier, a defrocked American priest, Richard Daschbach, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually abusing girls under his care in Timor. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government is working to finalise a rescue deal worth 500 million for Tata Steels Port Talbot plant this week, following the closure of its blast furnaces, according to reports. The package of support had been drawn up by the previous Conservative government. It was set to aid Tata with its plans to build an electric arc furnace, replacing the existing coal-powered process, under ambitions to switch to a more environmentally-friendly form of production. The Indian steelmaking giant said it would invest 750 million in building the furnace, alongside funding a support package for the employees expected to be made redundant during the transition. Some 2,800 jobs losses are expected as a result of closing down two blast furnaces at its major plant in South Wales, the first of which was shut in July. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is planning to make a statement to parliament on Wednesday about the deal, after Prime Ministers Questions, according to reporting. Decarbonisation does not mean deindustrialisation, and we will be working to safeguard jobs as part of these negotiations Department for Business and Trade It is thought that it will be broadly similar to the previous governments commitment. Mr Reynolds previously said he believes there is a better deal available for Port Talbot and the steel industry as a whole, as he confirmed that negotiations with Tata were continuing under the new Labour government. He also said he would make sure that job guarantees were part of the discussions. The Government did not comment on the reports that the state-backed deal could be announced this week amid ongoing negotiations with Tata. A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said: Steel is vital for a vibrant, secure economy. Our steel sector needs a government working in partnership with trade unions and business to secure a green steel transition thats both right for the workforce and delivers economic growth. Decarbonisation does not mean deindustrialisation, and we will be working to safeguard jobs as part of these negotiations, securing the future of steelmaking communities for generations to come. Tata Steel has been contacted for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Revolution Bars has hired former Pizza Express boss Luke Johnson as chairman of the troubled group. Mr Johnson, who holds a 20% stake in Revolution Bars following its recent cash call, takes over from Keith Edelman as he retires after nearly 10 years at the helm of the board. Revolution Bars has undergone a restructuring plan to help stave off potential insolvency, including shutting nearly 25 bars to help it get back on track after being hit hard by the pandemic and recent cost-of-living crisis. The group has been left with 65 venues following the emergency overhaul, now with 27 Revolution Bars, 15 Revolucion de Cuba bars, 22 Peach Pubs and one Founders & Co site. Revolution also raised 12.5 million through an equity fundraise as part of the plans to help the business turn around its fortunes. Hospitality entrepreneur and investor Mr Johnson was one of the backers involved in the fundraise. As former chairman and co-owner of Pizza Express, he played a key role in the rapid expansion of the high street chain in the 1990s. Rob Pitcher, chief executive of Revolution Bars, said: Keiths strong leadership has been instrumental in steering the group since 2015, through IPO (initial public offering), the pandemic, unsolicited offers and the most recent fundraise and restructuring plan. As he steps down, we express our gratitude for his support and vision, which have left an enduring footprint on the company. He added: We are excited to be working with Luke who is vastly experienced in the hospitality sector and brings a wealth of knowledge to enable the next phase of the groups development. Mr Edelman praised Mr Johnsons outstanding experience in the sector and said this will be instrumental in guiding the group in the future. I leave knowing the company is now in a stronger position and fit for purpose in todays marketplace, he said. Mr Johnsons recent ventures have also included the nationwide Gails Bakery chain. But his reputation was dealt a blow by the collapse of Patisserie Valerie in 2019 after a fraud scandal at the group, which he chaired at time of its implosion. Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts Sign up for our free IndyBest email Sign up for our free IndyBest email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy At long last, the moment weve all been waiting for has arrived. Apples new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have launched in the UK, being joined by the new Apple Watch Series 10 and new AirPods 4. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are filled with the companys new Apple Intelligence smarts, powered by the companys new A18 and A18 Pro chipsets and iOS 18, making Siri more useful and your iPhone apps more connected than ever before. But as leaked ahead of time, the AI features have been delayed, with Apple having confirmed in its keynote that they wont come to the UK until December. Beyond artificial intelligence, all four iPhones have a new haptic camera control button on the side for taking pictures and videos, and even let you swipe between camera settings. The Pro smartphones also have bigger displays while keeping a similar-sized footprint, and they have even longer battery life. They each have better cameras and new colours and are more durable than ever before, making them great upgrades over their predecessors. Launching today (Friday 20 September), Ive rounded up the best iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max deals from all the major retailers and carriers. The best iPhone 16 trade-in deals in the UK While you wont find any deals on the latest iPhone 16 handsets outright, the Apple Store and third-party retailers offer trade-in deals which will lower the total cost. Ive found the best trade-in offers and deals from Apple, John Lewis and Amazon. Best Apple Store iPhone 16 trade-in deals open image in gallery ( Apple ) Apple never slaps any discounts onto its iPhones, but you can get a pretty hefty saving by trading in your current smartphone. You can get up to 645 off your new iPhone 16 by trading in an iPhone 15 Pro Max, bringing the cost of the 256GB iPhone 16 Pro Max down to just 554. If you trade in an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro, you can get between 330 and 575. While those trading in an iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro can get up to 390 off the new iPhone 16. Apple also offers 0 per cent finance, letting you spread the cost of your new iPhone 16 over monthly instalments. Best John Lewis iPhone 16 trade-in deals open image in gallery ( Apple ) Like the Apple Store, you can also trade in your current smartphone at John Lewis to lower the cost of your iPhone 16 purchase. If you trade in an iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can get up to 625 off your new iPhone 16. Even one of the oldest smartphones (an iPhone 11) could get you up to 120 on trade-in. John Lewis takes more than just iPhones, however, so you can also trade in an Android smartphone to lower the cost. In terms of other perks, John Lewis is offering 20 per cent off an Apple 20W USB-C power adapter (19, Johnlewis.com) when you add it to your cart alongside an iPhone 16 purchase and enter the code APPLEADAPT at the checkout. Best Amazon iPhone 16 trade-in deals open image in gallery ( Apple ) If youve got an Amazon gift card (admit it, we all get them for our birthday), and have a phone to trade in, it might be worth buying your new iPhone 16 direct from Amazon. Amazon sources out its trade-in program to Ingram Micro, who is offering up to 599 if you trade in an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Ingram Micro also accepts trade-ins if youve got an Android device, so youre not locked into trading up an iPhone if youre making the switch to iOS. The best iPhone 16 carrier deals in the UK Mobile phone carriers have lots of deals on the latest handsets. If youre looking to pair your smartphone with a new contract, the likes of Sky Mobile, EE, O2 and Vodafone have slashed the price on data and have thrown in additional perks. Ive rounded up the best and cheapest contract deals from all the major carriers below. Best Sky Mobile iPhone 16 deals open image in gallery ( Apple ) Sky Mobile offered the very cheapest deals for the entire iPhone 15 line-up last year, and it seems to be matching those prices for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro starts from 33 per month, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts from 39 per month. The iPhone 16 starts from 26 per month and the iPhone 16 Plus starts from 30 per month. Theres no up-front cost like other carriers, but you will have to add on a data plan. Sky is offering double data for a limited time, and the cheapest data plan costs 5 per month, getting you 10GB of data instead of 5GB. Plus, there are other perks if you take out a contract with Sky Mobile. The carrier has a piggybank system, which rolls your unused data into a virtual pot that you can share with your family, use in future months, or even exchange for rewards. The carrier also lets you stream on any Sky app, such as Sky Go and Sky Sports, without using any of your data. iPhone 16 with 10GB of data: 31 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com 31 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com iPhone 16 Plus with 10GB of data: 35 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com 35 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com iPhone 16 Pro with 10GB of data: 38 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com 38 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com iPhone 16 Pro Max with 10GB of data: 44 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com Best Three iPhone 16 deals open image in gallery ( Apple ) While Threes deals were a little lacklustre last year, the mobile network provider is offering the best iPhone 16 deals Ive seen at launch so far this year, and have some of the best trade-in valuations out of all the providers. You can save up to 747 when you trade in an iPhone 14 Pro Max, for instance. All of Threes cheapest iPhone 16 deals come with 15GB of data and last for 36 months. The iPhone 16 costs 30.50 per month and comes with a 30 up-front cost, while the iPhone 16 Plus costs 33 per month and comes with a 40 up-front cost. The iPhone 16 Pro costs 36 per month and comes with a 50 up-front cost and the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs 41 per month and comes with a 60 up-front cost. That makes Three the best network if youre looking for an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max, just watch out for the up-front cost. iPhone 16 with 15GB of data: 30.50 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk 30.50 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk iPhone 16 Plus with 15GB of data: From 33 per month, 40 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk From 33 per month, 40 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro with 15GB of data: From 36 per month, 50 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk From 36 per month, 50 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro Max with 15GB of data: From 41 per month, 60 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk Best Mobiles.co.uk iPhone 16 deals open image in gallery Apple Intelligence can help users rewrite any notes or emails in a range of styles. (Apple) ( Apple ) Online mobile phone shop Mobiles.co.uk, owned by Currys, has some impressive iPhone 16 deals on a per-month basis, but the up-front costs can be high (though not as high as buying an iPhone 16 outright). The cheapest iPhone 16 deal is with Curryss iD Mobile, which uses Threes network. Youll pay 29.99 per month, but theres a 199 up-front cost. It comes with 100GB of data. The contract only lasts 24 months, though, which is shorter than Sky Mobile. An iPhone 16 Plus with 100GB of data will cost you 39.99 per month, with a 99 up-front cost. Mobiles.co.uks best iPhone 16 Pro deal is again with iD Mobile. You get 100GB of data and pay 39.99 per month, with a 169 up-front cost. Want an iPhone 16 Pro Max with unlimited data? Youll pay 44.99 per month and 199 up-front. If you trade in your current handset, Mobiles.co.uk will take an extra 50 off the up-front cost, and you can get a free 10 Currys gift card after you make your purchase. iPhone 16 with 100GB of data: From 29.99 per month, 199 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk From 29.99 per month, 199 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk iPhone 16 Plus with 100GB of data: From 39.99, 99 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk, From 39.99, 99 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk, iPhone 16 Pro with 100GB of data: From 39.99 per month, 169 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk From 39.99 per month, 169 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro Max with 100GB of data: From 44.99 per month, 199 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk Best Tesco Mobile iPhone 16 deals open image in gallery ( Apple ) Tesco Mobiles iPhone 16 deals are slightly cheaper than Sky Mobiles, but youll only get 3GB of data. Tesco Mobile uses O2s network, so your coverage should be the same as anyone using an O2 SIM. None of Tescos plans come with an up-front cost. The cheapest iPhone 16 deal costs 36.49 per month the iPhone 16 Plus costs 39.49 per month and the iPhone 16 Pro costs 42.49 per month. The iPhone 16 Pro Max costs 48.49 per month. All of these Tesco Mobile phone contracts last 36 months. iPhone 16 with 3GB of data: From 36.49 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com From 36.49 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com iPhone 16 Plus with 3GB of data: From 39.49, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com From 39.49, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com iPhone 16 Pro with 3GB of data: From 42.49 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com From 42.49 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com iPhone 16 Pro Max with 3GB of data: From 48.49 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com Best Vodafone iPhone 16 deals open image in gallery ( Apple ) While Vodafone doesnt have the best monthly deals, it does have some of the biggest trade-in valuations if you swap in your current handset, with Vodafone offering up to 736 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Thats 100 more than Apple, and you can use your trade-in value to lower your monthly cost, add it to your Vodafone account as credit or get the cash straight into your bank account. Vodafones cheapest deals come with 3GB of data and last 36 months. The iPhone 16 starts from 43.24 per month and has a 30 up-front cost, the iPhone 16 Plus starts from 46.27 per month and a 30 up-front cost, while the iPhone 16 Pro starts from 49 per month with a 39 up-front cost and the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts from 54.76 per month with a 50 up-front cost. iPhone 16 with 3GB of data: 43.24 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk 43.24 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk iPhone 16 Plus with 3GB of data: 46.27 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk 46.27 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro with 3GB of data: From 49 per month, 39 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk From 49 per month, 39 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro Max with 3GB of data: 54.76 per month, 50 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk Best EE iPhone 16 deals open image in gallery ( Apple ) EEs iPhone 16 deals at launch arent the cheapest around, but they come with unlimited data, so you wont have to worry about running out, and it offers the best value in terms of extra perks. Plans with 5GB of data are marginally cheaper, but if you want a 5GB SIM, you might as well choose a plan with Sky Mobile, who is offering 10GB of data for 5. An unlimited iPhone 16 plan costs 58.24 per month with a 30 up-front cost; the iPhone 16 Plus with unlimited data costs 61.27 per month with a 30 up-front cost. The iPhone 16 Pro with unlimited data costs 64.26 per month with a 30 up-front cost and the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs 70.32 per month with a 30 up-front cost, again with unlimited data. All of EEs contracts last 36 months. If you dont mind paying a bit extra, EE is also offering the Apple One bundle subscription as part of its Full Works for iPhones package. If you opt for the Full Works plan, youll get Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and 50GB of iCloud+ for 24 months, as well as unlimited data and a data roam abroad pass. To get an idea of the value of these perks, EE claims that the benefits are worth up to 1,200 altogether. You also get an extra inclusive perk, such as a subscription to TNT Sport. You can also get up to 480 if you trade in your current iPhone. iPhone 16 with unlimited data: From 58.24 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk From 58.24 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk iPhone 16 Plus with unlimited data: From 61.27 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk From 61.27 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro with unlimited data: 64.26 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk 64.26 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro Max with unlimited data: 70.32 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk Best O2 iPhone 16 deals open image in gallery ( Apple ) O2s iPhone 16 deals are good for fans of freebies. The deals include a free subscription to Disney+ or Amazon Prime, as well as access to O2 Priority (who hands out the best gifts) and inclusive roaming in Europe. The below iPhone 16 deals all come with 25GB of data. The iPhone 16 costs 49.20 per month with a 30 up-front cost; the iPhone 16 Plus costs 52.25 per month with a 30 up-front cost; the iPhone 16 Pro costs 55.25 per month with a 30 up-front cost and the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs 61.30 per month with a 30 up-front cost. All of O2s device plans last 36 months as standard, but they unlink after 24 months, so you can pay the rest off sooner and upgrade if you wish. You can also trade-in your current device to lower the cost of your monthly plan. iPhone 16 with 25GB of data: 49.20 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk 49.20 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk iPhone 16 Plus with 25GB of data: 52.25 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk 52.25 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro with 25GB of data: 55.25 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk 55.25 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro Max with 25GB of data: 61.30 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk Best SIM-only deals Sometimes the cheapest way of buying a new iPhone is to secure it on 0 per cent finance with Apple, Johb Lewis or Amazon, spreading the cost over 24 months, then pairing it with one of the cheapest SIM-only deals. Here are some of my favourite providers deals. Smarty From 12 per month for 120GB of data giffgaff From 10 per month for 20GB of data id Mobile From 10 per month for 60GB of data Voxi From 10 per month for 45GB of data Lebara From 5 per month for 5GB of data Apple iPhone 16 price: How much does the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cost in the UK? While rumours ahead of the iPhone launch suggested that components of successive iPhones were getting more expensive and increasingly difficult for Apple to absorb, the entire iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max cost the exact same price as the iPhone 15 line-up. The base iPhone 16, which features a new 48MP camera system, a bigger battery and the new camera control button starts from 799 for the 128GB model, while the larger iPhone 16 Plus starts from 899. The iPhone 16 Pro starts from 999 for the 128GB model, which is the same price as the iPhone 15 Pro at launch, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts from 1,199 for the 256GB models. Voucher codes For the latest discounts on phones and tablets, try the links below: Prefer a folding phone? Weve rounded up the best foldable handsets to buy now The government has announced it is to introduce the biggest reforms to the buses in years. More councils will be able to take control, albeit not public ownership, of the way the private bus companies run services and set fares in their areas, on a franchise basis. So the buses will still be run by the various private concerns, and remain privatised, but more local authorities will have the right to set much more detailed standards of service, routes and fares, as has become the case on the railways in recent years. So far, such regulation and reregulation of buses has only applied to Greater London and the municipal mayoralties, respectively. Now all councils can follow suit, if they wish. In due course, they may even be able to revive old-style council-owned and run services. Despite decades of decline and neglect, especially virtual extinction in rural areas, buses remain the most used form of public transport, with the number of local bus passenger journeys in England actually rising by 19.4 per cent to 3.4 billion in the year ending March 2023, helped by a 2 cap on fares. Whats changed? Once upon a time, from around the 1920s onwards, British local authorities enjoyed a monopoly on regular local and regional bus services. They owned the vehicles, employed the drivers and conductors, built the stops and depots, and things were operated as a public service rather than a business. There was often great civic pride in the way the buses were operated. In 1986, the Thatcher administration privatised and deregulated the buses outside London (too big to gamble with) and kept those in the capital on a franchise basis tightly controlling routes, service levels and fares. Reversing this began under the May administration, and is now to be further reversed. Last year, Greater Manchester became the first place outside of London to bring bus services into public control since deregulation. The Bee Network, where all-night services have been trialled, has been described as broadly a success. Whats the package of measures? Louise Haigh, the newish transport secretary fresh from passing the bill to nationalise the railways, has outlined three steps to bus heaven. First, a simple statutory instrument laid before parliament will give county and city councils in England the power to reregulate and take back control of their services (services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are devolved matters). The private companies will be able to operate a franchise service for a period in return for a fee and closer supervision. So there will still be some profit motive rather than operation as pure service. Next will come a public consultation redesigning the present franchising regime how much control and in what areas to be exercised by councils. Third is the cheerfully named Better Buses Bill which will bring an end to the current postcode lottery by taking steps to improve bus services no matter where you live. That suggests a levelling up for rural routes. Are there any downsides? Yes. Depending on how the new franchises are set up, local authorities could fall liable for any shortfall in revenues envisaged in a contract, for whatever reason. They would also, possibly, have to set fares higher than 2 if the national cap is lifted at the end of the year. They would also, politically, suffer if services deteriorate or fail to live up to expectations. How to pay for capital investment and the transition to zero emission vehicles will also be challenges if bus franchise operators are unable or unwilling to do so. And, as with the rail franchises, if things go really wrong, local councils could be faced with having to take services into some form of public ownership or else increase costly subsidies (and thus council tax). Given the crisis in local government finance, having increased responsibility for buses is a mixed blessing. What does the opposition say? The last (Conservative) transport secretary, Mark Harper, lost his seat in the general election and has been succeeded on the opposition front bench by Helen Whately. She says that the plans are unfunded and local authorities could be expected to raise tax or cut other services to fund the proposal: Moreover, it wont make a blind bit of difference for passengers. It wont increase the number of services and they would much prefer to have the 2 fare cap extended at the Budget. Will Labour make buses great again? No. The growth of mass motoring after the war was the biggest factor in the decline of the bus, with journeys falling since the mid-1960s. If travelling by private car becomes more costly, some people will turn to public transport and passenger miles might stabilise though the trend of working from home hasnt helped matters across public transport. It remains the case that catching the bus still has a bit of a stigma, epitomised in the possibly apocryphal remark of Margaret Thatcher (who never used public transport) that anybody seen in a bus over the age of 30 has been a failure in life. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A couple who were told their baby probably wont survive after she had a cardiac arrest at just 10 weeks old are preparing to celebrate her first birthday. Melissa Howard, 21, and her partner Steve Wilson, 36, who live in Bradford, West Yorkshire, welcomed their daughter Freya Wilson into the world on October 31 2023, describing her as the perfect child. However, on January 11 2024, Melissa found Freya unresponsive, floppy, and grey in colour in her cot, leading her to call 999 and paramedics delivered CPR for 10 minutes before her heartbeat returned. The couple said it was their worst nightmare and Freya spent the next five months in hospital under constant surveillance, with doctors telling them: Shes probably not going to survive. open image in gallery Freya had a cardiac arrest at 10 weeks old Melissa and Steve prepared for the worst, but Freya has since been discharged from hospital and despite needing to be tube fed and monitored by a machine, she has made so much progress. The couple cannot wait to celebrate her first birthday next month and they have even bought a pumpkin Halloween costume for the occasion. Melissa told PA Real Life: All those times we thought, she might not make it past the weekend, or she might not make it another week, this could very well be her last day but shes still here. Its an accomplishment for us to be able to say that its her birthday soon and that were going to celebrate and were going to spoil her. open image in gallery Melissa, her partner Steve, and their daughter Freya Steve, who works in a warehouse, added: Its a mix of the worst year of our life with the best year of our life. Weve gone from practically losing her to still having her and still having her beats everything. Theres nothing that can ever replace still having her. When Freya was born, Melissa said she was the perfect child she was healthy, she slept through the night, she did not cry, and everything was going smoothly. However, what started out as a normal day on January 11 2024 turned into a nightmare, as Freya was found unresponsive in her cot following a cardiac arrest when the heart stops beating suddenly. open image in gallery Melissa and Steve said they do not know what caused the cardiac arrest At first I thought nothing of it because she loves to sleep but she just didnt wake up, Melissa said. It was really concerning because she was never that difficult to wake up and, at this point, I thought, Somethings not right. I was panicking, I turned the bedroom upside down to try to find an area where I could bounce her to try to wake her up, but then I rang Steve and I was just shouting down the phone. Steve said: I will always remember it. She said, I need you now, I need you to come home. open image in gallery Freya cuddling one of her toys As soon as Melissa ended the phone call, she dialled 999 and was told how to deliver CPR, which was traumatising to do, before paramedics, first responders and police officers arrived at the house. After the paramedics took over, delivering CPR for a further 10 minutes, they said they were able to get her heartbeat back before taking Freya to Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI). Steve said: Its your worst nightmare. After arriving at BRI, Freya spent the next seven hours fighting for her life, where she was placed on a ventilator and given a breathing tube and at least seven different medications intravenously. open image in gallery Melissa did not leave Freyas side When Freya was eventually stabilised, she was transferred to Sheffield Childrens Hospital, where she remained for four weeks and received treatment on the intensive care unit. It was just horrifying being sat in the ambulance, knowing youre going well over an hour away from home, with nothing to your name, and a daughter that could potentially not make it, Melissa said. Her heart rate was in the 200s for the whole journey. British Heart Foundation (BHF) statistics show there are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) in the UK each year, with a survival rate of less than one in 10. BHF said infant OHCAs do happen, but they are a small proportion of total OHCAs, with the most recent data showing 1.7% of OHCAs occurred in people under 15 years old. The couple were able to stay at Magnolia House at Sheffield Childrens Hospital one of the Sick Childrens Trust charitys Homes from Home for the four-week stay and they said this saved them. open image in gallery Freya spent a total of five months in hospital To be given a place so close to Freya, completely free of charge and with all the amenities we could need, felt like a gift from heaven, Melissa said. The couple were supported by Martin House Childrens Hospice as well, before being discharged but Freya was then transferred back to BRI, where she remained for the following four months. Although Freya was being cared for by the best doctors and nurses, Melissa and Steve were told she might not make it. Melissa said: We have no idea how long she was without oxygen for, and we probably never will. We still dont know what caused it. open image in gallery Melissa holding Freya Luckily, we went through this whole journey and we still have her here, so all of those little things in the end dont matter because shes still alive. Freya was discharged from BRI in June this year and has since gone from being a very sick and fragile child to being at home with Steve adding she is a fighter. Although her oxygen levels and heart rate need to be constantly monitored via a machine, she takes seven medications every day and she is tube fed, she is making progress and getting stronger. Melissa said it felt like they had lost everything when Freya was taken to hospital but now the house is full again and she has regained her full-time job as Freyas mother. open image in gallery Freya is now making good progress Freya is curious, cheeky and determined and, although the couple are still adjusting to a new normal, everything is going in the right direction and they are grateful their daughter is still here. They do not have any official plans for her first birthday yet, but they are going to revisit the two hospitals to show Freyas progress and they have bought her a pumpkin Halloween outfit with striped tights. Melissa said: At one point we were told that shes probably not going to survive hospital admission. There were so many occasions where we thought that she wasnt going to make it, and we started preparing for the worst, and still she got through it. So having her first birthday just means that weve made it, we did it. open image in gallery Melissa and Steve cuddling Freya Speaking about the couples advice to others, Melissa added: Never say no when someone asks you if you need help because you never know when youre going to need it. The support weve received has been more helpful than words can express. To find out more about the Sick Childrens Trust, visit: sickchildrenstrust.org. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Linda Evangelista has said she regrets her much-quoted interview in the Nineties, during which she said that she wouldnt get out of bed for less than $10,000. The former supermodel, 59, spoke the now infamous words during a sit-down alongside Christy Turlington for Vogue in 1990. Evangelista said she remains haunted by the phrase, which attracted criticism from people who said it demonstrated that the Canadian model was out of touch. I had no idea that so much attention would be brought to it, said Evangelista in the Disney Plus documentary series In Vogue: The 90s, which will be released on the platform on Friday (13 September). She continued: I dont want to be known for that. Ive done so much more than just that quote but its really sticking. The series tells the definitive story of the fashion industry in the Nineties through the eyes of Vogue editors, Hamish Bowles, Edward Enninful, Tonne Goodman and Anna Wintour. Speaking in the documentary, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour said that she wanted to remove the line from the article before it was published because she was concerned over how it would reflect on Evangelista. I was embarrassed for her, said Wintour. [I worried] that it would not reflect well on Linda who was so much part of our being, our world, our family. open image in gallery ( Apple TV+ ) The quote remained in the interview at the behest of the articles writer Jonathan Van Meter who said he put up a fight in order for it to be included. I remember getting a call saying, Anna doesnt like the ending, she thinks it makes them sound mean, he said. But I put up a fight. I was like, you cannot cut this line. I just knew instinctively that it would be the quote heard around the world. He recalled leaning in to check his dictaphone was still recording when she said the famous words. Shedding some light on the circumstances surrounding the sit-down, the journalist said that Evangelista arrived about an hour late. We drank vodka, she smoked Marlboro reds the whole time, she ordered two pieces of chocolate cake, [and] didnt eat any dinner, recalled Van Meter. I remember thinking Of course, this is perfect, youre a supermodel, this is how they are. open image in gallery Linda Evangelista reveals why she chose to undergo cosmetic surgery procedure that left her deformed ( British Vogue ) It is not the first time that Evangelista has expressed her regret over the notorious statement. In last years Apple TV series The Super Models, Evangelista who has featured on over 700 magazine covers over the course of her influential fashion career said that the quote makes her crazy. Im not the same person I was 30 years ago, she said. I shouldnt have said that. Not only does Evangelista regret her words, they were also not necessarily true. According to Grace Coddington, a former Vogue creative director: Linda certainly got out of bed for less than $10,000 for Vogue. Elsewhere in the Disney Plus docuseries, Kate Moss recalled feeling vulnerable when shooting her famous 1992 advertising campaign for Calvin Klein, in which she appeared topless as a teenager alongside 21-year-old Mark Wahlberg. It was quite overwhelming. I was 18, he was a big superstar rapper and I still felt like just a girl from Croydon, she said. They asked me to be topless and there was just a lot of people on set a lot of men. I did feel vulnerable. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Givenchy has named Sarah Burton creative director for womens and mens collections, with immediate effect, the fashion house announced on Monday. Burton, who stepped down from Alexander McQueen last year, said she was excited to bring to Givenchy my own vision, sensibility and beliefs. Its a great honor to be joining the beautiful house of Givenchy, it is a jewel, she said. Her first collection will be presented during Paris Fashion Week next March. Givenchy, owned by the LVMH conglomerate, named a new CEO, Alessandro Valenti, in July. Burton becomes the eighth designer at the French luxury house founded in 1953 by Hubert de Givenchy, who stayed on until 1995. She is its second female creative director. Burtons predecessors at Givenchy include Alexander McQueen, who designed at the Paris fashion house from 1996-2001. Burton, who created the wedding dress for Kate, the Princess of Wales, stepped down from McQueen after two decades at the brand, and since 2010 as creative director. Owner Kering said upon her exit that she had left an indelible mark. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kate, Princess of Wales, has released a video saying she has completed her chemotherapy treatment for cancer. She announced in March that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer that was detected after abdominal surgery earlier in the year and would begin the treatment. Her updated statement Monday says it has been a difficult year for her family but it has provided perspective on life and being grateful for simple but important things, such as loving and being loved. She thanked supporters for their kindness and compassion and told those fighting cancer that she remains by their sides. Read the full transcript: ____ "As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. "The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown. "The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. "With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. "This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved. "Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. "I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can. "Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. "William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyones kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright. ___ Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/royalty For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tommy Hilfiger loves celebrating New York City and its landmarks. He also loves a nautical theme and a big surprise. So for his New York Fashion Week show on Sunday night, the designer brought all those elements together in his typically splashy way, inviting guests aboard a decommissioned ferry boat and giving them not only a runway show but a rap-filled finale. The live musical performance, which electrified the fashion crowd, featured Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Raekwon from Staten Islands own Wu-Tang clan weaving through the runways and seats as they sang. The soundtrack was curated by Questlove, who also served as DJ for Hilfigers February show at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station. Were inspired by nautical this season, Hilfiger told The Associated Press before the show. But its nautical, preppy, collegiate, all-American and modern. So we needed to show it either on the water, on a boat or near the water. Then we found out the Staten Island Ferry was available. The boat, called the John F. Kennedy, served as a Staten Island Ferry until it was decommissioned in 2021. It was bought the following year by investors including actor-comedian Pete Davidson and Saturday Night Live's Colin Jost, who both grew up in the New York City borough. We are really the first people to utilize it (the ferry) for an event, Hilfiger said. Were really excited. Jost was delighted to see the boat being used for the purpose he imagined. Its pretty crazy," he said. "Its one of the few days where Ive been on the boat and been like, Oh, say, this is nice. This is how it can work. I took this exact boat every single morning to high school, Jost added, explaining why he'd bought the boat. "And when it was available, I just loved the vibe of it. Hilfiger's Spring 2025 collection featured nautical style stripes inspired by sailing heritage, the label explained, and casual styles like capri pants and oversized knits. There were Hilfigers much-loved varsity jackets, trench coats, club blazers, and polos. Accessories included bandanas around the neck. Its the New American Prep wardrobe, the label said in a statement, fusing vibrant Ivy League style with everyday coastal functionality. Waiters strolling between the ferry seats served guests Champagne, beer, hot dogs, soft pretzels, and custom boxes of caramel corn with a Hilfiger logo and Statue of Liberty pins inside as a prize. Brooke Shields was having an emotional evening. Her daughter, Grier, was taking a break from her freshman year at college to appear on her first fashion week runway. I got very emotional," Shields said. "It was her first show and this is something she wanted to do. And I said, Youve got to go to college, but its a Sunday, so its okay. Actors Shay Mitchell and Madelyn Cline were among the admirers of the collection. Incredible, as always, said Mitchell. I want every piece. The accessories were phenom, and how do you end a show better than what he did? For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A peer has called for a free vote on a new bill to end the living nightmare of indefinite jail terms by resentencing all IPP prisoners. Lord Woodley has introduced a private members bill to help prisoners trapped under an abolished imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence with no hope of release. The Labour peer branded the jail terms torture sentences and said keeping almost 3,000 prisoners locked up under an abolished jail term in the midst of a prison overcrowding crisis makes no sense at all. The bill comes after The Independent has repeatedly called for all IPP prisoners to have their sentences reviewed. It has already been backed by the architect of the flawed sentence, Lord Blunkett, the chair of the Prison Officers Association and campaigners. It comes amid growing pressure on the government to resentence IPP prisoners after at least 90 inmates have taken their own lives under the jail term, which has been branded psychological torture by the UN. In 2022, the cross-party justice select committee urged the then-Tory government to resentence all IPP prisoners, but this was rejected. David Blunkett is backing the resentencing bill for IPP prisoners ( PA ) Lord Woodley told The Independent: Theres wide support for my bill from across parliament and, deep down, everyone knows that resentencing is the only way ultimately to resolve this terrible miscarriage of justice, as parliaments own justice select committee made clear. And in the midst of an appalling prison overcrowding crisis, having almost 3,000 people locked up on IPPs with no end in sight makes absolutely no sense at all. This is a problem created by parliament, and it should be up to parliament to fix it ideally with a free vote so parliamentarians can vote with their consciences. IPP jail terms were introduced under New Labour in 2005 and saw offenders given a minimum tariff but no maximum. They were scrapped in 2012 amid human rights concerns, but not for people already detained. Of 2,734 remaining IPP prisoners, more than 700 have served more than 10 years longer than their minimum tariff. These include tragic injustices highlighted by The Independent such as those of Thomas White, who set himself alight after serving more than 12 years for stealing a mobile phone, and Abdullahi Suleman, who has spent 19 years behind bars for a laptop robbery. Yusuf Ali has twice starved himself in desperation after serving 16 years after being handed a three-year minimum tariff. IPP prisoner Thomas White with his son Kayden, aged just 10 months ( Margaret White ) I understand the concerns about public protection, but the state is able to put measures in place to manage any risk effectively, and a civilised society doesnt lock up people for life for stealing a mobile phone, Lord Woodley added. At the end of the day, the government will respond to public pressure, so the more people who are outraged by these appalling torture sentences, the more likely it is the government will act decisively and end this living nightmare. Lord Blunkett, who admits he regrets introducing the jail terms as home secretary under Tony Blair, said: Im really pleased that Lord Woodley has chosen to present a private members bill which gives yet another opportunity to raise the plight of those who, in particular, have never been released following their original sentence for imprisonment for public protection. This will allow us to both support the new government in implementing the measures agreed on the eve of calling the general election back in May, and to explore other possibilities for genuine progression. Mark Fairhurst, national chair at the Prison Officers Association, also backed the resentencing bill, warning: No civilised society should allow this wrongdoing to continue. He added: Now is the time to enact the recommendations from the justice select committee and initiate a resentencing exercise for those prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection. In effect, this cohort of prisoners have served a life sentence without a release date. We need to correct this injustice. IPP prisoner Yusuf Ali, now 50, has been driven to hunger strikes as he loses hope of ever being freed ( Jacqueline Ali ) Their calls come as thousands of other prisoners are set to be released in a scheme starting this week after serving just 40 per cent of their sentences in a bid to ease prison overcrowding. However campaigners say addressing the IPP injustice could empty up to four entire adult prisons. Richard Garside, director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, added: Even if the government sorts out the short-term prison capacity, they still face further capacity pressures in the coming few years. Resentencing all those subject to the IPP sentence will go some way to heading off the medium-term prison capacity crisis that is headed the governments way. Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood last week announced a planned reduction to the IPP licence period from 10 to three years will be introduced in a phased approach from 1 November. I want to make progress towards a safe and sustainable release for those serving the IPP sentence, but not in a way that impacts public protection, she said. Commencing these measures is the first step in doing so. I will continue to monitor progress in this area, and the government plans to consult expert organisations to ensure the right course of action is taken to support those serving IPP sentences. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A murder victims family has said they are appalled and disgusted after the Parole Board concluded killer Stephen Ling should be released. Ling, a farm labourer, was jailed for life after admitting his horrific attack on Joanne Tulip, 29, who he raped and stabbed 60 times in a sadistic murder 27 years ago. Ms Tulip was killed on Christmas Day in Stamfordham, Northumberland, in 1997. Her mother has hit out at the Parole Board after they recommended that he should be released into the community following his fifth parole hearing, which was held in public earlier this year. Doreen Soulsby said: Im absolutely appalled and disgusted the Parole Board have made the recommended decision to release my daughters murderer into the community. That man committed horrific offences against my daughter and yet is deemed to not be a high risk and is safe to be released from prison. Its outrageous. She said her family was shocked to hear that Ling was still preoccupied with sex during the public hearing, including writing his sexual fantasies in a journal. The offender was 23 years old when he committed what was his first offence and is now only 49 years old so he has missed all his young adult life socialising with women and having a physical relationship, she said. I fear the first thing he will do when he gets out of prison is to try and socialise with women again. I strongly believe this man will reoffend again. How can the Parole Board believe this man doesnt pose a danger to society when he took my daughter away from her family by committing the most brutal and sadistic crimes? Ling needs to stay locked up behind bars - he is a danger to all women and girls. Joanne Tulip was killed on Christmas Day in Stamfordham, Northumberland, in 1997 ( PA Photos/PA Wire ) She called for the government to block his release to show their commitment to halving violence against women and girls. They must do everything they can to ensure women and girls are kept safe from this sadistic man, Ms Soulsby added. I just hope and pray the Justice Secretary takes this on board before considering any Parole recommendation for Lings release into the community. Lings attack was inspired by sadism, the sentencing judge said back in 1998. He sentenced to life with a minimum term of 20 years which was reduced to 18 years by the High Court. At a parole hearing in July this year, two psychologists agreed that Ling should be freed from prison and spoke of his enduring shame about his monstrous past. Ms Tulips mother Ms Soulsby had branded the parole exercise a farce after it was ruled that the killers evidence could be given in private. Two psychologists, identified only as A and B, recommended Ling could be released from prison on a risk management plan. Psychologist A believed the risk Ling posed was not imminent and was manageable in the community, adding: I believe that now means his risk is at a level where he does not need to be kept in prison anymore. Psychologist B told the panel: I believe he meets the test for release and no longer needs to be detained for the protection of the public. The panel heard that a past risk assessment identified a number of factors that led to him attacking Ms Tulip which included preoccupation with sex, sexual interest in indecent exposure, capacity to use force to secure sexual gratification, entitlement towards sex and a negative attitude towards women. In its published decision, the Parole Board panel said: The panel was satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public. His release was subject to conditions, which include informing the authorities of any relationships he might develop; being subject to monitoring and a curfew and staying out of an exclusion zone to avoid contact with his victims family. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Metropolitan Police didnt get everything right in policing recent large-scale protests, as a new report reveals the impact caused on tourism, retail and public service finances. A new report found that two thirds of people would drop plans with small children if a protest was taking place, with the forces assistant commissioner saying that arrests for disruptive individuals could have been made sooner. Matt Twist, who is responsible for protest and public order policing across London, also said the force used an infinite number of tiers of policing in response to criticisms of the Met adopting a two-tier stance. A series of groups have held frequent protests and counter-protests since October last year, including environmental campaigns by Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion and marches organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) calling for immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. A recent demonstration outside Downing Street descended into violence as protesters threw bottles at police officers (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire ) Right-wing protests developed into rioting and disorder after three young girls were killed in an attack in the Merseyside town of Southport on 29 July. In an interview with think tank Policy Exchange in May, Matt Twist said: When we look back at the policing of protests over the last eight months, we know we didnt get everything right particularly in the early stages in October. On occasion, we did not move quickly to make arrests, for example the man chanting for jihad, which was a decision made following fast time advice from lawyers and the CPS. We are now much more focused on identifying reasonable grounds for arrest, acting where needed, and then investigating, so in these circumstances its very likely arrests would be made more quickly now. The assistant commissioner said that while the number of demonstrators had fallen significantly from a peak of around 300,000 people at pro-Palestinian events every fortnight last November to around 5,000 to 10,000 people every third weekend as of May, the protests still represented a very real policing challenge. Counter protests against racism and the far right have also taken place ( AFP via Getty Images ) Between last October and June the Palestine-related protests in London cost the Metropolitan Police 42.9million, according to the new report by the right-wing think tank Policy Exchange. Almost 52,000 Met officers shifts and almost 10,000 police officer shifts from forces elsewhere in the country were required for all protests in the same period. On the topic of two-tier policing, Mr Twist said: In public order policing we are neutral as to the cause that is being protested. We base policing tactics on the threat, harm and risk based on the information and intelligence available to us. In that sense there is no such thing as two-tier or differential policing there are in fact an infinite number of tiers of policing, depending on the threat, harm and risk. The report found current legislation requires protest organisers to only provide six days notice to the police of their intention to stage a march. Final plans for the event are often therefore only provided to the public the day before or the day of a march itself, which is simply unreasonable for the public to be required to continually adapt, the report says. The Palestine-related protests in London have cost the Metropolitan Police 42.9million, ( PA ) It also found that in nearly a third of cases, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is choosing not to prosecute suspects in public order cases based on public interest grounds, almost double the number in robbery or homicide cases. A nationwide poll of more than 1,500 adults was also conducted for the study to gauge public attitudes towards major protests. It found that more than two thirds of respondents would drop plans to travel with small children (71 per cent) or an elderly or mobility-impaired friend of relative (69%) if a major protest was taking place in a nearby city or town centre. In terms of leisure and retail, 62 per cent of those surveyed would drop plans to visit a tourist attraction while 58 per cent would drop plans to go shopping, with the latter rising to 69 per cent for women. More than half (58 per cent) of those surveyed said they did not believe an organisation should be allowed to protest more than once a month. As of 7 September, there had been 18 PSC-organised demonstrations in central London since last October. Among its 26 recommendations, the report calls on the government to change the criteria to prohibit a protest march under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 to include serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community, and to establish a protest commission for London appointed by the home secretary. It also calls on the Met to impose more stringent conditions on protest marches, relating to the length of time, locations and distance over which they are held, and on all police forces to publish the full records of discussions between them and protest organisers well in advance of an event. Former Met commissioner Lord Hogan-Howe QPM, who endorsed the report, said: In recent years the policing of protest has become increasingly challenging for police commanders and officers on the ground. We regularly see police officers demonstrating conspicuous courage and for that they deserve our gratitude and respect. As this timely and detailed Policy Exchange report shows, the government must rebalance the legal regime in favour of ordinary members of the public going about their daily lives. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign was contacted for comment. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Winter fuel payments will be stopped for millions of pensioners this winter as Labour pushes on with its plan to boost public finances by means-testing the cold weather benefit. The Labour government has been urged to review its decision affecting 10 million pensioners after the regulator Ofgem announced household energy bills will rise by 150 in October. Sir Keir Starmer has been warned the double hit will lead to disaster for pensioners on low and modest incomes or living in vulnerable circumstances due to ill health. Labour now faces a challenge from trade unions over the measure at its annual conference in Brighton. Led by Unite and the Communication Workers Union (CWU), representatives are reportedly looking to force a debate and vote on the cut. While it would be embarrassing for the government if they were defeated, the vote would be non-binding and so unlikely to force the Sir Keirs hand. It comes just weeks after the prime minister faced a fresh rebellion in Commons as MPs were granted a vote on the measure. Members voted 348 to 228 to press ahead with cutting the payment, as 53 Labour MPs abstainined and one voted against. Rachel Reeves revealed the change amongst several cost-cutting measures in July, designed to plug the 22bn black hole in public finances which Labour argues was concealed by the previous government. Rachel Reeves announces her cost-cutting measures in Commons ( Reuters ) Pensioners have spoken to The Independent about how they face a bleak winter ahead due to the price cap rise and the introduction of means-tested winter fuel payments. Analysis shows energy bills this winter will be the highest on record for older people who previously received the winter fuel payment, worth up to 300. The winter fuel payment was introduced by Tony Blairs government in 1997, and expanded to all pensioners from 2000. The new change will now mean that only those in receipt of pension credit or other certain benefits will continue to receive them. The payment amount remains unchanged, at 200 for those aged between 66 and 79, and 300 for those over 80. Since announcing the measure, charities and campaigners have urged the government to reconisder. Research from Age UK shows that around 2 million vulnerable pensioners are likely to miss out, while money expert Martin Lewis has also said Labour should rethink the measure. Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said: An estimated two million older people, in all, will face an even steeper mountain to climb in paying their energy bills and staying warm and well when the weather chills. With pensioners also losing the cost-of-living payments theyve received over the last two years we simply cannot see how some of them will cope. She adds that lifting of Ofgems price cap for energy bills makes it even more obvious that making the winter fuel payment means-tested could be hazardous for some older people. If youve been affected by the change to winter fuel payments heres what you can do: Check if youre eligible for pension credit The first thing anyone affected by the changes to the winter fuel payment should do is check if theyre eligible for pension credit. If you are able to claim this benefit, it will now unlock the winter fuel payment for you. Research from Age UK shows that around 800,000 pensioners are missing out on the means-tested benefit. The charity recommends calling their helpline or using their handy benefits calculator to check their eligibility. To qualify for pension credit, you must be above state pension age currently 66 and on a low income. It will top up your weekly income to either: 218.15 if youre single 332.95 if you have a partner (shared jointly) This works out at 11,343.8 a year if single, or a shared income of 17,313.4 for two. Its crucial those who are eligible for the credit apply for it, as experts describe it as a passport benefit. Alongside the winter fuel payment, claiming pension credit can unlock housing benefit, support with mortgages, a free TV licence and help with NHS dental appointments. This can add up to thousands of pounds in additional support. However, the eligibility is not tapered: if you receive even 50 over the pension credit income, you will not qualify for this additional support. Age UK says there are around one million pensioners in this situation. A spokesperson said: Older people in this group often tell us they really struggle financially; the proposed change will make it even harder for them to afford to stay warm when it gets chilly. Means-testing WFP this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy decision, and one that will potentially jeopardise their health as well as their finances the last thing they or the NHS needs. Other support available if youre not eligible for pension credit: Attendance allowance Attendance allowance is a non-means tested benefit is designed to support pensioners who need daily living help. It offers a minimum of 3,700 a year, rising to 5644.6 depending on the level of support needed. To be eligible for the benefit, the claimant must have needed help or supervision for six consecutive months, even if none has been received. This means you need assistance with daily living, or someone to watch you to avoid danger to yourself. Money guru Martin Lewis recently launched a campaign to raise awareness of the benefit, which he says is going unclaimed by around a million eligible pensioners. Household support fund The household support fund is money given to all local councils to support vulnerable households in their area. Councils are free to allocate the funds however they feel is best. Some have provided cash grants, supermarket vouchers, or energy bill assistance. You will need to visit your local councils website to find out what help may still be available. To find out what support is available, the End Furniture Poverty charity offers a helpful assistance finder tool. Energy provider help Some energy suppliers are offering help for those struggling with their energy bills. These include Scottish Power, EDF, E.ON and Octopus. You will need to contact your energy provider to find out if you are eligible. British Gas also offer a grant of up to 2,000 to customers of any energy provider. You will need to meet specific criteria to be eligible, and can apply on the British Gas Energy Trust website. Charitable grants If you are struggling financially, you may be eligible for certain charitable grants. There are a wide range of grants available depending on your circumstances. However, these grants will typically require you to meet specific criteria and only be able to offer limited funds. Several charitable grants are available for older people, with some having additional criteria such as being disabled or ill and many more. The charity Turn2us has an online tool to search for grants which may be available to you. For the latest benefits and pensions payment dates and cost of living support, visit The Independents regularly updated guide Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Younger workers are visiting the office more than their older counterparts as hybrid working becomes mainstream, new research has shown. Of all office workers in London, you are most likely to find 18- 24-year-olds on-site, figures from Centre for Cities show. The youngest bracket of employees visit the office 3.1 days a week on average, while 35- 44-year-olds are in the least, at 2.5 days on average. Young people are also the most likely to say that they work well in the office, at 43 percent. The authors add that this pattern has only emerged post-Covid, with older workers being slower to return to the office than those in younger age brackets. In January 2020, before the pandemic, it was younger workers that were less likely to be in the office, but this has now inverted. The report also finds that the average decrease in office attendance amongst 45- 54-year-olds is almost two days. This age group would visit the office 4.3 days a week in January 2020, dipping to 1.8 in April 2023 before increasing to 2.7 in 2024. The UK is at risk of having to fight for highly skilled workers, according to new research (Kirsty OConnor/PA) ( PA Archive ) This runs against narrative that reluctance to return to the office is driven by younger workers, say the report authors. Fridays have also become the most quiet day in the office, findings show, with the least amount of workers choosing to commute in on the final weekday. As of June 2024, only 40 percent of workers visited the office on Fridays the only day to attract less than half of employees. The report authors are broadly critical of the figures, arguing that younger workers development is likely to suffer if they are unable to interact with more senior colleagues. Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, said: Theres no substitute for the benefits gained thanks to face-to-face interaction, particularly for younger workers. Having access to the wide variety of activities and experiences that offices in city centres offer is crucial for them, and the businesses they work for, to be successful. Deputy PM Angela Rayner is spearheading Labours reforms to workers rights ( Getty Images ) The think tank recommends that local and central government work together to encourage a minimum number of days expected in the office for all workers. They also suggest a legal mandate for public sector employees, who average 2.4 days a week in the office. Last month, this measure was taken by officials in Australia to enforce all civil servants based in New South Wales including Sydney to work from the office full-time unless a reasonable excuse was given. However, the new Labour governments approach to workers rights would suggest they have different plans. Spearheaded by deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, the governments New Deal for Working People reportedly will give employees the right to request a four-day week of compressed hours, alongside a raft of other rights. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Louise Haigh, the transport secretary, is set to double down on her efforts to renationalise Britains transport sector by bringing forward a bill to take bus services back into public ownership. While some have criticised the Keir Starmer government of being too centrist, Ms Haigh has become the flag bearer for the new governments socialist agenda in undoing Tory reforms of the 1980s and 1990s. Hot from winning a vote last night to allow for councils to start to run bus services, sources close to the 37-year-old transport secretary have made it clear she will introduce the Better Buses Bill to reverse Margaret Thatchers deregulation before the end of this year. The demolition of Thatchers legacy comes just weeks after it emerged the prime minister had taken her portrait down in Downing Street. Louise Haigh is renationalising Britains transport ( Getty Images ) The move on buses follows Ms Haigh getting the first bill of the Labour government through the Commons last week paving the way for the renationalisation of railways in the UK. A Labour source close to Ms Haigh said: The Transport Secretary promised to move fast and fix things, and thats exactly what shes doing by putting bus reform in the fast lane. Today is a landmark day. Were giving every community the power to take back control of their bus services. This will save and create vital routes up and down the country. We wont stand by and watch while timetables are hollowed out, routes are slashed and passenger numbers plummet. Change starts here. After 40 years of failed deregulation, this Labour government is delivering on our promise to put passengers first. The move comes despite Tory claims that taking bus services into public ownership will cost the government billions it does not have to spend at a time when chancellor Rachel Reeves has complained she has to make cuts because of a 22 billion black hole in the nations finances. Shadow transport minister Kieran Mullan said: "We know there are a number of local authorities facing financial and organisational challenges, and whilst I don't doubt there will be enthusiasm to make use of these new powers, running any form of public transport brings with it real challenges." He added: "Depending on the number of local authorities that chose to take up franchising, that could mean significant central Government resources are required. "Unless I've missed it, today's announcement looks to include absolutely no funding to pay for increased capacity at the department." The government has also launched a consultation on new, simplified guidance speeding up processes and reducing costs for local leaders looking to bring services into public control. Transport minister Simon Lightwood told MPs: "(It will) deliver further measures on issues such as funding, despite the challenging financial circumstances we find ourselves in, inherited from the previous government." There are concerns that rural bus services, which are sometimes run at a loss and require funding from local councils to get private operators to run them, could make running routes more costlier than thought for some authorities. Without funding, some are cut. MPs were told by Mr Lightwood there are now 300 million fewer miles of bus journeys driven a year since 2010. Overall 1.5 billion fewer journeys took place in 2019 compared to 1985, the final year before deregulation ended. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A senior Jewish peer and supporter of Israel in the Lords has backed Sir Keir Starmers partial suspension of the UKs arms deal with Israel and hit out at those who condemned the move. In a major intervention, Lord Carlile has written a devastating critique of the chief rabbi, Boris Johnson and others who attacked the prime ministers decision after it was announced last week. In an article for The Independent, the crossbench peer who was the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation between 2001 and 2011 describes how the Labour leaders decision showed courage and conviction... however difficult it is. Supporting Sir Keirs decision to suspend 30 of the 350 arms exports licences to Israel, he bitterly lashes out at Benjamin Netanyahu for undermining attempts at reaching a peaceful solution. Lord Carlile, who sits on the all-party committee for Israel, is also scathing about the previous governments handling of the same legal advice used to justify the decision. Lord Carlile has supported Starmers action ( The Independent ) He has claimed that former foreign secretary Lord Cameron received the same legal advice as that acted upon by foreign secretary David Lammy last week but chose not to act on it. He said: The legal advice relied upon by Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy has long been known to senior UK ministers. Lord Cameron as foreign secretary is said by officials to have known about the advice since February. The former Lib Dem peer went on: Sitting on clear legal advice for more than a very short time cannot be justified. Starmer has shown courage and a conviction that the right thing must be done however difficult it is. Instead, Lord Carlile turned his guns on Mr Netanyahu and the Tories for their criticism of Sir Keir last week. David Cameron was accused of failing to act on legal advice ( PA Wire ) The leading barrister described the prime minister as one of the most able analytical lawyers of his generation and said that former prime ministers such as Mr Johnson should have known better before making wildly disproportionate criticism of the decision. He also joined other senior figures in being dismayed by chief rabbi Ephraim Mirviss attack on the suspension of a limited number of arms exports. He noted: Surprisingly, the critics have demonstrated astonishing ignorance of the position taken on the same Israel armaments issue by valued international allies or, possibly, found it inconvenient to reference international decisions. Italy decided in January 2024 to enter into no new contracts to send armaments to Israel. The Dutch courts have declared illegal all direct exports of military materiel to Israel. The Belgian authorities have restricted such exports, and have called for an EU-wide ban. Spains refusal started on 7 October 2023, on legal grounds. In March, Canada halted future arms sales to Israel. Exactly the same conclusions on the law have been reached in those countries. Lord Carlile added: It is crucial that the rule of law which prevents the abuse of state power and applies to all is not shouted down in an unruly way by people who are acting on prejudice, dressed up as principle. It is insidious that democracy, brought about by parliamentarians doing exactly what legal advice dictates, should be hijacked by populist sloganeering especially when that comes from former prime ministers like Boris Johnson, who should know better. But his harshest criticism as a prominent British Jew is for the Israeli prime minister who he accuses of trying to undermine efforts to end the conflict. This issue has highlighted a broader problem for those of us in public life who do not respect Netanyahu. He bears a long and, in parts, unattractive political history. His stubborn resistance in recent months to sound advice given by IDF commanders, by the families of hostages who remain unaccounted for, and by senior international figures including the president and vice-president of the USA, to many of us signifies a person no longer fit for high office. Netanyahu and Hamas leaders alike have repeatedly undermined attempts at mediation determinedly and diligently pursued by Qatar, whose emir and prime minister merit international praise. A source close to Lord Cameron denied that he had not followed legal advice as foreign secretary. The source said: We set out the process that was taken in great detail to the FAC (foreign affairs committee) earlier in the year. I believe they published the letter. Several determinations were made by Lord Cameron and on each occasion maintaining existing licences was consistent with legal advice. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer divided opinion by suspending around 30 of the UKs 350 arms export licences to Israel. The decision was announced by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who stressed the UKs ongoing support for Israel. However, he also emphasised a clear risk that weapons could be used to breach international humanitarian law relating to the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the supply of aid to Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move as a shameful decision. Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick also called the suspension shameful, branding it gesture politics to appease the hard left. On Monday, Lord Carlile, a senior Jewish peer and supporter of Israel, expressed his support for Starmer, praising the Labour leaders courage and conviction while criticisng Netanyahu for undermining peace efforts. Given the widespread division on this issue, we want to hear your thoughts. Do you think Starmer was right to block some arms sales to Israel, and do you believe his actions are sufficient? Or do you feel his intervention has already gone too far? Share your thoughts by adding them in the comments well highlight the most insightful ones as they come in. All you have to do is sign up and register your details then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen. Share your thoughts by adding them in the comments well highlight the most insightful ones as they come in. All you have to do is sign up and register your details then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Thousands of pensioners could die if the government proceeds with its plan to cut winter fuel payments for those not on benefits, Labours own research suggested. Analysis published in 2017, when Sir Keir Starmer was in the Shadow Cabinet, warned that Conservative plans to cut the fuel allowance for ten million pensioners would increase excess deaths by 3,850 that winter. The proposal, put forward by Theresa Mays government, was dubbed the single biggest attack on pensioners in a generation in our country. For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (BBC/PA) ( PA Media ) The report has resurfaced just weeks after Rachel Reeves announced that older people not in receipt of pension credits or other means-tested benefits will no longer receive winter fuel payments from this year onwards. Former pensions minister Baroness Altmann urged the government to U-turn on the planned cuts, claiming it may not be aware of the extent of poverty among pensioners. She told Times Radio that the one to two million people slightly above the means test threshold are poorer than those on pension credit and there is no mitigation for them, adding: The chancellor and the prime minister may not be aware of just how there are so many poor pensioners in this country and are focusing perhaps just on those who are very well off. The decision came as part of a series of spending cuts to address a black hole in the public finances left by the previous Conservative government announced in July by the chancellor. The winter fuel payment is a payment of either 200 or 300 to help pensioners with their heating bills. Around 10 million pensioners and seven million pensioner households are expected to be affected by the changes. The report, published during the 2017 election campaign, warned: Since the introduction of the winter fuel payment by Labour in 1997, allowing for significant variation in winter weather, deaths among the elderly have fallen from around 34,000 to 24,000. Half of the almost 10,000 decrease in so-called excess winter deaths the rise in mortality that occurs each winter between 2000 and 2012 was due to the introduction of the winter fuel allowance. Rachel Reeves announced that older people not in receipt of pension credits or other means tested benefits will no longer receive winter fuel payments from this year onwards ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) Responding to the report, Labour MP Rachael Maskell told the Daily Mail: My concern is that an NHS under extreme pressure will experience even more pressure if people who are fuel-poor are ending up there because they cant heat their homes. Labour has got to find a solution to assure people they can get through this winter. Meanwhile, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham called on Sir Keir to do a U-turn on the plans. Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, she said the cuts are completely wrong, accusing the government of picking the pocket of pensioners. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said she was not surprised at the reaction to the governments decision to means test winter fuel payments. This comes amid speculation that as many as 50 Labour MPs could rebel over the legislation. Dame Diana said: Im not surprised by the amount of concern that there is about this, and obviously we do not want to see anyone struggling with energy bills, particularly pensioners. The winter fuel allowance, we know is not a targeted benefit at the moment but its going to be targeted and thats why its so important that the poorest pensioners are getting everything theyre entitled to to support them. A Government spokesperson said: We do not recognise these figures. We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners through the triple lock which means that over 12 million pensioners will see their State Pensions increase by almost a thousand pounds over the next five years. Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, its right that we target support to those who need it most. Over a million pensioners will continue to receive the Winter Fuel Payment, while many others will also benefit from the 150 Warm Home Discount from October to help with their energy bills over winter. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President Joe Biden and Sir Keir Starmer came together for talks in the White House on Friday night under growing pressure from both Ukraine and Russia over the potential use of long-range missiles in the war. The leaders met under the shadow of nuclear threats from Vladimir Putin and desperate demands from Volodymyr Zelensky, who wants to be allowed to use Storm Shadow weapons at targets in Russia. No final decision was made during the talks on the use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine, according to Politico. After the meeting Sir Keir said the issue will be taken up again at the UN General Assembly at the end of this month. Well obviously pick up again in UNGA in just a few days time with a wider group of individuals, he said. But their talks were overshadowed by: Putin expelling six UK diplomats from Moscow, accusing them of spying. The Russian president also threatening that permission to use the missiles would mean Russia would be at war with Nato, while reminding Starmer and Biden that Russia is a nuclear power. Zelensky warning that delay is costing lives of Ukrainian citizens. Russia remained silent on international condemnation for targeting a Ukrainian cargo ship carrying wheat in the Black Sea. Experts warned against Starmer and Biden backing down to Russian aggression Speaking to journalists in the Blue Room in the White House during a break in their meeting a bad tempered Biden scolded Sky News for asking a question but in response to concerns about Putins nuclear threat, he said: I dont think much about Vladimir Putin. ( EPA ) The meeting had originally been set for two hours and reduced to 90 minutes before Starmers arrival and then curtailed further as the two leaders avoided making a final decision on the crucial issue of the Storm Shadow missiles. However, even as Mr Biden and Sir Keir prepared to meet, President Zelensky increased the pressure with a direct plea via X to the two leaders. Mr Zelensky also praised the past actions of Boris Johnson, who he met on Friday at a summit in Kyiv. Mr Zelensky said: We are now in the third year of a full-scale war. After so much death, destruction, and countless Russian war crimes, Putin can still afford to destroy life in Ukraine as he pleases, buy and produce missiles, bombs and artillery, and issue ultimatums to the world. He expects the world to fall for his madness. Starmer and Lammy hold meetings in Washington DC ( Getty Images ) We need air defence systems like Patriots, which are sufficient in the world and which we have long expected from our partners. Yet, when we ask for these systems, we repeatedly hear, We are working on it. Time passes, but Russian missiles and Iranian drones continue to terrorize our skies and our people. Adding to the pressure on Sir Keir and Mr Biden, Mr Johnson said: It is vital that Ukraine should be able to defend itself properly by stopping the appalling Russian attacks with glide bombs and now Iranian missiles. It is obvious that they should be able to use Storm Shadow, Scalp and ATACMS as fast as possible against targets in Russia itself. Mr Zelensky also held talks on Friday with foreign secretary David Lammy and US secretary of state Antony Blinken in Kyiv. But even as the prime minister and his team crossed the Atlantic, Mr Putin threatened war with Nato if it agreed to the use of storm shadow missiles on targets in Russia. Putin expelled six British diplomats on Friday ( Reuters ) This was followed by the dramatic expulsion of six British diplomats from Moscow. The Storm Shadow missiles have a range of at least 250km (155 miles) and Britain and France have given stocks to Ukraine but not yet given permission for them to be used on targets in Russia. Permission also needs US logistical support but Mr Zelensky sees it as essential for stopping the long range attacks by Mr Putins forces. Before landing in Washington, Sir Keir had struck a defiant note over Mr Putins threats of war. He told journalists: It was Russia who started this in the first place. They caused the conflict, theyre the ones who are acting unlawfully. And Ukraine obviously has the right to self-defence. What I want to do is make sure that those discussions, tactical discussions, are set in the proper strategic context of the situation in Ukraine. And there are, equally, tactical issues in relation to the Middle East, which need to be set in a context which is strategic, not just tactical. Zelensky is desperate for more advanced weaponry ( PA ) On the diplomatic expulsions, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: The accusations made today by the FSB against our staff are completely baseless. The Russian authorities revoked the diplomatic accreditation of six UK diplomats in Russia last month, following action taken by the UK government in response to Russian state directed activity across Europe and the UK. We are unapologetic about protecting our national interests. Meanwhile, former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West warned against the UK and US backing down to Russian aggression after all this hype. Because the message it would give to Putin is: ah they do have to obey my red lines and thats a bad message, he said. Were talking here about risks that are immense, just immense risks, and people have got to think very carefully, sensibly and in a calm way about these and need to think about all reactions if certain things happen. And Im not sure always thats the case. Being gung-ho about major wars between say Russia and Nato that is not clever. John Foreman, who served as UK defence attache in Moscow from 2019 to 2022: added: We dont have great insight to Putins decision making ... nor reliably predict how he will actually react. This plus Russias skewed threat perceptions and the lack of diplomatic channels has raised US concerns about risk of unintended escalation. These cant be dismissed out of hand or wished away. Putin critic Sir Bill Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice campaign, dismissed Mr Putins threats: Good luck to him if he wants to go to war with Nato. He would lose that war in a matter of days. In my opinion all of his red line talk is complete nonsense. He doesnt have the capacity to win against an ill-equipped, poor neighbour he certainly doesnt have capacity to win a war with Nato. So this is all bluster, as far as I can see. Oleksandr Vasiuk, MP for the partly Russian-occupied Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia, warned that Moscow is now actively moving its military assets frequently used to strike Ukraine deeper into Russian territory to evade Kyivs forces. Any delay or prohibition on the use of long-range Western missiles only complicates the situation for Ukrainian forces, said Mr Vasiuk. An adviser to the Ukrainian presidential administration, who asked not to be named, told The Independent that Kyiv had long been using Ukrainian-manufactured weapons to strike military bases and oil refineries deep inside Russia, while using Western weapons to hit Ukrainian regions Mr Putin now claims are part of Russia. So, according to their logic, we and the West have already crossed that red line despite all their previous threats to retaliate against the West. They didnt then and they will not now, said the aide, adding that he doubted even a demented Putin would seriously countenance a war with Nato. China launches anti-dumping probe into Canadian rapeseed imports Xinhua) 16:19, September 09, 2024 BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday initiated an anti-dumping probe into imported rapeseed from Canada, China's Ministry of Commerce said. The move was made in accordance with the Chinese laws and in compliance with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the ministry said. There are evidences which show Canada has engaged in dumping of rapeseed exports to China, causing substantial damage to China's domestic industry, it said. The anti-dumping probe is a legitimate trade measure that complies with WTO rules to protect domestic industries, and there is a fundamental difference between the probe and Canada's discriminatory measures that violate WTO rules, the ministry said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Princess of Wales has appeared in a deeply personal video with her family to confirm she will return to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy course. Kates heartfelt message about her cancer journey is spoken over images showing the Waleses and their children enjoying the outdoors, walking through woods and the couple shown cuddling as they hold hands. She describes the past nine months since her serious health issues began as incredibly tough for us as a family and how the cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, with the experience giving her a new perspective on everything. The King and Queen are understood to feel the princess announcement is wonderful news and continue to offer their love and support. Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes Princess of Wales In the video, Kate says: Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can. Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. Kate, who is continuing to work from home, is hoping to return to a light programme of public duties for the remainder of the year, reflecting her need to make a full recovery, and aims for a handful of engagements in the coming months. She is also working towards appearing with the royal family at the annual Remembrance Sunday service staged at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. The princess Christmas Carol concert at Westminster Abbey has become a firm fixture in the royal calendar in recent years and she has begun working with her team on the project and is likely to host the event. Kate has received messages of support from the public and said she and her husband had drawn strength from all those helping them and Everyones kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. The video, shot in August in Norfolk where the Waleses have a family home, sounded a positive note reflected in the images of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis playing in fields or enjoying a game of cards with their parents under a tree. It ended with the princess words of reassurance for others who are still being treated for cancer: To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright. The princess had been receiving chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February with the King beginning his care earlier that month following his cancer diagnosis after treatment for an enlarged prostate. The princess was initially admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16 and at the time, her condition was thought to be non-cancerous but tests after the successful operation found cancer. She appeared emotional in a video in March where she announced the state of her health and spoke of the huge shock of the medical development. The latest footage shows Kate very much at home in the outdoors and it is understood she found sanctuary in the natural world during her treatment. Images of the princess surrounded by her family, including her parents Carole and Michael Middleton, show the importance of creativity connection and closeness to the future Queen. The small number of events Kate hopes to attend this year will feature some of the causes, issues and charities that are closest to her heart, and behind the scenes she will be carrying out meetings. There is speculation following her experience with cancer she may take on a closer role with one of the medical organisations or charities working in the cancer field. For the future, decisions about her public duties in 2025 will be taken in line with medical advice. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Boeing has offered its machinist union a 25 percent pay raise over four years in a bid to avoid a strike that could shut down production lines later this week. The tentative deal between Boeing and union leaders representing more than 33,000 workers would amount to the biggest ever pay raise for union members if it is approved on Thursday. Union members have been offered raises of 25 percent over four years, improved contributions to 401(k) plans, more paid leave, and better healthcare. The company is hoping to avoid a strike that could potentially see tens of thousands of workers walk out if it goes ahead as soon as Friday. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents workers who build the commercial jets, urged its members to accept the deal. We can honestly say that this proposal is the best contract weve negotiated in our history, the IAM said in a statement. We are prepared to fight if needed, but we believe this proposal will benefit all our members and our future. The tentative deal would see the biggest ever pay rise for union members if it is approved ( REUTERS ) If members vote to accept the deal, it will be the first full labor agreement between Boeing and the unions in 16 years. If the deal is rejected, a second ballot for strike action to go ahead would need be approved by two-thirds of union members. Boeings new chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, is under pressure to repair the companys reputation and financial losses following a string of high-profile setbacks and disasters. In mid-January, flight safety came under scrutiny when an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9s door plug blew off, causing the grounding of all 171 MAX 9 jets by the FAA while they investigated. Boeing executives admitted they couldnt say with absolute certainty that another such incident would not occur tomorrow as they were forced to give testimony to the US National Transportation Safety Board last month. In July, a wheel fell off a United Airlines Boeing 757-200 moments after it took off from Los Angeles. And Boeing struck a plea deal with the Justice Department earlier this year to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. The conspiracy charge related to the company allegedly misleading federal regulators into approving the 737 Max jetliner the aircraft model that was later involved in two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which together claimed the lives of 346 people. The scandals have taken a toll on Boeings profits, with the company recording a staggering $1.4 billion loss in the second quarter of 2024. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A suspect arrested for murders of four University of Idaho students allegedly asked police if anyone else had been taken into custody. Bryan Christopher Kohberger, 28, was arrested at 3am on Friday morning near the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania by an FBI SWAT team and police, a criminal complaint obtained by The Independent showed. After being booked into Monroe County Jail, the Washington State University criminology student allegedly asked police whether anyone else had been arrested, NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin reported. Mr Entin said officers noticed the suspects quiet, blank stare. The 28-year-old was charged with four counts of murder in connection to the Idaho killings. Mr Kohberger is yet to be arraigned or have the chance to enter a plea to the charges. However, social media sleuths who have pored over every detail of the 13 November murders of four University of Idaho students speculated about what the alleged admission could mean. I am told when Idaho quadruple homicide suspect Bryan Christopher Kohberger was in custody he asked if anyone else was arrested. Im told he had a quiet, blank stare. Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) December 30, 2022 Interesting that the multiple killer theory could ring true, multiple past killers said how exhausting stabbing was for them, said one Twitter user. This guy was a PhD criminal justice candidate. He had to have been playing different scenarios for the possibility of being arrested, another wrote. I wonder if there is an accomplice or if this is planned deflection. He might just be playing mind chess with law enforcement. Mr Kohberger is being held for extradition on a first degree murder complaint issued by the Moscow Police Department and Latah County Prosecutors Office. The arrest is first significant breakthrough in the murders of Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, and 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, in an off-campus student home in Moscow, Idaho, on 13 November. Police appear to have ruled out a second suspect in the slayings. We have an individual in custody who committed these horrible crimes and I do believe our community is safe, but we still need to be vigilant, Moscow police chief James Fry said during a press conference on Friday. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The high-profile trial of Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger will be moved to the capital city of Boise in a major win for the defense after the team successfully argued that a fair trial could not take place in Latah County, where the killings took place. Idahos Supreme Court made the ruling on Thursday. District Judge Steven Hippler will be taking over the trial in Ada County, which is about a six-hour drive away from Moscow. Kohberger is accused of murdering Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin at their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022. On Monday, District Court Judge John C. Judge granted the motion to move the trial, but the location was left up to Idahos highest court. Judge cited the safety and security of those involved in the case, including victims families, jurors, and the Latah County community, stating that, The Latah County courthouse itself poses significant issues for a trial of this length and magnitude. Bryan Kohbergers motion to move his high-profile trial out of Moscow was granted on Monday ( AP ) In a hearing last week, Kohbergers attorneys argued that there was a mob mentality surrounding the case in Latah County after they surveyed potential jurors who said there would likely be a riot and theyd burn the courthouse down if he is not found guilty. Prosecutors accused Kohbergers team of using flawed survey data in its requests to move the trial, and argued the victims families will be affected if the case is moved. The order cites extensive negative publicity surrounding Kohberger as reason for moving the trial. Kohbergers name and picture have been associated with terms like murderer, evil, killer, and stalker, when individuals hear that name there is a negative association, according to the order. This impact is greater in Latah County because of the saturation of the extensive media coverage. Kohbergers high-profile case is not the first to be moved to Boise in recent years. The severed trials of Lori Vallow and her husband Chad Daybell were both moved to Boise and took place at the Ada County Courthouse, despite arguments from prosecutors who claimed holding the trial in Fremont County would save costs. Both Vallow and Daybell were found guilty of murdering Vallows two children Joshua JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan and Daybells first wife, Tammy Daybell. Vallow was sentenced to life in prison and Daybell was sentenced to death. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed on November 2022 ( Instagram ) Police said they linked Kohberger to the murders that rocked the college town through DNA found on a knife sheath, cell phone data, an eyewitness account, and his white Hyundai Elantra. Kohberger, who was a criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University at the time of the murders, was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. Kohberger is set to stand trial in June 2025. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Relatives of the suspected Georgia school shooter Colt Gray have questioned why their warnings appeared to go unheeded ahead of the deadly attack which left four dead. Gray, 14, is accused of killing two fellow students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and high-school teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. The 14-year-old has been charged as an adult with four counts of felony murder. His father, Colin Gray, has also been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Law enforcement said that Colin Gray gave the AR15-style firearm to his son as a Christmas gift last year, months after the FBI interviewed the father and son over threats he allegedly made online about school shootings. The suspected shooters mother, Marcee Gray, raised the alarm about her sons mental health on the day of the attack, and his grandmother did the same almost a week before. Colt Gray, 14, is accused of killing two fellow students and two teachers at his high school in Georgia ( Barrow County Sheriffs Office/Reuters ) Marcee Gray said that she made a ten-minute phone call to Apalachee High School on the morning of the attack. Her call was made approximately half an hour before the first gunshots, according to The Washington Post. Gray warned a counselor about an extreme emergency involving her 14-year-old son, according to text messages and an interview with a relative, obtained by The Post. The suspected shooters aunt, Annie Brown, said that her nephew had been talking about school shootings on the morning of the attack, according to The Post. The Independent has contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Apalachee High School for comment. Brown also told The Post that her nephew had pleaded for months for mental health support, and that the adults around him failed him. Colin Gray, 54, faced a judge on Friday on charges of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder, and cruelty to children, said the GBI ( Barrow County Sheriffs Office/Reuters ) The suspected gunmans maternal grandmother, Deborah Polhamus, visited Apalachee High in Winder, Georgia, a day before the massacre to discuss her grandsons behavioral issues, according to CBS News. Polhamus raised the alarm last week, according to The Post, over her 14-year-old grandsons homicidal and suicidal thoughts. He was scheduled to visit a therapist but it is unknown whether he did, the report said. According to CBS, Charlie Polhamus, the gunmans grandfather said: My wife had gone up there the day before and met with the teachers to get him some, they were having some problems with him not going to school, and this kind of thing. So, my wife went up there. This was the day before all this stuff happened. Marcee Gray pleaded guilty to a charge of family violence in December according to court records requested by The Post ( Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office ) Charlie Polhamus also called for Colin Gray to receive the death penalty in an interview with the New York Post. Polhamus, 81, told The NY Post: "Colt has to pay for what he did, but Im telling you, he was driven, no question in my mind... he was driven by his father to do what he did. Thats as plain as I can put it, and I know Im right. "[Colin Gray] got what he deserved, too... he needs the death penalty." Vigils have been held outside the Apalachee High School to commemorate the four victims ( 2024 Atlanta Journal Constitution ) The suspected shooters family and home life in the months leading up to the shooting were revealed to be turbulent. His parents went through an acrimonious divorce, and the family had been evicted from their home, according to records obtained by The Post. Grays mother also pleaded guilty to a charge of family violence in December, according to court records requested by The Post, and was living apart from her ex-husband and son. Vigils have been held outside the Apalachee High School to commemorate the four victims. Note: If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Multiple Kentuck schools are staying closed as the search for a "person of interest" in a mass shooting over the weekend stretches into its third day. Initially a "person of interest," authorities have now named Joseph A Couch, 32, as a suspect in the shooting, which started around 5.30pm local time on Saturday near the interstate highway in Laurel County, according to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. Upon arriving at the scene, deputies found five people who had suffered wounds during the shooting near Exit 49, which also damaged 9 vehicles, Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, told reporters Sunday. He added that all five people who were shot are in stable condition, although a few were "very severely injured," some to the extent that deputies transported them to an area hospital for treatment themselves. The Independent has contacted Laurel County Sheriffs Office for further details. Joseph A Couch (pictured undated), has been named as a person of interest in a shooting along a highway in Laurel County, southern Kentucky ( Laurel County Sheriff's Office/A ) The perpetrator of the attack is believed to have shot into the northbound and southbound lanes of the interstate. Couch was described by police as white, 5'10 and weighing approximately 154 pounds, and is considered to be armed and dangerous, with members of the public cautioned not to approach him. "We're going to go in and we're going to find this guy," Acciardo said. Several Kentucky schools will be closed on Monday, as the search for a mass shooter enters into its third day ( TW Farlow/Getty Images ) The sheriff's office has also revealed a "silver colored SUV," which appears to be a Toyota, was recovered from a road off exit 49 on Saturday night, which officials discovering a rifle case inside. On Sunday afternoon, an AR rifle was discovered near I-75 and "in the vicinity' of where the car was found. A list of schools closed, according to their Facebook pages and WKYT is below with some also moving to virtual learning until further notice, Barbourville Independent Clay County Corbin Independent East Bernstadt Independent EKU-Corbin EKU-Manchester Jackson County Knox County Laurel County Lincoln County Red Bird Christian School Rockcastle County Whitley County Williamsburg Independent The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A murder suspect in the death of a young nursing student was identified after a tipster recognized him from his alleged profile on a Sugar Daddy website, police said. Bobby Singh Shah, 51, was arrested and charged with capital murder in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Muna Pandey, the Houston Police Department announced in a statement. The Nepalese nursing student at Houston Community College was found dead in her Houston apartment on August 26 after an unknown male called her building manager to notify them about a dead body in her unit before hanging up, according to a criminal complaint obtained by People. Muna Pandey, a Nepalese nursing student at Houston Community College, was found fatally shot at her apartment on August 26 ( GoFundMe ) Pandey was last seen on the night of August 24, the same evening neighbors heard a loud thump coming from her apartment. Investigators said Pandey was shot three times in the torso and once in the back of the head, execution style. Footage from the young womans security camera which a friend told cops she had recently purchased because she had previously been stalked ultimately helped lead investigators to her alleged killer. The August 24 footage showed Pandey at her door with shopping bags when a man approaches her and forces her inside at gunpoint. The same man is later seen leaving the apartment with one of the bags. A woman called police on August 28 and told them she instantly recognized the man in the footage as Shah from a Sugar Daddy website, according to the complaint. Shah was also recognized by Pandeys former employer, who said he was a regular patron at his restaurant, where Pandey previously worked. A woman called police on August 28 and told them instantly recognized the man in the security footage as Shah from a Sugar Daddy website ( Houston Police Department ) Shah was arrested on September 4 during a traffic stop. He was still wearing the same blood-stained clothing seen on camera when he left the victims apartment, police said. A gun was found in his car, according to prosecutors. The suspect is currently being held without bond, according to Harris County District Court records. A GoFundMe has been created to help the victims mother, Anita, travel from Nepal to Houston, and to pay for her only daughters funeral expenses. Pandey had moved to Houston in 2021, leaving behind her only familyher beloved mother, Anita, in Nepal. Muna was Anitas only child, and the two shared an unbreakable bond, according to the fundraiser. The funds will be used to ease the financial burden during this tragic time and allow Anita to be present for her daughters final journey. No mother should have to face such heartbreak, especially from so far away, the GoFundMe reads. By donating, you will be helping to ease the financial burden during this tragic time and allow Anita to be present for her daughters final journey. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An Oregon nurse who went missing just days after she tied the knot in Hawaii was found dead in her apartment on Friday and now, her neighbor has been charged with her murder. Melissa Jubane, 32, was reported missing after not showing up for her shift at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland on September 4, raising concerns among her coworkers, friends, and family, the Beaverton Police Department said in a Facebook post. A wellness check was conducted at her home in Beaverton, but officers couldnt find her, calling her absence and lack of communication unusual and alarming. Three days later, Jubanes body was found and her neighbor, Bryce Johnathan Schubert, 27, was arrested and charged with her murder, police said. Police have not released details about where her remains were found or the relationship, if any, between Schubert and Jubane. This is an active investigation. While we acknowledge the significant community interest and concern, we must withhold further details to preserve the integrity of the investigation, the Beaverton Police Department wrote on Facebook. The department also offered its heartfelt gratitude to the community members who have assisted with the search for Melissa. While Jubane was a nurse at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Schubert had been briefly employed as a Providence Portland Medical Center nurse from September 2022 to October 2023, a spokesperson for Providence told KOIN 6 News. He was not employed at Providence St. Vincent with Jubane, the spokesperson said. Melissa Jubane, 32, was reported missing after not showing up for her shift at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland on September 4 ( GoFundMe ) Jubanes tragic death comes just days after she married her husband Bryan Llantero in Hawaii on August 26. The couple met at Mokuleia Beach a decade ago and have been traveling back and forth to Kalihi to see each other over the course of their years-long relationship, according to news outlet KHON2. After their wedding celebrations, the newlyweds returned to the Pacific Northwest on September 1 and spent Labor Day together, Llanteros mother Imelda told the outlet. At the time of Jubanes disappearance, she had been staying at her apartment while her husband stayed with her family in Bremerton, Washington. There was no Melissa, Imelda said about her daughter-in-law who never reported for her shift on September 4. Her bag, wallet, and keys are missing, and her car is still parked in the parking garage. The last time Llantero heard from his new bride was around 6 a.m. the same morning. His mother said her son and their entire family are devastated over the loss. I miss her, Imelda said. Im so happy Bryan met her, I told Bryan to always love her. They were happy, very happy. A GoFundMe campaign was created to help Jubanes family with funeral expenses. It has raised $72,860 as of Monday morning. Melissa was not only a loving daughter, friend, and community member, but also a dedicated nurse who cared deeply for her family, friends, and patients, the campaign read. She touched countless lives with her kindness, compassion, and selflessness. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein was rushed from a New York City jail to hospital for emergency heart surgery on Sunday night, his spokesperson said. Criminal justice consultant Craig Rothfeld confirmed to The Independent that the 72-year-old had been taken from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan due to a massive amount of fluid in his lungs. Hes in recovery in the ICU, and were currently awaiting further details, said Rothfeld. The incident, which was first reported by ABC News, comes days before Weinstein was set to appear in court in New York City, where he will be retried over allegations of rape and sexual assault. His previous conviction in New York was overturned in April by the states Court of Appeals due to egregious errors by the original trial judge. However, a separate 16-year prison sentence for rape and sexual assault in Los Angeles, California remains in force. The longtime Miramax and Weinstein Company boss was previously taken to hospital for Covid-19 and pneumonia in both lungs, as well as a myriad of health conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure. Weinstein was first arrested in New York City in 2018 after more than 80 women accused him of rape or assault the previous year. At the time, he was one of Hollywoods most well-connected and powerful producers, known for a long string of Oscar-winning films including Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love, and Gangs of New York. Behind the scenes, however, alleged victims said that had used his power in the film industry to coerce them or attempt to coerce them into sexual acts, promising to advance their careers or threatening to ruin them. The revelations in 2017 set off a global reckoning against high-profile abusers in Hollywood and beyond, kickstarting the #MeToo movement. In 2020, Weinstein was found guilty in New York of raping and assaulting two women, and sentenced to 23 years in prison. However, the Court of Appeals found that the trial judge had erred by allowing prosecutors to call witnesses whose allegations were not related to the charges at hand. Those witnesses included actress and model Tarale Wulff, who said Weinstein raped her in 2005, actress and producer Dawn Dunning who said he put his hand up her skirt in 2004 and Lauren Young, who said Weinstein masturbated in front of her and groped her in 2013. The decision sparked outrage from Weinstein accusers such as Ashley Judd, the first actor to come forward publicly against him, who said the decision was unfair to survivors. Weinstein maintains his innocence, and has repeatedly claimed that all his sexual activity was consensual. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A meal of tainted Boars Head liverwurst put a Virginia woman in the ICU for nearly a week, her temperature spiking to near-deadly levels from the contaminated lunchmeat , according to an $11 million lawsuit filed in federal court. On July 13, the day after eating the liverwurst she regularly buys at a Harris Teeter Lightfoot Market in Williamsburg, 76-year-old Barbara Schmidt began to feel ill with vomiting, fever, fatigue, headache, chills, and confusion, the lawsuit states. Following a three-day stay in the hospital, Schmidt was sent home to recover, it goes on. But when her condition soon took a sharp turn for the worse, and Schmidt came down with a 104-degree fever, she was hospitalized again, according to the suit. During this stay, [Schmidt] spent... six days in ICU undergoing invasive procedures that were necessary to save her life, states the lawsuit, which was filed Friday. Schmidt was released from intensive care on July 29, sent to rehab for 10 days, and is now finally back home, where she continues to endure antibiotic infusions to combat the Listeria infection, according to the suit. A spinal tap confirmed Schmidts condition was in fact connected to the Boars Head outbreak, the suit says. In late July, Boars Head recalled millions of pounds of liverwurst, ham, beef salami, bacon, and other meat products produced in its Jarratt, Virginia, plant where federal inspectors said they found 69 instances of noncompliance, including pulverized meat build-up coating the walls, puddles of standing blood throughout the facility, gnats, ladybugs, beetles, and cockroaches in one of the curing rooms, a steady line of ants entering another, mold, mildew, and filthy conditions in, among other places, the bologna kitchen, ham-netting department, and the frank-stuffing area. Barbara Schmidt was felled by her favorite liverwurst, she says in an $11 million federal lawsuit ( United States Department of Agriculture ) Listeria is certainly the most deadly pathogen, short of botulism, that we deal with in the US, attorney Bill Marler, who is representing Schmidt, told The Independent. If you wanted to kind of come up with how to best grow listeria, you would produce it in a factory like this, Marler said. Meats processed at the Jarratt location, which were distributed nationwide, have been blamed for 57 hospitalizations in 18 states, as well as nine deaths in New York, South Carolina, Illinois, New Jersey, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, and Virginia. Public health officials say the actual number of people affected is likely higher than what has so far been reported. The recalled products were also shipped to the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. Listeriosis is a sepsis, so it gets into the bloodstream, it gets into the spinal fluid, and thats what sometimes kills people because they have brain-swelling and die, Marler explained, noting that Schmidts condition remains unstable. She fortunately got on high-dose antibiotics and survived, [but] itll be unclear for a while as to whether or not she has long-term complications Were hopeful that thats not the case. Schmidts lawsuit is at least the eighth filed by consumers sickened in the nations biggest listeria outbreak since 2011, when 33 people died from eating cantaloupe containing the bacteria. Meats processed at Boars Heads Jarratt, Virginia location have been blamed for 57 hospitalizations and nine deaths ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) A Boars Head spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. In a statement , Boars Head previously said it deeply regret[s] the impact this recall has had on affected families. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for those who have suffered losses or endured illness. The company said it immediately paused production at the Jarratt plant when the outbreak occurred, and will not resume operations here until we are confident that all products from this facility meet USDA regulatory standards and Boars Heads highest quality and safety standards. We have been working together with the USDA and government regulatory agencies, along with the industrys leading global food safety experts, to conduct a rigorous investigation to determine how this happened, the statement said. We are very close to concluding our investigation and sharing our findings as soon as the USDA has reviewed them. The liverwurst production area at the Jarratt plant was one of the worst in the entire place, according to Marler, who pointed to findings in the government inspection reports of standing water, condensation, and lots of dirt there. Further, Marler said, liverwurst is overwhelmingly consumed by older people, who are highly susceptible to listeriosis, the bacterial illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes. The Boars Head listeria outbreak is being blamed for the death of Holocaust survivor Gunter Morgenstein ( Garshon Morgenstein ) As a further direct result of being sickened by Defendants defective food product, Plaintiff has incurred, and will continue to incur, substantial medical bills and expenses associated with the treatment of her injuries; has suffered, and will continue to suffer, lost wages and wage-earning capacity; and has suffered, and will continue to suffer, significant pain, emotional anguish, and other damages, the suit states. Earlier this month, Boars Head was sued by the family of Gunter Morgenstein, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor who reportedly died after consuming listeria-tainted liverwurst produced by the company. The incubation period for listeriosis is three to 70 days, Marler told The Independent. As the Boars Head recall took place in July, Marler said he expects to see new cases pop up over the next several months, which is really frightening. Boars Head marketed its deli-meat product, including the liverwurst consumed by Plaintiff, as safe for consumption and, as the companys slogan states, made with Ingredients of Trust, Schmidts lawsuit states. ... The deli-meat consumed by Plaintiff was not safe, nor was it made with Ingredients of Trust, as they were contaminated with Listeria. Schmidt is demanding $1 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages, plus attorneys fees. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A dozen schools in New Jersey were closed on Monday after a threat was posted online, days after a deadly mass shooting at a Georgia high school. Woodbury City Public Schools and Deptford Township School District in Gloucester County announced on Sunday that they would cancel classes on Monday after an anonymous threat was made against five schools in two different counties. Thomas E. Bowe Middle School, in the neighboring Glassboro Public School District, announced it would increase police presence following the threats. Haddon Heights School District in Camden County said the same. At least three juveniles - one from Woodbury, one from Glassboro and another from Harrison - were arrested and charged in connection with the threat, according to the Woodbury City Police Department. Their identities have not been released at this time. While the threat was not deemed credible, we prioritized the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families throughout the process, Andrew Bell, superintendent of Woodbury City Public Schools, said in a letter. The Woodbury City Police Department said on Monday afternoon that all investigative leads, have not led to any of the documented threats having any credibility. The schools closed on Monday were expected to reopen on Tuesday. The Independent has asked New Jersey Governor Phil Murphys office for comment. The incident comes on the heels of a devastating school shooting in Georgia. Two students and two teachers were killed and nine others injured at Apalachee High School last Wednesday. A preliminary investigation from law enforcement agents revealed that police had interviewed the suspected shooter, Colt Gray, and his father, Colin Gray, due to accusations that he made threats against the school online. The Georgia school shooting has resurfaced concerns about those who make online threats, even in a joking manner, and reminded people to report all threats to law enforcement officials. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Canadian judge on Monday sentenced disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard to 11 years in prison after the 83-year-old was found guilty last November of sexually assaulting three women and a 16-year-old girl. Peter Nygard is a sexual predator, Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein said at sentencing, according to the Toronto Star . He is also a Canadian success story gone very wrong. Nygard, wearing a black ski jacket with the hood pulled over his head, responded, No, sir, when Goldstein asked if he had anything to say. Goldstein told Nygard, who is reportedly worth almost $1 billion, that he took his age and flagging health into account when determining his sentence, but that he had created his own troubles and felt immune to consequences, the CBC reported . The Finnish-born Nygard reportedly suffers from an enlarged prostate, Type 2 diabetes, light sensitivity, claustrophobia, and an allergy to polyester. The Finnish-born Nygard is a Canadian success story gone very wrong, Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein said at sentencing on Monday ( Annie I. Bang/Invision/AP ) The Crown had asked for a sentence of 15 years; defense attorneys wanted six. With credit for time served, Nygard, who has been locked up at the Toronto South Detention Centre since his October 2021 arrest , will be eligible for release in just under seven years. The attacks took place in a secret bedroom at Nygards Toronto headquarters, according to prosecutors. They said Nygard lured his victims there under false pretenses, occasionally drugging them, and overpowering them inside the penthouse lair which reportedly did not have handles on the doors, which Nygard locked and unlocked with a keypad. His vile crimes occurred from the late 1980s to roughly 2005. In opening arguments in September 2023, prosecutor Ana Serban described one incident in which she said Nygard invited a woman he had met on an airplane to come to his office for a job interview. When she arrived, Nygard coaxed her into his private bedroom, then overpowered her, pinning her down and ripping her shirt off with his teeth while he penetrated her digitally, according to Serban, who said Nygard only stopped when his next appointment arrived. Another woman said Nygard raped her in the secret bedroom after they attended a Rolling Stones concert together, recalling Nygards demand that she make him a sandwich and how he threw a $100 bill at her when she left, The Canadian Press reported . Peter Nygard leaves court after being found guilty in November 2023 ( AP ) Nygards victims addressed the court in July, speaking about their ongoing trauma from the attacks. One woman said she had considered suicide in the aftermath. In 2020, the NYPD and FBI searched Nygards Manhattan offices in a US-based sex trafficking investigation . Nygard continues to fight extradition to New York, where he is charged in federal court with conspiracy to commit racketeering, transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution, and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. Dozens of women who say they were victimized by Nygard have also signed onto a class-action lawsuit filed in New York, alleging the fallen fashion star raped them after plying them with drugs or alcohol. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are set to face off against each other for the first time on the national debate stage on Tuesday and how they perform under the limitations of the rules will be under a microscope. After several days of back-and-forth, the two candidates finally agreed to comply with the same rules that Trump and President Joe Biden used during the first presidential debate back in June. That includes muted microphones, no pre-written notes, no live audience, no sitting, and no speaking with campaign staff between commercial breaks. Though many of the rules are standard for presidential debates, the originally agreed-up regulations could put Harris at a disadvantage since she has a different skill set than President Joe Biden. Here are the rules for Tuesdays debate in Philadelphia and who stands to benefit. Muted mics Microphones will be live only when the candidate whose turn it is to speak is talking. Otherwise, they will remain muted. This was a rule that Biden and Trump initially agreed upon. But its one that Harris tried to change once she became the Democratic presidential nominee. Despite Trump saying it doesnt matter to him whether microphones stay on, his team threatened to pull out of the debate if the rules were changed. Former president Donald Trump during the first presidential debate against President Joe Biden. Audiences and the media agreed that Trump prevailed in the first debate ( Getty Images ) Trump is notorious for interrupting people and making snide comments when he is being attacked. During his civil and criminal trials, judges have scolded the former president for speaking out of turn in the courtroom. Brian Fallon, a top aide for Harris, wrote on X that Trumps handlers dont trust him to spar live. Ultimately, Harris agreed to the muted microphone rule but Fallon told ABC News that Harris would be fundamentally disadvantaged. However, a pool of journalists will be permitted in the hall and can report on remarks that are muted for television audiences, according to AP. No prepared notes or help Candidates cannot bring pre-written notes or props to the podium and must stand for the entire duration. They will be given a pen, pad of paper and water bottle. Additionally, campaign staff may not interact with either candidate during the two commercial breaks. Improvising is neither Harris nor Trumps strong suit but the former president has more experience doing so than Harris. Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2020 vice presidential debate. Audiences largely considered Harris to be the winner of that debate ( AFP via Getty Images ) Trump goes on long-winded, off-topic tangents at rallies, press conferences and during interviews. But hes good at praising his agenda and policies while tearing down Democrats, although sometimes it results in him making extreme statements. As a former prosecutor, Harris excels in getting to the point concisely and clearly. But when asked to improvise, she can stumble and say things that are easily misconstrued. In previous interviews, she has been mocked or criticized for misspeaking. No opening statements There will be no opening statements during the debate, only closing statements. Trump has won a coin toss and chose the order of statements. Harris will give the first closing statement and Trump will go last. The former president is at a slight advantage since he can hear all of Harriss talking points before delivering the final word of the debate. Moderators will ask the questions Only the moderators of the debate, David Muir and Linsey Davis, will be permitted to ask questions and there will be no live audience. This means candidates must answer the question in full, and give a rebuttal in a direct and easy-to-understand way, because it will be a slightly more formal setting than previous debates. Harris has a slight advantage to the former president in this aspect because she is better at remaining on topic and hitting multiple points more quickly than Trump. The debate will air on ABC News beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has claimed that Mark Zuckerberg told him in a phone call shortly after the assassination attempt of the former president that theres no way I can vote for a Democrat. Trump told New York Magazine that the Meta CEO called him after he was shot in the ear at a July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Mark Zuckerberg called up and said, Ive never supported a Republican before, but theres no way I can vote for a Democrat in this election, Trump told the magazine. Hes a guy that, his parents, everybody was always Democrat. He said, I will never vote for the people running against you after watching what you did. Zuckerberg has previously spoken about the attempted assassination of Trump. Seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things Ive ever seen in my life, Zuckerberg told Bloomberg, a week after the Butler rally. Mark Zuckerberg speaks at a tech conference in July. Donald Trump claimed the tech billionaire said theres no way he can vote Democrat following the assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13 ( AP ) On some level as an American, its like hard to not get kind of emotional about that spirit and that fight, and I think that thats why a lot of people like the guy, he continued. Zuckerberg has not publicly endorsed a candidate in the 2024 presidential election. He told Bloomberg in July that hes not planning to get involved in the election in any way. As Mark has said publicly, hes not endorsing anybody in this race and has not communicated to anybody how he intends to vote, a Meta spokesperson told New York Magazine. A Meta spokesperson had no further comment when contacted by The Independent. Trumps comments on Zuckerberg come just days after Politico reported that the former president threatened to imprison the tech mogul. He told me there was nobody like Trump on Facebook. But at the same time, and for whatever reason, steered it against me, Trump wrote, according to an excerpt of Trumps upcoming book, Save America, reviewed by Politico. In his upcoming book Save America, Trump threatened to imprison Zuckerberg if he tries to cheat the election ( Winning Team Publishing ) We are watching him closely, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election. Trump has repeatedly spread the false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, and that President Joe Biden did not legitimately win. Trump has also falsely claimed that Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan swayed the election after they donated $400 million to local election offices in 2020 to help them grapple with disruptions from the pandemic. Mark Zuckerberg, in my opinion, a criminal, is allowed to spend over $400 million and therefore able to change the course of a Presidential Election, and nothing happens to Facebook, Trump said, back in 2021. Trump also baselessly accused his own former administration officials of pressuring Meta to suppress posts about Hunter Bidens laptop. Zuckerberg admits that the White House pushed to SUPPRESS HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP STORY (& much more!), Trump wrote on Truth Social last month. IN OTHER WORDS, THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WAS RIGGED, he continued. Trump was referring to a letter sent by Zuckerberg to the House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan. Zuckerberg admitted in the letter that in 2021, the Biden administration pressured Meta to censor certain COVID-19 content. Zuckerberg also said that Meta temporarily demoted a New York Post story about Hunter Bidens laptop in 2020 when Trump was president after the FBI warned the story could be part of a Russian disinformation campaign. However, Zuckerberg did not at any point state that the White House pressured Meta to demote the story, as Trump falsely claimed. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Mary Trump, the niece of Donald Trump, has shared her analysis that the former presidents mental health is deteriorating after he struggled to answer a question on childcare. In a piece on Substack on Sunday, the psychologist argued that Trump is dementing, citing his appearance at the Economic Club of New York last week, where he was asked what type of legislation he would push to make childcare affordable. Well, I would do that, and were sitting down, I was somebody, we had Senator Marco Rubio, and my daughter Ivanka was so impactful on that issue, Trump began his long, rambling answer. Its a very important issue, but I think when you talk about the kind of numbers that Im talking about that because look, childcare is childcare. Theres something, you have to have it in this country, you have to have it. He went on to say that his proposed tariffs on imports would generate more than enough money to pay for childcare, but he did not explain what his actual policy would look like. Mary Trump wrote that the answer was gibberish and the only thing that made any sense was the phrase childcare is childcare. She went on to slam the corporate media for not properly reporting on Trumps answer, instead thinking that they must translate Donalds nonsensical ramblings into a version of the English language we can all understand. Mary Trump argued that reporters were imbuing words with meaning that is not there, adding that its deeply disturbing that somebody as unhinged and incoherent as Donald is allowed to run for the presidency in the first place. Donald Trump holds a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin. His niece has said that hes dementing in his old age ( REUTERS ) The psychologist wrote that her uncle is demonstrably untethered from reality and that the warning lights arent flashing because nobody covering him expects otherwise. Surely a political press corps that spent months arguing that President Bidens age rendered him mentally unfit, wouldnt look the other way when the Republican candidate, the oldest person to run for president in American history, is not only old but decompensating before our very eyes, she wrote. The difference of course is that Biden is aging while Donald is dementing. Calling him frightened and desperate, Mary Trump argued that the former president is concerned that his very freedom relies on his ability to get back into the White House and make the pending federal cases against him go away. As she lambasted the media for its coverage of the ex-commander-in-chief, Mary Trump concluded: The American people deserve to know what were up against. We deserve to be told that theres a maniac on the loose. On Saturday night, the former president vowed to jail anyone involved in unscrupulous behavior in connection to the election in November. WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again, Donald Trump wrote. He added: Please beware, that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials. Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country. Trump has repeatedly threatened to use the presidency to enact revenge on those he believes have wronged him despite there being no evidence of the kind of fraud that he falsely insists lost him the 2020 election. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A widely derided election crimes dragnet from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appears to be targeting voters who signed a petition to get an abortion rights amendment on state ballots this fall, a measure that the Republican governor and his anti-abortion allies strongly oppose. DeSantiss administration has previously deployed law enforcement officers to the homes of formerly incarcerated people who were accused of illegally voting. Most of those charges were eventually dropped. Now, officers appear to be visiting the homes of citizens who signed a petition that successfully put Amendment 4 on Novembers ballots, which would enshrine the right to abortion care in the states constitution and overturn state law signed by DeSantis that bans abortion at six weeks of pregnancy, before most people know they are pregnant. DeSantiss secretary of state has ordered elections supervisors in at least four counties to review at least 36,000 petition forms that had already been verified months ago. A state agency that operates under the governors office has also published a website and social media accounts to advocate against the amendment, drawing allegations that DeSantis is violating state law by using a government agency and taxpayer dollars to lobby against it. Democratic officials and abortion rights groups are preparing legal action to stop him. These are petitions that were already approved, that were done properly, Florida congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz told reporters on Monday. This police intimidation tactic is clearly intended to chill the democratic process. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, speaking to supporters on September 9, could face legal action after his administration appeared to target voters who signed petititions supporting an abortion rights measure to appear on ballots this fall ( AP ) She said DeSantiss police threats raise federal civil rights concerns, and she is looking into the possibility of a federal investigation. Floridas Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said the governor is resorting to unlawful attacks and intimidation tactics to suppress voters, and is using state government resources to do it, including harassing local supervisors to demand signatures that were already certified, intimidating abortion petition signers [and] launching an illegal government website attacking Amendment 4. They cant win on the issue, so they lie and they cheat to scare voters, she added. We have some of the best attorneys in the country working on this, Democratic state Representative Anna Eskamani added. You can expect there to be legal battles, without a doubt. Protesters on September 3 demonstrate against Floridas Amendment 4, a ballot measure that asks whether voters want to enshrine a right to abortion care in the states constitution ( EPA ) A statement from Floridas Department of State claims that officials uncovered evidence of illegal conduct with fraudulent petitions. We have a duty to seek justice for Florida citizens who were victimized by fraud and safeguard the integrity of Floridas elections, a spokesperson added. Our office will continue this investigation and make referrals to [the Florida Department of Law Enforcement] as appropriate. At an unrelated press briefing on Monday, DeSantis defended the use state agencies to weigh in on the issue, saying the website and social media messages are above board and not electioneering. He also defended the use of so-called election police, claiming that petitions were relying on information from dead voters and included signatures that did not match those in a voter database. Maybe they signed their name. That is absolutely possible, he said. And if thats what you say, I think thats probably the end of it. He claimed that theres a lot of seedy activity going on. But Democrats point out that the petitions were already reviewed at local elections offices and at the state level by Democratic and Republican officials. So all of this looks like a ruse, like a witch hunt, according to Florida state Representative Fentrice Driskell. There have been Republicans involved in this validation process. It seems if there were any fraud allegations it would have been uncovered much sooner. They have nothing to run on. Theyre creating this theater. While DeSantis was traveling across the country to promote his failed presidential campaign, Floridians Protecting Freedom collected roughly 1 million signatures in January, ensuring a slot for Amendment 4 on November ballots. Ballots are expected to be printed within the coming weeks. Voters will be asked whether the states constitution should be amended to state that no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he will vote against the amendment, despite claiming that he opposes Floridas six-week abortion ban. Women at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago wear their support for Floridas Amendment 4 the Right to Abortion Initiative on August 19 ( EPA ) After securing millions of dollars in the state budget for his Office of Election Crime and Security, DeSantis announced an opening salvo against voter fraud with the sweeping arrest of 20 people in 2022. But court records and police reports reviewed by The Independent revealed that the people targeted in those stings and in a high-profile campaign-like press conference were told by election workers or other government officials that they were eligible to vote. Virtually all the charges against them were later dropped, but not before upending their lives, including losing jobs and healthcare for their family members. According to court records, the defendants said they did not intend to commit any crime, believing that a recent constitutional amendment had granted them their right to vote after they were disenfranchised because of their felony convictions. Videos of their arrests show them confused and deeply frustrated by the charges, and officers appeared unsure whether they did anything wrong. We all remember those painful police camera videos It was revolting, said Wasserman Schultz, who said that DeSantis is relying on the same tactics against women and abortion rights supporters. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz detailed experience going through fertility treatments to a crowd in North Carolina on Monday. The wife of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harriss running mate, traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina with Harriss husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, as part of their campaign jaunt through the south. Ms Walz said she was moved to speak about her and the governors experiences with fertility treatment after Alabamas Supreme Court legally classified frozen embryos as children. That move put the future of IVF in jeopardy in the state. The Alabama courts decision just brought us right back to that moment where Tim and I were having to make some of those decisions ourselves, but they were our decisions to make, Walz told the crowd. It brought back a crush of emotions that we hadnt felt in many, many years. Democrats have attacked Republicans for putting IVF in jeopardy after the chief justice in the Alabama case cited the Dobbs v Jackson decision from 2022 that overturned Roe v Wade. In response, Senate Democrats forced a vote to protect IVF which Republicans blocked. Vance of Ohio now Trumps running mate joined all but two Republicans in opposing the legislation. Ms Walz said that she and Mr Walz did not share their difficulty in conceiving with many people. It was almost too much to bear to even tell our friends and family, because then the disappointment felt exponential, she said. They finally told their neighbor Mary because she was a nurse and Ms Walz needed injections as part of her fertility treatment, which she couldnt administer herself. Some of you who've been through this process know that injection, and it happens back behind and so I couldn't do that myself, she said. And now, I know you all are learning how great Tim is, but lets just say its a good thing he didnt become a nurse or doctor, she added, to laughter in the room. No matter how much he tried or practiced, he couldnt quite do it. Ms Walz said that the process they went through lasted for years. That journey was hard, but we kept going, and it was worth it. Eventually, we had our daughter, and it's no accident after that that we named her Hope, she said. The Walz family would welcome their son Gus, who went viral for cheering his father during the Democratic National Convention last month, six years later. He is the one who took down Roe and unleashed all of this chaos and all of this cruelty, Walz said of Trump, before moving onto Vance. Who asked him to tell us how to build our families? she said. Nobody asked him and nobodys going to ask him. JD, were not asking. Ms Walz then reprised a routine she began recently where she put on a pair of glasses that she used to wear during her years working as a schoolteacher. School has started, she said. Mr Trump and Mr Vance, please mind your own business. In recent weeks, Trump has tried to pivot on reproductive rights. He most recently announced that IVF would be fully covered under his administration a move which left many conservatives reeling. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} JD Vance has drawn heavy criticism after spreading a racist and debunked rumor that illegal immigrants from Haiti are abducting and eating pets in an Ohio town. Donald Trumps running mate posted a video of himself online in which he peddled the rumor, and said immigrants were causing chaos in the town of Springfield. The intent of sharing the baseless claim appeared to be to attack Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, over her border and immigration policies. Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio, Vance wrote on X on Monday. Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldnt be in this country. Where is our border czar? The post since has been viewed 2.4 million times, according to X. Vances debunked claim appears to have originated from a local Facebook group in Springfield which warned residents to be wary of the Haitian community and alleged that animals, including cats and dogs, were being carved up for consumption. Last month at a Springfield city meeting, a resident also claimed that Haitian migrants were decapitating ducks in public parks and eating them. Police in Springfield subsequently confirmed that they had received no reports of pets being stolen or eaten, according to the Springfield News-Sun. The force said it was aware of the viral Facebook post but that such claims were false. As one X user wrote to Vance on Monday: This has been debunked but of course youre spreading fake news. Youre desperate and sad. This is a lie. you are a liar, and a bad one at that, added another. These claims have also been promoted online by the social media accounts of the Trump War Room, Newsmax, and owner of X, Elon Musk. Reposting on X, a claim that 20,000 Haitian immigrants were destroying Springfield, Musk wrote: Vote for Kamala if you want this to happen to your neighborhood! The post has been viewed nearly 10 million times. The recent posts have sought to tie the baseless claims to a video of Harris stating how the Biden administration has extended temporary protected status to over 100,000 Haitian immigrants. A spokesperson for Vance told The Independent: Senator Vance has received a high volume of calls and emails over the past several weeks from concerned citizens in Springfield: his tweet is based on what he is hearing from them. The city has faced an influx of 15,000-20,000 Haitian migrants over the past four years, stressing public resources and leading to housing shortages, all thanks to Kamala Harriss policy of extending temporary protected status designations. Many residents have contacted Senator Vance to share their concerns over crime and traffic accidents, and to express that they no longer feel safe in their own homes. Unlike the liberal media, JD takes his constituents concerns seriously. Vance has previously drawn ire for claiming that Harris supporters were childless cat ladies. The border is a hot-button issue that is expected to be addressed during Tuesdays first presidential debate between Harris and Trump. At a rally in Wisconsin on Saturday, Trump re-upped his attacks on Harris border policy, claiming that as border czar, Kamala Harris let in over 20 million, theyre now saying the number could be 25 million illegal aliens from 168 different countries. Most people dont even know that you have that many countries, he added. Such numbers are vastly overestimated. US Customs and Border Protection having recorded about 10 million migrant encounters across the country since the start of Joe Bidens presidency. A migrant can be counted as an encounter on several occasions. On Saturday, Trump also made his oft-repeated claim that the people crossing the border are coming from prisons and jails, insane asylums and mental institutions and terrorists at a level that weve never seen before. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kamala Harris took a breather from her Donald Trump debate preparations for a quick pit stop at a family business in Pennsylvania, which a Fox News host slammed as Americas meanest spice shop. The vice president was greeted by cheers at Penzeys Spices in Pittsburgh on Saturday, as she went around shaking hands, taking selfies and hugging shoppers including embracing one tearful local in the store. She peddled a message of unity as reporters quizzed her about taking the stage against Trump for their first face-to-face meeting of the 2024 election in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which will be beamed live to ABC viewers across the country at 9:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday evening. Being at this spice store, I finally got out of the debate prep, Harris chuckled, holding up her new jar of spices. When probed about a key message she wanted to get across to the former president during the debate, she replied: Look, its time to turn the page on the divisiveness. Its time to bring our country together, chart a new way forward. Vice president was quizzed on her upcoming ABC debate by reporters inside Penzeys Spices in Pittsburgh ( AP ) Hosts of Fox Newss Fox & Friends were quick to seize on Harriss visit to Penzeys, attacking both the vice presidents messaging and accusing the store of being vicious to GOP voters. Vice President Harris is hunkering down in Pittsburgh as she pushes for unity while visiting a spice shop known for mocking Republicans, anchor Will Cain said on Sundays program. They chose the comfiest, coziest place she could conceivably go, where all of the owners and the staff are 100 percent libs who hate Trump, co-host Pete Hegseth added. Co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy, who apparently visited one of their shops while staring in MTV reality show The Real World, chimed in calling Penzeys the the meanest spice shop in America. Campos-Duffy visited Penzeys and was not impressed ( Getty Images ) The shops website has a whole about Republicans page noting the slow decline of the GOP. It will still allow Republicans to enter the store, but its done pretending the Republican Partys embrace of cruelty, racism, Covid lies, climate change denial, and threats to democracy are anything other than the risks they legitimately are, the website reads. The webpage, written by the spice retailers CEO Bill Penzey Jr, continues: The truth of our time is weve arrived at the point where theres no way to respect the nonsense the Republican Party is promoting and have any hope of overcoming the problems we as a nation and we as a planet face. Penzeys had recently wrapped up an advertisement campaign for their Justice spice blend directed at Trump, headlined as Re-indicted and it feels so good! according to the New York Post. The company hit headlines in 2019 for spending more than $700,000 on Facebook adverts encouraging Trumps impeachment. In 2022, Penzey Jr attempted to rebrand Martin Luther King Jr Day as Republicans are Racists Weekend. Harris, however, didnt leave the store empty-handed and was delighted by her spicy haul. I look forward to using my new seasonings from Penzeys Spices in Pittsburgh at our next Sunday family dinner, Harris posted on X after her visit. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Melania Trump has had her say on the current cost of living crisis, political divisiveness across the US and the Biden administrations alleged attempts to silence husband, in a new video plugging her tell-all, self-titled memoir. The former first lady has been noticeably absent from her husbands presidential campaign trail and numerous court appearances across 2024. Her brief appearance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July marked one in a handful of times she has stood by her husbands side since he relaunched his re-election campaign. Now, the 54-year-old former model has now decided to use it as a springboard to promote her upcoming book, Melania. Sharing a video to X on Sunday, the former first lady commented on the state of the US since her husband lost the 2020 election to President Joe Biden all before her monochrome book flashes onto the screen. Former first lady has shared her thoughts on the current political landscape in a new promo for her book, Melania ( Leon Neal/Getty Images ) The 2020 election results changed our lives forever, Melania began in her narration over the black and white, text-first promo video released on Sunday. It impacted our quality of life, cost of food, gasoline, safety and even the geopolitical landscape, she continued. Melania didnt appear once at Trumps five-week long criminal hush money trial earlier this year, which saw the former president convicted of all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records after payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to quash affair rumors. Donald Trump denies all the charges and also denies having an affair with Daniels. However, the former first lady claimed that her husband has been impeded by a lack of free speech hinting at a gag order issued by Justice Juan Merchan, the judge presiding over the New York criminal case, which prevents Trump from speaking about people involved in the case. Trumps lawyers also argued free speech in a separate failed attempt to have charges against the former president thrown out in Georgia over his election interference case. America is more divided today than ever before. It has become increasingly apparent that there are significant challenges to free speech, as demonstrated by the efforts to silence my husband, Melania concludes before an image of her upcoming memoir bursts onto the screen. Her latest video plug marks a second social media advert in a week, as she ramps up publicity ahead of publication on September 24. The book is billed on Melanias website as an intimate portrait of a woman who has lived an extraordinary life. In a separate advert for last week, the former model said that she was a private person and the book presented an opportunity for her to tell her truth. A standard copy of Melania will sell for $40, while a signed copy will set someone back $75. And for those looking for bonus photos, that will cost $250. May your experience reading my book be as enjoyable as the writing process was for me, she wrote earlier this year on X. It comes just weeks after Trump released a book of his own: Save America. The photo-led, coffee table book is retailing at $99 for a standard copy, with customers having to fork out an additional $400 if theyd like a signed copy, according to its publisher Winning Team Publishing. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Nancy Pelosi says in a new interview that her party will take on the Senates filibuster rule in some fashion if a Democratic majority returns to the chamber next year. The California representative and Speaker Emerita spoke to Rolling Stone for a new interview in which she said that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is expected to continue leading the Democratic Senate caucus come 2025, vowed to her that he would get his partys landmark piece of voting rights legislation the For The People Act past the Senates 60-vote filibuster threshold if Democrats win a majority in the chamber this November. We have to win the Senate. [Schumer] told me that if they win, they will change the Senate in terms of the filibuster, and we would pass [the] For The People Act, which makes all the difference in the world in terms of our democracy, the former House speaker said. Technically, her party already has that majority. But two members of the Senate Democratic caucus, Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, have voiced opposition to changing or removing the filibuster standard and have prevented their party from doing so under nearly four years of Joe Bidens presidency, stymieing some of the presidents main policy goals. Nancy Pelosi, former House speaker, was a delegate for her partys nominating convention in Chicago last month. ( Getty Images ) Both Sinema and Manchin are set to leave the chamber at the end of the year, however. Both are departing the Senate rather than fight out tough battles for re-election. Sinema in particular was set to run as an independent after she left the Democratic Party, before it became clear she was in line to face a serious primary opponent. She then dropped out of the race entirely when polling indicated she was firmly in third place behind both her Democratic and Republican challengers. Should Democrats return to the majority in the Senate next year, the party will do so with both of the two biggest opponents to changing or ending the filibuster rule expunged from their caucus. Whether they can manage to win that majority is another story Schumers caucus faces a tough road ahead to maintaining control of the chamber, thanks to competitive Republican Senate candidates in Maryland and Montana, as well as the near-guarantee that Manchins seat will be taken by a Republican. Kyrsten Sinema, with Joe Manchin standing behind her, attends a press conference in the Capitol ( Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) If they do so, the next question will be whether their party changes the filibuster or gets rid of it entirely. Under the Biden administration, Democrats talked openly about enacting a carve-out within the filibuster rule to allow bills specifically dealing with the issue of voting rights to bypass the 60-vote threshold, but even that concession was rejected by Manchin and Sinema. Whether Republicans would consider nuking the filibuster under a GOP president is also unclear. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is stepping down as leader of the Republican caucus at the end of his current term, is a major opponent of doing so and promised unprecedented gridlock in the chamber if Democrats follow through on their plans to change the rules. Under McConnells previous tenure as Majority Leader when Republicans controlled the chamber under Donald Trump, he changed Senate rules to allow the consideration of Supreme Court nominees and Cabinet appointees to bypass the 60-vote threshold. Democrats, led by Harry Reid, lowered the same threshold for federal judges years earlier. If passed, the Democrats voting rights regulation would put in place national standards for polling places and would estabish independent commissions to determining congressional redistricting practices, ending the process of partisan gerrymandering. It would also require a code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns, and take other measures aimed at expanding voting access and transparency within US elections systems. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has vowed to vote yes on legislation that would legalize marijuana for personal use in Florida, saying that the move would end needless arrests and incarcerations. The former president doubled down on his position on Floridas Marijuana Legalization Initiative, Amendment 3, set to appear on the November ballot which would grant adults of 21 years old and over to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products. While medical marijuana is already legal in the Sunshine State, a yes vote for Florida Amendment 3 would legalize the Schedule I drug for recreational purposes, allowing for the possession of up to three grams. Growing the plant would still be illegal even if the amendment was passed. Under current legislation, possession of up to 20 grams of the drug is considered a misdemeanor offense, and is punishable by up to a year in prison. Prosecutors filed more than 16,000 charges against people for possession of small amounts of marijuana in Florida last year. Trump, who is a resident Floridian which allows him to cast a vote, has declared he will be voting yes come 5 November. Amendment 3 will have to garner 60 per cent of the vote for changes to legislation to be made. The former president shared his support for Florida Amendment 3 late last month ( AP ) As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use, Trump wrote on Truth Social late on Sunday evening. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product. As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November. The former presidents stance on the drugs legalization differs from many other state Republicans. In May, the Republican Party of Florida unanimously passed a resolution opposing Amendment 3, condemning the Democrats for pushing a yes vote as the partys only way to win support for their radical agenda. Florida governor Ron DeSantis has previously denounced the measure claiming that this state will start to smell like marijuana, adding that it would be bad for quality of life. Ron DeSantis takes a much more conservative stance with legislation surrounding marijuana legalization ( AP ) As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common-sense laws, including safe banking for state-authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens, Trump concluded. The former president came out in support of bill change at the end of last month, writing on Truth Social that personal amounts of marijuana will be legalized for adults with the amendment whether people like it or not. In a memo first seen by ABC News, vice-president Kamala Harriss staff slammed Trump for brazen flip-flopping after his post, condemning his newly-peddled stance as just making things up as an attempt to bolster his election chances with more moderate voters ahead of November. Despite the former presidents belief that the amendment will be passed later this year, the polls have been mixed. Margins appear to be tight with 57 per cent of registered voters in favor of the proposal, according to a recent Public Policy Polling survey. While opposition campaign Vote No On 3s poll found that 64 per cent of voters would be in favor of reform. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trumps campaign staffers are worried angry Trump will show up to Tuesdays presidential debate and self-sabotage, according to reports. Staffers believe that Trumps performance will be heavily influenced by his mood that evening, and theyve been speculating whether happy Trump or angry Trump will show up to the ABC News debate against Kamala Harris, The Guardian reports. If its the latter, they fear it could be a repeat performance of the 2020 presidential debates, where Trump self sabotaged and put voters off because of his behavior, the newspaper reports. In a chaotic debate against Joe Biden in 2020, Trump resorted to making personal attacks about Bidens family and threw insults at his opponent. Biden kept his cool for the most part, but lost his temper with Trump at one point, telling him: Will you shut up, man? Trumps team, the paper reports, is anxious Trump will veer off message and get personal with Harris. ( AP ) He has already falsely claimed the vice president just happened to turn Black and his team is now bracing themselves, worried hell make similar remarks during the debate. I didnt know she was Black, he said while speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in July. She happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? ... I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, because she was Indian all the way and all of a sudden she made a turn and she became a Black person. His comments sparked fury. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Trumps comments were repulsive and insulting. Other Republicans have also expressed concern about Trumps behavior come debate day. One GOP operative with ties to the former president told The Hill he would advice Trump tostay away from race. Stay away from the idea that she is a promiscuous woman thats slept her way to the top, he added. That does you no good. Thats a losing message. Policy is a winning message. If [Trump] has that discipline, hell win. Biden and Trump debate in the 2020 presidential election campaign ( Getty Images ) Trump has already been telling his base that even if he does well in his debate with Harris, hell still be blasted by the media. If I destroy her in the debate, theyll say Trump suffered a humiliating debate tonight, he told a crowd of MAGA faithful on Saturday. Meanwhile, Harris has been hunkered down in a Pittsburgh hotel in preparation for Monday night and has taken part in a number of mock debates with her closest aides. The candidates are running neck and neck ahead of the high-stakes debate, separated by just one point according to a new poll by The New York Times/Siena College. The poll was taken between September 3 and September 6 and found that 47 percent of likely voters back Harris, while 48 percent support Trump. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kamala Harriss campaign has hit out at Donald Trumps deal with the Taliban in retaliation to the damning Republican report on the Biden administrations withdrawal from Afghanistan. A day before the first presidential debate, House Republicans have released a scathing report into the US exit from Afghanistan in August 2021, which left behind an estimated 100,000 partners of the US government, while 13 American soldiers and 170 civilians were killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul. The report solely blames the Biden-Harris administrations failure to plan for all contingencies for the disaster, but Harriss campaign has been quick to remind voters how Trump cut a bad deal with the Taliban in 2020, when the former president was the one who agreed the US would withdraw from Afghanistan by May 2021. Committee chair Michael McCaul, leading the investigation, accuses the Biden-Harris administration of fail[ing] to plan for all contingencies, including a noncombatant emergency evacuation an refusing to order an evacuation until after the Taliban had already entered Kabul. The administration misled and lied to the American people at every stage of the withdrawal, the report also claims. The evidence proves President Bidens decision to withdraw all U.S. troops was not based on the security situation, the Doha Agreement, or the advice of his senior national security advisors or our allies, it says. Rather, it was premised on his longstanding and unyielding opinion that the United States should no longer be in Afghanistan. Harriss campaign has been quick to remind voters how Trump cut a bad deal with the Taliban in 2020 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) But Harriss campaign has hit back. Morgan Finkelstein, the Harris-Walz national security spokesperson, said: Trump shamelessly attacks the Vice President because he hopes he can trick the country into forgetting that his own actions undermined U.S. strategy and put our troops and allies in harms way. Trump wanted to bring the Taliban to Camp David just days before September 11ththink about that, Finkelstein added. He cut a bad deal with the very same people who violently took over Afghanistan, leading to the collapse of the Afghan government. Trumps chaotic actions led to catastrophic consequences in Afghanistan. The White House also furiously hit back at the report, adding that Trumps deal meant President Biden inherited an untenable position when he entered office in January 2021. White House spokesperson Sharon Yang said in a statement the reports author cherry-picked facts and maintained ending the war was the right thing to do and our nation is stronger today as a result. Donald Trump cut a bad deal with the Taliban in 2020, the Harris campaign said ( Getty Images ) Congressman Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the committee, also slammed the partisan report, accusing Republicans of politicizing the withdrawal and omitting Trumps role. The Republican majority has taken particular pains to avoid facts involving former President Trump including his committing the United States to a full, date-specific withdrawal in a deal he negotiated with the Taliban that excluded the Afghan government or any reference to the rights of Afghan women and girls, he wrote in a minority report released the same day. President Trump initiated a withdrawal that was irreversible without sending significantly more American troops to Afghanistan to face renewed combat with the Taliban, Meeks added. Meeks also noted that Harris was only referenced three times in the 3,288 pages of the Committees interview transcripts. Taliban fighters celebrate the third anniversary of the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan, in Kabul ( The Associated Press ) McCaul brushed off accusations the report was being used politically. This is not about politics to me it never has been, he said in a statement. Its about getting to the bottom of what happened so we can make sure it never happens again. And its about finding who was responsible for this catastrophe so they can finally, after three long years, be held accountable. The chaotic withdrawal saw unprecedented scenes where hundreds of thousands of Afghans and other citizens tried to flee Taliban rule in a mass panic and scrambled to enter Kabul airport. Videos showed men clinging onto aircraft as they taxied down runways and others trying to climb the big walls of the airport. Trump has used the Afghanistan withdrawal throughout the presidential campaign as means to attack the vice president, including accusing her of being responsible for the deaths of the American soldiers who died in the suicide bombing. In response, Harriss camp has accused him of politicizing a visit to Arlington Cemetery last month where he met with the families of the servicemen who died. Trump lays a wreath at Arlington Cemetery at a visit last month ( Getty Images ) The report is the latest in a long-running blame game over the disastrous withdrawal. A State Department report released last year detailed the failures of both the Trump and Biden administrations. The Afghanistan After Action Review report concluded both administrations were at fault and laid out the shortcomings of a chaotic and dangerous environment during the pullout. The decisions of both President (Donald) Trump and President (Joe) Biden to end the US military mission in Afghanistan had serious consequences for the viability of the Afghan government and its security, said the unclassified report. Those decisions are beyond the scope of this review, but the AAR (After Action Review) team found that during both administrations there was insufficient senior-level consideration of worst-case scenarios and how quickly those might follow, it added. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A retired electrician accused of repeatedly drugging his wife so dozens of strangers could rape her considered himself to be a good husband, a trial heard on Monday. But Dominique Pelicot also had a split personality, making him a very caring and much-loved grandfather by day and a rapist at night, psychologist Bruno Daunizeau wrote in his report read out to the court in Avignon in France. Dr Daunizeau compared Mr Pelicot, 71 who faces up to 20 years in prison over the aggravated rape of his wife, Gisele Pelicot, also 71 to Jekyll and Hyde; the Gothic horror character with a split personality. Ms Pelicot has waived her right to anonymity so that the public could hear the case, which has drawn worldwide attention. Last week, she told the court she was sacrificed on the altar of vice as she revealed how she discovered her husband had filmed the alleged rapes by dozens of men while she was unconscious, storing thousands of images that police investigators later found. On Monday, Mr Pelicot was considered too ill to give evidence, and will be cross-examined by prosecutors later this week. However, details on his psychological state were given through reports from psychologists and police. Ms Pelicot has waived her right to anonymity so that the public could hear the case ( AP ) The court heard how Mr Pelicot had told detectives that he considered himself a good husband to the woman he married in 1971 and had three children with. He said he was respectful of his wifes desires and refusals to sex, but also had fantasies about swinging, and got pleasure in seeing his wife undergo sexual acts that she normally refused. A psychological report submitted to the court suggested Mr Pelicot displayed a tendency towards paraphilia sexual arousal in atypical situations and also somnophilia an attraction to unconscious partners. This made him a very caring and much-loved grandfather by day but a rapist at night, Dr Daunizeau explained in the report. During the day, you can be normal, and have another face at night, said Dr Daunizeau, who said he had a split-personality character like Jekyll and Hyde. Marianne Douteau, another psychologist, said that Mr Pelicot still felt his life could have carried on as normal had he not been caught. She agreed he had a split personality, and had inherited the temper of a violent father. Caroline, the daughter of Gisele Pelicot, who has alleged she was also drugged by her father ( Reuters ) Dr Douteau added: He is a patriarch but he is also irresponsible and manipulative... behind closed doors he does not respect limits. On Friday, Mr Pelicots own daughter. Caroline Darian, 46, described him as one of the greatest sexual predators of recent years as she also accused him of drugging her and secretly taking nude photographs. The alleged incidents with Gisele Pelicot and Caroline Darian took place at the family home in Mazan, some 20 miles from Avignon. The court has been told that Mr Pelicot was first arrested in September 2020 for secretly filming up womens skirts at a supermarket in Carpentras. His devices were searched with hundreds of photos and pornographic videos of women, including family members, allegedly discovered. Some 3,800 photos and videos of Gisele Pelicot being raped, between 2011 and 2020, were among the haul, the court was told. Detectives have listed a total of 92 rapes allegedly committed by 72 men, 51 of whom have so far been identified. Alleged rapists involved in the case include civil servants, ambulance workers, soldiers, prison guards, nurses, a journalist, a municipal councillor, and truck drivers. The trial continues, and is due to last until 21 December. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Germany's government ordered temporary controls at all land borders on Monday as a response to irregular migration and to protect the country from extremist threats. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said at a news conference that the government is extending temporary border controls that it already has in place at some of its borders to all German land borders. We are strengthening our internal security through concrete action and we are continuing our tough stance against irregular migration, Faeser said. The ministry said that it notified the European Union on Monday of the order to set up border controls at the land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark for a period of six months. They will begin next week on Sept. 16. This adds to restrictions already in place on the land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland. Until we achieve strong protection of the EUs external borders with the new Common European Asylum System, we must increase controls at our national borders even more, Faeser said. She noted that Germany already has had more than 30,000 rejections of people seeking to cross its borders since last October. This served to further limit irregular migration and to protect against the acute dangers posed by Islamist terrorism and serious crime. We are doing everything we can to better protect people in our country against this, she said. The order comes after a deadly knife attack in Soligen that killed three people. The perpetrator was inspired by the Islamic State group. Last week, police in Munich exchanged fire with a gunman near the Israeli Consulate, fatally wounding him. Authorities said they believe he was planning to attack the consulate on the anniversary of the attack on the 1972 Munich Olympics. Germany has accepted large numbers of refugees from the Middle East over the past decade, but now a political backlash is building, with support growing for a far-right party. That party, Alternative for Germany, won its first state election earlier this month in Thuringia. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police have been forced to deny that a well-known beluga whale that lived off Norway's coast and whose harness ignited speculation it was a Russian spy was shot to death. The tame beluga, which was first spotted in 2019 not far from Russian waters with a harness reading Equipment St. Petersburg," was found floating at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway on Aug. 31. Animal rights groups claim it was murdered. Experts examined the carcass at a nearby harbor, after lifting it with a crane. Animal advocate groups OneWhale and NOAH last week filed a police report saying that the animals wounds suggested it was intentionally killed. OneWhale founder Regina Haug said when she saw the carcass, she immediately knew he had been killed by gunshots. That's not the conclusion so far from veterinarians. Police said that the Norwegian Veterinary Institute conducted a preliminary autopsy on the animal, which was become known as Hvaldimir," combining the Norwegian word for whale hval and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin. There are no findings from the autopsy that indicate that Hvaldimir has been shot," police said in a statement. This photo provided by OneWhale.org on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, shows manager Regina Haug next to the carcass of the beluga whale Hvaldimir, who was found dead on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. ( OneWhale.org ) Most of the animal's visible wounds were completely superficial with one of them somewhat deeper but not fatal or affecting vital organs, police said. An x-ray found no projectiles and no indication that the wounds could have been caused by gunshots, the statement said. However, a stick about 35 centimeters (14 inches) long and 3 centimeters (1 inch) wide was found wedged in the animal's mouth, and its stomach was empty and its organs had broken down, police said. No further details were given. There is nothing in the investigations that have been carried out to establish that it is human activity that has directly led to Hvaldimirs death," said Preede Revheim, head of the North Sea and environment section of the police in South Western Norway. Revheim said that police will not be actively investigating the case and that the final autopsy report will released later this month. The two animal rights groups said Monday they're not satisfied with the preliminary results and want the police investigation to continue, offering 50,000 kroner ($4,661) for any tips that could reopen the case. The 4.2-meter (14-foot) long and 1,225-kilogram (2,700-pound) whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingoeya, not far from the Arctic town of Hammerfest. Its harness, along with what appeared to be a mount for a small camera, led to media speculation that it was a "spy whale. Over the years since 2019, it was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it became clear it was very tame and enjoyed interacting with people. Experts say the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes. Media reports also have speculated that the whale might have been trained as a therapy animal. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A film series mocking former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconis infamous bunga bunga parties is being censored by his media empire, the actor who played him has claimed. Toni Servillo, who played Berlusconi in Loro and Loro 2, said the films were being buried by the late leaders media company Mediaset after it bought the rights to them six years ago. Released in 2018, the films depict the tycoon enjoying bunga bunga parties details of which tarnished Berlusconis political career. But the films - widely available in France, Germany and Britain, have not aired on the companys channels since then and are unavailable on Italian streaming platforms, The Times reported. The films are available on the French, German and British markets, Mr Servillo explained in a video interview. Toni Servillo, who played Berlusconi in Loro and Loro 2 , said the films were being buried by the late leaders media empire ( EPA ) Clearly, the film was purchased by those who have no interest in it being seen in Italy, he added in the exchange with Instagram star Dario Moccia. Found in 1993, Mediaset, part of the Fininvest holding group chaired by his daughter Marina Berlusconi, has tried to ensure his legacy does not decline into caricature since his death. Lorenzo Castellani, a politics professor at Luiss university in Rome, said that Berlusconis legacy was being carefully curated because it was an asset to the Italian right, with the Forza Italia party, which he founded in 1994, continuing to use the sobriquet President Berlusconi on its official logo. A photo shows a giant screen depicting late Italian businessman and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and reading Thank you president, forever with us ( AFP via Getty Images ) He is a big personality who left his mark on the country, Prof Castellani told The Times. That makes him a powerful brand. It has continually promoted his name and in July honoured him with advertisements marking the anniversary of his death. Berlusconi led governments from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006 and 2008 to 2011, becoming the longest-serving postwar prime minister of Italy. In 2013 he was sentenced to four years in jail for tax fraud, false accounting and embezzlement tied to his media empire. He died of cancer and was given a state funeral. Russian airstrikes on Ukraines hospitals and power stations are pushing the countrys doctors to extraordinary limits, forcing operating theatres underground and leaving surgeons with little choice but to conduct complex procedures in the dark and with limited anaesthetic for patients. Doctors in cities across the war-torn country spoke to The Independent about the toll of working 22-hour shifts in such punishing conditions, not knowing if their hospital could be the next target in Vladimir Putins renewed onslaught of drone and missile attacks. Due to severe power shortages last week, surgeons were left with only four to six hours of electricity per day, crippling their ability to run operating rooms effectively, says Yuriy Boychenko, the founder of Hope for Ukraine, a charity supporting the countrys doctors and hospitals. Follow the latest updates on the war in Ukraine in our live blog Difficult choices are being made every day to operate in dimly-lit basements, deemed the safest place in the event of an airstrike, and at hours which are seen as the least likely to be disrupted by a Russian missile. These operating hours are not being disclosed for the sake of patients safety. The aftermath of a Russian strike in Lviv ( Reuters ) The situation is hard to describe in words, Boychenko tells The Independent. He says there was a noticeable shift in July, when Russia stepped up its attacks and power supplies across the country had to be rationed more strictly. In July, the surgeons and doctors had to permit surgeries without power, in half-destroyed surgical rooms, without any anaesthesia or whatever the patient had received before, he says. What would normally be one dose of anaesthesia is being redistributed among two to three patients, he says, with the watering-down of doses becoming more severe closer to the frontline, where resupplying is hardest. Doctors are using [a kind of] anaesthesia which holds on for long but then, if the procedure goes a little bit longer than is expected, the patient starts feeling all the pain, he says. We have seen that first hand, you know, we have some soldiers who come in for surgeries, doctors had no choice but to do these procedures with patients actually feeling most of the pain because theres no other way to treat them, he tells The Independent. A drone view shows residential buildings heavily damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike in Lviv ( State Emergency Service of Ukraine via Reuters ) Away from the immediate frontline but still in the line of fire, Dr Roman Kuchepera in Lviv has barely slept for more than a couple of hours a night this week. The head of his hospital is also an exhausted new father and spends his short nights trying to shield his baby from the sounds of air raids. He was hiding under me, crying all night as the air raid alerts for incoming Russian missiles come on frequently now, he says. Its late at night in Ukraine when he speaks to The Independent on a Zoom call in a rasping, tired voice, detailing the brutal reality of being a medic and a new father in the time of Vladimir Putins invasion. I realise it is bad for my body but even worse for my patients. I have no choice but to be fully attentive for 22 hours inside hospitals, ensuring the war does not take away any more from them, Dr Kuchepera says. Just a night before our interview, Russia fired Kinzhal hypersonic weapons on Lviv, a city far from the frontline and close to Nato member Poland to Ukraines west. Moscow claimed it was striking designated targets linked to Ukraines defence industry, but it soon became clear that civilians were killed in the attack that damaged more than 50 buildings in the historic heart of Lviv, including homes, schools and clinics. One man lost his entire immediate family: his wife and three young daughters. Some 53 others, including seven children, were wounded. A firefighter works at the site of a Russian missile strike in Sumy ( State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Sumy region via Reuters ) For Dr Kuchepera, an incident like this means his phone is going off at all times, as he carries out consultations through the night. The strain is unimaginable, he says. That Lviv attack took place at 5.40am local time, and against a seemingly random target. The unpredictable nature of when Russia will strike makes it impossible for doctors to plan ahead. It is not like the rest of the world where they know that, OK, we are going to treat X amount of patients per day and order X amount of whatever supplies they require. In Ukraine, we [could] have three days straight of massive airstrikes, based on Russias whim to attack [wherever], using whichever hypersonic missile they want, Boychenko says. You are now looking at two types of medical facilities when Russian missiles rain. There are bigger hospitals that are better equipped. But when you are talking of the smaller, rural hospitals, they have a shortage of literally everything. Dr Marko Isajlovic is a senior doctor with the International Rescue Committee based in Kyiv, where he oversees health interventions across the country, including places like Sumy, a frontline city that has found itself a prime target for Russian capture. He says one in five of his doctors and nurses is crumbling under the stress of working in such conditions. He compares the situation to the Covid-19 pandemic, saying that while healthcare systems in the rest of the world have moved on and recovered, at the Ukrainian frontlines it feels like they are still frozen in that time, constantly overworked and fearing for their own lives. A Ukrainian serviceman guards his position in Mariupol earlier in the war ( AP ) He says Russias attacks on the power grid are an added challenge for frontline hospitals because it forces them to be prepared with backup generators and therefore with large supplies of stored fuel that pose a big risk of explosion in the event of an airstrike. In emergencies, there is always an International Rescue Committee team on standby, ready to transport urgent cases to other hospitals in case the power goes. Dr Isajlovic says even wars should adhere to a few sacrosanct principles: Never target hospitals and civilians. These rules have been repeatedly violated with apparent impunity, and the surprise Russian attack on Ohmatdyt Childrens Hospital in July confirms that, he says. It [strike on childrens hospital] was not expected. [Even] health facilities are no longer safe. Andrii Moskalenko, IRCs pharmaceutical manager, speaks about the situation at the Regional Childrens Clinical Hospital in Sumy where the IRC is sending wound dressing materials and small medical equipment on top of toys, colouring books and support kits for children. "It is difficult to imagine the horror of children being woken up by explosions, with the roof shattered above their heads. There are no words strong enough to condemn bombarding and wounding children. They are bearing the heaviest burden of this war, he says. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed 16 people in western Syria, and injured dozens more, in the deadliest attack reported by Damascus in months. There was no immediate comment from Israel, which typically remains silent on reports of strikes in Syria, but it is the latest in a series of strikes against the country. Two regional intelligence sources claimed a major military research centre for chemical arms production located near Masyaf, in Hama province near the Mediterranean coast, had been hit several times. They said it was believed to house a team of Iranian military experts involved in weapons production. Syria and Iran have both denied those claims. Israel has been striking targets in Syria for more than a decade. Below, The Independent looks at why Israel has been carrying out these strikes - and why they have increased those efforts post 7 October, when Hamas launched its deadly incursion into Israel and reignited the wider conflict in the Middle East. Disrupting Irans weapons supply lines A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on September 9, 2024, shows a big fire burning overnight in the Masyaf area in Syria's central Hama province ( SANA/AFP via Getty Images ) Iran and Israel are the two most heavily-armed nations in the Middle East and are set in opposition to each other. Consequently, they have been arming a range of already anti-Israel militias across the region, many of which surround Israel. The two main Tehran-backed militias used to attack Israel are Hamas from Gaza and Hezbollah, based in southern Lebanon, who have been attacking Israels northern regions. The Houthis in Yemen, also backed by Iran, have been attacking ships heading towards Israels south. Syria, as well as Iraq, lie between Iran and Lebanon, meaning that weapons supplies are funnelled through the two countries en route to Hezbollah. Israels air strikes in Syria are directed at disrupting those supply chains; and they have been doing so since well before the latest war in Gaza. Targeting Irans military commanders After Hamas launched its attack on Israel on 7 October, and Hezbollah began continually firing across the northern Israeli border from the following day, Israel began to more directly strike Iranian personnel in Syria. In a bid to ensure Israel could not sever supply lines from Tehran to its militias, Iran had begun developing missiles in Syria and posting senior personnel in the country to oversee operations. Israels targeting of these senior personnel is viewed as a reaction to this escalation. In December 2023, an Israeli airstrike just outside of Damascus killed a senior advisor in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). It is believed the man in question, known as Sayyed Razi Mousavi, was responsible for coordinating the military alliance between Syria and Iran. The following month, another alleged Israeli strike in the same region killed five IRGC operatives, including the Iranian intelligence chief for Syria. Then in April this year, Israeli warplanes targeted the Iranian embassy in Damascus, having previously hit operatives when they were away from the building. The IRGC said seven of its military advisors died in the strike, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in its Quds Force, which is an elite foreign espionage and paramilitary arm. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At least 18 people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on Syrias Hama province, Syria's health minister has said. It was the deadliest Israeli attack reported by Syrian authorities since the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus was hit in April, which sparked a barrage of drones and missiles from Tehran in response. Speaking to reporters, Syrian health minister Hassan al-Ghabbash described the strikes as a "brutal and barbaric aggression". He said the death toll had risen to 18 with nearly 40 wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, said 25 were killed, including at least five civilians, while the others included Syrian army soldiers and members of Hezbollah and other Iran-linked armed groups. It said 13 explosions rang out in the zone housing scientific research centres in Masyaf where pro-Iranian groups and weapons development experts are present. Syrian air defences confronted an aggression that targeted several points in the central region, the SANA news agency reported. The attack reportedly damaged a highway in Hama province and sparked blazes that firefighting teams were still battling to control early Monday. Fayssal Haidard, director of the Masyaf National Hospital, said that Israeli aggression had caused the deaths of five civilians. Israel has for years been targeting what it has described as Iranian or Iran-backed targets in Syria, where Iranian forces and Tehran-backed militias deployed widely to support President Bashar al-Assad during Syrias civil war. It has stepped up the campaign since the 7 October attack by Hamas inside Israel which triggered the war in Gaza. In that attack, Hamas killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 people. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, about a third of whom are believed to be dead. The nearly 11-month-long Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people according to Palestinian health officials and has displaced about 90 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times. The increase in strikes includes the 1 April attack that hit the Iranian embassy compound and killed senior Iranian commanders including one of Tehrans top generals. Israel has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment in Syria, particularly since Syria is a key route for Iran to send weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran. Hezbollah has been clashing with Israeli forces along the Lebanon-Israel border for the duration of the war in Gaza, trading near-daily rocket fire and threats of escalation. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military about the latest strikes in Syria. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes inside Syria in recent years, but has rarely acknowledged or discussed the operations. The enemy launched an air aggression from the direction of northwest Lebanon, targeting a number of military sites in the central region shortly before 11.20pm local time, the Syrian news agency quoted a military source as saying. Our air defence shot down some missiles. Two regional intelligence sources said a major military research centre for chemical arms production located near Misyaf was hit several times. However, a senior regional military source close to Damascus and Tehran denied the accounts that it was a chemical weapons facility, saying that the target was a well-known Syrian research facility. Syrian state media also reported that the strikes caused material damage to the Masyaf-Wadi al-Uyun highway and sparked a fire in Hair Abbas area. The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the attack as an act of blatant aggression. In addition to the 16 fatalities and 36 wounded, it had caused material damage to some residential areas, it said in a statement. Tehran strongly condemned the criminal attack in Syria, Irans foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said. We do not confirm what was reported by media outlets linked to [Israel] about an attack on an Iranian centre or a centre under Irans protection, he told reporters. Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The United Nations human rights chief has urged countries to act on what he called Israels blatant disregard for international law. Speaking at the 57th session of the human rights council in Geneva, the UN high commission Volker Turk called on partners in the organisation to comprehensively address Israels occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as its continued offensive in Gaza. States must not cannot accept blatant disregard for international law, including binding decisions of the [UN] Security Council and orders of the International Court of Justice [ICJ], neither in this nor any other situation, Mr Turk said, opening the session. He cited an opinion released by the ICJ, the UNs top court, in July that called Israels occupation illegal. Israel has rejected the opinion. The court in July, directed by a 15-judge panel, called on Israel to evacuate all settlers from existing settlements. Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the regime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law," President Nawaf Salam said, speaking on behalf of the panel. In a swift reaction, Israels foreign ministry rejected the opinion as fundamentally wrong and one-sided, and repeated its stance that a political settlement in the region can only be reached by negotiations. The Jewish nation cannot be an occupier in its own land, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said in a statement. Israeli Police speak to residents of the West Bank village of Khirbet Zanuta, after activists called to report Israeli setters in the village ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press All rights reserved ) More than half a million Israelis have settled in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since a 1967 war, during which Israel claimed the territory. The population of Israeli settlers in the West Bank grew around three per cent in 2023, according to a report compiled by pro-settler group. It has grown more than 15 per cent in the last five years, the report added, passing the half a million mark in 2022. After Hamas, who run the Gaza Strip, launched their attack into Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage, violent clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank have led to the death of hundreds of civilians. The nearly 11-month-long Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people according to Palestinian health officials and has displaced about 90 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times. The US has sanctioned several Israeli individuals and groups linked to the violence in the occupied territories in July, the same month as the ICJ ruling. The Israeli security cabinet, during a meeting on Sunday, reportedly discussed the situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It followed the death of a 26-year-old Turkish-American woman, who was killed while participating in a demonstration in Beita in the West Bank on Friday. Aysenur Ezgi Eygi is believed to have been shot in the head by what her family say was an Israeli sniper after the military responded to demonstrators throwing rocks at them. Eygi was a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a pro-Palestinian organisation, and was in Beita on Friday for a weekly demonstration against Israeli settlements, according to ISM, who denied the Israeli account that they were throwing rocks. Her family called on the US to launch an investigation into this latest incident of violence in the occupied territories. Two days later, on Sunday, three Israeli men were shot dead at a border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan, Israeli officials said. It was the first attack of its kind along the border with Jordan since 7 October. The Israeli military said the gunman had approached the Allenby Bridge crossing in a truck from the Jordanian side, before exiting the vehicle and opening fire. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Hollywood actor Idris Elba is due to launch a new campaign alongside Sir Keir Starmer as part of an effort to tackle knife crime. Elba, an anti-knife crime campaigner, will join the prime minister at Downing Street on Monday morning as he launches the coalition which aims to stop young people from being dragged into violent gangs. It aims to bring together campaign groups, families of people who have lost their lives to knife crime, and young people who have been affected by it as well as Elba and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Technology companies, sporting organisations, the NHS and the police are involved in what is expected to the first annual knife crime summit. The actor and the prime minister have previously met with victims of knife crime during the general election campaign ( Stefan Rousseau/PA ) The coalition will work with experts to develop an understanding of what causes young people to be dragged into knife crime. We need to tackle the root causes of knife crime, not just the symptoms, said Elba. He added: The coalition is a positive step toward rehabilitating our communities from the inside out. The prime minister is expected to share how personal the task is for him, drawing on his legal career. Ahead of the gathering, Sir Keir said: As director of public prosecutions, I saw first hand the devastating impact that knife crime has on young people and their families. This is a national crisis that we will tackle head on. We will take this moment to come together as a country politicians, families of victims, young people themselves, community leaders and tech companies to halve knife crime and take back our streets. Idris Elba and Sir Keir Starmer hope to bring together families, campaigners, sporting communities and the police ( Stefan Rousseau/PA ) Ministers have taken steps to ban so-called ninja swords and plan to strengthen the laws around the online sales of knives. Commander Stephen Clayman, the national policing lead for knife crime, has been tasked with leading a rapid review to understand how these weapons are sold online and delivered to under 18s, and to close loopholes in the law. He will report back to the home secretary by the end of the year. Ms Cooper said: Getting weapons off our streets and making sure there are tough and clear consequences for violence are vital. And we also need to prevent young people heading down this path that means offering young people more hope, more opportunities. Todays announcement is the first step in the governments 10-year plan to tackle knife crime, which will be central to its mission to keep our streets safe. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A futuristic form of travel designed to be more efficient than flights, high-speed rail and freight trucks has taken a step closer, according to the company behind it. Hyperloop, a new form of mass transit involving capsules whizzing on magnetic fields through depressurized tubes, has achieved significant liftoff in the northern Netherlands, a company developing the technology said Monday. A test vehicle was levitated and zipped through a tube at a testing facility for the high-speed transit system once promoted by Elon Musk. Developers aim to have capsules speeding through tubes at up to 700 kph (435 mph). So today, with the first successful test, we were able to levitate the vehicle, also turn on the guidance system and the propulsion system," Marinus van der Meijs, the technology and engineering director at hyperloop company Hardt, told The Associated Press late last week before Monday's formal announcement. The European Hyperloop Center's 420-meter (460-yard) tube is made up of 34 separate sections mostly 2 meters (more than eight feet) in diameter. A vacuum pump sucks out the air to reduce the internal pressure. That reduces drag and allows capsules to travel at high speeds. Technicians work in the control room at a testing ground for a high-speed transit system ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Backers say it's far more efficient than short-haul flights, high-speed rail and freight trucks, but it will involve significant investment in infrastructure. So far, in the limited space offered by the test center, the speed has been modest. Once the capsule was in place in the tube, we launched it with an acceleration similar to that of a metro, up to a top speed of about 30 kph (18 mph), about 100 meters (more than 300 feet) in the pipe, Van der Meijs added. Even so, it's a milestone that required some careful conducting. The most difficult things that we are doing now is to test all of these functions together. Levitation, propulsion, guidance, all of those functions we are now capable of executing as an orchestra, making them work together, said Roel van de Pas, commercial director of Hardt Hyperloop. A test vehicle levitated by magnetic fields zips through a depressurized tube in a testing ground ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Musk first proposed the idea more than a decade ago, suggesting it could shuttle passengers the nearly 400 miles (645 kilometers) between Los Angeles and San Francisco in 30 minutes. Since then, teams around the world have been working to bring the idea to fruition. To deliver Hyperloop as a mobility system, we have a very complicated puzzle which requires technology, which requires policy, which requires public-private collaboration, and that is what is needed most," Van de Pas said. "At Hardt, we are ready for passenger operations by 2030. Some analysts are skeptical. When the hyperloop test facility opened in March, Robert Noland, distinguished professor at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, told The Associated Press that building the necessary infrastructure is too costly, calling it another example of policymakers chasing a shiny object. In 2016, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, signed a deal with Los Angeles-based Hyperloop One to study the potential for building a hyperloop line between the city-state and Abu Dhabi, the Emirati capital. The announcement of the deal took place atop the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building, with a panoramic view of the skyline of the futuristic city-state serving as both a backdrop and a sign of Dubais desire to be the first to rush toward the future. But like many flashy announcements in the city-state, the hyperloop idea faded in recent years with no track being built. Hyperloop One shut down in December. The Bridge Fire in Californias San Gabriel Canyon remains 0% contained as it continues to scorch the Angeles National Forest. The brush fire, which has blackened almost 1,000 acres, began Sunday, 8 September. Affected areas have been prompted to evacuate and roads have been closed, including Highway 39. Video of firefighting aircrafts show planes and helicopters dropping water on the flames. Efforts to extinguish the blaze are still ongoing. California is also battling the Line Fire, which exploded to over 20,000 acres this weekend in San Bernardino County. Thousands have evacuated from their homes. North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un says he needs a new navy base because the country is building bigger warships and submarines, state media reported on Sunday 8 September. The news came among a series of reports about Kims visits to military-related facilities. State television showed video of the leader greeting cheering soldiers while wearing a cowboy hat at an artillery academy, but only showed still photos of his visit to the location of the new navy base. North Korea has pursued the development of submarine-launched missiles for many years. Foreign experts consider this a significant capability, if Pyongyang could deploy nuclear warheads underwater to launch attacks without easily being found. Grass-fed beef was considered healthier, more natural, more environmentally friendly and had associations of stronger animal welfare. Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg Irish beef processors considering moves into the South Korean market have been warned by a local market expert not to be complacent. In May, South Korea officially opened market access for beef from France and Ireland. The move represents a huge opportunity for Irish beef processors, with South Korea counted as one of the worlds largest importers of the meat and the highest per-capita consumer in Asia. Earlier this week, ABP Food Group became the first Irish beef processor to launch in the South Korean market after securing an export agreement with meat importer K Meat. Mi-Gyoung Kim, an EU delegate in South Korea, was speaking at a seminar in Seoul covering the launch of Irish beef in the market. Ms Kim warned about complacency, noting the importance in how Ireland positions its beef. She said the US and Australia had succeeded on this front in the market and were reaping the benefits. The market expert noted that Irelands grass-fed beef cattle was unique, suggesting it could be a way for Irish beef processors to tap into South Korea. However, Ms Kim recognised that the awareness of Irish beef was low in South Korea. Research from Bord Bia presented at the seminar found that 67pc of South Koreans surveyed said they would like to try Irish beef. The survey of 1,000 people also found that Ireland was strongly associated with nature, safety, cleanliness, and high-quality food production. The report also found that Irish beef was considered more premium than US beef and on par with Australian beef. However, the research also found that domestically produced South Korean beef was consumed for its taste and quality, while imported beef was primarily chosen on the basis of price. Grass-fed beef was considered healthier, more natural, more environmentally friendly and had associations of stronger animal welfare. Commenting on the findings, Bord Bia chief executive Jim OToole said the report shows potential for Irish beef to claim market share on the basis of its grass-fed credentials. Although Irish beef had not yet reached the market when the survey was conducted, 67pc said they would like to try Irish beef, he said. This research was commissioned to complement Bord Bias existing market expertise and to provide an accurate gauge for our exporters of how Irish beef can be positioned in this competitive beef market. The report found that almost three-quarters of managers believe it is important to know the exact hours their direct reports are working More than a third of employees have admitted to faking activity during work hours, according to a new survey from Irish tech firm Workhuman and Pollfish. The report, which featured insights from 1,000 full-time employees in Ireland, revealed that 42pc of those surveyed scroll through social media while pretending to be busy. A further 41pc opt to complete personal errands during work hours. Of those who admitted to faking activity while at work, 37pc said they did so to have a better work-life balance. The research also showed that employees who are less engaged with their work are more likely to pretend they are working. Over half of respondents said they do the bare minimum to get through the day when they are feeling less engaged. A further 17pc stated they fake activity during times of low engagement in their jobs. Managers play an important role in boosting engagement with their teams, Workhuman reported. Around 46pc said their managers involvement helps them perform their role better, while 32pc added that their manager helps to remove roadblocks. This support can potentially boost productivity. The report found that almost three-quarters of managers believe it is important to know the exact hours their direct reports are working. However, constant surveillance is not the solution to reducing the time employees spend pretending to work, the research suggested. A focus on monitoring could unintentionally contribute to more fake activity as employees feel pressured to look busy. The reality is that most Irish employees arent faking activity, but many feel compelled to do so, said Niamh Graham, Workhuman senior vice president of global human experience. "Our research findings highlight deeper issues around workplace expectations, and the illusion of being always on, with many employees feeling they need to fake activity to appear busy, rather than being genuinely productive, she added. Ms Graham called on companies to focus on building an organisational culture where staff are recognised for their achievements in the workplace. High-trust, collaborative working environments, combined with meaningful recognition, can drive greater engagement, higher productivity, and a stronger sense of belonging and purpose, she said. "This approach not only reduces the need to fake activity but fosters a more motivated and productive workforce overall. Bruce and wife Patti at the Golden Globes this year. Photo: Getty Bruce Springsteen on stage with wife Patti Scialfa at the RDS in 1988. She has told how touring has become a challenge for her due to health problems. Bruce Springsteen's wife Patti Scialfa has revealed she has been secretly battling cancer for six years. The 71-year-old, known for her role in the E Street Band, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, in 2018 and stepped away from touring to manage her health privately. The guitarist opened up for the first time publicly about her health battle in the new documentary, Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on Sunday night. Reflecting on her decision to cut back on performing, Scialfa shared: I've been performing with this band for 40 years. With those first performances, it felt so good to be back onstage. Touring has become a challenge for me. In 2018, well, Bruce and I were doing a play on Broadway. I was diagnosed with early stage multiple myeloma. The musician explained that she now tries to attend every show but is no longer a regular performer. She added: This affects my immune system so I just have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go. Bruce Springsteen on stage with wife Patti Scialfa at the RDS in 1988. She has told how touring has become a challenge for her due to health problems. Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs onstage, and that's been a treat. That's the new normal for me right now, and I'm okay with that. She and Springsteen have been married since 1991 and have three children: Evan (34), Jessica (32), and Samuel, (30). Meanwhile, Springsteen has also struggled with health issues while touring in recent years. He was diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease, which led him to take a six-month hiatus from work as it severely affected his singing. In an interview earlier this year on Sirius XM's E Street Radio, he described the pain: "You sing with your diaphragm, and mine was hurting so badly that trying to sing was excruciating. I literally couldn't sing at all. The pain lasted for two or three months, along with a host of other painful problems. The iconic performer is a regular leisure visitor to Ireland with Patti by his side. The couple met at a bar in the early 1980s and quickly developed a friendship. She played with the E Street Band, but their relationship became romantic after Springsteen split from his first wife, Julianne Phillips, in 1988. Like The Boss, Patti Scialfa was born and raised in New Jersey. However, she can trace her ancestry to Northern Ireland through her mothers family, while Springsteen has traced his ancestry to Co Kildare. The proud parents have travelled here to cheer on their daughter, Jessica, who is a champion showjumper and regularly competes at the RDS. She has purchased a number of Irish-bred horses. Springsteen boasts a particularly devoted Irish fan base, with many tracing their concert history back to June 1985 when he performed his maiden Irish concert at Slane Castle. During his 2013 Irish tour, Springsteen joked that he felt the country was now his adopted home. His last appearance in Ireland was last May, when he played gigs in Dublin, Kilkenny, and Belfast to sold out venues. He has also acknowledged that Irish fans rank among the most passionate at his concerts alongside Spanish, Swedish and Italian superfans. Versatile Adare farm guided at 1.75m 102ac holding comes with plenty of road frontage and large bungalow The house at Lisamote is an extensive bungalow with large attic space Jim O'Brien Mon 9 Sep 2024 at 03:30 Some of the best land in Co Limerick is near the sweet village of Adare, where Tom Crosse of GVM Limerick is handling the sale of a 102ac residential grass farm with road frontage on to three roads, a five-bedroom bungalow and some ancillary out-offices. Sinn Fein finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said the Government short-changed the public last year Sinn Fein has drawn up an alternative budget with a 2.3bn giveaway package it insists the Government can afford. The main opposition partys plan would focus on families in particular with an extra 560 per child to be paid out in the form of child benefit in the run-up to Christmas. With a general election widely expected to be called after the Budget on October 1, Sinn Fein is seeking to limit the potential for the coalition parties to get a popularity bounce by arguing they would do even more if in power. Last year, the Governments package of cost-of-living measures also cost 2.3bn, but senior ministers have already signalled it will be less this year. The Irish Independent has learned that Mary Lou McDonalds pre-election pitch to families includes 450 in electricity credits at a cost of 900m and Christmas bonuses for welfare recipients, costing 350m. Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 9th The package also sees a swathe of once-off cost-of-living payments, including 300 for Fuel Allowance recipients, 400 for Working Family payment recipients, 500 for carers and the disabled, 200 Living Alone lump sum and 100 Qualified Child increment lump sum. Foster carers would also receive a once-off double payment at a cost of 2m to the taxpayer. Double Child Benefit payments would be made in October and December. The party believes 12 is the appropriate increase for the weekly state pension. However, finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said other weekly rates should see higher increases. Reduced Vat on electricity and gas would be extended at a cost of 63m this year; the TV licence abolished at a cost of 45m for the remainder of the year; student fees cut by 1,500; excise duty reversed for petrol and diesel and a carbon tax hike delayed in October. The extensive proposal is likely to see ministers question whether they need to be more generous than planned. It comes after Sinn Fein last week launched an ambitious 39bn plan that the party says can fix the housing crisis. Mr Doherty told the Irish Independent: The Government short-changed the public in last years Budget. Child benefit rates havent increased since 2016, theyre still below the rates they were in 2008 and we just had the figures in relation to the number of children in child poverty. Were talking about over 250,000 people. Theres an Ireland that we hear on the same day that were recording more tax revenues, billions of euro surpluses have grown bigger than we imagined and at the same time we have 250,000 children experiencing enforced deprivation. He said the Government can afford the extensive 2.3bn package as tax receipts are way ahead of predictions. If we look at where the Government thought itd be with tax receipts this year we thought wed be about 4bn by the end of the year ahead, were already 6bn ahead. While this is a sizeable package, our tax taxes are because of peoples efforts and work. Irish News LATEST | We will it evaluate when it comes closer Tanaiste responds to soldiers concerns they may not be able to come home at end of Lebanon tour A former Iceland shop steward has been awarded 8,300 after the then-owner of one of its Irish stores, Naeem Maniar, threatened to sue her personally on the eve of a strike. The award, equivalent to six months wages for employee Jeanette Joyce, was made by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in a decision published this morning on foot of her complaint under the Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Act 2006 against Metron Stores Ltd, trading as Iceland (in liquidation). LATEST | We will it evaluate when it comes closer Tanaiste responds to soldiers concerns they may not be able to come home at end of Lebanon tour The relationship between landlord and renter is too often adversarial, SCSI president Kevin Hollingsworth believes. Stock image: Getty Estate agents and surveyors have called for a dedicated adjudication body or rental court to be set up to deal with serious disputes between tenants and landlords. Members of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) claim the dispute resolution set-up is dysfunctional. The SCSI has also called for a root-and-branch revision of the Residential Tenancies Act. A rental court is needed to deal with tenants who are refusing to leave a property after the lease has expired also known as overholding. It could also deal with the non-payment of rent and landlords who unlawfully hold on to deposits, the SCSI said. The SCSI said the current system for handling rental disputes run by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was overly complex, took far too long and involved an inefficient use of resources. Both renters and landlords have long complained about problems with the RTBs dispute mechanism. The estate agents and surveyors who are members of the SCSI said research it carried out indicated that two of the main reasons small landlords were exiting the market in increasing numbers were complex rental regulations and the high risks involved in renting a property. SCSI president Kevin Hollingsworth said that the lack of supply, together with serious shortcomings in the administration of the rental market, were creating fear and uncertainty on both sides. The tenant/landlord relationship should be a co-operative one, involving willing partners. Too often in Ireland, the relationship becomes adversarial in nature. Mr Hollingsworth said a lot of this was down to the chronic lack of supply, but when problems do arise, tenants and landlords should have confidence in the dispute-resolution process. That is not happening with the current dysfunctional system, he said. He added that estate agents who are members of the SCSI were reporting mounting concerns over tenants overholding as well as with rent arrears and the unlawful withholding of deposits by landlords. The latest RTB figures show the number of registered tenancies at 230,000. Mr Hollingsworth said: We are also calling for a thorough revision of the Residential Tenancies Act, with the aim of simplifying the regulations governing tenant/landlord relations and creating a clearer and more user-friendly framework. He said the RTB also needed more resources to enable it to audit the rental market adequately to ensure overall compliance and to address short-term lets without the necessary permissions. Rental figures from the RTB show rental cost rises that are in excess of rental cap levels. The SCSI recently undertook a rental affordability analysis for a family renting a three-bed semi or two-bed terraced home in five locations around the country. For three-beds, rents ranged from 2,139 in Meath to 2,475 in Wicklow. Including reasonable living expenses of 3,504 for the family of four, this means that the estimated total expenses for a family renting in Meath would be 5,643, while it would be 5,979 in Wicklow, the SCSI said. Rents for a two-bed terraced house ranged from 1,733 in Galway to 2,061 in Wicklow. Including living expenses, this means that estimated total expenses for a family of four in Galway would be 5,237 while in Wicklow it would be 5,565. Mr Hollingsworth said the figures showed just how challenging it is for a family to rent a home in Ireland and the minimum salary level required. Storm Emma lashes the coast of Co Down at Donaghadee in March 2018. Photo: Bernie Brown. A grandfather, a student and a toddler have been given the go-ahead to take a legal case accusing the Government of inadequate action on the climate crisis. The three, along with a legal charity, were granted leave by the High Court to take the case that will argue the Government has failed to comply with its own climate law. They are retired psychotherapist Philip Kearney from Co Wicklow, youth climate activist Saoi OConnor from Co Cork and a child aged 20 months, represented by their mother, whose names the court directed not be revealed. They are accompanied in the challenge by the Centre for Environmental Justice at legal charity, Community Law and Mediation (CLM). Each will argue that climate change will affect their age group in specific ways. Mr Kearney will say that as an older person he is more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, and also that he lives with deep concern for the future welfare of his children and grandchild. The two younger applicants will say they will have to live longer with the impacts of climate change, leaving them at significantly greater risk of adverse health and negative social effects. They will argue that the Governments climate action efforts are not sufficient to meet the commitments in the Climate and Low Carbon Development Act. They will also ask the court to find that, by failing to protect them from climate-related harm, their rights under the Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights are infringed. Rose Wall, CLM chief executive, said the case would highlight weaknesses in the 2024 national Climate Action Plan, published last December. It will be argued that the actions in the plan will not achieve the greenhouse gas emissions cuts committed to in law and that the plan was therefore prepared and approved by Government in breach of the law. Irelands emissions are not decreasing rapidly enough to stay within the confines of the States own legally binding 2025 and 2030 carbon budgets and successive Climate Action Plans have fallen short on implementation, Ms Wall said. Low income and marginalised groups, the groups CLM has represented since its establishment in Coolock almost 50 years ago, stand to be disproportionately impacted by climate change but have least opportunity to protect or vindicate their rights. In taking this case, CLM seeks to serve as a vehicle for collective recourse for these communities and future generations. The case is inspired by cases taken by a group of senior citizens in Switzerland and six young people from Portugal to the European Court of Human Rights last year. Judges found in favour of the Swiss group and while they ultimately dismissed the Portuguese case, they did accept some arguments made by the young applicants. This latest case will run parallel with a separate challenge by Friends of the Irish Environment and CLM against the 2023 Climate Action Plan. The High Court granted leave for that challenge last September and the hearing will begin next January. A number of children with scoliosis in Ireland will continue to be referred for spinal surgery to Great Ormond St Hospital in the UK where one of its former orthopaedic surgeons is under investigation, it emerged today. Under a plan to reduce waiting lists for children with scoliosis, Childrens Health Ireland is outsourcing some young patients who are suitable for spinal surgery to the London hospital. It emerged yesterday that children treated in the London hospital by one of its former surgeons came to severe harm during limb reconstruction. It is understood that no child from Ireland was involved. The surgeon performed limb reconstruction which is separate to spinal surgery. A spokeswoman for Childrens Health Ireland overseeing Crumlin and Temple St Hospitals said today that there is no expectation that this will interfere with out-sourced Childrens Health Ireland spinal patients. She directed inquiries about the Great Ormond investigation to the London Hospital. Great Ormond Street hospital (Gosh) in London has offered its sincere apologies to children who have suffered what is reported as lifelong damage.The surgeon worked in the hospitals lower limb reconstruction service from 2017 until he stepped down in September last year. Some of the children were left with one leg up to 20cm shorter than the other while others are still in chronic pain years after their treatment, and one had a limb amputated an outcome that experts said later could have been avoided. An external review of the care of 39 of the 721 patients has found that 13 came to severe harm, another nine suffered low/moderate harm, while two cases have been referred for peer review, and the other 15 experienced no harm. The children are reported to have been treated by Yaser Jabbar, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon. Jabbars behaviour became a concern after the hospital asked the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) in 2022 to investigate the performance of its paediatric surgery department and patient outcomes, after staff and families voiced concerns about the quality of care it provided. Great Ormond St Hospital said that as part of the review, the RCS raised concerns around the practice of a surgeon who no longer works at the trust, and other practice within the service. We are taking these concerns incredibly seriously. We have contacted all patients of the surgeon and a group of independent experts from other paediatric hospitals are reviewing the care of all the patients of this surgeon. We are incredibly sorry for the worry and uncertainty this review may cause them. It asked the Royal College of Surgeons in the UK to carry out a wider paediatric orthopaedic service in 2022. The London Hospital is facing questions about its handling of concerns by parents about the surgeon amid claims it was slow to act when complaints were made. In April the London hospital instigated an orthopaedic service review improvement programme. A number of Irish children who have scoliosis and need spinal surgery have been treated in Great Ormond St Hospital in London following a clinic held in Dublin during the summer. It is part of a plan to reduce waiting lists for spinal surgeries. Under the plan surgeons also travel here from the United States following an agreement the Morgan Stanley Childrens Hospital in New York to carry out spinal operations on children from Ireland. There were 281 children waiting for spinal surgery in July including 239 on the active list. There were 76 children waiting at least four months. The hope is that a significant number of children who are healthy enough to travel will be operated on abroad, freeing up theatre space here for the more complex patients. The father of Kinahan cartel gangsters Liam and David Byrne has died in hospital. James Byrne (77) died in Tallaght Hospital on Saturday evening following a lengthy illness. He was the father of David Byrne, who was shot dead in the Regency Hotel bloodbath in February 2016, and Liam Byrne, who is due to go on trial in the UK later this month for organised crime-linked firearms and conspiracy charges. Another very close relative of veteran criminal James Byrne was arrested for public order offences and detained at Sundrive garda station in south Dublin at around the time of his death on Saturday. In what has been a difficult time for the extended Byrne family, James Byrnes nephew and Kinahan cartel gangster Liam Roe died late last month following a battle with cancer. Sources said James Byrnes widow Sadie Byrne has been left devastated by his death and a large number of people visited her home in Raleigh Square over the weekend to pay their respects to her. Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 9th It has also emerged that Sadie (75) is planning to visit her son Liam (43) in Londons high-security Belmarsh Prison, where he is on remand, in the coming weeks. Liam Byrne, his brother-in-law Thomas Bomber Kavanagh and a number of other men are charged with conspiring to possess a firearm without a certificate; conspiring to possess ammunition for a firearm without a certificate; conspiring to possess a prohibited weapon; and conspiring to possess prohibited ammunition. They are additionally charged by UK authorities with conspiring to pervert the course of justice. James Byrne, also known as Jaws, was a self-described hardened criminal who had links to Martin The General Cahill and worked as an armed robber in his younger days. He had a notorious criminal reputation and was very active for many years in the gangland scene before his sons became even more active criminals due to their involvement with the Kinahan cartel, a source said. James Byrne was also well known for involvement in fraud and counterfeiting and was targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) and Revenue around the turn of the millennium, agreeing to pay out hundreds of thousands of euro in settlements. In November 2002, he agreed to repay 43,353 in unemployment assistance that he was not entitled to. He paid the Revenue Commissioners 208,400 after Revenue and Cab issued him with a tax assessment of 378,612 in 2004. Some of the assessment was paid from 22,000 in cash seized at his home in 2001. This was not to be his last dealings with the bureau and following a raid by Cab in 2017, Jaws later applied to the High Court seeking the return of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch worth 35,000 which had been seized in a raid. Every year James Byrne and his wife Sadie left floral tributes to their cartel-aligned son David at the north Dublin hotel where he was murdered in 2016 by the Hutch gang in a brazen gun attack that made international headlines. In increasingly poor health in recent months, he did not attend the funeral of his nephew Liam Roe last month, but Sadie was in attendance. The death notice reads; Jemmy will be forever loved and very sadly missed by his loving wife, children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sister Mary, Phyllis, Sandra, Elsie and Margaret, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and his large circle of friends. May Jemmy rest in peace. The death notice details that Mr Byrne will be reposing at his home on Monday from 6pm. The funeral mass will be on Friday (13th September 2024) at 12 noon in St. Catherines Church, Meath Street, followed by burial in Mount Jerome Cemetery. James Byrnes son Liam is not expected to be given temporary release to attend the funeral, as he is classified as a major security risk in the UK prison system. CONSTRUCTION employers have expressed concern that threatened strikes could delay the delivery of the much-needed new National Childrens Hospital. Members of Unite working as plumbers, fitters, welders and apprentices are set to mount pickets at building sites around the country for a second 24-hour strike on Friday in a dispute over a travel allowance. This follows a one-day strike last Friday at the construction sites of employers including Intel, the ESB and Diageo. Unite official Tom Fitzgerald confirmed that another stoppage will take place on Friday but a decision has not yet been taken regarding the location of pickets. He previously warned that pickets could be placed at the hospital site. The Mechanical Engineering and Building Services Contractors Association (MEBSCA), which represents contractors at the sites, said work on the National Childrens Hospital site in Rialto is almost complete. However, MEBSCA is concerned that industrial action would delay the delivery of a much needed project like the childrens hospital, said a spokesperson. She said around a third of its members were served with notice of strike action. The spokesperson said the employer body has advised the union that it is available for talks. MEBSCA would welcome a return to the collective bargaining model that existed in the sector up to approximately two years ago, she said. Unite claims the first hour of payment members get for travelling to and from work was cut on a temporary basis following the 2008 financial crash. The union claims this was meant to be reviewed after a year, but did not happen. It warned that in the absence of a meaningful offer from MEBSCA, the dispute will escalate. Unite said further strikes will follow and pickets placed on additional sites. While MEBSCA employers have seen their turnover skyrocket, workers are continuing to pay the price for a crisis that was not of their making, said Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham. The union said restoration of the first hour of travel time would mean a significant increase in pay for mechanical construction workers at a time of cost of living pressures. Workers told the Irish Independent the travel allowance is worth an extra hours pay. MEBSCA has said an agreement was reached with the union in 2011 that meant the first hour of travel was incorporated into hourly pay rates. A spokesperson said pay rates increased as a result of the deal. "Unite is now seeking to maintain the higher rate of pay while also seeking to reverse the agreement that was freely entered into by Unite at that time," it said in a statement. They were part of an 11-strong gang that carried out Stg3m worth of frauds targeting elderly and vulnerable people in a crime spree 10 years ago A Rathkeale Rovers couple who are part of an organised crime gang deported from the United States two weeks ago are now in prison in Ireland. Oliver Boswell (36) and Kathleen McCarthy (35) are being sought for extradition to the UK where they were convicted of rogue trading offences in 2017. They were part of an 11-strong gang that carried out Stg3m worth of frauds targeting elderly and vulnerable people in a crime spree ten years ago. The couple, who have links to Rathkeale, Co Limerick, disappeared before their trial but were arrested in the US after a routine traffic stop in July this year. They appeared in the High Court last week where McCarthys application for bail before a full hearing on September 25 was refused. Her husband, Oliver Boswell, consented to being sent back to the UK where he had previously pleaded guilty to the charges against him. It was also heard the couples four children, aged between eight and 15, are still in the US where they are being cared for by McCarthys sister. Detective Sergeant Adrian Murray from the National Extradition Unit gave evidence that Ms McCarthy is wanted for sentence on 19 offences in which Stg220,000 went through her bank account. Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 9th He said she was one of 11 defendants in the case along with her husband Oliver Boswell, and had failed to appear in court on two occasions. She has remained at large since then until her husbands arrest following a traffic violation in the US. The garda witness said he believed her to be a flight risk if given bail. Following their deportation from the US, they were arrested at Dublin Airport based on a request from the UK authorities. McCarthys lawyer said if granted bail she would live at her parents house in Rathkeale, Co Limerick and 2,500 was available as a cash bond. It was also heard the convictions could attract a maximum sentence of 14 years. Boswell had also been due to make an application for bail, but the court was told that he instead consented to being surrendered to the UK. He was called to evidence that he understood why there was a warrant for his extradition and that he agreed to being handed over. The Sunday World previously reported Kathleen McCarthy received more than Stg220,000 from 14 victims across the UK between December 2013 and December 2014. Boswell pleaded guilty to four money laundering offences in January 2017, getting 24,000 from four victims between January 2014 and June 2014. Sentencing was postponed until after the trial where Kathleen McCarthy was convicted, but she failed to attend and is wanted by the court. Their days on the run came to an end on July 17 when police in Ulster County, New York stopped a Ford pick-up truck which had been reported stolen from Enterprise Rent-a-Car. McCarthy was arrested and charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, according to reports The US Department of Homeland Security contacted the sheriffs office after being made aware of McCarthys arrest and that her husband was wanted in the UK as well. Sheriffs deputies and detectives helped locate Boswell and identified other gang members in Ulster County. Officers from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) at New York Citys Newburgh office arrested the pair on July 18. According to a statement, the two Irish non-citizens are alleged to be linked to an international fraud network known as the Travelling Conmen Fraud Group. Boswell had lawfully entered the US on February 15, 2023, while McCarthy arrived later that year on August 11, but both had violated the terms of admission. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have also targeted other members of the network who paid people-smugglers huge sums of cash to get into the US. The couple were previously described as leaders of the gang when UK police launched an appeal for information on the pair after their convictions. An officer from the UKs South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, said at the time: This is organised criminality targeting the most vulnerable in our society. It was added the unit will pursue these individuals using all resources and partner agencies available to ensure prosecution and sentencing. Upon conviction we will also conduct confiscation proceeding under the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure compensation for the victims. Taoiseach Simon Harris has denied that his Government has done a U-turn on increasing the rate of stamp duty paid by vulture funds bulk-buying homes in Ireland. He was responding to a suggestion by junior minister and Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond, who said the current rate of 10pc should be doubled. Mr Harris said he had written to the Department of Finance on this issue several months ago, and was told they are carrying a review out into the bulk-buying of homes. As I have consistently said in the Dail since becoming Taoiseach, if you make changes to taxation you generally do it through the budgetary process, Mr Harris said as he officially opened the National Rehabilitation Hospital on Monday. Obviously the three parties in Government will decide how best to address this in the Budget delivered on October 1. But again its a statement of fact, I would have said it many times, since becoming leader of my party and Taoiseach that we do need to keep the issue of stamp duty constantly under review. Im pleased of the measures that the Government has taken to try and tackle the issue of bulk-buying by vulture funds, but weve also said consistently across all three parties those measures must always be kept under review. He added: I do hope to see progress and movement on this issue in the budget but that will be a matter for budget day. Meanwhile, Tanaiste Micheal Martin urged caution in terms of speculation ahead of the budget. Speaking at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry, Mr Martin expressed surprise at the stamp duty comments by Mr Richmond. Generally speaking at budget time there can be different ideas and proposals floated, said Mr Martin. I think the Government does need to be careful in terms of how we go about this. There will be different areas, the welfare package which is par for the course. "I would urge caution in terms of market sensitive issues, so in terms of the stamp duty issue for example, the Minister for Finance had already commissioned substantive review of that. "That review is nearing completion and Im surprised at Neale Richmonds comments yesterday because I would have thought the sensible thing would have been to await the outcome of the review. We must approach these issues in an evidence-based way and in a substance-based way, and I think the sensible thing would have been to await the review. Well engage on it. I think the review will have to be published in the first instance. Im conscious of the Housing Commissions report as well which warned against reactive approach to the rental market and to the market in general, and Im conscious of the need for investment from the private sector in housing as well, and if we keep chopping and changing, that could damage investment in housing. It follows a proposal last January from opposition party Sinn Fein, which sought to increase the rate of stamp duty on bulk purchases of new homes by vulture funds to 17pc. The proposal was subsequently rejected by the Government following a Dail vote. Visiting Medjugorje: I have seen people who could not walk, suddenly walking Spectacular sights, wonderful people and beautiful weather were the highlights of a trip to the pilgrimage town in Bosnia and Herzegovina The statue of Our Lady outside St James Church in Medjugorje Michael McCready Mon 9 Sep 2024 at 03:30 We have just crossed the border from Croatia into Bosnia and Herzegovina. There seems to be beautiful countryside everywhere and as we move closer to our destination, rugged mountains appear which is quite appropriate as the translation of Medjugorje is between mountains. The new merger will see the professional services firm establish a new office in Cork Pictured at the merger announcement are (l-r): Tom OBrien, managing partner at Forvis Mazars, Fiona Byrne, practice lead at Forvis Mazars Cork, James Byrne, consultant at Forvis Mazars Cork. Pic: www.CorporatePhotographersDublin.ie An accountancy firm which has an office in Mallow has announced that it has joined an international audit, tax, advisory and consultancy business. James Byrne & Co chartered accountants, which has an office at Bank Place in Mallow as well as in Blackpool and Dungarvan, has merged with Forvis Mazars, which employs over 850 people across its offices in Dublin, Galway, Cork and Limerick. The new merger will establish a new Forvis Mazars office in Cork on South Mall and will be led by Fiona Byrne, who is practice lead at Forvis Mazars Cork. According to Forvis Mazars, the new entity will combine its international reach and domestic capabilities with the strong reputation James Byrne & Co has built over 40 years. As part of the merger, the long-standing Mallow office will be led by Marie Kelly as director with James Byrne serving as a consultant. Fiona Byrne said the new merger is an exciting development. In addition to our new location in Cork city we will also continue our presence in Mallow and will work together with our new colleagues in Ireland and abroad to build a fresh dynamic and agile practice providing new and existing clients with the very latest in audit, taxation, advisory and consulting services as well as providing our team with meaningful and rewarding careers, she said. Tom OBrien, managing partner at Forvis Mazars, said welcoming James Byrne & Co into the Forvis Mazars family is a pivotal step in the companys strategy to be a truly national firm. Cork, as a dynamic business hub, offers tremendous growth potential and is an ideal location for us to provide our clients with high-quality, tailored solutions. Fiona Byrne and the rest of the team at James Byrne & Co bring invaluable local expertise to our firm across our full range of service lines, he said. The Cork practice will offer a full range of audit, tax, advisory, and consulting services, strengthened by the appointments of Stephen Gahan as tax partner and David Swinburne as financial advisory partner. They will join Fiona Byrne, who is audit & outsourcing partner, in leading the office. These appointments will enable the Cork practice to leverage Forvis Mazars' extensive resources and sector-specific expertise to deliver innovative solutions and meet clients' evolving needs and expectations. Reflecting on the announcement of the merger, James Byrne said it marks a significant milestone for his practice. For over 40 years, James Byrne & Co has served our clients with excellence and integrity, often building relationships that span generations of businesses and families. Todays announcement ensures that, as the practice moves forward, we will be best positioned to continue to do so. Looking ahead, we will be able to leverage the resources and expertise of Forvis Mazars, a firm that shares our values and has a strong reputation in the Irish market, he said. This will give our clients access to a broader range of services and a deeper pool of talent, knowledge and innovation. The locations are the latest to join the 18,000 sites recorded in the Wreck Inventory of Ireland Database Aerial images of a shipwreck in Portmarnock have led to the discovery of three previously undocumented wrecks. The wrecks, which are in the process of being fully identified, appear to date from as far back as the 19th century. The images were taken by local underwater photographer Nigel Motyers. Karl Brady, who is a senior archaeologist in the National Monuments Service, says its important to protect these discoveries. Theres always been shipwrecks uncovered on Portmarnock Beach, said Mr Brady. Usually it's at the northern end of the beach, but these new discoveries are at the southern end of the beach, and we haven't really seen that amount of wrecks at that end. It offers a glimpse into the past that we wouldn't normally know about, maritime history and maritime trade shifts. As a result, we've become guardians of these shipwrecks and are responsible for managing them, protecting them and safeguarding them. We went out to Portmarnock beach to try and locate the wreck and get some measurements on it and get some records on it. The newly-discovered wrecks are poorly preserved due to continuous tidal and storm action over the years. While only the lower portions of the hulls and bow areas have survived, our team has identified timber frames, planking, metal knees and even a metal winch/windlass system at the bow of one of the boats. Its believed that the three wrecks could date from the 19th century. The wreck which led to their discovery was recorded in the Wreck Inventory of Ireland, and was last visible in 2017 (and previously in the 1990s). Heritage Minister Darragh O'Brien today visited the beach with underwater specialist archaeologists from the National Monuments Service as they assessed the newly-revealed shipwrecks. Heritage Minister Darragh O'Brien, right, visiting the shipwrecks' site at Portmarnock yesterday. Photo: John Lalor/National Monuments Service This is a very exciting development. No doubt each of these shipwrecks has an important story to tell and we hope that, in time, we will learn more about them and the roles they have played in shaping our history, he said. With a long-standing maritime legacy to celebrate and record, the important work of the National Monuments Service protects and preserves our underwater heritage, as evidenced by the 18,000 sites recorded in the Wreck Inventory of Ireland Database. The first ship may be the Malfilatre, which sailed in around 125 years ago. This 40-year-old, 116-ton schooner of Bridgewater (Somerset), was originally built in France. It was en route from Cardiff to Dublin in December 1899 with a crew of four and a cargo of coal when it encountered severe gales and high seas that swept its decks and tore its sails. Unable to reach its destination, the vessel went ashore at Portmarnock Point. The crew was forced to climb the rigging and spend the night there as waves swamped and filled the boat. The severity of the seas made it too dangerous for the coast guard to attempt a rescue by launching a lifeboat. The following morning, crews from Howth, Baldoyle, and Dun Laoghaire rescued the ships crew by wading into the water and throwing lines. The Malfilatre soon broke apart, becoming a total wreck, with its cargo washing ashore. The second new wreck discovered is a wooden vessel with a bow end and is buried in the sand. While the hull is composed of wooden planks, the lodging knees structural elements to support a deck are formed from composite iron pieces and indicate the wreck most likely dates to the latter half of the 19th century or early 20th century. The third wreck discovered is another wooden vessel, with only the stern end exposed. The outline of the vessel is defined by a series of framing timbers and hull planking that are visible above the sand. Parts of the stern post and rudder can also be seen. The bow is either buried or has been washed away over time due to erosive action. Around 50 wrecks are recorded for the Portmarnock/Baldoyle area in the Wreck Inventory, identified through years of painstaking historical and archival research by the NMS. These range from 14th-century trading ships to 20th-century coal-boats. The physical remains of at least 13 of these vessels have been located. The wrecks at Portmarnock will be monitored over time. Photo: John Lalor/National Monuments Service 18th and 19th-century newspaper articles and specialist maritime sources can shed some light on the wrecks, where they were built and the identities of the crew, said Mr Brady. In some cases, records exist detailing the final moments of the vessels, as well as rescue attempts undertaken by local lifeboat crews, often in severe weather. Many vessels have similar construction styles over the centuries, and there are often no dateable artefacts recovered, so confirming the identity of the wrecks and aligning them with historical records is challenging. Research by NMS indicates that most of the vessels recorded off Portmarnock Strand were lost during bad or stormy weather. Several of the ships, en route to Dublin, may have attempted to seek refuge in Howth Harbour during stormy conditions, but failed to reach the safety of the harbour entrance and were compelled to run ashore on the strand, a desperate measure to save lives, said Mr Brady. Other ships, originating from ports on the west coast of Britain and bound for various global destinations, seem to have been unfortunate victims of stormy weather, driven ashore at Portmarnock, often at night. There is an unusually high number of wrecks in this location. The ships didnt sink fully at the time. The crew were forced to climb the mask and the rigging to prevent themselves from being washed ashore, and they spent the night in the vessel, probably suffering from hypothermia and exposure. The biggest concern at that stage was that they might die from exposure. Imagine being stuck with no lights, not really knowing where you are and fearing that the vessel might break up. The cyclical nature of sand movement on beaches often leads to the temporary exposure and subsequent reburial of shipwrecks, as seen at Portmarnock. While partially uncovered at present, the wrecks appear stable and will most likely cover over in the coming weeks and months. This will help safeguard them from further deterioration and degradation, with the sediments acting as a buffer. Further monitoring of the wrecks and regular inspection of the beach by NMS will ensure that the wrecks are further examined as and when uncovered, allowing for their full assessment over time, which will assist in confirming their identity. Gallivan Financial, the Killarney-based financial planning and wealth management company, has announced that it has reached agreement to acquire Limerick-based financial advisory company FJ Hanly & Associates for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition will increase Gallivan Financials overall assets under management to more than 400 million. Gallivan has plans to grow the business to 1 billion under management over the next 18 months through a combination of further acquisitions and organic growth. The company has a growing presence within the Munster region and is planning further acquisitions both within its existing geographic footprint and further afield. Gallivan Financial is majority owned by the Gallivan family, which sold its Gallivan Murphy Insurance Brokers (GMIB) to the US insurance broking group Assured Partners in 2022. Gallivan Financial was not part of that transaction and is now on a major growth trajectory. FJ Hanly & Associates is a well-respected firm, dedicated to helping its clients do more with their money. Led by principal Fergus Hanly, it has been providing personalised and professional financial advice to companies, directors, families, and individuals, for over 20 years. FJ Hanly & Associates has more than 700 hundred clients and approximately 100 million in assets under management. It has built long-term working client relationships in Limerick and the wider South West region that are based on trust and professionalism. The acquisition will provide a platform to further build upon Gallivan Financials position as one of the leading pension and investment businesses in the Munster region. The transaction, which is subject to the customary regulatory approvals, is anticipated to be completed within the next few weeks. Following the acquisition, Gallivan Financial will have 20 staff at its offices in Killarney and Limerick. Fergal Smith, Gallivan Financial Managing Director, said: The acquisition of FJ Hanly & Associates will enable us to continue to build upon our position as one of the leading wealth management advisory firms in the region. It will also significantly enhance our ability to provide a stronger advice model to all our clients into the future. We are delighted to have the talented team at FJ Hanly & Associates join Gallivan Financial. We are excited to benefit from the skills and in-depth knowledge of its team to help us grow our footprint in Ireland as we look to continue our expansion. The mutually strong cultural fit was evident from the outset of our discussions and in our shared ambition to provide consistent, client-focused advice that is centred on enduring long-term relationships with our clients. FJ Hanly & Associates Founding Director Fergus Hanley said: I am extremely pleased to be working with Gallivan Financial. I believe we are closely aligned in terms of our shared values and our mutual appreciation of the importance of integrity, honesty and dedication when working with our clients. I have every confidence that our strategic partnership will bring an enhanced offering to all my clients. With increased regulation, compliance and administration, it made strategic sense for us to align with a company with similar values, to pool our resources and expertise, which in turn will provide a much stronger advice service to all our clients, both now and long into the future. The purchase of FJ Hanly & Associates will be Gallivan Financial s second acquisition within the past 16 months. In May 2023, Gallivan Financial acquired Killarney-based broker, Vincent Casey Life & Pensions, adding 80 million in assets under management. Tralee's Connolly Jewellers on Bridge Street set to close this autumn as current owners, Norma and Martin Hartnett, opt for early retirement One of Tralee towns best known businesses, Connolly Jewellers on Bridge Street, will close its doors this autumn. The owners and couple, Norma and Martin Hartnett, said their decision to take a well-earned early retirement is behind the move to close the doors. Normas parents, Gerry and Birdie, established the business in the 1950s a business that many people and families over the decades will associate with happy memories. Martin has been at the helm with Norma for 31 years and said the shop is a big part of the retail landscape in Tralee for the past 70 years. During that time, Normas parents and all who ever worked here always gave 100 percent to every aspect of the business, Martin said. The joy when a new piece of jewellery is purchased, and an old piece with sentimental value is revived, has been the best part of the journey. We will always value the time we had and it has been an honour to add to the experience of our customers, he added. Standing in the same place six days a week for over 30 years has taken its toll on the body Martin explained that the current retail climate has had no bearing on their decision to retire. He revealed how there have been ups and downs over the past 70 years that the business has come through, but it was time to take a rest. I think keeping your buying right, keeping an eye on your costs and having a strong service ethic helps you overcome the challenges. Simply, standing in the same place six days a week for over 30 years has taken its toll on the body and its time for a rest, said Martin. The couple say the impending closure of the shop is unlikely to have an impact on the careers of the current staff who are due to return to college in September. Customers who have made bookings or have items on deposit will be contacted individually. Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 9th Martin said there will be an eight-week window during which outstanding repaired items can be collected and all watch guarantees will be backed-up by the brand itself and the distributors in Ireland. Gerry and Birdie are the heroes of this story having started a business in the 1950s when times were tough. They provided a template to keep a family business thriving and always putting the customer first. As regards the closing of the shop, I think that they will be happy that it has been such a large part of life in Tralee for so long, said Martin. There will be a wide selection of stock available to purchase with 30 and 50 percent discounts for the final eight weeks of trading. Cera Ward, Managing Director, Large Customer Sales, Google Ireland Annette Rowsome, Local Enterprise Office Wexford and Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland, pictured with at Google Headquarters with for the launch of Digital 25. Entrepreneurs from across Wexford and the south east are set to travel to Google headquarters in Dublin for a special digital strategy event on October 2. The full-day event is designed to equip small businesses with the latest tools, strategies and insights to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The event is being hosted in collaboration with Google and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) of Wexford, Carlow, Waterford and Kilkenny, and will feature a fascinating line-up of speakers, workshops and networking opportunities. The day kicks off with registration, breakfast and networking at 10 a.m. before Google officially open proceedings with a welcome address at 11 a.m. Annette Rowsome from LEO Wexford will deliver the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of digital strategy for small businesses. Following her introduction, Amanda Webb, founder of digital marketing firm Spiderworking, will lead a session on basic digital strategies and tools. Webbs talk will cover essential topics, including attracting website visitors, utilizing scheduling tools, and the benefits of integrating a newsletter and creative strategy into business operations. One of the event highlights will be at 11.45 a.m. where participants will learn the art of image prompting with Google AI, demonstrating the creative potential of artificial intelligence in digital marketing. Google will also present a session on boosting productivity with AI, offering practical advice on leveraging AI-powered tools to save time and enhance efficiency. This will be a must-attend for those looking to integrate AI into their daily business operations. After lunch, participants will be able to choose from two break-out sessions. Tara Elzingre from the Tara Elzingre Consultancy will delve into content creation and marketing fundamentals, while Kristian Downer, founder of DowSocial, will explore the impact of AI on marketing strategies and provide insights on how to use AI to grow your business. The day will conclude with a panel discussion moderated by Google, titled Online Strategies for Small Businesses in 2025. It will feature industry experts such as Jen Langan, Marketing Director at Grow It Yourself Ireland; Darragh OCiarba, Co-Founder and CEO of Groopeze; Miriam Cushen, Owner of Cushendale Woolen Mills; and Leona OShea, Marketing and Quality Assurance Manager at Barrow Training. Together, they will explore the latest online tools and tactics for small businesses to navigate the competitive digital landscape. Speaking about the event Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland said: "Small businesses are an integral part of our economy, creating and sustaining significant employment, fuelling innovation, and driving local growth. However, the digital landscape for these businesses is evolving rapidly. That is why this event, delivered in partnership with the Local Enterprise Office in Wexford, is so important. As a proud Waterford woman, I am excited to see how we can provide small businesses in the South East with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. We are committed to helping SMEs grow so they can continue contributing to the prosperity of our local communities." Tickets for the event are priced at 20 and are available from the Wexford Local Enterprise Office website. Local politicians have rallied to call on the Government to consider buying some or all of a large land bank near ancient woods that has come on the market near Delgany, County Wicklow. Wicklow Green TD Steven Matthews said he has contacted Malcolm Noonan, Minister with responsibility for Nature and Heritage, to assess the opportunity to purchase some of the land at a 197-acre site, near Glen of the Downs, for nature conservation objectives. While Wicklow Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has started a petition to urge the Government to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to expand the woodland environment for the benefit of the people. Agents ONeill and Flanagan have a put a guide price of 6.5m for the site which includes a large swathe of Bellevue Woods that offers a unique opportunity to acquire a large plot of land, in an idyllic and much sought after area, just 25km south of Dublin City Centre, 45km south of Dublin Airport, and 30km south of Dun Laoghaire Port. It is understood the land is currently zoned for agricultural purposes. Commenting on the sale, Deputy Matthews said: "This represents an opportunity for the state to acquire land to connect Kindlestown Woods to the Glen of the Downs. There are many good people working in the Delgany and Greystones community who are seeking ways to protect nature and provide some natural amenities for residents and visitors and I would like to meet them soon to look at the possibilities for this site. "The area has seen huge increases in housing and population growth. I doubt there will any appetite or evidence to support zoning this land for housing. Therefore we should look at what this land or parts of the land could be used for to provide community gain and nature projection. The Greens fought hard to pass the Nature Restoration Law and that law has objectives for nature restoration in urban areas. Linking Kindlestown old woodlands to the Glen's old woodland and providing a safe ecological corridor through the area would be a good use for this land, he concluded. Meanwhile, Deputy Whitmore has started a petition on change.org to also call on the Government to buy the land and double size of Glen of the Downs ancient woods. The petition, which has attracted 1,700 signatories and counting after it went online on Sunday, September 8, described The Glen of the Downs as an invaluable national treasure an icon of ancient oak woodland nestled in Wicklow". "Tragically, its growth and vibrancy has been stifled over the years. Bounded by agricultural land on all sides and dissected by a major road, the Glen of the Downs struggles to breathe. Our petition calls on Government to double the size of the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve through the purchase of 200 acres of land in Delgany, currently on sale. As can be seen from the map, this land adjoins both the Glen of the Downs and Kindlestown Forest. Purchasing this site would join these two forests and provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to expand on this magnificent oak woodland, preserving it for future generations, it said. Pope Francis gestures after giving an address during a meeting with young people in the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) East Timor pulled out all stops for Pope Francis' historic visit to one of the world's youngest and poorest countries to the tune of $12 million (9.1 million), drawing rebuke from activists and human rights organisations. The cost of the two-day visit, which started on Monday, was approved by the government through the Council of Ministers in February, including $1 million (762,000) to build an altar for a papal mass. Israeli ministers also clashing as meetings end in shouting matches, reports claims Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a split with spy agency Mossad and the defence forces over hostage negotiations as senior government figures openly row over ending the war in Gaza. Disagreements between the security services and Mr Netanyahus office over signing a ceasefire deal have been growing in recent weeks and have started to be leaked to the public through a campaign of toxic briefings. Gazans rush to get children vaccinated as war is paused in some areas Fighting pauses as second stage of campaign to stop polio is rolled out Palestinian children sit at the site of an Israeli strike on the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, where displaced people were taking shelter in tents, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, September 5, 2024. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Nidal al-Mughrabi and Mohammad Salem Fri 6 Sep 2024 at 03:30 Crowds of Palestinians gathered at medical centres in the south of the embattled Gaza Strip yesterday for their children to be vaccinated against polio in the second stage of a campaign that has so far seen 187,000 youngsters inoculated. Israeli soldiers at the Allenby Bridge crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, following a shooting incident. Photo: Reuters Three Israelis were gunned down at the border crossing between the West Bank and Jordan yesterday, hours after the latest Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed seven people, including two women, four children and a member of the local civil defence. Guide to Vendor Onboarding in India Vendor onboarding refers to the process of registering new vendors who aim to serve the same customer base as a business. For instance, e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart onboard retailers and manufacturers to reach a wider audience. Ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Ola seek to recruit more driving partners. In the fintech sector, businesses like Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and PayTm aim to attract a diverse range of merchants to use their services over competitors. Vendor onboarding process: Best practices to consider The vendor onboarding process in India involves a series of steps through which a company evaluates, approves, and registers new vendors or suppliers to provide goods or services. While the specifics can vary depending on the industry and organizational needs, the process generally includes the stages listed below. Vendor identification Market research: Companies identify potential vendors through market research, referrals, or applications, seeking those that meet specific criteria such as product quality, pricing, capacity, and reliability. Request for proposal (RFP): In some cases, companies issue RFPs to solicit bids and detailed information from vendors about their products or services. Why it matters: Clearly defining your needs and objectives ensures that you select vendors who align with your business goals and can meet your specific requirements. Initial screening Background check: This involves verifying the vendors legal existence, past performance, and financial stability. Compliance check: Ensures that the vendor meets legal requirements, including licenses, certifications, and compliance with laws such as GST, MSME regulations, or labor laws. Product/service evaluation: A preliminary assessment of the vendors offerings to ensure they meet the companys standards. Why it matters: Thorough research helps identify vendors with the right expertise, capabilities, and track record, reducing the risk of choosing a partner that may not meet your expectations. Documentation Submission of required documents: Vendors must submit various documents for verification, including: PAN card GST registration certificate Company registration documents Bank details and a canceled cheque MSME certificate (if applicable) Trade licenses and certifications Compliance proof with labor laws (e.g., EPFO, ESIC registration) Audited financial statements Vendor Information Form (VIF): Vendors complete a VIF, providing essential data like contact details, business structure, and tax information. Vendor evaluation Site visits: For large or strategic suppliers, companies may visit the vendors facilities to assess operations and workforce. Reference check: Contacting current customers to evaluate the vendors reliability, quality, and adherence to delivery schedules. Why it matters: A structured vendor management framework helps maintain oversight, manage relationships, and ensure ongoing performance. Approval process Internal evaluation: The procurement team, along with finance, legal, and quality assurance departments, assesses the vendors ability to meet the companys standards. Risk assessment: Evaluating risks associated with engaging the vendor, including financial, reputational, and operational risks. Why it matters: Effective risk management and compliance ensure that vendors adhere to legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations, reducing potential risks to your business. Contract negotiation Negotiation: Finalizing the terms of the business relationship, including pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, quality standards, and penalties for noncompliance. Contract signing: A formal agreement is signed once terms are agreed upon. Why it matters: A well-negotiated contract establishes clear expectations and terms, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and disputes. Vendor setup in ERP/system Data entry: After approval, the vendors details are entered into the companys ERP or vendor management system. Vendor code creation: A unique code is generated for future transactions. Banking setup: Vendor banking details are recorded for payments. Training & compliance Training: Vendors may receive training on company policies, safety standards, and operational procedures. Code of conduct compliance: Vendors must adhere to the companys ethical sourcing, labor standards, and environmental regulations. Trial order/first transaction Test orders: A trial order is placed to assess the vendors performance in quality, delivery, and customer service. Review: The trial is reviewed, and full-scale orders are contingent on successful performance. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation Performance Tracking: Continuous monitoring of the vendors performance based on quality, delivery, and contract adherence. Audits and Reviews: Regular financial and operational audits ensure ongoing compliance. Recommendation: Use a vendor management system (VMS) to streamline tracking, reporting, and communication with vendors. Payments Invoice processing: Vendors submit invoices postdelivery, which are processed for payment according to agreed terms. Payment: Payments are made via bank transfers aligned with the Indian financial system (e.g., NEFT, RTGS, UPI). Renewal/termination Contract review: At the end of the contract period, the vendors performance is reviewed to decide on renewal or termination. Termination: If the vendor fails to meet requirements, the relationship may be terminated, and an alternative vendor selected. Special considerations in India MSME preference: Under the MSME Act, companies often prioritize MSMEs in procurement as part of government initiatives. Regulatory compliance: Vendors must comply with local laws, including GST, e-invoicing, labor laws, and environmental regulations. Legal considerations in India Tax laws GST compliance: Vendors must be registered under GST if their turnover exceeds the threshold and must issue compliant invoices. TDS compliance: Companies deduct tax at source based on the service type, and vendors must provide PAN to avoid penalties. Company law Registration: Vendors must be legally registered entities, and the onboarding process includes verifying legal documents. Financial reporting: Vendors, especially corporations or LLPs, must comply with financial reporting and auditing requirements. Labor laws EPFO compliance: Vendors employing 20 or more workers must contribute to the Provident Fund. ESIC compliance: Vendors with over 10 employees and pay wages below or upto INR 21,000 per month (US$250.18) (INR25,000 or US$297.8 for employees with disability) must register with the ESIC and contribute towards the ESI scheme. Contract labor compliance: Vendors employing contract labor must comply with registration and licensing requirements. Environmental laws Regulation compliance: Vendors in specific industries, such as steel, must comply with environmental regulations and hold necessary clearances. Hazardous waste management: Vendors dealing with hazardous substances must adhere to the relevant rules. Public procurement laws Preference to Make in India: Government agencies prioritize domestic vendors and products under this regulation. MSME Act 2006: MSMEs receive special consideration in public procurement, with government agencies mandated to procure 25 percent of total annual purchase from them. Anti-bribery and corruption laws Prevention of Corruption Act: Companies must ensure that vendors do not engage in corrupt practices. Vigil Mechanism: The Companies Act requires companies to have a system to report vendor related fraud or ethical violations. Foreign trade compliance Customs laws: Vendors involved in import/export must comply with customs regulations. FEMA compliance: Vendors dealing with foreign exchange must adhere to FEMA regulations. Intellectual property laws IP compliance: Vendors must comply with laws related to patents, trademarks, and copyrights and avoid infringing on others IP. Data privacy and cybersecurity IT Act compliance: Vendors handling sensitive data must comply with data protection and cybersecurity norms under the IT Act. Data protection: Companies may require vendors to adhere to international data protection standards. Legal contracts Contract law: Vendor relationships should be governed by contracts compliant with the Indian Contract Act, including dispute resolution mechanisms. Arbitration: Companies often include arbitration clauses in vendor agreements for resolving disputes. Recommendation: Regularly review and update risk management strategies to address evolving risks and compliance requirements. Conclusion Selecting and onboarding the right vendors is a critical process that can significantly impact the efficiency, quality, and success of your business operations. By following these best practicesdefining clear requirements, conducting thorough research, implementing a rigorous selection process, negotiating comprehensive contracts, onboarding effectively, establishing a vendor management framework, fostering strong relationships, and managing risksyou can build a strong network of reliable vendors that support your business goals and drive long-term success. (US$1 = INR 83.94) Kolkata: Bandhan Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Ashok Leyland, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, to enter into a strategic vehicle financing partnership for its customers. This MoU will enable both Bandhan Bank and Ashok Leyland to offer customized financial solutions to their respective customer base. Under this partnership, Bandhan Bank will be able to provide end to end financial solutions to the customers of Ashok Leyland. The partnership will focus on meeting customer needs by providing vehicle loans with easy monthly repayment plans tailored to their preferences. The MoU was signed by Rajinder Babbar, Executive Director & Chief Business Officer, Bandhan Bank and K.M. Balaji, CFO, Ashok Leyland, in the presence of Sanjeev Kumar, President and Head- MHCV, Ashok Leyland. Representational image by Aristal on Pixabay Seoul/IBNS: South Korea on Monday (Sept 9) hosted an international summit in its capital Seoul aimed at creating guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in military settings. However, any agreements reached are not expected to have binding powers to enforce it. The two-day summit saw representatives from over 90 countries, including major players like the United States and China, gather in Seoul for the second such event. The first summit took place in Amsterdam last year, where nations including the US and China supported a non-binding "call to action." South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, in his opening address, highlighted the role of AI in recent conflicts, citing a Ukrainian drone equipped with AI technology during the Russia-Ukraine war as an example of how AI can provide a technological advantage. "As AI is applied to the military domain, operational capabilities are dramatically enhanced," Kim said, though he also warned of potential risks from misuse. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul outlined that the summit discussions would address issues such as ensuring AI military applications comply with international law and preventing autonomous weapons from making critical decisions without human oversight. The goal of the Seoul summit is to develop a blueprint for AI in the military, establishing basic guidelines and reflecting principles proposed by NATO, the US, and other countries. It remains unclear how many participating nations will endorse the blueprint, which aims to set boundaries for AI military use without legal obligations. The summit is one of several international discussions on military AI use. The United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) is also exploring restrictions on lethal autonomous weapons systems to ensure compliance with humanitarian law. Additionally, last year the US government introduced a declaration on the responsible use of military AI, which has been endorsed by 55 countries as of August. Co-hosted by South Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, the Seoul summit seeks to foster ongoing discussions among stakeholders from various sectors, including international organizations, academia, and the private sector. Topics will cover civilian protection and the use of AI in managing nuclear weapons, with approximately 2,000 participants registered globally. Image: PIB India and Japanese officials recently exchanged their views on the macroeconomic situation in both countries during their second Finance Dialogue held on September 6. Atsushi Mimura, Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Japan, and Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, India held the talks during the meeting in Tokyo city. The Japanese delegation included the representatives from Ministry of Finance and Financial Services Agency. From the Indian side, the representatives from Ministry of Finance, Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, and International Financial Services Centres Authority participated in the discussion. The participants exchanged their views on the macroeconomic situation in both countries. They discussed cooperation in third countries, bilateral cooperation, and international issues. The participants also shared views on financial sector issues, including regulation and supervision, financial digitalisation, as well as other policy initiatives in both countries. The participants were also joined by representatives of Japans financial services industry for a session to discuss various financial regulatory issues towards further expansion of investment in India. Both sides agreed to continue discussions for further promoting financial cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations, and agreed to explore holding the next round of the Dialogue in New Delhi. Support Our Journalism We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news. Support objective journalism for a small contribution. Photo Courtesy: Avishek Mitra/IBNS The Supreme Court will hear the case related to the brutal rape and murder of the female doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Monday. The body of the doctor was recovered from the hospital on August 9, triggering massive protests across West Bengal with doctors and civilians taking out rallies and demonstrating regularly in Kolkata to demand justice for the victim. A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra is expected to oversee the proceedings in the apex court on Monday. The hearing will take place a day after the third 'Reclaim the Night' campaign was held in Kolkata with people demanding justice for the doctor and also questioning the role of the government and police in the incident. Apart from the campaign, thousands of people from different walks of life, including doctors, students, rickshaw pullers and artisans, shouted slogans demanding justice for the RG Kar rape and murder victim with Kolkata witnessing multiple rallies across various points in the city on Sunday. According to media reports, over 4000 former students of various schools in Kolkata walked in south Kolkata's Rashbehari Avenue over the incident which has triggered massive demonstrations in the state and across the nation for the past month. Holding placards and banners in their hands, shouting slogans, former students belonging to different age groups were seen walking together down the busy street in South Kolkata. In another rally, held from Rabindra Sarani to Shyambazar's five-point crossing in north Kolkata, clay artisans took out a rally over the crime which has put the ruling government in West Bengal in troubled waters. Also Read: Kolkata: Thousands take out rallies, protest, demand justice for victim a day before SC hears RG Kar case The clay artisans spend busy days during this period of the year when they create idols of the goddess Durga ahead of the annual Hindu festival. In the heart of the city, junior doctors of NRS Medical College and Hospital took out a rally from Sealdah to Esplanade. Though the RG Kar case is now being probed by the CBI, the state administration is facing public anger over its slow progress in the case until it was handed over to the premier investigating agency under the central government. Despite civic volunteer Sanjoy Roy's arrest in connection with the case, junior doctors, who are on a ceasework, as well as the victim's parents suspect more people are involved in the case. The CBI had arrested RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh in connection with the financial irregularities in the state-run hospital. The CBI has ruled out gangrape in the RG Kar case and said that available evidence indicates only Sanjay Roy, arrested by the Kolkata Police, was involved in the crime, The CBI was handed over the case after the Calcutta High Court expressed dissatisfaction and pointed out several lapses in the investigation by the Kolkata Police. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a fresh status report on the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital happened last month. The top court resumed the hearing amid massive, consistent global protests over the incident. In the third hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the CCTV footage which has been handed over was of only 27 minutes. Advocate Kapil Sibal, who is representing the State, said the footage was handed over to the CBI in its entirety. The Solicitor General said the victim's body was found in semi-naked state. The victim's body had injury marks, said the Solicitor General. Apart from the campaign, thousands of people from different walks of life, including doctors, students, rickshaw pullers and artisans, shouted slogans demanding justice for the RG Kar rape and murder victim with Kolkata witnessing multiple rallies across various points in the city on Sunday. According to media reports, over 4000 former students of various schools in Kolkata walked in south Kolkata's Rashbehari Avenue over the incident which has triggered massive demonstrations in the state and across the nation for the past month. Though the RG Kar case is now being probed by the CBI, the state administration is facing public anger over its slow progress in the case until it was handed over to the premier investigating agency under the central government. Despite civic volunteer Sanjoy Roy's arrest in connection with the case, junior doctors, who are on a ceasework, as well as the victim's parents suspect more people are involved in the case. Photo Courtesy: Randhir Jaiswal X page Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday received Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Hyderabad House when they discussed bilateral relations and future areas of cooperation between the two nations. Speaking on the meeting, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X: "PM @narendramodi received HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at Hyderabad House." A warm welcome for a close friend. PM @narendramodi received HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at Hyderabad House. Discussions on entire spectrum of - bilateral relations and future areas of cooperation lie ahead. pic.twitter.com/eYvS8Z2BzH Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 9, 2024 "Discussions on entire spectrum of - bilateral relations and future areas of cooperation lie ahead," he said. The Abu Dhabi leader arrived in India on Sunday with a high-level ministerial and business delegation. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal received him at the airport. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is paying an official visit to India on September 9-10. This would be the first visit of the leader as the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Apart from meeting Modi, he is scheduled to meet Indian President Droupadi Murmu. "On 10 September, His Highness will visit Mumbai to participate in a Business Forum, in which business leaders from both countries will participate," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. MEA said India and UAE share historically close and friendly ties. "In recent years, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and UAE has deepened in a wide range of areas including political, trade, investment, connectivity, energy, technology, education, and culture," the Indian government said in the statement. "The Crown Princes visit will further reinforce strong India-UAE bilateral relations and open avenues for partnership in new and emerging areas," read the statement. Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS Kolkata/IBNS: Soon after the Supreme Court asked the junior doctors, who are on ceasework protesting against the RG Kar rape-murder, to resume work, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday gave a call to focus on festivity leaving behind one-month long massive agitation which was driven by masses. Speaking at the state headquarters Nabanna, Mamata said, "Protests have taken place for a month. Now I would request all protesters to get back to Durga Puja and festivities." "I would appeal to the CBI to deliver justice soon," she added. The Chief Minister claimed half of the demands of the junior doctors have been accepted. Even if junior doctors have any more demand, the Chief Minister said she is ready for discussion. The Supreme Court has directed junior doctors, who are on ceasework protesting against the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, to resume their services. The advocate representing the junior doctors claimed the protesters are not confident to resume work over the threats they are still receiving. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said no action will be taken against the junior doctors if they resume work by 5 pm on Tuesday. The CJI said the court will not be able to restrain the state government from taking action if the junior doctors continue with their protests. The CJI said, "We can record that if doctors resume to work, no adverse action but if they do not resume work as doctors then we cannot restrain state govt from taking actions" "In order to create a sense of confidence we state that in the event that doctors come to work by 5 PM tomorrow, not adverse actions.....if there is continuous abstention from work despite the facilities given there will be likelihood of action in future. "We know what is happening on the ground, but doctors must now come back to work, they cannot say senior doctors are working so we will not work, we have put everyone on notice." The State's counsel, advocate Kapil Sibal claimed in the hearing that 23 patients have died due to the junior doctors' ceasework. In the previous hearing held last month, the CJI had urged the junior doctors to resume work restraining the government from any action against them. In the third hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the CCTV footage which has been handed over was of only 27 minutes. Advocate Kapil Sibal, who is representing the State, said the footage was handed over to the CBI in its entirety. The Solicitor General said the victim's body was found in semi-naked state. The victim's body had injury marks, said the Solicitor General. Photo Courtesy: PIB The 20th edition of India-USA Joint Military Exercise YUDH ABHYAS-2024 commenced at Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan on Monday The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from September 9 to 22. Exercise YUDH ABHYAS has been held annually since 2004, alternating between India and the USA. "This edition marks a significant increase in the scope and complexity of the joint exercise in terms of troop strength and equipment," read a statement issued by the Indian government. The Indian Army contingent comprising 600 personnel is being represented by a battalion of the RAJPUT Regiment along with personnel from other arms and services. The US contingent comprising of similar strength will be represented by the troops of 1-24 Battalion of the Alaska based 11th Airborne Division of the US Army. Aim of the Joint Exercise is to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter terrorism operations in a sub conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The exercise will focus on operations in the semi-desert environment. Tactical drills to be rehearsed during the exercise include joint response to a terrorist action, joint planning and combined field training exercises that simulate real-world counter-terrorism missions. Exercise YUDH ABHYAS will enable both sides to share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting joint operations. It will facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between the two armies. The joint exercise will also enhance defence cooperation, further augmenting bilateral relations between the two friendly nations. Not returning to festivity trends on social media after Mamata urges people to join the Durga Puja season fervour. Photo Courtesy: IBNS File/Facebook Viral Post West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee 's remark urging people to celebrate the upcoming Durga Puja festival by leaving behind the protests over the rape and murder of a female doctor in state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has triggered a social media reaction of protests with many declaring to toe a different line. Since the murder of the young doctor on Aug 9, Kolkata and West Bengal witnessed massive agitation with the effects spilling over in the rest of the country and beyond India with doctors and people from different walks of life taking out regular rallies to demand justice for the victim. Following Banerjee's remark, several Facebook users were seen changing their display picture with a message that reads: "Utsobey firchi an (Won't return to the path of festival)." Durga Puja, one of the biggest festivals in West Bengal, is just one month away and it is during this period when people in the city are usually seen shopping for the festival celebration. However, this year the celebratory mood is missing as the city is witnessing demonstrations, night vigils touted as "Reclaim The Night" and rallies over the gruesome incident. Banerjee, whose government has been facing the wrath of the citizens over the way the case was handled till it was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation, on Monday was quoted as saying by the media: "Protests have taken place for a month. Now I would request all protesters to get back to Durga Puja and festivities." "I would appeal to the CBI to deliver justice soon," she added. Following her remark, social media have been flooding with remarks criticising her comment. One Facebook user Amitava Roy wrote: "Puja and demonstration will go side by side." Another user named Indronil said: "Yes, this comment shows you want people to forget the incident." Facebook user Indranil said: "It seems that you cannot bear the criticisms against you." Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed junior doctors, who are on ceasework protesting against the incident, to resume their services. The advocate representing the junior doctors claimed the protesters are not confident to resume work over the threats they are still receiving. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said no action will be taken against the junior doctors if they resume work by 5 pm on Tuesday. Junior doctors are on ceasework. Photo by Avishek Mitra/IBNS The CJI said the court will not be able to restrain the state government from taking action if the junior doctors continue with their protests. The CJI said, "We can record that if doctors resume to work, no adverse action but if they do not resume work as doctors then we cannot restrain state govt from taking actions" "In order to create a sense of confidence we state that in the event that doctors come to work by 5 PM tomorrow, not adverse actions.....if there is continuous abstention from work despite the facilities given there will be likelihood of action in future. "We know what is happening on the ground, but doctors must now come back to work, they cannot say senior doctors are working so we will not work, we have put everyone on notice." The State's counsel, advocate Kapil Sibal, claimed in the hearing that 23 patients have died due to the junior doctors' ceasework. In the previous hearing held last month, the CJI had urged the junior doctors to resume work restraining the government from any action against them. In the second hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the CCTV footage which has been handed over was of only 27 minutes. Advocate Kapil Sibal, who is representing the State, said the footage was handed over to the CBI in its entirety. The Solicitor General said the victim's body was found in semi-naked state. The victim's body had injury marks, said the Solicitor General. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Mamata Banerjee New Delhi/Kolkata/IBNS: As the clamour over Vineet Goyal's resignation grew loud following the Supreme Court's hearing on the RG Kar rape-murder case, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday dismissed the Kolkata Police Commissioner's resignation stating that Durga Puja is coming and he has the experience to maintain the law and order during the festival. "The Kolkata Police Commissioner has come to me several times last week and offered to resign. We have pujas coming up. Someone aware of law and order has to be there. If you can hold your patience for a few days, will it be a Mahabharat (big deal)?" Mamata Banerjee said. Following the arrest of Sandip Ghose, the former Principal of RG Kar Medical College, where the 31-year-old junior doctor was brutally raped and murdered, the protesters' next big demand has been the resignation of the police chief, who they feel was unable to deliver a transparent investigation and failed to stop vandalism in the medical facility on Aug 14 night. The Opposition parties have also backed the protesters' demand for the police commissioner's resignation. The role of the Kolkata Police in the investigation has been under scanner, especially after the victim's parents claimed that the cops forced them to cremate their daughter's mortal remains in a hurry even though they wanted to preserve it. They even alleged that a police officer had offered them money to bury the incident. There have been complaints about videography and questions have been raised over the fact that the postmortem was done at RG Kar hospital, which is the scene of crime and hence, creates a conflict of interest. Then there is the issue of the 14-hour delay in filing the First Information Report in the case, which has been also flagged by the Supreme Court. On Monday, the top court noted that a key document connected to the postmortem appeared to be missing. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud questioned about a certain challan that should be submitted showing what items of clothing and personal use were submitted for forensic examination. Without that challan, he said a postmortem cannot be carried out. "See the third column on the top, the constable (who brought the body) is supposed to carry this (form). It has been struck off. So there is no reference to this challan when the dead body is sent for examination. You need to explain. If this document is missing, then something is amiss," said Justice JB Pardiwala, who was part of the three-judge bench. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has urged protesters to leave behind the agitation now and join celebrations as Durga Puja is just a month away. Her remark has triggered a social media reaction of protests with many declaring to toe a different line. Since the murder of the young doctor on Aug 9, Kolkata and West Bengal witnessed massive agitation with the effects spilling over to the rest of the country and beyond India with doctors and people from different walks of life taking out regular rallies to demand justice for the victim. Following Banerjee's remark, several Facebook users were seen changing their display picture with a message that reads: "Utsobey firchi an (Won't return to the path of festival)." Durga Puja, one of the biggest festivals in West Bengal, is just one month away and it is during this period when people in the city are usually seen shopping for the festival celebration. Representative image/ courtesy: Pixabay Guwahati/IBNS: A 21-year-old male student from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT-G), was found dead in his hostel room triggering a massive protest on the campus, media reports said This makes it the fourth student death at the prestigious institute this year. The death has sparked protests by students, who are raising questions about the effectiveness of the institute's mental health and welfare support systems. The body of the student, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh, has been sent to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for a postmortem examination. "IITG is deeply saddened to report the loss of a student from our community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the student's family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time," an institute spokesperson said. "We encourage our student community to reach out to our support networks. IITG reaffirms its commitment to fostering a supportive and safe environment for all students," the spokesperson added. Investigation into the matter is underway, a police officer said. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash At least 14 people died and over 40 others were injured following alleged Israeli airstrikes in central Syria on Sunday, media reports said. The number of martyrs from the Israeli aggression on several sites in Masyaf area has reached to 14 martyrs and 43 wounded, six of whom are in critical condition," Director of Masyaf National Hospital, Dr. Fayssal Haidar, said in a statement to Syrian news agency SANA. According to reports, the airstrikes caused material damage to Masyaf-Wadi al-Uyun highway. Meanwhile, three Israeli civilians were shot dead during a shooting incident at the Allenby Crossing on the border between the occupied West Bank and Jordan, Israel Defense Forces said on Sunday. The Israel Airports Authority, which runs the border terminal at the Allenby Crossing with Jordan, told CNN that the three men who died worked at the crossing. Giving details about the attack, IDF posted on X: "Earlier today, a terrorist approached the area of the Allenby Bridge from Jordan in a truck, exited the truck, and opened fire at the Israeli security forces operating at the bridge." IDF claimed the attacker was 'eliminated' by security forces. "IDF soldiers were dispatched to the scene and are currently operating to rule out the suspicion of the truck being rigged with explosives, further details to follow," the security force said. The identity of the attacker is still not known. Photo Courtesy: unsplash The trial date for three Pakistani people, who are accused of murdering a 10-year-old girl in Surrey, has been set by a UK court on October 7. British-Pakistani Urfan Sharif, 42, Beinash Batool, 29, and Urfans brother, Faisal Malik, 28, all of whom were living with the child before her death, have pleaded not guilty to the charges, reported Dawn News. They are also facing allegations of causing or allowing the death of a child. They have denied the allegations so far. The trial in the incident is expected to last seven weeks. After the Surrey Police discovered the body on August 8 last year after receiving a call from Pakistan. A post-mortem examination revealed that she had suffered multiple and extensive injuries, likely sustained over an extended period, reported Dawn News. The exact cause of the death of the girl still remains undetermined. Authorities said the death was probably 'unnatural'. The trio escaped to Islamabad with the victims' five siblings. After remaining in hiding for more than a month, the trio returned to the UK when they were arrested on September 13. Tamil film Thangalaan, which was released on 15th August 2024 in Tamil has set its OTT release date amid much anticipation. The movie stars Chiyaan Vikram and it has been directed by Pa. Ranjith. The movie is based on actual events that centered on the life of mine employees in Karnataka's Kolar Gold Fields. As per reports, Thangalaan will release on Netflix on 20th September 2024. Plot A ferocious tribal leader, embroiled in a feud with an apparent sorceress, for helping a British general locate gold in their town, sets out to stop her in this British Raj era story in Thangalaan. Cast and crew Pa. Ranjith, who co-wrote the screenplay with Tamil Prabha and Azhagiya Periyavan, is the director of Thangalaan. K. E. Gnanavel Raja produces it under the banners of Studio Green and Neelam Productions. Alongside Parvathy Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan, Daniel Caltagirone, Pasupathy, and Hari Krishnan, Vikram plays five characters in the movie. When we look at Chiyaan Vikram in this getup, only one thing comes to mind: DHOOOOL! Thangalaan is coming to Netflix in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi as a post theatrical release. #NetflixPandigai #Thangalaan #NetflixLaEnnaSpecial pic.twitter.com/VbNYjAWKqt Netflix India South (@Netflix_INSouth) January 16, 2023 Both reviewers and viewers offered the movie mixed reviews, praising the performances of the main performers. On September 6, Thangalaan was made available in Hindi for viewers in the northern belt. Thangalaan reviews The movie was released in Hindi after it got love from the Tamil audience. Taking to social media, people praised the plot and cast of the movie. One wrote, Watching late night show of #Thangalaan with family, what a great movie by brother @beemji. Must watch, now released in Hindi. Another added, #PaRanjith and #ChiyaanVikram's film #Thangalaan, is an example of South cinema's commitment, due to which - it can claim not just pan-India, but also pan-world dominance in terms of content. Filming Thangalaan was filmed at an actual location, according to News18. Pa. Ranjith, the director, made sure that the narrative was as authentic as possible to maintain the essence. Additionally, the director ensured that the crew remained in Kollar's isolated areas and that the movie was filmed in the actual KGF (Kolar Gold Fields). With the historical backdrop of the Kolar Gold Fields, the film tells a story set between the 1870s and 1940s and promises an intense period action experience. More about the celebrated actor In addition to his acting career, Vikram has credits as an assistant director and a playback vocalist from previous film projects. He is one of the actors in Tamil film with the most awards. In 2016 and 2018, Vikram was listed in Forbes India Celebrity 100 based on the revenues of Indian celebrities. Also read: Trap OTT release date Book My Show Stream: When to watch the psychological thriller For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. What's cooking between Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Jr NTR? Are they planning to work on a film together? As the Devara actor met with the Animal director recently in Mumbai, a picture of the two engrossed in some serious conversation has gone viral on social media sparking rumours of a potential collaboration. Were they discussing a film script? Jr NTR meets Sandeep Reddy Vanga Fans are only wondering is a movie is on the cards and they are already excited. " NTR vs Prabhas! Make it happen Vanga," one of them wrote. "So bro is working with Prabhas, Ranbir (twice), Allu Arjun and now can have a potential film with JR NTR," said another fan. For the unversed, Jr NTR is in Mumbai for the grand trailer launch of Devara: Part 1, which also stars Janhvi Kapoor. Sandeep Reddy Vanga upcoming movies Meanwhile, Sandeep Reddy Vanga has a lot of films lined up already. 1. Spirit This film will star Baahubali fame Prabhas in the lead role. The female leads will be Kiara Advani and Nayanthara. As revealed by Vanga himself, it is a story of an honest Police officer to be played by Prabhas. Made on a budget of Rs 300 crores, the movie will be released before Animal Park. Sandeep Reddy Vanga about #Prabhas and Spirit The Qualities of Prabhas Like Fear of reaction when Something Wrong Happen for his duty like Sudden Aggressive Turns and also His Eyes and persona which I can play for long time in a film.#Spirit #Kalki2898AD pic.twitter.com/x17BXxXxm9 Prasanth (@Prastweetzz01) April 8, 2024 2. Animal Park The much-awaited sequel of Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal will go on floors in 2026. Keeping the details of the film under wraps, Vanga only teased that this one will be bigger and wilder than the first film which also starred Rashmika Mandanna and Triptii Dimri. 3. Yet-to-be-titled film with Allu Arjun Did you know that Allu Arjun and not Vijay Deverakonda was the first choice for Arjun Reddy? It is now said that Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Allu Arjun are coming together for an ambitious biographical film on the legendary pop icon Michael Jackson. The confirmation on the same is however awaited. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Tamil actor Jayam Ravi and his wife Aarti Ravi have announced their decision to part ways after 15 years of marriage. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, the actor revealed that they had taken this step after long and careful consideration. The announcement, which was shared in both Tamil and English, included the caption, "Grateful for your love and understanding. Jayam Ravi." Ravi expressed that the decision to separate was challenging but necessary for personal reasons. He emphasized the difficulty of the choice, saying it was made after "much thought and discussions." The actor also made a plea to his fans and followers, asking them to respect their privacy during this time. I kindly request all of you to respect our privacy... and refrain from making any assumptions, rumors or allegations, he wrote, urging people not to engage in speculation about their relationship. Grateful for your love and understanding. Jayam Ravi pic.twitter.com/FNRGf6OOo8 Jayam Ravi (@actor_jayamravi) September 9, 2024 Earlier this year, rumors about their separation had circulated when Aarti removed pictures of the two from her Instagram account. Married since 2009, the couple has two sons together. Who is Jayam Ravi? A look at the Tamil stars journey Born as Mohan Ravi on September 10, 1980, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Jayam Ravi is a well-known face in the Tamil film industry. He is the son of film editor Mohan and rose to fame early in his career. Ravi made his debut in the 2002 film Jayam, which was produced by his father and directed by his brother, M. Raja. Growing up in both Chennai and Hyderabad, he completed his education at Jawahar Vidyalaya and later earned a degree in visual communications from Loyola College, Chennai. He also trained extensively in Bharatnatyam, martial arts, and acting, having attended the Kishore Namit Kapur Institute in Mumbai. Jayam, his debut film, was a box-office hit and set the stage for Ravis stardom in Tamil cinema. His popularity only grew with movies like M. Kumaran, Son of Mahalakshmi (2003), and he continued to carve a niche for himself with films like Deepavali (2007) and Dhaam Dhoom (2008). Despite facing some setbacks in his career, Ravi made a successful comeback with the 2015 blockbuster Thani Oruvan, directed by his brother. His more recent work includes roles in Ponniyin Selvan: II and Iraivan. Looking ahead, fans are eagerly awaiting his upcoming projects, Brother and Kadhalika Neramillai. On the personal front, Jayam Ravi married Aarti, daughter of TV producer Sujatha Vijayakumar, in 2009. They have two sons, with their elder child, Aarav, making his film debut in Tik Tik Tik (2018), alongside his father. Who is Aarti Ravi and her influence beyond her marriage? Aarti Ravi, the eldest daughter of television producer Sujatha Vijayakumar, has made a name for herself beyond being married to a Tamil superstar. Her love story with Jayam Ravi began in Scotland, where the two first met. Aartis efforts to use her influence for social good have earned her significant recognition. With a following of over 722,000 on Instagram, she is well-known as an entrepreneur and influencer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aarti took to her social media platform to support small businesses, particularly those hit hard by the crisis. After receiving messages from struggling entrepreneurs, she chose to highlight and promote local ventures, especially those run by women. This initiative garnered widespread praise, with many lauding her efforts to bring attention to small enterprises during challenging times. Also Read: Did you know GOAT star Thalapathy Vijay has emerged as the 2nd highest tax-paying celeb after Shah Rukh Khan? In addition to this, Aarti is also an ambassador for Rise4Girl, a program aimed at sponsoring the education of underprivileged girls. Her advocacy for women's empowerment continues to inspire her large fan base. On a lighter note, Aartis fashion sense has also attracted admiration. Whether dressed in traditional Indian wear or contemporary outfits, she often turns heads with her style choices, further solidifying her status as a social media sensation. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Akshay Kumar has conquered every genre as an actorfrom comedy and drama to socially conscious stories. According to Forbes, he earns an impressive Rs 486 crores annually, making him one of the highest-paid actors. But Kumar's talents extend beyond the silver screen; he's also a savvy investor with a diverse portfolio of business ventures. As he celebrates his 57th birthday, let's explore his impressive array of investments and businesses. Akshay Kumar's investments: A glimpse into his entrepreneurial spirit From fashion and organic solutions to technology, Kumar's investments span a diverse range of industries. Fashion and Lifestyle Fund Akshay Kumar has made a notable investment in the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF), a platform dedicated to nurturing early-stage fashion startups with both funding and mentorship. The fund, which is being launched with a $3 million corpus, has not disclosed the exact amount of Kumar's contribution, but his involvement is sure to make waves in the fashion industry. Two Brothers Organic Farm (TBOF) Credit: startupstorymedia.com | Two Brothers Organic Farm (TBOF) In April 2023, Akshay Kumar invested 15 million (Rs 165.2 crore) in an agritech startup dedicated to organic farming solutions. This substantial investment underscores his commitment to sustainable agriculture and aims to boost the availability of organic produce, highlighting Kumars dedication to advancing eco-friendly farming practices. Good Glamm Group Credit: LinkedIn In March 2023, Akshay Kumar made a strategic move into the beauty sector by partnering with Good Glamm Group. This investment focuses on expanding the group's offerings to include mens grooming products, capitalising on the booming male personal care market. Kumar, known for his commitment to holistic wellness, aims to bring his experience in fitness and wellness to this new product line. "I have always believed in holistic wellness and fitness all my life and that is the experience I want to bring to people - be it the ingredients, the regimens and the philosophies - to create this product line," the ET quoted Kumar as saying. GOQii Credit: GOQii In June 2019, Akshay Kumar invested in wearable tech company GOQii during its Series C funding round, though the exact amount remains undisclosed. Known for its innovative fitness tracking devices, GOQii aims to use the funding to boost product development and expand its market presence. This investment aligns with Kumars passion for promoting healthier lifestyles through advanced technology, further cementing his role as a champion of fitness and wellness. Social Swag Social Swag, the creator-commerce platform co-founded by Akshay Kumar and Rana Daggubati, secured $7 million in funding in 2022. The platform bridges the gap between influencers and brands, facilitating collaborative marketing to boost brand visibility. The fresh funds were directed towards expanding the platforms features and scaling its operations, positioning Social Swag as a key player in the influencer marketing space. Force IX Credit: Fashionnetwork.com Akshay Kumar launched his own fashion brand, Force IX, in collaboration with Manish Mandana, who previously worked with Salman Khan on the Being Human brand. While Kumar hasn't disclosed the investment details, he emphasised that the brand reflects his personal style and is heavily inspired by the Indian armed forces, with each piece designed by him. Kumar's approach to business ventures is rooted in personal connection. As he once stated, "My personal belief is that it doesn't make sense to invest in a start-up or any business for that matter where I dont have a personal connect. I wouldn't want to invest in a business just to be a shareholder and not be a part of it." Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis responded in the Hellenic Parliament to a question from NIKI leader Dimitris Natsios regarding the Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection. "The research and laying of the electrical cable are fully permitted and secured by international law. There can be no hindrance from another state", Gerapetritis stated. He added that the project has been approved by the European Commission, which conducts a stringent evaluation before granting any funds from the community "The Greek government is committed to continuing and completing this project. We do not believe that any geopolitical risks will impede the Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection. The Greek state anticipates no issues related to geopolitical risks", Gerapetritis said, describing the interconnection as crucial for ending Cypruss energy isolation and providing significant relief from high electricity prices. iefimerida.gr The Civil Protection Agency has issued a severe weather alert for Greece, warning of an approaching storm named "Athena." The storm is expected to impact the country from Monday to Wednesday. A low-pressure system originating in the Western Mediterranean is responsible for the storm, which is currently moving eastward across the Central Mediterranean. The storm is predicted to bring heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong gusty winds, particularly in the western, central, and northern mainland regions, as well as the northern and eastern Aegean islands. Residents are advised to stay informed and follow updates from local authorities. The storm is expected to bring frequent lightning, hailstorms, and other severe weather conditions. iefimerida.gr Ahead of 2027 general election, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, in the 2023 poll, Peter Obi, has appointed Ibrahim Umar as the new spokesman. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Umar was announced by the former media aide of the Peter Obi Media Reach, Yunusa Tanko, in a statement released on Sunday. The development is coming, following Tankos appointment as the interim National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement. Advertisement While appealing for the cooperation of Nigerians and supporters of the LP national leader, Obi media team described the media practitioner cum activist as a versatile Obidient member who is equally as hungry as Tanko in his quest for a new Nigeria. READ MORE: Ajaero: Stick To Your Strength, Dont Be Intimidated By FG Peter Obi Charges NLC The statement reads: The Peter Obi Media Reach wishes to inform members of the public, especially media operatives, of minor changes in the media reach personnel. The POMR publicist, who was also the chief spokesperson of the Obi Presidential Campaign, Dr Yunusa Tanko, is leaving his position for another huge challenge. Tanko will be replaced in POMR by Mallam Ibrahim Umar, another versatile Obidient, who is as hungry as Tanko in the quest for a new Nigeria. Tanko has been appointed interim national coordinator of the Obedient Movement, a job that will see him coordinate the group activities nationally and internationally. We, therefore, appeal to members of the public to cooperate with these Nigerians in their new endeavour as we continue the struggle towards dismantling the gang of political criminals holding our dear nation hostage. A New Nigeria is Possible. The Ogun State police have initiated a manhunt for Adebowale Ajala, a suspected landgrabber, after he attempted to trespass on a residents land in the Ijebu region of the state. This comes after a suspected Ajala accomplice, Seun Banjo, was apprehended while attempting to steal a residents land. Omolola Odutola, the commands public relations officer, confirmed the arrest to PUNCH Metro over the phone on Sunday. Advertisement It was learnt from a police source that Ajala allegedly led his crew to trespass on the land that the state government had given the resident on Friday. The source stated that the resident, who was distressed by the landgrabbers acts, reported the invasion to the police. The source said, Following a complaint by a resident, it was discovered that a group of landgrabbers led by one Adebowale Ajala, who is currently evading arrest, were illegally seizing and entering the land allocated to her by the Ogun State Government. A police team responded to the incident in Magbon, Ijebu Ilese, where they arrested Seun Banjo. Confirming the arrest, Odutola stated that the suspect, a resident of Gberigbe in Lagos States Ikorodu region, admitted to being a member of the Eiye confraternity and had been ordered by Ajala to trespass on the land. She revealed that a manhunt for Ajala had begun, and that he and his collaborators would face prosecution once the inquiry was completed. READ MORE: Three Killed, Several Injured In Lagos Multiple Accidents Odutola said, Upon further interrogation, the suspect admitted to being sent to the site by Ajala and also confessed to being a member of the Eiye confraternity, claiming that he was initiated into the cult by a deceased individual named Rasaq in 2015. Investigations are ongoing, with efforts being made to apprehend Ajala and other associates. The current suspect will be prosecuted once the investigation is concluded. The PPRO emphasised that the command will not give up in combating the danger of land grabbing, and urged any resident who had such an issue to contact the command for assistance. The Ogun State Police Command is not relenting on landgrabbing, and anyone who has their property under threat should immediately submit a petition to the command, as many of these landgrabbers use force, intimidation, and, in most cases, damage structures erected on the land. The Commissioner of Police, Alamutu Abiodun, has reiterated that land grabbing will not be tolerated in any guise in the state, Odutola concluded. The Peoples Democratic Party, has revealed that they are aware of the individuals behind the #EndBadGovernance protests, which caused a series of mixed reactions across the nation in August. Recall that from August 1 to 10, Nigerians and various groups took to the streets in multiple cities to express their displeasures over the ongoing hardship facing the country. Addressing newsmen at the partys headquarters in Abuja on Monday, Debo Ologunagba, PDPs National Publicity Secretary, while noting that hunger was the sponsor of the protest, urged the federal government to arrest hunger and not Nigerians. Advertisement He said: There is need for caution. There was a protest in this country, the government did not do anything. You arrest some people and said they were terrorists and you charge them to court. You say some people were the sponsors of the protest. READ MORE: EndBadGovt: Emir Of Kano Blames Security Operatives Over Hoodlums Attacks On Infrastructures We know those who sponsored the protest. The sponsor is hunger. The President and his people should arrest hunger and there will be no problem. Let your policies that are draconian, that are bringing people to their knees. This is the season schools are resuming, we know what people are going through. The operatives of the Delta state police command, have arrested a 25-year-old man, identified as Emmanuel, for allegedly killing his mother, Mrs. Fatima Umukoro to death, in Sapele area of the state. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Mrs. Umukoro, a 53-year-old, was the proprietress of His Majesty Group of Schools. It was gathered that the tragic incident, which occurred in the late hours of Saturday, has left the neighbors in a state of shock. Advertisement According to a source who refused to reveal his identity, told PUNCH that the gate of the deceaseds house was left open around 10 pm on Saturday, which was unusual. He said: Only to discover fire coming from inside the house with the door left open. Upon entering the house, they found the lifeless body of Mrs. Umukoro, burnt beyond recognition. READ MORE: Delta Police Nab Six Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Over N2.3m Ransom, Stolen Phones We saw her son, Emmanuel Umukoro driving out of the compound around 8:30 pm at a high speed in his mothers car The neighbor said that the suspicious movement of the son, led to his apprehension by the police along Sapele-Warri Road as he attempted to escape to an unknown destination. Also confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Delta state police command, ASP, Bright Edafe, disclosed that the suspect, is now in custody. He said: The son is in police custody now but cannot say whether hes the one that killed her until investigation is concluded. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was on Monday seized and whisked away by the Nigerian government. The Unions President was reportedly arrested while on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain. According to sources, operatives of the Department of the State Services arrested the Comrade. Advertisement Though details of the arrest and the reasons are still sketchy, sources say he has been handed over to the National Intelligence Agency, NIA. Meanwhile, NLCs Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah in a statement said Ajaero was set to address the global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of the TUC, a platform where critical discussions on workers rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed. The statement read: We are yet to ascertain his whereabouts or his state of health as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive. We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body. READ ALSO: Private Company Lodged Complaint Against Ajaero Falana Reveals Reason For Second Police Invite His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers. According to the Union, the lawlessness is being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship. Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities. In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero, it added. NLC further called the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of the rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria. Recall that the Nigeria Police Force had invited and interrogated Ajaero over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony. The invitation came in the wake of a night raid by the police on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja. The police are alleging a link between the labour leader and a Briton, Andrew Wynne, who has been accused of financing the recent #EndBadGovernance protest in the country to allegedly overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Wale Edun, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, has dismissed rumours of a planned hike in the Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate from 7.5% to 10%. In a Monday statement, Edun clarified that the VAT rate is still firmly set at 7.5%, as outlined in Nigerias tax laws. The current VAT rate is 7.5% and this is what the government is charging on a spectrum of goods and services to which the tax is applicable. Therefore, neither the Federal Government nor any of its agencies will act contrary to what our laws stipulate, Edun affirmed. Advertisement He further highlighted the need for a balanced tax system, emphasizing that Nigerias tax framework operates on three key components. The tax system stands on a tripod, namely tax policy, tax laws, and tax administration. All the three must combine well to give us a sound system that gives vitality to the fiscal position of the government, the Minister explained. Edun addressed concerns from the public about policies that might seem burdensome, assuring that fiscal measures are designed to foster sustainable growth and reduce poverty, not the opposite. READ ALSO: Tinubu Burdening The Impoverished, But Ignoring His Extravagant Excesses Atiku On Planned VAT Increase Our focus as a government is to use fiscal policy in a manner that promotes and enhances strong and sustainable economic growth, reduces poverty as well as makes businesses flourish, Edun stated. In response to media reports suggesting the government is imposing undue hardship on citizens, Edun said: The imputation in some media reports on the issue of VAT and the opinion articles that have sprouted from them seem to wrongly convey the impression that the government is out to make life difficult for Nigerians. That is not correct. If anything, the Federal Government has, through its policies, demonstrated that it is committed to creating a congenial environment for businesses to thrive. In fact, it is on record that the Federal Government, as part of efforts to bring relief to Nigerians and businesses, recently ordered the stoppage of import duties, tariffs, and taxes on rice, wheat, beans, and other food items, Edun noted. For emphasis, as of today, VAT remains 7.5% and that is what will be charged on all the goods and services that are VAT-able, he concluded. Unidentified gunmen shot and killed a 20-year-old man in Okokomaiko, in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, on Friday. The victim was said to have been pursued by the assailants, who caught up with him and shot him many times. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident in a statement obtained by PUNCH Metro on Sunday, stating it occurred about 9 p.m. and that the victim was shot in the head, stomach, and leg. Advertisement Hundeyin added that the police were notified of the crime the same night and responded swiftly to the spot. He said, Information was received from concerned members of the public that at about 9 pm at Abeokuta Street, Okokomaiko, Ojo, Lagos, four unidentified gunmen were seen chasing a young man in the area that they shot him several times on the head, stomach and leg till he died. After committing the act, they abandoned the corpse and took to their heels while they escaped to an unknown destination. Immediately after receiving the information, the anti-crime team visited the scene. According to Hundeyin, when the police arrived at the scene, they met a female adult who identified herself as Vivian and was proven to be the deceaseds mother. READ MORE: Three Killed, Several Injured In Lagos Multiple Accidents He further stated that the deceaseds photograph was taken on the spot, and that the corpse was evacuated and deposited in the Infectious Disease Hospital mortuary in the states Yaba district. Investigation is in progress and efforts are on towards tracing the fleeing suspects for possible arrest and prosecution while the case will be transferred for further and discreet investigation, he added. Three officers of the Kwara state police command, identified as Inspector Abiodun Kayode, James Emmanuel, and Sergeant Oni Philip, have been arrested over the killing of a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Qoyum Abdulyekeen. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday, ordered the Federal Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja to take over the matter. Recall that Abdulyekeen, a National Diploma 2 student of Electrical/Electronics Engineering at the institution, was allegedly killed by the police in a mysterious circumstance in the Fate Area of Ilorin, the state capital. Advertisement In a statement released to the public by the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that the transfer of the matter to Abuja was to ensure a detailed and comprehensive investigation. READ MORE: Kwara Police Pledges Transparency In Probe Of Polytechnic Students Murder He said: IG has ordered the Homicide Section of the FCID Abuja to embark on a detailed and comprehensive investigation into the alleged killing of Qoyum Abdulyekeen Ishola, a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Kwara State, which occurred on September 4, 2024. The officers involved in this incident have been identified as Inspector Abiodun Kayode, Inspector James Emmanuel, and Sergeant Oni Philip, attached to the Department of Operations, Kwara State Command and they have been consequently detained for investigation. The Inspector-General of Police, who is deeply saddened by this unfortunate event that has led to the loss of a young Nigerian, expresses his deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. He acknowledges the profound grief and loss caused by this unfortunate act and reassures the family and members of the public that Justice will be served. A suspect has been arrested after two men were kidnapped while visiting farms in Ikutoke village, Ode-Remo, Remo North Local Government Area, Ogun State, on Friday. On Sunday, a police source who was not authorised to speak to the media told PUNCH Metro on the condition of anonymity that the victims, Olajesu and Juwon, were out inspecting the boundary of a farm in the village with a surveyor and a young boy when the incident occurred. One Gani Idowu was alleged to have asked them to view the land, but when Juwon and Olajesu arrived at the farm, Idowu excused himself and informed them he was returning home. Advertisement The source went on to say that the kidnappers ran out from behind a nearby bush and kidnapped Olajesu and Juwon as soon as Idowu left the farm, leaving his visitors who were still inspecting it. The source narrated, On 06/09/2024 around 1000HRS, Olajesu, Juwon, also known as Alapanla, and Kusimo, who is a surveyor, along with a young boy, travelled to Ikutoke village, where Ganiu Idowu intended to show them the boundary of a farm in the Ikutoke village near Ode-Remo. It was alleged that suddenly, Ganiu Idowu informed them that he was returning home while others were still engaged on the farm. Shortly after Ganiu Idowu departed, the kidnappers appeared and abducted both Olajesu and Juwon. Omolola Odutola, the Public Relations Officer for the Ogun State Police, confirmed the incident over the phone on Sunday. READ MORE: Kwara Police Pledges Transparency In Probe Of Polytechnic Students Murder Odutola stated that one suspect had been arrested in connection with the incident. Ganiu Idowu is suspected to have orchestrated the kidnap of Olajesu and Juwon in Ikutoke village in the Ode-Remo area. He has been arrested and is undergoing an investigation. The Commissioner of Police, Alamutu Abiodun, has vowed that there will be no room for men of the underworld in Ogun State, Odutola said. FOCAC Beijing Summit provides opportunities for Africa's modernization: Kenyan President 16:34, September 09, 2024 By Huang Weixin ( People's Daily "We will seize the opportunities brought by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to fully unlock the potential that exists in Kenya and other African countries," said Kenyan President William Ruto during an interview with People's Daily. The comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Kenya and China continues to develop, and the two sides' practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results, he noted. He said that the FOCAC Summit this time builds more consensus and further promotes Africa-China cooperation in various fields, injecting strong momentum into the development of African countries including Kenya, and supporting Africa and China on their shared path toward modernization. Ruto said that since the founding of the People's Republic of China 75 years ago, the country has made tremendous strides in steady economic growth and human development. "Today, China is the second largest economy in the world. We're all aware that China has moved ahead of other countries in many fields," said Ruto, adding that China managed to pull hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, which is a very commendable feat. "I see an expanded relationship between Kenya and China and new opportunities between our two countries. More Chinese companies are now investing in Kenya, and I see us exporting more avocados, tea and coffee into China," said Ruto, highlighting the win-win results of practical cooperation between the two countries. During the interview, Ruto pointed to the Global Trade Center in Nairobi behind him. He said that the Chinese-invested mighty building complex has become a landmark in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. "We are learning how we can combine our own experiences with Chinese experiences so that we can build a model that works for Kenya," Ruto said, expressing his anticipation for more Chinese companies to invest in Kenya and help it realize its Vision 2030. China and Kenya have been at the forefront of jointly advancing Belt and Road cooperation and completed a number of flagship infrastructure projects, significantly contributing to regional economic and social development and benefiting the two peoples. He cited examples such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which is one of the most modern railways in Africa. "The SGR has made transportation between Nairobi and Mombasa a lot cheaper, a lot easier, and much more efficient," said Ruto. He also mentioned that the Chinese-built Nairobi Expressway has made travel between the CBD in Nairobi and the main airport a very enjoyable ride. "Different from the two hours that initially you spent between Nairobi CBD and the airport, now it takes less than 20 minutes, which is commendable," Ruto noted. Ruto said that Belt and Road cooperation between Kenya and China has significantly improved Kenya's infrastructure. He looks forward to working more closely with China to expand Kenya's railway transportation network and further promote connectivity in Africa for the benefit of more African countries. Ruto noted that the 2024 FOCAC Summit provides opportunities for Africa's modernization. The summit fully unlocks the potential of Africa-China cooperation and promotes collaboration in areas such as industrialization, agricultural modernization, talent development, infrastructure, trade and investment, green development, technological innovation, digital economy, and cultural exchanges, so as to create a better future for the people, said Ruto. He used green development as an example. "China is a leading country in renewable energy technology and our continent possesses 60 percent of renewable energy globally. Combining our renewable energy resources and renewable energy technology that is in China will be a win-win outcome," said the Kenyan president. He said Kenya is currently cooperating with many Chinese companies, leveraging Chinese electric vehicle technology to advance its Electric Mobility plan. In March this year, at the 13th Meeting of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum held in Tanzania, scholars from China and 49 African countries reached the Dar es Salaam Consensus. "This is a positive step in the right direction, showing that Global South can also contribute ideas on how to tackle global challenges, enriching the pool of ideas that all of us can tap into," said Ruto, adding that the consensus showcases the wisdom of the Global South represented by China and African countries, Ruto remarked. "There can never be development without peace, and there can never be peace without people understanding one another and collaborating," Ruto said. He believes that the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilizations Initiative are complementary and crucial for the overall development of human society. African countries, including Kenya, strongly support and actively participate in the implementation of these three initiatives to promote Africa's peace and development and facilitate cultural exchanges and mutual learning between Africa and China, he noted. Ruto expressed his hope for Kenya and China to strengthen tourism cooperation, cement the foundation of public support, and promote mutual understanding. He welcomed Chinese tourists to visit the grassland at Maasai Mara National Reserve and Mount Kenya to experience the Kenyan culture and embrace a different civilization. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Some gunmen, suspected to be bandits have attacked the Primary Healthcare Centre at Kuyallo, Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, kidnapping two nurses and an unspecified number of patients. According to Musa Alhassan, one of the leaders of a local Vigilante group, told PUNCH on Monday, that the terrorists were said to have initially targeted a primary school in Kuyello, located on the town. He added that when they were unable to find any students to abduct, they allegedly proceeded to the adjacent hospital, where they seized the nurses who were on duty. Advertisement Alhassan said: The bandits came to the school around 9 am, asking about the students, but when they found out that the school was empty, they went to the healthcare centre and started kidnapping people. READ MORE: Kaduna Police Nab 11 Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Ammunitions Meanwhile, a community leader in the area, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, described the situation as worrisome. They arrived in the area and went straight to a nearby school, thinking they would find students. However, the school was empty, so they proceeded to the PHC in Kuyello and abducted the nurses on duty. Another witness told PUNCH that: The bandits came into the healthcare centre, wielding guns and machetes. They started dragging people out of the hospital, and we could not do anything to stop them. Abdul-Jhalil Tafawa Balewa, a former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He maintained that the President inherited a near-bankrupt nation, but is trying hard to put things right. Tafawa-Balewa made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos. Advertisement According to him, if a nation is near zero, rescuing it and setting it on a path of recovery is always very hard. He, however, said the President needed to do much more to reposition the country and address its many challenges. The politician also urged Tinubu to strengthen his cabinet with technocrats that could help actualise his development agenda for Nigeria. He (President) needs to be able to move with the times and put people that have moved out or have learned new technologies to be able to manage the different ministries. READ ALSO: Presidency Denies Ownership Of Yacht With Nigerian Flag Spotted In France I think we have too many ministries, about 48, that need to be slimmed down because a lot of money is being used to run these ministries. We just need to be able to slim down the number of ministers, he added. Tafawa-Balewa further urged the President to work harder on security to end kidnappings ,insurgency and other threats We have to improve our security so that our farmers can go to the farms. We are going to have a burst of food production. Without security, we cannot improve our food production right now. We also have technology for preservation and distribution of food. We have written so many times about using the gamma radiation facility to be able to improve our food preservation and distribution but nobody wants to listen. We have one of the largest gamma radiation facilities in the world and definitely the largest in Africa. We are not using it, Tafawa-Balewa,a Consultant Nuclear Chemist ,specialising in food preservation, said. Primate Elijah Ayodele, Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has tackled President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration over its lavish spending. According to him, the unnecessary spending of Tinubus administration is destroying and killing Nigerias economy, urging him to look for ways to repair it. In a Sunday statement signed by Osho Oluwatosin, his media aide, the clergyman noted that Nigerias economy will not smile with the attitude of the government, Advertisement READ ALSO: Leaders Wont Listen Except Nigerians Protest Primate Ayodele President Tinubu is further destroying Nigerias economy instead of looking for ways to repair it. The unnecessary lavish spending isnt helping the country. Sometimes I wonder if these government officials dont know what is going on because if they do, the government shouldnt be buying some things at this trying time. I still dont see our economy smiling in 2025, the government should cut cost, the government is killing the economy with all these unnecessary expenditure, Nigeria is in real trouble but the government is acting like it doesnt care, he stated. Haystack is an open-source framework for building applications based on large language models (LLMs) including retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) applications, intelligent search systems for large document collections, and much more. Haystack is currently implemented exclusively in Python. Haystack is also the foundation for deepset Cloud. deepset is the primary sponsor of Haystack, and several deepset employees are heavy contributors to the Haystack project. Integrations with Haystack include models hosted on platforms, such as Hugging Face, OpenAI, and Cohere; models deployed on platforms, such as Amazon SageMaker, Microsoft Azure AI, and Google Vertex AI; and vector and document stores, such as Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, Pinecone, and Qdrant. In addition, the Haystack community has contributed integrations for tools that perform model evaluation, monitoring, and data ingestion. Wearing a ski mask, Ernest Hemmings performs as Father Business during the premier at the Cannonball Festival of The Holy Church of Bezos. Read more The Holy Church of Jeff Bezos, a church service-cum-performance piece playing this weekend as part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, arose out of what writer Ernest Hemmings described as the trauma bonding of folks that hate being employed but desire it so much because thats the only way we can survive. The 45-minute piece, one of hundreds of experimental shows playing this month at the Icebox Project Space Gallery, is in some ways classic Fringe. It wasnt completely clear if it was a play or a pop-up or an interactive experience, and no one was quite sure when to clap. The two performers, Hemmings and Thom Chrastka, wore black balaclavas with eye holes and mouth holes cut out, and chanted rites like Amazon have mercy on us. Advertisement Communion, to the tune of Ciscos royalty-free hold music, involved Dunkin coffee and doughnut holes. A hymnal passed out to audience members had the spirit of a zine, full of cheeky prayers: Bonus, I am not worthy to receive you. But payday loans will work just fine until a bonus can actually happen. Amen. The piece was put on with the help of Cannonball, one of the subgroups organizing shows within the Fringe Festival. Cannonball describes itself as wild and loose, with an emphasis on risky and unconventional works. They really want this to be a place where people can both be like, I can come here and be virtuosic, but I also can come and make really exciting, poor choices, said Maya Jackson, who is on the marketing team at Cannonball, with a laugh. Other Cannonball shows include A Funeral for Death Machines, an immersive musical told from the perspective of the gun and the bullet on their last night on Earth; Blue Silk, a puppet fairy tale, and Black Joy, a multidisciplinary ancestral journey through Blackness that incorporates circus, poetry, dance, and mask work. Part of the thrill of the festival-within-a-festival is not knowing exactly what youll see. Its really cool to feel curious again. Like, wow, I didnt realize we could make a show about that, said Jackson. To feel as someone whos been seeing theater for a good portion of my life theres newness still out there. Hemmings, 50, is the founder of TSTMRKT, an experimental theater group based in Las Vegas, who also performed in the Fringe Festival last year. While working this year on a group art show called Youre Fired, he and the other artists started spitballing about how the stations of the Cross were similar to the stations of HR. He decided to make a performance piece out of it; once Chrastka agreed, he purchased a priest costume for him and the two got to work creating The Holy Church of Bezos. The old Gods are dead, Hemmings said after the show. The worship is to billionaires. The Holy Church of Bezos will be performed alongside five other shows at the Icebox on Saturday Sept. 7 at 9:30 p.m. and alongside six others on Sunday Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. Tickets to all Cannonball shows are available at phillyfringe.org. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are slated to debate each other at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday. While it won't be 5 o'clock here, it will be 5 o'clock somewhere. Read more With the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump scheduled at the National Constitution Center in Center City on Tuesday, Philadelphia once again finds itself the focal point of the countrys political universe. And that makes me want to drink. When I think of the incredible and unlikely events that happened here 248 years ago and just blocks away at Independence Hall and where American politics stands today, its clear that things can get real weird in just a couple hundred years. I havent always found presidential debates hard to swallow, but lately Ive needed to pair them with a nice wine (no, not Chianti Montepulciano) to help them go down not just smoothly, but at all. Because my husband cant stomach watching the debates, that means I often find myself drinking alone and yelling at the TV, a phase which I didnt expect to encounter until much later in life. Advertisement To remedy this, and to offer some liquid comfort to my fellow debate-curious imbibers, Ive created a Philly-centric drinking game for this debate. Since the stakes are high, the hypothetical ABV should be too. This game which exists solely as satire, and is in no way something Id seriously suggest you partake in (my editors want me to be so clear on that Ill repeat it again in a second) will be played with Citywide Specials. For the uninitiated, a Citywide Special in Philly is a can of cheap beer, typically Pabst Blue Ribbon, and a shot of cheap liquor, usually Jim Beam. For this game, one needs a six-pack of PBR and a bottle of Jim (a gallon of water and a sick day in the bank wouldnt hurt either, since its always good to stay hydrated and to be prepared for the consequences of your actions). If youre not a drinker, be sure to check out the Inquirers alcohol-free BINGO debate game. And if you are a drinker, seriously dont actually do this. Our game begins as most Philly games do, with pregaming. If any of the following happen prior to the debate, follow the listed instructions: If a candidate gets a cheesesteak at Pats or Genos in what is an obvious photo opportunity: Drink half a beer and shake your fist at the sky while yelling: How long will it take these politicians to learn they should go to Dalessandros! Bonus If the words Swiss cheese or any other type of cheese besides the Whiz variety are spoken by the candidate at any point during the visit, pour out a shot for them because they just lost the Philly vote. If you see a political ad on TV prior to the debate: Take a sip of whiskey as you let the realization sink in that watching broadcast TV in the Philly market for the next two months will be its own special kind of horror show. By the time November rolls around, youll be begging Gus to shamelessly peddle lottery tickets to you again. If Philadelphians find a way to tailgate outside the debate, despite extensive road closures and heightened security: Obviously, you should join them if possible, but if you cant, chug a beer in their honor. This is the right of the people peaceably to assemble our forefathers fought for so long ago. Once the debate begins If a candidate references the Founding Fathers: Take a healthy gulp of beer and pour one out for Phillys own Ben Franklin. It will help grease things up while hes rolling over in his grave. If a candidate says: Bad things happen in Philadelphia or anything negative about Philly: Start making shirts because all of Philly is going to meme that. Again. We feed off your hate. Chug half a beer. Let the rage wash over you and the epic clapbacks burn a fire inside of you. If President Joe Biden is mentioned: Take a sip of beer and a sip of whiskey like youre from Delaware and can actually buy your liquor and beer at the same store. If a candidate or moderator offers a pandering Go Birds: Find a beer bong. Chug an entire can. I cant believe they brought the Eagles into this. If a candidate name-checks a Philadelphian, alive or dead, famous or not: Take one shot if they mention what neighborhood they are from, two if they do not. Bonus If it happens to be your neighborhood, you can take a break or take another shot (one of those things a real Philadelphian would do and one they would not, but its totally your call. Just saying). If someone says We the People or quotes any part of the U.S. Constitution: Shotgun a beer. Sing the chorus of Philadelphia Freedom without slurring. If you fail, start over. If a candidate brings up childless cat ladies: Find a stray cat. Adopt it. Name it after the candidate who said it plus an unexpected body part (i.e., Trumps Toe or Harris Humerus). Take a shot. If a candidate talks over their muted microphone or beyond their allotted time limit: Take a good sip of PBR and then boo them for as long as you can with a single breath. Take another sip and another breath (maybe not in that order) and boo em again. Philadelphians are obligated to boo obvious fouls, whether the recipient can hear it or not. Four Seasons Total Landscaping gets name dropped: Finish whatever youve got left because Philly remains undefeated. Pro-Israel supporters chant in protest in May at the University of Pennsylvania encampment. Read more With the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel approaching, a coalition of Jewish students in the Philadelphia region and an advocacy organization that stands up for Israels right to exist are calling for campuses to be prepared to address potential antisemitism. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, groups like the Anti-Defamation League have reported a surge in antisemitic incidents in Pennsylvania. Advertisement With the input of Hillel International, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, and other partners, the American Jewish Committee published a guide to address antisemitism on campuses, where the organization said hostilities toward Jewish students have increased since the beginning of the war. The committee said it sent the guidelines to universities in the Philadelphia region and across the country. We cannot have a repeat of what happened on dozens of campuses last spring, when pro-Palestinian protests often verged into outright antisemitism and left Jewish students and faculty feeling intimidated, harassed, and at times worried about their physical safety, said Marcia Bronstein, regional director of the American Jewish Committees Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey chapter. The committee sent universities several recommendations, including prioritizing campus security around Jewish cultural and religious spaces, clarifying the rules around campus protests, and creating task forces to fight antisemitism on campus. Some area schools have already rolled out some variation of these recommendations after their campuses were embroiled in protests opposing Israels retaliatory attack on Gaza, where more than 40,000 people have been killed, according to Palestinian health authorities. Roughly 1,200 people were killed and about 250 kidnapped in Hamas Oct. 7 attack. READ MORE: Philly colleges are bracing for a potentially volatile fall semester after a year of encampments and resignations After an especially tumultuous stretch that was bookended by the December resignations of University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill and former board chair Scott L. Bok and the pro-Palestinian encampment in May, Penn announced plans to open an office of religious and ethnic inclusion this fall. Last month, Temple University said it was investigating a student pro-Palestinian demonstration held outside the Temple Hillel. Richard Englert, Temples president, said intimidation and harassment tactics like those would not be tolerated, which the committee applauded as a step in the right direction. As Drexel University students prepare to move onto campus at the end of the week, the administration sent a note Monday to spell out clear, comprehensive, enforceable rules and guidelines for managing campus protests, demonstrations and other forms of activism. The rules, which reaffirm an encampment ban, are effective immediately. The school has also erected fencing around Korman Quad, where there was an encampment in May, that will remain in place as long as the credible threat of an illegal encampment or occupation of our campus remains. To area students backing the committees suggestions, action cannot come soon enough. At a news conference Monday, Jewish students from Temple, Penn, Drexel, and Bryn Mawr College described the previous academic year as one that led them to feel isolated and silenced, especially because antisemitism is not always obvious. Its not always swastikas or explicit hate speech, said Eli Evans, a Temple law student. It can be more insidious, woven into ideas that seem to pass as political discourse, but targets Jewish individuals and creates an atmosphere of fear. Lori Ackerman, a sophomore at Bryn Mawr College, described how she felt the pressure to become a geopolitical expert overnight as a result of her faith. She said she hopes the universities can empower students like her who are looking for common ground and have their own complicated feelings about the war. We need you to allow all of us to work through our messy feelings in your spaces, even if it hurts and is uncomfortable, she said. It is unclear if Penn, Temple, and Bryn Mawr are taking any additional precautions ahead of Oct. 7. Representatives were not immediately available for comment. Delicious memories of titans in Black history and the arts are folded into the intimate stories of Sonia Sanchezs remarkable life. Sanchez and poet Amiri Baraka developed the countrys first Black studies program in the 1960s at San Francisco State University. Sanchez and June Jordan introduced conversational Black English to contemporary poetry, the precursor to spoken word performances. She worked with Nikki Giovanni to form the Broadside Quartet, a group of young Black poets in Greenwich Village. Jazz drummer and composer Max Roach gave Sanchez the piano on which he composed his revolutionary album demanding civil rights, We Insist! Freedom Now Suite. Advertisement The world-renowned poet, activist, and agitator taught English at the University of Pennsylvania in the early 1970s alongside the father of African literature and author of Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe, before spending 23 years teaching at Temple University. In 2012, Mayor Michael Nutter named Sanchez Philadelphias first poet laureate and literary seers Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and Rita Dove called to congratulate her. Let that sink in for a moment: Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and Rita Dove called her. (Morrison and Dove came to Philadelphia in 2014 for a party celebrating the end of Sanchezs two-year tenure as poet laureate.) We are sitting on Sanchezs Germantown porch discussing her amazing life in honor of her 90th birthday on Sept. 9. Im awed. Sanchez and her literary cohorts shaped my writing career. I owe them so much: Def Poetry Jam, Love Jones, The Roots. Do you still write every day? I ask her. Of course. In fact, shes working on a memoir. It occurs to me, how can Sanchez not have a memoir in a world where 25 year-olds go on and on about themselves for hundreds of pages? My dear sister, Sanchez began. Her graying locks cut into a cute chin-length bob are stuffed under a straw bucket hat. Shes wrapped in a fleece jacket and taps a majestic wooden cane fit for the ancestors to make her points. We were never taught to praise ourselves, but to praise the work, she said. People always used to tell me to get up and say this and say that about yourself. Thats not for me to say. Thats for other people to say. September belongs to Sanchez. Philadelphia arts organizations the Barnes, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and Temple University are celebrating her all month with spoken word, the rededication of her mural on South Phillys Christian Street, and an in-person conversation with Sanchez at Temple Universitys Charles Library. The Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture, where Sanchez was introduced to the work of W.E.B. Du Bois and Zora Neale Hurston, will host a private party in her honor. Authors Walter Mosely and Alice Walker are on the guest list. Shes that BaddDDD. It feels good to still be walking on this earth, Sanchez said a few days before her milestone birthday. Im still lucid. I still walk every day. I still write. I still come down the steps and I dance. Yes, I dance. I walk around with my trainer. I do yoga. I do all the things that keep me going. She pauses. You see this country puts a lot of emphasis on age, but you know you are only as old as you think you are. You have to listen to your body. Listen to what it says. It will tell you what you need to do. The wind chimes tinkle in agreement. A flower blossoms in Philadelphia Sonia Sanchez was born Wilsonia Benita Driver in Birmingham, Ala. Her mother died in childbirth when Sanchez was just 1. Her father, Wilson L. Driver, was a teacher, musician, and nightclub owner. He was tight with A.G. Gaston, the funeral home director who financed the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Kings early civil rights work. Driver and Gaston played cards together and Sanchez watched. I learned a lot about people watching them play poker, she said. Within 30 minutes you can learn how people win, lose, and what they look like when they are bluffing. Sanchez, her dad, and her sister, Pat, moved to St. Nicholas Place in Harlem during the 1940s where she attended elementary and high school. Sanchez was so bright, she skipped several grades and enrolled in Hunter College when she was 16. She earned her masters degree at NYU when she was 19 and attended Malcolm Xs lectures, inspired by his words. By her early 20s shed be an English professor, pioneering courses in Black studies in California before teaching the first college-level course dedicated to the study of Black women at the University of Pittsburgh. This wasnt a time when Black history was embraced. In fact it was discouraged. We had a hard time, she said. Sanchez moved to Philadelphia in 1976. She witnessed the rise and fall of MOVE she would be a fierce advocate of the revolutionary organizations right to exist. She was in Philly for the inauguration of Philadelphias first Black mayor, its first female mayor, and the gentrification of Philadelphias Black neighborhoods. This awareness fuels her work. And through it all she taught and wrote into the wee hours of the night and morning. Shes written more than 20 books of poetry, childrens stories, college texts, and essays. The most recent, Collected Poems, published in 2021 by Beacon Press, is dedicated to her twin sons Mungu and Morani. READ MORE: Walking Upright In America I was up writing at 2 or 3 in the morning and I put my head down because I was tired, the mother of three said remembering. I thought to myself, Why dont I have someone to help me live, so I can write? And then I went to the classroom and it hit me, I was supposed to teach and write at the same time. They support each other. They support me. Her life is the lesson Sanchez still does her best writing in the hours before the sun rises. Its a habit I could never break, she said. I was always up teaching and grading papers. Its the only time I have to myself. Thats the time shes supposed to be working on her memoir. However, she keeps getting distracted. Something keeps happening in the universe that I have to respond to, she said. Sometimes its the death of close friends. Giovanni is still alive. But most of her friends in the struggle Jordan, Baraka, Angelou, and Morrison are gone. She finds herself having late night/early morning chats with younger writers like Jeannine Cook from Harrietts Bookshop. A younger voice, yes, but the same revolutionary spirit. She thinks about the books that have been banned, remembering a time when her books were on the list. She stresses, Books cannot be banned unless we allow them, vowing, to keep working to resurrect the fight against that. She worries about bombs and guns in the hands of the wrong people and the war against racial and gender equality. True freedom comes when people of all races and genders are free. And of course there is the presidential election. Like her, Vice President Kamala Harris is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Sanchez is excited at the possibility of a Black woman becoming president of the United States. About Harris: Shes a prosecutor, the only one that can take on 45, she says about the tight race between Harris and former President Donald Trump. Still, Sanchez is content. Shes learned the lessons. Shes taught the lessons. Her life is the lesson. After talking for nearly two hours, I feel like my questions have barely grazed the surface of her life. But shes tired now. She has parties to prepare for. Its important she rest so she can write. The world needs her memoir. CBS3 evening coanchor Jessica Kartalija has left the station after six years, confirming her departure in a recent social media post. I was with CBS (in Baltimore & Philly) for 18 years, and have many of the same questions you do, Kartalija wrote in a Facebook post Sunday. Will keep you posted on my next steps. Advertisement Kartalijas departure is also reflected on her personal website, which notes that she was with CBS3 from 2018 to 2024. It was not immediately clear what brought Kartalijas time at CBS3 to an end. She did not elaborate further in her social media posting, and a representative at the station did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Prior to her departure, Kartalija served as coanchor alongside the venerable Ukee Washington for CBS3s weekday evening broadcasts. She joined the station in fall 2018, succeeding former coanchor Jessica Dean, who left CBS3 for a gig at CNN, where she remains. A San Diego native and a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Kartalija came to CBS3 following a stint at the Baltimore-based CBS station WJZ-TV, which she had joined in 2006. Prior to her time in Baltimore, Kartalija also worked at the Arizona-based NBC and CBS affiliate KYMA-TV, New Mexicos NBC-affiliated KOB-TV, and the Telemundo-owned and -operated KASA-TV. Kartalijas departure from CBS3 comes months after winning a Broadcaster of the Year award from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. In her acceptance speech, Kartalija said she was incredibly proud of the work that we do at CBS Philadelphia, CBS News reported. Steamed halibut with chorizo and clams, a weekend special at La Baja in Ambler. Read more Dionicio Jimenez and Mariangeli Alicea Saez are fielding two main questions since last weeks opening of La Baja, their charming, white-tablecloth BYOB in Ambler. One is, why Ambler? Answer: They live nearby. Advertisement Two: What does it mean for Cantina La Martina, their refined restaurant in the heart of Kensington, which cinched a James Beard nomination for Jimenez in 2022? Answer: Theyve made a commitment to the Kensington neighborhood, theyre in it for the long haul, and the restaurant is at the center of their efforts to support the families in the community. They will juggle not only Cantina and La Baja, but their street-food outlets in Fishtown (La Placita Fishtown) and near Penns Landing (La Placita Cherry Street Pier). At La Baja, Jimenez is cooking a menu inspired by the food of Mexicos northern border, with touches of Asian influence. Youll also find base notes of the Italian cuisine he mastered in the early 2000s at the beginning of his Philadelphia career most notably, risotto and pastas at Vetri Cucina. To wit: an appetizer of ravioli ($18) filled with avocado, blue crab, bacon, recado negro, and xnipec salsa; the rib braised in hibiscus and Mexican chocolate over risotto ($26); grilled sea bass ($36), which gets a subtle kick from arbol miso; steamed halibut with chorizo and clams ($38); and chili-crusted ribeye ($45) topped with grilled carrots dusted with sumac and mint. The showstopper is a riff on Peking duck, carnitas de pato ($65). Its a whole, carved duck served with baked plantain, chilacayote, and veneno beans, along with bao buns. Theres a selection of agua frescas plus other nonalcoholic beverages, and though its BYOB, Stone & Key Cellars around the corner will deliver wine and cider to your table via QR code. Brunch will start in late September. La Baja, 9 N. Main St., Ambler. Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 5-9 p.m. Sunday. Reserve on Resy. The volunteer group helping operate the East Point Lighthouse along New Jerseys scenic bayshore made a decision over the weekend to clear out the historic structure and stop operations, fearing the state was getting ready to change locks as the result of a long-standing lease dispute. A tearful Nancy Patterson, volunteer president of the Maurice River Historical Society, which operates the lighthouse, said Monday morning that local residents showed up to help in what was to otherwise have been a joyous day. Advertisement On Saturday, we were supposed to be celebrating the 175th anniversary of the lighthouse, Patterson said, choking up. Instead we were moving out. Patterson and the historical society have been tussling with the state since 2017 over terms of a new lease. The fully restored lighthouse, built in 1849, is perched on the state-owned Heislerville Wildlife Management Area in Cumberland County, which the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) manages. However, the DEP later Monday said it plans to soon reopen the lighthouse, but under state management. The DEP sent The Inquirer a statement saying that it had granted a series of extensions that allowed the historical society to operate the lighthouse until Sept. 6 through East Point Light LLC, which is registered to Patterson. Negotiations were unsuccessful. The DEP will not be offering another extension as East Point Light LLC has declined to sign the lease agreement, the statement said. READ MORE: Lighthouse operator is battling not only rapid bayshore erosion, but the State of New Jersey Whats special about East Point Lighthouse? The historic brick structure is the second oldest surviving lighthouse in New Jersey after the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. It has withstood decades of storms, vandalism, and a disastrous 1971 fire. After the fire, the Maurice River Historical Society led an $850,000 restoration effort along with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority and the New Jersey Historic Trust. The historical society began managing the lighthouse in the 1990s under a lease of the small property in Cumberland County at the confluence of the Delaware Bay and Maurice River. It took decades for the society to raise the money and restore the lighthouse, which reopened in 2017 with a functional blinking red beacon that pulses over the water each night as a navigational aid serviced by the U.S. Coast Guard. Up until this past weekend, the lighthouse had been open to public tours complete with 19th-century period furniture and artifacts to give people a sense of what it was like to live there. East Point Lighthouse is tucked at the end of a dirt road on a remote stretch near the end of the state where horseshoe crabs and birds outnumber people. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, erosion has eaten away three-quarters of the beach in front of the lighthouse since the 1940s. In 2019, the DEP installed a 570-foot-long geotextile system that includes an 8-foot-diameter tube made of a durable synthetic membrane filled with sand. It runs parallel to the shore to help protect the lighthouse. So whats the issue? The society and East Point Light LLC has continued to operate the lighthouse after the original lease expired in 2017. In 2021, the state instead issued the organization an operating license. But that license expired in 2023 and the state once again wanted a lease. The sides couldnt come to terms, though operations were allowed to continue under a special license. The issue came to a head last week, Patterson said, when local officials told her the DEP was not going to renew the special license, which had just expired. We took the lighthouse from a burned-out shell, and bad condition to beautifully restored, Patterson said Monday by phone. We opened it to the public and it was very successful with tourism. Its a historic treasure. But weve been treated badly, with a whole bunch of lies and excuses. Among the issues are projects the Maurice River Historical Society wants to complete but the state wont approve, Patterson said. In the meantime, Patterson, a former Philadelphia resident, said it was costing us a fortune to keep operations going, including the running of two sump pumps and a dehumidifier, as well as paperwork that required the review of attorneys. She said the group should not have to pay rent, given that they restored the lighthouse, made it functional, maintained it, and created a successful tourist attraction without any help from the state. An adjacent gift shop sells lighthouse-related items, including paintings by Patterson, an artist. However, the DEP said in its statement that it had spent more than a year of extensive lease negotiations and attempts by DEP to address East Point Light LLCs concerns as the new lessee, which included the abatement of the 5 percent rental payment of its gross revenue through an approved list of improvements to the lighthouse. Patterson declined to sign the lease agreement by the Sept. 6th deadline, the DEP said. The state was seeking a list of improvements East Point LLC would have been responsible for, according to the statement. The DEP said it would cost East Point Light about $2,500 a year for the improvements in exchange for holding events, fundraising, and selling merchandise at the property. The DEP said it was giving the historical society two weeks to remove all items in preparation for the state to take over over management of the site. After that, the DEP will reopen public access with similar hours. East Point Light LLC will have the opportunity to be recognized as a Friends Group and remain involved. State Sen. Michael Testa Jr. called the lighthouse, a vital piece of New Jerseys maritime history, and faulted DEPs lack of urgency regarding the property, adding, the state needs to step up and ensure that the public will continue to enjoy this attraction for many years to come. Cleaning out Patterson said she was surprised at the outpouring of help over the weekend as people began pulling up with trucks. I said that anyone who can show up quick, has a truck, and strong muscles is welcome, Patterson said. I could not believe the response. They pulled up in trucks and box trucks, with little children helping. They didnt just come Friday night, but the next day, and the next day. We had to rent storage units to put things in. Its going to cost us a fortune. But we are doing everything we can in hopes we can keep the stuff safe. She said shed like the state to revert back to the terms under the groups original lease dating to 1996. She also said her group has been treated differently, and with bias, than groups operating other lighthouses in the state. The bottom line is, I would not sign the lease agreement they were offering, Patterson said. Its horrible and very lopsided. It would be very hard for us to survive under those terms. Patterson said shes holding out hope things can change, possibly under a different administration. Gov. Phil Murphys term ends in 2026. Were not giving up, Patterson said. Merchandise for sale during a March for Life rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21, 2022. Read more The Inquirer has highlighted the role abortion rights are expected to play this November here in battleground Pennsylvania. Could it influence the votes in the Philly suburbs where it rivals the economy and border policy as top concerns? Advertisement READ MORE: Do suburban women like Donald Trump? | Letters to the Editor And what do we make of Donald Trumps position? There needs to be some form of punishment. Thats what Trump said at an MSNBC town hall I hosted in Green Bay, held just before the 2016 Wisconsin primary. He wasnt talking about the doctor involved, but the person undergoing the procedure. He was talking about the woman herself facing punishment. Hours afterward, Trumps campaign people tried cleaning up the mess. But the question to Trump was asked clearly, and his answer unequivocal. You can google. It was about the principle of who should face this legal punishment. The question was: Do you believe in punishment for abortion as a principle? His answer was: The answer is there needs to be some form of punishment. For the woman? Yeah, there needs to be some form. All of this remains on the recording of that town hall interview, plainly available to the concerned voter. Now I realize it seemed an odd question to ask of someone seeking the American presidency. Those opposing abortion have often called for legal action against those who perform abortion, but never on the person having the procedure herself. The reason I asked it is because Trump had portrayed himself as pro-choice or pro-life without any apparent awareness of how it would be treated under the law. Before seeking public office as a Republican, Trump described himself as a defender of abortion rights. I am very pro-choice, he said on Meet the Press in 1999. He cited his growing up in New York as a background. He said it was a little bit because we have a very different attitude than in different parts of the country. But I am very pro-choice. He said that included what was called partial-birth abortion. No, I am very pro-choice in every respect as far as it goes. But when Trump began considering a presidential run as a Republican this was in 2011 he told the Conservative Political Action Conference, I am pro-life. Watching Trump switch from ardently pro-choice to pro-life in such a radical transformation, I got the sense that hed given little real thought to the issue. To be blunt, I didnt imagine hed given it much thinking, merely switching his position from pro-choice to pro-life as casually as he was adjusting his watch to daylight saving time. So I asked if, being politically pro-life under the law, what should the legal sanction be for someone facing the procedure? Did he think the government should exact a criminal punishment on the woman having an abortion? What was his position on the matter? What he said that Wisconsin afternoon was that there needs to be some form of punishment. When he shifted the U.S. Supreme Court to end Roe v. Wade by adding three new pro-life justices, was that his intent, to punish the women? Trump clearly had no idea what he was talking about. He had no idea that those who take the pro-life position rarely want the woman herself to face punishment. Even since the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision, Trump has taken big-time credit for killing Roe v. Wade. It was he, Donald Trump, who had named those three new justices who made it happen. And he now takes credit for not just ending Roe, but throwing the decision over abortion rights back to the states. READ MORE: A Trump win would usher in an American theocracy centered on destroying reproductive rights | Editorial That seems to be where Trump has landed, or has found himself landed. Fourteen states have since passed near-total bans on abortion. Four others Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and Iowa have bans within six weeks. That is before most women know they are pregnant. It seems U.S. law now gives reality to Trumps 2016 decree that there needs to be some form of punishment. Chris Matthews was the host of MSNBCs Hardball and before that a presidential speechwriter. Childless educators In October 2021, JD Vance unwittingly called out the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for its leaders and educators individual decisions to remain childless. Tom Cotton, in November 2021, similarly dismissed the teaching qualifications of all childless educators, which would, of course, include each and every one of the dedicated and hardworking priests and nuns who taught me from grades one through 12 at St. Martin of Tours grade school and Cardinal Dougherty High School. Vance later left it to his spokesman to dig the hole a little deeper by summoning the frightful specter of left-wing indoctrination in our schools, displaying breathtaking ignorance of the neutrality of the word doctrine. The Catholic Church takes very seriously its mission to instill faith in the doctrines that serve as its bedrock; indeed, the education of those enrolled in the archdioceses schools meets the precise definition of the word indoctrination. Vance, a relatively recent and clearly inattentive convert to Catholicism, has apparently given a pass to the churchs educators on their choice to remain childless. Such moral ambiguity fits well with the slippery ideology of Vances puppeteer. Advertisement Richard Heaney, Harrisburg Whats the buzz? Kudos to North Penn High School for handling the 50,000 bees inside its walls with smarts and care. Instead of exterminating them, officials found the queen bee and safely relocated the hive saving their students from stings and keeping North Penns ecosystem humming with creatures essential for pollination. Plus, North Penn dodged a swarm of angry environmentalists by not taking the easy squish em route. Its a win for nature and a great lesson for our kids on how to solve problems without squashing whats important. North Penns decision was bee-utiful! Rosamond Kay, Philadelphia Charge them When there are no consequences for bad behavior, bad behavior is enabled and grows worse. City payouts for police wrongdoing $60 million in the last 18 months are Exhibit A. The toothless Civilians Police Oversight Commission is Exhibit B. Under our present system, when Philadelphia police break the law, they simply pass the responsibility on to the taxpayer and walk away. Im sure wed all like to see a more responsive and responsible force, so I have a modest proposal. The next time a cop is charged with a crime or civil rights violation, force the police department to pay for the lawyer and any damages out of its own budget or the police pension fund. Does anyone doubt police misconduct would virtually disappear overnight? Richard Crossin, Philadelphia Asked and answered Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most sacred and hallowed grounds in our nation. The heroic men and women buried there gave their lives protecting this country. I was surprised to learn there is a federal law prohibiting the use of part of the area for political campaign ads. I thought, who could possibly be so crass, disrespectful, and unpatriotic as to use this revered space to promote themselves? Unfortunately, I now know the answer. Stefan Keller, Huntingdon Valley Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 200 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online. Seth Matson, 26, places campaign literature at a door in Lower Allen Township last month. Matson is a field organizer for Democratic state House candidate Sara Agerton. Read more LOWER ALLEN, Pa. Joseph Swartz began identifying himself as a disaffected Republican in 2008, over what he saw as a more adversarial Sarah Palin-esque brand of GOP politics. Come 2016, Swartz voted for Hillary Clinton the first time he ever supported a Democratic presidential candidate. Advertisement Soon after, he left the party altogether. I didnt feel good about having to do, you know, sort of, logical gymnastics in order to explain how voting for Republicans is consistent with my Christian faith, said Swartz, 37. I started getting tired of it, and that culminated with leaving the party in 2017. Last year, he was the first Democrat elected in nearly two decades to the five-member board of commissioners in Lower Allen, a suburban town of about 20,000 people just south of Harrisburg in Cumberland County. The township is narrowly divided in national elections, and has shifted left but stayed shy of flipping Democratic. Former President Donald Trump won Lower Allen by more than 1,000 votes in 2016, but by only 129 votes in 2020. Those Democratic gains reflect a shift in suburbs of small cities across the state that have long been solidly red. The Philadelphia suburbs have gained attention for becoming increasingly Democratic in recent years and helping President Joe Biden win in 2020, but an Inquirer analysis of election results shows that smaller cities suburbs are also key to either partys chances of winning the White House in November. While Trump is still favored to win Cumberland County, which is majority Republican and largely rural and suburban, Vice President Kamala Harris ability to continue her partys gains in areas like Lower Allen will be a critical factor to watch. And Democrats like Swartz are hopeful about their chances. The ideological shift might be happening more rapidly than I think we were expecting, Swartz said. Democrats hope to make inroads in Cumberland County The Republican Party still has a strong presence in the Harrisburg area. West of Lower Allen, Trump signs are prominently displayed in downtown Carlisle, the county seat, including outside the county Republican committee headquarters. At the nearby Democratic headquarters, residents walked in on a recent Monday afternoon to put their names on a list for Harris-Walz lawn signs, which had not yet arrived. Party officials are hoping to mobilize their base and attract independents and persuadable Republicans. We often say to voters, This isnt your fathers Republican Party, said Matt Roan, chair of the Cumberland County Democratic Committee. Roan said the county party is also focused on down-ballot races like Democrat Janelle Stelsons effort to unseat U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, and a state House race in which Democrat Sara Agerton is challenging Republican State Rep. Sheryl Delozier. And he hopes Harris can improve on Bidens 2020 performance in the county. Kamala Harris may not win Cumberland County, but if she loses by five instead of 10, its going to go a long way towards delivering Pennsylvania for the Democratic ticket, he said. But Democrats will face an uphill battle in the county, as Republicans still strongly outnumber Democrats in voter registration, 81,000 to 55,000. Frank Hancock, 73, has lived in Carlisle for almost 30 years and said he agrees with Trump about almost everything. Hancock, a veteran, even spoke at the former presidents Harrisburg rally in July. He said he thinks the Democratic shift will reverse this year because of the cost of living, and criticized Harris for not discussing policy specifics at the Democratic National Convention. Take a look at what they said, and it was primarily, you know, were going to have joy and hope, which is fine, except there aint no joy or hope out here, he said. Some suburban voters say theyre sick of Trump Richard Schin, 74, a former Lower Allen Republican commissioner, said his complaints about Biden to people at the gas pump are typically well received. Its just not uncommon for me to look over and say, Do you ever think youd be pumping your own gas and paying this kind of money? Thanks, Uncle Joe, he said. You know, they go, Agh, this is crazy. Maybe its because of the circles I run in, you know. They say, you know, white stallions run around with other palominos. Trump wasnt Schins first choice. He voted for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the primary, and noted Trump is not an altar boy. But life was easier four years ago, he said. I just cant not support him because hes my only choice on the side that has done well by me, he said. Others in the area have pulled away from the Republican Party. Mary ODonnell of Upper Allen, which borders Lower Allen, said she always voted for Republicans because her parents supported the GOP. A teacher and a mother, ODonnell, 83, didnt pay much attention to politics. That changed with Trump. ODonnell had a bad impression of Trump in 2016, but her friend a die-hard Trump supporter whom ODonnell doesnt see much these days persuaded her to vote for him. In 2020, ODonnell voted for Biden, and she plans on voting for Harris. I voted for Donald Trump the first time he ran, and it was very shortly after the election that I was regretting that I had voted for him, she said. Hes such a blowhard, he thinks he knows everything, and nobody else does anything right. Christine Rigling, 54, of neighboring New Cumberland, is also a former Trump voter. Rigling, who is married to the Lower Allen fire chief, said she and her husband both voted for Trump in 2016 even though they didnt necessarily like him. They are now both Democrats and voted for Biden in 2020. We thought maybe he would listen to those surrounding him that were more educated and understood, said Rigling, who works as a medical transcriptionist. And it was not what happened. Republican like all my friends Dean Villone, 55, president of the Lower Allen Board of Commissioners, flipped the other way he is a Republican who used to be a Democrat. Villone grew up in a Democratic family, but changed his registration to run his first campaign in 2017 because he aligned better with Republican fiscal policy. He declined to share how he voted in the last few presidential elections, or how he will vote this year. He believes the Democratic shift in Lower Allen is the result of new people moving in and, potentially, older Republicans moving away to retire. He said he wouldnt be surprised if Lower Allen eventually flips blue. Villone said he stopped putting up lawn signs for national races after some constituents seemed uncomfortable with them. He described Lower Allen as a place where people generally tread lightly when it comes to politics. I think the people that are dug in on both sides that hate the other side so much are always going to get charged up, he said. But I think if you look at the bulk of the people I think this group is growing theyre just numb to it. On a sunny Tuesday evening, Seth Matson, 26, a field organizer for Agerton, the Democratic candidate for state representative, knocked on doors in a Lower Allen neighborhood. Most people didnt answer their doors, and the neighborhood was quiet except for barking dogs. There were no lawn signs in sight. Matson moved from a Democratic stronghold in California to the Harrisburg suburbs at age 9, attended Cedar Cliff High School in Lower Allen, and now lives in neighboring Lemoyne. In 2016, he founded a young Democrats club at the high school, and there were only three members. At the end of last school year, there were seven. If I didnt have my own set of beliefs that I made pretty early on, I would have been Republican like all my friends, he said. Metal fences are installed along Market Street on Independence Mall on Sunday as preparations continue for Tuesday's debate at the National Constitution Center. Read more One of the most anticipated events of the 2024 presidential election is happening in Philly and local officials say they are prepared for protests. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said Monday that Philadelphias Office of Emergency Management would be activated ahead of Tuesdays presidential debate at the National Constitution Center, where Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to face off at 9 p.m. in their first debate. Advertisement State and federal law enforcement, Bethel said, will help the police department secure the area around the event. The area from Fifth Street to Seventh Street, Bethel said, will be closed off to vehicles and pedestrians. Our job is to protect both the safety of those individuals participating in the event as well as the individuals who are out and about in the community, Bethel said during a news conference Monday at the District Attorneys Office. Bethel said police will be closely monitoring the crowds. We will allow them to exercise their First Amendment rights throughout the evening tomorrow. We would just ask that those involved not engage in behavior that would turn to criminal activity, etc., Bethel said. If that was to occur, then our posture would shift into a much stronger approach. Heres what we know so far about protests ahead of Tuesdays debate: A pro-Palestinian rally outside the Constitution Center The Philly Palestine Coalition and allies will be holding an organized demonstration Tuesday outside the Constitution Center at 6:30 p.m. as Harris and Trump get ready to take the debate stage, the group said in a news release. The coalition believes the debate and the 2024 election serves as a distraction, diverting attention from the United States ongoing complicity in the genocide and attempting to demobilize the growing movement for Palestinian liberation. Pro-Palestinian rallies have taken various forms in the city, dominating discussions on college campuses and at other local political events. The issue has deeply divided the Democratic Party since Israels war with Hamas began last year. Some Mummers will welcome Donald Trump Some Mummers could be joining an event, organized by Trump campaign volunteers, that will welcome the former presidents motorcade to the National Constitution Center, according to a flier circulating on social media. Two Mummers clubs have endorsed the event, but organizers say attendees will be there in their personal capacities and not as Mummers. One group will offer a shuttle service departing from Tankies Tavern, Brothers Two Bar, and Big Charlies Saloon to the gathering location. Participants in the event will be mainly gathering at Sixth and Callowhill Streets, which has been sectioned off by Trump volunteers for supporters to wave signs, wear MAGA gear, and give [Trump] a welcome that only Pennsylvania can deliver. The group may also gather at other locations along the motorcade route. U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds (R., Fla.) and Wesley Hunt (R., Texas) with the Black Conservative Federation bus tour are also expected to stop by to join the crowd, according to the events page. An antiabortion demonstration on Independence Mall The Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania will be holding a demonstration on Independence Mall between Fifth and Sixth Streets. The group will be showing what they call abortion victim photos during thedemonstration, which will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. and will target Harris position on abortion rights. Harris supports restoring federal protections for abortion. The issue has been a major point of discussion during the 2024 presidential election, the first held after Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022. Harris stance is a major motivator for Democratic voters. Though Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the Supreme Court decision overturning the federal right to abortion, he has been less straightforward about his stance in 2024. DNC billboards say Trump hates Philly On Monday, the Democratic National Committee rolled out billboards in English and Spanish ahead of Tuesdays debate. Some criticize Project 2025 the extreme conservative agenda that Trump has been trying to distance himself from. Others are more blunt. Trump hates Philly, one reads, saying the former president attacked our elections, tried to suppress our vote, and claimed bad things happen here. The latter refers to a viral moment from a 2020 presidential debate when Trump said, Bad things happen in Philadelphia, while sowing doubt in the integrity of the 2020 election. The billboards can be found at various locations on major thoroughfares in and near the city, including I-95, I-76, and I-676. The DNC will also have kiosks on five college campuses in the Philadelphia area, including Temple, Drexel, and the University of Pennsylvania, urging students to Google Project 2025. The committee will also distribute fliers across campuses, and an ad about reproductive rights under the Trump administration will be projected on a mobile billboard near university campuses. The stakes are high this November, and tomorrow, Vice President Harris will lay out her vision for Pennsylvania and the nation, where nobody is above the law, every vote counts, and we chart a new way forward together, DNC spokesperson Addy Toevs said in a statement. The RNC did not provide any details of billboards or advertisements, but Kush Desai, a Trump spokesperson in Pa., said in a statement the former presidents commonsense message to make America Wealthy, Safe, Strong, and Great Again stands for itself and is reaching the eyes, ears, hearts, and minds of Pennsylvanians. But good luck to the Democrats billboard ad blitz to sell Pennsylvanians on another four years of rising prices and open borders policies bringing crime and drugs to Pennsylvania communities under Kamala Harris, Desai said. A giant mouse mascot from PETA near the Independence Visitor Center PETA, the animal rights organization, will position its mouse mascot near the Independence Visitor Center at Sixth and Market Streets at 7 p.m., to urge Harris and Trump to take a stand against animal testing. The mouse, which also appeared at the June presidential debate between Trump and President Joe Biden and at the Democratic and Republican conventions, will bear the message: Save Me and $22 Billion: End NIH Animal Experiments! PETA calls on both candidates to redirect taxpayers money to modern, human-relevant research that leaves animals in peace, PETA senior vice president Kathy Guillermo said in a news release. Staff writer Jesse Bunch contributed to this article. Metal fences are installed along Market Street on Independence Mall Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, as preparations continue for Tuesday when former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris debate at the National Constitution Center. Read more Philadelphia is in the center of the action once again as the city gears up to play host to the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The ABC-organized and televised event will take place Tuesday at the National Constitution Center near Independence Mall. For those uninitiated and non-locals, its a nonprofit museum that focuses on you guessed it the U.S. Constitution. Advertisement Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the Constitution Center, told The Inquirer that its all the more significant for one of the most important political moments of the year to take place steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. And while this marks the first general election debate in the Constitution Centers history and the first time a general election debate takes place at a museum its not the first presidential debate or historic event to occur there. Here are the basics so you can call yourself an expert on the center and its specs. What is the National Constitution Center? The National Constitution Center is a museum and event space dedicated to the U.S. Constitution both celebrating the document and analyzing its history. Its a private nonprofit and nonpartisan center that presents a mix of exhibits, programming, and moderated panels throughout the year. According to the centers website, its considered a headquarters for civic education. It has previously served as a venue for town halls and debates over the years (well get more into that later). The building is best recognized by its carving of We the people on the side of its stone facade. How long has it been around? The NCC was created in response to an act signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 calling for a National Constitution Center close to Philadelphias Independence Mall that would educate people about the Constitution and its significance. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Sept. 17, 2000, the 213th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. Its a large building with multiple gallery halls and comprised of limestone and concrete. The center opened in 2003 on the Fourth of July. What events has it hosted over the years? Notable events hosted by the National Constitution Center include the 2008 Democratic presidential primary debate. It was there when Obama called for a more perfect union. Years later, the center would host then-candidates Trump and President Joe Biden during the 2020 election amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCC also runs and hosts the annual Liberty Medal ceremony, which has honored a mix of Supreme Court justices, world leaders, politicians, and civil rights leaders. How is it connected to the rest of Liberty Mall? The inclusion of the National Constitution Center was part of a larger plan in the late 1990s to redesign Independence Mall into a more cohesive string of street blocks with historic structures. As part of that redesign, the Independence Visitors Center opened in November 2001 while the Constitution Center opened two years later. The Liberty Bell was relocated into the newly designed Liberty Bell Center that same year. Known as Americas most historic square mile, Independence Mall is the three-block section of Independence National Historic Park, bounded by Chestnut, Race, 5th and 6th Streets. Fallon Roth contributed to this article. His most recent role was head of long tail lines for Australia and New Zealand, as well as head of financial lines for APAC. He has held various leadership roles at Zurich Australia, contributing significantly to the companys growth. We know from our research that we have more to do to tell the story of how a career in insurance aligns with career seekers values and aspirations, and were confident that weve been able to do this with this new campaign, he said, as reported by Campaign Brief. While the NSW government has introduced new legislation aimed at improving oversight in the strata sector, Cass-Gottlieb said the reforms did not go far enough. She argued that financial incentives still motivate brokers and strata managers to recommend higher-cost policies, even when less expensive alternatives are available. Ive been very familiar with and impressed by Angus work for many years. I am delighted that he will be bringing his skillset, market knowledge, and his wealth of international experience to Chaucer. Marsh McLennan is dedicated in our support of Ukraine helping it attract global investment to rebuild the country, and recover from the devastating impact of war on its people and economy, stated John Doyle, president and chief executive of Marsh McLennan. We call on the global insurance community to join us in this effort and end blanket exclusions for Ukraine. State legislatures have also been debating whether to reimburse medical marijuana under workers' compensation. While most proposed bills exclude reimbursement for marijuana treatments, some states, such as Massachusetts and New Jersey, are considering legislation that would allow it under certain conditions. New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday signed a new law requiring retailers to boost safety protections for store workers, including requiring major chains to add panic buttons in all New York State locations. Unions representing retail workers had pushed for the new law, known as the Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA), after high-profile shootings in the state and as some retail executives recently have cited a rise in retail crime a claim that has been disputed. WHY ITS IMPORTANT The requirement to add panic buttons specifically at retail workplaces is the first of its kind among U.S. states. While California adopted similar but broader workplace requirements earlier this year, it did not mandate panic buttons. Walmart WMT.N, the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Food Industry Alliance of New York State (FIA) have previously opposed the RWSA. Walmart argued against the panic button idea, citing concerns about the likelihood of false alarms. Others expressed worries about the associated costs. Walmart and the FIA declined to comment. The NRF deferred comment to the Retail Council of New York State, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In the past, the retail groups have sent letters to the New York State Senate opposing panic buttons. CONTEXT The RWSA goes into effect after 180 days. It requires, among other things, retailers with 10 or more employees to adopt a violence prevention plan and maintain records of violent incidents for at least three years. It also requires retailers with 500 or more employees nationwide to install panic buttons in easily accessible locations or provide wearable panic buttons or mobile-phone-based alarm devices to alert emergency officials. This provision of the law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. BY THE NUMBERS In New York City there have been at least 40,900 complaints related to retail theft so far this year, a 2.7% increase since last year, according to the New York Police Department. U.S. retailer Target also closed nine locations, including one in East Harlem, citing violence against employees and retail theft as primary reasons. (Reporting by Siddharth Cavale in New York; Editing by Sonali Paul) Topics New York With its vast expanses of forest, Canada has the most certified sustainable timber operations of any nation, according to the nonprofit organizations that attest to the environmental soundness of logging practices. Such forestry-standards groups were born in the 1990s out of rage over tropical rainforest destruction. Today, they put their leafy seals of approval on toilet paper, two-by-fours and other wood and paper goods to assure eco-conscious consumers and investors they were responsibly produced. Yet research shows Canadian forests have seen some of the worlds largest declines in ecologically critical primary and old-growth woodlands over the last two decades, even as sustainability-certification programs grew to include nearly all of Canadas logging. To track destruction of older woodlands in these certified zones, Reuters analyzed forestry data in Ontario, a major logging province. The analysis found that about 30% of the certified boreal forests harvested from 2016 to 2020 were at least 100 years old. That resulted in the loss of 377 square miles of these older forests, an area the size of New York City and Washington D.C. combined, the analysis found. Canadas forests accounting for 9% of the worlds total are considered critical to containing global warming. Environmental advocates have long pushed to end logging in primary or old-growth forests, which soak up far more climate-damaging carbon than logged-and-replanted areas. Primary forests are those that show no sign of previous harvesting. They can include old-growth areas some with trees hundreds or thousands of years old but also relatively newer woodlands that, for instance, might have regrown after wildfires. Forest-certification nonprofits have chosen to allow logging of older forests through a host of concessions to industry. The harvesting of such areas in Ontario came despite the fact that 94% of the provinces managed forests are certified by one of the two dominant environmental-certification organizations in Canada, the analysis found. Reuters analyzed satellite-derived logging data, government forest-age estimates and forest-certification maps to estimate the harvest of forests at least 100 years old in Ontarios certified zones. Why the heck are they allowing logging certified logging in primary forests that are over 100 years old? asked Dominick DellaSala, a conservation biologist with environmental group Wild Heritage who studies Canadian logging impacts. For Canada to claim that its doing sustainable management, its laughable. To put a certification seal of approval on it is more alarming. The rapid loss of older Canadian forests highlights the flaws of certification programs that have come under heavy influence of the logging and forest-products industries, a Reuters investigation has found. The damage has come under the watch of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the worlds first such certification organization, founded in 1993 with environmentalist support; and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), a rival founded by a timber and forest-products trade group the following year. This account is based on the Reuters analysis of Ontario forests, a review of hundreds of pages of FSC and SFI audits, along with policy and strategy documents, and interviews with 20 current or former FSC employees or members and more than a half-dozen researchers who study the environmental effects of Canadian logging. In a statement, FSC said it has not wavered from its original commitment to responsible forest management and that its certification standards are robust and credible. SFI said its standards are strong and continuously improving and that its certification has become a highly trusted solution to the growing demand for products from sustainably managed forests. Neither organization commented on the Reuters analysis or on whether they considered harvesting large sections of century-old forests to be sustainable. The FSC and SFI certify logging companies practices in specific forests and examine consumer-product supply chains. Their seals of approval a leaf insignia for SFI, and a tree with a checkmark for the FSC have become essential to timber and forest-products firms amid rising pressure for environmental stewardship. But these companies hold immense leverage over the big forest-certification nonprofits, which depend heavily on the industry for funding through certification fees, Reuters found. And since its inception, the FSC has watered down its forestry standards in response to the competitive threat posed by SFI and other industry-friendly certifiers, according to environmentalists and more than a dozen current and former FSC staffers and members, who advise the organization on policy and strategy. Companies are free to choose which certifier to use, allowing them to avoid those with stricter standards and giving them clout to lobby all certifiers for permissive policies, said the FSC staffers and members. Widespread certification of British Columbia timber operations over the past two decades hasnt stopped the disappearance of more than half of the provinces old-growth woodlands over that period. Logging caused the vast majority of the declines in the biggest old-growth trees storing the most carbon, according to one 2021 study in the Canadian Journal of Forest Research and another last year in the journal Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. Studies in 2009 and 2017 examined areas of Quebec woodlands and found sections of forests dominated by trees more than a century old had dwindled to between 13% and 28% of the forest amid heavy logging. Without logging, these older sections would account for between 40% and 68% of these woodlands, the researchers estimated. Herb Hammond, a veteran forest ecologist, ran a British Columbia nonprofit organization that conducted some of Canadas first FSC audits in the late 1990s. He later left the organization, frustrated with what he described as too many compromises with industry. Its easy to pull the wool over peoples eyes about what is good forestry, he said. Certification has turned out to be a bit of a dogs breakfast. It doesnt really mean anything. A CHESS MOVE Forestry certification has become ubiquitous in the global forest-products trade, helping companies such as Procter & Gamble, Starbucks and Penguin Random House appeal to eco-conscious consumers and investors. Those three companies declined to comment. The certifying trend started in the 1990s when environmental organizations including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the World Wildlife Fund helped launch the FSC after failing to secure forest-conservation pledges from governments worldwide. They hoped to incentivize companies instead with a market-driven system that branded goods as sustainable, stimulating demand from discerning buyers. The FSC was founded in 1993 with a membership of business, environmental and community representatives. Still, many companies were wary of aligning with environmentalists. The following year, the American Forest & Paper Association, a trade-group, started the SFI as an industry-friendly alternative. The trade association said its discussions about sustainable forestry began earlier, in 1990, and included input from academics and conservation groups. Competition from the industry-backed SFI forced the FSC to reckon with how to maintain rigorous forestry standards while recruiting companies to certify, 10 current and former FSC members said. A 2002 FSC management report highlighted the need to rapidly increase the supply of certified timber or risk losing out to an ever-increasing number of competing certification schemes. The FSC launched an internal push to boost its market share that led to compromises with industry and weaker harvesting restrictions, according to FSC documents and the FSC members. Weakening FSC standards didnt stop the SFIs growth, however. The FSC certified about 46 million hectares of Canadian forests at the end of 2023, less than half the SFIs 119 million hectares, according to the Forest Products Association of Canada, an industry group. Globally, the FSC certifies 160 million hectares compared to 295 million hectares by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). The PEFC is a global organization that oversees the SFI, which covers North America, and affiliated certifiers in other regions. Both the FSC and the SFI largely survive on industry-paid fees. FSC International reported in 2022 that such fees accounted for 86% of its $58 million in annual revenue. The SFI derived 77% of its $12 million in revenue from such fees, according to its 2022 tax return. Some environmental groups and advocates, while acknowledging the FSCs shortcomings, continue to view the organization as the best option among imperfect alternatives. Jen Skene, a policy director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said FSC certification represents a minimum standard. FSC is the most credible certification system out there, she said, while adding that it should be viewed as a floor, not a ceiling for sustainability standards. FSC told Reuters it had not weakened standards in response to SFI competition. Instead, FSC said, the rivalry has prompted it to improve and refine its certification process to ensure it remains the gold standard for responsible forestry. SFI said competition among certifiers doesnt exert a downward pressure on standards but rather promotes continuous improvement. The PEFC said it allows regional groups including the SFI to develop their own standards, which the PEFC said contributes to long-term commitment to sustainable forest management practices. Though some corporations favor FSC-certified wood, few customers know the difference among certifying groups and their labels. Peter Wood, a forestry lecturer at the University of British Columbia who has served on FSC-rulemaking committees, called the SFIs creation a chess move. The industry wanted to take the power away from FSC, and it worked, he said. Now, everything is certified. RACE TO THE BOTTOM FSCs early standards emphasized the need to protect primary and old-growth forests. One pivotal provision read: Primary forests shall be conserved. Such areas shall not be replaced by tree plantations or other land uses. But companies complained the policy was too restrictive and difficult to enforce, said Grant Rosoman, a Greenpeace forests advisor and former FSC International board member. FSC members spent years debating policy changes and in 1999 removed requirements to conserve primary forests. Instead, the FSC adopted a more subjective requirement to protect forests with high conservation value, based on a complex matrix of environmental, economic and cultural characteristics. That vague language, still in effect, gives companies broad influence over which forests qualify for protection. It has also spawned an industry of consultants hired and paid by forest-products firms to perform studies determining which woodlands have high conservation value, according to FSC audits and six current and former FSC members. Rosoman of Greenpeace was among the FSCs members who approved the language at the time. He now regrets it, believing its subjectivity enabled destruction of critical forests. The continued logging of primary forests and old-growth forests was never resolved, he said. FSC acknowledged that its rules allow certified logging in such areas but said the high conservation value designation aims to ensure such harvesting is conducted with the highest level of scrutiny and responsibility. In another major concession, FSC in 2004 introduced the FSC Mix system, which created a new label for products containing up to 30% wood from non-certified sources. The move came after pressure from pulp-and-paper companies including Klabin of Brazil, SCA of Sweden and Mondi of South Africa, as well as book publishers and furniture manufacturers, said Rosoman, who participated in the negotiations. Mondi did not comment. SCA said it could not address its role at the time because the company has since been split into two firms. Klabin did not answer questions on whether the company influenced the FSC Mix rules. But it said the label eased the logistical burden of separating wood from certified and non-certified sources, a view echoed by SCA. FSC Mix has since become the certification groups dominant label, accounting for more than three-fourths of the FSC-product trade, according to a 2017 FSC paper. The paper added that FSC Mix was the main source of income for the operating costs of FSC. The FSC told Reuters it doesnt know what percentage of FSC-certified products use the Mix label today. The label, it said, helps companies transition to more sustainable practices. FSC Mix rules give companies wide latitude to use the label. Some consumer-products firms are allowed to put the Mix label on products that contain no FSC-certified material at all because the FSC gives them credit for certified content in other products they sell. The SFI also offers a label SFI Certified Sourcing that makes no guarantees that products contain any wood from certified forests, so long as companies meet certain other conditions. Phil Guillery, a former FSC United States board member and supply chain integrity director, said allowing uncertified wood into the FSC system brought many more timber and forest-products companies into the organization and gave them more clout. They understood and learned about the politics of FSC, and they became very powerful, he said. Wood, the University of British Columbia lecturer, served on two FSC groups that starting in 2011 tried to overhaul what internal critics had called a weak system of company self-assessments to ensure their FSC Mix products did not contain wood from unacceptable sources, such as illegally harvested forests. The rules changes took eight years in a process that was heavily influenced by industry, he said. The FSC told Reuters the process resulted in a substantial strengthening of rules governing non-certified wood. Wood had a different take, saying the endless deliberations did little to screen out problematic sources of timber. He called his involvement an awful experience. I just wanted to turn away from the whole project, he said, and warn people: Dont trust it.' CERTIFIED FOREST DEVASTATION Environmentalists criticize the FSC but generally take a harsher view of the SFI, citing its founding by an industry group and weaker forestry standards. The SFI disputes that it serves only industry interests, telling Reuters its standards reflect input from a diverse group of collaborators including environmentalists on its board. Environmental groups including the Sierra Club, Stand.earth and the Natural Resources Defense Council say the impact of the SFIs industry-friendly approach is clear in British Columbia, where the organization has dominated certification. The province, a showcase of Canadas raw beauty and diverse ecosystems, has seen old-growth forests decline by more than 50% over the last two decades, according to the 2021 and 2023 studies. A subset of highly productive old-growth woodlands forests with the largest trees storing the most carbon, and also the most attractive to logging companies has declined by an estimated 85%. The SFI became the certifier of choice in British Columbia largely because industry perceived the FSCs early rules as too onerous, said Karen Tam Wu, an FSC consultant during the 2000s. The timber industry and Canadas government share in the logging wealth. Canadas forests are generally on public land, which means provincial governments get a cut of the revenue from every felled tree. In British Columbia, that totaled more than $7.3 billion over the decade ending in March of this year, according to the provinces forest ministry. British Columbia in 2020 announced a plan to protect its dwindling old-growth forests after years of public pressure. A year later, officials released maps showing at-risk areas where it called for a deferral of logging. But the government never barred logging in those zones, instead leaving it to industry discretion. Some major firms chose instead to continue harvesting, including Vancouver-based Canfor Corp, a global timber-and-pulp producer. Canfor in 2022 whacked about 3,700 acres of old-growth forest the government had recommended for deferral of logging, according to satellite imagery analysis from Stand.earth. The provincial government said earlier this year that more than 50,000 acres of old-growth forest had been harvested in areas it sought to protect. BCs Ministry of Forests said it is not seeking to end all old-growth logging and that harvesting in some areas is possible and necessary to support local, sustainable jobs while protecting forests. SFI certified Canfors vast western Canada operations in 2019, 2021, 2022 and again last year. None of the publicly released audit summaries ever mentioned the cutting of old-growth forests. Major auditing firm KPMG, which conducted the reviews, had no comment. Nothing in SFIs standards would have prevented logging of old-growth forests. SFI said old-growth-forest harvesting in British Columbia is contentious, involving negotiations among governments, industry and indigenous communities. It said its standards require compliance with all applicable laws. Canfor said it is working with indigenous groups, communities and government to review old-growth management and seek input into our proposed harvesting. LIKE PRINTING MONEY Logging companies ability to choose their own watchdogs poses the biggest obstacle to promoting high sustainability standards, environmental advocates said. The auditing structure all but guarantees logging companies can get certified, said Simon Counsell, who was an FSC founding member while with the nonprofit group Friends of the Earth. Hes now an FSC critic. Theres a clear, vested financial interest for the auditor, because granting FSC certifications leads to more auditing opportunities, Counsell said. Its like printing money. The FSC said it avoids conflicts of interest by outsourcing reviews and certification to independent auditors who examine companies forestry practices and are paid by the firms being certified. The companies, it said, pay a separate annual administration fee based on their forest-products revenue that goes to the FSC after being collected by the auditor. In one example of industry influence over sustainability audits, a major Canadian timber company, Resolute Forest Products, defeated an effort in 2014 to strip its FSC certification in a western Ontario forest by suing and ultimately firing its auditor. Resolute for years faced charges from scientists and environmentalists that its clear-cuts in the FSC-certified Black Spruce Forest had decimated habitat for threatened woodland caribou. As early as 2012, auditors at the Rainforest Alliance, a nonprofit hired by Resolute, found the timber company failed to meet FSC habitat-protection requirements. Another 2013 Rainforest Alliance audit examined complaints from environmental groups that Resolutes logging will lead to the extirpation of caribou from the Black Spruce Forest. Auditors suspended Resolutes certification in January 2014, citing a failure to meet FSC forest-protection requirements. In May 2014, Resolute sued the Rainforest Alliance and its auditors, personally, calling their reviews flawed and biased. The company sought $400,000 in damages. It also asked for an injunction blocking the audits public release, which an Ontario court granted. The lawsuit noted that certification was critical to Resolutes business model. The lawsuit was settled in 2015, with the alliance agreeing to assign new auditors to redo Resolutes negative review. The follow-up audit found Resolute met FSC standards and had resolved the issues from the earlier audit. Chris Wedeles, one of the original auditors Resolute sued, said he was disappointed that the new auditors reviewed the same evidence and came to a different conclusion. The Rainforest Alliance reinstated Resolutes certification. Resolute dumped the alliance anyway, moving its auditing business in 2016 to SAI Global, which has re-certified the company every year since. After the settlement, Resolutes then-CEO Richard Garneau told FSCs international director general in a 2015 letter that the firm would pull out of FSC unless the certifier addressed the companys complaints about burdensome FSC requirements. A top Resolute executive was elected to FSC Canadas board in 2021 and continues to serve today. Resolute did not answer questions about its forestry practices or its lawsuit but said it upholds the highest standards in forestry management. SAI Global, Garneau and the Rainforest Alliance, which no longer conducts FSC forestry audits, declined to comment. The FSC said it was not involved in the dispute between Resolute and its auditor and that it wasnt influenced to change its standards by Garneaus 2015 letter. FSC pointed to recent suspensions of certifications in Quebec as evidence of its commitment to protect caribou. Meanwhile, problems with caribou in the Black Spruce Forest persist. In 2020 and 2021, SAI Global auditors found that Resolute could not substantiate the effectiveness of its caribou-conservation plan. The auditors resolved the matter, however, after a Resolute consultant argued that logging would decline to a level that could sustain caribou populations though not until 2039. BULLDOZING FORESTS FOR OIL One of the worlds largest stretches of certified forests is in northern Alberta, where the FSC has signed off on the logging practices of Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. Over the last two decades, about 878,000 acres of these woodlands, an area more than twice the size of Los Angeles, have been set aside to make way for oil companies to operate open-pit mines, drilling sites and pipelines in Canadas oil sands. The oil exploration involves clear-cutting and bulldozing the forest. Some environmentalists consider it one of the worlds most destructive industrial projects. Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries holds logging rights to the forest, which includes old-growth woodlands, according to company disclosures and environmental studies. A clause in the companys agreement with Alberta allows regulators to allocate chunks of the woods for oil-and-gas development. When that happens, the FSC allows Alberta-Pacific to do a carve-out: removing the FSC certification from the land marked for oil development, while retaining certification for the surrounding forest. The arrangement has allowed Alberta-Pacific to retain certification in the area since 2005 despite the oil-related destruction. FSC said it encourages certified firms to engage in dialogue and use their influence to affect land-use decisions such as oil-and-gas development. But the organization said such decisions are outside of FSCs direct certification scope and are governed by provincial and national laws. Alberta-Pacific said it is proud to have been FSC-certified since 2005 and that it has a goal of maintaining biodiversity and other forest values. It said FSCs policies allow carve-outs for oil development because the resulting environmental impacts are beyond the full control of Alberta-Pacific. Alberta-Pacific makes money from the oil development: Under an agreement with Alberta, it receives compensation from oil-and-gas firms for the destroyed forests. It can also sell wood from forests cleared for oil mining under the FSC Mix label, FSC audits show. Some of the oil is extracted through surface mining, a process that requires the forest to be bulldozed and stripped of vegetation and soil to make way for pits that can be hundreds of feet deep. The mining is totally unsustainable, said Barry Robinson, an Alberta environmental attorney who has specialized in oil-and-gas issues. It will be generations before it ever grows trees again. Topics Canada Highlighting the existence of blanket exclusions in reinsurance contracts for risks originating in the region impacted by the ongoing Russia Ukraine conflict, Aon and Marsh McLennan are jointly calling for their removal. In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the insurance brokerage firms said the exclusions ignore the diversity of risk in the region. According to the statement, since the start of the war, many global reinsurers have grouped risks originating in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus together, excluding them from reinsurance contracts, limiting [insurance and reinsurance] capital and impeding economic growth and stability. The inclusion of Ukraine with Russia and Belarus is not rooted in the data and analytics that drive the assessment of risk and overlooks that Ukraine, while under siege, seeks to further align as a free and democratic economy and member of the European Union, the statement said. Marsh McLennan is dedicated in our support of Ukrainehelping it attract global investment to rebuild the country, and recover from the devastating impact of war on its people and economy, said John Doyle, president and CEO of Marsh McLennan. We call on the global insurance community to join us in this effort and end blanket exclusions for Ukraine. Aons support of Ukraine leads us to look forward to its economic recovery, said Greg Case, CEO of Aon. Insurance capital is essential for the reconstruction of Ukraines health care, energy and agricultural sectors, he added. Were asking the insurance industry to look closely at Ukraines risks and work to strengthen the public-private partnerships under development. The statement cited initiatives already in the works, aligning Marsh McLennan and Aon with the Ukraine, U.S. and UK governments and with other international organizations to support Ukraines economy as the country endures ongoing attacks, and to accelerate investment in its eventual economic recovery. In March, Marsh McLennan announced the expansion of its public-private partnership with the Ukraine government to cover all shipping to and from Ukraines ports. Marsh McLennan also helped the Ukraine government develop a war risk data platform, providing investors and insurers with granular transparent data on the impact of the conflict. In June, Aon worked with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to create an insurance program to support war risk policies for businesses operating in Ukraine. The availability of insurance for war risk, especially across health care and agriculture, will stimulate economic expansion and employment, while strengthening the foundation of Ukraines economy to support a robust reconstruction, the statement said. Emphasizing the arbitrariness of exclusions for Ukraine, the brokerage firms said the exclusions contribute to confusion about the vastly different levels of risk in the country, suggesting that underwriters should distinguish between regions directly impacted by the war and those that suffered little or no damage in areas of central and western Ukraine. The use of data and analytics can enable more impactful insights into where insurance capital can contribute to Ukraines reconstruction and further economic growth, the statement said. Source: Aon, Marsh McLennan Topics Agencies Aon Britains antitrust regulator said on Friday it had provisionally found Alphabets Google had abused its dominant position in digital advertising to restrict competition. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it believed Google was using anti-competitive practices in open display ad tech through the preference of its own ad exchange, which could be harming thousands of British publishers and advertisers. Weve provisionally found that Google is using its market power to hinder competition when it comes to the ads people see on websites, said Juliette Enser, the CMAs interim executive director of enforcement. Many businesses are able to keep their digital content free or cheaper by using online advertising to generate revenue. Adverts on these websites and apps reach millions of people across the UK assisting the buying and selling of goods and services. Google said it disagreed with the CMAs view and would respond accordingly. Our advertising technology tools help websites and apps fund their content, and enable businesses of all sizes to effectively reach new customers, said Googles VP of Global Ads Dan Taylor. Google remains committed to creating value for our publisher and advertiser partners in this highly competitive sector. The core of this case rests on flawed interpretations of the ad tech sector. The U.S Department of Justice and the European Commission are also investigating Googles activities in ad tech. In June 2023, EU regulators said Google may have to sell part of its adtech business to address its concerns. Google said in December that such a step would be disproportionate. The CMA said it had provisionally found that since at least 2015 Google had been abusing its dominance on both the buying and selling sides of the advertising supply chain to favor its own ad exchange AdX in matching auctions. The regulator can impose a fine of up to 10% of a companys global turnover, with the amount depending on the seriousness of the infringement. It can also issue legally binding directions to bring the infringement to an end. Representations from Google will now be considered, the CMA said, before it reaches a decision on what action to take. ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) A single-engine plane traveling from Iowa to Indiana crashed in a central Indiana cornfield Friday, killing everyone on board, authorities said. The plane left Fort Dodge, Iowa, just after 6:45 a.m. and was projected to land at Anderson Municipal Airport, about 9:55 a.m. but crashed into a nearby cornfield, said Capt. Darwin Dwiggins of the Madison County Sheriffs Department. Dwiggins said the plane came in too high on its initial approach to the Anderson airport. They were too high. They were told to reroute and make another approach. He said witnesses said it appeared the pilot may have been trying to turn back toward the airport shortly before the crash. Dwiggins said one witness described it as flipping over and just nosediving into the cornfield and bursting into flames. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a preliminary statement that four people were on board the Piper PA-46. Dwiggins said there were no survivors. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the crash investigation, said the plane crashed under unknown circumstances. An NTSB investigator was expected to arrive Friday evening to begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The Associated Press left messages for the Madison County Coroners Office seeking information on the victims. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) violated federal law when it failed to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified, disabled ramp transport drivers with medical restrictions, and instead forced them to take unpaid leave or fired them, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit. According to the EEOCs lawsuit, since Nov. 29, 2019, FedEx maintained and enforced a 100%-healed policy against ramp transport drivers, who drive a tractor-trailer and operate mechanical equipment to load and unload pallets or containers loaded with freight. When FedEx learned a ramp transport driver had medical restrictions, FedEx put the driver on a 90-day temporary light-duty assignment. At the end of that light-duty assignment, if the driver still had medical restrictions, FedEx would place the driver on unpaid medical leave that expired after one year unless the driver qualified for short- or long-term disability benefits. FedEx would not discuss reasonable accommodations with the driver that would have allowed them to keep working, such as getting assistance from other employees or using motorized equipment to help with moving freight. Instead, the EEOC said, FedEx kept them on unpaid leave until the drivers could prove they could work without any restrictions or their leave expired, at which time they were terminated. The initial complainant, who filed the charge that initiated EEOCs investigation, was a ramp transport driver working out of a FedEx facility in Minneapolis. She had sustained injuries that limited her ability to lift. FedEx placed her on temporary light duty, then unpaid medical leave, and ultimately fired her because she could not return to work without restrictions, even though she would have been able to perform her job with accommodations, the EEOC said. Such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities, requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations that allow employees to do their jobs and prohibits employers from having policies that screen out qualified individuals with disabilities. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. Federal Express Corp., Case No. 0:24-cv-03559) in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process. The EEOC seeks monetary relief for all the aggrieved individuals whom it identified through its investigation. The EEOC also seeks injunctive relief to prevent FedEx from discriminating against disabled employees in the future. Source: EEOC Topics Lawsuits Personal Auto Minnesota A new report from Marsh McLennan and Zurich titled Closing the cyber risk protection gap is calling for a closer collaboration between the insurance industry and the public sector as cyber insurance coverage gaps remain. Both the insurance industry and the public sector are urged to collaborate, share, and innovate to confront the growing cyber risk protection gap, foster resilience, and safeguard our society and economy from the escalating cyber threat landscape, the report said. Strengthening societys cyber resilience is inextricably linked to the evolution of the cyber insurance market. This comes as 87 % of global decision makers in an April 2024 Munich Re Cyber Risk and Insurance Survey said they believe their organizations are inadequately shielded against cyber attacks as cost and frequency continue to rise. The cost of cyber attacks is projected to increase to nearly $24 trillion by 2027, up from close to $8.5 trillion in 2022. Ransomware payments hit a record-breaking $1.1 billion in 2023 as well, according to a Chainanalysis blog titled Ransomware Payments Exceed $1 Billion in 2023, Hitting Record High After 2022 Decline. The cyber insurance market has seen strong growth over recent years despite growing attacks, with the Munich Re report estimating it at $14 billion gross written premium in 2023 and projecting that it will more than double by 2027. However, a cyber risk protection gap persists, with the Global Federation of Insurance Associations estimating the chasm between insured losses and economic losses due to cyber attacks at $0.9 trillion, or 99 percent of economic losses. This is according to GFIAs report titled Report: Global protection gaps and recommendations for bridging them. Navigating Protection Gaps Without Risking Too Much Marsh McLennan and Zurich outlined one solution in their report as a closer industry and government partnership to establish cyber resiliency. That said, insurers will need to navigate one question: How can the cyber insurance market scale without taking on too much exposure? Currently, concern exists that the volume of claims arising from a catastrophic cyber incident might overwhelm the resources available to resolve such claims, the report said. Government policymakers should consider that the expertise and capabilities currently held by the insurance sector provide strong motivation for the government to create a framework in partnership with industry. In addition, policymakers should consider the tools and resources that government could provide for claims administration. As part of this partnership, the report said triggering events for a public-private insurance program will need to be better defined based on what current policies treat as uninsurable. The report suggested one solution as a difference-in-condition product that is triggered when policy exclusions are applicable and responds only to truly catastrophic losses. To provide for flexibility and buy-in from industry, any government framework should be voluntary for eligible insurers, the report added. At the same time, this will require insurers to acknowledge their support and their belief in the viability of a cyber framework. However, the most pressing need from a national preparedness standpoint is to address the gap created by war and infrastructure exclusions in insurance policies, the report said. Because these risks are the subject of exclusions, a cyber incident resulting in these losses will not impact the insurance market, but instead would require a government response post-incident, according to the report. Creating a cyber framework provides the opportunity to engage in planning of how such compensation would be applied. Geopolitical Tensions Adding Fuel to Fire Challenges in the current cybersecurity environment are being furthered by intensifying geopolitical tensions as technology has become a bigger part of state-sponsored attacks as well, the report said. Indeed, a recent article in Carrier Management outlined how insurers are rethinking cyber as a coverage area in the face of global conflict. There are a variety of reasons that can motivate an individual or group to launch a cyber attack. Political ideologies are one of them, said John Farley, managing director of the cyber practice at Gallagher, in Carrier Managements August article titled Geopolitical, Election Risks Have Insurers on High Alert. Additionally, when cyber defense resources are focused on averting any potential civil unrest or terrorist activity, commercially oriented and opportunistic attacks can occur, added Kellam Radford, senior vice president and national programs underwriting leader at DOXA Insurance. Three main goals of any conflict are to control the narrative around the event, ensure the flow of capital to fund activities, and minimize any owned supply chain disruptions while maximizing disruptions to the other side, he said. All three of these goals create opportunities for cybercrime. Protecting the SMB Space While demand from organizations seeking to transfer their cyber risk has been growing, according to the Marsh McLennan and Zurich report, this growth has been uneven and a trend of small and medium sized businesses that are uninsured or underinsured remains. Despite the prevalence of cyber risk, a significant portion of SMBs remain uninsured or underinsured, the report said. These companies often lack the necessary funds to invest in cybersecurity, in the same way as they may forego purchasing insurance due to affordability, lack of risk awareness, or not understanding the coverage. To overcome such challenges, our industry should seek to simplify all elements of the procurement process, provide holistic solutions, and support and enable public-private partnerships. The report added that it is important to provide insureds with appropriate coverage while avoiding unnecessary limitations and exclusionary language that can lack universal consensus on applicability and create new protection gaps. A Growing Need Making the general case for public-partnerships to address cyber risk, the report draws analogies to nuclear energy, flood and terrorism risks, stating that cyber risk is now akin to these. The need for a public-private approach for cyber risk has emerged from the continuing transformation of the digital economy, the blending of physical processes with virtual control, and the growing role and expanding capabilities of new technologies, most recently, generative AI, the report said. It is evident that there is an urgent need to address these risks due to both their volatile nature and the ubiquitous use of technology. At the same time, we need to foster societies that are innovative, resilient, and adaptable, while safeguarding economic prosperity and national security. The insurance industry, with its proven track record of advancing societal objectives through offering its risk management and transfer capabilities, plays a critical role in this endeavor from both a risk transfer and cyber resilience perspective. Topics Cyber BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) An abandoned, 22-story building in Lake Charles, Louisiana once an icon in the city that became a symbol of destruction from hurricanes Laura and Delta was imploded Saturday after sitting vacant for nearly four years. The Hertz Tower crashed down in a matter of seconds after a demolition crew set off a series of explosions inside. The tower fell in a large cloud of dust into a pile about five stories high. The building, formerly known as the Capital One Tower, had been a dominant feature of the citys skyline for more than four decades. However, after a series of hurricanes ripped through southwest Louisiana in 2020, the building became an eyesore, its windows shattered and covered in shredded tarps. For years the owners of the building, the Los Angeles-based real estate firm Hertz Investment Group, promised to repair the structure once they settled with their insurance provider Zurich in court, The Advocate reported. The estimated cost of bringing the building back up to code was $167 million. Eventually, the two parties settled for an undisclosed amount. The demolition was funded by $7 million in private money secured by the city. Hertz still owns the property and the future of the site is undetermined, according to the city. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter described the implosion of the building as bittersweet. I know how hard the city tried to work with several development groups to see it saved, but ultimately it proved to be too tall a task, Hunter said before the implosion. He was in office during the hurricanes. At this juncture, I am ready for a resolution. Its been four years. Its been long enough. Lake Charles, which sits on the banks of the Calcasieu River and is a two-hour drive from Houston, is home to around 80,000 residents. While the city is known for its copious amounts of festivals, bayous, casinos and its Cajun flair, it also has been labeled by the Weather Channel as Americas most-weather battered city. Hurricane Delta crashed ashore in southern Louisiana in October 2020 just six weeks after Laura took a similar, destructive path onto the U.S. Gulf Coast. At the time, Lake Charles was already reeling from damage caused by Laura, which battered roofs, claimed more than 25 lives in the region and left mud and debris filling streets. The Hertz tower offers an example of the citys long road to recovery following back-to-back hurricanes that inflicted an estimated $22 billion in damage, according to the National Hurricane Center. While there are signs of rebuilding and growth in much of Lake Charles, there are still buildings that remain in disarray and residents living in the same conditions as four years ago waiting for financial relief to rebuild their homes, looking for affordable housing after the hurricanes destruction exacerbated the housing crisis or stuck in court with their insurance provider to get a fair payout. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane On July 1, 2024, changes to the Georgia Direct Action Statutes, O.C.G.A. 40-1-112 and O.C.G.A. 40-2-140, went into effect and limited the circumstances under which a plaintiff can assert a direct-action claim against an insurer of a motor carrier in Georgia. Georgia law previously permitted direct actions against insurers of motor carriers for any claim in tort or contract. Georgia courts have held that a plaintiff with a claim in tort or contract against a motor carrier could assert a claim against the insurance carrier without naming the insured motor carrier or driver as a defendant. Now that the statutory change has gone into effect, an insurer can only be added as a party defendant under two circumstances: when the motor carrier is insolvent or bankrupt or when service cannot be executed against the driver or motor carrier after reasonable diligence. Importantly, if the motor carrier is insolvent or bankrupt, or if service cannot be executed against the driver or motor carrier, then the insurance carrier may be joined in the action as a matter of right. The plaintiff would not have to file a motion or obtain a court order. The plaintiff only needs to file an amended complaint joining the insurance carrier and serve the amended complaint on the insurance carrier. Additionally, the amended complaint must relate back to the date of filing of the original pleading. The plaintiff is not required to show proof of insolvency or reasonable diligence in perfecting service before adding the insurer to the lawsuit. This is concerning because reasonable diligence is usually determined by the court based on the facts of the case. Further, the statutory amendment is silent on how to dismiss an insurer from the action if the driver or motor carrier is later served. Therefore, it is possible that a single failed attempt to serve the motor carrier or driver would result in the insurance carrier getting added to the complaint, with no clear mechanism for the insurance carriers dismissal. Immediate Impact of Statutory Change For the most part, the statutory change will be advantageous to insurers operating in the trucking space as it decreases costs and exposure. The ability to name the insurance carrier as a defendant in the action put the carrier on the caption, which signaled to the jury that there is insurance available to pay for the claims being asserted by the plaintiff. This often results in higher verdicts in trucking cases, especially in more liberal counties. Further, if the plaintiff asserts punitive damages against all defendants, separate counsel would need to be assigned for the insurer, which increases litigation expenses. However, do not expect to see any change right away. The statute went into effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to causes of action accruing after that date, meaning accidents occurring after July 1, 2024. If you are currently handling a claim where the accident occurred on June 30, 2024 or earlier, those are still subject to the prior law. Therefore, we can expect insurance carriers to be named as defendants in bodily injury lawsuits filed through June 30, 2026[2] and in property damage lawsuits filed through June 30, 2028[3]. This timeline could extend further if any tolling provisions are applied to extend the statute of limitations (such as the criminal prosecution tolling statute (O.C.G.A. 9-3-99)). What Strategies Should Insurers Implement Going Forward? The most important thing for an insurer to do is gather information that allows the insurer to assess any risks that could trigger a direct action claim or that could impact certain claim handling decisions, such as whether to accept a pre-suit demand or when to engage outside counsel. We recommend the following: Maintain a line of communication with your insureds, both the drivers and motor carriers. This not only keeps them engaged in the outcome of the claim, but it also allows you to confirm that you have updated contact information for the insureds. Confirm and request updates on the drivers employment status. Too often, when a driver leaves a motor carrier, they refuse to cooperate in the defense because they assume their duty to participate in the defense stops when their employment ends. While this has historically presented an issue during litigation, the ability of a plaintiff to assert a direct action against an insurance carrier simply because the plaintiff cannot serve a driver presents another concern. Obtain secondary contacts for the insured drivers, preferably a relative who is local and is able to reach them. This information may be found in a drivers personnel file depending on the motor carriers records policy, but we recommend obtaining this information directly from the driver to ensure the information is correct and up to date. Investigate signs of possible insolvency or bankruptcy, such as insurance nonrenewal or lost operating authority. Keep in touch with underwriting to verify if the insurance has been nonrenewed or canceled. This could suggest that the insured either deliberately canceled their policy due to business closure or that they are having issues obtaining insurance, which could impact their ability to operate. Monitor the Department of Transportation website to determine whether the motor carrier has maintained its operating authority. Even if the operating authority is lost temporarily, the downtime could lead to a motor carrier becoming insolvent. There is nothing an insurer can do to prevent insolvency and bankruptcy, and underwriting decisions regarding renewal should not be made on the basis of preventing a direct action claim. However, if the insurer obtains information indicating that the motor carrier is insolvent, it could impact claim-specific decisions, such as whether to accept a demand. Contact the insured and engage outside counsel after you deny a demand or when the claim is six to eight months away from the statute of limitations. This is the time we would expect a suit to be filed if the claim was not resolved. Outside counsel can monitor the dockets for suit filing and promptly notify the insured to be on the lookout for service. Updating the insured will put them on notice that a suit may be imminent and remind them of their duty to cooperate and to notify you once a suit is filed. Having multiple lines of communication with the insured from the insurer and outside counsel should help avoid any issues related to serving the insured. Gillian S. Crowl-Parrish is a partner with the Swift Currie law firm in Atlanta. She practices in the areas of commercial litigation, trucking litigation, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, insurance coverage, premises liability and bad faith litigation. Related: Lyft is a Motor Carrier and State Farm Can be Sued Directly, Georgia Appeals Court Says Topics Carriers Georgia CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) A coal miner was killed on the job in West Virginia on Friday night, Gov. Jim Justice said. The Republican governor said Gary Chapman, 33, of South Williamson, Kentucky, died after being injured at the Mountaineer II Mine near Sharples, West Virginia. Justice expressed his condolences in a statement, saying Chapman and his family were in his prayers. When we lose a miner, its not just a loss for the community, but a loss for the entire State of West Virginia, Justice said in a statement. Mr. Chapmans loss is a powerful reminder that we should always have a deep gratitude for every one of our coal miners. They are the ones who keep our nation running. At least eight U.S. coal miners have died on the job in 2024, according to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. Four of them died in West Virginia. The incident is under investigation by the West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety, and Training and the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Virginia West Virginia On a recent sunny afternoon in Lancaster, Cassandra Hughes looked for a place to cool down. She set up a lawn chair in the shade at the edge of a park and spent the afternoon with a coloring book, listening to hip-hop music. Reaching a high of 97 degrees, this August day was pleasant by Lancaster standards a breeze offered temporary relief. But just the week before, during a brutal heat wave, the high hit 109. For Hughes, the Mojave Desert city has been a dramatic change from the mild weather in El Segundo, the coastal city where she lived before moving in April. Hughes, a retired nurse, is among the Californians who are moving inland in search of affordable housing and more space. But it comes at a price: dangerous heat driven by climate change, accompanied by sky-high electric bills. A CalMatters analysis shows that many California cities with the biggest recent population booms are the same places that will experience the most high heat days a potentially deadly confluence. The combination of a growing population and rising extreme heat will put more people at risk of illnesses and pose a challenge for unprepared local officials. As greenhouse gasses warm the planet, more people around the globe are experiencing intensifying heat waves and higher temperatures. An international panel of climate scientists recently reported that it is virtually certain that there has been increases in the intensity and duration of heatwaves and in the number of heatwave days at the global scale. CalMatters identified the California communities most at risk the top 1% of the states more than 8,000 census tracts that have grown by more than 500 people in recent years and are expected to experience the most intensifying heat under climate change projections. The results: Lancaster and Palmdale in Los Angeles County; Apple Valley, Victorville and Hesperia in San Bernardino County; Lake Elsinore and Murrieta in Riverside County; and the Central Valley cities of Visalia, Fresno, Clovis and Tulare. By 2050, neighborhoods in those 11 inland cities are expected to experience 25 or more high heat days every year, according to data from researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of Colorado Boulder and UC Berkeley. A high heat day is when an areas maximum temperature exceeds the top 2% of its historic high in other words, temperatures that soar above some of the highest levels ever recorded there this century. (The projections were based on an intermediate scenario for future planet-warming emissions.) Many of these places facing this dangerous combination of worsening heat waves and growing populations are low-income, Latino communities. We are seeing much more rapid warming of inland areas that were already hotter to begin with, said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. Theres an extreme contrast between the people who live within 5 to 10 miles of the beach and people who live as little as 20 miles inland, he said. Its these inland areas where we see people whoare killed by this extreme heat or whose lives are at least made miserable. While temperatures are projected to rise across the state, neighborhoods along the coast will remain much more temperate. San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Long Beach, for instance, are not projected to experience significantly more high heat days. San Francisco will average six days a year in the 2050s exceeding 87 degrees, compared to four days in the 2020s. In contrast, Visalia will jump from 17 days exceeding 103 degrees to 32 more than a full month. Unlike the growing inland populations, the cooler coastal counties, where more than two-thirds of Californians now live are expected to lose about 1.3 million residents by 2050, according to the California Department of Finance. High temperatures can be deadly, triggering heat strokes and heart attacks, and exacerbating asthma, diabetes, kidney failure and other illnesses, even some infectious diseases. In California, extreme heat contributed to more than 5,000 hospitalizations and almost 10,600 emergency department visits over the past decade and the health effects fall disproportionately on already overburdened Black people, Latinos and Native Americans, according to a recent state report. City and county officials must grapple with how to protect residents who already are struggling to stay cool and pay their electric bills. Despite the warnings, many local governments have failed to respond. A 2015 state lawrequired municipalities to update their general plans, safety plans or hazard mitigation plans to include steps countering the effects of climate change, such as cooling roofs and pavement or urban greening projects. But only about half of Californias 540 cities and counties had complied with new plans as of last year, according to the environmental nonprofit Climate Resolve. The California Dream Or A Hellish Reality? An exodus from Californias coastal regions is a decades-long trend, said Eric McGhee, a policy director who researches California demographic changes at the Public Policy Institute of California. People are moving away from the coasts, especially the Los Angeles region and Bay Area, to elsewhere in California and other states. About 104,000 people moved from the Bay Area to the Sacramento area, the Inland Empire and the San Joaquin Valley in 2021 and 2022, and about 95,000 moved from Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange County to those same inland regions, according to data collected from the Census. McGhee said most people moving inland are low-income and middle-income Californians looking to expand their families, find cheaper housing and live comfortably and theyre willing to sacrifice other privileges, like cool weather. California is becoming more expensive, more exclusive in the places that are least likely to experience extreme heat, Swain said. As a result, he said, the people who are most at risk of extreme heat those with limited financial resources are precisely the people experiencing extreme heat. The San Bernardino County city of Victorville which is 55% Hispanic and has median incomes far below the state average is among Californias fastest growing areas, adding more than 12,500 new residents between 2018 and 2022. Nearby Apple Valley and Hesperia grew by about 3,000 and 6,000 people, respectively, while Lancaster, Palmdale and Visalia added between about 10,000 and 12,000. In Victorville on an August day that reached 97 degrees, Eduardo Ceja wiped sweat from his forehead as he worked at Superior Grocers store, retrieving shopping carts. The work is often grueling in this Mojave Desert town. He sometimes drinks five bottles of water to stay hydrated as he works, with the concrete parking lot radiating the heat back onto his skin. When hes done pushing carts, he recovers in the air conditioned store. Ceja, 20, moved to nearby Apple Valley about a year ago, around the same time the new grocery store opened. He used to sleep on his parents couch in the San Gabriel Valley town of Covina, east of Los Angeles, which is often more than 10 degrees cooler than Apple Valley on summer days. But he wanted a place to himself at a low cost, so now he pays $400 a month for a bedroom in his brothers home. Since he moved here, hes observed many businesses, including his own employer, expand or open in Apple Valley. I notice a lot of people from L.A. are coming here, he said. It makes sense to him. Out here, the apartments have more space. Apple Valley Mayor Scott Nassif has seen his desert town grow and get hotter over his lifetime. When he moved to the area in 1959, only a few thousand people lived there. Now its home to more than 75,000 people. Nassif remembers only a few days that would reach above 100 degrees and multiple snowstorms in the winter. Now, snowstorms are rare, and week-long heat waves above 110 degrees are commonplace. The extreme heat is noticeable, he said. I dont think there was a day under 100 in July. Nassif attributes the towns growing population to its good schools, a semi-rural lifestyle and affordable housing for families. In the high desert town of Hesperia, growth is evident. Banners advertising New homes! are posted throughout the town, luring potential buyers to tract home communities. Residents are cautiously eyeing a new development, called the Silverwood Community, that has recently broken ground. The massive, 9,000-plus acre development is authorized for more than 15,000 new homes, according to its website. A video on its website coaxes potential buyers: True believers know the California dream is within reach. Hesperia, which is almost two-thirds Hispanic and also has median incomes far below the state average, is anticipating continued growth as housing costs soar in other parts of California. Its planning includes rezoning some areas to allow for higher-density housing, which could bring more affordable housing, said Ryan Leonard, Hesperias principal planner. If people are willing to make a commute to San Bernardino, Riverside or Ontario a 45-minute to an hour commute they can afford to buy a home here when they might not be able to afford that same home down the hill, Leonard said. Summer Electric Bills Soar to $500 Or More In the California towns at most risk of intensifying heat, people already are saddled with big power bills because of their reliance on air conditioning. For instance, households in Lancaster, Palmdale and Apple Valley pay on average $200 to $259 a month for electricity, compared to a $177 average in Southern California Edisons service area, according to California Public Utilities Commission data as of May, 2023. In summer months, average power use in these communities nearly triples compared to spring months, so some peoples bills can climb above $500. And their bills are likely to grow as climate change intensifies heat waves and utility rates rise: Californians are paying about twice as much for electricity than a decade ago. The states rates are among the highest in the nation. Diane Carlson moved to Palmdale, north of Los Angeles, 30 years ago. The housing was much cheaper and she wanted to move where her children could attend school near where they live. Over the years, shes felt the temperatures in Palmdale rise. Carlson said her electric bill during the summers used to average about $500, a significant chunk of her household budget. About four years ago, though, she had solar panels installed on their home, which cut her bill in half. You cant not run the air conditioner all day, even if you run it low, she said. You wouldnt survive otherwise. The heat is too oppressive. With multiple days in the summer reaching at least 115 degrees, Carlson is conscious that there may be a future where Palmdale isnt livable for her anymore. Will it get as hot as Death Valley? she wondered. Death Valley, the hottest place on Earth, reached record temperatures in July, averaging 108.5 degrees; the high was 121.9, tying a 1917 record. In comparison, Palmdale by 2050 is projected to have 25 days where the maximum temperature exceeds 105, up from nine days in the 2010s. Carlson said shed consider moving to the East Coast, where shes originally from. But shed face hurricanes rather than the heat. It all comes down to making a decision: Which negatives are you willing to deal with? Hughes, who lives in subsidized housing in Lancaster, said surviving the heat means constantly checking the weather forecast and strategically cooling her home to keep electricity costs low. I have air conditioning, a swamp cooler and two fans, she said. On a day when the temperature doesnt reach triple digits, the air conditioner might stay off; she opens the windows and turns on the fans instead. Local leaders say they know more must be done to protect their residents. Lancaster opens cooling centers in libraries for residents who need respite from the heat. During heat waves, residents ride buses for free, and city programs provide water and other resources to homeless people. Is it adequate? Of course its not adequate, said Mayor R. Rex Parris. If youve got people who dont read or dont get a newspaper sitting in a sweltering apartment, the information is not getting to them and we know it. Parris said air conditioning is necessary for families to stay cool in the hot desert summers, but with utility costs so high, its becoming a luxury. With that in mind, he said the city is prioritizing hydrogen energy, which could lower electric bills in the long-term. A new housing tract will be powered by solar panels and batteries that store power, backed up by hydrogen fuel cells, which will be cheaper than if the homes drew energy entirely from the grid, said Jason Caudl, head of Lancaster Energy. Nassif, the Apple Valley mayor, said his town helps residents finance costly rooftop solar panels that can cut their power bills. Educating our public on how to save on their electric bills is a big thing, because you cant live up here without air conditioning, Nassif said. Cooling Centers Arent Enough to Protect People On a Saturday morning in Visalia, as temperatures climbed to 99 degrees, Maribel Jimenez brought her 2-year-old son to an indoor playground to beat the heat. She sat at a kid-sized table with her son, Mateo, as he played with toy screws and blocks. Jimenez, 33, has lived in Visalia her whole life. She grew up on a dairy farm and remembers playing outdoors for hours in the summers. But things have changed. She cant imagine letting her son play outdoors under the scorching sun. She worries hes not getting the outdoor playtime he should be getting. Its definitely gotten much hotter, Jimenez said. You cant even have your kids outside. We want to take him out to the playground but its too hot. By the time it cools down in the evening, its his bedtime. Other times, she and her family go to the mall for walks, or anywhere where theres air conditioning. As long as hes out, hes happy, she said. We try our best to protect him. The effects of extreme heat on the body can happen quickly and can affect people of all ages and health conditions. Once symptoms of heat stroke begin increased heart rate and a change in mental status cooling off within 30 minutes is crucial to survival, said Tomas Aragon, director of the California Department of Public Health Many municipalities react to extreme heat by following state or county rules, which often involve opening cooling centers in public places when temperatures rise above a certain level for multiple days in a row. You want people to be in a space where your body can control its core temperature, Aragon said. Its safer to be in an air conditioned place (that) cools your body down. Thats what cooling centers are for. I tell people, go to the supermarket, go to the library, go to a cooling center, go and just let your body cool down. But community advocates say cooling centers are ineffective because theyre underused. Many people are unaware of them, and others have no transportation to reach them. I think everyone is used to that being the answer for what we do when it gets extremely hot, said Jonathan Parfrey, executive director of Climate Resolve. We need to expand our imagination to figure out other ways of taking care of people. Victorville has complied with the 2015 state law requiring plans to handle climate change, and Hesperia is in the process of updating its plans. But Los Angeles County is an example of a local government that has gone above and beyond to comply, Parfrey said. The county has updated its emergency preparedness plans and is in the early phases of developing a heat-specific plan for unincorporated areas, which will include urban greening and changes to the built environment to make neighborhoods cooler, said Ali Frazzini, policy director at the countys Chief Sustainability office. Its not just about preventing deaths and other terrible outcomes of heat waves, although thats extremely important, Frazzini said. Its really about having livable communities where kids can play outside and street vendors can run their businesses without risk of overexposure. Parfrey said the state plays a role, but theyre not in charge of the roads or building codes or where you put a water fountain or how you build a local park. All of that has to be done at a local level. In 2022, the Newsom administration issued an Extreme Heat Action Plan outlining state steps to make California more resilient to extreme heat. That includes funding new community resilience centers where people can cool down as well as find resources or shelter during other emergencies, such as wildfires. Its a model that some community advocates prefer over traditional cooling centers that are underutilized. The state has granted almost $98 million for 24 projects so far, said Anna Jane Jones, who leads development of the centers for the states Strategic Growth Council. In Visalia, Jimenez said her family doesnt have many options for cool spaces where her young son can be entertained. At home, the family uses the air conditioner sparingly and keeps the blinds closed. During a heat wave, their power bill can climb to $250. If the bills were lower, shed use the air conditioner all the time We have to do what we have to do, she said. Jimenez and her husband have thought twice about expanding their family and have floated the idea of moving somewhere else, but many of the affordable options, like Texas or Arizona, are even hotter than Visalia. Global warming is a thing, and the heat isnt getting any better anytime soon, she said. Everybodys paying the price. This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California A fast-growing wildfire in Southern California, has burned 27 square miles, forcing thousands to evacuate had is putting roughly 35,000 homes and buildings at risk. The Line fire near San Bernardino more than quadrupled in size over the weekend, prompting officials to issue evacuation orders for more than 11,000 people. Several roads to the area are closed. Sweltering heat was expected to affect Southern California through at least Monday. The fire started on Thursday, grew quickly and became a major incident over the weekend. There are currently 36,328 structures threatened, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures, a CalFire update states. Night flight capable aircraft will be utilized when possible to try to hold the fire within currently containment lines. Early next week, cooler weather will moderate fire activity below the marine layer. However, fire activity above the marine layer will remain active. Gov. Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County, securing federal assistance to support response to the fire. The fire is now at 20,553 acres and 3% contained. There are currently 1,855 personnel assigned to the fire. Topics Catastrophe California Natural Disasters Wildfire California homeowners could be required to pay a surcharge if the states insurer of last resort is unable to cover losses from a catastrophic wildfire. The California Department of Insurance sent a bulletin to insurance companies this week outlining how the FAIR Plan, which provides coverage to homeowners who cant find it elsewhere, can pass along costs incurred from extreme loss scenarios to consumers. The state-created insurer is backed by all major companies licensed in California, including State Farm General Insurance Co. and Allstate Corp., which are responsible for paying claims if the plan runs out of funds. Under new details of a plan first announced in July, insurance companies will be required to cover half the cost of losses of up to $2 billion in total claims $1 billion for residential and $1 billion for commercial. But the other half can be recouped from consumers through a surcharge if the insurance commissioner gives approval. The announcement comes as California grapples with a deepening home insurance crisis. Major insurers have been cutting back on coverage, citing growing wildfire risk and state-imposed limits on premium increases. For some, home insurance premiums have skyrocketed, while others havent been able to find coverage at all. More than 419,000 properties are now covered by the FAIR plan, which has grown to become one of the states primary insurers. Its risk exposure is nearly $400 billion as of June 30, up 26% in six months. While the FAIR Plan hasnt had a solvency crisis in 30 years, we are taking no chances, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said in a statement. The changes will strengthen the FAIR Plans financial reserves and backstops so it can fully and expeditiously pay all future claims from consumers. The costs can be passed along to consumers only after the FAIR plan has exhausted all of its reserves, reinsurance and catastrophe bonds, according to the department. Consumer advocates assailed the plan. Its outrageous and outside the law for the insurance commissioner to force consumers to bail out home insurance companies and then call that consumer protection, said Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog. If the FAIR Plan gets into trouble it will be because insurance companies dumped too many Californians onto its books. Those companies should be on the hook for the fallout, not every homeowner in the state. In the six months since a Bloomberg Green investigation revealed how Californias insurer of last resort was largely unprepared for the financial toll of a major wildfire, the state has proposed sweeping changes to stabilize the home insurance market and reduce the number of FAIR plan policies. Under Laras proposal, insurers in California will be allowed to increase premiums based on forward-looking climate change data and reinsurance costs. Existing rules require insurance companies to use only historical data and prevent them from basing rates on reinsurance. Top photo: A firefighter douses flames while battling the Highland Fire in Aguanga, California on Oct. 31. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe California Natural Disasters Profit Loss Wildfire The hope for us, and indeed the entire UK livestock industry earlier this year, would have been that Bluetongue restrictions in the UK would be lifted this autumn or, at the very least, they would apply for regionalisation, where livestock from non-high-risk areas could be exported to the island of Ireland, including Northern Ireland. For those of you who dont know what the signs of the Bluetongue virus are in bovines, sheep and other ruminants, it can cause sudden severe drop in milk, abortion, redness around the eyes, mouth and at the top of the hooves, loss of appetite, and nasal discharge. A ban on livestock imports from the UK has been in place since the autumn of 2023 when the first cases of Bluetongue were detected in the UK. Unfortunately, over the last few weeks, new cases have been detected in the high-risk areas of Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. This week, a case was detected in East Yorkshire, the first time a case has been detected outside of the high-risk zone and now a 20km temporary control zone has been set up in East Yorkshire; movement restrictions apply to cattle, sheep and other ruminants along with semen and embryos. Even outside restriction zones, it is quite a lengthy and costly process to ensure Embryos are Bluetongue free. One of our heifers in Devon was flushed a few months ago, and she had to go through many tests to ensure her embryos could receive a health certificate for export. It now looks like our Jersey heifer based in Lancashire wont make it to Ireland this year either, but she will be heading to Staffordshire for the All Breeds All Britain calf show later this month; well have to make a further plan for her after that show. There are now over 40 new cases of Blue Tongue on 15 different holdings, and it seems these numbers will rise further over the next couple of months. As the new case was announced in East Yorkshire, DEFRA has granted an emergency permit for Bluetongue vaccines to be used in the UK; there is good evidence that mortality rates are lower and livestock show reduced clinical signs of the disease when they have had the vaccine. There are three vaccines that have been developed for the latest strain of Bluetongue and these have been unauthorized for use in the UK, however the latest DEFRA move may still mean farmers will have to wait another couple of weeks for the vaccine while the license is being processed. Licenses may well be granted geographically, especially to high-risk areas; these vaccines reduce the clinical signs of BTV-3, they are not preventative vaccines, so vaccinated animals would still not be eligible for export. Bluetongue has been spreading rapidly across mainland Europe since October 2023 after a four-year absence of any cases detected; with no vaccine authorized for use by the EU, an emergency decree was issued by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Germany to allow the use of the three vaccines as Germany struggled to contain the virus which is spread by midges. While Europe and the UK have struggled to deal with the virus, let's hope that our own Department of Agriculture is learning lessons from their counterparts, as without a preventative vaccine, one would think the risk of cases being detected in the East of Ireland in 2025 is increasing greatly. Back home on the farm, the team has been finalised for the National Dairy Show; it is only a month away now; they all know their job, so some have been given a rest from the halter, and it is simply a case of keeping them fed and their beds clean. It will be nice to have a few milkers there, all of which are being walked every day, and also get a few hours out at grass. We will concentrate on washing them in the short term and also get a pre-clip done on them. We had another heifer calved this week, she is a previous heifer Georgie showed named Zandra, we couldnt get her incalf to sexed semen, so we eventually served her to Angus and she had a bunter of an Angus bull calf. Zandra was milking over 25 litres a day within 48 hours of calving so she is going to be a super cow in the milking parlour, her calf was well able to drink too and is guzzling eight litres of milk a day. We should see a few more calve over the coming days as Petal is due on her second calf, and another two-year-old heifer named Papoose is springing nicely. due to calve to Crushabull, she won a few classes for us last season and was fifth at the National Dairy Show. We have spread our final round of fertiliser; the farm was blanket spread with Pasture Sward, which we seemed to get a really good response to over the last month, the farm is growing well, and we are building grass at a good rate as we will start our final grazing rotation in early October, so as we will have a bank of grass for day time grazing in January. With our show season quieter here, Becky has been busy at Panda Holsteins preparing for UK Dairy Day, which is Holstein UK's biggest one-day National dairy show. Cows have been washed daily all week and clipped by the weekend with the trailers packed with feed and show gear so she could have a relaxing weekend before the long drive up from Devon to Telford. She will be showing a senior two-year-old, and it looks like she has chosen well, as the heifer was classified last weekend and scored VG87. UK Dairy Day is a fantastic show, with top-class cows with all dairy breeds catered for, a huge array of trade stands and a super place to socialise. We travelled over last year to watch her show there, but unfortunately, we will have to watch it on livestream this year, so it will be another few weeks before we catch up with her in person. What use are they? Are they any good for anything? Often typical questions asked when a less glamorous species or a creature with a bad rap sheet is mentioned. Jellyfish and their much smaller cousins, zooplankton and phytoplankton, are regular victims of this attitude. But they have a starring role in a new three-part natural history documentary series starting on RTE One next Sunday, September 15. Marine and wildlife biologist, Jane Garczynski from Kerry, has researched jellyfish and zooplankton along the coast and is quick to point out their value: They are the start of the food chain for all ocean life they are eaten by larger species of fish and are incredibly valuable. This whole series aims to uncover unseen marvels of the Irish coast for the first time and celebrates our coasts' fascinating origins, rich biodiversity and magnetic charm. Garczynski is also keen to raise awareness of the pioneering work of another Kerry woman, Maude Jane Delap (1866-1953) who lived on Valentia Island. She was a self-taught marine biologist who was the first person to breed jellyfish in captivity, allowing her to observe their full life cycle for the first time. Maude Jane Delap and her sisters Garczynski, 28, acknowledges that there is a negative connotation to jellyfish. People don't understand that they are a natural and very normal part of our environment. They play a role in marine food chains but unfortunately they are seen as a nuisance species. I find them very unique and very bizarre. Theres an alien kind of beauty about them. I could stare at them for hours, I find them very tranquil and very soothing. So when I heard about Kerry having its own pioneer female jellyfish researcher I was just completely blown away. Maude Delap wasnt formally trained as a marine researcher but when a team of six scientists from University College London arrived in Kerry to study the flora and fauna of Valentia Harbour her family began helping them. Ireland's shoreline is celebrated in Ireland's Coast, a three-part series starting Sunday, September 15 at 6.30pm on RTE One and RTE Player Garczynski notes that Delaps scientific achievements, while significant in their own right, are even more impressive when you take into account the conditions in which she worked: Maude would have rowed out to the harbour in her small punt. And she would tow her plankton net behind her. Maude and her sister Constance were in full Victorian garb so there was a lot of hauling of plankton nets while wearing puffy sleeves and bonnets. Her practicality and matter-of-factness helped Delap achieve so much: in the 1920s she found the first complete Trues beaked whale stranded on a Kerry shore. She needed help from strong locals in moving the creatures remains for research for the Natural History Museum so she wrote requesting that they send money for fags and drink. The Museum responded suggesting that she use provisions as the euphemism on her invoice. Marine and wildlife biologist, Jane Garczynski from Kerry Delaps fine eye for detail allowed her record tiny anatomical details which scientists today can use to compare to plankton they observe on powerful modern microscopes. Maudes house had no electricity so she would have had to do her work on a clear day and she must have had so much patience and skill for all this, says Garczynski. Other scientists of that era had tried and failed to observe the full life cycle of a jellyfish in captivity. It proved particularly difficult to simulate the perfect conditions such as the right temperature, fresh supplies of plankton, mimicking tidal movement. Scientists experimented with bell-jars and complicated plunger systems to try recreate tidal conditions for the jellyfish but still couldnt succeed. Bell jar with plunger system Delaps perseverance won through for her: years later her nephew asked her about how she managed to keep the seawater circulating in the bell-jars and she smiled and waved her hand in a circular motion. She had literally rolled up her sleeves and stirred the water by plunging her hands in. Garczynski says she was honoured to get permission from the Valentia Heritage Museum to use Delaps gold-coloured relatively low-tech (compared to todays instruments) microscope. It still works perfectly. Garczynski studied at Munster Technological University, Kerry and later at University College Cork but points out that while she grew up and went to school in Kerry she was never taught about Delaps achievements in school. Thats something she would love to see change: She had these amazing sketches with so much attention to detail which helped build so much of our knowledge of these gelatinous species off Britain and Ireland. She was in correspondence with a lot of prestigious scientists and I would love to see wider recognition of her work and achievements. Delaps notes are also invaluable in helping modern-day scientists learn about conditions and prevalence at that time. These tiny gelatinous zooplankton dont preserve particularly well and they are not really as present in the fossil record as larger creatures because of their small delicate and fragile bodies so accurate descriptions of features and species are vital. And even the commonly-held notion that jellyfish numbers have wildly increased in recent years is challenged by Delaps accounts such as when she describes a jellyfish event where they were so abundant that they made it difficult for fishermen to lift their nets. Burrowing sea anemone, Edwardsia delapiae In 1928 Maude Delap was honoured by her scientific colleagues when a rare sea anemone she found near Valentia was named Edwardsia delapiae in her honour. Garczynski's own jellyfish and zooplankton research was impacted when funding issues due to Brexit arose. She has since become a researcher with Inland Fisheries Ireland but still hopes for increased recognition for Maude Delap's achievements. This Ireland's Coast series is narrated by actor Ciaran Hinds of Game of Thrones, Kin, and Belfast fame and was inspired by the landmark The Coastal Atlas of Ireland, published by Cork University Press in 2020. The first episode explores Irelands territorial waters and cold water coral reefs hidden in the canyons and theres a dramatic journey with the Marine Institute of Ireland to the Porcupine Bank, to examine the role of weather buoys in the deep Atlantic. Ireland's Coast is a three-part series starting Sunday, September 15 at 6.30pm on RTE One and RTE Player Upcoming episodes explore how technological advances and local communities are striving to protect the coast and how innovative and imaginative thinking can create more sustainable conditions for this dynamic landscape into the future. Ireland's Coast is a three-part series starting Sunday, September 15 at 6.30pm on RTE One and RTE Player Former finance minister Michael McGrath will this week discover which European Commission job he has been selected for, with Government sources hopeful he will land a finance portfolio. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will tell Mr McGrath on Wednesday which role she has chosen for him, following an interview a fortnight ago, which sources said was considered very good. The Fianna Fail Cork South-Central TD was nominated by the Government in June with an eye to landing a plum financial portfolio. However, the decision of Fianna Fail MEPs to vote against Ms von der Leyen for a second term has been cited as one potential reason why he may not get a high-profile commissionership. Likewise, the decision of Ireland not to nominate both a man and a woman for the job has been mooted as hurting Mr McGraths chances. However, Government sources say the Corkmans experience and his credibility on a European level will stand to him, as will Irelands standing in Brussels. Ursula von der Leyen will appoint 27 commissioners. Picture: Richard Drew In recent days, there has been some optimism in Government circles that Mr McGrath could receive a top job, with one source saying there was a small chance that Mr McGrath could keep the financial stability, financial services, and the capital markets union role currently held by Mairead McGuinness. Mr McGrath faces stiff competition in the appointments process, with three other former finance ministers and three former prime ministers up for selection, but former colleagues have said he is more than capable of doing any job in Brussels. Ms von der Leyen will appoint 27 commissioners, one from each EU state, with individual candidates then going before the relevant European Parliament committees for approval. Full approval by MEPs will not come until later in the year, perhaps as late as November. Speaking after his interview late last month, Mr McGrath said it had gone well. President von der Leyen was naturally very familiar with my CV and we had a good discussion about the major challenges facing the EU over the next five years, he said. She afforded me the opportunity to set out what contribution I believe I can make to the work of the commission over that period. He also spoke about how Ireland had been transformed by EU membership. A large number of polling stations were found to be "inaccessible" for those with a disability during March's family and care referendums. The Post Electoral Event Review (Peer) new report on the administration of the referendums, the first of its kind in Ireland, was published by the Electoral Commission. For the referendums, observers visited 98 polling stations across the island on polling day, with additional staff observing count centres in Dublin, Cork, and Laois. They were aiming to cover the accessibility of voting at polling stations, including directional signage to polling stations, car parking facilities, and removal of hazards outside and inside polling station entrances. About 30,000 said they had trouble accessing the polling station, finding the area they needed to go to vote, or felt like they did not have sufficient privacy while voting. Peer observer teams found several problems, including poor directional signage on approach routes to polling stations, lack of parking facilities in urban areas, insufficient or no designated parking spaces for electors with disabilities, and hazards at building entrance points. Laws surrounding elections require the returning officers to provide, where practicable, polling stations which are accessible to wheelchair users. 'Hugely disappointing' But Peer said its observations were "hugely disappointing as about a quarter of polling stations visited were considered to have entrances not easily accessible for wheelchair users". Of the 98 observers visited, 29 of them had already been categorised as inaccessible by returning officers in previous electoral events 22 of those 29 stations are located in Munster. Observers for Peer cited various reasons for considering an entrance not to be easily accessible, including the presence of obstacles and obstructions, the absence of accessibility infrastructure and the limited dimensions of the entrance space. About a quarter of polling stations visited were considered to have entrances not easily accessible for wheelchair users. The absence of low-level voting compartments and low-level ballot boxes was noted. One-third of polling stations visited had external conditions that represented a hazard to electors, while at several polling stations, about 18% of those visited, obstacles represented a hazard to electors. Fifteen per cent of all polling stations visited were noted as having a step or several steps at the entrance. To improve accessibility, presiding officers often provide wheelchair ramps, however Peer observer teams reported the quality of wheelchair ramps was variable. In one instance, staff at the polling station were unable to erect the wheelchair ramp. The entrance doors to polling stations raised additional accessibility issues. Peer observer teams identified issues with doors at more than one in 10 polling stations. Obstacles Obstacles were observed in a number of instances. At one polling station, gym equipment was present, posing a hazard to electors, particularly those with a visual impairment. At another polling station, a chair was used to prop the door open, partially blocking the entrance. In another polling station, a flowerpot blocked the entrance. Obstacles were also observed at emergency exits. At one polling station, an emergency exit was obstructed by a voting compartment. Overall, about 15% of polling stations were considered to have unsatisfactory emergency exits. A man in his late teens has been arrested as part of an investigation into a fatal hit-and-run which occurred in Dublin earlier this summer. In the early hours of July 17, a male pedestrian, aged in his 40s, was killed after being struck by a stolen car on the coast road in Baldoyle. Gardai are appealing for fresh information on the case of a woman missing from her Waterford home for 30 years. The appeal comes ahead of a meeting with her family next month. Imelda Keenan from Mountmellick in Laois had been living for a number of years in Waterford by the time she disappeared in January 1994. Last year, members of her family met with gardai in Waterford and asked them to upgrade their investigation into her disappearance to a murder probe. Imelda Keenan took no belongings with her when she was last seen and her credit union account was left untouched. The last reported sighting of the 22-year-old was on Lombard Street in Waterford city at around 1.30pm on January 3 that year. She was unemployed and had been doing a computer course at the then Central Technical Institute at the time of her disappearance. She had been living in a flat on William Street with her boyfriend, Mark Wall. She took no belongings with her when she left the flat and her credit union account was left untouched. Among the items she left behind were her glasses and her cigarettes, and unopened Christmas presents. After she disappeared, searches of the river and local areas were conducted but there is still no indication of what happened to Imelda. However, her family believes that a circle of friends which Imelda had at the time of her disappearance have not been spoken to by gardai as part of the investigation. Gerry Keenan, brother of Imelda Keenan, who went missing in Waterford almost thirty years ago, with his niece, Gina Kerry, at Croke Park for a ceremony for National Missing Persons Day. Picture: Colin Keegan They brought fresh information to gardai late last year. Her niece Gina Kerry said the family has been told that "a lot of the new enquiries" have been completed but that others yet have to be "finalised". Gardai are to update the family on any progress at a meeting on October 3. Ms Kerry said: We are hoping to hear what we want to hear. Christmas presents Although the last reported sighting of Imelda was on January 3, 1994, her family wonder why unopened Christmas presents remained in the flat early in the new year, particularly as some were for nephews who lived in Waterford city, sons of her brother, Ned. A plaque in honour of Imelda has been installed on a bridge over Johns River, near where she was last seen. In 2009, the family offered a 10,000 reward for new information on the disappearance. Last January, the family marked the 30th anniversary of her disappearance with a vigil in Waterford. A garda spokesman said the case remains an open and active Missing Persons investigation. He added: An Garda Siochana continues to appeal to any person with information on the disappearance of Imelda Keenan, who has not previously spoken with the investigation team, or who may have spoken but not provided all of the information that they possess for any particular reason, or who may, with the passage of time, now be in a position to provide information to An Garda Siochana to contact the investigation team at Waterford Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Line or any Garda Station. The students of a Cork school have now delivered in excess of 20,000 meals for the homeless and poverty-stricken just by using school dinner leftovers. After three years of setting up a social enterprise to reduce food waste, the pupils from Terence MacSwiney Community College in Hollyhill are determined to keep going with the initiative which has thrived due to its sustainable approach. The idea was set in motion to save food destined for the landfill while supporting those unable to afford a basic meal. Since its inception in 2021, the project has captured the imagination of people across the county as well as scooping various accolades. In a new boost, the Food Fund app looks set to be completed during this academic year allowing schools across the country to track and upload data about leftover school meals while linking them in with local charities for donation purposes. The app is the brainchild of former students Shane Dwyer, Dylan Peelo, Shane OReilly, Kalvein Lowther, and Corey McCarthy who noticed that surplus meals were being discarded on a daily basis. Other schools have since got on board and donated leftover meals to the cause, including St Marys on the Hill, Strawberry Hill National School, and Scoil Padre Pio. Caitriona Twomey, from Cork Penny Dinners, distributes the meals to clients of the charity at their premises on Little Hanover St in Cork City. The meals are collected by volunteers of the charity who arrive every day without fail to the school. The Transition Year students also help Penny Dinners pack the vans with the donated food. Picture: Chani Anderson Eva Corbett, who teaches business studies at Terence MacSwiney Community College, described how Transition Year students at the school are making a difference. The Food fund, which is part of the Transition Year programme, is making a tangible difference to peoples lives. There is normally only a short window for this food to be used, so they are turning it around fairly fast. The kids involved will go to different parts of the school to collect the leftover meals "They will then walk to St Marys on the Hill to collect their donated food. By the end of the day, they are helping the Penny Dinners drivers to pack the van. They do this while the teachers are in class and are basically running this themselves. New students have now taken on the mantle of this amazing project. We hope this is something that can continue for years to come. She described why the initiative has been beneficial to the school in addition to those receiving the meals. Principal Phil OFlynn, Eva Corbett, and Mia Twomey get stuck in to the sustainable initiative. Picture: Chani Anderson What this is effectively doing is keeping food out of the landfill. It also gives us the opportunity to keep track on our orders and costs," she said. Ms Twomey praised the initiative, adding: What they do for us is incredible. This has been beneficial for so many people. Its a great way for students to come together to help people from all walks of life and ultimately realise the power of helping "This school has kindness in abundance. It just goes to show how community involvement is at the heart of wellbeing. Meanwhile, Terence MacSwiney Community College principal Phil OFlynn said she is very proud of her students for their empathy and compassion. A lot of the students are very empathetic," she said. "They have an interest in this because many of them know someone who has experienced poverty at some point in their lives. "A lot of schools are trying to teach social entrepreneurship, but these students are learning it in a hands-on way. We are not only proud of what our students have achieved, we are proud of who they are. A perfect storm in the health insurance market means the upward spiral in the cost of premiums is set to continue. And that means bad news for hard-pressed consumers, already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, according to industry expert Dermot Goode. So what or who is to blame for this perfect storm? A sharp rise in the number of claims, a reduction in the number of premiums on offer, higher costs for private hospitals which are being passed on to consumers, and an aging population, are some of the main reasons. Since the end of the pandemic, more people are accessing treatments, which means more people are making insurance claims. In its Health Insurance in Ireland Market Report 2023, the industrys watchdog the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) reported a 15% increase in claims compared to 2022. Mr Goode, of the Lockton Insurance Brokers-owned Total Health Cover, said: After covid, everybodys going back into hospitals now to get treatments done that were postponed because of the pandemic. People going back in to get all those hips and knees and shoulder replacements and cataracts. But at the same time, the cost of those treatments now are much, much higher than they were previously. If you talk to any private hospital, they will tell you, in the last two years, the cost of electricity, the cost of every utility that goes in, has gone through the roof. Then they look at the wage agreements and the cost now of hiring new consultants, and the higher costs of new drugs. Anything that could cause upwards pressure on premiums has actually happened and theres a perfect storm happening right now in health insurance, its on the radar, and its coming our way. Added to that, while health insurers have been introducing new plans, a number of plans have also been or are due to be retired. As well as spiraling rates, and costs, you also have a lot of private health plans being retired, said Goode, who is a healthcare insurance expert with more than 35 years of experience. So there are going to be thousands and thousands of people out there who, each year, up until now, have just rolled over on the same plan, and they cant do it anymore. They are going to have to shop around and engage at a time when, in a number of cases, benefits are being reduced despite the increase in premiums. So everything that could happen negatively for consumers of health insurance is happening. This means thousands of consumers who may have stuck on the same plan for years are now going to have to find a new one. But given that there are 348 plans on the market currently, choosing the right one is no easy feat. According to the HIA, only 26% of private health policy holders have ever switched policy and the average length someone stays with the same insurer is 15 years. This means that particularly older people would be potentially paying for more expensive policies due to not having shopped around or checked if the policy still meets their needs, a HIA spokesperson told the Irish Examiner. That could go some way to explain why, in April, the HIA noted in its 2023 market report that over-65s paid 43% more for private health insurance last year than they did in 2022. Some 50% of people with health insurance are on one of 30 plans. Therefore, the choice between plans is concentrated even though there are 348 plans in the market. While having a variety of plans available allows consumers to choose the best plan to meet their needs, having so many plans can make it difficult for consumers to choose. The HIA research shows that 41% are paying more than they may potentially need to and this may be (because) they have never switched policy. And even if consumers manage to switch to save money, higher premiums are almost unavoidable given the scale and number of price hikes by the industrys three biggest providers. Laya and Vhi premiums are increasing next month, following Irish Life rises earlier this year. Laya customers will, from October 1, see an average increase to their premiums of 6.5%, while Vhi customers will see an average rise of 3.5%. In May, the HIA put the average adult premium at 1,685, which will be significantly higher at the end of the year when all the price rises come into affect. Mays figure reflected a rise of almost 13% on the first quarter of 2023 a year in which average adult premiums rose by 10% to 1,594. In fact, last years hikes were so significant, it prompted the HIA to warn that rising premiums, as well as the cost-of-living crisis, was resulting in fewer people buying private health insurance. Why the hikes? The insurance companies are all quick to cite the same reasons for increased premiums. For its part, Vhi points out that while some premiums are going up, there will be a 25% price reduction for children on selected plans to help mitigate rising costs for families. In addition, day-to-day benefits have been added to some plans. The company said the rises are in response to the sustained increase in both the volume and costs of healthcare claims. In the first half of 2024, for example, Vhi said private hospital claim costs were up 14% compared to last year. The cost of day-to-day claims have also increased significantly. They also said healthcare costs are rising as more people are accessing healthcare. Laya healthcare managing director Donal Clancy said that while advances in modern healthcare, including new technologies and high-cost drugs are delivering better outcomes for people, they are significantly driving costs up, particularly in private and hi-tech hospitals. While lower than Vhi, Layas private hospital claim costs were up 11% this year compared to last year. Laya also say the increase is being driven in particular by a rise in cardiology and cancer claims, where there has been a 29% increase in claim costs compared to 2023. Dermot Goode said: Anything that could cause upwards pressure on premiums has actually happened and theres a perfect storm happening right now in health insurance, its on the radar, and its coming our way. When in May, Irish Life Health announced its fourth premium increase in 18 months, it blamed the ongoing increasing demand for healthcare across both public and private hospitals. Irish Life Health managing director Ger Davis said the health insurance market is going through what he called a correction as private hospitals are rapidly working their way through the backlog of procedures from the pandemic. At the time, the insurer said it has seen a 14% increase year to date in the value of private hospital claims compared to last year. The issue around long waiting lists arguably the main reason people take out private health insurance raised its head recently, with news the HSE was to slash its reimbursement rates for cataract operations carried out in the North. The changes affect a scheme where people on waiting lists can get their eyes or other things such as hips done in the north, and which obliges the HSE to pay towards the cost. From September 1, however, the amount it will pay towards certain cataract operations has been slashed. The reduction in reimbursement rates will see people mostly pensioners having to find more money to get their eyes done in the North if they dont want to wait to get treated by the HSE. It is just a matter of time before National Treatment Purchase Fund stats are expected to show the impact this will have on ophthalmology waiting lists which already have more than 40,000 people waiting for either assessments of or treatment done on their eyes. Centre for Health Policy and Management director at Trinity College Dublins Public Health and Primary Care in the School of Medicine, Sara Burke believes people will continue to pay private health insurance as long as long waiting lists persist. But she doesnt believe private health insurance, as a whole, gives good value for money. This is, she said, especially the case when you consider that in 2021, for example, private health insurance only accounted for around 12% of total health expenditure in Ireland. This is according to the 2023 State of Health in the EU report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Ms Burke said: It does get you fast access if you need a procedure quickly. In that sense, it is individually good value for money, if your health insurance covers that procedure. But private health insurance doesnt cover the vast majority of care. It doesnt cover you if you have a massive brain injury or stroke or youre in a road traffic accident, you wont be looked after in a private hospital. Youve got to walk into a private hospital with deep pockets. But if youre really sick, if you have a chronic, debilitating condition, if you have a neurological condition, if you have dementia, I would argue, if youve an awful lot of things, youre much better off in the public system. What the private system does is it does a lot of cheaper, more profitable care the hips, the knees, the cataracts, the scans. A lot of the expensive, slower, harder to do care remains within the public system. Ms Burke, whose work on the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare in 2016 and 2017 produced the Slaintecare report, added: I would argue that our health insurance system is very bad value for money, because it doesnt finance most care. Dermot Goodes private health insurance perfect storm is all happening just before what is regarded as the peak insurance renewal period, from the beginning of November through to the end of February. This is when half the entire market for insurance renews, he said. The premium increases and the retirement of plans are coming, so it just means switching activity is going to absolutely increase hugely. The key thing is that people need to pick up their phone, call the insurance company and tell them what their budget, is and challenge them to recommend a cover that fits that budget. How to cut your premium Consumers can follow a number of basic steps in a bid to get cheaper premiums. Firstly, look at how long you have been on the same plan. If it is more than five years ago, broker Dermot Goode says you can pretty much guarantee you are paying more than you should be paying for your insurance. Secondly, examine what you have to be covered for and then, after setting a budget, stick to it. The next step should be to compare plans across Vhi, Laya and Irish Life on the Health Insurance Authoritys own online comparison tool hia.ie/comparison-tool/ The HIA recommends examining what benefits are on your policy that you might not be using. You could also reconsider the level of your orthopaedic cover because plans with high orthopaedic cover tend to be more expensive. The HIA also recommend that if you dont think you will be making lots of claims, then a policy with higher excess will have lower premiums. Also bear in mind, not everyone in the family has to be on the same policy. Each person can be on a policy that best suits them, if indeed they even have to be on a policy if they are young, fit and healthy. That said, it is important to bear in mind Lifetime Community Rating Loading. This is a system whereby the older you are when you first buy health insurance, the more you pay for it. If someone is aged 35 or above but already has health insurance, the cost of their health insurance will not change based on their age. If, however, they are aged 35 or above when they first buy health insurance, they will have to pay an extra 2% of the gross cost of their policy for each year above the age of 34 that they didnt have health insurance. You should also bear in mind customer waiting periods, which can vary depending on your age, and whether or not you are looking for cover for pre-existing conditions. These can last from either weeks to two years, and has to be served if someone takes out health insurance for the first time or it has been more than 13 weeks since they last held private health insurance. As the HIA advises, people wont - with the exception of emergency care and newly born or adopted children - have full cover until their waiting periods are over. How much more will I be paying? The percentages may seem small enough when announced but in a cost-of-living crisis, premium increases can be crippling. In the last year or so, Vhi has announced three premium increases totalling 17.5%. The latest, which was announced last month and which comes into effect from October 1, will see an average price increase of 3.5% across its health insurance plans from October 1. This follows on from its 7% average increase earlier in the year. The increases could add between 50 per adult on some of the mid-level schemes up to 150 for a couple and two children. The changes, which wont significantly impact all Vhi plans, could also see a rise of to 260 on the Premium Care scheme, according to Dermot Goode. He said customers need to be cautious about the averages quoted by Vhi and the other companies. He said some of the companys older plans like Advanced Care Extra Day-to-Day and Premium Care, for example, will actually increase by approximately 5%. A few days before Vhi announced its increase, Laya announced a product review across all its schemes and an average rise of 6.5% on premiums. It also said that benefit changes will be introduced to hospital excess and shortfalls across a range of plans. For example, a per visit excess will be introduced on the QuickCare benefit that gives fast access to treatment for minor injuries and illnesses in a wide network of approved centres including layas own network of Laya Health and Wellbeing clinics. Annual premiums on all of the top five most purchased Laya plans in the first quarter of this year will all go up by around between 77 and 186 from October 1. And those premiums dont include extra charges, such as the extra credit charge consumers pay if you could only afford to pay in installments. The Cornmarket Groups Health and General Insurance Divisions head Dermot Wells said Irish Life Health hike last July would have significantly impacted family budgets. Popular plans like BeneFit rose by around 215 for a family of two adults and two children. However, the same size family on the companys 4DHealth 2 will have seen their premiums increase by considerably more. While Irish Life Health said the increases would average out at 5.3%, Mr Wells says some plans saw increases as high as 8%. Our plans to fix the supply of both social and private housing are working and this is borne out by the most recent build figures... And yet we still see more people entering emergency accommodation. I am in constant contact with local authorities and am working with them to help move families out of emergency accommodation and into sustainable housing solutions. So reads the first quote. The second quote says: [This is] a shameful and saddening example of failed Government policy. There have been flashy launches with hard hats and photo opportunities however the facts speak for themselves. Not enough is being done to bring homeless numbers down. The Minister should be doing his level best to bring these lists down, not commenting on them to express his disappointment when they are announced. These were two of the reactions when the number of homeless people in Ireland exceeded 10,000 for the first time. The first quote was from then minister for housing Eoghan Murphy. The second was from then-Fianna Fail housing spokesperson and now-Housing Minister Darragh OBrien. Grim milestone In the five years since that grim milestone was reached in February 2019, the number of people in emergency accommodation in Ireland actually fell during the pandemic before rebounding and rebounding sharply since. The plans referenced from 2019 have obviously not worked. And plans since then have not arrested this surge. Last Friday, the latest figures showed a new record 14,429 people as homeless in Ireland, including 4,401 children. Where 10,000 had once been a mark that critics said brought enduring shame on the Government, such is the increase that reducing it back to such a level feels very far away at present. Again and again, the monthly figures are showing more and more people in emergency accommodation in this country. Whereas the issue once dominated headlines, such as the death of homeless man John Corrie on the streets of Dublin 10 years ago, the occupation of Apollo House in 2016 and the vow from then-Housing Minister Simon Coveney that hotels would no longer be used to house families, these new records barely cause a ripple. Behind the scenes, the sustained increase is putting ever more pressure on the services on the ground offering support, with no respite on the horizon. Our resources as a charity get stretched further and further with every increase in the numbers, said Focus Ireland Ceo Pat Dennigan in an interview with the Irish Examiner this week. Its not us alone. Its across the charity sector. The numbers going up translates to a demand for our services all the time. Its a difficult tightrope to walk for charities such as this working in the sector. They are heavily reliant on Government funding, so criticism of its action or inaction must be measured. 'Permanently on the edge of crisis' Speaking at the launch of Focus Irelands annual report, Mr Dennigan said the Government was obscuring the enormous cost of its failure to reduce homelessness, as charities working in this sector are left permanently on the edge of crisis. He later told the Irish Examiner: I think what we try to do at all times is to try and be constructive. We try to draw on the experience of the people that we encounter. Were not in a situation where were going for a bashing of any political party, but were trying to come from a constructive position in a time of crisis. It is a definite line to walk. One aspect that would help greatly during this crisis is increased numbers of social homes, which the Government has pledged to deliver, while in its housing plan announced this week Sinn Fein has vowed to deliver 75,000 social homes should it be in power. The Focus Ireland chief executive was clear that the Government should adopt a policy that dedicates a portion of the social housing supply to long-term homeless families, and there have been chinks of light in the delivery of social housing. Quite apart from the political side of things, the Housing Commission report was able to draw parallels with other European countries where social housing is about 20% of the overall housing stock. Mr Dennigan said. Gap to catch up to Its about 10% in Ireland. So, we have that gap to catch up to get to that level in the first place. Now, were coming from a very low base and we need to build momentum. With a general election looming, and despite other issues perhaps higher on the agenda, he said that he would like to see coherent plans put on the table to address homelessness that may finally go some way towards solving the problem. And that is away from the kind of rhetoric that is frequently trotted out when figures get announced. We would call on our supporters and people who follow us or who would listen to our message, when you get people on your doorstep for the election, ask these critical questions, he added. Ask them what political parties are going to do about the issue of housing, but also the issue of homelessness. For the next few years, as a nation, weve committed to ending homelessness by 2030. We need a clear set of milestones and a clear plan to do that if its going to be achieved. It doesnt matter which political parties do this. Its a national initiative in a national crisis that we should achieve. In the 1960s, more than 40% of children of school-going age in Ireland had left education by the time they turned 15. In 1967, the vision of Donogh OMalley, then minister for education, changed Ireland when he introduced free secondary education for all. With that inspirational decision, the Limerick man wrote himself into Irish history. Ireland had decided to invest in its future. That decision and our subsequent investment in education transformed Ireland into one of the most prosperous countries in the world. Education created a highly-skilled workforce and opened us to new ideas, diversity, and cultures. Education must continue to be the foundation of a fair and prosperous Ireland. Taking education for granted or under investing in it are not options that we should take. As the recently appointed chair of the governing authority of University College Cork (UCC), I am hugely impressed by the overall quality of teaching and education offerings. Access programmes for the disadvantaged and those with disabilities are uplifting to witness and bring much welcome diversity and equity into our education system. The breadth, depth, and impact of research and innovation is way ahead of my expectation. Our universities have global research leaders who are developing extraordinary new understandings and insights in their respective disciplines. However, universities need to be much better at the commercialisation of this research and innovation and in their engagement with business. Our highly-educated graduates are much sought after. They are the engine of our economic development and those alumni working across the world are wonderful ambassadors for Ireland. A skilled workforce underpins investment in our economy. Universities are large employers and have huge national and regional economic impact. A recent independent economic impact assessment of UCC demonstrates that the State gets a 6 return for every 1 that it invests. The complexity of the organisational structures within universities has surprised me. They have developed organically over decades and are overly complex and siloed. This gives rise to duplication and communication issues. Universities must be open to organisational change and reform. They must provide value for money, be prudent in the use of public resources, avoid waste, and be fully transparent and accountable. Sean O'Driscoll is surprised by the complexity of the organisational structures within universities. Artificial intelligence is changing the world by the second and curriculum innovation and development needs greater agility to educate for the rapidly-changing world we live in. Many of todays jobs will not exist tomorrow. Universities have an enormous portfolio of buildings which can and must be better utilised. A higher proportion of capital budgets should be invested in digital infrastructure for teaching, research, and cybersecurity. The short-term nature and inadequate funding of higher education has astounded me. It will be December, three months after their financial year-end before universities know what supplementary grants they will receive to part-pay for the Government-negotiated public sector pay awards. In UCCs case, this year that cost is 7m. It will be spring next year, half-way through their financial year, before universities will be advised of their core funding for the year. First year business students are taught one of the oldest, simplest, and wisest management principles, if you cant measure it, you cant manage it. The short-term, backdated higher education funding model does not adhere to that basic management principle. Our highly-educated graduates are much sought after. Under the Universities Act, governing authorities are legally responsible for managing the financial affairs and viability of universities. With the current fragile state of universities finances, governing authorities also have a responsibility to highlight this fragility and the serious strategic risk that the State is taking. There is general acceptance that higher education is underfunded. In 2021, the Taoiseach, who was then minister for higher education, said funding is an issue which has been ducked and dodged for far too long. In 2019, the Tanaiste said in terms of core funding of higher education, the system needs clarity and certainty. We have to end the permanent insecurity about what each year brings. I agree with the Taoiseach and Tanaiste. In May 2022, the Government published Funding the Future, its definitive response to funding higher education. This report quantified the additional core funding required at 307m per annum. A commitment was given that this report would not need dusting or a shelf to stick it on. Government has not yet honoured this commitment. This is not an affordability issue; it is a funding issue. There is a solution. The National Training Fund currently has a surplus of 1.5bn and is projected to increase to 2bn by next year. The solution is simple, and it makes sense to unlock some of the unused funds to provide multi-annual funding for higher education. A multi-annual funding model, together with accountability measures, would provide the certainty required to deliver on the sectors strategic plans and on agreed national policy priority areas such as research and innovation, life-long learning, future skills, and access programmes. The upcoming budget provides the minister for higher education with the opportunity to convince his colleagues of the absolute necessity to resolve the higher education core funding crisis once and for all. If successful, like his fellow Limerick man OMalley, Patrick ODonovan will justifiably write himself into the history of Irish education. It is time to do the right thing. A bridge has collapsed after more rain fell on northern Vietnam from a former typhoon that caused landslides, flooding, power outages and at least 21 deaths, state media reported. The busy steel bridge over the engorged Red River in Phu Tho province collapsed on Monday morning, local officials told state media. Several motorbikes and cars fell into the river, the initial reports said, adding that three people fished out of the river in ongoing rescue operations had been taken to the hospital. No casualties have yet been reported. Typhoon Yagi was the strongest typhoon to hit Vietnam in decades when it made landfall Saturday with winds up to 92mph. It weakened to a tropical depression on Sunday, but the countrys meteorological agency has still warned the continuing downpours could cause floods and landslides. The typhoon caused widespread flooding (Le Danh Lam/VNA via AP) On Sunday, a landslide killed six people including an infant and injured nine others in Sa Pa town, a popular trekking base known for its terraced rice fields and mountains. Overall, state media reported 21 deaths and at least 299 people injured from the weekend. Skies were overcast in the capital, Hanoi, with occasional rain Monday morning as workers cleared the uprooted trees, fallen billboards and toppled electricity poles. Heavy rain continued in north-western Vietnam and forecasters said it could exceed 15in in places. Initially, at least three million people were left without electricity in Quang Ninh and Haiphong provinces, and it is unclear how much has been restored. The two provinces are industrial hubs, housing many factories that export goods including EV maker VinFast and Apple suppliers Pegatrong and USI. The storm uprooted trees (AP Photo/Aniruddha Ghosal) Factory workers said many industrial parks were inundated and the roofs of many factories had been blown away. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Haiphong city on Sunday and approved a package of 4.62 million dollars (3.51 million) to help the port city recover. Yagi also damaged agricultural land, nearly 116,192 hectares where rice is mostly grown. Before hitting Vietnam, Yagi caused at least 20 deaths in the Philippines last week and three deaths in China. Storms like Typhoon Yagi were getting stronger due to climate change, primarily because warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel the storms, leading to increased wind speeds and heavier rainfall, said Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore. Pope Francis received a raucous welcome as he arrived in East Timor to celebrate its recovery from a bloody and traumatic independence battle, even as he indirectly acknowledged an abuse scandal involving its Nobel Peace Prize-winning hero. Timorese jammed Franciss motorcade route into town from the airport, waving Vatican and Timorese flags and toting yellow and white umbrellas the colours of the Holy See to shade themselves from the scorching midday sun. Viva el Papa! they shouted as he passed by. A child holds a welcome sign for Pope Francis in Dili, East Timor (Firdia Lisnawati/AP) Francis, 87, seemed to relish the greeting, smiling broadly from the open-backed pickup truck and waving as he passed by billboard after billboard featuring his image and words of welcome. The overwhelmingly Catholic East Timor, one of the worlds poorest countries, had eagerly awaited Franciss arrival, which came on the heels of the 25th anniversary of the UN-backed referendum that paved the way for independence from Indonesia. It was a far different atmosphere than when the last pope visited. St John Paul II came in 1989, when Timor was still an occupied part of Indonesia and fighting for its freedom. After Timorese voted overwhelmingly for independence a decade later, Indonesias military responded with a scorched-earth campaign that destroyed 80% of the countrys infrastructure and shocked the world. Overall, as many as 200,000 people were killed during the 24 years of Indonesian rule. John Pauls visit, which culminated with a massive Mass on the seaside near Dili, helped draw international attention to the plight of the Timorese people and shine a spotlight on the oppressiveness of Indonesias occupation. Pope Francis, in his wheelchair, is welcomed by members of the honour guard at Dili Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili, East Timor (Dita Alangkara/AP) Francis arrived in Dili from Papua New Guinea to follow in John Pauls footsteps and open the third leg of his trip through South East Asia and Oceania. President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, two of East Timors most revered independence heroes, greeted Francis at the airport and were meeting with him privately. In remarks to them and other dignitaries on Monday, Francis applauded the Timorese people for having recovered from their greatest suffering and trial to put East Timor on the path of peaceful development. And he praised them for having reconciled with Indonesia. But he said new challenges and problems were now confronting the country, Asias newest, including emigration and poverty, as well as alcohol abuse and violence involving martial arts gangs. Let us also not forget that these children and adolescents have their dignity violated, Francis said. People greet Pope Francis as he travels in a car on the way to the Presidential Palace in Dili, East Timor (Firdia Lisnawati/AP) In response, we are all called to do everything possible to prevent every kind of abuse and guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people. It was a generic and indirect reference to abuse. But it nevertheless recalled the scandal involving Timorese Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo who, along with Mr Gusmao and Mr Ramos-Horta, is regarded as a hero for their efforts to support Timors independence. Belo won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 with Mr Ramos-Horta for campaigning for a fair and peaceful solution to the conflict. But in 2022, the Vatican acknowledged that it had secretly sanctioned Belo two years earlier for sexually abusing young boys. The sanctions included limitations on his movements and exercise of ministry and prohibited him from having voluntary contact with minors or contact with East Timor itself. Participants gather on a road as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis before the welcoming ceremony outside the Presidential Palace in Dili, East Timor (Yasuyoshi Chiba/Pool photo via AP) The sanctions were reinforced in 2021. Despite the sanctions, which were confirmed at the time by the Vatican spokesman and reaffirmed last week ahead of Franciss trip, many people in East Timor have stood by Belo, either dismissing, denying or diminishing the victims claims. Some even hoped Belo, who lives in Portugal, would be on hand to welcome Francis. Another priest, American missionary Richard Daschbach, who is also revered for his role in saving lives in the liberation fight, is serving a 12-year sentence in a Timorese prison for molesting disadvantaged girls. He was defrocked by the church. Mr Ramos-Horta, for his part, told The Associated Press (AP) last week that Franciss visit was not the time to revisit the churchs scandals. Pope Francis and East Timors President Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta attend a welcome ceremony outside the Presidential Palace in Dili, East Timor (Gregorio Borgia/AP) While saying it was for the Vatican to manage, having the pope raise the matter of abuse during his visit would be like trying someone twice, he told AP. Franciss vague reference to abuse appeared a diplomatic balancing act, acknowledging the abuse but respecting the desires of the government hosting him and sentiment of the local church and Timorese faithful. The issue is fraught too for the Vatican, since there has been no acknowledgment of what the Vatican knew and when about Belo, whose misconduct was reportedly an open secret in Timor for years. John Paul allowed him to retire as head of the Timorese church two decades early in 2002, at the young age of 54, but he was then sent to Mozambique, where he worked with children. In a 2023 interview with the AP, Francis suggested that Belo, like many others before and after him, had been allowed to quietly retire rather than face any punishment for his misconduct. The Vatican appears now to be trying to quietly ignore him: while an August 28 report in Vatican News cited Belo for his help in the independence struggle, the official handbook for the Vatican delegation on the trip has scrubbed any mention of Belo from its short history on Timor and its independence struggle. Pope Francis signs a guestbook as East Timors President Jose Ramos-Horta, right, looks on at the Presidential Palace in Dili, East Timor (Tiziana Fabi/Pool Photo via AP) Only about 20% of East Timors people were Catholic when Indonesia invaded in 1975, shortly after Portugal abandoned it as a colony. Today, some 98% of East Timors 1.3 million people are Catholic, making it the most Catholic country in the world outside the Vatican. Francis will celebrate that heritage on Tuesday especially, when he celebrates a Mass on the same seaside esplanade where John Paul celebrated Mass in 1989 and encouraged the Timorese people. Authorities said some 300,000 people in a country of 1.3 million had registered in advance through their dioceses to attend the Mass. But Mr Ramos-Horta said he expected 700,000 people, including from Indonesias West Timor, and the Vatican predicted 750,000. Western partner countries must allow Ukraine to use weapons they have supplied to strike military warehouses inside Russia because of strong suspicions Iran has provided ballistic missiles for the Kremlins war effort, a senior Ukrainian official said. The United States has told allies it believes Iran has sent short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraine, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press at the weekend. Western countries supporting Ukraine in the war have hesitated to let its military strike targets on Russian soil, fearing they could be sucked into Europes biggest conflict since the Second World War, but the head of the Ukrainian presidential office said protection is not escalation. Ukrainian air defence intercepts a Shahed drone mid-air during a Russian aerial attack on the capital Kyiv (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) In response to the supply of ballistic missiles to Russia, Ukraine must be allowed to destroy warehouses storing these missiles with Western weapons in order to avoid terror, Andrii Yermak said on his Telegram channel. He did not specify which country was supplying the missiles. Russia has already subjected Ukraine to repeated and devastating long-range missile and drone bombardments that have killed more than 10,000 civilians since the start of the war in February 2022, according to a United Nations tally. The barrages have also crippled electricity production. Ukraine has refused to cave in, however, and recently launched a bold incursion into Russias Kursk region even while toiling to hold back a Russian push in eastern Ukraines Donetsk region. Russia has been receiving Iranian-made Shahed drones since 2022. The possible shipment of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia as well has alarmed Western governments as President Vladimir Putin reaches out to other countries to provide him with support. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday said of the Iranian missile reports that this kind of information is not true every time. He added, however: Iran is our important partner. We are developing our trade and economic relations. We are developing our co-operation and dialogue in all possible areas, including the most sensitive ones, and will continue to do so in the interests of the peoples of our two countries. We strongly reject allegations about Irans role in sending weapons to one side of the war and we assess these allegations as politically motivated by some parties In Iran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani denied Tehran armed Russia with missiles. We strongly reject allegations about Irans role in sending weapons to one side of the war and we assess these allegations as politically motivated by some parties, Mr Kanaani said. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Saturday expressed deep concern about that possibility. Iran must completely and definitively stop providing weapons to Russia in order to prove with actions, not words, the sincerity of its political leaderships statements about non-involvement in fuelling the Russian war machine of death, a statement said. CIA director William Burns warned in London at the weekend of the growing and troubling defence relationship involving Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Those ties, he said, threaten both Ukraine and Western allies in the Middle East. Chinas Defence Ministry on Monday announced joint naval and air drills with Russia starting this month. While China has not directly provided Russia with arms, it has become a vital economic lifeline as a leading customer for Russian oil and gas. It has also supplied electronics and other items with both civilian and military uses. Afghanistans embassy in London is to close after the Taliban government sacked all the staff based there. The closure follows an announcement by the Taliban in July that it would no longer recognise embassies set up by the previous regime, including the mission in Princes Gate, Kensington. Afghan ambassador to the UK Zalmai Rassoul said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the embassy will close on September 27 at the official request of the host country. He added: We thank and appreciate all colleagues, citizens, and related institutions who have sincerely co-operated with the Afghan Embassy in London during this period. A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: The embassy is being closed following the dismissal of its staff by the Taliban. Many Afghan embassies in Europe have continued to operate since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, while others, including the embassy in Washington DC, have been forced to close due to lack of support from the Taliban regime. The UK does not recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and has moved its own embassy from Kabul to Qatar. But the Government has previously said there is no alternative to engaging pragmatically with the current administration, and the UK continues to work with other nations to provide humanitarian support to the Afghan people. Britain's Kate Middleton is cancer free after completing chemotherapy treatment and is planning to return to limited public engagements in the coming months, she has announced. In a video message released by Kensington Palace on Monday, Kate said she was relieved that her course of preventive chemotherapy was over after an incredibly tough and scary nine months for her and her family. Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus, she said. The princess added that her path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. She referred to stormy waters and an unknown road ahead. Kate has begun working from home on some projects and will return to a light programme of external engagements for the remainder of the year, the palace said. The princesss statement said: As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. The palace released a three-minute video featuring Kate, Prince William and the couples three children taking walks and playing games. Picture: Will Warr/Kensington Palace/PA Wire The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know, it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown. The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved. Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can. Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyones kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright. A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an pic.twitter.com/9S1W8sDHUL The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 9, 2024 The palace released a three-minute video featuring Kate, her husband Prince William and the couples three children taking walks and playing games. It was filmed last month on a beach in Norfolk, according to a Kensington Palace spokesperson. Kate revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer in March. Her news came shortly after her father-in-law, Britain's King Charles III, had disclosed that he was also being treated for cancer. The king has since resumed some public engagements. On Monday Kensington Palace declined to give further details about the princesss illness and treatment, citing her right to medical privacy. The palace will not provide advance information about Kate's public engagements, but she is expected to undertake a handful of such engagements as part of a gradual return to public duties. One of her engagements is likely to be supporting William at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday in November. She is also working on a carol service to take place in December. Decisions about the princesss public engagements next year are expected to be taken in line with medical advice. The princesss openness about her diagnosis and treatment, and her frankness about the emotional challenges she, her husband and three children have faced, have been praised by experts in the cancer field. The Guardian 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 HIGHLIGHTS 35m @ 3.3 g/t gold equivalent (Au Eq.) and 17m @ 2.4 g/t Au Eq. in OEDD-89 52m @ 2.0 g/t Au Eq. in OEDD-90 32m @ 2.1 g/t Au Eq. in OEDD-92 BBM's strike length expanded from around 400 to over 600 metres, with mineralization defined from surface to 250 metres depth with true widths of up to 50 metres. Assay results are pending for 6 more holes from this drill program, from both BBM and Charger. Awale will start a new 8,000-metre drill program, fully-funded by Newmont, in Q4/2024. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - Awale Resources Limited. (TSXV: ARIC) ("Awale" or the "Company") is pleased to announce partial results of a follow-up drilling program from the BBM Zone at the Odienne Project in Cote d'Ivoire. "The high-grade core of BBM has now expanded to over 600 metres, with mineralization remaining open in multiple directions and showing signs of increasing grade at depth. BBM remains open, with a style of mineralization that allows for relatively straightforward growth and delineation of an open pit resource. These results emphasize this discovery's potential scale and significance, and we are eager to expand BBM further as we continue to define this target with additional drilling beginning shortly," commented Andrew Chubb, CEO of Awale Resources. About BBM Zone BBM is a grassroots discovery by Awale (see January 11, 2024 new release), whose gold and copper mineralization and alteration system are controlled by a shear zone that follows an intrusive/sedimentary contact. Drilling completed at BBM covers approximately 2 kilometres of strike along an 8 kilometre long geochemical gold in termitaria geochemical trend this shear zone (link to Figure 1 and link to Figure 2). Awale followed-up on its January 2024 BBM discovery with intersections announced in March 2024 (see March 18, 2024 news release). All 24 holes, totalling over 6,808 metres, at BBM have intercepted mineralization (link to Figure 3 long section) and were drilled in three (3) phases, with pending results for two holes (OEDD-97 and OEDD-98). Drilling was completed on 13 sections with an average spacing of 100 metres between sections and up to 500 metres step-outs to the SE (link to Figure 4). Interpretation of the drilling completed suggests that mineralization at BBM is steeply dipping (70 to 80 degrees) with a gentle plunge (45-55 degrees) toward the northwest. Figures 1 and 2: Combined for the BBM Target (see links below for high resolution) - Plan View , left is simplified Geology showing the 8km the open geochemical anomaly to the NW and SE, and right showing location of the BBM drilling withing this target trend. Alteration at BBM is dominated by silica and biotite with pyrite, chalcopyrite, and molybdenite as the main sulphide species. Recent drilling has shown the presence of footwall mineralization beyond the footwall contact with metasediments to the north side of the structure, where fingers of granodiorite intrude the footwall metasediments. Drilling has also confirmed grade continuity of the mineralization as well as tested for new parallel shoots along the 8km of open strike. The follow-up drilling reported in this release has outlined a core zone of robust high-grade mineralization over 600m and a vertical depth of 250m. The two deeper holes with results pending have also intercepted target geology and alteration with sulphide mineralization. Extending the higher grade core to over 600 metres demonstrates the robust nature of the mineralization and represents a substantial increase in the BBM Zone's definition and potential. Further exploration drilling is expected to enhance the understanding of the target in this promising new region of Cote d'Ivoire. After the wet season, the Company plans to advance the BBM target with an 8,000-metre aircore drill program targeting extensions and satellites and RC drilling in shallower areas within the discovery zone. The program which consisted of 3,627 metres drilled across 10 diamond holes and 2 diamond tails, (hole extensions from previous drilling, targeting footwall mineralization), has significantly extended the known high-grade core of the zone to over 600 metres. It also confirmed the potential for further expansion along strike and down dip/plunge, as well as within the footwall of the main zone. These results indicate increasing grades at depth, and confirm that mineralization remains open along strike and down plunge within the 1.3-kilometre zone. Results are pending for diamond drill holes OEDD-97 and OEDD-98, the two deepest holes for the program, which have traversed target mineralization from approximately 440m downhole in OEDD-97 and 430 metres downhole in OEDD-98. A full table of significant intercepts for the program is provided in Table 1 below, along with drill collar locations in Table 2. LINK TO BBM's OEDD-89 Drill Core Photos LINK TO ALL FIGURES Table 1: Significant Intercepts Hole From (m) to (m) Width (m) Au g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) Mo (ppm) Au Eq. Au gm AuEq gm Composite Trigger g/t OEDD0073 147 173 26 0.6 0.16 0.5 131 0.9 15 23 0.2 including 150 152 2 0.9 0.14 0.6 14 1.1 2 2 0.5 including 160 173 13 0.8 0.24 0.8 230 1.3 11 17 0.5 OEDD0089 318 353 35 2.2 0.48 1.9 567 3.3 77 114 0.5 Including 319 325 6 2.3 0.27 1.0 1071 3.5 14 21 2 Including 330 353 23 2.5 0.60 2.3 365 3.6 59 83 1 and 377 394 17 1.8 0.30 0.9 195 2.4 31 41 0.5 Including 384 390 6 3.1 0.55 1.6 353 4.1 19 25 2 OEDD0090 181 233 52 1.5 0.21 0.9 234 2.0 80 104 0.2 Including 212 231 19 2.6 0.31 1.1 246 3.2 50 62 2 OEDD0091 120 173 53 0.6 0.13 0.6 130 0.9 34 48 0.2 and 134 169 35 0.8 0.14 0.6 158 1.1 28 39 0.5 OEDD0092 84 89 5 0.7 0.46 1.5 18 1.3 4 7 0.5 Including 84 85 1 2.7 1.82 6.1 38 5.2 3 7 1 and 278 310 32.00 1.5 0.36 1.3 138 2.1 48 67 0.50 Including 287 302 15.00 2.4 0.38 1.3 181 3.0 35 45 1.00 OEDD0093 199 233 34.00 0.6 0.59 3.0 40 1.5 22 51 0.20 Including 180 182 2.00 2.5 1.16 4.8 36 4.1 5 8 1.00 and 211 232 21.00 0.8 0.74 3.9 40 1.9 17 40 0.50 Including 215 216 1.00 1.4 0.94 3.8 27 2.8 1 3 1.00 Including 220 221 1.00 3.8 1.02 6.4 132 5.3 4 5 1.00 Including 228 229 1.00 1.5 0.33 2.6 18 2.0 2 2 1.00 OEDD0094 241 257 16.00 0.7 0.37 0.9 146 1.3 12 21 0.50 Including 245 246 1.00 1.9 0.21 0.6 93 2.3 2 2 1.00 Including 252 253 1.00 1.1 0.54 1.0 99 1.9 1 2 1.00 Including 256 257 1.00 1.2 1.03 3.3 85 2.7 1 3 1.00 and 298 317 19.00 0.8 0.14 0.5 69 1.0 15 19 0.50 Including 298 303 5.00 1.1 0.20 0.6 146 1.5 6 8 1.00 Including 307 311 4.00 1.1 0.20 0.5 30 1.4 4 6 1.00 and 333 354 21.00 0.9 0.28 0.9 196 1.4 18 29 0.50 Including 337 349 12.00 1.1 0.32 1.0 231 1.7 13 21 1.00 and 353 354 1.00 1.8 0.35 1.3 43 2.3 2 2 1.00 OEDD0095 185 204 19.00 0.3 0.36 1.4 24 0.8 6 16 0.20 Including 192 193 1.00 0.6 0.81 3.5 63 1.7 1 2 0.50 Including 203 204 1.00 1.2 0.36 1.5 7 1.7 1 2 0.50 and 212 213 1.00 0.6 1.11 3.8 35 2.2 1 2 0.50 and 217 218 1.00 0.6 0.72 2.9 46 1.6 1 2 0.50 and 238 239 1.00 0.6 0.22 2.4 5 1.0 1 1 0.50 OEDD0096 126 137 11.00 0.3 0.15 0.4 178 0.6 3 7 0.20 Including 132 133 1.00 0.5 0.25 0.7 68 0.9 1 1 0.50 and 141 162 21.00 0.9 0.17 0.8 114 1.2 20 26 0.20 Including 144 146 2.00 2.2 0.38 1.5 227 2.9 4 7 1.00 Including 152 161 9.00 1.4 0.17 0.9 95 1.7 12 15 0.50 Including 156 159 3.00 2.9 0.32 1.6 112 3.5 9 10 2.00 Table 2: BBM Drilling Collar Cable HOLEID EASTING NORTHING RL_M AZIM_TRUE DIP EOH_M Comments OEDD0065 655949.04 1048015.91 450.19 35.00 -55.00 209.51 DD Tail from 66m (NSV) OEDD0073 655796.27 1048113.92 448.95 35.00 -55.00 107.30 DD Tail from 209m OEDD0089 655813.07 1047963.67 445.71 31.20 -57.47 410.00 OEDD0090 655993.81 1047946.69 450.68 35.00 -55.00 317.27 OEDD0091 656138.39 1047853.14 455.30 35.00 -55.00 194.20 OEDD0092 655702.70 1048073.71 451.07 35.00 -55.00 335.30 OEDD0093 655379.89 1048249.71 458.08 35.00 -55.00 278.27 OEDD0094 655518.24 1048148.92 457.56 35.00 -55.00 398.30 OEDD0095 655305.16 1048288.12 458.20 35.00 -55.00 284.15 OEDD0096 656212.45 1047770.64 460.13 35.00 -55.00 191.18 OEDD0097 655771.52 1047907.10 448.81 35.00 -55.00 524.00 Results Pending OEDD0098 655709.29 1047942.84 451.40 35.00 -55.00 525.92 Results Pending About Awale Resources Awale is a diligent and systematic mineral exploration company focused on discovering large high-grade gold and copper-gold deposits. The Company currently undertakes exploration activities in the underexplored regions of Cote d'Ivoire. Awale's exploration success to date has culminated in a fully funded earn-in joint venture with Newmont Ventures Limited ("Newmont"), covering one permit and one application (the "Odienne Project JV"), within the greater Odienne Copper-Gold Project in the northwest of Cote d'Ivoire, where three gold, gold-copper, and gold-copper-silver-molybdenum discoveries have been made. The Sceptre East and Charger discoveries offer significant potential for growth with future discovery and resource development drilling. The Odienne Project JV has multiple pipeline prospects with similar geochemical signatures to Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and intrusive-related mineral systems. The 400 km of granted tenure and 400 km under application remain underexplored and present substantial upside potential. The Odienne Project JV forms a solid foundation for the Company to continue exploring in a pro-mining jurisdiction that offers significant potential for district-scale discoveries. The greater Odienne Copper-Gold Project includes an additional four applications and an option agreement. The Odienne Project JV The Odienne Project JV covers one permit and one application within the greater Odienne Gold-Copper Project and is subject to an earn-in agreement with Newmont (see May 31, 2022 news release). Through this agreement, Newmont retains the option to earn a minimum 65% interest from Awale in the Odienne Project JV in exchange for US$15 million in exploration expenditures. Newmont is funding the exploration program while Awale manages the Odienne Project JV during the initial three-year phase. Quality Control and Assurance Analytical work for drill samples is being carried out at the independent Intertek Laboratories in Ghana and Australia, an ISO 17025 (2017) Certified Laboratory. Samples are stored at the Company's field camps and put into sealed bags until collected by Intertek from the Company's secure Odienne office and transported by Intertek to their preparation laboratory in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire, for preparation. Samples are logged in the tracking system, weighed, dried, and pulverized to greater than 85%, passing a 75-micron screen. Two pulps are prepared from each sample with one stream to Intertek Ghana for fire assay and a second to Australia where the sample is analysed by 52 element ICP/MS with an Aqua Regia digest. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference material (standards) are being used to monitor laboratory performance during the analysis. All fire assay samples returning greater than 5 g/t gold are routinely Screen Fire Assayed, in this special case lower than 5g samples up and down hole from the high grade interval in OEDD-88 were also subject to Screen Fire Assays. As a further QC precaution due to visible gold presence, Intertek was requested to insert a quartz wash between each sample in the mineralised interval, ensuring no sample contamination in the preparation process. Mineralized Interval Calculations Significant intervals reported in this news release are calculated downhole length weighted intercepts. For the BBM target initial mineralized are calculated at a 0.2 g/t trigger and include up to 5 metres internal waste for of delineation mineralized zones. Included intervals are at 0.5, 1g/t and 2g/t trigger values with 3m of internal waste only. Table 1 Contains a list of all BBM holes - including OEDD-70 and OEDD-75 which contain mineralized intervals at less than the 0.2 g/t Au trigger value. True Widths are estimated to be 70% of the downhole widths. Au Equivalent Calculations Au Equivalent is calculated using the following parameters in USD: Au - 1910/Oz (Troy), Cu 3.80/lb, Mo 40,000/Tonne and Ag 23.40/Oz (Troy) Prices are 12 month average for 2023 closing price, and the Formula AuEq = Au (g/t) + ((Cu(ppm) * 0.00014) + (Mo(ppm) * 0.00065) + (Ag(g/t)*0.01225)) assuming 100% recovery rates. Abbreviations Used in this Release Ag Silver Au Gold Au Eq. Gold Equivalent Cu Copper Cu Eq. Copper Equivalent g/t grams per tonne km Kilometres m Metres Qualified Person The technical and scientific information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved for release by Andrew Chubb, the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr Chubb is the Company's Chief Executive Officer and holds an Economic Geology degree, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) and is a Member of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). Mr. Chubb has over 20 years of experience in international mineral exploration and mining project evaluation. AWALE Resources Limited On behalf of the Board of Directors "Andrew Chubb" Chief Executive Officer The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedarplus.com. For further information on the Company, please visit our website at www.awaleresources.com. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding, the Company's presence in Cote d'Ivoire and ability to achieve results, creation of value for Company shareholders, achievements under the Newmont JV, works on other properties, planned drilling, commencement of operations. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws. 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 - TheNewswire - September 9, 2024: Headwater Gold Inc. (CSE: HWG) (OTCQB: HWAUF) (the "Company" or "Headwater") is pleased to announce that the Company and Centerra Gold Inc. (Centerra) have agreed to a strategic investment under which Centerra will acquire 9.9% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. Centerra will purchase, through a non-brokered private placement, 7,000,000 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.22 per share for gross proceeds of $1,540,000 (the Offering). The issue price represents a 15% premium to the last closing price of Headwater common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) as of September 6, 2024. Caleb Stroup, President and CEO of the Company, states: We are very pleased to welcome Centerra as a new strategic Headwater shareholder. The Company continues to advance our mission of delivering value through the discovery of high-grade, high-upside gold deposits in one of the most mining friendly jurisdictions in the world and I believe this represents a great vote of confidence in both our technical work and overall business strategy. This additional capital comes at an attractive premium and favorable terms for shareholders and will result in a strong treasury position of over $4M to accelerate our ongoing generative initiatives and 100% funded exploration activities in Nevada in a rising gold price environment. The proceeds from the Offering will be used for exploration activities at the Companys western United States projects and for general working capital. The closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, approval of the CSE and receipt of all required regulatory and other approvals. The Company anticipates the Offering will close on September 16, 2024 and does not intend to expand the offering beyond the participation by Centerra. The Company and Centerra will enter into an investor rights agreement, whereby, subject to certain conditions, including time and ownership thresholds, Centerra will retain certain limited rights, including the right to participate in future equity issuances to maintain its percentage ownership in the Company. All securities issued will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For further information, please contact: Brennan Zerb Investor Relations Manager +1 (778) 867-5016 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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. This intersection includes 4.3 g/t gold over 32 metres, including 30.3 g/t gold over 1 metre Other results returned 0.7 g/t gold over 301 metres from surface with multiple higher grade sub intervals Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - Lavras Gold Corp. (TSXV: LGC) (OTCQX: LGCFF) ("Lavras Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to release the results from 12 new drillholes testing the Fazenda do Posto Gold Target, located at the western edge of the LDS Project in southern Brazil. Gold mineralization was intersected in eleven of the 12 new holes reported in this news release at the Fazenda do Posto Gold Target ("Fazenda do Posto" or "Fazenda Gold Target)". The purpose of these drillholes was two-fold: (1) to better understand the geometry and grade distribution of this new gold discovery, and (2) to test for potential extensions of gold mineralization in several directions. The Fazenda Gold Target remains open to the west, north and northwest, south and at depth with the Butia Gold Deposit occurring to the east. These new results continue to move Lavras Gold toward its short-term goal of defining an economically feasible gold resource on the LDS Project, focused on the Butia Gold Deposit and the adjacent Fazenda do Posto Gold Target. HIGHLIGHTS Deposit Geometry At Fazenda do Posto gold mineralization has been found beginning at surface and traced down to a vertical depth of about 400 metres and an areal extent of about 200 metres. The mineralized zone appears to be an irregular shaped pipe-like feature plunging to the northwest. The current results suggest that there may be several parallel northeast trending structures to the northwest that are important exploration targets that remain untested. Drilling Hole 24FP016 returned: 59.0 metres grading 2.9 g/t gold from 233.0 metres, and including: 50.0 metres grading 3.2 g/t gold from 238.0 metres, and including 32.0 metres grading 4.3 g/t gold from 240.0 metres, and including 3.0 metres grading 17.6 g/t gold from 253.0 metres, and including 1.0 metre grading 9.6 g/t gold from 253.0 metres, and including 1.0 metre grading 23.3 g/t gold from 254.0 metres, and including 1.0 metre grading 30.3 g/t gold from 255.0 metres. and including: Hole 24FP017 returned: 301.0 metres grading 0.7 g/t gold from surface and including: 261.0 metres grading 0.8 g/t gold from 3.0 metres, and including 27.0 metres grading 1.3 g/t gold from 50.0 metres , and including 19.0 metres grading 1.1 g/t gold from 84.0 metres, and including 7.0 metres grading 1.4 g/t gold from 84.0 metres, and including 3.0 metres grading 1.4 g/t gold from 123.0 metres, and including 14.0 metres grading 1.7 g/t gold from 144.0 metres, and including 61.0 metres grading 1.4 g/t gold from 192.0 metres, and including 22.0 metres grading 1.9 g/t gold from 192.0 metres and including: Hole 24FP020 intersected: 120.0 metres grading 0.9 g/t gold from 145.0 m and including: 25.0 metres grading 1.1 g/t gold from 163.0 metres, and including 10.0 metres grading 1.5 g/t gold from 178.0 metres and including 2.0 metres grading 2.7 g/t gold from 181.0 metres and including 19.0 metres grading 1.4 g/t gold from 194.0 metres and including 13.0 metres grading 1.7 g/t gold from 194.0 metres and including 11.0 metres grading 2.2 g/t gold from 250 metres and including 3.0 metres grading 4.2 g/t gold from 250 metres and including 1.0 metre grading 10.2 g/t gold from 251 metres. and including: "We are extremely pleased with these results from Fazenda do Posto. These findings are consistent with previous drilling results where we see very long intervals of moderate grade disseminated gold mineralization over hundreds of metres within episyenite host rock beginning at or near surface, highlighted by significantly higher-grade subintervals," commented Lavras CEO Michael Durose. "Long continuous intervals of gold mineralization over more than 200 metres depth beginning at surface confirm the bulk-tonnage nature of Fazenda do Posto. "The higher-grade zone of 59 metres grading 2.9 g/t gold in hole 24FP016 is significant, demonstrating that higher grade sweet spots exist within the episyenite style of mineralization. Importantly, this high-grade type of mineralization is associated with disseminated sulphides including pyrite and galena within the episyenite host rock, opening up the possibility of wider zones of high-grade mineralization. Our understanding of the geological controls to gold mineralization is greatly improving as the drilling program progresses. The possible presence of parallel northeast trending structures opens important exploration targets that remain to be tested." Click here for commentary from CEO Michael Durose on today's drilling results. [* Footnote: Butia hosts an NI 43-101 compliant near-surface gold resource of about 500,000 ounces, as detailed in the NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource for Butia Gold Prospect dated and effective January 25, 2022. The report was prepared by VMG Consultoria e Solucoes Ltda. for Lavras Gold Corp. and is available on the Company's website and www.sedar.com under Lavras Gold's issuer profile.] Discussion of Drill Results - Fazenda do Posto Figure 1 indicates the location of the mineral showings on the LDS Project. Fazenda do Posto is situated approximately 150 metres west of Butia - the most advanced gold deposit on the LDS Project consisting of approximately 500,000 ounces of gold. The purpose of the current drilling program at Fazenda do Posto is to better understand the geometry and grade distribution of the target, and to gain insight into the geological controls of gold mineralization. Furthermore, the drilling program is designed to test for extensions to know mineralization and prepare this discovery for an eventual gold resource estimate. Recent drilling results from Fazenda do Posto were disclosed in the Lavras Gold News Release dated February 29, 2024. A total of 7,060 metres of drilling in 24 drillholes has tested the Fazenda gold target in the last 12 months. The locations of the drillholes are shown in Figure 2. A cross-section looking northwest is shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 shows a cross-section looking south. Table 1 summarizes assay results including newly disclosed results (drillholes 23FP013 to 24FP024) in this press release, and results disclosed previously. Table 2 tabulates drillhole information including collar coordinates and drillhole depths. Note that the collar coordinates for Fazenda do Posto have been updated to reflect a recently completed detailed land survey of all drill collars versus the GPS coordinates previously disclosed. Drillhole 24FP016 was collared 60 metres northwest of the trace of drillhole 23FP002 and drilled vertically. The purpose of this hole was to test the lateral continuity of gold mineralization northwest of 23FP002 and to understand the depth, thickness and gold grade in this area. The hole confirmed a thick continuous zone of disseminated high-grade gold hosted within white, bleached episyenite starting at a vertical depth of 233.0 metres. Highlights of the hole are shown below. 59.0 metres grading 2.9 g/t gold from 233.0 metres, and including: 50.0 metres grading 3.2 g/t gold from 238.0 metres, and including 32.0 metres grading 4.3 g/t gold from 240.0 metres, and including 3.0 metres grading 17.6 g/t gold from 253.0 metres, and including 1.0 metre grading 9.6 g/t gold from 253.0 metres, and including 1.0 metre grading 23.3 g/t gold from 254.0 metres, and including 1.0 metre grading 30.3 g/t gold from 255.0 metres. and including: Figure 5 shows a photo of this mineralized zone. The episyenite host rock is bleached pink-white and consists of 1-2 disseminated sulphides in the matrix to potassium feldspar phenocrysts. The sulphide minerals include pyrite, +- arsenian pyrite, and galena. The high-grade nature of the gold mineralization including up to 30.3 g/t gold is associated with the disseminated style of mineralization. Drillhole 24FP017 was collared in the middle of the trace of drillhole 23FP002 in the north-central portion of the Fazenda do Posto Gold Target (see Figure 2). The hole was drilled vertically and designed to test the vertical continuity of gold mineralization encountered in hole 23BT002 that included 340.0 metres grading 1.10 g/t gold from a vertical depth of about 100 metres. 23BT017 was drilled vertically (see Figure 3) for the purpose of characterizing the vertical continuity of mineralization and defining the mineral deposit at depth. A long interval of continuous bulk-tonnage disseminated gold mineralization was encountered from surface to a depth of 301.0 metres within mineralized episyenite with minor subintervals of perthitic granite as detailed below. Multiple higher-grade subintervals were encountered throughout the hole. 301.0 metres grading 0.7 g/t gold from surface (0.0 metres) and including: 261.0 metres grading 0.8 g/t gold from 3.0 metres, and including 27.0 metres grading 1.3 g/t gold from 50.0 metres , and 19.0 metres grading 1.1 g/t gold from 84.0 metres, and including 7.0 metres grading 1.4 g/t gold from 84.0 metres, and 3.0 metres grading 1.4 g/t gold from 123.0 metres, and 14.00 metres grading 1.7 g/t gold from 144.00 metres, and 61.00 metres grading 1.4 g/t gold from 192.0 metres, and including 22.00 metres grading 1.9 g/t gold from 192.0 metres (0.0 metres) and including: Drillhole 24FP018 was collared along the axis of drillhole 23FP002 and drilled on an azimuth of 020 degrees and a dip of 60 degrees in the central portion of the Fazenda Gold Target (see Figures 2, 3 & 4). The hole tested a zone southwest and down dip from hole 23FP007. The purpose of this hole was to better understand the nature, grade and continuity of gold mineralization in this portion of the deposit. Continuous gold mineralization was encountered over long intervals in episyenite and mineralized perthitic granite. Higher-grade subintervals were observed within zones of episyenite hosting pyrite +/-arsenian pyrite. A zone of intense hydrothermal breccia was intersected at 101.0 metres (see Figure 6) characterized by a hematite-rich scarlet red matrix and angular to subangular k-feldspar phenocrysts. A summary of assay composites is as follows: 75.00 metres grading 1.1 g/t gold from 68.0 metres and including: 32.0 metres grading 1.8 g/t gold from 75.0 metres, and including 21.00 metres grading 2.4 g/t gold from 86.0 metres, and including 9.00 metres grading 4.2 g/t gold from 86.0 metres, and 1.00 metre grading 8.9 g/t gold from 97.0 metres. and including: Hole 24FP019 was collared about 45 metres east of 24FP017 and was drilled vertically to test the continuity of mineralization. The hole intersected mineralization as follows: 25.0 metres grading 1.2 g/t gold from surface (0.0 metres), and including 12.0 metres grading 2.4 g/t gold from 11.0 metres, and including 1.0 metre grading 26.4 g/t gold from 15.0 metres; and including 1.0 metre grading 0.5 g/t gold from 38.0 metres 2.0 metre grading 0.41 g/t gold from 59.0 metres. The high-grade interval at 15.0 metres skews the overall grade of this interval. If the high grade 26.4 g/t interval is cut to 10 g/t gold, the overall interval becomes 0.6 g/t gold over 25.0 metres from surface. Drillhole 24FP020 was positioned 50 metres northwest of 23FP003 and drilled vertically (see Figures 2-4). The purpose of this hole was to better grasp the nature of the geology and mineralization vertically in this portion of the deposit. A continuous bulk-tonnage and disseminated style of mineralization consisting mainly of disseminated pyrite +/- arsenian pyrite within episyenite +/- perthitic granite (see Figure 7) occurred from 145.0 metres to a depth of 265.0 metres having an average grade of 0.9 g/t gold. This included several higher-grade subintervals as detailed below: 120.0 metres grading 0.9 g/t gold from 145.0 metres and including: 25.0 metres grading 1.1 g/t gold from 163.0 metres, and including 4.0 metres grading 1.4 g/t gold from 168.0 metres, 10.0 metres grading 1.5 g/t gold from 178.0 metres, and including 2.0 metres grading 2.7 g/t gold from 181.0 metres, 19.0 metres grading 1.4 g/t gold from 194.0 metres, and including 13.0 metres grading 1.7 g/t gold from 194.0 metres, 11.0 metres grading 1.2 g/t gold from 223.0 metres, and including 2.0 metres grading 1.8 g/t gold from 232.0 metres 11.0 metres grading 2.2 g/t gold from 250.0 metres, and including 3.00 metres grading 4.2 g/t gold from 250.0 metres, and including 1.00 metre grading 10.2 g/t gold from 251.0 metres and including: Gold mineralization occurs within mineralized episyenite and perthitic granite. Higher grade subintervals are associated with elevated concentrations of sulphide minerals. Drillhole 24FP021 was collared 50 metres southeast of drillhole 23FP003. The hole was drilled vertically and designed to test the mineralized footprint between Fazenda do Posto and Butia to the east (see Figures 2-4). The hole encountered continuous mineralized episyenite and perthitic granite over an interval of 130.0 metres from surface having an average grade of 0.5 g/t gold. The hole contains numerous higher-grade subintervals. Details of this hole are shown below: 130.0 metres grading 0.5 g/t gold from surface (0.0 metres), and including: 6.0 metres grading 1.1 g/t gold from 13.0 metres, and including 1.0 metre grading 4.4 g/t gold from 16.0 metres 10.0 metres grading 1.1 g/t gold from 32.0 metres, and including 5.0 metres grading 1.5 g/t gold from 32.0 metres 9.0 metres grading 1.5 g/t gold from 90.0 metres, and including 3.0 metres grading 3.1 g/t gold from 96.0 metres, 1.0 metres grading 1.1 g/t gold from 118.0 metres. Drillhole 24FP022 was positioned 70 metres northwest of the drill collar for hole 23FP002 and drilled vertically (see Figures 2-4). The hole encountered sporadic intervals of gold mineralization beginning at 167 metres depth within predominantly perthitic gold granite host rock. Highlights are shown below: 1.00 metre grading 0.5 g/t gold from 167.0 metres, 11.00 metres grading 0.3 g/t gold from 176.0 metres, and including: 2.00 metres grading 0.8 g/t gold from 176.0 metres; 2.00 metres grading 0.5 g/t gold from 184.0 metres. Drillhole 24FP023 was step out hole to the southwest designed to test for the possible extension of metasomatic alteration and gold mineralization to the southwest of the Fazenda do Posto gold discovery. The hole was collared southwest of Fazenda do Posto and drilled on an azimuth of 065 degrees and a dip of 60 degrees. Relatively fresh granodiorite was encountered in the upper parts of the hole for the first 147.0 metres and then transitions into altered perthitic granite characterized by metasomatic alteration. A minor interval consisting of 1.0 metres grading 0.3 g/t gold was found at 274.0 metres in perthitic granite. The hole is interpreted to have been stopped short of the main mineralized zone. Drillhole 23FP024 was collared 70 metres northeast of 23FP002 and drilled vertically to test for gold mineralization between Fazenda do Posto and Butia along the northwestern edge of Butia (see Figures 2-4). The hole encountered 56.0 metres grading 0.3 g/t gold in mineralized perthitic granite from 80.0 metres. This included several higher-grade subintervals as detailed below. 56.0 metres grading 0.3 g/t gold from 58.0 metres including: 6.0 metres grading 0.4 g/t gold from 58.0 metres, and including 1.0 metre grading 0.8 g/t gold from 61.0 metres 1.0 metre grading 0.9 g/t gold from 70.0 metres 7.0 metres grading 0.5 g/t gold from 89.0 metres; and including 1.0 metre grading 0.8 g/t gold from 91.0 metres. Interpretation and Next Steps The latest drilling results confirm the continuous disseminated style of gold mineralization found at Fazenda do Posto. Generally, a higher-grade core of gold mineralization hosted within episyenite is enveloped by a lower-grade halo of gold within metasomatically derived perthitic granite. There are zones of very high grade episyenite as defined by drillhole 24FP016 that returned 59.0 metres grading 2.9 g/t gold. So far, gold mineralization has been found beginning at surface and traced down to a vertical depth of about 400 metres and an areal extent of about 200 metres. The mineralized zone appears to be an irregular shaped pipe-like feature plunging to the northwest. There is a strong structural control to gold mineralization. Specifically, northeast trending structures are thought to play an important role in localizing and focusing gold mineralization. The current thinking is that that there may be several parallel northeast trending structures to the northwest that are important exploration targets that remain untested. Drilling between Fazenda do Posto and the adjacent Butia Gold Deposit to the east intersected important intervals of low-grade gold mineralization in drill holes 24FP021 and 24FP024, potentially connecting these two zones between a northeast trending fault. Approximately 10,000 metres of a 25,000-metre drilling budget has been completed on the LDS project since the beginning of 2024. Most of the drilling has focused on Butia and Fazenda do Posto. Drilling is on-going at both targets with two drills. Fazenda do Posto remains open to the west, north and northwest, south and at depth. The Butia Deposit is 150 metres to the east of Fazenda do Posto. Surface exploration work in the area has identified several targets that require drill-testing soon as the exploration program evolves. This includes several zones of recessive topography (lower areas) that have been identified in the field, and some surface areas that are displaying rocks with hydrothermal alteration features. A third drill has been mobilized to the Caneleira concession to the north of Fazenda do Posto where numerous exploration targets have been defined through surface exploration work including soil geochemistry, favourable structural patterns identified by drone a magnetic survey and air photo interpretation, and old workings including trenches and pits that have been sampled. The targets on the Caneleira concession are interpreted to be structurally controlled cataclastic gold systems associated with important northeast trending structures. Typical alteration minerals include hematite, sericite and intense silicification. Gold appears to be associated with fine grained disseminated pyrite. Drilling is currently testing the Orlaria target to the northeast of Fazenda do Posto and Butia (see Figure 1). Historical drillhole LDH-105 completed in 2007 by Lavras Gold's predecessor company, Amarillo Gold, tested the Orlaria target and returned multiple intervals of gold mineralization across an interpreted northeast trending structure as follows: 12.0 metres grading 4.5 g/t gold from 26.0 metres 3.0 metres grading 1.2 g/t gold from 68.0 metres 2.0 metres grading 0.4 g/t gold from 79.5 metres 3.0 metres grading 0.7 g/t gold from 108.0 metres 5.0 metres grading 0.5 g/t gold from 114.0 metres 2.0 metres grading 1.0 g/t gold from 135.0 metres 1.0 metres grading 0.5 g/t gold from 148.0 metres 2.0 metres grading 0.5 g/t gold from 152.0 metres 3.0 metres grading 2.7 g/t gold from 160.0 metres Lavras Gold geologists have reviewed this drill core that is stored on site and confirm that the gold intervals referenced above correspond visually to zones of mineralization and alteration. In addition to drilling activities, the geology team is completing on-going field related activities including prospecting, geological mapping, and rock sampling with the goal of defining further future drill targets. Table 1. Summary of Drillhole Composites from the Fazenda do Posto Gold Target Drill Hole From (metres) To (metres) Interval (metres) Gold grade (grams/tonne) Comment 23FP001 77.00 153.00 76.00 0.17 Perthitic granite mixed with episyenite 85.00 86.00 1.00 0.32 Perthitic Granite 90.00 93.00 3.00 0.33 Episyenite 96.00 97.00 1.00 0.57 Episyenite 102.00 104.00 2.00 0.34 Episyenite 109.00 110.00 1.00 0.42 Episyenite 113.00 118.00 5.00 0.23 Perthitic Granite 135.00 137.00 2.00 0.47 Perthitic Granite 143.00 144.00 1.00 0.26 Perthitic Granite 23FP002 58.00 59.00 1.00 0.18 Albitite 117.00 457.00 340.00 1.09 Mineralized episyenite Including 199.00 359.00 160.00 1.79 Episyenite Including 208.00 235.00 27.00 2.07 Episyenite Including 293.00 361.00 68.00 2.09 Episyenite 23FP003 24.00 27.00 3.00 0.71 Albitite 87.00 294.00 207.00 0.49 Episyenite including 87.00 227.00 140.00 0.67 Episyenite Including 87.00 195.00 108.00 0.80 Episyenite Including 87.00 151.00 64.00 0.91 Episyenite Including 106.00 145.00 39.00 1.17 Episyenite 23FP004 No Significant Values Fresh Granodiorite 23FP005 118.00 119.00 1.00 0.26 Albitite 131.55 135.00 3.45 1.01 Perthitic Granite 139.00 140.00 1.00 0.99 Perthitic Granite 143.00 146.00 3.00 1.21 Perthitic Granite 159.00 161.00 2.00 0.26 Perthitic Granite 171.00 172.00 1.00 0.33 Perthitic Granite 176.00 177.00 1.00 0.30 Perthitic Granite 181.00 182.00 1.00 0.33 Perthitic Granite 23BT006 31.06 261.00 229.94 0.86 Episyenite including 31.06 235.00 203.94 0.95 Episyenite including 31.06 222.00 190.94 1.00 Episyenite including 149.00 214.00 65.00 1.94 Episyenite including 149.00 187.00 38.00 2.03 Episyenite including 154.00 164.00 10.00 2.96 Episyenite including 190.00 205.00 15.00 2.05 Episyenite 23FP007 No Significant Values Fresh Granodiorite, Perthitic Granite 23FP008 104.00 105.00 1.00 0.27 Episyenite 114.00 115.00 1.00 0.42 Episyenite 106.00 229.00 123.00 1.12 Episyenite including 228.00 306.00 78.00 1.36 Episyenite including 231.00 266.00 35.00 2.46 Episyenite 325.00 345.00 20.00 0.60 Perthitic Granite including 331.00 335.00 4.00 2.67 Perthitic Granite including 332.00 335.00 3.00 3.49 Perthitic Granite 23FP009 1.00 3.00 2.00 0.49 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration 15.00 16.00 1.00 0.40 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration 23.01 37.00 13.99 0.79 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration Including 29.00 38.00 9.00 0.91 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration 40.00 40.94 0.94 0.25 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration 75.00 77.00 2.00 0.72 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration 93.00 96.00 3.00 0.44 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration 131.00 132.00 1.00 0.41 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration 149.00 152.00 3.00 0.44 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration 157.00 160.00 3.00 0.43 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration 162.00 163.00 1.00 0.25 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration 164.00 168.00 4.00 0.30 Episyenite and Metasomatic Alteration 23FP010 3.00 147.00 144.00 0.58 Pervasive albite alteration, episyenite, PG Including 3.00 44.00 41.00 1.00 Episyenite Including 3.00 4.00 1.00 1.06 Episyenite Including 23.00 44.00 21.00 1.29 Episyenite Including 23.00 26.00 3.00 1.07 Episyenite Including 31.00 40.00 9.00 2.17 Episyenite Including 31.00 35.00 4.00 3.46 Episyenite Including 50.00 51.00 1.00 1.14 Episyenite Including 64.00 65.00 1.00 1.28 Episyenite Including 72.00 79.00 7.00 0.89 Episyenite Including 78.00 80.00 2.00 1.55 Episyenite Including 83.00 90.00 7.00 1.02 Episyenite Including 107.00 111.41 4.41 1.21 Perthitic Granite Including 139.00 142.00 3.00 0.97 Episyenite 23FP011 32.00 33.00 1.00 0.29 Episyenite 69.00 242.00 173.00 0.95 Episyenite Including 75.00 79.00 4.00 1.16 Episyenite Including 97.00 103.00 6.00 1.07 Episyenite Including 99.00 101.00 2.00 2.08 Episyenite Including 126.00 220.83 94.83 1.37 Episyenite Including 126.00 128.00 2.00 3.56 Episyenite Including 135.00 138.00 3.00 2.47 Episyenite Including 153.00 161.00 8.00 1.64 Episyenite Including 166.10 181.00 14.90 1.66 Episyenite Including 191.00 204.00 13.00 1.46 Episyenite Including 209.00 215.00 6.00 2.01 Episyenite Including 239.13 241.13 2.00 1.97 Episyenite 23FP012 4.00 5.27 1.27 0.29 Episyenite 12.00 14.00 2.00 0.32 Episyenite 58.00 60.00 2.00 0.27 Episyenite 63.00 64.00 1.00 3.19 Episyenite 58.00 173.00 115.00 0.59 Episyenite, albite alteration Including 83.00 84.00 1.00 2.26 Episyenite Including 87.77 89.92 2.15 0.95 Episyenite Including 102.16 104.00 1.84 1.06 Episyenite Including 107.00 108.00 1.00 0.95 Episyenite Including 110.00 111.00 1.00 1.10 Episyenite Including 118.00 171.00 53.00 0.86 Episyenite, intermittent Perthitic Granite Including 118.00 119.00 1.00 1.09 Episyenite Including 121.00 169.00 48.00 0.91 Episyenite, intermittent Perthitic Granite Including 130.00 156.00 26.00 1.08 Episyenite, intermittent Perthitic Granite Including 130.00 145.00 15.00 1.24 Episyenite Including 162.00 168.00 6.00 1.09 Episyenite 23FP013 259.00 264.00 5.00 0.229 Perthitic Granite 299.00 309.00 10.00 0.364 Episyenite 24FP014 195.00 195.70 0.70 0.262 Episyenite 24FP015 No Significant Values Fresh Granodiorite 24FP016 190.00 191.00 1.00 0.655 Episyenite 202.00 203.00 1.00 0.803 Episyenite 233.00 292.00 59.00 2.853 Episyenite including 238.00 288.00 50.00 3.232 Episyenite including 240.00 272.00 32.00 4.335 Episyenite including 253.00 256.00 3.00 17.628 Episyenite including 253.00 254.00 1.00 9.55 Episyenite including 254.00 255.00 1.00 23.267 Episyenite including 255.00 256.00 1.00 30.33 Episyenite 24FP017 0.00 301.00 301.00 0.684 Albite, Episyenite, Perthitic Granite Including 3.00 261.00 261.00 0.769 Albite, Episyenite, Perthitic Granite Including 50.00 77.00 27.00 1.278 Episyenite Including 84.00 103.00 19.00 1.131 Episyenite including 84.00 99.00 15.00 1.272 Episyenite Including 84.00 91.00 7.00 1.441 Episyenite Including 123.00 126.00 3.00 1.431 Episyenite Including 144.00 158.00 14.00 1.666 Episyenite Including 192.00 253.00 61.00 1.414 Episyenite Including 192.00 214.00 22.00 1.856 Episyenite 24FP018 68.00 143.00 75.00 1.108 Episyenite including 75.00 107.00 32.00 1.784 Episyenite including 86.00 107.00 21.00 2.387 Episyenite including 86.00 95.00 9.00 4.167 Episyenite including 97.00 98.00 1.00 8.937 Episyenite 24FP019 0.00 25.00 25.00 1.226 Perthitic Granite including 11.00 23.00 12.00 2.382 Perthitic Granite including 15.00 16.00 1.00 26.40 Perthitic Granite 38.00 39.00 1.00 0.450 Perthitic Granite 59.00 61.00 2.00 0.410 Perthitic Granite 24FP020 145.00 265.00 120.00 0.939 Episyenite, Perthitic Granite including 163.00 188.00 25.00 1.096 Episyenite including 168.00 172.00 4.00 1.362 Episyenite including 178.00 188.00 10.00 1.504 Episyenite including 181.00 183.00 2.00 2.693 Episyenite including 194.00 213.00 19.00 1.422 Episyenite including 194.00 207.00 13.00 1.677 Episyenite including 194.00 198.00 4.00 1.251 Episyenite including 223.00 234.00 11.00 1.167 Episyenite including 233.00 235.00 2.00 1.810 Episyenite including 250.00 261.00 11.00 2.185 Episyenite including 250.00 253.00 3.00 4.154 Episyenite including 251.00 252.00 1.00 10.220 Episyenite 24FP021 0.00 130.00 130.00 0.477 Perthitic Granite, Episyenite including 13.00 19.00 6.00 1.114 Episyenite including 16.00 17.00 1.00 4.428 Episyenite including 32.00 42.00 10.00 1.063 Episyenite including 32.00 37.00 5.00 1.507 Episyenite including 90.00 99.00 9.00 1.496 Episyenite including 96.00 99.00 3.00 3.116 Episyenite including 118.00 119.00 1.00 1.088 Episyenite 24FP022 167.00 168.00 1.00 0.477 Perthitic Granite 176.00 187.00 11.00 0.249 Perthitic Granite including 176.00 178.00 2.00 0.753 Perthitic Granite including 184.00 186.00 2.00 0.449 Perthitic Granite 24FP023 274.00 275.00 1.00 0.248 Perthitic Granite 24FP024 58.00 114.00 56.00 0.29 Perthitic Granite including 58.00 64.00 6.00 0.401 Perthitic Granite including 61.00 62.00 1.00 0.834 Perthitic Granite including 70.00 71.00 1.00 0.856 Perthitic Granite including 89.00 96.00 7.00 0.467 Perthitic Granite including 91.00 92.00 1.00 0.81 Perthitic Granite Assumes 0.25 g/t gold cut-off grade, no top cut. The Company has been targeting larger intersections of greater than 0.25 g/t gold. Intersections lower than this threshold may provide exploration insight and may therefore be disclosed. Intervals represent drill core interval; true widths have not been determined at this time. Table 2. Fazenda do Posto Drillhole Coordinates Drill Elevation Azimuth Dip Start Depth Final Depth Hole Easting Northing (metres) (Degrees) (Degrees) (metres) (metres) 23FP001 217906 6586455 393 20 -60 0 214.1 23FP002 217857 6586483 392 20 -60 0 464.6 23FP003 217890 6586569 392 0 -90 0 332.2 23FP004 217827 6586607 396 200 -60 0 201.3 23FP005 217933 6586311 405 20 -60 0 248.2 23FP006 217933 6586677 386 200 -60 0 299.8 23FP007 217929 6586676 386 20 -60 0 161.4 23FP008 217932 6586675 386 200 -60 0 401.4 23FP009 217911 6586590 389 290 -60 0 232.9 23FP010 217910 6586591 389 110 -60 0 300.0 23FP011 217929 6586674 386 220 -60 0 283.8 23FP012 217846 6586648 391 110 -60 0 231.5 23FP013 217844 6586648 391 0 -90 0 369.5 24FP014 217828 6586388 397 20 -60 0 292.1 24FP015 217856 6586477 392 0 -90 0 311.9 24FP016 217862 6586633 390 0 -90 0 342.6 24FP017 217913 6586610 387 0 -90 0 382.6 24FP018 217889 6586566 392 20 -60 0 310.4 24FP019 217955 6586598 383 0 -90 0 312.5 24FP020 217843 6586591 395 0 -90 0 283.0 24FP021 217935 6586552 386 0 -90 0 247.2 24FP022 217822 6586541 395 0 -90 0 243.9 24FP023 217619 6586441 410 65 -60 0 411.9 24FP024 217920 6586503 389 0 -90 0 180.9 Figure 1. Regional Soil Geochemistry Anomalies versus Geology of the Lavras do Sul Intrusive Complex and Known Mineral Showings. Figure 2. Plan View of 2023 and 2024 Fazenda do Posto Drillholes. (Several drillholes are collared in the same location - refer to Table 2 for details) Figure 3. Cross-Section Looking Northwest of 2023 and 2024 Fazenda do Posto Drillholes showing Lithology and Gold Assay Grades. Figure 4. Cross-Section Looking South of 2023 and 2024 Fazenda do Posto Drillholes showing Lithology and Gold Assay Grade. Figure 5. Episyenite from Drillhole 24FP016 showing Bleached Pinkish-White Colouration Reflecting Intense Na Alteration with 1-2% Disseminated Pyrite +- Arsenian Pyrite (yellow-bronze) and Galena (gray) with Iron-rich Chlorite (dark greenish-black). This Sample from Drillhole 24FP016 Spans the Interval 254.0 m to 255.0 m and Grades 23.267 g/t Gold. Figure 6. Episyenite - Brecciated with Red Hematite-Rich Matrix with Disseminated Sulphides. The typical Dark Green Chlorite Matrix with Sulphides Usually Found in Episyenite Appears to have been replaced by Scarlett Red Hematite in the Matrix. The Pink Feldspar Phenocrysts are Angular to Subangular Reflecting Intense Physical Reworking. This Sample is from Drillhole 24FP018 from 101.00 metres to 102.00 metres and grades 1.427 g/t Gold. Figure 7. Dark Pink K-Spar Phenocrysts Enveloped by Black-Dark Green Chlorite in the Episyenite with 2-3% Disseminated Sulphides (Pyrite +- Arsenian Pyrite) and 1% Grey Carbonate Create a Leopard Skin Texture. This sample from Drillhole 24FP020 is from Interval 258.0 m to 259.0 m and grades 2.350 g/t gold About the LDS Project The LDS Project is centred on the town of Lavras do Sul in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It is approximately 320 kilometres, or a 4.5-hour drive, from the state capital of Porto Alegre. The Company, through its subsidiary, holds directly or indirectly, contractual interests over 37 mineral rights covering 23,000 hectares. The LDS intrusive complex is a multiphase intrusive centre that is surrounded by coeval volcanic rocks to the east. Geologically, LDS is in the far south of the Neoproterozoic Mantiqueira Province, a 2,700-kilometre-long belt of tectonically and magmatically accreted terrains that stretch as far south as the coastline of central Uruguay and north into southern Bahia State in Brazil. The most advanced targets are the Butia and Cerrito gold deposits, which have consolidated NI 43-101 resources of approximately 1 million ounces. About Lavras Gold Corp. Lavras Gold Corp. (TSXV: LGC) (OTCQX: LGCFF) is a Canadian exploration company focused on realizing the potential of a multi-million-ounce gold district in southern Brazil. Its Lavras do Sul Project is located in Rio Grande do Sul State and is primarily an intrusive hosted gold system of possible alkaline affinity. More than 24 gold prospects centred on historic gold workings have been identified on the property, which spans more than 22,000 hectares. Follow Lavras Gold on www.lavrasgold.com, as well as on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Michael Durose, President & CEO for Lavras Gold Corp., is the qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release. On Behalf of Lavras Gold Corp. "Michael Durose" President & CEO Additional Technical Notes Quality Assurance & Quality Control: For the Fazenda do Posto Gold Deposit, sample handling, preparation, and analysis are monitored through the implementation of formal chain-of-custody procedures and quality assurance/quality control programs designed to follow industry best practices. All drill hole samples in this drilling program consist of split NQ diamond drill core. Drill core is logged and sampled in a secure facility located in Lavras do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Drill core samples for gold assay are cut in half using a diamond saw and submitted to ALS Laboratories Inc. in Goiania, Goias State, Brazil for preparation by crushing to 85% passing 1.0 mm, riffle splitting to obtain 500 g aliquots, and pulverizing to 85% passing 75 microns. Pulps are shipped to ALS Laboratories Inc. in Lima, Peru and analyzed by a 50g fire assay and AAS finish. Three 50g aliquots are taken for samples in the mineralized zone and one aliquot is taken in fresh rocks. The average grade of the three aliquots is used to determine the final grade of the mineralized sample. Certified standards, non-certified blanks and field duplicates are inserted into the sample stream at regular intervals, so that QA/QC accounted for about 10% of the total samples. Results are routinely evaluated for accuracy, precision and contamination. Lavras Gold has been targeting larger intersections of greater than 0.25 g/t gold. Intersections that are lower than this threshold may provide exploration insight and may therefore be disclosed. The Company maintains a robust QAQC program that includes the collection and analysis of duplicate samples and the insertion of blanks and standards (certified reference material). 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. Forward-Looking statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's further 2024 drill plans and future results at the LDS Project are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. 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 are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - Intrepid Metals Corp. (TSXV: INTR) (OTCQB: IMTCF) ("Intrepid" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that in a strategic move to drive continued growth, the Company has appointed Mr. Ken Engquist as the new Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). Intrepid's CEO of the last two years, Mr. Ken Brophy, has transitioned into the role of President and Chief Operating Officer ("COO") of Intrepid. "We are very fortunate to have Ken Engquist join us as our new CEO, adding his extensive experience and visionary leadership to our team," said Mark Morabito, Chairman of Intrepid. "As we advance our exciting portfolio of Arizona-based projects, having someone with Ken's technical and executive experience from Western Copper and Gold, First Mining Gold, Nevsun, Rio Tinto and several others will be invaluable. I look forward to working with Ken as we continue to make significant strides in growing our Company." "I am honoured to join Intrepid as the CEO," said Ken Engquist, CEO of Intrepid. "This is an exciting time for the Company, and I look forward to working closely with Mark, Ken Brophy and the rest of the Intrepid team as we build on the success they've already achieved. Together, we will continue to add value for our shareholders and continue to move our projects in Arizona forward." "It has been a busy and successful two years as we assembled our impressive project portfolio and executed a successful initial drill campaign at our Corral Copper project," said Ken Brophy. "It is now time we build out our dedicated corporate team and I look forward to working with Ken to achieve the common goals of continued growth and delivering value to shareholders." Mr. Engquist brings over 30 years of leadership and extensive development experience overseeing the de-risking and advancement of numerous mining projects from early-stage exploration through start-up and operations of surface and underground mines located in various jurisdictions all over the world. He has extensive experience in a wide range of indigenous and community relations and government relations and an in-depth technical knowledge and understanding of project evaluation, market sensitivities, economics, and strategic drivers. Mr. Engquist has led operations, technical studies, work programs, permitting, and stakeholder relations most recently as COO of Western Copper and Gold ("WRN") following a similar role at First Mining Gold ("FF"). He is experienced in negotiation and financing structures, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic partnership agreements. Some recent development projects of his include WRN's Casino project in the Yukon and FF's Springpole gold project, South32's Hermosa zinc project, and Zijin Mining's Timok copper project in Serbia. Mr. Engquist also led various other projects within Oxygen Capital's managed group of companies where he was responsible for advancing a portfolio of assets through various stages of development and into the start of production. He's previously held key management roles on large capital projects and operations within AngloGold Ashanti and Rio Tinto. Mr. Engquist serves as a Director on Silver One Resources and has served on the board of several other public and private organizations. He holds a B.Sc. in Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Effective September 11, 2024, the Company will make a grant of 325,000 stock options to Mr. Engquist at an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Companys common shares on the day prior to the date of grant, and with vesting periods to be determined by the Company subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's stock option plan. About Intrepid Metals Corp. Intrepid Metals Corp. is a Canadian company focused on exploring for high-grade essential metals such as copper, silver, lead, and zinc mineral projects in proximity to established mining jurisdictions in southeastern Arizona, USA. The Company has acquired or has agreements to acquire several drill ready projects, including the Corral Copper Project (a district scale advanced exploration and development opportunity with significant shallow historical drill results), the Tombstone South Project (within the historical Tombstone mining district with geological similarities to the Taylor Deposit, which was purchased for $1.3B in 2018, though mineralization at the Taylor Deposit is not necessarily indicative of the mineral potential at the Tombstone South Project) both of which are located in Cochise County, Arizona and the Mesa Well Project (located in the Laramide Copper Porphyry Belt in Arizona). Intrepid has assembled an exceptional team with considerable experience with exploration, developing, and permitting new projects within North America. Intrepid is traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) under the symbol "INTR" and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "IMTCF". For more information, visit www.intrepidmetals.com. INTREPID METALS CORP. On behalf of the Company "Mark J. Morabito" Chairman of the Board For further information regarding this news release, please contact: Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements relate to: (i) the growth of the Company and benefits of Mr. Engquist's appointment as CEO; (ii) the advancement, exploration and developments of the Company's mineral projects; (iii) the creation of shareholder value; (iv) the exploration potential of the Company's mineral properties; and (v) potential future production. In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved" suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the Company can raise additional financing to continue operations; the results of exploration activities, commodity prices, the timing and amount of future exploration and development expenditures, the availability of labour and materials, receipt of and compliance with necessary regulatory approvals and permits, the estimation of insurance coverage, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to the ability to access infrastructure, risks relating to the failure to access financing, risks relating to changes in commodity prices, risks related to current global financial conditions, risks related to current global financial conditions on the Company's business, reliance on key personnel, operational risks inherent in the conduct of exploration and development activities, including the risk of accidents, labour disputes and cave-ins, regulatory risks including the risk that permits may not be obtained in a timely fashion or at all, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, risks related to disputes concerning property titles and interests, environmental risks and the additional risks identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators. 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 information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any 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) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Vancouver, British Columbia - TheNewswire - September 9, 2024: Red Canyon Resources Ltd. (Red Canyon or the Company) (CSE: REDC | OTCQB: REDRF) is pleased to announce it has commenced diamond drilling on its 100% owned Kendal Project in west-central British Columbia. The Company is focused on impactful, value-added exploration to make discoveries of copper and copper-gold deposits in established mineral belts in North America. Company Highlights: The planned program is fully funded and will consist of 4 to 6 drill holes totalling up to 2,500 m. Drilling will target an interpreted copper porphyry system, represented by significant altered and mineralized volcanic and porphyritic rocks exposed over 2.5 km x 1.5 km. Lithogeochemical studies suggest that the erosional level of the porphyry system alteration in Kendal Creek could be directly above and in close proximity to a modeled zone of copper mineralization. Independent structural and lithological mapping at Kendal has identified four phases of porphyry-related quartz sulphide stockwork vein sets with identified copper mineralization associated with at least two phases. The Kendal Project has never been previously drill tested. The Company controls a portfolio of seven 100%-owned, internally generated copper and copper gold projects in British Columbia and the Western United States, four of which are drill ready. Wendell Zerb, the Chairman and CEO of the Company, states: "We are very excited for this Inaugural drill program at Kendal. Its a rare circumstance that a small cap mineral exploration company has the opportunity to conduct a first pass drill program on such an exciting, 100% owned target. Kendal geology, alteration, lithogeochemistry and geophysics all suggest Kendal represents a newly recognized copper porphyry system. This initial drill program will test a portion of this large system and provide an important framework for future work at Kendal. Testing big targets is part of our business plan and we believe Kendal is an outstanding leveraged target. Kendal Project Drill Plan Red Canyon has commenced a diamond drill program consisting of 4 to 6 drill holes totalling up to 2,500 m. Drilling will target an interpreted copper porphyry system, represented by significant altered and mineralized volcanic and porphyritic rocks exposed over 2.5 km x 1.5 km. Figure 1: Drill pad location 6 (bottom left) with drill rig set for initial RCKD-24-001 diamond drill hole. Photo is looking south with Kendal Creek and Moly Creek drainages highlighting strong pervasive phyllic alteration. Kendal comprises five 100%-owned mineral claims totalling 2,738 hectares located in west-central British Columbia approximately 25 km northeast of the city of Terrace, a regional infrastructure hub with a well-serviced airport. Infrastructure is excellent with four intersecting highways, hydroelectric power, and rail corridors and port facilities approximately 120 km to the west at Prince Rupert. The project has direct road access, only 3.5 km from Highway 16. Figure 2: Kendal Project location map. The Company has completed a detailed geological interpretation, a lithogeochemistry vectoring study, lithological and structural mapping, magnetic inversion modelling, and a radiometric survey. These technical studies significantly enhance our confidence that Kendal may represent a newly discovered, copper porphyry system. Figure 3: Kendal Project topographic orthophoto looking south, with outline of mapped phyllic alteration (yellow line) and focus area of the Q4/2023 trace element rock sampling program (grey line). Lithogeochemical vectoring conducted by Red Canyon suggests that the current level of erosion is potentially in close proximity to the prospective potassic alteration zone (Figure 4), suggesting that the top of a copper porphyry system could be near-surface. Figure 4: Geochemical data from Kendal indicates the approximate erosional level to be at the top of the magmatic-dominant portion (potassic zone) that hosts porphyry copper deposits, when compared to the Halley et al. (2015) cross-section through the porphyry copper lithogeochemical footprint model. The erosional level of Kendal is well-constrained by threshold enrichments of Mo, W and Sn, as well as Cu, and depletions of Na, Mn, Sr, As, which are all characteristic of the high temperature parts of the system. The drilling will be conducted from three drill locations at Kendal: one road accessible pad on the west side of Kendal Creek and two helicopter-supported pads on the east side of Kendal Creek. Collar locations are set up at approximately 90 to 115 m above the base of Kendal Creek. Drilling will initially target areas below exposed porphyritic intrusions in Kendal Creek and within the interpreted magnetic destruction zone and coincident with gamma-ray radiometric responses outlining very low thorium/potassium (Th/K) ratios (Figure 5). The Company anticipates the program to run into late October. Figure 5: Magnetic analytic signal image over the central part of the Kendal project indicates a (> 2 km2) hydrothermal alteration footprint defined by a large zone of depressed magnetic response from potential hydrothermal magnetite destruction within a broader region of gossanous pyrite alteration. About Red Canyon Resources Red Canyon Resources Ltd. (CSE: REDC | OTCQB: REDRF) is a geoscience-driven, discovery-focused mineral exploration company focused on exploring North Americas top copper jurisdictions. The Companys core goal is to make impactful copper discoveries to benefit all stakeholders and support the clean energy transition. Red Canyon has a portfolio of 100%-owned copper and copper-gold porphyry exploration projects. The Companys technical team consists of experienced geoscientists with diverse capital market, small cap and major mining company backgrounds and a track record of success. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.redcanyonresources.com. Red Canyon is part of the NewQuest Capital Group which is a discovery-driven investment group 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. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Wendell Zerb, P. Geol Chairman and Chief Executive Officer +1 (604) 681-9100 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For further information, please contact: Brennan Zerb Investor Relations Manager +1 (778) 867-5016 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Qualified Person The technical information contained in this update has been reviewed and approved by Wendell Zerb, P. Geol, a Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. 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, 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 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 October 12, 2023 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, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - Dryden Gold Corp. (TSXV: DRY) (OTCQB: DRYGF) ("Dryden Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the Phase 5 drill program at its Gold Rock Project, Dryden Ontario. Drilling and logging began in late July and was completed last week with core cutting and sample analysis ongoing. This drill program was designed to follow up on the high-grade shoots discovered on the Elora and Big Master Gold Systems. In the Phase 5 drill program, the Company drilled nine holes totalling approximately 1,600 meters. Highlights: Three new Elora drill holes follow up on previously released result from drill hole KW-24-008 of 14.10 g/t gold over 7.54 meters Visible gold in Elora drill holes KW-24-017 and KW-24-024 below 200 meters The Elora Gold System Three holes have been completed to test the extension of the Elora gold system along the high-grade plunge. Earlier this year, Dryden Gold completed drill hole KW-24-008 which targeted the depth extension of historic drilling. Multiple intercepts of both quartz veining and sulphide mineralization returned 14.10 g/t gold over 7.54 meters including 43.81 g/t gold over 1.42 meters and 92.10 g/t gold over 0.30 meters. On August 12, 2024, the Company announced that visible gold was observed multiple instances in the first follow-up hole at Elora, KW-24-017. This hole intersected a mineralized a zone of similar width that is 30 meters deeper and 45 meters along strike from hole KW-24-008. The zone intersected in hole KW-24-017 is located at 220 meters true depth. Two additional holes have now been completed down plunge and both intercepted a similar sized mineralized zone with visible gold observed in hole KW-24-024 (see Figure 1). Assays are pending for these three drill holes at Elora. "We are extremely pleased with what we are seeing and learning from the Elora drilling and the modeling of historic data. The Elora Gold System has over two kilometers of known strike length. Between the historic mine sites and our fieldwork, we now have several additional targets at Elora for our fall drill program. It is exciting to see these intercepts at depth as Archean systems in Ontario tend to have very deep roots. The team is diligently refining their knowledge of the controls for these high-grade shoots to improve prediction and facilitate the expansion of these structures. These are extremely exciting times for Dryden Gold", stated Trey Wasser, CEO and Director of Dryden Gold Corp. Figure 1: Long section showing grade x width interpretation on the Elora gold system. Section shows the area where the new drilling has occurred - see Figure 2 for location on plan map. Figure 2: Plan map of Gold Rock showing Elora and Big Master gold systems with comparison of regional mines with similar geological settings. Strike Length & Down Plunge Potential Elora saw a significant amount of historic exploration from the 1980's to early 2000's. The technical team has now re-interpreted the historic data. The results show a high-grade shoot, starting at surface, extending to over 220 meters and open at depth. Two historic mines, the Elora-Jubilee and Laurentian Mines, are located north of the current drilling. The Elora-Jubilee Mine lies directly north. The Laurentian Mine is approximately 1 km further north (Figure 2) and was the most productive mine in the entire Kenora Mining District. 20,000 tons of ore at 14 g/t gold to 140 meters depth.1 were recovered at Laurentian. The Gold Rock Camp was historically mined to very shallow depths, while similar deposits in the region continue to depths of over a kilometer (Figure 2). The team is currently working on drill plans and permitting for an expanded fall drill program. The goals of the fall drill campaign will be to: (1) test near surface, and down dip extension on the identified Elora high-grade shoot (2) test along strike on the Elora gold system where fieldwork has identified favourable settings for other high-grade shoots to occur (3) step out drilling to test the Laurentian Mine area along strike. Big Master Gold System Phase 5 drilling has just been completed on two high-grade shoots on the Big Master Gold System. Drill core is being logged and cut. In addition, the re-logging program is currently being focused in this area. The Company will be providing an update shortly. Upcoming Conferences and Events Dryden Gold will be attending the Precious Metals Summit in Beaver Creek that is taking place September 10-13, 2024. Management will be available to take meetings in the lobby of the Park Hyatt Resort; investors are encouraged to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange a time. Management will also be presenting at the Noble Capital Markets Virtual Equity Conference, taking place September 25-26, 2024, as well as hosting one-to-one meetings with interested investors. Additional information will be made available soon. For more information about future conferences and roadshows that management will be participating in, please visit our website. 1. Blackburn, C.E., 1981, Boyer Lake - Meggisi Lake Area, District of Kenora, Ontario Geological Survey, Report 202, 139p. Qualified Person The technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Maura J. Kolb, M.Sc., P.Geo., President of Dryden Gold and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. Analytical Laboratory and QA/QC Procedures All sampling completed by Dryden Gold Corp. within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified reference materials, blank materials, and a level of duplicate analysis. Drill samples from the 2023 program were sent to Activation Laboratories, with sample preparation and analysis in Thunder Bay, where they were processed for gold analysis by 50-gram fire assay with an atomic absorption finish and over limits determined by Fire Assay with a gravimetric finish. Activation Laboratories systems conform to requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17025 guidelines and meets assay requirements outlined for NI 43-101. ABOUT DRYDEN GOLD CORP. Dryden Gold Corp. is an exploration company focused on the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("DRY") and on the OTCQB marketplace ("DRYGF"). The Company has a strong management team and Board of Directors comprised of experienced individuals with a track record of building shareholder value through property acquisition and consolidation, exploration success, and mergers and acquisitions. Dryden Gold controls a 100% interest in a dominant strategic land position in the Dryden District of Northwestern Ontario. Dryden Gold's property package includes historic gold mines but has seen limited modern exploration. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property has excellent infrastructure, enjoys collaborative relationships with First Nations communities and benefits from proximity to an experienced mining workforce. For more information go to our website www.drydengold.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future development plans; future acquisitions; exploration programs; and the business and operations of Dryden Gold. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could affect actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements including, the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in Dryden Gold's and the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are conditioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Dryden Gold and the Company do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from Dryden Gold's and the Company's expectations or projections. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2024 /Zeus North America Mining Corp. (formerly Umdoni Exploration Inc.) (CSE:ZEUS) (OTCQB:ZUUZF) (FRANKFURT:O92) (the "Company" or "Zeus") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Placement") through the issuance of 5,664,400 units ("Units") at a price of $0.25 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,416,100. Each Unit consisted of one common share and one full share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.35 per share until September 6, 2026. The Company has paid a 7% finder's fee in connection with proceeds raised by the Company from investors introduced to the Company by finders consisting of cash of $74,970 and non-transferable broker warrants (each a "Broker's Warrant") in the amount of 299,880. Each Broker's Warrant has the same terms as the Warrants. All securities issued pursuant to the Placement are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day, expiring on January 6, 2025. The proceeds of the Placement will be utilized for exploration programs on the Company's Idaho copper projects, including its flagship Cuddy Mountain project, and for general working capital purposes. Insiders of the Company have subscribed for Units pursuant to the Placement. The issuance of the Units to the insiders pursuant to the Placement (the "Insider Participation") will be considered to be related party transactions within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in Sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of the Insider Participation. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities described herein have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws. On behalf of the board of directors. "Dean Besserer" President and CEO For more information, please contact the Company at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. FOR INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT: Kin Communications Inc. Ph: 604-684-6730 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. About Zeus North America Mining Corp. The Company is in the business of mineral exploration. The Company is focused on its exploration properties in the state of Idaho known as the: Cuddy Mountain; Selway; and Great Western properties, respectively. The Idaho properties consist of 82 (Cuddy Mountain), 57 (Selway) and 38 (Great Western) lode mining claims respectively and cover a cumulative area of approximately 3822.1 acres. The Company's flagship Cuddy Mountain Property is adjacent to Hercules Metal Corp's Leviathan Copper Porphyry discovery. Forward Looking Statements When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements and information in this news release include, amongst others, the Company's exploration plans. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. 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 or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of its securities or its financial or operating results (as applicable). The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. 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, are subject to change after such date. The Company does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - INCA ONE GOLD CORP. (TSXV: INCA.H) (FSE: SU92) ("Inca One" or the "Company") provides the following general update on its CCAA proceedings and proposed new gold loan financing. As previously reported on April 8, 2024, the Company announced the receipt of a notice of default from OCIM Precious Metals ("OCIM") related to a missed gold loan payment. The Company was unsuccessful in its negotiations with OCIM to find an amicable solution to settle the outstanding debt that would have been in the best interests of all its stakeholders. On June 3, 2024, Inca One sought and obtained an order for creditor protection (the "Initial Order") from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "SCBC") pursuant to the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (the "CCAA"). The CCAA process allowed for the board of directors of the Company to remain in place and for management to maintain its responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Company, under the general oversight of a court appointed monitor, FTI Consulting Canada Inc. (the "Monitor"). The CCAA process provides protection to the Company from creditors. Nonetheless, the Company is committed to taking all steps necessary to protect and preserve the value of its business, property and the interests of all stakeholders in both Canada and Peru. On July 9, 2024, Inca One agreed to terms for a US$25M Gold Loan facility (the "Gold Loan" or "Debenture") that will be presented by Westmount Capital ("Westmount"). Westmount is a Public and Investor Relations company based in Geneva, since 2006. Westmount coordinates European roadshows for Canadian listed micro-cap companies with high growth potential, who are undervalued and under-covered. They have developed a strong network of qualified wealth investors, high-net worth individuals, Family Offices and decision makers in Europe. The terms of the Gold Loan presented by Westmount are as follows: The Gold Loan will mature 60 months after closing, which is expected to be on or about September 30, 2024 (the "Issuance Date"). The first US$20 million of the Gold Loan will be repaid in 16 equal quarterly installments, with the first repayment occurring 12 months from the Issuance Date and then every quarter thereafter. A final US$5 million payment will be due and payable at the end of the 60-month term. The Debentures will be priced in gold ounces at a 15% discount to the spot price of gold at the closing date. The Debenture holder will have the right to receive payment in either cash or the equivalent amount of refined gold. In addition to the discount, the Debentures will bear interest at 8% per annum payable quarterly in cash. The Gold Loan will be secured by the Company's gold inventory and processing facilities in Peru. Interested investors can contact Westmount directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . "Our top priority at this moment is working with our advisors at Westmount Capital (westmountcapital.com) to secure the necessary financing for the US$25M Gold Loan," stated Edward Kelly, Inca One President and CEO. With the completion of this funding arrangement the Company's debts will be restructured and Inca One will be substantially funded. We will immediately restart operations once the funds are in place, and get back to creating value for stakeholders, shareholders, employees and local communities." Since the Initial Order and pursuant to the CCAA, the SCBC extended the Stay Period in favour of the Company under a Second Amended and Restated Initial Order (the "Second ARIO") and approved the Company to enter into an interim financing agreement with a private lender on August 2, 2024. This Debtor-In-Possession Term Loan ("DIP Loan") is for the principal sum of up to US$1 million and is to be used by the Company to meet its near-term general working capital requirements including legal, restructuring, administrative and general corporate costs in connection with the CCAA proceedings and the Court approved cashflows. To date all funds have been drawn and are being deployed as indicated. For additional terms of the DIP Loan, please see the Company's DIP Loan press release. On August 26, 2024, on application by the Company, the SCBC approved a Claims Process Order (the "Order") as part of the Company's ongoing CCAA proceedings. The Order provides for a "Claims Process" pursuant to which the Monitor will call for and adjudicate, as necessary, all claims against the Company. Copies of all Claims Process forms are available on the Monitor's website at http://cfcanada.fticonsulting.com/incaone/ (the "Monitor's Website"). Additionally, and pursuant to the CCAA, the SCBC further extended the Stay Period under a Second ARIO until October 7, 2024, allowing the Company the necessary time to complete the Gold Loan. The proceeds of the Gold Loan will be an important part of a Plan of Arrangement that will restructure the Company's financial obligations to its creditors and fund the future operations and inventory of the Company. During this CCAA period, the Company's common shares have been suspended from trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and its secondary stock exchanges (the "OTCQB") in the United States and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (the ("FSE") in Europe and will remain suspended pending clarification of company affairs. After the Company emerges from creditor protection and completes its application for relisting, its common shares are anticipated to be re-instated for trading on the TSXV, and OTCQB and FSE exchanges. Since the Company was forced to enter CCAA, Management and the Board of Directors have taken all the necessary steps to reduce costs and accordingly have placed both plants on care and maintenance. The restart of operations is expected once the Company emerges from CCAA proceedings. Inca One believes it will emerge from this restructuring process financially stable and ready to take advantage of the continued strengthening gold price and precious metals environment. About Inca One Inca One Gold Corp is an established gold producer operating two permitted, gold mineral processing facilities in Peru. The Company possesses a combined 450 TPD permitted operating capacity at its two fully integrated plants, Chala One and Kori One, generating over US$200 million in sales from its processing operations. Inca One is led by an experienced and capable management team that has established the Company as a trusted leader in servicing permitted, Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Miners (ASGM). Peru is one of the world's largest producers of gold, and its ASGM sector is estimated by government officials to be valued in the billions of dollars annually. Through the Company's partnerships with the UN backed PlanetGold Program and the Swiss Better Gold Initiative, Inca One supports the sustainable development and mining practices of the ASGM sector and the responsible gold supply chain from mine to market. To learn more, visit www.incaone.com. On behalf of the Board, NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Forward Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include risks relating to market conditions, metal prices, and risks relating to general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Three new wholly owned licenses awarded covering 1,377km 2 on Australia's main porphyry copper-gold geological province and named the Nyngan West, Nyngan South and Nevertire South projects Doubles Kincora's position on the Macquarie Arc's Northern Junee-Narromine Belt (NJNB) and provides continuous landholding along >100km strike of the Arc Consolidates the immediate extensions of the Nyngan and Nevertire projects held in earn-in partnership with AngloGold Ashanti Australia (AngloGold Ashanti) AngloGold Ashanti has the right to spend up to A$50 million to earn a 80% interest in the Nyngan and Nevertire projects Nevertire South is the most advanced exploration stage porphyry project within the NJNB district hosting a confirmed Phase 4 Macquarie Arc intrusive complex with broad and open zones of anomalous copper and gold mineralisation Discussions with potential technical and funding partners progressing Fleet Space Technologies Pty Ltd's (Fleet Space) Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) and gravity geophysical surveys are ongoing and progressing well at the Nyngan project The first ever copper-gold focused drilling program at the northern portion of the Nyngan project will shortly commence with earn-in partner AngloGold Ashanti testing a new district scale with up to eight large intrusive complex targets to be drilled before year end Melbourne, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2024) - Kincora Copper Limited (ASX: KCC) (TSXV: KCC) (KCC, Kincora or the Company) is pleased have been awarded the Nyngan West, Nyngan South and Nevertire South projects located within the northern under cover extensions of the Macquarie Arc, in central west NSW, Australia. Sam Spring, President and CEO of Kincora commented: "Kincora's strategy to create shareholder value is through obtaining the best ground, concluding commercial deals and making large scale copper-gold discoveries. Recently we have attracted four industry partners and unlocked up to A$60m of multi-year funding. We are very pleased to have opportunistically secured three bolt-on new projects covering 1,377km2 with clear scale potential and strategic value, now providing Kincora a continuous north-south strike extent of over 100km in the NJNB. This new ground is adjacent to and on the interpreted extensions of the Nyngan and Nevertire projects where maiden partner funded ground geophysical surveys are already ongoing with Fleet Space, and maiden drilling activities are shortly ramping up in partnership with and funded by AngloGold Ashanti at Nyngan. The Company and our existing partners are very excited to commence the first ever copper-gold exploration across potentially the largest volcano-intrusive complex of the Macquarie Arc at northern Nyngan, which offers new district scale potential. Kincora continues to build and advance our project pipeline, exploring further partnerships. In particular, securing the advanced and highly prospective Nevertire South ground in our view significantly enhances our Nevertire project and NJNB portfolio." New wholly owned projects Pegged as open ground, Kincora has been awarded new exploration licenses covering a total of 1,377km2 (100% ownership) including the Nyngan West, Nyngan South and Nevertire South projects - see Figures 1 to 3. The new licenses are opportunistic new bolt-on projects with clear scale and value path, doubling Kincora's land position in the NBJB. The NBJB is one of the two major volcanic belts of the Macquarie Arc, where regional magnetics has proven to be effective in mapping the key belts and major intrusive complexes. The new licenses provide Kincora a continuous north-south strike extent of over 100km in the interpreted shallow to moderate depth sections of the under cover extension of the Macquarie Arc. The new licenses also consolidate the extensions of intrusive complex targets included in the existing earn-in partnership with AngloGold Ashanti. Regional geophysics strongly indicates that Kincora's Nyngan license has the potential to host the largest volcano-intrusive complex of the Macquarie Arc, which is currently almost untested with drilling to commence within the month in partnership with AngloGold Ashanti. Kincora's portfolio and the wider NJNB offers new district-scale discovery potential with spatial and temporal settings, coupled with magnetics, gravity and new ANT surveys, supportive of large-scale targets analogous to porphyry deposits located in the southern section of the Macquarie Arc which host an existing >160Moz gold equivalent endowment (see Figure 2) 1. To help emphasis the true new district scale potential of the Company's NJNB portfolio, the total AngloGold Ashanti earn-in and Kincora wholly owned project portfolio now covers a strike length that is twice that of the rapidly emerging Vicuna porphyry district (see Figure 2). Within the Vicuna district, NGEx Resources Inc in 2009 held three early-stage exploration projects that, at the time, supported a market capitalisation of approximately C$40 million 2. These same projects are all still at a pre-development phase but have yielded four large-scale discoveries currently valued at over C$8.5 billion after the corporate transactions involving BHP and Lundin Mining last month 2, 3. Of particular note, the new Nevertire South project (962km2) is considered highly prospective and consolidates the ~8 x 12km Nevertire Magmatic Complex, the northern third held in Kincora's existing partnership with AngloGold Ashanti (see the insert in Figure 2). Prior explorer drilling at the southern section of the Nevertire Magmatic Complex (within the Nevertire South project) has returned anomalous copper-gold mineralisation, favourable fertility defined by green rock analysis, geochemical zonation and alteration suggestive of an outer porphyry system setting with age dates confirming a highly prospective Phase 4 Macquarie Arc intrusive complex (at approximately 220m depth down hole). This supports Nevertire South being the most advanced porphyry project within the NJNB district (see Figure 4), situated under potentially only 100 metres of cover and enhancing the value of the adjacent Nevertire project. Kincora has recently secured three prior exploration drill holes from the Nevertire South project with relogging planned as discussions with potential technical and funding partners progress. About the NJNB Project Portfolio The Macquarie Arc is Australia's premier porphyry copper-gold province and the undercover extensions of the Arc are a globally significant exploration opportunity offering new district(s) scale discovery potential. The region has recently attracted five major earn-in/option and joint venture agreements supporting potentially over $300 million in exploration and development expenditure, including the recent option and joint venture agreements between Gold Fields and privately owned Gold & Copper Resources 4. The most recent notable example of a new emerging globally significant porphyry district is the Vicuna district in the central Andes in Argentina on the border of Chile, which is largely consolidated by Lundin group entities and BHP and situated at over 4000m altitude. Within this district NGEx Resources Inc in 2009 held three early stage exploration projects and at the time had a market capitalisation of approximately C$40 million. These same projects are all still at a pre-development phase but have yielded in four large-scale discoveries currently valued at over C$8.5 billion (see Figure 2). Regional geophysics strongly indicates that the largest sections of the Macquarie Arc still remain untested under post mineral cover within the NJNB. Kincora was the early entrant securing a district scale position in the interpreted shallow to moderate covered core sections of this region by pegging Nyngan and Nevertire (covering now 939 km2). Post securing AngloGold Ashanti as a partner for the Nyngan and Nevertire projects, Kincora has opportunistically secured (on a 100% ownership basis) the Nyngan West, Nyngan South and Nevertire South projects (covering 1,377 km2) which are viewed as hosting shallow to moderate covered sections of the targeted Macquarie Arc and the extensions of intrusive complex targets included in the existing earn-in partnership with AngloGold Ashanti. Kincora seeks to continue to systematically advance its project pipeline within the under cover extension of the Macquarie Arc and bring in funding and technical partners. About the AngloGold Ashanti Partnership Kincora has an initial multiple-phase Earn-in and Joint Venture Agreement with AngloGold Ashanti for the Nyngan and Nevertire licenses 5. AngloGold has the right to spend up to A$50 million to earn a 80% interest through: A$25 million of exploration expenditure to earn a 70% joint venture interest (Phase I) including a minimum A$2 million expenditure obligation, with Kincora the initial operator for a 10% management fee. Completion of a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) or funding of a further $25 million of expenditure to earn a 80% joint venture interest (Phase II). Under the agreement a wide range of untested large intrusive-related copper-gold targets will be drill tested seeking to confirm the potential for a new district of copper-gold porphyry system complexes. AngloGold Ashanti is the world's fourth largest gold miner by production with a successful track record for new Greenfield discovery success. Within the Macquarie Arc, AngloGold Ashanti has secured Earn-in and Joint Venture Agreements with both Kincora and Inflection Resources (Inflection, ticker "AUCU.CSE") covering greater than 8,000km2 in the NJNB. Subject to permitting, access and weather conditions Kincora and AngloGold Ashanti's first drilling program is anticipated to commence within the month. The program seeks to test new district-scale potential with up to eight large intrusive complex targets to be drill-tested for the first time in this initial first phase program. Approximately 6 to 8 drill holes for an estimated 4000-5000 metres are budgeted to be complete before the summer break 6. Figure 1: The new Nyngan West, Nyngan South and Nevertire South projects are adjacent to and the interpreted extensions of the Nyngan and Nevertire projects where maiden partner funded ground geophysical surveys are already on-going with Fleet Space and maiden drilling activities are shortly ramping up in partnership with and funded by the AngloGold Ashanti earn-in agreement for the Nyngan project Kincora continues to secure the best ground, do deals and drill, testing targets that offer Tier-1 copper-gold scale potential Recently in the district there have been earn-in/option and joint venture agreements focused on porphyry exploration by AngloGold Ashanti (with Kincora and Inflection Resources), Gold Fields (with Gold & Copper), FMG (with Magmatic) and S2 Resources (with Legacy Minerals) supporting potentially over $300 million in exploration expenditure Figure 2: Kincora's portfolio in the Northern Junee-Narromine Belt (including in partnership AngloGold Ashanti and Kincora wholly owned ground) now covers a continuous strike of over 100km, twice that of the rapidly emerging Vicuna porphyry district Kincora and its partners are seeking to confirm new district scale potential of the under cover extensions of the Macquarie Arc, which in the out/sub-cropping sections of the Arc host multiple world-class mines and a metal endowment of over 160M oz gold equivalent Figure 3: Kincora has recently secure three prior explorer drill holes for the Nevertire South project with relogging planned as discussions with potential technical and funding partners progress Kincora has recently obtained from the Cadia mine site diamond core farm three prior Newcrest drill holes, one of which confirms a highly prospective Phase 4 Macquarie Arc intrusive complex. These are in addition to other earlier holes being available at the WB Clarke Geoscience Centre Londonderry drillcore library. About Fleet Space Technologies Partnership In July 2024, Kincora formed an initial partnership with Fleet Space for a three phase ANT and gravity geophysical survey at the Nyngan project 7. These surveys commenced in early August, are ongoing and progressing well. The initial ANT survey is planned to cover an area of approximately 35 km2 across the northern Nyngan license area with a proposed infill area of approximately 9 km2. Similar to other Fleet Space surveys in the district, the ANT velocity model is anticipated to image down to 1900m depth with the ground gravity surveys to provide the first cover-corrected gravity dataset in the area. The rapid turnaround from completion of the surveys to interpretation of results is enabled by the real-time ANT data acquisition capabilities of Fleet Space's end-to-end mineral exploration solution, ExoSphere. Utilising Fleet Space's proprietary satellite constellation, ExoSphere's smart seismic sensors (Geodes) transmit high-quality 3D ANT data from the project to the satellites which is then processed into actionable insights in real-time. Leveraging the benefits of satellite connectivity, rapid 3D subsurface imaging, and AI - ExoSphere streamlines data acquisition, processing, integration and interpretation while optimising data quality to enhance the precision of drill hole targeting. Fleet Space is Australia's leading space company and is seeking to revolutionise humanity's search for critical minerals, space exploration, and defence with its satellite-enabled solutions and AI-powered, end-to-end mineral exploration technology, ExoSphere. ExoSphere's end-to-end architecture unlocks new insights and predictive capabilities at every stage of the exploration journey to streamline operations, optimise success rates, and enable explorers to allocate resources to opportunities faster while minimising environmental footprint. Figure 4: New Intrusive Complex pipeline in the Macquarie Arc The Phases, Pipeline and Partnerships to Discovery: Gold & Copper, Kincora, Inflection, Alkane, FMG, Magmatic, Talisman & S2 all drilling 1 Magmatic Resources, Project in partnership with FMG - March 8, 2024 press release 2 Kincora Secures New Strategic Ground On Australia's Premier Porphyry Copper-Gold Province - September 9 2024 release 3 Inflection Resources, Provides drilling update from Phase 1 Exploration Program -July 31 2024 release 4 Magmatic Resources, Gold-copper footprint expands significantly at Lady Ilse - July 24, 2024 release 5 Alkane Resources, NMPP Regional Exploration Update - June 21, 2024 6 Inflection Resources, Project in Stage II partnership with AngloGold - May 2, 2024 release 7 Kincora Copper, AngloGold Ashanti to earn-in to the NJNB Project - May 28, 2024 release 8 S2 Resources, Drilling Commences Targeting Porphyry Cu-Au at Glenlogan - July 18, 2024 release 9 Kincora Copper, New Major, Completely Unexplored Porphyry Complex Secured - June 3, 2024 release 10 Talisman Mining, Acquires the Yarindury Porphyry Cu-Au Project, NSW - August 5, 2024 release Leveraging Fleet's satellite network in low Earth orbit, smart seismic sensors enabled with edge computing, and rapid data processing. ExoSphere delivers real-time 3D mapping of mineral systems and AI-powered drill targeting with near-zero environmental impact. This process enables a faster and more efficient end-to-end data journey, making exploration activities more dynamic and precise by giving onsite teams access to actionable insights in real-time. In the last quarter, Barrick Gold announced their partnership with Fleet Space to survey copper porphyry complexes and groundwater systems across 1,150km of the world-class Reko Diq project 8. Fleet Space and Inflection also conducted the world's largest real-time ANT copper survey across 1818 km and built an AI-powered district scale copper prospectivity map 9. The new targets generated by ExoSphere led AngloGold Ashanti to accelerate their Exploration Agreement and drilling with Inflection 10. ExoSphere's rapid global adoption has propelled Fleet Space's exponential recent growth, including a A$50 million Series C funding round, a doubling of its valuation to A$350 million, plans to send a lunar variant of ExoSphere's Geode to the Moon in 2026, and recognition as Australia's fastest growing company by the Australian Financial Review (2023). For more information please visit Fleet Space's website at https://www.fleetspace.com. About Kincora Kincora Copper is dual listed on the ASX and TSX-V (ticker "KCC") and is an active explorer and project generator focused on world-class copper-gold discoveries. The Company has recently executed four agreements that unlock up to A$60 million in multiple year partner funding. Further new projects that offer a clear value path and targeted partnerships are proposed. Kincora's portfolio includes district scale landholdings and scalable drill-ready targets in both Australia and Mongolia's leading porphyry belts, the Macquarie Arc and Southern Gobi, respectively. The Company is targeting initial exposure to 10,000m of drilling in the next 6-month before ramping up to over 30,000 metres pa of drilling. For more information please visit Kincora's website at www.kincoracopper.com References: 1 Sourced from MinEx Consulting for Kincora 2 NGEx Minerals Corporate Presentation (July 2024) and market values as at August 31, 2024 (from peer transactions and TSXV market capitalisation) 3 Lundin Mining and BHP to Acquire Filo and Form a 50/50 Joint Venture to Progress the Filo del Sol and Josemaria Projects - BHP and Lundin Mining press releases July 29, 2024 4 Gold Fields H1 2024 Results - August 23, 2024 5 AngloGold Ashanti to earn-in to the NJNB Project - Kincora press release May 28, 2024 6 Kincora and AngloGold Ashanti's first drilling program - Kincora press release August 14, 2024 7ANT and Gravity Geophysical Surveys at the Nyngan Project - Kincora press release July 25, 2024 8 Fleet Space's Exosphere Enhances Barrick Gold's Data-Driven Copper Exploration at Reko Diq - Fleet Space press release July 9, 2024 9 Reimaging porphyry copper exploration using Exosphere: Ambient Noise Tomography from the Duck Creek project, Macquarie - Fleet Space and Inflection Case Study 2023 10 Inflection Resources Completes 1,800 Km2 Ambient Noise Tomography Survey Across Portfolio of Projects in New South Wales - Inflection release July 10, 2024 This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Kincora Copper Limited (ARBN 645 457 763) Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this announcement was prepared in accordance with the standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and was reviewed, verified and compiled by Kincora's staff under the supervision of Peter Leaman (M.Sc. Mineral Exploration, FAusIMM), Senior Vice-President of Exploration of Kincora, and John Holliday (BSc Hons, BEc, member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists), Non-Executive Director and Chairman of Kincora's Technical Committee, who are Qualified Persons for the purpose of NI 43-101. JORC Competent Person Statement Information in this announcement that relates to Exploration Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves are those that have been previously reported (with the original release referred to in this announcement), in the case of Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves the material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates have not materially changed, and have been reviewed and approved by John Holliday and Peter Leaman, who are Competent Persons under the definition established by JORC and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. John Holliday and Peter Leaman consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. The review and verification process for the information disclosed herein for the Trundle, Fairholme, Nyngan, Nevertire and Condobolin projects have included the receipt of all material exploration data, results and sampling procedures of previous operators and review of such information by Kincora's geological staff using standard verification procedures. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information regarding Kincora contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although Kincora believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Kincora cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Kincora currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and is subject to change after that date. Kincora does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) or the Australian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday blasted the screening of a Russian "propaganda" film at the Venice Film Festival. Russian-Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova presented "Russians at War", a documentary in which she embedded with a Russian battalion as it advanced across eastern Ukraine after Russia launched its invasion in February 2022. But there has been outrage across Ukrainian cultural and political circles against what many consider a pro-Kremlin film that seeks to whitewash and justify Moscow's assault. Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, called it "shameful" that the "propaganda film" was shown. In a social media post, he asked why "Anastasia Trofimova, as well as some other Russian cultural figures -- a country that kills Ukrainians, our children every day -- can work in the civilised world at all". Trofimova has said that she wants to show the "absolutely ordinary guys" who were fighting for Russia and that her documentary belies the notion in the West that all Russian soldiers are war criminals. Daria Zarivna, a Ukrainian social activist and an advisor to Yermak, said the film sought to "justify the Russian military, which is directly responsible for crimes against the Ukrainian people". She also accused Trofimova of a "blatant silencing of war crimes and an attempt to blur the line between victim and aggressor". Prominent figures in Ukrainian cinema also slammed the documentary. "This film may mislead you into believing that it is an anti-war film, one that questions the current regime in Russia," Darya Bassel, a producer who watched the film at the festival, said in a Facebook post. "However, what I witnessed is a prime example of pure Russian propaganda," she said. She said the film featured soldiers who repeat false Kremlin narratives about Ukrainians being "Nazis", accusing Trofimova of ignoring Russian aggression against Ukraine since 2014. Iryna Tsilyk, a Ukrainian filmmaker, called what she said were Trofimova's attempts to promote a pro-peace message "vomit". She also criticised the Venice organisers for choosing to showcase "something that smells so bad". Ukrainian politicians and cultural figures on Friday slammed a screening of a Russian-Canadian filmmaker's war documentary as propaganda, a claim the director denied. Anastasia Trofimova presented at the Venice Film Festival "Russians at War", in which she embedded with a Russian battalion as it advanced across eastern Ukraine after Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022. The screening at the prestigious festival sparked outrage across Ukrainian cultural and political circles against what many consider a pro-Kremlin film that seeks to whitewash and justify Moscow's assault. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said it was "shameful" that a "propaganda film" was shown. In a social media post, he asked why "Anastasia Trofimova, as well as some other Russian cultural figures -- a country that kills Ukrainians, our children every day -- can work in the civilised world at all". Trofimova has said that she wants to show the "absolutely ordinary guys" who are fighting for Russia and that her documentary belies the notion in the West that all Russian soldiers are war criminals. "I want to be clear that this Canada-France production is an anti-war film made at great risk to all involved, myself especially," she said in a statement to AFP. An AFP journalist who saw the film said the soldiers depicted appear to have little idea of why they have been sent to the front. They are shown struggling to make Soviet-era weapons serviceable, with others chain-smoking cigarettes and downing shots of alcohol amid the deaths and wounds of their comrades. - 'Ludicrous' - "The suggestion that our film is propaganda is ludicrous given that I'm now at risk of criminal prosecution in Russia," Trofimova said in the statement. "I unequivocally believe that Russia's invasion on Ukraine was unjustified, illegal and acknowledge the validity of the International Criminal Court investigation of war crimes in Ukraine." But for Daria Zarivna, a Ukrainian social activist and an advisor to Yermak, the film sought to "justify the Russian military, which is directly responsible for crimes against the Ukrainian people". She also accused Trofimova of a "blatant silencing of war crimes and an attempt to blur the line between victim and aggressor". Prominent figures in Ukrainian cinema also slammed the documentary. "This film may mislead you into believing that it is an anti-war film, one that questions the current regime in Russia," Darya Bassel, a producer who watched the film at the festival, said in a Facebook post. "However, what I witnessed is a prime example of pure Russian propaganda," she said. She said the film featured soldiers who repeat false Kremlin narratives about Ukrainians being "Nazis", accusing Trofimova of ignoring Russian aggression against Ukraine since 2014. Iryna Tsilyk, a Ukrainian filmmaker, called what she said were Trofimova's attempts to promote a pro-peace message "vomit". She also criticised the Venice organisers for choosing to showcase "something that smells so bad". According to Trofimova's website, she has previously made documentaries in Syria, Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo that have been broadcast on Russia's state-run RT television, which has been hit by sanctions from the European Union and the United States. bur-jc/js/rsc Meta Innocent civilians have been murdered in the name of Mexico's war on drug cartels by military personnel eager to show results, according to a new book that alleges the killings constitute war crimes. The two journalists and a human rights specialist behind "Permission to Kill" investigated more than 1,800 killings under three presidents since 2006, including outgoing leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The aim was to show the "systemic" nature of murders allegedly involving members of the security forces, said co-author Daniel Moreno, director of the news site Animal Politico. "It's not a collection of anecdotes," he told AFP. "There is a constant in these three governments of attacking the civilian population and letting the attackers go unpunished," Moreno said. Investigators identified 494 such alleged crimes -- mainly killings and forced disappearances -- during the 2006-2012 presidency of Felipe Calderon, 808 under his successor Enrique Pena Nieto (2012-2018), and 489 during Lopez Obrador's first four years in office. But that is not believed to be all the cases, they say. The defense ministry, which oversees the military, did not respond to a request by AFP for comment on the allegations against it. More than 450,000 Mexicans have been killed and tens of thousands have disappeared since Calderon deployed the military against drug cartels in 2006, according to official figures. Under a policy that he calls "hugs not bullets," Lopez Obrador pledged to prioritize addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and inequality, over going to war with the cartels. During his presidency, "there was less use of force and more respect for life," Lopez Obrador said Sunday in his last state of the nation report before he is replaced by his ally Claudia Sheinbaum on October 1. - Parallels with Colombia - Co-author Paris Martinez sees similarities with the more than 6,000 murders and disappearances investigators say were committed by the Colombian army from 2002 to 2008 to try to make its fight against guerrilla groups appear more effective. The book, which is also the work of human rights expert Jacobo Dayan, argues that there has been a repeated failure to investigate or punish those responsible, some of whom are still active or have been promoted. "They arrested the people who fired the shots, not those who designed the strategy," Moreno said. Of the more than 1,800 cases examined, only 133 resulted in convictions, according to the authors. Rights group Amnesty International said in a report released in April that Mexican military forces "continued to use unnecessary and excessive force and carry out extrajudicial executions" last year. "Impunity persisted for these crimes and human rights violations," it said, noting the case of five men allegedly killed by soldiers in February 2023 in the northern border city of Nuevo Laredo. The book's authors will hand over their work to the local office of The Hague-based International Criminal Court, which investigates war crimes and crimes against humanity, Martinez said. A suspected drug cartel boss allegedly linked to the disappearance a decade ago of 43 college students was arrested in Mexico after being released from prison in 2019, authorities said Friday. Gildardo Lopez Astudillo, alias "El Gil," is an alleged leader of the Guerreros Unidos cartel, accused of being behind the disappearance and suspected murders of the students from Ayotzinapa teachers' college in 2014. Lopez Astudillo had been arrested in September 2015 in the southern city of Taxco, Guerrero state, about 35 kilometers (21 miles) north of the town of Iguala from where the students vanished. "Gildardo Lopez Astudillo was detained," a federal security source with knowledge of the case told reporters Friday, asking for his name not to be used because he was not authorized to speak to media. Lopez Astudillo had been transferred to the Altiplano maximum security prison in Mexico state, the source said. He was arrested on charges of "organized crime," although the investigation could be expanded, the source said. In September 2014, the 43 students had been traveling to a political demonstration in Mexico City when investigators believe they were kidnapped by the drug cartel in collusion with corrupt police. The exact circumstances of their disappearance are still unknown, but a truth commission set up by the government has branded the case a "state crime," saying the military shared responsibility, either directly or through negligence. Arrests have been made or ordered for dozens of suspects, including military personnel and a former attorney general who led a controversial investigation into the mass disappearance. The remains of only a few of the victims have been identified. Lopez Astudillo was released in 2019 -- a move condemned by family members of the missing students -- after a judge found the evidence against him was obtained illegally. His arrest comes as relatives are preparing demonstrations to mark the anniversary of the students' disappearance. Hundreds of families fled a northern suburb of Sudan's capital Khartoum on Saturday after fighting between the army and paramilitaries intensified around a key military base, witnesses told AFP. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces attacked the Hattab base in Khartoum North, also known as Bahri, on Wednesday. The army, led by de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, is locked in conflict with the RSF led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The war began in April 2023 and has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. "Since this morning, the army has been firing artillery towards the south of Hattab while military planes are flying over" the area, one witness told AFP on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity. Nasr el-Din, a resident who asked that only his first name be used for security reasons, said the RSF "attacked houses south (of the Hattab base), capturing citizens and killing others". "Since early morning, hundreds of families have left for the north, carrying their belongings on their heads", he added in an account corroborated by another witness. UN experts on Friday called for the deployment of an "independent and impartial force" to protect millions of civilians driven from their homes in Sudan. After an independent fact-finding mission mandated by the Human Rights Council, the UN experts said "harrowing" violations by both sides had been uncovered, "which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity". Meanwhile more than 25 million people -- upwards of half Sudan's population -- face acute hunger, with full-blown famine declared in a camp for displaced people in the volatile western region of Darfur. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Saturday began a two-day visit to Port Sudan, the de facto seat of government after fighting forced the authorities out of Khartoum. He met a health minister and will also meet other officials and visit health facilities, an AFP correspondent on the ground reported. Sudan has rejected a call by UN experts for the deployment of an "independent and impartial force" to protect millions of civilians driven from their homes by more than a year of war. The conflict since April last year, pitting the army against paramilitary forces, has killed tens of thousands of people and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The independent UN experts said Friday their fact-finding mission had uncovered "harrowing" violations by both sides, "which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity". They called for "an independent and impartial force with a mandate to safeguard civilians" to be deployed "without delay". The Sudanese foreign ministry, which is loyal to the army under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said in a statement late Saturday that "the Sudanese government rejects in their entirety the recommendations of the UN mission." It called the UN Human Rights Council, which created the fact-finding mission last year, "a political and illegal body", and the panel's recommendations "a flagrant violation of their mandate". The UN experts said eight million civilians have been displaced and another two million people have fled to neighbouring countries. More than 25 million people -- upwards of half the country's population -- face acute food shortages. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on a visit to Sudan on Sunday, said: "The scale of the emergency is shocking, as is the insufficient action being taken to curtail the conflict and respond to the suffering it is causing." In Port Sudan, where government offices and the United Nations have relocated to due to the intense fighting in the capital Khartoum, Tedros called on the "world to wake up and help Sudan out of the nightmare it is living through". The Sudanese foreign ministry statement accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by Burhan's former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, of "systematically targeting civilians and civilian institutions". "The protection of civilians remains an absolute priority for the Sudanese government," it said. The statement added that the UN Human Rights Council's role should be "to support the national process, rather than seek to impose a different exterior mechanism". It also rejected the experts' call for an arms embargo. Sudan has rejected a call by UN experts for the deployment of an "independent and impartial force" to protect millions of civilians driven from their homes by more than a year of war. The conflict since April last year, pitting the army against paramilitary forces, has killed tens of thousands of people and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The independent UN experts said Friday their fact-finding mission had uncovered "harrowing" violations by both sides, "which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity". They called for "an independent and impartial force with a mandate to safeguard civilians" to be deployed "without delay". The Sudanese foreign ministry, which is loyal to the army under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said in a statement late Saturday that "the Sudanese government rejects in their entirety the recommendations of the UN mission". It called the UN Human Rights Council, which created the fact-finding mission last year, "a political and illegal body", and the panel's recommendations "a flagrant violation of their mandate". The UN experts said eight million civilians have been internally displaced and another two million people have fled to neighbouring countries. More than 25 million people -- over half the country's population -- face acute food shortages. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on a visit to Sudan on Sunday, said "Sudanese are suffering through a perfect storm of crises". He listed "over 500 days of conflict", displacement of populations, famine in some areas, natural disasters such as recent floods caused by dams bursting and disease outbreaks. "The scale of the emergency is shocking, as is the insufficient action being taken to curtail the conflict and respond to the suffering it is causing." Speaking from Port Sudan -- where government offices and the United Nations have relocated due to the intense fighting in the capital Khartoum -- the WHO chief called on the "world to wake up and help Sudan out of the nightmare it is living through". The Sudanese foreign ministry statement on Saturday accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by Burhan's former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, of "systematically targeting civilians and civilian institutions". "The protection of civilians remains an absolute priority for the Sudanese government," it said. The statement added that the UN Human Rights Council's role should be "to support the national process, rather than seek to impose a different exterior mechanism". It also rejected the experts' call for an arms embargo. The K-drama "Love Next Door" has introduced the latest plot twist, which concerns the stomach cancer of Bae Seok Ryu, played by Jung So Min. It was disclosed in Episode 8, which aired on the 8th of September. EPISODE 8 ENDING!!! THE THEORY ABOUT SEOKRYU BEING SICK IS ACTUALLY TRUE! SEOKRYU HAS STAGE 2 STOMACH CANCER 3 YEARS AGO!!!! 70% OF THE TUMOR HAS ACTUALLY BEEN REMOVED AND SHE'S STILL UNDERWENT CHEMOTHERAPY???##LoveNextDoor#LoveNextDoorEp8 pic.twitter.com/m9xxXT9wGm (@AvenidoStem) September 8, 2024 According to the episode's narration, Bae Seok Ryu slightly faints while cooking because of severe abdominal pains. Two days before that event, she visited the company owned by Choi Seung Hyo. The situation becomes tense because Seung Hyo is seemingly jealous of Song Hyun Joon, who comes to discuss the construction of a villa owned by his parents. Seok Ryu shares the food she had cooked with the two men but suddenly faints afterward. Choi Seung Hyo tries to take her to the hospital, but she asks Hyun Joon for help. In the emergency room, Seok Ryu tells the doctors, "Three years ago, I had surgery in the US; I was diagnosed with stage 2 stomach cancer, 70% of the tumor in my stomach was removed, and I went through chemo." SEE: Tragic Ending For 'Love Next Door'? Fans Point Out 4 Tell-Tale Signs Seok Ryu is Sick and Dying Introducing such a thrilling event in the relatively trivial romantic comedy has attracted the earnest attention of the fans, and now, they highly discuss it in Reddit's r/KDRAMA. Many people are worried that such a serious disease has been inculcated in a comedy that was supposed to be light-hearted. An original post read: One user commented, "I feel like Seok Ryu's storyline didn't need to involve cancer. They could've been more grounded about her mental health struggles instead". Some commentators have expressed their thoughts about the twist of events in general, "I wanted a feel-good, lovely runner show. I do not need all this drama and anticipation." However, many fans suppose that such a complication may make the series more intriguing and expand the palette of the events hypothetically depicted in it. One of the users writes, "If they focused on more grounded, emotional struggles from the start, this drama could've been top-tier." Judging by the previews for upcoming episodes, the relationship between Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu is becoming tense. In one scene, Seung Hyo appears to say, "How could you not tell me about this? Am I that unimportant to you?" "Love Next Door" continues to air new episodes on tvN and Netflix. As the series progresses, viewers' reactions to this narrative shift remain varied. SEE: 'Love Next Door' Guest Actor Criticized Over Controversial English Dialogue Scene Responds: 'I'm Super Korean..' Monday, September 9, 2024 - A liberal pollster's projection is eliciting reactions after he said the winner of the upcoming presidential US election will have a 63 percent electoral college victory. Nate Silver, places the Republican candidate, Donald Trump's chances of winning the electoral college vote at 63.8 percent, compared to 36 percent for Harris. Silver's modelling, published on his blog Silver Bulletin, also places Trump ahead in all of the major swing states. Silver predicts that there'll be 312 electoral college votes for Trump versus 226 for Harris in a no-toss-up map. The figure is a massive upswing on the 227 electoral college votes Trump secured against Biden in 2020 and even an improvement on his victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016 when he romped to the White House with 304 electoral college votes. Silver's estimation for the popular vote still has Harris ahead, with her chances of securing the popular vote at 56 percent compared to Trump's 44 percent. But his margins are tiny, with Harris narrowly edging up on Trump with estimated 49.8 percent of the popular vote versus 49.1 percent for the Republican nominee. Up until August 29, the date of her CNN interview alongside her running mate Tim Walz, Silver had been forecasting a Harris victory. But since then, Trump has steadily been gaining the advantage in his predictions and is now favored to win by the widest margin in several months. His prediction comes as a New York Times/Siena College poll released two days ahead of their debate showdown on Tuesday put Trump 1 percent ahead of the vice president 48 percent to 47 percent within the survey's 3-point margin of error. 'The good news for Harris is that theres a debate on Tuesday, and if she turns in a strong performance, nobody is going to care so much about the Times poll,' Silver said. 'A relatively high percentage of voters in the NYT poll said they didnt know what Harris stood for, which means theres room for these numbers to move. 'But they could move in either direction as Team Trump circulates sound bites and video clips.' Kamala and Trump are due to face off in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Monday, September 9, 2024 - A pretty corporate Kenyan lady is trending after she shared a video lamenting that no man is willing to marry her. She wondered what it takes for a man to marry a lady after she tried everything possible to find a husband. She even ditched party life and alcohol, hoping to get a husband. Married ladies, what did you do to get husbands? she asked, adding that she was almost giving up after trying to look for a husband in vain. Watch the trending video. A beautiful Kenyan corporate LADY complains that no man is willing to marry her pic.twitter.com/IMX4nUGjgO DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) September 9, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Monday, September 9, 2024 - Donald Trump has gone on Facebook to celebrate the birthday of Mother Mary. Trump, who is contesting to be the president of the United States again, has been getting the support of Evangelical Christians. Many Catholics have also been supporting him while accusing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris of being pro-abortion. In a move that has been viewed by some as an attempt to please Catholics, Trump went on Facebook to wish Mother Mary a happy birthday. He shared a photo of Mary and wrote: Happy birthday Mary! Catholics celebrate the birthday of Mary on September 8th every year. Monday, September 9, 2024 - A dramatic video captured the moment a truck plunged into a river after a bridge collapsed in Vietnam after heavy rains caused by Typhoon Yagi. A video shared online on Monday morning, September 9, shows a truck approaching the bridge just as it collapsed The truck is seen making a sharp drop with the collapsed bridge A motorcycle following behind halted quickly According to local authorities, nine people died during the typhoon, which made landfall in Vietnam on Saturday, September 7, before weakening to a depression, and 50 others died during the consequent floods and landslides. The water levels of several rivers in northern Vietnam were dangerously high. A passenger bus carrying 20 people was swept into a flooded stream by a landslide in mountainous Cao Bang province Monday morning. Rescuers were deployed but landslides blocked the path to where the incident took place The busy steel bridge over the engorged Red River in Phu Tho province collapsed on Monday morning, local officials told state media. Several motorbikes and cars fell into the river, the initial reports said, adding that three people fished out of the river in ongoing rescue operations had been taken to the hospital. Typhoon Yagi was the strongest typhoon to hit Vietnam in decades when it made landfall Saturday with winds up to 92mph. It weakened to a tropical depression on Sunday, but the countrys meteorological agency has still warned the continuing downpours could cause floods and landslides. Watch a video of the bridge collapse below. Monday, September 9, 2024 Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been exposed badly. This is after Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah accused him of exploiting tea and coffee farmers in the Mt Kenya Region. Speaking to residents in Mathioya, Muranga County yesterday, Ichungwah called out the DP for using his position to exploit tea and coffee farmers in Mt. Kenya instead of working to iron out the issues affecting them. President William Ruto tasked Gachagua to lead reforms in tea and coffee farming to ensure cartels that have long plagued farmers are eliminated for good. However, Ichungwah lamented that despite farmers putting in all the work, there are some politicians who are conspiring to fleece them of their harvest. He pointed out that the sale of tea leaves at the Mombasa Auction has stalled because Gachagua has pushed for tea leaves to be sold through his brokerage company. I will fight state capture by those who are in power today. Those who want to impoverish the people of Mt Kenya by demanding Ksh3 per Kilogram of coffee sold from our region, he warned. He noted that by demanding that all the tea from the Central region be sold through some politicians brokerage companies, farmers do not receive good prices for their tea and coffee since they are controlled to benefit certain cartels. Ichung'wah claimed that the cartels behind the brokerage houses enrich themselves at the expense of the people. We will not allow anyone to participate in politics with our votes. Our votes are for seeking a government that will work for us, he stated. Then you tell us to unite so that you may auction our votes for your own benefit. However, he warned Gachagua that he would not let him continue impoverishing Mt. Kenya farmers; not when he is still the Majority Leader. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, September 9, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out guns blazing, accusing President William Ruto and his government of fighting him politically. Speaking at ACK St. Patrick's Church in Kayole yesterday, Gachagua sharply criticized Ruto's government for using security personnel to intimidate elected leaders with dissenting views. He termed the move by Ruto to use security officers to manage politics as retrogressive and a violation of democracy. I would like to ask the security officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), please dont take us back to where we came from. "The use of the criminal justice system to manage politics made the fourth administration very unpopular, he stated. While referring to the case of Embakasi Central Member of Parliament Benjamin Gathiru and his counterpart of Embakasi North, James Gakuya, who were interrogated by officers from the DCI, Gachagua asked police officers to be guided by the Constitution and not take illegal orders from above. It doesnt make sense to harass Gakuya and Gathiru for no reason because of politics, arresting them, confiscating their phones, and intimidating them, he added. He further called on the DCI officers to release the phones of the two MPs that were confiscated during their interrogation. He noted that the purpose of intimidation to cow elected leaders only emboldens them and makes the current regime unpopular. According to Gachagua, the harassment of elected leaders only makes the government's critics popular. Dont harass elected leaders, dont be misused to engage in politics just do your work, we have enough problems of crime in Nairobi City, he stated. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, September 9, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua appears to be a man on a mission, judging by the enthusiastic reception he received at Kayole estate in Nairobi on Sunday. Gachagua was in Kayole to attend a Sunday service at St Patrick's ACK church. Going by the photos, Gachagua was welcomed by the mammoth crowd that had lined up from Outering Road to Manyanja Road where he attended a church service. Acknowledged greetings from the residents of Kayole on my way from ACK St. Patrick's Church, Gachagua wrote on X. Gachagua's warm reception reportedly shocked State House gatekeepers, who have labeled him a tribalist for advocating unity in the Mt. Kenya region. Here are photos of how Gachagua was welcomed in Kayole as Ruto and his allies continue calling him a tribalist and an ethnic bigot. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Monday, September 9, 2024 - The Grandfather of Georgia high school sho0ting suspect Colt Gray is demanding the death penalty for the 14-year-old's father over his role in the mass murder. Colin Gray faces four counts of manslaughter and two counts of second-degree murder amid claims he gave his son the AR-15-style rifle used in the massacre at Apalachee High School on Wednesday, September 3. Gray's ex-father-in-law said the 14-year-old was 'driven by his father to do what he did' as it emerged that Colt's grandmother visited the school outside Winder just hours before the shooting to discuss his behavior. 'Spending 11 years with that son of a b***h screaming and hollering every day, it can affect anybody,' Charles Polhamus, 81, told the NY Post. 'He needs the death penalty.' Gray, 54, appeared in court last Friday after he was arrested over his role in the shooting that killed two students and two teachers, and left nine injured. The alleged gunman's parents split in 2022 after they were evicted from their home and Colt was living with Gray when the shooting took place. 'Colt has to pay for what he did, but I'm telling you, he was driven, no question in my mind,' Polhamus said from his home in Fitzgerald. 'Colt is like a lot of young kids these days with the tablets and some of the garbage they pull up, the blood, and all the fighting. 'If you don't think that has an impact on young kids, you're missing the boat, and that was also part of Colt's problem. 'It's part of it and living with a dysfunctional dad who was a screamer and a hollerer. 'No question about it. Prior to going through this, he was a good kid. I will preach that forever.' Polhamus said his wife Deborah had gone to the school a day before the shooting as family concern about Colt mounted. 'They were having some problems with him not going to school, and this kind of thing,' he told CBS. 'My wife had gone up there the day before and met with the teachers to get him some.' Polhamus spoke out after it was claimed that his daughter, Marcee Gray, called her son's school to warn them of an 'extreme emergency' minutes before the shooting started. 'I told them it was an extreme emergency and for them to go immediately and find [my son] to check on him,' the mother told her sister in text messages seen by the Washington Post. The outlet reported that a call log from the family's shared phone plan shows Gray made a 10-minute call to the school at 9.50am on Wednesday, about half an hour before Colt allegedly opened fire. She then got in her car and started driving toward the school, more than three hours away. But about half-way there she learned that the tragedy she was racing to prevent had already taken place. 'I was the one that notified the school counselor at the high school,' he told her sister. Further text exchanges reported by Marcee's sister showed that Colt's school and family were also in contact regarding his deteriorating mental health at least a week before the shooting. In one text, Brown reportedly told a relative that Colt was having 'homicidal and suicidal thoughts.' 'He shouldn't have a gun, and he should've been in THERAPY months ago,' she added in the text. Brown said that her nephew had spent months 'begging' for mental health help, but the 'adults around him failed him.' Marcee was previously ordered by a court to have only limited contact with Colt's father after she pleaded guilty in December to a charge of family violence. Months earlier in May 2023, the family had been visited by local law enforcement after receiving an FBI tip about threats to carry out a school shooting. Colt denied making the threats, and Gray told cops that although he kept hunting rifles in the home his son was not allowed to use them unsupervised. But the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the boy's father allowed him access to the AR-style rifle used in the shooting, as investigators probe claims it was gifted him as a Christmas present in December last year. Polhamus said his former son-in-law cost the family their 'half-million-dollar farm' after spiraling into drug addiction following a back injury. And he said his daughter was dragged into her then husband's addiction but had always remained committed to their three children. 'She is a good person and a mom,' he insisted. 'But I'm back to what I said about narcissists: They can change anybody. 'Marcee never did anything to Colt. All she did is help him out.' He also said his grandson sent her a message on the morning of the shooting, telling her 'I'm sorry Mom'. 'Colt didn't cause that to happen. He did it,' Polhamus said. 'He didn't wake up one day and decide I'm going to kill people. No, he didn't do that. He came out of an environment. 'If you step in a wad of s***, what happens to your foot? You step in a wad of s***. 'This is no different. To live in that for 11 years, my daughter and her children. 'If you live in that kind of relationship for 11 years you're not going to stay stable.' Monday, September 9, 2024 - Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is reportedly burning the midnight oil crafting a formidable alliance that will topple the Kenya Kwanza Alliance regime in 2027. In July, President William Ruto set his sights on re-election in 2027 by aligning himself with opposition leader Raila Odinga and his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Ruto's move was seen as ingenious, as he successfully brought Raila Odinga and his Luo community electorate into the government. On the other hand, Uhuru, who is one of the fierce critics of President William Rutos regime, is crafting an alliance that will go head-to-head with Ruto in 2027. Since Ruto has technically lost the Mt Kenya region, which supported him overwhelmingly in the last election, Uhuru is considering collaborating with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to tame the 'man from Sugoi in the mountain. In the Eastern region, Uhuru is working with former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who is the undisputed Ukambani region political kingpin. In Western Kenya, Uhuru is alleged to be working with Democratic Action Kenya party leader, Eugene Wamalwa and firebrand Trans Nzoia County Governor, George Natembeya. In the Nyanza region, Uhuru has picked former Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiangi who is still his close confidante. Though details of who will fly the presidential flag or who will be his running mate are still scanty ,impeccable sources indicate that the Son of Jomo is committed to saving the country from endemic corruption and disregard for the rule of law that has become the norm in Rutos regime. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, September 9, 2024 - The parents of a baby who has undergone four surgeries and may need a skin graft after a man poured hot coffee on the baby in a random attack in Australia have revealed that their badly scalded child is to undergo further surgery on Friday and have now spoken of their devastation after learning their sons attacker has run away. The nine-month-old boy was injured on August 27 while having a picnic with his mother at a Brisbane park. The man allegedly came up to the boy and poured a Thermos of hot coffee on the child, burning his face and chest. He travelled by car to New South Wales, on August 28 before flying out of Sydney Airport on August 31, police said. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. The boy suffered serious burns, and the injuries to his neck and chest were likely to scar. The family expects the nine-month-old may need a skin graft and has undergone four surgeries. The babys parents have spoken of their devastation. It sounds like they were very, very close in catching him, and this obviously means that were going to have to wait who knows how long to get justice for our son, the mother told the ABC after the press conference. Its a bit heartbreaking. The parents, who have asked to remain anonymous, said they have been living in fear since the attack, with the mother saying she will continue to live with anxiety while in public with her son. Its affected my mental health for the rest of my life, she said. The mother said she was feeling immense sadness for her son and the pain he endured. Shortly after the news the man had fled the country, the mother took to Instagram to say the 33-year-old foreign national knew exactly what he was doing when he chose two vulnerable people at a park to attack. As a result of the attack, fear will continue to surround me daily Months of recovery will continue for my son, the mother wrote. Constant questions eating away at me, Why? Why him? Why not me? Why an innocent defenceless baby. She said the attack had changed her familys lives and destroyed her mental health for years to come. It has ripped this part of motherhood a happy joyful time from beneath me, she said. Within a matter of days of the attack, he had already fled the country and actively avoided police tactics to track him down, she wrote. Ive lived in constant fear for two weeks that he might attack us again. I had no idea what this man was capable of, the anxiety has been extreme. We now have to wait weeks, months or even years until justice is served for our boy, she said. In an additional post to social media, the mother questioned how the alleged attacker could live with himself. This gutless coward gets to live a normal life in another country right now whilst we go through the trauma, she said. How is this even real? Brisbane Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said the investigation was one of the most complex and frustrating he had been involved in. He said the accused was aware of police methodologies and was conducting counter-surveillance activities that made it more complex. It wasnt until September 1 that we were able to put a name to the face in the CCTV, Inspector Dalton said. He said the foreign national had been travelling in and out of Australia since 2019 on both working and holiday visas, with addresses in NSW and Victoria. Monday, September 9, 2024 - The Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) boss Stephen Mutoro has urged President William Ruto not to be misadvised that the Luo community electorate can replace the Mt Kenya electorate. Ruto won the 2022 presidential election largely due to the Mt Kenya electorate, who overwhelmingly supported his bid. However, after 2 years in power, Ruto seems to have abandoned the restive mountain and he is now wooing the Luo electorate, who voted for veteran opposition leader, Raila Odinga in the last presidential election. According to Mutoro, Ruto has miscalculated, as the Luo community electorate cannot match the Mt Kenya region in terms of numbers. Mutoro advised President William Ruto to take action to prevent losing Mt Kenya, emphasizing that "a stitch in time saves nine!" President @WilliamsRuto should dread carefully. The mountain can never ever be equated to the lake in a discussion about height. "Why is he losing clout, unnecessarily and too fast. "A stitch in time saves nine! Mutoro wrote on X The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, September 9, 2024 - The mother of the teenager suspected of killing four people during a Georgia school shooting called to warn a school counselor before the shooting, the suspects aunt and grandfather said. Colt Gray, 14, apologized to his mother Marcee Gray on the morning of the mass shooting at Apalachee High School, sending an alarming early-morning text that prompted the mother to warn the school, his grandfather told the New York Post. Marcee Grays father, Charles Polhamus, told the New York Post his daughter was at his home in Georgia on Wednesday morning when Colt texted her to say: Im sorry, mom. Colt has been charged with four counts of murder after committing a mass shooting earlier this week at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, prosecutors said. He will be tried as an adult. Marcee Gray broke her silence Saturday, apologizing for the absolutely horrific shooting. I am so, so sorry and can not fathom the pain and suffering they are going through right now, she told the Washington Post in a text. The mother called the school about an unspecified extreme emergency involving Colt sometime before the shooting began, Grays sister Annie Brown told the Washington Post and later confirmed to CNN. A 10-minute call was placed from Marcee Grays phone to the school at 9:50 a.m., the Washington Post reported. Police were notified of the shooting around 10:20 that morning, CNN previously reported. Marcee Gray later confirmed the call to the Washington Post, which reported Gray declined to elaborate on what had prompted her to call in the warning to the school, but said she had shared that information with law enforcement. According to the Post, Brown has a shared phone plan with the family which allowed her to see a log of the calls made by her sister. The Barrow County School District did not return CNNs request for comment. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation referred CNNs request for comment to the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office. CNN has reached out to the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office Saturday evening. CNN has also reached out to Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, who previously said he did not know any phone call to the school before the shooting. Colt Gray, 14, is accused of killing 2 teachers and 2 students and injuring 9 others during the mass shooting on Wednesday. He was arrested within minutes of the shooting at the school. His father, Colin Gray, was also arrested and is facing charges of 2nd-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and cruelty to children. His arrest was the result of the fact that he reportedly purchased the gun, an AR-15 style weapon for his son. Monday, September 9, 2024 - Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria raided a party hosted by Nigerians after the residents complained that they were making a lot of noise. The foreign men were playing loud music and indulging in alcohol, causing a disturbance in the otherwise quiet neighborhood. Mosiria stormed into the party in the middle of the night, furious, and demanded it be stopped immediately. Why are you disturbing your neighbours? he was heard asking as he confronted the partygoers. He threatened to arrest them if they continued with the party. Mosiria is among the most hardworking County Chief Officers in the country. Governor Sakaja recently recognized his efforts in making the city clean and habitable. Watch the video. Look at how Nairobi County Chief Officer of Environment Geoffrey Mosiria Stopped music during a Party in Kilimani held by Nigerians after a Resident Called him saying they were making noise for them and couldn't Sleep. pic.twitter.com/wjc8gbKVxw Omwamba (@omwambaKE) September 9, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Monday, September 9, 2024 - A new CNN Poll of Polls including polls conducted since the Democratic National Convention, finds a tight race with no clear leader between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Harris has an average of 49% support in the new Poll of Polls, while Trump has 47% across polls conducted between August 23 and September 6. The new average is largely unchanged from the previous average, which found Harris at 50% to Trump at 48%. The Poll of Polls includes the four most recent national polls measuring the views of registered or likely voters in a 2024, presidential general election. Also, a New York Times and Siena College poll of likely voters conducted from September 3 to 6 showed 48% say they support Trump to 47% for Harris, with no clear leader. The survey suggests a wide gender gap among likely voters, with women breaking for Harris by 11 points (53% to 42%), while men favor Trump by 17 points (56% to 39%). Harris has an 8-point advantage among likely voters younger than 30 (51% support Harris to 43% for Trump), while Trump has the upper hand among those age 65 or older. Independent likely voters tilt narrowly toward Harris, 48% to 44%, while those likely voters who say they did not vote in 2020 split 49% Trump to 40% Harris. Harris holds broad advantages among likely Black and Latino voters. In November, Americans will head to the polls to vote for the next president between Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party and Donald Trump of the Republican party. Monday, September 9, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) not to be used by politicians to settle political scores. Speaking during a church service in Embakasi Central, Nairobi County, on Sunday, Gachagua said DCI officers are taking the country backward when they are used by politicians to abduct and harass innocent Kenyans. "The DCI should not take the country backward on harassment of political leaders. "They must be professional and deal with crime in accordance with the law. "Using the Constitution, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), and the Evidence Act, they will be more professional," Gachagua stated. The second in command said Kenyans are supreme and deserve to be respected and listened to without discrimination. "Good leadership is listening to the people, getting their views and aspirations. "I want to encourage leaders to, please, listen to the people and align with their aspirations. Also, be truthful. Kenyans are intelligent and can no longer be cheated," Gachagua said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, September 9, 2024 - American rapper, Chrisean Rock, has shared an emotional message following her recent release after an arrest in a drug-related case, expressing her joy in reuniting with her son, Chrisean Jr. In a heartfelt post, Rock opened up about how grateful she is to be back with her son just days after his birthday, despite the pain of missing such a significant milestone. "Feeling blessed to be back with my son, but the pain of missing his first birthday will stay with me," Rock wrote, acknowledging the regret of missing his first big celebration. Chrisean urged her fans to focus on providing daily love and care to their children, emphasizing that while milestones are important, the consistent love parents give their children matters most. She also expressed her gratitude for the support she's received, saying, "Cherish every moment, and trust in God." The message was accompanied by a touching video of her spending quality time with her son, along with several adorable photos. Rock's legal troubles began in June when she was arrested for a probation violation related to the Tamar Braxton assault case. Her situation worsened last month when she was extradited to Oklahoma in connection to a drug case. Prosecutors have charged her with possession of controlled dangerous substances with intent to distribute and failure to affix a tax stamp on the drugs. If convicted, she could face up to eight years in prison. Despite her ongoing legal battle, Rock remains optimistic and grateful, thanking her fans for their prayers and support during this challenging time. Monday, September 9, 2024 - Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has added fuel to the fire over the controversial deal between President William Rutos government and the Indian company Adani Group to take over the operations of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Speaking during a church service at St Paul ACK Nyathuna, Kabete Town, Kalonzo strongly opposed the deal and accused the government of engaging in shady deals behind the scenes. He accused Ruto of harboring ulterior motives over the deal. "How can we sell our international airport just like that?" he posed. "Of all the scams this country has seen, the Adani scam is unbelievable." "They're engaging in secret deals without engaging the public, Parliament, the Senate or the National Assembly. That's why we have to say no." The former Vice President also criticized the government for proceeding with the Adani deal without engaging in public participation. Similar sentiments were echoed by former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa who alleged that the Adani group was rejected in other first-world countries because it is a rogue company. "The Adani group was rejected in Australia and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, there were protests and the regime failed because of this group which has now been brought to Kenya," he alleged. Kalonzo has been on a mission to strengthen his presidential bid ahead of the 2027 polls and he appears to have upped his political game since Azimio Leader Raila Odinga confirmed his intentions to go for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship job. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, September 9, 2024 - Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has challenged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to come out clearly and confirm the dates when they will permanently employ Junior Secondary School (JSS) interns. Nyoro, who also serves as National Assembly Budget and Appropriation Committee Chairperson, revealed that President William Rutos government had allocated Ksh18.7 billion for the exercise so there was no excuse for the confirmation not to be expedited. Nyoro was attending a form four motivation talk and prayers in Eldorai Constituency, Nandi County where he said the process of employing the 46,000 JSS teachers shouldn't take longer. The MP has challenged TSC to desist from shifting target dates and instead provide clear dates so that the interns can start preparing themselves. "Provide official communication to the JSS teachers on the date that you are going to confirm them into permanent and pensionable employment," "Give that official communication so that the teachers can know, and budget themselves." the MP said. The issue of JSS teachers' employment was among the major issues that formed the base of the teachers' strike that was recently called off. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, September 9, 2024 - There was drama after suspected rogue state agents tried to disrupt a public meeting held by vocal political analyst Morara Kebaso at the Kiawara market in Nyeri. According to Morara, a fire engine truck was sent to disrupt his meeting as he was addressing the gathering. The truck was headed nowhere and the driver kept bullying Moraras entourage. However, the people stood their ground and chased the driver away. Sharing the video on his X account, Morara wrote, Someone decided to send a fire engine to come and disrupt our meeting with the people at Kiawara market. "The vehicle was headed nowhere to do nothing and even left the tarmac to follow us into the market centre where we were discussing issues of national importance. "It kept reversing and speeding towards us like a charging bull. But we stood our ground. "Asante watu wa Kiawara Nyeri. Poleni sana kwa msiba. "I have noted that in the whole of Kieni Sub-county, there is no hospital. "I will write to the CD health and County Governor on that issue. "Meanwhile, I am asking the people of Mount Kenya to wake up their leaders and keep them accountable. "Tumalize wizi ndio kazi ifanyike," Someone decided to send a fire engine to come and disrupt our meeting with the people at Kiawara market. The vehicle was headed no where to do nothing and even left the tarmac to follow us into the market centre where we were discussing issues of national importance. It kept pic.twitter.com/kW9DHxfF3c Morara Kebaso Snr (@MoraraKebasoSnr) September 9, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Monday, September 9, 2024 - President William Ruto has been warned that he risks losing support from the Mt Kenya region if he fails to tame National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah, who is accused of disrespecting some leaders in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance. Speaking on Sunday, Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, also known as Major Donk, urged Ruto to rein in his 'attack dog' Ichungwah before things go awry for him in the Mt Kenya region. Gathiru stated that Ichungwah has been abusing Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is the highest-ranking leader from Mt Kenya. "I want to ask the president, it is you who appointed Kimani Ichung'wah as the majority leader and not us, you appointed him the leader of government business, the people and I need to understand whether the role included going around the country abusing the deputy president. Tame your dog, Gathiru said He further maintained that it was a shame for them as leaders to have Ichung'wah lead them while driving on a mission to abuse other leaders. According to Gathiru, it is becoming increasingly difficult to continue associating with the Ruto regime due to what he claims is the intimidation of the Deputy President's allies. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, September 9, 2024 Deputy President Rigathi Gachaguas ally and Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru has slammed the National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah for exposing the DPs alleged dirty deals. This is after Ichungwah accused Gachagua of exploiting tea and coffee farmers in Mt. Kenya using his company. In a statement yesterday, the visibly angry MP asked President William Ruto to contain Ichungwah before it is too late, saying the Majority Leader is on the loose. I want to ask the President, it is you who appointed Kimani Ichung'wah as the Majority Leader and not us, you appointed him the leader of government business, the people and I need to understand whether the role included going around the country abusing the deputy president, Gathiru questioned. As a result, the MP asked Ruto to tame Kimani Ichung'wah, likening him to an animal on the loose that needed to be tamed. He maintained that it was a shame for them as leaders to have Ichung'wah lead them while driving on a mission to abuse other leaders. "I am even feeling ashamed as a leader standing before you with the fact that my leader of the majority is at the center of childrens talk of how he knows how to abuse others, which government is this?" he questioned. The lawmaker likened Ichungwahs behavior to the woes that faced the former leadership of the nation under Uhuru Kenyatta, maintaining that it was from such that William Ruto got alienated by his former boss. "The other government also started going this route when people started walking away from the government and even now, I am seeing that this is the trend that is going to follow soon," Gathiru recounted. He insisted that if the trend continues and should they be told to move, then they will just move without resistance, signaling a plot to likely walk away from the current political formation. "We said scornful politics of lacking respect, deceit, abductions, and intimidation must come to an end when we were campaigning, Gathiru stated. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, September 9, 2024 - A man recorded himself in a court cell after he was reportedly detained for allegedly challenging a magistrate at Shanzu Law Court. He confronted the magistrate and complained that the accused's lawyer was bringing up unsubstantiated issues during the hearing. Instead of the magistrate listening to him, she ordered that he be detained in the court cell for causing disturbance. The infuriated man claimed that the suspect had bribed the judiciary, adding that she had even tried to bribe the police before she was arrested and charged in court. "I know the suspect has the capacity to bribe the whole judicial system but I will deal with her, he was heard saying in the video as he demanded justice. Watch the video. " The world Must know" - A kenyan man detained in Shanzu law court after challenging a judge! pic.twitter.com/kVDiib472s The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) September 7, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, September 9, 2024 - Former US president, Donald Trump has threatened gbd prosecution and long-term prison sentences for election officials and political operatives who he suggested could cheat in the 2024 election, if he again wins the presidency in November. Trump, claiming Democrats engaged in fraudulent behaviour in 2020, said that he, attorneys and legal scholars are watching the Sanctity of the 2024 Presidential Election very closely. WHEN I WIN, Trump wrote in a post on his social network, Truth Social, and X, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. Trumps threats of prosecution come as early voting will soon be underway in a number of American states. Trump has routinely suggested he would weaponize the justice system to go after his political opponents if voters return him to the White House. These threats began after he was first indicted in his Manhattan hush money case more than a year ago. Trump, added; I know, better than most, the rampant Cheating and Skullduggery that has taken place by the Democrats in the 2020 Presidential Election. It was a Disgrace to our Nation! WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long-term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again, he wrote. Please beware that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials. Those involved in unscrupulous behaviour will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country, he added. Trump still faces charges over election interference stemming from efforts to subvert the 2020 election, including a four-count indictment in his federal case. A separate election interference case against him in Fulton County, Georgia has been indefinitely paused. Tusk Casino Celebrates Trace's R2.3 Million Jackpot Victory JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 2024 -- Tusk Casino proudly announces another thrilling win for one of its players, Trace, who secured an impressive R2.3 Million on the Secrets of Cleopatra slot, crafted by PG Soft. This notable win is proof of the exciting potential of Tusk Casino, supported by www.SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, the leading online gambling guide for South African players. Trace's Winning Moment at Tusk Casino Trace's victory highlights the engaging and lucrative nature of Tusk Casino's extensive game selection. Secrets of Cleopatra, renowned for its captivating gameplay, proved to be a game-changer for Trace. 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He tried to make his way to the meeting, only to be chased away. Is this Babu Owino? The Kenyan DAILY POST. Monday, September 9, 2024 - Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti has clarified reports claiming she was detained in the United Kingdom for smuggling Sh657 million allegedly stolen from Machakos County. Online reports claimed that a UK bank refused to accept large sums of cash from Ndeti due to concerns about the money's legitimacy. In a statement on Sunday, the governor denied the allegations, terming them as misinformation by political detractors. "It is demeaning and an insult to the intelligence of the people of Machakos and Kenya to imagine that I would smuggle hundreds of millions of shillings on my person to the United Kingdom and that I have been detained. "Those fabricating falsity are clearly ignorant of the robust nature of UK Customs/Border Control and Financial Institutions. "I can confirm that my family and I are safe and sound and remain in good standing both home and abroad," the statement read in part. She further said she intends to identify, pursue, and bring before the law all those peddling baseless rumours and fake news. "This amounts to defamation and misuse of electronic media to spread falsehoods. "Such malicious misinformation has created perceptions about me and my family members that endanger our lives. "Let the authors of this narrative be warned that should anything happen to any member of my family or myself, you shall be held personally responsible," Ndeti said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, September 9, 2024 Dreaded Haiti gang leader Lanmo Sanjou, the head of the infamous Mawozo 400, has all the reasons to be worried. This is after Kenyan Police Commander to Haiti Godfrey Otunge vowed to deal with him ruthlessly in an effort to liberate Haiti. Speaking during an interview, Otunge warned that the gangs' days were numbered and that the police would do everything possible to combat anarchy in the Caribbean nation. According to the police commander, the officers must fulfill their mission in Haiti, with the primary objective being to end gang violence. I can tell you that Lanmo Sanjou, his days are numbered. Take it to the bank, because we came here for a reason, Otunge warned. We came here with a purpose. We came here to do something, and we must do it, he added. Otunge revealed that he deploys his officers daily, alongside the Haiti National Police, to patrol and ensure security in Port-au-Prince and its surrounding suburbs. He further revealed that the mission had so far made immense progress with the police managing to reclaim several critical amenities that were under the control of the gangs. "Together with the HNP, we recaptured the hospital, and the hospital is currently under our patrols together with the Haiti National Police. Number two, the seaport was a no-go zone. Nobody dared to go to the seaport because it was barricaded. "We worked together with the Haiti National Police and people are now moving and theres movement of vehicles," Otunge reiterated. The Kenyan DAILY POST An excerpt from Story Treasures: Medical Essays and Insights in the Narrative Tradition. The Gish gallop named after American creationist Duane Gish, who challenged the science of evolution is a rhetorical technique often used by a debater to throw out a fast string of lies, non-sequiturs, and specious arguments, so many that it is impossible to fact-check or rebut them in the amount of time it took to say them (think: Donald Trump). Trying to figure out how to respond makes the person look confused because they dont know where to start grappling with the flood of lies that has just hit them. It is a form of gaslighting. The term gaslight originates from the 1938 play Gas Light, written by British playwright Patrick Hamilton. The play was later adapted into a successful 1944 film starring Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer. In the story, a husband manipulates his wife into thinking she is going insane by gradually dimming the gaslights in their home and then denying that the lights are changing, among other deceptive tactics. This psychological manipulation leads the wife to doubt her own perceptions and sanity. Gaslighting is real and widespread in medicine. According to the October 2022 SHE Media Medical Gaslighting survey, 72% of women experienced medical gaslighting. In addition to women, other vulnerable groups include people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and older adults. Gaslighting makes patients seem or feel unstable, irrational, and not credible. It makes them question themselves and their experience utilizing an imbalance of power between practitioner and patient. Unfortunately, medicine is full of that imbalance of powerin knowledge, time, and physicality. One is an all-knowing doctor (or advanced practice provider); the other is a layperson. The patient is in a gown; the doctor wears a white coat or is dressed business casual. There is a time imbalance in which patients live with their conditions, sometimes for years, yet health care workers must squeeze in a whole discussion of that condition in 10 or 15 minutes. All of those imbalances are so powerful that they can even overcome a health care professionals knowledge and judgment when the health care professional is a patient. Many doctors and nurses who have experienced health care from the other side have written about being gaslit. Overwhelmed by the force of another health care professional, they come to doubt themselves and fail to trust in their own experience, which causes them to question themselves and their sanity. Just imagine how the experience of being gaslit feels for routine patients if it can feel that bad for people who work in the health care system. Patients can be gaslit in various ways, such as dismissing or minimizing symptoms by attributing them to psychological causes without thorough investigation, contradicting a patients account of their symptoms or medical history without evidence, or ignoring and belittling a patients concerns or questions. These actions can deeply affect patients, leading to increased anxiety, depression, feelings of helplessness, and a significant erosion of trust in health care providers and the health care system as a whole. Moreover, it can result in delays in diagnosis and treatment, further compromising patient health outcomes. Several factors apart from a power imbalance can contribute to the occurrence of gaslighting in medical practice. Implicit biases related to gender, race, age, or mental health can lead to dismissive attitudes towards certain groups of patients. Communication issues, including poor interpersonal skills and a lack of empathy, can also result in misunderstandings and dismissive behavior. Addressing gaslighting requires increasing awareness among health care providers about the signs and impacts of their behavior. Correcting the underlying factors is crucial in preventing and mitigating gaslighting. This means training practitioners in empathy, active listening, and cultural competence, emphasizing a patient-centered approach that validates patient experiences and involves them in decision-making. Health care providers have an ethical duty to respect patient autonomy, provide truthful information, and avoid harm. Adherence to professional standards and guidelines that promote respectful and evidence-based patient interactions is essential. Patients who feel as though they have been gaslit by health care providers can employ various strategies to advocate for themselves and ensure they receive appropriate care. One effective approach is to document everything meticulously. Keeping detailed records of medical interactions, including symptoms, dates, times, and specifics of conversations with health care providers, can provide a clear timeline and serve as evidence if needed. Seeking a second opinion is another crucial strategy. Patients should feel empowered to consult another health care provider if their concerns are not being taken seriously. A fresh perspective can validate their experiences and provide new insights. Additionally, bringing a trusted friend or family member to appointments can offer emotional support and another perspective on the conversation. This person can help take notes and advocate on the patients behalf. Clear and assertive communication is essential. Patients should express their concerns and symptoms without minimizing them, using I statements to convey their feelings without sounding accusatory. Asking detailed questions about diagnoses, treatment options, and the reasoning behind medical decisions can help patients gain a better understanding and feel more involved in their care. Requesting written summaries of visits, including diagnoses, treatment plans, and follow-up steps, can also ensure clarity and provide a reference for future appointments. Utilizing patient advocates or ombudsmen can assist in resolving concerns about care. These professionals can help navigate the health care system and mediate between patients and providers. Additionally, educating themselves about their symptoms and potential conditions can empower patients to ask more pointed questions and feel more confident in their interactions with health care providers. If gaslighting persists, patients should consider reporting their concerns to the health care facilitys administration or relevant regulatory bodies. Formal complaints can sometimes prompt necessary changes and accountability. Seeking emotional support from mental health professionals, such as therapists or counselors, can help patients process their experiences and build resilience. Patients who have been severely affected by gaslighting may require trauma-informed psychotherapy. Connecting with others who have had similar experiences through support groups can provide validation, advice, and encouragement. These groups can be found online or through local community organizations. Finally, if a patient constantly feels gaslit by a particular provider, it may be beneficial to switch to a different practitioner or practice. Finding a provider who listens and respects their concerns is crucial for effective care. In conclusion, gaslighting in medical practice is a serious issue that undermines patient trust and can lead to adverse health outcomes. By fostering a culture of empathy, respect, and patient-centered care, health care providers can reduce the risks of gaslighting and improve the overall patient experience. Patients should not persist with providers who engage in gaslighting; they should be equipped with strategies to counteract it. Debaters are instructed to call out the Gish gallop by name, identifying their opponent and saying to the audience: This is a strategy called the Gish Gallop do not be fooled by the flood of nonsense you have just heard. This declaration casts doubt on their opponents debating ability for an audience unfamiliar with the technique, especially if no independent verification is involved or if the audience has limited knowledge of the topics. Taking affirmative action in one form or another is often the best way to deal with experiences that are consistently dismissed by the people who make you feel crazy. Arthur Lazarus is a former Doximity Fellow, a member of the editorial board of the American Association for Physician Leadership, and an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He is the author of several books on narrative medicine, including Medicine on Fire: A Narrative Travelogue and Story Treasures: Medical Essays and Insights in the Narrative Tradition. A coalition of domestic violence activists under the Women Movement of Uganda on Monday implored the government to recommit to ensuring the protection of women and girls at all levels of society. This comes at a time of increasing cases of domestic violence not only in Uganda but also across other East African Countries including Kenya with the latest incident of the Uganda Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who was deliberately doused in petro and later set ablaze by the alleged boyfriend. According to a 2023 survey by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 1 out of 3 women in Kenya has experienced gender-based violence with over 40% of women likely to face a lifetime of physical and sexual abuse from their partner. Additionally, in Uganda, the 2023 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report indicated that 15,184 people were survivors of domestic violence, 10,792 of whom were female. Elizabeth Kemigisha, the Advocacy Communications Manager at FIDA-Uganda, Suzan Achen, the Uganda Womens Network coordinator for Womens Rights and Access to Justice and Ann Nassamula, the Program Officer at Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention among others addressed media at the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (Fida) Offices in Ntinda over the matter. Rebeccas death tragically illustrates the extreme vulnerabilities women continue to face even as they break barriers and bring pride to their communities and countries at large. It is also an indication of the low regard with which society perceives womens rights and protection issues, Kemigisha told KFM. A survey carried out by Ichikowitz Family Foundation has shown that corruption is now front and centre in the minds of youth in the country. The survey reveals that they (youths) believe that corruption in their country is robbing them of their birthright; the single greatest hurdle they face to achieve their own potential and achieve the better life that was denied to their parents and their grandparents. Most of all, they dont believe their government is doing enough to address this scourge and because of it almost 60% are looking to emigrate in the next five years, with North America being the top destination of choice followed by Western Europe, where France, UK, Germany and Spain are the top destinations, the survey results show. Mr Nico De Klerk, Director of Communications, Ichikowitz Family Foundation says this concern with corruption is a key finding of the 2024 edition of the African Youth Survey, the third iteration of the unique biennial survey of African youths aged between 18 and 24. He says the youth want change, tougher sanctions against corrupt politicians, including banning them from standing for office. They also want a different form of government. Kisoro leaders continue to eulogise the late State Minister for Defense, Sarah Mateke who died on Saturday morning. The latest is her father, Dr. Philemon Mateke who describes the former Kisoro Woman MP as a uniting factor in the politics of Kisoro District. Dr.Mateke, who also serves as the Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party in Kisoro District, reveals that he was instrumental in grooming Sarah Mateke for a career in politics, often advising and encouraging her to become a good leader. Reflecting on her political journey, Dr. Mateke said that Sarah, having grown up observing his own political life, naturally emulated his path. He praised her as a dedicated member of the NRM who would traverse Kisoro District in a single day, tirelessly mobilizing support for the party. He described her as a hardworking and pro-people leader who never antagonized anyone. I have lost a daughter who was humble and respected everyone, Dr. Mateke said, adding that the people of Kisoro had recognized her potential as a leader during her tenure. According to the burial program, Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi will be laid to rest on Thursday, September 12, 2024, in Nyakabingo, Kisoro District. Her body will arrive at All Saints Cathedral in Kampala on Tuesday, September 10, for a memorial service. After the service, the body will be taken to Parliament for a special sitting at noon. On Wednesday, September 11, her body will be transported to Nyakabingo, Kisoro, for a council session. Religious leaders have linked the recent surge of HIV/AIDS cases in the country to the increasing access to alcohol, pornography, and house parties organized by a section of youth groups. The chairperson of the Inter-religious Council and the Archbishop of Uganda, Steven Kaziimba Mugalu on Monday called for a consultative effort with the government to address this issue immediately. He says the increasing access to pornography and alcohol abuse is responsible for the increasing cases of HIV/AIDS being registered in the country. People are drinking [alcohol] including students, and this has really created a lot of problems. Some young people go somewhere and buy young ladies and they say we pay around two hundred thousand and we chew them, and then they get Aids, I feel so sad, Kaziimba said. The recent report released by the Uganda Aids Commission indicated that Uganda is losing at least 54 people every day to the disease and another 105 people get infected each day. The report went ahead to indicate some of the regions with high HIV/Aids prevalence rates and these included Mbarara district with the highest rate, Fort Portal, and Mbale among others. Aodhan O'Faolain A Garda who was the subject of a rape allegation, which was subsequently withdrawn, has launched a High Court action challenging his ongoing suspension from work. The probationary Garda was suspended from duty four years ago after an incident where was accused of raping a then teenage girl and operated a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit while he was off duty. The Garda has always maintained that he was innocent of the allegation of rape and said that his interactions with the girl were consensual. He also claims that he drove his car that while over the legal limited out of concern, to find the girl, after she left the house where the encounter took place in the early hours of the morning while she was allegedly drunk. The Garda was suspended from duty after the allegation of rape was made against him. The allegation was withdrawn in early 2021, and the Garda has never been charged nor prosecuted with any offence. In addition, no findings of wrongdoing have been made against him in any internal disciplinary proceedings. The Garda's suspension, however, has been extended from time to time. Gsoc investigation A Gsoc investigation into the incident took place, and in 2022 it recommended that disciplinary proceedings be brought against the Garda for allegedly engaging in discreditable conduct. On foot of Gsoc's report the Commissioner initiated disciplinary proceedings against the Garda and an internal Garda board of inquiry was established in March 2024. Those proceedings are on-going, and the Garda's lawyers have made submissions to the board. Represented by Mark Harty SC, with James Kane Bl instructed by solicitor Martin Moran the Garda claims that that the disciplinary proceedings against him should be halted, and his suspension lifted so he can return to duty. It is claimed that the proposed disciplinary proceedings are tainted by the delay in commencing the disciplinary proceedings and the appointment of the board of inquiry, and that there is no longer an active complaint against the Garda. It is claimed that the decision to bring disciplinary proceedings against the Garda is unlawful, and in breach of the Garda's rights. There has also been a failure to provide the Garda with adequate reasons for the continuation of the disciplinary process. The Garda's prolonged and disproportionate suspension has never been justified; it is also claimed. Judicial review In judicial review proceedings against the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General the Garda seeks various orders and declarations from the court. These include orders restraining the respondents from continuing the disciplinary proceedings against him in relation to the incident four years ago. He also seeks an order quashing the decision to continue his suspension. He further seeks various declarations from the court including that his on-going suspension is unlawful, that he should be reinstated to his employment, that there has been an unlawful delay in deciding as to whether the Garda has demonstrated an ability to perform his functions as a member of An Garda Siochana. He also wants the court to confirm that his probationary period has expired, and that he has been appointed as a Garda. The matter came before Ms Justice Emily Farrell during Monday's vacation sitting of the court. The judge, on an ex-parte basis, granted the applicant permission to bring his action. The case will return before the court next month when the new legal term commences. Kildare has the largest class size in the country with an average of 24 pupils per class, the latest National School Annual Census released by the Department of Education has revealed. The county also has the school with the most classrooms in the State, with 978 pupils spread across 42 classrooms in St Brigids Primary School on Grey Abbey Road in Kildare town. With an average of 24 pupils per class, Kildare schools still struggle with class sizes, and the problem appears to be worse in Gaelscoileanna, said Cllr Angela Feeney, herself an educator. While the overall national trend shows improvement with 10,000 fewer students in overcrowded schools, Kildare is still adversely affected by the issue. It is very disappointing that the largest average class size in the country was among schools in Kildare, where fewer than one in 10 pupils in schools find themselves in classes of 20 or under, she said. The Department of Education said pupil demographics are a key driver for teacher demand, a comment Cllr Feeney finds very ironic. If pupil demographics are a key driver for teacher demand, then why are we in Kildare in this position? she asks. We have the fastest growing populations in our towns and yet here we are again in this situation where we are being poorly served and not keeping pace with population growth. Why are Kildare school children not being fairly treated? We are so lucky to have great schools and teachers but I will do all I can to support these schools, and I have contacted the Department to see what can be done to address this imbalance". As someone who has worked in education all her life, Cllr. Feeney said she understands the importance of individual student attention and as an active supporter of the Irish language she feels particularly strongly that pupils attending Gaelscoileanna are even more likely to find themselves in large classes. "We know that Gaelscoileanna in Sallins and Celbridge have the highest average class size at 27.5 students and the largest individual class size at 33. To highlight the negative impact of large class sizes on students' education and well-being and seek solutions, Cllr Feeney proposes immediate steps to address the issue. Tom Tuite A man has been accused of "butchering" a woman, repeatedly stabbing her in the neck and head and stomping on her, during a "frenzied" attack in her north Dublin home. Matthias Kelly, 41, appeared at Dublin District Court on Monday and was denied bail after being charged with assault causing harm to the complainant, who is in her 30s, production of a kitchen knife with a six-inch serrated blade, and burglary of her house at Newbury Lawns, Clonshaugh, Dublin 17, in the early hours of Saturday. He has an additional charge for criminally damaging the sitting room and front bedroom windows at his ex-partner's and her children's home at Millbrook Avenue in Coolock on the previous evening. Judge John Brennan heard that Mr Kelly, who has no fixed abode in Coolock, Dublin, "made no reply" when charged. Detective Donal Bolger told the court, "There was blood everywhere" during the second incident, and he objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case. He told a contested bail hearing that "the injured party was lying in blood, covered in blood, it was like a murder scene". According to the detective, it was alleged the accused first went to his ex-partner's home shortly before 5 pm on Friday and "smashed" the windows. At around 12.15 am on Saturday, at the second location, he allegedly gained entry "and picked up a large serrated knife from the kitchen". The woman at that house knew him, and the court heard she woke up to find him in her bedroom standing over her. It was claimed he stabbed her multiple times to her head and neck while telling her, "You're dead, you're dead". Judge Brennan heard that she fought back, kicking him in the groin area, and the knife fell to the floor. However, it was alleged he repeatedly stomped on her head as she tried to crawl away. The court heard she had injuries to her chin, neck, shoulder and black eyes. She was treated at Beaumont Hospital before she discharged herself and went home but discovered three further wounds to the back of her head while removing hair extensions, and she was readmitted to the hospital. Detective Garda Bolger said the man was arrested at a house where he had been staying in Coolock. The court heard his clothes were bloodstained, and he was taken to Coolock Garda station, interviewed four times and had DNA samples taken from him. The judge was told gardai gathered CCTV evidence from the area. A mobile phone allegedly belonging to the defendant was seized and examined. It was said to have contained a text message from the accused to another male, saying, "I'm after a butchering your one; I'm going to be locked up". The court also heard claims that six days beforehand, another WhatsApp message from his phone was sent to the woman, saying, "I'm going to cut your throat". The detective garda anticipated "further, more serious charges" against the accused once a file has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. He also had witness intimidation fears and said that lodgers were at the house at the time. He agreed with defence solicitor David Bassett that the accused was cooperative and had the presumption of innocence. The defence argued that hearsay evidence had been given because the witness was not in court; however, the detective said the woman had been through a traumatising incident. Posing questions about the extent of the injuries, the defence solicitor presented the court with a photo allegedly taken of her after the incident. Detective Garda Bolger replied that he had seen the woman, and her hair was "completely matted in blood". Mr Kelly, who has yet to indicate a plea, did not address the court. The solicitor said that his client had no warrant history or record of offences on bail and would obey conditions and stay out of Dublin. The court heard he had suffered a head injury and was on medication. Judge Brennan held that bail conditions would not address the detective's concerns; he denied Mr Kelly bail and remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday. Legal aid was granted. "We're very fortunate to live around here, in Kilcullen and Gormanstown," those who supported a recent Syrian refugees fundraiser concert in Gormanstown Church were told. "This is a very special place, where generations have come to reflect and worship. Do you think, when you hear the birds outside in the morning, how amazingly fortunate we all are to be here." Then Dr Brendan O'Shea flipped to the other side of the coin, the four million Syrian refugees who have fled their country since 2011 when civil war broke out against the Assad family dictatorship. "Before that there were 21 million people living in reasonable harmony and prosperity. Now there are 15 million left, over half a million are dead, and a large proportion of those who fled went to Jordan." Dr Brendan O'Shea There are currently around 800,000 Syrian refugees in the Jordan camps, a figure down from around 1.4 million. Not because they have been able to go home, rather that the conditions they live under have drastically reduced their number. "They're a traumatised people," Dr O'Shea said. "They traded their freedom for a basic level of security in the UNCHR camps. But they're effectively incarcerated. Children have been born in the camps and don't know any other existence. They're poorly nourished, and they're dying from all the things that we here can have treatment for diabetes, blood pressure, appendicitis." The Gormanstown Choir performing at Syrian refugee fundraiser A short recollection of life in Aleppo in Syria before and after the war was given by Syrian Muhammad Achour, a qualified architect. He recalled his time before the war, working in an architectural practice and giving two days as a teaching assistant at the Aleppo university while studying for his Masters. "Then the war started in one city and spread to all the others, and Aleppo was put under siege. Now, almost every Syrian has someone who has died, someone tortured, someone in prison. My cousin's 13-year old child was killed by a sniper as he played." He expressed appreciation for all those who had supported the evening and related fundraisers. Arthur Greene The concert, organised by the Gormanstown Choir and friends, raised money for the next Atlantic Humanitarian Relief (AHR) mission to the Jordan refugee camps scheduled for this autumn. The twice-a-year missions provide the refugees with medical, paediatric, surgical and dental care, together with humanitarian aid. Operated by AHR since 2010, the volunteers are from America, other parts of Europe and, increasingly in recent years, from Ireland, including Gormanstown Choir leader Dorly O'Sullivan, choir member Dr O'Shea, and his wife, nurse Corrina Hopkins. All volunteers are self-funded. The music programme included pieces from Mozart, Bach, Lotti, and Lead Belly by the choir, as well as clarinet performances by the Consonance Quartet, and Arthur Greene on the keyboard. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. TUS Midwest student and Kilkenny native Clodagh Henderson has been named as the 2024 Digital Marketing Student of the Year. This awards acknowledge students who excel in understanding and applying digital media in business. It is open to all students across Ireland and is judged by a panel of industry experts. READ NEXT: Three Kilkenny students to compete in national finals Kilkenny native Clodagh is a student on the MSc in Digital Marketing & Analytics, based in TUS Moylish campus in Limerick. As part of the requirements, students can opt to create a digital marketing strategy for a real company, offering them valuable and practical experience. As a Marketing Executive with Kilkenny Design, Clodagh worked closely with the business to deliver a strategic social media campaign aimed at attracting 18 to 24-year-olds. Im so excited to have won such a prestigious award for my work with Kilkenny Design," Clodagh said. "Im very passionate about digital marketing and Im so grateful to have started my career on such a high. I cant wait to see what the future brings." Kilkenny Design CEO Evelyn Moynihan said that the business is 'super proud of our Kilkenny Design colleague Clodagh Henderson winning the Digital Marketing Student of the Year at the Digital Media Awards'. "Clodagh is a rising star in our business, and her work on our social media channels is really shining through," she added. Following closely on her classmates heels, Shruti Nadagouda, another Moylish campus-based student was awarded silver in the category. Completing the hat trick, the bronze went to Yinxin Lee from the TUS Athlone campus for her work with Midlandjobs.ie. Now in its 21st year, the Digital Media Awards recognise exemplary dedication and excellence in the industry right across Ireland. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Three students and apprentices from County Kilkenny will put their talents and knowledge to the test, when they compete against their peers on the national stage at a WorldSkills Ireland event in the RDS, Simmonscourt from Wednesday, September 25 to Friday, September 27. Set to welcome over 27,000 people including students, parents and teachers, the event will be a celebration of apprenticeships, skills and careers with interactive demonstrations, career zones and employers who are ready to recruit all on site. Over 170 finalists will go head-to-head in a range of skills-based trades including automation, constructions skills, ICT and culinary arts. Those competing from Kilkenny include; Jason Murphy, Eoghan Doherty, and Robert Finn. Jason Murphy is competing in the Digital Construction BIM competition, Eoghan Doherty will take part in the Industrial Mechanics event and Robert Finn is competing in the Toolmaking contest. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Running concurrently with Higher Options, both events aim to raise the profile and recognition of skills and apprenticeships, preparing the talent of today for the careers of the future. Supported by industry partners, SISK, Autodesk, ESB Networks, Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus, and the Construction Industry Federation, the event is a partnership between enterprise, industry, education, training, and government. Alongside the competitions, there will be demonstrations, try out areas, inspiring real-live talks from industry experts, an opportunity to meet employers who are ready to recruit and the chance to view innovative digital tech skills that are the backbone of jobs of the future. Designed to promote skills, apprenticeship careers and opportunities for young people, the event allows students, parents, teachers, and guidance counsellors to navigate the options available following secondary education. The Finals Day is set to take place at the RDS, Dublin on Friday 27th September and is a day not to be missed! Free to attend, registration for the event is now open. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has asked households in parts of Kilkenny to complete the Census Pilot Survey to help test the new online census form. This will be the first census in Irish history where the public will have the option to complete their census online. The survey is critical in preparing the CSO through testing new questions and the online option for the next census in 2027. Kilkenny has been chosen as one of the counties across Ireland to take part in the Census Pilot Survey. The survey will take place in 44 locations across six counties. Participating areas in Kilkenny include parts of Kilkenny City, Ballyragget and Bennettsbridge. The areas chosen to participate were selected in order to broadly represent people living in Ireland and so a mix of urban and rural locations were chosen. You can see a more detailed list and map of the areas chosen in Kilkenny and other counties on censuspilot.ie. READ NEXT: National Services Day returns to Kilkenny Castle this weekend The CSO has asked every household selected to take part in the survey so that the online options can be accurately evaluated. The online options are available across a variety of devices such as mobile phones, tablets, or laptops. For those living in the chosen areas, letters of invitation have been posted which will explain how you can complete the online form and how you can get a paper form. Both online and paper forms are available in English and Irish. As well as this, Census Field Support Officers (formerly known as enumerators) will be calling to homes in these selected areas in the coming weeks to give people information about the Census Pilot Survey. These officers will be wearing a yellow high-viz vest clearly branded as Census and will be carrying official CSO ID cards which people are encouraged to ask to see. Head of Census Administration, Eileen Murphy, has asked: "If you receive our letter of invitation for the Census Pilot Survey, please take part. We need your help, and we cannot do this without you. By taking the time to complete the Survey, you will give us essential feedback on your experience of the online form and whether the questions are understood." It is important to note that for the first time ever people are being asked to complete forms for where they usually live and the forms can be completed anytime between now and the official Census Pilot Survey night of 22 September 2024. There will also be some new questions appearing on the pilot survey to reflect the changes in Irish society as accurately as possible. Some of these questions include whether your gender is the same or different to the sex recorded at birth, sexual orientation, how you would self-report your mental health and where households park their cars overnight to gather insights on potential placement of electric chargers. Once the responses are collected and analysed, they will be used to guide the final recommendations of the Census Advisory Group. The final content of the Census 2027 form will be subject to Government approval. I wish this was made up, but it isnt. Jerry Coyne writes: The government of New Zealand continues to throw away money by funding ludicrous projects involved indigenous ways of knowing (in this case Matauranga Maori, or MM). One of the projects involves trying to stem the death of kauri trees(Agathis australis), the iconic tree of New Zealand. Kauri deforestation, due to logging by Europeans and also burning buy Maori, is now exacerbated by Kauri dieback, the death of trees after infection by a funguslike organism. This has resulted in the closure of forests (the infection may be spread by humans carrying soil on their feet), but so far nothing has really been effective in curing the disease or stopping its spread. But a new government-funded project based on Maori traditions involves trying to stop the disease by, yes, playing whale songs to the trees and dousing them with whale oil. The taxpayer funded project explains: Maori whakapapa describes how the kauri and tohora (sperm whale) are brothers, but they were separated when the tohora chose the ocean over the forest. In this research area we looked at how this connection could possibly help save the kauri from kauri dieback disease. Theyre not fucking brothers. One is a tree. The other is a whale. They are not the same species, the same genus, the same family, the same order, the same class, the same phylum or even the same kingdom! Coyne points out: Note that the video begins with the statement that there are forms of knowledge other than science, and that indigenous knowledge gets no respect because the colonization process has tried to remove our knowledge and outlawed it. In my view, this is pure, ludicrous science-dissing. The whale nonsense begins at about 2:50 with the claim that the whale once traversed the face of the earth (yes, on land, too!) and that there is a sibling relationship between whales and kauri trees. This is what happens when traditional wisdom is used instead of modern science (which, by the way, discovered the organism causing the tree infection). Well, who knowsthe tattooed Maori man might be right: whale oil and whale bone might cure the trees, as he claimed it has. But Im not betting on it. How about a double-blind control test rather than legends and anecdotes? Any entity that funds anti-science instead of science should lose all government funding in my view. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr A bill for parliamentary nerds. The Government has introduced a bill called The Parliament Bill. It brings together into one law the Clerk of the House of Representatives Act 1988, Parliamentary Service Act 2000, Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) Act 2013 and Parliamentary Privilege Act 2014. So just on e Act to refer to, instead of four. There are also a few policy changes, ranging from trivial to significant. They include: A statutory basis for precinct security arrangements to provide parliamentary security officers ( PSOs ) with statutory powers of consent search, denial of entry, temporary seizure of specified items, and temporary detention (subject to statutory limitations). ) with statutory powers of consent search, denial of entry, temporary seizure of specified items, and temporary detention (subject to statutory limitations). A new funding model for the parliamentary agencies, based on the Officers of Parliament model, recognising that the parliamentary agencies are part of the legislative branch of government, not the Executive, and that it is therefore appropriate to have a funding model that does not rely on executive power. transfer responsibility for determining members and eligible candidates accommodation services from the Remuneration Authority to the Speaker set out guiding principles applying to recipients of public funds (that is, members and Ministers) in the legislation: remove the requirement for members international travel costs to be met only from party leadership funding, which will allow party and group funding or an individual members funding to be used for this purpose. recognising, as dependants of a member, adult children who have a disability that means that they require ongoing daily care and remain dependent on their parents: Extends statutory immunity for good faith acts and omissions to staff of the Office of the Clerk. The Public Service Commissioner would be removed from most employment matters (as parliamentary staff are not public servants). T Requires the Parliamentary Service to take members wishes into account when appointing political office staff. It gives the parliamentary agencies the ability to ask potential appointees for corporate roles about their political activities, in order to maintain organisational neutrality and reputation. transferring the Clerks certification role under the Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993 to the Electoral Commission: removing the upper age limit of 68 years for the Clerk: aligning the restrictions on the role of the chief executive of the Parliamentary Service to that increasing the term of a chief executive of the Parliamentary Service to 7 yearsa chief executive will be eligible for reappointment after serving that term: consolidating and clarifying details about the roles of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, including that the Speaker may generally delegate to the Deputy Speaker, and that the holders of those offices on the polling day of a general election retain those roles until the first meeting of the House: changing the process by which membership of the Parliamentary Service Commission is arranged so that the House does not appoint members; membership will consist of the Speaker and 1 member of every recognised party, with parties with 30 or more members also being represented by a second member who is not a Minister or a Parliamentary Under-Secretary: Seems like a sensible modernisation. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Shares of Finning International Inc. (TSE:FTT Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Buy by the seven brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$49.38. Several equities analysts have weighed in on FTT shares. Scotiabank set a C$51.00 price objective on Finning International and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 21st. TD Securities raised shares of Finning International from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from C$43.00 to C$45.00 in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Finning International from C$49.00 to C$50.00 in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Finning International from C$48.00 to C$50.00 in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Get Finning International alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on FTT Insider Buying and Selling at Finning International Finning International Trading Down 2.1 % In other Finning International news, Director Harold N. Kvisle acquired 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 20th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$38.93 per share, for a total transaction of C$194,650.00. In other news, Senior Officer Kevin Parkes purchased 2,777 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$36.39 per share, for a total transaction of C$101,055.03. Also, Director Harold N. Kvisle acquired 5,000 shares of Finning International stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$38.93 per share, for a total transaction of C$194,650.00. Insiders have purchased 7,841 shares of company stock worth $298,189 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock. FTT stock opened at C$37.24 on Wednesday. Finning International has a 52 week low of C$33.77 and a 52 week high of C$44.35. The company has a market capitalization of C$5.19 billion, a PE ratio of 10.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 1.53. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$39.33 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$39.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 113.71, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 1.55. Finning International (TSE:FTT Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported C$1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.98 by C$0.04. Finning International had a net margin of 4.65% and a return on equity of 20.14%. The firm had revenue of C$2.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$2.57 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Finning International will post 3.9564787 earnings per share for the current year. Finning International Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 22nd were given a dividend of $0.275 per share. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.95%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 22nd. Finning Internationals dividend payout ratio is 31.34%. Finning International Company Profile (Get Free Report Finning International Inc sells, services, and rents heavy equipment, engines, and related products in Canada, Chile, Bolivia, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers articulated trucks, asphalt pavers, backhoe loaders, cold planers, compactors, dozers, drills, electric rope shovels, excavators, hydraulic mining shovels, material handlers, motor graders, off-highway trucks, pipelayers, road reclaimers, skid steer and compact track loaders, track loaders, underground-hard rock, wheel loaders, and wheel tractor-scrapers, as well as mobile and stationary generator sets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Finning International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Finning International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Liberty Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund purchased 69,427 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $5,116,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in Charles Schwab by 33.4% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 69,360,233 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,771,985,000 after purchasing an additional 17,369,091 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $950,192,000. Boston Partners increased its holdings in Charles Schwab by 424.7% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 4,451,090 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $305,400,000 after purchasing an additional 3,602,830 shares during the last quarter. Morningstar Investment Services LLC increased its holdings in Charles Schwab by 98.0% in the 4th quarter. Morningstar Investment Services LLC now owns 4,691,362 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $326,284,000 after purchasing an additional 2,322,156 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in Charles Schwab by 19.7% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 9,472,698 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $651,722,000 after purchasing an additional 1,558,975 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.38% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Charles Schwab Trading Up 0.8 % NYSE SCHW opened at $63.39 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.42. The firm has a market cap of $112.74 billion, a PE ratio of 26.32, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.97. The Charles Schwab Co. has a one year low of $48.66 and a one year high of $79.49. The firms fifty day moving average is $66.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is $70.15. Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $4.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.68 billion. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 26.30% and a return on equity of 18.14%. Charles Schwabs quarterly revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.75 earnings per share. Analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.05 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.58%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.84%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reissued an outperform rating and issued a $80.00 price target on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $82.00 to $78.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $85.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 8th. Piper Sandler cut shares of Charles Schwab from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $80.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $77.00 to $68.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $74.00. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Charles Schwab Insider Transactions at Charles Schwab In other Charles Schwab news, insider Bernard J. Clark sold 8,164 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total transaction of $612,300.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 121,666 shares in the company, valued at $9,124,950. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, CEO Walter W. Bettinger acquired 25,000 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $66.26 per share, with a total value of $1,656,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 827,377 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $54,822,000.02. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Bernard J. Clark sold 8,164 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total transaction of $612,300.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 121,666 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,124,950. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 107,800 shares of company stock worth $7,145,364 over the last ninety days. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. About Charles Schwab (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report)s stock price was up 1.4% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $575.21 and last traded at $574.80. Approximately 171,722 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 84% from the average daily volume of 1,064,436 shares. The stock had previously closed at $566.63. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently issued reports on LMT. Bank of America restated a buy rating and issued a $635.00 price target on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research note on Friday, August 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Lockheed Martin from $518.00 to $560.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Lockheed Martin from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $500.00 to $600.00 in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Melius Research upgraded Lockheed Martin to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Finally, TD Cowen upgraded Lockheed Martin from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $480.00 to $560.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $553.43. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Stock Performance The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $137.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.03, a PEG ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 0.47. The stocks 50-day moving average is $524.33 and its 200-day moving average is $479.32. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The aerospace company reported $7.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.45 by $0.66. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 9.48% and a return on equity of 95.03%. The company had revenue of $18.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.05 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $6.73 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 26.65 EPS for the current fiscal year. Lockheed Martin Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of $3.15 per share. This represents a $12.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.19%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is 46.10%. Insider Activity In other news, insider Timothy S. Cahill sold 3,975 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $515.36, for a total transaction of $2,048,556.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 8,877 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,574,850.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lockheed Martin Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in LMT. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Lockheed Martin during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $24,001,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of Lockheed Martin during the second quarter worth $201,000. New Century Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Lockheed Martin by 179.6% during the second quarter. New Century Financial Group LLC now owns 1,258 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $588,000 after buying an additional 808 shares during the last quarter. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin in the second quarter valued at $1,097,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp grew its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 266,352 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $124,413,000 after acquiring an additional 1,315 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.19% of the companys stock. About Lockheed Martin (Get Free Report) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mount Lucas Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE:BURL Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 2,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $531,000. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Emerald Advisers LLC raised its position in Burlington Stores by 22.8% during the second quarter. Emerald Advisers LLC now owns 1,432 shares of the companys stock valued at $344,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares in the last quarter. Custom Index Systems LLC raised its holdings in shares of Burlington Stores by 41.7% during the 2nd quarter. Custom Index Systems LLC now owns 2,483 shares of the companys stock valued at $596,000 after purchasing an additional 731 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Burlington Stores in the 2nd quarter valued at $410,000. Chicago Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Burlington Stores by 174.2% in the second quarter. Chicago Capital LLC now owns 113,627 shares of the companys stock worth $27,270,000 after purchasing an additional 72,187 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Savant Capital LLC bought a new stake in Burlington Stores in the second quarter worth $1,326,000. Get Burlington Stores alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have weighed in on BURL shares. StockNews.com cut Burlington Stores from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Burlington Stores from $260.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, May 31st. TD Cowen upped their target price on Burlington Stores from $279.00 to $288.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 30th. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Burlington Stores from $275.00 to $315.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Burlington Stores from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $294.94. Insider Transactions at Burlington Stores In related news, CMO Jennifer Vecchio sold 494 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $255.37, for a total value of $126,152.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 61,907 shares in the company, valued at $15,809,190.59. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.91% of the stock is owned by insiders. Burlington Stores Stock Performance NYSE BURL opened at $259.92 on Monday. The companys fifty day moving average is $254.69 and its two-hundred day moving average is $225.31. Burlington Stores, Inc. has a 52-week low of $115.66 and a 52-week high of $282.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.64. Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The company reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.25. Burlington Stores had a net margin of 4.18% and a return on equity of 47.43%. The business had revenue of $2.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.42 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.60 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Burlington Stores, Inc. will post 7.87 EPS for the current year. Burlington Stores Profile (Free Report) Burlington Stores, Inc operates as a retailer of branded merchandise in the United States. The company provides fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, gifts, and coats, as well as baby, home, and beauty products. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BURL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE:BURL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Burlington Stores Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Burlington Stores and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Free Report) had its target price boosted by UBS Group from $17.00 to $19.00 in a research report report published on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the technology companys stock. A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on HPE. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, June 21st. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $18.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, June 5th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $18.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Wednesday, June 5th. Argus upgraded shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $26.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Friday, June 7th. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $14.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 5th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $21.09. Get Hewlett Packard Enterprise alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on HPE Hewlett Packard Enterprise Trading Down 0.6 % HPE stock opened at $17.53 on Thursday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $19.38 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $18.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a twelve month low of $14.47 and a twelve month high of $22.82. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, September 4th. The technology company reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $7.71 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.67 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a net margin of 6.38% and a return on equity of 8.49%. The firms revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.35 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.59 earnings per share for the current year. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 19th will be issued a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 19th. Hewlett Packard Enterprises payout ratio is 37.96%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CEO Gerri Gold sold 22,784 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.67, for a total value of $493,729.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 57,081 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,236,945.27. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Hewlett Packard Enterprise news, CEO Gerri Gold sold 22,784 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.67, for a total transaction of $493,729.28. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 57,081 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,236,945.27. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Kirt P. Karros sold 30,686 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.49, for a total transaction of $628,756.14. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 90,141 shares of company stock worth $1,874,608 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hewlett Packard Enterprise A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. boosted its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 571.5% in the second quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 1,343 shares of the technology companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 1,143 shares in the last quarter. Rise Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 253.9% during the first quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 1,465 shares of the technology companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,051 shares during the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 224.5% during the second quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,853 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,282 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American National Bank raised its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 89.4% in the 1st quarter. American National Bank now owns 1,949 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 920 shares during the last quarter. 80.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. President Yoon Suk Yeol's upcoming visit to the Czech Republic will mark another "new chapter" in the bilateral relations with Korea as the two countries are deepening cooperation in investment and other areas, the top Czech diplomat said Monday. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky made the remark at the start of his talks with his Korean counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, as Yoon is expected to make a trip to the Central European nation later this month. "The visit will provide an important kick start to the new chapter in the Czech-Korean relations," Lipavsky said in his opening remarks. Lipavsky was in Seoul this week to meet with South Korean officials and attend the multilateral forum on responsible artificial intelligence in the military domain. Lipavsky said the recent decision by the Czech government to select a Korean consortium as the preferred bidder for its major nuclear power plant project was a "landmark moment" in the two countries' bilateral relations. Echoing his remark, Cho noted that the deal represents a "leap into a deeper and stronger" partnership with Czechia and Korea hopes to produce more outcomes in other fields of cooperation, from technology, energy and people-to-people exchanges, to trade and investment. Lipavsky said his country offers an attractive market for Korean companies and expressed hope for more investment coming from Korea, its fourth-largest foreign investor, in areas like semiconductors and hydrogen. Lipavsky also called for working closely with Korea on support initiatives for the war-torn Ukraine, including on the potential reconstruction projects. (Yonhap) The Brazilian TV series "Justice: Misconduct" won the grand prize in the international drama category at the Seoul International Drama Awards (SDA), the organizers said Monday. "The series explores issues of fair judicial enforcement through the stories of four characters, and it balances both artistic merit and popular appeal," the organizers said. The Brazilian drama follows four protagonists attempting to rebuild their lives after being released from prison after seven years. The annual drama awards recognize excellence in three categories: the international competition, the international invitation and the Korean drama categories. This year, a record-breaking 365 TV series from 48 countries competed in the first two sections. The Korean historical drama "Korean Khitan War" won in the international competition category, while "Moving" director Park In-je took home the best director award. Song Kang-ho, lead actor of "Uncle Samsik," was honored with the best actor award. The Chinese series "3 Body Problem" won both the best mini-series and best screenwriter awards. In the international invitation category, director Park Chan-wook's "The Sympathizer," a story about a spy during and after the Vietnam War, received the Golden Bird Award, while the Japanese romance drama "Eye Love You" took home the Special Award. The Outstanding Asian Star awards went to Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon for their roles in the fantasy romance drama "Lovely Runner." In the K-drama category, "Moving" and "Queen of the Tears" secured the top prize. The awards ceremony is set to take place at KBS Hall on Sept. 25 and will be broadcast on SBS TV and livestreamed on YouTube. (Yonhap) The latest album from girl group Le Sserafim has landed on the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart at No. 7. The group's fourth EP, "Crazy," collected 47,000 album-equivalent units in the United States during the charting period for the Billboard 200, Billboard said in an online article Sunday (U.S. time). The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S., measured by album-equivalent units, comprising conventional album sales, streaming and digital sales. "Crazy" marks the K-pop quintet's third consecutive album to chart in the top 10 after its second EP, "Antifragile," its first studio album, "Unforgiven," and its third EP, "Easy." "Crazy," the title track of the latest album, is also performing well on global charts. The song ranked 83rd on the latest Weekly Top Songs-USA chart of Spotify, the largest global music streaming platform, with 3.36 million streams, the group's highest ranking and most-streamed record to date. Le Sserafim will perform on the preshow stage of the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in New York on Wednesday. The five-track album delivers a message encouraging listeners to pour their passion into whatever makes their hearts race. (Yonhap) Fans of K-pop supergroup BTS around the world have rallied in support of member Suga, following his recent drunk driving incident, dismissing calls for his departure from the band. In a joint statement released Monday, 127 BTS fan organizations from 58 countries declared their continued backing of all seven BTS members. The statement was issued in response to controversy surrounding Suga, who was referred to prosecutors last month for allegedly driving an electric scooter under the influence in Seoul. On Saturday, some individuals who claimed to be members of BTS' official fandom, ARMY, called for Suga to leave the group to take responsibility for the incident disgracing the group. "The Global ARMY Union supports all seven members of BTS," the union said in a statement posted on social media platform X in Korean and English. The union emphasized it "does not expect BTS members to take more responsibilities than they are legally required to," adding that decisions about the group's future are not for outsiders to force. (Yonhap) By Yi Whan-woo More than 700 kilograms of illegal drugs were seized at border checkpoints in Korea last year, representing a more than five-fold increase in drug smuggling attempts compared to 2020, data showed, Monday. The data, compiled by the Korea Customs Service (KCS) and Incheon International Airport Corp. and released by Rep. Jeon Yong-gi of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), heightens concerns about the surge in narcotics trafficking in Korea, which was once considered a drug-free country. A total of 769 kilograms of drugs, worth 61.3 billion won ($45.75 million), were confiscated at the airport and other gateways to Korea in 2023, according to the data. The volume was approximately 5.1 times higher than in 2020 and also represents an 18 percent increase from 2022. The customs agency, together with the airport authorities, police and other relevant parties, should beef up monitoring of narcotics smuggling attempts at border checkpoints, the lawmaker said. In 2023, 327 kilograms of drugs worth 25.1 billion won were smuggled into the country through international mail. Another 275 kilograms, worth 19.9 billion won, were hidden in express cargo, while 148 kilograms, valued at 15.1 billion won, were carried by air travelers. By type, methamphetamine accounted for 438 kilograms of all the drugs seized. Club drugs, such as ketamine, totaled 172 kilograms, while marijuana amounted to 143 kilograms, and cocaine constituted 11 kilograms. In terms of sales value, methamphetamine was worth 40.8 billion won, followed by club drugs at 9.2 billion won, marijuana at 7.2 billion won, and cocaine at 3.9 billion won. Of the KCS' regional offices, Incheon Airport Regional Customs confiscated 649 kilograms, accounting for 87 percent of the total amount of drugs traffickers attempted to bring into Korea last year. The Busan office seized 46 kilograms of drugs, while the Gwangju office confiscated 28 kilograms. The data comes as Korea is no longer considered a drug-free country and the government is stepping up crackdowns on narcotics traffickers and offenders. The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime defines a country as drug-free if the number of substance abusers is below 20 per 100,000 people. Korea surpassed this number in 2016 when it reached 25. The number has been on the rise since and hit 35 in 2023. In the first half of this year, the KCS reported 362 attempted drug smuggling cases. The figure was up 11 percent from the first six months of 2023. The data also suggested that, on average, there were two smuggling attempts per day. The financial regulator on Monday announced plans to revise related laws to require payment gateway (PG) service providers to maintain sufficient funds to settle all payments. The move follows massive payment delays by two e-commerce platforms TMON and WeMakePrice due to a liquidity crisis caused by their Singapore-based parent firm, Qoo10, engaging in "aggressive merger deals." It comes as part of a plan to reform the e-commerce industry, discussed and finalized at a government-ruling party meeting earlier in the day. The proposed revision, if legislated, would "impose a duty on PG firms to maintain the entire amount (100 percent) of unsettled payments to enhance the safety of payment systems," the Financial Services Commission (FSC) said. The PG firms will also be required to notify their consumers where and how they maintain and manage such funds. They, however, will be required to keep 60 percent of unsettled payments in safe accounts in the first year following the enactment of the envisioned regulation, 80 percent the following year and 100 percent after that, according to the FSC. Also, the entire amount of funds reserved for payment settlements will be protected from any transfer to or seizure by a third party, while using them as collateral for a loan will also be prohibited. In addition, those with unsettled payments will have priority to the reserved funds, it added. The Financial Supervisory Service said earlier that the two online shopping platforms had failed to pay 48,124 vendors, totaling 1.28 trillion won ($953.5 million) in unsettled payments as of Aug. 25. The envisioned revision will also stipulate regulations for PG service providers, enabling the currently lacking oversight by financial authorities. Such regulations, if enacted, would allow the financial authorities to take necessary steps in case of illegal activities ranging from request for corrections and suspension of their business operations to revocation of registrations, according to the FSC. (Yonhap) By Yi Whan-woo Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are retreating sharply on the benchmark KOSPI, fueling concerns that they are negatively affected by the global chip cycle that is believed to be nearing its peak. Samsung Electronics finished at 67,500 won ($50.38), Monday, losing 1.89 percent from the previous sessions close and extending its losing streak for five consecutive trading days. Mondays performance was also far below 87,800 won, July 10, when the countrys largest semiconductor manufacturer recorded its annual high. For SK hynix, it went up just 0.38 percent to finish at 157,000 won, Monday. The company, however, has mostly been staying within the 150,000 won range this month, which has disappointed investors as it went as high as 241,000 won on July 11. The companys performance was especially disappointing considering it is the memory chip supplier for Nvidia, a U.S.-based artificial intelligence (AI) chip giant. The lackluster performances of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are linked to the global chip cycle, which is possibly near its peak and may lose momentum, a market observer said. Another observer speculated that the global chip cycle may face a downturn, driven by the overinflated AI bubble. For instance, shares of Nvidia, which dominates the market for AI-related hardware, lost 9.5 percent, Sept. 3. The decline translated into a $279-billion decline in market value, the steepest drop in value of any U.S. stock in a single day. Nvidias fall impacted the broader semiconductor sector, with Broadcom falling by 6.16 percent and Intel dropping by 8.80 percent. Meanwhile, some market experts said whether the global chip cycle will enter a downturn will highly depend on the U.S. economy. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 2,535.93 points, Monday, down 8.35 points or 0.33 percent from the previous session. The tech-heavy junior Kosdaq, meanwhile, rose 1.11 percent to 714.46 points. Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to strengthen "strategic communication" with North Korea in his message to the North's leader Kim Jong-un on the occasion of the 76th founding anniversary of the North Korean regime, state media reported Monday. The message the first in eight months came as relations between Pyongyang and Beijing have become relatively estranged, in contrast to Pyongyang's deepening military and other cooperation with Russia amid Moscow's war with Ukraine. In the message, Xi said China will continue to develop traditional relations with North Korea from a strategic and long-term perspective, as this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "We will deepen strategic communication and strengthen cooperation with the North in a bid to further consolidate and develop the friendly ties between the two," Xi was quoted as saying by the KCNA. It marked Xi's first message to Kim since Jan. 1, when he sent a New Year's greeting to the North's leader. China is the North's longtime ally and largest economic benefactor. Ahead of the Oct. 6, the 75th anniversary of North Korea and China forging diplomatic ties, their relations seem to be chilly, with no signs of preparations for grand celebrations yet. For North Korea, it could be disturbing to see that China held a three-way summit with South Korea and Japan in May at a time when Beijing appears to be cautious about joining Pyongyang's drive to deepen trilateral solidarity with Russia and China. Kim has also received congratulatory messages over the anniversary from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, the KCNA said. In a message to Kim, Putin said relations between Russia and North Korea have reached a higher level, as evidenced by "constructive" summit talks between him and Kim in June in Pyongyang. After the talks, Kim and Putin signed a new partnership treaty that includes a mutual defense clause in a sign of the two nations bolstering military cooperation. "I am sure that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and the DPRK will be strengthened in a planned way thanks to our joint efforts," Putin said, using the acronym of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Cuba's Diaz-Canel also sent a message to Kim and expressed his willingness to continue to strengthen close solidarity with North Korea. South Korea and Cuba forged diplomatic ties in February in a surprise move that probably dealt a blow to Pyongyang, which has long boasted brotherly ties with the Caribbean nation. "We are highly appreciating our relations with the DPRK that are based on brotherly ties and historical foundations," Diaz-Canel said. (Yonhap) North Korea has held celebrative events to mark the 76th anniversary of the regime's founding, with senior officials visiting a mausoleum to pay tribute to the country's late former leaders, state media reported Monday. Premier Kim Tok-hun and other key officials on Sunday visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the embalmed bodies of the current leader's father, Kim Jong-il, and grandfather, Kim Il-sung, lie in state, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The North's leader visited the mausoleum in 2012, 2018 and 2021 to mark the Sept. 9 anniversary, but he seems to have skipped the visit this year, given that there is no such media report. North Korea established the regime on Sept. 9, 1948, led by national founder Kim Il-sung, and has celebrated the date as the national founding day. The North also held an outside rally and an evening gala in Pyongyang on Sunday to mark the anniversary, the KCNA said. The events brought together "labor innovators and meritorious persons from various fields" across the nations as well as veteran cadres, it said. Among the audience were also visiting delegates from an association of Koreans residing in Japan. North Korea usually held a military parade on every fifth or 10th major holiday anniversaries. Last year, North Korea staged a paramilitary parade centered around its reserve forces to mark the 75th anniversary of the country's founding. In an exceptional case, it held a civil-paramilitary parade on Sept. 9, 2021, on the 73rd anniversary. (Yonhap) North Korea on Monday condemned a recent United Nations report on the North's human rights abuses as a document "fabricating and distorting" Pyongyang's rights situation. In a U.N. report on an update on North Korea's human rights situation, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres recommended North Korea investigate, prosecute and bring to justice those accused of having committed human rights violations. The report will be submitted to the U.N. General Assembly. Kim Son-gyong, vice foreign minister of North Korea, said the enemy forces fabricated the report in a bid to slander the North and tarnish its image, according to the Korean Central News Agency. "I severely condemn the enemy forces' move to slander our country's dignity and system in the name of the U.N. as a political provocation and an act of violating a sovereignty that we cannot tolerate," Kim said. Kim said the U.N. should first take issue with Washington's human rights abuses before denouncing the North's human rights problems that do not even exist, claiming that rampant hate crimes and other inhumane acts have been committed in the United States. North Korea has long bristled at outside criticism of its human rights abuses, calling it a U.S.-led attempt to topple its regime. (Yonhap) North Korea has unveiled a new 12-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL) for the first time this week, with the South Korean military closely monitoring whether the vehicle could be used for a new longer missile, officials said Monday. The North's official Korean Central News Agency on Sunday released a photo showing the country's leader Kim Jong-un inspecting the new missile vehicle during his visit to a defense industrial enterprise. It marked the first time that Pyongyang unveils a 12-axle TEL, an upgrade to its previously most-wheeled version that has 11 axles and 22 wheels and used to mount the country's Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile. The new 12-axle TEL indicates that it could carry a missile longer than existing missiles, raising questions as to whether the North could be developing a new longer missile. "The intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States are closely monitoring North Korea's weapons development activities," a military official said. "It is the first time a North Korean 12-axle TEL has appeared, but we'll have to watch more to determine whether it is just for display of power or actual missile improvements." (Yonhap) The health ministry said Monday it has requested police probe into those who drew up and circulated a "blacklist" of emergency physicians opting not to join their striking colleagues, calling such acts an "inexcusable crime" and vowing a stern response. An online post was uploaded to a website believed to be made by doctors and showed the list of doctors who currently serve at hospital emergency rooms, calling them "forced laborers" and derisively expressing gratitude for their "hard work." "The website that villainizes doctors serving at emergency rooms has sapped their morale. It is an unacceptable crime," ministry official Jung Yoon-soon told a press briefing. There has already been such a blacklist of doctors who have not joined the strike uploaded on the website, but this is a new one, the official said, adding that the list contains personal information and malicious comments about ER doctors, as well as some military doctors sent to civilian hospitals amid the staff shortage. "We reported the case to police for investigation. We will sternly deal with such acts in cooperation with the authorities," Jeong said. Even a military doctor developed a social phobia upon learning that he was on the list and is having a difficult time, he added. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo told a parliamentary session Monday that around 30 individuals have so far been referred to the prosecution for a probe regarding blacklisting. A majority of trainee doctors have left their workplaces since February in protest of the government's plan to increase the medical school admissions quota by 2,000 seats per year over the next five years or so to address the shortage of doctors. The collective action has caused disruptions of the national health care system, and concerns have mounted over the situation worsening further during the extended Chuseok holiday that begins on Saturday, particularly at short-staffed emergency rooms. Several hospitals have shortened the operation hours of emergency rooms after suffering from medical staff shortages. In response, the government on Monday began sending a total of 235 military and public doctors to ERs nationwide struggling with staffing in addition to 15 doctors deployed to five short-staffed hospitals last week. But hospital officials and doctors have said such measures are far from enough to ease the situation, as many of them are inexperienced and it is unclear about who will shoulder legal responsibilities for possible medical malpractice. Some of the deployed military doctors have not actually worked at emergency rooms, they added. Doctors have called on the government to cancel its plan to raise the medical school admissions quota for 2025 and 2026, and discuss the possible quota adjustment for 2027 or afterward. But the government has said it would not be possible to adjust the quota for next year, though it is willing to discuss the quota hike plan for 2026. In June, the government finalized a hike of some 1,500 students for next year, and due procedures for college entrance have already begun. (Yonhap) Universities nationwide began collecting admissions applications for 2025 on Monday, including 39 medical schools, despite ongoing protests and walkouts by doctors calling for the withdrawal of the increase in medical school admissions. Through the application process running from Monday to Friday, the country's four-year universities plan to admit 271,481 freshmen for the 2025 academic year, accounting for nearly 80 percent of the total admissions, which also include those admitted through the annual state college admissions exam. Among them are 39 medical departments, which are scheduled to admit 3,118 freshmen out of their total 4,610 admissions quotas for 2025. This follows a hike in the total medical quota by nearly 1,500 from the 2024 admissions of 3,113 as part of the government's medical reform. In late March, the government sharply increased admissions seats at medical schools outside the capital area in an initiative to address medical service shortages in rural areas and essential medical fields, marking the first such hike in 27 years. The 2025 admissions process kicked off as surgeries and emergency room operations at major general university hospitals remain sharply disrupted due to the monthslong walkout by medical professors and trainee doctors protesting the quota hike. To address the situation, rival parties have proposed establishing a consultative body that includes representatives from both parties, the government and the medical sector for negotiations. However, the medical community remains adamant that the medical school quota hikes for the 2025 and 2026 academic years should first be scrapped, with any potential increase to be negotiated for the academic year starting in 2027. The education ministry maintains that the medical quota hike for 2025 is irreversible, as the admissions application process has already begun. (Yonhap) 2024 REAIM kicks off for 2-day run with 2,000 participants from 90 countries By Lee Hyo-jin Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping military strategies, as is evident in the ongoing war in Ukraine and the latest conflicts in the Middle East. AI is being utilized in various military applications, including autonomous weapons, logistics, strategy development, cybersecurity and even decision-making processes. However, the absence of a globally acknowledged governance framework for the military use of AI has created a dangerous regulatory void, raising concerns that unchecked AI-powered military technologies could threaten international peace and stability. In response to this challenge, defense and government officials, representatives from international organizations and experts from around the world gathered in Seoul, Monday, for the 2024 Responsible AI in the Military Domain Summit (REAIM). The summit serves as a global forum for discussions on establishing governance for AI in military applications. Jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense, this was the second summit of its kind, following the 2023 session held in The Hague, Netherlands. This year's event was co-hosted by Korea, Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya and the United Kingdom, according to the organizers. Under the theme "Responsible AI for a Safer Tomorrow," the summit invited 2,000 participants from 90 countries for its two-day run. During his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul emphasized three key pillars assessments, application and anchoring of governance to ensure responsible use of AI in the military sector. "Todays military AI goes beyond mere imitation. Rather, it is transforming the entire dynamics of military operations, emerging as our strategist, field commander and soldier, often blurring the lines between them," he said. "We must discuss the governance framework that will anchor our guardrails and outline specific actions for responsible AI. Achieving this cannot be the work of states alone; it demands an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach," the minister added. Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun described AI as a "double-edged sword." "While the application of AI in the military sector is dramatically enhancing operational capabilities, it also possesses the characteristics of a double-edged sword, as it can lead to harm if misused," Kim said in his welcoming remarks. "We must establish thorough standards and norms regarding the military use of artificial intelligence. The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea will continue to work closely with the international community to ensure that ethical standards are strictly adhered in the application of AI technology." The opening ceremony was followed by a plenary session where military and private-sector officials, along with academia, discussed the implications of AI for global peace and security. The speakers included Gen. Lee Young-soo, chief of staff of the ROK Air Force; Frederick Choo, deputy secretary of Singapores Ministry of Defence; Mike Baylor, chief digital and AI officer at Lockheed Martin; Saeed Aldhaheri, director of the Center for Future Studies at the University of Dubai; and Paul Scharre, executive vice president at the Center for a New American Security. Lee noted that AI has already transformed the battlefield, as seen in the Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict, and that the speed of this transformation will only accelerate. Baylor emphasized that manufacturers, policymakers and users of the technology must cooperate to establish guardrails for AI. He also warned about regulations struggling to keep pace with the rapidly developing technology. The summit also featured group sessions on various topics, such as bias in military AI, regional perspectives on AI governance and the risks AI poses to cybersecurity in the military domain. On Tuesday, the second day of the summit, a ministerial-level roundtable will provide opportunities for representatives of participating nations to exchange views on responsible military AI. The summit will conclude with participants official endorsement of the "Blueprint for Action," summarizing the outcomes of the discussions. Russia was not invited to the REAIM for the second consecutive time amid international condemnation of its invasion of Ukraine. The United States and China, both intensifying their competition in military AI, attended the summit for the second time. By Jon Dunbar The Hechyeomoyeo, a group exhibition series featuring both Korean and international artists, is back for its seventh major showcase, making its debut this time in the southeastern coastal city of Busan. "I am not sure what will happen in Busan, but thats why we are doing it," Neil Wheelock Deforest Smith, founder of The Hechyeomoyeo, told The Korea Times. "We have had artists sending us artwork from Busan since the third Hechyeomoyeo. It made sense that we bring the project there so that Busan-based artists could get a better taste of our project. And we are all hoping it helps to expand our creative community." The Hechyeomoyeo, named after a military command meaning "assemble," is an art exhibition that invites artists from all backgrounds to participate. Emphasizing quantity and diversity, a Hechyeomoyeo exhibition offers a sensory overload of various types of artwork presented all at once. The last one, held in Insa-dong's KOTE in June and July, gathered at least 250 artists, to say nothing of the various other participants, including musicians and participants in the fashion show. "Hechyeomoyeo has become a kind of software we can put in different places to simply provide platform for people making art to be seen," Smith said. Earlier this year, Smith took The Hechyeomoyeo abroad, holding the fifth such exhibition in Thailand. "When we did the Bangkok exhibition, a lot of Korean artists were excited to send their work to another country," he said. Busan may not be as far away, but the logistics are still pretty complicated. "Its a lot of work!" Smith said. "We are trying to coordinate with artists sending artworks together and ship simultaneously. There will be a major shipment moving from Southeast Asia and truck taking works from Seoul directly to Busan. Other than that, artists from all over are shipping things themselves." This exhibition will be held at Aither, an art gallery just up the street from Busan Station. "Aither gallery is so cool," Smith said. "It looks like a house in a Resident Evil game. Many rooms, wood-finished walls, turquoise tiles in the bathroom and an elongated kitchen space with an abandoned vibe. We are gonna cover everywhere with artworks. The people that run the gallery are very supportive to our main cause of cultivating a larger community of creatives." He added that they are getting a lot of help from the people at Naughty Muse Studio in Busan. "They are setting up a Hechyeomoyeo artist from Seoul to do a residency down there and letting us use their equipment and space to make art too," he said. Smith himself is somewhat of a newcomer to Korea's second-biggest city. "I went once for about 36 hours to see the gallery and meet some people," he said. "So I actually dont know much. I will explore the scene while I am down there and invite local gallery owners and artists to come see the exhibition." As usual with Hechyeomoyeo, there will be various events offered throughout the exhibition's run. Liquid Arts Network will host poetry readings, and there will be live music performances, including by John Given and Fat Hamster & Kang New. "We are still accepting suggestions for any creative performances," Smith added. Meanwhile, Smith is also working on other looming events through The Hechyeomoyeo. During the Block Party festival in central Seoul's Haebangchon and Gyeongnidan on Sept. 21 and 22, there will be a mini-Hechyeomoyeo exhibition, with art displayed at the participating venues. "I admire the hard work Jamie (Finn) does to organize Block Party," Smith said of the involvement. "And the project shares the spirit of Hechyeomoyeo, bringing together all the artists working their ass off to make independent culture. So we are really happy to be a part of Block Party. This will open up our community to the music scene and the local bands to our art community." Also, he said the exhibition series will return to Bangkok in November, this time in collaboration with the French Embassy. "The culture scene there is developing rapidly," Smith said. "Although Hechyeomoyeo was created in Korea, I believe it can function as a bridge and get Korean artists more audience on a global scale. At the same time, we have been inspiring other artists and communities in different locations to follow in the footsteps of Hechyeomoyeo. That is a huge accomplishment and honor for me and all the artists dedicated to our cause; more platform for independent culture." Following Bangkok, Smith said he plans to land the next Hechyeomoyeo event in Vietnam. The opening party will be on Sept. 14, and The Hechyeomoyeo will run until Sept. 28. Follow @thehechyeomoyeo on Instagram for more information. Political push to cut wages for migrant workers likely to fail By Jung Min-ho Koreas liberal opposition party has expressed its opposition to the introduction of a separate minimum wage system for foreign workers, a stance that could hinder the efforts of some ruling party politicians who are pushing for the agenda. A representative from the Democratic Party of Koreas (DPK) policy department told The Korea Times recently that adopting such a system through legislation would be "inappropriate." The DPK had not previously stated its official stance on the issue. It would violate the International Labor Organizations (ILO) rules and the Labor Standards Act of Korea. It would also negatively impact job markets and infringe on the rights of foreign workers, the party official said. All things considered, introducing such a system would be inappropriate. The stance of the party holding a majority in the National Assembly suggests that the attempt by some ruling party politicians to reduce wages for foreign workers through legislation is likely to fail. The DPKs official stance comes as several prominent politicians, including Rep. Na Kyung-won and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, support adopting such a system in response to growing complaints from small business owners about rising labor costs. Speaking at a seminar on the issue at the National Assembly on Aug. 27, the two called for the introduction of a separate wage system for foreigners. They argued that reducing labor costs for services such as babysitting could help address Koreas low fertility rate. The minimum wage issue for foreign workers has garnered significant public attention in recent months. The Seoul Metropolitan Governments pilot program to hire Filipino caregivers to assist Korean parents has faced criticism for being too costly for most households, with expenses exceeding 2 million won ($1,500) per month for a full-time worker. The mayor stated that the project is unlikely to achieve its intended goals if the current high labor costs for the workers remain unchanged. Politicians have been exploring ways to reduce the cost but have noted that changing the relevant laws will be necessary to ensure the stable operation of the program and similar future initiatives. By law, employers in Korea must pay at least the legal minimum wage 9,860 won for 2024 and 10,030 won for the following year. Violators could face up to three years in prison or a maximum fine of 20 million won. The ILOs principal instrument also bans discrimination based on national extraction, race, color, sex, religion, political opinion and social origin. Violating this rule could come at a cost, such as a damaged reputation for Korea. This presents a significant challenge for ruling party lawmakers and city authorities in Seoul and beyond, as cooperation from the DPK would be crucial for effectively reducing the costs of employing foreign workers. It must have been difficult for the DPK to suddenly deviate from its liberal policy direction, Cho Jin-man, a politics professor at Duksung Womens University, said. But it has also kept the issue low key probably because many of its voters would not like its position on that. When asked if this would conclude the pilot project with the Philippine government after its six-month trial period, a Seoul city official dismissed that possibility. As demand for foreign workers is expected to continue to grow in areas like care services for seniors, for example, we will continue to try to find solutions to lower the cost regardless of whether a separate minimum wage system for foreign workers is introduced or not, the official said. During his confirmation hearing at the Assembly last month, Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, then nominee for the post, also said he was skeptical of the idea of offering lower minimum wages for foreign workers as it would be in violation of international practices and Korean laws. A total of 434 deepfake damage cases affecting underage students and teachers have been reported from schools this year, the education ministry said Monday. Through the country's 17 regional education offices, the education ministry found a total of 434 deepfake damage cases reported at schools below the university level from January to last Friday. The latest figure marks a sharp increase of 238 cases in just ten days, compared with the previous count of 196 reported from January to Aug. 27. Of these cases, 243 were from high schools, 179 from middle schools and 12 from elementary schools. Of the total, 350 cases have been referred to investigative bodies for investigation. A total of 617 individuals were affected by these cases, including 588 students and 27 teachers. There has been a surge in deepfake porn videos exploiting the face images of young or underage women in group chat rooms, prompting the police to launch investigations into suspects and the messaging service Telegram. Seoul police chief Kim Bong-sik separately said Monday a total of 101 cases of deepfake sex crimes are currently under investigation in Seoul, with 52 individuals identified as suspects so far. Of these suspects, 39 are teenagers, accounting for 75 percent of the total, Kim said. (Yonhap) The transport ministry said Monday it plans to issue a legislative notice for new government regulations regarding electric vehicle (EV) safety announced last week in response to public concerns over EV fires. The ministry said the legislative notice for amendments to the enforcement regulations of the Automobile Management Act will be issued for 40 days, from Tuesday to Oct. 21. Last week, the government said its EV battery certification system that was scheduled to go into effect next February will launch early on a trial basis in October. Companies will also be required to disclose key information on the batteries, including their brand and main components. The plan was announced to address a public EV fire scare that started last month after a spontaneous fire in a parked Mercedes-Benz electric model wiped out an apartment complex parking lot while damaging over 100 vehicles. The ministry said the new measures aim to ensure the public's right to know regarding EV safety and added it was committed to improving relevant systems and regulations to further enhance the safety of EVs. (Yonhap) Prosecutor General Lee One-seok said Monday that he respects a prosecution panel's decision advising against indicting first lady Kim Keon Hee for accepting a luxury handbag from a Korean American pastor. Lee made the remark to reporters after an investigation review committee, comprising 15 outside experts, reached the conclusion last week regarding allegations that Kim illegally received a Dior handbag worth 3 million won ($2,240) and other expensive gifts from pastor Choi Jae-young in 2022. The prosecutor general, whose two-year term ends Sunday, exercised his right to refer the first lady's case to the review committee after a prosecution investigation team decided to drop graft, bribery and other charges against her. "If the people see it as falling short of meeting expectations, it's due to a lack of wisdom on my part as prosecutor general," Lee said. "Nevertheless, the opinions of outside experts need to be respected." Lee referred to President Yoon Suk Yeol's comment calling the acceptance of the luxury bag an "unwise act," stating that the prosecution service thoroughly examined the fact that unwise acts do not automatically subject individuals to criminal punishment or recognition of criminal charges. "Personally, I believe that, on this opportunity, the relevant law needs to be correctly upgraded regarding the spouses of public officials ... so that no further social controversy would be created," Lee noted. The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act prohibits public servants from receiving money and goods to ensure fairness in the execution of their duties but contains no provisions regarding their spouses. The top prosecutor also said that a review will be conducted regarding the prosecution's questioning of the first lady at a location outside the prosecution premises regarding the luxury bag case, and appropriate measures will be taken if any irregularities are found. (Yonhap) The office of President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed regret Monday over the opposition's renewed push for bills mandating special probes into first lady Kim Keon Hee and a Marine's death that he had previously vetoed. A bill calling for a special counsel into Kim's allegations, including stock manipulation, the receipt of a luxury bag and interference in personnel affairs, passed the parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee's bill review subcommittee, led by the main opposition Democratic Party. It will undergo further review at the judiciary committee before being introduced in the National Assembly's plenary session for a vote. If passed, it would be the second such bill after a similar bill was vetoed by Yoon and scrapped in a revote in January. "More controversial provisions have been added to the bill that was previously discarded," a senior presidential official told reporters. "People would feel tired of it by now." The official explained Yoon vetoed a similar bill as the stock manipulation case had already been investigated under the previous Moon Jae-in administration and expressed concerns that an investigation by a special prosecutor appointed by the opposition could be biased. Prosecutors last month decided to drop graft, bribery and other charges against Kim regarding her acceptance of a Dior handbag worth 3 million won ($2,248) from a pastor in 2022. The prosecution's investigation review committee last week endorsed the decision, but public sentiment remains negative about her conduct. A separate special counsel bill, aimed at investigating the military's response to a Marine's death last year, also passed the subcommittee, which marks the opposition's fourth attempt to pass such legislation. The latest bill mandates a special counsel recommended by the Supreme Court chief justice, which is similar to the "third-party" bill proposed by ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon. The presidential office reiterated that a special counsel probe is unnecessary as police investigation and parliamentary hearings have already revealed no interference behind the case. The official called the new bill a "whitewashed" third-party special counsel bill as it requires the opposition to shortlist two candidates out of four and allows it to exercise veto rights if the candidates are deemed unsuitable. (Yonhap) Progressive, conservative candidates consider forming merger ahead of election By Kwak Yeon-soo The by-election for Seoul's education chief has turned into a political battleground, with candidates highlighting their political inclinations rather than education policies on the campaign trail to appeal to voters. The education chief post went up for grabs when former Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon was stripped of his post in August after the Supreme Court upheld a suspended prison sentence for him over abuse of power charges in connection with the reinstatement of dismissed teachers. The post is in charge of administering around 2,100 elementary, middle and high schools, and 80,000 personnel in the nations largest city with almost 10 million people, with an annual budget of 11 trillion won ($8.2 billion). As of Monday, 14 candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for the election, scheduled for Oct. 16, and several more are expected to join the fray. A total of nine liberal-leaning candidates expressed their intention to run for the Seoul education chief. They include Kwak No-hyun, the former superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) who was ousted in 2012 and arrested on bribery charges, and Seoul National University professor Kim Kyung-bum, whose plan to abolish early admissions taking place in September became controversial. I will seek to impeach the political prosecutor who ousted Cho Hee-yeon and President Yoon Suk Yeols education policy. These will bring us one step closer to a greater impeachment (referring to Yoons proposed impeachment), Kwak said during a press conference to announce his candidacy, Thursday. Han Dong-hoon, chairman of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), criticized Kwak vying for another term. Kwak running for SMOE superintendent again is probably the worst scene in the history of education in Korea. He bribed a rival candidate to withdraw from the election for the position. Are you going to teach students that in order to succeed, all you have to do is win by any means necessary? Han said during a PPP Supreme Council meeting, Monday. Other candidates from the liberal bloc said they would remain in the running, but they might consider merging their candidacies to increase the chances of bringing victory to their party. On the other hand, five right-leaning candidates have announced their candidacy as of Monday. However, candidates from the conservative bloc are having trouble forming a merger ahead of the election. Conservative, right-leaning, patriotic citizens, feel a sense of urgency that the SMOE cannot be lost to left-leaning progressives, said Cho Jun-hyuk, a former lawmaker known for his conservative stance. This marks Cho's third time running for the Seoul education chief following 2014 and 2022. Previously, he ran his campaign under the slogan of KTU Out, referring to the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, often recognized as a liberal-leaning organization. Park Sun-young, a former lawmaker and another strong contender from the conservative bloc, announced her intention to withdraw from the campaign. I have decided not to register as Seouls education superintendent candidate. I hope the next Seoul education chief serves as a role model for 830,000 students in Seoul and exceeds expectations of students, teachers and parents by implementing educational policies tailored for the 21st century, Park wrote on Facebook, Monday. Kim Keon Hee likely to be cleared of Dior handbag allegations By Anna J. Park Korea's top prosecutor proposed, Monday, to amend the country's anti-graft law to clarify rules regarding the first lady amid controversy over a recent recommendation by an investigation review committee not to take action against Kim Keon Hee for accepting a luxury handbag from a pastor. His remarks came three days after the investigation review committee at the Supreme Prosecutors Office, comprised of 15 outside experts, recommended against indicting Kim, concluding that the acceptance of the Dior bag and other gifts from the pastor was not related to President Yoon Suk Yeols official duties. This decision reaffirmed an earlier decision by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office (SCDPO), which also determined that there was no recognized job-related connection for the gift, making it difficult to apply charges such as bribery or influence peddling. They also noted that the countrys anti-graft law does not include provisions for punishing the spouses of public officials. "I understand that the president also mentioned through the media that it was an unwise course of action," Lee told reporters. "However, the fact that it was an unwise, inappropriate, or undesirable course of action does not directly translate into criminal liability or recognition of criminal charges under the law. We have also reflected deeply on the fact that these two issues are on different levels," he explained, hinting that he believes Kims case still presents a moral issue. Additionally, Lee pointed out that he personally thinks that it is necessary to overhaul the curent legal shortcomings concerning the anti-graft actions of the spouses of public officials. "Personally, I see this as an opportunity to precisely supplement and revise the laws concerning the spouses of public officials and to comprehensively update the legislation, in order to prevent further controversy (regarding such issues)," Lee said. Regarding criticism that the review committee's conclusion contradicts public sentiment, Lee stated that he respects the committee's recommendation, noting that it was made by outside experts rather than members of the prosecution. The controversy began in late 2022 when Korean American pastor Choi Jae-young secretly recorded himself presenting a Dior handbag to Kim. Choi alleged that the handbag, worth 3 million won ($2,248), was a bribe given in exchange for favors he sought from her. The SCDPO launched an investigation belatedly in April this year. During the SCDPOs investigation, it was alleged that prosecutors had given preferential treatment to the first lady by questioning her privately outside the prosecutors office. This approach, which was not communicated to the top prosecutor in advance, sparked Lees outrage. As to the controversy of special treatment, Lee said, Well look into if there was wrongdoing, and if there was, well examine it thoroughly and take necessary measures to prevent similar cases from recurring. Lee's two-year term ends this Sunday. In response to the top prosecutor's comments, the presidential office stated that it has no official comment on the matter. Meanwhile, the Seoul High Court is set to deliver its ruling on Thursday on a separate case also involving the first lady and Kwon Oh-soo, former chairman of Deutsche Motors, over stock price manipulation allegations between 2009 and 2012. In a lower court ruling from February of last year, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kwon to two years in prison, with the sentence suspended for three years. The court acknowledged that three accounts in Kims name were used in Kwons stock manipulation scheme but did not determine whether this implicated the first lady as an accomplice. Japan should fill half the glass to enhance ties President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a farewell summit, Friday, as Kishida prepares to retire later this month. During the meeting, the leaders focused on strategies to ensure the sustainable advancement of bilateral relations. They agreed to continue building on the agreements made in previous summits and signed a deal to promote mutual cooperation for the efficient evacuation of their nationals from third countries in case of emergencies. Additionally, they agreed to streamline the pre-entry visa screening process to facilitate easier travel between the two countries. It is significant to maintain a positive momentum to advance the cooperation between Korea and Japan from a future perspective, Yoon said, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts toward that goal. He commended both leaders for their success in thawing bilateral relations that had been frozen for years. Yoon, in particular, made bold concessions to Japan on sensitive issues such as the forced labor of Korean workers during World War II, even at the risk of losing public approval. Unfortunately, Japan has not reciprocated with appropriate measures. During the meeting, Kishida reiterated Japan's stance that the current administration maintains the position of previous governments on these historical issues with Korea. As a gesture of reconciliation, Japan provided the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a partial list of Korean workers who were aboard the Ukishima Maru naval transport vessel, which exploded and sank off Kyushu Prefecture in 1945 while repatriating Koreans from Japan. Given the longstanding conflict over these sensitive issues, Japan's recent gesture can be interpreted as a sign of goodwill. However, it falls short of meeting the expectations of the Korean people. Kishida also did not use terms such as apology or remorse regarding Japans past actions. Japan now faces a serious responsibility to address the concerns that Yoon has highlighted. This responsibility will likely fall to the next leader of Japans ruling Liberal Democratic Party, who will be elected later this month. We do not support any efforts by certain politicians to exploit anti-Japan sentiment for political gain. However, Japan must acknowledge that the persistent negative and unstable factors between Seoul and Tokyo largely stem from Japan's lack of sincerity in addressing historical issues. The Yoon administration has been keen to repair strained relations with Japan over issues such as compensation for forced laborers and the UNESCO listing of the Sado mines, despite worsening domestic public sentiment. This effort is driven by the governments aim to strengthen ties with Japan and the United States as part of a broader strategy to enhance security amid escalating tensions in Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. It is imperative for Seoul to strengthen its cooperation with Japan to effectively address the growing threat from North Korea. Additionally, solidifying this partnership is crucial for managing relations with China and enhancing global economic cooperation. Seoul and Tokyo will mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations next year. Advancing mutual cooperation hinges on Japans genuine commitment and the implementation of its pledges. In this context, the recent summit between Yoon and Kishida was not merely a farewell meeting; instead, it highlighted unresolved issues that both Korea and Japan must address moving forward. The two nations are reportedly preparing a new joint declaration to mark the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, aiming to usher in a new era of cooperation. Rather than focusing on immediate gains, the government should consider how to lay the groundwork for sustainable growth in bilateral relations. Effective diplomacy requires public support and cannot succeed without it. By Kevin Kim K-pop has grown into a global phenomenon, captivating audiences worldwide with its catchy melodies, intricate choreography, and vibrant visuals. However, as this genre continues to expand, theres a growing desire to innovate and push the boundaries of what K-pop can be. KPOP KRACKED is an exciting project that answers this call by fusing the energetic beats of EDM with the signature style of K-pop, creating an entirely new experience for fans. Led by DJ Fenner, a seasoned DJ with over 15 years of experience in South Korea and 24 years globally, KPOP KRACKED is redefining how K-pop is experienced, both sonically and visually. Genesis of KPOP KRACKED The inception of KPOP KRACKED is rooted in DJ Fenners deep passion for K-pop and EDM. After spending more than a decade immersed in South Koreas vibrant music scene, Fenner saw an opportunity to merge these two powerful genres. I wanted to bring K-pop more into the Electronic Dance Music festival and club scene, Fenner explains. His journey as a DJ began at age 14, influenced by his fathers love for music, and evolved into a diverse career spanning genres like Hardstyle, Hard Trance, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, and House. This extensive background laid the foundation for KPOP KRACKED, enabling Fenner to create something truly unique. The idea for KPOP KRACKED began as an experiment, with Fenner crafting mashups that blended K-pops catchy melodies with EDMs driving beats. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and what started as a creative exploration quickly became a full-fledged project. By drawing on his rich experience, Fenner has managed to bridge the gap between these genres, introducing K-pop to a new audience and giving EDM fans a fresh perspective. Creative process Fenners approach to creating KPOP KRACKED mashups is meticulous and innovative, involving careful selection of tracks and an intricate blending process. The creative process has literally been collecting all kinds of cool EDM music for over 20 years, Fenner shares. He begins by identifying K-pop tracks that stand out for their vocals, melody, or popularity, and then searches for harmonic matches within his extensive library of EDM tracks. The mashups are refined through trial and error, with particular attention paid to EQing, structural arrangement, and audio processing. A significant challenge in this process is working with vocals. Fenner notes that it would be easier to achieve the desired sound if he had access to the original acapella versions of the songs. Despite this hurdle, his dedication to the craft shines through in every track, producing mashups that resonate with both K-pop and EDM fans. This dedication is evident in the polished, high-energy tracks that make up the KPOP KRACKED repertoire. Visual experience The visual component of KPOP KRACKED is just as crucial as the music. Fenners performances are known for their high-energy and visually stimulating elements, which are integral to the overall experience. The mask and tech-wear outfit he dons during shows add an element of mystery and excitement, drawing the audiences attention away from the DJ himself and towards the immersive audiovisual spectacle. I wanted something with a futuristic and rave culture kind of vibe, Fenner explains, describing his collaboration with a Korean brand to create the perfect look for KPOP KRACKED. This visual presentation enhances the immersive experience, making each performance more than just a concert but a full-fledged audio-visual spectacle. Launch and reception KPOP KRACKED officially launched at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) during a countdown festival, a significant milestone in DJ Fenners career. Broadcast live on YTN News, this debut performance showcased Fenners innovative mashups to a national audience, marking the beginning of KPOP KRACKEDs journey. The project has since been featured at prominent events like Sungkyunkwan University, where Fenner shared the stage with well-known K-pop groups like ATEEZ as well as international shows at top clubs like The Pitt in Kuala Lumpur and MOP Club in Macau. One particularly memorable moment for Fenner in the buildup to the project was performing at the National Fireworks Festival in front of a crowd of over 10,000 people. Playing his mashup of Zico New Thing at the peak of its popularity, Fenner recalls the overwhelming response from the crowd, an experience that reinforced his belief in the potential of KPOP KRACKED. Future of KPOP KRACKED Looking to the future, DJ Fenner envisions KPOP KRACKED expanding far beyond South Koreas borders. He plans to take the show on international solo tours, introducing audiences around the world to this unique fusion of K-pop and EDM. Fenner also hopes to collaborate with K-pop idols and international artists, aiming to place K-pop at the center of the global dance music scene. His ultimate goal is to establish KPOP KRACKED as a solo K-pop EDM video DJ live show that can also tour with K-pop idol groups as their warm-up DJ, while producing official remixes for their music. In addition to his work on KPOP KRACKED, Fenner has also gained experience as a tour manager for international DJs like Sam Feldt, Snails, Netsky, Jay Hardway, and Cazzette when they toured Asia. Fenner hopes to bring top 100 DJs and the best music producers in the EDM scene into the mix for collaborations with K-pop idols and himself under the KPOP KRACKED alias. A dream collaboration for him would be BLACKPINK x DAVID GUETTA x KPOP KRACKED. Fenners vision is clear: I have the platform, the skills, and the vision to make K-pop fit nicely into the mainstream EDM world. As KPOP KRACKED continues to grow, it promises to redefine how audiences around the world experience K-pop, offering a fresh and exciting perspective on this ever-evolving genre. Final thoughts KPOP KRACKED is more than just a DJ show; its a groundbreaking project that pushes the boundaries of K-pop by blending it with the energetic beats of EDM. Through innovative mashups and visually stunning performances, DJ Fenner is creating a new way to experience K-pop, one that resonates with fans of both genres. As KPOP KRACKED continues to evolve, it stands to leave a lasting impact on the global music scene, setting the stage for a new era of K-pop and EDM fusion. With Fenner at the helm, KPOP KRACKED is poised to become a global sensation, bridging cultures and musical styles in a way that only K-pop can. As this project grows, it will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the global music industry, setting the stage for a new era of K-pop and EDM fusion. Kevin Kim (kevin.kim@routenote.com) is the head of Asia for RouteNote, a global music business company. He worked for YG PLUS and CJ E&M Mnet before joining RouteNote. By Nam Hyun-woo BERLIN LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan acknowledged that the company remains undervalued in the market and vowed to intensify his efforts to engage more closely with investors. During a meeting with reporters on the sidelines of the IFA 2024 exhibition in Berlin, Friday (local time), the CEO said he has been focusing on communicating with investors and shareholders about LGs strong earnings, but acknowledged that the company has not been successful in fully convincing them. These days, LG is fully committed to improving its corporate value, Cho said. We know that buoying the share price is not easy, but at the same time we're also reflecting on whether we've been proactive enough in our communication with investors and shareholders. LG Electronics' share price peaked at 180,000 won in January 2021 but has since declined, trading below 100,000 won for the past month. To reverse the downtrend, Cho engaged with shareholders at this years annual general meeting in March and visited investors in the U.S. in May. Chief Financial Officer Kim Chang-tae will also meet investors in Singapore to promote progresses in the companys businesses. After visiting the IFA exhibition, Cho flew to London on Monday to host a non-deal roadshow for overseas investors. It will be the first time an LG CEO has hosted an investor meeting specifically for a European audience. I plan to meet with as many investors and analysts as possible to draw their attention by providing updates on how our business is progressing, what kind of business we want to pursue, and what are the steps we are taking to achieve transformation, Cho said. Despite being considered as a mature industry, LG has achieved over 10 percent growth in its home appliance business over the past few years, while recording an operating profit margin close to 10 percent. Since the companys business-to-business operation accounts for 35 percent of total revenues, LG is resilient from fluctuations in demand and prices. There are many investors who are unaware of these facts, so we're working to transparently communicate these lesser-known achievements and encourage a more accurate evaluation of our shares. Cho also noted that discussions are underway with major global tech firms. He mentioned that these tech giants view companies with a diverse range of devices as key potential partners and are exploring business opportunities with LG, leveraging its devices and customer usage data. I recently attended Microsoft's CEO Summit and later had a one-on-one meeting with Satya Nadella, Microsoft's CEO, on a separate occasion, Cho said. We discussed how the two sides can effectively leverage AI and expand potential applications. He noted that he also met Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon in July and discussed ways to realize AI in the automotive parts sector. Indian unit IPO Regarding his previous remarks that the company is mulling the initial public offering (IPO) of its Indian unit as an option, Cho reiterated that we have yet to make an official decision and still see it as one of the options we can consider. We are still monitoring the situation and analyzing the case of a Korean companys IPO bid for its Indian unit, he said, referring to Hyundai Motors $3 billion IPO bid of its Indian unit. As you may know, LG holds the No. 1 market share in every single product in India, Cho said. We have long been the go-to brand in the Indian market, and our vision goes beyond this to become a national brand in India. To fulfill this vision, we are tapping into various options. By Park Jae-hyuk HD Hyundai is participating in the second Summit on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM Summit 2024) in Seoul to demonstrate the excellence of Korean naval ships to over 90 countries. The company said Monday that its unmanned surface vehicle (USV) technology is on display at Lotte Hotel Seoul, the venue for the two-day event that kicked off on the day. REAIM is a platform for global discussion with all stakeholders on ways to ensure responsible military application of AI. Korea and the Netherlands co-hosted the first summit in The Hague last year. Organized by Koreas foreign and defense ministries, this years event attracted government officials from more than 90 countries, including the ministerial- and vice-ministerial-level officials from the foreign and defense ministries of 34 countries. HD Hyundai has set up its exhibition booth to display a miniature of Tenebris, a USV under joint development with Palantir Technologies, a U.S. software company. The Korean firm has also demonstrated its Tenebris-led battle field command system through virtual reality. Tenebris, which means darkness in Latin, aims for reconnaissance near enemy lines. HD Hyundai and Palantir plan to finish the development of the 14-ton, 17-meter-long vessel by 2026. In addition, the developers are set to apply the worlds most advanced AI technology to the ship by integrating HD Hyundais autonomous navigation system and Palantirs AI-based mission autonomy system. In May, the two companies unveiled the design of Tenebris for the first time during the AI Expo for National Competitiveness in Washington, D.C., amid the attendance of decision-makers in the national security and defense sectors of the Five Eyes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to introduce our USV technology to high-ranking foreign and defense ministry officials from around the world, an HD Hyundai official said. Korea Aerospace Industries and the Agency for Defense Development also opened exhibition booths at the event to introduce their unmanned combat systems for the air and on land. By Ko Dong-hwan Yogiyo has introduced the country's first autonomous delivery robots, the food delivery service operator said, Monday, amid expectations that the new technology will help boost the delivery market in areas facing labor shortages. The delivery robot service started in Incheon's Songdo on the day and the operator plans to expand the service area gradually. Restaurant owners subscribed to Yogiyos online platform and those who order on the platform can use the robot free of charge. In June, Yogiyo signed a memorandum of understanding with Neubility, a Seoul-based autonomous robot service company, to integrate the robots into its delivery operations. The robots travel range is limited to within 1.2 kilometers of their restaurant. Their driving speed tops 5.76 kilometers per hour and slows down in front of people or other approaching barriers or when the path narrows. Jang Soo-baek, Yogiyo's chief technical officer, said that the robots are a sign of the ever-advancing autonomous driving robotic technologies in the country. He added that the company plans to spread the robotic delivery service to further regions beyond Songdo. Neubility has the longest history of autonomous robot testing in the country. It in January acquired a license for safety driving in outdoor environments for the first time in the food delivery industry. Were pleased to share with the public the practicality and convenience our autonomous robots can provide, Neubility Founder & CEO Andrew Lee said. By Jhoo Dong-chan The South Gyeongsang Provincial Government has secured a series of investment deals with domestic and overseas companies. According to the local government, Monday, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany-based car parts maker Wurth Group and local seatbelt supplier Samsong in Prague, Czech Republic, Aug. 30. South Gyeongsang Province is expected to work together with the German company for future mobility service in the region while Samsong promised to invest about 20 billion won ($15 million) to build additional seatbelt manufacturing plants there as part of the deal. I am so grateful for the deal, South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su said during the signing ceremony at Grandium Hotel Prague in the Czech Republic, Aug. 30. The South Gyeongsang Provincial Government will do its best to support Wurth Group and Samsongs operations in future mobility and energy service. Consisting of over 400 companies in more than 80 countries, Wurth Group has over 87,000 employees on its payroll globally. According to its financial statement, Wurth Group generated a total of 20.4 billion euros in sales last year. In 2020, it also established an operation branch in Korea for future mobility and energy service. Founded in 1978, Samsong is one of the leading seatbelt makers and has overseas production bases in the Czech Republic, China, India, Mexico and Vietnam. Under the deal with South Gyeongsang Province, the company is set to invest 20 billion won in its Changwon production plants and hire 10 more workers. The local government also secured another investment deal with local airplane engine maintenance company Young Aviation and Korean defense firm Metis three days after the signing ceremony. Under the deal, Young Aviation will invest 20 billion won in its reshoring plan to build a production plant in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province. Founded in 2013, Young Aviation is a maintenance, repair and operation service provider for civil aircraft engines. Metis is also expected to invest 8 billion won in building its production plants for aviation communication parts. Both companies are parts suppliers for the countrys largest defense industry firm, Korea Aerospace Industries. Korea Aerospace Industries is expanding its business circle into civil aircraft production. It is imperative that more parts suppliers play their role to help it, Park said. I will do my best to foster other partnerships with companies for South Gyeongsang Province. Russia said on Sunday its forces had taken full control of a town in eastern Ukraine as Moscow's forces advance on the strategically important city of Pokrovsk and seek to pierce the Ukrainian defensive front lines. Russian forces, which control about a fifth of Ukraine since invading in February 2022, are advancing in eastern Ukraine in an attempt to take the whole of the Donbas, which is about half the size of the U.S. state of Ohio. Russia's defense ministry said its forces had taken the town of Novohrodivka, which lies 12 kilometers (7 miles) from Pokrovsk, an important rail and road hub for Ukrainian forces in the area. The town had a population of 14,000 before the war. Yuri Podolyaka, an influential Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger, published maps showing Russian forces attacking beyond Novohrodivka in at least two places less than 7 kilometers (4 miles) from Pokrovsk. The General Staff of the Ukrainian military, in a report issued on Sunday evening, gave details of fighting throughout the Pokrovsk sector, including Novohrodivka. It said 29 attempted Russian advances had been repelled, with seven skirmishes continuing. "Our troops are taking measures to maintain designated positions," it said. But an interview with a Ukrainian officer broadcast last week by U.S.-funded Radio Liberty said Ukrainian forces had abandoned Novohrodivka on grounds that the positions there were not favorable for defending it. Popular Ukrainian war blog DeepState said Russian forces had captured the village of Nevelske, to the southeast. Reuters was unable to immediately verify battlefield reports from either side due to restrictions on reporting in the war. President Vladimir Putin said last week that a Ukrainian incursion into the Russian region of Kursk had failed to slow Russia's own advance in eastern Ukraine and had weakened Kyiv's defenses along the front line in a boost to Moscow. Ukraine's top military commander said on Thursday that Kyiv's incursion into the Kursk region was working. Russian forces, he said, had made no progress in their advance on Pokrovsk for the previous six days. He said that one of the objectives of the Kursk incursion was to divert Russian forces from other areas, primarily Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Russia had diverted large numbers to Kursk, but was also strengthening the Pokrovsk front, he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the Kursk operation was also to prevent Russian forces from crossing the border in the opposite direction. Russia currently controls about 80 percent of Donbas. Given the speed of recent Russian advances in the east, some Russian war bloggers have raised concern about the army overreaching itself. Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine more than two and a half years ago in what he calls a special military operation. Ukraine and its Western backers have vowed to defeat Russian forces and expel all Russian troops. (Reuters) We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. On 7 September Brazils far-right former president(2019-2023) attended a rally in Sao Paulo where his supporters intensified their criticisms of supreme court (STF) justice End of preview - This article contains approximately 404 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options If you love the Golden Goose look, but dont want to drop upwards of $500 to $700 on a single pair, the Vintage Havana brand is a worthy twin. And right now, you can score dozens of just in styles on sale for a major discount at Saks Off 5th. These include options for women and kids, both girls and boys. Similar to Golden Goose sneakers, Vintage Havanas come in high and low-top silhouettes, even some platforms, and incorporate uniquely cool elements and standout embellishments like metallic accents and star motifs. One of the best deals we spied is the $60 price drop on the Metallic Star Low Top Sneakers, taking your total spend down to $70, from $130. These classic court designs show off a crisp black and white aesthetic, but the metallic star detailing gives the pair some edge and versatility to wear from day to night. You can pick up some trendy kicks for your kids, too, starting from just $30. 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Judge said he was concerned about defendant Bryan Kohbergers ability to receive a fair trial at the Latah County courthouse in Moscow, given extensive media coverage of the case as well as statements by public officials suggesting Kohbergers guilt. He also noted that the courthouse isnt big enough to accommodate the case and that the county sheriffs office doesnt have enough deputies to handle security. He did not specify where the trial would be moved. Kohbergers defense team sought the change of vendue, saying strong emotions in the close-knit community and constant news coverage will make it impossible to find an impartial jury in the small university town where the killings occurred. Prosecutors argued that any problems with potential bias could be resolved by simply calling a larger pool of potential jurors and questioning them carefully. Kohberger, a former criminal justice student at Washington State University, which is across the state line in Pullman, faces four counts of murder in the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. The four University of Idaho students were killed sometime in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, in a rental house near the campus. The killings stunned students at both universities and left the small city of Moscow deeply shaken. The case also spurred a flurry of news coverage, much of which Kohbergers defense team says was inflammatory and left the community strongly biased against their client. Police arrested Kohberger on Dec. 30, 2022, at his parents home in Monroe County, where he planned to spend winter break. Kohberger had graduated from Northampton Community College in Bethlehem Township with an associates degree in psychology in 2018 and received a bachelors degree in 2020 from DeSales University in Upper Saucon Township, where he completed graduate studies in June 2022. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Dont let the post-summer hangover dull your sensation! Theres still a lot more to do in the Lehigh Valley this fall. Between Phillipsburg and Easton, weve narrowed it down to six events happening in September and October we think youd be an utter dunce to miss. The Laois landowner of the Electric Picnic site has rejected reports and concerns over his sheep grazing in an uncleaned festival campsite as "bull***t". Stradbally Hall landowner Thomas Cosby told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that the campsite is now clean, but emphasised that his animals were not in any danger. "The rubbish is all gone, it's gone to plan. It takes a month to get the site decommissioned. "If it's cattle it's one thing, but sheep are picky grazers. They will eat around the rubbish. It's not an issue. This making a fuss around animals is bull***t. It's a perception based on ignorance," he said. "There are 200 acres of campsite, this was five acres, just 2.5% of campsites. It is an utter misrepresentation. There has never been a fatality in 20 years. I never had any problems," the farmer said. Mr Cosby said that the two week delay in cleaning up the campsite was caused by Storm Lilian. "It was a series of abnormalities, they (Festival Republic) had to bring their staff to the UK," he said. Both the Leinster Express and the Irish Times had reported the sheep grazing amongst the dirty campsite with photographs taken from the Abbeyleix Road in Stradbally. A spokesperson for Electric Picnic that day confirmed that the sheep had escaped into the field and were quickly removed, with a clean up promised for the following day. The festival organisers are responsible for cleaning the site. The spokesperson also explained that the delay in cleaning the campsites was down to Storm Lilian badly affecting its third party luxury tent provider. A brave Laois woman is about to jump into the Pacific in America, to swim from the notorious Alcatraz Island prison, 3 miles to the shores of San Francisco. Mountmellick native Joan Fennelly who lives in the UK where she is one of the five intrepid Henley Mermaid open water swim team, will dive into the ocean alone at 7.30am on Tuesday morning, September 10 (3.30pm Irish time) in the first of two personal fundraising quests. Then she flies across to the East coast, to attempt the busy 2.5 mile stretch from Manhattan to Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty, passing Ellis Island, where her grandparents first met as they emigrated from Ireland. Her training was halted five weeks ago when she broke her nose in a bad fall. "I was out for a stroll in the hills and woods at the back of Henley one sunny evening at the end of July, and I tripped on a tree root.. I unfortunately landed with full force on my face and ended up breaking my nose, bursting my lips and badly spraining my left wrist/hand. The accident happened about 1.5 miles from home," Joan told the Leinster Express / Laois Live. "After being fully checked over in the Royal Berkshire hospital in Reading, my injury was stitched up and I was sent home. I spent the following week laid up, and much of the time had Captain Birdseye frozen peas on my face to bring down the swelling. Thankfully, I did make a speedy recovery and was back in the water three weeks later. "Despite the trauma and upset of the accident, I feel very blessed to have many of my swim club friends rally around and help me prepare and get fit mentally and physically for my Alcatraz and Liberty Island swims. "With both swims being done in memory of my late Mam, and while safety is always the number 1 consideration in the swim community, I would have been totally gutted if I wasnt able to make both swims. My Mam was a very dedicated member of St Vincent de Paul in Mountmellick for over 50 years, and in my own way, it means a lot to me to top off her legacy with this fundraiser, where all funds will go directly to help members of our community in and around Mountmellick. I am very grateful for the generosity of all who have donated so far, and hopefully after both swims this week, we can encourage more donations to achieve, and hopefully exceed our target of 7,500," Joan said. She arrived with the support of her brother Paul Fennelly to San Francisco on Sunday night. "My brother Paul has come down from Colorado to be by chaperone and support for the Alcatraz swim. We are also meeting family, friends and colleagues while in San Francisco, with many of them coming out as an entourage to greet me at the beach by St Francis Yacht Club early tomorrow morning, where its anticipated that Ill land after swimming from Alcatraz. "I go back to New York late on Wednesday evening and will have a couple of days rest to prepare for the swim from Manhattan to Liberty Island, which will also have me swimming past Ellis Island, where my grandmother and nine of her siblings started their life in the US, as well as many other ancestors from my Mam and Dads families - this connection and symbolism of swimming past Ellis Island and to Liberty Island evokes a lot of emotion in me - as the saying goes, we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors and have a lot to be grateful to them for. "The Liberty Island swim I will be doing with one of my oldest friends, Sue Brownlow, with whom I have enjoyed many swim adventures across the globe. I am also delighted that my late sister Marys daughter Monica Thorne will be the support crew for myself and Sue, for our Liberty Island swims," Joan said. She may encounter sharks, sea lice, jellyfish, ships, high waves and strong currents but she is undaunted. Joan has already passed her target of at least 5,000 for the Holy Family Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, which helps people in financial distress in Mountmellick, Rosenallis and Clonaghadoo. Donate to Joan's fundraiser here. Joan is also inviting supporters to join a Whatsapp group for personal updates. The Laois Model Aero Club (LMAC) held a very successful fundraiser for Portlaoise's Cuisle Centre on Sunday September 8. The event took place in the club's flying site at Clondouglas. The 'open fly-in' fundraiser for the Cuisle Centre saw over 1,240 raised, with over 40 radio controlled aircraft taking to the sky. Attendees attest that there was a 'wonderful display of aerobatics' throughout the day. Pictured: Ariel view of the club's fundraiser in Clondouglas on September 8. "There were many types of aircraft, fixed wing power, gliders, helicopters, jets, and drones, all ranging in size," said Michael McEvoy, President of Model Aeronautics Council of Ireland. "Model aircraft can be enjoyed by young and old and is a very rewarding sport to be involved in, both physically and mentally," said Mr McEvoy. Laois Model Aero Club is associated to the Model Aeronautics Council of Ireland (MACI.ie) who in turn is affiliated to the Irish Aviation Authority whom controls all aeronautical sport nationally. On joining LMAC, insurance is automatically provided by MACI. The Laois Model Aero Club was established 40 years ago by the late Philip Meagher, a local solicitor and keen aircraft enthusiast. Along with flying model aircraft, Mr Meagher was known to fly full size aircraft also. Pictured: Michael McEvoy, LMAC member & President of MACI, presents donations of 1,240 to Antoinette Brennan, Cuisle Care Centre, Portlaoise. Through discussions with Bord Na Mona, the club secured what they hail 'one of the best flying sites in the country'. At a modest rent, the club is 'extremely grateful' for this site. "New members are always welcome to join the club," Mr McEvoy said. "Training will be given to new members on one the clubs aircrafts for those wishing to take up the sport," he finished. For those interested in joining the Laois Model Aero Club (LMAC), contact secretary Sean Cullen at (083) 0044916. Eight Laois schools have been chosen for the arts council's Creative Schools programme. These eight schools are of 186 schools across the country to have joined the programme this year, including 51 DEIS schools and 23 Irish language schools. Schools will receive a grant of 4,000, and will work with a professional Creative Associate for two years, who will support them to develop and implement their own bespoke Creative School Plan. The Laois schools included in this programme are: Ballyfin NS, Ballyfin Ballinakill Mixed Ns, Ballinakill Scoil Mhuire, Wolfhill The Swan Ns, The Swan Scoil Phadraig, Portarlington St Francis Special School, Portlaoise Scoil Chomhghain Naofa, Killeshin St Pius X National School, Ballacolla A total of 17 schools across the Midlands have been accepted to the programme. This brings a total of 1,100 the number of Irish schools who have participated since the programme began in 2018, meaning a quarter of all schools. Minister for Education Norma Foley TD said: It is wonderful to welcome the 186 schools to the Creative Schools initiative 2024. I would like to personally welcome these new schools into this unique programme. "Im very excited to see how these creative and captivating projects will develop over the coming two years," the Minister finished. Pictured: St Bernadettes SNS Clondalkin Dublin 22, one of 186 schools chosen for the programme this year. Creative Schools is a flagship initiative of the Governments Creative Ireland Programme, and encourages the inclusion of the arts and creativity in children's lives. The initiative is led by the Arts Council in partnership with the Department of Education and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Director of the Arts Council Maureen Kennelly warmly welcomed the news. "Following the wonderful success of Creative February for schools this year, we are heartened to see a clear increase in applications for this incredible resource," the Director said. "By this stage of the programme, were delighted to say that 25% of all schools in Ireland have connected with us. We know that arts experiences with, for and by children can be transformative. "Working with our partners in the Department of Education, and in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and in Creative Ireland, we are looking forward to another school year full of exploration, creative thinking, discovery and most importantly fun," Director Kennelly finished. Creative Schools receive applications from counties across the country. They are assessed on how the initiative would benefit learning and development in the school and how children and young people would play a central role in leading the process. Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD congratulated the chosen schools, calling the programme a 'journey of creativity and discovery.' "Again, this year sees a continuous increase in the diversity of settings in receipt of support," said Minister Martin. "This is a testament to its impact and the strength of the partnership between the Art Council, the Department of Education and the all-of-government Creative Ireland Programme," she finished. Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with responsibility for New Market Development and T.D. for Kildare South Martin Heydon last week led a significant agri-food trade mission to China and the Republic of Korea. Both China and Korea are two high-value markets with significant potential for Irish exporters. Minister Heydon said: "Ministerial-led trade missions offer a unique opportunity to promote the strengths of Irish agri-food produce. During my visits to Seoul and Shanghai I met with several commercial distributors and retailers of beef, dairy, seafood, and spirits alongside Irish suppliers, including companies based in Kildare. In order to secure the best returns for Irish farmers we need to have a diversified portfolio in the highest value markets." The trade mission comes after beef access was secured to the Korean market and restored to the Chinese market within the last year. Commenting on the potential of the beef market in Korea, Minister Heydon said: "Securing access to this market has been the culmination of years of detailed diplomatic, political, and technical engagement. I am delighted to have played a part in opening this market as Korea is the fourth largest beef importer in the world." At present seven beef plants are approved for export to Korea and Irish beef is already on the shelves. Our focus now is to increase the number of approved plants which would include processor facilities here in Kildare. Part of the trade mission was engaging with the Korean authorities on the timing of a second technical inspection visit. "Turning to the Chinese market the Minister added: "Following a period of suspension, Irish beef exports to China have resumed. The market conditions in China are challenging but Irish companies have been steadily regaining market share having maintained strong relations with Chinese distributers."Dairy exports were a major focus of my visit to Shanghai. Diversifying the category of Irish dairy exports to China has been a strategic focus of the Irish dairy industry. Adult nutrition is now a valuable market alongside infant formula."Minister Heydon also led a Spirit of Ireland event focused on promoting Irish drinks while in Shanghai and meet with the Seoul Racehorse Trainers Association while in Korea. "Here in Kildare, we know the value of a vibrant equine industry and it was interesting to compare the Irish and Korean systems as well as support Irish feed and nutrient companies who are growing their share of that market, concluded Minister Heydon. Irelands first Age Friendly Estate has been launched at Castlefen, Sallins. Local TD and Minister for State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, James Lawless and Kildare County Council cathaoirleach Joe Neville attended the official ceremony on Friday September 6. The official launch marked the completion of works at Castlefen in a project supported by Kildare County Council, Kildare Age Friendly Alliance, Age Friendly Ireland and Castlefen Residents Association. Castlefen is now considered a demonstrator model for housing estates that want to adopt this process and be more prepared to support their ageing communities. Age Friendly Ireland will showcase the work of Castlefen as a model of good practice nationally and internationally. The AFI programme supports cities, counties and towns across Ireland to prepare for the rapid ageing of our population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults. Read more Kildare news The programme provides walkable streets, housing and transportation options, access to key services and opportunities for older people to participate in community activities. By doing so, these communities are better equipped to become, where appropriate, lifelong homes for people of all ages. This initiative came from the Castelfen residents themselves. The whole community of Castlefen supported the project and all of the improvements carried out to date were as a result of needs identified by the older residents themselves. During the research phase of this audit it became clear that Castlefen has a larger number than average of older residents and people with disabilities which makes its implementation even more important. The Labour governments approach to the legacy of Northern Irelands troubled past has been praised as a significant change from the previous administration. Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin welcomed consultation with Troubles victims and pledges to tackle the controversial Legacy Act which was introduced by the Conservative government. The issue had caused division between the British and Irish governments, with the Irish taking an inter-state case against the UK over the Act last December. Speaking in Newry, Co Down on Monday, the Tanaiste said he wants to see the issue of legacy dealt with and families able to pursue truth or justice. I warmly welcome the initiatives and decisions taken already by the Secretary of State Hilary Benn in respect of immunity, inquests and facilitating the return of civil cases, he said. I had a very substantive meeting at the weekend with Hilary Benn in respect of legacy. Ive tasked my officials to engage with his officials to tease through remaining issues and of course he is engaged in a consultation process with victims groups and with political parties. I will also again re-engage with victims groups in respect of navigating the next phase of the agenda which was articulated by the new Labour government in Britain to repeal and replace the Legacy Act. So there will be legislative proposals. We will engage with the British government. I welcome the Secretary of States commitment to engaging with the Irish Government in respect of this. Its a significant change from the previous governments approach on legacy. Mr Martin said he is committed to seeing the issue resolved once and for all, and to working with Mr Benn to this end. The families of the victims need a process and they need closure, he said. That is essential. I have been involved in this now for decades. I can remember the Eames Bradley report of many, many years ago, and its been stop/start, and its been very, very unsatisfactory for the families of loved ones who were brutally murdered during the Troubles. Many want information retrieval, others want justice and avenues to justice, so we have got to develop mechanisms that respond to the different needs of families of victims. Dermot Higgins, a 62-year-old adventurer from Skerries, is preparing to undertake an extraordinary challengeswimming the entire length of the River Shannon, from its source of the Shannon Pot in County Cavan to the mouth of sea in Limerick. Starting on September 12, Dermot aims to become both the oldest and the fastest person to complete the 360 km journey, all while raising 100,000 for Pieta, a charity dedicated to supporting those affected by suicide and self-harm. Im attempting to become the oldest person and beat the speed record of 14 days," Dermot explains. "To my knowledge, only six people have completed this swim. I plan to be the seventh, and do it in just 12 days. Dermot will begin in the village of Dowra, County Cavan, and swim approximately 20 km each day, averaging 10 hours of swimming daily. His goal is to reach Limerick on or before September 25. This challenge holds special significance for Dermot. A retired teacher and principal, Dermot has battled depression three times, the most severe episode occurring during the Covid pandemic, when he was hospitalized and attempted suicide. After retiring in 2017, he turned to extreme outdoor challenges to improve his physical and mental well-being. Im physically strong, but Ive struggled with my mental health, Dermot reveals. "Ive raised over 250,000 for charity in the past, including for Pieta. As a suicide survivor, I know all too well the importance of the resilience training which this amazing charity promotes." Dermot's previous exploits include becoming the oldest person to cycle around the world, paddling the Shannon in just three days, and surviving a bear attack while paddling the Yukon River from source to sea. Last year, he also became the first Irish person to swim non-stop for 24 hours. Now, hes returning to the Shannon, having been forced to cancel his first attempt in 2022 due to a serious injury. Higgins will be supported throughout his swim by Emerald Star-Le Boat, who have generously provided a support boat. The vessel will be crucial, offering navigational assistance, meals, and a base for Dermot and his team as they journey down the river. "The boat will help keep me on track and provide some comfort after hours in the water. Were not just surviving out there, we plan to have some fun too!" says Dermot, who is eager to be joined by kayaking and swimming friends from Skerries along the way. Dermot's goal is to raise 100,000 for Pieta through this ambitious swim. Those who wish to contribute can do so through his Pieta iDonate page at idonate.ie/event/floflodermo. SANY Heavy Industry Reports Strong Half-Year Results (Steady international business growth brought overseas revenue accounting for 62.23% of its core business revenue) SHANGHAI, Sept. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SANY Heavy Industry (SANY) announced its 2024 half-year financial report on August 30. The company reported 38.74 billion yuan (5.45 billion USD) in operating revenue for H1 2024, down 1.95% year-on-year, while the net profit attributable to shareholders of listed companies increased by 4.80% to 3.57 billion yuan (503 million USD). Despite the challenging global market, the company, insisting on the principle of "high-quality development", achieved a surge in net cash flow from operating by 2,204.61% to 8.44 billion yuan (1.19 billion USD). Rapid international growth In the first half part of 2024, SANY further drove globalization by expanding the global R&D and manufacturing layout, enhancing the aftermarket construction, and building sustainable capabilities for global operations. In the H1 of this year, SANY saw sustainable growth in its international revenue. The company recorded an international sales revenue for the main business of 23.54 billion yuan (3.31 billion USD), marking a year-on-year growth of 4.79% and accounting for 62.23% of its main business revenue. Among these, the African region boasted a notable year-on-year increase of 66.71% to 2.31 billion yuan (325 million USD), while the Asia and Australia region contributed 9.17 billion yuan (1.29 billion USD), rising 2.55%. The European region generated 8.27 billion yuan, a stable growth of 1.08%, and the Americas market brought in 3.79 billion yuan, down by 4.19%. Leading the decarbonization transition In 2024, SANY has escalated its R&D efforts in new energy products. As of now, more than 80 new energy products have been listed this year with multiple ones achieving breakthroughs in the market. For instance, the SW956E electric wheel loader gained an order of 200 units from Indonesia with its advanced energy-saving technology, including self-developed VCU and Intelligent variable frequency air conditioner. In terms of technology R&D, SANY has obtained about 30 granted patents related to low-carbon technologies, including the industrial first P2-MT hybrid power technology that reduces power interruptions during gear shifting in heavy-duty vehicles and achieves considerable fuel savings through rational calibration of the software, filling the technology gap for hybrid products. Significant R&D and innovation results Guided by the strategy of "Globalization, Digitalization, Decarbonization", SANY significantly invested in R&D. In the first half year of 2024, the company allocated 2.61 billion yuan (367 million USD) in R&D. SANY owned 6,320 R&D personnel, 39% of whom hold postgraduate degrees or higher. Regarding intellectual property, SANY applied for 575 patents, with 357 being invention patents and 351 granted. Additionally, SANY has released a number of innovative products in the H1 2024, including the SY2000 mining excavator, the third generation RC medium excavator, the 33-meter pump truck, and the STC2000C8-8 truck crane. SOURCE SANY Group 8 september 2024 at 22:13 News published onand distributed by: Predictive Maintenance Market to Reach $162.1 Billion, Globally, by 2033 at 32.2% CAGR: Allied Market Research Emerging technologies such as machine learning and need for remote monitoring and asset management offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the global predictive maintenance market. NEW CASTLE, Del., Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Predictive Maintenance Market by Component (Solution and Services), Technique (Vibration Monitoring, Electrical Testing, Oil Analysis, Ultrasonic Leak Detectors, Shock Pulse, Infrared and Others), Deployment Mode (On-premise and Cloud), End User (Manufacturing, Energy and Utilities, Aerospace and Defense, Transportation and Logistics, Government, Healthcare and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the predictive maintenance market was valued at $10.1 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $162.1 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 32.2% from 2024 to 2033. Prime determinants of growth The global predictive maintenance market is experiencing growth due to rise in demand for increased asset uptime and lowering maintenance costs, increase in investments in predictive maintenance in industries as a result of IoT adoption, and advent of ML and AI. However, the implementation problems and data security concerns hinder market growth to some extent. Request Sample Pages: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2469 Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024?2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $10.1 billion Market Size in 2033 $162.1 billion CAGR 32.2 % No. of Pages in Report 309 Segments Covered Component, Technique, Deployment Mode, End User, and Region. Drivers Rise in demand for increased asset uptime and lowering maintenance costs Increase in investments in predictive maintenance in industries as a result of IoT adoption Advent of ML and AI Opportunities Emerging technologies such as machine learning Need for remote monitoring and asset management Restraint Implementation problems and data security concerns Buy this Complete Report (309 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/predictive-maintenance-market/purchase-options The services segment is expected to witness rapid growth throughout the forecast period. By component, the solution segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than one-third of the global predictive maintenance market revenue and is likely to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period, owing to rise in use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms, allowing for more sophisticated analysis of data and better identification of patterns that precede equipment failures. However, the services segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR from 2024 to 2033, owing to rise in adoption of AI and machine learning in predictive maintenance services, which allows for more precise and sophisticated analysis of data to predict equipment failures. Service providers are increasingly leveraging big data analytics to process vast amounts of information collected from sensors and IoT devices, enabling real-time monitoring and more accurate predictions. The infrared segment is expected to witness rapid growth throughout the forecast period. By technique, the vibration monitoring segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than one-third of the global predictive maintenance market revenue and is expected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period, owing to the proliferation of wireless and IoT-enabled vibration sensors. These sensors provide real-time data and are easier to install and maintain compared to traditional wired sensors. They enable continuous monitoring of machinery without the need for extensive cabling, reducing setup time and costs. However, the infrared segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR from 2024 to 2033, owing to the enhanced sensitivity and accuracy of modern IR cameras. These advancements allow for more precise detection of thermal anomalies, enabling earlier identification of potential equipment failures. The resolution of IR cameras has improved, providing clearer and more detailed thermal images that help maintenance teams diagnose issues more effectively. The cloud segment is expected to grow faster throughout the forecast period. By deployment mode, the on-premise segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than one-third of the global predictive maintenance market revenue and is expected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period, owing to increasing adoption in industries that require high data security and low latency, such as aerospace, defense, and critical infrastructure sectors. These systems offer robust control over data privacy and compliance with stringent regulatory standards, making them suitable for environments where data sensitivity is paramount. However, the cloud segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR from 2024 to 2033, owing to the widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors that continuously collect data from machinery and equipment. This data is transmitted to cloud platforms, where it can be stored, processed, and analyzed in real-time, allowing for more accurate and timely predictions of equipment failures. The energy and utilities segment is expected to lead throughout the forecast period. By end user, the manufacturing segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global predictive maintenance industry revenue and is expected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period, owing to the integration of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices, which collect real-time data from machinery and equipment. These sensors monitor various parameters such as vibration, temperature, and pressure, providing continuous insights into the health of manufacturing assets. However, the energy and utilities segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR from 2024 to 2032, owing to an increase in deployment of IoT sensors across energy infrastructure, such as power plants, wind turbines, and grid systems. These sensors continuously collect data on equipment performance, environmental conditions, and operational parameters, providing real-time insights into the health of critical assets. Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2033 By region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2023, accounting for three-fourths of the global predictive maintenance market, owing to widespread adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies. Manufacturing and industrial sectors in countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea, are integrating IIoT sensors to collect real-time data from machinery and equipment, facilitating continuous monitoring and early fault detection. Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2469 Major Industry Players: - IBM Corporation ABB Ltd Schneider Electric Amazon Web Services, Inc. Google LLC Microsoft Corporation Hitachi, Ltd. SAP SE SAS Institute Inc. Software AG The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global predictive maintenance 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. Trending Reports in ICT & Media Industry: Smart Home Devices Market Overview Network Management Market Overview Digital Payment Market Overview Mobile Gaming Market Overview AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model): AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research 9 september 2024 at 05:29 News published onand distributed by: Marimaca Appoints Oscar Valenzuela as VP Project and Alexis Munoz as VP Project Execution VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marimaca Copper Corp. ("Marimaca Copper" or the "Company") (TSX: MARI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Oscar Valenzuela as Vice President, Project and Alexis Munoz as Vice President, Project Execution. Mr. Valenzuela brings over 35 years experience in executive development and operational leadership roles in the mining industry. Mr. Munoz has over 29 years of experience in the construction and execution of large-scale mining projects in senior management roles. Both Mr. Munoz and Mr. Valenzuela are based in Santiago, Chile. Mr. Valenzuela is a senior mining executive with over 35 years of experience in progressively more senior operating roles in the industry. Prior to joining Marimaca, Mr. Valenzuela was the Director of Projects for Capstone Copper ("Capstone") at Mantos Blancos and Mantoverde until June 2024. Before this, he was the Head of Projects for Mantos Copper and Manager of Operations for Mantos Blancos. Mr. Valenzuela has also held the roles of General Manager of Mantoverde for Anglo American, and General Manager of Lomas Bayas for Glencore amongst other senior positions. Before joining Marimaca, Mr. Munoz was the Construction and Commissioning Manager for Capstone's recently completed Mantoverde Development Project where he was responsible for the management of construction activities, commissioning and the development of the Operational Readiness Plan (ORP). Prior to this, Mr. Munoz was the Project Manager for Mantos Copper's Mantos Blancos Concentrator Debottlenecking Project. Mr. Munoz held previous roles as Vice President of Projects at Collahuasi (Glencore, Anglo American and Mitsui) and as Project Manager of Major Projects at BHP. Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca Copper, commented: "We are excited to welcome Oscar and Alexis to the Marimaca Team. Oscar brings an enormous amount of experience in executive operational leadership in Chile which will be critical during the next phase of our development strategy. Alexis brings deep execution experience across major, and relevant, mining projects, and he represents an important addition to our Owners Team as we move toward the development of the MOD. People are a top priority for the Company over the coming 12 months, and both Oscar and Alexis bring a unique skillet to our business across project development and construction execution" Contact Information For further information please visit www.marimaca.com or contact: Tavistock +44 (0) 207 920 3150 Jos Simpson / Adam Baynes [email protected] Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including, without limitation, statements regarding exploration activities, planned drilling programs, and the development activities at the Marimaca Oxide Deposit ("MOD"). 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 Marimaca Copper, 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 that the exploration development activities at Mercedes and the MOD will not progress as anticipated, or at all, risks that the Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") may not be completed as anticipated, or at all, risks that the MOD project permitting submission may not be submitted as anticipated, or at all, risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the necessity of financing, uncertainties relating to regulatory procedure and timing for permitting submissions and reviews, the availability of and costs of financing needed in the future as well as those factors disclosed in the annual information form of the Company dated March 28, 2024 and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedar.com). Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Marimaca Copper undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Neither the TSX nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 9 september 2024 at 07:00 News published onand distributed by: Welltower to Participate in the BofA Securities 2024 Global Real Estate Conference TOLEDO, Ohio, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Welltower Inc. (NYSE: WELL) announced today that Chief Executive Officer, Shankh Mitra, will participate in a live panel at the Bank of America Securities 2024 Global Real Estate Conference. The panel will be held from 2:15 p.m. ? 2:50 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the Bank of America Tower in New York City. A link to the webcast can be found here: https://bofa.veracast.com/webcasts/bofa/realestate2024/idYE47X0.cfm About Welltower Welltower Inc. (NYSE: WELL), an S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. The Company invests with leading seniors housing operators, post-acute providers and health systems to fund the real estate infrastructure needed to scale innovative care delivery models and improve people's wellness and overall health care experience. Welltower, a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), owns interests in properties concentrated in major, high-growth markets in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, consisting of seniors housing, post-acute communities and outpatient medical properties. More information is available at www.welltower.com. SOURCE Welltower Inc. 9 september 2024 at 07:00 News published onand distributed by: Joint Commission International, in Collaboration with Geneva Sustainability Centre, Launches New Healthcare Sustainability Certification OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois, USA, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The healthcare sector contributes nearly 5.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions while facing increasing health impacts from climate change, according to a 2022 report of the Lancet Countdown. As healthcare organizations strive to decarbonize and become more resilient, Joint Commission International (JCI), in collaboration with the International Hospital Federation's Geneva Sustainability Centre (GSC), today announced a new international Healthcare Sustainability Certification (HSC). The HSC program, effective 1 January 2025, is available to healthcare organizations outside the United States and its territories that are accelerating their sustainable practices and seeking formal recognition. For the first time, this certification is available to any institution whether JCI accredited or not. The certification provides a framework to help healthcare leaders initiate sustainability priorities and develop a formal governance structure to gain successful results. "Together, Joint Commission International and the International Hospital Federation are supporting and celebrating healthcare organizations around the world that are leading the way in sustainable healthcare," said Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer, The Joint Commission and Joint Commission International. "These organizations inspire others to follow in their footsteps so that healthcare can become more resilient, able to serve patients and communities during extreme weather events, and provide meaningful and lasting benefits for the health of the planet." The certification process includes GSC's Sustainability Accelerator Tool (SAT), a comprehensive digital platform that allows healthcare organizations to assess their performance with core indicators and benchmark against comparable healthcare organizations worldwide. The SAT also provides insights on how healthcare organizations can enhance their sustainability strategies and improve processes, as well as offers a framework to guide essential decision-making dialogue with executives. The SAT assesses sustainability maturity across three essential domains: Environmental impact Health, equity and wellbeing Leadership and governance "There is no more doubt that the climate crisis is a health crisis. The healthcare sector has many opportunities to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future, while ensuring safe quality care," explained Ronald Lavater, CEO of the International Hospital Federation. "The International Hospital Federation and Joint Commission International worked together to develop the JCI-GSC Healthcare Sustainability Certification as part of our mission to support hospitals to become leaders for sustainability in their communities." In addition to completion of the SAT assessment, healthcare organizations need to meet the certification's requirements which are closely connected to the SAT's core indicators. The requirements offer an advanced framework that expands on the Global Health Impact chapter from JCI's 8th edition Accreditation Standards for Hospitals and Academic Medical Centers. These requirements enhance the foundational goals established in the 8th edition by incorporating advanced metrics for carbon emissions, resource management, leadership involvement, employee engagement and climate resiliency. Sustainable practices can lead to improved health outcomes for patients, staff and communities. Through the certification, healthcare organizations contribute to broader environmental conservation and preservation goals, as well as achieve operational efficiencies that result in cost reductions. Healthcare organizations that achieve the certification also receive JCI's Gold Seal of Approval, a universally recognized symbol of quality and patient safety, and build brand recognition as responsible care leaders in an increasingly environmentally conscious world. Any healthcare organization outside of the United States that meets eligibility requirements may now apply for HSC with certification reviews to begin on 1 January 2025. Members of the International Hospital Federation qualify for a 10% discount on the certification. U.S. hospitals and critical access hospitals may apply for The Joint Commission's Sustainable Healthcare Certification, which has been available since Jan. 1, 2024. ### About Joint Commission International Joint Commission International (JCI) is a part of The Joint Commission, a nonprofit healthcare improvement organization and the world's largest healthcare accreditor. With over 70 years of experience, The Joint Commission collaborates with more than 23,000 healthcare organizations and programs across 70+ countries. JCI offers a range of services including accreditation, certification, education, advisory, technology, and publications to help achieve its vision that all people always experience the safest, highest quality, and best-value healthcare worldwide. Visit www.jointcommissioninternational.org for more information. About the International Hospital Federation (IHF) Established in 1929, the IHF is a global not-for-profit, non-governmental membership organization. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the IHF is the global voice of hospitals and health systems. The IHF provides its members with a platform for knowledge exchange and networking with different actors in the health sector, to improve the standard, quality, and level of service delivery. https://www.ihf-fih.org/ About the Geneva Sustainability Centre Powered by the IHF, the Geneva Sustainability Centre was established in 2022 to drive the healthcare sector's transition to environmentally sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon service delivery. Through its learning programme, tools and resources, and high impact partnerships, it supports hospital and healthcare leaders to develop essential competencies to become climate leaders for their communities, and to drive this sustainable transformation at leadership, management, and institutional levels. https://ihf-fih.org/what-we-do/geneva-sustainability-centre/ 9 september 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: AMS Renewable Energy Expands its Northeast Capacity with Strategic Acquisition of Collective Solar NY Combined Company Offers Design, Engineering, Logistics and Procurement Solutions for Growing Sustainable Energy Market NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AMS Renewable Energy, a leading distributed solar and storage EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) company based in New York City, announced the strategic acquisition of Collective Solar, a prominent distributed generation solar construction firm based in Oswego, NY. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for AMS Renewable Energy as it continues to expand and address a rapidly growing pipeline of EPC work across the northeast and mid-Atlantic markets. Collective Solar, which offers over 160 megawatts (MW) of solar construction experience, brings an experienced team and a wealth of project-level expertise to AMS Renewable Energy. According to the U.S. Government office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, domestic solar energy generation is expected to increase by 75%. The combined company is well positioned to address the growing need for these services. With the acquisition of Collective and its construction platform, AMS will now have the in-house resources to scale design, engineering, logistics, procurement, and construction services for its developer and Independent Power Producer (IPP) clients. It also aims to explore growth opportunities nationwide. "We are thrilled to welcome Collective Solar into the AMS family," said Abu Riaz, CEO of AMS Renewable Energy. "Their strong track record in solar construction and their commitment to creating long-term value for their clients align perfectly with our mission. This acquisition will enable us to accelerate the deployment of high performing renewable energy projects across the region and bring us closer to achieving our goal of a cleaner energy, and more sustainable future." Collective Solar has extensive experience in distributed generation solar installations with licensed master electricians, civil contracting equipment, and a host of tenured operators on staff to execute even the most complex projects. The firm is headed by CEO and founder Vincent Colletti, a licensed Master Electrician, who will now serve as Head of Construction for AMS Renewable Energy. "This is an exciting opportunity for Collective Solar and our team," said Colletti. "Joining forces with AMS Renewable Energy allows us to leverage their extensive resources and industry knowledge, enhancing our ability to deliver exceptional solar solutions to our clients. We look forward to contributing to AMS's growth and continuing to deliver successful projects for clients." This acquisition enables AMS to bring the civil and electrical scope in-house for its current construction pipeline, increases operational efficiency across the region, and strengthens AMS' position as a national player among other vertically integrated solar EPCs in the industry. Both companies are committed to ensuring a seamless transition for clients and stakeholders. About AMS Renewable Energy: AMS Renewable Energy is a leading distributed solar and energy storage EPC. Headquartered in the Bronx NY, AMS is a licensed general contractor in 36 states and is currently building over 100 MW of DG solar across National Grid and NYSEG service territories in upstate NY. As one of the largest vertically integrated, self-performing EPCs in the region, AMS is committed to providing its clients with a best-in-class level of service and workmanship, even when faced with the most complex project challenges. Learn more at www.amsepc.com About Collective Solar: Founded in 2019 with over 160 MW of solar construction experience, Collective Solar is a distributed generation solar construction firm based in Oswego, NY. Known for its high-quality construction services on ground mounted solar projects, the Collective team specializes in providing turn-key solar construction, civil, and electrical services for commercial developers, funds, and Independent Power Producers Clients. SOURCE AMS Renewable Energy 9 september 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: Mployer Announces 2024 Winners of Fourth Annual 'Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards' in Washington Mployer, the industry-leader in providing employee benefits research, ratings, and reviews, has named over 750 brokerage office winners nationally in more than 50 regions as part of its fourth annual "Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards" for 2024. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mployer, the industry-leader in providing employee benefits research, ratings, and reviews, has named over 750 brokerage office winners nationally in more than 50 regions as part of its fourth annual "Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards" for 2024. Mployer's Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award Program evaluates each benefits broker and consultant office based on their depth of experience across employer industries, sizes, and plan design features, as well as employer client ratings and reviews. "We are proud to recognize this distinct group of 2024 top-rated insurance advisors as part of our fourth annual Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards,"?said Brian Freeman, CEO of Mployer. "Employer-sponsored healthcare and benefits provide care for over 160M Americans. Who an employer selects as their benefits advisor and their plan design has more impact on employee cost and satisfaction than who an employer chooses as the insurance carrier. We have rated each broker using our proprietary M Score and applaud the winners' demonstrated commitment to service, quality, and positive employer experience." In Washington, Mployer has named over 25 benefit brokerages as top brokerages with several of the highest-scoring winners in the market listed below. The Washington job markets are among the most competitive in the U.S. Western region, employing more than 3.7 million people. Offering competitive employee benefits is a critical factor in hiring top talent for the region's employers. Finding and partnering with a highly-rated insurance consultant is imperative to attracting and retaining talent in any market. Several of the "Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards" for Washington include: To see the full list of Top Employee Benefit Consultant Award winners for Washington, visit Mployer. The above winners are a snapshot of Mployer's matrices and proprietary M Score as of July 2024. About Mployer: Mployer is transforming employee benefits by empowering employers and leading benefit consultants to easily assess, rate, and communicate the value of employee benefits. Providing industry-first transparency through unbiased research, benchmarking, and advanced analytics, our goal is to support employers and brokers in providing benefit plans that optimize costs and employee-employer relationships. To learn more about Mployer, visit https://mployeradvisor.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Disclaimer: Rankings are dynamic, and this report may not reflect the rankings currently listed on Mployer's website. Because Mployer's research is ongoing, interested companies that want to join next year's list are encouraged to claim their free profile on Mployer. Media Contact Anthony Waters, Mployer, 1 (844) 743-6456, [email protected], MployerAdvisor.com SOURCE Mployer 9 september 2024 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: Neurophet-NTU Singapore, recognized for outstanding joint research - Neurophet accelerates global expansion for research and partnership in AI-driven brain image analysis SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Neurophet, an artificial intelligence (AI) solution company for brain disease, announced that Neurophet and NTU (Nanyang Technological University) Singapore have been recognized in the Asian Society Against Dementia (ASAD) conference for their joint research. Neurophet has signed a joint research agreement partnering with the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU in Singapore, to analyze data from the Dementia Research Centre. Through this collaboration, Neurophet and NTU conducted joint research on automatic brain segmentation using "Neurophet AQUA". Neurophet AQUA is AI-based brain MRI analysis software that segments and analyzes brain MRIs in 5 minutes and boasts a high analysis success rate. It analyzes and provides consistent results regardless of race, age, and gender. The main aim of this study is to validate the use of the Neurophet AQUA segmentation and WMH quantification software in a Southeast Asian community-based cohort of cognitively normal, MCI (Mild cognitive impairment), and dementia subjects. The study found that Neurophet AQUA offers several advantages such as shorter processing time and higher robustness. Also, its segmentation capabilities have been meticulously developed and validated for both East-Asian and Caucasian populations. "This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to enhance our impact especially in Southeast Asia," said CEO Jake Junkil Been of Neurophet. "We will do our best to ensure that our products can be actively used across the market." The study "Automatic Brain Segmentation with AQUA: A Comparative Validation Study in the Southeast Asian BIOCIS Cohort" was presented with the Young Investigator Award at ASAD conference and will be published in an international Journal. About Neurophet Neurophet has specialized in developing solutions for diagnosis support, treatment guides, and treatment devices targeting brain diseases based on cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The company was founded in 2016 by Jake Junkil Been, CEO, and Donghyeon Kim, CTO, who developed the next-generation neuro-navigation system. Major products include brain MRI analysis software "Neurophet AQUA", brain PET image analysis (PET tracer deposition) software "Neurophet SCALE PET", brain imaging treatment planning software for electric and magnetic brain stimulation "Neurophet tES/TMS LAB". Neurophet has set its top priority to helping patients suffering from brain diseases. Based on expertise in neuroscience, Neurophet will continue to challenge and grow to explore the human brain's health and pioneer solutions for brain diseases with AI technology. SOURCE Neurophet 9 september 2024 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: Molina Healthcare Announces Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call Dates and Investor Day Meeting Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: MOH) ("Molina" or the "Company") today announced it will issue its earnings release for the third quarter ending September 30, 2024, after the market closes on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, and will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the earnings release on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To access this interactive teleconference, dial (877) 883-0383 and enter the confirmation number, 7014206. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through Thursday, October 31, 2024, by dialing (877) 344-7529 and entering the confirmation number, 5232318. A live broadcast of Molina Healthcare's conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website, investors.molinahealthcare.com. A 30-day online replay will be available shortly following the conclusion of the live broadcast. 2024 Investor Day The Company also announced it will host its 2024 Investor Day meeting on Friday, November 8, 2024, in New York City. The publicly webcast event will begin at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. In-person attendance is by invitation only. All others are invited to register for the event on the Company's investor relations website at investors.molinahealthcare.com, or directly via the following link: Molina Investor Day Meeting 2024. A 30-day online replay of the Investor Day meeting will be available shortly following the conclusion of the live webcast. About Molina Healthcare Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, provides managed healthcare services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare, please visit MolinaHealthcare.com. 9 september 2024 at 09:10 News published onand distributed by: Unleash Your Inner Goddess with Chopped Leaf's Take on the TikTok Dressing Sensation Oakville, Ontario, Canada, Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It's back and better than ever! Chopped Leaf's fan favourite Goddess Bowl is back in restaurants starting September 9th for a limited time. Packed with fibre, antioxidants and heart healthy fats, this crave-worthy salad is finished with Chopped Leaf's signature Goddess Dressing ? a twist on the Green Goddess that went viral on TikTok earlier this year. Better than ever for you! This divine Goddess Bowl features avocado, as well as pumpkin seeds and sweet potatoes, which make it rich in antioxidants and heart-healthy fats supporting overall health. Pumpkin seeds are also a great source of plant-based protein, as are chickpeas and feta, also featured in the Goddess Bowl. Protein helps to support muscle repair, boost immune health and make you feel energized. Add falafel to any salad for additional vegan protein, or top up with steak, chicken or shrimp. The OG Goddess dressing Chopped Leaf's Goddess Dressing is a delicious balance of herbs and tahini, creating a creamy combination of sesame and soy with a hint of lemon. It's a crave-worthy dressing that you'll want to add to everything. The Canadian healthy-eating chain is celebrating 15 years of success this year, featuring dressings made from original recipes that have been exclusive to Chopped Leaf since day one. Don't have time to make it yourself? If you're on the go, at work, pressed for time, or simply don't feel like cooking, grab a Goddess Bowl from one of Chopped Leaf's 115 restaurants across Canada for a quick and healthy meal. The Chopped Leaf Goddess Bowl is made with romaine lettuce, brown basmati rice, roasted sweet potatoes, pumpkin seeds, avocado, feta and chickpeas, all topped with our signature Goddess Dressing. Don't delay; it is only here for a limited time! All bowls are also available in a salad or wrap. About Chopped Leaf: Chopped Leaf is the home of comfort greens: fresh and craveable salads, wraps and bowls that provide a feeling of overall goodness and fulfillment. Proudly Canadian, Chopped Leaf is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2024. The fast-casual restaurant chain has over 115 locations across Canada and in the United States, and is continuing to expand across North America and internationally, with more than 30 locations committed to open in 2024/2025. Eat-in, takeout or "lettuce" cater your event, party or get together. Chopped Leaf is owned and managed by Innovative Food Brands. If you are interested in becoming a franchisee, visit https://www.choppedleaf.ca/franchise-opportunities/. Follow Chopped Leaf on social media at LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Attachments 9 september 2024 at 11:20 News published onand distributed by: Venteur Announces Partnership with United Benefits Advisors to Bring Personalized Insurance Options to Employers Nationwide BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Venteur , a healthcare startup helping companies provide personalized health insurance options to their employees, announced a strategic partnership with United Benefit Advisors (UBA) , the nation's leading independent employee benefits advisory organization. UBA and its committee of members work to vet healthcare solutions such as Venteur on behalf of the organization in order to recommend best in class solutions that align with UBA's objectives. Venteur will provide access to tailored health benefit options to UBA members to use as they guide employers through the process of selecting the best options for employee benefits. "Becoming a strategic partner with UBA will give access to employers nationwide to implement our services through already trusted benefits advisors," said Stacy Edgar, CEO and co-founder of Venteur. "We are honored to join their network and look forward to supporting the switch to personalized individual healthcare benefits for all." Not only does this step further Venteur's goal of building the health insurance system of the future, it is directly in line with the company's vision of solving the US's health insurance affordability crisis. Venteur has helped businesses save millions on their health insurance spend while upgrading their benefits experience. "We are thrilled to introduce Venteur as a new UBA Solution Alliance and our preferred ICHRA administrator after a thorough vetting by a UBA Committee of benefit advisory experts," said Colleen Kucera, President of UBA. "This strategic partnership empowers UBA Partner Firms to provide even more comprehensive solutions to employers, helping them attract and retain top talent." Venteur utilizes Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) plans to give employees within an organization complete control over their own health care. The company is adept at addressing the needs of businesses regardless of size, offering a concierge-style ICHRA experience that has been popular among both larger employers and small businesses. For more information about Venteur and UBA, please visit www.venteur.co and www.UBABenefits.com . About Venteur Venteur helps companies offer their employees a selection of personalized, high-quality health benefits that work best for them. Since launching in 2021, Venteur has offered ICHRA solutions that give employees more say in their own health care options and give employers predictability in their benefits budget and control over costs. Venture is building a better benefits system that provides the coverage employees want at a price point small businesses can afford. For more information, visit www.venteur.com . About United Benefit Advisors United Benefit Advisors (UBA) is the nation's leading independent employee benefits advisory organization with more than 200 offices throughout the United States and Canada. UBA empowers 2,000+ advisors to maintain independence while capitalizing on each other's shared knowledge and market presence to provide best-in-class services and solutions. SOURCE Venteur 9 september 2024 at 12:22 News published onand distributed by: Global Organizations Choose Oracle Database@Azure to Accelerate their Cloud Migrations MSCI and Fonterra adopt Oracle Database@Azure to optimize worldwide operations Powerful cloud database service is now available in six Microsoft Azure regions with plans to expand to another fifteen regions Availability of Oracle Database Zero Data Loss Autonomous Recovery Service enhances data protection, and the planned availability of OCI GoldenGate will boost resilience LAS VEGAS, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle CloudWorld -- Global organizations, including MSCI and Fonterra are adopting Oracle Database@Azure to accelerate their cloud migrations. To meet rapidly growing global demand, Oracle and Microsoft continue to make Oracle Database@Azure available in more new regions across the world and add new services. Oracle Database@Azure is now available in six Microsoft Azure regions ? Australia East, Canada Central, East US, France Central, Germany West Central, and UK South. The service will soon be available in fifteen more regions, including Brazil South, Central India, Central US, East US 2, Italy North, Japan East, North Europe, South Central US, Southeast Asia, Spain Central, Sweden Central, United Arab Emirates North, West Europe, West US 2, and West US 3. MSCI Bolsters Business Continuity and Resilience MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. Oracle Exadata Database Service on Oracle Database@Azure provides MSCI with secure, high-performance, and reliable infrastructure to support its critical operations. For MSCI, ongoing resilience and operational stability are essential to maintaining its leadership in the industry. "With Oracle Database@Azure, MSCI can continue to confidently safeguard its critical operations against future disruptions," said John Rogers, chief information security officer, MSCI. "This service will provide us with the secure and reliable environment necessary to protect our mission critical workloads and enhance our business continuity." Fonterra Embraces Multicloud to Enhance Global Operations New Zealand's largest company, Fonterra, is responsible for over one third of the world's dairy exports. As an existing user of both Azure and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Fonterra is one of the first customers for the Oracle Database@Azure service in the region. "For Fonterra, multicloud is the present and the future. By leveraging this new solution from our two cloud partners, we can evolve our technology landscape faster and deliver a better solution to our business globally," said Scott Pyles, chief technology officer, Fonterra. Powerful New Oracle Database@Azure Services To help customers enhance data protection and boost resilience, Oracle and Microsoft continue to add powerful new services to Oracle Database@Azure. Oracle Database Zero Data Loss Autonomous Recovery Service is now available on Oracle Database@Azure, and OCI GoldenGate is planned to be available soon. Oracle Database Zero Data Loss Autonomous Recovery Service : A fully managed data protection service for organizations running Oracle Exadata Database Service on Oracle Database@Azure, this service enables organizations to quickly recover business critical data within seconds of an outage or ransomware attack. Addressing both operational and disaster recovery scenarios, customers will have the unique flexibility to recover locally in their primary Azure region, to an alternate Azure region, or even to an OCI region. All of these options include the ability to recover to the latest Oracle Database point-in-time for the fastest Recovery Time Objective with the very lowest Recovery Point Objective. This helps customers minimize recovery time and data loss. : A fully managed data protection service for organizations running Oracle Exadata Database Service on Oracle Database@Azure, this service enables organizations to quickly recover business critical data within seconds of an outage or ransomware attack. Addressing both operational and disaster recovery scenarios, customers will have the unique flexibility to recover locally in their primary Azure region, to an alternate Azure region, or even to an OCI region. All of these options include the ability to recover to the latest Oracle Database point-in-time for the fastest Recovery Time Objective with the very lowest Recovery Point Objective. This helps customers minimize recovery time and data loss. OCI GoldenGate: A database replication and heterogeneous data integration service is planned to be available soon as a managed service on Oracle Database@Azure, with full feature parity to OCI GoldenGate. OCI GoldenGate will support integrations with Microsoft Fabric and OneLake, further enhancing existing Azure data and messaging store integrations such as Azure Event Hub, Azure Object Store, Azure MySQL, Azure PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Snowflake, Databricks, and Kafka. Customers can purchase Oracle Database@Azure as a completely new service or using their existing Azure commitments or discount programs. They can also leverage their existing Oracle license benefits such as Bring Your Own License (BYOL) and Oracle Support Rewards. Oracle Autonomous Database, Oracle Exadata Database Service, and Oracle Database Zero Data Loss Autonomous Recovery Service are available with custom quotes via private offer. Oracle Autonomous Database is now also available as pay-as-you-go, giving customers the flexibility to deploy a fully managed database in minutes. With Oracle Database@Azure running on OCI in Azure datacenters, customers benefit from: The ability to build new cloud-native applications using OCI and Azure technologies, including the rich set of Azure development and AI services Flexible options to simplify and accelerate migrating their Oracle databases to the cloud, including compatibility with proven migration tools such as Oracle Zero-Downtime Migration The highest level of Oracle database performance, scale and availability, along with feature and pricing parity with OCI The simplicity, security, and low-latency to build integrated solutions with Autonomous Database and Azure services Consistency with on-premises deployments of Oracle Database and Oracle Exadata to reduce the need to rearchitect or refactor solutions Unified customer experience and support from Oracle and Microsoft Simplified purchasing and the ability to leverage Oracle and Microsoft licenses, commitments, and discount programs Validated Oracle Maximum Availability Architecture (MAA) Silver and Gold tiers for Oracle Exadata Database Service on Oracle Database@Azure The assurance of a unified service and architecture that are tested and supported by two of the most trusted names in the cloud "We are seeing significant customer momentum as global organizations accelerate their cloud migrations with Oracle Database@Azure," said Karan Batta, senior vice president, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. "Our commitment to expanding the Azure cloud region footprint ensures that even more customers worldwide have access to the multicloud capabilities that accelerate application innovation and development." "In today's complex and rapidly evolving business landscape, a one-size-fits-all cloud solution simply isn't enough to meet the diverse needs of modern enterprises," said Brett Tanzer, vice president, product management, Microsoft. "Through our partnership with Oracle, we're expanding Oracle Database@Azure and helping more customers respond to market shifts and maintain a competitive edge as they grow, and their needs evolve." Additional Resources About Oracle Distributed Cloud Oracle's distributed cloud delivers the benefits of cloud with greater control and flexibility. Oracle's distributed cloud lineup includes: Public cloud: Hyperscale public cloud regions serve any size of organization, including those requiring strict EU sovereignty controls. See the full list of regions here. Hyperscale public cloud regions serve any size of organization, including those requiring strict EU sovereignty controls. See the full list of regions here. Dedicated cloud: Customers can run all OCI cloud services in their own data centers with OCI Dedicated Region, while partners can resell OCI cloud services and customize the experience using Oracle Alloy. Oracle also operates separate U.S., UK, and Australian Government Clouds, and Isolated Cloud Regions for U.S. national security purposes. Each of these products provide a full cloud and AI stack that customers can deploy as a Sovereign Cloud. Customers can run all OCI cloud services in their own data centers with OCI Dedicated Region, while partners can resell OCI cloud services and customize the experience using Oracle Alloy. Oracle also operates separate U.S., UK, and Australian Government Clouds, and Isolated Cloud Regions for U.S. national security purposes. Each of these products provide a full cloud and AI stack that customers can deploy as a Sovereign Cloud. Hybrid cloud: OCI delivers key cloud services on-premises via Oracle Exadata Cloud@Customer and Compute Cloud@Customer and is already managing deployments in over 60 countries. OCI delivers key cloud services on-premises via Oracle Exadata Cloud@Customer and Compute Cloud@Customer and is already managing deployments in over 60 countries. Multicloud: Options including Oracle Database@AWS, Oracle Database@Azure, Oracle Database@Google Cloud, HeatWave MySQL on AWS and Microsoft Azure, Oracle Interconnect for Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Interconnect for Google Cloud allow customers to combine key capabilities from across clouds. About Oracle Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at oracle.com. About Oracle CloudWorld CloudWorld is where our customers and partners can see the latest innovations in cloud technology, discover methods for getting the most business value from AI today, and explore ways to increase productivity and efficiency through automation. You'll learn from experts and your peers who build and use the applications, cloud infrastructure, databases, developer tools, and AI services that help solve complex business challenges in every industry. Join us to develop new skills and see new capabilities in action. Register now at oracle.com/cloudworld or follow the news and conversation at oracle.com/news and linkedin.com/company/oracle. Future Product Disclaimer The preceding is intended to outline our general product direction. It is intended for information purposes only, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. The development, release, timing, and pricing of any features or functionality described for Oracle's products may change and remains at the sole discretion of Oracle Corporation. Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer Statements in this article relating to Oracle's future plans, expectations, beliefs, and intentions are "forward-looking statements" and are subject to material risks and uncertainties. Many factors could affect Oracle's current expectations and actual results, and could cause actual results to differ materially. A discussion of such factors and other risks that affect Oracle's business is contained in Oracle's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including Oracle's most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q under the heading "Risk Factors." These filings are available on the SEC's website or on Oracle's website at http://www.oracle.com/investor. All information in this article is current as of September 9, 2024 and Oracle undertakes no duty to update any statement in light of new information or future events. Trademarks Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company?ushering in the new era of cloud computing. SOURCE Oracle 9 september 2024 at 16:03 News published onand distributed by: Shelling killed at least 21 people at a market in southeast Sudan on Sunday, September 8, 2024, a day after the country's rulers rejected a call by UN experts for an independent force to protect civilians from the devastating civil war. The Sudan Doctors Network blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the shelling, which happened in the town of Sennar. As well as the 21 killed, it said more than 70 people had been wounded in the attack. The shelling came a day after Sudan's foreign ministry rejected a call by independent UN experts for "an independent and impartial force with a mandate to safeguard civilians" to be deployed "without delay." The UN experts spoke out Friday, saying their fact-finding mission had uncovered "harrowing" violations by both sides, "which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity". But the foreign ministry, which is loyal to the army under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, ruled out their proposal in a statement issued late Saturday. "The Sudanese government rejects in their entirety the recommendations of the UN mission," it said. It denounced the UN Human Rights Council, which created the fact-finding mission last year, as "a political and illegal body", and called the panel's recommendations "a flagrant violation of their mandate". Read more War in Sudan: Breaking the silence 'Targeting civilians' The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, is fighting the Sudanese army under the country's de facto ruler Burhan. Saturday's foreign ministry statement just hours before the market attack accused the RSF of "systematically targeting civilians and civilian institutions." "The protection of civilians remains an absolute priority for the Sudanese government," it added. The UN Human Rights Council's role should be "to support the national process, rather than seek to impose a different exterior mechanism," it argued. The ministry also rejected the experts' call for an arms embargo. The UN experts' report found that eight million civilians have been forced to flee their homes to other parts of the country, while another two million people have fled to neighboring countries. More than 25 million people over half the country's population face acute food shortages. "Sudanese are suffering through a perfect storm of crises," said World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a visit to Sudan on Sunday. He listed "over 500 days of conflict," displacement of populations, famine in some areas, natural disasters such as recent floods caused by dams bursting, and disease outbreaks. "The scale of the emergency is shocking, as is the insufficient action being taken to curtail the conflict and respond to the suffering it is causing." Speaking from Port Sudan where government offices and the United Nations have relocated due to the intense fighting in the capital Khartoum he called on the "world to wake up and help Sudan out of the nightmare it is living through." Left: Fomba Trawally and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. Right: Fomba Trawally pose with other Chinese and African business people THE MEN and young women from east Limerick, known as the mighty eight, who are behind the longest coffee morning in the world never do things by halves. For the last 10 years Mike ODonoghue has opened his Pallasgreen home to one and all from 7am to the early hours for the Irish Cancer Society. Well, apart from the Covid years and even then they held 24-hour sleep-out and fasts to continue the fundraising. Mike and his right hand women Saoirse Corbett, Tara Campbell, Sarah Dillon, Ellie and Sarah Phelan, Aine Looby, Lili McMahon and right hand man Mike ORiordan have become known as the mighty eight. They held a special cheque presentation to mark their 10th anniversary and just like their coffee morning - it wasnt a normal one. They handed over a cheque for 16,441.11 to Mary Murray, community fundraising officer with the Irish Cancer Society. Over the 10 years almost 100,000 has gone to the fight against cancer which Mike has overcome. He and the team organised a special ceremony for his invited guests. It commenced with attendees being asked to bring lanterns to a tree planted last year for all those affected by cancer. One was in memory of Saoirse Ruane, who captured the nations hearts on The Late Late Show. The 12-year-old Galway girl passed away from cancer earlier this year. The coffee morning in March was dedicated to Saoirse. The other lanterns brought by people to the tree were for all those affected by cancer, for doctors, nurses and helpers, for all their supporters, for all the names written on their remembrance board, for all who have donated, and members of the media. Each person was then given a tea candle and they could think about their own loved ones affected by the disease. It concluded with a special poem recited by Mike which heaped praise on Saoirse. the two Sarahs, Ellie, Aine, Lili, his namesake and Tara, who sadly couldnt attend due to work commitments. Mike presented a medal to each of the mighty eight. READ MORE: Family raises funds for charity in memory of Limerick woman, 25, who died after tragic collision Mary said it was a privilege to be in Pallasgreen and accept the cheque. I have got to know Mike and the mighty eight over the last three years and every time I come here, I'm just inspired by them, she said. Mary said all the money will go towards the fight against cancer and improving the lives of those with cancer. We wouldn't be able to do the fundraising we do if we didn't have volunteers like Mike and the mighty eight. Very recently I heard of somebody that had breast cancer 23 years ago, and it sadly came back, but she said in those 23 years there has been a big difference in the way she was diagnosed and the way she was treated. She said it wasn't as traumatic and certainly wasn't as unpleasant, and her recovery has been so different this time around. That is down to the money that's raised through Daffodil Day, said Mary. For more pictures, click 'Next' TECHNOLOGICAL University of the Shannon (TUS) has been awarded an Athena Swan Bronze Award, in recognition of its work to enhance Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across TUS. Athena Swan, led by Advance HE, is a framework that helps address inequality in higher education and research through self-assessment, planning and ongoing improvement. This recent institutional achievement builds on a previous Athena Swan Bronze Legacy Award received by TUS in 2022. This was led by the Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team Chair, Vice President for People, Culture and EDI, Marian Duggan, who said: The achievement of this Athena Swan Bronze Award is the culmination of a lot of hard work by many across TUS. Our Athena Swan action plan now provides a clear roadmap to continue our work in support of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We are delighted to receive this recognition and look forward to continuing to work with colleagues across TUS to implement our action plan. READ MORE: RTE 2FM presenter Jenny Greene to return to Limerick Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at TUS, Dr Carol Wrenn, added: The achievement of this Bronze Award and endorsement of our Athena Swan Action plan demonstrates a commitment to furthering our work in support of both gender equality and equality more broadly. Our action plan is ambitious and we are committed to monitoring progress on this plan and demonstrating the impact of it. TUS submitted its application after a twelve-month process that included staff consultation, detailed evidence analysis and the creation of a four-year plan to further support equality, diversity and inclusion at TUS. JUNIOR infants at Scoil Mhuire Murroe were dancing a jig heading into their first day of school as they got to meet their new principal, Anthony Sharkey. The Ennis man is a double World Champion Irish dancer and was the leading male dancer in Riverdance for six years, touring America and spending 18 months on Broadway. He succeeds Marie Griffin who has been at the helm as principal in Murroe for the past 24 years, retiring in June. Mr Sharkey has 16 years of teaching experience under his belt. The Mary Immaculate College graduate furthered his education with a Masters in Education and an Advanced Diploma in Law and Education from Kings Inn, Dublin. Throughout his career, he has held various roles in schools across Co Clare, with his most recent position being the deputy principal at St Senans Primary School in Kilrush. Outside of the classroom, Mr Sharkey is passionate about sports, the arts, and, of course, Irish dancing. He said he is dedicated to creating a vibrant and inclusive learning environment where every child, parent, teacher, and community member feels valued, respected, and empowered. I aim to nurture curiosity, celebrate diversity, and prepare students for the digital age, fostering an atmosphere of empathy, kindness, and understanding, said Mr Sharkey, whose vision is to build a legacy of excellence, compassion, and innovation at Scoil Mhuire Murroe. READ MORE: Green Limerick: Active Travel work ready for the new school term He has also contributed significantly to the Professional Development Services for Teachers ( PDST), where he spent over five years implementing the new Primary Language Curriculum. He works part-time as an Oide advisor, supporting school leadership and management teams. For more pictures, click 'Next' LIMERICK Chamber has announced the appointment of a new chief executive. Michelle Gallagher takes over the role from Dee Ryan, who stepped down earlier this summer to run in the mayoral election. Ms Gallagher brings with her more than 20 years of experience in driving strategic growth, innovation, and global brand expansion across multiple sectors, including medtech, life sciences, consumer electronics, and aviation. The Limerick native holds a degree in visual communications from Limerick School of Art and Design, a masters degree in interactive media, and an executive MBA with first class honours from University of Limerick. READ MORE: Learn from the best at Limerick farm walk this week "I am honoured to take on the role of chief executive at Limerick Chamber. Limerick has seen remarkable growth, and I am committed to ensuring that the Chamber continues to be a leading advocate and support for businesses here. I look forward to working closely with our members and the Chamber team to continue and build upon this momentum," Ms Gallagher said. The board of Limerick Chamber - the largest business representative group in the region - has expressed strong confidence in her leadership. President Noel Gavin said: "Michelles track record of driving transformative change, coupled with her deep connections to the Limerick community, makes her uniquely suited to lead the Chamber into a new era." As chief executive, Ms Gallagher will focus on advancing Limerick Chambers strategic vision, enhancing its advocacy role, and fostering a business-friendly environment that supports local traders, small to medium sized firms and larger enterprises. Ryanair boss Michael OLeary has issued fresh calls for the resignation of the chief executive of air traffic control (ATC) provider Nats. Mr OLeary urged Martin Rolfe to step down and allow someone competent to take over after flights were disrupted at Gatwick Airport on Sunday due to Nats staff shortages. The airlines chief executive has repeatedly criticised Mr Rolfe, particularly over the widespread disruption at UK airports during last years August Bank Holiday Monday, which was caused by a Nats technical failure. Gatwick flights have frequently been disrupted due to ATC staffing issues. Analysis of data from flight tracking website FlightRadar24 shows 49 departures and 51 arrivals were cancelled on Sunday between 3pm and midnight, affecting more than 16,000 passengers. Many other flights were delayed. Disruption continued on Monday morning due to planes being out of position. Ten flights were cancelled and others were delayed. Mr OLeary said: UK Nats staff shortages caused multiple flight delays and cancellations at Gatwick Airport yesterday, Sunday September 8. This is the latest in a long line of cock-ups by UK Nats, which has yet again disrupted multiple flights and thousands of passengers at Gatwick. Airlines and passengers deserve better. Ryanair again calls on UK Nats chief executive Martin Rolfe to step down and allow someone competent to run an efficient UK ATC service, which airlines and passengers are entitled to expect. If he wont go, then (new Transport Secretary) Louise Haigh should sack him. A spokesperson for easyJet said: The knock-on impact of Nats air traffic control staffing shortages at Gatwick yesterday has resulted in some flights to and from Gatwick Airport this morning being unable to operate. We are extremely disappointed that customers are once again being impacted by this and while this is outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused. We are doing all possible to minimise the impact of the disruption and have notified those on cancelled flights of their options to rebook or receive a refund and are providing hotel accommodation and meals where required. A spokesperson for Nats, which took over the provision of ATC services at Gatwick in October 2022, said: We are very sorry for yesterdays disruption which was also disappointing for our highly professional Gatwick team, who are doing all they can to provide a seamless 24/7 service. When Gatwick appointed us to improve their ATC performance and resilience, everyone knew we had inherited a staff shortage that would take time to fix. Controllers must be trained specifically for the Gatwick airport operation and it takes up to two years to be certified to safely control aircraft at the worlds busiest single runway airport. We have a full training pipeline in place and this year we have more controllers than last year. We are still not as resilient as we need to be, though, which means that short notice absence has an immediate impact on the operation. A Gatwick spokeswoman said Nats has successfully increased the number of air traffic controllers over recent months. She went on: So far this year, London Gatwick has safely handled more than 170,000 flights through Nats, a 4% increase on last year. The Nats service has been fully available more than 99.6% of the time, operating 24 hours a day. London Gatwick typically has 800 or more flight movements a day from a single runway. We will continue to work closely with the Nats leadership team to provide passengers and airlines with a good service. London Gatwick would like to apologise to any passengers who experienced disruption yesterday. Nats was approached for a comment. Aviation analytics firm Cirium said a combination of poor weather and ATC restrictions led to a surge in cancellations last week. A total of 427 departures from UK airports were cancelled. That represented 2% of all scheduled departures, and was a three-fold increase from the previous week. Heathrow, the UKs busiest airport, saw the most cancellations with 165, followed by Gatwick (87) and London City (36). TWO MAKERS from Limerick have been honoured at the Future Makers Awards 2024. Both recognised in the Students and Recent Graduates category, ceramicist AJ Shipley won the Materials Support award in Ceramics, while fashion and textiles designer Rachel McKinney won the Professional Development Support award in Fashion Design. Established in 2009, Future Makers is a Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) initiative which recognises talent, potential and creativity. It is a platform to showcase the talent of the next generation of makers, designers, and craftspeople to take the step from training into enterprise. With a total awards value of 25,000, it is one of the largest prize-funded design and craft award programmes in Europe. The 2024 Overall Emerging Maker Winner was announced as mixed media constructor Paola di Legge from Co. Dublin, while woodturner Martin Ryan from Co. Tipperary took home the Sustainable Design Award. Furniture maker Meiriona Best from Co. Mayo was announced as the Overall Student Winner. 24 craftspeople were awarded as part of the initiative this year. READ MORE: Limerick band His Fathers Voice to release bold debut album Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, said: The Future Makers Awards highlights the incredible talent and innovation within Ireland's design and craft sectors. For the past 15 years, the government's ongoing support of these awards has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of designers and craftspeople, providing them with the recognition and financial support necessary to further develop their talent, he continued. Deputy Calleary explained: The diversity and quality of the work this year not only showcases the extraordinary potential of our emerging talent but also reflects the bright future of Irish craftsmanship that we are proud to invest in and support. Mary Blanchfield, interim CEO of DCCI, said This years winning entries have demonstrated exceptional skill and creativity, and they represent the future of Irish craft, making and design and rewards vision, innovation, and excellence in both making and the creative design process among students and emerging makers. Future Makers judge and Irish fashion designer, Anneliese Duffy Fallon, said: "Its an honour to serve as a judge for the Future Makers Awards 2024 and to witness first-hand the extraordinary talent and creativity emerging from Irelands design and craft sectors. This initiative is a vital platform that recognises and empowers the next generation of makers and designers, providing them with the support they need to transition from education to enterprise. The diversity and innovation showcased by this years winners is truly inspiring, and Im confident that they will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Irish design and craftsmanship, she added. IPO-bound South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor India is witnessing a sharp rise in rural and first-time buyers for its SUV lineup, even as overall passenger vehicle sales for the industry flatline. With rural buyers now accounting for over 21% of its total salesthe highest in the company's historyHyundai sees growing aspirations in small-town India fuelling its SUV (sports utility vehicle) sales. In fact, SUVs accounted for 67% of Hyundai's total sales in August, a top company official said on Monday. Also, diesel continues to be the dominant fuel choice for Hyundai's mid- to large-sized SUVs, with models like the Alcazar and Tucson clocking nearly 60% of diesel sales, highlighting a clear preference for fuel efficiency in these segments, Tarun Garg, chief operating officer and whole-time director, Hyundai Motor India, said. Hyundai launched a refreshed variant of the 7-seater SUV Alcazar on Monday, with new variants at the lower end. The SUV comes with a starting price of 14.99 lakhs ex-showroom for the petrol variant and 15.99 lakh for the base diesel variant. The surge in rural buyers comes as Indias road networks expand, creating new opportunities for automakers to tap into previously underserved regions. Road connectivity has improved dramatically in rural India, and were seeing an increasing number of buyers from small towns and villages opting for SUVs, Garg said. This growing demand is also being driven by rising aspirations among first-time buyers, particularly in the mid-sized SUV segment, where Hyundais Creta continues to be a top performer, he added. For Hyundai, rural markets have become critical growth engines. In August, rural sales climbed to 21% of its total sales, while the region accounted for 20% of sales for the January to August period both a record for the company. First-time buyers, too, have contributed to the brands flagship SUV sales. As many as 28% of buyers of Creta are first-time customers, while 43% buyers of Venue are buying a four-wheeler for the first time, up from 13% and 29% of first-time buyers. Diesel dominates mid-large SUV segments While electric vehicles are gaining popularity in urban centres due to a policy push for green technologies, Hyundais data shows that in the mid- to large-sized SUV segment, diesel continues to reign supreme. Models like the Alcazar and Tucson still see more than half their sales coming from diesel variants, reflecting a strong consumer preference for long-range fuel efficiency. "Diesel accounts for 57% of our sales in the mid- to large-size SUV segment," Garg said. The trend is clear: Customers in these segments prioritize efficiency and range, which diesel continues to offer," Garg said. Despite the rise in sales of diesel-powered larger SUVs, Hyundai has been preparing for an electric future, particularly in the urban segments where EV adoption is expected to accelerate. However, for the foreseeable future, diesel remains crucial for Hyundais success in key markets. If free speech is a measure of a modern liberal democracy, Brazil is in trouble. A crackdown on expression and the denial of due process for those who contradict the states version of the truth dates back to 2020. Now its getting worse. The latest example is Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraess Sept. 1 shutdown of Elon Musks X social-media site (formerly Twitter). As part of the courts order, anyone caught using a virtual private network to evade the ban is subject to a fine of 50,000 reais (nearly $9,000) a day. Judge de Moraes also announced a freeze of the financial accounts of Starlink, the satellite system belonging to Mr. Musks SpaceX. Starlink is used by internet providers that serve millions of Brazilians. Judge de Moraes has nothing against X per se. His beef is with social-media influencers whose use of irreverence and derision as rhetorical weapons against the ruling establishment makes them popular on the right side of Brazilian politics. Swiftian satire is loads of fun if youre the forgotten man, powerless against a notoriously corrupt system. But Judge de Moraes calls these nonconformists purveyors of disinformation and a threat to democracy. He considers it his job to gag them. This has put him at odds with Mr. Musk, who isnt involved in Brazilian politics but has a commitment to free speech. Other platforms have obeyed the courts instructions to block antiestablishment opinion makers. Mr. Musk refuses to comply on grounds that doing so would violate Brazils constitution, which in Articles 5 and 220 explicitly protects speech. Under threats by Judge de Moraes to jail X employees for disobeying him, Mr. Musk has removed his representatives from the country. That frosts Judge de Moraes, who wants to be able to detain his targets. The court says the order will remain in place until X pays fines and names a legal representative who resides in Brazil. Mr. Musk has the resources to fight this out. But how can polarized Brazil recover the separation of powers and a high court that stays in its lane? Step one would seem to be recognizing the problem: For more than four years, the Supreme Court, led by Judge de Moraes and others who share his thirst for power, has been wading, neck-deep, into politics. Take the decision to let President Luiz Inacio Lula" da Silva off the hook for corruption. His Workers Party was at the center of the largest bribery scandal in the history of Latin Americafor which there is a ton of competition. It took place during Mr. da Silvas first two terms as president (2003-10) and Workers Party President Dilma Rouseffs 5 years in office (2011-16.) Many politicians and corporate bigwigs were found guilty of corruption, including Lula, as I described in a February 2018 Americas column, after an appellate court upheld his conviction for a second time. It seemed powerful people were no longer above the law. But this was not to last. Mouthpieces for the convicted worked to delegitimize the federal investigationOperation Car Washin the public square but were constantly checked by law-and-order Brazilians. By 2020 Judge de Moraes was telling social-media companies to remove accounts that were under investigation for spreading false information, i.e., his critics. Twitter, not yet owned by Mr. Musk, complied. In 2021 the Supreme Court annulled Lulas conviction on a technicality, arguing that he was tried in the wrong jurisdiction. Because the statute of limitations had run out, Lula walked free. But he was never exonerated. Half the country was furious, venting its anger on social media. Millions of Brazilians took to referring to the former president as a thief. Judge de Moraes and his colleagues on the high court, considering themselves above the plebeian fray and beyond reproach, were offended by the public rants against them. During the 2022 presidential campaign, when Judge de Moraes was also president of the seven-member electoral tribunal, he again engaged in censorship to protect Lula, who was running for a third, nonconsecutive term. Among other prohibitions on hate speech," it was verboten to point out that Lula was never cleared in the bribery case. When the electoral tribunal announced that Lula had narrowly won the election, some supporters of his rival, President Jair Bolsonaro, doubted the results. But an audit was impossible because the high court had struck down a law that would have provided a paper trail to verify the electronic results. Frustrated citizens without recourse showed up in Brasilia, where chaos broke out on Jan. 8, 2022. Mr. Moraes has used that event to justify prosecutorial overreach, which includes maintaining secret investigative files on outspoken critics of the state. This is feeding further conspiracy theories and undermining Brazilian confidence in institutions. More speech repression, like banning X, wont help. Rather, it can be expected to drive Brazilian democracy further into the ditch. Bengaluru: Two years after a small Ahmedabad-based firm that makes electric cables and transmission towers emerged from bankruptcy, it now enjoys a market cap of almost $1 billion. The change in the fortunes of Diamond Power Infrastructure Ltdit ended 2023-24 with a revenue of about 344.1 crore after having not handled any business in 2022chiefly on account of getting more business from the Adani conglomerate. Incidentally, Rakesh Ramanlal Shah, chairman and managing director of Diamond Power Infrastructure, is the brother-in-law of Gautam Adani, Indias second-richest person. Shah, 71, is married to Priti, sister of Gautam Adani. But in recent announcements of contracts secured from Adani group companies, Diamond Power specifies in exchange filings that the work did not fall under the ambit of related-party transactions. To be sure, transactions with a company owned by a brother-in-law do not fall under the category of related-party deals. But industry experts say that in the spirit of the law, companies should disclose such relations. The annual reports of the Adani groups 10 publicly listed companies and Diamond Power do not disclose any relationship between Rakesh Shah and Gautam Adani. Driven by Adani group Gautam Adanis ownership in 10 public companies was worth $81.2 billion at the end of trading hours on 6 September, according to Forbes, making him the countrys second-richest person, behind Reliance Industries Ltds owner Mukesh Ambani, whose wealth is estimated at $113.7 billion. Diamond Power Infrastructure acknowledged the growth of its business from Adani group entities in its latest annual report. In FY 2023-24, companys revenue was 100% domestic. This growth was driven by strong orders from key markets players Adani Group," Diamond Power said in its annual report published on 4 September. The companys annual report also mentions that Rakesh Shah stepped foot into the manufacturing industry in 2019, as the director of Smart Meters Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture with Adani Total Gas Limited". Also read | Sebis reforms to aid greater retail participation in markets Diamond Power Infrastructure and the Adani group companies, however, do not disclose the quantum of business between the two groups. However, a Mint review of orders disclosed by Diamond Power Infrastructure over the last 12 months shows that three-fourths of Diamond Power Infrastructures 1,505 crore order book as of 2 August came from the Adani conglomerate. This includes a 900 crore order from Adani Energy Solutions Ltd for the supply of aluminium alloy power conductors, a 222 crore order from Adani Green Energy Ltd for power cables and conductors, and 30.5 crore from Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd for power cables. A call for wider disclosures Related party disclosures often serve as a guidepost for investors to evaluate a companys financials, and understand whether its decision-making or performance could be influenced by relatives in another business. At least one chartered accountant suggested that regulatory bodies need to expand the existing classification of related parties. Under Indian accounting and (ministry of corporate affairs) rules, brother-in-law does not come under related-party transactions. But its time Sebi and MCA re-look at the current definition and expand the definition of relatives," said Amarjit Chopra, senior partner at GSA & Associates LLP, a New Delhi-based firm with expertise in taxation and corporate governance. Because if you can define sister as a related party, why would you not club brother-in-law as a related party because the influence of relatives is not any less." Sebi, or the Securities and Exchange Board of India, currently requires only business dealings between immediate blood relatives and spouses to be classified as related-party transactions. Emerging from bankruptcy Diamond Power Infrastructure ended 2023-24 with a profit of 17.02 crore, swinging from a loss of 42.9 crore in the year ended March 2023. The company was started in 1979 by Vadodara-based businessman Suresh Narain Bhatnagar. However, its inability to pay its bankers forced its creditors to take the company to bankruptcy court in August 2018. The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Bhatnagar and his two sons, with the federal agency alleging that the former promoters had cheated the companys creditors. Shah took control of Diamond Power Infrastructure in June 2022 when he agreed to pay 501 crore to the lenders over five years. Subsequently, on 17 September 2022, the companys board was reconstituted and Shah got control of 90% of Diamond Power Infras shares. At the time, the companys market cap totalled about 1,000 crore. In afternoon trading on Monday, shares of Diamond Power Infrastructure were at 1,460 each, giving the company a valuation of 7,626 crore (about $908 million). An aristocratic business family" Shah is an Ahmedabad businessman who owns GSEC, a privately held firm that trades in agricultural commodities and fuel oil and also runs an air cargo business. GSEC was formerly called Gujarat State Export Corporation, a firm set up by the Gujarat government in 1965. The state government sold its stake and Shah took control of the company in 2004. GSECs website describes Shah as belonging to an aristocratic business family". Shahs son, Shaishav Shah, is the joint managing director of GSEC, while his daughter-in-law, Raji, is on the board. GSECs standalone financials for the year ended March 2023 show that the privately held company recorded 430.26 crore in revenue and 36.7 crore in profit. Also read | Why good corporate-governance practices are crucial for startups Significantly, until December 2016, Shah and Priti Shah, Gautam Adani's sister, were classified among promoters of four Adani group firms. Shah and Priti owned 0.08% of Adani Enterprises Ltd and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd, 0.06% of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, and 0.04% of Adani Power Ltd, according to aMint review of the ownership of the Adani group firms. Beginning March 2017, Rakesh and Priti Shah were not included in the list of promoters after Adani Ports disclosed to the exchanges on 27 February 2017 that Sebi had approved their reclassification from promoter to public shareholders. Priti Shah is also not on the board of Diamond Power Infrastructure. For now, neither Adani group nor Diamond Power and Infrastructure classify business between the two firms as related-party transactions. Multiple calls, text messages and emails sent to Shah seeking a comment went unanswered. An email sent to Adani Group also did not elicit a response. Also read | Adani family looks to raise $3.6 bn via sales of promoter stakes as shares of group firms skyrocket Private equity giant Carlyle-backed Hexaware Technologies Ltd's proposed IPO makes it the second information technology (IT) services company in the last 14 years to go public, and the first after Ashok Soota-founded Happiest Minds Technologies Ltd, which got listed on the bourses in September 2020. This intent to go public would be the Navi Mumbai-headquartered companys second listing on the stock exchanges. Hexaware was incorporated as Aptech Information Systems Ltd in November 1992 by Atul Nishar. The company first sold 80 shares to seven shareholders, including Nishar, at a face value of 10 per equity share in 1992. Aptech Information Systems got listed on the countrys stock exchanges five years later, that is in 1997, before it was rebranded as Hexaware Technologies Ltd in 2002. It traded on the bourses for another 18 years before getting delisted in 2020, the same year as the Indian IT industry saw its first listing in a decade, that of Happiest Minds. Before that, Pune-based Persistent Systems went public in 2010. Hexaware's ownership changed hands over time. Private equity firm Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) bought 71% of the companys stake in 2013 through its investment arm HT Global IT Solutions Holdings. Subsequently, Baring Private Equity Asia delisted Hexaware's shares and took the company private in 2020. Enter Carlyle. The US-based Carlyle Group Inc. acquired a 95.51% of HT Global IT Solutions Holdings in 2021 through its investment holding company, CA Magnum Holdings, for $3 billion. Carlyle Group is currently the companys promoter, according to its draft red herring prospectus. The company now intends to get relisted on the stock exchanges and the promoters are looking to sell shares worth 9,950 crore ($1.18 billion). The company has not disclosed the number of shares its promoter intends to sell nor has it disclosed the promoter shareholding after the initial public offering (IPO). Carlyles plan to sell a part of its shareholding follows that of fellow private equity firm Blackstone Inc, which sold 15% of its stake in IT services company Mphasis in June this year. But an analyst said that PE firms' intent to sell shares was not just limited to IT services companies. Private equity firms are looking to get out of most sectors, not just IT services. This is because they are making use of the excitement in the markets. They want to book their profits, get their cheques and leave," said a Mumbai-based analyst on the condition of anonymity. When Baring bought the majority stake of Hexaware in 2013, it reported a revenue of $388 million at the end of December 2013, up 6.4% from a year prior. However, when Carlyle took over, the company's revenue swelled to $971 million as of December 2021. While this was more than twice the revenue the company reported in 2013, it was still below the psychological $1-billion mark, which the company eventually breached in the following year. At the end of 2023, the company reported $1.25 billion in revenue, up 10% from the preceding year. The company employs around 28,300 employees with a majority of its workforce based in Asia. It gets as much as 72% of its business from America. Profitability declining Worryingly for investors, the companys profitability has been declining since 2017, save 2021 when the operating margins grew 10 basis points. The company reported 12.4% in operating margins last year, a far cry from 16.2% reported seven years ago. The company counts IT outsourcing firms including Coforge Ltd, L&T Technology Services Ltd, Persistent Systems Ltd as its competitors, which respectively reported $1.12 billion, $1.16 billion, and $1.19 billion in revenue in the year ended March 2024. Coforge, LTTS, and Persistent Systems reported 16.5%, 17.1%, and 14.4%, respectively, as operating margin, higher than Hexaware's. Each of these companies enjoys a market capitalisation between 44,000 crore and 80,000 crore. Hexaware follows the January-December financial calendar whereas IT services companies traditionally follow the April-March accounting year. Hexaware operates five service lines, including cloud services, data, and artificial intelligence, its draft red herring prospectus showed. The company has rebranded its service lines and reduced them from six as stated in its annual report. Four of the service lines cater to clients in the IT services business, through which it gets about 85% of its revenue. The remaining service line is for its business process outsourcing clients, which fetch the company about 13% of its revenue. At least half of the companys senior management that would oversee the companys re-listing on the stock exchanges come from HCL Technologies Ltd, including its chief executive officer Srikrishna Ramakarthikeyan, who served as the president of the Noida-based firm until July 2014. Incoming Starbucks chief executive Brian Niccol is set to partake in a ceremonial first sip" of coffee Monday as he reports for his first day of work. For Starbucks employees, it is another change to digest. The coffee chains board of directors, investors and longtime leader Howard Schultz have embraced Niccol since his hiring last month, praising the former Chipotle Mexican Grill CEO as the best possible choice to turn around Starbucks operations and restore its brand after a turbulent few years. At the companys Seattle headquarters and across its U.S. cafes, the reception is more mixed. Some Starbucks workers said the rapid turnover in the CEO roleNiccol will be the companys fourth in less than three yearsis fatiguing. Many said they were hopeful that Niccols restaurant-industry experience would lead to improvements, though some felt jarred by former CEO Laxman Narasimhans abrupt August ouster, a year and a half into the job. Niccol plans to host a town hall this week, meet with baristas in cafes and employees at headquarters, and start assessing the companys challenges and opportunities. Starbucks for years has struggled with cafe operations, where orders for often-complex drinks have frequently overwhelmed baristas and created long lines of frustrated customers. Snarled stores and rising prices have contributed to employee turnover and declining traffic, pressuring the companys results. Over the past five years, Starbucks shares have declined by about 5%, while the S&P 500 stock index has gained around 82%. In recent months, the company has faced activist investors and public criticism from Schultz over its operations. Starbuckss recent relations with workers have often been uneasy. Three years ago baristas, frustrated with pay and working conditions, began unionizing. In March 2022, Kevin Johnson, Starbuckss CEO at the time, stepped down and was succeeded by Schultz. Taking over for a third stint as CEO, Schultz reinvested in stores, raised wages for baristas and helped position a permanent successor. Starbucks picked former Reckitt Benckiser Group CEO Narasimhan, who underwent a six-month training period that included working as a barista. But the companys challenges deepened, with Starbucks in April cutting its sales outlook for the second time this year. Wall Street enthused last month when Starbucks poached Niccol from Chipotle, bringing to Starbucks restaurant-operations chops that Narasimhan lacked, and turnaround experience. Starbuckss shares have gained around 18% since his hiring was announced. Internal reactions at Starbucks have been more complicated, according to store managers, corporate workers and others with the chain, which prizes ritual and tradition. Some employees said they feel like they have navigated years of shifting executive-office priorities and personalities, from Narasimhans focus on supply chain to Schultzs backing of an olive oil-infused coffee. Manny Paz, a district manager from Southern California, said Niccol introduced himself when he visited Pazs store during a recent Pumpkin Spice Latte promotion. Niccol chatted with the baristas and sampled one of Starbuckss signature drinks. Hes a genuine and curious individual," Paz said. Some workers were skeptical of the hybrid work arrangement that allows Niccol to commute to Seattle on a company jet and establish an office near his Southern California home. Narasimhan had moved to Seattle from London to take the CEO position, and the chain expects Seattle-based corporate employees to generally work from headquarters three days a week. Several Starbucks store managers said they wished Rachel Ruggeri, Starbuckss chief financial officer of roughly two decades, would become the next CEO, noting her long tenure and candor with employees. Others wished they could have said goodbye to Narasimhan, who regularly convened informal chats with employees. Starbucks said it has sought to listen to and address workers concerns about the abrupt CEO transition, and it established a way for employees to share their gratitude to Narasimhan. We look forward to the fresh ideas that Brian will bring to our business," Starbucks said. Some Starbucks alumni said that despite the tumult, a shake-up was merited after a spate of lackluster performance. Things were really bleak," said Major Cohen, a former chain project manager who retired in 2020 after 25 years at the company. Starbucks didnt make Niccol available for an interview. He informed Chipotle on Aug. 12 of his decision to step down, and he has met with Starbuckss U.S. leaders and visited dozens of cafes since, Starbucks said. Niccol, 50 years old, helped turn Chipotle into an industry powerhouse after it was laid low by food-safety problems. Niccol said last month that he was energized at the opportunity to spur growth at Starbucks and make improvements for customers and employees. Starbucks is moving ahead negotiating with Workers United, the union that has organized bargaining units at 475 of the chains 9,950 U.S. stores as of last month. The company and the union said they have made progress on contract terms and toward resolving litigation, including during three days of bargaining last month. The parties expect to hold another bargaining session this month. That question looms over the tech giant Monday as it holds its annual fall product event, where it is set to unveil a new generation of iPhones. The iPhone 16 lineup isnt expected to have many new hardware featuresbeyond the usual faster chips and improved cameras. Instead, Apple is expected to promote its new AI feature, called Apple Intelligence, as a main selling point. So far, consumers have yet to embrace AI capabilities as a primary reason to upgrade. Apples leading smartphone rival, Samsung, has heavily promoted its latest devices AI capabilities. AI was only a minor selling point for carriers after the initial batch of sales, according to surveys BayStreet Research conducted at U.S. carrier stores. Another recent survey showed that only 7% of consumers had a very high inclination to buy a smartphone based on AI features, according to research firm Canalys. AI hasnt resonated yet with the masses," said Cliff Maldonado, principal analyst at BayStreet Research, which studies the smartphone market. Some investors expect Apples phone sales to surge regardless, as many iPhone consumers are due for an upgrade. Analysts, on average, expect iPhone revenue for its coming fiscal 2025 year that ends in September next year to grow nearly 5%, according to FactSet. Demand for Apples AI-enabled phones will offer another test of market appetite for the technology. The companys rivals have spent billions investing in models that can chat and interact with users in humanlike ways, write and produce images and animations. Yet investors have grown wary of AI spending this year as many companies have yet to show a clear path to profitability. In contrast to its rivals, Apple hasnt poured giant piles of cash into its AI efforts. The company, instead, is hoping external partnerships with the most advanced AI players will help it participate in the market. Apple is doing partnerships instead of having to reinvent the wheel," said Trip Miller, managing partner at Gullane Capital Partners, an Apple shareholder. Theyve already got the platform and the user base that wants to consume this revolutionary technology." Apple already announced many of its new AI features at its June developer conference. Apple Intelligence is the companys system for infusing generative AI capabilities throughout every app on the iPhone. The new AI systemwhich will be compatible with the latest phones and the previous generation iPhone 15 Profeatures an improved Siri voice assistant and the ability to create custom emojis and generate text messages. With Apple Intelligence, Apple is also joining up with AI startup OpenAIwhich is helmed by CEO Sam Altmanto embed ChatGPT, which it sees as the current leader in generative artificial intelligence. The iPhone maker plans to join up with other AI developers. Apple is currently in talks to invest in OpenAI, The Wall Street Journal recently reported. Many of Apples new AI capabilities wont be available with the launch of the phones, and some of the flashier features wont be available until an unspecified time next year. Initially, English is expected to be the only language in which the new capabilities will be offered. Those limitations and delays could further hinder any potential word-of-mouth excitement for the new AI features. The company has yet to announce an AI partner in China, one of its largest markets and an area where sales have stagnated as it faced new competition from homegrown smartphone brands. Apples last big iPhone hit was in 2021, when sales rose 39% compared with the prior year. Sales have fallen in the past two quarters compared with the same period a year earlier, and revenue fell by more than 2% in the 12 months that ended in September 2023, its most recent fiscal year. The 2021 sales cycle was propelled by promotions and upgrade subsidies from wireless carriers. Those companies helped pay for new, speedier 5G phones to land new users or retain existing ones after spending billions on new network infrastructure upgrades. Carriers play a huge role in new phone purchases in the U.S., accounting for around three-quarters of all new iPhones sales in the country, according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. While deals for upgrades are still available, some iPhone customers have delayed upgrades in recent years, when new-generation iPhones had less-significant redesigns or feature additions. People are holding on to their phones for longer and longer periods of time," said Michael Levin, co-founder of Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. Apple is swimming upstream that way." Some analysts expect a stronger return to iPhone growth to happen in the following iPhone 17 generation, where a new thinner phone design is expected along with an updated camera design. More consumers might be willing to embrace AI features by then as well, analysts said. Write to Aaron Tilley at aaron.tilley@wsj.com New Delhi: French multi-brand retailer Carrefour, which operates hypermarkets and grocery stores in several countries, has announced its re-entry into India through a franchise partnership with Dubais Apparel Group. The company first entered India in 2010 through the wholesale cash and carry format, for which foreign direct investment (FDI) rules are more lenient, allowing overseas companies to invest directly in India's retail market. This is different from FDI in multi-brand retail, where foreign retailers are expected to partner with local companies. Carrefour shut its five stories in India and exited the market in July 2014, citing a lack of business and an inability to find a partner to expand its business to multi-brand retail. Patrick Lasfargues, Carrefour's executive director of international partnership said in a statement on Monday, Thanks to this partnership, we are very happy to launch in India and grow our footprint in one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. India is now the cornerstone of the Carrefour International Partnership 2026 development plan, marking a significant step forward in our strategy to expand into over 10 new countries by 2026. We will be expanding with multiple formats across the country to adapt to this dynamic countrys retail landscape, he added. Also read: Quick commerce boom leaves kirana stores by the wayside Carrefour, which operates 14,000 stores in more than 40 countries, posted sales of 94.1 billion in 2023. It sells both food (fresh produce) and non-food items such as health & beauty products, household goods and textiles. First five stores next year On Monday the retailer said it would introduce Carrefours exclusive brands in India through the partnership with Apparel Group. They will be launched in north India at first, with plans for a nationwide expansion. It wasn't immediately clear whether Carrefour will offer its full range of products in India. The company said it plans to open the first Carrefour stores in the National Capital Region in 2025. Apparel Group will introduce various Carrefour formats, such as hypermarkets, supermarkets and gourmet stores in India. The companies did not share their investment plans for India. The Apparel Group, founded in Dubai in 1996, operates in the retail clothing and food and beverage (F&B) sectors. It manages a portfolio of more than 85 brands and operates more than 2,300 stores across 14 countries across the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia and Africa. Nilesh Ved, owner of Apparel Group & chairman of AppCorp Holding, said, In a very dynamic and rapidly changing market for food retail, we plan to open our first Carrefour stores during the summer of 2025. This partnership represents a significant step in strengthening our position in India. Our goal is clear: to offer the best products at very attractive prices to all Indian customers and make Carrefour their preferred choice for shopping. ALEXANDRIA, Va.It is a rare day when a company faces a federal-government lawsuit alleging it is illegally monopolizing the marketplace. Google is facing the second such case in less than a year, placing unprecedented U.S. legal pressure on the search giant. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema on Monday will hear opening statements in the Justice Departments case alleging Google has an unlawful grip on the market for software used to buy and sell digital ads, known as ad-tech. The trial, expected to last four weeks, is taking place in Northern Virginia, across the Potomac River from where a federal judge in Washington ruled last month that the Justice Department proved its claims that Google was using illegal tactics to preserve its dominance in search. The judge in the search case now must decide how to remedy Googles antitrust violations, which could mean limiting its ability to pay web browsers and phone manufacturers to be their default search engine. If the company also loses in Virginia, the back-to-back blows could crimp some of the companys revenue streams at a time when it is pouring money into artificial intelligence to compete with Microsoft and a host of well-funded startups to build increasingly powerful computer systems. The cases also could spark changes in how the company reaches consumers, and how advertisers promote their businesses online. The Virginia case targets Googles omnipresence in the ad-tech industry, where it facilitates much of the buying and selling of digital ads that helps fund online publishers. Google offers a platform for publishers to offer and manage ad space, tools for ad buyers and a marketplace where buyers and sellers transact. The Justice Department alleges Google has used unlawful tactics to prevent the rise of rival technologies and lock advertisers and publishers into its tools. The government is seeking to force the company to shed its Ad Manager product, which in 2020 made an operating profit of $368 million from booked revenue of $7.4 billion, according to a financial statement the company provided to the court. Google pays out a portion of the total revenue to web publishers. Google has engaged in a campaign to condition, control, and tax digital advertising transactions over 15 years," the Justice Department said in a recent court filing. This campaign was exclusionary, anticompetitive, and mutually reinforcing." Google says its success is due to a long record of innovation, criticizing the Justice Department as being out of touch with market realities. The case focuses on display ads on websites, but user attention migrated elsewhere years agoto apps, social media and Connected TV," Google said in a recent court filing. We will show that ad buyers and sellers have many options, and when they choose Google they do so because our ad tech is simple, affordable, and effective. In shortit works," the company said in a blog post on Sunday. Googles legal team includes Karen Dunn, a partner at law firm Paul Weiss who has advised Vice President Kamala Harris on her presidential campaign. Googles overall advertising business is a cash-cow, accounting for more than three-quarters of parent company Alphabets $307.4 billion of revenue last year. Though the Justice Department lawsuit challenges only some parts of it, a government win could have ripple effects because Googles advertising technology has been so interwoven into its operations. Googles ad-tech business gives the company insights into the internet browsing habits of millions and the businesses of widely visited online publishers, such as news outlets. In 2016, Google reversed a longstanding policy and began merging information it collected from visitors to its own sites with data gleaned from their activity elsewhere on the internet, according to the Justice Department. The Justice Department in court papers alleged this change, known inside Google as Project Narnia," allowed it to target ads in ways no one else in the industry could." Google has denied the allegations. The case before Brinkema, a Clinton appointee, will proceed without a jury, which is typical for how government antitrust cases are managed. The Justice Department made an unusual attempt to get the ligation before a jury by including a claim for monetary damages, alleging the government itself overpaid for online ads. Google in turn wrote the government a check for the $2.3 million, paying back the damages request and ensuring a nonjury trial. The company is on the back foot as the trial begins, over the deletion of internal messages that could have been relevant to the case. Last month, Brinkema criticized Google over an earlier company policy of automatically deleting employee chat records, saying that was not the way in which a responsible corporate entity should function" and that an awful lot of evidence has already been destroyed." The Justice Department urged Brinkema to infer that the evidence destroyed was unfavorable to Google. Google countered that the department knew of its policy years before complaining in court, but waited to raise the issue to gain a tactical advantage. The judge declined to impose a formal sanction on Google, but said the issue would factor into her determinations of which trial witnesses are credible. Write to Jan Wolfe at jan.wolfe@wsj.com and Miles Kruppa at miles.kruppa@wsj.com HT Media has recently launched its 2024 Consumer Trends and Festive Insights report, that serves as a vital resource for marketers navigating the upcoming festive season in India. Derived from the three arms of HT Media, including Hindustan Times' Print and Digital Platforms, Live Hindustan, and Mint, the report gives brands an insight into India's consumer segments. Key Findings from HT Media's 2024 Festive Shopping Trends Report The Report, developed in collaboration with Kantar, provides a comprehensive analysis of consumer behaviour and preferences across ten key product categories. Here are some of the key insights: Over 40% of HT Print and Digital readers are planning to purchase a four-wheeler this festive season. Such a figure indicates a strong rebound in consumer sentiment, suggesting a promising season for major purchases. Over 63% of HT and Mint readers plan to travel internationally within the next two years. More than 66% of Hindustan Times & Hindustantimes.com consumers intend to buy a new smartphone this festive season, with many willing to invest between Rs10,000 to 50,000. Over 35% of the HT Media readers plan to buy an EV this festive season, while over 45 % plan to invest in real estate in the next six months. HT Media Report: Digital and Luxury Consumption The report has revealed that digital shopping continues to dominate the festive landscape. Figures have shown that over 55% of Mint and HT readers already owned luxury items. Meanwhile, 65% of Live Hindustan.com, and Hindustan readers plan to invest in jewellery. This number hints towards a strong preference for traditional, and high-value purchases. HT Media Consumer Trends Report: Takeaways for marketers By leveraging HT Media's extensive reach across print, digital, and radio platforms, brands can effectively target consumers who have expressed a clear intent to make festive purchases. Also Read | HT Media Group brands HT Digital, HT Labs win big at WAN IFRA Awards 2023 HT Media further offers a wide range of partnership opportunities, including video, display ads, branded content, and event-based collaborations, enabling brands to craft tailored messages in the right format for the right audience. MA Yusuff Ali, CMD of the Lulu Group International, is happy about the UAE-based retailer's plans to invest in India, ANI reported on September 8. Lulu Group is set to build what is being billed as "India's largest shopping mall" in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Expressing joy at investing in India, Ali told the news agency that he is "very happy to give employment to his fellow citizens (Indians)". He further added that the company is receiving "full support" from the Centre and ministries. The Project "India's biggest shopping mall is in Ahmedabad. We already got the land. I am getting full support from the central government, the Ministry of Commerce and all the ministries of the central government," he said. "This is one of the biggest projects that we inaugurated today. It is about 3,50,000 sq ft. (and) 3,000 young boys and girls are working here. I am very happy to give employment to my fellow citizens," Ali added. The mall will be built at an estimated cost of 4,000 crore, as per the report; and in an earlier interaction, Ali said construction is expected to begin this year (2024). Hints For More Speaking to ANI in September 2023, Ali hinted at two large shopping mall projects in India in Chennai and Ahmedabad, the report said. "We are going to construct one of the largest shopping malls in Ahmedabad and Chennai, and we are opening our shopping mall in Hyderabad at the end of this month. Also, we are going to different states for shopping malls and food processing," he said, speaking to ANI last year. Lulu, at present, has malls in six Indian cities Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Lucknow, and Thiruvananthapuram. The one in Hyderabad was inaugurated last year. About Lulu Group Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Lulu Group International is known as a "trendsetter" in the Middle East and North African retail industry, as per the ANI report. The retailer operates more than 250 hypermarkets and supermarkets and is popular across the GCC, Egypt, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Lulu Group employs more than 65,000-plus strong workforce from 42 different nations and has an annual turnover of USD 8 billion globally. The UK telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, proposed granting a license to Amazon's Project Kuiper, enabling it to operate a satellite network that could rival Elon Musks Starlink for high-speed broadband services, Bloomberg reported on September 5. Livemint could not independently verify this news development. In a statement issued on Thursday, Ofcom invited public comments on Amazon Kuiper Services Europe SARLs application, with the deadline for submissions set for October 4. If approved, the license would allow Amazon to offer customers outdoor antennae, known as terminals, capable of receiving broadband at speeds similar to 4G, per the Bloomberg report. The Satellite services such as Kuiper and Starlink are designed to deliver high-speed internet connectivity to regions underserved by traditional providers, including rural areas, conflict zones, or regions affected by natural disasters, as per the Bloomberg report. Amazons Project Kuiper aims to establish a network of over 3,000 low-Earth orbit satellites to provide broadband services. The company plans to launch its first satellites by the end of 2024, with commercial services expected to begin the following year, as per the Bloomberg report. Also Read | Elon Musks Starlink agrees to block X in Brazil after previously refusing Additionally, Amazon recently gained approval to acquire a small plot of land in New Zealand for its Kuiper operations. The New Zealand Overseas Investment Office (OIO) announced that the consent, granted in July, allows Amazon to install telecommunications equipment on a 500-square-meter site at an undisclosed location, as per the Bloomberg report. Amazon Kuiper New Zealand, established to handle local operations, will use the site to provide broadband services in the country. The equipment will form part of the global Kuiper network, furthering Amazon's competition with Starlink in the race to deliver space-based internet connectivity, as per the Bloomberg report. Also Read | Amazon gets ULAs satellite launch vehicles for Project Kuiper (Bloomberg) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez he wants the two nations to strengthen ties and jointly promote development in high-tech industries, including artificial intelligence and new energy. We hope Spain will continue to provide a fair, just, safe and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies investing and operating in Spain, Xi said in a meeting with Sanchez in Beijing on Monday, according to a readout from the official Xinhua News Agency. Sanchez is on a four-day visit to China since Sunday to boost ties with the worlds second-biggest economy at a time of simmering trade tensions between Beijing and the wider European Union. He met with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang earlier in the day, as well as Chinas third highest-ranked official Zhao Leji. China and the EU have been embroiled in a trade dispute as Brussels decided to raise tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, saying Chinese firms unfairly benefit from state subsidies and accusing them of dumping excess production on Europe. Beijing hit back by opening anti-dumping investigations into brandy, dairy and pork products from the EU. Spain is Europes largest pork exporter. Sanchez last visited China in March 2023 when he attended the Boao Forum in Hainan province. His latest trip will take him to Shanghai next. Sanchezs travel comes as Spain granted political asylum to Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition candidate in Venezuelas disputed July 28 presidential election who fled his country on Saturday. Venezuelan authorities declared Nicolas Maduro the winner, cracked down on opponents and ordered Gonzalezs arrest. Xi was among the first leaders to congratulate Maduro on his reelection in July. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com VentureSoul Partners, a Mumbai-based Category II Alternative Investment(AIF) debt fund which focuses on new age economy clients, has announced the first close of its maiden debt fund, clocking at nearly half the fund size. This achievement comes after its launch in Q2 FY25, said the company in a statement. VentureSoul is led by a team of three experienced bankers, Anurag Tripathi, Ashish Gala, and Kunal Wadhwa. The company that goes with the tagline debt partners with a difference," aims to distinguish itself with a value-based approach. The company's fund seeks to offer a unique debt proposition tailored for new economy clients, combining traditional banking practices with innovative debt solutions. VentureSoul's SEBI-registered Category II AIF has a target corpus of up to 300 Crore and an additional 300 Crore greenshoe option, stated the company. The fund has already attracted a mix of investors including family offices, corporates, high-net-worth individuals, professionals, and other prominent investors. Investments at Series A stage, or beyond The fund also aims to make investments in companies at the Series A stage or beyond, which focuses on optimizing the product, with established business and revenue models. Although sector-agnostic, the fund is expected to have a positive bias toward diversified Fintech, B2C, B2B, and SAAS companies. The founders envision creating a scalable and sustainable organization that partners with new economy clients for growth capital and beyond. Also Read | Blockchain startups perk up after govt unveils national framework Anchor investors include Micro Labs Ltd., along with other prominent names such as Rupa Group, Glen Appliances Ltd., and PSN Group. Other notable names include SKM Steels, Zebronics Group, and founders of new age companies like Country Delight, KreditBees Mr. E Madhusudan, and Perfioss Omkar Shirhatti. Also Read | EV subsidy scheme EMPS to be extended: heavy industries minister Kumaraswamy VentureSoul's founders further hinted at its expansion. "We now aim to expand VentureSouls operations by further engaging with the broader ecosystem, implementing disciplined deployment, and preparing for our future fundraising rounds, said the three founders. Zappfresh, a meat delivery startup that filed for an initial public offering last month, is looking to expand its footprint in India and globally and enter new product lines, targeting a three-to-four-fold growth in three years, a top executive told Mint . Despite growth concerns in the sector, Zappfresh, a brand owned by DSM Fresh Foods Ltd, is aiming for a three to four-fold increase in revenue in the next three years, founder Deepanshu Manchanda said. How does it plan on doing that? By expanding its presence in the country and going overseas, setting up offline outlets, and through acquisitions. The company, which started delivering meat online in 2015, has stayed relatively smaller than rivals Licious and Freshtohome. As its competitors work on building efficiency on top of growth, it will benefit companies that can pick up that growth and help Zappfresh build scale, according to Manchanda. The startup backed by investors including SIDBI Trustee Company Ltd, Amit Burman Family Office (through Gyan Enterprises) and AH Ventures, filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus with the market regulator for listing on the SME platform of the BSE late last month. The IPO will consist of a fresh sale of 5.9 million shares with a face value of 10. There is no offer-for-sale component. The company claims to be the first direct-to-consumer (D2C) food startup to be going public. Zappfresh is the only profitable company in the space, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 9.58 crore in FY24. It posted an EBITDA of 3.4 crore in FY23. Revenue increased to 90 crore in FY24 from 56 crore in FY23. As a 100 crore business running profitably, which can grow maybe 10-15% every year, it's a decent enough business as of now to get an IPO," said Satish Meena, an advisor at Datum Intelligence. Moreover, there is a lack of appetite among private capital investors for the meat market at the moment, making an SME IPO a viable choice for the company, said Meena. The bigger companies promised something to investors in terms of growth, but they are nowhere near to the growth. As growth is becoming difficult, other companies are also finding it difficult to raise private capital because there is not much interest. It's not that they can't raise it but the value they will get is going to be less," he added. Manchanda didn't comment on why the company is going for an IPO instead of tapping the private capital market. Licious, which expected revenue to surge 120% in FY23 over the previous year to 1,500 crore after 65% growth in FY22, grew just 10% to 748 crore. The online meat retailers loss widened to 500 crore in FY23 from 485 crore. FreshtoHomes revenue was 110 crore in FY23 and it made a loss of 409.5 crore. The size of the online meat industry was 2,500-3,000 crore in 2023, according to Meena, Expansion plans The companys revenue comes largely from New Delhi and Haryana. It entered Bengaluru last year and Mumbai last month and is now eyeing the southern pie, which it has missed on. We were consciously looking at not rapidly expanding and falling on our face later. With that perspective, we wanted to make one city-by-city kind of a progression, but we are all about new markets now. A lot of our new growth is going to come from new markets. That's the onus because 90-95% of the market is consuming meat in the south," Manchanda said. While the company has been catering to institutions such as restaurants, it is now looking at offline retail by standardising conventional meat shops with trained staff, certified products and better packaging and hygiene. This is an initiative wherein traditional meat shops would be converted into exclusive Zappfresh Stores. This comprehensive strategy is to tap into the currently unorganised meat market," the company said in its DRHP. The company also has plans to launch its business globally. It wont necessarily be exports but what we are looking at is overseas expansion in different ways," Manchanda said, without providing details. In terms of categories, the company, which has been in the fresh meat category, is looking to get into frozen meat, according to the founder. It is not a very large market, but there is growth happening at a certain scale and there are a lot of players also in that category. Unless there is a certain differentiation one is able to create, it is a very tough category to crack. We are taking our own time to do our proper R&D and then make a call on how we can evaluate frozen," said Manchanda. Acquisition path The online retailer, which acquired Dr. Meat and Bonsaro in the past year, is bullish on acquisitions to drive growth. Both the acquisitions helped Zappfresh to enter new geographies. One thing which I learned was that we need to do a collaborative approach. We don't think that there is any way you can singularly become the big daddy in the category and that's because of the sheer size and also the nature of the business. It is not a marketplace, one-winner-take-all market, making it important to build a large impact by consolidation in the category," he said. The company will actively eye acquisitions in agri-tech, digitisation, financial inclusion and overseas expansion, according to Manchanda. As Zappfresh goes public, its listing may become a benchmark for other companies in the sector seeking to raise funds. The IPO market is hot right now and raising public capital is much easier. The other ecommerce companies stocks are doing well so investors have seen that this sector is giving better growth as compared to other businesses. Once you have a benchmark, if the stock market gives them reward, it will be much easier for raising other capital also," said Meena. Uttarakhand Finance Minister Prem Chand Agarwal said the GST Council on Monday decided to cut taxes on helicopter services for religious travel to 5 per cent. "Helicopter services for religious purposes like Kedarnath, Badrinath has been reduced to 5 per cent from 18 per cent. There was no clarity on this. After this, there will be clarity," a report by PTI quoted Agarwal as saying. Also Read | GST Council Meeting Live: Decision on insurance premium tax cuts at next meeting The 54th GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman, met on Monday, September 9. The GST Council, consists of the Union Finance Minister and representatives from all States and Union Territories. It is established to decide on various aspects of GST, including tax rates, exemptions, and administrative procedures. The last meeting of the GST Council was held on June 22. The council meeting on Monday was supposed to discuss issues such as lowering taxes on life and health insurance premiums and levying GST on payment aggregators for small digital transactions up to 2,000 through credit and debit cards. Also Read | Auto industry contributes nearly 15 per cent to total GST, says SIAM President Agarwal also stated that the GST Council has discussed the issue of levying 18 per cent GST on payment aggregators (PAs), such as BillDesk and CCAvenue, for small digital transactions up to 2,000 through debit and credit cards to the fitment committee, the PTI report said. It added that the council has also deliberated on the fitment committee report on the taxes on life and health insurance premiums. Presently, payment aggregators are not required to pay GST on transactions amounting to less than 2,000. In 2023-24, the total tax collected by the centre and the states was 8,262.94 crore through GST on health insurance premiums, whereas the states and the centre collected 1,484.36 crore on account of GST on health reinsurance premiums. Also Read | Why GST Council cannot ignore the health insurance row GST on insurance premiums discussed The topic of GST on insurance premiums was extensively discussed in Parliament, where opposition leaders sought to remove taxes on health and life insurance premiums. The Union government plans to pool its shares in listed public sector companies to build India's first sovereign wealth fund, two people aware of the plans said. The fund will sell new and existing shares, receive dividends, raise money from strategic investors, and borrow against its shares to raise capital for its investment corpus. The government will transfer its shares in listed PSUs, as well as the Specified Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India (SUUTI) to this fund, the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. Government-owned SUUTI holds shares in various private listed companies. The plan, still in its early stages, is being discussed at various levels in the government and at the PSUs. It is estimated that these companies (listed PSUs) can provide the fund a corpus of 50 trillion, which can be leveraged to get funds for the purpose," one of the two officials cited above said on the condition of anonymity. The sovereign fund will invest in India and abroad. The government owns over 51% stake in 48 publicly traded companies, which will be transferred to this fund. Its stake in every company going public will also be transferred to the new fund. Differential voting rights The Centre may also sell new shares in these PSUS minus voting rights, so that its own voting rights do not get diluted. Additionally, it may bring in regulation for so-called golden share, which gives its owner relatively more power in terms of management and economic rights, and special control. Emails sent to the Prime Ministers Office, and the ministries of finance and commerce remained unanswered till press time. Also read | Sovereign funds flock to India with mega moneybags even as FIIs, PEs remain wary The government has sounded several experts including Axis Bank chief economist Neelkanth Mishra and Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. managing director Nilesh Shah for their views, the people cited above said. When contacted, Mishra said, "It would not be appropriate to speak on this." Shah declined to comment. Professional management A third person aware of the matter said the plan is to create a sovereign fund run by professionals on the lines of Singapore's Temasek and GIC, floated in the 1960s and 1970s. The two sovereign funds helped float large and prestigious corporations like Singapore International Airlines and made aggressive investments abroad. Also read | Treat us like ADIA, Gulf wealth funds urge India Wealth funds have been there in smaller sizes," said N.R. Bhanumurthy, director, Madras School of Economics, referring to funds in which the central government holds a stake. "With this plan, the government is scaling it up to a bigger level, which is a good idea since it will help focus governments resources in the most required segments of the country's economy," Bhanumurthy added. About 40 countries have their own sovereign wealth funds, including large economies like China, the US and Russia, as well as smaller ones like Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia. Some of the more well-known names include Norway's Government Pension Fund Global, Singapore's Temasek, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Qatar Investment Authority and Mubadala Investment Co. Countries like China and the US, which have multiple funds, use them to acquire critical assets and build infrastructure in several countries. Indian model India makes such acquisitions through companies already present in the space and the specific company's balance sheet funds it. For instance, Indias key focus currently is on securing rare earth metals like lithium, and it is in talks with countries in Africa and Latin America to get critical mineral blocks on a government-to-government basis. To this end, the government created Khanij Bidesh India Ltd, a joint venture company of three PSUs - National Aluminium Co. Ltd, Hindustan Copper Ltd and Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Ltd - and the overseas deals are funded mostly through their balance sheet. Also read | Can Nalco beat aluminium price fluctuations? Apart from seeking critical technology and energy security by funding acquisition of critical minerals, the new fund will also invest in the domestic market. Usage can be domestic as well as international. It can invest in the domestic markets too, and the fund can also look to optimize running of PSUs through mergers or demergers. Essentially, these government companies can work as one unit instead of working in silos," said the first/second official cited earlier. Haryana Assembly Polls 2024: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday released its first list of 20 candidates amid alliance talks with Congress for the Haryana Assembly elections 2024. The party has fielded its Haryana unit vice president Anurag Dhandha from Kalayat, Vikas Nehra from Meham, and Bijender Hooda from Rohtak. Indu Sharma will contest from Bhiwani, Narendra Sharma from Pundri and Gurpal Singh from Naraingrarh. The talks between the two parties seems to have been stuck over the number of seats to be contested by the Arvind Kejriwal's party, with the AAP demanding 10 seats and the Congress offering five in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. After releasing the first list of 20 candidates for state Assembly polls, AAP Haryana chief Sushil Gupta said evening the party will release the second list of candidates. "...Very soon by evening, you will get to see the second list. Now only 3 days are left for nomination, so within 3 days all the candidates have to be lined up, for which scrutiny is going on. Aam Aadmi Party is a good and strong option in Haryana. I do not want to get into the politics of allegations and counter-allegations. We are fighting the battle to change the system of Haryana...," Gupta said. ...Aam Aadmi Party is fighting a political battle to change the system and workers of Aam Aadmi Party are standing firm on the field with full patience. We have shown our patience and after that, we released our list. I think the result will be positive for Haryana and BJP will be removed from Haryana he added. Earlier today, Gupta announced that the party will release the names of candidates from all the 90 seats if the alliance talks with Congress is not finalised by the evening. "We will release the list of candidates for the 90 seats by the evening," Gupta told PTI said when he was asked regarding the alliance talks with the grand old party. Gupta said the party has been waiting for a response from Congress but the grand old party has not come out with its response so far. The Haryana unit chief further said the party workers are ready to strongly contest all the 90 Assembly seats the state. It is important to note that AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has been holding talks with Deepak Babaria of Congress over a prospective alliance. Chadha on Sunday said that both the parties are hopeful for a successful outcome. Also Read | Haryana BJP president slams Congress as national wrestlers join party Chadha said both the parties are trying to forge an alliance by keeping aside their individual aspirations. He, however, added that the Aam Aadmi Party will not proceed with the alliance with the grand old party "if there is no win-win situation". New Delhi: The Centre has identified more than 20 countries where Indian space startups can provide their services, according to two senior officials with direct knowledge of the matter. The development comes in the backdrop of slowing revenues for Indias nascent space startups. The plan is to have the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) continue to engage with larger economies, and pass on opportunities from other countries to the private sector, a third person with knowledge of the matter, a senior industry consultant, said. All three people spoke on the condition of anonymity. The 20-plus countries were identified through a worldwide survey conducted by government-backed nodal space regulator Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (In-Space) in partnership with the ministry of external affairs (MEA), the two officials cited above said, without naming any of the countries identified. The first official cited above said that the survey sought to find nations that can become big markets for private space startups in the country", even while pointing out that established space markets such as the US are unlikely to come to India with sizeable revenue opportunities. The second official said that the department of space (DoS) will offer guidance to private space startups on their international expansion plans based on the surveys findings. The survey took into account requests from varied geographies for space solutions such as satellite imagery for planning and development; nations from the MENA region, South America, eastern Europe and south-east Asia are forefront opportunitiesthus making for being the most obvious expansion market for India," the second person added. Both officials confirmed that these are not mainstream countries with huge budgets for space projects, and that they approached India for strategic space applications such as agriculture, administrative planning, wildlife and forestry, among others. The industry consultant cited above said that the survey has also detailed the procedure through which DoS can pass on these business opportunities to the startups. Even as the startups are being encouraged and guided towards business opportunities in these countries, state-run Isro will continue to engage with leading space economies such as the US, Japan, France and others, this consultant said. Also read | India puts space station on priority eyeing geopolitical gains Hailing the strategy, Chaitanya Giri, space fellow at global policy think-tank Observer Research Foundations Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology, said that India, through Isro, has been receiving queries from several countries for space services. Given that Isro would only have limited capacity to be present in so many markets, its ideal that such opportunities are transferred to the private sector. Overall, this can help boost the industry significantly in the long run," Giri said. Pawan Goenka, chairman of In-Space, said that the nodal space body is engaged with multiple countries to promote private Indian space startups". Queries sent to MEA and DoS did not receive responses until press time. Why the government is helping space startups The development comes at a time when the Centre has taken stock of Indias private space startups revenue generation plight. Indias space startups became commercially viable after the sector was liberalized in 2020. While experts maintain that space as an industry is particularly challenging due to engineering complexities, most space startups in India have not yet generated meaningful revenue, and are largely at the stage of technology demonstrations. To be sure, the key challenge in generating meaningful revenue for private space firms lies in proving reliability in areas such as satellite manufacturing and operations, imaging and more. Nations around the world typically prefer relying on established companies such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin in the US, and Arianespace in France, among others. With Indias private space industry formally being less than five years old, attracting revenue for young space firms has been a challenge. To help the Indian private sector attract more business opportunities, the DoS has offered a soft" suggestion to private space startups to form multiple consortia and team-up to get a better shot at generating revenue, instead of rivalling each other, Mint had reported on 5 September. Earlier, on 23 June, Mint reported that Isro and DoS are also looking to increase business opportunities for the private sector within India itself, including tendering of various state and Centre-affiliated ministry requirements to the private sector. Why tiny Indian space startups are going global Ever since being liberalized four years ago, Indias private space economy has expanded to now account for over 300 startups, as per union minister of state (MoS) for space, Jitendra Singh. In his speech at Indias maiden National Space Day on 23 August, Singh further said that the sector is currently worth $8 billionwith an eye on becoming a $44 billion sector by 2033. Various watchers of the industry have, however, questioned this valuation. In June this year, Mint reported that the sector was struggling to see demand, pushing even the forefront space startups to either expand to global markets, or slow down the push for business. For instance, Bengaluru-headquartered space startup Digantara is working on efforts to move to the US in a bid to address not just the North American market, but the entire region. Pixxel, Indias second most-funded and the only Google-backed space startup, is already drawing commercial revenue from a global clientele across Europe and North America. Also read | How student teams from India are building Mars rovers in their own backyard Others have slowed down business plans. Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, Indias most-funded space startup, is working on one launch only for 2024instead of the projected three. Fellow launch provider Agnikul Cosmos is also yet to confirm its next rocket launch date, with regularized commercial missions still distant. Both the officials cited above said that the survey by In-Space and MEA is looking to address all of these pain points for Indias fledgling space economy, which by practical measures accounts for less than 2% of the global private space industry. Theres also the question of India being the voice of the Global Souththis move can give India considerable geopolitical soft power, which will be key in future," the first official cited above said. New Delhi: The central government is looking at ways to reduce the prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) in India by, among other options, building consensus to bring it under the goods and services tax, as it seeks to make the country a competitive aviation hub. The strategic plan involves discussions with states to reduce taxes and allowing tax incentives for key stakeholders including airlines and oil companies, according to three people in the know of the developments. Compensation for states may also be considered to make up for the loss in revenue, the people said on the condition of anonymity. Ministries of civil aviation, petroleum & natural gas and finance and have been tasked with working out a solution to address the price disparity of ATF in the country, the people said. Jet fuel in India is about 60% costlier than the key refuelling hubs of Dubai, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur because of higher taxes. While bringing the fuel under GST could bring prices down, petroleum products have been kept out of the ambit of GST as they are key revenue sources of states. Since ATF costs make up almost 40% of the operating cost of airlines, bringing prices down can help boost air traffic. That dovetails with the governments objective of boosting Indias aviation sector by adding airports, pushing local manufacturing and developing MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) facilities. Also read | Aviation industry upset over jet fuel prices, seeks tax sops While bringing the fuel under goods and services tax (GST) could bring prices down and make them competitive, petroleum productsincluding petrol, diesel, natural and ATFhave been kept out of the ambit of GST as they are key revenue sources of states. A lot of refuelling traffic flies over India and can be tapped, according to Mark D. Martin, chief executive officer of aviation strategy firm Martin Consulting. "Benefits should be given to both domestic and international airlines in order to keep a level-playing field." Speaking to Mint, secretary to the ministry of civil aviation, V. Vualnam, said: We are directly engaged with the ministry of petroleum. The pricing mechanism was initially completely opaque, but now it is transparent. However, the prices are still higher than global trends. We are working to ensure that they are rationalized. This will take some time." Also read | Its sky high: The effect of surging prices of jet fuel A senior official at in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, "We are hoping for a positive outcome, as a competitive cost structure can make the Indian aviation market more attractive to foreign airlines and investors, potentially leading to partnerships, joint ventures, and greater foreign direct investment (FDI)." GST Conundrum ATF is costlier in India because of higher taxes. ATF prices currently attract value added taxes (VAT), and central and state excise duty. VAT varies from 1% to 30% across states. Amid efforts to make jet fuel cheaper, about 31 states and union territories have already lowered the levy to the range of 1-5%, while five tax it at 20-30%. In July, the union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri had said the ministry would work towards bringing petrol, diesel and ATF under GST. The decision on bringing a commodity under GST regime would require approval from the GST Council, which includes finance ministers from all the states. Also read | Disquiet at airlines as govt pushes for greener jet fuel Queries sent to the union ministry of petroleum & natural gas and finance and commerce and industry remained unanswered till press time. State-run oil retailers revise ATF prices every month. On 2 September, the price of ATF in Delhi for domestic airlines was cut 4.58% or 4,495.5 per kilolitre to 93,480.22 per kilolitre as crude prices cooled globally amid concerns about a slowdown. Brent has declined over 20% in the past one year to trade below $75 a barrel. Aviation is a key economic driver and contributor for the country which has been burdened under taxes and there is an urgent need to boost support it," said Mark D. Martin, chief executive officer of aviation strategy firm Martin Consulting. The industry has for long been demanding rationalization of VAT. GST would have softened the situation. It is high time tax rationalization is done." Agrochemical companies find themselves in a spot even as monsoon has gained momentum lately. The June quarter (Q1FY25) earnings were a mixed bag. The sector's revenue fell 2.5% year-on-year, and operating margin declined 40 basis points to around 13.3%, according to India Ratings & Research. One basis point is 0.01%. Agrochemical companies fetching higher domestic revenue share saw increased volumes aided by robust domestic demand. This led to better operational efficiencies and fixed cost absorption. On the other hand, companies with a comparatively higher export share saw a contraction in margins, despite some volume improvement due to the weak pricing environment, it said in a note dated 6 September. Generally, robust rainfall and higher crop sowing bode well for seeds and pesticide consumption, aiding demand outlook for agrochemical companies. But this time, despite the steep pick-up in the rainfall momentum seen in July and August, the September quarter (Q2FY25) could be lackluster. In a report on 4 September, HSBC Global Research said it expects moderate growth for agrochemical companies in Q2 (lower than 10% year-on-year revenue growth) due to factors, including regional skew of rainfall causing pesticide spray misses and change in cropping pattern, mainly shift from high pesticide consuming cotton to other crops. In fact, the management of Dhanuka Agritech Ltd recently told analysts at Kotak Institutional Equities that excessive rainfall across large parts of India has impacted the usage of agrochemicals and would lead to a slowdown in growth in Q2. Additionally, in the international market, inventory challenges and volatile demand conditions are playing spoilsport. For instance, UPL Ltd management in Q1FY25 earnings call said that it encountered difficulties from international market pressures, particularly due to oversupply and pricing issues from China. PI Industries Ltd saw slower growth in exports with the performance of new products being relatively subdued. Rallis India Ltds management mentioned in the Q1 call that demand recovery remains slow because key markets such as Brazil and the US saw volume growth, but pricing remains weak due to oversupply from China. This pain is likely to persist for at least three more months, it added. But, this problem is not restricted to only Indian companies. International agrochemical companies also continue to face challenges due to high global inventory and muted demand. Companies such as FMC and BASF also reported dull revenue growth in the June quarter. Silver lining The second half of FY25 is anticipated to be relatively better as excess channel inventory may start getting liquidated, thus resulting in normalization of inventory levels. But the pace of recovery would be modest. Plus, the risk of Chinese dumping still looms. In this backdrop, it remains to be seen whether the slow pace of revival puts the capital expenditure plans of agrochemical companies in a limbo. As per Centrum Brokings estimates, capex growth for agrochemical companies in FY25 would be just 9% year-on-year. In comparison, other chemical companies are likely to see an impressive 24% capex growth in FY25. Meanwhile, in the last six months, there has been an increased traction in agrochemical stocks, especially those deriving relatively higher business from domestic operations. For instance, shares of Dhanuka Agritech and Sumitomo Chemicals have risen by over 50% each. Expectations of an above normal rainfall is said to have garnered investors attention in these stocks as domestic agrochemicals demand is said to have high co-relation with the forecast/progress of monsoon. Remember in FY24, domestic agrochemical demand took a beating as crop output was hurt by El Nino conditions. This led to earnings downgrades. In the current backdrop, despite hopes of marginal recovery in the second half of FY25, valuations of many agrochemical stocks are trading above historical averages. Also Read: Chemicals companies capex intensity is poised to take a breather Mumbai: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Monday lifted the restrictions imposed in a 2021 order on a section of Infosys employees, and connected entities, following allegations of insider trading. On 15 September 2021, Sebi had upheld its interim order of 31 May 2021, barring six entitiesPranshu Bhutra, Amit Bhutra, Bharath C. Jain, Capital One Partners, Tesora Capital, and Venkata Subramaniam V.from trading in the companys securities. Pranshu Bhutra and Subramaniam held senior positions at Infosys. Sebi also investigated the trading activity of Capital One and Tesora Capital, both partnership entities. Subsequently, in May 2022, the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) lifted the restrictions on the noticees. However, Sebi continued its investigation into the allegations and later issued the final order on Monday. According to Sebi, the evidence on record was insufficient to support the allegations against Pranshu and Amit Bhutra, leading to the dismissal of allegations against all noticees. Also read | Mint Explainer: How Sebi wants to prevent insider trading violations I hereby direct that the restraint imposed on noticees 2 to 7 through interim order read with the confirmatory order shall stand vacated with immediate effect. The instant proceedings against all noticees are disposed of without any direction, Sebi's whole-time member Ashwani Bhatia said. The allegations were that the entities traded in Infosys futures and options just before the announcement of financial results for the quarter ended 30 June 2020. According to Sebi, the unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI) period spanned 29 June to 15 July 2020. The central issue revolved around the fact that Subramaniam was listed as a designated person with reasonable access to the companys UPSI, while Amit Bhutra and Jain were working partners at Capital One, and Amit Bhutra was a partner at Tesora. Sebi noted that the combination of these factors, coupled with phone calls between Pranshu Bhutra to Subramaniam and then to his cousin Amit Bhutra before the trades were executed by Capital One and Tesora, prima facie created a credible suspicion of insider trading. Also read | DGGI to scrutinize Infosys tax liabilities year by year, to take up FY19 next The chain of connections and activities among the entities supported this suspicion based on the weight of evidence, Sebi added. In its final order, Sebi, however, stated that its investigation had failed to establish any evidence of calls exchanged between Venkat and Sunil during the UPSI period for the quarter ended 30 June 2022. "In my view, given that it has not been proved that Venkat had access to UPSI, no adverse finding may be drawn from the above mentioned observation. Once the allegations against Pranshu that he had access to UPSI failed, the allegation that Pranshu had communicated the UPSI to Ankit Bhutra cannot be sustained. As a consequence, the allegations against all other noticees do not stand", the Sebi order added. Stock Market today: Gala Precision Engineering share price opened at 721.10 on NSE and 750 on BSE, both reflecting substantial premiums over the IPO price. The share price thereby rose to 757.15 on the NSE hitting upper circuit limit while hit high of 787 on the BSE. Post decent listing gains and rise in share price, analysts are of the opinion to book certain part of listing gains Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd, said that Despite pressure in the markets, Gala Precision managed to list in line with our expectations. Even though the offer was fully priced on the higher side with OFS, Gala Precision received a healthy 201x subscription demand considering the market optimism at the time offer bidding. Considering its business model of manufacturing precision components having specialization in technical springs and the healthy listing gain above 40%, Tapse recommends allotted investors to choose booking profits on the listing day. Also Read | SpiceJet share price gains 5% on debt restructuring agreement Considering its business model of manufacturing precision components having specialization in technical springs and the healthy listing gain above 40%, We recommended allotted investors to choose booking profits on the listing day. Shivani Nyati, Head of Wealth at Swastika Investmart Ltd. said that *Gala Precision Engineering Limited (GPEL) made a strong debut on the stock market, listing at Rs. 750 per share, a significant 41% premium over its issue price of Rs. 529. This positive performance reflects the company's robust fundamentals and the strong investor interest evident in the IPO's oversubscription of 201.41 times. Investors who participated in the IPO are likely sitting on a healthy profit, but it's important to maintain a cautious approach and continue monitoring the company's performance and market conditions. Despite the promising listing, factors such as industry trends, competition, and global economic conditions may still influence the long-term trajectory, said Nyati For those considering holding it, you may keep a stoploss at 675, added Nyati Strong subscription and GMP already indicated good listing gains The subscription received by the Gala Precision Engineering IPO and the Grey Market Premium had indicated towards the strong opening and listing gains for the investors. Gala Precision Engineering IPO had been subscribed more than 200 times by the 4 September, 2024 (Day 3). In the unlisted market, shares of Gala Precision Engineering were trading at a reasonable premium. The current IPO GMP for Gala Precision Engineering IPO stood at 245 per share as per investorgain.com. This shows that, in comparison to its IPO price, Gala Precision Engineering shares were trading 245 higher in the gray market. The market was thereby expecting the listing of the Gala Precision Engineering share price at 774, 46.31% above the issue price of 529. About Gala Precision Engineering and issue objectives The 167.93 crore Gala Precision Engineering IPO is a book-built issue. The issue consisted of an offer for sale for 0.06 crore shares, valued at 32.59 crores, and a new issuance of 0.26 crore shares, valued at 135.34 crores. The Gala Precision Engineering products are utilized in mobility segments including automobile and railway, as well as in industries like electrical, off-highway equipment, infrastructure, and general engineering. The company is an essential link in the global supply chain for OEMs, having supplied its high tensile fasteners and specialized springs to customers in Germany, Denmark, China, Italy, Brazil, USA, Sweden, and Switzerland. The company plans to use the Net Proceeds from the IPO to finance the establishment of a new facility for the production of hex bolts and high tensile fasteners at Vallam-Vadagal, SIPCOT, Sriperumbuddur, Tamil Nadu for the financing of necessary capital expenditures for the acquisition of machinery, plant, and equipment at Wada, Palghar, Maharashtra For the repayment or prepayment, in full or in part, of certain loans that the company has taken and for the general corporate purposes. Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to open lower on Monday tracking weakness in global equities. The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a negative start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 24,843 level, a discount of nearly 66 points from the Nifty futures previous close. On Friday, the domestic equity market indices ended sharply lower, with the benchmark Nifty 50 closing below 24,900 level. The Sensex plunged 1,017.23 points, or 1.24%, to close at 81,183.93, while the Nifty 50 settled 292.95 points, or 1.17%, lower at 24,852.15. Nifty 50 formed a long bear candle on the daily chart, which is indicating a sharp downside reversal for the market. Also Read | Indian stock market: 8 key things that changed for market over weekend The cluster support of 25,000 has been broken decisively on the downside and Nifty closed lower. This pattern is indicating a confirmation of short-term top reversal pattern at 25,333 levels. Nifty on the weekly chart formed a long bear candle that has engulfed the previous long bull candle completely. This pattern could be considered as a 'Bearish Engulfing' pattern and this is a negative indication for the market ahead, said Nagaraj Shetti, Senior Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities. He believes the short-term uptrend of Nifty 50 seems to have reversed down and the market is expected to shift into near term downward correction ahead. Having broken below the immediate support at 25,000 levels, the next lower support is placed around 24,500. Immediate resistance is at 25,050, Shetti added. Heres what to expect from Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty today: Nifty 50 Prediction Nifty 50 witnessed sharp decline on September 6 and closed the day lower by 292 points below the 24,900 level. Nifty saw selloff in Fridays trades and closed below its support level of 25,050. From a short term perspective, Nifty will find strong resistance around 25,050 - 25,100 levels, and move towards those levels can be used to reduce trading long positions, said Aditya Agarwal, Head of Derivatives and Technical at Sanctum Wealth. On the lower side, he believes the index will find strong support around 24,760 and below that can see further corrections that can drag Nifty towards 24,600 levels. Praveen Dwarakanath, Vice President, Hedged.in noted that Nifty has weekly support at 24,770 levels, a break of which can take Nifty to 24,350 levels. Nifty has created an engulfing candle on the weekly chart, indicating bearishness in the index. On the weekly chart, RSI negative divergence is evident, suggesting further downside in the index from the present levels. Option writers data for September expiry shows short covering in the puts and increased writing in OTM calls. No significant writing was seen in ITM calls, indicating a possible halt of fall at the weekly support of Nifty at 24,770 levels, said Dwarakanath. VLA Ambala, Co-Founder of Stock Market Today noted that Nifty breached its key support at 25,000, leading to an expected market sell-off amid weaker global conditions. She expects the Nifty 50 index could find support levels around 24,760 and 24,630, whereas resistance will likely be between 25,000 and 25,100 in todays session. Bank Nifty Prediction Bank Nifty index cracked 896.20 points, or 1.74%, to close at 50,576.85 on Friday, and formed a bearish candle on the weekly chart. Bank Nifty has a weekly support at 50,400 level, a break of which can take Bank Nifty to 49,300 levels. Bank Nifty has created a strong bearish candle on the weekly chart, indicating weakness in the index. On the weekly chart, RSI shows the momentum on the downside picking up. ADX on the weekly chart shows no clear direction, indicating a possible recovery from the fall, said Dwarakanath. Option writer's data for September expiry increased writing in OTM calls. No significant writing was seen in ITM calls or OTM puts, indicating a possible halt of fall at the weekly support of Bank Nifty at 50,400 levels, he added. Aditya Agarwal noted that Bank Nifty underperformed broader indices in the last trading session and closed below its 13 DEMA. Short term structure has deteriorated for index and below 50,400 can see correction towards 50,000 levels. On the higher side, Bank Nifty will find resistance around 50,900 - 51,100 levels and can see selling pressure around those levels, Agarwal said. In The Diary of a CEO , Steven Bartlett writes that the first law of business and life is filling five buckets"knowledge, skill, network, resources and reputation. For Rudra Chatterjee, each bucket is full to the brim. The 47-year-old chairperson of Obeetee Carpets and managing director of Luxmi Tea holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a Masters in design history from Oxford University; his network comprises advisors and friends like Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee and current Bangladesh PM Mohammed Yunus; and both his companies have received numerous awards. Growing up, Chatterjee studied at St. Xaviers school in Kolkata and spent his vacations at the Shyamaguri tea estate with his grandfather, Paresh Chandra Chatterjee, a freedom fighter who started the tea business in 1912. His early memories are of spending time in homes of tea workers sipping black tea brewed with a pinch of salt and served with puffed rice. It forged a sense of communitythat he calls emotionto run a business. What do you enjoy most about your work? I have an interest in everybody's business, not just my familys. I love all facets of running a firm, from finance to marketing and operations. I applied for an internship at the management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton after Columbia Business School, and it taught me to open the hood and look at businesses. I enjoy looking at the numbers all the time and like to be multi-dimensional. The end game is to build businesses with impact, profits and imagination. Who do you consider your mentor? When I was at Columbia Business School, I met someone who had a lasting influence: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who started a global microfinance movement to eradicate poverty. While chatting with him, I felt it was a much better model, especially for us because we employ weavers and tea workers. To learn more, I started hounding him for an internship. Although he told me he didnt have an internship system, I managed to convince him. Eventually, I interned with his venture Grameen Bank that gives small loans without any collateral. That experience strengthened my conviction that our tea and carpet businesses can also be social businesses, along with being profit-making. I was determined to find ways to empower workers. Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa opened at our Maikaibari tea estate in Darjeeling in 2020. It boosted tourism and local economy. And I saw this as an opportunity to build rooms in the homes of the tea estate workers that they could rent to tourists who couldnt afford to stay at the Taj. Similarly, the workers are encouraged to grow ashwagandha, turmeric and tulsi which we buy for our flavoured teas. I've recently invited Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to work with Luxmi Tea to see how we can supplement incomes of our tea workers. How do you unwind? I discovered a love for trekking on a college expedition to Machu Picchu. A decade or so later, I planned one of my first treks in India, the Sandakphu route that needed a pit-stop in Darjeeling. The family knew Rajah Banerjee who owned Makaibari in Darjeeling and I stayed with them. We were enjoying an evening together when Rajah asked if Id be interested in running his estate, and that's how I acquired Makaibari in December 2013. Somehow, work intersects with my love for trekking. I made a trekking expedition to Tanzanias Kilimanjaro in 2014, and thats where I started looking at African tea estates. Im also interested in craft, which set me off on another academic pursuit. In 2023, I got a Masters Degree in History of Design from the Oxford University. Monday Motivation is a series in which business leaders discuss their mentors and their work ethics. Keralas festival of Onam, which commemorates the return of the mythological King Mahabali to his kingdom, is celebrated across the state and communities. This 10-day cultural and harvest festival culminates on Thiruvonam (on 15 September, this year), the last and most auspicious day, with an Onam sadya , a traditional feast. What makes this meal exciting is that it has several regional variations. Kerala can be viewed as comprising three partsthe north (also part of the Malabar region) has districts like Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram. Central Kerala has Palakkad, Thrissur, and Ernakulam, among others. Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, and Trivandrum are districts of southern Kerala, also known as the Travancore region. A sadya will have the banana leaf filled with pazham (ripe bananas), ethakka upperi (nendran banana chips), sharkara varatti (jaggery-coated banana chips), a chammanthi (a dry coconut chutney), inji puli (ginger relish) and a range of pickles. Classic sadya dishes include parippu (lentils), mathanga erissery (pumpkin gravy), olan (ash gourd gravy), pineapple kichadi (sweet and sour dish), avial (seasonal vegetables in coconut and yogurt), kalan (raw bananas and coconut), thoran (stir-fried vegetables with coconut), kootu curry (yam-based), sambar, rasam, local matta rice and seasoned buttermilk. The meal usually ends with various kinds of payasamlike pal (milk), ada pradhaman (made with rice flakes, coconut milk, and jaggery), pazham pradhaman (banana and jaggery) and more. Also read: A recipe for inji puli from a book on Onam sadya In central Kerala, like Thrissur, theres meat on the menu, but, in places like Kannur in the north, a fish fry is added. In Kozhikode, I have even seen chicken or fish curries included," says Ummi Abdulla, author of A Kitchen Full of Stories (2018), the first book on Mappila cuisine. View Full Image Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan with an inmate of Sree Chitra shelter home, in Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday, Sept 10, 2024. The food was arranged by the Governor as part of Onam celebrations. (PTI) Bengaluru-based Tresa Francis, founder and chef of the catering service Travancore Tasties and the restaurant Coracle, contrasts the pineapple pachadi of southern Kerala with Thrissurs Madhura curry. While both feature pineapple and coconut, the pachadi includes yoghurt, whereas Madhura curry adds grapes and often omits the yoghurt. She finds it interesting that the kappa (tapioca), which is a staple in Kerala cuisine, does not find a place on any sadya. There are climatic reasons to why sadya dishes are cooked in certain ways. According to chef Regi Mathew, co-owner Kappa Chakka Kandhari (KCK; Bengaluru and Chennai), The kalan in the southern parts is like a moru (yogurt) curry, whereas in the central region of Thrissur, the same recipe becomes kurukku kalan, a drier version. Similarly, the Thrissur sadya has the erissery in a thick, dry consistency, whereas, in Trivandrum, its a semi-gravy. The Thrissur avial is drier compared to that of central Travancore or Trivandrum." He explains that in his conversations with Unnikrishnan Namboodiri, an Ayurveda medical practitioner, temple priest and lead sadya chef for KCKs menus this year, Mathew learnt that drier variations tend to have a longer shelf life, considering the heat of the northern Kerala regions, and also give a good bite to the vegetables. Additionally, the souring agents differ. Theres yogurt in the north and central regions, but not in the south. Tamarind, and in some places even bilimbi (tree sorrel) is used," he says. Last year, the culinary students of the department of hotel management, Christ College, Bengaluru, with the guidance of chef instructor Jonathan Bhavyan Gnanasekhar, set out an elaborate sadya for diners, as part of a culinary showcase. Gnanasekhar unpacks several influences on the sadya. Over the centuries, Kerala has welcomed people from various places, India and abroad, driven largely by trade. Trivandrum was a major seaport, and besides seeing Dutch and Portuguese settlers, it had traders from the east and west of India dock here before heading to the Gulf. The parippu in north Kerala is thick, dry, and made with toor dal (pigeon pea), whereas in the Travancore region in the south, it is a runny gravy made of moong dal (green gram). Gnanasekhar attributes this difference in consistency to the influence of the Dutch and Portuguese, who preferred to have stew-like dishes as a meal, leading to its evolution this way. Another interesting influence, also attributed to traders, is Trivandrums inclusion of boli and pal payasam in the sadya. Boli, similar to Maharashtras puran poli and Karnatakas holige or obattu, is a sweet flatbread stuffed with chana dal (Bengal gram). Eating boli with pal payasam poured over it is seen only in Trivandrum. The tradition of ending a meal with a sweet was introduced by the East India Company. Dry sweets travelled well from England to India, popularising the concept. As British control over key ports tightened, Indian traders began using southern Indian ports, which were less restricted. This led to the introduction of local dry sweets with a long shelf life, like boli, to Trivandrum. Adding pal payasam to it was a way of staying true to ones roots while imbibing a new culinary tradition," explains Gnanasekhar. Every person making the sadya also brings in their influences, family recipes, and more. What stands true, is that in all its avatars, it is truly a feast fit for a king. Ruth Dsouza Prabhu is a features journalalist based in Bengaluru. Also read: The wild foods of Maharashtra The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Monday, September 9, that ISIS radicals responsible for the blast at Bengaluru's Rameshwaram cafe used 'Bangladeshi identity' and cryptocurrency. The Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet against the four accused in the Rameshwaram cafe blast case. The NIA release identified the accused as Mussavir Hussain Shazib, Abdul Mateen Ahmed Taaha, Maaz Muneer Ahmed, and Muzammil Shareef. They have been charged under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P) A), Explosive Substances Act, and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act (PDPP). Also Read | Rameshwaram cafe owner faces scorn over response to food authority action Two of the accused, Taaha and Shazib, were ISIS radicals and residents of Shivamogga district in Karnataka. Both of them used fraudulently obtained Indian SIM cards and Indian bank accounts. They also used various Indian and Bangladeshi Identity documents downloaded from the Dark Web, the release said. Additionally, Taaha and Shazib were funded through cryptocurrencies, which Taaha converted to fiat currency through Telegram-based P2P platforms. They used these funds to carry out violent activities in Bengaluru. These activities included a failed IED attack at the State BJP Office, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, on the day of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. After this failed attempt, they planned the Rameshwaram cafe blast, the release said. All four were arrested earlier and are currently in judicial custody in the case. The explosion in Rameshwaram Cafe, Brookfield, ITPL Bengaluru, took place on March 1, which left nine persons injured and massively damaged the hotel property. Also Read | Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast case: NIA probe suggests Pakistan connection The NIA started an investigation on March 3. The NIA conducted technical and field investigations in collaboration with state police forces and other agencies. According to the investigation, Shazib had planted the bomb. (Bloomberg) -- The price of Bavarian Nordic A/Ss mpox vaccine is set to become a key sticking point in talks to secure millions of shots for Africa, with the Danish company under growing pressure to lower its charge. As the first batch of more than 200,000 doses arrive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, talks led by agencies including Unicef are underway to secure more vaccines for crisis-hit African countries. Initial agreements are slated to be finalized by mid-September. Bavarian Nordic, one of the few companies with an approved mpox vaccine, is set to be a key supplier of as many as 12 million doses that the agencies plan to procure by 2025 to deal with an mpox outbreak declared a global public health emergency. But with a shot significantly pricier than many other vaccines commonly used for immunization in Africa, costs remain a key barrier to getting more orders in place. The Africa Centres for Disease Control has pegged the price for Bavarians vaccine at $100 per dose, while the World Health Organization quoted it at $141. Thats more than what most countries on the continent can afford and more than many spend on health per capita in the face of multiple health challenges, including cholera, measles, malaria and HIV. Pricing is a problem, said Helen Rees, chair of the WHOs African advisory group on immunization. The price has put the jab among the treatments where the cost is going to make things prohibitive, she added. A pricing model used by global vaccine alliance Gavi has previously beaten down the cost of shots by securing large volumes, making it viable for manufacturers and helping ensure products get where they need to be. But at this stage, Bavarians mpox jab doesnt fit that structure, she said. In this kind of circumstance, youve got limited supply and a manufacturing side of things that is expensive this is not a cheap product to make, Rees said. Theres a real cost associated. The spread of the new strain of mpox from Congo where children account for more than 80% of deaths from the disease has seen the number of cases on the continent increase in nations such as Burundi and Gabon. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has urged countries stockpiling vaccines to donate. Compared with other commonly used vaccines in low- and middle-income countries, Bavarians shot sold under the names Jynneos, Imvamune and Imvanex is considerably more expensive, said Andrew Hill, a senior research fellow at the University of Liverpool, who studies the cost of drugs. Vaccines against most infectious diseases typically cost $1 to $3 per dose when given as part of mass vaccination programs to millions of people, he said. Cost-Prohibitive? Bavarian Nordic cant carry on charging these high prices in Africa and will have to give large discounts or grant permission to generic companies to mass produce this vaccine at close to cost price, Hill said. Otherwise, Africa wont be able to afford to protect their population as the epidemic of the new clade Ib grows, he said. Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, in a letter to Bavarian last month urged the company to provide equitable access to the mpox vaccine, saying it feared that Bavarian with its pricing may be exploiting the latest global health crisis, putting profits over people. With few rivals for its vaccine in Africa, Bavarian is in the drivers seat in setting the price for its jab. While Emergent BioSolutions Inc. and KM Biologics Co. have developed mpox vaccines, theres a very big difference between the three vaccines that tilt in Bavarians favor, said Thomas Bowers, health-care equity analyst at Danske Bank A/S. Emergent BioSolutions ACAM2000, which obtained FDA approval for mpox in late August, isnt recommended for people with a weak immune system and, therefore, probably wont be used in Africa, Bowers said. Japans LC16 vaccine made by KM Biologics is likely to form part of Africas vaccine program, but wont trigger competition on prices, he said. Meanwhile, Moderna Inc. and BioNTech SEs mRNA vaccine candidates are still quite a few years from the market. The challenge for Bavarian is to negotiate a price that nations can afford but that remains commercially viable. Chief Executive Officer Paul Chaplin in an interview last month recognized that pricing no doubt is going be an issue, saying the company wants to look at it responsibly but find the right balance. At the end of the day, if we financially damage Bavarian Nordic in any way, that doesnt benefit the worlds society because then theres no vaccine available for anyone, Chaplin said. Chief Financial Officer Henrik Juuel told the Danish state broadcaster last week that Bavarian, when negotiating the price with Unicef, will take into account which countries will pay. Bavarian also entered agreements during the last mpox outbreak with differentiated prices depending on the country buying them, according to a company spokesperson. Large Discount Bowers of Danske Bank expects a price of roughly $100 per dose for organizations in Africa buying the vaccine, saying this is still a relatively large discount compared to the private market in the US, where the net price is around $200. Even if you can produce the dose for $10 or $20 apiece, thats only the production itself, but owners have invested billions of kroner into developing the vaccine and preparing it for production, and they have taken a big risk, Bowers said. Thats also part of what has been put into the dose price. So its natural that you dont just give it away as a gift. Yet $100 is still double the price being paid in some instances by the American government, which Bowers said gets a discount because its sponsored the entire development program. Health organizations in Africa could negotiate a lower price if they make larger orders and commit to a vaccine program of at least four to five years, Bowers said. A long-term commitment would give more security for Bavarian, which pays for the maintenance and upkeep of factories even when theyre not producing any vaccine, he said. While the jab has passed clinical trials as a two-dose immunization, its unclear whether countries in Africa would go for a one-shot approach to halve the cost. According to Bavarians CEO, data from a number of studies show that a single dose offers up to 80% efficacy and a significant reduction in hospitalizations. You can follow Bloombergs reporting on Africa on WhatsApp. Sign up here. --With assistance from Naomi Kresge and Jason Gale. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com (Bloomberg) -- China hawks in the US House are working to overcome a last-ditch lobbying effort and pass legislation as early as Monday night that would blacklist Chinese biotech companies and their US subsidiaries. At stake, the bills backers argue, is whether China will dominate another field the US pioneered, amid fears China could engineer bioweapons or otherwise capitalize on biological data vacuumed up from the rest of the world. The legislation which passed the House Oversight Committee 40-1 in May, would affect five companies to start: BGI Group, BGI spinoffs MGI Tech and MGIs US subsidiary Complete Genomics, WuXi AppTec, and WuXi Biologics. The measure, dubbed the Biosecure Act, is the latest power flex by lawmakers who have already succeeded this year in requiring Chinese-based parent company Bytedance Ltd. to divest from TikTok or face a US ban on the popular social media site. Bloomberg Intelligence gives the biosecurity bill a 70% chance of becoming law given strong support in both the House and the Senate. Numerous other bills targeting China are set for votes this week, including legislation targeting the Chinese supply chains for electric vehicles as well as other industries. The companies, whose stocks have fallen this year amid the blacklisting effort, have argued they arent a national security threat and are focused on health innovation. Complete Genomics has said the bill would bolster the already dominant market share of US rival Illumina Inc., and said it sells DNA sequencing machines but does not collect or access genetic data, which is controlled by their clients. One prominent Democrat, Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, has asked his colleagues to sink the bill, sending a letter arguing it picks companies to punish with no clear standard and should be reworked. In the United States of America, Congress does not just pick companies to punish at random with no clear criteria or due process, wrote McGovern, who also opposed the TikTok bill. He noted his own work against the Chinese regime led Beijing to sanction him last month and forbid him from entering the country. Complete Genomics announced in May its opening a lab in Massachusetts high-tech corridor, near McGoverns district. And China-based WuXi Biologics announced in January it is expanding a facility in his district, which is expected to add 200 new jobs. McGovern said on the House floor Monday he would be prepared to shut down companies, even the one in his district, if there was evidence of bad behavior. This is how they do things in China. The PRC officials decide they dont like you so they blackball you, he said of the legislation. Republican Brad Wenstrup of Ohio, the bills primary sponsor, said the companies were named because they are aligned with the Chinese Communist Party, which is intent on dominating the biotech industry, and said millions of Americans data is potentially at risk. Speaker Mike Johnson previewed the vote in a speech in July, arguing that business relationships with Chinese biotech companies would leave federal contractors beholden to a US adversary and endanger Americans health care data. The legislation also has implications for the global pharmaceutical industry, as much of the worlds drug supply chain includes active ingredients produced by Chinese biotechnology companies. Companies and researchers that receive US funding could continue using the Chinese companies products, like Complete Genomics DNA sequencing machines, until 2032 under existing contracts via a grandfather clause. Rand Paul, a libertarian-minded Kentucky Republican who was the sole vote against a Senate version of the biosecurity bill in committee, told Bloomberg in July hed block quick passage of the legislation. I think its a mistake to let hysteria over China stop international trade, he said, warning that trade isolationism could lead to war. But Pauls resistance may not be enough to sink the bill entirely. Senators are discussing adding the legislation to the chambers annual defense policy bill. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com An Akasa Air passenger onboard a Gorakhpur-Bengaluru flight complained of being served expired food packets, reported PTI on Sunday. The airline company issued a clarification on the matter and admitted that a few passengers were inadvertently served refreshments that did not meet the quality standards. The airline has also initiated a detailed probe into the incident and has expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to its passengers. The incident came to light when the airline passenger shared the incident on social media. Consequentially, the airline issued a statement acknowledging the fault at service and said that it acknowledges the concern raised by the passenger. Upon preliminary investigation, it was found that a few passengers were inadvertently served refreshments that did not meet our quality standards, read a statement by Akasa Air regarding the concern raised by a passenger, onboard flight QP 1883 from Gorakhpur to Bengaluru. "We are in touch with the passenger concerned and are undertaking a detailed investigation with a view to ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future," the statement added. Also Read | DGCA issues show cause notice to Akasa Air over multiple regulatory breaches In another incident of passenger inconvenience, several people travelling on an IndiGo's Delhi-Varanasi flight complained of discomfort due to an alleged air condition system malfunction. The airline has issued an apology after a video from the flight showed the flyers in utter discomfort, and many passengers claimed that a few co-passengers fainted due to intense heat and suffocation on the flight. The airline apologised for the incident but rejected the claim of AC malfunction. In a press statement, the air carrier issued an apology for he inconvenience to passengers of flight 6E 2235 on 5 September and explained that the cabin temperature was adjusted in response to passenger requests. With barely a month left the 10-day-long Durga Puja to begin, the auspicious festival is most likely to put a big hole in common people's pockets of Bengalis in West Bengal. This is simply because of one prime reason: the military-backed interim government of Bangladesh's ban on the export of hilsa (ilish) fish to India. Due to this, there would be a huge shortage of the celebrated fish in India, and the prices are bound to exceed expectations. According to a report by the Bangladeshi daily, Dhaka Tribune, the advisor to the Bangladesh Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Farida Akhter had confirmed the ban of the export of ilish to India citing they need to ensure sufficient supply for local consumers. "We cannot allow ilish to be exported while our own people cannot buy them. This year, I have instructed the Ministry of Commerce to prevent any ilish exports to India during Durga Puja," Dhaka Tribune quoted an adviser to the Bangladesh Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Farida Akhter said last week. Each year before and during Durga Puja, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used to continue the long-standing practice of her country sending large consignments of Padma ilish to India. But things have changed rapidly since her exile months ago and the new government taking over. Also Read | Sheikh Hasina returning to Bangladesh? War crimes tribunal to seek extradition Ilish ban: Bangladesh, which produces around 70 per cent of the world's ilish national fish of country imposed a ban on its export back in 2012 due to disputes over the Teesta River water-sharing agreement. However, then, PM Hasina used to facilitate the export of 'illish' fish before Durga Puja, Poila Boisakh (Bengali New Year) and Jamai Soshti (a ritual in the honour son-in-laws). The ban continued until 2022, after which Bangladesh lifted it. On 21 September 2023, nine cargo trucks (each with five tonnes of ilish loaded on it) arrived from Barishal via the Petrapole land port at Bongaon in West Bengal's 24 Parganas (N), reported The Telegraph. This was a special gesture for Durga Puja by the Bangladesh Ministry of Commerce, which had permitted 79 fish exporters to send 3,950 tonnes of hilsa to India. But now, the caretaker government of Bangladesh has reimposed the ban on ilish. Despite this, Indians will get supplies from Odisha, Myanmar, and Gujarat, and the prices of the celebrated fish will increase. How much ilish may cost? With the ban reimposed again by the Bangladesh government, the prices of ilish are bound to soar during Durga Puja. According to a report India Today, the retailers at Delhi's CR part are expecting a price of 2,200 to 2,400 a kilo for 1-1.3-kg-size hilsa from Bangladesh. This was between 1,800 and 2,000 a kilo a few months ago. Bengaluru news: Train operations at Bengaluru Cantonment (BNC) railway station will be partially affected from September 20 to December 20, 2024, due to station redevelopment works. Platforms 2 and 3 of this station would remain shut during this period. According to an official statement from the Southern Railway (SR), 44 trains have been cancelled over a period of 92 days. Trains cancelled, rescheduled Here's the new schedule of trains that have been cancelled on certain dates or have been rescheduled: The Weekly Superfast Express train, 22135, will make its routine journey from Mysuru to Renigunta, with stops at Jolarpettai and Katpadi. It will depart at 11 pm on these dates: September 20 and September 27; October 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2024. Also Read | 6 Ganesh Pandals to visit in Bangalore For November and December, the Weekly Superfast train will run on these dates: November 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29; December 6, 13. Shatabdi Express train no 12028, running between KSR Bengaluru and Dr MGR Chennai Central stations, will leave KSR at 6 am. This train will not ply on Tuesdays from September 20 to December 20, 2024. For those planning to travel between Bengaluru and Ernakulam, Express train number 12677 will depart from KSR Bengaluru at 6:10 am. For people travelling from KSR Bengaluru (Majestic) to Dr MGR Chennai Central, the Lalbagh Express 12608 will depart KSR Bengaluru at 06:20 am. Meanwhile, the Murdeshwar-SMVT Bengaluru Express (16586) will depart from Murdeshwar at 2:10 pm. The train will follow this schedule from September 19 to December 19, 2024, with key stops at Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction. The Superfast Express train (number 12610) will depart from Mysuru to Dr MGR Chennai Central at 5:00 am. The special MEMU passenger train 06551, running between KSR Bengaluru and Jolarpettai stations, will commence its journey from Bengaluru at 8:45 am. The Bagmati Weekly Express (12578) will have stops in Jolarpettai, Katpadi, Arakkonam, and Perambur. This train will depart Mysore at 10:30 in the morning on specific dates during the period of development works at stations. The Double Decker Express (22626) will depart from Dr MGR Chennai Central at 1:30 pm. The Brindavan Express, train number 12640, is scheduled to depart SMVT Bengaluru at 3:10 pm. AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan has been remanded in judicial custody till September 23 as the ED probes the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case. The senior politician was taken into custody earlier this month following a search at his Okhla residence. Khan was produced before the Rouse Avenue court on Monday afternoon after his seven-day Enforcement Directorate custody ran out. The order was passed after the ED sought his detention in judicial custody. The probe agency said Khan might influence witnesses and hamper the investigation if he was released. The ED told the court that Khan had been non-cooperative during his earlier remand. He had been arrested on September 2 after being evasive while answering certain questions during searches at his home. The money laundering probe against Khan stems from two FIRs, one registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi Wakf Board-related "irregularities" and another by the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch related to a case of alleged possession of disproportionate assets. Khan is under scrutiny over the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case linked to the purchase of a property worth 36 crores. Four people have been accused of aiding the purchase with the AAP leader named as the main accused. Special public prosecutor Manish Jain had earlier said that the funds in question were derived from criminal activities. Several key AAP leaders have been arrested by federal agencies in recent years in connection with various money laundering cases including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were released on bail earlier this year while former minister Satyendar Jain remains in custody. The AAP has stoutly defended Khan, claiming he had been framed in a "false" case like its other leaders for raising their voice against the BJP. Reacting sharply to former Congress chief and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhis controversial comments on the BJPs ideological parent, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, in the US, Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday said that if there is any technology to connect with the deceased, the Congress leader should ask his grandmother (Indira Gandhi) about the role of the RSS. "If there is any technology to go to his grandmother and ask her about the role of RSS, then go and ask or look in the pages of history. To know about RSS, Rahul Gandhi will have to take many births. A traitor cannot know RSS. Those who go abroad and criticise the country cannot know RSS, Giriraj Singh said. Also Read | Bharat Jodo Yatra introduced idea of love in politics: Rahul Gandhi in Texas The Union Minister went on to say, "It seems Rahul Gandhi travels abroad only to defame India. He will never be able to comprehend the RSS in this lifetime, as it is rooted in the values and culture of India". Giriraj Singhs reaction came hours after the Congress sitting MP fromRae Bareli, while addressing the Indian diaspora in Texas, Gandhi slammed RSS and commented that the BJPs ideological parent believes in one idea of India, whereas the Congress party believes it to be a multiplicity of ideas. The Union Minister said that the Congress will have to take many births to learn about RSS, adding that the Sangh is born from the values and culture of India. BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said that the Leader of Opposition has "a habit" of insulting India. Rahul Gandhi is so eager to bat for China and he has a habit of insulting India. The world is aware of a 17 per cent youth unemployment rate in China as of August 2024. So, the question is - is it because of his MoU with the Communist Party of China that he always bats for China and does not bat for India? Rahul does not stop here, he attacks the Indian legal system just because he is out on bail. He predicts social tension in India just because it is his strategy of divide and rule," Bhandari told ANI. BJP leader Amit Malviya also took a dig at Rahul Gandhi after Congress leader Sam Pitroda praised the Congress MP, stating that he is not easy to understand due to his high level of education, extensive reading, and strategic thinking. Malviya sarcastically commented, "Sometimes it is not easy to understand Rahul Gandhi, says his mentor Sam Pitroda. Well, make it most of the time. His bloopers are the stuff legends are made of." The Delhi High Court on Monday issued summons to Netflix and the producers of the web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack following a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Asian News International (ANI). ANI has accused the series producers, Matchbox Shots LLP, of using its exclusive footage from the 1999 hijacking without permission. The news agency is seeking a court order to remove four episodes due to the unauthorized use of its content. Justice Mini Pushkarna, heading the single bench, sought responses from all parties and scheduled the next hearing for Friday. During the hearing, ANIs counsel argued that four episodes prominently feature the agencys exclusive footage, including material related to the Kargil War, interviews with then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and footage of terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar. ANI asserts that this content, gathered by its reporters assigned to cover the incident, is protected under copyright. ANI has requested either the removal of the episodes or the blurring of its trademarks within the footage. The agency also emphasized that it does not wish to be associated with the series, which it claims promotes Pakistani propaganda. This show is not only controversial but anti-national and unpatriotic. I do not want to be associated with it, ANIs counsel argued, adding that the agency's cameraman in Pakistan had captured the only available footage of Masood Azhars release. In response, the series producers argued that their use of the footage was lawful. They claimed to have obtained licences from Conceptual Pictures Worldwide Pvt Ltd and Wilderness Worldwide India Pvt Ltd. The producers' legal team stated that ANI had originally licensed the footage to Reuters, which transferred the rights to other companies, eventually allowing the producers to use the footage legally. The producers also revealed they had paid 1.75 crore for the footage and presented supporting correspondence. Additionally, they had contacted other companies, including NDTV, for more hijacking footage. "The show was produced with a budget of over 100 crore. Is it believable that we wouldnt pay for the footage?" the producers' counsel remarked. ANI argued that it never authorized these companies to use its footage and that any agreement with Reuters permitted usage only outside India. ANI also claimed that Reuters, as a shareholder, was restricted from distributing the footage within India. Netflixs counsel clarified that the series explicitly identifies the hijacking as orchestrated by Pakistans ISI and explained that ANIs logo appears in one clip because it features PM Vajpayees first public statement. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, a 2024 Hindi crime thriller mini-series, depicts the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814. Directed by Anubhav Sinha and produced by Matchbox Shots LLP and Benaras Mediaworks, the series stars Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Dia Mirza, and Arvind Swamy. It premiered on Netflix on 29 August. Also read | Why are filmmakers miffed with the censor board? Weather today: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted heavy downpours on Monday, September 9, in several states and issued red alert warning for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. An orange alert has been issued for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and West Bengal. Meanwhile a number of states are on yellow alert today as monsoon rains continue to bring wet spells across India. Amid formation of low pressure area over west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, the weather agency issued nowcast rainfall warning. IMD, in its latest post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter stated, The depression over northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal moved slowly north-north westwards with a speed of 7 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a Deep Depression and lay centered at 2330 hours IST of yesterday, the 8th September, 2024." The post added, "It is very likely to move nearly northwestwards and cross Odisha coast near Puri by noon of 9th September. Thereafter, it is very likely to move west-north westwards across Odisha & Chhattisgarh during subsequent 2 day. Andhra Pradesh In the wake of the "depression," the weather agency predicted light to moderate rainfall at most places in Andhra Pradesh and Yanam. Heavy rainfall is likely today and on September 10. Odisha These weather conditions will most likely bring rain for many districts of Odisha until September 11. Chhattisgarh Under the prevailing weather systems, Chhattisgarh will most likely witness heavy rain on September 11, while the wet spells will continue over the next two days. Telangana Telangana will most likely witness heavy downpours until September 10. West Bengal IMD said light to moderate rainfall is likely at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely on September 9 and 10. Heavy rainfall at isolated places is likely in the state on September 12. Jharkhand The weather department forecasted heavy rainfall in Jharkhand for the coming three days. Maharashtra The weather agency noted the possibility of wet spells ranging from light to heavy until September 10. Also Read | IMD predicts extremely heavy rainfall in Coastal Andhra on Sunday West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee insisted on Monday that she had never offered money to the family of the Kolkata rape-muder victim. She also revealed that Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal had offered to resign after protests broke out at RG Kar hospital. The remarks came even as the Supreme Court heard a suo motu petition on the matter and directed the CBI to submit a fresh status report by next week. I have never offered money to deceased doctor's family, this is nothing but slander. I told deceased doctor's parents that if they wanted to do something in their daughter's memory, our government is with them. Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal offered to resign after RG Kar protests but we need someone who knows law and order ahead of Durga Puja, said Banerjee. She also accused the Centre and some Left parties of conspiring against the Trinamool Congress government while addressing the ongoing protests over the rape and murder of a Kolkata doctor. Some people taking advantage of turmoil in neighbouring country. They have forgotten that India, Bangladesh are separate nations, she added. Earlier on Monday the Supreme Court had directed the CBI to submit a fresh report on the case by September 17. The The apex court also reminded that no action should be taken against doctors once they return to work by 5 PM on Tuesday. The court however noted that it would not be able to restrain the state government if they failed to return to work. Further absence, the Supreme Court noted, might lead to disciplinary action against them. The Supreme Court had previously questioned the West Bengal police over several issues related to the rape and muder case. The court also flagged several alleged lapses including delays in filing the FIR, handing over the body of the deceased doctor to her family, and failing to protect medical staff during a mob attack. Trinamool Congress on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's order directing the protesting doctors in West Bengal to return to work by 5 pm on Tuesday, assuring no adverse action if they comply. The protests follow the alleged gruesome rape and brutal murder of a postgraduate woman doctor at government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which has disrupted healthcare services in the state. Taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the TMC said people's lives are at stake, and no cry for help should go unanswered! We welcome the Supreme Court's timely intervention, urging doctors to resume work by 5 PM tomorrow. The Chief Justice of India's remarks echoed what Shri @abhishekaitc emphasised: protests, while valid, must not come at the cost of duty. People's lives are at stake, and no cry for help should go unanswered! Earlier in the day, while hearing the Suo Moto case in the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, the apex court observed that Protest cannot be at the cost of duty anddirected the West Bengal doctors to to get back to work by 5 pm on Tuesday and assured them that there will be no adverse action if they resume duty. The apex court said, "The state of West Bengal must take steps to create confidence in the minds of the doctors that their concerns regarding their safety and security are being duly attended to. In order to ensure this, all the district collectors and SPs (superintendents of police) shall take stock of the situation in all government medical colleges and public hospitals and provide adequate safety. "We also direct that in the event the doctors return to duty on or before 5 pm (on Tuesday), no adverse disciplinary action should be taken against them. If there is continued abstention of work, there may be a likelihood of adverse action," the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said. As Supreme Court hears a case on gruesome rape and murder of a postgraduate medic at Kolkata's RG Kar hospital, the West Bengal government told the top court that as many as 23 people have died since doctors went on strike. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, submitted a status report filed by the state health department before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud. Sibal told the bench "A status report has been filed.The state health department has filed a report. Tweny-three people have died as doctors are on strike." Meanwhile, SG Tushar Mehta, appearing for CBI, tells SC that probe agency has decided to send forensic samples to AIIMS. The court also sought clarification on the time of registering the report of the unnatural death. Responding to that Sibal informs SC that the death certificate was given at 1:47 PM, entry of the unnatural death was done at 2:55 PM at the police station The top court notes investigation in Kolkata rape and murder case is in progress, directs CBI to submit fresh status report on probe. The apex court is currently perusing the status report filed by the state and the CBI. The hearing is underway. On August 22, the Supreme Court sharply criticized the Kolkata Police for the delay in registering a case regarding the unnatural death of a woman doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital. The court found the delay and procedural timeline "extremely disturbing" and questioned the sequence of events. Previously, the Supreme Court had established a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to develop a protocol for safeguarding doctors and healthcare workers. Describing the incident as "horrific," the court also condemned the state government for delaying the FIR and allowing thousands to vandalize the hospital. The alleged rape and murder of the junior doctor in a seminar hall of the state-run hospital has sparked nationwide protests. Kolkata rape, murder case: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered that no individual would be allowed to enter the emergency ward of the RG Kar Medical College, and Hospital without valid identity cards. It has also ordered to remove all photos of the rape,murder victim from social media, immediately. In addition, the apex court has also directed CISF forces to ensure that all necessary safety measures are taken at the hospital premises. Also Read | Kolkata Rape Murder Case LIVE Updates: SC asks CBI to file fresh status report A three judge bench, constituting Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices J.B Pardiwala, and Manoj Mishra, heard the case concerning the rape, murder of a trainee doctor at the West Bengal government run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Bengal government told the top court that as many as 23 people have died since doctors went on strike. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, submitted a status report filed by the state health department before the three-judge bench. While hearing the rape, murder case, the top court further urged protesting doctors to resume work. The CJI also cautioned of disciplinary action, if the doctors failed to resume services by September 10, 2024, 5 pm. Kolkata rape, murder case: What happened earlier On August 9,2024, a trainee doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The 31-year-old trainee doctor's body was found dead in the hospitals seminar hall. So far, the police have arrested a civic volunteer Sanjay Roy in connection with the crime. Polygraph tests were also carried on Roy, in which he denied his involvement in the case. He further claimed that the victim was already dead when he spotted her. The response of the hospital administration and the Kolkata police has also been criticized, with allegations that the ex-principal of the hospital, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, attempted to cover up the murder as a suicide. CBI has taken Ghosh into custody, for probing the matter. The Supreme Court of India (SC) has, on September 9, rejected Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee and his wife's plea challenging the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) summons. The ED summons relate to a money laundering case regarding alleged recruitment irregularities in West Bengal schools, ANI reported. Banerjee and his wife Rujira Banerjee, argued that they should be summoned to Kolkata instead of New Delhi in the alleged job scams investigation, the report said. The duo had said that the ED's questioning should happen at their ordinary place of residence, which is Kolkata city, PTI reported. SC Bench of Justices Bela Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma in their verdict today had reserved judgement on August 13. Banerjee is under investigation by the ED for multiple cases, including alleged recruitment irregularities in West Bengal schools and a multi-crore coal pilferage scam involving Eastern Coalfields mines in Kunustoria and Kajora areas near Asansol, as per the report. Background on West Bengal SSC scam The Calcutta High Court in April directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate into the irregularities surrounding the 2016 selection process for school jobs in West Bengal. A division bench comprising justices Debangsu Basak and Md Shabbar Rashidi asked the CBI to submit a report on its findings and directed the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) to initiate a fresh recruitment process. The HC had nullified appointments of all teaching and non-teaching staff hired in 2016, as per PTI. More than 23 lakh candidates appeared for the State Level Selection Test (SLST) 2016 for 24,640 vacant posts. A total of 25,753 appointment letters were issued. The action followed petitions filed by candidates who had passed the SLST 2016 but were not appointed to jobs. Retired Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who led a court, had earlier ordered the CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in the hiring process. The high court also decided to terminate the jobs of 36,000 teaching and non-teaching staff after discovering irregularities. Top Events of the Day: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss key bilateral relations. Meanwhile, Bajaj Housing Finance, Indias second-largest housing finance NBFC, opens its much-anticipated IPO for subscription. In the tech world, Apple is set to launch its highly awaited iPhone 16 series during the 'Its Glowtime' event. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince set to meet PM Modi on official visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for his first official visit, is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, September 9. Their discussions are expected to cover a broad range of bilateral cooperation between India and the UAE. In addition to meeting the Prime Minister, the Crown Prince will call on President Droupadi Murmu and pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Rahul Gandhi in Washington, DC, for key interactions Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is in Washington, DC, for his first international trip since assuming the role of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. During his visit, scheduled for today, he will engage with influential think tanks and address the National Press Club. His visit is seen as a key moment for international outreach as he continues to strengthen his global political engagements. Apple set to launch new iPhone 16 in tomorrow's Its Glowtime event Apple Inc. is gearing up for its much-awaited Its Glowtime special event on September 9, where the company is expected to unveil its iPhone 16 series and the Apple Watch Series 10. Industry insiders are particularly excited about the AI-powered capabilities that are rumoured to be featured in the new iPhone models. Apples September events have consistently drawn global attention, and this year is expected to be no different. Supreme Court to hear Kolkata rape-murder case involving R.G. Kar Medical College incident The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case related to the tragic murder and alleged rape of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Monday, September 9, 2024. The hearing, listed on the Supreme Courts cause list, will take place before a bench consisting of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, along with justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. The case, which the top court took up suo moto, has garnered national attention due to the brutal nature of the crime. Also Read | GST to incentives: Centre working on plan to reduce ATF prices GST Council meeting on September 9 The 54th meeting of the GST Council is scheduled to take place on September 9, 2024. The council will address several pivotal issues, including the future of the GST compensation cess and potential revisions to GST rates on insurance premiums. Stakeholders are closely watching to see if there will be any significant policy shifts. Bajaj Housing Finance IPO opening for subscription Bajaj Housing Finance (BHF), Indias second-largest housing finance non-banking financial company (NBFC), is set to open its initial public offering (IPO) for subscription starting September 9. The subscription window will be open until September 11. BHFs assets under management (AUM) as of Q1FY25 are 97,071 crore, making this one of the most anticipated IPOs in the financial sector. Kross IPO set to launch on September 9 The Kross IPO will open for subscription from September 9 to September 11. This book-built issue will raise 500 crore, with 250 crore coming from a fresh issue of 1.04 crore shares and the remaining 250 crore from an offer for sale of an additional 1.04 crore shares. Investors are keenly awaiting the outcome of this IPO. Aditya Ultra Steel IPO set to open on September 9 Aditya Ultra Steel is opening its IPO for subscription on September 9, with the window closing on September 11. The company has set a price band of 59 to 62 per share. Retail investors must apply for a minimum of 2,000 shares, equating to an investment of 1,24,000. The allotment is expected to be finalised on September 12, with the listing on NSE SME scheduled for September 16. Top news on Sept 9: A host of developments, updates, and events are expected in India and internationally on September 9 in the markets, political, financial and general spheres. We take a look. Stocks at record high: HUL, Dabur, DMart... over 250 stocks hit 52-week highs on BSE in stock market today As many as 266 stocks, including Hindustan Unilever (HUL), Dabur, DMart, Divi's Labs, Godrej Consumer Products, Pidilite Industries and Shriram Finance, hit their fresh 52-week highs in intraday trade on BSE on Monday, September 9. Gujarat Fluorochemicals, JK Cement, Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) and Suven Pharmaceuticals were also among the stocks that hit their one-year highs on the BSE. Read More Bajaj Housing Finance IPO fully subscribed on day 1 Bajaj Housing Finance initial public offerings (IPO) was fully subscribed with four hours of opening on its first day of bidding on September 9. The issue was oversubscribed 2.02 times by the end of the first day of bidding, as per data available on stock exchanges. The Non-Institutional Investors (NII) category saw a subscription of 4.35 times, while the Retail Individual Investors (RIIs) portion was subscribed 1.51 times. According to BSE data, the Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) segment received bids for 19 crore shares compared to the 17.75 crore shares available. Read More Kolkata rape-murder case: SC asks CBI to file fresh status report The Supreme Court resumed the hearing in the matter related to the trainee postgraduate doctor who was found raped and murdered on August 9 morning. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra directed the CBI to submit a fresh status report on probe by September 17, the next hearing day. Read more Automakers will have to add EV models as markets are competitive: Gadkari Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said automakers that are not manufacturing electric vehicles will pay the price and will be forced to make the shift due to the competitive nature of the market. "Presently, they (fossil fuel-based automakers) have got good sales but they don't want to change But they will face the cost," Gadkari said at a convention for automotive component makers in the national capital on Monday. Read more GST on Cancer drugs reduced to 5%, no GST on funds given to Central or State university One of the primary topics on the agenda is the potential reduction of GST rates on life and health insurance premiums. Currently set at 18%, a rate cut could significantly lower insurance costs for policyholders. The Council is expected to review a report from the fitment committee on the GST levied on life, health, and reinsurance premiums, along with its revenue implications. Read more iPhone 16 Pro price leaked ahead of launch today. All you need to know Apple's flagship iPhone 16 series is all set to make its debut today at the company's 'It's Glowtime' event at 10:30 pm (India time) today. Just like every year, Apple is expected to launch four new iPhones this year: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Rumours suggest that Apple is likely to offer a major upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro this year, with the introduction of a 5x optical zoom telephoto camera (compared to last year's 3x zoom). Reads More Elon Musk to become worlds first trillionaire by 2027, THIS Indian billionaire to follow suit Tesla founder and social media 'X' Chief Executive Elon Musk is on the way to becoming the world's first trillionaire by 2027, Hindustan Times quoted an Informa Connect Academy report as saying, adding LTH has been growing at an average annual rate of 110%. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Tesla's founder is currently the world's richest person, with a net worth of $237 billion. Read more IMD predicts extremely heavy rainfall in next 24 hours across Odisha and Chhattisgarh The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall on Monday, September 9, in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and East Rajasthan. Kolkata rape-murder case latest update: The parents of the RG Kar rape-murder case victim on Sunday evening accused the police of attempting to cover up the crime. While protesting against the heinous crime, the parents of the victim declared they would be compelled to snatch justice for their daughter. According to a report by the Times of India, the R G Kar victim's father remarked that the widespread public support had given them the strength to fight for justice. Also Read | How Kolkata rape-murder victim spent last few hours at RG Kar Hospital Justice will not come easily. We have to fight for it. This will not be possible without everyone's support, he was quoted as saying by TOI. Whenever I thinkI shudder The victim's mother expressed profound anguish, saying she was haunted by the thought of her daughter's suffering before her death. Whenever I think about the torment and pain my daughter endured that night, I shudder. She had aspirations to serve society. Now, all these protesters are like my children, she said, reported PTI. Also Read | Kolkata doctor case Supreme Court to hear RG Kar doctor death case today The victim's mother further criticised the Kolkata police for their lack of assistance. She further stated that there might have been some hope, but the police did not cooperate from the beginning of the case. Instead, they attempted to cover up the crime and tampered with evidence, she said, reported TOI. The young doctor's body was discovered in the seminar hall of the hospital on August 9, 2024, with an autopsy confirming rape and assault. She had approximately 25 internal and external injuries. So far, the police have arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer who was spotted entering the hall at 4:03 am. Sandip Roy, the college's ex-principal, has also been taken into custody on graft charges, and the CBI is probing the case further. On hearing a suo motu petition on the rape and murder of a doctor in state-run RG Kar Medical College, the Supreme Court on Monday directed protesting doctors to resume work by 5 pm tomorrow and asked the CBI to file a fresh file fresh status report during the next hearing, which is on Sepemter 17. Here's the look at the top updates: The Supreme Court has directed protesting doctors to resume work by 5 pm Tuesday, no adverse action if they resume duty. However the top court cautioned if continuous abstention from work continues then disciplinary action can be taken against them. West Bengal govt assures SC that if protesting doctors resume work, no action, including punitive transfers, shall be taken against them. Supreme Court also directed that necessary conditions should be created for safety and security of doctors in hospitals with the availability of toilet facilities for both males and females among others. Supreme Court directs that CISF has to ensure all necessary safety measures are taken and not to allow anyone to enter into emergency ward without valid I-Cards in RG Kar hospital. SC directs to remove all photos of the victim from social media immediately. The top court also directed the DMs, SPs in W Bengal to take stock of situation to ensure safety, security of govt medical colleges. The SC also asked the CBI to file a fresh file fresh status report during the next hearing. On August 22, the Supreme Court sharply criticized the Kolkata Police for the delay in registering a case regarding the unnatural death of a woman doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital. The court found the delay and procedural timeline "extremely disturbing" and questioned the sequence of events. Previously, the Supreme Court had established a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to develop a protocol for safeguarding doctors and healthcare workers. Describing the incident as "horrific," the court also condemned the state government for delaying the FIR and allowing thousands to vandalize the hospital. The alleged rape and murder of the junior doctor in a seminar hall of the state-run hospital has sparked nationwide protests. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud reprimanded a lawyer for raising his voice during a hearing in the Supreme Court and asked him to lower his voice. The incident happened at the hearing of the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case on Monday, September 9. The bench comprised DY Chandrachud, Justices Misra and JB Pardiwala. As the hearing progressed, senior advocate Kapil Sibal told the court that he had videos and photographs to show that the lawyer was throwing stones at a protest over the crime, according to a report by NDTV. Sibal is representing the West Bengal government in the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case. In response to Sibals comment, Kaustav Bagchi, also a BJP leader, questioned how such a senior lawyer could say such things in court. Are you trying to address the gallery outside the court? I have been noticing your demeanour for the last two hours, CJI DY Chandrachud responded. Additionally, he asked Bagchi to lower his voice. "Can you first lower your pitch? Listen to the Chief Justice; lower your pitch. You are addressing three judges in front of you, not the large audience who is watching these proceedings on the video conferencing platform," the report quoted CJI. Bagchi then tendered an apology to the court. CJI also said that he is not used to multiple people arguing simultaneously. I am not used to this kind of advocacy where 7-8 people are arguing at the same time, he said. DY Chandrachud expressed his concern about the doctors' protest on account of the rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, as the protests should not continue at the cost of duty. The SC permitted the West Bengal government to take disciplinary action if the protesting doctors did not return to work. Schools in Manipur will remain shut on September 9 and 10 amid escalating violence and unrest in the state government by Chief Minister N Biren Singh-led BJP government. Schools were shut in the state on Saturday too. The directive, issued by the Director of School Education, instructs zonal education officers to notify the relevant authorities and implement necessary measures. In continuation of this office order of even number dated the 6th September 2024, all schools of the state, government, government aided, private and central schools, will stay closed on September 9 and September 10, 2024, reads the notice Last week, fresh violence erupted in the state resulting in the death of six people in states Jiribam district. Suspected Kuki insurgents targetted Nungchappi village, located 229 km from state capital Imphal, resulting in the death of 63-year-old Yurembam Kulendra Singha. The attack followed a rocket-propelled bomb assault in Moirang town. Also, five fatalities occurred during a clash between armed factions of the Meitei community and Kuki tribes, who identify themselves as village defence volunteers. Also Read | Manipur govt seeks control of Unified Command amid fresh violence in state All Zonal Education Officers under the Department of Education-Schools, Manipur are hereby directed to inform all concerned under your jurisdiction and take up necessary actions accordingly. This is issued with the approval of the Government, the notice added. Amid safety concerns of school students and teachers, the state government announced a closure of schools on September 7 to ensure the safety of students and teachers. Since May last year, over 200 individuals have lost their lives while thousands were rendered homeless following ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups. As the state grapples with heightened tensions, the terror attack has added to the woes of the residents. Unknown armed groups reportedly conspired the recent drone and gun attacks. A missile was fired at the residence of late former Chief Minister M Koireng on Sendra Road in Manipur's Moirang on September 6. The deceased identified as Rk. Rabei was reportedly preparing for the Asti ceremony at the ex-CM's residence when the missile attack occurred. The 70-year-old victim was a resident of Moirang Pheewangbam Leikai. On Sunday night, protestors staged a rally against recent drone attacks in Manipur and marched close to the Raj Bhavan and the CMs bungalow in Imphal, reported PTI. To disperse the agitators, security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells. The rally involved thousands of protestors who marched over 3 km along the Tiddim Road and moved towards the high-security zone before being ultimately stopped by the police. (Bloomberg) -- Swedish battery maker Northvolt AB is working to halt a financial tailspin by pausing some production at its flagship factory and cutting jobs as it comes to grips with operational difficulties and a drop in demand for electric vehicles. The initial steps of its strategic review also include seeking partners for facilities in Poland, Northvolt said Monday in a statement, without specifying the size of any workforce reductions from among its about 6,000 staff. The company has sold a Swedish site it had previously planned for making cathode material, a precursor to manufacturing batteries. We are having to take some tough actions for the purpose of securing the foundations of Northvolts operations to improve our financial stability and strengthen our operational performance, Chief Executive Officer Peter Carlsson said. The company is pausing operations at its Northvolt Ett Upstream 1 cathode material production facility until further notice, according to the statement. Northvolt, the continents biggest homegrown battery manufacturer, has struggled to ramp up production at its main factory outside the town of Skelleftea near the Arctic Circle. It already pushed back plans for an initial public offering to next year because of a challenging market and the operational problems. The market for battery makers continues to worsen amid a slump in EV sales. Companies including Volkswagen AG, Stellantis NV and Mercedes-Benz Group AG have had to scale back or refocus battery projects this year. Northvolt said it remains committed to its facilities NOVO in Sweden, Northvolt Drei in Germany and Northvolt Six in Canada and is in close dialog with the key stakeholders. Potential revisions to those projects timelines will be confirmed during the fall, along with any further cost-saving actions, the company said. Northvolts main site delivered its first batteries in May 2022, but scaling up production has been far from smooth. BMW AG backed out of a 2 billion ($2.2 billion) order in June, while Volkswagens Scania complained of slow deliveries earlier this year. Theres also been a sharp decline in electric vehicle sales in Europe as there arent enough affordable models to move past early adopters and the wealthy, and reduced government incentives have further sapped customer interest. The EVs that are sold are increasingly Chinese or American with BYD Co. and Tesla Inc. selling more than local manufacturers combined. Northvolt, founded by two former Tesla managers about eight years ago, counted Volkswagen as its biggest individual owner at the end of last year, with a 21% stake, while funds managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management had about 19%. Vargas Holding AB of Harald Mix had about 7% and Northvolt managers and staff a combined about 9%, according to its 2023 annual report. Earlier on Monday, a long-awaited report by former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi on European Union competitiveness drew on the automotive sector for particular scorn. The bloc faces a real risk that EU carmakers continue to lose market share to China, which is ahead of the 27-member bloc in virtually all domains, while producing at a lower cost, the report said, calling the industry a key example of a lack of EU planning. --With assistance from Kati Pohjanpalo. (Updates with additional details.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held wide-ranging talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan focusing on boosting overall strategic ties between the two countries. The Crown Prince arrived here on Sunday. The meeting was held at New Delhi-based Hyderabad House. "A warm welcome for a close friend.PM @narendramodi received HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at Hyderabad House," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 'X'. On Sunday, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal received the Crown Prince at the Delhi airport following which he was accorded a ceremonial welcome, in reflection of the importance India has attached to the visit. "Discussions on entire spectrum of India-the United Arab Emirates bilateral relations and future areas of cooperation lie ahead," he said. Crown Prince Al Nahyan is accompanied by several ministers from the UAE government and a business delegation. Following the landmark visit of Modi to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) for cross-border transactions. The two countries are among each other's top trading partners with a bilateral trade of about USD 85 billion in 2022-23, according to official data. The UAE is also among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments in 2022-23. About 3.5 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE. The UAE was invited as special invitee for G20 during India's Presidency of the grouping. In Feb 2023, the India-UAE-France (UFI) trilateral was formally launched. With India's active support, the UAE joined SCO as dialogue partner in May 2023. A warm welcome for a close friend. The UAE also joined BRICS as a member on January 1 with India's support. The India-UAE defence cooperation has also witnessed a renewed momentum in the last few years. A social media post calling all the non-Kannada speakers residing in Bengaluru as outsiders has reignited a long debate on social media. The social media post was dedicated to everyone coming to the metro city and ended with a clear message that Bengaluru belongs to Kannadigas. To, everyone coming to Bengaluru. You will be treated as outsiders in Bengaluru if you dont speak Kannada or make an effort to speak Kannada. Write it down, Share it around. We aint joking. Bengaluru belongs to Kannadigas period, read the viral social media post on X. The post was shared by social media user Manju on X on September 6. Since then, the post has received more than 5.5 million views and nearly six thousand comments. Several social media users blasted the individual for his strong opinions, while many endorsed Manju. Respect should be a mutual cooperation. Hope ppl who migrate to other states will respect the culture and i hope state ppl will too. Because its not easy to learn language in just a matter of seconds it takes time [sic], commented a social media user on the post. Also Read | Interns reply to colleague on why he was absent goes viral Everyone coming to North India from South India. You will be treated as Indians and everyone will try to behave like a proper human being and help you even if they dont understand your language. North India belongs to India and people with heart PERIOD [sic], wrote another user on the post. I have been in Bengaluru for more than 8 years. Kannada is a difficult language to learn for ME. But i have never been treated badly or like an outsider here for my lack of prowess in the language. People are very different, accepting and nicer than what you are projecting them. I doubt if you even get out of the house. There are nice and civil Kannadigas out there [sic], read another comment. This post gives me motivation not to learn Kannada. I'm gonna speak Hindi or English to get by. A man who hit CREDs Friday jackpot with gifts worth 3.25 lakh has claimed that the Bengaluru-based companys has company offered to give him only 1,000 instead. According to Aviral Sangal, Kunal Shah's company claimed that they are canceling the jackpot, which 200 people hit, because of a technical issue. The CREDs Friday jackpot included MacBook, iPad, AirPods Max and a TUMI bag. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sangal said, on hitting the jackpot, he was asked to fill out a form to receive the gift items. He claimed that CRED took his PAN card to pay the TDS due on the jackpot. Even though I usually do not fall for the @CRED_club jackpots, but yesterday I just played the friday jackpot without having any hope of getting anything meaningful. But I scored the JACKPOT and it wasn't a small one. It included a Macbook, Ipad, Airpods Max and a TUMI bag worth INR 3.25L, he shared. However, the thrill of winning it was short-lived. Sangal shared that a few minutes later, he received a call from CRED team saying that they had to cancel the jackpot because of some technical issue. CRED team credited his coins back and gave him a cashback of 1,000 as a good-will gesture. Also Read | How to earn likes on social media: CRED founder Kunal Shah shares tips I filled out the form to receive the items and they took my PAN to pay the TDS on the jackpot. BUT few minutes back I get a call from Cred team that they had to cancel the jackpot because of some technical issue and they crediting back the coins and good will gesture INR 1K cashback, he added in the post. The X user also shared that after he declined their offer of 1,000, the company shamelessly called him twice with the same. In the third call, Sangal said, CRED gave him an in-depth insight of their decision to cancel the jackpot due to a bug. Due to a Bug there were 200 users who won the Jackpot. They decided to cancel the Jackpot instead of pausing, fixing the bug and honoring the 200 odd users who already won, the X user said in a follow-up post. Sangal said he has asked CRED to publicly acknowledge the incident publicly and to honor the jackpot for all 200 users. He claimed that the cancellation of jackpot is only fair to the organization and not to its users. I have made my stand clear that CRED needs to honor the reward or else I do have my legal options available to me, Sangal added. Also Read | Innovative entrepreneurs struggle to identify target market: Kunal Shah CRED did not reply to LiveMint's query at the time of writing the story. Here is how netizens reacted: I guess nobody is supposed to win as per their algorithm but the technical glitch let you win but now they don't have the products so they are just spinning around like this. Very mature product you have CRED, a user commented. Another said, When I started reading I thought this was one of those rare positive tweets about the so-called jackpots on CRED. But alas, that was not to be. Cred is already the butt of so many jokes - these actions just don't bode well for the brand. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a lucrative opportunity ahead involving another critique of the British monarchy, reports suggest. Royal expert Tom Bower has said that Meghan's potential autobiography could be a gold mine. When the time is right, they are expected to openly discuss their experiences with the Royal Family during media appearances. For now, they are holding off on taking any immediate action. "The only thing she has got left - and I think that is her potential gold mine - is her autobiography. She has a very very vivid imagination and she'll be able to spell out an amazing story... to increase her income," Bower told Talk TV. Several reports and experts implied the Royal Family were unhappy with Harry's memoir upon its release. Meghan's potential book might worsen the tension between the Sussexes and King Charles. Also Read | Prince William sees no future with Harry, Meghan after becoming king "The problem is, she isn't a great actress. Her acting career ended long before she arrived in London - that's why she came here. She couldn't find any more work after Suits," he said. An insider mentioned that the couple will eventually publish more personal accounts, with Meghan writing her memoir and Harry revisiting Spare. Meghan Markle's autobiography Even the bad press is good press for this couple. Speculation about Meghan Markle possibly writing her own autobiography has been circulating since Harry's book gained popularity in early 2023. However, some publishing experts believe it is sensible that the couple have held off on releasing more titles for now, as per OK! Magazine. Also Read | Like Harry, Meghan feels people are unfairly picking on her Food vlogger Chris Lewis, who has 1.6 million followers on Facebook, was recently on Chennai streets in search of the best Chicken 65 in town. His hunt starts after checking Google Maps, and he comes to know that there is a street vendor whose Chicken 65 is tastier than what is sold at Buhari Hotel, a landmark in the city since 1951. Also Read | Dolly Chaiwala: Vlogger reveals how much the Instagram influencer earns As per legends, Chicken 65 was invented in that hotel. However, according to Lewis, Buhari has received bad reviews on Google for its iconic dish. He finally meets Tarul Rayan. But, before that, he meets a group of young people who have just eaten Chicken 65 from that place. When someone enquires if he is okay with the spice, Chris says he loves spicy food. The shop is open between 6 PM and 9 PM. Chris says that all the food items are sold within this three-hour window. Chris loves that Rayans cooking deck is quite clean as the vendor is seen using gloves when needed. Rayan says he marinates the chicken for three hours before frying it in hot oil. Then, the US food vlogger tries Chicken 65 prepared by Rayan. Since there are some small bones, it costs 50, while the boneless version is sold for 60, the vendor says. Chris finds the snack extremely tasty. He even tries a chicken cutlet prepared by Rayan. What comes next is a huge surprise for Chris and his viewers. Rayan reveals that he is doing his PhD in biotechnology. He even shows his research articles, which are available on Google Scholar. Rayan mentions that it is a part-time business for him. Vlogger surprises Rayan Then, the American food vlogger asks how much he has to pay. Its 55 for a plate of Chicken 65 and a cutlet. Chris asks if selling Chicken 65 is Rayans way of paying for his studies; Rayan agrees. Chris gives him $100 (over 8,000), which Rayan initially refuses to take. The vlogger says he wants to help the Tamil Nadu boy with his studies. It is election season in the United States, and Kamala Harris's Democratic Party is leaving no stone unturned to boost its prospects against Donald Trump's Republican Party. The party has released a new campaign based on the famous song Nacho Nacho to woo Indian-origin American citizens. Kamala Harris's campaign anthem is inspired from the Hindi version of Natu Natu, the Oscar-winning song from Telugu superhit RRR. The campaign also features Indian-origin Americans showing their support for Kamala Harris. The song's massive popularity beyond India will also help amplify the message seeking support for Harris from a larger South Asian voter base ahead of US Presidential elections. Kamala Harris confirmed her Presidential nomination after US President Joe Biden stepped down from the race amid concerns surrounding his health issues due to age. Kamala Harris's nomination has pumped fresh energy into the Democratic campaign against Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the world is waiting for Harris and Donald Trump's first and potentially only televised debate. Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump TV debate Despite Kamala Harris's fierce transformation into a challenging candidate against Donald Trump, the latter remains ahead in popularity, according to polls. However, the Tuesday's ABC News debate between the two can be a game changer. Trump will be under pressure to rein in his characteristic use of insults and intimidation as he stands next to a mixed-race candidate vying to become the first female president in US history, reported AFP. Harris will need to use the huge viewership to connect with Americans in a way that she was unable to as vice president and has had little time to accomplish in her super-condensed campaign run. By Jody Godoy ALEXANDRIA, Virginia -Alphabet's Google sought to dominate all sides of online advertising technology by controlling competitors and customers, a Justice Department prosecutor said as trial began in the tech titan's latest antitrust showdown in Alexandria, Virginia on Monday. Prosecutors say Google has largely dominated the technological infrastructure that funds the flow of news and information on websites through more than 150,000 online ad sales every second. Google used classic monopoly-building tactics of eliminating competitors through acquisitions, locking customers into using its products, and controlling how transactions occurred in the online ad market, Julia Tarver Wood, an attorney with the Justice Department's antitrust division, said in an opening statement. "Google is not here because they are big, they are here because they used that size to crush competition," she said. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema is hearing the case without a jury, and will issue a ruling after the multi-week trial concludes. The Justice Department and a coalition of states based their case on "ancient history" from a time when Google was still working on making its tools able to connect to competitors', said Google's lead attorney Karen Dunn. Google's tools are now interoperable with its rivals, and the company faces competition from technology companies including Amazon.com Inc and Comcast as digital ad spending shifts to apps and streaming video, she said. The case is "like a time capsule that if you broke it open you would find a BlackBerry, an iPod and a Blockbuster Video card," she said. Dunn compared the allegations to claims that Google defeated in the recent search monopoly case. Dunn left the courtroom after delivering the opening statement. She is preparing Vice President Kamala Harris for a televised debate with former President Donald Trump on Tuesday. At trial, prosecutors are seeking to show Google used dominant positions in technology for publishers and advertisers to keep them from using other tools and undercut bids placed through competitors' products. Tim Wolfe, an advertising executive at Gannett, testified on Monday that the company has used Google's publisher ad server for around 13 years, and that there are no other realistic options. If Brinkema finds that Google broke the law, she would later consider prosecutors' request to make Google sell off, at minimum, Google Ad Manager, a platform that includes Google's publisher ad server and its ad exchange. Shares in Alphabet were down 1.7% in the afternoon. According to research by stock analyst Wedbush, Google's ad tech tools accounted for $20 billion, or 11% of the company's gross revenue in 2020 and around $1 billion, or 2.6%, of operating profit that year. Ad Manager represented 4.1% of revenue and 1.5% of operating profit in 2020, according to Wedbush research and analysis of court documents. More recent figures were redacted from court documents. The case is one of several challenging alleged Big Tech monopolies. The Justice Department won a ruling against Google last month in another case over its dominance in online search, and is separately suing Apple. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is pursuing cases against Facebook parent Meta Platforms and Amazon. SpaceX owner Elon Musk has revealed a timeline of the human civilisation's journey to become multi-planetary after setting up a colony on Mars. In a recent social media post, Musk said that the first uncrewed Starship to Mars will be launched in two years when the next Earth-mars transfer window pens. The tech billionaire, on Monday, reshared his interview on social media, in which he shared his optimistic approach towards the ultimate end of humanity. In the video, Musk called humans' ability settle colony on another planet before something cataclysmic happens as the fundamental test of human civilisation. In his previous social media post, Musk emphasized on the importance of a successful uncrewed mission to Mars and how they would define the future course of the plan. If the uncrewed mission goes well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in four years, said Elon Musk on Saturday. Also Read | Elon Musk challenges the world to take on X as he mocks Brazil ban Elon Musk timeline for Human Colony on Mars The first Starships to Mars will launch in 2 years when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens. These will be uncrewed to test the reliability of landing intact on Mars, Elon Musk wrote in a post on X. "If those landings go well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in 4 years. Flight rate will grow exponentially from there, with the goal of building a self-sustaining city in about 20 years. Being multiplanetary will vastly increase the probable lifespan of consciousness, as we will no longer have all our eggs, literally and metabolically, on one planet," he added. Also Read | Elon Musks Starlink agrees to block X in Brazil after previously refusing In another post on X, Musk stated that SpaceX created the first fully reusable rocket stage and made the reuse economically viable. "SpaceX created the first fully reusable rocket stage and, much more importantly, made the reuse economically viable. Making life multiplanetary is fundamentally a cost per ton to Mars problem," Musk posted on X. Israeli strikes in central Syria killed at least seven people late Sunday, including three civilians, a war monitor reported. Since the start of the civil war in Syria in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes there, targeting pro-Iranian groups in particular. "The number of dead in the Israeli strikes on the Masyaf region stands at seven, namely three civilians, including a man and his son who were in a car, and four unidentified soldiers," said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a vast network of sources inside the country. Also Read | Paris Paralympics 2024: Catch glimpes from closing ceremony The attack also wounded at least 15 others and destroyed military facilities in the area, the Observatory said. "Thirteen violent explosions rang out in the zone housing scientific research centres in Masyaf where pro-Iranian groups and weapons development experts are present," the group said in an earlier statement. The Syrian state news agency Sana had previously reported five killed and 19 wounded near Masyaf, citing a medical source. Also Read | Akasa Air passenger served expired food on flight, airline responds "Around 11:20 pm (2020 GMT) on Sunday, the Israeli enemy carried out an air attack from the northwest of Lebanon targeting a number of military sites in the central region," Sana reported, citing a military source. "Our air defence shot down some missiles." Israeli air raids in Syria have intensified since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. Israeli authorities rarely comment on individual strikes in Syria, but have repeatedly said they will not allow arch-enemy Iran to expand its presence there. At the end of August, three pro-Iranian fighters were killed in the central region of Homs in strikes attributed to Israel, the Observatory said. A few days later, the Israeli military said it had killed an unspecified number of fighters belonging to Hamas ally Islamic Jihad in a strike in Syria near the Lebanese border. Donald Trumps speech on the economy last week was as usual a jumble of good (deregulation and taxes), bad (tariffs), and incoherent (child care). But one new idea he floated is a very good one and deserves more attention: The former President said hed ask Elon Musk to run a Government Efficiency Commission. Eyes understandably glaze over at the sound of commission," which is usually intended to duck a hard issue. The purpose in this case seems to be the oppositeto discover and highlight the countless ways government doesnt work well, and suggest how to do tasks better, or perhaps not at all. I will create a government efficiency commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government," Mr. Trump said in his speech to the Economic Club of New York. He added that as a first order of business, this commission will develop an action plan to totally eliminate fraud and improper payments within six months. This will save trillions of dollars. Trillions." Thats typical Trump hyperbole, but theres no doubt a huge amount that could be saved merely by fixing loopholes in programs that invite fraud. The government paid tens of billions in fraudulent unemployment benefits and Paycheck Protection grants during the pandemic. According to the Internal Revenue Service, a California prison inmate allegedly claimed more than $550 million in Covid-era Employee Retention Tax Credits. The ERTC is one of the great Beltway boondoggles and will continue to add to the deficit with dubious payouts. But there are countless other programs that run on autopilot with little evidence that they yield any results. Does anyone think federal job training works? Or the Jobs Corps? Or for that matter, Pentagon procurement? Mr. Trump said the restless Mr. Musk volunteered for the job, and he does seem well-suited for it. His Space X has demonstrated how a private business can do better than NASA in sending rockets into space. Hes seen the waste and inefficiency of government first-hand, and he could no doubt call on many people from the private economy to help. The shame is that the U.S. hasnt taken a detailed look at the routine follies of government in decades. It keeps growing, and rolling along, regardless of results. As Ronald Reagan used to quip, the closest thing to eternal life is a government program. An old Washington joke told of the Agriculture Department worker who was asked why he was so unhappy. Answer: My farmer died." The point is still relevant. The last serious look at government was the Grace Commission established by Reagan in the 1980s. The commission, led by J. Peter Grace of W.R. Grace & Co., made 2,478 recommendations to save $424 billion over three year in 1984 dollars and $115 billion immediately by the Administration without Congress. Not everything was implemented, but much of it was as the effort grabbled public attention. Bill Clinton in his New Democrat phase tried something similar by appointing then Vice President Al Gore on a mission to reinvent government." It did some good, such as proposing a reform of federal air traffic control. But the Clinton Administration abandoned the effort amid union opposition and Mr. Gores desire to appeal to his partys left as he sought the presidential nomination in 2000. *** A federal Leviathan that now commands nearly 25% of the U.S. economy and extends its reach into every corner of American life is in desperate need of reform. The pro-Democratic press will scoff. And even some conservatives will claim nothing can be done without reforming Social Security and Medicare. But as we wait for the fiscal crisis that may be required to galvanize entitlement reform, there is plenty that could be done to cut spending and reduce government waste. Democrats should welcome the effort as much as Republicans. Even trying could help increase public trust in government, which is reaching historic lows22% this year in the Pew Research Centers moving average. Mr. Musk has come up with a good idea here, and credit to Mr. Trump for seeing its substantive merit and political potential. There is no such thing as a perfect neighbour. We find it very difficult to adjust to our neighbours in our day-to-day lives. Without them, we feel lost, and with them, we often jostle as we try to adjust on a daily basis to find a rhythm to our mutual liking. We celebrate with them for sure, but we also find small differences to squabble over on a routine basis. Its hard work and a daily grind. And we do this for we recognize that there is no optimal solution and that we need to work on it constantly, if only to secure our own peace of mind. This is also the case with nations. Countries, big or small, struggle when it comes to their neighbourhood. There is no perfect neighbourhood anywhere in the world and there is no prefect neighbourhood policy. And the more familial the relations seem, the more troubled they are likely to be at their core. India and its neighbourhood are no different and cant be different. But every time there is a crisis in Indias vicinity, voices about New Delhis so-called failure in its backyard emerge with vehemence. Interestingly, most of these voices are of those who have in the past been part of the nations diplomatic establishment, managing the same neighbourhood with as much success or failure as their successors. But in the process of berating the present, the past is conveniently forgotten and the same old cliches are presented as solutions to challenges for Indian diplomacy in the neighbourhood that have been peddled for decades without acknowledging that they have been tried in various combinations over the past seven decades. It is no ones case that Indian policies in the neighbourhood are perfect and dont require a closer and critical scrutiny. Yet, the lack of perspective in discussing major news events in South Asia is at times astonishing. As Sheikh Hasinas dramatic ouster from power last month and continuing turmoil in Bangladesh since then have underlined, New Delhis ability to shape the trajectory of its neighbours remains fairly limited. This is as much about a lack of comprehension within Indian bureaucracy and intelligence about the scale of Bangladeshs internal shift as it is about the agency of Bangladesh to craft its own political future. Also read: India puts plan to extend diesel pipeline deeper in Bangladesh on hold citing current political crisis The stability of last 15 odd years in Bangladesh and the concomitant stability in Delhi-Dhaka ties, therefore, was also not a reflection of any great diplomatic brilliance on the part of India. It was largely a function of the choice that Bangladesh had made after years of political turmoil, and all New Delhi did was to nurture it the best it could. It is easy to forget in hindsight how difficult Indias ties were with Bangladesh before Hasina and there was hardly any optimism over this relationship in New Delhi. And now that anti-India sentiment is high once again, it should not be forgotten that anti-India rallies under the then Bangladesh Nationalist Party government were quite the norm. Similarly, in the Maldives, Ibrahim Solihs term in office was not any great vindication of Indian success, just as Mohamed Muizzus coming to power has more to do with Maldivian politics than just New Delhis failure. Great nations, while being anchored in their regions, rise beyond their periphery and dont make the mistake of internalizing that geography is destiny. India is part of a difficult neighbourhood and there was never a golden era of Indian hegemony in its vicinity. From the time of its independence, Indias neighbours have tried to balance its preponderance and Pakistan tried its utmost to emerge as an equal to India. While it led to its undoing, other neighbours of India have been better able to navigate the India challenge by reaching out to external powers from time to time. Chinas rise in Indias vicinity is as much about Chinas growing economic heft as it is about the desire of Indians neighbours to actively court Beijing. Just as we make the mistake of assuming that the destiny of Indias neighbouring states will be shaped primarily by India, we mistakenly argue that Indias destiny would be decided by its neighbourhood. Indias continued ascent in the global hierarchy has happened in spite of a challenging neighbourhood and the economic turmoil facing many of Indias neighbours has been despite Indias rise. While critiquing Indias neighbourhood policy, it is important to acknowledge the agency of its neighbours. New Delhis outreach might be a factor, but it is not the only factor that will determine its success or otherwise. India should continue to invest in its neighbours future with the full awareness that the outcome of that investment is in the hands of its neighbours. And if the past is anything to go by, high returns are going to be unlikely. Indias success, therefore, would lie in escaping the logic of its own geography and emerging as a leading global power. The author is professor of international relations, Kings College London, and vice president for studies at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi. Indias new semiconductor pact with Singapore, like similar deals forged with the US and EU last year, exhibits a resolve to put an Indian stamp on a sector characterized by input shortages, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tension between the US and China. These factors have prompted many countries to invest in chip-making and design ecosystems, while diversifying supplies, the feeder networks for which are dominated by a handful of countries like the US, China, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan. In setting up our own wafer fabrication units, or fabs, we expect to reduce costs as well as uncertainty over access to chips needed for electronic devices, drones, electric vehicles, solar panels and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. In the global context, this is clearly the way forth. Indias US deal, signed last March, aims at semiconductor supply chain resilience, mutually beneficial research and development (R&D) and developing talent and skills. The EU agreement inked last November covers R&D and innovation, talent creation, partnerships and the exchange of market information. The broader goal is to make India one of the worlds top five global destinations for chip-making by 2030. Joining hands with Singapore makes sense as it offers us better access to advanced technologies, a proficient workforce, cutting-edge tech universities, wafer-fab parks, a business-friendly environment, strong intellectual property (IP) protection and also a gateway to Southeast Asian markets. The island state has attracted a vast roster of companies that design, manufacture, package and test chips, with many of the worlds major players among them. That said, while Taiwan makes high-end chips of 7 nanometre and less for smartphones, laptops and AI models, Singapore makes mature node chipsof 28nm or more, like fabs in India plan tothat are used in appliances, cars and industrial equipment. Further, Singapores labour, fuel and electricity costs are the highest in Southeast Asia (nearly 15% more than in Malaysia, according to a BCG index). India, on its part, has a relatively inexpensive but strong talent pool in software engineering, industrial equipment and IC design, and is home to over 2,000 semiconductor design engineers. Intel, Texas Instruments, Nvidia, AMD and Qualcomm have design and R&D centres here. Of course, we expect to host wafer fabs too. So far, New Delhi has approved four projects, worth over 1.5 trillion, including Microns and an alliance between Tata Electronics and Taiwans Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, all of which are expected to churn out 180,000 wafers a month once ready to roll. With the Adani Group and Israels Tower Semiconductor also planning to set up a $10 billion semiconductor fab, we will have the building blocks for local microchip-making that cover the critical value chain of design, fabrication, assembly, testing, marking and packaging. Indias $10 billion fund meant to attract big chip-makers could move the needle further. India, like Singapore, is not making high-end chips, but given that nodes of under 10nm account for less than 5% of global chip capacity, the strategy of making larger chips is sensible, as it takes lower upfront investments and these chips are unlikely to get outmoded too soon, a risk borne in the race at the AI-led front end. Also read: India & Singapore Sign Agreements to Work on Semiconductors, Digital Tech | PM Modi in Singapore With foreign deals and fabs, we may finally be able to ease our semiconductor struggles. But, even as we subsidize our chip goal by policy, we must ensure speedy execution of these projects. Congress Member of Parlaiment (MP) and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi has said that the Bharat Jodo Yatra introduced the idea of love in politics. Gandhi was interacting with the students at the University of Texas, Dallas in the United States of America on September 9. The reason (behind conducting Bharat Jodo Yatra) is that all avenues of communication in India were shut. No matter what we did, it was all shut. We spoke in parliament. That's not televised. We go to the media, they don't pick up what we say. So all our avenues were shut, Gandhi said during an interaction at the University of Texas. Gandhi is on a three-day visit to the United States. "Then suddenly, we hit upon the idea If the institutions aren't connecting us with the people, go directly to them. The best way to do that was to literally walk across the country. And so, thats what we did...," he said. The Two Versions of Bharat Jodo Yatra Gandhi led two marches as part of Bharat Jodo Yatra. The first version, called the Bharat Jodo Yatra, started on September 7, 2022 from the south in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, and concluded in the north in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on January 31, 2023 after covering 4080 kms, across 12 states. The second version the East to West Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is started on January,14, 2024, from Thoubal in Manipur and covered 6713 kms through 15 states before culminating in Mumbai on March 16, 2024- four days before the scheduled end date, March 20. " it fundamentally changed the way I think about my work... It completely changed how I view politics, how I view our people, how I communicate, how I listen. To me, the most powerful thing that happened organically, was that we introduced certainly for the first time in India, possibly for the first time in many countries, the idea of love in politics. And this is strange... because... the political discourse in most countries, you will never find the word love... You'll find hatred, anger, unfairness, corruption... and the Bharat Jodo Yatra actually introduced that idea into the Indian political system," Gandhi told students. The Congress leader also said that India has to think about the act of production and organising production. "It is not acceptable that India simply says, manufacturing or production is going to be the reserve of the Chinese... or Vietnamese... or Bangladeshis. We have to reimagine how to produce in a democratic environment. Until we do that, we will face high levels of unemployment," he said. The Raebareli MP said that the act of production creates jobs. But India organises consumption, which is the reason of worry, he said. "If you look at the United States in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, they were the center of global production, Gandhi said. The Bharat Jodo Yatra actually introduced that idea into the Indian political system, and it has amazed me how that idea has worked. "Anything that was made- cars, washing machines, TVs- all made in the United States. Production moved from the United States to Korea, to Japan. Eventually it went to China which is dominating global production. In India, the phones... furniture... clothes, are made in China. That's a fact. The West, America, Europe, India have given up on the idea of production and they've handed it to China. What we do, Americans do, the West does, is organise consumption. Uber, Foxconn, Mahindra, Bajaj organise production. These are the guys who create the jobs...," Gandhi said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress party have failed to reach a consensus on seat-sharing for the upcoming Haryana Assembly election. The two parties, which are part of Opposition's INDIA bloc, will fight the election to the 90-member Haryana assembly separately. Earlier in the day, AAP released first of list of 20 candidates for the October 5 polls in Haryana. AAP said it will release more names soon. AAP's Haryana chief Sushil Gupta said that the party will field candidates on all 90 seats. We waited enough for the Congress party. Waiting more is difficult, Gupta said after the first list was released. Congress has releases 41 candidates AAP's first list came after Congress has already released three lists of candidates for Haryana polls comprising 41 names. On September 6, the Congress released its first list of 31 candidates for Haryana Assembly elections. The second list of Congress candidates with 9 names was released on Sunday. One name was released separately. AAP wanted to contest on at least 10 seats, but the Congress wasn't willing to spare more than three for the Arvind Kejriwal-led party, according to sources. The AAP's Rajya Sabha MPRaghav Chadhahas been holding talks with Deepak Babaria of Congressover a prospective alliance. Chadha on Sunday said that both the parties are hopeful for a successful outcome. But now the talks have been put on hold. The AAP had given Congress ultimatum until Monday evening to decide on the seat-sharing. The Hooda Huddle Reports suggested that Rahul Gandhi was keen on contesting Haryana polls in alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party. But the proposal met with objections from the state leadership, especially from the camp headed by former chief ministerBhupinder Singh Hooda. We waited enough for the Congress party. Waiting more is difficult. Political analyst Prashant Kishor lauded Rahul Gandhi on Sunday for engineering a better-than-expected result for Congress in the Lok Sabha elections. The former politician however feels the Rae Bareli MP still has miles to go before he can be seen as a national alternative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Whenever a party sees a revival, its leader should get the credit. Congress contested under Rahul's leadership, so the credit for the party's performance should go to him. Just to put things in perspective, when former PM Indira Gandhi lost the Lok Sabha elections in 1977, Congress had won 154 seats. This time, Congress has won 99 under Rahul's leadership ... this shows that as a leader, Rahul has miles to go before we can say that he has arrived as a leader, he told India TV. Gandhi became the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha earlier this year after the INDIA bloc secured 235 seats. No Opposition party had been eligible to hold the post since 2014 as it required a minimum strength of 55 members. Earlier this year, Kishor had opined that Gandhi should just take a break if the Lok Sabha elections did not go well for the Congress. If you lose three elections which you contested using your own strategies, then morally, ethically, strategically and tactically, you should just take a break, he told India Today TV in May. Also Read | Bharat Jodo Yatra introduced idea of love in politics: Rahul Gandhi in Texas Kishor however believes that Rahul Gandhi still has a long way to go before he can win more than 250 seats for the Congress. Rahul Gandhi has certainly established himself as a leader of the Congress and is unlikely to see any challenge within the party in the next 5 or 10 years. But to establish himself as a leader of the country, he has a long way to go, he opined in response to queries about a face-off against PM Modi. Former US Vice-President Dick Cheney, a lifelong Republican, has decided to support Kamala Harris in the upcoming US presidential election. Once a key figure in George W Bush's presidency, Cheney made a public remark stating that no individual poses a greater danger to the nation's future than Donald Trump. His daughter, Liz Cheney, has already endorsed Vice President Harris. Cheney is now among several Republicans who are uncomfortable about Donald Trump's run for office. Also Read | Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar denies meeting Obama and Harris This November, Democrat Harris will be seeking her first term as the US president. She is currently serving as the vice president in the Joe Biden government. Former US President Trump is the current Republican candidate. He (Trump) tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He can never be trusted with power again," the BBC quoted Cheney as saying. As citizens, we each have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our constitution. That is why I will be casting my vote for Vice-President Kamala Harris, he added. The Kamala Harris team has appreciated Cheney's statement. Campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon has mentioned that Harris values Cheney's support and admires his bravery in prioritising the nation. Also Read | Donald Trump is a master at: Democrats tells Kamala Harris Liz Cheney, who had a role on the committee examining the January 6 United States Capitol attack, was one of the few Republicans who supported impeaching Donald Trump after the event. In 2022, she was defeated by a candidate endorsed by Trump in her re-election bid in Congress. Donald Trump reacts Donald Trump has reacted to Dick Cheneys comments. He has called the former vice president an irrelevant RINO". RINO is the short form of "Republican in name only". The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has sought to contest 107 seats in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. The development came even as Home Minister Amit Shah met with the Chief Minister and his deputy Ajit Pawar at the Mumbai airport on Monday. Members of the tri-party Mahayuti will reportedly contest the upcoming polls under the Shinde's leadership. According to a News18 report quoting sources, the Shive Sena has presented a detailed proposal outlining its request for 107 seats to the BJP high command. The missive included a constituency-wise breakdown of caste dynamics, the relative strength of Shiv Sena candidates versus those of its allies and the names of potential Sena leaders who can be fielded from these seats. Meanwhile PTI quoted sources to add that Shah had assured Shinde and Pawar of a "respectful" distribution of assembly seats among the partners of the ruling coalition. The BJP is reportedly aiming to to contest 160 seats in the upcoming elections. Both Shinde and the BJP are keen on pitting the Shiv Sena against members of its breakaway faction (led by Uddhav Thackeray). The elections will be something of a prestige battle for the CM his first major test since taking over the reins of the party. The News18 report quoted insiders familiar with the ongoing negotiations to add that the Shiv Sena chief was particularly keen on getting the maximum number of seats in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region traditionally considered a party stronghold. Shinde has also sought to fight constituencies where the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction is likely to field candidates. Meanwhile the Opposition Congress said that an internal survey of 150 seats in Maharashtra had predicted a win for the party in at least 85 constituencies. Elections for the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are likely to be held in November. Congress leader Sam Pitroda has said his party leader Rahul Gandhi has a vision contrary to what Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promotes and that he is not a Pappu, as he was often mocked. Pitroda addressed the Indian diaspora in Texas where Rahul Gandhi is visiting. "He (Rahul Gandhi) has a vision contrary to what BJP promotes by spending crores of rupees. I must tell you, he is no Pappu. He is highly educated, well-read, a strategist with deep thinking on any subject and sometimes it is not very easy to understand him," said Pitroda who is the Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi has all qualities of future PM: Sam Pitroda Rahul Gandhi arrived in the United States for a three-day visit, where he was warmly received in Texas on Sunday. The Lok Sabha Opposition Leader expressed his eagerness for discussions to strengthen India-US ties. "Going to school in early fifties, Gandhian thoughts were the core of our learning. Inclusion, diversity, these were not just the words this is what we lived by and when I begin to see changes in our society which attack the basic fabric I worry about it. So the idea... is to make sure that we respect our people irrespective of the race, religion, language, state. We create same opportunities for everybody we provide dignity to labour and these are the issues that Rahul Gandhi is championing and that makes me very happy," he said. Pitroda explained that democracy is not that simple and cannot be taken for granted. Democracy is not that simple... Democracy requires work from large number of people like us. We can't take it for granted because there are people who are focused on hijacking democracy. We have seen it in many countries, said Pitroda. Pitroda, who invited criticism from various quarters in recent months for his controversial remarks about people of different ethnicities in India, has been re-appointed as chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress with immediate effect in June this year.. Last week, he claimed that Rahul Gandhi, had all the qualities of a 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 US later this month. Also Read | What is PM sorry for? asks Rahul as Maha govt faces ire over statue collapse He is no Pappu. He is highly educated, well-read, a strategist with deep thinking on any subject. "At the time of independence, there was this fervor about independence movement and the leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Maulana Azad, Sardar Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose were very clear of the kind of nation they wanted to build. Everyone understood what freedom meant and the opportunities free India would create... I want you to join Indian Overseas Congress, improve quality of our activities, quantity of our members and bring in more diverse group of people," he said on Sunday. New Delhi: State-run entities of India and UAE on Monday signed pacts in the energy space during the visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to New Delhi. The two countries signed five agreements including a long-term LNG supply contract between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on nuclear cooperation between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. The agreement for LNG supply of 1 million metric tonnes per annum to IOCL by ADNOC is the third such long-term contract signed in just over a year. Both IOCL and GAIL had previously signed long-term agreements for 1.2 MMTPA and 0.5 MMTPA, respectively, with ADNOC. Also Read: UAE Crown Prince's India visit: Will historic maiden visit bolster shift in Abu Dhabi-Delhi ties? The Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Ltd (ISPRL) also signed an MoU with ADNOC and ISPRL to explore more opportunities for ADNOC to participate in Indias strategic crude reserves and the renewal of their storage and management agreement on mutually acceptable terms and conditions. Also Read: India-UAE framework pact for IMEC gets Union cabinet nod ADNOC, the national oil company of the UAE, joined Phase-I of the Indias SPR programme and has stored 5.86 million barrels of its crude in Mangalore. In 2018, it signed another MoU with ISPRL to explore storing ADNOC crude oil at ISPRLs underground oil storage facility at Padur, which has a 2.5 million tonne capacity. In another major tie-up in the energy space, a production concession agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 between Urja Bharat and ADNOC has been signed. Urja Bharat is a joint venture of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and BPCLs subsidiary Bharat Petro resources Ltd. The concession entitles Urja Bharat to bring crude oil to India, thereby helping in ensuring energy security, said an official statement. Also Read: India, UAE sign bilateral investment pact during Modis visit Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE minister of industry and advanced technology and the MD and Group CEO of ADNOC Group is also in the national capital. The Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri met the UAE minister and described the meeting as very extensive & fruitful. Russia and China are collaborating to develop a nuclear power plant to support future lunar settlements. A recent report from the Russian news agency TASS has ignited interest, with indications that India may be considering joining this project. The project spearheaded by Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear corporation, seeks to install a compact nuclear reactor on the Moon with the capacity to produce up to half a megawatt of power. Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev, at a lecture, said the new solution that Russia's state nuclear corporation is being asked to implement is a version of a lunar nuclear power plant with an energy capacity of up to half a megawatt. "By the way, with the involvement of the international community, our Chinese and Indian partners are very interested in this. We are trying to lay the foundation for several international space projects," he said. The Indian government or the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is yet to comment on the matter. There is no confirmation of any deliberations between the three countries. Nuclear plant on the moon This initiative's main driving force is establishing a dependable power supply for prospective lunar habitats. Nuclear energy provides a significant advantage over solar power, as it can continuously operate throughout the Moon's extended 14-day night periods when solar panels are not effective. A consistent energy supply is crucial for maintaining a long-term human presence and conducting scientific research on the Moon's surface. In March 2021, Russia's Roscosmos and China's CNSA signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). The project includes three Chinese missionsChang'e 6, Chang'e 7, and Chang'e 8to test key technologies and establish the foundation for a robotic base for distant experiments. The initial mission is scheduled for 2026, and the project is aimed at completion by 2028. What will it take for India to join Russia-China's lunar nuclear plant? Several factors, including diplomatic relations, financial investment, and technological expertise, must be aligned for India to collaborate with Russia and China on the lunar nuclear plant. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, India and China would need to set aside their differences and work together on the lunar nuclear plant. This cooperation not only serves as a platform for improving bilateral relations but also holds the potential for significant benefits. Their target was the vast quantities of ore containing nickel and cobalt that blanket Indonesias distant islands but are of such low grade that they were treated as little more than waste. If the engineers could figure out how to process it, they would unlock a new source of not one but two minerals the world needs for electric-vehicle batteries. The main method long known to process this type of nickel, called High Pressure Acid Leach, or HPAL, was notoriously tricky. Western companies had tried to make it work but suffered high rates of failure. Scorching temperatures and enormous pressure involved in the process damaged equipment, requiring lengthy repairs. It generated vast amounts of acidic waste that is difficult to dispose of. Attempts to design solutions often just created more problems. Three Australian projects struggled in the 2000s, unable to reach capacity before their owners ended up in dire financial straits. Western miners poured billions of dollars into a facility in New Caledonia that didnt work as intended and was ultimately sold off. The glitchy nature of the process inspired jokes, such as one about an operation in the Western Australian mining area of Murrin Murrin that had to be revamped shortly after it went into production: Why was Murrin Murrin called Murrin Murrin? Because they had to build it twice. Chinese engineers werent laughing. Nickel know-how In a remote, forested area of Papua New Guinea, a state-owned Chinese engineering company, China ENFI, spent years working out the kinks. At first, the facility had all the hallmarks of an HPAL bust. In its second year of operation in 2013, it produced at roughly 40% of capacity. In 2016 a pipe burst, killing a worker and causing the plant to shut down for 78 days. But ENFIs parent company, a state-owned miner, had deep pockets and was able to persist through the predictably bumpy start. It bet that with enough time, it could get the plant working. By 2017, it had and was hitting design capacity. A five- to six-year ramp-up would have crippled any Western company, which is why many HPAL projects are on their second ownersor gone," said Lyle Trytten, a Canadian nickel-industry consultant who has been an engineer on HPAL projects around the world. The Papua New Guinea plant marked a big shift from the early 2000s. Back then, Chinese nickel know-how lagged behind the West in key areas. Chinese companies had little experience using acid to process ores at over 350 degrees. It was around then that China ENFI established a research unit to catch up. Its eventual success in Papua New Guinea meant that hundreds of Chinese engineers and technicians knew how to build and operate a thriving HPAL plant. Still, it wasnt a given that they would be able to duplicate the success in Indonesia. Many analysts predicted they would encounter the same roadblocks and frequent breakdowns as Western plants had around the world. A private Chinese company, Lygend Resources and Technology, plowed ahead and hired ENFI. They began preparing land for construction in eastern Indonesias Obi Island in December 2018, even before the detailed engineering design was finalized for the plant, according to a person familiar with the project. Experienced Chinese engineers flew to the site, which offered few amenities other than cold-water showers and bunk beds. Chinese engineers have a different attitude toward life and work," said Wang Duodong, Lygends chief engineer. In order to do their job well, they are willing to spend a lot of time working in such remote construction sites." They tweaked the process where needed, such as switching to a cheaper type of titanium. They used a technique to reduce the moisture level of the final nickel product to improve efficiency, said Wang. Lygend hunted down Chinese companies that could make cheaper versions of Western equipment. At the time, companies from Japan and the West were taking a cautious stance, concerned about costs and potential environmental damage. At the Chinese-run plant in Papua New Guinea, a pump failure in 2019 caused mineral slurry to overflow a tank into nearby waters, providing a glimpse of the risks. That didnt appear to slow the Indonesian project, which was a partnership between Lygend and Harita Nickel, an Indonesian miner. By 2021, the first two production lines were up and running at full capacity. Wang said Lygend wasnt trying to reinvent the wheel. Their focus was to keep the plant design simple and streamlined, and to automate as much as possible to reduce errors, he said. They studied the Western projects that hadnt worked. We actually learned from these failed projects, analyzed their disadvantages," said Wang. We made improvements." A wave of Chinese-run facilities followed. Today, there are at least four such HPAL plants that are operational across Indonesia, with three more projects expected by the end of next year. Squeezing out the competition Western miners say Chinese companies gain unfair advantages from access to cheap government loans and because they pay scant regard to labor rights and the environment. In Indonesia, Chinese companies have built numerous coal plants to power their nickel rushexpanding the use of a dirty fossil fuel the world is trying to cut back on. There has been a spate of deadly accidents, including an explosion at a Chinese nickel smelter on Indonesias Sulawesi Island that killed at least 19 workers in December. But many Western miners and analysts also say that Chinese mineral companies had a critical breakthrough with HPAL and are good at processing minerals. A classic example is just how quickly they brought on the Indonesian nickel projects using a technology that had a checkered history," said William Adams, head of base-metals research for Fastmarkets, a data provider. Chinas success has reshaped the industry. It has infused significant new supply into the market and accelerated a crash in the prices of nickel and cobalt, knocking out Western competitors. The share of the global nickel supply refined within China or by Chinese companies abroad has risen from 34% in 2015 to 58% this year, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Meanwhile nickel and cobalt mines in Australia, France-controlled New Caledonia, Brazil and the U.S. have closed or are being shut, unable to compete with the surge in low-cost Chinese minerals. Australian mining company BHP said in July that it would suspend its West Australian nickel operations, expecting a continuing flood of cheap nickel. German chemical company BASF and French miner Eramet, which had signed an agreement in 2020 to look into building an HPAL facility in eastern Indonesia, called off their plan this year. The global nickel market has changed significantly," the German company said. Write to Jon Emont at jonathan.emont@wsj.com After months of rumours, Apple will finally unveil its new iPhone 16 series at the 'It's Glowtime' event today at 10:30 PM (IST) today. The tech giant is also expected to unveil other major products during the event, including a new version of AirPods and 3 new Apple Watches. Also Read | iPhone 16 Launch Live Updates iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to retain many of the same design elements as last year, including a 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen and an aluminium body. However, a major design change is likely to be the change in camera layout from a diagonal setup on the iPhone 15 series to a vertical pill-shaped cut-out this year to facilitate spatial video recording. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are also likely to get a major performance boost with the addition of the Apple A18 chipset and a base 8GB RAM variant (up from 6GB last year). The new upgrades are said to help the phones support new Apple Intelligence features. The standard iPhone models are also likely to get the Action Button, which was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro series last year. iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max: iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to feature larger 6.3-inch (up from 6.1-inch) and 6.9-inch (up from 6.7-inch) displays. Apple is rumoured to be using a new Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology for the iPhone 16 Pro models, which could result in significantly reduced bezels. The new iPhone 16 Pro models are likely to be powered by the A18 Pro chipset with support for 8GB of RAM. They are also likely to get an improved Neural Engine, which is likely to be a big marketing ploy for Apple to show off its AI capabilities. The two Pro models are likely to get a major camera upgrade with the addition of a 48MP ultra-wide angle lens compared to last year's 12MP shooter. The iPhone 16 Pro model is also likely to match the Pro Max with the addition of a 5x optical zoom on the telephoto lens. Rumours also suggest that there could be a new touch-sensitive 'Capture Button', which could make its debut today on the iPhone 16 Pro variants. The button is likely to work similarly to a shutter button on a DSLR and could allow users to focus on a subject, zoom in and out and take photos. Apple is also likely to introduce a new gold titanium colour this year, replacing last year's blue titanium variant. AirPods 4, Apple Watch SE and more: Apple is said to be launching 2 new variants of the AirPods 4 at the Its Glowtime' event today. The two versions of AirPods 4 will likely have similar design features and will succeed the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3, respectively. The primary distinction between the entry-level and mid-level AirPods 4 could lie in active noise cancellation; the mid-level model will include ANC, whereas the entry-level will not. The premium AirPods 4 variant may also be distinguished with a high end case with speaker and Apple's Find My. Apple is also expected to launch the Watch SE 3, a refreshed Watch Series 10 and Watch Ultra 3 today. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. 3.6 Crore Indians visited in a single day choosing us as India's undisputed platform for General Election Results. Explore the latest updates here! Selecting the best camera lens is essential for novice photographers aiming to improve their skills. Buying top camera lenses significantly affects the quality of your photographs and plays a vital role in determining the final results of the images. Given the wide variety of lenses available, it can be daunting to know where to start. However, grasping the fundamental concepts can simplify the process of identifying the lens that aligns with your photographic style. Certain lenses are ideal for capturing expansive landscapes, while others are designed to focus on intricate details. Familiarity with the functionality of each lens type will enable you to achieve the desired images. This buying guide for the best camera lenses will examine the most suitable camera lenses for beginners. Whether your interests lie in portraiture, action photography, or nature shots, this guide will clarify the characteristics of each lens, facilitating a more straightforward and informed decision-making process. What are the different types of camera lenses? Type of Lens Purpose Prime lens Fixed focal length, often sharper and faster, ideal for portraits and low-light photography. Zoom lens Variable focal length, offers versatility for various subjects like landscapes, wildlife, and events. Wide-Angle lens Short focal length, captures expansive scenes, perfect for landscapes and architecture. Telephoto lens Long focal length, brings distant subjects closer, great for wildlife, sports, and distant events. Macro lens Designed for extreme close-ups, captures fine details of small subjects like insects and flowers. Fish-Eye lens Ultra-wide angle lens with a 180-degree field of view, creates a distinctive, rounded distortion effect. Tilt-Shift lens Allows adjustment of the lens's perspective, useful for architectural photography and controlling depth of field. Standard lens Focal length close to human eye perspective, versatile for general-purpose shooting and everyday use. Portrait lens Typically a prime lens with a focal length of 50mm or more, designed to provide flattering subject portraits with nice background blur. Super-Zoom lens Extremely versatile with a very broad focal length range, suitable for travel and general photography. There are several types of camera lenses, each designed for specific photography needs. The most common types are prime lenses, zoom lenses, wide-angle lenses, telephoto lenses, and macro lenses, to name a few. Check out the table below for more details. What is focal length and what is its significance? Focal length is basically the distance between the lens and the image sensor when the subject is in focus. Its important because it affects how much of the scene your lens can capture. Lenses with shorter focal lengths, like wide-angle lenses, capture a wider view, making them ideal for landscapes or group photos. Lenses with longer focal lengths, like telephoto lenses, provide a narrower view, allowing you to focus on distant objects. The focal length also determines how much the background appears blurred, known as "depth of field." For beginners, understanding focal length is key to choosing the best camera lenses that suit your shooting style, whether you prefer wide, scenic shots or zoomed-in action shots. Also read: DSLR camera buying guide: How to buy the best DSLR cameras for your photography and videography needs What is the difference between prime and zoom lenses? Feature Prime Lens Zoom Lens Focal length Fixed focal length (e.g., 50mm, 85mm) Variable focal length (e.g., 24-70mm, 70-200mm) Build quality Often simpler, fewer moving parts More complex, with more moving parts Versatility Limited to one focal length Can cover a range of focal lengths Image quality Often sharper with less distortion and aberration May have slight compromises in sharpness and distortion Aperture Typically has a larger maximum aperture (e.g., f/1.8) Usually has a smaller maximum aperture (e.g., f/2.8) Size & weight Generally smaller and lighter Generally larger and heavier Cost Often less expensive Typically more expensive due to complexity Convenience Requires changing lenses to alter focal length Allows changing focal lengths without swapping lenses Autofocus speed Can be faster due to simpler design May be slower due to complexity of zoom mechanism Depth of field Provides a more pronounced depth of field effect Depth of field may vary with focal length and aperture What is image stabilisation and why is it needed? Image stabilisation (IS) is an essential feature that helps to minimise blurriness in your images, particularly when you're shooting handheld or in low-light scenarios. Lenses that incorporate IS can adjust for slight movements, allowing you to achieve sharp photos even at slower shutter speeds. While its not a necessity for every photographer, it can be incredibly helpful for beginners who may have difficulty maintaining a steady hand. If youre planning to take pictures in low-light conditions or without a tripod, having image stabilisation in your lens can greatly improve the quality of your shots. Many of the top camera lenses for beginners feature this technology, making it easier to capture clear and focused images. Also read: Best cameras for photography: 9 top-rated DSLR and mirrorless cameras for high-quality shots How do aperture and f-stop affect lens performance? The aperture is the lens opening that regulates the amount of light that enters the camera. It is quantified in f-stops, where smaller numbers (like f/1.8) indicate larger openings and larger numbers (such as f/16) signify smaller ones. A wider aperture lets in more light, which is particularly beneficial in dim lighting and for achieving a shallow depth of field, resulting in a blurred background while keeping the subject in focus. Conversely, a narrower aperture restricts light intake but enhances the depth of field, allowing more elements in the scene to be sharp. For those just starting out, lenses with wide apertures are ideal for capturing portraits, while smaller apertures are preferable for landscape photography. Understanding how the aperture works is crucial for choosing the right lenses to achieve your desired photographic outcomes. Are expensive lenses worth it for beginners? Expensive lenses generally provide enhanced durability, faster autofocus, and superior image quality. However, if you are just beginning your photography journey, it is not essential to invest in the highest-priced lens right away. A variety of economical lenses can deliver remarkable performance for newcomers, enabling you to learn the essentials of photography without straining your budget. As you develop your skills and gain a clearer understanding of your photographic style, you may want to consider upgrading to more sophisticated lenses. For now, concentrate on selecting lenses that fit your budget and align with your photography goals. Many of the top camera lenses for beginners are available at accessible price points and still yield excellent results. Check out some top camera lenses on Amazon: 1. Canon EF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras The Canon EF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 III is a versatile telephoto zoom lens designed for Canon SLR cameras. It features a metal mount and a new exterior design for durability. This lens is compatible with all Canon DSLR cameras and includes a digital-era coating to reduce flaring and ghosting. With a quieter STM autofocus drive and improved minimum focusing distance of 35 cm, it offers enhanced magnification up to 0.21x. Ideal for capturing distant subjects with sharpness and minimal distortion, it also provides better image quality compared to previous models. Also read: Best cameras for beginners in 2024: Top 8 user-friendly and affordable options for novice photographers 2. Sony E Mount FE 50mm F1.8 Full-Frame Lens (SEL50F18F) | Standard Prime | for Soft Bokeh The Sony E Mount FE 50mm F1.8 is a lightweight prime lens designed specifically for full-frame Sony cameras. Featuring a double-gauss optical design, it minimises field curvature and distortion, resulting in crisp, clear images. With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, it produces beautiful bokeh, making it perfect for portrait and low-light photography by creating a soft, attractive background blur. This lens is both affordable and dependable, making it an excellent option for photographers seeking to enhance their skills while enjoying versatility across different shooting conditions. Its standard focal length and compact form factor make it an essential addition to any photographer's collection. 3. Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Lens for DSLR Cameras (Black) The Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300 mm is a telephoto zoom lens designed for Nikon DSLR cameras. With a focal length range of 70-300 mm, it brings distant subjects into sharp focus, ideal for sports, wildlife, and concerts. This lens features VR image stabilisation for clear photos and steady videos, even in low light. Its ultra-fast, nearly silent autofocus is powered by a pulse motor, ensuring quick and precise focusing. Compatible with both DX and FX formats in DX crop mode, it offers superb optics for both stills and HD video. 4. Canon EF50MM F/1.8 STM Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras Designed specifically for Canon DSLR cameras, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens is a standard prime lens that features a durable metal mount and a modernised exterior. It is fully compatible with all Canon DSLRs. The lens incorporates digital coatings that effectively reduce flaring and ghosting, while the STM autofocus mechanism ensures quieter operation than older DC motors. The minimum focusing distance has been reduced from 45 cm to 35 cm, which enhances the maximum magnification from 0.15x to 0.21x. As a fixed lens, it provides exceptional image quality with improved sharpness, contrast, and lower distortion levels. Also read: Best cameras for professional photography: 10 options to choose from 5. Sony E Mount E 55 210Mm F4.5 6.3 OSS Aps-C Lens (Sel55210) | Telephoto Zoom | Nature & Sports Photography, Black If you're looking for a versatile telephoto zoom lens, check out the Sony E Mount E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS. Its designed for Sony E-mount cameras and offers a 3.8x magnification range, making it perfect for capturing distant subjects, whether you're into nature shots or sports. The built-in Optical SteadyShot (OSS) helps keep your images sharp by reducing camera shake, which is a bonus for both photos and videos. The autofocus is smooth and quiet, enhancing your shooting experience. Plus, its made with high-quality optics and a sleek aluminium alloy finish, giving it both durability and style. The 35mm equivalent focal length spans from 82.5 to 315 mm. 6. Nikon 50mm Nikkor F/1.8D AF Prime Lens for DSLR Camera (Black) The Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF prime lens is perfect for anyone with a Nikon F (FX) camera. It boasts a 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.8, making it great for low-light conditions and creating that lovely background blur. This lens is both compact and lightweight, so its super handy for various photography styles, from portraits to everyday snaps. With the Nikon Super Integrated Coating, youll get sharp, high-contrast images even when shooting wide open. While it doesnt feature image stabilisation, it allows for excellent depth-of-field control down to f/22. And dont forget, it comes with a front lens cap LC-52! 7. Canon RF16mm F2.8 STM Wide Angle Lens for Canon Mirrorless Camera | 2 Year Warranty For those who use a mirrorless camera, this one's for you. The Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is a wide-angle lens crafted for Canon's mirrorless camera lineup. With a focal length of 16mm, it is capable of capturing expansive landscapes and detailed architectural elements with exceptional precision. The fast f/2.8 aperture enhances its performance in low-light situations and provides a desirable shallow depth of field. This lens is both compact and versatile, making it an ideal option for travel and creative photography projects. It is equipped with a stepping motor (STM) that allows for smooth and silent autofocus operation. Finished in a sophisticated black, the lens is backed by a 2-year warranty for added confidence. It is designed to be compatible with Canon RF mounts, ensuring smooth integration with Canon's mirrorless camera systems. Factors to consider before buying the best camera lens Focal Length: Determines the lenss field of view. Shorter focal lengths capture wider scenes; longer ones bring distant subjects closer. Aperture: Affects light intake and depth of field. Larger apertures (lower f-numbers) enable better low-light performance and background blur. Lens Type: Choose based on your needsprime lenses offer sharpness, zoom lenses provide versatility, wide-angle captures expansive views, and telephoto focuses on distant subjects. Image Stabilisation (IS): Reduces camera shake, crucial for handheld shooting, especially with long focal lengths or in low-light conditions. Compatibility: Ensure the lens fits your cameras mount type (e.g., Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E) for proper functionality. Autofocus Performance: Look for lenses with fast, accurate autofocus, especially if you frequently shoot moving subjects. Size and Weight: Evaluate if the lenss size and weight suit your shooting style and portability needs. Similar articles for you Camera buying guide for amateurs, professionals, creators, and enthusiasts: All you need to know before buying Best photo printers to buy: Top 9 handy and portable options for instant photo prints FAQs Question : Do all lenses fit every camera? Ans : No, lenses are designed for specific camera mounts. Make sure your lens is compatible with your camera brand and model. Question : Is a prime lens better for portraits? Ans : Yes, prime lenses with wide apertures (like f/1.8) are ideal for portraits, as they create beautiful background blur (bokeh). Question : Can I use a wide-angle lens for portraits? Ans : While its possible, wide-angle lenses can distort the subject, making them less ideal for traditional portraits. Question : What is a kit lens? Ans : A kit lens is a basic lens that usually comes with your camera. Its versatile and great for beginners to learn with. Disclaimer: At Livemint, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Mint has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. Large language model (LLM)-powered chatbots like ChatGPT have not only amassed millions of users but are also being increasingly integrated with search engines, putting a question mark on traditional search. Google's senior vice-president Prabhakar Raghavan, however, believes that LLMs and search engines will co-exist. "I don't believe any one approachLLM-based chatbots or search engineswill completely replace the other," he told Mint during his recent visit to Bengaluru. Raghavan, who heads Google Search, Ads, Assistant, Maps, commerce and payments products, said he cannot share the number of queries that the world is asking daily, "but if that number is going up faster than the number of users who are accessing the internet, then it's saying something about human behavior: their curiosity is expanding the way they are". He also believes the future of search is "not just about offering direct answers or a lists of links but creating a more dynamic, synthesized experience". A computer scientist at heart, Raghavan explained that while traditional searches provide static results like maps and reviews, LLMs can dynamically categorize options, such as "seafood restaurants" or "romantic spots," enhancing user engagement. However, he warned that fluid and engaging responses" might compromise factual accuracy, necessitating a balance. Also read | Chips, Indic LLMs, flying taxis: Inside Indias tryst with tech independence Regarding the impact of the shift to LLMs on Googles advertising revenue, which heavily relies on ads, Raghavan believes AI-driven ad personalization will keep advertising strong. AI can match ads better with user queries, potentially evolving ads into a more tailored experience. Subscription models could also coexist with ads, aligning with Google's mission of universal access, according to Raghavan. In this context, Raghavan highlighted India's significant contribution to AI and tech, driven by a large talent pool and educational investments. He noted India's "substantial impact" through innovation but stressed the importance of understanding local needs, such as the challenge of recognizing Hinglish (combination of Hindi and English) due to limited training data. Having a workforce in India, he explained, allows Google to address these unique requirements and gain valuable market insights, enhancing its global leadership. I don't believe SEO is antithetical to search. My view is: if it helps the user get what they want, it's a good thing. Prabhakar Raghavan He also acknowledged the gradual integration of LLM-based chatbots into commerce and payments but emphasized the need for caution. Due to the high stakes in transactions, any inaccuracies, such as incorrect product dimensions, could harm customers. Hence, he explained, Google is moving slowly to ensure safety and reliability in these areas, although broader integration is expected soon. Raghavan also defended the future of search engine optimization (SEO), calling it an essential business practice. A study by researchers from Germany's Leipzig University and others, for instance, raised concerns about search engines' handling of highly optimized affiliate content, suggesting that the line between legitimate and spam content is becoming blurrier, especially with generative AI. While AI could improve content quality, Google will strictly target made for search engine content" that misleads users. I don't believe that SEO is somehow antithetical to search. My view is: if it helps the user get what they want, it's a good thing," he said. But he qualified that the so-called "made for search engine content" (avoids the word, 'click bait') misleads users. Also read | Mint Explainer: The mercurial rise of India-focused LLMs Despite concerns that generative AI might worsen content quality, Raghavan argued that Google's focus is not on whether content is AI-generated but on whether it is misleading. Raghavan noted that content quality has always been a challenge but dismissed fears of AI exacerbating this issue. According to him, while language models can mimic intelligent conversation like humans, they are far from achieving tasks like proving complex mathematical theorems. Yet, they already perform tasks beyond human capability, such as folding 200 million proteins for drug discovery. Thus, using human intelligence as the benchmark for AI will not help, believes Raghavan. He added that while AI can assist in complex problem-solving, like proving mathematical theorems or decoding Ramanujans notebooks, it is unlikely to replace human roles. Also, "while AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) is a debated topic, the definition remains unclear. Instead of fixating on AGI, the focus should be on enhancing current AI capabilities to provide more context-aware, meaningful assistance", he said. Strictures against Google When asked about the regulatory scrutiny over Googles market dominance in digital advertising, Raghavan acknowledged that balancing the needs of users, publishers, and advertisers is challenging. "Google is navigating these tensions carefully, ensuring a balanced approach that respects all stakeholders. The solution remains a work in progress, but it is central to Google's ad technology strategy," he said. For the past four years, Googles dominance has attracted the attention of antitrust enforcers like the US Department of Justice (DOJ). On 6 August, the DOJ ruled that "Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly..." in the online search market. Kent Walker, president, global Affairs, responded on X that Google plans to appeal . On Monday, 9 September, Google will face a second major antitrust trial that is focusing on its dominance in the advertising market. However, according to Wedbush Securities, while there is potential for "near-term headline risk" or reputational damage due to the trial, the financial impact appears minimal. Traditional AI to GenAI Meanwhile, Raghavan believes traditional AI and Generative AI (GenAI) are "evolving into a more unified, multimodal experience for users. Today, users dont care if its text, image, video, or speecheverything blends together seamlessly". To support his view, he cited the example of Google Lens with which a user can point to curtains and say, "I want that in green", mixing image and voice to find a product. Also read | Errors, high cost among reasons GenAI not moving beyond concept stage "Younger users, in particular, see their devices as extensions of their senses, expecting a fluid interaction. This merging of AI sub-disciplines (machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, image recognition, natural language processing (NLP), and GenAI, to name a few) into a cohesive, multimodal experience represents an exciting shift in AI development," Raghavan explained. He added, "The goal isnt to showcase AI for its own sake, but to enhance user satisfaction, regardless of whether its achieved through LLMs, traditional indexing, or other methods." Strategy and Leadership When asked how a research-focused executive works with a business-oriented leader like Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Raghavan said, "Successful leadership teams thrive on such diversity and debate, avoiding unhealthy environments where directives come from a single voice. Over time, an equilibrium is naturally found through collaboration and discussion." He added that as a leader, it's important to know where and when to get involved, and when to step back and trust your team. "Once you've decided to delegate, you must trust them to deliver, but set a timeline to check inbe it in two weeks or two months. If things arent going as planned, the key is to ask the right questions to identify the problem, rather than just demanding to know why it isn't working," he elaborated. The priority is to enhance user experience; economic gains will naturally follow. Prabhakar Raghavan Raghavan believes that to succeed in research/science or in a business role, one must consistently ask the right questions. In science, the wrong questions lead to trivial work or unsolvable problems. Similarly, in a business role, not asking the right questions results in irrelevant or unsuccessful work," he explained. Google's overarching vision, with its range of tools like foundation models, LLMs, SLMs, search engines, ad model, assistants, commerce and payments, "is to make user journeys more efficient", Raghavan added. For instance, planning a vacation involves coordinating flights, accommodation, and activities. "Current language models can assist, but they often miss nuances, like suggesting visits to the Louvre (museum in Paris) on a closed day. As these models improve, even a 20% increase in user efficiency represents a significant economic opportunity. The priority is to enhance user experience; economic gains will naturally follow," he concluded. And read | The future of AI: Beyond language models to becoming real world decision makers Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Local News, Crime By Long Island Published: September 09 2024 Lawrence Brown Jr. of Riverhead has been indicted on multiple felony charges, including Criminal Possession of a Weapon, in connection with a shooting incident in Hampton Bays. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Lawrence Brown Jr., 26, of Riverhead, was indicted for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and other related charges, in connection with a shooting in Hampton Bays. This arrest is an excellent example of the work that can be achieved when law nforcement agencies work together, said District Attorney Tierney. I commend the joint investigation conducted by the Town of Southampton Police Department, Riverhead Police Department, with our East End Drug Task Force along with our Gang Task Force. We look forward to holding this defendant accountable in court. The extensive investigation conducted by the Southampton Town Police Detective Division in partnership with the Suffolk County District Attorneys Gang Task Force resulted in the successful arrest of Lawrence Brown Jr. and the recovery of a 9mm handgun that was allegedly used in a shooting into an occupied residence located in Hampton Bays. The collaborative effort resulted in an illegal handgun being removed from the streets before an innocent person could be injured or killed. Gun violence has no place in Southampton Town and will not be tolerated, said Southampton Town Police Chief James Kiernan. We will stop at nothing to bring those responsible for this type of violence to justice. We thank DA Tierney for his support of East End law enforcement and his partnership throughout this investigation. According to the investigation, on July 7, 2024, at about 11:40 p.m., Brown allegedly drove from his residence in Riverhead to Hampton Bays and fired five shots into the home of an individual he had been disputing with days leading up to the shooting. Nobody was injured during the incident. The residents inside the Hampton Bays home were asleep when the shots were fired and they reported that they originally attributed the sounds of those shots to fireworks. The following day, they discovered the bullet holes in their home and immediately reported them to Southampton Town Police. Police responded to the home and recovered multiple expended 9mm caliber shell casings from the street in front of the Hampton Bays home. On August 22, 2024, the Southampton Town Police Detectives Division with the assistance of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office Gang Task Force, East End Drug Task Force, the Southampton Towns Emergency Services Unit, Southampton Village K-9 Unit and the Riverhead Town Police Department executed a search warrant at Browns home in Riverhead. During the search, a 9mm caliber handgun was allegedly recovered from Browns bedroom. On September 9, 2024, Brown was arraigned before, Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr. for the following charges contained in the indictment: Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies; One count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a Class D felony; and One count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony.Justice Senft ordered Brown held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2.5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Brown is due back in court on September 24, 2024, and faces 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: September 09 2024 The culvert replacement is among 216 projects in 137 communities statewide receiving a total of $484 million from the BRIDGE-NY infrastructure improvement program. The Brookhaven Highway Department is announcing receipt of a $910,000 New York State grant to replace the culvert that carries water from Swan River beneath the Barton Avenue overpass in East Patchogue. The culvert replacement is among 216 projects in 137 communities statewide receiving a total of $484 million from the BRIDGE-NY infrastructure improvement program. Constructed in 1961, the existing culvert, which carries the Swan River Stream corridor, is currently undersized and has diminishing structural integrity. The upgrade will reduce the likelihood of flooding and related complications for the immediate area, according to Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Daniel Losquadro. The Brookhaven Highway Department is the only municipality on Long Island to receive grant funding this year from this source, said Losquadro. This project will improve roadway safety and flood resilience of the surrounding residential and natural environment for many years to come. The scope of this project includes the replacement of two 24-inch corrugated metal pipes with a box culvert; the addition of two water quality units; installation of rip rap headwalls on upstream and downstream flow; replacement of obstructed positive connections; and restoration of the sidewalk and roadway. Work is scheduled to begin and be completed in 2026. My office has been, and will continue to be, aggressive in pursuing grant funding to offset taxpayer costs for necessary projects such as this one, Losquadro said. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: September 09 2024 Timed with the 60th Anniversary Establishment of FINS Becoming a National Park. Stony Brook University Libraries have received a donation of historic documents that outline the battle to stop the construction of a highway on Fire Island while fighting successfully to create the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS), New York. The documents reveal the efforts of the Citizens Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore, the grassroots community campaign that prevented Robert Moses plan in the 1960s. The collection was gifted by the Barbash family. Maurice Barbash, the father of Cathy, Susan, and Shepard Barbash, and their uncle Irving Like led the committees efforts and organized it. The collection has historical importance in the establishment of the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS) and includes committee meeting minutes, press releases, and correspondence with New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Stuart Udall, Secretary of the Interior. The timing of the donation coincides with the upcoming 60th anniversary of the legislation that created FINS as a unit of the National Park Service (September 11, 1964). We are very excited to have the papers of the Citizens Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore as a part of Stony Brook University Libraries collections. With the upcoming 60th anniversary, preserving and providing access to this collection is of great importance, said Jamie Saragossi, Associate Dean of Content Services. These items will become part of the University Libraries Special Collections, which oversees and curates the universitys rare books, maps, archival materials, manuscripts, and historical maps. Details about the collection will be accessible via a dedicated webpage, and the papers will be digitized and made freely available online. The papers offer first-hand, historical evidence of the remarkable grassroots efforts that protected the natural environments of both Long Island and Fire Island for future generations, said Kristen J. Nyitray, Director of Special Collections and University Archives, and University Archivist. The papers are an important addition to Special Collections and highlight our commitment to collect, preserve, and provide access to diverse histories of Long Island. About the Campaign The efforts of community citizen-activists on Fire Island were instrumental in the legislation that formally established the Fire Island National Seashore. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill into law in 1964, preventing the construction of a proposed highway extending eastward from what is currently Robert Moses State Park. Cathy Barbash reflected on the decision to donate the collection and its research significance. We are honored that Stony Brook University has agreed to accept the original minutes of the Citizens Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore and related research and correspondence. The Committee was founded on September 12, 1962, by fourteen volunteer citizens who worked tirelessly for two years to promote the creation of the National Seashore against steep odds. The Committee was founded and co-chaired by our father, Maurice Barbash, and our uncle, Irving Like. This collection is significant because the minutes and other materials document in great detail the strategies, organization, and actions of a group of concerned citizens who came together spontaneously, pooling their intellectual, professional, and social resources to create an effective grassroots movement to fight the destruction of a natural area by creating a common good. The research included in the collection also sheds light on the political backstory and maneuvering between powerful political figures in mid-century America that shaped the overall battle and ultimate success of the campaign for the National Seashore. In addition to the papers of the Citizens Committee for a Fire Island National Seashore, the collection includes digital files used in the exhibition Protecting a Ribbon of Sand: The Creation of Fire Island National Seashore, curated by Susan and Cathy Barbash for the 50th anniversary of FINS at the Fire Island Lighthouse Fresnel Lens Building. When asked about why the family chose Stony Brook to be the home for the collection, Cathy Barbash said, We are donating the papers to Stony Brook University for two reasons. First, both Stony Brook University and the Fire Island National Seashore are located in Suffolk County, New York and we believe it is important that these materials are in the library of a major research university so close to their subject matter. Secondly, Irving Likes papers are already in Stony Brooks special collections. Because he and our father were the prime movers in this campaign and in other civic causes, we felt it appropriate that the collections belonged together to promote ease of research. Susan Barbash added, The epic battle against Robert Moses plan to build a four-lane highway down the center of Fire Island took place in 1964, when my sister Cathy and I were children. Though we had many memories of the role our father Murray Barbash played in the fight against Moses, and subsequent fight for National Seashore designation, we had no idea that the victory over Moses was far from inevitable. About Stony Brook University Libraries The University Libraries are an essential partner in Stony Brook Universitys mission of global leadership in research, discovery, and learning, and positions itself as the hub of collaboration, digital innovation, open scholarship, and creativity. A member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL), the Libraries provide access to a wide-range of research content including world-renowned special collections that contribute significantly to student success and faculty productivity. About Stony Brook University Stony Brook University New Yorks flagship university and No. 1 public university is going far beyond the expectations of todays public universities. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. With more than 24,000 students, more than 2,800 faculty members, more than 200,000 alumni, a premier academic healthcare system and 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs, Stony Brook is a research-intensive distinguished center of innovation dedicated to addressing the worlds biggest challenges. The university embraces its mission to provide comprehensive undergraduate, graduate and professional education of the highest quality, and is ranked among the top 35 public universities by Forbes and one of the top 80 universities in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges listing. Fostering a commitment to academic research and intellectual endeavors, Stony Brooks membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places it among the top 65 research institutions in North America. The universitys distinguished faculty have earned esteemed awards such as the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for animal conservation, Abel Prize and the inaugural Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics. Stony Brook has the responsibility of co-managing Brookhaven National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy one of only eight universities with a role in running a national laboratory. Providing economic growth for neighboring communities and the wider geographic region, the university totals an impressive $7.23 billion in increased economic output on Long Island. Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/stonybrooku/) and Twitter(@stonybrooku). An IDF tank operates in the Netzarim Corridor. (IDF photo) Terrorists fired two rockets toward the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on the evening of September 8. Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in the area of Ashkelon, two projectiles were identified crossing from northern Gaza into Israeli territory. One projectile was intercepted, and another fell off the coast of Ashkelon, the IDF said in a statement. The next day, the IDF called on civilians to evacuate an area in the northern Gaza Strip from which it said terrorists had fired the rockets. The projectiles targeting Ashkelon illustrate the persistent challenge the IDF faces in Gaza. While rocket fire from Gaza has reduced significantly since the beginning the war, it nevertheless continues. Sirens sound in border areas once every few days. Terrorist groups in Gaza have also attempted to fire longer-range rockets at cities such as Ashkelon, usually once a month. Within Gaza, the IDF is focused on controlling two corridors, one on the southern border with Egypt and also the central Netzarim Corridor, which essentially cuts off Gaza City from the rest of Gaza to the south. Hamas still controls Gaza City and the central camps region of Gaza, plus areas within Khan Younis. The IDF recently wrapped up its latest operations in Khan Younis after several raids there in July and August. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited the Netzarim Corridor on September 8 and vowed Israel would eliminate Hamas leaders in Gaza. We will reach Muhammad Sinwar and also Yahya Sinwar. Anyone who thinks otherwise should look at Marwan Issa [and] Muhammad Deif: They also thought they were immune, they are not with us today, they made their mistake. [Sinwar] will also make his mistake, [and] we will carry out our mission, Gallant said. Gallant visited an area where the IDFs 16th Reserve Brigade is active. It is one of the units under the 252nd IDF Division tasked with securing the Netzarim Corridor. Since the IDF took control of the corridor in November and began to make its presence semi-permanent, it has rotated reserve brigades in and out of the area, usually pairing infantry and armored units in operations. The soldiers of the 16th Brigade are operating in the Gaza Strip for the second time since the beginning of the war, the IDF noted. According to an IDF statement on September 9, the 16th Reserve Brigade raided an area in Zeitoun where terrorists had embedded themselves, and the IDF eliminated dozens of terrorists and dismantled numerous terrorist infrastructure. The Zeitoun neighborhood, next to Gaza City, has been the target of numerous raids since January. The latest raid uncovered a tunnel shaft and a machine used to make weapons, though the IDF did not specify which type. In southern Gaza, the IDF carried out more raids in Rafah, where troops fought terrorists and found weapons. The IDF claimed that Hamass Rafah Brigade was defeated in August, indicating that the continued clashes likely result from Hamas seeking to re-infiltrate the area. The 401st IDF Armored Brigade, which has been operating in Rafah since May, eliminated dozens of terrorists in the Kasbah area of Tel al-Sultan, the IDF said on September 8. During one of the raids, terrorists who were embedded in a building threw a grenade toward the troops from the 932nd Battalion. The troops returned fire and engaged in close-quarters combat with the terrorists, eliminating them. The terrorists who were eliminated were found to have weapons and numerous intelligence documents, stated the IDF. In other areas of Gaza, the IDF conducted a series of targeted airstrikes. In general, the number of airstrikes and the overall tempo Gaza operations have reduced over the last few months. On September 8, the IDF said it eliminated Raef Omar Salman Abu Shab, a Hamas commander in charge of a rocket-launching platoon in Khan Younis. In Deir al-Balah, a town in central Gaza, the IDF said it targeted Abdallah Khatib and Abu Aljidian, two commanders in Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Both were killed, the IDF assessed. The IDF has never taken control of Deir al-Balah, and Hamas and PIJ seemingly maintain significant forces in the town and surrounding areas. On September 7, an Israeli airstrike hit the Amr Ibn al-As School in northern Gaza, which the IDF said Hamas had transformed into a command-and-control center. It was used by Hamas terrorists to plan and carry out terrorist attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel. Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance and additional intelligence, the IDF added. Israel has accused Hamas of using numerous schools in Gaza as cover throughout 11 months of war. In recent months, the IDF has carried out strikes on some of these schools while stating they were employed as command-and-control centers. 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). Want to know all about the newest Apple iPhones? The iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max 10 were announced at Apples September 2024 event on September 9 and are now available to buy. The updates generally correlated with what we expected: Today is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days! Our editorial team lists the best tech deals here. ] iPhone 16: same 6.1-inch display, A18 processor, Action button and touch-sensitive Camera Control on the side iPhone 16 Plus: same 6.7-inch display, A18 processor, Action button and touch-sensitive Camera Control on the side iPhone 16 Pro: larger 6.3-inch display, A18 Pro processor, new 48Mp ultrawide lens, touch-sensitive Camera Control joins Action button on the side iPhone 16 Pro Max (or Ultra): larger 6.9-inch display, A18 Pro processor, new 48Mp ultrawide lens, touch-sensitive Camera Control joins Action button on the side As expected the iPhone 16 Pro and Max have larger displays, the Action button arrives on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, and the Camera Control button on all the 2024 handsets. Camera improvements and a more powerful processor are also available for all the new models. Updated 30 September: Including latest information including Apple Intelligence requirements, details about the battery, where to find the camera control settings and how to use the Action button, reports that the glass still smashes if dropped from a great height, and news that some iPhone 16 Pro owners are complaining of dead spots. Read on for more information. The iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max handsets were announced at Apples iPhone event on September 9. Pre-orders on Apples website started at 5 a.m. PDT, at 8 a.m. EDT, and 1 p.m. in the U.K on Friday, September 13 . . The phones went on sale on Friday, September 20. At the time of writing, most new iPhones will be delivered by the beginning of October, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max is delayed by 3-4 weeks, with some deliveries not until October 15. Read: How to pre-order iPhone 16, Plus, Pro and Pro Max for help pre-ordering a new iPhone. We will also be monitoring Where to get the best iPhone 16, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max deals in the U.S. and Where to get the best iPhone 16, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max in the U.K. iPhone 16 price: How much will the iPhone 16 cost? Heres how the iPhone 16 prices compare to the iPhone 15. iPhone 16 $799/799 iPhone 15 Was $799/799, Now from $699/699 iPhone 16 Plus $899/899 iPhone 15 Plus Was $899/899, Now from $799/799 iPhone 16 Pro $999/999 iPhone 15 Pro Max Was $999/999, DISCONTINUED iPhone 16 Pro Max $1,199/1,199 iPhone 15 Pro Max Was $1,199/1,199, DISCONTINUED As you can see, these prices are the same as the 2023 generation of iPhones. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus prices have now been reduced. The price of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have also changed. At launch, the iPhone 14 started at $829 / 849, then for 2023-2024 the price dropped to $699/699. Now the price starts at $599/599 for the iPhone 14 and $699/699 for the iPhone 14 Plus. The iPhone 13 has been discontinued. Want to buy a new iPhone 16? Dont pay more than you need to! We have collected the best deals for the iPhone in a separate article. You can also take advantage of Apples Trade-In. See: How Apple trade in works and saves you money and How to sell or trade in your old iPhone. Beware that it may not be plain sailing, read: Apple wants to recycle my iPhone 15 Pro Max for $0. Below you can see Apples prices for the new iPhones, and the best prices that they are available for elsewhere. In the U.S. you will pay more for an iPhone that isnt locked to a network. In the U.K., where it is easy to buy an iPhone off contract, the prices quoted are for unlocked iPhones. iPhone 16: From $799/799 Apple iPhone 16 Read our review Price When Reviewed: 949 Best Prices Today: iPhone 16 Plus: From $899/899 Apple iPhone 16 Plus Price When Reviewed: 1099 Best Prices Today: iPhone 16 Pro: From $999/999 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Read our review Price When Reviewed: 1199 Best Prices Today: iPhone 16 Pro Max: From $1,199/1,199 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Price When Reviewed: 1449 Best Prices Today: Should I buy an iPhone 16 or Plus, 16 Pro or Pro Max? The answer to this question depends on a lot of things, including the phone you are upgrading from, your budget, and the features that you need from a smartphone. Our first impressions are that the iPhone 16 represents a big leap up from the iPhone 15. Read about how the new iPhone 16 compares to the iPhone 15 in iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16: Is new always better? and Forget the Pro, the iPhone 16 has everything you need. Another reason to buy an iPhone 16, rather than an iPhone 15, is the arrival of Apple Intelligence. The new AI features coming later in 2024, are available for M-series Macs and iPads and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and the whole iPhone 16 series. You wont be able to take advantage of these new features without a compatible iPhone. Read about the Apple Intelligence features here: What Apple Intelligence can do and When will Apple Intelligence come out. Speaking of Apple Intelligence, Apple Intelligence will eat up 4GB of storage on your iPhone it also requires 8GB of RAM. There are a few questions about the advances of the iPhone 16 Pro compared to the previous generation, on the other hand. The 2024 Pro models have bigger screens than the iPhone 15 Pro and Max and battery life improvements, but the leap doesnt feel quite as big as from the iPhone 15 to 16. We have various articles that attempt to answer the question in more detail, which we will link to below. For help choosing the best iPhone for you read our iPhone comparison chart where we compare every iPhone. We also have an iPhone buying guide to help you decide which iPhone best meets your needs. Also read: When is the best time to buy an iPhone? iPhone 16 Design: Do the new iPhones look different? Apple Apple Apple All four iPhone 16 handsets boast some design changes from the previous generation. As usual, there are clear design differences between the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models and the pro versions, with the latter having more business-like metallic finishes and three camera lenses on the back. For 2024 the iPhones 16 Pro and Pro Max have bigger screens than the standard iPhones and their predecessors. For this section, we will look at the different handsets separately: iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, and then the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Design iPhone 16 (left)compared to the iPhone 15 (right). iPhone 16 (left)compared to the iPhone 15 (right). Apple iPhone 16 (left)compared to the iPhone 15 (right). Apple Apple For the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus there are some clear design differences between the generations. The iPhone 16 comes in much darker, bolder hues of ultramarine, teal, pink, white and black, compared to the more pastel shades of the iPhone 15. It will be a matter of personal taste as to which one you prefer. The color difference will ensure that there is no mistaking the 2024 model for the previous generation, but it isnt the only difference. The layout of the camera lenses is also different on the iPhone 16. The vertical alignment enables the recording of spatial photos and video for the Vision Pro headset. Another obvious design difference is found on the side of the iPhone 16: there is a new Action button (first seen on the iPhone 15 Pro) and the new Camera Control button below that (the latter is not actually a button, its a touch-sensitive area). You can read more about the Camera Control below. As for the Action button, the Action button can be assigned numerous tasks, and on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max one of those extra tasks was often to control the camera. Now that the camera has a dedicated button, the Action button could feel superfluous, especially as Apple doesnt make it especially easy to assign different tasks, to do so you need to use Apples Shortcuts app. We explain how to create a basic Action Button shortcut with behavior that varies based on some specific parameters in How to make the Action button smarter. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Screen The screen on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus has a new ceramic glass formulation that Apple says is 50% tougher than the first gen ceramic glass, and a lot stronger than anything else on the market. However, it wont stop the glass on the iPhone smashing if you drop it from a great height: insurance firm Allstate Protection Plans dropped the iPhone from six feet and shared a video of the result on YouTube. To be fair, no glass phone has survived this test, and not many people are tall enough to drop their iPhone from a height of six feet. Despite these tests, the ceramic shield should go some way to protecting your iPhones screen if you drop it, but we still recommend an iPhone case and a screen protector. See: The best iPhone 16, Plus, Pro and Max cases for our recommendations. Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, the screen size itself hasnt changed. Its still 6.1-inch or 6.7-inch for the larger model. It is still the case that only the Pro and Pro Max offer the ProMotion and Always On features. iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max Design iPhone 16 Pro (left) iPhone 15 Pro (right). iPhone 16 Pro (left) iPhone 15 Pro (right). Apple iPhone 16 Pro (left) iPhone 15 Pro (right). Apple Apple The color differences for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro are not nearly as obvious as with the iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15. The new iPhones 16 Pro and Pro Max are constructed from microblasted Grade 5 titanium and the colors are a little darker than 2023s generation with Natural Titanium, White Titanium and Black Titanium. A new color named Desert Titanium has been introduced (its a gold shade). For the iPhone 15 Pro the color choices were: Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium. The decision to replace blue with gold may indicate that blue wasnt as popular a color for the iPhone 15 Pro as the gold shades offered in the past have been. iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max Screen The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have new screen sizes. The iPhone 16 Pro features a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max display is 6.9-inches. Previously the displays were 6.1-inch or 6.7-inch, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have the same 6.1-inch or 6.7-inch displays as previously. To make the screen size change possible without changing the dimensions Apple has reduced the bezels. The iPhone 16 Pro now has the Thinnest bezels on any Apple product. Some iPhone 16 Pro owners are complaining that their iPhone 16 Pro is not responding correctly to touchscreen gestures. This could be down to a iOS 18 software bug related to the new Camera Control feature iPhone 16 Specs: What are the specs of the iPhone 16? For 2024, the iPhone 16 isnt getting the iPhone 15 Pros hand-me-downs. The 16 and 16 Plus are powered by a new chip: the A18, which is an improvement on 2023s A16, which had previously powered the iPhone 14 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro gets an even better chip: the A18 Pro. Apple claims that the A18 in the iPhone 16 offers 17% more memory bandwidth. Its also based on the second generation of the 3nm process, with even smaller transistors, which should mean it is faster and more energy efficient. Apple says the 6-core CPU is 30% faster than the iPhone 15 was. There is also a new 5-core GPU, which Apple described as Desktop-class. Apparently, this is 40% faster than the GPU in the iPhone 15. For gamers, the A18 delivers up to 30 percent higher sustained performance for gaming, according to Apple. Hardware acceleration brings ray tracing to the iPhone 16. Honor of Kings World was announced, coming next year. The first A18 Pro benchmarks are out, and it is FAST! A Geekbench 6 listing shows performance numbers for an iPhone 16 Pro Max with a CPU score of 3,409 for single-core performance and 8,492 for multi-core performance. The GPU benchmark, which measures Metal API performance for GPU compute tasks and not 3D graphics rendering performance, came in at 32,848. iPhone 16 Pro Specs: What are the specs of the iPhone 16 Pro? Macworld Macworld Macworld Like the iPhone 16 the 16 Pro gets a new processor, this time the A18 Pro chip, which Apple says is faster and more efficient than A18. Like the A18 this chip uses the 2nd-gen 3n process and offers better performance and efficiency than the A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro. Apple says the CPU is up to 15 percent faster and 20% more efficient. It also features a faster and more efficient Neural Engine. Apple says the AI runs up to 50 percent faster than on A17 Pro. Theres a 6-core GPU that runs 20 percent faster than in the previous generation. Ray tracing is 2X faster. iPhone 16 Camera: What is the camera like in the iPhone 16? Apple Apple Apple The Camera Control button is one of the most notable new features. It doesnt stick out like the Action button, rather it is a touch-sensitive, gesture-sensitive, slightly recessed area that can be used to launch the Camera app, take a photo or a video. The button will recognize touch gestures, so, for example, light press can be used to adjust zoom, longer press will take a video. This button will work with 3rd party apps as well. Some people are finding the Camera Control button a bit awkward to use. Perhaps because of its position and the size of their hands. Luckily it is possible to adjust how the Camera Control works in Settings > Camera > Camera Control and also in Accessibility > Camera Control. In fact, there are some very useful Accessibility features, such as independently enabling light-press or a full swipe to bring up controls, adjusting the force necessary for a light press with three sensitivity levels, and choosing the speed to register a double-tap. Read our guide to Camera Control settings. The Camera Capture button is a big change on the outside of the iPhone, but there are changes coming to the iPhone 16 camera itself. The 48MP main camera in iPhone 16 will offer 24MP photos. A 2X telephoto and a New Ultra Wide camera with autofocus, will be available. Apple says the lense can let in 2.6X more light. Macro photography will now be available on the iPhone 16. Spatial capture for Vision Pro will also be available. Also read: The best iPhone 16 feature is a Apple at its very best. It seems that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will support capturing images in the new JPEG XL format. While support from JPEG XL is not listed on Apples specifications, code has been spotted that seems to confirm it. Users will be able to select JPEG XL Lossless or JPEG XL Lossy compression. Read: iPhone 16 Pro is said to support JPEG XL format. iPhone 16 Pro Camera: What is the camera like in the iPhone 16 Pro? Macworld Macworld Macworld Apple said that the A18 Pro powers never-before-seen camera features. There is a new 48MP Fusion camera and an 48MP Ultra Wide camera. New photography features include updates to Photographic Styles, which now understands skin tones and adjusts shadows. A new control pad makes it easy to adjust color. After an image is captured it will be easy to slide through styles using the Camera Control button. For video, new features include Cinematic slow motion at 4K120fps. Users will be able to adjust FPD after capture. There are also four studio mics and Audio Mix uses machine learning to separate background noises from speech. iPhone 16 battery Apple claims that battery life is better on the 2024 iPhones: Video playback (hours) Video playback (hours) iPhone 16 22 iPhone 15 20 iPhone 16 Plus 27 iPhone 15 Plus 26 iPhone 16 Pro 27 iPhone 15 Pro 23 iPhone 16 Pro Max 33 iPhone 15 Pro Max 29 Thats four hours more battery life on the iPhone 16 Pro Max compared to the 15 Pro Max and a one to two-hour increase on the other handsets. Those are Apples figures but our tests back them up. As you can see in our iPhone 16 battery life tests, the battery life for the iPhone 16-series is drastically better. Its not just extra battery life, Apple seems to have made it easier to replace the batteries. iFixit discovered that the batteries are secured by a smart adhesive that will make replacement easier. iPhone 16 security features The chip in the iPhone 16 chip has a new security feature, according to reports. The A18 series chips used in the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro have a Secure Exclave, which is an update from the Secure Enclave that Apple has been using since the iPhone 5s. The Secure Exclave seems to handle the Secure Indicator Light which comes on when the camera and microphone is in use so that malware cant use these features without the knowledge of the device owner. These light indicators were controlled by software in the past and therefore could be vulnerable to hackers, but by putting tm in the Secure Enclave they cant be accessed. iPhone history The iPhone 16 range and the iPhone SE 3 are the current-generation models available from Apple. In addition to this SE 4 model were also expecting iPhone 17 to launch in 2025. Below you can find links below to our reviews of all iPhone models, including the latest generation. Learn more about all the new Apple products coming this year and when is the next Apple event. You might also want to check out our advice on when is the best time to buy a new iPhone, our iPhone buying guide, and our comparison of every iPhone that is available to buy today. The MBTA expects by the of the year to remove all slow zones, areas where trains cannot safely run at full speed after years of deferred maintenance, the Ts chief executive said Monday. Portions of the T have endured days- or weeks-long closures in recent years as the agency races to bring its full transit network up to code. In November of last year, the T set an ambitious goal to remove nearly 200 speed restrictions by the end of 2024. The agency is on track to hit that mark, MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said Monday on GBH News Boston Public Radio. According to MBTA data, about 9 miles of its tracks are under a speed restriction, amounting to 6% of the transit system. Eng said the status quo was the product of years of disinvestment that allowed speed restrictions caused by maintenance issues to just continue to accumulate on top of one another. Riders board the MBTA Red Line at South Station in Boston. (Will Katcher/MassLive).Will Katcher/MassLive Now, round-the-clock closures of portions of track are necessary to complete maintenance work efficiently, according to the T. If repair crews could only work an hour or two each night when the trains are normally out of service, the work could take far longer. The latest shutdown hit the Red Line, where 18 miles of track are closed until Sept. 29 for work, forcing riders onto shuttle buses and Commuter Rail trains instead. The three-and-a-half weeks of work, on the Red Lines Braintree Branch, is expected to lift 20 speed restrictions. Returning trains to normal speed could allow a round-trip journey on that branch to improve by 24 minutes, according to the MBTA. And this is what [riders] deserve, Eng told GBH hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan on Monday. Theyve been waiting far too long for this work to be done. Once the work this year is completed, Eng said the T could address maintenance issues and remove slow zones when they arise. As evidence of the works impact, he said the Blue Line has run without speed restrictions since the spring and is carrying more trains than it did in the year before the pandemic. Were already seeing that the frequency of our subway lines is increasing, Eng added. On all of our Red, Orange, Blue, Green lines, were running more trains. A day after police said a student sent bomb threats to their Methuen elementary school over social media, two high school students in the city were charged in connection with making similar threats to their schools. On Sept. 7, Methuen police said they were told about a bomb threat made on social media toward the Timony School. Officers told Methuen Public School officials about the threat and started an investigation, the police said. The bomb threat was made by a student from the Timony School, police added. But, authorities said that the nonspecific threat was uncredible and the student didnt have the means nor opportunity to carry out such a threat. No charges have been filed and the police department left any punishment to Methuen Public Schools. Then on Sept. 8, Students and parents reported another threat to the Methuen Public Schools. Methuen police were told by the citys public schools that another bomb threat was made toward them on social media against Methuen High School. Police said two 14-year-old students from Methuen High School students were involved with sending the threats. Each of the students was charged with threatened use of explosives, causing disruption of a school, police said. One of the students was arrested on Sunday at their home by Methuen police officers, authorities said. That teenager is being held on a $10,000 cash bail and is expected to be arraigned at Essex County Juvenile Court in Lawrence. The other student is also expected to be arraigned at Essex County Juvenile Court but at a later date, police said. Police said they did a sweep of Methuen High School with the help of first responders and K-9 teams. They determined the threats were not credible but extra police were stationed at Methuen Public Schools Monday as a precaution. Both threats made over the weekend are under investigation and more charges might be added, police said. A plane crash in a wooded area in Vermont on Sunday has left four people dead, according to law enforcement. The plane left Windham Airport in Connecticut around 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 for a nearly two-hour flight to Basin Harbor Airport in Ferrisburg, Vermont State Police said. After the plane landed in Vermont the passengers arrived for brunch reservations at Basin Harbor, state police said. They then left the restaurant a little after noon and were supposed to fly back to Connecticut. A witness said the plane was on the runway around 12:15 p.m. There werent any reports of the plane in distress or that it crashed, police said. But, after the plane didnt return to Connecticut, the relatives of the passengers reached out to the Connecticut State Police and the Middletown Police Department in Connecticut. Both agencies worked with the Federal Aviation Administration and used cellphone location data to find the planes last known location was near the airstrip in Vermont, the police added. Around 10:20 p.m. on Sunday, the Middletown police told the Vermont State Police about the planes last location. A drone flown by Middlebury police found the planes wreckage around 12:20 a.m. on Monday in a wooded area east of the Basin Harbor Airport, police said. All four passengers were dead when first responders arrived. Autopsies will be done to find out the cause and manner of their deaths, police said. Authorities have not released the names of those involved. A bomb threat was made against a Methuen K-8 school over the weekend, but authorities have deemed it not credible, according to police. Methuen police were notified by FBI Boston of a bomb threat made on social media against the Timony Grammar School on Saturday, police said in a Sunday afternoon press release. Officers immediately began investigating the threat and soon determined that the account that made the threat belonged to a Timony student who does not possess the means or opportunity to carry out such a threat. A Cape Cod man who was killed in a car crash on Route 6 in Brewster late last month is being remembered for his love of fishing. Chatham resident Edward Footer, 57, was driving a Toyota Tundra east when a commercial truck heading in the opposite direction crossed into oncoming traffic and hit his pick-up truck, Massachusetts State Police said previously. The commercial truck, which was being driven by a 24-year-old Yarmouth man, also struck a GMC Safari being driven by a 40-year-old Yarmouth man. Troopers responded to the crash around 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 26 and found Footer with life-threatening injuries, police said. He died at the scene. The commercial truck driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, but the GMC driver was uninjured. A second recount is in the works following the Massachusetts State Primary on Sept. 3. The Republican primary election between state Rep. Mathew Muratore, R-1st Plymouth, and Kari MacRae, of Bourne, both seeking the senate seat for Plymouth and Barnstable, is heading for a recount on Sept. 12, according to The Bourne Enterprise. MacRae collected signatures for a petition for a district-wide recount filed on Friday, the candidate announced on Facebook. Shes behind Muratore with 6,935, or 49.8%, votes compared to his 6,983, or 50.2%, according to unofficial results from the AP. On Wednesday, the day after Election Day, Muratores campaign sent The Enterprise a statement proclaiming victory. While the final handful of votes remain to be counted, we are confident in our lead, andmost importantlywe are grateful to the voters that put their trust in our campaign, the statement read. That same day, MacRaes campaign announced it would call for a recount. She said that at about midnight, I enjoyed a 581-vote lead on Rep. Muratore ... Then Plymouth weighed in Rep. Muratores hometown, the statement read. Vote counting in the middle of the night in my opponents hometown, she said. I had a 581-vote lead. What could go wrong, right? MacRae then suggested in the statement that she was deeply disturbed by the substantial irregularities in the Plymouth vote-counting efforts. She continued to question the primarys election integrity when The Enterprise called her for comment. MacRae told reporter that, questionable things that were happening in Plymouth on the night of the election they had some calculation errors and software errors. Then in a Facebook livestream last Thursday, MacRae claimed there were some discrepancies in the town of Plymouth, which my Republican opponent also agrees with. The recount will take place on Thursday, Sept. 12 in the Herman Meeting Room at the Main Branch of the Falmouth Public Library, The Enterprise wrote. This is the second recount to be filed in the wake of the state primary. Also on Friday, Cambridge Democratic organizer Evan MacKay filed paperwork for a recount in their race against state Rep. Marjorie Decker over the 25th Middlesex District seat in the state House. With the scorecard and players settled, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has launched the first salvo of the air wars in her re-election fight against Republican John Deaton. In a new, 30-second digital ad called Fighting for More, Warren touted her work for Massachusetts over two terms on Capitol Hill. "I helped bring [$20 billion] to Massachusetts roads, bridges, and transit paid for in part by my tax on giant corporations, Warren says in the ad, as newspaper headlines from across the state flash on the screen. We lowered drug costs. We canceled student loan debt. But we are not done, she continues. That unfinished work includes [bringing] down the cost of housing and child care, and [rooting] out corruption in Washington, Warren continues. Keep me in the Senate and Ill fight to get it done, she says in the digital spot. Deaton, a cryptocurrency lawyer from Swampscott, coasted to victory in last weeks three-way Republican primary, buoyed by a wave of cash from Big Tech. He nonetheless faces an uphill battle against Warren, a deeply entrenched and well-funded incumbent. Hes tried to paint her as out-of-touch with Bay State voters. In an email, Warrens campaign manager Janice Rottenberg said the Cambridge pol is taking nothing for granted. Warren knows how to fight and she knows how to deliver, not for the billionaires and special interests trying to seize control of the Senate, but for working people as one of the fiercest advocates for the middle-class, Rottenberg said. In a post to X last week, Deaton said "voters are turning their back on divisive partisan politics and are ready to support a message of optimism, unity, and solving problems. With less than 60 days to go before the polls open nationwide and even less time before early voting starts in many states, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are in a statistical dead heat in a new poll. The canvass released Sunday by The New York Times and Siena College shows Trump leading Harris 48%-47% on the eve of what likely could be their first and only televised debate on Tuesday. The poll of 1,695 likely voters, conducted between Sept. 3 and Sept. 6, has warning signs enough for both Democrats and Republicans that bear notice. The poll had a margin of error of 2.8%. Here are the three, key takeaways from Trump and the GOP, and one for Harris and the Democrats. This one wont come as a surprise, a plurality of respondents (43%) said that Trump had said something recently that had offended them, compared to 27% who said they, too, had been offended just not recently. The Republican nominee has ratcheted up the rhetoric on the stump since an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July. The shooting has pitted Democrats and Republicans against each other in a way that one historian calls outright frightening, The Washington Post reported Monday. In a posting to his Truth Social site, Trump threatened to jail political adversaries, singling out those he said were involved in unscrupulous behavior. WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include [long-term] prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again, Trump wrote late Saturday, sowing doubt once more about the integrity of the election, even though cheating is incredibly rare, The Associated Press reported. Please beware that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials, he continued. Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country. The poll showed women voters, who make up critical voting blocs in the must-win swing states, were more likely than men to be offended by Trumps utterances on the stump and elsewhere. A majority of respondents (54%) described Trump, who has been convicted on 34 criminal counts and faces other legal jeopardy, as a risky choice to lead the country. Once again that number was higher among women voters (58%), though a bare majority of male respondents (50%) also answered the same way, the poll showed. And nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) said they strongly or somewhat opposed Project 2025 the hard-right governing document drawn up by a conservative think-tank, with contributions from former Trump White House aides. Trump has spent weeks trying to distance himself from the document, even as hes attempted to tack to the center on some issues. But some of its key recommendations, including gutting the civil service and abolishing the U.S. Department of Education were goals of Trumps first term. And while has said he believes abortion is a matter best left to the states, nearly half of respondents (49%) said they believe the Republican will try to pass a nationwide ban, compared to 43% who said he will not. The poll also suggests that Harris has her work cut out for her heading into her televised face-off with Trump on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. A majority of the polls respondents (52%) similarly described Harris as a risky choice for the country, with that sentiment strongest among male voters. (58%) than among women voters (47%). That sentiment also ran strongest among voters aged 45 and older. Slightly more than six in 10 voters (61%) said they believe the next president should represent a major change from President Joe Biden, compared to 34% who are seeking only a minor change. A clear majority of respondents (54%) also said Harris deserves a lot or some of the blame for rising prices, a criticism that has dogged Biden during his first term. Those result suggests that Harris will have to work hard on Tuesday night to explain how her future administration will stand on its own two feet, and not simply represent a second Biden term. SOUTHWICK When the Police and Fire departments suit up for their second annual softball game to raise money for the Jimmy Fund on Sept. 21, the firefighters and paramedics will be looking to avenge their one-run loss in last years game to against the police officers. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then, said Brian Schneider, the Fire Departments fire prevention officer about the last inning go-ahead run the police officers scored for the win. "One of the best contemporary writers on philosophy" National Review "A terrific writer" Damian Thompson, Daily Telegraph "Feser... has the rare and enviable gift of making philosophical argument compulsively readable" Sir Anthony Kenny, Times Literary Supplement Selected for the First Things list of the 50 Best Blogs of 2010 (November 19, 2010) The Africa Center and African Export-Import Bank have announced the upcoming launch of the Afreximbank Africa Diaspora Center (AADC), a groundbreaking initiative that will help bridge the gap between Africans on the continent and the African Diaspora, and the African continent. AADC will serve as an institutional gateway that connects Africans and people of African descent to each other, enhancing the flow of Africa-focused information, allowing them to better harness economic opportunities in Africa and the Diaspora, ultimately to the benefit all Africans irrespective of geographic location. The official AADC launch event will take place at the 2024 Future Africa Forum on Monday, September 23, 2024, from 4:30pm EST at The Africa Center at Aliko Dangote Hall, 1280 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York. Establishment of the AADC advances both The Africa Centers mission to serve as a gateway for engagement with contemporary Africa, shifting understanding of the role of Africa, African people, and people of African descent in todays world, and Afreximbanks mission to create a vibrant and significantly sizeable economic force that can front the challenges of now and build opportunities for Africans of tomorrow. In partnership, The Africa Center and Afreximbank will create a space where critical discussions on Africas role in the global landscape can take place, particularly at a time when the African Diaspora continues to play an influential role in shaping policy, demographics, and cultures around the world. Through this collaboration, both organizations aim to harness the power of the African Diaspora, facilitating individual and collective engagement with Africa in ways that are progressive, impactful, and transformative. Dr. Uzodinma Iweala, CEO of The Africa Center said, The launch of the Afreximbank Africa Diaspora Center at The Africa Center during the annual Future Africa Forum, demonstrates how The Africa Center continues to be an interdisciplinary institution that brings the ideas, people, and possibilities of Africa together. As the world converges in New York City during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), The Africa Center stands as a critical venue for conversations, connections, and celebrations of African innovation. This is where the complexities of Africas past, present, and future can be explored and appreciated in their full depth. We are excited about the opportunities and relationships the AADC will offer Africans and people of African descent to better understand who we are as a global community and what we can accomplish for the future of Africa together. To celebrate this historic milestone, Professor Bennedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Afreximbank said, The African Diaspora has snowballed into a significant economic bloc that is increasingly integrating into the broader African continent and facilitating exchange of ideas and resources. In a polarizing world, deepening the socio-economic engagements between Africa and its Diaspora towards a Global African Community has become urgent. The Afreximbank Africa Diaspora Center will serve as the gateway to harnessing and organizing African resources for the transformation of the fortunes of the African people, wherever they may be. We are most pleased to have launched this initiative, which is a further step to concretizing our Global Africa Agenda. Alongside the launch of the Afreximbank Africa Diaspora Center, The Africa Center will also open the exhibition Points of Resonance: Contemporary Photography in Africa on September 18, 2024. Curated by Heba Farid and Zein Khalifa, founders of TINTERA gallery, and Sarah Sarofim an independent curator and editor, based in Cairo, Egypt. The exhibition brings together the work of twelve artists living and working in Africa and the Diaspora: Ibrahim Ahmed, Sammy Baloji, Fatoumata Diabate, Nelly El Sharkawy, Maheder Haileselassie, Heba Khalifa, Seif Kousmate, Lebohang Kganye, Safaa Mazirh, Hashim Nasr, Nobukho Nqaba, and Dawit L. Petros. Employing the language and tools of photography, these artists explore the effects of colonialism, migration, and changing identities. Points of Resonance underscores common links across the African continent and its Diaspora, showing how the works resonate and echo each other, amplifying shared struggles, dreams, and aspirations. The 2024 Future Africa Forum will include a panel conversation, special remarks by invited guests, and a celebration of African fashion, complemented by live music and African gastronomy. Points of Resonance will be free and open to the public for two months, showcasing the dynamic interplay of African and Diaspora identities. AIM 2025 reunira des leaders de lindustrie, des representants gouvernementaux, des decideurs politiques, des investisseurs regionaux et internationaux de haut niveau, ainsi que dimportantes entreprises et organisations internationales de divers secteurs. Le congres explorera les plus recentes tendances, developpements et opportunites qui faconnent le paysage de linvestissement mondial, en se concentrant sur la resolution des defis actuels et futurs et en mobilisant des efforts pour elaborer des solutions innovantes, dans le but de favoriser une economie mondiale prospere et durable. Son Excellence Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, ministre dEtat aux Affaires etrangeres des Emirats Arabes Unis et President dAIM Congress, a souligne limportance de ce rassemblement, declarant : AIM Congress 2025 represente une occasion pour reaffirmer lengagement indefectible des Emirats Arabes Unis a diriger les efforts mondiaux pour relever les defis economiques urgents de notre epoque. Alors que le monde temoigne des changements economiques profonds, AIM fournira une plateforme importante pour que la communaute internationale se reunisse, elabore des strategies dinvestissement innovantes et construise un cadre assurant une croissance durable et inclusive pour tous . Pour repondre aux nombres accrus devenements, dactivites et dexposants, la surface dexposition sera doublee pour atteindre plus de 30 000 m. Levenement accueillera plus de 25 000 participants distingues provenant de 180 pays, et plus de 1 000 intervenants devraient participer a plus de 350 tables rondes. Pour manifester votre interet, veuillez consulter le site suivant : www.aimcongress.com. AIM Congress 2025 proposera des evenements, des forums, des sessions de dialogue, des ateliers, des reunions de haut niveau, AIM Investment Awards and Exhibition, un concours de startups et des opportunites dinvestissement specifiques a certains pays. Avec deux portefeuilles supplementaires, AIM 2025 abordera huit portefeuilles cles, notamment linvestissement direct etranger (IDE), le commerce mondial, les startups et les licornes, les villes du futur, la finance du futur, la fabrication mondiale, leconomie numerique et les entrepreneurs. Dawood Al Shezawi, President du comite dorganisation dAIM Congress, a souligne le succes continu de levenement et la participation accrue, notant que le comite dorganisation est determine a organiser une edition plus importante et plus percutante afin de continuer a faconner une economie mondiale plus prospere et inclusive. TWO Gardai are to be awarded Scott medals for their courage while taking part in a sea cave rescue near Belderrig on Mayo's north coast in 1997. Inspector Joseph Finnegan and Sergeant Kieran Flynn will both receive bronze Scott medals at a ceremony in Dublin this afternoon for their role in a harrowing cave rescue in north Mayo 27 years ago. The Scott medal is the highest honour that can be bestowed by the Garda Commissioner and is awarded for exceptional heroism involving risk to life. Both men were members of the Garda Underwater Unit who were tasked with assisting in the rescue of a group of people trapped within a sea cave near Lady's Bay on October 25, 1997. German national Will Ernst von Below died when his new currach capsized in a sea cave at Horse Island, throwing his friends, Tony and Carmel Murphy and their young daughter Eimear into the sea. Diver Michael Heffernan, a member of Mayos Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club also lost his life while trying to rescue the three family members who were trapped in the back of a sea cave. Following the rescue of the survivors, a daylight operation was launched to recover the bodies of the two men who had not survived and Garda Finnegan and Garda Flynn entered the water with a tow rope and large floating fenders. They were washed up on rocks at the back of the cave by heavy waves but they managed to locate the bodies of the two deceased men and secured their bodies. They then guided the bodies through the surf to the water's edge on a pre-arranged torch signal to the boat. Three Scott medals for bravery were awarded to Garda members Ciaran Doyle, David Mulhall and Sean OConnor for their role in the Belderrig cave rescue, which was one of the longest in recent Coast Guard history and involved about 100 people attached to 21 different services. National marine bravery awards were also given to the gardai, and to Grainne Uaile diver Josie Barrett, Killala Coast Guard members Sean McHale and Martin Kavanagh and fishermen Martin and Patrick O Donnell. Garda divers Kieran Flynn and Joseph Mulligan were commended for their role, but were passed over for Scott medals at the time. At a commemoration in 2022 to mark the 25th anniversary of the rescue, retired Chief Superintendent Anthony McNamara made an appeal to the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris for An Garda Siochana to recognise the bravery of the two gardai. Speaking at the ceremony, McNamara said he had recommended that all five Garda divers should receive Scott medals for their efforts, and it was still one of his regrets that the bravery of both men was 'overlooked'. He asked Commissioner Harris who was present at the ceremony to 'have someone look at it again' adding, Its never too late to undo a wrong. Eight Scott medals are to be awarded later today to gardai for bravery in the line of duty, three of them posthumously. THE level of traffic in Ballinrobe at school drop-off times has been branded as chaotic by a local councillor. Cllr Michael Burke said he received numerous phone calls after some cars took 45 minutes to get through Ballinrobe when schools recently reopened. The Fine Gael representative said school buses were forced to drop children on the side of the road due to the level of congestion in the town on one particular morning. Raising the issue at the monthly meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District, Cllr Burke said some people were being blocked from going to appointments while parents were dropping their children to St Josephs Primary School and Ballinrobe Community School. Cllr Burke said that recently installed traffic lights were functioning fairly well but were causing problems for traffic coming from Watsons Lane. It hasnt solved the problem, and it was never going to, we never said that, said Cllr Burke. Cllr Patsy OBrien said that the local people had been let down and likened the recent traffic management measures to shifting chairs on the Titanic. The Independent councillor said that more parking spaces were needed to give more space to cars and buses dropping off children to school. Cllr Damien Ryan said that the council should send an engineer to meet the management of both schools to discuss what could be done to alleviate some of the school traffic. Intensification is the issue. There is 1,400 or 1,500 children going to the two schools, and with the best will in the world, the lights were always going to have and impact on that, the Fianna Fail councillor said. St Josephs Primary School has an enrollment of over 400 while over 870 students and staff attend Ballinrobe Community School on a daily basis. Cllr Ryan said that the delivery of a slip road from the Claremorris Road to the Kilmaine Road would be a huge gesture towards the schools - which have received 50,000 in funding for Active Travel measures respectively. Conrad Harley, Senior Executive Engineer with Mayo County Council, said that the traffic lights have improved the situation in general. Mr Harley said further improvements could be made with the delivery of the Active Travel projects at both schools, followed by a third phase connecting them with the Kilmaine Road. Referring to the level of traffic last Wednesday, Mr Harley said a perfect storm had been caused by wet weather and unfamiliarity with the new traffic regime. Tom Gilligan, Mayo County Councils Director of Services for Roads, said that a bypass was crucial for reducing traffic in Ballinrobe. Mayo County Council identified a preferred route for the N84 Ballinrobe Bypass in 2008 but funding for the project was subsequently suspended. The councils National Roads Office began preparing a strategic assessment report on the bypass at the start of this year. by Sarah Mahoney , Staff Writer @mahoney_sarah, September 6, 2024 Hormels Black Label Bacon is mixing it up, collaborating with General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch, hoping the cereal brands cinnadust will send young fans taste buds into a sweet nostalgic frenzy. Its the categorys first-ever co-branded bacon. Hormel promises that hand-rubbing the flavoring will deliver a crisp, sugary crust with a delicious balance of cinnamon, sugar, salt and savory bacon taste. Aly Sill, senior brand manager, tells CPG Insider what it hopes to accomplish by pairing the premium bacon brand with a passionate adult fan base. Interview has been edited for length and clarity. CPG Insider: Tell us how this partnership came about. Aly Sill: Our vision is to boldly push the boundaries of bacon, and we were looking for brand partners with a fan base similar to ours. Sweet and savory have always been a great combo for the breakfast category. Cinnamon Toast Crunch checked all those boxes, and it was an extra nice fit because General Mills is another Minnesota-based company. CPG Insider: Bacons crossover appeal has been growing among foodies for over a decade. What made you decide the trend was popular enough to jump into mainstream tastes? Sill: We watch food trends so closely, especially from the food service side, so we know requests for bacon have been up among businesses like donut and ice cream shops. Since the trend has been on the rise, we wanted to capitalize on it. But combining bacon with French toast, for example, has been popular for a long time. CPG Insider: Walk us through how you evaluate another brand for a potential partnership. Sill: We had a long list of criteria. Three things were most important. We wanted an overlapping consumer base of people to attract into the bacon category. Cinnamon Toast Crunch has a lot of strength with millennials and Gen Z, an audience we are interested in. Next, we wanted a passionate fan base, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch had that, with social media trends, including celebrities and superfans, similar to ours. Lastly, it connects to the flavor profile, and we have seen some posts, particularly on TikTok, that people were already making this combination themselves. CPG Insider: Once upon a time, a brand like Black Label wouldnt have listened to what customers were doing. Youd have given them ideas about what they should be cooking based on trends from a great chef. Sill: Yes, this is a whole different thing. But with the rise of creators on social media, we get so much more information about what people want, and you have it right at your fingertips with your phone. It is a frequent source of our consumer research on flavor combinations. And people today are so interested in flavor fusions. CPG Insider: How did you decide on some of the specifics of the launch? Sill: We work closely with two of our largest partners, Walmart and Kroger. When we brought this to them, they signed up in a big way. Were working with them both on in-store merchandising and getting the word out on their websites. Well be in market with this for one year. CPG Insider: Six months from now, how will you know if this has been a hit? Sill: Weve got a few lenses for how were viewing success. Of course, meeting our customer expectations of sales rates is important. Also, were looking for a consumer response. Is this something Black Label consumers like, especially younger people? Bacon has traditionally been very boomer-oriented, and were working to get the next generation into the category and continue shopping there. CPG Insider: Will you need to see a sales bump among younger shoppers, or will awareness be enough? Sill: Hopefully, awareness will lead to sales, but yes, this is a long-term play. CPG Insider: Youve got two trends working against you. One is that many people, especially younger consumers, want to cut back on meat. The other is that many consumers of all ages are looking for ways to reduce food costs. How are those shifts impacting your brand? Sill: We watch those trends so closely. And whats special about bacon is that it is one of those items that consumers prioritize when they have tight budgets. We see this in a few categories: makeup, ice cream, and bacon. The last few years certainly have had some trying times, but the bacon category has steadily grown. We continue to see bacon lovers who swear they will not be caught without bacon in their refrigerators. CPG Insider: How are you letting people know about this? Sill: For this announcement, our first co-branded effort, weve started by putting the word out on social media. We have some fun stuff coming up tied to the VMAs next week, playing on the Collaboration of the Year award. We are also leaning in with our customer channels, leveraging Walmart and Krogers media networks. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, September 8, 2024 Google and antitrust enforcers will face off Monday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, where the Department of Justice and 17 states will attempt to prove the company illegally monopolized ad-tech tools that power programmatic online display ads. The showdown is set to start just one month after a federal judge in Washington, D.C. ruled that Google violated antitrust law by arranging to serve as the default search engine on browsers operated by Apple and Mozilla, as well as on Android devices. The case against Google dates to January 2023, when the Justice Department and a coalition of states alleged that Google corrupted legitimate competition" by monopolizing markets connected to open web display advertising -- essentially meaning programmatic ads served on sites operated by newspapers and other online publishers. advertisement advertisement The Justice Department and states contend that Google's moves allowed it to enrich itself at the expense of publishers, who allegedly were deprived of ad revenue, and advertisers, who supposedly paid more than they would have in a more competitive market. The government is seeking an order that would force Google to divest some or all of its ad-tech products. Google denies that it acted anticompetitively, and also disputes the government's proposed market definitions. U.S. District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled in June that the suit raised factual questions that required a trial. The closely watched upcoming battle could be among the most significant antitrust fights involving the tech industry since the late 1990s, when the government accused Microsoft of monopolizing the browser market by tying Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system. A trial judge in that case determined that Microsoft violated antitrust law and ordered the company to be broken up, but an appellate court reversed the divestiture order. Microsoft and the government ultimately reached a settlement. A lengthy roster of potential witnesses in the upcoming trial includes YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, former UM Worldwide global chief media officer Joshua Lowcock and Trade Desk chief revenue officer Jed Dederick. At trial, the government will attempt to prove that Google's 2008 acquisition of DoubleClick for $3.1 billion enabled the company to unlawfully dominate programmatic advertising. Google allegedly did so by tying DoubleClick's ad server for publishers and its then-new ad exchange to Google's advertiser network, according to the prosecution. By conditioning effective access to any one of its tools on customers also using Googles other ad tech tools, Google locked publishers and advertisers into using its own ad tech tools rather than those offered by competitors, prosecutors wrote in a pre-trial statement filed with Brinkema last month. That filing calls attention to a widely quoted internal Google email in which an employee compared Google's control of the ad-tech stack to Goldman or Citibank owning the New York Stock Exchange. Google controls the tools used by both sides of advertising transactions: the tools publishers use to sell open-web display ads as well as the tools advertisers use to buy such ads, prosecutors wrote. Google benefits from a privileged position as the middleman, extracting monopoly rents whenever open web display ads are transacted by advertisers and publishers on its exchange, the government wrote, adding that the company charges supracompetitive prices for its AdX exchange. Google counters that its actions led to increased consumer choice, dramatically increased output, decreased prices, and greater opportunities for businesses of all sizes, especially small businesses. Google endeavored to maximize value for ad space buyers and sellers (as well as users) by improving ad safety and security, user privacy, auction transparency, and the customer experience, the company said in a pre-trial statement filed last month. Antitrust expert Chris Hockett, who teaches at Berkeley Law, notes that monopolizing a market doesn't in itself violate antitrust laws. Instead, one key issue will be whether Google acquired or maintained monopoly power through anticompetitive means. The question in this case is going to be whether Google's arrangements preferred their own tools to such an extent that it improperly, unlawfully interfered with potential competitors, he tells MediaPost. He adds that even if Google is found to have taken a relatively large share of programmatic ad revenue as commissions, doing so wouldn't in itself have been unlawful. We don't have antitrust laws that make it illegal for a firm that has high market share, or even a monopoly, to extract the benefits of that monopoly in the form of higher profits, he says. One of the key areas of contention will center the nature of the ad-tech market, according to NYU law professor emerita Eleanor Fox, an antitrust and trade regulation expert. "The definition of the market will definitely be a very serious issue, Fox says. The prosecution specifically contends that Google monopolizes three markets: publisher ad servers for open-web display advertising, advertiser ad networks for open-web display advertising, and ad exchanges for open-web display advertising. For its part, Google disputes the idea that the ad-tech stack can be broken up into three separate markets. Instead, the company contends, the ad-tech stack is a two-sided platform that brings together advertisers and publishers -- comparable to the way a credit-card company manages transactions between consumers and retailers. Google also challenges the idea that there is a distinct market for open web display ads -- defined by the prosecution as an image of text-based ad shown on sites of open web publishers and viewable on desktop or mobile devices. The company says that proposed market doesn't account for competition from streaming services like Disney+, social-media services like Meta and retailers like Amazon. Reflecting the industry reality that different ad channels and formats can serve interchangeable purposes, every industry participant in this case testified that advertisers shift ad spend to different ad channels or formats including from or to website-based display advertising, based on return on investment, Google argued in its pre-trial statement, which drew on deposition testimony. The company added that its internal documents describe numerous instances in which it lost advertiser business to competitors like Meta because ad buyers shifted spend in order to improve returns. Google also questions whether news sites that require passwords and subscriptions, like NYTimes.com, should be categorized as open web. Assuming that ads on news sites as well as MSN and Yahoo are included in the definition of open web display ads, the market comes to around $32 billion a year out of total U.S. ad revenue of around $400 billion, according to ad industry economist Brian Wieser, CEO of consulting firm Madison and Wall. In addition to disagreements about how to define the market, prosecutors and Google are at odds over the company's decision to bundle various components of the ad-tech stack together. Prosecutors argue that the bundling decision hurt competitors, but Google counters that its move protects against spam and fraud. Integrated tools have important benefits for both ad space buyers and sellers, Google wrote last month in a pre-trial filing. Security and safety concerns are better and more reliably addressed when Google operates an integrated system. The trial could last for several weeks. by Ray Schultz , September 8, 2024 BuzzFeed has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit charging it with sharing information on visitors with Facebook, in violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act. The settlement includes a $9 million payment by BuzzFeed, according to a page set up for consumers who accessed a video through a BuzzFeed website between May 2021 and November 2023, and might be entitled to a payment, Top Class Actions reports. The suit, titled Peters vs. BuzzFeed, alleges that BuzzFeed disclosed its subscribers personally identifiable information (PII) to Facebook, without consent of subscribers, thus violating the Video Privacy Protection Act, the page states. It was filed earlier this year. advertisement advertisement A court hearing has been set for October 18 to approve the settlement. A separate class-action case, alleging that BuzzFeed violated the California Invasion of Privacy Act by installing trackers on website visitors internet browsers. The case, titled Chih-Yuan Chang vs. BuzzFeed, was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff in August. It was not clear what the terms were, if any. The trackers included the Sharethrough Tracker, IQM Tracker, and Dotomi Tracker. Because they capture routing, addressing or signaling information, each constitutes a pen register, the complaint states. Pen registers, which are used by law enforcement, cannot be installed without a court order, it adds. by Steven Rosenbaum , Featured Contributor, September 9, 2024 In his fiery op-ed for The Washington Post, A.G. Sulzberger, publisher of The New York Times, delivers a stark warning about the future of free speech and independent journalism in the United States. Using the example of Hungarys Viktor Orban, Sulzberger describes how authoritarian leaders can slowly dismantle press freedom through subtle bureaucratic tools like tax laws, broadcast licensing, and government subsidies. The result is a media landscape dominated by loyal outlets that parrot the governments narratives while critical voices are silenced. Sulzberger makes it clear this playbook is not a relic of faraway regimes but a potential threat in the U.S., especially with political figures like Donald Trump openly admiring these tactics. Trumps labeling of the media as the enemy of the people was not just empty rhetoric; it signaled an increasingly dangerous attitude toward journalism. Allies like Kash Patel have made it explicit that Trumps next term would see an even greater escalation in attacks on the free press, including the use of legal and bureaucratic measures to punish journalists and media outlets deemed hostile. advertisement advertisement Sulzbergers op-ed is a warning, but it is also a call to action as the U.S. approaches the possibility of a future where policies like those laid out in Project 2025 could take hold. This conservative policy agenda, crafted to guide a future Republican administration, poses a direct threat to the independence of journalism and the broader democratic framework that relies on it. Public broadcasting would be one of the first targets under Project 2025. PBS and NPR, both seen as left-leaning by conservatives, play an essential role in providing fact-based, non-commercial news to the public. The loss of public broadcasting would lead to an even greater concentration of media ownership in the hands of those who prioritize profit over public service, diminishing the diversity of viewpoints in the media landscape. But the attack on journalism doesnt end with defunding public broadcasters. Sulzberger highlights another critical threat: restricting press access to government officials. Trumps first term saw multiple instances where journalists were denied access to press briefings or even banned from covering certain events. Project 2025 builds on this tactic by proposing that only journalists deemed favorable to the administration be allowed access to critical information. This selective access creates a system where only loyal outlets get the full story, while independent or critical journalists are sidelined. Social media platforms are another key battleground in Project 2025. The project specifically targets Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a law that shields tech companies from liability for content posted by their users while allowing them to moderate harmful or misleading material. Conservatives argue that platforms like Facebook and Twitter have used Section 230 to unfairly censor conservative viewpoints, and Project 2025 seeks to strip away these protections if platforms are seen as engaging in politically biased moderation. Sulzberger emphasizes the dangers of this approach. Without the ability to moderate harmful content, social media platforms could become breeding grounds for conspiracy theories, hate speech, and disinformation. This would further erode public trust in media, making it even harder to distinguish fact from fiction in the digital age. Adding to the concern is Project 2025s proposal to introduce must-carry laws, which would force platforms to host all legal political content, even if it violates their community guidelines. Sulzberger draws a direct comparison to Hungary, where similar laws ensure that government-approved narratives dominate while dissenting voices are drowned out. These laws dont protect free speech; they create a chaotic environment where the most extreme voices are amplified at the expense of truth and accountability. Sulzbergers broader concern, which he lays out clearly in his op-ed, is that the erosion of press freedom doesnt happen in an instantits a slow, methodical process. It relies on sowing distrust in journalism, exploiting legal loopholes, and rewarding media outlets that serve the interests of those in power. Once independent journalism is sufficiently weakened, governments can act with impunity, shielded from public scrutiny. Sulzbergers fiery message is a call to arms for anyone who values democracy and the free flow of information. The threats posed by Project 2025 are not hypothetical; they are real, and they demand immediate attention. If we fail to defend the free press now, we risk losing one of the most important safeguards of our democracy. The time to act is now. As Sulzberger warns, once the free press is undermined, its not just journalism that suffers -- it's democracy itself. If the American press is silenced, we risk becoming a nation where truth is dictated by those in power, and dissent is not tolerated. The cost of inaction is too high to ignore. We must protect the free press before its too late. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, September 9, 2024 Apple unveiled its iPhone 16 Monday at its Glowtime event, focusing on generative AI (GAI) and how engineers rebuilt its latest phone with enhanced processing capabilities. "The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. "It marks the beginning of an exciting new era. iPhone 16 raises the bar for what an iPhone can do." The upgrades will give advertisers more options to expand experiences on the phones using AI images and videos because they support more processing power, although Apple did not discuss this during the event. advertisement advertisement Apple Intelligence, -- the companys new suite of artificial intelligence (AI) services -- automates tasks like image generation, smarter searching in Photos, rewriting emails and summarizing web articles. "It's too early to tell at this point since we've not seen the extent of Apple Intelligence's effect on email summaries, but this could mean marketers would need to find creative ways to make their summaries stand out so the AI does a better job of surfacing them," said Emarketer analyst Gadjo Sevilla. The iPhone 16s unveiled on Monday, and last years iPhone 15 Pro, are the only phones that can run the new software because older models are too slow to handle the tasks. Apple built the iPhone 16 with a new chip, A18, more CPU and GPU cores, as well as faster Neural Engine for better AI processing and more memory -- something required for AI. Visual Intelligence with AI for the iPhone 16 series only lets users search with the iPhone's camera by tapping the Camera Control button to learn more. For aesthetics, it has an aluminum back, and a customizable button that can be used for camera controls. In June, Apple explained how its AI will have a deeper understanding of content. Powered by Apple Intelligence, Siri becomes more deeply integrated into the system experience. Siri became more natural, contextually relevant, and personal, with the ability to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks. It can follow along if users stumble over words and maintain context from one request to the next. Users gained the ability to switch between text and voice to communicate with Siri. Emarketer estimates there are 132.5 million iPhone users in the U.S. Apple leveraged the iPhones camera as a way to capture information and run web searches, and query GAI services like ChatGPT, but it's also using voice dictation through an updated Siri assistant to run on device applications such as searches and automations that usually require multiple steps, according to Emarketer. The focus on privacyrunning AI processes securely on-device while using Private Cloud Compute to offload heavy workloads to secure servershighlights the benefits of Apples highly integrated ecosystem which could push adoption in enterprise applications. by Colin Kirkland , September 9, 2024 After leaving Hyundai this past month, Angela Zepeda has joined X as the social media companys first global head of marketing since Elon Musk took over the platform in late 2022. On Monday, X CEO Linda Yaccarino announced that Zepeda will not only be leading the platforms marketing efforts, but will also shape the companys transformation moving forward. As Hyundais head of marketing, Zepeda oversaw social media, creative work and experiential and multicultural marketing, leading the automotive companys recent investment in Reddit and more. But Zepedas CMO title -- which she had held since 2019 -- changed when the automaker split its marketing department into creative and performance divisions this past July. advertisement advertisement About two weeks ago, Zepeda left the company, writing on LinkedIn that after five years at Hyundai, she was thrilled to shift gears and begin a new adventure at X. The global head of marketing role at X has remained vacant since Leslie Berland left the position, shortly after Musk bought the company two years ago. Zepeda is stepping into the role at a challenging time, as the platform struggles to boost ad revenue after two years of significant job cuts and an ongoing advertiser exodus in response to widespread concern over ad safety among a proliferation of harmful and offensive content. Research and consulting firm Kantar recently found that 26% of marketers globally are planning to decrease their spend on the platform in 2025, while only 4% of marketers think X ads provide brand safety. Xs ad revenue is reportedly down around 83% compared to what it had been before Musk took over the app. In addition, last week, X was banned in Brazil, its largest user base in Latin America, resulting in the loss of about 20 million users and immediately reducing the platforms monetizable daily active user count from 250 million to 230 million. Paired with the loss of 5 million users in Europe that the company reported this year, Xs total user base is down at least 10% in 2024. Highlights: West Bengal tops the list with the highest number of hospital beds, followed by Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh States with a higher number of beds are better equipped to manage healthcare crises and everyday medical needs The distribution of hospitals and beds varies, with states like Uttar Pradesh having more hospitals but fewer beds per hospital Did You Know? Despite having the highest number of hospitals, Uttar Pradesh ranks third in hospital beds, trailing behind West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. #healthcare #india #hospitalbeds #medindia Despite having the highest number of hospitals, Uttar Pradesh ranks third in hospital beds, trailing behind West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. #healthcare #india #hospitalbeds #medindia Advertisement Top States with the Most Hospital Beds Advertisement Link Between Hospital Beds and Health Outcomes Advertisement Top States with Strong Healthcare Infrastructure West Bengal: Tamil Nadu: Uttar Pradesh: Variations in Healthcare Facilities Across the Country Importance of Hospital Beds in Public Health The healthcare infrastructure in India varies significantly across different states. Having a strong hospital infrastructure is crucial for ensuring the availability of healthcare services to the population. Let's look at the number of hospitals and hospital beds across 15 Indian states. Understanding the significance of these numbers and analyzing the top-performing states enables us to gather their importance in the broader context of healthcare accessibility.West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh are leading Indian states in terms of hospital beds. West Bengal tops the list with 78,566 hospital beds across 1,566 hospitals. Similarly, Tamil Nadu follows with 77,532 beds, while Uttar Pradesh, despite having the highest number of hospitals (4,653), has 76,260 beds.This disparity highlights the varying density of hospital beds and the need to assess how well the hospitals are distributed across the states. Hospital beds are critical for patient care, especially during crises like pandemics, when the demand for medical facilities surges.The number of hospital beds per population ratio is often used as a health indicator to assess the preparedness of a state to handle medical emergencies. States with more hospital beds have a better capacity to treat patients efficiently, reducing wait times and improving healthcare outcomes. West Bengal and Tamil Nadu demonstrate impressive numbers, suggesting that they have robust healthcare infrastructure.However, the number of beds alone does not tell the full story. Equally important are the quality of care, distribution of hospitals, and ease of access. For example, while Uttar Pradesh has a high number of hospitals, its important to understand whether these hospitals are evenly spread or concentrated in certain areas.With 1,566 hospitals and 78,566 beds, West Bengal tops the list. The state's healthcare infrastructure ensures better preparedness for both regular healthcare needs and emergencies. This strong bed-to-hospital ratio reflects a relatively well-distributed system.Known for its robust public healthcare system, Tamil Nadu has 77,532 beds across 1,217 hospitals. Tamil Nadu's healthcare infrastructure is among the best in India, providing accessible care to both urban and rural populations.Despite leading in the number of hospitals, with 4,653, the state has 76,260 hospital beds. This shows a need for more efficient use of its healthcare facilities, especially given its large population.States like Karnataka and Maharashtra have relatively fewer hospital beds (69,865 and 51,446 beds, respectively), but they still manage to cater to large populations due to the presence of specialized hospitals and urban healthcare centers. Kerala, with its focus on quality healthcare, has a respectable 38,004 beds, while Delhi, a metropolitan region, has 24,383 beds across just 109 hospitals, indicating a high bed density in urban centers.In states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, the number of beds is lower, with 32,280 and 31,848 beds respectively. This could point to a need for expanded infrastructure in the rural parts of these states.During health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic , the availability of hospital beds became a significant indicator of a state's ability to cope with the surge in cases. States like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with high numbers of hospital beds, were relatively better equipped to handle the surge compared to states with fewer beds.A robust hospital infrastructure is also crucial in everyday healthcare delivery, affecting maternal health outcomes, the management of chronic diseases, and the treatment of acute conditions like heart attacks and strokes The availability of hospital beds is an essential component of a state's healthcare infrastructure. While West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh lead the list, other states still have a long way to go in ensuring equitable access to healthcare facilities. Continuous investment in healthcare infrastructure, along with efforts to improve the quality of care, will be vital to achieving better health outcomes across India.Source-Medindia Patients receiving systemic #glucocorticoids are 2.6 times more likely to develop #diabetes compared to those not receiving the #treatment. #asthma #medindia Trusted Source Steroid-induced diabetes Go to source Trusted Source Systemic Glucocorticoids and Diabetes Risk Advertisement Surprising Link Between Steroid Treatment and Diabetes 17,258 (3.8%) of the patients were treated with systemic glucocorticoids (some names include prednisolone, hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone) while in hospital, most commonly for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and infections. 316 of these 17,258 patients (1.8%) developed diabetes while in hospital. This compares with 3,430 of the 434,348 patients (0.8%) who didnt receive systemic glucocorticoids. Patients were typically admitted for less than a week. Advertisement Steroid-induced diabetes - (https:www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/other-types-of-diabetes/steroid-induced-diabetes) Glucocorticoids (also known as steroids) are anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat several inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis , cancer, and other medical issues.Glucocorticoids have several negative consequences, including raising blood sugar levels and causing diabetes, even though they can be quite successful at reducing inflammation. This isIn a recent study, experts at the Diabetes Trials Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK, examined the frequency at which patients receiving glucocorticoid treatment can acquire new-onset diabetes.The study revealed that patients on systemic glucocorticoids had a 2.6-fold increased risk of developing diabetes compared to those not on the medication().Study leader Dr Rajna Golubic, said: Existing information on how much more common new diabetes is in patients treated with glucocorticoids is based on small studies including patients with one or a few conditions. We wanted to expand the data to get a more accurate idea of how likely it is that people could develop diabetes while being treated with these drugs.Dr Golubic and colleagues compared the rate of new-onset diabetes in hospital patients who received systemic glucocorticoids (tablets, injections, or infusions) to patients not treated with these drugs.The study involved 451,606 adults (median age 52 years, 55% female, 69% White) who were admitted to the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust between 1 January 2013 and 1 October 2023.Further analysis showed thatDr Golubic says: These latest results give clinical staff a better estimate of how likely new diabetes is to occur and could prompt doctors to plan clinical care more effectively to detect and manage new diabetes While we studied hospital patients, glucocorticoid tablets can be prescribed by GPs for conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis and it is important that they, too, are aware of the link.She added: This study also shows how routinely collected clinical data can be used to help people with diabetes.Source-Eurekalert BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) has tied together the world in an unbreakable bond with their music. The band made its debut in 2013 but has gained immense popularity in the last five to six years. From well-choreographed dances to flaunting the latest fashion trends, the South Korean boy band has been shaping pop culture constantly. But when it comes to BTS net worth in 2024, who stands as the richest memberJungkook, RM, Jimin, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, or V? Lets break down their earnings and see whos at the top. BTS net worth 2024: How much is BTS as a group worth? Reuters Before diving into the net worth of each BTS member, lets see how much the South Korean boy band is worth as a group. Today, BTS is not just a boy band; its a global brand. The overall BTS net worth is made up of album sales, concert sales, merchandise, brand collaborations, streaming revenue, and much more. If we combine all these revenue sources, the reported BTS net worth is supposed to be around $200-250 million as a group. And this doesn't even cover the massive impact they've had on the South Korean economy. Reuters Their fans, who call themselves the 'BTS Army' or just 'Army' often travel to South Korea from across the world, just to feel closer to their favourite idols by visiting their childhood places, hanging out at their favourite spots, eating their favourite local dishes all with a secret dream that maybe they'll bump into one of the members from BTS! This is also referred to as the Hallyu culture aka the Korean wave. But the burning question remains who's the richest BTS member with the highest net worth in 2024? BTS net worth: V s net worth in 2024 Instagram/BTS V, or Kim Taehyung, is BTS richest member in 2024. According to Times Now, V has a net worth of approximately $40 million. Clearly, Kim Taehyung contributes significantly to the overall BTS net worth. Vs earnings come not only from BTS activities but also from his solo projects in acting and music. His acting debut in the K-drama Hwarang and solo OSTs have further added to his BTS net worth. V is also one of the most-followed K-pop idols on social media, which has attracted high-end endorsement deals. His influence in fashion and lifestyle spaces has made him a valuable asset to global luxury brands like Celine and Cartier. V is currently serving in the military and his service will end in June 2025. BTS net worth: Jungkooks net worth in 2024 Instagram/BTS Jungkook is the second richest member of BTS. Jeon Jungkook is reportedly worth $35 million, which places him in the second rank, close behind V, while calculating BTS net worth. Even though he is the youngest member of the team, it hasnt stopped Jeon Jungkook from minting money. His solo debut album, Golden, made him the first solo Korean artist to stay on the billboard 200 for 16 weeks. It also debuted at no. 2 on the Billboard 200. Though Jungkook earns a lot from his BTS activities, his solo albums and lucrative brand deals also rake in a lot of moolah for the pop idol. He is the brand ambassador for Calvin Klein which also contributes to the stars BTS net worth. BTS net worth: J-Hopes net worth in 2024 Instagram/BTS J-Hope aka Jung Hoseok is next on the list of BTS richest members, reportedly worth $30 million. He is the groups dance leader, since he remembers everybodys positions and choreographies perfectly. J-Hope became the first Korean artist to perform solo at Lollapalooza in 2022. This year too, he performed the closing act of the famous annual music festival. When talking about BTS net worth, J-Hope comes up higher on the list than other band members because of his solo ventures and endorsements. He is currently Louis Vuittons house ambassador and his debut studio album, Jack In The Box, was also hugely successful. He also owns four houses and his real estate investments have further added to the BTS net worth. His infectious energy on-stage has made him one of the most popular band members and is proof of the fact that his net worth can only soar higher from hereon. He, too, is currently enlisted in the military. BTS net worth: Sugas net worth in 2024 Instagram/BTS Min Yoogi aka Suga ties with J-Hope for the third richest member of BTS. Like J-Hope, Suga also has an approximate net worth of $30 million. The success of his solo debut album, D-Day, led to a worldwide Suga/Agust D tour which significantly contributed to the net worth of this BTS member. Suga is also the brand ambassador for Valentino and NBA. Undoubtedly, his concert sales and luxury brand endorsements have added quite a lot to his BTS net worth. He is not just a rapper, but also a successful music producer and has collaborated with some of the most iconic artists like Halsey, Psy, IU. Due to a shoulder injury, Suga didnt enlist in the military but instead will work as a social service agent till June 2025. BTS net worth: RMs net worth in 2024 Instagram/BTS BTS group leader RM aka Kim Nam-joon, is the fifth richest member of the group. He has played an integral role in the groups success, contributing to its songwriting, producing, and overall creative direction. In 2024, RMs net worth is estimated to be around $20-22 million. RMs deep involvement in BTSs music production, as well as his intellectual image, has helped him get several high-end endorsement deals, contributing to his BTS net worth. Apart from his BTS earnings, solo ventures and brand deals, RM also has an impressive and expensive art collection. For instance, he owns a Roni Horn sculpture worth $1.2 million. He also purchased a Jung Young ju painting for 50 million Korean won, which is about $40,000. He is rumoured to have almost 100 art pieces in his home. BTS net worth: Jins net worth in 2024 Instagram/BTS Jin aka Kim Seok-jin has a BTS net worth of about $20 million. He is the first to be discharged from military service and is expected to have his debut solo album release in 2024. Not only is he a gifted musician, he is also an excellent businessman, as is evident through his smart business decisions that have contributed to his overall net worth. His flat itself is reportedly worth $3.7 million. Jin shares his name with a popular ramen brand named Jim Ramen, owned by a Korean company, Ottogi. When he became the face of his namesake ramen brand, Ottogi saw a sharp spike in their ramen sales such is his influence. Jin and his brother also opened a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, called Ossu Seiromushi. Hallyu fans often visit it out of love for the BTS member. All these assets, combined, add a lot to the BTS member Jins net worth. BTS net worth: Jimins net worth in 2024 Instagram/BTS Park Ji-min, famously known as Jin, is tied with Jimin as BTS least richest members. However, he is still richer than most musicians and Korean artists. His wealth primarily comes from BTS activities, but Jimin has also ventured into solo music releases that have topped charts internationally. His debut album, Face was released in 2023 and his second album, Muse, was released this year on July 19, 2024. Jimin's brand power has made him one of the most in-demand endorsers in Korea, landing him several solo deals. His involvement in luxury brand campaigns and his distinct fashion style have made him not just a music icon but also a trendsetter. He is currently the global ambassador for Dior and the house ambassador of Tiffany & Co. BTS net worth 2024: How does it compare to other K-pop groups? September 9, 2024. Imagine Brigadier Vikram Batra celebrating his 50th birthday with his wife Dimple and two kids. Just imagine it. Feels good doesnt it? A pretty picture indeed! But sadly, an imagination is all that it is. Because it is never going to happen! Thats right, the man who would have turned 50 today never made it to his 25th birthday. He never got to marry, not did he manage to start a family. Instead, his life was given for something biggerthe nation itself. Mother India claimed him as her own and his sacrifice helped us win the Kargil War 25 years ago. July 7, 1999. The fateful day when we lost a brave soul. Somewhere in India, MS Dhoni was turning 18 and the London subway bombings were still six years away. But on the mountains of Kargil, a young life ended in the service of the country. Captain Vikram Batra, code name Shershaah, would achieve martyrdom as India recaptured their posts from the Pakistani intruders. X/ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY But this is not about what he achieved wearing the uniform. For that, there have been enough documentaries, tribute pieces and even films like Shershaah that show what a hero he was. As they say that the youth that does not serve the nation is youth wasted. Well, Vikrams youth was certainly not wasted. He not only served India, but put India before his own life. But before Vikram was a soldier, he was also a man. After all, underneath the uniform, we are all human beings. It is time we take a look at the man who wore the uniform with pride. He lived and died for his country. A life taken too soon but his name is immortal in the minds of those who know what he gave up so that we could sleep soundly in our beds. X/ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY Vikram was born today in 1974 in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. His parents were educators but the Army was in his blood as his maternal grandfather had been a soldier. Fate would dictate how Vikram ended up joining the Army. Or would Vikram dictate his own fate? You be the judge! At an age when most young men were looking to build a career path towards lucrative jobs, Vikram opted out of joining the Merchant Navy and instead enrolled in the Indian Military Academy. In 1997, he joined the Indian Army as a Lieutenant. He would be promoted to Captain for his heroics in the Kargil War. He would also posthumously be awarded the Param Vir Chakra in 2000. If you want to see a real man then look no further than Vikram. The true definition of an Alpha male, Vikram knew the dangers of being posted in Jammu & Kashmir and was aware that being killed in the line of duty was an occupational hazard. He did a good job of taking down several terrorists in the months leading up to the Kargil War. When war did break out with Pakistan, it was his chance to shine and he did not let his regiment, his Army or his country down. It is a pity that Vikram never got to live the life he deserved and it was cut short at the age of 24. At an age when most young men are beginning to build their lives, Vikrams ended. But what he lived in his 24 years on this planet is something that most of us will not achieve in a lifetime. We all know Vikram the soldier was brave, but the man behind the soldier had a spine that put him in a class of his own. Warnings from U.S. military officers about the Taliban's swift advances as American troops withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021 went unheeded in Washington, D.C., a disconnect that contributed to a lack of planning for evacuating civilians, House Republicans found in an investigation on the Afghanistan withdrawal being released Monday. The report, the culmination of a two-year probe into the withdrawal that cites testimony from public hearings, closed-door interviews with witnesses, newly obtained State Department documents, previously released military documents and previous news reports, largely faults the White House National Security Council and State Department for having a rosy outlook on the situation and resisting calls from military officials to plan for an evacuation amid dire warnings from military leaders on the ground about rapidly deteriorating conditions. That failure to plan, the report argues, led to the chaos during the eventual evacuation that allowed for a terrorist to set off a suicide bomb outside Hamid Karzai International Airport, killing 13 U.S. service members. Read Next: Soldiers Set to Get One Shoulder-Fired Round to Replace Multiple Weapons in Move to Ease Loads, Training "The concern that a NEO equated to failure was a consistent theme in the administration's approach to the Afghanistan withdrawal. As a result, some in the administration -- especially leaders within the NSC and the State Department -- were loath to plan for one," the report from the GOP-led House Foreign Affairs Committee said, using the acronym for a noncombatant evacuation operation. The report does not upend what's known about the withdrawal and the failures surrounding it, but it provides a comprehensive public accounting of the events leading up to and during the conclusion of America's longest war. In a briefing with reporters Friday, committee staffers, speaking on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the committee, acknowledged that other investigations have previously probed the withdrawal, but said their goal was to provide a holistic look at what went wrong. The National Security Council did not respond to a request for comment on the report by Military.com's deadline. But Biden administration officials have previously vigorously defended their actions during the withdrawal, arguing they were boxed in by the Trump administration's withdrawal deal with the Taliban and that the evacuation can be considered a success since more than 120,000 people were airlifted out. "Ultimately, President Biden refused to send another generation of Americans to fight a war that should have ended for the United States long ago," the White House wrote last year in a summary of the administration's own after-action reviews into the withdrawal. The State Department on Monday refuted that it didn't plan for an evacuation, pointing to testimony that Brian McKeon, the former deputy secretary of state for management and resources, gave the committee, saying that there were "working level" talks between State and the Defense Department on plans for evacuation and U.S. Central Command sent personnel to Kabul in July 2021 to "further refine" planning. "The president acted in the best interests of the American people when he ended America's longest war," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. "It remains deeply disappointing that House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans used this process to politicize Afghanistan policy instead of working on legislative solutions to strengthen our country. They have done a disservice by relying on false information and presenting inaccurate narratives meant only to harm the administration, instead of seeking to actually inform Americans on how our longest war came to an end." The House Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Chairman Mike McCaul, R-Texas, launched its investigation into the withdrawal after Republicans took over the House majority in early 2023. It was part of a series of investigations Republicans launched into President Joe Biden that could have hurt him politically as he, at the time, sought reelection. Republicans have viewed the Afghanistan withdrawal as a particularly potent attack line since the chaos received bipartisan criticism at the time and Biden's approval rating first went underwater in the aftermath of the withdrawal. Since Biden bowed out of the presidential race, Republicans have sought to tie his replacement in the election, Vice President Kamala Harris, more closely to the withdrawal. The House Foreign Affairs report includes a passage on Harris' support for the withdrawal that largely cites an article last month from The Washington Post. And it refers to the administration as the "Biden-Harris administration," which a staffer said was done because the administration refers to itself that way. The report is also being released a day before Harris' debate against Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and shortly before mail-in ballots will start to be sent out in some swing states. The narrative of the report paints a picture of a U.S. military often at odds with other administration officials, noting recommendations from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and other military officers to keep at least 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. It also refutes the argument that those troops would have been at renewed risk by attack from the Taliban, which had halted attacks against U.S. troops after the withdrawal agreement, saying Milley advised Biden that "Afghan security forces were now conducting on-the-ground fighting, with U.S. forces largely operating within secure military bases." The decision to keep the U.S. Embassy in Kabul open even after the U.S. military withdrawal was also "a friction point" between the Pentagon and State Department, according to the report. Military officials "assessed that the more people who remained at the embassy and, more broadly, in Kabul, the more people the military would have to evacuate in a crisis situation," the report said. Gen. Scott Miller, the final commander of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, also told the committee that the State Department had "a lack of understanding of the risk" in Afghanistan. As U.S. military forces withdrew, the Taliban began sweeping through and claiming control of dozens of districts. U.S. military leaders on the ground such as Miller issued dire warnings about the situation. "It was clear to me that, you know, this was happening, and I was trying to get people to understand this tidal wave that was happening," Miller told the committee. While U.S. military forces started planning for a NEO in mid-May, the State Department and National Security Council did not begin planning for an evacuation in earnest until about a week before the Afghan government collapsed, the report said. The Defense Department's criteria for an evacuation had been hit months prior, but the State Department, the agency responsible for ordering an evacuation, came up with its own criteria, according to the committee. Ultimately, the State Department did not order the evacuation until Aug. 16, the day after Kabul fell to the Taliban, the report said, citing an unreleased State Department memo. The timing, Milley told the committee, was "the fundamental flaw" that caused the ensuing chaos of the evacuation. The State Department in its Monday statement also pushed back on the committee's characterization of both its responsibility for ordering an evacuation and the timing that one was ordered. "Again, while the State Department formally triggers a NEO, the decision to do so is a collective, interagency one, coordinated by a National Security Council process that includes multiple principal and deputies committee meetings," the department said. "Statements or suggestions that the department has the sole authority to activate a NEO are false -- moreover, principal-level discussions did not conclude a NEO should be initiated prior to the collective interagency decision that was reached on Aug. 14." That chaos created conditions that allowed an ISIS suicide bomber to detonate outside Abbey Gate during the evacuation, killing 11 Marines, one sailor and one soldier, the report argues. The report does not take a definitive position on two ongoing controversies over the Abbey Gate bombing -- whether U.S. Marine snipers correctly identified the bomber ahead of the attack and could have taken him out and whether there was gunfire in addition to the bombing. A Pentagon investigation opened after the Marines' testimony to the committee concluded they were mistaken in their belief they could have prevented the attack, but the committee report said that "many who were on the ground that day still believe" they spotted the bomber. Pentagon investigations have also ruled out gunfire during the attack, but the committee report highlighted video published by CNN appearing to show gunfire after the bombing. The report suggested answers to those questions may never be known since "the Defense Department demilitarized -- aka destroyed -- physical hard drives and servers. Some hard drives were brought to a shredder at [the airport]. Other hard drives, servers and information systems were punched through or even smashed." Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the State Department's response to the report. Related: 'We Were Ignored': Veterans and Troops Detail Horrors of Afghanistan Evacuation as House Investigation Begins If Congress does not include extra funding for Department of Veterans Affairs medical services in an upcoming stopgap spending bill, the department will struggle to keep up with demand for care, administration officials are warning. On a conference call with reporters Monday, VA officials confirmed they are asking Congress to include an extra $12 billion for the department's medical budget in the upcoming stopgap spending measure -- which must be passed into law by the end of the month -- to ensure outreach to veterans and growth of the system can continue apace without compromising wait times and staffing levels. "We have been on an unprecedented outreach campaign to get more veterans into the system," Shereef Elnahal, the VA's under secretary for health, said on the call. "So, if we have to be in a position to say, 'Well, we can't financially support the next set of veterans who can come into care, reduce their risk for suicide, get the highest quality care available,' then that would be a decision that we don't want to make. It's not commensurate with the promise that we've made to folks who wore the uniform and defended our freedom." Read Next: US Military Warnings of Dire Situation in Afghanistan During Withdrawal Ignored, House GOP Report Finds With lawmakers returning to Washington, D.C., on Monday evening after a five-week break and just three weeks to go before the government runs out of funding, Congress is expected to pass a stopgap spending bill known as a continuing resolution, or CR. Typically, a CR simply extends existing funding levels while preventing agencies from starting new programs. But lawmakers sometimes include what they call "anomalies" that allow for some new funding or programs. For the upcoming CR, the White House has requested Congress include an anomaly that covers an expected $12 billion shortfall in the VA's medical budget next year. If the funding isn't included in a CR, "VA may need to begin addressing any potential shortfall as early as the first quarter of FY 2025," the White House wrote in its request to Congress, a copy of which was published by Politico. With the government's fiscal year starting Oct. 1, the first quarter of fiscal 2025 represents the last few months of calendar year 2024. The request follows the VA briefing Congress in July that it needed $12 billion more for its medical budget in fiscal 2025 than previously planned. While department officials have largely attributed the shortfall to record enrollment resulting from the sweeping toxic exposure law known as the PACT Act, they have also blamed higher-than-expected staffing levels, pharmacy and prosthetics costs, and community care costs. The VA has also told lawmakers it is facing a $3 billion shortfall in benefits funding, and that benefits payments due at the beginning of October could be delayed if Congress does not approve a fix by Sept. 20. Lawmakers have been working to address the benefits funding shortfall in separate, stand-alone legislation. Republicans have previously blamed the VA budget shortfalls on "mismanagement." "The Biden-Harris administration has embarrassed themselves with how poorly they have mismanaged and run VA's budget into the ground, resulting in a $15 billion shortfall," House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., said in a statement Friday about a bill to address the benefits funding shortfall. A draft CR released by House Republicans on Friday does not include the requested $12 billion for the medical budget shortfall. The measure, which would extend government funding through March 28, does include language that allows the department to use available funding to "maintain current program operations including inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs." But House Democrats likened that language to the GOP "essentially saying, 'Spend $0 as fast as you like.'" "This would be laughable if not for the veterans that are faced with serious illnesses and simply need their medical care," House Appropriations Committee Democrats said in a fact sheet released Monday. The House Republicans' CR is unlikely to become law as-is since it also includes a measure staunchly opposed by Democrats that would require proof of citizenship to vote. Republicans maintain the measure would safeguard against undocumented immigrants voting -- something that is already illegal and shows little evidence of being an issue -- while Democrats argue it adds a hurdle that could disenfranchise eligible voters. But the CR represents the GOP's opening position in talks over the final product. The White House issued a statement Monday threatening to veto the bill. In its own fact sheet, the White House also argued that the House Republicans' CR would force the VA to "undertake reductions in overall staffing levels that may impact access to care for veterans across clinical programs." "Veteran experience may be impacted across many different functional areas, including medical care scheduling and coordination, connecting homeless veterans to permanent housing, caregiver support, and other programs," the White House said. "VA may need to scale back outreach efforts to veterans, which VA has been conducting at unprecedented levels to inform veterans of new benefits and health care enrollment opportunities under the bipartisan PACT Act." Elnahal acknowledged that there will be other opportunities for Congress to address the VA's budget shortfall since lawmakers will still need to negotiate a comprehensive government funding package for 2025 after the CR. But, he maintained, the earlier the department gets the funding, the better. "The earlier we get that funding, the less the chance that we have to consider some of the things that the White House mentioned in their fact sheet," Elnahal said. "So, we do think it's very necessary to get this supplemental in, and we think it's necessary to get it in for this CR, because the earlier we get it, the better the decisions we'll be able to make, and the more likely to be able to maintain and improve upon these excellent outcomes." Related: VA Warns Congress that Benefits Payments Are at Risk Due to Projected $15 Billion Budget Shortfall A new Air Force policy may require recent T-38 Talon pilot training graduates to fly aircraft other than fighters or bombers, even if those are their preferred options, in an attempt to fill the ongoing aviator shortage. A section of a memo, which was shared on social media and verified as authentic information by the Air Force, detailed that the service is "1,848 pilots short, with 1,142 of those being fighter pilots." Lt. Col. Phil Ventura, a Department of the Air Force spokesman, said that the memo mirrored similar information issued internally by Air Force Headquarters last month. The Air Force unveiled what it called in the memo a "significant but necessary policy change" in which all career options will be open to graduates of T-38 training, not just fighter and bomber roles. So, instead of waiting as long as a year for openings in their chosen units, new pilots will go into other jobs, such as working with mobility and refueling aircraft. Read Next: US Military Warnings of Dire Situation in Afghanistan During Withdrawal Ignored, House GOP Report Finds "While we would prefer to send every qualified T-38 graduate to a fighter [Formal Training Unit], circumstances dictate that we utilize available capacity to maximize pilot production," the memo reads. "In the near term, in addition to traditional fighter/bomber assignments, T-38 graduates will be matched to additional T-6 First Assignment Instructor Pilot assignments and opted for non-fighter/bomber aircraft." The memo explained that "T-38 students will include and prioritize all aircraft (not just fighter/bomber) on their dream sheets to ensure we can accommodate preferences." T-38 graduates can also volunteer for non-fighter or bomber roles. The Air Force has struggled with recruiting, training and retaining on and off for roughly a decade, often dangling significant bonuses as a way to tackle the shortage, which has ranged from 1,500 to 2,000 pilots. Last fiscal year, which ended in late September 2023, the service was short on the new pilots it hoped to train by roughly 120 aviators, Military.com previously reported. That shortfall was attributed to maintenance issues with the T-38 Talon, a shortage of instructors, and long wait times to get new students into classrooms and then the next phases of training. The Department of the Air Force did not have the latest pilot production numbers for this fiscal year, but expects to have them once it ends after Sept. 30. The memo detailed that the delay from the end of undergraduate and graduate pilot training to joining a formal training unit "now exceeds one year." In response to Military.com questions regarding the issue, Brig. Gen. Travolis Simmons, the director of training and readiness for Headquarters Air Force Operations, said the delays in fighter Formal Training Unit start dates are "due to a combination of sustainment and manpower challenges." While the Air Force has always given aircraft assignments based on the service's needs, Simmons said this change in policy is necessary to eliminate delays in getting pilots into jobs where they can start helping out. "The aircraft assignment policy change is helping manage breaks in training by matching available pilots to aircraft with training capacity," Simmons said. "This policy shift optimizes use of our available resources and results in mission-ready pilots who are prepared to contribute sooner." Should the pilot shortage situation become less dire and if the delays in fighter Formal Training Units are curbed, those T-38 Talon grads who didn't get to pursue jobs they wanted can volunteer in the future to transfer into those other aircraft. "We will continue to fill all available fighter Formal Training Unit seats," Simmons said. "As Fighter Formal Training Unit capacity improves and Air Force needs dictate, pilots affected by this policy change will have the option to voluntarily crossflow to fighter/bomber aircraft." -- Rachel Cohen contributed to this report. Related: Air Force on Course to Again Miss Pilot Goal as Problems with Training Aircraft Persist A growing number of state lawmakers are backing Alabama Gov. Kay Iveys call for the resignation of the commissioner of the states veterans affairs department prior to a special meeting Tuesday that could lead to his removal. A joint statement was issued Monday from the Alabama Legislatures General Fund chairs Alabama State Sen. Greg Albritton, R- Atmore; and Rep. Rex Reynolds, R- Huntsville along with the chair of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee Sen. Andrew Jones, R- Centre; and the chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Rep. Ed Oliver, R- Dadeville, supporting Iveys call for Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis to resign. The statement reads: As members of the Alabama Legislature, we have proudly passed legislation and allocated resources to advance our states support for its veteran men and women. However, we share a lack of confidence in the current Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioners ability to adequately lead the agency and work collaboratively with other areas of state government. We fully agree with Governor Ivey and join her in calling on Commissioner Kent Davis to do the right thing for the Department and step down from his position. In recent years, we have had growing concerns and frustration, the most recent example being the agencys mishandling of its proposed ARPA grant program. This would have been a significant problem had it not been caught by the Finance Department. Fortunately, we were able to quickly resolve the issue by working with the governor to authorize $7 million to veterans groups. Taking care of our veterans in Alabama is too important to let anything stand in the way of that mission. We look forward to a new and even stronger chapter at the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. Also supporting Iveys call for Davis resignation are Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R- Rainsville; and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R- Jasper. Davis, through the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) was not immediately available for comment. Davis, on Friday, declined Iveys call for his resignation. She has called for a special meeting of the Board of Veterans Affairs for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to consider Davis ouster. The concerns over Davis revolving around accusations that (ADVA) mishandled $7 million in American Rescue Plan Act money earlier this year. The concerns were raised in an April 12 letter from the Department of Finances Legal Division in which questions were raised about why a selection committee for the ARPA funds that was composed of ADVA and Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) representatives altered the number of award recipients from 15 to 33. The decision was changed seemingly overnight from two meetings on Jan. 10 to Jan. 11. According to the Department of Finance, it is unknown which members of the State Board of Veterans Affairs took part in a discussion with the selection committee that might have resulted in the pool of ARPA awards being expanded from 15 to 33. ADMH, in early April, told the Department of Finance it was terminating its agreement with ADVA and would no longer administer the ARPA programs. ADMH Commissioner Kim Boswell, in a n April 2 letter, accused ADVA of putting her agency at risk of a potential audit and other negative consequences due to comes questionable requests. One of the concerns raised by the agency involves an unnamed grant recipient who requested funding for lobbying. Boswell said that lobbying was prohibited. Ivey, on Thursday, announced she had removed Col. John Kilpatrick from his position on the State Board of Veterans Affairs. None of the statements in recent days from Ivey, Davis, or Kilpatrick acknowledged an ethics complaint filed with the Alabama Ethics Commission. A spokesperson with ADVA said on Friday he had not seen the complaint and was unaware what was in it. Ethics complaints are not considered public documents in Alabama and are not accessible for the publics viewing. The spokesperson, however, said the complaint was released publicly to the Lagniappe which may have (tainted) the process, before being dismissed by the Ethics Commission. The commission had reportedly dismissed a complaint raised by Davis against Boswell, according to the publication. 2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit al.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Virginia National Guard confirmed that it has launched an investigation into two soldiers who have espoused anti-government views while running a county militia in the state. Last week, Military.com reported that two Guardsmen -- Staff Sgts. Daniel Abbott and Alexandra Griffeth -- are running the Campbell County Militia, which operates in the countryside around Lynchburg, Virginia, with the blessing of Campbell County's Board of Supervisors. In a statement provided to Military.com, Virginia National Guard spokesman A.A. Puryear said that it is "aware" that the pair are active in the militia "and have initiated an investigation into the matter." Read Next: US Military Warnings of Dire Situation in Afghanistan During Withdrawal Ignored, House GOP Report Finds Puryear said that the service component "will take appropriate action, in accordance with U.S. Army guidelines and directives, once the investigation is complete" and noted that the state Guard "welcomes the focus on extremism and discussions about what meets the Army's definition of extremist behavior." When asked for a comment last week, Puryear declined to say whether the Guard was investigating Abbott and Griffeth. After reviewing several hours of the militia's meeting videos, Military.com discovered a pattern of Abbott issuing threats against the federal government and making it clear that his militia's mission is to be ready to wage a potential war. At an event earlier this year, Abbott said that the U.S. government "is the greatest threat to our safety and security." "Power is akin to force. I would argue there are only two [forces] man has direct access to. One of those is violence ... [and] the threat of violence." Meanwhile, Campbell County's Board of Supervisors officially recognized the militia "as a barrier against a tyrannical government" in a six to one vote in 2020. The news of the anti-government comments and the investigation comes just months after Army Secretary Christine Wormuth issued a new policy that underscored the fact that soldiers are forbidden from participating in radical causes, including anti-government activity. The new set of rules explicitly notes that threats of violence against the government are prohibited and that "advocating, engaging in, or supporting the overthrow of the government ... by force or violence, or seeking to alter the forms [of government] by unconstitutional or other unlawful means, such as sedition" are not permitted. The Virginia National Guard has previously moved slowly to address allegations of anti-government violence or rhetoric by its troops. Jacob Fracker was the first service member to be charged by federal officials for being part of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. However, he was not removed from the Virginia Guard for more than a year after his arrest, despite public admissions that he took part in the destruction that included posting images of himself in the Capitol building. Fracker, a corporal at the time, was an infantryman assigned to the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 29th Infantry Division. However, since that time, a new commander, Maj. Gen. James Ring, has taken over running the Virginia Guard. Related: 2 Virginia Guardsmen Are Running a Rural Anti-Government Militia When David Fax was a cadet in the Air Force ROTC detachment at Howard University in the early 1970s, one of his professors asked him what he knew about the Tuskegee Airmen. Stumbling for an answer, Fax sheepishly admitted he didn't know anything about the historic group of Black military pilots and service members who fought heroically during World War II. Fax was about to get an education, largely courtesy of that professor: retired Air Force Lt. Col. Shelton "Ivan" Ware, one of the few remaining Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen, or DOTA, still alive. "We fought two wars," Ware, 101, told Military.com recently. "You had to fight the war of segregation, and you also had to do your duty as far as the enemy was concerned. Keep them from killing you and the rest of your buddies." When Ware joined the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps on April 1, 1942, he not only started down a path that would culminate in a 32-year military career. He also became part of history, serving as a weapons and vehicle maintenance technician with the famed Red Ball Express, a collection of predominantly Black troops that helped supply Allied forces during World War II. Tuskegee Airmen Shelton 'Ivan' Ware, right, and William T. Fauntroy Jr., 2nd from right, along with members of the Montford Point Marines, sit in the front row as distinguished guests during the Department of Defenses commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the desegregation of the federal workforce and armed forces at the Pentagons center courtyard in Arlington, Va., July 26, 2023. (Bernardo Fuller/U.S. Army photo) The Red Ball Express -- named for the red balls that marked its routes and trucks -- brought essential supplies, including gasoline, food and ammunition, to the front lines, and it is no exaggeration to state that without the contributions of Ware and others, the Allies might have suffered a different outcome. For more than two years, Ware ensured that weapons and vehicles operated as smoothly as possible while stationed throughout Europe. Ware told Military.com that, before joining the Red Ball Express, he had no experience as a mechanic. "My specialty was small arms," Ware said. "Give me anything from a .22 to a .75 mm Howitzer, and I can do a job on it." During the war, Ware did not realize exactly what Black pilots were accomplishing through their service at the time. He said that in the early days of the critical Allied invasion of Normandy that began in June 1944 -- Ware did not step foot onto Omaha Beach until four weeks after D-Day -- he had heard stories of some Black airmen, and later learned they were part of the all-Black 332nd Fighter Wing. Soldiers with the Red Ball Express load trucks in Liege, Belgium, with rations bound for frontline troops in 1944. (Wikimedia Commons) Nearly 75% of soldiers assigned to the Red Ball Express were Black, and collectively, they did yeoman's work until the program was disbanded in November 1944, accounting for transporting roughly 412,000 tons of munitions, fuel and sustenance that kept the Allied troops armed and fortified. Even in the face of discrimination, they focused on completing their job. "Day after day after day, they were barraged by a bunch of garbage that they had to deal with, and rather than get upset, get in fights, throw your hat down and walk away, they said, 'I'm a professional first. I'm going to do my job,'" said Fax, Ware's former student at Howard. Despite occasionally being the subject of racism from his fellow service members, Ware says he experienced some uplifting moments during WWII. He said receiving mail from home was always an emotional game-changer, going so far as to term it "a religious moment" when a letter or package arrived. Ware, who was awarded two Service Stars, achieved the rank of staff sergeant by the time he was honorably discharged from the Army in June 1946. Two years later, he completed the Air Force ROTC program at Howard and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. After WWII, Ware helped train Air Force cooks and bakers, served as a training officer at the Air Reserve Center Program in Ohio, was director of military training at Wiesbaden Air Base, Germany, for three years and served with AFROTC programs at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and at Howard, where he mentored students like Fax. "Everybody was glad the war was over," said Ware, who also served during the Korean War. "Even if you weren't directly affected, you knew that it was affecting a lot of families, both the enemies and ours. People were dying for nothing." Ware retired from the Air Force in September 1974. "He is healthy. Sometimes he moves better than me," said Jerome Hodge, president of the East Coast chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. "What he talks about is if you have opportunities, you make a decision, you stand on it and you move on it." Even into his second century on this Earth, Ware is still moving. He credits his longevity to "outrunning [his] age," staying one step ahead. As an active member of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., he has not stopped spreading the gospel of what those brave men represented and why it is so important for younger generations to hear those stories. Asked what he would like current military members to take from the Tuskegee Airmen's example, Ware was as succinct as any 101-year-old man has earned the right to be. "That all war is stupid," Ware said. "Avoid it at all costs, and you come out ahead." Want to Know More About the Military? Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. Title: Rebrand your Sony A7III with the Battery Boost technology: Enhancing your photos to the next level (Battery Boost: Charging Your Sony A7III for the Next Big Shot) Hello readers! Have you ever thought of ways to enhance your photos? One popular solution is to charge your Sony A7III using advanced charging technology. In this blog post, we will explore the battery boost feature and how it can improve your photography experience. The Battery Boost feature on Sony A7 III allows users to charge their camera from anywhere within the range of 1-2 hours. Its an excellent option for people who need quick charges or those who have long travel plans. With Battery Boost, you can charge your camera at any time of day, ensuring that you can always take your favorite photos without worrying about the battery dying soon. When you charge your Sony A7III with Battery Boost, the camera begins to emit a bright blue light and pause. This light attracts electrons, which become electrons that flow through the battery. When the electrons reach their destination, they can start to recharge the battery. However, if the power source is not charged, the batteries may still waste some energy. To prevent this, the battery support button can be activated when you want to leave your camera plugged in for the first time. You can also adjust the battery boost setting to reduce the amount of power required to charge the camera. Another great benefit of Battery Boost is that it improves the battery life of your Sony A7III. By charging quickly, you wont have to worry about the battery running low. The longer you charge, the more effectively you can capture quality images. In conclusion, Battery Boost is an exciting feature on Sony A7 III that provides exceptional performance for charging your camera. With its powerful LED, the camera starts emitting bright blue light that attracts electrons, which are converted into ions that flow through the battery. When the electrons reach their destination, they can recharge the battery. Additionally, Battery Boost reduces the amount of power required to charge the camera, making it even easier to use it frequently. (Battery Boost: Charging Your Sony A7III for the Next Big Shot) So, what are you waiting for? Try Battery Boost on your Sony A7III and see the difference it can make! Inquiry us if you want to want to know more, please feel free to contact us. (nanotrun@yahoo.com) Hippo Campus 2025 Flood tour is scheduled to perform at both The Fillmore Detroit and GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids. Shop the presale on Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster presale begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET through Live Nation. More tickets will also be available on Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and StubHub. Hippo Campus' debut LP, "Landmark," earned them street cred among indie pop fans. Last week, indie pop/rock band Hippo Campus announced a 2025 tour in support of their new album, Flood, to be released later this month (September 20). The group is set to perform at venues in Boston, Toronto, Milwaukee, Vegas, Columbus, and more after kicking off at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Tuesday, January 28. Also on the upcoming tour schedule are two Michigan concert dates: The Fillmore Detroit on Tuesday, February 11, and returning to the state on Thursday, May 29 for a show at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids. Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, September 10, at 10 a.m. ET, find Hippo Campus presale tickets on Ticketmaster; and look to Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and StubHub to explore more seating and pricing options. Tickets: Tues, Feb 11 at The Fillmore Detroit Ticketmaster presale | Vivid Seats from $61 | SeatGeek from $59 | StubHub from $51 Thurs, May 29 at GLC Live at 20 Monroe Ticketmaster presale | Vivid Seats from $63 | SeatGeek from $57 | StubHub from $51 Tour schedule: Tues, Jan 28 Ryman Auditorium; Nashville, TN Wed, Jan 29 The Eastern; Atlanta, GA Fri, Jan 31 The Anthem; Washington, DC Sat, Feb 1 The Met Philadelphia; Philadelphia, PA Sun, Feb 2 Stage AE; Pittsburgh, PA Tues, Feb 4 Brooklyn Paramount; Brooklyn, NY Fri, Feb 7 MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park; Boston, MA Sat, Feb 8 Empire Live; Albany, NY Sun, Feb 9 History Toronto; Toronto, ON Tues, Feb 11 The Fillmore Detroit; Detroit, MI Wed, Feb 12 Riverside Theater; Milwaukee, WI Fri, Feb 14 The Factory; Chesterfield, MO Sat, Feb 15 The Astro; La Vista, NE Tues, Feb 18 The Sound At The Del Mar Fairgrounds; Del Mar, CA Thurs, Feb 20 The Wiltern; Los Angeles, CA Sat, Feb 22 Fox Theater Oakland; Oakland, CA Mon, Feb 24 The Union Event Center; Salt Lake City, UT Fri, May 9 Roseland Theater; Portland, OR Sat, May 10 Roseland Theater; Portland, OR Mon, May 12 The Showbox; Seattle, WA Tues, May 13 The Showbox; Seattle, WA Wed, May 14 Vogue Theatre; Vancouver, BC Sat, May 17 Brooklyn Bowl; Las Vegas, NV Sun, May 18 The Van Buren; Phoenix, AZ Tues, May 20 The Aztec Theatre; San Antonio, TX Wed, May 21 ACL Live At The Moody Theater; Austin, TX Thurs, May 22 The Factory in Deep Ellum; Dallas, TX Sat, May 24 The Jones Assembly; Oklahoma City, OK Tues, May 27 KEMBA Live!; Columbus, OH Thurs, May 29 GLC Live at 20 Monroe; Grand Rapids, MI Fri, May 30 The Salt Shed Outdoors; Chicago, IL Sat, May 31 Surly Brewing Co. - Minneapolis, MN Digital license plates failed to take off in Michigan, and now theyre no longer for sale. Sales of digital license plates officially ended Aug. 10 after Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson terminated the states agreement with Reviver, the only company in the state that was allowed to sell the plates. The termination wasnt due to poor sales but rather claims by Benson that the California-based company had repeatedly failed to comply with its obligations under the agreement as well as state law. Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston previously told MLive that misunderstandings were at the heart of those claims and that any violations had been remedied. Boston did not return multiple attempts for comment for this story. Related: Digital license plates being pulled from market in Michigan Reviver only sold about 1,700 digital plates in Michigan since they became available for sale in 2022, according to Department of State spokesperson Angela Benander. That number equates to roughly 0.02% of the 8.26 million license plates currently registered to Michigan vehicles. Benander said cost appeared to be a factor in why a majority of Michigan drivers didnt opt for the new tech. The feedback we received from customers was that it was extremely cost prohibitive, Benander said. Reviver plates were sold for $699 but people could opt for a subscription model billed at $39.95 a month instead. On top of that, there was also an annual fee ranging from $35 to $145 for a service plan that granted different features depending on the chosen tier. Standard license plates are a one-time $5 fee. Annual registration costs arent included with either license plate type. Digital plates replace and look similar to standard metal ones. They use a screen display and have some unique features, like digital plate tags, in-app registration renewal and the ability to display on the plate that a vehicle is stolen. A lack of customization options also couldve played a part in why drivers didnt take to digital plates. Reviver was pushing for expanded legislation in Michigan that wouldve allowed further personalization of digital license plates. The hope was to get legislative approval for allowing custom banner messages at the bottom of the digital plates and expand the types of plates Reviver can offer, such as Michigan State University- and University of Michigan-themed ones, Boston previously said. In California, digital plate owners can choose from hundreds of different pre-approved banner messages, according to Reviver. Drivers in the state can also request custom banner messages, including those that use emojis. Benson, in her termination notice to Reviver, claimed the company had offered unapproved license plate designs. Reviver had three approved plates it could sell in the state. One of them was a black and white design with Pure Michigan at the top. Benson also claimed Reviver failed to verify the registration status of some prospective customers before putting a Michigan registration on digital plates. But even without those claims, the state was within its rights to terminate the agreement, Benander said. Reviver and the Department of State had been operating under the terms an agreement that expired Dec. 31, 2023. Reviver didnt request an extension of the agreement. Benander said the department isnt courting other digital license plate vendors to take Revivers place. She previously said there is no chance an agreement will be reached allowing Reviver to continue offering digital plates. But Reviver officials appear hopeful. On the website, it currently lists digital plates as being temporarily unavailable in Michigan. We are actively working with the Michigan Secretary of States Office to once again be able to offer the digital license plate to Michigan residents, Reviver officials wrote. Our customers in Michigan are counting on the department and Reviver to work together to keep their plates active, and that is what we intend to do. Stay tuned for updates. DETROIT A Michigan man is accused of assaulting his infant daughter, causing injuries to her head, neck and spine, officials said. Rmahn Denus-Elyjah Ja Bosnak, 23, of Detroit, is charged with first- and second-degree child abuse related to the alleged assault of his 3-month-old daughter, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced. Bosnak allegedly assaulted the infant at 2:03 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at a residence in the 20400 block of Helen Street in Detroit, the news release said. He was arraigned on Sunday in 36th District Court before Magistrate Laura Echartea. His bond was set at $100,000 cash/surety with a GPS tether and house arrest. A bond re-determination hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday before Judge William McConico. DETROIT A Michigan woman is facing charges after her son shot himself in the face with a handgun that she allegedly left unsecured, officials said. Tiara Shardae Taylor, 38, of Detroit, is charged with a five-year felony for firearm safe storage violations while the premises was under her control and a minor was present and injured themselves, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced. At 4 p.m. Friday, Detroit Police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 11400 block of Saint Patrick Street in Detroit for a reported shooting, the news release said. Upon arrival, they found the 3-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The child was rushed to an area hospital, where, as of Saturday, he was in critical condition but expected to survive, MLive previously reported. RELATED: Michigan 3-year-old shoots self in face with mothers gun, police say The preliminary investigation found that the childs mother got home, put her gun on a dresser and within minutes the child had shot himself in the face, according to Detroit Police Chief James White. Taylor was arraigned Sunday in 36th District Court before Magistrate Laura Echartea and given a $250,000 personal bond. Shes due back in court on Tuesday, Sept. 17. This is another case that illustrates the tragic consequences of failure to secure a weapon, Worthy said. Children shooting themselves is completely avoidable if people will secure their weapons. ANN ARBOR, MI - Is Emmy Award winner Henry Winkler coming to Ann Arbor this fall? As his character The Fonz would say: exactamundo. The actor known for his iconic role in the TV series Happy Days, will be sharing his memoir Being Henry: The Fonz...and Beyond, at one of Literati Bookstores upcoming events at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington St. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- An Ann Arbor restaurant is being recognized for its barbecue, while a new business in Ypsilanti is offering a spot where people can order plant-based coney dogs. Here are those stories and some other recent business news in Washtenaw County you might have missed. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Kent County prosecutors extended a plea deal to a man charged with killing his then-girlfriend and leaving her body on the side of a highway. Brandon Ortiz-Vite, a citizen of Mexico, made a brief appearance Monday, Sept. 9, in Kent County Circuit Court on charges including open murder related to 25-year-old Ruby Garcias death. Michigan State Police said Ortiz-Vite shot Garcia, who he was dating, in her car the night of March 22 and left her body on the shoulder of U.S. 131 in the Grand Rapids area. RELATED: I have to face the music: Video shows man admit to police about girlfriends slaying Police said Ortiz-Vite shot Garcia, then got out of the car and shot her in the head again believing that she was still alive. He unbuckled her, removed her body and fled the scene. Ortiz-Vite turned himself in two days later and was arrested at a church in Allegan County where he found shelter. In court Monday, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker placed a plea deal on the record. Supporters of Garcia sat in the back row of the courtrooms gallery. Some wore customized shirts with Garcias face printed on them. If he accepts the deal, Ortiz-Vite would plead guilty to second-degree murder, carjacking, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearms. In exchange, prosecutors would dismiss the open murder charge, a life offense. However, the minimum punishment for the second-degree murder charge would be 30 to 37 years, Becker told Judge Mark Trusock. RELATED: Ruby Garcias death became a national story. Heres what we know about her accused killer. Defense attorneys asked for a two-week adjournment, which was granted, to review the deal with Ortiz-Vite. Garcias killing grabbed national attention and stoked political debate over border policies. Ortiz-Vite had entered the U.S. unlawfully but was approved to stay under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That status expired in May 2019. He was arrested by ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations in August 2020, and an immigration judge ordered his removal one month later. Ortiz-Vite was returned to Mexico but returned to the U.S. at some point without permission of immigration officials. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Children and teens are invited to come meet the two candidates running for Grand Rapids mayor and ask questions about their priorities at a new youth forum that will take place later this month. The Grand Rapids mayoral candidates forum is scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the City Hall commission chambers, on the ninth floor at 300 Monroe Ave. NW. GRANDVILLE, MI -- Grandvilles new city manager, Griffin Graham, has been on the job for just eight weeks, but he dates his love for public administration back to a childhood spent sitting in on his local city council meetings. I was very fortunate to have parents who were really involved in the community, he said. (I) actually had a stepfather who was on our city council, so I was the kid who grew up sitting in the back of these meetings. Graham said from a young age, he was able to see the positive impact a strong leader could have on a community, which inspired him to go into local government and ultimately become Grandvilles city manager. The South Haven native has also held positions as Saugatucks township manager and South Havens assistant city manager. Graham was announced as Grandvilles new city manager on July 22, according to a city Facebook post. He was hired from an assistant city manager position in South Haven, a position he had been at since January 2021. Related: Griffin Graham hired as South Haven assistant city manager As city manager, Graham is essentially the chief executive officer of Grandvilles city government. A hired and not elected position, he carries out the city councils decisions and oversees all city employees, along with budget management. His goals for the job include working with the new ownership of the RiverTown Crossings Mall to keep it as a staple in Grandville, along with continuing progress on the citys road projects, whether theyre minor resurfacings, major resurfacings or water main replacements. Related: Housing? A hotel? Big investments eyed by new RiverTown Crossings mall owner I think road projects are a priority for our organization right now, he said. The City Councils made that very clear with some of the policy decisions theyve made, and the city of Grandville is going to be investing millions of dollars into its street system in the next couple years Graham said those are sometimes not the most exciting projects for members of the community in the short-term, but theyre really important (for) the long term health of our system. More than anything, he said his interactions with local government officials, whether it was his hometown city manager or his mentors and professional relationships, were what pushed him more and more toward local government. Graham attended Michigan State University for his undergraduate degree, where he studied urban and regional planning and met his wife. He described the pair as diehard Spartan. While at Michigan State, Graham said he had his first local government internship working for the Meridian township manager and fell in love with the local government leader route. Graham said he was encouraged to get his masters degree and attended Indiana University before returning to West Michigan. When the city manager position in Grandville opened up, Graham said he had to take it. It was one of those chances where it was just the right time in life and the right time in my career, he said. Id been the assistant manager for a handful of years and was just ready for that next challenge, and when a community like Grandville opens up, its almost too good to be true. Graham said his goal is to hopefully stay in Grandville for quite some time. We want this to be home, he said. Graham said while he is new to Grandville, he wants to continue the culture of stability in the city while also ushering in new developments, like major investments in the citys park system. Im hoping we can continue with the legacy of stability here in Grandville, he said. Thats not always the case for local governments, and particularly for local government managers, but Grandville has traditionally been a really stable community and Im going to do whatever I can to try to maintain that. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. HOLLAND, MI -- A West Michigan accounting and advisory firm has unveiled the merger of its three divisions under one brand. Members of Hungerford CPAs + Advisors on Monday, Sept. 9, gathered at the firms Holland office at 675 E 16th St. to celebrate the companys rebrand to Hungerford. Formerly known as three separate brands -- Hungerford Nichols CPAs, Hungerford Technologies and Hungerford Wealth -- the rebranded company brings all three divisions under one roof. It helps us to showcase all of the capabilities that we have under one brand, said Hungerford Marketing Manager Heather Halligan. Because we were finding that a lot of our current clients and people in the community didnt know all of the different services that we offered. People driving on 16th Street will likely notice the new sign in front of the Holland office, which reads Hungerford CPAs, Advisors, Technology, Wealth, showcasing the full spectrum of services the company provides. Hungerford Shareholder Tony Zwiers told MLive the rebrand is significant because it shows that the firm is more than just public accounting. A lot of times our clients have crossover needs, he said. They have IT needs, and those questions come up when were talking about taxes or audits. Sometimes they have wealth management needs, and those questions come up when were talking about other things. We just want them to know that we can help them in more ways than what is traditionally thought of with a public accounting firm. Halligan said Hungerford plans to introduce its new brand over the next couple of weeks across its Muskegon, Greenville, Saint Joseph and Grand Rapids offices. Hungerford is a West Michigan-based firm providing, tax, accounting and business advisory services since 1941. Also included in its list of services are estate planning, succession planning for family businesses, and fraud prevention and litigation. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. KENT COUNTY, MI A 25-year-old Wyoming woman was fatally shot Sunday, Sept. 8. Wyoming police arrested a suspect. The shooting was reported around 12:40 p.m. Sunday, in the 3400 block of Bluebird Avenue SW, north of 36th Street. Police found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where she later tied. Police have not released names of the victim or suspect. Detectives continue to investigate circumstances leading up to the shooting. Forensic Services Unit workers investigated at the scene. Police asked anyone with information to contact police 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or www.silentobserver.org. MUSKEGON, MI - A social media influencer traveling the U.S. is hoping to bring more attention to a local Muskegon animal shelter. Kris Rotonda, of Jordans Way, will be at the Big Lake Humane Society from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Rotonda, who has almost a million followers on Facebook, goes live on the social media platform and rallies people to donate to the animal shelter hes currently at. He often tours the shelter, interviewing staff and showcasing adoptable dogs and cats, and creates fun games - like dunk tanks and pies in the face - for volunteers to do to, incentivizing donations. The mission is inspired by Jordan, a dog that Rotonda adopted years ago. Jordan lived her entire life in an outdoor Florida shelter. Jordan passed away in 2018 and it was then that Rotonda was inspired to help more dogs like her. The Jordans Way team is traveling the country, attempting to visit all 48 continental states and raise $1 million dollars - they are now only $200,000 away from that goal. Rotonda focuses on smaller shelters that are not located in major cities and that often need the most help. With it being a live event and on site at the shelter, its a really great opportunity to be able to shout from the rooftops, said shelter Manager Velvet Lyght. Say who we are, what we do, what we need and what we can do to help people and animals in need. The fundraiser can be found here. Delilah is a cat waiting to be adopted at Big Lake Humane Society in Muskegon.Velvet Lyght Lyght said she hopes at least $15,000 is raised from the event, but they are shooting for the stars; if $25,000 is raised, then the humane societys executive director will spend a night in a dog kennel, and if $50,000 is raised, the entire staff will sleep over in the kennels. Throughout the live event, volunteers, staff, community leaders and business owners will participate in fundraising challenges with rewards for viewers. For example, after a certain amount is raised, a local police officer may get pied in the face, and another where all the dogs in the shelter will get hamburgers from a local restaurant. Volunteers will also be racing through the dog agility course. The shelter is still seeking volunteers to help out during the event. They are looking for event floaters, kennel sitters and help with cleaning. Some dogs will need to be comforted during the event as they dont do well with loud noises and crowds. We need many volunteers here getting the word out on our social media platforms, for people willing to be viewers and donors for the event, so we can hit the different levels and benchmarks for the competition, Lyght said. Shelter staff is installing Wi-Fi extenders to make sure their internet connection can maintain the many devices that will be accessing it next week. Rotonda is charismatic and fast-paced, running the Facebook livestreams like an auction, or a phone booth fundraiser, where the host talks fast and loudly, encouraging the audience to help meet the current goal. Chris is a very competitive person from what Ive seen, he has a lot of energy, Lyght said. It gets people to pay attention. Still, shelter staff are spreading the word ahead of time to make sure people are ready to tune in for the event. Youve got to pregame beforehand and get the word out, Lyght said. A lot of this does happen in real time and last minute but the more preparation you can do ahead of time, the better the event will be. Lyght said she hopes this is the shelters biggest fundraising event, yet. The organizations biggest fundraiser saw donations of around $8,000 at the Cruise for Rescues in 2023. The Big Lake Humane Society is located at 2640 Marquette Avenue in Muskegon.Kayla Tucker Big Lake, also known as the Muskegon Humane Society, is a nonprofit founded in 1972. They do not receive any federal funding. They have been in their current building since 1980. Lyght said the most expensive, needed renovations are resealing and epoxy in the main dog room, a $40,000 project that keeps the building safe, clean and restored. Its an aging facility, Lyght said. Thats our biggest struggle - keeping up with maintenance, keeping it safe and healthy for animals. The shelter is partnered with the low-cost Big Lake Community Animal Clinic, which could use an X-ray machine, a cost between $30,000 to 40,000, Lyght said. The shelter is at capacity with 42 dogs and 70 cats on site. There are 80 more dogs and 140 more cats on the waitlist. In general, we just need adopters for our animals, Lyght said. For every one adoption, theres five animals wanting that spot. Several adoptable dogs, especially ones that have been in the shelter the longest, will be featured during the livestream. Lyght spoke of Cruiser, who has been in and out of Big Lake for almost his entire life. Cruiser is available for adoption at Big Lake Humane Society in Muskegon.Velvet Lyght Cruiser is 9 years old and was in and out of the shelter for his first few years, before being adopted four years ago. His owner has now passed away and he has been back at the shelter all year. Hes a big pitty-mix, sweet old guy, but he needs to be the only dog in the home and he doesnt get along with kids, Lyght explained. There are still 13 cats needing homes that were rescued from a hoarding situation back in January. Its about education, its about outreach, its about putting eyes on it and seeing what goes on, Lyght said. A lot of times if you dont see it with your own eyes, if you dont hear it, it doesnt exist for you in real time. Its an opportunity to reach community we wouldnt normally. Viewers all over can tune in to the Jordans Way Facebook page on Wednesday evening. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. BAY CITY, MI Not long after a Saginaw man was found shot in his abdomen behind a bar in Bay Citys Midland Street Historic District, police stopped their suspect riding as a passenger in a minivan. Nearby, they found a stolen firearm, allegedly discarded by the shooter. While the suspect clammed up and made no admissions to police, hes now jailed on numerous charges. Johnny McKinley Jr., 38, on Monday, Sept. 9, appeared before Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly for arraignment on charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, carrying a weapon with unlawful intent, assault with a dangerous weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and four counts of second-offense felony firearm. About 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, police responded a reported shooting in the parking lot of Dusos Bar, 604 E. Midland St. As they were en route, dispatchers advised the shooter had fled in a red van, according to police reports contained in court records. Officers arrived to find a large crowd gathered in the lot, standing around a 37-year-old man supine on the pavement with a gunshot wound to his lower left abdomen. Several people were kneeling and putting pressure on the mans wound and slapping him in an attempt to keep him awake. A majority of the crowd was extremely intoxicated, not listening to anything I was saying, and screaming, an officer wrote in his report. The front of Duso's Bar on Midland Street in Bay City.Cole Waterman Officers and firefighters rendered aid to the semiconscious man. My daughter, the man mumbled several times, police noted. A Medstar ambulance arrived and took the injured man from the scene to Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw. Police recovered three spent 9mm shell casings about 30 feet from where the wounded man had been lying. A short while later, they found three more casings near the intersection of East John and South Linn streets, reports state. Witnesses at the scene gave police varying accounts but agreed a fight or scuffle had occurred before gunfire erupted. They said they heard between six and 12 gunshots. A Dusos security guard told police he had seen the victim arguing outside with someone, only for another bouncer to break up the disagreement. The victim went back inside the bar, before emerging again and walking toward a parked maroon minivan. The guy walked out with his fists up, ready to fight, the guard said, according to police reports. Before he got to the van, the back passenger shot at him seven times. A 54-year-old man approached police and said he too had been shot, a bullet striking the back of his right arm and lodging in his sweater sleeve. The man received treatment at the scene but declined to visit a hospital. Police obtained video footage of the incident recorded by surveillance cameras. The footage showed McKinley and the victim exit Dusos, after which the victim punched McKinley. The two grappled until others separated them, after which the victim returned to the bar and McKinley went to a parked minivan. Moments later, the victim walked out of Dusos and approached the minivan with his fists raised, police reports state. Police wrote in their reports the footage showed that from the minivans passenger side, McKinley fired three of four shots at the man, who instantly fell to the ground. The cameras recorded the sound of three more gunshots before the minivan drove away. While officers were still at the scene, they learned their counterparts in Saginaw had stopped a maroon 2021 Chrysler Voyager that matched the description of the vehicle the shooter had fled in. McKinley was a passenger. The minivans rear window was broken, and its passenger side bore two bullet holes, police reports state. Two blocks from where police stopped the minivan, they found a Sig Sauer P226 handgun that had been reported stolen. Police interviewed a 36-year-old man who had been driving the minivan. He described himself as McKinleys cousin and said they had been barhopping on Midland Street. Without provocation, the shooting victim punched McKinley, the man said. After this, McKinley and his cousin sat in the minivan, the latter trying to convince the former they should leave. He saw the victim approaching McKinley again and then saw McKinley shoot at him multiple times, he told police. Moments later, the minivans rear window shattered amid the sounds of more gunfire. I thought someone was now shooting at us, the man told police, according to their reports. The man drove away in a panic, eventually being pulled over by police in Saginaw. McKinley refused to speak to police on being read his Miranda rights. McKinley is currently on probation, a Saginaw County judge having sentenced him to three years of it in January on convictions of felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. A Saginaw County judge in 2011 sentenced McKinley to three to 10 years in prison on convictions of felonious assault, felon in possession of a firearm, and felony firearm. The Michigan Department of Corrections discharged him in August 2021. Judge Kelly set McKinleys bond at $75,000 cash-surety. McKinley is to appear for a preliminary examination on Sept. 26. PHILADELPHIA Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will visit Michigan later this week as part of Vice President Kamala Harris campaign to win over swing states in the presidential election. Harris running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket, Walzs Michigan tour is scheduled to stretch from Thursday to Friday, Sept. 12-13, the Harris campaign announced. Africa Oil Corp. (OTCMKTS:AOIFF Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $1.33 and last traded at $1.33, with a volume of 158326 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $1.38. Africa Oil Stock Down 3.4 % The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $1.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $1.71. The stock has a market cap of $589.22 million, a P/E ratio of 9.84 and a beta of 1.00. Get Africa Oil alerts: Africa Oil Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Monday, September 9th will be given a dividend of $0.025 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 9th. Africa Oils dividend payout ratio is currently 35.71%. About Africa Oil 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Africa Oil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Africa Oil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Almaden Minerals Ltd. (TSE:AMM Get Free Report) (NYSEMKT:AAU)s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as C$0.05 and last traded at C$0.06, with a volume of 103266 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$0.06. Almaden Minerals Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 131.70, a quick ratio of 23.78 and a current ratio of 7.47. The company has a market cap of C$7.55 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.12 and a beta of 1.10. The businesss 50 day moving average price is C$0.07 and its 200-day moving average price is C$0.13. Get Almaden Minerals alerts: Almaden Minerals (TSE:AMM Get Free Report) (NYSEMKT:AAU) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported C($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Almaden Minerals Company Profile Almaden Minerals Ltd., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of mineral properties in Mexico. The company's principal asset comprises 100% interests in the Ixtaca gold-silver project located in Puebla State, Mexico. Almaden Minerals Ltd. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Almaden Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Almaden Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSE:SLF Get Free Report) (NYSE:SLF) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the ten analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$76.09. A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Evercore dropped their target price on Sun Life Financial from C$76.00 to C$75.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. TD Securities lowered their target price on Sun Life Financial from C$73.00 to C$72.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Sun Life Financial from C$78.00 to C$81.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Scotiabank dropped their price objective on Sun Life Financial from C$76.00 to C$73.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 13th. Finally, National Bankshares raised their price objective on Sun Life Financial from C$72.00 to C$73.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Get Sun Life Financial alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on SLF Insider Buying and Selling at Sun Life Financial Sun Life Financial Stock Down 0.6 % In other Sun Life Financial news, Director Stephanie Coyles purchased 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of C$70.00 per share, with a total value of C$35,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 500 shares in the company, valued at C$35,000. In other Sun Life Financial news, Senior Officer Daniel Fishbein sold 15,999 shares of Sun Life Financial stock in a transaction on Friday, August 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$71.40, for a total value of C$1,142,323.80. Also, Director Stephanie Coyles bought 500 shares of Sun Life Financial stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$70.00 per share, for a total transaction of C$35,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 500 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$35,000. Insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock. Shares of SLF stock opened at C$74.09 on Wednesday. Sun Life Financial has a 12-month low of C$61.84 and a 12-month high of C$75.23. The company has a quick ratio of 84,866.00, a current ratio of 65.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 53.77. The firm has a fifty day moving average of C$69.54 and a 200-day moving average of C$70.26. The company has a market capitalization of C$42.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.93. Sun Life Financial (TSE:SLF Get Free Report) (NYSE:SLF) last released its earnings results on Monday, August 12th. The financial services provider reported C$1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$1.58 by C$0.13. Sun Life Financial had a return on equity of 13.65% and a net margin of 9.90%. The firm had revenue of C$8.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$9.18 billion. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Sun Life Financial will post 6.642596 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Sun Life Financial Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.81 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 28th. This represents a $3.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.37%. Sun Life Financials payout ratio is currently 61.36%. About Sun Life Financial (Get Free Report Sun Life Financial Inc, a financial services company, provides savings, retirement, and pension products worldwide. The company operates in five segments: Asset Management, Canada, U.S., Asia, and Corporate. It offers various insurance products, such as term and permanent life; personal health, which includes prescription drugs, dental, and vision care; critical illness; long-term care; and disability, as well as reinsurance. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sun Life Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sun Life Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Assured Guaranty (NYSE:AGO Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report released on Friday morning. AGO has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Roth Mkm reiterated a buy rating and set a $110.00 target price on shares of Assured Guaranty in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Assured Guaranty from $102.00 to $84.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of Assured Guaranty from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $87.00 to $92.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Get Assured Guaranty alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on AGO Assured Guaranty Price Performance Assured Guaranty stock opened at $77.93 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average is $78.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $80.58. The firm has a market cap of $4.24 billion, a PE ratio of 6.02 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. Assured Guaranty has a 52-week low of $58.27 and a 52-week high of $96.60. Assured Guaranty (NYSE:AGO Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $202.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $193.05 million. Assured Guaranty had a return on equity of 13.19% and a net margin of 61.17%. Assured Guarantys revenue was down 43.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.60 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Assured Guaranty will post 6.3 EPS for the current fiscal year. Assured Guaranty Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 4th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 21st were given a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 21st. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.59%. Assured Guarantys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.58%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CEO Dominic Frederico sold 31,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.01, for a total value of $2,480,310.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,380,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at $110,423,321.19. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 5.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Assured Guaranty A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AGO. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Assured Guaranty during the first quarter worth approximately $35,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. purchased a new position in Assured Guaranty during the 2nd quarter worth $46,000. Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Assured Guaranty in the 4th quarter worth $53,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Assured Guaranty by 24.3% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,017 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $89,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in shares of Assured Guaranty by 55.7% during the second quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,054 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $81,000 after acquiring an additional 377 shares during the period. 92.22% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Assured Guaranty (Get Free Report) Assured Guaranty Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides credit protection products to public finance, infrastructure, and structured finance markets in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Insurance and Asset Management. The company offers financial guaranty insurance that protects holders of debt instruments and other monetary obligations from defaults in scheduled payments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Assured Guaranty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Assured Guaranty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Azul S.A. (NYSE:AZUL Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $2.13 and last traded at $2.19, with a volume of 1481896 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.32. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Azul from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Azul in a research report on Friday, May 24th. They set an equal weight rating and a $7.40 price target on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on shares of Azul from $8.00 to $6.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. HSBC lowered shares of Azul from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $2.70 target price on the stock. in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Azul from $10.00 to $4.50 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $8.23. Get Azul alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on AZUL Azul Price Performance The companys 50 day moving average price is $4.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $5.57. The firm has a market cap of $914.81 million, a PE ratio of -0.89 and a beta of 1.97. Azul (NYSE:AZUL Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, August 12th. The company reported ($1.23) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.60) by ($0.63). The company had revenue of $800.65 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $791.43 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.81) earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Azul S.A. will post -1.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Azul A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Long Focus Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Azul by 106.3% in the 2nd quarter. Long Focus Capital Management LLC now owns 4,454,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,816,000 after acquiring an additional 2,295,000 shares during the period. U S Global Investors Inc. increased its stake in Azul by 10.4% in the 1st quarter. U S Global Investors Inc. now owns 874,798 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,797,000 after buying an additional 82,077 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP increased its stake in Azul by 2,466.5% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 598,670 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,395,000 after buying an additional 575,344 shares during the period. SPX Gestao de Recursos Ltda increased its stake in Azul by 13,831.7% in the 2nd quarter. SPX Gestao de Recursos Ltda now owns 292,565 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,170,000 after buying an additional 290,465 shares during the period. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd increased its stake in Azul by 46.4% in the 4th quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd now owns 68,004 shares of the companys stock valued at $659,000 after buying an additional 21,549 shares during the period. 0.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Azul Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Azul and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barclays set a C$39.00 price objective on Manulife Financial (TSE:MFC Free Report) (NYSE:MFC) in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the financial services providers stock. MFC has been the subject of several other reports. TD Securities boosted their price target on Manulife Financial from C$40.00 to C$41.00 in a report on Friday, July 12th. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of Manulife Financial from a sector perform market weight rating to an outperform market weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 8th. CIBC raised their price objective on shares of Manulife Financial from C$34.00 to C$36.00 in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$38.00 to C$39.00 in a report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$40.00 to C$41.00 in a report on Friday, May 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$39.18. Get Manulife Financial alerts: View Our Latest Report on MFC Manulife Financial Stock Down 1.4 % MFC opened at C$36.73 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$36.03 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$34.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.60, a quick ratio of 2.58 and a current ratio of 36.68. Manulife Financial has a one year low of C$23.69 and a one year high of C$37.58. The stock has a market capitalization of C$65.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 12.56 and a beta of 1.06. Manulife Financial (TSE:MFC Get Free Report) (NYSE:MFC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported C$0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.88 by C$0.03. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 10.41% and a net margin of 17.34%. The company had revenue of C$12.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$12.27 billion. Analysts anticipate that Manulife Financial will post 3.6883768 EPS for the current year. Manulife Financial Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 21st will be paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 21st. Manulife Financials payout ratio is presently 68.09%. Insider Activity at Manulife Financial In other Manulife Financial news, Director Rocco Gori sold 48,345 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$35.73, for a total transaction of C$1,727,395.86. In other news, Director Rocco Gori sold 48,345 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$35.73, for a total transaction of C$1,727,395.86. Also, Director Matthew Lyman Macinnis sold 6,708 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$34.67, for a total transaction of C$232,566.36. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 68,821 shares of company stock valued at $2,455,596. Insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock. About Manulife Financial (Get Free Report) Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in the United States, Canada, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Manulife Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Manulife Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:FNGD Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $28.86, but opened at $27.71. BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN shares last traded at $27.44, with a volume of 256,438 shares. BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN Trading Down 3.3 % The stock has a market cap of $20.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.73 and a beta of -5.03. The companys fifty day moving average is $24.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is $30.89. Get BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN An institutional investor recently bought a new position in BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN stock. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. bought a new stake in BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:FNGD Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 1,165 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,000. BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN Company Profile 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BMO REX MicroSectors FANG Index 3X Inverse Leveraged ETN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dynatrace, Inc. (NYSE:DT Get Free Report) EVP Dan Zugelder sold 11,022 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.71, for a total transaction of $547,903.62. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 217,465 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,810,185.15. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Dan Zugelder also recently made the following trade(s): Get Dynatrace alerts: On Monday, July 15th, Dan Zugelder sold 15,404 shares of Dynatrace stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.22, for a total transaction of $681,164.88. Dynatrace Price Performance DT traded up $0.72 during trading on Monday, hitting $50.90. 3,583,157 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,480,587. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 98.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.55 and a beta of 1.05. Dynatrace, Inc. has a 12-month low of $39.42 and a 12-month high of $61.41. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $46.27 and a 200 day moving average of $46.36. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dynatrace Dynatrace ( NYSE:DT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $399.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $392.22 million. Dynatrace had a net margin of 10.36% and a return on equity of 9.77%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 19.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.16 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Dynatrace, Inc. will post 0.71 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of DT. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in Dynatrace by 76.7% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 530 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in Dynatrace by 3,813.3% in the second quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 587 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 572 shares in the last quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. purchased a new stake in Dynatrace in the second quarter worth about $26,000. DSM Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Dynatrace during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Dynatrace during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.28% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on DT shares. Guggenheim lowered their price objective on Dynatrace from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $60.00 price target (down previously from $70.00) on shares of Dynatrace in a research report on Thursday, May 16th. Wedbush reissued a neutral rating and set a $55.00 price objective on shares of Dynatrace in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Dynatrace in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Dynatrace from $66.00 to $60.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 16th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Dynatrace has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $59.70. View Our Latest Stock Report on Dynatrace About Dynatrace (Get Free Report) Dynatrace, Inc provides a security platform for multicloud environments. It operates Dynatrace, a security platform, which provides application and microservices monitoring, runtime application security, infrastructure monitoring, log management and analytics, digital experience monitoring, digital business analytics, and cloud automation. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Dynatrace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dynatrace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 9.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,172 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,067 shares during the period. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $2,007,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of PG. Transcendent Capital Group LLC acquired a new position in Procter & Gamble during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 64.7% during the first quarter. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. now owns 196 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble during the second quarter worth $34,000. Vima LLC bought a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble in the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble during the 1st quarter valued at $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.77% of the companys stock. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have issued reports on PG. Barclays lowered their target price on Procter & Gamble from $174.00 to $163.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $157.00 to $161.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $177.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $157.00 to $164.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $189.00 price target on the stock. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $175.79. Procter & Gamble Trading Up 0.1 % Shares of PG stock opened at $175.59 on Friday. The Procter & Gamble Company has a fifty-two week low of $141.45 and a fifty-two week high of $177.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.73. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $168.26 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $164.69. The company has a market cap of $414.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.69, a PEG ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.41. Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $20.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.69 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.71% and a return on equity of 33.46%. Procter & Gambles revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.37 EPS. Research analysts forecast that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.97 earnings per share for the current year. Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 19th were paid a $1.0065 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 19th. This represents a $4.03 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.29%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is presently 65.69%. Insider Activity at Procter & Gamble In other news, insider Balaji Purushothaman sold 8,842 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.90, for a total transaction of $1,458,045.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 11,537 shares in the company, valued at $1,902,451.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Jon R. Moeller sold 72,174 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.01, for a total value of $12,342,475.74. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 263,158 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $45,002,649.58. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Balaji Purushothaman sold 8,842 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.90, for a total value of $1,458,045.80. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 11,537 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,902,451.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 375,553 shares of company stock valued at $63,829,141 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock. Procter & Gamble Profile (Free Report) The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Freemont Management S.A. cut its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR Free Report) by 83.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 25,100 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 123,400 shares during the period. Ingersoll Rand makes up 1.1% of Freemont Management S.A.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. Freemont Management S.A.s holdings in Ingersoll Rand were worth $2,280,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IR. Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda purchased a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, ESL Trust Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the first quarter valued at about $35,000. 95.27% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Ingersoll Rand alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have issued reports on IR shares. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $109.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $93.00 to $88.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 19th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Ingersoll Rand in a report on Friday. They set an equal weight rating and a $97.00 target price for the company. Finally, Cfra reiterated a hold rating and issued a $85.00 price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ingersoll Rand has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $100.00. Insider Buying and Selling at Ingersoll Rand In related news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 of the companys stock, valued at $9,284,951.17. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Ingersoll Rand news, insider Andrew R. Schiesl sold 15,381 shares of Ingersoll Rand stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.74, for a total transaction of $1,380,290.94. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 39,486 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,543,473.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Vicente Reynal sold 50,000 shares of the businesss 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 in the company, valued at $9,284,951.17. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 77,510 shares of company stock valued at $7,108,005. Company insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock. Ingersoll Rand Stock Performance Shares of Ingersoll Rand stock traded up $1.35 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $88.19. The companys stock had a trading volume of 42,563 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,581,019. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.52 and a current ratio of 2.18. Ingersoll Rand Inc. has a one year low of $59.20 and a one year high of $101.30. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $92.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $92.19. The stock has a market cap of $35.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 1.42. Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The industrial products company reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $1.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. Ingersoll Rand had a return on equity of 13.00% and a net margin of 11.73%. As a group, analysts expect that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 3.21 EPS for the current fiscal year. Ingersoll Rand Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a $0.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.09%. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio is presently 3.98%. About Ingersoll Rand (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ingersoll Rand Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingersoll Rand and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gear Energy Ltd. (TSE:GXE Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as C$0.60 and last traded at C$0.60, with a volume of 237146 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.62. Gear Energy Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of C$158.15 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.40 and a beta of 3.56. The firms 50 day moving average is C$0.69 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.26, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 0.95. Get Gear Energy alerts: Gear Energy (TSE:GXE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported C$0.04 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of C$0.04. Gear Energy had a return on equity of 5.36% and a net margin of 9.65%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Gear Energy Ltd. will post 0.1399549 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Gear Energy Dividend Announcement Insider Activity at Gear Energy The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a $0.005 dividend. This represents a $0.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. Gear Energys payout ratio is 120.00%. In other news, Senior Officer Bryan Dozzi sold 100,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$0.71, for a total transaction of C$71,000.00. 7.57% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Gear Energy (Get Free Report) Gear Energy Ltd., an exploration and production company, engages in the acquiring, developing, and holding of interests in petroleum and natural gas properties and assets in Canada. The company's oil properties are located in Central Alberta, West Central Saskatchewan, and Southeast Saskatchewan. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Gear Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gear Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HCR Wealth Advisors trimmed its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD Free Report) by 0.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 15,498 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 63 shares during the period. HCR Wealth Advisors holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $3,332,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of GLD. Scarborough Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 10,133.3% during the 4th quarter. Scarborough Advisors LLC now owns 2,662,393 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $508,970,000 after buying an additional 2,636,376 shares during the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 23.6% during the 1st quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 5,649,510 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,162,217,000 after buying an additional 1,079,452 shares during the last quarter. Global Assets Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares during the 1st quarter worth about $144,269,000. GLOBALT Investments LLC GA acquired a new position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares during the 4th quarter worth about $124,066,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 461.0% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 702,415 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $144,501,000 after buying an additional 577,210 shares during the last quarter. 42.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get SPDR Gold Shares alerts: SPDR Gold Shares Stock Performance SPDR Gold Shares stock opened at $230.63 on Monday. SPDR Gold Shares has a one year low of $168.30 and a one year high of $234.01. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $225.43 and a 200-day moving average of $215.99. SPDR Gold Shares Profile SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares). Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Gold Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Gold Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated their buy rating on shares of Indivior (LON:INDV Free Report) in a report issued on Thursday morning, MarketBeat reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft currently has a GBX 1,500 ($19.72) price objective on the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock. Indivior Price Performance INDV opened at GBX 794 ($10.44) on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2,790.00. The stock has a market capitalization of 1.05 billion, a P/E ratio of -1,005.06, a PEG ratio of -5.57 and a beta of 0.17. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 949.80 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 1,307.46. Indivior has a 12-month low of GBX 653 ($8.59) and a 12-month high of GBX 1,877.20 ($24.68). Get Indivior alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Indivior In other Indivior news, insider Jo Le Couilliard acquired 1,490 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 1,006 ($13.23) per share, for a total transaction of 14,989.40 ($19,709.93). Company insiders own 3.36% of the companys stock. Indivior Company Profile Indivior PLC, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of buprenorphine-based prescription drugs for the treatment of opioid dependence and co-occurring disorders in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company develops medicines to treat substance use disorders, serious mental illnesses, and opioid overdose. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Indivior Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Indivior and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sage Advisory Services Ltd.Co. reduced its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report) by 38.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 50,681 shares of the companys stock after selling 32,149 shares during the period. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF accounts for about 7.8% of Sage Advisory Services Ltd.Co.s portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest position. Sage Advisory Services Ltd.Co.s holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $27,734,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of IVV. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. lifted its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 21.2% in the 2nd quarter. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. now owns 103 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,000 after buying an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC raised its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 379 shares of the companys stock valued at $207,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the last quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 2,134 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,122,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Unionview LLC boosted its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Unionview LLC now owns 3,293 shares of the companys stock worth $1,731,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MTM Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 6.9% during the second quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC now owns 308 shares of the companys stock worth $169,000 after buying an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Down 1.7 % Shares of NYSEARCA IVV opened at $543.37 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $468.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.23 and a beta of 0.99. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 52 week low of $411.02 and a 52 week high of $568.24. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $552.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $533.72. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Profile iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Phreesia (NYSE:PHR Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $27.00 to $28.00 in a research report issued on Monday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an overweight rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s target price points to a potential upside of 17.60% from the companys previous close. A number of other analysts have also recently commented on PHR. KeyCorp reduced their price objective on Phreesia from $27.00 to $25.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Phreesia from $29.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday. DA Davidson restated a buy rating and set a $32.00 target price on shares of Phreesia in a research report on Thursday. Stephens restated an overweight rating and issued a $28.00 price objective on shares of Phreesia in a research note on Friday, May 31st. Finally, JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $30.00 target price on shares of Phreesia in a research report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $30.23. Get Phreesia alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Phreesia Phreesia Stock Performance Insider Transactions at Phreesia PHR traded up $0.26 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $23.81. 140,190 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 467,506. The companys 50-day moving average is $23.38 and its 200 day moving average is $22.75. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 1.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.37 billion, a PE ratio of -10.97 and a beta of 0.93. Phreesia has a 52 week low of $12.05 and a 52 week high of $29.16. In other Phreesia news, General Counsel Allison C. Hoffman sold 14,110 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.03, for a total transaction of $367,283.30. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 121,003 shares in the company, valued at $3,149,708.09. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Phreesia news, General Counsel Allison C. Hoffman sold 14,110 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.03, for a total transaction of $367,283.30. Following the transaction, the general counsel now owns 121,003 shares in the company, valued at $3,149,708.09. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Mark Douglas Smith sold 7,000 shares of Phreesia stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.00, for a total transaction of $175,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 30,653 shares of the companys stock, valued at $766,325. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 29,337 shares of company stock worth $736,750 in the last three months. Insiders own 5.80% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. nVerses Capital LLC grew its stake in Phreesia by 76.5% in the second quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 3,000 shares of the companys stock worth $64,000 after purchasing an additional 1,300 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in shares of Phreesia by 5,462.3% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 3,838 shares of the companys stock worth $89,000 after buying an additional 3,769 shares in the last quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Phreesia during the first quarter valued at $169,000. Quadrature Capital Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Phreesia in the first quarter valued at about $202,000. Finally, Lombard Odier Asset Management USA Corp purchased a new stake in Phreesia in the second quarter worth about $202,000. 92.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Phreesia Company Profile (Get Free Report) Phreesia, Inc provides an integrated SaaS-based software and payment platform for the healthcare industry in the United States and Canada. The company offers access solutions that offers appointment scheduling system for online appointments, reminders, and referral tracking management; registration solution to automate patient self-registration; revenue cycle solution, which offer insurance-verification processes, point-of-sale payments applications, post-visit payment collection, and flexible payment options; and network connect solution to deliver clinically relevant content to patients. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Phreesia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phreesia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Liberty Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report) by 780.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,213 shares of the aerospace companys stock after buying an additional 11,713 shares during the period. Liberty Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $6,172,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Choreo LLC raised its position in Lockheed Martin by 53.7% in the 2nd quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 13,512 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $6,303,000 after buying an additional 4,718 shares during the last quarter. Fox Hill Wealth Management raised its position in Lockheed Martin by 112.1% in the 2nd quarter. Fox Hill Wealth Management now owns 3,752 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,753,000 after buying an additional 1,983 shares during the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC raised its position in Lockheed Martin by 93.7% in the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 7,813 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $3,649,000 after buying an additional 3,780 shares during the last quarter. X Square Capital LLC grew its stake in Lockheed Martin by 1.3% in the second quarter. X Square Capital LLC now owns 2,105 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $983,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management raised its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 505,427 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $236,085,000 after purchasing an additional 16,280 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.19% of the companys stock. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Lockheed Martin In other news, insider Timothy S. Cahill sold 3,975 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $515.36, for a total transaction of $2,048,556.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 8,877 shares in the company, valued at $4,574,850.72. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on LMT shares. Bank of America reiterated a buy rating and set a $635.00 price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research note on Friday, August 30th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Lockheed Martin from $511.00 to $538.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Lockheed Martin from $518.00 to $560.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Melius Research raised Lockheed Martin to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Lockheed Martin from $503.00 to $599.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Lockheed Martin currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $553.43. Read Our Latest Report on LMT Lockheed Martin Price Performance Shares of LMT stock opened at $566.63 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10. Lockheed Martin Co. has a twelve month low of $393.77 and a twelve month high of $578.73. The company has a market cap of $135.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.73, a P/E/G ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 0.47. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $524.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $479.32. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The aerospace company reported $7.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.45 by $0.66. The business had revenue of $18.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.05 billion. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 95.03% and a net margin of 9.48%. Lockheed Martins revenue for the quarter was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $6.73 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 26.65 EPS for the current fiscal year. Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be given a $3.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $12.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.22%. Lockheed Martins dividend payout ratio is presently 46.10%. Lockheed Martin Profile (Free Report) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kepler Capital Markets started coverage on shares of Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG Free Report) in a report published on Thursday morning, MarketBeat reports. The firm issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock. Several other research analysts have also recently commented on LYG. Citigroup cut shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 5th. Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Lloyds Banking Group from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $32.38. Get Lloyds Banking Group alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Banking Group Stock Down 3.3 % Lloyds Banking Group stock opened at $2.93 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $45.79 billion, a PE ratio of 7.71 and a beta of 1.35. Lloyds Banking Group has a twelve month low of $1.88 and a twelve month high of $3.14. The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89. The company has a 50 day moving average of $2.97 and a 200-day moving average of $2.74. Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The financial services provider reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $9.55 billion during the quarter. Lloyds Banking Group had a net margin of 12.40% and a return on equity of 10.34%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Lloyds Banking Group will post 0.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Lloyds Banking Group Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 5th will be given a dividend of $0.0546 per share. This is a positive change from Lloyds Banking Groups previous semi-annual dividend of $0.05. This represents a yield of 4.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 5th. Lloyds Banking Groups dividend payout ratio is 26.32%. Institutional Trading of Lloyds Banking Group Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the second quarter valued at about $237,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the second quarter valued at about $36,252,000. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 0.5% in the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 1,221,301 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,334,000 after purchasing an additional 6,381 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp raised its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 22.9% in the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 389,410 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,063,000 after purchasing an additional 72,477 shares during the period. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the second quarter valued at about $69,000. 2.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Lloyds Banking Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lloyds Banking Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PFG Investments LLC decreased its position in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPLV Free Report) by 17.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 60,463 shares of the companys stock after selling 12,938 shares during the quarter. PFG Investments LLCs holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF were worth $3,927,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp boosted its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 7.6% during the 1st quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 3,027,451 shares of the companys stock valued at $199,418,000 after purchasing an additional 212,725 shares during the period. Global Assets Advisory LLC raised its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 6,354.7% during the 1st quarter. Global Assets Advisory LLC now owns 2,499,503 shares of the companys stock valued at $164,642,000 after purchasing an additional 2,460,779 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 1,562,444 shares of the companys stock valued at $102,918,000 after purchasing an additional 10,014 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 50.6% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,385,562 shares of the companys stock worth $86,819,000 after purchasing an additional 465,676 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 7.4% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,251,856 shares of the companys stock valued at $81,308,000 after acquiring an additional 86,639 shares during the period. Get Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF alerts: Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Stock Performance Shares of SPLV stock opened at $70.17 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $67.84 and a 200-day moving average of $65.83. The stock has a market cap of $7.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.07 and a beta of 0.47. Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF has a 52-week low of $57.17 and a 52-week high of $71.65. Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Profile The Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Low Volatility index. The fund tracks a volatility-weighted index of the 100 least-volatile stocks in the S&P 500. SPLV was launched on May 5, 2011 and is managed by Invesco. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SPLV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPLV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JMP Securities restated their market outperform rating on shares of Phreesia (NYSE:PHR Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $30.00 target price on the stock. Several other analysts have also recently commented on PHR. DA Davidson reiterated a buy rating and issued a $32.00 target price on shares of Phreesia in a report on Thursday. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $29.00 target price on shares of Phreesia in a report on Thursday. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $28.00 target price on shares of Phreesia in a report on Friday, May 31st. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and set a $29.00 price target on shares of Phreesia in a report on Monday, July 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $23.00 price target on shares of Phreesia in a report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $30.42. Get Phreesia alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on PHR Phreesia Stock Down 8.3 % Insider Transactions at Phreesia Shares of NYSE PHR opened at $23.55 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $23.38 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $22.75. Phreesia has a 12 month low of $12.05 and a 12 month high of $29.16. The company has a current ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 1.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The company has a market cap of $1.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.85 and a beta of 0.93. In other news, CEO Chaim Indig sold 2,644 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.74, for a total transaction of $62,768.56. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,219,361 shares of the companys stock, valued at $28,947,630.14. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Chaim Indig sold 2,644 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.74, for a total value of $62,768.56. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,219,361 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $28,947,630.14. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, General Counsel Allison C. Hoffman sold 14,110 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.03, for a total value of $367,283.30. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 121,003 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,149,708.09. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 29,337 shares of company stock valued at $736,750 over the last ninety days. 5.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. nVerses Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Phreesia by 76.5% during the 2nd quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 3,000 shares of the companys stock worth $64,000 after acquiring an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Phreesia by 5,462.3% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 3,838 shares of the companys stock worth $89,000 after acquiring an additional 3,769 shares during the period. EntryPoint Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Phreesia during the 1st quarter worth $169,000. Quadrature Capital Ltd bought a new position in shares of Phreesia during the 1st quarter worth $202,000. Finally, Lombard Odier Asset Management USA Corp bought a new position in shares of Phreesia during the 2nd quarter worth $202,000. Institutional investors own 92.10% of the companys stock. About Phreesia (Get Free Report) Phreesia, Inc provides an integrated SaaS-based software and payment platform for the healthcare industry in the United States and Canada. The company offers access solutions that offers appointment scheduling system for online appointments, reminders, and referral tracking management; registration solution to automate patient self-registration; revenue cycle solution, which offer insurance-verification processes, point-of-sale payments applications, post-visit payment collection, and flexible payment options; and network connect solution to deliver clinically relevant content to patients. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Phreesia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phreesia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ping Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:IRS Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 32,300 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $289,000. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Advisors Preferred LLC bought a new stake in shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima in the 1st quarter valued at about $94,000. Deuterium Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima in the 1st quarter valued at about $96,000. QRG Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima in the 4th quarter valued at about $177,000. Finally, Jump Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima by 65.9% in the 4th quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 22,900 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $197,000 after purchasing an additional 9,100 shares in the last quarter. 45.46% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima alerts: IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Trading Down 0.8 % NYSE IRS opened at $11.73 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima has a 52 week low of $5.73 and a 52 week high of $12.00. The firm has a market cap of $869.78 million, a PE ratio of 18.58 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $9.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.54. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In IRS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from $10.50 to $13.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Get Our Latest Analysis on IRS IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Company Profile (Free Report) IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the diversified real estate activities in Argentina. It operates through five segments: Shopping Malls, Offices, Hotels, Sales and Developments, and Others. The company is involved in the acquisition, development, and operation of shopping malls, office buildings, and other non-shopping mall properties primarily for rental purposes. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Private Management Group Inc. lowered its stake in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET Free Report) by 0.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 339,954 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 2,262 shares during the period. Private Management Group Inc.s holdings in MetLife were worth $23,861,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Mount Lucas Management LP bought a new stake in shares of MetLife in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,210,000. Caprock Group LLC raised its stake in shares of MetLife by 24.1% in the second quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 23,923 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,679,000 after purchasing an additional 4,647 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its position in MetLife by 7,837.0% in the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,129,353 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $79,250,000 after purchasing an additional 1,115,124 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund boosted its stake in MetLife by 614.8% during the second quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 146,073 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,253,000 after buying an additional 125,637 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth Retirement Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of MetLife by 19.9% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Retirement Investments LLC now owns 32,562 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,286,000 after buying an additional 5,394 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.81% of the companys stock. Get MetLife alerts: MetLife Trading Down 3.3 % MET opened at $74.08 on Monday. MetLife, Inc. has a 1-year low of $57.91 and a 1-year high of $79.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.88 billion, a PE ratio of 25.46, a PEG ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a current ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $73.32 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $72.10. MetLife Announces Dividend MetLife ( NYSE:MET Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The financial services provider reported $2.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.13 by $0.15. MetLife had a net margin of 4.23% and a return on equity of 21.41%. The business had revenue of $17.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.57 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.94 earnings per share. MetLifes revenue for the quarter was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that MetLife, Inc. will post 8.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.545 per share. This represents a $2.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 6th. MetLifes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 74.91%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have recently weighed in on MET shares. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of MetLife from $99.00 to $96.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Barclays assumed coverage on MetLife in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. They issued an overweight rating and a $91.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com raised MetLife from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Argus increased their price objective on MetLife from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 22nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of MetLife from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $84.54. View Our Latest Research Report on MetLife About MetLife (Free Report) MetLife, Inc, a financial services company, provides insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management services worldwide. It operates through six segments: Retirement and Income Solutions; Group Benefits; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings. The company offers life, dental, group short-and long-term disability, individual disability, pet insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, vision, and accident and health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans; administrative services-only arrangements to employers; and general and separate account, and synthetic guaranteed interest contracts, as well as private floating rate funding agreements. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MET? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for MetLife Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MetLife and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSE:ATD Free Report) had its price objective reduced by Royal Bank of Canada from C$96.00 to C$94.00 in a research note published on Thursday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. National Bankshares boosted their target price on shares of Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$84.00 to C$86.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. Desjardins lowered their target price on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$86.00 to C$85.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, June 27th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$89.00 to C$86.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price objective on Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$87.00 to C$85.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Finally, CIBC lifted their target price on shares of Alimentation Couche-Tard from C$88.00 to C$89.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, June 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$87.50. Get Alimentation Couche-Tard alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on ATD Alimentation Couche-Tard Trading Up 1.9 % TSE:ATD opened at C$76.86 on Thursday. Alimentation Couche-Tard has a 12 month low of C$68.93 and a 12 month high of C$87.27. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$80.29 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$79.12. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 109.56. The company has a market capitalization of C$73.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.28, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.90. Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSE:ATD Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 25th. The company reported C$0.65 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.67 by C($0.02). Alimentation Couche-Tard had a return on equity of 21.13% and a net margin of 3.94%. The company had revenue of C$23.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$23.13 billion. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Alimentation Couche-Tard will post 4.0130276 earnings per share for the current year. Alimentation Couche-Tard Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a $0.175 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $0.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.91%. Alimentation Couche-Tards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 18.47%. About Alimentation Couche-Tard (Get Free Report) Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc operates and licenses convenience stores in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its convenience stores sell tobacco products and alternative tobacco products, grocery items, candies and snacks, beer, wine, beverages, and fresh food offerings; road transportation fuels and electric vehicle charging solutions; and aviation fuels, as well as energy for stationary engines. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Alimentation Couche-Tard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alimentation Couche-Tard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Sequans Communications (NYSE:SQNS Free Report) in a research note published on Friday. The firm issued a sell rating on the semiconductor companys stock. Separately, Roth Mkm restated a buy rating and set a $3.00 target price on shares of Sequans Communications in a research report on Monday, August 26th. Get Sequans Communications alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on SQNS Sequans Communications Stock Down 7.1 % NYSE:SQNS opened at $1.04 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.42 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.32 and a beta of 0.24. Sequans Communications has a twelve month low of $0.34 and a twelve month high of $2.97. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $0.64 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $0.60. Sequans Communications (NYSE:SQNS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, June 18th. The semiconductor company reported ($0.16) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.18) by $0.02. Sequans Communications had a negative return on equity of 1,229.91% and a negative net margin of 172.27%. The business had revenue of $6.03 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.20 million. As a group, analysts anticipate that Sequans Communications will post -0.51 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Bardin Hill Management Partners LP acquired a new position in shares of Sequans Communications in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,497,000. Vazirani Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sequans Communications in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,840,000. Finally, Black Maple Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Sequans Communications in the 4th quarter valued at about $43,000. 63.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Sequans Communications (Get Free Report) Sequans Communications SA engages in the fabless designing, developing, and supplying of cellular semiconductor solutions for massive and broadband Internet of Things (IoT) markets in Taiwan, Korea, China, rest of Asia, Germany, the United States, and internationally. It offers baseband solutions for use in encoding and decoding data based on 4G and 5G protocols for wireless processing platform for a cellular device; RF transceivers used to transmit and receive wireless transmissions; highly integrated SoC solutions that combine various functions into a single die or package; and LTE modules. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sequans Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sequans Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new position in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm bought 4,489 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $267,000. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of WFC. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 53.7% in the 2nd quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 630 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. Transcendent Capital Group LLC bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.90% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance Shares of WFC opened at $54.37 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $185.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.16. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52-week low of $38.38 and a 52-week high of $62.55. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $57.31 and its 200 day simple moving average is $57.96. Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 12th. The financial services provider reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $20.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.29 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 15.17% and a return on equity of 12.30%. Wells Fargo & Companys revenue was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.25 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.15 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This is a positive change from Wells Fargo & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.94%. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is presently 32.85%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts recently commented on WFC shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Wells Fargo & Company from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $65.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group cut Wells Fargo & Company to a hold rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $62.00 to $59.00 in a research note on Friday, August 16th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $60.29. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Wells Fargo & Company 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Liberty Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 19,384.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 181,404 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 180,473 shares during the quarter. The Goldman Sachs Group accounts for about 2.0% of Liberty Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Liberty Wealth Management LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $82,053,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Waldron Private Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Waldron Private Wealth LLC now owns 2,399 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,085,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.8% during the second quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 2,727 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,233,000 after acquiring an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. lifted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.1% in the second quarter. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. now owns 1,975 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $893,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.5% in the first quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC now owns 1,564 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $653,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,019 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $913,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Insider Transactions at The Goldman Sachs Group In related news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 4,000,000 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.34, for a total transaction of $25,360,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 12,981,022 shares in the company, valued at approximately $82,299,679.48. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 4,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.34, for a total transaction of $25,360,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 12,981,022 shares in the company, valued at approximately $82,299,679.48. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $505.99, for a total value of $1,770,965.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 12,095 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,119,949.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 4,013,500 shares of company stock valued at $32,181,365 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. UBS Group increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $490.00 to $535.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Seaport Res Ptn lowered The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $485.00 to $520.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 27th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $513.00 to $561.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $500.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $495.94. Get Our Latest Research Report on The Goldman Sachs Group The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance Shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $483.00 on Monday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $489.33 and its 200 day moving average price is $448.62. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $289.36 and a twelve month high of $517.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $152.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.73, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.36. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 15th. The investment management company reported $8.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.52 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $12.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.60 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 10.56% and a net margin of 9.36%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 35.49 earnings per share for the current year. The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a dividend of $3.00 per share. This is an increase from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.75. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.48%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is currently 46.86%. About The Goldman Sachs Group (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quest Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Free Report) by 44.9% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 54,720 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 16,945 shares during the period. Unum Group comprises approximately 0.4% of Quest Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest position. Quest Partners LLCs holdings in Unum Group were worth $2,797,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Caprock Group LLC boosted its stake in Unum Group by 79.7% during the 2nd quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 12,087 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $618,000 after purchasing an additional 5,362 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Unum Group by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 41,714 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,132,000 after acquiring an additional 675 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Unum Group by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 29,481 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,507,000 after acquiring an additional 437 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Unum Group by 24.1% during the 2nd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 1,442 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $74,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Unum Group by 62.9% during the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,119,870 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $57,237,000 after acquiring an additional 432,240 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.57% of the companys stock. Get Unum Group alerts: Unum Group Stock Down 2.0 % Shares of NYSE:UNM opened at $54.14 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.28 and a quick ratio of 0.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.06 billion, a PE ratio of 8.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 0.77. The firms 50-day moving average is $53.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $52.27. Unum Group has a 1 year low of $41.75 and a 1 year high of $58.17. Unum Group Increases Dividend Unum Group ( NYSE:UNM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.02 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $3.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.23 billion. Unum Group had a net margin of 10.40% and a return on equity of 15.55%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.06 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Unum Group will post 8.5 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 26th. This is a positive change from Unum Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.10%. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio is 24.96%. Unum Group announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, July 30th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the financial services provider to purchase up to 10% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth UNM has been the topic of several recent research reports. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. They set an overweight rating and a $57.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Unum Group from $66.00 to $69.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Unum Group from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Barclays began coverage on shares of Unum Group in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. They issued an overweight rating and a $73.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Unum Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.90. Read Our Latest Report on Unum Group Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CEO Richard P. Mckenney sold 67,795 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.98, for a total transaction of $3,727,369.10. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,065,868 shares in the company, valued at $58,601,422.64. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, CEO Richard P. Mckenney sold 67,795 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.98, for a total transaction of $3,727,369.10. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,065,868 shares in the company, valued at $58,601,422.64. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Timothy Gerald Arnold sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 14th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $3,507,464.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.93% of the companys stock. About Unum Group (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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Unum Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unum Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Roth Mkm reiterated their buy rating on shares of Yext (NYSE:YEXT Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $7.50 price objective on the stock, down from their prior price objective of $8.00. Several other research analysts also recently commented on YEXT. DA Davidson lifted their price objective on Yext from $5.50 to $5.75 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday. Needham & Company LLC raised Yext from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $8.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Get Yext alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on YEXT Yext Stock Up 11.9 % YEXT opened at $6.22 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $784.58 million, a PE ratio of -124.40 and a beta of 1.17. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $5.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $5.43. Yext has a 52 week low of $4.29 and a 52 week high of $7.59. Yext (NYSE:YEXT Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, September 4th. The company reported $0.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.03 by $0.02. Yext had a negative return on equity of 3.44% and a negative net margin of 1.68%. The company had revenue of $97.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $98.15 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($0.03) EPS. Yexts quarterly revenue was down 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Yext will post 0.04 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity In other Yext news, General Counsel Ho Shin sold 35,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.04, for a total value of $176,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 125,207 shares in the company, valued at approximately $631,043.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 8.40% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Yext A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of YEXT. Williams & Novak LLC bought a new stake in shares of Yext during the second quarter valued at approximately $56,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in shares of Yext during the 2nd quarter valued at $62,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Yext by 23.1% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 13,587 shares of the companys stock worth $80,000 after buying an additional 2,547 shares during the period. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC increased its stake in shares of Yext by 27.8% in the 2nd quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 15,545 shares of the companys stock worth $83,000 after acquiring an additional 3,385 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Yext by 36.2% during the 2nd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 18,618 shares of the companys stock valued at $100,000 after acquiring an additional 4,946 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.98% of the companys stock. About Yext (Get Free Report) Yext, Inc organizes business facts to provide answers to consumer questions in North America and internationally. It operates Yext platform, a cloud-based platform that allows its customers to offer answers to consumer questions, to control the facts about their businesses and the content of their landing pages, and to manage their consumer reviews; and provides customers to update their information and content through its publisher network of maps, apps, search engines, intelligent GPS systems, digital assistants, vertical directories, and social networks, as well as professional services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Yext Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Yext and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All APSSB CSLE 2024 registration ends today at apssb.nic.in, apply here for 452 vacancies Follow us on: BSEB Simultala Awasiya Vidyalaya Result 2024 for Class 11 out today at savbihar.ac.in, check details here Abhishek Sahu covers HR and Education (Careers) at Moneycontrol. He can be reached at Abhishek.Sahu@nw18.com and @Abhishek44sahu. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Follow us on: BTS' Jin reconnects with his alma mater for RUN JIN; his autograph gets displayed alongside the motto - view pic OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Kannada actor Darshan confesses to assaulting Renukaswamy: I kicked and hit him Tamil actors Ashwath Marimuthu, Vinodhini Vaidynathan and others mourn producer Dilli Babu's demise, say, "he would take care of crew and cast" Nivedita is a Delhi-based journalist who writes on health, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment. Views expressed are personal. Follow us on: Did Nitin Gadkari take a dig at India's largest carmaker for dragging its feet on EVs? Follow us on: Dixon bags new deal: HP to sign pact with Padget to make PCs under PLI 2.0 scheme Follow us on: Social security benefits for gig workers likely to be on fast-track: Report Follow us on: EMPS to be extended beyond September for EVs, says Minister Kumaraswamy September 09, 2024 / 20:11 IST GST Council clarifies that car seats are classifiable under 9401 and attract a GST rate of 18%. GST rate on car seats classifiable under 9401 to be increased from 18% to 28%. This uniform rate of 28% will be applicable prospectively for car seats of motor cars in order to bring parity with seats of motorcycles which already attract a GST rate of 28%. 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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Follow us on: Stock Radar: Religare Enterprises, Bank of Baroda, Awfis Space Solutions, Phoenix Mills to be in focus on Tuesday Follow us on: Vedanta Resources in talks with lenders to raise $1 billion through foreign currency bonds: Sources Follow us on: 'Ask your grandmother': BJP's Giriraj Singh slams Rahul Gandhi over RSS remarks in US Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_ Follow us on: Centre rolls out advisory amid global Mpox scare, asks states to ramp up screening and testing OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Congress more confident about Siddaramaiah's resignation, says BJP leader R Ashoka OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Government signs Rs 26,000 crore contract with HAL for 240 AL-31FP engines for Su-30MKI fighter jets Follow us on: India may join hands with Russia to set up nuclear power plant on moon: Report Follow us on: 'Infuse love, respect, and humility ..': Rahul Gandhi shares his vision of Indian politics in US OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Is Rahul Gandhi a national alternative to PM Modi? 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Follow us on: European Space Agency captures 'spooky smiley face' on Mars! Check out the intriguing image that left netizens captivated During the 24th China International Fair for Investment and Trade, the Haike Commerce Roundtable Europe Special Session, hosted by the People's Government of Anhui Province and organized by the Department of Commerce of Anhui Province, was held in Xiamen on the afternoon of September 8th. It has been reported that over the past decade, Anhui has been one of the fastest-growing provinces in China's economy and has become an emerging industrial and manufacturing powerhouse. From January to July this year, Anhui's total import and export volume ranked 9th nationwide and 1st among the central provinces; its actual foreign investment volume ranked 7th nationwide and 1st among the central provinces; foreign direct investment has been higher than the national average for 20 consecutive months, ranking 7th nationwide and 1st among the central provinces. Notably, foreign-invested enterprises, which account for 0.37% of the total number of enterprises in the province, contributed 21.6% of the province's import and export, 6.3% of tax revenue, and 1.8% of urban employment positions, making a significant contribution to the province's economic development. From January to July this year, our province's total import and export volume with Europe reached 103.1 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.88%. In the future, as the development of Anhui's top ten emerging industries accelerates, it will provide a richer range of innovative application scenarios and create a large number of production service demands. Enterprises in research and development design, financial services, cargo transportation, vocational training, accounting, auditing, and other production services investing in Anhui will have vast business opportunities. Source: anhuinews.com Follow us on: How a new AI model could predict major Earthquakes in advance; find out here Follow us on: Nasa to launch a new telescope with 100x Hubbles view to explore dark universe OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Kaziranga National Park Reopens October 1: Get ready for thrilling safaris and wildlife adventures 1/14 Three Canadian citiesVancouver, Montreal, and Torontohave been ranked among the top 20 solo travel destinations globally, according to a recent report by Kayak and OpenTable. Each city offers unique experiences for solo travelers, combining natural beauty, rich history, and diverse cultures. Whether it's the breathtaking landscapes of Vancouver, the cultural richness of Montreal, or Toronto's multicultural vibrancy, these cities provide safe and engaging environments for independent explorers. (Image: Canva) 2/14 Solo Travel: The Growing Trend Shaping Modern Tourism Solo travel is rapidly emerging as a leading trend in tourism, with an increasing number of individuals choosing to explore the world independently. This shift is transforming how travelers experience different cultures and landscapes. The freedom and flexibility offered by solo travel enable travelers to create personalized adventures, dive deep into new destinations, and fully immerse themselves in diverse cultures. (Image: Canva) 3/14 Why Solo Travel is Flourishing? The rise of solo travel is driven by its unique benefits. Travelers enjoy the ultimate freedom to tailor every aspect of their tripactivities, itineraries, and destinationsto their personal preferences. Solo journeys challenge individuals to step out of their comfort zones, build self-confidence, and embrace new experiences. Whether navigating bustling city streets or exploring serene natural settings, solo travel fosters personal growth and self-discovery. (Image: Canva) 4/14 Top 10 Solo Travel Destinations Solo travel offers unmatched freedom and the chance to explore new cultures on your own terms. Whether you crave vibrant cities, serene landscapes, or a blend of both, the right destination can turn your solo trip into an unforgettable journey. Here're the top 10 solo travel destinations ranked by Kayak and OpenTable, each providing unique experiences and opportunities for self-discovery. (Image: Canva) 5/14 10. London, U.K.: A Solo Travelers Urban Playground | Londons diverse attractions, including museums and theaters, make it a top destination for solo travelers. Its extensive public transport system and variety of experiences, from historic landmarks to modern sights, cater to every interest. (Image: Canva) 6/14 9. Mexico City, Mexico: A Colorful Fusion of History and Culture | Mexico City dazzles with its vibrant markets, ancient ruins, and rich cultural heritage. Solo travelers can enjoy the city's lively atmosphere and warm hospitality. (Image: Canva) 7/14 8. Dubai, UAE: Modern Luxury Meets Tradition | Dubais futuristic skyline and luxury shopping blend with traditional cultural experiences. Known for its safety, Dubai offers a range of activities from desert safaris to high-end dining. (Image: Canva) 8/14 7. Toronto, Canada: A Multicultural Haven for Solo Travelers | Toronto's diverse neighborhoods and international cuisine offer solo travelers a wide range of experiences. From the CN Tower to the Distillery District, the citys vibrant arts scene and welcoming atmosphere are perfect for solo adventurers. (Image: Canva) 9/14 6. Dublin, Ireland: Where Friendliness Meets History | Dublin is known for its warm hospitality and vibrant pubs. Its compact size allows for easy exploration on foot, while its rich history provides ample sightseeing opportunities. (Image: Canva) 10/14 5. Milan, Italy: Fashion, Art, and History Unit | Milan, a bustling hub of fashion and art, provides solo travelers with opportunities to visit landmarks like the Duomo and explore trendy fashion districts and cozy cafes. (Image: Canva) 11/14 4. Paris, France: The City of Dreams for Solo Travelers | Paris captivates with its iconic landmarks, world-class art, and charming streets. The city offers a romantic and inspiring environment, perfect for solo explorers seeking beauty and sophistication. (Image: Canva) 12/14 3. Montreal, Canada: A Fusion of History, Culture, and Modernity | Montreal's blend of European charm and modern flair makes it an exceptional destination. Solo travelers can enjoy the citys historic architecture, lively festivals, and renowned culinary scene. (Image: Canva) 13/14 2. Vancouver, Canada: Nature and Urban Adventures Combined | Vancouver offers a perfect mix of natural beauty and urban sophistication. Surrounded by mountains and the Pacific Ocean, solo adventurers can explore Stanley Park, Granville Island, and embark on scenic day trips. (Image: Canva) This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 440 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, PayPal, Clover, or Wise. Read about why were doing this fundraiser, what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, continuing our expanded Links. By Lambert Strether of Corrente. Starting with the headline: Harris honored by endorsement from Republican Dick Cheney. For those who came in late: On Inauguration Day, January 20, 2001, after Justice Antonin Scalia had selected former Texas Republican Governor, dry drunk, ritually branded Yalie, and Christianist George W. Bush as President in Bush v. Gore (good for one time only), the countrys Vice President became former Secretary of Defense and Halliburton CEO Dick Cheney. (After Bush was nominated, he had set up a selection committee for Vice President, chaired by Dick Cheney, and, perhaps surprisingly, ended up picking Cheney himself.) 2018s Oscar-winning Vice (with Christian Bale as Dick Cheney) despite or perhaps because of being a political satire black comedy gives a reasonably accurate high-level description of what happened next. From the Summary: The story of Dick Cheney, an unassuming bureaucratic Washington insider, who quietly wielded immense power as Vice President to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that are still felt today. (Cheney has been described as Bushs Chief Operating Officer, though Cheney himself concedes his influence waned in Bushs second term). And the Synopsis: The film returns to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, as Cheney and Rumsfeld maneuver to initiate and then preside over the US invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, resulting in the killing of civilians and the torture of prisoners. As the War on Terror mounts, Cheney continues to struggle with persistent heart attacks. The film also covers various events from his vice presidency, including his endorsement of the Unitary executive theory, the Plame affair, the accidental shooting of Harry Whittington, and tensions between the Cheney sisters over same-sex marriage. Cheneys actions are shown to lead to thousands of deaths and the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, resulting in him receiving record-low approval ratings by the end of the Bush administration. In this post, for those curious as to why Harris would be honored by Cheneys endorsement, I want to dig a little bit deeper into a few of the more aromatic episodes of Cheneys tenure, which started just prior to the emergence of the blogosphere. Heres hoping none of the work done in those days has succumbed to link rot! In order of increasing damage to the countrys institutions and global standing, I will cover the Harry Whittington shooting, Cheneys adoption of torture as a tool of statecraft, Cheneys role in fomenting the Iraq War debacle using what we would today call disinformation, and the billions gushing to his former company, Halliburton. All this stuff was difficult and horrid for us foul-mouthed bloggers of the left to disentangle at the time, and to see Cheney honored Well, its a bit much. Anyhow, heres a photo of Cheney in case you want to hang it on your kitchen refrigerator or something: The upward gaze into the brighter future that seems obligatory for Democrats these days Cheney Shoots an Old Man in the Face From Dan Froomkin, back when he was a blogger at WaPo in 2006, with the best headline ever: Shoots, Hides and Leaves: Why isnt Dick Cheney on TV right now? The vice president of the United States shoots someone in a hunting accident and rather than immediately come clean to the public, his office keeps it a secret for almost a whole day. Even then, its only to confirm a report in a local paper. The shooting occurred late Saturday afternoon while Cheney was hunting with Harry Whittington, 78, a prominent Austin lawyer, on the Armstrong Ranch in south Texas. Hearing a covey of birds, Cheney shot at one, not realizing that Whittington had startled the quail and that he was in the line of fire. Frank James asks in the Chicago Tribune Washington bureaus new blog: How is it that Vice President Cheney can shoot a man, albeit accidentally, on Saturday during a hunting trip and the American public not be informed of it until today? . . . When a vice president of the U.S. shoots a man under any circumstance, that is extremely relevant information. What might be the excuse to justify not immediately making the incident public? Greg Mitchell writes in Editor and Publisher that it is not known for certain that Cheneys office, the White House, or anyone else intended to announce the shooting had it not been for a call from the local paper. Why indeed? Tis a mystery! (Fascinatingly, Whittington apologized to Cheney.) Seventeen years later, WaPo follows up with The thing Harry Whittington refused to lie about and gets the details of the accident: When he returned, Whittington was holding an odd object on a hanger. It was an orange safety, slit down the side as if someone was in a hurry to remove it. There were brownish splotches of dried blood on it. For the next few hours, he told me what happened that day at least what he could remember of it before hed passed out from his wounds. Whittington barely knew Cheney; they werent friends or hunting buddies, as news accounts described them. Theyd met only a few times before, and had been invited to the ranch by its owner, a mutual friend. It was late, around 5:30 p.m., and the February light was fading when Cheney fired his errant shot. Whittington said he had been standing slightly downhill and off to Cheneys right, his body angled in Cheneys direction. Though Whittington wouldnt say so explicitly, his description suggested that Cheney had violated two fundamental safety protocols. First, in wheeling on a bird winging from the scrub, Cheney had fired without checking if his line of fire was clear. Second, hed aimed downward, ignoring a rule obliging bird hunters to observe blue sky before firing.. The aftermath of the shooting was calamitous. The ambulance that carried the unconscious Whittington from the massive ranch to a hospital blew a tire. The trip took close to an hour. The injuries hed suffered were far worse than initially reported. The blast hit Whittington with more than 200 pieces of lead birdshot, causing scores of wounds across his eye socket, hairline, neck and torso. One piece lodged near his heart and caused a mild heart attack a few days later. One of his lungs collapsed. Another piece narrowly missed his carotid artery. He nearly bled out. Whittington recounted these details without anger or sadness. It was an accident, he insisted, and Dick Cheney was a good man. After talking for nearly 10 hours, I had one last question. Had Cheney ever apologized? Whittington leveled his gaze at me. Im not going to get into that, he said after a short pause. His face was set. I could sense his discomfort. Harry Whittington wouldnt lie. He was too gracious for that. To me, the 24-hour delay reeks. And Cheneys extraordinary arrogance and sense of privilege isnt all that might have reeked, either. Perhaps hunters in the readership may with to comment on this. So, honored. Really? Cheney Normalizes Torture Once again, Froomkin in WaPo from 2008, White House Torture Advisers: Top Bush aides, including Vice President Cheney, micromanaged the torture of terrorist suspects from the White House basement, according to an ABC News report aired last night. Discussions were so detailed, ABCs sources said, that some interrogation sessions were virtually choreographed by a White House advisory group. In addition to Cheney, the group included then-national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, then-defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld, then-secretary of state Colin Powell, then-CIA director George Tenet and then-attorney general John Ashcroft. According to ABC, the CIA briefed the White House group on its plans to use aggressive techniques against Zubaydah and received explicit approval. Zubaydah is one of the three detainees the CIA has since confirmed were subjected to waterboarding, a notorious torture technique that amounts to controlled drowning. Such techniques were later authorized in a controversial August 2002 Justice Department memo, signed by then head of the Office of Legal Counsel Jay Bybee. ABC reports that the memo was referred to as the so-called Golden Shield for CIA agents, who worried they would be held liable if the harsh interrogations became public. Nevertheless, even after the memo was in place, briefings and meetings in the White House to discuss individual interrogations continued, sources said. Tenet, seeking to protect his agents, regularly sought confirmation from the NSC principals that specific interrogation plans were legal. And the happy outcome: Zubaydah, it turns out, was a mentally ill minor functionary, nursed back to health by the FBI, who under CIA torture sent investigators chasing after false leads about al-Qaeda plots on American nuclear plants, water systems, shopping malls, banks and supermarkets. (It has always been my speculation that Cheney had videos of the torture sessions streamed directly to his office. He always did like his intelligence raw.) Cheney had previously arranged to legalize torture by securing guidance from a bent lawyer in the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, John Yoo So, [Cheney] established a back channel to John Yoo, the No. 2 man in the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel. Little known to the public, that office tells the president and his subordinates what they can and cant do under existing law. And with guidance from Cheney and his chief counsel, David Addington, Yoo wrote legal opinions that authorized everything from waterboarding and other harsh interrogation tactics previously considered torture, to domestic surveillance by the National Security Agency without first getting permission from the court set up to approve such surveillance. (This post wont even address Bushs program of warrantless surveillance, which Obama voted to retroactively legalize as a Senator after promising to filibuster it and which paved the way for todays Censorship Industrial Complex). The Democrat Party platform in 2020 (PDF) rejected torture: (On illegal, see here.) The Democrat Party platform in 2024 (PDF) has nothing to say about it: One might speculate Democrats are now silent on i.e., accepting of torture because they wish to attract the (unrepentant, pro-torture) Cheney wing of the Republican Party, or because they dont want to upset Israel, which tortures routinely. Or perhaps they dont want to offend Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emmanuel, since the Chicago Police Departments torture center at Homan Square operated on his watch. Or all three! On the morality of torture, I think the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosphy has a good all-round discussion of the topic, comparing and contrasting it to murder: On the moral wrongness of torture as compared to killing, the following points can be made. First, torture is similar to killing in that both interrupt and render impossible the normal conduct of human life, albeit the latter but not the former necessarily forever. But equally during the period a person is being tortured (and in some cases thereafter) the persons world is almost entirely taken up by extreme pain and their asymmetrical power relationship to the torturer, i.e. the torture victims powerlessness. Indeed, given the extreme suffering being experienced and the consequent loss of autonomy, the victim would presumably rather be dead than alive during that period. So, as already noted, torture is a very great evil. However, it does not follow from this that being killed is preferable to being tortured. Nor does it follow that torturing someone is morally worse than killing him.. A second point pertains to the powerlessness of the victims of torture. Dead people necessarily have no autonomy or power; so killing people is an infringement of their right to autonomy as well as their right to life. What of the victims of torture? The person being tortured is for the duration of the torturing process physically powerless in relation to the torturer. By physically powerless two things are meant: the victim is defenceless, i.e., the victim cannot prevent the torturer from torturing the victim, and the victim is unable to attack, and therefore physically harm, the torturer. The conclusion to be drawn from these considerations is that torture is not necessarily morally worse than killing (or more undesirable than death), though in many instances it may well be. Killing is an infringement of the right to life and the right to autonomy. Torture is an infringement of the right to autonomy, but not necessarily of the right to life. Moreover, torture is consistent with the retrieval of the victims autonomy, whereas killing is not. On the other hand, the period during which the victim is being tortured is surely worse than not being alive during that time, and torture can in principle extend for the duration of the remainder of a persons life. As at Gitmo (and Im so old I remember when Obama promised to close it. Oh well). I dont want to sidetrack the post into a fruitless discussion of the ticking bomb scenario[1]. Pragmatically and in the moment, honored? Were honoring torturers now? Really? Cheney Foments the Iraq War The post-9/11 2002-2003 run-up to the Iraq War was marked by a disinformation campaign run by the White House Iraq Group (WHIG), which orchestrated planting stories in the press (which we poor bloggers played whack-a-mole with, with great success, but with no effect on outcomes). Cheney didnt chair the WHIG, but was above it on the masthead, and propagated its disinformation. From the Atlantic (2011), Remembering Why Americans Loathe Dick Cheney: President Bush bears ultimate responsibility for the Iraq War, as do the members of Congress who voted for it. But Dick Cheneys role in the run-up to war was uniquely irresponsible and mendacious. And after the invasion, he contributed to the early dysfunction on the ground. Even Iraq War supporters should rue his involvement. The most succinct statement of his misdeeds comes from The People v. Richard Cheney, a 2007 article by Wil S. Hylton. The piece recounts how Cheney undercut the CIA by instructing subordinates in that agency to stovepipe raw intelligence directly to his office. He also worked with Donald Rumsfeld to establish an alternative intelligence agency within the Pentagon. Both of these actions directly contributed to the faulty information that informed the decision to go to war. Hylton then lays out his most powerful argument: (1) During the several months preceding the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, and thereafter, the vice president became aware that no certain evidence existed of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, a fact articulated in several official documents, including: (a) A report by the Pentagons Defense Intelligence Agency, concluding that there is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons, or where Iraq hasor willestablish its chemical warfare agent production facilities. (b) A National Intelligence Estimate, compiled by the nations intelligence agencies, admitting to little specic information about chemical weapons in Iraq. (c) A later section of the same NIE, admitting low confidence that Saddam Hussein would engage in clandestine attacks against the U.S. Homeland, and equally low confidence that he would share chemical or biological weapons with al-Qaida. (d) An addendum by the State Departments Bureau of Intelligence and Research, asserting that Husseins quest for yellowcake uranium in Africa was highly dubious and that his acquisition of certain machine parts, considered by some to be evidence of a nuclear program, were not clearly linked to a nuclear end use. (e) A report by the United States Department of Energy, stating that the machinery in question was poorly suited for nuclear use. (2) Despite these questions and uncertainties, and having full awareness of them, the vice president nevertheless proceeded to misrepresent the facts in his public statements, claiming that there was no doubt about the existence of chemical and biological weapons in Iraq and that a full-scale nuclear program was known to exist, including: (a) March 17, 2002: We know they have biological and chemical weapons. (b) March 19, 2002: We know they are pursuing nuclear weapons. (c) March 24, 2002: He is actively pursuing nuclear weapons. (d) May 19, 2002: We know hes got chemical and biological we know hes working on nuclear. (e) August 26, 2002: We now know that Saddam has resumed his efforts to acquire nuclear weapons Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. There is no doubt that he is amassing them to use against our friends, against our allies, and against us. (f) March 16, 2003: We believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons. (3) At the same time, despite overwhelming skepticism within the government of a link between Iraq and Al Qaedaresulting in the conclusion of the 9/11 Commission that no credible evidence for such a link existed, and the CIAs determination that Hussein did not have a relationship with Al Qaedathe vice president continued to insist that the relationship had been confirmed, including: (a) December 2, 2002: His regime has had high-level contacts with Al Qaeda going back a decade and has provided training to Al Qaeda terrorists. (b) January 30, 2003: His regime aids and protects terrorists, including members of Al Qaeda. He could decide secretly to provide weapons of mass destruction to terrorists for use against us. (c) March 16, 2003: We know that he has a long-standing relationship with various terrorist groups, including the Al Qaeda organization. (d) September 14, 2003: We learned more and more that there was a relationship between Iraq and Al Qaeda that stretched back through most of the decade of the 90s, that it involved training, for example, on biological weapons and chemical weapons. (e) October 10, 2003: He also had an established relationship with Al Qaedaproviding training to Al Qaeda members in areas of poisons, gases, and conventional bombs. (f) January 9, 2004: Al Qaeda and the Iraqi intelligence services have worked together on a number of occasions. (g) January 22, 2004: Theres overwhelming evidence that there was a connection between Al Qaeda and the Iraqi government (h) June 18, 2004: There clearly was a relationship. Its been testified to. The evidence is overwhelming. The piece also charges that as the war devolved into occupation, the vice president again sabotaged the democratic system, developing back channels into the Coalition Provisional Authority, a body not under his purview, to remove some of the most effective staff and replace them with his own loyal supplicantsundercutting Americas best effort at war in order to expand his own power. And thats before we get to PNAC, Curveball, the aluminum tubes See the timeline: Lie by Lie: A Timeline of How We Got Into Iraq. Cheney was up to his eyeballs in all of it. Why would anyone feel honored by the endorsement of such a person? Cheney Hands Billions of Federal Dollars to His Former Firm, Halliburton This charming old-school blog from an anonymous computer scientist at Cornell has a fine timeline: 2. Early 1990 to 1993. Cheney, as Secretary of Defense, commissions Halliburton to do a classified (secret) study concerning replacing the U.S. militarys logistics by work done by private companies. Halliburton says, yes, a company can do the work. In August 1992, with essentially no bidding, Halliburton is selected by the US Army Corps of Engineers to do all work needed to support the military for the next five years! Thereafter, Halliburton (or its subsidiary KBR) and its military logistics business escalated rapidly. In the ten years thereafter revenues totaled $2.5 billion. 3. 1995-2000. Cheney is CEO of Halliburton. 9. December 2001. KBR (Halliburton subsidiary) is granted an open-ended contract for Army troops supply and Navy construction, wherever U.S. troops go, for the next 10 years (so far, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Yemen, Iraq). This unique contract has no ceiling on cost. KBR is reimbursed for every dollar spent plus a base fee of 1 percent, which guarantees profit. Plus, they can get a bonus as a percentage of company costs. As TruthDig wrote (2018), The Blurred Line Between War and Business: In 2009, Rand Paul called out Dick Cheney for supporting the invasion of Iraq to benefit his former company, Halliburton, claiming that Halliburton had received a billion-dollar no-bid contract. KBR, or Kellogg Brown & Root, a subsidiary of Halliburton, was neck-deep in military contracts with the United States government, under a no-bid LOGCAP III (Logistics Civil Augmentation Program) agreement, a contingency-based contract invoked at the convenience of the Army. Lets not forget that the official narrative of weapons of mass destruction was the lie sold to the American people to justify an oligarchical class growing wealthier through creating war. In November 2002, a $7 billion LOGCAP contract was given to KBR for extinguishing oil well fires in Iraq. In 2003, the Army Corps of Engineers awarded a public bid contract with a maximum value of $1.2 billion to KBR to continue repairing the oil infrastructure in southern Iraq. In 2004, the Army Corps handed KBR yet another contract, with the value of $1.5 billion, to cover engineering services in the U.S. Central Commands area of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The contract had a $500 million ceiling for the first year and four one-year options, each with an annual ceiling of $250 million. In 2004, KBR received more orders under the LOGCAP contract for work in Afghanistan, which added up to $489 million. And then there is the $400 million in payments KBR made in subcontracting private securities services like Blackwater in Iraq. In 2004, the public was made aware of Halliburtons monopoly on billions of dollars in Iraq contracts and in the accumulation of tremendous influence over state matters. Or as Rand warned: the dangerous powers given to large corporations when they get so big that they can actually be directing policy. The funneling of vast fortunes to KBR was an egregious problem the government ignored. Major media also gave a pass to these contracts, with no questions asked about the larger structures within government that made this all possible. In total, $138 billion was awarded in federal funds to private contractors for the Iraq War, with Halliburton receiving more than $39.5 billion of the federal contracts related to the Iraq military invasion and occupation between 2003 and 2013. Back in 2004, Democrat loser John Kerry called out Cheney in the following terms. From the New York Times: At a community center in Albuquerque on Sept. 17, Mr. Kerry declared: Dick Cheneys old company Halliburton has profited from the mess in Iraq at the expense of American troops and taxpayers. While Halliburton has been engaging in massive overcharging and wasteful practices under this no-bid contract, Dick Cheney has continued to receive compensation from his former company. But: Mr. Cheneys critics concede that there is no concrete evidence that he has pulled any strings on Halliburtons behalf. I think both Kerry and the Times have got hold of the wrong end of the stick. What the timeline I led with implies is that Cheney set the table as Defense Secretary for private contractors to make enormous profits from war, then arranged for compensatoin (deferred and otherwise) from one of those contractors, and then furnished the war as Vice President (which besides economic capital, surely gained him enormous social capital as well). Why would Cheneys endorsement be an honor? Its like being endorsed by Tony Soprano after a successful bust-out. Conclusion I didnt even get to the Energy Task Force. Sorry. Dick Cheney is a torturer, a lying weasel, and corrupt to the bone. (Plus, hes bad with a gun.) Hes everything that we innocent bloggers, back in 2003, thought that Republicans were, and that Democrats could never be. Cheney is certainly far worse than Trump, and arguably worse than Obama (Im not sure how to weigh rebooting the financial system after the Great Financial Crash vs. the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan). As those peaceniks over that the Babylon Bee put it: Never Has America Faced A Greater Threat Than Donald Trump, Says Guy Who Started Two Wars And Shot A Dude In The Face. Yet here we are. Democrats are all aflutter: NEW: The entire Cheney family is voting for Kamala Harris. RETWEET if you stand with the Cheneys against Donald Trump! pic.twitter.com/w5jNt3YxRU Protect Kamala Harris (@DisavowTrump20) September 6, 2024 (Ah, stand with, no less focus-grouped than fighting for.) The Democrats are even hoping for a Bush endorsement: Hello? Isnt there something you need to say? Everyone is waiting pic.twitter.com/8Is8qjKBsn Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) September 7, 2024 Sadly, no. I remain baffled at the use of the word honored. How could anyone feel honored by the endorsement of such a person? Honor: honesty, fairness, or integrity in ones beliefs and actions. Though I suppose it depends on what your beliefs, if any, actually are. Hamilton Nolan writes: I believe Dick Cheneys own explanation that We have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution. That is why I will be casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. Before you scoff, please allow me to explain. Dick Cheney is one of Americas best living representations of the fluidity of establishment power. Congressional staffer, White House staffer, presidential assistant, White House Chief of Staff, Congressman, Secretary of Defense, corporate CEO, vice president. Dick Cheney is not so much a Republican as he is a man in power. He ascended the ranks of government power in a friendly administration and then when the administration was gone he got elected to Congress and then he leveled up in another friendly administration and then when that was gone he slid over to running a major corporation that was wholly intertwined with the United States government and finally he leveled up into the White House by standing behind a more likable patsy who he could control. All of us who vote for Democrats need to understand what we are getting. Our feeling of moral superiority on domestic policywe are the ones against racism and poverty! We are the ones who protect women!is at all times floating atop an unmentioned sea of weapons pointed at millions of less powerful people outside of our own borders. Even among Democrats, the baseline assumption that America must have enough guns to exert our will on the entire world is not questioned. Kamala Harris may push for paid family leave, but she is not going to dismantle the United States intelligence agencies. Its not that Donald Trump has any ideological opposition to this commitment, which the Republicans have always embraced with relish. Its just that hes insane [disagree] and an unpredictable egomaniac [agree] and therefore cannot be counted on to fulfill his role on this matter [hard agree]. Trump has found himself in a feud with Americas intelligence agencies strictly out of personal vanity and prickliness. He is the sort of man who might undermine the CIA or fuck up the Armys plans for the stupidest, most childish reasons imaginable. This possibility is more than the sort of people who live in that world can tolerate. They may prefer a Republican, but they need, above all, someone predictable. Someone who will not try to undermine the entire system. In this race, that person is Kamala Harris . And so Dick Cheney and the men like him will support Kamala Harris. Yes, but honor?! NOTES [1] In the cases we are discussing, what gives the ticking bomb scenario an aura of credibility is the presence of the State (surely privatized torture is never, ever moral). But what that means is that there is always a torturer, and always an order-giver. I think the default setting for the order-giver is that they are power-crazed fools, for whom our system is optimized. If all state systems are similarly and inherently so optimized, then torture can never be moral, not even under the most exigent circumstances, because no order-giver can rightly treat the circumstances as known (see Zubaydah above). APPENDIX Cheneys Endorsement Statement Cheneys statement: This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 449 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, PayPal, Clover, or Wise. Read about why were doing this fundraiser, what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, continuing our expanded Links. By Sascha O. Becker, Xiaokai Yang Chair of Business and Economics at Monash University, Professor of Economics at University Of Warwick, Professor of Economics, Jared Rubin, Professor of Economics at Chapman University, and Ludger Woessmann, Director at ifo Center for the Economics of Education, Professor of Economics at Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich. Originally published at VoxEU. Though social scientists have long questioned how religion affects economic growth, a lack of accessible data hindered their efforts. Recently, advances in computing, novel econometric techniques, and the availability of new data have enabled researchers to test how religion has influenced growth in rich and poor countries, both historically and in the present. This column argues that religion is a ubiquitous social phenomena that can spur or impair economic growth by affecting four elements of the macroeconomic production function physical capital, human capital, population/labour, and total factor productivity. Ever since Max Weber proposed his Protestant ethic hypothesis in 1904-05, social scientists have questioned the role that religion plays in either enhancing or retarding economic growth. The biggest problem for such inquiries was a lack of available data and analytical frameworks for connecting the two. This is no longer true. In the last two decades, social scientists have made significant contributions to our understanding of how religion affects growth. Figure 1 Michelangelo: The Creation of Adam Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Michelangelo_-_Creation_of_Adam_(cropped).jpg Religion and the Elements of the Macroeconomic Production Function Standard growth models consider macroeconomic production functions containing several inputs that can affect economic growth. These inputs include physical capital, human capital, population/labour, and total factor productivity (TFP). In a recent survey article (Becker et al. 2024), we argue that each of these inputs can be augmented or impaired by religion. These connections emerge because religious beliefs, religious practice, religious institutions, and religious doctrine can shape individual preferences, societal norms, and economic institutions. We use the various elements of the macroeconomic production function as proximate determinants in a unifying framework to study religion as one of the deeper, more fundamental determinants of growth. The availability of new data, advances in computing, and new econometric techniques have greatly improved our capacity to test how various aspects of religion affect each of these growth inputs in rich and poor countries, historically and in the present (see also Becker et al. 2020, 2021). Although few studies seek to understand the broader connections between religion and growth (a well-known exception being the work of Barro and McCleary 2003; see also McCleary and Barro 2019), this literature has flourished to the point that we can begin to generalise by combining and conceptually organising the results of different, often disconnected studies into a unifying framework. Physical Capital One of the most well-known growth inputs is physical capital, and one of Webers central arguments was that certain Protestant traits such as thrift and saving were key to Protestant capital accumulation. Several studies suggest that there are indeed differences across religious faiths in these and other economically important cultural beliefs. Yet, the recent literature is rather mixed as to whether this is a specific value that some religions hold, or whether it only arises in certain contexts (e.g. Guiso et al. 2003, Kersting et al. 2020). Religion also affects financial development, itself a key input into physical capital accumulation. Examples include restrictions on taking interest (Rubin 2011a, 2011b), religious law on commercial activity (Kuran 2011, Kuran and Rubin 2018a, 2018b), and religious institutions that direct capital away from more productive enterprises (Kuran 2023). All of these have been alleged to set some societies on very different growth trajectories than others. Human Capital Human capital has long been affected by religion and religious beliefs. Several authors have studied the effect of Islamic education on science (Chaney 2023), labour markets (Saleh 2015), and literacy (Chaudhary and Rubin 2011). Others have studied the crowding-out effect that religious education has on secular education, and its subsequent effects on industrialisation (see e.g. Squicciarini 2020, Benabou et al. 2022, Liang 2010, Arold et al. 2022a, 2022b). Others have focused on the human capital consequences of Christian missionary activity (e.g. Gallego and Woodberry 2010, Bai and Kung 2015, Valencia Caicedo 2019). Two faiths have been shown to be positively related to educational outcomes associated with economic growth: Judaism and Protestantism. Jews specialised in high human capital professions beginning in the centuries following the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (Botticini and Eckstein 2005, 2007), and this human capital advantage has largely persisted to the present day (with some exceptions such as Ultra-Orthodox Jews, e.g. Berman 2000). Protestants had a cultural inclination favouring human capital accumulation from their beginnings. Martin Luther wanted his flock to know how to read so they could study the bible. This had spillovers into economically relevant human capital that gave Protestants an advantage in the economic development of the 19th century and beyond (Becker and Woessmann 2009). Population and Labour Religion also impacts economic growth through the channels of population and labour. The most famous labour channel is Webers idea that Protestants developed a stronger work ethic than others to show that they were members of the elect, who were predestined to go to heaven. Although this thesis has captured the popular imagination, the findings are mixed regarding whether Protestants in fact have a superior work ethic (e.g. Andersen et al. 2017, Spenkuch 2017). Religion can shape a societys demographic patterns as well. This can affect economic growth by limiting the number of children families have (thus making more resources available for investment in their human capital, see Becker et al. 2010), by hastening or delaying a countrys demographic transition (Blanc 2023), or by affecting mortality (Becker and Woessmann 2018). Figure 2 Conclave in the Sistine Chapel Source: https://www.thesistinechapel.org/conclave Total Factor Productivity A final mechanism through which religion affects growth is via its impact on the productive capacity of a society (TFP). There are several mechanisms through which religion affects productivity. One is religious belief. Religious prohibitions, especially of productive activities or technologies, can have a detrimental effect on productivity (Benabou et al. 2022, Seror 2018, Cosgel et al. 2012). Likewise, religious tolerance can positively impact technology utilisation by opening opportunities to those who would not innovate otherwise (Cinnirella and Streb 2018, Hornung 2019). Religion can likewise affect productivity via its effect on political economy. Religious rituals can affect productivity by shaping cultural norms and economic behaviour, as in the case of Ramadan fasting (Campante and Yanagizawa-Drott 2015) or Catholic saint day festivals in Mexico (Montero and Yang 2022). Where religion plays an important role in legitimating political rule, it is likely that religious authorities will participate in political bargaining (Rubin 2017). This can have all sorts of unintended consequences for economic growth, as the interests of religious authorities and the mechanisms of religious politics are not always aligned with prosperity (e.g. Chaney 2013, Bazzi et al. 2020). Intertwining religion and politics can also result in religious persecution, which can have negative consequences for long-run growth (Voigtlander and Voth 2012, Johnson and Koyama 2019, Miguel 2005). Religion Matters for Growth in Multiple Ways In both past and present, religion impinges on every input into the macroeconomic production function. Although many studies connecting religion and growth focus on narrow events, eras, and locations, the cumulative evidence from these studies is clear: religion matters for economic growth. How, when, and where it matters is context specific, but economists disregard religion at their peril. References available at the original. Hi, kids. We had another school shooting this week, this time down in Georgia. A troubled kid who was apparently on some kind of FBI watch list was given a gun by his dad, and eventually off he went to school to do the thing it seems like he was pardon the phrasing gunning to do. Its horrific. Its horrific every time it happens. Every time it happens, parents weep into cameras, teachers make heartfelt statements about their terror, and kids ... well, the kids. Yall suffer. And we all watch that on our screens and tell each other how special the dead kids were and how sorry and outraged we are. I think theres some hope that, if only someone is sad enough, if only some teacher is persuasive enough, if only some kid is dead enough, finally people will do something about this. But there has been so much sadness and so many heartfelt pleas and so many dead children, and all weve ever gotten are thoughts and prayers. +2 Looking Back a Year After the Covenant School Shooting People are still grieving the deaths of three students and three staff members and still asking for gun safety legislation Jesus brother James says and Im paraphrasing here shit in one hand and put your prayers in the other and see which fills up faster. Every Christian politician bragging about his or her faith knows James critique of claiming you have faith but not doing anything to help the people who need it. James literally says and Im paraphrasing less here oh wow, you believe in God. Cool. Cool. So do demons. Politicians have a lot of power to stop this. The Second Amendment says the militia made up of all these citizen gun owners should be well-regulated. Citizens can own guns. The government can regulate them. This is plain as day in the text, and it also makes sense in historical context. If you needed everyone in, say, Delaware to be ready to defend themselves against South Carolina, you dont want five guys with rifles, two guys with shotguns, a dozen guys with slingshots and then everyone else with Nerf guns they stole from their kids. In order to have an effective citizen army (Note: We dont currently have any need of a citizen army), the government has to be able to say, Here are the guns you can have, and here are the weapons you cant. Were in a situation now where its not just that the Second Amendment is somehow more sacrosanct than any other amendment somehow its only the last half of it, and most folks seem not even to know that the first half exists. Politicians could regulate firearms in this country. They are choosing not to. Gun owners have also fucked this up for the rest of us. I know Ive made this point before, but it never ceases to be shocking to me. Things didnt used to be like this. I grew up in a pre-Columbine world where kids had guns in their trucks regularly, especially during hunting season. Guns were a ubiquitous tool. But you kept them locked up. +3 Hemmer and Yarbro Preview Safe-Storage Bill Tens of thousands of guns have been stolen from cars in Tennessee over the past decade Think of how much money gun manufacturers and lobbying groups have. Now ask yourself this: When was the last time you saw a public service announcement about the six basic tenets of gun safety? Assume every gun is loaded. Dont touch the gun unless you intend to shoot it. Dont aim it at something or someone unless you intend to shoot it. Know whats behind your target. Store your guns in a safe, locked container that children cannot access. Everyone should know these rules. Theres no reason they arent plastered on billboards throughout the nation, recited in ads on your favorite podcasts, repeated by gun owners in appropriate situations. They dont do the easy shit that would help because they dont want to. And theres an even worse subsection of gun owners the parents who know their kid is troubled and their solution to making the kid feel better is to buy him a gun. Adam Lanzas mom took him to the shooting range. The Waffle House killers dad gave him access to firearms after the cops took his guns. The Georgia shooter's dad gave him access to firearms after being told he was troubled. These parents do not care about you. They seem to barely be able to care about the danger theyre putting themselves in. And this is a thing you need to understand: Things are how they are because this is what people will accept. Theres no downside for politicians failing you. Theres no downside for gun owners and the gun industry when they disregard you. Were only just now starting to see prosecutors figure out how to make people who give their troubled kids access to guns regret that decision, but thats far too little, far too late. +5 Tennessee Legislature Passes Bill to Arm Teachers State House votes yes as gun safety advocates voice opposition from the gallery One thing thats very hard to accept is that you can like the shit out of someone, agree with them about just about everything, love hanging out with them, and someday they might hit you. In theory, we all know this is wrong. Someone who loves you does not deliberately hurt you. But when youre in the situation, and you care about the person ... man, you will come up with so many reasons why it wasnt that bad or they just didnt know better or it was that bad, but they had a bad childhood, or yes, it was unacceptable and they know that now. But the truth is that they dont love you. Not fully. And sure, maybe it is because they never knew love themselves, but you cannot let someone hurt you enough that they will stop hurting you. Your pain and sacrifice now wont buy you peace later. You cant love someone into being good to you. All you can do is protect yourself from them. Learn how to see them coming a mile away and believe them when they show you who they are the first time. If youre fucked-up and depressed and your parents know that and they buy you a gun anyway, they can say they love you all they want, but their actions dont show it. If a politician refuses to pass common-sense legislation on guns, that politician and the people who vote for them dont have your best interests at heart, and you need to protect yourself from them. If the gun industry isnt constantly making sure everyone knows basic gun safety, it is because they dont care to keep you safer. But Betsy, Im a depressed kid who hates school but still doesnt want to die in a school shooting, and my parents voted for Andy Ogles and got me a rifle for Christmas. Are you saying they dont love me? Im saying they dont love you how you deserve to be loved, and I hope you dont mistake the paltry half-measures they take to show you love as being all there is to love. And I hope you keep your eye on them, because those fools dont have your best interests at heart. Berlin police withdraw advice urging victims to sing loudly while being stabbed by migrants: It doesnt work Public backlash has prompted police in Berlin to withdraw an official recommendation that victims of knifings and other physical assaults in the German capital "sing loudly" as a form of self-defense. Since Germany has no Second Amendment allowing citizens to carry firearms for their own protection, the next best thing, according to Berlin police, is for people who are being attacked to fight back by trying to "irritate the perpetrator through unexpected behavior such as singing." "A screenshot of our homepage has been circulating for a few days, according to which we recommend that in the event of an attack, you irritate the perpetrator through unexpected behavior, such as singing," reads a recent tweet from law enforcement in Berlin. "This is recommended by the professional associations for psychiatry, among others." "However, this advice does not correspond to our police experience and has therefore no longer been part of our recommendations since 2023. The flyer was already updated, now our website is too." (Related: Back in July, a Nigerian migrant grabbed a nine-year-old boy and stabbed two police officers in Germany. German courts then immediately released the culprit without prosecution.) Roughly 60% of all violent crimes in Germany are committed by illegals The original advice to sing as a form of self-defense against violent assault was mercilessly mocked online. Many people thought it was some kind of joke that was not to be taken seriously. Even though Berlin police learned last year that the advice was not working, they left it up on their website for a good long while before eventually succumbing to all the mockery by taking it down. Every day in Berlin, thanks to the constant stream of illegal migrants flooding Europe's economic powerhouse, there are 10 knife attacks. Last year, there were 48,200 total physical assaults in Berlin, the highest figure in 10 years. "According to Berlin police, 3,482 knife attacks were recorded in the city last year. In 918 cases, people were seriously injured," one European media outlet reported. "Over half of the suspects, 53.5 percent, did not have a German passport." "Only 25 percent of Berliners do not have German citizenship, showing the disproportionately high role of foreigners in such crimes. In addition, the data shows that 16 percent of the 'German' suspects have a dual passport. Even those German suspects with only a German passport, many of them have a foreign background through their parents or grandparents." Roughly 60 percent of all violent crimes in Germany are committed by illegal migrants, this despite comprising just 14.6 percent of the overall population sound familiar? Out of the current total of 190,605 suspects across the entirety of Germany, an astounding 111,517 of these are foreigners without a German passport. In other words, illegal migrants are responsible for the vast majority of violent crimes in Germany. Germany's migrant crisis is fueling a resurgence of public support for the populist right-leaning AfD party, which is now the second-largest political party in Germany. The political establishment there has done much to try to stop the AfD from even existing, but it is stronger than ever with more Germans supporting right-wing politics today than at any other time since 1945. "When they say 'far right,' they mean regular people," one commenter noted about how the corporate media loves to refer to AfD as being "far-right" or "fascist." "Imagine going to Tokyo and complaining that all the political leaders were Asian," wrote another about the hypocrisy of leftists only demanding that white countries "diversify" their leadership. "I am a female AfD voter from West Germany and I vote AfD because they are pro-peace, pro-life, and pro-direct democracy and referendums, which we don't have so far in Germany," wrote another. The migrant experiment is leading to the decimation of Europe and other predominantly white Western countries. Learn more about what it is doing to Western societies at Collapse.news. Sources for this article include: Modernity.news NaturalNews.com Report: Biden-Harris administration has allowed China to TARGET and SILENCE anti-CCP activists Reports indicate that the Biden-Harris administration has allowed China to target and silence anti-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) activists before and during Chinese President Xi Jinping's San Francisco visit last year. Although the Department of Justice carried out a crackdown on illegal CCP-operated "police stations" in New York and San Francisco, more covert but well-managed attempts by the communist nation to repress the rights of anti-CCP activists in America have mostly continued unrestricted. Based on recent news analysis, Chinese diplomats collaborated with different Chinese-American and Chinese national-led interest and community groups to attack and quell anti-CCP activists before Xi's 2023 visit during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco. The effort headed by people with links to the United Front Work Department an internal CCP group entrusted with organizing foreign Chinese influence operations led to brutal attacks on political dissidents and pro-Uyghur and pro-Tibet activists in the days ahead of and during Xi's visit to America. (Related: Chinese agents arrested for stalking and attempting to coerce Chinese dissidents into returning to China.) Chinese operatives infiltrating offices of U.S. politicians These influence operations even involved Chinese operatives infiltrating offices of politicians in the United States. On Tuesday, Sept. 3, a former aide to New York Governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul was arrested and charged with working as an unregistered foreign agent of the Chinese government. The unsealed federal indictment said Linda Sun edited official statements to be more amicable to the CCP among other actions in return for millions of dollars in payments. The case concerning Sun is indicative of China's tactics, as stated by Dennis Wilder, a former senior Central Intelligence Agency official who zeroed in on China at the agency. "This is a classic Ministry of State Security operation. You go after naturalized American citizens with large connections to China. They speak Chinese. They have family back in China. They want business opportunities in China," Wilder said regarding China's main intelligence agency. Sun is just the latest in the growing list of people living in New York to be charged with being a secret Chinese agent. Last month, Yuanjun Tang, who gained American citizenship after being given political asylum, was accused of spying on Chinese pro-democracy activists and dissidents. The 67-year-old Tang allegedly helped Chinese authorities infiltrate a group chat on an encrypted messaging application employed by several Chinese dissidents, as reported by federal prosecutors. Earlier in August, Shujun Wang, a Chinese-American scholar who helped establish a pro-democracy group in New York, was convicted of using his reputation to collect information on dissidents and sharing it with the Chinese government. Last year, Chinese nationals Lu Jianwang, 61, and Chen Jinping, 59, were arrested on charges of running an illegal police station in New York to "monitor and intimidate" Chinese government critics according to the Justice Department. The Chinese government has many times denied the accusations laid by federal prosecutors. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Wednesday, Sept. 4, refused to comment on the charges against Sun. "I won't comment on domestic cases of the United States. However, we oppose any malicious attempts to implicate, smear, or slander China," Mao said at a briefing in Beijing. Follow CommunistChina.news for more stories about Chinese agents infiltrating America. Watch the video below about two New Yorkers arrested for conspiring to act as Chinese agents and running a secret police station. This video is from the Red Voice Media channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: RED DAWN ALERT: Chinese agents are being sent across Mexican border to prepare for attacks on U.S. soil. Tim Walz tied to CCP "secret police stations" hidden across U.S. that targeted critics of China. Chinese agents caught using TikTok to manipulate midterm election in favor of Democrats. Chinese agents spread fake news about Trump declaring a nationwide quarantine in US, prompting unjustified fear. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Justice.gov NBCNews.com Brighteon.com Fatality rate spikes to 9.6% for individuals diagnosed with myocarditis or pericarditis after taking the COVID vaccine Nearly 10% fatality rate detected from vaccine-induced myopericarditis in 64-day window The study analyzed 880,999 adverse event reports, of which 1,846 cases were identified as myocarditis and 761 as pericarditis. Myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis, inflammation of the surrounding tissue, are collectively referred to as myopericarditis. Disturbingly, the data demonstrates that these vaccines specifically BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) are directly responsible for a significant number of these cases. Furthermore, the reporting odds ratio (ROR) for myocarditis stands at a shocking 30.51, and for pericarditis, it's 21.99. The study further exposes that the majority of affected individuals are young men, aged 30 or younger. The onset of these serious adverse events typically occurs within eight days of vaccination, with the majority of those affected succumbing to myocarditis or pericarditis within just 64 days after vaccination. Notably, the study authors did not investigate outcomes beyond the 64-day post vaccination period and did not monitor progression of symptoms over time. This means that cases of myocarditis and pericarditis that did not resolve could have become worse over time, and the study did not pick up on it. This study is limited because it may ignore further complications past the 64-day post evaluation period, ignoring long term complications and possibly deaths caused by these long-term heart conditions. Study authors downplay severity of widespread heart damage and death from covid jabs Despite the severity of these findings, the study's authors chose to downplay the reality of mass injury and death from the vaccines, reporting that "overall outcomes were good" for most cases of myocarditis. This has drawn sharp criticism from experts, including Dr. Peter McCullough, a prominent cardiologist and author of over 1,000 scientific publications. McCullough has voiced concerns that the authors conclusions are dangerously misleading, given the high fatality rate associated with these vaccine-induced heart conditions and its implications for further harm. According to McCullough's analysis, out of 1,014 reported cases of myocarditis and pericarditis, 97 resulted in death, yielding a fatality rate of 9.6%. The study found that among 759 myocarditis cases, 84 (11%) were fatal, and among 255 pericarditis cases, 13 (5%) were fatal. This is unacceptable and warrants accountability. What should be done to the governments and medical authorities that coerced young people to submit to this harmful medical experiment? This is an astronomical and clinically unacceptable fatality rate for a vaccine side effect, particularly among young, otherwise healthy men, McCullough stated. He criticized the studys conclusion that "overall outcomes were good," arguing that such a conclusion is inappropriate when facing a 9.6% case fatality rate within a mere 64-day follow-up period. Moreover, the risk of heart damage with each booster dose has only exacerbated heart damage across populations. Another limitation of the study: it only looked at symptomatic myopericarditis cases that were reported to Japan's pharmacovigilance system. For one, medical authorities have generally disregarded vaccine injuries since the rollout of the COVID-19 jabs, so the number of reported cases of myocarditis are inevitably smaller than the actual amount. Two, the cases reported to Japans pharmacovigilance system focus on symptomatic myopericarditis within a short follow up period. McCullough points out that some cases of heart damage are actually asymptomatic, with runaway mRNA spike protein damage manifesting later as serious conditions like cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that causes the heart to struggle pumping blood to the rest of the body. According to McCullough, These data are just the tip of the iceberg, as prior studies suggest the risk of heart damage goes up roughly 2.5% with each successive booster and that half of myopericarditis cases may be sub-clinical. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org ScienceDirect.com Brighteon.com Hamas rebuilding depleted forces as IDF spreads troops even more thinly Defying all odds, Hamas is actually growing its military numbers at the same time that Israel is spreading its troops thinner by expanding its war effort beyond Gaza into the occupied West Bank. Reports indicate that the Palestinian resistance has "rebuilt its capabilities" in northern Gaza and "recruited 3,000 new militants" since the October 7 attack. This suggests that Hamas is now stronger than it was when this latest chapter of the Middle Eastern soap opera started. Israel's response to this news, which came from a security source who spoke with Channel 13, has been to beat its chest with claims of its own resurgence in numbers and strength. "There will be no escape from a renewed and massive entry of IDF forces into northern Gaza," senior Israeli security officials are quoted as saying. (Related: U.S. officials have concluded that Israel stands no chance at fully wiping out Hamas despite its overwhelming advantage in military equipment.) Israel struggling to defeat Hamas Channel 12, meanwhile, is warning that despite the immense amount of damage caused by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza since the start of the war, "the latest information" about Hamas and its growing numbers "paints a worrying picture." "It is estimated that about 3,000 new fighters have been recruited into the movement, equipped with weapons and ammunition," the Hebrew news outlet reported. "This development raises great concern among security officials in Israel, as it indicates Hamas' ability to recover, despite the severe damage it suffered at the beginning of the war." The Critical Threats Project (CTP) and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) conducted a study back in July in which it was discovered that the Israeli army has only managed to defeat three of Hamas' 24 Qassam Brigades battalions. "As of July 1, only three of these 24 battalions were combat ineffective, meaning they were destroyed by the Israeli military," reported CNN citing the study. Ret. U.S. Army Colonel Peter Mansoor further told CNN that if the Hamas battalions were really destroyed in the way Israel has been claiming, then "Israel forces wouldn't still be fighting." Yitzhak Brik, a former Israeli army ombudsman, admitted even earlier in the summer that IDF is lying about the number of Palestinian fighters it has killed. The truth, Brik says, is that Israeli military forces are sustaining severe losses even as they barely even come face to face with Hamas soldiers during combat watch Brik speak below: "We don't come face to face with Hamas." Israeli army reserve general Yitzhak Brik says the military is not winning, and that claims of killing hundreds of Hamas fighters and of sealing off the tunnels on the border with Egypt are not true. pic.twitter.com/WAnphYGSie The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 30, 2024 The latest timeline the Israeli military has given for when it expects to fully defeat Hamas is 2026 or 2027 several years from now. "We will not be in Gaza permanently," military sources claimed back in May. "We'll return for extensive raids deep into the territory to defeat a terror army built over 15 years." "Meanwhile, the achievements of the forces that fought in Gaza are eroding, and there's no conclusive political solution." On X, someone compared what is happening to Israel in Gaza right now to what happened when German invaders were captured by the Russians. "The Russians used to play recordings, in German, once German invaders of Stalingrad, that 'Stalingrad is a mass grave,'" this person wrote. "Gaza is a mass grave for Israeli soldiers. It will prove to be the funeral pyre for the state of Israel." The latest news about the ongoing crisis in the Middle East can be found at Chaos.news. Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co NaturalNews.com India to start trading with Russia outside SWIFT to avoid Western sanctions The era of U.S. dollar dominance is coming to an end as the East takes control over the West. The next domino to fall is trade between India and Russia, which is now being conducted almost exclusively with local currencies (rupees and rubles) rather than Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs). Because of Western sanctions that prohibit Russia from using the international SWIFT system for cross-border payments and settlements, Russia came up with the System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS), which works as a viable alternative. Wanting in on the action, India is considering using the SPFS as well, which would completely exclude the United States and other Western powers from all trade that takes place between India and Russia. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is reportedly in talks with Russia and its central bank to discuss how the arrangement might work. The goal is to not just replace SWIFT but also to make trade between India and Russia faster and much more efficient, giving the two countries another edge over the West. (Related: Did you hear? Turkey, a key NATO ally, wants to join BRICS in a marked shift away from the Western alliance.) The West talks a big game, but can it still bring the action? It turns out that both Russia and India have been sidestepping Western sanctions for years as they covertly trade underneath the radar. Western media claims that Russia has been purchasing "sensitive goods" from India for a while now to help support its war efforts in Ukraine. It is the same thing the U.S. and other NATO members are doing to fund and arm Ukraine, but Russia is not supposed to do it because the West has said no, you cannot. Confidential plans were drafted in October 2022 that allow Russia to purchase about $1 billion in critical electronics via channels that Western governments do not monitor. The West, as you probably know, loves to spy on everyone else in order to control everyone else. This includes the Western desire to stop Russia from trading with whomever it wishes by cutting Russia off from what up until now was the global standard for international trade. Rather than kowtow to Western demands, Russia, for better or for worse, is creating new global standards that most developing countries seem keen on joining. The only countries that seemingly oppose what Russia is doing either already are, or are becoming, post-developed economic and social wastelands controlled by delusion and wishful thinking. In this case, Western sanctions no longer hold any power now that Russia and its allies can simply build their own systems to bypass those sanctions. The only thing the West can do is throw a tantrum and wage another war, but even that is now laughable since the powers that be jumped the shark by destroying their host countries so badly that there is nobody left who is able and willing to fight any more wars. This does not mean that the dying dog has lost its bark as well as its bite. U.S. Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo just issued another threat that any foreign institution that does business with Russia's military-industrial base "risks being sanctioned itself," this aimed at scaring the world into obedience. Does this kind of stuff still work in the advanced digital age, we wonder? Russia is reportedly setting up a "closed payment system between Russian and Indian companies" that will operate completely outside the control and monitoring of Western countries, "including by using digital financial assets." This suggests that the plan is to incorporate cryptocurrencies rather than traditional currencies into the system, allowing for even more privacy from probing Western eyes. Dedollarization is inevitable. Learn more at DollarDemise.com. Sources for this article include: GreatGameIndia.com NaturalNews.com Kitco.com Israel shifting more resources to West Bank amid escalating military operations The Israeli military is now treating the occupied West Bank as its " second most critical front " after the nearly year-long conflict in Gaza, according to a report by Israeli Hebrew-language newspaper Israel Hayom. The report, citing Israeli security officials, indicated a significant shift in policy for the West Bank, previously regarded as a "secondary arena" that required only "stable maintenance." According to security officials, the recent operation in Jenin marked the beginning of a broader escalation. Since Aug. 28, Israel has been conducting an expanded military campaign in the northern West Bank that has resulted in the deaths of at least 30 Palestinian civilians in the settlements of Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas and Hebron, including at least seven children. The military operation, which included drone strikes, sniper attacks and the use of bulldozers to destroy infrastructure and cut off communications, has been dubbed "Operation Summer Camps." This is the largest military offensive in the West Bank since "Operation Defensive Shield" in 2002 during the Second Intifada. The report said more raids are imminent and operations are expected to continue for "the foreseeable future." Security officials linked these actions to several recent Palestinian attacks, including a car bombing near the illegally constructed settlement cluster of Gush Etzion just southwest of Bethlehem that injured three Israelis, and the recent killing of Israeli security officers in the occupied West Bank city of Tarqumiya by a former member of Palestinian Authority (PA) security services. (Related: 3 Israeli police officers KILLED by former Palestinian presidential guard.) Reports from Israeli and international media noted that PA security forces are cooperating with the Israeli Defense Forces in attacking Palestinian communities. Analysts told the Middle East Eye that PA is interested in aiding Israel against militant groups in the West Bank because of how these groups have helped weaken and marginalize PA leadership due to their willingness to defend Palestinians and confront Israeli settlers and security forces directly. Since the outbreak of war in Gaza on Oct. 7, at least 682 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed by Israeli security forces and armed illegal settlers. Over 3,000 West Bank Palestinians have been displaced due to demolition operations, and the United Nations has recorded over 1,250 attacks by Israeli illegal settlers on Palestinians. Furthermore, the Palestinian Prisoners Society reported that more than 10,000 Palestinians have been illegally detained in the West Bank since Oct. 7. Israeli government claims "threat" from West Bank just as critical as Gaza Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz has drawn a direct comparison between the West Bank and Gaza, stating that Israel must deal with the threat in the West Bank the same way it does in Gaza. This includes military measures such as the supposedly "temporary" evacuation of Palestinian residents and the destruction of key resources communities rely on to live. "This is a war for everything," Katz declared, emphasizing that Israel must win this conflict at all costs. The suffering inflicted on civilians in the West Bank mirrors that of Gaza, though on a smaller scale so far, as homes are destroyed and lives are upended. Israeli officials have consistently framed these operations as targeting "terrorists" to eliminate armed militants. However, much like in Gaza, the majority of casualties are innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. While militants do exist in the West Bank, and some have been killed in recent raids, their presence is a consequence of long-standing conditions under Israeli occupation, where decades of oppression and violence have fueled resistance. The recent surge in violence in the West Bank has led to increased support for Hamas among Palestinians, although this support is largely a reaction to Israel's actions rather than an endorsement of Hamas itself. Visit IsraelCollapse.com for more similar stories. Watch this clip of the Israeli military destroying all major roads leading into the major West Bank city of Jenin. This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Former British diplomat: Benjamin Netanyahu is the enemy of peace in Israel. Israeli trade union goes on NATIONWIDE STRIKE, putting pressure on Netanyahu to secure ceasefire deal. Trumps Israel advisor: Were gonna annex the West Bank and make America pay for it. Christian churches that advocate for Israel's mass killing of Palestinian civilians are serving SATAN, not Christ. Israel CUTS OFF communications in Jenin as it expands military operations in the occupied West Bank. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net ResponsibleStatecraft.org Brighteon.com German podcasters ordered to delete an episode where they misgendered a transwoman or pay a $276K fine A German podcast has been ordered by a regional court in Germany to either remove an episode or to pay a 250,000 euro ($277,000) fine after the show's hosts referred to a transgender woman as "a man" and repeatedly referred to the person using male pronouns. The podcast "Hoss and Hopf," hosted by entrepreneurs and internet personalities Kiarash Hossainpour and Philip Hopf, spent some time discussing a trans woman identifying as Laura Holstein, previously known as Nicholas. Holstein gained attention recently for demanding access to female-only spaces, such as a female-only gym in Bavaria, with her attempts to intrude upon these spaces garnering support from Germany's federal Anti-Discrimination Agency. The regional court of the city of Frankfurt claimed that the "misgendering" was a violation of Holstein's rights, and sentenced the podcast hosts to either delete the podcast episode or face a fine of up to 250,000 euros for non-compliance. The podcast episode has since been deleted. (Related: Popular French author faces criminal charges for misgendering a male mayor with gender dysphoria by calling him a man which he IS.) Furthermore, both Hossainpour and Hopf were forbidden from referring to Holstein as a man ever again. Hossainpour decries Germany's censorship Hossainpour took to X to comment on the issue, posting the court order that forbids the podcast hosts from "distributing, publishing or having third parties distribute or publish" statements that mention Holstein as a man. "Our podcast episode about the legal drama of a person who was born biologically male but wanted to go to a women's gym with the support of the Independent Federal Commissioner for Anti-Discrimination is now offline," Hossainpour said. "The reason? A decision by the Frankfurt am Main Regional Court that redefines the boundaries between biology, identity and law." "In an expedited procedure, without an oral hearing, the court ruled in favor of the applicant, a transgender woman. Why? Our repeated designation as a 'man' was considered a violation of her personal rights, since she is 'legally and socially recognized as a woman,'" Hossainpour added. Hossainpour also denounced the court's urgency in running the case, emphasizing how the court believed that the use of biologically correct terms represented an "immediate danger that could not be delayed." "It is remarkable that the court saw an 'extraordinary urgency' here as if the use of biologically correct terms represented an immediate danger that could not be delayed," Hossainpour wrote regarding the Frankfurt am Main Regional Court's ruling that became a viral post on X. "One inevitably wonders whether other, perhaps actually urgent cases had to take a back seat." "This creates a fascinating dilemma: in Germany, a person born biologically male, who is legally considered a woman, can no longer be referred to as a man," Hossainpour added. "An expression of opinion that the court classifies as a violation of personal rights and even as an attack on human dignity and sanctions in fast-track proceedings." Learn more about issues regarding transgenderism at GenderConfused.com. Watch this clip from "Timcast" discussing the possibility that Michigan will make it a felony to misgender transgender people. This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: GENDER WARS: Irish teacher ARRESTED for refusing to address male student as "she/her." Hundreds of doctors resign from British Medical Association for its support of LGBT child mutilations. Canada's LGBTQ police state targets a pastor and his Christian organization fighting to protect the innocence of children. Swiss government kidnaps child and threatens parents with jail time for opposing transgender mutilation. Italian female boxer screams injustice as she quits fight against "biologically male" Algerian opponent 46 seconds into their Olympic match. Sources include: HumanEvents.com EuropeanConservative.com TheNationalPulse.com LifeSiteNews.com Brighteon.com India sends humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe to fulfill food security needs I ndia has sent humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe in the form of a consignment of 1000 metric tonnes of rice to help fulfill the food security needs of the people in the drought-affected African country, the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement. In a post on Saturday evening on X, Jaiswal said, "India sends humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe. A consignment of 1000MT rice departed from the Nhava Sheva port for Zimbabwe today. This would help meeting food security needs of the Zimbabwean people." A new report from the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) on August 7 reveals that food insecurity levels in Zimbabwe are rapidly deteriorating after it was hit with historic droughts due to the El Nino weather pattern. This comes just two months after UN humanitarians declared Zimbabwe as one of the hunger hotspots where acute food insecurity was likely to deteriorate. Droughts and storms have destroyed more than half of the country's harvest, leaving about 7.6 million people at risk of acute hunger. El Nino is a regular and naturally occurring weather event which affects the air temperatures around the sea and coastal landmasses. The climate crisis in recent years has led to more frequent and intense patterns. Officials from the UN and the World Food Programme (WFP) recently visited Zimbabwe to determine the drought's impact on the nation and to call for more international support for the humanitarian response. In April, local Zimbabwean authorities declared that the country was in a nationwide state of disaster. Figures from the authorities showed that 57 per cent of people in "rural" parts of the country are set to be food insecure between January and March 2025 a peak hunger period there. Other UN reports indicate that civilians will need to depend on "alternative sources of income, social support, and humanitarian assistance" to withstand this season. It was further reported that "humanitarian assistance needs will remain high in many areas of the country until the harvest in 2025 due to poor purchasing capacity resulting from limited income-earning opportunities and high food prices". The El Nino-induced droughts have reportedly put a strain on Zimbabwe's economy, leaving more than a fifth of children out of school and a lack of water supplies in the country. The UN and some of its partners are working with the Zimbabwean government to provide aid to civilians. However, these teams require more funding, as the $429 million flash appeal which was launched in May that aims to aid more than three million people, is only about 11 per cent funded. The El Nino droughts have also affected other South African countries, including Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, etc. Each of these nations is in high need of humanitarian interventions as food insecurity levels have risen significantly due to the drought. India sends humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe to fulfill food security needs Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Delhi boy Bhuvan Bam calls Mumbai's iconic Marine Drive his favourite place to shoot A ctor-content creator Bhuvan Bam, who is gearing up for the second season of his hit streaming show 'Taaza Khabar' may have grown up in Delhi but seems like his Maharashtrian genes kick in on a regular basis. The actor recently revealed that his love for the sea and coast resurfaced when he shot for the scenes of 'Taaza Khabar' at Mumbai's iconic Marine Drive. He shared the anecdotes and memories from his time shooting at the queen's necklace in Mumbai. He also mentioned the whole cast has great chemistry and recalled how the crowds went wild during their time there, and had the best time shooting. He said "Marine Drive was my favourite place to shoot at. We were filming, and between takes, we would sip tea and enjoy the beautiful views of the sea. Shooting the climax scene was also fun since it was the only time the entire cast was together" He further mentioned, "Shooting at crowded places was a challenge. So many people would gather to watch us shoot. And of course, the laughs after an actor's fumble are unavoidable". Produced by Rohit Raj and Bhuvan Bam under the banner of BB Ki Vines Productions and Directed by Himank Gaur, the series also stars Jaaved Jaaferi along with Shriya Pilgaonkar, Prathamesh Parab, Deven Bhojani and Shilpa Shukla in prominent roles. In the upcoming season, Vasya's (played by Bhuvan Bam) destiny and his vardaan will be challenged by Yusuf Akhtar leading to risking his life yet again along with his loved ones. Recently, Bhuvan also revealed his dream to work with actor-lyricist Swanand Kirkire came true in the series. The two artistes collaborated on a new track for the second season of the show. 'Taaza Khabar' season 2 is set to stream on Disney+ Hotstar from September 27, 2024. Delhi boy Bhuvan Bam calls Mumbai's iconic Marine Drive his favourite place to shoot Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi P rime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral discussions with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at Hyderabad House on Monday. The Prime Minister received the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and the two leaders greeted each other with a handshake and a warm hug. The Crown Prince, on his first official visit to India, is scheduled to meet with President Droupadi Murmu and pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Arriving in New Delhi on Sunday, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed was received by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at the airport with a ceremonial welcome. Accompanied by a delegation of UAE ministers and business leaders, this visit highlights the deepening ties between the two nations. The visit focusses on enhancing cooperation across various sectors, marking another step in strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE. On September 10, the Crown Prince is set to travel to Mumbai, where he will attend a business forum with key business figures from both India and the UAE. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) underscored the importance of the visit, stating, "India and UAE share historically close and friendly ties. In recent years, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and UAE has deepened in a wide range of areas, including political, trade, investment, connectivity, energy, technology, education, and culture." "The Crown Prince's visit will further reinforce strong India-UAE bilateral relations and open avenues for partnership in new and emerging areas," the MEA's statement further read. Earlier this year, in January, UAE President His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited India to strengthen bilateral relations. Additionally, he attended the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, where new avenues for cooperation between the two countries were explored. Prime Minister Modi, on his part, has visited the UAE multiple times since 2015, reinforcing India-UAE relations. His most recent visit was in July 2023, marking his fifth trip to the UAE since becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the nation in over three decades. India-UAE trade surged to $85 billion in 2022, making the nation India's third-largest trading partner in 2022-23 and second-largest export destination. India, in turn, ranks as the UAE's second-largest trading partner, according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The relationship between the two countries was officially upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to India in 2017. PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Yudh Abhyas 2024: India, US joint military exercise in Rajasthan T he 20th edition of the 'Yudh Abhyas 2024', the joint military exercise between India and the US, started at Mahajan Fields in Rajasthan's Bikaner on Monday and will continue till September 22, said officials here. "This is the biggest joint military exercise which started between India and America on Monday at Mahajan Firing Range in Bikaner. Also, this is the biggest military exercise ever held at Mahajan Field Firing Range. A total of 1,200 soldiers from India and America are participating. The military exercise started with a parade ceremony at around 10.30 a.m. on Monday. Flags of both the countries were hoisted on the occasion," the officials added. "This edition marks a significant increase in the scope and complexity of the joint exercise in terms of troop strength and equipment, said Col Amitabh Sharma, PRO Defence, Rajasthan. The Indian Army contingent, comprising 600 personnel, is represented by a Battalion of the Rajput Regiment and personnel from other arms and services. The US contingent comprising similar strength will be represented by the troops of 1-24 Battalion of the Alaska-based 11th Airborne Division of the US Army. "The aim of the Joint Exercise is to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. The exercise will focus on operations in the semi-desert environment," Col Amitabh Sharma added. Tactical drills to be rehearsed during the exercise include joint response to a Terrorist Action, joint planning and combined field training exercises that simulate real-world counter-terrorism missions. Exercise Yudh Abhyas will enable both sides to share best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for conducting joint operations. It will facilitate the development of inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between the two armies. The Joint Exercise will also enhance defence cooperation, further augmenting bilateral relations between the two friendly nations, said Col Sharma On Sunday evening, the South Western Command team shared a post on X saying, "The first batch of the US Army arrived in Mahajan, Rajasthan, for the 20th edition of the epic Joint Indo-US Exercise. Together, we reinforce our commitment to enhance International Stability and Peace." Before the start of this exercise, the command shared another post, which said, "The 20th edition of Joint Military Exercise between #India and #USA focuses on enhancing Interoperability between two Professional Militaries under the UN mandate, executing Counter Terrorism Operations and mitigating Global Security Challenges." Officials said that for the first time, America's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System has been displayed at the range. The range of this artillery is 310 kilometres. During the Ukraine War, this missile was used recently. This is the 20th time that the armies of both countries are being trained together. India will showcase the weapons made in India in this exercise, America will introduce its best range of weapons. Earlier, the 16th edition of the exercise was held in Mahajan Firing Range in February 2021. Since its inception in 2004, Yudh Abhyas has evolved significantly, and this year's exercise will feature an expanded scope and will be based on operations in a semi-desert environment. Yudh Abhyas 2024: India, US joint military exercise in Rajasthan Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Myanmar to produce dried bamboo shoots with international technology B amboo shoot businesses in Myanmar are working together to produce dried bamboo shoots using international technologies to meet a yearly demand of about 200 tons from China, Japan, and Thailand, local media reported on Monday. The media reports, citing U Tin Aung Cho, an entrepreneur involved in the Nay Pyi Taw-based cluster of bamboo and bamboo shoot cultivation and production, said that currently, a total of 38 entrepreneurs from the cluster are testing and planning to work with other regions to secure the required amount of dried bamboo shoots, as sourcing raw materials may pose challenges. To meet global standards and expand beyond the local market, the production process is being upgraded for locally available dried bamboo shoots to align with international market demands, reports Xinhua news agency, citing state-run Global New Light of Myanmar. The primary focus is on the Chinese market, with plans to begin by introducing a product sample domestically this year. Additionally, efforts are underway to establish a bamboo special zone in Nay Pyi Taw. This zone aims to unite bamboo growers, producers, and buyers in one place, and facilitate the sharing of technology and market insights. Myanmar to produce dried bamboo shoots with international technology Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Students had to go to Odisha, Andhra earlier: CM Reddy on inauguration of IIHT T elangana Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy on Monday inaugurated Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) in Hyderabad. Speaking on the occasion, he slammed the previous government of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for failing to establish the institute in the last 10 years. He said Telangana students had to go to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to pursue studies in the IIHT there. CM Reddy said his government appealed to the Union government to take measures to establish the IIHT in Telangana. "I had appealed to the Prime Minister to set up the institution in the state. The Centre responded positively to the Telangana government's request and approved the establishment of the institute," he said. The IIHT has come up in Telugu Academy at Nampally. He had asked officials to commence the courses from the current academic year. CM Reddy said Skill University had already been set up to impart skill training to students in the state and all necessary steps would be taken to set up the IIHT campus in the Skill University next year. CM Reddy said that the government had provided relief to distressed weavers by releasing dues of Rs 290 crore. He said the previous government created hype on the promotion of handlooms by launching a campaign with movie stars but the poor living conditions of the weavers remained unchanged. He alleged that the previous government also delayed the release of dues for the weavers towards payment of Batukamma sarees. CM Reddy said the Congress government released the funds and supported the struggling Sircilla workers without any politics. Stating that there were 63 lakh Self-Help Group members in the state, he said the government decided to distribute two sarees to each group member every year. Instructions have already been given to the authorities to come out with a good design and quality of sarees, CM Reddy said. The Telangana CM said his government decided to give the order of 1.30 crore sarees to the weavers every year. Officials have also been instructed to prepare an action plan for the conduct of elections to Co-operative Unions. CM Reddy said the government will also waive Rs 30 crore handloom loans taken by the weavers. "My government is giving equal priority to farmers and weavers. I will support the entire weaving community like an elder brother," he said. Taking a dig at his political rivals, CM Reddy remarked that election, selection and collection were not considered as sacrifices. Paying tributes to Telangana movement leader Konda Laxman Bapuji, CM Reddy said he sacrificed posts to the cause of Telangana and stood as a role model. He announced that the newly-established IIHT would be named after Konda Laxman Bapuji and officials have been asked to issue an order in this regard. Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, AIMIM MLA from Nampally Majid Hussain, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, and others attended the event. Students had to go to Odisha, Andhra earlier: CM Reddy on inauguration of IIHT Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! EAM Jaishankar shares insights on key global issues with Gulf Council members in Riyadh E xternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers from GCC member countries at the sidelines of the First IndiaGulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, on Monday. The EAM began the day by holding talks with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat. "Discussed taking India-Qatar bilateral ties forward. Appreciated his insights and assessments on regional developments," Jaishankar posted on X after a "good meeting" with the Qatari leader. India and Qatar share historic and friendly relations which are marked by regular exchange of high-level visits. In June, EAM Jaishankar travelled to Doha to discuss further enhancement of bilateral relations and continued dialogue on issues of mutual interest between the two countries. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Qatar on February 14-15 February and held discussions with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In the same month, on the sidelines of India Energy Week held in Goa, the two countries had signed an agreement for the supply of 7.5 MMtpa LNG from Qatar to India for 20 years, starting 2028. EAM Jaishankar's next meeting on Monday was with Faisal bin Farhan, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia which was also attended by the country's Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Saud Al-Sati and Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Ambassador . Abdulrahman Al-Rassi. "During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to develop them in various fields. They also discussed enhancing bilateral and multilateral coordination on many regional and international issues of common interest," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the meeting. In his meeting with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, both sides agreed on early discussions of their Joint Commission. The meeting was also attended by Bahrain's Chief of Legal Affairs and Acting Chief for the GCC Affairs Sector, Ambassador Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al-Haidan, and the delegation accompanying the minister. "During the meeting, they discussed the distinguished and longstanding relations between the two countries as well as aspects of bilateral cooperation in various fields and upgrading them to serve common interests. Views were also exchanged on several regional and international issues. They also discussed ways to enhance cooperation, consultation, and joint coordination in international forums," stated Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his discussions with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, EAM Jaishankar asserted taking forward the bilateral ties through an early meeting of the Joint Commission. "The close bilateral relations between the two friendly countries were reviewed, and various areas of cooperation between them and frameworks for enhancing them were discussed. The meeting also discussed regional and international developments and the developments witnessed by the region, most notably the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and frameworks for enhancing joint cooperation and mobilizing international efforts to maintain security and stability in the region," said Kuwait's Foreign Ministry after the meeting EAM Jaishankar's next meeting was with the Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira where discussions took place on G20, BRICS and the Ukraine conflict. The First India-GCC Foreign Ministers' Meeting is taking place at the sidelines of the 161st Ministerial Council meeting chaired by Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, President of the current session of the Ministerial Council. The ministerial meeting is being attended by the foreign ministers of the GCC countries. Besides India, the GCC Cooperation Council will also hold strategic dialogue with Russia and Brazil which will see participation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, the Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, emphasised that the GCC Ministerial Council will discuss several reports regarding the implementation of decisions made by the Supreme Council of the GCC during the 44th Summit held in Doha in December 2023. The Council will also review memoranda and reports submitted by the ministerial and technical committees and the General Secretariat, as well as topics related to dialogues and strategic relations between the GCC countries and various nations and global blocs. Discussions on latest regional and international developments affecting the region will also be discussed. "The joint meetings with the Russian, Indian, and Brazilian delegations reflect the GCC countries' commitment to exploring and opening new horizons for cooperation. These meetings aim to strengthen strategic relations with countries and organisations worldwide. Several topics will be discussed in various fields that serve the common interests of both sides and yield benefits for their peoples," said a statement issued by the Secretary General's office on Sunday. After concluding his engagements in Riyadh, Jaishankar will travel to Berlin on a two-day visit starting September 10 which will be his third bilateral visit to Germany. The External Affairs Minister will thereafter travel to Geneva, home to a large number of UN bodies and international organisations, on the last leg of his tour. EAM Jaishankar shares insights on key global issues with Gulf Council members in Riyadh Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Mumbai's famed 'dabbawalas' make it to Kerala high school syllabus T he heart-warming story of the world-famous 'dabbawalas' of Mumbai has been made part of the Class 9 English textbook in Kerala from this year, officials said on Monday. The Kerala State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has included an article penned by travel writer couple Hugh and Colleen Gantzer, who are based in Mussoorie (Uttarakhand), in its school curriculam. The chapter on 'dabbawalas' (Pg. 71-75) recounts the origin of the first 'dabba' (tiffin box) that was carried from Dadar (then considered a suburb) to south Mumbai's Fort area, roughly 12 km away. "That was way back in 1890 - or 134 years ago - and the first customer was a Parsi lady who hired Mahadeo Havaji Bachche to deliver a piping hot lunch box to her husband at his office downtown," Raghunath Medge, the ex-President of Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Charitable Trust (NMTBSCT), told IANS. The NMTBSCT is the umbrella organisation under which the Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association (MTBSA) functions. From those humble beginnings, the 'dabbawalas' grew and prospered, and at the last count before the Covid-19 pandemic, the busy tribe was 5,000-strong, ferrying around 2,00,000 'dabbas' daily. They are admired and respected in Mumbai and world over for their unique, efficient and punctual service that is ranked equivalent to a Six Sigma Rating. "From the crowded, unkempt railway stations on the Mumbai suburban railway networks, the Dabbawalas soon travelled to international business schools, global universities, featured in films, documentaries, books, and earned the visits of royals like the King Charles III, Queens, Presidents, Prime Ministers and other celebs," said NMTBSCT spokesperson Ritesh S. Andre. However, during the Covid pandemic, the trade suffered massively, reducing their numbers to around 2,000 and deliveries averaging around 1,00,000 daily, and now only those who are needy are accommodated to do the gruelling work, said Medge. "Even the markets have changed drastically. What was first linear, from north Mumbai to south Mumbai, is now from north Mumbai to new Central Business Districts (CBDs) that have mushroomed in the Mumbai Central region, including Worli, Dadar, Bandra Kurla Complex, MIDC, Marol, Ghatkopar, Goregaon, Malad, etc., besides deliveries to schools and colleges, making it a complex affair," Medge said. Besides the Kerala SCERT textbooks, the 'dabbawalas' have been the subject of doctoral studies in India, research at the international level, have dedicated films or serials made in their honour, apart from a comic book series. Mumbai's famed 'dabbawalas' make it to Kerala high school syllabus Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! BJP to celebrate PM Modi's birthday with 'Seva Pakhwada' from Sep 17 to Oct 2 T he BJP is set to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on September 17 with extensive nationwide activities. The party will kick off a 'Seva Pakhwada' on September 17 and it will culminate on October 2 with Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. BJP National President JP Nadda has appointed a national team to oversee the event, with National General Secretary Sunil Bansal serving as convener. The team includes National Vice President Saroj Pandey, OBC Morcha President K Laxman, National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, ST Morcha President Sameer Oraon, and other senior leaders including Harish Dwivedi, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Neeraj Shekhar, and Aparajita Sarangi. In a directive, BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh has instructed state, district, and division-level leaders to organise activities in honour of PM Modi's birthday. Key initiatives include blood donation camps across districts in collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society and other organisations on September 17, 18, and 19. Additionally, from September 18 to 24, a cleanliness campaign will be conducted in schools and hospitals nationwide. The party will also host events to honour athletes participating in the Paris Paralympics and encourage prominent figures to contribute articles and videos celebrating PM Modi's achievements. On September 25, marking the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, BJP workers will engage in booth-level events to recruit new members. They will also promote the purchase of Khadi products and organise free health camps for women over 60-years-old on September 23. On October 2, Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary, BJP leaders and workers will conduct cleanliness drives at statues, temples, parks, and public spaces. An exhibition showcasing PM Modi's achievements, along with various competitions on themes like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047, will be part of the 15-day-long celebrations. Instructions have been given to upload pictures and details of all the programmes on social media and NaMo app as well as send them to the party's national headquarters. BJP to celebrate PM Modi's birthday with 'Seva Pakhwada' from Sep 17 to Oct 2 Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Current situation in Gaza India's foremost concern: EAM Jaishankar E xternal Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar on Monday reiterated India's "principled and consistent" stand on the Palestinian issue while calling for a ceasefire in the region, as soon as possible. "The current situation in Gaza is now understandably our foremost concern. India's position in this regard has been principled and consistent. While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians. Any response must take into account the principles of humanitarian law. We support a ceasefire as soon as possible," the EAM said while co-chairing the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in Riyadh. "On the larger issue, we have consistently stood for a resolution of the Palestinian issue through a two-State solution. We have also contributed to the building of Palestinian institutions and capacities. Where the humanitarian situation is concerned, we have provided relief and increased our support to UNRWA," he added. The meeting took place at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat and on the sidelines of the 161st Ministerial Council meeting chaired by Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, President of the current session of the Ministerial Council. In his opening remarks, Jaishankar offered the framework of 3Ps - people, prosperity and progress - as the driving force behind the partnership. "Our people-to-people ties are the bedrock of our relationship. Close to 9 million Indians work and live amongst you, acting as a living bridge between us. Their contributions to your economic progress are widely recognized. We thank you for ensuring their welfare and comfort," he said. Spotlighting that India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets - where much of the future demand is going to come from - the External Affairs Minister called on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to invest in each other's future and support each other's continued prosperity. "Our interactions are key to driving prosperity - for the GCC and for India. Trade has not only expanded in volume but also in diversity, encompassing a wide range of goods and services that fuel our economies and create jobs. It is important that we think not just for today. The task before us is to invest in each other's future and support each other's continued prosperity," Calling the GCC a "cornerstone of global energy supply", the External Affairs Minister called for deeper collaboration to stabilize markets, drive innovation and enhance energy security. "Our partnership in the areas of renewables, technology and innovation, health, space, education can also help realize our respective national goals," he said. He mentioned that the India-GCC relationship goes beyond just transactions and is built on a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the future. "It has a larger goal of advancing progress in a world that is characterized by technological advancements, changing geopolitics, shifts in the global economy and the urgent need to address environmental sustainability. Progress and prosperity require its concomitant - security - to also be stronger. The Gulf region occupies a central place in contemporary geopolitics. In a world polarized by conflict and tension, we share a commitment to global peace, security, and stability," he said. Earlier, the EAM held a series of bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers from GCC member countries, beginning Monday by holding talks with Jassim Al Thani. "Discussed taking India-Qatar bilateral ties forward. Appreciated his insights and assessments on regional developments," Jaishankar posted on X after a "good meeting" with the Qatari leader. EAM Jaishankar's next meeting on Monday was with Faisal bin Farhan, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia which was also attended by the country's Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Saud Al-Sati and Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Ambassador . Abdulrahman Al-Rassi. "During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to develop them in various fields. They also discussed enhancing bilateral and multilateral coordination on many regional and international issues of common interest," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the meeting. In his meeting with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, both sides agreed on an early discussions of their Joint Commission. The meeting was also attended by Bahrain's Chief of Legal Affairs and Acting Chief for the GCC Affairs Sector, Ambassador Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al-Haidan, and the delegation accompanying the minister. "During the meeting, they discussed the distinguished and longstanding relations between the two countries as well as aspects of bilateral cooperation in various fields and upgrading them to serve common interests. Views were also exchanged on several regional and international issues. They also discussed ways to enhance cooperation, consultation, and joint coordination in international forums," stated Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his discussions with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, EAM Jaishankar asserted taking forward the bilateral ties through an early meeting of the Joint Commission. "The close bilateral relations between the two friendly countries were reviewed, and various areas of cooperation between them and frameworks for enhancing them were discussed. The meeting also discussed regional and international developments and the developments witnessed by the region, most notably the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and frameworks for enhancing joint cooperation and mobilizing international efforts to maintain security and stability in the region," said Kuwait's Foreign Ministry after the meeting EAM Jaishankar's next meeting was with the Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira where discussions took place on G20, BRICS and the Ukraine conflict. After concluding his engagements in Riyadh, Jaishankar will travel to Berlin on a two-day visit starting September 10 which will be his third bilateral visit to Germany. The External Affairs Minister will thereafter travel to Geneva, home to a large number of UN bodies and international organisations, on the last leg of his tour. Current situation in Gaza India's foremost concern: EAM Jaishankar Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Age-related changes in the fibroblasts, cells that create the skin's structure, contribute to the development of aggressive, treatment-resistant melanoma in males, according to research in mice by the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. The study was published online Sept. 6 in Cell. The risk of developing melanoma, a potentially deadly skin cancer, increases with age. Men are more at risk than women, and tend to develop more aggressive, hard-to-treat melanomas, particularly at advanced ages, says Ashani Weeraratna, Ph.D., the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor, E.V. McCollum Professor, and chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins. The study was co-led by Yash Chhabra, Ph.D., who is now an assistant professor at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Weeraratna and colleagues have demonstrated that age-related changes in the normal cells around tumor cells -; the tumor microenvironment -; contribute to cancer outcomes. So, they wanted to find out if age- and sex-related changes might interact to contribute to sex-linked disparities in melanoma. Melanoma is far more aggressive in men than women. Do normal cells around the tumors age differently in men versus women?" Ashani Weeraratna, Ph.D., the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor, E.V. McCollum Professor, and chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins Fibroblasts make collagen, a protein that gives the skin structure and strength. In previous research, Weeraratna and colleagues showed that age-related changes in fibroblasts promote the spread of melanoma tumor cells and lead to worse outcomes. Now, they confirm that fibroblasts age differently in men and women, and the age-related changes that occur in male fibroblasts contribute to more aggressive, hard-to-treat melanomas. When they transplanted melanoma tumor cells into aged male or female mice, they found more DNA damage accumulated in cells transplanted in the male mice. It didn't matter whether the transplanted tumor cells came from male or female mice. "It's not the male or female tumor cell itself," she explains. "Age-related changes in male fibroblasts that make up the tumor microenvironment account for differences in DNA damage." In experiments comparing aged human male and female fibroblasts, they discovered that the male fibroblasts accumulated reactive oxygen species that stress and damage cells. They also found that the aged male fibroblasts produce higher levels of bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2), a protein usually involved in development of bone and cartilage. Ramping up BMP2 production using either genetic or recombinant protein approaches causes melanoma cells to become more invasive and resistant to targeted anticancer therapies. Blocking BMP2 production using a natural inhibitor makes them more sensitive to anticancer therapies in both male and female mice. The study has significant implications for cancer research. Currently, most preclinical cancer studies use young mice. However, Weeraratna shows that studying cancer in older mice and aging human cells is essential. "We also need to understand whether men and women respond differently to therapies, and better tailor their therapy to both sex- and age-related differences," she says. Weeraratna and her team are now studying how age- and sex-related changes in immune system cells surrounding melanoma cells affect how well the tumors respond to immune cell-boosting therapies increasingly used to treat melanoma. They would also like to study age- and sex-related changes in other cancers, including pancreatic cancer. The study's other authors include Sneha Pramod, Daniel J. Zabransky, Vania Wang, Agrani Dixit, Ruzhang Zhao, Edwin Kumah, Megan L. Brezka, Kevin Truskowski, Asmita Nandi, Gloria E. Marino-Bravante, Alexis E. Carey, Naina Gour, Devon A. Maranto, Murilo R. Rocha, Elizabeth I. Harper, Justin Ruiz, Evan J. Lipson, Elizabeth M. Jaffee, Kristin Bibee, Joel C. Sunshine and Hongkai Ji of Johns Hopkins; Mitchell E. Fane of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia; and Laura Huser of Johnson & Johnson. Fane and Huser were at Johns Hopkins at the time the study was conducted. This study and its authors are supported in part by Johns Hopkins, the National Cancer Institute (grants P30CA00697356, P01CA114046, U01CA227550, R01CA232256 and R01CA207935), the National Institutes of Health (grant 5T32CA009071-40), the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Conquer Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Research Fellowship, MD Anderson GI SPORE Career Enhancement Program, a Maryland Cancer Moonshot Grant to Johns Hopkins, and the Dermatology Foundation. Ji and Zhao are supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and a Team Science Award from the Melanoma Research Alliance. Weeraratna serves on reGAIN Therapeutics' board. Jaffee reports grants, support or fees from Abmeta, Genocea, Achilles, DragonFly, Candel Therapeutics, the Parker Institute, Lustgarten, Genentech, AstraZeneca and Break Through Cancer. Johns Hopkins has received grants from Roche/Genentech on behalf of Zabransky. These relationships are being managed by The Johns Hopkins University in accordance with its conflict-of-interest policies. On a sunny August morning in this agricultural town, before temperatures soared to 103 degrees, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra stood outside the small public library. He came to talk about the Biden administration's efforts to protect farmworkers from extreme heat and wildfire smoke, two emerging public health issues at the forefront of the climate crisis. "There are still not enough protections for workers that are picking the food that we eat," Becerra told a group of local reporters and government officials, who outnumbered the farmworkers in the audience. Becerra, whose father worked in the fields, had just come from visiting women picking grapes who protect themselves from the sun by dressing in sweaters, long pants, and kerchiefs that cover their noses and mouths. The summers are long and intense in Clarksburg, a town of about 300 people along the Sacramento River that supplies California's wine industry with petite sirah, sauvignon blanc, and other grapes harvested by hundreds of farmhands. "Its going to be a hot day," he added. "But they are still dressed as if it were winter." The nation's top health officer, who is mulling a run for governor, has emerged as one of the Biden administration's leading voices on climate change, focusing attention on low-income and other marginalized workers, who feel the impacts of extreme weather the most. In March, HHS released voluntary safety guidelines and educational materials that farms can use to protect their workers from smoke and heat. Becerra's appearance before reporters in front of the library was brief and scheduled to mark Farmworker Appreciation Day, not far from his home in Sacramento, where his wife, a doctor specializing in high-risk pregnancies, remains at work. He advertised the educational materials on the risks of heat illness and when temperatures might be too high to work. But he acknowledged that there is only so much he can do because workplace protections are overseen by the Department of Labor. "Much of our jurisdiction doesn't reach those workers directly," Becerra acknowledged after meeting with grape pickers. "We owe everyone who is working to put food on our table the best effort to make sure that they are working under the safest conditions." His aides distributed a press release that listed a number of resources, including free workplace health investigations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; a training on the dangers of heat and smoke from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Worker Training Program; and planned awards to 77 health care providers in high-need areas, totaling $50 million, from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat, which is already the No. 1 weather-related killer in the U.S., as well as fueling wildfires across the nation. There's no official count of farmworker deaths from weather, but heat-related deaths have increased in recent years, jumping from 1,722 in 2022 to about 2,300 last year. The U.S. Department of Labor in July released a proposed workplace heat standard that would require employers to give rest breaks, water, and shade or air conditioning to workers exposed to excessive heat, but a final rule is likely years away. It's unclear if it would supersede state regulations. Five states have heat safety protections for workers in outdoor or indoor settings. In California, for instance, employers must provide water, cool-down areas, and breaks to workers when temperatures hit 82 degrees indoors and 80 degrees outdoors. The other states are Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington, and Maryland is expected to finalize a heat standard this year. While Becerra said states can create their own workplace safety regulations, a federal heat safety standard would offer protections nationwide, forcing states like Florida and Texas whose Republican governors have signed laws banning heat safety protections to comply with minimum standards. Becerra is hoping states will tap into the programs his health department is offering even though they are optional. Even in California, which has one of the country's toughest heat protection standards, workers could benefit. Lizbeth Mastache, who met privately with Becerra beforehand, said the days she spends in the fields picking grapes shrouded in wildfire smoke and extreme heat are not only becoming more frequent, but they are also making her sick. She has had headaches, fatigue, and nausea from the heat, and has gone to the emergency room after smoky skies triggered her asthma. She and other farmworkers told Becerra they need guaranteed sick leave to care for themselves when the smoke and heat sickens them and affordable health insurance. "I had to work picking grapes during the wildfires and they didn't give us masks," said Mastache, a farmworker for the past 14 years. She said some farms haven't allowed outreach workers onto their property to educate workers about how to prevent heat illness. That's a problem when many seasonal workers, who move for work among different states, don't know that California requires employers to provide water, breaks, and training. About three years ago, researchers at the University of California-Merced's Community and Labor Center found that 15% of California farmworkers did not receive minimum rest breaks, and over 40% said their employer never provided a heat illness prevention plan. More than a third of farmworkers said they would not file a report against their employer, most of them for fear of retaliation. The California Farm Bureau, which represents about 29,000 farmers, disputes the center's findings, saying there have been few cases of heat illness among its members' workers. Bryan Little, director of employment policy at the bureau, said his organization has trained hundreds of farmers and ranchers on how to protect workers from heat illness, such as by providing water and portable shaded spaces in the field for employees to cool off. "Theyre doing things every day to try to make sure that we can avoid exposing human beings to these risks, to the greatest extent that we can," Little said. While farmworker advocates praise Becerra for drawing attention to the harmful and sometimes fatal impacts of heat and wildfire smoke, they worry federal dollars won't reach the most vulnerable. For example, there's no guarantee much of that $50 million earmarked for health care providers will go to health care centers that serve farmworkers, said Amy Liebman, a chief program officer at the Migrant Clinicians Network, who has worked in migrant safety and health for over two decades. "We need to make sure that our health centers are prepared and our clinicians are prepared," Liebman said. "So that means that there needs to be a shift in terms of not just this emphasis, but some of the funding for it." As Becerra left his podium, covered with the sign "Protecting Communities From Extreme Heat," he disappeared into the library and minutes later departed for Stockton to champion the next issue lower prescription drug prices with Democratic Rep. Josh Harder, who represents a competitive Central Valley congressional district. Healthbeat is a nonprofit newsroom covering public health published by Civic News Company and KFF Health News. This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. The language used in many healthcare settings to describe pregnancy loss exacerbates the grief and trauma experienced by some individuals and can be a critical factor in determining psychological well-being following the loss, according to a new report led by a UCL researcher. In the first study of its kind, social scientists from UCL, led by Dr Beth Malory (UCL English Language & Literature), gathered data from a total of 339 participants from across the UK - 290 people with lived experience of pregnancy loss and 49 healthcare professionals, including 42 focus group participants. Together with national pregnancy and baby loss charities Tommy's and Sands, the research team sought to understand the pivotal role language plays in shaping experiences of pregnancy loss at all stages of pregnancy and to explore what recommendations can be made to reduce the impact of traumatic language in the future. The findings show that language can have a significant impact on the experience of loss and a person's future mental recovery and well-being, and that there are currently no common processes in place to allow those experiencing pregnancy loss to feel able to express or influence their language preferences. Evidence suggests that more than one in six pregnancies in the UK end in loss each year, and concerns have been raised over several decades by clinicians, charities and affected individuals, that language plays a key role in shaping experiences of pregnancy loss. Participants in the study said they had experienced difficulties in comprehending communication about their care following pregnancy loss which made it "frightening" or "confusing". The research also underlines the risk of further difficulties for people who have English as an additional language. Words such as 'abortion', 'feticide' and 'termination' were described by participants as very challenging and distressing when used to provide medical information about procedures involved in the loss of a much-wanted baby. Others said such words as 'miscarriage' and 'incompetent cervix' contributed to feelings of guilt and self-blame after pregnancy loss. Focus groups also associated phrases such as 'blighted ovum', 'empty sac', and 'chemical pregnancy' with strong negative emotions and felt that in some contexts, such language implied that they had failed or that their baby had never existed. They called for more flexibility from healthcare practitioners to accommodate the wide range of emotions felt by someone experiencing pregnancy loss. One participant said in a written contribution to the study, "The language used during my first pregnancy loss was horrific and inappropriate. This led to increased trauma around my loss." Not since 2005 has there been an empirical study of terminology used in pregnancy loss contexts in the UK, and many of the terms deemed inappropriate by previous findings are still being used in healthcare settings, as reported by participants in this latest study. Examples of improved practice were seen in some cases, for example, 'reflective listening' - paying close attention to what someone says and letting them know they've been heard and understood - was noted as an important way that people with lived experience could explain their own circumstances using their preferred language. However, many participants who had experienced pregnancy loss at a range of gestational ages said the language used made their experience harder and called for opportunities to state their own personal language preferences through some kind of official mechanism. These findings really show just how important language is in pregnancy loss care, and the testimony of those who took part in the study illustrates the long-term impact it can have on someone experiencing pregnancy loss. Our evidence clearly indicates the steps we can take to improve language during and after experiences of pregnancy loss and lays the groundwork for a more conscientious and compassionate approach." Dr. Beth Malory, lead author The study makes four recommendations for healthcare practitioners to think about in future interactions with those experiencing pregnancy loss: Be aware that language matters - the words you use can deeply affect someone's experience of pregnancy loss, so use the same language they do If in doubt, ask - ask how someone wants you to talk or write about their experience and their baby. This helps you understand their feelings and choose words that match Use framing strategies - once you know how someone sees their loss and their baby, consider using framing strategies, e.g. talking around a clinical report in more gentle terms, to reduce the impact of difficult language Respect their preferences - do not use language that goes against how someone has described their experience or their baby, including using dehumanising language when the baby has been given a name Dr Jyotsna Vohra, Director of Research, Programmes and Impact at Tommy's, said: "We know from our communities that some of the words still used routinely to describe experiences of baby loss can be deeply upsetting. "There is no language that can take away the pain, but the trauma and grief from this loss can be made worse if described in ways that feel uncaring and unfamiliar. "We welcome the recommendations in this report and hope they will inspire change where it is needed, and soon." Mehali Patel, Research Manager at Sands, said: "Sands has a proud history of amplifying and connecting, so parents voices and experiences of pregnancy and baby loss are heard. We were pleased to help recruit parents and professionals to be a part of this important research because bereaved parents tell us that the way health professionals talk about what happened to them, their pregnancy and their baby can have a big impact on their mental and physical wellbeing. "While sensitive communication can't take away the pain of their loss it can help parents cope with their loss through understanding why their baby didn't survive, or their pregnancy ended early. "Listening to parents can save babies' lives. If someone who has experienced pregnancy loss decides to try for a baby again, the way that a health professional communicated could lead to them having a safer pregnancy, for example through a better understanding of their health and pregnancy and when to raise concerns. In the future we hope to see compassionate and personalised communication being a central part of providing safe and effective care." While stroke is the fifth-leading overall cause of death in the United States, it disproportionately impacts Hispanic people. It is the third leading cause of death among Hispanic women and the fourth leading cause of death among Hispanic men. According to the American Stroke Association, this disparity is driven by unmanaged health risk factors, limited access to health care, lower health literacy rates, cultural barriers and socioeconomic determinants of health. The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is breaking through these barriers with the launch of a new culturally relevant Spanish language website, DerrameCerebral.org. The new website is specifically tailored to the Hispanic and Latino community, offering a digital series of games and activities, called the R.a.P.I.D.O. Experience, designed to educate users on how to recognize the warning signs of a stroke. It also provides accessible resources on stroke prevention, risk factors, warning signs, treatment and recovery, including life-saving information for survivors, caregivers and health care professionals. This new website is part of the continued efforts of the Association to provide a digital experience to all communities and championing better health outcomes for everyone, everywhere. When it comes to a stroke, every second counts. By addressing the specific language needs of many in the Hispanic and Latino community, we are breaking a barrier that often stood in the way of prompt medical attention. Working with our community to teach them what life after a stroke looks like and how to prevent it, will ultimately lead to a healthier future." Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, the American Heart Association's chief medical officer for prevention As the American Heart Association celebrates 100 years of lifesaving service, this new website and Spanish language experience reflects a commitment to expand outreach to those communities at highest risk for stroke and other cardiovascular issues. By leveraging cultural relevance, the new website aims to develop tools and resources to support the Hispanic and Latino community, ultimately fostering better health outcomes. A stroke is an emergency that can happen to anyone at any time and immediate medical attention is crucial. The American Stroke Association recommends learning the signs of a stroke and discussing risk management with your health care team. Last year, the American Heart Association launched its culturally relevant Hispanic and Latino stroke warning signs campaign with the adoption of the Spanish stroke acronym R.a.P.I.D.O. Spot a stroke R.a.P.I.D.O. R - Rostro caido (Face drooping) a - alteracion del equilibrio (Loss of Balance, or Lack of Coordination) P - Perdida de fuerza en el brazo (Arm weakness) I - Impedimento visual repentino (Sudden vision difficulty) D - Dificultad para hablar (Slurred or Strange Speech) O - Obten ayuda, llama al 911 (Get help, call 911) For more information about R.a.P.I.D.O. and stroke awareness, visit www.DerrameCerebral.org. Weight loss interventions could reduce the risk of severe cases of flu and other infections in people with diabetes, new research being presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Madrid, Spain (9-13 September) suggests. The study, from Rhian Hopkins and Ethan de Villiers, of the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK, found evidence to suggest that a higher BMI is a cause of severe infections. In contrast, there was no evidence that mild hyperglycemia contributes to the likelihood of a severe infection. Up to one in three hospitalizations in people with diabetes are for infections and people with diabetes are twice as likely to be hospitalized with infections than the general population. They are also at high risk of readmission. Previous studies have found that a higher BMI and poor blood sugar control are associated with severe infections. However, these studies have been observational and so haven't been able to prove that the links are causal. If one or both of these factors can be shown to be causal, it may be possible to design interventions to lower the risk of severe infections in those at high risk, such as people with diabetes." Rhian Hopkins, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK The new study used data from the UK Biobank, which holds medical and genetic data on around 500,000 people in the UK, to explore the effect of higher BMI and poor blood sugar control on hospitalization for bacterial and viral infections. The 486,924 participants were classified into three groups: those with a record of hospitalization for a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or a urinary tract infection, (n=64,005) or a viral infection, such as flu, (n=14,562) and an infection-free control group (n=408,357). A higher BMI was found to be associated with hospitalization with infections. The likelihood of being hospitalised with a bacterial infection increased by 30% per 5-point increase in BMI (for instance, an increase in BMI from 30 kg/m2 to 35 kg/m2). Similarly, every five-point increase in BMI was associated with a 32% increase in the likelihood a severe viral infection. Mild hyperglycaemia was also found to be associated with severe infections. The likelihood of being hospitalised with a bacterial infection increased by 32% per 10mmol/mol increase in HbA1c, a measure of blood sugar levels. Similarly, every 10mmol/mol increase in HbA1c was associated with a 29% increase in the likelihood of a severe viral infection. The team then used Mendelian randomisation, a technique that uses genetic information to establish whether a factor actually causes ill health, to determine if the relationships were causal. This suggested that a higher BMI is one of the causes of severe bacterial and viral infections. However, mild hyperglycemia did not appear to be a cause of severe infections. The study didn't focus on individuals with diabetes. However, given how vulnerable they are to infections, the results may be of particular relevance to them, says Ms. Hopkins. She adds: "Infections are a major cause of death and ill health, particularly in people with diabetes. Anyone admitted to hospital with a severe infection is also at high risk of being admitted again with another. However, we currently have few effective ways to prevent this. "This study demonstrates that higher BMI is a cause of hospital admission with infection. Clinicians could discuss weight loss options for people with a high BMI at risk of severe infections and readmission to hospital for infection." "While this message may be particularly relevant to people with diabetes, it applies more widely, too." Further research is needed to determine if more severe hyperglycemia is a cause of severe infections. Bajaj Housing Finance IPO: The initial public offering of Bajaj Housing Finance has been opened for public subscription on Monday, September 9. The price band of the Rs 6,560-crore much-awaited IPO has been fixed at Rs 66 to Rs 70 per share for the public issue. Till 3:39 pm on the first day of bidding on Monday, the IPO received a 1.54 times subscription garnering bids for 1,05,48,29,326 shares as against the 68,60,00,009 shares on offer. The category for non-institutional investors received 3.34 times subscription, while the portion for retail individual investors (RIIs) got subscribed 1.32 times. Bajaj Housing Finance IPO: Key Dates The IPO will remain opened for public subscription between September 9 and September 11. The share allotment of the Bajaj Housing Finance IPO will likely be finalised on September 12, while its shares will be listed on both BSE and NSE on September 16. Bajaj Housing Finance IPO: Quota A total of 50 per cent of the IPO has been reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIB), 35 per cent for retail investors, and 15 per cent for high-networth individuals. Apart from this, Bajaj Housing Finance has also reserved Rs 500 crore worth of shares under shareholder quota. Eligible shareholders of Bajaj Finance Limited and Bajaj Finserv Limited as of the Red Herring Prospectus date, i.e. August 30, 2024, would be eligible to apply for this Offer under the Shareholders Reservation Portion. Only bids received at or above the Offer Price will be considered in this category. Bajaj Housing Finance IPO: Price Band The price band of the Rs 6,560-crore much-awaited IPO has been fixed at Rs 66 to Rs 70 per share for the public issue. Bajaj Housing Finance IPO: GMP Today According to market observers, unlisted shares of Bajaj Housing Finance Ltd are trading Rs 58.5 higher in the grey market than its issue price. The Rs 58.5 grey market premium or GMP means the grey market is expecting an 83.57 per cent listing gain from the public issue. The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price. Bajaj Housing Finance IPO: Analysts Recommendations Giving buy recommendation, Brokerage firm Anand Rathi in its IPO note said, In the near term, a fundraise of Rs 7000 crore in Bajaj Housing Finance Ltd (BHFL) is likely to be a catalyst for Bajaj Finances (BAF) re-rating. The standalone entity delivers higher RoE (return on equity) and RoA (return on assets) than Bajaj Housing Finance and commands premium valuations. The recent correction offers an attractive entry point. We reiterate a Buy recommendation. At the CMP, the stock trades at 3.7x standalone FY26e BV(adjusted for subsidiaries). Another brokerage InCred Equities also recommended a subscription rating to the IPO. In its note, InCred Equities said, Although mortgages look to be a pure vanilla product, they have multiple dimensions, especially in an emerging market like India. We believe BHFLs management has the vision and capability to explore the same over the years, which makes the company attractive over the mid- to long-term horizon. We recommend subscription to the IPO. InCred, however, said this is expensive compared to peers like LIC Housing Finance (1.2x), PNB Housing (1.7x), and Can Fin Homes (2.7x), but in line with our expectations, given BHFLs robust yet diversified AUM growth (+30% CAGR), sturdy asset quality (NPAs less than 1%), and superior technology platform enabling it to remain relevant in a stiff competitive environment. At the upper band of Rs 70, the stock will be valued at 3.2 times its trailing June 2024 book value (post dilution and adjusting for rights share allocation), it said. Bajaj Housing Finance IPO: More Details The company collected Rs 1,758 crore from anchor investors on Friday. Among the anchor investors are Government of Singapore, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Fidelity, Morgan Stanley, Nomura, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan India Investment Trust Plc, SBI Life Insurance Company, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, HDFC Mutual Fund (MF), Kotak Mahindra MF, SBI MF, UTI MF and Nippon India MF. According to a circular uploaded on BSEs website, the company has allotted 25.11 crore equity shares to 104 funds at Rs 70 apiece, which is also the upper-end of the price band. This aggregates the transaction size to Rs 1,758 crore. The much awaited Rs 6,560-crore initial share-sale will open for public subscription on September 9 and conclude on September 11. The price band has been fixed at Rs 66 to Rs 70 per share for the public issue. The proposed IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares of up to Rs 3,560 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of equity shares to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore by parent Bajaj Finance. The share sale is being conducted to comply with the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) regulations, which require upper layer non-banking finance companies to be listed on stock exchanges by September 2025. Proceeds from the fresh issue will be used to augment the companys capital base to meet future capital requirements. Bajaj Housing Finance is a non-deposit taking Housing Finance Company registered with the National Housing Bank since September 2015. It offers financial solutions for purchasing and renovating residential and commercial properties. It has been identified and categorized as an upper layer NBFC by the RBI in India and its comprehensive mortgage products include home loans, loans against property, lease rental discounting and developer financing. For the entire financial year 2023-24 , the housing lender posted a net profit of Rs 1,731 crore, marking a growth of 38 per cent from Rs 1,258 crore in FY23. Aadhar Housing Finance and India Shelter Finance are two housing finance companies that have listed on the stock exchanges in recent months. In June, Bajaj Housing Finance filed preliminary papers with Sebi for a Rs 7,000 crore IPO, comprising fresh shares worth Rs 4,000 crore and an OFS component of Rs 3,000 crore by its parent. The market regulator gave its clearance to the companys maiden public issue earlier this month. Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Ltd, BofA Securities India Ltd, SBI Capital Markets Ltd, Goldman Sachs (India) Securities Private Ltd and JM Financial Ltd are the book running lead managers that will manage the companys public issue. Stocks To Watch On September 9: Equity markets concluded a three-week winning streak with a loss of over 1.5%, largely impacted by weak global cues. In todays trade, shares of SpiceJet, Shriram Finance, Suven Pharma, Mazagon Dock, Suzlon Energy among others will be in focus due to various news developments. Shriram Finance: Shriram Finance is planning to raise $1 billion (about Rs 8,300 crore) from overseas in the next 6 months to fund its business growth. Tata Power: Tata Power-led Odisha Discoms have awarded contracts worth Rs 11,481 crore to local contractors and suppliers. Godfrey Phillips: Bina Modi reappointed as MD of Godfrey Phillips with over 86% of shareholders (86.64%) voting in support of her reappointment. Jio Financial Services: The company has formed a joint venture with BlackRock Advisors Singapore to provide investment advisory services. It has made an initial investment of Rs 3 crore for 3,000,000 equity shares in the JV company. It aims to launch home loans and other financial products such as loans against property and loans on securities. Punjab National Bank, Bank of Maharashtra: Both the banks have received approval to raise up to Rs 5,000 crore each through their respective qualified institutional placements (QIP) in FY25. This funding aims to help meet public shareholding norms. SpiceJet: The companys promoter Ajay Singh may offload up to 15 per cent stake in the airline as part of a funding round. The airline is looking to raise Rs 3,200 crore through QIP, warrants, and promoter infusion. The company plans to utilise the funds for fleet expansion, liability settlement, and other purposes. Adani Group: The group has established Adani Energy Resources (Shanghai) Co. in Shanghai to provide supply chain solutions and project management services in the country. Ola Electric Mobility: The one-month lock-in period for Ola Electrics shares ends on September 9, making 18.18 crore shares eligible for trading. PNB Housing Finance: The company is planning to raise up to $125 million through External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) in Q3FY25. Currently, PNB Housing Finance has an ECB sanction of $125 million and is considering another between $100 million and $125 million. The company aims to grow its retail loan book to Rs 1 trillion by FY27, while its current loan book stands at Rs 65,000 crore with a target growth of 17 per cent in FY25. Deep Industries: The company has secured a Rs 1,402 crore order from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to enhance production operations at ONGCs Rajahmundry facility. The companys current order book stood at Rs 1,246 crore as of June 30, 2024. Suzlon Energy: The company has acquired a 51 per cent stake in Renom for Rs 400 crore, making it a subsidiary of Suzlon Energy. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders: The company received an order worth Rs 1,486 crore from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation for a subsea pipeline replacement project. Suven Pharma: The companys subsidiary Casper Pharmas Hyderabad facility has been classified as Voluntary Action Indicated (VAI) by the US FDA, following which the inspection by the US drug regulatory body has been closed. JSW Energy: JSW Energy issued a corporate guarantee of up to Rs 450 crore to JSW Energy (Utkal) (JSWEL), a subsidiary of the company. 54th GST Council Meeting: Know Key Decisions New GoM on GST rate reduction on medical health insurance set up; to submit its report by October-end. FM Nirmala Sitharaman says the GST Council meeting to be held in November will take a call on reduction in rate on health insurance. Status report on tax on casinos, online gaming submitted to GST Council. Compensation cess can be collected till March 2026 to repay back to back loans and service interest on it. By January 2026, we will be able to clear the loans, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman. Funds given for research to universities established by the law of Centre, state governments, and those who have obtained income tax exemption, are now exempt from GST. The GST Council decided to reduce the tax rate on cancer drugs to 5% from 12%; on namkeen to 12% from 18%. GST rates on car seats have been hiked to 28% from 18%. Renting of commercials properties brought under reverse charge mechanism. GST Council approves to introduce B2C e-invoicing to facilitate consumers on voluntary basis in selective states. Necessary amendments will be made. The GST Council did not discuss whether to exempt payment aggregators from paying tax on online payments. Abhishek Jain, indirect tax head & partner at KPMG, shares opinion on 54th GST Council Decisions: Abhishek Jain, indirect tax head & partner, KPMG, said: The GoMs recommendation by end of October on the GST rate for health / life insurance will be one to watch closely. Specific sectors like automobile, etc. would keenly look forward to the decision on compensation cess and its fate. Another notable development is the proposed B2C e-invoicing, which, although voluntary, will be significant. It will be crucial to observe how businesses prepare for this change. Vivek Jalan, Partner at Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP, Speaks: Vivek Jalan, partner at multidisciplinary pan-India consulting firm Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP: The 53rd GST Council meeting was held immediately post the Union Budget and after a long haul of around six months and hence there were many pending item agenda items for The GST Council in this 54th GST Council meeting held today on 9th September 2024. Therefore it seems that the GST Council has taken up the agenda items in seriatim and cleared the earlier agenda items. A Long standing demand of Steel and other Metal Industry of levying Reverse Charge on Metal Scrap has been accepted by the 54th GST Council Meeting. This might solve the the threat of fake invoicing in this sector to a large extent. Several Universities had received GST notices on R&D grants received by them. It has been decided that GST will not apply to Universities with Income Tax Exemption or state and central government affiliated universities will be E-invoicing in the B2C category (although now recommendatory) may help the consumers also ensure that GST thereon has been paid by the supplier. Invoice Management System to be implemented from 1st October would help the recipients and suppliers in correcting the invoices and streamlining the flow of Credit. The long speculated GST on Medical and Health Insurance have been referred rightly to a group of ministers as there were many related issues like what happens to Corporate group insurance (which is a norm in the current times), in case insurance is taken by Residents Welfare Association, life insurance, etc and most important whether ITC would be available or not. The 55th GST Councils Meeting in November 2024 would take a decision in the matter. Any Fund Even Coming from Private, Private Universities, Established by Centre, State Law Will be GST Exempt: FM Seven institutions had received tax notices for GST on R&D funds. Any fund even coming from private, for private universities as well established by centre, state law, will be exempt from GST, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman Any Fund Even Coming from Private, Private Universities, Established by Centre, State Law Will be GST Exempt: FM Seven institutions had received tax notices for GST on R&D funds. Any fund even coming from private, for private universities as well established by centre, state law, will be exempt from GST, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman GST Rates on Car Seats Hiked from 18% to 28% Govt raises GST rates on car seats to 28% from 18%, says Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra. Section 11A to address retrospective tax demands will be used in rarest of rare occasions Section 11A to address retrospective tax demands will be used in rarest of rare occasions. Circulars regarding it not discussed at this point of time, says Revenue Secretary. GST Council Discusses if Medical Insurance Should be Introduced Only for Senior Citizens The GST Council discussed if medical insurance should be introduced only for senior citizens, and will it make implementation difficult. GST Council to Re-Examine the Issue of Tax on EV Charging Stations: Revenue Secretary The GST Council will re-examine the issue of tax on EV charging stations, says Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra. Council did not discuss whether to exempt payment aggregators from paying tax on online payments, says revenue secretary Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra said the Council did not discuss whether to exempt payment aggregators from paying tax on online payments. B2C e-Invoicing to Start on a Voluntary Basis Soon: 54th GST Council Meeting Council approved to introduce B2C e-invoicing to facilitate consumers on voluntary basis in selective states. Necessary amendments will be made. Committee of Secretaries on Integrated GST Will Submit Report by October, says FM A committee of secretaries will be formed to explain on how to take IGST forward. Today we have negative balance on IGST. The committee will be formed under additional secretary in revenue. There is excess IGST given to states will have to be retrieved. The modus operandi of IGST may be explained to states if needed. The committee will have officials from states and centre, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman. GST Rates on Cancer Drugs Reduced from 12% to 5% GST rates on cancer drugs will be reduced further, complementing the earlier reduction in import duties. The GST Council decided to reduce the tax rate on cancer drugs to 5 per cent from 12 per cent; on namkeen to 12 per cent from 18 per cent, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. GST on Select Snacks Reduced from 18% to 12% GST on select snacks reduced from 18% to 12%. Renting of commercials properties brought under reverse charge mechanism Renting of commercials properties brought under reverse charge mechanism, says Revenue Secretary Sanay Malhotra. GST Council Exempts Universities, Educational Establishements Established by Law of Center Sitharaman said the GST Council has decided to exempt universities and educational establishements established by a law of Center or state or those which receive income tax from GST. GST rate on namkeen reduced prospectively GST rate on namkeen reduced prospectively. Funds given for research to universities established by the law of Centre exempted from GST Funds given for research to universities established by the law of Centre, state governments, and those who have obtained income tax exemption, are exempt from GST. Compensation cess can be collected till March 2026 to repay back to back loans and service interest on it: FM Compensation cess can be collected till March 2026 to repay back to back loans and service interest on it. By January 2026, we will be able to clear the loans, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed its senior leaders to crucial organisatioal posts after they were denied tickets in the forthcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024. Party leaders like Sat Sharma, Kavinder Gupta and Nirmal Singh have been given important posts ahead of the polls. Sat Sharma, who was denied a ticket in the upcoming assembly polls has been appointed as the working president of the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the party. He will gradually take over the baton from Ravinder Raina, who was the BJP Jammu and Kashmir president before him and is now a candidate for the upcoming elections. Sharma is an ex-MLA, who also held the post of the J&K party president in the past. The saffron party has appointed its former deputy chief minister, Nirmal Singh, as the head of the campaign committee for the ensuing election. Earlier, Nirmal Singh was also made to head the manifesto committee in the Union Territory. The BJP has also appointed Kavinder Gupta, another former deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, to lead the Election management committee. A couple of weeks ago, when the BJP released its first list for J&K polls, it was later withdrawn due to technical reasons and sent out again. This was followed by large scale protest at the party office in Jammu, especially with several leaders being upset about dropping off big names, like Nirmal Singh and Kavinder Gupta. Later, party seniors spoke to these leaders and ensured that they were able to calm the tempers down. BJP election in charge in J&K, Ram Madhav, who was entrusted with the responsibility, held individual meetings with each of these senior leaders. Nirmal Singh was denied a ticket from Bilawar and the assembly seat was given to Satish Sharma to contest. Kavinder Gupta was replaced by Vikram Randhawa in the Bahu seat for the upcoming elections. Similarly, senior leader Sat Sharma, was denied a ticket from Jammu West and Aravind Gupta has been fielded in his place instead. Jammu and Kashmir is set for assembly elections after nearly a decade. The polling will take place in three phases on September 18, 25 and October 1 while the counting of the votes will take place on October 8. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has presented a detailed proposal to the BJP high command, requesting 107 seats for the upcoming state assembly elections. Sources reveal that the Mahayuti, the alliance between BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and Ajit Pawars NCP, will contest the elections under Chief Minister Eknath Shindes leadership. This will mark Shindes first state assembly election after he won the battle for the Shiv Sena party name and symbol. The election is viewed as a matter of prestige for Shinde, who aims to demonstrate that his faction represents the true legacy of the late Balasaheb Thackeray. The proposal submitted by Shinde includes a detailed analysis of the 107 seats, highlighting the caste dynamics of each constituency. The report also evaluates the relative strength of Shiv Sena candidates compared to those of the alliance partners. Additionally, Shindes proposal outlines potential candidates who should receive tickets if the party manages to secure these seats in the ongoing negotiations with the BJP. Insiders familiar with the negotiations say that Shinde is particularly focused on securing the maximum number of seats in Mumbai, Thane, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), areas traditionally considered Shiv Sena strongholds. Shindes faction is keen to contest in constituencies where the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) is expected to field candidates. This strategy is seen as a way to establish the Shinde factions dominance in areas central to Shiv Senas political identity. The BJP, as the major player in the Mahayuti alliance, is reported to be in favor of a direct contest between the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the UBT faction. According to sources, there is a possibility that the BJP may even exchange a few seats with Shindes Shiv Sena to facilitate this head-to-head competition. Meanwhile, the BJPs state leadership has communicated to Home Minister Amit Shah, who was recently in Mumbai for the Ganpati festival, that the party aims to contest 160 seats in the upcoming elections. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP contested 122 seats and won 105, but failed to form the government after Uddhav Thackerays faction allied with Congress and NCP. This time, the BJP is aiming higher, although party insiders expect that after negotiations, they will secure around 130-140 seats, leaving 80-90 for Shindes Shiv Sena and 50-60 for Ajit Pawars NCP. During his Mumbai visit, Amit Shah urged Mahayuti leaders to resolve their differences through dialogue and refrain from public criticism of each other. He stressed the importance of maintaining unity within the alliance ahead of the elections. Sources suggest that the seat-sharing talks are progressing and are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks. Leaders within the alliance are confident that an agreement will be reached soon, ensuring a strong electoral front. NCP chief Ajit Pawar is known for speaking his mind a trait that has landed him in trouble many times. However, it is his latest statements that have triggered buzz in Maharashtra and led his supporters to wonder if he is contemplating returning to uncle Sharad Pawar. During the Jan Samman Yatra, while addressing a gathering in Gadchiroli, Ajit Pawar said: Society doesnt like rifts in families. Though he was addressing the crowd, he was also trying to convince minister Atrams daughter who is determined to contest against her father in the upcoming state assembly polls. Bhagyashree Atram had announced that she would contest the elections on a ticket from the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar. This is not the first time Ajit Pawar has made controversial statements after his partys poor performance. After losing the Baramati bastion to Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar admitted that it was a mistake to field his wife against the NCP veterans daughter. Hurt by the defeat in the recently held Lok Sabha elections, especially on his home turf, Ajit Pawar recently said the constituency should get a new MLA so that people can understand the true development that has taken place in the region. We have carried out all-round development in Baramati. Most funds in Maharashtra are sanctioned for Baramati. I am 65 years old now and satisfied. Baramatikars should get someone other than me as MLA. They can then compare the new MLA with me, he said. While local party workers are urging Ajit Pawar to give the ticket to his son Jay Pawar from Baramati, no official announcement has been made by the NCP. Reacting to Ajit Pawars statements, Mahesh Tapase, leader and spokesperson of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, said: I feel he should act on them and hand over the party name and leadership to Sharad Pawar. Only then will we believe that Ajit Pawar feels guilty for his actions. According to sources, the Mahayuti alliance is upset with Ajit Pawars statements as they indirectly suggest that he was under pressure to field a candidate against Supriya Sule. Mahayuti leaders believe that such statements, made just before the state assembly polls, will confuse voters and party workers. Another incident that displeased BJP leaders was Ajit Pawars decision to skip a visit to the Hedgewar Memorial in Nagpur during his last visit. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis paid their respects at the memorial, but Ajit Pawar chose to leave for his next programme. Political analysts believe that Ajit Pawar wants to maintain his secular identity and has clarified that his alliance with Mahayuti is based solely on a development agenda. Discussions in Maharashtras political circles have triggered speculation that Ajit Pawar may exit the alliance though sources close to the NCP leader have denied the rumours. However, one thing is certain by openly admitting his mistakes, Ajit Pawar is sending an honest message to his supporters and voters that he needs another chance to fix issues, said analysts. If given the opportunity, he is ready to accept the challenge of transforming Maharashtra based solely on the agenda of development. Will these honest confessions become a headache for Mahayuti or will they help the alliance regain power in the state? The upcoming state assembly polls will hold the answer. A new study has debunked the myth that the electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and wireless technologies can cause cancer. The radio waves wireless technologies transmit are very weak. They do not have enough energy to damage DNA and are unlikely to cause cancer, the study said. The study is the largest review on the issue to date and was commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published in Environment International. For the main issue, mobile phones and brain cancers, we found no increased risk, even with 10+ years exposure and the maximum categories of call time or number of calls, said Mark Elwood at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, who was a co-author in the study. No Brain Cancer From Mobile Phones We concluded the evidence does not show a link between mobile phones and brain cancer or other head and neck cancers. Even though mobile phone use has skyrocketed, brain tumour rates have remained stable, said lead author Ken Karipidis in a release. The systematic review, led by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (Arpansa), examined more than 5,000 studies on the subject. The evidence is clear that the radio waves emitted by mobile phones and wireless technology dont have enough energy to damage the body directly. So far, no studies have found links between mobile phone use and cancer, so it can be confidently said that wireless technologies do not cause cancer. How Do Mobile Phones Work? Mobile phones exchange signals using radiofrequency (RF) waves. This is a form of energy in the electromagnetic spectrum, which is why mobile phones are said to give off electromagnetic radiation. Radiofrequency waves used by mobile phone networks are a form of non-ionising radiation. Non-ionising radiation uses tiny amounts of energy to transmit data, nowhere near enough energy to damage the human body or DNA (genes). Although all 4G, 5G, Wi-fi and Bluetooth rely on radio waves for transmitting data, but none have enough energy to heat body tissues or damage cells or DNA, the study pointed out. In fact, the radiofrequency waves are different from ionizing radiations used in X-rays, gamma rays and ultraviolet rays. Thus, high levels of sun exposure can cause skin cancers. India has over 1.2 billion mobile phone users, and 600 smartphone users. The number is expected to reach 1.55 billion in the smartphone category. Why is the Study Significant? The WHOs International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) had designated radio frequency and electromagnetic fields as a possible carcinogen in 2011. The study was largely based on positive associations seen in case-control studies, which might have been biased based on what the participants recalled, the new analysis said. Not only did the review find no overall association between mobile phone use and cancer, it overruled any risk with prolonged use (for those using their mobile phones for 10 years or more) and frequency (the number of calls made or the time spent per call). The study, which stemmed from concerns that phones held against the head emit radio waves into the brain, analysed more than 5,000 studies, focusing on 63 studies from 22 countries most relevant for their analysis. For this report, cancers of the brain (three types, and in children), pituitary gland, salivary glands, and leukemias were included, said Elwood, as quoted by Deutsche Welle. What are Experts Saying? AIIMS oncologist Dr Abhishek Shankar said mobile phone usage was never really thought of as a preventive strategy for cancer. The radiation from cell phones is non-ionising the ones that dont cause cancer. The radiation from say an X-ray machine, on the other hand, is ionising and can cause cancer. Ionising radiation has enough energy to break chemical bonds, remove electrons from atoms like in nuclear power plants and damage cells in organic matter, The Indian Express quoted Dr Shankar as saying. Dr Shankar, like many experts, recommends preventive screening and limiting risk factors like smoking. He also recommends limiting the use of mobile phones, which can still lead to headaches, anxiety and hearing loss. What Did the Previous Research Say? Many studies on mobile phone use and cancer have been done over the past three decades. The FDA regularly monitors studies and statistics involving the issue. Some of the more recognised studies include: COSMOS Study: The Cohort Study on Mobile Phones and Health (COSMOS) published in 2024 includes data involving more than 250,000 users of mobile phones, many of whom had 15 or more years of regular mobile phone use. It found participants did not have a higher risk of developing a brain tumor compared with light users of mobile phones. INTERPHONE Study: Researchers from 13 countries looked at mobile phone use in more than 5,000 people who got brain tumors and a similar group without brain tumors. Overall, no link was found between the risk of brain tumors and mobile phones, how often calls were made, longer call times. The researchers did find a small increase in the risk of a certain type of brain tumor in the 10% of people who used their cell phones the most. 2019 Analysis: Looking at the results of multiple studies, researchers found no suggestion that mobile phone use led to a higher risk of tumors of the brain or salivary gland (in the jaw). But they were not certain whether the risk might go up 15 or more years later. They also were not sure whether children who use mobile phones might have a higher risk of these tumors later on. 50-year Review: A review of 22 studies done between 1966 and 2016 suggested that people who had used cell phones for 10 years or longer had a higher risk of brain tumors. 2018 Trend Research: Australian researchers compared mobile phone use with brain tumor trends over three different decade-long periods. They found no link between brain tumors and cell phones. China recently announced that it would be pulling up the date of Tianwen-3, its ambitious Mars sample-return mission, to 2028, and said it would be abiding by the planetary protection principle. Planetary protection is the idea to protect biospheres of the earth and solar system bodies from contamination by alien microbial life. The main goal of planetary protection is responsible exploration of the solar system by implementing and developing efforts that protect science, explored environments and Earth, according to NASA. What is the History of Planetary Protection? The principle dates back to late 1970s, when the United Nations Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies stated that studies of outer space should be conducted to avoid harmful contamination of other celestial bodies and avoid adverse changes in the environment of the Earth from sample return missions (United Nations, 1966). Planetary protection (PP) Policy was developed on an international level from the 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). Each member state is responsible for compliance with PP policy launched from its soil, irrespective of the launch vehicle or spacecraft provider (e.g., government, non-government, commercial, etc). Mars is a primary target in the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life, past or present, and for this reason stringent planetary protection requirements apply, as per the European Space Agency. Where Does India Stand In Global Planetary Defence Efforts? ISRO chairman S Somanath said in July that the space organisation is keen on participating in a planetary defence mission in space ahead of the close shave of Apophis asteroid with Earth on April 13, 2029. When Apophis comes in the year 2029, we should be able to go and meet this asteroid when it is very close to Earth. It is a one-time opportunity for humanity to work with an asteroid. India should be part of such efforts. It is yet to be decided in what way we should participate, the ISRO chairman Somanath said at the Asteroid Day event. ISRO is looking at working in some capacity to study the asteroid Apophis when it is 32,000 km away from Earth in 2029 in order to prepare for planetary defense efforts to prevent the asteroid from crashing onto Earth, ISRO scientists said. Somanath also said space defence against asteroids has been a topic of discussion for scientists for many years. The space community must unite and work to save the Earth. The most important topic currently is how to contribute monetarily and knowledge-wise. Associate director of ISROs telemetry, tracking, and command centre (ISTRAC), Anil Kumar A K, said that ISRO has also wanted to be part of the worldwide planetary defence programme in collaboration with other agencies, as quoted by The Indian Express. In 2004, Indian observatories were able to see an object that was 340 metres in size. They concluded that there is a substantial risk that the asteroid will reach and impact Earth. The object is known as Apophis, and its sphere is 360 days, which is almost one Earth year, and as a result, it can be seen often in the vicinity of Earth. What was NASAs DART Mission? The DART mission slammed into an asteroid Dimorphos to successfully alter its orbit. This marks humanitys first time purposely changing the motion of a celestial object and the first full-scale demonstration of asteroid deflection technology, NASA stated in 2022. Dimorphos did not pose a threat to Earth, and was circling the Sun some 11 million km away from Earth. But this showed the beginning of a planetary defence programme. The DART mission gave some fascinating data about both asteroid properties and the effectiveness of a kinetic impactor as a planetary defense technology, said Nancy Chabot, the DART coordination lead from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland, US. NASA has already redirected one of its spacecraft to track Apophis. The spacecraft will go within a distance of 4,000 km of Apophis in April 2029, and then trail the asteroid for 18 months, collecting data and analyzing its surface. The European Space Agencys Hera project is also planned to conduct detailed surveys of both Dimorphos and Didymos four years from now, with a particular focus on the crater left by DARTs collision and a precise measurement of Dimorphos mass, as per the NASA website. The Union health ministry said on Sunday it has identified a suspected case of the Mpox (earlier called Monkeypox) virus. A young male patient, who has recently returned from a country, which has active Mpox transmission, has been put in isolation at a hospital and is said to be in a stable condition, the ministry said. His samples are being tested to confirm the presence of virus, the government said. There was already a sense of concern over the comeback of Mpox, especially after the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the highest-level alert in August. What is Mpox? According to WHO, Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. The infection spreads, mainly through close contact, and occasionally from the environment to people via things and surfaces that have been touched by a person with Mpox. There are two distinct types of the virus: clade I (with subclades Ia and Ib) and clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb). In 20222023 a global outbreak of Mpox was caused by the clade IIb strain, as per the WHO website. Animal-to-human transmission of Mpox occurs from infected animals to humans from bites or scratches, or during activities such as hunting, skinning, trapping, cooking, playing with carcasses or eating animals. While experts believe that the risk of spread is low in India, there is a need for enhancing community engagement and education regarding Mpox, which should cover risk factors, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and how to access healthcare. Also, raising awareness among clinicians and other health professionals about potential Mpox cases associated with travel is crucial. What are the Symptoms of Mpox? Is It Fatal? The viral infection causes fever, headache, rashes, pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, which are usually mild but, in some cases, they can cause death as well. According to WHO, Mpox can cause a range of signs and symptoms. While some people have less severe symptoms, others may develop more serious illnesses and need care in a facility, as per WHO guidelines. Common symptoms include a rash which may last for two to four weeks. This may start with, or be followed by, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands (lymph nodes)," WHO explains. The rash looks like blisters or sores and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, genital and, or anal regions. These lesions may also be found in the mouth, throat, anus, rectum or vagina, or on the eyes. The number of sores can range from one to several thousand. Some people develop inflammation inside the rectum (proctitis) that can cause severe pain, as well as inflammation of the genitals that may cause difficulties in urinating," as per the WHO website. This infection turns severe when larger, more widespread lesions especially in the mouth, eyes and genitals start appearing along with secondary bacterial infections of the skin or blood, and lung infections. This will lead to complications such as severe bacterial infection from skin lesions, swelling in the brain (encephalitis), heart (myocarditis) or lungs (pneumonia), and eye problems. This is when people with severe Mpox require hospitalization and antiviral medicines to reduce the severity of lesions and shorten the time to recovery. No Need to Panic: Experts According to public health experts, the overall risk for the infection to spread among people is low. The overall risk for the Indian population is currently assessed as low, based on a very low likelihood and a low impact," said Dr Vishal Rao, a member of Karnatakas genomic surveillance committee. Similarly, Krutika Kuppalli, former medical officer for Covid-19 and Mpox Health Operations at WHO, told News18 that the overall risk (of infection) to the general population outside of the affected countries remains low." Kuppalli advised that its important to increase community engagement and educate people about Mpox. This also includes educating about risk factors, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and how to access care, she added. Dr Rao also listed several measures to fight the infection including rapid isolation of any suspected cases until proven negative and, if positive, until symptom resolution". Prospective donors returning from countries where clade I Mpox virus has been detected and who are not deferred due to other risks should be carefully interviewed regarding their contact with people suspected or confirmed with Mpox or their contact with infected animals," Dr Rao said while advising the need for raising awareness among clinicians and other health professionals about possible travel-associated Mpox cases. Rao, who is also the dean for the Centre of Academic Research at Bengaluru-based HCG Cancer Hospital, also suggested that travellers should be given advice on national guidance for vaccination against Mpox before travelling. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday launched a blistering attack on Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his controversial remark on RSS, saying that he goes abroad only to defame India. Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh said, To know about RSS, Rahul Gandhi will have to take many births. A traitor cannot know RSS. Those who go abroad and criticize the country cannot know RSS. It seems that Rahul Gandhi goes abroad only to defame India. Rahul Gandhi will not be able to understand RSS in this birth. RSS is born from the values and culture of India, he added. Addressing the Indian diaspora in Texas, US, Gandhi remarked that RSS believes in one idea of India, whereas, the Congress party believes it to be a multiplicity of ideas. He further added that BJP and RSS idea of women is to restrict them to home and kitchen for cooking food. While we believe that women should aspire and lead us in every sector, he added. The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas. We believe that everybody should be allowed to participate, allowed to dream, and should be given space regardless of their caste, language, religion, tradition, or history, he said. #WATCH | Texas, USA: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas. We believe that everybody should be allowed to participate, allowed to dream, and should be given space regardless pic.twitter.com/uHULrGwa6X ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2024 Gandhi further stepped up the attack by saying that this fight (against the BJP and RSS) was crystallized in the Lok Sabha election when millions of people in India clearly understood that the Prime Minister of India was attacking the Constitution of India. He also spoke on how he had described Abhayamudra in his first address to parliament and the BJP could not stand it. He noted that Abhayamudra is a symbol of fearlessness and added that it exists in every Indian religion. Recalling his first speech in parliament, he said, That is why in my first speech in Parliament, you must have noticed when I described Abhayamudra this, the fact that this is a symbol of fearlessness and it is present in every single Indian religion. You go on the internet and you can see every single Indian religion. Guru Nanak holds his hand like this. Shiva holds his hand like this. In every single Indian religion, the hand is like this, it is a symbol of fearlessness and when I was saying this, the BJP could not stand it, they dont understand it and we are going to make them understand. (With agency inputs) After the Ganesh Mahotsav festivities end, the Pitri Paksha will begin and will last for about 16 days. After its end, the eastern states of India will celebrate Mahalaya on the last day of Pitri Paksha, which marks the beginning of Devi Paksha. And six days later, the grand festival of Durga Puja begins. Meanwhile, the rest of the country will celebrate Navratri. This year, Navratri will begin from October 3 and Durga Puja celebrations will begin from October 9. It will culminate with Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra. As the festival is just around the corner, people are gearing up for the grand affair. One woman from Malda has made an idol of Goddess Durga at home using pens. A homemaker named Papia Kar from Majdia in Nadia, West Bengal has made a Durga idol using over 15,000 pens. Everything from the deitys idol to the jewellery and even the trident of the Goddess has been intricately crafted using pens and pencils. Some parts of the idol, like the lions mane, has been made using pencil shavings having been stuck using glue. The Trident, the Goddess crown, weapons and other ornaments have been fashioned from pens and pencils. Papia Kar has mentioned that she undertook the project of making the idol nine months ago. The idea of making the idol with pens sparked after she had an epiphany that pens play a significant role in every stage of life, from birth to death. From signing birth certificates to using them for the first time in school and continuing with them in college, pens are important in any persons life. Hence, she chose to use pens as the primary material. The final push for the creativity was the horrific RG Kar Hospitals rape incident. She said that the incident revealed that our world is filled with educated people who are demons. As a way to protest against it, she crafted the demon, Mahishasura, using more pens. India is ready with a plan for theatre command and will conduct training for the same at the The Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) programme that will begin on Monday. The programme is being conducted by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and is being seen as a major step in advancing the long-awaited theaterisation reform. Top government sources have told CNN-News18 that three theatre commands will handle operations. The Air Force, Army and Navy, each will get one theatre and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) will head operations with these theatre commanders, who will be four star Generals. Sources said that the Service Chiefs role will be restricted to raising, training and sustenance of the forces. Commanders and Core Commanders will be shifted to respective Theatre Commands for operations and will work with the Headquarters in Delhi. Theatre Command: Concept Note, Idea and Execution A theatre command is a specific geographical area where military operations are planned, coordinated, and executed under a single command. It helps ensuring better coordination between the Army, Navy and Air Force. According to sources, the government wants to combine all forces into one. The idea is that when the country goes into conflict or at war, there is need for a unified command. In such times, we want all energy and supplies to be utilised in one go and for planning also, we need a unified command system, government sources said. In case we have a Western adversary, then we need a Western Command with Army, Navy and Air Force and for Northern Borders we need one command where all three forces are included and one is Maritime Theatre Command, which has a 5500-6000 Km spread. One area has also been given for coastal security and coastal combat, sources added. Sources said all three forces need simultaneous coordination and for that, it was required for India to match pace with the world which is also entering unified command. Sources said the Northern Command is in flux right now because of conflict zones and no stability but that will also be distributed between Western and Northern Theatre Command. The Western Theatre Command will be in Jaipur and will take care of conflicts related to Pakistan and will report to the Air Force Theatre Commander. On Northern borders against China, the Theatre Command will be stationed in Lucknow. It will be under the Army Theatre Commander. The Maritime and Theatre Command will function from Thiruvananthapuram and will report to the Navy Theatre Commander. According to sources, these three theatre commanders will be four star Generals who will report to the CDS. All present Army Commanders and Corps will remain as they are and will report to theatre commanders. Sources said the reservations that the Air Force had have been sorted out. The Air Force reportedly wanted to be independent and not part of the Theatre Command system. Their argument was to let air resources be available for the entire country and not for the command. The governments argument was clear that to make theatre, there was need for combined and unified command and that has been agreed upon. According to sources, the Theatre Command will still take a long time to come into existence as this is at the Ministry of Defence level as of now. It needs clearances from the Prime Ministers Office and finally, the CCS will take a final view. The Joint Platform of Doctors, West Bengal, on September 8, sought an unconditional apology from TMC leader and MP Abhishek Banerjee for an untrue and incendiary statement on social media through an X post on September 6. Taking to X, Banerjee wrote, A young boy from Konnagar lost his life today following a road accident, after bleeding for 3 hours without receiving medical attention, a consequence of ongoing protest by doctors in response to the #RGkar incident. A young boy from Konnagar lost his life today following a road accident, after BLEEDING FOR 3 HOURS WITHOUT RECEIVING MEDICAL ATTENTION, a consequence of the ongoing protest by doctors in response to the #RGKar incident. While the demands of the junior doctors are both fair and pic.twitter.com/1wJBVhPP7y Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) September 6, 2024 Refuting the claim, the doctors body wrote a letter to Banerjee and clarified that the young male patient, suffering from polytrauma due to a tragic road accident, was referred to a higher centre from Srirampur and was received at RG Kar Medical College promptly at 9:10 AM on the same day, September 6, 2024. The doctors on duty immediately attended to him and continued to provide medical care at several intervals until his unfortunate demise at 12:30 PM, as noted in the statement of the MSVP of RGKMCH will categorically substantiate our claim and refute your post, it added. Joint Platform of Doctors, West Bengal writes to TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, registering their protest and demanding an unconditional apology for untrue and incendiary statement on social media. Their letter mentions his post from Sept 6 on X. pic.twitter.com/yYOllfcjym ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2024 It added that Banerjees claim that the patient was bleeding for 3 hours without receiving medical attention lacks any foundation in truth and disregards the efforts made by the medical professionals who did everything within their power to save the patients life. Your public statement is not only factually incorrect but also potentially dangerous. By spreading such misinformation, you are risking inciting violence and hostility against the medical community, which is already under immense pressure and shock after the heinous crime committed against a trainee doctor at RGKMCH on August 9, 2024, it added. The doctors are staging a protest against the rape and murder of a young trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. Marking one month of the case, protesters demanded justice for the victim in the third edition of the Reclaim the Night protest march on Sunday. The presence of Mpox (monkeypox) virus of West African clade 2 was confirmed in the patient on Monday who was isolated after showing symptoms of the disease a day earlier and confirmed it as a travel-related infection. Authorities pointed out that Clade 2 is not part of the current public health emergency warning issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The 2022 epidemic was caused by Clade 2 which is still circulating in many countries, including in the West. Mpoxs resurgence and the detection in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of a new strain prompted the World Health Organization to declare its highest international alert level on August 14. The epidemic in the DRC is caused by the Clade 1 strain, and the situation is becoming more complicated with the appearance of a new version of this subgroup, variant 1b. They highlighted that the patient is stable and poses no immediate risk to the public. The patient had travelled to a country that was witnessing a mpox outbreak and returned recently and exhibited symptoms of the disease. They said laboratory tests identified the West African clade 2 of the Mpox virus in the patient. This isolated case is similar to the 30 reported in India since July 2022 and is not part of the current public health emergency concerning clade 1, the ministry said. The patient remains clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities, the ministry said. The case aligns with earlier risk assessments and continues to be managed according to established protocols. Public health measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, are actively in place to ensure the situation is contained. There is no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time, the ministry further added. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicentre of an mpox outbreak, on Thursday received its first vaccines. The DRC has recorded more than 19,000 mpox cases and over 650 deaths, according to the latest figures from the health minister. Almost half of 200,000 doses were donated by the European Union and due to arrive by the end of the week to fight its spread. 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. Sometimes deadly, it causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions. Hunan's trade with Africa dates back over 1,000 years, when exquisite porcelain from ancient Changsha kilns was exported to Africa via the Maritime Silk Road. Today, Changsha's ties with Africa have flourished into deeper trade cooperation. In July, Kenyan roses were re-exported from Changsha to Uzbekistan, marking Chinas first African flower re-exporta milestone in Hunan's vision of becoming a global re-export hub for African goods. Looking ahead, African roses will pass through Changsha, reaching more countries and regions, spreading their fragrance across the world. It comes months after former supermarket CEO Brad Banducci sensationally resigned from the top job following a controversial televised ABC interview. A picture of former Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci working behind a register in his final few days at the company has sparked a fiery online discussion about his farewell, hands-on role. After 13 years with the supermarket and eight as CEO, Banducci resigned in February after an ABC Four Corners report aired in which he was accused of throwing a "mini tantrum" in response to tough questioning with his latest appearance raising some eyebrows. In his final few weeks at Woolworths, Banducci had intended to work the floors of the supermarket. He stood down from CEO at the end of August, handing over to Amanda Bardwell, but has been working in-store, making good on the promise he made when resigning. Banducci's farewell Woolies role blasted by public Although Woolworths denied Banduccis resignation was connected in any way to the ABC interview, experts have since said both the supermarket and the former CEO have been "paying the price" with the reputational damage caused by the report. And that sentiment was not lost on the customer Banducci was seen serving at Woolworths Marrickville in Sydney's inner west on the weekend. "What a w**ker," the caption read beside the post, which, unsurprisingly, attracted thousands of responses. "Lady was having a go at him for cosplaying a wage earner while not paying his workers enough. Pretty on the money," the poster continued. The shopper claimed he 'copped an earful' from a customer during his visit, however it's understood "there were no negative comments to Brad from customers during his time in store". Brad Banducci walked off the set of an ABC interview after facing tough questioning back in February. Source: ABC "I feel for all the store team members who would have been under the pump to prepare for this 'visit'," one person wrote in response. "Nice. Now make the Qantas CEO fly economy on any flight over 5 hours. Experience 'the product' at its best," another said. And some people leapt to Banducci's defence. "I understand all the disdain in the comments, a corporate goon probably isn't going to learn empathy in a day but surely this is better than the alternative where he never works at the checkout?" a person said. "Brad now has some time to give back as he resigned from CEO last week," wrote another. "He's also probably doing a final bit of research on store experience in case somebody wants him as a consultant." Yahoo understands Woolworths Group has a program in place which requires all new hires in office-based roles, no matter what their role is, to spend several days in a Woolworths store as an introduction. Four Corners moment was all wrong, expert says Back in February, during the Four Corners interview, Banducci momentarily walked out while facing a grilling over allegations of price gouging and a question about former consumer watchdog chair Rod Sims. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia after the event, credibility expert Neryl East argued much of Banducci's downfall can be linked to the ABC interview. "To have a mini tantrum, to say things that you then want to strike from the record. He was chugging from a water bottle while the questions were coming in. It was just all wrong," East said earlier this year. I dont know what happened between the preparation and execution but something did. The bottom line is, if youre the CEO and youre stepping up to face the music and answer questions youve got to be able to deliver authentically. Youve got to have a degree of humility, a degree of connection with the audience and ordinary Australians." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Kalindi Express, travelling from Prayagraj to Bhiwani in Haryana, hit a gas cylinder placed on the track in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. However, an accident was averted. The incident happened at nearly 8 pm. On Monday, the Uttar Pradesh Police detained nearly 12 people for questioning in connection with the case. According to reports, the cylinder was thrown nearly 50 metres away due to the impact of the collision. The cylinder was reportedly placed near the crossing of Munderi village between Barrajpur and Bilhaur stations on the Kanpur-Kasganj route. The train was halted for nearly 20 minutes, and the railway authorities were informed of the substance. There were claims that some other substances were also found near the track. Teams of the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), the Railway Police Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) were investigating the incident. KANPUR COP SAYS MORE OBJECTIONABLE MATERIAL FOUND Confirming the incident, Kanpur Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Harish Chander, said, The railway authorities informed the police at around 8.30 pm that the loco pilot of a train which goes from Prayagraj to Bhiwani saw a cylinder on the track and applied emergency brakes. The cylinder collided with it and fell on the side. After that, the train stopped for a long time. Then the RPF people came and informed the local police, he said. All the senior officers and forensic teams are present. One cylinder has been found in a damaged position and some objectionable material has also been found. All of it is being reviewed. Further investigation is underway, Chander said. The ACP also said the train route was not disturbed and that all other trains were running as scheduled. MINISTER DEMANDS THOROUGH INVESTIGATION In an X post, YSRCP leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Vijayasai Reddy, said the incident was a matter of concern, and demanded Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnav to catch and punish those involved in the attempt to derail the train. The reports of attempts to derail trains are a matter of concern. I request the Railways Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw ji to take the help of state police and the countrys top investigating agencies to catch those behind these attempts, a rough translation of Reddys post in Hindi suggested. Passenger safety should be the priority of the railways, he added. SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED EARLIER This was not the lone incident of a train hitting an object on the track. In August this year, the Sabarmati Express derailed in Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur after a sharp object was reportedly placed on the track. Similar incidents have been reported in Rajasthan and other places as well. Last month, Union Minister Giriraj Singh had expressed concerns over the recent incidents of train derailments and claimed some sleeper cells of Pakistan-based terrorists were carrying out the attacks. Ashwini Vaishnaw had also said the railways was carrying out a detailed inquiry into every incident and claimed some disturbing trends have emerged in the recent incidents of derailments. The police also arrested some people after different viral videos showed them placing objects on railway tracks. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said Kolkata Police Commissioner, Vineet Kumar Goyal, met her and expressed his wish to step down from his post. However, the Chief Minister said, she did not allow Goyal to quit. You are saying anything, Mamata told the media. The Police Commissioner has been coming to me saying he wants to resign, but I did not allow him to do so, she added. A delegation of junior doctors in Kolkata has been demanding Goyals resignation, citing his failure to stop vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 15. The trainee doctor was raped and murdered at the seminar hall of the hospital on August 9. The Chief Minister also addressed claims of her offering money to the rape victims family, and said, A lot of people are saying I told them about money. I have not said anything about money, neither did I offer money to the victims family. The Supreme Court had directed the state government to help the victims family, but I did not offer them money. I told them that money cannot be the alternative, she added. She also slammed the media and claimed some channels were trying to create unrest over the rape and murder case. Some people are trying to increase their TRP, two to three channels are trying to create unrest and are provoking. A lot of lies are being said and I am asking a committee to be formed, she said, adding, I have never said that I will not speak, I am ready for talks. The Chief Minister also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying they took out protest rallies in the state without the permission of the police. She also said police personnel were injured, but did not hurt anyone. Alleging a conspiracy in the case, at the hands of the Centre and the Leftists, Mamata Banerjee said, You want to take everything from the police, but there is a conspiracy, and the Central government and the Left are involved in this. Hospitals should work more effectively, Mamata Banerjee said while mentioning the death of 23 patients during the doctorss strike. MAMATA BANERJEE SUPPORTING RAPISTS: BJP As the Chief Minister addressed the media, in a separate press briefing, BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia alleged Mamata Banerjee stood with rapists, instead of supporting the family of the victim. The people of West Bengal and the nation have become the defenders of the Constitution. Instead of standing with the family of the victim, she (Mamata Banerjee) is standing with the rapists, the BJP leader said. Commenting on the Supreme Court hearing in the case, Bhatia said, The CJI said there was at least a 14-hour delay to register the FIR. Does Mamata Banerjee still want to continue as the West Bengal Chief Minister? She should resign so that a fair investigation can be conducted. If during the investigation, evidence shows that she was careless and also involved in tampering with the evidence, then her polygraph test should be conducted and her arrest could be imperative to ensure that there is justice, the BJP leader said. The Supreme Court on Monday rapped the West Bengal government over the post-mortem procedure of the Kolkata trainee doctor without a challan (a formal request letter). Where is the challan of the body when it was handed over for post-mortem? How was the post-mortem carried out in the absence of a formal request?, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud asked, as the court heard a suo motu case in the doctors rape and murder at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Upon the courts questioning, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), informed the bench that the challan was not a part of their records. Moments later, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, sought time to add the document to the case file. The three-judge bench also asked the CBI, probing the case currently, to file a fresh status report in the case by September 17. The agency had submitted a status report in the case today as well. Here are the top quotes by the Supreme Court The CBI has certain leads in the case, and it will submit a fresh status report next week, by September 17 The missing document, regarding the transfer of the doctors body for postmortem, is a matter of grave concern. How was a postmortem carried out without a statutory request? There has been a delay of 14 hours in the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) by the West Bengal Police. Pictures of the doctors body should be removed from social media. On the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, the court ordered the state to provide accommodation to all three Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) companies in the vicinity. A total of three companies have been deployed. Mr Sibal, appearing for West Bengal, has in his submission indicated that the provision for housing the personnel has been made. In the statement placed on record by Union indicated that accommodation for one company is at three locations, RMA Quarters, RG Kar premises, KMCP schools, and Indira Maitri Sadan, the court said. The rape and murder of the junior doctor in a seminar hall of the state-run hospital has sparked nationwide protests. Her body, with severe injury marks, was found inside the seminar hall of the hospitals chest department. A civic volunteer, Sanjoy Roy, was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case the following day. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on August 14. THE EARLIER HEARING On August 22, the top court had tore into the Kolkata Police over the delay in registering the unnatural death of the doctor, calling it extremely disturbing. The court had also questioned the sequence of events and the timing of its procedural formalities. The court had also constituted a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals. Terming the incident as horrific, the court had excoriated the state government over the delay in filing the FIR and allowing thousands of people to vandalise the state-run facility. Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Monday rebuked a lawyer while asking him to lower down his pitch saying if he was addressing the judges or the gallery outside the court. The incident took place when the three-judge bench comprising CJI Chandrachud, Justice Manoj Misra and Justice JB Pardiwala was hearing the case related to a trainee doctors rape and murder at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. During the arguments, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who was representing the West Bengal government said he had videos and photographs to show that the lawyer was throwing stones at a protest over the crime. This prompted lawyer, Kaustav Bagchi, also a BJP leader, to ask how a senior counsel like him (Sibal) can make such statements in court. Dont raise your voice. Lower your pitch. Youre addressing three judges in front of you, not the crowd watching over video conferencing.But what else can we expect from a loudmouth half-time advocate, full-time @BJP4India karyakarta @koustavcp who thinks courtroom decorum pic.twitter.com/1sTmc5Y0DK All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) September 9, 2024 The CJI then said, Are you trying to address the gallery outside the court? I have been noticing your demeanour for the last two hours. He also cautioned the advocate to lower his voice. Can you first lower your pitch? Listen to the Chief Justice, lower your pitch. You are addressing three judges in front of you, not the large audience who is watching these proceedings on the video conferencing platform, he added. Bagchi then tendered an apology to the court. Bagchi had switched from the Congress to the BJP earlier this year. Subsequently, as more lawyers started mentioning a variety of issues during the hearing, the CJI expressed his disappointment, saying he is not used to multiple lawyers arguing at the same time. I am not used to this kind of advocacy where 7-8 people are arguing at the same time, he said. SC Asks Bengal Doctors To Resume Work The Supreme Court has urged doctors on protest in West Bengal to return to their duties by 5 pm on Tuesday (September 10), and asked the police and the state administration to ensure their safety. The top court, however, has cautioned that the doctors could be liable for disciplinary action if continuous abstention from work continued. During the hearing, the top court noted that the abstention of doctors for the last 28 days had hit the healthcare system of West Bengal, which submitted in the court that 23 patients died during this period due to the disruptions. The court had also constituted a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals. HOW WAS AUTOPSY CONDUCTED The Supreme Court also voiced its concern over the absence of a key document that was needed for the postmortem of the victim. The top court asked the West Bengal government how the autopsy of the trainee doctor was conducted without any formal request. CJI Chandrachud asked, Where is the challan of the body when its handed over for post-mortem? SG Mehta informed the court that the challan was not part of their record. Its crucial because this column contains what other material was sent along with the body, he said. He added that doctors cant accept the body in the absence of the challan. The CBI also didnt have the challan. The CJI noted that there was a delay of over 14 hours in the filing of the FIR in the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case. The remark came after an advocate said that the court doesnt have the exact time of the death. There is some clarity on when the body was discovered and the movements around it, the advocate said. SC SEEKS FRESH PROBE REPORT FROM CBI CJI Chandrachud noted the status report filed by the CBI and the ongoing investigation into the case. It directed the probe agency to file a fresh status report in the court by next week with additional inputs. We will take the case on Tuesday, lets see what happens nowCBI is doing it, we dont want to guide CBI on its investigation, the CJI remarked. A 13-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and stoned to death by the accused in Maharashtras Jalgaon district, said the police on Monday, September 9. Reports claimed that the accused entered the victims house when she was alone and took her outside. After allegedly raping the minor girl, he stoned her to death, claimed sources. The incident unfolded in Jalgaons Chopda town, said police. Chopda City Police Inspector Madhukar Salve said that the accused have been arrested and an investigation into the matter has been launched. A case of murder of a 13-year-old girl has come to light. We have arrested the accused. The girl was stoned to death by the accused. We are investigating further, Salve said. Following the incident, a massive protest hit the Jalgaon streets as the demonstrators demanded stringent action against the accused. Women in large numbers gathered to demand justice for the victim, showed visuals. Badlapur Horror Last month, several attacks that were similar in nature were attempted using improvised weapons made locally in Manipur. A top official in Manipur said that the government had constituted a committee to investigate the weapons used in these attempts. However, by the time the committee could finish its probe, alleged Kuki militants launched fresh attacks killing civilians in September. Importantly, these attacks, including drone attacks, were carried out using locally made weapons, not those looted or stolen from police stations, the official said. Sources in the police also said that officers were trying to trace the location from which these attacks originated so that counterattacks could be targeted at the epicentre of the attacks. According to intelligence inputs, locations near the Myanmar border have been identified, which forces suspect to be the base of these attacks. Sources also said that one of these areas may have a factory-like setup where these weapons are being manufactured. Initial probes suggest that these weapons contain explosives such as ammonium nitrate and gelignite (blasting gelatin). No other high-grade explosives have been identified so far, but we are not ruling out the possibility as the probe continues, a senior official of the Manipur government told News18. The Manipur Police have also recovered such improvised weapons during various search operations in the state. These weapons have a high firing range. Operations have been conducted in both Hill and Valley districts. Manipur has been experiencing fresh tension following drone attacks, which have left both police and forces shocked. Five people died in an exchange of gunfire that took place early on Saturday between Kuki and Meitei groups in Jiribam district amid renewed violence in the northeastern state. Police said that one person was shot dead in his sleep, while four armed individuals were killed in the subsequent exchange of fire. Militants entered the house of the person who lived alone in an isolated location about 5 km from the district headquarters and shot him dead while he slept. On Sunday, the Manipur Police also confronted a group of Meira Paibis as they marched near the Raj Bhavan. As the protesters neared the Governors residence, police forces responded by firing tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd. All educational institutions will be closed for the next two days, September 9 and 10, due to the tension in the state. Both government and private institutions will also remain closed, according to government orders. Meanwhile, amid the fresh bout of violence in Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday appealed to the Centre to take steps to protect the territorial integrity of the state, according to an official. Singh also urged the central government not to acquiesce to the demand for a separate administration raised by Kuki Zo groups, said the official on condition of anonymity. The Chief Minister made these appeals in a memorandum submitted to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya during a meeting with him, along with several MLAs and the assembly Speaker, at Raj Bhavan. The risk of Mpox to the general population in countries outside the affected regions remains low but there is a need to learn more about the death rate and the factors influencing the spread of the virus, a former medical officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO) told News18. Krutika Kuppalli, former medical officer for Covid-19 and Mpox Health Operations at WHO, said its important to increase community engagement and education about Mpox, which includes educating about risk factors, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and how to access care. Overall, the risk to the general population outside of the affected countries remains low, she added. On September 8, the Union Health Ministry said a young male patient, who recently returned from a country with ongoing Mpox transmission, has been identified as a suspected case of the virus. The patient has been isolated at a designated hospital and is reportedly stable. Kuppalli, who has worked at the Geneva-based headquarters of WHO for the emerging diseases and zoonoses unit supporting Covid-19, and more recently Mpox, to develop tools and normative guidances applauded Indias swift efforts to recognise the first case in 2024. It is important to notice what India has done detected a suspect case who had recently travelled to an affected country, quickly test, isolate and provide treatment while waiting for results, she told News18. Should We Be Worried About the Lethal Variant Clade 1B? The previous attacks of Mpox were due to Clade IIB but, this time, the fear is Mpox Clade 1B. This clade, perhaps, has a higher rate of transmission. However, experts are not yet sure as the pool of patients is still small and adequate studies have not been done. When asked about the risk of Mpox Clade 1B, Kuppalli said there are many things we are still learning about the new variant detected in South Kivu in September 2023. We are seeing increased cases of Mpox in Africa, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) being the epicentre. Cases of Clade 1B have been found in Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda. She also highlighted that so far, most of the cases reported are Clade 1A, which has historically been found in DRC. The world, she said, is also seeing cases of Clade IIB which caused the global outbreak in both Africa and outside of Africa. Its important to remember that since the 2022 outbreak of Mpox, which was due to Clade IIB, we have continued to see small outbreaks around the world since the last PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern) was lifted. She added: Clade 1B is a variant of Clade 1. We are still understanding the evolution of the virus which is why we need to increase testing and sequencing. Sequencing helps us identify new mutations in the virus which may occur. But is this really lethal? Kuppalli said Clade IA has a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of about 3.4-3.6 per cent and, thus far, the information on Clade 1B has a CFR of about 0.6 per cent. Case Fatality Rate (CFR) calculates the severity of a disease by defining the total number of deaths as a proportion of reported cases at a specific time. In this case, of the 100 people who have the disease, approximately 3.6 are anticipated to die from it. There is still lots to learn about CFR and how various things may affect it such as the impact of high-quality supportive care, prior vaccination, co-infections, genetics and nutritional status, said Kuppali, who also supervised treatment efforts at an Ebola treatment unit in Sierra Leone during the 2014 West Africa outbreak. Each of these elements can affect the severity and outcome of diseases, either reducing or increasing the likelihood of death among those infected. The Mumbai Police have booked a couple for allegedly trying to extort Rs 10 lakh from the womans ex-boyfriend and threatening him with a false rape case against him. The victim filed a complaint with Bandra Police on Saturday, accusing his ex-girlfriend and her husband for extortion of Rs 10 Lakh and threatening to lodge a false rape case against him. According to the police, the victim and the woman first met last year but broke up later after the latters father opposed their relationship, Indian Express reported. The woman had also urged the complainant to invest in her restaurant business plan, but he did not make any investment. She also threatened to defame him last year by telling his friends and family about their relationship. The police further said that the victim also complained that the woman threatened trap him in a false rape case and also to die by suicide. She also told the complainant that her brother was a senior bureaucrat and that she could easily get him booked. The complainant said the blackmailing had gone on for months. The police have booked the couple under various sections related to extortion, impersonating a public servant, defamation, abuse, threats, and criminal conspiracy under BNS. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan here on Monday and discussed ways to boost bilateral ties between India and the UAE. The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, who is on a two-day maiden visit, held talks on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with PM Modi. A warm welcome for a close friend. PM Narendra Modi received HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at Hyderabad House. Discussions on the entire spectrum of India-UEA bilateral relations and future areas of cooperation lie ahead," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. #WATCH | Delhi: Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House. pic.twitter.com/jiGWYnTwpB ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2024 Historic relationship On Sunday, the Crown Prince was received by the Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at the airport following which he was accorded a ceremonial welcome. A new milestone in a historic relationship. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Delhi on his first official visit to India," Jaiswal said in an earlier post on X. Warmly received by @CimGOI @piyushgoyal and accorded a ceremonial welcome," he said. Business Forum The Crown Prince is accompanied by several ministers from the UAE government and a business delegation. After concluding the Delhi leg of his visit, Al Nahyan will travel to Mumbai to participate in a business forum. Top business leaders from both countries will participate in the forum on Tuesday. The visit of Al Nahyan will further reinforce strong ties between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and open avenues for partnership in new and emerging areas, the MEA said. Following the landmark visit of Modi to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. -| A new milestone in a historic relationship.His Highness Shk Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi arrived in Delhi on his first official visit to India. Warmly received by @CimGOI @piyushgoyal and accorded a ceremonial welcome. pic.twitter.com/ZDDDDP6ppw Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 8, 2024 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) for cross-border transactions. The two countries are among each others top trading partners with a bilateral trade of about USD 85 billion in 2022-23, according to official data. The UAE is also among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments in 2022-23. About 3.5 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE. The UAE was invited as a special invitee for G20 during Indias Presidency of the grouping. In February 2023, the India-UAE-France (UFI) trilateral was formally launched. With Indias active support, the UAE joined SCO as a dialogue partner in May 2023. The post-mortem and forensic reports have emerged as the biggest challenge for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in its ongoing investigation into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Sources told CNN-News18 that while the post-mortem report is clear on sexual assault in the case, the forensic report is inconclusive on this. Presenting its status report to the Supreme Court on Monday (September 9), the CBI also indicated that it has fresh leads in the case, which likely point towards the destruction of evidence. The woman doctors family has also made similar allegations. The CBI has fresh leads. Let them investigate it and submit a fresh status report by September 17, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said during the hearing. Meanwhile, the parents of the deceased doctor have alleged that the Kolkata Police offered them money in an attempt to suppress the case and were in a hurry to cremate the body. However, the allegations were refuted by the police, which said they were prompt in arresting the accused in the case and handing over the case to the CBI. Here is all that the CBI may consider as it looks into new evidence: Post-mortem, forensic reports pose more questions According to sources, the post-mortem report is clear on sexual assault but the forensic report did not give conclusive findings. The post-mortem report states that the woman doctor died of the effects of manual strangulation associated with smothering, and there is medical evidence of forceful penetration/insertion, sources said. There is also a third document that concludes that the DNA samples of Sanjay Roy, who was arrested in the case, match those recovered from the victims body, the sources added. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta flagged the discrepancy in the forensic report before the Supreme Court, raising questions about the collection of this crucial evidence. This is serious. The person enters, the body parts were not covered, she is nude, there are injury marks and yet see the result of forensic lab. Who collected the sample then becomes relevant, he said. The forensic tests in question were done at a laboratory in West Bengal, and the CBI has now decided to send this report to the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences Delhi (AIIMS) and all central forensic labs for further probe. The manner in which the post-mortem was conducted is also being probed by the central agency. The top court also questioned the missing challan, which is needed to proceed with an autopsy. However, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, failed to produce the challan, leading to strong observations from the CJI-led bench. Asked about the challan, Kolkata Police officials told CNN-News18 that nothing was missing. The document is crucial since it includes details of the clothes that the victim was wearing when the body was brought in. Sources said the post-mortem report mentioned that the doctor was wearing a pink top, but her innerwear was missing. Sources further said it is likely that the laptop and mobile phone of the victim were tampered with, which is also being probed. The two devices, along with a notepad, were found near her body while some sheets were missing from the notepad and there were no fingerprints on the gadgets, they said. Police response to the woman doctors death The parents of the woman doctor alleged that the Kolkata Police, specifically the deputy commissioner of police (north), offered them money to hush up the case. The CBI is probing the motive behind such an offer. It is also looking afresh at one Avik De, who was present at the crime scene, as per pictures that went viral. The police identified him as a forensic expert, but the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called him out as one of the doctors close to former RG Kar principal, Sandip Ghosh. Hence, the presence of an alleged Ghosh aide has led to questions. Role of former RG Kar Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh The CBI is also examining if Dr Sandip Ghosh revealed all the facts while narrating the sequence of events on August 9, the day the victims body was found inside the seminar hall at RG Kar Hospital. He had claimed that he found out about the murder only around 10.20 am, but sources said in his drivers statement to the CBI, it is mentioned that he got a call to urgently reach the Ghosh residence at 6 am. It is not yet clear what this emergency was even after the agency subjected the ex-principal to more than 15 days of questioning and made him undergo two lie-detection tests. Although theyre tiny, they can swarm in great numbers, killing much larger animals such as lizards, frogs and even mammals. Yellow crazy ants are extremely aggressive and usually will out-compete other insects to dominate and destroy food resources, including in agricultural crops, where they developed have a particular taste for sugar cane. Source: Federal government/Supplied As Australia's weather gradually heats up, agriculture experts are sounding the alarm over an invasive pest due to reemerge that has the potential to wreak "economic and ecological disaster". With spring officially underway, pest control authorities are warning Aussies conditions are ripe for yellow crazy ants (YCA) a highly invasive and dangerous species that puts our tourism sector at risk and threatens to devastate the agriculture industry, leaving lasting impacts on local communities. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Reece Pianta from the Invasive Species Council said these ants prefer warming weather and therefore are now becoming more active. "This period is extended with the warm late weather, [which] generally means there are more food sources to forage so ants become more active," he told Yahoo. YCA are established across Australia and have been branded one of the most damaging invasive species on the planet. First found in the country in 1934, yellow crazy ants have since been recorded in Queensland, the Northern Territory and NSW. Although theyre tiny, yellow crazy ants can swarm in great numbers, killing much larger animals like lizards, frogs and small mammals. Source: Supplied Deadly pests threatening multiple Australian industries Most worryingly, they threaten regions like Queenslands Wet Tropics World Heritage Area one of the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforests on the planet. In Queensland YCA infestations are being managed by local authorities in Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsundays and Brisbane City. The notorious pests are known for "frenetic activity" when disturbed, hence their name. They are extremely aggressive and usually will out-compete other insects to dominate and destroy food resources, including in horticultural and agricultural crops, where they have a particular taste for sugar cane. Around 95 per cent of sugar produced in Australia is grown in Queensland. Source: NSW Government Around 95 per cent of sugar produced in Australia is grown in Queensland and about five per cent in northern NSW, along 2,100 km of coastline between Mossman in Far North Queensland and Grafton in northern NSW, according to the federal government. Yellow crazy ants capable of killing 'much larger' animals "YCA form super colonies but the individual ants do not bite," Pianta explained. "Instead, they spray formic acid to blind and kill their prey. And although theyre tiny, they can swarm in great numbers, killing much larger animals like lizards, frogs, small mammals, turtle hatchlings and bird chicks and reshaping entire ecosystems." YCA threaten regions like Queenslands Wet Tropics World Heritage Area one of the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforests on the planet. Source: Supplied Pianta said YCA are a workplace health and safety issue for outdoor and agriculture workers in tropical environments. "Ideal habitats include all of our idyllic locations so they will become a problem for tourists," he warned. "It is hard to calculate the potential impact of an invasive species that can invade rainforests, displace native insects and animals, and turn habitats silent." Calling for more funding to assist in combatting population numbers, Pianta said "there is no systematic eradication effort" as there is with fire ants. "Responses are left to local authorities who struggle to find reliable funding for control efforts. There should be more reliable funding to support local councils and environment groups," he said. "Unlike other invasive ants, YCA will create colonies in our homes, we have had examples of large infestations inside roofs and electric fittings and attacking residents inside their homes." Australian pesticide expert David Priddy said if not stopped in their tracks, YCA could threaten Queensland with economic and ecological disaster. "[They are] putting the states sugar cane and tourism industries at risk and threatening devastating impacts on local communities," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed appeals from Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee and his wife, Rujira Banerjee, challenging the Enforcement Directorates (ED) summons related to a school jobs scam. The couple contested the EDs requirement for them to appear in New Delhi, asserting that their ordinary residence is in Kolkata. Justices Bela Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma delivered the verdict after reserving judgment on August 13, according to Live Law. The case involves allegations of irregularities in the recruitment process for primary teachers in West Bengal, where candidates reportedly paid bribes for job placements. The ED has been investigating the matter, linking the Banerjees to a company, Leaps and Bounds, which allegedly facilitated the diversion of funds in the scam. Amid political uproar over the job scam probe, TMC alleged that the Centre is misusing investigative agencies to target political opponents. The scam came to the limelight after the CBI arrested former state education minister Partha Chatterjee and several officials from the West Bengal School Service Commission over the suspicion of their involvement in the illegal teacher recruitment in July 2022. Protests erupted in Gujarats Surat after reports of stone pelting on a Ganesh pandal on Sunday evening surfaced. According to police, some people pelted stones at a Ganesh pandal in the Sayedpura area of Surat. All 6 people who were involved in stone pelting along with 27 others who encouraged the incident have been arrested by the police, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi said. VIDEO | Protests erupted after reports of stone-pelting at a Ganesh procession in Gujarats Surat earlier today (Sunday). More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/lTIaBy8ZyT Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 8, 2024 Around 1000 police personnel were deployed in the area to maintain law and order after tension flared up following the stone-pelting incident. Some children pelted stones at a Ganesh pandal after which a clash broke out. The police immediately took away those children from therePolice were immediately deployed in the area. Lathi charge was done in all the areas where it was needed and tear gas was usedAll the accused who were involved in the peace disturbance are being arrested. There are around 1,000 police personnel deployed all around, Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi visited the site of the incident and assured that action will be taken against the perpetrators. In the Sayedpura area of Surat, today 6 people pelted stone on the Ganesh PandalAll these 6 people were arrested and the police have also arrested the other 27 people who were involved in encouraging such incidentThe investigation is underwaypolice are deployed in all the areas of SuratThose who will breach the peace, action will be taken against them, he said. #WATCH | Surat: Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi says, In the Sayedpura area of Surat, today 6 people pelted stone on the Ganesh PandalAll these 6 people were arrested and the police have also arrested the other 27 people who were involved in encouraging such https://t.co/eajyY1ngWy pic.twitter.com/dgPNib18pV ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2024 Stone-pelting at Ganesh Procession in MPs Ratlam Stone-pelting was reported at a procession carrying an idol of Lord Ganesh in Madhya Pradeshs Ratlam on Saturday. The incident took place in the Mochipura area on Saturday night when some people were carrying the deitys idol for installation. PTI quoted Superintendent of Police Rahul Kumar Lodha as saying that nearly 500 persons gheraoed the Station Road police station on Saturday night demanding action against an unidentified person who threw a stone at the Ganesh procession in the Mochipura area, following which heavy security was deployed at important places in the city. Police have registered a case against the accused. The Supreme Court has urged doctors on protest in West Bengal to return to their duties by 5 pm on Tuesday (September 10), and asked the police and the state administration to ensure their safety. The top court, however, has cautioned that the doctors could be liable for disciplinary action if continuous abstention from work continued. In a hearing on Monday, the top court noted that the abstention of doctors for the last 28 days had hit the healthcare system of West Bengal, which submitted in the court that 23 patients died during this period due to the disruptions. Junior doctors of state-run medical institutes, as well as private facilities, launched an indefinite protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. Since then, they have boycotted their duties in demand for justice for the victim. The case was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. The court ensured of providing facilities to the junior doctors when they come back to their work. We know what is happening on the ground, but doctors must now come back to work, they cannot say senior doctors are working so we will not work, we have put everyone on notice, the top court said. Protests cant be at the cost of their duties. Further, it directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a fresh status report in the court by next week with additional inputs. We will take the case next week on Tuesday, September 17, lets see what happens nowCBI is doing it, we dont want to guide CBI on its investigation, CJI Chandrachud said. Return to Work By Tomorrow: SC to Doctors Addressing the concerns of doctors, the top court remarked that if the doctors come back to their duty from tomorrow by 5 PM, no adverse actions will be taken against them by the state government. We can record that if doctors resume work, no adverse action but if they do not resume work as doctors then we cannot restrain state govt from taking actions, the Supreme Court remarked. How Was Autopsy Conducted Without Any Formal Request? The Supreme Court asked the West Bengal government how the autopsy of the trainee doctor was conducted without any formal request. CJI Chandrachud asked, Where is the challan of the body when its handed over for post-mortem? SG Mehta informed the court that the challan was not part of their record. Its crucial because this column contains what other material was sent along with the body, he said. He added that doctors cant accept the body in the absence of the challan. The CBI also didnt have the challan. How was the post-mortem carried out in the absence of a formal request? the Chief Justice asked. Remove Photos of Victim From Social Media: SC The apex court directed the authorities to remove all photos of the victim from social media immediately. Damage has been done by circulation of these photographs. All photographs of the dead body are to be removed forthwith, said the court. Delay Of Over 14 Hours In Filing Of FIR: CJI The Chief Justice noted that there was a delay of over 14 hours in the filing of the FIR in the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case. The remark came after an advocate said that the court doesnt have the exact time of the death. There is some clarity on when the body was discovered and the movements around it, the advocate said. If Documents Missing, Something Has Happened The top court sought to know from SG Mehta whether they had the letter when the body was dispatched for post-mortem. Responding to the query, Sibal said that he could not find the document immediately and sought time to place it on record. Meanwhile, Mehta claimed that it was not in the file handed to them. Advocate Flags Questions on Post-Mortem Report An advocate raised various questions on the post-mortem report and said the vaginal swab, which had to be preserved at 4 degrees Celsius, was not done. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the post-mortem report does not say the time it was conducted. He further said that in the case of rape and murder, the first 5 hours are crucial and CBI has its challenges when they come to probing after 5 days of the incident Solicitor Submits Victims Medical Report SG Mehta submitted the medical report in court that states, the victims death was homicidal, with evidence of forceful penetration and sexual abuse. He mentioned that the CBI will be sending it to AIIMS for retesting. Solicitor Flags Issue Related to Female Security Personnel Solicitor General Tushar Mehta flagged the issue related to security personnel being deployed in RG Kar Medical College. He said, There are three lady companies of the CISF which are not provided adequate accommodation. It takes 1.5 hours to travel. Responding to the issue, Sibal claimed that most of the CISF troops are staying at RG Kar Hospital, and the rest are away. The top court directed that a senior officer of the state home department along with the senior CISF officer shall jointly ensure that all three companies are duly provided accommodation in the vicinity. SC Seeks Fresh Probe Report From CBI CJI DY Chandrachud noted the status report filed by the CBI and the ongoing investigation into the case. It directed the probe agency to file a fresh status report in the court by next week with additional inputs. We will take the case on Tuesday, lets see what happens nowCBI is doing it, we dont want to guide CBI on its investigation, the CJI remarked. SC Asks For Clarification on Time of Unnatural Death Sibal claimed that the death certificate of the victim was issued at 1:47 pm, while her death was lodged as unnatural at the police station at 2:55 pm. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud had asked for clarification on the two timelines. CBI Files Fresh Status Report In SC The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted the status report of the investigation to the top court. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, informed the top court that 23 people have died, as a consequence of the doctors strike. Mamata Urges Sircar to Reconsider Resignation West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged TMC MP Jawhar Sircar, who on Sunday announced his resignation as the partys Rajya Sabha member in the wake of the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case, to reconsider his decision. In a letter to Banerjee on Sunday, the parliamentarian mentioned about his plan to travel to Delhi to submit his resignation to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. After Sircars decision, Banerjee dialled him and urged him to reconsider his move, claimed reports. The Supreme Court Registry on Monday filed a complaint with the Cyber Cell over a malicious tweet linking Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachuds family member to a doctors lobby in West Bengal. The tweet came ahead of the hearing by the three judges bench of Supreme Court headed by CJI in the suo motu case relating to the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College. As per the officials, a malicious tweet had been circulated on X ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on the Kolkata rape and murder case attempting to link a member of the family of the Chief Justice of India with a medical lobby in Bengal. The tweet is ill intended, factually incorrect and an attempt to malign the judiciary, said the Supreme Court registry in its complaint lodged before the Cyber Cell here in Delhi. The West Bengal Police too tweeted about a fake message being spread regarding the same. It has come to our notice that extremely derogatory and baseless aspersions are being cast by some people in social media about the Honble Supreme Court of India including the Honble Chief Justice of India. Exploiting freedom of speech to indulge in wild falsehood, that too against the Honble Apex Court, is illegal and punishable. Sternest possible legal action will be initiated against those trying to malign the judiciary, it added. Ganesh Chaturthi is more than just a festival; its a vivid celebration of culture, devotion, and joy. For travelers seeking to immerse themselves in Indias vibrant traditions, these top destinations offer an unparalleled experience. Each city brings its unique flavor to the festivities, blending awe-inspiring rituals with local customs and culinary delights. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa Thomas Cook (India) Limited, and Daniel DSouza, President & Country Head, Holidays, SOTC Travel share some of the best places in India to experience Ganesh Chaturthi this year. Mumbai Mumbais Ganesh Chaturthi is a spectacle of grandeur and devotion. The citys streets come alive with energy and color as millions flock to iconic pandals like Lalbaugcha Raja, Siddhivinayak Temple, and Ganesh Galli. The sheer scale and artistry of the idols are breathtaking. Indulge in Mumbais festive cuisinedelight in modaks, pav bhaji, and vadapav. For a shopping spree, Zaveri Bazaar dazzles with fine jewelry, while Colaba Causeway and Linking Road cater to fashion enthusiasts. Discover hidden treasures in Chor Bazaars antique shops. Pune Punes Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are renowned for their authenticity and charm. Experience the fervent devotion and intricate craftsmanship at Kasba Ganpati, Tambdi Jogeshwari Mandir, Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai and Shivaji Nagar Ganesh Mandal. The Ganesh Kala Kendra enhances the festival with cultural exhibitions and performances. Savor Punes culinary classics include puran poli, misal pav and batata vada. For shopping, Laxmi Road is perfect for traditional attire, while FC Road offers trendy options. Hyderabad Hyderabads Ganesh Chaturthi is marked by its opulence and vibrancy. The colossal Khairatabad Ganesh idol and the festive pandals in Malkajgiri, Banjara Hills, and Balapur are highlights. The citys streets are adorned with colorful decorations and energetic processions. Relish local specialties like Hyderabadi Biryani, Haleem, and Osmania Biscuits. Laad Bazaar is a treasure trove for traditional jewelry, Shahran Market offers exquisite garments, and Moazzam Jahi Market is perfect for antiques and artisanal crafts. Kanipakam, Andhra Pradesh Kanipakam is revered for its historical Vinayaka Temple, making it a key pilgrimage site during Ganesh Chaturthi. Witness the grand celebrations at Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Kakinada Ganesh Pandal, and Guntur Ganesh Pandal. The Brahmotsavam festival, which starts on Ganesh Chaturthi and lasts 21 days, is a major highlight. Taste local delicacies such as Pulihora, Pongal, Bobbatlu, and Mirchi Bajji. Explore Main Bazaar for regional apparel and handicrafts, Kakinada Beach Market for artisanal goods, and Guntur Market for textiles and fresh produce. Bangalore In Bangalore, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with contemporary flair and traditional reverence. Visit bustling pandals at Kumaraswamy Temple, Bull Temple, and Shivajinagar. The visarjan (immersion) ceremonies at Sankey Tank and Ulsoor Lake are spectacular, showcasing the festivals grand finale. Enjoy local treats like Mysore Pak, Chakkali, and Bisi Bele Bath. Brigade Road, Commercial Street, Russell Market, and Jayanagar Shopping Complex offer a diverse range of fashion and local goods for a shopping adventure. Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu Tiruchirappalli, affectionately known as Trichy, offers a captivating Ganesh Chaturthi experience steeped in tradition. The citys celebrations center around the revered Ganesha idols at the Ucchi Pillayar Temple and the historic Jambukeswarar Temple, with vibrant festivities extending to the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam Island, and the Rock Fort Temple. The local festivities are marked by traditional music, dance, and vibrant processions. Regional favorites like dosas, idlis, and sambar are a must try. For shopping, explore the bustling markets around the Rock Fort Temple for traditional silk sarees and local handicrafts. Jaipur In Jaipur, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with a touch of royal elegance. The Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple is a central hub for the citys festivities, where the vibrant processions and elaborate decorations create a regal atmosphere. The citys historical grandeur is showcased through its landmarks, including the Amer Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and Nahargarh Fort. Jaipurs streets come alive with colorful rangoli designs and energetic celebrations. Indulge in local Rajasthani treats like dal bati churma, kachoris, and ghevar. Johari Bazaar offers exquisite jewelry, while the streets around Bapu Bazaar and Tripolia Bazaar are perfect for traditional textiles and crafts. These destinations provide an extraordinary blend of festivity, tradition, and local flavor, ensuring a Ganesh Chaturthi experience that will leave a lasting impression. Port Blair, Andamans In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ganesh Chaturthi takes on a unique and grandiose flair with a focus on culinary extravagance. This year, the islands celebrations are highlighted by an ambitious feat undertaken by Chef Ashwar Pal Singh of 4 Seasons, who is preparing a colossal 1500 kg laddu for the festival. Known as Ganesh Bhog Yatra 2024, this massive offering is set to surpass last years impressive 1000 kg laddu, which earned 19 world record titles. The festival kicked off on September 1, 2024, with fervent preparations and community involvement. Beyond this monumental laddu, the celebrations include vibrant processions and traditional rituals, reflecting the islands deep devotion and festive spirit, all set against the backdrop of their serene and picturesque landscapes. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on September 8. The overjoyed new parents shared the good news with a social media post, expressing their enthusiasm for this new chapter of their lives. As per reports, Deepika was admitted to Mumbais HN Reliance Foundation Hospital on Saturday and is currently under the care of doctors post giving birth. While the joy of having a new amidst the family is immense, one must not ignore the health and well-being of the new mothers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@deepikapadukone) The postpartum phase is a sensitive time for the new mother, as she is dealing with the pain of delivery while having the responsibility of taking care of a newborn. Therefore getting the right care is very important. Dr. Chetna Jain, DirectorDept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Cloudnine Group of hospitals, Gururgram in an interview with The Indian Express said, During this time, its essential that mothers receive the support and care they neednot only for their well-being but also to foster a healthy start for their babies. Unfortunately, as the focus often shifts entirely to the newborn, new mothers can sometimes feel neglected or overwhelmed. Both self-care for mothers and proactive support from those around them are vital. Here are a few essential tips for new mothers to heal during postpartum: Adequate Rest This is the first and most important thing for new mothers. Mothers need to get as much sleep as possible to combat the exhaustion after giving birth. But the challenge is that your infant will need your attention as well. Make sure you get sleep while the baby is resting. Family members can help by creating a quiet environment for both the mother and child to sleep peacefully. Eat healthy New mothers need to have nutritious meals that include whole grains, veggies, fruits and proteins. This will help them in healing and also be beneficial if the mother is breastfeeding. Not just food, new moms should also keep themselves hydrated at all times. Ask For Help A safe environment should be created where the mother can rely on others and ask for help to take time out for herself too. Family and friends should help the new mothers with the daily chores so that they can heal faster. Friends and relatives can assist or make meals and also stay with the newborn when the mother is too tired. Emotional support Families should be aware of the emotional tendencies of new mothers. While initial baby blues are normal, families must also know the possibility of serious mental health conditions such as postpartum depression. Certain symptoms of postpartum depression include loss of interest in daily tasks, avoiding loved ones, and feelings of shame and worthlessness. In extreme cases, the mothers should consult a therapist to deal with this issue. Jennifer Lopez was among the many celebrities at the Golden Globes Party during the Toronto International Film Festival 2024. Invited for the screening of her film Unstoppable, Lopez initially dazzled in a sparkling, skin-baring dress. Her second red carpet appearance shifted to a more minimalist fashion statement. A standout detail was her choice of accessories from Indian designer Sabyasachis label. Jennifer Lopez wore a nude outfit from the luxury brand Chloe, featuring full-length draped sleeves, a see-through pattern at the bust, and a round neckline. The dress showcased ruffled elements on the skirt with an asymmetric hem, a relaxed fit, and a mid-length flare. She complemented the look with tan boots and a tiny white clutch. The ensemble was highlighted by delicate studded earrings, cuffs and rings. Although she carried a black oversized coat over her dress, she chose not to wear it while posing on the red carpet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) For her makeup, Jennifer Lopez opted for feathered brows, smoky eye shadow and a touch of mascara. Her look was completed with highlighted and blushed cheeks and glossy, nude pink lips. She styled her hair in a sleek, straight look with a middle part. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) Earlier, on the premiere day of her film at the TIFF, Jennifer Lopez wore a blingy, disco-themed outfit that left everyone stunned. The figure-hugging design had cutouts on both sides. The cut design was enhanced with black bow details, adding a bold touch. Jennifer Lopez added to the sparkle theme, accessorising with a gleaming silver purse and matching heels. Her long tresses were left open with a middle partition. Jennifer Lopezs makeup game was on point, with a matte base, plenty of highlighter, glossy lips, well-defined brows, glittering brown eyeshadow and sleek eyeliner. She selected a spectacular diamond ring and earrings from the jewellery section. The film Unstoppable stars Jharrel Jerome as a collegiate wrestler with dreams of turning professional. It is based on the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles, who, despite being born without a right leg, developed the strength and skills needed to join Arizona State Universitys wrestling team. The Ambani family welcomed Ganpati Bappa to their Mumbai residence, Antilia, with grand celebrations on September 7. Newlyweds Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant performed their first aarti together as husband and wife. The following day, they bid farewell to Bapps, with a video capturing the couple dancing to the dhol beats during the Visarjan ceremony. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant celebrated their first Ganesh Chaturthi post-wedding in grand style, and the joyous moments are going viral on social media. In one of the videos, Radhika is seen full of excitement as she energetically bid adieu to Lord Ganesha during the Visarjan ceremony. The newlyweds shared a playful moment, throwing gulal on each other, adding to the festive cheer. Radhika was all smiles, raising her arms and dancing with abandon, while Anant too joined her. In another video, Radhikas devotion was on full display as she chanted Bappa Morya while they made their way to the Visarjan. Yet another clip shows her throwing prasadam to the large crowd of devotees who had gathered along the streets, along with mother-in-law Nita Ambani by her side. The Ambani family is celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with great gusto this year, marking Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants first Ganesh Chaturthi after their wedding. At their lavish residence, Antilia, the family hosted a grand pooja, continuing their tradition of celebrating the festival in a big way. This year, the Ambani familys celebrations were filled with even more joy, as they welcome the auspicious occasion as a newly extended family. In a video that went viral on social media, one could catch a glimpse of the stunning Ganpati idol that the Ambani family has set up at their residence, Antilia, in celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. Among the most heartwarming moments captured is the newly-wed Radhika Merchant, looking resplendent in a fuchsia pink salwar and kundan jewellery, as she offers prayers to Bappa. In another clip, Radhika is joined by her husband, Anant Ambani, as they perform a pooja on a smaller Ganesh idol within the premises. As the festivities continued, Bollywood celebrities dropped by at Antilia for darshan. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on Sunday, September 8. The proud parents took to social media later that day to announce the babys arrival and several of their colleagues took to the comments section to send them love. Anushka Sharma, who has worked with Ranveer Singh several times, reshared their post on her story and congratulated the new parents. Anushka Sharma shared Deepika and Ranveers announcement post on her Instagram Story. She wrote, Congratulations Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. She included a heart emoji and a twinkling lights emoji. Check it out here: Anushka Sharma holds a special place in Ranveer Singhs filmography as he made his debut with her in Band Baja Baarat. They went on to star together in popular films like Ladies Vs Ricky Behl and Dil Dhadakne Do. Fans of the actors appreciated Anushkas gesture for the new parents and noted how both Anushka and Deepika are now girl moms. Both Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who have always been open about their excitement for parenthood, are overjoyed with the arrival of their baby girl. Before the big day, the couple was spotted arriving at a Mumbai hospital in their luxury car, where paparazzi quickly gathered to capture the moment ahead of the delivery. Fans had been eagerly anticipating the announcement, with social media buzzing in excitement as the couples bundle of joy was about to arrive. While Deepika and Ranveer are yet to decide on a name for their newborn, they took time last week to visit the Shri Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, seeking blessings ahead of the birth. The couples joy is undeniable, and their happiness has been met with warm wishes and congratulations pouring in from friends, family, and fans as they embark on this beautiful new chapter as parents. Meanwhile, Anushka Sharma, welcomed her second child with Virat Kohli, a baby boy named Akaay, in February this year. Akaay was seemingly born in London and the couple has been spending a considerable amount of time in England lately, leading to speculation that they will shift base permanently. Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently in Bellary Central Jail, will be produced before the court today through video conferencing. He is most likely to file a fresh bail application along with a request to shift him to another jail. Darshan was recently shifted to Bellary Central Jail after he was allegedly seen hanging out with rowdies at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru. Darshan has been remanded in judicial custody till September 19 along with 16 other co-accused following his arrest in the Renukaswamy murder case from Chitradurga. They will be produced before the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Court via video conferencing from different prisons where they are currently lodged: Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, Bengaluru, Mysuru Central Prison, Hindalaga Jail in Belagavi, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi and Tumakuru Jails. The investigation into the Renukaswamy murder case has reached its final stage, and the police have also submitted a chargesheet to the court. Many issues have been revealed in the 3,991-page charge sheet. Recently, Darshan and Pavithra Gowdas mobiles have also been searched in connection with Renukaswamys murder case. As per reports, photos of Darshan and Pavithra Gowda were found on the latters phone. In the first photo, Darshan and Pavithra Gowda are seen dressed up in traditional attire. Pavithra draped a yellow silk saree, which she teamed with a contrasting blue blouse.Darshan is seen twinning in a yellow kurta and white pants. Along with this, both are seen wearing flower garlands around their necks. In another photo, Darshan-Pavitra was reportedly seen hugging. It is said that the police have investigated the relationship between the two based on these two photos. Reports suggest that the duo sitting like a couple wearing a garland of flowers is being widely discussed. The parents of the baby hospitalised in the Brisbane coffee attack say they're "devastated" the suspect managed to flee the country. Speaking after Queensland Police announced the 33-year-old suspect had fled Australia days after the attack, Luka's parents said the news was "heartbreaking". "This obviously means that we're going to have to wait who knows how long to get justice for our son," Luka's mother said. She said she felt some relief that he is not in the country after she suffered from severe anxiety in the wake of the attack, living in fear he could strike again. "I had no idea where this person was, I didn't want to leave this hospital because it became our safe space," she said. Dia Mirza has always been vocal about her experiences in the film industry, and her recent comments shed light on the intense pressure faced by actresses in the early 2000s. In an interview with Times of India, Dia recounted the daunting expectations imposed on female actors regarding their weight and age. Reflecting on her early days in Bollywood, Dia revealed, I was hurt. I was horrified. I was intimidated. I was filled with fears because thats what was fed to us by the media, by the industry. Aurat ho, toh aapki shelf life hoti hai (You have a shelf life because you are a woman). Be in your 20s. You will not be cast with the stars. The male superstars need you to be a certain age. You have to look a certain way. You have to be a certain weight. Every single actress who came into the industry in the early 2000s was told that you have to be a certain weight. You have to look a certain way. You have to be single. Dia Mirza, who made her debut with Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein, went on to build a successful career with notable films such as Dum, Tehzeeb, Parineeta, Lage Raho Munnabhai, and Sanju. Her recent work includes a role in Anubhav Sinhas thriller series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The series, now streaming on Netflix, dramatises the harrowing December 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines IC-814. In the series, Dia Mirza stars alongside a stellar cast including Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, and Pankaj Kapur, bringing to life the dramatic events surrounding the hijacking. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have embraced parenthood and are on cloud nine as they welcomed their first child on September 8, 2024. The couple has been getting wishes from all corners. Well, amid this a photo of Deepika Padukone with her newborn has gone viral on social media. However, it is fake and read further to know the truth. When the couple shared the news on social media, several AI-generated photos of Deepika with her newborn went viral. The images show Deepika lying on a hospital bed, cradling her baby. The actress smiles in the fake pictures as she holds the baby in her arms. Many users believed the photos to be real and also wished the couple. Take a look here: Congrats to the power couple Deepika & Ranveer Singh on their beautiful baby girl! May she bring endless joy and sparkle to your lives! #DeepikaPadukoneBabySinghPadukone pic.twitter.com/JPEDAWpdcg (@PublicHaiHum) September 8, 2024 Congrats to the power couple Deepika & Ranveer Singh on their beautiful baby girl! May she bring endless joy and sparkle to your lives! #DeepikaPadukoneBabySinghPadukone pic.twitter.com/JPEDAWpdcg (@PublicHaiHum) September 8, 2024 Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh officially shared the announcement on social media. Their heartfelt post read, Welcome Baby Girl 8.9.2024. Deepika & Ranveer. Both Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who have always been open about their excitement for parenthood, are overjoyed with the arrival of their baby girl. Before the big day, the couple was spotted arriving at a Mumbai hospital in their luxury car, where paparazzi quickly gathered to capture the moment ahead of the delivery. Fans had been eagerly anticipating the announcement, with social media buzzing in excitement as the couples bundle of joy was about to arrive. While Deepika and Ranveer are yet to decide on a name for their newborn, they took time last week to visit the Shri Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, seeking blessings ahead of the birth. The couples joy is undeniable, and their happiness has been met with warm wishes and congratulations pouring in from friends, family, and fans as they embark on this beautiful new chapter as parents. Just last week, Deepika took to Instagram to silence ongoing speculation and criticism regarding her pregnancy. She shared a breathtaking maternity shoot that left fans in awe. For months, Deepika had faced trolling and unfounded rumors about her baby bump, with accusations that it was fake or changing in shape. However, her stunning series of maternity photos put all rumors to rest. In the photos, Deepika posed with her husband Ranveer Singh, who lovingly cradled her baby bump, capturing the essence of their journey into parenthood. The shoot, a stunning celebration of this special time in their lives, featured Deepika glowing in a beautiful black dress, with the most intimate photo showing Ranveer gently holding her bump. The maternity shoot was not just a response to the critics, but a touching tribute to this milestone moment for the couple. Anubhav Sinhas latest web series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has been at the centre of controversy since its release. A section of the audience has accused the creators of misrepresenting the religious identities of the terrorists, which they argue has hurt peoples sentiments and distorted facts. This controversy even drew the attention of the central government, prompting the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to summon the Netflix India content head. Defending the show, actress Patralekhaa clarified that IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack presents a blend of facts and interpretations, aiming to set the record straight. Speaking to HT City, the actress, who plays a cabin crew member in the Netflix show, said, This is not a documentary, clearly. Its a show that has been written and, obviously, some parts have been imagined. Patralekhaa also mentioned many of the characters in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack did not use the real names from the actual incident, adding that it was an attempt to respect the source material and bring a fresh interpretation. Its a collaborative effort to bring authenticity and personal touch to the role, she said. Patralekhaa continues to promote the series confidently. Just a few days ago, she shared a carousel of clips from the show on her Instagram handle, captioning it, #IC814 now streaming on @netflix_in. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Patralekhaa (@patralekhaa) In addition to Patralekhaa, director Anubhav Sinha recently addressed the controversy. In an interview with HT City, he mentioned the rigorous process behind the show, saying, I just know how to make a film; it is a very intensely researched project, and we have been working on it since June 2022 and remained truthful with the script. Amid the controversies, Netflix has updated the opening disclaimer for the show. For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer in India 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, the streaming giant said in a statement. Released on August 29, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack chronicles the 1999 hijacking of the Kathmandu-Delhi flight. Five terrorists seized control of the plane, diverting it to Taliban-controlled Kandahar, where they demanded the release of imprisoned terrorists in India. In a groundbreaking cultural event, Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore is set to make his maiden visit to India, as part of the Cinema Italian Style Celebrating Tornatore and the Masters of Italian Cinema festival. Organized by the not-for-profit Film Heritage Foundation in collaboration with Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai, Axis Bank, and Education Partner IED Istituto Europeo di Design, this unique event promises to be a celebration of Italys rich cinematic heritage. Scheduled to take place from September 27 to 29, 2024, at Regal Cinema in Mumbai, the festival will feature restored Italian classics from legendary filmmakers. Headlining the event will be none other than Giuseppe Tornatore, the iconic director behind films like Cinema Paradiso, Malena, and Ennio. Tornatore will not only present his timeless masterpiece Cinema Paradiso but will also host a masterclass and a fireside chat with cinema enthusiasts and members of the Indian film fraternity. Tornatores visit marks a special moment in the cultural exchange between Italy and India, with the filmmaker also set to present the Film Heritage Foundations Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection during the festivals opening ceremony. Reflecting on his upcoming visit, Tornatore shared, I am so happy to be coming to India for the first time. I have known about the amazing work of Film Heritage Foundation in preserving and restoring Indias cinematic heritage I was delighted to hear that my film Cinema Paradiso is known and loved in India. The festival will be a cinephiles dream, showcasing not just Tornatores classics, but also restored films by Italian legends such as Luchino Visconti, Federico Fellini, Vittorio de Sica, and Sergio Leone. Cinema Paradiso (1988), Tornatores Oscar-winning tribute to the magic of cinema, will lead the screenings, followed by his poignant documentary Ennio (2021) and the acclaimed Malena (2000), starring Monica Bellucci. Other Italian masterpieces, including Marriage Italian Style (1964), Senso (1954), La Dolce Vita (1960), and Once Upon a Time in America (1984), will also be screened. Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, the Director of Film Heritage Foundation, expressed his excitement about Tornatores participation: We are delighted that a legend of Italian cinema, Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore, has agreed to come to Mumbai His film Cinema Paradiso will open the 3-day film festival, and Mumbai audiences will have the chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of his films and the greatest of restored Italian classics. Francesca Amendola, Director of Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the significance of showcasing restored classics and partnering with the Film Heritage Foundation. The 7 great Italian classic movies of this festival have all been restored by highly skilled laboratories It will be a pleasure for all of us to watch Tornatores perfectly restored films, together with him, in the same hall. The screenings will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, offering a rare opportunity to experience these restored cinematic treasures in their full glory. Tornatores visit, coupled with the presentation of restored classics, is poised to make this festival an unforgettable celebration of Italian cinema. Film Screenings 1. Cinema Paradiso (1988) Giuseppe Tornatores Oscar-winning masterpiece. 2. Ennio (2021) A documentary on the legendary composer Ennio Morricone. 3. Malena (2000) Starring Monica Bellucci in one of her most iconic roles. 4. Marriage Italian Style (1964) A romantic comedy by Vittorio de Sica. 5. Senso (1954) A Technicolor tragic romance by Luchino Visconti. 6. La Dolce Vita (1960) Federico Fellinis critique of celebrity culture. 7. Once Upon a Time in America (1984) Sergio Leones epic crime drama. Mark your calendars and join the celebration of timeless Italian cinema from September 27 to 29, 2024, at Regal Cinema, Mumbai. Samantha Ruth Prabhu loves posting notes and quotes on Instagram and maintains an active social media presence. Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently shared a gym selfie on the social media site and said that shes not skinny. In fact, the actress said that she can kick your butt. Samantha lifted dumbells in the photo and flaunted her pumped muscles. She wrote, I dont look skinny. I look like I can kick your butt. This comes a few days after her public appearance raised concerns about her health. Check out the photo here: For the unversed, Samantha Ruth Prabhu left her fans concerned when she made a public appearance in Mumbai last month. In a video that surfaced on social media, the actress was seen posing for the paparazzi as she arrived at an event. She sported a black outfit, left her tresses open and opted for minimal accessories. However, soon after the video was shared online, fans rushed to the comments section expressing concern for Samantha. While some mentioned that she looked unrecognisable, others argued that the actress had lost a lot of weight. Meanwhile, on the work front, Samantha Ruth Prabhu will soon be seen in Citadel: Honey Bunny. It is the Indian series within the Citadel universe, originally headlined by Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden. Earlier this month, the teaser of Citadel: Hunny Bunny was released when Samantha opened up about working with Varun Dhawan and said, All he thinks about from the moment he wakes up is how to improve his craft. Hes constantly focused on how to perform each scene better. Not only is he dedicated to his work, but hes also one of the nicest human beings Ive ever met. On the personal front, Samanthas ex-husband, Naga Chaitanya, recently got engaged to actress Sobhita Dhulipala in an intimate ceremony attended by their close family members. While the couple has not shed light on their wedding plans, a new report has claimed that Chay and Sobhita have narrowed down two possible dates for the wedding. It is also claimed that the couple has picked out Rajasthan as the wedding venue. News18 Showsha couldnt verify the claims at the time of reporting. Sidharth Malhotra, who won widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Captain Vikram Batra (PVC) in the biographical drama Shershaah, marked the 50th birth anniversary of the martyr by paying homage on social media. On Monday, September 9, the actor took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to the real-life hero, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery during the Kargil War in 1999. In his Instagram story, Sidharth posted a photo of himself standing respectfully with folded hands in front of Captain Vikram Batras statue. Along with the picture, he penned a heartfelt message: Remembering Captain Vikram Batra (PVC), the real Shershaah, on his 50th birth anniversary. Im grateful to have had the privilege of portraying him on screen. His bravery and spirit continue to inspire us all. For those unfamiliar with Captain Vikram Batras legacy, he was an Indian Army officer who laid down his life during the Kargil War, and his heroic actions earned him the highest military decoration in India, the Param Vir Chakra. Shershaah, a film that documented his life and bravery, became a major success, with Sidharth Malhotra receiving immense praise for his portrayal of the war hero. The film not only highlighted the valor of Captain Batra but also served as an inspiration for audiences and generations to come. Directed by Vishnuvardhan, Shershaah also marked the first on-screen collaboration between Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani. Their on-screen chemistry resonated with viewers, and their relationship blossomed off-screen as well, eventually leading to their marriage. As for Sidharths professional front, the actor was last seen in Yodha, a high-octane aerial action drama. He is reportedly in advanced talks to headline Race 4 alongside Saif Ali Khan. In addition, Sidharth is currently evaluating several exciting projects, including an action-packed film and a love story. With his tribute to Captain Vikram Batra, Sidharth Malhotra continues to honor the legacy of the real-life hero, while solidifying his place as one of Bollywoods most versatile and admired actors. After Bawaal, the popular Bollywood actors Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan are collaborating once again on Shashank Khaitans upcoming entertainer, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. The duo, who is busy shooting for their film, which is slated to be released in April 2025, was recently spotted at the Mumbai airport as they returned from Udaipur after completing their shooting schedule in the city. On Sunday, Janhvi and Varun were papped as they exited the Mumbai airport together. The duo opted for casual looks as their airport OOTDs. While the Bhediya wore a casual oversized shirt paired with distressed jeans and sneakers, Janhvi opted for an all-black athleisure wear. She kept her hair open and wore sneakers to completer her look. In several paparazzi videos, Varun was seen stopping on his way to click some pictures with his female fans. Meanwhile, his co-star proceeded to leave the airport. As Janhvi continued walking towards the exit, she was heard saying, Main nikalti hun sumdi mein. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) Not long ago, popular filmmaker Karan Johar posted a video on his Instagram account, offering a glimpse into the muhurat puja of Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, which he is producing. The video included some memorable moments from the event. Sharing which, KJo wrote, JUST PURE LOVE!!!! Sunny Sanskari & Tulsi Kumaris shooting with their family begins. Send them love, blessings, and warm wishes for a journey filled with sunshine! #SunnySanskariKiTulsiKumari in cinemas, 18th April 2025! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) Till now, Janhvi has had an eventful 2024. The actress, who made her debut in 2018, had not one but three releases. At the beginning of this year, she made a special appearance in Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon starrer Teri Baaton Mein Uljha Jiya. Then, she was seen in the films Mr. & Mrs. Mahi and Ulajh. At present, Janhvi is gearing up for the release of his Telugu debut film, Devara: Part 1, alongside Jr. NTR and Saif Ali Khan. Ahead of its release on September 27, the Koratala Siva-directed film has already achieved a milestone. It has become the fastest Indian film to sell 15,000 tickets in the USA, that too, just days after the launch of pre-sale tickets. On the other hand, Varun made a cameo appearance in Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, and Pankaj Tripathi starrer Stree 2. He was seen as a bhediya in the Amar Kaushik-directed film. Apart from this, he has Citadel: Honey Boney, Baby John, Ikkis, and Border 2 in the pipeline. Narendra Modis first priority in foreign policy after becoming the prime minister for the third time is to achieve peace in Europe. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and western geopolitical experts have criticised Modi for putting national interest over humanity and buying cheap energy for his country, he has been silently doing some groundwork by first visiting Russia and then Austria. The prime minister has held talks with Putin over the war in Europe. He has discussed Indias point of view in Austria, which is a member of the European Union but not NATO. When he returned from his Russia-Austria visit, he made global headlines for hugging Putin even after mentioning childrens deaths while sitting next to him. Western critics were struck by the handshakes and hugs exchanged between the two leaders. In about a months time, Modi decided to go to Ukraine. This time, he was again criticised for doing it under US pressure to balance out his visit to Moscow. He went to Poland, discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict on priority with his Polish counterparts and then travelled to Ukraine. He and Zelenskyy held extensive talks about the ongoing war. He shared the viewpoint of Russia and India with Ukraine during a three-hour period. Following this, Zelenskyy held a press conference expressing his dissatisfaction with Indias position. His remarks were not positive despite the PMs visit. He told journalists: If India changes its attitude towards Russia, the war will end. He indirectly blamed India, even as the country once again opted for silence and kept working on the peace mission. Many viewed Modis visit as a formality to keep the western bloc happy. But, contrary to this, his true commitment stood out when he called US President Joe Biden to brief him about his visit followed by a telephonic conversation with Putin. In that phone call, he discussed his visit to Ukraine and offered that National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval should visit Russia and discuss ideas related to peace after his Kyiv visit. In the follow-up to this call, Doval now be travelling to Moscow to discuss peace restoration on September 10 and 11, and also be taking part in the BRICS-NSA meeting, where he is likely to meet his Chinese counterpart ahead of the summit in Kazan in October. Modi has always stated Indias position by saying it is on the side of peace. He strategically planned to do complete groundwork before intensifying peace talks. In fact, India has acted commendably with his back-to-back visits to Europe in addition to all the bilateral meetings held with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Japan and Italy. Modi was the first leader to tell Putin that this is not an era of war, when the two leaders met on the sidelines of Samarkand in 2022. He met Putin again in July 2024 and told him solutions cannot be found on battlefield. Now, since he has decided to expedite the peace talks, he is sending Doval to discuss possible resolutions to the conflict. His efforts are being recognised by both Russia and Italy. Putin named India along with China and Brazil in proving to be a helping hand in trying to resolve the ongoing conflict. Now, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also shown confidence in Modi to end the Russia-Ukraine conflcit. Modis growing credibility can be linked to his active participation in creating and continuing a diplomatic dialogue between all crucial stakeholders whose consensus is important to make Europe peaceful and stable again. The world finally seems to be acknowledging and appreciating his far-sighted thinking and action showcasing Indias stand on world peace. Prime Minster Narendra Modis visits to Brunei and Singapore from September 3 to 5 within 100 days of assuming office in his third term, was a demonstration of the importance that he attaches to relations with ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific. These visits, following closely on the footsteps of the incoming visits of the Vietnamese and Malaysian prime ministers, as well as travel by President Droupadi Murmu to Fiji, Timor-Leste and New Zealand, underline the Indian governments commitment to further expanding bilateral, regional and global relations with ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific. The Brunei Visit Modis visit to Brunei was the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Brunei since it became independent on January 1, 1984, and established diplomatic relations with India in May 1984. In pursuance of discussions between him and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, bilateral ties were upgraded to enhanced partnership. This demonstrates the determination of the two countries to significantly intensify their multi-faceted relations. Modi and Sultan Bolkiah agreed to enhance cooperation on a wide range of issues, including defence, connectivity, trade and investment, energy including renewables, space, ICT, health and pharmaceuticals, education and capacity building, culture, tourism, youth and people-to-people exchanges, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. Since 2000, Brunei has hosted the ISROs Telemetry Tracking and Telecommand (TTC) station. During the current visit, a renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) was concluded to further expand cooperation in this sector. Brunei is richly endowed with fossil fuels. India is a hugely energy deficient country. It was decided to enter into a long-term agreement for supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India. Brunei Airlines plans to launch a direct flight from Chennai to Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei in November. This will enhance tourism, business connectivity and expand people-to-people connect between the two countries. It was agreed to intensify defence and maritime cooperation, including regular exchanges of visits, training programmes, joint exercises and visits of naval and coast guard ships between the two countries. A significant outcome of the visit was the reiteration by the two leaders of an open, free and inclusive Indo-Pacific. They reaffirmed 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. This was a direct challenge to Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea. Full agreement between the two sides was also evident in combating global challenges like climate change and terrorism. The Singapore Visit As in the case of Brunei, bilateral ties with Singapore were upgraded to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership. This was a clear signal about the commitment of the two countries to further expand their engagement. Discussions between the two sides built upon the comprehensive discussions at the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable on August 26, in which four senior ministers from India and six ministers from Singapore took part. The PMs commended the work done by the ministers in identifying the six pillars (sustainability, digitalisation, skills development, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity) for bilateral cooperation. The leaders reviewed cooperation in defence and security, maritime domain awareness, education, AI, fintech, new technology, science and technology, and knowledge partnership. They called for strengthening connectivity to boost economic and people-to-people ties, and an acceleration in green corridor projects. They reaffirmed the importance of the extensive longstanding bilateral defence partnership. The most significant outcome of the visit was the signing of four ambitious agreements which will make bilateral ties future-ready by enhancing cooperation in the areas of digital technologies, semiconductor ecosystem, health and medicine, and education. The MOU in digital technologies will boost bilateral co-operation in digital public infrastructure, cyber-security, 5G and emerging technologies such as super-computing, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. The agreement on semiconductor ecosystem partnership will encourage co-operation in semiconductor-cluster development, and cultivation of talent in semiconductor design and manufacturing. Singapore accounts for 10 per cent of global semiconductor output, 5 per cent of global fabrication capacity, and 20 per cent of semiconductor equipment production. This MOU will facilitate investments by Singapores companies in India. The pact on health and medicine aims at promoting closer cooperation in human resource development in healthcare and pharmaceuticals sectors. The fourth agreement focused on educational co-operation and skill development. As with Brunei, PM Modi and the Singaporean leadership reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea. They emphasised the pursuit of peaceful dispute resolution in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982, without resorting to the threat or use of force. Conclusion Modis bilateral visit to Brunei marked the 40th anniversary of establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations as well as 40 years of Bruneis independence. In addition to its high symbolism, it was highly substantive in taking forward cooperation between the two countries in bilateral economic, political, security and strategic areas as well as in promoting regional peace, security and prosperity. India and Singapore share mutual trust and confidence among their leaders. This was evident when Modi held separate meetings not only with PM Wong and President Shanmugaratnam but also with the two former PMs of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and Goh Chok Tong who continue to hold influential positions in Wongs cabinet. Singaporean PMs typically remain in office for extended periods; Goh Chok Tong served for 14 years, and Loong for 20 years. Given that Wong is relatively young (51 years) and assumed office in May 2024, it can be anticipated that he will have a lengthy tenure. The visit provided Modi with a valuable opportunity to establish a personal rapport with Wong, which will be greatly beneficial for both countries for years to come. His visit to Singapore was highly substantive and far-reaching because India and Singapore already enjoy deep and strong commercial, economic and people to people ties. Further, his visits to Brunei and Singapore will provide a significant boost to Indias partnerships with these countries and with ASEAN as a whole. (The writer is executive council member, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, president, Institute of Global Studies, Distinguished Fellow, Ananta Aspen Centre, and former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) Those who have not lived in West Bengal for a whileat least a decade, if not morewill not understand the magnitude of what is happening there. The continuing protest by not only the doctors demanding justice for their raped and murdered colleague Abhaya but also a diverse cross-section of society across the state is nothing short of cataclysmic. Residents of Bengal, including Kolkata, will vouch that such demonstrations have not happened in living memory. If some people are refusing to understand and acknowledge this change, the fault is entirely theirs. Before August 2024, despite the depressingly common litany of rape-murder cases in the state and sotto voce complaints about rampant corruption, extortion and nepotism in all levels of administration, there had never been sustained apolitical demonstrations of dissatisfaction. But now, even the usually effete upper-middle-class bhadralok have been galvanised into action. The weekend announcement by Jawhar Sircar, a prominent member of this class, that he intends to resign (though he has not done so as yet) from his Rajya Sabha seat and from politics itselfis proof of the fact that it is no longer acceptable in polite Kolkata circles to remain a choti-chaatameaning chappal-licker. That is a marked departure from Mamata Banerjees apparent invincibility across all classes of society, though most of her votes came from a particular section. Sircar, who accepted her offer of a seat in the Upper House from the Trinamool Congress after protesting for years that he was not after any office, had launched blistering attacks on the Modi government and its policies after he quit as CEO of Prasar Bharati in 2016, four months before his term was to end. His usefulness was manifest, as Banerjee had been steadily augmenting her band of trilingual defenders in Delhi, who had their supporters in Kolkatas civil society too. Their ability to turn selective facts and fabrications into byte-worthy morsels in English (mainly) for the national media was well worth the expense of a few seats. Ordinary Bengali-medium TMC workers were hardly in a position anyway to quibble about the lack of grassroots connect of the Delhi brigade or their suitability over those who had been slaving to keep Didi in power for years. Now one of that English-medium cohort has dared to bare his teeth at her. The importance of that gestureeven if Sircar is yet to follow through on his threat to quit the seatcannot be underestimated. What this means in semaphoric terms to the TMC rank and file, not to mention those bhadralok still sitting pusillanimously on the fence, will be known in the coming days but it is clear that the innate fear of crossing and defying Banerjee has dissipated. And fear has always been her prime tactic to keep the state under control during past crises. That Kolkata is no longer a City of Bhoy (fear) is manifest in the streets with people gathering every dayeven more in the eveningsto voice their demand for justice and generally vent their anger at not only the grave injustice done to the young doctor but all the injustices perpetuated every day by those who drew their power from proximity to the ruling party or, the CM herself. They are no longer scared of the goons had kept the peace so effectively since 2011. The video of an additional security guard talking threateningly to the then principal of RG Karwho took over briefly before the infamous Sandip Ghosh was reinstated and is now back once again after Ghoshs second departurestruck a chord in a million hearts in Bengal. Because innumerable ordinary people have faced similar treatment from similar goons, all of whom would cite Didi, her nephew or one of her top lieutenants as their source of unlimited power. On their part, the beleaguered state government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have tried every classic Kautilyan wile of Saam, Daan, Dand and Bhedconciliation, bribery, punishment, and sowing discordto nip this unexpected movement in the bud but it has had limited effect so far. The latest initiative of putting prohibitively expensive full-page ads in all major print media (paid for by the state exchequer) is clearly part of this time-tested strategy. The CM first said she would touch the feet of the doctors if that would persuade them to get back to work. That did not cut any ice. Then there were mass transfers of senior medical teaching staff who had taken part in the protest, but the orders were hastily withdrawn after public ire. A few days after that, pro-government social media handles warned that people were suffering because of the doctors protests and would get angry soon. That implicit threat did not work either. By then the writing on the wall was clear to all except the CM and her Delhi-oriented claque, who was still loyally posting weak justifications of Banerjee and her governments confused and contradictory actions. Now Sircars weekend letter announcing his imminent resignation has caused a crack in that facade. That cohort will find it very tricky to denounce him now, especially as his letter is also peppered with his usual vitriolic accusations against the Modi government. If the rest of the English-speaking, Delhi-centric TMC brigade turns on the oldest (in age) member of their cosy little club, it will not go down well in their civil society constituencies in the Capital and Kolkata, which, however miniscule, form the core of their social and political lives. More so as Sircar continues to be a vociferous Modi-hater. But letting him get away with his defiance of Didithat too in the midst of her most serious crisishas its own consequences. Because that will be yet another indication to those thousands of ordinary people protesting, singing, chanting and venting on the streets of West Bengal sans any political banner even a month after the rape-murder of a young woman doctor, that they are really on the right track. As is the fact that neither muscular ministers nor pugnacious political goons have been able to drive the people back into the sort of meek compliance that had become the dismal norm in the state. True Poribortonchange. The author is a freelance writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. The coastal emus are on the brink of extinction and conservationists want the logging of its habitat stopped. While the endangered coastal emu nesting site remains a secret, images of timber harvesting in the region highlight the concerns of conservationists. Source: Mark Graham The miracle discovery of ten of the worlds rarest eggs by NSW forestry workers has led to calls for workers to stop felling trees around the nesting site. While a 100-metre exclusion zone has been set up, its feared the measure will not be enough to protect the rare coastal emu chicks inside. I really am aghast at this, ecologist Mark Graham told Yahoo News as he stood at the edge of the logging coup where the eggs are located. The nesting male emu sits on the eggs and is extremely vulnerable to disturbances, and will frequently abandon his eggs. Photographs taken by Graham highlight recent logging activities in the wider region that conservationists want stopped. The Greens argue the population is being put at further risk by native forest logging. Forestry Corporation maintains the discovery of the emu eggs demonstrates its methods are effective at protecting the environment. Source: Forestry Corportation Loggers maintain egg find proves regulations are 'effective' Fewer than 50 coastal emus are left on the NSW North Coast, and the population is on the brink of collapse with the state government aware they could be extinct in decades. Although the giant flightless birds were once widespread they've been wiped out because of habitat loss, bushfires, floods, cars and invasive predators. The eggs were discovered at a secret coastal location near Grafton during a search for threatened species by Forestry Corporation NSW, a government owned company that manages 2 million hectares of the states remaining bushland. To discover a nest bearing eggs is a significant moment for that endangered population, its senior ecologist Chris Slade said last week. In a statement to Yahoo News on Monday it said the forest where the nest site was found had been cut down and regrown before. This discovery in a forest that has been actively managed and harvested for many years demonstrates that the systems and regulations in place are effective in identifying and protecting habitat, it claimed. There are calls for from conservationists for the emu's habitat to be protected from logging. Source: Mark Graham 100-metre buffer slammed as 'woefully inadequate' In the face of increasing scrutiny by conservationists, record fines for breaching regulations, and a finding by the Land and Environment Court that it has displayed "a pattern of environmental offending", Forestry Corporation has championed the egg find as proof its methods can protect the land it operates on. It noted the 100 metre buffer zone around the eggs meets legal requirements that were drawn up by the NSW Government to manage native timber harvesting. But Greens MP Sue Higginson isnt convinced the measure is enough to protect the site, calling it woefully inadequate. A minimum 1,000 metre exclusion zone should be implemented to ensure that the loud and destructive logging of nearby native forests does not cause jeopardy to the safety and care of this nesting site by the adult animal, she wrote in a letter to Forestry Corporation, the EPA, and the Ministers for Environment and Agriculture. Speaking on Monday with Yahoo News she said, "it is a miracle that this nest was discovered at all, it is reckless in the extreme that a State-owned Corporation, the Forestry Corporation with heavy machinery and industrial logging threatens to log just 100 metres away. Native forest logging is extremely intensive and traumatic, at both a local and a landscape level. The fact that our public forest estate has become refuge for so many of our State's most threatened species means that logging is simply no longer viable. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. This is not the era of war Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been the first global leader to say this to the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukraine counterpart V Zelenskyy during his recent visits to Russia and Ukraine respectively within six weeks of each other. Modi even offered his personal help to stop the war while he was in Ukraine on a trip watched closely by the West. In a set of fast-paced events, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will be on his way to Moscow on Monday to find the possible contours of a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. This follows Modis call last week with Putin, who later in a statement said India can help resolve the conflict. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said the same. This raises a potentially realistic question: Can Modi stop the Russia-Ukraine war? Many in the Indian establishment feel the prime minister is the best-positioned leader to do so, given his equation with both Putin and Zelenskyy. Modis arm on Zelenskyys shoulder in Kyiv, or his much-criticised hug with Putin, seem a testimony to that. An answer to this question may become clearer during the all-important trip of PM Modi to USA later this month. Mission Peace in Modis US Trip With world hostilities taking centre-stage and world peace being his biggest mission ahead, a big focus of PM Modis trip to the US will be Summit of the Future on September 22-23 during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Modi will be participating in the UNGA event, rather than the General Debate where Foreign Minister S Jaishankar will speak for India. Modis bilateral meetings on the sidelines will be keenly watched. As per the provisional agenda, a guiding question for the interactive dialogues at the Summit of the Future revolves around the heightened global divisions. How can multilateral cooperation, based on the UN Charter and international law, be reinvigorated and enhanced to address current challenges to international peace and security, in an increasingly complex and interconnected world and in the context of heightened divisions among the Member States? says the agenda for the Summit. India has also swapped hosting the QUAD Summit with the US this year, and the prime minister will be traveling to Joe Bidens hometown Delaware on September 21 to participate in the same. Modis twin trips to Russia and Ukraine could feature in those discussions too. Modis Mantra PM Modi has put territorial integrity on top priority. He told Zelenskyy that he carried a message of peace from the land of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. Our approach is to be on the side of peace we want to be away from war, Modi told Zenelskyy. The path to a peace deal negotiated by Modi could lie through it. If there is anything that we can do, in any way, (you know) in sort of upfront or behind or supporting somebody, it is the objective that we are interested in rather than the process we are willing to do whatever we can. Because we think continuation of this conflict is terrible for Ukraine itself, and the world, Jaishankar said about PM Modis offer to Zelenskyy. However, the challenges are many. These developments come amidst Russia claiming it has taken full control of a town in eastern Ukraine, while the latter made an incursion into the Russian region of Kursk. Five more people were killed in strikes on Sunday. If Modi is able to achieve the unthinkable, he will truly prove that India can take the leadership role in global affairs as Vishwamitra. Three months after the new government was sworn in, who will chair which parliamentary standing committee still remains an issue. While the Congress has demanded a total of six committees, it is likely to get three in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha even as the BJP-led Centre mulls over accommodating other opposition parties like the Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and DMK. The BJP is also likely to accommodate NDA allies. Its biggest ally, the N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP), may get the standing committee for urban affairs. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, meanwhile, could get the committee for renewable energy. The Congress has nominated Gaurav Gogoi, K Suresh and Jairam Ramesh to negotiate on the matter of standing committees. The party won 99 seats in the recently held Lok Sabha elections, but its current strength stands at 97 after Rahul Gandhi resigned from the Wayanad seat and the Nanded MP died. According to the partys calculation, it is entitled to chair at least three committees in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha but it has demanded six committees. These include key committees like finance and external affairs in the Lok Sabha, and the home committee in the Rajya Sabha. Top government sources said despite a demand from the Congress for six committees, the Centre is likely to give it three in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress has demanded the finance committee, but they already have PAC (Public Accounts Committee) so they cannot be given another finance committee, a source said. CNN-News18 has learnt through reliable sources that the Congress is likely to get the external affairs committee. The party has indicated that it will like to appoint Shashi Tharoor as the chairperson of this panel. Sources said the partys demand for home and defence committees has been ruled out. Unlike last time, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will also be offered a standing committee. It is likely that the Mamata Banerjee-led party will get the committee on railways or food processing. There has been a bitter political exchange between the BJP and TMC over the ruling party in West Bengal not being given a single committee. The example was cited by then leader of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha, Piyush Goyal that despite being the principal opposition party in Bengal, the state government did not get any committee. But, this time, it is likely that the party will have at least one. It has been learnt that the Samajwadi Party (SP), which has 37 MPs in the Lok Sabha, has hinted for a committee in the Rajya Sabha for one of its senior-most leaders Ram Gopal Yadav. He has previously chaired the committee for health. The Akhilesh Yadav-led party may be offered either health or education. Sources further said the government is likely to give an important committee to the DMK, both in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Congress had the committee for environment in the Rajya Sabha, where Jairam Ramesh was the chairperson. Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi was also made the head of the committee for commerce. At the beginning of the previous Lok Sabha, Tharoor was the chairperson of this panel, but due to his war of words with BJP MPs on different issues, he was made the chair for the committee on chemicals and fertilisers. The DMK had one committee in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha. Kanimozhi was heading the committee for rural development while Tiruchi Siva was heading the committee for industries. The SPs Yadav was given the health committee, which is in the Rajya Sabha, and subsequently, he made way for the BJP to give the committee to Bhubaneswar Kalita. With the inception of the new Lok Sabha, the term of the new committees is said to begin on September 1. Earlier, Parliament had made the announcement about the finance committees, with the crucial PAC going to the Congress with general secretary KC Venugopal as its chairman. The Lok Sabha has 16 parliamentary standing committees while the Rajya Sabha has eight. Led by parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, the government has held a few rounds of talks with opposition parties over the matter. Only recently, TMC MP Derek OBrien wrote to the Rajya Sabha chairperson questioning the delay in naming the committees. On this, Rijiju said: We are going as per the convention, and we have not broken any rules. The normal time for appointing the committees and its chairperson is end of September. As of now, we are still receiving names from various parties for their MPs to become members of various committees. The opposite parties must complain if we do not release the list of committees by September. Our exercise is well on track, and we will soon be releasing the name of members of the committees and also its chairmen. Trinamool Congress MP Jawhar Sircar on Sunday resigned from his parliamentary post over the West Bengal governments handling of the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case. Sircar wrote a two-page letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and expressed his desire to resign from his MP post. Speaking exclusively to News18, he said that the Mamata government had taken several wrong administrative decisions in this case and at this juncture, he felt he should leave the party. There had to be some way to draw her (Mamata Banerjees) attention, I took an unusual step, but I had to take it, Sircar said. Last one month, I tried to send a message through people asking for strict action. People are unhappy. The administrations role was not good in this case. The RG Kar Principal was suspended only after an arrest in the case. I have the experience of administration, and therefore, in this case, I have difference of opinion. I thought they will listen, but they did not. So I had to draw attention, Sircar said. When asked about corruption within the TMC, Sircar said that the protests over the Kolkata rape and murder could not have sustained if there wasnt anger against the state government. Abahaya is a horrific story and lots of protests are on now. But the way it has been handled is wrong. The movement is spontaneous but this could not have sustained for one month if there wasnt overall disgust and anger against the government. People are angry and its an effect of a lot of things together, he said. He added that everyone notices corruption in the party. Even my driver talks about how rich even the minor people of the party are. I had to put it forth in a rough manner. They have to take action now otherwise things wont be right. We need to stop communal forces, Sircar added. Sources said that on Sunday evening, Mamata Banerjee called him but he did not change his decision. When asked about this, Sircar said, Yes, she spoke to me on various issues today, but I am firm on my decision. Talking about the administrative failure in the rape and murder case, Sircar said, Hospital, police, state administration have failed. No exemplary steps have been taken. Steps that have been taken are too little too late. Maratha leader Manoj Jarange-Patil has yet again launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to reconsider his stance on the Maratha reservation issue. Jarange-Patil accused Fadnavis of being indifferent to the plight of the Maratha community, saying, You do not understand the pain of the Marathas. Whoever comes in the way of securing our reservation, we will deal with them accordingly, no matter who they are. He reminded Fadnavis of the backlash during the last Lok Sabha elections, warning him to tread carefully or face political consequences. Addressing the Deputy CM directly, Jarange-Patil stated, You must stop your arbitrary actions. We wont tolerate your whims any longer. Maratha MLAs are working against the very interests of their community under your influence, and we will not remain silent about it. He also criticised the BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena, and NCP members, questioning why none of them supported the Maratha reservation demand and accused Fadnavis of hindering the communitys progress. Further intensifying his attack, Jarange-Patil said, Devendra Fadnavis, you will not be able to continue your political manoeuvring. Our children are on the verge of destruction because of your obstinacy, and the Marathas are suffering. If this continues, Maharashtra will not allow you to set foot on its land. Jarange-Patil also brought up the 2004 law concerning the Maratha-Kunbi community, hitting out the government for repealing it and failing to provide Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas. Who is responsible for fostering casteism, and how can you lecture us on it, he asked. Do not challenge me. If the Maratha community rises, there will be no place for you to hide, he added. He warned both the BJP and the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance that neither would be allowed to function peacefully if they opposed Maratha interests. He also expressed frustration that not a single minister in the government was speaking up in favour of the Maratha cause. Concluding his speech, Jarange-Patil urged the Maratha community to remain united and vigilant. This is a critical moment for our people. I will continue to speak against those in power, not the opposition, because they are the ones responsible for making decisions. If I am wrong, I am ready to step back from the movement, but until then, I will not stop fighting for justice for the Marathas, he declared. Jarange-Patil has been demanding the implementation of the draft notification that recognises Kunbis as blood relatives of the Maratha community members and the inclusion of Marathas in OBC category. iPhone 16 launch date is finally here and September 9, 2024 will be remembered as one of Apples biggest days in its history. Apple Intelligence was demoed at the WWDC 2024 earlier this year and these features are now primed to roll out on the new iPhone 16 series. The Glowtime is a sign that AI will be a big part of the iPhone 16 launch event on Monday, as Tim Cook, CEO, Apple and his team walk us through the big paradigm shift in the AI industry this year. iPhone 16 Launch Event On September 9: Live Timings, Where To Watch And More Apple iPhone 16 launch event is on Monday, September 9 and you can tune into the big keynote with Tim Cook and Co. from 10:30 PM IST for those watching in India. Apple will be livestreaming the event on the YouTube channel and Events page. The company is hosting an in-person event where the announcements will be broadcasted. iPhone 16 Launch Event: What To Expect The glowtime teaser in the invite is a clear indication that Apple Intelligence (AI) will be a big part of the event hosted by Tim Cook and Co. We did see Siri activate from the edge of the screen with a glow and the AI features could be presented in that fashion. Siri will also be getting an AI boost, which isnt expected before early 2025. Having said that, iOS 18 will bring native integration of ChatGPT for iPhone users thanks to Apples deal with OpenAI which was announced at the WWDC 2024 earlier this year. Coming to the iPhone 16 lineup, rumours suggest the regular model could get a design rejig, especially at the back with the camera module. However, the Pros will mostly pack the new A-series hardware that will also bring AI features to the regular variants, something that the iPhone 15 users will miss out on. The new price leaks of iPhone 16 series via Apple Hub suggests Apple will be making merry if the demand for the new iPhone 16 models is as high as it anticipates. iPhone 16 $799 (Rs 66,300 approx) iPhone 16 Plus $899 (Rs 74,600 approx) iPhone 16 Pro $1,099 (Rs 91,200 approx) iPhone 16 Pro Max $1,199 (Rs 99,500 approx) The iPhone 16 series will be Apples flagship rival to the new Pixel 9 series and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold models in the market. All three of them have a special focus on AI and that is likely to be Apples pitch as well, albeit at a later date, as suggested by earlier reports. In addition to these, we might also see the new Apple Watch Series, Ultra and SE models as well as the AirPods 4 version. Microsoft has announced that their new Windows AI features will start arriving in the Intel and AMD notebooks in November. Until now, the Copilot Plus was limited to Qualcomm-powered devices but will now be available in a wide range of laptops. These features include Auto Super Resolution, a DLSS Competitor, Live Captions that can translate speech, Windows Studio Effects and Cocreator among others. It said that devices packing the new Intel Core Ultra 200V and AMD Ryzen AI chips and running the latest version of Windows will receive Copilot Plus PC features as a free update. Microsoft will be introducing the new AI features gradually. This means select features will be available on all devices, while others will only be available in Windows Insider testing before becoming widely available to more users. On the other hand, the company is also planning to bring Recall AI features to the Copilot Plus PCs, after it was delayed due to security concerns. The feature remembers what you do on your computer to provide more accurate answers. However, some were concerned that it knew too much, thus Micorosft had decided to postpone its intended release in July. The company is now planning to release it to Windows Insider testers in October, before rolling it out more broadly to Copilot Plus PCs. Meanwhile, AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series-powered Windows laptops are already available to purchase from the market, like the Asus ZenBook 16, HP OmniBook Ultra 14, Asus TUF A14 and others. At the same time Intel and its partners intend to introduce Core Ultra 200V/Series 2 processor-powered laptops in the coming weeks. Intel Core Ultra 200V Lunar Lake Series Features The Intel Core Ultra 200V series (Core Ultra Series 2) is claimed to be up to 50 percent more power efficient than Intel's Core Ultra Series 1 (Meteor Lake) which debuted last year. Additionally, laptops powered by the new Intel Core Ultra 200V series CPUs will be able to connect to up to three 4K monitors, with the Arc GPU delivering up to 67 trillion operations per second (TOPS). The company claims that the Core Ultra Series 2 chips have a total of 120 TOPS across the CPU (5 TOPS), GPU (48 TOPS) and NPU (67 TOPS). Recently, the case of a 10-year-old child undergoing surgery after suffering a severe sunburn has gone viral on social media, raising concerns and garnering significant public attention. Sometimes, a small issue can escalate into a serious problem, as was the case with Hector, a 10-year-old from the UK. After a family outing, he suffered a massive sunburn that ultimately required surgery. According to reports, Natalie Harvey, her partner Ben Limbrick, 40, and their two sons, Hector, 10, and Hugo, 15, travelled to Cape Verde on August 16 for a week of sunbathing. However, upon returning from the beach, Hectors condition worsened. After taking him to the hospital, doctors suggested that the sunburn may have been caused by using fake or expired sunscreen. A family member claimed that when their sunscreen lotion ran out on the last day of their holiday, Ben bought a bottle of SPF 90 lotion for himself and the boys from a shop near the hotel. After applying the cream and stepping out into the 29-degree heat, both boys spent two hours in the pool, soaking up the sun. By the time they were at the airport, Hector began feeling sleepy and overheated. Upon landing, he discovered 8-cm watery blisters all over his body. After calling 111, Hector was taken to Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he received treatment for sunburn and underwent a procedure to clean his blisters. Natalie believes that the exact cause of her sons burns has not yet been confirmed, but she alleges that doctors indicated the cream purchased abroad may have expired or been fake, leading to its failure to protect him from the suns rays. While Natalie hopes for her sons recovery, his condition remains critical. The distressed mother is now spreading awareness of her sons ordeal, urging other parents to check UVA ratings and expiry dates on skincare products before purchasing, to prevent similar incidents. Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal is number two among the twenty-three wealthiest Gurgaon residents with a net worth of around Rs 1,000 crore. So who is the wealthiest Gurgaon resident? Its UNO Minda chairman and managing director, Nirmal Kumar Minda. As per the Hurun India Rich List 2024, Minda has a net worth that surpasses that of Goyal by almost three times. The predicted net worth of the UNO Minda chairman and his family in 2024 is Rs 30,800 crore, or almost $3.6 billion. As a result, Minda is the richest person in Gurgaon and the 91st richest person in India. Who is Nirmal Kumar Minda? He serves as Uno Minda chairman and managing director. The firm was founded by Mindas late father, Shadilal Minda. The company started as a small workshop in Delhi that sold motorbike accessories and electric parts. UNO Minda now produces an assortment of vehicle components for both automobiles and motorcycles. Nirmal Kumar Minda began working for the family company in 1977. Its wealth increased by 68% in the past year. He rose to become Gurgaons richest person in 2024. Minda is married to Suman Minda, the head of Uno Mindas corporate social responsibility organisation, Suman Nirmal Minda Foundation (SNMF). Minda and Deepinder Goyal, respectively, occupy the top two slots on Huruns Gurgaon Rich List. Goyals estimated net worth is Rs 9,300 crore. In 2008, Goyal co-founded the food delivery startup Zomato. Zomato purchased the Blinkit rapid commerce platform in 2022. Zomatos stock rose 7.7% in early trading hours on September 5 when JP Morgan, a major global investment firm, increased its target price to Rs 261.60 a share. The multinational investment behemoth highlighted Zomatos Blinkit business growth, which has been effectively expanded in most metro areas after Delhi NCR. Meanwhile, Varun Alagh, the founder of Honasa Consumer Ltd., and his wife Ghazal Alagh are the third richest people in Gurgaon. With their Mamaearth brand, their projected net value for 2024 is Rs 5,900 crore. Jyoti Bhatia, the sister of IndiGo Airlines co-founder Rahul Bhatia, comes in at number four on the list with a net worth of Rs 4,500 crore. Completing the top five is Gawar Constructions Ravinder Kumar, whose estimated net worth is Rs 4,300 crore. An unfortunate event that brings to light the catastrophic consequences of working tirelessly occurred recently when a thirty-year-old Chinese man suffered organ failure following an exhausting 104 days of work followed by just one day off. According to Guangzhou Daily, a Zhejiang provincial court determined the company in question had 20% of the blame for the mans demise. The court determined that a pneumococcal infection which is frequently associated with a compromised immune system caused multiple organ failure in a man identified as Abao. As reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), in February last year, Abao entered an employment agreement to be a painter for a firm whose name had been withheld by the court. The contract was reportedly expected to run through the end of January this year but he was transferred to a project in Zhoushan in Zhejiang province in southeast China. Abao signed the contract and was working every day from February to May last year with only one rest day on 6 April, SCMP reports. On May 25, he called in sick because he was not feeling well and rested at his dormitory for the whole day. On May 28, the situation of Abao suddenly worsened, SCMP reported, adding that he was taken to hospital by his colleagues. Doctors determined he was suffering from a lung infection and respiratory failure. He passed away on June 1. Social security authorities told the investigating team during preliminary interviews that since Abao got sick on Wednesday and died on Saturday, the death could not be considered an occupational injury because more than 48 hours had elapsed between his getting sick and dying. His family then sought compensation through the courts in a case of what they claimed as employer negligence, the report added. In response, the company claimed that Abaos work schedules were not excessive and that any extra hours that were worked were done so willingly. They also argued that when he succumbed he was suffering from other illnesses, which were never treated and only were allowed to compound his death. SCMP cited the courts decision reporting that it was in agreement with the defence that Abao working for 104 days continuously was a violation of Chinese Labour Law whereby the employees are allowed to work a maximum of eight hours daily and an average of 44 hours a week. It decided that the labour regulations violation of the company contributed to the frailty of Abaos immune system leading to death and therefore the company is 20% responsible for the incident. The court reportedly compensated the family with 400,000 yuan (over Rs 47 lakh), in which the amount of 10,000 yuan (almost Rs 12 lakh) was for the mental suffering arising out of the death. The Zhoushan Intermediate Peoples Court maintained the initial decision in August despite the companys appeal. A man took to the American website Reddit to share how PhonePe saved him from a scam today. The Redditor, who goes by Sound_Less online, recounted receiving a call from someone claiming to be from the HDFC Credit Card Department, offering him a lifetime free credit card. Believing the call to be genuine, he went ahead with the process, including sharing an OTP for logging into the platform. She then told me my address and the last 4 digits of the card to convince me that its a genuine call. And asked me to confirm all the details on the card like validity, CVV number and card number, I gave it all. She then told me that she had forwarded my file to the senior and they will call for further verification and cut down the call, he added. Read| Man Outwits Scammer in Rs 8,999 UPI Scam. Heres How He Foiled it Sound_Less received another call two hours later. This time she also asked for OTP, the moment I saw the OTP, there was mention of PhonePe. I actually read the message this time and it was a transaction message of 44 thousand rupees. He also shared the text message that he received on his phone. It reads, OTP is 682241 for txn of INR 44020.00 at PHONEPE PRI on HDFC Bank card ending 5401. Valid till 01:29. Do not share OTP for security reasons. The first time they asked for OTP, it was for login into mycardshdfcdotcom to convince me that they know all my details. And 2nd time it was an transaction message, he wrote, detailing how he narrowly avoided the 44,000 scam. Take a look at the Reddit post: The man shared about the scam two days ago on Reddit. It has since then accumulated over 1,000 upvotes and still counting. Many even dropped comments on the post. Heres how people reacted to the post below: Time and again, we are notified by RBI and Banks to not share OTP to anyone including if they are calling from the bank itself, posted an individual. Also Read| Delhi Lawyer Calls Amazon iPhone Exchange Offer Scam In Viral Post Another added, Bro hope you know OTP is only for domestic transactions and not international. Just enter CVV and you are done. First of all, get your card blocked and get it replaced due to fraud. If you get it regular replace unfortunately HDFC gives same card number and CVV. More power to you OP! Atleast you have the courage to admit your mistake and learn from it! expressed a third. A fourth commented, Yoo, same thing happened to me a few months ago. The caller in my case was impersonating Kotak bank, they knew card number, expiry date and home address, so I was convinced that it was real. Then she asked for my CVV; I thought that this is real, I thought surely they knew my CVV beforehand and just need to confirm it, so I told her incorrect CVV. Clearly, it didnt work, so she sent an OTP, thats when I began suspecting her, told her incorrect OTP, then she sent 2nd OTP where it was mentioned OTP xyz for you trx of 24000 and I just hung up the call and saved myself a lot of trouble. Dad-of-two Rob Lo Presti has been identified as the victim of Saturday's warehouse fire in Perth. Rob Lo Presti has been identified as the man killed in a warehouse fire on Staurday. Source: 7News A man tragically killed in a warehouse fire on the weekend has been identified by media as father-of-two Rob Lo Presti. The Perth man, a marine mechanic, was at the boat repair business in O'Connor, a suburb of Fremantle, when flames suddenly took hold of the facility on Saturday. The fire started around 3.30 pm and quickly spread, sending toxic smoke into nearby areas. Nearby residents were told to stay inside, out of the smoke or fumes, with doors and windows closed. Emergency services attended the scene and upon extinguishing the fire, a person was located deceased inside the building, WA Police said on Saturday. "The fire is being treated as a non-suspicious fatal incident," they said in a statement the following day. Dad remembered as 'genuine and vivacious human' Lo Presti is being remembered by family and friends as the the "most honest, genuine and vivacious human". He leaves behind his wife Rebecca and their two children. "Rebecca, together with our devastated family, wants Rob to be honoured as the most honest, genuine and vivacious human being whose love of life was noticeable by everyone who knew him and his infectious smile like no other," his family said in a statement to media. "He has left behind two amazing children who will live on in the memory of their loving father." Investigation into 'tragic' event underway Speaking of the incident, state premier Roger Cook reportedly said the fire appeared to be "a tragic, horrible event". "I don't have any other details, but obviously that must have been very distressing for those first responders," Cook said on Sunday. "We thank them for their work, and of course, we've had a loss of life too." He said emergency services were yet to determine the "really sad" circumstances surrounding the fire as investigations continue. with AAP Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. A man played CREDs Friday jackpot and won a MacBook, iPad, AirPods Max and a TUMI bag worth Rs 3.25 lakh. The company asked him to fill in his PAN details so that the TDS on the jackpot can be paid. But his happiness was short lived as the company cancelled the jackpot blaming technical glitch. The CRED user shared the incident on social media and tagged the Bengaluru-based companys founder Kunal Shah. Even though I usually do not fall for the CRED jackpots, but yesterday I just played the Friday jackpot without having any hope of getting anything meaningful. But I scored the JACKPOT and it wasnt a small one. It included a Macbook, Ipad, Airpods Max and a TUMI bag worth INR 3.25L, wrote CRED user Aviral Sangal on X (formerly known as Twitter). Sangal claimed that the company asked him for his PAN details to pay the TDS on the jackpot but later cancelled it and credited RS 1,000 as a good will gesture. Sangal added, I filled out the form to receive the items and they took my PAN to pay the TDS on the jackpot. But a few minutes back I got a call from the CRED team that they had to cancel the jackpot because of some technical issue and they crediting back the coins and good will gesture INR 1K cashback. Even though I usually do not fall for the @CRED_club jackpots, but yesterday I just played the friday jackpot without having any hope of getting anything meaningful. But I scored the JACKPOT and it wasn't a small one. It included a Macbook, Ipad, Airpods Max and a TUMI bag worth pic.twitter.com/16SwhchMYm Aviral Sangal (@sangalaviral) September 7, 2024 He shared an update saying, Shamelessly CRED called me again to give me the same offer of refunding the points and 1k cashback which I have declined again! Sangal added, Another call from CRED this more in depth. Due to a Bug there were 200 users who won the Jackpot. They decided to cancel the Jackpot instead of pausing, fixing the bug and honoring the 200 odd users who already won. He further wrote, I have asked the lady that CRED needs to publicly acknowledge the incident publicly and to honour the Jackpot for all 200 users as the decision taken by CRED is only fair to the organisation and not to its users. I have made my stand clear that CRED needs to honour the reward or else I do have my legal options available to me. I will keep you posted. Update: Another call from CRED this more in depth. Due to a "Bug" there were 200 users who won the Jackpot. They decided to cancel the Jackpot instead of pausing, fixing the bug and honoring the 200 odd users who already won.I have asked the lady that CRED needs to publicly Aviral Sangal (@sangalaviral) September 7, 2024 The posts, since being shared a few hours ago, have accumulated numerous views and likes. Many even took to the comments section of the post to share their thoughts. Heres how people reacted to this post: File a case please, itll be fun to see the judgement of court, said an individual. Another added, Same happened with me but the amount was 40k. After 50+ email exchanges and a call I got my vouchers. Just stick to your ground I need what I have won, nothing else. Ask them to send an email every time for documentation purposes. Where are the 200 other users, had it been the case with others then it would have already be viral in Social Media, CRED team finally caught naked in the act, so much mindless gyaan by Kunal Shah that they could not honour a meagre sum of 3 lakh, what a shame! expressed a third. Many in the comments section even suggested the CRED user to sue the company. Scientists have recently made an intriguing discovery, revealing the presence of a mysterious zone at the edge of our solar system. This new finding has left many people amazed. While we have made significant advancements in exploring distant stars and galaxies, certain regions within our solar system, such as the Oort Cloud and the Kuiper Belt, remain largely unexplored. These areas are incredibly far away and difficult to observe, leaving much still to be discovered. A recent study conducted by NASAs New Horizons Kuiper Belt search team has reported the detection of an unexpected group of distant bodies in the Kuiper Belt. This discovery suggests that our solar system may have formed from a much larger protostellar disk than previously thought. It also opens up the possibility of discovering new objects for NASAs New Horizons mission to study. The Kuiper Belt, a cold, ring-shaped region beyond Neptune, is filled with icy bodies, including Pluto, Arrokoth, and other Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs). Recently, astronomers have observed an increase in the number of these KBOs, which are situated between 70 and 90 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. To put this into perspective, one AU is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun. A new, peer-reviewed study authored by NASAs New Horizons Kuiper Belt search team reports the detection of an unexpected population of very distant bodies in the Kuiper Belt. The discovery suggests the solar system may have formed from a much larger protostellar disk, and pic.twitter.com/slGrznmGS3 NASA New Horizons (@NASANewHorizons) September 4, 2024 What makes this discovery especially intriguing is that these newly found KBOs are located far beyond the previously known population of Kuiper Belt objects. The gap between the established Kuiper Belt and these new findings is so vast that experts believe it could represent an entirely new region within the belt itself. A planetary scientist from Japan has stated that if these findings are confirmed, it would be a significant discovery. The Kuiper Belt extends from about 30 AU, near Neptunes orbit, to roughly 50 AU. Yet, at least 11 of these newly discovered KBOs are located far beyond this boundary, marking an exciting new chapter in our understanding of the outer solar system. In response to the growing number of remote workers who are hogging seats during peak hours, two UK eateries have introduced restrictions on laptop use. Milk and Bean in Newbury has implemented a one-hour limit on laptop use during weekdays, and has banned laptops entirely on weekends. Similarly, The Collective in Caversham has prohibited laptops on weekends and restricted their use to between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm on weekdays. Both establishments have cited reduced revenue and slower table turnover as reasons for these measures. Alex Middleton, manager of The Collective, told the BBC that the aim of the policy is to create a balance that prevents financial loss, and doesnt compromise us losing money. Chris Chaplin, owner of Milk and Bean, echoed these concerns. He noted that having [people using] laptops isnt really ideal, as it leads to reduced turnover and modest spending compared to patrons who do not use laptops. Chaplin added that laptop use tends to detract from the vibe of the establishment. Middleton also shared with the BBC that as a small, independent business, it is crucial for them to keep tables occupied and turnover high. He stressed the importance of preventing customers from hogging tables, while also wanting to avoid disrespecting patrons who come in with laptops. He said that while laptop users often have quite a low spend, they would spend quite a long time at tables. Middleton told the BBC that they get both types of customers at their restaurant. For one, they are lucky because many of their clients are returning customers who come in frequently, so they follow the guidelines. He said that the other sort became a little agitated over it. Chaplin, on the other hand, described enforcing the policy as one of those awkward conversations, but noted that he often had no choice but to ask customers to shut their laptops. The rise in remote work since the pandemic has led many people to use cafes as secondary workspaces, drawn by free Wi-Fi and power outlets. Despite potential backlash, the cafe owners believe that these restrictions are necessary for improving operations and ensuring a fair environment for all patrons. They see the measures as necessary to balance the needs of all customers and maintain a thriving business. One company has become popular on social media, because it gave a unique response to an employee when he asked for leave. This news has sparked curiosity and garnered peoples attention. The case occurred in Thailand, where an employee, working in a marketing agency gave a bizarre excuse to take a leave. He said that he wants to go on a date with his partner. Additionally, he mentioned that he has so much work that he could not find a proper time to date. The most surprising part arises when the manager took action on a different level in this case. After hearing his excuse, the manager of the company introduced a unique system for the employees. He has provided leave for those employees who want to go on a date. This leave is going to run in the company from July to December, in which employees can take leave for dates at any time they want. The only thing they will have to do is to give a notice a week in advance. Their salary will also not be deducted for this leave. Not only this, the company will also bear the expenses of dating. The company manger, citing a study, remarked that being in love makes everyone happy, which also affects positively on work and also the mood of the employee. According to him, they will be happy coming to the workplace after dating. For this, the company will also bear the cost of the dating app Tinder Gold, along with Tinder Platinum subscription for up to 6 months. This recent announcement from the company has captured significant public interests and intrigue. Many people are astonished by this unprecedented move, finding it hard to believe that an organisation would provide such a benefit. The concept of dating leave, a term previously unheard of in corporate policies, along with financial support for dating activities, has sparked widespread curiosity and discussion. This unique approach to employee benefits challenges conventional notions and reflects an evolving understanding of work-life balance and personal well-being. Though this unique approach has baffled everyone, while it has also sparked debates among others saying that the company is interfering in the employees personal life in this way The internet is filled with inspiring stories of young Indians winning everyones hearts with their perseverance and determination. Despite being at odds with things in life, these men, women and at times even kids continue to work hard and struggle but never refuse to give up on their dreams. A PhD student, who is running a food stall on the streets of Chennai while also managing his studies at the same time, has caught everyones attention. US vlogger Christopher Lewis shared a video of the student, Tarul Rayan, whom he met in Chennai while exploring local food. Lewis discovered the food cart on Google Maps and went to try out some Chicken 65. In the video, he could be seen ordering the dish and getting into a conversation with Rayan. Intrigued by the decent serving of Chicken 65, Lewis asked the food vendor about his stall and was eventually stunned to learn that he was pursuing his PhD in biotechnology from SRM University. Google my name; youll find my research articles online," Rayan says in the video. During this while, they googled his name and college and came across a number of his research articles. Throughout their heartwarming conversation, the two also spoke about a lot of things as Rayan shared little details about the local culture and the food items at the stall. As the video went viral, social media users were left impressed by the students business venture as well as his academic goals. A user wrote, Another video of evidence for education is of great significance," while another commented, The best part about this video is a small-time guy who speaks amazing English and can understand an American accent. That smile of his made the whole video colourful. God bless." He is quite inspirational. He runs a stall, is doing a PhD, and is publishing articles also! Fantastic work," a comment read. A user, while reacting to the video, wrote, The same YouTuber went to Marina Beach and ate corn in a shop. A girl was there helping her mom and doing college. In Tamil Nadu, you can see many students doing part-time jobs and helping their parents. " The same youtuber went to Marina beach and ate Corn in a shop. A girl was there helping her mom and doing college. In Tamilnadu you can see many students doing part time and helping their parents. #Tamilnadu Srinivasan Raghu (@This_is_Cheenu) September 3, 2024 The video has been widely shared across other platforms. It has amassed over 23,000 likes and nearly 1 lakh views on Facebook. A US foreign affairs panel released a scathing report on Sunday detailing the 2021 American withdrawal from Afghanistan, which left the worlds biggest military spender red-faced after USD 7 billion worth of weapons and equipment ended up in the hands of the Taliban. The House Foreign Affairs Committee report accused US President Joe Bidens administration of ignoring military advice and international concerns in his rush to exit the landlocked country. The report alleges that Bidens administration prioritised a political agenda over national security and rebuffed advice from high-ranking officials who warned against a complete withdrawal. Unconditionally withdrawal The report says that due to the hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban rapidly overthrew the democratically elected government, leaving many Americans and Afghan allies vulnerable to reprisals. One of the reports key findings is that top military officials, including the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advised against a full troop withdrawal. Despite this, Biden moved forward with his plan, which was described as a reckless, blind determination to end the 20-year conflict, according to the report. The report also blamed the US government for the death of 13 servicemembers who lost their lives in a bomb blast at the Kabul airport. On April 14, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his decision to unconditionally withdraw all US military personnel from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. The result of their inaction was a chaotic Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) where 13 US servicemembers lost their lives and more than 800 Americans were abandoned behind enemy lines, the 350-page report read. Doha Agreement The report also slammed Biden for ignoring the terms of the Doha Agreement, a deal negotiated by former President Donald Trump that required the Taliban to meet specific conditions before US troops could withdraw. The Biden government allegedly misled the public about the Talibans compliance with this agreement. Another key finding is the lack of preparation for the evacuation of US citizens and Afghan allies. The report highlighted that a noncombatant evacuation operation was not officially ordered until August 16, 2021, just after the Taliban captured Kabul, resulting in chaotic scenes at the airport. Timing of Report The reports release comes just days before Vice President Kamala Harriss debate against Trump, raising accusations of political maneuvering. However, committee chairman Michael McCaul defended the timing, saying that the investigation faced significant delays due to obstruction. While the report is largely critical of Biden, it also acknowledges that Trumps administration laid the groundwork for the withdrawal with the Doha deal, which excluded the Afghan government from negotiations. This omission is seen as a contributing factor to the subsequent chaos, according to the report. The report has sparked a political firestorm, with Democrats accusing Republicans of cherry-picking facts to support a predetermined narrative. They argue that the Biden administrations response to the rapidly changing situation was more nuanced than the report suggests. At least eight Afghan Taliban soldiers, including two key commanders, have been killed in a fierce clash with the Pakistani security forces in the border region near the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The exchange, which was reported in the Khurram border district of the province over the weekend, also injured 16 Afghan Taliban soldiers. The Afghan side attacked a Pakistani checkpost with heavy weapons in the Palosin area on the Pak-Afghan border on Saturday morning, the Dawn newspaper reported, quoting sources. We have reports about heavy losses on the other [Afghan] side. So far, eight Afghan Taliban have been killed, and 16 others have sustained injuries in retaliatory firing by the Pakistani forces, sources said, adding that two key commanders were also killed. There was no official word on the incident from the Pakistan militarys media wing the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). This is not the first time Afghan troops have opened fire on Pakistani security forces posted at the border. In the past, Islamabad shared its concerns with Kabul over such incidents. The Afghan Taliban, apart from facilitating militant activities inside Pakistan, were now openly attacking the forces along the international border, sources said. Due to the tense security situation, trade between the two countries remained suspended over the weekend. There were reports of intermittent firing on the border on Sunday as well, but no casualties were reported. Meanwhile, a paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) official was killed, and three others sustained injuries in a militant attack in the Marghan area of central Kurram on Sunday. In May, the Foreign Office conveyed its concerns to Kabul after a large number of locals were displaced in the Kharlachi border crossing and sought shelter in safer places in the wake of clashes between the two neighbouring countries. At the time, tribal elders from Kurram and the Afghan side played a role in defusing the tensions. However, clashes on the border had prompted large-scale displacement from villages and settlements near the Kharlachi border crossing. Kharlachi crossing connects Pakistans northwestern Kunnar tribal district with Afghanistans eastern Paktia province. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, taking stock of the progress of bilateral relations and discussing ways to further deepen them. Jaishankar arrived here in the Saudi capital on Sunday on a two-day visit to attend the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers meeting. He met Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and discussed the progress in the bilateral relations. Delighted to meet FM @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia today in Riyadh. Took stock of the progress in our bilateral relationship and shared perspectives on global and regional issues. Look forward to welcoming him in India, he said in a post on X. A warm meeting with FM @badralbusaidi of Oman in Riyadh today.Focused on further strengthening of our Strategic Partnership. pic.twitter.com/OJRbs4PTq3 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 9, 2024 Pleased to meet FM Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain.Appreciate his positive evaluation of our relationship and the contribution of the Indian Community in Bahrain. Agreed on an early meeting of our Joint Commission. pic.twitter.com/SSRpl3ybiV Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 9, 2024 Jaishankar also met Qatars Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who also holds the portfolio of the foreign minister. Began the day with a good meeting with (the) PM & FM of Qatar @MBA_AlThani_. Discussed taking India-Qatar bilateral ties forward. Appreciated his insights and assessments on regional developments, he said in a post on X. In Riyadh, Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of several other GCC member countries. The GCC is an influential grouping, comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The total volume of Indias trade with GCC countries stood at USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23. Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi on Saturday said India and the GCC enjoy a deep and multifaceted relationship, including in areas of trade and investment, energy, cultural and people-to-people ties. Jaishankar is here on the first leg of his three-nation tour that will also take him to Germany and Switzerland. The seismic assessment in Pakistan cannot be considered discovery of oil and gas reserves yet, a top source in the neighbouring country-owned oil and gas company has told CNN-News18 amid buzz that significant deposits have been discovered within Pakistans territorial waters after a three-year survey in collaboration with a friendly country. Its just a seismic assessment in the Arabian Sea, a top official of Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDCL) said, adding that it was too early to claim that huge hydrocarbons reserves had been found. The official added that the survey data is still being processed to estimate and define the potential of hydrocarbon resources. A seismic survey only provides knowledge about the formations below the sea surface. This was also attempted in 2018. Pakistan, which is struggling financially, is looking for potential resources to attract foreign as well as public-private investments and partnerships in the country. What may prove to be a deterrent in the countrys exploration plans is the significant financial investment needed to explore offshore oil and gas reserves, estimated at a minimum of around US $3 billion just for initial exploration. In 2018, ExxonMobil, the American multinational oil and gas company, drilled up to 5,000 meters and was optimistic about the oil discovery but, after the 17th attempt, it abandoned the operation after no reserves were found. According to an Express Tribune report, Pakistans total energy import bill in 2023 was $17.5 billion, projected to nearly double to $31 billion in seven years. The country currently meets 29 per cent of gas, 85 per cent of oil, 20 per cent of coal and 50 per cent of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) requirements through imports. On Friday, a top Pakistani security official said the geographic survey has allowed Pakistan to identify the location of the deposits, and the relevant departments have informed the government of the resources found in Pakistani waters. Terming it an effort to benefit from what he called the blue water economy, the official said that proposals for bidding and exploration were being studied, meaning that the exploration work can be started in the near future. Some estimates suggest that this discovery constitutes the fourth-largest oil and gas reserves in the world. Currently, Venezuela is thought to be the leader in oil reserves with around 3.4 billion barrels, while the US has the most untapped shale oil reserves. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Canada and Iraq constitute the rest of the top five. The man suspected of opening fire on cars traveling along Interstate 75 in rural Kentucky was at large on Sunday night after a daylong manhunt by multiple law enforcement agencies through rugged, wooded terrain. Kentucky State Police was leading the manhunt for suspect Joseph Couch, 32, whom police identified after finding a vehicle registered to him and an AR-style rifle near the shooting site, about eight miles (12.9 km) from the city of London in southeastern Kentucky. Five people were injured in the shooting spree but are in a stable condition. One victim was shot in the face and another in the arm. Couch is believed to have purchased his weapon and ammunition on Saturday morning, Laurel County Sheriff Captain Richard Dalrymple told reporters at a Sunday night press conference. Couch is alleged to have started shooting from a cliff above a remote stretch of the interstate at around 5:30 p.m. (2130 GMT) on Saturday, officials said. At least 12 vehicles were hit. Were not going to stop on this case until we do find him and take him into custody, said Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigations Louisville, Kentucky field office. Police are still investigating the motive for the shootings. Local residents were urged to lock their doors, stay vigilant and avoid the manhunt area, where police believe Couch is contained and armed. Couch, from southern Kentucky, served in the National Guard for four years and was a member of the engineer battalion, Dalrymple said. He had no serious criminal record. Dalrymple said ground teams paused their search of thousands of wooded acres when darkness fell on Sunday because of the dangers presented by the rugged terrain, but patrols would be stationed around the areas perimeter. Search teams were using a helicopter and a drone with infrared technology, and federal, state and local agencies were on the case. Laurel County public schools canceled Monday classes out of an abundance of caution. The shooting took place three days after two students and two teachers were killed, and nine others wounded, at a high school in Winder, Georgia. The challenge was to build a tunnel that blocked foxes and cats, while allowing turtles to safely cross. In a move straight out of a prison heist movie, turtles have escaped the confines of an impenetrable four kilometre fence by crawling through tunnels underneath it. The fence had been constructed to keep a population of endangered eastern quolls safe from predators after they were reintroduced to mainland Australia. But it inadvertently imprisoned a population of eastern long-necked turtles by preventing them from travelling between waterholes at Booderee National Park on the NSW South Coast. Experts had feared by blocking this ancient migratory route between water sources and nesting sites, the turtle population could have been wiped out. Fortunately, it wasnt left up to the turtles to find a solution to this man-made problem. Park rangers and conservationists from World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia stepped in and created nine tunnels around the park to allow the turtles to make their great escape. Mesh at the middle of each turtle tunnel prevents larger animals from breaching them. Source: WWF-Australia We have long known that turtles use the network of swamps and lakes at Booderee, feeding and fattening in the swamps and migrating to the permanent lakes when the swamps dry out. It was imperative that we maintained access for turtles to these water bodies, Booderee National Park conservation manager Nick Dexter said. How does the new turtle tunnel invention work? To stop the quolls getting out and invasive foxes and cats getting in, the team created an ingenious new tunnel system that was flooded with water. Each two-metre-long, 70 cm deep, bathtub shaped, tunnel also includes a mesh-opening in the middle aimed at deterring any determined larger animal from breaching the fence. Before the bathtub-style tunnels were installed (left), a trial at Kangaroo Valley showed turtles could utilise them (right). Source: WWW-Australia Because the mechanism was a new invention, the team had been unsure whether the turtles would use it when they installed it late last year. But nine months on, they have recorded 73 instances of turtles successfully exiting tunnels. Sometimes our actions to protect one species can have unintended consequences for others. But this time, its nice to know both the quolls and turtles will be happy, WWF-Australias Rob Brewster said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Workers at many of the largest US tech companies overwhelmingly back Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, according to donation data, even as some of the most powerful tech billionaires have thrown their support to Republican rival Donald Trump. Workers at Alphabet, Amazon and Microsoft are donating millions of dollars to the Harris campaign, significantly more than employees who are opting to send money to former President Trumps camp, according to the data compiled by political watchdog OpenSecrets. The data includes donations made by company employees, owners, and workers and owners immediate family members. However, tech billionaires like Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz are rallying behind Trump, citing the former presidents stances on the economy, taxes and big business. The Nov. 5 presidential election has riven Silicon Valley, once a bastion of democratic and liberal support. Venture capitalist Reid Hoffman from Greylock and entrepreneur Mark Cuban are pledging support for Harris White House bid, with hopes of seeing more abortion rights for workers and pro-tech policies. But in recent years several other tech leaders have bristled at Democratic President Joe Bidens business policies, including a broad attack on mergers and acquisitions and clamping down on data privacy. Companies themselves can not directly donate to federal campaigns, including presidential ones, according to campaign finance laws. Corporations often donate to congressional and state-level campaigns through political action committees, which are funded by employee donations and limited on how much candidates can receive. Many businesses serve customers on both sides of the political aisle, and they dont want to alienate customers by making contributions that support just one party or one candidate in a partisan race, said Michael Beckel, research director at campaign finance reform nonprofit Issue One. While corporations are blocked from sending money directly to presidential candidates, their employees arent, and tech employees are overwhelmingly giving to Harris. Employees at Alphabet and its subsidiaries, which includes Google, and their family members have donated $2.16 million so far to Harris campaign, nearly 40 times as much as Trump has received, according to OpenSecrets. Amazon and Microsoft employees and family members donated $1 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Trumps campaign pulled in $116,000 from Amazon workers and $88,000 from Microsoft workers, as well as their family members. Employees at Amazon, which is also a top US retailer and the second largest employer in the country, are outpacing donations from other e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail workers. For example, Walmart workers have donated a total of $275,000 to both Harris and Trump, with both presidential candidates receiving nearly the same amount in funding. Trumps campaign is taking in $144,000 from Walmart workers, about $14,000 more than Harris. Campaign donations mostly come from corporate employees who have more disposable income than the typical warehouse worker or cashier, said Sarah Bryner, director of research and strategy for OpenSecrets. Bryner said Amazon and other tech company corporate employees often make more money than those at Walmart, giving them more leeway to contribute to political campaigns. Amazon corporate employees on average make more money than Walmart corporate employees, who are often based in Bentonville, Arkansas. Amazons US corporate employees take home an average of $133,000 per year, while Walmarts corporate workers average annual salary is $85,000, according to data from job marketplace ZipRecruiter. Workers and family members at Meta and Apple havent hit the $1 million mark in donations to Harris yet, but they are continuing the trend of outpacing contributions to Trump. Meta employees have donated $25,000 to Trump compared with $835,000 to Harris, while Apple employees donated $44,000 to Trump compared with $861,000 to Harris. Silicon Valley has traditionally been seen as more left-leaning in the US In August, more than 100 venture capitalists said in a letter they would support Harris, who has been considered pro-innovation on business and technology. A Filipino preacher accused of sexual abuse and human trafficking surrendered to authorities on Sunday at a religious complex in the southern Philippines and was then flown to the capital, Manila, where he was placed in police detention. Who is Apollo Quiboloy? Apollo Quiboloy and four other co-accused surrendered in the vast religious headquarters of their group in Davao city after the police gave a one-day ultimatum for them to give up. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Monday that evangelist preacher will not be given special treatment following his arrest on Sunday, after a weeks-long police search for the celebrity pastor. There is no special treatment, Marcos told reporters on Monday. We will treat him like any other arrested person and respect his rights. We will demonstrate once again that our judicial system in the Philippines is active, vibrant and working, he added. Flown on Air Force C-130 plane Quiboloy and his co-accused were flown on a Philippine Air Force C-130 plane to the capital Sunday night and locked up in a heavily guarded detention center at the national police headquarters, where their mugshots and fingerprints were taken, police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a news briefing. The Philippine National Police gave an ultimatum for them to surrender, otherwise, we would raid a particular building, where weve been barred from entering, Fajardo said, adding that the warning led to their peaceful surrender. Quiboloy in hiding Quiboloy went into hiding earlier this year after a Philippine court ordered his arrest and several others on allegations of suspicion of child and sexual abuse and human trafficking, Fajarto said. The Philippine Senate separately ordered Quiboloys arrest for refusing to appear in public committee hearings that were looking into criminal allegations against him. Earlier, Marcos Jr. had urged Quiboloy to surrender and assured him of fair treatment by authorities. The preacher and his lawyer denied the allegations against him, saying they were fabricated by critics and former members who were removed from the religious group. 2021 US indictment In 2021, United States federal prosecutors announced the indictment of Quiboloy for allegedly having sex with women and underage girls who faced threats of abuse and eternal damnation unless they catered to the self-proclaimed son of God. Quiboloy and two of his top administrators were among nine people named in a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury and unsealed in November 2021. It contained a raft of charges, including conspiracy, sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, marriage fraud, money laundering, cash smuggling and visa fraud. 2,000 police personnel raided Quiboloy compound The US Embassy in Manila referred requests for comments to Philippine authorities. Last month, about 2,000 police backed by riot squads raided the vast religious compound of Quiboloy in Davao in a chaotic operation as large numbers of his followers turned up to oppose the raid. The police brought equipment that could detect people hiding in underground tunnels but did not find him in the 75-acre compound that includes a cathedral, a stadium, a school, a residential area, a hangar and a taxiway leading to Davao International Airport. In 2019, Quiboloy claimed he stopped a major earthquake from hitting the southern Philippines. He was also a close supporter and spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is being probed by the International Criminal Court in connection with the extrajudicial killings of thousands of drug suspects. (With agency inputs) Jordan Mainstone was fishing with a friend at Duranbah, in the Tweed Shire, when the unbelievable ordeal occurred on August 18. Jordan Mainstone was fishing with a friend at Duranbah, in the Tweed Shire, when he was struck by a whale's tail on August 18. Pictured here with wife Rebecca. Source: GFM An Aussie fisherman remains in hospital with a traumatic brain injury weeks after he was knocked unconscious by a whale's tail during an incredible, "extreme rare" incident at sea. Jordan Mainstone was fishing with a friend at Duranbah, in the Tweed Shire in NSW, when the unbelievable ordeal occurred on August 18. Mainstone's wife Rebecca said she expected her husband to have returned home from hospital within days of the dramatic encounter, but as of Sunday, he's yet to be discharged. He is still receiving treatment for his physical and psychological injuries, she said. Mainstone, aged 40, was fishing with friend Jamie French in their tinnie, about a kilometre from the Tweed Heads bar, on the NSW-Queensland border, when the animal breached the surface. The immense force nearly capsized the boat, with multiple witnesses in the water nearby left in complete shock by the scary moment. French came to Mainstone's aid before other locals on jetskis also arrived to assist. Queensland Ambulance Service's (QAS) Scott Brown, who was among the first on the scene, said the ordeal was exceptionally rare. Experts say Mainstone is lucky to alive after being slapped in the face by a whale's tail off the NSW-Queensland coast in August. Source: New South Wales Marine Rescue "Just two guys having a morning fish, and then all of a sudden, a whale's tail appeared, striking one in the head," Brown earlier said of the incident, according to reports. "We've had boats come in contact with whales before, but not actually a person sitting in a boat. "You have a little bit of disbelief that it happened at first, but respond nonetheless, and when we got there, that's what we found had happened." Wife's sad admission three weeks after brutal encounter Now, a full three weeks later, Rebecca said the family don't yet know the extent of Mainstone's injuries. "I was under the illusion that I would have my husband back within a week or two, and the boys would have their dad home," she told 7News, adding that her husband is confused, disoriented and "doesn't remember" much of what took place. The whale breached the water and flicked its tale right onto Mainstone's face. Source: 7News "Until we get him emerging from that, we dont know the extent of his brain injury. Were trying to get him into a brain injury rehab facility so he has the best possible chance." A fundraising campaign has been established to support the family during Mainstone's journey ahead. "He has a long road to recovery with an uncertain time frame of when he will be able to return to work," a GoFundMe campaign read. "Rebecca has also been unable to work during this time and depending on Jordan's recovery requirements, may also not be able to return to work for some time." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. This past month, Auburn Community Cats TNR fixed its 500th cat. The group first met in August of 2020 at First Presbyterian Church at the recommendation of Patty Reynolds of Moravias Cat Program at the Old Barn. Reynolds and her colleague Nicole Davis Ritchie had successfully decreased the cat population in the village of Moravia using the humane process of TNR: trap, neuter and return. Reynolds advised the people in attendance to start fundraising, buying traps and making connections with local veterinarians and the SPCA. A few months later, the first cat in Auburn was trapped, neutered and returned to its original location by this group. These cats are recognizable as neutered by their clipped left ear. This painless badge of honor helps trappers identify the remaining non-fixed cats in a colony. TNR efforts like Auburns are one part of a bigger solution for the overpopulation of community cats. The term community cats is preferred over feral or stray because these cats are often friendly and cared for by multiple community members. In cities like Auburn, many of the homeless cats trapped by ACC-TNR were abandoned by their owners or are the offspring of unfixed pets. Rescues, foster networks and shelters, like the Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York, are consistently full and unable to take in more cats. Pet owners need to spay and neuter their own animals. Just two unfixed cats can rapidly lead to hundreds of offspring over the course of their lives, even when factoring in the extremely low survival rate of kittens born outdoors. In very rare cases over the last four years, ACC-TNR members and partners have been able to find new homes for especially friendly community cats. What would have been the 500th cat to be neutered by ACC-TNR was such an unusual happy case. This cat was a young, healthy and sociable boy kitten from Parker Street. He was brought to Dr. Linda Hunter at Animal Wellness of Skaneateles, where staff members Kelly Austin Reilley and Connie Klock were able to make a connection with Friends Forever Animal Rescue. He was named George Michael, taken in to be fostered, and put up for adoption. He found a forever home just a few weeks later and was neutered by the rescue. His presumed father, a sweet tomcat on Parker Street, was the true 500th cat to be fixed by ACC-TNR the following week. All together, ACC-TNR has trapped and transported cats to 522 hard-to-get appointments. Of those extra 22 cats, half were already fixed and most of the rest were kittens who were too small for surgery. The 500th cat to be trapped by ACC-TNR was brought to a clinic in June that was canceled at the last minute due to a lack of available professional veterinary staff. The cat had to be released right away, still unspayed, because she was visibly lactating: a sign that she had kittens who depended on her. Having been trapped once, shes unlikely to walk into a trap again. Auburn Community Cats TNR is a group of dedicated volunteers. ACC-TNR depends on donations and fundraising for two-thirds of its annual budget. The group has received $5,000 grants from the city of Auburn for three years in a row. Please join us on Friday, Sept. 27, at A.T. Walley & Co. for a fundraiser to support our TNR efforts. Tickets are $35, including an hour and a half of open bar plus light appetizers. Tickets are available to purchase from any board member or by contacting the organization at auburnny.tnr@gmail.com. See the list of board members on our website, auburncats.org. Tickets will also be available at the door. Auburn's 'dire' cat problem and the new group trying to solve it When Auburn City Councilor Terry Cuddy began knocking on doors this election season, there were a few concerns he expected to hear. The candidate whom many people and some nations including the US consider the legitimate winner of Venezuela's presidential election in July has gone into exile in Spain, a major blow to opposition hopes for removing the authoritarian incumbent he ran against. Edmundo Gonzalez will be granted political asylum by Spain, the BBC reports, and Nicolas Maduro will be left to serve his third term as president of Venezuela. Gonzalez, 75, had been in hiding since July 30; an arrest warrant had been issued accusing him of crimes that could have kept him in prison for life, per the Guardian . A Spanish Air Force plane carrying Gonzalez and his wife landed Sunday at an airbase in Madrid. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez posted that they'd been granted safe passage to restore "political peace," per NBC News. More than 1,700 people have been detained by the government since the election, including more than 100 teenagers, human rights groups say. Six other opposition figures have taken refuge at Argentina's embassy in Caracas, which Venezuelan security forces surrounded over the weekend. Maria Corina Machado, the overall leader of Venezuelan opposition, said Gonzalez fled "to preserve his freedom, his integrity and his life." Maduro's government has launched "a brutal wave of repression" since the election, she said. Spain's foreign minister posted that his government was granting asylum because it's "committed to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans," per CNN. A European Union statement said, "Today is a sad day for democracy in Venezuela," per NBC News. (More Venezuela elections stories.) Tens of thousands of homes and buildings were threatened Sunday by an out-of-control wildfire burning in the foothills of a national forest east of Los Angeles, amid a dayslong heat wave that pushed temperatures into the triple digits across the region. State firefighters said three firefighters had been injured and more than 35,000 structures were threatened, including single and multifamily homes and commercial buildings, while authorities issued evacuation orders for several areas. Thunderstorms expected later in the day could make conditions even more challenging. The so-called Line Fire was burning along the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, about 65 miles east of Los Angeles. As of Sunday morning, the blaze had charred about 27 square miles of grass and chaparral, leaving a thick cloud of dark smoke blanketing the area. "Afternoon thunderstorms could cause new ignitions and potentially influence activity around the fire perimeter," state firefighters said Sunday morning. "Hot and dry conditions mixed with thunderstorms are expected to challenge firefighters for the next few days." County officials, who declared an emergency Saturday evening, issued evacuation orders for Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, areas east of Highway 330 and other regions. "Extreme temperatures, wind and lightning strikes have allowed the fire to grow rapidly," the county said in a statement. Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for San Bernardino County on Saturday night, per the AP. State officials said vegetation is critically dry in the area and temperatures reached more than 100 degrees on Saturday with relative humidity dipping to provide ideal conditions for the fire to spread. The fire began Thursday evening, and the cause is under investigation. More than 600 firefighters were battling the blaze, supported by water-dropping helicopters that hovered over homes and hillsides, along with other aircraft, according to state firefighters. The National Weather Service said downtown Los Angeles hit a high of 112 degrees on Friday, the third time since 1877 that a temperature that high has been recorded. (More California wildfires stories.) A Michigan judge has been suspended after allegedly making racist, anti-gay remarks on phone calls that were recorded without her knowledge. The state allows such recordings to be made as long as one of the two people on the call gives consent; in this case, that person was Oakland County Probate Court Administrator Edward Hutton, who tells WXYZ that Oakland County Probate Judge Kathleen Ryan has been harassing him, and calling him during both work and non-work hours, for years. During those calls, Hutton tells the Detroit Free Press, Ryan has made numerous troubling remarks, including anti-gay comments about Oakland County Executive David Coulter, who is gay. Hutton says she also has used anti-gay slurs, including the f-word, to refer to other elected officials. The blame game over the deadly US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 is heating up before the election. Republican members of Congress issued a new report blaming President Biden and VP Kamala Harris for the chaotic exit, one that left 13 US service members dead, while Democrats say Donald Trump's policies, including a deal with the Taliban, had put them in a bind. From the GOP: Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued a scathing report that says the White House botched the exit, reports NPR. "Our investigation reveals the Biden-Harris administration had the information and opportunity to take necessary steps to plan for the inevitable collapse of the Afghan government," said Rep. Michael McCaul, the committee's chair, per NBC News. "At each step of the way, however, the administration picked optics over security." The full report of about 350 pages is here. Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued a scathing report that says the White House botched the exit, reports NPR. "Our investigation reveals the Biden-Harris administration had the information and opportunity to take necessary steps to plan for the inevitable collapse of the Afghan government," said Rep. Michael McCaul, the committee's chair, per NBC News. "At each step of the way, however, the administration picked optics over security." The full report of about 350 pages is here. Harris connection: The report makes a point to note that Harris "appears to have been working in lock step with President Biden behind the scenes" on the exit plan, per the New York Times. However, it doesn't provide much in terms of specifics on that, per the newspaper. Trump has been making the exit a campaign issue of late. Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood producer who's being held in the Rikers Island jail complex in New York City, has emergency heart surgery Monday morning. He had been experiencing chest pains and contacted his jail consultant, several times over the weekend to say he wasn't feeling well, his lawyer, Arthur Aidala, told the New York Times. Aidala said he and the consultant emailed officials at Rikers and Bellevue Hospital that "This guy is going to die on your watch if you don't do something," before Weinstein was taken to the hospital on Sunday evening. $250 billion Gulf Railway ranked third largest mega-project in the world, according to Statista $250 billion Gulf Railway ranked third largest mega-project in the world, according to Statista TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com The Gulf Railway project, with an estimated cost of $250 billion, has been crowned the third largest mega-project globally, according to Statista, a leading market data provider. Only the Trans-European Transport Network ($600 billion) and NEOM City ($500 billion) surpass this ambitious undertaking, which is slated for completion by 2030. This ranking underscores the regions commitment to infrastructure development, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) projects accounting for a remarkable 50% of Statistas top 8 mega-projects worldwide. The Gulf Railway will span 21 km into Saudi Arabia and 24 km into Bahrain, crossing the King Hamad Causeway. This line will ultimately integrate with the planned Gulf Railway Network, which will begin in Kuwait, passing through Dammam to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Border crossing From Dammam, it will continue to Qatar via the Salwa border crossing, connecting Qatar to Bahrain. The line will then extend from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, ultimately reaching Muscat via the Wilayat of Suhar. Momentum is clearly building for railway projects in the region. In early May 2023, the Saudi Arabia Railways Company and the Public Transport Authority appointed Systra, a French company, to conduct a feasibility study for a high-speed railway line connecting Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Tenders Tenders are currently underway for the study, detailed design services, and civil works packages for this crucial link. To ensure seamless integration and operation, a GCC Railways Authority has been established to coordinate efforts between member states. A joint venture between Oman Rail and Etihad Rail has also been formed to implement and operate the line connecting Suhar and Abu Dhabi. After two horses died of Eastern equine encephalitis, the Cayuga County Health Department is seeking an imminent threat to public health declaration to raise awareness about the mosquito-borne illness. Cayuga County Public Health Director Kathleen Cuddy said Wednesday that she wrote a letter to state Health Commissioner James McDonald requesting the designation. Cuddy, who provided an update at the Cayuga County Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee meeting, explained that if an imminent threat to public health is declared, it will allow the health department to receive a higher rate of reimbursement from the state for work related to EEE. The state has already approved similar requests from neighboring counties, including Onondaga, Oswego and Wayne. "That is not a phrase to scare people," Cuddy said. EEE is a virus that can spread from mosquitoes to other animals, including horses, and humans. The symptoms include headache, fever, diarrhea, seizures and vomiting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says approximately 30% of people with severe cases of EEE will die. Those who survive may have neurological problems. No human cases have been reported in New York, but there have been six in the U.S. this year two in Massachusetts and one each in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont and Wisconsin. Dr. David Larsen, a Syracuse University professor and environmental epidemiologist, told The Citizen that the number of EEE cases among humans has been stable over the years. There was a spike in 2019, when there were 38 cases. But in most years, there are fewer than 10 cases. Although EEE can cause severe disease, Larsen said the CDC estimates that for every case identified, there are four or five that may go unnoticed. The individuals who contract the virus may have no symptoms or mild symptoms that resolve without complications. Larsen highlighted the importance of vector-borne disease surveillance. Onondaga is one of the counties that tests mosquitoes for EEE and other diseases. That testing leads to spraying in the Cicero swamp area, where mosquito pools have been found to have EEE. Cayuga County doesn't test mosquito pools for these diseases. Cuddy told legislators that the state previously had resources for mosquito testing, but those no longer exist. She is aware of other counties, including Onondaga and Oswego, that trap and test mosquitoes. Cuddy also ruled out mosquito spraying. She said special state permits are required for any large-scale spraying. "It's involved and while I'm not diminishing the death of two horses, I don't think that this merits spraying it," Cuddy added. "You have to take into account farmers and the crops, and you gotta be really careful about where things go." Cayuga is one of three New York counties that have reported multiple horse deaths due to EEE St. Lawrence has five and Franklin has two. In mid-August, the Cayuga County Health Department announced the first EEE case. The second was two weeks later. Both horses were in the northern part of the county. Nationwide, there have been 55 EEE cases among horses, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Most have been reported in Florida (21) and New York (16). "While that's terrible for the animals, for the owners, it really is a reminder to those of us who are concerned about human health that these mosquitoes are carrying EEE," Cuddy said. "That is a very concerning disease if someone does get it." EEE is not the only concern. West Nile virus, another mosquito-borne illness, is present in New York. A Wayne County resident recently tested positive for West Nile virus. The state Department of Health says there have been 25 human West Nile virus cases in New York this year. Symptoms include a fever, headache, body aches, diarrhea, a rash or vomiting. Public health officials have encouraged residents to avoid being outdoors while mosquitoes are most active, which is usually between dusk and dawn. If you are outside during that time, you should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. New Jerseys second-oldest lighthouse has been closed after a lease agreement between a historical society and the state Department of Environmental Protection expired on Friday. Over the weekend, volunteers used trucks and their personal vehicles to help haul furniture from the East Point Lighthouse at the Delaware Bays shoreline in Cumberland County, Nancy Patterson, president of the Maurice River Historical Society, said. It was a tough day, Patterson said, calling the lack of a new lease agreement with the DEP clear-cut discrimination. The furnishing are being held in three storage units, Patterson said. Fundraising will hopefully cover costs to store the societys belongings, she added. Were confident that well win this in the end, Patterson told NJ Advance Media on Monday after a weekend spent overseeing the vacating of the lighthouse. This is the second time in three years that the society has been left hoping it can negotiate with DEP to return to the property and reopen the museum to educate the public on the lighthouses history and significance to New Jerseys coast, Patterson said. The society managed the lighthouse for about 50 years, restoring the building and beacon that been dormant for about 40 years. The latest lease agreement between the society and the DEP, which dates back to 1996, expired Friday after previously being renewed. The historical society had previously vacated the building in 2021 after a previous lease agreement expired. DEP officials on Monday said the historical society and the agency negotiated new terms for over a year. Included in the deals aspects were $2,500 yearly investments into the building. The society has two weeks to fully vacate the lighthouse, officials said. Following the conclusion of that two-week period, DEP will reestablish public access to the building by maintaining similar hours to those offered by the Historical Society, agency officials said in a statement to NJ Advance Media. The society will have a chance to continue being actively involved in preserving the building as a Friends Group, officials said. East Point Lighthouse in Heislerville Wildlife Management Area, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media Tuesday marks the lighthouses 175th birthday. The society was preparing to welcome hundreds of people and local officials to ceremoniously celebrate the occasion, as it does yearly. U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., who was among those that previously helped mediate a new lease between the DEP and the society, last week said the lighthouse is a prized part of New Jersey history. I have reached out to (the DEP) again and requested that the state extend the current license while we continue to work towards resolution on a long-term lease, Van Drew said in a statement. I will not stop fighting for the lighthouse until it is saved and they have a fair agreement. State Sen. Michael Testa, R-1st Dist., who also took part in prior mediation efforts, on Monday said it was deeply troubling the DEP had not reached an agreement with the society prior to the end of the lease, crediting the society with saving the building from potential collapse. The historical society saved the building from demolition in the 1970s and led a $650,000 restoration effort that was completed in 2017, helping secure funding from the New Jersey Historic Trust Fund and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Maurice River Historical Society has poured decades of blood, sweat and tears into preserving and restoring the historic lighthouse, Testa said in a statement. Its time for the DEP to recognize their efforts and establish a long-term deal with the Maurice River Historical Society to preserve the operation of this iconic landmark in Cumberland County. The lighthouse is at the base of the Heislerville Wildlife Management Area, a protected area managed by the DEP deep within South Jersey. Its about 68 miles from Philadelphia and 48 miles from Atlantic City. Millville is the closest major municipality. Reaching the lighthouse by car requires a drive down a winding road through marshlands. There is a small museum at the lighthouse and the grounds have been the site of several events, most notably the annual Butterfly Festival. Records date the lighthouse to the mid-1800s. It was almost destroyed in fire set by an arsonist in 1971. State officials have focused in recent years on strengthening barriers near the lighthouse because of shoreline erosion. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. NJ.coms food festival, Jersey Eats: A Taste of New Jersey is hitting the Meadowlands for the first time and we are looking for the best food vendors in the state! The event will be held at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Jersey Eats is more than just a food festival. Its a platform that bridges local businesses with foodies all over the state, showcasing what makes each business unique. At our past events, vendors connected with more than 3,000 new customers and have since helped increase sales. Here is what past vendors have said about how Jersey Eats helped their business: Anthony Gomez of the Weenie Geenie during Jersey Eats: A Taste of New Jersey at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, NJ on Saturday, March 2, 2024 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media Jersey Eats provided us with a fantastic platform to showcase our hotdog stand at the event in Trenton, N.J. It was heartwarming to see customers sharing hotdogs with each other just to explore the diverse range of food offered by fellow vendors. This not only boosted our sales but also created a sense of camaraderie among the vendors. Moreover, participating in Jersey Eats allowed us to forge valuable connections within the food industry. We were pleasantly surprised when we received invitations to other events from individuals we met at the festival. This not only expanded our network but also opened up opportunities for future collaborations, said Anthony Gomez of Anthony the Weenie Genie, a hot dog vendor in South Jersey. Maggie Colon of Maggies Munchies during Jersey Eats: A Taste of New Jersey at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, NJ on Saturday, March 2, 2024 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media I signed up (for) the Jersey Eats Trenton back in March, where it (was) the first time I ever vended at a market with a large attendance. It was absolutely amazing! I sold out both days being the best weekend I ever had in sales (to date) but I also gained the confidence to do other big events and continue on this new journey as a small business owner, said Madelyn Colon of Maggies Munchies, a dessert vendor based in North and Central Jersey. Vendors will also get to benefit from digital exposure on NJ.com reaching even more foodies online, event email campaigns, promotions in our newsletter, social media promotion and visibility in our exclusive Facebook group with over 8,000 New Jersey food lovers. If you want all of this, apply to be a vendor at Jersey Eats! Be part of New Jerseys premier culinary experience and be one of our 75-plus vendors to show off what you have to offer! Apply to be a vendor now. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 4. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Lauren Musni may be reached at lmusni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Laurengmusni and on Instagram. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Its not Too Good to Be True; tickets to see Kacey Musgraves in New Jersey are $19. Musgraves is performing at the Prudential Center in Newark on Sept. 9, making this the second stop on her Deeper Well World Tour. In addition to this Newark show, she is also set to perform two shows in Brooklyn, N.Y. at the Barclays Center on Nov. 15-16. We are shocked that tickets this cheap are still on the market, so you better snatch them up before they are gone. How to get cheap, last-minute Kacey Musgraves tickets The cheapest ticket available at the time of publication for Kacey Musgraves Prudential show on Sept. 9, before fees, is $19 on StubHub. With tickets this cheap, they are bound get snatched off the secondary market. If you cant make the Newark show, then there are several concert tickets available for her Barclays Center shows on the secondary market. The cheapest ticket for her Nov. 15 show at the Barclays Center, before fees, is $45 on Vivid Seats. For her Nov. 16 concert at the Brooklyn Arena, the cheapest ticket before fees is $90 on Vivid Seats. If you do happen to miss out any of these tickets, more tickets are available across secondary markets, such as TicketCity and SeatGeek. Between the four secondary sites, cheap ticket prices range between $19 and $97. First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout. A complete list of Kacey Musgraves tour dates is available here. Kacey Musgraves Tour 2024: Dates, schedule & more Kacey Musgraves began her Deeper Well World Tour on Sept. 4 in State College, Pa. and will wrap up on Dec. 7 in Nashville. The supporting artists for the Deeper Well World Tour include Madi Diaz, Father John Misty, Lord Huron and Nickel Creek. The Deeper Well World Tour is in support of her upcoming album with the same name. If you are interested in her Barclays Center concerts, and you are an American Express cardholder, you can receive special benefits at Brooklyn arena. These include access to the American Express Card Member Entrance and an exclusive discount at concession stands. Upcoming 2024 tours Kacey Musgraves is not the only artist performing at the Prudential Center. Here are a few more artists you dont want to miss out on: Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, Mariah Carey and Iron Maiden. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. By Wang Fengping, Mo Honge (ECNS) -- At the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which concluded Friday, Chinese and African leaders, representatives, experts and scholars as well as foreign journalists have shared their insights on the strong China-Africa ties and the fruitful outcomes of the summit. Here are the key takeaways from their speeches and remarks. Modernization This year's summit is themed on "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future." The keynote speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony underscores the keyword modernization. Achieving modernization is the shared pursuit of China and Africa. The summit has charted a blueprint for China and Africa to jointly pursue modernization, which will further promote South-South cooperation and drive global development. The UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres also highlighted the partnership actions on modernization that were announced by President Xi. Chinas partnership with the African continent is the main pillar of South-South cooperation, he said. During the High-level Meeting on Industrialization and Agricultural Modernization of the 2024 FOCAC Summit, African leaders praised the achievements of China-Africa cooperation in the areas of industrialization, agricultural modernization and green development. We welcome that China has established 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa. These provide access to advance agricultural technologies, which has increased local crop yields in a number of African countries, said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. China-Africa cooperation has yielded fruitful results over the years. The two sides have joined hand in hand in many landmark projects that help African countries realize independent and sustainable development, including the hybrid rice variety introduced to Madagascar, the demonstration village for agricultural development and poverty alleviation built in Sao Tome and Principe as well as the 100MW Redstone concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) plant in South Africa. As the Chinese modernization is being advanced through deepening comprehensive reforms, it will provide new opportunities and new driving forces for African countries. Underlining the tangible achievements of bilateral cooperation, Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo said Uganda has drawn valuable lessons from China's modernization experience. Complementary advantages The China-Africa economic and trade cooperation is always at the spotlight of the summit. Since 2009, China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching a record $282.1 billion in 2023. During the High-level Meeting on High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation of the 2024 FOCAC Summit, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang noted that the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa has demonstrated clear complementary advantages and broad cooperation prospects. Chinas leading exports to Africa are mechanical and electrical products. In 2023, Chinas export of new-energy vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products to Africa increased 291 percent, 109 percent and 57 percent year-on-year respectively. Agriculture has always been the mainstay in many African countries. African exports of agricultural products to China have increased for seven straight years. Last year, Chinas import of nuts, vegetables, flowers and fruits from Africa went up 130 percent, 32 percent, 14 percent and 7 percent respectively. Apart from vegetables and fruits, Africas special agricultural products and processed products are also well-received in the Chinese market, including coffee from Ethiopia, chilli sauce from Rwanda, black tea from Kenya, and chocolate from Ghana. These products not only meet the diverse demand of Chinese consumers but also bring tangible benefits to African farmers. Win-win cooperation Statistics show that the FOCAC summit attracted over 3,000 registered journalists from China and abroad, setting a new record. When talking about the China-Africa cooperation, several foreign journalists used the word win-win to describe it. Algerian journalist Fatma Zohra Ferdjani said she learned about many cooperative projects between China and Africa during her previous interviews. She suggested that African countries and China cooperate in health care and digital development so as to help Africa usher in development and change. Some African leaders and experts also believe that the China and Africa exemplify a cooperative mode that is mutually beneficial. "As you look at our relationship with China, it is always based on values, sincerity, common good, respecting each other, win-win cooperation," said Allawi Ssemanda, executive director of Development Watch Center, a think-tank based in Uganda. The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has achieved complete success, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The summit has demonstrated the Global South's firm confidence in solidarity and cooperation, he added. There is an electrifying battle between Indian states. It is a battle for good, a battle for embracing new technology and a battle for mobility with zero emissions. It is a battle to win the race for highest electric vehicle (EV) adoption. With a palpable shift towards electric mobility, several states are positioning themselves as leaders in adoption of EVs and infrastructure that supports such mobility options. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi and Karnataka have a formidable say in terms of EV sales and charging infrastructure. But some of the states that ha As part of World EV Day celebrations, here is taking a closer look at which state in India has done what to ensure a quicker EV adoption rate and how many EVs have been sold in the states in 2024 so far. Also Read : A complete guide to EVs in India What is the status of EVs in Uttar Pradesh? Uttar Pradesh leads the nation in terms of total EV registrations with over 2 lakh electric vehicles. A big portion of this number is constituted by 3-wheelers. The state's population and economic activities play a crucial role but the governments proactive policies have helped EV adoption in the state. Recently, the UP government also announced the extension of the Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and Mobility Policy till 2027. The bifurcation of EVs by vehicle type in UP is as follows: Two wheeler EVs- over 38,000 sold Three-wheeler EVs- over 1.6 lakh sold Four-wheeler EVs- over 2,800 sold What has Maharashtra done to bolster EV adoption? With more than 1.26 lakh vehicles registered, Maharashtra stands at a close second position to Uttar Pradesh in terms of EV-friendly policies. The state's governing policies have made it favourable for the early adoption of electric vehicles. Moreover, Maharashtra is also emerging as an EV manufacturing hub, attracting companies like Tata Motors and Mahindra Electric. The division of EVs sold in Maharashtra is as follows: Two wheeler EVs- over 1 lakh sold Three-wheeler EVs- over 8,500 sold Four-wheeler EVs- over 8,000 sold How is Karnataka EV movement progressing? In Karnataka over 99,000 vehicles have been sold in 2024, making it another contender for the title of the most EV-friendly state. The Karnataka Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Policy is aimed at boosting EV sales and positioning the state as an EV and battery manufacturing hub. Karnatakas capital, Bengaluru, has already emerged as a major EV adopter, thanks to its tech-savvy population. The sales of different vehicles is as follows: Two wheeler EVs- over 86,000 sold Three-wheeler EVs- over 4,800 sold Four-wheeler EVs- over 6,800 sold Can Tamil Nadu lead the EV race? Tamil Nadu, which sold close to 73,900 vehicles, is not just encouraging EV adoption but is also one of the leaders in EV manufacturing. Tamil Nadu is already home to key auto manufacturing players. The dual approach of promoting EV use while becoming a manufacturing hub has placed Tamil Nadu in a strong position in Indias EV landscape. The report of this state is as follows: Two wheeler EVs- over 64,000 sold Three-wheeler EVs- over 4,200 sold Four-wheeler EVs- over 4,600 sold Will Bihar be the dark horse in the EV game? Bihar has sold over 65,000 electric vehicles in 2024 and the major chunk of this number is of three-wheelers, similar to Uttar Pradesh. Listed below is the division of vehicles sold according to their types: Two wheeler EVs- over 10,900 sold Three-wheeler EVs- over 54,000 sold Four-wheeler EVs- over 500 sold Which state in India has the highest EV penetration? While population and economic condition of a state plays a big part in determining the fate of EV adoption, it is also important to take note of which states lead in terms of sheer EV to population ratio. In this regard, Goa has a formibdale say with EVs accounting for 14 per cent of overall vehicle sales. Tripura comes in second with 13.73 per cent penetration of battery-powered mobility options, followed by Chandigarh (13.50 per cent), Delhi (10.72 per cent) and Assam (9.93 per cent). Which state has the maximum number of EV charging stations? Maharashtra leads the count in terms of charging stations with as many as 3,079 such locations spread across the state. Delhi follows with 1,886 charging stations and Karnataka has 1,081 stations. This is as per government data available till February of 2024. Data sourced from Vahan government portal Check out Upcoming EV Bikes in India. First Published Date: Investigators recovered two different sets of shell casings outside the townhouse complex where Sayreville councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was shot to death on the night of Feb. 1, 2023, the attorney for the man accused in the shooting, said in court on Monday. Rashad Ali Bynum, of Portsmouth, Virginia, faces charges of murder and weapons offenses in Dwumfours killing. A Monmouth County resident was charged with attempted murder after stabbing another man in a fight over a cell phone at a motel in Wall, authorities said. Geraldo Voglino, 37, of Eatontown, was arrested at a home in Shrewsbury five hours after the 3:30 p.m. attack, according to Wall police. Voglino stabbed a 50-year-old Hampton, Virginia man in the mid-section and back during the altercation at Economy Inn Motel on Route 35, officials said. The man was brought to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries. Voglino is also charged with aggravated assault and a weapon offense. Attorney information wasnt immediately available. Anyone with information is asked to call Wall police Detective Steve Swenson at 732-449-4500 ext. 1195 or email him at sswenson@wallpolice.org. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Who would Ronald Reagan support this November if he were still alive? Its a good question for conservatives to mull, and for Liz Cheney, an easy one: There is absolutely no chance that Ronald Reagan would be supporting Donald Trump, she said Sunday. Its a perfect way to understand how the Republican Party has changed. In a Pew poll last year, nearly 40 years after he left office, Republicans still viewed Reagan as the best president ever. If Cheney is right, then supporting Trump at the same time doesnt make a scrap of sense. Start the comparison with the personal stuff. A jury never found that Reagan sexually assaulted anyone. He never set up a fraudulent university, or a fraudulent charity, and he was never convicted of paying hush money to a porn star. All that is unimaginable. And remember how Reagan and Speaker Tip ONeill, a liberal Democrat, could put aside their differences at sundown and trade jokes over cocktails? Remember how Reagan thought America was the best place on earth? Contrast that with what we hear from Donald Trump, again, on a daily basis, that America is a failing nation, that America is a laughingstock, Cheney said. The trash-talking of the United States of America very much is part of the message that Donald Trump is is pushing. Speaking on ABCs This Week, Cheney zeroed in on Reagans foreign policy. Dont miss the best in editorials, opinion columns and commentary from NJ.com writers. Add your email here: The most fundamental difference between Reagan and Mr. Trump is that Reagan knew Americas friends from its enemies, she said. He would be horrified by the Republican Partys abandonment of Ukraine at Mr. Trumps behestReagan would recognize that supporting Ukraine is both morally correct and good realpolitik, a chance to bog an adversary down. He would find Mr. Trumps naked admiration of our enemies incomprehensible and dangerous. The man who told Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down this wall wouldnt understand how an American president could congratulate a Russian dictator for winning a sham election. She went on. Weve seen a sea change. We now have a Republican Party that is embracing isolationism, that is embracing Putin. Trumps plan to impose steep tariffs on imports, she said, violates a core Republican belief in free markets and will ignite a ruinous trade war. That is fundamentally an anti-conservative policy, she said. And of course, Jan. 6. Reagan never tried to steal an election. He never unleashed a violent mob to attack the Capitol and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, leaving 141 police officers injured, and refusing for hours to call off his dogs while he watched the riot on TV. Cheney has made her choice. Shes voting for Kamala Harris. The latest poll from the New York Times shows that 85 percent of Trump supporters are enthusiastic about his candidacy. My guess is that most of them admire Ronald Reagan, too. And Cheney is right that doesnt make a damn bit of sense. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or (973) 986-6951. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Color longtime GOP pollster Frank Luntz unimpressed with one of Donald Trumps latest online screeds. I have never seen a candidate more determined to blow an election, Luntz posted to X. He linked his comment to the former presidents post on Truth Social that promises to prosecute Democrats who engage in election fraud to the fullest extent of the law and handout long-term prison sentences. Luntz wrote: Instead of talking about affordability and immigration security (the top public issues), Trump is once again screaming about prosecuting his opponents. Message to Donald: Focus on helping voters, not yourself. I have never seen a candidate more determined to blow an election. Instead of talking about affordability and immigration security (the top public issues), Trump is once again screaming about prosecuting his opponents. Message to Donald: Focus on helping voters, not yourself. https://t.co/ARIGk7KGEz Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) September 8, 2024 Trump faces felony charges over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election against Joe Biden. Trump has continued to flood the airwaves and his social media platform with distortions, misinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories about his defeat. In Arizona, a six-month review of ballots in the states largest county, Maricopa, that was commissioned by Republican state legislators not only affirmed Bidens victory but determined that he should have won by 306 more votes than the officially certified statewide margin of 10,457. In Georgia, where Trump was recently indicted for his efforts to overturn the 2020 result there, state officials led by both a Republican governor and secretary of state recertified Bidens win after conducting three statewide counts. The final official recount narrowed Bidens victory in the state from just shy of 13,000 votes to just shy of 12,000 votes. In Michigan, a committee led by Republican state senators concluded there was no widespread or systematic fraud in the state in 2020 after conducting a monthslong investigation. Michigan, where Biden defeated Trump by almost 155,000 votes, or 2.8 percentage points, was less competitive compared with other battleground states, although the result in Wayne County, home of Detroit, was targeted by Trump and his supporters with unfounded voter fraud claims, as were key urban jurisdictions across the country. In Nevada, the then-secretary of state, Republican Barbara Cegavske, and her office reviewed tens of thousands of allegations of possible voter fraud identified by the Nevada Republican Party but found that almost all were based on incomplete information and a lack of understanding of the states voting and registration procedures. For example, Cegavskes investigation found that of 1,506 alleged instances of ballots being cast in the name of deceased individuals, only 10 warranted further investigation by law enforcement. Similarly, 10 out of 1,778 allegations of double-voting called for further investigation. Biden won Nevada by 33,596 votes, or 2.4 percentage points. In Pennsylvania, the final certified results had Biden with an 80,555-vote margin over Trump, or 1.2 percentage points. Efforts to overturn Pennsylvanias election failed in state and federal courts, while no prosecutor, judge or election official in Pennsylvania has raised a concern about widespread fraud. State Republicans continue to attempt their own review of the 2020 results, but that effort has been tied up in the courts and Democrats have called it a partisan fishing expedition. In Wisconsin, a recount slightly improved Bidens victory over Trump by 87 votes, increasing Bidens statewide lead to 20,682, or 0.6 percentage points. A nonpartisan audit that concluded a year after the election made recommendations on how to improve future elections in Wisconsin but did not uncover evidence of widespread voter fraud in the state, leading the Republican co-chair of the audit committee to declare that the election was largely safe and secure. The states Assembly speaker, a Republican, ordered a separate review, which a state judge said found absolutely no evidence of election fraud. An exhaustive Associated Press investigation in 2021 found fewer than 475 instances of confirmed voter fraud across six battleground states nowhere near the magnitude required to sway the outcome of the presidential election. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. Longtime Republican turned never-Trumper Sarah Longwell has done nearly a half dozen focus groups with swing and persuadable voters since Joe Biden dropped out of the race and Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee. And in the matchup against Donald Trump, Longwell writes that all is not lost among this critical bloc of voters who could decide the outcome of the election. (The recent) New York Times/Sienna poll was the first major poll in a while to show Vice President Kamala Harris trailing disgraced former President Donald Trump. This poll may have surprised some Democrats and sent them into panic. It shouldnt have, Longwell wrote for The Bulwark. The bottom line, according to Longwell? These voters could easily shift to team Harris once they have a chance to hear more from her. Specifically, Tuesdays debate. Longwell writes: ... since Harris became the nominee and in those conversations its been clear that the fact remains that the VP has work to do with these folks. More than that, if you look at the numbers and talk to these people, its evident that Harris has room to win them over; Trump far less so. ... And those voters dont feel like they know enough about Harris to feel comfortable voting for her. (Yet.) Tuesdays presidential debate will put the Democratic vice presidents skills to a test unlike any shes faced. Harris faces Trump, the Republican nominee, who will participate in his seventh general election debate since 2016 for an event that will be seen by tens of millions of viewers just as early voting in Novembers election starts around the country. People who have competed against Harris and prepared her rivals say she brings a series of advantages to the matchup, including her prosecutorial background juxtaposed with Trump being the first U.S. president convicted of felony crimes. Still, Harris allies warn that Trump can be a challenging and unpredictable opponent who veers between policy critiques, personal attacks, and falsehoods or conspiracy theories. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. MSNBCs Mika Brzezinski was quick to use Donald Trumps hot mic moment against him. The co-host of Morning Joe aired the footage Monday morning after the former president went on a lengthy diatribe Friday against the writer E. Jean Carroll, who hes been found liable for sexual abuse and defamation to the tune of $83.3 million plus interest. MSNBC played a clip of the event where Trump scoffed at the idea that he would kiss a woman without her consent: So think of the impracticality of this. Im famous. Im in a plane. People are coming into the plane and Im looking at a woman and I grab her and I start kissing her and making out with her. What are the chances of that happening? The clip then morphed to the notorious Access Hollywood tape in which Trump was caught on a hot mic speaking disparagingly about women over a decade before he became president. Trump was heard bragging about kissing, groping and trying to have sex with women who were not his wife as he waited to make a cameo appearance on a soap opera in 2005. In a statement after the tape emerged shortly before the November 2016 presidential election, Trump dismissed it as locker room banter and a private conversation. MSNBC played the clip where Trump said, Ya know, Im automatically attracted to beautiful. I just start kissing them. Its like a magnet. I just kiss. I dont even wait. And when youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Brzezinski added: Yeah, on Friday Donald Trump suggested no one could believe he would just start kissing a woman. Back in 2005, he admitted to doing exactly that while not knowing that his mic was on, speaking seriously to somebody. On Friday, Trump suggested it was "impractical" to believe he would kiss a woman without consent Yet, in a 2005 hot mic comment, Trump admitted to doing exactly that: "I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet... I don't need to wait. When you start, they let you do it." pic.twitter.com/xEJQOP71tu Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) September 9, 2024 Trump was in court Friday as his lawyers fought to overturn a verdict against him. Trump attorney D. John Sauer told three 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges that the civil trial in Carrolls lawsuit was muddied by improper evidence. Carrolls lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, told judges the evidence in question was proper, and that there was plenty of proof in the nearly two-week-long trial of Carrolls claim that Trump attacked her in a luxury department store dressing room decades ago. She said the Access Hollywood tape, as the trial judge had noted, could be viewed as a confession. Trump left court in a motorcade, then delivered a lengthy diatribe against the case at Trump Tower, where he said again that Carroll and other women who had accused him of sexual assault were making everything up. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. Meghan McCain is no fan of Donald Trump. And for good reason. But as the daughter of the longtime GOP senator from Arizona, the late John McCain, shes also never shy of trashing Democrats. Tossing shade was on full display recently after former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney threw his support behind Democratic White House hopeful Kamala Harris, calling Donald Trump the single greatest threat to the United States. Cheneys endorsement of Harris: In our nations 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump, Cheney said in a statement. He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He can never be trusted with power again. And Meghan McCain couldnt help but call out Democrats who loathed Cheney for many years: Seeing all of these extreme progressives suddenly become Dick Cheney fans is objectively hilarious, she posted to X. Though it didnt go over as well as she may have hoped. I agree, its kind of like watching people who watch a candidate trash their family repeatedly and continuously and then buddy up to him in the hopes of salvaging some kind of political future, a parody account of a fictional GOP congressman from California shot back. I agree, it's kind of like watching people who watch a candidate trash their family repeatedly and continuously and then buddy up to him in the hopes of salvaging some kind of political future. Rep. Jack Kimble (@RepJackKimble) September 9, 2024 Others chimed in: Its not about being a fan of Dick Cheney @MeghanMcCain, it about being a fan of Democracy and appreciating those who make that a priority. It's not about being a fan of Dick Cheney @MeghanMcCain, it about being a fan of Democracy and appreciating those who make that a priority. Proud Navy Veteran (@naretevduorp) September 8, 2024 I see your brother has all of your father's integrity. Good to know. Jack Hopkins (@thejackhopkins) September 9, 2024 Um. People support Dick Cheneys courage to do the right thing. Some Americans are actually still fans of democracy, like your Dad was. Maybe you should think about that yourself? Orwells Ghost (@planterspunch7) September 8, 2024 Seeing Dick Cheney endorse a Democrat against Trump, and seeing progressives express appreciation for Dick Cheney...is the way forward. Country first. Bill Kristol, a longtime conservative turned never-Trumper, posted to X. Seeing Dick Cheney endorse a Democrat against Trump, and seeing progressives express appreciation for Dick Cheney...is the way forward. Country first. https://t.co/oTs0wvZnnY Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) September 9, 2024 Carrying a bitter personal feud beyond the grave, Trump escalated his attacks on John McCain in 2019, declaring he would never be a fan of the Vietnam war hero and longtime Republican lawmaker who died of brain cancer in 2018. I was never a fan of John McCain, and I never will be, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office at the time. The vitriol followed Trumps weekend tweets insulting the 2008 Republican presidential candidate, with whom he long had a fractious relationship. Among his barbs was that John McCain was last in his class at the U.S. Naval Academy. But while John McCain famously racked up demerits and earned poor grades, he ultimately graduated fifth from the bottom of his 1958 class. The attacks drew retaliatory fire at the time from Meghan McCain. He spends his weekend obsessing over great men because he knows it and I know it and all of you know it he will never be a great man, she said on ABCs The View. Trump targeted John McCain during his first presidential campaign, saying in 2015 that the former prisoner-of-war was not a hero, because he was captured. Trump received a series of deferments to avoid serving in Vietnam, including one attained with a physicians letter stating that he suffered from bone spurs in his feet. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. CHICAGO The Yankees might have swept the Cubs on Anthony Rizzos return weekend to Wrigley Field if the guy playing to his right didnt pull a Gleyber. Ever see the Friends episode when Monicas frequent mess-ups are called pulled a Monica by her mother? Well, Gleyber Torres is deserving of this title, too, because of the way he often plays second base. Torres pulled a Gleyber in the first inning of Sundays series finale. With a runner on first and two outs, Cody Bellinger hit a hard two-hopper just to the right of Torres. This was no easy play because Torres had to decide quickly to lay back, which would risk not throwing out Bellinger, who runs well, or come in and get it on a short hop. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE YANKEES NEWSLETTER: RESTORING THE GLORY Torres didnt make up his mind fast enough and bobbled the ball. By the time he picked it up and flipped to second, the baserunner was safe and the Cubs had first-inning life. Bellinger hit it very well, Torres said. I just wanted to try to stop it. I think I had a chance to make the play and unfortunately I missed it. The Cubs made the Yankees pay for the two-out error. Facing Gerrit Cole, ex-Yankees Mike Tauchman followed the mistake by working a 10-pitch walk to load the bases, then Isaac Paredes lined a hit to left-center to score two runs. That was all the Cubs needed in a 2-1 victory. Afterwards, Torres wished he had another chance to field that first-inning groundball cleanly. It was a tough play, but if I got another opportunity Id try to make it, he said. The error was Torres second of the series and 17th of the season, most by any second baseman in the majors. Some of the errors have been really bad ones, but Boone stuck up for Torres this time because it wasnt routine. Thats a tough play because its hit sharp, but its bounding, Boone said. Youve got to read it right off the bat and commit to that short hop. Infielders, its all about creating the hop, giving ground to create a long hop or going to try and work through the short hop. Bellinger gets down the line well, so youve got to make a solid commitment. If you give ground, youre probably in trouble there. So youve almost got to sell out and (Torres) didnt get far enough, so it was kind of an in-between (hop), which makes it a little bit of a do or die. The two unearned runs were all the Yankees gave up all after 3-0 and 2-0 shutout wins on Friday and Saturday, but they lost because they only scored one run on Cubs starter Jameson Taillon, who went six, and two relievers. Nate Pearson retired six in a row pitching the seventh and eighth, then rookie Porter Hodge pitched around a two-out walk in the ninth to pick up his fourth save. Torres said the loss didnt hurt a little more because his error led to the runs that beat the Yankees. It always stings when we lost, he said. I dont think its any more. We didnt get many opportunities to score a couple runs. 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. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SAIC Motor recorded a wholesale volume of 257,635 vehicles in Aug. 2024, representing a year-on-year decline of 39.14%, but showing a month-on-month growth of 2.45%, according to its latest monthly sales results. For the first eight months of 2024, the automobile group sold 2,336,073 vehicles via wholesale, indicating a 19.31% decrease over the previous year. Of the vehicles SAIC Motor sold last month, 86,578 units were contributed by the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, a year-on-year drop of 6.19%. As of Aug., the group's year-to-date NEV wholesales had reached 618,711 units this year, rising 11.4% from a year earlier. In addition, SAIC Motor also reported a volume of 79,911 vehicles (-22.15% YoY) for its export business and sales created by its overseas markets in Aug., resulting in a Jan.-Aug. volume of 649,545 units (-11.4% YoY). Breaking down the Aug. wholesales by specific subsidiaries, both SAIC Volkswagen and SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) sold over 80,000 vehicles, but faced a two-digit year-on-year decline in their Aug. sales. SAIC-GM posted the biggest year-on-year plunge with 15,855 vehicles sold in the month. IM Motors, the premium electric vehicle brand co-backed with Alibaba and Zhangjiang High-Tech, logged an Aug. sales volume of 4,597 units, scoring a 154.96% hike from the previous year. IM L6; photo credit: IM Motors On the delivery front, SAIC Motor said its terminal vehicle deliveries reached around 2.827 million units in the Jan.-Aug. period, nearly 377,000 units were delivered in Aug. alone, which grew 12.4% from the previous month. Moreover, the groups NEV deliveries amounted to about 124,000 units last month, shooting up 44.1% over a year ago. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On September 4, the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality unveiled the planning permit and master layout for BYD's global R&D center, located in Baolong Subdistrict, Longgang District, Shenzhen, China. Master layout of BYD's global R&D center; photo credit: the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality The BYD global R&D center is situated southeast of Xinbu Xin Road and north of Danzhi Avenue, with Shenzhen BYD Industrial Co., Ltd. as the designated land user. The bureau has issued the construction permit for the first phase of the project and released the center's master layout plan. The project spans approximately 650,000 square meters, involving an estimated total investment of 20 billion yuan. The total floor area will exceed 3.3 million square meters, and the first phase will cover 660,000 square meters, including 1.32 million square meters dedicated to R&D space and 300,000 square meters for talent accommodation. The center will feature over 50 cutting-edge technology laboratories and 11 major research institutes, focusing on automotive engineering, product planning, and new technology research. It aims to attract more than 60,000 high-level R&D personnel globally, with over 50% holding master's or doctoral degrees. The first phase will encompass around 2.26 million square meters of floor area, while the second and third phases will cover 480,000 and 560,000 square meters, respectively. Some dormitories and research facilities are already under construction. Barnstaple is set to come alive with the sounds of classical music and patriotic fervor as the North Devon Sinfonia brings the much-loved Last Night of the Proms to the historic Barnstaple Pannier Market on Friday, 20 September at 7pm. The concert, which marks the start of the towns carnival weekend, promises to be a lively and uplifting event that will fill the hearts of residents and visitors alike. The evening's program is designed to celebrate both local heritage and national pride. The first half of the concert will feature a special tribute to local composer Nigel Brooks, with the orchestra performing his Barnstaple Fair Suite in honour of the annual Barnstaple Fair, which will be in full swing during the week. The suite is a musical homage to the towns rich cultural history, and its performance is sure to be a highlight of the evening. The second half of the event will offer an array of musical delights, including stirring renditions of iconic works such as Jerusalem and God Save the King, ensuring the audience leaves feeling uplifted and ready for the carnival weekend. Programme Highlights: Nigel Brooks Barnstaple Fair Suite Elgar Nimrod (from Enigma Variations), Pomp & Circumstance March No.1 Vaughan Williams Folk Song Suite Sibelius Finlandia Gershwin Summertime, I Got Rhythm Jerome Kern Cant Help Lovin Dat Man Lee Baxendale, Cultural Producer, said: We're thrilled to be working with North Devon Sinfonia to bring the Last Night of the Proms to Barnstaple, offering an evening of music that celebrates both local and community spirit. This event is a wonderful way to kick off the Carnival weekend, and we can't wait to see the town come alive with joy and excitement! Tickets for the concert are priced from just 7 and can be purchased online. As the Pannier Market is an unheated venue, attendees are encouraged to dress warmly to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable evening. This event is made possible through the support of Flourishing Barnstaple, a North Devon Council initiative funded by the Governments Cultural Development Fund and administered by Arts Council England. In addition to the concert, the weekend will continue with a full slate of carnival activities. On Saturday, 21 September, the town will host a range of family-friendly events, culminating in the Barnstaple Carnival Parade at 6pm, followed by a spectacular fireworks display to close the celebrations. Beijing (Gasgoo)- KargoBot, the autonomous freight solution developer backed by DiDi, partnered with Hengtongyuan Group, a major logistics company in Northwest China, and officially established Xinjiang Kaer Tongyuan Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (Kaer Tongyuan). Photo credit: KargoBot The new venture aims to advance the application of L4 autonomous trucking convoys in trunk logistics across Xinjiang and the broader Northwest region of China. KargoBot has developed an innovative convoy system targeting large-scale logistics in regions with fixed routes and high demand for cost reduction and efficiency improvements, such as Northwest and North China. In October 2023, KargoBot kicked off regular operations on multiple routes in Xinjiang. As of August 2024, KargoBots autonomous convoys have accumulated over 8.2 million kilometers of operation, and have transported 55 million ton-kilometers of cargo, significantly surpassing industry benchmarks. The establishment of Kaer Tongyuan aims to address the challenges of an aging truck driver workforce and recruitment difficulties in Xinjiang by deploying L4 autonomous convoys. This approach will reduce human error-related accidents, enhance safety, lower energy consumption, and provide greater profitability for clients by cutting transport costs and improving efficiency. S/ Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan / A memorandum has been signed, confirming that we will cooperate in protecting our respective nationals during emergency situations in third countries. Kishida made the remarks after holding bilateral summit talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul on September 6. The two leaders agreed to cooperate in evacuating their nationals in the event of contingencies in countries other than their own. This is the first time for Japan to conclude a memorandum of this sort with another country. Until now, Japan had to create a system for cooperation with countries in question to facilitate the evacuation of Japanese nationals each time an emergency occurred. The memorandum will help smoothen coordination for actions such as securing methods for transporting nationals when evacuating them. Kishida said the written communication is an example of heightened trust between Japan and South Korea. This is expected to be Kishida's last summit meeting with Yoon as the Japanese leader is set to step down later in September. Concerning the bilateral relationship that underwent major improvement during his premiership, Kishida said he and Yoon affirmed their policy to continuously strengthen the two countries' cooperation and exchanges. VALPARAISO What happens in Karpathos doesnt stay in Karpathos. And thats a good thing for diners in Valparaiso. After a recent trip to the small, picturesque Aegean island, restaurateur Mike Filipidis says he returned with some new menu ideas and authentic Greek beverages. The resulting tweaks to Filipidis cafe, Geitonia, add an extra lemon squeeze of authenticity to the menu. Topping the list of new items is their homemade Pastitsio Greek pasta casserole which Filipidis believes is having a moment. We always had (pastitsio) growing up as kids, Filidipis said, who grew up in Valparaiso but summered in Karpathos. It hasnt always been popular in restaurants. But going back over there, seeing whats happening, the new generation is making their own stuff. Pastitsio is made with bucatini tube noodles and bechamel sauce; its often compared to lasagna, or a cross between lasagna and shepherds pie. Geitonias version is nice and mild with a hint of cinnamon, and holds together nicely. Filidipis is also adding Greek steak skewers to the menu later this month, which he also says was becoming popular overseas. I got my hands on a sample this weekend: the Geitonia skewers are nice tender cubes of beef, marinated in traditional Greek spices like oregano, garlic and white pepper. We got ideas (from Greece) on how to make our bread better, our lemon soup creamier, Filidipis said. Weve soften up the meat, it comes really fresh so when you bit into it, youre gonna say Oh my! The cafe also added some imported beverages which I think make for some colorful, unique additions. I highly recommend Yamas to diners of all ages: Greek honey-lemon green tea which comes in a bright, beautifully decorated bottle that depicts a small Greek seaside village. Geitonia added a couple new Greek beers, the best of which I tried was FIX Hellas, a darker, slightly sour (but not sour beer sour) lager. Its a more interesting, satisfying drink than the usual Euro-imports like Heineken (which I hate) or Peroni (which I like but find very light). I also recommend eating Galaktompoureko over trying to spell it: this dessert is phyllo dough stuffed with a thick orange custard, sweet and citrusy. The filling tastes almost like a cake soaked in Grand Marnier. Filipidis got his start working at his familys restaurant, Sunrise, in Chesterton, before branching out with his own place, Geitonia, in 2022. Though hes excited about the new offerings, it may be tougher to match the more intimate Greek restaurant experience. Over there, they invite you in, Filipidis said. They give you a hug and a shot of ouzo. That does sound nice. Closest you might get to a hug here is a Chicago handshake and that is not quite the same thing. Oh well. Sometimes we must make do with the Galaktompourekos life gives us. GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week CROWN POINT The separate shooting deaths last week of a man and woman in Gary have been ruled homicides, according to the Lake County Coroner's Office. Cops: Man nabbed stealing ammo, other gun supplies from Portage Bass Pro store While he was being arrested on a theft charge, police said they found the accused carrying an additional box of ammunition and an extended magazine for a gun. Larry Whiters, 47, of Chicago, was found shot on the night of Sept. 2 near the intersection of West 22nd Plaza and Morton Street, the coroner's office said. An autopsy done Tuesday reportedly found he sustained gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide. Porter judge says Gary man dangerous enough to spend life behind bars for murder "Domonic Brothers is dangerous," Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer said, adding Brothers needs to be locked up to protect others. The coroner's office said it was then called out around 5:25 p.m. Wednesday to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary for shooting victim Jessica Lipscomb, 36, of Gary. An autopsy done Thursday found she sustained gunshot wounds and her death was ruled a homicide, the coroner's office said. The shooting reportedly took place in the 1900 block of Noble Street in Gary. Beijing (Gasgoo)- In August, China's new energy passenger vehicle (NEPV) production reached 1.051 million units, marking a 32.6% year-on-year surge and a 12.7% rise from July. NEPV wholesales reached 1.052 million units in the past month, jumping 31.7% year on year and 11.4% from the previous month, according to data provided by the China Passenger Car Association. From January to August 2024, Chinas NEPV production totaled 6.572 million units, growing 28.5% year over year, while wholesales stood at 6.622 million units, hiking up 30.2% from a year ago. Last month, NEPVs accounted for 48.9% of the total passenger cars wholesaled by automakers in China, up 13.3 percentage points from 35.6% in the same month last year. Specifically, the monthly penetration rate for NEPVs among Chinas indigenous brands was 63%, 43.2% for luxury brands, and only 7.8% for mainstream joint-venture brands. Song L; photo credit: BYD In regards of powertrain solutions, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) wholesales came in at 592,000 units in August, representing an increase of 6.6% year-on-year. Meanwhile, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) sold 345,000 units, which soared 84% from the previous year. Range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) saw its monthly wholesale volume reach 115,000 units, which more than doubled year over year (+109% YoY) but dipped 6% from the previous month. The wholesale mix was made up by 56% BEVs, 33% PHEVs, and 11% REEVs. In terms of specific models, 16 passenger car models realized a monthly wholesale volume of over 20,000 units in August, 10 were NEPVs (including the top 8), which were the Model Y (56,309 units), the BYD Song (53,786 units), the BYD Seagull (40,949 units), the BYD Seal 06 (40,015 units), the BYD Qin L (40,011 units), the BYD Qin (30,446 units), the Model 3 (30,388 units), the BYD Yuan (30,061 units), the Li L6 (24,897 units), and the Song L (23,007 units). Model 3; photo credit: Tesla Company-wise, in the past month, a total of 19 automakers saw their respective NEPV wholesale volume exceed 10,000 units, which was four more than that of a year ago and two more than that in July. These automakers NEPV wholesales accounted for 90.4% of the countrys total volume. The top three were BYD (370,854 units), Tesla China (86,697 units), and Geely (75,484 units). As to Chinas NEPV retail market, automakers in China sold 1.027 million NEPVs via retail last month, surging 43.2% year over year. In the first eight months of this year, Chinas NEPV retail volume summed up to 6.016 million units, showing a 35.3% hike from a year ago. SU7; photo credit: Xiaomi EV NEPVs constituted 53.9% of the Chinas total passenger car retail volume in August this year, climbing up 16.6 percentage points year on year. Furthermore, 75.9% of the passenger cars retailed by Chinas indigenous brands in the last month were NEPVs. Meanwhile, NEPVs made up a respective 33.5% and 8% of luxury vehicle brands and mainstream joint ventures retail volumes. As to performance of new energy vehicle startups in the past month, driven by brands like Xiaomi EV, their NEPVs accounted for 16% of the countrys total volume. At the same time, Teslas vehicles nabbed 6.2% of the NEPV retail market in China, down 2.8 percentage points from a year ago. Additionally, Chinas NEPV exports reached 99,000 units in August, indicating a 23.7% year-on-year increase, and making up 24% of the total passenger car exports. Among the NEPVs shipped overseas last month, 80.8% were BEVs. The top three NEPV exporters in August were BYD (30,451 units), Tesla China (23,241 units), and SAIC MOTOR Passenger Vehicle (5,128 units). EAST CHICAGO An East Chicago charter school has been awarded nearly $117,000 from the Indiana Department of Education for making significant academic gains over the past year. East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy, located at 1402 E. Chicago Ave., was one of three recipients of the Excellence in Academic Gains grant, which recognizes schools that have made the most progress in improving student achievement. According to IDOE, award recipients must demonstrate increased academic achievement through improved results on the ILEARN English language arts and math assessments, prioritizing initiatives that focus on accelerating learning, or have implemented progress monitoring and evidenced-based practices for students in need of extra support. The charter school was awarded the grant during the Indiana Educational Excellence Award Gala in Indianapolis on Friday. Principal Veronica Eskew told The Times her school was thrilled to have received the grant award. Eskew highlighted the significant improvements in ILEARN proficiency rates between 2021 and 2023, with the percentage of students passing the ELA portion of the test increasing from 15.7% to 30.9% over the two years, and the school's math proficiency rate increasing from 9.7% to 21.5%. "This award serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers and staff," the charter school leader said. "We look forward to utilizing this funding to further our initiatives and continue our journey towards academic excellence." In total, nearly $5 million was awarded by IDOE to schools and educators across the state, with the amount of each financial award proportional to the respective school or district's total student population. Grant awards must be used to sustain or expand a school's current programming, support teachers, as well as to mentor other schools. Additionally, 10 Hoosier educators were each awarded $2,500 for their commitments in areas such as professional growth, technology use in the classroom, and cultivation of community partnerships. The school awards were funded through the state's federal COVID-19 relief aid, with individual teacher awards funded through sponsorships. GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week Every presidential election brings with it a technological innovation or two: the Bill Clinton and Bob Dole campaigns first-ever campaign websites, Barack Obamas email list, Donald Trumps candidacy-by-tweet. For the weeks-old Kamala Harris campaign, it has been a Zoom window. On Sunday night, former Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York was holding forth from one such window, swirling a glass of Montepulciano dAbruzzo in a restaurant in Baltimores Little Italy, trying to draw an Italian family dinner memory out of Robert De Niro at Paisans for Kamala, a livestreamed online fund-raiser billed as an Italian Sunday Dinner that was hosted by the Italian American Democrats. Tell us a story! Mr. de Blasio implored. Tell us a memory! Tell us a dish! I guess the closest thing I have is Marty Scorseses mother, Mr. De Niro replied from a neighboring Zoom box. She makes great pizza. She did. She passed away years ago. He warned Democrats against complacency We know whats coming, we see it coming and then excused himself to attend a Harris fund-raiser with Nancy Pelosi, who popped up in her own Zoom window later in the evening. The streamed fund-raiser was the latest of several dozen similar efforts that have raised millions of dollars on behalf of Ms. Harris since the group Win With Black Women hosted the first on July 21. Subsequent events have included White Dudes for Harris (featuring the actor Jeff Bridges, in character as the Dude from The Big Lebowski), Cooking for Kamala (hosted by Padma Lakshmi and featuring celebrity chefs like Jose Andres and Giada de Laurentiis), Deadheads for Kamala (Ben and Jerry, inevitably), and many more. The news that Edmundo Gonzalez, Venezuelas opposition candidate, had fled the country on a Spanish Air Force plane this weekend took the country, and the world, by surprise. The past year has been marked by months of repression leading up to a disputed presidential election. The vote was followed by a brutal crackdown by the authoritarian government of President Nicolas Maduro. Still, many Venezuelans held out hope that through a negotiated exit the socialist-inspired administration might step aside and let Mr. Gonzalez, a soft-spoken former diplomat, assume power. His departure on Saturday narrowed that slim possibility even further. And it came as Venezuelan security forces surrounded the Argentine diplomatic residence in Caracas where six top opposition leaders have been taking shelter since March. Trump and Harris are neck and neck Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are entering the homestretch of the campaign in a tight race, according to a national poll of likely voters by The Times and Siena College. The poll found that Trump was leading Harris, 48 percent to 47 percent. Their only scheduled debate is set for tomorrow, and the survey underscores the risks and potential rewards for both presidential candidates. Harris faces a sizable share of voters who still say they need to know more about her. Despite his legal troubles, Trump has enjoyed remarkably resilient support. The new poll comes days after the judge overseeing Trumps criminal trial in Manhattan postponed his sentencing until after Election Day. The move now guarantees that Americans will vote without knowing whether Trump, the first former president convicted as a felon, will spend time behind bars. How many trucks would a tow truck tow if a tow truck could tow trucks? - Gif: LLN NYC via YouTube A lot of drivers on Americas roads are pretty angry, but perhaps nobody is quite as angry as this pickup owner who had their truck towed in New York this weekend. Instead of letting the tow truck drive off with their Chevrolet, the owner instead fought off the tow truck driver, stole their vehicle and drove off in a rage. As you do. Updated Monday, September 9 2024 3:35 p.m. - we now have video of the theft of the tow truck from the tow trucks perspective. REPO MAN: Brooklyn New York, an Italian dude, not letting you get his truck. Keep up the payments. pic.twitter.com/LhqrD9rXwL Cornbread Mafioso (@Soulful1865) September 7, 2024 The dramatic events unfolded in Sunset Park in New York this weekend after a black Chevrolet pickup truck was hitched onto a tow truck ready to be removed. However, when the owner of the pickup was having none of it and fought back, reports local news outlet News12. According to the site, the trucks owner fought the tow truck driver in the street to try and get them to uncouple their pickup. When that didnt work, they climbed inside the tow truck and drove away with their own vehicle still attached at the rear: ADVERTISEMENT Police say a man blocked the service doors with his truck and was being towed when he confronted the tow truck driver. They say he fought him in the street before getting behind the wheel. Police say once the man stole the tow truck that had his own vehicle up on the hitch, he struck multiple vehicles and ultimately ended by going head-first into a city bus. Now, details have not been released about his identity, but stunned drivers who discovered the damage say they dont understand why this happened. Footage of the whole ordeal has been circulating on social media over the weekend, and its as wild as youre expecting. With the door of his own truck still open, the pickup owner speeds off down the street smashing into almost everything in his path. The door of his Chevy almost rips off as he smashes the cars parked on either side of the street. Story continues The driver, who has not yet been identified by authorities, didnt get too far behind the wheel of the tow truck, as they reportedly came to a sudden stop after colliding with the front of a city bus. After colliding with the bus, the driver fled the scene on foot, leaving his trashed pickup and a scene of destruction far behind. Police are now on the lookout for the man. A simpler way to avoid paying whatever fine was coming the pickup owners way would probably be to host a sit-in protest like this driver performed last year. That way you can avoid paying the fine and facing the kind of damage charges this driver may soon be on the receiving end of. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Banners of Pope Francis had been unfurled across Dili, the capital of East Timor, its streets scrubbed and its walls freshly painted. Hundreds of thousands of people were expected to try to catch a glimpse of the man, who arrived on Monday. But in some corners of the city, the excitement had turned into misery. Joana Fraga Ximenes stared at rubble in the district of Bidau that had been her home and a street stall, from which she sold sundries. Earlier this year, she said, the authorities had given her three days to move because the pope was going to be driven down her street. Eventually, they sent bulldozers. Why do we have to hide the poverty? Ms. Ximenes, 42, said over the weekend. This is reality. The pope is not coming to see good things in Timor-Leste. The pope is here to see our real lives. Franciss two-day visit, the third stop on his Asia-Pacific tour, is a momentous occasion for East Timor, or Timor-Leste as it is known in Portuguese, one of two official languages. Nearly all of the 1.3 million people here are Catholic. The church played an important part in East Timors struggle for independence, but that history has been stained by its clergy abuse scandal. One of the heroes of the independence cause, Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, has been accused of sexually abusing children decades ago. A small Chinese company specializing in selling washing machines is facing a potential loss of 30 million yuan ($4.2 million) after an employee mistakenly labeled products with the wrong prices. Little Swan Dongshan Franchise Shop, a small business based in Anhui, China, has been forced to ask customers to cancel their orders after one employees blunder caused a 20-minute online shopping spree that could result in a net loss of $4.2 million. Chinese news outlet Red Star News reported that on August 28, over 40,000 orders for various washing machines were placed on the small companys Tmall online store until someone noticed the pricing errors and took the store offline. In that 20 window, Little Swan sold 70 million yuan worth of washing machines for only 40 million yuan, which means it might have to incur losses of $30 million yuan if forced to honor the orders. Photo: Getty Images/Unsplash+ Tens of thousands of orders and tens of millions of yuan are astronomical figures for us. We feel sincerely sorry for all the affected customers, the company said in a statement. We humbly beg you to understand our difficulties and to agree to withdraw orders. We will refund you as fast as we can. Apparently, one of the companys employees accidentally labeled some of its washing machines with the wrong prices because they misunderstood the preferential pricing of its Tmall online store, which resulted in heavy discounts that immediately caught shoppers eyes. For example, washing machines usually priced at 1,699 yuan ($240) were priced at just 299 yuan, while models that should have been 2,499 yuan were wrongly priced at 439 yuan. Due to the misunderstanding, we made a significant mistake, the owner of Little Swan Dongshan Franchise Shop said. We recognize that this issue has caused confusion among the public and has seriously disrupted the market. We feel deeply guilty and upset. To convince people that the heavy discount was the result of a persons mistake, Little Swan Dongshan Franchise Shop released a short clip of the employee responsible for the pricing error in which they apologized for the blunder, adding that they couldnt cover the losses even if they sold everything they owned. The local market supervision authority is currently investigating this case, and legal experts told SCMP that the company must present compelling evidence demonstrating that it has indeed made a genuine mistake so that the court will be persuaded to rule in favor of canceling the purchase contract. Otherwise, it may have to honor the tens of thousands of orders and potentially go bankrupt. Emma Mondolino MediaLink hires Emma Mondolino as EVP, head of marketing, a newly created role. Mondolino comes to the company from social networking service Nextdoor, where she led Nextdoor CREATE, its business marketing & brand strategy team. At MediaLink, Mondolino will establish and oversee an in-house marketing function. Emma has a distinguished history of building collaborative teams at fast-growing companies that can bridge sales and marketing, create award-winning campaigns, and drive results. Shes the ideal candidate to build this function for us, said MediaLink chief business officer Martin Rothman. Kevin Sellers Avalara, a provider of tax compliance automation software for businesses, names former Intel VP of creative services and digital marketing Kevin Sellers as EVP, CMO. Sellers was most recently CMO at Ping Identity, an identity security company, He has also served as CMO at IT services and consulting company Avnet, and a managing director at Sard Verbinnen. At Avalara, Sellers will lead all aspects of marketing including driving demand generation, digital marketing, brand identity, partner marketing, product marketing, prospect marketing, and corporate communications. "We're delighted to welcome a proven marketer like Kevin Sellers to Avalara," said Avalara chief revenue officer Kimberly Deobald. (L-R) Kat Maramba, Aimee Gonzalez Global Situation Room, an Alexandria, VA-based PA firm, promotes Kat Maramba to SVP strategic services and Aimee Gonzalez to SVP of strategic operations. Maramba has most recently served as VP of media engagement at GSR. In her new role, she will help oversee the engagement strategies of client-facing teams and the release of new service offerings and communications products. Gonzalez has been with the firm since 2021, and will now oversee its infrastructure, including legal, finance, technology and other services. Her responsibilities will also include expanding the firms recruitment, training and resource programs, along with business development. Aimee and Kat will play key roles in overseeing the scaling of our team and services, GSR Founder and President Brett Bruen. Lauren Preece Manifest ups Lauren Preece to brand services director, based in the agencys London office. Preece has been with the agency since 2021. She was previously brand special projects manager at Virgin. In her new post, Preece will work with Manifests regional directors in the UK, USA, Sweden and Australia to coordinate a team of global designers, strategists and researchers. Lauren brings with her a critical eye around the application of our branding work that ensures efficacy and impact across our clients entire marketing ecosystems, said Manifest chief design officer Martin Farrar-Smith. Pro-Palestinian activists protested at APCOs London office on Sept. 3 for its work on behalf of Israels Elbit Systems, a weapons manufacturer. They urged APCO to drop Elbit, which has a two-year contract to support ammunition to Israels Ministry of Defense, as a client, according to an exclusive report in the Semafor Gulf news site. A group called Palestine Action wants APCO to cut lobbying ties with Elbit Systems UK at a time when Elbit is playing a central role in the genocide in Gaza. Semafor reported that APCO employees in London and its Gulf offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh and Manama are concerned about their safety in the aftermath of the protest. They have expressed their concerns with APCO management about the relationship with Elbit. APCO issued a statement, noting that intense feelings and robust discussions emerge in the firm when complex geopolitical issues emerge. This open and respectful internal discussion is how we come together and become a stronger company, it said. The DC-based company has operated in the Gulf region since 2006. (Global Times) A staff member responsible for translation at a US consulate general in China has repeatedly spread rhetoric related to "Taiwan independence" during public activities, deliberately translating "the People's Republic of China" as "the Republic of China," a source familiar with the matter told the Global Times. The source added that the person, if she insists on behaving in such a way, is certainly unwelcome by the Chinese people. According to the source, after the Chinese side pointed out the mistake, the US staff member refused to admit and instead accused the Chinese side of slander. In contact with Chinese personnel, this US staff member repeatedly issued extreme remarks such as "Taiwan is an independent country." She even aggressively pushed local Chinese officials on foreign affairs during external events, displaying an arrogant demeanor, the source said. The aforementioned source told the Global Times that "A staff member dispatched by the US government to China has behaved in such an inappropriate manner. It raises questions about whether the issue lies with her personally or with the lack of discipline within the US diplomatic missions in China." But one thing is certain -- her words and actions have offended Chinese society, violated the US government's commitment to the one-China principle, and breached both the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the Consular Convention between the People's Republic of China and the United States. The person, if she insists on behaving in such a way, is certainly unwelcome by the Chinese people, the source said. Comments The time limit for entering new comments on this quicklink has expired. This limit can be removed. Our paid membership program is designed to give you many benefits, such as removing this time limit. To learn more, please click here. As near as this writer can tell, there's a significant story that's not made newspaper headlines yet it should have been front page news starting 12 days ago on August 28, 2024. The story was revealed yesterday by independent Canadian journalist Eva Bartlett who stated the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) on August 28 began invading northern Palestinian West Bank cities with "thousands of Israeli soldiers, supported by helicopters and drones". [1] Bartlett's story was corroborated by "the non profit Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor which reported, "Immediately after entering the West Bank, the Israeli army began besieging hospitals, ambulances, and emergency centers, replicating the horrifying and systematic policy of breaching and taking control of health institutions that it has employed in the Gaza Strip". Another journalist Mariam Barghouli wrote, "I was in Jenin and I can't explain how ruthless the Israeli military is being. The city is like a ghost town and the refugee camp is a collective torture chamber. Israeli practices in Jenin include: mass arrests including minors, blowing up homes of civilians, denying entry of food, water, medics...Jenin is another Gaza in terms of violence being inflicted" by the IDF". OCHA, the United Nations "Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs" reported "between 27 August and 2 September, Israeli forces killed 30 Palestinians in the West bank including children". Bartlett also wrote, "The brutality is not only from the Israeli military but also the illegal Jewish colonists who are given carte blanche to attack and kill Palestinians". Euro-Med noted, "This is a clear indication of Israel's intentions to commit genocide against Palestinians in the West Bank just as it has been done against those in the Gaza Strip". Looking for any additional information on the IDF invasion of the West Bank , the New York Times had a column by Raja Abdulrahim reporting from Jerusalem on Friday September 6th titled, "West Bank Residents Survey Destruction as Israeli Forces Withdraw", where she stated, "Israeli military forces appeared to withdraw on Friday from the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank according to Palestinian news media and residents, 10 days into a major raid that has killed dozens of people, including children, and caused widespread destruction". Abdulrahim also reported-along with other media outlets about an American woman who was fatally shot in the head on Friday by an IDF sniper in Beita, a village in the West Bank. Apparently she had been protesting there against an Israeli settlement outpost. In light of these latest horrific revelations committed by the Israeli's against the Palestinians in the West Bank to say nothing of the atrocities the IDF has committed in Gaza there is little doubt the apartheid state of Israel will never agree to have a separate Palestinian state adjacent to it. UNLESS the UN Security Council, including the US, agrees to establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza and have a multinational peacekeeping force stationed there indefinitely to keep the peace. Of course it's US that's been the major stumbling block in not having this happen. The US needs to come to its senses. Because it's hard to see how a major war can be averted with Israel against not only Hamas but Hezbollah in Lebanon, Islamic militants in Iraq and Syria, Houthi's from Yemen, Iran, Turkey as well as others opposed to the Israeli regime. [1] Can Israel survive its new war in the West Bank", by Eva Bartlett, RT. September 8, 2024 Shelly, Hollywood residents, talks about why she supports Cat Uden Shelly, Hollywood resident, on why she switched her support to Cat. Vote Cat Uden for Mayor on November 5th. Early voting is ... (Image by YouTube, Channel: Cat Uden For Hollywood) Details DMCA Upscale projects, including high-rises, are going up across Hollywood. At the same time, however, residents of this South Florida coastal city notice that quality of life services are being neglected. I learned about this problem firsthand by knocking on doors with Catherine "Cat" Uden, who wants to replace Josh Levy as mayor on November 5. We've walked in Parkside, just south of downtown Hollywood, where development is spreading from one area to another. We've met people in Hollywood Hills, a middle-class neighborhood, in Boulevard Heights in the western part of the city, and in Rotary Park, just south of the Hollywood YMCA. I expected to hear people say they're voting for Mayor Levy one last time. But that hasn't been the case most of the time. Over and over again, we've heard complaints about quality-of-life issues: It takes months to get a permit to put up a fence at my house, is one refrain. Yet major developers get permits fast; garbage pickup is sporadic on some streets, sidewalks are not being fixed; and flooding has occurred even in middle-class neighborhoods, not just older parts of Hollywood. Adding insult to injury, I keep hearing that folks can't always count on getting help when they call the city or even sometimes from an elected representative. This series of concerns explains why I'm supporting Cat Uden for mayor, even though I voted for Josh when he ran the first time in 2016. The young, intelligent, competent attorney won a second term unopposed four years later. But after eight years of Josh, it's clear that we need fresh blood. We need someone whose major focus isn't development or what I view as support for over-development. We need a mayor who will question how much development we need to build a stronger tax base and ask exactly what kind of construction makes sense for a city hammered the past two springs by epic rainfalls that caused flooding. Of course, the visits from Mother Nature are perhaps a prelude to what awaits us as sea-level rise and climate change continue their inexorable march. So we need a full-time mayor as Hollywood prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday. If elected in November, Cat will quit her full-time job to help pass environmental legislation. Instead, she will devote her energies full-time to the six districts that comprise the City of Hollywood. Cat will continue knocking on doors and visiting community groups. Equally important, she will take the information she collects back to City Hall. And Cat will meet with the City Manager, who runs Hollywood daily under our system of government. She also will be a voice for all residents, including long-time homeowners who can no longer afford dealing with escalating property values that generate higher property tax bills, or homeowners just to the north and south of booming downtown who don't want to live near a condo that was built next door after their neighbor sold an aging home to a developer. The noise, pollution, and increased congestion are some of the byproducts of what is happening here. In short, it's time to address all of these concerns. Still, make no mistake, Hollywood desperately needs development. After all, dealing with sea-level rise and climate change will cost us an unknown amount of money over the next few decades. Of course, it's unrealistic to expect an indebted federal government to print enough money to meet our needs. It's also unlikely the state and county governments have the means to provide the necessary financial support. So, it's up to us to build a stronger and sustainable tax base. But saying it's up to us creates responsibility; it doesn't simply grant permission to offer knee-jerk support for upscale project after upscale project. No. From my perspective, we need leaders who ask questions in public: How much is enough? What type of development best serves our needs as flooding continues to get worse and scientists warn parts of South Florida are sinking? What happens if we have another 100-year hurricane, as we did around the time Joseph Young founded our city? That hurricane devastated Hollywood in the years before the Great Depression. Population declined, and the real estate market suffered, according to Marla Sherman Dumas, a long-time Hollywood resident and planning consultant who has served as a Broward County Historical Commissioner. You can find her article, "An Early Neighborhood in Hollywood Worthy of Historic Designation," online. So, even as we are living in boom times, I want our leaders to ask: Can what happened 100 years ago happen again? And if so, are we making matters worse by flooding downtown Hollywood - and Young Circle - with high-rise buildings? The traffic in the area is already difficult to negotiate. What will happen if people in the high-rises need to evacuate? Will the early warning systems we have these days be enough? And will the people with money who move into our luxury properties seek safer places to live? In other words, let's not support short-term gain at the expense of possible long-term pain. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Screenwriter Ronald Moger Presents a Riveting Murder Mystery Screenplay, "Dealing With Crippen" Los Angeles, CA - [September 7th, 2024] - Acclaimed screenwriter Ronald Moger has crafted an enthralling new feature film titled Dealing With Crippen, a reimagined Ripley-esque murder mystery inspired by the infamous 1910 Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen case. The screenplay delves into the story of the American physician who was accused of murdering his wife, and his SBI Foundation launches Asha Scholarship to support 10,000 of India's brightest young minds Mumbai, September , 2024 - SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of the State Bank of India, has announced the 3rd edition of its flagship Asha Scholarship Program. This year, the program guarantees support to 10,000 meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds nationwide. Introduced in 2022 under SBI Foundation's Education vertical - Integrated Learning Mission (ILM), this Scholarship is dedicated A Vancouver man arrested in the deaths of his ex-girlfriend and her young daughter pleaded guilty to aggravated murder charges Thursday in Clark County Superior Court. Kirkland Warrens plea came just days before his trial was set to begin Monday. Warren initially pleaded not guilty last year after his former girlfriend, Meshay Melendez, and her 7-year-old daughter, Layla Stewart, were found dead near a rural road near Washougal in March 2023. Update 12:45 p.m.: ODOT reports U.S. 101 had reopened. Travelers along the Oregon coast are seeing heavy backups south of Seaside on Monday as a serious crash has closed the road in both directions at milepost 24. The crash happened before 9 a.m. Monday morning about a mile north of the junction with U.S. 26. An Oregon Department of Transportation release said the closure may last into the afternoon due to the severity of the crash. There is no local detour. Drivers are warned to reschedule their trips or find alternate routes. As of 11 a.m. ODOT said southbound traffic on 101 south Seaside was blacked up into town. Northbound traffic is backing toward Cannon Beach. And westbound traffic on U.S. 26 is also slow. Traffic backup map.Google Maps Details on the cause crash were not immediately available. This post may be updated. Check TripCheck.com for the latest in travel information. Update: Oregon nurses accused killer appears in court The 27-year-old Beaverton neighbor of Melissa Jubane, who was found dead Friday, is now facing charges of kidnapping her before allegedly murdering her and abusing her corpse. Bryce Johnathan Schubert spent the weekend in jail and is now scheduled to be arraigned at 2 p.m. Monday in Washington County Circuit Court. Information that was entered into the states electronic court records system Monday morning shows that in addition to the second-degree murder accusation that Beaverton police arrested Schubert for on Friday, prosecutors have now indicated that they plan to charge Schubert with first-degree kidnapping and second-degree abuse of a corpse. Jubane went missing last Wednesday. She reportedly last locked the door to her apartment at 6:22 a.m. that day but didnt show up to work at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center as expected. Her car was still parked in the apartment complexs garage. She was 32. Check back on OregonLive.com for more details of this developing story. Aimee Green covers breaking news and the justice system. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or @o_aimee. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. A Portland police officer last month fired a rifle three times at a man allegedly armed with a hammer, knife and a gun after the man shouted at authorities to shoot him, according to body-camera footage. Police released the footage Monday, marking a first for the bureau as nearly all Portland officers have been equipped with body cameras following a summer rollout. Police Chief Bob Day said in a news conference that the footage in the Aug. 24 shooting, which injured 52-year-old Robert Seeger, provides a perspective but is not meant to be the whole story. The inaugural China-Hungary Science Innovation Day was launched on Sept 7 during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai. The event, marked by the presence of a high-level Hungarian delegation, with aims to bolster scientific and technological collaboration between the two nations. Since its establishment in 2008, the Pujiang Innovation Forum has served as a global platform for exchange and cooperation in science and technology. This year's forum has attracted over 300 participants, with nearly 40 percent representing 40 different countries and regions including Hungary, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. Hungary holds the distinction of being the guest of honor at this year's forum, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties with China. As part of the forum, the China-Hungary Science Innovation Day will feature diverse activities, including a China-Hungary sub-forum and the "Smart Hungary" science and technology project roadshow. Hungarian representatives will also participate in various thematic forums, such as the global venture capital conference. The China-Hungary sub-forum will focus on medical and health innovation, showcasing scientific research capabilities and exploring cooperation between Chinese and Western medicine to explore ways to enhance collaboration and innovation in healthcare. Luo Bin contributed to this story. Bryce Johnathan Schubert, 27, was arraigned in Washington County Circuit Court on Monday to face charges of kidnapping, murder and corpse abuse in the death of Beaverton nurse Melissa Jubane. Schubert, who has been held at Washington County Jail since his arrest late Friday, actually wasnt visible to anyone but the judge and court officials at the front of the courtroom. And its unclear if he was visible to them by video screen or in a holding cell with a glass window at the front of the courtroom. Officials declined to answer questions. Schuberts public defender, Greg Scholl, said his client pleads not guilty. But Judge Elizabeth Lemoine, without explanation, said she could not accept the plea. Court procedures, however, dont allow defendants in felony cases to enter their pleas before a grand jury has issued an indictment, and in this case, a grand jury has not. Jubane, 32, got married in Hawaii in late August, The Associated Press reported, citing a television broadcast. She went missing last Wednesday, when she reportedly last locked the door to her apartment at 6:22 a.m. but then failed to show up to work at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Washington County, where she was a registered nurse. Police searched her apartment at 1050 S.W. 160th Ave. Wednesday in response to a welfare check request and declared her a missing person that afternoon. Schubert, whom police identified as one of Jubanes neighbors, worked as a nurse at Providence Portland Medical Center from September 2022 to October 2023, but he never worked at St. Vincent. Mondays arraignment was attended by both supporters of Jubane and Schubert. Both groups declined to comment, except one man who identified himself as a supporter of Schubert and said he didnt believe the accusations against him. No new information about the case was aired during the hearing. In court papers, Washington County Chief Deputy District Attorney Jeff Lesowski asked the judge to seal documents that would reveal further details of the case, including the application for a search warrant affidavit, a summary of evidence police found after they conducted the search and a document outlining the probable cause police believed they had to arrest Schubert. Schuberts next hearings are Tuesday and next week. He was found financially eligible for a public defender, meaning the state likely will pay the bulk of the cost to defend him. But Schubert was found financially capable of at least initially paying up to about $8,000 to put toward his attorney. He will remain in jail, with no opportunity to post bail. The Oregon Nurses Association has scheduled a vigil Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. to honor Jubane. It will take place at Ridgewood View Park, 10001 SW Ardenwood St., and the public is invited. Aimee Green covers breaking news and the justice system. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or @o_aimee. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Oregon volleyball completed a 3-0 weekend at the Ram Volleyball Classic with a straight-set win over Central Arkansas. Mimi Colyer and Michelle Ohwobete led the way with 14 and 12 kills, respectively, for the No. 12 Ducks in a 3-0 (25-12, 25-11, 25-17) win Sunday morning at Moby Arena in Colorado Springs. Ohwobete also had 12 digs in her first double-double and hit .435 on 23 swings. Colyer hit .379 on 29 swings and had seven digs and three blocks. Cristin Cline had 30 assists, five digs and three aces and Onye Ofoegbu added nine kills (.438) and five blocks for Oregon, which hit .360 and held UCA to -.011 The Ducks (4-1) hit .542 in the opening set, in which they scored seven straight to take a commanding 16-7 lead. Central Arkansas (1-5) scored the first four points of the second but Oregon responded with nine of the next 10 points to gain control and never looked back. Tied at 10 in the third, Oregon scored six of the next seven thanks to two kills apiece for Colyer and Ofoegbu, who had six of her kills in the third, including the match-winning tally. Oregon travels to San Diego next weekend to face No. 14 BYU on Friday and the host San Diego on Saturday. If you've read this far, you are as invested in this city and campus as we are. That's why we are asking you to invest in us. Since 1916, the Daily has served the Norman and OU communities with free independent journalism, with all decisions made locally with no administrative, governmental or corporate influence. We provide Norman with the city's largest reporting staff, drawn from one of the nation's top journalism colleges. Our coverage is routinely honored at state and national levels. And we're advised by a veteran professional staff with a mission to help us build on our legacy as a launching pad for media professionals. OU students pay about $14 in annual fees that help support the Daily. If you find value in our work and are not a student, please consider matching or exceeding that with a one-time or recurring donation. In an era when subscriptions to paywalled news organizations routinely exceed $100 annually, grassroots support from readers like you can collectively make a transformative difference in our organization. Choosing paper products from sustainably managed forests encourages forest owners to have an economic incentive to maintain their forestlands rather than convert them to non-forest uses. Choosing paper products from sustainably managed forests encourages forest owners to have an economic incentive to maintain their forestlands rather than convert them to non-forest uses. Sustainable Paper Production Helps Preserve North America's Forests Sept. 9, 2024 (Two Sides North America) - Forestry plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of North American ecosystems. Both the United States and Canada have implemented rigorous standards to ensure the sustainability of their forests, benefiting the environment and supporting the paper industry's responsible practices. Sustainable forestry practices and certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative), and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) use third-party auditing to ensure compliance with standards. North American forests are vast and diverse, with the United States and Canada collectively managing hundreds of millions of acres of forestland. These forests are essential for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and providing raw materials for various industries, including paper and paper-based packaging production. Responsible management and sustainable practices are critical for ensuring these forests remain healthy and productive. Forest and Paper Products Paper products sourced from sustainable forests help maintain and enhance forest health. Sustainable forestry practices, such as selective logging, reforestation, and conservation, ensure that forests remain productive and ecologically balanced. Selective logging means harvesting trees in a way that maintains the forest's structure and biodiversity. Reforestation is planting new trees to replace those that have been harvested. Conservation is protecting areas of high ecological value from logging and development. These practices ensure that forests continue to provide ecological, economic, and social benefits. There is a misconception that the use of wood, paper, or paper-based products leads to deforestation when, in fact, it helps maintain and grow available forest land. Sustainable harvesting of trees to make products that benefit society is not considered deforestation (defined as the permanent conversion of forestland to non-forest use) because the trees will grow back. Deforestation occurs when forest lands are converted for things like agriculture, transportation, mining, or urban development. Choosing paper products from sustainably managed forests encourages forest owners to have an economic incentive to maintain their forestlands rather than convert them to non-forest uses. Certification Standards: FSC, SFI and PEFC To support sustainable forestry, the United States and Canada adhere to rigorous certification standards such as FSC, SFI and PEFC. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC certification ensures that forests are managed according to strict environmental, social, and economic standards. FSC-certified products are sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental benefits and support local communities. Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). SFI certification focuses on promoting sustainable forest management in North America. It includes requirements for protecting water quality, biodiversity, and wildlife habitats. Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). The PEFC works to protect our forests by promoting sustainable forest management through certification. This means we can all benefit from the many products that forests provide now, while ensuring these forests will be around for generations to come. FSC, SFI and PEFC-certified forests are subject to regular third-party audits to ensure compliance with these standards. EUDR Compliance and Challenges The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aims to ensure that products sold in the E.U. do not contribute to deforestation. While the goals of EUDR are commendable, the practical implementation poses challenges, particularly for North American forestry practices. According to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the E.U. relies on pulp and paper imports from the U.S., which exports around $3.5 billion worth of products to E.U. countries. The U.S. also supplies about 60% of the specialty pulp E.U. manufacturers use to make diapers, menstrual and incontinence products, and 85% of the specialty pulp used globally. The complex supply chains and mixed sources of raw materials present challenges to meeting EUDR's stringent traceability requirements. North American mills often use wood chips from various sources, making it difficult to trace the origin of every piece of fiber. Despite these challenges, North American forestry standards already provide robust mechanisms to ensure sustainable practices. North American Forestry Exemplifies Sustainable Forest Management North American forestry exemplifies sustainable forest management that benefits the environment and supports local communities. While the industry always faces new challenges, it is essential to recognize that current North American standards are already highly effective in promoting sustainable forestry. Ongoing collaboration and innovation will be crucial as the industry faces new regulatory requirements while continuing to protect and manage our vital forest resources. Two Sides North America is part of the non-profit Two Sides global network which includes more than 600 member companies across North America, South America, Europe, Australia and South Africa. Member companies span the Graphic Communications and Paper-based Packaging value chain, including forestry, pulp, paper, paper-based packaging, chemicals and inks, pre-press, press, finishing, printing, publishing, envelopes and postal operations. Two Sides' goal is to dispel common environmental misconceptions and to inspire and inform businesses and consumers with engaging, factual information about the environmental sustainability and value of print, paper and paper-based packaging. SOURCE: Two Sides North America Drone and bodycam footage captured the dramatic rescue of a missing 3-year-old from a vast cornfield in Alto, Wisconsin, on Sunday, August 25. Local media reported that the child's parents had contacted authorities, believing their child had wandered into the cornfield behind their home on Marshview Road. When deputies arrived, they were informed that the child was last seen around 7:30 p.m. and that all barns and buildings on the property had already been searched. Utilizing drones equipped with thermal imaging, law enforcement swiftly located the child about half a mile from the house. The child was found uninjured and was safely reunited with the parents. Reuters verified the location through official confirmation from local authorities, and the date was corroborated by the timestamp on the bodycam footage. Watch the video below and find out why the child wandered into the cornfield: Children and teenagers in the United States are now more likely to die due to gun violence-related incidents compared to car accidents and illnesses, a new report said. In 2022, 18% of all deaths involving children and teens aged one to 18 were caused by firearms. That means about five in every 100,000 children in the US were killed in gun-related incidents in 2022. This was first reported by CNN, which analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wonder database. For perspective, car accidents accounted for 15.2% of childhood deaths while cancer and other illnesses accounted for a combined 17% of childhood deaths in 2022. The number of gun violence-related deaths among children has consistently increased since 2013 when firearms caused the deaths of 11.2% of children and teens aged one to 18, the report noted. Recent Gun Violence-Related Deaths Two of the most recent childhood deaths happened on Sept. 4 when 14-year-old Colt Gray opened fire at the Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Two teachers also died. Officials considered the Apalachee mass shooting incident the deadliest school shooting reported since March 2023. The US is the only wealthy country where firearms are the number one cause of childhood deaths. It is also the only large, wealthy country where firearms are one of the top four causes of death among the youth, per health policy organization KFF. Even in US states with the most restrictive gun laws, childhood deaths caused by firearms are still higher than those reported in any other peer country. How Many US Children Have Now Died of Gun Violence in 2024? As of Sunday, a total of 984 children and teens aged 0 to 17 have been killed in gun violence-related incidents. That marks an increase of eight childhood deaths involving firearms since last Friday. By age group, 173 children 0- to 11 years old have died in gun violence incidents. This increased to 811 among teens ages 12 to 17, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Researchers have recently found saline drops as an "extremely cheap" solution to help shorten colds in children and prevent the spread of the illness in a household. A recent study conducted by researchers at ELVIS-Kids in the United Kingdom found that using hypertonic saline nasal drops can help shorten a child's cold by at least two days. At least 407 children aged 6 and up participated in the controlled trial. For the study, researchers taught parents how to make a hypertonic saline solution. These nasal drops were then given to some parents whose children developed a cold while other parents were provided the usual cold care. Study Finds Saline Nasal Drops Effective for Children's Colds Of the 407 participants, 301 children developed a cold. For 150, their parents were allowed to apply the hypertonic saline drop to their children's noses. Specifically, they were asked to make three drops per nostril for a minimum of four times a day. Children who developed a cold and received nasal drops recovered after an average of six days. In comparison, those who only received the usual cold care recovered after eight days, the study found. In addition to a faster recovery, researchers also found that children who received the nasal drops needed less medicine. Furthermore, the saline drops helped prevent the spread of cold to other family members in the household. Only 46% of family members of children who received the drops got sick. This is compared to 61% among the family members of children who got the usual care. "This extremely cheap and simple intervention has the potential to be applied globally," Professor Alexander Moeller, Head of the ERS Pediatric Assembly, said. Saline Solution Use for Colds, Other Illness The researchers said the study hoped to expand on the use of salt-water solutions in South Asian countries as a treatment for colds and other illnesses. The ELVIS-Kids trial is the first to investigate the possible impact of saline nasal drops in children with colds, Moeller said. The results will be presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Vienna, Austria. The team is hoping to further expand the study, this time focusing on the potential effect of saline nasal drops on wheezing in children with colds. Here are details about some of the upcoming speaking engagements I have lined up. The first is Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Here is the information: The A to Z of Biblical Studies with Prof. James F. McGrath th and 18th at 7 pm) for two sessions in which our guest, Prof. James McGrath from Join us for two Wednesday evening meetings (September 11and 18at 7 pm) for two sessions in which our guest, Prof. James McGrath from Butler University in Indianapolis, provides as much of an introduction to biblical scholarship as it is possible to give in two short sessions. As the author of The A to Z of the New Testament as well as a number of other books, he is well prepared to help ordinary church members understand the content and the value of biblical scholarship for the life of faith. Session 1 will be What a Biblical Scholar Wants You To Know and in it he will help us understand what scholars do and why and how acquainting ourselves with their work can enrich our Bible reading in a variety of ways. The second session will be What You Want to Know from a Biblical Scholar and is your chance to get your questions answered. I will also be doing a three week series at Second Presbyterian Church here in Indianapolis. You can find the information on their website but here it is for your convenience. ENCOUNTERING JOHN THE BAPTIST Sundays, September 15, 22, & 29, 9 AM, Room 356 Well start the program year with three sessions on John the Baptist led by Dr. James McGrath, Clarence L. Goodwin Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University. Dr. McGraths recently published work on John the Baptist, Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist, is a biography of this fascinating and underappreciated figure in the New Testament. His forthcoming academic book, John of History, Baptist of Faith: The Quest for the Historical Baptizer, is scheduled for publication in October. Plan to join us for this unique opportunity to encounter John the Baptist in a new way from one of the foremost scholars on this subject in the world. The three sessions will be as follows: September 15: Johns Parents Ancient sources often give us much less information than we would like about the upbringing of famous people, and John is no exception. Yet within the stories at the start of Lukes Gospel there are hints of a tension between his father and his mother, committing him to two incompatible destinies. That tension can help us understand what led him to pursue his unique path. September 22: Johns Preaching How does someone come up with the idea of baptism for the forgiveness of sins? Why did John earn the nickname the Baptist? Apart from immersion in water, what do we know about Johns emphases? Even in the few snippets of teaching attributed to him in the Gospel of Luke, we get a glimpse of someone who stood in the long line of Israels prophets, with a similar emphasis on social and economic justice. September 29: Johns Passion The story of Johns death is arguably the most famous thing about him, the subject of much art and even opera. What do we know about the end of Johns life historically, and how did the death of Jesus baptizer (and mentor?) shape his own understanding of the path he was to follow? In October I will be at Theology Beer Camp in Denver, Colorado. It is not at all too late to get tickets , and if you look around online many of the podcasters attending have discount codes. One of the things I have been working on for that event together with Tripp Fuller is a skit. I wont give away too many details except that it involves a fundamentalist Christian time traveler. Take a look at the array of amazing speakers. The other speaking engagements I list here are free, whereas this is a paid multi-day experience with an array of speakers, musicians, and scholars present and doing our thing. I was there last year and it was phenomenal Finally, I will also be doing an Advent series at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis. That too will span three weeks and the topics are: The Births of John and Jesus The Lives of John and Jesus The Deaths of John and Jesus If you live in the vicinity of Indianapolis, Cincinnati, or Denver, there are opportunities to come hear me in person. I hope youll do so! Getting your hands on a good monitor doesnt have to cost a fortune, especially when were hunting down amazing deals for you like this 25-inch Samsung Odyssey G4 thats down to $180 on Amazon, a huge drop from its usual $350 price tag. The Samsung Odyssey G4 features an IPS panel, so youll have color-accurate visuals in your games, movies, and editing work on images and videos. Its 1080p resolution and wide viewing angle also serve well when it comes to both day-to-day productivity and general gaming. Today is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days! Our editorial team lists the best tech deals here. ] But what stands out is this monitors 240Hz refresh rate, which is super-fast and provides buttery smooth, blur-free frame rates. And it also has a 1ms response time for minimal lag. Of course, performance will ultimately boil down to how powerful your setup is, so make sure you have a machine that can take full advantage of this refresh rate. This 21:9 aspect ratio monitor supports screen sync technologies like Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium, so youll have a great experience no matter what GPU brand you have on board. If you need a solid gaming monitor at the cheapest price, you cant go wrong with this 240Hz Samsung Odyssey G4 for just $180 on Amazon. Grab one while this sale lasts! This 240Hz Samsung monitor is 49% off right now Neowin reports that Mozilla has decided to extend support for the Firefox browser on older versions of Windows. The original plan was to end support this September, but thats been postponed to 2025. According to the Firefox release calendar, the version of Firefox that supports Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 will continue to receive updates until April 1, 2025. Mozilla will make more official statements about the browsers support for older platforms later. Notably, Microsoft itself cancelled support for its own Edge browser on older versions of Windows back in early 2023. This is just one of the many reasons to prefer Firefox over other browsers. As a whole, Mozilla continues to make improvements to the Firefox browser, not just fixing numerous security flaws with every release but also making quality-of-life boosts like a better Reader View (in Firefox 129) and introducing new features like AI chatbot integration (in Firefox 130). AMD plans to unify the architectures used by its datacenter and consumer graphics architectures in what one company executive is calling a new DNA, or a unified DNA, that combines its CDNA and RDNA architectures. The goal is to bring more developers into the fold, a complement to AMDs adjustment to its consumer Radeon GPU plans to attack mainstream but not flagship enthusiast products. Today is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days! Our editorial team lists the best tech deals here. ] Like Steve Ballmers famous push to land developers, so too is AMD trying to land a core group of software developers that can write apps for Radeon silicon. If AMD concentrates on the small number of customers who will buy a flagship GPU, it wont attract as many developers as pushing mainstream products, Jack Huynh, AMDs senior vice president and general manager of Computing and Graphics told a Friday breakfast meeting of reporters at the IFA show in Berlin. Huynh first called the new unified effort new DNA, but also referred to it as a unified architecture, or UDNA. Part of the big change of AMD is today we have a CDNA architecture [for datacenters] and RDNA for the consumer side, Huynh said. Going forward, well call it New DNA. There will be one unified architecture, both Instinct [AMDs enterprise GPU architecture] and commercial side, so that we unify it. It will be so much easier for developers. Today they have to choose, and its not accruing value. The reason why we forked it, because then you get the sub-optimizations and recommended issues, but then its very difficult for these developers, especially as were growing our data business. I mean, now we may introduce it to unify it. Thats going to help it quite a bit. Because remember, I said earlier, Im thinking about millions of developers, thats where we want to get to. The process will take time, Huynh said. But thats why Im telling the team right now, he said. Its that scale we have to build now. Huynh said that AMD had made mistakes on the development of RDNA. Each time we change the memory of a subsystem, that has to reset the matrix on the optimizations, he said. I dont want to do that. When developing future generations of RDNA, Huynh said that he didnt want to change the memory hierarchy and then lose all of the optimizations. Its very doable, it just requires advanced planning, and a lot more work to do it. But thats the direction. Toms Hardware noted that AMDs consumer GPUs have lacked strong AI support, and that the new revisions might allow AMD to more directly attack Nvidias CUDA architecture and DLSS. Nvidia has been a favored architecture in consumer AI generation, such as AI art, both because of CUDAs deep developer support as well as the sheer horsepower of Nvidia GPUs. But when will this happen? And will it be effective? This feels like a plan AMD will begin explaining more in the weeks ahead. Additional reporting by Adam Patrick Murray. Lenovo paid for Murrays hotel and lodging. PCWorlds Mark Hachman attended IFA at the request of Qualcomm, which paid for hotel and travel. Both companies did not influence PCWorlds editorial content. Microsofts Recall sparked outrage that Microsoft was spying on users. But will Apples semantic search produce the same headlines? Apple introduced the new feature at its Glowtime event on Monday, where the company launched the iPhone 16, plus new versions of the Apple Watch and its AirPod earbuds. Today is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days! Our editorial team lists the best tech deals here. ] If you need to quickly find an important detail, but cant remember where it was shared, Siri will use your personal semantic index to quickly locate the information youre looking for, Greg Jozwiak, Apples senior vice-president of worldwide marketing, said during the brief segment on Apple Intelligence that accompanied the iPhone 16 Pro. (See the image at the top of this page for more.) That was all Apple said on the subject. But the new feature seems to promise to do the same thing that Microsofts own Recall could do: track down a detail somewhere in your digital forest of apps. Apples Jozwiak didnt say how the semantic search would work, or which apps it would be restricted to, or how far back the search could be conducted. Apple has taken pains to emphasize that any information it captures is stored on the device, and not in Apples cloud; Microsoft has said the same thing, but garnered far more mistrust from users. Now, Microsoft has said that its Recall feature will be slowly rolled out and tested inside of its Recall program beginning in October, and anything that smells Recall-like is now met with suspicion. But the goal, apparently, is the same: track down the information you cant find. To be fair, Apples continued emphasis on securely storing consumer information on-device, rather than in the cloud, has built up a level of trust with consumers that Microsoft has failed to establish. Frankly, consumers simply dont trust Microsoft the same way they trust Apple even though Recall appears to take the same pains as Apple to secure user data directly on the device itself. And of course, theres the hated ads within Windows. Eric Tsiri, Head of Enterprise Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana, has reiterated the banks readiness to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. Mr. Tsiri said this on an X-Spaces discussion on the topic Access to Finance: Bridging the Gap for SMEs. He noted that contrary to the common misconception that banks are reluctant to finance SMEs, banks, particularly Stanbic Bank are rather eager to provide financial support to businesses despite the challenges as it is integral to their mandate. Mr. Tsiri elaborated on some of the challenges in providing solutions for SMEs in Ghana. He mentioned that Opaqueness in business operations is one of the main challenges SMEs have. A significant number of SMEs operate with a lack of transparency, making it difficult for banks to understand their business models fully. This opaqueness complicates the process of assessing the viability of the business for financial support. There is also the issue of the character and credibility of business owners which are critical in banking. If a business owner does not exhibit trustworthiness, banks are hesitant to provide financial assistance. Many SMEs struggle with maintaining accurate financial records. Inadequate record-keeping makes it difficult for banks to assess the businesss financial health, further complicating the lending process. Also, the habit of issuing dishonoured cheques is a red flag for banks. When SMEs regularly issue dud cheques, it raises concerns about their financial stability and reliability. Furthermore, access to finance is often contingent on the availability of collateral. Many SMEs, however, lack sufficient collateral to secure loans, limiting their ability to access necessary financing, Eric Tsiri added. Speaking on the banks approach to SMEs financing, the Stanbic executive said the bank treats every case as a unique one in fashioning solutions. He said Stanbic Bank offers a range of financing options tailored to the specific needs of SMEs. The bank does not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, we thoroughly assesse each clients business needs, cash flow, inventory, receivables, and payment terms before proposing a financing solution. Even in some cases, we may advise a client against taking a loan if it is not in their best interest. Mr. Tsiri also mentioned some financing options the bank has available to SMEs. He mentioned working capital support that is provided to bridge gaps in cash flow, such as when suppliers demand payment before the SMEs customers have settled their invoices and bridge financing, a short-term financing that helps businesses manage cash flow between transactions, particularly when waiting for payments on credit sales. Others are contract financing, which is offered to businesses that need funds to execute contracts, asset financing, a long-term financing that supports businesses in acquiring assets like vehicles or setting up infrastructure, with repayment structured over the useful life of the asset, and guarantees and letters of credit for international transactions. Eric Tsiri also highlighted Stanbic Banks business incubator, which supports SMEs beyond just credit. The incubator, he said, provides access to information, markets, and networking opportunities. Additionally, the bank is exploring innovative ways to de-risk the SME sector through partnerships with fintech companies and the use of artificial intelligence. Stanbic Bank remains committed to driving growth in Ghanas economy by supporting SMEs, which are seen as the engine of economic growth. The banks efforts in this regard are reflected in its position as the top provider of loan facilities in 2023. The bank also hosts SME clinics, such as the upcoming event in Kumasi, aimed at preparing businesses to access credit by addressing the challenges that typically hinder them. Source: Peacefmonline com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Service Authority has deployed 106,223 service persons to undertake their mandatory national service for the 2024/2025 service year. The service persons who have been deployed comprised the 2024 batch of graduates from all accredited universities in Ghana, Ghanaians who have completed studies abroad, defaulters, and private applicants who registered for national service. The Director-General of the Authority, Osei Assibey Antwi, who made this known on Friday (September 6), said the validation process for this years national service would take place at all the regional centres across the country on Thursday, September 12, while service would begin on Tuesday, October 1. "The authority reminds all deployed personnel that reposting is not permitted and urges all national service personnel to embrace their postings as a vital part of their responsibilities and contribute to national development," he said in a statement. He urged all deployed service personnel to undergo the validation and registration procedure by checking their placements on the authority's website, printing the appointment letter, booking an appointment for registration, and completing registration at a regional registration centre. Source: graphiconline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Godfred Yeboah Dame, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, has revealed that there are about 850 individuals currently facing trials for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities popularly known as galamseys. Godfred Yeboah Dame gave this revelation at the 2024/2025 Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association. According to him, 140 cases of illegal mining are under investigation across five regions namely the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Upper East. Ghanas once upon a time purest water resources and enviable forest reserves now face imminent danger as the activities of illegal miners have escalated in at such an alarming rate leading to the Ghana Water Company announcing that due to the destruction of the Pra River, the water company cannot supply the needed volumes to Cape Coast and surrounding areas. Mr. Godfred Yeboah dame stated that, the prosecution process has faced a myriad of challenges however, the government is not relenting on cracking the whip on individuals involved in the illicit act adding that 76 convictions have been done since August 2021 with one notable convict being the famous Aisha Huang. He continued to assure Ghanaians and all stakeholders that the government remains resolved in combating the galamsey canker, with stringent measures imposed on those convicted. These include minimum sentences of 15 years and substantial fines for non-Ghanaians involved in illegal mining activities. Mr. Dame also noted that some cases are at the conclusion state, expressing optimism about the judiciarys continued role in fighting illegal mining. Addressing the attendees at the Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association, Godfred Yeboah Dame said, Illegal mining, galamsey, continues to cause damage to our forest reserves and water bodies. Despite the difficulties prosecutors encounter in the courts in the prosecution of illegal mining offences, the criminal division has enjoyed some success, even though there is still room for more to be done. He further added, From August 2021 till date, at least 76 persons, including 18 foreigners, have been convicted. These include the notorious Chinese galamsey queen, Aisha Huang, who was convicted on December 4, 2023, for offences committed between 2014 and 2016 under the previous government. Godfred Yeboah Dame re-echoed that most of the convicts were sentenced under the new law, that is, Act 995, which imposes a minimum of 15 years plus a hefty fine for non-Ghanaians and a minimum of 20 years plus a fine for non-Ghanaians in some cases. Currently, over 140 cases of illegal mining involving over 850 accused persons are being prosecuted in courts across the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Upper East regions of Ghana. Some are near conclusion, he added. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced its intent to embark on a nationwide protest should the Electoral Commission (EC) fail to address concerns raised regarding irregularities captured in the Provisional Voters Register. National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asideu Nketia, who disclosed this, said the nationwide protest will come off on 17th of September. We hope the Commission will listen and listen to us very well, he said. "On the 17th of this month [September], the NDC is embarking on a massive nationwide demonstration in all 16 regional capitals, descend on the Electoral Commission officers and we in Accra will descend to the headquarters and present further petitions as to why we think that they should conduct themselves in a manner that will guarantee peaceful, free and fair election. Forensic Audit The NDC has on several occasions argued 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. Thus, it has requested for a forensic audit by an independent body before the register can be considered for the December general elections. Mahama Files John Dramani Mahama officially filed his presidential nomination at the Headquarters of the Electoral Commission in Accra on Monday, September 9, 2024. The submission of the forms was done on his behalf by Asiedu Nketia in the company of the General Secretary of the party, Mr. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey as well as other leading members of the party. Assessment Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Madam Jeane Adukwei Mensa has formed a team of experts who will assess the nominations presented by the various presidential candidates according to the standards of the EC. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video NPP Member of Parliament for Nsawam/Adoagyiri and majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, has received several backlashes from sections of the public including Civil Society groups. The latest to join in the backlash is the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), who have described the comment made by the majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, asserting that the NDC has destroyed more river bodies than the NPP as shocking. According to the Ghana Bar Association, statements of that nature sets a bad precedence for combating the menace of illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey. Ghanas water bodies as well as forest reserves have been severely threatened by activities of illegal mining. The galamsey activities, which has destroyed aquatic lives, poisoned some rivers as well as caused the evacuation of animals in the forest reserves, had erupted a fierce debate in Parliament during an emergency meeting on the floor of parliament. During an emergency parliamentary sitting on September 3, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip, alleged that an investigation would reveal that the NDC caused more water pollution during their tenure. The GBA described the comments as irresponsible and called for more national attention to crack down on illegal mining activities. However, the President of GBA, Yaw Acheampong Boafo, speaking at the GBAs 2024/2025 annual general conference, condemned the comment, stating, It was quite shocking and most regrettable when a member of the leadership of parliament on the floor of parliament stated that the minority party during this period in government polluted the waters of Ghana more than the ruling party. Such an irresponsible statement by a member of parliament is symptomatic of the malaise affecting our dear nation. Every issue must be reduced to partisan point-scoring by a parallel nations police drive. The President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Yaw Acheampong Boafo, urged the government to intensify its fight against illegal mining, by targeting the powerful individuals allegedly fueling the illicit activity. The anecdotal evidence that galamsey is controlled by a powerful interest in Ghana cannot be ignored. The state must be honest and deal with the real powers behind this menace, he stated. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Government Spokesperson, Kofi Tonto has eulogized Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's credit score policy for Ghanaians. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has promised to implement a credit score system to ensure Ghanaians buy commodities on credit. This system, though to the New Patriotic Party will help the average citizen, has been severely criticized by the largest opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC) and a section of the society as they feel it wouldn't serve its purpose. The critics are less confident the Vice President will honor his word to the citizenry. Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show on Friday, September 6, Kofi Tonto, without a shred of doubt, stated that Dr. Bawumia will deliver on his promises. He explained the credit score system as an effective mechanism to boost businesses and promote local production. Kofi Tonto was highly optimistic that allowing people to purchase commodities on credit basis will ease the financial stress on them. It will expand businesses. It will increase production because credit system creates what we call demand and production can only go up when theres demand for it, he justified the policy. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in consultation with the National Council, has decided to replace the sitting Member of Parliament for Nkwakaw in the Eastern Region, Joseph Frempong, ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections. This decision was made during an emergency meeting held in Accra on Tuesday, September 3. Joseph Frempong, who is currently facing health challenges, will be unable to participate in the intensive campaigns required for the upcoming elections. As a result, David Asante, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Publishing Company Limited, has been selected as the NPP's parliamentary candidate for the Nkwakaw constituency. Mr. Asante, an indigene of Nkwakaw, had contested Joseph Frempong in the party's parliamentary primaries in January 2024 but lost to the incumbent MP. With this development, Mr. Asante will now represent the NPP in the 2024 general elections. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Cape Coast was on Saturday set ablaze as high-profile dignitaries graced the grand durbar which climaxed the 60th anniversary of the Fetu Afahye festival and 25th anniversary of Osabarima Dr. Nana Kwesi Arthur II as Oguaamanhene. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was the Special Guest of Honour and characteristic of him, made a majestic entry to the durbar grounds on his palanquin with his paramount Chief and Queen mothers. Arousing the audience to excitement was Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who made his way to the memorable event. Dr. Bawumia was accompanied by by his Running Mate, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, a powerful government and party delegation while he exchanged pleasantries with the Chiefs and gathering. Scores of supporters hoisting NPP flags and displaying the partys paraphernalia flanked him chanting his name to mark his victory in the upcoming presidential 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. Featured Video The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, will submit his nomination papers for the upcoming presidential elections today, September 9, at 2 pm. He will be accompanied by his running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang. According to Joyce Bawah Mogtari, spokesperson for the Mahama campaign, This is a momentous occasion for the NDC as we gear up to build the Ghana we want together. Our campaign focuses on jobs, accountability, development, and a better future for all Ghanaians Meanwhile, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), will also officially file his nomination today. A statement issued by the NPP's General Secretary said Dr Bawumia will be accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Partys National Chairman and General Secretary, the Majority Leader in Parliament, and other NPP leaders. After filing his presidential nomination, Dr Bawumia would address party sympathizers and the general public at the Partys National Headquarters at 9:00am. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Henry Kwabena Kokofu, former Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has charged his colleague politicians to abstain from encouraging illegal mining in Ghana. The member of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP), speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' show, urged those interested in mining business to engage in responsible mining. He called for an end to illegal mining, popularly referred to as "galamsey", stressing those involved in responsible mining do not touch the water bodies. Henry Kokofu cautioned politicians to stop stimulating the galamseyers. "We, the politicians, must come clean. While you are working hard to prevent it, then your colleague will stimulating them saying I will let you continue it if you vote for me," he stated. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Nana Ohene Ntow, a leading member of the Movement for Change, has expressed disappointment over government's failure to fight against galamsey. Galamsey has over the years become the misery of the nation with those involved contaminating the water bodies and environment. Due to galamsey (illegal mining) activities, the country's rivers have become unsafe for consumption. The Ghana Water Company Ltd has issued a warning about an impending danger. "About Sixty percent (60%) of the catchment capacity is silted as a result of illegal mining (galamsey) compromising the quality of raw water. We are currently recording an average turbidity of 14,000 NTU instead of 2000 NTU designed for adequate treatment, the company cautioned. Nana Ohene Ntow found President Nana Akufo-Addo not committed to the combat against illegal mining. "This is a matter of life and death. I call it life and death because of its contamination of our drinking water and food. If galamsey has become a legacy problem, then we are in serious trouble," he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' show. Watch video below Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu Monday morning led prayers for Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. The special prayers, said at the residence of Dr. Bawumia, was to express gratitude to the Almighty Allah and seek His favours as Dr. Bawumia prepared to file his nomination forms at the headquarters of the Electoral Commission to contest for President of Ghana. Sheikh Sharubutu led a team of scholars of young and old to recite the Quran invoking the mercy and favours of Allah. Sheikh Sharubutu thanked the Almighty for the life of Dr. Bawumia and prayed for peace in the upcoming presidential election in December and progress of Ghana. Also, later in the morning, the Clergy visited the Vice President and prayed for him. Similarly, the pastors prayed for God's favour for Dr. Bawumia in this year's election as well as for successful and peaceful elections. Dr. Bawumia expressed profound gratitude to the National Chief Imam and the Clergy and in the mid-morning, submitted his forms to the Electoral Commission. He was accompanied by his wife, Samira, Running Mate, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh and his spouse together with some NPP leading members. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Burmese pythons, according to National Geographic, are amongst the worlds largest known snakes, and are capable of reaching lengths of up to 23 feet. Which is probably something this man had no clue about, as he was shocked at how big his illegally-owned python got in such a short period of time. CBS Local New York reports how a humongous member of the species one that stretched over 13 feet long and weighed about 80 pounds was recovered from a home in New York, a state which doesnt allow for the reptile to be owned as a pet without a permit. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation the organization which recovered the snake explained that the unnamed man to which the python beloved admitted he wasnt prepared for how big it would get, or how quickly it would grow. He therefore surrendered the snake, admitting he could no longer care for it. The department served him a ticket for possessing wildlife as a pet and for possessing dangerous wildlife without a permit. Aww, poor baby, are they taking him to a sanctuary? worries on X user on the ABC7 Eyewitness News page. Its not his fault hes a big noodle. As people do commented another, this time on ABC Newss post. The snake was donated to the Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo in Rome, N.Y. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A 20-year-old woman died over the weekend when the driver of the car in which she was riding fell asleep and crashed in Cumberland County, police said. Pennsylvania State Police said a 19-year-old Newville man was driving east on Route 641 (Newville Road) at about 12:34 p.m. Saturday when he veered off the right shoulder and hit a utility pole in West Pennsboro Township. The force of the crash spun the teens vehicle counterclockwise and threw the front-seat passenger, Nadia Startzman, out of the front passenger window and onto the road, police said. Startzman, 20, of Chambersburg, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 19-year-old driver was not hurt. Police said a westbound vehicle driving through the area during the crash sustained minor damage from flying crash debris. By Jonathan D. Salant, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS) WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Fetterman said Sunday he will continue to oppose the proposed sale of U.S. Steel as long as the steelworkers union does. Speaking on CNNs State of the Union, Mr. Fetterman said he will follow the steelworkers lead on the controversial $14.9 billion proposal by Japans Nippon Steel to buy the iconic Pittsburgh company. Mr. Fetterman; U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.; Gov. Josh Shapiro; U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall; President Joe Biden; Vice President Kamala Harris; former President Donald Trump and other public officials have lined up against the proposed sale. Im going to follow the union, Mr. Fetterman said Sunday. I am going to follow whatever they want. If they actually now come out in favor of this, then Im going to support that. But if theyre now against that, Im going to support that, too, because we and Im always going to be on the right side for standing up for the union workers and the kinds of union jobs. And I do fundamentally believe that steel is a national security issue. Ms. Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, became the latest political opponent of the deal, using a Labor Day rally in Pittsburgh to call for keeping U.S. Steel in American hands. The proposal is under review by the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. While the United Steelworkers union opposes the agreement, around 400 steelworkers rallied in support of the sale last week outside the U.S. Steel Tower in Downtown Pittsburgh. And the issue gained new urgency when U.S. Steels president and CEO, David Burritt, warned of layoffs and even moving the companys headquarters out of Pittsburgh if the deal fell through. The senator called Mr. Burritts comments appalling and noted that he lived across the street from a U.S. Steel plant in Braddock. I was like, Wow, whats going on? " he said. I mean, look here outside this window right there. The steel mill is right there. He was willing to throw all of these men and women under that as well, too. Mr. Shapiro said last week that he was engaged in talks with workers, the private sector, and the Biden administration to save thousands of jobs at the company. "It's What I've Always Wanted" says Bauer After Bagging First PokerStars Spadie Kai Cocklin Live Reporter Copy link On the last day of the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Barcelona, the conclusion of the 10,200 No-Limit Hold'em event played out in the Pau Cassals room at Casino Barcelona, where Erik Bauer put on a short-stack masterclass to emerge victorious and take home the 151,400 top prize. Bauer navigated through a field of 48 entries to take home the lion's share of the 465,600 prize pool, and overcame Canada's Dongwoo Ko in a short but gripping heads-up duel that spanned two levels. EPT Barcelona 10,200 No-Limit Hold'em Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Erik Bauer Slovakia 151,400 2 Dongwoo Ko Canada 100,100 3 James Collopy United States 67,500 4 Samuel Ju Germany 51,200 5 Aram Zobian United States 39,600 6 Jeremie Zouari France 31,400 7 Zachary Habayeb Canada 24,400 Winner's Reaction "I feel very nice, I always wanted one of those spades, so it's nice to have one," were Bauer's first words after he caught up with PokerNews. "I started [the final table] with average so it started pretty well, then I lost a really big one with ace-king against jack-ten which either I would have the chip lead or be the short stack. Then I got lucky in a three-way all in, then I got very lucky with ace-ten against ace-king, and then I just ran very hot. I felt like I played heads up very well." "I always wanted one of those spades, so it's nice to have one," PokerNews informed Bauer then he had broken into the top ten on Slovakia's all-time money list after jumping from 22nd to ninth with this victory. "To be honest, that's always been a goal for me to get into the top ten so that's really nice for me. I didn't even know I was in the top ten." Final Day's Action After playing through ten levels on Day 1, the sixteen survivors were joined by twelve more late registrants, bringing the total number of entries up to 48. Those that fell short of making the money include PokerStars Team Pro Maria Konnikova, who was eliminated by Vladas Tamasauskas in the second level of the day. Ren Lin, Sam Greenwood, Stoyan Madanzhiev, and Krasimir Yankov were also eliminated before the money and the unfortunate title of bubble boy went to Eduard Barsegyan. The Russian player got his chips in good with ace-king against the ace-queen of Ko, but a queen on the flop meant he was the last player to leave empty-handed. Once the bubble had burst, Zachary Habayeb lost a flip with ace-queen against the pocket jacks of Aram Zobian, which left him out in seventh. After an intense battle between the short stacks, it was Jeremie Zouari who finally succumbed in sixth when he got in his last big blind but couldnt manage to spin up a stack. Somebody that did spin up a stack is Bauer, who went from the table short stack with three big blinds all the way up to chip leader in the space of a few moments, albeit with a little help from the dealer. Fortune certainly wasnt on Zobians side today as his pocket kings were taken down by Bauers ace-jack, which left him very short-stacked. Shortly after, he shoved pocket fours and ran into the pocket aces of James Collopy, which ended his run in fifth. Samuel Ju was short-stacked for the majority of the final table but managed to ladder up a few spots before he ran ace-jack into the eventual champion's pocket queens, which left him out in fourth, just shy of the podium places. Play wasn't three-handed for long as Collopy flipped for his tournament life against Ko, and came off second best after the Canadian player rivered a full house. The stacks were almost identical going into heads-up play and it was Bauer who took an early lead and reached a three-to-one chip advantage before Ko Correctly called with ace-high to even out the stacks again. Bauer didn't let that deter him as he continued to chip away at his opponent. In the last hand of the night, he got the chips in good with top pair and managed to fade the open-ended straight draw of Ko. Share this article The final day of the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour has concluded here at Casino Barcelona. Hours after Stephen Song was crowned the newest EPT Main Event champion, the final table of the 10,000 EPT High Roller was still ongoing with some of the best players in the world battling for one of the most prestigious trophies of the festival. Mike Watson was already having a good series before this tournament, albeit with many close calls and no outright victories. He took sixth place in the 10,200 Pot-Limit Omaha event, third place in a 25,000 High Roller and second place in the 5,200 8-Game Mix for just over 250,000 across those three scores. Tonight, Watson topped those accomplishments with a first-place finish in the 10,000 EPT High Roller, defeating Enrico Camosci heads up to take home 595,000 after an ICM chop while Camosci took the top cash prize of 734,900. 10,000 EPT High Roller Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Mike Watson Canada 595,000* 2 Enrico Camosci Italy 734,100* 3 Rodrigo Araujo Brazil 365,050 4 Jon Kyte Norway 280,750 5 Markkos Ladev Estonia 215,950 6 Malcolm Franchi France 166,150 7 Joshua Hopkins Canada 127,800 8 Jesse Lonis United States 104,800 9 Enrico Coppola Italy 80,075 *Denotes a heads-up deal Winner's Reaction "Feels amazing," Watson commented, when asked how it felt to close out the series with a big win after three close calls. "These closing 10k's are kind of like the second chance Main Events for all the EPTs. They have really big fields and prizes. To win in one of those 10k's is something I wanted to get on the resume eventually and I'm really happy I was able to do it." Watson was the second-shortest stack at the beginning of the final table and had a tricky situation to navigate with Camosci and Markkos Ladev holding most of the chips in play while all other players were short-stacked, and he described his approach to navigating the early stages of the final table. "Certainly going into the final table with Enrico and Markkos having all the chips, it was a situation where I knew I'd have to play very tight to try and move up the pay jump ladder. The thought was to just hang around, see if I can get to the final three or four players, and then maybe I can pick up some big hands and start to fight back a little bit." Final Day Action The third and final day began with 28 survivors from the star-studded 431-entrant field, all guaranteed at least 25,510. Some notables to make the final day but fall short of the final table include Calvin Anderson (26th), Erik Seidel (20th) and Boris Angelov (11th). Despite starting the day with the chip lead, Thomas Eychenne found little momentum from the start of the day and fell in tenth place on the final table bubble after running his pocket kings into Camoscis pocket aces in a brutal cooler. Eychenne shared the title of Final Table Bubble Boy with Enrico Coppola, who was eliminated simultaneously at the other table when his ace-king did not hold up against Ladevs suited queen-four. Jesse Lonis Camosci entered the final table with a significant chip lead over the rest of the field, but Ladev wasted no time closing the gap after winning a massive flip to send Jesse Lonis to the rail and score the first final table knockout. Ladevs momentum was short-lived as he was put in the blender by Camosci in a massive pot where Ladev was put to a river decision for his tournament life with massive ICM implications given the presence of five short stacks at the table. Ladev succumbed to the pressure and folded, giving Camosci a huge lead over the rest of the field with half the total chips in play and seven players remaining. A laddering war ensued at the final seven between the six short stacks and Camosci was able to take advantage of the situation, open-shoving preflop to take down many pots without showdown. Joshua Hopkins and Malcolm Franchi were whittled down until they were forced to make a move and they fell in seventh and sixth places, respectively. Both fell to Camosci who at this point seemed to have victory firmly in his grasp. Ladev was next to bust in fifth against Watson, who had begun to separate himself from the other short-stacks. Jon Kyte Jon Kyte was short-stacked for most of the final table but did an excellent job picking his spots and was able to double up several times to keep himself in contention. His luck finally ran out when his ace-eight was cracked by Watson's ace-seven, after which Kyte bowed out in fourth place. Shortly afterwards, Camosci eliminated Rodrigo Araujo in third, much to the disappointment of the Brazilian's enthusiastic rail. Following Araujo's elimination, Camosci entered heads-up play with nearly a 4:1 chip advantage over Watson. Enrico Camosci Before the heads-up duel began, the final two players agreed on a deal that would leave 20,000 and the trophy for the eventual winner while the rest of the money was split via an ICM chop. That deal guaranteed Camosci the top cash but it was clear that both players were still bringing their A-game with the hopes of winning the trophy. At first Camosci extended his lead over Watson, but in a dramatic shift Watson doubled through Camosci in back-to-back hands to take the chip lead. Camosci was not going down easily despite the setback, and fought back to the chip lead soon afterwards after getting paid off with two pair. The two players went back and forth over several small pots before Watson finally took a commanding chip lead after a preflop race that saw his king-queen overcome Camosci's ace-jack. That hand left Camosci with just five big blinds and he was unable to recover, losing the final hand against Watson, who took home the trophy and 595,000 while Camosci was denied the trophy but still took the top cash prize of 734,175. That's a wrap for our 2024 EPT Barcelona coverage, but be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates from major tournaments around the world. Tropical Storm Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Oct. 5. It's expected to become a hurricane and push across Florida in the next few days. Impacts could be felt in South Carolina. Read moreTropical Storm Milton grows in Gulf and races towards Florida. Could impact SC next week. HILTON HEAD ISLAND James Lisenby is an island rock star of sorts. His stage is a poolside bar steps away from the Atlantic Ocean. His thousands of fans line up to the sound of a blender concocting an assortment of colorful frozen drinks. There were cheers and applause when he stepped behind the bar at Pool Bar Jims for a quick photo Aug. 28. It was an exciting and increasingly rare sight, the 76-year-old with his bright Hawaiian shirt and quiet smile. The scene was also nostalgic. This rock stars days of serving tropical cocktails are behind him. Lisenby stepped away from bartending in August 2023 after he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease, and with Parkinsons disease, which affects mobility. The decision to stop bartending was a difficult one. Though he is well past retirement age, Lisenby had no intention of leaving the poolside business he created 30 years earlier. I love bartending. I bartended almost every day of the week, and I miss it, Lisenby said, but Ive got a great crew. Pool Bar Jims began in 1993 with a business proposal Lisenby pitched to the general manager of Marriott Grande Ocean Resort. The idea of a poolside bar was a novelty at the time. Hotels and inns on Hilton Head mostly served their customers with minibars or classic hotel lobby cocktails. After a two-hour lunch and a bit of debate, the Marriott went for it. After a few years, Pool Bar Jims became immensely popular, serving tens of thousands of customers each year. The business is unique, Lisenby said. Drinks are created with fresh fruit in front of the customers, and pretty much anything and everything is on the menu. There are variations of pina coladas, daiquiris, margaritas, slushies and a number of Pool Bar Jim originals. Most of Pool Bar Jims original recipes are featured in a 300-page book authored by Lisenby. Published in 2005, Pool Bar Jims Tropical and Exotic Drinks is part recipe book, part history lesson on the culture of beachside cocktails. An Indianapolis man involved in a shooting incident in Minot three years ago has been sentenced in federal court in North Dakota to more than nine years in prison. Anthony Lee Davis, 32, fired a 9 mm pistol at people and property while driving erratically around Minot on Oct. 23, 2021, according to U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider. One bullet struck a driver in another vehicle in the elbow. Davis pleaded guilty last April to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was recently sentenced to nine years and two months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. This strong sentence is a fair one considering the defendants reckless violence and actions putting the public in harms way, Schneider said in a statement. One of the biggest challenges in the Charleston region is the difficulty so many have finding an affordable place to buy or rent near their job or anywhere safe in some cases so we welcome two experimental approaches to addressing this important problem. Read moreEditorial: Two new and welcome approaches to Charleston region's housing problem Lindsey Graham has gone all Molly Hatchet and is flirtin with disaster in another states presidential elections. Read moreHicks Palmetto Politics: Graham trying to help change rules of presidential election again North Dakota likely wont get back taxpayer money that former state Sen. Ray Holmberg potentially used for international travel when sexually abusing children, Attorney General Drew Wrigley recently said. Holmberg will be sentenced sometime next year after pleading guilty in August in federal court. Controversy has loomed over the sentence the 80-year-old Republican from Grand Forks faces a plea agreement suggested he serve three years in prison. The maximum punishment is 30 years in prison, and there is no minimum mandatory sentence. Holmberg also faces monetary punishment, said Tim Purdon, an attorney who served as North Dakotas U.S. attorney from 2010-15. The charge to which Holmberg pleaded guilty said he traveled from Grand Forks to Prague with plans to sexually abuse children multiple times as part of commercial sex. That charge has a fine of up to $250,000. Holmberg agreed to pay restitution to victims directly and approximately harmed by his crime, as ordered by the court. Any victim would have to file claims for restitution. I dont see any reason why the state of North Dakota couldnt say that its a victim here, Purdon said. It has to prove its claim. The question is, 'Are they really a victim?' The state would have to figure out which trips were funded by the state, Purdon said. Holmberg took multiple trips over the years to various parts of the world, but only a few receipts indicate that he might have traveled to Prague on the taxpayers' dime. The state would have to prove Holmberg committed fraud when he used government funds, Wrigley said. The program for which he used the funds to travel was legitimate, lawmakers went through a proper process of allocating those dollars, and the entity responsible for administering the money approved Holmberg's expenses, the attorney general said. Wrigley said he doesnt see a path forward for reclaiming state money Holmberg potentially used on the trips. That program existed. Its a decision policymakers wanted to have, Wrigley said. Its not the problem. Ray Holmberg is the problem. He abused his proximity to certain places. He took advantage of people who put those dollars in grant programs in place. Purdon pushed back, saying the public is upset about public money being involved in this case. Holmberg used money from the state to travel to Europe and sexually abuse children while there, Purdon said. He wasnt going to Prague to learn how to be a better state legislator, Purdon said of Holmberg. He was going to Prague to have sex with minors. The U.S. Attorneys Office declined to comment on potential restitution, including if North Dakota could be included as a victim. Holmberg's attorney, Mark Friese, did not return a message seeking comment for this story. Who are the victims? It's unclear who will qualify as a victim in this case. The plea agreement did not mention victims by name, and any potential claims from Holmbergs child victims have not been publicly disclosed. We dont know if restitution will be ordered at sentencing, Purdon said. Its not unheard of for government entities to seek restitution. Purdon noted tribes in North Dakota have sought money from defendants facing financial crimes. I dont know that the state of North Dakota is a victim, but I certainly think they could make a claim and argue that the taxpayers are, Purdon said. Holmberg used thousands of dollars approved by the North Dakota Legislature to travel to China, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands and Estonia from 2010 into 2019, according to receipts obtained by The Forum from the North Dakota School Board Association. He was able to access the funds because of Global Bridges, an international program based in Berlin that facilitates trips for various groups, including politicians, educational professionals and business leaders. In an email to The Forum, Global Bridges said the nonprofit program was committed to fostering global understanding and sought to build bridges through organizing study trips and conferences. Global Bridges picked who went on the trips, and the North Dakota School Board Association reimbursed trips with taxpayer money. The state Legislature gave $830,000 from 2007 to 2019 to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction with orders to give the money to the School Board Association, a state lobbying group that advocates for public education. The Department of Public Instruction declined to comment for this story. A message left for the School Board Association was not immediately returned. The Forum found at least three association-approved receipts that said Holmberg traveled to Prague using state funding, totaling roughly $5,300. Only one of those receipts fell within the time frame for which Holmberg pleaded guilty to traveling to the Czech Republic city to sexually abuse children between June 24, 2011, and Nov. 1, 2016. A plane ticket with a departure date of June 24, 2011, showed Holmberg traveled from Grand Forks to Prague, then Amsterdam, for $1,451. On the same receipt, Holmberg departed Pristina, Kosovo, on June 30, 2011, and flew to Prague for $383. Global Bridges said no conferences it hosted took place in Prague or Amsterdam. Holmberg also submitted receipts that showed he traveled to Amsterdam using taxpayer money meant for Global Bridges events. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Puhl mentioned the June 24, 2011, trip when describing the dates that they could prove Holmberg traveled to Prague to sexually abuse children. In total, Holmberg traveled to Prague 14 times between 2011 and 2021, though it is unclear if he had plans to sexually abuse children on all of those trips. The other two trips tied to the Global Bridges program were in September 2018 and June 2019. Multiple lawmakers and teachers from North Dakota went on the trips, though Holmberg appeared to go on one almost every year, Wrigley said. Our Legislature decided there was a benefit to Global Bridges, Wrigley said. The School Board Association announced in June that it cut ties with Global Bridges. It also returned $142,166 allocated for the program to the state. Distraction or valid claim? Holmberg participated in the studies and conferences backed by Global Bridges, Wrigley said, and the School Board Association approved the receipts and reimbursed Holmberg for the trips. In addition to the heinous sexual nature of his crimes hes exploiting public money, Wrigley said. When the receipts were approved, Jon Martinson was the School Board Association's executive director. He approved Holmberg's travel on behalf of the association, even after he retired as its leader in 2017. His brother Rep. Bob Martinson, R-Bismarck, has been a House Appropriations Committee member since 1997 and was an integral part connecting Global Bridges to state funding. Holmberg, who served Grand Forks in the North Dakota Senate from 1976 to 2022, chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee. The appropriations committees discuss budget bills and make recommendations to the House and Senate on what funding to approve. Bob Martinson and Holmberg would have directly overseen bills that included funding to Global Bridges. Jon Martinson did not return a message seeking comment for this story. Wrigley said he understands the publics questions surrounding the 2011 trip to Prague. He said he would look into whether North Dakota should make a claim as a victim in the federal case. He called possibly using state funds to sexually abuse children abroad troubling, unfortunate and abusive. It wont add time to Holmbergs sentence, Wrigley noted. Thats a bit like he stole a piece of candy in addition to robbing that bank across the street, Wrigley said, adding Holmberg is a convicted felon for a commercial child sex crime. There are issues that could be unprovable, including jurisdictional questions. Its really a distraction, Wrigley said. The state could file a civil case, but it is easier to request restitution through the criminal case, Purdon said. The state has an argument that it was a victim of Holmberg's scheme to travel to Prague to sexually abuse children, Purdon said. The issue is about getting that money from Holmberg to pay back taxpayers, he added. The question is, why are these state officials not going to use every possible opportunity to try and recoup those dollars? he asked. PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-09 18:00:57 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 837 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Mississippi State University and Echelon Front Unite to Offer Innovative Graduate-Level Courses in Organizational LeadershipSTARKVILLE, MS / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2024 / Echelon Front proudly announces this historic partnership, marking the first-ever collaboration between Echelon Front and a university. This pioneering initiative introduces four core graduate-level courses, offered fully online and asynchronously, integrating Echelon Front's renowned leadership principles into higher education.Echelon Front Announces Groundbreaking Partnership with Mississippi State University Mississippi State University and Echelon Front Unite to Offer Innovative Graduate-Level Courses in Organizational Leadership Foundations of Organizational LeadershipDescription: This course is grounded in the principles outlined in the bestselling book Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Students will explore the fundamental concepts of effective leadership, including the importance of taking responsibility, decentralized command, and the necessity of humility in leadership roles. Key Learning Outcomes:Understand the core principles of Extreme Ownership and their application in various organizational settings.Develop the ability to analyze complex problems and devise effective solutions.Cultivate self-awareness and responsibility as primary leadership traits.Learn techniques for building trust and rapport within teams.Dichotomies of LeadershipDescription: Inspired by the book The Dichotomy of Leadership, this course delves into the balancing acts necessary for effective leadership. Students will study how leaders must balance seemingly opposing forces such as being aggressive yet cautious, disciplined yet flexible, and detached yet engaged. Key Learning Outcomes:Identify and apply the necessary balance between different leadership styles and approaches.Gain insights into handling conflicting priorities and making balanced decisions.Develop skills in navigating the complex dynamics of team management.Enhance decision-making capabilities under pressure.Effective Organizational CommunicationDescription: This course focuses on honing communication skills essential for effective leadership. It covers strategies for clear, concise, and compelling communication within an organization, including techniques for public speaking, negotiation, and conflict resolution. Key Learning Outcomes:Master techniques for effective verbal and non-verbal communication.Improve listening skills and learn the art of asking the right questions.Understand and overcome barriers to communication in diverse workplaces.Build skills in conflict resolution and negotiation to foster a collaborative environment.Organizational CultureDescription: In this course, students will explore the intricacies of organizational culture and how it impacts business performance and employee engagement. The curriculum emphasizes strategies for building and sustaining a positive workplace culture aligned with organizational goals. Key Learning Outcomes:Analyze the elements that constitute organizational culture and their effect on business outcomes.Develop strategies for fostering an inclusive and high-performance work environment.Understand the role of leadership in shaping and maintaining organizational culture.Learn methods to measure and assess cultural alignment with business objectives.These courses are designed to offer practical applications of EO leadership principles, equipping students with skills that can be applied in any organizational setting. Plans are underway to expand this initiative into a certificate program and eventually a full master's degree program.Dr. David Shaw, Provost and Executive Vice President at MSU, commented:"Our collaboration with Echelon Front underscores our dedication to creating educational opportunities that serve a diverse student body. At Mississippi State, we define student success as building leaders who are employed in the careers of their choice. By aligning with Echelon Front's philosophy of growing effective leaders, we aim to equip our students with the tools to understand and tackle the complexities of modern organizational challenges. This partnership ensures that our graduates are prepared to make significant contributions and lead with a deep sense of responsibility and strategic insight." Leif Babin, co-founder of Echelon Front, stated:"This fall, we are teaming up with Mississippi State University to bring the Extreme Ownership to the college level. For the first time, this partnership allows us to impact graduate-level students, who will be the next generation of leaders in businesses and organizations. These credited courses will be taught by Echelon Front's Corey Mize and Cordell Bennigson, trained Leadership Instructors who will lead students through a curriculum built on the principles and practical application of Extreme Ownership. Leadership isn't just important on the battlefield or in the classroom - it's the ultimate factor determining your success in any field." For more information about the partnership and the courses offered, please visit https://www.cpcs.msstate.edu/msu-echelon-front About Echelon Front: Founded by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, two decorated former U.S. Navy Seals, and best-selling authors, Echelon Front is a leadership consulting firm dedicated to providing practical and effective solutions for leadership challenges. Drawing on battlefield experiences, Echelon Front's principles are adapted to help organizations build strong, resilient, and capable leaders.About Mississippi State University: Mississippi State University is a leading educational institution committed to innovative and flexible learning solutions. The College of Professional and Continuing Studies at MSU is dedicated to developing future leaders equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their careers and make meaningful contributions to their organizations and communities.Website: https://www.cpcs.msstate.edu/msu-echelon-front Contact InformationKim BenoitDirector of Marketing & Media, Echelon Frontkim@ echelonfront.com 352-346-8307SOURCE: Echelon FrontView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-09 13:31:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 305 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2024 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of The Chemours Company ("The Chemours Company") (NYSE:CC) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.Chemours issued a press release on August 1, 2024, reporting its financial results for the second quarter of 2024. Among other items, Chemours reported non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.38, missing consensus estimates by $0.20. The Company advised that it "anticipates a low to mid-single digit sequential decline in Net Sales for the third quarter," citing "[r]esidual impacts from Q2 unplanned downtime at our Altamira, Mexico manufacturing site" in its Titanium Technologies segment; "[r]efrigerant seasonality paired with weaker Freon Refrigerants pricing in its Thermal & Specialized Solutions segment; and "[a] continued modest recovery in" its Advanced Performance Materials segment.Following this news, Chemours's stock price dropped over 11% on August 2, 2024. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-09 14:01:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 537 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 40% of self-made millionaires and 35% of entrepreneurs are dyslexicLONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2024 / Esteemed entrepreneur Jamie Waller, known as "The Dyslexic Entrepreneur," together with leading dyslexia expert Dr. Helen Taylor, is proud to announce the release of their transformative new book, The Dyslexic Edge. This highly anticipated book, available globally on September 12th, unveils the secrets behind why dyslexic thinkers excel in business and often become self-made millionaires.The Dyslexic Edgedelves into the extraordinary lives of some of the world's most successful dyslexic entrepreneurs, offering a unique perspective on how dyslexia can be a powerful asset in the business world. This book may be the first of its kind-written by dyslexics, for dyslexics, and for anyone looking to harness the advantages of dyslexia to boost their career or entrepreneurial journey.The book features compelling interviews with 14 influential dyslexics, including:Sir Charles Dunstone, the mastermind behind Carphone Warehouse and Five Guys in the UK.Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinko's and a U.S. print billionaire.Kelly Hoppen, the renowned interior designer to David Beckham.Duncan Bannatyne and Theo Paphitis, both well-known investors and TV personalities from Dragon's Den.Kate Griggs, founder of Made By Dyslexia and an advocate for the dyslexic community.Sir Richard Branson, arguably the most famous dyslexic entrepreneur, planted the seed during a conversation with Jamie Waller on Necker Island in 2023, and it is now available for pre-order and a few days from release.One of the most eye-opening aspects of The Dyslexic Edge is its exploration of the statistics: 40% of self-made millionaires and 35% of entrepreneurs are dyslexic. The book addresses a crucial question: What is it about dyslexia that makes dyslexic thinkers great at becoming rich? Jamie Waller and Dr. Helen Taylor uncover these secrets and share them with readers, providing valuable insights into how dyslexic traits such as creative problem-solving, resilience, and innovative thinking contribute to exceptional success."By telling these stories, we hope to inspire others with dyslexia to recognise their condition not as a barrier but as a unique strength that can lead to incredible success," said Jamie Waller.Co-author Dr. Helen Taylor brings her academic expertise to the table, ensuring that the narratives are not only inspiring but also backed by research on the strengths associated with dyslexia.The Dyslexic Edge is available in all formats and will be sold worldwide, making it accessible to a broad audience eager to learn how dyslexia can be leveraged for extraordinary success.For more information about the book or to schedule an interview with Jamie Waller or Dr. Helen Taylor, please contact jw@ jamiewaller.co.uk or 07779 714 390.About the Authors:Jamie Waller is an entrepreneur, author, and advocate known as "The Dyslexic Entrepreneur." He has founded and sold several successful businesses and now dedicates his time to helping others realise their potential, having set up The Prince's Trust Enterprise Network in 2021.Dr. Helen Taylor is a respected academic specialising in the strengths and advantages of dyslexia. She has published extensively on the topic and is passionate about helping dyslexics leverage their unique abilities.Contact Information:Jamie WallerThe Dyslexic Entrepreneurjw@ jamiewaller.co.uk 07779714390 Related FilesJamie Waller MediaSOURCE: The Dyslexic EntrepreneurView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-09 18:36:57 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 686 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LAFAYETTE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2024 /RIGID, a leading provider of construction and industrial services, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Patriot Industries, a prominent player in the heavy civil construction sector. The acquisition was finalized on August 9, 2024, and marks a significant milestone in RIGID's ongoing strategy to expand its capabilities and market presence across the Gulf Coast and beyond.Expanding Capabilities and Market ReachThe acquisition of Patriot Industries is a strategic move that will enhance RIGID's ability to deliver comprehensive construction solutions. Patriot Industries, founded in 2012 and based in Port Allen, Louisiana, has established itself as a trusted leader in heavy civil construction. The company specializes in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, including roadways, concrete construction, site development, and earthworks. Over the years, Patriot Industries, and its owners Baker Brooks, Chandler Rice, and Jack Rogers, have earned a strong reputation for its commitment to quality, safety, and innovation, serving clients across Louisiana and the broader Gulf Coast region.*"Patriot Industries has consistently demonstrated a commitment to quality, safety, and innovation, making them an ideal partner for RIGID Constructors,"* said Steve Means, CEO of RIGID Constructors. "By integrating their expertise and resources into our operations, we will be better positioned to take on more complex and larger-scale projects, while maintaining the high standards of service our clients expect." Patriot Industries: A Legacy of ExcellencePatriot Industries has been at the forefront of the heavy civil construction industry in the Greater Baton Rouge Area for 12 years. The company has played a critical role in developing and maintaining essential infrastructure, including flood control systems, and large-scale land development projects. Known for its skilled workforce and implementation of new construction technologies, Patriot Industries has consistently delivered projects on time and within budget, earning the trust of public and private sector clients alike.The company's headquarters in Port Allen, Louisiana, serves as a strategic hub, allowing Patriot Industries to efficiently manage projects across the state and the Gulf Coast. The company's portfolio includes a range of projects, including The Comite Diversion's Cypress Bayou Rock Chute, which have contributed to the region's economic growth and infrastructure development.Seamless Integration for Enhanced OperationsThe integration process will be carefully managed to ensure that the strengths of Patriot Industries are fully leveraged within RIGID's' existing framework. Patriot's leadership team and key personnel will join RIGID, bringing with them decades of experience and a deep understanding of the heavy civil construction sector. This move will not only preserve the strong relationships Patriot Industries has built with its clients and partners but will also enhance RIGID's ability to deliver on its commitments.Operational Synergies and Future GrowthPatriot Industries will operate as a subsidiary of RIGID Constructors in the near term, allowing for a smooth transition and the retention of its brand equity. Over time, the combined resources will facilitate operational synergies, including shared expertise in project management, advanced construction technologies, and a broader workforce. This buyout will enable RIGID to bid on and execute a wider range of projects, particularly in the private infrastructure sector."We are thrilled to join forces with RIGID," said Baker Brooks, President of Patriot Industries. Our companies share a common vision of excellence and a commitment to safety and quality. Together, we will be able to offer enhanced services to our clients and pursue new opportunities that align with our growth objectives." Commitment to Safety and QualityBoth RIGID Constructors and Patriot Industries are deeply committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality. The integration will focus on harmonizing safety protocols, ensuring that all projects adhere to industry best practices, and leveraging the combined expertise of both companies to set new benchmarks for operational excellence.Looking to the FutureAs RIGID Constructors and Patriot Industries move forward together, the combined entity is poised for significant growth. The acquisition is expected to create new job opportunities, stimulate economic development, and solidify RIGID Constructors' position as a leader in the heavy construction industry.Contact InformationMegan MurphyMarketing Manager, Ivory Digitalmegan@ ivorydigitalstudio.com (225) 255-0359SOURCE: RIGIDView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-09 14:01:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 808 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 "The Critical Minerals and ZEO Company"THOMPSON FALLS, MT / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2024 / United States Antimony Corporation ("USAC", or the "Company"), (NYSE:UAMY) announces today that it will be featured as a presenting company at the H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investment Conference. The conference will be held on September 9-11, 2024, at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York City, located at 455 Madison Avenue. Virtual participation will also be available, with over 550 company presentations scheduled as live feed or on-demand.Gary C. Evans, Chairman and Co-CEO of United States Antimony Corporation, will provide an overview of the Company's business during the presentation.If you are an institutional investor and would like to listen to the Company's presentation, please register at www.hcwevents.com/annualconference . Over 550 corporate presentations and panels will be available during September 9-11, 2024.Event: H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investment ConferenceDate: September 10, 2024Time: 4:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. (Eastern Time)Location: Rutherford Room, 4th Floor, Lotte New York Palace Hotel, New York, NY, and webcast available online.A webcast of the presentation will be available for those unable to attend in person and can be accessed live: https://journey.ct.events/view/8561b33c-86eb-4a2e-a6f4-55f4c683a814 About USAC:United States Antimony Corporation and its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Mexico ("USAC", the "Company", "Our", "Us", or "We") sell processed antimony, zeolite, and precious metals products in the U.S. and Canada. The Company processes antimony ore primarily into antimony oxide, antimony metal, and antimony trisulfide. Our antimony oxide is used to form a flame-retardant system for plastics, rubber, fiberglass, textile goods, paints, coatings and paper, as a color fastener in paint, and as a phosphorescent agent in fluorescent light bulbs. Our antimony metal is used in bearings, storage batteries, and ordnance. Our antimony trisulfide is used as a primer in ammunition. In its operations in Idaho, the Company mines and processes zeolite, a group of industrial minerals used in soil amendment and fertilizer, water filtration, sewage treatment, nuclear waste and other environmental cleanup, odor control, gas separation, animal nutrition, and other miscellaneous applications. We recover certain amounts of precious metals, primarily gold and silver, at our plant in Montana from antimony concentrates.Forward-Looking Statements:Readers should note that, in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and intended to be covered by, the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company including matters related to the Company's operations, pending contracts and future revenues, financial performance, and profitability, ability to execute on its increased production and installation schedules for planned capital expenditures, and the size of forecasted deposits. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties. In addition, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed in the Company's most recent filings, including Form 10-K and Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission.Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "pro forma" and other similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.Contact:United States Antimony Corp.PO Box 64347 Cox Gulch Rd.Thompson Falls, Montana 59873-0643Jonathan Miller, Vice President - IRE-Mail: Jmiller@ usantimony.com Phone: 406-606-4117About H.C. Wainwright & Co.H.C. Wainwright is a full-service investment bank dedicated to providing corporate finance, strategic advisory, and related services to public and private companies across multiple sectors and regions. H.C. Wainwright & Co. also provides research, sales, and trading services to institutional investors. According to Sagient Research Systems, H.C. Wainwright's team is ranked as the #1 Placement Agent in terms of aggregate CMPO (confidentially marketed public offering), RD (registered direct offering), and PIPE (private investment in public equity) executed cumulatively since 1998.For more information, visit H.C. Wainwright & Co.SOURCE: United States Antimony Corp. PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-09 19:00:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 380 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SUGAR LAND, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2024 / Wallis Bank is excited to announce the opening of its new full-service branch in Sugar Land, Texas. The branch officially opened on August 28, 2024, marking another significant milestone in Wallis Bank's commitment to supporting the growth and financial well-being of communities across Texas.The Sugar Land branch offers a comprehensive range of banking services designed to meet the needs of individuals and businesses in the area. Customers can expect access to personal and business banking, lending solutions, and the latest digital banking tools. The branch is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a two-lane drive-thru and an ATM with a night-drop, ensuring a convenient and welcoming experience for all visitors.Aziz Rahim, Sugar Land Area President for Wallis Bank, expressed his enthusiasm for the new branch, stating, "We are excited to open our doors and welcome the community to our new branch. As a member of the Sugar Land community, I am grateful for the opportunity to lead our team in providing tailored financial solutions that meet the unique needs of individuals and businesses. This branch represents both the commitment to our customers' needs and the bright future of this community, and we are honored to be a part of it." Asif Dakri, CEO of Wallis Bank, emphasized the importance of the new branch: "We are thrilled to announce the opening of our newest branch. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on building lasting relationships with our clients, empowering them to achieve their financial goals with confidence. We are proud of the team that brought this vision to life and excited for the opportunities this branch will create for our customers and the local community." About Wallis BankWallis Bank is a full-service community bank dedicated to providing personalized customer service to its communities. The Bank was established in 1906 in Wallis, Texas. Over the years, the company underwent expansion with the addition of new branches and offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Phoenix. The Bank continues to expand its offering of digital products and services with an enhanced customer experience. Learn more at www.wallisbank.com Contact InformationHarley HuroskyMarketing Managerharley.hurosky@wallisbank.com 713-715-9993SOURCE: Wallis BankView the original press release on newswire.com Chad has been in transition since May 2021, when president Idriss Deby died, and his son took over as head of the ruling Transitional Military Council. A new Constitution was adopted after a December 2023 referendum and presidential elections were held in May 2024. But neither the referendum nor the polls went smoothly. Some opposition parties and civil society organisations criticised and boycotted them for their lack of credibility and transparency. With combined legislative and local polls scheduled for 25 November, several lessons can be drawn to ensure a peaceful and representative process and hopefully a return to constitutional rule. The referendum and presidential election were marred by intense political tensions, technical shortcomings and inadequate resources, controversy over the composition of electoral bodies, and the absence of independent electoral observers. Political strife during the referendum reflected difficulties that have plagued the entire transition process. These include the thorny question of the transitional authorities eligibility to contest the elections, the form of the state, and the October 2022 deaths of over 200 protesters. The same issues marred the presidential election, exacerbated by the 28 February death of opposition leader Yaya Dillo Djerou Betchi. Despite these conflicts and subsequent public protests, the government persisted in establishing the National Agency for the Management of Elections (ANGE) and the Constitutional Council, rejecting calls for talks about the process with the opposition and civil society. The most significant controversy, however, arose over the formation of the electoral bodies, which prevented free and transparent polls. The composition of the National Commission that organised the referendum was criticised for being controlled by the transitional authorities and the Mouvement Patriotique du Salut, the former ruling party. The same was true for ANGE and the Constitutional Council. Although their independence is guaranteed on paper, many of their members and executives are close to the government and the ruling party. Technical shortcomings affected the revision of the voters roll and the organisation of the polls on voting day. Before the referendum, a government-initiated audit of the electoral system highlighted its obsolescence and called for a system upgrade to ensure credible elections. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later But although the authorities considered it necessary, updates to the electoral roll were poorly handled. Bad planning meant there wasnt enough time for mass registration and re-registration of potential voters, particularly in Chads densely populated south. And running the process at the height of the rainy season and during farming operations reduced participation. On election day, problems included delays in distributing materials to some polling stations and failure to comply with the Electoral Code regarding the stations opening and closing times. The lack of training for some officials at voting stations also disrupted the process. Equally concerning was ANGEs reluctance to accredit opposition parties, independent observers and the press ahead of the presidential polls. In the end, most independent observers did not receive accreditation, meaning voting took place without credible independent observers. The Economic Community of Central African States did send observers, but the African Union which has maintained its position that the transitional authorities cannot participate in the election was not invited to send observers. The casting of votes by the military was also marked by irregularities. No polling booths were provided, and soldiers had to vote in the presence of their commanding officers. Also, certain military personnel were persuaded to vote for particular candidates. Although the election timeframe allocated 15 days to count, process and publish the results, the outcome was hastily announced by ANGE just three days after polling stations closed. It is unclear how results from some 26 000 polling stations could be collated and counted so quickly in a country with a drastic lack of communication and roads. Finally, violence erupted after the results of the presidential elections were published, with heavy security force deployment in key parts of major cities. In the aftermath, at least 20 deaths were recorded. In the run-up to the legislative and local elections in November, the documents outlining administrative units and the number of elected representatives per constituency were criticised by political parties, civil society and other local and regional organisations. Reasons included unequal constituencies and seat distribution, which failed to respect the demographic weight of the provinces. Groupe de Concertation des Acteurs Politiques said the government was preparing for electoral fraud by allocating more constituencies and seats to provinces it was confident of winning. Elections give citizens choice and allow for civic expression and political participation. For Chad, the upcoming polls elections are vital for a return to a peaceful constitutional order. However, the mismanagement of the transition as a whole and the two past elections, raises the perennial debate about whether elections that lack credibility help or harm fragile transitions such as Chad. Nevertheless, a minimum level of professionalism and consensus is needed around the polls. With three months to go, the government must create a framework for discussion with the opposition to guarantee conditions of trust and transparency. Such a framework could, among other things, allow for resolving disputes relating to administrative and electoral constituencies and independent election observation. ANGE should train its decentralised bodies and polling station officials in the electoral code. It should also plan the logistics of distributing materials in electoral districts more carefully to avoid delays on polling day. Finally, compliance with the Electoral Code in the counting and publication process is vital to prevent any suspicion surrounding the results. Remadji Hoinathy, Senior Researcher, Central Africa and the Lake Chad Basin, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and Manatouma Nicodeme Kelma, Senior Researcher, Centre for Research in Anthropology and Human Sciences, NDjamena, Chad (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigeria Labour Congress has announced the arrest of its President, Joe Ajaero, by security operatives. The NLC, in a statement shared on its X handle, said Mr Ajaero was arrested by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS, also called DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja this morning on his way to attend an Official engagement of TUC United Kingdom and he is now detained at the office of the NSA. None of the security agencies has spoken about the arrest. The SSS recently redeployed its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, without announcing a replacement. Mr Ajaero and the NLC have been having running battles with the federal government over what the union described as a clampdown by security agencies. Ajaeros travails PREMIUM TIMES reported that the labour leader has been summoned twice by the police in recent weeks over allegations surrounding a Briton, Drew Povey, who owns a bookshop at the NLC headquarters. The police, on 7 August, raided the bookshop located on the second floor of the Pascal Bafyau Labour House headquarters of the congress. Mr Povey was reportedly not in Nigeria at the time of the raid. The Nigeria Police Intelligence Response Team (NPF-IRT) later summoned Mr Ajaero to appear for questioning over allegations of criminal conspiracy and terrorism financing. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Though Mr Ajaero was initially scheduled to appear on 20 August, he did not respond until 29 August because he was taking his masters degree examination. The NLC President was again summoned alongside the unions General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, by the Police through the Nigerian Police Force Intelligence Department (NPF-FID). Although they were to appear on 5 September, their legal team requested they be allowed to do so on 24 September. The Nigerian government claims that Mr Povey was spearheading a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. The police issued a warrant of arrest against him while the Federal High Court formally declared him wanted. The court also issued arrest warrants for two Nigerians allegedly linked to the Briton. Mr Povey has, however, denied the allegation and urged the government not to criminalise peaceful protests in Nigeria. Calls for unconditional release Meanwhile, the NLC and Amnesty International have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Ajaero by security agencies. The NLC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Benson Upah, said it will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. In its statement, Amnesty International said it strongly condemns the unlawful arrest of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero by the Department of State Services (DSS) today. The labour union leader must be immediately and unconditionally released. The arbitrary arrest of Joe Ajaero shows an escalating crackdown on human rights and restrictions on civic space by the government of President Bola Tinubu. President Bola Tinubus government persistently attacks and undermines the operations of the NLC, through fabricated allegations, raids on NLC headquarters and other forms of harassment and intimidation. This growing culture of impunity and disdain for workers rights to organize and seek better welfare must stop. President Tinubu is setting a new record of utter disregard for the rule of law, Isa Sanusi, head of Amnesty International in Nigeria, wrote in a statement. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on Monday, debunked reports that the rate for Value-Added Tax (VAT) has been adjusted to 10 per cent from 7.5 per cent. The minister, in a statement signed by him, said VAT rate as contained in relevant tax laws and chargeable on goods and services remains 7.5 per cent. The current VAT rate is 7.5 per cent and this is what government is charging on a spectrum of goods and services to which the tax is applicable. Therefore, neither the Federal Government nor any of its agencies will act contrary to what our laws stipulate. The tax system stands on a tripod, namely tax policy, tax laws and tax administration. All the three must combine well to give us a sound system that gives vitality to the fiscal position of government. Our focus as a government is to use fiscal policy in a manner that promotes and enhances strong and sustainable economic growth, reduces poverty as well as makes businesses to flourish. The imputation in some media reports on the issue of VAT and the opinion articles that have sprouted from them seem to wrongly convey the impression that government is out to make life difficult for Nigerians. That is not correct. If anything, the Federal Government has, through its policies, demonstrated that it is committed to creating a congenial environment for businesses to thrive. In fact, it is on record that the Federal Government, as part of efforts to bring relief to Nigerians and businesses, recently ordered the stoppage of import duties, tariffs and taxes on rice, wheat, beans and other food items. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later For emphasis, as of today, VAT remains 7.5% and that is what will be charged on all the goods and services that are VAT-able, Mr Edun said. The finance minister spoke in response to media reports and claims, including by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, that the President Bola Tinubus government had concluded plans to raise VAT to 10 per cent. There were reports on 3 September that the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, announced that the committee is proposing legislation to the National Assembly to raise the VAT rate from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent. In a statement he circulated on Sunday, Atiku also said that President Bola Tinubu, alongside his coterie of advisers, has resolved to raise the VAT rate from 7.5% to 10%, even as the NNPCL has announced a soaring PMS price increase at the pump. The increase in VAT is set to become the blazing inferno that will consume the very essence of our people. The former vice president further claimed that the move unveils a new era of regressive and punitive policies, and its impact is destined to deepen the domestic cost-of-living crisis and exacerbate Nigerias already fragile economic growth. But Mr Edun, in his reaction, said that the claims by the former vice president and other critics are wrong. Earlier in the week, Mr Oyedele had also in a tweet clarified that some media outlets misrepresented his positions. The tax expert explained that his committees proposal focuses on reducing the VAT rate to 0 per cent for essential sectors like food, health, education, rent, transportation, and small businesses. He explained further that while there may be an upward adjustment in VAT for other items, it is intended to offset the loss in revenue from these exemptions. READ ALSO: Atiku demands immediate listing of NNPC on Stock Exchange Some of the quotes attributed to me in some of the reports are not my words, he tweeted. My committees proposal for VAT is to reduce the rate to zero per cent (0%) for food, health, education, and exemption for rent, transportation, and small businesses. Our data shows that these are the areas where the average person spend almost all their income, meaning their VAT burden will reduce. The upward rate adjustment is on other items to partly offset the reduction in rate and exemption for basic consumptions ensuring that the masses are protected. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Security operatives believed to be officials of the State Security Service (SSS) stormed the office of a prominent civil society group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), for unknown reasons on Monday morning. The officers were unlawfully occupying SERAPs office in Abuja, asking to see our directors, the civic group wrote on X. President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians, it added. The incident came close to the time news also broke that SSS operatives also arrested the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday. The NLC said the SSS arrested Mr Ajaero at the Abuja airport. The Nigerian government has been accused of clamping down on civic space through the arrest and intimidation of activists, journalists and civil society personnel. Friendly chat visit Eyewitnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that the heavily armed operatives arrived at the office of the organisation in Wuse Zone 1 in Abuja at about 11:09 a.m. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later People who witnessed the encounter but pleaded not to be named said the SSS operatives initially claimed to be there for a friendly chat with one of the organisations staff members. They said they were here to invite one of our staff for a chat, one of the sources said. However, despite the intimidating presence of the armed operatives, SERAP officials were said to have held their ground, insisting that only two security agents be allowed onto the premises. They left shortly after, with no arrests made, as SERAP top officials were said to be absent during the raid. Why Tinubu govt is after us SERAP In a statement by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, following the incident on Monday, SERAP urged President Tinubu to immediately direct SSS to halt the intimidation, harassment, and threats of arrest against our organisation and its directors. According to Mr Oluwadare, SSS operatives described as a tall, dark-skinned woman and a slim male counterpart entered the office while additional officers were waiting in two unmarked vehicles stationed outside. SERAP linked the invasion to its recent call for Tinubus government to order the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reverse what it termed an illegal and unconstitutional increase in petrol prices. He said the organisation also demanded an investigation into allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the NNPC. The Tinubu administration must immediately direct the DSS to end the intimidation and harassment of SERAP and our staff members, he said. The raid has sparked widespread condemnation from civil society groups and legal experts. SERAPs statement quoted Femi Falana, a renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as describing the incident as a gross violation of the rights of human rights defenders. The government must urgently fish out the officers who carried out the invasion in the name of the state, Mr Falana said. Those responsible must be prosecuted, and the government must respect the rule of law by allowing civil society to operate without fear. SERAP expressed deep concern over what it sees as a growing crackdown on civic space and the rights of human rights defenders. The escalating harassment of NGOs undermines access to justice for Nigerian victims of human rights abuses and contributes to a culture of impunity, the statement read. SERAP also emphasised that the government has an obligation to protect civil society organisations and ensure their freedom to operate without interference. The group warned that continued harassment would only push them to pursue legal action nationally and internationally. If the Tinubu government fails to take immediate measures to end this intimidation, we will take appropriate legal action to hold the authorities accountable for their constitutional and international human rights obligations, the statement added. Call for investigation SERAP called on President Tinubu to launch a thorough investigation into the SSS raid and to bring those responsible to justice. Nigerian authorities must allow SERAP to freely carry out our mandate as recognised under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law, the organisation stated. It also expressed concern about the broader implications of the raid, warning that it signals a dangerous shift toward stifling freedom of expression and shrinking the civic space necessary for Nigerias democracy to thrive. This government must protect the right to freedom of expression and ensure that civil society can flourish without fear of persecution, the group urged SERAP reminded the public and the authorities alike that under both the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law, every individual whose rights are violated is entitled to an effective remedy. Exposing human rights violations and seeking redress is largely dependent on the safety of civil society groups and human rights defenders, the organisation said. Shrinking civic space under TInubu Targeting the SERAP by the SSS adds to the rising concerns about the shrinking civic space in the last one year of President Tinubus administration. Since Mr Tinubu, a professed democrat, assumed office in May 2023, Nigerians have witnessed an upswing in the arbitrary arrests and detention of citizens and journalists for the flimsiest of reasons, the muzzling of dissents and ruthless suppression of protests. The SSS arrested and detained a Nigerian journalist, Adejuwon Soyinka, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 5.40 a.m. on 25 August, shortly after he arrived in Nigeria via a Virgin Atlantic flight from the United Kingdom. He was detained for more than six hours at the SSS office in Lagos before he was released on bail. The secret police would only say about a week later that Mr Adejuwons arrest was based on a mistaken identity. On 26 August, Mr Tinubu removed Yusuf BIchi as the director-general of the SSS and replaced him with Adeola Ajayi. The development, coming a day after Mr Adejuwons arbitrary arrest, raised the hope that the agency would begin to move away from its old ways of serving as the governments tool of oppression. The Mondays occupation of SERAPs office may have dashed that hope for many. About SERAP SERAP, a leading anti-corruption Nigerian civil society organisation, was established in 2004 to promote the unexplored potential of international human rights law for increasing transparency, accountability and protection of economic and social rights in Nigeria. It aims to use human rights law to encourage the government and others to address developmental and human rights challenges such as corruption, poverty, inequality and discrimination. Over the years, the group has been involved in using the legal process to point public attention to official corruption and demand accountability and transparency in the use of public funds. Through its flurry of court actions, the organisation has won cases against successive administrations by securing court orders compelling the disclosure of the details of otherwise hidden public finances. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Residents of Moriki, a town in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, are living in fear of attack by terrorist groups after the deadline for the payment of their protection levy elapsed on Monday. Bello Turji, a terrorism kingpin in Zamfara, one of Nigerias troubled North-west states, imposed the N30 million levy on the residents for their protection against attacks. A resident, Isyaku Moriki, told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday that Mr Turji claimed that Moriki residents colluded with security agents in the town and killed cows belonging to his bandits. He said the community was yet to raise the amount as of Monday morning, which was the deadline for the payment of the levy imposed by Mr Turji two weeks ago. A lawyer, Bulama Bukarti, in a post on his verified X handle, said Mr Turji earlier imposed N50 million but the residents pleaded with him to reduce it to N30 million. This sum is supposedly compensation for the killing of Turjis cows by the new commandant of the army base stationed inside Moriki. Each family head is required to contribute N10,000, while unmarried adults must pay N2,000. Despite the commandants advice not to pay and his promise never to harm Turjis animals again, the people remain doubtful. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later They fear that if they fail to meet this extortion demand, Turji will unleash violence on them, with no one to protect them from his brutality. Currently, around 15 local politicians and social activists are in Turjis captivity, all of them abducted in Moriki despite the presence of soldiers. This is the grim reality Nigeria has been reduced to, Mr Bukarti wrote. The police spokesperson in Zamfara, Yazeed Abubakar, couldnt be immediately reached to comment on the incident. His phone number didnt connect by Monday afternoon. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Labour Party (LP) said there would be no automatic ticket for Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State in the 2027 presidential and governorship elections. Mr Obi was the partys presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The National Executive Council (NEC) of the party said this on Monday in Abuja while addressing journalists. The resolution reached after the NEC meeting was read by the partys Deputy National Secretary, Innocent Okeke. All tickets of the party from Presidency to the House of Assemblies are open to all qualified Nigerians, he said. Recall that Mr Otti convened a stakeholder meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State. During the meeting, the National Working Committee, the National Executive Council, State Council, Local Government and Ward Executives of the party were dissolved and replaced with a Caretaker Committee. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later But Messrs Okeke said that Mr Otti, who convened the meeting, did not have the power within the partys Constitution as provided in Article 14 (4) (B). According to him, such power is vested in the national secretary with the approval of the national chairman. NEC in session further reiterates that the governor of Abia does not even have the power to call his ward executive meeting without the approval and the consent of his ward chairman. The Labour Party Constitution provides how members of the National Working Committee, State Executive Committee and all other officials of the party can be removed. NEC in session also grants the National Working Committee powers to take disciplinary action against any member that brings the party to disrepute, Mr Okeke said. He, therefore, called on all members of the party supporters and the general public to disregard Mr Ottis meeting and its outcome. He said that NEC reposed confidence in the leadership of the Julius Abure-led NWC and urged all party members to continue to respect the leadership of the party and obey its lawful directives. In a speech, he tagged: The Beautiful Ones are not Yet Born in Nigeria, the embattled Mr Abure said Mr Ottis action was a show of betrayal. Let me be clear; this action was not just illegal, it was a betrayal of everything the Labour Party stands for. The Labour Party has always been a beacon of hope for the oppressed, the marginalised and the voiceless in Nigeria. Our mandate is to unite this country not divide it. Yet, here we are, faced with a situation where individuals who have benefitted from the trust and support of this great party now work to destabilise it from within. This is why I say the beautiful ones are not yet born in Nigeria, but they will be born through our collective effort, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate ad hoc committee investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products has postponed its planned public hearing until further notice. Chairperson of the Committee, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. The hearing was earlier scheduled for 10 to 12 September. The postponement comes amid persistent circulation of dangerous fuel across the country. Mr Bamidele, the senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, explained that the hearing was postponed to enable the panel to consult more widely with expanded stakeholders within and without the petroleum industry and legislative exigencies to deepen further due diligence in the conduct of the investigative hearing. He also noted that the decision is in the countrys interest and will allow the committee members to find a better approach to solving the challenges facing Nigerias petroleum sector. While we deeply regret all inconveniences it may have caused all the stakeholders collectively or individually, this decision was taken purely and solely in the national interest, Mr Bamidele added. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The senate leader said a new date for the hearing would be announced soon. Dangotes allegation The management of the Dangote refinery had recently accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of indiscriminately granting licences to marketers to import dirty refined products into the country. Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria have since denied the allegation. Aside from damaging vehicles, the contaminated fuel is causing economic sabotage to Nigerias petroleum industry. Background On 3 July, the Senate inaugurated a 15-member committee to investigate the importation of hazardous petroleum products by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). This followed a motion by Asuquo Ekpeyong (APC, Cross River). The committee was mandated to unravel the circumstances surrounding the persistent importation of hazardous fuel and to reveal the identity of the people behind the importation. The panel was also asked to investigate the reasons behind refineries failure to commence operation despite the huge funds allocated for that purpose annually. At a press conference on 25 July, the committee promised to execute the tasks fairly in the countrys interest. On 7 August, the committee held an interactive session with individuals and companies in the petroleum industry at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. During the session, Mr Bamidele expressed displeasure with persistent long queues at petrol stations nationwide. He condemned the failure of government-owned refineries to function despite successive governments committing billions of dollars to their rehabilitation yearly. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Some communities in Benue State have signed a peace accord to resolve their differences after more than a decade of conflicts. The communities include Ologba and Egba in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) and the Tivs and Jukuns in Fiidi, Makurdi LGA. They embraced peace on Sunday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, in a process facilitated by the International Alert in partnership with the Benue State Peace Commission and local community-based organisations as part of the Powering Peace through Climate Action Project. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conflict between the communities was over ownership of natural resources like fish ponds and farmlands. Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, the Country Director of International Alert, said the organisation had been working with marginalised and divided communities to increase access to knowledge and trust through dialogue and cooperation. Mr Nyulaku-Bemshima said the move was needed to end the lingering crisis in Benue Stare communities over natural resources, exacerbated by climate change effects and ethnicity. He said, We are excited about the peace agreement signing ceremony between Tivs and Jukuns in Fiidi and Ogba, Ologba, and Ekaida in Agatu. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later These communities have undergone a long process of dialogue and negotiations on conflict issues. The conflicts are fundamentally over land, water, and fish ponds. We ensured participatory processes, and they have developed local peace and adaptation plans to address climate change impacts, build social cohesion, and increase income. Sunday Jimoh, the Project Manager at International Alert, said the empowerment projects included training and establishing briquette-making factories, providing industrial-level fish kiln machines, and installing solar-powered industrial boreholes. Joseph Har, the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor of Benue State, commended International Alert and urged the communities to maintain the agreement. I am going to ensure that these items are handed over to the chairman, who is the chief security officer of the local government, to take care of these things to ensure that they are not tampered with. We are happy that this has happened during our time, we are having peace at this magnitude during our time and we cant trade it for anything, he said. Josephine Habba, the Director General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, said the peace agreement marked a significant milestone towards lasting peace. In prioritising livelihood for peace, we should recognise that it is an endorsement for the development and promotion of peaceful coexistence among communities. The project encourages entrepreneurship with a focus on peaceful values and conflict resolution. This is a successful climate action in promoting peace, she said Community members, including Ada Agatu Godwin Onah, Zaki Gwaza, and Toundo Japhet, applauded International Alert for resolving their crisis and empowering them with entrepreneurship skills and equipment. They acknowledged that before the projects, they could not relate well or cross each others communities, but now peace had been restored. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a suspect accused of swindling N100 million out a victim by falsely claiming to be a director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). A statement from the commission on Monday said Ibrahim Shuaibu was arraigned on seven counts of fraud before the Kaduna State High Court in Kaduna. The seven counts centred on criminal breach of trust, impersonation and obtaining as much as N100 million from victims by false pretence. According to the EFCC, in 2017, Mr Shuaibu presented himself to his victim as NNPCLs Group Executive Director and promised to assist him procure over 2,000 litres of petroleum products. The victim, Faisal Safiyanu, was said to have transferred the agreed cost to Mr Shuaibus bank accounts in tranches. The commission said Mr Shuaibu failed to fulfil his own part of the bargain after receiving payment and failed to refund the victims money. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the seven charges when they were read to him. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The judge, Darius Khobo, remanded him in prison. Read EFCCs full statement below. EFCC Arraigns Fake NNPCL Director for N100m Fraud The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Ibrahim Nuhu Shuaibu before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna State for fraud. Shuaibu is being prosecuted on a seven-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N100 million. Count one of his charge reads: That you, Nuhu Ibrahim Shuaibu (a.k.a Ishaku Abdulrazak) (M) and lIya Garba (now deceased) sometime in 2017 in Kaduna within the judicial division of this honourable court did conspire between yourselves to do an illegal act, to wit: obtaining money under false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. Another reads: That you, Nuhu Ibrahim Shuaibu (a.k.a Ishaku Abdulrazak) (M) sometime in 2018 at Kaduna within the judicial division of this honorable court, with intent to defraud, obtained the total sum of N47,050,000.00 (Forty Seven Million and Fifty Thousand Naira) from one Faisal Safiyanu, when you claimed to supply him petroleum products, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him, prompting the prosecution counsel, M. Lawal to urge the court to fix a trial date. His counsel, AbdulKareem Audu failed to file a bail application. Justice Khobo afterwards ordered the defendant to be remanded in the custody of the EFCC. Shuaibus journey to prosecution started sometime in 2017 when he presented himself to his victim as NNPCLs Group Executive Director and promised to assist him procure over 2000 litres of petroleum products for which the victim transferred the agreed cost to his bank accounts in tranches. Shuaibu failed to fulfil his own part of the bargain after receiving payment and failed to refund his victim his money. Dele Oyewale Head, Media & Publicity September 9, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene over alleged attacks on the party members in Edo State. The partys National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, made the call at a news conference on Monday in Abuja. Mr Ologunagba alleged that PDP members and innocent Edo State citizens were being attacked, harassed and illegally arrested. He described the action as desperate bid to scare the people from coming out to vote and attempt to seize the opportunity to rig the 21 September governorship election in the state. Mr Ologunagba claimed that because the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was coasting to victory in the election, desperate political actors were now using violence and harassment to break the will of the people of Edo. He recalled that on Monday, 2 September, PDP alerted on how innocent citizens of Edo and PDP members, notable among whom were Kingsley Osahon, who was arrested in Uromi, Odion Bright and Timothy Isibor, were also arrested in Igueben. He added that On Wednesday, 28 August, an attempt was made by security operatives to arrest Francis Inegbeniki, who recently defected from the APC to the PDP. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Ologunagba added that also on 4 September, political thugs stormed the home of one Shina, who defected from the APC to the PDP three weeks ago and forcefully took him away while shooting continuously to scare the people. On Tuesday, 3September 2024, an attempt was made to pick Mr Joel Aidamebor which was firmly resisted by the people. Only yesterday, Sunday, 8 September, thugs and hoodlums attacked PDP rally in Edo North and destroyed campaign materials in an assault that was decisively resisted by our courageous members and supporters in Edo North, he said. The IGP owes a duty to the people of Edo and the nation, in the perseveration of peace and sustenance of democracy, to address this issue before it escalates. This is the only way to douse the tension in Edo State and reassure the people of a free, fair, transparent and credible election, he said. Mr Ologunagba added that reliable information at the party disposal was that thugs from neighbouring states were being recruited to disrupt the forthcoming election in the state. He, however, said that the Edo State people would use every legitimate means allowed in a democracy to defend themselves either directly and physically. He added that the PDP as a law-abiding party would also stand with the people to protect the countrys democracy and ensure that the will of the people was not subverted. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has started investigating wide-ranging miracle products sold to the public by a Delta State-based church, the Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, the agency said on Sunday. NAFDAC said its name has been used by the church and its pastor, Jeremiah Omoto, to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, by falsely claiming that their products, including miracle water and soap, are NAFDAC-registered. In a statement on Sunday signed by its Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC said none of the products advertised and sold is registered with the agency as claimed by Mr Omoto. Therefore, it advised the public to stop patronising any of the products while it continued investigating the organisations activities concerning products reported to have been manufactured and sold by it. As part of its investigation, NAFDAC said it has sealed Globod Table Water factory for aiding and abetting the production, sale and advertisement of unregistered and unwholesome Miracle Water under the pretext of fake NAFDAC Registration Number. Petition, more details NAFDAC said it received petitions from concerned citizens regarding Mr Omotos activities showcasing miracle water and soap to heal barrenness. The statement reads in part, Recently, NAFDAC has been inundated with petitions from concerned citizens about Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto of Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, KM 5 Effurun, Sapele Road, Delta State, on a Miracle Water and Miracle Soap being advertised with healing and miracle claims and sold to unsuspecting members of the public by the Spiritual Ministry. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The minister showcased the use of miracle water and miracle soap on social media to heal barrenness. He claimed that the women would carry twins if they used the soap. He openly told his congregation that the soap is NAFDAC registered. Thus, the public began to visit the office to confirm the claims. The petitioners also submitted the following products from the spiritual ministry to NAFDAC to verify the bogus claims. The products are Miracle & Healing Water, River Jordan Water, the Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida, A New Beginning Mount Camel Miracle Water, Water of Life, Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida (1L), A New Beginning Pool of Bethsaida Water, and Father Smelled Perfume. The agency said that upon receipt of the petitions, it contacted the Delta State Coordinator, through its Director of Post Marketing Surveillance, to ascertain the existence or records of any transaction with Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries and the products in the Delta State office. The coordinator was also directed to visit the Ministry to establish the veracity of the claims in the petitions and take necessary regulatory action on the production facility in the ministry where the miracle water and other products are produced. The state coordinator covertly bought the Miracle Water (25cl) for N3,000 from the Ministries and took the pictures, it noted. Denial NAFDAC further noted that on 14 August, the Delta State Coordinator visited the ministry and met the Head of Service (HOS), Ogunleye Fufeyin, and the Chief Security Officer (CSO). According to the agency, both denied making Miracle and Healing Water and soap, even though there was proof of purchase. They said the logo and address on the label belonged to the church but not the products. They also mentioned a special pool of water for spiritual purposes. The HOS requested time to meet with other staff and returned. He returned after 30 minutes and refused to cooperate, asking them to see the CSO, it noted. On 27 August, NAFDAC said its team of Investigation and Enforcement and its Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods visited the church to commence the investigation but that the officials did not cooperate with the team. The officials from Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries were invited to report on 28 August, but they didnt show up. Instead, they sent a legal document to NAFDAC headquarters and asked to come back on 3 September, the agency said. The agency discovered that the faith organisation entered into a production agreement with Globod Table Water without its knowledge, describing the act as illegal according to the extant rules and regulations on commercial production. Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES has yet to obtain the church leaderships contact for their comments on NAFDACs claims. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Johannes Kepler and the Movement of the Planets [1] Translated by xia23 Personal description: Johannes Kepler Birth: 12/27/1571 in Weil city, Germany Death: 11/15/1630 in Gegensburg, Germany Wives: Barbara Muller; Susanne Reuttinger Children: 3 kids with Barbara; 6 kids with Susanne Important day: the day on which he discovered the laws of the planet obits Do you know who wrote the first scientific fiction novel? Who discovered the telescope which had developed into the modern telescope? Who discovered the moons influence on the sea? Who showed how the planets moved around the sun? All of these were accomplished by the German astronomer Johannes Kepler. Johannes Keplers life was full of problems. He was two months premature as a baby and had lots of diseases as a kid. He could see very poorly as a grown-up. He could not understand his parents very well and lived with his grand-parents for several years. Besides Kepler (just like Albert Einstein) was a poor learner in schools. Anyhow this he studied. After Kepler finished his university, he became a professor for mathematics in Graz, in the Austrian province Steiermark. But it was the time of the Counter-Reformation. In 1600 Kepler had to leave Graz, because he was a Protestant and because the city Graz was supposed to be catholic. Keplers whole life had faced such a problem. As an astronomer he could not make enough money and he had to write horoscope often. In spite of the problems in his life Kepler made many important discoveries, which have changed the picture of our world and our planet systems forever. The renaissance brought a new interest in the ancient knowledge. People like Erasmus von Rotterdam, Nikolaus Kopernikus, Albrecht Durer and Tilman Riemenschneider had great influence on their era. In Keplers time, 100 years later, people wanted to understand the world objectively. Many new developments were linked with astronomy. The Greek astronomer Ptolemaus had claimed for many centuries that the sun is moving around the earth. Man named that as the geocentric system. In the renaissance in 1543 Kopernikus wanted to show that the earth moved around the sun. He called that as the heliocentric system. In Keplers time there were two other astronomers, Galilei in Italy and Tycho Brahe in Prag, who wanted to prove the Kopernikus ideas. In order to see the planets, stars and the sun more clearly, Galilei developed a telescope in Italy. Tycho Brahe had already tried to prove the heliocentric system even before the development of the telescope. Because he showed so much talent as a mathematician, Kepler was invited by Tycho Brahe to work together with him. Brahe wanted that Kepler to investigate the orbit of planet Mars. Kepler said he would discover the planet orbit in 9 days, but then he needed 9 years for it! When Brahe died, Kepler took Brahes notes and worked further on the planet orbit. After Brahes death Kepler became the imperial court mathematician in Prag, the most important position for a mathematician in the whole Europe. In that period many important works were published by Kepler. In 1604 he circulated the modern explanation of how eyes were functioning in Astronomia pars Optica (Optics, a part of astronomy, in Latin). In his book Dioptik (optics) (1611) he wrote more about it and utilized many concepts such as lens and prism, which are still being used nowadays. In 1609 he published the book Astronomia Nova (The New Astronomy), in which he described the first two Keplerian Laws. Through the second law he had clarified what influence of the moon on the tide in the ocean. Kepler developed the three complete laws, which clarified that planet obits are elliptical and how the planets move around the sun. When Kepler learned of Galileis discoveries with the telescope in1610, he built his own Keplerian telescope. Through his early work with the eye he knew lots about lenses. He was able to develop a lens, with which people could see things larger. With his astronomic telescope he discovered 4 satellites around the planet Jupiter. Other astronomers were able to work further with the Keplerian telescope. In the year 1611, for example, Galilei then discovered sunspots with the help of the Keplerian telescope. Like Paracelsus discovery, Keplers ideas were not well-received by many scientists of his time. They had ignored his second law for almost 80 long years. But based on Keplers laws of the planetary movement, Sir Isaac Newton developed his law of the universal gravitation in 1687. [1]. Johannes Kepler und die Bewegung der Planeten. p. 312-314, Deutsch Actuell 3. EMC/Paradigm Publishing, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 2005 https://bbs.wenxuecity.com/mysj/316484.html Nigerian governor warns contractors over failure to complete projects Last Sunday, we brought you a report that Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State ordered officials of the government to go after contractors who failed to complete their projects in the state. The governor asked contractors to ensure timely completion of projects and warned that his administration would fight contractors who renege on project agreements. Multiple attacks, killing of police operatives It was a moment of mayhem when gunmen carried out multiple attacks and killings across Nigerias South-east. The attacks and killings began in the early hours of Tuesday in Oba, a community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The hoodlums attacked and bombed Oba Police Divisional Headquarters and killed a police operative during the attack. Apart from the police facility, the Oba Community Civic Centre was also affected by the bomb from the gunmen. Some hours later, armed persons also attacked the secretariat of the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area headquarters, Umuelemai, in Imo, another state in the South-east. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The hoodlums killed two persons said to be members of Ebubeagu, a local security outfit created by the Imo State Government. Apart from the killing victims, the attackers also razed several buildings and vehicles within the secretariat during the attack which occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday. It was unclear as of press time if the gunmen were the same people who carried out the previous attacks. The same Tuesday night, gunmen invaded Umulogho in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State. The attackers, believed to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), subsequently returned to the community on Wednesday morning and killed a police operative. The armed persons, during the Wednesday attack, were said to have spent more than an hour profiling residents of the area until they identified and killed the operative. The repeated attacks and killings underscored that insecurity in the South-east region shows no signs of abating. Police chief orders detention of officers over alleged murder There was a mild drama on Wednesday when the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnaghe Obono, ordered the arrest and detention of some officers for the alleged murder of an unidentified civilian in the state earlier in the day. The police said the unidentified officers allegedly murdered the civilian along Owerri Road in Onitsha, Onitsha North Local Government Area of the state. They said the officers were attached to a police patrol team in the state. The police said a preliminary investigation showed that a police corporal was a prime suspect in the alleged murder. The latest development highlights the growing incidence of harassment, brutality and extrajudicial killings by police operatives in Nigeria. Prosecution of quack doctors in Enugu Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State raised the hopes of many residents when he vowed to prosecute quack doctors in the state. Mr Mbah decried the mass migration of Nigerian healthcare professionals outside the country and consequently revealed his strategies to tackle the situation. Nigerian lawyer arraigned for alleged murder disrupts court proceedings It was a moment of drama on Friday when a Chief Magistrate in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, remanded a lawyer, Sunday Ununu, for alleged murder and disruption of court proceedings. Mr Ununu, 45, appeared before the court on two counts of unlawful possession of firearm and murder. The lawyer entered the dock but angrily walked out of it and on the court, prompting the magistrate, Ojemba Isu-Oko, to remand him in the correctional centre and adjourned the case until 20 September for a hearing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Deltas N626.8b revenue in first half of 2024 We began the week with the report of a robust revenue inflow for the oil-rich Delta State. Governor Sheriff Oborevworis administration received an aggregate revenue of N626.8 billion in the first six months of the year, representing 86.5 per cent of its targeted 2024 revenue. According to its Budget Performance Report, the administration requires N98 billion, just 13.5 per cent, to meet its 2024 budget of N724.9 billion. We also published a report about the Delta State Government warning community leaders to cease collecting illegal development fees from private or public land developers in the state or risk jail. Fubara presents 100 patrol vehicles to police In Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented 100 patrol vehicles to the Nigeria Police Force within the week. Mr Fubara, who warned police officers in the state against partisanship, said the vehicles were donated to help quicken police response to crime. The governor made the vehicle presentation hours after sea pirates abducted 10 passengers along Bonny Waterway in the state. Also, in Rivers State, we ran a story about two brothers who allegedly gang-raped a 14-year-old girl in the state. The police said they had detained one of the two brothers and that they had launched a manhunt for the other, identified as Okwukwe. Still in Rivers, the Nigeria Customs Service recorded another breakthrough against illegal importation within the week, with the seizure of illicit goods, including drugs and military camouflage, worth over N31 billion at the Onne Seaport. The latest incident is the second in less than two months such illicit goods have been seized at the port. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Also, within the week, we reported the polices arrest of some of their operatives who extorted N3 million from a man in Bayelsa State at gunpoint. The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the N3 million had been recovered from the rogue operatives but had yet to be returned to the victim, Kelechi Isaac. Billions meant for refinery repairs stolen We ran a story on the allegation that billions of dollars meant for the repairs of Nigerias four refineries had been stolen over the past three decades by those who managed the funds. A US-based Nigerian professor and entrepreneur, Izielen Agbon, made the allegation while speaking about the controversy between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Dangote Refinery. Mr Agbon said the turnaround maintenance failures in the government-owned refineries were due to the consistent theft of money meant for it. Also, Aliko Dangote unveiled petrol refined from his Lagos-based $20 billion refinery on Tuesday but said that the federal government would decide the price. The federal government within the week released figures on the quantity of petrol expected monthly from Dangote Refinery beginning this September. PDP governors dare Wike over Rivers crisis PREMIUM TIMES reported last week that PDP governors reiterated their support for Governor Fubara over the political crisis in Rivers State. The FCT minister and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who is at loggerheads with Mr Fubara, still has absolute control of the PDP in the state. Mr Wike threatened to put fire in states governed by the PDP governors after the governors called on the partys national leadership to accord Mr Fubara his rightful position as the partys leader in the oil-rich state. Angered by the governors comments, Mr Wike told his supporters that nobody could take over the PDP structure from them and warned the PDP governors to steer clear of the party in Rivers. The governors, in their response, described Mr Wikes comment as irresponsible and unfortunate and vowed that Mr Fubara, who succeeded Mr Wike as governor, would enjoy the same rights and privileges as a PDP governor and be treated under the doctrine touch one, touch all. Mr Wike has said there will be a tsunami if he moves from PDP to another political party. Appeal Courts dismissal of suit seeking Ighodalos disqualification We reported that the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday dismissed a suit seeking to disqualify Asue Ighodalo as the candidate of the party ahead of the 21 September governorship election in Edo State. The suit, filed by another aspirant in the governorship primary of the party, was dismissed by a three-member bench headed by Hamma Barka. Also, in Edo State, the police have commenced a mop-up of illegal arms and ammunition ahead of the governorship election. The police spokesperson in the state, Moses Yamu, who disclosed this on Saturday, quoted the commissioner of police in the state as revealing this in a meeting with the chairpersons of political parties and their governorship candidates. Meanwhile, the APC, which is the major opposition party in the state, has criticised the Edo State Governments decision to suspend school resumption indefinitely over the petrol price hike. The party described the decision as an expensive political gimmickry. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chairman, Independent Corruption Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, has stressed the need to build a unified front against corruption in the country. He said this in a statement by the spokesperson for the commission (ICPC), Demola Bakare. The statement quoted Mr Aliyu as saying that the ICPC had put in place strong measures to tackle the menace. He said that the commission had invited the Attorneys-General (AGs) and Commissioners for Justice in the 36 states and other stakeholders for a roundtable on Monday in Abuja. He said the meeting would address the challenges of corruption in Nigeria. According to him, the AGs Summit with the theme: Building a Unified Front Against Corruption in Nigeria, is organised by the ICPC with support from the MacArthur Foundation. Mr Aliyu explained that the strategic initiative was aimed at enhancing anti-corruption efforts across all levels of government. It will also strengthen collaboration between the ICPC and the AGs nationwide in advancing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS). Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The event will feature the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi, as the special guest of honour, while former AGF, Kanu Agabi, will deliver the keynote address. A dynamic panel discussion will also take place, led by former Lagos State AG, Moyosore Onigbanjo, he said According to him, other notable contributors include Ekpo Nta, former Chairman of ICPC, and Mohammed Tabiu, a professor, of Bayero University, Kano. Also expected are Abdulkarim Kana, a professor, of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and Hauwa Abubakar, the Attorney-General of Borno State. This engagement seeks to identify and address the systemic challenges within the justice system that contribute to corruption, hindering ICPCs efforts. The summit will also develop effective strategies to enhance ICPCs capacity to prevent corruption, foster stronger understanding between the ICPC and the AGs, and identify specific areas for collaboration between the ICPC and state governments, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger State has expressed sadness over the petrol tanker explosion that killed 48 people in Essa village in Katcha Local Government Area. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Sunday morning incident occurred along the Bida-Agaie-Lapai highway. Mr Bago, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, described the incident as painful, unfortunate and devastating. The loss is colossal; it is quite saddening, he said. While commiserating with those who suffered losses, he said the government, through the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), and other relevant agencies, had mobilised to the scene for rescue operations. He urged road users to always be cautious and abide by road traffic regulations to safeguard lives and property. Mr Bago prayed to God to comfort the families of victims and grant quick recovery to those injured. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The explosion, which occurred about two kilometres away from Dendo Community in Agaie, left many dead, cattle burnt while vehicles and properties were destroyed. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted rainy and thundery weather conditions from Monday to Wednesday across the country. NiMets weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja forecast isolated thunderstorms over parts of Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba states in the northern region during the Monday s morning hours. Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kaduna, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states. Intermittent rains are expected over parts of Benue, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi and Kwara States during the morning hours. In the afternoon and evening hours, localised rains are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Niger and Nasarawa states. Isolated rains are expected over parts of Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and cross river States during the morning hours, it said. According to NiMet, localised rains are anticipated over parts of Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ondo, Anambara, Osun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo States later in the day. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The agency anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba States during the morning period on Tuesday. It later envisaged isolated thunderstorms over parts of Bauchi, Kaduna, Gombe, Yobe, Zamfara, Borno, Sokoto, Taraba, Kebbi, Kano and Jigawa States. Intermittent rains are expected over parts of the Benue, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa states during the morning hours. Later in the day, isolated rains are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Benue, Kwara and Nasarawa states. Intermittent rains are expected over parts of Edo, Ondo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States during the morning hours. Later in the day, intermittent rains are expected over the entire Southern region, it said. For Wednesday, it said thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kebbi, Bauchi, Sokoto, Borno and Katsina states during the morning hours. In the afternoon and evening hours, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Adamawa, Kano and Taraba states. Morning rains are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Niger States, it said. READ ALSO: Senate urges NiMet to make flooding predictions available to Nigerians According to NiMet, isolated thunderstorms with rains are expected over parts of the Plateau, Nasarawa and Niger states later in the day. It predicted cloudy skies over the southern region during morning hours with prospects of moderate rains over parts of Abia, Ebonyi, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Cross River States later in the day. NiMet advised the residents to avoid flood-prone areas as there is a 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 forecast 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) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Delta State-based church, the Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries, has responded to the recent allegations by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). NAFDAC announced on Sunday that it is investigating the church for its wide-ranging miracle products sold to the public after receiving a petition from concerned citizens regarding their activities. The agency claims that its name has been used by the church and its pastor, Jeremiah Omoto, to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, by falsely claiming that their products, including miracle water and soap, are NAFDAC-registered. Church reacts Meanwhile, the church in a statement posted by Mr Omoto on his Facebook page, noted that the ministry is a law-abiding institution guided by the Nigerian constitution and that its spiritual products are part of religious beliefs. As a Christian association, we are guided by Sections 39 and 38 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees all Christians and our Church the Right to freedom of religion without interference whatsoever in this regard. It is sequel to that, as a church we have been operating and guided by the tenets of our faith and biblical injunctions in the holy bible in this regard. We have been using certain spiritual items in the expression of our religious beliefs, the church noted. The church noted that its pastor, Mr Omoto has never used NAFDACs name to deceive innocent members of the public, describing such claims as purely unfounded in facts and narratives. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Petition, fake receipts The church said that the only petition filed against it was by Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkblackman, who called the church out for allegedly deceiving people with miracle water and soap. The church said it has since sued Mr Otse before the FCT high court on sundry allegations and matters. On NAFDAC invitation, the church said: As a law-abiding organisation, we did officially as an organisation write to NAFDAC headquarters office, Abuja on the short less than 12 hours time frame given to us to appear and by an official letter communicated our position in this matter to NAFDAC and then also sent another subsequent letter to NAFDAC. It added that its Head of Administration, Oguluoa Fufeyin, the concerned contractor to the church, Globod Table Water, and its legal representatives honoured the invitation of NAFDAC on 2 September at its Asaba headquarters office. The church also claimed that: The supposed nominal complainant to NAFDAC Asaba office forged the Church receipts to clothe himself with the right to bring a complaint before the NAFDAC office in this regard. We also wish to state that presently there is an ongoing police investigation of certain receipts that has indicted the nominal complainants to NAFDAC office, which same receipts is presumed to have been forged and used falsely in procuring the now investigated spiritual items by NAFDAC office. NAFDAC investigation As part of its investigation, NAFDAC said it has sealed Globod Table Water factory for aiding and abetting the production, sale and advertisement of unregistered and unwholesome Miracle Water under the pretext of fake NAFDAC Registration Number. In a statement on Sunday signed by its Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC said none of the products advertised and sold is registered with the agency as claimed by Mr Omoto. Therefore, it advised the public to stop patronising any of the products while it continued investigating the organisations activities concerning products reported to have been manufactured and sold by it. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has directed the exclusion of third-party research grant funds of federal universities and research institutions from the Treasury Single Account (TSA). The directive is contained in a letter signed by the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, to vice-chancellors, dated 6 September, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday. According to him, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has conveyed the presidents directive to the Coordinating Minister of Finance and National Economy, Wale Edun, mandating the exemption. Mr Maiyaki said the directive also grants universities and research institutions the autonomy to operate their endowment fund accounts in commercial banks. He said the move was expected to enhance the financial autonomy of universities and research institutions, promoting research and innovation in the country. The National Universities Commission received the directive from the Honourable Minister of Education, Ref. DE/HE/37/VII/324 and dated Sept. 4, 2024. Forwarding the correspondence from the Principal Secretary to the President, State House, also vide PRES/87/MF/71/198/MBEP/15 and dated 23rd July 2024, on the above subject. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later READ ALSO: Jigawa lawmakers pass bill for creation of Tsangaya education board The letter communicates Mr Presidents directive to the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to exclude third-party research grant funds of federal universities and research institutes from the TSA. And to grant universities and research institutes autonomy in operating their endowment fund accounts in commercial banks. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigeria Labour Congress and Amnesty International have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of NLC President Joe Ajaero by security agencies. The NLC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Benson Upah, said it will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. In its statement, Amnesty International said it strongly condemns the unlawful arrest of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero by the Department of State Services (DSS) today. The labour union leader must be immediately and unconditionally released. PREMIUM TIMES reported the arrest of Mr Ajaero on Monday morning. The NLC said the labour leader was arrested at the Abuja airport while trying to board a flight to the UK for a Trade Union Congress gathering. The arbitrary arrest of Joe Ajaero shows an escalating crackdown on human rights and restrictions on civic space by the government of President Bola Tinubu. President Bola Tinubus government persistently attacks and undermines the operations of the NLC, through fabricated allegations, raids on NLC headquarters and other forms of harassment and intimidation. This growing culture of impunity and disdain for workers rights to organize and seek better welfare must stop. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later President Tinubu is setting a new record of utter disregard for the rule of law, Isa Sanusi, head of Amnesty International in Nigeria, wrote in a statement. NLC stance The NLC said in its statement that Mr Ajaero was detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body. His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation, the statement said. It added that the development amounted to not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers. None of the security agencies has spoken about the arrest. The SSS recently redeployed its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, without announcing a replacement. Mr Ajaero and the NLC have been having running battles with the federal government over what the union described as a clampdown by security agencies. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the labour leader has been summoned twice by the police in recent weeks over allegations surrounding a Briton, Drew Povey, who owns a bookshop at the NLC headquarters. His arrest came close to the time SSS operatives also stormed the office of a leading transparency and accountability-focussed civil society organisation in Nigeria, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in Abuja on Monday. The NLC noted that there is a rising wave of authoritarianism under the administration of President Bola Tinubu in the country. It said Mr Ajaeros arrest is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship. Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organisations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities. Call for release, international communitys support The labour union called on the international community, human rights organisations to join efforts with them in demanding the unconditional release of Mr Ajaero. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero. All advocates of democracy [are] to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria. The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law, the unions spokesperson said. In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria. The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday presented a quarterly report on the protection of forcibly displaced persons in the North-east states of Nigeria. Speaking at the presentation, NHRC Executive Secretary (ES), Anthony Ojukwu, SAN said the project focuses on monitoring and reporting the situation of the forcibly displaced persons in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. This quarterly presentation is one of the key components of the project. The objective of the project is to monitor the human rights and protection situation in the project states. It is aimed at presenting a comprehensive insight into the issues concerning the Forcibly Displaced Persons (IDPs,/Returnees etc), to enable the government and other humanitarian actors intervene and respond to their needs, and thus reduce their vulnerability. The commission and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have been in this partnership for nine years. It has become increasingly apparent for the commission and its partner create a forum to enlighten other stakeholders on its activities in the project states, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The presentation, according to Mr Ojukwu,will provide stakeholders with an overview and analysis of human rights issues relating to the forcibly displaced persons. He added that, as observed and documented by the Human Right Monitors in the project states: This presentation will also provide stakeholders with the opportunity to gain insights into the evolving human right issues of the forcibly displaced people and explore collaborative avenues for addressing emerging challenges that affect the promotion and protection of their rights. He said the commission looks forward to more collaboration with other agencies in furtherance of the common goal of promoting and protecting human rights and giving humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons in the project states and Nigeria in general. Ben Agu, the head of monitoring unit of the commission, presented the graphic representation of the report wherein he stated the activities of the project, achievements and challenges. There were regular visits to detention centres , corrections facilities, police and military cells to assess their compliance with International Human Rights best practices and Identify human rights concerns against the forcibly displaced persons and provide remedy/solution. Absence of Lawyers and court in some locations (e.g Pukka) which hinders administration of justice and access to justice was one of the challenges faced, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Movies like Omen are always an exciting experience for me, to go into something way outside of my comfort zone and absorb a story unlike anything Ive seen before. Omen, the feature film debut by Belgian-Congolese director Baloji, is on its surface a very simple story: A man who is on the outs with his family comes home in an attempt to bury the hatchet, to make things right, and nothing goes according to plan. But Omen is so much more than that. In big ways, with a plot full of interconnected characters; and in little ways, with a setting that feels grounded in reality, but allows magical forces to exist in a way thats just as real. At its simplest, the plot is about Koffi (Marc Zinga) who returns home to Congo, after years and years away from his family in Europe, with a pregnant wife to pay a dowry to his family, as is the custom. When he arrives, we learn that he had effectively been disowned by his family as a whole, because they always suspected him of dark magic sorcery. They believe him to be zabolo, containing the mark of the devil, for a birthmark he was born with on his face. In an attempt to ingratiate himself at a family gathering, he gets a nosebleed (he suffers from high blood pressure and his nosebleeds are a persistent problem), and accidentally bleeds onto a baby that hes cradling. The family does not see this as any accident, and any attempt to rectify the situation between Koffi and his family is stopped dead in its tracks. The film then takes a detour and introduces us to another character: Paco (Marcel Otete Kabeya). Paco is a young man affiliated with a gang of boys that wear pink dresses, to honor his dead sister who, we see in a flashback, possibly murdered by a witch. We dont know if this actually happened, or if its how hes remembering an incident, and assigning a literal villain to it is his way of coping. We then meet Tshala (Eliane Umuhire), Koffis sister, the only family member hes on speaking terms with. Shes set to leave the family, too, but not by way of Europe like Koffi did. Shes planning on going to South Africa, with her boyfriend. Tshala is a modern woman and her story represents worlds colliding. The modern world and her village are at odds with each other, and it doesnt seem like they can be reconciled. Theres too much stubbornness on either side. And finally, theres Mujila (Yves-Marina Gnahoua), Koffi and Tshalas mother. Up until being introduced formally to her chapter in the film, we see her as an unpleasant brick wall of a woman whos unwilling to hear Koffi out or understand him as anything other than an outcast. We then come to learn that she, too, was accused of similar associations when she was very young. And when tragedy strikes, the family that was quick to cast Koffi out is just as quick to abandon Mujila. All four of these characters are associated, in some way, with witchcraft, with the village and with each other. Any sort of basic plot synopsis is going to explain that Koffi is the main character, and he is the closest thing that Omen has to one, but all four characters have an essential part in the overall story. They all represent something meaningful. Omen is, at once, an irresistible story I always have a soft spot for: The story of someone who returns home and rediscovers themselves and their past from where theyre from. Weve seen this kind of story a million times, to varying degrees of success. Omen is also a subversion of that kind of story. Its not about reconciling your past. Sometimes, you just have to let go. Watching this film, the story throws a lot out at you. This happens. And then that happens. And this and that. And it all feels a bit overwhelming. At one point, near the final act of the film, I felt myself hoping that all of this ties together in some satisfying way. Thankfully, it does, and it makes all the difference. Nothing in Omen exists merely to exist. Everything has meaning. Everything we see represents something, even down to the most mundane detail, like the bed Koffi and his wife sleep on being just a mattress with a wood pallet for a frame and headboard. It all comes full circle, and through a series of conversations we understand how short life is, how quickly it all goes by. Omen is a terrific film, filled with heart, mystery, and magic. I adored it and I was surprised by how moving it was. It spoke so much to the human experience and one that I could relate to a lot. It felt lived in and real. Im not sure how much of this film is autobiographical to the director, but whether it was a lot, or a little, or even none, the story still spoke truthfully to those experiences and nailed it beautifully. Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray Omen is presented in 1080p high-definition video with a DTS HD-MA 5.1 surround sound audio mix (plus an optional DTS HD-MA 2.0 track for folks without a home theater setup). The film and special features are all found on a single disc in a standard case that has a reversible slipcover featuring different artwork on either side, plus a booklet containing an in-depth essay by Andrew Crump. The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, who was arrested by the State Security Services (SSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday. Mr Ajaero was seized and whisked away by the security operatives on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress of Britain. According to a statement by the NLC, the labour leader was billed to address the global gathering of workers on behalf of the Nigerian workers at the TUC in the UK. The congress also said it is not aware of Mr Ajaeros whereabouts and state of health, as efforts to get in touch with him have been unsuccessful. In a statement on Monday, Nigerias TUC President, Festus Osifo, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of his NLC counterpart, saying the arrest sets a dangerous precedence that threatens not only the labour movement but also the voices of the working class. Congress, firmly condemns the arrest and calls for his immediate and unconditional release. This arrest sets a dangerous precedence that threatens not only the leadership of the Nigerian labour movement but also the voices of millions of working-class Nigerians who rely on unions to represent and protect their interests, Mr Osifo said. The TUC President further expressed grave concern over Mr Ajaeros arrest, denouncing it as a blatant violation of fundamental democratic rights, including freedom of association and expression. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He urged the government to uphold the rule of law and engage in peaceful dialogue rather than resorting to intimidation. Both NLC and Amnesty International had earlier demanded Mr Ajaeros release. Read the full statement We demand Immediate and Unconditional Release of NLC President The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has received with grave concern the news of the arrest of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) earlier today. This unjust action represents a clear violation of the rights to freedom of association and expression, fundamental pillars in any democratic society. Congress, firmly condemns the arrest and calls for his immediate and unconditional release. This arrest sets a dangerous precedence that threatens not only the leadership of the Nigerian labour movement but also the voices of millions of working-class Nigerians who rely on unions to represent and protect their interests. It is imperative that the government respects the rule of law, democratic norms, and the legitimate rights of workers and their representatives. The labour movement has always stood for peaceful negotiations. We, therefore, urge the Nigerian government to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation over harassment. We stand in solidarity with the NLC and reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers. Comrade (Engr) Festus Osifo President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) 09/09/2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In an apparent rebuke of Mondays invasion of SERAPs office, Abuja, by Nigerias secret police, SSS, a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has said that the spirit of the late military dictator, Sani Abacha, has taken over the nations presidential villa. The officers were unlawfully occupying SERAPs office in Abuja, asking to see our directors, SERAP wrote on X. The spirit of Sani Abacha has taken over the presidential villa, Mr Effiong wrote on X on Monday in his reaction to the SSS action. The invasion of SERAPs Abuja office by the SSS is unacceptable. The President Tinubus regime must end the attack on dissent, he said in another post on the microblogging platform. SERAP is a prominent civil society group in Nigeria known for its campaigns for good governance and respect for human rights. The invasion of SERAPs office, almost simultaneously with the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, by SSS operatives on Monday morning in Abuja at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja while trying to board a flight to the UK for a Trade Union Congress gathering. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Ajaero has been summoned twice by the police in recent weeks over allegations surrounding a Briton, Drew Povey, who owns a bookshop at the NLC headquarters in Abuja. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Nigerian government claims that the Briton was spearheading a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. He has denied the allegation and urged the government not to criminalise peaceful protests in Nigeria. The lawyer, Mr Effiongs comment about Abachas spirit taking over the presidential villa is an allusion to President Tinubu as a dictator. The late Abacha, an army general, overthrew Nigerias interim national government in 1993 and ran the most repressive regime in the nations history, suppressing the media and jailing his critics. During the infamous era, Moshood Abiola, the winner of the annulled 12 June 1993 presidential election, was jailed for treason. He later died in custody. Former military ruler Olusegun Obasanjo was also jailed for treason. The Abacha regime also jailed a former army general, Shehu YarAdua, who later died in custody. Amnesty International Nigeria on Monday strongly condemned Mr Ajaeros arrest. The labour union leader must be immediately and unconditionally released, the rights group said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government arraigned on Monday a traditional ruler and his co-defendants at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of illegal gold mining. The court ordered defendants remand in Kuje prison in Abuja pending when they would meet their bail conditions. The Obawore of Ifetuntun in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Taofeeq Osunmakinde, along with four others and a company, allegedly carried out the illegal mining in Lege, Odigbo Local Government Area of the neighbouring Ondo State. He was arraigned alongside his co-defendants, Sheu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim, and a mining company, Ade Olap Global Resources Limited. The case, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/426/2024, has two charges. Charges In the first count, the prosecution accused them of conspiring among themselves and with others still at large, to illegally mine gold at the Ogunlepo mining site in Lege community, Ondo State, on 25 August. This action allegedly violates Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, LFN 2004, and is punishable under Section 1(8) of the same law. The second count accuses them of unauthorised gold mining at the same location, in violation of section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Illegal mining saga Illegal mining is an intractable, entrenched criminal enterprise in Nigeria, particularly in mineral-rich states including Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Zamfara, and Plateau, among many others in Nigeria. The vast potential of Nigerias mining sector to contribute significantly to government revenue and boost the nations economy has been stifled by unregulated, illegal mining activities, which leave behind environmental degradation and violent conflicts in host communities. As rampant as illegal mining is across Nigeria, prosecution rate, and by extension, conviction rate, are low. Plea for bail All five defendants, including the company, pleaded not guilty to the charges on Monday. Thereafter, defence counsel, Vincent Ododo, urged the judge to grant bail to the defendants. These charges, while serious, do not carry the most severe penalties under Nigerian law. The first defendant, being a well-known traditional ruler, has every reason to appear and clear his name, Mr Ododo told the trial judge. The prosecutor, Toluwalope Ojo, of the AGF office did not oppose the bail request but urged the court to impose strict conditions to prevent the defendants from fleeing. Mr Ojo requested that the defendants surrender their passports as a precautionary measure. In his ruling, the judge, Emeka Nwite, granted bail to all the defendants. Bail is a fundamental right, but it must come with conditions that ensure the defendants remain available for trial, Mr Nwite ruled. The judge granted them bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety each. Each of the sureties must reside in Abuja, own property in the Federal Capital Territory, and provide a three-year tax clearance certificate. Additionally, the defendants were ordered to surrender their passports to the court and submit three recent passport photographs. The defendants were ordered to be remanded at Kuje Prison, a maximum-security facility in Abuja, until they met their bail conditions. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) appeared to have worsened as the LPs leadership announced that the partys presidential ticket for the 2027 general election is now open to all qualified Nigerians to contest. Julius Abure, the LPs former national chairperson, announced this on Monday at the partys national executive committee meeting in Abuja. A video clip which showed him making the announcement was uploaded on TVCs Facebook page. We (LP faction) have not yanked off (names of) Alex Otti and Peter Obi (from the list of people contesting for party tickets). We have simply said that the doors of the party are open to others, Mr Abure said. Mr Obi, the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, was earlier adopted as the partys candidate for the 2027 general election. Like Mr Obi, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, who won the 2023 election on the LP platform, has been tipped to get the partys ticket for his bid for a second term. Mr Abure was apparently hitting back at Messrs Obi and Otti for facilitating a meeting that recently saw the emergence of a party caretaker committee. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Why the automatic tickets were withdrawn Mr Abure argued that the decision to stop issuing automatic tickets to individuals was in line with Sections 222 and 225 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. The Labour Party Constitution is also clear on this that we cannot deny people who are interested in running for an elective office. So what we have done is to open the window to accommodate more people, he said, stressing that democracy was about numbers. The more the merrier: The more people (aspirants) we have, the better for the party and even the candidates themselves because if they emerge from a competitive process, it gives more confidence and shows you are the best, Mr Abure said. Connecting the Dots Mr Abure and his teams action was apparently in response to the LPs NEC/ extended Stakeholders meeting held on Wednesday at Government House, Umuahia, Abia State. Messrs Obi and Otti were believed to have facilitated the meeting. Nigerias former finance minister, Nenadi Usman, emerged at the meeting as the chairperson of the Labour Party Caretaker Committee. The emergence of the caretaker committee consequently ended Mr Abures and others reign as party executives. The 29-member committee was mandated to organise ward, local government, state congresses and national convention of the party within 90 days. Meanwhile, Mr Abure has since dissociated himself from the meeting. Obiora Ifoh, the spokesperson of the Abure-led executives, declared the outcome of the Umuahia meeting as illegal. Abures U-Turn Before the current leadership crisis in the LP, Mr Abure had backed the automatic ticket earlier announced for Mr Obi. During a June meeting of the LPs National Working Committee (NWC), the then national chairperson expressed satisfaction with Mr Obis leadership roles in ensuring that the party returned to a formidable entity capable of winning the next general election. We (LP) have said that we are focused on 2027. That is why we are the only party that has produced its candidate for the 2027 presidential election, he had said, referring to Mr Obi. We know where we are going and we have refused to be distracted. We will definitely get to our destination of giving Nigerians a better nation, Mr Abure added at the meeting. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has urged the judiciary nationwide to ensure speedy dispensation of justice in financial crime and corruption cases. Mr Fagbemi made the call on Monday in Abuja at a one-day roundtable on addressing corruption challenges in the country, organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation. The conference is themed, Building a Unified Front Against Corruption in Nigeria. Mr Fagbemi, represented by Victoria Ojogbene, a director in the ministry, emphasised the need for unified efforts to win the battle against corruption. He stressed that anti-corruption bodies must carry people at the grassroots along without favouritism and sentiment. We should not give in to sentiment in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, especially where we have been polarised along different factors, he said. Mr Fagbemi noted that Nigeria, in spite of its immense potential, abundant resources, and dynamic population, faced corruption as a formidable barrier to progress and prosperity. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He emphasised that corruption undermined institutions, distorts economic opportunities, and eroded trust vital for a tri-religious society. The ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, a SAN, highlighted the commissions collaboration with the 36 state Attorneys-General to ensure justice and transparency in public project execution. Mr Aliyu emphasised that corruption was a cancer that eroded public trust, stifled economic growth, and perpetuated inequality. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Udende Emmanuel, stated that corruption required a comprehensive and multifaceted approach, involving every segment of society. On his part, Ben Odo, Chair of the Body of State Attorneys General, emphasised the need for effective collaboration among state Attorneys General to combat corruption. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Honourable Minister Mohammed Idris inaugural year is a testament to what can be achieved with vision, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to serving the people. As we look to the future, there is no doubt that he will continue to lead with passion and purpose, inspiring a new generation of leaders to follow in his footsteps. Reflecting on Mr Mohammed Idris, the honourable minister of Informations first year in office, it is impossible to overlook the significant impact he has had on Nigerias media landscape and national orientation. My personal connection with the minister dates back to his tenure as chairman of Blueprint newspaper, offering me a unique perspective on the man behind the title a leader who has consistently inspired young journalists and PR practitioners and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the media and public relations industries. Whenever we meet, Alhaji Mohammed Idris never fails to inquire about my well-being, often with a lighthearted joke: Ango, Ina Amarya? despite my being married for some time. His legendary work ethic is the hallmark of his career. Since his days at Blueprint, operating from Maitama, Abuja, I have admired his charismatic presence and dedication to his craft. My relationship with him deepened through frequent visits to his office and residence, often accompanying my boss, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, who was then his personal assistant/special adviser and now the director general of Voice of Nigeria. These encounters afforded me first-hand insights into the ministers exceptional leadership qualities. His ability to merge media expertise with a grounded and empathetic approach, distinguishes him as a respected figure in both the media and public relations. It is no surprise that the Blueprint Impact Series/Awards became a landmark event in the media industry, underscoring Alhaji Mohammed Idriss attention to detail and commitment to excellence. As the publisher of Blueprint and chairman of Kings Broadcasting Limited, owners of WE 106.5 FM Abuja, his influence extends well beyond journalism. His leadership has focused on building platforms that not only inform the public but also contribute meaningfully to national development. An accomplished media entrepreneur, Mohammed Idris is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). His influence on Nigerias media landscape is profound, bolstered by his participation in numerous local and international workshops and conferences on media entrepreneurship, leadership, and public relations. Among his notable achievements include the strategic communication guidance he has provided to various public and private organisations, as well as political brands. His roles as chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Kaduna State Chapter, and vice chairman of the Public Relations Consultative Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) further reflect his distinguished career. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Following in the footsteps of media professionals who ventured into politics, such as Chief Lateef Jakande, former governor of Lagos State, and Chief Segun Osoba, former governor of Ogun State, Alhaji Mohammed Idris (Malagi) decided in 2019 to not only take an active interest in politics but also seek political office. From his early political engagements, he gradually earned the trust and admiration of his people in Niger State by advocating non-violent, issues-based politics. While other political actors and their social media proxies often resorted to divisive tactics, Alhaji Mohammed Idris consistently promoted messages of hope, unity, and a brighter, more prosperous Niger State. His dedication to public service is evident in the revitalisation of agencies under his ministry, such as the Nigerian Press Council and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, which were restored to budgetary allocations after years of exclusion. His ability to unify agency heads, the national communication team, and private media organisations toward a common goal restoring public trust in Nigerian media has been commendable. A key achievement is President Bola Ahmed Tinubus directive to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, through the Bank of Industry, to provide single-digit interest-rate financing to media organisations. In addition, under his leadership, the Federal Government, through the National Council on Establishments (NCE), approved the redesignation of the Information Officer Cadre to Information and Public Relations Officer Cadre (GL08 to 17) and Executive Officer (Information and Public Relations) (GL06 to 14). Moreover, the Federal Government has commenced a major rehabilitation of the 14-floor Radio House Complex in Abuja its first significant renovation in 33 years. This iconic building, once a symbol of national pride, is being restored to its former glory an achievement that resonates deeply with many who remember its earlier stature in the nations history. Upon his appointment as Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation on 21 August, 2023, I had no doubt that Nigeria had gained a leader committed to service and progress. Honourable Minister Mohammed Idris has exceeded expectations with his five-pillar agenda to revitalise Nigerias information sector. This agenda, aligned with President Tinubus Renewed Hope vision, focuses on rebuilding public trust, amplifying government policies, reshaping national values, modernising technology, and fostering a conducive environment for media growth. His Ministerial Press Briefing Series has become a vital platform for transparency and accountability, offering the public direct access to government information. Honourable Minister Idris communication strategy goes beyond the mere dissemination of information, it actively engages citizens, builds trust, and ensures that governments actions are transparent and supported by the people. His efforts to advance intellectual property rights are equally commendable. He champions fair compensation for content creators, aiming to spur creativity and innovation in the industry. At the National Conference of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, he emphasised the importance of adapting to the rapidly evolving media landscape, particularly with the rise of digital platforms such as social media, streaming services, and podcasts. As we celebrate his first year in office, Honourable Minister Mohammed Idris stands out as a visionary leader, laying the groundwork for a more informed, united, and progressive Nigeria. His leadership embodies integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to national development. In an era in which public trust in institutions is often fragile, Honourable Minister Idris shines as a beacon of credibility and hope. Under his stewardship, Nigerias information sector is being revitalised and positioned to meet future challenges. Reflecting on this past year, it is easy to appreciate the shared vision he has for Nigeria and the invaluable lessons learnt from his dedication. Honourable Minister Mohammed Idris inaugural year is a testament to what can be achieved with vision, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to serving the people. As we look to the future, there is no doubt that he will continue to lead with passion and purpose, inspiring a new generation of leaders to follow in his footsteps. Gidado Yushau Shuaib is the special assistant to the Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON). He can be reached at giddyshuaib@gmail.com. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print At the beginning of January 2012, for instance, an unknown gunman entered the house of Baba Loskurima, registrar of the High Court of Borno State in North-East Nigeria and fired several shots into Babas head and chest with a Kalashnikov rifle in front of his wife and children. He stood no chance of survival Nine months later, in September of the same year, Zanna Mallam Gana, the attorney-general of Borno State was also assassinated. Around 26 May 2020, the Police in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced that Raphael Yanyi, a senior judge, had suffered a suspected heart attack leading to his death. The Ministry of Justice quickly clarified, however, that the remains of the judge did not exhibit any toxic substances. Following an autopsy, Justice minister, Celestin Tunda Ya Kasende, disclosed that Judge Yanyi had died from blows of sharp points or knife-like objects, which were thrust into his head. Contrary to the claim by the police, the judge did not die of a heart attack. Instead, he was murdered. At the time of his killing, Raphael Yanyi was presiding over the high profile corruption trial of Vital Kamerhe, chief of staff to President Felix Tshisekedi. The killers of Raphael Yanyi are yet to be unmasked and it is impossible presently to say whether they were state or non-state actors. Zimbabwean advocate, Justice Mavedzenge, makes the distinction between attacks on the independence of judges on the one hand and the persecution of judges on the other. While the former are usually institutional, the latter seek to harm the lives, persons or wellbeing of judges and their families. This goes beyond the weaponisation of judicial ethics or the targeting of judges for political reasons. It is not exactly new in Africa. On 21 September 1972, for instance, elements in the army of Ugandas Field Marshall Idi Amin Dada, abducted Chief Justice, Benedicto Kiwanuka from his chambers in the Supreme Court of Uganda. Four days later, Marshall Amin shot and killed his captive, Chief Justice Kiwanuka, at the State Lodge in Nakasero, Kampala, Ugandas capital. Nearly 10 years later, on 30 June 1982, unknown persons abducted three serving judges of the High Court of Ghana: Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Frederick Poku Sarkodee, and Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong. They transported the judges to the Bundase Military Firing Range near Accra where they were shot and killed. To cover up the act, the perpetrators set fire on their bodies. Their charred remains were located the following morning. Joachim Amartey Quaye, a senior member of the ruling Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), was one of the people found guilty of the judges murder. He was subsequently executed by firing squad on 18 August 1983. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Elective government found in most of Africa today is supposedly more subtle. The predominant contemporary arc of the judicial trajectory around the continent reflects intersecting trends of both regime capture of the courts and willing abdication of independence by the highest levels of judicial leadership. However, there remain many examples of judges possessed of both integrity and courage. To bring such judges into line, they are increasingly targets of persecution and harm. Emboldened by the incapacity of the Nigerian state to exact accountability, the perpetrators of these attacks grew in both audacity and intensity and started trading judges for ransom. In October 2019, a senior Justice of Appeal from the Imo State, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, was abducted in Benin City, while on duty presiding over election disputes. She spent a fortnight in captivity. The assumption that the state, government or ruling political parties have a monopoly over these kinds of malefaction appears to be supported by both experience and evidence. It is also the state or ruling parties that are best placed to weaponise mechanisms of judicial ethics in order to terrorise upright judges into submission. However, in many African countries these days, the presumed monopolies of the state are contested by sundry entities. In Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, and Sudan to cite a few examples there exist belligerents, insurgents, or armed movements, who exercise quasi-state capacities, enabling them to target judicial officers or other public officials at will or to harm them. In the face of a slow build-up of this reality in Nigeria, for instance, there has been a concerted effort to deny it or avoid conferring upon it the stamp of official acknowledgement. At the beginning of January 2012, for instance, an unknown gunman entered the house of Baba Loskurima, registrar of the High Court of Borno State in North-East Nigeria and fired several shots into Babas head and chest with a Kalashnikov rifle in front of his wife and children. He stood no chance of survival. Nine months later, in September of the same year, Zanna Mallam Gana, the attorney-general of Borno State was also assassinated. The killings of both Baba Loskurima and Zana Mallam Gana were suspected to have been the handiwork of assassins from the Islamist insurgent group, Boko Haram. These were not the first attacks by suspected non-state actors in Nigeria designed to bring judges to harm. In 2009, Florence Duroha-Igwe, a judge of the Imo State High Court in South-East Nigeria suffered an attack in which both her driver and police orderly sustained severe gunshot injuries. The following year, the judge-president of the states Customary Court of Appeal, Ambrose Egu and senior Magistrate, Pauline Njemanze, were abducted near the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport near Owerri on official duties. In March 2011, high court judges in the state embarked on a strike to protest the abduction of one their colleagues, Theophilus Nzekwe. The non-state perpetrators of the most recent attacks on the safety of Nigerias judges are no longer keen to hide their provenance. Janet Gimba, a judge of the Upper Customary Court of Kaduna State in North-West Nigeria, was abducted with four of her children on 24 June by reputed bandits, who brutally killed one of the children in order to drive home their bargain for both money and prisoners. The children were released after 15 days in captivity. Emboldened by the incapacity of the Nigerian state to exact accountability, the perpetrators of these attacks grew in both audacity and intensity and started trading judges for ransom. In October 2019, a senior Justice of Appeal from the Imo State, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, was abducted in Benin City, while on duty presiding over election disputes. She spent a fortnight in captivity. In September, 2021, former Chief Judge of Abia State, Nnenna Oti, was abducted in Orlu, Imo State. Seven months earlier, Presiding Justice of Appeal in Owerri, Rita Pemu, needed an extra supply of native wiles to survive the perils of abduction. The non-state perpetrators of the most recent attacks on the safety of Nigerias judges are no longer keen to hide their provenance. Janet Gimba, a judge of the Upper Customary Court of Kaduna State in North-West Nigeria, was abducted with four of her children on 24 June by reputed bandits, who brutally killed one of the children in order to drive home their bargain for both money and prisoners. The children were released after 15 days in captivity. On the date in June on which Judge Janet Gimba and her children were abducted, in the Borno-Yobe borderlands in North-East Nigeria, elements suspected to be from the Islamic State, West Africa Province (ISWAP), abducted Haruna Mshelia, a senior judge of the High Court Borno State together with his wife, Binta (who was nursing a fracture), their driver and an orderly. For two years until 2010, before his appointment as a judge, Haruna Mshelia was the chairman was the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Maiduguri. While the fate of the judge, his spouse and their staff remain uncertain, it is prudent to prioritise their safe return. As such, it may be premature to dwell too closely on their case. It is not difficult, however, to speculate as to why a senior judge who is deeply respected for his integrity could be the target abduction by an armed quasi-state actor like ISWAP. The real question that must be addressed is how legitimate institutions of the state and of organised civics should respond to this kind of situation. 77 days since the abduction of this senior judge and his wife, very little official or public information exists about their plight or about efforts to free them. That could, of course, be because public authorities have decided that this is the best guarantee for their safe return. The good news in that is that this suggests that government trusts that the judge, his wife and other abductees with him are alive. The risk, however, is that this could also enable government to demobilise pressure for their safe return. That could guarantee their erasure from public consciousness and, even worse, bring closer the day when the abduction by non-state actors of conscientious judges will become normalised in Africas most populous country. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print To put an end to all this nonsense, the authorities first have to agree that, among other things, anyone who takes up arms against Nigerians or against the country is a terrorist, no matter under what guise. All terrorists, no matter where they originated from or are based, are equal. Any non-authorised civilian group carrying weapons should be treated as terrorists. After all these years, there shouldnt be anything like repentant terrorists anymore. Any terrorist that hasnt repented by now does not deserve to live. Fiction writer, James Hadley Chase, famously titled one of his popular novels, The Vulture Is A Patient Bird. That title often reminds me of the Yoruba anecdote which denounces the carnivorous bird as a cheat because it feeds on human carrion but man cannot (would not) feed on it. Thus, the vulture prospers from mans misery without any risk of a backlash or revenge. I dont know of any culture where a vulture is part of the menu. There are too many cultural taboos hanging around the Dracula-hooded birds. They feed on carrion. Carry disease-bearing pathogens. Their relatively tasteless meat in comparison to chicken, cooks forever and is never tender. They are classified with evil or apocalyptic evocations in many cultures. Human Vultures Those are the vultures in the animal kingdom. In our real human world, we also have human vultures whose menace we grudgingly acknowledge but still tolerate under a barrage of excuses. Enter Boko Haram, ISWAP, cattle rustlers, armed herdsmen, Unknown Gunmen and other rogue elements who have totally demystified the governments claim of exclusively controlling the means of coercion! If the principal aim of the government is to protect its people and maintain order and stability, the Nigerian government has failed spectacularly in the last 15 years. Swathes of Nigerian territory are under the control of criminals. The government and its security forces continue to lie about the severity of the situation. Over the years, instead of a frontal attack on the problem, the government and its security agencies were pussy-footing under a number of convenient excuses. The political elite in the affected northern states started playing ethnic and religious cards. When the government decided to end the embarrassment once and for all, the move was sabotaged through blackmail and a campaign to turn the people of the region against the government, as if the fight against terrorism was an anti-North agenda. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Foreign terrorists were recruited to add an even deadlier dimension to the terrorists capabilities. Issues of the expansionist ambitions of some of the bandits which, in the last 10 years, have tried to colonise the Middle Belt region were quickly dismissed as farmers/herders clashes. Historical carryovers, such as unacknowledged unfinished ethnic wars, were dismissed as non-existent. When the illegal mining of minerals in the North was a small-scale affair being run by the locals underground, it did not attract the level of organised violence that it currently enjoys with the involvement of the traditional and political elite. Now mining gangs have their own private armies. The government claims to be in charge of granting mining concessions but we all know that the bandits run the roost in many areas. Enough of the shameless excuses! There is really no big deal about fighting terrorism if you have the will. Granted that we have lost a lot of ground in the years of complete lethargy, it is never too late to reclaim our space and rid the land of terrorism completely, once and for all. And I truly mean once and for all! In the South where bandits come disguised as herdsmen and routinely waylay motorists on inter-state highways, the government continues to deny what is obvious. Even in cases where the locals have adduced evidence of some of the terrorists being foreigners, the government continues to tell the convenient lie of herders and farmers being at loggerheads. That lapse has led to the generalisation in the South that all terrorists operating from the forests are Fulani. Because of all these acts of omission or commission, as the case may be, we watched from the gallery of nonchalance as terrorism became a lucrative industry, especially after bandits in many states of the North started collecting taxes and protection levies from the people. Up till now, there are parts of the North where farmers have to pay terrorists to access their farms safely. In those places, the government is a distant memory. The new fad is for the terrorists to issue video recordings of their domination of rural communities and their dispensation of their warped notion of justice ranging from public floggings to more serious forms of physical torture. Some have even been turbaned by emirs! They are entrenched. They are the de facto government. Government Abdication It used to be embarrassing to those in government. Now, it seems that even the people have come to terms with the reality of Boko Haram and the other terrorists controlling territories outside the purview of the Nigerian constitution. We have, through a mixture of neglect, subterfuge and incompetence, legitimised terrorism, insurgency, hostage taking and allied crimes. Enough of the shameless excuses! There is really no big deal about fighting terrorism if you have the will. Granted that we have lost a lot of ground in the years of complete lethargy, it is never too late to reclaim our space and rid the land of terrorism completely, once and for all. And I truly mean once and for all! Granted that security is a specialised subject with its own esoterica and technicalities, I wager that what we have before us does not exclusively deserve the formal or conventional wisdom of the usual experts and their textbook analyses and fixations. If a band of largely illiterate brigands can outwit and overwhelm our entire security agencies, it is time we weaponise our collective cerebral muscle and deploy the same accordingly. We must out-think them! We have heard, ad nauseam, about the introduction of non-kinetic tactics in the fight against terror. New terms are being introduced daily by the growing army of security experts doing the rounds on national television regularly. Nobody least of all the terrorists is impressed by all the technical jargon. 7 Nigerians dont care whatever tactics you deploy to rid the country of terrorists. All they want is for their government to live up to what it claims to be an authority in charge. If a government cannot protect its people from any kind of aggression, then it has lost its reason for being called a government. Between July 2023 and June 2024, kidnapping alone accounted for 1,056 deaths in 1,130 reported incidents. According to the research document, Economics of Nigerias Kidnap Industry, Zamfara State recorded 1,639 kidnap victims and 146 civilian deaths, with about N1.048 billion being deployed as ransom nationally. Just Do It! To put an end to all this nonsense, the authorities first have to agree that, among other things, anyone who takes up arms against Nigerians or against the country is a terrorist, no matter under what guise. All terrorists, no matter where they originated from or are based, are equal. Any non-authorised civilian group carrying weapons should be treated as terrorists. After all these years, there shouldnt be anything like repentant terrorists anymore. Any terrorist that hasnt repented by now does not deserve to live. Government should map out the territories currently being controlled by terrorists. Security contractors should then be contracted with specific targets, deliverables, expected outcomes and mutually agreed Standard Operating Procedures. Security contractors should concentrate on taking out terrorist kingpins remotely through drones and other digital devices, while our police and armed forces are adequately armed to mop them up. With the lions share of the 2024 budget allocated to defence and security, we ought to be able to finance this without any problem. State policing is imperative. The reason for the current spate of insecurity is that the government is not yet ready to stamp it out. When those in government are sufficiently conscientised to end the scam, we will all breathe easy; but not a moment before then. If Providence grants the collective invocations of Nigerians, the government will regain its consciousness and declare that all birds of prey are equal; that what is good for the hawk is good for the abominable vulture. Forget the taboo. We shall barbecue the vulture! Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on wole.olaoye@gmail.com, Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print We have gone beyond and above the limits of moral decadence, and are now much worse to the extent that our pulpits have now become the media tools for showcasing class, success, achievements, and crass carnality. We have lost respect before a watching world. One of my favourite teachers would say, We are mocking Jesus before a watching world. For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed. (Isaiah 9:16) Not even the late and highly revered Archbishop Benson Idahosa took things this far. Yes, he was flamboyant. Yes, he preached about prosperity. But, Papa Idahosa, as we all called him, still stands as a towering symbol of unity. We all miss him. He was a no-nonsense patriarch who, through fire and brimstones, confronted the beast of Ephesus at different levels in Nigeria. Was he perfect? Of course not. Did he make mistakes? Certainly, he did, like you and I. But what the Nigerian church has become today in the hands of the current mainstream fathers is a far cry from what we all dreamed of, making the late archbishops errors and mistakes a childs play. Regardless, my respect, love, and honour for Papa Idahosa still remain unshakeable. We have gone beyond and above the limits of moral decadence, and are now much worse to the extent that our pulpits have now become the media tools for showcasing class, success, achievements, and crass carnality. We have lost respect before a watching world. One of my favourite teachers would say, We are mocking Jesus before a watching world. Interestingly, many have attributed the infiltration of the prosperity gospel into the Nigerian gospel space to the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa. Well, maybe that is true. Maybe not. I do not judge him. He played his part and has gone home to rest. But my conversation with one of the fathers in the Nigerian gospel space, a man who was part of the birth of the current wave of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, proved to me beyond all doubts that the current rottenness in the Nigerian church is the product of multiple streams of factors. Some of these factors include the influence of the American charismatic movement on many of our mainstream fathers, the loss of the true gospel of salvation and repentance in the church, the mad pursuit of humongous wealth in the name of, we need resources to advance the kingdom, the dearth or the deliberate killing of discipleship teachings in the church, and above all, the fragmentation of the gospel into multiple entities the gospel of prosperity, the gospel of holiness, the gospel of deliverance, the gospel of motivation, and many more of their likes. These fragmentations have no basis in the Bible, but are simply man-made attempts to cause chaos and division in the church, and to give legitimacy to doctrinal superiority complexes all of which have now been fully institutionalised in the church by many of our fathers. Following Jesus no longer matters, much less being loyal to Him. We have brought enormous shame to His name, and we, sadly, do not even have the slightest weight of remorse about it. Jesus is now so unpopular in the church. Our fathers are rich, connected, big, famous, and blessed with cult-followership. They have now taken over the show from the one who died on the cross. Lord, have mercy! But something happened in 1981. Gods servant told me that he and every single one of the main fathers in the church in Nigeria today were summoned by Pa SG Elton to Ilesa, an historical city in South West Nigeria, for a strategic meeting. According to Gods servant, Pa SG Elton warned every father in Nigeria today to avoid the prosperity gospel, the pursuit of money, fame, and self-importance. He spoke to them when they were still being called, bro this and bro that. At that time, there was neither crowd nor fame. According to Gods servant, Pa SG Elton told them clearly, if you follow the American prosperity gospel, it will destroy Nigeria. That was more than forty years ago. Today, history has proven Pa Elton to be correct. But to his utmost shock, Gods servant told me that after the meeting, a couple of the attendees, who today are fathers, began to complain among themselves very bitterly about Pa SG Eltons hard stance on them. He told me that they met outside the venue of the meeting and a few of the attendees were not in total agreement with this kind of suffer, suffer ministry, like we say in Nigeria. They had already started tilting towards the prosperity movement, although in a much subliminal form. That was a golden opportunity to kill the seed of the monster that we see today, where all that now matters is the crowd, the fat bank accounts, the caucuses you belong to, the weight of your mentor, the streams you are drinking from. Following Jesus no longer matters, much less being loyal to Him. We have brought enormous shame to His name, and we, sadly, do not even have the slightest weight of remorse about it. Jesus is now so unpopular in the church. Our fathers are rich, connected, big, famous, and blessed with cult-followership. They have now taken over the show from the one who died on the cross. Lord, have mercy! Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Ayo Akerele is the senior Pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through ayoakerele@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In trying to solve this contradiction, we cannot ignore another source of tension: that between the price of a product or service on the one hand, and the way it affects the demand for and supply of the product or service. This dynamic means that were society to set the price of a product/service below the cost to providers of making this available, we would be disincentivising investment in the product/service concerned. 23 years ago, I lost my kid brother. He was in his early twenties. Full of life. An undergraduate, parties occurred around him. The runt of our litter. Understandably, therefore, his death was traumatic. I was old enough to have known him all his life to have cared for and been worried about various aspects of him. Alas, his life was full of more trauma than my experience of his death was. For he suffered from sickle cell anaemia and eventually died from complications associated with the disease. Because of this, while he was alive, there were those crisis moments when all that even the most optimistic of us could do was (despite the doctors best ministrations) await the announcement of his death. But he was a fighter, too. That is how awful it was. At such times, we could explain how it came to be that he was a Sickler two parents with the wrong gene had gotten married. But there were never words nor combinations thereof that made sense of all that pain it was always cruel and unusual. Fast forward to a few months ago, when news broke of a revolutionary breakthrough treatment for sickle cell anaemia. Someone had let magic in on the light! Based on the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, the treatment promised the cessation of the succession of the sickle cell disease sufferers crises and offered the bounties to cured sufferers of a normal life. My thought, on first acquaintance with the news, was that I would have given everything for my brother to be alive in these times. However, at about $2 million a pop for the treatment, my everything would have come well short of the desired goal several times over. Reflecting on the nuances involved here (a real and present medical need, effective but unaffordable cure provided by the private sector, and governments responsibility for its citizens welfare especially the poor and vulnerable), I could only come up with three related dilemmas. I can imagine the conflicting emotions with which those currently living with this condition (and their kith and kin) would have processed the news of the new therapy. I sympathise, too, with the sense of a moral wrong that arises from the tension between a life and death need for something (food, drugs, care, etc.) on one hand, and the financial hurdles that impede access by the needy to readily available solutions on the other hand. In trying to solve this contradiction, we cannot ignore another source of tension: that between the price of a product or service on the one hand, and the way it affects the demand for and supply of the product or service. This dynamic means that were society to set the price of a product/service below the cost to providers of making this available, we would be disincentivising investment in the product/service concerned. In other words, if entrepreneurs cannot see a way to covering their costs through the prices they charge for their products and services, they will not invest in the research and development effort, without which innovation atrophies. There are apparently, three all-inclusive options. Governments could pursue programmes that reduce costs to help producers bring prices down. Long-term, this could include reforms of a structural nature: cutting down the number of steps needed to set businesses up, for instance, or consolidating government agencies that approve such steps into a single one-stop shop. Short-term, positive measures include tax reductions and rebates, and lower or zero tariffs for critical inputs. Given these scenarios, what ought a responsible government to do? This is the third dilemma. One that Nigerian governments have faced perennially in the economys downstream oil and gas sector. And which since the incumbent federal government came into office, last year, it has struggled so shamefully with. There are apparently, three all-inclusive options. Governments could pursue programmes that reduce costs to help producers bring prices down. Long-term, this could include reforms of a structural nature: cutting down the number of steps needed to set businesses up, for instance, or consolidating government agencies that approve such steps into a single one-stop shop. Short-term, positive measures include tax reductions and rebates, and lower or zero tariffs for critical inputs. Negative, short-term, measures include the erection of tariff and non-tariff barriers to imports that threaten local products/services. The problem is that for economies to grow and develop, these freebies cannot be at the cost of domestic efficiency. In other words, their exercise must result in a more competitive domestic business environment, or they would not be worth the cost to the public purse. Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes to these dilemmas. On the path to their solutions, costs will pile up. In the case of the healthcare sector and new drugs for old ailments, these costs (especially the non-financial bits) could be terrible. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Uddin Ifeanyi, journalist manque and retired civil servant, can be reached @IfeanyiUddin. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print At the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a minister and defence chiefs relocated to Sokoto State penultimate week to restore law and order, following the worsening security situation there. The directive was complied with last Tuesday, a day after the 34 victims of Boko Harams 2 September massacre in Mafa, Yobe State, were buried. Bandits had, last month, kidnapped the Emir of Gobir, Isa Bawa, in Sokoto, killed and buried him in a forest, where he was held captive for days, prompting youths to go on the rampage. Women, children, the aged, traders, and rural farmers, are routine victims of violence, which is spiralling out of control. In neighbouring Zamfara State, two Armoured Personnel Carriers of the army, stuck in the mud at Kwashabawa village in Zurmi Local Government Area, were seized and set ablaze. The bandits video of this act has gone viral; brandished seemingly as a victory trophy over the Nigerian state. These weird developments coincided with the presidents appointments of Mohammed Mohammed as the new Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Adeola Ajayi as the Director-General of State Security Service (SSS). They replaced Ahmed Abubakar and Yusuf Bichi respectively, who had stayed long in those positions. Whether in Sokoto, Zamfara or Yobe states, or indeed in other parts of the country, Nigerians are going through a nightmare with bandits, kidnappers, arsonists and mass murderers. Clearly, therefore, the jobs of the two intelligence chiefs seem cut out for them. The president charged them to reposition their agencies for better results. Such transformation is never a happenstance but a product of strategic thinking and synergy among the intelligence agencies. Lack of these have resulted in unhealthy rivalries among the armed services, which non-state actors usually exploit, and in the process, endanger the lives of Nigerians. Time has, therefore, come for the president to go beyond merely giving directives to the agencies, to demanding concrete plans of action and results from them. The Office of the National Security Adviser, where Nuhu Ribadu calls the shots, coordinates the work of the intelligence services. It is a no-brainer that cleavages in the counterintelligence security template will not deliver the expected results. The Senate, which once assessed this dim reality, said, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and NSA belong to one group, and the NIA and SSS belong to another. As a result, a new model in intelligence gathering and sharing is imperative. Inputs of the SSS in the Sokoto mission of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, are critical and should lead to the wanted underworld kingpin, Bello Turji, being taken out. If they return to Abuja, without closing the Turji security drama, the mission would have been a complete failure. Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, and the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, also an erstwhile governor of Jigawa State, should make their appointments count as the North-West, where both hail from, has become the countrys epicentre of banditry and kidnapping. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Nigerians are tired of being victims of security agencies working at cross-purposes. As it seemed during the Boko Haram abduction of 276 Chibok school girls in 2014, and also the kidnapping of 110 Dapchi schoolgirls in 2018. Besides, we have had too many other embarrassing acts of criminality, without any inkling of intelligence that would have helped in nipping them in the bud. These lapses do not happen too often where security operatives are on top of their games. The NIA deals with external intelligence. It is an indictment of the agency that foreign elements, especially killer herders, flood into the country and make some states ungovernable. Nasir El-Rufai had noted that security reports available to him while he was governor of Kaduna State indicated that some armed herdsmen from Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Mali and Senegal were the masterminds of the grim harvest of deaths and burning of villages in southern Kaduna. He reached out to beg them to stop their nefarious activities. With the nature or pattern of invasion of rural communities to abduct, kill, main and burn peoples houses, these criminal elements are still embedded in so many villages. This accounts for the killing of 50 persons on 10 August in Ayati community, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, by unknown invaders. In July, 18 people were slaughtered in Katsina-Ala, with 17 also killed by herders in Mbaikyor, Gwer-East Local Government Area of the state. The countrys six geo-political zones are practically under the siege of insecurity. Under Tinubus presidency, 4,556 people were killed and 7086 others kidnapped within his first year in office, according to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) a global data hub, specialised in real-time conflict-related data collection. These statistics evoke sobering realities, as they run against the grain of the presidents promise during his inauguration. He said and, rightly so, that neither prosperity nor justice would prevail amid insecurity and violence. Starkly, Nigerians have watched the SSS drop the ball, such as when its operatives openly engaged in fisticuffs with prison personnel in court, over Nnamdi Kanus re-arrest. Equally, acts of repression and the violation of human rights of citizens are not remits of service-oriented secret service agencies. Nigerians would like to see these operatives embedded in communities that serve as flash points of criminality and rendezvous of suspects, to get their jobs done. Sixteen months into Tinubus presidency is enough time for him to reform our security doctrine and architecture, as pledged. Deaths, sorrows and pains that pervade the countrys landscape from the havoc unleashed by non-state actors, are no signs that this overhaul has been executed. When the IDPs, purportedly under governments custody, are abducted, as Boko Haram did in May, which affected an estimated 200 of them in Gamboru-Ngala, Borno State, with 101 being females, this points to wrong approaches in our containment strategies. One of these is the predilection for prior announcements of offensives against bandits. The open presidential directive for the defence chiefs to move to Sokoto, might inform the relocation of these non-state actors to other states, or deeper into the forests beyond the reach of military operations. Or they might even cross over the border into Niger Republic before the onslaught begins. Beyond the concerns over insecurity, closer attention should be paid to the socio-economic conditions that fuel criminality, such as unemployment, poverty, scant regard for education, the looting of the treasury by public officials that hinders the provision of basic amenities to the masses, our porous borders and the proliferation of firearms. Sadly, this war of attrition between Nigeria and non-state actors will not end anytime soon, with large swathes of our territory under the latters control. It is an aberration, which the police have accentuated with their shameless barricades on every mile on Nigerian roads, where they collect bribes from motorists; while also serving as escorts to the elite who can afford to pay for this, rather than protecting the larger society. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has sent heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Niger State on the petrol tanker explosion on the Bida-Agaie-Lapai- road on Sunday, claiming the lives of 48 people and livestock. According to the Niger Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), many people were injured in the accident, which also involved a truck loaded with cattle and passengers. President Tinubu commiserated with the families of the dead and injured victims. He also sympathised with the owners of shops affected by the tragedy. He prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. The president commended the federal and state emergency agencies for their swift response. He similarly commended the good-spirited Nigerians who mobilised to the scene of the incident to assist the victims. He pledged continued support for efforts aimed at providing relief to those affected. President Tinubu has directed relevant federal agencies in transportation and road infrastructure to redouble their efforts and work with state governments to enhance the safety and security of travellers and residents. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) September 9, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Cross River State Government is about to sell four of its moribund industries to revive its economy and provide job opportunities for the local population. The moribund assets are Boki and Nsadop Oil Palm Estates, Fish Hatchery in Ugboro, Bekwarra Local Government Area, Durafoam Industries in Ikom Local Government Area, and Ibonda Fish Hatchery in Odukpani Local Government Area, according to a statement issued on Sunday by Nsa Gill, the spokesperson to Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State. Mr Gill said that the Cross River State Privatisation Council, on Friday, opened the technical bids for the privatisation of the assets which he said were solely owned by the state government and with no liabilities attached to any of them. We will carefully assess your technical expertise and capability to efficiently manage the companies to achieve the objectives of this privatisation initiative, Bassey Okon, the chairperson of the states privatisation council, told the representatives of the private firms that have shown interest in buying off the assets. He assured that the privatisation process would be transparent. He also assured the investors of the state governments commitment to create a conducive environment for them. The privatisation aims to enhance operational efficiency, create employment opportunities, and boost the states revenue base. We are confident that the communities hosting these assets will benefit significantly in terms of employment and infrastructure development once the privatisation is completed, Mr Okon said while commending Governor Otu for approving the privatisation of the moribund industries. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said that the previous administrations in the state had attempted but failed to privatise the assets. Sunday Ekeke, the CEO of Sunfil Goldenroll Nigeria Ltd, which is bidding for one of the assets, commended the privatisation council for its transparency throughout the technical bidding process. He expressed confidence in the councils commitment to transparency throughout the bidding process. Cross River State has been battling to improve its revenue since 2013 when the Supreme Court ceded to neighbouring Akwa Ibom State some oil wells it had previously owned. A glaring challenge that surfaces in Cross Rivers fiscal report is its overreliance on federal allocations, a civic organisation, BudgIT, noted in its 2023 report on the fiscal health of Nigerias 36 states. READ ALSO: Court reserves judgement in APC suit against local government election in Rivers In 2022, the states IGR contributed just about N20.55bn, constituting a modest 22.27% of the total revenue earned by the state. In stark contrast, gross allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) played a dominant role, contributing N71.73bn, or 77.73% of the states total revenue. This dependence on federal allocations leaves Cross River susceptible to changes in federal government incomes. Efforts to boost IGR have seen mixed results, with a notable 10.32% decrease year-on-year. Cross Rivers IGR remains notably modest compared to its South-South region peers as the state lags behind Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Edo, with IGR figures of N191.87bn, N79.88bn, N33.42bn, and N45.47bn, respectively. This highlights the need for Cross River to decisively explore avenues for strengthening its IGR, as the state has an environment favourable to tourism, import and export, and limestone, the report highlighted. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Rivers State have busted a child trafficking ring, rescuing 16 children and arresting a female suspect linked to the crime. Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in the state, confirmed the rescue in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Port Harcourt. She said that the children were found in an estate in Ozuoba community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state. The 16 children were rescued by our police operatives in Ozuoba following a tip-off and conducting intelligence gathering in the area. One individual has been arrested, and an investigation is underway to identify other accomplices, she said. Mrs Iringe-Koko, a police superintendent, said that the case has been referred to the Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit for further investigation. NAN recalls that residents of Ozuoba had raised alarm about the suspect, who frequently returned home with different children. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later A witness, who gave her name as Faith, alleged that the woman had been taking children from nearby communities and churches. READ ALSO: Court reserves judgement in APC suit against local government election in Rivers She said, On Sunday, some individuals confronted her and inquired what she was doing with so many children, but she could not provide a satisfactory explanation, prompting them to contact the police. Another witness, who did not want his name mentioned in the report, said that the suspect had been residing in the fenced compound with numerous children for over two years. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ebonyi State has detained Monday Awo, allegedly caught with Cannabis sativa, otherwise called Marijuana, worth N200,000. The state NSCDC Commandant, Elijah Willie, disclosed this on Monday in Abakaliki while briefing reporters on the commands achievements. He said that the suspect, who hails from Ezza North Local Government Area of the state, was caught by the commands Rapid Response Squad at the Nkaliki area of Abakaliki on 3 September. The suspect was arrested with 41 pieces of Rizzler, a paper used to wrap the substance. Investigation into the matter is ongoing, and when completed, the suspect would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, he said. Mr Willie said the suspect, who confessed to being a dealer in hard drugs, was arrested based on complaints by the market union in the area. The process of his arrest led to the discovery of the hard drug, he said. Arrest of some suspected vandals of electricity cables Mr Willie also spoke on five suspected electricity cable vandals being detained by the command. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said that four of the vandals were caught at a mining site in Izzi Local Government Area of the state on 27 August. He gave their names as Lawrence Kelechi, Uchenna Ogbaga, Chikwado Nwigwe and Nwaekuma Alo. They conspired and stole four drilling rods, belonging to Afrimetal Trading Nigeria Limited, valued at N720,000. The suspects have made confessional statements and would be charged to court for prosecution, Mr Willie said. He said that the fifth suspect, Tochukwu Elom, was caught inside the official lodge of the chairperson of Ezza South local council. He was arrested for vandalising copper thunder protection cables with the connivance of another suspect, who is currently on the run. They have been vandalising properties of the council, which include electric wires, air conditioners, fans, and aluminum window gadgets, among others. The suspect was caught with cutter-pliers, pieces of copper thunder protector cables and wooden ladder he used to climb the fence, among others, he said. Mr Willie further said that the suspect had made useful confessional statements, adding that the command was determined to arrest his fleeing accomplice. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Centre for Journalism Innovations and Development (CJID) on Monday released its Citizens Perception Survey regarding the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states. The survey, which is part of its Media in National Election (MiNE) project, according to the centre, sought to understand public perceptions of electoral institutions and gauge citizens readiness to participate in these crucial off-cycle elections, scheduled for 21 September and 6 November 2024, respectively. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Mboho Eno, the CJID deputy director accountability programme, said the study utilised a mixed-methods approach, combining online and offline data collection to gather insights from 2,156 respondents across urban and rural areas in both states. He explained that the survey explored citizens understanding of the electoral process, their perceptions of electoral institutions, and their engagement in civic activities. The findings highlighted significant voter apathy, with historical data showing a declining trend in voter turnout, which has persisted despite increased voter registration and engagement in pre-election activities. The survey highlights a troubling trend of distrust towards electoral processes and institutions. Only 36 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in the elections being conducted fairly and credibly, Mr Eno said. Similarly, he said 36 per cent expressed scepticism about the judiciarys impartiality in resolving election disputes. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This significant trust deficit poses a risk to voter turnout and overall engagement, he said. Despite a substantial number of registered voters participating in the survey, only 25 per cent were active members of political parties. Many respondents also questioned the ability of political parties to genuinely represent their interests, he said. He noted that the media coverage of the elections was deemed fair by 57 per cent of respondents, though many felt it was biased or indifferent. He added that social media was identified as the primary source of election information for 50 per cent of respondents, underscoring the challenges of addressing misinformation and disinformation. To address these issues, he said CJIDs report proposes several key recommendations to include continuous civic and voter education, integration of voter education into school curricula, and targeted outreach to women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Electoral reforms and technology integration: advocate for the use of appropriate election technologies and reforms to streamline the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)s roles. Improving internal democracy of political parties: enhancing transparency and fairness in party processes to restore public confidence. Enhancing medias role in elections: encourage media organisations to tackle information disorders and adopt a people-centered approach to election reporting. Reforming election dispute resolution: implement alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and streamline the election petition process. CJID called on all electoral institutions, political parties, media, civil society organisations (CSOs), and the judiciary to collaborate in creating a more inclusive and transparent electoral environment. CSOs, in particular, have a crucial role in advocating for these reforms, engaging stakeholders, and fostering dialogue to build consensus on necessary changes. Through continued advocacy and collaboration with stakeholders and CSOs, CJID aims to enhance citizen participation and underscore the importance of voting in shaping policies and laws that impact daily life, he added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print China has made significant progress in national park construction, with the number of flagship species continuing to increase and ecosystem diversity improving, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration said. "Since August last year, more than 50 experts from over 20 research institutes, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, have conducted ecological assessments on the first group of five national parks," said Xu Weihua, deputy director of the National Park Research Institute. Chen Zongqian, deputy director of the Sichuan Forestry and Grassland Bureau, said that taking giant panda habitats as an example, over 70 percent of the wild giant panda habitats in the country have been effectively protected, while ecological corridors connecting 13 local panda populations have been established, according to assessment results. In ecological corridors, which are strips of habitat that connect fragmented habitats and enable species to move between different areas, giant panda activities have been observed 32 times, and the annual encounter rate of giant pandas in Sichuan has risen from 178 to 185, Chen said. This year in Sichuan's Shimian county, patrol officers captured footage of two giant pandas mating and collected the pandas' feces for analysis. The pandas were identified as Tao Tao and Hua Yan, who had been released into the wild. "This is the first time we have collected conclusive evidence of young giant pandas, which were reintroduced and grew into adulthood, integrating into the local population and participating in mating and reproduction," Chen said. "This marked new achievements in the reintroduction of giant pandas into the wild." Chen also said that by protecting the giant panda, the flagship species in the national park area, an "umbrella effect" has been generated. Over 8,000 rare companion animal and plant species, such as the golden snub-nosed monkey, snow leopard and Chinese fir, have likewise been well protected. After conducting a national park pilot project in the Three-River-Source area in 2016, China established the first group of national parks in October 2021: the Three-River-Source National Park, the Giant Panda National Park, the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park and the Wuyishan National Park. In July, during the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, it was proposed to comprehensively promote the construction of a natural protected area system with national parks as the mainstay. The Tibetan antelope, the flagship species at the Three-River-Source National Park, has increased to over 70,000. The snow leopard population has recovered to over 1,200, and the populations of Northeast tigers and leopards in the national park have grown from the initial 27 and 42 at the pilot stage, respectively, to around 70 and 80. The wild population of the Hainan gibbon, the flagship species at the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, has increased from fewer than 10 in two groups 40 years ago to 42 in seven groups, said Zhang Liming, director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration's nature reserve department. An Lidan, deputy director of the National Park Center, said that all five national parks have areas open to visitors who make online reservations. "We hope to convey the conservation values and concepts of national parks to every member of society and form a consensus," An said. Li Rencontributed to this story. yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn ANNUAL AWARDS ANNOUNCE WINNERS AHEAD OF PHILADELPHIA CEREMONY SPONSORED BY JPMORGAN CHASE COMMERCIAL BANKING PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women Presidents Organization (WPO), in partnership with Women Elevating Women (W.E.W.), is proud to announce the award winners of the 2024 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. Twenty-four women across North America will be honored at an evening ceremony this Wednesday, September 11 for their outstanding professional achievements and contributions to their local communities. 24 trailblazing women business leaders will be honored at the 2024 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards for their outstanding achievements and community contributions. "We are honored to celebrate twenty-four remarkable women whose leadership and vision have elevated their businesses and made a profound impact on their communities. These awards recognize their resilience, innovation, and dedication, inspiring us all to strive for excellence and drive positive transformation both locally and beyond," said Camille Burns, CEO of Women Presidents Organization. "As the visionary founder of Women Elevating Women (W.E.W.), I am honored to partner with the Women Presidents Organization (WPO) and JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking to celebrate the achievements of women of color. This annual awards reception highlights their resilience, innovation, and dedication to community. These awards underscore our shared commitment to amplifying the voices and successes of women who are often underrepresented in business leadership," said Betty Hines, Founder and CEO of Women Elevating Women. The 2024 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards will recognize the exceptional contributions of the following women business leaders: Nisha Balwani , RCI Technologies ( Redondo Beach, CA ) , RCI Technologies ( ) Vanessa Best , Precision HealthCare Consultants ( Baldwin, NY ) , Precision HealthCare Consultants ( ) Tanya Biggers , Big Star Transit, LLC ( Miami, FL ) , Big Star Transit, LLC ( ) Dr. Barbara J. Brown , CapitolHill Consortium for Counseling & Consultation, LLC ( Washington, D.C. ) , CapitolHill Consortium for Counseling & Consultation, LLC ( ) Melanie Cook , Veritas Management Group ( Alpharetta, GA ) , Veritas Management Group ( ) Sanquinetta Dover, DoverStaffing, Inc. ( Atlanta, GA ) ) Cory A. Elliott , CMT, LLC ( St. Louis, MO ) , CMT, LLC ( ) Tia Ellis , Wildflower Insight ( Frisco, TX ) , Wildflower Insight ( ) Kyra Renel Hardwick , The Kyra Company, LLC ( Houston, TX ) , The Kyra Company, LLC ( ) Milan Harris , Milano Di Rouge ( Atlanta, GA ) , Milano Di Rouge ( ) Dr. Apoorva Katragadda , EmerStat ( Sunnyvale, CA ) , EmerStat ( ) Valarie King-Bailey , OnShore Technology Group ( Chicago, IL ) , OnShore Technology Group ( ) Angel Li , RISE Education ( Chicago, IL ) , RISE Education ( ) Arion Long , Femly ( Baltimore, MD ) , Femly ( ) Rozie Makhani , SQN Associates, LLC ( Chicago, IL ) , SQN Associates, LLC ( ) Ronnette Meyers , JLAN Solutions ( Washington D.C. ) , JLAN Solutions ( ) Isabella Pina , Inspired Solutions, Inc. ( Haymarket, VA ) , Inspired Solutions, Inc. ( ) Nanette Ray , TNR Advisors & Management Consultants, LLC ( Katy, TX ) , TNR Advisors & Management Consultants, LLC ( ) Avis Yates Rivers , Technology Concepts Group International ( Bluffton, SC ) , Technology Concepts Group International ( ) Seema Sanghavi , Cooks Who Feed Inc. ( Welland, Ontario ) , Cooks Who Feed Inc. ( ) Andreina Viera Silva , Arka HR, Inc. ( Boston, MA ) , Arka HR, Inc. ( ) Dr. Chris Wachira , The Wachira Group ( Oakland, CA ) , The Wachira Group ( ) Teresa Watson , Watson Enterprise Group ( Atlanta, GA ) , Watson Enterprise Group ( ) Diedre L. Windsor , Windsor Group LLC ( Bethesda, MD ) "When purpose meets entrepreneurship, incredible things happenmeaningful jobs are created, communities are strengthened, and our economy thrives," said Thelma Ferguson, Global Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Vice Chair, Commercial Banking at JPMorgan Chase. "We are proud to join WPO and W.E.W. in uplifting women of all backgrounds, including those historically underserved, as they build and scale their businesses. Congratulations to this year's honoreeswe are proud to be a part of your story." ABOUT WOMEN PRESIDENTS ORGANIZATION (WPO) The Women Presidents Organization (WPO) is a non-profit membership organization where dynamic and diverse women business leaders around the world tap into collective insight with exclusive access to entrepreneurial equals, innovative ideas, and executive education. WPO members have guided their business to generate at least $2 million USD in gross annual sales (or $1 million USD for a service-based business). Each WPO chapter serves as a professionally-facilitated peer advisory group for members where they can harness the momentum of their successes and cultivate new strategies that will take them even further. Learn more at women-presidents.com. ABOUT WOMEN ELEVATING WOMEN (W.E.W.) Women Elevating Women (W.E.W.) is a close-knit community of multicultural women executives and entrepreneurs, providing support and resources for those aiming to scale their businesses to million-dollar enterprises, a milestone achieved by less than 3% of women-owned businesses. At W.E.W., we empower and uplift women through our 5 Pillars of Success: Collaborate, Connect, Communicate, Cultivate, and Courage, hosting over 20 events annually. These events offer tools, shared resources, connections, and strategic partnerships aimed at facilitating growth. Our programs and exclusive business opportunities simplify and amplify goals through strategic planning, ensuring measurable objectives aligned with each member's mission and vision. With a growing global reach, W.E.W. connects women entrepreneurs and executives from around the world, fostering a diverse network that transcends borders and empowers women to achieve unprecedented success on an international scale. Visit wewcrew.com to learn more. ABOUT JPMORGAN CHASE COMMERCIAL BANKING: JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $3.7 trillion and operations worldwide. Through its Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries, Corporate Client Banking & Specialized Industries, and Commercial Real Estate businesses, Commercial Banking serves emerging startups to midsize businesses and large corporations as well as government entities, not-for-profit organizations, and commercial real estate investors, developers and owners. JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking is committed to leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs across the country by providing access, connections and opportunities to diverse business owners and to those who have been historically underserved. Today, the firm has a dedicated team of bankers focused on understanding and supporting the unique journeys of diverse, women, and veteran business owners to help their businesses grow and succeed. Information about JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking resources for women business owners are available at jpmorgan.com/CB-women-owned. CONTACT: Kirsten Wynn, Chief Innovation and Programming Officer [email protected] SOURCE Women Presidents Organization WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CBC Summit 2024, the premier event for crypto banking and compliance executives and professionals is set to take place on September 12, 2024, at The National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Bringing together more than 125 industry leaders, regulators, and law enforcement agencies, this executive-level summit will provide an opportunity to network and discuss the latest trends, challenges, and solutions in the crypto banking and compliance industries. The annual CBC Summit is designed to cater to industry executives, offering: Access to Leading Regulators, Banks, Crypto Exchanges, and Compliance Advisors: Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with professionals and gain insights from their expertise. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with professionals and gain insights from their expertise. Strategic Networking Opportunities: Forge alliances with banking partners and industry peers. Forge alliances with banking partners and industry peers. In-Depth Content and Actionable Insights: Stay ahead with the latest regulatory updates and industry trends. Keynote speakers from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) will address critical issues related to banking the crypto industry. CBC Summit will feature significant participation from government regulators and law enforcement agencies combatting financial crime and anti-money laundering, along with crypto compliance solution providers such as Elliptic, Merkle Science, etc. The summit will also have participation from leading crypto exchanges, including Coinbase, Binance.US, Gemini, and Kraken - who will participate in panel discussions alongside prominent crypto friendly banks such as Anchorage Digital, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), and Lead Bank. Additional leading fintech companies that are participating include Robinhood, Stripe, CashApp, and Ibanera. These sessions will explore the latest trends and challenges impacting the industry. CBC is excited to welcome Ibanera as the 2024 Title Sponsor. Ibanera is an API-driven fintech enablement platform with a robust compliance engine, and integrated cross-border payments network that supports businesses and financial institutions with full Web2 and Web3 interoperability. Space is limited for this exclusive event. Reserve your spot for the 2nd annual CBC Summit on September 12th, 2024, by registering here. About CBC Team: The CBC Team specializes in creating and operating events that address banking & compliance challenges in emerging industries. For more information, visit CBC Summit. SOURCE CBC Summit CHILLICOTHE, Ohio, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Barbara Sanders' world was shaken when she was told that the only option to address a condition that was causing her intense foot pain was amputation. "My first thought was, 'Oh my God, what am I going to do now?'," Barbara said. "It was extremely emotional, a very scary time for me." Before the amputation could be done, the hospital performing the procedure required approval from a cardiac physician. When Barbara returned to Adena Health and her longtime cardiac provider, Tarek Moussa, MD, to get that approval, Dr. Moussa offered her hope that she might be able to keep her foot by trusting in the skills of Rahul Kar, MD, one of Adena's most recent additions to the vascular surgery program. "Dr. Kar suggested there were other options to consider," Barbara said. "I felt relief that there may be other answers that might allow me to keep my foot." Dr. Kar consulted with Dr. Moussa, reviewed Barbara's history, and conducted his own examination below Barbara's ankle where previous exams had stopped. He discovered that to try and save the foot would require opening up the very small blood vessels running to the feet, one of Dr. Kar's specialties. Through the use of both endovascular options involving small wires and catheters and traditional surgical techniques, Dr. Kar felt the chances were very good that the foot could be saved. "It's the goal I try to achieve in my approach with patients is to make sure they understand what the disease is, as well as what all the options are," Dr. Kar said. "When it comes to lower extremity limb salvage, my philosophy is to really exhaust all options before you get to amputation." That approach gave Barbara both confidence and hope. She was impressed with Dr. Kar's honesty, and that helped her place trust in him that he would do everything he could to try and save her foot. It was trust well placed, as she now is back to keeping up with the busy lives of her five grandchildren and performing everyday tasks such as going to the grocery store without suffering extreme pain. "Things are going great," Barbara said. "Everything is healing, and I don't have the pain I had before. I'm extremely grateful that I can get back to doing all the normal things I did before because there was a time when walking and sleeping was a real struggle. I am very grateful to Dr. Kar for saving my foot." Barbara had developed that trust in Adena's heart and vascular program over more than a decade of care that began with her introduction to Dr. Moussa when he helped her through her first heart attack. Her experience with the program has also included a procedure on her carotid artery and other, ongoing care. Her trust in Dr. Moussa, she said, helped her place her trust in Dr. Kar, and it is those types of patient-doctor relationships she believes are so important in receiving quality health care. Dr. Kar suggests that any time people especially those with a history of poor blood flow begin experiencing wounds on their feet, whether through a small ulcer or some other condition, they have it looked at as soon as possible to avoid the potential for greater damage. To learn more about the heart and vascular services available close to home at Adena Health, visit Adena.org/heart. Adena Health Adena Health is an independent, not-for-profit and locally governed health care organization delivering on its mission, "called to serve our communities," for more than 125 years. A regional economic catalyst, Adena Health is composed of more than 4,200 employees including more than 200 physicians and 150 advanced practice providers. With hospitals containing a total of 341 beds, regional health centers, emergency and urgent care services, and primary and specialty care practices, Adena Health serves more than 400,000 residents across nine counties in south central and southern Ohio through its network of more than 40 locations. Its hospitals include the 266-bed Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe and three 25-bed critical access hospitalsAdena Fayette Medical Center in Washington Court House; Adena Greenfield Medical Center in Greenfield; and Adena Pike Medical Center in Waverly. Adena Health specialty services include orthopedics and sports medicine, heart and vascular care, pediatric and women's health, and oncology services. SOURCE Adena Health BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alley Cat Allies has achieved a major victory to protect community cats living on the San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico. Alley Cat Allies' legal efforts and refusal to back down have forced the United States National Park Service (NPS) to agree to halt movement on its cruel plan to remove and kill cats on the historic site starting October 1. "This victory is a crucial step, and Alley Cat Allies stopped the NPS' reckless and cruel intention to begin removing and killing these cats on October 1. However, the cats' lives remain at risk unless the plan is struck down permanently," said Yonaton Aronoff, a lawyer representing Alley Cat Allies. "Alley Cat Allies will not back down until that happens, for the sake of the cats and the many Puerto Rico residents and advocates worldwide who have spoken out to defend them." ALLEY CAT ALLIES WINS MAJOR VICTORY IN FIGHT TO SAVE CATS AT PUERTO RICO HISTORIC SITE. Post this Alley Cat Allies' historic lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia claims the NPS' plan to remove the cats violates the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). In August, Alley Cat Allies filed for an injunction against the NPS to stop its imminent action starting October 1. Ultimately, the NPS agreed to Alley Cat Allies' terms, which include ceasing steps toward the removal of the cats until the court decides the legality of the NPS' plan. Following NPS' agreement to stand down, the legal process is moving into an expedited briefing schedule with a court decision expected early in 2025. Alley Cat Allies is prepared to fight relentlessly until the NPS abandons its inhumane plan entirely. For generations, community cats have lived in peace along the rocky shores of San Juan's scenic Paseo del Morro, which is part of the San Juan National Historic Site. They are true community members who are adored by locals and tourists alike and are woven into the fabric of Puerto Rican culture. Alley Cat Allies contends that removing and killing these cats disregards the inherent value of the cats' lives; the wishes of the San Juan community; and the proven humane, effective approach to community cat populations: Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). For now, the community cats of the Paseo del Morro are safe, but their future hangs in the balance. The National Park Service has shown its willingness to pursue a brutal and inhumane plan, and without continued pressure, these cats remain in grave danger. Alley Cat Allies is calling on advocates around the world to continue to speak out in support of Puerto Rico's cats and against the NPS' plan to eradicate them. More information and action to take can be found on its website, www.alleycat.org. About Alley Cat Allies Alley Cat Allies believes every cat deserves to live out his or her life to the fullest. Founded in 1990, Alley Cat Allies is the leading advocacy organization for cats with a mission to transform and develop communities to protect and improve the lives of all cats and kittens. Together with our over 1 million supporters, we work toward a world where cats are valued and every community has humane and effective programs and policies to defend them. Through our fearless advocacy, humane care, education and outreach, and law and policy activism, we empower and mobilize citizens, advocates, grassroots groups, shelters, veterinary professionals, and elected officials across the United States and around the world to improve their communities for cats through nonlethal, evidence-based approaches. Our website is www.alleycat.org, and we are active on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Alley Cat Allies During the event, the Minister of Agriculture announced the resumption of beef exports to Canada and the opening of markets in Morocco and Colombia for Brazilian DDG SAO PAULO, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ensuring global food security with a focus on sustainability was the central theme of discussions at the International Agricultural Forum (FIAP), held on Monday (9th) in Brazil. The opening session featured key Brazilian leaders, including Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro and the governors of major agricultural states like Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Para. Opening panel at the International Forum of Agriculture (FIAP) with industry leaders. Photo credit: Fluir Fotos. Industry leaders presenting reports on sustainable food systems and agriculture at the International Forum of Agriculture (FIAP). Photo credit: Fluir Fotos. Opening of FIAP - International Agriculture Forum with the presence of governors and private entities. During the ceremony, Favaro announced the reopening of beef exports to Canada and new market opportunities for Brazilian DDG (Dried Distillers Grains) in Morocco and Colombia. He firmly opposed the idea of reducing agricultural production, a topic frequently discussed internationally, and instead emphasized Brazil's approach of sustainable intensification in degraded areas. "We will increase production in a sustainable way. Brazil's strategy is to intensify production in degraded areas," Favaro said. Mauro Mendes, the governor of Mato Grosso, outlined three major challenges facing Brazilian agribusiness: combating illegal deforestation, developing an effective agricultural insurance system to address climate change, and strengthening Brazil's response to global demands. "We need to firmly hold the world accountable to the commitments made at every COP," Mendes stated. Helder Barbalho, governor of Para, a state that preserves 75% of its territory as native forest, stressed the importance of bioeconomy investments and the urgency of regulating the carbon market. Barbalho argued that this regulation will enable local communities to generate income from both agriculture and forest conservation. "We must strike a balance between economic, environmental, and social sustainability," he said. Eduardo Riedel, governor of Mato Grosso do Sul, emphasized the need for Brazil to take a strong position in the G20 to reduce trade and environmental barriers. "If we've shown we can produce sustainably, we need to assert ourselves. We can't overlook critical issues like traceability and the EU's zero-deforestation requirements," Riedel remarked. Other prominent figures at the session included Jorge Viana, president of APEX, who highlighted the importance of global collaboration in addressing climate change; Daniel Carrara, vice-president of CNA, advocating for better access to agricultural technologies for small and medium producers; Vilmondes Tomain, president of Famato, reaffirming Mato Grosso's producers' commitment to sustainability; and Julio Cargnino, host and president of Canal Rural, who emphasized the role of G20 Agro in ensuring global food security through international cooperation. About FIAP 2024 The International Agricultural Forum (FIAP) precedes the G20 Agro Working Group meeting and aims to bring the key issues of agribusiness to the attention of the G20. The event is promoted by Canal Rural, with support from the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA), the Mato Grosso Agriculture Federation (Famato), the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), CropLife, the Support Foundation for Research in the Northern Export Corridor (FAPCEN), and Azul Linhas Aereas. The event is sponsored by JBS, Apex Brasil, John Deere, and Senar MT, with content support from CNN Brasil. Contact: Canal Rural - Andrea Russo Email: [email protected] \ [email protected] Phone: +55 (11) 99992-3111 SOURCE Canal Rural Community Health Development Partners, LLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Clark as the new Chief Executive Officer. ELKO, Nev., PAHRUMP, Nev. and LAKE HAVASU, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mike Clark appointed CEO of Community Health Development Partners (CHDP). With nearly 30 years of experience in healthcare leadership, Mike most recently served as the president of Intermountain Healthcare's Canyon Region, South Market. Mike, as the CEO of CHDP, is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the company. His role includes driving the growth and development of healthcare services, ensuring operational excellence across all facilities, and managing key partnerships and stakeholder relationships. Mr. Clark's depth of executive management includes healthcare administration and operations. At Intermountain Healthcare, he oversaw the operations of ten acute care facilities in Utah County and the surrounding Central Utah communities. He also served as the executive lead for Intermountain Surgery Centers, showcasing his wide-ranging expertise in managed care, physician practices, human resources, surgery centers, and hospital operations. Ensuring the success of his community's health, he was heavily involved with Intermountain's Alliance for the Determinants of Health initiative which helped to enhance health outcomes and lower healthcare expenses. Clark began his career at Kingman Regional Medical Center in Arizona, where he held various executive roles. In 2005, he joined Intermountain Healthcare at Logan Regional Hospital as an Operations Officer and was named Administrator of the hospital in June 2010. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in establishing significant healthcare improvements in Cache Valley, such as the Logan Regional Cancer Center and a new Women and Newborn Center. "We are thrilled to welcome Mike Clark as the new CEO of Community Health Development Partners," said Jarrett Portz, Managing Director of Community Health Development Partners. "Mike's extensive experience and proven track record in healthcare leadership will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission of providing exceptional healthcare services to the community." Throughout his career in healthcare, Mike has played a crucial role in leading efforts to improve his community's overall health and well-being. In recognition of his efforts, he was awarded the Distinguished Healthcare Executive Award by the Utah Hospital Association. SOURCE CHDP AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR), the largest global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, colocation and interconnection solutions, announced today that Digital Dutch Finco B.V., an indirect wholly owned finance subsidiary of the company's operating partnership, Digital Realty Trust, L.P., priced an offering of 850.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.875% Guaranteed Notes due 2033 at a price of 99.843% of the principal amount. The Euro Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Digital Dutch Finco B.V. and will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the company and the operating partnership. Interest on the Euro Notes will be payable annually in arrears at a rate of 3.875% per annum from and including September 13, 2024 and will mature on September 13, 2033. Closing of the offering is expected to occur on September 13, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The company intends to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from the offering of the Euro Notes to finance or refinance, in part or in full, new and/or existing renewable energy, energy efficiency, pollution prevention and control, environmentally sustainable management of living natural resources and land use, terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, clean transportation, sustainable water and wastewater management, climate change adaptation and green building projects, including the development and redevelopment of such projects. Pending the allocation of the net proceeds of the Euro Notes to eligible green projects, all or a portion of an amount equal to the net proceeds from the Euro Notes may be used to temporarily repay borrowings outstanding under the operating partnership's global revolving credit facilities, acquire additional properties or businesses, fund development opportunities, invest in interest-bearing accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities which are consistent with the company's intention to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and to provide for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including potentially for the repayment of other debt, or the redemption, repurchase, repayment or retirement of outstanding equity or debt securities, or a combination of the foregoing. The Euro Notes are being sold only outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Euro Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to United States persons (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Euro Notes, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of the Euro Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially, including statements related to the timing and consummation of the offering of the Euro Notes and the expected use of the net proceeds. The company can provide no assurances that it will be able to complete the offering on the anticipated terms, or at all. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the company's reports and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024. 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. Reg S Statement This communication is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. or its subsidiaries. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. Consequently, the securities may not be offered, sold, resold, transferred, delivered or distributed, directly or indirectly, into or within the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. Any offering of the securities will be conducted pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. Notice to EEA Investors The Euro Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and, with effect from such date, should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (the "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"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EU (as amended, the "IMD"), 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 required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling any in scope instrument or otherwise making such instruments available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared. Offering or selling the Euro Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. This communication has been prepared on the basis that any offers or sales of Euro Notes in any Member State of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded, the "Prospectus Regulation") from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers or sales of Euro Notes. This communication is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation. Notice to UK Investors This announcement is for distribution only to, and is directed at, persons who (i) 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"), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.") of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) are outside the United Kingdom, 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 announcement relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. The Euro 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 United Kingdom. For these purposes, 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 domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the "FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, 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 domestic law by virtue of the EUWA ("UK MiFIR"). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Euro Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Euro Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. Relevant stabilization regulations including FCA/ICMA apply. Manufacturer target market (MIFID II and UK MiFIR product governance) is eligible counterparties and professional clients only (all distribution channels). No PRIIPs or UK PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as not available to retail in EEA or UK. Investor Relations Jordan Sadler / Jim Huseby Investor Relations Digital Realty (737) 281-0101 [email protected] SOURCE Digital Realty Trust Lifestyle brand dedicated to empowering young girls unveils new apparel collection to encourage nonpartisan voter participation and protect future generations DALLAS, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Elle Olivia , the lifestyle company for confident girls and their moms, today unveiled a powerful new apparel collection launched in collaboration with When We All Vote , the national, nonpartisan voting initiative founded by former First Lady Michelle Obama. With this initiative, Elle Olivia and When We All Vote have unveiled the HerFuture collection, an empowering fashion line designed to unite families to actively participating in our democracy to safeguard the future of our daughters. "We are excited to join forces with When We All Vote to bring this meaningful collection to life," said Marty McDonald, CEO and Founder of Elle Olivia. "Our brand is rooted in more than just fashion; it's about fostering inclusivity and empowering our daughters. Together alongside When We All Vote, we hope to inspire parents and families to use their voices and their votes to pave the way for a brighter future." The HerFuture collection aims to mobilize parents and families to vote and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable society for future generations. Featuring an assortment of empowering sweatshirts for young girls and their mothers, this collection not only makes a statement but also makes an impact. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from each sale will directly support When We All Vote's mission to increase participation in each and every election. "At When We All Vote, we know our future is up to us, and we are proud to partner with Elle Olivia to support the next generation of leaders," said Beth Lynk, Executive Director of When We All Vote. "Making our voices heard and participating in our democracy is about our daughters, our families, our schools, and our communities. The HerFuture collection is a reminder to lead by example, make sure our communities are registered and ready to vote, and make a lasting impact." The HerFuture collection reflects both organizations' shared commitment to civic engagement and community action. As the upcoming election approaches, this initiative underscores the urgency of protecting the rights and opportunities of future generations. The campaign furthers Elle Olivia's mission to empower young girls and When We All Vote's efforts in encouraging voter participation. The Elle Olivia x When We All Vote HerFuture collection is available for purchase on the Elle Olivia ecommerce site now through September 27th. To support this initiative and explore the collection, visit Elle Olivia's HerFuture Campaign and follow @shopelleolivia on Instagram . About Elle Olivia Founded in 2022, Elle Olivia is a lifestyle company for confident girls and their moms. The brand is the true manifestation of a vision that every little girl can be strong, confident, and have the power to dream big. Elle Olivia was created to give girls a place to express themselves, and see a world where anything is possible. Each piece in the collection has been thoughtfully designed to foster big dreams and aspirations in every girl starting from a young age. For more information on Elle Olivia, its product offerings, and its mission visit https://shopelleolivia.com/ . About When We All Vote When We All Vote is a leading national, nonpartisan initiative on a mission to change the culture around voting and to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap. Created by Michelle Obama, When We All Vote brings together individuals, institutions, brands, and organizations to register new voters across the country and advance civic education for the entire family and voters of every age to build an informed and engaged electorate for today and generations to come. We empower our supporters and volunteers to take action through voting, advocating for their rights, and holding their elected officials accountable. In 2020, When We All Vote ran a robust, multifaceted campaign and reached more than 100 million people to educate them about the voting process and get them registered and ready to vote. The initiative also led in voter education, registration, and volunteer engagement and as a result, 512,000 people started or completed the voter registration process, and nearly 500 media, corporate, and nonprofit partners joined its efforts. Michelle Obama launched When We All Vote in 2018 and is joined by fellow Co-Chairs Stephen Curry, Becky G, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, H.E.R., Liza Koshy, Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Bretman Rock, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson. When We All Vote is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and works with Civic Nation Action, a 501(c)(4). Learn more here. SOURCE Elle Olivia Elevate CTO and co-founder honored with Excellence in Benefits award DENVER, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Elevate announced that its chief technology officer and co-founder Brian Strom was named by Employee Benefits News as one of 25 outstanding tech innovators in the benefits and human resources community. The Employee Benefits News Excellence in Benefits program honors changemakers in the benefits and HR community, including employers with top benefits programs, innovators providing tech-driven solutions, and leading advisers. Now in its fourth year, the annual initiative shines a spotlight on the community's brightest and most forward-thinking leaders. "Throughout the past year, HR professionals, tech pioneers and advisers have faced the challenges of addressing both new and longstanding issues within today's workforce," said Alyssa Place, Editor-in-Chief at Employee Benefit News. "In the face of workplace transformation, they're finding innovative ways to prioritize their people, foster a strong culture and navigate the intricate and critical areas of healthcare, financial wellness, and mental health. These are true leaders driving organizational excellence." Elevate, a modern consumer directed benefits administration platform, was founded by Strom and CEO Brian Cosgray in 2020. Elevate is the first completely cloud-based, API-driven and AI-enabled consumer-directed benefits platform. Elevate was built to modernize the outdated technology backing the consumer health accounts relied on by millions of Americans to pay for needed care. Strom was recognized for his achievements in modernizing technology and making health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), faster and easier to use. He holds multiple patents for his advancements in consumer account technology, including designing the first pre-funding solution for HSAs and multi-purse tables. "I'm extremely proud of our team's ability to bring modern technology to an industry that has been relying on outdated systems for far too long, and we're honored that Brian received this recognition," said Brian Cosgray, Elevate co-founder and CEO. "His vision and technical expertise have been instrumental in our success in introducing AI and automation to make benefit accounts a more consumer-friendly experience." Strom was awarded alongside prominent professionals from Alight, BambooHR, Chime, Lockton, Shure, and Zoom. Elevate was also recently honored with the 2024 Tech Award for AI Innovations in Employee Benefits by Lighthouse Research & Advisory. Strom and his fellow honorees will be recognized at EBN's BENEFITS AT WORK conference, September 17-18 in San Diego. About Elevate Elevate is the first completely cloud-based, API-driven, and AI-enabled consumer directed benefits platform with a focus on configurability, embeddability, and real-time automation. The all-in-one platform can manage all types of benefit accounts, from health savings accounts (HSAs) to complex health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), and even commuter and lifestyle accounts. Elevate's team of industry experts recognized the need for modern technology in an outdated benefits administration industry, which led to the creation of Elevate in 2020. Today, Elevate collaborates with forward-thinking partners, including professional employer organizations (PEOs), third party administrators (TPAs), health plans, benefits administrators, and financial services companies, to provide a fully integrated benefits account experience for thousands of employers and their employees across the U.S. Learn more at www.elevate.inc About Employee Benefit News Employee Benefit News (EBN) is the primary media resource for decision makers in the worlds of employee benefits, human resources and workplace culture. As the dynamics of these spaces continue to shift and become increasingly complex, EBN delivers expert insights to allow business leaders to navigate their industries with agility. From helping benefits managers meet the challenges of reducing care costs and improving retirement plans to providing HR leaders with guidance on building a talented and diverse workforce, EBN drives the conversation and delivers the research and analysis to help readers support their companies' objectives. SOURCE Elevate RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Exotel, a leading provider of AI-powered customer engagement and experience solutions, successfully concluded its flagship event, EngageX 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the introduction of the all-new Ameyo by Exotel. This marks a new chapter in the company's journey, featuring the launch of the Kingdom's first local cloud for Customer Experience (CX), integrated with local telephony and AI. This initiative represents a transformative milestone in Exotel's commitment to supporting KSA's digital future by providing businesses with innovative tools to enhance customer interactions, in alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The introduction of Exotel's local cloud for CX and advanced AI for enterprise communication represents a significant advancement for businesses in Saudi Arabia, enabling them to manage customer communications with unprecedented speed, security, and scalability. This empowers companies to deliver personalized and relevant experiences at scale while adhering to the region's rigorous data privacy regulations. Shivakumar Ganesan, Co-founder and CEO of Exotel, commented, "The launch in Saudi Arabia signifies our commitment to fostering digital transformation across the region. By providing locally hosted, AI-powered solutions, businesses can meet the evolving needs of their customers while adhering to the Kingdom's regulatory requirements." Krishnendu Paul, Senior Director of Operations & Business Strategy at Solex Plus, said, "The integration of Exotel's first local cloud for Customer Experience (CX), combined with local telephony and AI, will significantly enhance our customer experience. It will enable us to deliver faster, more personalized interactions while ensuring the highest standards of data security and scalability." Awais Ahmad, IT & PMO Director at e& enterprise, added, "AI and technology are reshaping how we connect with customers, making interactions more personalized, responsive, and meaningful. From predictive insights to 24/7 support, these innovations are transforming customer experiences across Saudi Arabia. With Vision 2030 leading the way, businesses here have the unique opportunity to use AI not just to meet customer needs, but to truly elevate the way they engage, creating experiences that are smarter, faster, and more connected." Key Highlights of the New Local Cloud and AI for Enterprise Communication: Faster, Reliable Performance: With a locally hosted infrastructure, businesses in KSA benefit from reduced latency, delivering faster and more responsive customer interactions. With a locally hosted infrastructure, businesses in KSA benefit from reduced latency, delivering faster and more responsive customer interactions. Enhanced Security and Compliance: In full compliance with KSA's stringent data protection laws, the local cloud ensures that customer data is stored within the country, providing peace of mind for businesses prioritizing data privacy. In full compliance with KSA's stringent data protection laws, the local cloud ensures that customer data is stored within the country, providing peace of mind for businesses prioritizing data privacy. Scalability and Flexibility: Designed to support businesses of all sizes, the new cloud allows companies to easily scale their operations, especially during high-traffic periods such as festive and holiday seasons. Designed to support businesses of all sizes, the new cloud allows companies to easily scale their operations, especially during high-traffic periods such as festive and holiday seasons. Innovation with AI-Powered Customer Engagement: The platform integrates AI to enable more personalized customer interactions, from voice-based assistants to predictive analytics, ensuring better customer retention and satisfaction. Speaking on the broader implications for businesses, Sachin Bhatia, Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer, added, "The introduction of this local cloud infrastructure with added Generative AI capabilities brings a new level of insights, automation, security, and scalability to customer interactions. We're happy to be at the forefront of driving digital transformation in Saudi Arabia and look forward to empowering businesses and contact centers with the tools to grow securely and efficiently." EngageX 2024 also featured participation from industry leaders across various sectors, including BFSI, retail, healthcare, e-commerce, hospitality, and BPO, showcasing the tangible benefits of Exotel's new cloud for CX. Attendees experienced firsthand how this cloud infrastructure and AI are poised to set new standards in secure, compliant, and efficient customer communication, in line with the Kingdom's broader goals of economic and digital growth. About Exotel: Exotel delivers technologies that transform communication between humans and companies, delivering a supreme customer engagement and experience. Trusted by over 7000 clients globally, 200+ in ME across various industries, we facilitate over 20 billion annual conversations through omnichannel, voice, contact center agents, and bots. Exotel's AI-powered solutions empower agents, bots and customers alike, enhancing interactions with conversational intelligence, and optimizing resources to deliver exceptional CX and business growth. Exotel wins when you Win. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2500134/Exotel_Logo.jpg SOURCE Exotel ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and France Digitale, the leading startup association in Europe, are once again partnering to co-host CES Tech Trends, a global kickoff event for CES 2025 . CES Tech Trends will be held on September 18, 2024 at the Musee des Arts Forains in Paris during France Digitale's FDDay 2024 , a top innovation event that convenes European entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to discuss the latest trends in business, tech, and society. CES Tech Trends will preview what to expect at CES 2025. Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2025 returns to Las Vegas January 7-10, 2025. "We are thrilled to return to Paris for CES Tech Trends, kicking off the road to CES 2025 with a showcase of French innovation that's solving some of the world's biggest challenges," said Gary Shapiro, CEO, CTA. "We look forward to our renewed partnership with France Digitale and to seeing the best of France's dynamic innovation ecosystem." CES Tech Trends will feature conference programming highlighting entrepreneurship and its global impact, the latest market research, and the fastest-growing global tech trends leading into CES 2025. FDDay stands as the most exciting startup "family reunion" in Europe and returns for its 12th edition in 2024. This year, over 4000 founders, investors and innovation leaders will gather to inspire creativity, close deals with partners, network, and raise funds with investors. "We are very happy to partner once again with CTA to co-host the CES Tech Trends during our FDDay in Paris. It's a tremendous recognition of the importance of the French innovation ecosystem in the world and its strategic role crafting the new trends driving tech in 2024 and beyond." said Maya Noel, managing director, France Digitale. French innovation continues to drive groundbreaking advances in the global technology industry. More than 215 French companies, including 180 startups, exhibited at CES 2024, making the French startup delegation among the largest at the 2024 show. Registration to attend CES Tech Trends and FDDay 2024 in Paris is open . For more information, visit www.francedigitale.org . For the latest information on CES 2025, visit CES.tech . About France Digitale: Founded in 2012, France Digitale is the largest startup association in Europe, bringing together over 2000 startups and investors (venture capitalists and business angels). The association's goal is to help build Europe's future tech champions by uniting and raising the voice of those who innovate to change the face of the world. France Digitale is co-presided by Frederic Mazzella, Chairman and founder of BlaBlacar, and Benoist Grossmann, CEO of Eurazeo. Learn more on www.francedigitale.org . About CES: CES is the most powerful tech event in the world the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This is where the world's biggest brands do business and meet new partners, and the sharpest innovators hit the stage. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES features every aspect of the tech sector. CES 2025 takes place Jan. 7-10, 2025, in Las Vegas. Learn more at CES.tech and follow CES on social. About Consumer Technology Association (CTA): As North America's largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world's leading innovators from startups to global brands helping support more than 18 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES the most powerful tech event in the world. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2212991/CES_CTA_Logo1.jpg NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Genting New York LLC ("GENNY") and GENNY Capital Inc. ("GENNY Capital" and, together with GENNY, the "Issuers") announced that they have commenced a cash tender offer (the "Offer") for any and all of their outstanding 3.300% Senior Notes due 2026, CUSIP Nos. 37255J AA0 and U2732P AA0 (the "Notes"), and a related consent solicitation for certain proposed amendments to the indenture governing the Notes (the "Indenture"), as described below. The Offer is being made on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated the date hereof (the "Offer to Purchase"). Certain information regarding the Notes and the pricing for the Offer is set forth in the table below. Title of Notes CUSIP Outstanding Principal Amount UST Reference Security Bloomberg Reference Page(1) Fixed Spread (bps) Early Tender Payment(2)(3) 3.300% Senior Notes Due 2026 37255J AA0 U2732P AA0 $525,000,000 4.000% U.S. Treasury Notes due February 15, 2026 FIT4 +0 $50.00 (1) The applicable page on Bloomberg from which the dealer managers for the Offer will quote the bid side price of the applicable U.S. Treasury security. (2) Per $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered and accepted for purchase. (3) Included in the Total Consideration for Notes tendered and accepted for purchase on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline. The Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 7, 2024, unless extended by the Issuers (the "Expiration Date"), or earlier terminated. Tenders of Notes may be withdrawn at any time at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 20, 2024 (the "Early Tender Deadline"), but may not be withdrawn thereafter except in certain limited circumstances as described in the Offer to Purchase. The total consideration to be paid in the Offer for Notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and accepted for purchase (the "Total Consideration") will be determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to a fixed spread over the yield to maturity of the U.S. Treasury reference security specified in the table above and in the Offer to Purchase and will include an early tender payment of $50 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes accepted for purchase (the "Early Tender Payment"). Holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes following the Early Tender Deadline and prior to the Expiration Date will only receive the applicable "Tender Offer Consideration" per $1,000 principal amount of any such Notes tendered by such holders that are accepted for purchase, which is equal to the Total Consideration minus the Early Tender Payment. The Total Consideration will be determined at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on September 23, 2024 unless extended by the Issuers (the "Pricing Date"). Tenders of Notes will be accepted only in principal amounts equal to $200,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Holders who tender less than all of their Notes must continue to hold Notes of such series in the minimum authorized denomination of $200,000 principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Payments for Notes purchased will include accrued and unpaid interest from and including the most recent interest payment date for the Notes up to, but not including, the applicable settlement date. The settlement date for Notes that are validly tendered prior to the Early Tender Deadline, or the Early Settlement Date, is expected to be September 25, 2024, subject to all conditions to the Offer having been either satisfied or waived by the Issuers. The settlement date for Notes that are validly tendered following the Early Tender Deadline but prior to the Expiration Date is expected to be October 9, 2024 (the "Final Settlement Date"), subject to all conditions to the Offer having been either satisfied or waived by the Issuers. Following the consummation of the New Notes Offering (as defined below) and the Early Tender Deadline, we intend to irrevocably deposit cash or U.S. Treasury securities with the trustee for the Notes (the "Trustee") in an amount sufficient to fund the payment of the principal amount of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes that remain outstanding following settlement of the purchase of Notes on the Early Settlement Date, if any, through February 15, 2026, which is the maturity date of the Notes, after which the Indenture will be satisfied and discharged in accordance with its terms with respect to the Notes (the "Satisfaction and Discharge"). In connection with the Offer, the Issuers are soliciting consents from holders of Notes to proposed amendments to the Indenture which would allow the Issuers to deposit cash or U.S. Treasury securities with the Trustee in order to effect the Satisfaction and Discharge pursuant to the Indenture as it relates to the Notes at any time prior to the maturity of the Notes. The Issuers' obligation to consummate the Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, which are more fully described in the Offer to Purchase, including, among others, the Issuers' completion of a new issuance of one or more series of senior guaranteed unsecured notes (the "New Notes Offering") generating net proceeds in an amount that is sufficient, in the reasonable judgment of the Issuers, to effect (i) the repurchase of the Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer, and (ii) the Satisfaction and Discharge, and to pay the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing. The Issuers currently expect that, following the consummation of the New Notes Offering, they will effect the Satisfaction and Discharge with respect to any Notes not purchased in the Offer on the Early Settlement Date. However, the Issuers are not obligated to undertake the Satisfaction and Discharge on the timeline anticipated, or at all. The Issuers intend to use the net proceeds from the New Notes Offering, together with cash on hand, to (i) pay the consideration for Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer, (ii) repay the $175 million outstanding principal amount under the Issuers' existing term loan facility and (iii) either (A) effect the Satisfaction and Discharge of any Notes that are not purchased in the Offer (if the consent of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes is obtained) or (B) with the intent to effect a Satisfaction and Discharge with respect to the Notes that remain outstanding on February 15, 2025 (if the consent of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes is not obtained). If the Issuers do not receive a majority consent to effect the Satisfaction and Discharge by either the Early Tender Deadline or the Expiration Time, the applicable amendments to the Indenture will not be executed or become operative, and the Issuers intend to deposit cash or U.S. Treasury securities with the Trustee with the intent to effect a Satisfaction and Discharge with respect to the Notes that remain outstanding on February 15, 2025. No assurance can be given that the New Notes Offering will be completed. The New Notes Offering is not conditioned upon the consummation of the Offer. In no event will the information contained in this press release regarding the New Notes Offering constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the New Notes Offering. Holders are advised to check with any bank, securities broker or other intermediary through which they hold Notes as to when such intermediary would need to receive instructions from such holder in order for that holder to be able to participate in, or withdraw their instruction to participate in, the Offer, before the deadlines specified herein and in the Offer to Purchase. The deadlines set by any such intermediary and clearing system for the submission and withdrawal of tender instructions will also be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified herein and in the Offer to Purchase. The Issuers have retained Global Bondholder Services Corporation ("GBS") as the depositary and information agent for the Offer. The Issuers have retained Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as the dealer managers for the Offer. Holders who would like additional copies of the Offer to Purchase may call or email the information agent, GBS, at (212) 430-3774 (collect) or (855) 654-2015 (toll-free) or [email protected]. Copies of the Offer to Purchase are also available at the following website: https://www.gbsc-usa.com/genting. Questions regarding the terms of the Offer should be directed to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at (212) 723-6106 (collect) or (800) 558-3745 (toll-free), or to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC at (212) 834-4818 (collect) or (866) 834-4666 (toll-fee). This press release is for informational purposes only. This press release shall not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any Notes or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any other securities. Any securities to be issued by the Issuers have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state or other jurisdiction's 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 Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP numbers listed in this press release or printed on the Notes, and are provided solely for convenience of the reader. The Offer is being made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, which set forth the complete terms and conditions of the Offer. Holders of the Notes are urged to read the Offer to Purchase carefully. The Offer is not being made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would be unlawful under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. In any state or jurisdiction in which the securities laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer will be deemed to be made on behalf of the Issuers by the dealer managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such state or jurisdiction. About GENNY and GENNY Capital GENNY is organized as a Delaware limited liability company and developed and operates Resorts World Casino New York City, the only licensed casino facility within New York City. GENNY Capital was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of GENNY solely for the purpose of acting as a co-Issuer of debt securities of GENNY. Forward-Looking Information This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on the Issuers' current expectations, including regarding the conduct, terms and completion of the Offer, the proposed New Notes Offering, the Satisfaction and Discharge and the intended use of the net proceeds from the New Notes Offering. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "expects," "seeks," "will," "should," "could," "may," "aims," "intends," and "projects" to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these identifying words. Forward-looking statements concern matters that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Numerous factors, including market conditions, prevailing interest rates and events affecting the Issuers' business, may affect actual results and may cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements. The Issuers do not intend, and undertake no obligation to, make any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law. SOURCE Genting New York LLC and GENNY Capital Inc. The pharmaceutical excipients market is expanding rapidly due to increased demand for pharmaceutical production driven by investments, recent advancements in pharmaceutical research and development, and the rising number of excipient development activities by biotech and pharmaceutical companies. These factors are anticipated to fuel the market growth for Pharmaceutical Excipients from 2024 to 2030. LAS VEGAS, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Insights report provides the current and forecast market analysis, individual leading pharmaceutical excipients companies' market shares, challenges, pharmaceutical excipients market drivers, barriers, trends, and key market pharmaceutical excipients companies in the market. Key Takeaways from the Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Report As per DelveInsight estimates, North America is anticipated to dominate the global pharmaceutical excipients market during the forecast period. is anticipated to dominate the global pharmaceutical excipients market during the forecast period. In the functionality segment of the pharmaceutical excipients market, the binders category had a significant revenue share in the year 2023. Notable pharmaceutical excipients companies such as BASF SE, ADM, DuPont, Croda International PLC, Kerry, Roquette Freres, Ashland, Innophos, Associated British Foods PLC, The Lubrizol Corporation, Evonik Industries AG, Air Liquide, DSM, Merck KGaA, Eastman Chemical Company, Clariant, Clyzo, Inc., SPI Pharma, Lavina Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd, Freund Corporation, and several others, are currently operating in the pharmaceutical excipients market. and several others, are currently operating in the pharmaceutical excipients market. In November 2023 , IFF's and BASF's Pharma Solutions divisions collaborated to bring IFF's leading product brands in pharmaceutical excipients to BASF's Virtual Pharma Assistant platform - ZoomLab. The platform is a science-based digital technology developed to quickly and accurately forecast the appropriate excipients required for the production of new pharmaceutical formulations, thereby overcoming formulation problems. ZoomLab, powered by BASF's unique technology, helps formulators accelerate formulation design by predicting the most effective excipients for a specific active pharmaceutical ingredient. It also allows customers to create adjustments, with a variety of substances to choose from, including IFF's well-known high-quality excipients. divisions collaborated to bring IFF's leading product brands in pharmaceutical excipients to BASF's Virtual Pharma Assistant platform - ZoomLab. The platform is a science-based digital technology developed to quickly and accurately forecast the appropriate excipients required for the production of new pharmaceutical formulations, thereby overcoming formulation problems. ZoomLab, powered by BASF's unique technology, helps formulators accelerate formulation design by predicting the most effective excipients for a specific active pharmaceutical ingredient. It also allows customers to create adjustments, with a variety of substances to choose from, including IFF's well-known high-quality excipients. In October 2023 , Clariant announced new additions to its portfolio of high-performing pharmaceutical ingredient solutions to support the evolution of safe and effective medicines. Clariant launched three new VitiPure excipients allowing for a multitude of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) formulations and administration routes. To read more about the latest highlights related to the pharmaceutical excipients market, get a snapshot of the key highlights entailed in the Global Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Report Pharmaceutical Excipients Overview Pharmaceutical excipients are non-active ingredients used in drug formulations to aid the production, stability, and effectiveness of pharmaceutical products. They serve a variety of functions including acting as binders, fillers, preservatives, and stabilizers, thus ensuring the drug maintains its intended quality throughout its shelf life. Excipients can be critical in optimizing the release profile of the active ingredient, enhancing the drug's solubility, or improving the taste and appearance of oral medications. The choice of excipient can influence the overall safety and efficacy of the medication, making their selection and testing a crucial aspect of drug development. Moreover, excipients are not merely inert substances; they can also play a role in modifying the drug's release and absorption in the body. For example, in controlled-release formulations, excipients can help regulate the rate at which the active ingredient is released into the bloodstream, providing therapeutic benefits over an extended period. The compatibility of excipients with the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and their potential interactions are rigorously evaluated to avoid adverse effects and ensure patient safety. Consequently, excipient selection is a complex process that balances functionality with regulatory requirements, ultimately aiming to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the drug while minimizing risks. Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Insights In 2023, North America led the pharmaceutical excipients market and is expected to maintain this dominance throughout the forecast period. This is largely due to the expanding pharmaceutical market, increased investments in R&D within the industry, and ongoing product development in the region. The growth of the pharmaceutical sector, coupled with rising R&D investments, is expected to boost demand for pharmaceutical excipients used in manufacturing, creating a favorable growth environment for the market in the coming years. Additionally, in January 2022, Lubrizol Life Science (LLS) Health, a global frontrunner in pharmaceutical research innovation, launched Apisolex in the United States. This new solubility-enhancing excipient for parenteral medications addresses solubility issues that traditional excipients or production methods cannot overcome. Overall, these factors combined are projected to propel the North American pharmaceutical excipients market throughout the forecast period. To know more about why North America is leading the market growth in the pharmaceutical excipients market, get a snapshot of the Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Outlook Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Dynamics The pharmaceutical excipients market is a dynamic sector influenced by various factors driving growth and evolution. Excipients, the inactive substances used in drug formulations to facilitate the delivery and effectiveness of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), are experiencing increased demand due to the rising global prevalence of chronic diseases. As pharmaceutical companies innovate with new drug formulations and delivery systems, the need for sophisticated excipients that enhance drug stability, solubility, and bioavailability is growing. Regulatory pressures and stringent quality standards also play a critical role in shaping the market dynamics. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA and EMA have stringent guidelines for the safety and efficacy of excipients used in pharmaceutical products. These regulations drive pharmaceutical manufacturers to seek high-quality excipients that comply with global standards, thereby ensuring patient safety and product effectiveness. As regulations evolve, there is a continuous push for innovation in excipient formulations to meet these rigorous standards. Technological advancements are another key factor influencing the market. The development of novel excipients through advanced technologies, such as nanotechnology and biotechnology, is opening new avenues for drug formulation. These innovations allow for the creation of excipients with enhanced performance characteristics, such as improved controlled release profiles and targeted delivery. This technological progress supports the growth of the pharmaceutical excipients market by offering more effective solutions for drug development and delivery. Market dynamics are also shaped by the increasing trend of personalized medicine. As the industry shifts towards tailored therapies that cater to individual patient needs, there is a growing demand for excipients that can be customized to suit specific drug delivery requirements. This trend is driving the development of new excipient materials and formulations that can address the diverse needs of personalized medicine, thereby fueling market growth. Lastly, the global nature of the pharmaceutical industry impacts the excipients market. The expansion of pharmaceutical manufacturing and drug consumption in emerging markets, coupled with the need for cost-effective excipient solutions, is reshaping market dynamics. Companies are increasingly focusing on expanding their presence in these regions to capitalize on the growing demand and to address the unique challenges associated with local regulatory requirements and market conditions. Get a sneak peek at the pharmaceutical excipients market dynamics @ Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Dynamics Analysis Report Metrics Details Coverage Global Study Period 20212030 Pharmaceutical Excipients Market CAGR ~6% Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Size by 2030 ~USD 14 Billion Key Pharmaceutical Excipients Companies BASF SE, ADM, DuPont, Croda International PLC, Kerry, Roquette Freres, Ashland, Innophos, Associated British Foods PLC, The Lubrizol Corporation, Evonik Industries AG, Air Liquide, DSM, Merck KGaA, Eastman Chemical Company, Clariant, Clyzo, Inc., SPI Pharma, Lavina Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd, Freund Corporation, among others Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Assessment Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Segmentation Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Segmentation By Type: Organic Chemicals, Inorganic Chemicals, and Others Organic Chemicals, Inorganic Chemicals, and Others Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Segmentation By Application: Oral, Parenteral, and Topical Oral, Parenteral, and Topical Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Segmentation By Functionality: Fillers, Binders, Coatings and Colorants, Flavouring Agents, Preservatives, and Others Fillers, Binders, Coatings and Colorants, Flavouring Agents, Preservatives, and Others Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Segmentation By Geography : North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and Rest of World : , , , and Rest of World Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Product Profiles, Case Studies, KOL's Views, Analyst's View Which MedTech key players in the pharmaceutical excipients market are set to emerge as the trendsetter explore @ Pharmaceutical Excipients Companies Table of Contents 1 Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Report Introduction 2 Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Executive Summary 3 Competitive Landscape 4 Regulatory Analysis 5 Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Key Factors Analysis 6 Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Porter's Five Forces Analysis 7 Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Layout 8 Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Company and Product Profiles 9 KOL Views 10 Project Approach 11 About DelveInsight 12 Disclaimer & Contact Us Interested in knowing the pharmaceutical excipients market by 2030? Click to get a snapshot of the Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Trends Related Reports Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Insight, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key API companies, including Aurobindo Pharma, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Pfizer Inc, Novartis AG, BASF SE, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd, Lupin Ltd, Viatris, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Merck KGaA, AbbVie Inc., Bristol Myers-Squibb Company, Cipla Inc, Divi's Laboratories Limited, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Albemarle Corporation, Orion Corporation, Fidia Farmaceutici s.p.a., AstraZeneca, among others. 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AI in Drug Discovery Market AI in Drug Discovery Market Insight, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast 2030 report delivers an in-depth understanding of market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key AI in drug discovery companies including IBM Corporation, NuMedii Inc, Deep Genomics, NVIDIA Corporation., Atomwise Inc., Cloud Pharmaceuticals, Inc, among others. Drug Delivery Devices Market Drug Delivery Devices Market Insight, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast 2030 report delivers an in-depth understanding of market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key drug delivery devices companies, including Pfizer, Inc, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd, Novartis, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant, and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +14699457679 https://www.delveinsight.com/medical-devices Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends- The global greenhouse horticulture market size is estimated to grow by USD 11.46 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 7.53% during the forecast period. Increased urban demand driving horticultural production is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing relevance of led growth lights in greenhouse horticulture. However, high costs associated with greenhouses poses a challenge.Key market players include Asian Perlite Industries Sdn Bhd, Batenburg Techniek NV, Beijing Kingpeng International Hi-tech Corp., Beijing Orient View Technology Co. Ltd., Ceres Greenhouse Solutions, Certhon Build B.V., CMF Groupe, Dalsem Greenhouse Projects BV, Europrogress Srl, Industries Harnois Inc., Novavert GmbH and Co. KG., Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV, Priva Holding BV, Prospiant Inc, Richel Group SAS, Ridder Drive Systems BV, Tapex Group Pty Ltd., Top Greenhouses Ltd., Trinog xs Xiamen Greenhouse Tech Co. Ltd., and Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects BV. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global greenhouse horticulture market 2024-2028 Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View the snapshot of this report Greenhouse Horticulture Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.53% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 11462.1 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.86 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution Europe at 56% Key countries US, China, India, Germany, and Spain Key companies profiled Asian Perlite Industries Sdn Bhd, Batenburg Techniek NV, Beijing Kingpeng International Hi-tech Corp., Beijing Orient View Technology Co. Ltd., Ceres Greenhouse Solutions, Certhon Build B.V., CMF Groupe, Dalsem Greenhouse Projects BV, Europrogress Srl, Industries Harnois Inc., Novavert GmbH and Co. KG., Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV, Priva Holding BV, Prospiant Inc, Richel Group SAS, Ridder Drive Systems BV, Tapex Group Pty Ltd., Top Greenhouses Ltd., Trinog xs Xiamen Greenhouse Tech Co. Ltd., and Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects BV Market Driver In the realm of greenhouse horticulture, natural sunlight is insufficient for plant growth during certain seasons, particularly rainy, autumn, and winter, due to cloud coverage. Photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into food, occurs only within a specific wavelength range called Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), which falls between 400 and 700 nanometers. Horticultural lighting solutions, including photoperiodic and supplemental lighting, address these conditions by inducing photosynthesis. Photoperiodic lighting extends daytime with low-intensity light, while supplemental lighting compensates for insufficient sunlight with high-intensity sources. LEDs have emerged as a preferred choice for horticultural lighting due to their adjustable wavelengths, energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and cooler operation compared to traditional sodium lamps. However, the high initial cost of LEDs remains a significant barrier to their widespread adoption. Nevertheless, the integration of LED growth lighting systems with control systems and IoT technologies enables advanced data collection and analysis, optimizing factors for maximum output and reducing production uncertainty. This market trend is expected to fuel growth in the greenhouse horticulture industry during the forecast period. The Greenhouse Horticulture Market is experiencing significant growth due to trends like Vertical Farming, Hydroponic, and Aeroponic systems. These methods offer spatial efficiency and high crop yields in compact areas, making them ideal for regions with water scarcity and irrigated farming challenges. Traditional open-field methods face hurdles like harsh weather, pests, and illnesses, leading to the adoption of advanced systems. Vertical farming and hydroponic/aeroponic systems provide targeted delivery of nutrients and water to plant roots, ensuring superior quality and greater aesthetic appeal. However, these systems come with high initial investment and ongoing operational expenses, including energy-intensive HVAC systems, control systems, LED grow lights, and sensors. Smaller-scale farmers and emerging regions are embracing these technologies, driven by the rise in demand for floriculture and aesthetically pleasing plants. Despite the learning curve, benefits like precision and control over ideal growing conditions, shielding from climate outside, and off-season production make the investment worthwhile. Water pumps, nutrient storage, and automation systems are essential components of these advanced systems. While they may be expensive, the potential for superior yields, energy savings, and reduced water usage make them a worthwhile investment for the long term. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges Greenhouses are essential structures for optimizing plant growth, but they come with significant capital and operating expenses. Building a high-quality greenhouse can cost between USD5,000 and USD25,000 , depending on its complexity. This investment is comparable to the gross cash farm income before expenses, estimated at USD600.0 billion in the US in 2022. Greenhouses can have passive or active climate control systems. Passive systems use materials like bricks, water, compost, or phase change materials to accumulate solar heat. Active climate control systems, which require electricity for heating, can increase capital expenditures due to solar energy-producing equipment and storage systems or high operating costs from electricity suppliers. Maintenance expenses, including cleaning, repairing equipment, and system upkeep, are ongoing and may slow market growth. and , depending on its complexity. This investment is comparable to the gross cash farm income before expenses, estimated at in the US in 2022. Greenhouses can have passive or active climate control systems. Passive systems use materials like bricks, water, compost, or phase change materials to accumulate solar heat. Active climate control systems, which require electricity for heating, can increase capital expenditures due to solar energy-producing equipment and storage systems or high operating costs from electricity suppliers. Maintenance expenses, including cleaning, repairing equipment, and system upkeep, are ongoing and may slow market growth. The Greenhouse Horticulture Market faces several challenges in producing nursery crops, including climate variability, unfavorable weather, and environmental factors such as carbon dioxide levels. Farmers use both plastic and glass greenhouses, as well as grow bags and greenhouse films, to optimize growing conditions. Heating and cooling systems are essential for maintaining ideal temperatures, but energy efficiency is a concern. Urbanization and land scarcity increase the demand for greenhouse services, especially during growing seasons. Unreliable crop harvests due to unpredictable weather and consumer awareness of provenance and quality drive the need for higher yields in limited space. Water management and population expansion also impact efficient land utilization in the greenhouse horticulture industry. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This greenhouse horticulture market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product 1.1 Plastic 1.2 Glass Crop Type 2.1 Fruits and vegetables 2.2 Nursery crops 2.3 Flowers and ornamentals 2.4 Others Geography 3.1 Europe 3.2 North America 3.3 APAC 3.4 Middle East and Africa and 3.5 South America 1.1 Plastic- Plastic greenhouses are increasingly popular in horticulture due to their cost-effective nature, made from materials such as polycarbonate, acrylic, polyethylene, and fiberglass. Polycarbonates and acrylics offer high impact strength, protecting crops from extreme weather conditions. However, their high combustibility results in increased insurance costs. Polyethylene, on the other hand, transmits less light than glass but is hail-resistant and cost-effective. Greenhouse nets are also commonly made of polyethylene, but their susceptibility to punctures leads to frequent repairs. Plastic greenhouses come in various sizes, lacking standardization, and require manual effort for washing. Despite these challenges, their lower initial investment costs make them attractive to farmers in developing countries. Additionally, the adaptability of plastic coverings, such as adjustable light transmission and impact strength, fuels market growth. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The greenhouse horticulture market is driven by the increasing demand for reliable crop harvests, especially during unfavorable weather conditions. Consumers are becoming more aware of the provenance and quality of their produce, leading to a growing preference for greenhouse-grown products. Extreme weather events and water scarcity concerns are also driving the adoption of greenhouse solutions for year-round crop production. Advanced greenhouse systems, including plastic and glass greenhouses, grow bags, greenhouse films, horticulture twines, and heating systems, are essential for addressing environmental factors such as carbon dioxide levels and crop types. Rapid urbanization and land constraints are also fueling the growth of the greenhouse horticulture market in emerging markets. Overall, the market is expected to continue expanding due to the need for high-quality, sustainable, and efficient agricultural solutions. Market Research Overview The Greenhouse Horticulture Market is experiencing demand due to the need for reliable crop harvests during unfavorable weather conditions and the consumer's increasing awareness of provenance and quality. Greenhouse services offer ideal growing conditions for various crops, including floriculture, vegetables, and fruits, ensuring higher yields in limited space. However, the initial investment and ongoing operational expenses, including energy-intensive climate control systems, HVAC, and advanced irrigation systems, can be expensive. Greenhouse-grown products offer superior quality and greater aesthetic appeal, especially for sensitive plants during off-seasons and harsh weather conditions. Traditional open-field methods face challenges such as water scarcity, irrigation, and pests, making greenhouse solutions increasingly popular. Advanced greenhouse systems, including vertical farming, hydroponic, and aeroponic systems, offer spatial efficiency and crop yields, making them ideal for emerging regions and smaller-scale farmers. However, there are additional costs associated with greenhouse production, including water, power, and backup systems, as well as the cost of production and profit margins. The learning curve for implementing these systems can be steep, but the benefits of year-round crop production, high-quality produce, and food security make the investment worthwhile. The rise in population expansion and urbanization, as well as concerns over extreme weather events and water scarcity, further highlight the importance of efficient land utilization and greenhouse solutions. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Plastic Glass Crop Type Fruits And Vegetables Nursery Crops Flowers And Ornamentals Others Geography Europe North America APAC Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio SEATTLE, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JND Legal Administration Proposed Settlements have been reached in an antitrust class action called In Re: Packaged Seafood Products Antitrust Litigation, No. 15-MD-2670 DMS (MSB) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. Those who sued are called the End Payer Plaintiffs or EPPs. The companies they sued are the Defendants and include Tri-Union Seafoods LLC d/b/a Chicken of the Sea International and Thai Union Group PCL (collectively "COSI"), StarKist Company and its parent company, Dongwon industries Co. Ltd (collectively "StarKist") and Bumble Bee Foods, LLC ("Bumble Bee") and its parent companies Lion Capital LLP, Lion Capital (Americas), Inc., and Big Catch Cayman LP (the "Lion Companies" or "Lion"). On July 15, 2022, the Court approved a settlement reached in this antitrust class action between the EPPs and COSI (the "COSI Settlement"). On August 9, 2024, a proposed settlement was reached in this antitrust action between the EPPs and StarKist (the "StarKist Settlement"). And, on August 7, 2024, a proposed settlement was reached in this antitrust action between the EPPs and Lion (the "Lion Settlement"). If approved by the Court, the StarKist and Lion Settlements will resolve the EPPs' claims that from June 1, 2011 to July 31, 2015 StarKist and Lion participated in an unlawful conspiracy to raise, fix, maintain, or stabilize the price of Packaged Tuna products at an artificially high level in violation of antitrust and unfair competition laws. Both StarKist and Lion deny many of the allegations and have asserted defenses to the EPPs' claims. The EPPs, StarKist, and Lion agreed to the proposed Settlements to avoid further litigation, the risks of an adverse jury verdict, substantial trial costs, and inconvenience to the EPPs, StarKist, and Lion. If approved, the StarKist and Lion Settlements will release StarKist and Lion from the claims in this case, thereby resolving all remaining EPP claims in this action. Am I part of the Settlement Class ? The StarKist and Lion Settlement Class includes all persons and entities who resided in Arizona, Arkansas, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, who indirectly purchased Packaged Tuna in cans or pouches smaller than forty ounces for end consumption and not for resale, produced by any Defendant or any current or former subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or any co-conspirator during the period from June 1, 2011 to July 1, 2015 (the "Class Period"). The StarKist and Lion Settlement Class excludes purchases of meal kits. Also excluded from the StarKist and Lion Settlement Class is the Court, the Defendants, and individuals who previously opted out of the COSI Settlement Class or certified Class. What do the StarKist and Lion Settlements provide ? If approved, StarKist has agreed to pay $130 million and Lion $6 million, for a total $136 million in benefits. With the $16.2 million in benefits provided by the COSI Settlementt, the total settlement benefits in this antitrust case are $152.2 million ("Total Settlement"). All fees and expenses in this matter will be paid from the Total Settlement Fund. Class Counsel will ask the Court to approve: (1) attorneys' fees equal to 33% of the Total Settlement Fund; (2) $1,618,489.24 in out-of-pocket litigation costs incurred since May 2021; and (3) $294,000 in service awards to be distributed to the individual EPPs based on their contribution to the case. The Court has already approved an expense award in the amount of $4,155,027.67 to reimburse Class Counsel for out-of-pocket litigation costs incurred as of May 2021. Based on the Total Settlement amount of $152.2 million, it is estimated that Settlement Class Members will receive approximately $24.50 for every 200 cans purchased (approximate number of cans if you purchased packaged tuna weekly during the Settlement Class Period) or approximately $0.12 per can. The actual per-can payment amount will depend on the amount of attorneys' fees and costs, service awards for the individual EPPs, and administration costs that are awarded by the Court, as well as the number of valid claims received and the volume of cans/pouches represented in those claims. How can I get a payment ? Go to www.TunaEndPurchaserSettlement.com to file or download the Claim Form. Your claim must be submitted online or postmarked by December 31, 2024. If you already filed a claim in the COSI Settlement, you do not need to file another claim for payment. By filing a claim, you will be bound by the Total Settlement and you will give up your right to sue or continue to sue StarKist and Lion for the claims in this case. What are my other options ? Do nothing . Unless you previously filed a valid claim in the COSI Settlement, you will not receive money. You will give up your right to sue or continue to sue StarKist and Lion for the claims in this case. Object . You may tell the Court what you do not like about the StarKist and Lion Settlements. You will still be bound by the StarKist and Lion Settlements and you may still file a claim. For details on how to object, go to www.TunaEndPurchaserSettlement.com. Objections must be postmarked by November 8, 2024. There is no additional opportunity to exclude yourself ("Opt Out") from the StarKist and Lion Settlements. Settlement Class Members were provided two opportunities to exclude or "opt out" in both the COSI Settlement Class Notice and then in the Litigation ("Class") Notice. If you provided a valid and timely opt out or exclusion as part of the COSI Settlement Class and Class Notice, then you will be excluded from the Settlement Class. The Court's Fairness Hearing . The Court will hold a Fairness Hearing at 1:30 p.m. on November 22, 2024 at the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse, 333 West Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. At the Fairness Hearing, the Court will consider whether the proposed StarKist and Lion Settlements should be approved as fair, reasonable, and adequate. The Court will consider the amount of any attorneys' fees award, reimbursement amounts for litigation costs, and the amount of any service awards for the EPPs. If there are objections, the Court will consider them. After the hearing, the Court will decide whether to approve the StarKist and Lion Settlements. Payments will be made to Settlement Class Members who submit a valid and timely Claim Form after the Court grants "final approval" of the StarKist and Lion Settlements, all funds have been paid as required by the Settlement Agreements, final judgments are entered, and all appeals are exhausted. We do not know how long these decisions will take. Please be patient. The Court appointed the law firm of Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP as Class Counsel on behalf of the EPPs and Class Members. However, you or your own lawyer are welcome to come to the hearing at your own expense. Questions ? Visit www.TunaEndPurchaserSettlement.com, write Tuna End Purchaser Settlement, c/o JND Legal Administration, P.O. Box 91442, Seattle, WA 98111, email [email protected], or call toll-free 1-866-615-0977. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT. SOURCE JND Legal Administration BAODING, China, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IT Tech Packaging, Inc. (NYSE American: ITP) ("IT Tech Packaging" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of diversified paper products in North China, today announced that it has filed a definitive proxy statement for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and expects to hold its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders on October 31, 2024 (local time) at its production base in Wei County, Hebei Province, China. When: 10:00 a.m. Beijing Time, October 31, 2024 (10:00 p.m. ET, October 30, 2024) Where: Wei County Production Base, IT Tech Packaging, Inc. Wei County, Hebei Province, China, 054700 As fully discussed in the definitive proxy statement described below, the stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the following proposals at the annual meeting: To elect three directors in Class II to serve on the Board of Directors of the Company, with such Class II directors to serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation, removal or death; To conduct a "say-on-pay" advisory vote to approve executive compensation; To conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation; To ratify the appointment of GGF CPA Limited as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 ; and To act on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. Stockholders of record at the close of business on September 6, 2024 are entitled to receive a Notice of Meeting and vote at the annual meeting. Additional Information In connection with the annual meeting, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on September 6, 2024, a definitive proxy statement, which is publicly available,. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL MEETING, AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THE PROPOSALS. Upon filing of the definitive proxy statement, stockholders may access the Company's definitive proxy statement, without charge, at the SEC's website www.sec.gov. Upon written request to Ms. Dahong Zhou Secretary, IT Tech Packaging, Inc., Science Park, Juli Road, Xushui District, Baoding City, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China 072550, we will provide without charge to each person requesting, a copy of our 2023 Annual Report, including the financial statements filed therewith, a copy of the Notice of Meeting and the definitive proxy statement. We will furnish a requesting stockholder with any exhibit not contained therein upon specific request. In addition, the Notice of Meeting and the definitive proxy statement, as well as our 2023 Annual Report, will be available on our website at www.itpackaging.cn. If you have questions about the annual meeting or require assistance in submitting your proxy or voting your shares, please contact the Company's proxy solicitor: ADVANTAGE PROXY, INC. Toll Free in North America: 1-877-870-8565 Collect: 1-206-870-8565 Email: [email protected] About IT Tech Packaging, Inc. Founded in 1996, IT Tech Packaging, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of diversified paper products in North China. Using recycled paper as its primary raw material (with the exception of its tissue paper products), ITP produces and distributes three categories of paper products: corrugating medium paper, offset printing paper and tissue paper products. With production based in Baoding and Xingtai in North China's Hebei Province, ITP is located strategically close to the Beijing and Tianjin region, home to a growing base of industrial and manufacturing activities and one of the largest markets for paper products consumption in the country. ITP has been listed on the NYSE American since December 2009. For more information, please visit: www.itpackaging.cn . Forward-looking Statements This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations, opinion, belief or forecasts of future events and performance. A statement identified by the use of forward-looking words including "will," "may," "expects," "projects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "estimate," "should," and certain of the other foregoing statements may be deemed forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including market and other conditions. 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 SEC. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements after the date hereof to conform to actual results or changes in expectations, except as required by law. For more information, please contact: At the Company Email: Email: [email protected] Tel: +86 0312 8698215 SOURCE IT Tech Packaging, Inc. HOUSTON, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today that it has been awarded a contract for its ROSE supercritical Solvent De-Asphalting (SDA) technology from Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical Co. Ltd. (ZPC), a subsidiary of Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd. in China. Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide technology licensing and proprietary engineering design to ZPC, the operator of China's largest refinery. "We are looking forward to working with ZPC on this unit, which will be the largest SDA unit in China deploying KBR's energy-efficient ROSE process," said Jay Ibrahim, KBR President, Sustainable Technology Solutions. "ROSE is an innovative supercritical extraction technology, globally recognized for its energy-efficient approach to bottom-of-the-barrel processing. This relatively simple process is designed for safe start-up and reliable performance, significantly improving the carbon footprint for refiners. Our solution is intended to enable ZPC to upgrade its residue conversion for higher profitability and operational sustainability." KBR is a global leader in SDA technology with the largest installed base and has been involved in the licensing, design, engineering, and commissioning of 72 ROSE units worldwide with a combined licensed capacity of nearly 1.66 million barrels per day. In 2024, KBR is celebrating 100 years of offering refining and clean fuel solutions. About KBR We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 36,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in over 30 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver. Visit www.kbr.com Forward Looking Statements The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future design and technological performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which discuss some of the important risks, uncertainties and assumptions that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. SOURCE KBR, Inc. INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced the appointment of Lucas Montarce as executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) and member of the company's Executive Committee, effective immediately. Since joining Lilly in 2001, Montarce has held a range of finance leadership roles, including serving as group vice president, corporate controller and chief financial officer of Lilly Research Laboratories; vice president, finance and chief financial officer of Lilly International; and vice president, finance and global chief financial officer of Elanco Health. He most recently served in the role of Lilly president and general manager for the Spain, Portugal and Greece hub. Montarce holds a bachelor's degree in business accounting from Catholic University (Argentina) and a master's degree in business administration from the Center for Macroeconomic Studies of Argentina (CEMA). "We are excited to announce Lucas as Lilly's next CFO, following a competitive search across health care, tech and general industries," said David A. Ricks, chair and CEO. "Developing leadership talent has always been a strength for Lilly, and Lucas has thrived in a wide variety of roles of increasing scope and impact. Having worked directly with Lucas for more than a decade, I am highly confident he has the drive, curiosity and integrity to excel as our next CFO." "I am committed to building on our strong financial foundation and helping drive continued success as we expand our global footprint and deliver long-term value to our stakeholders," said Montarce. "I am honored to step into this role during such a significant time in our company's history and look forward to working alongside the executive team and my talented Lilly finance colleagues." 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 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), including about Lilly's leadership and the company's strategic plans, reflecting Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, there can be no assurances of achieved objectives or strategy execution 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 CINCINNATI, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Warsaw Federal Savings & Loan ("Warsaw Federal"), a Minority Depository Institution ("MDI") and mutual bank affiliated with First Mutual Holding Co. ("FMHC"), today announced the initial closing with five bank investors in its ongoing $5.0 million private placement (the "Offering") of 8.00% non-cumulative Additional Tier 1 Capital Instruments (the "Instruments"). The price for the Instruments was 100% of the principal amount of the Instruments. The Instruments are intended to qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes. Warsaw Federal intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of Instruments to deepen its commitment to the communities it serves by providing focused financial services, tools and education to promote economic opportunity and financial equity. "We are very pleased to announce the initial closing of our Additional Tier 1 Capital Offering. The new capital will provide support for the growth that we envision for our organization," said Robie K. Suggs, president and CEO of Warsaw Federal. "It is an exciting time for us and we're incredibly enthusiastic about our future. As a mutual we're taking a measured and thoughtful approach in our transition to an MDI. We're building trust and employing patience to design our offerings alongside our community members so we can deliver an impactful experience. This offering will help us continue to grow our impact - now and in the future." "MDIs and mutual banks play a vital role in today's financial services landscape. As community assets, we can connect in ways other banks cannot. We help remove the trust barrier as the only community we serve is our customers," said Thomas J. Fraser, CEO of FMHC. "Bank and community support of mutual MDIs like Warsaw Federal should be a priority as it helps us all amplify the creation of healthy and vibrant communities." Luse Gorman, PC is serving as legal counsel to the Warsaw Federal in the Offering. About Warsaw Federal Savings and Loan Association Warsaw Federal Savings and Loan Association is an independent mutual bank and Minority Depository Institution based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company operates two branch locations, providing banking products and services to individuals and businesses in greater Cincinnati and the surrounding communities. warsawfederal.bank About First Mutual Holding Co. First Mutual Holding Co. is a member-owned mutual holding company headquartered in Ohio. FMHC provides a structure that allows independent affiliate banks to continue to serve their communities and grow as member-owned institutions. Affiliate banks of FMHC include First Federal Lakewood (Lakewood, OH), First Mutual Bank FSB, (Belpre, OH), Blue Grass Federal Savings and Loan (Paris, KY), Warsaw Federal Savings and Loan (Cincinnati, OH) and Martinsville First Savings Bank (Martinsville, VA). firstmutualholding.com Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the financial services industry, the economy, the Company and the Bank. Forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases such as "believe," "cost-effective," "envision," "thrive," "intend" and variations of such words and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Media contact: Jennifer Raynor First Mutual Holding Co. 216-280-9146 SOURCE Warsaw Federal Workplace violence, high RN turnover, and dangerous nurse staffing conditions plague hospital MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The nearly 180 registered nurses working at Marlborough Hospital, and who are unionized with the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), will hold an informational picket in front of the hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The purpose of the picket is to draw public attention to the serious ongoing problems inside of the Marlborough UMass facility, including workplace violence, high RN turnover, and dangerous nurse staffing conditions. For more than ten months, the nurses have been negotiating with hospital management to secure contract language that will address the problems plaguing the hospital. Hospital management, however, has refused to make the necessary headway to improve staffing and safety at Marlborough. What: An informational picket in support of the Marlborough Hospital RNs, their patients, and the community When: September 10, 2 to 4 p.m. Where: In front of Marlborough Hospital; 157 Union Street, Marlborough Who: MNA RNs, their families, friends, neighbors; other local unions; and elected leaders The informational picket follows 14 negotiation sessions between the MNA RNs and management, with little movement on management's part to address the nurses' key concerns: Nurses are being injured on the job regularly due to violence, but hospital management wants to continue with its failed policies and refuses to explore new solutions. RN turnover in all hospital units is above average because of the significant pay discrepancies between Marlborough and other local UMass hospitals. On average, senior Marlborough Hospital RNs earn $10 per hour less than their counterparts at other area hospitals, including all UMass-affiliated hospitals and other local UMass hospitals. On average, senior Marlborough Hospital RNs earn per hour less than their counterparts at other area hospitals, including all UMass-affiliated hospitals Nurse staffing levels are unpredictable and dangerous, with as many short-term travel nurses working as permanent RNs. And new grads, who the hospital invests significant time and resources in, repeatedly leave for jobs at other UMass facilities because the staffing levels and pay are better. Nurses' Safety Threatened Daily The following examples are just two out of the dozens and dozens of workplace violence incidents that have long been plaguing the hospital: A physically healthy patient was brought into the ER for a mental health evaluation because they had assaulted someone in the general community with no provocation. Within 48 hours of being in the ED, the patient violently assaulted numerous hospital staff members, EMS staff, and patients. They kicked a resource nurse involved in their care into a wall causing head, back, and neck injuries. The patient also randomly walked out into the hall and punched another nurse not involved in their care in the head causing injury, as well as post-traumatic stress and anxiety. The patient then went on to punch a passing paramedic in the head. These were the three most serious injuries but the patient additionally assaulted techs, patients, and security staff. This all occurred within the first 48 hours of the patient being in the ED. Because of their violent history, no inpatient facility would accept the patient, and they stayed in Marlborough's ED for numerous days while the staff continued to be put in danger. The staff asked for a police detail due to the violent and unpredictable nature of the patient's assaults. The best suggestion hospital management offered was to enclose the patient's room with two security guards using their chairs against the door as a barricade. However, nurses still needed to go into the room to medicate, feed, and assess the patient's safety and well-being. ED for numerous days while the staff continued to be put in danger. The staff asked for a police detail due to the violent and unpredictable nature of the patient's assaults. The best suggestion hospital management offered was to enclose the patient's room with two security guards using their chairs against the door as a barricade. However, nurses still needed to go into the room to medicate, feed, and assess the patient's safety and well-being. An inexperienced security guard was being verbally abused and physically assaulted by an intoxicated patient who had just been brought into the ED. When the aggression became more concerning, a long-time ED nurse intervened. The patient then violently assaulted the nurse breaking glasses, punching the nurse, and severely injuring the nurse's shoulder. The nurse was hospitalized for several days for orthopedic, cardiac, and medical concerns related to the assault. The nurse remains on leave, traumatized by the event and uncertain if surgery will be needed for their shoulder. An investigation was conducted after OSHA got involved and the hospital's response was to essentially blame the staff for their handling of the situation. There was no admission of ineffective or inadequate security protocols, procedures, or resources on the hospital campus. According to the MNA's 2023 "State of Nursing Survey": Twenty-four percent of nurses said they do not feel safe in their workplace, an increase from 9% of nurses in 2019 and 17% in 2021. Sixty-three percent of nurses said workplace violence and abuse is a serious problem, up from 42% in 2021. Seventy-six percent of nurses in direct care at a teaching hospital said workplace violence and abuse is a serious problem. Seventy-nine percent of nurses in direct care at a community hospital said workplace violence and abuse is a serious problem. In addition, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers experience the most nonfatal workplace violence as compared to other professions, accounting for nearly 70% of all non-fatal workplace assaults. Because legislation specific to addressing and preventing workplace violence in healthcare settings failed to pass this year, the need to include workplace violence prevention language in union contacts has become more critical than ever. A federal mediator recently joined the nurses' contract negotiations and has sat in on three sessions to date. "Marlborough Hospital is essential to the health and welfare of this community," said Julie Lyver, RN and chairperson of the nurses' MNA bargaining unit at Marlborough. "But at this point with wages so low, nurse turnover so high, and in-hospital violence such a threat if management does not agree to appropriate remedies the health and safety of this very community, and all other communities the hospital serves, is in jeopardy." MassNurses.org Facebook.com/MassNurses Twitter.com/MassNurses Instagram.com/MassNurses Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 25,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on healthcare issues affecting nurses and the public. SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Media are invited to hear from NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams during an Earth to space call at 2:15 p.m. EDT, Friday, Sept. 13. The pair will participate in a news conference aboard the International Space Station in low Earth orbit. Coverage of the event will stream on NASA+, the NASA app, and the agency's website. Learn how to stream NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams prepare orbital hardware for installation inside the International Space Station. Credit: NASA Media interested in participating must contact the newsroom at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston no later than 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, at 281-483-5111 or [email protected]. To ask questions, media must dial into the news conference no later than 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A copy of NASA's media accreditation policy is online. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 5 for its first crewed flight, arriving at the space station on June 6. Following the agency's decision to return Starliner uncrewed, the duo will remain on the space station as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew and return home in February 2025 aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members on NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. For more information about space station research and operations, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/station SOURCE NASA Nearly 75% intend to use social media to raise visibility for skilled careers More than 50% are interested in creating social content showcasing themselves at work to encourage others to join their trade Social stigma and lack of parental support cited as barriers to entering careers in skilled labor To help inspire the next generation of tradespeople to enter the trades, DEWALT is encouraging current and future tradespeople to promote their trade on social media utilizing a variety of free downloadable digital banners provided by the Company, using the hashtag #TradeProud on their posts and tag DEWALT. LYON, France, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent global survey of young trade professionals found that their strong passion for their trade was significantly influenced by social media despite encountering social stigmas surrounding their career choices. The survey, conducted by DEWALT and WorldSkills International, polled young professionals across 69 countries and regions who are competing at WorldSkills Competition 2024 about their motivations, inspirations, and passions to better understand the new generation entering the skilled trades. Difference Makers Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www2.multivu.com/stanley-black-and-decker/9238154-dewalt-worldskills-international-global-survey-of-young-trade-professionals "At DEWALT, we recognize that the trades are critical contributors to the economy," said Chris Nelson, Chief Operating Officer at Stanley Black & Decker. "We know that if we want to continue to advocate for these essential career paths, we must understand the next generation's aspirations, motivations, and challenges. This data will be vital to those efforts, particularly our Grow the Trades program, which funds vocational training and reskilling programs in construction and manufacturing to support the tradespeople of the future." According to the survey, young trades professionals still face significant barriers despite their enthusiasm for skilled trades. Almost half (42%) identified the persistent social stigma surrounding these professions as a major obstacle, while more than a third (35%) pointed to a lack of parental support. However, social media is emerging as a powerful tool for changing these perceptions. Three-quarters (75%) expressed a desire to use online platforms to raise awareness and visibility for skilled careers, indicating a growing recognition of its potential to inspire others to view skilled trades as a fulfilling and rewarding career path. The survey results also underscore the deep passion young professionals have for their trades and their eagerness to share this enthusiasm. This drive is further complemented by a strong sense of independence and altruism among younger generations. These findings reveal that the younger generation's passion for skilled trades is rooted not only in personal fulfillment but also in a broader ambition to contribute meaningfully and drive positive change. Almost half (44%) acknowledged social media played a role in inspiring their career choices and more than half of that cohort were inspired by a specific influencer or brand. Nearly 70% reported their primary motivation for choosing a specific skill was the desire to work with their hands. Forty-four percent cited the desire to make a positive impact on the global community, while 42% noted a willingness to start their own business. Forty-five percent cited the cost-effectiveness of vocational education and training as a top factor in choosing it over college, while 53% cited the earning potential of a skill-based career. "The findings from our survey highlight that to connect with young people, we need to be innovative and creative on how we present skilled career options," said David Hoey, CEO, WorldSkills International. "It is essential to create diverse role models young people can relate to, use the power of social media to challenge outdated perceptions, and at every turn demonstrate that skilled careers are exciting, viable, and rewarding." Convening Tradespeople at the World's Largest International Skills Competition WorldSkills International and DEWALT engaged with 820 Competitors from the 2024 WorldSkills Competition to gain insights into their views on skilled careers. The 2024 WorldSkills Competition, the world's biggest international skills competition, unites more than 1,400 competitors representing 69 countries and regions to showcase and exchange vocational expertise. Held biennially by WorldSkills International, this event is the pinnacle of vocational skill competitions. The 47th edition, which will take place in Lyon, France, 10 to 15 September 2024, aims to inspire and support young people in their pursuit of careers in the trades, through skill development and by transforming views on vocational education and training. DEWALT, which has supported WorldSkills International for ten years, is the Platinum Partner of WorldSkills Lyon 2024. Trade Proud To help inspire the next generation of tradespeople, DEWALT is encouraging current and future tradespeople to promote their trade on social media utilizing a variety of free downloadable digital banners provided by the Company, using the hashtag #TradeProud and tagging DEWALT. Methodology WorldSkills International and DEWALT engaged with 830 Competitors from the WorldSkills Competition 2024 to gain insights into their views on skilled careers. These young professionals, representing 69 countries and regions, are showcasing their talents across 59 diverse trade professions. Survey participants, aged 16 to 25 from every continent, reflect a global passion and dedication, sharing their thoughts on industry support, barriers, promotional ideas, and their personal inspirations. About DEWALT's Grow the Trades Program DEWALT's Grow the Trades initiative is a $30 million commitment over five years to close the skilled trades gap in the United States, Mexico and Europe. To date, DEWALT has awarded more than $850,000 in scholarships. To learn more visit: https://www.dewalt.com/growthetrades. About DEWALT DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, celebrates 100 years in business by continuing to provide our customers with total jobsite and landscaping solutions. By applying its latest technology to the challenges of today's skilled trades, DEWALT is leading the charge for the jobsite of the future and pioneering the next generation of tools, outdoor equipment and forward-looking technologies. DEWALT products. GUARANTEED TOUGH. For more information, visit www.dewalt.com or follow DEWALT on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. About Stanley Black & Decker Founded in 1843 and headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in Tools and Outdoor, operating manufacturing facilities globally. The Company's approximately 50,000 diverse and high-performing employees produce innovative end-user inspired power tools, hand tools, storage, digital jobsite solutions, outdoor and lifestyle products, and engineered fasteners to support the world's builders, tradespeople and DIYers. The Company's world class portfolio of trusted brands includes DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, BLACK+DECKER, and Cub Cadet. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com or follow Stanley Black & Decker on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. WorldSkills International WorldSkills is highlighting the critical role skills play in addressing global challenges, boosting economies and industries, and shaping the future of work. WorldSkills Lyon 2024, 10 to 15 September, in Lyon, France, is the world's biggest international skills competition, featuring 1,400 Competitors from 69 countries and regions. The 47th WorldSkills Competition highlights excellence in young skilled talent, while also bringing industry, education, and government leaders together to move skills to the top of the global agenda. https://worldskills.org SOURCE DEWALT Investment banking veteran, Andre Mancl, joins as CFO; Fraud risk expert, Philip Doyle, to lead regulatory compliance operations SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nium, the global leader in real-time cross-border payments, today announced two executive appointments that strengthen its leadership team and underscore the company's focus on driving efficient and responsible growth. Andre Mancl joins as Chief Financial Officer. He will oversee all financial strategies for the company and will lead Nium's global finance organization, including planning, treasury, tax, reporting, corporate development, and investor relations. He will be integral in helping Nium deliver profitable growth and efficiency at scale, while creating value for all Nium shareholders. Philip Doyle joins as Chief Compliance Officer. He will lead Nium's global risk and compliance programs, ensuring both evolve and grow as regulatory expectations heighten. Both executives will report to Prajit Nanu, Founder and CEO of Nium, and will join the company's Executive Committee. "These two leaders add deep subject matter expertise in their respective fields and complement what is already one of the best leadership teams in global payments," said Nanu. "We're in a great position to continue executing on a sustainable growth strategy, elevating our operational performance across all areas of our business, while delivering customer-centric technology innovation. These leaders, together with our colleagues around the world, take us steps closer to achieving a mission of connecting the world's banks and businesses to the future of real-time, cross-border payments." Prior to Nium, Mancl was the Chief Financial Officer at ChowNow, a leading software platform that connects independent restaurants with their diners through a suite of digital products. Before joining ChowNow in 2021, he was a Managing Director and Global Co-Head of Internet Investment Banking at Credit Suisse. As an Investment Banker, he worked in the Technology Sector for over 15 years and has been involved in tens of billions of dollars of debt, equity, and M&A transactions. During his banking career he advised and executed transactions for companies, such as Lyft, Snap, Ancestry.com, Facebook (Meta), AppLovin, and GoDaddy. Prior to his investment banking career, he served as a distinguished SH-60B Seahawk Helicopter Pilot in the United States Navy, flying missions in various regions and received the Order of the Daedalian for landing a helicopter in distress. He holds an MBA from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Southern California (USC). "Throughout my career in the technology sector, I've witnessed firsthand the profound impact of technology innovation on the global economy," commented Mancl. "Joining Nium at this pivotal moment is one of the most exciting moments of my career and I'm humbled to be part of such an exceptional team. I look forward to playing a meaningful role in Nium's next phase of growth." Doyle joins Nium with decades of risk and compliance experience, most recently Chief Risk and Compliance Officer for Zepz, one of the world's leading remittance companies. There he created and led the company's global compliance program, including standards and best practices for adhering to applicable local and international regulations. Prior to this, Doyle held senior financial crime positions at banks, such as Revolut, Clearbank, and Tandem Bank. A career-long "fraud fighter," Doyle has also held fraud prevention roles at FICO, SAV Credit Limited, Visa, and Morgan Stanley. He holds an MSc. from the University of Nottingham and a BSc. from the University of Sussex. "Payments is built on the trust we earn from the banks and businesses we serve," said Doyle. "There could not be a better time to start my journey with Nium with so much investment going into expanding our compliance programs to be best-in-class." Mancl and Doyle join at a time of great momentum for Nium, which recently announced its expansion Latin America with license applications, key fintech association memberships, and new customers. The company also announced new local funding and collection capabilities to more than 40 countries and 15 currencies, with more to come. In June, the company announced that it had raised US$50 million in a Series E funding round, led by a prominent sovereign wealth fund in Southeast Asia. Today's news follows key appointments for the company including Spencer Hanlon to Chief Operating Officer and Alexandra Johnson to Chief Payments Officer. About Nium Nium, the leader in real-time, cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 220+ markets, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 40 markets. Nium's growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licenses and authorisations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1678669/4899890/Nium_Logo.jpg SOURCE Nium In Booth S-3300, Schneider Packaging Equipment will unveil a unique solution for automating case erecting, taping, and palletizing. The Collaborative Case Erector-Palletizer integrates an Anubis 3D Industrial Solutions Automatic Carton Erector (ACE) end-of-arm tool with Schneider's FANUC CRX-25iA robot platform. Anubis 3D designed and printed the dual-purpose EOAT to pick and form the case, eliminating a separate forming fixture. The lightweight tool offers fast, tool-less changeover (one operator in under five minutes). The compact system repurposes labor toward more productive tasks and reduces repetitive motion injuries. Jamie Barber, Director of R & D, Schneider Packaging states, "Our adaptable new system consolidates case erecting, taping, and palletizing for a broad range of case sizes and weights. Zero-programming setup is quick and easy by just entering the case sizes." Also, in Booth S-3300, Descon Conveyor Systems will display its integrated Single-Lane Empty Can Vacuum Transfer with Laser Coding and Code Inspection. Our unique solution ensures high-quality, reliable laser coding of empty cans prior to rinsing in a dry location of the production facility. Empty cans held by their tops by a vacuum conveyor pass over a gap from below to create access to the bottom of the can and laser coding components. With cans traveling in single-lane, customers have the option of adding empty can quality inspection directly after the vacuum transfer. Rates are fully tested with solutions in the field running 1800 cans per minute. Jeff Philpott, VP of Operations, Descon said, "The solution offers superior quality assurance and prevents line stoppages by automatically removing defective empty cans with improper date code, dented or damaged flanges from the line prior to filling." Integrators' Corner at Booth S-3300: Pacteon invites attendees to meet us in Integrators' Corner (Booth S-3300) to learn more about Pacteon's integration capabilities with the new addition of Descon Conveyor Systems. Pacteon engineers will be available to answer integration questions for new and existing packaging lines. Visitors will see Descon's proprietary integration software in action and learn how our technologies can enhance their packaging operations. Booth S-3300 will also feature Schneider's fully automated Robotic Case Packer. The dual robotic system collates product with one robot while a second robot erects and loads cases. End effectors designed by Anubis 3D offer reliable placement and fast changeover. Additionally, see Schneider's High Speed Palletizing Layer Tool for up to 100 cases per minute. To complete the line, Phoenix Stretch Wrappers will present a range of stretch wrapping solutions, including the high-speed Model PRRA-2150 Rotary Ring Wrapper and the Model PHP-2150 Semi-automatic Stretch Wrapper. Pacteon Pharma Booth W-16041: Pacteon Pharma Booth W-16041 in the Healthcare Packaging Pavilion highlights case packing for Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals, and Health & Beauty products. ESS Technologies' industry-proven Model V30 Robotic Case Packer is engineered to accommodate serialization track-and-trace systems. The compact frame holds OEM cameras, labelers, and controls. A removable case magazine simplifies installation. The flexible V30 can load cartons or bottles into plastic or corrugate RSC cases on one system with minimal changeover. A FANUC M-20iD/25 robot uses a custom ESS-designed end effector to load all manner of packaging styles. The Phoenix Model PHP-2150 Semi- automatic stretch wrapper rounds out the display in Pacteon Pharma Booth W-16041. Pacteon engineers bring expertise in precision collation and packing for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and health and beauty sector. About Pacteon Pacteon Group offers a responsive and committed single source solution to design, integrate, and service complete packaging solutions. Through the acquisition of businesses offering complimentary products and shared core values, Pacteon Group, currently Schneider Packaging Equipment, ESS Technologies, Phoenix Wrappers, and Descon Conveyor Systems is your one source for end-of-line packaging solutions. Whether it is a cartoner, case packer, conveyor, palletizer, pick and place robot, or pallet stretch wrapper, our machines and integration support services are backed with the Pacteon Group Promise: We Make It Right! For media inquiries about this press release, please contact: Janet Darnley, VP of Marketing Pacteon Group Email: [email protected] SOURCE Pacteon Group SANFORD, Fla., Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PathFinder Digital was awarded a contract by the United States Air Force for the delivery of PathFinder's Global Broadcast Service (GBS) satellite terminals. PathFinder's solution is the BAT-GBS-85; a Ka/Ku band, airline checkable, flyaway terminal. The BAT-GBS-85 has completed Army Strategic Command (ARSTRAT) Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) testing and is certified for operation on the WGS network. In addition, the terminal received certification after completing rigorous Military Standard (MIL-STD) 810G environmental testing confirming its reliable operation when subjected to extreme conditions such as cold, heat, salt, humidity, dust, wind, vibration and shock. The GBS program operates as a broadcast capability supporting timely delivery of data and video products for mission support and in theater information transfer. PathFinder Digital's solution is operable anywhere on the GBS network. "PathFinder's BAT-GBS-85 terminal is small, efficient, economical, and user friendly. We are extremely pleased to be fielding these terminals with the United States Air Force for operation on the GBS network," says Roger McGarrahan, CEO of PathFinder Digital LLC. About PathFinder Digital LLC PathFinder specializes in the development of mobile ground terminal satellite communications solutions engineered to meet the unique and particular needs of each project, primarily for military and government agency programs. PathFinder develops the best solutions to meet the objectives of each program's communications requirements. For more information, please visit www.PathFinderDigital.com. PathFinder personnel can be reached at [email protected] or (413) 575-5631. Contact: Roger McGarrahan PathFinder Digital LLC Phone: (413) 575-5631 Email: [email protected] SOURCE PathFinder Digital LLC Nation's Top Eye Care Provider Will Award $5k to Two Deserving Optometry Students NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearle Vision is pleased to announce that it will once again honor Dr. Stanley Pearle's legacy and his commitment to education, leadership, and community service through an optometry scholarship fund in his name. Each scholarship, valued at $5,000, will be awarded to one third-year student and one fourth-year student, providing a total of $10,000 in financial support for the academic year. The Dr. Pearle scholarship program is part of the organization's ongoing efforts to support optometrists of the future easing the financial burden of optometry school and making education more accessible. The scholarships are designed to support students who demonstrate excellence in their academic pursuits and commitment to the optical community. Criteria for Selection To qualify for the scholarships, applicants must: Be a third-year or fourth-year optometry student (class of 2025 or 2026) in good standing with the American Optometric Student Association and the American Optometric Association. Maintain good academic standing according to their school's criteria. Submit a letter of recommendation from an academic advisor, teacher, or dean at their optometry school. Present a social media plan that serves as a public service announcement for patient-centered eye care. Applications will be accepted starting Monday, September 9, 2024 . . More detailed information about the scholarship requirements and guidelines can be found here: https://www.aoafoundation.org/our-programs/student-scholarships/dr-stanley-pearle-scholarship?sso=y. "At Pearle Vision, we believe in investing in the future of optometry by fostering the next generation of optometrists," said Gunjan Kumar, president of Retail Licensed Brands and Pearle Vision NA. "By offering these scholarships, we aim to reduce the financial barriers for students and encourage them to pursue their passion for optometry." Over the years, Pearle Vision has awarded more than $130,000 in scholarships and grants to optometry students, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to supporting the education and growth of future optical professionals. About Pearle Vision Franchising Pearle Vision, established by Dr. Stanley Pearle in 1961 and now part of EssilorLuxottica, continues to be a trusted leader in the optical industry. Ranked No. 1 in the Eye Care category for four years running by Entrepreneur magazine, Pearle Vision supports over 560 locations through a strong franchise network. The brand enhances franchise success with superior products, advanced supply chains, and comprehensive franchisee support dedicated to maintaining Dr. Pearle's legacy of genuine eye care. Pearle Vision invites entrepreneurial leaders to join its mission of providing exceptional vision care across North America. To learn more about Pearle Vision, visit www.pearlevision.com. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Pearle Vision, visit www.ownapearlevision.com. Media Contact: Tammy Delgado 919marketing.com 919-459-7147 SOURCE Pearle Vision Amid strong demand for private CRE financing, RIAs and family offices are continuing to increase allocations to alternatives and private debt funds. LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pender Capital ("Pender"), a provider specializing in short-term, senior secured commercial bridge loans, has announced the completion of two financing transactions for properties located in the Dallas-Fort Worth and New York metropolitan areas. The firm also continued to see growing interest from Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) in the Pender Real Estate Credit Fund, a continuously offered closed-end interval fund focused on private commercial real estate debt. "We've seen CRE debt funds like ours gaining popularity as of late due to a reduction in lending by banks, spurred by issues in the regional banking sector and uncertainty in regulatory requirements," said Pender Capital CEO Cory Johnson. "Funds like ours have filled the void left by banks by capitalizing on higher equity requirements for banks holding high-risk loans." The first transaction involved a loan of $27.5 million for a modern, recently renovated Class A multifamily complex situated in the most highly sought-after retail and residential area of Uptown Dallas. This property features an occupancy rate of approximately 93% and comprises 159 units, with Pender Capital's loan reflecting a loan-to-value ratio of 48%. The second loan was secured for a 320,000 square foot office complex of institutional quality, positioned 13 miles west of Downtown Newark, in a neighborhood that is consistently recognized as one of the wealthiest not only in New Jersey but across the United States. This submarket near Newark is particularly attractive to high-level corporate office tenants due to its convenient access to the NJ Turnpike, Newark Liberty International Airport, and one of the most desirable retail corridors in the metropolitan area. Pender Capital extended a loan of $36.4 million aimed at refinancing this property. Investible Opportunities Industry surveys continue to show that a growing number of RIAs, family offices and other advisor professionals are allocating a portion of client assets to private debt and other alternatives, and that interest in alts is spreading to accredited and non-accredited investors. The Pender Real Estate Credit Fund, which was launched in April 2023, aims to capitalize on a ripe investment environment spurred by a reduction in lending options coupled with increased borrower demand for short-term loans. The Fund seeks to generate risk-adjusted current income, while seeking to prioritize capital preservation by originating lower middle market short-term bridge loans that are secured by senior position collateral in commercial real estate assets across the Sunbelt, and other key "flyover" regions of the U.S. With a $2,500 investment minimum and no accreditation requirements, the closed-end interval fund structure is attracting capital from new participants, such as wealth management and financial advisors, who are now able to allocate with lower minimum thresholds. About Pender Capital Pender Capital ("Pender") is a niche investment manager dedicated solely to commercial real estate credit-based opportunities. Pender offers capital solutions to borrowers investing in or owning properties with equity protection while providing investors with attractive risk-adjusted returns. The firm is owned and operated by a team of seasoned commercial real estate professionals with hands-on real estate experience, credit skills, and sophisticated investment banking expertise. Pender has originated $1.261B in commercial real estate credits representing over $2.083B in asset value. Learn more at https://www.pendercapital.com/. IMPORTANT INFORMATION PENDER REAL ESTATE CREDIT FUND This material is published as assistance for recipients but does not constitute investment advice and is not to be relied upon as authoritative nor to be substituted for one's own judgement. This information is not a recommendation to purchase or sell a security or follow any strategy or allocation. Before making any investment decision, you should seek expert, professional advice and obtain information regarding the risks, liquidity, legal, and regulatory limitations for the fund. BEFORE INVESTING YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, RISKS, CHARGES AND EXPENSES. THIS AND OTHER INFORMATION IS IN THE PROSPECTUS, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM PENDER CAPITAL AT 310-853-8001. PLEASE READ THE PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU INVEST. The Shares are speculative and illiquid securities involving substantial risk of loss. An investment in the Fund is appropriate only for those investors who do not require a liquid investment, for whom an investment in the Fund does not constitute a complete investment program, and who fully understand and can assume the risks of an investment in the Fund. No public market for Shares exists, and none is expected to develop in the future. An investor's participation in the Fund is a long-term commitment, with no certainty of return. No guarantee or representation is made that a Fund will achieve its investment object, and investment results may vary substantially year from year. Please see the prospectus for details of these and other risks. Pender Real Estate Credit Fund is distributed by UMB Distribution Services, LLC which is not affiliated with Pender Capital Management LLC. SOURCE Pender Capital Leveraging Digital Lending Platform enhancements, top 10 correspondent lender expands use of leading cloud-based mortgage technology ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Sage Solutions, a leading provider of innovative, end-to-end mortgage technology, announced today that Planet Home Lending has extended the use of Blue Sage's Digital Lending Platform in its correspondent division. Planet Home Lending is utilizing the Correspondent Seller Portal and the loan origination platform's advanced document management capabilities to extract data from documents and automatically run compliance checks, resulting in improved loan quality and streamlining its correspondent lending operations. The company is also taking advantage of other compliance enhancements, including additional new credit management tools and vendor service enhancements that result in enhanced security and operational efficiency. Since 2015, Planet Home Lending, a top 10 correspondent lender, has relied on the Blue Sage Digital Lending Platform to streamline its operations, reduce turn times, and deliver a superior, seamless experience for its sellers. According to Carmine Cacciavillani, founder and president of Blue Sage, the continued collaboration between both companies reflects a shared commitment to delivering exceptional service to the mortgage industry. "At Blue Sage, our focus has always been empowering lenders to do business more efficiently and delivering excellent customer experiences, no matter what channel they operate in," said Cacciavillani. "We are thrilled to have the trust of Planet Home Lending, one of the largest correspondent lenders in the nation, and remain committed to their ongoing success." "At Planet Home Lending, we believe that strong partnerships are the cornerstone of success," said Planet Home Lending President, Mortgage Lending John Bosley. "Blue Sage's advanced technology solutions play a crucial role in helping us deliver competitive pricing, convenient delivery options, and extensive product offerings. Together, we continue to empower our correspondent sellers to grow their business." About Blue Sage Solutions, LLC Blue Sage Solutions engineers transformational end-to-end lending technology backed by our 30+ years of proven industry experience. Our mission is to help lenders lower costs and boost productivity for lenders doing business in any channel. To maximize efficiencies, we emphasize system connectivity and flexibility across our multi-channel platform and maintain a comprehensive library of APIs. Blue Sage Solutions is headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.bluesageusa.com. About Planet Home Lending, LLC Planet Home Lending, LLC, Meriden, Connecticut, (NMLS #17022) is an originator, correspondent lender, rated servicer and sub-servicer of agency and non-agency residential and commercial mortgages. As an Equal Housing Lender, Planet Home Lending improves the lives of borrowers by delivering a streamlined lending experience to help individuals and families thrive throughout their journey home. For more information about Planet Home Lending, please visit https://phlcorrespondent.com or https://planethomelending.com. Media Contact Mike Murray Strategic Vantage Marketing & PR (240) 498-0863 [email protected] SOURCE Blue Sage Solutions Info-Tech Research Group's latest resource is designed to guide organizations through the complexities of contract negotiation and exit planning, providing essential insights to navigate and avoid the pitfalls of unfavorable agreements. By focusing on proactive management and strategic foresight, the firm's blueprint aims to empower organizations with the knowledge needed to successfully handle and mitigate contract-related risks. TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Organizations often find themselves trapped in complex vendor contracts that are difficult to exit without significant loss. The challenges of navigating these agreements highlight the critical need for strategic foresight and planning. To help the teams navigating these obstacles, Info-Tech Research Group has published its latest blueprint, Getting Out of a Bad Contract Starts Before You Get Into It. The newly published resource offers vital insights from the firm's analysts and research for organizations aiming to manage these contract risks. This comprehensive study also provides essential tools for proactive vendor management, as well as detailed strategies for effective contract negotiation and exit strategy development to ensure organizations can avoid the pitfalls of detrimental partnerships. "Termination often seems like our best or only option when a contract or vendor is not meeting our needs. However, terminating a contract is not an endeavor that should be taken lightly," says Phil Bode, principal advisory director at Info-Tech Research Group. "This process can disrupt the organization on many levels and may not solve our problems. In addition, it can get messy if the only alternative is to terminate the contract and pursue a lawsuit." The firm's resource explores the complex challenges of contract termination, highlighting that while signing a contract may be swift and straightforward, ending one often becomes daunting. Many organizations find themselves in situations where their termination rights are so limited that they feel trapped in long-term commitments with no clear way out. This challenge is often compounded by legitimate reasons for early termination, such as realizing too late that the wrong vendor was chosen or dealing with the disruptive impact of poor vendor performance on critical operations. Info-Tech's blueprint underscores the importance of strategic planning and proactive management to effectively navigate these complexities. In the new blueprint, Getting Out of a Bad Contract Starts Before You Get Into It, Info-Tech outlines three critical stages of contracting and provides actionable recommendations for enhancing contract terms and termination options: Stage 1 Before the Contract Is Executed Effective requirements gathering is essential to prevent costly change orders and project failures. When requirements are poorly defined, organizations risk suboptimal outcomes or even project collapse, which may necessitate contract termination. To mitigate these risks, Info-Tech suggests leveraging cross-functional teams and prioritization methodologies to ensure all key stakeholders' needs are addressed and inconsistencies are identified. Requirements should cover technical, business, and legal aspects to provide a comprehensive foundation. Stage 2 During Contract Review and Negotiation Strategic planning during contract review and negotiation is vital to addressing the complexities of contract termination. Incorporating flexibility and accountability into vendor agreements is crucial. The firm advises establishing a termination checklist or playbook as part of a robust contract management strategy, enabling organizations to manage vendor relationships with confidence and foresight. Stage 3 After the Contract Is Executed Post-execution contract management requires promptly identifying issues and taking corrective measures to prevent escalation. Maintaining open communication with vendors fosters collaboration and improves performance. If termination becomes necessary, it's critical to have a strategic transition plan considering the psychological and financial impacts on the organization. Info-Tech's comprehensive study is designed to equip organizations with essential tools for proactive planning and strategic vendor management, helping them avoid the pitfalls of unfavorable contracts. By leveraging these expert insights, the firm explains that organizations can develop effective contract exit strategies and sharpen their negotiation skills, ensuring they are well-prepared to navigate complex vendor agreements successfully. For exclusive and timely commentary from Phil Bode, an expert in vendor management practice, and access to the complete Getting Out of a Bad Contract Starts Before You Get Into It blueprint, please contact [email protected]. Info-Tech LIVE 2024 Conference Registration is now open for Info-Tech Research Group's annual IT conference, Info-Tech LIVE 2024, taking place September 17 to 19, 2024, at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas. This premier event offers journalists, podcasters, and media influencers access to exclusive content, the latest IT research and trends, and the opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers. To apply for media passes to attend the event or gain access to research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact [email protected]. About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X. SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group Industry veteran brings expertise in commercialization, operations, business development and finance Company continues to focus on DRAIN-HF pivotal IDE trial and preparing for US commercialization of its percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) technology HOUSTON, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Procyrion, Inc., a medical device company dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with cardiac and renal impairment, announced today the appointment of Lucas Buchanan to the company's Board of Directors. Mr. Buchanan is a seasoned MedTech executive and experienced board member and is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Silk Road Medical, a medical device company that pioneered transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR). "We are thrilled to have an accomplished leader like Lucas join the Procyrion Board," said Gary F. Burbach, Chair of the Board of Directors, Procyrion. "Lucas' deep industry experience will be an important asset to the Board and company as we work together to make the groundbreaking Aortix therapy available for patients with acute decompensated heart failure." Mr. Buchanan's appointment to Procyrion's BOD follows the closing of $57.7 million in Series E financing led by Fannin Partners. The funds support the ongoing DRAIN-HF pivotal IDE trial, internal R&D programs, and commercialization preparation of the Aortix pMCS device. Aortix is a catheter-deployed pump designed to directly increase perfusion to the kidneys while unloading the heart and improving cardiac performance. The innovative design harnesses fluid entrainment to pump blood without the need for a valve, delivering a therapeutic benefit via a physiologically natural mechanism of action for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients who remain congested despite standard medical therapy (cardiorenal syndrome or CRS). "These diuretic resistant heart failure patients, who have failed available standard-of-care therapies, are the most difficult to treat. The novel design of Aortix has demonstrated promising results in early studies and offers patients and their physicians a much-needed treatment option," said Eric S. Fain, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Procyrion. "Lucas' insights on commercialization, financial stewardship and corporate strategy will be of tremendous value as we work to complete enrollment in the DRAIN-HF trial and prepare for commercialization of the Aortix pump." At Silk Road Medical, which recently announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by Boston Scientific, Mr. Buchanan leads manufacturing and operations, finance and accounting, IT, commercial operations and analytics, health economics and reimbursement, and corporate development efforts. His background includes investing and commercial roles at The Vertical Group, Impax Laboratories, Medtronic and Ernst & Young. Mr. Buchanan currently serves on the Board of Directors for Endologix and as a strategic advisory board member of CRG LP. He holds a BA in Economics from Duke University and an MBA in Health Care Management from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. "I am honored to join the Procyrion team as they progress and achieve milestones to make the Aortix pump available to CRS patients and clinicians who have exhausted all other treatment options," said Mr. Buchanan. "I look forward to sharing my perspectives as we work to bring this incredible technology to market." About Procyrion Procyrion, Inc. is a privately held medical device company dedicated to providing effective treatment options for patients with cardiac and renal impairment. The company is developing the Aortix percutaneous mechanical circulatory support device, a catheter-deployed pump technology that uniquely harnesses fluid entrainment to pump blood to address multiple conditions with significant unmet needs. Aortix is limited by Federal law to investigational use only and is not approved for sale in any geography. Please visit www.procyrion.com for more information. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance. SOURCE Procyrion KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- James V. Grimaldi, a multiple Pulitzer Prize winner and investigative reporter for The Wall Street Journal, has been named the new executive editor of the National Catholic Reporter (NCR), the global independent news organization. Veteran investigative journalist James Grimaldi is photographed in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Grimaldi, an award-winning investigative journalist, is set to start Sept. 16, 2024. He will report to Joe Ferullo, CEO and Publisher. Grimaldi will oversee all aspects of NCR's editorial content, including breaking, enterprise and investigative reporting, while adhering to NCR's forward-looking vision and its reputation for excellence in journalism. A leading force on the Journal's investigations desk based in Washington, D.C., Grimaldi delivered accountability reporting that uncovered critical stories for the Journal and before that at The Washington Post about money, politics, influence peddling, corruption and law-breaking by federal judges and government officials. "NCR's great tradition of accountability and investigative reporting exposed grievous wrongs that led the Church to confront and respond to its sexual abuse scandal. That fearless journalism is vitally needed as the United States remains divided on cultural issues, the American church reflects those divisions and the global Church approaches a crossroads near the end of the Francis papacy," Grimaldi said. Now marking its 60th anniversary, NCR is the leading independent national Catholic newspaper in the United States. With about 1 million unique online readers monthly, the publication has a staff of 40 that has distinguished itself as a key source of independent and investigative reporting regarding the Catholic Church. In 1985, NCR was the first to report on the clergy abuse scandal. In recent years, the news outlet's investigations have included examinations of diocesan mismanagement as well as links between conservative donors and several U.S. church and church-affiliated groups. NCR, a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News, won more than three dozen citations this year from the Catholic Media Association, including the three top investigative reporting awards. Its work has been featured in outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, NPR, and NBC News. "James is dedicated to NCR's mission; he will elevate and expand NCR's excellent journalism at a pivotal moment in the history of the Catholic Church. All of us at NCR including our readers look forward to his extraordinary editorial leadership in this exciting and decisive time," Ferullo said. ABOUT JAMES GRIMALDI Grimaldi has worked on three projects that won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting His team at the Journal was awarded the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting for exposing conflicts of interest among senior federal officials. At The Washington Post, Grimaldi and two colleagues won the investigative-reporting Pulitzer in 2006 for exposing the Jack Abramoff bribery scandal. He also contributed to a Pulitzer won in 1996 by the Orange County Register in California. Grimaldi has won dozens of awards from Investigative Reporters and Editors, the National Press Club, the National Press Foundation, press clubs in Washington, New York and California and the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. His work has been a finalist for DuPont-Columbia, Peabody and national Emmy awards. He has been an educator and mentor, serving as a Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University and a Knight-Bagehot fellow at Columbia University. He has held leadership roles with Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Fund for Investigative Journalism and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Grimaldi is a native of Kansas City, Mo., and a graduate of the University of Missouri Journalism School and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He is a frequent guest lecturer, teaching at schools such as George Washington University, American University, the University of Maryland and Morgan State University. At NCR, Grimaldi steps into a position that had been vacant. He will oversee and guide NCR's editorial operation from Washington, D.C. He is married with two grown sons, two dogs and three cats and is active in his parish, St. Peter's Catholic Church on Capitol Hill. CONTACTS: TONY HERNANDEZ [email protected] JOE FERULLO [email protected] SOURCE The National Catholic Reporter Publishing Introduces Novaplex MPXV/OPXV plus Assay (RUO) that is designed to detect Clade I, which has higher transmission and mortality rates than Clade II Adheres to the WHO issued target product profiles and provides accurate detection of viral strains Offers healthcare professionals with a critical tool in their research on the global spread of mpox by supporting international efforts SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Seegene Inc., a leading provider of total solution for PCR molecular diagnostics based in South Korea, announced today that it will introduce a new type of research-use-only (RUO) PCR assay to address the spread of the monkeypox virus variant, Clade Ib, which is currently prevalent in Africa. Seegene Expands mpox RUO Product Lineups: Novaplex MPXV/OPXV plus Assay (RUO) The newly introduced Novaplex MPXV/OPXV plus Assay (RUO) is designed to detect 3 targets causing mpox disease: non-variola Orthopoxvirus (OPXV) and monkeypox virus (MPXV) with specific confirmation of MPXV Clade I. MPXV Clade I is associated with higher transmission and mortality rates than MPXV Clade II. The assay meets the preferred target product profiles (TPPs) issued by the WHO, which guide manufacturers, suppliers, and researchers developing new assays for detection of viruses causing mpox. Additionally, it aligns with the preferred target analyte criteria for distinguishing between Clade I and II. Seegene has been responding swiftly to the August 2024 global public health emergency (PHEIC) declared by the WHO regarding the mpox outbreak by developing two assays designed to detect mpox virus and announcing plans to supply the products to countries in need. Among these, Novaplex MPXV/OPXV Assay (RUO) is designed to detect MPXV Clade I and Clade II as well as OPXV infections, while Novaplex HSV-1&2/VZV/MPXV Assay (RUO) is designed to simultaneously detect four viruses including MPXV, herpes simplex virus (HSV) Types 1 and 2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). These products also comply with TPPs issued by the WHO. "As the spread of mpox continues unabated, we have developed new RUO assays for detection of viruses causing the mpox to meet the increasing research demand from affected countries. We are committed to actively supporting global efforts to curb the spread of mpox," said Daniel Shin, Executive Vice-President and Chief Global Sales and Marketing Officer at Seegene. In 2022, Seegene had previously leveraged its proprietary reagent development expertise and automated reagent development system (SGDDS) to create the Novaplex MPXV Assay (RUO). From January 2024 to September 6, 2024, there have been a total of 24,851 suspected cases, 5,549 confirmed cases and 643 deaths reported across the member states in the African Union (AU), according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The mpox variant is now spreading beyond African countries including Sweden, Pakistan, the Philippines, Jordan and Thailand. About Seegene Seegene has 23 years of dedicated experience in R&D, manufacturing, and business related to multiplex PCR technologies. This expertise was particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic when Seegene provided over 340 million COVID-19 tests to more than 100 countries worldwide. The core feature of Seegene's multiplex PCR technology is the ability to simultaneously test for 14 pathogens that cause similar symptoms in a single tube and provide quantitative information on the infection profile to correlate with the progression of illness. Visit: Seegene.com and follow linkedin.com/company/seegene-inc Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2499983/Photo__Seegene_Expands_mpox_RUO_Product_Lineups_with_Enhanced_Detection_Assays_for_Clade_1.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1357790/Seegene_logo_Logo.jpg The study involved end-stage oncology patients with no other suitable treatment options. In this Phase Ib study, Pidnarulex (CX-5461) demonstrated acceptable clinical tolerability and showed preliminary signs of efficacy, even in patients who had previously failed treatment with PARP inhibitors. Out of 15 patients who were evaluable for drug response, 40% achieved clinical benefit, with stable disease (SD) being the best therapeutic response observed. TAIPEI and SAN DIEGO, Sept. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Senhwa Biosciences, Inc. (TPEx: 6492), a drug development company dedicated to developing first-in-class therapeutics for oncology, rare diseases, and infectious diseases, announced the presentation of a poster abstract of its investigational drug, Pidnarulex, at the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress. The abstract highlights Pidnarulex's demonstrated efficacy in treating various solid tumors harbouring BRCA1/2 or PALB2 gene defects. This significant milestone underscores the promising potential of Pidnarulex in the realm of precision medicine. The findings, presented both on-site and online via the ESMO platform, involve patients with advanced-stage cancer who have undergone multiple prior treatments. Notably, a portion of the patients have achieved stable disease and are continuing to receive Pidnarulex as part of the ongoing clinical trial. This development marks a remarkable achievement for both Senhwa Biosciences and the collaborating Canadian and the US clinical team, reinforcing the drug's relevance in the evolving landscape of targeted cancer therapies. The title of the poster abstract is "Phase 1b expansion study of CX-5461 in patients with solid tumours and BRCA2 and/or PALB2 mutation." The full abstract content has been published on the ESMO website at 00:05 CEST on September 9, 2024, at the following link: https://cslide.ctimeetingtech.com/esmo2024/attendee/confcal_2/presentation/list?q=631p. The trial report indicates that the preliminary results from Senhwa Biosciences' clinical trials of Pidnarulex, conducted in Canada and the USA, shows that out of the first 28 enrolled patients, 22 completed at least one cycle of treatment and were evaluated for dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). The patients had previously undergone multiple lines of cancer treatment, with a median of 6 lines (ranging from 2 to 10 lines) of prior therapy, including 77% of patients who had received platinum-based chemotherapy, 41% of patients who had been treated with bevacizumab, and 86% of patients who had previously received PARP inhibitors without success. These were end-stage oncology patients with no other suitable treatment options. The median number of Pidnarulex treatments received by the patients was 4 doses (ranging from 2 to 36 doses). ### Trial Results: Among the 15 patients who were evaluable for drug response, 40% achieved clinical benefit, with stable disease (SD) being the best therapeutic response. Among these stable disease patients, there were 5 ovarian cancer patients, including 3 with BRCA1 somatic mutations, 1 with a BRCA1 germline mutation, and 1 with HRD-related gene mutations. All 5 patients had previously failed platinum chemotherapy and PARP inhibitor treatments, with 2 of them maintaining stable disease for at least 6 months following Pidnarulex treatment, offering renewed hope for advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients. ### Trial Objectives: This clinical trial is designed as an open-label, multicenter, multinational study, divided into the Main Study Cohort and the Exploratory Cohort. It aimed to recruit patients with BRCA2 and/or PALB2 gene deficiencies from various tumor types (pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer), as well as ovarian cancer patients with BRCA1 deficiencies and/or other HRD-related homologous recombination defects. The primary goal of the trial was to determine the recommended Phase II trial dose for patients with specific genetic deficiencies, while secondary endpoints include evaluating the safety, tolerability, and antitumor activity of Pidnarulex (CX-5461). ### Trial Conclusion: This Phase Ib study demonstrated that CX-5461 exhibit acceptable clinical tolerability and shows preliminary signs of activity, even in patients who had previously failed treatment with PARP inhibitors. Photosensitivity was found to be manageable through preventive measures. Currently, several PARP inhibitors have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of pancreatic, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers with BRCA1/2 gene deficiencies. In addition to BRCA1/2, the PALB2 mutated gene represents a critical factor in in triple-negative breast cancer, ranking the third most significant gene associated with this subtype. Moreover, mutations in the PALB2 gene are also associated with a higher risk of developing ovarian and pancreatic cancers, further underscoring its importance in oncology. Senhwa's Pidnarulex is a next-generation novel DDR drug with the potential to be developed as a rescue medication for patients who have developed resistance to PARP inhibitors. In preclinical studies, Pidnarulex has also demonstrated the ability to modulate tumor microenvironment, thereby enhancing sensitivity and efficacy of immunotherapy, including anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1. Senhwa looks forward to combining Pidnarulex with immunotherapy drugs such as Keytruda, which has been approved in the United States for the treatment of over 30 types of cancer. In 2023, Keytruda achieved global sales exceeding $25 billion, making it the highest-grossing drug worldwide. However, immunotherapy has its limitations, with only 20% of patients experiencing significant effects. If Pidnarulex can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapeutic agents, it is expected to provide new options for future treatment plans. SOURCE Senhwa Biosciences, Inc. NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against DXC Technology Company ("DXC" or the "Company") (NYSE: DXC). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether DXC and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until October 1, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired DXC securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On August 3, 2022, DXC reported disappointing first quarter results, despite having reiterated its guidance just six weeks prior. DXC blamed its poor performance on the fact that its "cost optimization efforts have moved at a slower pace than anticipated." On this news, DXC's stock price fell $5.37 per share, or 17.04%, to close at $26.15 per share on August 4, 2022. Then, on December 20, 2023, DXC announced the sudden departure of its Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chairman of the Board, Defendant Michael Salvino, effective December 18, 2023. On this news, DXC's stock price fell $3.04 per share, or 12%, to close at $21.99 per share on December 20, 2023. Finally, on May 16, 2024, DXC's new CEO admitted that "the previous restructurings did not set a real, clean, solid, fully integrated baseline for profitable growth" because the systems that were acquired over time were "never integrated, never deduped," and admitted that the Company was "not [a] fully functional organization." DXC also announced it would need to spend an additional $250 million to achieve the restructuring and integration process it falsely claimed to have been successfully implementing during the Class Period. On this news, DXC's stock price fell $3.36 per share, or 16.9%, to close at $16.52 per share on May 17, 2024. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Ford Motor Company ("Ford" or the "Company") (NYSE: F). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether Ford and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until October 7, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Ford securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On July 24, 2024, after the market closed, Ford announced second quarter 2024 financial results, revealing that the Company's "profitability was affected by an increase in warranty reserves" and "higher warranty costs." As a result, Ford also revised its outlook for full year earnings for its electric vehicle segment to "reflect higher warranty costs than originally planned." Analysts and journalists, including The Associated Press and The Washington Post, reported that, in the second quarter, warranty and recall costs totaled $2.3 billion, $800 million more than the first quarter and $700 million more than a year prior. On this news, Ford's stock price fell $2.51 per share, or 18.36%, to close at $11.16 per share on July 25, 2024. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of C3.ai, Inc. ("C3.ai" or the "Company") (NYSE: AI). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether C3.ai and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On September 4, 2024, C3.ai issued a press release announcing its financial results for fiscal first quarter 2025. Among other items, C3.ai issued second-quarter sales guidance in the range of $88.6 million to $93.6 million, falling short of analyst expectations. On this news, C3.ai's stock price fell $1.90 per share, or 8.24%, to close at $21.11 per share on September 5, 2024. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Transocean Ltd. ("Transocean" or the "Company") (NYSE: RIG). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Transocean and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On September 3, 2024, Transocean announced that it had it agreed to sell the Development Driller III drillship and associated assets for $195 million and the Discoverer Inspiration drillship and associated assets for $147 million, as part of the Company's effort to dispose of non-strategic assets. The Company further announced that the sales would results in an estimated third-quarter non-cash charge of $630 million to $645 million associated with the impairment of the assets. On this news, Transocean's stock price fell $0.42 per share, or 8.86%, to close at $4.32 per share on September 3, 2024. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP The collaboration will begin with an initial focus on exploring SEA-LION for the Tamil language TOKYO and SINGAPORE, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Research and AI Singapore (AISG) today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on research for the SEA-LION (Southeast Asian Languages In One Network) family of large language models (LLMs), which are specifically pre-trained and instruct-tuned for the Southeast Asian (SEA) region. Through this shared research endeavor, Sony Research and AISG aim to address the gap in the representation of SEA in the global LLM landscape and work to ensure LLMs are more globally representative of all languages and populations. The work will be conducted through Sony AI a division of Sony Research. Under the agreement, Sony Research and AISG will explore testing and feedback of the SEA-LION model, particularly for Tamil and other Southeast Asian languages, as well as sharing best practices on LLM development and research methodologies. Leveraging Sony Research's strong presence in India, the exploration will extend to its expertise in LLM development on Indian languages, including Tamil, and the applicability of its recent research in the areas of speech generation, content analysis and recognition. Tamil is estimated to be spoken by 60-85 million people worldwide, with many in India and the Southeast Asian region. "Access to LLMs that address the global landscape of language and culture has been a barrier to driving research and developing new technologies that are representative and equitable for the global populations we serve," said Hiroaki Kitano, President of Sony Research. "As a global company, diversity and localization are vital forces. In Southeast Asia specifically, there are more than a thousand different languages spoken by the citizens of the region. This linguistic diversity underscores the importance of ensuring AI models and tools are designed to support the needs of all populations around the world. We look forward to our collaboration with AISG and the potential to make AI work for everyone." "AI Singapore is excited to collaborate with Sony Research in this groundbreaking partnership. The integration of the SEA-LION model, with its Tamil language capabilities, holds great potential to boost the performance of new solutions. We are particularly eager to contribute to the testing and refinement of the SEA-LION models for Tamil and other Southeast Asian languages, while also sharing our expertise and best practices in LLM development. We look forward to seeing how this collaboration will drive innovation in multilingual AI technologies," said Leslie Teo, Senior Director of AI Products, AI Singapore. Sony Research's Kitano has been an active participant in the Singapore technology community and is affiliated with a number of organizations and initiatives within the country, spurring this collaboration. He currently is a member of Singapore's Advisory Council on the Ethical Use of AI and Data, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), and the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF). About Sony Research Sony Research Inc. was established in April 2023 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation with the mission to "pioneer the future of creation." To achieve this, Sony Research will undertake research and development of unprecedented disruptive technologies that aim to empower creators around the world to maximize their creativity, the value of their IP, and fan engagement. Operating globally with partners around the world, Sony Research will initially focus on the research areas of Sensing, AI, and Virtual Spaces with plans to encompass additional research areas and challenges in the future. For more information visit https://research.sony. About AI Singapore AI Singapore (AISG) is a national programme launched by the National Research Foundation (NRF), Singapore, to catalyse, synergise and boost Singapore's artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to power our future digital economy. AISG will bring together all Singapore-based research institutions and the vibrant ecosystem of AI start-ups and companies developing AI products, to perform use-inspired research, grow the knowledge, create the tools, and develop the talent to power Singapore's AI efforts. AISG is driven by a government-wide partnership comprising NRF, Smart Nation Group (SNG), Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), amongst others. For more information on AI Singapore, please visit https://www.aisingapore.org. SOURCE Sony Research Inc. DALLAS, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 19, which represents the airline's Flight Simulator Technicians, have reached a Tentative Agreement for a new collective bargaining agreement. "Our Flight Simulator Technicians help keep our flight training facility operating nearly 24 hours a day and play a pivotal role in Southwest's mission to support a safe and reliable operation," said Adam Carlisle, Vice President Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines. "I am pleased they will have the opportunity to vote on a new contract." Southwest has more than 50 Flight Simulator Technicians who provide maintenance and engineering support for the Company's flight training equipment. Since October 2022, 11 of Southwest's 12 union-represented workgroups have ratified new agreements. ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its more than 74,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 137 million Customers carried in 2023. That formula for success has brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years3 of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. As the airline with Heart, Southwest has set a goal to work toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 20504. Southwest has also set near-term targets and a three-pillar strategy to achieve its environmental goals. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/planet. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey since Q1 2021 Fulltime-equivalent active Employees 1973-2019 annual profitability Our net zero by 2050 goal includes Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 Category 3 emissions only and excludes any emissions associated with non-fuel products and services, such as inflight service items. SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co. ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) acknowledges that its Board of Directors has opened an investigation into allegations of potential conduct by CEO Alan Shaw that is inconsistent with the company's Code of Ethics and company policy. Norfolk Southern holds all its team members to the highest standards. In line with the company's Code of Conduct and company policy, allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated. The code also includes resources for employees to anonymously report concerns, including through the Ethics & Compliance Hotline. The Board of Directors' Audit Committee has retained a law firm to conduct an independent investigation of the allegations and is committed to a complete and reliable examination of all pertinent facts. To ensure a fair investigation, the company and the Board cannot comment further until the investigation is complete. 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 Boundary-pushing school, Institut auf dem Rosenberg, will debut the cutting-edge virtual world during Climate Week NYC and Art Basel Miami HOHENWEG, Switzerland, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Institut auf dem Rosenberg (Rosenberg), the pioneering Swiss boarding school renowned for its tech-forward and innovative education, will premiere the first-ever student-created metaverse to select audiences in New York and Miami. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9288151-institut-auf-dem-rosenberg-unveils-student-created-metaverse/ A video preview of the worlds first student-created digital learning environment. The House of Fashion not only explores avant-garde avatar designs but also champions a more sustainable approach to textile production, reflecting the metaverse's commitment to environmental consciousness. The Rosenberg Meta is a virtual ecosystem for student projects, showcasing achievements in humanities, sciences, and arts using Web3 technology. Conceived and designed by Rosenberg students aged 6 to 18, in close collaboration with Studio 697 THz, this groundbreaking project highlights the transformative power of creativity and technology in an interactive digital world. The impact on learning is a compelling amplification of students' classroom experiences by merging analog teaching methods with the digital world. This approach offers tangible applications of future technologies while showcasing collaborative student projects, many of which have come to life in partnership with industry leaders such as MIT, UC Berkeley, and ABB. Stepping through the metaverse portal, visitors enter a vibrant network of passageways and monuments which together conceptualize a sustainable floating society that narrates a vision of a sustainable future, covering themes such as global awareness, human rights and advanced technologies. Currently, the digital world houses 117 different artifacts of collectible digital art set in spectacular environmentseach conceptualized and designed by the students, showcasing a dynamic blend of creativity and collaborative spirit across the student body. The digital artwork created by Rosenberg students in collaboration with Studio 697 THz, will be available for purchase online at instrosenberg.ch/meta, with all proceeds going directly to charities focused on environmental conservation, sustainability, peer-to-peer engagement, and human rights. "The Rosenberg Meta is not merely a digital playground; it is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the next generation," said Bernhard Gademann, President of Institut auf dem Rosenberg. "This project marks a major milestone in virtual world development and highlights the crucial role of education in driving technological innovation. By equipping students with the resources and support to realize their visions, we are paving the way for a future where creativity, sustainability, and purpose converge." The Rosenberg Meta will debut to the public for the first time during Climate Week NYC at the Climate Ring art and performance exhibition, in collaboration with Studio 697 THz and led by SwissNex, from September 25-27, 2024. Further to this, Studio 697 THz facilitated the showcasing of The Rosenberg Meta at Art Basel Miami from December 6-8, 2024, featuring 3D-printed artifacts in soil co-developed by students in collaboration with MIT, Boston. In the future, the Rosenberg Meta will open its digital doors to student participants and select visitors, inviting them to join town hall meetings and auctions for philanthropic causes. About Institut auf dem Rosenberg Established in 1889, Institut auf dem Rosenberg is a Swiss boarding school providing a state-of-the-art, holistic learning environment for responsible leaders of the 21st century. They are passionate about the development of meaningful learning experiences for children and young adults, typically aged 6 to 18 years. Their outstanding team of teachers and professionals are more than just educators they are true Artisans of Education. Rosenberg is renowned for its individual approach to education, enabling outstanding academic performance while featuring an unmatched array of Talent & Enrichment courses, all designed to broaden young minds and nurture their creativity. Rather than solely preparing students for exams by adhering to rigid curriculums, Rosenberg has created its own educational paradigm through the unique Rosenberg International Curriculum (RIC), which fosters expertise while also preparing students for a wide range of external qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), A-Levels and Advanced Placement (APs). SOURCE Institut auf dem Rosenberg "In passing the American Rescue Plan we committed not only to keeping our small businesses afloat amid the pandemic, but also to position them for long-term success. As our Investing in America agenda continues to generate new opportunities across our state, this $10 million investment in TEDCO's BRIDGE Program will help connect our local entrepreneurs with these opportunities and boost the resources available for them to capitalize on this moment to innovate and compete," said Senator Chris Van Hollen, who, as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, oversees funding for the Treasury Department and IRS. "Turning an idea into a job-creator takes time, money, and support. By working together across the state and federal levels, we are helping entrepreneurs and small business owners access all three," said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. "Maryland is grateful for the strong leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, as we continue moving in partnership to make our state more competitive and leave no one behind." Through their work to pass the American Rescue Plan, Senator Van Hollen, Congressman Hoyer, and members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation reauthorized and expanded the SSBCI, which provides nearly $10 billion to support small businesses and empowers them to access the capital needed to invest in job-creating opportunities. The BRIDGE program will aim to uplift Socially, Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI)- owned businesses and Very Small Businesses (VSBs), providing better access to capital and resources. To do this, the BRIDGE program will not only expand upon several existing programs while also creating new opportunities. The eight programs that will make up the BRIDGE program include: Financial Literacy, Credit Repair, and Building: to be led by the regional SBDCs, this program will provide consulting services in an effort to assist business owners in improving their credit, allowing them to better position themselves for loans and other debt capital. to be led by the regional SBDCs, this program will provide consulting services in an effort to assist business owners in improving their credit, allowing them to better position themselves for loans and other debt capital. CDFI Technical Assistance : to be led by TEDCO, this competitive program will engage CDFI partners across the region by awarding 8 grants of up to $100K each year to support technical assistance programs managed by the CDFIs. : to be led by TEDCO, this competitive program will engage CDFI partners across the region by awarding 8 grants of up to each year to support technical assistance programs managed by the CDFIs. Back-Office-In-a-Box : a new, competitive TEDCO program that will offer grants to organizations that can provide accounting, bookkeeping, human resources/payroll, and marketing software and support to others. : a new, competitive TEDCO program that will offer grants to organizations that can provide accounting, bookkeeping, human resources/payroll, and marketing software and support to others. Institute for Women Entrepreneur Excellence, Inc .: the TEDCO program will receive funding to expand the current program to allowing it to reach more SEDI women and women leading VSBs. .: the TEDCO program will receive funding to expand the current program to allowing it to reach more SEDI women and women leading VSBs. Rural and Urban Business Innovation Initiative : the TEDCO programs will receive additional funding to support the program's expansion, allowing for two more venture advisors to reach more Maryland-based startups and entrepreneurs. : the TEDCO programs will receive additional funding to support the program's expansion, allowing for two more venture advisors to reach more Maryland-based startups and entrepreneurs. BRIDGE Proposal Lab : the new TEDCO program will allow for the expansion of the SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab to support companies seeking other government funding opportunities. : the new TEDCO program will allow for the expansion of the SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab to support companies seeking other government funding opportunities. IPEC Free Legal Services : to be led by University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, funding for this program will allow for the expansion of the Carey School's legal clinic, allowing for more opportunities for pro bono services to entrepreneurs. : to be led by University of of Law, funding for this program will allow for the expansion of the Carey School's legal clinic, allowing for more opportunities for pro bono services to entrepreneurs. Loaned Executive Program: the TEDCO program housed under the Venture Development department will receive additional funding, allowing for 30 more loaned executive engagements each year. "Working with our partners in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Virgina and Maryland, it is our privilege to lead the Mid-Atlantic regional BRIDGE Program supported by Treasury's SSBCI SBOP Program," said Troy LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO CEO. "In a close-knit region like the Mid-Atlantic, state and district boarders should not constrain access to programs supporting business growth because the economic impact of that growth does not recognize those boarders. BRIDGE will benefit each of our districts by strengthening our broader region." About TEDCO TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com. Media Contact Tammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, [email protected] SOURCE TEDCO WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED Bank to add 55 branches in the Carolinas over the next five years COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Huntington National Bank announced its franchise expansion into North Carolina and South Carolina, furthering its presence and investment in the region and supporting the bank's strategic plan and long-term growth strategy. Huntington will significantly invest in the Carolinas, adding over 350 colleagues across multiple business lines and approximately 55 retail branches over the next five years. Initial branches will be placed in Charlotte, Raleigh and Winston-Salem in North Carolina and Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville in South Carolina. The bank's investment builds upon its 2023 Commercial Banking expansion into North Carolina and South Carolina, its existing Carolinas customer base, and the opening of its regional headquarters in Charlotte. This expansion will bring Huntington's expertise and extensive suite of products and capabilities across personal, wealth, business, and commercial banking to customers throughout the region. "The Carolinas is a fast-growing, highly dynamic region and we are proud to deepen our presence and bring our expertise and capabilities to even more customers in this market," said Brant Standridge, Huntington's Consumer and Regional Banking President. "We are very excited to expand our franchise and bolster our retail presence in the Carolinas." The full-scale retail expansion into the Carolinas builds on Huntington's existing multi-million dollar and multi-year plan to expand its branch presence in several other strategic markets including Denver, Minneapolis, and Chicago. "We are a national bank that believes in investing locally. We are thrilled to build on our Commercial Banking investment in the region and strengthen our dedication to serving the local customers and communities that are at the heart of our mission," said Heath Campbell, Executive Managing Director and Regional President, Carolinas. Learn more about Huntington careers: https://www.huntington.com/careers/ About Huntington Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $196 billion asset regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1866, The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumers, small and middlemarket businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Huntington operates approximately 970 branches in 11 states, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies. Visit Huntington.com for more information. SOURCE Huntington National Bank DETROIT, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2024-25 academic year at University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) is off to a record-breaking start with the largest first-year class in more than 30 years and a ranking that puts it among the top 50 universities in the country. The 2025 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UDM No. 43 in the nation, nine places higher than it ranked UDM last year. UDM's ranking was derived after being placed No. 39 in social mobility, an increase of nine spots from 2024 rankings. No. 44 in best salaries, an increase of 21 spots from 2024 rankings (previously titled Salary Impact). No. 91 in best value, a new category for 2025. The 2025 ranking also makes UDM The second-highest ranked university in Michigan . . The No. 2 Catholic university in the Midwest. The sixth-highest ranking Catholic university in the United States . . The fifth ranked university among all Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities in the country. Last year's No. 52 ranking led, in part, to a record first-year class this fall of 655 students on the McNichols Campus. This is an 18.7% increase over last year and largest incoming class since 1990. The 2024 class includes students from Michigan and 20 states and nine countries. Fifty percent of new students are the first in their family to attend university. With this record class and student retention above the national average for last year's first-year class, UDM is on target for an overall enrollment of more than 5,700. One draw for new students to UDM was the new Titan Edge program, which offers free tuition to first-year students eligible for the maximum federal Pell Grant and the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Detroit Mercy also earned significant news coverage last year. In April, UDM opened the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute at its Novi Campus. Also in April, the University hosted U.S. Sen. and Detroit Mercy alumnus Gary Peters and National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr. to observe the groundbreaking work by UDM's Vehicle Cyber Engineering Program. The U.S. Department of defense also provided $1.6 million in grants to establish the Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute. In addition, UDM had a record-breaking fundraising year, with donors supporting UDM with more than $25 million in gifts that provide scholarships and faculty and programmatic support. SOURCE University of Detroit Mercy UAG's cases are built to Go Further, and this year they are more rugged than ever. The team at UAG has brought increased performance and accessibility to their entire new collection, with enhancements to MagSafe compatibility being highlighted throughout this ultra-rugged collection. UAG's new iPhone collection features: Military-Grade Protection: Engineered to exceed military drop-test standards (MIL-STD 810G-516.6), each case in the collection provides reliable defense against accidental drops, bumps and scratches, keeping users' iPhones safe in the most challenging environments. Engineered to exceed military drop-test standards (MIL-STD 810G-516.6), each case in the collection provides reliable defense against accidental drops, bumps and scratches, keeping users' iPhones safe in the most challenging environments. Enhanced Grip & Accessibility: The iPhone 16 cases feature an innovative new 'Capture Button' which UAG has strategically designed on every case to allow for easy access without compromising on strength or in-hand feel. In addition, all iPhone 16 cases offered on the UAG website can support wireless charging and are compatible with MagSafe accessories. The iPhone 16 cases feature an innovative new 'Capture Button' which UAG has strategically designed on every case to allow for easy access without compromising on strength or in-hand feel. In addition, all iPhone 16 cases offered on the UAG website can support wireless charging and are compatible with MagSafe accessories. New Rugged Designs: The new collection features an update in both structure, color and finish with the introduction of more Kevlar options and a completely redesigned series like the fan favorite Civilian Series. From sleek to bold designs, there's a UAG case to match every preference. The new collection features an update in both structure, color and finish with the introduction of more Kevlar options and a completely redesigned series like the fan favorite Civilian Series. From sleek to bold designs, there's a UAG case to match every preference. Eco-Friendly Options: UAG is proud to introduce eco-friendly case options consisting of up to 50% recycled materials, increased sustainability in packaging, and an all-new two-way removable privacy eco which is made from 100% RPET. All additions reflect the brand's commitment to sustainability with the added benefit of unmatched durability and style. "Our latest iPhone case collection embodies the perfect blend of rugged protection and stylish design," said Casey Bevington, Chief Creative Officer at UAG. "We are dedicated to providing our customers with top-quality products that they can rely on, no matter where life takes them." In addition to offering superior protection for the iPhone 16, UAG recently launched power accessories that are compatible with iPhone 16 devices and are built to withstand day-to-day needs and inspire confidence along the many adventures to come. UAG's all-new "SRGE" line offers charging solutions from cables to mobile battery packs. The new UAG iPhone 16 cases are available now on the Urban Armor Gear website and at select retail partners. To learn more about the collection or to purchase, visit www.urbanarmorgear.com. About Urban Armor Gear Founded over a decade ago on a simple premise; to make a superior product that would allow us to take our tech further. Today we continue to create quality rugged protective gear for your essential tech devices; developed from an obsessive dedication to quality, a commitment to inspired design and fueled by an authentic community. Designed, engineered and proven in Southern California, we are Built to Go Further, we are UAG. Our badge of honor stands behind every single UAG product, receiving a military-grade certification for protection against shock by enduring rigorous laboratory drop testing. Visit: urbanarmorgear.com or www.instagram.com/urbanarmorgear for more information SOURCE Urban Armor Gear Adoption of electoral platforms, nomination of candidates, setting of campaign agendas NEWS PROVIDED BY NGO Yuksalish (Rise) movement of the Republic of Uzbekistan TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With only seven weeks remaining before Uzbekistan's citizens head to the polls in the country's first legislative election under the country's 2023 constitution, the five parties qualified to compete in the October 27 poll have hold their party conventions from September 4-7. Delegates, local functionaries, and existing MPs from around the country gathered in Tashkent representing: Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan; Democratic Party "Milliy Tiklanish"; Ecological Party of Uzbekistan ; People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan ; Social Democratic Party "Adolat" Bobur Bekmurodov, Chairman of NGO Yuksalish movement and current MP, put these party conventions into context: "While these gatherings lacked the fanfare of their American counterparts in Chicago and Milwaukee earlier this summer, they nonetheless served the same essential functions: 1) adopting official party platforms, 2) nominating candidates, and 3) setting the strategic plans for the homestretch of the campaigns, which will take into account a review of the achievements and shortcomings of activities from the previous election cycle." Last month, the CEC approved the participation of the aforementioned five parties that will elect a total of 150 MPs (deputies to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis) and almost 6,000 members of local Councils of People's Deputies, known as Kengashes. The election will be conducted using a hybrid model similar to that of Germany, in which half of the 150 seats are selected by constituency "first past the post" and the other half proportionally via national party lists with a 7% threshold. In the conventions that took place last week, each party has nominated a candidate in every constituency, for a total of 375 (75 * 5) candidates, plus a 100-strong national party list, for a total of 500 candidates vying for proportional representation. Notably, compliance with the Electoral Code that was modified in the wake of last year's constitutional referendum, requires that 40% of candidates be women. Bekmurodov added, "We expect this election to be the most impactful midterm poll that the country has yet seen. Uzbekistan is reforming constantly and becoming a country in which the state serves the people, not the other way around. Political parties play a crucial role in advocating for and delivering better services to citizens and these conventions have set the stage." X: https://x.com/Bbobur Notes for editors: About NGO Yuksalish NGO Yuksalish is a national movement in the Republic of Uzbekistan that unites citizens, compatriots living abroad and non-governmental non-profit organizations on a voluntary basis in order to support the implementation of the government's reform agenda. Its main goals include supporting development of all aspects of civic society, establishing an open dialogue with the public and the business community, as well as promotion of social and economic development at the national, regional and international levels, among others. The movement also provides help to enhancing the role of NGOs in protecting human rights and freedoms, in addition to providing and mobilizing administrative and financial resources for NGOs. SOURCE NGO Yuksalish ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Venture Global has announced the company will be donating $6 Million over the next three years to directly support public school teachers and staff in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Home to Venture Global's Calcasieu Pass LNG export facility and its future CP2 LNG export facility, Cameron Parish will see this donation increase the annual compensation of 270 public school teachers and staff by approximately 15%. "Venture Global is proud to be part of Cameron Parish and give back to a community that has welcomed us into their home. We are thrilled to be able to show our gratitude and help support further growth and opportunity in Cameron Parish by supporting its public school system. Our donation will provide each teacher and school system employee in the Parish with a well-deserved and sizable pay increase, and further energize an already high-performing education system to benefit the next generation of Cameron Parish," said Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global. This significant donation will enhance Cameron Parish's already competitive school system, which is consistently top-ranked in Louisiana. It will strengthen the Parish's ability to hire and retain the schoolteachers and staff who are so important to delivering the high-quality education that Cameron Parish families deserve and have come to expect. "Since Day One, our Administration has fought to better our education system and bring people back to Louisiana. This investment is a testament to just that. Now, with U.S. LNG development and partners like Venture Global heavily investing in these frontline communities, Southwest Louisiana's economy is growing and thriving," said Governor of Louisiana Jeff Landry. "I'd like to thank Venture Global for this significant commitment to Louisiana's educational system. Education is the backbone of our country and this investment is a game-changer for Cameron Parish and our entire state." "We are extremely excited about Venture Global's generous donation to help supplement pay for Cameron Parish School teachers and staff. Their donation not only shows their continued support for our parish, but specifically their commitment to our school system. Our teachers and staff do a phenomenal job of providing the best educational opportunity possible for the students of Cameron Parish. Results show that our district has ranked among the best over the last 10 years. It is truly remarkable what our students and staff have been able to accomplish given all the obstacles, hurdles, and hard ships they have endured. This donation puts us closer to our ultimate goal of having Cameron Parish teacher pay aligned with the national average," said Charley Lemons, Cameron Parish Schools Superintendent. Venture Global's new investment in Cameron Parish schoolteachers and staff builds on the company's substantial commitments to workforce training and apprenticeship programs across Louisiana. Venture Global's Will to Skill program provides skilled labor and technical training free-of-charge to frontline community members to equip them with the skillset to launch successful trade careers across Louisiana. By the end of this year, Will to Skill is on track to have graduated well over 300 students since the inception of the program in 2020 - and its positive impacts have been truly life changing for many of its students and their families. Additionally, in Cameron Parish, Venture Global launched and has successfully completed an inaugural apprenticeship program for operations and maintenance roles. All apprentices were recruited from SOWELA Technical Community College and have now secured full time employment. Venture Global plans to grow this program in the future, with larger recruitment classes and further opportunities around the Southwest Louisiana area. SOURCE Venture Global LNG 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 Damascus, Sep 9 : Israel carried out air strikes on a scientific research facility and an arms depot in central Syria on Sunday night, a war monitor reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the attack targeted sites in Masyaf, in western Hama province. Ambulances were seen rushing to the area, the Britain-based group said, adding that a large fire was seen near Wadi al-Oyoun in western Hama following the strikes, Xinhua news agency reported. Syrian state television reported that air defences responded to "Israeli aggression" in central Syria. The Observatory said several missiles were intercepted. The extent of casualties and damage was not immediately clear. Israel has conducted numerous strikes in Syria in recent years, often targeting what it says are Iranian-linked and Hezbollah positions. Beirut, Sep 9 : Hezbollah has targeted several military sites in northern Israel and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, prompting the Israeli army to respond with airstrikes that injured three civilians, according to official and military sources in Lebanon. Hezbollah on Sunday claimed responsibility in statements, saying their fighters launched a drone attack on al-Zaoura in the Golan Heights, targeting Iron Dome platforms and Israeli military positions in retaliation for attacks on southern villages in Lebanon, Xinhua news agency reported. The group also said they conducted a drone strike on the Israeli naval site of Ras al-Naqoura following an alleged attack in the Lebanese village of Froun along the border on Saturday, which reportedly killed three civil defence members. Lebanese military sources told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes and drones carried out five airstrikes targeting villages and towns in the eastern and central sectors of southern Lebanon. One strike on Khirbet Selm resulted in minor injuries to three civilians. The sources also reported that the Lebanese army had observed the launch of approximately 30 surface-to-surface missiles and several drones from southern Lebanon toward northern Israel. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border have escalated since October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack the previous day. Israel retaliated with heavy artillery fire toward southern Lebanon. Abuja, Sep 9 : At least 48 people were killed after a gasoline-laden tanker exploded on a busy highway in Niger, a state in Nigeria's central region, local authorities have said. The ill-fated tanker had a head-on collision with an oncoming truck laden with cattle along the Bida-Agaie-Lapai highway, causing the gasoline tanker to explode, Abdullah Baba-Arah, head of the State Emergency Management Agency, told reporters in Minna on Sunday, the capital of the state. Two other vehicles were caught up in the inferno, Baba-Arah said, noting up to 48 people were killed. At least 50 cattle were also lost to the incident, Xinhua news agency reported. A search operation was underway to recover bodies of more victims believed to have been trapped in the unfortunate vehicles, he added. Baghdad, Sep 9 : The Iraqi Oil Ministry dismissed accusations from several US Congress members that Iraq is smuggling and "illegally" selling oil to Iran to help it avoid US sanctions, calling the claims "fabrications that have no basis." This response followed a letter reportedly sent by five US Congress members to President Joe Biden on Wednesday, accusing several Iraqi parties and officials, including Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani, who plans to visit the United States soon for gas investment, of aiding Iran's sanctions evasion by smuggling oil, reports Xinhua news agency. The lawmakers on Sunday also called on Biden to bar Ghani from visiting Washington as scheduled until the relevant investigation is complete. The Iraqi Oil Ministry expressed "astonishment and condemnation" of the letter's content. It emphasised that its oil activities are monitored by international inspectors and that Iraqi waters are strictly controlled by the country's naval forces. New Delhi, Sep 9 : Administering the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in older adults with underlying health conditions may be a cost-effective way to reduce disease, a modelling study showed on Monday. While RSV infections are known to cause major illness, especially in infants, the rate of infection increases with age. It can be dangerous for older adults, especially those with certain medical conditions, and can cause serious complications like pneumonia, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are now vaccines available to prevent disease caused by RSV in adults, and vaccination campaigns may reduce the incidence in older adults and associated health care costs, said the team of researchers led by the Public Health Agency of Canada. In the paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal), the team created a model to assess the cost-effectiveness of vaccine programmes in various age groups with different medical risks. They focused on adults aged 50 and older. They analysed a combination of age-only, medical riskonly and age-plus medical risk-based vaccination strategies. The strategies focused on adults were found to be more cost-effective "We found that vaccination of older adults may be less costly and more effective than no vaccination and that vaccinating people aged 70 years and older with chronic medical conditions is likely to be cost-effective based on commonly used cost-effectiveness thresholds," said Dr. Ashleigh Tuite, the Centre for Immunisation Programmes at the Public Health Agency. RSV is likely to cause only mild symptoms similar to that of a common cold in the majority of people. However, for some at high risk, it can turn severe and even be life-threatening. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone ages 75 and older get an RSV vaccine. The RSV vaccine is currently not an annual shot, meaning older adults do not need to get a dose every RSV season. Amman, Sep 9 : Jordan's Interior Ministry said that initial investigations into the shooting incident on the other side of the King Hussein Bridge confirmed that the shooter is a Jordanian citizen. The ministry identified the shooter as Maher Diab Hussein Al-Jazi, a resident of the Al-Husseiniya area in Ma'an Governorate, according to a statement from the state-run Petra news agency. According to the ministry, initial investigations indicate the incident was an individual act, and inquiries are still underway to uncover more details, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting Petra. The ministry said the shooter crossed the bridge as the driver of a freight vehicle carrying commercial goods from Jordan to the West Bank, adding that coordination is underway between relevant authorities to transfer his body for burial in Jordan. Earlier on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said a driver approached the Allenby Bridge, a border point between Jordan and the occupied West Bank, from the Jordanian side in a truck, exited his vehicle, and opened fire on Israeli security guards, leaving three dead at the scene. The attacker was shot dead by Israeli forces. Following the shooting attack, the Israel Airports Authority said in a statement that it has shut down the Allenby Bridge, also known officially in Jordan as the King Hussein Bridge, along with the Wadi Araba Crossing, or Yitzhak Rabin Crossing, between Israel's Red Sea resort city of Eilat and Jordan's Aqaba, and the Jordan River Crossing, or Sheikh Hussein Bridge, between Israel's Beit She'an and Jordan's Irbid. Lisbon, Sep 9 : Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench to score a second successive Nations League winner as Portugal fought back to defeat Scotland. Following Thursday's late 3-2 loss to Poland, Steve Clarke's side began well and went ahead with their only chance of the first half as Scott McTominay headed in his tenth goal in his last 17 internationals from Kenny McLean's cross. Having spurned several chances in response, Portugal finally levelled after the restart when Bruno Fernandes struck on his 30th birthday and in his 600th career game. Ronaldo then pounced two minutes from the end for his 901st career goal to keep up the 2018/19 Nations League champions' 100% record in the current edition. Meanwhile, the holders Spain also secured a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Switzerland despite being reduced to ten men midway through the first half. Joselu's looping header and a Fabian Ruiz strike put Spain in command early on, before Robin Le Normand was dismissed for impeding Breel Embolo. The hosts' numerical advantage paid off when Zeki Amdouni pounced from close range just before the interval, but they were unable to convert possession into an equaliser after the break. With the Nati hunting for a second goal, Spain hit them on the counter twice in the space of four minutes late on, with FabiAn Ruiz getting his second of the evening via a neat finish from substitute Ferran Torres' cross, before the replacement added a fourth himself after being sent clear by Joselu. In another action, a stunning Luka Modric free-kick gave Croatia their first three points of the campaign with 1-0 win over Poland. The Croatia captain celebrates his 39th birthday on Monday, yet he showed no signs of ageing in a masterclass of distribution and creativity. The hosts dominated the early possession and Igor Matanovic had a series of first-half attempts, but it took them until the 52nd minute to break the deadlock against a solid Poland defence, with Modric curling a set piece over the visitors' wall and into the top-left corner of Lukasz Skorupski's goal. Although Poland pushed for an equaliser in an open second half, and Robert Lewandowski hit the woodwork, Croatia ultimately did enough to see out the victory. Damascus, Sep 9 : At least four people were killed and 15 others injured after Israel launched airstrikes on multiple military installations in the central region of the country, according to the Syrian Ministry of Defence and medical officials. The attack, which took place at around 11:23 p.m. local time on Sunday, was launched from the direction of northern Lebanon, striking key military sites in the central province of Hama, according to the ministry, Xinhua news agency reported. In a statement, the ministry confirmed that the airstrike resulted in the deaths of three people, with material losses reported. Syrian air defences were activated and managed to intercept some of the incoming Israeli missiles, though many still hit their intended targets. Later in the day, Maher Younes, Hama Health Director, updated that four people were killed and 15 others injured as an initial toll from the attack. Pro-government Sham FM radio reported significant material damage to civilian properties and the power grid along the Masyaf-Wadi al-Oyoun highway in the western Hama countryside. Muscat : , Sep 9 (IANS) Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi met with his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, here to discuss bilateral cooperation as this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. According to the statement from the Omani Foreign Ministry on Sunday, both sides explored ways to enhance economic and trade partnerships, focusing on mutual investment in renewable energy and agriculture, reports Xinhua news agency. During the meeting, the Omani minister commended "Brazil's efforts in addressing several global issues that benefit humanity as a whole." The Brazilian diplomat praised "Oman's vital role in promoting regional stability." Their discussions also covered regional and international developments, as well as joint efforts to promote security both in the region and globally, according to the statement. Surat, Sep 9 : Six people were arrested for pelting stones at a Ganesh pandal in the Sayedpura area of Gujarat's Surat on Monday, said officials here, adding that 27 others, who were involved in encouraging the incident have also been detained. Stone-pelting at the Ganpati pandal led to widespread unrest on Sunday evening. The angry locals took to the streets against the stone pelting incident, leading to widespread unrest and vehicle damage. The protesters, enraged by the stone-pelting incident, surrounded the local police station, demanding swift justice. Police had to resort to the lathi charge and use tear gas to control the growing crowd. Local sources revealed that a group of individuals targeted the Ganpati pandal, sparking anger among devotees and residents. The situation escalated quickly, with protesters taking to the streets and damaging vehicles in retaliation. In response, Surat police resorted to lathi charges and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, but a large number of protesters again gathered later, demanding action. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi confirmed the incident, stating that six individuals were involved in the stone-pelting. "All six have been arrested, along with 27 others who are accused of inciting the act," Sanghvi said during a media briefing. He assured the public that an investigation was underway and stern action would be taken against anyone disturbing the peace. "Police are deployed in all areas of Surat to ensure law and order," he added. Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot provided additional details, explaining that the initial stone-pelting was carried out by a group of children, which then led to a more significant clash. "The police immediately took the children involved into custody, but the situation escalated quickly. Lathi charges were conducted in areas where necessary, and tear gas was deployed to bring the situation under control," Gehlot said. "Around 1,000 police personnel are currently deployed to maintain peace," he added. The heightened tensions prompted authorities to maintain a high alert across the city to prevent further escalation during the ongoing Ganesh Utsav celebrations. Surat's Saiyedpura area has become a focal concern for the authorities. With the stone-pelting incident casting a shadow over the Ganesh Utsav festivities, the police and administration are working to ensure peace and calm. "We are monitoring the situation closely, and anyone found disturbing communal harmony will face strict action," said Sanghvi during his visit to the scene. Its all very well to brag about how much fresh water surrounds Western New York. What difference does it make if the water is too contaminated to use or, for the most part, too difficult to access? For years, that was my thinking. I turned up my nose at our lakes and rivers, preferring occasional journeys to real beaches in North Carolina or Cape Cod. But over the past 30 years or so, the situation has changed in some cases dramatically. For one thing, the waterfront became more publicly visible. It wasnt just something people lucky enough to have houses along the lake could enjoy. Canalside emerged, and the Outer Harbor acquired parks. Beaches closer to the city were developed. They werent perfect, but they were scenic and easy to get to. Unimaginably, the Buffalo River became recreational. Kids born over the last ten years will never know it any other way. But the rest of us remember, even if we werent there, that this waterway was once so coated with toxic oils that it burst into flames. The Buffalo Rivers remediated water, open access and renewed beauty are largely thanks to decades of hard work led by the organization now called Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, which has galvanized government entities, other nonprofits, an army of volunteers and a mountain of funding along the way. The water that surrounds us is becoming more worthy of celebration. It has taken a lot of money and many years. Big tasks remain. One of them is the remediation of a waterway that has been mangled and manipulated beyond recognition: Scajaquada Creek. First, as a Buff State student, and then, as a regular visitor to Delaware Park and Forest Lawn, I noticed bits and pieces of the creek over the years and thought of them simply as areas of dirty-looking water. For a long time, I had no idea they were connected. That wouldnt surprise anyone who knows the history of the intermittently buried waterway. And it is why Jill Jedlicka, who leads Waterkeeper, issues a Scajaquada Creek wake-up call every September, with a full month of educational programming and clean-up efforts. We have been doing Scajaquada September for many years now, she says, to capture the hearts and mind of the community. This is our way of annually making sure people are reminded of this forgotten waterway. But what can realistically be done with a creek that has been turned into a series of ponds by suburban development, has been buried underground on Buffalos East Side and emerges, laden with debris, as it enters the Niagara River? The 13-mile tributary begins in the Town of Lancaster and runs through Depew and Cheektowaga before being diverted into an underground culvert. It reemerges in Forest Lawn cemetery, flows into the Black Rock Canal and empties into the Niagara. The underground parts of it run beneath the Walden Galleria; a section of Buffalos East Side, where it is also known as the Scajaquada drain; and then parts of Delaware Avenue and its namesake expressway. It is impossible to walk along Scajaquadas 13-mile length because parts of the underground portions are now peoples backyards or hidden beneath commercial developments. Jedlicka admits that it cant be brought back to its original state. But there has been progress. We are where we were with Buffalo River, when we first got the attention of state agencies and municipal agencies, she says. And we are ready to move forward and accelerate the work. Sewer overflow correction is crucial; once the ongoing contamination is turned off, healthy water can take over. Waterkeeper has assembled a funding coalition, including private foundations Ralph Wilson Jr. and Wendt, as well as government grants. Jedlicka thinks this can be leveraged to unlock the considerable resources of the Army Corps of Engineers. The organization is working closely with communities along the creek, which is important, because while Cheektowaga may need better flood control, those living above the creek on Buffalos East Side might prefer to have some restoration of a former waterfront. Jedlicka cautions, Not everybody wants that and it could disconnect communities, but adds, There are these green pathways and parks, and they are connectors. How do we evoke the creek and still improve the ecology on top of where it was? The idea is to connect people, even though much of it would still be underground. Everybody upstream or downstream wants clean water, which is always a basic goal of Waterkeepers work. But it does mean playing the long game. We are moving forward, Jedlicka says, admitting the timeline seems slow. But you have to measure it in decades. Now that the example of the Buffalo River, a thriving ecosystem with more than 35 species of fish, is before us, it is easier to accept talk of decades. And there is visible progress along Scajaquada already. A restored wetlands habitat runs through Forest Lawn Cemetery, where the creek surfaces, drawing on healthy spring water and featuring pathways and bridges. It took nearly ten years and involved many organizations besides Waterkeeper and Forest Lawn, including the Buffalo Sewer Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Nobody is saying our waterways are perfect. Sewer overflows are still a problem. But those Atlantic Ocean beaches that I preferred and still love have their own environmental issues now. At least here in Buffalo, we have dedicated people who know and accept the hard, long slog of it all. Who insist, as Jedlicka does, If we stopped polluting and cleaned up the mistakes of the past, this creek would burst forth and spring back to life. This creek wants to live. I hope I live to see it. This year, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeepers Scajaquada September includes weekly presentations at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, a Scajaquada Slow Roll bike tour, two virtual lunch meetings with Waterkeeper staff and a DIY Solo Sweep clean-up challenge. A culminating event is the Oct. 5 Freshwater Flicks film festival. Bnwaterkeeper.org has the details. Kolkata, Sep 9 : Internal differences within the Trinamool Congress have surfaced over the decision of its Rajya Sabha member and former IAS officer Jawhar Sircar to resign from Parliament and quit politics. On one hand, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh, while describing the decision of Sircar as his personal matter, also acknowledged the legitimacy of the reasons cited by Sircar behind his decision. Ghosh even went to the extent of saying that there are obedient soldiers within Trinamool Congress like him who are in agreement with Sircar on certain points that he (Sircar) mentioned in his letter to the Chief Minister, where he informed her about his decision to resign from the Rajya Sabha and quit politics. However, four-time party Lok Sabha member Saugata Roy and the party's youth leader Debangshu Bhattacharya have launched a scathing attack on Sircar over his decision. According to Roy, nominations to individuals like Sircar, who do not have in-depth ideological links with the party, should not have been given. According to him, since Sircar had made his opinion public instead of expressing the same within the party, disciplinary action against him should be adopted by the party. Similarly, Bhattacharya described Sircar as equivalent to water-hyacinth, which floats with the tide and not against it and said that "history shames those who escape at the time of battle". On Sunday, Sircar communicated his decision to resign from the Rajya Sabha as well as to quit politics through a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee where he cited the recent ghastly rape and murder of a woman doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital and the general corruption in state governance as the reason that prompted him to take this decision. "I have never witnessed such grievance and non-confidence against any government ever in my life. After carefully observing the sequence of events on the R.G. Kar issue for the last month a question came to my mind on why you are not directly interacting with the protesting junior doctors as you used to do before," Sircar said. He also said that since the current protests on this issue have been totally apolitical and spontaneous in nature, it would be unfair to resist this movement by giving it a political tag. Mumbai, Sep 9 : On his 57th birthday on Monday, Akshay Kumar announced that he is joining forces with director Priyadarshan once again after 14 years for the upcoming horror comedy 'Bhooth Bangla'. Akshay took to X, formerly called Twitter, where he shared the motion poster of the film. In the image, Akshay is seen having milk in a bowl with a black cat standing on his shoulder. "Thank you for your love on my birthday, year after year! Celebrating this year with the first look of 'Bhooth Bangla'! I'm beyond excited to join forces with Priyadarshan again after 14 years," wrote the actor, who last worked with the filmmaker in 2010 in the film "Khatta Meetha". Tagging it as a "dream collaboration", he added: "This dream collaboration has been a long time coming can't wait to share this incredible journey with you all. Stay tuned for the magic!" Other details of the film, which will hit the big screens in 2025, are still under wraps. Akshay and Priyadarshan have given several blockbusters together including "Hera Pheri", "De Dana Dan", "Bhool Bhulaiyaa", "Garam Masala" and "Khatta Meetha" to name a few. It was on September 7, when Akshay, who was recently seen in 'Khel Khel Mein', hinted at a new project and shared that he will be sharing the news on his birthday with his fans. He took to his Instagram, and shared a motion poster featuring an ominous metal evil face against a backdrop of royal red curtains. He wrote in the caption, "Ganpati Bappa Morya! What could be better than a day like today to hint at something special coming your way? The reveal is set for my birthday. Stay tuned! #SpecialAnnouncement". Akshay has a huge lineup of films including "Singham Again", "Sky Force", "Jolly LLB 3", "Welcome To The Jungle", "Shankara" and "Hera Pheri 3" to name a few. Kolkata, Sep 9 : The Joint Forum of Doctors has objected to Trinamool Congress general secretary and the party Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee's social media post where he blamed their strike for the death of an accident victim. The forum in a communique on Sunday to Banerjee contested Banerjee by presenting some facts related to the accident. Banerjee in a post stated that a boy from Konnagar in the Hooghly district of West Bengal faced a road accident and died after bleeding for three hours without receiving medical attention as a consequence of ongoing protest by doctors on the R.G Kar Medical College & Hospital rape and murder case. In the communique, a copy of which is available with IANS, two joint conveners of the forum pointed out that "the patient did not bleed for three hours without receiving medical attention". As per the communique, the said patient was first "referred to a higher centre from Srirampur and was received at R.G. Kar Medical College promptly at 9.10 a.m. on the same day, September 6. "The doctors on duty immediately attended to him and continued to provide medical care at several intervals until his unfortunate demise at 12.30 p.m., as noted in the provisional death certificate (PM No. RG2400791300, dated 6.9.2024). The bed head tickets as well as the statement of the MSVP of RGKMCH will categorically substantiate our claim and refute your post," the communique read. According to the forum conveners, the social media post by Banerjee is also "potentially dangerous" since it involves the risk of inciting violence and hostility against the medical community. The forum has also asked Banerjee to retract the social media statement. "It is imperative that political leaders like yourself exercise responsibility and ensure that your words do not inflame tensions or lead to further unrest. We expect you to set the record right and take corrective action promptly to prevent any potential repercussions arising from your misleading post," the communique read. In his post on September 6, Banerjee said that while the demands of the junior doctors were both fair and valid, the protests should in a way disrupt essential medical services. "If the protest has to continue, it should be done constructively, with empathy and humanity, ensuring no more lives are put at risk through inaction or neglect," Banerjee's social media post read. Texas, Sep 9 : Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, currently on a three-day visit to the US, addressed the Indian diaspora in Dallas, Texas, emphasising that his role in Indian politics is to "inject the values of love, respect and humility." "I see my role as Leader of Opposition is to inject the values of love, respect and humility in Indian politics and all political parties," he said, addressing the Indian diaspora. Speaking at the event, Rahul Gandhi remarked, "I am speaking to Dallas, and who are you? You are people who have come from India, and the values that I have been describing -- the values of the Constitution, respect, and humility -- are in your heart, in your blood. You came to this country not with arrogance but with humility and love." He stressed the importance of the India-US relationship, saying, "The US needs India, and India needs the US. You are the bridge between your old home and your new home. You should bring the ideas of India to the US and the ideas of the US to India." Reflecting on the Indian national anthem, the LoP in the Lok Sabha stated, "It mentions all our states equally. It doesn't rank one above the other. Our Constitution clearly states that 'India, that is Bharat, is a Union of States' -- very much like the United States. We share the fact that we are the two biggest democracies and also that we are unions of states." Criticising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi said, "The RSS believes that India is one idea, but we believe it is a multiplicity of ideas. Everyone should be allowed to participate and dream, regardless of their caste, language, religion, tradition, or history." "This is the fight, and the fight was crystallised in the election when millions of people in India clearly understood that the Prime Minister of India was attacking the Constitution of India. The Union of States and respect for languages, religions, traditions, and caste are all in the Constitution. The foundation of modern India is the Constitution," he added. Rahul Gandhi's speech comes at a critical juncture as he seeks to rally support from the diaspora while continuing his opposition against the ruling BJP back home. Continuing his speech, he said, "People understood that the BJP is attacking our tradition, language, states, histories, and most importantly, what they understood was that anybody who is attacking the Constitution of India is also attacking our religious tradition. That is why, in my first speech in the Parliament, you must have noticed when I described Abhayamudra, the fact that this is a symbol of fearlessness and it is present in every single Indian religion." "But the BJP doesn't understand this, and we are going to make them understand," he said, mocking the BJP-led Centre. The Congress leader also noted the shift in public sentiment following the elections, saying, "The other thing that happened was that the fear of the BJP vanished. We saw that immediately, within minutes of the election result, nobody in India was scared of the BJP or the Prime Minister of India. So these are huge achievements, not of Rahul Gandhi or the Congress party. We are peripheral." "These are huge achievements of the people of India who realised that we are not going to accept an attack on our Constitution. We are not going to accept an attack on our religion, on our state," he added. Pune : , Sep 9 (IANS) Another case of drunken driving has shocked Pune after a speeding tempo driver allegedly mowed down at least four persons, killing a Maharashtra Navirman Sena leader's wife and injuring the rest, a police official said here on Monday. The accident took place around 9.15 p.m. at the Karishma Chowk in the Paudphata area of the city when the Ganeshosav celebrations were in full swing and people were crowding the roads. At that time a speeding tempo, with Ashish Pawar at the wheel, rammed into at least two two-wheelers, one autorickshaw and another parked vehicle, mowing down around four persons, as it screeched to a halt at the signal, said Alankar Police Station Investigating Officer Swapnali Gaikwad. "Of the casualties, two are still in hospital and one is improving, while a couple of others in a car suffered minor injuries, and all the vehicles were also damaged. We have arrested the accused and he will be produced before the Shivajinagar Court later today," Gaikwad told IANS. A local eyewitness Raju Dhanawade said that the roads were full of people and the tempo knocked down the two-wheeler of local MNS chief Shrikant Amrale and his wife Gitanjali riding pillion, and ran over her, causing very serious injuries. "She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her wounds at around 1.30 a.m. The tempo driver was reportedly drunk at the time of the tragedy, and further investigations are underway," said Gaikwad. Other shocked eyewitnesses said that on seeing the accident, many of the locals ran to the tempo, dragged out the driver and thrashed him before the Alankar Police team rushed there and took him in their charge. This is another in a series of drunk-and-drive or hit-and-run cases that have occurred in different parts of the state, including the infamous Porsche incident of May 19, when a minor rich brat killed two techies while speeding his car in Kalyani Nagar at a speed of over 200 kmph before crashing to a halt. Seoul, Sep 9 : North Korea on Monday condemned a recent United Nations report on the alleged human rights abuses in the country and described it as a "fabricating and fictitious" document, brought out to paint it in bad light. In a report on North Korea's human rights situation, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recommended that North Korea investigate, prosecute, and bring to justice those accused of having committed human rights violations. The report will be submitted to the UN General Assembly, Yonhap news agency reported. Kim Son-gyong, vice Foreign Minister of North Korea, said the enemy forces fabricated the report in a bid to slander the North and tarnish its image, according to the Korean Central News Agency. "I severely condemn the enemy forces' move to slander our country's dignity and system in the name of the UN as a political provocation and an act of violating a sovereignty that we cannot tolerate," Kim said. Kim said the UN should first take issue with Washington's human rights abuses before denouncing the North's human rights problems that do not even exist, claiming that rampant hate crimes and other inhumane acts have been committed in the United States. North Korea has long bristled at outside criticism of its human rights abuses, calling it a US-led attempt to topple its regime. New Delhi, Sep 9 : Atsushi Sakima, a candidate backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party won the mayoral election in Ginowan, a city in the southern Japan prefecture of Okinawa that hosts a US military base. Sakima, 60, served as mayor from 2012 to 2018. He backs the closure of US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, located in a residential area of the city, and its move to the less populated coastal district of Henoko in Nago, in line with former Mayor Masanori Matsugawa, whose sudden death in July triggered the vote, reports Kyodo news. The newly elected Mayor was also backed by the LDP's junior coalition partner, the Komeito party. He defeated Isao Tobaru (65) a former city assembly member who opposed the base's relocation to Henoko. Tobaru had the support of opposition parties and All Okinawa Kaigi, an anti-relocation coalition of political parties and civic groups that also backs Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, a prominent anti-base figure. The central government has been pushing ahead with the relocation plan, and in an unprecedented move late last year overrode the objections of local authorities and approved a modified landfill plan by proxy. Construction work began in January. Even after its reversion from US control in 1972 following the end of World War II in August 1945, Okinawa remains home to the bulk of US military facilities in Japan. Voter turnout was 53.27 per cent, down 10.22 percentage points from the previous contest. A third candidate, local businessman Takashi Higa, also competed in the race. Kathmandu, Sep 9 : A 13-year-old boy from Bajpani in Sigas Rural Municipality died of electrocution on Friday after climbing a tree that had come into contact with a live power line. Basanta Bohara was electrocuted instantly, prompting residents to block the highway in protest against what they claim is negligence by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), said a report by the Kathmandu Post. Inspector Balaram Pandey of District Police Baitadi told newsmen that the protest was resolved after the local NEA office agreed to provide Rs150,000 in compensation, Rs 500,000 in insurance, and a job to a member of Bohara's family. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the management of electrical infrastructure in Nepal, as this is not the first case of electrocution in the Himalayan country. In March, a similar tragedy occurred in Dang, where a broken electric wire resulted in the deaths of three family members. In May, another electrocution death happened in Sarlahi district, involving a low-hanging internet wire connected to a power pole. Data from the NEA's Janakpur provincial office reveals that 449 people died from electric shocks in Madhesh Province over the past five years. The National Human Rights Commission is investigating these incidents, criticising the NEA for its mismanagement. Meanwhile, the NEA has reported a net profit before tax of Rs13.307 billion for the previous fiscal year, an increase from the previous year. NEA spokesperson Chandan Kumar Ghosh acknowledged the challenges of maintaining safety amid infrastructure expansion and public awareness efforts and emphasised that while NEA strives to address technical issues promptly, some accidents are caused by external factors like road expansion and digging. Ghosh assured that the NEA is committed to improving safety and addressing electrocution incidents while adhering to regulations for compensation and property damage. Hyderabad, Sep 9 : A police officer in Telangana's Sangareddy district has been ordered to report to the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) after he celebrated a Congress leader's birthday in the police station. Hyderabad, Sep 9 (IANS) A police officer in Telanganaas Sangareddy district has been ordered to report to the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) after he celebrated a Congress leader's birthday in the police station. Orders have been issued directing Vatpally Sub-Inspector Laxman from Sangareddy district to immediately report to the Multi-Zone II IGP office, according to a statement from the office of the Director General of Police on Monday. Senior Police officials have taken serious note of the incident where a Congress party leader's birthday was celebrated, and a cake was cut at the police station. Multi-Zone II IGP V. Satyanarayana has stated that disciplinary action will be taken as soon as the report on the incident is received. The birthday of Congress partyas Metpally mandal president Pratap Ramesh Joshi was celebrated in the police station on Sunday. The SI and a constable cut the cake along with the Congress leader. The incident in the Andole constituency evoked criticism from various quarters. The SI came under flak for organising the birthday celebration in the police station. This is the second such incident in the state in recent weeks. Last month, a few policemen in Warangal, including Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Nandiram Naik attended the birthday celebration of Minister for Forests and Environment and Endowments, Konda Surekha. The event, which included cake-cutting and a speech by the ACP, sparked a row with the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) raising questions on the policeas adherence to service rules and political neutrality. The ACP, Circle Inspector (CI) and some other police personnel attended the birthday celebrations of the Minister. The celebration had also triggered chaos when the ministeras supporters set off firecrackers, causing injury to a girl. BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao slammed the police officers and asked the DGP if service rules have changed recently. Warangal Police Commissioner Ambar Kishore Jha had issued a show cause notice to ACP Naik. Bengaluru, Sep 9 : Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is under pressure as the court proceedings regarding his writ petition challenging Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot's decision to sanction prosecution in the MUDA case will come to a close shortly. Bengaluru, Sep 9 (IANS) Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is under pressure as the court proceedings regarding his writ petition challenging Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlotas decision to sanction prosecution in the MUDA case will come to a close shortly. Sources said that CM Siddaramaiah is worried as senior leaders who have been issuing statements in his support before the media are also engaged in hectic lobbying for the top post and he is aware of the "game." The CM cancelled all his programmes for the entire day on Monday and is closely monitoring the court proceedings. The timing of the private trip of Deputy CM DK Shivakumar to the US has also become a point of discussion under the present circumstances. Congress sources have stated that if the verdict goes against CM Siddaramaiah, the BJP is likely to intensify its agitation in Karnataka, demanding his resignation. Although the party has declared that it will support CM Siddaramaiah regardless of the outcome, the high command has already started considering potential candidates for the top post in the state. Sensing these developments, senior party leaders have begun intense lobbying for the post in New Delhi, sources revealed. Former BJP MP, S Munisawamy professed on Monday that leaders within the Congress party were eagerly waiting for CM Siddaramaiah to be caught in a legal battle over the MUDA case, with hopes of becoming the chief minister. Former BJP leader, KS Eshwarappa alleged in Vijayapura that the competition within the Congress party for the CMas post had begun. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also claimed that many leaders were in the race to become the next CM. According to sources within the Congress party, about 12 senior Congress leaders are lobbying for the post, approaching the high command by emphasising their seniority. Home Minister G Parameshwara, a prominent Dalit leader with substantial influence, has been meeting with party leaders. His recent one-on-one meeting with senior leader Rahul Gandhi sparked a debate in the state. Minister for Public Works Department (PWD) Satish Jarkiholi, a mass leader from the oppressed classes and a close confidant of CM Siddaramaiah, is also believed to be in the running. His supporters have already started campaigning, declaring Satish Jarkiholi as their next leader. However, both Parameshwara and Jarkiholi have clarified that they are not eyeing the CMas post and fully support Siddaramaiah. Meanwhile, another close confidant of CM Siddaramaiah, Minister for Large and Medium Industries, MB Patil, is planning a trip to New Delhi to meet senior leaders. Sources stated that Minister Patil is staking claim for the top post under the Lingayat quota. Sources close to CM Siddaramaiah revealed that he is shocked by the developments unfolding before him. They explain that Siddaramaiahas plan to play the "Ahinda card" if the high command decides to replace him has become difficult, as several power blocs have emerged within the ruling Congress party. Hyderabad, Sep 9 : The Telangana High Court on Monday directed the office of the Assembly Speaker to decide within four weeks on the petition of the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi to disqualify the MLAs who defected to the ruling Congress party. Pronouncing the orders on the petitions by BRS and BJP leaders seeking disqualification of the defectors, the High Court stated that if the Speaker fails to take a decision within four weeks, it would take up the matter suo moto for hearing. BRS leaders P. Kaushik Reddy and Vivekananda Goud had filed petitions seeking the disqualification of MLAs Danam Nagender, Kadiam Srihari, and T. Venkat Rao for defection. BJP MLA Maheshwar Reddy had also filed a petition, seeking the disqualification of Nagender. The counsels for the petitioners argued that Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar was not following the Supreme Court orders on the issue of disqualification The BRS had last month intensified its legal efforts to get 10 MLAs disqualified for defecting to the Congress party. BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao along with T. Harish Rao and other senior leaders had met legal experts in Delhi as part of the partyas efforts to get turncoat MLAs disqualified. The legal experts told the BRS delegation that the Supreme Court has already delivered clear judgments in various cases, including the Manipur case relating to defections. He opined that unlike in the past, the Speaker canat keep a decision pending on disqualification of the defected MLAs. Rama Rao had said the party would continue its legal battle in the light of the Supreme Court orders in similar cases and as per the advice given by the legal and Constitutional experts in view. He said the party would soon approach the Supreme Court. He had exuded confidence that the issue of disqualification would be decided in a month either through the High Court or Supreme Court judgement. As many as 10 MLAs of BRS have defected to the Congress party since March this year. New Delhi, Sep 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral discussions with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at Hyderabad House on Monday. The Prime Minister received the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and the two leaders greeted each other with a handshake and a warm hug. The Crown Prince, on his first official visit to India, is scheduled to meet with President Droupadi Murmu and pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Arriving in New Delhi on Sunday, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed was received by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at the airport with a ceremonial welcome. Accompanied by a delegation of UAE ministers and business leaders, this visit highlights the deepening ties between the two nations. The visit focusses on enhancing cooperation across various sectors, marking another step in strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE. On September 10, the Crown Prince is set to travel to Mumbai, where he will attend a business forum with key business figures from both India and the UAE. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) underscored the importance of the visit, stating, "India and UAE share historically close and friendly ties. In recent years, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and UAE has deepened in a wide range of areas, including political, trade, investment, connectivity, energy, technology, education, and culture." "The Crown Prince's visit will further reinforce strong India-UAE bilateral relations and open avenues for partnership in new and emerging areas," the MEAas statement further read. Earlier this year, in January, UAE President His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited India to strengthen bilateral relations. Additionally, he attended the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, where new avenues for cooperation between the two countries were explored. Prime Minister Modi, on his part, has visited the UAE multiple times since 2015, reinforcing India-UAE relations. His most recent visit was in July 2023, marking his fifth trip to the UAE since becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the nation in over three decades. India-UAE trade surged to $85 billion in 2022, making the nation India's third-largest trading partner in 2022-23 and second-largest export destination. India, in turn, ranks as the UAE's second-largest trading partner, according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The relationship between the two countries was officially upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to India in 2017. Patna, Sep 9 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the Mobile Veterinary Treatment Unit (MVTU) and a dedicated call centre on Monday to provide care for pet animals in remote villages and help rural families. The Bihar Chief Minister accompanied by leaders including Union Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, as well as Biharas Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha and state Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Renu Devi, launched 534 MVTUs from his residence. In addition, the Nitish Kumar government has established a call centre that will operate 24/7, allowing farmers to seek assistance for their animals whenever needed. The flagged-off vehicles, part of the Mobile Veterinary Treatment Units (MVTU), are set to be deployed across various districts. These units will be stationed at blocks and subdivisions within the districts and will respond to calls received from a call centre established in Patna. Each MVTU is equipped with the latest veterinary treatment machinery and staffed with a veterinary doctor, two trained nursing staff, and a driver. These mobile units are designed to provide on-the-spot veterinary care, carrying sufficient medicines that will be provided free of charge to animal farmers. This project is significant given that many people in Bihar rely solely on livestock such as cows, buffaloes, goats and horses for their livelihood. These farmers often face severe challenges in accessing veterinary care, especially in remote areas. This initiative aims to enhance veterinary services in rural and remote areas, ensuring that farmers have access to essential animal healthcare without the need to travel long distances. The MVTUs will address this issue by bringing treatment options directly to the farmers, thereby reducing the mortality of animals due to infections and other diseases. This ambitious project of CM Nitish Kumar aims to enhance the well-being of livestock, which in turn supports the livelihoods of many rural families in the state. New Delhi, Sep 9 : BJP National Spokesperson, Nalin Kohli criticised Rahul Gandhi on Monday, accusing the Leader of Opposition (LoP) of failing to address serious national issues while abroad and instead "criticising Indian democracy and praising China" on the international stage. "Rahul Gandhi, as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the worldas largest democracy, is expected to speak comprehensively on important matters when he travels abroad," said Nalin Kohli. "Yet, he often praises China without addressing the ongoing issues between India and China. He criticises Indian democracy on the international stage, even asking why Europe and America are not intervening. These are serious matters," he added. Responding to senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's assertions that Parliament is dysfunctional due to a "war-like" atmosphere, the BJP leader pointed out that the LoP himself plays a role in creating such disruptions. "When Opposition leaders attend Parliament, they do so with purpose. If sessions are disrupted, his actions contribute to the chaos," alleged the BJP spokesperson. Nalin Kohli further slammed former Congress President Rahul Gandhi for targeting the RSS over historical narratives, yet failing to address why the rich history of India has not been fully covered in textbooks. "Since 1947, during the tenures of prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, our history books have focussed on invaders like Qutb-ud-Din, Razia Sultan, Babur and Aurangzeb, but have neglected to focus on golden dynasties such as the Vijayanagar and Chola dynasties and Ajanta, Ellora, or Kailash. Why havenat these aspects of our glorious past been extensively taught?" the BJP leader professed. He added, "What harm is there in educating children about Indiaas rich history? Rahul Gandhi must answer whether he wants to deny future generations access to this knowledge while tarnishing the country's image for political gain." On the issue of the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case in Kolkata, Nalin Kohli said the incident was deeply concerning. "The rape and murder of a woman, alongside reports of corruption, are alarming. The resignation of Jawhar Sircar shows that even within the Trinamool Congress, there is great concern," he stated. He urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to own up to her government's lapses and also take decisive action to ensure justice for the victim. New Delhi, Sep 9 : Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday hit out at Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his controversial remark about the BJP and RSS idea of women. Rahul Gandhi while addressing the Indian diaspora in Texas, US said that the BJP and RSS' idea of women is to restrict them to the home and kitchen for cooking food. "While we believe that women should aspire and lead us in every sector. The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas. We believe that everybody should be allowed to participate, allowed to dream, and should be given space regardless of their caste, language, religion, tradition, or history," Rahul Gandhi said. While speaking to IANS, Giriraj Singh tried to remand him (Rahul Gandhi) how the former PM Rajiv Gandhi had dismissed the 1985 Supreme Court verdict in the Shah Bano case. Notably, the then Congress government of Rajiv Gandhi had diluted the impact of the landmark SC judgment by the enactment of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is providing more than 10 crore rural poor households into Self Help Groups under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission and making them the Lakhpati Didis. It is proof," the Union minister further said. The Union Minister also condemned the Congress, saying, "When we came up with the Triple Talaq law, they opposed it. So, it has become the nature of Rahul Gandhi to defame India." He also demanded legal action against Rahul Gandhi and said, "He is LoP and if any LoP is speaking against the country. Then, there should be a lawsuit against him." Praising former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Giriraj Singh said," When Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to visit other countries as LoP, he used to say that there is one country, one leader." Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that there is no shortage of skills in India, and the country could compete with China if it starts aligning itself for production. He also underscored that China is not facing this issue as it is dominating global production. Giriraj Singh lambasted Rahul Gandhi and called him the "brand ambassador of China." "He takes money and does the branding of China. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is saying the development rate of India is increasing. During the time of Congress, there was an export of Rs 19 lakh crore in revenue in the manufacturing and service sectors. But, today it is more than Rs 75 lakh crore," he added. Kathmandu, Sep 9 : Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel on Monday conferred the insignia of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on Lieutenant General Ashok Raj Sigdel in a special ceremony held at his office, Sheetal Niwas, in Kathmandu. Sigdel is the 45th CoAS of the Nepali Army and his appointment was made in accordance with subsection (1) of Section 8 of the 2063 Military Act. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Paudel, who serves as the Supreme Commander of the Nepali Army. Sigdel takes charge from General Prabhu Ram Sharma who has retired after completing 42 years of military service and served as the Commander-in-Chief for three years. The event was also attended by prominent figures, including Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, among others. Sigdel had been serving as acting CoAS since August 9, following the provision that allows the outgoing CoAS to take a one-month home leave before retiring. Last week, a delegation from the 64th course of India's National Defence College (NDC) comprising 21 senior officers from civil services and defence forces, had met Lt Gen Sigdel and discussed matters pertaining to bilateral military cooperation. The visiting team, led by Rear Admiral Sandeep Sandhu, also visited the Nepali Army Headquarters at Kathmandu and Western Division Headquarters, holding various interactions on several aspects to promote defence ties between the two neighbouring countries. New Delhi, Sep 9 : BJP National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday condemned Rahul Gandhi on his X handle over pro-Beijing remarks and said the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha loves China so much that whenever he goes to any other country, he starts repaying the debt of crores donated by it to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while speaking to students at the University of Texas in Dallas, on Sunday said, "India needs to reclaim its role in global production to combat rising unemployment. The West has an employment problem. India has an employment problem. But many countries in the world don't have an employment problem. "China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. If you look today, China is dominating global production. India has given up on the idea of production and handed it to countries like China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh." The senior Congress leader also underlined the need to encourage more manufacturing in India. Hours after the LoP's comments, Sirsa criticised Rahul Gandhi on social media and said, "He always praises China's economy, production, political set-up. He speaks badly about India whenever he visits any other country. China's debt has increased so much that he has to speak in their favour day and night." The BJP leader did not stop here, he accused the LoP of praising China and defaming India in foreign countries. Rahul Gandhi is in the US from September 8-10 for the first time after becoming the LoP. The Congress leader will hold "meaningful discussions and insightful conversations" to further strengthen the bond between India and America during his visit to the US. The Congress leader has numerous interactions in Washington DC and Dallas on his agenda. Rahul Gandhi's three-day trip comes ahead of the US presidential elections in November and Assembly polls in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. Bengaluru, Sep 9 : The Karnataka BJP has urged the Congress government to postpone the September 22 Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) exam for 402 posts as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) examinations are also scheduled on the same day. Taking to X, State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra said on Monday, "Amidst the confusion surrounding the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), the state government, which insisted on conducting the exam stubbornly, had to face the wrath of thousands of candidates after flaws in the question paper were exposed and it subsequently ordered a re-examination." "Now, the government seems to be heading towards another blunder. With the UPSC and SSC exams scheduled for September 22, the state government's decision to conduct the PSI exam on the same day is nothing but an anti-job-seeker move," Vijayendra slammed. For the competitive exams for various Group B posts, scheduled on September 14 and 15, the provision to download the admission cards was made available on September 5. However, due to technical reasons, some discrepancies were found in the allocation of exam centres for certain candidates, leading to a temporary suspension of the admission card download process. This has exposed the flaws in the KPSC and the government's administration, he charged. "Before pushing job aspirants, who are preparing for competitive exams, into another difficult situation, I urge the state government to postpone the PSI exam scheduled for September 22. Moreover, it should resolve the issues related to the admission cards and exam centre allocations for the Group B posts exams to ensure that candidates do not face any inconveniences," he appealed. The aspirants, who had submitted applications for the UPSC, SSC and PSI examinations, had written a letter to Vijayendra to intervene and demand the postponement of the exams. The letter claimed that thousands of job aspirants from poor backgrounds have applied for all three exams and if the state does not postpone the PSI exams, those who prepared for these exams for years will be denied their rightful opportunities to take exams. The candidates are suffering depression as they will have to plan to take exams -- the UPSC, SSC or PSIs, the letter claimed. Kolkata, Sep 9 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that Kolkata's Commissioner of Police, Vineet Kumar Goyal, had come to her several times to put in his papers in the wake of the fiasco over the R.G Kar Medical College & Hospital rape and murder but she had refused to accept his resignation. "The Commissioner came to me a number of times to resign. He even came to me for the purpose just a week back. But the Durga Puja festival is ahead. The person who will be in charge should be aware of the prevailing situation relating to law & order. What is the harm in having patience for some more days? The protesters are claiming replacement of all. I may replace five but may not replace another five," the Chief Minister told media persons after an administrative meeting with the top police officials and bureaucrats in the state amid the continuing protests over the rape and murder issue. The city police chief had come under scathing criticism from the protesting representatives from the stateas medical fraternity in particular, and the civil society in general, with demands being raised about his resignation owing moral responsibility for the alleged lapses in the handling of the initial investigation of the rape and murder case by Kolkata police before it was handed over to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court. The Chief Minister also rubbished the complaint from the Union Home Ministry accusing the state government of not providing infrastructure support to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel who have been deployed at R.G Kar Medical College and Hospital following a clear direction from the Supreme Court. "I arranged a primary school run by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and a 30-bed hospital for them. Next, they demanded community halls. If I fulfil that demand, what will happen to those people for whom the community halls have been constructed?" she questioned. She also said that the Union government should also take some responsibility in the matter instead of pushing the entire burden on the state government. "The Union government is exactly doing that and now blaming us. The Union government and some Left Parties are involved in this conspiracy," Banerjee alleged. Sacramento, Sept 9 : Fueled by excessive heat and drought, several large wildfires raged across the western US, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes and worrying climate experts about more fires in the coming days. In Northern California, a wildfire called the Boyles Fire erupted on Sunday afternoon in the town of Clearlake, located in Lake County north of the Bay Area, Xinhua news agency reported. The fire has rapidly consumed 76 acres (about 0.3 square km) in just three hours, with 10 per cent containment achieved so far, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) said. The agency has declared the fire "an immediate threat to life," urging residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately. Approximately 30 structures are "involved" in the blaze, and around 4,000 residents in the town have been displaced from evacuation zones, said the agency in a fire update. A live video from a local news channel showed the fire was burning through thick brush that had become highly flammable due to the hot weather and dry conditions, making it particularly challenging for firefighters to control. In Southern California, the situation was even more dire. A wildfire called the Line Fire, which broke out on Thursday in San Bernardino County, has grown exponentially, quadrupling in size on Saturday. This massive wildfire already injured three people and threatens thousands of homes and businesses. As of Sunday afternoon, the fire has scorched 17,459 acres (about 71 square km) with zero per cent containment, forcing mandatory evacuation orders for over 11,000 people and putting more than 35,000 structures at risk. Soaring temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 38 degrees Celsius) and "critically dry" vegetation contributed to its rapid expansion toward the San Bernardino Mountains. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County on Saturday. The area was under a red flag warning for wildfires on Sunday. More than 600 firefighters have been dispatched to contain the Line Fire, but steep terrain and limited access have impaired their ability to reach some areas. "Thunderstorm outflow winds are causing very erratic fire behaviour," while "smoke is limiting aircraft access to parts of the fire," said CalFire. "Hot and dry conditions mixed with thunderstorms are expected to challenge firefighters for the next few days," said the agency. In Idaho, the Lava Fire, first reported on September 2, has burned 2,493 acres (about 10 square km) as of Sunday. This lightning-caused fire was burning through heavy timber, brush, and grass, prompting evacuation orders for nearby residents, the US Forest Service said. Climate scientists are particularly concerned about the formation of pyrocumulonimbus, or fire-generated storms. In photos posted on social media Sunday, pyrocumulonimbus clouds were visible on top of the Lava Fire. These large plumes of smoke, generated during massive fires, can create their weather systems. The intense heat from the fires rises into the air, and if enough moisture is present, it can generate thunderstorms. Above-normal temperatures will continue across the western United States into the High Plains, with highs from Arizona to the Central Valley from 105 to 110 degrees (about 40-43 degrees Celsius), with 95 to 100 degrees (about 35-38 degrees Celsius) expected in the Inland Northwest, according to the National Interagency Fire Center's update on Sunday. On the morning of September 8, the 24th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT, referred to as "Investment Fair"), hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of China, opened in Xiamen. As one of the most influential international investment events globally, this year's fair, under the theme "Investment Connecting the World," attracted participants and exhibitors from 119 countries and regions, among which about 80% coming from nations involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. The Anhui Comprehensive Pavilion covers an area of 160 square meters and focuses on emerging industries such as new energy vehicles, intelligent connected vehicles, next-generation information technology, artificial intelligence, and smart healthcare. It showcases key investment scenarios like the Great Yellow Mountain, Northern Anhui, the Grand Union of Innovation, and the Anhui Pilot Free Trade Zone, highlighting Anhui's open and inclusive investment environment as well as its vigorous development momentum. To ensure a successful fair, Anhui province carefully selected 19 enterprises from various cities and development zones, showcasing over 30 exhibits. The latest achievements in emerging industries are impressive, and the construction of key investment scenarios has shown significant results. Anhui enterprises demonstrated their scientific and technological strength infused with local culture. A representative at the venue stated that the Anhui exhibition team will make full use of the resources from the fair, actively engage in negotiations, and attract more high quality investors to Anhui for investment and joint development. Source: anhuinews.com Jaipur, Sep 9 : A high-level delegation of the State Government led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma participated in a roadshow of the Rising Rajasthan investors' meet in South Korea on Monday. On this occasion, Chief Minister Sharma invited South Korean investors to explore opportunities in Rajasthan. Speaking on the occasion, the CM said, "A new chapter of our historic partnership will be written with South Korean entrepreneurs. We have arranged a single window system for the convenience of South Korean investors and you can apply online for investment in Rajasthan through Raj Nivesh Portal. The Rajasthan government not only expects investment but also aspires for a strong and long-term partnership with Korean entrepreneurs." "Rajasthan is constantly improving processes and policies to simplify investment. Our government is committed to solving the problems of investors and making business easier. We are looking forward to further strengthening business relations with Korea. Your cooperation is the key to our shared prosperity and success," he told investors. Further speaking on investor-friendly policies, the Rajasthan CM said, "Rajasthan is soon launching several policies such as Industrial Policy, Export Promotion Policy, MSME Policy, and One District-One Product Policy. Rajasthan is providing special packages and grants through the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS)." Speaking on the aims and targets of the state government, Sharma said, "The Government of Rajasthan has set a target of making the state a $350 billion economy in 5 years and we will definitely succeed with your active participation." The high-level delegation led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma left for Seoul (South Korea) from Delhi Airport on Sunday evening. The delegation includes Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa and Additional Chief Secretary to CM Shikhar Aggarwal, Principal Secretary Industries Department Ajitabh Sharma and senior officials. Chief Minister Sharma is on a visit to South Korea and Japan from September 9 to 14 and will invite investors for the Rising Rajasthan investors' meet to be held in Jaipur from December 9 to 11. During this, investor meetings will be organised in many cities of South Korea and Japan. In these meetings, the Chief Minister will hold detailed discussions with the representatives of global companies and business groups and invite them to invest in the state, said officials from CMO. Earlier on Sunday morning, ministers and senior officials presented bouquets to the Chief Minister at his residence before his departure to two countries. Many of them were also present at the Jaipur Airport and wished him a successful visit. Recently, the Rajasthan government officially launched the first of a series of domestic and international roadshows in Mumbai, as part of preparations for the Rising Rajasthan investors' meet. As part of the initiative, a roadshow was held in Mumbai recently which was also led by Sharma and Industry Minister Rajyavardhan Singh 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. Bhopal, Sep 9 : The Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led government has constituted a new delimitation commission to re-examine boundaries and the number of districts and divisions in Madhya Pradesh. The new commission will be headed by a retired officer of the Additional Chief Secretary level, Manoj Shrivastava, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav told the Press on Monday. He added that he had begun working on the project from the day he assumed office in December last year. The chief minister said development was the need of the hour as there were anomalies and discrepancies in the state, which needed to be rectified. Being the second-largest state geographically, the number of districts in Madhya Pradesh have increased in the last few years to 55. Two new districts Mauganj from Rewa district and Pandhurna from Chhindwara district were created in the previous government led by former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, ahead of the Assembly elections held in November-December last year. "The number of districts in Madhya Pradesh have increased but there are many anomalies and discrepancies. Some people still have to cover long distances to reach the district or divisional headquarters. Therefore, rationalisation for the betterment of the people is the need of the hour," CM Yadav said. He pointed out that districts covering large areas such as Sagar, Dhar, Ujjain and Indore have numerous issues. "Rationalisation of such districts will take place through the delimitation process," he added. Notably, it is the second such step (in terms of redefining the area) to be taken by CM Mohan Yadav in the last eight months. Earlier, the Madhya Pradesh government had redefined the limits of police stations across the state. "We paid attention to this issue soon after forming the government earlier this year. Madhya Pradesh, which is geographically the second-largest state in India, has its own area but some difficulties have arisen in this with time. It's right to rectify those issues," CM Yadav said. New Delhi, Sep 9 : Amid one suspected case of Mpox detected in India, health experts on Monday advised not to panic as the monkeypox virus (MPXV) has minimal pandemic potential. The government on Sunday informed a suspected case of Mpox in a young male patient in the country, who has been isolated in a designated hospital and is under investigation. The patient recently travelled from a country currently experiencing Mpox transmission. "The patient has been isolated in a designated hospital and is currently stable," said the ministry. "There is no need to panic. While fatality remains high, transmission is possible only among close contacts," Dr. Harshal R Salve, Additional professor, centre for community medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, told IANS. "Subliminal infections are all minimal, hence chances of widespread pandemic with monkeypox is minimal," he added. Mpox is a viral disease identified as fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy -- a condition that causes lymph nodes to swell or become abnormally shaped or sized. It is a self-limiting disease and patients recover within 4 weeks, Salve said. The suspected case of Mpox in India comes amidst a global outbreak that has spread to about 13 countries in Africa, forcing the WHO to declare it a global health emergency. The outbreak is driven majorly by a more deadly strain -- Clade 1b. Outside of Africa, Clade 1b has to date caused one case each in Sweden and Thailand. It is immediately not clear whether the suspected patient in India is linked to the more deadly strain of Mpox. "With the government's declaration of the first suspected case of Mpox, everybody is worried, but there is no need to panic. As the infection is being transmitted only through sexual or intimate contact, it will not become a big problem like Covid-19," Dr. Ishwar Gilada, a noted HIV expert, told IANS. However, he stressed the need to "educate and train the medical community for managing, diagnosing and detecting Mpox properly. And to increase the effectiveness of laboratories in number and their workload". Gilada, a Consultant in HIV/STDs, Unison Medicare and Research Centre, Mumbai, urged to start manufacturing the Mpox vaccine, which may not only help India but also low and middle-income countries. He also called on to "vaccinate people which are vulnerable to Mpox with smallpox vaccine on priority". Salve said that MPXV is spread among humans by respiratory droplets and contact with the body fluids of patients. Hospital surveillance and isolation of cases remain the main interventions for the prevention and spread of Mpox. Meanwhile, the Centre on Monday advised the states and union territories to screen, test, and trace contact of all suspect Mpox cases. The states and UTs were also advised to identify isolation facilities in hospitals for both suspect and confirmed patients. "No new case of Mpox has been reported in India in the current outbreak, and none of the samples in suspected cases have tested positive," said Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra. He also emphasised the need to stay alert. Last week, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) approved an indigenously developed RT-PCR test for the deadly infectious disease. The IMDX Monkeypox Detection RT-PCR Assay, developed by Siemens Healthineers delivers results in just 40 minutes, significantly faster than traditional methods (which take 1-2 hours). This may help reduce the turnaround time for reporting, leading to quicker responses. Hyderabad, Sep 9 : Telangana Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy on Monday inaugurated Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) in Hyderabad. Speaking on the occasion, he slammed the previous government of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for failing to establish the institute in the last 10 years. He said Telangana students had to go to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to pursue studies in the IIHT there. CM Reddy said his government appealed to the Union government to take measures to establish the IIHT in Telangana. "I had appealed to the Prime Minister to set up the institution in the state. The Centre responded positively to the Telangana government's request and approved the establishment of the institute," he said. The IIHT has come up in Telugu Academy at Nampally. He had asked officials to commence the courses from the current academic year. CM Reddy said Skill University had already been set up to impart skill training to students in the state and all necessary steps would be taken to set up the IIHT campus in the Skill University next year. CM Reddy said that the government had provided relief to distressed weavers by releasing dues of Rs 290 crore. He said the previous government created hype on the promotion of handlooms by launching a campaign with movie stars but the poor living conditions of the weavers remained unchanged. He alleged that the previous government also delayed the release of dues for the weavers towards payment of Batukamma sarees. CM Reddy said the Congress government released the funds and supported the struggling Sircilla workers without any politics. Stating that there were 63 lakh Self-Help Group members in the state, he said the government decided to distribute two sarees to each group member every year. Instructions have already been given to the authorities to come out with a good design and quality of sarees, CM Reddy said. The Telangana CM said his government decided to give the order of 1.30 crore sarees to the weavers every year. Officials have also been instructed to prepare an action plan for the conduct of elections to Co-operative Unions. CM Reddy said the government will also waive Rs 30 crore handloom loans taken by the weavers. "My government is giving equal priority to farmers and weavers. I will support the entire weaving community like an elder brother," he said. Taking a dig at his political rivals, CM Reddy remarked that election, selection and collection were not considered as sacrifices. Paying tributes to Telangana movement leader Konda Laxman Bapuji, CM Reddy said he sacrificed posts to the cause of Telangana and stood as a role model. He announced that the newly-established IIHT would be named after Konda Laxman Bapuji and officials have been asked to issue an order in this regard. Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, AIMIM MLA from Nampally Majid Hussain, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, and others attended the event. New Delhi, Sep 9 : Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam on Monday launched a scathing attack against Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his recent 'Devta' (God) remarks made during his ongoing three-day trip to the US. Addressing an event in Texas, Rahul Gandhi said, "Devta in India actually means a person whose internal feelings are exactly the same as his external expression, meaning he is a completely transparent being, it does not mean god. "If a person tells me everything he believes or thinks and expresses it openly, thatas the definition of a Devta... Whatas interesting about our politics is how do you suppress your own ideas, how do you suppress your own fears, greed, or ambitions and observe other people's fears and ambitions," Rahul Gandhi said. Sarcastically questioning whether the Congress leader considers himself divine, Krishnam said, "If Rahul Gandhi thinks he fits the definition of a 'Devta', he should clarify which incarnation of god he believes he is. The scriptures mention 10 incarnations, with nine already born... Does he think he is the tenth?" "He should clarify whether he is a human or god. I think he believes that he is above god. It is true that within the Congress, he is considered a god. But what he himself believes is more important," he added. In the US, Rahul Gandhi addressed the Indian diaspora in Dallas and engaged with the students at the University of Texas, where he criticised the BJP and its ideological mentor RSS, sparking a political debate back home. Many leaders have accused Rahul Gandhi of consistently speaking ill of India during his foreign visits. "Rahul Gandhi is the only leader who speaks against his own nation while abroad. Whether it's America, the UK, Italy, or the Gulf countries, his agenda remains to criticise India. Sometimes, he targets Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sometimes the nation, sometimes RSS, sometimes even Indian culture and Sanatan Dharma. Congress leaders and the public must seriously consider whether Rahul Gandhi is with the nation or against it," Krishnam said. Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's comments on lack of "love, respect, and humility" in Indian politics, Krishnam said, "The person who aligns with ISIS ideology will always oppose the RSS. Rahul Gandhi should clarify if he supports ISIS. The RSS is an organisation devoted to the motherland, not to any specific religion or community." Krishnam also emphasised that the RSS' prayer, 'Namaste Sada Vatsale Matribhume' (Forever I bow to thee, Oh Loving Motherland), signifies its dedication to the country. "Attacking an organisation that stands by the nation is like attacking the country itself," he stated. Mocking the Congress MP's political legacy, Krishnam said, "If Rahul Gandhi wasn't born into the Gandhi family, he wouldn't even get a job as a sanitation worker in this country." The former Congress leader also criticised Rahul Gandhi for comparing India with China, and accused him of favouring Chinese policies while degrading his own nation during his foreign visits. "Rahul Gandhi should clarify whether he supports China or India. If he likes Chinese policies so much, he should go to China and practice politics there," Krishnam remarked. He also pointed out that even AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi refrains from speaking against India during his foreign trips, though he often makes baseless statements while in the country. Krishnam further called out Rahul Gandhi for 'hypocrisy', questioning why the Congress, which ruled the country for 60 years, did not address the issues he now raises. "Congress was in power at the Centre from 2004 to 2014. Why didn't Rahul Gandhi speak up then? Even today, in states where Congress is in power, why don't they tackle unemployment," he asked. Riyadh, Sep 9 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers from GCC member countries at the sidelines of the First India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, on Monday. Riyadh, Sep 9 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers from GCC member countries at the sidelines of the First Indiaa"Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, on Monday. The EAM began the day by holding talks with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat. "Discussed taking India-Qatar bilateral ties forward. Appreciated his insights and assessments on regional developments," Jaishankar posted on X after a "good meeting" with the Qatari leader. India and Qatar share historic and friendly relations which are marked by regular exchange of high-level visits. In June, EAM Jaishankar travelled to Doha to discuss further enhancement of bilateral relations and continued dialogue on issues of mutual interest between the two countries. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Qatar on February 14-15 February and held discussions with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In the same month, on the sidelines of India Energy Week held in Goa, the two countries had signed an agreement for the supply of 7.5 MMtpa LNG from Qatar to India for 20 years, starting 2028. EAM Jaishankar's next meeting on Monday was with Faisal bin Farhan, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia which was also attended by the country's Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Saud Al-Sati and Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Ambassador . Abdulrahman Al-Rassi. "During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to develop them in various fields. They also discussed enhancing bilateral and multilateral coordination on many regional and international issues of common interest," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the meeting. In his meeting with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, both sides agreed on early discussions of their Joint Commission. The meeting was also attended by Bahrain's Chief of Legal Affairs and Acting Chief for the GCC Affairs Sector, Ambassador Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al-Haidan, and the delegation accompanying the minister. "During the meeting, they discussed the distinguished and longstanding relations between the two countries as well as aspects of bilateral cooperation in various fields and upgrading them to serve common interests. Views were also exchanged on several regional and international issues. They also discussed ways to enhance cooperation, consultation, and joint coordination in international forums," stated Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his discussions with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, EAM Jaishankar asserted taking forward the bilateral ties through an early meeting of the Joint Commission. "The close bilateral relations between the two friendly countries were reviewed, and various areas of cooperation between them and frameworks for enhancing them were discussed. The meeting also discussed regional and international developments and the developments witnessed by the region, most notably the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and frameworks for enhancing joint cooperation and mobilizing international efforts to maintain security and stability in the region," said Kuwait's Foreign Ministry after the meeting EAM Jaishankar's next meeting was with the Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira where discussions took place on G20, BRICS and the Ukraine conflict. The First Indiaa"GCC Foreign Ministers' Meeting is taking place at the sidelines of the 161st Ministerial Council meeting chaired by Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, President of the current session of the Ministerial Council. The ministerial meeting is being attended by the foreign ministers of the GCC countries. Besides India, the GCC Cooperation Council will also hold strategic dialogue with Russia and Brazil which will see participation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, the Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, emphasised that the GCC Ministerial Council will discuss several reports regarding the implementation of decisions made by the Supreme Council of the GCC during the 44th Summit held in Doha in December 2023. The Council will also review memoranda and reports submitted by the ministerial and technical committees and the General Secretariat, as well as topics related to dialogues and strategic relations between the GCC countries and various nations and global blocs. Discussions on latest regional and international developments affecting the region will also be discussed. "The joint meetings with the Russian, Indian, and Brazilian delegations reflect the GCC countries' commitment to exploring and opening new horizons for cooperation. These meetings aim to strengthen strategic relations with countries and organisations worldwide. Several topics will be discussed in various fields that serve the common interests of both sides and yield benefits for their peoples," said a statement issued by the Secretary General's office on Sunday. After concluding his engagements in Riyadh, Jaishankar will travel to Berlin on a two-day visit starting September 10 which will be his third bilateral visit to Germany. The External Affairs Minister will thereafter travel to Geneva, home to a large number of UN bodies and international organisations, on the last leg of his tour. Kathmandu, Sep 9 : Two motorcyclists lost their lives in separate road accidents in Nepal on Monday, one in Chitwan and the other in Nawalparasi. In Chitwan, a fatal collision occurred at around 2:10 a.m. in Ratnanagar along the East-West Highway. The motorcyclist, identified as 34-year-old Jiban Magarati from Ward No. 15 of Ratnanagar Municipality, crashed head-on into a truck, the Kathmandu Post reported. According to the district police, Magarati sustained severe injuries and was pronounced dead at 2:42 a.m. at the Bakulahar Ratnanagar Hospital. The police have detained the truck driver, identified as Shyam Sundar Sahani (36) from Gadhimai Municipality in Bara. In Nawalparasi West, Ramnath Kanwar (26) from Swathi was killed when his motorcycle lost control in the Sunwal Municipality area. Kanwar, who was critically injured in the accident, died during treatment at Prithvi Chandra Hospital, according to police reports. The incidents follow another tragic day on July 14, 2023, in Jhapa district, where two separate road accidents resulted in fatalities. One of the victims, Upendra Sigdel (40) died when a van and a motorcycle collided near a bridge over Kamalkhola river. Likewise, 35-year-old pedestrian Rajan B.K. died on the spot after a jeep hit him at Dhaijan along the Mechi Highway in Jhapa district. Jayapura, Sep 9 : A plane carrying 48 people skidded off the runway in Indonesia's Papua region on Monday morning, according to local police. The incident resulted in injuries to several passengers, although all on board survived. The ATR-42 aircraft, operated by Trigana Air, was departing from an airport in the Yapen Islands regency bound for the Papuan capital of Jayapura when it veered off the runway. The flight included 42 passengers, among them a baby, and six crew members, reports Xinhua news agency. "Praise God, everybody survived and has been taken to a hospital for a health checkup," said local police chief Ardyan Ukie Hercahyo. He added that an investigation into the incident is underway and authorities are working to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The local search and rescue agency reported that some passengers sustained injuries and are experiencing trauma as a result of the accident. Indonesia's aviation sector faces significant challenges, particularly in the mountainous and weather-challenged terrain of Papua. The region is notoriously difficult to access, with air transport being a crucial link between the country's thousands of islands. This incident also recalls a tragic event in 2015, when a Trigana Air plane crashed in Papua, resulting in the deaths of all 54 people on board. Vijayawada, Sep 9 : Alleging a conspiracy behind the collision of five boats with the Prakasam Barrage during the recent floods, Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Water Resources Nimmala Ramanaidu on Monday said that investigations are on into the incident. Vijayawada, Sep 9 (IANS) Alleging a conspiracy behind the collision of five boats with the Prakasam Barrage during the recent floods, Andhra Pradeshas Minister for Water Resources Nimmala Ramanaidu on Monday said that investigations are on into the incident. He told media persons that strict action would be taken against those who tried to harm farmers. The minister said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has taken serious note of the incident and an investigation was on. He said there was a conspiracy behind five boats hitting the Prakasam Barrage in a crucial situation where 11.42 lakh cusecs of flood water were flowing. A thorough investigation is on to find out the facts about the incident. Five boats weighing 40-50 tonnes each crossed gates 67, 69 and 70 of Prakasam Barrage during high flood and hit the counterweight. Fortunately, the boats did not cause any damage to the main structure or the gates of the barrage. It is difficult to imagine how much damage would be done to the five districts if the gates or the main structure had really been hit, he said. The minister said a police complaint was filed by the Irrigation Department. Farmers and farmers' associations say that this whole incident raises many suspicions. Such heavy boats are usually anchored on the river bank. With each boat valued at Rs 40-50 lakh, tying 3 boats worth all that with a single plastic rope raises a lot of doubts. Suspicions are being raised that such valuable boats were deliberately made to collide with the barrage. The minister mentioned that the barrage served the combined Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and West Godavari districts for about 100 years from 1854 to 1952. After the barrage was damaged by the floods in 1952, the government reconstructed it and named it after former Chief Minister Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu. Since 1957, about 13.8 lakh acres have been irrigated and drinking water has been provided to lakhs of people through the Prakasam Barrage. Ramanaidu said out of the total five boats, one boat went down through the gate and three boats were stuck. Efforts were to find the fifth boat. The owner of the three identified boats is the same and he is a follower of a YSR Congress Party leader. He said the boats also have the colour of the YSR Congress Party. Patna, Sep 9 : Prashant Kishor, the convenor of Jan Suraj, on Monday intensified his criticism of Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Bihar Assembly, accusing him of benefiting from nepotism. Kishor compared his own political journey with that of Tejashwi, using the analogy of film stars Shah Rukh Khan and Abhishek Bachchan to illustrate his point. Kishor remarked that Tejashwi, as the son of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, did not need to establish his identity, as his lineage provided him with automatic recognition and opportunities. In contrast, Kishor emphasised that he, like others who lack such privileged backgrounds, had to carve his own identity through hard work and perseverance. To further explain this difference, Kishor drew a parallel with the film industry. "Shah Rukh Khan, whose father wasn't influential in the film world, had to struggle extensively to achieve success. Starting his career in television, Khan eventually made his way into films, where his talent and hard work led him to collaborate with top directors like Yash Chopra and Karan Johar. On the other hand, Abhishek Bachchan, as the son of the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, was afforded opportunities right from the start, such as working with a prominent director like JP Dutta in his debut film," Kishor said. Kishor pointed out that, much like Abhishek Bachchan in the film industry, Tejashwi benefits from being the son of a wealthy and influential figure in Bihar politics. In contrast, Kishor emphasised his own background as an ordinary person without such influential connections. "My father is not a powerful or wealthy man like Tejashwi's father, and as a result, I have had to work hard to build my own identity. The path of someone who rises on their own merits is often more challenging," Kishor said. He urged the public to consider these differences when choosing their leaders, suggesting that leadership should be based on merit and personal achievement rather than inherited status. He reinforced his point by referencing Shah Rukh Khan, who, unlike Abhishek Bachchan, had to struggle and work his way up from television to become a successful film actor, eventually earning the freedom to choose his collaborators. News / National by Staff reporter ZANU-PF provincial coordinating committees across the country are endorsing a proposal to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's presidency beyond the constitutionally-mandated end of his second term in 2028.The endorsements from provincial meetings are set to be presented at the ZANU-PF national people's conference in Bulawayo next month, scheduled for October 22 to 27. Party structures are currently formulating resolutions to take to this conference.Key party factions, including the women's league and the youth league, have also passed resolutions advocating for the extension of Mnangagwa's tenure. They argue that his continued leadership is crucial for the nation's stability and development.At a recent provincial coordinating committee meeting in Manicaland, ZANU PF members unanimously supported Mnangagwa's continued leadership beyond 2028.ZANU PF National Political Commissar Munyaradzi Machacha told NewsDay that this process reflects the party's democratic principles. He emphasized that while not everyone may agree with the resolutions, the democratic process is being followed."Isn't this what you term democracy? If we stay silent, you would say there is no democracy. And if others speak, you question them. Here, it is the people who are expressing their views, and the President listens to their wishes," Machacha said. "The people are aware of the Constitution but desire his continued leadership. It's up to him to make the final decision. Democracy may not please everyone, but that's how it works."Similar resolutions have been adopted in other provinces, including Matabeleland South, with the Women's League, led by Political Commissar Maybe Mbowa, also calling for an extension of Mnangagwa's rule. The league's National Secretary, Mabel Chinomona, stated that she would communicate these sentiments to Mnangagwa, praising him as a "listening President."Party insiders revealed that there is a concerted effort to ensure Mnangagwa remains in power. "We are working hard to cement his position and ensure his continued leadership, both within ZANU PF and nationally," a source said.Another source indicated that the resolutions will be discussed at the upcoming conference, with Mnangagwa expected to participate but not to be the focal point of the discussion.The push for extending Mnangagwa's tenure has sparked debate among political analysts, who argue that it undermines the country's Constitution and sets a concerning precedent for future leadership.Last week, there were reports of ZANU PF members advocating for a constitutional amendment to extend Mnangagwa's term beyond the current two-term limit, potentially extending his presidency to 2030. Harare provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa recently indicated that such an amendment would be considered at the conference, suggesting that Mnangagwa's current term could be extended by two years. Manila, Sep 9 : Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa informed the ADB's board members, management, and staff on Monday about his intention to resign as President on February 23, 2025. Asakawa has served as ADB's 10th President since January 17, 2020, Xinhua news agency reported. "After careful consideration and reflection, I believe it is time to step aside and make way for new leadership with a fresh perspective and renewed energy," he said in a statement. "By announcing my resignation now, I aim to ensure a smooth and orderly transition leadership," he added. "A key focus of my leadership has been climate change. Together, we boldly repositioned ADB as the Climate Bank for Asia and the Pacific, with an ambition to mobilise at least $100 billion in climate financing by 2030. This initiative is catalysing significant investments in mitigation and adaptation efforts, including through the private sector," the ADB President further said. "None of this would have been possible without the hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment of the ADB Board, Management, and Staff to our shared mission," he said. "Together, we have made a real difference in the lives of millions across Asia and the Pacific, and I look forward to watching the institution I care so deeply about reach even greater heights," he added. Asakawa, who succeeded Takehiko Nakao in 2020, finished the unexpired term of Nakao, which was supposed to end on November 23, 2021. New Delhi, Sep 9 : The BJP has called for the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her immediate arrest, citing the Supreme Court hearings related to the RG Kar Medical College case. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, addressing the media at the party headquarters, criticised CM Mamata Banerjee for allegedly failing to uphold democratic values and for her purported involvement in covering up the case. Bhatia claimed that during the Supreme Court hearing, the court questioned whether CM Banerjee should continue in her position. He argued that for a fair investigation, Mamata Banerjee must step down as chief minister. The BJP also demanded that Mamata Banerjee undergo a polygraph test to verify her claims and accused her of obstructing justice by allegedly protecting criminals and destroying evidence. The Supreme Court hearing on the RG Kar Medical College case, which lasted approximately two hours, was described by Bhatia as a disgrace to Indian democracy. He accused Mamata Banerjee of aligning with wrongdoers rather than supporting the victims. Bhatia further criticised the West Bengal CM for not standing with the victim's family and called for the dismissal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. The BJP spokesperson also demanded the release of call records between CM Banerjee, Goyal, and Dr Sandeep Ghosh, the former Principal of RG Kar Medical College. Additionally, Bhatia condemned the delay in filing the FIR, the expedited post-mortem, and the limited CCTV footage provided. He expressed dissatisfaction with the overall handling of the case and hinted at internal dissent within the Trinamool Congress, suggesting that the party might face internal strife over CM Banerjee's actions. In response to enquiries about Jawhar Sarkaras resignation, Bhatia indicated widespread frustration among the people of West Bengal and Trinamool leaders, suggesting that the controversy could lead to further discontent within the party. New Delhi, Sep 9 : Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Monday released a Joint Doctrine on Amphibious Operations for the Indian armed forces. The Ministry of Defence termed the Joint Doctrine released during the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) meeting in New Delhi a landmark event. Following the release of the Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations, the Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations is the second such document released this year. The Ministry of Defence said that it provides due focus on jointness and integration of armed forces in general, and Amphibious Operations in particular. According to the Defence Ministry, the Doctrine is a keystone publication which will provide guidance to the Commanders of armed forces for conduct of Amphibious Operations in todayas complex military environment. Ministry officials said the amphibious capability empowers the armed forces to conduct a multitude of operations in the Indian Ocean Region, both during war and peace time. These operations are a crucial component of multi-domain operations and serve as the best example of the cohesion and integration among the armed forces. Indian armed forces are focusing on integration. In a first, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) is also organising a Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) programme for the senior officers of the tri-services. The programme started on Monday in New Delhi and will continue till 13 September. The five-day development-cum-orientation programme has been designed for Major General and equivalent officers from the three services, along with officials from the the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Home Affairs. Seoul, Sep 9 : South Korea's new Defence Minister Kim Yong-Hyun visited a western frontline unit on Monday in his first on-site inspection after taking office last week, the defence ministry said. According to the ministry, Kim checked troop readiness at the 2nd Marine Division's observation post at an undisclosed location after assuming his new role on Friday. Kim, a retired three-star Army general and close aide to Yoon, was nominated to the post last month to replace then-minister Shin Won-sik, who has since served as the national security adviser, reported Yonhap news agency. "If the enemy undertakes a provocation ... punish them fully and sternly until they are unable to carry out more provocations," Kim was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, North Korea has ratcheted up cross-border tensions in recent months, launching thousands of trash-carrying balloons toward the South since late May, in retaliation to South Korea's efforts to strengthen its military. Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 9 : Top Kerala CPI-M leaders on Monday expressed their displeasure over Kerala Police's ADGP, Law and Order, M.R. Ajith Kumar's meeting with two high-ranking RSS officials last year and sought action against him. The newly-appointed ruling Left Democratic Front convenor and CPI-M legislator T.P. Ramakrishnan said all want to know why the senior police official met the RSS leaders. "The Kerala government will be finding out why he met them. If the police official has done a wrong, just a mere transfer alone will not suffice and instead appropriate action also has to be there," he said. CPI-M politburo member A.Vijayaraghavan also minced no words, saying that the party will look into it as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is also a senior member of the party politburo. "But whatas surprising is where was the media in the past 16 months and why is it being raised now," he asked. It was last week that Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan broke the news that Ajith Kumar had met RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale in Thrissue in May last year and termed him an "interlocutor between the RSS and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan". And when this became the talking point, there came the further revelation that Ajith Kumar, along with a Chennai-based businessman, met another top RSS leader Ram Madhav at a hotel in Kovalam here. While the Congress leaders have stepped up their attack against Vijayan, CPI state Secretary Binoy Viswam termed it as mysterious and not in tune with the Left policy. Ajith Kumar has been in the news ever since CPI-M-backed Independent lawmaker P.V. Anvar alleged that Ajith Kumar was involved in some shady deals and termed the ADGP a "notorious criminal who has modelled himself on fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim". Meanwhile, some local TV channels have started airing an old clip of Vijayan slamming former state police chief T.P. Senkumar for moving close to the BJP. Meanwhile, Vijayan who has not opened his mouth as yet, is in a spot of bother as this issue is being discussed across the state at around over 34,000 lower levels of the CPI-M party units, which is gearing up for its 24th Party Congress to be held in April next year. Tokyo, Sep 9 : Japan's Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a firm supporter of late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's vision of a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' (FOIP), relaunched her bid to become the country's first female PM on Monday by announcing her candidacy for the post of President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). 63-year-old Takaichi lost in the very first round during the LDP's 2021 election when current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was elected. Her decision to join the leadership race has given an interesting turn to the September 27 election which will witness a record number of candidates - seven, so far - including Takaichi's colleagues Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and Digital Minister Taro Kono. "I will pursue economic growth first and foremost and as much as possible," Japan's leading news agency Kyodo News quoted Takaichi as saying during a press conference on Monday where she also noted the need for "strategic" fiscal spending for the economy. Takaichi also stressed that Japan must ensure its ally, the United States, remains "engaged" in the region. "The election will also feature another conservative lawmaker Takayuki Kobayashi, 49, who served as economic security minister before Takaichi. Their contest has brought into focus how much support each candidate can garner from the LDP's conservative base. Takaichi said she will push for revising Japan's pacifist Constitution at an early date to stipulate the existence of the Self-Defense Forces in line with the LDP's goal," reported Kyodo News. "She also pledged to remove a buoy that China has installed in the waters around the Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea," the report added. The LDP election is taking place following a slush funds scandal that rocked the ruling party and forced Kishida, whose three-year term ends late September, to step down. "The election will also feature another conservative lawmaker Takayuki Kobayashi, 49, who served as economic security minister before Takaichi. Their contest has brought into focus how much support each candidate can garner from the LDP's conservative base," Kyodo News detailed. Los Angeles, Sep 9 : Hollywood actor Adam Goldberg had initially said no to his role in the iconic sitcom 'Friends' not because he had enough of being Chandler Bing's crazy roommate Eddie but because he was a "snob" and he rooted to hate the show. The actor appeared in three episodes of the show back in 1996 playing Chandler's roommate but he has now revealed that he was actually reluctant to take on the job because he wasn't a fan of TV comedies, reports 'Female First UK'. He also wanted to hate 'Friends' because his ex-girlfriend had appeared in the pilot episode. Adam told 'The Independent' newspaper, "'Friends' wasn't super notable to me at the time, because I was a snob. I remember very specifically getting the call from my agent and them saying they were offering me this part, and that it started maybe two days later - everything's always very fast in that world because you're shooting an episode a week". He further mentioned, quoted by 'Female First UK', "I was like, 'No way. I'm not doing that show'. And my agent was like, 'Yes, you are'. I was sort of bound up in all these ideas of what I was supposed to be doing, and also whatever weird personal baggage I was bringing to the situation. Like my ex-girlfriend at the time, the love of my life back then, she had a guest role on the pilot episode. So I remember really rooting to hate it. These are the sorts of things that affect your decision". However, he was eventually convinced to take up the role and he ended up having a good time, as he shared, "I said Okay. And I went and did it and it ended up being much more fun than I had anticipated". Kochi, Sep 9 : In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court refused to quash criminal proceedings initiated against a man booked for publishing an offensive video with derogatory comments against nuns, priests and bishops on social media. The case pertained to a hate video that surfaced in 2020. The prosecution pointed out that this was a purposeful act done by the man to hurt the religious sentiments of Christians and insult the feelings of nuns, priests and bishops. Justice A Badharudeen after hearing the case pointed out that "prime facie offences are made out" and that "criminal proceedings initiated against the petitioner cannot be quashed." "Going by the allegations herein, the arguments advanced by the learned counsel for the petitioner that none of the offences would attract on the facts of the case cannot be appreciated so as to quash the proceedings, since the offences are prima facie made out from the materials," said Justice Badharudeen. The police had registered a case against the man under various charges of making a deliberate attempt including bid to hurt religious feelings, indecent representation of women and similar charges. The man in his petition tried to point out that he had not done any crime and mere abuse, discourtesy, rudeness, insolence would not amount to intentional hurt under Section 504 of the IPC. He also pointed out that the FIR did not mention the abusive language used by the petitioner and no prima facie offence was made out and argued that there was no indecent representation of women. But the court in its final ruling observed that prayer for quashing the proceedings was unsustainable and hence dismissed the petition. Damascus, Sep 9 : Syria on Monday strongly condemned the overnight Israeli airstrikes on military sites in Hama, which have killed 16, including four civilians, and injured 36 others, six of whom remained in critical condition. In a statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli airstrikes, slamming them as a continuation of Israeli "aggression" on Syrian territory, and accusing Israel of seeking to escalate tensions in the region through repeated violations of Syrian airspace and aggressive actions, Xinhua news agency reported. The ministry also pointed to Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, accusing the Israeli government of committing "genocide" against Palestinians. These actions, the statement noted, are pushing the region towards dangerous instability with unforeseeable consequences. Syria attributed Israel's actions to the "unlimited support" it receives from the United States and other Western nations, accusing them of complicity in the ongoing hostilities. The ministry called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for its "crimes" and to take a firm stance against what it described as blatant violations of international law. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported that the strikes, among the most intense in months, targeted the Scientific Research Center and other sites in the city of Masyaf, killing civilians and military personnel. Local officials reported that the airstrikes caused significant damage to critical infrastructure, disrupting telecommunications, electricity, and water systems. Efforts are underway to repair the damage and restore water services as soon as possible, said Syrian Water Resources Minister Hussein Makhlouf. Syria's Ministry of Transport reported significant damage to the road connecting the provinces of Hama and Tartous. The airstrikes also sparked fires in the forested areas along the Masyaf-Wadi al-Oyoun road and Hair Abbas, with explosions heard across the region. The Observatory noted that the attack was part of Israel's ongoing strikes in Syria, with 64 attacks reported so far in 2024. Bengaluru, Sep 9 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed a chargesheet against four accused in connection with the blast at the Rameshwaram Cafe here on March 1. The chargesheet mentioned that the accused planned to carry out an IED blast at the Karnataka BJP headquarters on the day of Pran Pratishtha ceremony (January 22) of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya but failed to do so. Four accused -- Mussavir Hussain Shazib, Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taaha, Maaz Muneer Ahmed and Muzammil Shareef -- have been charged under sections of IPC, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) UA (P) Act, Explosive Substances Act and The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act (PDLP) Act. "Taaha and Shazib were funded by their handler through cryptocurrencies, which Taaha converted through Faisal with the help of various Telegram-based platforms," the NIA chargesheet read. The funds were used by the accused to perpetrate various acts of violence in Bengaluru, the investigation further revealed. These included a 'failed' IED attack at the Karnataka BJP office in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, on the day of Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya on January 22, after which the Bengaluru cafe blast was planned. All the four accused have been arrested, and are currently in judicial custody in connection with the Bengaluru Cafe blast case. The IED explosion, which took place on March 1 this year at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Brookfield, Bengaluru, had left nine persons injured besides causing damage to the interior and infrastructure at the hotel. The NIA, which began an investigation into the case on March 3, conducted several technical and field investigations in coordination with various state police forces and other agencies. The investigation revealed that Shazib was the one who had planted the bomb. He, along with Taaha, had previously been absconding since 2020 after the Al-Hind module was busted. Extensive searches by the NIA had led to their arrest from their hideout in West Bengal 42 days after the Rameshwaram Cafe explosion. The two men, hailing from Shivamogga district of Karnataka, are IS radicals, and had earlier conspired to do 'Hijrah' (trip) to IS territories in Syria, the NIA stated. They were actively involved in radicalising other gullible Muslim youth to the IS ideology, and Maaz Muneer Ahmed and Muzammil Shareef were among such youth. Taaha and Shazib had used fraudulently-obtained Indian SIM cards and Indian bank accounts, and also used various Indian and Bangladeshi documents downloaded from the Dark Web. News / National by Staff reporter POLICE in Lusaka have detained a 43-year-old man of Kabulonga Extension for insulting President Hakainde Hichilema and saying Zambians should vote out "these idi*ts in 2026."Suzgo Mbale insulted President Hichilema in a TikTok video, where he complained that the President had graduated Zambians from load shedding to national blackouts. He further described President Hichilema as a crook and a liar, adding that those who voted for him were fools.In a statement, on Saturday, Police Public Relations Officer Rae Hamoonga said Mbale had been detained for the offence of using insulting language."The Zambia Police Service wishes to inform the public that Suzgo MBALE, a male aged 43, of House No. 49, Kabulonga Extension, has been detained for the offence of Use of Insulting Language contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia."The facts of the matter are that on Thursday, September 5, 2024, Mr. Mbale caused to be published a video on the TikTok social media platform under the account name @Mbaleone, in which he used insulting language.""The suspect is currently detained in lawful custody. The Zambia Police Service reiterates its commitment to ensuring that the law is upheld and that individuals who breach the peace by using offensive language or conduct are dealt with in accordance with the law." Mumbai, Sep 9 : Actress Pooja Hegde has expressed excitement for her upcoming performance in the 12th Edition of the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA), talking about her association, and the love she had received for her act in the last event. Speaking about the same, Pooja said: "Our job is to entertain, and the award show enables us to do that the best. It's an incredible feeling to receive a SIIMA award, and kudos to all the deserving winners this year." "I have a great association with SIIMA, and the love I got during my last performance at the event was incredible. I am really excited for my performance this year as well," she added. Actor Rana Daggubati shared: "The award show has always been a fantastic platform that not only celebrates the excellence of South Indian cinema but also helps industries collaborate with each other. It's an honor to be part of this journey that has been consistently honouring the best of South Indian cinema year on year over the last 12 years." The chairperson of SIIMA, Brinda Prasad added: "This year, we are honored to welcome over 250 film personalities, technicians, and actors from the Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam industries. SIIMA has always been a celebration of South Indian cinema's rich diversity and talent, and Dubai provides the perfect backdrop for this grand event. We look forward to recognising and celebrating the exceptional artistry that continues to elevate our industries on a global stage." The scintillating line-up includes -- Nidhhi Agerwal, Shriya Saran, Avika Gor, Shanvi Srivastava, Neha Shetty, Faria Abdullah, and Ashok Galla, among many others. The award ceremony is all set to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on September 14 and 15. On the work front, Pooja, who was the second runner-up at the 2010 'I Am She-Miss Universe India' pageant, made her acting debut in 2012 with the Tamil film 'Mugamoodi'. Her first Telugu release came in 2014 with 'Oka Laila Kosam', which featured Naga Chaitanya. She has been a part of Telugu movies like 'Mukunda', ' DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham', 'Saakshyam', 'Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava', 'Maharshi', 'Gaddalakonda Ganesh', 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo', 'Most Eligible Bachelor', 'Acharya', 'F3: Fun and Frustration'. The 33-year-old has also featured in Tamil movie 'Beast'. The spy action thriller film written and directed by Nelson Dilipkumar stars Vijay in the lead role. She made her Bollywood debut in 2016 with period action film 'Mohenjo Daro', which is written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. The film starred Hrithik Roshan in the lead and is based on the ancient Indus Valley civilization. Pooja has appeared in Hindi movies like 'Housefull 4', 'Radhe Shyam', 'Cirkus', and most recently 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan'. She next has action thriller 'Deva' directed by Rosshan Andrrews and written by the duo Bobby-Sanjay. The film stars Shahid Kapoor in the lead role. Pooja also has 'Suriya 44' in the kitty. Vadodara, Sep 9 : The body of a woman, who had gone missing earlier, was found dead in bushes in Gujarat's Vadodara. Vadodara, Sep 9 (IANS) The body of a woman, who had gone missing earlier, was found dead in bushes in Gujaratas Vadodara. The woman has been identified as Vidya Ramesh Vasava, a resident of Shinor village in the district. According to police reports, four men -- Pravin Shanabhai Vasava, Kiran Shanabhai Vasava, Gangaram Gangubhai Vasava, and Chunilal Mangaldas, all residents of Shinor and nearby villages -- have been arrested in connection with the case. The investigation revealed that Kiran, the deceasedas brother-in-law, suspected her of being involved in another relationship. Officials said he had been pressuring her to marry him, but she refused. In retaliation, the accused along with his associates allegedly entered the Monteras Boat Training Centre, where they assaulted and raped the victim. After she attempted to flee, they chased her down, dragged her back into the bushes, and sexually assaulted her again. At last, they strangled her using her scarf, resulting in her death. The police have arrested all four suspects, and further legal proceedings are ongoing. In 2023, four individuals, including a woman, were arrested for allegedly attempting to murder a 40-year-old woman from Shinor taluka. The victim was reportedly half-stripped and dragged through fields as punishment for allegedly having an extramarital affair with the husband of the accused woman. According to the FIR filed at Shinor police station, the accused included a mother and her son, who were assisted by two others in the assault. At one point, the accused attempted to strangle the victim by pressing his foot on her neck after throwing her to the ground. She was half-stripped, brutally beaten with sticks, and mercilessly dragged across the ground. After the assault, the accused left her in a villager's field and proceeded to attack her paramour, who is the father of the accused. Kochi, Sep 9 : The former actress, who levied charges of sexual harassment against actor-turned-CPI-M MLA Mukesh, on Monday said that she will move the Kerala High Court against the anticipatory bail granted to him after the U-turn by the special investigation team (SIT), formed to probe all cases that followed release of the Hema Committee report, deciding that it would not appeal the decision though it had earlier indicated the possibility of challenging it. The former actress was bold enough to appear in public soon after the Justice K. Hema Committee report on the miserable conditions and sexual exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry was released on August 19, with her complaint, and now she said that she decided to appeal against the lower courtas verdict. The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court, after a long hearing, granted anticipatory bail to Mukesh on Thursday night. There had been several protests against Mukesh by the Congress and the BJP, as they demanded that he step down in the wake of the allegations against him. However, his party had expressed support for him. Trouble has been brewing in the Malayalam film industry ever since the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, with its explosive revelations, as it triggered a storm of complaints against top film personalities. Kerala Police have so far registered FIRs against 11 people, ten of which are from the film industry, based on the complaints from women. Those in the dock are actors Mukesh, Nivin Pauly, Siddique, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, and Maniyanpilla Raju, directors Ranjith and V.K. Prakash, and production executives Vichu and Noble. Actor Baburaj and director Tulasidas have been named in complaints too, but no FIRs have been registered against them so far. Meanwhile, the SIT 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 any of the accused. Dhaka, Sep 9 : A group of students under the banner "Karigori Chhatra Andolon" staged a protest on Monday by blocking 'Satrasta Mor' in Dhaka's Tejgaon, leading to severe traffic jams and inconvenience for commuters, local media reported. The protest, which began around 11:30 a.m., saw hundreds of students gathering at the intersection, reported country's leading newspaper The Daily Star citing traffic officials, The blockade caused major traffic disruptions, with the road from Farmgate to Shahbagh via Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue nearly at a standstill from midday until 2:00 p.m. Severe congestion also extended to other parts of the city, including Eskaton, Moghbazar, and Hatirjheel, with traffic even backing up on the off-ramps of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway at Farmgate and Hatirjheel. The "Karigori Chhatra Andolon" represents students from the Bangladesh Technical Education Board, including those from public and private polytechnic institutes, as well as technical schools and colleges. They blocked the road to press a six-point list of demands which includes implementing a four-year duration for diploma engineering courses, with each semester lasting six months. They also called for a full allocation of seats for diploma engineering students in the four proposed engineering colleges to increase higher education opportunities. Additionally, the group demanded the immediate transfer of all craft instructors who were "controversially appointed" in 2021 from the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) and its affiliated institutions. The student body also called for reforms in the Technical Education Board and insisted that only individuals with technical education backgrounds be employed in administering the technical education sector. Other demands included reserving the 10th-grade sub-assistant engineer posts exclusively for diploma engineers, amending the "controversial" recruitment rules of the DTE, and addressing the teacher shortage by recruiting technical personnel for vacant positions. New Delhi, Sep 9 : The BJP is set to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on September 17 with extensive nationwide activities. The party will kick off a aSeva Pakhwadaa on September 17 and it will culminate on October 2 with Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. BJP National President JP Nadda has appointed a national team to oversee the event, with National General Secretary Sunil Bansal serving as convener. The team includes National Vice President Saroj Pandey, OBC Morcha President K Laxman, National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, ST Morcha President Sameer Oraon, and other senior leaders including Harish Dwivedi, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Neeraj Shekhar, and Aparajita Sarangi. In a directive, BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh has instructed state, district, and division-level leaders to organise activities in honour of PM Modi's birthday. Key initiatives include blood donation camps across districts in collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society and other organisations on September 17, 18, and 19. Additionally, from September 18 to 24, a cleanliness campaign will be conducted in schools and hospitals nationwide. The party will also host events to honour athletes participating in the Paris Paralympics and encourage prominent figures to contribute articles and videos celebrating PM Modias achievements. On September 25, marking the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, BJP workers will engage in booth-level events to recruit new members. They will also promote the purchase of Khadi products and organise free health camps for women over 60-years-old on September 23. On October 2, Mahatma Gandhias birth anniversary, BJP leaders and workers will conduct cleanliness drives at statues, temples, parks, and public spaces. An exhibition showcasing PM Modias achievements, along with various competitions on themes like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047, will be part of the 15-day-long celebrations. Instructions have been given to upload pictures and details of all the programmes on social media and NaMo app as well as send them to the party's national headquarters. Yangon, Sep 9 : A total of 63 people were killed and 233 injured in 128 traffic accidents on Myanmar's Yangon-Mandalay highway in the first eight months of 2024, the Nay Pyi Taw Expressway, traffic police force said on Monday. From January 1 to August 31, 2024, the dead included 43 males and 20 females, while the injured included 145 males and 88 females. Last year, 106 recorded traffic accidents resulted in 63 fatalities and 206 injuries, an official from the Nay Pyi Taw Expressway Traffic Police Force told Xinhua news agency. The main causes of car accidents in Myanmar are vehicle defects, human errors, and road and weather conditions. The majority of traffic accidents in the country are caused by reckless driving, he said. To reduce traffic accidents on the highway, public awareness programmes are conducted and radar devices are used to measure the speed of vehicles along the expressway, and action is taken against speeding vehicles, he added. Inaugurated in December 2010, the 587-km Yangon-Mandalay expressway connects the country's commercial city of Yangon and the second-largest city of Mandalay. Patna, Sep 9 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday met former RJD MLA Anant Singh at the latter's village in Ladma in Patna district. The meeting came after the Patna High Court on August 14 acquitted influential Bahubali leader Singh in a case under the Arms Act for which he was sentenced to 10 yearsa rigorous imprisonment in 2022. During the visit, Singh warmly welcomed the Chief Minister as the two leaders engaged in a discussion on different topics. As per reports, Singh is keen to contest the Assembly elections next year from Mokama on a JD(U) ticket. After an earlier meeting with the Chief Minister, Singh had claimed he had positive discussions with Nitish Kumar who assured him of a ticket to contest the elections from Mokama. Singh's political ambitions have been further strengthened by his recent acquittal by the Patna High Court in the Arms Act case due to a 'lack of evidence'. The latest developments, including his meetings with the Chief Minister who's also the JD(U) chief, suggest that Singh is positioning himself for a significant role in the upcoming elections. On Monday, Nitish Kumar visited the Barh subdivision where he inaugurated multiple developmental projects and reviewed the ongoing construction works. These projects, valued at crores of rupees, are part of the government's broader efforts to enhance infrastructure in the region. During his visit, Nitish Kumar inspected the railway over bridge on the Bakhtiyarpur-Mokama four-lane road, and the Tajpur-Karjan road link. He also inaugurated the newly-constructed Belchi block-cum-zonal office, dedicating it to the public. Additionally, the Chief Minister inspected the Aunta-Simaria Ganga bridge and inaugurated the Maranchi Primary Health Centre. Nitish Kumar was accompanied by Union Minister Lalan Singh and former state minister Neeraj Kumar, among others. The Chief Minister's visit to Mokama followed the recent floods in the area, highlighting the government's focus on both recovery and infrastructure development. Following the inauguration of the Belchi block-cum-zonal office, a security lapse occurred when a welcome gate fell in front of the Chief Minister's convoy, forcing it to halt for about 10 minutes. New Delhi, Sep 9 : Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor has moved the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court's refusal to quash a defamation case filed against him over his "scorpion sitting on a Shivling" remark made allegedly about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor has moved the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Courtas refusal to quash a defamation case filed against him over his "scorpion sitting on a Shivling" remark made allegedly about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Monday, Tharooras plea was mentioned before the CJI D.Y. Chandrachud-led Bench, when it was rising after hearing all the matters listed on board. "He (Tharoor) moved the Delhi High Court for quashing but it was dismissed on 29th August. Immediately, within a week, a special leave petition was filed before the apex court," said the counsel representing the senior Congress leader. At this, CJI Chandrachud said: "Just circulate an email to the Registrar (Listing). I am going to attend all of them right now." On August 29, the Delhi High Court dismissed Tharoor's plea for quashing the criminal defamation case filed by BJP leader Rajiv Babbar. Asking the parties to appear before the trial court on September 10, a bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta of the high court vacated its earlier interim order, staying the proceedings pending before the lower court. Babbar instituted the case against Tharoor over the latter's 'scorpion' remark vis-a-vis PM Modi made in 2018 at the Bengaluru Literature Festival. In his complaint, Babbar alleged that his religious sentiments were hurt by Tharoor's statement. The BJP leader claimed that the senior Congress leader completely disregarded the sentiments of crores of Shiva devotees by insulting their religious beliefs and filed a complaint under Sections 499 and 500 of the now-repealed Indian Penal Code (IPC). After Tharoor was summoned by the trial court for allegedly committing an offence under Section 500 of the IPC, he moved the Delhi High Court contending that the summons order was "bad in law" and "against the principles of criminal jurisprudence". In his plea, Tharoor said that he did not make any false opinion or comments and rather only quoted a direct statement from an already published piece of journalistic work, adding that "a fair comment or honest opinion cannot be considered as defamation or libel". Issuing notice, the Delhi HC, in October 2020, ordered an interim stay on trial proceedings and sought the defendant's reply to Tharoor's plea for quashing the criminal defamation. Before this, a Delhi court imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on Tharoor over his repeated non-appearance and strongly directed him to appear before it on the next date of hearing. Bhopal, Sep 9 : Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a senior Union Minister, sharply criticized Rahul Gandhi who is currently on U.S. trip, accusing him of tarnishing India's image abroad. Chouhan claimed that despite Rahul Gandhi's efforts in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, he has failed to truly connect with the essence of India. Chouhan stated, "As the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi is accountable to the nation. Defaming India on foreign soil is akin to treason. No true patriot behaves this way, but Rahul Gandhi seems frustrated after Congressas consecutive electoral defeats. He's now expressing that frustration by maligning the countryas image in America." Defending the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its volunteers, Chouhan praised their commitment in nation-building. He added, "The RSS has raised countless individuals who dedicate their lives to the nation. When abroad, there's no BJP or Congress -- just a united front representing India, as Atal Bihari Vajpayee exemplified. I remember during my visit to America, when Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister, I was asked if he was an underachiever. I responded that the Prime Minister of India can never be an underachiever." Chouhan also accused Rahul Gandhi of insulting Indian artisans, workers, and laborers by suggesting that India depends heavily on imports from China. He countered this by highlighting India's growing self-reliance, stating, "While some imports continue, India is increasingly producing its own goods. By discrediting Indian workers, Rahul Gandhi shows his detachment from India's soil, people, culture, and traditions." He however, agreed with one of Rahul Gandhias remarks that people are not afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Yes, they don't fear Modi Ji; they love him. Thatas why he has been elected as Prime Minister for the third time. Under his leadership, India is on its way to becoming the third-largest economy. Rahul Gandhi, your Bharat Jodo Yatra did not connect you to the real India. No one becomes great with a narrow mindset," Chouhan remarked. New Delhi, Sep 9 : BJP spokesperson Rohan Gupta, replying to Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's admiration for China, said that it was not only bad optics but also in bad taste for crores of proud Indians. Rohan Gupta, in a special interaction with IANS, expressed reservations over the Congress MP giving thumbs-up to China's growth despite the latter battling multiple headwinds and lamented the Congress party's attitude of projecting Indians as 'obsequent' to foreign forces. "There is a need to change the mindset. When the whole world is profusely praising the India growth story and patting its back, then an Indian leader goes abroad and lauds China. This won't go down well with the citizens," the BJP leader told IANS. The Congress MP, in an interaction with students of Texas University, US, on Sunday night said that much like the West, India has got an unemployment problem while China remains 'untouched' by the changing dynamics. He said that the West, America, Europe and India have "given up on the idea of production" while China has "happily" picked it up. "The West has an employment problem. India has an employment problem... But many countries in the world don't have an employment problem. China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. Vietnam doesn't have an employment problem. India has to think about the act of production and organising production," LoP Rahul Gandhi said. Rohan Gupta further drawing a comparison between India's economy and its Asian counterpart, said that today, China is facing heightened unemployment, their joblessness has crossed 5.2 per cent, their GDP growth has fallen. India's GDP is much ahead of China and its economic indicators are much ahead of any other country. Indian stock markets have seen a three-fold jump in the past ten years. Despite global pressures, the Sensex has risen from 25,000 points to more than 80,000 points. "The Opposition is entitled to its views and criticism of the government's policies, however demeaning one's own country and glorifying an enemy nation on foreign soil is uncalled for," he stated. "You can question and corner the government domestically but pursuing an agenda on foreign shores is unwelcome," he added. News / National by Staff reporter MOVEMENT for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Felix Mutati has withdrawn the national chairmanship position of Sam Moyo with immediate effect.Speaking when he addressed party members at the MDC headquarters in Lusaka yesterday, Mutati said the withdrawal was in line with the demands he received from the top party leadership."Let me just say one last thing and my last thing is that I have heard the demands from you. I have been briefed by the secretary general and I am going to exercise the powers that I have within the Constitution. And in the exercise of those powers, I am withdrawing the chairmanship of our party from Mr Sam Moyo. Mr Moyo is no longer national chairman." New Delhi, Sep 9 : Welcoming the third generation of UAE leadership to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday highlighted that the "historic yet forward-looking" bilateral relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates has been transformed after having been steered by the "visionary leadership" of both countries over the past decade. As Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, called on her Monday afternoon, President Murmu recalled that his visit continues a long tradition of high-level engagement that is in tune with India's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with UAE. Expressing satisfaction that both countries have further expanded the strategic partnership through several agreements in new areas of cooperation on Monday, the President said that people-to-people ties form the bedrock of this relationship, with more than 35 lakh Indian citizens residing in the UAE. President Murmu appreciated the UAE leadership for ensuring their welfare, particularly the special care taken during the difficult times of the Covid pandemic, said a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "Both leaders agreed that India and UAE have societies with a syncretic and multicultural heritage, and that the path of peace, tolerance, and harmony shown by Mahatma Gandhi and Sheikh Zayed, are deeply imbibed in our national character," the statement mentioned. "The President was also happy to note the high rate of participation and contribution of women in all aspects of Emirati society. She said that both our countries have demonstrated that 'women-led development' can deliver more effective results for overall socio-economic development," it added. Earlier in the day, the two countries signed five Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) following the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince. It included a MoU in the field of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations and Maintenance between Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL); an agreement for long-term LNG supply between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited; a MoU between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL); Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 between Urja Bharat and ADNOC; and, a MoU between Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ) on food parks development in India. "The MoU on Nuclear Cooperation is expected to enhance cooperation in the operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants, sourcing of nuclear goods and services from India, exploring mutual investment opportunities and capacity building," said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The agreement for long-term supply of LNG is for 1 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) and is the third such contract signed in just over a year. The ministry detailed that both IOCL and GAIL had previously signed long-term agreements for 1.2 MMTPA and 0.5 MMTPA, respectively, with ADNOC and these contracts have strengthened energy security in India by diversifying LNG sources. "The MoU between ADNOC and ISPRL, inter alia, provides for exploring ADNOC's participation in additional opportunities for crude storage in India and the renewal of their storage and management agreement on mutually acceptable terms and conditions. This MoU builds on ADNOCas existing involvement in crude storage at the Mangalore Cavern of ISPRL since 2018," the MEA statement on the outcomes of the meeting mentioned. The Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 between Urja Bharat (a JV of IOCL and Bharat Petro resources Ltd) and ADNOC is the first one for any Indian company operating in the UAE. The concession entitles Urja Bharat to bring crude oil to India, thus contributing towards the countryas energy security. The MoU on Food Parks conveys ADQas expression of interest in developing Gundanpara, Bavla, Ahmedabad as a highly promising site for this ambitious project, with a view to commencing the Food Park project in Q2 2025. The Government of Gujarat shall facilitate ADQ and AD Ports, to obtain detailed information regarding the site and assist in obtaining necessary permissions. During their meeting, the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the "substantial progress" achieved in recent years in the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed opportunities to further widen and deepen the partnership in all areas of bilateral cooperation. "They acknowledged that the success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the recent entry into force of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will provide further impetus to the strong economic and commercial partnership between the two countries. They also underscored the need to explore new areas of untapped potential, particularly in nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies," the MEA stated. Following his meeting with PM Modi, the Crown Prince also visited Rajghat and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. He became the third-generation leader from the UAE to plant a sapling at Rajghat, following Sheikh Zayedbin Sultan Al Nahyan, former President of the UAE in 1992; and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE in 2016. The Crown Prince will be in Mumbai on Tuesday to participate in an India-UAE business forum which provides a platform for business leaders and officials from both sides to brainstorm future cooperation between the countries in various areas. "A soft launch on the commencement of work on the India-UAE Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) and MAITRI interface to facilitate VTC, will also take place in Mumbai," revealed MEA. Beirut, Sep 9 : Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday slammed Israel's targeting of civilians in Lebanon, urging the UN Security Council to take more effective and decisive measures to address Israeli violations and attacks on Lebanon. "The Security Council's response must be swift and strong," Mikati said during his meeting with ambassadors of foreign countries, according to a statement released by the Lebanese Council of Ministers, Xinhua news agency reported. Mikati's remarks followed Israel's killing of three civil defense personnel on Saturday while they were trying to extinguish a fire caused by an Israeli airstrike on Wadi Froun in southern Lebanon. In the statement, Mikati thanked the Security Council for its support for renewing the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and its continued commitment to stability in Lebanon, calling on the Security Council to "assume its responsibility in preserving international law and security by holding accountable those responsible for targeting Lebanese civilians." For his part, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said after the meeting that all ambassadors confirmed their support for protecting civilians and recalled the law issued in Geneva, Switzerland, which calls for the protection of all civilians during war, including journalists and civil defense teams. "We, as a government, want a ceasefire and an end to the war, and we have informed most of those concerned of our readiness to conduct indirect negotiations with the Israelis for that purpose," Bou Habib said. Meanwhile, Bou Habib noted that Hezbollah is not a state to accept or reject a ceasefire. "The Lebanese state is the one that says yes or no. If there is a kind of good decision that we accept as a state, we will try to convince Hezbollah of it, and this is the responsibility of the Lebanese state," he said. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. Mumbai, Sep 9 : Despite a call by her father and NCP minister Dharmaraobaba Atram to the voters of Aheri constituency in Maoist-infested Gadchiroli to throw her in the Pranhita river, Bhagyashree Atram Halgekar is all set to join the NCP-SP led by Sharad Pawar on September 12. Bhagyashree is expected to contest the upcoming assembly election against her father and the NCP minister Dharmaraobaba Atram from his home turf, the Aheri assembly constituency in the Gadchiroli district. It will be for the first time in Maharashtra politics a fight between a father and a daughter is likely to take place in the upcoming Assembly elections. NCP sources confirmed Bhagyashree's induction into its party fold. Sources further said that Bhagyashree has already held talks with senior party leaders about her move to join the party. Bhagyashree's move is crucial as she is determined to checkmate her father and encash the anti-incumbency against the MahaYuti government from the Aheri constituency. Atram is a veteran tribal leader who was born into the royal family of Aheri. He was elected to the state assembly in the 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2019 elections. He had been associated with the NCP since its formation, but in June 2023, he deserted NCP founder Sharad Pawar and joined the Ajit Pawar faction. On September 6 during the NCP national president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawaras Jansanman Yatra, Atram sparked a major controversy after he urged the people from his assembly to throw his daughter Bhagyashree and son-in-law Rituraj Halgekar in the nearby Pranhita river for treachery by joining hands with Sharad Pawar led NCP-SP. "People leave the party but there is no need to pay attention to them. Some people in our house want to join another party by using my clout. For 40 years, people have engineered defections in state politics. Now the Sharad Pawar group leaders want to divide my house and pitch my daughter against me. Don't trust them. Don't trust my son-in-law and daughter," said Atram in his speech amid loud applause and slogans. "These people have ditched me. Everyone should throw them in the nearby Pranhita river. What is going on? They are taking my daughter to their side and pitting her against her father. A girl who could not become a daughter of her father, how can she become yours? You have to think about it. What justice will she give to you? Donat trust them. In politics, I will not see this as my daughter, brother or sister," said Atram, who is expected to be the party's nominee from the Aheri assembly segment in the coming election. "Even if one daughter deserts me, another daughter is with me. My son is also with me. A brother of mine is also with me. My cousin's son is also with me. The whole family has gathered behind me," he said, sending a message to his daughter that he was not worried about his poll prospects. However, NCP national president Ajit Pawar had appealed to Bhagyashree not to desert his father and thereby divide the family. Despite Pawar's advice, Bhagyashree is firm on her plan to ditch her father and join the NCP-SP. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in) New Delhi, Sep 9 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday informed that revenue from online gaming has increased 412 per cent, reaching Rs 6,909 crore in six months, from the increased levy on the sector. Addressing a press conference after the 54th GST Council meeting, the Finance Minister said revenues of casinos have "jumped by 30 per cent". "For casinos, revenue increased 30 per cent to Rs 214 crore over the six months," she said. In July last year, online games, both skill-based and chance-based, were placed in the 28 per cent GST slab in the 50th GST meeting. The measure came into effect on October 1, 2023. Earlier, skill-based games were taxed at 18 per cent. This is in addition to the tax on winnings from different gaming tournaments. As per the income tax law, these winnings are treated as winnings from online games and taxed at 30 per cent under the head 'Income from other Sources'. The GoM on GST rate rationalisation will hold a meeting on September 23, informed FM Sitharaman. The GoM on health insurance premium GST is likely to come with a status report by the end of October and the decision is likely in the November GST Council meeting. The GST Council has also agreed to form a GoM on compensation cess and slashed tax on cancer drugs from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. "GST rates on cancer drugs are also being brought down. It's being reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent in order to further reduce the cost of cancer treatment," said the Finance Minister. The GST on selected snacks has also been reduced from 18 per cent to 12 per cent. Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra said the Council did not discuss whether to exempt payment aggregators from paying tax on online payments. Imphal, Sep 9 : Thousands of students belonging to various schools and colleges on Monday staged a demonstration in front of Manipur Chief Minister's Secretariat and Raj Bhavan, to protest the rising violence in the state. The student leaders also separately met Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and urged them to take steps for immediate restoration of peace and normalcy. The Chief Minister later in a post on X said: "Had a fruitful meeting with the students of Imphal College and Ibotonsana Higher Secondary School at my Secretariat. They voiced their concerns regarding the ongoing disturbances in our state, and I truly value their input. "We had a constructive discussion about the challenges they are facing and the impact on their education. I want to assure all students that we are committed to addressing these issues. The voices of our youths are important, and together, we will strive for a better future for Manipur." Earlier, the students during the demonstrations in front of the CM's secretariat and Raj Bhavan, raised slogans in favour of maintaining the territorial and administrative integrity of Manipur. The students demanded strong action against those who are killing innocent people by using drones, remotely controlled bombs and sophisticated weapons. The students wearing their school and college uniform were heard raising slogans like "Long Live Manipur", "Resign all incompetent MLAs", and "Give Unified Command charge to the state government". They also expressed their anger against the administration and various authorities in "inept handling of the situation of the state". The students also demanded the withdrawal of additional central forces deployed to manage the ongoing ethnic violence, citing their "failure to restore peace despite the conflict persisting for over a year and a half". Their anger was directed at both the central and state governments, holding them responsible for failing to resolve the ethnic crisis of the state. Meanwhile, in view of the prevailing law and order situation, the Education Department of the Manipur government closed all the government, government-aided and private schools across the state on Monday and Tuesday. Last week, the violence escalated in the trouble-torn state, killing at least nine people, including women and elderly persons and injuring over 20 people, by suspected militants in different districts. Combined security forces comprising Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces and Manipur police also intensified their counter-insurgency operations across the state to nab the militants. Jaipur, Sep 9 : The Rajasthan High Court on Monday issued notice to five officials of the state government including the Home Secretary, and the DGP in the matter of a youth who has been missing from Jaipur since September 1. A bench of Judge Indrajit Singh asked these officials to submit the report on the matter by September 20. The police have also been asked to provide the progress report. Rahul Parashar, 21, and his brother Ashish, 19, went to visit a temple in Nahargarh in Jaipur on September 1 but both of them got lost in the dense jungles. The police started a search operation a day after on a complaint by their family members and found the body of Ashish in the hills of Nahargarh. However, Rahul remains missing till now. The youths' father Suresh Chandra Sharma filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court, contending that his son Rahul's life may be in danger and the police should be instructed to search for him and present him before the court. The Home Secretary, the DGP, the ADG, Anti-Human Trafficking, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Jaipur City North, and Shastri Nagar SHO were made parties in the petition. The petitioner's lawyer Giriraj Prasad Sharma said that the family had informed the police about the missing youths in time. However, due to the negligence and indifference of the police, the search was not done on time. The family approached the court as the police and administration did not pay heed. "The police have also been negligent in the case. Rahul and Ashish could not be contacted since noon. This was reported to Shastri Nagar police station, but the police did not make any effort to search for them. After people gathered at the police station, the search began the next morning. Meanwhile, the police of three police stations kept getting stuck on the matter of jurisdiction. If the search had been started on time, the tragedy could have been avoided, he alleged. Srinagar, Sep 9, : As part of the efforts to ensure secure and incident-free Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, DIG South Kashmir Range (SKR), Javid Iqbal Matoo, conducted a comprehensive review of the security arrangements and election preparedness in Anantnag district, a police statement said on Monday. The meeting was held at the conference hall of DPO Anantnag. At the meeting, the DIG underscored the importance of a robust security plan, strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct, and proactive measures to counter threats from terrorist associates and anti-national elements. Voting in the 90 Assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The results will be announced on October 8. "At the outset of the meeting, Anantnag SSP G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy presented a detailed security and election preparedness plan, outlining the measures for the protection of candidates, strong rooms, transportation, logistics, deployments and communication networks to ensure incident-free elections," the statement read. "The DIG directed all the participating officers to remain vigilant as he stressed the need for a strong security grid to prevent any potential disruptions. He also called for seamless coordination with other security agencies to effectively tackle the challenges at the grassroots level," it added. Senior officers from Rajasthan Rifles, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, Army, and police were present at the meeting. "The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the DIG who expressed confidence in ensuring peaceful, safe, and successful Assembly Elections," the statement added. Jammu and Kashmir has 90 Assembly seats, 47 in Kashmir and 43 in Jammu. Out of these, nine seats are reserved for STs while seven are reserved for SCs. Congress and National Conference have announced a pre-poll alliance according to which the NC will fight 52 seats while the Congress will contest 31 seats. Two seats, one for CPI(M) and one for Panthers Party, have been left by the alliance. In the 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 contesta. Vijayawada, Sep 9 : Two persons were arrested by police in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada in the incident relating to the collision of five boats with the Prakasam Barrage during the recent floods. Ushadri, owner of three of the boats, and Komatireddy Rammohan were arrested and produced before a court, which sent them to judicial custody for 14 days. Police are likely to seek their custody for questioning if there was any conspiracy behind the incident to damage Prakasam Barrage. The arrests came hours after Minister for Water Resources Nimmala Ramanaidu alleged that there was a conspiracy behind the incident and that investigations are on. He told media persons that strict action would be taken against those who tried to harm farmers. The minister said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has taken serious note of the incident. He said there was a conspiracy behind five boats hitting the Prakasam Barrage in a crucial situation where 11.42 lakh cusecs of flood water were flowing. A thorough investigation is on to find out the facts about the incident. Five boats weighing 40-50 tonnes each crossed gates 67, 69, and 70 of the Prakasam Barrage during high floods and hit the counterweight but fortunately, did not cause any damage to the main structure or the gates of the barrage. It is difficult to imagine how much damage would be done to the five districts if the gates or the main structure had really been hit, he said. The minister said a police complaint was filed by the Irrigation Department. Farmers and farmers' associations say that this whole incident raises many suspicions. Such heavy boats are usually anchored on the river bank. With each boat valued at Rs 40-50 lakh, tying 3 boats with a single plastic rope raises a lot of doubts. Suspicions are being raised that such valuable boats were deliberately made to collide with the barrage. Ramanaidu said out of the total five boats, one boat went down through the gate and three boats were stuck. Efforts were to find the fifth boat. The owner of the three identified boats was said to be a follower of a leader of the YSR Congress Party. He said the boats also have the colour of the YSR Congress Party, he said. The minister mentioned that the barrage served the combined Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and West Godavari districts for about 100 years from 1854 to 1952. After it was damaged by the floods in 1952, the government reconstructed it and named it after former Chief Minister Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu. Since 1957, about 13.8 lakh acres have been irrigated and drinking water has been provided to lakhs of people through the Prakasam Barrage. Jodhpur, Sep 9 : The vice chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force made history on Monday by flying in the indigenously manufactured Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. In the landmark event for defence forces, the flight took place over the skies of Jodhpur where the Indian Air force has organised 'Tarang Shakti 2024', the first multi-national exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational coordination among the participating Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs). Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS), Air Marshal A.P. Singh, flew the lead fighter jet while the Vice Chiefs of Army and Navy, Lt Gen N.S. Raja Subramani and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, respectively, flew in the Tejas twin-seater. The flight of the Tejas, a symbol of India's indigenous defence manufacturing prowess, represented a significant moment for the nation's 'Make in India' initiative. Designed by Aeronautical Design Agency (ADA and developed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tejas is a state-of-the-art multi-role fighter plane designed to meet the needs of the armed forces while reducing reliance on foreign imports. The joint participation of the vice chiefs of the tri-services demonstrated the growing focus on cross-domain cooperation, with land, sea, and air forces working together to face the modern challenges. The Ministry of Defence said, "This unprecedented joint flight, marking the first time when the three services Vice Chiefs have flown in one occasion, is a powerful testament to India's advancing integrated defence capabilities, commitment to self-reliance, and showcases not only their leadership, but also the seamless integration of the armed forces." With an array of participants at 'Tarang Shakti 2024', the IAF-led exercise aims to foster closer ties that strengthen cooperation with a myriad of capacities. Inclusion of Tejas in this mission underscored the critical role indigenous platforms are playing in modernising India's defence infrastructure. This opportunity was also utilised by the three Vice Chiefs to interact with the participating forces, both from India and the FFCs, an official said. Riyadh, Sep 9 : External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar on Monday reiterated India's "principled and consistent" stand on the Palestinian issue while calling for a ceasefire in the region, as soon as possible. "The current situation in Gaza is now understandably our foremost concern. India's position in this regard has been principled and consistent. While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians. Any response must take into account the principles of humanitarian law. We support a ceasefire as soon as possible," the EAM said while co-chairing the inaugural Indiaa"Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in Riyadh. "On the larger issue, we have consistently stood for a resolution of the Palestinian issue through a two-State solution. We have also contributed to the building of Palestinian institutions and capacities. Where the humanitarian situation is concerned, we have provided relief and increased our support to UNRWA," he added. The meeting took place at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat and on the sidelines of the 161st Ministerial Council meeting chaired by Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, President of the current session of the Ministerial Council. In his opening remarks, Jaishankar offered the framework of 3Ps a" people, prosperity and progress - as the driving force behind the partnership. "Our people-to-people ties are the bedrock of our relationship. Close to 9 million Indians work and live amongst you, acting as a living bridge between us. Their contributions to your economic progress are widely recognized. We thank you for ensuring their welfare and comfort," he said. Spotlighting that India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets - where much of the future demand is going to come from - the External Affairs Minister called on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to invest in each other's future and support each other's continued prosperity. "Our interactions are key to driving prosperity a" for the GCC and for India. Trade has not only expanded in volume but also in diversity, encompassing a wide range of goods and services that fuel our economies and create jobs. It is important that we think not just for today. The task before us is to invest in each other's future and support each other's continued prosperity," Calling the GCC a "cornerstone of global energy supply", the External Affairs Minister called for deeper collaboration to stabilize markets, drive innovation and enhance energy security. "Our partnership in the areas of renewables, technology and innovation, health, space, education can also help realize our respective national goals," he said. He mentioned that the India-GCC relationship goes beyond just transactions and is built on a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the future. "It has a larger goal of advancing progress in a world that is characterized by technological advancements, changing geopolitics, shifts in the global economy and the urgent need to address environmental sustainability. Progress and prosperity require its concomitant a" security a" to also be stronger. The Gulf region occupies a central place in contemporary geopolitics. In a world polarized by conflict and tension, we share a commitment to global peace, security, and stability," he said. Earlier, the EAM held a series of bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers from GCC member countries, beginning Monday by holding talks with Jassim Al Thani. "Discussed taking India-Qatar bilateral ties forward. Appreciated his insights and assessments on regional developments," Jaishankar posted on X after a "good meeting" with the Qatari leader. EAM Jaishankar's next meeting on Monday was with Faisal bin Farhan, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia which was also attended by the country's Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Saud Al-Sati and Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Ambassador . Abdulrahman Al-Rassi. "During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to develop them in various fields. They also discussed enhancing bilateral and multilateral coordination on many regional and international issues of common interest," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the meeting. In his meeting with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, both sides agreed on an early discussions of their Joint Commission. The meeting was also attended by Bahrain's Chief of Legal Affairs and Acting Chief for the GCC Affairs Sector, Ambassador Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al-Haidan, and the delegation accompanying the minister. "During the meeting, they discussed the distinguished and longstanding relations between the two countries as well as aspects of bilateral cooperation in various fields and upgrading them to serve common interests. Views were also exchanged on several regional and international issues. They also discussed ways to enhance cooperation, consultation, and joint coordination in international forums," stated Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his discussions with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, EAM Jaishankar asserted taking forward the bilateral ties through an early meeting of the Joint Commission. "The close bilateral relations between the two friendly countries were reviewed, and various areas of cooperation between them and frameworks for enhancing them were discussed. The meeting also discussed regional and international developments and the developments witnessed by the region, most notably the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and frameworks for enhancing joint cooperation and mobilizing international efforts to maintain security and stability in the region," said Kuwait's Foreign Ministry after the meeting EAM Jaishankar's next meeting was with the Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira where discussions took place on G20, BRICS and the Ukraine conflict. After concluding his engagements in Riyadh, Jaishankar will travel to Berlin on a two-day visit starting September 10 which will be his third bilateral visit to Germany. The External Affairs Minister will thereafter travel to Geneva, home to a large number of UN bodies and international organisations, on the last leg of his tour. News / National by Staff reporter Nestled in the southwestern part of Zimbabwe, Bulawayo is a city that beautifully intertwines its rich historical tapestry with vibrant contemporary culture. As the country's second-largest city, Bulawayo offers a unique blend of traditional charm and modern sophistication, making it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an authentic Zimbabwean experience.A Rich Historical TapestryBulawayo, often referred to as the "City of Kings," boasts a wealth of historical and cultural landmarks. Founded in the late 19th century, the city has played a significant role in Zimbabwe's history. A visit to the Natural History Museum provides a fascinating journey through time, showcasing an extensive collection of Zimbabwean flora and fauna, as well as artifacts from the country's past.One of the city's most iconic landmarks is the Matobo National Park, just a short drive from Bulawayo. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its stunning granite formations and ancient rock art, believed to be the work of the San people who lived in the area thousands of years ago. The park also houses the grave of Cecil Rhodes, a prominent figure in Zimbabwean history, adding a layer of historical depth to its scenic beauty.A Cultural FeastBulawayo is a cultural hotspot, offering a diverse array of experiences that celebrate Zimbabwe's heritage. The city's lively arts scene is epitomized by the Bulawayo Art Gallery, which features an impressive collection of Zimbabwean and international art. The gallery's exhibits span various mediums, from traditional sculptures to contemporary paintings, reflecting the dynamic creative spirit of the city.Music lovers will find Bulawayo's vibrant cultural scene particularly appealing. The city is known for its lively traditional music and dance performances, often showcased at the annual Bulawayo Arts Festival. This festival is a celebration of Zimbabwean arts, featuring everything from dance and music to theater and crafts. Attending the festival offers visitors an opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of the region in a lively and engaging setting.Culinary DelightsNo visit to Bulawayo would be complete without savoring its culinary offerings. The city's dining scene is a delightful mix of traditional Zimbabwean cuisine and contemporary international dishes. Local favorites include "sadza" (a staple maize-based dish) served with various meats and vegetables, as well as delicious "nyama choma" (grilled meat). For a taste of local flavors, try dining at one of the city's many bustling food markets or traditional restaurants.Modern Comforts and Warm HospitalityWhile steeped in history and culture, Bulawayo also offers modern amenities and comfortable accommodations. The city is home to a range of hotels and lodges that cater to different preferences and budgets, ensuring that every visitor can find a place to rest and recharge. The warm hospitality of Bulawayo's residents adds a personal touch to the experience, making visitors feel welcome and at home.Exploring Beyond the CityFor those looking to explore beyond the city limits, Bulawayo serves as a convenient gateway to some of Zimbabwe's most breathtaking natural wonders. The Hwange National Park, renowned for its diverse wildlife and large elephant herds, is within driving distance. Additionally, the scenic beauty of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, can be reached with a bit of travel.Bulawayo stands as a vibrant testament to Zimbabwe's rich cultural heritage and modern growth. Whether you're drawn by its historical landmarks, cultural festivals, or culinary delights, this dynamic city offers a compelling and memorable experience. As you explore Bulawayo, you'll discover a place where history and tradition blend seamlessly with contemporary life, creating an enchanting destination that captures the essence of Zimbabwean spirit. New Delhi, Sep 9 : The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing in Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) MLA Abbas Ansari's plea against slapping of the stringent Gangster Act by the Uttar Pradesh Police. New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing in Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) MLA Abbas Ansarias plea against slapping of the stringent Gangster Act by the Uttar Pradesh Police. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan decided to adjourn the hearing after the state governmentas counsel sought time to file a short affidavit. The apex court posted the matter for hearing on September 17, along with the plea filed by Abbas Ansari, the elder son of late gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, seeking bail in connection with an unlawful jail visit case. Ansari, when lodged at Chitrakoot jail, was caught meeting his wife Nikhat illegally in the jail in connivance with prison officials. Last week, the top court decided to defer the bail hearing after an adjournment was sought on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government. "Additional Solicitor General (ASG) K.M. Natraj is in some personal difficulty. He is not in Delhi. The counter-affidavit has already been filed. He will address the court and the matter may be kept for coming Monday (September 9)," submitted a counsel appearing on behalf of the UP government. The same day, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared on behalf of Abbas Ansari, apprehended that his client may be booked afresh under the Gangsters Act to frustrate the possibility of his release on bail. "There are only two matters left. This (unlawful jail visit) matter and one pending before Justice M.M. Sundresh (seeking bail in a money laundering case). If my client gets bail in both cases, he will be arrested under the Gangsters Act. This will happen," he had argued. On Friday, the senior counsel requested CJI D.Y. Chandrachud to urgently list Abbas Ansarias writ petition filed against the Gangster Act, along with the bail plea in the unlawful jail visit case. At this, CJI Chandrachud assured Sibal that he would look into the email and pass the necessary order for listing both pleas together. Earlier in May, the Allahabad High Court had declined to grant bail to Abbas Ansari, considering his "profile, background and family antecedents". A bench of Justice Jaspreet Singh said: "The applicant is a Member of Legislative Assembly. He is a person who holds a responsible position and is a representative of the public. His conduct has to be of a higher standard than other common persons of the society. The members of the Legislative Assembly are also the lawmakers and in juxtaposition, it is not appropriate that a lawmaker may be seen as a lawbreaker." In February last year, Nikhat Bano visited her husband inside the Chitrakoot Jail and was found in possession of two mobile phones and Rs 21,000 cash along with 12 Saudi Riyals, during a raid conducted by the district administration. She, among others, was arrested for "illegally meeting" her husband in jail in contravention of prison rules. Abbas Ansari was subsequently transferred to Kasganj Jail by the Uttar Pradesh government. The state police had also arrested prison officials who allegedly facilitated meetings between the husband and wife in exchange for cash. Nairobi, Sep 9 : Kenya on Monday called on East African governments to ramp up investments in national cybersecurity strategies to safeguard savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) from escalating cyber threats. Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Wycliffe Oparanya emphasized the critical role that SACCOs play in the economic stability of many African nations. "Governments must prioritize the implementation of national cybersecurity frameworks by fostering collaboration with both local and international stakeholders," Oparanya said in a speech read on his behalf by Principal Secretary Susan Mang'eli, Xinhua news agency reported. Mang'eli, who spoke at a forum on SACCOs banking and cybersecurity in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, highlighted the need for increased awareness, capacity-building, and the development of early warning systems to detect and respond to cyber incidents. She stressed the importance of creating cybersecurity policies, laws, and regulations tailored to the unique needs of SACCOs and similar financial institutions, which are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on digital platforms. The Kenyan official called for the establishment of public key infrastructure and intense research and development efforts in cybersecurity, aimed specifically at protecting SACCOs. SACCOs are designed to serve people excluded from traditional banking services, including low-income earners, small-business owners, and rural communities. These cooperatives offer financial services without requiring assets as collateral, enabling members to access credit using their deposits and the security of guarantors, Mang'eli said. In Kenya, SACCOs contribute significantly to the economy, accounting for 30 percent of national housing savings and 40 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), according to government statistics. The situation is similar in Tanzania, where cooperatives, including SACCOs, contribute around 40 percent to the GDP and provide employment to 94.7 percent of school-leavers annually, Mang'eli said, adding that many of these young people, especially in rural areas, depend on cooperative movements for external financing. Mumbai, Sep 9 : In a bid to reach out to the women voters and seek their support in the upcoming Assembly elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will launch a statewide initiative from Tuesday to directly meet families benefited by the ambitious Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. The initiative, titled "Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana Kutumbhet", aims to mingle with the eligible women beneficiaries and their families, seeking their views on the Ladki Bahin scheme while urging them to vote for the MahaYuti government. To start with, the Chief Minister on Tuesday will visit 15 families on Tuesday and interact with them. Not just the Chief Minister but the Shiv Sena leaders and officer bearers from across the state will meet 15 families every day to take stock of the Ladki Bahin scheme, and also help and guide those families who have not yet received the benefits. Shinde decided to travel across the state in the run-up to the Assembly elections after a virtual meeting with the party's top leaders and office bearers on Monday. His initiative comes at a time when the government has provided financial aid to nearly 1.60 crore eligible women beneficiaries, and also extended the enrollment under the Ladki Bahin scheme up to September 30. "We are starting the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana Kutumbhet scheme from tomorrow. We will personally meet the eligible beneficiaries and check whether they are benefiting from the Ladki Bahin scheme by going door to door. We will also find out how, despite completing the due procedures, the women are not getting the benefits. The government will try to address their problems so that they can also get the benefits. I will personally visit 15 families tomorrow," said Shinde, who has repeatedly declared that the Ladki Bahin scheme will not be discontinued. Instead, the government will increase the present monthly aid of Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 after MahaYuti government is voted to power again. "If a woman beneficiary in a family has not received the benefit of the scheme, we will guide how to get that benefit. Also, we will inquire whether women are getting the benefit of more than 10 schemes of the government. We will provide information about these schemes. Also, the households in which there are educated unemployed people will be guided on how to get the benefits of the Mukhyamantri Karya Prashikshan Yojana," the Maharashtra Chief Minister said. The CM's initiative comes at a time when the NCP national president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is taking out the Jansanman Yatra to promote the Ladki Bahin scheme and several other welfare and development schemes launched by the MahaYuti government. Meanwhile, the MahaYuti government, after the overwhelming response to the Ladki Bahin scheme, will launch a special scheme for the benefit of youth ahead of the Assembly elections. The new initiative, titled "Mukhyamantri Yojanadoot", aims to involve the youth as a messenger of the government to inform the common citizens of a number of welfare and development schemes launched by the state government. The government has invited applications from the candidates who want to participate in this scheme. The Chief Minister has appealed to the youth to register as the Yojanadoots will get monthly Rs 10,000, and they will be engaged for six months. The Mukhyamantri Yojanadoot scheme will be implemented by the state Directorate General of Information and Public Relations. A total of 50,000 Yojanadoots will be appointed including one for every gram panchayat level and one for a town with 5,000 population in urban areas. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in) Kathmandu, Sep 9 : A total of 720,334 foreigners visited Nepal in the first eight months of this year, the second highest since 2019, but not as high as expected by the authorities. The figure was released by Nepal Rastra Bank, the country's central bank. A total of 739,323 foreigners arrived in Nepal in the first eight months of 2019, as against 601,360 during the same period of 2023, Xinhua news agency reported. "Though tourist arrivals have increased compared with last year, it is below our expectation. We had expected the number to surpass the record in 2019," said Mani Raj Lamichhane, director at the Nepal Tourism Board. He attributed the decline in foreign arrivals in July and August of this year in particular to plane crashes and frequent traffic accidents. Nepal's tourism earnings increased to 82.32 billion Nepali rupees (614 million U.S. dollars) in the 2023-24 fiscal year, up from 62.2 billion rupees (464 million dollars) in 2022-23. Tourism is a major foreign currency earner and job creator in Nepal. Beirut, Sep 9 : Hezbollah and the Islamic Group on Monday launched attacks on several military sites in northern Israel using Katyusha rockets and drones. Hezbollah said in separate statements that its fighters had launched squadrons of suicide drones at the headquarters of the Golani Brigade and the Egoz Unit 621 in the Shraga barracks north of Acre. The Lebanese armed group also announced that it had targeted Ma'ayan Baruch, a moshav in northern Israel, with rockets and fired a surface-to-air missile at an Israeli warplane, forcing it to leave Lebanese airspace, Xinhua news agency reported. The Islamic Group announced that its military wing, the Fajr Forces, launched a missile barrage on Monday morning targeting the Israeli settlement of Beit Hillel and the city of Kiryat Shmona. Lebanese military sources told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes and drones on Monday conducted seven airstrikes on five border villages and towns in southern Lebanon. An airstrike injured six civilians in the village of Khirbet Selm, while another airstrike injured four people in the municipality of Hanine. The military sources said the Lebanese army had monitored the launch of several drones and about 30 surface-to-surface missiles from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel, some of which were intercepted by Israeli Iron Dome missiles. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah towards Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery towards southeastern Lebanon. Hanoi, Sep 9 : As of Monday noon, Typhoon Yagi and consequent landslides and floods have left 59 people dead and missing in Vietnam's northern region, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said. The natural disasters also injured 247 people, including 157 in Quang Ninh province and 40 in Hai Phong City; sank 25 unmanned vessels, mostly fishing boats; damaged over 113,000 hectares of rice and more than 22,000 hectares of other crops; damaged or swept away 1,500 aquaculture cages; killed 190,000 fowls; and uprooted or damaged nearly 121,700 trees, the ministry said. A steel bridge in Vietnam's northern Phu Tho province collapsed on Monday morning, causing 10 automobiles and two motorbikes to fall into the Red River and leaving 13 people missing, Xinhua news agency reported quoting VNA. It also reported that 21 people in Cao Bang province were killed and missing by landslides, and 15 people in Lao Cai province faced the same fate. Typhoon Yagi was the strongest storm to hit Vietnam's northern region in the past 30 years, according to the ministry. New Delhi, Sep 9 : Amid reports of disagreements between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over an alliance for the Haryana Assembly elections scheduled on October 5, Punjab Congress leader Raj Kumar Verka on Monday responded to the situation. Speaking to IANS, Verka claimed that it is not the alliance that has broken, but rather the arrogance of AAP leaders which has been shattered. "We do not need any alliance. When one expects more than what one deserves, this will be the result. In fact, the alliance is not broken; their arrogance is. There is no top leadership in AAP. Raghav Chadha says one thing, Sanjay Singh says something else. Their party leaders lack coordination. I believe that's why they make different statements. It is their arrogance that has been shattered. I do not think AAP has any vote bank in Haryana," said Verka, who represented the Amritsar West Assembly constituency twice between 2012 and 2022. It is noteworthy that amid discussions about a potential alliance between the AAP and the Congress for the Haryana elections, AAP announced a list of 20 candidates on Monday. The announcement led to speculation that an alliance between the AAP and the Congress might not materialise. Reports indicate that AAP wanted to contest 10 seats, but the Congress was only willing to offer 3-5 seats. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who's also the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had expressed his interest in an alliance between the party's for Haryana. Congress leaders in Haryana reportedly advised the party leadership to contest the elections independently, stating that the party does not need AAP for the Haryana elections. In fact, Congress is confident in its ability to form the government in Haryana independently, without support from any opposition party. This self-assurance has led Congress to reject AAP's demand for more seats than the party was willing to allocate. Guwahati, Sep 9 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said 13 lakh people have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a week since the launch of a membership drive in the state, adding that the number will surpass the figure registered in the previous year. "The membership drive commenced on September 2 and within this one-week time, around 13 lakh members have joined the BJP. We are confident that this time we will surely exceed the previous year's membership figure, which was 18 lakh," the Assam Chief Minister told the media. He mentioned that till September 25, the membership will be done through missed calls to a designated number. "If we get an additional time after September 25, the party functionaries will start a manual membership drive also. Our party workers will help in filling the membership forms through pen and paper mode," CM Sarma said. He also urged the people to join the BJP during the membership drive. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also took a swipe at the Congress as the opposition has set a target of winning at least 80 out of 126 seats in the next Assembly polls. "All parties should step in to contest the polls and there is no objection. My best wishes to them," Sarma said. Moreover, Sarma refused to comment on Ripun Bora, who quit the Trinamool Congress and joined the Congress again. "One leader had gone to the Trinamool Congress from Congress, and now he has returned to the Congress again. Here, the BJP is not involved in the picture and hence I should not comment on the development," he said. Ripun Bora quit the Trinamool Congress, led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, questioning her leadership role about the party's expansion in Assam, and joined the Congress on Sunday. Sanaa, Sep 9 : The US-British naval coalition launched an airstrike on Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Monday, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. The strike hit a location in the area of al-Jabanah in the western part of the city, the outlet said, without providing further information. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, rarely disclose their casualties. Eyewitnesses and local residents said on social media platforms that a warplane hit a Houthi military site, resulting in a huge explosion. The coalition has made no comment on the attack yet, Xinhua news agency reported. On Sunday, the US Central Command said on social media platform X that its naval forces destroyed three drones and two missile systems in the Houthi-controlled areas of northern Yemen. Since November last year, the Houthis have been launching anti-ship missiles and drone attacks targeting what the Houthis said were "Israeli-linked ships" in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to show solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In response, the US-British naval coalition stationed in the waters has since January conducted regular air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets to deter the group from targeting cargo ships. New Delhi, Sep 9 : The industry experts on Monday welcomed some significant resolutions announced during the 54th GST Council meeting chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. They said that Group of Ministers' (GoM) recommendation by end of October on the GST rate for health and life insurance will be the one to watch closely. "Specific sectors like automobile, etc. would keenly look forward to the decision on compensation cess and its fate. Another notable development is the proposed B2C e-invoicing, which, although voluntary, will be significant. It will be crucial to observe how businesses prepare for this change," said Abhishek Jain, National Head-Indirect Tax, KPMG in India. GoM on life and health insurance related GST with existing GoM on rate rationalisation are set to submit the report by end of October. The Council also recommended formation of a GoM to study the future of compensation cess. Finance Minister confirmed the extension of the GST Compensation Cess until March 2026, stating that the loan and interest dues on borrowings made to compensate states during the COVID period will likely be cleared by January 2026. To assess the future of the Compensation Cess after March 2026, the Council agreed to form a GoM that will evaluate each state's claims and decide on the next steps. According to Krishan Arora, Partner and Leader, Indirect Taxes at Grant Thornton Bharat, while some industry concerns were addressed, more decisions are expected at the next GST Council meeting scheduled to be held in Goa on September 23. "The India Inc is looking forward to discussions on a range of measures, including provisions proposed in the budget, long-pending clarifications on GST rates for insurance premiums, and GST on online payments and payment aggregators," he added. Ranjeet Mahtani, Partner, Dhruva Advisors, said that even while the tax department authorities have served show-cause notices to payment aggregators, demanding GST on transactions below Rs 2,000 routed through payment aggregators, the matter was not deliberated upon, leaving the matter in the hand of the adjudicators. "On the other hand, despite having notices, research institutes and universities will be relieved to know of the recommendation to exempt them from GST on grants," he said. News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa's huge entourage during his week-long trip to China included his son and brother-in-law, ZimLive reported.Mnangagwa flew to China on August 28 aboard a Boeing Business Jet B737-77W operated by Royal Jet of the United Arab Emirates, returning home on September 7.The aircraft, registration A6-RJU, has an hourly charter price of US$18,600, according to Paramount Business Jets, a charter services broker.Mnangagwa's delegation of over 45 people included his son, Collins, and his wife's brother, Henry Kutyauripo.Kutyauripo and the president's twin son were present Mnangagwa visited Mao Zedong Square in Beijing, where he laid flower at the bronze statue of the iconic founder of the Chinese Communist Party.The presence of the duo on an official trip will renew criticism of Mnangagwa for surrounding himself with time-servers and toadies who use their proximity to the Zanu PF leader for self-gain.Collins, who studied in China and is fluent in Mandarin, has partnered several Chinese companies and would have used the trip for private business.When asked about Collins' presence on the trip, Mnangagwa's spokesman George Charamba snapped: "It's his son."On Kutyauripo, Charamba said: "He is a director, he is a government employee."He refused to state the department where Kutyauripo works, or explain his relevance on the president's delegation to the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation (FOCAC) attended by over 50 other African leaders. Bhopal, Sep 9 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday transferred Rs 1,574 crore to the bank accounts of over 1.29 women beneficiaries of the 'Ladli Behna Yojana'. Each beneficiary will receive Rs 1,250 as the 16th installment under the scheme that was introduced by the previous BJP government led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in March last year. The amount was moved through a single click transfer facility at a public event at Bina in Sagar district. "An amount of Rs 1,574 crores was transferred to the accounts of sisters as the 16th installment of Laadli Behna Yojana. On this occasion, Bhoomi Pujan and inauguration of 22 development works worth Rs 215.18 crore and distribution of benefits to the beneficiaries under various schemes were also done," CM Yadav said in a post on X. The state government used to release the amount to the beneficiaries' accounts on 10th day of every month. However, this time, it was released a day before. When it got delayed for one or two days (as happened in the past), the opposition Congress would remind the ruling BJP about the 10th day of the month. The 'Ladli Behna Yojana' was initially launched by former CM Shivraj Chauhan months before the Assembly elections held in November last year. For the first few months, the state government used to give Rs 1,000 per month to the women beneficiaries, which was later increased to Rs 1,250 per month. The scheme is an extension of Shivraj Chouhan's another flagship initiative, the 'Ladli Laxmi Yojana', for newborn girl children. The BJP had announced the scheme at a time when it was facing high anti-incumbency against nearly two decades of its rule in Madhya Pradesh. The results of the Assembly elections were out on December 4, which saw BJP retain power with absolute majority. Political observers and even some Congress members had said the Ladli Behna Yojana proved a game-changer for the BJP. Srinagar, Sep 9 : A total of 239 candidates are in the fray from 26 constituencies in six districts, where polling will be held on September 25 in the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections, as 27 candidates withdrew their candidature on Monday, the last day for withdrawal. The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K said that the highest number of candidates (nine) withdrew their nomination in Budgam district, followed by six in Srinagar district, five each in the Rajouri and Poonch districts, and two in the Reasi district, while no candidate withdrew their nomination in Ganderbal district. With this, 93 candidates remain in the final electoral fray in Srinagar district, followed by 46 in Budgam district, 34 in Rajouri district, 25 in Poonch district, 21 in Ganderbal district, while 20 candidates remain in the final fray in Reasi district. In the Reasi district, six candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in the Gulabgarh (ST) seat, seven in the Reasi seat, while 7 candidates remain in the fray in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly seat. In the Rajouri district, 11 candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in the Kalakote-Sunderbani seat, five candidates in the Nowshera seat, eight candidates in the Rajouri (ST) seat, four candidates in the Budhal (ST) seat, while 6 candidates remain in the fray in Thannamandi (ST) seat. In the Poonch district, eight candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in the Surankote (ST) seat, eight candidates in the Poonch Haveli seat, while 9 candidates remain in the fray in Mendhar (ST). Similarly, in the Ganderbal district, six candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in the Kangan (ST) seat and 15 candidates in the Ganderbal seat. In Srinagar district, 13 candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in the Hazratbal seat, 10 candidates in Khanyar, 16 candidates in Habbakadal, 10 candidates in Lal Chowk, eight candidates in Channapora, 10 candidates in the Zadibal seat, 13 candidates in Eidgah seat, while 13 candidates remain in the fray in Central Shalteng. Finally, in Budgam district, eight candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in Budgam seat, 12 candidates in Beerwah, 10 candidates in Khansahib seat, 10 candidates in Chrar-i-Sharief, while six candidates remain in the fray in Chadoora. A total of 309 candidates had filed their nomination papers before the respective Returning Officers in 26 Assembly constituencies by the last date of filing nominations on September 5. Out of these, the nomination papers of 266 candidates were found valid during scrutiny held on September 6. Voting for the first phase takes place on September 18, for the second phase on September 25 and for the third and last phase on October 1. Counting will take place on October 8. Hubballi : , Sep 9 (IANS) As a Ganeshotsav gift to the southern state of Karnataka, the Central government has announced the running of a second Vande Bharat express train between Hubballi in the state and Pune in Maharashtra. Earlier, the Central government announced support prices for crops like paddy, urad, soybean, and sunflower before the festival. This time it has given another gift by approving the Vande Bharat train service between Hubballi and Pune, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, said on Monday. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw have cleared the commencement of the second Vande Bharat train service between Hubballi and Pune," Joshi said. Pralhad Joshi had written to Ashwini Vaishnaw in the first week of July, urging him to take steps to start Vande Bharat train service between Hubballi and Pune. The Hubballi-Dharwad twin cities are recognised as the major commercial sites in the state after Bengaluru. Joshi had drawn the Central government's attention to the fact that the Vande Bharat train service would be beneficial for the commercial and industrial development of this region. He also told the Railway Minister that this route would be crucial for connecting Hubballi with Mumbai as well, pushing for the start of the Vande Bharat train service. Joshi mentioned that the railway department would soon announce the inauguration date and schedule for the Vande Bharat train service. On behalf of the people of North Karnataka, the Union Minister expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw for this significant contribution to the development of the railway sector in the region. Jammu, Sep 9 : Security forces have killed two terrorists while foiling an anti-infiltration bid on the Line of Control (LoC) on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, an official said, adding that arms and ammunition were also recovered. "In a joint operation with J&K Police, the Indian Army successfully foiled an infiltration bid by terrorists in the Nowshera sector. Intelligence input has been received since August 30, indicating the presence of terrorists," Defence Ministry Spokesperson, Lt Col Suneel Barthwal said in a statement. "All likely infiltration routes were kept under surveillance. Ground-based and aerial surveillance assets were employed to monitor the area. Area domination patrols were also conducted with greater frequency, deploying troops at key terrain locations to prevent terrorist infiltration," he said. "On the night of September 8, at approximately 7.30 p.m., surveillance teams detected suspicious movement of a few individuals in the area. An intense firefight ensued. The exchange of fire continued through the night. UAVs, night cameras, and other surveillance equipment were deployed to keep the terrorists under observation. Two terrorists were neutralised in the firefight," Barthwal said. He said that searches were carried out on Monday morning to clear the area of any remaining threats. A significant cache of war-like stores, including two AK-47 rifles, one M-4 rifle with sight and one pistol was recovered. "The Indian Army's swift and coordinated response to this infiltration attempt highlights the synergy between the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Intelligence agencies. Search operations are continuing to completely secure the area. The Indian Army remains alert and committed to defeating any such attempt in the future," the Defence Ministry Spokesperson said. Security forces are maintaining a heightened vigil and aerial platforms are being utilised to provide over-watch. Eight Assembly segments spread across Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts in the Chenab Valley region along with 16 seats in the J&K districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam are going to polls in the first phase on September 18. Hilly districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kathua, Reasi and Udhampur in the Jammu division have witnessed terrorist ambush attacks against the army, security forces and civilians during the last over two months. After reports suggested that a group of hardcore foreign terrorists, believed to be 40 to 50 in number, are responsible for these attacks, the army deployed over 4,000 trained soldiers drawn from the elite Para commandos and those trained in mountain warfare inside the densely forested areas of those districts. Terrorists use the element of surprise to carry out ambush attacks and then disappear in the forests of these hilly areas. The deployment of the army and the CRPF together with the strengthening of the village defence committees (VDCs) managed by local residents, has deprived the terrorists of using the element of surprise to carry out such attacks. After the security forces started aggressively going after the terrorists both in the Jammu division and the Kashmir Valley, the terrorists are now increasingly being engaged in exchange for firing with the security forces. "They either get killed during such encounters or remain on the run. This prevents them from surprising the security forces by carrying out sly attacks," a senior police officer said. --IANS sq/pgh Chandigarh, Sep 9 : Two days after the Punjab Police cracked the triple murder case in Ferozepur with the arrest of six shooters from Maharashtra, investigation into the case on Monday revealed that the assailants' primary target was deceased Dildeep, while the two other victims lost their lives inadvertently after getting caught in the crossfire. Chandigarh, Sep 9 (IANS) Two days after the Punjab Police cracked the triple murder case in Ferozepur with the arrest of six shooters from Maharashtra, investigation into the case on Monday revealed that the assailantsa primary target was deceased Dildeep, while the two other victims lost their lives inadvertently after getting caught in the crossfire. Those arrested have been identified as Gurpreet Singh, Prince, Ravinder Singh, Sukhchain Singh, Akshay, and Rajbeer Singh, all residents of Ferozepur. The arrests were made jointly by Punjabas Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Ferozepur, central agencies, and Maharashtra Police from Aurangabad. On September 3, Dildeep Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, Jaspreet Kaur, Akashdeep and Harpreet were travelling in a car in Ferozepur, when six assailants opened fire on them. In the firing, Dildeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh and their sister Jaspreet Kaur were killed, while two others, Anmolpreet Singh and Harpreet Singh, were injured. They are undergoing treatment at a hospital. Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Gurmeet Chauhan, AIG Sandeep Goel and Senior Superintendent of Police Saumya Mishra, who addressed a joint press briefing here, said all the six arrested accused will be produced before a court to procure police remand for further questioning. The preliminary investigation has revealed that the murders were carried out due to a personal enmity between Dildeep Singh and Buvnesh Chopra and Harpreet Singh. Dildeep Singh also had a previous criminal background, they said, adding that efforts are being made to get the deportation of the main accused Chopra. Sharing details, AIG Gurmeet Chauhan said operation 'Desert' to gather leads from the scene of crime and background of the deceased was launched after gathering human-intelligence and technical inputs. Counter intelligence personnel and the Ferozepur Police first arrested accused Daljit Singh. During interrogation, the accused revealed that he was given the task of carrying out recce of the victims and keep a watch on their movements. He said the AGTF tracked the movement of the suspects in Nanded, Maharashtra, and shared the inputs with the central agencies and the Maharashtra Police on September 6. Following the inputs, the Police Commissioner of Aurangabad alerted and activated his teams, leading to the arrests. Bengaluru, Sep 9 : Kannada superstar Darshan allegedly assaulted abducted fan Renukaswamy, kicking him in the genitals after getting his trousers removed, as well as on the stomach and head, placing his his leg on his chest and pushing down hard, as per the charge sheet filed by the police probing the case. Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others are in judicial custody in the fan murder case. It has been mentioned on pages 174 and 175 that Darshan forcefully kicked Renukaswamy's private parts. "After checking Renukaswamy's mobile phone and seeing obscene photos, Darshan stomped on him. Calling him a pervert, Darshan kicked Renukaswamy in the stomach. After he fell to the ground, Darshan kept one leg on Renukaswamy's chest and pushed hard," the charge sheet claimed. "Accused No. 2, Darshan, kicked him hard with his shoe. Darshan forcefully kicked the left side of Renukaswamy's head with his shoe. This assault caused serious injuries to the victim's left ear. Darshan then instructed Pavan to remove Renukaswamy's pants after which he forcefully kicked his private parts with his shoe," it added. The charge sheet also said that along with Darshan, the other accused also brutally assaulted Renukaswamy. "Renukaswamy died due to the fatal assault by the accused," it said. After being assaulted by Darshan and his gang, Renukaswamy's chest bones were broken. There were 39 injury marks all over his body, including a deep cut on the victim's head, the chargesheet said. It added that the gang reportedly used a megger machine, an electrical device used to measure insulation resistance, to deliver electric shocks to Renukaswamy's private parts. "Darshan and his gang used the megger device to damage Renukaswamy's testicle," the charge sheet said. Another source said that Renukaswamy endured 'unheard of' and 'inhuman' torture before being hacked to death. "After committing the murder, Darshan and the other accused used their influence and money to dispose of the body and attempted to destroy evidence. They also tried to frame other individuals to escape charges," the charge sheet said. On September 5, purported photos of Renukaswamy at the time of his brutal torture surfaced, a day after the Karnataka Police submitted the 3,991-page charge sheet to the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (ACMM). One of the photos shows Renukaswamy, shirtless and sitting on the ground in front of parked trucks, in tears. He appears terrified and is seemingly trying to say something while wriggling in pain. Another photo shows Renukaswamy lying unconscious in front of a truck with the registration number KA 51 AF 0454. In this photo, Renukaswamy is seen wearing a vest and blue jeans. However, the police have not issued any official statement regarding the leaked photos, which, sources said, were collected as evidence by the police. The gruesome murder of Darshan's fan Renukaswamy took place on June 8 in Bengaluru. Renukaswamy was kidnapped from his hometown Chitradurga, brought to Bengaluru, kept in a shed, and tortured to death. After the murder, his body was thrown into a canal. The incident came to light after the security personnel of a private apartment building saw the body being dragged by a pack of dogs. New Delhi, Sep 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the fourth Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet & Expo (RE-INVEST 2024), being organised in Gujarat's Gandhinagar, from September 16 to 18. Giving out details, Union Minister for Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi told scribes that the flagship event will be organised in Mahatma Mandir and the valedictory session of the conference and exposition will be chaired by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The RE-INVEST 2024 is fourth edition in the series, aiming to highlight India's significant achievement in the renewable energy sector including manufacturing and deployment. Australia, Denmark, Germany and Norway are the partner countries for the 4th RE-INVEST while Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh are the partner states for the event. Outlining the contours of the three-day event, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said: "Various state governments will give their firm commitments in the form of Shapath-Patra specifying their plans/targets for Renewable Energy sector. All major banks, financial Institutions will also be giving Shapath Patra about their proposed loans/funding in Renewable Energy sector, apart from this the ShapathPatra will also be given by Developers, manufacturers, private equities investors, top vendors." The RE-INVEST 2024 will be a two-and-a-half-day conference on renewable energy, innovative financing for the RE Sector, Green Hydrogen, future energy choices, capacity building and an exhibition of renewable-related manufacturers, developers, investors and innovators. The event will comprise policymakers, industries, financial institutions etc., and German and Danish delegations are expected to be led by their respective ministers. The Renewable Energy Minister further informed that the conference is expected to see participation of over 10,000 delegates and will comprise 44 sessions, including a Chief Ministerial Plenary, a CEO Roundtable and several state, country, and technical sessions. A special session on Women as Leaders in Accelerating Energy Transition: Challenges and opportunities and on start-ups where 10 Solar X Challenge India winners will be pitching for investments, will be key attractions at the conference. A multiple round multimedia quiz on all aspects of Renewable Energy will also be held. The preliminary round of the quiz was held in August 2024. As India reinforces the importance of building a green, sustainable future for the next generation, there lies a Mission 500 GW target envisaging a substantial share of renewable energy in the country's electricity generation by 2030. The first edition of RE-INVEST was organised in February 2015 in Delhi, the second in October 2018 in Delhi-NCR, and the third on a virtual platform in November 2020 due to Covid-19 constraints. Each edition of RE-INVEST has seen a large number of participants, including international attendees. All previous editions were inaugurated by PM Modi. Seoul, Sep 9 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday invited South Korean investors to invest in the tourism sector of the state ahead of the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit to be held in Jaipur from December 9-11. During his speech at an investors' meet on tourism sector held in Seoul under the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit, CM Sharma said, "As a representative of Rajasthan, I invite you to invest in Rajasthan, a state with historical heritage and culture. Rajasthan is a rapidly emerging centre for industrial progress which is eager to welcome entrepreneurs from all over the world. With excellent infrastructure, connectivity and facilities, Rajasthan is fully prepared to make your investments successful." "Millions of tourists from all over the world come to see the culture, historical sites and architecture of Rajasthan. With a worldwide recognition for tourism, Rajasthan is also rapidly establishing its identity as an entrepreneurial state. For this, we want to establish relationships with South Korean entrepreneurs, which will promote tourism as well as strengthen cultural and economic ties between the two great countries," he added. Speaking on festivals of the two countries, the Chief Minister said, "Rajasthan's vibrant festivals and celebrations like Deepawali, Holi, Teej, Maru Mahotsav, Pushkar Mela reflect our rich cultural heritage. Similarly, Korea's festivals are also full of colour, music, dance, and traditions, which attract tourists from all over the world. The art and craft of both the countries is a bridge that connects us deeply. "By investing in the tourism sector of Rajasthan, you can enter a market that gives equal importance to both tradition and innovation and attracts tourists from all over the world." CM Sharma also promised those present at the event of the state government's support at every step. "Our investment model focuses on establishing a balance between economic development and ecological conservation, so that our natural and cultural heritage can also be preserved. I invite all of you to explore the immense potential of Rajasthan's tourism sector. "Our government stands ready to support you at every step of your investment journey. Together, we can build a brighter future for Rajasthan and further strengthen the friendship between our two great countries." The Chief Minister is in Seoul leading a delegation to invite investors to invest in Rajasthan under the 'Rising Rajasthan' Investment Summit. Bengaluru, Sep 9 : Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka on Monday claimed that the process of changing the Chief Minister in the Congress-ruled state was underway. Speaking to reporters, Ashoka said: "CM Siddaramaiah has stated twice that he is being stabbed in the back, referring to the example of freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna who fought the British and was trapped by his own men to be captured by the occupying forces. "Siddaramaiah alleges that his own party members are betraying him. No one from the BJP has filed RTI applications in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case; instead, it was his party members who brought out all the documents. Those who are playing musical chairs are setting off fireworks. When they burst, Siddaramaiah will have to resign." Ashoka said that "there are plans to cancel 60 lakh BPL (Below Poverty Line) cards in the state, which will save the government money". "Already, BPL cardholders are being harassed by officials. A private agency has been hired for this purpose, and through this, the cards are being cancelled to save money on guarantees. A committee has been appointed to strategise how to levy taxes without the people realising it. BJP will fight against this," Ashoka said. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said that in Karnataka, "it's not just a competition but a street fight and a real struggle for taking over the Chief Minister's position is happening". Speaking to the media in Shirahatti town of Gadag district on Monday, he expressed concern over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's "current plight", saying: "It pains me to see his condition. Even while he is still in the Chief Minister's chair, everyone is competing, claiming 'I am the CM, I am the CM.' This clearly indicates a lack of confidence in a leader." Bommai said Siddaramaiah must first set his Cabinet in order. "Once that is done, governance will naturally become more effective. Not a single minister is focusing on development. They are only obsessed with politics and holding on to power. "The state has been facing several issues, including heavy rainfall that has put farmers in distress, student problems, job vacancies not being filled properly, exams not being conducted smoothly, Anganwadi workers not receiving their salaries, and malnutrition among Anganwadi children. The state is dealing with numerous challenges, but none of the ministers are paying attention to them." --IANS mka/pgh Mumbai, Sep 9 : The Maharashtra Congress on Monday slammed the state and Centre claiming that the state is no longer 'ladka' (beloved) after the drubbing the ruling parties got in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Leader of Opposition (Assembly) Vijay Wadettiwar said that the farmers are in great distress owing to the recent heavy rains and floods that created havoc in Marathwada and other regions of the state. "However, the MahaYuti government, state and central agriculture ministers have no time to pay attention to these crises, while the state ministers are busy attending cultural programmes. In this situation, whom should the farmers appeal for help," demanded Wadettiwar. He pointed out that when Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were ravaged by floods, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited them and announced an immediate aid of Rs 3,448 crore to them. "However, Shivraj Chouhan had not yet come to Maharashtra and the MahaYuti government here had not followed up on that. Don't they see the tears of the poor farmers who need help? Is Maharashtra no longer 'ladka' of the centre?" Wadettiwar asked. He slammed the MahaYuti for not approaching Shivraj Chouhan to visit Maharashtra, pursuing to arrange for a Central team to inspect, seek help from the Centre and shied away from its responsibilities. The Leader of Opposition sought to know when the Union minister and a Central team will visit the state to assess the damage to farmlands here. "Will the farmers of Maharashtra get help from the Centre or not? Has the CM and Deputy CMs discussed the issue with the Central ministers? The MahaYuti is busy with the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme and when a minister of the (state) government asks people to throw his daughter and her husband in the river, what can the people expect," rued Wadettiwar. He said that the people of the state are tired of the fraudulent schemes of the MahaYuti which are being announced only to seek votes in the Assembly elections, instead of going to the Centre and arranging solace for the farmers. News / National by Staff reporter Winpeg Moyo, Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia, has been appointed Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nairobi Chapter.The appointment was announced during a ceremony held at the Embassy of Angola in Kenya.Ambassador Moyo succeeds Angola's Ambassador to Kenya, Sianga Abilio.In her speech at the ceremony, Ambassador Moyo highlighted the strength and unity of the SADC region in defending its sovereignty."SADC countries have shown remarkable solidarity in protecting member states from sanctions and encouraging global support for our regional projects," she said.She expressed gratitude for SADC's efforts in advocating for the removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and emphasized the region's commitment to resolving conflict hotspots."Through collective efforts, we aim to restore peace in these areas and advance the vision of a united, prosperous, and resilient Southern Africa."Ambassador Moyo also underscored the importance of collaboration and partnerships with other nations."The SADC Nairobi Chapter will continue to work closely with the Government of Kenya, aiming for mutually beneficial programs and initiatives," she added. New Delhi, Sep 9 : The Supreme Court on Monday set aside a joint penalty of Rs 80 lakh imposed on markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) by the Bombay High Court last month. The penalty was imposed for the 'erroneous freezing' of the demat accounts of two Mumbai residents who were 'erroneously' classified as promoters. The order marks same as a rare instance where a court or a tribunal imposed penalty on the markets regulator. The case is releated to SEBI order of 2017, following which the demat accounts of Pradeep Mehta and his son Neil Mehta were freezed. The order was against Shrenuj & Company for alleged violation of Sebi norms, where Neil Mehtaas father-in-law was the chief promoter. On Monday, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud noted that the Bombay High Court had 'erred' in setting aside the freezing orders without hearing the markets regulator and the two stock exchanges. Noting that the penalty was slapped without hearing the market bodies concerned, the Supreme Court directed the Bombay High Court to rehear the case and pass a fresh judgement after consulting all the stakeholders. Pradeep Mehta had challenged the freezing of his accounts, claiming that he did not have any role to play in the management of Shrenuj & Company where was just a minority shareholder. He also claimed that his son Neil, who was a minor and living in Singapore at the time, was being affected unfairly. Pronouncing the order on August 26, the Bombay High Court had criticised SEBI, BSE and the NSE for what it called the market bodies' "high-handed" and "reckless" actions, pointing out a lack of due diligence and a disregard for basic principles of natural justice. Bengaluru, Sep 9 : The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has submitted 1,632 pages of additional chargesheet on Monday against former PM H.D. Deve Gowda's grandson Prajwal Revanna, the prime accused in the sex video scandal case. The chargesheet was submitted to the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court by the SIT officials on Monday. A source with the police said that the chargesheet comprises a list of 113 witnesses in connection with the rape and kidnap of a maid who used to work at his house. Earlier, the police had submitted to court 2,000 pages of a preliminary chargesheet which included 123 witnesses in the case. Prajwal Revanna had allegedly committed sexual assault in the Basavanagudi house in Bengaluru. He had attacked and sexually assaulted the woman who came to clean the house when his mother, Bhavani Revanna, was not present. After the rape, he recorded a video. He threatened the victim not to tell anyone, and warned her that if she told anyone, he would send her husband to jail. Earlier on Monday, the Karnataka High Court adjourned a hearing on the bail plea of the former JD-S MP in connection with the sex video scandal, to September 12. The High Court bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna further stated that an in-camera hearing order would be secured from the Chief Justice and counsels would be informed in this regard. Prajwal Revanna is facing charges of sexually assaulting his 47-year-old maid and later sending obscene videos to the victim's daughter and threatening that her daughter would also meet the same fate. He was arrested at the Bengaluru International Airport in the early hours of May 30, when he was returning from Germany after his grandfather, H.D. Deve Gowda and uncle H.D. Kumaraswamy, who is also Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, made a public appeal that he has to come and face authorities. His father, JD-S legislator H.D. Revanna and mother Bhavani Revanna were jailed and currently out on bail in the kidnap and rape case linked to the sex video scam. His younger brother, JD (S) MLC Suraj Revanna, who was jailed for allegedly sexually assaulting male party workers, is also out on bail. Vijayawada, Sep 10 : Indian Army will join rescue and relief operations in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh, where eight mandals have been flooded due to breach of a canal following heavy rains on the intervening night of September 8 and 9. The flooding occurred due to a breach of the Eluru canal near Rajupalem village after the gates of Yeleswaram reservoir were opened following heavy rainfall. According to a defence statement, the Southern Command of the Indian Army received a request calling for Army columns to assist in evacuating residents stranded in their homes to safer locations. Kakinada, located 210 km from Vijayawada, is now witnessing a coordinated response from multiple rescue teams, it said. The Indian Army relief column stationed at Vijayawada was derequisitioned at 5 p.m. on Monday. According to the statement, this team is now being redeployed to Kakinada to bolster the ongoing relief efforts. Furthermore, columns from both the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are currently mobilising from Vijayawada to Kakinada to assist in the operations. An Army advance party is already en route to the affected area. Their primary tasks include assessing the situation and coordinating with the District Collector of Kakinada. The remaining Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Army columns will move from Vijayawada to Kakinada at 6 a.m. on September 10. Heavy plant equipment will be dispatched from Vijayawada to Kakinada, contingent on the requirements ascertained by the advanced party after a thorough assessment of the situation. Additionally, four extra Army boats are being sent from Secunderabad to Kakinada to aid in the relief operations. The response teams are working relentlessly to address the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of the affected population, the statement added. Earlier, the Indian Army helped plug the breaches to Budameru canal in flood-affected Vijayawada. The breaches had led to the inundation of neighbouring areas and posed a threat to the Vijayawada Thermal Power Station. The Budameru Canal experienced three significant breaches, measuring 10m, 20m, and 95m respectively. These breaches resulted in flooding, endangering nearby communities and critical infrastructure. Indian Army Personnel including Engineering and Medical Team from the 54 Infantry Division assisted the civil administration in sealing all three canal breaches. Cupertino : , Sep 9 (IANS) The iPhone maker on Monday announced that Apple Intelligence, its personal intelligence system, will start rolling out next month with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, with more features launching in the coming months. In addition, the company introduced the new iPhone 16 lineup, built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence and featuring the faster, more efficient A18 and A18 Pro chips. Apple Intelligence will be available as a free software update. The first set of Apple Intelligence features will be available in beta next month. It will be available on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac with M1 and later. Apple Intelligence first launches in US English, and will quickly expand to include localised English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. in December, with additional language support such as Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish coming next year. "Many of the models that power Apple Intelligence run entirely on device, and Private Cloud Compute offers the ability to flex and scale computational capacity between on-device processing and larger, server-based models that run on dedicated Apple silicon servers," said the company. With systemwide Writing Tools powered by Apple Intelligence, users can rewrite, proofread, and summarise text nearly everywhere they write. In Photos, the Memories feature now enables users to create the movies they want to see by simply typing a description. In addition, natural language can be used to search for specific photos, and search in videos gets more powerful with the ability to find specific moments in clips. The new Clean Up tool can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo without accidentally altering the subject. The Clean Up tool in Photos can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo without accidentally altering the subject. In the Notes and Phone apps, users can record, transcribe, and summarize audio. When a recording is initiated while on a call in the Phone app, participants are automatically notified, and once the call ends, Apple Intelligence also generates a summary to help recall key points. Siri becomes more natural, flexible, and deeply integrated into the system experience. It has a brand-new design with an elegant glowing light that wraps around the edge of the screen when active on iPhone, iPad, or CarPlay, said the company. Bengaluru, Sep 10 : Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who recently rejected about 15 Bills forwarded by the state government, cleared three of them on Monday. Sources confirmed that the Governor has signed the Karnataka Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2023; Renuka Yellamma Devi Temple Development Authority Bill, 2024 and the Municipalities and Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Governor sought more information on the 15 Bills from the Siddaramaiah-led state government and rejected them, stirring a controversy. The state government had objected to the move, calling it vindictive. Reacting to the continuing confrontations with the Governor, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D.K. Shivakumar recently said that he will pray to God to give the Governor wisdom. "I pray to God to bless the Governor with wisdom," he said. The Congress has been in agitation mode against the Governor following his approval of an investigation into Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's alleged role in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam matter. "The Governor sent back about 15 Bills. If he wants clarifications, he should seek them and question them. I am not saying that is wrong. But why should there be a government in a democratic system if Bills are sent back at the insistence of BJP MLAs? How is that tenable?" Shivakumar asserted. Opposition Leader R. Ashoka, meanwhile, said Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah needs to learn to respect Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. "When the Governor returns a Bill, it is the government's duty to provide a clarification and make the matter clear," he said. "The Governor has the authority to advise the government on the pros and cons of such Bills. Even when the BJP was in power, then Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj had returned several Bills. We did not object to his decisions," he added. Ashoka further said: "The notion that the Raj Bhavan is a BJP office is outdated. If a Bill is returned, the government should provide clarification and resolve any confusion. It is the government's duty to make things clear to the Governor. "If this duty is not fulfilled, it is the government's negligence, not the Governor's fault. It is not right for the government to blame the Governor for its own mistakes. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah needs to learn to respect the Governor." Kolkata, Sep 10 : Unnerved by the deadline set by the Supreme Court to join duty by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, junior doctors protesting the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have announced plans for continued agitation on the issue from Tuesday morning. On Monday, a Supreme Court bench headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud ruled that doctors in West Bengal protesting against the rape-murder at R.G. Kar must resume their duties by 5 p.m. on Tuesday failing which the state government will be authorised to initiate disciplinary action against them. The bench also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra assured that no disciplinary action will be taken if the doctors report for duty at or before 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The fresh demands put forth by the protesting representatives of the medical fraternity include suspension of the Health Secretary, Director of Health Services, and the Director of Medical Education. The junior doctors will take out a march to the Swastha Bhavan, the headquarters of the health department in Salt Lake, on Tuesday afternoon in support of their demands. Earlier, echoing the observation of the apex court, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued an appeal to the junior doctors to rejoin duty. However, unnerved by the SC deadline and Chief Minister's appeal, the junior doctors have announced their stand of continued protest in the matter. The protesting doctors have also pointed out that they are just atrainee doctors", and their absence from duty shows how pathetic the state of affairs is in the health service where there is a lack of adequate trained doctors and associated medical staff. The protesting doctors also put forward some statistics in support of their demands. According to them, of the 245 state-run hospitals in West Bengal, only 26 are medical colleges and hospitals. While the total number of junior doctors in West Bengal is just around 7,500, the total number of registered doctors in the state is around 93,000. In such a situation, when only the junior doctors attached to the medical colleges and hospitals of the state have gone on 'cease work', how could the entire health system in the state collapse, they asked. New Delhi, Sep 10 : The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has released a list of nine probable candidates for the upcoming Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections. According to a statement, the probable candidates started the pre-election campaign at colleges on Monday, which will continue till Thursday. The ABVP has named Rishabh Chaudhary, Rishiraj Singh, Aman Kapasiya, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Aryan Maan, Yash Dabas, Kanishka Chaudhary, Himanshu Nagar, and Mitravinda as probable candidates for the students' body elections. During the ongoing campaign, the probable candidates are interacting with the students and informing them about the accomplishments of the outgoing ABVP-led DUSU. The candidates are also trying to understand issues being faced by students via Google Forms. ABVP Delhi State Secretary, Harsh Attri said, "The Students Union elections are no less than a festival for the Delhi University Students. Today (Monday) we have released a list of nine probable candidates who are going to colleges and informing students about the accomplishments of ABVP-led DUSU... We will soon release a list of the final four candidates." The DUSU elections for the 2024-25 academic year will be held on September 27 and its results will be announced on the next day, as per the schedule announced by the university. Students can submit their nominations by September 17. The final list of candidates contesting the elections will be released at 5 p.m. on September 18. Seoul, Sep 10 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, while inviting South Korean investors to explore investment opportunities in the state, delineated his government's agenda of doubling the state's economy from the current $180 billion to $350 billion in the next 5 years. Leading a high-level delegation, CM Sharma is in Seoul for his first international investors' meet ahead of the upcoming 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit', scheduled to be held in December. He told investors that "the state is constantly improving processes and policies to provide 'ease of doing business' in the state". Exhorting the startups, innovators and members from South Korea's top business groups, to do business in the state, CM Sharma said, "The Government of Rajasthan is not looking at South Korea as a source of investment only, but also aspires to build a strong and long-term partnership across sectors with the business leaders of South Korea. As part of our investor-friendly initiatives, my government will soon launch a slew of new policies that will enhance the business-friendly climate in the state including the new Industrial Policy, Export Promotion Policy, MSME Policy and One District One Product (ODOP) Policy." Apart from the investors' meet, the CM also held one-on-one meetings with senior officials of several big South Korean companies and associations from key sectors such as Infrastructure, Chemicals, Startups and Tourism among others. This includes meeting the senior officials of POSCO International, SG Corporation (asphalt concrete manufacturer), GS E&C (firm working in the renewable energy and battery storage space), Hanwha Solution (chemicals), and Jeonbuk Creative Economy Innovation Center (JCCEI) which works as the incubator for startups. Several investors present at the meet have expressed interest in making investments in the state. Officials of POSCO International and SG Corporation, who met the CM together, expressed interest in setting up an asphalt manufacturing unit in Rajasthan and offered to make "better roads" in the state with their products. They also shared their expectations from the government, with respect to subsidies, infrastructure services, raw material procurement and other requirements. A special meet was also organised to showcase the potential of Rajasthan's tourism sector, including showcasing the nine UNESCO sites, forts and palaces, forests and wildlife, fairs and festivals, wedding destinations and 'Palace on Wheels' -- a heritage train that tours international tourists around the best destinations of the state. Addressing a special tourism roadshow, CM Sharma said that both India and South Korea have a lot in common in terms of culture and festivals. "I am here as a representative of Rajasthan, and I invite you all to invest in our land of heritage and culture. Today, Rajasthan is one of the fastest-growing economies in India, equipped with exceptional infrastructure, connectivity, and facilities. My government is ready to support you at every step of your investment journey. Together, we can build a bright future for Rajasthan and further strengthen the friendship between our two great countries," he said. Amit Kumar, India's Ambassador to South Korea, said, "Rajasthan is emerging as a promising investment and trade destination in India. The state is committed to fostering a conducive regulatory environment for business expansion. The upcoming 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024' will provide an ideal platform for exploring new business ventures in the state." The high-level delegation that travelled along with the CM comprises his deputy Prem Chand Bairwa, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Shikhar Agarwal, and Principal Secretary (Industries and Commerce) Ajitabh Sharma among others. The investors' meet was organised with the help of the Indian Embassy in South Korea and the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK). The state government will host the 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024' from December 9 to 11 in Jaipur. Seoul, Sep 10 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, while inviting South Korean investors to explore investment opportunities in the state, delineated his government's agenda of doubling the state's economy from the current $180 billion to $350 billion in the next 5 years. Leading a high-level delegation, CM Sharma is in Seoul for his first international investors' meet ahead of the upcoming 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit', scheduled to be held in December. He told investors on Monday that "the state is constantly improving processes and policies to provide 'ease of doing business' in the state". Exhorting the startups, innovators and members from South Korea's top business groups, to do business in the state, CM Sharma said, "The Government of Rajasthan is not looking at South Korea as a source of investment only, but also aspires to build a strong and long-term partnership across sectors with the business leaders of South Korea. As part of our investor-friendly initiatives, my government will soon launch a slew of new policies that will enhance the business-friendly climate in the state including the new Industrial Policy, Export Promotion Policy, MSME Policy and One District One Product (ODOP) Policy." Apart from the investors' meet, the CM also held one-on-one meetings with senior officials of several big South Korean companies and associations from key sectors such as Infrastructure, Chemicals, Startups and Tourism among others. This includes meeting the senior officials of POSCO International, SG Corporation (asphalt concrete manufacturer), GS E&C (firm working in the renewable energy and battery storage space), Hanwha Solution (chemicals), and Jeonbuk Creative Economy Innovation Center (JCCEI) which works as the incubator for startups. Several investors present at the meet have expressed interest in making investments in the state. Officials of POSCO International and SG Corporation, who met the CM together, expressed interest in setting up an asphalt manufacturing unit in Rajasthan and offered to make "better roads" in the state with their products. They also shared their expectations from the government, with respect to subsidies, infrastructure services, raw material procurement and other requirements. A special meet was also organised to showcase the potential of Rajasthan's tourism sector, including showcasing the nine UNESCO sites, forts and palaces, forests and wildlife, fairs and festivals, wedding destinations and 'Palace on Wheels' -- a heritage train that tours international tourists around the best destinations of the state. Addressing a special tourism roadshow, CM Sharma said that both India and South Korea have a lot in common in terms of culture and festivals. "I am here as a representative of Rajasthan, and I invite you all to invest in our land of heritage and culture. Today, Rajasthan is one of the fastest-growing economies in India, equipped with exceptional infrastructure, connectivity, and facilities. My government is ready to support you at every step of your investment journey. Together, we can build a bright future for Rajasthan and further strengthen the friendship between our two great countries," he said. Amit Kumar, India's Ambassador to South Korea, said, "Rajasthan is emerging as a promising investment and trade destination in India. The state is committed to fostering a conducive regulatory environment for business expansion. The upcoming 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024' will provide an ideal platform for exploring new business ventures in the state." The high-level delegation that travelled along with the CM comprises his deputy Prem Chand Bairwa, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Shikhar Agarwal, and Principal Secretary (Industries and Commerce) Ajitabh Sharma among others. The investors' meet was organised with the help of the Indian Embassy in South Korea and the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK). The state government will host the 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024' from December 9 to 11 in Jaipur. Tehran, Sep 10 : Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has said that diplomatic opportunities still exist to revive the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. Kanaani stated on Monday that the path to an agreement remains open if other involved parties show a practical commitment to fulfilling their obligations, Xinhua news agency reported. "We believe that the diplomatic opportunity still exists for all parties, especially those that refrained from implementing the agreement," Kanaani told reporters in Tehran. He noted that Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi recently had a "good phone conversation" with the European Union (EU)'s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressing optimism about potential talks between Iran and the EU. Iran signed the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with several major countries in 2015. The agreement imposed restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the US government under former President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in May 2018, reinstating sanctions and prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the JCPOA began in April 2021 in Vienna, but no significant progress has been reported since the latest round of talks in August 2022. News / National by Staff reporter A large crowd of drivers and touts gathered at Umvutshwa Cemetery to bid farewell to Thembelani "Texas" Thwala, a well-known minibus owner from Matshobana.Thwala, a beloved figure in the local transport community, tragically passed away after being struck by a car at the Rio turn-off in Matshobana last Thursday.In a fitting tribute, drivers and touts performed and celebrated his life, remembering the impact he had on the community.Texas was widely recognized for his minibuses that operated in the area, making him a popular figure in Matshobana. Renaissance sculptor Pietro Torrigiano has long held a place in the public imagination as the man who broke Michelangelos nose. Indeed, he is known more for that story than for his impressive prowess as an artist. This engagingly written and deeply researched study by Felipe Pereda, a leading expert in the field, teases apart legend and history and reconstructs Torrigianos work as an artist. Torrigiano was, in fact, one of the most fascinating characters of the sixteenth century. After fighting in the Italian wars under Cesare Borgia, the Florentine artist traveled across four countries, working for such patrons as Margaret of Austria in the Netherlands and the Tudors in England. Toriggiano later went to Spain, where he died in prison, accused of heresy by the Inquisition for breaking a sculpture of the Virgin and Child that he had made with his own hands. In the course of his travels, Torrigiano played a crucial role in the dissemination of the style and the techniques that he learned in Florence, and he interacted with local artisanal traditions and craftsmen, developing a singular terracotta modeling technique that is both a response to the authority of Michelangelo and a unique testimony to artists mobility in the period. As Pereda shows, Torrigianos life and work constitute an ideal example to rethink the geography of Renaissance art, challenging us to reconsider the model that still sees the Renaissance as expanding from an Italian center into the western periphery. By the time the Capuchins arrived in the seventeenth century, Kongo had been Catholic for nearly two hundred years. The European mission could not be conversion, then, but reinforcement; the Capuchins sought to establish the sacraments and a line to Rome in a lay-led church already suffused with an enduring, creative, and complex theological culture. InElochukwuUzukwu uses the framework of this ancient Kongo Catholicism to explore European dependence on enslaved Kongo Catholics and the unconscionable Capuchin and Spiritan participation in the slave trade at largea practice denounced by the lone voices of Capuchin Epifanio de Moirans and Spiritan Alexandre Monnet. Reconstructing the church that missionaries and Kongo Catholics built together on the foundations of local religion, Memorializing the Unsung contrasts the dignity denied the Kongo Catholics with the freedom they nonetheless performed. Uzukwu is particularly deft in tracing the agency of Kongo elites and laypeople from the fifteenth century through the nineteenth, carefully evaluating their deliberate engagements with southern Europeans, the role of the maestri (translator-catechists) in guiding the faithful, and the ultimate development of a unique theological vocabulary endorsed by the Kikongo catechism. Without the support and creativity of these unsung lay Catholics across west-central and eastern Africa, Uzukwu shows, the European missions in the region would have failed. Even while enslaved, the Kongo Slaves of the Church and the eastern African Slaves of the Mission served as mediators, co-creators, and reinventors of their world. Albert the Great (12001280) was a prominent Dominican friar, a leading philosopher, and the teacher of Thomas Aquinas. He also endorsed the use of magic. Controversial though that stance would have been, Albert was never punished or repudiated for what he wrote. Alberts reception followed instead a markedly different course, leading ultimately to his canonization by the Catholic Church in 1931. But his thoughts about magic have been debated for centuries.takes Alberts contested reputation as a case study for the long and complex history surrounding the concept of magic and magics relationship to science and religion. Over the centuries, Albert was celebrated for his magic, or it was explained awaybut he was never condemned. In the fifteenth century, members of learned circles first attempted to distance Albert from magic, with the goal of exonerating him of superstition, irrationality, and immorality. Disenchanting Albert the Great discusses the philosophers own understanding of magic; an early, adulatory phase of his reputation as a magician; and the three primary strategies used to exonerate Albert over the centuries. In the end, Disenchanting Albert the Great tells the story of a thirteenth-century scholar who worked to disenchant the natural world with his ideas about magic but who himself would not be disenchanted until the modern era. This accessible and insightful history will appeal to those interested in Albert the Great, Catholic Church history, the history of magic, and Western understandings of the natural and the rational over time. Keats once said, A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Some would say the same about a picture book. Many teachers and librarians believe that picture books arent just for the wee ones, and they are using them with older readers, for a variety of reasons. PW spoke with three such educators who find picture books timeless, ageless, and beautiful, indeed. Latrice Martin, currently a K5 librarian at Wilbern Elementary School in Wilbern, Tex., loves how picture books help her gently introduce difficult topics to her readers. They can break down big concepts into smaller and simpler ways to understand them, and kids love them, too! Martin said. She also uses the illustrations with her younger students to better understand what is happening in the story. With her older students, for whom school is often harder, she takes a more mindful, almost zen approach. We can slow downlook at the pictures, talk about what the illustrators are trying to tell us, and take our time. After digging deeply into these picture books, she often finds her students beelining to shelves to check out the latest titles she has shared. So, selling picture books to kindergarten through fifth graders isnt hard. As for campaigning for the value and importance of picture books to some of her upper elementary teachers, that is a different story. Martin says that many teachers require their students to choose two chapter books, and no picture books for their weekly check outs. Thats when she speaks up, professing the power of picture books. I instruct them while Im teaching my students, Martin said. I tell them that its not that theyre easy books, its just the format that they are in. These books have so much information in them, along with sophisticated vocabulary! Its why Martins school district has specifically named every school librarys picture book section Everybody Reads! Martin said, Thats because they really are for everyone. Theyre all mixed together because everybody reads at different levels and/or they have somebody who can read to them. And, when an older child checks out a picture book, Martin is quick to celebrate their choice. I dont want anyone to ever think that it means theyre not capable of reading a chapter book or higher, Martin said. As a school librarian she believes her greatest responsibility to her students is helping them find books that theyre interested in reading, and advocating for free choice. Their interest and freedom helps foster a love of reading and books. We never force kids to read a book, or stop a child from checking out a book that might be too hard, because someone at home can read it to them. We also do not give them accelerated reading quizzes after each book, Martin said. Introducing and celebrating picture books in our library is part of promoting a love of literacy. Martin appreciates how older readers bring greater life experience to picture books. They relate better to the characters. And you can go back to earlier reading skills they have learned, and teach how many formats of nonfiction booksincluding picture bookscan give us information. This year, Martin is returning to the classroom to teach mathematics and science, because of Texas budget cuts, but she is hopeful that she will be back in the library again one day. Until then, she says, Even if Im not in the library, the love of readingespecially reading picture booksis something that I will still share with my students. One of Stacy Alfanos graduate school professors shared picture books at the start of nearly every class. He was a big collector of picture books and he would read these books and wed talk about how we could use each of them and what age we might use them for, she said. The experience stuck with her. Today, as a veteran fifth grade ELA and social studies teacher at Shoemaker Elementary School in Macungie, Pa., Aflano incorporates picture books as part of her curriculum. Some of the stories themes include empathy, the power of knowledge, grit, and perseverance, and more. The picture books we use allow us to teach concepts within the context of the books and aid comprehension, all within an enjoyable story, Alfano said. She also integrates access lenses highlighted in Trevor Bryans book The Art of Comprehension: Exploring Visual Texts to Foster Comprehension, Conversation, and Confidence to help discuss picture books through the lenses of mood, theme, and symbolism, and deepen her students understanding and thinking about words and pictures. These lenses allow us to zoom into the language and the illustrations, like how the illustrator may draw something larger to draw attention to it to help tell the story, Alfano said, They also encourage readers to look at characters traits, their body language, moods, and the symbolism and figurative language that the author uses. Throughout her 31 years of teaching, she has pulled in a variety of her favorite classic picture books to reinforce concepts, and to help elevate her students reading and writing, too. These titles include The King Who Rained by Fred Gwynne to look at homophones, The Z Is Zapped by Chris Van Allsburg to teach verb tenses, and Animalia by Graeme Base to study adjectives and adverbs. She also stays up to date on the latest picture book releases as a member of #BookPosse (a group of teachers and librarians on Twitter who share and recommend ARCs), and by reviewing picture books on Twitter. Just like she learned from her former professor, she is always reading and asking questions about how best to use picture books, and decipher which ones would be the perfect fits for her fifth graders. Shes also always on the lookout for SEL titles that can touch her students hearts, and help them deal with difficult things in their lives. Her latest favorite is the picture book Grandpas Scroll by Ginger Park and Frances Park. Based on the authors Korean heritage, this title is about a girl whose grandfather is working on a scroll for them to finish when she visits him in Korea. And, one day, he passes away before they can finish it, Alfano said. I used it right after one of my students grandparents died. The healing part was how peoples legacies live beyond when they are not with us anymore. Alfonso said that the knowing that can come from fiction and nonfiction picture books allows her to teach her students the value of using a variety of formats and resources to learn from, to use for their research, and to discover book joy through a read aloud. It doesnt matter what your age is. There is something powerful about being read to! A few years ago, Jessica Liakonis, a humanities teacher at Willis Road School in Roslyn Heights, N.Y., began the #ClassroomBookADay daily read-aloud challenge (the brainchild of elementary school library media specialist and former seventh and eighth grade ELA teacher, Jillian Heise) with her middle school students, and it changed everything. At first, I started it as a daily shared read-aloud to promote joyful, thoughtful engagement, and to support my childrens development of empathy, Liakonsis said. It has grown to help them explore their identity in the classroom, and to see themselves, their cultures, and their ethnic backgrounds, she added. But her kids needed more. So, she decided to include nonfiction biographies, narrative nonfiction titles, and select SEL books that would directly tie into their reading/writing, ELA/social studies curriculum, and middle school life. These choices have helped her teach and discuss difficult topics including grief, antisemitism, and illness, among many others, and her kids build valuable background knowledge through the context of stories. These daily read-alouds have increased the reading engagement of my students. They look forward to this time of day, and come up to me and ask about the book we are reading every single day, Liakonis said. I also place a tiny version of the cover on a bulletin board in our classroom. This board offers her and her students a visual reminder of the books theyve read together, discussed, and learned from. It also allows them to refer back to past titles. Right now, weve had 170 days and 170 covers on the board, and we are constantly going back to these books to make connections and to use them for mentor texts for their own writing. Lakonis has also noted a general uptick in her students reading across the board. Shes observed them checking out and reading more chapter books and novels in addition to the #ClassroomBookADay picture books and novel study titles they enjoy together as a class. She believes the read-alouds have made a big impact on their reading and writing lives. These 10 minutes and these picture books have allowed us to listen to stories that have touched us quite powerfullywhether in an empathetic way or by seeing ourselves, our families, and our ethnicities represented, Liakonis said. As we read them, we may naturally stop and talk about them, make inferences and conclusions, and absorb the rich vocabulary and figurative language. Each title has also helped my students become more thoughtful readers and writers. In their during reading and post reading conversations, she has also seen an increasing comfort level of students willingness to share themselves through books. My middle schoolers are growing up so fast. So, reading together slows them down, and lets them be more vulnerable with each otherwithout really knowing that they are doing this, Liakonis said. They share things in our picture book discussions that they probably wouldnt have shared otherwise in class. This shared vulnerability and emotional intelligence elevates all of them. These books have helped create a community where 90% of my middle grade students feel comfortable to share their thoughts and feelings, Lakonis said. This has lifted all of us up. A saying oft repeated in discussions of French diplomacy stipulates that a French president's mandate begins in Algiers and ends in Rabat. This axiom has proven strikingly prescient. Consider the letter French President Emmanuel Macron recently sent to Morocco's King Mohammed VI, officially recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. This decision not only reinforces the growing international consensus on the resolution of this long-standing conflict, it reshapes the balance of power in the region. To fully grasp the significance of this policy shift, it is crucial to examine the complex web of historical relationships, recent diplomatic tensions, and evolving geopolitical realities that have shaped France's decision. The roots of this move lie not only in the intricate history of French presence in North Africa but in more recent strains in Franco-Moroccan relations, attempts at rapprochement with Algeria, and broader challenges to French influence across the African continent. Historical Context France's legacy in North Africa, particularly its 132-year rule of Algeria that ended with a war of independence in 1962, still casts a long shadow over its relations in the region. While Morocco gained independence in 1956 through a relatively smoother process, maintaining closer ties with France, Algeria's relationship with its former colonizer has been marked by periods of tension and attempts at reconciliation. This historical context has complicated France's ability to maintain balanced relationships with both countries, especially given their opposing stances on the Western Sahara issue. The Western Sahara dispute itself dates back to 1975 when Spain withdrew from the territory. Morocco subsequently claimed sovereignty, while the Polisario Front, an armed insurgent group hosted and backed by Algeria, has long advocated for the territory's independence. The conflict has resulted in decades of diplomatic stalemate and periodic armed confrontations. Recent Strains in Franco-Moroccan-Algerian Relations In recent years, Franco-Moroccan relations have been strained by a confluence of factors, primarily stemming from French attempts at rapprochement with Algeria. The complex dynamics between these three countries have created a situation where any significant improvement in Franco-Algerian ties is seen as contingent upon a weakening of the Franco-Moroccan relationship. This understanding has been a key factor in Algeria's diplomatic approach, effectively making it a precondition for any meaningful transformation in its relations with France. This dynamic has contributed significantly to the cooling of relations between Paris and Rabat. France's attempts to improve its relationship with Algeria have been viewed with suspicion in Morocco, not merely as a rebalancing act, but as a potential threat to its own strategic partnership with the European Union, where France exercises significant influence. The delicate balancing act France must perform in its North African diplomacy is thus not just about maintaining equal relationships, but about navigating a landscape where progress with one party is perceived as necessarily coming at the expense of another. However, broader geopolitical factors have also played a crucial role in shaping France's decision. France's Strategic Challenges in Africa France's decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara must also be understood in the context of its strategic setbacks across Africa. The forced withdrawal of French troops from Mali in 2022, growing anti-French sentiment in countries like Burkina Faso and Niger, and increasing economic competition from China, Turkey, and Gulf states have all contributed to a sense of urgency in Paris to shore up its strategic partnerships in the region. Morocco, with its stable government that has historically been friendly to France, and its increasing diplomatic clout in West Africa, presents an attractive ally. The specter of Russian entanglement in Africa has further galvanized French strategic thinking. The presence of Russian-state-tied private military companies such as the Wagner Group in Mali and the Central African Republic, increased Russian arms sales to African nations, and disinformation campaigns that often fuel anti-French sentiment have all contributed to France's concern about its waning influence. Morocco's consistent pro-Western stance and limited engagement with Russia therefore make it an even more valuable partner. These factors have set the stage for France's bold diplomatic move. Economic and Diplomatic Implications By recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, France is making a calculated bet to strengthen its alliance with a partner it sees as crucial for its strategic interests in the region. This move could pave the way for increased economic cooperation and French investment in Morocco and the Western Sahara region, particularly in sectors like energy and infrastructure. This decision carries significant implications, particularly in the context of France's position as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). With this move, France becomes the second permanent UNSC member to explicitly support Morocco's position, following the United States' recognition under President Trump in December 2020 as part of a broader Abraham Accords process. France's decision further solidifies this approach within the Security Council, potentially influencing the future direction of the UN-led peace process. Security Council Dynamics The stance of other UNSC members further complicates the picture. China maintains neutrality on Western Sahara while enjoying strong economic ties with Morocco and significant military relations with Algeria. Russia, traditionally an Algerian ally and a vocal opponent of U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty, has remained uncharacteristically silent following France's announcement, despite deep cleavages between Russia and France in West Africa. This silence may indicate mounting tensions in the Russia-Algeria relationship or a recalibration of Russia's priorities in the region. Meanwhile, the new UK Labour government has expressed support for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, while steering clear from Jeremy Corbyn's Labour's pro-Polisario positions, suggesting a desire to maintain stable working relations with the kingdom. Algerian Response and Risks of Escalation The immediate recall of Algeria's ambassador to France following the announcement underscores the severity of the Algerian response. Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a scathing statement, calling France's decision the result of a dubious political calculation, a morally questionable judgment, and legal interpretations that are neither supported nor justified. This reaction reinforces the notion that Algeria is not merely a supporter of Polisario but a direct party to the conflict over Western Sahara. Algeria may choose escalate its support for Polisario, potentially through increased military aid or more aggressive actions against Moroccan interests. Additionally, Algeria's ability to weaponize its energy exports against France, as it has previously done against Morocco and Spain, should not be underestimated. A crucial factor to consider in the wake of France's decision is the potential for armed escalation. Following U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020, Polisario resumed armed hostilities against Morocco, a move that could not have happened without Algerias explicit blessing. In light of France's recent move, Polisario might once again opt for a path of armed escalation. The scope of any such escalation remains to be seen, but it represents a risk that could further complicate efforts to resolve the conflict. Conclusion France's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara represents a calculated strategic maneuver with far-reaching implications. By aligning with the U.S. position and narrowing the scope for alternative proposals, France has decisively tilted the scales in Morocco's favor. This move not only cements Morocco's position but also signals a broader shift in Western policy towards the conflict. As the dust settles, the international community grapples with the implications of this decision. The UN-led peace process and the mandate of MINURSO the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara face uncertain futures, potentially requiring a significant review. Regional stability hangs in the balance, with the threat of further military escalation by Polisario. Other Security Council members must now reassess their positions, potentially leading to further realignment or increased polarization in international stances on the Western Sahara issue. As the next French and U.S. administrations chart their course, the durability of shift will be tested, potentially redefining Western engagement with the Maghreb. It may also set a precedent for resolving long-standing territorial disputes across Africa and beyond. Anime Ghoulidi is a Visiting Fellow in the Allison Center for National Security at The Heritage Foundation. Comedian John Mulaney and New Yorker contributor Simon Rich are reuniting for a Broadway comedy, which premieres on Dec. 11. ADVERTISEMENT Mulaney and Rich met as SNL writers in 2008, and All In: Comedy About Love was inspired by Rich's New Yorker pieces and short stories. "We jump around between eras and countries and species, but they're all love stories," Rich told The New York Times. The show marks Rich's first Broadway play, and Mulaney's second. Mulaney had previously appeared in Oh, Hello on Broadway in 2016. The new show will star Richard Kind and Fred Armisen alongside Mulvaney until Jan. 12. Renee Elise Goldsberry will perform alongside the trio until Dec. 30. Chloe Fineman will perform beginning Jan. 2. All In will be on Broadway for a total of 10 weeks and the remaining cast members have not yet been announced. Mulaney was recently seen in Everybody's in LA on Netflix. Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Instagam / Jenn Tran By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 09/09/2024 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Eying benefits from digital banking, lenders are now looking at building Unified Recovery Interface (URI) for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and getting good prices for properties of defaulters. This would be managed by PSB Alliance Ltd, a company set up by all public sector banks in the country. M V Rao, chairman, Indian Banks Association (IBA), said: Till now we had Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a product developed by National Payments Corporation Ltd (NPCI). "The second leg is is Unified Lending Interface (ULI). There is a thought process in PSB Alliance that after the payment and lending side, the important aspect that is left out is recovery. With the ccprocess in place, the PSB Alliance will now bring the Unified Recovery Interface. A bank balance certificate is an official document provided by a bank that contains details about ones account balance at a particular point in time. This will give comfort to bankers that when they lend, the process will run for the recovery also, so there may not be many challenges in collection management. This will bring down the cost of collections, Rao said. He was speaking at the banking industry event FIBAC 2024, organised by IBA and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ficci). A senior public sector banker said PSB Alliance was now holding the reins of e-auction portal ebkray. It works as a platform for lenders to sell properties that have been mortgaged for loans which are not being paid. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) and Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) have agreed to be part of this portal. IBBI and PSB Alliance are building a programme where entire operations will be run through an application and recorded. This would also help to get a better price for properties put on the block, he added. Meanwhile, IBA is working on designing a special apprenticeship programme for the banking system, especially for those not highly qualified. Sunil Mehta, chief executive, IBA, said the industry lobby group was in discussions with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for the scheme. The apprenticeship scheme will target those who have qualifications but need upgradation and are in the age bracket of 21-25 years. The aim is to groom average students with some training and skills. There are many areas in banking which do not require highly skilled persons. The areas include marketing and recovery, he added. With new eligibility criteria for futures and options (F&O) coming into effect, Jio Financial Services and Zomato are strong contenders for inclusion in the derivatives segment, according to an analysis by Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research. The report suggests that these new F&O inclusions could also propel these two companies into the benchmark National Stock Exchange Nifty 50 during the March rebalancing. To be included in the benchmark Nifty 50, stocks must be eligible for derivatives trading. Besides these two, nearly 80 companies also meet the revised F&O criteria, the brokerage said. However, the final list of inclusions and deletions is expected to be released by the Securities and Exchange Board of India and the exchanges soon. Meanwhile, the new norm is likely to result in the removal of 18 companies from the current list of 182 stocks. While new inclusions will occur immediately, existing stocks may be given three months to exit. Stock surge: IPO frenzy hits warp speed The excitement in the initial public offering (IPO) market is set to continue this week. Market sources indicate that non-banking financial firms Bajaj Housing Finance and Northern Arc will launch their IPOs. Meanwhile, Gala Precision Engineering, whose issue opens on Monday, is already commanding a grey market premium (GMP) of 40 per cent. The Rs 168 crore issue is priced between Rs 503 and Rs 529 per share. The company raised Rs 50 crore from anchor investors last week. Premier Energies and ECO Mobility, whose issues concluded last week, saw robust subscriptions of 75 and 64.3 times, respectively. Based on GMPs, Premier could list at a 90 per cent premium, while ECO Mobility could gain 50 per cent on debut. Baazar Style Retail, whose IPO closes on Tuesday, is commanding a GMP of over 30 per cent. Sebi's AI polyglot: Chatbot bridging language gaps in financial literacy The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is working to expand its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered investor awareness chatbot, Seva, to include multiple Indian languages, according to an official. The beta version of the chatbot, launched in July, is designed to help investors seek general information about the securities market and details of the grievance redress process. Sebi aims to provide easy access to information and enhance awareness of the securities market in the user's preferred language. Another official noted that the regulator is engaging AI in various projects, including several related to enforcement and compliance. 'It has been 14 years since I began living in exile and it's shocking that the situation in Balochistan has only worsened rather than improved.' IMAGE: A paramilitary soldier frisks motorbike riders, a day after separatist terrorists conducted deadly attacks, on the outskirts of Quetta, Pakistan, August 27, 2024. Photograph: Naseer Ahmed/Reuters "No amount of development funding will change the Baloch perception of Pakistan if Pakistani intelligence agencies continue to arrest or kill young Baloch extrajudicially," says journalist Malik Siraj Akbar who fled Balochistan for his safety in 2010. Akbar's journalism has exposed human rights violations by the Pakistani agencies and was the reason for his seeking political asylum in the United States. There's an entire generation of Baloch that lives in Europe and the US. "Young Baloch frequently face harassment and suspicion in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, where they go for higher education. They are often subjected to investigations by intelligence agencies that unjustly suspect every young Baloch of being affiliated with insurgent groups." "It is crucial to end the discrimination and humiliation of the Baloch, which includes labelling them as Indian agents or enemies of the State," Malik Siraj Akbar tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih in the concluding part of an e-mail interview. Will the CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) transform Balochistan for the better or do the Baloch people feel that they will not reap any rewards from the CPEC? How hostile are ordinary Balochis to the CPEC? Development is a secondary concern for the Baloch people. Their primary desire is for respect and an end to the treatment of Baloch citizens as second-class. No amount of development funding will change their perception of Pakistan if Pakistani intelligence agencies continue to arrest or kill young Baloch extrajudicially. Economic backwardness certainly contributes to the unrest in Balochistan, but it is not the sole factor driving anti-Pakistan sentiments. Young Baloch frequently face harassment and suspicion in major cities like Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, where they go for higher education. They are often subjected to investigations by intelligence agencies that unjustly suspect every young Baloch of being affiliated with insurgent groups. It is crucial to end the discrimination and humiliation of the Baloch, which includes labelling them as Indian agents or enemies of the State. Development can only follow once this social discrimination is addressed. Simply building roads and bridges will not foster goodwill towards Pakistan or its allies among the Baloch. IMAGE: Vehicles pass through the Abbottabad Tunnel No 1, which is part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor along Hazara Motorway in Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters What are the reasons for the surge of attacks by the BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army)? How do you account for the brutalities behind last month's attacks and the anger behind them? Recent attacks indicate that the BLA is now far more resourceful than it was in the past. The group appears to have increased both its number of fighters and its operational reach. If the Pakistan government was unable to contain the BLA previously, these recent developments suggest that the situation may worsen. The BLA has never been known for its humane practices; it is notorious for its brutal attacks on civilians and its use of women as suicide bombers. While many in Balochistan are dismayed by this violent approach, they are powerless to stop the BLA's actions. Hence, they're likely to continue in the future. As previously mentioned, Baloch society is currently deeply divided. Not all Baloch believe that violence is the only way to achieve justice. Despite this, the BLA remains the most powerful armed group. Given the Pakistani government's substantial military and intelligence resources, its inability to curb the BLA's activities highlights the challenge for ordinary Baloch citizens and moderate political parties to influence the group. It is deeply regrettable that a force claiming to fight against injustice engages in such brutal attacks on civilians, brainwashes young girls and recruits them as suicide bombers. This is something even the Taliban don't do. IMAGE: Locals wait as the road is blocked after railway tracks collapsed, a day after separatist terrorists conducted deadly attacks, in Bolan district, Balochistan, August 27, 2024. Photograph: Naseer Ahmed/Reuters How would you describe the Baloch people to our readers? What are they like in their attitude to life, to the authority of the Pakistan State? Just like any other community, it's impossible to describe the Baloch people with just a few characteristics, as there is a great deal of diversity within the group. The Baloch, like others, have individuals with different political opinions and approaches to life. Often, people mistakenly think that being Baloch refers to a single identity or viewpoint, but that's far from the truth. Among the Baloch, there are those who are religious, moderates, and liberals. Some wish to live within Pakistan, while others are determined to fight for independence, even if it requires a prolonged struggle. However, there are certain characteristics that broadly represent Baloch society. First, Balochistan is a deeply unequal society. Much of the region still operates under a tribal system where the tribal chiefs, enriched by their close ties with Pakistan's ruling elite, live in opulence. These leaders, such as the current Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, are often rewarded for their loyalty to the Pakistani military and political establishment. The wealth and power they display, through their lavish homes, large convoys, and heavily armed security, starkly contrast with the fact that Balochistan is Pakistan's most impoverished region. These same tribal elites largely control the province's political system. Second, Balochistan lags behind in health, education, and other opportunities, creating a deep sense of deprivation among its people. There is a widespread feeling that the province has fallen behind the rest of the country in almost every social indicator. When Baloch people visit big cities like Karachi and Lahore, they are often struck by how much more developed these places are compared to their own region despite its enormous mineral wealth which still doesn't benefit the province and its people. It's also important to consider the current generation of Baloch. Many young people have grown up during the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and the Baloch nationalist groups, living in an environment filled with fear. Over the past two decades, widespread cases of enforced disappearances have created an atmosphere of uncertainty, hopelessness, and frustration. Young Baloch people struggle to understand why the state treats them like second-class citizens. In Pakistan, loyalty to the State is something the Baloch are often required to prove repeatedly, a burden not imposed on people from other provinces. For example, a Baloch student attending a college or university in a major Pakistani city is likely to be questioned about their stance on the Balochistan Liberation Army or the independence movement, which only adds to their frustration. Furthermore, it's impossible to overlook the rising role of Baloch women in the political movement. In a society where women traditionally remained confined to their homes, a new chapter is unfolding as Baloch women step up and take leading roles in the political struggle. This movement is unprecedented in the history of Balochistan. Women are now at the forefront, fearlessly calling out the atrocities committed by the Pakistani military. This development brings hope for the future of Balochistan, as women, who were once restricted, now participate actively in the political process. They are organising rallies, press conferences, hunger strikes, and protests in Islamabad and other places, demonstrating a level of political engagement that has never been seen before. This shift speaks volumes about the changing role of women in Baloch society and the potential for the future. IMAGE: Tehseen Iqbal, mother of Asif Iqbal, who along with others, was killed after separatist terrorists conducted deadly attacks in Pakistan's restive province of Balochistan, holds a framed photo of her son after the funeral in Lahore, August 27, 2024. Photograph: Mohsin Raza/Reuters When did you visit Balochistan last? What were your personal impressions? What are your memories of growing up in Balochistan? I left Balochistan in 2010 and haven't returned since. I'm part of a small group of Baloch who now live in exile, which includes political activists, journalists, and others who had to flee for their safety. There's an entire generation of Baloch now living in Europe and the US. I grew up in the 1990s, which might have been the most peaceful decade in Balochistan's history in terms of its relationship with Pakistan. During my childhood, there was no active insurgency or widespread movement against the State. It was a time of political transition following the end of military rule under Zia-ul Haq, with elections being held and hopes high that Balochistan could participate in the national political process. IMAGE: Malik Siraj Akbar, right, with his journalistic mentor and the renowned journalist, the late Siddiq Baluch. Photograph: Kind courtesy Malik Siraj Akbar Today, that seems almost impossible, given the current repression of political figures and manipulation of the political situation. But in the 1990s, many Baloch leaders, who are now considered disillusioned or alienated, were actively involved in Pakistan's political system. They held various roles, and we grew up in an environment filled with optimism about the future. We believed that anything was possible, and we hadn't yet encountered the widespread enforced disappearances that would later plague the region. It has been 14 years since I began living in exile and it's shocking that the situation in Balochistan has only worsened rather than improved. After nearly 15 years away from Balochistan, I still do not consider it a safe place for journalists and activists. The region remains plagued by widespread insecurity, making it extremely challenging for anyone to operate independently. Journalists face pressure from both the government and insurgent groups to produce content that favours one side or the other. This precarious situation puts them at risk of serious trouble for not taking sides, and many have been killed while carrying out their work. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'Everybody is excited about the New York event. Everybody wants to see him.' 'Imagine traveling from as far as the West Coast, it's a testament to Modiji.' IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi and United States President Joe Biden in Washington, DC, June 23, 2023. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Jeevan Zutshi, founder of the Indo-American Community Federation (IACF-USA), is a prominent community leader dedicated to fostering unity within the Indian American Diaspora. His organization is one of the many sponsoring next fortnight's Modi & US event in New York, welcoming Prime Minister Narendra D Modi. The event is scheduled for Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Uniondale, New York state. "India is facing multiple problems right now. We have been a little bit weakened because of the Bangladesh disaster that we just saw. Also the Deep State and a lot of these things which are surfacing. So, it's a lot of things that his leadership has to basically tackle," Jeevan Zutshi -- who, with decades of service, including leading humanitarian efforts and organizing cultural events, has been instrumental in strengthening ties between India and the US -- tells Rediff.com's US Contributor Abhijit J Masih. IMAGE: Jeevan Zutshi, second from left, at the Howdy Modi event in Houston. Photograph: Kind courtesy Jeevan Zutshi As the founder of the Indo-American Community Federation, what does it mean to you to be involved in welcoming Prime Minister Modi to the US for the second time? I have been very fortunate. The first time when he came to Silicon Valley, we met him that time, and then again when he came to Houston, we had a meeting with him. We means the Kashmiri Hindus Diaspora, we had a special meeting with him. I have been fortunate in seeing him a few times. I'll tell you, seeing him in person is very electrifying. You don't see that happen when you see a lot of these high level politicians. Modiji is very exclusive, very special. And so we're looking forward to see him. He always has this message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which very much goes with the theme of our organization, that, the world is one. We are all one. We're all together, and we all have to do our karma, which is to help humanity. The Modi event in San Jose in 2015 was a huge success, with over 18,000 attendees. How do you envision the New York event building on that legacy? The New York event is also definitely going to be very, very, good. We did not get enough time to plan for this. This space (the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Uniondale in New York state) is not as big as what we had in San Jose, but again, it's not any less. Have the number of registrations exceeded the capacity? They already have. I think it's gone up to 25,000. Everybody is excited. Everybody wants to see him. Imagine traveling from as far as the West Coast, it's a testament to what I was just saying about Modiji. IMAGE: Jeevan Zutshi being honored by US Congresswoman Anna Eshoo for promoting unity in diversity in March 2019. Photograph: Kind courtesy Jeevan Zutshi What makes this event different from the event in San Jose in 2015? Are there any new elements or themes that will be emphasized this time? There are definitely new elements. At that time, Modiji had just embarked on this journey. And right now, this is his third term. India is facing multiple problems right now. We have been a little bit weakened because of the Bangladesh disaster that we just saw. Also the Deep State and a lot of these things which are surfacing and are now looking like a real thing. So, it's a lot of things that his leadership has to basically tackle. What can the attendees expect at the New York event? Well, they're going to expect the best. As always, being able to see him, hear him, that's the first thing that they're all looking forward to. There are going to be cultural programs. So many leaders from all across the country, all the leading (Indian American) organizations, will be there. So it's a great opportunity to see all those people who love India and be part of that energy. When did you get confirmation from the prime minister's office for the event? I think it was probably about three weeks back. IMAGE: Jeevan Zutshi, second from left, at the Howdy Modi event in September 2019. Photograph: Kind courtesy Jeevan Zutshi What measures are in place to ensure the event is inclusive and accessible to all members of the Indian American community, regardless of political views or affiliations? I can tell you, it's very inclusive. The organizers are extremely cognizant of that. We have all communities. Everyone who has shown interest, they're all part of it, irrespective of whatever somebody may believe in. The reach out has been to all the organizations, that itself tells you that there has not been an effort which would be contrary to that. What key messages do you hope Prime Minister Modi will convey to the Indian American community during this event? You know his message, if you go back and always, it's always very consistent with pluralism, with promoting harmony across the board, and service and good karma, I have always gotten that from his messages to the community. It's always that. It's never otherwise. IMAGE: Jeevan Zutshi, center, being honored by umbrella organizations of Kashmiri Pandits in New Delhi in September 2018. Photograph: Kind courtesy Jeevan Zutshi How do you think events like this help in promoting unity and understanding, not just within the Indian American community? His presence itself personifies unity. It personifies promoting peace and harmony and dialog between countries, between people, between communities. It always is like that. I have always felt that way. Do you expect Prime Minister Modi to endorse Donald J Trump once again, like he had done in 2019? I'll be honest with you. I was right there in front of him, where the stage was. I never really saw him endorsing him. It was basically a reaction to when Trump had gone to India, and he had said 'Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar'. He was trying to resonate that and it was taken differently. But then, let's be honest about it. I'm a Democrat and even as a Democrat -- who has been a Democrat since I came to this country, which was 52 years ago -- Donald Trump is the only president or the presidential nominee who openly supports India. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com In the wake of the people's uproar demanding justice for the deceased woman doctor, West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose on Sunday directed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to hold an immediate emergency Cabinet meeting and discuss the issue, a Raj Bhavan source said. IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee waves to the crowd during the 27th foundation day of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), at Mayor Road, in Kolkata on August 28, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Bose has also stated that the state government should decide on the people's demand to replace Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. "Governor Bose has directed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss people's demand for justice for the deceased woman doctor," the source told PTI. Bose is on record that the government cannot evade responsibility and remain silent on the disturbing developments in the state, he said. "According to the governor, the state should function within the Constitution and the rule of law. The ostrich-like attitude will not pay and the state must address the public demand to remove the Police Commissioner of Kolkata," the source said. The body of an on-duty trainee doctor, who was raped and murdered, was found in the seminar room of state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, triggering nationwide outrage. Protests were held by common people daily in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal. A man who recently travelled from a country experiencing mpox transmission has tested positive for the disease, the Union health ministry said on Monday, stressing that it is an "isolated case" and there is no immediate risk to the public. IMAGE: Health workers inspect passengers arriving from high-risk countries for monkeypox symptoms at Chennai International Airport. Photograph: ANI Photo The 26-year-old patient, a resident of Haryana's Hisar, was admitted at Delhi government-run LNJP Hospital on Saturday and his condition is stable, a source at the health facility said. The Union Health Ministry said that the previously suspected case of mpox has been verified as a travel-related infection. Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of mpox virus of the West African clade-2 in the patient. The ministry said that it is an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards. It is not a part of the current public health emergency reported by WHO which is regarding clade 1 of mpox, it underlined. "The individual, a young male who recently travelled from a country experiencing ongoing mpox transmission, is currently isolated at a designated tertiary care isolation facility. The patient remains clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities," the ministry said. The case aligns with earlier risk assessments and continues to be managed according to established protocols, it said, adding that public health measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, are actively in place to ensure the situation is contained. "There is no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time," the health ministry stated. In a post on X, the ministry said the patient is stable and there is no immediate risk to the public. The World Health Organisation last month declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern for the second time in view of its prevalence and spread across many parts of Africa. Talking about the patient admitted at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, a hospital source said that three Delhi government hospitals -- LNJP, GTB and Baba Saheb Ambedkar -- have set up isolation rooms for suspected and confirmed cases of the disease. While LNJP has been designated as the nodal facility, two other hospitals are on standby. The LNJP Hospital has a total of 20 isolation rooms for the patients, including 10 for confirmed cases. The Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and Baba Saheb Ambedkar will have 10 rooms each for such patients, with five rooms each for suspected cases. Ending the suspense over an alliance with the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party on Monday decided to go solo in the Haryana assembly polls as it issued its first list of 20 candidates. IMAGE: The AAP has fielded its Haryana unit vice president Anurag Dhanda from Kalayat and Indu Sharma from Bhiwani. Photograph: ANI Photo The decision came amid alliance talks between the AAP and the Congress that dragged on and in view of the nomination window for the polls closing on September 12. The 90-member Haryana Assembly is scheduled to go to polls on October 5. On the issue of an alliance with the Congress, AAP's Haryana president Sushil Gupta said, "I want to say very clearly that we have been preparing for all the 90 seats since day one. There is not much time left for the polls, the last date for filing nominations is September 12. So the wait is over now." He asserted that the AAP is a strong alternative in Haryana, adding that the party's second list of candidates will also be released soon. Another AAP leader, Sanjay Singh, said the party will fight the Haryana polls with full strength. Earlier in the day, Gupta had said the AAP would release the names of its candidates from all 90 seats if the Congress failed to seal the deal by the evening. The talks between the two parties were stuck up over the number of seats to be contested by the AAP. According to sources, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party was demanding 10 seats, while the Congress had offered it only five. According to the list of candidates shared by the AAP, its Haryana unit vice-president Anurag Dhanda will contest the election from Kalayat, considered to be a stronghold of former chief minister and veteran Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and Indu Sharma from Bhiwani. Vikash Nehra has been fielded from Meham, while Bijender Hooda is in the poll fray from Rohtak. The failures of the AAP and the Congress to agree on a seat-sharing arrangement in Haryana also puts a question mark on the possibility of a tie-up between the two parties in Delhi, which is scheduled to go to polls early next year. The AAP has fielded Kuldeep Gadrana from Dabwali, a bastion of the Chautala clan. Other party contestants include Kuldeep Chikara from Bahadurgarh, Randir Guliya from Badli, Sonu Ahlawat Sheria from Beri, Ravinder Faujdar from Ballabhgarh, Dharmender Khatana from Sohna and Bir Singh Sarpanch from Badshahpur. Gupta said the countdown for the exit of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has begun in Haryana and added that "the AAP will not allow the BJP to benefit at any cost". He was replying to reporter's question on whether the AAP's decision to go solo will benefit the saffron party in Haryana. On the alliance prospects with the Congress, Singh said, "We do not have sufficient time. We are now engaged in finalising the candidates' names for the remaining seats." On Sunday, AAP leader Raghav Chadha, who was holding talks with Congress leaders over a prospective alliance, said both parties were trying to form a coalition for the Haryana polls, keeping aside their individual aspirations. Cow vigilante Bittu Bajrangi alias Rajkumar Panchal, an accused in the Nuh violence case, filed his nomination as an independent candidate from NIT assembly segment in Faridabad on Monday. IMAGE: Bittu Bajrangi being taken out after producing him in before Nuh district court in Haryana, August 16, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The assembly elections will be held in Haryana on October 5. In an official statement, district election officer Vikram Singh confirmed that Bajrangi has filed his nomination as an independent from NIT Faridabad seat. Bajrangi, who formed Gau Raksha Bajrang Force, has a long association with controversies. Bajrangi has been an accused in the case of Nuh violence that had started in July last year after a procession organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad was attacked by a mob. Five people, including two home guards, were killed and many injured in the violence that erupted on July 31 last year in Nuh and spread to other areas of the state. In Gurugram, a naib imam was killed at a mosque amid a series of incidents of arson. In July this year, three cases were registered against Bajrangi in Faridabad. Guangdong province, a key player in China's internet industry, is set to accelerate the development of critical technologies in cybersecurity, focusing on next-generation information technology and artificial intelligence, a senior official said on Sunday. "We must strengthen our technological capabilities to safeguard cybersecurity and contribute to building a robust and secure cyber society," said Huang Kunming, Party chief of Guangdong, at the opening ceremony of China Cybersecurity Week in Guangzhou's Nansha district. Huang emphasized the importance of cyber content management, urging efforts to combat online misinformation, cyberbullying and other digital threats to create a safer, more vibrant online environment. He also highlighted the need to prioritize personal information security and rigorously combat cybercrime. China aims to reinforce its cybersecurity infrastructure and oversight systems, especially concerning artificial intelligence, following a resolution by the Communist Party of China Central Committee in July, which called for comprehensive reform to advance Chinese modernization. Zhuang Rongwen, head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, stressed the importance of protecting critical information infrastructure and enhancing data security while fostering innovation in new technologies and applications. China Cybersecurity Week, which is observed nationwide with Guangzhou as the main venue, includes participation from cities in the Greater Bay Area and, for the first time, delegations from Hong Kong and Macao. Activities throughout the week will include forums and events designed to raise public awareness about cybersecurity. Ahead of this week's events, a cybersecurity expo was held Saturday in Guangzhou, showcasing innovations in technology, industry development and public education. Companies from the Greater Bay Area displayed achievements, including China Southern Power Grid Group's "Fei Yun" robot dog, which is equipped with advanced technologies for intelligent device inspections. The robot, deployed at a 220-kilovolt power station, has reduced manual inspections by more than 80 percent, according to the company. qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a PIL seeking a direction to the Centre to stop the export of arms and military equipment to Israel which is fighting a war in Gaza, saying it cannot enter into the foreign policy domain and "national self-interest has to be evaluated by the government". IMAGE: A view of the Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said Indian firms, involved in the export of arms and equipment to Israel, may be sued for breach of contractual obligations if they are stopped by it from supplying. "We cannot enter into the nation's foreign policy domain," the bench said, adding, "It is a matter of foreign policy which is to be handled by the government. "How can the court tell the government that there should not be exports of arms to a country... Where does the court get that sort of power? National self-interest has to be evaluated by the government," the court said. The court also referred to the war between Russia and Ukraine and the import of oil by India. "Russia is exporting oil to India. Can we direct the government that you shall stop exporting oil to India? It is a matter of energy needs," the CJI said, adding that the foreign policy has to be dealt with by the government. It also said that the sovereign nation of Israel cannot be made amenable to the jurisdiction of this court. "We are affirmatively of the view that that the answer to this question (stop the supply of arms) must be the negative for more than one reason... First, the grant of relief in the present proceedings is in regard to the conduct of an independent sovereign nation, namely Israel, in the conduct of its operations in Gaza. The sovereign nation of Israel is not and cannot be made amenable to the jurisdiction of this court," the bench said in the order. "Can we direct that under the UN's genocide convention, you ban the export to Israel... why this restraint. This is because it impacts the foreign policy and we do not know what the impact will be," the CJI said. The bench said in cases of foreign affairs, the authority and jurisdiction are vested with the central government under Article 162 of the Constitution. For it to grant the reliefs sought in the PIL, the apex court said it will have to render findings on the allegations like war crimes and genocide against Israel, which is a sovereign nation on which Indian courts have no jurisdiction at all. Moreover, the issue of prohibiting foreign trade with any country squarely falls under the policy domain of the central government. At the outset, Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioners Ashok Kumar Sharma and others, said the matter pertained to the export of arms and military equipment to a country that he alleged is "committing genocide and bombing civilians, schools and hospitals in Gaza". He referred to the rulings of the ICJ and said even by the Hague Convention it has to be stopped as India is a signatory to UN conventions on genocide. "But the foreign policy is the subject matter of the government. Where do we get the jurisdiction to intervene in such a scenario," the bench said. The bench also referred to the conflict with the Maldives and said, "When a new government came there, they asked us to remove our military personnel. But, can we then ask Indian tourists not to go there." "Hence, for this court to consider the grant of the reliefs as sought, it would inevitably become necessary to enter a finding of fact in regard to the fundamental allegations which have been levelled by the petitioners against the State of Israel, absent jurisdiction over a sovereign state, it would be impermissible for this court to entertain the grant of reliefs of this nature," the bench said. It clarified its observations made in the order do not reflect any opinion of the court either in the conduct of foreign policy, by the Indian government, or, for that matter, by any sovereign foreign nation which is not amenable, which is not subject to the jurisdiction of this court. A PIL had sought 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. 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 had said. The International Court of Justice on January 26 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 plea 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. Love, respect and humility are missing in Indian politics, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said in his address to the Indian American community in Texas, where he also criticised the RSS for believing that India is "one idea". IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks during his interaction with the Indian diaspora in Texas, US. Photograph: @INCIndia/X Gandhi made the remarks on Sunday in Dallas during his first interaction with the Indian diaspora after becoming Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha this summer. "RSS believes that India is one idea. We believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas," he said. "Very much like the United States, we believe everybody should be allowed to participate. We believe that everybody should be allowed to dream, (and) everybody should be given space, regardless of their caste, language, religion, tradition, history, he said. This is the fight. The fight crystallised in the election when millions of people in India clearly understood that the Prime Minister of India was attacking the Constitution of India. Because what I am saying to you is the union of states, respect to languages, respect to religions, respect to traditions, respect to caste. This is all in the Constitution, Gandhi added. In his address, Gandhi said his role was to inject values of love, respect and humility into Indian politics. I think what is missing in our political systems and across parties is love, respect and humility. Love to all human beings, not necessarily only people of one religion, one community, one caste, one State, or to those who speak one language," he said. "Respect to everybody who is trying to build an India, not just the most powerful, but the weakest and humility, not in others, but in oneself. I think that is how I see my own, he added. Making an indirect reference to the Lok Sabha results in which the BJP failed to get a majority on its own, Gandhi said, "The people were saying the BJP is attacking our tradition, attacking our language, etc. What they understood was that anybody who is attacking the Constitution of India is also attacking our religious tradition." We saw that immediately, within minutes of the election result, nobody in India was scared of the BJP, of the Prime Minister. These are huge achievements. These are huge achievements of the people of India who realised democracy, of the people of India who realised that we are not going to accept an attack on our Constitution. We're not going to accept an attack on our religion. We're not going to accept an attack on our States, he said. Asserting that the US needs India and vice versa, Gandhi said the Indian diaspora is a "bridge" between the two nations. "In my view, you should travel freely between these two homes. You should bring the idea of India to the United States and the ideas of the United States to India, Gandhi said in his remarks. You have a very important role because the relationship between these two unions is going to determine the future of both the countries, he said. An idol of Lord Ganesh was damaged after some minors allegedly threw stones at a pandal during the Ganpati festival in Gujarat's Surat city, triggering violence in which some persons including cops were injured, the police said on Monday. IMAGE: A mob of around 300 persons gathered at Lalgate police station in Surat to protest the action against their community members. Photograph: Screen grab/X After six minors were detained in connection with the incident which took place in Saiyedpura locality late Sunday night, a mob of 200-300 persons gathered at Lalgate police station to protest the action against juveniles from their community. Stones were pelted from two sides, leaving some persons, including police personnel, injured, Surat police commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut told reporters. A group of persons also set ablaze two vehicles and damaged two other vehicles parked in the area, he said. The official said police resorted to baton charge and fired teargas shells to disperse the mob. So far, 28 persons have been arrested and six minors detained while three separate FIRs have been registered in connection with these incidents, police officials said. The police were carrying out combing operation to nab other accused, Gahlaut said. Gujarat minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi and senior police officers visited the incident site and promised strict action against the culprits. "Every single person who has disturbed peace of the city will be nabbed and none will be spared," Sanghavi told reporters. The incident took place in a communally sensitive locality of Surat, Gahlaut said. Six minors, in the age group of 12 to 13 years, drove to the venue in an autorickshaw to throw stones. They were being questioned by a police team, he said. Their guardians were also being detained for questioning, Gahlaut said. "The minors were immediately taken to the police chowky and an FIR was registered against them," he said. The police used CCTV footage as well as video recordings of mobile phones and TV cameras to identify and apprehend a total of 28 persons under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for attempt to murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, causing grievous injuries, etc, the official said. Another FIR was registered against a group of persons for setting two vehicles on fire and damaging two other vehicles parked in the area, Gahlaut said. "The police have registered the FIR under sections pertaining to arson and damage to property, etc," he said. Surveillance of the entire area was being carried out and heavy security was deployed to ensure law and order is maintained, the official said. Different teams involving personnel from the city crime branch, Special Operations Group and local police have been formed to investigate the case and nab the accused persons, he said. A technical team has been formed to check video footage to identify the culprits, he added. Talking to reporters in Gandhinagar, Gujarat director general of police Vikas Sahay said 28 persons have been arrested while legal action has also been initiated against six juveniles, who are in the age-group of 13 to 15 years. "I want to assure the peace-loving people of Gujarat that the police are well-prepared to see that Ganesh Utsav programmes in all the districts are completed peacefully. We will take strict action against those who try to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the state," he said. "I will hold a review meeting through video conference with heads of all the police units, including district SPs later in the day on the latest situation prevailing in all districts," Sahay said. The Surat police took immediate steps following violence in Saiyedpura area and nabbed anti-social elements who were trying to disturb the city's peaceful atmosphere, he said. The Surat police commissioner along with his team reached the spot after learning about the incident and arrested persons involved in the act, the official said. "While 28 adults were arrested following combing operations by the police, legal action was also initiated against six juveniles who were involved in disturbing the peaceful atmosphere. Law is equal for everyone. Strict action will be taken against the guilty," he said. For Adityanath, it's not just a chance to reaffirm his dominance in Uttar Pradesh, it's an opportunity to solidify his narrative as a vote-winner. IMAGE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performs aarti while offering prayers at the Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur, August 27, 2024, on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. Photograph: ANI Photo Even as whispers of friction between Yogi Adityanath's Uttar Pradesh government and the Bharatiya Janata Party's central organisation refuse to fade, the saffron-robed monk-politician is staring at a political litmus test: The upcoming assembly bypolls across 10 seats. The recent Lok Sabha debacle has cast a shadow, and his task ahead is clear -- restore the party's flagging confidence in the politically crucial state. The Election Commission is yet to release the bypoll schedule, but the battle lines have already been drawn. The BJP is squaring off against the Opposition Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance, now a crucial piece of the INDIA bloc's larger strategy. Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party, too, has thrown its hat into the ring; it usually skips assembly and parliamentary bypolls. The chief minister has sent 30 ministers and the party has deployed 15 senior leaders as caretakers (or in-charges) to the 10 poll-bound assembly constituencies. Their mission? To soothe any discontent among the rank and file, whose murmurs of neglect have grown louder in recent months. The party's state leadership has dismissed any talk of internal rifts as idle speculation, insisting that the BJP machine in Uttar Pradesh is humming along in perfect harmony with Adityanath at the helm. These bypolls come in the wake of several vacated seats -- nine of them abandoned by legislators who made their way to the Lok Sabha in the recent general elections. Karhal, Katehari, Kundarki, Khair, Majhawan, Meerapur, Milkipur, Phulpur and Ghaziabad Sadar are now battlegrounds. The 10th seat, Sisamau in Kanpur City district, stands vacant due to the disqualification of Irfan Solanki, an SP legislator, convicted in a criminal case. Behind the scenes, though, intrigue brews. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and BJP state President Bhupendra Chaudhry recently met with national party president J P Nadda in New Delhi -- a development that stoked speculation about friction between Maurya and Adityanath in the power corridors of Lucknow. This backdrop of political tension heightens the importance of the bypolls. For Adityanath, it's not just a chance to reaffirm his dominance in Uttar Pradesh, it's an opportunity to solidify his narrative as a vote-winner, after the BJP's commanding performance in the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the 2022 assembly polls. IMAGE: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav offers prayers on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami festival at the Radhakrishna temple in Lucknow, August 26, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo A strong showing now would quell speculation of a decline in the BJP's fortunes in Uttar Pradesh, following the party's disappointing performance in the 2024 general elections, where it claimed only 33 of the state's 80 Lok Sabha seats -- down sharply from 62 in 2019. Victory would also bolster the BJP's standing as it hurtles towards the 2027 state elections. Conversely, the bypolls are a golden opportunity for the INDIA bloc to seize momentum ahead of key elections in several states later this year. The Samajwadi Party's 2024 resurgence, winning 37 Lok Sabha seats, was its best-ever showing, and Akhilesh Yadav's party sees the bypolls as a chance to continue that upward trajectory. Its ally Congress wrested 6 seats. Last month, Adityanath had asked his ministers to hit the ground in the 10 constituencies, to reconnect with the electorate and to smooth over any grievances among party workers. Notably absent from the strategy meetings, however, were Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, and several senior state BJP leaders. Of the 10 contested seats, five are currently held by the Samajwadi Party, three by the BJP, and two by BJP allies -- the NISHAD Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). The BJP secured Khair, Phulpur, and Ghaziabad in 2022, while the SP claimed Sisamau, Katehari, Kundarki, Milkipur, and Karhal. The NISHAD Party controls Manjhwah, while the RLD, previously aligned with the SP, holds Meerapur. The Opposition, too, isn't taking any chances. Samajwadi Party Spokesperson Juhie Singh told Business Standard that "our leader Akhilesh Yadavji is talking to the local party leaders" to fine-tune the poll strategy. The INDIA bloc, she said, is confident of sweeping all 10 seats. The BJP is equally bullish. "We take every election seriously," said UP BJP Secretary Chandra Mohan. "The people will stand with us once again, and we will win all 10 seats." Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Thousands of workers of every description -- from journalists to steel workers, from painters to New York cops, from auto to engineering workers -- marched for four hours down 5th Avenue one of Manhattan's most iconic thoroughfares, reports Jyoti Punwani. IMAGE: People from The Professional Staff Congress march on the streets of New York City. PSC CUNY is a trade union that represents faculty and professional staff of the City University of New York campuses. All photographs: Jyoti Punwani Music, dance, floats and school bands: The 142nd annual New York Labor Day Parade was a spectacle of the kind rarely associated with workers in India. Thousands of workers of every description -- from journalists to steel workers, from painters to the New York Police Department (traffic division), from auto to engineering workers -- marched for four hours down one of New York's most iconic thoroughfares. Parts of Fifth Avenue, home to the most expensive hotels and flagship stores of luxury brands -- and also Trump Tower -- were barricaded for traffic on a Saturday as New York's workers marched from 10 am to 2 pm. IMAGE: The engineering workers had brought their cranes and bulldozers; the American flag hung from these giant machines. It is difficult to imagine Mumbai's authorities allowing unions so much space in the city. But then, as the placards said: 'New York is a Union Town'. And Saturday was a day for unions to celebrate their strength. Many of the them had brought their members in decorated trucks; some had hired open air double-decker tourist buses. The engineering workers had brought their cranes and bulldozers; the American flag hung from these giant machines. IMAGE: Workers hold up patriotic placards. The US flag was carried by a number of unions; a strange sight in a workers' parade. There was also the placard: 'Pro-union, pro-America'. Overall, this parade was absolutely different from any workers' march seen in India. IMAGE: One of the many floats on display. Just before its final destination, a small podium had been set up on the pavement, where a band played workers' songs, which had many of the rallyists dancing. As different contingents reached that point, the compere called out their names, and those of their leader, welcoming them. But no speeches were made. IMAGE: The workers march across Fifth Avenue. The varied groups of workers dispersed after reaching the destination. IMAGE: A school band on the march. The theme of this year's parade was 'All Workers, Many Voices, One Fight'. The 200-odd unions indeed represented many voices, ranging from the biggest, such as the United Steelworkers and the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), to doctors' unions and the Accountants, Statisticians and Aquaries union, as well as the union of Rent Regulation Services employees. A surprise inclusion was the NYPD traffic police. IMAGE: Workers link unions with patriotism. In India, policemen are not allowed to unionise. In the US, said the NYPD traffic union spokesperson, they were not allowed to strike, but they could unionise and negotiate. Interestingly, the NYPD traffic band, which played at this parade, had also played at the India Day parade held in the city on August 18, the spokesperson informed me. IMAGE: One of the smallest contingents: Post-doctorates from New York's famous private universities -- Columbia, Cornell and New York University. Not surprisingly, it included 3 Indians. Among the smallest contingents was that of post-graduate scholars from New York's famous private universities: Columbia, Cornell and New York University. Not surprisingly, it included two Indians. Post-doctorate researchers, whose work is invaluable to their universities, have been struggling over the last few years to unionise, and universities, including the most prestigious of them, have fought this with all their might. IMAGE: The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades contingent. Columbia University's post-docs have managed to sign a contract with the university, the post-docs at the parade told me. Their demands included better pay, better child care facilities, dental insurance (normally not covered by health insurance in the USA), and better arbitration mechanisms. IMAGE: University teachers affiliated to UAW demand a ceasefire in Gaza. Funnily enough, this union was affiliated to the UAW, as was the union of university teachers working in private universities. Given the long and successful history of the UAW, many sections of workers have chosen to affiliate with it. However, those employed by the government-funded City University of New York marched under a separate banner. IMAGE: Journalists affiliated to the Newsguild representing all New York's newspapers as well as magazines. Then there were the journalists affiliated to the Newsguild (this reporter was given a Newsguild sticker too). Representing all New York's newspapers as well as magazines, the main problem they faced, they said, was layoffs. They had found union membership dwindling simply because they there were less of them around with jobs. They were now trying to rope in digital newspersons, they said. IMAGE: A journalist with a toddler. Did they face censorship issues? "Not really," said one who had come with her toddler, "except recently on the Gaza issue." "The Gaza issue" was flaunted by the UAW; their placards called for a ceasefire. IMAGE: Harris and Walz supporters at the parade. While the UAW was the only union which openly declared their stand on Palestine, some of the other unions had placards supporting Kamala Harris for President. "Democrats have always been union-friendly," said one worker. In fact, Biden is seen as among the most pro-union presidents in recent history, and Kamala Harris has been the chair of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment. IMAGE: A Harris supporter dances. In September last year, Biden had dropped in on a picketing line of auto workers affiliated to the UAW in Michigan, who were on the 11th day of their strike against America's three major auto companies: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. Biden wasn't just passing by; he went there on the invitation of the UAW President. IMAGE: Asserting her rights. This kind of gesture would be unimaginable in India, where governments have always treated workers with disdain and hostility, specially if they are organised. However, in the US, unions have been a constituency for the Democratic Party for many decades; their votes decide outcomes in certain states. IMAGE: Fashion Institute Of Technology workers pass by the Prada showroom, holding up their designs. The Labor Day Parade in New York is more than 100 years old. The first such parade was held here on September 5, 1882 as an assertion of workers' rights. The credit for conceiving it goes to the leaders of the two main unions that existed then: The Central Labor Union of New York, Brooklyn and Jersey City and the American Federation of Labor. IMAGE: A big bus with workers. Even at that time, though it was announced as a display of the 'strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labour organisations', it was a celebration. The 20,000 men who marched with banners proclaiming 'No Money Monopoly' and 'Labour Built This Republic and Labour Shall Rule I, ended the parade with music and dance in Madison Square park. IMAGE: Another view of the Fashion Institute Of Technology workers as they pass by the Prada showroom, holding up their designs. New York's parade inspired other cities in the USA to hold similar parades. September 5 became a Labor Day Holiday through a bill passed first in New York city, and then a law in Oregon. Today, the parade is held on the first or second Saturday of every September. Unlike Mumbai, which was a union city, New York, the largest city of the capitalist Mecca that is America, remains a Union city. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com FERRISBURGH The Vermont State Police (VSP) reported on Monday morning that first responders have recovered the bodies of four victims following an airplane crash in Addison County on Sunday. The deceased have been identified as Paul Pelletier, 55, of Columbia, Connecticut; Frank Rodriquez, 88, of Lebanon, Connecticut; Susan Van Ness, 51, of Middletown, Connecticut; and Delilah Van Ness, 15, of Middletown, Connecticut. A preliminary investigation by VSP determined that the four-seat, single-engine Piper aircraft had departed Windham Airport in Connecticut at about 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8. The planned flight was about two hours to Basin Harbor Airport in Ferrisburgh. Investigators determined the privately owned plane landed and the occupants arrived for a brunch reservation at Basin Harbor. The party departed the restaurant shortly after noon and were to fly back to Connecticut. A witness reported seeing the airplane on the runway at about 12:15 p.m. No reports were received indicating an aircraft in distress or that a plane had crashed, according to VSP. However, after the plane failed to return to Connecticut as expected, relatives of the occupants reported the situation to the Connecticut State Police and the Middletown (Connecticut) Police Department. Those agencies worked with the Federal Aviation Administration and used cellphone location data to determine the planes last known location was near the airstrip in Vermont. Middletown police notified the Vermont State Police of the situation at about 10:20 p.m. Sunday. Troopers from the New Haven Barracks responded along with members of the Middlebury Police Department and the City of Vergennes Fire Department. With the assistance of a drone flown by Middlebury police, investigators located the wreckage of the aircraft at about 12:20 a.m. Monday in a wooded area to the east of the Basin Harbor Airport. First responders confirmed all four occupants were deceased. The bodies of the victims were brought to the Chief Medical Examiners Office in Burlington for autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are the lead investigative agencies on the airplane crash. Questions about that aspect of this case should be directed to those agencies. VSPs Bureau of Criminal Investigations is responsible for the death investigation. This is an active and ongoing case, and no additional information is available from the Vermont State Police at this time. VSP will provide updates as the investigation continues. SOFIA -- While shooting a documentary in Ukraine in August, Bulgarian filmmaker Alexandra Mileva had visited Novohrodivka in the Donetsk region, a town under threat from advancing Russian troops. "We were filming with some elderly people who were just sitting...on a bench and, every 10 seconds, we could hear boom-boom," she tells RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service. "They were explaining that they hoped that if they were hit by a bomb, they would die on the spot." That would be better than being left injured, she says they told her, "because there was no one to take care of them." Just days after her visit, around August 20, Novohrodivka fell to Russian forces. Now back in Bulgaria, Mileva says she became incredibly upset, thinking of the people she had met in Ukraine. "I watched the news that there were civilian casualties. And that upset me tremendously," she says. She decided that she couldn't stay silent any more. So, on August 29, she arrived at the Russian Cultural and Information Center in Sofia, armed with chalk and a Russian flag she had bought. As she began to write "Murderers" in blue chalk on the sidewalk and started to set the flag on fire, she was confronted by staff and security guards from the cultural center. Shortly afterwards, the police arrived, and there was a tense exchange, captured on video, with officers instructing Mileva not to burn or trample on the flag. "I don't want you to do that in front of us, do you understand me?" a man in police uniform said. "Don't stamp on this thing in front of me, do you understand me?" Finally, Mileva was arrested and then spent nearly 24 hours in custody. She says she wasn't initially told why she was being arrested, nor was she given access to legal counsel. She was then charged with petty hooliganism, which Bulgarian law defines as an "indecent display," an "offensive attitude," or actions that violate "public order." Mileva's arrest came just before Bulgaria marks the 80th anniversary of a wartime coup d'etat, when, with Soviet troops advancing, an alliance of anti-fascist forces, including communists, overthrew the pro-German monarchy and the government. While marked as an official holiday in the communist era, many in Bulgaria now see the date in 1944 as the beginning of Soviet domination, which lasted until the regime was overthrown in 1989. Protest In Solidarity The filmmaker's arrest sparked an immediate backlash. Protesters organized by Bulgaria United With One Purpose (BOEC), a civic organization that has railed against Russian influence, gathered at the cultural center on August 30. They burned a Russian flag and poured red paint on the building's steps in solidarity with Mileva. Anton Mironov from BOEC and Bilyana Kotsakova, who organized Mileva's legal defense, both characterized her arrest as "repression." "There is no text in the Penal Code about insulting the Russian flag, and it appears that our repressive bodies protect foreign interests," Kotsakova told RFE/RL. The case has prompted debate on Bulgaria's laws governing protest and free speech. While damaging the Bulgarian or EU flag is punishable by up to two years in prison, no such prohibition exists for flags of other nations. "I think I have a right to protest as a citizen," Mileva says, "especially to protest against a country...that I believe puts our national security at risk." While Bulgaria and Russia are united by their Slavic and Orthodox history, there is lingering resentment toward Russia and Russians due to the communist period, when Bulgaria was a loyal satellite state of the Soviet Union. The public is divided, however, on the Ukraine war, with a recent Globsec report finding that only 44 percent of respondents thought that Russia was primarily responsible. The Sofia District Court ultimately took Mileva's side, acquitting her of the hooliganism charge and saying that she had "exercised her right to free expression of opinion." "It is true that Mileva's actions regarding the burning and tearing of the flag of the Russian Federation are provocative," read the court's August 30 decision. "But it is also true that [her actions] were not accompanied by rioting, vandalism, and disobedience to law enforcement." The court ruling criticized the response of the police, stating that "the interference of the law enforcement authorities in her right to freedom of expression cannot be considered 'necessary.'" RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service asked the Interior Ministry how it justified the intervention of the police but has not received a response. Now, Mileva says, she is even more determined to keep working. She says that she still believes she needs to tell the stories of the people she met in Ukraine and is continuing work on her documentary. "I think the only thing we can do is to keep talking about what's happening and about these tragedies," she says. "So that they are not simply forgotten." Israel stepped up its massive air strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs in its drive to wipe out Hezbollah's capabilities and leadership, even as the world awaits with trepidation the October 7 anniversary of the bloody attack on Israel by Hamas -- which, like Hezbollah, is a U.S.-designated terror group with ties to Iran. Meanwhile, Tehran said it had lifted all flight restrictions after earlier announcing it was closing Iranian airports as of 9 p.m. on October 6 until 6 a.m. on October 7, citing "operational restrictions," at a time when Israel is weighing options for its response to Iran's recent massive missile strike on its territory. State media said the restrictions were lifted after ensuring favorable and safe conditions. 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, where Israel is battling fighters of Hamas, which has been deemed a terrorist organization by the United States and EU. Israel earlier said conducted a series of targeted strikes on weapons storage facilities and infrastructure sites that belong to Iran-backed Hezbollah. Hezbollah has been designated by the United States as a terror group, while the European Union has blacklisted its armed wing but not its political unit, which holds seats in the Lebanese parliament. 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. "Last night was the most violence of all the previous nights," Hanan Abdullah, a resident of the Burj al-Barajneh area in Beirut's southern suburbs, told Reuters. "Buildings were shaking around us and at first I thought it was an earthquake. There were dozens of strikes -- we couldn't count them all -- and the sounds were deafening," Israel has bombed Beirut 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 Beiruts 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. Senior Hezbollah member Mahmoud Qmati, when asked about Qaani's whereabouts, told Reuters: "I have no information. We are also searching for the truth of this matter. 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 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. "Every civilian casualty is one too many," the spokesperson said. Israel said on October 5 that its forces had killed 440 Hezbollah fighters in ground operations in southern Lebanon and destroyed 2,000 Hezbollah targets. Nine Israeli soldiers had been killed in southern Lebanon so far, the authorities said. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, nearly 2,000 people have been killed in Lebanon in the latest conflict, most of them since September 23. 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. The Israeli forces were on high alert ahead of the first anniversary of an attack on October 7 last year, which sparked the war and was carried out by Hamas. According to Israel tallies, some 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage in the unprecedented Hamas attack on southern Israel. Israeli police on October 6 said several people had been injured in a suspected shooting attack in Beersheba, a city in southern Israel. One attacker was killed, the ambulance service said. Separately, health officials in Hamas-run Gaza reported on October 6 that at least 41,870 Palestinians have been killed in the territory in the yearlong war between Israel and Palestinian militants. Palestinian officials said that an Israeli strike on a mosque in Gaza early on October 6 killed at least 19 people who were sheltering after being displaced from their homes near the town of Deir al-Bala. The Israeli military said the strike was targeting militants. The reports could not immediately be confirmed, but the Associated Press said one of its journalists counted the bodies at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital morgue. AP also reported that hospital records showed that the fatalities from the mosque strike were all men. Israel said its forces on October 6 surrounded the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza in response to indications that Hamas was rebuilding its operational capabilities in the area. Israel is also considering a retaliatory strike on Iran, which fired at least 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1. Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad visited Kharg island on October 6, amid concerns that Israel could target Iran's largest oil terminal there. "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] Navy plays an important role in the security of oil and gas facilities," Paknejad was quoted as saying at the facility, from which around 90 percent of Iranian oil exports are shipped. In Syria, state media and local rights monitors said an Israeli air strike targeted three cars in the city of Homs, although details remained sketchy. Israeli forces have for years been striking Iran-linked targets in Syria and have intensified such actions since the October 7 attacks. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government. If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us. To find out more, click here. In the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States, Secretary of State Colin Powell gave assurances that America would deal with the tragedy by bringing those responsible to justice while protecting the world's democracies. "They will never be allowed to kill the spirit of democracy," Powell said. "They cannot destroy our society. They cannot destroy our belief in the democratic way." President George W. Bush, who won office in 2000 as a candidate who would be cautious about committing U.S. troops to foreign wars, quickly made fighting global terrorism a top policy, and set about establishing an international "coalition of the willing" to carry out the mission. The U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan had the primary goal of punishing the Al-Qaeda terrorist network, which had been given refuge in Afghanistan and carried out the deadly 9/11 attacks. And once on Afghan soil, Washington quickly ousted the Taliban regime accused of sheltering Al-Qaeda from power. Costly Campaign But the U.S. experience in Afghanistan ultimately ended in failure, and with the hard-line Taliban group back in power. The nearly 20-year war ended with immense costs in terms of lives lost and money spent. And it made the U.S. public and politicians on both sides of the aisle in Washington reluctant to get involved in "forever wars" that could not be won. "More than $2 trillion spent in Afghanistan," U.S. President Joe Biden said on August 31, 2021, in announcing the official end of the United States' longest-ever war. "20,744 American servicemen and women injured, and the loss of 2,461 American personnel." In explaining to the U.S. public that he was "not going to extend this forever war," Biden did not mention the estimated 70,000 deaths among Afghan security forces, more than 46,000 Afghan civilian deaths, and the deaths of more than 4,000 allied troops and U.S. contractors. The withdrawal under Biden has become a lightning rod for debate ahead of the U.S. presidential election on November 5. Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump has blasted Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running against Trump, for the "humiliation in Afghanistan," with much of the criticism centered on the chaotic last days of the withdrawal, when 13 U.S. soldiers and 170 Afghan civilians died in a bombing by the Islamic State-Khorasan extremist group. Harris's campaign, meanwhile, has highlighted Trump's role as president in signing the 2020 deal with the Taliban that paved the way for the withdrawal and provided a "virtually impossible" deadline. But experts who spoke to RFE/RL stressed that multiple U.S. administrations, beginning with Democratic President Barack Obama's from 2009 to 2017 -- had come to the realization that what had begun as a fight against terrorism had become an overly costly and potentially "forever" endeavor. "It was an extremely expensive war in a place that was probably least important to the United States," said Vali Nasr, a professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University. "It was a war that the United States started to destroy Al-Qaeda, which it did very quickly, then to dislodge the Taliban from Afghanistan, which it did, and then it became something much bigger, like how to establish a democracy and a functioning government in Afghanistan and sustain it." The question asked by Obama, who initiated an exit strategy by reducing the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and later Trump, was whether there was a compelling reason to stay. The United States "was becoming committed to a forever war, or a forever presence at the tune of billions of dollars a year and tens of thousands of troops, in a condition that the threat from Afghanistan had declined and the strategic value of the country was declining," Nasr said. And the economy and civil society established under the protection of the U.S. military, he says, was not something Afghanistan could sustain on its own. "What the United States created is like a tree that never grew roots," Nasr said. "So, at some point you're going to say, 'I'm going to stop watering it, and I'm going to take my hand off from trying to forcibly keep it upright.'" No Good Outcome Rajan Menon, an emeritus professor of international relations at the City College of New York and director of the Grand Strategy Program at Defense Priorities, said that "no matter how long [the United States] had stayed, I don't see what a good ending could have been." The minimal good outcome, Menon says, would have been "a stable country with a government that may not have been democratic, but which could be counted upon not to serve as a platform for terror and which would have a positive relationship with the United States." But in attempting to realize that goal, what you are essentially "trying to do is engage in nation-building," Menon said. Even a "very, very powerful military machine" like the United States has difficulties pulling that off, he said, and there "are no pretty exits." To avoid the chaotic type of withdrawal that took place in Afghanistan, Menon said, "you have to build institutions, political and military and civic in nature." Without that, "once you leave and remove the military protection, the institutions will start crumbling, and that is exactly what happened." U.S. wars and democracy-building efforts were not isolated to Afghanistan during its nearly 20-year campaign there. There were others -- most notably the costly war in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 -- that former Secretary of State Powell argued was necessitated by an alleged Iraqi program to build weapons of mass destruction that was later determined to be nonexistent. Prior to his death in 2021 just six weeks after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Powell said that his arguments before the UN Security Council "was a great intelligence failure." Baghdad and the United States, which sent troops back to Iraq in 2014 to help fight the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, are still trying to repair relations. According to the Soufan Center think tank on September 9, the two sides reportedly have reached an agreement to transition from the United States leading the effort against IS to a bilateral partnership. 'Forever' Ending? So is the U.S. era of "forever wars" over? Many of the unique circumstances that accompanied the Afghan invasion -- a direct attack on U.S. soil, counterterrorism becoming a focal point of U.S. policy, and the idea that nation-building is an effective solution -- are unlikely to repeat themselves, Nasr says. And the mood in the United States amid a hotly contested election campaign could indicate that it will at least think twice. With both Trump and Harris there is "a little bit of a backlash against the so-called forever wars...and I think the American public probably will be much less supportive" of involvement in them in the future," Menon said. But Madiha Afzal, a fellow in the foreign policy program at Brookings, said in written comments that while "some of the lessons from the Afghanistan war" had started being discussed, particularly in the last couple of years of the conflict, "the disaster of the withdrawal...really focused the conversation in America on Afghanistan to be just about the withdrawal." The larger discussion about the war, Afzal said, "has been entirely obscured," with much of the conversation becoming intensely partisan. "I fear that the larger lessons of the 20-year war have been lost along the way," Afzal concluded. On the sidelines of an economic forum in Vladivostok on September 4, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin made it clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Belgrade is a strategic partner and an "ally of Russia." Putin reciprocated the warmth, offering his greetings to President Aleksandar Vucic and then inviting his Serbian counterpart to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan. This Slavic show of solidarity, however, didn't sit well with the European Union. The next day, EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano said that "maintaining or even increasing the ties with Russia during the time of its illegal aggression against the Ukrainian people is not compatible with EU values." Vulin's visit to Russia was perhaps even harder for the EU to swallow as there have been signs recently that Serbia is moving closer to the bloc. At the end of August, Serbia signed a deal with France to replace its aging MiGs with Rafale jets. And in July, Serbia signed a deal with the EU to develop a lithium mining project to produce batteries for electric cars. The mixed messages, however, are business as usual for Serbia under Vucic, who for his 12 years in power has pursued a multi-vector diplomatic course, balancing Serbia's relations with the West, Russia, and China. Those hoping Serbia's recent business deals were a sign of the country's wholehearted embrace of the West might have been disappointed. Ivan Krastev, who chairs the Center for Liberal Strategies in Sofia and is a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, told RFE/RL that the deal with France was not a case of Serbia "simply taking sides once and for all." That was clear when Vucic spoke at a press conference with the French president on August 29, he said, "I know that Emmanuel [Macron] would like me to introduce sanctions against Russia. But we did not do it, and we are not ashamed of our decision." On the surface, the recent deals with Germany and France may look like a kind of "European moment" for Serbia, said Vessela Tcherneva, the deputy director of the European Council on Foreign Relations. "But what makes me a bit skeptical," she told RFE/RL, "is the fact that we know that beyond the pure trade relationship and the pure security dimension of this, there is also the dimension of democracy and the pro-European forces in Serbia. Where does this leave them?" she asked. Spreading The Wealth Vucic does not have the outlook or pedigree of a natural, Westernizing democrat. In the late 1990s, he served as Serbian information minister in the final years of Slobodan Milosevic's regime. He was a high-ranking official in the ultranationalist Serbian Radical Party, although he distanced himself from the party in 2008. Whereas Milosevic was a pariah internationally, known as the "butcher of the Balkans" for his role in the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, Vucic has been largely cooperative on the world stage, seen by EU and Western powers as indispensable and instrumental to stability in the Balkans. An international third way has always been embedded in Yugoslavia and Serbia's DNA. Serbian officials still like to say that Serbia is "the East of the West" and "the West of the East." And Vucic's balancing approach has a strong precedent in the politics of long-time Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito, who was one of the founding leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement, an alliance of states that did not formally side with either the United States or the Soviet Union. Serbia, however, is not as strong as Yugoslavia once was -- and that means Vucic's policy requires more flexibility and constant shifting. Vucic is adept at sharing the wealth among Serbia's international partners, making sure to give all the stakeholders something but, crucially, not giving everything to anyone. In that regard, the EU is Serbia's largest investor, with significant infrastructure investments, including 96 million euros ($106 million) in 2024 for road and rail modernization, in addition to projects supporting Serbia's transition to green energy. However, Russia controls Serbia's national oil refinery, and China, through its Zijin Mining Group, owns 63 percent of RTB Bor, the country's largest mining operation. Vucic has also opened up Serbia to the Arab world. The United Arab Emirates has invested millions of dollars in the vast Belgrade Waterfront urban development, although the project has been marred with accusations of corruption. Not wanting to leave out the United States, in May, Serbia cut a deal with Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, to redevelop the former Yugoslav Defense Ministry building in the center of Belgrade. The blackened shell of the ministry is iconic in the Serbian capital, destroyed in the U.S.-led NATO bombing campaign in 1999. With the U.S. presidential election in November, many Balkan-watchers have seen the deal with Kushner as Serbia preparing for Trump's possible return to the White House. In a recent interview with the U.K.'s Financial Times, however, Vucic insisted that the deal was purely a "business venture." As ever, Vucic is hedging his bets. "My friend [Hungarian Prime Minister] Viktor [Orban], he is 100 percent on Trump's side, " he told the Financial Times. "My friends from Brussels, they are 100 percent on Biden's side. I'm not. I'm on the Serbian side waiting for the results." The Serbian president has taken a similar approach to Ukraine, by attempting to diversify his risks. While refusing to sign up to Western sanctions on Russia, Serbia has also provided shells to Ukraine via third parties worth 800 million euros ($888 million) since 2022, or one-third of the overall European supply. Push And Pull Serbia's relationship with Russia, while complex and laden with history, follows Vucic's similar push-and-pull playbook. The two predominantly Slavic nations have a historical and spiritual affinity, and Serbia is reliant on Russia diplomatically, for example, in blocking the admission to the UN of Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008. Vucic has tried to keep Russia at arm's length. Just before German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to Belgrade on July 19 to sign the deal on lithium, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksander Grushko visited Vucic in the Serbian capital. One insider claimed that the meeting was "frosty," according to the the U.K.'s Financial Times. "Grushko sat down and started reading a list of 23 complaints, including the Kremlin's fury at Belgrade's decision to supply Ukraine with munitions," the source told the newspaper. "When Grushko got about halfway through the list, Vucic stood up, announced the meeting was over, and walked out." He was similarly cold in his response to receiving the invitation to join the BRICS summit in Russia in October, saying that Serbia would have important guests during that period and that he would decide at a later date. Speaking at the Globsec forum in Prague on August 31, Vucic rejected the idea that Belgrade was a Kremlin Trojan horse, saying that he hadn't had personal contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin for 2 and 1/2 years. While Vucic relies heavily on Russia, said Kurt Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO and envoy for Ukraine, he is "still trying to maintain some freedom of maneuver and independence." 'Stabilitocracy' A criticism often leveled at Brussels is that the EU is prepared to put its larger interests of maintaining a geopolitical and ethnic balance in the volatile Balkans ahead of concerns about fundamental freedoms. Some critics have called this the EU's "stabilitocracy approach." While initially criticizing Serbia's last parliamentary elections in December 2023, which were marred with numerous irregularities, those concerns were soon swept under the rug with the business deals with the EU and France. "If Macron's getting a sale, he's not going to push very hard on other issues," Volker told RFE/RL. For years, international watchdogs and rights groups have warned about Serbia's poor record on media freedom, the rule of law, and rampant corruption. The latest Freedom House report gave Serbia a political rights score of 18 out of a possible 40, placing it in the "partly free" category, and noting the country's downward tendency toward authoritarianism. While the Serbian authorities paint a picture of the country as a regional economic powerhouse with one of the highest growth rates in Europe, Serbia continues to face numerous obstacles. According to a July assessment from the U.S. International Trade Administration, "these challenges include weak rule of law; political interference in the economy; a slow-moving judicial system subject to political pressure; both real and perceived issues of corruption; an overly complex and sometimes nontransparent bureaucracy; [and] an opaque tendering process." And, in many ways, Vucic has been a stronger leader than Milosevic, who died in 2006 in prison in The Hague, where he was being tried for war crimes. Domestically, the Serbian president has succeeded where Milosevic failed, for example by exerting control over parts of Belgrade that had been traditional strongholds for the opposition. "Under Vucic, we've seen reinforced Serbian nationalism. We've seen efforts to undermine Montenegro. We've seen efforts to prop up [Bosnian Serb leader] Milorad Dodik and undermine Bosnia," Volker said. Given that 70 percent of Serbia's trade is with the European Union, many in the EU wonder if Vucic is truly committed to the principles of the bloc or if Serbia's ambition to join is solely motivated by economic need. Catch-All Policy Vucic runs his domestic and international policy almost like a permanent election campaign: keeping his opponents -- and even partners -- on their toes, uncertain about his next move. Calibrated contradictions abound. While it was Vucic who clinched the deal with Western countries to mine more lithium, he has also accused Western security services of masterminding popular protests against the mines and plotting a "color revolution" against him. "Vucic has a catch-all policy," Ivan Vejvoda, a fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, told the Financial Times in June. "One moment you have [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping] visiting. Then, days later, [Olena] Zelenska (the first lady of Ukraine) and Dmytro Kuleba (Ukraine's former foreign minister) come [to visit]. Then he goes to the Russian cultural center and gives a revisionist speech. And then, two days later, he is with the EU, talking about growth plans," Vejvoda said. The risk Vucic runs is that, while his policy may seem pragmatic, in the end he might be perceived by Serbia's international partners as untrustworthy. "Staying on the fence is not easy," Center for Liberal Strategies fellow Krastev said. "In a certain way, you become too vulnerable." Volker, on the other hand, doesn't necessarily think that Vucic has an end point in mind. "For somebody in his position, it's like riding a bicycle," he said. "You have to keep this up indefinitely, keep juggling all the balls, and then you keep going. And that's the goal in itself, just to be in power and keep going." SC Urges Doctors in West Bengal to Resume Work Amid Healthcare Crisis Following Kolkata Rape Case CJI emphasized the need for the state to instill confidence in medical professionals by ensuring their safety at work. Supreme Court Hearing on Doctors' Strike in West Bengal Over Kolkata RG Kar College Rape Case: In a pivotal hearing concerning the suo motu case on the horrific rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College Hospital, Kolkata, the Supreme Court addressed the ongoing disruption in healthcare services across West Bengal. A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud took up the issue of mass absenteeism of resident doctors from medical colleges across the state, which has led to a 28-day disruption in medical services. Advertisement During the hearing, CJI Chandrachud expressed concerns over the impact of the doctors' protest on healthcare in the state, stating, "The mass abstention from work by resident doctors has caused severe disruptions to health services in West Bengal." Acknowledging the grievance of the protesting doctors, the CJI emphasized the need for the state to instill confidence in medical professionals by ensuring their safety at work. The state of West Bengal must take concrete steps to create a sense of confidence in the minds of doctors that their safety concerns will be addressed. The police shall ensure that necessary conditions are in place to guarantee the safety of all doctors, including provisions for separate duty rooms, toilet facilities, and the installation of CCTV cameras," CJI Chandrachud stated. Advertisement He further noted that the West Bengal government had, in its affidavit, indicated that funds had already been sanctioned to implement these safety measures. The CJI added that these steps will be monitored by District Collectors to ensure accountability and prompt action. To encourage the doctors to return to work, the CJI assured them, stating, "To create a sense of confidence, we clarify that if doctors resume work by 5 PM tomorrow, no adverse actions will be taken against them. However, if there is continuous abstention from work despite the facilities being provided, there will be a likelihood of action in the future." CJI Chandrachud also urged the protesting doctors to return to their duties, remarking, We understand what is happening on the ground, but doctors must now come back to work. They cannot say that because senior doctors are working, they will not work. We have put everyone on notice." Advertisement The hearing highlights the Supreme Court's intervention in addressing the delicate balance between ensuring the safety of medical professionals and restoring essential healthcare services for the public. The court's statements aim to bring an end to the ongoing protest while holding the state accountable for implementing the necessary safety measures to protect healthcare workers. (For more news apart from Supreme Court Hearing on Doctors' Strike in West Bengal Over Kolkata RG Kar College Rape Case, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) What is the real meaning of Devata? People wonder after Rahul Gandhi's statement Rahul Gandhi stirred controversy at the University of Texas, USA. What is the real meaning of Devata? Ever since Rahul Gandhi's video defining 'devata' went viral on social media, people have started criticizing him and even started looking for the real meaning of the word 'devata'. Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the students at the University of Texas, USA, said, "Devta means a person whose internal feelings are the same as his external expression, meaning he is a completely transparent being. If a person tells me everything he believes or thinks and expresses it openly, thats the definition of a Devta." Advertisement What is the real meaning of Devata? As per the website mayiliragu.com, "A devata is a devata! Let's keep it simple. There is no need to find a non-Vedic equivalent to it. Translated scriptures can never present the authenticity of a pramaNa (evidence) to its fullest. This is because the English vocabulary is very narrow to accommodate every possible word to describe the profoundness of a Vedic term." "One of the most corrupted translations comes to the term 'devata', which includes the variants 'deva' and 'devi' as well. If you watched the movie Kantara with English subtitles, you will notice the word 'devata' being mistranslated to 'demigod'," it added, claiming that the words 'deva' and 'devi' are very well found in the Collin's dictionary! Likewise, a website named mmpandit, stated, "the roots of the term 'devata' match the real life experience which comes from the life of the saints and of common devotees. This gives us a greater understanding of the term Devata from a Hindu perspective and since the term is very old, it also points to the Hindu belief that the Devata is veritably a part of ones family and indeed in his/her playful (sportive) incarnation someone who can be personified as a Mother (and indeed as a sister/son/brother and as a friend)." Advertisement (For more news apart from What is the real meaning of Devata, and Rahul Gandhi's statement, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Punjab Doctors Begin 3-Hour Daily Strike, Impacting OPD Services PCMSA highlighted the current shortage of doctors in Punjab, with only 2,800 employed against a sanctioned strength of 4,600. Punjab Doctors Strike Latest News Today, Why are they protesting? Starting today, over 2,500 government doctors in Punjab will observe a three-hour strike daily in support of their demands, leading to the suspension of outpatient department (OPD) services at health centers, including civil and district hospitals. Emergency services, post-mortem, and medicolegal examinations will continue as usual despite the strike. Meanwhile, the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department has issued guidelines to prevent violence against healthcare professionals. Advertisement The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), which organized the strike, announced that OPD services will be suspended from 8 AM to 11 AM from September 9 to September 11. Dr. Akhil Sarin, president of the PCMSA, warned that if their demands are not addressed, there could be a complete suspension of health services starting September 12. "Initially, the doctors had planned a full OPD suspension starting September 9, but after a request from the Punjab government to moderate the strike until they met with the cabinet sub-committee, led by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema on September 11, the doctors decided to limit the strike. Why are doctors protesting in Punjab? The associations key demands include the reinstatement of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme, the implementation of security measures for healthcare workers (HCWs), timely recruitment of medical officers (MOs), and the release of pending arrears from the Central Pay Commission (CPC). Advertisement Earlier meetings this week between the PCMSA and Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, along with other officials, failed to yield any resolution. The PCMSA highlighted the current shortage of doctors in Punjab, with only 2,800 employed against a sanctioned strength of 4,600. (For more news apart from Punjab Doctors Strike Latest News Today, Why are they protesting, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) September 9, 2024 UPDATE Click here the latest news from RRI Newsflash Newsroom, 09.09.2024, 20:00 Drones Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu stated, on Monday, in relation to the Russian drones that entered the national airspace, that Romania had a real-time reaction and monitored the situation with F16 planes, noting that these drones had no targets on Romanian territory. On the night of Saturday to Sunday, a Russian drone entered Romanias airspace, after which it headed towards Ukraine, the Romanian Defense Ministry reported. In response, two F-16 fighter jets took off urgently from a military base in the southeast of the country to monitor the aerial situation. At the same time, the institution informed that it had deployed ground teams and aerial means in the area of Periprava, in Tulcea county, where pieces of the drones used by Russia in the attack on port facilities in Ukraine, located near the border with Romania, fell. Following this incident, the Romanian authorities protested against the repeated violation of the countrys airspace, as well as against the repeated attacks against the Ukrainian population and civil infrastructure. School Schools must be absolutely safe for students, the teaching staff and the rest of the education staff, President Klaus Iohannis said on Monday, at the opening ceremony of the new school year at a college in Bucharest. Attending the event together with the education minister, Ligia Deca, the head of state emphasized that one of the priority objectives of the Educated Romania project, transposed into the education laws of 2023, was the creation of a school and university environment that is not only conducive to educational development, but it is also a space where all those involved feel protected and respected. Approximately three million Romanian preschoolers and pupils started a new school year on Monday. The government promises that the 2024-2025 school year will be the last in which students go to school in three shifts. Currently, there are only 19 such units in Bucharest and in Ilfov county (near Bucharest). According to the Education Ministry, at the beginning of the school year, 800 schools are relocated for reasons of rehabilitation, modernization or construction out of the total of over 6,000 schools in Romania. Order The presence of law enforcement was ensured, on the first day of school, at every educational unit in Romania, in order to maintain the climate of order and public safety, the spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry, Monica Dajbog, announced. She specified that approximately 25,000 employees of the ministry were mobilized at the national level within the framework of public order and security corps, and, distinctly, approximately 8,000 people from the ministry were present at the pre-university education units. Also, the traffic police intensified their activities in the area of educational institutions. Road crews acted to streamline traffic and prevent accidents, paying special attention to situations that may endanger children. Monica Dajbog also said that actions to prevent and combat drug trafficking and consumption among young people remained a priority. Drills Between September 9-13, troops of the Romanian Land Forces will carry out joint exercises with foreign soldiers near the town of Sfantu Gheorghe in Covasna county (center). The leaders of the 22nd Mountain Hunter Battalion Ciresoaia informs that the maneuvers are aimed at training the soldiers on the ground in carrying out actions in the NATO context and validating the techniques, tactics and procedures in the execution of actions in mountainous-wooded terrain. During the activities, the military will use practice ammunition. Both last year and this year, several training exercises took place in Covasna county, in which both land and air troops from military structures of the Defense Ministry and from NATO countries participated. Film The New Year That Never Came, directed, written and produced by Bogdan Muresanu, won awards at the Venice International Film Festival, including the jury award of the International Federation of Film Critics and the award for best script from the independent critics. The films cinematographer Boroka Biro won a special mention. This is Bogdan Muresanus first feature film and the story takes place in one day, on the day before the anticommunist Revolution of 1989. (LS) Drone alerts on the Eastern Flank Bucharest has been vehemently protesting after a Russian drone entered the Romanian and NATO air space and two Air Force F-16 fighters were ordered to take off Photo: pixabay.com Sorin Iordan, 09.09.2024, 13:50 The terror campaign the Russian army is carrying out in Ukraine continued last weekend unabated. According to the Ukrainian Air Forces, Russia launched 67 long-range drones in a large-scale night attack against 11 Ukrainian regions. On their way to targets, these drones are also violating the air space of the countries neighboring Ukraine, as it happened again last nights. One of these Russian drones has crashed close to the town of Rezekne in eastern Latvia, 50 kilometers close to the borders of this NATO country with Belarus and Russia. Land troops and air surveillance devices belonging to Romanias Ministry of National Defence have been deployed to conduct search operations in the regions close to Periprava, in Tulcea County, south-eastern Romania, where parts of the drones the Russians used to bomb Ukraines ports on the Danube have allegedly crashed. The Bucharest administration has announced that a Russian drone on Saturday night entered Romanias airspace on its way to Ukrainian targets. In response two F-16 fighters had been ordered to take off to monitor the situation and the General Inspectorate for Emergency situations had issued heads-up in the counties of Tulcea and Constanta, in Romanias south-east, against the risk of falling debris. On Sunday morning the Romanian Ministry of Defence briefed the allied structures over the situation created and conveyed a firm message of condemning these attacks mounted by the Russian Federation against elements of Ukrainian civil infrastructure, which the Romanian side considers unjustified and in severe contradiction with international law. A protest message has also been issued by the Romanian Foreign Ministry. The diplomacy in Bucharest said the radars of Romanias armed forces had identified a drone, which violated the countrys airspace on its way to an Ukrainian target, and called for the cessation of Russias irresponsible escalation of the security situation. Romanias Foreign Ministry has also called for the observance of the rule of law including in the case involving the inviolability of Romanias airspace and has reiterated its vehement condemnation of these illegal attacks. Since the onset of the Russian invasion of that country in February 2022, Russian troops have launched thousands of missiles and long-range drones against various military and civil objectives causing numerous victims against the population. Following these attacks, a series of Russian drones fell on the Romanian territory mostly in unpopulated areas. In order to fight off such attacks, Romania has joined the countries that are donating to Ukraine some of their surface-to-air Patriot missiles. (bill) The New Year that Never Came awarded in Venice The New Year that Never Came, a feature film by the Romanian director Bogdan Muresanu, was awarded in Venice. Anul Nou care n-a fost (sursa foto: facebookANCNF filmul) Mihaela Ignatescu, 09.09.2024, 14:00 The Romanian film The New Year that Never Came, directed, written and produced by Bogdan Muresanu, was awarded prizes at this years edition of the Venice International Festival, which ended on Saturday evening. The film won the FIPRESCI Award offered by the jury of the International Federation of Film Critics and, respectively, the BisatodOro 2024 award for Best Screenplay, offered by independent critics. The film stands out for its ambitious and outstanding direction, its careful political vision, sophisticated and engaging storytelling, artistic balance and the exceptional casting, the members of the FIPRESCI jury appreciated.According to them, the feature film culminates in a deep exploration of human behavior, influenced by the fear of political repression, shared by many generations who lived under an authoritarian regime. For their part, the independent critics, those who awarded the BisatodOro award, are of the opinion that Bogdan Muresanus script sensitively illustrates a crucial moment for Romanias history, interspersing, in an exceptional way, the destinies of some distinct and strong characters , offering us, at the same time, an emotional story and a unique study of the soul, a true human comedy. At the festival screening, the film was applauded for many minutes by a room of 1,400 spectators. The debut feature film of the director Bogdan Muresanu is a tragicomedy whose action takes place in a single day, before the anti-communist revolution of December 1989 and it stars, among others, Emilia Dobrin, Mihai Calin and Nicoleta Hancu. In the film, there are also many references to what had happened in the previous days in Timisoara. We make films with the secret desire to be liked by the public, but also appreciated by those who write about cinema, equally. Such an important award means more to me than an appreciation of the film. It is a sign of dialogue across borders. There is nothing bigger than that, said the director Bogdan Muresanu. At the same time, Boroka Biro, the cinematographer of the film The New Year that Never Came was awarded with the Premio Autrici under 40 Valentina Pedicini special mention. The distinction recognizes the talent of an author under 40 years of age, for an outstanding performance in direction, script, editing, image, in a film presented in the Orizzonti, Orizzonti Extra, Giornate degli Autori and Settimana Internazionale della Critica sections. Boroka Biro is the first director of photography to receive this award, now in its fourth edition, under the aegis of Venezia a Napoli. Il Cinema Esteso. The New Year that Never Came is the second fiction feature film on which she worked as a cinematographer. (MI) Venezuela opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez has been granted political asylum in Spain after he fled his home country facing an arrest warrant. After hiding for weeks, Gonzalez, his wife and Spanish officials landed at the Torrejon de Ardoz military air base in Madrid Sunday evening, Spain's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Gonzalez, 75, vowed to continue to fight for democracy in Venezuela. "My departure from Caracas was surrounded by episodes of pressure, coercion and threats that I wouldn't be allowed to leave," he said in an audio message. Opposition Democratic Unitary Platform leader Maria Corina Machado, who is also under threat of being arrested, had said on social media that Gonzalez' life was in danger amid a brutal wave of repression in the country after the controversial election results were declared. Judge Edward Briceno issued the warrant last week on charges of terrorism, conspiracy and incitement to insurrection. The state-controlled National Electoral Council's announcement declaring incumbent President Nicolas Maduro as the winner despite Gonzalez receiving the most votes in the July 28 election had triggered nation-wide protests. The United States said it stands with Gonzalez in his call to continue the struggle for liberty and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the past six weeks, Maduro has unjustly arrested nearly two thousand Venezuelans, used censorship and threats to silence opposition, and violated laws to remain in power against the will of the Venezuelan people. He called on Maduro to cease the repression and immediately release all those unjustly detained. "The United States will continue to work with our international partners to defend democratic freedoms in Venezuela and ensure Maduro and his representatives are held accountable for their actions," Blinken said in statement. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News A recent study, presented at the annual meeting of the European Respiratory Society, compared the risks associated with vaping and smoking. Dr Azmy Faisal and colleagues at Manchester Metropolitan University conducted the study by recruiting 60 people in their 20s with normal lung function. The group included twenty participants who neither vaped nor smoked, 20 who had vaped for at least two years and 20 who had smoked for at least 2 years. During the study, the participants underwent tests to measure their maximum exercise capacity. "Both vapers and smokers showed signs that their blood vessels were not working as well as the non-smoking and non-vaping group, according to the blood tests and ultrasound scans," the researchers noted. "The smokers and the vapers were more out of breath, experienced intense leg fatigue and had higher levels of lactate in their blood, a sign of muscle fatigue, even before they reached their maximum level of exercise." Based on the results, the study concluded that "long-term use of vaping is harmful", challenging "the idea that vaping could be a healthier alternative to smoking". For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has provided astronomers a detailed new image of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 5668. NGC 5668 lies in the constellation of Virgo, approximately 90 million light-years away. Otherwise known as IRAS 14309+0440, LEDA 52018 or UGC 9363, this galaxy was discovered on April 29, 1786 by the German-born British astronomer William Herschel. NGC 5668 is a member of two groups of galaxies: the NGC 5638 group and NGC 5746 group. At first blush, NGC 5668 doesnt seem like a remarkable galaxy, the Hubble astronomers said. It is around 90,000 light-years across, similar in size and mass to our own Milky Way Galaxy, and its orientation nearly face-on to us shows open spiral arms made of cloudy, irregular patches. One noticeable difference between the Milky Way and NGC 5668 is that this galaxy is forming new stars 60% more quickly. This fact belies a galaxy with churning clouds and flows of gas, inclement weather that forms excellent conditions for the formation of new stars. The astronomers identified about two main drivers of star formation in NGC 5668. Firstly, this high-quality Hubble snapshot reveals a bar at the center, they said. It might look more like a slight oval shape than a real bar, but it appears to have impacted the galaxys star formation rate, as central bars do in many spiral galaxies. Secondly, high-velocity clouds of hydrogen gas have been tracked moving vertically between the disk of the galaxy and the spherical, faint halo which surrounds it. These can be produced by the strong stellar winds of hot, massive stars, and they contribute gas to new star-forming regions. The enhanced star formation rate in NGC 5668 comes with a corresponding abundance of supernova explosions, they said. Three have been spotted in the galaxy, in 1952, 1954 and 2004. Im tired of firearms being taboo. How can we claim something is common sense if we dont even understand each other on the matter? As an engineering student at Oregon State University with an interest in firearms, I plan to pursue an associates degree in gunsmithing after completing my bachelors. However, in-person education for gunsmithing is rare in the U.S., so I need to leave Oregon for hands-on experience. Before I go, I want to share my knowledge with the university community by setting up a table on campus to discuss firearms, particularly the misunderstood AR-15. I met with OSUs public safety personnel to propose bringing all the components of an AR-15 except for the serialized part, legally recognized as the firearm onto campus for educational purposes. Although this wouldnt involve a functional firearm, public safety advised that it might still raise safety concerns among the OSU population, potentially hindering the open dialogue I aim to promote. This response made me realize that OSU might not be as open-minded as one would hope. Universities should be spaces where diverse ideas are freely exchanged, yet there seems to be reluctance to engage in conversations about firearms. My goal isnt to push an agenda but to encourage informed discussions where facts take precedence over fear. By understanding firearms, we can have a more responsible and nuanced conversation. Angel Cuesta-Torres Corvallis The GSMA revealed former Vodafone executive Vivek Badrinath (pictured) will take the hot seat as director-general of the GSMA from Mats Granryd who will depart at the end of March 2025 after MWC Barcelona. The industry body stated Badrinath will take over and become a member of the GSMA board effective April 1st, 2025. The new director general was regional Vodafone CEO of Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific in 2016 until 2020 and became a member of the British operator groups executive committee. Prior to this he held key roles at Orange culminating in his appointment as Deputy CEO and was in charge of innovation, marketing, and technology for the French group. He also held other leadership roles, notably as CEO and chairman of the board at Vantage Towers and is a non-executive board member at Axian Telecom. I am delighted to announce Vivek Badrinaths appointment. said Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete Lopez, Chairman of the GSMA. During our selection process it was clear that Vivek's deep understanding of the industry and its potential make him the ideal individual to lead the GSMA into the next phase of its evolution. I am confident that Vivek will work, together with the Board and our excellent GSMA Leadership Team, to drive change and innovation, creating value for both the industry and society. Im proud and honoured to be joining the GSMA at such an exciting time in the industrys development, said Badrinath. I look forward to working with the GSMA Board, its Members, and the Leadership Team to extend and amplify the positive impact of the mobile ecosystem for people, industry and society globally. Aldi announced a record 800m investment to accelerate its expansion in Britain, following its strongest-ever sales performance. The privately-owned German discount supermarket giant said the investment would support the opening of 23 new stores in the next 16 weeks, including locations in Muswell Hill, London, and Caterham, Surrey. It would be part of a broader 1.4bn, two-year plan that would include refurbishing 100 existing stores, expanding distribution centres, and upgrading technology infrastructure to sustain growth. Aldi said its commitment to affordability was central to its strategy, as it had cut prices on over 300 products in the last three months. The supermarket, the self-proclaimed UK's cheapest, said it had maintained its lead in price comparisons, outperforming traditional competitors by 14%, according to Which. Aldis investment announcement came alongside its latest financial results for the 12 months ended last December. It said sales surged by 2.4bn, reaching 17.9bn - a 16% increase from the prior year. The companys pre-tax profits also jumped to 536.7m, driven by record sales and improved operational efficiencies. Aldi said its operating profit rose to 552.9m, with a profit margin of 3.1%. In addition to growth in store numbers, Aldi said it had strengthened its relationships with British suppliers, spending an additional 1.3bn with its 5,000 partners last year. That included a 750m deal with Kent-based AC Goatham & Son to establish the first Aldi Orchard on a 200-acre farm in Gravesend. Aldi also made significant investments in its workforce, with 79m spent on pay increases this year. The company said store assistants wages were raised to 12.40 per hour, and 13.65 for those within the M25, making Aldi the sectors highest-paying employer. With a current market share of 10%, Aldi said its continued expansion and focus on affordability were set to attract more shoppers across the UK. British shoppers are voting with their feet and choosing Aldi as their first-choice supermarket - were responding with our biggest ever annual investment in Britain, said Giles Hurley, chief executive officer of Aldi UK & Ireland. For every 1 of profit generated last year, were investing 2 this year opening more stores and building the supply infrastructure to bring high-quality, affordable groceries to millions more families the length and breadth of Britain. Were also investing at record levels to cut prices, reward our amazing colleagues and support more causes in our local communities. Hurley added that the company was creating thousands more jobs and more opportunities for its growing base of British suppliers and farmers. As we head towards the Christmas trading period, were all set to launch our biggest and best-ever seasonal range, including hundreds of premium range products at unbeatable prices for our customers. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Malaysian telco CelcomDigi said on Friday it has formed a strategic partnership with Sarawak-based telecoms infrastructure firm Borneo Restu under the governments Point of Presence (PoP) Phase 2 project to enhance high-speed internet access in Sarawak. The governents PoP Project is designed to improve connectivity throughout Malaysia, with a focus on expanding internet access in both suburban and rural areas, especially to schools in these areas. In July, the Ministry of Communications said Phase 1 of the PoP project to install 677 PoPs in schools and industrial areas was 99.1% complete. The ministry has allocated MYR3.9 billion (US$896.7 million) to continue the implementation of the PoP Phase 2, which involving 3,693 PoPs near schools in rural areas throughout Malaysia. For Sarawak, MYR1.08 billion has been allocated to Borneo Restu to build 681 PoPs across the state. CelcomDigi CEO Datuk Idham Nawawi said that the enhanced digital access enabled by PoP Phase 2 in Sarawak will empower communities and drive overall economic development by opening up new opportunities for businesses, driving digital innovation, attracting investments, and creating new jobs. This partnership is a significant step in the development of Sarawaks digital infrastructure, as we join forces to facilitate better digital access, ensuring that the enhanced connectivity benefits by all Sarawakians, he said a statement. Borneo Restu MD Ian W Lee reiterated the companys readiness to deliver PoP Phase 2 within the given deadline. We remain committed to expediting the completion of the remainder of the project by the end of 2025, and look forward to playing a key role in Sarawaks digital transformation by working closely with CelcomDigi to support Sarawaks economic and social development through better connectivity, he said, In a significant move to position Uttar Pradesh as a leading player in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is preparing to host Semicon India 2024 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida from September 11 to 13. The event is set to draw global attention and highlights India's growing role in the global semiconductor supply chain. Organized in collaboration with SEMI, Messe Muenchen India, and the Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA), the event aims to boost Indias semiconductor sector and establish the country as a major global competitor in chip manufacturing. As Indias semiconductor market continues to grow, with projections estimating it could exceed $55 billion by 2026, the event is expected to play a key role in attracting investments and fostering technological advancements in this critical industry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event on September 11, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also in attendance. This high-level participation demonstrates the governments commitment to advancing the semiconductor industry, positioning it as a vital component of Indias future economic growth and technological leadership. Uttar Pradesh, already a hub for electronics manufacturing, is actively seeking investments from global semiconductor companies to strengthen its role in the industry. The state is looking to build on its existing momentum by attracting semiconductor firms and encouraging partnerships that will drive domestic chip production. With over 200 electronics companies already operating in Uttar Pradesh, the government is now focusing on expanding its footprint in the fabless semiconductor sector. The states extensive rail network and growing airport infrastructure, including the upcoming Noida International Airport, further enhance its appeal as a destination for high-tech industries. To incentivize investment, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced the UP Semiconductor Policy, which offers a range of benefits, including a 50% capital subsidy, a 75% rebate on land costs, a 100% exemption from electricity duty for ten years, and a 5% interest subsidy on loans of up to Rs 7 crore. These incentives are designed to position Uttar Pradesh as a global semiconductor hub and attract major players from around the world. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called on investors to explore the states potential, emphasizing its goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by leveraging its strengths in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. Running from September 11 to 13, Semicon India 2024 will feature a comprehensive exhibition showcasing the latest advancements in semiconductor technology. Manufacturers from across the globe will present their innovations, providing attendees with insights into the future of the semiconductor industry. The exhibition will serve as a platform for companies to display their cutting-edge solutions and foster collaboration within the global semiconductor community. On the second day, the event will delve into crucial topics such as cross-regional partnerships, flexible hybrid electronics, supply chain management, and sustainable industry practices. These discussions are intended to address the key challenges and opportunities in the semiconductor industry, particularly in light of global supply chain disruptions and the rising demand for sustainable solutions. The final day, September 13, will offer participants the opportunity to attend a presentation by Micron on package manufacturing, a semiconductor fabrication boot camp hosted by the Indian Semiconductor Association (ISA), and an overview of the semiconductor industry's progress by the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA). These sessions will provide valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in the industry, offering participants practical knowledge on navigating this fast-evolving sector. This years Semicon India 2024 will take place alongside Electronica India and Productronica India, two of Southeast Asias largest electronics fairs. This unique combination of events is expected to unite a wide range of domestic and international companies, offering participants the chance to explore Indias burgeoning semiconductor sector and discover new business opportunities. Iffco Tokio General Insurance Company has announced the appointment of Subrata Mondal as its new Managing Director and CEO, effective. Mondal, who has been with the company since 2001 and most recently served as Chief Underwriter, succeeds H O Suri in leading the Noida-based insurer. Mondal brings over 36 years of experience in the insurance industry, with extensive expertise in commercial insurance, risk management, underwriting, product development, and reinsurance. In his new role, Mondal expressed enthusiasm about steering the company forward. I look forward to leading our dedicated team as we continue to provide customer-centric insurance solutions. Together, we will build on the strong foundation that has been established, while embracing new opportunities and challenges in the evolving insurance landscape, Mondal stated. During his tenure at Iffco Tokio, Mondal significantly impacted the companys operations. As Chief Underwriter, he oversaw underwriting across various business lines, including property, engineering, marine, liability, credit, health, and miscellaneous insurance. He also led the companys risk management, product development, and reinsurance functions. Before joining Iffco Tokio, Mondal held prominent roles at National Insurance Company, focusing on underwriting, claims management, and risk engineering for large-scale projects. His career began at Steel Authority of India (SAIL) as a shift engineer at the Durgapur Steel Plant, where he was responsible for electrical maintenance in the blast furnace department. Three juveniles have been arrested on charges they posted threats of school shootings on social media, leading multiple districts to cancel classes on Monday. A 15-year-old from the Mullica Hill section of Harrison, as well as one juvenile from Woodbury and another from Glassboro are charged for threats against multiple schools, Harrison police said. One of the threats was posted on Instagram about Bowe Middle School in Glassboro, according to borough police. Deptfords four schools are closed Monday out of an abundance of caution and for the safety and security of our entire Deptford Spartan Community, Superintendent Kevin Kanauss said in a letter Sunday night. Classes in neighboring Woodbury were canceled on Monday, officials announced. School officials went on to say they dont believe the threat is legitimate. Haddon Heights officials also acknowledged a threat against borough school and said a juvenile was in custody. The prosecutors offices from Camden and Gloucester Counties are working together to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter, Haddon Heights Superintendent Carla E. Bittner. The threat, which was posted anonymously on social media, named five schools in two different counties. At this time, a juvenile in connection to this post is in custody. Delsea Regional High School District sent a notice to parents acknowledging the threats and alerting families to an increased police presence, though its schools were not included in the social media post. Nothing we mean nothing makes a person want to click share on a social media platform quite like a missing-child post. You know the content were talking about: They feature a photo of a smiling child with big, hopeful eyes and a pleading message along the lines of, Help us find 7-year-old Debbie Jones! She went missing in Columbia County two days ago. Please bump and share lets make this go viral! Variations include injured dogs found on rural roads and elderly people who wander from their homes. One variation on this Facebook outreach that has been circulating in recent months features two photos of a smiling girl; in one, shes wearing a backpack. The post names her and says she is 13 years old, and has been missing for 48 hours after she left her friends home. The location, however, is left vague. The photos and the childs name are real: She is the young girl age 10, not 13 who went missing last September from Moreau Lake State Park, and was rescued from her kidnapper less than 48 hours later. But everything else about these posts is a lie and its an issue the girls family the Senas have been fighting recently. These entries are almost always created by accounts with squishy bona fides and then reposted by similarly questionable garage-sale groups on Facebook and other social media platforms. Comments on the original post are almost always shut off a weird strategy considering that the posts often purport to be from a relative or friend of the missing person or the kindly motorist who rescued the wounded dog. Scammers do this to prevent people from asking questions or from warning others about the illegitimacy of these posts. The photos used in these posts are stolen from stock image websites or as with the local scam from genuine missing-child posters with the details and locations falsified or obscured. The campaigns are a carefully orchestrated scam designed to exploit good-natured people. The supposed family members pleading for help are fictional, created to tug heartstrings and turn your desire to help people or animals in crisis. Using missing posters in scams is nothing new. We have been battling this for a long time, said Angeline Hartmann, the director of communications for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, But the last few months we have seen a dramatic increase. Its important for people to pay attention. For whatever reason, we are seeing it more and more. While this is a worldwide problem, the local family that lived through last years devastating crime now finds itself dealing with the exploitation of their ordeal for profit. In the Senas case, people from as far away as Europe are seeing these posts and, in some instances, believing them. It started a couple of months ago, and before we knew it, people were messaging us about it from England, said Jene Sena, the aunt of the girl who was kidnapped and the familys spokeswoman. Sena has taken on the exhausting task of tracking down each of the posts that exploit her niece (and others), reporting them to Facebook and commenting on each to point out that theyre fake. I have had a couple of people argue with me that they were legitimate posts, Sena said. I understand that people have the best of intentions, but a few seconds of research goes a long way. Every time I see one of those posts, I comment that its a scam and then I provide them information as to why...However, it has felt like one long game of Whac-a-Mole that you just cant win. Before you know it, 100 other people have already shared it. Oftentimes, sharers will be dismissive or respond with couldnt hurt. But it can hurt and does, said TJ Sayers, director of intelligence and incident response with the nonprofit Center for Internet Security, which is based in East Greenbush. These posts are essentially digital Trojan Horses. While this is done in several ways, there are two primary approaches: The original content is changed by the original scam poster after the post is heavily shared to boost the advertising by the reposting garage-sale site; or the links within the post appear to go to a legitimate site but, in reality, link to nefarious content such as malware or spyware. In the second category, the posts are often mining for information or measuring your potential susceptibility to fall for far costlier frauds. Information that could lead to your accounts social media as well as your bank information, email, work and cellphone data being hacked or compromised. Malware and spyware can be involved (especially if you click the links embedded in these posts). In an instant, youve given scammers access to all the information they need to steal your money, or your ID. So, what can you do about this? Start by doing a quick Google search before sharing any missing persons posts. Legitimate news sites or news releases from law enforcement entities will rise to the top and tell you if the incident is real. If you learn the post is inaccurate (and, as a result, most likely a scam), report it. Unfortunately, the experts and the Senas agree this often doesnt do a whole lot. If the post is reported to the administrator of a group such as a garage sale site, it will likely come down. But, anecdotally, reporting the posts to Facebook doesnt seem to do much. Many people in the Times Union newsroom have reported the Sena posts, as has the Sena family, but they continue to circulate; those who report the site have received responses stating that the content that is, photos of an underage crime victim that use her real name in a false context doesnt violate Facebooks community standards. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, did not respond to repeated requests for comment on this topic. Hartmann, the NCMEC spokesperson, remained diplomatic and wouldnt say much on the lack of success with reporting these posts to Meta (Youll have to ask Facebook about that). Interestingly, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was quoted this week saying he regrets censoring certain COVID-related information on Facebook in the early days of the pandemic, yet he/his team doesnt bother to take on missing children? Bottom line: Let the reposter beware. Do not blindly share anything unless it originates from a reputable source such as a law enforcement agency, or a familiar not-for-profit or media outlet. And even then, take the extra 30 seconds to do a quick bit of research on the information youre sharing. Dont trust the post just because of the content of the post, Sayers said. Its the careful balance between trust and caution in the ever-expanding digital realm. ___ (c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Two Staten Island apartment buildings in close proximity to the waterfront are still accepting lottery applications for some two dozen affordable housing units, according to NYC Housing Connect but the deadlines to apply for the rent-stabilized residences will close at the end of this month. Offering lively modern amenities and 23 newly constructed, beautiful rent-stabilized residences, noted Housing Connects description of Waters Edge, a complex located at 5 Stuyvesant Place in St. George, which has an open lottery until Sept. 23. Get the best value available for a full-service luxury rental. Units in the building, which is anticipated to receive a tax exemption through the 421a Tax Incentive program of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), are available to those with an annual household income falling between $82,115 and $218,010. Construction is still underway; no completion date has been offered. HPD remains dedicated to building more affordable housing throughout New York City, and strongly encourages people to apply to this exciting Staten Island opportunity, noted HPD Deputy Press Secretary Natasha Kersey. Amenities at Waters Edge include in-unit laundry, a gym, recreation room and rooftop terrace and dog run. Additional incentives include one free month of early occupancy -- applicable for one- or two-year leases. Tenants are responsible for household electricity, including electric stove, heat and hot water. Amenities at Waters Edge include in-unit laundry, a gym, recreation room and rooftop terrace and dog run. (Courtesy of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development)(Courtesy of the New York City D And Waters Edge is just a part of NYCs affordable housing push. One other Staten Island affordable housing opportunity near the water includes Harborview Senior Apartments at 80 Scarboro Ave. The lottery for that complex closes on Sept. 16. Located in the historic neighborhood of Stapleton/Rosebank in Staten Island, 80 Scarboro offers [the] majority of its affordable units to seniors +62, according to the Housing Connect website. The building is perfectly situated on a dead-end avenue on the waterfront with scenic views of the New York Harbor. It is also located minutes away from Alice Austen Park. There are 31 units available, each configured with open-concept layouts, large bedrooms and modern kitchens, the website detailed. Amenities include air conditioning, bike storage lockers, a virtual door attendant, an elevator, high-speed internet and high-end kitchen appliances. Eligible income for the apartments is $56,538 to $218,010. Heres how to apply to any affordable housing lottery throughout the five boroughs, as directed by Housing Connect NYC: Find affordable housing listings. Visit NYC Housing Connect to view current listings or call 311 and ask for the Affordable Housing hotline. Understand eligibility guidelines. You may be eligible if your combined household income is between a developments minimum and maximum limits. Applicant credit history must also meet the developers standards, and there should be no housing, legal or criminal issues. You may get preference for a development if you currently live in the same Community Board district or work for the City of New York. Submit your application. Create an account on www.nyc.gov/housingconnect and submit an application to the developments of your choice. You can also check the property advertisement to apply via regular mail. Allow for the application to be processed. A property may receive anywhere from 1,000 to 40,000 applications, so if may take up to 10 months for applicants to receive a status update. If selected, prove your eligibility. If you are selected, you will be contacted by the developer to schedule an interview. You will be asked to bring copies of a birth certificate, ID, pay stubs, tax returns and other detailed documentation for each member of your household. Wait for confirmation. After the developer verifies your eligibility, a NYC employee will review your file for accuracy. Sign a lease, appeal or apply to others. If your eligibility is confirmed, you may be invited to sign a lease. You may also be placed on a waiting list. If you are found not eligible, you will receive a rejection letter. You have two weeks to appeal the decision. During that time, you can submit an application for another affordable housing development. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban is expected to resign his post in the coming days in the wake of a possible federal corruption investigation, sources are telling Politico. According to the outlet, Caban was set to meet with police brass Monday as he weighs a decision. He has yet to hand in a resignation. NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Tarik Sheppard told 1010 WINS: He is still the police commissioner and has no intention of resigning. We remain focused on ensuring New Yorkers are safe every single day, and thats our top priority, City Hall spokesperson Fabien Levy told Politico. Were not going to speculate on rumors at this point. Cabans phone reportedly was seized by federal investigators last week. Raids were conducted at the homes of several city officials including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III among others. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York and the IRS are running the investigation, the report said. Adams appointed Caban, a Bronx native and 32-year veteran of the department, as the 46th police commissioner in July of last year following the resignation of Keechant Sewell. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Two Staten Island City Council members are part of a group of lawmakers asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to temporarily lift sanctuary city laws amid the ongoing migrant crisis. As first reported by the New York Post, Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore) and Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island) joined the seven other members of the Common Sense Caucus to write Hochul about their request, pointing to safety concerns. New York City is a prime target for terrorism, and we cannot afford to be complacent in the face of such threats, wrote the group, which includes six Republicans and three Democrats. The recent surge in violent crime, including incidents involving migrant gangs in Central Park and Queens parks where they have been reported to be raping, robbing, assaulting, and even shooting at police officers demands immediate and decisive action. New York Citys sanctuary city status refers to a host of laws and policies that preclude agencies from cooperating with the federal government on immigration issues. Mayor Ed Koch first issued an executive order in 1989 limiting local cooperation with the federal government on matters of immigration, and Mayor David Dinkins and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani extended that policy. Mayor Michael Bloombergs administration passed the first local law on the issue explicitly limiting the Department of Corrections cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which didnt exist until 2003 with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Common Sense Caucus and other conservative elected officials have taken particular issue with laws passed during Mayor Bill de Blasios tenure taking the sanctuary city policies further. In 2014, new laws removed an ICE office from Rikers Island and prohibited the Department of Correction, NYPD, and Department of Probation from honoring ICE detainer requests official requests to detain individuals for possible deportation. The law had a series of carveouts for when those departments could honor detainer requests if an individual was convicted of a litany of violent or serious crimes, if they were on federal terror watch lists or if ICE obtained a judicial warrant. Reports also mandated by those laws show the effect theyve had on detainer requests from the federal government. The NYPD received 2,635 such requests from Oct. 1, 2013 to Sept. 30, 2014, and just 109 from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. The Department of Correction received 627 from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 and 201 from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. The Department of Probation keeps less robust records on its website, but listed no detainer requests from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) led a February press conference with members of the Common Sense Caucus and Kenneth Genalo, ICE director for the New York City field office. Unfortunately, a lot of the way that we have to do our intelligence in ICE is the same way that you find out about cases. Its through the media, Genalo said of the challenges his agency faces. Were no longer contacted. Were no longer called. While the Common Sense Caucus continues its push against sanctuary city laws, its unclear what impact their latest request of the governor will have. Hochul has shown no sign on suspending local sanctuary city laws. Malaysias Communications Ministry has instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to stop forcing local ISPs to redirect domain name service (DNS) traffic away from third-party DNS servers. Reports emerged last month claiming that Malaysian ISPs including Maxis, Time dotcom, U Mobile, CelcomDigi and Telekom Malaysias Unifi had implemented transparent DNS proxy, which redirects DNS queries to alternative DNS servers like Google Public DNS and Cloudflare back to local DNS servers. This method effectively prevents Internet users from using alternative DNS servers to access websites blocked by the MCMC. At the time, the MCMC responded with a statement that it was working closely with local service providers" in relation to DNS management as a way to block access to websites that violate Malaysian law, but didn't directly confirm it was ordering them to redirect DNS queries. The MCMC also claimed that 95.7% of blocked websites were involved in illegal activities such as online gambling, pornography, copyright infringement, online scams and prostitution. However, critics have accused the MCMC of also using DNS redirection to censor websites unrelated to such activities, such as election results site Undi.info, investigative journalism website Sarawak Report and blogger site Medium. On Saturday, the MCMC issued another statement confirming that it requires Malaysian ISPs to redirect DNS traffic, stating that the move is necessary to protect users by blocking access to websites known for distributing malware, phishing, and other malicious activities, as well as filter inappropriate content such as adult material and violent websites. The MCMC also denied accusations that DNS redirection was draconian, and said accusations that it was blocking legitimate websites were inaccurate. The statement added that "any websites that believe they have been unfairly targeted or affected may file an appeal through the established channels," meaning the MCMCs Appeals Tribunal. However, the bad publicity over DNS redirection and online censorship in the past month as well as the MCMCs controversial plan to require social media platforms to obtain a class licence to operate in Malaysia may have taken its toll. On Sunday, Fahmi posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he has instructed the MCMC to drop the requirement that ISPs implement DNS redirection after "taking into account the feedback from MCMCs engagement sessions and the public." Fahmi stressed that illegal online activity related to gambling, prostitution and porn are big problems that require a comprehensive solution. The government will not compromise on this, to ensure online safety for Malaysians, especially children and families. That said, Fahmi added, The MCMC will continue a series of engagements with all stakeholders to obtain views, suggestions and recommendations to ensure that the objective of a safer internet can be achieved together. Cremating bodies is an energy-intensive process: the sheer amount of energy required to cremate an individual body can generate more than 250kW in wasted heat. But what if we could harness that excess heat, and use it to create a renewable energy that could power our homes and businesses? Crematoriums can use 600kW in energy to power a cremation, with more than one-third of that power disappearing up flues as waste heat. Credit: Nick Moir An Australian start-up has completed a series of successful trials of what the team behind it says is a commercially viable electricity engine that runs on waste heat including a successful proof of concept trial at a Victorian crematorium. Cremations are an exothermic process in that they actually give off more energy than they soak up, said Capricorn Power chief executive Geoff Andrews. Advertisement Opinion Eating outGood Food Guide The Good Food Guide drops Swillhouse venues, introduces workplace culture award Its the biggest evolution to the Guides approach to reviews in its four-decade history, directly affecting which restaurants, bars and cafes we recommend. Sarah Norris September 9, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A Herald and Good Food investigation reveals a top Sydney restaurant group allegedly ousted female staff after they reported sexual assaults and encouraged on-duty sex and drug use. See all stories . For the past few months, the Good Food team has been wrestling with an important question: if a venue is known to allow criminal offences, particularly of a violent or sexual nature, should we include it in the Good Food Guide? The answer is no, and Id like to explain why. Our position means six high-profile Sydney restaurants and bars run by the influential Swillhouse group have excluded themselves from The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025. Those venues are Le Foote in The Rocks, Restaurant Hubert, Albertos Lounge, Baxter Inn and Caterpillar Club in the CBD, and Darlinghursts Shady Pines Saloon. There are also ongoing investigations were pursuing that may ultimately affect other venues in NSW and Victoria in the future. Swillhouse venues, including Le Foote in The Rocks, have excluded themselves from The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025. Louise Kennerley The Swillhouse group allegedly pushed female staff out after the women reported sexual assaults, encouraged staff to have sex with customers and take drugs while on shift, and discriminated against women. Advertisement Two people, Rachelle Rocky Hair and Jenna Hemsworth, have since gone public with their claims that they were sexually assaulted while working at Swillhouse and have accused the company of failing its employees. The explosive, and at times shocking, allegations, revealed by a months-long investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald and Good Food, have ricocheted across the national hospitality scene. They have also reverberated through the Good Food office a publication that has the fortunate task of writing about one of lifes great pleasures, dining out. But these stories expose a darker, more sinister side to hospitality that if we discover proof of, we cant ignore. For the past 40 years, the SMH and Age Good Food Guides have published annual collections of restaurant, bar and cafe reviews across various price points, cuisines, styles and suburbs. Advertisement The inclusion of venues in the Guides has always been at the editors discretion and, while people might have differing ideas about what constitutes great food and service, I think we can all agree that sexual assault is not acceptable behaviour in the workplace. Thats why we cant, in good conscience, recommend Swillhouse venues that are known to allow or perpetrate abuse, especially when it rises to the level of criminal abuse. This position represents the biggest evolution to the Good Food Guides approach to reviews in its four-decade history, and widens the criteria we may use to decide which restaurants, bars and cafes we recommend. The Good Food Guide is still about where our editors recommend you eat, but in 2024 we also believe diners care about ethics. Investigating hospitality workplaces is far from easy. We cant rely on rumour or gut feeling, or exclude venues and people for behaviours we find objectionable. It requires the highest standards of reporting. The Swillhouse investigation by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat took months, involved extensive interviews and email correspondence, consultation by senior editors and guidance by Nines legal team. It was comprehensive and thorough, and would never have happened if the brave victims werent willing to trust us. Inside the Heralds investigation into sex and sleaze in Sydneys hospitality industry Advertisement But the Swillhouse case isnt isolated the hospitality industry has a systemic sexual harassment and gender-based violence problem. Thats why, at Novembers Good Food Guide awards in Sydney and Melbourne, we will introduce a new award to shine a light on initiatives and programs that hospitality businesses have introduced to foster a positive, safe and empowering workplace culture. The Cultural Change Champion award allows Good Food to highlight the Victorian and NSW business operators trying to transform the industry. For every bad venue, there are great ones that show leadership and respect, and we want to celebrate them. People shouldnt feel unsafe at work, and for this to be true for the Australian hospitality industry, it requires people willing to blow up industry norms. We cant, in good conscience, recommend Swillhouse venues that are known to allow or perpetrate abuse. The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide turns 40 this year a milestone only surpassed by The Age Good Food Guide turning 44. If were in the business of recommending places that encapsulate what it means to eat and drink in a city, overlooking the wellbeing of the people working for these venues is wrong. I cant remember a birthday that didnt end with drinks at Shady Pines Saloon. Domino Postiglione Advertisement Theres no doubt Swillhouse has transformed Sydney hospitality. It arrived on the scene in 2010 and set benchmarks around service, drinks and food, and transported us to fabulous and stylish worlds that became the backdrop to thousands of life moments and celebrations. (Personally, I cant remember a birthday that didnt end with drinks at Shady Pines Saloon.) We now know its been at the expense of some of its staff. Its also not lost on us that Swillhouse not being in this years Guide affects its 330 employees, and that saddens us. But just as Australias restaurant, bar and cafe scenes have evolved over four decades, the Guides need to roll with the times. If were seeking leaders in the industry trying to shake things up, its only right for the Guides to also be a cultural change champion. Swillhouse venues include: Albertos Lounge The Baxter Inn Caterpillar Club Restaurant Hubert Le Foote Shady Pines Saloon Investigation Sex, sleaze and hospitality Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Prince William has updated his stuffy image with a scruffy nine oclock shadow. Photographs of the Prince of Wales attending a private exhibition viewing at the Saatchi Gallery in London with stubble worthy of a George Michael impersonator have revived the heir to the thrones endangered pin-up status. Could this be a scratchy version of his mother Princess Dianas infamous revenge dress? In his autobiography, Spare, Prince Harry wrote that his brother stroppily asked him to shave before his wedding to actor Meghan Markle in 2018, despite having received permission from the Queen to sport a beard. But like his mothers black dress, the grizzly glow-up is working. Prince William is hot again, The Cut declared, and pockets of social media lustily agreed. Prince William is giving stubble a second run. Credit: Getty Images The stubble first appeared in a video in August alongside Princess Catherine congratulating Team Britains performance at the Paris Olympics, and brings William in line with Europes other reigning chins. King Frederik of Denmark frequently makes official appearances with salt and pepper scruff, while King Felipe of Spain and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands have graduated to beards since their coronations. Chinese LEO satellite operator Geespace said on Friday it has launched a third batch of satellites for its planned LEOsat constellation that it says now covers 90% of the planet. Geespace a subsidiary of Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group first established in 2018 said in a statement that ten LEO satellites were launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi for its Geely Future Mobility Constellation. The latest launch follows the first batch launched in June 2022 and the second batch in February 2024, and brings the total number of Geespace satellites in orbit to 30. Geespace plans to deploy 72 LEO satellites by 2025 for the first phase of the constellation, which it said will serve over 200 million users globally. The second phase will add another 264 satellites for mobile phone communications, while the third phase will launch 5,676 satellites for high-speed broadband services. According to past statements by Geespace, its initial goal was to build a network to provide satellite communications to intelligent connected vehicles with self-driving capabilities. Since then, however, Geespace has said it also aims to compete in the satellite broadband, satellite IoT and direct-to-satellite mobile phone sectors, pitting it against just about every other LEO satellite player, from Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, Lynk Global and AST Spacemobile to Iridium, Globalstar and Orbcomm. In June, Geespace said it had successfully tested the network outside of China for the first time with Oman-based satellite services provider Azyan Telecom. Geespace isnt Chinas only entry in the LEO satellite race. Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) plans to build constellation of 15,000 LEO satellites by 2030, although the launch of its first batch of satellites last month reportedly ended badly when the Long March 6A carrying the payload broke apart. According to a Reuters report, the SSST network may have military as well as commercial objectives, as Beijing is said to be worried over claims about Starlink usage in military contexts. In February, for example, Ukrainian intelligence claimed that Russian forces were using Starlink satellites for connectivity in occupied lands. Antisemitic graffiti in Sydneys east supporting terrorist organisation Hamas has been condemned by the Jewish community as the anniversary of the October 7 attacks approaches. Police have launched an investigation into the vandalism, reported in suburbs including Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama. A spate of anti-Semitic graffiti appearing to support terrorist organisation Hamas has been condemned by the Jewish community. Several buildings and bus stops have been vandalised with the word Hamas in red and green paint. Under Australian law it is an offence to support a terrorist organisation. Hamas, which carried out the worst massacre of Jews since World War II, has been listed as a terrorist organisation by the federal government since March 4, 2022. About 1200 people were killed in the October 7 attacks. More than 40,000 people have died in the ensuing conflict. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, has urged authorities to investigate and put an end to this hatred. Loading This daubing of public property with the name of a proscribed terrorist organisation is intended to distress and intimidate our community and make us feel unsafe in this country. It is part of a pattern of behaviour that is escalating in areas with large Jewish communities as we approach the first anniversary of the October 7 horrors, he said. Sydneysiders and our community should not have to face these acts of support for a group that just carried out the mass slaughter of our brethren and has pledged to attack Jews throughout the world. People need to think about the effect of their conduct and face consequences for their actions. The Chinese characters painted on the rock at the old quarantine station at North Head 107 years ago are slowly fading from view. I had no leisure time for hygiene, the writer despairs. To study the consequences is like looking at the horizon. The inscription from Xie Ping Di at the old quarantine station at North Head. Credit: Wolter Peeters The author of the 107-year-old historical graffiti, Xie Ping Di, was one of more than 850 immigrants to have left their mark at the station over its 156-year history. About 13,000 passengers and crew from 580 infectious ships were quarantined at North Head from 1828. A masters student at the University of Technology Sydney and president of its events society has been accused of attacking her boyfriend with two knives in a jealous rage over texts from his ex-partner. Jacinta Angel Ferraro, also known as Angel, was arrested on June 6 after an alleged assault against her partner, in the latest display of what police describe as an escalation of domestic violence. Jacinta Angel Ferraro allegedly attacked her partner with two knives. Credit: Facebook Ferraro, who heads the student-run UTS Events Society and has been a DJ at several of its events, was at her boyfriends home in Parramatta at 7pm on Sunday, June 9. According to Supreme Court documents, Ferraro went through her partners phone and saw texts between him and his ex-partner from a fortnight earlier. Top Coalition figures are at odds over whether Peter Duttons shadow cabinet is in favour of new laws to break up Qantas and Jetstar. Nationals leader David Littleproud claimed on Monday the shadow cabinet had never approved a policy to create divestiture laws in the aviation sector, hours after an article by opposition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie in the Australian Financial Review floated the idea. Bridget McKenzie called a press conference on Monday to play down her own article from that morning. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen But senior Nationals sources, who requested anonymity, contradicted Littleproud, saying a recommendation in a McKenzie-led inquiry into Qantas last year called for new policies including potential divestiture powers to remedy any misuse of market power. This recommendation was signed off by shadow cabinet, the sources said, raising doubt about Littleprouds attempt to distance the Coalition from the policy. Denning believes Scullin was mentally and physically exhausted and was really seeking refuge. Scullin was not the first and certainly not the last leader struggling to cope with the demands of the job during a crisis. Dennings words remain pertinent today. He captured perfectly the responsibilities and the burdens of those in public office and those who report on them. Prime Minister James Scullin in Canberra, circa 1931. Credit: Fairfax For journalists, its to report as accurately as possible the turmoil inside government during a crisis, without inflaming or inciting community tensions. For others politicians, public servants, advisers its to accept criticism, to be transparent about the challenges they face as well as the limits to their capacity to solve them. Its not as dire today as it was during the Great Depression, but some things havent changed. Governments respond to criticism by clamping down on information, by lying, by forcing people to sign gag orders to discuss politically tricky policy like gambling ad bans, by doubling down on discipline or by pretending everything has gone exactly according to plan when it plainly has not. The art of leadership is saying no, not yes it is very easy to say yes: Former British prime minister Tony Blair. Credit: AP Inevitably, amid the mis- and disinformation, journalists get it wrong or stretch the few facts they have. Politicians need to stop making promises they know they cant keep, or worse, never intend to keep. The rest of us need to stop demanding governments solve every problem and prevent every catastrophe. They cant. Even if he didnt always follow his own advice, Tony Blair was right when he said in 1994: The art of leadership is saying no, not yes it is very easy to say yes. Loading The stage 3 tax cuts Anthony Albanese delivered were fairer, but they were not what he promised, and when he promised them, the risks were obvious. True, sticking with a promise made years before could be sheer folly. But breaches need to be explained truthfully, minus the spin and denial that drives voters mad and drives them to alternatives. Everyone refers to the drift away from major parties, implying it is whimsical or unthinking or transitory, or a phase that voters will grow out of. It isnt. It should be described as the great desertion. It is a deliberate, conscious, repudiation by Australians in their millions of traditional politics and politicians. Much like the desertion of audiences to social media or streaming services. The existential threats faced by the major parties are real, not a passing phenomenon that will exhaust itself. There are profound implications for them and the way we are governed. Loading The solution does not lie in turning MPs into parrots or robots, nor in trying to starve independents out of existence with financial gerrymanders. Unity is important, unless it becomes a tool to stifle debate or punish those who defy the collective. Not all rules crafted a century ago work today. Australians need to know their MPs have a pulse, a ticker and a conscience. Coalition MPs treasure their right to cross the floor, yet a few poor souls unless their first name is Barnaby are vilified or isolated if they dare do it. Bridget Archer seems destined to spend her political life on the backbench despite increasing her margin in 2022 and even if promoting an intelligent woman with small l liberal values would signal there is a place for such people inside the Liberal Party. Fatima Paymans resignation from Labor is a reason to ditch the rules threatening expulsion for floor crossing. Senator Fatima Payman is now an independent senator for Western Australia. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen It would still be a thing if MPs were brave enough to weather the wrath of the leader or colleagues, but not such a big thing when it happens. Some of us remember Labors nuclear wars during the 1980s. Left faction leaders like my old mate Gerry Hand called full-scale press conferences to condemn the policies of his prime minister, Bob Hawke and his cabinet. There were passionate public and private debates over tax, privatisation, foreign policy, you name it. Those fights over policy did not prevent Labor governing or reforming. They did not prevent five consecutive election victories. Hand became a cabinet minister. The Coalition paid a high price for its leadership wars during this period. But in 1993, it was in full lockstep behind John Hewson and his Fightback, and it still lost the unlosable election. Could the major parties become dinosaurs? Credit: The Canberra Times Voters seem destined to continue their mass migration to others in what threatens to be an ugly, divisive campaign if it is fought on immigration or a Middle Eastern war feeding antisemitism, Islamophobia and neo-Nazism. I am indebted to the Parliamentary Library for its excellent summary of all federal elections from 1901, and to former Labor staffers Andrew Charlton and Lachlan Harris, who warned a few years ago of what was emerging. According to the librarys review of the 2019 election, Labors vote of 33.34 per cent was the lowest since 1931, when it hit 27.1 per cent. The Liberals 27.99 per cent primary vote (which excludes the LNP and the Nationals total of 13.18 per cent) was the lowest since they first contested federal elections in 1946. In 2022, the Liberal primary vote fell to a dismal 23.89 per cent (with another 11.6 per cent from the Nationals and Queenslands LNP) while Labors dropped to 32.58 per cent. Almost one in three voters opted for minors or independents. In a 2016 examination of minor party voting since Federation, Charlton and Harris found that on three occasions when the protest vote breached 25 per cent, it coincided with or precipitated, major party convulsions. The first was between 1901 and 1903, when the rise of Labor forced the merger of Free Traders and Protectionists. The second was between 1931 and 1934, with the Lang Labor party split and the formation of the United Australia Party by Joseph Lyons after he defected from Scullins government. Labors lowest ever primary vote of 26.8 per cent was recorded 90 years ago at the federal election on September 15, 1934. The third, triggered by the death of Lyons in April 1939, came in 1943. Labor won 50.2 per cent of the primary vote, the UAP collapsed, and Robert Menzies founded the Liberal Party. Three seismic events. The 2022 election, where Labor lost once safe seats to the Greens and the Liberals relinquished their heartland to the community independents, was described to me recently by Harris as a volcano erupting just below the surface of the ocean. Historians could pinpoint May 21, 2022, as the day Menzies party died, while delivering one last warning to Labor: do better or else. Loading There is no way of knowing exactly what will happen next, only that something will. The aftershocks will continue. There is no law that says political parties must survive. All badly run or led enterprises inevitably collapse. Sometimes its desirable. That organisation needs time out to consider its reason for being, to re-examine its values, to reflect on who it is meant to serve. Realignments have already rendered parties unrecognisable to their creators. The Coalition looks more and more like One Nation, Labor more and more like the Liberals used to, the Greens have morphed into Labors old guard left. The teals waft and weave between them all. Harris says its unrealistic to think Labor or the Liberals can broaden sufficiently to reverse the trend so that they can govern on their own. He predicts minority governments could become the new normal, with majority government still possible, although more as the exception than the rule. Loading Major parties have to get better at building coalitions with people not under their control, he says. He certainly does not mean Labor aligning in government with the Greens, which he says would be fatal. Right now, Labor looks set to lose its majority. If its lucky, it will survive in minority government after securing pledges from independents. It will require dexterity and flexibility to govern. It will be exhausting. There is every chance the leader and/or the government will not last the full term. If Labor loses outright, to become the first one-term government since Scullin in 1931, the resulting bloodletting, the accusations of timidity, arrogance, complacency or incompetence could precipitate a split. It could lead to the creation of a new social democratic party. Union defections over the essential CFMEU intervention could be a portent. Anything and everything is possible. If Labor retains its majority or falls into minority through gains by others, not the Liberals, the Liberals strategy of the past three years to head further right, to ape Donald Trump, to dismantle the broad church on which the party was built, will be discredited. A Coalition minority government assuming it finds willing dance partners will entrench the control of the hard right and the evangelicals. One senior Labor man told me a narrow pathway exists for a Coalition victory, but it would have to get everything right. Which obviously means the government would have to get everything wrong. Whatever happens, the dominant right will not concede or retreat. The few remaining Liberal moderates can surrender, join the teals or hope someone founds a new socially liberal, economically conservative party. One former PM has the resources. I doubt he has the will. The teals magic would evaporate if they formed a party or joined another. Besides, as one of their admirers says, they are all alpha females, so the leadership battle would be something to behold. Our system of government offers a level of protection, not full immunity from the extremes we have witnessed overseas and which have sprung up here. Our immunity dissolves if and when we reach the point millions of Americans have, where lies are excused or accepted, corruption is ignored and divisiveness is tolerated because politicians and the media manipulate our emotions, rather than tell us what we need to know. Malcolm Turnbull has the resources, but does he have the will? Credit: Alex Ellinghausen This is not called a lecture for nothing, so I will finish with a bit more advice for politicians and journalists. In this fight for survival, integrity and decency matter. A lot. If you show respect for one another, people are more likely to respect you. To journalists: Dont publish lies, then claim its balance. Also, balance is not refusing to run one side because the other side fails to turn up. If you do your job well, you will upset people, you will be called names like tory bitch or fat-arsed bitch, you will be abused online, you will lose contacts, you will inevitably lose friends. But you will also win respect. Niki Savva delivering the Speakers Lecture in Parliament House earlier today. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen To politicians: Tell the truth, even if it hurts. We can handle it, and we deserve it. Never run from cameras. It always ends in disaster. PHILIPSBURG:--- What better place to celebrate the theme of International Literacy Day (ILD) 2024, Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace? And who better in that place for a school to pick for its ILD program? The place is St. Martin of course, an island with a multilingual culture that existed among its native population long before the 1970s tourism boom attracted various language speakers to its shores from the Caribbean region and around the world. So, who did the MAC primary school invite to address grade 6 for its ILD observation last Friday? Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, educator, leading linguist, and author, said her publisher HNP. It was an interactive reading session. From the book Disaster Matters I read Preparedness by Opal Adisa from Jamaica, and from St. Martin 20 More Minutes and Gone with Irma by Fabian Badejo, and After the Storm by Tamara Groeneveldt, said Arrindell. Arrindell shared with Teacher Johnelle Fitzpatricks class the importance of reading books about St. Martin and the Caribbean along with literatures from around the world. The idea was also to bring across to our young people a main reason for ILD, that literacy, in the words of UNESCO, opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship, said Arrindell. I shared with the students how a book like Disaster Matters is put together with editors and writers from the Caribbean and beyond, and published in St. Martin by HNP. At the end, I quizzed the students, and they were able to win copies of 6 Poems by Lasana Sekou, the newest book by the St. Martin writer, in English, French, and Spanish, and published on the island by Les Fruits de Mer, said Arrindell. The kids had a ball, especially when they participated by reciting the chorus in Fabians Gone with Irma. And they were very eager to win the book by Lasana, said Arrindell. Arrindells book, Language, Culture and Identity in St. Martin (HNP, 2014), remains a unique groundbreaking work for its research, according to Dr. Alma Simounet of the University of Puerto Rico. Arrindell also has a UNESCO connection. During her term here as education minister in 2011, she got St. Martin (South) admitted as an associate member of the UN organization, said HNP. Since 1967, the annual celebrations of International Literacy Day (ILD) have taken place on 8 September around the world to remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society, said UNESCO on Sunday (unesco.org/en/days/literacy). PHILIPSBURG:--- The General Audit Chamber presented its report entitled Compliance Audit: 2022 Financial Statements St. Maarten to Parliament. The Audit Chamber assesses whether the government has managed St. Maarten's public funds in a legally consistent and effective manner. By law, the Financial Statement 2022 should have been drafted before September 1, 2023. However, the Audit Chamber, together with the internal accountant SOAB, received the 2022 Financial Statements on January 4, 2024. Following SOABs audit, which was completed on July 29th, 2024, the Audit Chamber had six weeks to present their report to Parliament. They met this legal deadline by submitting their report on September 6th. Similar to the findings in the 2021 Financial Statements, the Audit Chamber concludes that the 2022 Financial Statements do not provide a true and fair representation of the government's income, expenses, and financial position as of December 31, 2022. The Audit Chamber has identified ongoing irregularities and deficiencies, including significant legal and structural errors, which undermine the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting. The unreliability of the 2022 Financial Statements makes it challenging, if not impossible, to use the actual performance figures in preparing the next budget. Moreover, the ongoing lack of transparency and accountability in financial management has led to serious legal concerns. This resulted in an audit in 2024 specifically into the allocation of vehicle taxes. This audit marked a preparatory phase in the process of formal objection. The Audit Chamber can take measures, such as the objection, to enforce accountability and safeguard that recommended actions for improved financial management and governance are seriously considered and not ignored without just cause. The Audit Chamber also notes that Parliament lacks sufficient insight to adequately assess the efficiency of financial management and the achievement of policy goals. We stress the importance of sound financial management, as it not only ensures efficient use of tax revenues but also builds public trust in government, increases tax income, reduces financial dependence on the Kingdom, and diminishes the need for stricter financial oversight the Chairman of the Audit Chamber concluded. The report is published in both English and Dutch and is available on the website of the General Audit Chamber (www.arsxm.org). ST. KITTS:--- The President of Funtopia Youth Initiative Foundation (FYI), Lucinda Audain recently attended the Creative Power Arts Conference in St. Kitts, where she immersed herself in a world of inspiration and innovation. Organized by the islands Department of Creative Economy by the Minister of Creative Economy Mr. Samal Duggins this dynamic event lasted for 7 days from 31st August to 7th September at The Marriott Hotel Basseterre. Described as transformative and empowering, this conference consisted of Master Classes led by 27 different industry professionals with multifaceted skill sets who freely shared their expertise and insights in their respective industries. According to Lucinda, These sessions provided valuable knowledge and practical skills that will be an added value to FYI Foundations programs. The conference also featured engaging seminars and presentations that delved into the latest trends and developments in the creative economy. Lucinda found these sessions to be eye-opening and thought-provoking, offering fresh perspectives and ideas to further fuel her passion and expand her mind with unique approaches to expand on new and current projects to be executed by FYI. I am excited to take in all of this information and share it with the foundations youth members, she said. The takeaway from this event isnt only a win for FYI but for Sint Martin. Some of the industry leaders featured at the convention were Arts Educator Alexandra Darcy, Music Executive Ivan Berry, Music producers Kosine and Rvssian, award-winning Film Director Simon Fredrick, Event promoters Scott Dunn, and Dance artistic director L'Antoinette Stines, PhD, just to name a few. One of the highlights of the conference for Lucinda was the opportunity to network with fellow creatives and industry experts from America and the Caribbean Diaspora. She connected with like-minded individuals, established valuable contacts, and exchanged ideas that have the potential to lead to exciting collaborations in the future. Lucinda recognizes the significance of networking within the creative industry, not just locally but also internationally. Building strong relationships and fostering connections can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and growth. Networking is not just about exchanging business cards; it is about building meaningful relationships that can support and elevate one's creative journey. Through her experience at the conference, Lucinda became acutely aware of the need to develop a sustainable creative economy in the Caribbean. She believes that by investing in creativity, supporting local talents, and nurturing a thriving creative ecosystem, the region can unlock its full potential and create a vibrant future for generations to come. Lucinda Audain's journey at the Creative Power Arts Conference was a transformative experience that has inspired her to continue championing creativity and innovation through her work with The Funtopia Youth Initiative Foundation and the region on a whole. In a rather unusual turn of events, a Kenyan lobby group has apparently filed a lawsuit against operator Safaricom, along with regulator the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), and Kenyas Competition Authority, demanding that they allow satellite operator Starlink access to the Kenyan market. We reported in late August that Safaricom had apparently written a letter to the Communications Authority of Kenya complaining that Starlink posed a threat to the telecoms market and should be required to partner with local operators rather than compete with them. However, the lobby group, Kituo cha Sheria, had a different take on the move, suggesting that Safaricoms allegations were unsubstantiated and that it is in fact apprehensive about the entry of Starlink into the market due to its competitive pricing which appears to undercut Safaricoms internet service. Kituo cha Sheria also suggests that that this move would block Kenyans from accessing faster internet speeds and maintain high costs. Safaricom is said to charge KES6,000 (US$46.52) for its internet service; Starlink offers 50GB of internet for just KES1,800 (about US$14). Of course equipment also needs to be purchased for the Starlink service, although we noted recently that there is now a rental plan in Kenya for Starlinks equipment. Kituo Cha Sheria-Legal Advice Centre describes itself as a national non-governmental organisation established in 1973 to empower the poor and marginalised and to enhance equity and access to justice for all. It is seeking a court declaration that Safaricoms letter is unconstitutional and wants the court to affirm that internet access is a socio-economic right. The lobby group also requests a permanent injunction preventing the CA from acting against parent company SpaceX or restricting its devices in Kenya. Further south, Starlink is having fewer problems. The company officially turned on service in Zimbabwe just before midnight, on 6 September 2 just a few days after neighbour Botswana also went live. ITweb Africa reports that Starlink high-end kit's one-time pricing of US$350 and monthly service fee of US$50 is far less than the charges offered by the country's three main operators. First step for Europe's hyperloop vehicles with test launch Veendam, Netherlands, Sept 9 (AFP) Sep 09, 2024 The dream of hurtling between European cities at speeds of more than 700 kilometres per hour moved a step closer Monday with the first successful vehicle tests at the European Hyperloop Centre. Hovering inside a sleek 420-metre (1,377-foot) white tunnel, a dark and light grey striped pod levitates at the order from the mission control centre, before powering away using magnetic propulsion and with no one aboard. For the moment, the speed is relatively slow at 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) per hour but operators hope to reach 100 kph (62 mph) by the end of the year as they race towards rolling out a system by 2030. "We will be ready to transport passengers in a vehicle like that by 2030," Roel van de Pas, commercial director of Dutch firm Hardt Hyperloop, told AFP in an interview. Amsterdam to Berlin in 90 minutes or Milan in two hours -- the technology has the potential to revolutionise travel in Europe, believes Van de Pas. SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk brought hyperloop into popular culture with a 2013 paper proposing a "fifth mode of transport" linking San Francisco and Los Angeles. But several attempts to roll out the technology have failed, including by British tycoon Richard Branson, and critics say "hype" is the pertinent part of the name "hyperloop". Not so, says Van de Pas. "It's really going to change the relationship that we have within Europe. It's really going to integrate the continent," believes the 39-year-old. - 'Barf ride' - Monday's test launch took place in front of 300 guests, including Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, watching on a big screen with the mission control comms piped in. The next stage is to test under full vacuum conditions -- nearly all the air is sucked out of the tunnel to reduce air resistance -- and gradually increase the speeds. The European Hyperloop Centre is the world's only facility to feature a "lane switch", a tunnel branching off from the main track. It allows scientists to test rapid course changes -- vital for creating a network. Hardt Hyperloop hopes to start testing the lane switch soon with vehicles and eventually build a bigger centre to enable the pod to reach the dizzying speeds possible. The eventual aim is to replace short-haul European flights and long drives across the continent, with ticket costs probably comparable to a low-cost airline, said Van de Pas. A successful roll-out of a dense hyperloop network would also provide a substantial environmental boost as well. A hyperloop system uses around one 10th of the energy of aviation and one third of a railway, as well as being completely noise free as it's enclosed within the tunnel. The tunnels could be placed alongside existing motorways, and the European Hyperloop Centre has already experimented with blending into the environment, painting one part of its tunnel to make it look like a forest. One concern often raised is the passenger experience. Screaming through a narrow tunnel at the speed of sound may not be everyone's idea of a comfortable ride. Transport blogger Alon Levy famously described Musk's initial proposal as a "barf ride". But Van de Pas promised a smooth journey. The vehicles, which will eventually carry 50 or so passengers, will have the same sort of vibration and comfort levels as modern trains, he said. China already has a test facility enabling speeds up to 700 kph but Van de Pas welcomes the global competition. "We need good competitors and we are all pursuing the same mission. We want to make travelling these long distances a zero-emission effort," he told AFP. "We look at what our competitors are doing and they look at us and together we are building an industry." Iraq, US agree phased coalition troop pullout: minister Baghdad, Sept 9 (AFP) Sep 09, 2024 Iraq and the United States have agreed on a phased pullout of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition but have yet to sign a final agreement, the Iraqi defence minister said Sunday. The United States has some 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group. They have been engaged in months of talks with Baghdad on a withdrawal of forces, but fell short of announcing any timeline so far. On Sunday, Iraqi Defence Minister Thabet al-Abbassi told pan-Arab television channel Al-Hadath that the coalition would pull out from bases in Baghdad and other parts of federal Iraq by September 2025 and from the autonomous northern Kurdistan region by September 2026. The pullout is "two-phased" and "maybe we will sign the agreement within the next few days", Abbassi said. He added that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had said in a meeting that "two years were not enough" to carry out the withdrawal. "We refused his proposal regarding an (extra) third year," Abbassi said. Coalition forces have been targeted dozens of times with drones and rocket fire in both Iraq and Syria, as violence related to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza since early October has drawn in Iran-backed armed groups across the Middle East. US forces have carried out multiple retaliatory strikes against these groups in both countries. The Islamic State group seized parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014, and was defeated by Baghdad three years later and in Syria in 2019. But jihadist fighters continue to operate in remote desert areas although they no longer control any territory. Iraqi security forces say they are capable of tackling IS remnants unassisted, as the group poses no significant threat. Turkey strikes PKK bases in northern Iraq Ankara, Sept 9 (AFP) Sep 09, 2024 Turkey said Monday it had bombed Kurdish militant bases in the mountains of northern Iraq, the latest such cross-border strike. The defence ministry said it had on Monday destroyed "21 targets" in Metina, Gara, Hakurk and Qandil believed to house senior members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) listed as a terror group by Turkey and its Western allies. The Turkish army, whose incursions onto Iraqi soil are regularly condemned by Baghdad, said it had killed "numerous" militants in its latest assault. It said it took steps to avoid harm to civilians and cultural and historical sites in the area of the bombings. The PKK, which has waged an on-off insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, has a number of rear bases in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. For the past quarter century, Turkey has maintained dozens of its own bases there. Open RAN has long been billed as an appealing option for vendors in emerging markets but numerous factors have stalled adoption. The cost of ownership is relatively high, and a core part of the appeal the freedom to choose equipment from different suppliers is somewhat undermined as many operators in these regions preferred the simplicity of a sole supplier able to provide support. However, advances in network automation may enable Open RAN ecosystems to deliver on their initial promise, as outlined by SNS Telecom & IT in their recently released report. We spoke to Asad Khan, Research Director for 5G & Wireless Networks at SNS Telecom & IT, to find out whether the automation is the factor that will help drive adoption of Open RAN particularly in emerging markets. Is it accurate to say that in 2024, the majority of Open RAN deployments have taken place in more developed markets? Are there notable examples in emerging markets yet? The ongoing second wave of Open RAN infrastructure deployments is largely dominated by mobile operators in developed markets, initially led by the United States, Canada and Japan. It should be noted that some mobile operators such as Swisscom are adopting Open RAN-compliant Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) and Non-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (RT RIC*) platforms to provide automated network management and optimisation capabilities for their existing brownfield networks without any short-term plans for deploying Open RAN infrastructure. In most emerging markets, we do not anticipate a large-scale transition towards Open RAN infrastructure until the second half of the decade. As part of Vodafone Group's global tender for refreshing 170,000 cell sites, we expect to see a limited rollout of Open RAN infrastructure in some of the operator group's markets in Africa. The group's Indian operating company Vi (Vodafone Idea) has also launched an Open RAN pilot, as has domestic rival Bharti Airtel, which is initially deploying Open RAN technology at 2,500 sites in rural areas with plans to expand its Open RAN footprint to 10,000 sites by the end of 2025. In addition, Filipino operator Smart Communications, Vietnam's Viettel and several other operators have also been trialling Open RAN automation use cases such as ML (Machine Learning)-assisted channel estimation and equalisation, traffic steering, handover policy optimisation and energy savings. *It should be noted that while the Non-RT RIC and associated Apps can be used as a centralised means of network-wide control and optimisation in both existing brownfield networks and newer Open RAN deployments, the Near-RT RIC is essentially a distributed RAN operating system for Open RAN environments. You describe the RAN as the most expensive, technically complex and power-intensive part of cellular infrastructure so obviously automating aspects of RAN holds a strong appeal how much more complex is automation in an Open RAN environment? The most complex technical aspects of Open RAN automation include the migration of thousands of cell sites to new RIC platforms in networks where legacy SON implementations are operational; conflict mitigation to identify and resolve conflicting decisions made by multiple RAN automation applications without affecting KPIs; application portability across RIC platforms+ supplied by different vendors; and the lack of a well-defined interface between the SMO framework and Non-RT RIC*. *Within the Open RAN community, there are ongoing efforts to define a decoupled SMO architecture to address these concerns. +Additionally, in the case of the Near-RT RIC, the integration of corresponding third party xApps necessitates close collaboration with RAN DU/CU equipment suppliers for the exposure of near real-time control information from baseband nodes. How have more recent advances in network automation dovetailed with advances in Open RAN in ways that are likely to boost adoption of the technology in emerging markets? RAN automation use cases have also evolved considerably over the last decade. For example, relatively basic mobility load balancing capabilities have metamorphosed into more sophisticated policy-guided traffic steering applications that utilize AI/ML-driven optimisation algorithms to efficiently adapt to peaks and troughs in network load and service usage by dynamically managing and redistributing traffic across radio resources and frequency layers. Due to the much higher density of radios and cell sites in the 5G era, energy efficiency has emerged as one of the most prioritised use cases of RAN automation, as forward-thinking mobile operators push ahead with sustainability initiatives to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions and operating costs without degrading network quality. Some of the other use cases that have garnered considerable interest from the operator community include network slicing enablement, application-aware optimisation and anomaly detection. Many of these use cases are available for implementation in the form of Open RAN-compliant xApps and rApps hosted on RIC platforms. In addition, the idea of hosting third party applications for real-time intelligent control and optimisation directly within Open RAN baseband platforms is beginning to gain traction. HTC's 5G infrastructure subsidiary G REIGNS and RAN new entrant Viettel High Tech have incorporated DeepSig's ML-based neutral receiver software into their DU equipment to improve uplink throughput and resource utilisation, while Cohere Technologies is actively working towards the direct integration of its universal spectrum multiplier software within an undisclosed major RAN vendor's baseband platform in an effort to make the solution easily consumable for Vodafone Group's global RAN refresh tender. Reducing the TCO for Open RAN will be essential if operators in emerging markets are to adopt it more widely how does software automation drive this down? By minimising human labour-related expenses, errors and speed delays associated with network configuration, performance monitoring, optimisation parameter adjustment and other operating processes, software automation enables mobile operators to substantially reduce their OpEx. Another cornerstone of OpEx reduction is energy savings. RAN automation supported by AI/ML algorithms and closed loop optimization has the potential to reduce energy usage by as much as 25% through various approaches, such as dynamic transmit power adaptation, carrier and cell on/off switching, Massive MIMO muting, advanced sleep mode control in RUs and intelligent power management of DU/CU hardware. In addition, automation may also result in additional TCO savings through CapEx deferral by maximising the efficiency and performance of existing RAN deployments, thus delaying further infrastructure investments. *Rakuten Mobile has already achieved approximately 17% energy savings per cell in its live network using RIC-hosted RAN automation applications. Following successful lab trials, the greenfield operator aims to increase savings to 25% with more sophisticated AI/ML models. What kind of efficiencies can AI offer in Open RAN automation? Having already proven to be exceptionally effective across a range of complex cellular network deployment, management and other operational automation applications, AI/ML is considered foundational to achieving the vision of intent-driven operations and zero-touch mobile networks in the future. At the individual RAN node level, AI/ML-enabled RAN algorithms are far more adaptive and intelligent in comparison to classic rule-based techniques, particularly for multi-variable scenarios. In addition, AI/ML solutions are capable of rapidly analysing the extensive datasets generated by thousands of cell sites within the RAN and from external sources to derive actionable network insights and diagnostics, including the detection, classification, and investigation of issues down to the root cause level, which can be fed into various RAN automation applications in application areas extending from RAN design, planning and configuration to network optimisation, healing and security. Fukushima nuclear debris removal to resume Tuesday Tokyo, Sept 9 (AFP) Sep 09, 2024 The operator of Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant said it will start a trial removal of highly radioactive debris from Tuesday after an earlier attempt was suspended. Thirteen years after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami hit Fukushima-Daiichi in one of the world's worst nuclear accidents, around 880 tons of extremely hazardous material remain inside its reactors. Removing the debris is regarded as the most daunting challenge in the decades-long project to decommission the plant. "We have finished the work to thoroughly check the steps. The trial retrieval (of debris) will resume from September 10," a Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) official told a news briefing on Monday. On August 22, Tepco originally planned to start its first trial removal of the debris, aiming to collect just three grams (0.1 ounces) of it for analysis and to decide its next steps. But the company had to stop the work after detecting a technical problem involving the installation of the necessary equipment. Three of Fukushima-Daiichi's six reactors were operating when the tsunami hit on March 11, 2011, sending them into meltdown in what became the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. The debris inside those reactors has radiation levels so high that Tepco had to develop specialised robots able to function inside. hih/mtp Hungary seeks foothold in restive Sahel as West pulls out Budapest, Sept 9 (AFP) Sep 09, 2024 Hungary has bucked a trend by Western nations to withdraw from the Sahel region of Africa where Russia has increased its presence, and plans to deploy soldiers to Chad, whose leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno is in Budapest for talks. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met Deby Itno over the weekend and further talks were underway on Monday, though no details have been released. Chad is key for helping to stem irregular migration, according to Hungary's nationalist premier, who aims to establish a partnership with the central African country. One of the world's poorest nations, it is also considered vital in the fight to stop the march of jihadists through the Sahel region. Over the past year, Budapest has rapidly developed ties with N'Djamena, opening a humanitarian aid centre and diplomatic mission in the capital, as well as signing agreements on agriculture and education. In an unprecedented move, the government now plans a 200-member military mission to train local forces and fight terrorism as part of efforts to stabilise Chad. - 'Test' mission - Hungary does not have a strong historical presence in Africa, but Orban has championed a foreign policy of opening up to the East and South, seeking closer ties with China, Russia and African countries. Budapest has for years also sought a bigger military role in the Sahel to train its own defence forces, said Viktor Marsai, director of the Migration Research Institute. Since the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan ended in 2021, there have been "no more operations where Hungarian soldiers could gain combat experience with a reasonable level of risk", he told AFP. Hungary announced it would join the French-led Takuba task force of EU special forces in Mali, but the anti-terror force ceased operations in 2022. Its plans in neighbouring Niger were also thwarted by a coup in July last year. A few months later, Hungarian lawmakers approved a new proposal to deploy 200 soldiers to Chad on a rotational basis. According to Marsai, Hungary has traditionally been "part of military coalitions" when deployed abroad, but this time it would need to "provide everything by itself". The planned mission represents a "major leap" compared to past operations, Marsai said, adding it would serve as "a test, whether the army is up to the task". - Russian mercenaries - Landlocked Chad is the last Sahel country to host French soldiers after Paris was forced to pull out of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in recent years. But sources told AFP in June that Paris was planning to cut back the number of its military personnel to around 300 in the country of 18 million inhabitants. Several countries in the region have turned to Russia and its Wagner mercenary group for support since military leaders seized power in recent years. Experts and opposition politicians in Hungary have voiced fears that Budapest -- which remains close to the Kremlin -- might act on Russia's behalf in the Sahel. Questioned about the mission, Hungary's government denied that it "represents Russian or any other foreign interests in the Sahel". - Opposition concerns - Despite its disagreements with Budapest, the European Union has "welcomed" Hungary's initiative in Chad. Amid the challenges the country faces domestically and in the region, "it is important for more international partners to work with Chad," an EU spokesperson told AFP. But at home, the military mission has drawn criticism, with opposition parties branding the deployment "dangerous and wasteful". The Hungarian government has also faced nepotism accusations after French newspaper Le Monde and Hungarian investigative site Direkt36 reported that the premier's only son Gaspar Orban had discreetly participated in official negotiations. Budapest dismissed the criticism, pointing to Gaspar Orban's "language skills" and expertise as a captain in the Hungarian army. He has since been appointed as a "liaison officer to help prepare the mission in Chad". A retired senior Hungarian army officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, expressed doubts about the mission, saying that 200 soldiers were unlikely to make a difference in such a large country. Latvia says crashed Russian drone was fully-armed Shahed Riga, Sept 9 (AFP) Sep 09, 2024 Latvia's armed forces on Monday said the Russian drone that crashed on the Baltic state's territory was an Iranian-designed Shahed equipped with explosives. Riga had earlier announced that investigators were looking into a drone that had crashed in the eastern part of the country on Saturday. Latvia, which was once ruled by the Soviet Union but is now an EU and NATO member, has had tense relations with Moscow following independence, and ties have further deteriorated since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. "The explosive warhead stuck half a meter deep into the ground and was neutralised on the spot, avoiding detonation," Latvian armed forces commander General Leonids Kalnins told a press conference. This "allowed our military intelligence officers to gather all the debris and remnants from the drone for further investigation, details of which will be shared with all of our NATO partners," he said. Because of the ongoing investigation, the general did not specify how and when the drone was deactivated. Latvian air force commander Colonel Viesturs Masulis said "the drone was not aimed at a military target in our country. It sort of drifted into Latvia". "The drone was seen by our air defences while still deep into Belarusian airspace, which gave us time to react," he said at the briefing. Defence Minister Andris Spruds said the army had already dispatched additional mobile anti-aircraft units to Latvia's borderlands. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics had said Sunday that airspace breaches had increased along NATO's eastern borders. Romania on Sunday said a Russian attack drone targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine had entered its airspace overnight. Fellow NATO member Poland has also recorded at least two cases of its airspace being violated by Russian missiles or drones attacking Ukraine, most recently in December. Transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia would be 'dramatic escalation': US Washington, Sept 9 (AFP) Sep 09, 2024 The transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia would signify a "dramatic escalation" of Tehran's support for Moscow, and the United States is prepared to respond with "significant consequences," the State Department said Monday. US media outlets reported last week that Washington believed Iran had transferred the weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, and the European Union has said allies shared "credible" intelligence that Tehran had done so. "Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran's support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told journalists. "We have been clear... that we're prepared to deliver significant consequences," he said. Tehran has rejected the accusation that it transferred the missiles, but the Kremlin has not explicitly denied it. Faced with punishing Western sanctions, Moscow has turned to Iran and North Korea for weapons supplies to keep its war machine going in Ukraine. Ukraine says it has been attacked with Iranian-designed Shahed drones on an almost daily basis from Russia, and has found fragments of North Korean missiles on its territory. The reported delivery of missiles to Russia comes as the Kremlin has once again stepped up its bombing campaign against Ukraine's key infrastructure ahead of winter. * FIRST NAME * LAST NAME * EMAIL Your email address * PASSWORD Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Show * YEAR OF BIRTH You must be at least 18 years old to create an account 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 * Required fields I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice CREATE ACCOUNT I'LL TRY LATER Already have an account? SIGN IN By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Marie Rumsby, Fairtrade Foundations director of advocacy, said: Every Fairtrade purchase makes a difference to farmers lives, and we want to remind shoppers that when they next visit a supermarket, they choose products with the Fairtrade logo, as these ensure farmers receive fairer prices for their hard work and can invest in their families and communities. The approach that the Governments taken is to ensure that we have safeguards in place so that we can protect the public, and we also recognise how incredibly difficult this will be for victims, and most importantly, under the release plans which must be in place for every prisoner leaving under those plans, victims will be told ahead of time. That is important. Four Coffee County Commissioners were recently honored at the Association of County Commissions of Alabama 96th Annual Convention. Each were presented with Tenure in Office Awards by ACC Executive Director Sonny Brasfield and ACCA President Lee Patterson. Commissioner Tom Grimsley was recognized for 28 years of service, Commissioner Jim Thompson for 20 years of service, and Coffee County Commission Chairman Dean Smith and Commissioner Kim Ellis, both for 16 years of service each. The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is a statewide organization representing all 67 counties with one voice, said Brasfield. It promotes improved county government services in Alabama, offers educational programs for county officials and their staff members, administers insurance programs for county governments and employees, offers legal advice, and represents the interests of county government before state and federal organizations and agencies. ACCA annually presents the Tenure in Office Award to honor commission members who have served for at least 16 years in office. The award is given for four-year increments thereafter. These commissioners are worthy of the gratitude of all Alabamians for their dedication to public service and his personal sacrifice, said Brasfield. Amid the extraordinary challenges county commission members face every day, these commissioners have continuously served their constituents with honor and pride, and each deserves a pat on the back from everyone in Coffee County. It also calls on the Met to impose more stringent conditions on protest marches, relating to the length of time, locations and distance over which they are held, and on all police forces to publish the full records of discussions between them and protest organisers well in advance of an event. When youre off for a run, you want to feel as light as possible, not weighed down with necessary but heavy things like your keys, wallet and phone. You can leave two more things at home thanks to Googles WiFi-enabled watch, which offers contactless payments and 4G so it will stay in action even if you leave your phone behind at home. The gadget pairs the best of Google with Fitbit so you can use things like maps when youre jogging on a new route, or read emails and see notifications all on the domed OLED screen, which is covered in high-quality Gorilla Glass for added protection. There are exercise trackers and health monitors galore and you can answer and make calls and texts with a few taps on your wrist. Of course, all this tech wizardry comes at a price, namely the battery. It will need recharging every 24 hours, which can feel annoying, especially if youre wearing it at night to better understand your sleep patterns. That said the charger is small and will plug into most computers so you can juice up when youre inactive at the office or WFH. ENTERPRISE-A California National Guardsman out on bond on two charges of unlawful sex with a minor has been arrested on two additional such charges. Juan Salvador Guillen-Mondragon, 36, was arrested Friday on charges of producing pornography with a minor and second-degree sodomy of a minor under the age of 13. He was released from Coffee County Jail on bonds of $60,000 and $30,000, respectively. Guillen-Mondragon, a California National Guardsman living in Enterprise while attending flight school at Fort Novosel was arrested Aug. 30 by Enterprise Police and charged with facilitating the travel of a child for an unlawful sex act, and second-degree rape. He was released from Coffee County Jail on bonds of $60,000 and $30,000, respectively, when he was re-arrested Friday. The California National Guard is aware of the incident and is standing by to support civilian law enforcement as required, said Col. Brandon Hill, Director of the Office of Strategic Communications, California Military Department following Guillen-Mondragons Aug. 30 arrest. We are also working with Fort Novosel as it relates to the soldiers training status. Since this is an open civilian law enforcement criminal case, we cannot provide further comment. A Warrant Officer 1, Guillen-Mondragon is a flight school student assigned to B Company, 1-145th Aviation Regiment on Fort Novosel, Fort Novosel Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Andy Thaggard confirmed. The arrest stemmed from a joint investigation by the Fort Novosel Criminal Investigation Division and the Enterprise Police Department CID into allegation of an unlawful sex act involving a minor, said EPD Public Information Officer Capt. Billy Haglund Tuesday. Investigation into the charges continues, Haglund said. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code A cultural project to popularize the values of Bessarabian culture among the Romanian public, which focuses on the built heritage, will take place at ARCUB - the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Bucharest. "We discussed several historical monuments and public spaces in Chisinau, whose fate was debated in the public space and in whose defense professional communities and civil society stood in solidarity. The project team included historians, museographers, librarians, archivists and researchers in the field, visual artists, filmmakers, as well as important representatives and active members of civil society," the organizers of the event said in a press release. Part of the research results have been grouped into an exhibition that includes informative texts, collages from vintage and recent photographs, objects, posters and works, audio and video recordings related to the state of conservation of the buildings. The title of the exhibition, "Chisinau on the red line", takes up an expression used by the architects of Chisinau, designating the buildings built on the alignment of the street, as an additional emphasis on the state of the architectural landscape in the lives of the inhabitants. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue, with summary studies on the architecture and history of the edifices discussed, accompanied by information on the social context and recent history. The exhibition can be visited from September 15 to October 6. The launch on September 14 will end with the conference "Chisinau, the right to the city", with the participation of representatives of several NGOs from Chisinau. In the foreground will be the evolution of civic activism in the Republic of Moldova and case studies about the most recent "struggles" to save urban heritage. The presentations of the activists from Chisinau will be discussed with the participation of civil society representatives from Bucharest. During the project's launch event in Bucharest, the documentary "Dear Chisinau", a film that "gives a voice" to members of civil society and representatives of the cultural sector in Chisinau, will be screened for the absolute premiere. The event is organized by the Arbor Culture and Arts Association (Romania) and the Arbor Institute for Culture (Republic of Moldova), with the support of ARCUB and in partnership with the National History Museum of Moldova, the National Library of the Republic of Moldova, with non-governmental organizations and several initiatives citizens, with the financial support of the National Cultural Fund Administration and the Swiss Government, through the Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova. Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday that he had a discussion and will continue to discuss with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the European Commissioner portfolio that Roxana Minzatu, Romania's nominee, will receive, mentioning that the portfolio for jobs, social rights and housing is important and tempting, but a decision has not yet been made, informs Agerpres. Marcel Ciolacu said that this portfolio will have extensive powers and is "social-democratic". On September 2, prime minister Marcel Ciolacu announced that he was proposing Roxana Minzatu for the post of EU Commissioner on behalf of Romania. Romania records 47 outbreaks of small ruminant morbillivirus [peste des petits ruminants - PPR], by 17 fewer than at the end of August, when 64 were confirmed at the national level, the National Veterinary and Sanitary Authority for Food Safety (ANSVSA) announced on Monday. Thus, out of the 17 extinguished outbreaks, 10 were in Tulcea County, 6 in Constanta County and one outbreak in Ialomita County. The institution mentions that, starting from September 6, 2024, the joint order of ANSVSA, Agriculture and Interior Ministries entered into force, which provides for a period of 30 days, several measures: all small ruminants that enter Romania's territory are placed in quarantine and, additionally, they are tested serologically and virologically individually, to determine the small ruminant plague morbillivirus; all movements of small ruminants on the territory of Romania are suspended. According to the cited source, the counties on the border with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova will identify and implement additional measures, adapted with the aim of preventing the entry into Romania of live animals and/or products, by-products, materials, goods, which can be considered vectors of infectious diseases. ANSVSA calls for the support of farmers in the sheep and goat sector to comply with all the measures ordered by the authorities to prevent the spread of this disease on the territory of the country. "Any suspicion of disease must be notified as soon as possible to the county DSVSA", say the representatives of the veterinary authority. PPR is a serious viral disease that does not affect humans, but affects small ruminants, namely sheep and goats. Mortality in the case of infected animals can reach 70%. Getty Images urges tech companies to prioritize obtaining consent and compensating creators for their content used to train AI models. In the age of AI, where creativity can be both amplified and replaced, the question of ownership and compensation for the intellectual property that fuels these technologies has become increasingly pressing. Getty Images, a pioneer in the visual content industry, is at the forefront of this debate, urging for a balance between innovation and ethical considerations. Natasha Gallace, Senior Director, Corporate Counsel APAC, Getty Images said: We commend the Australian Government on the introduction of voluntary guardrails, and its proposed set of mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI which address some of our main concerns pushing towards AI innovation that respects intellectual property rights, designed to protect creators and sustain ongoing creation. Innovation should not have to come at the expense of creators. There are certainly paths that would allow the two to coexist, and elevate each other in a balanced way. At Getty Images we support the advancement of generative AI technology that is created responsibly, respects creators and their rights, protects users of such technologies, and ultimately sustains ongoing creation by obtaining consent from rights holders for training. We believe AI can make tremendous contributions to business and society, but we need to be conscious about how we develop it and deploy it. At Getty Images, we believe industry standards should seek to ensure transparency as to the makeup of all training sets used to create AI learning models; seek consent (and remunerate) of intellectual property rights holders in training data where the models are being used commercially; require generative models to clearly and persistently identify outputs and interactions; allow businesses to collectively negotiate with model providers and; hold model providers accountable and liable, by incentivising them to address issues around misinformation and bias. Getty Images works with a number of leading innovators in the areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning to support the development of responsibly created generative models and content. The notion that AI is inevitable can overshadow the need for ethical considerations. Tech companies have made the argument that it is economically impossible to accommodate licensing for all the content required to train functional AI models, but we have proven this is possible developing business models that enable the creation of high quality AI models while respecting creator IP. We strongly oppose the notion that training on copyrighted materials can be considered fair use, or fair dealing. That decision should not be left up to individual technology companies to decide. On the contrary, where generative AI outputs compete with web scraped training data, this can never be fair. While AI holds the potential to benefit humanity and enhance creativity, establishing industry guardrails is essential to mitigate risks. If left unchecked, we believe these technologies pose significant risks to society, free press, and creativity. Protecting Creators Rights The Australian Government has unveiled a proposal for mandatory guardrails to regulate high-risk AI applications. Developed in collaboration with an expert AI group, the proposal outlines measures such as human oversight and mechanisms to challenge AI decisions. Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic released a discussion paper outlining the governments options for mandating guardrails for those developing and deploying high-risk AI in Australia. The minister emphasized the importance of ensuring public safety and trust in AI technology. The proposal adopts a risk-based approach, focusing on measures like testing, transparency, and accountability, aligning with international best practices. It includes key elements such as a definition of high-risk AI, ten proposed mandatory guardrails, and three regulatory options to implement these requirements. Minister Husic stated, Australians are excited about the potential of AI, but they also want to know that there are safeguards in place to prevent misuse or negative consequences. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Romania continues to base its energy transition plans on a massive increase in fossil fuel consumption, through new thermal power plant projects, fossil gas distribution networks, and also new facilities, which will lead to an increase in carbon emissions, as well as dependence on fossil gas, environmental organisations have warned in a letter to the Ministry of Energy, informs Agerpres. According to the document, signed by the 2Celsius Association and the organisations WWF-Romania, Declic and Bankwatch, Romania's Energy Strategy 2025 - 2035 sets a low renewable energy target of 36% by 2030. "The organisations are calling for a reduction in planned fossil gas-based usage and more ambition in terms of renewable energy, efforts to decrease gas consumption along with investments in energy efficiency. The strategy sets a low renewable energy target of 36% by 2030," according to the letter. The organisations mention that the European Commission has recommenced an energy target of at least 41% by 2030. "Romania still has many opportunities to introduce renewable energy in the heating-cooling sector, as well as in electricity production and transmission, if part of the planned gas usage is given up and more emphasis is placed on the modernisation of grids and storage." The environmental activists call for the introduction of a sub-target for accelerating renewable energy projects and inter-institutional collaboration. At the same time, they mentioned the need to give up destructive hydropower investments, for which the strategy itself is a reminder that Romania has reached and exceeded its sustainability limit. They would rather support the promotion of the refurbishment of hydropower plants and pumped storage in low-impact locations. "Although the strategy integrates storage, digitisation of networks and consumer involvement, for some of these initiatives it does not set forth concrete targets or necessary legislative measures - a simple example would be the adoption of smart meters. Amid the energy transition, a different energy governance and the designation of a relevant authority are necessary, as well as the adoption of a climate law to ensure the integration of energy and climate change." The NGOs also request clarifications and specific measures regarding heating and cooling, including the role of renewable resources and the share of fossil gas in the future. They are recommending diversifying the energy mix with heat pumps and solar energy and adopting renewable energy technologies at community level and reducing the role of solid biomass, along with financial schemes for vulnerable communities dependent on firewood. "Although more emphasis is placed on prosumers, with the target of 2.5 GW installed in 2030, the energy strategy does not set clear targets for the creation of energy communities and the reduction of energy poverty by 2030. Therefore, among the recommendations are coming up with concrete indicators and financial incentives, such as energy efficiency programmes and changing district heating sources for the protection of vulnerable consumers. Environmental organisations have asked the authorities that energy subsidies be directed exclusively to vulnerable consumers and that the process be transparent, in order to ensure equitable access to energy." In addition, the associations point to the need for a more transparent and participatory approach in regulatory processes in order to successfully implement the proposed energy strategy and to make sure the public and stakeholders are getting involved. An updated version of the draft "Romania's Energy Strategy 2025-2035 toward 2050" is available on the website of the Ministry of Energy, in the section transparency and integrity - decision-making transparency. The public consultation process on the energy strategy took place between June 14 and July 13, 2024, and a debate with interested parties was held on July 3 at the headquarters of the National Institute of Statistics (INS). During the consultation period, 48 written points of view were received from interested actors, with hundreds of specific suggestions. Also, during that period, inter-institutional consultation was carried out, so that the Ministry of Energy could benefit from the points of view of the other relevant public bodies. Russian drone fragments were detected on Monday by specialists in the vicinity of Periprava village, Tulcea county, informs the Ministry of National Defense (MApN). "Teams from MApN, in cooperation with specialists from the Romanian Intelligence Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, have searched the vicinity of Periprava, Tulcea county, where they have picked up fragments of a Russian drone, and they will be further analyzed according to legal procedures," the source said. On Sunday, MApN forces carried out a search for possible drone fragments that may have fallen after the attacks carried out by Russian forces on civilian and port infrastructure targets in Ukraine, near the border with Romania. The Romanian Ministry states that in the coming period searches will be carried out in the vicinity of Caraorman village, where another possible impact zone has been reported. Both the area under investigation near Periprava and the possible impact zone near Caraorman are located in swampy areas, outside the localities, with no infrastructure elements affected, the MApN furtehr specifies. Schools must be absolutely safe for students, teaching staff and the rest of the education staff, president Klaus Iohannis said on Monday, at the opening ceremony of the new school year at the Mihai Viteazul College in Bucharest, together with the minister of Education, Ligia Deca, informs Agerpres. Iohannis emphasized that one of the priority objectives of the Educated Romania project, transposed into the education laws of 2023, was the creation of a school and university environment that is not only conducive to educational development, but also a space where all those involved feel protected and respected. He argued that the students' success depends on a good collaboration and communication between the family and the school, but also on the moral support the children receive from their parents. Klaus Iohannis argued that, in terms of infrastructure and school equipment, "we have the necessary funds to continue the modernization of educational spaces, including the development of 'green schools'" and pointed out that, in this sense, our country benefits from extra 2, 2 billion euros for education and training through the Education and Employment Operational Programme, part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The "Constantin Brancusi" Exhibition Hall of the Palace of Parliament is hosting a painting exhibition and a series of workshops of traditional Turkish arts, within the Turkish Culture Month, organized by the Yunus Emre Institute, until 30 September. "For three weeks, workshops of 'Turkish cuisine', the art of water painting - Ebru, modeling of fruits made of soap, ceramics, glass modeling workshop, patchwork and making flowers from silk cocoons there will be organized," reads a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday. The opening ceremony, which will take place on September 11, will include a violin recital by the artist Alina Horez and a traditional dance performance. A different Turkish art will be presented each day of the event and guests will have the opportunity to take part in organized workshops. "We will present a part of our rich and ancient culture and arts. With the support of Kral Catering, as part of the gastronomy workshop we will prepare together with the participants various Turkish dishes and serve them to all the guests. We are expecting both our Romanian and Turkish friends to this cultural celebration, where the Turkish Ambassador in Bucharest, Ozgur Kivanc Altan, will also be present," said the director of Yunus Emre Institute in Romania, Mustafa Yildiz, quoted in the press release. The Turkish Culture Month workshops are free of charge. The calendar of events can be found on the social media accounts and website of Yunus Emre Institute. Save Romania Union (USR) Chairwoman Elena Lasconi asked President Klaus Iohannis and PM Marcel Ciolacu to explain what is happening with the Russian drones that entered Romania airspace, saying that it is absolutely revolting to find out from the Ukrainians more than from the Romanian authorities on the topic, informs Agerpres. "It is absolutely revolting to find out from Ukrainians more than from the Romanian authorities! Russian drones have entered Romania's territory last night and all we got from the Romanian authorities was a RO-Alert message for Constanta and Tulcea inhabitants. Mr President Iohannis, Mr Prime Minister Ciolacu, do you plan on explaining to us what is going on? What is the actual situation and what is Romania doing?," Lasconi wrote on Facebook. She added that in spring the head of the army was asking to modify the legislation to be able to down drones entering Romania's territory. "Mr Ciolacu, you have 60% in Parliament, are you doing anything? Has General Ciuca any word to say or is his boss, Klaus Iohannis, not letting him? Romania is in NATO and this is a great achievement, but Romania needs serious politicians in a difficult context," Lasconi also said. On September 1, after nearly 11 months in captivity, six of the remaining hostages were brutally killed by Hamas. They were executed at the same time negotiators were discussing the names of individuals to be released in a ceasefire deal, said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield at the Security Council. It calls into question the sincerity of Hamas negotiators. And it reveals, yet again, the ugly truth about the vile, depraved ideology that Hamas represents. From its massacre of 1,200 people to its weaponization of sexual violence, these latest murders confirm that Hamas is a terrorist organization, she said. No member of this Council would tolerate their citizens being taken hostage and murdered. Not a single one of us. The United States strongly condemns Hamas brutality. It is long, long past time this Council do the same. As President Joe Biden has made clear, Hamas leadership will pay for their crimes. They must be held accountable. They cannot control Gaza, stated Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield: At the same time, we know that the best way to rescue the remaining hostages and alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians is through a negotiated ceasefire deal: one that will release the hostages and create conditions to enable a surge in lifesaving aid in Gaza. The Israeli people should understand that the deal on the table is one their leaders can accept, because this is a deal that ensures Israels security, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. And so, we continue to work closely with Qatar and Egypt to find a way forward, and do all we can to make this deal a reality once and for all. At this crucial inflection point, it is vital that everyone who stands for peace continue to apply pressure on Hamas to end its brutality and accept the deal on the table, which is based on the principles and framework this Council endorsed in Resolution 2735, urged Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield: But Hamas hateful ideology cannot be defeated through silence. Leaders in Ramallah and in countries throughout the region must condemn Hamas violent actions, and increase public pressure on Hamas to accept the deal on the table. Now is the time to pursue the return of the remaining hostages and an end to this horrific war. ST. LOUIS Aldermen this week will consider a plan to let marijuana dispensaries stay open as late as midnight to bolster business and tax revenue. Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, the measures sponsor, said the current limit of 8 p.m. is out of step with competing jurisdictions and holding back the new industrys potential in the city. Us closing early is pushing money out, Aldridge said. Its not just businesses losing out either, he said. The city charges a 3% tax on cannabis sales, expected to bring in $2.4 million this year. Aldridge said boosting that number could be helpful at a time when officials are looking for ways to better complement the citys earnings tax, the 1% assessment on income earned by all city residents, businesses operating in the city and any nonresidents who work in the city. Earlier this year, officials cut nearly $26 million out of the budget for the next year amid threats from state Republican lawmakers to phase out the income tax and a lawsuit claiming the city wrongfully taxed people who worked for St. Louis-based companies from homes outside the city during the pandemic. Lawmakers, however, adjourned this spring without passing anything. And while the lawsuit forced the city to allow nonresident remote workers to seek refunds in arrears for a three-month period ending Sept. 30, the cost so far remains below the amount cut from the budget. The collectors office had processed $10.9 million in refund requests through August, including $1.7 million in requests the office had on file before the settlement, records show. But Aldridge, a former state legislator himself, said theres no guarantee his former colleagues wont try to abolish the tax entirely next year. You never know, he said, and this is one way we can look at bringing in more revenue. Aldridges measure is set for a committee hearing at 11 a.m. Tuesday. If it clears committee, the measure will move to the full Board of Aldermen for further consideration. A longtime civilian employee of Robins Air Force Base, Ga., filed a lawsuit against the service last week saying he faced repeated discrimination from his bosses at the base since they learned he was gay. (Edward Aspera/78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs) ATLANTA A longtime civilian employee of Robins Air Force Base said he faced repeated discrimination from his bosses at the Georgia military post since they learned he was gay about five years ago, according to a lawsuit that he has filed against Frank Kendall, the service secretary. Brandon Solomon, an information systems security officer who has worked for the Air Force since 2010, filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for Middle Georgia on Sept. 3. Solomon is seeking $300,000 in damages for the discrimination that he claims he has faced since unveiling to his supervisor that he was gay in April 2019, according to the 29-page lawsuit. Solomon charges that he had never faced discrimination, harassment or work-related discipline before revealing to his direct supervisor, Scott Buono, that he was gay after an April 2019 meeting. Buono had asked Solomon after the meeting for contact information for an individual on the base who had detailed another employees vehicle. Solomon provided the information to his boss and disclosed to Buono that the car detailer was his boyfriend, according to the lawsuit. Buono then asked Solomon several additional questions about his involvement with the detailer and about his sexual orientation that made Solomon somewhat uncomfortable, the suit said. Buono then disclosed Solomons sexual orientation to another supervisor, Joshua Droz, without permission. Solomon claimed after years of work without incident including about three years working directly for Buono he began facing repeated discrimination in the form of micromanagement, disciplinary actions for minor issues, false accusations from coworkers, and missed pay raises and promotions. An attorney for Solomon, Kenneth Barton III, wrote Solomon could not articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the alleged conduct against him after disclosing his sexual orientation. Solomon was the only Black employee in his office and, to his knowledge, the only gay employee, according to the lawsuit. Discrimination based on race or sexual orientation is barred by federal law. Based on the timeline of when [Solomons] first-line supervisor learned that [Solomon] identified as gay, and the timing of the supervisors unauthorized disclosure of the same to [Solomons] second-line supervisor, gives rise to an inference that defendants [the Air Forces] actions were rooted in discriminatory intent based on [Solomons] sexual orientation, the lawsuit reads. The fact that similarly situated employees, who are not Black, were not subjected to similar actions, even when they were engaged in the exact same conduct as [Solomon], gives rise to an inference that defendants actions were rooted in discriminatory intent based on [Solomons] race. Air Force officials declined to comment Monday, citing the ongoing case. The service has until November to respond officially to the lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed after Solomon filed informal and formal U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints against Buono and Droz. At least one complaint remains open, according to court documents. Solomon charged he was demoted and moved into a new office where he cannot be promoted since he filed one of the EEO complaints. Buono is accused in the lawsuit of taking unusual steps to monitor Solomons work and whereabouts after learning he was gay. Buono began tracking when Solomon signed in and out of the office using his credentials and suspended Solomon for seven days with pay later in 2019 over documentation issues, even though other employees in the same position had similar issues, according to the lawsuit. In 2020, Solomon did not receive a standard salary increase while the other workers in his office did receive the pay boost. Later that year, Solomon was passed over for a promotion in favor of another worker in the office, even though the [other] IT specialist was less experienced than Mr. Solomon, who met the qualifications for the position, the lawsuit reads. That year, Solomon was also accused by another coworker of making a threat to bring a gun into the workplace, which Solomon denied and was later found to be untrue. The lawsuit claimed the individual who reported Solomon made a threat was known to speak negatively concerning members of the LGBTQ+ community, and the employee never faced discipline for the incident. Nonetheless, that incident was cited when Solomon faced additional discipline later that year, including a suspension for lack of candor about another workplace issue in which he was the only person punished when multiple employees reported the same problem. In August 2020, Solomon was abruptly transferred to a different organization on Robins AFB. Despite the move, Buono and Droz remained his official supervisors responsible for his evaluations and salary decisions. In the lawsuit, Solomon charges Buono and Droz had his new boss monitoring him in ways that made him uncomfortable. When he approached the new supervisor about the monitoring, the new boss ended the assignment, labeling Solomon unprofessional and insubordinate for raising the issues, according to the suit. Solomon raised the issues with Buono and Droz once again in 2021 to a new supervisor, the suit claims. That supervisor confirmed he was aware of the issues but also said he had done nothing to address the problem. In January 2022, Solomon was transferred to a new position, demoted and made ineligible for promotion, according to the lawsuit. It charges Solomon has since remained in that position with little work to do since he has not been provided with a new job description since his transfer. Solomon notified upper management for [the Air Force] of the conduct alleged herein, but [the Air Force] failed and refused to take appropriate remedial action, the lawsuit reads. As a result, [the Air Force] is liable for the conduct at issue. (Andy Dunaway/Stars and Stripes) Osan Air Base, South Korea, Feb. 21, 2002: President George W. Bush was full of praise as he told some 7,000 gathered troops and family members youre the best in the world. But he received one of the biggest ovations when he noted that he asked Congress for a $48 billion increase in the defense budget that includes a pay raise. A volunteer holds up a sign directing mock evacuees during an exercise at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Sept. 7, 2024. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa Nearly 100 Okinawans walked through the home of the 18th Wing during a tsunami evacuation drill over the weekend, many carrying fresh memories of an actual alert in April. Chatan residents of all ages walked the evacuation route Saturday under a glaring morning sun. It took them through Gate 1 and up to Marek Park, about 200 feet above sea level. The route is a little less than one mile, but during an actual alert, like the one April 3, they would continue through Gate 5, a total of about 2 miles. About 50 airmen from various base units, including the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 18th Civil Engineer Group, security and medical personnel, helped guide the 97 mock evacuees to the park, said wing spokesman Tech. Sgt. Micaiah Anthony. Many members of Team Kadena proudly call Chatan town home, with some living right here in Miyagi and Sunabe, Col. Robinson Mata, 18th Mission Support Group commander, told the crowd after the exercise. Building mutual awareness and readiness for tsunamis and other natural disasters is essential for all of us. An airman directs mock evacuees during an exercise at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Sept. 7, 2024. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) An earthquake near Taiwan on April 3 generated a tsunami alert on Okinawa, prompting about 250 Chatan residents to enter Kadena through Gate 1 and evacuate through Gate 5 to a surrounding location safe from the impact of the tsunami, wing spokesman 1st Lt. Robert Dabbs said by email Aug. 23. Saturdays practice is the first under the Aug. 21 renewal of an agreement between the 18th Wing and Chatan to conduct evacuation drills on base and open the gates for evacuation during natural disasters. The renewal extends the agreement through February 2028, a spokesman for Chatan towns Military Base Affairs and Safety Division said by phone Aug. 30. Some government officials in Japan are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. Also in August, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a megaquake advisory for the Nankai Trough, indicating a higher-than-usual risk for a large earthquake in Japan. Last year, about 60 people took part in the Kadena exercise, the first in five years and the first following the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the 18th Civil Engineer Groups Readiness and Emergency Management Flight set up tables alongside water stations to provide the mock evacuees with information about preparing for disasters. Chatan town residents queue for information and giveaways during a tsunami evacuation exercise at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Sept. 7, 2024. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) Improvements over last years exercise included use of the base loudspeaker to alert residents in English and Japanese, said flight superintendent Senior Master Sgt. Randy Golleher. Chatan town also sent a text message alert to all phones in the area, he said. We identified that as a need to improve last year; added it to this year, he said. That was a good thing. Anti-U.S. military base protester Akino Miyagi is arrested in front of the U.S. Consulate in Naha, Okinawa, Feb. 16, 2024, in this photo posted to her Facebook account. (Facebook) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa Japanese police last week arrested a protester who opposes the U.S. military presence on the island, alleging she interrupted a U.S. Consulate event at a Chatan hotel. Akino Miyagi, 45, of Higashi village, appeared at the Independence Day event sponsored by the U.S. Consulate in Naha, shouting, U.S. military grenade! in front of the ballroom, the Okinawa Times reported Saturday, citing an unidentified guest at the event. Miyagi was taken into custody at 6:27 p.m. Friday on suspicion of breaking into the hotel without just cause in the towns Mihama district, a spokesman for Okinawa Prefectural Police said by phone Monday. A person affiliated with the hotel reported a woman came into the hotel with something made of metal at 5:35 p.m., the spokesman said. Miyagi was still in police custody Monday afternoon at the Okinawa Police Station, the spokesman said. She is admitting the allegation, he said. We know that an event held by the U.S. Consulate was taking place at the hotel, but we cannot say how it is related to the suspect, the spokesman said. Police declined to provide details about the metal object, citing ongoing investigations. She might face additional charges, the spokesman said. Some government officials in Japan speak to the media on condition of anonymity as a requirement of their employment. Miyagis case was submitted to the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office on Sunday, the spokesman said. We can confirm there was an attempt to disrupt a Consulate Naha event with the threat of violence, and that a suspect was arrested, Nicole Lima Nucelli, spokeswoman for the U.S. Consulate General on Okinawa, said by email Monday. She refrained from commenting further, saying that doing so may impede an investigation. Anti-U.S. base protester Akino Miyagi poses with police vehicles on Okinawa in this undated photo posted to her Facebook account. (Facebook) Neither Nucelli, the police spokesman nor a hotel representative reached by phone Monday would identify the hotel where the incident occurred. Miyagi was indicted last October on charges of making threats and brandishing a metal object resembling a pipe bomb outside the consulate in May. She was also accused in December 2022 by the Okinawa Defense Bureau of trying to grab a rifle from a U.S. Marine whose squad wandered into her village from the Jungle Warfare Training Center at Camp Gonsalves. No charges were filed from that incident. Miyagi has been on trial for about three years for other charges, a prosecutors offices spokesman said by phone Monday. The charges of October last year will be added to this, but no court date has been set for her next trial. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Haiti recently to meet with leaders to advance the goal of a secure and democratic Haiti. Earlier this year, the security situation in Haiti fragile for years - collapsed when violent gangs took over large parts of the capital and threatened further expansion. Over 2500 people were killed and tens of thousands displaced. Government buildings, including police stations, were attacked; prisons were stormed; the main airport closed; the prime minister - eventually - resigned. Secretary Blinken noted since March there have been positive political developments in Haiti: The Haitians have stood up a Transitional Presidential Council. Theres a government with an interim prime minister, a cabinet, and we see institutions moving forward to do the work of delivering for the Haitian people. The United States appreciates Haitis leaders putting aside their differences, working together to put the country on the path to free and fair elections. And we look forward to the TPC swiftly naming a Provisional Electoral Council to organize those elections. That is the critical next step. As the political process has advanced, so have efforts to provide a strong security foundation, said Secretary Blinken: The Multinational Security Support Mission, authorized by the United Nations last year, has moved forward. Over the past several months, more than 380 Kenyan personnel have arrived in support of the Haitian National Police as part of this mission with more to come. In recent weeks, the MSS, with the Haitian National Police, has increased joint operations, taking the fight to the gangs and delivering a powerful message: the Haitian people not Haitian gangs will write the countrys future. The United States remains the largest financial donor to Haiti, including to the MSS. Secretary Blinken praised other countries who have stepped up to help Haiti: indispensably - Kenya; also, Canada, Jamaica, and El Salvador. But at this critical moment, he said, we do need more personnel to sustain and carry out the objectives of this mission. At the UN General Assembly meeting, the United States will convene a ministerial meeting to encourage greater contributions to help sustain progress. Weve seen a good start to moving Haiti forward, but much remains to be done, said Secretary Blinken. Were determined to help the Haitian people write the future that they deserve. Japan coast guard vessels warn Chinese ships to leave waters near the Senkaku Islands in 2022. (Ishigaki city) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa Japan lodged another protest with China last week, its third in less than two weeks, after it said Chinese coast guard vessels entered waters around Japanese islets in the East China Sea. Four vessels crossed the 12-mile territorial limit claimed by Japan around the Senkaku Islands between 4 p.m. and 4:06 p.m. Friday, according to a Japan coast guard news release that day. Japans Foreign Affairs Ministry then lodged complaints with the Chinese Embassy in Japan and with the Chinese government in Beijing, a ministry spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday. Some government officials in Japan are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. Two Chinese vessels approached Taisho Island from the northwest and entered the 12-mile limit at 4 p.m. and 4:06 p.m., according to the release. Meanwhile, the remaining pair of Chinese vessels simultaneously entered the area around Uotsuri Island, also from the northwest. The Chinese vessels appeared to be armed with deck-mounted machine guns and were met by a larger contingent of Japanese coast guard ships, a Japan coast guard spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday. They warned the Chinese vessels to leave the area using radio and electronic message boards, he said. We do not know why the Chinese vessels intruded Japanese waters, he said. There were no Japanese fishing boats operating in the area. All four vessels left Japanese waters without incident by 6:01 p.m. The incidents marked the 32nd and 33rd times this year that Chinese coast guard vessels intruded into Japans territorial waters around the Senkakus, the spokesman said. The last incident occurred Aug. 28. The Senkakus are 105 miles east of Taiwan. The islets, whose surface area amounts to about 2 square miles, are also claimed by China and Taiwan. The incidents followed the intrusion of a Chinese military aircraft and a survey vessel into Japanese airspace and territorial waters around Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands, in late August. A Chinese Y-9 surveillance plane flew into Japanese airspace on Aug. 26 just southeast of the Danjo Islands, about 100 miles southwest of Nagasaki. It was the first time a Chinese military aircraft breached Japans airspace. The flight was a grave violation of Japans sovereignty and a threat to its security, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said during a press conference Aug. 27. We filed extremely severe protests through diplomatic channels on the same day and strongly asked for measures to prevent recurrences, he said. Five days later, a Chinese naval survey vessel navigated into Japans territorial waters southwest of Kuchinoerabu Island, Kagoshima prefecture. We expressed strong concerns and filed a protest to the Chinese government through diplomatic channels on the same day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said during a press conference Sept. 2. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel questioned Chinas intent on his account on social platform X. China says its still investigating and verifying the recent violation of Japans airspace by one of its surveillance planes, he wrote Sept. 3. But with a Chinese survey ship sailing into Japanese waters only the other day, two territorial incursions in less than a week looks more intentional than accidental. An undated image shows a German soldier guiding the loading of a Panzerhaubitze 2000 onto a railway car during an exercise in Lithuania. Germany had 2,398 battle tanks in 2004 compared with 339 in 2021, according to Kiel Institute researchers who say that Berlin isnt rearming quickly enough to counter Russia. (Bundeswehr) BERLIN Germany is rearming too slowly to counter Russia and will need as long as a century to build up parts of its military inventory to the level of 20 years ago, according to a think tank report released Monday. The analysis by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy says Germany is barely managing to replace the weapons it is sending to help Ukraines war effort stocks of air defense systems and howitzers have plummeted, for example and is not spending enough to stand up to Russia. What Europe needs now is a permanent, substantial and immediate increase in Germanys regular defense spending to at least 2% of GDP, said Guntram Wolff, the reports lead author. Lets be clear any business as usual approach would be negligent and irresponsible in the face of Russian aggression. Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 brought a zeitenwende, or historical turning point, to defense policy in Berlin, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz announcing a new 100-billion-euro special fund to bolster Germanys armed forces. But it was not until last year that Germany began to raise its regular defense spending in any significant way and reach NATOs target spending levels, according to the report. Researchers say it is too little, too late. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, along with a delegation, visited the Bundeswehrs Hub North in Klietz, Germany, to observe the training of Ukrainian soldiers. Germany had 2,398 battle tanks in 2004 compared with 339 in 2021, according to Kiel Institute researchers who say that Berlin isnt rearming quickly enough to counter Russia. (Bundeswehr) Years of downsizing and modest rearmament mean that the Bundeswehr, Germanys military, is on track to reestablish its 2004 capabilities in combat aircraft in 15 years, in tanks in 40 years and in artillery howitzers in 100 years. Germany had 423 combat aircraft in 2004 compared with 226 in 2021; 2,398 battle tanks in 2004 compared with 339 in 2021; and 978 howitzers in 2004 compared to 121 in 2021, according to the Kiel Institutes military procurement tracker. The German government has ordered a yearly average of 14 combat aircraft, 49.2 tanks and 8.8 howitzers since the start of the war in Ukraine, the tracker states. Meanwhile, Russias war machine has ramped up production to the point where it can produce as many weapons in six months as all of Germanys armed forces can currently field, according to the report. Russia is capable of comfortably expending 10,000 rounds of ammunition per day on the battlefield without fear of draining its inventory, while Germany would use up a years worth of its ammunition production within 70 days at the same rate of fire, researchers said. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announces a new delivery of 12 Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 6, 2024. Germany's stock of howitzers and other critical military systems has plummeted over the past two decades, according to a recently released Kiel Institute report. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) Training shells sit next to a Leopard 1 A5 on June 13, 2024, at Klietz training range, Germany, where Ukrainian troops train to drive and shoot the Danish and German-donated battle tanks. Germanys current ammunition production would be depleted within 70 days if used at Russias rate of fire, highlighting a critical shortfall in Germanys rearmament efforts, according to the Kiel Institute report. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) The report criticizes German budget planning and says the defense industry cannot sufficiently expand production capacity because it is not clear how much money Berlin will be willing to spend on the military once its special defense fund is exhausted. Long-term planning and an efficient procurement system are essential to build industrial capacity, Wolff said. The Kiel Institute also sounded the alarm over Russias increasing fighting power. Moscows capacity to produce long-range air defense systems has doubled, and its capacity to produce tanks has tripled. It has also increased its capacity to produce drones more than sixfold, according to the report. Russias growing expertise and arsenal of supersonic and hypersonic missiles, which are incredibly destructive and difficult to intercept, pose a major risk to NATO, researchers said. Moritz Schularick, president of the Kiel Institute, said Germany, Europes largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine, needs an annual defense budget of at least 100 billion euros per year to credibly deter Russia. Germany budgeted 52 billion euros in its regular defense budget this year. The Zeitenwende, or epochal shift, in military spending promised by the German government in 2022 has so far proved to be empty rhetoric, he said. Peace will come when the regime in Moscow understands that it cannot win wars of aggression in Europe militarily. For this, Germany and Europe need credible military capabilities. A memorial for Aysenur Eygi at the olive grove where activists say she was shot dead in the West Bank village of Beita. (Heidi Levine for The Washington Post) NABLUS, West Bank Her body was wrapped in a Palestinian flag and black-and-white kaffiyeh, the traditional headscarf that symbolizes solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Palestine will always remember and honor your sacrifice, read a sign held by one Palestinian human rights activist. The official send-off for Aysenur Eygi, a 26-year-old Turkish American activist who witnesses say was shot dead by Israeli forces at a demonstration against settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank last week, took place in the Palestinian city of Nablus on Monday before her body was handed over for repatriation. Amid a buzz of drums and trumpet players, mourners bore her body on a stretcher before handing it on to a procession of Palestinian security forces personnel in red berets, who transferred it to an ambulance. Marchers chanted slogans along the way. Free, free Palestine, some shouted. The ceremony lasted roughly half an hour. It was the first leg of Eygis journey to Turkey, where her family has requested that she be buried. She was born in Turkey and raised in Washington state, and had recently graduated from the University of Washington, where she studied psychology and minored in Middle Eastern languages and culture. It remained unclear which authority her body would be immediately handed to after days of diplomatic disputes. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Monday that efforts to bring Eygis body to Turkey were continuing. Her burial is expected to take place in Didim in Aydin province on Turkeys western coast, spokesman Oncu Keceli said in a statement. The repatriation of her body has been complicated by the closure of land borders between the West Bank and Jordan, a disruption that took place after a Jordanian gunman killed three Israelis at the main crossing point on Sunday. Per the familys request, we are exploring the option of flying the body with a plane directly to Turkey to avoid delays in the transfer, Keceli said. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Witnesses said an Israeli soldier shot Eygi as she attended a demonstration against Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank village of Beita, near Nablus, on Friday. She had recently arrived in the West Bank to volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement, a pro-Palestinian activist group, according to other activists. The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged that it opened fire at the protest but said that it was looking into reports that a foreign national was killed. The White House said it is deeply disturbed by reports of her death and called on Israel to investigate. President Joe Biden has not yet spoken with Eygis family, the White House added Monday. Activists who were with Eygi at the time of her death said clashes broke out almost immediately after villagers and others gathered to pray on a hilltop opposite the Israeli outpost of Evyatar, which was established illegally under Israeli and international law in 2021 on what villagers say was their private land. After tear gas and live fire were used, demonstrators moved down the hill to the edge of the village to safety, activists said. Witnesses said Eygi, who was waiting in an olive grove, was then shot in the head by the IDF. In a morgue on Sunday, a group of about a dozen women, including several female doctors, prepared Eygis body ahead of the ceremony. Her eyelids were badly bruised, her hair was soaked and a large hole gaped behind her left ear. Blood soaked through a black-and-white kaffiyeh they tried to secure around her head. Since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack, violence has spiked in the occupied West Bank. Through Sept. 2, 634 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli forces, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Heres what else to know: Syria blamed Israel for deadly overnight airstrikes near the western city of Masyaf. The Syrian state news agency SANA said that Israeli airstrikes around 11 p.m. local time Sunday targeted a number of military sites and that the countrys air defense systems confronted the missiles and shot down some of them. The news agency said 18 people were killed and 37 were injured, and a local highway was damaged. SANA added that one of its photographers was injured while on duty. Syrias Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as a violation of its sovereignty, according to SANA. The IDF declined to comment; Israel does not typically confirm reports of such strikes. Amid claims that the targets in Syria had a connection to Iran, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman deferred to Syrian officials, saying Iran would not confirm such a thing. A campaign to vaccinate children in Gaza against polio is shifting to the north of the Strip amid difficult conditions. David Mencer, a spokesman for the Israeli prime ministers office, said the immunization campaign will begin in the north on Tuesday. The World Health Organization previously said the northern part of the campaign - the third and final phase - would aim to immunize about 150,000 children. The agency said that in the initial phases of the campaign, a substantial number of children eligible for vaccination were unable to reach vaccination sites due to insecurity and that teams had to be deployed to meet them. At least 40,988 people have been killed and 94,825 injured in Gaza since the war started, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority of the dead are women and children. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamass Oct. 7 attack, including more than 300 soldiers, and it says 340 soldiers have been killed since the start of its military operations in Gaza. Morris reported from Berlin and Timsit from London. Mohamad El Chamaa in Beirut, Sufian Taha in Jerusalem, Beril Eski in Istanbul and Heidi Levine in Nablus contributed to this report. Palestinians and international activists inside the morgue Sunday where the body of slain Turkish American activist Aysenur Eygi is being kept, in Nablus in the occupied West Bank. (Heidi Levine/The Washington Post) Aysenur Eygi had come to Israel on an impassioned mission. The 26-year-old American activist and recent University of Washington graduate volunteered for the International Solidarity Movement, a pro-Palestinian activist group, and went to the occupied West Bank to participate in the organizations routine attendance and monitoring of Palestinian protests against illegal Israeli settlements. Eygi was shot and killed Friday on the sidelines of a Palestinian protest of Israeli settlement expansion near the town of Beita. Witnesses said she was slain by Israeli soldiers. Nablus Gov. Ghassan Daghlas later told reporters that an autopsy confirmed that Eygi was killed by an Israeli occupation snipers bullet to her head. Jonathan Pollak, a volunteer with the ISM, told The Washington Post that the shooting took place about half an hour after protesters had dispersed, when there were no active clashes or incidents of stone throwing, and as foreign volunteers, including Eygi, stood observing about 200 yards from the Israeli military. There was no justification for taking that shot, he said. The Israel Defense Forces in a statement said it was looking into reports that a foreign national was killed as a result of shots fired in the area and that details of the incident and the circumstances in which she was hit are under review. The statement said Israeli forces in the area of Beita had responded with fire toward a main instigator of violent activity who hurled rocks at the forces and posed a threat to them. If the IDFs response sounds familiar, it should. It put out a similar statement last week when Israeli snipers allegedly killed 16-year-old teenage girl Loujain Musleh in a West Bank town in the environs of Jenin site of months of violence as Israeli troops raided a nearby house. Snipers were everywhere, Osama Musleh, Loujains father, told The Post of the morning she was killed. She went to have a look from the window, he said, and moved the curtain to see what was happening. Then she was shot. The army shot six bullets, including two that hit Loujain, he said. The IDF obfuscated in 2022 following the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was reporting on clashes in restive Jenin when she was shot in the head. It initially blamed her death on Palestinian militants, even when witnesses, including Abu Aklehs Al Jazeera colleagues, said it was clear she had been shot by Israeli troops. Subsequent investigations by a host of organizations, including forensic open-source analysis by The Washington Post and a ballistics examination carried out by the U.S. government, concluded that she was killed by Israeli gunfire. Israeli authorities later conceded that Abu Akleh may have been killed by one of their troops, but asserted that no Israeli soldier deliberately fired at a journalist, offering no evidence to substantiate that claim. No soldier was punished for her death, while the Biden administrations promises to deliver accountability for the killing of an American journalist abroad proved hollow and halfhearted. That story could repeat itself in the case of Eygi, whose family has called on U.S. officials to push for an independent investigation. The White House has thus far called on Israel to investigate the incident. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that the U.S. government is intensely focused on getting those facts. He added, When we have more info. Well make it available. And, as necessary, well act on it. Eygi had dual U.S.-Turkish citizenship and her killing elicited a far sterner response from Ankara. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said over the weekend that Israel had heinously murdered our young child. At least 40,972 people have been killed in Gaza since the war started, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority of the dead are women and children. Israeli officials repeatedly stress the care they take to avoid civilian casualties and frequently pin the loss of Palestinian civilian lives on Hamas, the militant group that launches its strikes on Israel from densely populated Gaza. But the staggering destruction of the territory, the appalling humanitarian crises afflicting Gazans and the numerous mass casualty events that have punctuated the brutal war have heightened scrutiny on Israel. Parallel cases on genocide and war crimes are working their way through the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, respectively. A number of Western governments closely allied to Israel have partially suspended arms exports to the Jewish state, out of concern that these armaments are invariably involved in the slaying of civilians. Witnesses in Gaza have throughout the past 11 months pointed to incidents where they say they were targeted by Israeli snipers or saw innocent bystanders and civilians gunned down by them. Doctors, including some dispatched by international aid organizations, working in Gazan hospitals describe the majority of casualties they encounter as the result of airstrikes and bombardments treating burns, shrapnel wounds and injuries sustained amid falling debris and rubble but called out numerous cases of people, including little children, killed by single shots to the head. We started seeing a series of children, preteens mostly, whod been shot in the head. Theyd go on to slowly die, only to be replaced by new victims whod also been shot in the head, and who would also go on to slowly die, wrote visiting U.S. doctors Mark Perlmutter and Feroze Sidhwa for Politico in July. Their families told us one of two stories: the children were playing inside when they were shot by Israeli forces, or they were playing in the street when they were shot by Israeli forces. These reports are difficult to verify in the fog of war. Human rights groups and U.N. experts have in past iterations of conflict in Gaza and the West Bank documented evidence of Israeli snipers killing or injuring civilian protesters. The IDF has rejected suggestions that its personnel would deliberately target civilians. In the case of Eygis killing, precedent suggests there will be little accountability. Like the olive tree she lay beneath where she took her last breaths, Aysenur was strong, beautiful, and nourishing, Eygis family said in a statement. Her presence in our lives was taken needlessly, unlawfully, and violently by the Israeli military. Air Force Special Operations Command received two AT-802U trainer aircraft at Hurlburt Field, Fla., on June 28, 2024. These aircraft will be used to train test pilots in preparation for the new Armed Overwatch (OA-1K) variant. (Ty Pilgrim/U.S. Air Force) The Pentagon should further analyze the capabilities of the new aircraft that defense officials have selected to watch over special operators working in austere environments and consider slowing its purchase of the planes, a federal watchdog warned in a new report. The Government Accountability Office an independent federal auditing agency warned in a report published last week that U.S. Special Operations Command had yet to complete an analysis justifying its plans to purchase dozens of the new planes, dubbed OA-1K armed overwatch aircraft. The warning follows a similar assessment completed by GAO in December when the watchdog urged SOCOM and the Defense Department to slow the $2 billion armed overwatch program until they could determine precisely how many of the new aircraft are needed. In its latest report based on new findings including a classified assessment of SOCOMs armed overwatch program GAO suggested the Pentagon reevaluate the number of OA-1Ks needed, limit the purchases to testing aircraft for now, and study the risks and challenges special operators could face when supported by the planes. GAO officials wrote questions remained about how to use the new aircraft and the logistics programs needed to deploy them into the austere locations where they are believed to be most useful. It is essential that the Department of Defense act quickly to fully address GAOs open recommendations, the report reads. Otherwise, it risks buying more aircraft than it needs. In addition, it may not be able to fully utilize the aircraft because it has not addressed identified challenges. The GAO report did not elaborate on most of the challenges that it found with the OA-1K aircraft, which officials said are detailed in the classified report on the program. The OA-1K is a single-engine, turboprop aircraft manufactured by L3 Harris and Air Tractor. It is based on the manufacturers AT-802U Sky Warden, a heavily modified crop dusting-style plane that can be outfitted to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations and can carry 500-pound to 1,000-pound bombs and guns from .50-caliber machine guns to 20mm cannons. SOCOM earlier this year trimmed the OA-1K program from a planned 75-plane fleet down to 62 planes. The command said the cuts were based on budgeting issues and not based on the GAOs recommendations in December. The command has continued to support the armed overwatch program, which it aims to use to replace two Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft the U-28 Draco and MC-12 manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance planes. The GAO report warns more analysis is needed to ensure the OA-1K can perform all the missions the older Air Force aircraft have been used for in recent years. But it also recommended the Pentagon evaluate whether the program makes sense as the military turns its attention from counterterrorism operations in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq toward global power conflicts with near-peer militaries such as those of Russia and China. Even in the austere locations that special operators will likely continue to work in locations such as Africa and Middle East, the GAO questioned whether the OA-1K aircraft would prove able to provide overwatch capabilities, citing concerns from some in the program. Special operations commands identified logistical and operational challenges that could inhibit SOCOMs ability to effectively deploy and operate the aircraft as intended, the GAO wrote. Users said that the Armed Overwatch aircraft may not meet their mission needs because of these challenges. GAO said the Pentagon agreed to reevaluate the number of OA-1K aircraft that it should purchase. Pentagon officials partially agreed with other GAO recommendations, including on further risk assessments of the program, further study of unspecified challenges in deploying the aircraft and an assessment of whether the acquisition program remains an affordable priority. The Pentagon received its first two OA-1K aircraft in June. In July, the two planes were sent to Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma where pilots began testing them. The Air Force plans to build its OA-1K training at Will Rogers and was in the process of establishing the Total Force Integration OA-1K Formal Training Unit there, base officials said last month. Late last night PSNI officers delivered an official warning notice to the journalist at their home POLICE have launched an investigation following a series of threats to a Belfast-based Sunday World journalist. Late last night PSNI officers delivered an official warning notice to the journalist at their home. It is the second time in less than a month that dissident republicans have made death threats directed at the reporter. The latest warning of the sinister threat stated dissident republicans are planning an imminent attack on the Sunday World reporter. The use of firearms or under car explosives cannot be ruled out. No reason has been put forward why the journalist in this case is being targeted in such a way. Ed McCann, Deputy Publisher of Mediahuis which owns the Sunday World, condemned the continuing threats against journalists. Any threat to a journalist is a threat to democracy itself. Journalism plays a critical role in Northern Ireland in exposing wrongdoing and holding those in power to account. There is an alarming rise in threats, and we will do all we can to protect our journalists, but the government likewise needs to play its part in prioritising journalist safety. The National Union of Journalists today condemned the threats made to the journalist. Seamus Dooley, Assistant General Secretary, said: Yet again, one of our members is being threatened, by those in the shadows, merely because they are a journalist and somebody, somewhere, didnt like what has been published. Such threats are reprehensible, and the vast majority of people will join us in condemning them, and in calling for those behind them to lift them immediately. Journalists are critical to our democracies and inform our citizens about what is happening in their community. Threats such as these have no place in a normal society and cannot be tolerated. Too often our members are contacted by the PSNI, usually very late at night or very early in the morning, to tell them that they are in danger. This is traumatic for any journalist and their family, and should not be happening just because a journalist is bringing news and information to the public. The freedom of the press is critical in a democratic society and these threats undermine that and are designed to intimidate journalists and media organisations." It is alleged the separate offences took place on a dates in Connacht in April 2024 A Galway man accused of causing serious alarm or distress to two women has been sent forward to the Circuit Court. The male, aged in his early 20s, is accused of intentionally or recklessly causing serious alarm or distress that had a substantial impact on the day-to-day activities of the alleged injured parties. It is alleged the separate offences took place on a dates in Connacht in April 2024. The man is accused of knowing his acts would cause fear that violence would be used against the alleged victim or another person connected to her, contrary to Section 10 (2) of the Non-Fatal Offences Act Against the Person Act, 1997, 2024. He is charged with the same offence on a different date in relation to another female in the west of Ireland. When his case was initially called before Judge Mary Fahy at Galway District Court today, the accused walked to the front of the court with his parents who stood either side of him. Judge Fahy asked court presenter Sergeant Damien Prendergast if the accused wished to elect to sign a guilty plea or would a book of evidence be required. Sgt Prendergast said the State would require a book of evidence, which means the case will go forward to trial in front of a judge and jury at the Circuit Court. Addressing Judge Fahy the accused said, Excuse me judge would my parents be able to speak on my behalf? Judge Fahy replied, not at this stage, and explained the district court was not the correct venue to hear such matters. However, the accuseds father began to address the court and said he wished to talk about two issues, one being the bail conditions his son is subject to and the other a medical condition. Judge Fahy repeated that this court was not the correct venue for such matters and asked defence solicitor Brian Gilmartin if he wished to consult with his client again and put the case back to the end of the day. Mr Gilmartin replied, I have spoken to them at length your honour. On second calling, the accused, dressed in a pale blue suit and white shirt, did not speak and stood on this occasion with just his mother. Court presenter, Sgt Prendergast told Judge Fahy the accused did not wish to go forward on a signed plea of guilty and would require a book of evidence. The court heard two books of evidence would be required but both alleged offences can be prosecuted together in the Circuit Court. Sgt Prendergast asked the accused be remanded on continuing bail until October 7, 2024 and that time be extended for the preparation for the books of evidence. Judge Fahy granted the States application and extended the legal aid certificate. By direction of the DPP, reporting restrictions in relation to all parties to the case remain in place. According to gardai, Matthias Kelly (40), who had known the woman for years, broke into her home and inflicted injuries that left her covered in blood in what looked "like a murder scene A man stabbed a woman in the head and neck with a steak knife in a "frenzied attack" as she lay in bed, then "stomped" on her as she fought back and tried to crawl away, it is alleged. According to gardai, Matthias Kelly (40), who had known the woman for years, broke into her home and inflicted injuries that left her covered in blood in what looked "like a murder scene. It was claimed that he later sent someone a text saying: Im after butchering your one shes lucky she only had one steak knife. Judge John Brennan refused to grant him bail and remanded him in custody at Dublin District Court. Mr Kelly, of no fixed address in Coolock, is charged with assault causing harm to the woman at Newbury Lawns, Clonshaugh, Dublin 17 in the early hours of September 7. He is also accused of burglary and producing a red-handled kitchen knife with a six-inch serrated blade in the same incident. Separately, he is charged with criminal damage to windows at his ex-wifes home at Millbrook Avenue, Coolock on September 6. Detective Garda Donal Bolger said he arrested the accused for the purpose of charging him at 4.55pm at Coolock garda station yesterday. Mr Kelly made no reply to any of the four charges after caution. Objecting to bail, he said it was alleged in the first incident, at 4.48pm on September 6, Mr Kelly went to the home of his ex-wife and children where he smashed the sitting room and front bedroom windows. Nobody was there at the time. It was alleged the accused entered the second womans home through an unsecured back door at 12.15am on September 7. While in the house, it was alleged, he picked up a large serrated knife in the kitchen and proceeded to the main bedroom, where the homeowner was asleep. She woke to find Mr Kelly, who she had known for a number of years, standing over her with a large knife in his hand, Det Gda Bolger said. It was alleged he began stabbing her in the neck and stated you are dead, you are dead. Suffering substantial blood loss, she fought back, falling to the floor where he continued to attack her with the knife, the garda said. Defending herself, she kicked out, hitting him in the groin area, causing the knife to fall from his hand and break into two pieces. It was alleged he then stomped on her head a number of times and she screamed for help and crawled to the door. The accused allegedly stomped on her head again and left the house on foot. The woman was taken to Beaumont Hospital where she was treated for five stab wounds to her head, neck and chin, all of which required stitches. There was also a puncture wound to her upper left shoulder and other injuries included scratches and two black eyes. The woman discharged herself from hospital and while showering, she removed hair extensions and discovered three further injuries to the back of her head. The garda gave evidence of Whatsapp messages allegedly sent from the accuseds phone. One, sent after the alleged attack, stated: Im after butchering your one, I'm going to be locked up tomorrow." It was stated he would be arrested for murder or attempted murder. One message said shes lucky she only had one steak knife" and another read: you know me, family first. Six days earlier, the accused allegedly sent the woman a message stating: Im going to cut your throat. The accused was arrested in bloodstained clothing, the garda continued. He believed Mr Kelly posed a significant risk to both alleged victims if released. Further more serious charges were anticipated, he said. Applying for bail, defence solicitor David Bassett said Mr Kelly, who is presumed innocent, had cooperated with gardai, would adhere to any bail conditions including surrendering his passport and could get an address outside Dublin. He was on medication for a past head injury. Det Gda Bolger said no conditions would allay his concerns over bail. The stabbed woman has suffered horrendously and had numerous stitches in her face, head and neck, the garda said. The seriousness of the stab wound into her neck cannot be stressed enough, Det Gda Bolger said of one injury. That could have killed her. The injured party was lying on the bed covered in blood, it was like a murder scene. It was a frenzied attack. Judge Brennan said it was reasonably necessary to refuse bail and adjourned the case to Friday, when Mr Kelly will appear in Cloverhill District Court Ms Glont, of Charlestown Place, Dublin 11 is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit serious offences within the State on dates between September 14, 2018 and June 29, 2021 A woman has been sent for trial accused of posing as learner drivers to sit their theory tests for them in a fraud plot. Alina Glont (42) conspired to take the driver theory exam on behalf of applicants over a near three-year period, it is alleged. Ms Glont, of Charlestown Place, Dublin 11, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit serious offences within the State on dates between September 14, 2018 and June 29, 2021. She is accused of conspiring to commit the offence of deception by unlawfully undertaking driver theory tests in the names of third parties to induce the issue of driver theory test pass certificates. The accused is also charged with conspiracy to commit the offence of unlawfully using a computer, again by undergoing driver theory tests on behalf of third parties to obtain pass certificates. She was arrested following a Garda National Economic Crime Bureau investigation into the alleged fraud scheme. Today, a book of evidence was served on her at Dublin District Court. Judge Gerard Jones was told the DPP consented to the accused being sent for trial to the next sittings of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge gave Ms Glont the formal warning that she has 14 days to provide any alibi details to the state. He ordered the prosecution to furnish the defence with copies of the accused's garda interview video. Judge Jones granted free legal aid and remanded the accused on continuing bail, to appear in the circuit court on October 17. Ms Glont has not yet entered pleas to the charges which are under Section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. At her first court appearance, Det Gda Barry Cormack said he arrested the accused at her home address and brought her to Blanchardstown garda station, where she made no response to the charges after caution. The court heard gardai had taken more than 80 witness statements and there were 750 exhibits in the case. The shipment of 14 phones was dropped from the air into the C block exercise yard on Tuesday night of last week As well as phones, there were charging cables concealed in the one-litre milk carton One of the tiny phones previously found in a prison raid One of the tiny phones previously found in a prison raid PRISON officers have foiled a major delivery of contraband phones hidden inside a milk carton and dropped by drone into the Midlands Prison. The shipment of 14 phones was dropped from the air into the C block exercise yard on Tuesday night of last week. Its understood the milk carton contained four smartphones, 10 finger-sized phones and an assortment of charging cables. The finger-sized phones which are only capable of making calls and have no internet capabilities can retail for as much as 1,000 each behind bars. Despite their inability to access the internet, the phones are popular with inmates as they can be easily concealed internally. Smartphones can retail for up to 2,000 and more inside prison. As well as phones, there were charging cables concealed in the one-litre milk carton A source confirmed to the Sunday World that the parcel was discovered by members of the Operational Support Group (OSG) in the yard on Wednesday morning. On Tuesday evening, the prisons control room was informed of drone activity in the area, a source told the Sunday World. A drop was detected over an exercise yard in the prison and the following morning the OSG was despatched to search for it. As well as the phones, there were a number of charging cables concealed within the one-litre milk carton. Although cells in Irish prisons are not fitted with USB charger outlets, sources have confirmed that all flatscreen TVs such as those fitted in every prison cell in the Midlands are equipped with USB ports. The inputs are disabled before the televisions are fitted in the cells but inmates are ingenious when it comes to things like this, the source said. Control of the lucrative contraband phone racket in the Midlands prison led to clashes among gangs there as recently as June. The flow of mobile phones into the prison was formerly controlled by associates of Limerick gangster Christopher Smokie Costello. An x-ray of a phone inside a prisoner But the killer, who is serving life for the murder of gang boss Kieran Keane in 2003, was transferred to Shelton Abbey Open Prison last May leaving a power vacuum You had the lads from Dublin facing off against the country lads to see who would take control of the phones, a source said at the time.. Phones are more lucrative than drugs behind bars and officers were aware of the tensions. The source said the unrest would continue until one group or another controls the phone racket. At the Prison Officers Association annual conference earlier this year, general secretary Karl Dalton linked the smuggling of contraband into the States prison to a rise in levels of violence and intimidation behind bars. He said: Despite the best efforts of our members... our prisons are being flooded with contraband, such as phones, drugs, and...weapons. From 2015 to 2023, the drug seizures entering prisons were up 160%, mobile phone seizures were up 203%, yet the number of related arrests by gardai were down 52%. During the period, the level of mobile phone seizures in Wheatfield Prison alone were up 1,374%, from 35 to 516 per year. Over the same period in Cloverhill Prison drug seizures increased by 294% from 104 to 410 per year. In a statement issued this week, a spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service said: The Irish Prison Service has committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support our efforts to keep contraband out of prisons. Soccer PRESSURE | Troy Parrott reveals, It used to get to me trying to live up to the hype at such a young age Clifford McKeown was released from Magilligan Prison on August 15 where he was serving a minimum life sentence of 24 years for the cold-blooded and cowardly killing The scene of the murder of catholic taxi diver Michael McGoldrick in a lane way in Portadown Psycho killer Clifford McKeown, who murdered a taxi driver in a sectarian attack, has been set loose onto the streets of Ulster but hes banned from using taxis, we can reveal. The 65-year-old was released from Magilligan Prison on August 15 where he was serving a minimum life sentence of 24 years for the cold-blooded and cowardly execution of Catholic taxi driver Michael McGoldrick in 1996. One-time supergrass McKeown lay in wait in another car as accomplices called the taxi from a Catholic taxi firm in Lurgan and made a stop on a country road on the pretence one of them needed to urinate. Michael McGoldrick was killed by loyalist killer McKeown The sectarian killer shot Michael in the head four times and fired a fifth shot into his neck to finish the job, as he chillingly claimed. The pointless murder took place during the height of the Drumcree crisis in July 1996 but hes suspected of being behind a number of murders, including the brutal killings of Portadown teenagers Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine during an LVF/UVF feud in 2000. McKeown, who was already serving a 12-year sentence for possessing firearms, confessed to a journalist in Maghaberry Prison in 1999 that he had been the man who murdered the father of two who had just graduated from Queens University with a degree in English and politics two days before he was killed. Michaels wife was pregnant with his third child a son when he was murdered. McKeowns release has come as a shock to Michaels family, who we understand had been told only a couple of months ago that McKeown was deemed to be still too dangerous to be considered for release. The scene of the murder of catholic taxi diver Michael McGoldrick in a lane way in Portadown But we can confirm the loyalist hitman, who claimed he carried out the senseless killing of the innocent 31-year-old as a birthday present to his then paramilitary boss Billy King Rat Wright, is now a free man. Until his release McKeown held a unique status within the Northern Ireland penal system as the only remaining prisoner sentenced for a scheduled offence that is, a paramilitary crime who is eligible to apply but was never released. A source close to the McGoldrick family told the Sunday World: It makes no difference to the family whether hes in prison or walking the streets its never going to bring Michael back. Murder victim Andrew Robb pictured (left-in white Rangers top) walking behind murdered LVF leader Billy Wright But the way he has been released has caused them some concern because they were told a couple of months ago that McKeown was applying for release but wouldnt get it as he hadnt taken part in any pre-release schemes which lifers have to take to be considered. Then about three weeks ago they got a call to tell them he was being set free that day. Its like hes been let out the back door or something. They have no idea what has changed for him now to be deemed fit to be released and normally when hes up for release its reported publicly in the press but theres been nothing. Its baffling to be honest. It seems like they are protecting him almost. We can reveal McKeown will remain under the supervision of life parole officer whose job it will be to ensure he adheres to the terms of his release or else he can be returned to jail. And we can reveal one of those terms is that hes banned from using taxis. Hes also on a curfew from 10pm-7am and barred from entering Portadown, Craigavon and Lurgan. Trevor McKeown Loyalist sources have suggested McKeown is most likely to try and settle back into the Aghalee area a village in County Armagh on the southern shore of Lough Neagh where he still has family. Hes also barred from meeting up with any convicted terrorists and has been warned to stay away from political rallies and meetings. McKeowns story is an incredible and horrific one even without mentioning the fact his brother Trevor is also a sectarian killer, who used the same gun Clifford used to kill Michael McGoldrick to shoot Catholic teenager Bernadette Martin dead, and his other brother also murdered gangland boss Malcolm McKeown himself responsible for a number of murders before he was gunned down in 2019. In the 1980s Clifford, who was in the UVF at that time, was part of the collapsed supergrass trial system where he implicated 29 loyalists in a string of crimes before retracting his evidence after heeding tearful courtroom appeals from his mother. Whats incredible is one of the loyalists McKeown implicated in committing murder was feared loyalist boss Billy Wright yet not only was McKeown not harmed, he was allowed back into Wrights inner circle and the pair continued committing heinous terrorist acts for years including the murder of Mr McGoldrick. Respected journalist Ivan Little, who was covering the supergrass trials for UTV, wrote recently: As he walked out of court, a group of UVF men I knew from Portadown took McKeown away in a car, but to my surprise he wasnt harmed. It has long been suspected that Clifford McKeown has been an agent of the state and his seemingly cloak-and-dagger release from prison only lends further fuel to that claim. A loyalist source told the Sunday World: The really strange thing about Clifford McKeown is how he was able to go from grassing up Billy Wright for murder to being his best mate again and committing a sectarian murder to mark his leaders birthday. Malcolm McKeown And whats stranger is Clifford McKeown is the only one of the supergrasses from the 1980s trial from either loyalist or republican sides who still lives in Northern Ireland. All the others have either fled to live in England, the US, the Republic of Ireland or elsewhere. In fact we can reveal McKeown doesnt just choose to live here, he has to live in Northern Ireland according to his conditions of release as he is banned from leaving the country. Two years ago Clifford McKeown challenged Northern Irelands Sentence Review Commissioners for refusing his request to be declared eligible for release on licence in 2022. But a judge ruled that the panel was entitled to reject the killers application based on an assessment of the threat posed to members of the public. Mr Justice Scoffield said: It is plain that they considered Mr McKeown in the past to have been a dangerous and prolific offender and were simply not persuaded, to the requisite degree of confidence required, that he would not reoffend in future. Its not clear what has changed since that decision but McKeown was anything but a model prisoner while behind bars. The paraglider had landed on the rocks at Barnageeragh beach outside Skerries on Saturday morning. Gardai, firefighters, and volunteers worked together to rescue an injured paraglider on a Dublin beach over the weekend. The paraglider had landed on the rocks at Barnageeragh beach outside Skerries on Saturday morning and was attended to by members of Skerries Coast Guard, Dublin Fire Brigade and the National Ambulance service. The Dublin Coast Guard also requested the assistance of the Skerries Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Louis Simson was launched shortly after 9.30am by volunteers. Two volunteers from the charity coordinated with the other present agencies to discuss possible removal points from the beach. However, the paraglider was being treated for a potential spinal injury and it was determined that extraction using a lifeboat would pose too much of a risk due to the beachs terrain and the direction of the waves. The Coast Guard then tasked the rescue helicopter R116 to recover the paraglider from the beach, with lifeboat volunteers working with the Dublin Fire Brigade crew to load the casualty onboard. Speaking after the rescue operation, volunteer lifeboat press officer for Skerries RNLI Gerry Canning, said: Once again weve seen a great example of how volunteers and professionals in the emergency services work seamlessly together in difficult situations. Its not an easy location to access carrying rescue equipment so well done to everyone involved. Gardai confirmed their involvement in the multi-agency rescue, which a spokesperson described as a medical emergency. David Goode, who had performed at the Proms and spent 17 years teaching at the elite Windsor school, was suspended in December 2021 after making inappropriate searches on his work laptop A concert in Co Down featuring a high-profile Eton College music teacher has been cancelled after he was barred from teaching for life last week over his searches for indecent images of children. David Goode, who had performed at the Proms and spent 17 years teaching at the elite Windsor school, was suspended in December 2021 after making inappropriate searches on his work laptop. He was arrested on suspicion of possession and distribution of indecent images of children but the charges were later dropped. In 2022, police said there was no evidence to prove Mr Goode was in possession of the images. He was due to perform at the Portico of Ards in Portaferry on December 1, but the listing was taken down on Sunday with all tickets to be refunded. Dr Verity Peet, manager of the Portico, said: This matter has just been brought to our attention too and I can assure you that David Goodes recital at Portico will NOT be going ahead. The event has now been cancelled and all ticket buyers fully refunded. Mr Goodes website still lists the Portaferry concert alongside a date in Leeds which still appears to be going ahead. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) found that the 52-year-old had made 229 searches for terms such as gay little boys, cute thai littel [sic] boys and Algerian gay boys. Mr Goode admitted that his searches were sexually motivated and, in 2022, wrote a letter to a colleague saying he was massively regretful. He had previously been warned about accessing pornography on the schools IT network in 2017. The TRA found that his conduct risked bringing the teaching profession into serious disrepute and banned him from teaching indefinitely. Mr Goode had formally resigned from Eton College, a prestigious boarding school, before an internal disciplinary hearing could take place in April 2022. The school fully supported the decision to ban him from teaching. The TRA panel emphasised the strong public interest consideration in banning Mr Goode from the profession, to safeguard pupils and other members of the public. They noted that although Mr Goode had shown remorse and taken steps to address his behaviour, the severity of his unacceptable professional conduct was serious enough to justify a permanent ban. The panel spoke with Thames Valley Police who told them that the only reason Mr Goode wasnt prosecuted was because he wasnt in possession of indecent images and there was no doubt in their mind that he had accessed such images. David Oatley, acting on behalf of the secretary of state for education, endorsed the panels decision and decided that Mr Goode will not be entitled to apply to restore his ability to teach. Mr Oatley said: This means that Mr David Goode is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or childrens home in England. Mr Goode had attended Eton himself, before studying at Cambridge, and had been at the school since 2005. Xi signs order to promulgate regulations on military environmental protection Xinhua) 08:04, September 09, 2024 BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed a decree to promulgate a set of regulations on the environmental protection work of China's military. With the aim of building green military camps, the regulations will reform the related management system, improve work procedures and standardize operation mechanisms. They clearly define the objectives and tasks of the environmental protection work of the military in line with national policies and regulations, and stipulate detailed requirements for environmental protection concerning military activities, facilities and equipment. Comprising 50 articles in six chapters, the regulations will take effect on Oct. 1, 2024. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) More than 20,000 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. Mary Robinson has said that the world must build peace in Sudan following reports that more than 20,000 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. More than 12 million people have been displaced since the civil war broke out in April 2023. And some 26 million civilians are in danger due to the conflict and hunger, with 700,000 children under the age of five at risk of dying from starvation. The former Irish President and Chair of The Elders was speaking at an emergency briefing on the situation in Sudan, which has been described as a nightmare by the World Health Organisation (WHO). "It is the biggest humanitarian crisis and it gets very little attention. It amounts to a kind of indifference about human beings," Mrs Robinson said. Mrs Robinson said that Ireland must act as a voice for the Sudanese people at the UN General Assembly and Summit of the Future taking place in New York at the end of this month. Ireland has a deserved reputation for addressing global hunger. Our voice needs to be heard, and it needs to be heard at the highest level in New York later this month. During the event, which was organised by Dochas, she also stressed how women can help resolve conflict, stating that far too much of peacekeeping nowadays is the bad men coming together under television lights, semi making peace and then reneging on it. What we need to do is build a peace from the ground up using women in the community to build that peace, she added. The panel, which included charities Concern Worldwide, Goal, Trocaire, and World Vision Ireland, saw numerous CEOs come together to release a statement declaring the situation in Sudan a crisis of historic proportions. "The world has neglected the people of Sudan over the past year, it said. Many have been forced to flee repeatedly, with little to no access to shelter, income and basic necessities. Approximately one in seven of the worlds internally displaced people is Sudanese. We are working with Sudanese organizations and community volunteers, who have been at the forefront of response efforts since the conflict began. Humanitarian workers continue to deliver, despite the immense challenges including lack of access, and threats to safety. GOAL CEO Siobhan Walsh also spoke about the issue of sexual violence in Sudan, saying: The stories from our female staff are absolutely harrowing. They are talking about armed fighters coming into the IDP (Internally Displaced Person) camps, and raping mothers and daughters, and forcing young girls into marriage. As a result there are reports of many young girls becoming pregnant. And Trocaire CEO, Caoimhe de Barra, urged that Ireland take action and commit to playing a role in ending the conflict. "We have witnessed this crisis unfold from an opportunity for democratic reform, to a battle for power with little regard for those in its path. This is a man-made crisis, today, in real-time, forgotten, ignored even. Nothing will echo louder now for the people of Sudan than the silencing of the guns and our haste. Help delayed is help denied, she said. Heres what we know so far... Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Eleanor are due to appear in court again on Tuesday. When was Donaldson arrested? Donaldson was arrested along with his wife Eleanor on the morning of Thursday, March 28, when police arrived at their home in Co Down. They were taken to Antrim Police Station, where they were questioned separately throughout the day. The pair were later charged that night. What has Donaldson and his wife been charged with? Jeffrey Donaldson was initially charged with 11 historical sexual offences, while Eleanor Donaldson was charged with four aiding and abetting charges. After the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) considered the police evidence in the case, it emerged that seven further charges had been laid against Donaldson, while Eleanor Donaldson had one further charge laid against her. The 18 charges now facing the former DUP leader are: One count of rape Four counts of gross indecency 13 counts of indecent assault When did the alleged offences happen? The charges against Jeffrey Donaldson relate to two complainants and are alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2008. Eleanor Donaldsons aiding and abetting charges relate to two complainants and are alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2006. What has the PSNI said? While not naming Donaldson or his wife, a PSNI spokesperson, after the pair were initially charged, said: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences. A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences. Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on April 24. Back in June, the PSNI confirmed that an investigation into online comments made after Donaldsons resignation remained ongoing. What has the DUPs reaction been? The day after the couple were charged, the DUP named Donaldson as the person in question in a statement and confirmed his resignation, while announcing the appointment of Gavin Robinson as interim party leader. Mr Robinson was later confirmed as permanent DUP leader. Prior to Julys General Election, Mr Robinson claimed opponents might use the Donaldson court case for party political advantage. What has Donaldson said? The Lagan Valley MP did not comment on his arrest until he appeared in court in April, when he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and that he understood the charges against him. In a letter to DUP party officers following his arrest, he said he would be strenuously contesting the charges against him. Where had Donaldson and his wife been in the time since they were charged and first appeared in court? Initial bail conditions meant the couple could not have any contact with each other. Donaldson was bailed to an address in London, while his wife was bailed to the family home in Co Down. Bail conditions were subsequently relaxed, allowing the pair to have contact with each other. What happened when they first appeared on April 24? Donaldson and his wife Eleanor appeared at Newry Magistrates Court. They sat in the dock, separated by security staff. Both defendants spoke to confirm their names, dates of birth and that they understood the charges against them. A PSNI officer said he could connect the accused to the charges. An application to vary the bail conditions to allow contact between Mr and Mrs Donaldson was granted by the judge. Crown Prosecution Service counsel said a list of potential witnesses that the accused are prohibited from contacting would be provided to the court, adding that more witnesses have been spoken to since the charges were originally laid. Each defendant was released on their own bail of 350. What happened in court on May 22? Neither defendant appeared in court on May 22. In an update, prosecutors informed the court that the case was moving expeditiously and set a date for a preliminary hearing for July 3. Donaldson was initially banned from contact with persons under the age of 16. On May 22, that bail condition was changed to no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16, and that supervision cannot be carried out by Eleanor Donaldson. A brief hearing in the case was also held on June 12, when it was confirmed the preliminary hearing would go ahead as planned. What happened in court on July 3? Donaldson and his wife Eleanor arrived at Newry Magistrates Court court separately. The pair were separated in the dock by a court official. Both defendants confirmed their names and dates of birth, before the charges were read to them. Counsel for the PPS said there was a prima facie case to answer, with neither defendants counsel offering any contrary submissions. Judge King said he was satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer. Donaldson was asked if he was aware of the charges against him and whether he wished to say anything in relation to them, to which he replied: No, not at this stage. In answer to the same question, Eleanor Donaldson responded: No. Both repeated their answers when asked if they wished to tender any written statement in relation to the charges. Judge King granted continuing bail on the same terms as already agreed, before setting a date of September 10 for the defendants to be arraigned at Newry Crown Court. He was recovered from the water by members of the public but died despite the best efforts of the emergency services Police do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances around the incident (Peter Byrne/PA) A 15-year-old boy has died after having difficulty while in the water at an activity centre in Greater Manchester. Officers were called over concerns for a male in the water at Scotmans Flash, Wigan at around 3pm on Saturday, Greater Manchester Police said. He was recovered from the water by members of the public but died despite the best efforts of the emergency services. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances around the incident, the force said. The boys family are being supported by specialist officers. Scotmans Flash said in a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday: We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young man at the flash earlier today. Our staff noticed the young man in the water and attempted to save him but were sadly unable to. Wed like to thank them for their courage and determination. Our thoughts are with the young mans family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is seeking public feedback on the proposal to toll the Takitimu North Link roading project. The national roading agency says the new 14km four-lane expressway will deliver strong safety benefits and increased productivity for people travelling through the western Bay of Plenty. Takitimu North Link is a Road of National Significance and a vital transport link in the Bay of Plenty providing a safer and more reliable route between Tauranga and Omokoroa, NZTA director regional relationships David Speirs says. Tolling provides an opportunity for an additional source of revenue which supports major infrastructure projects, bringing efficiency, safety and resiliency benefits to the transport network. The proposal sets out a 35-year tolling scheme to cover the maintenance costs for Stage 1 (between Tauranga and Te Puna, currently in construction) and to support the construction phase of Stage 2, which extends the four-lane expressway 7km onwards to Omokoroa. Speirs says the Takitimu North Link project is one of three in the North Island for which public consultation on tolling proposals begins today. People can find information and provide feedback on the proposal by completing the online survey by 5pm on Monday October 7, 2024, Speirs says. Paper copies will be available to collect in local libraries and council offices. While funding for Takitimu North Link Stage 1 has been provided for the planning and construction of the project and for route protection for Stage 2, tolling the road would provide an alternative funding source. Tolling would allow for the Stage 1 maintenance costs to be covered, keeping the road at an appropriate standard, and would support the construction phase for Stage 2. NZTA is proposing variable toll prices for the Takitimu North Link to support the traffic flows on the alternative route. Proposed tolling for Takitimu North Link Variable toll prices are recommended for the Takitimu North Link. The toll prices being consulted on for when Stage 1 opens (expected 2028) are: Peak: (7am9am and 4pm6pm) Light vehicles: $3.10 Heavy vehicles (over 3500kg gross vehicle mass): $6.20 Off-peak: (9am4pm and 6pm7am) Light vehicles: $2.10 Heavy vehicles (over 3500kg gross vehicle mass): $4.20 When Stage 2 opens, there will be two separate gantry points. When travelling the full length between Tauranga and Omokoroa the toll prices being consulted on are: Peak: (7am9am and 4pm6pm) Light vehicles: $4.10 Heavy vehicles (over 3500kg gross vehicle mass): $8.20 Off-peak: (9am4pm and 6pm7am) Light vehicles: $3.10 Heavy vehicles (over 3500kg gross vehicle mass): $6.20 When travelling in either Stage 1 (Tauranga to Te Puna) or Stage 2 (Te Puna to Omokoroa), toll prices remain as in table 1 for each section. *The toll prices being consulted on are in 2024 dollars, and subject to the Consumers Price Index. Takitimu North Link is expected to move regional traffic and freight away from local roads, because of the significant benefits for productivity and efficiency. Consultation material includes details on the potential toll rates for light and heavy vehicles for each of the new roads, as well as expected travel time savings for drivers and freight vehicles, Speirs says. Takitimu North Link is one of three new state highway projects in the North Island with tolling proposals being consulted on, the others being Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatu Tararua Highway and the Otaki to north of Levin (O2NL) route. After the public has had an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposals, all of the submissions and feedback collected will be summarised, providing insights into the level of community support for the proposed tolling schemes in each region. The NZTA board will consider the results of the consultation and may then recommend tolling to the Minister of Transport. The final decision on whether or not to toll each road rests with Cabinet on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport. The National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) is under increasing pressure to fund transport improvements and increasing road maintenance costs across the country. Tolling provides an opportunity for an additional source of revenue to support major infrastructure projects, bringing efficiency, safety and resiliency benefits to the transport network. NZTA assesses all new state highways and significant upgrades to existing state highways for tolling suitability. Revenue from tolling can provide another funding option for building, maintenance and operations of road infrastructure, reducing reliance on the NLTF and protecting existing funding for other investment in the transport system. The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 (GPS) introduces a new expectation for the NZTA to consider tolling to support the construction and maintenance of all new roads, including the Roads of National Significance. WARNING DISTRESSING CONTENT Got any 10 to 14yo stuff? a father-of-three wrote in a chat group with others keen on child exploitation material. Daniel James Raynes preferred girls under 14 and had numerous accounts, with names including follow.me.if.you.are.a.pedo, across three social media platforms which he didnt mind accessing while either at home or at work. The 36-year-old Pirongia, Waikato, man was one of 611 people prosecuted nationally for child exploitation material charges in 2023. But, while the Crown was successful in sending him to jail earlier this year 45% of the other cases ended without a conviction. Customs boss Simon Peterson says investigating child exploitation cases was difficult, and often the victims were unknown, but in Raynes case, they were able to track a 10-year-old girl down to a house in Kentucky, USA. Using his varying social media accounts, Raynes created 78 different publications and shared 107 objectionable files with at least 278 people connected to various chat forums. Two hundred of the nearly 600 hundred files were in the most serious category, A, which involves penetrative sexual activity, bestiality, and/or sadism. He was jailed for three years in the Hamilton District Court in March on 11 charges; seven representative charges of distributing objectionable publications, along with four other charges of possessing and making objectionable publications between April 2020 and May 2023. He lost a bid for final name suppression but appealed Judge Glen Marshalls decision to the High Court. He also lost that appeal so NZME can now reveal his offending together with his name. Got any 10 to 14yo stuff? Raynes was creative in naming his social media accounts; follow.me.if.you.are.a.pedo, devildaredme02, devildaredmetoo, tinkerbel.danielle, tinkerbell.danielle.69, and tinkerbell.dani. In private chats with other users, Raynes told them he was into 10 to 13-year-olds, and his favourite age was 12 years old and asked if youve got any 10 to 14yo stuff, do you have young teens, 13yo, yo keen for flat chested girls, and prefer 14 and under. Raynes also created 77 objectionable publications by screen-recording publications. One of the recordings involved a 1-minute 23-second video of a female child indecently using a toothbrush. Police tracked down the girl who lived in Kentucky, USA. The child, who was aged 10, confirmed that she had sent nude publications of herself to strangers but she didnt know who they were. Authorities could not confirm if the child had personally sent Raynes a video as the social media account that the publication came from was not on her mobile. On the morning of Monday, November 21, 2022, Raynes uploaded six objectionable publications to his group chat, and another at 1.31pm on Monday, March 24, 2023. When police searched his home they found 515 objectionable publications depicting child exploitation. They also analysed the IP addresses connected to his various social media accounts and discovered 18 of the publications, sent between Monday, February 22, 2021, and Friday, April 14, 2023, were sent from either his work address or his home in Pirongia. As well as objectionable publications, police found hed also searched non-objectionable images of pre-pubescent girls in bikinis. No credit for good character Crown solicitor Scarlett Hartstone said the offending was aggravated by Raynes downloading and sharing the material along with the ages of those depicted in the material - which largely ranged from 5 to 12 years old. Raynes didnt deserve credit for previous good character due to the nature and length of the offending. Hed explained his reasoning for distributing the material was to meet the needs of those in the chat groups to avoid being cut from the group. She also opposed a permanent name suppression order, adding that bullying, shame or being ostracised from a community were the natural consequences of criminal offending. Name suppression is clearly not available to this defendant. Department of Corrections had concerns about Pirongia man Daniel Raynes serving a home detention sentence due to him living so close to playgrounds and a school. Photo / 123rf. Theres a significant volume of material in this offending ... and is aggravated in circumstances where he was the one who downloaded and shared the material. It was difficult to assess his remorse as he tried to provide some justification or explanation for his offending by saying the distribution of the material was to avoid being cut out of the social media group. He added that the groups he uploaded material to were closed groups, and not open to the public. There can be no justification for this type of offending. Hes essentially rehabilitated Raynes counsel Kerry Hadaway said her client had put a lot of effort into his rehabilitation, having completed 26 sex offender treatment sessions with Auckland-based psychotherapist, Martin Putt. He has made a very real and concerted effort towards rehabilitation, she said. Mr Raynes can be provided a reasonable discount for his rehabilitation ... hes now assessed at below average risk of offending. Mr Raynes is now essentially rehabilitated but he could benefit from maintenance. As for his offending, less than half of the material distributed was Category A, the worst type. Most were in Category C. She pushed for a good character discount, and provided references from family, friends, and people of standing in the community. His partner of six years continued to support him and was in court for his sentencing along with her brother. She had labelled the offending very out of character and said he was a very good father to their children. As for criticism from Hartstone about justifying his offending, Hadaway said he was trying to explain how the forum worked. On his behalf, I submit that its common in this forum for people who are on there to be required to essentially distribute CSEP material to remain in the forum, thats the way it works. Raynes isnt trying to justify his offending ... hes just providing context and he shouldnt be criticised for [that]. As probation was concerned with him serving a home detention sentence at his Pirongia home, given its proximity to schools and playgrounds, he could stay at his mothers property, out of town. Arguing for a permanent name suppression order, Hadaway said it was because of the couples three young children. The nature of this offending really is one that will attract vitriolic responses on social media ... and that will cause extreme hardship to these children ... having all these comments directed at their father ...they may be ostracised in their community. We know that none of his children were involved. The children in this case are more vulnerable given their young age. While she lost the battle for suppression, Hadaway successfully fought against an in-court media application by NZME to take Raynes photo. Judge Marshall said there was very little to be gained by allowing media to take a photo. In jailing Raynes, Judge Marshall allowed a total of 50% worth of discounts, for remorse, rehabilitation and previous good character, arriving at the end term of three years. Given Rayness jail term, he was automatically registered to the Child Sex Offender register. Prosecutions and convictions Prosecutions and convictions for those charged with possession of objectionable publications have varied widely over the past five years, statistics released to NZME under the Official Information Act show. The number of prosecutions was its highest nationwide in 2018 at 622, followed closely by 611 last year. The success rate of those prosecutions was 55%. However, broken down by district, they spanned the length of the country. Auckland twice had the most prosecutions per district; in 2018 and 2022, while Waikato was the highest in 2019, Taitokerau in 2020, Canterbury in 2021, and Northern Wellington in 2023. While Waikato and Southland came in with 100% conviction rates last year, the lowest was registered in Taranaki/Whanganui with just a 20% success rate. Not a victimless crime Peterson, chief customs officer of the Child Exploitation Operations Team, welcomed Raynes jail term. Not only was Raynes viewing the extreme sexual abuse of young girls, by screen-recording the videos and images he was promoting child sexual exploitation and re-victimisation. Real children are abused in making this type of material, which often will remain online forever. In this case, customs was able to help safeguard one of those victims in the United States. We operate as part of a global task force and our top priority is always to try to identify and protect or safeguard any victims, wherever they are in the world, he said. Peterson said Raynes case was a somewhat typical investigation for customs. While only prioritised investigations result in prosecutions, all cases customs investigate are considered serious. The majority of cases investigated by customs will involve imagery of victims who cannot, and may never be, identified. When a victim is able to be identified and safeguarded, wherever they are in the world, this is obviously a great outcome, but it does not, by itself, increase the seriousness of the investigation or prosecution - we have prosecuted far worse offenders, in terms of type and quantity of CSEM, where there have been no positive victim outcomes. Prosecutions not necessarily representative of offending Peterson said customs couldnt investigate every allegation and must prioritise those investigations that become prosecutions. So what is seen in the courts is not necessarily representative of actual offending alleged. Additionally, because this crime type involves offending across New Zealands cyber border, customs has not yet observed any distinct geographical patterns of offending. Asked about the varying conviction rate across the country, Peterson said that could be due to various factors. While customs prosecutions generally hold a high conviction rate, there are many reasons why convictions may not be entered and because these reasons are usually technical, legal or judicial in nature, customs cannot comment authoritatively on those unsuccessful prosecutions. CSEM, particularly in the online space, continued to trend upwards year-on-year, he said, and was immensely harmful to victims. It is a difficult crime type to investigate both mentally and technically as there are increasingly difficult technologies to overcome or contend with when trying to hold offenders to account - for instance anonymising or obfuscating online technologies, end-to-end encryption and a general lag in legislative or procedural capability. Customs was usually one of three agencies in New Zealand to prosecute CSEM offenders, along with police and the Department of Internal Affairs. * Anyone with concerns or suspicions about someone trading in or producing child sexual abuse images or videos can contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you are, or know of, someone who is at risk or being abused, contact the police immediately. A national collaboration of organisations that advocate on behalf of older people and their families is bringing its message to Thames-Coromandel, the district with the oldest population in New Zealand. Selwyn Foundation, co-founders of the Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for the Decade of Healthy Ageing He Oranga Kaumatua He Oranga Tangata, has invited older people in the district to a community conversations workshop to discuss what the ageing population might mean for them and the local community in the coming years. Selwyn Foundation chief executive Denise Cosgrove said Thames-Coromandel District was at the forefront of the demographic shift, with 34% of the districts population aged 65 and over, significantly higher than the national average of 16.5%. The average age of residents in the district was 53.6 in 2022. With key focus areas of combating ageism and ensuring older people have access to integrated care, the forum was established by the Selwyn Foundation, Office for Seniors and Age Concern New Zealand in response to the global United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, which is currently under way. The Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for the Decade of Healthy Ageing has been created to give focus to decade action and to provide a platform for change in local communities in partnership with their older people, Cosgrove said. Through our community conversations events, were inviting seniors to share their insights on what matters for them in their daily lives, enabling their voices to be heard on this most profound issue, the seismic demographic shift thats taking place in New Zealand which will impact on and shape the future of our communities in the not-too-distant future. Europa Press Malaga Monday, 9 September 2024, 14:26 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Air China is considering launching three direct flights a week, all year round to Andalucia, from Shanghai and Beijing. In an interview on Canal Sur Radio, the Junta's head of tourism Arturo Bernal said the carrier "will have to decide which airport interests them the most", with Malaga, Seville and Granada all in the running. "Air China already has consolidated connections with Madrid and Barcelona and, therefore, it is clear and everyone in Spain knows that the third option has to be Andalucia," Bernal added. The Junta is interested in attracting more Chinese tourists as they stay an average of ten days in the region and spend more than 280 euros per person per day. In relation to the rise in prices in coastal areas this summer, Bernal said: "we have observed that the higher the quality, the higher the price. We are becoming able to attract a different customer and it is also important to value it from this point of view because this type of person is much more sympathetic, more compatible with the local communities. We are beginning to observe perhaps fewer situations of saturation or nuisance on the part of the local residents, because the tourists who visit us are increasingly sensitive and do not come en masse". Zoom The Junta's head of tourism Arturo Bernal. SUR Asked about the shift of Spanish tourists travelling to cooler areas of northern Spain instead of the Andalusian coast, especially the Costa del Sol, the minister considered it "hasty" to conclude from the data for July that there is a "trend" occurring. "What we have been observing is the trend that, with the arrival of more international tourists, there has been a rise in prices and that the Spanish tourist is looking for more affordable destinations," Bernal said. Almost 1.5 million international tourists in July Andalucia welcomed some 1,461,773 international tourists in July, a 8.68% increase compared to the same month last year, with an expenditure of 2.03 billion euros, some 10.3% more, according to Spain's INE national institute of statistics. This is the best figure for international tourist arrivals and the best in terms of expenditure in the month of July in the region since historic records started. On average, each tourist visiting the region spent 169 euros per day in July, 1.94% more than in the same month of the previous year, and stayed 8.23 days in Andalucia. The average expenditure per person was 1,391 euros, 1.49% more than in July of the previous year. So far this year up to July, 7,733,415 tourists have visited Andalucia (+12.97%) and have spent 10,306.32 million euros in the region (+22.53%). With regard to the cruise tourism measures being introduced in Rome and Barcelona - in the latter a tax of seven euros has been approved for passengers making a stopover in the city - the Andalusian minister described these as "improvisations" and "populism". "Trying to export the situation in Venice, for example, to Seville, Malaga, Granada and Cordoba, among those usually cited as hyper-saturated cities, seems to me to be irresponsible," Bernal said. Ignacio Lillo Malaga Monday, 9 September 2024, 12:29 | Updated 19:05h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Business aviation in Malaga is rocketing. The phrase, from a technician at Malaga Airport, illustrates in a few words the situation that is being experienced this summer at the general aviation terminal. This facility has not stopped growing since the pandemic, with slight ups and downs, and this year it is approaching the record figures of the years immediately after Covid. A total of 47 private aircraft on average touched down and took off at Malaga Airport each day in summer, according to new figures. The 1,463 private flight operations in July is one of the highest figures for any airport in Spain, according to the data provided by industry sources. It's a 40% increase compared to June this year; and 4% compared to the same period in 2023. Only 2021 and 2022 are higher, but this was due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Private flights now account for almost 8% of all flight operations on the two runways at Malaga Airport, which last July saw an average of 593 landings and take-offs each day. And it is proving to be a successful summer for the business aviation sector. Aerodynamics Jets, a Malaga-based company specialising in the sector, has almost doubled its turnover and activity this summer. "We fly several times every day with all the planes, we do around 500 hours of flying per month," its commercial director, Rafael Parodi, said. Business aviation companies have had to reinforce their fleets with more aircraft to meet increased demand The company recently added a new aircraft to its fleet, a Citation CJ3, which has increased range and capacity. "There has been a big spike in our figures, and as the fleet has grown, so have the routes and turnover. As a result, Aerodynamics now offers four aircraft: a CJ1, two Mustangs and the CJ3," the company said. "We can now reach destinations from Malaga that we were not able to reach before, such as the Greek islands (especially Mykonos), Turkey and Croatia." The rest of the more traditional demand remains the same: along with the Costa del Sol, the Balearic Islands and the rest of the Mediterranean islands, such as Corsica and Sicily. The US and Middle East There is an increase in the number of American and Arab clientele, according to the data. There are also many from the UK and the Nordic countries, while Russians, who were regulars before the war in Ukraine, are not as common in the private jets touching down at Malaga Airport. Malaga-based iJet Aviation, based at the airport and capable of flying anywhere in the world, recently reached an agreement with Spanish manufacturer Crisalion to offer passenger drone flights along the Costa del Sol as well as other destinations. IJet's managing director, Javier Barriga, said that, although they experience significant growth every summer, "this year we have noticed it more". He attributed it to the expansion of the luxury tourism sector in Marbella. "At iJet we have experienced a significant increase in clients, which has led us to double our own fleet," he said. In terms of nationalities, while the largest numbers come from Europe and the US, there has been a notable increase in tourists from the Middle East. "The trend continues to be upwards. Although the most common destination for private jet clients is Marbella, we are now noticing a growth in Malaga city, thanks to the business fabric that is being forged and the arrival of large technology corporations in the city," Barriga said. "We are at full capacity, this summer we have grown a lot compared to last year, we had already seen a rise, the traffic has been spectacular," said Juan Jose Roman, head of stopover at United Aviation and one of the managers of the Malaga terminal. Destination: Marbella The expert said the boom in business aviation is proportional to commercial aviation, which is breaking records this summer, with 2,659,290 passengers (+9.3%), and 18,399 operations (+6.2%) in July. "People want to come here, as soon as they set foot on the ground the first thing they say is: 'Marbella'," he said. Roman said there are many Americans and pointed out an increase in central and northern European citizens (Swiss, Scandinavians and British), which compensate for the loss of the Russians, who were once regular customers. On the negative side, the situation is such that flight crews are sometimes unable to find available hotel rooms in Malaga city, especially at important times such as the last fair, and have to travel many kilometres to find accommodation for the night. Francisco Grinan Malaga Monday, 9 September 2024, 12:11 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Just two days before the CAC Malaga contemporary art centre in the city closed its doors to the public due to end of the contract for its private management concession, the city council finally unveiled its plans for the future. It will bring the CAC - an arts centre that truly laid the foundation stone over 20 years ago for a Malaga that has become known as 'the city of museums' - into the public domain to come under city hall control. The main moves in the public management scenario for this cultural institution are, firstly, that it will be reinvented and expanded by absorbing the MUPAM municipal heritage museum, so it will be renamed MuCAC Malaga. Secondly, it will have three venues: the old wholesale market (Mercado de Mayoristas), the rooms of La Coracha that have already been jointly managed in recent years and then the museum itself on Paseo de Reding. All these spaces require refurbishment work that has been initially budgeted at 1.1 million euros, which means that the reopening of the new facilities will be delayed until the first quarter of 2026. At an emergency press conference held last Friday morning it was revealed that the new reorganisation of the CAC will also affect its organisational structure and staff, who will now not be laid off on 18 September, the last day of the concession to the company Cultural Management and Communication, which has run the centre since it was founded 21 years ago. In a complete U-turn of the official position to date Malaga's mayor himself, Francisco de la Torre, who until now had argued that he could not substitute those staff contracts as the city hall was not a company, has announced that the 27 employees of the centre will be integrated into the agency that manages the Casa Natal de Picasso, the Pompidou and the Russian Museum as "non-permanent long-term employees." So, a solution to the labour conflict that had arisen over the taking into municipal ownership of this cultural centre and which was communicated to all staff on Friday morning, according to the mayor, who expressed his "joy" at this final settlement. The entire staff will join the city hall on 19 September, after the concession has expired and they will cease to work as employees of Cultural Management and Communication. In addition, the mayor announced an open selection process to choose the next director of the MuCAC Malaga, which will be part of the city council's museums department. However, the head of the latter, Jose Maria Luna, will only act as manager of the future exhibition institution, while the person chosen to direct the former CAC will have "autonomy" for the artistic direction of the centre. This is according to the councillor in charge of culture, Mariana Pineda, who has been the architect behind this rescue of the CAC so that it can continue in this new form with a change of management model without an intermediary private company. The MuCAC's annual budget will be around 3.9 million euros, including the combined resources of the CAC and MUPAM Behind us is a period with brilliant chapters and epoch-making exhibitions - the Chapman brothers, Anish Kapoor, Marina Abramovic, Obey, D'Face, Louise Bourgeois, Julian Opie and Neo Rauch, among others - but also a management marked by controversy and the good times and the darker times that have accompanied Fernando Frances, founder of the concessionary company and curator of all the exhibitions until the last day. However, Malaga council has opted to break with this past and "take a step forward" to tackle this "overhaul" of the project to convert it into a "museum, which is an institution that goes beyond an arts centre," said Pineda. The company holding the CAC concession has stated that it has not received any communication about the new situation of its staff and regrets that the "prestigious brand" of the exhibition centre is being eliminated For their part, the concessionary company Gestion Cultural y Comunicacion assured SUR on Friday that they had not been informed by Malaga city council of the change of position with its employees, as well as expressing their surprise at the new name for the centre. "The CAC is a prestigious brand in contemporary art with two decades of history and all of a sudden it's being taken away with the stroke of a pen," commented Jose Luis Diez, manager of the concession. More exhibitions In terms of the scheduling of events, the person in charge of the future MuCAC will have to organise around fifteen temporary exhibitions per year and develop a project that will multiply the current workload. He or she will not only have to curate the CAC's main gallery at the old wholesale market (affectionately known as CAC HQ Central) and the annexes of La Coracha as has been done until now, but also the MUPAM, which has been rather lost for years with no clear exhibition plans or overall cultural, artistic direction. Furthermore, the specifications for the selection of the director require, among his/her exhibition priorities for this new stage in the CAC's future, giving attention to local artists (both local to Malaga and to Andalucia) as well as putting the focus on what art is coming from the two continents strategically linked to Malaga: Latin America and Africa. Malaga city council "takes a step forward" to face the "overhaul" of the project and turn it into a "museum, which is an institution that goes beyond an arts centre" As for the art collection itself, its expansion has also been announced. Over the last 21 years, the policy of purchases and acquisitions has enabled 632 pieces to be brought together and transferred to the MuCAC. They also hope to add the Carmen Riera collection, which is being negotiated so that it can continue to form part of the permanent collection. In addition, talks are underway to incorporate new collections, through deposits and donations, and the so-called Espacio Foto (Photo Space) has already been planned, which will dedicate a room exclusively to photography in the current MUPAM as this artistic discipline lacks its own facilities in the city. All this ambitious reorganisation and reviewing of the former municipal spaces of the CAC, the Coracha and the MUPAM is intended to be done with the same resources as before, although they will be bringing together all the budgets of each institution. Thus, as explained by culture councillor Pineda, her department will continue to devote the 3.2 million euros per year that was managed privately by Gestion Cultural y Comunicacion, to which will be added between 600,000 and 700,000 euros that are currently invested in the Municipal Heritage Museum. The new MuCAC budget will therefore be around 3.9 million euros per year. In the case of the Pompidou, the cost from 2025 onwards will be 2.7 million euros per year for the use of the Parisian brand name and the management of the collections and exhibitions. Zoom Mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, together with the councillor responsible for culture, Mariana Pineda. SUR Another important aspect of the press conference given by Malaga's mayor and the councillor in charge of culture was to say more about the CAC's reopening and refurbishment. Without stating the final budget for this reworking of the building as the building will not be handed over to public hands until 18 September, the investment currently being considered is 1.1 million euros for the refurbishment of the Mercado de Mayoristas (the old wholesale market), which has been in operation as this arts centre for 21 years without any major work. The council's urban planning department will be responsible for this renovation that, in addition to completely replacing the air-conditioning system that has caused so many problems and expense in recent years , will also have to solve the sanitation and leak issues in the washrooms. It also needs to completely repaint the building inside and out, adapt the storerooms, create a new artists' laboratory space next to the library, renovate the lighting and provide new toilets for the restaurant and the bookshop so that users do not have to go inside the museum facilities. This significant renovation and change of concept will also put an end to free admission to the centre. Pineda stated that they are considering charging an entrance fee from 2026 when it reopens as MuCAC although, while the centre continues to operate in 2025 using the rooms of La Coracha and MUPAM, it will stay open to the public without charge. However, she assured us that the museum will continue to have free openings every week in the future, which could be on Sunday afternoons or at certain times of the day. Back in June, SUR was questioning what would happen to CAC Malaga once the private management contract came to an end - was CAC dead? Well, last Friday such reflections were confirmed with the city council announcing its break with the private management of the institution and the complete overhaul of its management model and institutional concept. Yes, the CAC is dead, long live the MuCAC. Canal Motor Madrid Monday, 9 September 2024, 17:48 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads The leased vehicle trade has accelerated in Spain, with 223,957 operations registered up to August this year, new data shows. The figure of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, agricultural vehicles and off-road vehicles leased out is an 11.6% increase compared to the previous year, according to figures provided by the Asociacion Espanola de Leasing y Renting (AELR). The figures mean that around one in four vehicles - 24.6% - that were registered in Spain last month were destined for the leasing market. Most notably, car leasing increased by 10.7% to 178,260 transactions; 35,937 vans were leased, up 20.6%; 5,955 SUV leasing transactions were signed, a decrease of 9.5%. Lorry leasing contracts amounted to 2,683, some 38.2% more while agricultural vehicle leasing was 11.9% less at 1,072 operations. Up to August this year, 86,376 diesel vehicles were registered for leasing, which is 38.6% of the total number of vehicles leased. Petrol vehicles registered for lease accounted for 128,985 - 57.6% of the total. Meanwhile, electric, liquefied petroleum gas and compressed natural gas vehicles together accounted for 3.8% of the total number of vehicles rented at 8,593. Zoom Leasing registrations by combustion type. F. P. According to Jose Coronel de Palma y Martinez-Agullo, president of the AELR said: "automotive leasing is maintaining the good overall trend of this year, supported by the preference for this vehicle ownership formula of both companies and individuals. It is also relevant that 24.6% of operations - that is, nearly one out of every four vehicles - are already formalised through leasing. We hope to continue on this positive path in the future". The total investment made in the acquisition of new vehicles by leasing companies at the end of August 2024 reached 5.09 billion euros, 14.20% more than at the end of August 2023, when an investment of 4.45 billion euros was recorded. Zoom Annual balance by propulsion type. F. P. Jose-Martin Castro Acebes, president of the Asociacion Espanola de Renting de Vehiculos, said: "despite the fact that August is never a good month for registrations, due to its very low commercial activity, leasing maintains its favourable evolution in the accumulated figures and registers an increase in registrations so far this year of more than 12% and 14.20%. We are confident that the economic and social situation in the coming months will be favourable and that both leasing and the overall market will be able to close a satisfactory year". Renault, Volkswagen, Toyota, Citroen and Peugeot are the most popular car marques in the leased vehicles market. Brendan J. Lyons, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. (TNS) ALBANY Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is scheduled to testify publicly Tuesday before a congressional subcommittee that has been investigating New Yorks handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the circumstances that led to the deaths of more than 15,000 nursing home residents. Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, said the panel will question Cuomo on his administrations issuance of unscientific guidance that forced New York nursing homes and long-term care facilities to admit COVID-19 positive patients. Cuomo, who is scheduled to appear before Congress on Sept. 10, appeared in front of the subcommittee in June for a closed-door interview that lasted roughly seven hours. During that interview, Cuomo told the subcommittee that he was initially unaware of a controversial directive that had been issued by the state Department of Health in March 2020 directing New Yorks nursing homes to accept residents even if they had tested positive for COVID-19. The former governors assertion that he was unaware of a directive that had been issued to ease pressure on New York hospitals as they became overwhelmed with patients echoes public statements he made a month later, in April 2020, when he claimed during a news conference that he was not familiar with the advisory. Sources familiar with a now-closed FBI investigation of the Cuomo administrations decision to issue that directive told the Times Union that a draft was edited for more than two days by the Health Department and members of the governors office before it was issued on March 25, 2020. Cuomos testimony that he was unaware of the directive even nearly four weeks later means that he was not briefed on or otherwise part of the discussions of one of the most consequential decisions that was made at the time to deal with hospitals potentially running out of bed space. In addition, former Health Department officials interviewed in that federal investigation, which was headed by the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn, told the FBI that Cuomo was frequently on their calls with his coronavirus task force, but would usually only listen without speaking. At least one of those former officials told the FBI that Larry Schwartz, a former secretary to the governor who was brought back to help with the public health response, may have had a hand in editing drafts of the nursing home advisory. Schwartz told the Times Union in June that information is false. I dont know who said that, or who told the FBI that; that is factually an inaccurate statement. I had nothing to do with that. Zero, Schwartz said. I had zero to do with anything involving nursing home policies. Richard Azzopardi, a spokesman for Cuomo, said there was a distinction between staff of the governors office and members of the coronavirus task force, who were volunteers. He issued a new statement Tuesday accusing the congressional subcommittee of engaging in partisan political games. Memo triggered confusion The Times Union reported exclusively in June 2021 that the origin of that memo to nursing homes stemmed from an urgent late-night call to Health Department officials from a top administrator at a Newburgh hospital. He informed them a van had just dropped off more than 15 nursing home residents who had tested positive for COVID-19, and if more followed it could create a critical shortage of beds. None of the nursing home residents clinically required hospitalization. Other nursing facility operators were also beginning to move residents infected with COVID-19 to hospitals out of fear they could spread the illness in the assisted-living facilities. Cuomo had been publicly declaring that New York would not be able to maintain enough hospital beds for coronavirus patients if infection rates continued to climb. Inside the governors office, that March 2020 phone call from an official at Montefiore St. Lukes hospital in Newburgh prompted the administration to craft the hastily prepared memo that directed nursing homes to allow residents afflicted with COVID-19 to remain in or return to those facilities, even if they were being discharged from hospitals while still testing positive. The memorandum had stated: No resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the (nursing home) solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. Cuomos office has said the caveat was that nursing homes could only accept those infected residents if they were capable of caring for them and keeping them quarantined from other residents. But the memo didnt explicitly state that although it noted standard precautions must be maintained and it caused confusion in the industry. Family members of nursing home residents told the Times Union four years ago that they saw their loved ones often over Zoom or FaceTime calls being occasionally tended to by nursing home employees who werent wearing masks, and on floors where other residents were testing positive for the disease. The guidance was rescinded less than two months after it was issued. U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro was Dutchess County executive during the pandemic and frequently on control room calls with county leaders and members of Cuomos coronavirus task force, including in March 2020 when Molinaro said the nursing home directive was discussed. Molinaro said the former governor had noted the directive, which he later defended after saying he was made aware of it, was consistent to one issued by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Cuomo also said that nursing homes at the time did not communicate with him any objection to this order, the congressman added. When the order was issued, he was on a public briefing specifically saying that nursing homes must accept individuals and did not have the right to turn away individuals because they tested positive with COVID, Molinaro said. We know that the order was issued with his knowledge, because it was communicated directly on control room calls that I participated in ... and others were all party to, so theres a bit of absurdity to making that statement. Cuomos spokesman said Molinaros statement that the former governor discussed the directive on a public briefing is demonstrably false. He said Cuomo did not take part in the control room calls, which included local health commissioners, county executives, state officials and members of the governors coronavirus task force. Conflicting testimony A focus of the subcommittee has been the circumstances that led to the deaths of more than 15,000 nursing home residents in New York, and allegations that Cuomos administration withheld data on the number of fatalities in those facilities. At least six former top aides in Cuomos administration, including former state Department of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, have testified before the panel. Zucker, who later became deputy director for Global Health at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a position he recently left testified before the subcommittee more than six months ago. Former Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa also appeared before the panel for a closed-door interview this summer; subcommittee sources said many of her responses were that she could not recall details of matters she was asked about. She was pretty much like the governor, where she claimed to have been unaware of the existence of the March 25, 2020, nursing home order until nearly a month after it was issued, Wenstrup told the Times Union in July. And I will say that somewhat contradicts what Dr. Howard Zucker, the former commissioner of the Department of Health, had said and (he) testified that Ms. DeRosa played a critical role in the must-admit order. Wenstrup said that DeRosa also expressed remorse for the lives lost in nursing homes during the pandemic, but she deflected responsibility, as the governor did, and really said that this deadly guidance was a mid-level employee that was making that decision. But she has a responsibility to review the directives published by the Cuomo administration, apparently, or she should have. Gregory Morvillo, DeRosas attorney, accused Republicans on the subcommittee of playing political games. Dr. Zucker did not say Melissa played a critical role in the March 25 nursing home admissions policy guidance, Morvillo said. Melissa played no role in the drafting or implementation of the March 25 guidance. What we understand Dr. Zucker did say is that Melissa, as secretary to the governor, played a critical role in COVID response, which is true. Wenstrup also said that Cuomo did not express remorse about deaths in New Yorks nursing homes during the pandemic when he was interviewed in June. After much political distortion, the people of this great nation deserve to know the real, fact-based answers: Why did more Americans die during COVID than any other country on the globe? Cuomo told the subcommittee, according to a copy of his opening statement he released on the day he appeared before the panel. What went wrong here and how do we make sure it doesnt happen next time? Cuomos statement asserted that Republicans have sought to distract from their own culpability and muddy the waters. Four years ago the Republican administration made many accusations and called for investigations into New Yorks COVID response: those investigations have been completed, Cuomos statement read. The Department of Justice three times the Manhattan District Attorney, the New York Attorney General, and the New York State Assembly all investigated and not a single one validated the Republican administrations accusation that New Yorks nursing home admissions guidance was the cause of COVID being introduced into nursing homes. Other members of Cuomos administration who have appeared before the subcommittee include Dr. Eleanor Adams, a former special advisor to Zucker; Gareth Rhodes, who was a member of the administrations coronavirus task force; Jim Malatras, a former Cuomo advisor and SUNY chancellor; Beth Garvey, a former special counsel to the governor; and Linda Lacewell, a former task force member and superintendent of the state Department of Financial Services. The subcommittee cited the report from a law firm that conducted an impeachment investigation of Cuomo for the state Assembly prior to his resignation in August 2021. It concluded that a Department of Health report on nursing home deaths during the pandemic had been heavily vetted by the governors office and underreported the number of fatalities in those facilities. The Assembly report asserted the Health Departments data was substantially revised by the executive chamber and largely intended to combat criticisms regarding former Gov. Cuomos directive that nursing homes should readmit residents that had been diagnosed with COVID-19. ___ (c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Another member of the classic rock band Kansas is leaving the groups 50th anniversary tour. Kansas announced over the weekend that bassist and co-lead vocalist Billy Greer has concluded his journey after nearly 40 years with the band. He joined Kansas in 1985 and had been an unwavering presence, appearing on seven studio albums and playing more than 2,300 live concerts with the group. He stood shoulder to shoulder with us through both the ups and the downs. His voice, both singing and emceeing, has been a constant with us on stage. The entire Kansas family will miss him, said original Kansas guitarist Richard Williams in a statement. For 39 years, Billy has been a loyal, dedicated, and immensely talented bandmate. Hes travelled around the world with us including USO tours, added Phil Ehart, the original drummer for Kansas. Ehart left the bands live tour earlier this year after suffering a heart attack, but remains with Kansas as its manager. Greer, who also served as emcee for Kansas concerts over the last 18 years, did not elaborate on a reason for his departure. Outside of the band, he was also lead vocalist and bassist for the side project Native Window. I consider myself lucky. There have been a couple of incarnations along the way, but weve managed to push through the rough times, Greer told 100% Rock Magazine of his work with Kansas. I was part of those rough times. In the 90s when grunge became the flavor of the month, that set us on a course for doom. We kept going. Those were some dark times. Playing small clubs from Tuesday through Thursday to get to the good gigs on the weekends... It was a rough go for a lot of years, but we slowly made our way back. Kansas said Greers departure will not impact any upcoming concerts on their tour. A replacement for Greer was announced Monday. The band Kansas and its entire organization extend heartfelt gratitude to Billy for his decades of exceptional musicianship, a group statement said. Kansas, named after their home state, released its first album in 1974 and became one of the most popular rock bands of the 70s and 80s with songs like Carry On Wayward Son, Dust in the Wind and Point of Know Return. Ehart and Williams are the only two original members still with the band. Hip-hop country artist Shaboozey, best known for his breakthrough, chart-topping hit A Bar Song (Tipsy), kicks off his Where Ive Been, Isnt Where Im Going Tour tonight in Minneapolis. Find out below how you can see him in New York. This years been a lot of firsts, and happy to include my first ever headline tour to that list, he wrote on Instagram. Come listen to me perform the album and new music live for the first time this fall on leg one of WIBIWIG! Lets sell these out and add more dates, I wanna meet and see every single one of yall! The tour is in support of Shaboozeys third studio album, Where Ive Been, Isnt Where Im Going, which released on May 31, 2024. The album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 and features the singles Let It Burn, Anabelle, Vegas and A Bar Song (Tipsy), which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and became the longest running number one in 2024. Where to buy Shaboozey tour tickets Tickets to Shaboozeys Where Ive Been, Isnt Where Im Going Tour can be purchased online through AXS or secondary market platforms such as Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and StubHub, where prices can be listed below face value depending on demand. Heres a look at the best prices for Shaboozeys New York shows (including fees): Sept. 17 - Brooklyn Steel - Brooklyn, NY Sept. 18 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY Prices and availability are noted at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Where else is Shaboozey playing? 09/09 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue (Tickets) 09/10 - Chicago, IL - Metro Chicago (Tickets) 09/13 - Toronto, ON, CA - The Danforth Music Hall (Tickets) 09/16 - Boston, MA - Royale Boston (Tickets) 09/17 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel (Tickets) 09/18 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza (Tickets) 09/21 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club (Tickets) 09/23 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club (Tickets) 09/25 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse (Tickets) 09/29 - Denver, CO - Cervantes Masterpiece & The Other Side (Tickets) 09/30 - Denver, CO - Cervantes Masterpiece & The Other Side (Tickets) 10/02 - Nashville, TN - Ascend Amphitheater (Tickets) 10/14 - Los Angeles, CA - Fonda Theatre (Tickets) 10/15 - Los Angeles, CA - Fonda Theatre (Tickets) Cant get enough live music? Shaboozey 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. If youre eating a bagel with a Philadelphia cream cheese schmear while you read this, you can thank Upstate New York. Yes, Philadelphia Cream Cheese was invented in New York, not the city of brotherly love, though some Philadelphians may refute that claim. Local folklore says the cream cheese came from Philadelphia, NY, just northeast of Fort Drum. Its even mentioned on the town website, but others claim its just a myth. According to world-renowned cream cheese expert Rabbi Jeffrey Marx, in 1872, a dairy farmer named William Lawrence from Chester, experimented with increasing the cream content in his cheese recipe. This resulted in the creation of a rich, new product simply called cream cheese. When the soft cheese proved to be enough of a success in Orange County, New York cheese broker Alvah Reynolds pitched Lawrence the idea of naming it after Philadelphia. By 1880, the Pennsylvania city had made a name for itself as a goldmine of dairy products and a hotbed of cheesy commodities. Naming it after this area could make it synonymous with high quality. Philadelphia cream cheese hit the market and you know the rest of the story. Fast forward to present day, Philadelphia-brand cream cheese is now a Kraft Foods Group brand and is produced at the nations largest cream cheese plant, Kraft Heinz in Lowville. The Lewis County town holds an annual Cream Cheese Festival celebrating the tangy, soft fromage. This years festival will be held from 11am to 6pm on Saturday, September 21, 2024 in downtown Lowville. Admission to the event is free. This annual celebration is one of the most fun and wacky fall festivals held in the North Country. In the past, the event has had contests such as Lick It Clean (involving ice cream), a cow milking contest, cream cheese Plinko and Dress like a Farmer Contest. Celebrity chef Duff Goldman with the world's largest cheesecake in 2013 at the ninth annual Lowville Cream Cheese Fest in Lowville, NY. Provided photo | The Associated PressProvided photo | The Associated Press In 2013 at the ninth annual festival, celebrity chef Duff Goldman was in attendance to help unveil a seven-foot-wide, 31-inch-deep cheesecake, declared the worlds biggest that year by Guinness World Records. The 6,900-pound cheesecake contained more than three tons of cream cheese, sugar, graham crackers and butter serving up about 24,533 slices. Officials said the festival annually creates the largest cheesecake in the country: a 1,200-pound cheesecake which makes 3,500 slices. If baking a behemoth is not in your wheelhouse, there each year the festival hosts a recipe contest which requires all submissions to contain Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese as an ingredient. Participants can visit the plant to submit their written recipe and are given six blocks of cream cheese to prepare their foods for the contest. Recipes are split into dessert and non-dessert categories. Winners include everything from cream cheese ice cream to hot chili. The festival will also have live music, food, and a childrens play park. FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc. announced its upcoming FOCUS Forum, which will feature the recently published Community Priorities Document by the CNY Community Engagement Committee (CEC). The FOCUS Forum is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20, from 12:05 p.m. to 1 p.m. and will be held online via Zoom. The forum is free and open to the public. This forum will highlight the key findings from the extensive public engagement process led by the CEC, which was formed by Gov. Kathy Hochul to identify community priorities that ensure the benefits of Micron Technology, Inc.s substantial investment in Central New York will reach all residents. Through a comprehensive series of listening sessions, focus groups, surveys, and other outreach efforts, the CEC engaged more than 12,000 individuals to capture a wide range of perspectives and priorities. The findings will guide the distribution of $500 million over 20 years through the Green Chips Community Fund. The findings are detailed in the report titled Harnessing Opportunity, Community Priorities for Central New York, which now serves as the guiding framework for the distribution of $500 million in funding over the next 20 years through the Green Chips Community Fund. This fund, a partnership between Empire State Development and Micron Technology, Inc., aims to support community-driven initiatives that align with the priorities identified in the CECs report. The forum will feature an expert panel of three speakers from the CNY Community Engagement Committee: Daniel Kolinski Regional Director, Central New York, Empire State Development Melanie Littlejohn President & CEO, Central New York Community Foundation Tim Penix Vice President, SUNY Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center The panelists will discuss the engagement process, emerging priorities, and next steps for moving these priorities forward. The Forum is part of FOCUS monthly Forum series where experts discuss citizen-driven topics and engage with attendees through a moderated Q&A session. Forums are open to the public and typically last one hour. This forum offers a unique opportunity for community members to learn about the future direction of Central New York and actively participate in discussions that will shape the regions development. Attendees can engage directly with the panelists during a moderated Q&A session following the presentations. Here are the latest business property and land sales in Onondaga County. Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard for decades has reported home sales, but has begun to report sales for commercial and business properties as well as vacant land sales reported to the Onondaga County Clerks Office. Sanford, N.Y. A dump truck plowed into an Upstate New York home on Friday afternoon, killing one person and injuring two others. The deadly accident happened around 3:11 p.m. in Sanford, a Southern Tier town about 30 minutes east of Binghamton. The dump truck crashed into a home on Old Plank Road, the New York State Police said in a news release. The 29-year-old man who was driving the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said. Three people were inside the one-story home at the time of the accident, troopers said: a 10-year-old boy, a 22-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman. A dump truck plowed into a Sanford, N.Y. home on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 killing the driver and injuring a 10-year-old boy inside the home, troopers say.New York State Police The boy was airlifted to Albany Medical Center. Troopers did not release the childs condition or specify the severity of his injuries. EMS treated the woman at the scene, troopers said. The 22-year-old man was not injured. So far, it is not clear what caused the crash, troopers said. The accident remains under investigation. The names of the dump truck driver and the people inside the Old Plank Road have not yet been released. Along with troopers, the Deposit Fire Department and Eastern Broom Emergency Services responded to the scene. A dump truck plowed into a Sanford, N.Y. home on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 killing the driver and injuring a 10-year-old boy inside the home, troopers say.New York State Police LONDON, Ky. (AP) More than a dozen school districts shut down Monday across a wide swath of southeastern Kentucky as a grueling search stretched into a third day for a gunman who opened fire on an interstate highway and wounded five people over the weekend. Searchers have been combing the rugged, hilly area since Saturday evening, when a gunman began shooting at drivers on Interstate 75 near London, a small city of about 8,000 people about 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Lexington. Were not going to quit until we do lay hands on him, Laurel County Sheriff John Root said, with the search area covering thousands of acres (hectares). Joseph A. Couch, 32, was named a suspect in the shooting after authorities recovered his SUV on a service road near the crime scene. They later found a semiautomatic weapon nearby that they believe was used in the shooting, said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the sheriffs office. Christina DiNoto, who witnessed the shooting Saturday while driving on I-75, said Monday that it weighed heavily on her mind. To know that hes still at large that makes me nervous, honestly, she said. DiNoto, an IT project manager, said the shooting also unlocked a new kind of fear, like you have to be scared to even just drive on the highways. Authorities vowed to keep up a relentless pursuit of the gunman in the densely wooded area as local residents worried about where the shooter might turn up next. Administrators in Rockcastle County, just north of where the shooting took place, closed for the day, as did Knox County to the south. Classes also were canceled at three regional college campuses. Donna Hess, who lives 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the shooting scene in rural Laurel County, agreed with the decision to close schools there. Both of her children, a first grader and preschooler, normally take the bus. Id be afraid hed try to hijack the bus and take the kids as hostages, Hess said. Im worried about everybody because they dont know where hes at. Im hoping they catch him soon. We dont know what hes capable of right now. Katie Patel, who works at a London motel, brought her 7-year-old son with her because schools were closed. Even he was worried about his 2-year-old sister when she went off to day care. He was questioning me: Is she going to be safe? Patel said. Meanwhile, downtown London appeared to be nearly deserted. Normally this street would be very busy, Sharee St. Louis Smith said while taking a smoke break from her job in adult education. Its just been a lot quieter than were used to seeing. Capt. Richard Dalrymple of the Laurel County Sheriffs Office said authorities are doing everything they can. The longer we continue, and the more area we clear and the more places we are sure he is not, the safer people are going to be, he said. And Im confident eventually well figure it out and well find him. State police Master Trooper Scottie Pennington, a spokesman for the London post, said troopers are being brought in from across the state to aid in the search focused on a remote area about 8 miles (13 kilometers) north of London. He described the extensive search area as walking in a jungle with machetes needed to cut through thickets. Couch most recently lived in Woodbine, a small community about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of the shooting scene. Authorities said he purchased the weapon and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition Saturday morning in London. Couch served in the National Guard for at least four years, Dalrymple said. The U.S. Army said in a statement that Couch was in the Army Reserve from March 2013 to January 2019 as a combat engineer who was a private when he left and had no deployments. Authorities said the shooter fired 20 to 30 rounds, striking 12 vehicles on the interstate Saturday. DiNoto, 39, was driving through Kentucky with a friend on her way back to Houston after visiting relatives in Rochester, New York, when they heard a loud noise Saturday and assumed a rock had hit her back windshield. Her friend wondered whether it was gunshots, but they quickly dismissed the possibility. The driver of a truck in the next lane slumped over and pulled to the side of the road, but DiNoto assumed the cause was something like a tire blowout. They saw first responders barreling down the highway but didnt realize thered been a shooting until the friends dad called to check on them 90 minutes later. We were in the middle of nowhere, Kentucky, and it was just like, what? Somebody was on an overpass shooting AR-15 at us? DiNoto said. Acciardo said authorities found Couchs abandoned vehicle Saturday and an AR-15 rifle on Sunday in a wooded area near a highway where he could have shot down upon the interstate. A phone believed to be Couchs was also found by law enforcement, but the battery had been taken out. Specially trained officers were deployed through the night in strategic locations in the woods to prevent the shooter from slipping through, he said. Weve got to get him, Acciardo said. A Sense of Global Culture: 11th European Conference on Sensory and Consumer Research Sensory Food Network Ireland is delighted to welcome over 750 delegates from across the world to the RDS, Dublin for the 11th European Conference on Sensory and Consumer Research, which takes place between the 8th and 11th of September, 2024. It is the first time that this prestigious international conference takes place in Ireland and is centred around the theme A Sense of Global Culture. Pictured at EuroSense 2024, the 11th European Conference on Sensory and Consumer Research, taking place in the RDS Dublin are Professor Frank OMara, Teagasc Director with chairs of EuroSense 2024 and Teagasc researchers Dr Eimear Gallagher, Dr Emily Crofton and Dr Sinead McCarthy. Speakers from 75 countries are presenting the latest developments in sensory and consumer science across many contemporary topics addressing key global challenges such as health, sustainable food packaging, food waste, and new product innovations. At the opening ceremony, Professor Frank OMara, Director of Teagasc, stated; At Teagasc, we recognise the importance of sensory and consumer science in developing new foods and especially in the context of our evolving food system. Given the growing evolution and diversity of our food systems, and the importance of feeding an ever-increasing global population, we now rely heavily on a thorough understanding of the sensory nuances and consumer preferences of different cultures, to ensure a healthy, tasty and sustainable food supply for all. Professor Joanne Hort, Massey University, New Zealand, who delivered the opening keynote presentation stated; As food producers strive to provide enough food for the global population, and companies compete in a global market, it has never been more important for consumer sensory scientists to understand global variation in the drivers of food choice and preference, and the methodological approaches used to study them. The chairs of EuroSense 2024 and Teagasc researchers, Dr Eimear Gallagher, Dr Sinead McCarthy and Dr Emily Crofton said; We are excited to bring EuroSense 2024 to Dublin. New approaches to living, eating and the environment across the globe are shaping the future of sensory and consumer science. We have put together an exciting programme of speakers across a broad range of topics, with applications for food and non-food products. Find out more here Harsh23122002 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Pune Posts: 4 Thanked: 33 Times Wanted a Honda CB300R, went to Ladakh, booked a Royal Enfield Scram 411 This is my first thread on team-bhp, really very elated and looking forward to your opinions guys. I've been reading threads and blogs on this forum since I was a kid XD, recently I've graduated from my college, I am a Software Engineer now, and with my first month's salary, I have booked a Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 . All it took was a Ladakh road trip and the possibility of this bike getting discontinued. My college days ended with me using my roommate's Shine in Pune. Really not a bad bike for daily commute to my internship office, but I was radiating a 20-year-old-uncle vibe with that bike under the seat. BAD JOKE, anyways, I was by then gonna be a resident of Pune and needed to own a two wheeler. Decided to stay away from all partnership entries like Harley, Triumph, BMW which shared platforms, with some established brands here as they really were not a product of original company's vision. I'd have rather gone with their Indian siblings. It had to be something very unique, so never thought about apaches and hornets or FZs. The one bike I had my eyes on was Honda CB300R, it had the essence of Honda, by the way it looked, by the way it was positioned, took a test ride and damn it was a very close connection to the engine, it surely wanted to be rode fast, IT IS A REAL HONDA. ~30 ps of power and 27 Nm torque with a very light 146 kg chassis is..... FAST !!! I was getting mad for that machine. But then came my final semester exams and whoa, I've completed my college, which ended with me planning a Bike trip in Ladakh with my 2 friends and a cousin of one of them. The route was Srinagar to Kargil: Himilayan 411, Cold breeze, Greens and whites and mountains , everything perfect for a great start to this trip. The bike is surely a gem of a design. I was comfortable to handle the bike along the bad roads with a pillion for long run, I felt confident to ride it, but it is a very heavy bike for me. After a good, day long run, we reached Kargil. Kargil to Leh: The altitude was increasing constantly, but the roads were smooth. The Himis we had were the BS6 ones, the older ones are said to have weak chassis and more quality issues. Leh was colder. The next day, we were ready for Khardungla pass, once the highest motorable pass. Leh to Nubra via Khardungla pass: The sand dunes were amazing to look at but, very tricky to ride on when in path. Nubra was where we stayed for the night. So, this was my first every bike trip, the organisation we had gone with was Deyor. The batch was of ~35 people from each and every part of India. From Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, MP, Bengal, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra, Delhi and Maharashtra to list them. Our ages were quiet lower than the batch's average age including their employees and the marshal. People were really great, the bonding was even better. Nubra to Pangong Tso: Our destination was still 40 mins away and we were shivering already. Somehow, we made it to Pangong. The night was fun, some drinks, music and bonfire was all it took for everyone to get up and dance, it was really very precious. Pangong Tso to Hanle: The Instrument Cluster is nearly a piece of art! Sadly, Umling La was not the part of the itinerary. Hanle to Tso Moriri: Roads are now less asphalt and more earth. These bikes are really meant for this, it is their home turf. Tso Moriri to Sarchu: Views from Ghata Loops were breathtaking. The journey of the day was long, but the off-roading was longer. We were crossing the border and entering Himachal at Sarchu, our stay for the evening. Sarchu to Jispa and Jispa to Manali: Crossing the state border brought us new bikes, with HP plates. The lot had a majority of 411 Himis and some handful 450 Himis and Scram 411s. I was sharing my bike as a duel rider with my friend but they had extra bikes, so this gave me a Scram 411 for my own till Manali. The bike was already very alluring. The road to and away from Barcha La Pass really gave me an opportunity to know this bike, Scram 411. I found myself getting more and more attached to the machine. It really did well, I was confident enough to attack the corners, it is really something. The trip ends!! This arc will be etched in gold in my story of life. Now back to being a regular human here in the City, it was time, and I knew it, I saw it coming. This will be my first big purchase from my very first earnings. To some ADRENALINE RUSH!!! Went for a test ride to see how it fares on the roads of Pune, and I feel positive. Booked the bike asap as it is likely to get discontinued soon. Delivery is on Dussehra. Excited! Will keep updated with the follow up threads. Regards, Harsh Hello BHPians,This is my first thread on team-bhp, really very elated and looking forward to your opinions guys.I've been reading threads and blogs on this forum since I was a kid XD, recently I've graduated from my college, I am a Software Engineer now, and with my first month's salary, I have booked a Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 .All it took was a Ladakh road trip and the possibility of this bike getting discontinued.My college days ended with me using my roommate's Shine in Pune.Really not a bad bike for daily commute to my internship office, but I was radiating a 20-year-old-uncle vibe with that bike under the seat.BAD JOKE, anyways,I was by then gonna be a resident of Pune and needed to own a two wheeler.Decided to stay away from all partnership entries like Harley, Triumph, BMW which shared platforms, with some established brands here as they really were not a product of original company's vision. I'd have rather gone with their Indian siblings.It had to be something very unique, so never thought about apaches and hornets or FZs.The one bike I had my eyes on was Honda CB300R, it had the essence of Honda, by the way it looked, by the way it was positioned, took a test ride and damn it was a very close connection to the engine, it surely wanted to be rode fast, IT IS A REAL HONDA.~30 ps of power and 27 Nm torque with a very light 146 kg chassis is.....FAST !!! I was getting mad for that machine.But then came my final semester exams and whoa, I've completed my college, which ended with me planning a Bike trip in Ladakh with my 2 friends and a cousin of one of them. The route wasSrinagar to Kargil:Himilayan 411, Cold breeze, Greens and whites and mountains , everything perfect for a great start to this trip.The bike is surely a gem of a design. I was comfortable to handle the bike along the bad roads with a pillion for long run, I felt confident to ride it, but it is a very heavy bike for me. After a good, day long run, we reached Kargil.Kargil to Leh:The altitude was increasing constantly, but the roads were smooth.The Himis we had were the BS6 ones, the older ones are said to have weak chassis and more quality issues. Leh was colder. The next day, we were ready for Khardungla pass, once the highest motorable pass.Leh to Nubra via Khardungla pass:The sand dunes were amazing to look at but, very tricky to ride on when in path. Nubra was where we stayed for the night.So, this was my first every bike trip, the organisation we had gone with was Deyor. The batch was of ~35 people from each and every part of India. From Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, MP, Bengal, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra, Delhi and Maharashtra to list them. Our ages were quiet lower than the batch's average age including their employees and the marshal.People were really great, the bonding was even better.Nubra to Pangong Tso:Our destination was still 40 mins away and we were shivering already. Somehow, we made it to Pangong. The night was fun, some drinks, music and bonfire was all it took for everyone to get up and dance, it was really very precious.Pangong Tso to Hanle:The Instrument Cluster is nearly a piece of art!Sadly, Umling La was not the part of the itinerary.Hanle to Tso Moriri:Roads are now less asphalt and more earth. These bikes are really meant for this, it is their home turf.Tso Moriri to Sarchu:Views from Ghata Loops were breathtaking. The journey of the day was long, but the off-roading was longer.We were crossing the border and entering Himachal at Sarchu, our stay for the evening.Sarchu to Jispa and Jispa to Manali:Crossing the state border brought us new bikes, with HP plates. The lot had a majority of 411 Himis and some handful 450 Himis and Scram 411s.I was sharing my bike as a duel rider with my friend but they had extra bikes, so this gave me a Scram 411 for my own till Manali.The bike was already very alluring.The road to and away from Barcha La Pass really gave me an opportunity to know this bike, Scram 411. I found myself getting more and more attached to the machine. It really did well, I was confident enough to attack the corners, it is really something.The trip ends!!This arc will be etched in gold in my story of life.Now back to being a regular human here in the City, it was time, and I knew it, I saw it coming.This will be my first big purchase from my very first earnings.To some ADRENALINE RUSH!!!Went for a test ride to see how it fares on the roads of Pune, and I feel positive. Booked the bike asap as it is likely to get discontinued soon.Delivery is on Dussehra. Excited!Will keep updated with the follow up threads.Regards,Harsh Last edited by Harsh23122002 : 8th September 2024 at 10:59 . Reason: Image/Attachment Issue jfk1975 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Everywhere Posts: 94 Thanked: 196 Times Re: BMW 3-Series Gran Limousine Review (Long Wheelbase) Quote: Raikkonen07 Originally Posted by A few further queries: 1. The dealer is quoting INR 135K for 3-yr BSI+ and INR 270K for 5-yr BSI+ for the 330Li. He says he cannot offer any discounts on these since the packages are directly from BMW. Should I try to push a bit more? Quote: 2. Till when can I keep reviewing service packages? (e.g., can I get BSI+ for yr 7 - yr 10?. Am guessing that would be very expensive though?). Since you mentioned you took the BSI+ for used cars, could you please help me with a ballpark for how much they charged you for it? Quote: 3. Also, would there be a significant advantage in taking 5-yr BSI+ right now? Or take 3-year BSI+ now and renew it closer to the end of 3rd year? Quote: 4. Again, the dealer quotes INR 60K for the 3rd yr and about INR 250K for the 5th year (I think he means up to 5th year). Are these prices okay or is there room for discounts? Just work through your usage, get the official quotes and decide accordingly. If you want to, you can just skip BSI and do a pay-as-you-go. There isn't really a black-or-white answer for this. BRI (extended warranty) is definitely something that I would recommend. I am afraid the dealer is right. There isn't much wiggle room with BSI/BSI+/BRI packages. If you are planning on keeping the car long-term, then you might as well take the 5 Yr BSI+. Of course, you pay more upfront, but in my experience, the BSI/BRI package prices keep increasing every 6-12 months. It kind of secures you against future price increases.Let's say you take a BSI+ package now for 3 Yr/45K Km. Before the 3-year period expires, you can extend the BSI+ package. Alternately, you could let it expire and then take a used car BSI+ instead. The coverage is the same with the used car BSI+, but the advantage with that is that you could get coverage for up to 6 years (as opposed to 5 years if you renew before the 3 Year coverage expires). Again, these things keep changing with BMW quite a bit. Best to get the entire price list from your dealer and decide. I took the BSI+ extension last year (intentionally a day after my original BSI+ expired), and I paid about 2L for another 3 Yr.Same answer as the one for your first question.Same answer as the one for your first question. The prices are set by BMW India, and there isn't much, if any, wiggle room.Just work through your usage, get the official quotes and decide accordingly. If you want to, you can just skip BSI and do a pay-as-you-go. There isn't really a black-or-white answer for this.BRI (extended warranty) is definitely something that I would recommend. Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust The big picture: Taiwan's E&R Engineering is fully committing to glass substrates for advanced packaging. Late last month, the company hosted an event in Taipei to launch its new "E-Core System" initiative, which also established the "Glass Substrate Supplier E-Core System Alliance." The program aims to bring glass substrates into the mainstream for next-generation chips and high-speed communication devices. The alliance brings together several key players, including German firm Manz AG, Taiwan's Scientech for wet etching, Hyawei Optronics for AOI inspection, as well as Lincotec, STK Corporation, Skytech, and Group Up for sputtering and ABF lamination equipment. Several other component suppliers are also part of the coalition. The combined expertise will enable the E-Core Alliance to deliver end-to-end glass substrate solutions to customers both globally and within Taiwan's semiconductor industry. In chipmaking, substrates form the foundation upon which the integrated circuit is built. They provide a base material onto which various thin-film layers, such as semiconductors, insulators, and metal interconnects, are deposited and patterned using lithography and etching techniques. The choice of substrate material significantly impacts the chip's performance, reliability, and manufacturing costs. Compared to copper, glass substrates offer denser wiring, faster signal transmission, extreme flatness, and the ability to withstand high heat and voltages. These properties make glass ideal for AI chips and other applications that demand advanced packaging with superior density and performance. Key steps in manufacturing glass substrates include creating through-glass vias (TGV), wet etching, automated optical inspection, sputtering, ABF lamination, and precision cutting of the massive 515mm x 510mm panels. All of these processes are handled by the coalition partners. Among these processes, E&R has overcome a significant bottleneck in the crucial TGV laser drilling step. The press release notes that while glass substrates have been around for over a decade, throughput was previously abysmal at just 10-50 vias per second. However, after five years of collaboration with an unnamed North American IDM customer, E&R has made a major breakthrough. They've achieved a throughput of 8,000 vias per second for fixed layouts and 600-1,000 vias per second for custom designs, all with tight accuracy within industry standards. This advancement makes glass substrates viable for mass manufacturing. The company plans to showcase its latest glass manufacturing solutions at SEMICON Taiwan and SEMICON Europa later this year. Beyond E&R, major chipmaking companies such as TSMC, Intel, Samsung Electronics, and Huawei are also investing heavily in R&D for glass substrates. Samsung aims to incorporate these substrates into commercial products by 2030. A hot potato: The time it takes for police to arrive at the scene of a crime can make a vital difference. But if they could assess the situation first, a more appropriate response can be planned. That's what one county in Texas had in mind when it decided to deploy drones as first responders to 911 calls. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is rolling out an ambitious drone pilot program that aims to get eyes on emergency situations faster by going aerial before human officers can arrive on scene. The innovative approach is intended to help law enforcement keep pace with the county's booming population growth. By the Census Bureau's latest 2023 estimate, over 711,000 people now call Montgomery County home an increase of over 60,000 residents compared to two years prior, in 2021. "As cops, we drive the same roads, we're stuck in the same traffic," Lieutenant Scott Spencer told the Houston Chronicle, spelling out the challenges created by rapid expansion outpacing infrastructure. "Having a program like this gets us eyes without cops having to drive fast to be able to go to a scene." Photos of the police drone show it in the familiar police-black paint with the words "Montgomery," "County," and "Constable" embellished across each wing. The drone has a camera mounted up front alongside lights possibly used to illuminate scenes at night. The footage is relayed to a remote control with an embedded screen. Samuel Harrison, who oversees the drone program for Montgomery County, notes the agency has already been using the technology for duties such as search and rescue operations. But this dedicated 911 response program represents a major escalation in their utilization. The concept of deploying drones as first responders has been taking off with police departments across the country. In 2018, the Chula Vista Police in California pioneered one of the earliest such programs after securing federal waivers to fly unmanned aerial vehicles beyond line-of-sight. More recently, Colorado expressed interest in the idea too. One startup, Brinc Drones, even unveiled drones designed specifically for 911 calls back in May with a 70-second claimed response time. They can also deliver life-saving medical supplies. While the Montgomery implementation doesn't appear to do anything beyond relaying a feed to the police, delivering first aid could be an excellent capability to explore next. Not everyone is excited to see drones patrolling neighborhoods. Civil liberties groups have raised alarms about the privacy implications of these airborne surveillance programs. One attorney for the ACLU of Texas told the Houston Chronicle that such drones as "costly gimmicks that waste resources, infringe on individual rights, and lead to concerning shifts in policing practices." Image credit: Houston Chronicle In a nutshell: In a landmark antitrust trial set to start later today, the US government is targeting Google's highly profitable advertisement tech business. The lawsuit, filed in 2023, comes after a combined investigation by the US government and more than a dozen states. The case focuses on a $31 billion component of Google's ad business responsible for placing banner ads on millions of websites. Opening statements before District Judge Leonie Brinkema of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia start later today. The BBC notes that the Justice Department plans to argue that Google's parent company, Alphabet, illegally operates a monopoly in the online advertising market. However, Alphabet denies the allegations, claiming that its success is due to the "effectiveness" of its services. The Justice Department claims Google established its monopoly through the anti-competitive acquisitions of smaller ad-tech rivals and even bullying website publishers into using its ad products. Google is also said to have unethically controlled key businesses in each part of the advertising supply chain, thereby driving up ad rates for advertisers while reducing the payouts to website owners. Pointing out Google's systematic abuse of the online ad business, the DoJ will ask the court to break up the company's ad-tech monopoly. The agency believes a breakup would create new opportunities for Google's smaller competitors and incentivize new players to enter the market. It will also be better for both advertisers and publishers. However, Google claims it is just one of the several hundred companies in the online ad business, including other tech giants like Meta, Apple, Amazon, and TikTok. Describing the monopoly allegations as "unfounded," the company claimed that competition in the digital ad space is increasing - not decreasing as the lawsuit suggests - as more companies enter the lucrative sector. Google also pointed out that other companies like Comcast, Disney, Walmart, and Target are also investing in building their own online advertising technology services alongside the tech giants. The company added that many other specialized digital advertising firms are also doing roaring business, including AppLovin, Criteo, Index Exchange, Pubmatic, Magnite, MediaMath, OpenX, The Trade Desk, Unity, and more. Given the existence of hundreds of competitors, Google will argue that breaking up its ad business would only benefit the other big ad-tech players while harming smaller websites that rely on its tools. The latest antitrust trial against Google comes a month after Alphabet lost a separate case against the DoJ for operating an illegal monopoly with its search business. According to the US District Court for the District of Columbia, the company violated US antitrust laws with its search business by spending billions of dollars to illegally secure a dominant position as the world's leading default search provider on smartphones and web browsers at the cost of smaller competitors like Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo. The big picture: Collecting sensitive data from an air-gapped computer that is, one that isn't connected to any network using an Ethernet cable or wirelessly is one of the most secure methods for safeguarding a device against attacks. It's no surprise that governments, law enforcement, and other organizations use air-gapped machines to protect confidential information from unauthorized access. As researchers from Ben-Gurion University have demonstrated time and again, however, nothing is impossible and if there's a will, there's a way. The team's latest approach, dubbed RAMBO (short for Radiation of Air-gapped Memory Bus for Offense), involves stealing data from an air-gapped system by remotely monitoring for coded electromagnetic emissions given off by the target system's RAM. The first step in a successful RAMBO attack is infecting the target machine with malware that's capable of manipulating RAM to generate specific radio signals. These signals are encoded in such a way that they can be received and decoded by a remote attacker in close enough proximity to the target. Getting malware onto an air-gapped system is a challenge in itself, but it can be done through an infected USB stick or a more elaborate attack using a rogue employee or an supply chain attack. Using software-defined radio hardware and an off-the-shelf antenna, a remote attacker can capture the signals being given off by the RAM and decode them to gather a range of invaluable intelligence including passwords, biometric data, keystroke information, text files, and even small images. While effective, you're not going to set any data transmission records using this method. In testing at various distances up to around 23 feet away, biometric information took anywhere between 10 seconds and 100 seconds to transmit while a small text file (5 kilobytes) could take up to 400 seconds. Keylogged data could be exfiltrated in realtime. The closer you are to the target, the higher the transmission speed. The Ben-Gurion University team has been working with air-gapped computers for years, and this is just one of many novel techniques they've come up with. An earlier effort leveraged vibrations from a PC's fan to transmit data, while another involved manipulating a screen's brightness and monitoring the changes remotely via surveillance cameras. Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust Something to look forward to: Apple has remained more hesitant about AI than competitors like Google, which has gone full-bore with the technology in their software, services, and smartphones. As Cupertino pulls the curtain back on Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16 is the company's first phone to integrate AI as a central feature, powering numerous new camera functions. Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 (6.1-inch), iPhone 16 Plus (6.7-inch), iPhone 16 Pro (6.3-inch), and iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9-inch) open on Friday, and the devices will hit stores on September 20. While the new models' focus on AI features is not surprising, Apple is also introducing various new hardware-based camera controls. The new camera control button is the first physical button the company has added to the iPhone in some time. Fast or sustained clicks can operate different functions, and the button recognizes multiple gestures with haptic feedback. Apple's presentation showed how the new button can summon preview, zoom, and other camera controls within the iPhone's main camera app. Holding the button activates a new AI feature Apple revealed this week, called Visual Intelligence, which will debut later this year. When users point the camera at objects like restaurants, billboards, or animals, the phone can instantly retrieve information about them. Apps like ChatGPT and Snapchat will also offer various functionalities powered by Visual Intelligence. The iPhone 16 is notably the first non-Pro model to support the Apple Intelligence features unveiled at WWDC in June. Users can generate emojis, access Siri's new ChatGPT-like functionality, automatically edit text, and quickly organize files. The new A18 processor powers these features approximately 30 percent faster than the iPhone 15, with users upgrading from older models experiencing an even more significant performance uplift. A public beta for Apple Intelligence will launch in October for American English users, with support for other English dialects arriving in December. Betas for Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish are planned for 2025. The iPhone 15 Pro made significant strides in gaming last year, and the iPhone 16 further raises the bar by supporting AAA titles without requiring the Pro model. Users can enjoy top-rated games like Assassin's Creed Mirage and Resident Evil Village on the go or cast them to their TV via AirPlay. Apple claims that gaming performance on the iPhone 16 is around 30 percent better than on the iPhone 15 Pro. Another feature that was previously exclusive to the Pro model, the customizable action button, is now included with the standard iPhone 16. Other notable additions include a larger battery, Wi-Fi 7, macro photography, satellite text messaging, and more. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max offer several performance and content creation upgrades over the 15 Pro, not to mention slightly bigger screens. The A18 Pro SoC is built on 2nd-generation 3nm technology, and offers a 16-core Neural Engine. The 6-core CPU consists of two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores, delivering roughly a 15 percent performance boost and double the speed of data processing compared to its predecessor. The 6-core GPU also offers up to 20% better performance than the A17 Pro with hardware ray tracing. The device supports faster USB-C transfer rates and doubles video encoding data processing. The iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with a new 48-megapixel "Fusion" camera, featuring a second-generation quad-pixel sensor that eliminates shutter lag for 48-megapixel ProRAW and HEIF photos. One of the key features of the Pro model is its ability to record 4K video at 120fps in Dolby Vision. It also supports half-rate, quarter-rate, and one-fifth-rate playback for impressive slow-motion effects. Additionally, video and audio recordings can selectively reduce background noise to make voices clearer. Apple claims battery life on the iPhone 16 Pro Max has been extended to up to 33 hours, thanks to a new mechanical design and advanced power management system that also improves heat dissipation for better sustained performance. Starting prices are $799 for the 6.1-inch iPhone 16, $899 for the 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus, $999 for the 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro, and $1,199 for the 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max. A free software update, releasing on September 16, will bring iOS 18 to the iPhone XR and later models, introducing new Control Center options, RCS messaging, and enhanced password management features. Elon Musk wants to get one thing straight among his many companies, and that is Tesla not needing a license from xAI to use its models and share its technologies. The renowned tech mogul also went on to explain the differences between Tesla's artificial intelligence meant for full driving (FSD) technology and xAI's focus on large language models (LLMs). Furthermore, the billionaire also said that Tesla's AI for its electric vehicles is "vastly larger" compared to xAI's development, with each having its unique traits. Elon Musk Clarifies Tesla Doesn't Need a License from xAI A recent post by X owner, Elon Musk via his social media platform has clarified that Tesla does not need to "license anything" from xAI. This stems from a report that The Wall Street Journal shared yesterday about Tesla getting access to xAI's "resources" and "technology" in exchange for receiving some of the car company's revenues. Musk made one thing clear, and it is with xAI and Tesla having discussions about helping develop the anticipated unsupervised FSD, and it does not need a licensing deal to do so. The report from WSJ claimed that xAI's LLMs would be used on the FSD software as well as Tesla's Optimus to use as the humanoid robot's voice assistant. Havent read the article, but the above is not accurate. Tesla has learned a lot from discussions with engineers at xAI that have helped accelerate achieving unsupervised FSD, but there is no need to license anything from xAI. The xAI models are gigantic, containing, in Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 8, 2024 Tesla's Real-World AI is 'Vastly Larger' vs. xAI's LLMs Musk's post shared how Tesla and xAI differ in the AI industry, but are coexisting under his tutelage. Tesla's AI developments have a "vastly larger context size" compared to an LLM as it processes video history from the electric vehicle's cameras. Moreover, it is "incredibly dense" that focuses on driving, and is operating on a "~300W computer" that has a bandwidth and memory lower than H100 GPUs. On the other hand, xAI's models are "gigantic" said Musk, and are composed of compressed "human knowledge." Musk confirmed that it could not "possibly run" on Tesla's EV inference computers, and it is also not an option for Musk and his teams. Artificial Intelligence from Elon Musk One of the best-known things about Elon Musk is that he does not fear technology, with the renowned executive known for his massive gambles which faced scrutiny and successes over the past years. Take for example Tesla's FSD and its numerous accidents which greatly shocked the world despite its significant promises, now still seeing developments via the Tesla Dojo supercomputer. It is also known that Musk was one of the co-founders and early investors behind OpenAI, but he has since left the ChatGPT-maker's company because of disputes. However, more recently, the tech billionaire also launched xAI, his new AI startup which delivered the LLM and its generative AI chatbot, Grok, to which X users were given access. Elon Musk may have faced issues with both Tesla and xAI's artificial intelligence developments, but these are still existing and will continue to do so, and go as far as to coexist. For now, there would be no sharing of technologies between Tesla and xAI, but that does not mean there is a need to license the technology, and Musk making it clear to the world. The US government is going after Google and its extremely profitable ad tech operations which is a key element in making Google so rich. This week the Department of Justice (DoJ) starts a crucial trial where they accuse Alphabet, Google's parent company of running an unlawful monopoly within the digital advertising market. Since the tech giant earned over $200 billion in 2023 through advertisement, this case could attract serious consequences for the tech company. Google Faces Monopoly Allegations in the Digital Ad Market Alphabet, the company behind Google has primarily generated its wealth through digital advertising, displaying the ads that are retrieved by internet users across the globe. While on its side the company pointed to the 'effectiveness' of its services, the prosecutors say this puts a stop to competitiveness and innovation. Such a legal proceeding is not for Google alone, and it has to do with an entire sector that sanctions billions of consumer dollars every year, according to BBC. Laura Phillips-Sawyer an associate professor at the University of Georgia School of Law added to the popularity and importance of this case noting that all consumers are interested in this litigation. She said Google is currently in its second antitrust legal battle in the US after another ruling in August that deemed the company's dominance on search as unlawful. Read Also : Google Concedes to Incognito Lawsuit by Pledging to Delete Billions of Browsing Histories Lawsuits for Violation of Antitrust Laws and Google's Alibi The antitrust case brought against Google was initiated by the Department of Justice and was joined by a number of states in 2023; the claim submitted is that Google dominates the relevant market of digital ads. It alleges Google of leveraging its dominance in relevant markets to crowd out its competitors and restrain innovation. In response, Google attempts to argue that Google is just a 'player' in this market more often than not. Alphabet suggested that competition is broadening arguing that the world's largest advertisers, Apple, Amazon, TikTok, and others, are increasing their advertising revenues. In this procedure, both sides of the case, prosecution and defense, will make presentations before the US District Judge Leonie Brinkema, who will then make the final decision. The trial comes after another antitrust case in which Judge Amit Mehta said Google had violated the law by stifling competition in its search and general services. Mehta said Google is a monopolist and it has been behaving like one to ensure that it retains its monopoly it defended its dominance in online search arguing that it provides better services. The ad tech case also seems to be the company employing the same defense strategy. Google has argued that its advertising technologies work, and nobody has to be forced to patronize them. As Google has explained in a 2023 blog post, "Nobody is compelled to advertise using Google's products and services; the company gets preferred from choosing them because they work. " As for now, Judge Mehta is in fact determining potential remedies for Google's anti-competitive behavior in the sphere of search business, while Judge Brinkema has a different ordeal. A potential problem for the government would be advertising technology which is so intricate, it is impossible to label the market as one company monopolizing. "Advertising technology is so complex that I think that's going to be a real challenge for the government to make a clear, simple monopolization argument here," Rebecca Haw Allensworth, an antitrust professor at Vanderbilt University Law School said. International Scrutiny on Google's Ad Tech Practices Regulation on Google's Ad Tech Strategies or the European and the Global Concerns Similar to the States, other countries are also intensifying their focus on Google's Ad Tech. It should be noted that last week, Google was also alerted by UK watchdog CMA that its lucrative advertising business may damage British publishers and advertisers. This investigation by the CMA indicates that Google has been involved in anti-competitive conduct hence creating an unfair competition for other players, per Fox News. Instead, a Google spokesperson responded to the CMA's report saying that the regulator has a 'fundamentally flawed' understanding of the ad tech sector and Alphabet is preparing to dispute it. Recently, a new plant-based nanoparticle treatment for glioblastoma, the most lethal form of the brain tumor has emerged all thanks to a team of US and Chinese researchers. This novel strategy of using nanoparticles with phytochemical origin for the treatment of this virile disease should help in overcoming some of the current impediments, and give a new lease of life to patients with such diseases. Revolutionary Nanoparticles Target Tumor Cells The treatment from researchers at Wuhan's Renmin Hospital and Yale University concerns the nanoparticles formed from a plant compound called bardoxolone methyl (BM). These nanoparticles show the characteristic feature of crossing the blood-brain barrier and directly targeting glioblastoma cells. This breakthrough was tried on mice but the nanoparticles did what was expected which was to locate and destroy cancerous tissues. The researchers pointed out in their study that they have prospected and tested a new nanotech-based therapy for the treatment of a specific type of brain cancer. Read Also : This Revolutionary Robot Can Remove Brain Tumors From Children's Small Skulls Glioblastoma: A Tough Challenge to Treat According to Interesting Engineering, glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer that launches itself every year affecting about 250000 people globally. The current survival chance of a person with glioblastoma is as low as 14-16 months and this is even after one of radical treatments. The modern methods of glioblastoma treatment commonly include surgery with the removal of the tumor and its subsequent treatment by radiation and chemotherapy. However, the cancer tends to become resistant to these treatments and thus becomes ineffective in its treatment process. Unfortunately, glioblastomas are not easy to treat for several reasons and one of them is the blood-brain barrier which is essentially a wall around the brain where healthy blood cells and nutrients cannot cross, therefore they cannot reach the tumor either. There are other new technologies that are being developed to facilitate the delivery of drugs to the glioblastoma patients. One such advancement is the process by which medical practitioners implant small ultrasound beams that open the blood-brain barrier for a short time permitting medication to pass through its walls. However, it can be seen that the creation of plant-based nanoparticles might be a much less intrusive and highly efficient approach to this problem. Plant-Based Nanoparticles:: A Natural Breakthrough From the research, these molecules self-assemble into spindle-shaped nanoparticles which are very small in size, about 50-80 nm in width and about 170 nm in length. The nanoparticles are from medicinal plants, and due to their specially designed structure, they have the ability to assemble on their own, which makes them suitable for the treatment of different diseases such as glioblastoma. These nanoparticles proved valuable in enhancing the blood-brain barrier permeability so that they could get to the tumor to give the targeted treatment, the South China Morning Post reported. In the study, the BM nanoparticles were coated with an anticancer peptide known as P28, and the resulting composite was called P28-LBM nanoparticles which exhibited still higher penetration into the tumor tissue and effectiveness. How Nanoparticles Fight Glioblastoma The nanoparticles act autocatalytically, the meaning being, that once they arrive at the tumor site, the LEX (Lexiscan) which is a compound within the nanoparticles helps in making the tumor membrane more permeable. This enables penetration of more nanoparticles into the tumor with a view of killing the cancerous cells. Further, the nanoparticles inhibit a phenomenon called 'epithelial-mesenchymal transition', a process that is accountable for the shooting and spreading of cancer cells. In testing, the P28-LBM nanoparticles were intravenously injected into mice in a dose thrice a week over a period of four weeks. The impacts were detected as very encouraging because the growth of tumors was drastically brought down. This new treatment may well be the groundbreaking therapy for patients with glioblastoma. A Brightened Outlook for Glioblastoma Therapy The creation of plant-based nanoparticles creates a possible cure and treatment for glioblastoma patients. Being able to traverse the blood-brain barrier and target specifically the cancer cells, this would be a life-saving solution with both targetable solutions potentially improving the survival rates of those struggling with this type of cancer. "This approach represents a promising new avenue for improving outcomes in patients with glioblastoma," the researchers said. To view the study, visit Small Science. 'We are starving': Malawi villagers cook toxic yams to survive drought Salima, Malawi, Sept 9 (AFP) Sep 09, 2024 In the worst drought in southern Africa in a century, villagers in Malawi are digging for potentially poisonous wild yams to eat as their crops lie scorched in the fields. "Our situation is very dire; we are starving," said 76-year-old grandmother Manesi Levison as she watched over a pot of bitter, orange wild yams that she says must cook for eight hours to remove the toxins. "Sometimes the kids go for two days without any food," she said. Levison has 30 grandchildren under her care. Ten are huddled under the thatched roof of her home at Salima, near Lake Malawi, while she boils up the unpalatable yams known locally as mpama. "It is a root that grows in the wild which we dig up so that the kids can at least have something to eat for the day," Levison said. "People have died or fallen sick from eating this, so you have to make sure that it cooks for a really long time, all the time replacing the cooking water so as to remove the poison." The rains stopped in this part of Malawi in April and the crops burnt in the fields, Levison said. The next harvest is due in March, said the headman of the village of 1,000 people about 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of the capital Lilongwe. "People here are distressed because of hunger and the situation is really desperate," Samuel Benjamin said. - Dependent on rain - Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries and most of its people depend on rain-fed agriculture for food. This year's drought, exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon, is affecting 44 percent of Malawi's crop area and up to 40 percent of its population of 20.4 million, the World Food Programme (WFP) has said. About 5.7 million people will need help to get enough to eat between October and March, according to Malawi's Department of Disaster Management Affairs. The situation is equally dire around 250 kilometres south of Salima in the Chikwawa area, near the commercial capital Blantyre. "In a good year, we usually harvest 21 bags of maize," said 72-year-old villager Wyson Malonda. "But this year we harvested absolutely nothing." "However, we did not give up. We planted drought-resistant millet but that too did not yield," he said. His wife, Mainesi Malonda, 68, says villagers here and in the entire Shire Valley region have resorted to eating a wild water lily tuber known as nyika. These tubers are not toxic, but grow in crocodile-infested areas along the Shire River. - 'Catastrophic' - The drought slashed this year's maize crop in Malawi by 23 percent from that of last year, WFP country director Paul Turnbull told AFP. It is the third consecutive year of poor harvest after damage caused by Tropical Storm Anna in 2022 and Cyclone Freddy in 2023. Impacts of El Nino include a 40 percent increase in moderate cases of acute malnutrition in children aged under five and a 23 percent increase in severe cases, the WFP said in its July brief. President Lazarus Chakwera appealed for $200 million in food aid in March when he declared a state of natural disaster in 23 of Malawi's 28 districts because of the drought. "It would have been catastrophic even if this were the first disaster in recent years," Chakwera said. The disaster management department is using government and international aid to buy and distribute maize to affected communities in a programme that will cost about $1.1 million, said director Charles Kalemba. "We will also do cash transfers to the affected communities from mid-September starting with the most affected districts," he told AFP. Five countries in southern Africa have declared a state of national disaster over the El Nino-induced dry spell -- a disaster affecting at least 27 million people in a region where many rely on agriculture to survive, according to the WFP. str/br/gs/rox A wine merchant from Hungary displays a bottle of wine produced in Hungary's Tokaj wine area during the 24th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 8, 2024. Covering around 120,000 square meters, the four-day CIFIT opened here on Sunday and draws visitors from 119 countries and regions, of which about 80 percent are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries. This year's CIFIT highlights the digital economy, new energy and green innovation. It is expected to serve as a platform for more than 80 investment events and roadshow activities. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan) The 24th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) opened Sunday in the city of Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. Covering around 120,000 square meters, the four-day event draws visitors from 119 countries and regions, of which about 80 percent are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries. This year's CIFIT highlights the digital economy, new energy and green innovation. It is expected to serve as a platform for more than 80 investment events and roadshow activities. First launched in 1997, the CIFIT, organized by the Ministry of Commerce, has become an important platform for boosting investment and facilitating global development. 'Astonishing': Eaten eels recorded escaping from fish guts Paris, Sept 9 (AFP) Sep 09, 2024 Eels that have been swallowed by fish have been recorded for the first time sliding tail-first back out of their would-be predators' stomach and escaping out of their gills, a study said Monday. The remarkable last-gasp getaway also marks the first time this kind of defensive tactic has been caught on video across the animal kingdom, according to the Japanese researchers. The team behind the new study had already observed young Japanese eels surviving being eaten by sliding out of the gills of fish -- rather than out of the mouths that had swallowed them. Nonetheless, the researchers had assumed the eels had been somewhat near the mouths of the fish when they broke free. But the team was "really surprised" to find that the eels were all the way in the stomach of their predators before starting their escape bid, lead study author Yuha Hasegawa of Nagasaki University told AFP. - Stomach turning - Some eels even circled around the stomach several times before wriggling free, according to the study in the journal Current Biology. To see what was happening inside the bodies of the predatory dark sleeper fish, the researchers injected them with fluid to increase the contrast for recording the results on an X-ray video system. Out of 32 eels swallowed into the stomachs of the fish, all but four tried to escape by backing out through the digestive tract, towards the esophagus and eventually out the side door of the gills, the study said. Thirteen managed to get at least some of their tails out of the gills, while nine went all the way and escaped with their lives. The young eels, which were around seven centimetres (three inches) long, always went tail first. Unlike most fish, eels are skilled at swimming backwards, the researchers pointed out. The whole process took around a minute. The eels could only survive around three minutes in the stomach acid. The fish were not harmed when the eels burst free from their gills, Yuha Hasegawa said. It was a "difficult" experiment, he added, and it took the team a year to capture convincing footage. Previous research has shown that some invertebrates like worms can escape from the digestive system of frogs, but the inner workings have not been recorded on X-ray video. Study co-author Yuuki Kawabata, also from Nagasaki University, said that scientists were only beginning to understand the "mysterious, astonishing" strategies that animals use to escape from predators. He pointed out that Japanese eels are still offering up surprises despite being quite well known. Fish are not the only animals with a taste for these eels -- they are a popular and expensive delicacy among many humans. Japanese eels, called Unagi when cooked, make up the vast majority of commercially sold eel in Japan. Overfishing has led the eels to be considered an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. No sign 'Russian spy' whale shot dead: Norway police Oslo, Sept 9 (AFP) Sep 09, 2024 Police in Norway said Monday that foul play was not suspected in the death of a beluga whale whose unusual harness had sparked suspicions it had been trained by Russia as a spy. 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. Quickly becoming a celebrity in Norway, he was found dead on August 31 in a bay on the country's southwestern coast. Last week, animal rights' organisations NOAH and One Whale claimed the whale had been shot dead and filed a police report. With an estimated age of 15 to 20 years, Hvaldimir was relatively young for a beluga, which typically live up to 35 years, according to environmental group WWF. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute conducted an autopsy, and police said that based on its preliminary report there was nothing to indicate "human activity" was responsible for Hvaldimir's death. It suggested the beluga may have died of starvation, and said it would not launch an investigation. "There is nothing in the autopsy that indicates that Hvaldimir was shot," police official Amund Preede Revheim said in a statement. He said the whale had "totally superficial" injuries. "One of the wounds is a little deeper, but these injuries did not affect any vital organs and were not of a deadly nature," he added. Police did not provide a cause of death, but said a stick 35-centimetres (14 inches) long and three-centimetres wide was found lodged in his mouth. "The autopsy revealed that his stomach was empty. In addition, most of his organs were deteriorated," Revheim said. The head of One Whale, Regina Crosby Haug, told AFP last week that she saw "multiple bullet wounds around his body" when she said her goodbyes to Hvaldimir at the Veterinary Institute. One Whale and NOAH had published photographs showing what they claim are bullet holes on his blood-streaked body. NOAH said Monday the police statement "raised more questions than it answered", and offered a 50,000-kroner ($4,610) reward for information on the whale's cause of death. 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 the whale might have escaped an enclosure and been trained by the Russian navy, as he appeared to be accustomed to humans. Moscow has never made any official response to claims the whale could be a "Russian spy". US senator urges COP29 host Azerbaijan to free activists Washington, Sept 9 (AFP) Sep 09, 2024 A key US senator called Monday for Azerbaijan officials to release 15 jailed activists and journalists ahead of the United Nations COP29 climate summit in Baku in November. "Hosting a major international conference like COP29 should come with responsibilities and expectations that host countries allow frank discussion of information and issues," said Ben Cardin, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This requires recognizing freedoms of speech and assembly, said the Democratic senator from Maryland, adding that "Azerbaijan has not done so." The UN conference takes place from November 11 to 22. Among those that Cardin called for the release of were pro-environment former MP Nazim Baydamirli and activists Gubad Ibadoghlu and Bakhtiyar Hajiyev. Others include editors and journalists focused on anti-corruption, such as Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgizy and Nargiz Absalamova, as well as economist Farid Mehralizada. "If Azerbaijan seeks to create a durable relationship with the Euro-Atlantic community, I urge President Aliyev to release those unjustly imprisoned by his government," said Cardin, referring to President Ilham Aliyev. These include Armenian detainees and "community activists who peacefully demonstrated against poor labor practices and harmful environmental impacts of the Chovdar gold mine operation," he said in a statement. The COP29 summit will focus in large part on how much wealthy industrialized nations should contribute to help poorer countries adapt to climate change. Richer countries -- most responsible for climate change -- are facing pressure to commit more money to help developing countries. But there is strong disagreement over how much they should pay, and some have pushed for large polluters like China and Saudi Arabia to also contribute. Azerbaijan, a gas-rich nation on the Caspian Sea, said earlier this year that it hopes to raise money from fossil fuel producers for green projects in developing countries -- attracting criticism from activists who called it "greenwashing." Typhoon Yagi wreaks havoc to local property in Ha Long city of Quang Ninh province At 4 a.m. on September 8, the tropical depression was sweeping across Son La province in the north-western region, with winds gusting 39-49 kmh. In the coming hours, the tropical depression will continue moving west-northwest, passing through Son La and Dien Bien before entering Laos. It will continue to weaken into a low pressure area and gradually dissipate. After making landfall in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, Yagi also caused significant damage as it swept across Hai Duong province and Hanoi capital. There were numerous casualties and substantial property damage. Hundreds of trees were uprooted and brought down across streets. Glass windows of many apartments were shattered by strong winds. According to preliminary statistics, Yagi, considered the strongest storm in the past 30 years, has left 14 dead across northern localities, including four in Hoa Binh, four in Quang Ninh province, two in Hai Phong, one each in Hai Duong province, Yen Bai province, Lang Son province and Hanoi capital. As for property damage, the areas directly hit by Yagi have been left in ruins, and the extent of the damage has yet to be fully assessed. Strong winds bring down a big tree in Gia Lam district of Hanoi capital Though Yagi is weakening into a tropical depression, it will continue to bring heavy rain to north-western localities. Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting emphasized the danger posed by the wide circulation of Yagi, which has encompassed both the northern and north-central regions of Vietnam. There is a very high risk of flash floods and landslides in the northern mountainous provinces, particularly in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Yen Bai, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa, he warned. Currently, relevant forces have fanned out to assist residents with a post-storm cleanup campaign. Malaysia introduces impressive tourism products at HCM City expo According to VNA, as part of ongoing efforts to promote Malaysia as a preferred tourist destination, Tourism Malaysia took part in the International Travel Expo (ITE) Ho Chi Minh City held from September 5 to 7. Illustrative image (Photo: Tourism Malaysia) ITE HCMC 2024 served as an excellent platform for Malaysia to showcase its unique tourism offerings and engage with both potential and returning travellers. Visitors are invited to discover Malaysia's diverse attractions, from rich cultural heritage to a wide array of vacation packages available at competitive prices. In addition, Tourism Malaysia is strengthening its partnerships with major tour operators and associations in HCM City to craft enticing tourism packages tailored to the preferences and interests of the Vietnamese market. This year, Malaysias booth features participation from the Malaysia Homestay Entrepreneurs Association, Kampungstay Holiday Sdn Bhd, Myhistourism Adventure Sdn Bhd and Melaka State Government. Throughout the three-day event, Malaysia highlighted its stunning tourism products, captivating destinations, and its global reputation as a safe, family-friendly destination. Visitors were also be treated to special cultural performances by talented Malaysian artists, with air travel sponsored by Vietjet Air which operates daily direct flights from Vietnam to Malaysia, further solidifying the bonds between the two nations. Nor Hayati Zainuddin, director of Tourism Malaysia in Vietnam, said Vietnam remains a key source market for Malaysia. It is crucial to maintain robust promotional initiatives to attract more Vietnamese tourists, especially with the new direct flights from Vietnam to Malaysia. We are eager to strengthen our collaboration with local travel agents. With increased direct flights, we aim to establish Malaysia as the preferred travel destination in this region. Tourism Malaysia will also host a series of food and cultural promotion activities to showcase the richness of Malaysian cuisine and culture. These events will be held at prestigious venues such as Daewoo Hanoi Hotel from September 12 and 16, Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel from September 6 to 10, and Lesung Saigon Restaurant from September 11 to 16 in Ho Chi Minh City. These promotions aim to offer visitors an authentic taste of Malaysia, further enhancing its visibility as a vibrant tourist destination. Malaysia aims to attract 27.3 million international tourists in 2024. Currently, 142 direct flights are operating between the two countries. Lang Son Geopark gets UNESCO Global Geopark recognition Lang Son Geopark of Vietnam has been officially recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, reported VOV. Bac Son Valley in the Lang Son Geopark area. (Photo: UNESCO Global Geoparks) The decision was made following a vote on September 8 by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, according to the Lang Son provincial administration. A delegation of experts from UNESCO made a field trip to Lang Son in July 2024 for on-site assessment of the dossier seeking the organisation's recognition of Lang Son Geopark as a global one. They visited 26 out of the 38 attractions across four tourism routes of the Geopark. To provide the most accurate evaluation, the Global Geoparks Council carefully assessed Lang Son Geoparks geological features, conservation efforts, and local engagement before granting it UNESCO Global Geopark status. Local authorities said the recognition of the site helps Lang Son focus its resources on managing, preserving, and promoting the value of its geological heritage, cultural heritage, historical and archaeological sites, biodiversity, as well as its unique scenic landscapes. It is anticipated that Lang Son Geopark will receive its UNESCO Global Geopark designation in Chile next year. Covering 4,842 sq.km across eight district-level localities, Lang Son Geopark is one of the largest of its kind in Vietnam and boasts a number of unique values. In terms of geology, geomorphology and landscape, it is home to a rich diversity of palaeobiological fossils dating back as far as 500 million years, many of which indicate this province used to be under the sea in the past. Moreover, this park is endowed with many renowned landscapes such as the low mountain ranges surrounding valleys and villages in Yen Thinh Commune of Huu Lung District, or the caves like Tham Khuyen in Binh Gia District that accommodated prehistoric humans. Covering 4,842 sq.km, the geopark, establishes in 2021, is one of the largest of its kind in Vietnam and boasts a number of unique values. (Photo: VNA) Regarding cultural values, it houses a number of temples dedicated to the gods in the worship of Mother Goddesses an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, especially Bac Le Temple, as well as villages of Tay and Nung ethnic groups with distinctive cultures. The locality has initially developed four routes comprising 38 tourist attractions within the geopark. Local authorities are taking various measures for improving public awareness of the parks values as well as protecting and making use of its values for tourism development. The trio, whose first collaboration was 1987 ABC TV comedy series The Dingo Principle, 13 years before forming the Wharf Revue at the encouragement of Robyn Nevin and Rob Brookman, STCs former artistic director and general manager, promise a last hurrah brimming with old and new favourites. Loading Were not doing old material, but we are bringing back some old characters, Biggins says. Expect appearances from former prime ministers Paul Keating, John Howard, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott. Regular revue collaborators David Whitney, known for his Peter Dutton, and Mandy Bishop, whose rendering of Gillard inspired ABC TV series At Home With Julia, are also on board. There will also be swansongs from Alexander Downer, Peter Costello, Bob Carr, Jacqui Lambie, Adam Bandt, Anthony Albanese and Pauline Hanson. And possibly the Democrats. Biggins says the show will hark back across two decades of topicality between current news hotspots and whats popular in the zeitgeist. So I might be doing Angus Taylor Swift, Biggins says. Theyre keen to tackle PFAS, billionaires and the swath of British notables making TV documentaries about Australia. Im playing Miriam Margolyes, Scott says. She comes over here and meets nobody whos Australian. Prince Charles is in the outback, Joanna Lumleys on a speaking tour. Theyre all here. Biggins says the main lesson from 25 years of analysing news is its cyclical nature. You look at the issues that we were tackling in the first two years of the show and theyre exactly the same now, he says. When Dutton starts calling out boat people and border protection? The Tampa [refugee affair] was in 2001. Climate change? That was all happening then, nothings changed. Wealth inequality was growing. Nothings changed. They tried to get rid of negative gearing. They havent. All those issues are still around. Its just the characters that have changed. Scott: And some of them havent. Do they think satire as an art form is dwindling? Monetised satire is dwindling, Biggins says. Its harder to make a living from it now. Theyve watched satires evolution on social media but say newspaper political cartoonists are still its best exponents. Cathy Wilcox, David Rowe, David Pope, Forysthe says. All those guys, theyre always spot-on and nail the subject. Biggins believes satire has a new role. As we become increasingly polarised, comedy and satire are reminders of the common ground between people, he says. That means not being malicious. Theres so much cruelty going on, who needs more? All will miss the show, including the frantic backstage costume changes and the generations of audiences seeking a humorous release valve. I think people do worry about issues much more than they used to, Biggins says. Laughing about things, at least for one night, takes some of the pressure off. Life really is far too important to be taken seriously. The End of the Wharf as We Know It!!! Is at the Seymour Centre, Nov 11-Dec 7 WHOS IN? Biggins: Well definitely have Pauline Hanson doing the cabaret of her life and Jacqui Lambie hosting the Midwinter Ball and singing River Deep, Mountain Mine. Forsythe: Theres a piece about nuclear power and a documentary series, based on the ABCs Nemesis, called Hindsight, looking back at the last 25 years under topics of leadership, the environment, the economy and foreign affairs. Biggins: Tech bros going to Mars; Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. Weve turned ourselves in martians with suits and masks Bezos we didnt have to do too much with. WHO MIGHT BE Biggins: Were hoping to do Kevin, Julia and Albo in 1984 at the federal ALP conference. Hawke comes on to give them advice, as they all say, Id love to be the leader well, we cant all be. IS IT REALLY THE END? Scott: The first show was in the year of the Sydney Olympics. We might bring it all back in eight years to do the Brisbane Olympics. Thatd be gold. The Perfect Couple Netflix This murder mystery ticks many prestige television boxes, starting with Nicole Kidman taking top billing, an esteemed supporting cast, and a twisty plot about a young woman developing doubts about the privileged American family shes marrying into. But these six episodes beat with a trashy heart and The Perfect Couple delivers outrageous retorts and a wildly escalating plot with a knowing wink. Everyone involved is in on it, and the result is a succinct success social commentary lags way behind sardonic revelations. The setting is Summerland, the Nantucket summer home of the Winbury clan. Matriarch Greer Garrison Winbury (Kidman), is a successful crime novelist with a snooty mid-Atlantic accent, while her old money husband Tag (Liev Schreiber) is permanently stoned. The occasion is the wedding of their son, Benji (Billy Howle) to humble wage-earner Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson). Its all pastel summer suits, immaculate catering, and sly digs at the rehearsal dinner. Then a guests body washes up on the beach the next morning. Sam Nivola and Nicole Kidman in The Perfect Couple. Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix Adapted by Jenna Lamia (Good Girls) from Elin Hilderbrands 2018 novel of the same name, The Perfect Couple has a tart energy and an understanding of how bitterness curdles. The extended Winbury clan love to dish Benjis older brother, Thomas (Jack Reynor) is a full-blown finance bro, while his pregnant wife, Abby (Dakota Fanning), smiles sweetly and drips acid. Isabelle Adjani turns up as Greers friend Isabel, who is extremely French casual affairs, home truths delivered with a disdainful shrug, and a dislike of American wine. The top investigator who concluded former High Court judge Dyson Heydon sexually harassed six female associates is examining a complaint against a former Federal Court judge. The Federal Court of Australia confirmed on Monday that the investigation by Dr Vivienne Thom, a former Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, was under way, but said it did not involve allegations of sexual harassment. Dr Vivienne Thom at a hearing in Parliament House in 2014. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen In a statement on Monday, a court spokesperson said: The Court confirms [Dr Thom] ... has been engaged to investigate a complaint made by a former staff member against a former Judge. The investigation will include a review of the relevant court policies and processes from both the time period of the allegations as well as current day practices. The embattled Victorian Health Workers Union faces a court fight to avoid entering administration after its national leadership lost patience with the state branchs refusal to stand down controversial secretary Diana Asmar. The unions national executive voted unanimously on Monday to begin Federal Court action that would put the HWU, which represents about 16,000 mostly low-paid health sector workers, into administration. The national executive argues the HWU no longer functions effectively. Health Workers Union boss Diana Asmar has privately denied allegations against her. Credit: Justin McManus The decision was made after the Fair Work Commission launched civil proceedings last month against Asmar, her husband David and five other officials over allegations they ran a multimillion-dollar ghost-printing scheme and made irregular expense claims. The commission alleges Asmar approved $2.7 million in payments to a print business that performed no service, with the money instead going into private accounts, and that more than $120,000 in reimbursements were claimed without evidence of relevant business expenses. There are four key attractions in Jimbocho, four good reasons to visit this peppy Tokyo neighbourhood and thats impressive for an area with pretty much no public profile among foreign tourists. You might know Shinjuku, youve heard of Harajuku, youre familiar with Ginza and Asakusa. But who travels to Tokyo with the idea of calling through Jimbocho? Almost no one. Ramen one of the main reasons to visit Jimbocho. Credit: Getty Images And yet, four big reasons to visit. The first? Books. Jimbocho, a relatively low-rise suburb within walking distance of Ginza, is known among locals as book town. Those books, new and used, are housed in more than 200 stores dotted around Jimbocho, often squeezy places that make for fascinating window shopping, with everything from manga to novels to art and design books and more though if you cant read Japanese you might find few to purchase. Warning: graphic descriptions. New York: Jailed ex-movie mogul Harvey Weinstein underwent emergency heart surgery at a New York City hospital on Monday, his representatives said. Weinstein, 72, was taken to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan from the Rikers Island jail complex late on Sunday due to severe medical conditions, his publicist Juda Engelmayer and prison consultant Craig Rothfeld said. Former film producer Harvey Weinstein appears in court in Los Angeles in October 2022. Credit: AP We can confirm that Mr Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today, they said, declining further comment on his condition. I cant begin to describe the abnormality and disturbing behaviour that would cause a presidential candidate, a former president, to threaten public servants with mass arrest, said Becker, who previously worked as a lawyer for the Justice Department for seven years. Several election officials also called threats of violence unacceptable. Trump has a history of railing against election officials and raising unsubstantiated claims of fraud when his political fortunes appear uncertain. Credit: AP Donald Trump will not accept the results of the election unless he wins, said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold. This is another step in his campaign to undermine confidence in our elections, which has led to unprecedented threats of violence against election officials. A spokesperson for the Trump campaign did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Trumps post. Late last month, during a conversation with the conservative Moms for Liberty group, Trump conceded that he lost the 2020 election by a whisker, marking one of his most clear public acceptances that he lost the election to Joe Biden. Days later, he once again publicly acknowledged that he did not win the 2020 presidential election, telling podcaster Lex Fridman that he lost by a whisker. Loading In the wake of the 2020 election, Trump and his allies pushed to overturn the election results through phone calls, speeches, tweets and media appearances in six swing states where certified results declared Biden the winner. Trump most recently began escalating his rhetoric about election fraud when Harris replaced Biden at the top of the ticket and pulled ahead in some polls. In remarks before the Fraternal Order of Police last week, the former president urged officers to patrol polling places because it would intimidate would-be cheaters. I hope you watch for voter fraud, he said. Watch for the voter fraud because we win without voter fraud. You can keep it down just by watching because, believe it or not, theyre afraid of that badge. Theyre afraid of you people. But while Trumps post falsely claimed that there was rampant Cheating in the 2020 presidential race, his efforts to overturn his loss in the last election faltered in multiple courts when his lawyers and allies could not produce evidence of widespread voter irregularities. In nearly four years since, Trump and his allies have failed to substantiate his claims that he lost the 2020 race due to fraud. Loading In one of those cases, US District Judge Steven Grimberg, whom Trump named to the bench in 2019 in the Northern District of Georgia, wrote that the presidents attempt to block certification of Bidens win in the state would breed confusion and potentially disenfranchisement that I find has no basis in fact or in law. Election officials who are credibly found to have engaged in criminal activities are already prosecuted in the country. Last month, for example, Tina Peters, a former county clerk in Colorado and a Trump ally, was found guilty of seven charges connected to allowing a purported computer expert to copy election data from her office as Trump and his allies searched for evidence to prove their baseless claims of election fraud. Another county election official, Misty Hampton of Coffee County, Georgia, faces felony charges along with 14 others, including Trump, for their role in trying to overturn the 2020 result. And, in the years after Trump began baselessly alleging fraud in the 2020 election, some states such as Iowa, Georgia and Arizona have passed laws beefing up penalties for some election-related offences despite a lack of evidence that elections in their states were run unfairly. In some cases, these new state election laws effectively criminalise election workers errors, raising concerns about the possibility of unfair prosecutions like the kind Trump appeared to describe in his post. Threats and harassment of election workers have skyrocketed since Trump and his allies began denying the results of the 2020 election, amplifying their false claims on television, podcasts and social media. The developments caused a mass exodus of veteran election administrators from their jobs, and prompted scores of election offices around the country to harden their physical workspaces with bulletproof glass, emergency buttons and extensive crisis training. Loading Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who was directly targeted by armed pro-Trump protesters who gathered outside her home after the 2020 election, on Sunday told The Washington Post that no threats from Trump would dissuade her from performing her duties this election year. Benson said that her job, and the job of every election official in the country, is to rise above this noise and focus on continuing to ensure our elections are fair, secure, accessible, and that the results continue to be an accurate reflection of the will of the people. Seth Bluestein, a Republican Philadelphia city commissioner, said every election official he knows is focused on doing their job well, which unfortunately now also includes preparing for potential threats and violence. And Jeff Greenburg, a former director of elections in Mercer County, Philadelphia, on Sunday said the continued demonisation of election officials is disappointing, disheartening, irresponsible and infuriating. Words matter and this does nothing but potentially put those dedicated public servants in harms way. It has to stop, he said. On Sunday, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a Trump campaign surrogate, minimised Trumps comments in an interview with NBC Newss Meet the Press, saying the former president was just putting people on notice that the country must have free and fair elections. But a Republican official in a battleground state who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about Trumps comments found the former presidents post more alarming. He sounds like he is losing it, the Republican official said. Sad. Someone should do something, like replace him as a candidate. TIE BREAKER: Serra Automotive Ranked First in 2024 Dealer Group Study for Providing Quick and Easy Service Appointments MONTEREY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Serra Automotive was ranked first out of 20 auto dealer groups in Pied Pipers 2024 PSI Service Telephone Effectiveness (STE) Study, which measured the efficiency and quality of service telephone calls from a customers objective of quickly and easily setting up a service appointment. Following Serra Automotive in the rankings were Napleton Automotive Group, Berkshire Hathaway Automotive and Group 1 Automotive. Successful service departments value customer loyalty, and a customers attempt to schedule service is the first interaction that fosters this loyalty, said Fran OHagan, Pied Piper CEO. Customers who encounter challenges when scheduling service may choose to go to a different dealership or independent repair shop, or they may decide to replace their vehicle as well as their dealership. The 2024 Pied Piper PSI-STE Auto Dealer Group Study (U.S.A.) was conducted between January 2024 and July 2024 by phoning the service departments at every dealership location owned by each of the twenty dealer groups studied. STE scores range from 0 to 100 and are calculated from a mix of individually weighted measurements that support the customers mission of quickly speaking with a service representative who can schedule a service appointment within a reasonable amount of time. Sixty-two percent of the total score is determined by efficiency measurements, while 38 percent of the total score is determined by quality measurements, where dealerships provide a proactively helpful experience that goes above and beyond the customers basic expectations. The 2024 dealer group industry average STE score was 60, an increase of two points from last year. The average time for service customers to reach a service advisor dropped from 82 seconds in 2023 to 57 seconds in 2024, and service appointments averaged 4 days out, one day sooner on average than last year. Not all measurements improved. Mission Failure, where a service customer hung up the phone having failed to schedule an appointment (for reasons such as no response, endless hold, lost in phone tree, no availability, etc.), increased from 11 percent of the time to 13 percent of the time. Serra Automotive scored the highest out of all dealer groups included in the study, with a score of 68, up nine points vs last year. Serra had the second highest rate of Mission Acceptable service calls (reached a service advisor within one minute and scheduled an appointment less than one week out), 76 percent of the time on average, compared to the industry average of 53 percent of the time. At the same time, Serra had the lowest rate of Mission Failure calls, occurring less than one percent of the time, while the industry averaged 13 percent of the time. Serra also had the lowest average number of seconds to reach a service advisor at 31 seconds, versus the industrys overall average time of 57 seconds. The overall industry had customers placed on hold over two minutes at a rate of 13 percent of the time while at the same time no Serra Automotive callers were placed on hold over two minutes. Lastly, Serra automotive dealerships averaged three days out for a service appointment, less than the industry average rate of four days out. The dealer group with the greatest improvement was Napleton Automotive Group, which achieved a 14-point increase in average STE score compared to last year, and achieved a study ranking of second, compared to finishing last in the 2023 rankings. Compared to their 2023 measurements, Napleton cut the average customer wait time to speak with a service advisor from 70 seconds to 40 seconds, and increased their rate of overall Mission Excellent calls from 30 percent of the time to 62 percent of the time. Over the same timeframe, Napleton also reduced their average service days out from five days in 2023 down to three days in 2024. Compared to the overall auto industry, the large dealer groups measured in the study performed two points better, with an average score of 60 vs the 2024 overall auto industry average score of 58. Thirteen of the 20 dealer groups scored above the 2024 overall auto industry average score, while only five of the 33 automotive brands scored higher than the 2024 dealer group industry score. The following are additional examples of performance variation by dealer group for measurements from the study: Mission Failure How often did a customer hang up their phone having failed to schedule a service appointment? Less than 5% of the time on average: Serra Automotive Inc., Holman Automotive More than 15% of the time on average: Penske Automotive Group, Hudson Automotive Group, Lithia Motors Mission Acceptable How often was a customer able to speak with a service advisor within one minute and schedule a service appointment within one week? More than 65% of the time on average: Morgan Auto Group, Serra Automotive, Greenway Automotive, Napleton Automotive Group, Berkshire Hathaway Automotive Less than 45% of the time on average: Ganley Auto Group, Ken Garff Automotive Group, Penske Automotive Group, West Herr Automotive Group Mission Excellent How often did a customer experience a frictionless and high-quality experience, with an STE score of 70+? More than 55% of the time on average: Napleton Automotive Group, Berkshire Hathaway Automotive Less than 35% of the time on average: Ganley Auto Group, Penske Automotive Group, West Herr Automotive Group How often was a customer placed on hold for more than two minutes? Less than 5% of the time on average: Serra Automotive, Hudson Automotive Group, Victory Automotive Group More than 15% of the time on average: Lithia Motors, AutoNation, Asbury Automotive Group Inc., Penske Automotive Group How many days out was the first available service appointment? Less than 3 days on average: Group 1 Automotive, Greenway Automotive, Morgan Auto Group, Ourisman Automotive Group More than 5 days on average: Ken Garff Automotive Group, Holman Automotive, West Herr Automotive Group How often was a customer asked if they were experiencing any other issues? More than 60% of the time on average: West Herr Automotive Group, Ken Garff Automotive Group, AutoNation Less than 30% of the time on average: Greenway Automotive, Morgan Auto Group, Ourisman Automotive Group, Hudson Automotive Group A better service customer experience begins with dealerships understanding what actually occurs during customer calls, which can often be a surprise. Paying attention to service phone calls is well worth the effort, remarked OHagan. Customers who find it simple and easy to schedule service are on the path to higher loyalty, not just for future service needs but also when purchasing a new vehicle. About Pied Piper Management Company, LLC Founded in 2003, Pied Piper Management Company, LLC is a Monterey, California, company that helps improve the omnichannel sales & service performance of retailers, by determining fact-based best practices, then measuring and reporting performance. Pied Piper PSI industry studies have been conducted annually since 2007. Examples of other recent Pied Piper PSI studies are the 2024 Pied Piper PSI STE Auto Industry Study (Hondas Acura brand was ranked first), the 2024 Pied Piper PSI Internet Lead Effectiveness (ILE) Auto Industry Study (Nissans Infiniti brand ranked first), and the 2024 Pied Piper PSI STE Powersports Industry Study (Triumph Motorcycles was ranked first). Complete Pied Piper PSI industry study results are provided to vehicle manufacturers and national dealer groups. Manufacturers, national dealer groups and individual dealerships also order PSI evaluations in-person, internet or telephone as tools to measure and improve the omnichannel sales and service effectiveness of their dealerships. For more information about the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index, and the fact-based PSI process, go to www.piedpiperpsi.com. Download Automotive Industry Hot Topics September 9, 2024 This week Alan discusses the pause on lithium investments, potential VW Germany plant closures, and the future of hydrogen. We would love to hear from you and welcome your questions anytime. If you're interested in sharing your thoughts with us on hot topics or would like to ask us a research question, please contact Carolyn Mozheev. The Pause on Lithium Investments & Loans: Alans thoughts: Investment in lithium mining has paused as the underlying financial conditions have shifted. EV demand has softened, and Chinas overcapacity has created downward pressure on lithium prices. Investment assumptions such as commodity prices and mining company stock prices have decreased, causing investors such as GM to reconsider timing and investment terms. At the same time, government funding through the Loan Program Office (LPO) requires due diligence from subject matter experts and regulators that may not be completed until Q1 2025. A change in the political administration may alter clean energy loan policy and availability of loans. Unions Negotiate Against VW German Plant Closures : Alans thoughts: Volkswagen employs 680,00 people globally, with 290,000 based in Germany, and has maintained an employment agreement with German unions since 1994. In the wake of Asian competition and EV market uncertainty, VW has embarked on a $11 billion cost-cutting initiative. VW management has indicated that this may drive the closure of one assembly plant and one component plant in Germany. Union officials are vehemently opposed to such a move and are working to have all options on the table, including 4-day work weeks, previously implemented during earlier crises. The industry will be watching as one of the worlds top vehicle producers faces what could be an existential challenge. Will global automakers be able to get their cost structure competitive with Asian competition? Can automakers adapt their portfolios enough to meet shifting consumer demands? And can unions and management find common ground to preserve jobs while improving productivity? These are critical questions that everyone will be eager to see unfold. The Future of Hydrogen : Alans thoughts: BMW has partnered with Toyota to develop a hydrogen-based passenger drive unit to power an existing model scheduled for release in 2028. Co-developing with Toyota allows for both cost and knowledge sharing between the two companies. The drive unit could also be adapted for commercial truck usage, long identified as the primary market for hydrogen fuel cell applications. Is this a repeat of the EV transition which is experiencing the confluence of propulsion technology migration, infrastructure deployment, and federal regulations? I think there will be consideration of a nascent hydrogen infrastructure and a practical timeline before the industry jumps headfirst into mass marketed passenger cars powered by hydrogen fuel stacks. This wont discourage innovators like BMW, Toyota, and others from laying the groundwork for future propulsion technology. However, a practical infrastructure plan is necessary to make the transition efficient. To read previous Hot Topics, please visit our Feature Stories tab at cargroup.org. Upcoming Webinar: By Stephen Beech via SWNS Slippery Japanese eels are able to escape alive from a predators stomach. Remarkable footage is the first video evidence of the "unique" survival method of the young eels after being swallowed whole. X-ray videography shows how they back their way out, first inserting the tips of their tails through the esophagus and gills before pulling their heads free. Scientists say many species have defensive tactics to escape being eaten by would-be predators. But the new study, published in the journal Current Biology, has taken it to another level by offering the first "astonishing" video evidence of Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica, escaping after being swallowed alive. Dr. Yuuki Kawabata, of Nagasaki University in Japan, said: We have discovered a unique defensive tactic of juvenile Japanese eels using an X-ray video system. "They escape from the predators stomach by moving back up the digestive tract towards the gills after being captured by the predatory fish. This study is the first to observe the behavioral patterns and escape processes of prey within the digestive tract of predators. In an earlier study, the Nagasaki University team had shown that Japanese eels can escape from the gills of predators after being swallowed. But they didn't know how the process worked. Study co-author Yuha Hasegawa said: We had no understanding of their escape routes and behavioral patterns during the escape because it occurred inside the predators body." For the new study, the researchers found a way to see inside the predatory fish, Odontobutis obscura, using an X-ray videography device. To visualize the eel after it had been eaten, they had to first inject them with a contrast agent. But it still took the team a year to capture convincing video evidence showing the escape process involved. Their videos show that all 32 captured eels had at least part of their bodies swallowed into the predators' stomachs. After being swallowed, all but four tried to escape by going back through the digestive tract toward the esophagus and gills. Of those, 13 managed to get their tails out the fish gill, and nine successfully escaped through the gills. It took the escaping eels an average of around 56 seconds to free themselves from the predators gills, according to the findings. Dr. Kawabata said: The most surprising moment in this study was when we observed the first footage of eels escaping by going back up the digestive tract toward the gill of the predatory fish. At the beginning of the experiment, we speculated that eels would escape directly from the predators mouth to the gill. "However, contrary to our expectations, witnessing the eels desperate escape from the predators stomach to the gills was truly astonishing for us. Further research found that, despite the similarities, the eels didnt always rely on the same escape route through the gill cleft. Dr. Kawabata said some of them also circled along the stomach, seemingly in search of a way out. The study is also the first to captured the behavior of any prey inside the digestive tract of its predator, according to the researchers. They say that the X-ray methods used in the study can now be used to observe other predator-prey interactions. WE CONSIDER YOU OUR OWNJoin India: Rajnath to PoK residents JAMMU : Rajnath Singh questioned Omar Abdullah over his reported statement on the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and said What should have been done to him? If not hanged, he should have been garlanded? DEFENCE Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asked the residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to come and join India as we consider you our own unlike Pakistan which treats you as foreigners. Addressing an election rally in the Ramban Assembly constituency in support of BJP candidate Rakesh Singh Thakur, the Union Minister asserted there is a sea change in the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. India is ready to start dialogue with Pakistan if it stops terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday. The senior BJP leader came down heavily on the National Conference-Congress alliance over its poll promise of restoring Article 370 and said it is impossible as long as the BJP is there. He said the sea change witnessed in the overall security situation in J&K since August 2019 means that youths now carry laptops and computers in their hands instead of pistols and revolvers. Now, nobody dares to fire bullets at people in Srinagar, he said. Support the BJP to form the next Government in J&K so that we can facilitate massive development in the region. There will be so much development that the people in PoK on seeing this should say that we do not want to live with Pakistan and instead will go to India, the Defence Minister said. He said that recently an affidavit was filed by Pakistans additional solicitor general in the neighboring country stating that PoK is a foreign land. I want to tell PoK residents that Pakistan considers you foreigners, but the people in India do not consider you so. We consider you our own and so come and join us, he said. He also questioned NC Vice President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his reported statement on the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and said What should have been done to him? If not hanged, he should have been garlanded? The Defence Ministers visit as a BJP star campaigner comes a day after Home Minister Amit Shahs two-day tour during which he released the partys manifesto, held a series of meetings with senior party leaders and also addressed a party workers rally. In the Ramban constituency, the BJPs Thakur is up against the NCs Arjun Singh Raju and partys rebel Suraj Singh Parihar. The seat was last won by the BJPs Neelam Kumar Langeh who was denied a ticket by the party this time. Singh said the Assembly polls are taking place in J&K after 10 years and not only the people of the country but outside are also watching it. I firmly Am I next? WOMEN are magical beings. When they are around, they spread this magic so very effortlessly. But the sad part is that most of us simply cannot see this and hence, cannot respect her worth. In 2019, the the gang rape and murder of a 26- year-old veterinary doctor in Shamshabad, near Hyderabad, had shocked the nation. The young woman was raped and burnt alive when she was on her way home at around 9.30 pm. The incident had sent shivers down the spine of the country. And now, in 2024, India once again struggles to come to terms with a barbaric assault on a female doctor. The Kolkata incident literally how badly we have failed as a country to stop such incidents. Whenever such incidents take place, people discuss it, vent out their anger for several days, but what after that? Until the next big incident takes place, we happily forget about that outrage. What is also appalling is that in cases of sexual assault how the girl or the woman is often blamed for wearing certain clothes, for having male friends or for going out in the night. Why should the onus of keeping herself safe should solely be on the girls and women? Why cant we teach our boys and men to stop behaving like monsters? Not every man is a monster. Also, not every man gets the opportunity to become one. So he suffices with little things like eve-teasing, ogling at women in public places, spreading dirty gossip about classmates or friends. That is harassment as well and needs to be nipped in the bud. As for urgent steps, stricter and quicker punishment is need of the hour. Justice delayed is certainly justice denied in this case . ANTI-DRONE SYSTEMS deployedin Manipur; CM meets Governor IMPHAL : SECURITY was heightened in Manipur on Sunday following the fresh bout of violence that left several people dead, officials said. The situation was tense but under control, they said. No new incidents of violence have so far been reported on Sunday. SPs of various districts in coordination with security forces are continuously monitoring the situation, an official said. The Assam Rifles has deployed anti-drone systems in the fringe areas of the Imphal Valley to repel any rogue drones, he said The CRPF handed an antidrone system to the state police for deployment, he added. The use of drones to mount attacks was new to the ethnic clashes in Manipur that left over 200 people dead since May last year. The use of the remotecontrolled small flying device as a weapon was first seen on September 1 in Koutruk village in the Imphal West district. In the attack, in which guns were also used, two persons were killed and nine others injured. Drones were used again in Senjam Chirang, around 3 km away, the next day, injuring three persons. Meanwhile, prohibitory orders were imposed in Jiribam district on Saturday night, preventing the gathering of five or more persons, according to a notification. . CM submits memorandum to Governor IMPHAL, Sept 8 (PTI) MANIPUR CM N Biren Singh met Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Sunday along with his Cabinet colleagues and submitted a memorandum, the Raj Bhawan said in a statement. Besides over 20 MLAs, Singh was accompanied by Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh during the meeting. The delegation reached the Raj Bhawan around 11 am, and the meeting lasted about an hour. The meeting happened amid a fresh bout of violence in the State, in which at least five people were killed. The contents of the memorandum were not shared by the Raj Bhawan. The Chief Minister had met the Governor on Saturday as well and briefed him about the situation. Five people were killed in the Jiribam district. ANTI-DRONE SYSTEMS DEPLOYED: Security was heightened in Manipur on Sunday following the fresh bout of violence that left several people dead, officials said. The situation was tense but under control, they said. No new incidents of violence have so far been reported on Sunday. SPs of various districts in coordination with security forces are continuously monitoring the situation, an official said. The Assam Rifles has deployed anti-drone systems in the fringe areas of the Imphal Valley to repel any rogue drones, he said. The CRPF handed an antidrone system to the state police for deployment, he added. Scientists identify antibody to counter all COVID-19 variants New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) Researchers have discovered an antibody that could counter all known variants of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and also distantly related ones that infect other animals. SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus causing COVID-19, uses its spike protein to invade and infect another individual, or the host. Antibodies, produced by the host in response, bind to the spike protein to block its action and prevent infection. The researchers, led by those at The University of Texas in Austin, US, isolated the antibody 'SC27' from the plasma donated by four patients. These patients had breakthrough infections, which occur when a vaccinated individual gets infected. The research has been published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine. Over the more than four years since the first case of COVID-19 emerged, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved to acquire certain characteristics which make the virus resistant to vaccines and treatments. The authors said the 'SC27' antibody recognised all these various characteristics of the spike proteins across COVID-19 variants. "One goal of this research, and vaccinology in general, is to work toward a universal vaccine that can generate antibodies and create an immune response with broad protection to a rapidly mutating virus," said one of the lead authors William Voss, a PhD graduate in cell and molecular biology at The University of Texas. However, the authors also acknowledged that "the small number of individuals analysed may limit the interpretation of the data and leave it unclear how common the SC27-like antibody might be in human populations." The researchers used the technology IgG proteomics, or 'Ig-Seq', to study hybrid immunity, which is one's antibody response to both infection and vaccination. "The discovery of SC27, and other antibodies like it in the future, will help us better protect the population against current and future COVID-19 variants," study author Jason Lavinder from The University of Texas. The researchers also found that hybrid immunity offered an increased protection against the disease, compared with infection or vaccination alone. DECISIVE BATTLE CRPF moves in over 4,000 troops inChhattisgarh for ANTI-NAXAL OPS NEW DELHI ; THE CRPF is moving in four battalions comprising more than 4,000 personnel in the worst Naxal-violence affected areas of Bastar in Chhattisgarh as part of a strategy to launch a decisive battle to match the Union Governments latest resolve of ending the Maoist problem by March 2026. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while declaring this deadline in the Chhattisgarh capital of Raipur last month, emphasised that a strong and ruthless plan of action was required to rid the country of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) -- once termed the countrys biggest internal security threat. Official sources said the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) -- the lead internal security and anti-Naxal operations force in the country -- withdrew three battalions from Jharkhand and one from Bihar for deployment in the Bastar region, about 450-500 kilometres south of Raipur. It was felt that the Naxal violence situation in these two states had improved and incidents were negligible. Hence, these battalions can be better utilised in Chhattisgarh, where the anti-Naxal operations are now concentrated, they said. The CRPFs 159, 218, 214 and 22 battalions are being deployed to add manpower to the existing force in the LWE theatre of Chhattisgarh, the sources said. Each CRPF battalion has an operational strength of about a 1,000 personnel. These units are being deployed in the far-flung districts of Dantewada and Sukma and along the remote locations of the states trijunction border with Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, they said. A senior officer of the force in Delhi said these battalions would further join hands with the CRPFs CoBRA units to set up more forward operating bases (FOBs) in the districts remote areas so that development work could be initiated after securing the area. The force has created about 40 FOBs in Chhattisgarh over the last three years. Setting up such bases comes with its own set of challenges such as ambushes and improvised explosive device attacks by Maoists against the troops, he said. EVs can maintain cost without subsidies but won't oppose incentives: Nitin Gadkari New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) With falling lithium-ion battery prices, electric vehicles can now maintain cost without subsidies but it is for the finance and heavy industries ministries to decide if incentives need to be given to electric vehicles, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday. Speaking at the annual session of Automotive Components Manufacturers Association (ACMA), Gadkari, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, said within two years, the cost of EVs will be the same with their petrol and diesel counterparts. "First of all, I am not against any subsidies. I don't have any problem," Gadkari said when asked if more incentives were needed to accelerate electric mobility as adoption in India has not been as expected. Elaborating his views, he said at one point the price of the lithium ion battery was USD 150 per kilowatt hour. Now it is something USD 108 to 110 per kilowatt hour. "I am confident it will come to USD 100," he asserted. Moreover, he said the manufacturing of EVs has witnessed an increase in volume terms. "My assessment was that without subsidy, you can maintain that cost (of EVs) because the cost of production is less," Gadkari said. He further said, "I feel that within two years, the cost of the petrol vehicle and the diesel vehicle will be the same as electric, because already there is savings on electric vehicles." On the issue of extending incentives to EVs, Gadkari said still if the finance minister and the heavy industries minister, if they want to give subsidies it will be beneficial for the automotive industry. "I don't have any problem. I will not oppose that," he asserted. The minister also expressed confidence that India can become the number one automotive manufacturing hub in the world saying that the future of this industry is very bright. "My feeling is that we should make India as the number one automobile manufacturing hub in the world," he said, adding factors such as advancement in technology, availability of affordable talented workforce and the Indian auto industry's good reputation globally worked in its favour. Asked if government incentives were needed to accelerate old vehicle scrappage, Gadkari said it would not be required as market forces will make auto companies take steps on their own to woo consumers. Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. Adapt Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report) by 4.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 40,168 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,682 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF accounts for 13.8% of Adapt Wealth Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its largest position. Adapt Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $21,981,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. boosted its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 21.2% in the 2nd quarter. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. now owns 103 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the period. Global Trust Asset Management LLC increased its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 379 shares of the companys stock valued at $207,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the period. Independence Bank of Kentucky raised its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 2,134 shares of the companys stock worth $1,122,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Unionview LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.6% during the first quarter. Unionview LLC now owns 3,293 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,731,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MTM Investment Management LLC increased its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 6.9% during the 2nd quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC now owns 308 shares of the companys stock valued at $169,000 after buying an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Down 1.7 % NYSEARCA:IVV opened at $543.37 on Monday. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 52 week low of $411.02 and a 52 week high of $568.24. The companys 50 day moving average price is $552.50 and its 200-day moving average price is $533.72. The stock has a market cap of $468.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.23 and a beta of 0.99. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Company Profile iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Adapt Wealth Advisors LLC decreased its stake in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:TBLL Free Report) by 23.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,427 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,027 shares during the period. Adapt Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF were worth $361,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Clearwater Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 84.4% in the second quarter. Clearwater Capital Advisors LLC now owns 18,145 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,914,000 after buying an additional 8,305 shares during the period. Chris Bulman Inc bought a new stake in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $66,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC lifted its position in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 8,327.6% in the 2nd quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 968,499 shares of the companys stock worth $1,021,000 after acquiring an additional 957,007 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 274,212 shares of the companys stock worth $28,921,000 after purchasing an additional 8,265 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Foundations Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 51.8% during the second quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,439 shares of the companys stock valued at $363,000 after purchasing an additional 1,173 shares during the period. Get Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF alerts: Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA TBLL opened at $105.73 on Monday. Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF has a one year low of $105.20 and a one year high of $106.23. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $105.60 and a 200 day simple moving average of $105.56. Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Company Profile The Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (TBLL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the ICE US Treasury Short Bond index. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of debt issued by the US Treasury. Remaining maturity must be between 1-12 months. TBLL was launched on Jan 12, 2017 and is issued by Invesco. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TBLL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:TBLL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE:ADM Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by equities researchers at UBS Group from $60.00 to $64.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the stock. UBS Groups target price would suggest a potential upside of 7.13% from the stocks previous close. A number of other research firms have also issued reports on ADM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $65.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $64.00 to $63.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $65.62. Get Archer-Daniels-Midland alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on ADM Archer-Daniels-Midland Price Performance NYSE ADM traded up $0.27 on Monday, reaching $59.74. 379,801 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,604,155. Archer-Daniels-Midland has a 12 month low of $50.72 and a 12 month high of $80.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $61.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is $60.54. The company has a market cap of $28.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.51 and a beta of 0.72. Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE:ADM Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by ($0.19). Archer-Daniels-Midland had a return on equity of 12.06% and a net margin of 2.93%. The business had revenue of $22.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.12 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.89 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Archer-Daniels-Midland will post 5.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Archer-Daniels-Midland In other news, CEO Juan R. Luciano sold 170,194 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.51, for a total value of $10,298,438.94. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 265,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,047,857.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Juan R. Luciano sold 3,683 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.00, for a total value of $224,663.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 265,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,177,810. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Juan R. Luciano sold 170,194 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.51, for a total transaction of $10,298,438.94. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 265,210 shares in the company, valued at $16,047,857.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 219,348 shares of company stock valued at $13,296,833. 1.20% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Archer-Daniels-Midland Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ADM. Cherry Tree Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 78.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Archer-Daniels-Midland (Get Free Report) Archer-Daniels-Midland Company engages in the procurement, transportation, storage, processing, and merchandising of agricultural commodities, ingredients, flavors, and solutions in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AstraZeneca PLC (LON:AZN Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the nine analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is 105.53 ($138.77). Several brokerages have weighed in on AZN. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on AstraZeneca from GBX 71 ($0.93) to GBX 74 ($0.97) and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a 110 ($144.64) price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a 150 ($197.24) price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Monday, September 2nd. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, May 28th. Finally, Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Get AstraZeneca alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on AZN AstraZeneca Stock Performance AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend Shares of LON:AZN opened at 126.14 ($165.86) on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of 195.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 4,054.49, a P/E/G ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.15. AstraZeneca has a 1-year low of GBX 9,461 ($124.40) and a 1-year high of 133.88 ($176.04). The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 84.97. The business has a 50-day moving average price of 125.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of 118.32. The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 8th will be given a GBX 77.60 ($1.02) dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 8th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.64%. AstraZenecas dividend payout ratio is presently 7,500.00%. About AstraZeneca (Get Free Report AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of prescription medicines. The company's marketed products include Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Lynparza, Calquence, Enhertu, Orpathys, Truqap, Zoladex, Faslodex, Farxiga, Brilinta, Lokelma, Roxadustat, Andexxa, Crestor, Seloken, Onglyza, Bydureon, Fasenra, Breztri, Symbicort, Saphnelo, Tezspire, Pulmicort, Bevespi, and Daliresp for cardiovascular, renal, metabolism, and oncology. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for AstraZeneca Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AstraZeneca and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Get Free Report) had its target price hoisted by analysts at Evercore ISI from $223.00 to $225.00 in a note issued to investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an in-line rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Evercore ISIs price target suggests a potential upside of 0.63% from the stocks current price. Several other research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $222.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, August 26th. Mizuho upped their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $185.00 to $194.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on AvalonBay Communities from $207.00 to $214.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $218.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, August 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $194.00 to $212.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, June 17th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $214.59. Get AvalonBay Communities alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on AvalonBay Communities AvalonBay Communities Stock Down 1.3 % AVB stock opened at $223.60 on Monday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $211.49 and its 200 day simple moving average is $197.63. AvalonBay Communities has a 1-year low of $160.45 and a 1-year high of $230.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.80 billion, a PE ratio of 33.27, a PEG ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a current ratio of 2.03, a quick ratio of 2.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.71 by ($0.93). AvalonBay Communities had a return on equity of 7.16% and a net margin of 29.61%. The company had revenue of $726.04 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $718.49 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.66 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that AvalonBay Communities will post 11 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other AvalonBay Communities news, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of AvalonBay Communities stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total transaction of $414,340.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $908,026.11. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.90, for a total transaction of $1,044,500.00. Following the sale, the executive now owns 65,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,780,506.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total value of $414,340.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $908,026.11. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.42% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in AvalonBay Communities in the second quarter valued at $32,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position in AvalonBay Communities by 1,877.8% in the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 178 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. BROOKFIELD Corp ON acquired a new position in AvalonBay Communities during the 1st quarter worth approximately $39,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. boosted its holdings in AvalonBay Communities by 50.0% in the first quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 225 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 38.8% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 261 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.61% of the companys stock. About AvalonBay Communities (Get Free Report) As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for AvalonBay Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AvalonBay Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Baker Boyer National Bank purchased a new position in iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF (NYSEARCA:IBDT Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 20,120 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $498,000. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Arrow Financial Corp increased its stake in iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Arrow Financial Corp now owns 531,348 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,161,000 after buying an additional 14,336 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF by 3.9% during the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 63,022 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,561,000 after acquiring an additional 2,341 shares during the period. Dearborn Partners LLC boosted its stake in iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Dearborn Partners LLC now owns 21,309 shares of the companys stock valued at $528,000 after purchasing an additional 857 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in shares of iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF by 55.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 21,878 shares of the companys stock valued at $542,000 after purchasing an additional 7,821 shares during the period. Finally, Montecito Bank & Trust raised its position in iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF by 79.2% in the second quarter. Montecito Bank & Trust now owns 27,457 shares of the companys stock worth $680,000 after acquiring an additional 12,138 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF alerts: iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA:IBDT opened at $25.44 on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $25.11 and a 200-day moving average of $24.85. iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF has a twelve month low of $23.62 and a twelve month high of $25.50. About iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF The iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF (IBDT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a Bloomberg index of USD-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds maturing between Jan 1 and Dec 15, 2028. IBDT was launched on Sep 18, 2018 and is managed by BlackRock. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fortis (TSE:FTS Free Report) had its price objective upped by BMO Capital Markets from C$59.00 to C$61.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. A number of other analysts have also issued reports on FTS. CIBC boosted their target price on Fortis from C$57.00 to C$59.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Fortis from C$61.00 to C$62.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. National Bankshares increased their target price on shares of Fortis from C$56.00 to C$62.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Fortis from C$56.00 to C$59.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, Raymond James increased their price target on shares of Fortis from C$59.00 to C$61.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$59.10. Get Fortis alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Fortis Fortis Price Performance TSE:FTS opened at C$60.52 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 128.59. Fortis has a 52 week low of C$49.82 and a 52 week high of C$61.30. The stock has a market capitalization of C$29.97 billion, a PE ratio of 18.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.22. The stocks 50-day moving average price is C$57.36 and its 200-day moving average price is C$55.02. Fortis (TSE:FTS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported C$0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.65 by C$0.02. The business had revenue of C$2.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$2.71 billion. Fortis had a return on equity of 7.44% and a net margin of 14.35%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Fortis will post 3.2439825 EPS for the current fiscal year. Fortis Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Sunday, September 1st were issued a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.90%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 20th. Fortiss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 73.98%. Insider Buying and Selling at Fortis In other Fortis news, Senior Officer James Reid sold 19,972 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$59.46, for a total transaction of C$1,187,493.18. 0.04% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Fortis Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 447,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 103,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,408 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Fortis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Thursday morning. Several other research analysts have also commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $85.00 price objective on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Boston Scientific from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Boston Scientific from $77.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. BTIG Research raised their price objective on Boston Scientific from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on Boston Scientific from $78.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $85.38. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on BSX Boston Scientific Price Performance BSX stock opened at $81.60 on Thursday. Boston Scientific has a 52-week low of $48.35 and a 52-week high of $82.47. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $77.40 and its 200-day simple moving average is $73.58. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $119.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 68.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.79. 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, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 16.59% and a net margin of 12.00%. The firm had revenue of $4.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.02 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.53 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Boston Scientific will post 2.4 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Boston Scientific In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 6,983 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.70, for a total value of $570,511.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 37,468 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,061,135.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 20,949 shares of company stock valued at $1,627,877. Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BSX. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC raised its stake in Boston Scientific by 542.1% during the 1st quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 366 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares during the period. First Foundation Advisors acquired a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Andra AP fonden acquired a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, RiverPark Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Institutional investors own 89.07% of the companys stock. About Boston Scientific (Get Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Needham & Company LLC reissued their hold rating on shares of C3.ai (NYSE:AI Free Report) in a research note published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. A number of other analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price objective on shares of C3.ai from $31.00 to $30.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Piper Sandler Companies reiterated a neutral rating and set a $24.00 price objective on shares of C3.ai in a research note on Thursday. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of C3.ai from $23.00 to $21.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $40.00 target price on shares of C3.ai in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. Finally, Northland Capmk upgraded C3.ai from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $27.70. Get C3.ai alerts: Read Our Latest Report on C3.ai C3.ai Stock Up 0.9 % AI stock opened at $21.30 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $2.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.10 and a beta of 1.81. C3.ai has a twelve month low of $18.85 and a twelve month high of $38.30. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $26.16 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $26.64. C3.ai (NYSE:AI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, September 4th. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13) by $0.08. The company had revenue of $87.21 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $86.94 million. C3.ai had a negative net margin of 93.36% and a negative return on equity of 30.95%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 20.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.56) EPS. Research analysts expect that C3.ai will post -2.35 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity In other news, CFO Hitesh Lath sold 3,005 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.56, for a total value of $82,817.80. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 7,390 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $203,668.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 34.00% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of C3.ai in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Toth Financial Advisory Corp increased its position in shares of C3.ai by 900.0% in the first quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 1,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 900 shares in the last quarter. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of C3.ai in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Unique Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of C3.ai during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of C3.ai by 148.9% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,028 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 615 shares in the last quarter. 38.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About C3.ai (Get Free Report) C3.ai, Inc operates as an enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) software company in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company provides C3 AI platform, an application development and runtime environment that enables customers to design, develop, and deploy enterprise AI applications; C3 AI Ex Machina for analysis-ready data; C3 AI CRM, an industry specific customer relationship management solution; and C3 Generative AI Product Suite that enables to locate, retrieve, and present information. See Also Receive News & Ratings for C3.ai Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for C3.ai and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Choreo LLC raised its position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IVE Free Report) by 56.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 106,084 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 38,384 shares during the period. Choreo LLC owned approximately 0.06% of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF worth $19,209,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fisher Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares S&P 500 Value ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $339,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 6,092 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,059,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. raised its position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF by 75.2% in the 4th quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 10,442 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,816,000 after buying an additional 4,481 shares in the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF by 7.8% during the 4th quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 50,731 shares of the companys stock worth $8,822,000 after acquiring an additional 3,649 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners boosted its position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF by 36.9% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,903 shares of the companys stock worth $331,000 after acquiring an additional 513 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares S&P 500 Value ETF alerts: iShares S&P 500 Value ETF Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:IVE opened at $191.23 on Monday. iShares S&P 500 Value ETF has a 1 year low of $147.23 and a 1 year high of $196.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.79 and a beta of 0.81. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $188.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $184.30. About iShares S&P 500 Value ETF iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P 500 Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P 500 Value Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P 500 exhibiting the strongest value characteristics. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IVE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P 500 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P 500 Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Edgemoor Investment Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Free Report) by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 135,284 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 9,338 shares during the quarter. Edgemoor Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Citigroup were worth $8,585,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Choreo LLC raised its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 259.1% during the second quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 30,935 shares of the companys stock worth $1,962,000 after purchasing an additional 22,320 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC grew its position in shares of Citigroup by 14.6% in the second quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 311,668 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,778,000 after purchasing an additional 39,766 shares during the period. PFG Investments LLC boosted its stake in Citigroup by 10.7% during the 2nd quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 27,616 shares of the companys stock worth $1,752,000 after purchasing an additional 2,669 shares during the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Citigroup by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 35,334 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,242,000 after buying an additional 1,662 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ping Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Citigroup during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $698,000. 71.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Citigroup alerts: Citigroup Trading Up 2.6 % Shares of NYSE C traded up $1.51 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $60.60. 2,216,022 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,512,840. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. Citigroup Inc. has a 1 year low of $38.17 and a 1 year high of $67.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $115.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.55, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.45. The business has a 50 day moving average of $62.44 and a two-hundred day moving average of $61.29. Citigroup Increases Dividend Citigroup ( NYSE:C Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, July 12th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.13. Citigroup had a return on equity of 6.26% and a net margin of 4.95%. The company had revenue of $20.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.07 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.37 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Citigroup Inc. will post 5.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, August 5th were issued a $0.56 dividend. This is a positive change from Citigroups previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. This represents a $2.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.70%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 5th. Citigroups payout ratio is 62.75%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on C shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $66.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Citigroup from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Oppenheimer increased their price target on shares of Citigroup from $85.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Citigroup from $63.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, June 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Citigroup from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Citigroup has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $68.06. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on C Citigroup Company Profile (Free Report) Citigroup Inc, a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding C? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Citigroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citigroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DDFG Inc acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 8,129 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $370,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 13,279,658 shares of the companys stock worth $535,701,000 after acquiring an additional 242,442 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its position in Altria Group by 120.6% during the first quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 8,762,047 shares of the companys stock worth $382,201,000 after purchasing an additional 4,789,788 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Altria Group by 5.0% in the second quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,060,589 shares of the companys stock valued at $230,510,000 after purchasing an additional 243,201 shares during the last quarter. LSV Asset Management increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 4.6% in the second quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 4,888,137 shares of the companys stock valued at $222,655,000 after buying an additional 215,594 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 3,754,522 shares of the companys stock worth $163,772,000 after buying an additional 54,096 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Stock Performance MO stock opened at $53.69 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $50.15 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $46.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $91.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.23, a PEG ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.65. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $39.06 and a one year high of $54.95. Altria Group Increases Dividend Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.35 by ($0.04). Altria Group had a net margin of 42.25% and a negative return on equity of 232.55%. The business had revenue of $6.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.39 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.31 EPS. Altria Groups revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. This is a boost from Altria Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.98. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.60%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 82.01%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Argus upgraded shares of Altria Group to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 31st. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $37.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Bank of America upped their target price on Altria Group from $52.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. StockNews.com upgraded Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Altria Group from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $48.58. Read Our Latest Research Report on Altria Group Altria Group Profile (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report)s stock price was up 3.8% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $107.65 and last traded at $105.84. Approximately 8,745,486 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 16% from the average daily volume of 10,375,252 shares. The stock had previously closed at $102.00. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have issued reports on DELL shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Dell Technologies from $142.00 to $136.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 30th. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th. Finally, Fox Advisors upgraded Dell Technologies from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $136.80. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Get Our Latest Report on DELL Dell Technologies Stock Up 3.8 % The company has a market capitalization of $75.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a 50-day moving average of $117.23 and a two-hundred day moving average of $123.65. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The technology company reported $1.89 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.40. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 4.32% and a negative return on equity of 182.71%. The firm had revenue of $25.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $24.14 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.44 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.9 EPS for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.445 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 23rd. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.68%. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 36.33%. Insider Activity at Dell Technologies In related news, Director David W. Dorman sold 75,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.26, for a total transaction of $10,144,500.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 114,317 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,462,517.42. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, CMO Jane Tunnell sold 3,624 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.98, for a total transaction of $529,031.52. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 89,294 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,035,138.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director David W. Dorman sold 75,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.26, for a total transaction of $10,144,500.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 114,317 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,462,517.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 5,561,455 shares of company stock valued at $762,858,509 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 46.70% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Dell Technologies A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of DELL. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in Dell Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $4,567,000. NCP Inc. bought a new position in shares of Dell Technologies during the second quarter worth $1,269,000. Gordian Capital Singapore Pte Ltd grew its stake in Dell Technologies by 478.3% during the second quarter. Gordian Capital Singapore Pte Ltd now owns 1,735 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $239,000 after acquiring an additional 1,435 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Dell Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $592,000. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC lifted its stake in Dell Technologies by 7.6% in the 2nd quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 256,325 shares of the technology companys stock worth $35,350,000 after purchasing an additional 18,130 shares in the last quarter. 38.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Dell Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG). Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fox Hill Wealth Management lessened its position in CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA Free Report) by 2.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 24,646 shares of the companys stock after selling 633 shares during the period. CAVA Group accounts for about 1.4% of Fox Hill Wealth Managements portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Fox Hill Wealth Managements holdings in CAVA Group were worth $2,286,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in CAVA. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its position in CAVA Group by 13.6% during the 2nd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 38,187 shares of the companys stock worth $3,542,000 after purchasing an additional 4,568 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of CAVA Group by 36.3% in the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 12,765 shares of the companys stock worth $1,184,000 after acquiring an additional 3,397 shares during the period. Magnus Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in CAVA Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $404,000. Legacy Capital Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in CAVA Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $429,000. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in CAVA Group by 80.5% during the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 86,251 shares of the companys stock worth $8,000,000 after purchasing an additional 38,471 shares during the last quarter. 73.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get CAVA Group alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CAVA has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Loop Capital lifted their target price on shares of CAVA Group from $80.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, August 26th. Wedbush lifted their price objective on CAVA Group from $100.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on CAVA Group from $105.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. TD Cowen raised their target price on CAVA Group from $95.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on CAVA Group from $93.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $106.75. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CFO Tricia K. Tolivar sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.64, for a total value of $628,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 292,600 shares in the company, valued at $36,762,264. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other CAVA Group news, Director Theodoros Xenohristos sold 98,490 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.77, for a total value of $12,387,087.30. Following the transaction, the director now owns 424,846 shares of the companys stock, valued at $53,432,881.42. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Tricia K. Tolivar sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.64, for a total transaction of $628,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 292,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at $36,762,264. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 493,579 shares of company stock valued at $55,510,751. CAVA Group Trading Down 0.5 % NYSE CAVA opened at $116.13 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $13.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 283.25 and a beta of 3.32. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $94.47 and a 200 day simple moving average of $80.37. CAVA Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $29.05 and a 12-month high of $128.18. CAVA Group (NYSE:CAVA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 22nd. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $219.47 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.21 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 35.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that CAVA Group, Inc. will post 0.43 EPS for the current year. About CAVA Group (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CAVA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for CAVA Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CAVA Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Frontline (NYSE:FRO Free Report) to a sell rating in a research report released on Thursday. Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $30.00 target price on shares of Frontline in a report on Friday, August 30th. Evercore ISI cut their price target on Frontline from $33.00 to $32.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Frontline currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $27.58. Get Frontline alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Frontline Frontline Stock Performance NYSE:FRO opened at $22.22 on Thursday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $23.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $24.47. Frontline has a 1-year low of $15.94 and a 1-year high of $29.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 1.75. The firm has a market cap of $4.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.77 and a beta of 0.04. Frontline (NYSE:FRO Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, August 30th. The shipping company reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.65 by ($0.03). Frontline had a net margin of 32.94% and a return on equity of 23.14%. The business had revenue of $409.72 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $383.88 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.94 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Frontline will post 2.62 EPS for the current year. Frontline Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a dividend of $0.62 per share. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 11.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. Frontlines dividend payout ratio is presently 86.71%. Institutional Trading of Frontline Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FRO. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Frontline during the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Frontline during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Summit Securities Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Frontline by 75.0% during the 2nd quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 1,400 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Frontline by 17,866.7% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,156 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 2,144 shares during the period. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Frontline by 150.6% during the 1st quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,619 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 2,175 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 22.70% of the companys stock. Frontline Company Profile (Get Free Report) Frontline plc, a shipping company, engages in the seaborne transportation of crude oil and oil products worldwide. It owns and operates oil and product tankers. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated a fleet of 70 vessels. It is also involved in the charter, purchase, and sale of vessels. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Limassol, Cyprus. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Frontline Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Frontline and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hilton Food Group (LON:HFG Free Report) had its target price increased by Royal Bank of Canada from GBX 1,000 ($13.15) to GBX 1,050 ($13.81) in a report released on Thursday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. HFG has been the subject of a number of other reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 1,105 ($14.53) price target on shares of Hilton Food Group in a report on Thursday. Shore Capital reaffirmed a house stock rating on shares of Hilton Food Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Get Hilton Food Group alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on HFG Hilton Food Group Stock Performance Hilton Food Group Cuts Dividend Hilton Food Group stock opened at GBX 901 ($11.85) on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 928.60 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 896.31. Hilton Food Group has a fifty-two week low of GBX 634.03 ($8.34) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 996 ($13.10). The company has a market capitalization of 807.30 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,250.00, a PEG ratio of 17.31 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 153.45, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.17. The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 31st will be issued a dividend of GBX 9.60 ($0.13) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 31st. Hilton Food Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8,000.00%. Hilton Food Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hilton Food Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the food packing business. It offers beef, pork, lamb, poultry, seafood, and vegan and vegetarian food, such as steak, roast, diced, mince, meatloaf, sausages, burgers, meatballs ribs, chops, bacon, gammon, schnitzel, pulled belly, rib rack, smoked loin, shanks, carcass, chicken kabab, chicken drumsticks, chicken tight, chicken wings, half chicken, duck leg, duck half, coated, salmon, white fish, shellfish, fish cakes, smoked salmon, strips, nuggets, pulled, and balls. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hilton Food Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hilton Food Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of InnSuites Hospitality Trust (NYSE:IHT Free Report) in a report published on Thursday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock. InnSuites Hospitality Trust Stock Performance Shares of InnSuites Hospitality Trust stock opened at $2.18 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 1.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.66 million, a P/E ratio of -109.00 and a beta of 0.14. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $1.70 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1.55. InnSuites Hospitality Trust has a 12 month low of $0.95 and a 12 month high of $2.20. Get InnSuites Hospitality Trust alerts: InnSuites Hospitality Trust Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 19th were paid a dividend of $0.01 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 19th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.2%. InnSuites Hospitality Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -100.00%. InnSuites Hospitality Trust Company Profile InnSuites Hospitality Trust (NYSE American symbol: IHT) first listed on the NYSE in 1971 is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona is an unincorporated Ohio Business. Trust that owns and manages hotels under the InnSuites Hotels name. IHT qualifies as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) for tax treatment currently taxed as a corporation with the IRS. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for InnSuites Hospitality Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for InnSuites Hospitality Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prudential PLC increased its stake in Invesco Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:BKLN Free Report) by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,669,965 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 164,519 shares during the period. Invesco Senior Loan ETF comprises 0.4% of Prudential PLCs holdings, making the stock its 26th largest position. Prudential PLCs holdings in Invesco Senior Loan ETF were worth $56,176,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Invesco Senior Loan ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $43,000. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. increased its position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 4.5% during the 2nd quarter. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. now owns 181,631 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $3,822,000 after purchasing an additional 7,845 shares during the period. Certuity LLC bought a new stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $422,000. Chris Bulman Inc bought a new stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $458,000. Finally, Strategic Financial Concepts LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 2,007.5% in the second quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 1,534,314 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $323,000 after buying an additional 1,461,510 shares during the period. Get Invesco Senior Loan ETF alerts: Invesco Senior Loan ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA:BKLN opened at $21.01 on Monday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $21.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $21.08. Invesco Senior Loan ETF has a 52-week low of $20.61 and a 52-week high of $21.27. Invesco Senior Loan ETF Profile The Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of senior loans issued by banks to corporations. BKLN was launched on Mar 3, 2011 and is managed by Invesco. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BKLN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:BKLN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Senior Loan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Senior Loan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (BATS:IGE Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $43.37 and last traded at $42.68, with a volume of 52920 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $42.48. iShares North American Natural Resources ETF Stock Up 0.5 % The firm has a market cap of $601.79 million, a PE ratio of 9.97 and a beta of 0.59. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $44.23 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $44.22. Get iShares North American Natural Resources ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares North American Natural Resources ETF Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares North American Natural Resources ETF in the second quarter worth $1,483,000. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV lifted its holdings in shares of iShares North American Natural Resources ETF by 4.7% in the second quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 30,731 shares of the companys stock worth $1,352,000 after buying an additional 1,384 shares in the last quarter. Family Firm Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares North American Natural Resources ETF by 79.6% in the second quarter. Family Firm Inc. now owns 481,471 shares of the companys stock worth $21,185,000 after buying an additional 213,332 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares North American Natural Resources ETF by 3.6% in the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 9,943 shares of the companys stock worth $447,000 after buying an additional 350 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its holdings in shares of iShares North American Natural Resources ETF by 0.5% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 101,088 shares of the companys stock worth $4,548,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. About iShares North American Natural Resources ETF iShares North American Natural Resources ETF, formerly iShares S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of U.S.-traded natural resource-related stocks as represented by the S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index (the Index). Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares North American Natural Resources ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares North American Natural Resources ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mandalay Resources Corp. (TSE:MND Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$2.91 and last traded at C$2.91, with a volume of 17658 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$2.89. Mandalay Resources Trading Up 0.7 % The stocks fifty day moving average price is C$2.59 and its 200 day moving average price is C$2.21. The stock has a market cap of C$270.92 million, a P/E ratio of 7.05 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.67. Get Mandalay Resources alerts: Mandalay Resources (TSE:MND Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported C$0.25 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$86.27 million for the quarter. Mandalay Resources had a return on equity of 14.47% and a net margin of 13.58%. Equities research analysts expect that Mandalay Resources Corp. will post 0.1480392 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Mandalay Resources Mandalay Resources Company Profile In other Mandalay Resources news, Director Abraham Jonker sold 36,124 shares of Mandalay Resources stock in a transaction on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$2.58, for a total value of C$93,199.92. Insiders own 1.17% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Mandalay Resources Corporation, a natural resource company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, extraction, processing, and reclamation of various mineral properties. It explores for gold, silver, and antimony deposits. The company holds a 100% interest in the Costerfield gold-antimony mine covering an area of 7,540.78 hectares (ha) located in Central Victoria, Australia; and the Bjorkdal gold mine that comprises 9 mining concessions and 19 exploration permits located in Vasterbotten County in northern Sweden. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mandalay Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mandalay Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mount Lucas Management LP cut its position in iShares MSCI France ETF (NYSEARCA:EWQ Free Report) by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,329 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 1,078 shares during the quarter. Mount Lucas Management LP owned 0.11% of iShares MSCI France ETF worth $655,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. National Bank of Canada FI bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF by 42.8% in the 1st quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 1,527 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $63,000 after acquiring an additional 458 shares in the last quarter. Laffer Tengler Investments Inc. lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF by 19.3% in the 4th quarter. Laffer Tengler Investments Inc. now owns 5,307 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $208,000 after purchasing an additional 860 shares during the period. Donald L. Hagan LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI France ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $250,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in iShares MSCI France ETF by 27.3% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 7,777 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $294,000 after buying an additional 1,667 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI France ETF alerts: iShares MSCI France ETF Stock Performance iShares MSCI France ETF stock opened at $38.48 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $600.29 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.50 and a beta of 0.85. iShares MSCI France ETF has a 52-week low of $33.66 and a 52-week high of $42.60. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $38.70 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $39.98. About iShares MSCI France ETF iShares MSCI France ETF, formerly iShares MSCI France Index Fund, seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the French market, as measured by the MSCI France Index (the Index). The Index seeks to measure the performance of the French equity market. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI France ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI France ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Goldman Sachs Group restated their neutral rating on shares of Novartis (NYSE:NVS Free Report) in a research report report published on Thursday morning, MarketBeat reports. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a $121.00 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of $119.00. A number of other research analysts have also recently weighed in on NVS. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Novartis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. Barclays raised shares of Novartis to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a hold rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Friday, July 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Novartis presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $118.38. Get Novartis alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on NVS Novartis Stock Performance Shares of NVS opened at $116.65 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $112.66 and a 200 day moving average of $104.54. The company has a market capitalization of $238.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.74, a PEG ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.57. Novartis has a 12 month low of $92.19 and a 12 month high of $120.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Novartis (NYSE:NVS Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The company reported $1.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.87 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $12.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.24 billion. Novartis had a return on equity of 34.56% and a net margin of 33.76%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.83 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Novartis will post 7.5 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Novartis Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NVS. Raymond James & Associates boosted its stake in Novartis by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 536,607 shares of the companys stock worth $57,127,000 after purchasing an additional 6,767 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Novartis during the second quarter valued at approximately $15,044,000. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Novartis by 6.5% during the first quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 180,764 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,485,000 after acquiring an additional 11,080 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc increased its holdings in Novartis by 314.8% during the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 55,096 shares of the companys stock worth $5,563,000 after acquiring an additional 41,815 shares during the period. Finally, FORA Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Novartis in the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,968,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.12% of the companys stock. Novartis Company Profile (Get Free Report) Novartis AG engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Novartis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novartis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rogers Communications (TSE:RCI.B Free Report) (NYSE:RCI) had its price objective raised by BMO Capital Markets from C$65.00 to C$67.00 in a report issued on Thursday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. A number of other research analysts also recently commented on RCI.B. Canaccord Genuity Group downgraded Rogers Communications from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from C$59.00 to C$57.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Cormark decreased their target price on shares of Rogers Communications from C$74.00 to C$72.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on Rogers Communications from C$67.00 to C$65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. TD Securities lowered their target price on Rogers Communications from C$74.00 to C$70.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Rogers Communications from C$80.00 to C$69.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Rogers Communications currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$69.29. Get Rogers Communications alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on RCI.B Rogers Communications Trading Down 0.3 % Rogers Communications Dividend Announcement Rogers Communications stock opened at C$55.50 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 436.50, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.65. Rogers Communications has a 1 year low of C$48.67 and a 1 year high of C$64.71. The firms 50-day moving average is C$52.90 and its 200-day moving average is C$54.23. The company has a market cap of C$23.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.05, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.62. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 3rd will be issued a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 9th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.60%. Rogers Communicationss dividend payout ratio is currently 122.70%. Rogers Communications Company Profile (Get Free Report) Rogers Communications Inc operates as a communications and media company in Canada. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The Wireless segment offers wireless voice and data communication services to individual consumers, businesses, governments, and other telecommunications service providers; postpaid and prepaid wireless services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands; and wireless devices, services, and applications to consumers and businesses. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Rogers Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rogers Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fairbanks Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU Free Report) (TSE:SU) by 2.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 154,084 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after acquiring an additional 4,374 shares during the quarter. Suncor Energy comprises 3.9% of Fairbanks Capital Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Fairbanks Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Suncor Energy were worth $5,871,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Johnson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Suncor Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Suncor Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Trust Co. of Vermont acquired a new stake in Suncor Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new stake in Suncor Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Suncor Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.37% of the companys stock. Get Suncor Energy alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have weighed in on SU. Scotiabank decreased their price objective on Suncor Energy from $61.00 to $60.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 12th. BMO Capital Markets raised Suncor Energy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. StockNews.com raised Suncor Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. TD Securities raised Suncor Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Suncor Energy in a report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $68.00 price target for the company. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $54.86. Suncor Energy Stock Performance NYSE SU opened at $37.32 on Monday. Suncor Energy Inc. has a 1-year low of $29.45 and a 1-year high of $41.94. The company has a market capitalization of $47.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.31, a PEG ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 1.13. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $39.18 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 0.93. Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU Get Free Report) (TSE:SU) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.76 by $0.51. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 16.22% and a net margin of 14.40%. The firm had revenue of $12.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.30 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.71 EPS. Suncor Energys quarterly revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Suncor Energy Inc. will post 3.71 EPS for the current fiscal year. Suncor Energy Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be paid a $0.395 dividend. This represents a $1.58 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 4th. Suncor Energys payout ratio is currently 35.19%. Suncor Energy Company Profile (Free Report) Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; and Refining and Marketing segments. The Oil Sands segment explores, develops, and produces bitumen, synthetic crude oil, and related products. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU Free Report) (TSE:SU). Receive News & Ratings for Suncor Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suncor Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. United Services Automobile Association trimmed its stake in The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Free Report) (TSE:TD) by 3.7% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 66,403 shares of the banks stock after selling 2,557 shares during the period. United Services Automobile Associations holdings in Toronto-Dominion Bank were worth $3,650,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Prudential PLC lifted its position in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 142.6% during the 2nd quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 77,492 shares of the banks stock valued at $4,260,000 after acquiring an additional 45,548 shares during the period. Caprock Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank during the 2nd quarter valued at $305,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 67.3% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 209,006 shares of the banks stock worth $11,482,000 after purchasing an additional 84,106 shares during the period. Letko Brosseau & Associates Inc. grew its position in Toronto-Dominion Bank by 5.5% during the second quarter. Letko Brosseau & Associates Inc. now owns 3,350,204 shares of the banks stock valued at $184,116,000 after buying an additional 174,845 shares during the period. Finally, Candriam S.C.A. increased its holdings in Toronto-Dominion Bank by 17.1% during the second quarter. Candriam S.C.A. now owns 468,740 shares of the banks stock worth $25,759,000 after buying an additional 68,314 shares during the last quarter. 52.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: Toronto-Dominion Bank Price Performance Shares of TD traded up $0.66 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $61.03. The stock had a trading volume of 91,339 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,696,679. The company has a market capitalization of $106.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 12-month low of $53.52 and a 12-month high of $65.12. The companys 50-day moving average is $57.85 and its 200 day moving average is $57.68. Toronto-Dominion Bank Cuts Dividend Toronto-Dominion Bank ( NYSE:TD Get Free Report ) (TSE:TD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 22nd. The bank reported $2.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.56. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a return on equity of 14.34% and a net margin of 6.94%. The business had revenue of $14.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.40 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.48 EPS. Toronto-Dominion Banks revenue for the quarter was up 9.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that The Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 5.84 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 10th will be given a $0.739 dividend. This represents a $2.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.84%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 10th. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio is presently 67.73%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have weighed in on TD shares. Cibc World Mkts raised shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 24th. StockNews.com lowered Toronto-Dominion Bank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from $86.00 to $84.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 24th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Finally, National Bank Financial raised shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from an underperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $84.00. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on TD About Toronto-Dominion Bank (Free Report) The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Free Report) (TSE:TD). Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. United Super Pty Ltd in its capacity as Trustee for the Construction & Building Unions Superannuation Fund grew its position in shares of MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI Free Report) by 53.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 40,531 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 14,093 shares during the quarter. United Super Pty Ltd in its capacity as Trustee for the Construction & Building Unions Superannuation Fund owned approximately 0.05% of MSCI worth $19,526,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fairbanks Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of MSCI by 2.4% during the second quarter. Fairbanks Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,907 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,400,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. First Foundation Advisors boosted its stake in MSCI by 9.1% in the second quarter. First Foundation Advisors now owns 5,615 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,705,000 after acquiring an additional 467 shares during the last quarter. Oak Thistle LLC bought a new position in MSCI in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,055,000. YCG LLC boosted its stake in MSCI by 20.0% in the second quarter. YCG LLC now owns 106,365 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $51,241,000 after acquiring an additional 17,754 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bowie Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in MSCI by 42.3% in the second quarter. Bowie Capital Management LLC now owns 160,702 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $77,418,000 after acquiring an additional 47,802 shares during the last quarter. 89.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get MSCI alerts: MSCI Stock Performance NYSE MSCI opened at $559.85 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.22, a PEG ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 1.11. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $535.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $521.68. MSCI Inc. has a 52 week low of $439.95 and a 52 week high of $617.39. MSCI Dividend Announcement MSCI ( NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The technology company reported $3.64 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.55 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $707.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $696.41 million. MSCI had a negative return on equity of 143.09% and a net margin of 43.86%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.26 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that MSCI Inc. will post 14.79 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th were paid a dividend of $1.60 per share. This represents a $6.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.14%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. MSCIs dividend payout ratio is currently 43.69%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have issued reports on MSCI. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of MSCI from $526.00 to $590.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of MSCI from $600.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of MSCI from $575.00 to $585.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Argus increased their target price on shares of MSCI from $520.00 to $600.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of MSCI to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $584.79. View Our Latest Stock Report on MSCI MSCI Company 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSCI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for MSCI Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MSCI and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in Target Co. (NYSE:TGT Free Report) by 0.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,035,326 shares of the retailers stock after acquiring an additional 5,586 shares during the period. US Bancorp DEs holdings in Target were worth $301,310,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Target in the 4th quarter worth approximately $759,810,000. Boston Partners bought a new stake in Target during the first quarter worth about $335,870,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC increased its position in Target by 58.0% during the 4th quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 2,683,228 shares of the retailers stock valued at $382,145,000 after buying an additional 984,464 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in shares of Target by 9.3% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 10,163,864 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,447,538,000 after purchasing an additional 868,274 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Focused Investors Fund L P purchased a new position in Target in the first quarter worth about $125,536,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.73% of the companys stock. Get Target alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CAO Matthew A. Liegel sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.13, for a total value of $153,130.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 7,276 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,114,173.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other Target news, insider Brian C. Cornell sold 45,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.67, for a total transaction of $7,140,150.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 303,843 shares in the company, valued at $48,210,768.81. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Matthew A. Liegel sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.13, for a total value of $153,130.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 7,276 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,114,173.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Target Trading Up 0.5 % NYSE TGT traded up $0.74 during trading on Monday, hitting $152.02. The stock had a trading volume of 332,202 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,015,933. The company has a market capitalization of $70.03 billion, a PE ratio of 16.98, a PEG ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.24. Target Co. has a twelve month low of $102.93 and a twelve month high of $181.86. The company has a quick ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $147.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $155.14. Target (NYSE:TGT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 21st. The retailer reported $2.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.18 by $0.39. Target had a return on equity of 33.10% and a net margin of 4.18%. The business had revenue of $25.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $25.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.80 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Target Co. will post 9.53 earnings per share for the current year. Target Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 21st will be paid a dividend of $1.12 per share. This is a positive change from Targets previous quarterly dividend of $1.10. This represents a $4.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.95%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 21st. Targets dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 50.28%. Analyst Ratings Changes TGT has been the topic of several research reports. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Target from $158.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an inline rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Target from $165.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Roth Mkm increased their price target on Target from $153.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Oppenheimer reduced their target price on shares of Target from $200.00 to $180.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Target from $190.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, eighteen have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $179.68. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Target Target Company Profile (Free Report) Target Corporation operates as a general merchandise retailer in the United States. The company offers apparel for women, men, boys, girls, toddlers, and infants and newborns, as well as jewelry, accessories, and shoes; and beauty and personal care, baby gear, cleaning, paper products, and pet supplies. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TGT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Target Co. (NYSE:TGT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Target Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Target and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wedbush Securities Inc. raised its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 21.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 250,762 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 43,635 shares during the quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $7,016,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of PFE. Olistico Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Pfizer during the second quarter worth about $25,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Pfizer in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Creekmur Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC increased its holdings in Pfizer by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC now owns 1,200 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial Connections Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Price Performance Pfizer stock opened at $28.56 on Monday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $29.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $28.05. The stock has a market cap of $161.84 billion, a PE ratio of -475.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.68. Pfizer Inc. has a 1-year low of $25.20 and a 1-year high of $34.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Pfizer Dividend Announcement Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $13.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.96 billion. Pfizer had a positive return on equity of 8.42% and a negative net margin of 4.66%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.67 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.66 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 26th were issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 26th. Pfizers payout ratio is -2,799.53%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently commented on PFE. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $45.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Barclays lifted their target price on Pfizer from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Daiwa Capital Markets raised shares of Pfizer from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $28.00 to $34.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Daiwa America upgraded shares of Pfizer from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Eight 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $34.54. Read Our Latest Research Report on Pfizer About Pfizer (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Private Management Group Inc. lessened its stake in WK Kellogg Co (NYSE:KLG Free Report) by 24.0% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 514,314 shares of the companys stock after selling 162,602 shares during the quarter. Private Management Group Inc.s holdings in WK Kellogg were worth $8,466,000 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. Kellogg W K Foundation Trust acquired a new stake in WK Kellogg in the 4th quarter valued at about $177,458,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA acquired a new stake in WK Kellogg in the 4th quarter valued at about $18,412,000. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. acquired a new stake in WK Kellogg in the 4th quarter valued at about $13,730,000. Rodgers Brothers Inc. lifted its holdings in WK Kellogg by 2,253.3% in the 1st quarter. Rodgers Brothers Inc. now owns 623,468 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,721,000 after acquiring an additional 596,975 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. lifted its holdings in WK Kellogg by 1,876.1% in the 1st quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. now owns 531,108 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,985,000 after acquiring an additional 504,232 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.74% of the companys stock. Get WK Kellogg alerts: WK Kellogg Stock Down 2.5 % KLG opened at $18.04 on Monday. WK Kellogg Co has a fifty-two week low of $9.65 and a fifty-two week high of $24.63. The business has a 50-day moving average of $16.90 and a 200-day moving average of $18.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.36. The company has a market capitalization of $1.55 billion and a PE ratio of 12.89. WK Kellogg Announces Dividend WK Kellogg ( NYSE:KLG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.42 by ($0.06). WK Kellogg had a return on equity of 42.12% and a net margin of 4.45%. The firm had revenue of $672.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $671.50 million. The firms revenue was down 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that WK Kellogg Co will post 1.5 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 29th will be paid a $0.16 dividend. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 29th. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In KLG has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of WK Kellogg from $19.00 to $16.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 19th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on WK Kellogg from $22.00 to $18.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Bank of America cut WK Kellogg from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and lowered their target price for the company from $24.00 to $17.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of WK Kellogg from $22.00 to $17.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $17.40. View Our Latest Research Report on KLG WK Kellogg Profile (Free Report) WK Kellogg Co operates as a food company in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. It manufactures, markets, and distributes ready-to-eat cereal products primarily under the Frosted Flakes, Special K, Froot Loops, Raisin Bran, Frosted Mini-Wheats, and Kashi brands. The company was formerly known as North America Cereal Co and changed its name to WK Kellogg Co in March 2023. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KLG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for WK Kellogg Co (NYSE:KLG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for WK Kellogg Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WK Kellogg and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Breaking Chains: The silence of the vows Unveiling marital rape in The Bahamas Manipur needs to keep her focus straight What is the way forward ? | What is the way forward ? Not the first time this poser is being raised and the very fact that the need to repeat this has arisen should tell its own story. For 16 months, since the evening of May 3, 2023 Manipur has literally been in a state of war and it is more than obvious that Imphal just does not know how to deal with the situation. If Imphal is still fumbling in the dark, not knowing what is the next step to be taken, it is equally true that someone, something or some powerful entity is at the helm which decides when the place should be plunged into days of madness with no coherent response coming from the authority concerned. And this is what is being seen at the foothill villages and in the most unlikely of all places, Moirang just a few days back. If it is about firing, weaponised drones and rocket propelled bombs at places away from Imphal, in the capital it is about torch rallies, student marches, confrontations with the cops and for media persons to avoid the road blocks while returning home late in the night. No one knows when things will improve but the points being sought to be delivered via the bomb explosions, the weaponised drones, the bomb fitted rockets would not have escaped the eyes and ears of the keen observers of what is going on here in Manipur. And Imphal seems to be reacting in exactly the way the perpetrators of the offensives would like. Just a day after Chief Minister N Biren and some of his Council of Ministers met the Governor and submitted a representation highlighting that the Unified Command must be brought back under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister, that SoO must be abrogated, NRC be implemented with 1961 as the base year, that the integrity of Manipur cannot be compromised to please anyone, womenfolk staged a torch rally along Tiddim road in Imphal which was followed by road blocks along the same said stretch of road. The next day, that is September 9, Imphal saw hundreds of young students coming out and staging a massive rally raising the demand that the Chairmanship of the Unified Command must be handed back to the Chief Minister. The day rally of the students is set to be followed by torch rallies to be staged by womenfolk at some places in Imphal, including Thangmeiband and let it be clear to everyone that the slogans and voices of protest raised in all these rallies are the cries of the people who have been reeling under a state of war for over 16 months now. If Imphal is lost on how to deal with the situation, Delhi seems to have totally cut itself off from the human tragedy that is being rolled out here on a regular basis. One is reminded here of the earlier claim of the Chief Minister that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister are personally monitoring the situation and this is where one is tempted to question whether this monitoring part has missed out on the mayhem seen across the length and breadth of the State. More than right for Manipur to look beyond the obvious and study who stands to gain from prolonging the crisis no end. One need not look beyond the elements who have raised the call for a Separate Administration, which may come in any form such as a Union Territory or a State or it may come in any other avatar under the different Articles of the Constitution of India. But the important point is to question whether any act of commission or omission may just be giving more room to the SA demand to get more audible. The point that Manipur should be raising now is for Delhi to intervene more effectively and not let its perceived sense of geo-politics blind them to the reality. The focus of the people should be on how to get the Central armed forces, such as the Assam Rifles, to get their act together and neutralise the Kuki militants. Questions should be raised to Delhi on why it has so far kept mum on the weapons used by the Kuki militants while the weapons looted from the different police stations and armouries in Imphal have been noted by no one less than the Union Home Minister. The focus of any protest should be on why Delhi is still quiet on the status of the SoO pact. Remember it was no one less than the Chief Minister himself who admitted on the floor of the Assembly that the though the SoO pact has not been extended, it is still in force. A logic which The Sangai Express had questioned on more than one occasion in this column. Manipur needs to get her priority right and not let her action be clouded by any type of politicking. The parents of the woman junior doctor of R.G Kar Medical College and Hospital on Sunday accused Kolkata Police of attempting to destroy evidence since the beginning of the case. The government, administration and the police have not cooperated with us since the beginning of the case. Police also tried to destroy the evidence from the beginning. I request that mass protest should continue as long as we get justice, the victims mother told media persons while taking part in a protest march by representatives of the medical fraternity from Sealdah to Esplanade. The victims father who also participated in the protest rally said that due to the spontaneous mass protests, he is getting the courage and is hopeful that he will get justice. Advertisement I request everybody to stay with us. I know justice will not come so easily. We have to ensure justice. I hope that people will be with us since they are the main source of our strength, said the victims father. The victims aunt said that it is high time that the slogan on this issue should be changed to We demand justice from We want justice. On September 4 while joining the protesting junior doctors at R.G. Kar the victims father accused the city police of deliberately delaying in registering an FIR, claiming that a police officer tried to convince them to settle the matter against money. He also accused another officer of Kolkata Police of deliberately trying to mislead people through incorrect media statements even after CBI had taken over the investigation. A crucial hearing of the rape and murder is scheduled at the Supreme Court on September 9 where the CBI is likely to submit its progress report. Just hours after Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Jawhar Sircar announced to quit the party over the R. G. Kar issue, BJPs central observer for West Bengal Amit Malviya on Saturday said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal should follow suit. Soon after Sircars communication to the Chief Minister announcing his decision to resign from Rajya Sabha as well as to quit politics surfaced, Malviya issued a statement on social media paltform X concerning the matter. Time for Mamata Banerjee to take cue and step down. She, along with Commissioner of Kolkata Police, have completely destroyed all evidence relating to the rape and murder of the young doctor, Malviya, BJPs IT cell chief, said. Advertisement He also claimed that unless the Chief Minister and the Commissioner of Police step down, free and fair investigation into the case will never be possible. Malviya also demanded that the call records of the Chief Minister and the City Police Commissioner 72 hours after the body of the junior doctor was found should be put in the public domain and their conversation should be investigated. Mamata Banerjee and Vineet Goyal must be subjected to a polygraph test, to unearth the truth. The movement for justice will continue, his message read. The body of the junior doctor was recovered from the seminar hall within the hospital complex on the morning of August 9. Initially, the Kolkata Police handled the investigation and also arrested a civic volunteer Sanjay Roy. However, later the case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Earlier in the day while announcing to quit from the Trinamool Congress, Sircar said in a letter to Chief Minister: I personally feel that the current protests on this issue have been totally apolitical and spontaneous in nature. So it would be unfair to resist this movement by giving it a political tag. The movement is not just demanding justice for the victim but also against the state government and ruling dispensation. A crucial hearing on the matter is scheduled at the Supreme Court on Monday when CBI is supposed to submit its progress report in investigation in the matter to the apex court. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday praised the growing partnership between India and Singapore, emphasising its potential to improve urban planning and management in Assam. Taking to his X handle, the Assam CM stated, India-Singapore partnership heralds a new developmental dawn. During Honble Prime Minister Narendra Modi jis recent visit to Singapore, the joint statement, issued by the Honble Prime Minister of Singapore HE Lawrence Wong, highlighted the MoU between the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and the Government of Assam in urban planning and management. He added, This MoU will facilitate better urban planning and management of Guwahati, incorporating Singapores best practices. It is truly a partnership of the future. Advertisement PM Modi visited Singapore from September 4-5 at the invitation of the Singapore Prime Minister. During the visit, multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two nations, covering a broad spectrum of areas. Both leaders highlighted the importance of the proposed MoU on the Nursing Talent Skills Corporation between the Government of Assam and Singapore-India Partnership Office and MOH Holdings Pte Ltd, urging an early conclusion. The leaders also welcomed the signing of the MoU between SCE and the Assam government to enhance urban planning and management in Guwahati. Both Prime Ministers emphasised Indias vast investment opportunities for Singaporean investors and acknowledged ongoing collaborations between SCE and various Indian states on smart city projects and urban infrastructure, including housing initiatives. These collaborations include workshops on sustainability and urban water management conducted with Indias Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The two leaders recognised that business and commercial links are key to the broader India-Singapore partnership. Both counterparts also expressed the desire to conclude the Third Review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) soon to keep it relevant for the future economies of both nations. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Vinod Aggarwal on Monday said the Indian automotive industry has crossed Rs 20 lakh crore mark in FY24 and now contributes 14-15 per cent of the total GST collected in India. Speaking at the 64th annual Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) session, the President said the auto sector also contributes significantly to the direct and indirect employment generation in the country. The auto industry will contribute more and more to the GDP of the country from the current level of around 6.8 per cent, he noted. Advertisement He said that it is not just the growth numbers but equally important is the transformation in the technology. The Siam President also stated that globally also the standing Indian auto industry has risen. The Indian automotive industry has crossed a landmark figure of Rs 20 lakh crore (around USD 240 million) in FY24we are contributing almost 14-15 per cent of the total GST collected in the country, Aggarwal said. We have become the third largest passenger vehicle market, the largest two and three wheeler market and third largest commercial vehicle market as the country marches towards Viksit Bharat by 2047, he noted. The automotive industry is poised to grow even faster and contribute immensely to the growth of the country, Aggarwal said. He stated that the auto industry has identified 50 critical components for local production in order to reduce import dependence. Aggarwal said that since most of these items are electrical or electronics, there is a need to develop capabilities and capacities in India for such high tech items. Besides, having expertise in the conventional internal combustion engine technologies such as gasoline and diesel, the industry has now developed strong capabilities in multiple powertrains such as CNG and electrified vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrids, he added. The industry is also developing hydrogen and fuel cell based technologies. Aggarwal also thanked Ministry of Heavy Industries for identifying the need to develop the third automotive mission plan from 2024 to 2047, He said this will lay down the broad controls of how the industry is expected to grow over these years in three distinct phases, from now to 2030 from 2030 to 2037 and finally, 2037 to 2047. The automatic mission plan will become a guiding document, not only for the entire automobile and the auto component industry for committing and planning the investments in the country, but will also serve as a ready reckoner for all the line ministries of the government of India, and also to many state governments for framing suitable policy measures that need to align with the growth and research for the auto sector, he noted. The 2nd India-Japan Finance Dialogue was held in Tokyo to discuss their views on the macroeconomic situation in both countries. Atsushi Mimura, Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Japan, and Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, India held the dialogue 6th September, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. At the meeting, the participants exchanged their views on the macroeconomic situation in both countries, and discussed cooperation in third countries, bilateral cooperation, and international issues. Advertisement The participants also shared views on financial sector issues, including regulation and supervision, financial digitalisation, as well as other policy initiatives in both countries. The participants were also joined by representatives of Japans financial services industry for a session to discuss various financial regulatory issues towards further expansion of investment in India. Japanese delegation included the representatives from Ministry of Finance and Financial Services Agency. From the Indian side, the representatives from Ministry of Finance, Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, and International Financial Services Centres Authority participated in the discussion. Both sides agreed to continue discussions for further promoting financial cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations, and agreed to explore holding the next round of the Dialogue in New Delhi. Actress Pooja Hegde, who recently wrapped up her upcoming movie Deva, visited the GSB Seva Mandal Ganpati in the Wadala area of Mumbai on Sunday. The actress was accompanied by her brother, father and her sister-in-law as they sought blessings from Lord Ganesha during the Ganeshotsav celebrations in the maximum city. The actress visits the GSB Seva Mandal Ganpati pandal every year. On Sunday, when she was asked by the paparazzi if this was her 2nd time at the pandal, the actress responded by saying that she visits GSB Seva Mandal Ganpati every year. Advertisement For her visit to the pandal, the actress was dressed in a beautiful blue coloured Anarkali suit with golden embroidery on the dupatta. She accessorised her look with a watch, and earrings. Earlier, this year, Pooja moved into her new house in the Bandra area of Mumbai. The sea-facing property is worth Rs. 45 crore and has 4000 square feet of living space. The actress previously resided in another property within the city. Meanwhile, on the work front, she recently wrapped up Deva in which she stars alongside Shahid Kapoor and Pavail Gulati. Both Shahid and Pavail will be seen essaying the roles of copes in the movie. The film is directed by acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur, and promises an action-packed roller-coaster ride full of thrill and drama. The action spectacle wrapped up with a high-energy song sequence, which was shot over four days in Mumbai. In the picture from the wrap up party, Shahid and Pooja were seen cutting the cake along with the choreographer duo BoscoCaesar. Produced by Zee Studios and Roy Kapur Films, Deva is set to be released on February 14, 2025. The actress also has films like Sanki and Suriya 44 in the pipeline. The BJP will celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modis 74th birthday by organising seva pakhwara (service fortnight) across the country from September 17 to October 2. PM Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar in Gujarat. Various welfare activities across the country will be held during the seva pakhwada, which will begin on September 17 and continue till October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Advertisement During the 15-day event, the saffron party members will take up welfare activities like blood donation camps, cleanliness drives, and health camps. This time also, the BJP has instructed its members to organise blood donation camps on September 17 in all districts. BJP National President JP Nadda has appointed a national team to oversee the 15-day event, with National General Secretary Sunil Bansal serving as convener. The team includes National Vice President Saroj Pandey, OBC Morcha President K Laxman, National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, ST Morcha President Sameer Oraon, and other senior leaders including Harish Dwivedi, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Neeraj Shekhar, and Aparajita Sarangi. In a directive, BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh has instructed state, district, and division-level leaders to organise activities in honour of PM Modis birthday. Key initiatives include blood donation camps across districts in collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society and other organisations on September 17, 18, and 19. Additionally, from September 18 to 24, a cleanliness campaign will be conducted in schools and hospitals nationwide. The party will also host events to honour athletes participating in the Paris Paralympics and encourage prominent figures to contribute articles and videos celebrating PM Modis achievements. On September 25, marking the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, BJP workers will engage in booth-level events to recruit new members. They will also promote the purchase of Khadi products and organise free health camps for women over 60-years-old on September 23. On October 2, Mahatma Gandhis birth anniversary, BJP leaders and workers will conduct cleanliness drives at statues, temples, parks, and public spaces. An exhibition showcasing PM Modis achievements, along with various competitions on themes like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047, will be part of the 15-day-long celebrations. Instructions have been given to upload pictures and details of all the programmes on social media and NaMo app as well as send them to the partys national headquarters. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Monday released the Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations during the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) meeting held here. The Doctrine is a keystone publication which will provide guidance to the Commanders for conduct of Amphibious Operations in todays complex military environment. The amphibious capability empowers the Armed Forces to conduct a multitude of operations in the Indian Ocean Region, both during war and peace. These operations are a crucial component of multi-domain operations and serve as the best example of the cohesion and integration amongst the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence said. Advertisement Following the release of Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations, the Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations is the second Joint Doctrine released this year and it provides due focus on Jointness and Integration of Armed Forces in general and Amphibious Operations in particular. The Central government on Monday issued an advisory to the States and Union Territories (UTs) over the Mpox (monkeypox), calling upon for the screening and testing of all the suspect cases of the viral disease. The latest advisory came a day after the Union Health Ministry informed that a young male patient, who recently travelled from a country currently experiencing monkeypox transmission, has been identified as a suspect case. The patient has been isolated in a designated hospital and is currently stable. In a advisory issued to all the States and UTs, a copy of which was shared by the Health Ministry, Health Secretary Apurva Chandra wrote, As you must be aware, the World Health Organization (WHO) on 14th August announced that the current outbreak of Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) disease is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This is the second such mpox disease associated with PHEIC that has been declared by WHO under the International Health Regulations, 2005, to which India is a signatory. Advertisement Citing WHO, the Health Secretary said, This decision has been taken taking into account the following key consideration the continuously rising trend of Mpox cases in Democratic Republic of Congo especially since the last 6 months, spread of cases to newer East African countries/territories ((Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda), which reported their first mpox cases, and emergence of a new clade (mutant variant) of mpox (Clade lb) virus, and its spread cases in several neighboring countries. He said as per the WHO, most cases were reported from young males with a median age of 34 years (range 18-44 years) and added that among modes of transmission reported globally, sexual contact is the most commonly reported, followed by person-to- person non-sexual contact. WHO has assessed the risk of spread of current outbreak beyond Africa as moderate. While no new case of Mpox has been reported in India in the current outbreak, and none of the samples in suspected cases tested at NIV Pune have tested positive. The Health Ministry continues to closely monitor the evolving situation. The disease surveillance network under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) continues to monitor for any clustering of cases, Chandra said. He informed that health units at points of entry (airports) have been instructed to strengthen health screening of incoming travelers to detect any suspect case. The laboratory network under Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also been strengthened to test samples from any suspect cases. Further considering the disease epidemiology, the State AIDS Control societies are requested to be kept on alert to pick up on suspect cases and improve community awareness on the issue to promote timely reporting of cases, Chandra said. Highlighting actions that are required to be undertaken to prevent/ minimise risk of any case or death due to Mpox, he advised for wide dissemination of Health Ministrys Guidelines for Management of Monkeypox Disease, review of public health preparedness particularly at health facility level at the State and Districts by senior officials and identification of isolation facilities in hospitals for taking care of both suspect and confirmed cases. Emphasising on orientation of key stakeholders, the Health Secretary advised for disease surveillance units under IDSP at State and district levels to re-orient them on case definitions for suspect/probable/confirmed cases, contact tracing and other surveillance activities, and screening and testing of all suspect cases in the community. While all States are requested to undertake appropriate activities to make communities aware about the disease, its mode of spread, need for timely reporting and preventive measures, it is crucial that any undue panic amongst the masses is prevented. The Health Ministry shall continue to monitor the situation closely and will extend all requisite support in this regard to States and UTs, he said. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Monday that the Doda region of Jammu saw return of peace and fast track development over the last 10 years under the Modi government. Addressing a series of election rallies in the upper reaches of Marmat area in Doda Assembly constituency in support of the BJP candidate Shakti Raj Parihar, Dr Jitendra Singh said, for almost 30 years, Doda was in news headlines mainly for incidents of terrorism and gunfights. For the first time, he said, there is a return of peace in the region and people are able to live their life and attend to their business in a normal manner. He said the Doda which was traditionally known for communal harmony, suffered erosion of its composite cultural ethos because of the divisive politics of Congress and it is for the first time that PM Narendra Modi has introduced a culture of equal share for all. Advertisement He said the assessment of development in the last 10 years can be made from the network of roads which has today connected each and every village in the farthest hilly points. He said the new National Highway 244 is being constructed through the Marmat area which also includes his native village of Kalota. Dr Jitendra Singh said when BJP is elected in the upcoming Assembly elections in J&K, its government will continue the development journey undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Union Territory. He said the BJPs sole agenda is equitable and fast-paced development of all regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Only BJP can ensure all-round development of J&K, without any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed or region, he stated. The Minister lashed out at the opposition, saying they have been pursuing the politics of division, and they dont have any concrete policies for the development of Jammu and Kashmir. He said, this election will be a fight between the development agenda of BJP and vote bank politics of the opposition. These parties have been promoting nepotism and corruption, whereas BJP gave a transparent and merit-based governance, he said. He emphasised the importance of electing capable leaders who can effectively represent the regions interests. He highlighted the BJPs commitment to promoting development, growth, and inclusivity in Jammu and Kashmir. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, while addressing an event of Indian diaspora in Dallas, United States, said the fear of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vanished after the results of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. The other thing that happened, which was quite beautiful and frankly surprising, was how quickly the fear of the BJP vanished. Within minutes of the election results, people in India were no longer scared of the BJP or the Prime Minister, Gandhi remarked. Advertisement He attributed this shift to the collective will of the Indian people rather than his own efforts or that of the Congress party. These are huge achievements of the people of India, who realized democracy, who decided not to accept attacks on our Constitution, religion, or states. Rahul Gandhi also took aim at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mother of the BJP, accusing it of attempting to impose a singular vision of India. The RSS believes that India is one idea. We believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas, much like the United States. We believe that everyone should have the space to dream, regardless of caste, language, religion, or tradition, he stated. He further accused the BJP of attacking Indias Constitution and religious traditions. Every single word Ive mentioned is embedded in our Constitution. The foundation of modern India lies in this document, and during the election, people understood that the BJPs actions were direct attacks on our traditions, languages, states, and histories, Gandhi stressed. Gandhi, who is on a three-day visit to the United States, arrived in Dallas, Texas on Sunday. Upon his arrival in Texas, he was greeted by Indian Overseas Congress Chairman Sam Pitroda and other enthusiastic supporters. The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a public interest plea, seeking direction to the Central government 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 11-month long Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza. Heading a bench also comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said that it was beyond its jurisdiction to direct the government of India not export materials to any country, as it was a matter which was completely within the domain of foreign policy. Stating that it cannot interfere with the national policy and the decisions taken by the government of India, the bench said that to grant the reliefs sought by the petitioners, the court will have to enter into the findings on the allegations raised against Israel, which is an independent sovereign nation, which is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Indian courts. Advertisement How can the court adopt this kind of jurisdiction? We cant tell the government that you shall not export to a particular country or cancel the licenses of companies exporting arms to that country. It is a matter of foreign policy which is to be handled by the government. How can the court tell the government that there should not be exports of arms to a country? Where does the court get that sort of power? National self-interest has to be evaluated by the government, the bench told advocate Prashant Bhushan who was representing petitioners led by retired civil servant Ashok Kumar Sharma. Bhushan told the bench that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and India cannot allow exports which are used for genocide. He further said that allowing exports which are used in Gaza would amount to abetting genocide and India is a signatory of Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and has ratified it. Referring to ingoing Russia-Ukraine, Chief Justice Chandrachud in a hypothetical example asked advocate Prashant Bhushan can the court direct the government to stop the import of oil from Russia. CJI said that its a matter of energy needs, conduct of foreign policy of India. See Bangladesh too, there are disturbances there. What should be the degree of economic engagement with that country, it is a matter of foreign policy. See our conflict with Maldives, when the new government came there, they asked to remove our military personnel, but can we then ask tourists from India to stop going there? Can we then ask the government to stop investments there? the bench said elaborating on its position. On September 4, a former civil servant Ashok Kumar Sharma and 11 others had moved the top court seeking direction to the Central government 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, during war in Gaza, which is in violation Indias obligations under international law coupled with Articles 14 (Equality before law) and 21 (Right to life) read with 51(c) of the Constitution of India. The petitioners had referred to the January 26, 2024, decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which had 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. They had said that the provisional measures include immediate halt to all killings and destruction that is being perpetrated by Israel on the Palestinian people. The PIL petitioners had also referred to the ICJs detailed judgment of July 19, 2024, speaking on the Legal Consequences arising from policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem. Stating that India is obligated under the Genocide Convention which India has signed and ratified to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide, the PIL had said that India thus cannot export any military equipment or weapons to Israel when there is a serious risk that these weapons might be used to commit war crimes. To enhance the skills and capability building of their personnel, Indian Army and Indian Air Force signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the national capital on Monday. The MoU will enable the two Services to acquire higher expertise on logistics. It will ensure development of in-house expertise on various facets of logistics operations and contribute effectively towards the national development plans PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and National Logistics Policy 2022. Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Minister described the collaboration as a monumental partnership towards further strengthening the logistics backbone of the Armed Forces in sync with the vision of Aatmanirbharta in defence. Advertisement He emphasised that logistics is no longer just a support function of the Armed Forces, but is emerging as an important factor in military operations and national security. An efficient logistics system plays a key role in quickly mobilising the forces and delivering resources to the right place in less time. Keeping in mind the conditions in which our forces operate, we need a seamless movement of troops, equipment and supplies. The MoU will prove to be very important in terms of how the needs of our forces can be fulfilled through knowledge, innovation and collaboration, he said. Singh asserted that the MoU will prove to be beneficial in achieving the Governments vision of attaining self-reliance in the defence sector. If we need expertise in logistics, we should get its training from our own resources like Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. If we need equipment, we should get it manufactured in India itself. The foundation of a strong India can be laid only by being Aatmanirbhar, he added. On the MoUs provision of experiential learning through real-world case studies, the Defence Minister exuded confidence that Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, through the leadership, management, and operational experience of the Armed Forces personnel, will help shape a new generation of logistics experts and managers who will fulfil the dynamic needs of modern warfare. Vaishnaw expressed confidence that the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will serve as a vital partner in empowering the Armed Forces with cutting-edge logistics education, research, and innovation. The event was attended by senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, including CDS, Air Force Chief, Army Chief, Defence Secretary, Chairman, Railway Board & Vice Chancellor, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. The Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government on Monday announced a complete ban on the production, sale, and use of all firecrackers, including online sales, until January 1 next, with an aim to combat winter air pollution in the national capital. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has informed that a joint action plan involving Delhi Police, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and the Revenue Department will ensure strict enforcement of the ban, as the city ramps up efforts to protect public health. Giving detailed information about the complete ban on firecrackers, Rai said, There is a danger of increasing air pollution in Delhi during the winter season. Burning firecrackers in this season also increases pollution. In view of such a situation, like last year, this time also a complete ban is being imposed on the production, storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers so that people can be saved from the pollution. Advertisement The Minister said there will also be a complete ban on online delivery or sale of any kind of firecrackers. Stating that this ban is valid for all types of firecrackers, he said, This ban will remain in force in Delhi till January 1, 2025, so that Delhiites can get relief from the problem of pollution caused by burning firecrackers. Delhi government does not want traders and dealers to suffer any kind of financial loss. To avoid any such situation, it has been decided to impose a complete ban on the production, storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers in time. A joint action plan will be prepared in collaboration with Delhi Police, DPCC and Revenue Department to strictly implement the ban in Delhi, the Minister said. Stating the Delhi government is very serious about controlling pollution, Rai said, To control pollution, the government is preparing a winter action plan based on 21 focus points. In the coming days, various campaigns will be run according to the winter action plan, so that pollution can be controlled. The Minister also appealed to the people of Delhi to cooperate with the government to control pollution. To control pollution in Delhi, we all have to take responsibility together. If every citizen of Delhi becomes a pollution warrior and takes the lead to save the environment, then we will be able to save people from the danger to their breathing due to pollution. We want to tell Delhiites to celebrate the festival by lighting diyas and distributing sweets. We have to celebrate the festival with flamboyance but we have to control pollution with the same responsibility, added Rai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday held discussions on the entire spectrum of India-UAE bilateral relations and avenues to broaden the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Mr Modi received the Crown Prince at Hyderabad House where the two leaders discussed the future areas of cooperation that lie ahead. The Prime Minister conveyed his warm greetings to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE. During the discussions, the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the substantial progress achieved in recent years in the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They discussed opportunities to further widen and deepen the partnership in all areas of bilateral cooperation. Advertisement The two leaders acknowledged that the success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the recent entry into force of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will provide further impetus to the strong economic and commercial partnership between the two countries. They underscored the need to explore new areas of untapped potential, particularly in nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies. The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President welcomed him and expressed deep appreciation for the historically close and friendly relations between the two countries, underpinned by strong people to people ties. After the delegation-level talks, the two countries signed five MoUs and agreements. These included an MoU between Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and the Nuclear Power Cooperation of India Limited (NPCIL) on operations and maintenance of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. An Agreement was signed for long-term LNG supply between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited. Another MoU was signed between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL). A Production Concession Agreement was signed for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 between Urja Bharat and ADNOC and an MoU was signed between the Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ) on food parks development in India. The MoU on Nuclear Cooperation is expected to enhance cooperation in the operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants, sourcing of nuclear goods and services from India, exploring mutual investment opportunities and capacity building. The Agreement for long-term supply of LNG is for one million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) and is the third such contract signed in just over a year. Both IOCL and GAIL had previously signed long-term Agreements for 1.2 MMTPA and 0.5 MMTPA, respectively, with ADNOC. These contracts have strengthened energy security in India by diversifying LNG sources. The MoU between ADNOC and ISPRL provides for exploring ADNOCs participation in additional opportunities for crude storage in India and the renewal of their storage and management agreement on mutually acceptable terms and conditions. This MoU builds on ADNOCs existing involvement in crude storage at the Mangalore Cavern of ISPRL since 2018. The Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 between Urja Bharat (a JV of IOCL and Bharat Petro resources Ltd) and ADNOC is the first one for any Indian company operating in the UAE. The concession entitles Urja Bharat to bring crude oil to India, thus contributing towards the countrys energy security. The MoU on Food Parks conveys ADQs expression of interest in developing Gundanpara, Bavla, Ahmedabad as a highly promising site for this ambitious project, with a view to commencing the Food Park project in Q2 2025. Government of Gujarat shall facilitate ADQ and AD Ports, to obtain detailed information regarding the site and assist in obtain necessary permissions. The Crown Princes discussions with the President covered the comprehensive ties between the two countries and the initiatives taken in recent years. President Murmu expressed her gratitude to the leadership of the UAE for hosting more than 3.5 million Indians. Both leaders agreed that India and UAE have societies with a syncretic and multicultural heritage, and that the path of peace, tolerance, and harmony shown by Mahatma Gandhi and H. H. Sheikh Zayed, are deeply imbibed in our national character. The President was happy to note the high rate of participation and contribution of women in all aspects of Emirati society. She said that both our countries have demonstrated that women-led development can deliver more effective results for overall socio-economic development. Remembering Bapus legacy, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on Monday morning. Continuing a historic tradition Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan planted a sapling at Rajghat, highlighting the India-UAE sustainability connect and Mahatmas universal teachings. The Crown Prince is the third generation leader from UAE to plant a sapling at Rajghat. Earlier former Prez Sheikh Zayed and Prez @mohamedbinzayed had planted saplings at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. The Crown Prince is accompanied by a business delegation and will visit Mumbai to participate in a Business Forum on Tuesday. Stepping up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation in Manipur, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said his abject failure in the strife-torn state is unforgivable. He also demanded dismissal of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the ongoing violence. Expressing concern over the situation in Manipur, Kharge in a post on X wrote, PM Modis abject failure in Manipur is unforgivable. Former Manipur Governor, Anusuiya Uikey ji has echoed the voice of the people of Manipur. She said that people of the strife-torn state are upset and sad, for they wanted PM Modi to visit them. In the past 16 months, PM Modi ji has not spent a single second in Manipur, even as violence continues unabated in the state and people suffer the consequences of Modi-Shahs complicity. Advertisement Referring to Manipur CM Singh, he said, BJPs Manipur CM who has set a record in shamelessly brazening out his rank incompetence has reportedly demanded the transfer of the Unified Command to the state government. The Unified Command oversees security operations in Manipur and is currently handled by a team of Union Home Ministry officials, the state security adviser and the Indian Army. Just like the PM, it looks like the Union Home Minister has also given up on his Constitutional responsibility to ensure security in Manipur, and is busy politicking and addressing rallies in elections going states. Drone and rocket-propelled grenade attacks have begun, and this is now turning out to be a National Security threat. In such a serious situation, BJP seems to enact a resignation drama, he said. Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said, The Indian National Congress demands Manipur CM should be immediately dismissed, Union government must take full responsibility of the sensitive security situation. There should be a massive crackdown on all kinds of insurgent groups, with the help of the state forces, the Supreme Court mandated and monitored Manipur Commission of Inquiry into ethnic violence must expedite its investigation. Modi Govt must not misuse CBI, NIA and other agencies investigating the violence. He asserted that attempts to foster peace and normalcy must start immediately by taking all political parties, representatives and civil society members of every community on board. People of Manipur are asking, why doesnt Modi ji want to end violence in the state?, he questioned. Echoing similar sentiments, Congress general secretary in-charge of Organisation KC Venugopal said, Every time it appears as if Manipur might be returning to normalcy, we see a fresh escalation in violence. Use of sophisticated weaponry like rocket launchers is shocking and completely unheard of. Even after 16 months of the conflict, the Centre has no hold over the situation and is allowing the state government to continue despite its complicity and negligence in the conflict. Attacking the PM, he said, PM Modi, meanwhile, pretends as if Manipur is not a part of India. He thinks it is more suitable for him to intervene in the Russia-Ukraine conflict while being a complete failure in stopping the mindless violence in Manipur. The Centres hands-off approach to Manipur is extremely dangerous and points to their tacit support to this violence. The Union Health Ministry on Monday informed that presence of Mpox (monkeypox) virus of West African clade 2 was confirmed in an isolated patient. The patient is stable and there is no immediate risk to the public, it said. In a statement, the Health Ministry said, The previously suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox) has been verified as a travel-related infection. Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of Mpox virus of the West African clade 2 in the patient. This case is an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards, and is not a part of the current public health emergency (reported by WHO) which is regarding clade 1 of Mpox. Advertisement The individual, a young male who recently traveled from a country experiencing ongoing Mpox transmission, is currently isolated at a designated tertiary care isolation facility. The patient remains clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities, it said. The Health Ministry said, The case aligns with earlier risk assessments and continues to be managed according to established protocols. Public health measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, are actively in place to ensure the situation is contained. There is no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time. However, the ministry did not disclose the place of the case from where it was reported. The Central government on Monday issued an advisory to the States and Union Territories (UTs) over the Mpox, calling upon for the screening and testing of all the suspect cases of the viral disease. Expressing serious concern at the alarming rise in the arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy on the charge of poaching in the island nations waters, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday urged the Union Government to intervene and secure the release of all the fishermen as well as the boats impounded. In a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the Chief Minister also requested that diplomatic efforts be initiated to secure a waiver for the hefty fine imposed on the fishermen besides taking steps to revive the Joint-Working Group (JWG) for resolving the fishermen issue between the two countries across the Palk-Strait. Referring to the arrest of 14 fishermen from Pudukkottai district and the seizure of their three mechanised boats on Saturday last, Stalin drew the attention of Jaishankar that this had taken the number of arrests by the island navy to 350 in the past six years. The number of boats impounded has also gone up to 49 in the same period. The Sri Lankan courts have also imposed hefty fines which the fishermen could not pay. Further, their prolonged incarceration would land their families in great distress, the letter said. Advertisement Stalin also emphasised the need to revive the JWG without any further delay and step up diplomatic efforts with Colombo to resolve the festering issue. Meanwhile, the fisher folk of the coastal Tharuvaikulam in Pudukottai district resorted to a protest fast to press for the release of those held in Lankan custody. A court in Eastern Sri Lanka had imposed a penalty of Rs 49 lakh on them for fishing in the island nations territorial waters. This has shocked the poor families of the fishermen languishing in Lankan prisons. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address the first Foundation Day celebration of Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) on Tuesday and will also launch key initiatives for the prevention of cybercrime, an official statement said on Monday. Shah will also dedicate Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) to the nation, established at the (I4C) in New Delhi with representatives of major banks, Financial Intermediaries, Payment Aggregators, Telecom Service Providers, IT Intermediaries and States/UTs Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). They will work together for immediate action and seamless cooperation to tackle online financial crimes. Advertisement CFMC will serve as an example of Cooperative Federalism in law enforcement. The HM will launch Samanvaya Platform (Joint Cybercrime Investigation Facilitation System), which is a web-based module called Samanvaya Platform to act as One Stop Portal for data repository of cybercrime, data sharing, crime mapping, data analytics, cooperation and coordination platform for Law Enforcement Agencies across the country. He will also inaugurate Cyber Commandos Program, under which a special wing of trained Cyber Commandos in States/UTs and Central Police Organizations (CPOs) will be established to counter threats of cyber security landscape in the country. These trained Cyber Commandos will assist States, UTs and the Central Agencies in securing the digital space. The Home Minister will also launch the Suspect Registry, created based on National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), in collaboration with banks and financial intermediaries for strengthening fraud risk management capabilities of financial ecosystem. These initiatives, under the guidance of the home minister will prove to be an important milestone in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a Cyber Secure Bharat. The (I4C) was established on October 5, 2018, under the Central Sector Scheme within the Cyber and Information Security Division (CIS Division) of the MHA, with an objective to establish a national-level coordination centre for addressing all issues related to cybercrime. I4C aims to enhance the capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies and improve coordination among various stake holders dealing with the issue. From July 1, this year, I4C has been designated as an attached office under the Home Ministry. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Home Secretary, Director IB, Special Secretary (Internal Security), Chief Secretaries and DGPs including senior police officers of states and UTs of India, including officials from various government departments and various banks, financial intermediaries etc will also be present on the occasion. Deputy Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday dismissed reports which suggested that he would meet Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama during his visit to the US, adding that the trip was totally personal. I am travelling to the US along with my family till September 15. Reports hinting that I would be meeting former US President Barack Obama and US Vice President Kamala Harris are incorrect. It is a personal visit, Shivakumar said in a press statement. The senior Congress leader said that he was visiting the US along with his family. Advertisement Several rumours, speculation and reports recently mentioned that Shivakumar is scheduled to have interactive sessions with Harris as well as Obama. The Deputy CM, meanwhile, also released a letter that he had written to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding his visit to the US. As I have already informed, I will be proceeding to Washington on September 8 evening on a private visit and I will be back on September 16, the letter read. Earlier, talking about the US visit, Shivakumar told the media: This is a private programme which I am attending with my family. There were reports and speculation that during his US trip, Shivakumar would meet Vice President Harris and former US President Obama. The reports also claimed that the meetings are expected to take place in New York, with a private one-on-one discussion with Harris. A similar one-on-one meeting with Obama was also planned, reports claimed. Sources suggested that the invitation reportedly came directly from Kamala Harris and other Democratic Party leaders. However, Shivakumar has rejected the reports as rumours. Harris was catapulted to the race for the White House after President Joe Biden announced his sudden withdrawal from the race, just months before the election, after questions about his health and endorsed her as his successor. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday laid the foundation stone for the IKEA store in Noida. On the occasion, he remarked that in the past seven and a half years, Uttar Pradesh has gained the confidence of both domestic and international investors, with IKEA India being a key example. Expressing gratitude for IKEA Indias Rs 5,500 crore investment proposal in the state, the CM noted that Uttar Pradesh has now become the preferred investment destination in India. He further stated that the state has embarked on a new era of growth. Advertisement CM Adityanath highlighted the ambitious project by Ingka Centers, which will feature an IKEA retail store, a hotel, office spaces, and a shopping center. This comprehensive development is expected to generate employment for over 9,000 youth, significantly contributing to the states economic growth. Since 2017, Uttar Pradesh has been actively promoting infrastructure development, fostering new investment opportunities, skill development, and promoting traditional products, all of which are now yielding tangible results. The CM underscored the states ODOP (One District One Product) scheme as a pioneering initiative nationwide, and Uttar Pradeshs leading position in ease of doing business, bolstered by its robust law and order environment. He said, Uttar Pradesh, Indias most populous state, currently contributes 9.2 per cent to the nations economy. It has emerged as the second-largest state economy in the country and is rapidly advancing as a key driver of Indias development. Noting that Uttar Pradesh introduced its industrial development policy in 2017, he stated: At that time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that investment should be linked to employment. The groundbreaking of the IKEA India store directly results from this guidance. CM Adityanth highlighted that Uttar Pradesh boasts the countrys largest and most talented youth population. The states unemployment rate has decreased over the past seven and a half years. Uttar Pradesh actively contributes to national development through a sectoral policy covering 27 different sectors. He also mentioned that by the end of this year, the Noida, Greater Noida, and Yamuna Authority areas will be connected to public transport facilities and Indias largest Noida International Airport. This region is also crucial for logistics, as it will intersect with the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor in Gautam Buddha Nagar district. With its immense potential, Uttar Pradesh offers significant benefits to India and the global community, he remarked. Swedens Ambassador Jan Thesleff, Uttar Pradeshs Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, MSME Minister Rakesh Sachan, Minister of State for Industrial Development Jaswant Saini, Chief Secretary Manoj Singh, and IKEA India CEO Susanne Pulverer, among others, attended the event. To establish Uttar Pradesh as the Food Basket of India, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his government are implementing a range of initiatives to increase crop yields. The government has set the target to boost production by 30 percent in the next six years through a Rs 4,000 crore investment, leveraging innovation and technology with the collaboration of farmers and scientists, officials here on Monday claimed. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath envisions Uttar Pradesh as the nations Food Basket, with compelling reasons to support this goal. The state is home to the highly fertile Indo-Gangetic belt, offers nine distinct agricultural climates suitable for growing a wide variety of crops and fruits, and has rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarayu ensuring year-round water availability. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh benefits from abundant labour and a large market due to its population, further strengthening its potential in agriculture. Advertisement The Yogi government is consistently working to boost crop yields through various initiatives, and these efforts have started showing results. However, when compared with national and global production levels, there remains considerable potential for improving yields in Uttar Pradesh. To address this, the government has embraced ambitious central projects such as UP AGREES ((Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening). Notably, about two years ago, the government collected district-wise and crop-wise data on maximum and minimum productivity. The aim was to understand the reasons behind the disparities in crop yields and determine what measures could be taken to boost production in districts with lower yields, thereby closing the gap. Officials said now, the state government, with support from the World Bank, is undertaking this exercise again through the UP AGREES (Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening) initiative. This time, the effort is more extensive, utilizing greater resources and following a timely, well-planned approach. It is worth noting that UP leads the country in total agricultural production, contributing around 24% of the nations output. The state ranks first in wheat production, accounting for 31% of the countrys yield, and is second in paddy production, the main crop of the Kharif season, with a 15% share. Despite these achievements, the per-hectare production of most crops in UP remains below the national average per quintal. It lags behind the states with the highest per-hectare production and falls short when compared to global maximum production levels. For instance, aside from rice, wheat, millet, sorghum, and gram, Uttar Pradesh trails behind leading states in the production of other major crops. In Uttar Pradesh, the productivity of rice is 27.59 quintals per hectare, compared to 43.66 quintals in Punjab. Wheat productivity in UP stands at 36.04 quintals, while Punjab achieves 48.62 quintals. For other crops, the figures are as follows: Jowar 15.78 (Andhra Pradesh 30.70), Bajra 22.21 (Haryana 23.72), Maize 23.31 (Tamil Nadu 68.20), Urad 4.98 (Maharashtra 5.68), Moong 3.58 (Maharashtra 5.55), Sesame 2.26 (West Bengal 9.74), Gram 13.76 (Gujarat 15.68), Arhar 9.88 (Jharkhand 11.38), Masoor 9.88 (Madhya Pradesh 11.39), Pulses 10.79 (Gujarat 12.75), Mustard 14.12 (Haryana 22.17), and Oilseeds 10.54 (Tamil Nadu 20.43) quintals per hectare. To enhance production, UP AGREES has focused on districts in Purvanchal and Bundelkhand where yields are relatively low. The government and the organization are optimistic about achieving a 30% increase in productivity by investing Rs 4,000 crore in these regions, leveraging innovation and technology with the support of farmers and scientists. Given that the productivity in western Uttar Pradesh is already high, boosting productivity in Bundelkhand and Purvanchal will significantly advance UPs goal of becoming the worlds food basket. Even with these improvements, there remains substantial potential for growth, officials claimed . NCP SP Chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday assured the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) that the opposition will not allow the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 to be passed in the Parliament. We will not allow it to be passed in the Parliament in any circumstances. He said that NCP Member of Parliament, Suresh Mhatre Alias Balya Mama, is a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee and we have instructed him to fully represent the sentiments of Muslims in the committee, Pawar assured the AIMPLB delegation. Earlier, a delegation of AIMPLB led by the Boards General Secretary Ml Fazlur Raheem Mujaddidi, met Sharad Pawar at his residence and presented a memorandum regarding the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. Advertisement The delegation demanded the rejection of the Waqf Amendment Bill, stating that it was against the Constitution. The Boards General Secretary briefed Pawar that a false narrative has been consistently spread that any land or property claimed by the Waqf Board automatically becomes its property. The reality, however, is that thousands of acres of Waqf land are under illegal occupation by others including the Central and state governments, and efforts have been ongoing for years to reclaim them. However, there is a fear that if this controversial bill is passed, all those lands will be taken away from the Waqf Boards possession. He further stated that under the existing Waqf Act (1995), there is a multi-tiered judicial system to settle such disputes. After the Waqf Tribunal, there is the option of approaching the High Courts and Supreme Court. However, with the current amendment, all judicial matters will be transferred to the district collector. No collector in the country will have the courage to make a decision against the government. The delegation also strongly objected to the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Waqf Board and the Central Waqf Council, and the proposal to remove the requirement of a Muslim for the post of CEO. Highlighting other shortcomings of the bill, the General Secretary said: We believe that this bill has been introduced to encroach on Waqf properties which is absolutely unacceptable to us. Instead of any amendment in the bill Muslims reject it in totality. The delegation demanded Pawar that his party and the India Alliance must put enough pressure on the government to withdraw the Bill. Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting. Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns Its the 30th day today. Advertisement It has been exactly 30 days since a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata was raped and murdered within the very walls she once treated patients. As the collective conscience of the state, the nation and even the global community resonates with fervent protests, demanding justice for the egregious violations that have shaken the very core of societal decency, a singular, piercing question persists: when will justice be realised? The urgency of this inquiry is not confined to the present atrocity but reverberates with a broader, more disquieting concern: what of the future of womens safety in an increasingly unpredictable world? In the early hours of 9 August, our late doctor, Tilottama (or Abhaya, as she may be known), went to rest in the seminar room of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital after a gruelling 36-hour shift. The following morning, her battered body was discoveredbrutally raped and murdered. Since then, significant developments have unfolded: the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an investigation after the Calcutta High Court transferred the case to them on 13 August from the Kolkata Police, the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the case and people from all communities have been protesting relentlessly, day and night. A division bench of the Calcutta High Court comprising Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya said, We would be well justified in accepting the plea raised by the writ petitioners, more particularly the parents of the victim, that there is every possibility that the evidence will be destroyed and the witnesses will be influenced. It is crucial to highlight that on 14 August, a mob breached the emergency department of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, engaging in widespread vandalism and destroying all items within the facility. On Thursday, a letter emerged that allegedly connects the now-arrested Dr Sandip Ghosh, former principal of the medical college, to renovation work on the same floor where the trainee doctors body was discovered. Dated 10 August 2024one day after the rape-murder was revealed and prior to the Calcutta HCs decision to transfer the investigation to the CBIthe letter is titled: Repair/Renovation/ Reconstruction of On-Duty Doctors Rooms, Including Separate Attached Toilets in All Departments of RGKMC&H on an Urgent Basis. It concludes with the directive: Please do the needful immediately, and is addressed to the Executive Engineer, PWD Civil, RGKMC&H. Earlier, a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra found it very disturbing that the police took nearly 14 hours to convert its report of unnatural death to an FIR. Sandip Ghosh should have come straight to the college and filed an FIR. Who was he protecting? CJI Chandrachud had asked. Justice Pardiwala had noted, In my entire 30-year career as a lawyer and judge, I have never come across such a procedure followed by the police for registering an FIR in a rape and murder case. On 3 September, 22 hours after junior doctors began their march to Lalbazar on Monday afternoon, the Kolkata Police removed the three-tier barricades at BB Ganguly Street-Phears Lane Crossing on Tuesday. This allowed a delegation of 22 protestors to meet Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal and present their demands. Dr Aniket Mahato, one of the delegates, stated that they called for the Commissioners resignation due to his failure to prevent the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College Hospital on 14 August. The delegation discussed their demands, including concerns about police inaction and evidence tampering in the rape and murder case. They also presented a plastic spine model to typify the perceived spinelessness of the police in addressing the issue. Throughout the protests and the doctors sit-in, many local residents stepped forward with food, water and other essential supplies to support the doctors. On Tuesday, 4 September, much of Kolkata plunged into darkness as a symbolic act of protest. At precisely 9 p.m., landmarks such as the Victoria Memorial and Raj Bhavan were shrouded in blackness. Spontaneous demonstrations also erupted across the state, with participants marching holding burning torches, candles and cellphone lights. The Bengal Junior Doctors Front, which organised the event under the banner Let There Be Light, Let There Be Justice, intended for it to coincide with the Supreme Courts second hearing of the case. However, the hearing was postponed and is now scheduled for 9 September. How much more do we have to tolerate? This epidemic of rape all over India needs to be dealt with severely. Stricter laws need to be enforced along with exemplary punishments for these criminals, commented Dr Shreya Chatterjee, who walked in a rally, demanding justice for Tilottama. As citizens, we must and will continue to raise our voices as long as such heinous crimes persist. Protests like these send a clear message that such injustices cannot endure indefinitely within our society. The momentum of the protest must not wane; whenever such incidents occur, people must unite and speak out, added Rajesh Chakraborty, a participant at a rally in Durgapur. The assurance of womens safety in the distant, unforeseen future is not a matter of mere optimism or legal rhetoric; it is a fundamental concern that demands immediate and sustained action. The security of women, now and in the times to come, hinges on a radical restructuring of societal norms, legal mechanisms and institutional safeguards. To ignore this is to condemn future generations to the same systemic failures that have allowed these injustices to persist. Apart from the nation, global protests have been scheduled for 8 September at 5 p.m. local time, demanding justice for Abhaya. Protests will be held in the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Spain, Taiwan, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The safety of women is not a mere policy agenda or political stratagem that is to be wielded for electoral gains or ideological leverage; it is a sacrosanct, inalienable entitlement enshrined in both domestic and international legal frameworks. Rooted in the universal principles of human dignity, equality and justice, the right to safety forms the bedrock of any society that upholds the inherent worth of every individual. The protection of women from violence, harassment and exploitation is not optional or conditional but an unequivocal obligation of states. To reduce this essential right to a tool for political manoeuvring is to violate the core tenets of justice, equity and human integrity. As the world watches and waits, the imperative for justice must be swift, comprehensive and transformative, ensuring that womens safety is not relegated to an afterthought but enshrined as a cornerstone of a just and equitable future. The author is a lawyer, and a journalist on the staff of The Statesman. (Photographs by the author) Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, while interacting with the students at the University of Texas, Dallas in the US, said that Bharat Jodo Yatra introduced the idea of love in politics. Elaborating the reasons for conducting the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi said, The reason [behind conducting Bharat Jodo Yatra] is that all avenues of communication in India were shut. No matter what we did, it was all shut. We spoke in parliament. Thats not televised. We go to the media, they dont pick up what we say. We even go with documents to the legal system, nothing happens. So all our avenues were shut. And for a long time we literally couldnt understand how to communicate. And then suddenly we hit upon the idea what better way to go directly than to literally go walking across the country? And so thats what we did But it went surprisingly easy. And it fundamentally changed the way I think about my work It completely changed how I view politics, how I view our people, how I communicate, how I listen. To me, the most powerful thing that happened organically, was that we introduced certainly for the first time in India, possibly for the first time in many countries, the idea of love in politics. And this is strange because [in] the political discourse in most countries, you will never find the word love Youll find hatred, anger, unfairness, corruption and the Bharat Jodo Yatra actually introduced that idea into the Indian political system, and it has amazed me how that idea has worked, he said. Advertisement The Congress leader also said that India has to think about the act of production and organising production. India has to think about the act of production and organising production. Its not acceptable that India simply says, manufacturing or production is going to be the reserve of the Chinese or Vietnamese or Bangladeshis. Bangladesh completely outcompetes us in textiles, regardless of the problems theyre facing right now We have to reimagine how to produce in a democratic environment. Until we do that, we will face high levels of unemployment. And frankly, its not sustainable. So if we carry on down this path youre going to see massive social problems coming in India and in the United States and in Europe. The polarization of our politics is because of this, he said. Talking about issues faced by the youth due to unemployment, the Raebareli MP said that the act of production creates jobs. But India organises consumption, which is the reason of worry. If you look at the United States in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, they were the center of global production. Anything that was made- cars, washing machines, TVs- all made in the United States. Production moved from the United States [then] to Korea, [from there] it went to Japan. Eventually it went to China China is dominating global production. [In] India, the phones furniture clothes, [most are] made in China. Thats a fact. The West, America, Europe, India have given up on the idea of production and theyve handed it to China. The act of production creates jobs. What we do, Americans do, the west does, is organize consumption. Uber, Foxconn, Mahindra, Bajaj organize production. These are the guys who create the jobs Gandhi added that not all countries have an employment problem. Lets be clear. Not everywhere on the planet has an employment problem. The west [and] India has an employment problem. But there are many countries in the world that dont have an employment problem. China [and] Vietnam doesnt have an employment problem. So there are places on the planet that are not struggling with unemployment. Theres a reason, he said. US Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump go into their first debate on Tuesday tied in a national poll of likely voters by The New York Times and Siena College published on Sunday. Trump leads Harris (48 per cent against 47 per cent) in the poll, which has an error margin of 3 per cent. The race remains largely unchanged, the New York Times reported from July, when Harris took over the Democratic ticket from President Joe Biden, citing a poll it had published then. Advertisement Trump may have had a rough month following the presidents departure and amid the burst of excitement that the vice-president brought to the Democratic ticket, the report said, adding, the poll suggests his support remains remarkably resilient. The race is similarly tied in the seven battleground states surveyed by the New York Times with Harris either ahead of Trump or tied Wisconsin (50 per cent 47 per cent), Michigan (49 per cent 47 per cent), Pennsylvania (49 per cent 48 per cent), Nevada (48 per cent 48 per cent), Arizona (48 per cent 48 per cent), Georgia (48per cent 48 per cent) and North Carolina (48 per cent 48 per cent). The vice-president leads the former president 48.1 per cent to 46.7 per cent in the average of national polls computed by RealClearPolitics and 47.3 per cent to 44.2 per cent in the weighted average of national poll by FiveThirtyEight. Harris and Trump hold their first presidential debate on Tuesday in Philadelphia. There are no other debates on the schedule so far so this may be the first and only debate this cycle. With early polling starting in many states this month and less than 60 days left until the close of casting of votes either by mail or in person on November 5, neither candidate has the luxury of time to reverse a setback. That will be especially so for Harris who faces her most significant test yet of this race on Tuesday. Harris understands the stakes and has gone off the campaign trail largely and has been in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania since Thursday preparing for the debate. North Korea sent more trash balloons toward South Korea on Sunday, the Souths military said, in what marked the fifth straight day of such launches. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the North resumed its balloon campaign at around 9 a.m., just hours after it floated some 200 balloons late Saturday, Yonhap news agency reported. Considering the safety of our people as the top priority, the military will resolutely and calmly respond by the manual, the JCS said. Advertisement In response to the balloon launches, the Souths military has been blasting daily anti-North Korean propaganda broadcasts through loudspeakers on the border since July 21. It has refrained from directly shooting down the balloons, citing safety concerns. The JCS said North Korea launched approximately 120 balloons over three hours starting at 9 a.m. Around 40 bundles were confirmed to have landed in areas of Seoul and northern Gyeonggi Province. The contents of the balloons were identified as paper, plastic and bottles, with no harmful substances detected, according to military assessments. Since late May, the North has launched thousands of balloons carrying trash in retaliation against anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent across the border by North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea. Sundays launch marked the 17th round of balloon launches since late May. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has spoken in favour of Russias participation in a new summit to resolve the crisis with Ukraine, the Russian media reported on Sunday. Scholz also reportedly told a German public-service television broadcaster in an interview that time has come to discuss and achieve peace. In my view, the moment has now come to discuss how we can move from this military situation to peace faster than seems realistic at the moment, Russian news agency TASS reported Scholz as saying in an interview with ZDF television. Advertisement It mentioned that the Chancellor claimed that a new conference would be held in any case to resolve the crisis which began in February 2022. The President [of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky] and I are of the opinion that Russia should be represented there, Scholz told the German public-service television broadcaster. On Saturday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that countries like India and China can play a role in resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Melonis remarks were made at the Ambrosetti Forum in northern Italys Cernobbio city where she also held a meeting with the visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It is obvious that if the rules of international law are broken we will get a multiplication of chaos and crisis, but it is also obvious that with the multiplication of crisis, we will have a natural fragmentation of the geo-economic space, that is, in the long run, economic globalization and questioning of the rules of international law will not walk together. This is what I also said to my Chinese counterparts, we must choose, because the two things do not go together, it is also the reason why I think that in the end nations, like China and India, can play a role and must play a role in resolving the conflict in Ukraine, said Meloni. Earlier in the week, Russian President Vladimir Putin, while addressing the 9th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, mentioned Indias role in providing a helping hand in resolving the issue. We respect our friends and partners who I think are sincerely interested in addressing and resolving all the issues associated with the conflict (with Ukraine). China, Brazil, India I am in contact with my partners and I have no doubt that the leaders of these countries, and we have the relations of trust and confidence with one another, will be really interested in providing a helping hand, said Putin. A few hours after a terrorist shot and killed three Israelis at the border crossing between West Bank and Jordan on Sunday, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country is surrounded by a murderous ideology that is led by Irans axis of evil. This is a difficult day. An abhorrent terrorist murdered three of our citizens in cold blood at the Allenby Bridge. On behalf of the Government and myself, I send condolences to the families of those who were murdered, said Netanyahu as he chaired a government meeting. We are surrounded by a murderous ideology led by Irans axis of evil. In recent days, abhorrent terrorists murdered six of our hostages and three Israel Police officers in cold blood. The murderers do not differentiate between us. They want to murder us all, right and left, secular and religious, Jews and non-Jews, until the last one, he added. Advertisement According to the Israeli defence authorities, a terrorist approached the area of the Allenby Bridge from Jordan in a truck, exited the truck, and opened fire at the Israeli security forces operating at the bridge. The terrorist was eliminated by the security forces, three Israeli civilians were pronounced dead as a result of the attack. IDF soldiers were dispatched to the scene and are currently operating to rule out the suspicion of the truck being rigged with explosives, further details to follow, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) posted on X. Hailing the efforts of security agencies and their heroism, Netanyahu said that it is the strength of the State of Israel and the power of the IDF which, unlike the past, is preventing further destruction even as massive efforts are underway to divide and sow discord among the people of the country. Last weekend, the German newspaper Bild published an official Hamas document that revealed its action plan: To sow discord among us, to use psychological warfare on the hostages families, to apply internal and external political pressure on the Government of Israel, to tear us apart from within, and to continue the war until further notice, until Israel is defeated, the Israeli PM commented. The great majority of Israels citizens are not falling into this Hamas trap. They know that we are fully committed to achieving the objectives of the war: To eliminate Hamas, to return all of our hostages, to ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel and to return our residents in the north and south securely to their homes, he added. Delta, the Taiwanese power management and IoT-based smart green solutions major, has set up its new global Research and Development Centre in Bengaluru. The new R&D centre is a part of the company's plan to invest $500 million in India. Delta is also shifting its India headquarters from Gurugram to Bengaluru. The 61,000-square-meter facility has the capacity to house up to 3,000 management, R&D and engineering professionals. Delta is expected to employ up to 750 R&D engineers over the next 3 years with an aim to strengthen its capabilities in developing smart, energy-saving high voltage power management solutions for telecom, data centres, EV charging, and energy storage applications, as well as IoT, AI-related software. The centre has dedicated spaces for energy storage, automotive design, and lower-power R&D testing. Delta's global R&D Centre is equipped with advanced labs for high-voltage product testing, medium-voltage power quality assessment, and a radio emission chamber. This R&D centre aligns with our Company's "India for India" talent initiative, which aims to foster local innovation to also serve customers worldwide, remarked Benjamin Lin, President of Delta Electronics India. Interestingly the R&D facility features a 593kW solar power capacity, a smart surveillance system for enhanced security, and green building initiatives including rainwater harvesting with a capacity of 356KL, an underground water tank, and water-cooled chillers that align with sustainable building practices. Additionally, it has a Green Energy Data Center and a Demo Room. It is expected that this R&D centre will help in fostering innovation and supporting its global objectives for the organisation. The facility is expected to play a crucial role in advancing power electronics and sustainable solutions. The facility features a 593kW solar PV system capable of generating over 650,000 kWh of electricity annually through Deltas own 100kW PV inverters. In addition, the facility houses a 300kW data centre operating with an annual power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.4. Delta was founded in 1971 and is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. It specialises in switching power supplies and thermal management products with a portfolio of smart energy saving systems and solutions in the fields of industrial automation, building automation, telecom power, data centre infrastructure, EV charging, renewable energy, energy storage and display. The company serves its customers through its sales offices, R&D centres and manufacturing facilities spread over close to 200 locations across 5 continents. In India Delta Electronics India Private Limited, is a major power and energy management company in the country and operates in three business categories: Power Electronics, Automation and Infrastructure. It has around fourteen regional offices, four manufacturing facilities (Rudrapur, Gurgaon and Krishnagiri) and two R&D centres (Gurugram and Bengaluru). The Indian Army and the IAF, on Monday, signed an agreement with Vadodara-based Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the collaboration as a "monumental partnership" towards further strengthening the logistics backbone of the armed forces in sync with the vision of 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence. The memorandum of understanding will enable the two services to acquire higher expertise on logistics. It will ensure development of in-house expertise on various facets of logistics operations and contribute effectively towards the national development plansPM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and National Logistics Policy 2022, the defence ministry said in a statement. The MoU was signed in the presence of Singh and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi. The defence minister described the collaboration as "a monumental partnership towards further strengthening the logistics backbone of the armed forces in sync with the vision of 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence". He emphasised that logistics is no longer just a support function of the armed forces, but is emerging as an important factor in military operations and national security. "An efficient logistics system plays a key role in quickly mobilising the forces and delivering resources to the right place in less time. Keeping in mind the conditions in which our forces operate, we need a seamless movement of troops, equipment and supplies. The MoU will prove to be very important in terms of how the needs of our forces can be fulfilled through knowledge, innovation and collaboration," Singh was quoted as saying in the statement. The defence minister asserted that the MoU will prove to be beneficial in achieving the government's vision of attaining self-reliance in defence sector. "If we need expertise in logistics, we should get its training from our own resources like Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. If we need equipment, we should get it manufactured in India itself. The foundation of a strong India can be laid only by being 'Aatmanirbhar'," he added. On the MoU's provision of experiential learning through real-world case studies, Singh exuded confidence that Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, through the leadership, management, and operational experience of the armed forces personnel, will help shape a new generation of logistics experts and managers who will fulfil the dynamic needs of modern warfare. Vaishnaw expressed confidence that the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will serve as a vital partner in empowering the armed forces with cutting-edge logistics education, research, and innovation. In historic flight, the vice chiefs of the Indian Air Force, Army and the Navy on Monday took to the skies in the indigenously manufactured Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal AP Singh flew the lead fighter while Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen N.S. Raja Subramani and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan flew in twin-seater aircraft, the defence ministry said in a release. Their joint participation in the exercise demonstrates the growing focus on cross-domain cooperation, with land, sea, and air forces working together to face modern challenges, it said. The ministry said the event is also a powerful testament to India's advancing integrated defence capabilities and commitment to self-reliance. It showcases not only their leadership but also the seamless integration of India's armed forces, the statement added. The flight took place over the skies of Jodhpur wherein Indian Air force has organized the exercise Tarang Shakti 2024, India's first multi-national exercise. With an array of participants, the IAF led exercise aims to foster closer ties that strengthen cooperation with a myriad of capacities. Inclusion of Tejas in this mission underscores the critical role indigenous platforms are playing in modernising India's defence infrastructure, the ministry noted. The government claims that the flight of the Tejas represents a significant moment for the nation's 'Make in India' initiative. Designed by Aeronautical Design Agency (ADA) and developed and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Tejas is a state-of-the-art multi-role fighter, designed to meet the needs of India's armed forces while reducing reliance on foreign imports. Following the sorties, the three vice chiefs interacted with the participating forces both from India and the friendly foreign countries. The Indian Army sources on Monday said it thwarted an infiltration bid and killed two terrorists along the Line of Control (LocC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri. The terrorists were reportedly heavily armed. According to the statement released by the Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps on X, the Army received intelligence that there was likely an infiltration bid and the operation was launched on the night of Sunday, towards Monday morning in the Laam sector of Nowshera. The area was kept under strict surveillance throughout the night following the encounter, and the search operation was launched at first light. #WATCH | J&K: In an anti-filtration operation launched by Indian Army, two terrorists neutralised and a large quantity of war-like stores recovered in general area of Lam, Nowshera in Rajouri district. (Visuals from general area of Lam, deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/1WFJ9nhIUL ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2024 The troops picked up the movement of a group of terrorists trying to infiltrate from across the border, and gunfire broke out. "Two terrorists have been neutralised and a large quantity of war-like stores including two AK-47s and one pistol (have) thus far (been) recovered. A search operation is in progress," it said. The search operation continues. This is the second operation in two weeks. On August 29, the Army launched an anti-infiltration bid operation, successfully eliminating three terrorists who were attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Machhal and Tangdhar sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. That operation was launched after the Army received intelligence about the bid. The J-K Police further corroborated the evidence. Based on the inputs, troops of the Indian Army, JKP, and BSF laid ambushes on likely infiltration routes in both Machhal and Tangdhar sectors. Darshan Thoogudeepa reportedly confessed to the police that he assaulted Renukaswamy before asking Pavithra Gowda to beat him with her footwear. According to the Kannada actor, Renukaswamy seemed beaten and tired when he arrived at the scene with Gowda. However, he further thrashed him. A Bengaluru court on Monday, meanwhile, extended the judicial custody of Darshan Thoogudeepa, Pavithra Gowda and other accused in the Renukaswamy murder case till September 12. The Chitradurga native, 33, was abducted and tortured to death by a gang following Darshan's orders after he sent objectionable messages to Gowda via Instagram. ALSO READ | Darshan kept contact with rowdies across Karnataka, hid them amidst fan club ranks: Police Darshan told the police that he hit Renukaswamy, a hardcore fan of his, on the chest, neck and head, News 18 said in a report quoting the chargesheet. The actor then asked Pavithra Gowda to hit him with her footwear, the report added. The victim looked frail and tired when Darshan reached the shed on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where he was kept by his men. Bloodstains of the victim were found under the footwear of Gowda. A DNA test later proved it belonged to Renukaswamy. All the 17 accused, including Darshan and Pavithra, were produced before the 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court through video conferencing from various prisons across the state, where they are lodged, as their judicial custody ended today. Police last week submitted to the court a 3,991-page preliminary chargesheet in the case. ALSO READ | Renukaswamy was offered selfies with Darshan by abductors, force-fed non-veg food during torture in Bengaluru: Report Meanwhile, Darshan has filed a writ petition in the High Court, requesting a directive to restrain media outlets from broadcasting or publishing any details from the charge sheet. The 47-year-old actor is currently lodged in Ballari prison. 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 announcing the new Congress chief, the Congress party has reverted to its tried and tested formula of balancing certain caste equations in Telangana. After almost a decade, a leader from the Backward Class (BC) will be steering the party. Over the last three decades, the Congress party has typically handed over the reins of the party to Reddy or BC leaders while in opposition. When in power, Reddys were preferred for the chief minister's post, while BC leaders took over the party. Traditionally, the influential upper caste Reddys have been the backbone of the Congress party leadership, with Dalits forming a loyal vote bank in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh. After the birth of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which immediately swept to power by attracting BCs as a block, the Congress set its sights on this community. Between 1989 and 1994, V. Hanumanth Rao and Majji Tulasi Das, both from BC community, were party presidents when the party was ruling the state with Reddy Chief Ministers Marri Chenna Reddy, N. Janardhan Reddy, and Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy. Between 2004 and 2014, when the Congress was in power for two terms under Reddy Chief Ministers, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy, there were three state presidents from the BC community - D. Srinivas, Keshav Rao, and Botsa Satyanarayana. From 2015 to 2023, while Bharat Rashtra Samiti ruled the newly bifurcated state, Reddy leaders Uttam Kumar Reddy and A. Revanth Reddy held fort as party presidents. After the 2023 assembly elections which saw the Congress party's victory, Revanth was elevated to Chief Minister, and his close associate, BC leader Mahesh Kumar Goud, was picked to lead the party. Goud has been an active member of the party since his student days and played a pivotal role during the recent assembly elections, working closely with then AICC state in-charge Manikrao Thakare. He is also known for maintaining a good rapport with different factions of the party, especially the seniors. His immediate challenge is to carefully select a team that will represent different groups and leaders within the party without leaving any room for discontentment. What also worked in Goud's favour is his loyalty to the party, even during adversities. Though there were SC leaders in the fray, the Congress still went ahead with a BC candidate, also keeping in mind the BJPs strategy. The saffron party, which has won the highest number of parliament seats in the Telangana region, has been eyeing the BC vote bank. It placed significant importance on Bandi Sanjay Kumar, its last president, under whose leadership the BJP generated a lot of momentum, by winning byelections and scoring impressive victories in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal elections. The BJP is also expected to name a new president, as the current one, Kishan Reddy, is busy in his role as Union Minister of Coal and Mines. Among the frontrunners for the BJP presidents post is Eatala Rajender, another powerful BC leader and MP, who had migrated from BRS. India and the United Arab Emirates on Monday inked four major pacts that will facilitate crude oil storage, long-term supply of LNG and cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan focusing on boosting overall strategic ties. In their discussions, the two leaders underscored the need to explore new areas of untapped potential, particularly in nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). An agreement for the long-term supply of one million metric tonnes of LNG (liquefied natural gas) per annum to the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and another between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Ltd (ISPRL) are among the four pacts, the MEA said. Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) also inked a pact that is expected to enhance cooperation in the operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants, the sourcing of nuclear goods and services from India. It will also provide a framework for exploring mutual investment opportunities and capacity building in the civil nuclear domain. The fourth pact is the production concession agreement for Abu Dhabi onshore block-one between Urja Bharat and ADNOC. A separate pact was inked between the Gujarat government and the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC on setting up food parks in India. The agreement for the long-term supply of LNG for 1 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) is the third such contract signed in just over a year. Both IOCL and GAIL had previously signed long-term agreements for 1.2 MMTPA and 0.5 MMTPA, respectively, with ADNOC. The MoU between ADNOC and ISPRL provides for exploring ADNOC's participation in additional opportunities for crude storage in India and the renewal of their storage and management agreement on mutually acceptable terms and conditions, the MEA said. It said this MoU builds on ADNOC's existing involvement in crude storage at the Mangalore Cavern of ISPRL since 2018. The production concession agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block one between Urja Bharat (a JV of IOCL and Bharat PetroResources Ltd) and ADNOC is the first for any Indian company operating in the UAE. The concession entitles Urja Bharat to bring crude oil to India, thus contributing towards the country's energy security, the MEA said. The MoU on food parks conveys ADQ's expression of interest in developing Gundanpara in Bavla in Ahmedabad as a highly promising site for this ambitious project, with a view to commencing the project in the second quarter of 2025. The Crown Prince, who arrived here on Sunday, will visit Mumbai on Tuesday and participate in an India-UAE business forum. A soft launch on the commencement of work on the India-UAE virtual trade corridor will take place in Mumbai on Tuesday, the MEA said. In the talks, Modi and Al Nahyan expressed satisfaction over the "substantial progress" achieved in recent years in the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed opportunities to further deepen the ties in all areas of bilateral cooperation, the MEA said in a statement. "They acknowledged that the success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the recent entry into force of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will provide further impetus to the strong economic and commercial partnership between the two countries," it said. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said PM Modi and Crown Prince Al Nahyan discussed the multifaceted relations between India and the UAE with an aim to broaden the comprehensive strategic partnership. A readout by the UAE side said that the Modi-Al Nahyan meeting also featured discussions on the UAE and India's historical bonds of friendship and cooperation across all key sectors, as well as the two countries' perspectives on several topics of mutual interest. During the meeting, several strategic agreements were announced within the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), it said. Both countries signed the CEPA in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) for cross-border transactions. After holding talks with Modi, the visiting leader paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial Rajghat. He became the third-generation leader from the UAE to plant a sapling at Rajghat, following Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, former President of the UAE in 1992; and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE in 2016. "This was a unique and rare occasion, showcasing the generational continuity of the strong relationship between the two countries," the MEA said. "This is the first time in the history of Rajghat that leaders from three generations of a country have planted trees honouring the Mahatma," it said. In their talks, Modi and Al Nahyan are understood to have also deliberated on pressing global challenges including the situation in Gaza. The India-UAE ties have witnessed a major upswing in the last few years. Following the landmark visit of Modi to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. About 3.5 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE. A major train accident was averted by an alert loco pilot as the Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express was brought to a screeching halt after hitting an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks in Kanpur, police said on Monday, adding a bottle of petrol and matchboxes were also found at the site hinting at a sabotage bid. The incident occurred around 8.20 pm on Sunday when the Bhiwani-bound train was running at a high speed. An FIR has been registered and teams have been formed by multiple agencies including Uttar Pradesh's Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) to probe the matter, officials said. "An attempt was made to derail the Kalindi Express by placing the LPG cylinder on the tracks. Soon after receiving information about the incident around 8.20 pm on Sunday, senior officials rushed to the site and launched an investigation," the police said. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chandra said the loco pilot saw that the LPG cylinder was placed on the tracks and applied emergency brakes. However, before it came to a halt, the train hit the cylinder, throwing it away from the tracks, Chandra said, adding the loco pilot informed the guard and the gateman about it. The train remained at the incident site for about 20 minutes and was again stopped at the Bilhaur station for a check, the ACP said. The damaged cylinder has been recovered. A bottle of petrol and matchboxes were also recovered from the spot, Chandra said. He said efforts were being made to identify the culprits and they will be dealt with sternly. The Railways lodged an FIR at Shivrajpur against unidentified persons, saying that placing an LPG cylinder on the tracks along with a bottle filled with petrol with a wick is a possible sabotage bid. The FIR has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosives Act and the Railways Act, police said. Top officials formed five teams headed by senior officials to investigate the matter. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Rajesh Kumar Singh said the Uttar Pradesh ATS has launched an investigation separately. UP Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said, "All our senior officers have visited the spot and we are looking into things seriously. Whatever facts come to light, we will inform the media about them." On a question about the ATS (anti-terrorist squad) also reaching the spot in Kanpur, the DGP said, "We will look into all the aspects and it is not possible to say anything on this without a full investigation." A forensics team was also called in and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is also investigating the matter, officials said. Additional DCP (Local Intelligence Unit) has also been asked to gather criminal intelligence about the conspirators and assist police teams in cracking the case, DCP (West) Singh added. It has also been decided to look for "Jamatis (members of Islamic groups) in the vicinity and question them", an official source said. A police team has also been dispatched to Kannauj after a sweet box was found near the site, with officials saying it could possibly lead them to the perpetrators. Meanwhile, the BJP asserted that the government will take tough action against those involved in the incident. "This is a matter of concern that there are some people and organisations who, in their greed for power, want the country to witness riots and anarchy. Tough action has been taken against such acts and strict action will be taken in the future as well," Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia told a press conference at the party headquarters in Delhi. "India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is so capable that it can destroy and finish off those who hatch conspiracies," he said. BSP chief Mayawati also called for strict action against the culprits. "It is satisfying that the conspiracy to cause a train accident by placing gas cylinders etc. on the railway track in Kanpur failed. "After a high-level investigation, strict action against the culprits is necessary so that public and rail safety is maintained," she said on X. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The significance and role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Azerbaijan's socio-economic development are growing rapidly, and it's crucial for SMEs to align with the standards of the green economy, the country's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said, Trend reports. He made the remark at the "Role of small and medium businesses in the green economy" conference, held in Baku with the support of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA). "SMEs contribute significantly to increasing the gross domestic product (GDP), job creation, employment, and the economic reintegration of territories liberated from occupation. In this new era, they must play their role in the development of the green economy, which has become an essential trend," the minister underscored. He mentioned that SMEs make up more than 99 percent of Azerbaijan's businesses. "In this regard, ensuring the green growth and transition to a green economy largely depend on the green transformation of SMEs and the adoption of green technologies. Many SMEs operate in sectors such as construction, transport, industry, energy, and agriculture, which account for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions. Focusing on the use of efficient technologies and practices in energy and resource use enhances SMEs' competitiveness," Jabbarov explained. He said that based on global experience, SMEs are ahead of the curve when it comes to clean technologies and business models. "The flexibility of SMEs allows them to quickly adapt to new trends and implement innovations. Their ability to respond to market changes and consumer preferences is a key factor in the fast-evolving green economy. SMEs play a special role in reducing dependence on traditional industries, developing green solutions, and enhancing economic diversification," the minister noted. He also mentioned that the government is bending over backwards to get SMEs on board with the green economy by offering special tax breaks and loans. "The development of green technologies in industrial parks and zones, such as the Balakhani Industrial Park, is an example of this effort," Jabbarov added. The minister also emphasized that the Sustainable Development Goals are right up Azerbaijan's alley, as they are woven into the fabric of the country's five-year strategy, kicking off in 2022, which the country is wholeheartedly pursuing. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Supreme Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation probing the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case to file a fresh status report on the probe by September 16. The apex court also directed the West Bengal government to ensure adequate facilities are being provided for CISF personnel deployed for security at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Supreme Court examined the status report on the investigation during the hearing on Monday. The West Bengal government informed the Court that as many as 23 people died as doctors were not working, protesting demanding justice for the trainee doctor who was found dead in the seminar hall of the hospital on August 9. A bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra queried at what time an entry for unnatural death was made and whether all related CCTV footage from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have been handed over to the CBI by Kolkata police. The bench directed the state government to provide necessary facilities for CISF personnel deployed for security at the hospital after Centre complained in Court about the lack of amenities. The apex court directed a senior officer from state home department and a senior CISF official to liaison, and ensure all necessary facilities are provided for the central force by 9pm today. A total of three companies of CISF including women have been deployed for security at RG Kar Hospital. The apex court also directed governments to take measures to remove photographs of the victim from social media. The apex court took a suo moto case in connection with the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the Kolkata hospital following widespread protests by medicos. The Court has also set up a National Task Force to formulate an action plan for safety of medical professionals at hospitals. The apex court directed the West Bengal government to ensure basic safety measures are deployed in hospitals. The bench directed state government to inform Court on additional safety measures taken at RG Kar Hospital after the incident. The bench directed resident doctors to return to work by 5pm on Tuesday and no disciplinary action will be taken on those medical practitioners. The state government directed district collectors and police superintendents to take stock of security facilities at government hospitals and take necessary remedial measures within a week. The bench directed the government to ensure separate duty rooms for male and female practitioners, CCTV cameras and deployment of CISF personnel for security. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she never offered any money to the family of Kolkata trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. She added that following widespread protests by medicos, Kolkata City Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal had offered resignation. Addressing presspersons, Banerjee said, I have never offered money to deceased doctor's family, this is nothing but slander. The victim's family had alleged a senior Kolkata police officer offered them money and they pushed to conduct the cremation in haste. #WATCH | Howrah: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "We are fulfilling all the requirements of CISF... This is all a conspiracy hatched by the central government and some leftist parties. They are involved in this conspiracy... We are not stopping you for anything... There are pic.twitter.com/9zGOqjWSSL ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2024 Denying the allegations, Banerjee said the government only offered its support to victims family if they wished to do anything in their daughters memory. I told deceased doctor's parents that if they wanted to do something in their daughter's memory, our government is with them, she said. The Trinamool Congress chief said following protests by doctors, Kolkata City Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal had offered his resignation. Goyal offered to resign after RG Kar protests, but, we need someone who knows law and order ahead of Durga puja, The CM said. Mamata also denied allegations that the requirements of the CISF personnel deployed for security at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital are not being met. We are fulfilling all the requirements of CISF...this is all a conspiracy hatched by the central government and some leftist parties, she said. On Tuesday, Centres lawyer told Supreme Court that the three companies of CISF personnel, deployed for security at RG Kar Hospital, were not being provided with adequate accommodation or other necessary security equipment. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday strongly refuted reports of alleged Chinese incursion in Arunachal Pradesh, saying mere painting of marks in undemarcated locations doesn't mean the areas have been encroached upon. Reports had claimed that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) entered inside Indian territory in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh last week and they were camping in the Kapapu area of the district for some time. The reports also claimed that bonfires, painting of rocks and Chinese food materials were found at the site. Dismissing these claims, Rijiju, who hails from Arunacha Pradesh, said overlapping of patrolling by Indian and Chinese forces does take place in the undemarcated areas. "China can't take our land. Overlapping of patrolling does take place in the undemarcated areas. They are not allowed to construct anything permanent. There is strict vigil from our side, he told news agency PTI. The minister further said that the ongoing infrastructure building by the Indian side in the border areas will continue. The stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops has been going on since the Galwan Valley clash in April 2000. China has been consistently raising territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh while New Delhi has always maintained that the state is an integral part of the country. Last month, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said both India and China held the 31st meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in Beijing. The ministry said the meeting was constructive and forward looking exchange of views. India shares a 3,400 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian Medical Associations Bengal state branch has reiterated its support to the protesting junior doctors at the RG Kar medical college hospital, hours after the Supreme Court directed them to return to work by Tuesday evening. In a statement issued on Monday, the IMA Bengal unit said they were totally disheartened by the proceedings of the court and the CBI. We were even more disheartened to learn that the Honble Supreme Court has asked the junior doctors, who are the forerunners of this protest, to return to work by 5 pm tomorrow, it said. Earlier in the day, the apex court directed the CBI to file a fresh status report on the probe by September 16 while ordering the state government to ensure adequate facilities are being provided for the CISF personnel deployed for security at the RG Kar hospital. A trainee doctor was raped and murdered at the hospital on August 9, sparking widespread protests in West Bengal and across the country. The CBI is investigating the case following an order by the Calcutta High Court. The IMA, in its statement, noted that no step was taken for a speedy trial to deliver justice to the victim. It was also very much shocking to note the way the junior doctors were portrayed as responsible for a few deaths in the hospitals, it said, adding that in no hospital, the service is completely hampered due to the junior doctors protest. #WATCH | West Bengal: CBI Special Crime Branch team reached RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata today to carry out further investigation into the rape-murder of a doctor here. Visuals from outside the hospital. pic.twitter.com/f8pXocZIyl ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2024 As we all know, our junior colleagues are protesting for speedy and fair justice for the heinous crime against Abhaya (the pseudonym given to the victim) and also fighting against the health syndicate so that this sort of crime and corruption never happen in the future," the statement read. The association further alleged that the CBI had not shown any positive move towards ensuring speedy justice while the state government had not taken any drastic step against the health syndicate. Promising its "unconditional" support to the junior doctors protest, the association said: IMA vows to the entire medical fraternity and the common people that the protest will not die down. In the coming days, it will even become stronger, and we will not keep any stone unturned till we get justice. In a suspected case of revenge killing, a 40-year-old woman killed an anganwadi boy in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli on Monday. The body of the child was recovered from the washing machine at the accused lady's house, reports said. The accused was identified as Thangammal of Athukurichi village under Radhapuram police limits. Many suspect the woman was suffering from mental illness following the demise of her child, reports said. Thangammal's child died in a road accident and she blamed the family of one Vignesh who was her neighbour for the tragic incident, Times Of India (TOI) said in a report. Ever since the development, she held a grudge with the family, it added. On Monday morning, Vignesh's wife Ramya realised that their son Sanjay had gone missing. She couldn't find the child when she looked for him ahead of taking him to the anganwadi. Sanjay was last seen playing near their house before going missing. As their efforts to spot the child found no results, Vignesh's family alerted Radhapuram police of the development, the daily said. They told the cops of their doubts about Thangammal having a hand in their child going missing. This resulted in the police team searching the accused's house and finding the lifeless body of the kid. Sanjay's body was kept hidden inside the washing machine. Thangammal had reportedly wrapped the child in a sack before hiding it inside the machine. While Thangammal's dislike for Sanjay's family was established, it was not confirmed to be the reason that led to the crime. She was taken into custody and is being interrogated. Tamil Nadu Police have not fully ruled out the involvement of more people in the case. Bangladesh has claimed that India's Border Security Forces (BSF) shot dead a 15-year-old boy who was trying to enter India illegally. The teen was allegedly fired at when he was cutting the barbed-wire fence near the border at Thakurgaon, the village that borders India on Bangladesh's east. The teen has been identified as Jayanta Kumar Singh, according to Dhaka-based Daily Star. The report, quoting a senior police official, said the boy was with his father when the firing happened. Jayanta's father Mohadev Kumar Singh and another man were injured in the firing. "The members of Dingapara BSF camp opened fire on a group of people around 3:30 am when they were entering India illegally by cutting a barbed-wire fence on the border. Jayanta was shot and died on the spot while his father Mahadev Singh and Darbar Ali suffered bullet injuries," the police official said. There are also reports that the body of the teen was taken away by the BSF personnel. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion-50 Lt Colonel Tanjir Ahmmod told reporters that the authorities are raising the matter with the BSF personnel. "We asked our Indian counterpart BSF to hold a flag meeting over the matter," he added. The report also added that 16 other Bangladeshis who went to India through the border earlier the same night were detained by BSF personnel. There is no official statement from the BSF in this regard. Earlier, authorities had alleged that a 16-year-old girl, identified as Swarna Das, was fatally shot by the BSF men on September 1. Her body was handed over to the Bangladeshi authorities 45 hours later. The BSF said the girl's body was discovered on Monday near the zero point of the India-Bangladesh border near Tripura. Tripura Home Department said the girl was shot by the BGB while attempting to cross over to India. This was the family's third attempt to flee Bangladesh, after their lives were upended by the regime change, the authorities alleged. "When they were attempting to cross the border near Pillar No. 57 taking advantage of the absence of BSF at night, the BGB opened fire," The Times of India quoted Tripura Home Department sources. Bangladesh, however, denied the claim and said they had filed a formal protest with India on this matter. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is in the US on a four-day unofficial trip, slammed the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that millions of Indians realised that the latter was attacking the Constitution. The Congress leader, during an interaction with students at the University of Texas in Dallas on Sunday, said the RSS believed that India was one idea. The Congress, however, believed that India was a multiplicity of ideas and everyone needed to be allowed to participate, dream and be given space irrespective of their caste, language, religion, tradition, or history, the Leader of Opposition said. Rahul's remarks toe the line of Congress's campaign during the last Parliament elections, which mostly focused on the claims that the BJP would change the Constitution. This is said to have helped the party make a strong impact on the ground. He claimed the fears "crystallised in the election when millions of people in India clearly understood that the Prime Minister of India was attacking the Constitution of India." Rahul said people saw him raise the issue and understood his words. #WATCH | Texas, USA: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas. We believe that everybody should be allowed to participate, allowed to dream, and should be given space regardless pic.twitter.com/uHULrGwa6X ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2024 " What people understood in the election clearly, and I saw it happening when I used to raise the Constitution, people understood what I was saying. They were saying that the BJP is attacking our tradition, attacking our language, attacking our states, attacking our histories. Most importantly, what they understood was that anybody who is attacking the Constitution of India is also attacking our religious tradition," he said. Fear of BJP Rahul recalled the recent Parliament elections, stating that the fear of BJP vanished within minutes of the election results being declared. " Within minutes of the election result, nobody in India was scared of the BJP or the Prime Minister of India," he said, adding that these are huge achievements of the people of India. He also briefed on the impact of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, stating that it introduced the idea of love in politics. Rahul Gandhi said the government shut all avenues for the opposition to communicate with people, following which the idea of Bharat Jodo Yatra was born. The Congress party believes the yatra redefined the political discourse and attribute it to the success of the party in Assembly elections in Karnataka and its overall performance in the Parliament elections. Rahul added that the Yatra fundamentally changed the way he thought about work. "It completely changed how I view politics, how I view our people, how I communicate, how I listen. To me, the most powerful thing that happened organically was that we introduced certainly for the first time in India, possibly for the first time in many countries, the idea of 'love' in politics," he added. Patna, Sep 9 (PTI) At least 238 companies have completed all formalities for a combined investment of Rs 36,000 crore, making Bihar one of the leading states in terms of the realisation of business proposals, a senior minister said on Monday. These entities are part of 278 companies which had promised Rs 50,530 crore investment in the state during the mega two-day Bihar Business Connect 2023, he said. Addressing a press conference here, Bihar Industries Minister Nitish Mishra said many big players have chosen the state as their "preferred destination". "During the two-day event in December, a remarkable achievement was made as 278 companies signed MoUs with the state government, committing to invest a total of Rs 50,530 crore. "Its a matter of great satisfaction that MoUs with 238 companies have been realised and the process of Rs 36,000 crore investment has started in the state," the minister said. Bihar is witnessing significant "investment promotion activities", reinforcing its position as an "emerging business and industrial hub" in the country, he added. "Many big players have chosen Bihar as their preferred destination. Infrastructure related to roads, drainage, street lights and investor facilitation centres are being developed in new industrial areas on a priority basis, the minister told reporters. In a bid to bolster Bihar's economic growth and enhance its contribution to Indias export sector, the state government is "now focusing on increasing its share from 0.52 per cent to 5 per cent", he said. "The focus of the government is to provide a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, thereby attracting both domestic and international investments," Mishra said. Bihar is also eyeing foreign direct investment (FDI) in coordination with the central government, he said. The state government has also decided to open facilitation centres in all 101 sub-divisions across Bihar to provide assistance or guidance to new entrepreneurs, he said. Industries Department Secretary Bandana Preyashi told reporters, Bihar is getting big-ticket investments for major manufacturing units and on the other hand, the state government is also enabling an ecosystem where the MSMEs can thrive on the ground levels for the benefit of the rural economy." The Mukhya Mantri Udyami Yojana (MMUY) and Bihar Laghu Udyami Yojana (BLUY) were launched in 2018 and 2023 respectively, focusing on the promotion of MSMEs in the state. "A total of Rs 2,697 crore was disbursed to 34,441 beneficiaries from 2018 till now under MMUY. To date, Rs 200 core of the first instalment has been disbursed to 40,099 beneficiaries under BLUY," she said. The state government is also organising Investors' Meet in Mumbai on September 13 as a part of the 'Bihar Business Connect 2024, which is scheduled to take place in December in Patna. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will be the chief guest at the function. This Ganesh Chaturthi, take your business to new heights with a Bajaj Finserv Business Loan, offering quick approvals, convenient terms, and financial support of up to Rs. 80 lakh! Pune, Maharashtra, India (NewsVoir) Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the most auspicious festivals in India, symbolises new beginnings and the removal of obstacles. It is an ideal time for individuals and businesses to embark on new ventures. This festive period presents an ideal opportunity for businesses to take bold steps towards expansion, whether that means scaling operations, investing in new technology, or enhancing working capital. For those planning such growth, a Bajaj Finserv Business Loan can serve as the perfect financial partner, providing the necessary capital to turn ambitions into reality. Top 5 reasons to choose a Bajaj Finserv Business Loan this festive season Heres why a Bajaj Finserv Business Loan stands out as an ideal solution for businesses aiming to grow during this festive season: Quick approval and disbursal In the fast-paced business environment, timing is everything. Delays in securing funds can mean missed opportunities. Bajaj Finance understands this urgency and has streamlined its loan application process to ensure quick approvals and rapid disbursals. Convenient repayment options Managing cash flow is a critical aspect of business operations, especially when taking on new financial commitments. Bajaj Finance offers flexible repayment tenures ranging from 12 to 96 months, allowing businesses to choose a plan that best fits their financial situation. 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Business loan eligibility criteria Before applying for a loan, its essential to understand the basic business loan eligibility criteria to enhance the chances of approval. The primary factors considered include: Business vintage Businesses that have been operational for a minimum of three years are typically more likely to secure a loan. CIBIL score A strong credit score is a crucial element in securing a business loan. A score of 685 or above is generally considered favourable and can improve the chances of obtaining a loan with competitive terms. Age limit The age of the applicant also plays a role in the loan approval process. To apply for a business loan, the applicant should be between 24 and 80 years old. How to apply Applying for a Bajaj Finserv Business Loan is designed to be simple and efficient, so businesses can focus on growth rather than complex procedures. Heres how to apply: Download the Bajaj Finserv App or visit the official website. 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A Bajaj Finserv Business Loan offers the flexibility and support needed to make the most of the festive season, with quick approval, high loan amounts, and multiple repayment options. Embrace the festivals joy and let Bajaj Finance handle business needs with ease! *Terms and conditions apply. About Bajaj Finance Limited Bajaj Finance Ltd. (BFL, Bajaj Finance, or the Company), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., is a deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-D) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is classified as an NBFC-Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC). BFL is engaged in the business of lending and acceptance of deposits. It has a diversified lending portfolio across retail, SMEs, and commercial customers with significant presence in both urban and rural India. It accepts public and corporate deposits and offers a variety of financial services products to its customers. BFL, a thirty-five-year-old enterprise, has now become a leading player in the NBFC sector in India and on a consolidated basis, it has a franchise of 80.41 million customers. BFL has the highest domestic credit rating of AAA/Stable for long-term borrowing, A1+ for short-term borrowing, and CRISIL AAA/Stable & [ICRA]AAA(Stable) for its FD program. It has a long-term issuer credit rating of BB+/Positive and a short-term rating of B by S&P Global ratings. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) Production of consumer durable products was adversely affected at Samsung's Chennai plant as about 900 factory workers -- close to half of the total workforce -- went on strike, industry sources aware of the development said on Monday. The source said the workers went on strike at the Samsung factory demanding a wage hike and improvement in working conditions. "Around 50 per cent of Samsung factory workers in Chennai went on strike today (Monday). The strike had an impact on the production at the factory," the source, who did not wish to be identified, told PTI. Samsung is estimated to have 1,800 workers at the Chennai factory that produces consumer durable products such as television, refrigerator, washing machine, etc. When contacted, Samsung India spokesperson said, "At Samsung India, the welfare of our employees is our top priority. We actively engage with our workers to address any grievances they may have and comply with all laws and regulations. We will also ensure that there is no disruption to our consumers." BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. A conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, is reviewing SMEs' (small and medium-sized enterprises) transition to a green economy and their role in fighting climate change, Trend reports. As known, over 90 percent of enterprises worldwide are SMEs, and this figure makes circa 99.6 percent in Azerbaijan. They contribute 50 percent of global GDP and 70 percent of employment. Although SMEs have a limited environmental impact, they account for 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and 30-60 percent of business energy use globally. Millions of SMEs switching to a green economy can help battle climate change. The conference "The Role of SMEs in the Green Economy" has been planned to once more highlight how SMEs support the battle against climate change and the shift to a "green economy," as well as to go over cooperatively coordinated initiatives in this field. The event, organized by the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) with the support of the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, was attended by heads of relevant government agencies, representatives of international organizations and public associations of entrepreneurs, businessmen working in various fields. Speaking at the event, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, who appointed COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, discussed the role of the "green economy" in sustainable development. They discussed the activities carried out within the framework of the National Priorities "Clean Environment" and "Green Growth Country" defined by President Ilham Aliyev, the introduction of environmentally friendly technologies, and the upcoming tasks to increase "green" production, recycle, and promote the rehabilitation of polluted areas. They emphasized the growing importance and role of SMEs in Azerbaijan's socio-economic development. SMEs make a significant contribution to GDP growth, employment, and economic reintegration of the liberated territories. SMEs should assert themselves in the new era's development of a "green economy." In this direction, SMEs are expected to apply energy-saving technologies, achieve energy efficiency through the use of renewable energy sources, utilize waste, reduce the amount of waste, and use environmentally friendly materials, actively involve the private sector in social projects, produce environmentally friendly products and services, etc. The conference was also addressed by UN High-Level Leader on Climate Nigar Arpadarai, KOBIA Chairman of the Board Orkhan Mammadov, Executive Director of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev and Chairman of the Board of the World Climate Foundation Jens Nielsen. The green transformation of SMEs is possible not only at the national level but also at the global level, as a result of joint actions of relevant stakeholders. Therefore, KOBIA launched a global initiative to support the promotion of SMEs' green transition, which was reflected in the Declaration of the Baku Coalition on SMEs' Transition to a Green Climate. The declaration was presented to the President of COP29 as part of the event. The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of SME green transition between KOBIA and ACWA Power Azerbaijan Renewable Energy LLC was signed at the event. The document signed by Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of KOBIA, and Director of ACWA Power Azerbaijan Renewable Energy Salim Guven stipulates cooperation to support the transition of small and medium-sized businesses to a green economy. Furthermore, at the conference, KOBIA was awarded a certificate for active participation in promoting a corporate culture of sustainable development within the framework of the UN Global Compact. The event continued with panel sessions on The Necessity of SMEs' Transition to a Green Economy and Climate Finance and SMEs. New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) Uttarakhand Finance Minister Prem Chand Agarwal on Monday said the GST Council has decided to cut tax on helicopter services for religious travels to 5 per cent. The 54th meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is currently underway. "Helicopter services for religious purposes like Kedarnath, Badrinath has been reduced to 5 per cent from 18 per cent. There was no clarity on this. After this, there will be clarity," Agarwal told reporters. The Council is slated to deliberate on a host of issues, including lowering of taxes on life and health insurance premiums, as well as levy of GST on payment aggregators for small digital transactions up to Rs 2,000, via debit and credit cards. Agarwal further said the Council has referred the issues of levy of 18 per cent GST on payment aggregators (PAs), like BillDesk and CCAvenue, for small digital transactions up to Rs 2,000, via debit and credit cards to the fitment committee. Currently, payment aggregators are exempt from paying GST on transactions amounting to less than Rs 2,000. The council is also likely to discuss a fitment committee report on taxation of life and health insurance premiums. In 2023-24, the Centre and states collected Rs 8,262.94 crore through GST on health insurance premium, while Rs 1,484.36 crore was collected on account of GST on health reinsurance premium. The issue of taxation of insurance premium figured in Parliament discussions with Opposition members demanding that health and life insurance premiums be exempt from GST. Even Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari wrote to Sitharaman on the issue. Also, the GoM on GST rate rationalisation is likely to present its report to the Council. New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore, known for world classics such as "Malena" and "Cinema Paradiso", will visit India to attend the Italian Film Festival "Cinema Italian Style" being organised in Mumbai by the Film Heritage Foundation. The cultural extravaganza will take place between September 27 and 29 at the Regal Cinema, Mumbai. It will have the screening of the seven restored Italian classic films including "Cinema Paradiso","Ennio", "Senso", "La Dolce Vita" and "Once Upon a Time in America" during its run and will be open to general public on the first come first served basis. Tornatore, an Oscar-winning director, will headline the inaugural edition of the ceremony which will have the screening of his three films. "I am so happy to be coming to India for the first time. I was delighted to hear that my film 'Cinema Paradiso' is known and loved in India and I am honoured that my films will be presented alongside the films of great Italian masters like Vittorio de Sica, Luchino Visconti, Federico Fellini and Sergei Leone." Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Filmmaker and Director, Film Heritage Foundation said they are delighted that the legend of Italian cinema has agreed to come to Mumbai "in support of the foundation and the cause of film preservation". "If the stars of the great Italian cinema will shine under the sky of Mumbai during such exceptional 3 days event, it is thanks to the precious partnership with Film Heritage Foundation, which has been collaborating for years with the best cinema conservators, among which the Italian ones stand out," Francesca Amendola, Director, Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai said in a press release. The films screening at the festival also include de Sica's "Marriage Italian Style", "Senso", The festival is presented by Film Heritage Foundation, Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai, Axis Bank and Education Partner - IED Istituto Europeo di Design. New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) "Ponniyin Selvan" star Jayam Ravi on Monday announced that he is proceeding with the dissolution of his marriage with Aarti, his wife of 15 years, due to "personal reasons". Ravi, a prominent face in Tamil cinema, shot to pan-India fame with Mani Ratnam's two-part period saga "Ponniyin Selvan". He essayed the role of the titular character, Prince Arulmozhi Varman, who would later go on to become the Chola emperor, Rajaraja I. Aarti, who is the daughter of noted television producer Sujatha Vijayakumar, and Ravi got married in 2009 and have two sons. In a post on X, the 43-year-old actor said the decision was not taken in haste. "It is with a heavy heart that I must share a deeply personal update with all of you. After much thought, reflections and discussions, I have taken the difficult decision to proceed with the dissolution of my marriage with Aarti. This decision was not made out of haste and it stems from personal reasons that I believe are in the best interests of everyone involved," the actor said in a post. Ravi said he decided to share the news with his fans as he has always strived to be "as transparent and honest" with fans and media as much as possible. The actor requested privacy, urging them to not participate in rumours and allegations. "...I hereby kindly request all of you to respect our privacy as well as that of our family members during this difficult time and appeal to all of you to refrain from making any assumptions, rumors, or allegations in this regard and let the matter remain private (sic)," he posted. The actor, son of veteran film editor A Mohan, is known for films such as "Jayam", "Daas", "Mazhai", "Bommarillu", "Peranmai", "Romeo Juliet", "Bhoomi" and "Siren". Damascus, Sep 9 (AP) The number of people killed in overnight Israeli strikes in Syria has risen to 14 with more than 40 wounded, Syrian state media said Monday morning. Israeli strikes hit several areas in central Syria late Sunday, damaging a highway in Hama province and sparking fires, Syrian state news agency SANA said. The initial death count reported by the Masyaf National Hospital in western Hamas province was four. SANA, citing hospital head Faysal Haydar, said 14 were killed and 43 wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, said at least four of those killed were civilians. One of the strikes targeted a scientific research centre in Maysaf and others struck sites where Iranian militias and experts are stationed to develop weapons in Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Local media also reported strikes around the coastal city of Tartous. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of war-torn Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations. The strikes often target Syrian forces or Iranian-backed groups. Israel has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment in Syria, particularly since Syria is a key route for Iran to send weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Hezbollah has been clashing with Israeli forces for the past 11 months against the backdrop of Israel's war against Hamas an ally of Hezbollah in Gaza. (AP) GSP Riyadh, Sep 9 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, taking stock of the progress of bilateral relations and discussing ways to further deepen them. Jaishankar arrived here in the Saudi capital on Sunday on a two-day visit to attend the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers' meeting. He met Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and discussed the "progress" in the bilateral relations. "Delighted to meet FM @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia today in Riyadh. Took stock of the progress in our bilateral relationship and shared perspectives on global and regional issues. Look forward to welcoming him in India," he said in a post on X. Jaishankar also met Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who also holds the portfolio of the foreign minister. "Began the day with a good meeting with (the) PM & FM of Qatar @MBAAlThani. Discussed taking India-Qatar bilateral ties forward. Appreciated his insights and assessments on regional developments," he said in a post on X. In Riyadh, Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of several other GCC member countries. The GCC is an influential grouping, comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The total volume of India's trade with GCC countries stood at USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23. Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi on Saturday said India and the GCC enjoy a deep and multifaceted relationship, including in areas of trade and investment, energy, cultural and people-to-people ties. Jaishankar is here on the first leg of his three-nation tour that will also take him to Germany and Switzerland. Riyadh, Sep 9 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Monday met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov here in the Saudi capital, days after President Vladimir Putin named India among the three countries he is constantly in touch over the Ukraine conflict. Their interaction took place on the sidelines of the India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers' meeting. Both the ministers are in the Saudi capital to attend ministerial meetings of the Gulf Cooperation Council. "Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a meeting with Foreign Minister of India @DrSJaishankar," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a post on X. On Thursday, President Putin named India among the three countries he is constantly in touch over the Ukraine conflict and said they are sincerely making efforts to resolve it. Speaking at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, Putin said, "If there is a desire of Ukraine to carry on with the negotiations, I can do that." His remarks came within two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Ukraine, where he held talks with President President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "We respect our friends and partners, who, I believe, sincerely seek to resolve all issues surrounding this conflict, primarily China, Brazil and India. I constantly keep in touch with our colleagues on this issue, Putin was quoted as saying by Russia's TASS news agency. Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov last week told the Izvestia daily that India could help in establishing a dialogue on Ukraine. Underlining the existing "highly constructive, even friendly relations" between Modi and Putin, he said the Indian Prime Minister can "lead the line on getting first-hand information from the participants in this conflict," as he freely communicates with Putin, with Zelenskyy, and with the Americans. "This gives a great opportunity for India to throw its weight in world affairs, to use its influence that would drive the Americans and Ukrainians towards using a greater political will and entering the peaceful settlement track, Peskov said. He, however, said there are "no specific plans" for Modi to mediate on the issue. "At this time they can hardly exist, as we do not see any preconditions for talks for now, the Kremlin spokesman said. Modi on August 23 visited Ukraine where he conveyed to President Zelenskyy that both Ukraine and Russia should sit together without wasting time to end the ongoing war and that India was ready to play an "active role" to restore peace in the region. His nearly nine-hour visit to Ukraine, the first by an Indian prime minister since its independence in 1991, came six weeks after he held summit talks with President Putin that triggered anguish in some Western countries. In his talks with Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Modi said India was on the side of peace since the beginning of the conflict and he would even like to contribute personally to a peaceful resolution of the crisis. Jaishankar arrived in the Saudi capital Sunday on the first leg of his three-nation tour to attend the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers' meeting. The GCC is an influential grouping, comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The total volume of India's trade with GCC countries stood at USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23. From Riyadh, Jaishankar will travel to Germany where he will meet the German Foreign Minister as well as the leadership and other Ministers from the German government to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations. This will be his third bilateral visit to Berlin. On the third and final leg of his trip, Jaishankar will visit Geneva. Islamabad, Sep 9 (PTI) Pakistan Information Minister Atta Tarar on Monday said that any decision about the military trial of jailed former premier Imran Khan would be made considering the merit of the case. Tarar said this at a press conference a day after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders while addressing a public rally in Islamabad demanded the government to release Khan, who has been imprisoned in Rawalpindis Adiala Jail for more than a year. The decision of the military trial of Khan will be made on merit based on evidence, the minister said in response to a question. Top government officials have been indicating holding a military trial of Khan for his alleged involvement in the May 9, 2023, violence when alleged PTI supporters had attacked military buildings in reaction to his arrest. However, the issue of holding military trials of civilians is pending with the Supreme Court for final adjudication and the cases of more than a hundred civilians, who were handed over to military authorities after violence, have also lingered on. In the first public rally in Islamabad after the February 8 elections, the PTI leaders asked the government to release Khan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, belonging to PTI, went a step ahead and warned the government to set Khan free within two weeks or the party would forcibly get him released. If the founder of PTI is not legally released within one to two weeks, we will have him freed ourselves," the chief minister said, declaring that he would take the lead and take the first bullet to get Khan out of jail. Khans party on Sunday held a power show, demanding his immediate release while slamming the government for its crackdown on the party as police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. The rally postponed twice in the last two months was held near Sangjani Cattle Market in the suburbs of Islamabad after the capital administration issued a no-objection certificate (NOC). Thousands of PTI supporters attended the rally, proving that the party's power base was intact despite several hurdles it faced, including the incarceration of its 71-year-old founder. Khan was arrested on August 5 last year after his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Since then, he has been in jail in different cases. On Sunday, Khan completed 400 days in prison. London, Sep 9 (AP) Afghanistan's embassy in London is being shut down after it was disowned by the country's Taliban rulers, the UK government said Monday. The Foreign Office said the embassy is being closed following the dismissal of its staff by the Taliban. Britain does not recognise the Taliban government. Ambassador Zalmai Rassoul wrote on the social network X that the embassy would shut its doors on Sept. 27 at the official request of the host country. Neither the UK government nor the ambassador said what would happen to the embassy's staff. Diplomats who served under Afghanistan's former Western-backed government were left in limbo when the Taliban seized Kabul and returned to power in August 2021. Many embassies in Europe and beyond have continued to operate, but have been accused by Kabul of failing to cooperate with the government. Afghanistan has sent Taliban-approved diplomats to some countries, including Pakistan and China. The UK decision comes after the Taliban administration announced in July that it no longer recognised diplomatic missions set up by the former government and that documents issued by embassies in Britain and 13 other mostly European countries were invalid. Many Taliban leaders are under sanctions, and no country officially recognises them as Afghanistan's legitimate rulers, though some nations retain active diplomatic missions in Afghanistan, including Pakistan, Turkiye, Qatar, and China. The UK and other Western countries are grappling with how to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan without recognising the Taliban government, which has dramatically curtailed education, employment and personal freedom for women and girls. (AP) GSP Melbourne, Sep 9 (PTI) Kerala-born Jinson Charls, who defeated a sitting Labour minister in Australia's Northern Territory (NT) elections, will become the new minister for disability, arts, veterans and multicultural affairs in the regional government, according to a media report on Monday. Charls was among the two India-born politicians elected to the regional assembly last month. Khoda Patel of Gujarat descent, also won a seat. Their Country Liberal Party (CLP) secured a landslide victory in elections in the Northern Territory on August 24, claiming 17 of the Legislative Assembly's 25 seats. Charls, who worked as a registered nurse and in health leadership roles, will become the new minister for disability, arts, veterans and multicultural affairs. He will also manage the portfolios of youth, seniors and equality, as well as people, sport and culture, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Monday. "His appointment marks a historic occasion for the NT parliament, with the new government featuring the highest-ever representation of politicians of South Asian and South-East Asian heritage," it said in an earlier report. Charls and the new Casuarina MLA, Khoda Patel, were born in India, while the new Fong Lim MLA, Tanzil Rahman, has Bangladeshi roots, and the new Wanguri MLA, Oly Carlson, is of Indonesian heritage. "I have been getting phone calls, messages, for the last few days, including the media back in India - they are excited as well," Charls, who toppled a sitting Labour environment minister, was quoted as saying by the ABC. "A first-generation migrant coming over to a different country, to a different culture, and people up here supporting, because it's for the people's mandate." The first and only prior Indian-born Northern Territory MLA was Labour member June D'Rozario, who held the seat of Sanderson between 1977 and 1983. Born in Kerala, Charls studied Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery before migrating to Australia in 2011, according to his profile on the party website. Moving to Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, in 2015, he worked as a Registered Nurse in the Alcohol Mandatory Treatment program, which was then scrapped by Labour in 2017 - despite the real, positive outcomes that the program delivered, it said. Charls has held senior leadership positions in health, delivering mental health care to Territorians, working as a team manager and operations manager. His passion for delivering quality health care services led to him being appointed as the Director of Acute Services, Top End Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drug Services (NT Health). He is married to Anu. They have two daughters - Aimie (10) and Anna (4). He currently serves as the President of the Darwin Malayalee Association. His party colleague Patel moved to Cyprus before shifting to Australia and starting a family. Patel is married to Nilam. They have two kids - Anika (7) and Krishna who just turned one. Copenhagen (Denmark), Sep 9 (AP) There's no evidence that a well-known beluga whale that lived off Norway's coast and whose harness ignited speculation it was a Russian spy was shot to death last month as claimed by animal rights groups, Norwegian police said on Monday. The tame beluga, which was first spotted in 2019 not far from Russian waters with a harness reading Equipment St. Petersburg", was found floating at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway on August 31. Experts examined the carcass at a nearby harbour, after lifting it with a crane. Animal advocate groups OneWhale and NOAH last week filed a police report saying that the animal's wounds suggested it was intentionally killed. OneWhale founder Regina Haug said when she saw the carcass, she immediately knew he had been killed by gunshots. That's not the conclusion so far from veterinarians. Police said that the Norwegian Veterinary Institute conducted a preliminary autopsy on the animal, which was become known as Hvaldimir", combining the Norwegian word for whale hval and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin. There are no findings from the autopsy that indicate that Hvaldimir has been shot," police said in a statement. Most of the animal's visible wounds were completely superficial with one of them somewhat deeper but not fatal or affecting vital organs, police said. An x-ray found no projectiles and no indication that the wounds could have been caused by gunshots, the statement said. However, a stick about 35 centimeters (14 inches) long and 3 centimeters (1 inch) wide was found wedged in the animal's mouth, and its stomach was empty and its organs had broken down, police said. No further details were given. There is nothing in the investigations that have been carried out to establish that it is human activity that has directly led to Hvaldimir's death," said Preede Revheim, head of the North Sea and environment section of the police in South Western Norway. Revheim said that police will not be actively investigating the case and that the final autopsy report will released later this month. The two animal rights groups said on Monday they're not satisfied with the preliminary results and want the police investigation to continue, offering 50,000 kroner (USD 4,661) for any tips that could reopen the case. The 4.2-metre (14-foot) long and 1,225-kilogram (2,700-pound) whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingoeya, not far from the Arctic town of Hammerfest. Its harness, along with what appeared to be a mount for a small camera, led to media speculation that it was a "spy whale. Over the years since 2019, it was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it became clear it was very tame and enjoyed interacting with people. Experts say the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes. Media reports also have speculated that the whale might have been trained as a therapy animal. (AP) PY PY BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has sent letters of condolences to the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, Ali Yerlikaya and Commander-in-Chief of the Gendarmerie of the Republic of Turkiye, Army General Ali Cardakc, Trend reports via Azerbaijans Defense Ministry. "I am deeply saddened by the news of the martyrdom of military personnel as a result of the accident of the vehicle belonging to the Gendarmerie General Command of the fraternal Turkiye in Tunceli province. Your grief is our grief too. I pray to Almighty Allah for the repose of the souls of the deceased servicemen and express my deepest condolences to their families. I wish healing to all the wounded. May Allah rest the souls of Shehids in peace," the letters read. Nowy Dwor Mazowiecki (Poland), Sep 9 (AP) The new privates received their ranks amid military pomp in a town near Warsaw where a Napoleonic fortress attests to a long military history. The group was made up of a German shepherd, a Dutch shepherd and two Belgian Malinois. The dogs Einar, Eliot, Enzo and Emi were bestowed with their ranks on Friday as part of a new Polish programme aimed at honouring the service of dogs used to detect explosives, a job valued for its role in protecting human life. Gen. Wieslaw Kukula, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army, decided last year that dogs serving in the Polish army would qualify for six military ranks ranging from private through corporal to sergeant. The change has been welcomed by their loyal human handlers. The rank is meant to honour the hard work of the dog in service, said Lance Corporal Daniel Kesicki, who recently completed a five-month training course with Eliot, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois. To me it's a symbolic recognition that the dog is serving the homeland. The dogs honoured Friday belong to the 2nd Mazovian Engineer Regiment, which in 2007 became the first unit of Poland's armed forces to introduce dogs into service, according to spokesman Capt. Dominik Plaza. He said none have died in action. During the ceremony the dogs' handlers were one by one handed a badge with their animals' rank which they attached to their dogs' harnesses. The ceremonies take place during other military events, and this one occurred during the commemoration of the regiment's 80th anniversary. The dogs were given their ranks for having completed basic training and having served for more than a year. The ranks are a largely symbolic recognition so that we, too, are aware that such a dog is a member of the armed forces, Plaza said. "It is not just a tool for detecting explosives, but it is a living being, he said. The unit was recently deployed to Paris for the Summer Olympic Games and the Paralympics, where the regiment's soldiers and four of its 16 dogs reinforced French security efforts in scanning facilities for explosives. Everything passed off peacefully. Polish army dogs have carried out service elsewhere in international missions, including Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the NATO nation's support for US-led efforts. Poland, a close ally and neighbour of Ukraine, earlier this summer also announced that it was sending 12 trained dogs to support the Ukrainian military in clearing mines. The soldiers who work with the dogs volunteer for the assignment, and it becomes a commitment that lasts for the rest of the dog's life. Soldiers who were with their dogs on Friday explained that they select their dogs, train with them, live with them, and care for them even after their four-legged charges become too old to work. Kesicki described Eliot as an obedient companion who has become integrated into his family life. The dog can already do a lot after the beginning course alone, and we still have a few more years of service ahead of us, he said. Plaza, the spokesman, laughed when asked if a dog could ever outrank his handler or if a soldier might have to salute a dog. Soldiers do not salute dogs, Plaza said. "The handler will always be of a higher rank than his dog. It is simply impossible for a service dog to have a higher rank than his handler. Though the master-dog hierarchy is preserved, great love and appreciation are clearly shown to creatures in Poland, where pets are everywhere and some even lay their beloved companions to rest in special pet cemeteries. The Polish government has in recent years also ensured retirement benefits to dogs and horses working in the police, border guard and fire departments. On Friday, as the sun beat down on a hot square in the middle of town, Gen. Kukula interrupted the ceremony and ordered the overheated dogs removed even as human soldiers continued to stand there in their uniforms and boots. Staff Sergeant Michal Mlynarczyk served in Afghanistan with a dog named Elvis starting in 2011. Together they checked vehicles arriving at the base of an international force in Ghazni for explosives. Elvis died in 2018. Now Mlynarczyk is paired with Kobalt, a German shepherd who received his private rank in April. Private Kobalt goes home with him at night and plays with his children. While he loves the entire family, he never loses sight of who is master. All of the work the dog does, is done for me, Mlynarczyk said. "It's a bond, it's a friendship. (AP) PY PY Beijing, Sep 9 (AP) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials on Monday during his second trip to China in a year-and-a-half that comes amid a spat over electric cars. The centre-left Socialist leader will also attend a business forum in Beijing for Spanish and Chinese companies before travelling to Shanghai later Monday. The next day he will attend more business events and the inauguration of a Cervantes Institute, a centre that promotes Spanish language and culture. Prior to holding talks and dining with Xi, Sanchez will meet with his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, and the head of the ceremonial legislature, Zhao Leji. Sanchez arrived late Sunday and departs Wednesday. Sanchez visited China in March 2023 when Spain held the rotating European Union presidency. Spain was among the EU members that expressed support earlier this year for a 36.7 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. The Chinese government responded by launching an investigation into EU pork imports. EU exports of pork products to China hit a peak at 7.4 billion euros (USD 7.9 billion) in 2020 when Beijing had to turn abroad to satisfy domestic demand after its pig farms were decimated by a swine disease. EU pork exports to China have dropped since then, hitting 2.5 billion euros (USD 2.6 billion) last year. Almost half of that total came from Spain. The tension over pork has not stopped Spain from welcoming the plans of Chinese carmaker Chery to open a plant for electric vehicles in Barcelona. (AP) GRS GRS Islamabad, Sep 9 (AP) The Taliban's repressive control over women and girls in Afghanistan is unparalleled and will jeopardise the country's future, the UN rights chief warned on Monday. Volker Turk said new morality laws that ban women's voices and bare faces in public, along with sweeping bans on education and most jobs, were outrageous and amounted to systematic gender persecution. I shudder to think what is next for the women and girls of Afghanistan, Turk told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The Taliban were not immediately available for comment. The Taliban who took over Afghanistan in 2021 during the final weeks of US and NATO withdrawal have excluded women from most areas of public life and stopped girls from going to school beyond sixth grade, despite initial promises of a more moderate rule. They are also restricting women's access to work, travel and health care if they are unmarried or don't have a male guardian, and punishing those who don't comply with the Taliban's interpretation of hijab, or Islamic headscarf. The Taliban last month issued the ban on women's voices in public under new laws approved by the supreme leader in efforts to combat vice and promote virtue. I want to make clear my abhorrence of these latest measures, which include forbidding even eye contact between women and men who are not related and imposing mandatory covering for women from head to toe, including their faces, Turk said. Taliban policies are propelling Afghanistan further down a path of isolation, pain and hardship, he added. Last year, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the country needs USD 4.62 billion in aid for nearly 24 million people in need. The Taliban takeover drove millions into poverty and hunger after foreign aid stopped almost overnight. Sanctions, a halt on bank transfers and frozen billions in Afghanistan's currency reserves restricted access to global institutions and the outside money that supported the country's aid-dependent economy before the withdrawal of US and NATO forces. The situation for children was especially devastating, with 12.4 million children in desperate need, Turk said, but a massive shortfall in funding was sharply undercutting the response by the UN and its partners. Another speaker at the council session was Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan. Bennett has frequently criticized the Taliban's treatment of women and girls. Last month, he confirmed he was no longer allowed to visit the country. In his first address since being barred from Afghanistan, Bennett said the morality laws reinforced the Taliban's institutionalised system of sex and gender discrimination, segregation and oppression and affected almost the entire population. Unaddressed, the repercussions will shape future generations, he said. Bennett said he had talked to Afghans in several provinces who had described a visible increase in the presence of morality inspectors as well as tightening restrictions, in particular on people's freedom of movement. We have also received information that barbers are instructed not to shave men's beards shorter than the specified length, while the ban on broadcasting of images of human beings is impacting the media, he said. Afghan media have reported that the Vice and Virtue Ministry has stopped female journalists from working in Daikundi province and administered a religious test to government employees, warning they risk dismissal if they do not participate. There have also been reports that the state-controlled broadcaster RTA has stopped airing in Kandahar province, the Taliban's power centre in the south and the base of its leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, because morality laws prohibit the depiction of living beings. The Taliban have not responded to requests for comment on the reports. (AP) PY PY Mumbai, Sep 9 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the Western Region at 1700 HRS. BOM9 GJ-GANESH FESTIVAL-LD STONE PELTING * Damage to Ganesh idol triggers clash, stone-pelting in Surat, cops injured; 34 held Surat: An idol of Lord Ganesh was damaged after some minors allegedly threw stones at a pandal during the Ganpati festival in Gujarat's Surat city, triggering violence in which some persons including cops were injured, police said on Monday. * BOM11 GJ-STONE PELTING-DRIVE * Anti-encroachment drive in Surat locality that witnessed stone pelting at Ganesh pandal Surat: The civic authorities in Gujarat's Surat city carried out an anti-encroachment drive involving a bulldozer in Saiyedpura on Monday, hours after the locality witnessed rioting after some minors threw stones at a Ganesh pandal. * BOM5 MH-AJIT PAWAR-RAUT * Ajit Pawar's 'remorse' won't help him win assembly poll from Baramati: Sanjay Raut Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said there is no point in Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar "repenting" some of his political actions and claimed the NCP leader would lose the upcoming assembly poll from his home turf Baramati. * BOM10 CG-SUICIDE-CONG-BOOKED * Cash for jobs: Chhattisgarh ex-Cong minister, 3 others booked for abetting teacher's suicide Balod: Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh minister Mohammad Akbar and three others were booked for alleged abetment of suicide of a government school teacher in Balod district, a police official said on Monday. * BOM7 MP-DROWNING * Eight drown in separate incidents in Madhya Pradesh Vidisha/Khandwa: A jawan of the Special Armed Force (SAF) and a doctor were among eight persons who drowned in separate incidents in Vidisha, Sehore and Khandwa districts of Madhya Pradesh, officials said on Monday. * BOM4 MH-ACCIDENT-TEMPO * 1 killed, 3 injured as 'drunk' driver crashes tempo into multiple vehicles in Pune Pune: A 36-year-old woman was killed and three other persons were injured after a tempo, driven by a person allegedly in an inebriated condition, knocked down five vehicles in Maharashtra's Pune city, police said on Monday. * BOM6 MP-DELIMITATION COMMISSION * MP govt forms delimitation commission to review boundaries of districts and divisions Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a new delimitation commission to re-examine the boundaries and number of districts and divisions in the state, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said. * BOM8 MH-LALBAUGCHA RAJA-SHAH-PAWAR * Amit Shah, Sharad Pawar offer prayers at Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh pandal in Mumbai Mumbai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar separately visited the famous Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh pandal in Mumbai on Monday and offered prayers to the deity amid the ongoing Ganpati festival. * BES8 MH-MARATHWADA-RAIN CASUALTIES * 53 killed in rain-related incidents in Marathwada since June 1 Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: As many as 53 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Marathwada since the beginning of the monsoon season this year, an official said on Monday. * BOM2 GA-RUSSIAN-DROWN * Goa: Russian tourist drowns in sea; woman partner rescued Panaji: A 33-year-old Russian national on a visit to Goa drowned in the Arabian Sea while his woman partner was rescued by locals, police said on Monday. * Chandigarh, Sep 9 (PTI) Pakistan's Punjab assembly speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has asked for removal of encroachments from temples and gurdwaras in that country, said former Punjab-cadre IAS officer D S Jaspal. Jaspal, who retired from service in 2015, recently visited Pakistan's Punjab assembly and also met minority affairs minister Ramesh Singh Arora. "He (speaker) was categorical (in saying) that all Hindu and Sikh shrines should be cleared of encroachments. Many Sikh gurdwaras and shrines in Pakistan were encroached upon. "It was quite reassuring to hear that he (speaker) has given the orders and it was on record. It was a very positive gesture of the House of the Pakistan Punjab assembly," Jaspal told PTI videos. Speaker Khan also acknowledged in the House that it was "shameful" that gurdwaras have been "destroyed". "The speaker's response was spontaneous. It was very positive and was reflecting the unanimous sentiments of the House," he said. Jaspal said he got appreciation from the Pakistan's Punjab assembly for his efforts towards preserving Sikh heritage during his recent visit to the neighbouring country. Jaspal has authored a book 'Tryst with Trees - Punjab's sacred heritage', which documented historical gurdwaras named after trees. Several of these gurdwaras are located in Pakistan. The book has pictorial documentation of 58 sacred and historical Sikh shrines in India and Pakistan named after 19 species of trees, like Gurdwara Babe-di-Ber, Sialkot; Gurdwara Lahura Sahib, Gurdwara Nim Sahib, Gurdwara Tahli Sahib, Gurdwara Ritha Sahib, Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Gurdwara Imli Sahib, Gurdwara Pipli Sahib and Gurdwara Jand Sahib. Jaspal said he was hailed for his project for the conservation of sacred trees. New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) The Congress on Monday asked the government to spell out what will be India's position on Brazil's proposal of a two per cent wealth tax on dollar billionaires when it is debated at the November G20 Summit. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said India has been conspicuously silent on the matter which is not irrelevant for it since according to one new report, the country has 334 dollar billionaires worth over USD one billion. "Exactly a year ago, the annual G20 Summit began in New Delhi. The Presidency of the G20 rotates among its member countries every year. Two months from now the next G20 Summit will take place in Brazil, which has chosen to not create the hype and self-glorifying publicity like the non-biological PM did," Ramesh said in a post on X. "And what a difference a year has made. In September 2023 He was riding super high. Now he is still reeling from his personal, political, and moral defeat of June 4 2024," the Congress leader said. For the November 2024 summit, Brazil has floated a proposal for a two per cent wealth tax on dollar billionaires, he said. "This proposal has been supported already by France, Spain, South Africa, and Germany. India has been conspicuously silent on it. What will be our country's position on this proposal when it is debated?" Ramesh said. It is not irrelevant for us since according to one new report India has 334 dollar billionaires worth over one billion dollars, he said. Brazil's G20 presidency has put the proposal on the table. Commissioned by the Brazilian G20 presidency, the report 'A Blueprint for a Coordinated Minimum Effective Taxation Standard for Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals' had said, "a minimum tax on billionaires equal to two per cent of their wealth would raise USD 200-250 billion per year globally from about 3,000 taxpayers." These revenues would be collected from economic actors who are both very wealthy and undertaxed today, the report prepared by French economist Gabriel Zucman had said. New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday slammed Rahul Gandhi for his remarks in the US and said he has once again shown his "immaturity" by talking against India and abusing the BJP and RSS abroad. Gandhi, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, who is on a four-day visit to the US, said in his address to the Indian-American community that love, respect and humility are missing from Indian politics. He also criticised the RSS for believing that India is "one idea". During his interaction with the students at the University of Texas in Dallas, the Congress leader also claimed the BJP and the RSS believe that women should be restricted to a particular role -- they should "stay at home, cook food" and "should not talk too much". He also underscored the need to focus on manufacturing in India, saying India, the US and other countries in the West are facing the problem of unemployment, while China is not as it is dominating global production. Asked to comment on the Congress leader's remarks, Rijiu said, "I am not interested in commenting on what Rahul Gandhi has said. He has developed the habit of talking against India, the BJP and the RSS when he goes abroad. He will never refrain from doing so." "By doing so, he has shown his immaturity once again as always," the Union parliamentary affairs minister told reporters. Rijiju alleged that Gandhi and his "ecosystem" want to talk against India and abuse the BJP, RSS and all nationalist organisations. "They want to abuse the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India. They have talked against the country's judicial system, our practices, democratic norms going abroad," he said. "Who invites them to the UK, the US and elsewhere, you know it. So their motive is very clear," Rijiju added. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has backed Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in the US and slammed the BJP for its criticism of the comments, asserting the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha had never insulted India and would never do so. Kharge said the BJP needs an excuse to raise such issues. New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) There is a need to integrate the Health Management Information System (HMIS) portal with the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal and other portals of the health ministry to ensure that the data is uploaded timely and analysed carefully, Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra said On Monday. Chandra made the remarks as he released "Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure and Human Resources) 2022-23", an annual publication formerly known as "Rural Health Statistics", here. The document has been published since 1992. Highlighting the document as a source of reliable and authentic information on various aspects of the National Health Mission (NHM), Chandra said, "The annual publication is a valuable document furnishing much-needed information on manpower and infrastructure within the NHM, helpful in policy making, improving processes and problem solving." He added that the document gives a cross-analysis across the states on the availability and deficiencies in manpower and infrastructure. The data is immensely helpful in understanding the requirements of the states, their priority areas and formulating policies and targeted campaigns, Chandra said. The health statistics also aid in making a comparison in the performance of the states on different parameters, he highlighted. Since 1992, the publication has provided detailed annual data on health infrastructure and human resources, with updates as of March 31 each year. This data is crucial for the stakeholders in the health sector as it supports effective planning, monitoring and management of the health infrastructure across the country. By providing a clear snapshot of the current state of healthcare infrastructure and human resources, the publication serves as a foundational tool for identifying gaps and addressing needs in various areas, including in rural, urban and tribal regions. New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) The National Centre for Good Governance on Monday commenced a capacity-building programme for 34 civil servants of Maldives, according to an official statement. This is the first programme under the second phase for civil servants of Maldives following the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding to train 1,000 Maldivian civil servants, it said. The two-week programme, being organised from September 9 to 20 in Mussoorie, is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, according to the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry. The current programme is hosting 34 civil servants from the Maldives, including assistant directors, senior administrators, council officers, faculties and community health officers, representing key ministries and departments from Maldives, it said. The inaugural session was chaired by V Srinivas, Director General of the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). In his address, he welcomed the participants and reflected on the achievements of the first phase of capacity-building programmes (2019-2024), during which more than 1,000 Maldivian civil servants visited the NCGG. Srinivas elaborated on India's governance model and how it has changed in scope, scale, and size as it enters 'Amrit Kaal' or 'Vision 2047'. He also highlighted the next-generation reforms designed to ensure last-mile connectivity and how digital technology has been embraced in India for better policy-making, and service delivery, transforming institutions and bringing citizens closer to the government. Srinivas discussed how digitisation is necessary to bring transparency and accountability, transform institutions and ensure good governance. Fathmath Inaya, Finance Executive, Civil Service Commission, Maldives and team leader of the Maldivian delegation, expressed gratitude to the Indian government and the NCGG for the opportunity, stating her hope to learn and gain extensively from the programme. The NCGG has trained civil servants from 33 countries, including Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, Tunisia, Seychelles, Gambia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, South Africa, Indonesia, Madagascar, Fiji, Mozambique, Cambodia, Madagascar, Fiji, Indonesia, South Africa among others. According to the statement, the NCGG achieved a remarkable milestone by training 1,000 civil servants, including permanent secretaries, secretary generals and high-level delegates from Maldives over 32 capacity-building programmes in field administration under an MoU signed on June 8, 2019. The present programmes mark the initiation of the second phase of capacity-building programmes after the renewal of the MoU in August 2024. Five programmes will be held in 2024-25 targeting 175 civil servants, it said. New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected the plea of AAP leader Somnath Bharti seeking a direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide him with the burnt memory of EVMs used for the New Delhi constituency during the Lok Sabha elections. The high court, however, directed the returning officer concerned that all VVPATs paper slips be taken out from the drop box of VVPATs and be kept in a paper envelope as per the procedure prescribed by the ECI. The court was hearing a petition by Bharti challenging the election of BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj to the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat on grounds of alleged corrupt practices. The dispute in the suit is not regarding counting of votes. There is no requirement for the ECI to preserve the EVMs considering the forthcoming elections across the country. The prayer of the petitioner seeking a direction to the ECI to provide him with the burnt memory of 1,489 EVMs used in this election is rejected and it is clarified that respondent 3 (returning officer) is at liberty to release the EVMs used for New Delhi constituency elections for the purposes of other elections, Justice Manmeet PS Arora said. The court said though there is no dispute regarding counting or recounting of votes, however, in terms of the statement made by the counsel for ECI on August 20, the commission is directed that all VVPATs paper slips taken out from the drop box of VVPATs and kept in a paper envelope as certified and be preserved as per the procedure prescribed by the poll panel till the next date of hearing. The counsel for ECI, on August 20, had stated that printed VVPAT paper slips have been preserved as per the relevant clause of the 'Manual on Electronic Voting Machine' and should be made available as per the courts directions for the adjudication of this petition. The court had earlier issued notice and sought response of Swaraj on the petition challenging her election. It had deleted former AAP minister Raaj Kumar Anand -- who contested the 2024 Sabha polls on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket but joined BJP after the results -- from the array of parties on the ground that no cause of action was made out against him. All three had contested from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat. While Bharti secured 3,74,815 votes, Swaraj polled 4,53,185. The petition, filed under Sections 80 and 81 of the Representation of the People Act, accused Swaraj, her election agent, and others of having engaged in corrupt practices. The plea also alleged that Anand contested the election on a BSP ticket to help Swaraj by cutting into AAP's vote share. He later joined the BJP on July 10, the plea said. The plea claimed that on the election day, the petitioner was shocked during his visits to polling booths across the constituency to see that Swaraj's polling agents had pamphlets displaying her ballot number, photo, election symbol and photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and were showing them to the voters and asking them to vote for ballot no.1. "...such an act certainly qualifies to be a corrupt practice. This was also reported to the respondent no. 3 (returning officer) but all in vain," it alleged. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has addressed participants of the Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad, Trend reports. "Dear Forum participants! I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of the opening of the Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad in the capital of our country and wish you good health and success. I would like to emphasize that the organization of the Forum holds symbolic significance at a time when our territorial integrity and sovereignty have been fully restored. The large number of scientists among our compatriots living abroad creates ample opportunities for the development of the Azerbaijani diaspora. To ensure the systematic nature of the activities of our diaspora, notable efforts have been made to establish closer relations with our compatriots working in the field of science and to support their active participation in various programs and projects that serve our national interests. I am confident that the Forum will be highly effective in terms of networking among Azerbaijani scientists living in different countries, deepening their relationships with our science and educational institutions, facilitating our countrys rapid approach to global goals by taking advantage of joint achievements, and integrating Azerbaijani science into the global scientific community. I believe that the Forum will be marked by a thorough exchange of ideas and discussions aimed at the sustainable and innovative development of science in Azerbaijan, and will identify valuable opportunities for cooperation, enabling our scientists to contribute their knowledge and experience to the restoration of our historical liberated territories," the address reads. Bengaluru, Sep 9 (PTI) The Karnataka High Court on Monday adjourned to September 12 the hearing on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's petition challenging the legality of Governor Thaawarchand's sanction for his prosecution in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. The court also extended its August 19 interim order directing the special court for people's representatives that was slated to hear complaints against him in the case, to defer its proceedings till the next date of hearing. "Heard the learned council Lakshmi Iyengar appearing for fourth respondent (Snehamayi Krishna).The respondents have all completed their submissions. The learned Advocate General has also completed his submissions. For the reply submission of senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi and senior counsel Prof Ravi Varma Kumar, list this matter on September 12 at 12 pm," Justice M Nagaprasanna said. The Judge said, "on September 12, we should be completing this." The Governor on August 16 accorded sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for the commission of the alleged offences as mentioned in the petitions of Pradeep Kumar S P, T J Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna. On August 19, Siddaramaiah moved to the High Court challenging the legality of the Governor's order. In the petition, the Chief Minister submitted that the sanction order was issued without due application of mind, in violation of statutory mandates, and contrary to constitutional principles, including the advice of the Council of Ministers, which is binding under Article 163 of the Constitution of India. Siddaramaiah sought quashing of the Governor's order contending that his decision is legally unsustainable, procedurally flawed, and motivated by extraneous considerations. Bengaluru, Sep 9 (PTI) The Karnataka High Court on Monday adjourned to September 12 the hearing on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's petition challenging the legality of Governor Thaawarchand's sanction for his prosecution in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. The court also extended its August 19 interim order directing the special court for people's representatives that was slated to hear complaints against him in the case, to defer its proceedings till the next date of hearing. "Heard the learned council Lakshmi Iyengar appearing for fourth respondent (Snehamayi Krishna).The respondents have all completed their submissions. The learned Advocate General has also completed his submissions. For the reply submission of senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi and senior counsel Prof Ravi Varma Kumar, list this matter on September 12 at 12 pm," Justice M Nagaprasanna said. The Judge said: "on September 12, we should be completing this." The Governor on August 16 accorded sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for the commission of the alleged offences as mentioned in the petitions of Pradeep Kumar S P, T J Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna. On August 19, Siddaramaiah moved to the High Court challenging the legality of the Governor's order. In the petition, the Chief Minister submitted that the sanction order was issued without due application of mind, in violation of statutory mandates, and contrary to constitutional principles, including the advice of the Council of Ministers, which is binding under Article 163 of the Constitution of India. Siddaramaiah sought quashing of the Governor's order contending that his decision is legally unsustainable, procedurally flawed, and motivated by extraneous considerations. Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, appearing for the state government, said this is a case where private persons have sought for prosecution approval under section 17A of Pretension of Corruption Act, adding, the condition precedent for 17A approval is preliminary inquiry be done by an investigating officer. Noting that this is a corruption case where there is abnormal delay and, so, preliminary inquiry is mandatory, he pointed out that "this is the case of more than 20 years (old), as 1998 is the date of de-notification of the land, so there is abnormal delay." He argued that a private person cannot be put on a higher pedestal than a police officer; so the preliminary inquiry has to be done. Shetty said the Governor does not conduct the preliminary inquiry; he only grants prior approval. But in this case he does the preliminary inquiry -- that is hearing the complainant, then issues show-cause notice, seeks clarification and reply -- which is the jurisdiction of the police officer as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and judgments. The competent authority (Governor) could have asked, as required under law, the investigating officer to give information. "He (Governor) ought not to have sat as an investigating officer," he submitted. "So, the allegation or application that sought for sanction under 17A ought to have been returned. If it was accepted, then preliminary inquiry information ought to have been sought from the investigating officer as per 17 A or SOP issued by the central government, instead of the complainant," he said, adding that the Governor ought not have entertained the application itself. Shetty further said: "what is crucial is the offence has to be relatable to the decision, recommendation and the office held." Noting that the Courts have said that the investigation officer should have the credible evidence based on which an opinion is formed by him for the purpose of seeking prior approval under 17A, he said, to entertain an application under 17 A, there should have been an preliminary inquiry. He said, the investigating officer has to be only a police personnel. The AG also pointed out that the Governor has heard one of the complainants on the same day of receiving the complaint, and said, "...there is no such procedure to hear the private citizen or his complaint, especially when allegations are made against the accused whoever that may be without his presence." He also said that "the issuing of show-cause notice -- the whole procedure itself is not contemplated in the eye of law at all." Lakshmi Iyengar, appearing for fourth respondent Snehamayi Krishna, said "if the check period is gone into, then all this falls in place." "Ultimately what we are looking at is when are the periods in which the petitioner held a certain post and that is the time when all of this took place." "1996 to 1999 he was the Deputy CM and that is the de-notification period. From 1999 to 2004 when the petitioner was not in power as he lost elections and that period was a lull period. During 2004 to 2007 the conversion phase started. Subsequent 2008 to 2013 transfer takes place, between 2013 to 2018, when he is CM the compensation is sought," she highlighted. She added that 2018 to 2022 is critical as petitioner was an MLA, and he held a position of power during which 14 sites were allotted (to his wife) at the government guest house. Every single act that has taken place has been done on behalf of the petitioner and it has been established all through, Iyengar said. Viewed of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Former President Donald Trump made a bold declaration over the weekend, pledging to pursue criminal prosecutions against those he claims were involved in cheating during the 2020 presidential election. In a post on social media, Trump promised to scrutinize the upcoming 2024 election closely and take action if he returns to the White House. I know, better than most, the rampant Cheating and Skullduggery that has taken place by the Democrats in the 2020 Presidential Election, Trump wrote on Saturday. It was a Disgrace to our Nation! Therefore, the 2024 Election will be under the closest professional scrutiny and, WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long-term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again. Trump, who has long maintained that the 2020 election was marred by fraud despite a lack of substantial evidence, went further in his post by listing the groups of individuals he would target if re-elected. He warned that legal action could be pursued against Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials involved in what he describes as unscrupulous behavior. Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country, Trump added. Despite numerous fact checks and legal rulings that found no widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, Trump and his allies continue to claim that the election was stolen. Out of 62 legal cases brought by Trump and his supporters alleging fraud or improprieties, all but one minor case were dismissed by the courts, including a Pennsylvania ruling that was later overturned. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez arrived in Spain on Sunday after fleeing into exile in as part of a negotiated deal with Nicolas Maduros government that dealt a major blow to millions who placed their hopes in his opposition campaign. The surprise departure of the man considered by Venezuelas opposition and several foreign governments to be the legitimate winner of July 28 presidential election was announced late Saturday by Venezuelan officials who just a few days ago ordered his arrest. Gonzalez landed Sunday at a military airport near Madrid, accompanied by his wife and Spanish officials, Spains foreign ministry said. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado tried to put a positive spin on his departure, assuring Venezuelans the 75-year-old retired diplomat would be back on Jan. 10 for a swearing-in ceremony marking the start of the next presidential term. His life was in danger, and the increasing threats, summons, arrest warrants and even attempts at blackmail and coercion to which he has been subjected, demonstrate that the regime has no scruples, Machado said on X. Let this be very clear to everyone: Edmundo will fight from outside alongside our diaspora. Despair in Caracas But on the streets of Caracas on Sunday the mood was one of despair at the loss of someone who, against the odds, reignited a movement to end more than two decades of single party rule. What little hope we had left, it went with him, said Laura Vargas, as she scrolled through the news on her cellphone while sitting on a park bench. Gonzalez joins the swelling ranks of opposition stalwarts who once fought Maduro only to throw in the towel and seek asylum abroad in the face of a brutal crackdown. In Spain, he joins at least four former presidential hopefuls who were imprisoned or faced arrest for defying Maduros rule. Ever since the vote, he and Machado have been in hiding as security forces rounded up more than 2,000 people, many of them young Venezuelans who spontaneously took to the streets to protest Maduros alleged theft of the election. Venezuelan officials have yet to comment. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said in a statement late Saturday that the government decided to grant Gonzalez safe passage out of the country to help restore the countrys political peace and tranquility. Spains center-left government said the decision to leave Venezuela was Gonzalezs alone, and he departed on a plane sent by the countrys air force. Gonzalez originally sought refuge in the Dutch ambassadors residence in Caracas, the Netherlands government said Sunday, and later transferred to Spains diplomatic mission as the terms of his exit were negotiated in secret. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told Spanish broadcaster RTVE that his government will grant Gonzalez political asylum as he requested. Of course, I told him we were pleased that he is well and on his way to Spain, and I reiterated the commitment of our government to the political rights of all Venezuelans, Albares said while en route to China for a state visit with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The European Unions foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, a former Spanish foreign minister, described Gonzalezs departure as a sad day for democracy in Venezuela. Referring to Gonzalez as the apparent winner of the presidential elections, Borrell in a statement said the EU will maintain its support of the Venezuelan people in their democratic aspirations. Last-minute stand-in offered hope to millions Gonzalez was a last-minute stand-in after Machado was banned from running. Previously unknown to most Venezuelans, he nonetheless rapidly galvanized the hopes of millions of Venezuelans desperate for change after a decade-long economic free fall. While Maduro was declared the winner of the July vote, most Western governments, including Spain, have yet to recognize his victory and are instead demanding that authorities publish a breakdown of votes. Meanwhile, tally sheets collected by opposition volunteers from over two-thirds of the electronic voting machines indicate that Gonzalez won by a more than 2-to-1 margin. The tally sheets have long been considered the ultimate proof of election results in Venezuela. In previous presidential elections, the National Electoral Council published online the results of each of the more than 30,000 voting machines, but the Maduro-controlled panel did not release any data this time, blaming an alleged cyberattack mounted by opponents from North Macedonia. Attorney General Tarek William Saab, a staunch Maduro ally, sought Gonzalezs arrest after he failed to appear three times in connection with a criminal investigation into what it considers an act of electoral sabotage. Saab told reporters that the voting records the opposition shared online were forged and an attempt to undermine the National Electoral Council. Experts from the United Nations and the Carter Center, which observed the election at the invitation of Maduros government, determined the results announced by electoral authorities lacked credibility. In a statement critical of the election, the U.N. experts stopped short of validating the oppositions claim to victory, but they said the voting records it published online appear to exhibit all of the original security features. Spain offers refuge for fleeing Venezuelans Spain has been a major point of exodus for Venezuelans, particularly those leading opposition to Maduros regime. They include Leopoldo Lopez, who fled to Spain to reunite with his family in 2020, and Antonio Ledezma, who left in 2017. Some 44,000 Venezuelans immigrated to Spain in the first six months of this year. The last government statistics from 2022 said that some 212,000 Venezuelans lived in Spain. The truth is hes more useful fighting abroad than in hiding or imprisoned, said Gustavo Tovar-Arroyo, a human rights activist who was himself forced to flee into exile in 2012. (AP) Authorities searched a rugged and hilly area of southeastern Kentucky on Sunday for a man who they believe may be linked to the shooting of nine vehicles and wounding of five people on a busy highway. Although they said they could not yet name him a suspect in Saturdays shootings along Interstate 75, authorities said they consider 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch a person of interest and were searching for him in a remote area north of London, a community of about 8,000 people roughly 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Lexington. Were going to go in and were going to find this guy, Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriffs Office, told reporters Sunday. Authorities consider Couch, who is white, to be armed and dangerous, and they cautioned members of the public who might spot him not to approach him. Acciardo said law enforcement got a lucky break that led them to zero in on Couch as a person of interest, but that he couldnt elaborate. Acciardo said authorities were notified at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday about gunshots along the highway near exit 49. An individual who was off that exit fired multiple rounds into the northbound and southbound lanes, striking nine vehicles and wounding five people, he said. The shooter was not in a vehicle at the time. When our first two units got to the scene there, they said it was a madhouse: people on the sides of the road, emergency flashers going, bullet holes, windows shot out, nine vehicles shot. Can you imagine that? Just chaotic, Acciardo said during a news conference. The wounded were hospitalized in stable condition early Sunday. Some had very serious injuries, including one person who was shot in the face, Acciardo said. Residents of Laurel County were on edge as authorities searched on foot Sunday in a remote wooded area near the highway that has only one business and a few houses nearby. London Laurel Rescue squad sent a drone to assist. State lawmakers from Laurel County urged residents in the area to stay home during the search. We had numerous calls throughout the county and were still getting them this morning, Acciardo said, of calls from concerned community members. This is a remote area. If he was going to target some place that he wanted to do something like this, it was the perfect spot. Rodney Goodlett, pastor of Faith Assembly of God in London, was helping direct traffic as parishioners gathered for a service Sunday morning. He said he expected the search to hold down attendance. Theres definitely people that probably wont be here today just nervous with the suspect still at large, he said. Goodlett said the congregation was going to pray for the community, the wounded and the first responders, some of whom attend Faith Assembly, where around 275 parishioners pray each week. This is tragic, obviously, that somebody would randomly do violent acts, he said. You hear media things taking place all around our country, but then when it hits home, its a little bit of a wake-up call. Authorities believe there was only one shooter, and Acciardo said they do not think the shooting was sparked by road rage. Authorities released a photo of Couch and warned residents to be on the lookout, but Acciardo cautioned that they have not determined that this is the individual that fired the weapon. We do have the area contained right now. Its a very fluid investigation. Our people are still on the scene. Our special response team is there. We are trying to find a shooter there, he said. Acciardo said the search s dangerous for first responders and is painstaking because of thick foliage There are a lot of woods, a lot of cuts in the rock, he said. He could be hiding behind a tree and us walk right up on him. Were just hoping for a good resolution, Acciardo said. In an video update on Facebook late Saturday night, London Mayor Randall Weddle tried to calm fears. He urged residents to call 911 if they hear or see anything suspicious near their homes. Were asking folks please do not go outside your home shooting because we might have first responders in that area. Its important to know you are safe. We have multiple agencies in this community, in the city of London and in Laurel County, Weddle said. Weddle said searchers know the general area where this individual is, but he would not release specific details. I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible, Gov. Andy Beshear said in a post on X. Please pray for everyone involved. (AP) Two NATO members said Sunday that Russian drones have violated their airspace, as one reportedly flew into Romania during nighttime attacks on neighboring Ukraine while another crashed in eastern Latvia the previous day. A drone entered Romanian territory early on Sunday as Moscow struck civilian targets and port infrastructure across the Danube in Ukraine, Romanias Ministry of National Defense reported. It added Bucharest had deployed F-16 warplanes to monitor its airspace and issued text alerts to residents of two eastern regions. It also said investigations were underway of a potential impact zone in an uninhabited zone along the Romanian-Ukrainian border. There were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage. Later on Sunday, Latvias Defense Minister Andris Spruds said that a Russian drone fell the day before near the town of Rezekne, and had likely strayed into Latvia from neighboring Belarus. Rezekne, home to over 25,000 people, lies some 55 kilometers (34 miles) west of Russia and around 75 kilometers (47 miles) from Belarus, the Kremlins close and dependent ally. While the incursion into Latvian airspace appeared to be a rare incident, Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, as recently as July this year. Mircea Geoana, NATOs outgoing deputy secretary-general and Romanias former top diplomat, said on Sunday morning that the military alliance condemned Russias violation of Romanian airspace. While we have no information indicating an intentional attack by Russia against Allies, these acts are irresponsible and potentially dangerous, he wrote on X. Latvias military on Sunday similarly said that there were no indications that Moscow or Minsk purposely sent a drone into the country. In a public statement, the military said it had identified the crash site, and that a probe was ongoing. Spruds, the Latvian defense minister, sought to downplay the significance of the drone incursion. I can confirm that there are no victims here and also no property is infringed in any way, Defense Minister Andris Spruds told the Latvian Radio on Sunday, adding that any risks in the event were immediately eliminated: Of course, it is a serious incident, as it is once again a reminder of what kind of neighboring countries we live next to. Civilians reported killed in Ukraine In Ukraine, two civilians died and four more suffered wounds in a nighttime Russian airstrike on the northern city of Sumy, the regional military administration reported. Two children were among those wounded, the administration said. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed later that day that its forces struck foreign pro-Kyiv fighters in a village on Sumys northern outskirts. It was not immediately clear whether this was a reference to the same attack. In the Kharkiv region in the east, overnight shelling killed two elderly women, according to local Gov. Oleh Syniehubov. During the night, Ukrainian air defenses shot down one of four cruise missiles and 15 of 23 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia, Ukraines air force reported. It added that none of the cruise missiles had hit targets. Later on Sunday, three women were killed after Russian forces shelled a village in the eastern Donetsk region, Gov. Vadym Filashkin reported on the Telegram messaging app. Elsewhere in the province, rescue teams pulled the bodies of two men from the rubble of a hotel destroyed on Saturday evening in a Russian airstrike, according to Ukraines state emergency service. That same day, the death toll rose to 58 from the massive Russian missile strike that on Tuesday blasted a military academy and nearby hospital in the eastern city of Poltava, regional Gov. Filip Pronin reported. More than 320 others were wounded. Since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, the Russian military has repeatedly used missiles to smash civilian targets, sometimes killing scores of people in a single attack. 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, as the Russian army hacks its way deeper into eastern Ukraine. Russian forces continued their monthlong grinding push towards the city of Pokrovsk, and also ramped up attacks near the town of Kurakhove farther south, Ukraines General Staff reported. Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday its troops had taken Novohrodivka, a small town some 19 kilometers (11 miles) southeast of Pokrovsk. An update published Saturday evening by DeepState, a Ukrainian battlefield analysis site, said Russian forces had advanced in Novohrodivka and captured Nevelske, a village in the southeast of the Pokrovsk district. Pokrovsk, which had a prewar population of about 60,000, is one of Ukraines main defensive strongholds and a key logistics hub in the Donetsk region. Its capture would compromise Ukraines defense and supply routes, and would bring Russia closer to its stated aim of capturing the entire Donetsk region. Elsewhere, falling debris from downed aerial objects injured two young boys and an adult in Russias Belgorod region, some 20 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, local Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov reported on Sunday. Russias Defense Ministry the same day claimed that its forces had shot down multiple Ukrainian drones over the province, and a further one over the neighboring Kursk region. (AP) House Speaker Mike Johnson is heeding the demands of the more conservative wing of his Republican conference and has teed up a vote this week on a bill that would keep the federal government funded for six more months and require states to obtain proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering a person to vote. Congress needs to approve a stop-gap spending bill before the end of the budget year on Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown just a few weeks before voters go the polls and elect the next president. Johnsons decision to combine the proof of citizenship mandate with government funding complicates prospects for getting that task done. The bill is not expected to go anywhere in the Democratic-controlled Senate, if it even makes it that far. But the effort could help Johnson, R-La., next year should House Republicans retain their majority and he seeks to become speaker again. The vote also could give Republicans an issue to go after Democrats in competitive swing districts as Republicans make immigration-related matters a campaign cornerstone. Today, House Republicans are taking a critically important step to keep the federal government funded and to secure our federal election process, Johnson said Friday. Congress has a responsibility to do both, and we must ensure that only American citizens can decide American elections. Democrats will oppose the GOP effort overwhelmingly and warn that any continuing resolution must have buy-in from both political parties. They said Johnson was making the same mistake then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., did a year ago as he tried to placate conservatives. In the end, they rejected his efforts, forcing him to rely on Democrats to get a temporary spending bill passed. That fight led just a few days later to eight Republicans joining with Democrats in removing McCarthy from the speakers job. As we have said repeatedly, avoiding a government shutdown requires bipartisanship, not a bill drawn up by one party. Speaker Johnson is making the same mistake as former Speaker McCarthy did a year ago, by wasting precious time catering to the hard MAGA right, Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Patty Murray of Washington state said in a statement, referring to Donald Trumps Make America Great Again movement. This tactic didnt work last September and it will not work this year either. They said that if Johnson drives House Republicans down this highly partisan path, the odds of a shutdown go way up, and Americans will know that the responsibility of a shutdown will be on the House Republicans hands. Schumer is the Senates majority leader. Murray leads the Senate Appropriations Committee. The voter registration measure is popular with House Republicans. The House Freedom Caucus, which generally includes the chambers most conservative members, called for it to be attached to a stop-gap bill that would keep the government funded into early 2025. Republicans say that requiring proof of citizenship would ensure U.S. elections are only for American citizens, improving confidence in the nations federal election system, something that Trump has sought to undermine over the years. Opponents say it is already against the law for noncitizens to vote in federal elections and that the document requirements would disenfranchise millions of people who do not have the necessary documents readily available when they get a chance to register, say at a concert, county fair or at a college voter registration drive. In an earlier vote on the voter registration bill, Republicans unanimously backed it while all but five Democrats voted against it. President Joe Bidens administration strongly opposed that measure, saying the the alleged justification for the bill is easily disproven. Some Republicans are arguing that if Schumer will allow a vote, assuming the bill passes the House, then a government shutdown would be on him. If Chuck Schumer decides he doesnt want to bring it, then Chuck Schumer will be deciding that he wants to shut down government. Its not us, said Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., during an interview on Fox Business News. Trump and other Republicans have revved up their complaints about the issue of noncitizens voting with the influx of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border under Bidens administration. They are contending Democrats let them in to add them to the voter rolls. But the available evidence shows that noncitizen voting in federal elections is incredibly rare. Another major question to address as part of the short-term spending bill is how long to extend funding. Before the August recess, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., said he preferred that the next president be able to pursue top priorities without the distraction of a messy spending fight. But the House Freedom Caucus is banking on Trump winning the White House and putting the GOP in better position to secure the spending cuts and policy priorities they desire. So they want to extend funding until after the inauguration in January. Congress returns to Washington on Monday after spending the past five weeks back in their home states and districts. The short-term bill is necessary because the House and Senate are nowhere near completing their work on the dozen annual spending bills that keep government agencies and programs operational during the coming budget year. So far, the House has passed five of the 12 annual spending bills, while the Senate has passed none, though the Senate has opted to take a more bipartisan approach to the challenge by moving 11 of the bills through the Senate Appropriations Committee with broad support from lawmakers in both parties. Meanwhile, Republicans in the House are using their majority to push bills through with the vast majority of Democrats in opposition. (AP) The secret to avoiding red lights during rush hour in Utahs largest city might be as simple as following a bus. Transportation officials have spent the past few years refining a system in which radio transmitters inside commuter buses talk directly to the traffic signals in the Salt Lake City area, requesting a few extra seconds of green when they approach. Congestion on these so-called smart streets is already noticeably smoother, but its just a small preview of the high-tech upgrades that could be coming soon to roads across Utah and ultimately across the U.S. Buoyed by a $20 million federal grant and an ambitious calling to Connect the West, the goal is to ensure every vehicle in Utah, as well as neighboring Colorado and Wyoming, can eventually communicate with one another and the roadside infrastructure about congestion, accidents, road hazards and weather conditions. With that knowledge, drivers can instantly know they should take another route, bypassing the need for a human to manually send an alert to an electronic street sign or the mapping apps found on cellphones. A vehicle can tell us a lot about whats going on in the roadway, said Blaine Leonard, a transportation technology engineer at the Utah Department of Transportation. Maybe it braked really hard, or the windshield wipers are on, or the wheels are slipping. The car anonymously broadcasts to us that blip of data 10 times a second, giving us a constant stream of information. When cars transmit information in real time to other cars and the various sensors posted along and above the road, the technology is known broadly as vehicle-to-everything, or V2X. Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation unveiled a national blueprint for how state and local governments and private companies should deploy the various V2X projects already in the works to make sure everyone is on the same page. The overarching objective is universal: dramatically curb roadway deaths and serious injuries, which have recently spiked to historic levels. A 2016 analysis by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded V2X could help. Implementing just two of the earliest vehicle-to-everything applications nationwide would prevent 439,000 to 615,000 crashes and save 987 to 1,366 lives, its research found. Dan Langenkamp has been lobbying for road safety improvements since his wife Sarah Langenkamp, a U.S. diplomat, was killed by a truck while biking in Maryland in 2022. Joining officials at the news conference announcing the vehicle-to-everything blueprint, Langenkamp urged governments across the U.S. to roll out the technology as widely and quickly as possible. How can we as government officials, as manufacturers, and just as Americans not push this technology forward as fast as we possibly can, knowing that we have the power to rescue ourselves from this disaster, this crisis on our roads, he said. Most of the public resistance has been about privacy. Although the V2X rollout plan commits to safeguarding personal information, some privacy advocates remain skeptical. Critics say that while the system may not track specific vehicles, it can compile enough identifying characteristics even something as seemingly innocuous as tire pressure levels that it wouldnt take too much work to figure out who is behind the wheel and where they are going. Once you get enough unique information, you can reasonably say the car that drives down this street at this time that has this particular weight class probably belongs to the mayor, said Cliff Braun, associate director of technology, policy and research for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which advocates for digital privacy. The federal blueprint says the nations top 75 metropolitan areas should aspire to have at least 25% of their signalized intersections equipped with the technology by 2028, along with higher milestones in subsequent years. With its fast start, the Salt Lake City area already has surpassed 20%. Of course, upgrading the signals is the relatively easy part. The most important data comes from the cars themselves. While most new ones have connected features, they dont all work the same way. Before embarking on the Connect the West plan, Utah officials tested what they call the nations first radio-based, connected vehicle technology, using only the data supplied by fleet vehicles such as buses and snow plows. One early pilot program upgraded the bus route on a busy stretch of Redwood Road, and it isnt just the bus riders who have noticed a difference. Whatever theyre doing is working, said Jenny Duenas, assistant director of nearby Panda Child Care, where 80 children between 6 weeks and 12 years old are enrolled. We havent seen traffic for a while. We have to transport our kiddos out of here, so when its a lot freer, its a lot easier to get out of the daycare. Casey Brock, bus communications supervisor for the Utah Transit Authority, said most of the changes might not be noticeable to drivers. However, even shaving a few seconds off a bus route can dramatically reduce congestion while improving safety, he said. From a commuter standpoint it may be, Oh, I had a good traffic day, Brock said. They dont have to know all the mechanisms going on behind the scenes. This summer, Michigan opened a 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) stretch of a connected and automated vehicle corridor planned for Interstate 94 between Ann Arbor and Detroit. The pilot project features digital infrastructure, including sensors and cameras installed on posts along the highway, that will help drivers prepare for traffic slowdowns by sending notifications about such things as debris and stalled vehicles. Similar technology is being employed for a smart freight corridor around Austin, Texas, that aims to inform truck drivers of road conditions and eventually cater to self-driving trucks. Darran Anderson, director of strategy and innovation at the Texas Department of Transportation, said officials hope the technology not only boosts the states massive freight industry but also helps reverse a troubling trend that has spanned more than two decades. The last day without a road fatality in Texas was Nov. 7, 2000. Cavnue, a Washington, D.C.-based subsidiary of Alphabets Sidewalk Infrastructure partners, funded the Michigan project and was awarded a contract to develop the one in Texas. The company has set a goal of becoming an industry leader in smart roads technology. Chris Armstrong, Cavnues vice president of product, calls V2X a digital seatbelt for the car but says it only works if cars and roadside infrastructure can communicate seamlessly with one another. Instead of speaking 50 different languages, overnight wed like to all speak the same language, he said. (AP) BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Trend reports. "Dear Emomali Sharifovich, On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I am pleased to extend to you and, through you, to your entire nation, my most sincere congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Tajikistan Independence Day. Under your visionary leadership, Tajikistan has made remarkable strides in comprehensive development and socio-economic progress, gaining significant recognition on the international stage. We highly value the ties between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, which are built on a solid foundation of shared historical and cultural roots, brotherhood, mutual trust, and support. The centuries-old bonds of friendship between our brotherly peoples, along with the active political dialogue and mutual understanding we share, are key pillars of the strong Azerbaijani-Tajik cooperation we enjoy today. Your state visit to Azerbaijan in May of this year opened a new chapter in the history of Azerbaijani-Tajik relations, elevating our ties to the level of strategic partnership. I am confident that the agreements on future directions of our cooperation reached during our numerous mutual visits will contribute to enriching our bilateral relations with new substance, further strengthening the solidarity between our brotherly peoples, and promoting the sustainable development and prosperity of our countries and the region as a whole. Dear Emomali Sharifovich, on this festive day, I wish you good health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, and to the brotherly people of Tajikistan, lasting peace, well-being, and prosperity," the letter reads. Yemens Houthi rebels claimed early Sunday they shot down another American-made MQ-9 drone flying over the country, marking potentially the latest downing of the multimillion-dollar surveillance aircraft. The U.S. responded with airstrikes over Houthi-controlled territory, the rebels said. The U.S. military told The Associated Press it was aware of the claim but has received no reports of American military drones being downed over Yemen. The rebels offered no pictures or video to support the claim as they have in the past, though such material can appear in propaganda footage days later. However, the Houthis have repeatedly downed General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper drones in the years since they seized Yemens capital, Sanaa, in 2014. Those attacks have exponentially increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war and the Houthis launched their campaign targeting shipping in the Red Sea corridor. Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree made the claim in a prerecorded video message. He said the Houthis shot down the drone over Yemens Marib province, a long-contested area home to key oil and gas fields thats been held by allies of a Saudi-led coalition battling the rebels since 2015. Saree offered no details on how the rebels down the aircraft. However, Iran has armed the rebels with a surface-to-air missile known as the 358 for years. Iran denies arming the rebels, though Tehran-manufactured weaponry has been found on the battlefield and in seaborne shipments heading to Yemen despite a United Nations arms embargo. The Houthis continue to perform their jihadist duties in victory for the oppressed Palestinian people and in defense of dear Yemen, Saree said. Reapers, which cost around $30 million apiece, can fly at altitudes up to 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) and have an endurance of up to 24 hours before needing to land. The aircraft have been flown by both the U.S. military and the CIA over Yemen for years. After the claim, the Houthis al-Masirah satellite news channel reported multiple U.S.-led airstrikes near the city of Ibb. The U.S. military did not immediately acknowledge the strikes, but the Americans have been striking Houthi targets intensely since January. 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 Israels campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran. Those attacks include the barrage that struck the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea. Salvagers last week abandoned an initial effort to tow away the burning oil tanker, leaving the Sounion stranded and its 1 million barrels of oil at risk of spilling. (AP) The United States has informed allies that it believes Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraine, according to two people familiar with the matter. They did not offer any details about how many weapons have been delivered or when the transfers may have occurred, but they confirmed the U.S. intelligence finding. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that has not been publicly disclosed. The White House declined to confirm the weapons transfer but reiterated its concern that Iran is deepening its support of Russia. The White House has been warning Iran for months not to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia. Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a dramatic escalation in Irans support for Russias war of aggression against Ukraine and lead to the killing of more Ukrainian civilians, National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement. This partnership threatens European security and illustrates how Irans destabilizing influence reaches beyond the Middle East and around the world. The U.S. finding comes as the Kremlin tries to repel Ukraines surprise offensive that has led to the seizure of about 500 square miles (1,300 kilometers) of Russias Kursk region. Meanwhile, Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is pressing allies to allow his country to use Western-supplied missiles to strike deep inside Russia and hit sites from which Moscow launches aerial attacks. Iran, as it has with previous U.S. intelligence findings, denied providing Russia with weapons for its war in Ukraine. Iran considers the provision of military assistance to the parties engaged in the conflict which leads to increased human casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and a distancing from ceasefire negotiations to be inhumane, according to a statement from Irans mission to the United Nations. Thus, not only does Iran abstain from engaging in such actions itself, but it also calls upon other countries to cease the supply of weapons to the sides involved in the conflict. CIA Director William Burns, who was in London on Saturday for a joint appearance with his British intelligence counterpart, warned of the growing and troubling defense relationship involving Russia, China, Iran and North Korea that he said threatens both Ukraine and Western allies in the Middle East. The White House has repeatedly declassified and publicized intelligence findings that show North Korea has sent ammunition and missiles to Russia to use against Ukraine, while Iran supplies Moscow with attack drones and has assisted the Kremlin with building a drone-manufacturing factory. China has held back from providing Russians with weaponry but has surged sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry, according to U.S. officials. The White House has been on edge for months about a possible deal between Iran and Russia. The Democratic administration said in January that U.S. intelligence officials had determined a Russian-Iran deal had not been completed, but officials were concerned that Russias negotiations to acquire missiles from Iran were actively advancing. Last September, according to the White House, Iran hosted a top Russian defense official to show off a range of ballistic missile systems, adding to the U.S. concern that a deal could come together. The U.S. and other countries have taken steps aimed at thwarting the supply, sale or transfer involving Iran and ballistic missile-related items, including issuing guidance to private companies about Iranian missile procurement practices to make sure those companies are not inadvertently supporting Irans development efforts. President Joe Biden is set to host British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for talks at the White House on Friday. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said continuing robust support to Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression will be on their agenda. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the U.S. intelligence finding. (AP) Historical document appraiser and collector Seth Kaller spreads a broad sheet of paper across a desk. Its in good enough condition that he can handle it, carefully, with clean, bare hands. There are just a few creases and tiny discolorations, even though its just a few weeks shy of 237 years old and has spent who knows how long inside a filing cabinet in North Carolina. At the top of the first page are familiar words but in regular type instead of the sweeping Gothic script were used to seeing: WE, the People And the people will get a chance to bid for this copy of the U.S. Constitution the only of its type thought to be in private hands at a sale by Brunk Auctions on Sept. 28 in Asheville, North Carolina. The minimum bid for the auction of $1 million has already been made. There is no minimum price that must be reached. This copy was printed after the Constitutional Convention finished drafting the proposed framework of the nations government in 1787 and sent it to the Congress of the ineffective first American government under the Articles of Confederation, requesting they send it to the states to be ratified by the people. Its one of about 100 copies printed by the secretary of that Congress, Charles Thomson. Just eight are known to still exist and the other seven are publicly owned. Thomson likely signed two copies for each of the original 13 states, essentially certifying them. They were sent to special ratifying conventions, where representatives, all white and male, wrangled for months before accepting the structure of the United States government that continues today. This is the point of connection between the government and the people. The Preamble we the people this is the moment the government is asking the people to empower them, auctioneer Andrew Brunk said. What happened to the document up for auction between Thomsons signature and 2022 isnt known. Two years ago, a property was being cleared out in Edenton in eastern North Carolina that was once owned by Samuel Johnston. He was the governor of North Carolina from 1787 to 1789 and he oversaw the state convention during his last year in office that ratified the Constitution. The copy was found inside a squat, two-drawer metal filing cabinet with a can of stain on top, in a long-neglected room piled high with old chairs and a dusty book case, before the old Johnston house was preserved. The document was a broad sheet that could be folded one time like a book. I get calls every week from people who think they have a Declaration of Independence or a Gettysburg Address and most of the time it is just a replica, but every so often something important gets found, said Kaller, who appraises, buys and sells historic documents. This is a whole other level of importance, he added. Along with the Constitution on the broad sheet printed front and back is a letter from George Washington asking for ratification. He acknowledged there will have to be compromise and that rights the states enjoyed will have to be given up for the nations long-term health. To secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each and yet provide for the interest and safety for all individuals entering into society must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest, wrote the man who would become the first U.S. president. Brunk isnt sure what the document might go for because there is so little to compare it to. The last time a copy of the Constitution like this sold was for $400 in 1891. In 2021, Sothebys of New York sold one of only 14 remaining copies of the Constitution printed for the Continental Congress and delegates to the Constitutional Convention for $43.2 million, a record for a book or document. But that document was meant to be distributed to the Founding Fathers as delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The signed copy being sold later this month was one meant to be sent to leaders in every state so people all around the country could review and decide if thats how they wanted to be governed, connecting the writers of the Constitution to the people in the states who would provide its power and legitimacy. The auction listing doesnt identify the seller, saying its part of a collection that is in private hands. Other items up for auction in Asheville including a 1776 first draft of the Articles of Confederation and a 1788 Journal of the Convention of North Carolina at Hillsborough where representatives spent two weeks debating if ratifying the Constitution would put too much power with the nation instead of the states. (AP) Hyperloop, a new form of mass transit involving capsules whizzing on magnetic fields through depressurized tubes, has achieved significant liftoff in the northern Netherlands, a company developing the technology said Monday. A test vehicle was levitated and zipped through a tube at a testing facility for the high-speed transit system once promoted by Elon Musk. So today, with the first successful test, we were able to levitate the vehicle, also turn on the guidance system and the propulsion system, Marinus van der Meijs, the technology and engineering director at hyperloop company Hardt, told The Associated Press late last week before Mondays formal announcement. The European Hyperloop Centers 420-meter (460-yard) tube is made up of 34 separate sections mostly 2 meters (more than eight feet) in diameter. A vacuum pump sucks out the air to reduce the internal pressure. That reduces drag and allows capsules to travel at high speeds. Hyperloop developers aim to have capsules speeding through tubes at up to 700 kph (435 mph). Its backers say its far more efficient than short-haul flights, high-speed rail and freight trucks, but it will involve significant investment in infrastructure. So far, in the limited space offered by the test center, the speed has been modest. Once the capsule was in place in the tube, we launched it with an acceleration similar to that of a metro, up to a top speed of about 30 kph (18 mph), about 100 meters (more than 300 feet) in the pipe, Van der Meijs added. Even so, its a milestone that required some careful conducting. The most difficult things that we are doing now is to test all of these functions together. Levitation, propulsion, guidance, all of those functions we are now capable of executing as an orchestra, making them work together, said Roel van de Pas, commercial director of Hardt Hyperloop. Musk first proposed the idea more than a decade ago, suggesting it could shuttle passengers the nearly 400 miles (645 kilometers) between Los Angeles and San Francisco in 30 minutes. Since then, teams around the world have been working to bring the idea to fruition. To deliver Hyperloop as a mobility system, we have a very complicated puzzle which requires technology, which requires policy, which requires public-private collaboration, and that is what is needed most, Van de Pas said. At Hardt, we are ready for passenger operations by 2030. Some analysts are skeptical. When the hyperloop test facility opened in March, Robert Noland, distinguished professor at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, told The Associated Press that building the necessary infrastructure is too costly, calling it another example of policymakers chasing a shiny object. In 2016, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, signed a deal with Los Angeles-based Hyperloop One to study the potential for building a hyperloop line between the city-state and Abu Dhabi, the Emirati capital. The announcement of the deal took place atop the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building, with a panoramic view of the skyline of the futuristic city-state serving as both a backdrop and a sign of Dubais desire to be the first to rush toward the future. But like many flashy announcements in the city-state, the hyperloop idea faded in recent years with no track being built. Hyperloop One shut down in December. (AP) Theres no evidence that a well-known beluga whale that lived off Norways coast and whose harness ignited speculation it was a Russian spy was shot to death last month as claimed by animal rights groups, Norwegian police said Monday. The tame beluga, which was first spotted in 2019 not far from Russian waters with a harness reading Equipment St. Petersburg, was found floating at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway on Aug. 31. Experts examined the carcass at a nearby harbor, after lifting it with a crane. Animal advocate groups OneWhale and NOAH last week filed a police report saying that the animals wounds suggested it was intentionally killed. OneWhale founder Regina Haug said when she saw the carcass, she immediately knew he had been killed by gunshots. Thats not the conclusion so far from veterinarians. Police said that the Norwegian Veterinary Institute conducted a preliminary autopsy on the animal, which was become known as Hvaldimir, combining the Norwegian word for whale hval and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin. There are no findings from the autopsy that indicate that Hvaldimir has been shot, police said in a statement. Most of the animals visible wounds were completely superficial with one of them somewhat deeper but not fatal or affecting vital organs, police said. An x-ray found no projectiles and no indication that the wounds could have been caused by gunshots, the statement said. However, a stick about 35 centimeters (14 inches) long and 3 centimeters (1 inch) wide was found wedged in the animals mouth, and its stomach was empty and its organs had broken down, police said. No further details were given. There is nothing in the investigations that have been carried out to establish that it is human activity that has directly led to Hvaldimirs death, said Preede Revheim, head of the North Sea and environment section of the police in South Western Norway. Revheim said that police will not be actively investigating the case and that the final autopsy report will released later this month. The two animal rights groups said Monday theyre not satisfied with the preliminary results and want the police investigation to continue, offering 50,000 kroner ($4,661) for any tips that could reopen the case. The 4.2-meter (14-foot) long and 1,225-kilogram (2,700-pound) whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingoeya, not far from the Arctic town of Hammerfest. Its harness, along with what appeared to be a mount for a small camera, led to media speculation that it was a spy whale. Over the years since 2019, it was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it became clear it was very tame and enjoyed interacting with people. Experts say the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes. Media reports also have speculated that the whale might have been trained as a therapy animal. (AP) Speaking via satellite at the Republican Jewish Coalitions Annual Leadership Summit in Las Vegas on Thursday, former President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of American Jewish voters supporting him in the upcoming 2024 election. Trump recalled that during his administration, American Jews felt safe on our streets and college campuses, and radical Islamist terrorists were kept out of the U.S. I will keep America safe, and I will work with you to make sure that Israel is with us for thousands of years, Trump vowed. He warned that if a Democratic ticket led by Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz wins, Israel is gone. You can forget about Israel. Trump added, Were going to make America great again. And were going to, frankly, help Israel become great again, while criticizing the current state of affairs under the Biden administration. Right now, what youre going through is horrible, with all the death, destruction, and waste, and ruining a civilization. You have to win but you need a partner. The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) highlighted Trumps growing support among Jewish voters, noting that he secured 30.5% of the Jewish vote in the 2020 election, an increase from 24% in 2016, making him the most successful Republican candidate in this demographic since 1988. RJC CEO Matt Brooks noted the stark contrast between Trump and Harris on policy regarding Israel, saying, With President Trump, we had historic peace and security in the Middle East. With Kamala Harris, we have chaos and war. Brooks added that under Trump, Jews felt safe wearing religious symbols in public, while Harris has overseen a rise in antisemitism. He further criticized Harris for aligning with pro-Hamas mobs and far-left Democratic representatives, known as the Squad. This is the most important election of our lifetimes, Brooks stressed. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A newly uncovered Hamas document suggests the terror groups primary objective in ceasefire negotiations with Israel is to rebuild its military strength, rather than alleviate the hardships faced by Gazas civilian population, according to a report published by German newspaper Bild on Friday. The document, dated from the spring of 2024 and reportedly found on a computer belonging to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, details Hamass strategy in negotiations with Israel. It focuses on using ceasefire talks to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners and regain military capabilities, with little regard for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Hamas reportedly shows indifference to whether the ongoing conflict, now in its 12th month, ends swiftly. Instead, the group prioritizes exhausting Israels military and political apparatus while increasing international pressure. Despite acknowledging that its military strength has been diminished, Hamas expresses interest in prolonging negotiations to secure more favorable terms. Notably absent from the document is any mention of the suffering or casualties of Palestinian civilians. The document also outlines a psychological warfare strategy, calling for Hamas to maintain pressure on the families of hostages to increase public pressure on Israels government. In recent weeks, the terror group has released videos of hostages pleading for their freedom, and even of individuals who were executed, with their bodies recently recovered from Gaza. One of Hamass central goals in the proposed ceasefire deal is to secure the release of 100 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences for crimes including murder. Another key objective is the deployment of Arab forces along the Israel-Gaza border as part of a permanent ceasefire. This would allow Hamas to reorganize and rebuild its military under the protection of these forces. Israel has reportedly also considered the idea of an Arab coalition managing Gaza in the future but aims to prevent Hamas from rebuilding its military capabilities under such an arrangement. The document notably omits mention of the Philadelphi Corridor, a crucial area along the Gaza-Egypt border that has become a point of contention in ongoing negotiations. Israel only took control of the corridor in May, which may explain its absence from the earlier Hamas strategy document. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Jordanians distributed candies to passersby on streets throughout the kingdom on Sunday in celebration of the murders of three Israelis in a shooting at the Allenby Bridge Crossing between Jordan and Israel on Sunday morning. One photo showed a note alongside the candies on the tray stating: Sweets for the heroic operation. The terrorist who carried out the attack was a Jordanian truck driver identified as Maher Dhiab Hussein al-Jazi, 39. He was eliminated immediately after the attack by Israeli security forces. Later on Sunday, videos from Amman showed crowds in the streets cheering, waving Palestinian flags and launching fireworks in celebration of the murders. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A new report from The Telegraph claims that the BBC violated its own editorial guidelines 1,533 times during its early coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, according to a study led by British-Israeli lawyer Trevor Asserson, which found a deeply worrying pattern of bias against Israel in the BBCs reporting. Assersons team, comprising around 20 lawyers and 20 data scientists, used artificial intelligence to analyze approximately nine million words of BBC coverage across multiple languages and platforms from the start of the war on October 7. Their 100-page report, due for public release on Monday, claims that BBC coverage disproportionately linked Israel to war crimes, genocide, and international law violations, while downplaying Hamas terrorism. The BBCs Arabic service was singled out as one of the most biased outlets in global media. The report also criticized the BBC for mentioning Hamass designation as a terrorist organization only 3.2% of the time, despite its October pledge to describe the group as a proscribed terrorist organization. The study further alleges that several freelance journalists employed by the BBC had previously expressed support for Hamas without disclosing these biases. A BBC spokesman responded, raising concerns about the methodology used, especially its reliance on AI to assess impartiality. We dont think coverage can be assessed solely by counting particular words divorced from context, the spokesman said, defending the networks approach to achieving due impartiality and pledging to review the report. The findings were widely shared by Israels Foreign Ministry and hailed by Jewish community groups and media watchdogs. Gideon Falter, leader of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, called for a transparent and unconstrained public inquiry, while Laurence Julius, vice-chairman of the UKs National Jewish Assembly, criticized the BBC for nurturing an anti-Israel and antisemitic narrative. British lawmakers also weighed in, with Sir Oliver Dowden, shadow deputy prime minister, stating that serious questions should be asked, and Conservative MP Greg Smith urging the government to ensure greater compliance with the BBCs neutrality and fairness requirements. Trevor Asserson has a long history of challenging BBC coverage of Israel. He previously founded BBCWatch in 2000 and published several reports accusing the broadcaster of anti-Israel bias. He is now launching a new initiative, Campaign for Media Standards, aimed at monitoring bias across British media. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Jewish Harvard alumnus currently suing the university over its handling of antisemitism, announced on Thursday that he has officially broken with the Democratic Party and will be voting for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Kestenbaum made the announcement during a speech at the Republican Jewish Coalitions annual convention, citing his growing disillusionment with Democratic leadership. I did not support Trump in 2016, I did not support Trump in 2020 I did not support Trump six months ago. Nobodys perfect, Kestenbaum said. The Democratic Party has taken the Jewish vote and Jewish voters for granted for far too long, he added, before announcing, I will be supporting, I will be endorsing, I will be voting for President Trump. Kestenbaums shift isnt a surprise. In July, he addressed the Republican National Convention, urging voters to elect a president who would confront terrorism and instill patriotism in schools. While he didnt specify his candidate preference at the time, his appearance indicated a growing alignment with Republican values. Kestenbaum also attended the Democratic National Convention in August, sharing positive interactions with fellow delegates, though he remained critical of the partys stance on antisemitism. At the RJC event, Kestenbaum voiced frustration with Democratic lawmakers, particularly those on the left, like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, for their support of anti-Israel campus protests. He praised Republicans for being more responsive to efforts against campus antisemitism, saying leaders such as House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Jason Smith had actively engaged with Jewish students. Kestenbaum criticized the Biden administration for its lack of clear policies to combat antisemitism on campuses. In contrast, he credited the Trump campaign for inviting Jewish students to front-row seats at events where Trump condemned antisemitism and outlined concrete policies, including deporting foreign nationals who support terrorism and withholding federal funding from universities that violate students civil rights. These common-sense, once bipartisan policies are not a hallmark of the Harris campaign. They are not featured on any campaign platform, Kestenbaum said. Although Kestenbaum has left the Democratic Party, he noted he will continue to support pro-Israel Democrats like Congressman Ritchie Torres and remains aligned with other Democratic policies, such as minimum wage and environmental protections. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the Democratic Party has failed to protect Jewish students. I wanted to show my party, the Democratic party, that they could and they should support Jewish students, Kestenbaum concluded. For the first time since I started voting, I cannot support the Democratic nominee for president. He added, I did not abandon the Democratic party. The Democratic party abandoned me. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. We highly value the ties between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Trend reports. "Under your visionary leadership, Tajikistan has made remarkable strides in comprehensive development and socio-economic progress, gaining significant recognition on the international stage. We highly value the ties between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, which are built on a solid foundation of shared historical and cultural roots, brotherhood, mutual trust, and support. The centuries-old bonds of friendship between our brotherly peoples, along with the active political dialogue and mutual understanding we share, are key pillars of the strong Azerbaijani-Tajik cooperation we enjoy today. Your state visit to Azerbaijan in May of this year opened a new chapter in the history of Azerbaijani-Tajik relations, elevating our ties to the level of strategic partnership. I am confident that the agreements on future directions of our cooperation reached during our numerous mutual visits will contribute to enriching our bilateral relations with new substance, further strengthening the solidarity between our brotherly peoples, and promoting the sustainable development and prosperity of our countries and the region as a whole," the letter reads. 33-year-old Benzion Rivlin, a member of Neturei Karta, was charged with criminal mischief as a hate crime and trespassing, after attacking the Monsey Service Station over its support for Israel, MONSEY SCOOP REPORTED. Rivlin attempted to damage an American/Israeli flag at the service station early Tuesday morning using spray paint, but was caught by Ramapo police officers moments later. Sources tell Monsey Scoop that a Ramapo Police officer saw Rivlin in the act, and arrested him following a brief pursuit. This is not the first such incident at Monsey Service Station, as the business has faced vandalism, flag theft, and protests since the owners daughter began displaying an Israeli flag earlier this year. Between the stealing of the flags and the spray-painting on the sidewalks the chanting and protesting outside and the dead fish thrown in front of our building, I couldnt even tell you how many times weve been going through this, the business told News12. While police cannot confirm if Rivlin is connected to previous incidents, he was arrested in March on a different hate crime-related charge. Rivlin is due in court on September 19 for the latest charges. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The likelihood of a phased hostage-ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, based on Israels May proposal, is close to zero, according to a report by Israels Channel 12 on Sunday. Citing unnamed sources within the Israeli security establishment, the report noted very broad pessimism among Israeli negotiators, as talks have stalled despite initial optimism. The U.S., which had previously indicated plans to introduce a new bridging proposal within days, is now seen as unlikely to do so, further dampening hopes of an agreement. Israeli negotiators reportedly grew increasingly frustrated, having believed that an agreement between Israel and the mediators would be conveyed to Hamas. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus insistence on maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt bordera position not included in Israels May proposalhas been blamed for stalling progress. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar reportedly hardened his stance in response. The situation was worsened when Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that in addition to opposing an IDF withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, he also objected to a withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor and the release of Palestinian prisoners convicted of murder. According to Channel 12, Smotrichs remarks essentially wiped out the May proposal. A senior Israeli negotiator informed the families of hostages that even the first phase of the proposed deala six-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of women, children, and elderly hostageswas unlikely to materialize. The only way forward is to end the war, the negotiator reportedly told them. The stalled negotiations have raised concerns of further escalation, especially in northern Israel, where hostilities with Hezbollah could intensify in the absence of a deal. The Biden administration, initially optimistic, is reportedly less hopeful now, with U.S. officials expressing significant pessimism after Hamas increased its demands, including the release of 100 additional prisoners serving life sentences. U.S. mediators are urging Qatar and Egypt to explore the limits of Hamass demands before any new proposals are presented. The stalled talks come amid growing pressure from hostage families, who have launched daily protests outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, urging the government to prioritize a deal. The situation has also sparked protests in Washington, where families of hostages are demanding more action from Israeli officials stationed in the U.S. Currently, 97 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 33 individuals confirmed dead by the IDF. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Former Hamas hostage Aviva Siegel revealed the harrowing conditions she faced while being forced to participate in propaganda videos during her 51 days of captivity in the Gaza Strip. Siegel, who was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7, described how Hamas captors pressured her to memorize specific lines and staged scenes to portray her treatment as humane, despite the dire conditions she endured. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Siegel, 62, recounted the difficulties of remembering lines provided by her captors, who would repeatedly correct her during filming. You didnt say that youre 62. You didnt say that youre from Kfar Aza. You didnt say that Bibi needs to bring you back, she remembered them saying, explaining how the pressure left her struggling to focus. Siegel and her husband, Keith, were taken hostage by Hamas during the groups brutal attack on southern Israel. She was released on November 26 as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar and the United States, but her husband remains in captivity. Throughout her time as a hostage, Siegel said she was forced to participate in three staged propaganda videos, with her captors insisting that she smile and act as though she was being treated well. They used to make food and put it on the table. We had to sit next to them and smile and say everything is okay, just for the picture, Siegel told the Journal. She also recalled refusing offers of a hairbrush and hair clip, knowing her appearance reflected the poor conditions she was kept in. Hamas has used videos of hostages as part of a psychological warfare campaign, according to Israeli officials and human rights groups. In Israel, families of hostages have allowed the media to air these videos in the hope of keeping public attention on their loved ones plight. Gershon Baskin, a key negotiator in the 2011 release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, told the Journal that Hamass propaganda efforts are aimed at exploiting public sentiment in Israel, with the hostage videos playing a significant role in shaping public opinion. Hamas wants this war to end, and this is how they think that pressure can be put on Netanyahu, Baskin said, noting that the videos have a profound impact on Israeli society. Israeli intelligence sources said they are also closely analyzing the footage to assess the physical and mental health of the hostages, dissecting every single frame for clues about their condition. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Several waves of Israeli-attributed airstrikes hit central Syria overnight Sunday, targeting the Masyaf area, a city in Syrias Hama province. According to Syrian media reports, at least 14 people were killed and 43 were injured in the strikes that were described in Arab media as the most massive wave of attacks in years. Reports on Monday afternoon said that the number of fatalities increased to 25. The strikes targeted positions of the pro-Iranian militias and the Revolutionary Guards in Syria. Reuters quoted two regional intelligence sources as saying that a major military research center for chemical arms production near Masyaf was struck several times. The center is believed to host a team of Iranian military experts involved in manufacturing precision surface-to-surface missiles. The strikes destroyed buildings and caused fires to break out in the surrounding forest area. Israel has not commented on the strikes. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Hezbollah terror group in southern Lebanon launched a drone attack on Israel on Monday morning at about 11 a.m., triggering a series of sirens in cities and communities across northern Israel. One of the drones scored a direct hit on an apartment on one of the upper floors of a 14-story residential apartment building in Nahariya. BChasdei Hashem, there were no injuries. Two apartments were damaged. The police stated: The police are currently handling the scene of a rocket hit in Nahariya. Initial reports indicate that the impact site is in a residential area with no reports of injuries at this stage. Officers and bomb disposal units are now isolating the impact site and searching for additional shrapnel fragments to remove further risk to the public. The video below shows the moment the drone hits the building in footage taken from security cameras: School children in Nahariya running to a shelter as the siren blares: (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A dramatic incident took place on Highway 6, one of Israels main highways, early Monday afternoon, when a large number of Israeli security forces with drawn weapons stopped traffic and arrested Palestinian terror suspects in the middle of a highway as a police helicopter circled above. Acting on Shin Bet intelligence about terrorists in a vehicle believed to be on the way to commit an imminent terror attack in the Sharon region, a large number of undercover police officers, Shin Bet operatives and special forces were dispatched to the area. Undercover police officers with drawn weapons and police officers in uniform suddenly jumped out of their vehicles and stopped a Mercedes van, ordering the occupants out of the vehicles and arresting them at the scene. The police later provided a brief update, stating that Highway 6 was closed to traffic from the Horeshim interchange northward due to a police operation related to a security concern. They confirmed that the suspicious vehicle was stopped, all its occupants were arrested for questioning and a bomb squad is examining the vehicle. The police later stated that 13 suspects from the vehicle were detained and transferred for questioning. No explosives or weapons were found in the vehicle or on the Palestinians and the threat of an imminent terror attack was ruled out. The van was driven by an Israeli who was transporting Palestinians who were in Israel illegally, including the main suspect, a Palestinian who is alleged to have entered Israel in order to commit a terror attack. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, along with five other hostages, reportedly fought to defend themselves in the moments before they were executed by Hamas terrorists in a Gaza tunnel, according to new details from the IDF investigation. The families of the six hostages were briefed over the weekend by IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari, who shared that several of the victims tried to resist their attackers before being shot. The bodies of Goldberg-Polin, 23, and the other hostagesEden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lobanov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 27were discovered on August 31 in a tunnel beneath Rafah in southern Gaza. Evidence suggested that Goldberg-Polin, Danino, Lobanov, and Sarusi defended Yerushalmi and Gat before they were killed. The tunnel conditions were described as dire, with no air vents, toilets, or showers, and too low for the hostages to stand. Items including protein bars, a flashlight, and a chess set were found at the scene, along with notepads that have been given to the families. Autopsies revealed that all six hostages were killed by short-range gunshots, likely the day before their bodies were discovered during an IDF raid. Hamas has since taunted the families by releasing pre-recorded videos of the hostages, including a message from Goldberg-Polin where he told his family, I love you, I miss you keep on fighting. In a somber security cabinet meeting on Sunday, the IDF presented harrowing footage from the tunnel. The video, recorded by IDF forces, revealed the inhumane conditions in which the hostages were held. Cabinet members were reportedly shocked and horrified by the footage, describing it as extremely tough to watch. The IDF plans to show the video to the victims families before deciding whether to release it to the public. At a Knesset committee meeting on Monday, Esther Buchshtab, whose son Yagev was also murdered in captivity by Hamas, confirmed that her son was executed. She criticized government policy, saying that military pressure leads to the killing of hostages, rather than their rescue. Mossad chief Dedi Barnea briefed the cabinet on ongoing negotiations for a deal, indicating that talks are still underway, with an American mediation proposal expected, but not guaranteed. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) JetBlue announced that it will change its onboard maps on all carriers to comply with U.S. guidelines for the Middle East, after facing public outrage over labeling Israel as Palestinian Territories. In a statement to Ynet, JetBlue apologized for the error and assured that no one on the team was involved in drawing or labeling the map. The company explained that the map app was provided by a third-party company and that they were not previously aware of the issue. JetBlue says it has decided to switch to a new map vendor and has asked the current vendor to adjust the onboard map to align with the U.S. governments map guidance for the region. The changes will be made as quickly as the technology allows. This incident is not the first time JetBlue has faced accusations of anti-Israel bias. In April, a Jewish passenger was removed from a flight after complaining about a flight attendant wearing a Free Palestine pin on his uniform. JetBlue apologized at the time and announced a policy change. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) WATCH: From the Mountain to Capitol Hill. Rabbi Soroka: Ill never forget this storymy wife wont let me forget it. I was in the state capital working on important legislation, and there was gridlocknothing was happening. It was already summer, and she said, We have to go on a family trip. I said, What happens if theres a breakthrough? She replied, Then well turn right back. So we went on a family trip, and I remember we were on a mountaintop in Acadia National Park, Maine, with no phone reception. We got to the top of the mountain, and a voicemail came in from one of the legislative leaders. He said, Im in a meeting right now with the other three legislative leadersthe Senate President, the Speaker, and the Republican Senate leaders. Were about to work out a compromise on the bill, but we wanted to discuss the provision you wanted. Give us a call as soon as possible. I stood at the edge of the mountain, unable to move an inch, because if I did, I would lose reception. My family waited for over an hour while I was on the phone. Then I told them, I gotta go. I gotta fly back. Long story short, Rabbi Yitzchok Ehrman, who is now the COO of The Agudah, creatively managed to get me from the mountaintop to catch a plane from Bangor, Maine. Lets just say it involved a generous incentive to one harried Uber driver who drove all the way to where I was. I flew back to Chicago while my wife had to drive 26 hours by herself with all the kids. It was a tremendous sacrifice on her part. Im still paying it off. Joke aside, Im incredibly blessed to have a supportive, amazing family. Having a spouse and children who understand the importance of what were doing and are supportive is crucial. When they say, Were all in on the sacrifice, it encourages us to keep doing what we do. Help us to continue to do for the Klal. Please donate generously to your state or community campaign. https://www.charidy.com/wedo Full interview with Rabbi Soroka: Watch Interview: In a candid conversation between Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger and Rabbi Shlomo Soroka of Agudahs Chicago office offers an inside look at the tireless work happening behind the scenes at The Agudah. From his unexpected foray into advocacy where he faked it till he made it to negotiating scholarship tax credits from a mountaintop in Maine, Rabbi Soroka shares stories that reveal the high stakes and quiet victories that define his role. Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger: Youre busy, so Ill dive straight into it. What brought you to the world of politics and askanus? Rabbi Soroka: Ive been with The Agudah for nine years now. Prior to that, I was the director of the St. Louis Kollel. I started off as a rosh chaburah, then I took over responsibility for the financials and operations of the kollel. I was just trying to help my community in other ways, so I got a little engaged politically over there. There was this fundraiser for the kollel, and I was trying to find an affordable way to bring in a celebrity. I invited Roy Blunt, who was the U.S. Senator for Missouri at the time. He was more than happy to participate. A couple of weeks later, he called me and said, Im working on this bill, a big aid package to Israel. I want your take on it. Heres my cell phone number. Call me back. I got pretty nervous, so I called The Agudah. I spoke to Abba Cohen, and I think it was A.D. Motzen who was on the line as well, and we walked through different aspects of the bill. I had no idea what I was talking about; I just knew I had to listen and repeat it as if I was some brilliant strategist. I guess I did a good enough job that it caught the eye of The Agudah team. There were some other local issues I was helping out with, and I ended up running for school board over there at the behest of Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky. He said that I had to do it for Klal Yisroel. I did it; I lost the race, but we accomplished what we wanted to, so it was all good. Rabbi Hisiger: In those cases where youre not successful, so many hours of workprobably hundredsare invested into something where people dont see the fruits of your labor. They cant even appreciate that effort. Rabbi Soroka: Well, the community I live in is very special and unique. Theyre watching developments carefully and always asking how they can help. It would be nice to say its all fruitful, but ultimately, our job is to do the hishtadlus, and the outcome is up to Hakodosh Baruch Hu. Were maaminim. My wife, who has always been supportive, reminds me that were all puppets. This is our job: to do the work, but the outcome is up to Hashem, and Hes got no shortage of money. Hes very wealthy, so He can support us all. But people really do appreciate what were doing. Sometimes I need to work on my anavah. I know Im saying it tongue-in-cheek, but wherever I go, people, often complete strangers, approach me and say, Thank you so much for all that you do. Sometimes theyre more specific: Thank you for helping me with X, Y, and Z, Thank you for that scholarship, Thank you for getting back my Medicaid, Thank you for fixing that food stamp issue, or, Thank you for helping me get a passport to visit my dying dad. These things happen all the time. The community is very appreciative. Thats good to hear, because The Agudah is a klal organization that only a select few get to work for, but many want to help. What would you tell them? Whenever someone wants to get involved, I find it amazing, because theres so much to do and we cant do it all on our own. We have opportunities for everyone, whether its volunteering for events, get-out-the-vote campaigns, or other activities. We need people to engage, host politicians, be shul captains, attend meetings, or address community issues like safety or antisemitism. We need to show that were engaged and have community support. Coming to Springfield is a long shlepover seven hours of travel. So I say, if you want to get involved, buckle up, because we have a lot of work to do. I find that most people, either on their own or when asked, are happy to get involved. Even those who cant leave their homes can help by supporting The Agudah financially. I recently spoke with a prominent political donor who said, What my party needs is an Agudah. You represent a small community and achieve so much. We need something similar. I saw some envy in his demeanor that we have such a tight-knit, engaged constituency. You mentioned often meeting politicians and various people in the halls of power. Youre in environments that arent necessarily conducive to Yiddishkeit. How do you navigate that? One of the first pieces of advice someone gave me was to sit down with elected officials at a lounge or bar to cultivate relationships. I didnt feel that it was appropriate for a ben Torah, so I sought guidance from Rabbi Zwiebel. Today, I might go to places where others are drinking, but I wont consume alcohol. Another lobbyist once asked me if wine and alcohol were not kosher because he noticed that I never drink. I explained that wine actually plays a big role in Jewish tradition, but I hold myself to a certain standard. He respected that. You know, he told me, I was kind of hoping you were gonna say that. I was initially worried that maintaining these standards might hurt me professionally, but I realized that doing this to be mekadeish Sheim Shamayim only helped. When people see that youre uncompromising and true to your values, they respect that. They appreciate that Im here to represent my community. Whats truly inspiring is how, alongside their public advocacy, Agudah personnel across the country also help families and individuals. This balance perfectly captures the dual role that The Agudah plays on behalf of both the tzibbur and the yochid. Sometimes our most gratifying moments come from helping individuals, even if we cant always assist them. I recently got a call from a distraught mother whose child was born with a very serious medical condition requiring a complex surgery not covered by their insurance. They were on public aid, and the procedure was out of state. I reached out to the insurance companys lobbyist, and he assured me that hed take care of it. A day later, he called back to say that the surgery would be covered. Its still in process, but were cautiously optimistic. A couple of weeks ago, someone reached out to our office because her family was kicked off Medicaid, their food stamps were cut in half, and her husband had a medical condition they couldnt afford to treat. They were getting the runaround from the Department of Human Services and local agencies. Despite filing appeals, nothing was happening and no one was helping them. I reached out to my state senator, and within a day, everything was resolved. Theres a family that was quite well-off who never applied for tax credit scholarships because they were actually one of the communitys big donors. One Shabbos, the father, with a heavy heart, confided in me that they had hit a rough financial patch. Everything had gone south for them, and unfortunately, it all culminated after the scholarship application period had closed. I told him that Id look into it. It turned out that the application had just closed that Friday. I reached out to the scholarship organization we work closely with and they reopened the application just for him. No one else knew that the application link was live, yet he was able to apply and secure scholarships for all his kids. Aside from the bigger issues my colleagues and I deal with both locally and nationally, sometimes its a communal matter that might seem trivial but is anything butlike the pool that the community uses. They ran into issues and couldnt get a permit for occupancy because the gas company was delayed in turning on the gas. Its not a trivial matter. Yiddishe kids need a kosher outlet, and this was the only aquatic facility available for many of them. I contacted the gas companys lobbyist, and within an hour, they turned on the gas. I also called the state representative, and despite the bureaucrat in charge of occupancy certificates being out of the country, we managed to get it done within a couple of hours. An hour before Shabbos, we got the certificate, and by Sunday, it was open swim for all. Are these some of the recent issues youve been dealing with? What comes to mind off the cuff. Currently, were assisting with a project that I cant discuss publicly at this time. Were leveraging political goodwill to ensure the process moves quickly, and were cautiously optimistic about it going through, beezras Hashem. Similarly, just before the summer, we assisted a yeshiva in Southern Illinois that needed health department clearance for a new property. By connecting them with their state representative and senator, we secured approval in just two days. Weve also been tackling the Evanston eruv project, a long-standing initiative with many, many hurdles. Thanks to support from my state senator and Cook County commissioner, weve made swift progress. Were hopeful that itll soon be a reality. The benefits of maintaining political relationships arent always immediate. They are the result of years of consistent engagement and community presence. When these efforts bear fruit, the rewards are truly worthwhile. I do need to say, though, to bring it all into perspective: Would you conclude that The Agudah is all about opening gas lines, pools, expediting property closings, arranging passports, Medicaid, or burials for meis mitzvah? I wouldnt. There are gas companies, passport agencies, chesed shel emes organizations, and real estate lawyers for that. Thats not what The Agudah is all about. The Agudah, however, is about ALL of that. Its about giving Klal Yisroel a platform, a unified voice, and a powerful network of resources across the country. Maintaining strategic relationships, opening doors, and bridging our communities nationally and globally. And when theres a problem in Houston, or chas vshalom a crisis for our nation, we have the collective power to step in on behalf of the tzibbur and fill in the gaps for individuals when needed. We do all this and more so that Klal Yisroel has an address to turn to and a number to call. And when that call comes in, we take it. Because this is what we do. Keir Starmer doesn't much like the House of Lords and plans to cut it down to size. Yet it will be hard for him to ignore a report by the economic affairs committee which is stuffed with former great and good of the Treasury and finance. The findings on the national debt are highly relevant ahead of Rachel Reeves's first Budget and efforts to ladle the blame on the Tories for rotten public finances and an alleged 22billion black hole. Some 9.4billion of the red ink is down to Labour's agreed public sector pay deals. The numbers, run up by HM Treasury, have no independent buy-in from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). It will be hard for Kier Starmer to ignore a report by the economic affairs committee which is stuffed with former great and good of the Treasury and finance Lords economic panel chairman Lord Bridges and colleagues are clear. Britain's national debt is no worse than its peers, as it hovers at 88.8 per cent of output (excluding Bank of England quantitative easing costs). In fact, the UK is in much better shape that most rich G7 nations with the exception of Germany. The scale of the debt is not a consequence of Liz Truss conniption. It is the cumulative result of three world-class shocks the great financial crisis (a Labour legacy), Covid-19 and Russia's war on Ukraine. That said, the debt pile is too high. The concern is that should there be another catastrophe, either domestic or beyond Britain's control, the shock absorbers might be insufficient to prevent a funding crisis. The vulnerability partly is the result of poor decision-making at the Treasury. The UK has lumbered itself with a higher proportion of index-linked debt than most of its competitors. During the cost of living challenge of 2021-23, servicing costs shot up. Debt levels have also been swelled by the bonkers decision by HM Treasury to take on the liabilities of the Bank of England in contrast to almost every other advanced nation. So what should be done? Clearly, a more orderly approach to the public finances is needed, with regular spending reviews audited by the OBR. The Tory approach of requiring debt to fall as a percentage of GDP by the final, fifth year of a forecast is seen as not robust enough. Reeves might take comfort from a recommendation that taxes be increased or the size of the state reduced to deal with the shortfall. The TUC, meeting in Brighton, won't be endorsing the latter. Reeves may be less than enamoured with the Lords' rejection of her suggestion that only the current budget needs to be in near-balance, and spending for investment can be excluded. The report argues that separating the two is tricky so there should only be one overall aim. Two crass errors have been made by UK decision-makers, who diverged from the principle of funding borrowing long. The Bank of England's overuse of bond purchases shortened the debt pay-back schedule. There has been far too much reliance on index-linked bonds. Those are technical rather than the political blunders. That doesn't stop Reeves and her acolytes from laying the blame at the Conservatives door. Trench war Investors in Burberry might have preferred it had analysts at Barclays kept away from China. A deteriorating Beijing-run economy is hitting spending on luxury goods hard. Burberry, a group in transition, is finding it hard to achieve the fashion heights of its former boss, designer Christopher Bailey. It has lost more than 70 per cent of its value over the last 12 months and been expelled from the FTSE 100. The danger is that the more the shares drift down towards 500p, the more likely it will attract bidders looking for a bargain. Buyers could come from two possible sources: the biggest players in the luxury goods sector doubling down on great brands; alternatively, there could be offers from cash-rich private equity. Both should be repelled by a board headed by Tesco chairman Gerry Murphy. Losing Britain's best known luxury name to an overseas rival would be a betrayal for a brand which traces its trench coat heritage to 1856 and is so identifiably British. Private equity stewardship, as we have seen with other retailers, should not be an option. The board and new chief executive Joshua Schulman must gird their loins. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad, supported by the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora and the Ministry of Science and Education and organized by the World Association of Azerbaijani Scholars, has officially begun in Baku, Trend reports. The event opened with the national anthem of Azerbaijan, followed by a moment of silence to honor the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the countrys territorial integrity. Farah Aliyeva, Head of the Department of Humanitarian Policy, Diaspora, Multiculturalism, and Religious Issues at the Presidential Administration, then read President Ilham Aliyev's message to the participants. The video on the theme Heydar Aliyev and Education was screened. Moderator of the event, Director of the Nizami Ganjavi National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature Academician Rafael Huseynov assessed the day as one of the most significant in the history of Azerbaijan. According to him, the forum with the participation of Azerbaijani scientists living in different parts of the world is an expression of Azerbaijan's strength and unity. Referring to the history of independence and the path of development of our country, Huseynov noted National Leader Heydar Aliyev's unprecedented merits in the republic's choice of its path and line of independence. He emphasized Azerbaijan's victory under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev in the 44-day second Karabakh War, which further strengthened the country and enhanced its authority in the region and the world. According to the academician, the unification of Azerbaijani scientists means the growth of Azerbaijan's intellectual power. We have 561 diaspora organizations in 51 countries. Preparations for this forum have been underway for a long time. The heart of our scientists is always with Azerbaijan, the academician noted. Addressing the event, ADA University Rector Hafiz Pashayev emphasized that raising the level of our science with the participation of Azerbaijani scientists living abroad and training personnel following the requirements of the new era is the dictates of time. Speaking about the activity of ADA University, the rector emphasized that the university headed by him has created several innovations after passing a difficult but successful path. According to him, science and education were very well developed in our country during the Soviet period. Scientists and specialists from abroad were attracted to Baku State University. There was also a need for specialists in the field of exact sciences, and this need was met at the expense of scientists from the USSR. After the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence, there was a need to introduce innovations in science and education along with other fields, the rector said. Science is a very attractive sphere. We should think about what needs to be done to raise the level of Azerbaijani science and training of professional personnel. At present, we have very talented young people growing up. We are confident that these young people will contribute to our science and education, Hafiz Pashayev noted. Honored Scientist, Professor of Munich Technical University, the first Azerbaijani scientist to receive the Humboldt Prize, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, world-known Azerbaijani scientist Masud Efendiyev noted that the purpose of organizing the forum is to promote the development of Azerbaijani science and create a bridge between professional and young scientists. The professor expressed confidence that the ideas to be voiced at the event would make a significant contribution to the development of Azerbaijani science. Expressing confidence that interesting discussions on the development of Azerbaijani science will be held at the forum, Science and Education Minister Emin Amrullayev noted that the most important point within the event is the issue of integration with our scientists living outside Azerbaijan. Emphasizing the importance of determining priorities for the development of Azerbaijani science, Amrullayev stressed that the state implements various programs related to education and also touched upon the importance of our young people studying within the program to return to the country and share knowledge. The Minister noted that great hopes are pinned on our scientists living abroad. Talking about the significance of today's event, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora Fuad Muradov called the organization of the Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad and the meeting of Azerbaijani scientists working in different parts of the world in Baku an important event. Stressing the importance of organizational work, Muradov said the committee's activity is built following the state policy and roadmap. Our goal is to strengthen our solidarity. The activity of the State Committee is also linked to the work carried out in Karabakh liberated from occupation. The activity of world-renowned Azerbaijani scientists at Karabakh University would be a contribution to our science. The Azerbaijani state provides sufficient support to science and education, scientists. Our goal in organizing the forum is to establish ties and cooperation between our world-famous and local scientists, he added. Afterward, a video with addresses to the forum participants by Azerbaijani Nobel Prize-winning scientists was demonstrated. Within the framework of the forum, panel discussions on the Role of scientists in the internationalization of science and higher education in Azerbaijan were held under the moderating of Azerbaijan's official representative to the Women In Nuclear World Association, Dinara Abbasova (Austria). Speaking at the discussions, the Rector of ADA University, Hafiz Pashayev, emphasized that the foundations of the higher education institution he heads are based on internationalism. Speaking about the importance of international experience, the rector noted the role of scientists from abroad and expressed confidence that the forum would contribute in this direction. The speakers who spoke on the topic and voiced their proposals emphasized that the event was organized ahead of COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan in November, and touched upon the role of internationalization strategy in the direction of adapting personnel training to the requirements of the global labor market, digitalization, and the and the new model of university education. The discussions also focused on the role of scientists living abroad in the development of science and higher education in Azerbaijan, attracting foreign students and professors. Furthermore, confidence was expressed that numerous scientists living abroad will be able to contribute to the further development of our science. At the end of the day, panel discussions were also held on Building a Global Academic Network: New Approaches to the Development of Local Universities and Research Institutes. Speakers at the discussions moderated by Masud Efendiyev, professor of Munich Technical University, the first Azerbaijani scientist to receive the Humboldt Prize, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, expressed their opinions and proposals on the creation of a global academic network. The role of scientists living abroad in coordinating the work of universities and research institutes operating in Azerbaijan with the international academic environment was also discussed. The speakers talked about the positive experiences of Chinese Diaspora scientists and emphasized the importance of building this model for Azerbaijan. The event, organized by the Association of Azerbaijani World Scientists with the support of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora and the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, will be a three-day event. The forum is attended by more than 80 Azerbaijani scientists from 23 countries, with a total of about 200 figures in science. As part of the forum, the participants will visit the cities of Shusha and Khankendi, which will help utilize the knowledge and experience of our scientists in the process of reconstruction of the territories liberated from occupation and hold discussions with the teaching staff of Karabakh University. The forum aims to bring together Azerbaijani scientists living in different countries, organize their meetings with local scientists, and promote the exchange of knowledge and experience. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Ryanair boss Michael OLeary (pictured) urged Martin Rolfe, chief exec of the National Air Traffic Services, to step down Ryanairs boss has called again for the head of the company that provides air traffic control to quit. Michael OLeary urged Martin Rolfe, chief executive of the National Air Traffic Services (Nats), to step down. The budget airlines chief executive said Rolfe should step aside and allow someone competent to take over after flights were disrupted at Gatwick Airport on Sunday due to Nats staff shortages. OLeary has repeatedly criticised Rolfe, particularly over the widespread disruption at airports during last years August Bank Holiday Monday, which was caused by a Nats technical failure. Analysis of data from flight tracking website Flightradar24 shows 49 departures and 51 arrivals were cancelled on Luke Johnson made his name growing Pizza Express in the 1990s and later ran Patisserie Valerie A leading hospitality entrepreneur has been named chairmanof Revolution Bars. Luke Johnson, who made his name growing Pizza Express in the 1990s and later ran Patisserie Valerie, will join the cocktail bar and restaurant chain as it pushes ahead with a cost-cutting mission. Johnson, 62, holds a 20 per cent stake in the group following a recent emergency cash call and will take over from Keith Edelman, 74, who is retiring. His arrival at Revolution, which operates the Revolucion de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, follows a bumpy few years. Patisserie Valerie crashed into administration in January 2019 after the discovery of a 94million black hole in its accounts. Johnson claims that he was duped by a fake picture of the groups finances during his time as executive chairman. Revolution was forced to close several bars across the country earlier this year as it battled to shore up its finances. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The strong partnership and high level of ties between Azerbaijan and Italy have been widely recognized on the international stage, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend. During his recent trip to Italy, President Ilham Aliyev attended a number of crucial engagements. Discussions centered on ways to deepen strategic cooperation between the two nations in a variety of areas during meetings with high-ranking Italian officials, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, Garayev said. The political scientist pointed out that hot topics like energy security, economic partnership, and investment opportunities were stealing the show during the meetings. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who took part as the chief guest in the international forum The European House - Ambrosetti in the Italian city of Cernobbio, made a speech on Azerbaijan's role in the new geopolitical situation, emphasizing the growing role of our country in the global political and economic arena, he said. Garayev pointed out that this should be seen as a feather in Azerbaijan's cap, showcasing the international community's recognition of Azerbaijan's significant role in energy security, as well as its leading status in promoting peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. In addition, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan's strategic importance for Europe, in particular the importance of cooperation in the field of energy supply. Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also addressed the forum and took part in the discussion of global challenges. Senators and other influencers from the US also attended the forum. This prestigious event is an important platform for international cooperation and dialog, being a meeting place for world leaders and business representatives. Azerbaijan's participation in the Forum has further strengthened our country's international ties, and confirmed its position in global and regional issues, he said. The political scientist added that the organizer of the forum, the think tank The European House - Ambrosetti, being a reputable institution in the field of management and consulting services, provides important support to the expansion of ties of European, and in particular Italian companies, with their global partners. Such events make a significant contribution to strengthening Azerbaijan's international positions and developing opportunities for strategic partnership in the global arena, Garayev said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. On September 9, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, made a phone call to Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. The President of Kazakhstan stated that Astana is ready to serve as a platform for negotiations on a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The head of state noted that the proposal to hold these negotiations between the two countries in Astana is acceptable for Azerbaijan. During the phone conversation, they also exchanged views on issues related to the bilateral agenda. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. In the wake of the parliamentary elections held on September 1, a total of 508 video clips have circulated on social media, the Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Rovzat Gasimov, said at today's session of the CEC, Trend reports. He noted that these videos cover 49 polling stations across 25 electoral districts. CEC Chair Mazahir Panahov stated that all videos should be thoroughly examined and necessary actions should be taken. 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. A Donegal taxi driver who sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman passenger while bringing her to Derry has been jailed at the local Crown Court. Paul Bryan (63) of The Bungalow, Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal admitted two charges of sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault that occurred on October 22, 2017. Before passing sentence Judge Neil Rafferty KC told the young woman that she had been totally vindicated by the defendant's guilty plea. READ NEXT: Jeremy Kyle Show guest distraught after recording, landlady tells inquest He read from her personal statement in which she said she was not a victim but a survivor. In her statement she said: "I was a victim for a few hours, I am a survivor for seven years." The judge also apologised for the delay in the case and said he understood how that had "put your life on hold." He told the young woman that this was "a horrible incident that did not define her". Turning to the facts if the case the judge said that on October 22, 2017 the young woman had gone to Letterkenny with friends and had consumed alcohol. She had become separated from her friends and decided to get a taxi to take her back to Derry. She flagged a taxi down outside a night club and there were witnesses who saw her entering the vehicle. On the journey back to Derry, Bryan sexually assaulted the woman and behaved "inappropriately." In his first interview Bryan said there had been sexual activity but claimed it was consensual but later admitted the offences. Judge Rafferty said that there were "significant aggravating factors" in the case including the fact Bryan was a taxi driver and there was a breach of trust in that he had taken advantage of a young woman who was "extremely vulnerable due to her age and alcohol." He said the incident had had "a significant effect" on the young woman's life and she had been entitled to think she was safe in a taxi. He described the case as one of "high harm and high culpability" and sentenced Bryan to four years with half of that to be served in custody and half on licence. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender's Register for a period of 10 years and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order was imposed for the same period. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The regular meeting has taken place in Azerbaijan's Central Election Commission (CEC), Trend reports. The meeting tackled appeals related to the parliamentary election held on September 1. Additionally, the CEC reviewed the approval of minutes from its sessions on September 4 and 5. CEC Chairman Mazahir Panahov announced said that the commission will facilitate participation for those interested in reviewing appeals related to the recent extraordinary parliamentary election. He invited all interested parties to participate in reviewing complaints from three electoral districts, including observers, candidates, authorized representatives, and members of the media. Besides, Panahov noted that the deadline for filing complaints to the CEC against decisions of district election commissions has expired. We'll consider all appeals. The final protocols regarding the parliamentary election will be sent to the Constitutional Court, he added. The CEC Deputy Chairman Rovzat Gasimov said that in the wake of the parliamentary election, a total of 508 video clips have circulated on social media. He noted that these videos cover 49 polling stations across 25 electoral districts. Panahov added that all videos should be thoroughly examined and necessary actions should be taken. 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. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Under the training plan for 2024, the next graduation ceremony of the "Training Course for Long-term Active Military Servicemen" was held at the Training and Educational Center of the Air Force, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. First, the memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and Shehids, who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, was honored with observing a minute of silence. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed. Congratulations on the leadership of the Defense Ministry were delivered to the graduates. The speakers wished success to the course graduates in their future service activities. It was noted that such courses are of exceptional importance in raising the level of professionalism of military personnel and increasing their combat capabilities. At the end, certificates were presented to successful graduates, and the military personnel solemnly marched in front of the grandstand. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, is visiting Georgia to participate in the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkiye Defense Ministers' 11th Trilateral Meeting to be held in Batumi, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. The meetings are planned to discuss new perspectives of joint military cooperation in bilateral and trilateral formats, regional security, and other issues of common interest. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Armenian side, unfortunately, is once again aiming to distract public opinion from the real situation, said Spokesperson for Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aykhan Hajizada in response to questions from local media regarding the statements made by the Armenian Foreign Minister about the "peace agreement" and communications, Trend reports. He noted that Armenia sent its remarks on the commentary submitted by Azerbaijan in June over the text of the draft bilateral Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia at the end of August, about 70 days later. ''Instead of adequately reacting to the commentary made by Azerbaijan, Armenia tried to turn a blind eye to the challenges by removing the necessary provisions that are necessary to be reflected in the draft. Even though 80 percent of the provisions have been agreed upon so far, not all of the drafts provisions have been able to be agreed upon. However, this does not mean that an agreement should be signed by removing the non-agreed provisions from the draft, as Armenia suggested. This cannot be considered acceptable. For the peace agreement to be sustainable and successful, problematic issues between the two countries in several directions must be clarified in the draft. While continuing its territorial claims against Azerbaijan and trying to restore the work of the Minsk Group, a remnant of the past conflict, Armenias call for the peace agreement to be signed in any form by reducing the scope of the text raises many questions about this countrys true intentions. To sign a draft agreement, first of all, Armenia has to make appropriate amendments to its Constitution, which currently refers to its territorial claims against our country. Although Armenia is aware of its written and signed obligations on the opening of communications connecting the western regions of Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, it has not fulfilled them for the last four years. Regarding the views on the involvement of a foreign private company in the process in both countries, it should be noted that Azerbaijan has never discussed the involvement in the process of a third party in its territories. If the Armenian side is actually interested in opening up communications in the region, it must fulfill its obligations,'' the spokesperson stressed. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The number of "Azerbaijani Houses" operating in various countries has reached a significant milestone, now totaling thirty, the Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora, Fuad Muradov stated, Trend reports. Muradov highlighted the growing global network of these cultural and support centers speaking at the Azerbaijani Scholars Living Abroad Forum. He emphasized the importance of Azerbaijani expatriates and the role these houses play in promoting the Azerbaijani language and culture. "Each of our compatriots living abroad is valuable to us. Developing the Azerbaijani language has been one of our main goals. Bringing our scholars together has been challenging. We hope that these scholars will contribute both to Azerbaijan and the countries they reside in. Azerbaijan supports this effort, and I believe that scholars living abroad could come to the University of Karabakh and share their expertise with faculty and students," Muradov stated. The Chairman also spoke about the difficulties academics encounter, stating that problems with technology and language are major roadblocks. Although some scholars go abroad for personal growth, he noted that their experiences can contribute to ongoing activities in Azerbaijan. The Forum of Azerbaijani Scholars Living Abroad is currently taking place in Baku. As always, we're inspired by angel Candice who brings us back to the local discourse in order to keep up with pop culture, community reports and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Home Team Win Streak Cont'd Royals pitch another shutout, sweep Twins with 2-0 win The Royals give up just two runs all weekend. Local 'Still-Good' Stuff Shared Un-Dumpster Day gives back to organizations and families in Kansas City Un-dumpster Day is back at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, an event making an impact through sustainability. Cowtown Vintage Fashion Redux Tipsy Thrifts: Gnarly Hussle's thrift store bar opening is ready to rock Raytown Looking for a place to enjoy a drink and thrift some good finds? Gnarly Hussle in Raytown is the place to go. Excellence Thru Accessibility Johnson County, Kansas, Paralympian brings medal back to Kansas City Brad Hudspeth, a Johnson County, Kansas, Paralympian, brought home a silver medal from the 2024 Paralympic Games. Creative Midtown Comeback 44th Art Westport breaks attendance record, celebrates local art The Kansas City metro's largest art fair, featuring local artists, broke attendance records with over 33,000 in Westport this weekend. Angels Enjoy Glorious Return Behati Prinsloo and Candice Swanepoel put on a VERY sexy display The models posed up a storm on the roof of Longleat House in Wiltshire, as they promoted the lingerie brand's latest Dream collection inspired by comfortable lingerie. Republicans Denounce Retreat House GOP report blames Biden officials for botched Afghanistan exit In a new report, House Republicans say Biden administration officials watered down warnings about crumbling security in Afghanistan and botched the U.S. withdrawal. Survey Seyz: MAGA Stays Winning New poll shows Trump holds lead with 'remarkably resilient' support Former President Donald Trump has maintained his national lead over Vice President Kamala Harris despite a surge in enthusiasm for the Democratic ticket in recent weeks. Election Season Brinkmanship Beings Yet Again Government shutdown looms as Congress faces funding fight Congress is staring down a time crunch to avert a shutdown, with both parties digging in their heels and some Republicans expressing skepticism about their own party's plans less than a month before government funding is set to run out. Lawmakers return to Washington on Monday facing a Sept. Holy Land Fights Back Israel carries out intense strikes in central Syria, killing 4, state media says Syrian state media is reporting a series of Israeli strikes have hit multiple areas in central Syria, killing at least four people, wounding 13 and sparking fires. Latest Tech War Declaration Ukraine war briefing: Nato condemns Russian drone violations of Latvia and Romania airspace Two countries report incursions as an alliance leader decries 'potentially dangerous' acts; Putin loyalists head for win in Russian local elections. What we know on day 929 Showdown Sneak Peek How Trump and Harris are preparing for their first debate of 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald are set to face off for the first time on Tuesday. Faithful Move Toward MAGA?!? Democrats driving religious vote away from party as Trump courts Catholics: 'Anti-Christian' party The Democratic Party is likely pushing away religious voters with "anti-Christian" policies such as abortion and transgender issues, while Trump courts the voting bloc. Progressive Revival?!? Post-evangelicals shift away from faith tied to Republican politics | CNN Politics Larissa Miller spent the early years of her life steeped in evangelical communities. Old-School Celeb Endures Dick Van Dyke Jokes He's 'Looking for Work' Ahead of 99th Birthday: 'I Can't Believe I'm Still Here and Performing' Dick Van Dyke joked about how he is 'looking for work' ahead of his 99th birthday in December after he won outstanding variety special at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday, Sept. 7. Gearing Up For Good Deeds 3 Degree Guarantee to benefit Kansas City nonprofit that helps kids in poverty, crisis This September, KCTV5 Meteorologists are raising money for The Assistance League of Kansas City. Grigs Gets Us Ready For Monday Golden conditions start the week in Kansas City Warm and sunny conditions are kicking off the week And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Context . . . After the tragic killing of a beloved local chef amid a string of break-ins and small biz robberies, KCMO residents have been mostly concerned with the future of this cowtown as crime continues to take hold despite lower homicide numbers compared to last year's record breaking tally. However . . . An impending decision on a Missouri ballot initiative meet with a critical deadline this week. And so . . . KANSAS CITY MAYOR Q'S SHARES HIS LEGAL OPINION IN SUPPORT OF MISSOURI ABORTION RIGHTS!!! Moreover . . . It's also worth noting that this kind of political move will put him in the good graces of top level Democratic Party leaders at a time when he will soon be termed-out and the national progressive bench in grown thin. And so . . . We share this quote and link along with today's document of note . . . Mayor Lucas's brief argues the Missouri Supreme Court Should not allow anti-abortion extremists to silence voters. Over 250,00 Missourians signed the petition to put Amendment 3 on the ballot, and the Secretary of State weeks ago confirmed that the petition and its signatures were valid. " Missourians have the right to participate in shaping laws that govern their lives. But by removing the reproductive rights measure from the ballot at the eleventh hour, the lower court is silencing voters' voices and undermining the principles of democratic self-government that this State and Country were founded upon," said Mayor Lucas. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com screencap . . . Click this link or the image below for a bigger, better view. Developing . . . This evening Mayor Q teases talking points that don't really make sense. We're relying on news junkies to help us figure this one out and the best place to start is by quoting the Mayor's latest statement ahead of an upcoming Public Safety meetup . . . On Tuesday, the Kansas City Council Finance Committee will discuss important public safety issues at a 6PM meeting at the Plaza Library. Attached are some graphics on recent years budgeting and public safety and PD hiring trends. Much discussion ahead this week. Now . . . ARE THESE SLIDES ARGUING THAT MORE CASH FOR COPS DOESN'T PRODUCE RESULTS?!? THAT'S A BOLD STATEMENT THAT SEEMS TO PUT BLAME FOR HISTORIC CRIME NUMBERS ON KCPD!!! Again . . . We can debate local control and public safety budget percentages but these have been the same throughout the modern era . . . Only under the leadership of Mayor Q have crime stats exploded. Over and over, we've argued that this is a matter of leadership and, sadly, Mayor Q's administration along with so many like-minded officials in municipal government have been WEAK ON CRIME over the past five years. We're the first and only media outlet to note the debacle involving the BLM Plaza riots amongst other examples . . . But now the point is . . . WILL KANSAS CITY ALLOW MAYOR Q TO PASS THE BUCK TO KCPD REGARDING HISTORIC CRIME NUMBERS?!? Because that's all we can make out of this power move . . . Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com screencap of Mayor Q's slides. . . Developing . . . Just like many of their parents . . . Stupid talk dominates amongst students. Here's one warning amid multiple instances of social media chatter making this school year even more complicated . . . Check-it: The notification said the district and Blue Springs police became aware of an inappropriate Snapchat story involving a threat toward the high school. Following the initial investigation, authorities say they identified and located the subject. The subject was taken into police custody and the district said the appropriate legal and disciplinary action will follow. Blue Springs High School principal Tom Alderman encouraged parents to talk to their students about making threats. Threats are not tolerated, even if it is intended as a joke, Alderman wrote. Students cannot say, write, post or draw anything that might be considered a threat. Alderman thanked those who shared the Snapchat story with authorities. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Subject in custody after investigation into threat at Blue Springs High School The Blue Springs School District notified parents Sunday night of the arrest of a subject following an investigation of a threat at Blue Springs High School. Threat to Blue Springs High School results in 'person in custody' "It takes all of us to keep our school safe," said the Blue Springs High School principal. This was always going to be a collision course . . . As the urban core looks for educational alternatives, unions realize that options outside of direct political control often thwart their ability to influence working conditions for better and worse. Here's the start of the legal battle and the ongoing fight for the future . . . In a letter dated Aug. 21, 2024, the AFT and Local 420 President Ray Cummings, as well as several state lawmakers, petitioned the auditors office for a probe of all charter schools in Missouri, which are located in St. Louis and Kansas City. Cummings said there are concerns that the states audit of St. Louis Public Schools, which began on Aug. 13, is too narrow in scope. The state office began its investigation of the district after receiving complaints about a projected $35 million deficit in the district and the hiring practices of Superintendent Keisha Scarlett, who was placed on a temporary leave of absence in late July . . . Cummings said charter schools should be held to the same standard as public schools. In the August letter, Cummings and others said auditing charter schools is necessary due to lingering questions about what happens to the millions of dollars provided to charter schools and other items purchased after charter schools close. Unlike public schools, charter schools are privately managed and often controlled by profit-seeking entities, the joint statement reads . . . Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Bakcell, the largest private mobile operator in the country, will receive strategic partnership support from a leading European and African telecommunications company, Vodafone Group. This year, Vodafone signed a partnership market agreement with Azerconnect Group. Under this agreement, Bakcell, as an affiliated company of the group, will leverage Vodafones expertise, including AI-based solutions and cutting-edge products, to enhance its service offerings. Vodafone provides mobile and fixed-line services to over 330 million customers across 15 countries and collaborates with mobile networks in 45 other countries. The company also owns one of the worlds largest IoT platforms. In Africa, Vodafones financial technology businesses serve approximately 79 million customers across seven countries, conducting more transactions than any other service provider. Bakcells CEO Klaus Mueller stated, Our partnership with Vodafone Group will further strengthen Bakcells position in the telecommunications market and enable us to offer our subscribers the latest innovative solutions. This partnership will accelerate digital transformation in the country and significantly contribute to the application of future technologies. Petr Dvorak, CEO of Vodafone Partner Markets, added: We work with a growing number of telecom operators around the world on a non-equity basis to share best practices in telecoms network design, operational efficiency, and customer support. We are excited about the opportunity to help Bakcell develop its business over the years ahead for the benefit of its consumers and business customers in Azerbaijan. About Bakcell Bakcell is Azerbaijans first and largest private telecommunications company. Currently, Bakcell serves over three million customers, providing them with high-quality and fast telecommunication services. The company strives to contribute to Azerbaijan's sustainable development through AI-based innovations and solutions and is one of the largest investors in the country's non-oil sector. Bakcell is part of NEQSOL Holding, an international group of companies operating in various countries across the energy, telecommunications, high technology, and construction industries. Challengers Volleyball Club are the winners of the 2024 Premier League in the men's category. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The deadline for filing complaints to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan against decisions of district election commissions has expired, CEC Chairman Mazahir Panahov said during todays CEC meeting in Baku, Trend reports. We'll consider all appeals. The final protocols regarding the parliamentary election will be sent to the Constitutional Court, he added. To note, based on legislation, final Azerbaijani parliamentary election protocols must reach the Constitutional Court by September 22. 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. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine. RUSSIAN DRONE THREAT On September 8, Russian attack drones violated the airspace of Romania and Latvia. Russian drones that terrorize peaceful cities in Ukraine are also a threat to all countries neighboring Ukraine. Russian drones repeatedly violated the airspace of Romania, Poland, Moldova, and Belarus. Now, for the first time, a Russia military UAV has entered the territory of Latvia. As long as the Russian Federation is waging an aggressive war against Ukraine, the danger to citizens of other European countries will remain. We call on the West to jointly fight this threat, in particular, to use their air defense systems to shoot down Russian missiles and drones over the territory of Ukraine. Russia understands only force. The answer to its provocations should be the removal by allies of restrictions on the use of long-range weapons by Ukraine. PRISONERS OF WAR TREATMENT The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, said that Ukraine has banned Russian prisoners of war from calling the Russian Federation. Ukraine's detention of Russian prisoners of war complies with the Geneva Conventions. Instead, the facts of the executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by the Russians regularly become known. After exchanges, Ukrainian prisoners of war return home sick and exhausted and testify to inhuman conditions of detention and torture. These facts are well documented. The Ukrainian side is forced to respond to Russia's non-compliance with the principle of reciprocity in the treatment of prisoners of war. Banning calls to Russian prisoners of war does not contradict the Geneva Conventions because international humanitarian law only provides for the right to correspondence. ATROCITIES IN KURSK REGION Russian media spread fake stories about the alleged atrocities of Ukrainian soldiers against the civilian population of the Kursk oblast of the Russian Federation, controlled by Ukraine. In the territories of the Russian Federation under the control of Ukraine, the military commandant provides a normal regime. The civilian population receives humanitarian aid and all necessary services. Fakes about atrocities reproduced in the Russian media are fabrications of Russian propaganda that are not supported by proper evidence. Foreign journalists present on the territory of the Russian Federation controlled by Ukraine do not record any violations there. For this, Moscow is trying to intimidate and take revenge on independent media, initiating criminal cases, etc. By creating fakes about Kursk oblast, Russian propaganda traditionally mirrors reports about Russian war crimes in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. It is the Russian army that commits real crimes in the Kursk oblast, bombing civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian MPs have called on their Canadian counterparts to prevent the screening of Russian-Canadian director Anastasia Trofimova's propaganda film "Russians at War" at the Toronto International Film Festival. Yevheniya Kravchuk, deputy head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and Information Policy, announced this on Facebook and published photos of the relevant appeal, Ukrinform reports. The appeal was signed by 21 lawmakers, including Kravchuk, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Oksana Savchuk, Oleksandr Aliksiichuk, Mykola Kniazhytskyi, Mykyta Poturaiev, and Yaroslav Yurchyshyn. "My colleagues and I addressed the Canadian parliamentarians and members of our Ukrainian-Canadian friendship group regarding 'Russians at War,' a propaganda film created by Russian-Canadian director Trofimova," Kravchuk said. According to her, "this case has become a vivid example of how Russia uses soft power to promote its narratives about a 'deeper understanding of war.' And unfortunately, it does it quite successfully." Kravchuk recalled that the film had already been shown at the Venice Film Festival and it is planned to be shown at the International Film Festival in Toronto. In addition, the film received $340,000 from the Canada Media Fund, which is financed by the Government of Canada. "Colleagues were urged to intensify their work and use all parliamentary means to prevent the film from being shown at the Toronto film festival," she said. Kravchuk also expressed hope that the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine and Minister Mykola Tochytskyi would be active in this case. An online campaign to honor the life of Kara Welsh, a beloved Wisconsin gymnast tragically killed last week, has shattered its fundraising goal, offering a powerful testament to the impact she had on those around her, even as her accused killer, Chad T. Richards, remains in custody facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide. Initially set to a goal of $40,000, the fund has now raised $47,450 courtesy of 808 donations made thus far. The 21-year-old gymnast and college senior was allegedly shot to death Friday in her off-campus apartment in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Responding officers found Kara, a national title-winning athlete, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Chad T. Richards, 23, has been charged in connection with her death and currently faces first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed. Friends and family describe Kara as having had the ability to bring joy to any person she crossed paths with, always putting a smile on people's faces with her sense of humor and her unwavering support and sweet disposition. Richards appeared at the Walworth County Courthouse on Tuesday, where a judge upheld his bail of $1 million after calling him as a "significant flight risk," according to Bleacher Report. Originally published on Lawyer Herald. Joseph Edelman, a hedge fund manager and Brown University Board of Trustees member, resigned publicly over concerns about rising antisemitism on campus and the university's upcoming vote on divestment from companies tied to Israel. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Sunday, Edelman called the decision to hold a divestment vote in October "morally reprehensible" and criticized Brown's handling of pro-divestment protests. His resignation followed years of significant financial contributions to the university, including $1.65 million toward brain science research, according to the Brown Daily Herald. "I find it morally reprehensible that holding a divestment vote was even considered, much less that it will be held especially in the wake of the deadliest assault on the Jewish people since the Holocaust," he wrote. "... Israel, like all nations, has a moral duty to defend its citizens from terrorist attacks, and that is exactly what it has been doing." He further criticized the university's choice to "reward, rather than punish, the activists for disrupting campus life, breaking school rules, and promoting violence and antisemitism at Brown." Student protests have erupted at Brown and other universities in response to the Israel-Hamas war since last spring. Demonstrators are calling on these institutions to fully disclose and divest from companies tied to Israel, demanding transparency and a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. The protests reflect wider campus movements pushing for institutional accountability and human rights advocacy amid heightened global tensions. "I consider the willingness to hold this vote a stunning failure of moral leadership at Brown University." Edelman concluded. "I am unwilling to lend my name or give my time to a body that lacks basic moral judgment. I hereby resign from the board of trustees." A judge has agreed to allow Bryan Kohberger's murder trial to be moved out of Latah County. "Considering the undisputed evidence presented by the defense, the extreme nature of the news coverage in this case, and the smaller population in Latah County, the defense has met the rather low standard of demonstrating 'a reasonable likelihood' that prejudicial news coverage will compromise a fair trial in Latah County," Judge John Judge ruled, according to ABC News. "Thus, the Court will grant Kohberger's motion to change venue for presumed prejudice." The future location will be decided by the state's Supreme Court, although the defense was arguing to have the trial moved to Boise, citing Latah County residents' "mob mentality" against the alleged killer, according to a theoretical phone study, NBC News previously reported, citing court records. If a Latah County jury failed to convict Kohberger, respondents said they'd "burn the courthouse down" and that "they would probably find him and kill him." Another said, "There would likely be a riot and he wouldn't last long outside because someone would do the good ole' boy justice." Kohberger, now 29, allegedly stabbed Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, to death in their off-campus apartment in November 2022. He pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary for the college students' slayings. His trial is slated to begin in June 2025. A motive in the killings remains under investigation. Originally published on Lawyer Herald. September 9 2024 New details of a residential-led development at Edinburgh's Maybury Quarter have been shared ahead of a second round of consultation. Summix Capital and 3DReid will show off its latest plans for a 15.5-acre site at Turnhouse Road, formerly home to the Saica packaging facility, on 11 September ahead of a planning application later in the year. Incorporating a range of senior living, commercial and retail uses the proposals promise 1,000 homes, including tenure blind affordable properties and rental apartments, alongside a 120-150 room hotel - all enveloped by new green spaces and public realm. Stuart Black, development director for Summix Capital, said: Our exciting proposals provide a unique opportunity to redevelop one of the last major pieces of brownfield land in the city into a brand-new, sustainable mixed-use community. This will ensure that Maybury Quarter Edinburgh fulfils our vision to be one of the most exciting and best-connected development sites in Scotland. The second round consultation will be held on Wednesday at Delta Hotels by Marriott, 111 Glasgow Rd. (@ChaudhryMAli88) President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari on Monday said that the entire nation will always feel proud of the way Pakistans armed forces are offering sacrifices for the defence of the country by foiling the evil designs of the enemy ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari on Monday said that the entire nation will always feel proud of the way Pakistans armed forces are offering sacrifices for the defence of the country by foiling the evil designs of the enemy. He paid rich tributes to the martyrs and veterans of war by adding that September 6 is an important day in the national and military history of Pakistan, said a press release issued here. He mentioned this in his remarks during his visit to the mausoleum of Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider in Mehfoozabad, old Pind Malkan, Rawalpindi. He laid a floral wreath at the martyrs mausoleum, offered Fateha and registered his remarks in the visitors book. He said that the shining stars of Pakistan who laid down their lives for the security of the country undoubtedly deserve honour and respect, adding that the love for the army is deep-rooted in the nation which is strengthening with the passage of each and every day. He added that the enemy is actively involved in conspiracies to destroy our unity but our armed forces with the fullest support of the nation will never let it to succeed in its ugly designs. ICCI President also visited the family of the Shaheed and paid rich tributes to all the defenders of the country especially Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz. It is noteworthy that Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz born on October 15, 1944, in Pind Malakan, a village in Rawalpindi was enrolled in Pakistan Army on October 25, 1962. After training, he joined the 15th Punjab Regiment and during the 1971 war he was part of the operation in the Wahga-Attari sector. (@FahadShabbir) PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) Residents of Swat and nearby areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced a jolt on Monday as an earthquake struck the area. The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that the earthquake registered a magnitude of 4.5 on the Richter scale. The tremors were felt across Swat and its surroundings, causing momentary panic among residents. The earthquakes depth was recorded at 151 km, with the epicenter located in the Hindu Kush Mountain range, a seismically active area known for frequent quakes. There have been no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties. Authorities are actively assessing the situation to ensure public safety. APP/vak BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The agreement on swap supplies of Turkmen gas through Iran to Iraq presents significant benefits for Turkmenistan, a country rich in natural gas but lacking in market access due to its isolated geography, Alexandre Araman, Director for Middle East Upstream at Wood Mackenzie, told Trend. Araman explained that despite Iraq being the world's fourth-largest oil producer, it has consistently struggled to meet its domestic gas demand. "Baghdad imports around 1 billion cubic feet per day of expensive Iranian gas for its power sector, while flaring large quantities of associated gas," he noted. However, the analyst pointed out that Iraq has faced difficulties in paying for these imports due to international sanctions against Iran. The new deal to purchase Turkmen gas instead of Iranian gas is expected to alleviate these issues, with Iran likely to receive gas as a tariff for pipeline usage. "This three-way swap agreement involving Tehran provides an effective way for Baghdad to diversify its gas supply," he added. The expert highlighted that Turkmenistans 500 million cubic feet per day export contract with Gazprom, set to expire this year, is unlikely to be renewed. The deal's timing works in Turkmenistans favor, as both the country and its primary export market, China, experience peak demand in winter, while Iraq needs the most gas during the summer. For Iran, the swap agreement is crucial as gas exports to Iraq have been a vital source of U.S. dollars amid heavy sanctions. Araman explained that if the deal materializes, Tehran would be able to allocate more gas to its domestic market, especially during peak summer demand, while securing access to U.S. dollars through pipeline tariffs. Araman also drew parallels with a similar gas swap arrangement between 2021-2023 involving Azerbaijan and Iran, noting that Iran is likely to continue serving Iraq from its own reserves while receiving equivalent volumes from Turkmenistan for its northern provinces. However, he mentioned that to boost Turkmenistans export infrastructure capacity, 125 kilometers of pipeline and three compressor stations would be required. RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in a major operation conducted at Karachi International Container Terminal recovered over 5 kg heroin. According to an ANF Headquarters spokesman, ANF acting on a tip-off conducted a raid and recovered heroin concealed in a consignment containing potatoes, booked for Colombo, Sri Lanka. After a thorough search of the container, ANF managed to recover a total of about 5 kg heroin tactfully concealed in 122 potatoes out of a total of 1198 bags. In total 80 bags, 1 to 2 heroin-filled potatoes were expertly hidden in each bag. The spokesman informed that the ANF team searched all the potatoes with high professionalism and utmost skill. After a preliminary investigation, an accused was arrested. The container was booked by a private company. Raids are being conducted to arrest other accused. The arrested accused has been shifted to ANF Police Station and further investigation is underway. OTTAWA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) Pakistan's Acting High Commissioner to Canada Shah Faisal Kakar has emphasized that the truest form of respect and love for Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was not merely through ceremonies or expressions of devotion but through the daily actions. The acting high commissioner, addressing the Eid Milad ul Nabi ceremony held by Salam Pakistan Canada in the SNMC mosque, here, urged the attendees to act upon the teachings of the Prophet, highlighting qualities such as compassion, justice, and humility. Today, as we celebrate this significant occasion, it is essential to reflect on how we can best honor the memory of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The teachings of the Prophet are a timeless guide, and our best tribute to him is to embody these values in our everyday lives. By doing so, we not only uphold his legacy but also contribute positively to our communities and foster a spirit of unity and understanding, Kakar stated. The event, held to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), attracted a diverse audience keen to reflect on the enduring legacy of the Prophet. The event brought together members of the Pakistani community and religious leaders to shed light on the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, along with PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, visited Ravi Sapphire Bay, a suburb of Sheikhupura on Monday LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, along with PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, visited Ravi Sapphire Bay, a suburb of Sheikhupura on Monday. The CM visited the sites of River Training Works and Barrage, and reviewed the construction work at Sapphire Bay. She also inspected the cofferdam site, said a handout issued here. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed displeasure on public complaint of forcefully taking their land, and directed the authorities concerned to conduct a third party audit of the matter. She directed to shift the slums coming in the project to suitable places, and agreed to a proposal to form a special team for monitoring the construction quality. The CM directed to hire world's best professional consultants for Ravi River City project to ensure best construction quality in Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) project. The CM and PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif were briefed in detail about the River Training Work Development Plan. RUDA CEO Imran Amin said that 46 km channelization would be done in three phases on both sides of River Ravi, 36 percent of the area would be reserved for forests and greenery in the project. He added that 46-km long three-way road would be constructed from Siphen to Hudayara Drain, and 03 barrages would also be constructed in the Ravi River Front Project. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Special Assistant Rashid Nasrullah accompanied the Chief Minister. Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Secretary Housing Asadullah Khan, Commissioner Zaid Bin Maqsood, CEO Ravi Urban Development Aurhority (RUDA) Imran Amin and other relevant officers were also present. In a significant move to enforce official prices, the Price Control Magistrates have conducted inspections at 473 locations, leading to the arrest of four individuals for overpricing fruits, vegetables, and other essential items LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) In a significant move to enforce official prices, the price Control Magistrates have conducted inspections at 473 locations, leading to the arrest of four individuals for overpricing fruits, vegetables, and other essential items. Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) Syed Musa Raza told media on Monday that eight cases have been registered for violations of government-set prices. Furthermore, fines totaling Rs 326,000 have been imposed for 99 instances of non-compliance. The DC emphasized that Price Control Magistrates and Assistant Commissioners are actively ensuring adherence to official rates. Supervision of the auction process in fruit and vegetable markets is also underway to prevent any malpractices. Administrative officers are ensuring the sale of fruits, vegetables, and bread at government-approved prices. All stalls and shops are being instructed to prominently display the rate list, and strict action is being taken against those failing to comply, he added. Following the directives of the Chief Minister of Punjab, no leniency will be shown towards overpricing. Citizens are encouraged to register their complaints regarding overpricing at the Chief Minister Punjabs helpline: 080002345, he urged. Meanwhile, the district administration has discovered dengue larvae at 1,438 locations and registered 91 cases for violations of dengue SOPs. Over the past 24 hours, 59,067 hotpots were inspected, and 12,931 containers were checked. The Arms Control and Disarmament Centre (ACDC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), hosted a seminar on Artificial Intelligence and National Security to underscore the paradigm shift driven by AI, highlighting its potential to enhance Pakistan's national security while addressing emerging risks ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) The Arms Control and Disarmament Centre (ACDC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), hosted a seminar on Artificial Intelligence and National Security to underscore the paradigm shift driven by AI, highlighting its potential to enhance Pakistan's national security while addressing emerging risks. Air Vice Marshal Dr. Liaquat Ullah Iqbal, CPD & DG PR National Aerospace Science and Technology Park was the keynote speaker. Other distinguished speakers included: Air Commodore Dr. Irteza Ali Khan, Director PAF Center for Artificial Intelligence and Computing (CENTAIC); Ms. Ghazala Yasmin Jalil, Research Fellow, ACDC-ISSI; Dr. Sumaira Kausar, Professor & Director CoE-AI, Bahria University; Khwaja Mohammad Ali, Global Chief Information & Cybersecurity Officer at National Bank; and Air Commodore Dr. Waseem Qutub, Director, ACDA, SPD, a news release said. Air Vice Marshal Dr. Liaquat Ullah Iqbal, in his keynote address, highlighted the increasing reliance on technology and its dual-nature capable of both destruction and saving lives. He drew parallels with the evolution of technology, such as airplanes used for both warfare and humanitarian efforts. He emphasized the importance of staying technologically advanced, reflecting on the historical contributions of forefathers in industrialization and the ongoing efforts by the PAF to maintain cutting-edge capabilities. He discussed the comprehensive indigenization concept, the role of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, and the development of Kamra as an aeronautical capital. The collaboration with Turkish firms and the establishment of the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) underscores the commitment to innovation, private sector development, and international partnerships, aiming to leverage technology for national progress and security. In his welcome remarks, DG ISSI Ambassaddor Sohail Mahmood emphasized the pivotal role of AI in transforming security approaches, offering transformative potential, and significant challenges. He highlighted AIs potential to enhance predictive analytics, improve intelligence gathering through advanced machine learning, and fortify cybersecurity with real-time threat detection and adaptive responses. AI also revolutionizes border security with advanced surveillance and biometric verification and optimizes defence operations with autonomous vehicles. He further underscored that human agency must have a pivotal role, especially in critical decision-making. Ambassaddor Sohail Mahmood emphasized that in education, AI personalizes learning, adapting to individual student needs and styles. Moreover, he cautioned against AI's risks, such as exploitation by adversaries and the spread of disinformation. He advocated for a robust, ethical AI framework, strong governance, and international collaboration to address these challenges while leveraging AI's benefits effectively. He expressed the hope that the national AI strategy would appropriately cater for these needs. Earlier, in his introductory remarks, Malik Qasim Mustafa, Director ACDC, highlighted the potential benefits of AI and stated that AI had the potential to address challenges to comprehensive national security. It could bring socio-economic development, improve human security conditions, and fulfill the national security needs of a country. It played a substantive role in achieving several UN SDGs. He stressed that Pakistan should fully harness the true potential of AI for its human, and economic needs and achieve its overall national security objectives. Air Commodore Dr. Irteza Ali Khan, elaborated on Military Applications of Al and National Security. He highlighted the role of AI in shaping modern military applications and national security. He explained that AI is essential in cyber operations, autonomous weapons, and data-driven warfare, providing strategic advantages through superior decision-making and real-time precision. He emphasized the need for self-reliance in AI infrastructure to safeguard data integrity, privacy, and security, advocating for indigenous AI development and robust institutions to maintain technological sovereignty and national security. Ghazala Yasmin Jalil stated that AI is already being used and its potential future usage in nuclear deterrence architectures internationally will likely increase. It is inherently dangerous and destabilizing as it is likely to cause an AI-Nuclear security dilemma, increase the risk of accidental nuclear conflict, as well as escalation, and would likely lower nuclear thresholds. It is, thus imperative to discuss and agree on limits to AI in nuclear weapons complexes. Dr. Sumaira Kausar addressed AI and Socio-economic Development, discussing both challenges and opportunities. She highlighted AIs transformative role in boosting economic growth by enhancing decision-making, optimizing various sectors, and increasing global competitiveness. She noted AIs benefits, from improving agriculture and healthcare to revolutionizing transportation and education. She also highlighted critical challenges such as ethical concerns, job displacement, and the need for robust governance. To address these, she proposed developing global standards, investing in education and training, and engaging stakeholders in AI policy development to mitigate risks and maximize benefits. Khwaja Mohammad Ali highlighted that AI enhances cybersecurity operations by utilizing real-time data within interconnected cyberspace, allowing for faster and more effective threat detection. Developing states face significant challenges in adopting AI and cybersecurity technologies due to resource constraints, making international cooperation and cyber diplomacy essential. He also emphasized the importance of fostering indigenous innovation in AI and cybersecurity, developing research institutions, and aligning capabilities with global standards to ensure security in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Cybersecurity, he noted, is now a shared concern globally. Air Commodore Dr. Waseem Qutub highlighted the ethical considerations and international regulations surrounding AI and Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS), stressing the need for compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the UN Charter. He emphasized human accountability in decision-making and warned against anthropomorphizing weapon systems. He discussed AI's role in cybersecurity, linking AI's reliance on cyberspace and data with the need for robust cybersecurity measures. He advocated for cyber diplomacy and international collaboration to address challenges posed by rapidly advancing AI and cybersecurity technologies. He also highlighted Pakistans contribution to the ongoing discourse at the UN and relevant multilateral fora regarding legal regime on the subject. The presentations by the speakers were followed by a Q&A session. Participant dilated on a range of subjects including AIs role in bridging gaps in education at school level, importance of human agency, and comparative progress in AI field across developing countries. Amb. Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG ISSI, in his vote of thanks, emphasized the rapid advancements in AI and emerging technologies. He highlighted the potential benefits and dangers of weaponization, calling for global accountability to prevent misuse and promote public welfare. (@ChaudhryMAli88) President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday underscored the need to further strengthen parliamentary democracy and promote political stability to put the country on the path of development ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday underscored the need to further strengthen parliamentary democracy and promote political stability to put the country on the path of development. Talking about the current challenges facing the country, the president emphasized the need to forge political unity to steer the country out of its political, economic and security challenges. The president expressed these views during a dinner hosted in honour of parliamentarians belonging to Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PMLQ), and Istehkaam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), at Aiwan-e-Sadr. Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony Chaudhary Salik Hussain, Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, President ANP Senator Aimal Wali Khan, Former Caretaker Prime Minister and Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, President IPP Abdul Aleem Khan, and senior political leadership of the country attended the dinner. Speaking on the occasion, President Zardari called for promoting tolerance and mutual respect as well as strengthening democratic institutions. He said that political, economic and governance reforms were essential for improving public service delivery and bringing economic prosperity. He urged the need to rise above partisan interests and committedly work for the welfare of the people, adding that he was against the politics of confrontation that harmed the country. The parliamentarians from different political parties suggested various measures to bring stability and provide relief to the people. They also appreciated the president for his political wisdom and vision in evolving consensus on issues of national significance. The Pakistan Rangers Sindh and Police in a joint intelligence-based operation in Gadap Town arrested two members of a robber's gang and recovered two pistols along with ammunition and two mobile phones from their possession KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) The Pakistan Rangers Sindh and Police in a joint intelligence-based operation in Gadap Town arrested two members of a robber's gang and recovered two pistols along with ammunition and two mobile phones from their possession. According to Rangers spokesperson on Monday, arrested were identified as accused Abdul Rehman and Umer. The accused are involved in many incidents of robberies from laborers and traders coming to the New Sabzi Mandi area. Two accomplices of the accused, Shamsullah alias Sailay (gang ringleader) and Farman Ali, were earlier arrested by the Rangers and sent to jail. Both the accused are criminals and were nominated in several FIRs registered against them in different police stations of the city. The arrested accused along with arms and ammunition and stolen goods have been handed over to the police for further legal action. Veendam, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Sep, 2024) The dream of hurtling between European cities at speeds of more than 700 kilometres per hour moved a step closer Monday with the first successful vehicle tests at the European Hyperloop Centre. Hovering inside a sleek 420-metre (1,377-foot) white tunnel, a dark and light grey striped pod levitates at the order from the mission control centre, before powering away using magnetic propulsion and with no one aboard. For the moment, the speed is relatively slow at 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) per hour but operators hope to reach 100 kph (62 mph) by the end of the year as they race towards rolling out a system by 2030. "We will be ready to transport passengers in a vehicle like that by 2030," Roel van de Pas, commercial director of Dutch firm Hardt Hyperloop, told AFP in an interview. Amsterdam to Berlin in 90 minutes or Milan in two hours -- the technology has the potential to revolutionise travel in Europe, believes Van de Pas. SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk brought hyperloop into popular culture with a 2013 paper proposing a "fifth mode of transport" linking San Francisco and Los Angeles. But several attempts to roll out the technology have failed, including by British tycoon Richard Branson, and critics say "hype" is the pertinent part of the name "hyperloop". Not so, says Van de Pas. "It's really going to change the relationship that we have within Europe. It's really going to integrate the continent," believes the 39-year-old. Riyadh, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) General Authority of Foreign Trade (GAFT) Deputy Governor Fareed bin Saeed Al-Asali led the Saudi delegation at the first round of Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Republic of Indonesia, held in Jakarta from September 9 to 31. The Saudi team is overseeing the commercial negotiations to ensure that they align with the Kingdom's trade objectives and policies. It consists of nine technical sub-teams that focus on the following areas: goods, services, investment, general provisions, e-commerce, intellectual property, government procurement, rules of origin, and economic evaluation. These teams, made up of representatives of 46 government entities, are responsible for preparing and coordinating Saudi Arabia's negotiating positions and proposals for discussions at the World Trade Organization and for free trade agreements. In 2023, the volume of trade between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia was approximately $7 billion. Key Saudi exports to Indonesia included metal products and organic chemicals, while major Indonesian exports to Saudi Arabia were vehicles and their parts, animal and vegetable fats and oils. Nairobi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) Distraught parents gathered on Monday at a hospital in central Kenya for DNA tests to identify the victims of a deadly school dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 21 boys. Kenya's government declared three days of mourning amid public anger over continued safety lapses and repeated fires in the country's schools. The children perished after flames engulfed their dormitory at the Hillside Endarasha academy, a boarding school in the central Nyeri county, as they were sleeping on Thursday night. Nineteen bodies were found in the charred ruins of the building, while another two died in hospital. But 17 were still unaccounted for, government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said Saturday. Police said the victims in the dormitory, aged nine to 13, were burnt beyond recognition. On Monday, local media showed images of parents waiting outside Naromoru hospital, a medical facility an hour's drive from the school. "The forensic exercise of identifying the bodies will start on Monday because that's the only way they can be identified," Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murigu told AFP on Sunday. President William Ruto has described the incident as an "unfathomable tragedy". Flags were to be flown at half-mast on all Kenyan public buildings, military bases and embassies from Monday to Wednesday. Ruto has ordered a full investigation. "This incident compels us to ensure accountability in all schools across the country and to take every action we can to safeguard the lives of our school-going children," he said on Friday. The Kenya Red Cross has been offering psychological counselling to traumatised children and relatives, setting up white tents in fields outside the school gates. Thursday's inferno has highlighted the issue of safety at schools in Kenya, after numerous similar incidents over the years, many of them deadly. A spate of school blazes occurred in 2016, with authorities saying that in a three-month period there were 117 arson incidents at education establishments across the country. On Saturday night, another fire broke out at Isiolo Girls High School, also in central Kenya, with pictures on social media showing several buildings in flames. Isiolo County communications director Hussein Salesa told AFP there were several injuries, but police said there were none. Then on Sunday, a fire destroyed a dormitory at Njia Boys High School in the central county of Meru as students were having supper, a police statement said. No casualties were reported. Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has instructed police to investigate whether the Endarasha fire was caused by negligence or recklessness, saying it "evokes bad memories of other similar school fire incidents". The cause of the fire remains unclear, but local media reported that police were investigating whether it was started by an electrical fault in a light bulb. Kenya's National Gender and Equality Commission said initial reports indicated the Endarasha dormitory was "overcrowded, in violation of safety standards". "This incident raises serious concerns about children's rights to safety in educational institutions," the NGO Vocal Africa said in a statement on X. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 9. Turkmenistan is ready to start the TAPI project in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov stated in a video conference with Afghanistan's Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Trend reports via Radio Television Afghanistan. The meeting was all about spreading wings and strengthening ties between the two countries, including ongoing teamwork in the TAPI gas pipeline project, railway development at the Afghan Torghundi port, and enhancements to transit and transport links. The officials stressed the need to strengthen ties and work hand in hand to boost economic growth. Mullah Baradar highlighted the strong political and economic relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, noting that the current environment is favorable for strengthening these ties. He underscored Afghanistan's commitment to an economy-focused foreign policy, with a priority on regional connectivity and cooperation with Turkmenistan. In addition to the TAPI project, Turkmenistan expressed readiness to invest in Afghanistans electricity and railway sectors, further advancing the partnership between the two nations. Both sides affirmed their commitment to maximizing opportunities for mutual benefit. Earlier, the Board of Directors of TAPI Pipeline Company Limited gathered in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, to review the project's ongoing development. Furthermore, in mid-August, Director of the TAPI pipeline project for Turkmenistan, Mohammad Murad Amanov met with Afghanistans Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss the TAPI pipeline, where Amanov confirmed that Turkmenistan has extended the pipeline to its border with Afghanistan and is nearly ready to proceed with its extension into Afghan territory. The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline is a major project designed to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. Expected to deliver 33 billion cubic meters annually, construction on the project began in Turkmenistan on December 13, 2015. Turkmenistan is the primary gas supplier and plays a key role in the pipeline's development, aiming to diversify its energy export routes and enhance regional economic ties. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Zagreb, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) Fourteen migrants, half of them children, were injured after a van carrying them crashed in eastern Croatia Monday after a police chase, according to authorities. A police patrol near the village of Malino close to the Bosnian border noticed a "visibly overloaded van... that they tried to stop", a police statement said. Fourteen people were injured including seven children, a police spokeswoman told media. The driver of the van with Swiss registration plates, who sustained minor injuries, is in police custody, spokeswoman Kata Nuic added. Police did not provide details about the identities of the migrants but the state-run HRT television reported they were Syrians. The youngest child was two years old. The migrants were hospitalised with seven of them being seriously injured including four children, doctors said. The incident comes two weeks after 12 migrants died when their boat capsized as they tried to cross a river between Bosnia and Serbia. European Union-member Croatia has long been a major transit country for illegal migrants travelling on the so-called Balkan route hoping to enter Europe, with most passing through neighbouring Bosnia. According to the bloc's border agency Frontex, nearly 100,000 Europe-bound migrants fleeing war or poverty took the Balkan route last year to enter the EU. ANKARA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Sep, 2024) Turkiye is set to participate in the Arab League's Council of Foreign Ministers meeting for the first time in 13 years, following an invitation from the organization, according to diplomatic sources. Turkiye will join the 162nd council meeting scheduled for Tuesday in Egypts capital Cairo. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to deliver remarks during the opening session, focusing on Turkiye-Arab League relations and regional issues, especially the situation in Gaza. Small-business owners will have the opportunity to learn how to best create good customer service Monday, Sept. 16. Devan Costa-Cargill will lead a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network workshop titled Get Out of the Trenches, Climb a Tree: Customer Service from 3-5 p.m. at the Powell Regional Office, located at 227 N. Bent St. To register, go here. Registration is free. This is the second in a series of four work sessions. The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). During the workshop, small-business owners will learn how to assess and enhance current staff training procedures; establish methods to measure the quality of customer service; and build a solid customer service value proposition that sets businesses apart from others. Costa-Cargill is the Wyoming SBDC Network regional director for Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties. She launched her consulting career in the public school system, specifically in special education. For the past 10 years, Costa-Cargill has operated her own small business, providing consultation and enrichment to families and early educators. Her work with the Wyoming SBDC Network began in April 2021, advising small-business startups through the first important steps of their journey. For more information, call Tyler Schanck, marketing, communications and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email tschanck@uwyo.edu. One dead, and another missing following boating accident in BVI BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. President of the Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa has decided to step down from his post, Trend reports. "After much reflection, I have made the decision to step down as President of the Asian Development Bank, effective 23 February 2025. It has been an immense honor to serve in this role, and I am incredibly proud of the milestones the ADB has achievedfrom our swift COVID-19 response, to repositioning ADB as the Climate Bank for Asia and the Pacific, strengthening domestic resource mobilization, advancing private sector development, and using the Asian Development Fund to support the most vulnerable," Asakawa wrote on his page on X. Masatsugu Asakawa has been serving as ADB President since 17 January 2020. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The 12-month grace period for student loan borrowers ended on September 30. The "on-ramp" period helped borrowers who are struggling to make payments avoid the risk of defaulting and hurting their credit score. "The end of the on-ramp period means the beginning of the potentially harsh consequences for student loan borrowers who are not able to make payments," said Persis Yu, Deputy Executive Director at the Student Borrower Protection Center. Around 43 million Americans have student loan debt, amounting to $1.5 trillion. Around eight million of those borrowers had enrolled in the SAVE plan, the newest income-driven repayment plan that extended the eligibility for borrowers to have affordable monthly student loan payments. However, this plan is currently on hold due to legal challenges. With the on-ramp period and a separate program known as Fresh Start ending and the SAVE plan on hold, student loan borrowers who are struggling to afford their monthly payments have fewer options, added Yu. Student loan borrowers who haven't been able to afford their monthly payments must consider their options to avoid going into default. If you have student loans, here's what you need to know. What was the on-ramp period? The Education Department implemented this grace period to ease the borrower's transition to make payments after a three-year payment pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this year-long period, borrowers were encouraged to keep making payments since interest continued to accumulate. "Normally, loans will default if you fall about nine months behind on making payments, but during this on-ramp period, missed payments would not move people towards defaulting and then being subject to forced collections. However, if you missed payments, you still be falling behind ultimately on repaying your loans," said Abby Shaforth, director of National Consumer Law Center's Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project. Since this grace period has ended, student loan borrowers who don't make payments will go delinquent or, if their loans are not paid for nine months, go into default. Borrowers who cannot afford to make payments can apply for deferment or forbearance, which pause payments, though interest continues to accrue. What happens if I don't make my payments? Borrowers who can't or don't pay risk delinquency and eventually default. That can badly hurt your credit rating and make you ineligible for additional aid and government benefits. If a borrower missed one month's payment, they will start receiving email notifications, said Shaforth. Once the loan hasn't been paid for three months, loan servicers notify to the credit reporting agencies that the loan is delinquent, affecting your credit history. Once the borrower hasn't paid the loan for nine months, the loan goes into default. If you're struggling to pay, advisers first encourage you to check if you qualify for an income-driven repayment plan, which determines your payments by looking at your expenses. You can see whether you qualify by visiting the Federal Student Aid website. If you've worked for a government agency or a non-profit organization, you could also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives student debt after 10 years. What happens when a loan goes into default? When you fall behind on a loan by 270 days roughly nine months the loan appears on your credit report as being in default. Once a loan is in default, it goes into collections. This means the government can garnish wages (without a court order) to go towards paying back the loan, intercept tax refunds, and seize portions of Social Security checks and other benefit payments. What if I can't pay? If your budget doesn't allow you to resume payments, it's important to know how to navigate the possibility of default and delinquency on a student loan. Both can hurt your credit rating, which would make you ineligible for additional aid. If you're in a short-term financial bind, you may qualify for deferment or forbearance allowing you to temporarily suspend payment. To determine whether deferment or forbearance are good options for you, you can contact your loan servicer. One thing to note: interest still accrues during deferment or forbearance. Both can also impact potential loan forgiveness options. Depending on the conditions of your deferment or forbearance, it may make sense to continue paying the interest during the payment suspension. What is an income-driven repayment plan? The U.S. Education Department offers several plans for repaying federal student loans. Under the standard plan, borrowers are charged a fixed monthly amount that ensures all their debt will be repaid after 10 years. But if borrowers have difficulty paying that amount, they can enroll in one of several plans that offer lower monthly payments based on income and family size. Those are known as income-driven repayment plans. Income-driven options have been offered for years and generally cap monthly payments at 10% of a borrower's discretionary income. If a borrower's earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased. What is the latest with the SAVE program? In August, the Supreme Court kept on hold the SAVE plan, the income-driven repayment plan that would have lowered payments for millions of borrowers, while lawsuits make their way through lower courts. Eight million borrowers who had already enrolled in the SAVE plan don't have to pay their monthly student loan bills until the court case is resolved. Debt that already had been forgiven under the plan was unaffected. The next court hearing about this case will be held on October 15. What happened with the Fresh Start program? The Fresh Start program, which gave benefits to borrowers who were delinquent prior to the pandemic payment pause, also closed on September 30. During this limited program, student loan borrowers who were in default prior to the pandemic were given the opportunity to remove their loans from default, allowing them to enroll in income-driven payment plans, or apply for deferment, among other benefits. Efforts to maintain exchanges between Taiwanese and Chinese citizens face new challenges after Beijing last month sentenced a Taiwanese activist to nine years in jail, a move that analysts say will create a chilling effect within Taiwans civil society. On September 6, Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) confirmed that a court in the eastern city of Wenzhou earlier had sentenced Taiwanese political activist Yang Chih-yuan to nine years in jail under secession charges. TAO said Yang, who was arrested in 2022 while teaching and participating in competitions for the board game Go, has long been involved in secessionist activities, playing a key role in organizations that advocate Taiwans independence. His acts are egregious and the court reached the decision according to law, the office said in a statement. Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council, which oversees cross-strait exchanges, condemned the Chinese courts ruling and asked Beijing to make public the verdict and the evidence that supports the charges. Beijing is trying to use Yangs case to intimidate Taiwanese people and use the pretext of penalizing Taiwan independence as a way to exercise long-arm jurisdiction, the MAC wrote in a statement released last week. Yangs case marks the first time that China used secession charges against Taiwanese people. It comes after Beijing in June introduced 22 new guidelines to punish what they called die-hard Taiwan independence activists. The maximum sentence could be the death penalty. Analysts say the sentencing of Yang represents Beijings attempt to take a more hardline stance against Taiwanese who promote the islands sovereignty. His case shows that Beijing means business when it comes to using legal instruments to crack down on what it regards as separatism, said J. Michael Cole, a Taipei-based senior fellow at the Global Taiwan Institute. This will inevitably affect people-to-people and civil society exchanges [between Taiwan and China,] Cole told VOA in a written statement. Indefinite delay of cross-strait academic exchanges, city-to-city forum Meanwhile, the scheduled visits by two academic delegations from Chinas Xiamen University have reportedly been postponed as Taiwanese authorities review their paperwork. While some local media outlets said the postponement may be caused by obstacles imposed by Taiwanese authorities, Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council said the review of the Chinese delegations applications is based on existing procedures, adding that Taipei has no intention to prevent certain groups from visiting Taiwan. Despite clarification from Taiwanese officials, Chinas state-run tabloid Global Times characterized the postponement as the Taiwanese governments attempt to block the Chinese delegations from visiting Taiwan. The Xiamen University delegations have completed the preparations in terms of formalities and materials, but related security authorities in Taiwan have put a technical hold in place while they carry out a review, Zhang Wensheng, deputy dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, told the Global Times in an interview. Some experts say the delay in the Chinese delegations trips to Taiwan shows the Taiwanese government may be reviewing how to facilitate cross-strait exchanges amid growing military and political pressure from Beijing. In light of Beijings heightened pressure against Taiwan, the Taiwanese government may be reviewing what might be a more reciprocal approach to manage cross-strait academic exchanges, Wen-ti Sung, a Taipei-based political scientist for the Australian National University, told VOA by phone. In addition to the delay of cross-strait academic exchanges, the annual Shanghai-Taipei City Forum, which remains one of the few occasions for municipal officials from Taiwan and China to meet, has yet to announce a date for a potential 2024 gathering. When asked in August about the forum, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an told Taiwanese media outlets that at a time when cross-strait tensions are high, it is more necessary for Taiwan and China to maintain communication. Such delays serve as a clear reminder that even lower-level engagement is difficult to sustain when one side rejects core aspects of the others existence, Timothy Rich, a political scientist at Western Kentucky University, told VOA in a written response. Since Taiwan President Lai Ching-te took office in May, Beijing has increased military pressure against Taiwan. Against this backdrop, Cole in Taipei said the lack of engagement between Taipei and Beijing may increase the risks of miscalculation, which could lead to accidents and escalation. In his view, Beijing will likely maintain a two-pronged approach against Taiwan in the near future. They will uphold a suspension of official dialogue with the Taiwanese government led by the Democratic Progressive Party while keeping the door open to sub-state interaction with other elements of Taiwans society, with the aim of dividing both, he told VOA. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived late Monday in London at the start of a week of diplomacy with the new U.K. government expected to touch on Ukraine and the Middle East. Blinken's visit comes ahead of a trip to Washington on Friday by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, his second meeting at the White House since his Labour Party won July elections, sweeping out the Conservatives after 14 years. Blinken the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit London since Labour's triumph is expected to meet Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy during his talks Tuesday. The top U.S. diplomat will discuss Asia, the Middle East and "our collective efforts to support Ukraine," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement announcing Blinken's trip. The United States and Britain cooperate in lockstep on most global issues, and Starmer has made clear that he will maintain the U.K. role as one of the most assertive defenders of Ukraine as it pushes back against the Russian invasion. Former human rights lawyer Starmer, however, has taken a harder line on Israel since taking office, with his government announcing a suspension of some arms shipments, citing the risk that they could be used to violate humanitarian law. The Labour government has also dropped its Conservative predecessor's plans to challenge the right of the International Criminal Court to seek the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The United States is not a member of the ICC and has opposed the bid to target Netanyahu, arguing that Israel has its own systems for accountability. But the United States, Israel's primary weapons supplier, did not criticize the U.K. arms decision, saying that Britain had its own process to make assessments. Authorities in northwestern Pakistan said Monday that a roadside bomb explosion injured at least 10 people, including anti-polio vaccinators and police personnel escorting them. The bombing in the South Waziristan district near the border with Afghanistan targeted a convoy carrying polio workers and their guards on the opening day of a nationwide immunization campaign. Area security and hospital officials reported that three health workers and six security personnel were among the victims. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the violence in a region where security forces are fighting militants linked to the outlawed Pakistani Taliban. Last week, Pakistan reported its 17th wild poliovirus case of the year from Islamabad, saying it paralyzed a child and marked the first infection in 16 years in the national capital. Pakistani health officials said in the lead-up to Mondays polio campaign that it is designed to vaccinate more than 33 million children under five in 115 districts nationwide. Muhammad Anwarul Haq, coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication, stated that the immunization drive would primarily focus on districts where "the virus has been detected and the risk of continued transmission and spread is really high. Haq encouraged all parents and caregivers to ensure their children get vaccinated, lamenting that parents have not always welcomed and opened their doors to the vaccinators when they visit their homes. Pakistan and Afghanistan, which reported nine paralytic polio cases so far in 2024, are the only two remaining polio-endemic countries globally. Polio immunization campaigns have long faced multiple challenges in both countries, such as security and vaccine boycotts, dealing setbacks to the goal of eradicating the virus from the world. They call themselves Bucha Witches an all-female volunteer air defense unit near Kyiv targeting the Iranian Shahed drones that Russia fires at Ukraine. They operate 24/7 and are using unconventional but effective weapons to bring down the deadly aerial vehicles. Anna Kosstutschenko has their story. VOA footage and video editing by Pavel Suhodolskiy. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is lending $60 million (55 million euros) to Turkiyes Borusan EnBW Enerji to support the development and construction of 116 MW of onshore wind energy capacity in Sivas and Tekirdag, Trend reports. According to the bank, Borusan EnBW Enerji, a joint venture between Borusan Holding and EnBW AG, currently operates 730 MW of renewable energy capacity. Once the ongoing projects are completed, the companys total installed capacity will increase to 935 MW. The new wind power projects are expected to generate 382 GWh of renewable energy annually and cut CO2 emissions by 243,000 tonnes. Aida Sitdikova, Director and Head of Energy Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa in the EBRDs Sustainable Infrastructure Group, emphasized the importance of the partnership: It is crucial that major players like Borusan EnBW Enerji lead Turkiyes green energy transition. This project will not only help reduce emissions and boost the countrys renewable capacity but also accelerate Turkiyes climate objectives. Since 2009, the EBRD has been a major investor in Turkiye, contributing over 20 billion euros across 450 projects and trade finance operations, primarily in the private sector. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sent greetings to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the occasion of North Korea's founding anniversary, state media KCNA said on Monday. "I am sure that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and the DPRK will be strengthened in a planned way thanks to our joint efforts," Putin said, according to KCNA. DPRK is short for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name. Xi called for deeper strategic communication and cooperation with North Korea in his message, KCNA said. Last year, Kim marked the country's founding day on Sept. 9 with a parade of paramilitary groups and diplomatic exchanges in which he vowed to deepen ties with China and Russia. A bridge collapsed and a bus was swept away by flooding Monday as more rain fell following a typhoon Vietnam that has caused at least 59 deaths in the Southeast Asian country and disrupted businesses and factories in the export-focused northern industrial hubs, state media reported. Nine people died when Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Vietnam on Saturday before weakening to a tropical depression, and at least 50 others have died in the consequent floods and landslides, state media VN Express reported. The water levels of several rivers in northern Vietnam were dangerously high. A passenger bus carrying 20 people was swept into a flooded stream by a landslide in mountainous Cao Bang province Monday morning. Rescuers were deployed but landslides blocked their path. In Phu Tho province, rescue operations were continuing after a steel bridge over the engorged Red River collapsed Monday morning. Reports said 10 cars and trucks along with two motorbikes fell into the river. Three people were pulled out of the river and taken to the hospital, but 13 others were missing. Pham Truong Son, 50, told VNExpress that he was driving on the bridge on his motorcycle when he heard a loud noise. Before he knew what was happening, he was falling into the river. I felt like I was drowned to the bottom of the river, Son told the newspaper, adding that he managed to swim and hold on to a drifting banana tree to stay afloat before he was rescued. Dozens of businesses in Haiphong province hadn't resumed production by Monday because of the extensive damage to their factories, reported state media Lao Dong newspaper. The report said that the roofs of several factories were blown apart while water had seeped into industrial units, damaging finished goods and expensive equipment. Some companies said they still didnt have electricity on Monday and that it would take at least a month to be able to resume production. Toppled electricity poles meant that Haiphong and Quang Ninh provinces were still without power on Monday. The two provinces are industrial hubs, housing many factories that export goods, including EV maker VinFast and Apple suppliers Pegatrong and USI. Authorities are still assessing the damage to industrial units but initial estimates show that nearly 100 enterprises were damaged by the typhoon, resulting in losses amounting to millions of dollars, reported the newspaper. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Haiphong city on Sunday and approved a package of $4.62 million to help the port city recover. Typhoon Yagi was the strongest typhoon to hit Vietnam in decades when it made landfall Saturday with winds up to 149 kph. It weakened Sunday, but the countrys meteorological agency warned the continuing downpours could cause floods and landslides. On Sunday, a landslide killed six people including an infant and injured nine others in Sa Pa town, a popular trekking base known for its terraced rice fields and mountains. Overall, state media reported 21 deaths and at least 299 people injured from the weekend. Skies were overcast in the capital, Hanoi, with occasional rain Monday morning as workers cleared the uprooted trees, fallen billboards and toppled electricity poles. Heavy rain continued in northwestern Vietnam and forecasters said it could exceed 40 centimeters in places. Yagi also damaged agricultural land where rice is mostly grown. Before hitting Vietnam, Yagi caused at least 20 deaths in the Philippines last week and four deaths in southern China. Chinese authorities said infrastructure losses across the Hainan island province amounted to $102 million with 57,000 houses collapsed or damaged, power and water outages and roads damaged or impassable due to fallen trees. Yagi made a second landfall in Guangdong, a mainland province neighboring Hainan, on Friday night. Storms like Typhoon Yagi are getting stronger due to climate change, primarily because warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel the storms, leading to increased wind speeds and heavier rainfall, said Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore. Being able to open a door whenever she wants is one of the many freedoms Alsu Kurmasheva is enjoying after months of wrongful detention in Russia. Im enjoying freedom. Im loving every minute of it, the American journalist told VOA, just a few weeks after she was freed as part of a historic prisoner swap between the United States and Russia. An editor with VOAs sister outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Prague, Kurmasheva was back in Washington late last month to accept an award from the National Press Club. The visit was the start of what she described as her thank you tour. A dual U.S.-Russian national, Kurmasheva traveled to Russia in May 2023 to visit her ailing mother in the Tatarstan city of Kazan. But authorities blocked her from leaving and later jailed her for more than nine months on bogus charges. What happened to me was so wrong, and it shouldnt happen to any innocent person. It shouldnt happen to any journalist, Kurmasheva said. I was jailed for 288 days, and every minute of it is suffering. Its going through humiliation. And inmates in Russia and Belarus, they dont have any rights. In prison, daily life was monotonous for Kurmasheva. It was endless, she said, adding that she forced herself to remain optimistic. I couldnt write in my letters to my mom or to my husband or family or friends that I was falling apart, that I was collapsing, because I knew they were trying so hard to get me out, she said. Letters that she received from supporters from all over the world helped, said Kurmasheva, holding up some of the postcards she received from supporters in New York and Oregon. When my spirit was really low, I just opened my cards and letters, and I kept reading them, she said. At one point during her detention, Kurmasheva shared a cell with nine other women. There was more social interaction, she said, but that didnt make the situation any easier. The doors were still locked, and every woman was there with her own bad luck and uncertain future, she said. When it was time for Kurmashevas release, her captors obscured that she was being freed, telling the journalist she was heading to a destination other than Moscow. It wasnt until she was hugging her husband and daughters at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington that reality set in. Only then I felt it was real, Kurmasheva said. That was the moment I was dreaming of for months and months. Before returning home to Prague, Kurmasheva went to a military base in Texas, where she received care from doctors and psychologists. The recovery process after wrongful detention varies greatly from person to person, according to Katherine Porterfield, a consulting psychologist at the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma in New York. The experience of incarceration is one of loss of liberty, loss of agency, loss of freedom of movement, as well as lots of other disconnections, Porterfield told VOA, speaking generally about how journalists and others are helped after a wrongful detention. Its basically moving a person from powerlessness to a sense of agency again, Porterfield said. Throughout Kurmashevas imprisonment, press freedom groups criticized the State Department for not declaring her wrongfully detained. The designation which The Wall Street Journals Gershkovich received within two weeks of his arrest opens up extra resources and support for families and commits the U.S. government to secure their release. The State Department in August said it had declared Kurmasheva wrongfully detained shortly before the prisoner swap took place. If any journalist is detained anywhere in the world doing their job, they should immediately be designated as wrongfully detained, Kurmasheva said. Kurmashevas own freedom feels bittersweet, she admits. At the top of her mind are her three RFE/RL colleagues who are still unjustly jailed. Andrey Kuznechyk and Ihar Losik are jailed in Belarus, and Vladyslav Yesypenko is jailed in Russian-occupied Crimea. RFE/RL has condemned all three cases as politically motivated. Kurmasheva isnt sure whether she wants to stick with journalism or try something new, she said, but she does know that she wants to help free her jailed colleagues and other political prisoners. I feel the pain that their families are going through, she said. I feel the pain of those journalists. With Kurmashevas own family, she takes every opportunity to thank her daughters, as well as her husband, for fighting so hard to secure her release. They were the leaders of my advocacy group. It all started at home, she said. Noting how her daughters have matured significantly in the time Kurmasheva was in jail, she says she is relishing her newly reclaimed freedom and figuring out what comes next. I want to enjoy my life from now on, she said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Sunday he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agree that Russia should be included in a future peace conference aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine. He called for stepped up efforts to solve the conflict. A previous peace conference June 15-16 in Switzerland ended with 78 countries expressing support for Ukraines territorial integrity but otherwise left the path forward unclear. Russia did not participate. I believe that now is the moment when we must discuss how we get out of this war situation faster than the current impression is, Scholz said in an interview with Germany's ZDF public television aired Sunday. There will certainly be a further peace conference, and the president and I agree that it must be one with Russia present, Scholz said. Scholz is facing more political discontent at home over his government's support including money and weapons for Ukraine after populist parties that oppose arming Ukraine did well in state elections Sept. 1 at the expense of parties in his three-party governing coalition. Some members of his Social Democratic Party have also called for more emphasis on diplomacy toward Russia. Zelenskyy has presented a 10-point peace formula that calls for the expulsion of all Russian forces from Ukrainian territory and accountability for war crimes. Police in Guinea-Bissau have seized 2.63 tons of cocaine found on an airplane that arrived from Venezuela in the West African country's capital, the judicial police said. Agents confiscated 78 bales of drugs that were smuggled in on a Gulfstream IV aircraft during a raid Saturday afternoon at Bissau's Osvaldo Vieira International Airport, the police said in a statement. The aircraft's entire crew of five, including the pilot, was arrested. They included two Mexican nationals as well as citizens of Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil. The detainees will appear before a regional court Monday for interrogation, the statement said. Police said the raid, codenamed "Operation Landing," was carried out in cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Center-Narcotics. Drug smugglers often use West African countries as a transit point to ship cocaine from South America to Europe. The seizure at the weekend is one of the biggest recorded in recent years. Cocaine remains among the most widely used drugs worldwide with 23 million users, according to the 2024 U.N. World Drug Report. The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote Wednesday on whether to renew existing sanctions that prevent the transfer of military equipment to Sudans western Darfur region. The pending vote comes as Human Rights Watch calls on the council to expand an existing arms embargo, currently on the restive region, to the rest of the country. The western Darfur region has been the epicenter of Sudans current civil war, which pits the Sudanese armed forces, or SAF, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, and other militias against each other. U.N. agencies and rights groups say the parties involved have committed war crimes and other human rights violations during the conflict, which has lasted nearly 18 months. Ahead of Wednesdays vote, Human Rights Watch is urging the council to consider imposing an arms ban on the entire country to stop the ongoing rights violations and the suffering of the people. The Sudanese government opposes expansion of the embargo. Human Rights Watch investigators found that some of the weapons being used in the conflict were acquired after the civil war broke out in April of last year. Jean-Baptiste Gallopin is a senior researcher in Human Rights Watch's crisis, conflict, and arms division. "We based our research on an analysis of photos and videos posted on social media and primarily taken by the fighters themselves, showing them in possession and using equipment such as attack drones, drone jammers, anti-tank guided missiles, as well as truck-mounted multiple rocket launchers systems and mortar munitions," said Gallopin. The rights groups report shows some of the mortars fired were manufactured in China last year. Companies in Iran, Russia, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates have also produced some of the weapons used, according to the organization. In 2004, a year after the start of another Darfur conflict between ethnic militias and government-backed militias known as the Janjaweed, the U.N. imposed the arms embargo on Darfur. The embargo originally applied to non-governmental entities and was later extended to all parties in the conflict, including the Sudanese government. Ahmed Hashi is a Horn of Africa political and security commentator. He said the regional and international community is doing little to end the conflict, and said that in fact, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedi, is receiving strong foreign support. "I think the United Arab Emirates and other proxy states are arming Mr. Hamedi. I think that the rebellion inside Sudan is foreign-led. I think that the people who caused the Janjaweed and caused international human rights, international crime are fighting in Sudan. I'm afraid that terrorism will rear its ugly head. It is the tragic human rights issue of the 21st century. And we are all, including me, ashamed as Africans that we have not done anything," he said. The UAE has denied arming the RSF. Gallopin said imposing an arms ban in one region would not solve the conflict. He said a ban is needed nationwide. "We believe that the existing embargo is not sufficient, that there needs to be a wholesale embargo on the sale of armed and military equipment to the whole of Sudan, because we documented, we and others documented very serious abuses carried out by the warring parties since last year, including widespread war crimes, crimes against humanity. We know we published a report on Darfur showing that ethnic cleansing was committed. And so we think it's urgent for the Security Council to broaden that arms embargo," he said. The group also is calling on the Security Council to condemn governments that are violating the existing arms embargo on Darfur and take urgent measures to sanction individuals and entities that are also doing so. The Israel-Hamas war continues to claim lives as analysts warn that the suffering wont end unless a cease-fire deal is achieved. Although a truce is still elusive, the United States hinted that a more detailed peace proposal will be made in the coming days. VOAs Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports. Socialist Cuba, the birthplace of salsa and other rhythms that have conquered the world, is now surrendering to the invasion of South Korean pop music. Thirteen thousand kilometers of distance separate the Asian nation and the communist-run island, as well as a different language and cultural traditions. However, all of these barriers would seem to vanish in a split second thanks to K-pop's infectious beat and elaborate choreography. Korean popular music, or K-pop, has spread far and wide from its Asian roots as boy bands like BTS and NCT and their female counterpart Blackpink rival Taylor Swift for downloads and album sales globally. But it was slow to catch on in Cuba, where salsa is king and internet speeds were glacial until recently. On Saturday, far from Seoul, dozens of teenagers clad in plaid, prep school skirts, baggy bomber pants and heavy black eyeliner busted their best moves as images of the genre's idols were projected on a large screen of a Havana dance club. "K-pop has opened a new world to me," said 24-year-old Fransico Piedra, who when not working with his father as a blacksmith dreams up meticulous dance steps. Known by his artistic name Ken he one day aspires to be a professional K-pop choreographer. "It's a place where I can be myself, and share with friends the joy of laughter, song and dance." Many of the teenagers hope to follow in the footsteps of two Cuban groups Limitless and LTX that before the pandemic traveled to South Korea to partake in the K-POP World Festival, an annual talent competition. K-pop a catch all for musical styles ranging from R&B to rock first penetrated the island when Cubans fell in love with South Korean soap operas about a decade ago. As internet speeds improved, and government controls eased, more young Cubans got online and started streaming videos like teenagers everywhere. While Cuban kids may be mesmerized by K-pop, an older generation of leaders have had frostier ties to South Korea. The two countries only restored diplomatic relations that were severed following the 1959 Cuban revolution this year and have yet to exchange ambassadors. Meanwhile, Cuba remains a staunch ally of North Korea, which views K-pop as a dangerous form of propaganda from a capitalist enemy with whom is has been locked in a military standoff since the 1950s. Kenya begins three days of national mourning Monday following the deaths of at least 21 students in a boarding school inferno in central Kenya. Distraught parents and relatives gathered to give samples for DNA testing Monday at the Naromoru hospital in Kenya, four days after the fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy, where some of the deceased were burned beyond recognition. The dormitory housed 156 students, the majority of whom escaped. However, officials say 17 children remain unaccounted for following the tragedy, which has devastated the school community. John Mwangi said he still does not know the whereabouts of his child, a student at the school. At least itll be a reprieve to 20 parents. I might be among them, I dont know thats why we are here. We are hanging on hope, he said. Some parents and relatives have been camping at the school to demand answers. Chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor said DNA testing will help families get closure. Well be undergoing a process of DNA collection from them at the hospital by the government chemist, then on Tuesday, well start the autopsy, Oduor said. During the autopsy, well be documenting the cause of death and also taking samples for DNA which will later be reconciled so that at the end of the day, well be able to unite the parents to their children. The Red Cross and ministry of health have been offering support to those affected. We have the emergency disaster preparedness and response team, said Deborah Barasa, Kenya's cabinet secretary for health. We have the counselors, or the mental health and psychosocial support. We have forensic teams on the ground and they are supporting in every way. Officials have yet to determine the cause of the fire, with investigations ongoing. There have been a number of incidents of fires at Kenyan boarding schools in recent years, prompting national concerns about safety standards. A report released in 2020 by the countrys auditor general said many schools lack proper equipment to handle fires and many dormitories are not constructed in accordance with government regulations. Education cabinet secretary Julius Ogamba said a review of the rules is needed. Perhaps as a country it has reached that time when we need to relook at those rules and regulations, which are policies, and find out whether it is time for us to move them a step further and make them laws so that there are penalties that will attach to any person who violates them, Ogamba said. Kenyas deadliest school fire was in 2001 when at least 67 students died in a dormitory inferno at Kyanguli high school in the southeast of the country. As the country marks three days of mourning for another school fire, experts say the government needs to do more to ensure the safety of learners. Russia said on Sunday its forces had taken full control of a town in eastern Ukraine as Moscow's forces advance on the strategically important city of Pokrovsk and seek to pierce the Ukrainian defensive front lines. Russian forces, which control about a fifth of Ukraine since invading in February 2022, are advancing in eastern Ukraine in an attempt to take the whole of the Donbas, which is about half the size of the U.S. state of Ohio. Russia's defense ministry said its forces had taken the town of Novohrodivka, which lies 12 kilometers from Pokrovsk, an important rail and road hub for Ukrainian forces in the area. The town had a population of 14,000 before the war. Yuri Podolyaka, an influential Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger, published maps showing Russian forces attacking beyond Novohrodivka in at least two places less than 7 kilometers from Pokrovsk. The General Staff of the Ukrainian military, in a report issued on Sunday evening, gave details of fighting throughout the Pokrovsk sector, including Novohrodivka. It said 29 attempted Russian advances had been repelled, with seven skirmishes continuing. "Our troops are taking measures to maintain designated positions," it said. But an interview with a Ukrainian officer broadcast last week by U.S.-funded Radio Liberty said Ukrainian forces had abandoned Novohrodivka on grounds that the positions there were not favorable for defending it. Popular Ukrainian war blog DeepState said Russian forces had captured the village of Nevelske, to the southeast. Reuters was unable to immediately verify battlefield reports from either side due to restrictions on reporting in the war. President Vladimir Putin said last week that a Ukrainian incursion into the Russian region of Kursk had failed to slow Russia's own advance in eastern Ukraine and had weakened Kyiv's defenses along the front line in a boost to Moscow. Ukraine's top military commander said on Thursday that Kyiv's incursion into the Kursk region was working. Russian forces, he said, had made no progress in their advance on Pokrovsk for the previous six days. He said that one of the objectives of the Kursk incursion was to divert Russian forces from other areas, primarily Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Russia had diverted large numbers to Kursk but was also strengthening the Pokrovsk front, he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the Kursk operation was also to prevent Russian forces from crossing the border in the opposite direction. Russia currently controls about 80% of the Donbas. Given the speed of recent Russian advances in the east, some Russian war bloggers have raised concern about the army overreaching itself. Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine more than two and a half years ago in what he calls a special military operation. Ukraine and its Western backers have vowed to defeat Russian forces and expel all Russian troops. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Azerbaijani SMEs will foster economic policy by boosting green technology use, the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov said, Trend reports. He made the remark at the "Role of Small and Medium Businesses in the Green Economy" conference, held in Baku with the support of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA). He emphasized that Azerbaijan is a country with a significant potential for renewable energy sources and is currently increasing the proportion of these sources in its energy balance. To harness this potential, significant projects are being implemented within the framework of public-private partnerships with leading global energy companies. As a result, the share of renewable energy sources in the countrys total energy balance will rise to 30 percent by 2030, the minister said. He noted that Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, which have been declared green energy zones, hold immense potential for green energy. For example, the solar energy potential in the Fuzuli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan districts, as well as the wind and hydropower potential in the Lachin and Kalbajar regions, are highly valued. The government is providing incentive mechanisms, benefits, and stimulus measures to encourage business development in Karabakh, Jabbarov emphasized. He clarified that the government's economic policy will be bolstered by the increased use of green technologies by Azerbaijani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which will subsequently increase their profitability and competitiveness. Since the green economy is a comprehensive challenge, the joint efforts of all relevant state bodies, businesses, associations, academia, and the public are crucial. The goal of todays conference is to gather a large number of stakeholders to exchange ideas on the topic and unite our efforts, Jabbarov added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel South America's Paraguay River, a key thoroughfare for grains, has hit a record low in Paraguay's capital Asuncion, with water levels depleted by a severe drought upriver in Brazil that has hindered navigation along waterways in the Amazon. The depth of the Paraguay River, measured versus a "zero" index rather than the riverbed, has dropped below minus 0.82 meter, breaking the previous record low in October 2021, data from the national Meteorology and Hydrology Directorate shows. The body expects the river will keep falling with no rain forecast. The Parana River in Argentina is also near year lows around grains hub Rosario. Both the Paraguay and Parana rivers start in Brazil, eventually joining and flowing into the sea near Buenos Aires. They are important routes for soy, corn and other trade. "In the northern section [of the Paraguay waterway], navigation is practically halted due to the extreme drop in water levels," the Paraguayan oilseed and grain crushing chamber CAPPRO told Reuters in written comments. The chamber, whose grain-trader members handle some 60% of Paraguay's soybean exports, said the low river was hitting shipments, though the impact was capped as it was not peak trading season. "Vessels have had to transport volumes below the average of their normal cargo capacity," said CAPPRO. "This has generated delays and made travel times longer." The chamber's members include ADM, Bunge and Cargill. Expected rains not enough The Paraguay-Parana system is a waterway of more than 3,400 kilometers that runs through Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, as well as landlocked Paraguay and Bolivia. Paraguay is the world's No. 3 soybean exporter and roughly 80% of grains travel along waterways to seaports downriver. Argentina is the top exporter of processed soy, most of which goes down the Parana from around river port city Rosario. Paraguay's deputy director for the Meteorology and Hydrology Directorate, Jorge Sanchez, said the outlook for river levels in the coming months was not encouraging, even with the traditional October-November rainy season ahead. "This would alleviate the level of the river, but it's not expected to be enough," Sanchez said. Less rain than normal is expected in the second half of the year due to the La Nina weather phenomenon, which brings drier, cooler conditions in Paraguay and Argentina, though it usually heralds wetter weather farther north in Brazil. Sanchez said this year, however, La Nina was delayed and its effects would be seen only between October and November. "There is a lot of variability due to climate change," he added. In Brazil, where record wildfires have also occurred, the low water levels are leaving some communities in the Amazon isolated, as well as hitting soy and corn shipments in center-west states such as Mato Grosso, Brazil's number one grains growing area. Ukraine's foreign ministry said Monday it had summoned Iran's charge d'affaires Shahriar Amouzegar to protest the possibility that Tehran is supplying Russia with ballistic missiles. The ministry said on Telegram that it gave Amouzegar a harsh warning that confirmation of missile deliveries to Russia would have "devastating and irreparable consequences" for bilateral relations between Ukraine and Iran. The White House told VOA last week it is alarmed by unconfirmed Western news reports that an unprecedented Iranian transfer of missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine recently happened or will occur imminently. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that unnamed U.S. and European officials determined in recent days that Iran has delivered ballistic missiles to Russia in what would be a first for the growing military partnership of the two anti-Western allies. The Kremlin has dismissed the reports and Iranian officials Monday denied supplying Russia with missiles. Continued Russian aerial attacks On the battlefront, Ukraine said Russian forces attacked it with eight aerial drones and three guided missiles, including the latest round of assaults directed at the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Ukraines air force said it shot down two of the three missiles and six of the eight drones, with intercepts taking place over the Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv and Sumy regions. There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties. Russias defense ministry said Monday its air defenses shot down a Ukrainian drone over the Belgorod region and another over the Kursk region, both areas along the border between the two countries that are common targets for Ukraine. Some material in this report came from Reuters. The U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday that the United Nations has offered to help monitor any eventual cease-fire to halt the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza, but that it is unrealistic to think that the world agency would directly administer the territory or provide a peacekeeping force. Guterres told The Associated Press in an interview, The U.N. will be available to support any cease-fire, but said he did not believe Israel would accept a broader role for the U.N. As the Israeli-Hamas conflict raged over the last 11 months, Israel accused a small number of U.N. workers of joining Hamas militants in their shock October 7 attack on Israel that started the war. The United Nations has had a military monitoring mission in the Middle East, known as UNTSO, since 1948. Guterres said that offering to monitor a cease-fire was one of the hypotheses that we've put on the table." But the months-long cease-fire talks have stalemated. "Of course, we'll be ready to do whatever the international community asked for us," Guterres said. "The question is whether the parties would accept it, and in particular whether Israel would accept it." Stressing the urgency of a cease-fire now, Guterres said, "The level of suffering we are witnessing in Gaza is unprecedented in my (seven-year) mandate as secretary-general of the United Nations. I've never seen such a level of death and destruction as we are seeing in Gaza in the last few months." Separately, U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said Monday that ending the war in Gaza and averting a full-blown regional conflict is an absolute and urgent priority. We know that wars spill over, and into, future generations, fostering repeated cycles of hatred if their causes remain unaddressed, Turk told a session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Sadly, the war in Gaza is the quintessential example. Turk highlighted the horrific Hamas attack on Israel, the forcible displacement of 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza, the 101 Israelis still being held hostage in Gaza, and Israels deadly and destructive operations in the West Bank that are worsening a calamitous situation. Israels military reported Monday carrying out overnight attacks against buildings and a launch site used by Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon, the latest in cross-border clashes between the two sides that have raised concerns about a wider regional conflict. In neighboring Syria, state media said Monday that suspected Israeli airstrikes killed at least 18 people and injured nearly 40 others. The strikes targeted military sites in central Syria, the report said. Israel rarely comments about attacks it carries out in Syria, but it has said it will not allow an Iranian presence in Syria, which is a key route for sending Iranian arms to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Sunday to continue the war against Hamas militants in Gaza as the conflict moves into its 12th month, saying his country is surrounded by a murderous ideology led by Iran's axis of evil. In recent days, there have been vast street protests against his handling of the war, along with his failure to reach a cease-fire with Hamas that includes the return of the remaining hostages held by the U.S.-designated terror group. But Netanyahu told other Israeli leaders that the great majority of Israel's citizens know that we are fully committed to achieving the objectives of the war: To eliminate Hamas, to return all of our hostages, to ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel and to return our residents in the north and south securely to their homes. The war was triggered by the October attack on southern Israel last year that killed about 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed more than 40,900 Palestinians, mostly women and children, although the Israeli military says the death toll includes several thousand militants. The United States, Qatar and Egypt have spent months trying to broker a cease-fire and the return of the hostages, but the negotiations have repeatedly bogged down. Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Less than two years after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged his country would not seek nuclear weapons, his newly appointed defense minister is openly envisioning scenarios in which South Korea might reconsider that stance. The comments by Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who took office on Friday, are the latest evidence that the once-taboo idea of nuclear armament has gone mainstream in Seoul, amid growing concerns about North Korea's rapidly expanding nuclear arsenal and the long-term reliability of U.S. protection. As an academic and retired military officer, Kim has long argued that South Korea may need nuclear weapons in some form to counter North Korea. In recently unearthed footage from a 2020 seminar, Kim warned South Korea has no survival or future without such a deterrent. During his confirmation process last week, Kim stood by those comments, saying all options should remain open if the U.S. nuclear umbrella proves insufficient. It appears to be the first time a sitting South Korean defense minister has publicly entertained the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons, and marks a sharp departure from his predecessor, who repeatedly and firmly rejected the proposal under any condition. Contacted by VOA, a South Korean defense ministry spokesperson maintained there has been no change in the principle or position that Seoul relies on U.S. extended deterrence and the U.S.-South Korea alliance to address the North Korean nuclear threat. However, if we cannot guarantee the survival and security of the state, all means and methods are open, the spokesperson added, emphasizing the need to work closely with the United States. A spokesperson for Yoons presidential office declined to comment for this story. Most observers doubt South Korea will pursue nuclear weapons any time soon due to the massive economic and national security risks it would entail. Not only would South Korea risk enraging China, but Seoul could upend its alliance with the United States and invite painful international sanctions, all while possibly encouraging others in the region to consider nuclear weapons of their own. Despite the risks, Yoon continues to drive the once unthinkable idea further into the mainstream, raising concerns that the proposal could become more acceptable and eventually turn into reality. Nuke calls now routine Yoon himself suggested last January that South Korea could develop nuclear arms if the North Korean threat escalated raising alarm in Washington, where non-proliferation has long been a priority. Three months later, Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden signed what is known as the Washington Declaration, which bolstered U.S. defense assurances while reaffirming South Koreas commitments under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Yoons appointment of Kim, however, appears to contradict the spirit of that agreement, said Lee Sang-sin, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification. What stands out most, Lee said, is the lack of public reaction to Kims remarks. Kims appointment has drawn little attention from South Korean media and been largely ignored by Western outlets a possible indication that calls for South Koreas nuclear armament have become routine. Thats what I have warned about, said Lee. [This conversation] has been normalized. When contacted by VOA, the White House National Security Council declined to directly comment on Kim's statements, instead emphasizing South Koreas pledge under the non-proliferation treaty as outlined in the Washington Declaration. We will continue to work with our ROK allies to strengthen our alliance and ensure we are well-positioned to deter nuclear threats, an NSC spokesman added. Driving the conversation Polls have long suggested a majority of South Koreans support acquiring nuclear weapons, although such views were once confined to the political fringes. Under Yoons presidency, the debate has become so entrenched that even some state-backed research institutions are exploring the possibility of nuclear armament. A June report by the state-run Institute for National Security Strategy recommended that Seoul consider government reviews and public debates on various options, including the redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons, NATO-style nuclear sharing, and South Korea developing its own arsenal. Such calls are not only coming from Seoul. A growing number of former Trump officials have expressed an openness to the idea, with some even highlighting the geopolitical advantages of South Korea getting its own weapons an idea that Trump himself once teased. The possibility of Trumps return, along with his "America First" stance, has fueled concerns in Seoul that U.S. protection may be less reliable long-term, further accelerating the nuclear debate. Some in South Korea appear eager to capitalize on the trend. In an opinion piece this month, Choi Kang, president of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, an influential conservative research group, argued South Korean nuclear weapons should be presented as beneficial to the U.S.-South Korea alliance. If a South Korean nuclear arsenal aligned with U.S. security interests and came to be regarded as a common asset of the alliance, then the United States might accept it or even support it, Choi wrote. Reality check? But many analysts caution that such statements downplay the risks of nuclear armament. There really needs to be greater questioning of whether more nukes and more countries with nukes truly increases any countrys security situation and a serious examination of what Seoul stands to lose by choosing that path, said Jenny Town, a North Korea specialist with the Washington-based Stimson Center. Others, like Mason Richey, who teaches international politics at Seouls Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, argue it is unlikely South Korea would pursue nuclear weapons barring profound U.S.-South Korea alliance problems and/or severe regional instability. That said, every elite policymaker who engages the South Korea nuclear debate makes it easier to continue down the slippery slope of thinking about nuclear weapons, studying how to develop them, assuring a latent capability, deciding to develop them, and then actually building them, he added. White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report. The transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia would signify a "dramatic escalation" of Tehran's support for Moscow, and the United States is prepared to respond with "significant consequences," the State Department said Monday. U.S. media outlets reported last week that Washington believed Iran had transferred the weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, and the European Union has said allies shared "credible" intelligence that Tehran had done so. "Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran's support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told journalists. "We have been clear ... that we're prepared to deliver significant consequences," he said. Tehran has rejected the accusation that it transferred the missiles, but the Kremlin has not explicitly denied it. Faced with punishing Western sanctions, Moscow has turned to Iran and North Korea for weapons supplies to keep its war machine going in Ukraine. Ukraine says it has been attacked with Iranian-designed Shahed drones on an almost daily basis from Russia and has found fragments of North Korean missiles on its territory. The reported delivery of missiles to Russia comes as the Kremlin has once again stepped up its bombing campaign against Ukraine's key infrastructure ahead of winter. Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez flew into Spain on Sunday to seek asylum, Madrid said, hours after quitting his country amid a political and diplomatic crisis over July's disputed election. A gunman crossing from Jordan killed three Israeli civilians at the Allenby Bridge border in the occupied West Bank. And well take you to an event that matches African film and TV creatives to the people and countries that produce their work. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Baku will host Finance, Investment and Trade Day within the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Executive Director of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev said, Trend reports. He made the remark at the "Role of small and medium businesses in the green economy" conference in Baku today. "The event will take place on November 14 as part of the implementation of the Baku Initiatives announced by Azerbaijan this summer," emphasized Abdullayev. According to him, each of Azerbaijan's fourteen initiatives will help the country reach its sustainable development objectives and fight climate change. The official also noted that on November 14, the event "Platform for Business, Investments, and Philanthropy" is planned and organized by AZPROMO. He mentioned that as part of the Day of Finance, Investment, and Trade, two discussion sessions will be held, organized jointly by AZPROMO and the World Economic Forum. He explained that these sessions will be all about getting foreign investors who are on board with climate goals to team up with local companies and making sure that climate commitments match up with possible investment projects. "Trade and investment house pavilions will also be organized," added Abdullayev. 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. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: HBO In the third episode of HBO docuseries Chimp Crazy, director Eric Goode has a crisis of conscience. He knows that his primary subject, Tonia Haddix, kidnapped a chimp named Tonka and lied about it, secretly hiding the animal in her basement for a year while pretending the ape died, a claim she reiterates through jagged sobs during a court hearing. Now Goode has learned that Haddix is so stressed about the situation, she plans to euthanize Tonka. He wonders if he needs to intervene. Do we turn her in? Goode, who previously directed the pandemic phenomenon Tiger King, asks Peter Laufer, a reporter and documentarian who has also covered exotic animal cases. Or do we continue following the story? As journalists, we dont want to do something thats morally, ethically wrong, Laufer responds. You have to hope that the end result is more positive than negative. Is there a greater good? Goode ultimately reports Haddix to PETA, sharing a voicemail in which she describes her plan to euthanize Tonka. (She later says she never intended to kill the animal.) As revealed in the Chimp Crazy finale, Tonka is rescued by authorities and relocated to a Florida sanctuary where he lives today among his fellow chimps. Haddix faces the possibility of criminal charges as well as the expectation that she will repay PETA $225,000 in legal fees. The outcome suggests Chimp Crazy did achieve a greater good: It put Tonka in a more suitable living environment, held Haddix accountable for her actions, and illustrated the dangers of attempting to domesticate animals not meant to exist as roommates for human beings. But its only able to do those things by resorting to means that, to borrow Laufers words, are morally, ethically wrong. In order to gain access to Haddix in the first place, Goode and his team completely misrepresent themselves to her. Goode, a notorious figure in the exotic animal world due to the success of Tiger King, knows Haddix and other key sources wont talk to him if made aware of his identity, so he hires a proxy director: Dwayne Cunningham, a former circus clown convicted of illegally smuggling exotic lizards into the United States. Cunningham tells Haddix hes the filmmaker in charge, never explains Goodes involvement, and builds trust with the Missouri nurse by positioning himself as an ally to her cause. Not only is this a clear breach of journalistic ethics, its a deception that reeks of hypocrisy. Chimp Crazy, while mostly matter-of-fact in its approach, spends much of its time highlighting Haddixs many lies and the way her love for Tonka clouds her ability to understand that keeping him in a basement is not whats best for him. By contrast, Goode initially presents his decision to hire a shadow director as a semi-routine documentary procedure and the only option he has given his reputation. The series never adequately interrogates how Goodes determination to get what he wants on film parallels the lengths to which Haddix will go to keep Tonka in her possession. Chimp Crazy is, really, a portrait of individuals Haddix and the other chimp owners in the series, as well as the filmmaker capturing their stories who are in denial about the degree to which they prioritize their own desires above doing the right thing. As noted in Lane Browns recent profile of Goode, before he got into filmmaking, the former New Yorker made a career out of developing eye-catching nightclubs and restaurants in Manhattan. Then and now, hes displayed an instinct for the dramatic that can serve his projects for both better and worse. In Tiger King and, to a more restrained extent, Chimp Crazy, Goode cant resist the opportunity to photograph his subjects in ways designed to make them look extra freakish. At one point, cameras follow Haddix as she gets a spa treatment, frequently zeroing in on her injected lips so they look even more plumped. After Tonka is taken away from Haddix, shes asked if anything can take the chimps place in her life. Goode immediately cuts to a scene of her eating donuts and drinking cans of Coke. The finale devotes an unnecessary amount of time to footage of Haddix weeping in her car while listening to a Jelly Roll song, practically daring the audience to laugh at her pain. Back in 2022, in the midst of Chimp Crazy production, reporter Cheyenne Roundtree published a Rolling Stone article in which she revealed to Haddix that Goode is really directing the docuseries. Haddix responds that she never would have agreed to be filmed if she knew who was behind the camera. In the Chimp Crazy finale, Cunningham confesses to Haddix that the documentary team ratted her out to PETA and apologizes to her. He seems to feel remorse, but only to a point. Tonia always knew we were filming a documentary and I always told her, Dont say anything you dont want the whole world to know, he says in the doc. After the article comes out, Cunningham tells Haddix that Goode is waiting nearby and would like to speak to her on camera. It feels like Haddix has been blindsided with information that should have been shared with her earlier. Im the bad guy in this, Goode confesses to camera while waiting to hear whether she will talk to him, something that feels necessary to the project now that hes been outed. But we like to look at ourselves differently, dont we? Why do you think we do that? asks a voice from behind the camera. We like to believe our own truth, he says. Before he can reflect more deeply on what he means by that, Chimp Crazy cuts to the next scene, where Goode sits down with Haddix and, among other things, tells her how much he empathizes with her connection to Tonka. But that comment We like to believe our own truth hangs in the air, begging for elaboration. When Goode says hes the bad guy, hes referring to his role in secretly blowing the whistle on Haddix. During his conversation with her, he doesnt mention the lie that put her in his docuseries in the first place, nor does he apologize for it. He does ask his source why shes talking to him now. She says she hopes the documentary will convince PETA to let her visit Tonka. Haddix is still under the impression that Goode is on her side. Throughout the doc, theres a sense that there are things going on behind the scenes between Cunningham, Goode, and other high-level members of production that theyre withholding from viewers as well as Haddix. In that Rolling Stone article, for example, an unnamed source says members of the crew were disturbed by Tonkas care, but also uncomfortable with the ethics of Haddix being in the dark about who was behind the documentary. The documentary never suitably addresses any of this, nor Goodes trickery. In the final episode, before he talks to Haddix, Goode interviews Roundtree about her article. She talks about how much she, like Goode, empathizes with Haddixs love for Tonka. Then Roundtree describes seeing photos of Haddix standing in the small basement enclosure where Tonka was kept by himself for so many months. To me, I question: does she not see what other people see? Roundtree asks. Its Goodes job as the filmmaker to show viewers the full picture of Haddix, and the ways in which her relationship with Tonka primarily functions as selfishness dressed up in selfless clothing. His imagery is effective; perhaps the saddest scene in Chimp Crazy is of Tonka, his eyes conveying profound loneliness as he lies in his cage staring at cell phone photos of other chimps as Haddix describes how happy he is. While Goodes treatment of Haddix is not as blatantly harmful as her treatment of Tonka, he doesnt seem to consider that hes rationalized his behaviors in ways that arent all that different. He does not seem to see what other people see, either. As a documentarian, his job is to convince viewers that his truth is the truth and the only one they should embrace. Its hard to do that when you start out by telling your audience youre a liar. Correction: A previous version of this article misidentified the operators of sanctuary where Tonka currently lives. Were past the halfway point of what is shaping up to be Industrys last season. How are we feeling? I, for one, am feeling focused. Lumi is over, Harper has Leviathan Alpha, and the show starts to feel like its hinting at its finale. We have the mystery of Charles Hananis absence left to solve. Yasmin, Harper, Robert, and Eric are shaping up for whatever their next move is. Im ready! Im a man, and Im relentless! This weeks episode goes deep into Robert, who is being hung out to dry by Pierpoint. Post-failure, Lumi is the subject of a government inquest, and Pierpoint has to send a representative who will act as the banks face and potential fall guy. Of course, that guy is Rob, who never saw this coming. Sometimes, I find Roberts naivete tiresome. Youve been in this business for years, guy! You didnt set yourself up for protection? Youve never sat Harper down at the kitchen table and asked for some pointers on how to be self-serving? Come on, dude! Get! It! Together!!!! I forgive him, though, because he looks A+ adorable in those Clark Kent glasses he wears to his deposition. I will be honest and say I did not care very much about the exact workings of this government inquest, but the broad strokes appear to be Lumi sold itself as a green company that would bring energy to underserved and low-income households. When Lumi went under, it was placed under emergency government control and bailed out by taxpayers for 2 billion. Perhaps worst of all, the low-income folks relying on Lumi for power were literally left out in the cold, with soaring energy bills that they couldnt pay. The government inquest is looking to find whos to blame for this situation. Is it Lumis inept CEO, Henry Muck? Is it the bank that fronted Lumis IPO and failed to do due diligence on the company? Is it the government itself? Robert will be the sorry face of Lumis failure for most of the inquest. Hes just such a clunky performer, unable to see that Pierpoint finds him expendable and that Henry is physically incapable of taking responsibility for anything. But who should come to Roberts unlikely rescue but Aurore? For those who may have forgotten, Aurore is a rising star in the conservative U.K. government who we met last season as Gus boss. Shes wily, cunning, everything Robert isnt. She comes sweeping into the government inquest, tearfully declaring that she and her team are responsible for not thoroughly vetting Lumi. She takes the blame entirely, resigning from her position in the cabinet. The inquest ends, Henry sweeps Robert into his car and takes him to private members club, where Otto, the rich investor who is funding Leviathan Alpha, waits, as does Henrys tabloid owning Uncle. After a brief wait, Aurore joins them. It turns out that the whole inquest was essentially a sham. Aurore used it to further her political profile as a conservative with a conscience, aiming to win the publics trust and become the next prime minister. Robert looks bewildered. Even though hes been involved with the well-moneyed for years, he remains confused by his sudden class ascension. On a smaller scale, Im reminded of when he used his entire first-year bonus to buy a motorcycle, a move that was classified as being very New Money. Oh, Rob. Perhaps youll never understand how these posh people move. Maybe thats what keeps you pure. Henry and Co. spend the evening celebrating their success. After an altercation between Yasmin and Henry (more on that later), Robert finds himself trailing after Muck, joining him on a soul-searching psychedelic trip. I hate vomit. I hate when it happens to me, when it happens to strangers. I especially hate watching it on screen. It is a testament to this show that I soldiered through the psychedelic-induced vomit-thon that happened to Henry and Robert. The ayahuasca trip itself was not that interesting; there were lots of spliced-in scenes from season one, which mostly made me feel nostalgic for the baby bankers, and a motif of the trading floor being a sort of hell presided over by a demonic Eric. Henrys trip is also not interesting enough to merit mention, though it does cause him to remark that they ought to monetize psychedelics and that theres a monster in the mirror of the bathroom (him, duh). The most interesting part of this whole experience is the absolute and utter peace that Robert finds when he returns home. Though its punctuated with the ceiling of his kitchen falling in, theres a sense of calm that permeates the scene, a rarity in the chaos of Industry. After the gauntlet of the Lumi inquest and his harrowing psychedelic trip, clarity has descended on Robert. Im sure hell quit after this or at least look for something else. Remember when I said that Industry is a bildungsroman? I think we are witnessing Robert growing out of Pierpoint in real-time. Other people who have grown out of Pierpoint, quite literally. Harper, who is coming to Pierpoint as a member of Leviathan Alpha, ostensibly for some meeting with a charity fund that Yasmin has set up. While there, Harper overhears crucial news in the bathroom, where Sweet Pea is confiding to Yasmin that her web of new grad connections throughout the bank has led her to believe that Pierpoint has taken an outsized bet on ESG funds. (See! I told you Sweet Pea is proving herself smarter than she looks.) Harper takes this tidbit, cancels her meeting with Yasmin, and goes back to Leviathan Alpha, where I assume she will wreak some kind of semi-illegal havoc in the next episode. If you are wondering what Sweet Pea is talking about, I will sketch this out for you, although this one is proving to be a real doozy for me. Essentially, Pierpoint issued a fuck ton of senior secure debt. Senior security debt is debt that has to be paid back first if a company should go bankrupt. Basically, if a company bought Pierpoints senior security debt, it is first in line to be repaid ahead of other companies that might have bought junior security debt. Pierpoints debt is coming to maturity, which means its time for Pierpoint to pay up. However, Pierpoints strategy to pay back that money was essentially bidding everything on the ESG pivot. As youll recall, all the IPOs with ESG companies are in limbo or on the brink of failure post-Lumi. That means that Pierpoint doesnt have the money to pay back the companies that bought said debt, which could mean that the bank would essentially go bankrupt. Why is this important? When he hears Sweet Pea talking about this, Eric tries to shake it off like its no big deal, telling her she should be careful about what shes saying because its possibly illegal that she has all this information. But later, when he confronts Bill Adler, he learns that Sweet Pea is right on the money. Pierpoint is in big trouble, which doesnt move me much, but it does put my bankers in trouble Eric, Yasmin, Robert, and Rishi would be out of a job. Layered on to this looming crisis is the revelation that Bill Adler has an aggressive brain tumor. Its jarring to be reminded that Bill Adler, who has only ever swept into scenes as a head honcho with the power to make deus ex machina plot twists, is a person, too. Most importantly, hes a person to Eric, who came up in the bank with Bill. Eric begins to cry, though Im unsure if hes crying for Bill or his own sorry self. This is one hell of a midlife crisis. All of this leaves us with one last person to cover: Yas. This episode opens with Yasmin peeing on Henry Muck in the shower, which had me crowing in disbelief. Im telling you. The writers of Industry are GOING THERE. Im sure Henry loves whats going on, but for me, it just served to cement how kinky Yasmin can be (more power to her!) and also how needy Henry is (blech). All things seem good in Yas-land until the Lumi inquest comes with it a set of allegations that Henry sexually harassed an employee. Somehow, this is a shock to Yas. Maybe she and Robert are so drawn to each other because theyre both frustratingly naive. Anyhow, she storms into Henrys post-inquest party to question him about this, is mollified by his proclamations of adoration, but ultimately turns over a table in anger when smarmy-DJ boy (who I learned last week is supposed to be the heir to the Lindt Chocolate fortune? Reminiscent of 30 Rock episodes where they discussed the Sbarro heiress.) snarks about how Henry gets everyone to pee on him. This is a bad look for Yasmin. She can easily look past women who are hurt by the man she loves, but she cant look past being made one in a sea of many. Yasmin hasnt grown all that much from last season when she ignored Venetias claims of Nicoles assault, has she? Yasmin ends the night at home, where she, too, seems to be experiencing a moment of muddled clarity. She crawls into bed next to Robert in an achingly platonic fashion, obviously smarting after her breakup (?) with Henry. Robert lovingly ribs her, saying shes destined to marry her father to which she responds that would be impossible, because she killed her dad. ?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????? All the chickens are coming to roost! I assume the next episode will finally unravel this murder mystery that has been slithering alongside us all season. Loose Change What is Yasmin supposed to be dressed up as? A very frumpy Princess Diana? Someone please tell me. Yasmin says, Why cant you just fall in love with me? It would make everything so much easier to Robert, and it is so obtuse. He is in love with you. You are not in love with him!! That is the problem, girly! You cant see this person as a person because he doesnt have the cash or the power trip that you apparently need to see someone as a romantic partner! UGH! Speaking of Robert and cash, what a poignant note to learn that his house was bought with money Clem left him. For those who may have forgotten, Clem is a Scottish banker from season one who took Robert under his wing. He was fired by Daria and we never saw him again. In season two, Robert receives news that Clem died (sensing a theme here; Clems death, Nicoles death, the original trauma of his mothers death) and left him something in his will. I had always wondered what that was, and now we know. It was money, which is so bittersweet. I suppose Clem really did see Robert as a surrogate son in some way. That scene of them in the tailor measuring Roberts first real suit in season one destroyed me. Photo: Joshua White/JW Pictures I meet the sculptor Thomas Houseago on a sunny August day at his outdoor studio on an oceanside cliff in Malibu. He arrives late and a little manic, bursting from his car in a mauve sweatshirt and lavender sweatpants, his hair a tuft of yellow blond, rattling off apologies and promising that he is prepared to talk about everything. Over the next six hours, he does. Houseago takes me on a tour of the dozens of giant sculptures hes made over the past year: redwood owls he carved with a chain saw, an eight-foot-tall plaster-and-wood Minotaur, some kind of Goya-inspired child-eating Cyclops with an erection the size of a sub sandwich. There are also some pleasant domestic still lifes: a sunflower, a coffee pot. In a few days, many of the works would be shipped to New York, where, on September 9, the artist was to open his first solo show in the city in a decade. It takes up three floors of the Levy Gorvy Dayan gallery off Madison Avenue. Houseago, who is 52, has never been an easygoing person and never made easygoing art. Its usually men with some unhealed trauma who gravitate to my work, he says. Men like him. He grew up poor in Leeds, England. There are tales of drunkenness and drug use, bankruptcy and despair, in his history. He tried to work it all out in his art. Early on, as an art student, inspired by Chris Burden, he set himself on fire and photographed it. He became a success when his monumental primitivist Baby was a standout at the 2010 Whitney Biennial. Soon after, he joined two mega-galleries: Hauser & Wirth and Gagosian. This exhibition was originally supposed to appear at Gagosian, but when Houseago visited the 24th Street gallery to plan it out last year, the space filled him with dread. Walk into Gagosian or Zwirner and tell me, Is that a warm environment? See the people at the desks? You see the terror in their eyes, he says. He also felt personally abandoned by Larry Gagosian, who he says hasnt returned his calls in a decade ever since he staged a show with Hauser in 2014. Houseago describes the art world in the language of trauma therapy. Gagosian, for example, is a stand-in for his absent dad. He has often found himself thinking, I need to talk to Larry; hes gonna save me. Then he remembers, No, hes not. He doesnt give a fuck. Hes on a boat somewhere. He had fantasies of physically attacking Andrew Fabricant, who was Gagosians COO at the time they discussed doing this show there. He was talking about art like he owned it, he says. I go very quickly to Leeds, 1976, when he feels a man is trying to dominate him. Im like, I could probably tear your eyeballs out with this pen. Hes a very angry man with a lot of issues, and I wish him well, Fabricant tells me. Houseago insists hes getting better now. His most recent troubles date back to when his father died in mid-2019. He flew from L.A., where hed been living since 2003, to Leeds. When he saw the body, he felt first elated, then overcome with rage. He says he started to unravel after that. On New Years Eve, I beat myself up with a rock, he says. I had this, like, demon inside me, and that was the worst, and its very primitive how I hurt myself. After that, he quit making art while he tried to rebuild himself. He spent 70 days in an Arizona recovery center, undergoing EMDR, somatic healing, and quantitative EEG brain mapping. The people he sought help from decided he had preverbal trauma; through his somatic work, he became convinced that hed endured sexual abuse as a baby. His treatment manager had moved him into a place near his own in Malibu. As the lease was running out, Houseago felt desperate to stay hed found solace by swimming in the ocean and participating in a mens support group along with Brad Pitt, an admirer of his work whom he had befriended during the actors very public divorce from and custody battle with Angelina Jolie. His life exploded, Houseago says. He sympathized with Pitts struggle and, in 2018, literally took Brad into my shelter like, he hid in my studio for two years. (According to Houseago, it was thanks to the support-group work they did that Pitt decided to play an assassin in recovery in Bullet Train.) Houseago wasnt sure he could afford to stay in Malibu. Then one pandemic day he ran into his friend Leonardo DiCaprio whom he now calls his fairy godbrother walking his dogs on the beach. They realized they lived just two houses apart and began hanging out, often discussing art. (DiCaprio is a collector, and his parents, also art enthusiasts, named him after Leonardo da Vinci.) DiCaprio heard about a house in Malibu whose owner was annoyed with the fussy tenant. DiCaprio, in Houseagos telling, told the owner, You should ask him to leave. Ive got this guy youre gonna love. Hes got no money, so youre gonna have to do, like, half or a third of the rent youd normally do. And apparently because it was DiCaprio, they agreed. Hes got that golden key to everything, Houseago says. Everyone wants to love him. Houseago now lives there with his two teenage children and brought on DiCaprios former assistant as a studio director. Why am I friends with all these super-fucking-sonically famous people? he wonders aloud. Perhaps its because they can drop their armor with him, he says. Hes interested in the vulnerabilities beneath their superhero facades. Today, Pitt, Houseago, and another friend, Flea, have matching green-triangle tattoos. Houseago says the triangle represents the three poles of trauma healing in his therapists model. On a sheet of paper, he draws a green triangle overlapping a red triangle, which in turn represents maladaptive responses to trauma. We all call each other out because its very easy to slip back into this, he says, tapping his pen on the red triangle. Theres a commitment among a group of people, like, Lets try and take care of each other. Besides, these guys are more his speed. Id much rather be on a movie set or backstage at a rock concert any day than an art fair or an auction house. You sit and talk to the people at the auction house, and theyre like, I love KAWS, he went on. Then, you go to their homes and youre like, Oh no, youre the tastemakers. Sculptures outside his Malibu art studio. Photo: Joshua White/JW Pictures For this show, he reconnected with Dominique Levy, a dealer he had previously ditched for Gagosian. She had since co-founded Levy Gorvy Dayan in the mansion built for the Wildenstein dynasty of art dealers. When Houseago saw it, he knew it was perfect. He and Levy patched things up. I fell in love with him all over again, Levy later told me. Theres nothing more beautiful than a powerful vulnerability and a calm strength. Hes like the samurai. I was able to witness firsthand the process that Thomas took on in creating this body of work, DiCaprio tells me via his publicist. Stemming from the reckoning of his past, and his childhood trauma healing, I got to watch his artistry slowly materialize. It was like bearing witness to a mans metamorphosis from a self-realized Dantes Inferno. Even though the work was rooted in an apocalyptic darkness, it simultaneously embraced a rebirth, and a newfound appreciation of the beauty of the entire world around him. He was frenetic, and possessed, pushing himself every day, to be brave enough, to risk purging everything he had to give as an artist. Houseagos vision for the show would unfold like his own psychological transformation did, starting with hopelessness on the ground floor home to the most monstrous creatures, representing abusers from the viewpoint of a child and moving toward hope at the top floor, where a 113-foot-long tapestry mural of a Malibu sunrise wraps around the walls. Which isnt to say he thinks people should necessarily buy any of it: Hey, Ive got like a half-ton piece of wood here Ive carved oh, with a huge erection. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 9. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has held another meeting of the Security Council, Trend reports via Akorda. Reports on steps to enhance the nation's military capabilities were presented at the meeting by Ministers Nurlan Baibazarov, Kanat Sharlapaev, and Ruslan Zhakslykov, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the National Economy. Decisions on strategies to strengthen the state's military and supply the army with cutting-edge weaponry and equipment, including products made in the country's defense sector, were approved by the Security Council. In his capacity as Security Council Chairman, Tokayev directed the government and other state institutions to enhance the organization of the country's military after the meeting. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Ticket prices for Rome bus, tram and subway set to rise. Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri on Sunday confirmed reports in newspaper Il Messaggero that the cost of travelling on the city's local public transport network is set to increase. Describing it as a "painful necessity", Gualtieri confirmed that he had written to the Lazio region, which controls the ticket pricing on the capital's public transport network, to request a price hike. In the absence of additional government funds, Gualtieri stressed the need to find 22 million to renew the service contract with municipal public transport company ATAC, which has been at a standstill for almost a year, reports news outlet RomaToday. In April, Gualtieri told reporters at the foreign press office that the widely anticipated price hike was "necessary" but said it would be offset by a reduction in the cost of yearly travel passes. Ticket prices The new pricing plan, first reported by Il Messaggero in April, was initially expected to come into force last July however the move was stalled. Under the proposed fare hike, the 100-minute ticket would rise to 2, up from 1.50, with the daily ticket increasing from 7 to 9.30 and the two-day ticket from 12.50 to 16.70. The 72-hour ticket will rise from 18 to 24 and the weekly one from 24 to 32. The 35 monthly pass remains unchanged while there would be a 10 discount on the yearly pass which drops to 240. In recent years the Lazio region has postponed the looming fare hikes several times by injecting regional funds, a move seen as unlikely to be repeated this time round. Earlier this year the Italian government rejected an appeal from Rome to pump an additional 100 million into the city's public transport system. The last time Rome increased bus and metro tickets was in 2012 when the price rose from 1 for 75 minutes to the current 1.50 for 100 minutes. The move to increase the ticket price comes as the city makes final preparations for the Jubilee Year 2025 when 32 million pilgrims and tourists are expected to arrive in the Italian capital. In recent days the city issued a public tender for 1,000 new taxi licences - the first new taxi licences in Rome in 20 years - addressing a long-standing shortage of cabs in the Italian capital. News of the imminent price hike in bus and metro tickets comes as Rome faces an eight-hour public transport strike on Monday 9 September, from 08.30 to 16.30. Photo credit: pedro emanuel pereira / Shutterstock.com. Rome tourism councillor releases more details about Trevi Fountain ticketing plan. Rome's plan to charge tourists to visit the Trevi Fountain should be up and running in time for the Vatican's Jubilee Year 2025, the capital's tourism councillor said on Sunday. Alessandro Onorato released more details about the city's draft plans for a ticketing system at the landmark after it was confirmed on Thursday by Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri as a "very concrete" possibility. Onorato said that the piazza around the fountain "would remain open and free", while the reservation and entry fee would concern the steps leading down to the monument where tourists traditionally throw coins. As Rome tourism authorities study plans to introduce a ticketing system at the Trevi Fountain, this was the crowd on Friday evening. pic.twitter.com/m1U0XDrHuY Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) September 6, 2024 No barriers would be installed, rather there would stewards on hand to control mandatory entry and exit points to the Baroque fountain which is frequently the scene of tourists behaving badly. Onorato said that the proposed entry free would be "around 2" and that the ticketing system would be in place for Jubilee Year 2025 when the capital expects to welcome more than 30 million tourists and pilgrims. The system is set be introduced on a trial basis, however, by the end of this year. La piazza di Fontana di Trevi rimarra aperta e gratuita. La prenotazione servira per entrare sulle gradinate sotto il monumento. Ne ho parlato a @skytg24 Orgogliosi della ripartenza turistica di Roma, ma dobbiamo garantire unesperienza unica ai visitatori. Viva Roma. Sempre. pic.twitter.com/vwPhLSim2d Alessandro Onorato (@Ale_Onorato) September 7, 2024 Today it is a human crush of people carrying food, chips, pizzas and ice creams, tourists who shoulder each other to get the best angle for a selfie" - Onorato told SkyTg24 - "All this does not make the experience unforgettable. Last week Onorato said the city was studying plans to charge tourists for a 30-minute slot to enter the Trevi Fountain basin, booked in advance, with no charge for Rome residents. Cover image: Tourists at the Trevi Fountain, 6 September 2024. Photo Wanted in Rome. By Rebecca Black and Jonathan McCambridge, PA The British Labour governments approach to the legacy of Northern Irelands troubled past has been praised as a significant change from the previous administration. Tanaiste Micheal Martin welcomed consultation with Troubles victims and pledges to tackle the controversial Legacy Act which was introduced by the Conservative government. The issue had caused division between the British and Irish governments, with the Irish Government taking an inter-state case against the UK over the Act last December. Speaking in Newry, Co Down on Monday, the Tanaiste said he wants to see the issue of legacy dealt with and families able to pursue truth or justice. I warmly welcome the initiatives and decisions taken already by the Secretary of State Hilary Benn in respect of immunity, inquests and facilitating the return of civil cases, he said. I had a very substantive meeting at the weekend with Hilary Benn in respect of legacy. Ive tasked my officials to engage with his officials to tease through remaining issues and of course he is engaged in a consultation process with victims groups and with political parties. I will also again re-engage with victims groups in respect of navigating the next phase of the agenda which was articulated by the new Labour government in Britain to repeal and replace the Legacy Act. So there will be legislative proposals. We will engage with the British government. I welcome the Secretary of States commitment to engaging with the Irish Government in respect of this. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn MP meeting Irish Tanaiste Micheal Martin at Hillsborough Castle (Northern Ireland Office/PA) Its a significant change from the previous governments approach on legacy. Mr Martin said he is committed to seeing the issue resolved once and for all, and to working with Mr Benn to this end. The families of the victims need a process and they need closure, he said. That is essential. I have been involved in this now for decades. I can remember the Eames Bradley report of many, many years ago, and its been stop/start, and its been very, very unsatisfactory for the families of loved ones who were brutally murdered during the Troubles. Many want information retrieval, others want justice and avenues to justice, so we have got to develop mechanisms that respond to the different needs of families of victims. Sinn Fein Councillor and General Election candidate, Councillor Conor D McGuinness, has said criticised a decision by An Bord Pleanala to grant planning permission for a "colossal wind farm development" at Lyrenacarriga in West Waterford. Cllr McGuinness made the comments after he and fellow Sinn Fein Councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy, met with residents of Knockanore, Glendine and Kilwatermoy. I was deeply disappointed by the decision reached late last year by An Bord Pleanala," said Cllr McGuinness. "It is frustrating to see stage agency be so deaf to the considered views of Waterford Council and the local community, which will be impacted by this colossal development." This is an upland landscape which is particular sensitive from an environment point of view," said Cllr McGuinness. "In many cases the wind turbines will be located immediately adjacent to family homes [and] the regulatory framework under which this application was made is almost two decades old and didnt take into account the huge increase in turbine heights that has occurred since that time," he added. Wind energy has an important part to play in our move away from damaging fossil fuels, however we have a duty to be careful and considered in how we develop wind energy. "I dont believe the proposed development at Lyrenacarriga achieves the balanced and forward-looking type of development that we as a country need and deserve." He said the local community was united in its opposition, commenting there were queues in several local post offices such was the volume of submissions being sent to An Bord Pleanala. I made a detailed submission opposing the development as part of the planning application," he said. "I also secured a strong official position against the development on the part of Waterford Council management, and worked across party lines to secure a strong endorsement from councillors for this position." He added: The planning process was extremely convoluted and it seems to me that the goalposts were shifted time and time again. "I believe the decision to treat the proposal as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) was a move to allow the application bypass Waterford Council and go straight to An Bord Pleanala for decision." The disregard and disrespect shown to local democracy by An Bord Pleanala cannot be allowed to stand," he said. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has said that they were unaware that a school transport bus pick-up was located at the side of a busy national road. Since the start of the academic year, parents of pupils travelling from Ardmore to secondary school in Dungarvan have been required to drive to the pick-up point at Kielys Cross on the N25. Parents have raised their concerns about the safety of the location and multiple protests have taken place in an attempt to solve the situation. In response to the issue raised by Deputy Marc O Cathasaigh this week, TII indicated that it was not aware of this issue and has now raised it with Waterford City and County Council, the road authority for the area. The statement continued: Kiely's Cross is a high-speed rural section of road that is not suitable for a bus stop nor is it an appropriate location for a concentration of services as outlined in your submission. The bus had previously stopped in the village and TII is aware that the Department of Education arranged for a bus to stop on a busy rural section of national road without consulting with the Council and TII. TII is aware that the Council is liaising with the Department of Education in relation to the matter. Deputy O Cathasaigh subsequently said: It is alarming that road safety issues are not paramount in all decisions made by the Dept. of Education School Transport division and all operators in the provision of services to students. The location of this school bus pick-up point is wholly inappropriate for road safety reasons. He added: The obvious point of origin for the pick up of school transport is the village of Ardmore itself, rather than have parents drive onto a busy national road for their children to take school transport. "I very much welcome TIIs clear indication that it is unsuitable and inappropriate location as a pick-up point given the volume of users. Paul Nolan has been honoured with the title of first Patron of Waterford Chamber. Mr Nolan, who served two terms as President of the South-East's largest business representative organisation, is Group Commercial Director with Dawn Meats and has been a constant in terms of his commitment to Waterford over the past number of decades. Honouring him as its first patron was indicative of the Chamber acknowledging Mr Nolan's incredible contribution to the economic, commercial and social fabric of County Waterford but speaking to Waterford News & Star about his patronage he himself was quick to emphasise that while it was an honour the patronage was also a vehicle through which he hopes to champion the case for Waterford in terms of its economic development potential. "I have been associated with the Chamber for a long number of years and it's something I feel passionate about and I feel it's an avenue for me to put something back into the community in which I work and live," he said. The patronage is a new initiative within the Chamber, but it was also something he didn't know was coming, and when asked would he accept the patronage he said he "slightly hesitated" for two reasons. "It was almost a shock that someone would offer you such an honour and a privilege, and to have such a recognition," he said. "However, on the other hand my view of the role is that there is no 'I' in team and I am very conscious of that," he added. "I would not want anyone to think this is the Paul Nolan show or anything because it's only as good as its members." Mr Nolan said the Chamber had changed its policies a bit over the years to reflect the modern, changing environment. "Over the last 10 years we have looked to build a Board of not so much personalities, but more people who will bring skills to the Board that are required to do the best we can for Waterford," he said. "All of that then is about standing up to the adage of making Waterford a great place to work, live and do business in and that requires a reasonable amount of lobbying because you have to have the membership on board so that you clearly have the message from them as to what the priorities are and then it's a case of lobbying, in most cases to Government, to help us to help ourselves," he added. Mr Nolan then commented: "What I mean by that is, over the last few years we have had quite a number of ministers with us and we have had party leaders and Secretary Generals of all the departments as well an the idea was to make our case, because we have no doubt there are listening to the same case arguments from around the country as well." "You have to be able to stand up and justify what you're looking for, and why," he said. With regard to the important issues for Waterford at the moment he said the "big ones at the moment are the airport, the Port and SETU". "In the case of the university, well we have a university yes, but we want a university of substance because it has to be given the chance to establish itself," he said. "We have been doing strong lobbying on the veterinary college because that makes absolute sense because you have a very large livestock and bloodstock industry in the region," he added. "So where better to put the veterinary college than in the only university in the region." Mr Nolan was full of praise for all the Board members and also the Chamber members in general. He also expressed sincere gratitude to the Chamber President Niall Harrington and the Board for "honouring me with this accolade". In accepting the Patronage, Mr Nolan said: I never expected to be granted such an accolade, it certainly wasnt needed in terms of my commitment to Waterford and Waterford Chamber but it is truly an honour and one I am very proud to accept." Niall Harrington President of Waterford Chamber - Photo Patrick Browne. Meanwhile, Niall Harrington, said Mr Nolan was the ideal person for the patronage. "As Waterfords position as the capital of the South East strengthens, and with more and more opportunities coming on stream for Waterford and the South East in terms of economic development, Waterford Chamber needed someone to lead the charge on a national and international level and who better than Paul Nolan," he said. He commented that Mr Nolan's voluntary commitment to not only Waterford Chamber, but the city and region at large, "has been unwavering and widely acknowledged". However, he also pointed out he is "hugely respected in business, is vastly experienced and highly networked in political and stakeholder engagement". As the first Patron of Waterford Chamber, Paul will represent us at a national and international level and currently serves as a Board member of Chambers Ireland, as well as being on the Board of Propelor BIC, the Quality Assurance Board of Bord Bia and is Chairperson of the SETU Land Sciences Industry Board," said Mr Harrington. "Not only that, but he will act as an advisor to the Chamber Executive and guide new Board members into the future, while also sharing his expertise in terms of Governance," he added. He said Waterford Chamber is looking forward to working closely with Mr Nolan in growing the chamber's network along with influencing decision makers and making a better Waterford and South East region for everyone. I believe in the work Waterford Chamber does, I can see first hand the time and effort that goes into the organisation, the hard work the team puts in for their members and the wider business community at large," he said. Commenting that he was humbled and grateful for the honour bestowed on him, he said: This is a very exciting time for Waterford and I am looking forward to sharing the opportunities that exist for the city nationally and internationally, while also supporting Waterford Chamber in terms of governance and future boards." Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 9. Kazakhstan is experiencing significant growth in the agricultural sector, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said during today's meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, Trend reports via Akorda. "This year, the key drivers of economic development have been the manufacturing industry and the construction sector. Nearly 4.5 million hectares, or 27 percent of the total area, have been harvested across the country for the main grain crops. With an average yield of 15 quintals per hectare, about 6.6 million tons of grain have been harvested, which is 40 percent higher than last year's figures. The delivery of subsidized diesel fuel is proceeding according to schedule," he explained. The prime minister also briefed on the provision of housing for residents affected by floods. "New homes have been provided to 7,463 families. Additionally, 479 houses are nearing the final stages of construction. Compensation for repairs has also been paid to 9,171 families," he said. At the end of the meeting, the head of state emphasized the importance of ongoing efforts and gave several instructions for the further socio-economic development of the country. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel For the second consecutive year, SETU is set to award honorary doctorates to five distinguished individuals in recognition of their exceptional and outstanding contributions to society. This autumn, honorary doctorates are to be conferred on Anna May McHugh, managing director of the National Ploughing Association (NPA), Willie Mullins, leading horse trainer, Sr Brigid Reynolds, educator and humanitarian, Eamonn McEneaney, former Director of Waterford Museum of Treasures, and Liam Griffin, Director, Griffin Hotel Group. By conferring honorary doctorates, the University acknowledges the achievements of these individuals, who have made a significant impact on society in the south east through leadership, culture, advocacy, social activities, sports, business, and other areas. With this honorary degree, SETU acknowledges Anna May McHughs significant contribution to the advancement of agriculture in Ireland, through her leadership of the NPA. In addition, the Laois womans success in a male-dominated industry and her advocacy for women in agriculture have been pivotal in empowering women in the sector. Willie Mullins, originally from Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny, has been a leading force in horse training for decades and continues to set the standard for excellence in horse training. A former jockey with over 100 wins, he has been selected for an honorary doctorate for his legacy in horse racing, innovative training approach, and lasting impact on the sport. Sr Brigid Reynolds, an educator and humanitarian from Mohill, Co Leitrim, has dedicated her life to empowering marginalised communities and championing social justice. As a Marist Sister, she lectured, addressed poverty, and promoted social inclusion in Kaduna, Nigeria. She co-founded Social Justice Ireland in 2009 with Fr Sean Healy. SETU and Social Justice Ireland now offer an MA in Social Justice and Public Policy, with Sr Brigid contributing her expertise. Carrie Crowley, recipient of 2023 Honorary Doctorate. Photo: Joe Evans Eamonn McEneaney, with 25 years as Director of the Waterford Museum of Treasures, will receive an honorary doctorate for his key role in preserving Waterfords heritage. Mr McEneaney led the Viking Triangle Project, Irelands only Museum Quarter. He was also awarded The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for his efforts in highlighting Viking history and strengthening ties between Norway and Ireland. Liam Griffin, from Rosslare, Co. Wexford, is being honoured for his entrepreneurship in scaling The Griffin Hotel Group into a multi-million-euro company, operating three flagship hotels in the south east the Monart Spa, Ferrycarrig Hotel, and Hotel Kilkenny. As a former hurler and manager, he notably led the Wexford senior team to All-Ireland success in 1996. Liam is also recognised for his philanthropic support of community organisations and charities. Last year, honorary doctorates were conferred on renowned actress Carrie Crowley, pioneering biomedical engineer, Annraoi de Paor, internationally acclaimed writer Claire Keegan, Irish academic and former politician Maurice Manning, and career diplomat and former Irish ambassador to the USA, Daniel Mulhall. Expert tips on what you need to do to successfully launch your small business idea. A great idea alone is rarely enough to secure business success. Small business owners must also arm themselves with knowledge about which sectors are growing, what problems other businesses are solving and where consumers are willing to spend their cash. Lisa Bora, KPMG partner in charge of clients and markets, says its crucial that for businesses to have a really clear proposition in the market. Credit: Louise Kennerley Successful companies evaluate the landscape and work out where they fit within it, says Lisa Bora, KPMG partner in charge of clients and markets. Its crucial that you have a really clear proposition in the market, she says. Who is my audience, what is my true proposition and how do I differentiate from competitors? Whether youre already up and running or toying with the idea of going out on your own, here are three growing sectors that hold valuable lessons for business owners of all kinds. Going by the acknowledgements page, Bachardy has seen no need to distance himself from Bucknell. In contrast to Parkers scepticism, Bucknell is earnest and identifies more closely with Isherwood and Isherwoods point of view. Some of the faults reproved by Parker go unmentioned by Bucknell: Isherwoods casual antisemitism, for instance, of a fairly mild and period kind, but worth remarking in someone who worked so hard to reject the assumptions of his class and nationality, and, one might also say, someone who saw close up in 1930s Berlin what the less genteel forms of antisemitism looked like. Bachardy helped Parker, but Parker noted that he didnt endorse the final product, and it was not hard to see why. Besides being witty and ironic, Parker could be snarky and judgmental: he seemed to have set himself against Isherwoods notorious charm, social and literary as well as sexual, and made a point of not being seduced. Katherine Bucknell has edited the three hefty volumes of Christopher Isherwoods wonderful diaries, a collection of letters between Isherwood and his longtime companion, Don Bachardy, and an unfinished memoir, The Lost Years. Now she has written an equally hefty, smoothly told, empathetic biography. Impressive in itself, it also works as something of a corrective to Peter Parkers 2003 Isherwood: A Life. Credit: Born in 1904, Isherwood was part of that generation of Englishman marked by not participating in the First World War, and grief at the loss of those who did. His father died in France in 1917, and one way to read Isherwoods life is as the search for father-substitutes, as acknowledged in Prater Violet, his fictionalised portrait of his friend, the emigre film director Berthold Viertel. And then there was the obsession with courage and valour, the sense, as Isherwood put it in his early memoir Lions and Shadows, that for men, at least there was a test that needed to be passed. The test, and the flight. In late Weimar Berlin and its boy bars he found an escape from class, and what he would one day call the heterosexual dictatorship (he would also one day come to see that his relationships with those working-class German youths was a form of exploitation). More than that, he found the subject matter and characters that would bring him fame in Goodbye to Berlin and its later adaptations for stage and screen. By the end of the 1930s he was being talked about as the future of the English novel. Yet for all that he represented youth in revolt against the Old Gang, in one respect he was just as Victorian as what he despised: critics then and now marked his writing as having a Dickensian vitality and luxuriance of character, though without the sentimentality. (The detachment, the pose of being a camera, was brand Modern.) Sally Bowles and Mr Norris and Otto Nowak from the Berlin books, Friedrich Bergmann from Prater Violet, even George from A Single Man: it is no wonder his books make such good films (even if he thought Lisa Minnelli all wrong for Sally Bowles in Cabaret). The bob (and its permutations) has well and truly become a hair fixture: there are blunt bobs, loose-wave bobs, the lob, the Prada bob, curled-end bobs, textured bobs, bobs with fringes and bobs without. And why not? Once you get your styling skills under control, its just a trim every eight to 10 weeks. And if you crave length back again, bobs are easy to grow out. Actor Joey King debuted a Prada bob on the red carpet. Credit: Getty Images On the fashion-forward front, Hollywood stylist Dimitris Giannetos (@dimitrishair) has nabbed the phrase the Prada bob, which he describes as asymmetric but giving the illusion of being a few centimetres longer toward the nape of the neck. One lucky recipient of his skills is US actor Joey King. Her hair was straightened to flip inward at the ends to pull the look together, says Giannetos, but any hair type can achieve this bob. For this look, youll need a hot-styling tool such as the ghd Chronos HD Motion-Responsive Styler ($465). Once styled, finish with a light pomade like Ouais Matte Pomade ($47) to create an ultra-polished flyaway-free bob. Also on high celebrity rotation is the hydro bob Jennifer Lopez wore her bob in a wet look for Paris Haute Couture week, tucking it behind her ears and allowing a couple of face-framing tendrils to waft free. Try R + Co Waterfall Moisture + Shine Lotion ($51) to create the wet look. The Federal Court judge who presided over former federal political staffer Bruce Lehrmanns defamation case says court secrecy is increasing, despite laws to promote transparency in the legal system, and that attempts should be made to Marie Kondo-fy piecemeal laws that allow suppression orders to be made. Justice Michael Lee said it was now commonplace to see even experienced practitioners seeking suppression orders on an impermissibly broad basis. Justice Michael Lee says suppression orders should only be made when they are necessary for the administration of justice. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos Extensive suppression and non-publication orders were often proposed by consent with the other side, without the benefit of detailed submissions or analysis though it was when both sides agreed that information should be kept from the public that the court should be most vigilant. He said his observations were supported by data compiled by News Corp, which suggested the total number of suppression orders made in Australia rose from 859 in 2017 to 1113 in 2023, but that was probably an underestimate given that the media were only routinely notified of such orders in Victoria and South Australia. Families will be able to access free summer holiday swimming lessons as the state government continues its cash splash cost of living sweeteners. Just a day after announcing free Perth Zoo family passes Premier Roger Cook was joined by Education Minister Tony Buti at the Balga leisure centre this afternoon to announce free VacSwim lessons for this summer holidays. The WA government has announced funding for summer swimming lessons. The state will spend $5.5 million on the free lessons which Cook said would save a family with two children attending the 10-day swimming program $214. In addition, around eight to ten low-fee, low socio-economic private schools in the state will be able to access free in-term swimming lessons which is already available to low-socio economic public schools. We want to ensure there is no financial barrier for a kid to learn to swim, Buti said. Freebies labelled cost-of-living relief like free swimming lessons and zoo tickets are coming through thick and fast from the Cook government in the lead up to summer and next years state election, but Cook rubbished any suggestion they were election sweeteners. He said the zoo had allocated 93,000 tickets since that announcement yesterday, and it was a measure that would help families under pressure. We are looking at all those things that have measures right across that spectrum of making sure were doing what we can to relieve at the cost of living, he said. As parents, we understand that people are struggling with the cost of living today, and that opportunities to take your family to the zoo might be one of the first things that you dont do because your family budget is under pressure. So we think its a very important gesturenot only for peoples cost of living, but also for their well-being. A WA Police officer has died overnight in a Perth facility in what is thought to be suicide, with an investigation under way into how the tragedy unfolded. WA Police confirmed the news on Monday, stating that the mans death was non-suspicious and that a report would be prepared for the coroner. Police are investigating. Credit: Peter de Kruijff This terminology is generally understood to relate to a self-harm incident. Police Commissioner Col Blanch extended his condolences to the family of the officer, his colleagues and all who knew him. One of the quiet achievements of the Turnbull and Morrison governments was the reform of the family courts. Family law is always a vexed issue. Because about one in every three marriages ends in divorce, it is the area of the legal system with which Australians are most likely to have experience either directly, or through a close relative or friend. While there is nothing that governments can do to eliminate the emotional trauma of family breakdown, they can at least ensure the legal system that deals with it doesnt make it worse. At the very least, they can ensure the courts are designed to mitigate two of the greatest sources of distress: cost and delay. This was the purpose of a series of structural reforms begun by Malcolm Turnbulls government, and carried to completion under Scott Morrisons. George Brandis, then attorney-general, with (left) John Pascoe and (right) William Alstergren in Canberra on October 12, 2017. Credit: Andrew Meares The key to the reforms was the restructure of the court system. Previously, two different courts the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court had dealt with family law matters. Obviously, having two different courts administering the same laws led to overlap, jurisdictional confusion and delay. As Chief Justice William Alstergren said in his keynote speech at the No To Violence conference last week: Four or five years ago, the courts were not in the position they are now to properly meet the needs of Australian families. [T]he courts were exercising almost identical jurisdiction, but with different rules of court, different case management processes and procedures, conflicting court forms and websites, and sometimes different names for the same basic parts of court administration. Children will be blocked from social media under sweeping national plans to shield young people from online harm by mandating strict age barriers in federal law and punishing tech giants that break the rules. Australia will move before the next election to a national regime to force tech platforms to enforce age verification. A final age is not yet settled but could be within the 13- to 16-year-old range. The plan is based on a South Australian proposal to ban social media for all children under 14. Credit: Getty Images Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will announce the plan on Tuesday after canvassing the proposal with state premiers on Friday, based on a South Australian proposal to ban social media for all children under the age of 14. Parents are worried sick about this. We know theyre working without a map no generation has faced this challenge before, Albanese said in a statement. The US is pushing for the AUKUS partnership to launch some world-leading new military technology projects before Joe Bidens presidency ends, amid signs of growing impatience with the initiative. The US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, revealed in an interview at the White House that he wanted to see two or three signature projects launched and under way by the time the administration finishes on January 20. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden during last years state visit to the US. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen While he expressed satisfaction with progress on so-called pillar one of AUKUS, the submarine program, his timeline for pillar twos cutting-edge tech scheme puts new pressure on the three countries military and scientific agencies to deliver in the next five months. It is three years ago this month that the leaders of the US, UK and Australia announced the joint technology initiative. In the meantime, China has extended its advantage in critical technologies, according to a report last week by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Davo City, Philippines: The Appointed Son of God, as his followers call him, favours satiny white suits. The young women who surround him in photos are often clothed in the same virginal hue. Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, the 74-year-old founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, is a charismatic doomsday evangelist who claims millions of followers in about 200 countries. His sermons have drawn the faithful in Ukraine, Hong Kong, Brazil and New York. He served as spiritual adviser to Rodrigo Duterte, the powerful former president of the Philippines. And now Quiboloy, who is also known as The Owner of the Universe, is in custody after a search in the southern Philippines that enlisted thousands of security forces. On Sunday evening, Benjamin Abalos Jr, the Philippines interior secretary, announced the fugitive preacher had been caught. The pastors lawyer said Quiboloy had voluntarily surrendered. Police said security forces had negotiated the surrender from the pastors compound. Apollo Quiboloy appears on his talk show. Credit: AP Quiboloy is on the FBIs most wanted list. He faces charges in the United States and at home of masterminding a human trafficking and child sex abuse ring. He has been accused of rape, including of minors. Through his lawyers, Quiboloy has denied all the charges. The search for the fugitive pastor, to serve him a Philippine arrest warrant, is also about a megachurch that US and Philippine prosecutors say has depended on labour exploitation and the deception of people least able to afford the financial burden placed on them. And Quiboloys fate exposes an array of rifts in Philippine society: between a Catholic majority and a growing evangelical population; between a moneyed elite from the Philippine capital and power brokers from the countrys periphery; and between the president of the Philippines and his vice president. Advertisement For more than two weeks, rows of police officers had stood guard behind riot shields on the perimeter of a sprawling church compound in Davao City, in the southern Philippines, some fanning themselves with laminated wanted posters of the pastor. Police officers swarmed the campus, searching for Quiboloy. Police helicopters circled over a cathedral, a college and a 75,000-seat stadium which, when finished, was to be one of the biggest megachurches in the world. With thousands of police officers, many heavily armed, descending on the church campus, Quiboloys followers responded with a kind of siege mentality, fortifying themselves with reruns of the preachers sermons playing on a giant screen. Amid the unrelenting heat, they sat on plastic chairs, gazing upward. They clapped and sang and swayed. Police holding a poster with pictures of the fugitive Apollo Quiboloy and his associates outside the gates of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound. Credit: Jes Aznar/The New York Times On social media, they continue to assail what they believe is a politically motivated effort to dethrone their king, a plot many believers still say is orchestrated by malign forces in the United States. Top security forces came to believe that the pastor had hidden himself in an underground bunker in the nearly 30-hectare compound, which the flock calls New Jerusalem. In the days before his capture, police told The New York Times how thermal imaging and radar technology had recorded, deep in the earth, the warmth and heartbeat of a human body. The Appointed Son of God Quiboloys critics call him a Rasputin whose ability to harness large voting blocs for favoured politicians made him a kind of spiritual kingmaker. His flock considers him a descendant of God who can stop earthquakes and says he is being unfairly targeted by the Philippine establishment and its American patrons. Advertisement In 2021, a US federal grand jury indicted Quiboloy and other church officials operating in the United States on charges that include conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, the sex trafficking of children, and smuggling huge amounts of cash. Girls as young as 12 worked as Quiboloys personal assistants, or pastorals, the 74-page indictment alleged. The pastorals, including two girls who were 14 and 15, were forced to perform night duty, a euphemism for sex, with Quiboloy, the indictment said. Female victims wrote commitment letters in which they devoted their lives and bodies to Quiboloy, the indictment said, risking eternal damnation if they demurred. Two former pastorals told the Times of the psychological hold Quiboloy had on them and how guilty they were made to feel if they tried to reject his sexual advances. Female aides deemed to have sinned were sent to a property on the outskirts of Davao City called Prayer Mountain. One of those former pastorals said her head was shaved and she was made to wear orange clothes, like a prisoner. She was beaten with a wooden paddle, she said. The police raided and searched the Kingdom of Jesus Christ headquarters. Credit: Jes Aznar/The New York Times The pastor was placed on the FBIs most wanted list, which described his aliases as Sir, Pastor and The Appointed Son of God. Despite the seriousness of the charges, a US arrest warrant was never served in the Philippines. Quiboloy continued to preach from the churchs headquarters in Davao City, where representatives of the Kingdom, as the sect is known by its followers, also ran a college, law school, airline and a McDonalds franchise. The Kingdom controlled an influential media network, too. At the time, in 2021, the Philippines was led by Duterte, who is now being investigated by the International Criminal Court for allegedly ordering thousands of extrajudicial executions. Duterte called Quiboloy his spiritual adviser. He also counted on the pastors vocal support for his political campaigns. Advertisement With Quiboloy on the run, the former president, who served as Davao Citys mayor for more than 20 years, took on duties as the administrator of the Kingdoms properties. On a wall outside the church compound, Dutertes support for the pastor is printed on a block-long banner. Our country has never been in a more tragic state as it is today, Dutertes statement reads. And he accuses his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, of turning the Philippines into a police state. Marcos assumed the presidency two years ago and chose Dutertes daughter, Sara Duterte, also a former mayor of Davao City, as his running mate in a union of two powerful political clans. Known familiarly as Bongbong, Marcos is the son of a US-backed dictator who in his two-decade rule plundered state coffers and ordered his own extrajudicial killings, according to human rights groups. Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte called Quiboloy his spiritual adviser. He also counted on the pastors vocal support for his political campaigns.. Credit: AP The Dutertes have positioned themselves as gritty, populist counterpoints to a soft, moneyed, pro-American political class exemplified by the Marcoses. The two families political alliance in 2022 was awkward from the start. In April, members of the Philippines Senate pushed for the arrest and detention of Quiboloy for having failed to appear at hearings into the trafficking and sex abuse charges against him and other church leaders. In June, police tried to serve an arrest warrant but failed to find the preacher and several others at the Kingdoms campus. On August 24, about 2000 police officers descended. Advertisement Police say dozens of their officers were injured by church members wielding rocks and other objects, while the Kingdoms representatives said it was dozens of their members who were harmed by the security personnel, some in full battle gear. Just because there is a warrant of arrest, that is not a license to trample on the human, property, religious, academic rights and property rights of other persons, said Israelito Torreon, chief legal counsel for the Kingdom. On September 1, the 39th anniversary of the Kingdom of Jesus Christs founding, Sara Duterte flew to Davao City to show her support for Quiboloy. On the oversized screen in the compound, a church-affiliated news network excoriated her boss, Marcos. Asked by the news media the whereabouts of Pastor Apollo, as Quiboloy is known, Sara Duterte answered with a smile. Hes in heaven, she joked, vowing to the sects believers that I will always be with you in your darkness. Life in the Kingdom With New Jerusalem heaving with heavily armed police officers, their places of worship off limits, the Kingdoms followers turned a fast-food eatery owned by the church into their command centre. Advertisement Overall, the poll may bring Democratic exuberance back to earth after a buoyant party convention in Chicago last month and rapid gains in support for Harris after Bidens poor showing in the polls. Harris held on to some of the gains she had made with key groups with whom Biden had been slipping such as women, young voters, and Latino voters but fell short of traditional Democratic strength. She continues to struggle to build a solid lead with Latino voters, a crucial demographic. Trump speaks during a campaign event in Wisconsin on Saturday. Credit: AP If November is about change, Harris will need to make the case that she can deliver it. More than 60 per cent of likely voters said the next president should represent a major change from Biden, but only 25 per cent said the vice president represented that change, while 53 per cent said Trump did. I dont see how Kamala Harris instead of Trump would bring change, said Steven Osborne, a 43-year-old plumber and Trump supporter in Branson, Missouri. I mean, shes Joe Bidens vice president. How can she be seen as different? Another warning sign for Democrats: 47 per cent of likely voters viewed Harris as too liberal, compared with 32 per cent who saw Trump as too conservative. Loading On the plus side for Harris, the Democrats hammering away at Project 2025 as a blueprint for another Trump presidency has sunk in. Trump has tried hard to distance himself from the document, drafted by the conservative Heritage Foundation with input from his allies, which lays out plans for a second Trump presidency. Among the many recommendations in the 900-page document, Project 2025 proposes to criminalise pornography, disband the Commerce and Education departments, reject the idea of abortion as healthcare, and shred climate protections. Three-fourths of likely voters said they had heard about Project 2025, and of those, 63 per cent said they opposed it. Its a horrible affront to American democracy, said John Fisher, 71, a retiree in the pivotal swing area of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, outside Philadelphia, and a registered Republican who is supporting Harris. Its a disgrace. Loading Trumps distancing aside, 71 per cent of those who have heard of Project 2025 said they believed that the former president would try to enact some or most of the policies that it espouses. Working in Trumps favour is the fact that voters remain largely pessimistic about the direction of the country. Just 30 per cent of likely voters said the country was on the right track, largely unchanged since July. But among voters who thought the country was headed in the wrong direction, 71 per cent were optimistic that things would get back on the right track, an improvement since 2022, when voters were more pessimistic about the nations direction. Democrats have a slight edge when it comes to enthusiasm for voting: 91 per cent of Democrats said they were enthusiastic, compared with 85 per cent of Republicans. Oh, heavens, when it was Biden and Trump, it was the first time in my entire life I was like, I dont know if I can vote this year, said Carol Ploeger, 68, of Provo, Utah, who added that she would be voting for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time in her life. I feel like shes got new blood, shes younger, she knows what the American people need because she came from humble beginnings. Harris with running mate Tim Walz in Coraopolis, Pennyslvania last month. Credit: AP Trump holds a 13-percentage-point advantage on the issue that remains most important to voters: the economy. Harris holds a 15-percentage-point advantage on another leading issue: abortion. Harris faces a challenge with voters who hold her responsible for the Biden administrations handling of some issues. About half of voters, largely Republicans, said Harris bore at least some blame for rising prices and problems during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. And nearly two-thirds of voters, from across the political spectrum, said she bore at least some blame for problems at the Mexican border. Matthew Tucker, a 31-year-old vaccine scientist in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said he intended to vote for Harris and he did not vote in 2020. But he said he felt that Harris bore responsibility for the problems at the border. Its not like Id lay it all on her, he said, but Im not sure that I heard enough about her trying to deal with that. And I would like to hear more from Democrats or Republicans on more creative solutions to that problem, rather than just putting up walls. On abortion, Trump, who appointed three of the Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v Wade, has muddied the waters a bit. It is Harris strongest issue, with 54 per cent of voters trusting her to handle it, compared with 39 per cent who trust Trump. Yet, 16 per cent of Democrats and nearly half of independents said they did not think the former president would try to pass a law restricting abortion access nationwide. At the same time, attacks on Trumps character and fitness for office may not be working. Voters were only slightly more likely to view the former president who was impeached twice and convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a sex scandal that threatened his 2016 presidential campaign as a riskier choice for the country than Harris. Fifty-four per cent viewed Trump as a risky choice, compared with 52 per cent who said the same about Harris. The survey found that 70 per cent of voters said Trump had said something they found offensive. Nearly half of Trump voters said that they had been offended by him at some point but that they would still vote for him. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 9. The Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan have signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at the implementation of projects in the field of green energy using advanced technologies and practices, Trend reports. According to information, the document was signed following the visit of Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev to Japan. He met with the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Ken Saito during the visit. The main purpose of the document is to promote and expand energy cooperation between Japan and Kyrgyzstan in the field of alternative energy sources, new technologies, and solutions. Specifically, it is about the introduction of energy-efficient solutions, the development of renewable energy sources, hydrogen energy, electric fuel, carbon processing, utilization, and storage, as well as the production of high-efficiency electricity. To note, within the framework of the official visit to Japan in November 2023, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov held talks with the head of the Japanese state on energy cooperation. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, September 9. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $30 million grant to enhance maternal and child healthcare services in Tajikistan, Trend reports. According to the bank, the maternal and child health integrated care grant will support the construction of a 40-bed maternity hospital in Ayni, an 80-bed maternity hospital in Dangara, and a 100-bed central district hospital in Darvoz with climate-friendly features such as energy-efficient medical, heating, and cooling technology. The project will also strengthen the management and training of health workers, refine tools and processes for perinatal services, and pilot case-based financing to make hospitals financing mechanisms more efficient. Earlier, the ADB has approved a $17.5 million grant to help improve womens agricultural skills and boost food security in Tajikistan. The resilient livelihoods and empowerment of rural women project aims to improve productivity of women-led farms, strengthen agriculture processing and storage facilities, and enhance support to vulnerable women in Bokhtar, Farkhor, Kulob, Pyanj, Shahritus, and Vose districts of Khatlon province. Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998. ADB has supported a wide range of sectors from strategic road and energy infrastructure to health, education, agriculture, urban development, public sector management, and finance for a total of over $2.6 billion in assistance, including over $2 billion in grants. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit COMMUNITY NOTES: ERRIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (SEPTEMBER 10 EDITION) Ballyglass RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor recently after he experienced a health difficulty in the North Atlantic Sea. The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by Malin Head Coast Guard to assist the lone sailor on an 11-meter yacht who was somewhat incapacitated by a knee injury. 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 volunteer crew received the alert from Malin Head Coast Guard just before 5pm and the lifeboat was underway shortly after under Coxswain James Mangan. Speaking following the call out, Ballyglass RNLICoxswain 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 BallyglassCoast Guard Unit to our own shore crew." DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, September 9. Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a thumbs up to the fruitful teamwork between Russia and Tajikistan in a congratulatory message to Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on the occasion of Tajikistan's Independence Day, Trend reports. Relations between our countries are steadily developing in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance. Russia and Tajikistan collaborate effectively across various fields and engage actively within the frameworks of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the United Nations, and other multilateral structures, Putin stated. He drove home the point that bolstering Russian-Tajik relations is right up our alley and adds fuel to the fire of security and stability in Central Asia. To note, September 9 marks the 33rd anniversary of Tajikistan's state independence. Skilled nursing facilities in these states make the most revenue per bed Numerade analyzed survey data and news reports and interviewed educators to see how colleges and universities are responding to AI. Students are headed back to school armed with AI. Here's how some colleges are adapting. AI's acceptance in the classroom Rethinking education in the age of AI Originally published on numerade.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, September 9. Tajikistan's government has been tasked with reducing the poverty rate to 10 percent over the next seven years, President Emomali Rahmon said in a message marking the 33rd anniversary of Tajikistan's independence, Trend reports. Since gaining independence, all available resources and opportunities have been mobilized to ensure sustainable socio-economic development and improve the living standards and quality of life of our people. As a result, the poverty rate has decreased from 83 percent in 1999 to 21.2 percent in 2023, Rahmon stated. He further stated that the nation's endeavors during the independence period have been concentrated on four national strategic objectives: the protection of food security, the surmounting of communication constraints, the acceleration of industrialization, and the guarantee of energy independence. Rahmon also highlighted that over 2,200 kilometers of roads, dozens of kilometers of tunnels, and hundreds of bridges meeting international standards have been built in the past 33 years. "In other words, we have transformed divided Tajikistan into a unified territory, removed our beloved country from a communication deadlock, and turned it into a transit hub," he said. He noted that independence has allowed for the start of the Rogun hydroelectric power plant project, the acceleration of its development, and the launch of its first units. Additionally, we have established the Sangtuda-1 and Sangtuda-2 hydropower plants, dozens of small and medium-sized hydroelectric stations, reconstructed 75 percent of the country's energy networks, completed the full renovation of the Sarband hydroelectric power plant, and created a unified national energy system. Today, construction of the Rogun hydroelectric power plant is progressing rapidly, and work is underway to restore the Nurek and Kayrakkum hydroelectric plants, he added. The passing of Dr Kgomotso Kasonkola It is with great sadness that the University announces the passing of Dr Kgomotso William Kasonkola, the Senior Director of Human Resources at Wits University. He passed away today, 6 September 2024, after a short period of illness. We extend our deepest sympathies to his colleagues, family and friends, and those who knew him well. Dr Kasonkola led the HR portfolio with integrity and passion, throughout his 13 years at Wits. During this time, he contributed towards the Universitys effectiveness and sustainability, and stewarded Wits HR policies, systems, training, and recruitment processes. He built important relationships with all stakeholders, and was pivotal in all engagements with organised labour, especially on matters related to remuneration and benefits, and people and organisational development. Prior to joining Wits, Dr Kasonkola gained vast experience in academia during his nine years at the Vaal University of Technology. He also served as the Director: Human Resources at the Department of Trade and Industry, and as a lecturer in industrial psychology at the then University of Bophuthatswana. His experience was steeped in his deep knowledge of Human Resources, his ability to understand people, systems and large organisations, and to bring them together in meaningful ways, to advance institutions. A registered industrial psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, Kgomotso held a Masters degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology from the University of Cape Town (1993) and obtained his PhD in Organisational Behaviour from the University of Pretoria in 2011 for his thesis titled Criteria for Workplace Effective Mobility of Employees with Disabilities in South Africa. Dr Kasonkola chaired the Human Resources Directors Forum, a community of practice under the auspices of Universities South Africa (USAf) and represented this body at the HR Steering Committee of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. He was also a member of USAfs HR and Remunerations Committee and served as a Board Member of the South African Human Rights Commission. He served on several medical aid and provident fund boards, supervised masters students at VUT, served as an external examiner for its HR programmes, and worked with students at the Wits Business School. Dr Kasonkola will be missed by his colleagues and friends at Wits University. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace. The University will share details related to Dr Kasonkolas funeral and memorial service as they become available. Senior Executive Team Baobabs: Africas unique trees defy climate challenges Baobabs have been a food, fibre and medicine source in Africa for centuries. They continue to flourish. Baobabs reach extraordinarily old ages. Some have been found to be thousands of years old. During these life spans, elder baobabs have survived erratic climate conditions. As an ecologist who has spent the last 17 years studying baobab, I decided to look specifically at the health of adult baobabs in Southern Africa and then in Africa as a whole, to establish if more recent human-induced climate change has started having an effect on these magnificent trees. Over the course of 2023 I travelled across Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe visiting baobabs located in the area as well as 13 other particularly old and large specimens, including Sagole (named after a local hot spring), the largest baobab in the world. As I travelled, I became increasingly impressed by baobabs fortitude. Not only is the cohort of southern Africas oldest and largest baobabs enduring, but most baobab populations in Africa are healthy and stable, with very low mortality rates. Indeed, nothing I saw supported the notion that Africas baobabs are dying as a result of climate change. This is important because baobabs have been a source of food, fibre and medicine for centuries. Over 300 uses of baobabs have been described. In the last decade the growing trade in baobab fruit products has supported thousands of rural communities, especially marginalised women who are able to collect fruit from the trees around their homesteads and sell it for much needed income. The possible demise of baobabs would have devastating consequences for many people and local economies. Climate change is not new for millennial trees Baobabs are originally from Africa, where they occur in 32 countries. It is well-known that baobabs reach extraordinary old ages. Radio-carbon dating has repeatedly found baobabs well over 1,000 years old, with the oldest among them reaching 2,500 years in age. Over their life spans baobabs have survived erratic climate conditions including droughts and floods. Researchers used carbon isotopes recovered from the pith of nine baobabs to recreate rainfall patterns for the last 1,000 years. These records show that the southern part of Africa experienced numerous successive droughts, one of which was even severe enough to cause the abandonment of the Mapungubwe capital, a significant archaeological settlement, in the early 14th century. My observations on the general good health of baobabs do not stand alone. Several surveys across many parts of Africa also show stable baobab populations. It is estimated that there are up to four million baobab trees in Zimbabwe alone, and this only represents a fraction of Africas population. Adult tree mortality is negligible, except for where elephants are found. Elephants rely on eating baobab bark in the dry season, and when elephant numbers get too high, baobab trees become over utilised, which can lead to population decline. However, where there are no elephants, adult baobab trees have a very high survival rate. Baobabs are not immortal, so what are the threats? There are of course several threats to baobabs the most devastating of which is herbivory (the act of eating plants). Studies across Africa have shown that young trees are under high browsing pressures from domestic animals and wildlife. While browsing is not as much of a threat to adult baobabs, elephants are. These animals were responsible for the dramatic decline and almost extinction of baobabs in Tsavo East National Park (Kenya) in the 1970s. They were responsible for a mortality rate of 8% in Mapungubwe National Park (South Africa) between 2009 and 2019. This rapid loss of adult trees is doubly alarming as baobabs rely on a storage effect for episodic recruitment (meaning that the long-lived nature of the tree allows them to keep producing seed for hundreds of years). Without adult trees, these areas will not easily be populated again. While major drought events of the mid 1960s and early 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s certainly caused the death of several baobabs in the region, too much water appears to be more of a threat to baobabs than too little. Baobabs are vulnerable to too much water in the dry season (winter) when leafless, as leaves act as a pump for water that comes from the roots. Without leaves, baobabs have no way of getting rid of excess water and develop root and stem rot, leading to collapse or death. This may be why baobabs in high rainfall areas do not achieve the same longevity as those in drier areas. It is also interesting to note that only one baobab named in previous studies which described the collapse and death of a number of large baobabs in southern Africa died during a drought period while two collapsed from too much water due to artificial watering over multiple winter seasons. Symbols of resilience As global temperatures continue to rise, millions of life-forms around the globe are under threat. Plants and animals differ in their ability to cope with variable climate conditions. Many are sensitive to the slightest change and thus may be the first to die. In contrast, baobabs are well adapted to changes in temperature and rainfall, as can be seen by their wide geographic distribution and extreme longevity. Baobabs, like any life-form, are not immortal, but they may well be the last tree standing. Far from victims of climate change, as punted by social media, they can be symbols of resilience. Sarah Venter, Baobab Ecologist, University of the Witwatersrand. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 9. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is advancing Uzbekistan's green transition by financing a pioneering renewable hydrogen project, Trend reports. According to the bank, the pilot facility will feature a 20 MW electrolyzer and a 52 MW wind power plant, marking a significant step in reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy. EBRD is investing $ 65 million for the development, design, and operation of the facility, managed by ACWA Power UKS Green H2, a joint venture between ACWA Power and Uzkimyosanoat. The financing includes a $55 million senior loan, and up to $10 million in concessional finance from Canada under the Special Fund for the High Impact Partnership on Climate Action (HIPCA). TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 9. Uzbekistan and the Federal Treasury of Russia discussed further strengthening of bilateral cooperation, Trend reports. The news followed a meeting between Uzbekistans Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Gulnora Rakhimova and the delegation headed by Deputy Head of the Federal Treasury Alexander Mikhaylik. During the meeting, Gulnora Rakhimova noted the efforts on strengthening bilateral relations and emphasized that cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia, especially in the field of public finance management, is expanding every year. In addition, the participants reviewed the activities of the Treasury Service Committee of Uzbekistan. In 2023, Uzbekistans Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Treasury Service Committee under Uzbekistans Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Federal Treasury of Russia signed a program of cooperation for 2024-2026. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. A strategic partnership document between Iran and Russia is approaching its final stages, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Nasser Kanaani, stated during a press conference in Tehran, Trend reports. According to Kanaani, given the current state of affairs on a global and regional scale, the two sides have made it a priority to complete this treaty in order to strengthen relationships between Russia and Iran. He added that the agreement will soon be sealed by the presidents of both countries. Once the ink is dry, it will be given the green light and put into action by the Iranian parliament. The spokesperson emphasized that the document is expected to pave the way for strengthening bilateral relations across the board, including trade, by laying a rock-solid legal foundation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. There has been no progress in resolving the outstanding safeguards issues regarding Iran's nuclear program, said Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Trend reports. "Iran says it has declared all nuclear material, activities, and locations required under its NPT Safeguards Agreement. However, this statement is inconsistent with the agencys findings of uranium particles of anthropogenic origin at undeclared locations in Iran. The IAEA needs to know the current location(s) of the nuclear material and/or of contaminated equipment involved," Grossi said, as he addressed the Board of Governors. He further noted that Iran still is not implementing modified Code 3.1, which is a legal obligation for Iran, having stated it had suspended such implementation. "These outstanding safeguards issues stem from Irans obligations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and need to be resolved for the agency to be able to assure that Irans nuclear program is exclusively peaceful," Grossi added. The Comprehensive Plan of Joint Action on Iran's nuclear program was implemented between Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) in January 2016. In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the plan and imposed sanctions on Iran in November of the same year. Iran announced in 2020 that there would be no restrictions on the Iran nuclear deal. Meanwhile, in late 2020, the Iranian parliament adopted a strategic plan to counter the sanctions, citing the non-fulfillment of the JCPOA signed between Iran and six countries and the imposition of sanctions on Iran. Based on the decision of the Iranian parliament, as of February 23, Iran stopped the implementation of additional measures and an additional protocol included in the nuclear deal. As a consequence, the monitoring mechanism of the IAEA was reduced by 20-30 percent. Wang Wei is both Secretary of the Party (Communist Party of China) branch and General Manager of Wuhu Qingyijiang Seeds Co., Ltd. (Wuhu Qingyijiang). She has dedicated her career to the cultivation of improved varieties of both rice and Chinese milkvetch. Wang has received several awards and titles, including National Young Pioneers in Rural Revitalization, Anhui Provincial May Fourth Medal, and March 8th Red-Banner Holder of Wuhu (a city in east China's Anhui Province). Chinese Milkvetch Wang was born in Yijiang, a town in Wuhu, in 1986. It has long been the tradition of locals to grow Chinese milkvetch. People develop businesses related to the plant, and they use the plant as organic fertilizer. Wang returned to Yijiang in 2008, after she graduated from college. Since then, she has worked alongside her father, Wang Genhuo, in managing Wuhu Qingyijiang. Wang Genhuo established the company, and he has been growing and harvesting Chinese milkvetch for 40-plus years. He was named a National Role Model Worker in 2020. He hopes Wang Wei will always be diligent and down-to-earth when working. Wang Wei has followed her father's advice, and she has worked hard to learn everything, from sowing seeds to harvesting the produce. She gets up early in the morning, and she works until late at night during farming season. In 2008, Wuhu Qingyijiang participated in a national-level, agricultural-technology-research project involving the organic fertilizer industry, and the company began cultivating improved varieties of Chinese milkvetch. The planting of Chinese milkvetch helps reduce soil erosion and increase organic components in the soil, so the crop has played a big role in boosting local agricultural production. To realize the combined goals of sustainable development and agricultural modernization, Wang Wei began using science and technology in the planting, growing and harvesting of Chinese milkvetch. She established a provincial-level, postdoctoral-research platform and work stations, composed of technological experts and volunteers, to help her company conduct research into Chinese milkvetch. She then commercialized results of their research. As a result, the company has received more than 60 China-issued patents. To encourage villagers to plant Chinese milkvetch, Wang Wei has organized volunteers to conduct lectures and skills training, and she has visited farmers, at their homes and in their fields. The bases for planting and cultivating original and improved varieties of Chinese milkvetch of Wuhu Qingyijiang now cover 70,000-plus mu (4,667 hectares), and the bases produce 2,800-plus tons of milkvetch seeds yearly. Tangible Benefits While promoting Chinese milkvetch production, Wang Wei realized some farmers stopped growing the plant because they could not make a profit in a short amount of time. That prompted her to explore ways to achieve additional economic value from Chinese milkvetch. In April 2023, Wuhu Qingyijiang established Yangtze River Delta Research Institute of Chinese Milkvetch Industry, which is a part of the national-level project involving the organic fertilizer industry. Wang Wei has headed her team in developing various Chinese milkvetch-related products, including tea, liquor and cosmetics. They have promoted the new products during various trade fairs. In Yijiang, the villagers' Chinese milkvetch fields have become a part of the local tourism industry; as such, the local milkvetch industry has generated considerable economic, social and ecological benefits. Wang Wei and her employees have cultivated several new rice varieties while participating in correlative experiments conducted by research alliances, at the municipal level or above. Wang Wei has set up dozens of breeding bases in Hainan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces. Under Wang Wei's leadership, Wuhu Qingyijiang has adopted several measures, including contracting farmers' land and purchasing their products, at a minimum-guaranteed price, to increase farmers' incomes. The company has provided job opportunities to local families facing difficulties, and the company has organized skills training for residents without vocational skills. In 2023, the company helped 3,400 households increase their incomes through order-based production. Wang Wei has promoted Chinese milkvetch-related history and culture, and she has remained passionate about public welfare. As head of Anhui Association for Chinese Milkvetch Industry, she has participated in frequent exchanges with agricultural departments and enterprises, in various regions of China, about her experiences in developing the industrial chain of the local Chinese milkvetch industry. She has also donated funds and materials to assist with flood prevention and control, and she has worked with schools to establish students' internship bases. Wang Wei says her current goal is to continuously expand the production of Chinese milkvetch, and let the outcome benefit more people in countries and regions along the Belt and Road. Photos from Wei Xiaoyu and Interviewee (Women of China English Monthly August 2024) Editor: Wang Shasha Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) encourages Tehran to facilitate a meeting to resume talks on Iran's nuclear safeguards issues, said Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, Trend reports. "After the elections in Iran, I corresponded with President Pezeshkian, indicating my disposition to meet him in Tehran to re-launch the dialogue and cooperation between the Agency and Iran. He agreed to meet with me at an appropriate juncture. I encourage Iran to facilitate such a meeting in the not-too-distant future so that we can establish a constructive dialogue that leads swiftly to real results," Grossi said, as he addressed the Board of Governors. Grossi further noted that there has been no progress in the past 15 months towards implementing the joint statement of March 4, 2023, between the IAEA and Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). "In the context of Irans agreement that the joint statement continues to provide a framework for cooperation with the Agency and for addressing the outstanding safeguards issues, I call upon Iran to implement the Joint Statement through serious engagement with the Agencys concrete proposals," the director general added. Meanwhile, in March 2023 the AEOI and the IAEA agreed upon several issues. The IAEA and Iran will collaborate in accordance with the IAEA's competencies and Iran's rights and obligations under the comprehensive safeguards agreement. Iran has expressed willingness to provide more information and access to address outstanding safeguards issues at three locations. Voluntary access for further verification and monitoring by the IAEA will be arranged through a technical meeting in Tehran. Almost 30 million free schools meals served up across Wales Almost 30 million free school meals have been served to primary school children across Wales since 2021. The Welsh Government, as part of the then Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru, has been rolling out the free schools meals programme to maintained primary schools in a move to tackle child poverty. Across Wales 176,000 pupils are eligible for the scheme with nearly 30 million meals served out in the last three years. The roll-out of the programme has now been completed across Wales, meaning every child up to and including Year 6 is now able to receive a free school meal every school day. The Welsh Government set out the commitment in 2021 as part of its efforts to tackle child poverty. Work is underway to review Regulations which set out the types of food and drink that may be provided during the school day , including defining the nutrient content of school lunches. First Minster, Eluned Morgan said: A healthy school meal is vital in ensuring that no child feels hungry during the school day, helping their concentration and wellbeing and enabling them to achieve their full potential. Free school meals are also providing welcome support to families and helping tackle child poverty. This is a momentous occasion for children here in Wales. Im incredibly proud that Wales has become the first UK nation to offer free school meals to all primary pupils. Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle said: We are ensuring that no primary school child will go hungry at school, and I am thankful for our local authorities and schools for helping to make this a reality. I have seen the difference that this offer has already made for children and families firsthand. This is an important step we have taken to tackle child poverty, and I will continue to work to make certain that we have the best school food offer in the UK. However the rollout has faced criticism from the Welsh Conservatives, which have argued that councils across Wales have struggled to provide adequate meals due to budget cuts. Tom Giffard MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Education Minister, said: It is right that children who need a free school meal receive one, but there have been flaws in Labours delivery of the scheme. The Welsh Conservatives have previously highlighted that this policy was uncosted, so it is unsurprising that there has been news of low quality and small portion sizes due to councils struggling with Labours budget cuts. This policy has been poorly implemented by the Welsh Labour Government from the outset and sadly, it is our young people who are having to pay the price. 125,000 people marched through London Saturday in the 18th national demonstration against the Gaza genocide organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Palestinian Forum in Britain, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Their action was called under the slogans: End the genocide! Stop arming Israel! No Middle East war! No to Islamophobia! The next national demonstration will be held in Liverpool, rather than London, on September 21, to protest the Labour Party conference. On October 12, a one-year anniversary protest will be held in London, with organisers calling for the biggest march in British history. Protesters at the national demonstration in London against the Gaza genocide on September 7, 2024 Saturdays protest began in Regent Street St Jamess, marching down Piccadilly and along the length of Hyde Park to near the Israeli embassy. In the week before the event, Londons Metropolitan Police went back on prior arrangements by seeking to place restrictions on the start time of the march. A statement from the organisers explained: Since notifying the police of our intentions on 8 August, we have faced a series of delays, obstacles, and uncooperative behaviour. Meetings have been cancelled without notice, and our reasonable proposal for an alternative route to the Israeli Embassy was dismissed outright. Now, with just four days notice, the police have imposed these new conditions without explanation, creating unnecessary obstacles for a demonstration expected to draw over one hundred thousand people. With less than 24 hours to go, the Met withdrew its restrictions. Members of the Socialist Equality Party leafleted the demonstration with the article Protests and general strike in Israel pose the need to break with Zionism and set up a literature stall. Interviews with protesters can be found here. The SEP stall at the demonstration. The speakers from the platform again put forward a perspective of marching until Prime Minister Keir Starmer feels the weight of his inaction over the genocide, with trade union leaders in particular studiously avoiding any suggestion of strike activity. Foreign Secretary David Lammys suspension of less than 10 percent of UK arms contracts with Israel was generally presented as a step forward, rather than the calculated cynicism it was, but not far enough. The answer was ramping up the pressure on the streets. Leading member of the Stop the War Coalition Andrew Murray told the crowd, There is nothing, no force, in this country that will stop us marching for justice for Palestine As long as there is no justice for the Palestinian people, we will be here on the streets marching, protesting, standing up for Palestine. Andrew Murray speaking at the demonstration. Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Vice-Chair Sophie Bolt urged, Lets keep up the pressure to make this government end its complicity in genocide We refuse to stop marching. From the Labour Party, national executive member Jess Barnard appealed, To my Labour colleagues, councillors and MPs, who are told not to show up to these demonstrations, told not to speak against the government, now is the time to show up, speak up, hold our own party to account Starmer, dont get comfortable, because we will hold you to account. They will not. Only two MPs elected for the Labour Party at the last election spoke from the platform, though both have been suspended from representing the party for six monthsApsana Begum and John McDonnell. Begum stated that What is happening in Gaza challenges the very notion of the commitment of Western powers to human rights and dignity. She described Lammys arms suspensions as a step forward which had come too late and was simply not enough, before concluding we will continue to hold power accountable. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell proposed to offer a few sentences of calm sadness, largely focussed on the killing of Turkish-American political activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the West Bank on Friday. He claimed, You have shifted this government. Not far enough but youve shifted it with your determination. It was one of the proudest moments of his life just to walk alongside you, which is, in fact, the most he has done. Neither so much as mentioned Starmer, or any of the cabinet, by name. Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed was given a platform to say, Despite Labours missteps and the condoning of the collective punishment in opposition, there was hope that it would follow through on its stated commitment to enforce international law and the rules-based order There was hope that they would take meaningful action to immediately help stop the killing and achieve a permanent ceasefire. We are still waiting for that to happen. Iqbal Mohamed speaking at the demonstration. Mohamed continued for several minutes to list increasingly ludicrous hopes in front of what was by this stage an audibly restless audience. He served as the spokesperson for the day for the new Independent Alliance of MPs containing Jeremy Corbyn, Mohamed and three other independents elected to parliament on a Gaza ticket. Corbyn was abroad at an international conference and sent perfunctory greetings. As for the trade unions, Fran Heathcote, General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, declared herself immensely proud that, for many years, PCS has led the calls in the trade union movement in demanding peace and justice for the people of Palestine, adding, We will continue marching, we will continue to protest and we will continue to back the campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. The deliberate exclusion of industrial action from that list was underscored by Heathcote noting later, PCS members work in government departments that grant weapons licenses. What did the union bureaucracy propose to do about this? If the government doesnt respect international law, we will continue to explore the possibility of taking legal action in defence of our members. In the most glaring contrast between words and actions, Assistant General Secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union Eddie Dempsey warned in his speech, The situation is getting so tense it risks spilling over into major regional conflict, potentially drawing in the great powers of the world in a confrontation that could potentially lead to a nuclear conflict. Eddie Dempsey speaking at the demonstration against the Gaza genocide in London, September 7, 2024 He continued, This is a trade union issue, and this is why the RMT supports the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the marches and the protests that have been going on. And yet at the same time the RMT has limited industrial action among its 500 members in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary which provides essential logistical support to the Royal Navy, and opposed any suggestion of action against the war. Dempseys words in any case showed up the bankruptcy of Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamals closing speech, announcing that we at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign are ramping up our campaigns calling for local councils to divest [from Israel]. Next Thursday, they would hold their next action, calling on people to close their accounts with Barclays bank. But most of all, people had to keep ramping up the pressure on Keir Starmer. As SEP members argued among the protesters, no amount of moral pressure will force Starmer and his imperialist co-conspirators to withdraw their support from Israel, and their plans for a war against Iran. They will have to be stopped in their tracks, which requires the intervention of the working class, paralysing states supportive of the Israeli regime and bringing down their governments. The fight to stop the genocide in Gaza is the struggle to build a mass socialist party of the working class and a global anti-war movement. Recent incidents point to the ongoing victimisation of asylum seekers by the Irish authorities and the far right. Saturday afternoon, August 31, a Jordanian asylum seeker was assaulted by a group of stick-wielding thugs at a property in Ormond Quay, Dublin. The man, who requested anonymity when he spoke to the Irish Times, said he needed 18 stitches to his head and had feared for his life during the attack. Another man was reportedly attacked with a fire extinguisher. Videos available online show a group of thugs who, having forced their way into the building, pushed asylum seekers onto the street and chucked their possessions out of an upstairs window. The attack took place at a vacant building that had been squatted over the summer by housing activists who then offered shelter to some of the hundreds of homeless asylum seekers sleeping rough in Dublin. The evening before, thugs mobilised by the landlord had also forced entry. Online coverage shows terrified asylum seekers trapped in the building while goons battered on the doors. The assault on Friday triggered a major police operation with the Gardas Armed Support Unit and Public Order Unit attending. No one appears to have been charged. Another asylum seeker, a 41-year-old from Gaza, said there was a racial element to the attack and one of the goons had threatened to kill everyone inside. He said Saturdays incident, in broad daylight, was particularly shocking since it took place during a pro-Palestine demonstration in the city. Pointing to police collusion in the assault, he said there were police everywhere, nevertheless people without masks, without anything, came and wanted to kill the people [inside the building]. The Ormond Quay thuggery comes after months of increasing pressure on asylum seekers with the Fine Gael/Fianna Fail/Green government and the far right working in tandem. Government victimisation of asylum seekers As of mid-August, the Garda National Immigration Bureau, on behalf of the Irish coalition government, had issued more deportation orders to asylum seekers in the previous eight months than the total issued over the whole of last year. To date, 1,100 deportation orders have been issued in 2024, compared with 948 over 2023. Enforced deportations have increased by 128 percent, while so-called voluntary returns have also increased by 157 percent. Besides increasing deportations, the government is intent on making life as difficult as possible for some of the most vulnerable, and visibly exposed, members of society. It has for months been seeking to displace some hundreds of asylum seekers forced to sleep rough on the streets and parks of Dublin into distant and unsuitable areas of land and large buildings that could be repurposed. Coolock protests A particular focus has been the Coolock areaa large housing estate to the northwest of Dublin where a former Crown Paints factory on the Malahide Road has been designated by the government as suitable to house hundreds of asylum seekers. Up to 500 Ukrainians under international protection are to be forced to live in what is currently an empty, largely windowless shell. Should it ever open as an asylum camp, it will inevitably place a tremendous additional burden on local social, health and education facilities already stretched by the endless cost-cutting of successive Irish governments. The Coolock site has been targeted repeatedly for arson attacks and protests. On July 20, for example, a fire broke out in the former factorys foyer after a protest attended by as many as 500 people. This followed several days of skirmishes orchestrated by far-right and anti-Muslim groups such as Coolock Says No. It was also addressed by far-right councillors, including the National Partys Patrick Quinlan and Glen Moore of the equally right-wing Irish Freedom Party (IFP). Both parties, formed in the last decade, are virulently anti-migrant, socially conservative, anti-abortion, anti-vaccination outfits while both wave the Irish tricolour. IFP leader Herman Kelly is a former press officer of Reform UKs Nigel Farage, while the National Party is currently led by former Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association leader James Reynolds. Reynolds replaced Justin Barret, a Holocaust denier and Hitler admirer, after Barrett turned up to an anti-immigration protest wearing a Nazi uniform. Coolock is an industrial area, with a significant number of factories taking advantage of a large and cheap labour force and easy access to Dublin airport. Wages for a factory worker in the area start at 13-14 an hour. House prices are astronomical. The cheapest three-bedroom house in the area will cost 300,000. There are pockets of particularly extreme deprivation too. In neighbouring Darndale, some areas record unemployment figures of as high as 30 percent, while 59 percent of children are in single-parent families. The absence of any perspective from the ruling parties, Sinn Fein or the trade unions to alleviate this social crisis creates an environment in which the fascists can grow. The same day as one of the Coolock protests, on July 15, 16 asylum seekers forced to live in tents on the banks of the Royal Canal in Phibsborough, Dublin were attacked by masked men. Two days later another group of asylum seekers were attacked on the City Quay by a group of seven or eight brandishing knives. On August 1, another group of 11 men from Palestine and Jordan were forced to move their tents by police from Herberts Park in South Dublin. The asylum seekers were told to move, but not where to go. Another group under international protection were reportedly harassed, beaten and threatened with death in a shopping centre. Another repurposed area is around the former St Brigids nursing home in Crooksling, South Dublin, which is being used by the misnamed Department of Integration to contain as many as 540 people. Asylum seekers, all men, are forced to live in tents holding 10 to 12 people, without electricity or heating, and with a questionable supply of clean water. Meals can only be had after queuing outside in the rain. Showers, toilets and mobile phone charge points are all inadequate, according to residents, while privacy is more or less nonexistent. Both asylum seekers and local residents complain that the bus service to central Dublin is now completely inadequate. Another 450 asylum seekers have been dumped in the grounds of the former Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum where they are living in tents. 200 more are in a former seminary in nearby Milltown, South Dublin. High Court ruling The government was found last month to have breached the European Unions human rights charter in its treatment of asylum seekers. In a High Court ruling on a judicial review brought by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), Justice Barry ODonnell found that the states response to the needs of IP [international protection] applicants is inadequate to the point that the rights of this class of person... have been breached by the State because a failure to provide for the basic needs of applicants amounts to a breach of their right to human dignity. The case arose from the governments decision last December that it would no longer offer accommodation to men seeking international protection. Instead, male asylum seekers were given vouchers worth 75, later increased to 113, weekly on which to survive. Many ended up on the streets, living in tents. The ruling noted that the State had not provided any analysis of real world purchasing power or how in fact an... applicant was expected to access the basic need of housing. In consequence, those persons are left in a deeply vulnerable and frightening position that undermines their human dignity. The ruling committed the Irish government to nothing, however. Justice ODonnell rejected the IHREC request for an order to force the government to establish a system to uphold the fundamental rights of all IP applicants as not appropriate or necessary. Further, ODonnell opined that policing a mandatory remedy framed in such general terms would present real difficulties and give rise to scope for serious disputes about what amounted to compliance. In other words, the ruling was not going to be mandatory, because the learned judge fully expected the government to ignore it. The defence of asylum seekers and immigrants is of decisive importance to the working class. Hundreds of thousands of workers and young people have mobilised against the Gaza genocide over the past year. This mass movement and the broadest layers of working people must immediately take up the defence of all those fleeing the consequences of imperialist barbarism, poverty and climate change worldwide and fight for the construction of a mass international socialist movement against war and austerity. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. [AP Photo] Some eight weeks remain in the most reactionary presidential election campaign in modern American history. The two main capitalist parties are offering American working people the choice of the candidate of fascist dictatorship, Republican Donald Trump, and the candidate of imperialist world war, Democrat Kamala Harris. The replacement of President Joe Biden by Vice President Harris stemmed the collapse of the Democratic presidential campaign and brought in an influx of campaign cash, but the race remains essentially tied. A New York Times/Siena College poll made public Sunday showed Trump with a one percentage point lead nationally, but Harris with narrow leads in three of the seven battleground states that will determine the outcome in the Electoral College, and tied in the other four. Significantly, the poll found, according to the Times, that more than 60 percent of likely voters said the next president should represent a major change from Mr. Biden, but only 25 percent said the vice president represented that change, while 53 percent said Mr. Trump, the former president, did. In a statement issued on X, Socialist Equality Party candidate for president Joseph Kishore, citing the Times poll and other indications that the election contest was extremely close, wrote: What could be a more devastating indictment of the Democrats than the fact that the former president, who attempted to overthrow the last election in a fascistic coup, is able to gain traction and could even win the 2024 elections? Kishore added, Harris and the Democrats have absolutely nothing to put forward to deal with the social crisis and the devastating conditions confronting the broad mass of the population. Their central priority is the escalation of war, particularly the US-NATO war against Russia, which is not popular. And they, along with the Republicans, are fully responsible for the genocide in Gaza. It is increasingly unlikely that the winner of the election will be known on the night of November 5, given that a few thousand votes could well be decisive in the closest states. The Trump campaign is already making feverish preparations to challenge the vote-counting, both legally and with physical violence, and expects to use Republican-controlled state legislatures and the right-wing Supreme Court to hijack the vote. In remarks at campaign rallies over the weekend, Trump again threatened his political opponents with arrest, trial and imprisonment. We gotta stop the cheating. If we stop that cheating, if we dont let them cheat, I dont even have to campaign anymore, he told a Wisconsin crowd. On his Truth Social media site, Trump wrote, WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again. Trump has already vowed to assume the role of dictator on day one of his second presidential term, while pledging to mobilize the military within the United States to round up as many as 20 million immigrants and their families and expel them from the country. Over the weekend, Kamala Harris received the endorsement of two Republican arch-warmongers, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz Cheney, a former congresswoman from Wyoming and co-chair of the now-disbanded House Select Committee to investigate the January 6, 2021 coup attempt by Trump against Congress. Dick Cheney is a war criminal, the principal architect of the US invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003, responsible for the slaughter of millions in the Middle East and Afghanistan in wars instigated by American imperialism. That he has chosen to publicly endorse Harris over Trump testifies to his confidence that the Democratic candidate will continue this policy of military aggression in the new arenas chosen by the Biden-Harris administration: the war against Russia in Ukraine, a joint US-Israeli war against Iran and its allied groups in the Middle East, and the war buildup against China in the Asia-Pacific. Cheney couched his endorsement in language denouncing Trumps instigation of the attack on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021. The hollowness of this supposed defense of democracy is demonstrated by Cheneys own history. The Republican ticket of George W. Bush and Cheney used lies, violent intimidation and the suppression of legal votesbacked by a reactionary Supreme Courtin its successful drive to steal the 2000 election. It was also Cheney who was the most outspoken defender of CIA torture, kidnapping (rendition) and murder as part of the so-called war on terror. Nonetheless, the Harris campaign issued a statement welcoming Cheneys statement: The Vice President is proud to have the support of Vice President Cheney, and deeply respects his courage to put country over party. Appearing on the ABC Sunday interview program This Week, Liz Cheney said she had spoken with Kamala Harris and expected to campaign for her. She praised Harriss acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, saying that it could have been given by Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush. Demonstrating this bipartisan alliance for war, another Republican operative and former official in the Trump administration, Alyssa Farah Griffin, speaking on CNN Sunday, offered this explanation for Dick Cheneys support for Harris: Ukraine is on the ballot, continuing support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. That is something that Donald Trump and J.D. Vance have not committed to continuing Trump and Vance are not opposed to imperialist war, including in Ukraine, but hope to profit electorally by posturing as critics of a war that is deeply unpopular. They speak for a faction of the ruling elite that wants to turn more directly to a military confrontation with China, particularly as the Ukraine war has become a stalemate that may well end in military disaster. As Trump made clear in his appearance last week on Wall Street, where he basked in the support of billionaires like Elon Musk and Steve Schwarzman, he offers the super-rich a further vast increase in their fortunes through another round of tax cuts. Meanwhile, the Harris campaign is seeking to compete for the same support, as shown by proposing a lower capital gains tax than sought by Biden, and publicizing her endorsement by nearly 100 corporate CEOs and billionaires, current and former chief executives of Merck, Aetna, Blackstone, Ford, Xerox and Starbucks. Whatever the outcome of the vote, the drive by the American ruling class towards war, social counter-revolution and dictatorship will continue. Whether or not he wins the election, Trump will emerge with tens of millions of votes, complete control of the Republican Party, and the backing of important sections of the financial aristocracy. SEP candidate Kishore wrote: It is impossible to fight the danger posed by Trump through support for the Democrats. Not only will the Democrats intensify a war abroad that threatens nuclear annihilation, the entire experience of the Biden administration demonstrates that they serve not to undermine but rather strengthen the fascistic right. The only way forward is through the building of a political movement in the working class that articulates its interests, in opposition to the Democrats and Republicans and the entire capitalist system. On Wednesday, after the summer break, workers at the Audi plant in Vorst near Brussels downed tools. Around 100 of the 3,000 employed at the plant entered the workplace for the first time early Wednesday morning but refused to resume work. The afternoon shift did not go to work either. Images from the Flemish public broadcaster VRT show how workers from Audi and supplier companies have set up tents and protest camps on the factory premises. Workers general assembly in front of the Audi plant in Brussels on 20 August [Photo by ptb] We dont want to start again until we have more information, Franky De Schrijver of the FGTB trade union told the media. The stoppage will halt operations and potentially keep the plant closed for the next few days. As the Brussels Times reported, Audi had planned for employees in the paint shop to resume work on Thursday and for all 3,000 to return to work on Friday. On Tuesday, management confirmed at a staff meeting that neither Audi itself nor any other Volkswagen Group brand would be commissioning the assembly of a new model there. As reported by VRT, the site in the southwest of Brussels is to be abandoned in the foreseeable future due to a lack of demand for the Q8 e-tron SUV produced there, high costs and logistical problems, and all 3,000 or so employees will gradually be laid off. The unions expect 1,500 jobs to be cut in October and a further 1,100 in May 2025. According to the company, the current plant director, Volker Germann, is to leave Brussels and be replaced by Thomas Bogus. The Brussels Times writes that the company expects to produce only 7,000 Q8 e-Tron SUVs by the end of the yearwith two teams at 15 cars per hour. According to media reports, the successor to the Q8 e-tron will continue to be produced in Mexico from 2027. For days now, employees of several supplier companies have been camping in front of the Audi factory gates. They are directly affected by a closure of the factory, as they work almost exclusively for the carmaker from Ingolstadt. According to union representatives, these workers were not informed by the companies about the ongoing talks. A protest march and mass rally of Audi employees in Brussels is planned for 10:30 a.m. on September 16 at the Brussels-North train station, which, according to the union, will also be extended to include workers from the metal, chemical and textile sectors. In addition to the autoworkers, employees of bus manufacturer Van Hool, which was dissolved due to bankruptcy at the beginning of the year, will also lead the protest march. An extraordinary works council meeting is scheduled for the following day, at which the VW Group management will allegedly share information about future investors. The strikes in Brussels are part of a growing international movement of autoworkers in defence of their jobs and wages, which are under attack on all fronts. At a factory meeting at the main Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg on the same day, tens of thousands of workers protested against the companys austerity drive and planned job cuts. From January 24 to February 19, thousands of workers at the giant Audi assembly plant in the Mexican state of Puebla went on strike for higher wages. After the first offer of a 6.5 percent wage increase was rejected by 3,090 of the 4,161 workers, 3,139 workers then voted against the second offer of a general wage increase of 7 percent on February 9. The supposedly independent SITAUDI union finally corralled the growing militancy of the strikers, enforcing the acceptance of a contract that, at 7 percentplus a 3.2 percent increase in annual social benefitswas barely higher than the offer workers had rejected. The union had originally demanded a 20 percent wage increase, which would have been nowhere near enough to overcome the poverty wages paid by carmakers in Mexico. The attacks on the Belgian Audi workers and the simultaneous attempt to discipline the Mexican autoworkers are part of a broad international strategy by the Volkswagen Group. Last weekend, the company announced that it would terminate the job security agreement that has been in place so far, under which compulsory redundancies are excluded until 2029. Last years infamous Performance programme, which aims to save 10 billion euros annually by 2026, is now to being followed by savings of 4 billion euros. From the standpoint of the Belgian and German trade union bureaucracies, the protests are a targeted attempt to let off steam and find a way to neutralise workers anger. Instead, workers should use the assemblies to discuss setting up their own rank-and-file action committees that are independent of the union and unite workers across workplaces, professional and national lines. In the US, workers at VW competitor Stellantis and auto parts supplier Dakkota are also resisting massive job cuts and real wage cuts and have already begun to set up their own action committees in opposition to the United Auto Workers union. The claim by the works council leaders and trade union officials that they have not received any information about the planned job cuts and have been left in the dark by management should be rejected with contempt by workers. In reality, the bureaucracy of the trade unions and works councils shares the capitalist perspective of VW management and its fundamental goals of a transformation of the company at the expense of the workers. The German IG Metall union and the VW works council reps have helped to draw up the multi-billion Performance austerity plan and have closely coordinated it with company management and the federal government as part of the so-called concerted action. There are signs in the media that the dispute in Belgium is to be dragged out over a long period of time with the help of the so-called Renault Law of 1997 in order to stall and wear down the workers. The law was passed in the wake of the dramatic closure of the Renault plant in Vilvoorde, near Brussels, in February 1997, which cost over 3,000 workers their jobs from one day to the next. The law provides for close consultation between the corporations, trade unions and the government, similar to the law in Germany. Against the nationalist conspiracies between the trade union bureaucracy and company management, workers must fight according to the principle of the international unity of the working class. The allies of the Belgian Audi workers are the workers of the supplier companies, as well as their Audi colleagues in Mexicowho are also to be more heavily exploited by means of the relocation of productionand the workers of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and worldwide. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), which the World Socialist Web Site is committed to building, fights for this perspective. We call on autoworkers to form action committees that stand for the following demands: An immediate halt to all layoffs and the reinstatement of all those affected! A shorter workday with a simultaneous increase in wages to account for the shorter time required in the production of electric vehicles and to compensate for wages that have been stagnant for decades! Unite across all borders in the fight against the global jobs massacre! Expropriate the car companies and put them under the democratic control of the workers! Send a Whatsapp message to +491633378340 and register using the form below to get in touch with other action committees in the automotive industry and beyond. Railroad workers: Take up the fight against the sellout contracts and for rank-and-file control! Join the Railroad Workers Rank-and-File Committee by filling out the form below. Drone footage of the still-smoldering train cars in East Palestine, Ohio, February 5, 2023. [Photo: National Transportation Safety Board] The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation WorkersTransportation Division (SMART-TD) reached a tentative agreement last week with the freight railroad company Norfolk Southern (NS). SMART-TD is the largest rail union, and Norfolk Southern is the first carrier with which it has reached a tentative agreement. The deal is the latest in a series of contracts which have been quietly announced over the past few weeks. At least 20 separate agreements have been reached between nine separate unions and three carriersNorfolk Southern, CSX and BNSF. These are being announced through a highly unusual procedure, bypassing national talks which have not yet begun and typically drag on for years. This is an attempt to bypass the opposition of workers, who rebelled against a sellout deal brokered by the White House in 2022. A critical role was played by the Railroad Workers Rank-and-File Committee, organized to prepare a showdown not just with the railroads but with the union bureaucrats and the pro-corporate parties. In 2022, workers in the rail unions voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike. SMART-TD and the other unions insisted that their members abide by the antiworker Railway Labor Act (RLA), which establishes a painfully drawn-out series of negotiations. When the unions and companies reached an impasse, President Joe Biden named a Presidential Emergency Board to draft a pro-company agreement that workers roundly rejected. Once the process outlined in the RLA was exhausted in September, rail workers were legally allowed to strike. But rather than calling a strike, the top brass of the unions bought time for Congress and Biden to illegalize a strike and impose the deal. Today, both the rail companies and the unions seek to avoid the eruption of workers outrage that would result from a repeat of the 2022 struggle. In his Labor Day message, SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson, who absurdly told workers in 2022 that the United States Constitution made it illegal for them to strike, warned against class warfare because he opposes workers struggle against the companies. By breaking up national talks into dozens of separate, bilateral deals, the union bureaucrats hope to shatter the unity of railroad workers and isolate each segment from the others. But the contracts are all nearly identical, amounting to a national deal in all but name. They contain wage increases even worse than those imposed by the government in 2022, 17.5 percent over four years compared to 24 percent. The fact that SMART-TDs first full agreement is with Norfolk Southern (it previously announced a deal covering only train service workers at CSX) adds insult to injury. Norfolk Southern was responsible for the preventable derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023. The resulting explosion and the unnecessary controlled burn of railcars released hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air, water and soil. The community still has not recovered from the public health, environmental and economic damage caused by the companys single-minded focus on cost-cutting and profit-boosting. This is unacceptable to me, an anonymous engineer told the World Socialist Web Site. In this agreement, vacation time is less than I already get now with the carrier. The new tentative agreements were not done in good faith, said another engineer. The unions across our nation gave away an opportunity. One rail worker who wished to remain anonymous told the WSWS, It does seem a little bit off. The carriers seem eager to get it done quickly. It isnt like the railroads to do right by the workersor the unions to be all ready to present offers without even putting up a fight and trying to get a little more than just pay raises. It doesnt feel like they are on our side. Conspiring sounds like the perfect word to describe what is happening. There can be no doubt that the Biden-Harris administration is a principal force behind the push for the unusually early contracts, as it has been involved in every major union contract over the last four years. The railroads and the unions also began announcing the deals at around the same time that the White House intervened in the recent Canadian railroad strike, urging the Canadian government to impose binding arbitration. One possible motivation as to the timing is that Washington wants to get the contract over with now, before the November election, so that another rebellion does not disrupt well advanced plans for after the election, regardless of who wins. The railroads are critical choke points in US and global supply chains, not just in the civilian economy but for the military as well. A number of key contracts with similar national security implications are also coming up at the same time. This includes the contract at Boeing, one of the largest contractors for the US military, and for East Coast dockworkers. What is certain, however, is that railroaders face not only a workplace struggle but also a political struggle. Just as in 2022, they are coming into simultaneous conflict with the rail carriers, the union bureaucrats and the federal government. The rotten tentative agreements that the unions and companies are attempting to oppose must be rejected decisively. Workers must begin expanding the work of the Railroad Workers Rank-and-File Committee as the alternative leadership to the treacherous union bureaucracies. Building upon the lessons of 2022, workers must create new structures giving them the ability to override decisions by union officials which violate their will, enabling them to link up with workers in other key industries and prepare for the best possible conditions with which to meet government intervention. A Delta Airlines aircraft taxis at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in Atlanta [AP Photo/Mike Stewart] Early in the morning of Tuesday, August 27 two workers were killed, and one person was seriously injured at the Delta TechOps facility near the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. The Clayton County Medical Examiner's office said the victims were Mirko Marweg, 58, who lived in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and Luis Aldarondo, 37, who lived in Newnan, Georgia. The name of another employee who was seriously injured has not been disclosed. Delta spokesperson Samantha Moore Facteau said in an email that the injured worker remained under medical care as of September 4. The Delta TechOps, TOC 3, Dept. 391-Wheel & Brake Shop facility, where the accident happened, handles Delta's maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations, along with more than 150 other aviation and airline customers in the United States and internationally. The facility operates out of large hangars near the airport. The incident occurred inside the shop, where a tire exploded during maintenance. Mirko Marweg, who had worked for Delta for over twenty years, was planning to retire in a few months. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Marweg's wife, Scottie Ann Marweg, who described her husband as a giving man. 'He helped anybody out,' she said. 'He was a loving father, husband, and brother. Marweg's son, Andre Coleman, told WXIA-TV Tuesday that he wanted to see his father because he didn't believe he was dead. But a medical examiner told the family the body was unrecognizable. According to ABC News, the family had to rely on tattoos and a Mississippi State lanyard around his neck to identify him. Coleman said his father was a loving man who, just Sunday, had helped change the oil in his motorcycle. That's the kind of dad he was. He was always there. The second victim, Luis Aldarondo, was from Puerto Rico and trained at a facility in Florida before moving to Atlanta to work as a contractor for Delta. Jonathan Ibarra, president of the South Avionics Training Center outside of Orlando, where Aldarondo trained, said he was motivated to succeed. He graduated in 2019 after studying there for a year. Iberra said, He was so happy! He was motivating everyone and saying, like hey, you can do this; you know he was good. He was really, really good, The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident, and the Federal Aviation Administration said it was aware of the incident and is 'in communication with the airline. Delta said it is working with authorities. In a memo sent to workers after the tragic accident in Atlanta, Delta Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer John Laughter, whose salary in 2021 was $650,000 shed crocodile tears, stating, Im deeply saddened to share that three TechOps team members were involved in an accident that took place early this morning. Tragically, two of our team members involved passed away, and one other team member was seriously injured. We are extending our full support to their families during this challenging time and investigating to determine what happened. He claimed disingenuously that your safety comes first and we are all in this together. He claimed that counselors and other resources would be made available. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens posted a statement on X about the incident declaring, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased Delta employees. My thoughts are also with those who were injured, and I hope for their swift and full recovery. AFRD, APD, and HJAIA teams are on the scene, working diligently to address the situation. This, from an individual who presides over a city that is home to 13 billionaires where the infrastructure is crumbling, and the widely reviled Cop City, one of the largest militarized police training centers in the US, is being built at a cost of $90 million. For its part, the International Association of Machinists (IAM), which claims to represent Delta workers, also issued a statement deploring the tragic incident while calling on Delta and the relevant authorities to quickly investigate how this happened, thereby washing its hands of any responsibility to defend the interests of workers and itself hold the company accountable. As the highly paid IAM bureaucrats are well aware, even if OSHA investigates and finds the company was negligent, there will be at most a slap-on-the-wrist fine, and even that will inevitably be appealed by management. For instance, in 2022, brothers Ben Morrissey, aged 32, and Max Morrissey, 34, were burned to death in an explosion and fire at the BP Husky oil refinery in Oregon, Ohio, just outside of Toledo. OSHA fined BP Products North America a total of $156,250. Caterpillar worker Steven Dierkes was killed instantly in June by what the coroner termed thermal annihilation when he fell into a crucible of molten iron heated to over 2,600 degrees. OSHA fined the company a measly $145,000, which it is appealing. Dierkes death took place just six months after contractor Scott Adams died when he fell through a hole at the same facility. The heavy equipment company has a record of safety violations over many decades. However, it netted $24.29 billion in profits in 2023, and CEO Jim Umpleby made $25.8 million last year. In 2023 American Eagle, a subsidiary of American Airlines, is being fined only a little more than $15,000 after a fatal accident where a worker was sucked into an aircraft engine at Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama. The worker, Courtney Edwards, age 34, and a mother of three, was a ground agent who worked for Piedmont Airlines, one of three subsidiary airlines of American Eagle. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 5,486 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2022, a 5.7-percent increase over 2021. That is to say, a worker dies every 96 minutes from a work-related injury in the United States. The latest workplace deaths in Atlanta come ahead of a scheduled September 12 vote for 33,000 IAM represented Boeing workers in Oregon and Washington state. Boeing and the IAM recently announced a tentative agreement for the workers. The IAM is preparing the machinery to impose a contract even with a majority no vote. Despite workers turning in an overwhelming strike authorization vote, union officials want to force workers to vote again on whether to strike during the vote on the contract, stating that any vote to strike below a two-thirds majority will result in the automatic ratification of the contract. Below is a summary of the remarks by Pani Wijesiriwardena, the presidential candidate of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka, at a Department of Government Information (DGI) press briefing. Every presidential candidate is allocated 45 minutes by the DGI, at the request of the Sri Lankan Election Commission (EC). SEP presidential candidate Pani Wijesiriwardena speaking at the press briefing at Sri Lanka's Department of Government Information Wijesiriwardenas 45-minute speech was in Sinhala and included a Tamil-language summary at the end. Like all other candidates, he had to adhere to EC guidelines and could not criticise or name any other candidate. The press conference was live-streamed on the official Facebook pages of the DGI and the SEP-Sri Lanka which are followed by thousands. According to DGI officials, the live video is directly connected to dozens of media institutions allowing them to publish it as they wish. Good afternoon to all of you, I am Pani Wijesiriwardena, the presidential candidate of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP). I would like to begin my remarks by introducing my party. The SEP is the Sri Lankan section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), the world party of the working class. The Fourth International was founded in 1938 under the leadership of Leon Trotsky, the co-leader of the 1917 Great Russian October Revolution with V. I. Lenin. Today, Socialist Equality Partiesthe national sections of the ICFIcontinuously fight to take forward the Marxist program of world socialist revolution. Our sister parties in UK, the US, Germany, France, Australia and Canada are fighting to mobilise the working class internationally in a common program and perspective. We are intervening in the 2024 presidential election in Sri Lanka as part of this struggle. We consider this election campaign an opportunity to discuss our international socialist program with workers, youth and other oppressed masses. Various candidates of other political parties have presented their programs. In opposition to all these parties and candidates, we are fighting to build an independent political movement of the working class based on socialist policies. The SEP is the only party that tells the truth to the working class. The theme of our campaign is Fight for socialism against war, austerity and dictatorship. The US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine is escalating. The Ukrainian ground forces have entered Russia and started to attack Russian forces with the weapons and tanks provided by the imperialist powers, including the US and Germany. This threatens to develop into a nuclear war between Russia and the imperialist powers. Israels genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, also backed by these imperialist powers, also threatens to expand into a region-wide war. The foremost target of American imperialism is China, which it considers as its chief economic rival. The US is preparing for war against China, and we can clearly see the signs of this preparation in South Asia. Recent arrivals of warships from India and frequent visits by leading US and Indian officials to this island show that Sri Lanka is increasingly being dragged into the USs anti-China war strategy. Irrespective of which capitalist candidate wins the election, they will line up with the US war drive. Not a single political party, apart from the SEP, even cares to mention the growing war danger. The international working class is confronted with the critical question: how to prevent the disastrous third world war? The ICFI, our world movement, has called for the building of an international anti-war movement of the working class based on a socialist program to prevent this catastrophe. In our election campaign, we are discussing with workers and youth the urgency of this struggle. The second issue is how to fight the austerity drive of the ruling class. The incumbent government is implementing the austerity program being dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). All other capitalist parties fully support the IMF program. This austerity drive is not just confined to Sri Lanka. After the 2008 finance turmoil in the US, the central banks in every major country pumped enormous amounts of money to boost the banks and big companies. Amid the growing crisis confronting all these countries, capitalist governments are imposing the burden on the backs of the working class. At the same time, the imperialist powers are seeking to subordinate resource-rich counties to their domination. This is at the root of the looming threat of a third world war. The Sri Lankan and international working class is not ready to bear the burden of the capitalist crisis. The popular uprising in Sri Lanka in 2022 in which millions came into the streets and chased away the ruthless capitalist ruler is the best example of this. There were two main slogans during the uprising: First was Gota [President Gotabhaya Rajapakse] go home! Second was No to 225 [all the parliamentarians]! expressing opposition to capitalist rule. However, this struggle was betrayed by trade unions, with the support of pseudo-lefts, manoeuvring with the capitalist opposition political parties. As a result, Wickremesinghe was elevated into the presidency. Countering these reactionary interventions, the SEP presented a program centered on the bringing of a workers and peasants government to power with the leadership of the working class rallying the rural masses. We proposed that the workers and the poor form action committees in every factory, workplace, neighbourhood and villages, independent of all trade union bureaucracies and every bourgeois political party. These committees are part of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees proposed by the ICFI. These action committees are democratic organs of the toiling masses, taking and implementing their decisions democratically. They are akin to the Soviets which acted as the workers councils that took power in the October Revolution in Russia in 1917. During the mass uprising, we developed the program of Democratic and Socialist Congress of the Workers and Rural Masses or DSC with the democratically elected delegates from these action committees. This Congress is totally different from, and opposed to, the bourgeois parliament which is utterly hostile to the working class. Through a democratic discussion, the DSC will decide how to defeat the governments austerity measures and anti-democratic laws and attacks, and how to intervene in every major struggle of the workers and the poor. In short, the DSC is a power centre of the working people and the oppressed. The working class must draw fundamental lessons from the popular uprising in Sri Lanka. First, it should see the trade union bureaucracy and pseudo-left parties as a major barrier to the realisation of its class interests. Secondly, it needs its own mass revolutionary party to actualise its interests. We urge the working class and the rural toilers to build the SEP as the mass revolutionary party. The same lessons must be drawn by the working class in Bangladesh where a similar mass uprising, with some local differences, took place recently. As in Sri Lanka, the so-called interim government in Bangladesh continues IMF-dictated austerity measures, suppressing mass opposition to them. In the name of saving the country, all capitalist candidates in Sri Lanka are seeking to put the full burden of the economic crisis onto the working class in the form of taxes, gutting education and health, privatising state-owned enterprises and cutting subsidies to the poor peasantry and rural toilers. We demand repudiation of all foreign loans and IMF-dictated austerity. This program cannot be fulfilled by capitalist government which always serves the interests of foreign and international capital. Only a workers and peasants government that came to power, overthrowing the capitalist system, could do that. The wealth of the billionaires kept in the banks should be seized and spent to upgrade education, health and other infrastructure, and uplifting the cultural level of the workers and the poor. We also propose cancellation of the debts of the poor peasantry and the provision of loans on easy terms to small businesspeople. At the same time, we propose the nationalisation of the big corporations, placing them under workers control. Such a situation will resolve the burning issues facing the peasants, providing plenty of money and resources for agricultural activities. At the same time, it will relieve tea plantation workers, one of the most oppressed sections of the working class in Sri Lanka, who have been subjected to slave-like working conditions for over 200 years, by providing monthly salaries, pensions and wages indexed to the cost of living. From 1948 onwards, successive Colombo governments have been stoking anti-Tamil and anti-Muslim racialism in order to weaken and break the class unity of Sinhala- and Tamil-speaking workers. This racial discrimination culminated in 1983 in the anti-Tamil racialist war. This brutal war was carried out for 26 years. Only the SEP and Revolutionary Communist League (RCL), the SEPs predecessor, fought against the war. We propose that the workers and peasants government establish a Sri Lanka-Eelam Socialist Republic as part of a Federation of Socialist Republics in South Asia and internationally. Our economic policy is the program of international socialism. Our foreign policy is addressed to the working class in every country, not to the capitalist ruling classes. We invite workers, the poor and young people to join the fight for realising this program and the building of the SEP as the mass revolutionary party of the working class. We urge youth and students to join our youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality. And we call on you to cast your vote for Pani Wijesiriwardena, the SEP candidate in the presidential election and support this program. Our election symbol is a pair of scissors. On Friday, after the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) issued their preliminary report to the media, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that a Missouri man who was hospitalized on August 22 with underlying medical conditions had tested positive for the H5 subtype of the avian influenza (bird flu). The health agency said that the person, whose identity was being withheld to ensure their privacy, had not worked with or ever been in contact with stockyard animals known to harbor the H5N1 bird flu virus. This 2005 electron microscope image shows an avian influenza A H5N1 virion. [AP Photo/Cynthia Goldsmith, Jackie Katz] This brings the number of people infected with the bird flu this year in the US to 14. Four of these cases occurred among workers handling dairy cows (one in Texas, two in Michigan, and one in Colorado). Then, over the month of July, 10 poultry workers in Colorado were confirmed with infection after exposure to infected birds. The latest case, one without known exposure to an animal source, has raised the ongoing threat posed by the bird flu considerably. The most pressing questions for which the CDC has no answers currently are: how did this person acquire the virus?, and what does this mean for the public health risk? In their brief September 6 press statement, they wrote: [The] CDC has confirmed a human case of avian influenza A(H5) (H5 bird flu) reported by the state of Missouri. The case was identified through that states seasonal flu surveillance system. The specimen was forwarded to CDC for confirmatory testing per usual protocols and confirmed yesterday. An investigation into the potential exposure is ongoing by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Furthermore, the CDC added: Missouri DHSS reports that the patient, who was hospitalized, had underlying medical conditions, was treated with influenza antiviral medications, subsequently discharged, and has recovered. There is no immediate known animal exposure. No ongoing transmission among close contacts or otherwise has been identified. This was the first time that the countrys national flu surveillance system detected a case of the H5 subtype of bird flu. There were no indications made in the press statement from the Missouri DHSS as to why the person was admitted to the hospital or what his symptoms were beyond noting he had underlying medical conditions and tested positive for influenza A. This prompted additional confirmatory testing that identified the H5-strain of the flu virus, which is usually found in wild birds and poultry, and most recently in dairy cattle. The CDC was then duly notified. According to media reports, the infected person made a complete recovery after treatment with antivirals was initiated and was discharged to home. The public health agencies involved with the case have not provided any further details on the genetic sequence of the influenza virus that infected the Missouri patient, and it remains to be ascertained if the strain of the virus they were infected with was the same one from either dairy cattle or the poultry farms. Neither did they disclose any details on the extent of contact tracing and testing that they conducted. The only concrete information provided was that the CDC had not noted any spike in flu viruses in their wastewater data from the region where the infected man resides, nor had they picked up any traces of the H5-subtype of the bird flu virus. Speculation in the media as to how this individual became infected includes the possibility of drinking contaminated milk, or exposure to animals such as dead birds, cats, or even house mice which have been known to harbor the bird flu. Missouri is not one of the states affected by infected dairy cow herds, although several counties in the state have confirmed H5N1 bird flu at poultry farms. Certainly, confirmation of viral sequence from this case can offer critical information as to where the individual may have acquired the virus and whether the bird flu virus is evolving to transmit more efficiently between people. The identification of an infected person without prior animal exposure comes on the heels of the continued rise in the number of dairy cow herds that have reported bird flu infections. Notably, California, the leading dairy state in the US with 1,300 dairy farms and 1.69 million dairy cows, is the latest state affected, with three herds in the Central Valley region reportedly harboring the virus. Since confirmation of the virus in dairy cows in Texas in March 2024, there have been a total of 197 dairy cow herds affected across 14 states. Last Tuesday, health officials reported that the tests on infected cattle revealed the strain of the virus was nearly identical to those found among infected dairy herds in Colorado. Bryan Richards, the Emerging Disease Coordinator at the US Geological Surveys National Wildlife Health Center, told the LA Times that the genetic sequence found in the infected cows was clearly the result of anthropogenic [human activity] movement; essentially zero chance it was an independent spill from wild birds into these dairies. So, if anyone is trying to blame wild birds: Nope! On initial news suspecting herds in California being infected, Rick Bright, a virologist and the former head of the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, said: This is really sad news, but not surprising. [The H5N1 virus] has become entrenched in dairy cattle across the US, and what has recently seemed like a lull in reporting likely reflects a lull in testing. In addition, clearly little is being done to protect people working with these animals, let alone raising any concerns about the broader threat it poses to the public. Bright continued: [When] fall and winter months arrive, there will be increased risk of having avian and human flu viruses mix. Its critical that we have a stringent surveillance and testing program in place for animals and people before the flu season arrives. Despite the profound concerns raised by these developments, the CDC offered their standard minimizing assurances with some notable caveats, writing: CDCs current assessment is that the risk to the general public from H5N1 remains low. CDCs recommendations related to H5 virus have not changed at this time. As always, circumstances may change quickly as more information is learned. The results of this investigation will be particularly important in light of the current lack of an obvious animal exposure. It is important to note that, while rare, there have been novel influenza A cases where an animal source cannot be identified. The main concern in these situations is that no onward transmission is occurring. Findings from the ongoing investigation will inform whether guidance changes are needed. Since the outbreak in late March, the CDC has been monitoring around 4,810 people: 2,210 with exposures to dairy cows and 2,600 with exposure to birds and other animals including poultry. However, they have only conducted 240 tests for the novel influenza A pathogen, of which 72 of those monitored were among those exposed to infected dairy cows. Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, director of the Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases at Boston University, with respect to the infection in the Missouri patient, told the New York Times, The route of transmission is going to determine how much more escalated the risk of the disease is to the general public. Bhadelia then cautioned, We are always later than we think we are in outbreaks. Indeed, the wait-and-see attitude that has been adopted by the CDC to the H5N1 bird flu virus, which is evolving into an existential threat, is untenable. At the present rate of development, under capitalism which subordinates public health to private profit, it is no longer a matter of if the bird flu will become a pandemic pathogen, but when. The working class must heed the warnings being given by Dr. Bright and other scientists. The virus that has affected multiple bird and mammal species and spread across the entire surface of the planetand which historically has had a 50 percent fatality rate among humansis not to be toyed with. The laissez-faire attitude of international and national public health agencies to emerging pandemic pathogens, which threaten human populations and the well-being of animal life in general, is nothing short of criminal. These institutions function as auxiliary infrastructure to capitalist countries whose primary purpose is the unfettered accumulation of profits, acting in accordance with the demands imposed on them. Therefore, the emergence of numerous infectious disease threats in the present period, of which the bird flu virus is but one, underscores the decrepit nature of capitalism in its advanced state of disintegration. After normalizing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic through the forever COVID policy, the ruling elites and their political representatives are normalizing the spread of bird flu, as well as mpox and other growing threats. The only way to stop these growing dangers is through the socialist reorganization of society, in which the international working class implements scientific planning as the basis of world economy. Press Release September 9, 2024 ESCUDERO: CREATE MORE TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF EXISTING INVESTORS AND ATTRACT NEW ONES Senate President Francis Escudero sees the entry or more investments into the country and the retention of existing investors with the passage of the amendments to Republic Act 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. A priority measure of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the bill dubbed CREATE to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (MORE) addresses the various concerns raised by investors about the implementation of CREATE. "Senate Bill No. 2762 or CREATE MORE will simplify and streamline the value added tax provisions of RA 11534, particularly on the processing of VAT refund claims and the VAT zero-rating on local purchases. Discrepancies on the rules for these incentives has led to frustration among existing investors and discourages new investors from looking our way as a potential destination," Escudero said. On top of this, the Senate President noted that the inconsistencies in the application of the rules also have a detrimental effect on local suppliers, who could lose a huge chunk of their market as a result. Since CREATE was enacted in 2021 until December 2023, over 100,000 new jobs have been created while total approved investments have reached P1.1 trillion. CREATE lowered the regular corporate income tax rate from 30 percent to 20 percent for domestic enterprises with a taxable income of P5 million and below, and total assets not exceeding P100 million. Business enterprises with assets surpassing P100 million were imposed the rate of 25 percent. CREATE MORE will also introduce additional deductions in power expenses of Registered Business Enterprises, something which Escudero said would make the Philippines more competitive in light of the fact that the country has among the highest electricity rates globally. The IT-BPM industry also stands to benefit from CREATE MORE by allowing flexible working arrangements based on certain parameters. "This will make them more competitive in hiring and retaining personnel, many of who have embraced work-from-home or remote working arrangements since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019," Escudero said. The Senate President congratulated Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian for ably steering the bill to passage in the Senate. SBN 2762 is the consolidation of SBN 2564 authored by Gatchalian, SBN 2684 of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Bill No. 9794, and Senate Resolution Nos. 219, 244, and 567 filed by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, and Gatchalian respectively. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), in coordination with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), can play an effective role in the meetings and discussions at COP29 in Azerbaijan, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said at a meeting with the Secretary of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum Mohamed Hamel in Tehran on September 9, Trend reports. According to him, the role of gas in energy security is of great importance for promoting climate policies around the world, especially in the period of transition to green energy. Paknejad added that Iran is preparing to organize the 26th ministerial meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. The Oil Ministry has set Tehran as the venue for the meeting, and invitations will soon be prepared and sent to members and observer members. It is hoped that this meeting will be held with the maximum number of representatives of members and observers and will be a turning point in the history of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. Baku will host the 29th Conference of Partners of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) on November 11-22. To note, the 26th Oil Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum member countries will be held in Tehran on October 27-29. According to the latest Forbess Real-Time Billionaires List, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is currently worth around $204 billion, making him the second-wealthiest person on the planet, just behind Tesla CEO Elon Musk. So handing over an estimated $500 million for his 410-foot Koru, the worlds largest sailing yacht, another $75 million for Abeona, its 250-foot support vessel, and then paying the $30 million or so a year to cover running costs for both, should be well within his budget. More from Robb Report Bezos surprised the boating world when he opted for a classically styled, three-masted sailing yacht instead of some flashy mega motoryacht. Whats more it has a buxom wooden sculpture on the forepeak, typical of 19th-century sailing vessels. And since taking delivery last year, he and his fiance, Lauren Sanchez, have been using the yacht to cruise the world in style. While secrecy still shrouds Koru, especially its interior and many of its technical features, we take a closer look at what makes it, arguably, the most interesting sailing superyacht in years. Best of Robb Report Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Designed as a Modern Classic Designed as a Modern Classic Koru would never be described as sleek, or elegant even. But she does have a classical style. Designed by the Dutch masters at Dykstra Naval Architecture, the boat is distinguished by its towering navy-blue steel hull, snowy-white, two-level aluminum superstructure, sweeping canoe stern, and a trio of soaring masts. Her design inspiration is said to be the triple-masted schooner Eos, built by Germanys Lurssen Yachts in 2006 for American media mogul Barry Diller. And, ignoring the current trend of oversized windows, Korus hull sides are dotted with traditional portholes with smaller-than typical windows for the upper decks (no doubt helping to protect guests from paparazzi lenses). Little is known about the yachts interior design, other than its the work of London-based Mlinaric, Henry and Zervudachi studio. Oceancos website describes the interior as a timeless, contemporary style, with natural wood tones complemented by a palette of warm neutrals and beautifully patterned textiles. Claiming the Prize for Size Claiming the Prize for Size At 410 feet bow to stern and with a beam of 56 feet, Koru is the largest sailing yacht in the world. Some might argue the title should go to the 468-foot Sailing Yacht A. But that quirky, Philippe Starkdesigned triple-master is considered a sail-assisted motoryacht rather than a true sailing yacht. Koru is also big inside, with a reported internal volume of 3,300 gross T=tons, that offers room for up to 18 guests in nine cabins and accommodations for a crew of 36. A True Sailor A True Sailor Full credit to Jeff Bezos for ignoring his fellow billionaires penchant for giant, diesel-guzzling superyachts. (Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg recently took delivery of his 387-foot Launchpad, powered by quadruple MTU engines packing a combined 23,400 hp.) With its giant, more-than-20,000-square-foot sail plan (including three mainsails and three, cutter-style headsails), Koru has been regularly photographed cruising under sail. Its also believed the yacht is making an effort to focus on sustainability, from reports of it testing out a prototype kinetic energy recovery system that converts wave-induced motion into electrical energy. The vessel is also believed to feature a hybrid power system with large battery banks that run its systems at night while at anchor. Its 250-Foot, $75 Million Tender Its 250-Foot, $75 Million Tender The challenge with sailing yachts, even one thats 410 feet long, is that its nearly impossible to land a helicopter on the deck. So Bezos commissioned a 250-foot support vessel, named Abeona after the Roman goddess of travelers. The largest shadow vessel ever built by Hollands Damen Yachting, this explorer comes with a rear-deck helipad and hangar big enough to accommodate an Airbus ACH-135 helicopter. Theres also space aboard for a small armada of water toys and tenders, plus accommodations below decks for up to 45 crew and support staff. Built Under Total Secrecy Built Under Total Secrecy Tasked with taking Koru from concept to reality was the superyacht builder Oceanco, based south of Rotterdam in Alblasserdam, Holland. The famed yard, owned by billionaire Mohammed Al Barwani, who also owns Turquoise Yachts in Turkey, recently completed Steven Spielbergs new 357-foot superyacht Seven Seas, and the similar-sized Bravo Eugenia, launched in 2018 for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Koru was reportedly first commissioned in 2018 as Project Y721 and delivered to the Amazon founder in Gibraltar in April 2023. Whats in a Name? Whats in a Name? While a betting person might have predicted that Bezos would have given his sailing yacht a more Amazon-connected name, like Prime, Deliverance, or even Blue Origin after his space company, he picked Koru. The name is said to be Maori for loop or coil and resembles the spiral shape of an unfurling silver fern frond. Its said to be an integral symbol of New Zealand Maori art that symbolizes new life and new beginnings. Look closely at the wooden figurehead on Korus bow and the necklace around the womans neck features a pendant shaped like the koru symbol. A Bridge Too Far A Bridge Too Far As Koru was nearing completion in 2021, word got out that builder Oceanco had approached the city of Rotterdam in Holland, offering to pay for the partial disassembly of the historic 97-year-old Koningshaven lift-bridge, which was too low for the yacht with its triple 230-foot masts in place, to pass under on its way to the North Sea. The city reportedly consented, but the move resulted in a huge public outcry with threats to plaster Koru with eggs as it passed through the bridge. Oceanco withdrew its application and instead towed the yacht to Rotterdams Greenport shipyard west of the city, transported the masts by barge, and installed them there. The Places Youll Go The Places Youll Go Hot on the heels of Korus handover in Gibraltar in April last year, the superyacht has seemingly been cruising non-stop. It was spotted exploring Spains Balearic Islands, anchored off Cannes during the film festival, and moored at celebrity hot spots like Saint-Tropez, Capri, Portofino, and Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Bezos reportedly proposed to Sanchez on the bow of Koru off Cannes in May last year, followed by an engagement party aboard in Positano, Italy with a guest list that included Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kris Jenner, Toby Maguire, and Queen Rania of Jordan. Then Koru cruised the 4,000-plus miles across the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale for a re-fuel and re-supply before heading to the Caribbean for winter cruising. This summer it was back to the Mediterranean for more island-hopping. Ben Shapiro attempted to burn Kamala Harris for hugging voters, but the attack backfired on the conservative podcaster. On Sunday, the vice president and Democratic presidential nominee posted a video filmed at Penzeys Spices in Pittsburgh that showed her hugging a voter worried about the upcoming election. Many of Harris supporters liked and retweeted the video, but the wholesome content was apparently upsetting to Shapiro. If you want your presidential candidate to hug you, please seek psychological help, he tweeted Monday. If you want your presidential candidate to hug you, please seek psychological help https://t.co/Ob0jfZJ6BS Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) September 9, 2024 This was just the latest get off my lawn gripe from Shapiro, who protested the success of the 2023 Barbie movie by setting a trio of dolls ablaze and complained about the lyrics to the Cardi B./ Megan Thee Stallion banger W.A.P. But many people on X, formerly Twitter, felt that Shapiros grievances about presidential candidates hugging voters suggested he has some deep personal issues. If you dont want a presidential candidate capable of hugging, please seek psychological help, Mark Cuban responded. Empathy and kindness are skills that are possessed by great leaders in 2024. If you dont want a presidential candidate capable of hugging, please seek psychological help. Empathy and kindness are skills that are possessed by great leaders in 2024. https://t.co/JeK02BPnxV Mark Cuban (@mcuban) September 9, 2024 Thats exactly the kind of thing someone who needs psychological help because he was never hugged would say. Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) September 9, 2024 If you think a presidential candidate showing empathy to a voter is a reason for psychological help, you need psychological help. Richard Bradley (@RPBradley1) September 9, 2024 Someone's parents didn't love them, huh Ben? Having empathy is a good thing, not bad. Your "candidate" is liable for sexual assault, has 26 other accusers and was a good friend of Epstein. He is also a convicted felon, is a con and fraud. I'll take the fmr prosecutor, thanks. Devilish D Sadler (@DeeSadler) September 9, 2024 Empathy. Its a requirement of any leader. You probably dont understand this Benjamin. Consider a time share condo in Moscow. Your conversion is almost complete. lol Lorenzo Maldonado (@TheRealLoDown) September 9, 2024 i see you've been skipping your therapy sessions again. Nahhan Sandiego (@WITWInahhan) September 9, 2024 Others mocked Shapiros post by contrasting Harris hug with all the weird stuff Donald Trump and MAGA followers do. You guys do this. pic.twitter.com/l7h8ilUIhw The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) September 9, 2024 Amen. Our kindly Ben prefers candidates who only grab you if youre the chosen one. Gary Peterson (@GaryPetersonUSA) September 9, 2024 Yeah, I want my presidential candidate to sell me gold sneakers. Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) September 9, 2024 Other people brought receipts to show that hugs can be bipartisan. What about VP candidates, Ben? https://t.co/RtuTBLL7MH Tom Sauer (@thomasbsauer) September 9, 2024 Related... A monumental triumph of independent filmmaking is coming to a cinema near you. Brady Corbets 3.5-hour-long, seven-years-in-the-making historical epic The Brutalist finally secured a U.S. distribution deal over the weekend. The movie, which won Corbet the Venice Film Festivals best director prize Saturday, will be released by indie tastemaker A24 sometime later this year with a major awards season campaign expected to follow. The buzz around The Brutalist has been building into a roar ever since its first press screening in Italy a little over a week ago. First came the curious talk surrounding the 10-minute intermission that bisects the movie a commercially challenging choice that nonetheless feels integral to its construction. Then there were excited comparisons to Paul Thomas Andersons There Will Be Blood, or favorable references to the works of Laszlo Nemes and Jonathan Glazer. Awards season pundits, meanwhile, have already projected the films star, Adrien Brody, deep into an effective campaign for his second Oscar whether he realizes it yet or not. And for movie buffs, this factoid: The Brutalist is the first American movie since Marlon Brandos One-Eyed Jacks (1961) to be shot entirely in VistaVision, a beautiful retro format that reportedly required the production to transport 26 reels of 70mm film stock, weighing some 300 pounds, across the Atlantic for the Venice world premiere. Appearing at his first press conference in Italy last week, Corbet was rocking shades, gravitas and scruff like a latter-day Rainer Werner Fassbinder. He was also palpably emotional, evincing the film-world equivalent of a prize fighter moments after finishing the title bout that almost broke him triumphant, punch-drunk, adrenalized and defiant. More from The Hollywood Reporter Brody stars in The Brutalist as Laszlo Toth, a Jewish Hungarian architect of the Bauhaus who survives the devastation of World War II and emigrates to the United States, hoping to rebuild his life and career. Initially forced to toil in poverty, he soon wins a contract from a mysterious and wealthy client, Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), which shapes the course of the next 30 years of his life. Felicity Jones co-stars as Toths wife Erzsebet, while Joe Alwyn plays the industrialists mercurial son. Corbet co-wrote the film with his wife, Norwegian filmmaker and actress Mona Fastvold. Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Emma Laird, Isaach De Bankole, and Alessandro Nivola co-star. Summing up the film in a rave review from Venice, The Hollywood Reporters chief film critic David Rooney wrote: Brody pours himself into the character with bristling intelligence and internal fire, holding nothing back as he viscerally conveys both exultant highs and gutting sorrows The Brutalist is a massive film in every sense, closing with a resonant epilogue that illustrates how art and beauty reach out from the past, transcending space and time to reveal a freedom of thought and identity often denied its makers. The Brutalists Italian debut was something of a homecoming for Corbet. A former child star with unmistakably high-brow inclinations, as a young actor he went out of his way to land parts in projects from leading European auteurs like Michael Haneke (Funny Games), Lars Von Trier (Melancholia), Olivier Assayas (Clouds of Sils Maria) and Ruben Ostlund (Force Majeure). His first film as a director, The Childhood of a Leader, announced him as a talent to watch at the 2015 Venice festival, winning the events best director and best debut film awards. Loosely inspired by a Jean-Paul Sartre short story, the film depicts the early youth of a future fascist strongman in the wake of World War I. He followed this with 2018s Vox Lux, a musical drama starring Natalie Portman that examines the nature of pop superstardom. That film somewhat divided critics, but it continues to be reexamined and reassessed. THR sat down with Corbet at Venices Hotel Excelsior the morning of The Brutalists world premiere. The film will receive its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on Tuesday. What was the personal origin of your interest in The Brutalists subject matter? Well, what Im interested in is how we got here how we arrived at this moment right now. All of my films are historical movies. Vox Lux was a more recent history. The film was made in 2018, but it was set between 1999 and 2017 very much on purpose, so viewers watching it in 2018 would receive it as a recent history as opposed to a contemporary movie. My approach was heavily influenced by my favorite author, W.G. Sebald. For fans of his work, its very easy to access these movies, because they are virtual histories. Sebald created fictions that feel like very authentic accounts of the past as a way of accessing the past. I grew up working in a used and rare bookshop called Glenwood Books in my hometown in Colorado. And when I discovered Sebald as a teenager in 2005 or 2006 several years after he died it was like something cracked wide open for me. V.S. Naipaul was another influence. The first part of the movie is called The Enigma of Arrival, which is named after a Naipaul book that I really love. Hes become a slightly controversial figure in recent years, because at the end of his life he was quite senile and he made a lot of disparaging comments about female writers stuff, which, obviously, Im not on board with as the son of a single mother and the father of a young woman. But Naipaul, like Sebard, explored conflicts in the Congo by representing Africa by means of a fictional character set in a very specific place and period. As a filmmaker, I think that that is just a more honest contract with the viewer than doing a straight-up biopic, because, instead of everyone constantly wondering how much you made up, they know from the outset that this is a fictional film, but one that is closely related to many real people. So, its a way that the viewer can access the past but let go of the fact checker inside of themselves. You know, everybody naturally has that, myself included, and its not helpful. So, this is a way of really being overwhelmed and consumed by historical events without wondering whether the actor got, like, the real persons accent right. You know what I mean? Absolutely. So why the Brutalist architectural movement and this period in particular? Theres a few things Im very interested in. The film is about how the artistic experience and immigrant experience march in lockstep, which is to say that, in general, if someone moves into a suburban town in America and they dont look like everybody else because of the color of their skin or because of their beliefs or traditions everybody wants them to get the fuck out. With Brutalism in the 1950s, when people were erecting these monuments, many people wanted them torn down immediately. Now, there is a very interesting thing which has been happening and I dont know how much people are following it. Ive been researching this area for the past decade, so Ive been paying very close attention. Donald Trump is on a mission to have all of the Brutalist bureaucratic buildings in Washington torn down and I think he will pursue this if hes elected for a second term. While he was the sitting president, he had a tour created that was a celebration of all of the neoclassical architecture in Washington D.C. He regularly went on a diatribe about how he wanted all of the ugly, horrible, modern buildings torn down. (In December 2020 at the tail end of his term, Trump signed an executive order that attempted to cement neo-classical designs as the Federal governments officially preferred architectural style, specifically taking aim at Brutalist and Deconstructivist buildings all part of a plan he dubbed Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again). If you examine Trumps plan with any kind of historical perspective, you very quickly discover that his concept of architecture is very close to Hitlers and his relationship with Albert Speer. Now, Hitler killed 6 million people. Donald Trump hasnt done that yet. So, you cant equate them. However, the reason that so many of us are so concerned is because this rhetoric is very, very close to Mussolini, Hitler, or Viktor Orban. So, for me, Brutalist architecture is representative of something that people do not understand and that they want torn down and ripped away. And I think its just really fascinating. This movement all came out of the Bauhaus Marcel Breuer, Paul Rudolph, or Louis Kahn, even though Louis buildings are a very different style their work was all wrestling with what the entire world had been through in the first half of the century. So, the film is about how post-war psychology shaped post-war architecture. Even many of the materials that were used to construct these buildings a lot of it was developed for wartime. These buildings would not exist if it were not for the trauma that so much of the world went through. Guy Pierce, Adrien Brody and Isaach De Bankole in The Brutalist For a film called The Brutalist, its interesting how little Brutalist architecture we actually see in the film. I try to remain relatively agnostic in the way that I live my life. Im not a fan of very much. Im not a fan of architecture. I see it and Im fascinated by how it shapes our lives. And I sometimes appreciate it, and other times well, you know, I live in New York and like a lot of people, Im watching with dismay as these awful highrises go up I struggle with it and I grapple with it. I have a little girl and we have conversations about what is good architecture and bad architecture. We agree about some things and we disagree about others. Its important for her to have her own opinion, because I dont want her to have a parent who is just telling her what to think. Obviously, theres a very good chance that Im wrong and that shes right. Similarly, I try to make films in a way where theyre not propaganda movies. Were representing something, but we are not telling people how to feel. I think most viewers nowadays are so accustomed to the other type of cinema that they almost dont know what to do with a movie like this. They come to the conclusion and they wonder, well, what was the intention? The intention is really for the viewer to grapple with their own point of view. Thats how they are designed. Lets talk about the film language you devised to tell this story. There are many aspects to it the tumult and desperation of escaping Europe, the almost primordial economic momentum of post-war America, and the brutality, grace, and solemnity of Brutalist architecture. All of this felt reflected in the cinematic language and the score. Yes, thats right. Can you talk about the choices you made and how you achieved this? It blew my mind, frankly. So heres the thing: Its really difficult to represent architecture on screen because its inanimate. If you speak to any cinematographer or most filmmakers, theyll tell you the most difficult thing to do is to shoot a still life. For example, if we take our table (Corbet gestures to the table between us where two espressos are sitting). If we were to put a frame around this table, we would instantly be like, Something about this feels unnatural. And its a weird thing because we didnt set it up this way, but something about it feels staged as soon as you start trying to shoot it. So you start moving the glasses around. (Corbet rearranges our coffees). But it still feels fake. So I think I learned very early on that we couldnt shoot architecture. We had to represent architecture. We did that with the score. We did that with the film format. With VistaVision, its field of view is such that you can be right up against the corner of a six-story building, and with a regular 50-millimeter lens which is what you normally would shoot a human face with you can see from the top of the building to the very bottom. So we had this idea that for brutalism, there should never be anything ornamental about the score. It should be both minimalist and maximalist. But it also had to represent movement in a way. And it was predominantly created with instrumentation from the period. We were talking about all of the normal things you would talk about when you think about New York and Philidelphia in the 1950s a lot of jazz, the Beat movement, the Northeast, etc. Somehow, the cumulative effect of all of those decisions, we hoped, would result in something that felt like a Brutalist movie. I think in the entire film, like you said, theres probably only about four minutes of concrete shown. A lot of people today find these monuments to be like otherworldly spaceships, but they actually came from a period that was very I Love Lucy. Theres something very interesting about that for me. So its an effort to recontextualize. I liked how the Brutalism is sort of a specter that haunts every frame of the film, where everyones kind of waiting for it. I remember thinking, wow, what a perverse sort of pleasure it would be if I could have the audience sort of waiting and becoming excited about this inanimate object that will eventually be revealed to them. Ultimately, its just a building. But to experience every creative choice that this character has made, and where those choices came from it felt like we were chasing something very elusive. It remains elusive. I could make 15 more movies on Brutalism, but this film was what I could do with the raw material that was available to me at this moment in time. The Brutalist director Brady Corbet with star Adrien Brody on the Venice Film Festivals red carpet. The films epilogue and how it relates to the rest of the story that precedes it is very compelling. You essentially give us, at the very end, the classic museum retrospective of a great artist. The facts we learn in this sequence shed new light on everything weve seen the character live through over the preceding three hours, while those same three hours have simultaneously given us a taste of the richness and drama of his lived experience, which is whats always missing from a museum retrospective, no matter how informative. Theres a fascinating interplay and filling-in-the-blanks going on between the two segments. I dont think Ive ever seen anything quite like that in a film before. One thing that Im very interested in is the dissemination of information in a film. With 99 percent of what I see these days, I know the themes from the first two or three minutes of the film usually before the opening credits. I immediately know what Im watching. And when you already know what it is, its not an exhilarating experience anymore. To completely disrupt everyones comfort is actually an important part of the cinematic experience. Of course, when you disorient people, you can make some viewers quite upset. But these are important public-facing decisions. Its not about saying Fuck you to the audience. Its about making people wake up and really engage with the material and then investigate their own feelings about what is good taste and what is bad taste. Its not very difficult to make a movie where everything is in good taste. People would be shocked by how easy that is to deliver. Truly. But when you are on a ride where the bus is tipping halfway down the hill, and all of a sudden, youre in an area where you dont recognize anything thats what were after. This is something that I get from many great filmmakers. David Lynch, Bertrand Bonello, Elem Klimov and his wife Larisa Shepitko, who passed away way too young these are filmmakers who were constantly teetering on the brink of making something terrible. They dared to suck. If you dont dare to suck, then youre really not doing very much. What I love about Brutalism, and what I love about this character, is that they are always daring to do so. Do you think what he creates is a beautiful building? Im not able to answer that question. On Vox Lux, people asked me many times whether I think shes a good artist or a bad artist. And I dont know. I can tell you that the score and the music thats in it is very accurate those songs in the film were produced by Britney Spears producer. But whether its good or bad music is up to you. I was just fascinated by how every time I got in a cab or went to the supermarket, it was just there and I didnt have any choice about whether or not I wanted to engage with it. It was just there. Architecture is very similar and so is fascism. Thats what I explored in The Childhood of a Leader. These movies are about whats in the atmosphere. You know, in Camus The Stranger, the character is forced during an interrogation to explain why he pulled the trigger. Why did he commit this act of violence? And he essentially says, Well, it was really hot out that day, and there was sweat in my eyes, and I was blinded by the sun, and I was stressed, and somebody happened to give me a pistol, and I just pulled the trigger. People are so interested in motive that we forget that there are so many contributing factors. Picking up what you said about not delivering on expectations, lets talk a little more about the structure. The film is divided into two halfs, with an intermission that feels like a thematic break. But its much too simplistic to say that its a rise-and-fall biopic or character study. The first half does have the exhilarating upward sweep of the American dream immigrant saga, but then the second half very much complicates that mythology. Yeah, thats right. The first half of the movie is American optimism and the second half is Greek tragedy. Theres a reason the characters descend into the depths of hell. Whats going on inside of the mountain? I wanted to talk about that too. For this, our artist and his patron go to Carrara, in central Italy, where most of the worlds fine marble has come from. Carrara is a super disturbing place. Apparently, theres enough marble in those hills to last us roughly 500 years to tile our bathrooms and ornament our kitchens. But 500 years to deplete all of the worlds marble is not very long. When you go there, you can see and feel that we have literally taken a bite out of the earth. So Carrera is indicative of what Western capitalism has done to the planet how we are trying to possess that which is not possessable. The same way that patrons exploit artists. So Carrera is very important in the film, because its a visual allegory thats very tangible. You can feel that ominous exploitative energy. And this is a story about a capitalist and the artist he has decided to possess. The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, was widely considered the critics favorite at Venice this year. Ive read about the challenges you faced in getting this film financed how it took seven years. Its natural to also read the film as reflecting your personal struggle to make uncompromising art in todays industry. Well, this is something I think most filmmakers can relate to because art and commerce are frenemies. Especially in architecture and in cinema. Theyre very similar in this regard. You can write a song in your bedroom, but you cant make this kind of movie that way. You cant build an ambitious building without dozens of collaborators either. I dont need as much money as some people need to make movies. This film was made for under $10 million. But I still need millions of dollars. Thats very complicated because it means I often have to interface with people with whom I dont share the same ethics and morals. Any filmmaker who would say otherwise is being dishonest, because whether its the studios or private equity, if you follow the money, it generally doesnt come from a great place. And so this relationship between the artist and their patrons is something that people dont talk about enough. I think the reason its so taboo is that people are worried that if they talk about it, no one will write them another check which means they wont be able to make more work, and theyre not going to be able to take care of their families. And I get that. Cinema, for me, is labor. I can barely keep my head above water financially. Most filmmakers I know in America they live in one-bedroom apartments until they die. Its not a very lucrative medium. You work on something for years. You dont get paid much, or if you do, its not enough money to live on for four to seven years unil youre able to get your next film off the ground. It takes a lot out of you. Its even worse for musicians. Dancers? Journalists? Its terrible for any artist today. We are living during a very disturbing moment in time where we are expected to do more for a lot less. We have to fight to be able to do our jobs. Ive had enough of it. Im tired, you know? I should be able to do my job in peace. (Corbet pauses for a moment after growing emotional) Im sorry Im very emotional today. This film is very personal in the sense that its about how many obstacles are put in my path and my wifes path just to bring our projects to life. This movie should not have taken seven years to get made. But it did and my cortisol levels are still through the roof. Lets talk about some of your collaborators. I noticed that the film is edited by David Jancso, who I believe is the son of the great Hungarian filmmaker Miklos Jancso? Yes, he is. And Miklos and his films were absolutely a huge influence on my work. David also edited my first film Childhood of a Leader, so weve worked together for a decade. Lol Crawley, my DP, also shot all three of my films. It was my first time working with the extraordinary production designer Judy Becker, who did films like Brokeback Mountain and Carol. Shes a Brutalist obsessive and as soon as I met her I knew she was the person for the job. The Brutalist Your previous two films were scored by the late, great Scott Walker, who passed away in 2019. Yeah, that was the biggest transition. When Scott passed away, it was really devastating. He was in his early 70s, but I always felt like I was hanging out with a peer not my grandfather. He always seemed so young. His passing was a really bitter pill to swallow. It happened suddenly and it rocked my world. But Daniel Blumberg had scored my wifes previous film and he worked with Scotts team the same producer, Peter Walsh, and all the same folks. He was already one of my best friends so the transition was as natural as it could have been. Daniels only 30 years old, but I knew he would understand the assignment. And I think the score he did for us is just extraordinary. There will inevitably be a lot of discussion of the films runtime and intermission. Given everything weve been discussing, it feels almost crass to talk about commercial calculations and implications, but Im amazed to hear that the film was made for just $10 million, given how big it feels and the way it was filmed. That feels like a triumph. Was part of your wager based on a belief that indie movies can have monumental scale too and perhaps even need to be event-like to break through? Yeah, I do agree with that. This movie is a lot of things that everyone tells you youre not allowed to do. But in my experience, whoever cares the most wins. So you can probably imagine that the entire journey of this film was me being in conflict with virtually everybody over many years. In my personal life, Im actually very conflict-averse. Ill let shit go unsaid for years. (Laughs) But when it comes to the films, I am not that way. Ive devoted my life to this one medium, you know. Ive worked on film sets since I was seven years old and its the only thing I can do. Im a high school dropout. So this is everything to me. And I want the landscape to be healthier for people in the future. You meet so many young people in this industry who are full of promise and then you realize that theyre facing one of the worst times ever for the medium. So, even though all of my films carry optimism and cynicism almost in equal measure, I really hope that the core of them is the idea of a better future. Were all going through an age of anxiety and dread. Like a lot of people, I feel like Im on fire a lot of the time. But I refuse to be cynical about the future. Thats part of the reason I use the same actors to play characters kids in the epilogues in films. Its about the cyclical nature of history, and the notion that maybe this next generation could get it right. Its a way of saying that we can be cynical about many things, but we cannot be cynical about the world our children will inherit. Adrien Brody in The Brutalist Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Six weeks since her sudden anointment at the top of the Democratic ticket, Vice President Kamala Harris has not only galvanized her party in advance of the Nov. 5 presidential election, but also one of the much-buzzed-about sentiments at the heart of her campaign joy is also being embraced by the designers who unveiled their Spring 2025 collections in New York this week. If not for President Joe Biden dropping out of the race against former President Donald Trump after the Democratic incumbent was trailing the GOP nominee in polls New York Fashion Week would have exuded a decidedly different vibe. I was feeling very dejected; I remember thinking, is this the America I came for? Prabal Gurung recalled about the first half of 2024, as he spoke with The Hollywood Reporter prior to Saturdays debut of his collection. Months earlier Gurung had visited his native Nepal to see family and friends and celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival that heralds the start of spring, so themes of color and freedom already were top of mind. Holi is about a sense of abandonment and optimism; there are no enemies, we just have fun, the designer said, adding that Harris entry as the Democratic presidential candidate suddenly put those notions on steroids, causing a bit of a last-minute pivot toward unabashed optimism in his designs. I just thought, yes, this is why I came to America, added Gurung, who wore a VOTE T-shirt of his own design for the finale. Achieving impossible dreams is why I came here. And what came out of all of this is that its one of the most fun collections Ive ever done. Before [July 21], I dont think Id be doing this collection. But now? Joy has become my best friend. More from The Hollywood Reporter A model walks the runway during Prabal Gurungs Spring 2025 collection. Color was the jumping-off point for Gurungs spring collection, a range that included faded pastels in blues and pinks, while red and pink combined on a strapless peplum gown with a gathered skirt. He also put gold metallics to good use, noting with a smile, We call it winners gold, thus sparking thoughts about whether any of those looks might find their way onto the upcoming Emmy Awards red carpet. Fabrics, details and one print in particular also were key, Gurung added: I worked with a lot of cottons and linens and draped jersey, while youll also see hand-pleating, because I wanted the work to show, he explained. Theres also this one print, inspired by Kamala, which means lotus in Sanskrit, so its a splatter print thats inspired by the lotus flower. It was part of my decision to just go for it and have fun. The same was true of the shows location. In the decade since he immigrated to the U.S. from Nepal, Gurung long had envisioned the iconic archways of the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building, which houses city government offices at 1 Centre Street and was completed in 1914, as the perfect backdrop for a runway show; part of his lets go for it attitude this season extended to setting his labels show directly beneath those archways. With the setting came a bonus, a natural breeze through the arches that allowed the trailing details of his designs to set sail. Gurung also asked composer and musician Chloe Flower to conduct a live orchestra as the musical backdrop. She in turn enlisted classical musicians from the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College, which Flower also attended. Prabal and I are longtime friends, so I wanted to put together a mix of classical songs that would complement his work, she told THR, adding that the statement of a woman as conductor also was intentional. Prabal always has been about empowering women, so I know it was important for him to have a woman leading the orchestra for his show, because even these days, conductors are still rarely women. But its also about how music can inspire hope and can transcend cultural and political barriers. Ultimately all the elements combined, both planned and unplanned, said Broadway producer Jordan Roth from the front row. Prabal always brings us a romantic fantasy that also honors the city, he said. Today we arrived at this space, with this glorious arch, then the orchestra begins to play, and of course the wind kicks in on cue, and we see glorious clothes that are in themselves doing all of those things via structure and fluidity and romance. All of those things added up to a magical moment. Prabal Gurung acknowledges conductor Chloe Flower and musicians from the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College at the conclusion of his show. Uptown Saturday evening, Sergio Hudson likewise was discussing how he made himself emerge from doldrums during the first half of the year to create a collection that felt equal parts stylish and upbeat. I really took inspiration from one of the campy movies I love, Valley of the Dolls, he noted to THR backstage before his show. So its a lot of pastels, plus the soundtrack is all of my favorite jazz music from the 60s, from Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington, songs that just bring me joy. I listened to Nancy Wilsons The Good Life almost on repeat while working on the collection. Like Gurung, Hudson has crafted a variety of suits the vice president has worn over the past four years as well as a luxe purple ensemble worn by outgoing first lady Michelle Obama at the 2020 inauguration so Harris shift into the top spot in the 2024 race also proved inspirational, both personally and professionally. To see that moment happen for her from the outside looking in, while knowing what a beautiful person she is and how much her heart is in this country, that brings joy, Hudson said. No matter what side youre on, when someone loves the country and genuinely wants to help people, that shines through. And being the father of three daughters, it means so much more to me. The past month definitely has been a big upper for me. A model walks the runway at Sergio Hudsons Spring 2025 collection. Star stylist Zerina Akers noted during an August interview that Hudson knows how to cut a suit, and she was on Saturdays front row alongside client and Ghosts star Danielle Pinnock, resplendent in a red dress by the designer, to view the suits and other pieces Hudson has crafted for Spring 2025. Pastel hues of lilac and yellow dominated the collection, but it was the mix of fabrics and textures that was the true standout, the blend of matte silk crepe and a luminous satin or the nubby texture of a tweed with a sleek knit, while Hudsons red-carpet gowns included a stunner in lavender sequins with a terrific low back. A model walks the runway in a sequined halter gown from Sergio Hudsons Spring 2025 collection. Might we see that gown or any other from this collection at Sundays Emmy Awards? Hudson certainly hopes so. Red-carpet dressing made us, said the designer, who has dressed stars including Kerry Washington, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose and Rachel Brosnahan for events. As an independent brand, getting your clothes on any person of press value is free advertising, and it has changed the way people in the industry view us. There was a time when you were at the mercy of the stores or the editors, but now the public can control the process, because they can see J. Lo or Beyonce or Michelle Obama in your clothes, and then the stores have to come to you, because the customers are saying, I want this persons clothing.' Hudsons fans likewise include some of the most powerful women in television news. I love Sergio as a person, as a human being, because hes such a wonderful man, sincere in his passion for what he does and then theres the clothes, said Joy Reid, MSNBC anchor and host of The ReidOut. He knows how to make a woman look powerful and yet also feminine, conveying both of those things equally. And I love the way he works with color and fit. Sunny Hostin and Joy Reid at the Sergio Hudson Spring 2025 show during New York Fashion Week. Attorney and co-host of The View Sunny Hostin agreed. He makes me feel like a boss, she told THR. He makes me feel sexy and confident and competent. And his suits are the best. Thats why I think you see Dr. Jill Biden wearing them, why you see our former first lady, Michelle Obama, wearing them, and why you see them worn by probably the future president of the United States. His suits make you feel strong my favorite is a white suit he made for me when I interviewed our current vice president. Sergio Hudson takes his bow at the conclusion of his Spring 2025 collection debut during New York Fashion Week. With Kamala Harris in position to possibly become the most powerful woman in the world, questions of Should we be talking about her fashion? have arisen, especially as men serving as president rarely are evaluated on their style (unless you count a certain tan suit worn by then-President Obama in 2014). Ill always start googling and texting to find out what Jill Biden or Speaker Pelosi is wearing, because I want to know, Reid said. As women, as we enter these powerful positions, what people expect of us is to shear our femininity, as though were just another version of these men. But no, were not; as a woman, were bringing everything we have to the table: our femininity, our power, our intellect, but were also bringing our fabulousness, and theres nothing wrong with our fabulousness being on that table. And when were going to be in something amazing, were going to tell you who it is. By doing so, were also supporting and empowering the community thats dressing us. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The diplomatic opportunity to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) concerning Irans nuclear program remains open, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanaani said at a press conference in Tehran on September 9, Trend reports. During a press conference in Tehran on September 9, the MFA spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, announced that the restoration of the JCPOA hinges on the mutual return of all parties to the agreement. The deal can be revived once all parties fulfill their commitments. "Iran has never left the negotiating table and views these talks as a diplomatic solution to safeguard its interests," Kanaani stated. He expressed regret that Western countries have thrown a wrench in the works of the multilateral diplomatic process. "Iran believes that the path to mutual understanding should remain open, and opposing sides must demonstrate a practical will to restore the JCPOA," he added. It is worth noting that in January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action concerning Irans nuclear program. In May 2018, the U.S. announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent. TORONTO (AP) When the British filmmaker Mike Leigh was 6, his father, a doctor who would oppose his son becoming an artist, told him to quit drawing pictures of people. In a way, Leigh never stopped. In his six decades making movies, the 81-year-old Leigh has made some of the most humanistic movies in cinema, many of them character studies of ordinary, working-class people though the films, from Secret & Lies to Mr. Turner, run the whole gamut. I walk down the street and I see characters, Leigh says. Looking at people is what its about. Leigh is sitting in a Toronto restaurant the morning after the premiere of his latest film and first in six years, Hard Truths. It reunites him with Marielle Jean-Baptiste, who was Oscar-nominated for her role in 1996's Secrets & Lies. In Hard Truths, which will open for a qualifying release Dec. 6 and nationwide Jan. 10, Jean-Baptiste plays Pansy, a bitter and rageful woman whose unexplained internal suffering spews out in venom directed at her husband, son and most anyone she encounters in her few, anxious trips out of their London home. The film was made in Leigh's trademark way. He sets without a script and instead builds the character and story through months of rehearsal with his actors. It's an approach that Leigh says has gotten increasingly difficult to pull off in today's movie industry. He spoke about that struggle and others in an interview. ___ AP: Pansy seems unable to enjoy life. We probably all know people like Pansy, and sometimes feel like her. What made you interested in a character like her? LEIGH: Thats an interesting question because it wont surprise you if I say there isnt anything Im not interested in when it comes to human behavior. If you mean that its something I identify with, yes, I do. But it would be untruthful if I said thats what I had in mind. In fact, it probably never occurred to me until this conversation that there are bits of me in the thing youre talking about. What is for sure is that, like everybody, I know Pansys of one kind or another. Some of them are quite close to me. AP: Given the collaborative nature of how you draw out a character and a film, is it possible for you to identify the germ that you began with? LEIGH: Its very, very difficult, if not impossible. In the end its intuitive and organic. Start with Marianne and Michele (Austin). I wanted to get the two of them together for the third time with me. I decided, OK, lets just look at the world of these Black folk. I actually cant remember, let alone want to talk about, exactly the combination. Because we do genuinely embark on a journey of discovery as to what the film is which is not news to anyone who writes paints pictures, writes novels, writes plays, writes screenplays, makes music, writes poetry, creates sculpture or anything else. How many novelists have said, I didnt know what was going to happen next, and then the character told me. We really do do that, basically. My films are, for me, a consist part of an ongoing personal investigation. Theyre not movies about movies. Theyre not genre movies. Theyre films about stuff, life. AP: Many scenes capture how people, in stores and parking lots, respond to Pansy's irritability. The same could be said of audiences getting to know a difficult protagonist. Did you consider how moviegoers would respond to her? LEIGH: I never at any stage thought in those terms because youre motivated by the reality of it. But, obviously, lining up these antagonists, if you like, that is what that was about. AP: Do you think about how we collectively or individually treat someone like Pansy, who rejects help but needs it? LEIGH: Yes. The world is full of Pansys. People live with other peoples conditions. They dont think about it being something wrong with them that needs to be treated. Its how she is and its a damn nuisance, a drag, it pisses them off. Its a running condition of awfulness. People dont go around, mostly, thinking: My relation has a mental condition that needs to be treated. AP: You've spoken about the difficulty of getting a film off the ground the way you make them. Has it gotten harder? LEIGH: Its 100% impossible. Its very tough, and its gotten tougher. Make no mistake. Ive made 20-odd films, 28, I think, and over the years, working the way I do and saying no script, no discussion about casting, no interference, its got worse. Its got bad. This is as low a budget as Ive had in a long time. It is reflected in the lack of complexity in the narrative. Its fine. You cut your cloth according to its length. Its a 97-minute film. On the whole, my films have been 120, 130 minutes. Indeed, I am frustrated. We made this and its great, and I hope we get to do another one. But whats frustrating is having done the likes of Peterloo, Id love to have the freedom to make a big-scale contemporary film where I dont declare what it is so I can explore society. Nobody will cough up. AP: Do you feel at all let down by the festivals? Cannes and Venice reportedly passed on Hard Truths. LEIGH: Incidentally, so did Telluride, which is odd. Its hard to know what to feel about Cannes. If you look at the lineup, you think, maybe you can see that they wanted glitz and glamour. People say, This is ridiculous. Youve won the Palme dOr. Youve won the Golden Lion. Blah blah blah. It means jack (expletive). I mean, Ive been around too long. You think, whatever. I mean, if nobody wanted it at all its here (in Toronto) and at the New York Film Festival then Id start to twitch. AP: I would think that your notions for movies are vast, that big or small, they can come from anywhere. LEIGH: Yes, thats right. Even as we speak, were trying to raise the money for another film. I do start, quite unashamedly, like: If we get him or her to be in it. Lets start with the notion that well have Marianne. Thats what happened here. OK, weve got Marianne Jean-Baptiste and that immediately opens up a whole rich seam of character possibilities. Thats really what Ive always done. You get these brilliant character actors who come and do it. And they all are character actors. Theyre not narcissists who come and play themselves. They want to play real people out there on the street. In his most recent tour de food, popular TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee made his way to the Washington D.C. area much to the excitement of his countless online fans, including myself. The fact that Lee had chosen the DMV (short for D.C., Maryland and Virginia) an often overlooked area within the food and restaurant spaces as his next destination spot was major. Upon his request for local mom-and-pops that serve up great food and service, but could use the marketing, Lee received over 20,000 recommendations from his 16.5 million followers. Lee, a Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts fighter and beloved online food critic, is best known for spreading positivity through his honest, yet well-mannered reviews. Through his efforts, Lee helps promote the Keith Lee Effect, in which he provides generous tips and donations to struggling, mainly minority- and family-owned local restaurants in an effort to boost their sales. That doesnt mean Lee isnt afraid to leave behind a bad review. If a place has poor customer service or is simply not on par with his own taste, Lee is quick to say, Im not the target audience, and refrains from showing videos of the restaurants that left him unsatisfied. Unfortunately for D.C., the city earned few praises and a handful of complaints from Lee. He criticized the D.C. dining scene, saying its geared directly towards alcohol, and added that for those who dont drink (like himself), it seems like slim pickings. Indeed, many D.C.-based restaurants take pride in their happy hours and the nations capital, as a whole, is also hailed for its bottomless brunches. But to conclude that the citys main focus is solely on alcohol is erroneous and takes attention away from the diverse cuisines that D.C. has to offer. Yes, the city caters to those who enjoy drinking whether its socially or in a more professional setting. But it also caters to those who choose not to. In his criticism, Lee added that only six of the 12 D.C. restaurants he visited and reviewed would be named and featured on his TikTok account. A lot of food weve been recommended since weve been here looks like this, he said, showing pictures of several unappetizing, and what appeared to be soggy and discolored, foods. Lee also alleged that several restaurants, which he left unnamed, followed unsanitary practices and risked cross-contamination with shellfish, to which Lee said hes allergic. Lee did not post or name those specific restaurants out of respect for their owners and business. As for the restaurants he did mention, Lee visited Okonomi Asian Grille, a fast-casual Asian-American restaurant in Fairfax, Virginia, that serves rice and noodle bowls. Lee was pleased with some of the bowls he tried and gave them a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Lee then made his way to Flavor Hive, a food truck based in Alexandria, Virginia, that went viral for its walking nachos. Customers bring their own bags of chips, which are then filled with their choice of protein, vegetables, and sauces for just $10 each. Despite the cool concept, Lee wasnt all that impressed after trying three large bags of chips. The beef and Fritos bag earned the highest rating of 7.9, while the chicken and gyro meat bags earned much lower scores. Lees favorite spot was Dukem on U Street. The family-operated Ethiopian restaurant received widespread support on TikTok after Lydia Tefera, the daughter of one of the owners, said the restaurant was on the brink of shutting down. Lee gave the short ribs a 9 out of 10 and praised Dukem as the best food we've had in D.C. Lee also ventured into Southwest D.C., where he stopped by Hong Kong Delite Carry Out to try fried rice and chicken wings coated in the Districts famed mumbo sauce (he gave his $12 takeout order a rating of 8.6). He also visited Cane, a Trinidadian spot on H Street that earned its highest rating of 7.9; along with Smize & Dream, Tyra Banks D.C.-based pop-up shop. Want more great food writing and recipes? Subscribe to Salon Food's newsletter, The Bite. Where Lee fell short was his choice of restaurants. Aside from trying Ethiopian food (a cuisine the DMV area is especially known for due to its large Ethiopian community) and mumbo sauce, Lee didnt try any other notable D.C. specialties. Those include half-smokes, a type of hot dog thats made from coarsely ground meat (usually half pork and half beef) and is spicier in flavor; pupusas, a thick, stuffed corn cake thats the national dish of El Salvador; Peruvian chicken; Ghanaian food or, even, a jumbo slice of greasy pizza. Theres also the Chesapeake blue crabs and oysters, (but for the sake of Lees health, he can pass on those). If Lee decides to give D.C. a second chance, he should consider popping into Roaming Rooster, a DMV chain that serves delicious fried chicken sandwiches, wings and fries; along with Stachowski's Market, a chef-driven butcher shop, deli and market that touts a half-smoke with onions and mustard. Theres also Ercilia's Restaurant, which serves tacos, pupusas, burritos and various Central American foods; and Hedzole, a hot spot for Ghanaian-American food. D.C. isnt the first major city that Lee (politely) criticized. He garnered backlash last October for his not-so-positive reviews of Atlantas food scene. As for whether Lee will return to D.C., only time will tell. As for whether he should, the answer is a confident yes. "I Bought The Fing Ticket, Didnt I?" 20 Of The Weirdest Travel Stories That Get So Horrible, They Will Make You Never Want To Get On A Plane Again Recently, I saw the below Tweet and was rightly horrified by this person's behavior. New insane airplane etiquette just dropped: dude next to me took both of our under-the-seat storage spots Oh, are these both your bags?Yeah sorry I needed your space too Allie (@Cluffalo) August 14, 2024 Twitter: @Cluffalo In the interest of being horrified further and therefore entertained, I decided to ask our BuzzFeed Community to tell us the wildest, weirdest, and/or worst things they've seen while traveling and they did not disappoint. Here are some of their most engaging answers: 1."The woman across the aisle got up to go to the bathroom, had a heart attack, and died. Her friend was my seat-mate and was inconsolable the whole flight, especially after they took her body to the back and announced she was fine." "We had an unexpected landing in DC to escort all of them off the plane." Anonymous 2."Flying from Miami to Chicago. We were on the runway, ready to take off. A woman in economy stood up to get something out of the overhead bin. Flight Attendants were yelling multiple times for her to take her seat! She didn't comply, and we took off." "We all watched as this woman held onto the seats on each side of the aisle like Superman. Finally, she couldn't hold on anymore, and she fell to the aisle floor with a thud. What a doof" pinksword228 Bongkarnthanyakij / Getty Images 3.After a pretty turbulent flight and a bouncy landing, they came over the speaker and congratulated the guy who landed the plane for completing his final landing to become a Captain. icysquid13 Pop TV / CBC Television / Via giphy.com 4."The airline staff left a seat and seatbelt covered in vomit. It spanned three seats, and all three people, one of whom was my mother, had to move." "My mom was the one who let the stewardess know, as she had accidentally touched the vomit whilst buckling her seatbelt. It was disgusting and unprofessional, and I was nauseated for the rest of the flight. Oh, and they only wiped the seat down with an already dirty rag despite vomit being a biohazard." nostalgicwizard705 Bravo / Via giphy.com 5."Flying home via Denver on a business trip, my plane took off as normal (smallest Boeing jet size in service, pretty sure it was older than me, age 38). We got up to about 20,000 feet while climbing, and suddenly, a very loud WOOSHing noise came over the whole cabin. I got a sudden euphoric feeling, and the plane quickly descended." "Our flight attendant hardly blinked an eye! I could not believe it. The captain came over the intercom saying there was an unexpected loss of cabin pressure and we would be making an emergency landing back in Denver. We flew for at least 30 minutes at about 5,000 feet the longest 30 minutes of my life. I still cant understand why the oxygen masks didnt deployI got light-headed when it initially happened. While back at the airport waiting for news, I was seriously considering taking a train or car rental to get home. They found us another plane to use, and I noticed not everyone got back on that plane! The flight attendant gave free drinks on the second flight." awkwardpotato488 Faina Gurevich / Getty Images/iStockphoto 6.A positive story: "Ive been all over the world and have seen many things but something that will always stick in my mind was a late-night trip to the beach in Mexico. We went to see if we could see baby turtles hatching. Instead, we found a female laying her eggs way too close to the waves due to all the rubbish on the beach." "We waited for her to finish laying, then we picked her up (not easy as she was big!) and moved her so she could finish her laying cycle. Then with the help of the conservationist we were with, we moved all the eggs further up the beach and buried them just as the turtle would have done. We finished in time to watch the female slowly return to the waves. To know that what we did at two in the morning in the pitch dark (with only red lights to not disturb the turtles) might have helped dozens of baby turtles hatch more safely just feels incredible. I learned so much about turtles that night and now I give a lot of time toward their protection." catieferrarer Irfan Fuadi / Getty Images 7.Two hours into an eight hour flight to Ireland, the man sitting next to me suddenly started babbling about how hot it was on the plane (it was freezing) and took off his shirt. A flight attendant came up to him and asked him to put it back on and the man said, I bought the fing ticket, didnt I? The flight attendant was clearly rattled and she walked away. Nobody else came up to him and the shirt stayed off for the rest of the flight. Anonymous 8.The absolute wildest experience Ive had on an airline is being seated next to a man who walked on the plane over-served. He was so drunk and absolutely reeked of alcohol. He wouldnt stop talking, so I made some small talk with him. I asked him what he did for a living, and he told me he was an airplane pilot for the airline we were on. A person with a surprised expression, mouth slightly open, and wide eyes, wearing a black outfit and pearl necklace, with the FOX logo in the top right corner A woman with blonde hair, wearing pearl earrings, stares wide-eyed and serious directly at the camera. A logo reads Fox / Via giphy.com Anonymous 9."I flew a redeye from JFK to Heathrow in 2018... I was in a row with two strangers, one a young woman in the middle seat whose friends were sitting in the rows ahead of us. We took off, they began serving drinks, and I fell asleep. Somewhere over the Atlantic, I woke up because the guy sitting across the aisle from me was yelling." ''He was yelling, 'That is not your seat! Go back to your seat! That is not your seat!' I looked around and one of the party of young women was sat perfectly upon a polite young British gentleman as if he were a chair, and she was refusing to move. A flight attendant finally arrived and convinced the (apparently very drunk) young woman to go back to her actual seat two rows ahead of me. There, she promptly began vomiting on the floor. Somehow, the party of women requested and were granted a move to the back of the plane together. I caught the eye of the man in my row who was at the window and suggested we both move our bags from the floor to the now empty seat between us in case the vomit traveled. The polite young British man who was sat upon was offered free frequent flyer miles for his trouble." Anonymous Universal Pictures 10."I once was on a full plane stuck in a middle seat adjacent to a passenger picking his nose (throughout the flight) and wiping a surprising number of boogers on the upholstered armrest between us." 11."On a flight from SFO to Orlando, we were on our final approach, and I noticed we began ascending again. You could see storms in the area, so I assumed they were navigating around weather or avoiding wind shear on the final approach. Then the captain came on and announced there was a mechanical problem with the aircraftsilence on the plane." "He then explained that the flaps were not functioning, air traffic control cleared the airspace, and he was going to do a 'no flaps landing.' He explained it would be noticeably faster. Then he assured us all would be fine because he practiced this all the time on the simulator, which we all instantly translated to, 'HE HAS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE IN REAL LIFE WITH ACTUAL LIVES AT STAKE.' It was the most silent cabin I have ever witnessed on final approach." Anonymous Zeljkosantrac / Getty Images 12."The first time I flew on an airplane by myself was at 10 years old. I flew from LAX to JFK to spend a few weeks with a pen pal of mine. I boarded before others with the help of a flight attendant and wore a badge indicating I was traveling alone. People soon started boarding the plane. Everyone was oddly quiet and I couldnt figure out why the plane was absent of noise." "My row was close to the front and empty until the very end. When people started sitting down, I realized they were talking with their hands. Somehow, I ended up on a flight that a very large group of the Deaf community had booked. I was the only passenger on the plane who was not Deaf. A flight attendant moved me to first class before takeoff so I could talk to her and her coworkers throughout the duration of the flight. I had a great time being spoiled by the flight attendants on that quiet flight. I was somewhat disappointed that I was moved because I told my parents I could have learned sign language had I not been!" Anonymous Atlantic-kid / Getty Images 13."One time I sat down in my assigned seat in the middle row and the other two seats on each side of me were already taken. As soon as I sat down, the man at the window seat next to me shouted out, 'Last person that sits down in the row has to buy drinks for everyone else in the row during the flight!' He meant me." "I quietly said, 'Sorry, but I don't drink alcohol.' This same man said, 'You are a grown-up. You need to act like one. You were the last one to sit down in our row, so you are buying!' Again, he was very loud and obviously already drunk. I said again, 'I don't drink. You are welcome to drink all you want, but I am not buying you anything.' Then he got really mean, shouting at me about being cheap and a 'stupid broad.' I am a female in my 20s, and this was an older guy in his 50s or 60s. He was starting to scare me. This was a packed plane with nowhere for me to move to and it was already taxiing. No airline attendant was in sight, and the other man seated next to me on the aisle side started in on the discussion and told me, 'You need to buy him some drinks and just go along with it.'" Thamkc / Getty Images "Now the one thing I am not going to do is spend my hard-earned money on a drunk I have never seen in my life who's insulting me. I just sat back, closed my eyes, and ignored him. He continued to complain loudly to everyone on board... cussing and calling me names. He was twice my size." "The more I completely ignored him, the louder and louder he got, and the airline attendant finally took notice. She told the man she would give him one free drink if he would calm down and stop shouting. He never did. Two hours later, we started to land, and I thought, surely they've called ahead about this man to the terminal. Nope. He was still shouting while we were all getting off the plane, and started to follow me. He was following me and yelling. Finally, I saw a security guy at the airport and went up to him to tell him what was going on. I ran out of the airport while he was talking to the guy, who was still screaming about free drinks, and how I owed him some free drinks. I have no idea if he got arrested, but I was shocked that no one in authority acted like his behavior was that unusual. The next week was the 9/11 Twin Towers attack, and airports got better security after that." Anonymous Jasmin Merdan / Getty Images 14."I was traveling to a different country and the customs agent reviewing my passport kept trailing off and looking over at the neighboring desk, where a group of people were talking to the other customs agent. After about a minute, the group dispersed as several armed customs agents arrested one member of the group and escorted her away. Apparently, she had a forged passport." Anonymous Ivan Halkin / Getty Images 15."I was traveling through the Middle East, and I knew I would encounter my share of interesting cultural differences. I was prepared for everyone to take their shoes off during the flight to make themselves more comfortable. Not my cup of tea, but I can respect it. However, I was NOT prepared to be woken up by the delicate scratching of my elbow on my rest, only to look back and find long, yellowed toenails from a foot that was sharing my armrest." Anonymous Lindseyleeanna / Getty Images/iStockphoto 16.Another positive story: "My roommate and I were taking a quick weekend trip by train across Italy, leaving from the Florence station. After we boarded, I realized we had forgotten to purchase tickets from the little kiosk between the trains. No sooner had I hopped off to grab the tickets, the doors closed behind me." "The other passengers tried in vain to get the doors open, but to no avail. My purse, phone, bags, and non-Italian speaking roommate left the last train out of Florence for seven hours, as the workers went on strike immediately thereafter. About an hour of panicking later, trying to work with local police in my broken Italian and not having anyone else's international burner cell phone numbers, my roommate showed back up at the train station with all of our bags in tow. A woman who had been on the train with her took her to her stop, then drove her back to the station with our belongings, neither one speaking the other's language. We slept in the grass at the station for the next six hours, then got on the train and made our way." Anonymous Balkanscat / Getty Images 17."In late November 1982, my husband was driving through the Midwest on I-80. The highway was snowy and incredibly icy. Suddenly, strange apparitions began flying past his car on the highway. They were large boats." "It was as if he found himself in the middle of a yachting race, but on land. Super weird to say the least! The transport vehicle carrying them had lost control and turned over, releasing its load of vessels onto the freeway. It was a once-in-a-lifetime sight to see." Anonymous Aziz Shamuratov / Getty Images 18."My company had spent a group work and play trip in Cabo San Lucas. As we were flying back home. I was seated next to a woman who was shaking the whole trip and leaning forward and backward constantly. I recognized it as a drug withdrawal." "At a certain point, I said, 'Whatever you need to do to calm down, just do it.' She pulled out a compact and sniffed something, then relaxed the rest of the flight home. Wild." Anonymous 19."While walking around Prague on New Year's Eve, I saw a guy sitting on the sidewalk, obviously very intoxicated, with a couple other intoxicated people fussing over him a bit (as best they could). It looked like he had a suction cup stuck to the bottom of one of his shoes." "As I got closer, I could see that it was actually the base of a wine glass that I assume he had attempted to stomp on. The stem of the wine glass was stuck in the bottom of his shoe, and likely up into his foot. I didn't stick around long enough to find out." Anonymous Love Productions / Via giphy.com 20.And finally: "Flying back from Las Vegas with a coworker who'd had too much to drink at the airport bar, I watched as he interacted with his seatmate and bought her drinks. After plying her with alcohol, I overheard him ask her if she would like a foot massage. She agreed and took off her shoes while he began massaging her feet. At some point I heard him say, 'Can I suck on your toes?'" "I couldn't believe what he was asking and looked back in dismay as she agreed. Then I watched this man put her foot in his mouth, all during a daytime flight with people all around. They proceeded to get way too drunk during the rest of the flight, and as we were landing, she started crying that she actually had a boyfriend and that this was a mistake, then vomited in the aisleway during our landing." Anonymous NBC / Via giphy.com If you read this far and have a totally wild travel story of your own to share, feel free to tell all about it in the comments I always love reading more juicy stories. Or, if you prefer, you can check out this anonymous Google Form. Your story could be shared in an upcoming BuzzFeed article! Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity. 'Shogun' wins record-breaking 14 Emmys at Creative Arts ceremony as Jamie Lee Curtis gets her first Jamie Lee Curtis poses with her award for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for The Bear on night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) LOS ANGELES (AP) Shogun won the most Emmys ever for a single season of a television series with 14 at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday night, while The Bear won seven including best guest actress in a comedy series for Jamie Lee Curtis. Presenters were saying Shogun all night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on the second night of the two-night Creative Arts Emmys, where awards are handed out that dont quite make the main Primetime Emmys ceremony. It broke the record of 13 set by the 2008 limited series John Adams before even reaching the Sept. 15 main Emmys ceremony, when it can pad its record with up to five more. Shogun," the FX series about political machinations in feudal Japan, won all but two of the possible 16 trophies it could have claimed on Sunday night, including Emmys for costumes, makeup, editing, stunts and cinematography, along with a best guest actor in a drama Emmy for Nestor Carbonell. As he accepted, Carbonell thanked the crew, then marveled at how many of them were in the audience. Youre all here! Youre all nominated! Carbonell said. I love the team sport of this. Curtis was emotional on stage after winning her first Emmy 18 months after winning her first Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Im the luckiest girl in the world, Curtis said backstage. I just never thought I would get to do work at this level of depth and complexity and intelligence. Its been the thrill of my creative life these last couple of years. Asked if she could win a Grammy and a Tony to make it an EGOT, she said no way. I can't sing at all, she said, and I've never been on stage. The songwriting team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, however, did become the 20th and 21st members of the elite EGOT club when they won their first Emmy for a song they co-wrote for Only Murders in the Building. The duo had previously won an Oscar for La La Land and a Grammy and Tony for Dear Evan Hansen. Curtis won for the season two Bear episode Fishes," in which she played the mother of star Jeremy Allen White at a nightmare holiday family gathering. Jon Bernthal, who played White's big brother in the episode, won best guest actor in a comedy. Michaela Coel won best guest actress in a comedy series for her appearance on Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Shogun shook up the Emmys race when it switched from the limited series to the drama series category in May and led all nominees with 25 when nominations were announced in July. It won so steadily that the few who beat it it lost only in two music-composition categories felt the need to comment on it. I didnt write a speech, because there was no way I was beating Shogun tonight," said Siddharta Khosa, who won best music composition for a series for Only Murders in the Building. When Eric Andre was asked only one question in the media room after winning his first Emmy for his performance on his self-titled talk show, he said, with fake exasperation, Sorry I'm not on Shogun!" Maya Rudolph and Angela Bassett were among the Creative Arts winners on Saturday night, which focused on reality and variety TV. Rudolph won her sixth career Emmy, for her voice-over work on the animated Big Mouth. Bassett won her first, for her narration of the National Geographic wildlife documentary series Queens. Both nights of the show will be edited into a single 2 1/2 hour show that will air on FXX on Sept. 14 and stream the following day on Hulu. Dan and Eugene Levy will host the Primetime Emmy Awards, also at the Peacock Theater, airing on ABC on Sept. 15. ___ For more coverage on this years Emmy Awards and recent television shows, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/television Harvey Weinstein Gets Heart Surgery Just Days After Ex Paraded Beau Around Venice Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital from his jail cell on Sunday, his attorneys confirmed. Weinstein, 72, underwent emergency surgery at the Manhattan hospital, his attorney Arthur Aidala told the Daily Beast in an email. His surgery took place on Monday and was regarding heart issues, Aidala confirmed. Craig Rothfeld, Weinsteins jail consultant, told the Daily Beast in a separate statement that his client was rushed to the hospital for several medical conditions. His procedure on Monday was to remove remove fluid on his heart and lungs, Rothfeld said, and he is currently in recovery. The attorney said Weinstein suffers a plethora of significant health issues that need ongoing treatment. Weinstein, who is being held at Rikers Island during his retrial on charges of rape, reportedly began complaining about feeling sick over the weekend, his lawyers earlier told The New York Times. Sources close to Weinstein later told Deadline the former co-founder of Miramax was in critical condition and in very rough shape. New Harvey Weinstein Accusers May Testify in Retrial, Prosecutors Say Weinstein, an Oscar-winning producer responsible for some of the most memorable blockbusters of the 90s, was one of the most powerful Hollywood executives taken down during the #MeToo movement. Since the first reports were published in the Times, more than 80 women have accused the former industry leader of sexual misconduct. Weinstein was originally indicted for the rape in 2018. He was found guilty in February 2020, but his conviction was overturned by the New York Court of Appeals in April after a 4-3 decision. The court ordered a retrial, and he has been held on Rikers Island for since then. Weinstein was previously serving a 23-year jail sentence at the Mohawk Correctional Facility in upstate New York. Weinstein was also convicted of rape and other sex crime related charges in 2022 in a separate criminal case in California. He was sentenced to another 16 years in prison for the California charges. Throughout both trials, Weinstein appeared in court using a wheelchair. Weinstein Wheeled Into Court as Prosecutors Vow to Retry Him He was briefly taken to a hospital prison unit earlier this year after complaining about chest pain. During his brief stay at the hospital unit, he was given a private bathroom, telephone, and televisionwhich he used to watch CNN and other programs all day, The City reported. Weinsteins representatives told the Daily Beast at the time his treatment was standard and far from cushy. Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman on the red carpet for the screening of "The Brutalist" at the Venice Film Festival. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Weinsteins health issues come just days after his ex-wife, British actress and designer Georgina Chapman, was seen with her new beau Adrien Brody at the Venice Film Festival. Chapman attended a screening for Brodys upcoming film The Brutalist last week, which received a 13-minute standing ovation at the Italian festival, according to Hollywood trade publications. Chapman reportedly left Weinstein in 2017, shortly after the reports about his years of sexual misconduct were published. Chapman and Brody began dating in 2019, according to The Daily Mail. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Many animals, fruits, and byproducts of both are more than safe for consumption. In fact, it just makes sense to cook and enjoy them. However, there is actually quite a long list of controversial foods. While many people wouldn't even dream of eating most of them, some regions find them to be a delicious, rare delicacy. Whether it's because these items are officially banned, are sourced from endangered animals, require unsavory practices, or something else, the number of controversial foods may surprise you. To discover some of the most controversial foods around the world I conducted extensive research on health, environmental, and culinary websites. While not everything I found made its way onto the list (sorry durian fruit, you didn't make the cut this time), each of the upcoming foods stands out as controversial in undeniable ways. Once you learn more about them, something tells me you'll think twice about consuming them if you ever encounter them at home or travel to a place where they are available, and I'm not talking about on the black market either. Keep reading to learn about some of the most controversial foods banned all over the world so you can steer clear, or at least know exactly what you are getting yourself into if you decide to forgo the warnings. Read more: How To Use A Crock-Pot Like A Pro Akee Pile of raw akee - Sevenstockstudio/Getty Images It may be the national fruit of Jamaica, but akee is banned in the United States. How is it possible that this beloved Caribbean fruit is shunned? Well, as it turns out, it has the potential to be quite poisonous when unripe due to a chemical called hypoglycin A. Ripe akee is packed with fatty acids but the unripe fruit can be a source of poisonous chemicals that have been known to have detrimental effects like liver damage and death. Long story short, unripe akee is unsafe at best. Plus, it is illegal to bring akee fruit into the United States. So, while you don't need to avoid it entirely if you ever find yourself in Jamaica, you'll want to be 100% sure it is ripe before getting a taste. Fortunately, knowing if akee fruit is ripe isn't a total guessing game. Once the fruit's rind naturally splits open to reveal edible arils with dark seeds it should be safe to eat. However, if the pale yellow arils are discolored, it is a sign that it is still poisonous. No matter how you spell it (there are several variations), you won't find fresh akee in the United States. You may be able to find frozen, canned, or dried imports of the tropical fruit if your interest is piqued, but even that is fairly rare. I mean, have you ever seen it on your local grocery store's shelves? Probably not. Raw Milk Person pouring raw milk - Simonskafar/Getty Images Interestingly enough, raw milk has become a hot topic on social media platforms like TikTok. Some influencers claim it is a healthier alternative to pasteurized milk because it is easier to digest and contains more vitamins and minerals. However, these claims are unfounded and downright misleading. In fact, while you are unlikely to hear about it on TikTok, the dangers of raw milk are undeniable. Not only is there a tuberculosis risk associated with raw milk, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), raw milk also carries "dangerous germs such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter, and others that cause foodborne illness," (AKA food poisoning). The FDA goes on to say that raw milk is particularly dangerous for people with compromised immune systems, pregnant women, older adults, and children. So... not great. Actually, pretty scary. With all this in mind, it isn't surprising that raw milk is banned in many countries, including Scotland, Australia, and Canada. It is also banned in 20 U.S. states and its sales are restricted in even more (via Healthline). Kinder Surprise Cracked and whole Kinder Surprise - New Africa/Shutterstock Admittedly, Kinder Surprise may be one of the least "controversial" foods on this list, at least as far as production is concerned. However, it has proven to be enough of a threat that it is illegal in the United States. Sure, it is just a chocolate treat with a small toy inside, but, apparently, it poses quite a choking hazard. Since the FDA officially bans food "articles containing embedded, non-nutritive objects, being offered for sale in the United States" for exactly this reason, Kinder Surprise simply isn't allowed stateside. Kinder Surprise is particularly threatening for overzealous children who gobble candy up without any hesitation, as is evidenced by several reported deaths over the years. As a result, you can only find Kinder Surprise on the shelves outside of the United States. Kinder wasn't going to let this stop the company though, so the brand made an alternative product to circumvent the ban: Kinder Joy. In the U.S., Kinder Joy is in many stores, and the only real change is that the toy is separate from the candy. It may be slightly different from the version found abroad, but it is essentially the same thing, so you don't really have to go without until your next trip overseas. Bushmeat Pile of dead bats - Maurizio Photo/Shutterstock Illegal trade in wild animal meat, AKA bushmeat, happens more than you may think. It might seem harmless to hunt wild animals and sell or trade their meat, but it actually poses several threats, both to biodiversity and public health as a whole. Before we get into the details, let's be clear: Bushmeat encompasses quite a bit. It is a general term that refers to wild animal meat sourced from reptiles, mammals, birds, and amphibians whose natural habitat includes wetlands, jungles, and savannahs. You're probably thinking whoa, that's a lot and you're right. Anything from bat to wild boar to giraffe to snake to elephant is technically considered bushmeat. While not all seem super strange or dangerous (snake and boar aren't that out of the ordinary), unregulated bush meat poses a serious threat to overall health and safety. In the United States, attempting to bring bushmeat into the country is illegal because it can contain diseases like Ebola that easily spread from animals to humans (via CDC). The CDC also notes that, "Generally, Ebola is not spread by food. However, in Africa human infections have been associated with hunting, butchering, and processing meat from infected animals." So, basically, you don't even have to eat bushmeat to experience adverse side effects. If you choose to forgo these warnings, they stress the importance of wearing gloves while handling bushmeat and thoroughly disinfecting any surfaces it comes in contact with. Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) Foods shaped into DNA strand - Lightspring/Shutterstock In the United States, genetically modified foods and crops are extremely common, even if cultivation is regulated in some areas. However, in many other parts of the world cultivating GMO crops is strictly banned or at the very least highly regulated. According to the Genetic Literacy Project, "Biotech crops were planted in 26 countries, including 19 developing nations." Interestingly enough though, many of the countries that ban GMO cultivation allow importation of GMO crops to be used as livestock feed and more. Some even discriminate against some GMO crops and not others. For example, 19 members of the European Union voted to prohibit the growth of MON18, an insect-resistant variety of corn in late 2015. So, the acceptance and public opinion of biotech crops is somewhat inconsistent and convoluted depending on where you happen to be. What does this all mean? Basically, GMOs are pretty controversial, even if they are super common worldwide. Whether this is based on actual scientific evidence or marketing is yet to be seen, but suffice it to say the debate rages on regarding the importance, safety, and benefits of GMO foods and crops. Fugu AKA Pufferfish Fugu fish on rock - Paco Alcantara/Getty Images Fugu, or pufferfish, may be a delicacy in Japan, but poison that inherently exists in its organs makes it dangerous, as well. The FDA warns that fugu "may contain the potent and deadly toxins tetrodotoxin and/or saxitoxin which can cause severe illness and death. These are central nervous system toxins and are more deadly than cyanide." That is quite a scary warning. Even so, fugu is still seen as a high-end food that people have been known to seek out. Why bother if it is so risky? Compared to other white fish, fugu is less fatty. It also has more umami components, leading to a decadent, delicious taste. If you want to enjoy fugu, it needs to be handled and prepared with abundant caution so as to avoid consuming the toxins within. This is serious, too -- it's not like you can learn to do it at home. It requires a talented chef who executes careful, exacting skills and an extremely high level of attention to detail while preparing the unique fish. In fact, it can't be sold or served in the United States without a special license. Foie Gras Foie gras on black plate - Metamore Studio/Shutterstock Foie gras is seen as a delicacy in some places (looking at you France), but once you know how it is created, you may never view it as such again. If you're asking yourself, isn't it just duck or goose liver? The answer is yes, but it's how the animals are treated and fed that leads to the super fatty liver meat we know as foie gras. Of course, arguments can be made for its rich, smooth texture and taste, but how it becomes that isn't for the weak of heart or stomach. To create foie gras, young ducks or geese are force-fed in alarming amounts, most likely with feeding tubes inserted into their throats. This overeating leads to the birds' livers swelling to about eight times the natural size, possibly more. Unfortunately, these force-feeding methods commonly lead to infections and birds that are so heavy they can't even stand. Some argue that the process used to create foie gras isn't that much worse than any other kind of meat, if at all. However, the fact that foie gras is illegal in some countries, like India, and banned from being produced in others says quite a bit about how people regard it. In the United States, California has successfully instituted a ban on the production and reselling of out-of-state foie gras. New York City also is attempting to ban foie gras, but so far, nothing is certain there. Horse Meat Raw horse meat on board - BearFotos/Shutterstock Consuming horse meat may be legal in all but four U.S. states (Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Delaware) but there isn't much of a market for it. In addition, there are laws surrounding the sale of horse meat for human consumption. Technically, you can still slaughter and consume your own horses in most states, it's just extremely unusual. Most people view horses as beautiful, highly intelligent animals great for many things, but eating them isn't one of them. In places like Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Asia, consuming horse meat is still a thing. It is even quite popular in some regions, just not in the United States. Some supporters of using horse meat for human consumption prefer to call it chevaline, probably to distance the meat from the animal many of us love. However, don't let the rebranding fool you if you ever encounter chevaline on a menu abroad. There may actually be some benefits to consuming horse meat, like high levels of iron and omega-3 fatty acids, but, still, you wouldn't want to eat it without knowing, right? While various bans on the slaughter of horses for human consumption have been introduced over the years, some argue it is actually bad for the horses. This sounds a bit counterintuitive, but apparently, older horses are more likely to be neglected, and designating them for slaughter prevents unnecessary abuse. Regardless of where you stand on the matter, eating horse meat is most certainly controversial in the United States. Haggis Scottish haggis on plate - Pichunter/Getty Images Haggis is proudly dubbed the national dish of Scotland. However, here in the United States, haggis is banned, and many of us have never heard of it or even know what it is made of. Interestingly, it was beloved by renowned T.V. personality, chef, and writer Anthony Bourdain, but we'll let you be the judge after you discover what it truly is. Haggis starts with a base of finely diced sheep liver, heart, and lung. This combination is mixed with beef suet, onion, oatmeal, and spices, and stuffed into a sheep's stomach. Then, the entire "bag" is boiled. When properly cooked, you wind up with a meaty, oaty, crumbly dish that is both moist and crispy. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who says it looks appetizing at first sight, but many agree the taste is truly delicious. So, why is importing haggis banned in the United States? Well, while it contains many ingredients, the ban is based on a single element: sheep lung. Since 1971, the USDA banned the sale of animal lungs as food, at least for humans (it is not off limits in animal food), because stomach contents have the potential to infiltrate them during slaughter. In addition, lungs are like filters, so they could contain a myriad of harsh environmental impurities. Even so, some people are pressuring the USDA to revoke the ban, so you may be able to get haggis in the United States sometime in the near future. Only time will tell. Shark Fins Shark fin soup - Digipub/Getty Images Shark is actually one of the foods you should think twice about ordering from a fancy restaurant. You may be able to find it on the menu at some places, especially in Asia, but it is pretty controversial overall. It is also hard to know exactly where it came from. This poses two problems. First, a study conducted by Exposure & Health reports that shark meat has the potential to be dangerously high in mercury, especially in certain types like hammerheads. Second, shark fins are often harvested in a brutal way. The process is called finning, and it entails cutting fins off sharks and then simply tossing the animals back into the ocean where they will eventually die -- and a slow death at that. Eating shark meat is not illegal. However, in the United States, the sale, import, and export of shark fins is illegal. The United Kingdom and Canada also ban the shark fin trade. Even so, many countries do not ban the sale of shark fins, even if they are sourced in an illegal way because regulation is extremely difficult to enforce. So, while you may still be interested in tasting shark meat or fins, and you can get it at restaurants in the United States, who knows what path it took to get to your plate? Was it ethical? Is it one of the sharks that has an excessive amount of mercury? There is no way to know for sure. Casu Marzu Casu marzu cheese - Gengis90/Shutterstock Dubbed the world's most dangerous cheese by Guinness World Records, casu marzu is a specialized cheese that comes from the small Italian island of Sardinia. There are many delicious, drool-worthy Italian cheeses, like mozzarella and Parmesan, but casu marzu isn't one of them. It does start with normal Pecorino Romano cheese, but that isn't where it ends, and it's the details that make all the difference here. So, what makes casu marzu so different from the Pecorino Romano we all know and love? It is infested with Piophila casei, AKA skipper fly eggs. After the flies lay their eggs in the cracks of the cheese, maggots hatch -- yes, you read that right. Then, the maggots eat their way through the cheese, making it softer and creamier along the way. Sounds gross, right? Well, Sardinians don't think so. In fact, they eat the whole lot and have been for centuries. It is even banned from commercial sale, but that doesn't stop them. Aside from what most of us would consider an unsavory combination of maggots and cheese, casu marzu could also be damaging to human intestines, but proof of this is lacking. If you ever find yourself in Sardinia, you can likely find some casu marzu through a local vendor or boutique shop, but even if you do, are you willing to take the risk? Or, are you adventurous enough to give it a try, warnings be damned? Something tells me most people, myself included, would answer both questions with a resounding no. Sea Turtles Turtle meat on cutting board - James Ebanks/Getty Images Most of us think of sea turtles as beautiful, gentle sea creatures that we wouldn't dare consume. As a highly protected, endangered species, not eating sea turtles seems like common sense to most people, but this wasn't always the case. It wasn't too long ago that turtle soup was pretty common. However, today, they are protected by the Endangered Species Act. As a result, eating them is completely off the table in the United States -- pun intended. Regrettably, our over consumption of turtle meat is how they became endangered in the first place, so no longer doing so is the best way to preserve the species. Although illegal in many places, sea turtle meat and eggs are still sold in some unregulated markets and places like the Cayman Islands, so they are not impossible to find. Still, you should probably stay far away if you ever encounter the option. Just think of those adorable surfer sea turtle babies in Finding Nemo and any semblance of temptations will fade anyway. Not to mention, eating sea turtles in the United States is a felony. Read the original article on Chowhound. 50 Extremely Rare Historical Pictures That Will Completely And Totally Change Your Perspective On The Universe 1.This is what the Space Shuttle Endeavour looked like as it left Earth and traveled into orbit: It looks like a little toy. Futuras Fotos / Alamy Stock Photo 2.This is what a typhoon looks like from space: Specifically, Super Typhoon Maysak in 2015. Universal History Archive / Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images 3.This is how big Earth is compared to Saturn: Earth is PUNY. Stocktrek Images, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo 4.This is what a sunset looks like from space: Hmmm. Is this more or less impressive than the sunset your mom has as the background on her iPhone lock screen? Weigh in on this in the comments, please. Twitter: @Astro_Alex 5.This is a picture of Pluto and its moons taken in 2006... Nasa / Getty Images 6.And this is a much, much clearer picture of Pluto taken only a decade later, in 2015: By NASA's New Horizons spacecraft from 476,000 miles out. Nasa / Getty Images 7.On Feb. 7, 1984, Bruce McCandless II performed the first-ever untethered space walk, and folks, it looks absolutely terrifying: He used a jet-propelled backpack to maneuver around. It was apparently very, very cold. Nasa / Getty Images 8.This is a picture of the ice mountains of Pluto as seen from the New Horizons space probe: The photo is 230 miles across, to put things into perspective. Science History Images / Alamy Stock Photo 9.This is what New Zealand looks like from space: I think I see Tom Bombadil. NASA 10.This is how big an average-sized comet is compared to Paris: Specifically the Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet. Very chill, though. Esa 11.This is a REAL picture of the moon crossing in front of the Earth: The image was taken by the DSCOVR spacecraft about a million miles away from Earth. Nasa / Getty Images 12.This is what a solar eclipse looks like from space: Like a pen blew up all over Earth. Alamy Stock Photo 13.In 1972, astronaut Charles Duke left behind a picture of his family on the moon's surface. It's been there ever since: The back of the photo reads, "This is the family of Astronaut Duke from Planet Earth, who landed on the Moon on the twentieth of April 1972." CBW / Alamy Stock Photo 14.This picture, taken in 1946, is one of the first images of Earth ever taken from space: It was captured from a 35-millimeter camera attached to a V-2 rocket. Jhu Sheridan Libraries / Getty Images 15.And this is the first picture of Earth from the moon, taken in 1966 by Lunar Orbiter 1: Encyclopaedia Britannica / Universal Images Group via Getty Images 16.And this is a picture of Earth that was taken 20 minutes before this article was published: 17.The Mars rovers are way, way bigger than you thought they were: This is the Perseverance rover. It's not a little RC car! Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images 18.This is how big the Moon and Pluto's moon Charon are compared to the Earth: You know what? I'm glad that puny little dwarf planet doesn't count as a planet anymore. NASA Moon: Gregory H. Revera Charon: NASA/JHUAPL/SWRI 19.This is what a piece of the moon and a piece of Mars looks like: Read and see more here. reddit.com 20.This is what color Venus is in real life: It's not a big ol' orangey planet from the outside. NASA Image Collection / Alamy Stock Photo 21.These are two of the earliest known photographs of Saturn and Jupiter, taken in the 19th century: Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group via Getty Images 22.You're probably familiar with the "Face on Mars," an image of a formation on Mars from the 1970s that launched a million conspiracy theories... Corbis Historical 23....well, this is what a much less blurry, much more recent photograph of that same "face" looks like: I still want to believe. Photo 12 / Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images 24.Space and time is absolutely nuts: 25.Buzz Aldrin took humanity's first "space selfie" while on a spacewalk in 1966: Never heard of a "space selfie"? Well, it's got its own Wikipedia page. Space Frontiers / Getty Images 26.Mars is home to the tallest mountain in the solar system, the 72,000-foot-tall Olympus Mons: It's over 372 miles wide. That's bigger than Arizona. Historical / Corbis via Getty Images 27.There's a bunch of trash left by humans on the moon. In fact, if you really want to know, there are 96 bags of human waste on that big pie in the sky: Now, THAT'S amore. NASA / Corbis via Getty Images 28.Here's a computer illustration of what Olympus Mons looks like from space: Sebastian Kaulitzki / Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF 29.This is what Antarctica looks like from space: Read more about how this image was made here. NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio / The Blue Marble data is courtesy of Reto Stockli (NASA/GSFC) 30.This is Eugene Cernan, who is, as of 2023, the last man to ever walk on the moon: He did it way back in 1972. It's been that long, folks! Space Frontiers / Getty Images 31.You might recognize Eugene from this iconic picture of his moon walk: Donaldson Collection / Getty Images 32.This is the Willamette meteorite, the largest meteorite that's ever been found in the United States: It is the sixth largest in the world and weighs 15.5 tons. Bettmann / Bettmann Archive 33.And this is the Hoba meteorite, the largest meteorite on Earth: The largest that we know of, that is. It's located in Namibia. Groblerdupreez / Getty Images 34.The Great Red Spot on Jupiter is shrinking: According to NASA, "Some unknown activity in the planet's atmosphere may be draining energy and weakening the storm, causing it to shrink." NASA 35.See that little hole there? This is what Mount Vesuvius looks like from space: Cool! Space Frontiers / Getty Images 36.Way out on the edge of the Solar System is this big ol' hunk of rock called Ultima Thule, Arrokoth, or (486958) 2014 MU69 the farthest thing from Earth humanity has ever "explored up close": Reminds me of two peanuts I ate earlier today. Those were some good peanuts. Handout / Getty Images 37.In 2018, NASA captured an unreal-looking rectangular iceberg: Looks like PS2 graphics. / Alamy Stock Photo 38.NASA's James Webb Space Telescope just took some brand-new pictures of Uranus. Here's what one of the new photos looks like: Shiny! Fresh! Uranus! NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI. Image processing: J. DePasquale (STScI) 39.While we're at it, here's another new picture from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, this time of Neptune: Poseidon would love this. NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI 40.This, to scale, is how far apart the Milky Way galaxy and the Andromeda galaxy are: FYI, the Milky Way is about 100,000 light-years across. u/Diligent_String1966 / Via reddit.com 41.This is a close-up of some well-worn pebbles on the surface of Mars: The most fascinating picture of rocks you'll see all day. Let me know in the comments if you've seen more interesting rocks than these. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS 42.Speaking of Mars, this is what a sunset looks like on that there planet: Not as nice as Key West, but what are you gonna do. Martians make do. Nasa / Getty Images 43.This is what the moon looks like in the Northern Hemisphere... Claudine Silaho Weber-hilty / Getty Images/iStockphoto 44....and this is what the moon looks like in the Southern Hemisphere. It's upside down: Well, I guess that just depends on the moon you lived your life with. Agcuesta / Getty Images/iStockphoto 45.This is what Jupiter would look like if it were as close as the moon: Petition to replace the moon with Jupiter. Get on it, Biden. u/afarro / Via reddit.com 46.This is what Ireland looks like from space: I think I see Bono. NASA/Astronaut Terry Virts / Via Twitter: @AstroTerry 47.This is astronaut Joseph P. Allen IV doing maintenance on a satellite in the middle of the cold, dark void of space: Again, no thanks! NASA / Getty Images 48.This is what the eye of a hurricane looks like from above: Specifically, the eye wall of Hurricane Katrina. Alamy Stock Photo 49.This is the last image NASA's InSight rover sent from Mars before running out of power at the end of its mission last December: NASA/JPL-Caltech 50.And finally, this is the statement President Jimmy Carter wrote and put aboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft, intended for any aliens the probe might encounter: It reads: "This Voyager spacecraft was constructed by the United States of America. We are a community of 240 million human beings among the more than 4 billion who inhabit the planet Earth. We human beings are still divided into nation states, but these states are rapidly becoming a single global civilization. "We cast this message into the cosmos. It is likely to survive a billion years into our future, when our civilization is profoundly altered and the surface of the Earth may be vastly changed. Of the 200 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy, some perhaps many may have inhabited planets and spacefaring civilizations. If one such civilization intercepts Voyager and can understand these recorded contents, here is our message: "This is a present from a small distant world, a token of our sounds, our science, our images, our music, our thoughts, and our feelings. We are attempting to survive our time so we may live into yours. We hope someday, having solved the problems we face, to join a community of galactic civilizations. This record represents our hope and our determination, and our good will in a vast and awesome universe." u/zoompher / Via reddit.com Abbie Rutledge, who told officer J.T. Brown during a traffic stop that she had no money to pay for a ticket, is now crediting Brown with helping her change her life CBS/Youtube Abbie Rutledge (left) and Alabama state trooper J.T. Brown An Alabama woman is speaking out about how a police officer who pulled her over for speeding inspired her to change her life. In August 2022, then-20-year-old Abbie Rutledge was driving along a Birmingham highway when she saw red and blue police lights flash behind her. Speaking with CBS News for a story on Friday, Sept. 6, she said she never would have thought that being pulled over could result in a major life change. According to Rutledge, when Alabama state trooper J.T. Brown stopped her for speeding, she told him she could not afford to pay for a ticket, and that she was "broke and in a dead-end job," as the outlet put it. Brown simply replied: "'Well, how about we talk about it then.' " Their conversation "went on for about" 10 to 15 minutes, Rutledge told CBS News, as the two were "just talking about different career paths." Eventually, they came up with an idea together she should become a nurse. Related: Sisters Create Dating App to Give People with Disabilities, Chronic Illnesses a Safe Space to Find Love, Feel Seen The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Brown didn't issue her a ticket, just a warning. On it, he wrote: "Promise me you'll go to scrub or nursing school, and slow down, and I won't give you a ticket." Now, two years later, Rutledge is doing exactly what she told Brown she would do. "As soon as he left, and as soon as I got to where I was going, I started pushing myself toward that career," she told the outlet. "And now I'm here." According to CBS News, Rutledge began a surgical technology program at a nearby community college and Brown even attended her graduation after she finished. Getty Police cars (stock image) Related: Baby Named 'Miracle' Goes Home After 4 Months in NICU as Mom Calls Her 'My Bundle of Joy' 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. "I wanted him to see the impression he made on me," Rutledge told the outlet. "Five minutes talking to anybody, even if you don't know them, can make the largest impact of their life. You never know when it could happen." Now, the 22-year-old is a surgical technician at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital. She told CBS News that she loves her job and credits Brown with much of her success. "I think it was the right person, the right time and the right words said," Rutledge said, reflecting on their conversation during that fateful traffic stop. "She made my entire career worth it," Brown added. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Grandeur and impeccable service have been the hallmarks of a stay at Raffles Hotels & Resorts ever since the flagship propertyan elegant colonial-style buildingopened in Singapore in 1887. Over the decades, guests, including a long roster of literary lights and world-renowned celebrities, have come to expect nothing but the best from the hotels attentive staff, including butlers who seem to anticipate every need and fulfill it as if by magic. Now the luxury hospitality brand is capitalizing on that reputation with a new campaign that underscores the role of butlers in creating a memorable and inspiring guest experience: The Butler Did It depicts designer and actor Waris Ahluwalia, tastemaker Robert Rabensteiner, and model May Siu as quintessential Raffles guests who enjoy the beyond-the-call-of-duty ministrations of an unforgettable butler played by model Tim Easton. More from Robb Report Raffles Hotels & Resorts Clever and a bit cheeky, the innovative campaign is the work of creative director Trey Laird, founder of TeamLaird, and photographer Dylan Don. Raffles is a heritage brand, says Laird, but it delivers a modern guest experience that is full of warmth, with a playfulness and sense of whimsy. This was the spirit I wanted to evoke. Im grateful to the incredible creative talent that, through a shared passion for exceptional hospitality and culture in all its forms, brought this campaign to life in a way that is unique and distinct to Raffles. Raffles Hotels & Resorts The actors backgrounds add to the fashion-forward ambience. Ahluwalia, who founded the House of Waris and has collaborated with other artists on jewelry, apparel, and accessories, has also acted in several Wes Anderson films, most notably, The Budapest Hotel. Rabensteiner is an international fashion magazine editor-at-large. He styled the campaign, which uses the iconic Singapore property as a backdrop. Over the past few years, Raffles has expanded its luxe hotels to important global destinationsfrom Paris and London to Istanbul, Dubai, Boston, Jaipur, and Bali, among othersalways seeking to express the authentic spirit of a place. The hotels celebrate gastronomy, well-being, arts and culture, and the environment with the goal of famously ensuring that visitors arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family. Raffles Hotels & Resorts The legendary Raffles butler service is an integral part of that mission. The butlers serve as personal assistants, guides, go-to liaisons, even party planners, always with discretion, imagination, and knowledge of every facet of the hotel. They are proactive and quick to intuit what a guest might want or need before the guest even realizes it. With a vibrant aesthetic and sense of wit that is inherent to the Raffles brand, this bold campaign celebrates the hallmarks of the Raffles experience, including the ways our butlers create magic at every turn, says Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles Hotels & Resorts. Our campaign depicts the butler as the hero of any occasion, no matter how unconventional. We hope that our guests will now join us in saying The Butler Did It when experiencing a surprising moment of delight with Raffles. Learn more Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard in the world - some specimens can be up to 3 metres long. Wonderful Indonesia/dpa Budget carrier AirAsia is making it quicker for long-distance travellers to get a hair-raising close look at the worlds biggest lizard, the fearsome Komodo Dragon, by launching the first direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Labuan Bajo. The airline said the new route enhances accessibility to Labuan Bajo, which it described as "a gateway to the world-famous Komodo National Park and the picturesque island of Flores." Kuala Lumpur, Malaysias biggest city and commercial capital, is a hub for flights between Asia and Europe, with non-stop routes from Amsterdam and London and connections to dozens more cities via stopovers in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai and Istanbul. Kuala Lumpur in turn is a widely-used stopover for travellers between Australia and Europe. Long the subject of wildlife documentaries and viral internet videos, Komodo dragons can reach a length of 3 metres and a weight of over 100 kilograms. The lizards are are capable of taking down buffalo and have been filmed swallowing whole smaller prey such as young goats. With a drooling fang-filled mouth laden with bacteria and toxins, a dragon can kill an adult human with a bite. The Indonesian government is promoting destinations such as Komodo, the island for which the dragons are named, as it seeks to increase visitor numbers and delivery tourists from the overcrowded and wildly popular Bali. The government earlier this year announced a plan to dispense with holiday visa requirements for nationals of 20 countries. In April, Indonesian airline TransNusa added routes to Manado, a diving spot on the island of Sulawese, and from Manado to Ambon, the regional capital of former "Spice Islands." Despite being only one of thousands of islands making up the 5,000-kilometer-wide Indonesia archipelago, Balis attracts up to half the countrys annual number of tourists. Local authorities on the island have introduced a tax in an effort to limit overtourism. Padar Island is the scenic highlight on the boat tour through the Komodo National Park. Philipp Laage/dpa BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Iran welcomes the restoration of communication routes in the region within the framework of respecting the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of all countries in the South Caucasus, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanaani said at a press conference in Tehran on September 9, Trend reports. According to him, Iran supports sustainable peace in the South Caucasus within the framework of its neighborhood policy. Tehran believes this structure can help strengthen sustainable peace and stability in the region. Iran seriously supports the 3+3 mechanism in the South Caucasus as an example of a unified regional mechanism in the direction of regional cooperation between the South Caucasus and neighboring countries. In this direction, meetings have been organized and will be held based on the coordination achieved among the members, he added. Claim: A collage of four images shared in August 2024 shows a woman's body infested with internal parasites as a result of her consuming raw pork for 10 years. Rating: Rating: Mixture What's True: The images featured in the collage are authentic and truly depict a body infected with parasites, which was later linked to the consumption of raw pork. However ... What's False: ... the woman in the images was 23 years old when the images were captured and started consuming raw pork around the age of 10. What's Undetermined: It remains unclear how frequently or consistently she consumed raw meat. In August 2024, a collage of four images spread on X, allegedly showing "A girls body in China was riddled with parasites after eating raw pork for 10 years." As of this writing, the post had amassed over 38.3 million views. A girls body in China was riddled with parasites after eating raw pork for 10 years pic.twitter.com/Qx8SlPnzgc non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) August 22, 2024 In May 2024, another X post with the images read: "Body riddled with parasites as a result of eating raw pork for 10 years," gaining 16.7 million views. The collage also spread on other social media platforms, such as Threads, Facebook, and Reddit. "Before I read it I thought it was angel wings," one Facebook user wrote. In short, the images are authentic and depict part of a woman's body (lower torso and legs) infected with parasites, which was linked to the consumption of raw pork. However, the person in the collage was 23 years old when the pictures were taken and reportedly started consuming raw pork around the age of 10. Additionally, it remains unclear how frequently or consistently she consumed raw meat. Because of that, we have rated the claim a "Mixture" of truth and falsehoods. TinEye reverse image-search results indicated the collage was first shared online on Jan. 21, 2016. However, our research showed it was shared earlier, on Jan. 19, by China National Radio, the national radio network of China. The caption on the images read (we translated it form Chinese): "The white spots on the legs are caused by parasites. Photo courtesy of the First Provincial Hospital." (news.cnr.cn) According to the report, Tingting, who at the time was 23 years old, had been infected with parasites, specifically cysticercosis, as a result of consuming raw pork over many years. The infestation was confirmed by doctors at the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, who discovered parasites in her brain, eyes, muscles, and other parts of her body (emphasis in bold ours): Recently, Tingting (pseudonym), who is only 23 years old, was infected with parasites in many parts of her body due to eating raw pork. Doctors at the Yunnan Provincial First People's Hospital (Kunhua Hospital) said that raw meat is very susceptible to parasite infection, and it is recommended that citizens try to cook and heat it before eating. Parasites are proteins and can generally be killed by high temperatures. Tingting (pseudonym), 23 years old, is from Yubeng Village, Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Recently, she, who had been in good health before, suddenly developed symptoms of headache and thigh pain. Then, unexplained pain appeared in many parts of her body. In severe cases, even her eyes would hurt, and she would keep crying. After this situation lasted for more than a month, Tingting went to the Department of Neurology of the Provincial First Hospital for treatment last week. In order to find out the cause of Tingting's body pain, the doctor suggested that she first do a brain MRI and a full-body CT scan. After getting the test results, even the experts who have been practicing medicine for many years exclaimed: "It's incredible." - From various imaging examination data, Tingting's brain, back of the eyeball, thighs, abdominal wall, back muscles are full of worms, and even the tongue and facial muscles are infected. The blood test further confirmed that Tingting's cysticercosis antibodies were positive, which was a cysticercosis infection. The article said Tingting's family confirmed she had been eating raw pork since childhood, which led to her parasitic infection (emphasis in bold ours): After careful questioning, the mystery of Tingting's headache was finally solved. "We eat raw pork on the day of slaughtering the pig." Tingting's brother-in-law told reporters that in the local area, when their family or relatives slaughter pigs during festivals, they always put the tenderest meat into seasonings and mix it before eating it raw. Tingting started eating raw meat when she was about 10 years old, but because she was a girl, she didn't eat much, and no one thought that she would be infected with parasites from eating raw meat. The doctor found that there was cysticercosis in Tingting's brain. "This means that some cysticercosis have died, indicating that the infection has lasted for a long time. In addition, the patient had bulging eyes, retinal hemorrhage, multiple infections throughout the body, and epileptic seizures." Professor Meng Qiang, chief physician of the Department of Neurology at the Provincial First Hospital, said that this was the first time he had encountered such a serious cysticercosis infection. Other China-related stories we have recently covered include: Sources: Dapcevich, Madison. "Map Shows 'No Country in History Has Ever Planted as Many Trees as China'?" Snopes, 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/map-planted-trees-china/. PerryCook, Taija. "2 People Dug 'Shortcut' Through Great Wall of China?" Snopes, 1 Sept. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/great-wall-of-china-hole/. . 21 Jan. 2016, https://news.120ask.com/post/11666.html. _. https://news.cnr.cn/native/gd/20160119/t20160119_521170778.shtml. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024. FILE - Sarah Burton arrives for the British Fashion Awards 2011 at a central London venue, on Nov. 28, 2011. French luxury fashion house Givenchy names Sarah Burton new creative director. (AP Photo/Jonathan Short, File) PARIS (AP) Givenchy has named Sarah Burton creative director for womens and mens collections, with immediate effect, the fashion house announced on Monday. Burton, who stepped down from Alexander McQueen last year, said she was excited to bring to Givenchy my own vision, sensibility and beliefs. Its a great honor to be joining the beautiful house of Givenchy, it is a jewel, she said. Her first collection will be presented during Paris Fashion Week next March. Givenchy, owned by the LVMH conglomerate, named a new CEO, Alessandro Valenti, in July. Burton becomes the eighth designer at the French luxury house founded in 1953 by Hubert de Givenchy, who stayed on until 1995. She is its second female creative director. Burtons predecessors at Givenchy include Alexander McQueen, who designed at the Paris fashion house from 1996-2001. Burton, who created the wedding dress for Kate, the Princess of Wales, stepped down from McQueen after two decades at the brand, and since 2010 as creative director. Owner Kering said upon her exit that she had left an indelible mark. Hilfiger goes full nautical for Fashion Week, with runway show on former Staten Island Ferry boat Tommy Hilfiger attends his Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show onboard a Staten Island Ferry as part of New York Fashion Week on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) NEW YORK (AP) Tommy Hilfiger loves celebrating New York City and its landmarks. He also loves a nautical theme and a big surprise. So for his New York Fashion Week show on Sunday night, the designer brought all those elements together in his typically splashy way, inviting guests aboard a decommissioned ferry boat and giving them not only a runway show but a rap-filled finale. The live musical performance, which electrified the fashion crowd, featured Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Raekwon from Staten Islands own Wu-Tang clan weaving through the runways and seats as they sang. The soundtrack was curated by Questlove, who also served as DJ for Hilfigers February show at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station. Were inspired by nautical this season, Hilfiger told The Associated Press before the show. But its nautical, preppy, collegiate, all-American and modern. So we needed to show it either on the water, on a boat or near the water. Then we found out the Staten Island Ferry was available. The boat, called the John F. Kennedy, served as a Staten Island Ferry until it was decommissioned in 2021. It was bought the following year by investors including actor-comedian Pete Davidson and Saturday Night Live's Colin Jost, who both grew up in the New York City borough. We are really the first people to utilize it (the ferry) for an event, Hilfiger said. Were really excited. Jost was delighted to see the boat being used for the purpose he imagined. Its pretty crazy," he said. "Its one of the few days where Ive been on the boat and been like, Oh, say, this is nice. This is how it can work. I took this exact boat every single morning to high school, Jost added, explaining why he'd bought the boat. "And when it was available, I just loved the vibe of it. Hilfiger's Spring 2025 collection featured nautical style stripes inspired by sailing heritage, the label explained, and casual styles like capri pants and oversized knits. There were Hilfigers much-loved varsity jackets, trench coats, club blazers, and polos. Accessories included bandanas around the neck. Its the New American Prep wardrobe, the label said in a statement, fusing vibrant Ivy League style with everyday coastal functionality. Waiters strolling between the ferry seats served guests Champagne, beer, hot dogs, soft pretzels, and custom boxes of caramel corn with a Hilfiger logo and Statue of Liberty pins inside as a prize. Brooke Shields was having an emotional evening. Her daughter, Grier, was taking a break from her freshman year at college to appear on her first fashion week runway. I got very emotional," Shields said. "It was her first show and this is something she wanted to do. And I said, Youve got to go to college, but its a Sunday, so its okay. Actors Shay Mitchell and Madelyn Cline were among the admirers of the collection. Incredible, as always, said Mitchell. I want every piece. The accessories were phenom, and how do you end a show better than what he did? Kate Middleton Reveals She Has Finished Chemo, Says the 'Last 9 Months Have Been Incredibly Tough' Kate Middleton Reveals She Has Finished Chemo, Says the 'Last 9 Months Have Been Incredibly Tough' "Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown," the Princess of Wales says Will Warr Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales appears in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024 Kate Middleton has finished her chemotherapy treatment and is sharing personal details about her journey since being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. On Monday, Sept. 9, the Princess of Wales released an emotional video message filmed near her family's home in Norfolk last month. It also features her husband, Prince William, and their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. "As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment," Kate says in the video. "The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown. "The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. "This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved. "Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes," she says. Will Warr Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George appear in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024 "I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can," she continues. "Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. "William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyones kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. "To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright." Will Warr Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales appears in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024 PEOPLE understands that the Princess of Wales is looking forward to undertaking a handful of public engagements over the coming months, however, as she says in todays message, her focus is on being cancer-free and her journey to full recovery is long. She will be returning to a light program of external engagements for the remainder of the year, reflecting the need to focus on making a full recovery. Kate has started to work from home, on projects including her work on early childhood, and will continue to do so over the coming months. She is expected to attend Remembrance Day in November alongside the royal family and has begun plans for her annual carol concert in December at Westminster Abbey. In the heartfelt video, Kate Middleton is captured in tender, private family moments. From driving through the tranquil English countryside with William and their children to sharing affectionate gestures with her husband, the video highlights their close-knit family life. In the woods, Kate leans on Williams shoulder as they watch their kids play, finding solace in nature during her treatment. She is seen leaning against a tree and gently pushing Louis on a swing. The family shares joyful moments playing cards with Kates parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. On the beach, Kate and William relax on a blanket with their dog nearby, and in a touching scene, Kate releases a butterfly from her hands. Will Warr Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales appears in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024 The Princess of Wales has been largely absent from public life throughout the entirety of 2024. After undergoing a planned abdominal surgery in January, Kate announced in a moving video message on March 22 that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving chemotherapy. She has only been seen in an official capacity twice this year on June 15 at Trooping the Colour and on July 14 at Wimbledon, alongside her daughter Princess Charlotte and her sister Pippa Middleton. Related: Kate Middleton Is Potentially Going to Attend Remembrance Day Event in November: Report Will Warr Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales and Prince William appear in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024 In a statement released in June accompanied by a portrait taken under a tree at Windsor, Kate wrote that while she has "good days," the challenges of chemotherapy also brought about tough days, too. In her March video address, she shared that her work continues to bring her "a deep sense of joy," and as she continued cancer treatment this summer, Kate worked from home at Adelaide Cottage. She has held regular meetings with her private secretary Tom White, assistant private secretary Natalie Burrows and the Prince and Prince of Wales' communications secretary Lee Thompson to discuss plans for the future and stay updated on the latest from her various royal initiatives. "It's good not to feel under pressure and just take her time and have slow days if she needs to," a source told PEOPLE over the summer. Related: Why Kate Middleton Is Retreating from the Spotlight After Wimbledon: 'She Will Be Back' (Exclusive) Will Warr Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, Prince William and Princess Charlotte appear in an emotional video message on Sept. 9, 2024 Prince William, 42, returned to public duty Sept. 5 after a summer spent with Kate, also 42, and their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. The three kids returned to school the same week as their father returned to work following a summer spent primarily at their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, as well as time at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where Kate was photographed driving to church at Crathie Kirk on Aug. 25. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and After her Wimbledon appearance in July, royal biographer Robert Jobson, author of the new book Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen, told PEOPLE "Before, she used to live her life by the calendar, and now she is living her life, and the calendar comes in after." He added, "She will be back, but when you have had an experience like this, it changes your perspective and the order of things." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links. If you go to the Philippines, calamansi is ubiquitous. Here in the United States, its more of a rarity. I was first introduced to calamansi by recipe developer and blogger Jasmine Briones of Sweet Simple Vegan. Her mother is Filipino, and Jasmine recreates plant-based versions of the classic Filipino dishes she grew up with. I had never heard of the fruit before, but its been growing in popularity in recent years. Theres calamansi sparkling water and gummy candies, and Trader Joes even sells a calamansi and mango sorbet. So what is this Filipino fruit, and what makes it so special? I spoke to Kristina Razon, deputy food editor at The Kitchn, whos of Filipino heritage, to learn all about the fruit and its significance in the culture. Credit: NurlailiAbd/Shutterstock Credit: NurlailiAbd/Shutterstock Calamansi (also known as calamandin, calamondin, kalamansi, or Philippine limes) is a tropical citrus fruit native to the Philippines. It can also be found all over Southeast Asia. The fruit is about the size of a kumquat with a green exterior when unripe (orange when ripe) and yellowish-orange interior and is mostly in season from mid-August through October. Typically used unripe, its sweet and sour flavor tastes like a mix between a lemon, an orange, and a lime. It is a staple in Filipino cooking and often used as a seasoning to brighten or finish dishes, or drank straight as juice. What Does Calamansi Taste Like? Calamansi has a sweet, sour, citrusy flavor like a mix between a lemon, an orange, and a lime. It is sweeter and not as bracing as a lemon, Kristina says. It has a strong floral citrusy scent that permeates the air as soon as you open it, similar to the scent of a freshly peeled orange or tangerine. The juice is a bright, sunshiney yellow color and fairly opaque (more akin to orange juice than lemon juice). Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Amelia Rampe Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Amelia Rampe How to Use Calamansi You can use calamansi the same way you would any other citrus fruit. Drink the juice straight or mix it into your favorite cocktails, mocktails, or teas. Calamansi juice also goes great in marinades and dipping sauces. In Filipino culture, calamansi is traditionally used as a seasoning or flavoring agent. Its like our version of a lemon or lime. We dont use lemon or lime we use calamansi, Kristina says. Its also typically used unripe for its tartness. When its ripe, its orange and sweet and not at all tart. We strictly only use it as an unripe fruit. Youll find calamansi as a key ingredient in staple dishes like pancit, sisig, and kinilaw. Its often commonly combined in dipping sauces such as toyomansi (with soy sauce) or patismansi (with fish sauce), both of which can be bought pre-made. Filipinos also like to flavor their food as they eat. Kristina explains, A huge cultural feature of the cuisine is called sawsawan. So you have dishes on the table of different seasonings whether its vinegar, or fish sauce, or soy sauce, or halves of calamansi, and then you season your food to taste. While uncommon and not something youd see in the Philippines, you could add calamansi to flavor desserts like pies, ice cream, and cookies. Credit: Alexandra Foster Credit: Alexandra Foster Where to Buy Calamansi Because Filipinos like to use the fruit while its unripe, you wont find fresh calamansi fruit here in the U.S. Instead, youll find different packaged versions at Asian markets or at online stores like Weee!. The purest form you can find is 100% frozen calamansi juice, which is sold in little packets. You can also find bottled or canned calamansi juice, which may also contain sugar and water. Credit: Alexandra Foster Credit: Alexandra Foster Kristina says you can find shelf-stable versions of calamansi, but its far too sweet for her liking. Theres also a powder you can get. My mom would sometimes use that to sprinkle on noodle dishes. In a pinch, you can make a decent enough substitute using a mixture of lemon juice, lime juice, and sugar. Calamansi Recipes to Try Further Reading We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Ice Cream, and They All Said the Same Thing Tuscan Chicken Is the "Most Delicious" Dinner of All Time, Says Everyone Who's Tried It Ball Just Dropped the Most Beautiful Mason Jars for Its 140th Anniversary ("So Iconic!") Sign up for The Kitchn's Daily newsletter to receive our best recipes, posts, and shopping tips in your inbox. About fall, Vincent Van Gogh once said, As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see. For the art appreciators among us here in Charlotte, our own museums have worked hard to carefully curate a fall exhibition program that will fill your season with canvas, color and multimodal experiences that will bring beauty and inspiration to the Queen City. Ann Tanksley, Canal Builders II, 1989, oil on linen, 36 x 25.5 inches, part of the From the Heart: The John and Vivian Hewitt Collection of African-American Art, on view now through Jan. 20, 2025. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture This year, the Gantt Center has been leaning into its Jubilee Year under the leadership of its new president and CEO Bonita Buford as well as celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding with a slate of special exhibitions. This fall, the trend toward emphatic celebration of Black creative achievement continues as The Gantt will immerse visitors in a rich tapestry of artistic expression and cultural reflection through three exhibitions. Becoming the Sea: Black Rock Senegal x Harvey B. Gantt Center, curated by Japan-based consultant Dexter Wimberly opened last month and runs through Jan. 20, 2025. The show features work from 12 artists that participated in the Black Rock Senegal residency founded by artist (and Obama portraitist) Kehinde Wiley in its first two years. Tajh Rust, Not Without Laughter, detail, 2024. The work is at the Gantt Center as part of the Becoming the Sea exhibit Through a collection of contemporary works, the exhibition explores themes of identity, heritage and global interconnectedness through multiple genres, including paintings, photography, sculpture and text. Works like Katherina Olschbaurs Aissatou, ask the viewer to pause and reflect. When one also considers its titleaissatouan Arabic name that can mean inconquerable, powerful, complete and rebellious, the viewer might ascribe additional meaning to the work. Becoming the Sea offers an immersive experience that reflects on the fluidity and depth of artistic expression across cultures and continents. The Gantt Center also is showcasing From the Heart: The John and Vivian Hewitt Collection of African American Art, a display of over 60 pieces from the Hewitt Collection, through Jan. 20, 2025. This exhibition highlights the impact of John and Vivian Hewitts passion for preserving and promoting Black Art. Ernest Crichlow, Suburban Woman, 1979, collage with acrylic on paper, 19.75 x 15 inches. This is part of the Gantt Centers new exhibit From the Heart: The John and Vivian Hewitt Collection of African-American Art. Visitors can expect to see an array of works from prominent artists such as Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and Elizabeth Catlett. From the Heart not only celebrates the artistic achievements of these creators but also underscores the Hewitts pivotal role in shaping the narrative of Black Art through their personal collection. Romare Bearden (1911-88). CottonWorkers, circa 1941, gouache on paper on board. This piece by the Charlotte native is part of the Mint Museum Uptowns upcoming Southern/Modern exhibition. Finally, American Gurl, presented in partnership with Womxn X Windows opens on Nov. 2, and examines the complexities of American femininity and identity through the lens of eight intergenerational filmmakers. This provocative film exhibition features a selection of works from names like Carrie Mae Weems, Ayanna Dozier and Savanah Leaf, among others. They challenge and redefine traditional notions of gender, culture, and beauty. Through this spectrum of artistic voices, American Gurl invites viewers to engage in a nuanced exploration of what it means to be an American woman in todays world. Kilo Kish, still from Death Fantasy, part of the Gantt Centers American Gurl exhibition on view from Oct. 4 until April 13, 2025. The Mint Museum This fall, the Mint Museum will unveil a series of exhibitions that highlight diverse artistic expressions and cultural narratives. On view from Sept. 4 to Oct. 27, The Communion of White Dresses takes its inspiration from North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Greens work of the same name. This exhibition, developed during residencies at the McColl Center last fall, offers a study of the symbolic and aesthetic power of white dresses and its intersection with Black female identity. The Communion of White Dresses - The Community of White Dresses opening celebration at Mint Museum Uptown. A continuation of its Constellation CLT series, which spotlights the work of artists in the community, Adaptations opened Sept. 6, presenting the work of Vietnamese native and UNC Charlotte alum Kenny Nguyen. Nguyens vivid textile sculptures defy generic categorization, marrying traditional painting and fiber art through innovative and original technique. This show runs through March 2, 2025. Adaptations, which opened Sept. 6 at Mint Museum Uptown, presents the work of Vietnamese native and UNC Charlotte alum Kenny Nguyen. The Mint Museum continues its exploration of Southern artistic expression with Southern/Modern, opening on Oct. 26 at Mint Museum Uptown. This exhibition, which was first shown in 2023 at the Georgia Museum of Art, is co-curated by the Mints Senior Curator of American Art Jonathan Stuhlman and independent scholar Martha Severens. The Mint describes it as the first exhibition to present a comprehensive survey of works by artists working in the American South in the first half of the 20th Century. Southern/Modern features more than 100 paintings and paper-based pieces, and highlights the evolution of modern art within the Southern United States, focusing on artists who have pushed the boundaries of traditional Southern art practices. It runs through Feb. 2, 2025. Caroline Durieux (1896-1989). Bourbon Street, New Orleans, 1934, black lithograph on paper. This piece is part of the Southern/Modern exhibit which will open at Mint Museum Uptown Oct. 26. By juxtaposing modernist techniques with Southern themes and aesthetics, Southern/Modern presents a compelling narrative of how regional influences have shaped contemporary art movements. The vision for Southern/Modern to include works by artists working in the South in the early 20th century, including works by women and artists of color, opens the door for honest conversation about Southern culture during this period, said Todd Herman, the Mints president and CEO. This exhibition is a continuation of the Mints commitment to give space to artists with diverse backgrounds, stories and talent that have been overshadowed in the past. The exhibition runs through Feb. 2, 2025. Finally, Women of Land and Smoke: Photographs by Graciela Iturbide and Maya Goded opens Nov. 23. This exhibition features the evocative photographic works of Iturbide and Goded. They are acclaimed Mexican artists who capture the essence of womens lives and experiences in their respective cultural contexts with a focus on indigenous communities stretching from Los Angeles to Chile. Through striking images, the show offers an extended exploration of identity, gender and environment, highlighting the personal and political dimensions of womens lives. Maya Goded (Mexican, 1967- ). From the series Healing: Body and Land (Sanaciion: cuerpo y tierra), Los Altos Chiapos, 2019, digital print. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art This season, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art celebrates the year of the woman with an aesthetic program that highlights the work of women artists. This November marks 15 years since French-American sculptor Niki de Saint Phalles iconic Firebird sculpture was installed outside the Bechtler. The sculptures significance to the museums identity, with its female-centric mythological tale on which it is based, led museum staff to thematically connect the dots. The coming year (also the 15th year of the museum itself) will prominently feature the work of women artists, including solo shows of Clare Rojas and Virginia Jaramillo, the latter of which is coming in the spring. The Bechtlers first fall exhibit, Chance Encounters: Surrealism Then and Now, opened Aug. 31 and runs to March 2, 2025. It features works from the Bechtlers permanent collection alongside pieces that were acquired for the installation in conversation with each other. By juxtaposing pieces across different mediums and styles, Chance Encounters highlights the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of artistic creation. Germaine Richier, La Sauterelle (The Grasshopper), 1946, Bronze, 54 12 x 67 x 34 12 in. This is part of the Bechtler Museums Chance Encounters: Surrealism Then and Now exhibit. Curator Katia Zavistovski said the show is special in how it endeavors to expand the definition of Surrealism as a Eurocentric movement to one that was, more accurately, a global phenomenon. Thats something that I really wanted to highlight in this exhibition and is why the works in the show represent artists from 10 different countries across four continents. There are works by artists from Europe, the US, Mexico, Indonesia, Kenya, Zavistovski said. Heri Dono, A Composition with Figures and a Cart, 2005, Mixed media and collage on cardboard. This is in the Bechtlers Chance Encounters: Surrealism Then and Now exhibit. It feels really both exciting and much more historically accurate than a lot of past shows of Surrealism that really focus on Europe as the center, she added. Im really pleased to be able to put these works into dialogue and to have a diverse representation of artists in the show. Clare Rojas: Past the Present, opens Sept. 21 and reintroduces Charlotte to the imaginative world of San Francisco-based artist Rojas. Though Rojas work is represented locally through SOCO Gallery, it has been nearly two decades since her work has been exhibited in the South. Known for her vibrant and eclectic mix of painting, printmaking and sculpture, Rojas infuses her work with whimsical narratives and bold, geometric forms with Surrealist echoes. This exhibition showcases her visual language that intertwines elements of abstraction with storytelling, creating a playful yet profound commentary on themes of identity, nature and urban life. Zavistovski enjoys working with living artists and is quick to note that this show has been organized in close collaboration with Rojas. Clare Rojas, Tired of thinking, 2021, oil on linen, 50 x 40 in. Collection of Angella and David Nazarian, Los Angeles. This piece is in the Bechtler Museums Clare Rojas: Past the Present exhibit, which opens Sept. 21 When youre able to hear directly from the artist, their thoughts behind a particular work or their ideas in terms of what works, thats just always such a special thing, she said. Its been a real pleasure working with her to put this show together and to build the checklist. And when youre able to find an artist like Rojas whose work makes connections between past and present, that opens up new ways of thinking about the permanent collection and new ways of thinking about art from the past. More arts coverage Want to see more stories like this? Sign up here for our free Inside Charlotte Arts newsletter: charlotteobserver.com/newsletters. You can join our Facebook group, Inside Charlotte Arts, by going here: facebook.com/groups/insidecharlottearts. And to find all of our Fall Arts Guide stories in one place online, go to charlotteobserver.com/topics/charlotte-fall-arts-guide Gold mining in the United States dates back to the late 1700s when small-scale operations were first established in the eastern states. The 1848 discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in California sparked the famous California Gold Rush, drawing thousands of prospectors West in search of fortune. Over the decades, gold mining evolved from individual prospecting to large-scale industrial operations, with states like Nevada and Alaska becoming major gold producers. However, according to gold expert Dan Barrett of Pacific Precious Metals, this age-old hobby is making a comeback, captivating a new generation of enthusiasts. According to Pacific Precious Metals, more than 185,000 TikTok searches were made last month for gold mining locations across the U.S. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become key players in the renewed interest in gold mining, Barrett says. Trending hashtags such as #GoldRush, #GoldMining, and #FindYourFortune is helping users share their gold hunting adventures. Videos capturing the thrill of gold panning, the joy of finding nuggets, and tips for locating gold-rich areas are attracting millions of views." How to Find the Best Gold Mining Locations Pacific Precious Metals Treasure hunters are flocking to rivers, beaches, and historic mining sites, eager to uncover America's hidden riches. Dan Barrett shares insights on the top locations where you're most likely to strike goldquite literally. Panning Rivers and Streams According to Barrett, traditional gold panning is making a comeback, particularly in areas like Californias Sierra Nevada and Alaskas Yukon River. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Viral clips of prospectors discovering gold flakes in riverbeds spark interest, inspiring more people to test their luck with a gold pan. Finding Gold at the Beach Can you find gold at the beach? Yep! Black sand beaches in places like Nome, Alaska, and those along the Oregon Coast are known for their fine gold particles. TikTok videos showcasing beach mining techniques have gained thousands of likes, proving the beach is for more than just sunbathing. Desert Gold Discoveries Dry wash areas in Arizona and Nevada offer golden opportunities for those willing to brave the desert heat. With more videos surfacing of treasure hunters enduring the sun to find nuggets, interest in desert gold prospecting is on the rise. Historic Mines and Tailings Prospectors are revisiting historic gold mining regions like Californias Mother Lode and Cripple Creek in Colorado, where the past meets the present. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement TikTok and YouTube users share their gold finds, proving that Americas old mining districts still hold untapped potential. Gold Revealed by Glaciers In Alaska and Montana, receding glaciers are exposing new gold deposits. Viral content showcasing these breathtaking landscapes and glittering discoveries is inspiring adventurers to seek gold in these remote locations. Gold Prospecting in America AleMasche72 via Getty Images While gold mining in the United States has a long history dating back centuries, a new generation of prospectors rekindles interest in this time-honored pursuit. Fueled by social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, the thrill of discovering gold is reaching millions. As Dan Barrett of Pacific Precious Metals suggests, whether youre panning in a river or scouring desert sands, the opportunity to strike gold is more accessible than ever before. Would you like to try food from Cambodia, New York, Hungary, and Cuba? These are all on the menu at the Consulate. The hidden gem of Atlanta has a little bit of everything on its resident menu like lamb chops from Greenland, shrimp from Papua New Guinea, and jollof rice from West Africa. These and more delicacies can be enjoyed in a formal, colorful dining room covered in equally-multicultural decor. But while there are other restaurants that offer food from around the world, the Consulate features something else that's very singular. Every 90 days, the restaurant has a new country serve as the star of the menu and offers cuisine from that country. How do they decide which one to highlight? Co-owner Douglas Hines explained their unique method. New restaurant: OMG, Usher helps open first Dave's Hot Chicken in Georgia with more restaurants to come The Consulate in Atlanta offered Sopa Paraguaya, the national dish of Paraguay, for a limited time around spring 20204. "The first Friday of the new quarter is usually when we have what we call a 'spin night,'" he said. "We give out raffle tickets to everybody in the restaurant. Around 8:30 or 8:40, we put all the tickets into an ice bucket, mix them up, and start drawing numbers....Once we announce that number, that person will then follow me to the lounge where we have a giant globe. That person spins the globe as hard as they can, close their eyes, and point. Wherever their finger lands is the next menu." The new menu is crafted by chef and co-owner Mei Lin, who is also Hines' wife. Between menus, Lin takes the 90 days to carefully study and experiment with the country's culture, cuisine, and cooking style. "I do a lot of research online, I read a lot of the background, history, stories, and also watch a lot of chefs from the country," she said. "What's the most popular dish from that country? What techniques and spices do they use? I watch a lot of videos until I have all of the information and then I implement them in my kitchen." If a country is picked that has already been highlighted, they do it again. Over the last eight years, the activity has become a fun tradition for the restaurant's community of regulars. Hines and Lin are very proud of their love and continued support, holding close to five stars on multiple review sites. Here's what some recent Yelp reviewers said about it: "The variety of beers was amazing and a welcome change from the typical beers found within the vicinity. The Hungarian menu was super good....Would definitely come back at least once every three months when the menu changes." "So good! Great service, such a creative idea. I love the ambiance of this restaurant and menu switch around the globe every 90 days. Great place to take parents when visiting!" "This is a gem. The ambiance, the food and the service is everything. We celebrated my boyfriend's 60th birthday and they treated us like VIP. Eric was our server and he was absolutely amazing. This is a definite 10 out of 10! "I frequent this place because of the global rotating cuisine and customer favorites on the menu. Best chefs in town! Don't miss out! Get you a reservation ASAP!" The Consulate is located in Midtown at 10 10th Street NW. It's open 5-11 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For more information, go to theconsulateatlanta.com. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: The Consulate in Atlanta has customers pick food from around the world ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) One person is dead and another is recovering in the hospital following a shooting Sunday night during a large fundraising event, according to the Rowan County Sheriffs Office. The shooting occurred just before 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, at 585 Oak Mountain Road. Deputies said this address is frequently used as an open arena event center, and there was some type of fundraising event going on at the time, with a large crowd in attendance. A man, whose identity and age is not being released at this time, was found lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to his chest. Bystanders were administering aid as police arrived. MORE FROM QUEEN CITY NEWS Crime & Public Safety A deputy at the scene, who was a former firefighter and EMT, administered lifesaving aid to the victim. The person was rushed to Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte and has since died. While at the scene, deputies learned that there was another shooting victim who had been transported by private vehicle to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. That person is listed in stable condition. Identities are not being released at this time, pending family notification, authorities said. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional details is asked to call Lt. Ryan Barkley with the Rowan County Sheriffs Office at 704-216-8711. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic Party's candidate for the highest state office, said she is ready for a televised debate with her opponent, Republican Donald Trump, Trend reports. Harris, responding to a reporter's question on September 8, said she was "ready" to debate Trump, giving him a thumbs-up sign. Earlier, The New York Times cited the results of a public opinion poll conducted by the Siena Research Institute before the September 10 debate. The poll results show that Harris and Trump have virtually identical levels of voter support, with 48% of respondents supporting Trump and 47% of respondents supporting Harris. The debate between the two presidential candidates will be broadcast on September 10 on ABC television in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Trump and Harris will have to wait until their opponent finishes speaking, with their microphone turned off, and their response time will be limited to two minutes. Only meeting moderators will be able to ask questions. The use of ready-made notes will be prohibited. The US presidential election will be held on November 5. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) One person was killed in a fire in Orleans County early Monday morning, according to the Orleans County Sheriffs Office. Crews responded to 1850 Sawyer Road in the Town of Carlton around 3:40 a.m. Monday. At the location, a house trailer, two sheds, and two vehicles were on fire. The person who died, who has not yet been identified, was found in the house. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Orleans County Sheriffs Investigators at (585) 589-5527. Latest Local News Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Ten retired U.S. military generals and admirals are backing Vice President Harris and warning against picking former President Trump in the upcoming election, according to a new letter. In the National Security Leaders for America letter, first reported by Axios, the former officers write that Harris is the only presidential candidate in the race who is fit to serve as commander in chief, while painting Trump as a danger to our national security and our democracy. Harris has demonstrated her ability to take on the most difficult national security challenges in the Situation Room and on the international stage, from rallying our allies against Russias brutal invasion of Ukraine to standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies in the Indo-Pacific against Chinas provocative actions, to advancing U.S. leadership on space and artificial intelligence, they write. They add that Harris is a staunch supporter of service members, veterans and their families, while Trump continually disrespects those who serve in uniform, including wounded warriors, prisoners of war, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Included on the letter are three four-stars officers, Adm. Steve Abbot; former deputy Homeland Security adviser to President George W. Bush, Gen. Lloyd W. Newton; and Gen. Larry R. Ellis. The former military officers highlight the chaotic 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, placing the blame on Trumps shoulders for leaving President Biden and Harris with no plans to execute a withdrawal after his administration made a deal with the Taliban to pull U.S. service members from the country. This chaotic approach severely hindered the Biden-Harris Administrations ability to execute the most orderly withdrawal possible and put our service members and our allies at risk, they write. Trump and House Republicans have made the Afghanistan withdrawal a main point of attack on Harris, with the House Foreign Affairs Committee this week releasing a report criticizing Biden for a rushed effort taken against the counsel of allies and advisers that led to the unnecessary deaths of 13 American service members in a suicide bombing. The report, released after the three-year anniversary of the U.S. exit, highlights Harriss involvement in the decision. It notes that she appears to have been working in lockstep with Biden, but offers limited discussion of any specific role she played in the planning or execution of the pullout. Trump also tried to highlight Harriss inclusion in the Afghanistan withdrawal at a campaign stop at Arlington National Cemetery, visiting the grave of a Marine killed in the suicide attack. That visit ignited criticism from the Harris campaign and some veterans after cemetery officials said Trump had violated rules prohibiting election-related activities at the cemetery. The White House, meanwhile, has accused House Foreign Affairs Committee leadership of omitting key details and failing to account for the role of the Trump administration in the deadly withdrawal, defending Bidens decision to leave. Trump and Harris on Tuesday are set to debate each other in Philadelphia, their first such event. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY Md. (DC News Now) A 12-year-old boy accused of stealing multiple cars from Montgomery County dealerships was apprehended for a tenth time this time near the University of Marylands College Park campus. As with the nine times before, the boy was released to his parents and will not be charged with a crime. Shortly before 11:45 p.m. on Sept. 8, a University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) officer saw a boy riding an e-scooter on the sidewalk in the area of Guildford Drive near Hartwick Road. The officer went to talk with him, but he got off the scooter and tried hiding. 12-year-old boy accused of stealing car after multiple break-ins at Montgomery County dealerships, police say More officials arrived at the scene to look for him, and the boy was found hiding behind some dumpsters in a loading dock in the 4300 block of Hartwick Road. UMPD said the boy was 12 and that the e-scooter he was on did not belong to him. He also had a key fob belonging to a black Tesla, which was found with its trunk open on nearby Guildford Drive near the loading dock. Officers said the car came back to a dealership in Montgomery County, and UMPD alerted the police department there about the Tesla. Five days before the incident at UMD, the Montgomery County Department of Police (UMPD) said the same 12-year-old boy entered a business on Parklawn Drive, stole a car and fled the scene. He was caught the same day and released to his parents. MCPD believes the other incidents involve break-ins in Rockville and Bethesda. In total, UMPD said there are 10 cases involving the same boy, starting from March to the latest incident on Sept. 8. In all of these cases, the boy has not been charged with a crime. In Maryland, children under 13 can not be charged with a crime unless it is a crime of violence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A student has been charged in connection with a threat made against Laurens Middle School on Monday. According to Laurens Police Department, a 12-year-old minor has been charged with student threats following a social media post which threatened Laurens Middle School. The threat was reported to Laurens Police on Monday, and investigators worked with Laurens County School District 55 to investigate. The school district said on Facebook the threats were not made at school and there was never a threat made in the building and no weapons were found on the student or at the Laurens Middle School campus. We want to assure you that this matter has been handled with the utmost urgency and diligence. Everyones safety is our top priority, and we are thankful for the collaboration between the school district and our police department, the district said. The treat at Laurens Middle School is the second one made to a Laurens District 55 school this week. On Sunday, the district said it was notified of a threat made on social media by a student at Gray Court-Owings School. The threat was also found not to be credible and the district said it would take appropriate disciplinary actions in both instances. Schools across the Upstate and in Georgia have multiple reports of threats in the days following the Appalachee high School shooting last Wednesday, which left four dead and multiple others injured. A 14-year-old has also been arrested in connection with a threat made toward a Georgia school in Elbert County and three students were arrested on Friday in connection with threats made at two schools in Hart County. On Monday, a Greer Middle School student was arrested in connection with threats towards Greer high School and Easley Police said it has investigated threats made against a local school as well. A threat was also made over the weekend toward a school in Abbeville County, which was found to not be credible. We ask that you have conversations with your children regarding the appropriate use of technology, monitor their social media accounts, and remind them not to post inappropriate messages that may intend to harm others or deter students from coming to school. We take these matters seriously to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff, said District 55. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Prominent Republicans have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign. Liz Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, announced their support for Harris. Republican speakers at the DNC included Adam Kinzinger, Olivia Troye, and Stephanie Grisham. Vice President Kamala Harris is earning endorsements from prominent Republicans as she faces off against former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. The Harris campaign has ramped up outreach to Republicans and conservatives dissatisfied with Trump, launching a "Republicans for Harris" initiative and enlisting high-profile Republicans such as former Rep. Adam Kinzinger to address the Democratic National Convention. Harris also said in a CNN interview in August that she would appoint a Republican to her Cabinet. Here are some of the famous Republicans who have thrown their support behind Harris and disavowed Trump. Former Sen. Jeff Flake Former Sen. Jeff Flake. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Flake represented Arizona in the Senate and the House and now serves as the US ambassador to Turkey. In a video posted to X on Monday, Flake announced his support of Harris and Walz and highlighted the importance of "putting country over party." "I've served with Kamala in the US Senate. I've also served with Tim in the House of Representatives," he said. "I know them. I know first of hand of their fine character and love of country. I would encourage all Republicans who feel this way to do the same." Former Rep. Liz Cheney Former Rep. Liz Cheney. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Like Kinzinger, Liz Cheney voted to impeach Trump and served on the House January 6 committee investigating the attack on the Capitol. She shared that she would vote for Harris while speaking at an event at Duke University in September. "And as a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this," she said. "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." Former Vice President Dick Cheney Former Rep. Liz Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images Days after Liz Cheney announced her endorsement of Harris, her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, followed suit. Dick Cheney served with President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009 and endorsed Trump in 2016. "In our nation's 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump," the former vice president said in a statement released in September. "He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him." Anthony Scaramucci Anthony Scaramucci. AP Trump's former White House communications director, who was ousted after 10 days on the job, endorsed Harris in September and said that he was "working to help her" in an interview with SBS News. Jimmy McCain Jimmy McCain. Gary Gershoff/WireImage/Getty Images Jimmy McCain is the youngest son of former Sen. John McCain, whose military service Trump insulted by saying, "I like people who weren't captured." McCain told CNN's Jake Tapper in September that he registered as a Democrat after years as an independent and would vote for Harris. "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. That's really what matters at the end of the day," he said. He also slammed Trump's August visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where he filmed a campaign video and clashed with a cemetery employee, as "a violation." Stephanie Grisham Stephanie Grisham. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Stephanie Grisham served as Melania Trump's communications director and chief of staff as well as Trump's White House press secretary. In her speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, Grisham said Trump has "no empathy, no morals, and no fidelity to the truth." "I love my country more than my party," Grisham said. "Kamala Harris tells the truth. She respects the American people and she has my vote." Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Adam Kinzinger, a former House representative from Illinois, was one of the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the January 6 insurrection. He also served on the congressional committee investigating the January 6 attack. "I know Kamala Harris shares my allegiance to the rule of law, the Constitution, and democracy," he said in his speech at the Democratic National Convention in August. Olivia Troye Olivia Troye. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Olivia Troye served as a national security advisor to former Vice President Mike Pence. She endorsed Harris in a speech at the Democratic National Convention. "To my fellow Republicans: You aren't voting for a Democrat. You're voting for democracy," Troye said of supporting Harris. "You aren't betraying our party you're standing up for our country." Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan Geoff Duncan. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Geoff Duncan served as the lieutenant governor of Georgia, where Trump attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election. "Let me be clear to my Republican friends at home watching: If you vote for Kamala Harris In 2024, you're not a Democrat. You're a patriot," he said in his remarks at the Democratic National Convention. Mayor John Giles John Giles. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona, declared his support for Harris in an op-ed published in the Arizona Republic in July, calling her "the competent, just, and fair leader our country deserves." He also criticized Trump's unwillingness to accept his defeat in 2020 and his role in blocking a bipartisan border security bill "for personal gain." At the Democratic National Convention, Giles said that he felt "more at home here than in today's Republican party." Former Rep. Barbara Comstock Barbara Comstock. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Former Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia told CNN in August that she planned to vote for Harris. Comstock also shared that she did not vote for Trump in 2016 or 2020. "I mean, this is the most misogynist ticket we've ever had," she said of Trump and his running mate, JD Vance. "This is not something that my party should accept." Ana Navarro Ana Navarro. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Ana Navarro, a cohost of "The View," compared Trump to communist dictators in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, citing similarities such as attacks on the press and refusing to accept election results. "Donald Trump and his minions call Kamala a communist," she said at the DNC. "I know communism. I fled communism from Nicaragua when I was 8 years old. I don't take it lightly." Former Rep. Joe Walsh Joe Walsh. Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Politicon Former Illinois congressman Joe Walsh supported Trump's campaign in 2016. In 2019, he apologized for helping put "an unfit con man in the White House." Walsh challenged Trump in the 2020 Republican primary but dropped out after the Iowa caucus. He endorsed Harris in August and has campaigned for her in states such as New Hampshire and Arizona. Read the original article on Business Insider Two 13-year-olds and an 11-year-old have been arrested and charged with making terroristic threats against Montgomery Public Schools, police say. A 13-year-old boy was arrested Sunday night after reports of the threats spread on social media. He was arrested by the Montgomery Police Department Special Operations division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force and placed in the Montgomery County Youth Detention Facility. On Monday, police announced they also arrested a 13-year-old girl and an 11-year-old girl on the same charges as part of the investigation. "Upon learning of the social media posts yesterday, the Montgomery Police Department quickly took action," MPD Maj. Saba Coleman said in a statement. "Threats of gun violence in our school system, whether online or in person, are treated with utmost seriousness by MPD. Our investigators worked diligently and in close partnership the Montgomery Public School system and local and federal partners to identify and apprehend the individual responsible for this threat." Montgomery Police Department Interim Chief of Police James Graboys during a news conference at the police station in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday August 14, 2024. Coleman announced the arrest of the second teenager Monday afternoon. MPS said Sunday that students would attend their normal classes Monday and that school officials were aware of social media posts that suggest threats to local schools. MPS, MPD and the District Attorney's Office held a joint news conference Monday afternoon discussing the investigation. As mentioned, social media can be a powerful tool, but it can also be a place to make bad decisions, powerful decisions," Superintendent Melvin Brown said. ... Students, please think before you post." District Attorney Daryl Bailey promised to make an example out of the arrested children. Bailey also said if he finds any proof that the parents of the children were in any way involved, he will charge them with crimes. Curtis Forte, the chief of security for MPS, said he will do what he must to ensure children can learn safely in the district. We will not be bullied to the point that we will not be educating our kids," Forte said. Montgomery School Superintendent Melvin Brown in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday January 5, 2023. MPD responded quickly to the situation said Jim Graboys, interim chief of police. "The Montgomery Police Department wants to reassure the community that the safety and security of our schools and students is our top priority," he said. "We will continue working tirelessly to prevent and address potential threats to our educational institutions. We thank the public for their vigilance and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe learning environment for all." The Prattville Police Department was posting updates on the school situation on the agencys Facebook page. An elevated law enforcement presence was expected on campuses in the city Monday. A threat to an unnamed Elmore County School was made online Sunday night, said Superintendent Richard Dennis. A student has been identified and law enforcement is investigating the situation, he said. There were no reports of incidents or issues relating to school operations in Autauga or Elmore counties. Shannon Heupel contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Two 13-year-olds, 11-year-old charged with making school threats ELBERT COUNTY, G.A. (WSPA) A 14-year-old girl was arrested Saturday after a social media threat was made toward an Elbert County high school. Officials with the Elbert County Emergency Services said around 4 p.m. authorities were made aware of a threat made via social media to Elbert County Comprehensive High School. The Elbert County Sheriffs Office responded to the students residence. Law enforcement said the teenager admitted to investigators that she made the post on social media. The student was apprehended and charged with terroristic threats made against the school. Officials said the teenager remains in custody at the Regional Youth Detention Center in Washington, Georgia. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was also contacted to assist with the incident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. UPDATE 9/9/24 8:54 p.m.: More information has been confirmed regarding the arrest of a 15-year-old arrested on 11 counts of felony terrorist threats. The LaGrange Police Department says the juvenile has been transported to the Regional Youth Detention Center. In addition to transferring the juvenile, a search was conducted on the juveniles place of residence. According to LPD, no weapons were found during the search. UPDATE 9/9/24 1:22 p.m.: A student has been arrested in relation to the shooting threats circulating social media on Monday. According to LaGrange Police, a 15-year-old male enrolled with the local school system has been arrested. He was taken to LaGrange Police Department where he was charged through the Troup County Juvenile Court with 11 counts of felony terrorist threats. The charges stem back to threats made through social media to shoot up 11 local schools in the Troup County School System, according to police. TROUP COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL) Law enforcement agencies in Troup County say they are continuing to increase patrols at local schools. This decision comes as apparent shooting threats are circulating social media, although authorities do say no credible threats to a specific campus have been received. According to a news release, LaGrange Police Department and the Troup County Sheriffs Office are working jointly to address the issue. LPD says its investigators and detectives are trying to find the source of the social media post, and should that person be found, they will be arrested and charged to the full extent of the law of the State of Georgia. Patrols originally increased last week following a shooting in Winder, Georgia at Apalachee High School. WRBL 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. Its been 17 months since the Supreme Court heard a religion case. When will the streak end? The Supreme Court didnt shy away from contentious topics last term. It ruled on abortion, guns, homelessness and a number of other issues, attempting to bring clarity to unsettled debates. What the Supreme Court didnt do was take up any of the religious freedom questions that arrived on its doorstep. The justices havent heard a religion case since April 2023. The religion-free streak is a big shift from the past dozen terms or so where we had a pretty steady flow of religious liberty cases, said Mark Rienzi, president and CEO of Becket, during a Sept. 4 press call. Its not yet clear whether the streak will end when the Supreme Court is back in session. The justices havent yet agreed to hear a religious liberty case during the 2024-25 term, but theyll consider two possible candidates during their private conference on Sept. 30. Heres an overview of the religion cases that could make it onto the Supreme Courts schedule over the next few months. Religion cases that have been appealed to the Supreme Court Here are the three religious freedom cases that have the best shot at being taken up by the Supreme Court during the 2024-25 term. Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections Key question: The Louisiana Department of Corrections shaved Damon Landors dreadlocks, ignoring his religious freedom claim. Can he sue for damages under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, or RLUIPA, even though hes no longer imprisoned? Lower court ruling: The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that former prisoners like Landor cant seek relief using RLUIPA. Timing: The justices are expected to debate whether to take the case during their Sept. 30 conference. Just four years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that RLUIPAs sister statute, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, does allow people to seek monetary damages when other forms of relief are not relevant or available, as the Deseret News reported at the time. Young Israel of Tampa v. Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority Key question: The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority declined to sell advertising space to Young Israel because of its policy against promoting religious content. Are government organizations allowed to ban religious advertising from public spaces? Lower court ruling: The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals handed a limited victory to Young Israel, saying that the transit authoritys policy was unreasonable but did not represent unlawful religious discrimination. Young Israel has asked the Supreme Court to address whether bans on faith-related advertisements violate the First Amendment. Timing: The justices are expected to debate whether to take the case during their Sept. 30 conference. Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission Key question: What should count as a religious organization under the law? Wisconsin officials have said Catholic Charities doesnt qualify, in part because it serves and employs non-Catholics and doesnt focus on converting people to Catholicism. Lower court ruling: The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Catholic Charities does not meet the states criteria for religious behavior and therefore does not qualify for a faith-based tax exemption. Timing: The response brief from Wisconsin officials is due Nov. 8. Religion cases expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court soon After an individual or organization appeals to the Supreme Court, their legal opponents, known as the respondents, have at least one month and sometimes up to three months to file a response brief. Then, the justices conference on the case and debate whether or not to grant cert and place it on the oral arguments schedule. The following three will be appealed to the Supreme Court later this month but may not be conferenced until early next year. If the justices agree to hear one or more of the cases, theyll either be scheduled for the final few weeks of oral arguments in April or be one of the first cases heard in the 2025-26 term, Rienzi said. Theyre on the cusp, he said. Apache Stronghold v. United States Key question: Does the governments plan to allow copper mining in Oak Flat, a site thats sacred to the Western Apaches and other Native American groups, violate religious freedom protections? Lower court ruling: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the Apache Stronghold, determining that the destruction of Oak Flat does not constitute a substantial burden on religious freedom under the law. Timing: Apache Stronghold is expected to file its Supreme Court appeal this month. Mahmoud v. McKnight Key question: A public school district in Maryland uses books that promote LGBTQ rights in its classrooms, and it does not allow parents to review the books or opt their kids out of the lessons. Does that approach violate religious families free speech and free exercise rights? Lower court ruling: The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the religious parents who challenged the school districts policies. Timing: The group of parents is expected to file its Supreme Court appeal this month. Diocese of Albany v. Harris Key question: New York requires employers to cover abortion care in company health plans, and some religious organizations arent eligible for the religious exemption. Does New York need to expand its exemption to ensure it covers Catholic ministries? Lower court ruling: The New York Supreme Court upheld the states narrow religious exemption. Timing: The diocese is expected to file its Supreme Court appeal this month. Faith-related cases in front of the Supreme Court Although the Supreme Court has not yet taken up a religious freedom case, it has agreed to consider several religiously significant issues, including gender-related health care, gun rights and environmental protection, as the Deseret News previously reported. The health care case, called United States v. Skrmetti, deals with a ban on gender-related health treatments for transgender children and teens. While it isnt a religion case, faith does often shape peoples views on sex and gender, Rienzi noted. United States v. Skrmetti Key question: Does Tennessees ban on gender-related health care for transgender children and teens violate the Constitution since other young people can still access some of those treatments, like hormone therapy? Lower court ruling: The teens who challenged Tennessees law partially won at the district court level. The judge put the states ban on hormone therapy and puberty blockers on hold, but not the ban on gender-transition surgeries, since the teens hadnt been candidates for such surgeries. But then the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that decision and reinstated the law. Timing: Oral arguments have not yet been scheduled. The first day of oral arguments in the Supreme Courts 2024-25 term will be Monday, Oct. 7. New $17M investment to help Charlotte arts, Historic West End and journalism groups Three Charlotte organizations are receiving $17 million from the national nonprofit Knight Foundation to support economic development, culture and community cohesion. The largest portion of the grant $10 million will be allocated to two projects in the Historic West End. The remaining funds will support expanding Charlotte Ballet facilities and the launch of a journalism initiative by North Carolina News Lab Fund. Charlotte Ballet Executive Director Doug Singleton called the Knight Foundation game-changers. As Charlotte grows, so too does its ballet, he said. The new investment is really going to allow us to think about our new facilities and how we can transform the North Tryon block that were on, Singleton said. We see more need and we are running out of space in our current studios. The foundations funding was announced Sunday night at a community celebration at the Mint Museum. The groups were chosen through longtime, ongoing relationships with the foundation, spokeswoman Rebecca Dinar said. Were proud to support and accelerate transformative projects like the Charlotte Ballets new dance facility, a resident-led food cooperative in the Historic West End and the launch of Press Forward Charlotte to strengthen local news, foundation CEO Maribel Perez Wadsworth said in a statement. We invest in their ideas, their visions and their capacity to shape their futures. Historic West End in Charlotte received nearly $10 million from Knight Foundation for two projects: a cooperative grocery store and business development. Shown, Historic West End Partners' Thrive revitalization includes The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecarys second location on Beatties Ford Road. Where the Knight Foundation money will go The four groups receiving Knight Foundation funding are: Local Initiatives Support Corp. Charlotte will receive $8.75 million. LISC will use the funds to support the development of a resident-managed cooperative grocery store in the Historic West End. This initiative aims to provide access to fresh, healthy groceries in Historic West End, which lacks traditional grocery stores. The 15,000-square-foot, mixed-use space will feature a business incubator. Additionally, funding will offer flexible capital solutions for local small businesses. Officials with LISC did not respond to a request for comment. Charlotte Ballet was awarded $5 million for its facility expansion in the North Tryon corridor. The ballets expansion will include housing for artists-in-residence, new dance studios and outdoor event space, according to the city of Charlottes North Tryon Vision Plan. The vision plan calls for a mixed-used development featuring mixed-income housing with retail and restaurant space, as well as space for the ballet and the McColl Center art gallery. The ballets fundraising goal is $60 million, Singleton said. With fundraising getting underway, he said the foundations gift is like a stamp of approval. North Carolina News Lab Fund will see $2 million to support the creation of Press Forward Charlotte. This initiative, part of a larger half-billion-dollar national effort to rejuvenate local journalism, aims to strengthen Charlottes local news system through partnerships with local funders, such as Wells Fargo and United Way of Greater Charlotte. The news lab funding supports a diverse range of information networks across the state, including journalists, community organizers, health workers and storytellers. Historic West End Partners, a business district organization that covers an 8.8-mile historic African-American corridor near uptown Charlotte, will receive $1 million to foster small business and commercial development centered on the needs and desires of residents. In July, the nonprofit and LISC purchased a shopping center for $1.3 million at 1121 Beatties Ford Road, The Charlotte Observer reported. Called Thrive Food Hub, it includes a convenience store and other businesses. Officials with Historic West End Partners did not respond to a request for comment. Ongoing commitment to Charlotte The Knight Foundation has a long history of supporting Charlotte, having invested $100 million in the community over the last 20 years. In the spring, the foundation awarded a $5 million grant to the Charlotte Symphony to go to the orchestras $50 million fundraising campaign to ensure the stability of its endowment. How the Charlotte Symphony quietly raised $41 million to help ensure a stable future The foundations funding has helped drive significant economic and community development, LISC Executive Director Ralphine Caldwell said in a statement. About the Knight Foundation Founded in 1955, the Knight Foundation is a national organization that fosters community engagement, supporting local journalism and advancing the creative economy. It is headquartered in Miami, Florida. It operates in 26 cities, including Charlotte, with a focus on enhancing the quality of life for residents through investments in the arts, culture and journalism. Correction: An earlier version of this story had the incorrect size for the LISC-supported business incubator mixed-use space. It is 15,000 square feet. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan and COP29 Chief Negotiator Yalcin Rafiyev presented Azerbaijan's initiatives within the COP29 agenda at a panel held at the Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI), Trend reports. Yalcin Rafiyev took part in the panel discussion Connecting Continents: Climate Leadership Dialogue from Baku to Belem. He provided the panel with detailed information on the expected outcomes of COP29, the initiatives put forward by Azerbaijan within the framework of the conference agenda, and the potential long-term global legacy of COP29. Brazilian officials and other participants highly appreciated Azerbaijan's efforts in this area, and future prospects for cooperation between the two countries were discussed. This event, which will host COP29 in Azerbaijan, will further strengthen the country's role in international climate policy. MECKLENBERG COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced a confirmed case of measles in a child in Mecklenburg County on Monday. This is the first measles case reported in North Carolina since 2018. Health officials say the child was likely exposed to measles while traveling out of the country. The parents kept the child at home after returning to North Carolina except for one medical visit, and appropriate precautions were taken to avoid spreading the virus. NCDHHS Division of Public Health is working closely with the Mecklenburg County Health Department to ensure readiness to detect and respond to other possible measles cases or exposures. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been even up to two hours after that person has left. Measles can cause serious health complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, especially in children younger than 5 years old. Measles begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days followed by a cough, runny nose and pink eye. A rash starts on the face and upper neck, spreads down the back and trunk then extends to the arms and hands as well as the legs and feet. After about five days, the rash begins to fade. Individuals should stay at home when sick and should call ahead when possible before seeking medical attention to help prevent the spread of the virus. Providers should contact their local health department as soon as measles is suspected. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 2 more lawsuits filed against Hereford House; Over 60 people claim to have fallen ill Two more lawsuits have been filed against the Hereford House Restaurant Company of Kansas Inc. after an employee allegedly contaminated food at the companys former Leawood location. Diago Fayne of Johnson County and Kasey Gilbert of El Dorado Springs, Missouri, filed separate lawsuits in Johnson County District Court last week, bringing the number of customers who have sued after claiming to have fallen ill after eating at the Leawood location to 61, including two children. According to court records, 30 lawsuits now have been filed against the Hereford House after the Johnson County District Attorney charged 21-year-old Jace Christian Hanson with allegedly contaminating food with bodily fluids while he worked at the former Leawood restaurant between March 26 and April 28. In June, prosecutors filed additional charges. Hanson now faces 22 counts of criminal threat for allegedly contaminating food, one count of criminal damage and 10 counts of sexual exploration of a child for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse materials. Hanson is being held on a $500,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing at the end of September. Hereford House closed the Leawood restaurant at 5001 Town Center Drive in Leawoods Town Center Plaza in early August after the much-publicized incident led to financial problems. After troubled Leawood restaurant closes, Hereford House faces four new lawsuits Customers say they got sick after eating at Hereford House In the new lawsuits, both Fayne and Gilbert contend they fell ill after eating at the restaurant on separate dates. Their allegations are similar to those in the previous lawsuits, contending that Hereford House was negligent and breached an implied warranty that its food would be safe. They also include a strict liability claim, alleging that the contaminated food was a defective product that the restaurant served to customers. Fayne also alleges that Hereford House violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. In answers to previous lawsuits, Hereford House denied being negligent and claims it did not know Hanson was allegedly contaminating food until he was arrested on April 25. Hereford House also contends that the alleged contamination resulted from Hansons alleged criminal conduct, which was outside his scope of employment. Fayne contends in his lawsuit that he ate dinner at the Hereford House on April 9. Within hours of leaving, he experienced extreme nausea, stomach pain and other symptoms. Because of his symptoms, he went to the emergency room at Belton Regional Medical Center the next day. Fayne contends his illness was consistent with food poisoning. Since becoming aware of the alleged food contamination, Fayne contends he continues to experience anxiety, distress and fear of future illness. In her lawsuit, Gilbert contends she ate dinner at the Hereford House on March 29 and shortly after began to fall ill, including experiencing nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Gilbert continued to feel sick the next day, with the symptoms consistent with food poisoning. Gilbert contends that after becoming aware of the alleged contamination of food at the restaurant, she suffered additional emotional and psychological distress. The lawsuit says Gilbert continues to experience anxiety distress, including the fear of future illness or medical harm. Hereford House to close Leawood restaurant where former worker allegedly contaminated food OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) A man and a woman are accused of child neglect after two children were found running nude covered in feces, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office. Mobile County inmate facing possible murder charge after attack behind bars OCSO deputies reportedly spotted a boy running nude around 9 a.m. Sunday in the area of Green Acres Road and Green Acres Boulevard. LOCATION: This embedded content is not available in your region. According to an OCSO Facebook post, the boy was spotted running across four lanes of traffic and nearly getting hit by vehicles. Deputies ultimately brought him to safety. Tropical Storm Francine forms in the Gulf of Mexico Deputies found the boy to be covered in his feces, and they cleaned him up and wrapped him up in a towel. They recognized him and brought him to a home near Fort Walton Beach, where they reportedly found another nude child running around, who was also covered in feces. According to the post, OCSO deputies and investigators found deplorable conditions throughout the residence, and prescription medications were within reach of a total of five children who were all under the age of 12. These discoveries reportedly led to the arrests of 34-year-old Danielle Katheryn Roberson and 32-year-old Jacob Allyn Roberson. They are both accused of five counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. Pizza delivery driver robbed at gunpoint, Mobile Police investigating Danielle Roberson and Jacob Roberson. (Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office) Jacob bonded out of jail Monday afternoon, and Danielle remains in jail. The Florida Department of Children and Families is also investigating this incident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) Two University of Rhode Island students were arrested for allegedly assaulting two Narragansett police officers while they were breaking up a house party. The incident occurred Friday night in the Bonnet Shores neighborhood, according to police. Cody Calkins, 21, and Jake Dignam, 20, are both charged with simple assault, obstructing an officer in the line of duty, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. Court records show Calkins is also charged with felony larceny. Both were released on personal recognizance and will be arraigned on Sept. 17. Since Labor Day, police said 22 URI students have been arrested on various charges, including DUI, public urination and littering. In response, the university issued the following statement to Narragansett police: The University is aware of several incidents that occurred in Narragansett over the past weekend and does not condone the reported behavior. Any involvement by URI students will be reviewed consistent with the Universitys Community Standards and Student Conduct System and may result in sanctions, including suspension or dismissal, in addition to any local actions taken. The University appreciates the efforts of local law enforcement and is working closely with the Narragansett police department to uphold and promote the well-being of our community. Additionally, police said the renters and owners of three separate residences will receive Municipal Court summonses for violating the newly amended Public Nuisance Ordinance. Homeowners, renters, and their guests could face fines of up to $500 for a first offense. The Narragansett Police Department will continue to arrest and prosecute offenders in the student-renter community who choose to violate town statutes and ordinances, Chief Sean Corrigan said. Students are reminded of the potentially life-altering consequences of bad choices, and are urged to show respect for each other, the police and the community at-large. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. 2 white supremacists tried to spark race war by soliciting murder and hate crimes on Telegram, feds say Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the statement the arrests and indictments of the suspects "are a warning that committing hate-fueled crimes in the darkest corners of the internet will not hide you, and soliciting terrorist attacks from behind a screen will not protect you." Two white supremacists hoping to start a race war were charged with leading a digital terrorist group on Telegram and directing followers to commit hate crimes, including killing federal officials, prosecutors said. Dallas Humber, 34, of Elk Grove, California, and Matthew Allison, 37, of Boise, Idaho, are charged in the 15-count indictment with soliciting hate crimes, soliciting the murder of federal officials and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California said in a statement Monday. Federal prosecutors allege Humber and Allison are leaders of the "Terrorgram Collective," which authorities described as a "transnational terrorist group." Humber and Allison were arrested Friday, prosecutors said. According to the indictment, which was unsealed Monday, the defendants' terrorist group operated on the digital messaging platform Telegram. The group promoted white supremacist "accelerationism": "an ideology centered on the belief that the white race is superior; that society is irreparably corrupt and cannot be saved by political action; and that violence and terrorism are necessary to ignite a race war and accelerate the collapse of the government and the rise of a white ethnostate," prosecutors said. No one with Telegram could immediately be reached for comment Monday afternoon. It was not immediately clear Monday afternoon whether Humber and Allison have retained attorneys. According to the indictment, Telegram allows users from around the world to send encrypted, one-on-one messages, participate in group chats and share files. Humber and Allison are accused of spreading videos and publications that provided specific advice for carrying out crimes, celebrating white terrorism attacks and providing a list of "high-value targets" for assassination while they were on the platform. The list included names of federal, state and local officials and leaders of private companies, many of whom were targeted because of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity, prosecutors said. The defendants operated channels and group chats where they solicited group members to commit attacks, authorities said. The planned attacks were motivated by enemies of the white race, and they described hitting government buildings, including energy facilities, prosecutors said. The planned attacks also included high-value targets" like politicians and government officials whose murders would "sow chaos and further accelerate the governments downfall," prosecutors said. Some of the planned attacks inspired by the defendants were actually carried out or were foiled, prosecutors said. They include an attack by a person who shot three people, killing two, outside an LGBTQ bar in Slovakia; a planned attack on an energy facility in New Jersey; and an attack by a person who stabbed five people near a mosque in Turkey, prosecutors said. They were charged with one count of conspiracy, four counts of soliciting hate crimes, three counts of soliciting the murder of federal officials, three counts of doxing federal officials, one count of threatening communications, two counts of distributing bomb-making instructions and one count of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, prosecutors said. If convicted on all charges, they face maximum penalties of 220 years in prison, prosecutors said. Allison is expected to make his first court appearance Tuesday, according to prosecutors. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the statement that the arrests and indictments of the suspects "are a warning that committing hate-fueled crimes in the darkest corners of the internet will not hide you, and soliciting terrorist attacks from behind a screen will not protect you." Phillip A. Talbert, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California, said in the statement: "The defendants solicited murders and hate crimes based on the race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity of others." He continued, They also doxed and solicited the murder of federal officials, conspired to provide material support to terrorists, and distributed information about explosives that they intended to be used in committing crimes of violence." Humber and Allison joined Terrorgram in 2019 and became leaders of the group in the summer of 2022, according to the indictment. The defendants rose to leadership when a previous leader was arrested and charged with terrorism crimes and another leader became aware that he was the subject of an investigation related to terrorism, the indictment said. According to the indictment, the defendants inspired other group members to commit attacks, touting white supremacist attackers as heroes of the white race and labeling them as "Saints." Humber and Allison also distributed a publication explaining and justifying the group's ideology, describing how to attack "critical infrastructure" and providing instructions for how to make explosives, including napalm, thermite, pipe bombs and dirty bombs, according to the indictment. After a fatal police shooting in France that led to protests, Humber posted a picture of a sniper pointing a rifle, prosecutors alleged. The post included the message to "ARMED AND POTENTIALLY LETAL FRENCH Bros," they said. According to the indictment, Humber's message with the photo read: "Don't cower in your rooms, waiting for the n----- riots to stop. Instead, load your magazines and get cozy." Late last month, Telegrams multibillionaire CEO and co-founder, Pavel Durov, was charged in France with enabling various forms of criminality in the app. One of the charges, complicity in administering an online platform permitting illicit transactions by an organized group, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, prosecutors said. In his first public comments since his arrest, he wrote on his Telegram channel Thursday that he is aware of criticism about the apps lack of oversight and that changes to the app were coming. He also criticized his arrest. Weve already started that process internally, and I will share more details on our progress with you very soon. Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach," Durov said. "Building technology is hard enough as it is. No innovator will ever build new tools if they know they can be personally held responsible for potential abuse of those tools. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Former President Donald Trump drew fierce backlash this weekend for his latest attack on undocumented immigrants. Two words in particular prompted outrage on social media: bloody story. Getting them out will be a bloody story, the Republican presidential nominee told a campaign rally in Wisconsin while talking about his mass deportation plan should he beat his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, in the 2024 election. They should never have been allowed to come into our country. Nobody checked them, Trump continued, before repeating baseless claims that jails have been emptied in other countries to allow suspects and criminals to flood the United States. Watch the video here: Trump says his Project 2025 plan to throw migrants into mass detention camps will be a bloody story pic.twitter.com/EXoAX0a5zS Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) September 7, 2024 In David Frums latest column for The Atlantic, the former George W. Bush speechwriter doubted Trumps mass deportation would actually come to fruition but noted how the former president often fantasizes about unleashing state violence against groups and people he dislikes. Other critics on X, formerly Twitter, though, opted to take Trump at his word: How are we ok with this? How are we sleepwalking into a presidency where the guy is openly promising to be a dictator, terminate the constitution, put the military on the streets, round up his political opponents, & violently deport undocumented immigrants? How media, how? WTF. https://t.co/ce6NuOF47L Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) September 8, 2024 Getting them out will be a bloody story. The promise of blood being spilled is of course a feature, not a bug, of Trumps promised immigration policy. https://t.co/bofB0Jhmql Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) September 8, 2024 Trump uses the word "bloody" to describe what he plans to do to immigrants. Wake up to the looming atrocity. Volunteer. Donate. Vote. Stop Donald Trump from ruining our country. https://t.co/hu16rqYju6 Mark Jacob (@MarkJacob16) September 8, 2024 Impending bloodshed is the oil that keeps the trump train rolling. https://t.co/M2B5fp66J9 Devin Burghart (@dburghart) September 9, 2024 Bloody story The brutality is the point. https://t.co/GSm0JzBtQ6 Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) September 8, 2024 When we quote him accurately theyll claim we are taking it out of context and that he didnt say this and its some sort of hoax. https://t.co/uTCbNwzVlS Decoding Fox News (@DecodingFoxNews) September 8, 2024 Trump saying the quiet part out loud. Believe every word hes saying, because this is exactly what he will do if he wins in November. https://t.co/itXtrKUw07 Mary Anna Mancuso (@mancusomaryanna) September 9, 2024 Some scarier-than-usual rhetoric at Trump's rally today. He repeated the false claim that Venezuelan gangs have taken over whole apartment buildings in Aurora, CO with weapons "even the military doesn't see". Trump: "Getting them out will be a bloody story" pic.twitter.com/yXOiu8UbTE Dr. Jen Golbeck (@jengolbeck) September 7, 2024 Trumps plan to evict immigrants from the U.S. will be, according to him, a bloody story. Folks, go back and study history. This is exactly what you would expect a fascist movement to look like in the U.S. https://t.co/T4XzQGkJqe Brad Heitmann (@bradheitmann) September 8, 2024 Hey #Wisconsin, fascism is on the ballot. Reject it. Vote for democracy and decency. Vote for @KamalaHarrishttps://t.co/DNcxUUKvIn Chris N. Morfas (@MorfasChrisN) September 8, 2024 Trump's rant yesterday re immigration ("Getting them out will be a bloody story") is a red-lights-flashing, sirens-blaring warning of his Sadistic Personality Disorder. Trump derives pleasure from other people's pain (both emotional and physical pain) and death. We must prevent DrJackBrown (@DrGJackBrown) September 8, 2024 In Wisconsin, Trump/Hitler promises to round up 12M asylum seekers & toss them in detention camps before deporting. He promises violence galore!!! Trump: "Getting them out will be a bloody story. They should have never been allowed to come into our country" MAGA IS A DEATH CULT pic.twitter.com/jxn9oReG9Q Lones Smith (@LonesSmith) September 8, 2024 Donald Trump today promised his military roundup of millions of immigrants will be a "bloody story." The crowd cheered. If you don't see Hitler and Nazis in the MAGA movement, you aren't paying attention.https://t.co/kh0SEEUL5m Good Grief! (@natespuewell) September 9, 2024 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Trump says getting them out will be a bloody story when describing his plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants from the country. This is scary stuff. Retweet so all Americans see this. pic.twitter.com/TfzB6jzVy3 Trump Ls (@Trump_Losses) September 8, 2024 Related... (NewsNation) A new report says that one-fifth of all people with outstanding student loans arent making payments. Some say they cant afford the payments, but many others say theyre holding out for another round of forgiveness by Uncle Sam. With Bidens SAVE plan in limbo, many borrowers face uncertainty as to whether or not they will benefit from lower monthly payments and a clear path to loan forgiveness, Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Intuit Credit Karma, said in a statement. More US and World News While its great to have hope in potential loan forgiveness, borrowers should not put all their eggs in that basket, she said, adding that those struggling to make payments should be proactive and reach out to lenders to learn what options are available. The Saving on a Valuable Education plan is currently not in play, thanks to a federal judges order preventing the Education Department from offering income-driven repayment plans. In August, the Supreme Court rejected a White House appeal to temporarily reinstate the plan. Even before the injunction, many who responded to the Credit Karma survey said they were caught in financial limbo. They earn too much to qualify for SAVE, but too little to make consistent student loan payments. Another troubling finding from the survey: 63% of borrowers who have not been making consistent payments say they are worried about what will happen to their credit scores once their student loan payment history is reported to the credit bureaus next month. Among the other findings in the survey: 38% say theyve depleted their savings to make student loan payments 37% have decreased non-essential spending 31% have taken on more work 26% have cut back on essentials like food and rent 24% have applied for various programs to lower their loan payments 21% have postponed major events like buying a home or having children This survey was conducted online within the United States by Qualtrics on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma between August 3 and August 19. It contacted 1,995 adults ages 18 and older with outstanding student loan debt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUGUSTA (WJBF) Mark your calendars for the 2024 CSRA College Night, Thursday, Sept. 12, 5-8:00 p.m. at the Augusta Convention Center. Area high school students will have a special opportunity to meet recruiters from over 100 colleges and universities and win scholarships totaling $15,000. This year, its at a new location: Thursday, Sept. 12, 5-8:00 p.m. Augusta Convention Center Free admission and parking for attendees The new event will be filled with seminars, career exploration, counseling centers, and helpful exhibits manned by representatives from colleges, universities, and technical schools from throughout the U.S. In addition, members from local professional societies will be prepared to provide beneficial information in areas such as engineering, management, chemical and nuclear science. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. The Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City (Tessa Weinberg/Missouri Independent). Missouri lawmakers will return to Jefferson City this week to consider whether to override any of Gov. Mike Parsons vetoes. And while they are in town, many will also engage in another veto session tradition raising campaign cash at a parade of parties and fundraisers all over the Capitol City. Less than two months out from the November election, there are 25 fundraising events scheduled over the course of three days this week, offering everything from fellowship and coffee to live music to debate watch and karaoke. The first event takes place Monday night, when nine incumbent Republican senators will be joined by eight GOP nominees for open Senate seats at the Jefferson City office of the Armstrong Teasdale law firm. A few of those listed on the Armstrong Teasdale invite are also scheduled to attend another fundraiser at the same time less than a block away at CORK & and Board, which advertises itself as Jefferson Citys one and only board game pub. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX On Tuesday, another 19 fundraisers are scheduled, kicking off at 1:15 p.m., when House Majority Leader Jon Patterson will be the special guest at an event for five of his fellow Republican representatives at the offices of the Association of Realtors. Democrats get into the act by 3 p.m., with seven representatives holding an event at The Grand Cafe. Statewide candidates are raising money Tuesday as well, with Republican Denny Hoskins gathering supporters at Bar Vino to aid his campaign for secretary of state at 3:30 p.m. and Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Crystal Quade joins members of her caucus in the House at the Millbottom at 6:30 p.m. Quades rival in the governors race, GOP Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, is hosting dessert by the pool at his Jefferson City home at 8 p.m. Patterson, who is expected to be the next House speaker, and state Rep. Alex Riley, the leading candidate to replace Patterson as majority leader, will host a fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. at the offices of the Missouri Times, an online compendium of press releases and opinion pieces. That will also be the venue for an 8 p.m. fundraiser for state Rep. Melanie Stinnett of Springfield. The next morning, GOP Sens. Mary Elizabeth Coleman and Curtis Trent will hold a fundraising event at the Association of Realtors headquarters and nine Republican representatives will gather to raise money at a breakfast event just down the street. Veto session officially kicks off at noon on Wednesday. 3 Officers Are Left To Face Trial After Beating Tyre Nichols. Here Is What We Know. In this image from video released and partially redacted by the City of Memphis, Tyre Nichols lies on the ground during a brutal attack by police officers on Jan. 7, 2023, in Memphis. via Associated Press The federal trial over the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who died after law enforcement officers beat himfollowing a traffic stop in January 2023, begins Monday in Memphis. Former Memphis Police Department officers Tadarrius Bean, Justin Smith and Demetrius Haley could face life in prison if convicted on federal civil rights and conspiracy charges. In the lead-up to the trial, two other officers, Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills Jr., pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the incident. Mills faces a 15-year sentence, while prosecutors are seeking up to 40 years for Martin. Bean, Smith, Haley and Martin all face several state-level charges as well, including second-degree murder. Mills agreed to plead guilty to state-level charges last year. Jury selection begins Monday. RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, Nichols parents, told HuffPost they plan to be in the courtroom when opening arguments begin, and that the approach to the trial has been challenging for their family. They said they set up a call to share a prayer with a local pastor on Sunday evening. We have been dealing with this since it happened. The community of Memphis has been very gracious to us. We have been able to go out and do things like normal, but as things get closer we started to stay in more because the feelings and everything else are about to pop back up and resurface, RowVaughn Wells said. Nichols was sitting in his car at a traffic light when Memphis police cars surrounded him and demanded he get out of the vehicle without indicating what he was being stopped for, according to body-worn camera footage. Police initially said they had pulled Nichols over for reckless driving, but Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis later said the department was unable to verify the reason he was pulled over. Officers pulled Nichols from his vehicle. He then fled on foot while police chased him to a neighborhood where his parents home was located. Footage released by the City of Memphis showed officers taking turns punching and kicking Nichols, shocking him with a Taser and making threatening remarks. Officers and other medical personnel who arrived at the scene failed to render aid to Nichols for 19 minutes after they arrived as he lay on the ground bleeding. Nichols died in the hospital three days later. Three Memphis Fire Department employees were fired and had their licenses suspended for not giving aid to Nichols in a timely manner. A Memphis police officer, Preston Hemphill, was fired after he shocked Nichols with a Taser and was heard making statements encouraging officers to beat Nichols. Van Turner, an attorney and former president of the Memphis NAACP, said the trial can finally begin the healing process the city needs. He said he sees Martin and Mills pleading guilty as a positive development. Images provided by the Memphis Police Department show, top row from left: officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, and bottom row from left: Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith. Memphis Police Department via AP, File I think that we have to get it right, and much like what occurred with the assassination of Dr. King here in 68, the worlds eyes are on Memphis. Hopefully, at the conclusion at this trial, there will be a period of reconciliation, a period of healing and a period of going forward with best practices in the Memphis Police Department, Turner told HuffPost. Black lives really do matter, and even in the hands of other Black police officers, there is a system in place that appears to say it is OK to ill treat individuals who are Black and brown, and are innocent, he added. We need to change that narrative no matter who they are or what they look like. Amber Sherman, a local activist who pushed for changes in policing following Nichols death, told HuffPost the federal trial will not solve the citys broader issues. Sherman and other activists are pushing for police to not be involved in traffic stops or wellness checks for people with mental health issues. We dont believe that a federal trial against those police officers is going to solve our problems, she said. It is more important that we are working to dismantle systems that are causing the police to have that amount of power over Black people. The Memphis City Council did pass some police reform measures impacting how officers would handle traffic stops, but Tennessees Republican-dominated Senate passed legislation that blocked the reform just months later. Nichols family expressed support for state and federal police reform bills, though nothing can change what they have gone through. There will never be closure, as far as Im concerned, RowVaughn Wells said. There will be justice served, but there will never be closure when it comes to my son. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. China is willing to deepen strategic understanding with the DPRK and strengthen coordination and cooperation "in the new period" and "under the new situation.", Trend reports. This was noted by the Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping in a telegram to the leader of the DPRK Kim Jong-un on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the founding of the republic. "In the new period, in the new situation, the Chinese side will continue to pay attention to China-Korea relations at the strategic level and from a long-term perspective. And we are ready to deepen strategic mutual understanding with the Korean side, strengthen coordination and cooperation., - Jinping wrote. Xi Jinping also expressed Beijing's readiness to "jointly reliably safeguard, firmly consolidate and dynamically develop China-Korea friendly and cooperative relations, and jointly advance the cause of socialism." According to him, this meets the interests of the peoples of the two countries, and also "contributes to ensuring peace and stability, development and prosperity in the region and on the planet." The Chinese President noted that "the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK has become even stronger over time." Xi Jinping wished the DPRK prosperity and its people happiness and well-being. On September 9, the DPRK celebrates the 76th anniversary of the founding of the republic. 3-Year-Old Boy Dies After Falling into Septic Tank While Playing Outside with His 4-Year-Old Brother The tragedy occurred in Lakewood, Washington state on the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 8, authorities confirmed pierce county sheriff's department/facebook A photo of a Pierce County Sheriff's Department police car A 3-year-old boy has died in Washington state after falling into a septic tank, officials said. On Sunday, Sept. 8 at 2:21 p.m. local time, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department and fire crews responded to reports of a boy falling into a sewage tank, Sgt. Darren Moss confirmed to PEOPLE. Authorities were dispatched to the 10300 block of 93rd Street Court Southwest in Lakewood where the toddler was pronounced dead at 3:05 p.m. after being removed from the container, Moss said. The sheriff's department added that detectives had been told the child was playing with his 4-year-old brother and a 6-year-old neighbor in the backyard when the tragedy occurred, stating that an adult had been "in and out of the house with them." Getty A stock photo of a septic tank After the 3-year-old lifted the lid on the tank and fell in, his brother told their grandmother, who called 911. The tank was in the neighbor's yard, the sheriff's department confirmed. "Detectives and forensic investigators were called to the scene to document the incident," spokesperson Moss said. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. pierce county sheriff's department/facebook A photo of a Pierce County Sheriff's Department police car Per the Tacoma News Tribune, Moss confirmed the septic tank lid was "similar to the size of a sewer manhole." The paper reported that the sergeant had estimated its size as "three feet in diameter," so it was big enough for a toddler to fall into. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Salt Lake City Police arrested a man accused of stealing a cash register from a Sugar House business on Saturday. Brandon Redenbaugh, 30, was arrested on charges of burglary, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, possession of burglary tools, and a Board of Pardons warrant. At around 6:20 a.m. on Sept. 7, police received reports of a man breaking into a business in Salt Lake Citys Sugar House neighborhood, located at 1202 East Wilmington Ave. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Russell M. Nelson celebrating 100th birthday Officers responded and learned a man later identified as Redenbaugh broke into a business, stole a cash register, and fled. Police obtained a description of Redenbaugh and began searching the area. With the help of a drone operator, officers found Redenbaugh in Hidden Hollow Park and took him into custody. Officers also recovered the cash register and cash, along with many tools used to commit burglaries and a stun gun flashlight, according to a press release from SLCPD. Redenbaugh was booked into Salt Lake County Jail on the charges previously stated. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A 30-year-old man has been booked into the Minnehaha County jail and is being held on $1,000,000 bond. According to the Minnehaha County jail log, Dylan Tyler Farmer was booked at 3:50 a.m. Sunday for arrest warrant charges of first-degree murder and second-degree murder. Former NASA astronaut moves to Sioux Falls The citations of first and second-degree murder are listed for a crime that happened on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. According to court documents, the victim was found dead in an apartment in the 800 block of West Bailey Street. Court documents say Farmer admitted to police shooting the victim in the face because he touched a boy. On Monday, police said the victim was Casey Shawn Edward Shaffer. Police said there was a small caliber gunshot wound to the head. Nyberg said Farmer will have a court appearance at 1:30 p.m. Monday and an autopsy is scheduled for Monday. This is the 8th homicide investigation in Sioux Falls in 2024. Police are still investigating a fatal shooting at Dunham Park on Aug. 25 and a woman who died from gunshots in a mobile home on Sept. 4. We are still working on the other two homicides that have happened, Nyberg said on Monday. SFPD Chief Jon Thum said the 8th homicide is up significantly from the homicide investigation numbers in 2023, which was a historic low of two. We understand the ebb and flow of police work, Thum said. Thum said investigators have been working nonstop since the Dunham Park investigation started. Each one is uniquely different, Thum said about the most recent homicide investigations. None of them are random. Farmer was also accused of stealing more than $1000 from the Lode Star Casino and released on bond on August 8, 2024. He was scheduled to appear in federal court in Sioux Falls on Wednesday. This is a developing story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Work on 30m Armada Way scheme to start in October A controversial multimillion-pound scheme to regenerate Plymouth city centre has been signed off with work due to start in October. Plans to redevelop Armada Way first hit the headlines in March 2023 when the then Conservative-run council ordered more than 100 trees to be cut down at night. The new Labour administration has put together a 30m scheme, which includes a huge play park, new seating areas and a new CCTV system to increase security in the area. Plymouth City Council's cabinet approved the plans at a meeting on Monday. The council hopes the regeneration of Armada Way will encourage more housing development in the city [BBC] Mark Lowry, cabinet member for finance, said Armada Way was "a bit of an ugly duckling" at the moment. However he said the works planned for the city, along with regeneration work that has taken place in New George Street and Old Town Street, meant businesses were "snapping up" properties. The council hopes the new plans for Armada Way will encourage more people to come into the city and to stay for longer. The Plymouth City Council report said the scheme was one of the largest public realm projects in the country and "seeks to restore the grand gateway to the city centre". Councillors said they also hoped the regeneration of Armada Way would make the city centre more attractive to residential property developers. The report said it would enable the city centre "to deliver significant large scale housing growth" with plans for 5,000 new homes. The scheme has been backed by Stuart Elford, head of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce [BBC] Stuart Elford, chief executive of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the regeneration at the cabinet meeting. "This is long overdue and much-needed investment that will attract inward investment and high-value jobs," he said. "It's desperately needed in order to grow the economy. It will create jobs and make the city centre a thriving place." Mr Elford asked for reassurance that businesses would be kept well-informed of how the scheme was developing and how it would affect businesses. Tudor Evans, leader of the Labour council, told colleagues: "We want to reimagine this part of the city as a modern, vibrant destination." Mr Evans said he wanted to "recapture the scale and grandeur" of the plans first made in the 1940s to rebuild Plymouth. Four phases More than 200 trees will be included in the final scheme and a new surface water drainage scheme introduced. Work is due to start in October on the first phase of the scheme, from the Copthorne Hotel to Mayflower Street. The second phase, from Mayflower Street to Place de Brest, would take place from February to October 2025. The third phase, from Cornwall Street to the Armada Dial sundial, is timetabled for July 2025 to April 2026, with the construction period yet to be decided for the fourth phase in the Armada Way piazza. The report said timing of the final phase was yet ot be decided and would be affected by proposed works on Royal Parade and that more discussion was needed with the Environment Agency and South West Water regarding the water drainage system. Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Related stories Related internet links A teenage girl taking flying lessons, her high school aviation instructor, her mother, and an elderly man were all on a private plane that crashed after flying from Middletown, Connecticut, to Ferrisburgh, Vermont, for brunch on Sunday, law enforcement and school officials said Monday. A four-seat, single-engine Piper aircraft departed Windham Airport for a flight of about two hours to Basin Harbor Airport around 8:30 a.m. for a brunch reservation at Basin Harbor, according to Vermont State Police. This embedded content is not available in your region. Delilah Van Ness, 15, and her mother, 51-year-old Susan Van Ness, both of Middletown, 55-year-old Paul Pelletier, of Columbia, and 88-year-old Frank Rodriquez, of Lebanon, left their brunch outing shortly after noon and were expected to fly back to Connecticut on the plane, Middletown police and Vermont State Police said. A witness reported seeing the airplane on the runway at about 12:15 p.m. but never saw it take off. When the plane failed to return to Connecticut as expected, relatives of the occupants reported the situation to the Connecticut State Police and the Middletown Police Department, according to Vermont officials. No reports were received indicating an aircraft in distress or that a plane had crashed, Vermont State Police noted in a news release. The Federal Aviation Administration then used cellphone location data to determine the planes last known location was near the airstrip in Vermont. Middletown police then notified the Vermont State Police of the situation at about 10:20 p.m. Sunday, prompting a large emergency search of the area around the airstrip. With the assistance of a drone flown by Middlebury police, state police said investigators located the wreckage of the aircraft at about 12:20 a.m. Monday in a wooded area to the east of the Basin Harbor Airport. All four people on the plane were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The bodies of the victims were brought to the Chief Medical Examiners Office in Burlington for autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death. Officials noted that Delilah Van Ness was a sophomore student at Middletown High School and a student of Pelletier, an aerospace and manufacturing teacher at the same school. This unimaginable loss has left a void in our hearts and our community, said Dr. Alberto Vazquez Matos, Superintendent of Middletown Public Schools. Paul, Delilah, and Susan were special individuals whose absence is already being felt throughout our district and city. Matos said the high school will be closed Tuesday and fall athletic events will be rescheduled in the wake of the crash. Crisis teams and support staff will also be made available during normal school hours. The Middletown Police Department added, Our sincerest condolences go out to the family, friends, and students who were affected by this tragedy. Frank Rodriquezs relation to the other three victims wasnt immediately clear. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are leading an investigation into the cause of the crash. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Four men from Southern California have been charged with federal crimes alleging that they kidnapped migrants from Arizona, transported them to California and then held them for ransom. The men, Miguel Angel Avila, 22, of Hemet; Omar Avila Salmeron, 41, of Los Angeles; Jose Jaime Garcia, 20, of San Jacinto; and Jose Alfredo Moreno Gonzalez, 21, of Oak Hills, were arraigned on federal charges and have all pleaded not guilty. A fifth man, Gabriel Michel Becerra, 22, of Palmdale, is currently a fugitive of law, according to the United States Department of Justice. All five men were federally indicted on counts related to conspiracy, hostage-taking, kidnapping, and transporting undocumented immigrants. Avila, Salmeron, Garcia and Becerra face additional charges for conspiracy and attempted interference of commerce, a violation of the federal law known as the Hobbs Act. According to the July 30 indictment, on March 21, 2023, Avila instructed Moreno to drive to a gas station in Chandler, Arizona, where he allegedly kidnapped four migrants and drove them to a restaurant in Burbank. Avila, Garcia and Becerra then held the four migrants hostage in a house and contacted their loved ones with the victims phones and demanded ransom money in exchange for their safe release. Avila allegedly used one of the victims cellphones to demand ransom payments be made to one account in Mexico and another in the U.S. in exchange for that victims release, the DOJ said. The following day, Avila, Garcia and Becerra allegedly moved the victims to a motel room where one of them managed to escape through a second-story bathroom window. Avila and an unnamed co-conspirator allegedly chased the victim to a store in Koreatown where Avila body-slammed the victim, placed him in a chokehold, and punched him repeatedly in the face in an attempt to re-kidnap him. That incident was caught on security camera and the DOJ shared a screenshot of the video on Monday. A suspect in an investigation involving the kidnapping and ransoming of migrants is seen in security footage attacking a victim who escaped to a Koreatown business on March 22, 2023. (United States Department of Justice) Avila, Garcia and Becerra purportedly restrained two of the remaining hostages by tying their hands and then transported them to another house where they held them in a locked room and threatened them with violence if they tried to escape. The next day, those three allegedly drove one one of their hostages to a gas station where they met the victims brother and took $11,000 in cash in exchange for his release. The four men who were charged as part of this case have all pleaded not guilty. Avila and Salmeron are being held without bond; Garcia and Moreno are currently out on bond, the DOJ said. Salmeron, Garcia and Moreno are expected to face trial on Oct. 1; Avila will face his own trial on Oct. 29. Anyone with information about Becerras location is urged to contact local law enforcement. United States Attorney Martin Estrada said the defendants preyed upon victims who sought to emigrate to our country. He vowed that the DOJ was committed to ensuring that anyone who uses violence to terrorize others will face severe consequences. The case remains under investigation by the United States Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Los Angeles Police Department. If convicted of all charges, each defendant could face a possible sentence of life in federal prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Four people from Connecticut are dead after a small plane from Connecticut crashed in Vermont, according to Vermont State Police. Vermont State Police identified the victims as 55-year-old Paul Pelletier of Columbia, 88-year-old Frank Rodriquez of Lebanon, 51-year-old Susan Van Ness of Middletown and her 15-year-old daughter, Delilah Van Ness. Middletown police said Pelletier was the aviation technology teacher at Middletown High School and was taking flight lessons with Delilah, one of his students. Middletown High School will be closed Tuesday after teacher, student die in plane crash This unimaginable loss has left a void in our hearts and our community, Superintendent Alberto Vazquez Matos said in a written statement on Monday. Paul, Delilah, and Susan were special individuals whose absence is already being felt throughout our district and city. Middletown High School will be closed on Tuesday, and athletics will be rescheduled. The district will also have a crisis team available. Delilah Van Ness and Paul Pelletier (Photo: Middletown Public Schools) State police said their preliminary investigation determined that a four-seat, single-engine Piper PA-28R aircraft departed Windham Airport around 8:30 a.m. Sunday for a flight of about two hours to Basin Harbor Airport in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. State police said the privately owned plane landed, and the occupants arrived to make brunch reservations at Basin Harbor. They left the restaurant shortly after noon and were scheduled to fly back to Connecticut. A witness reported seeing the plane on the runway around 12:15 p.m., according to state police. State police said no reports were received indicating an aircraft was in distress or that a plane had crashed. However, when the plane failed to return to Connecticut as expected, relatives reported the situation to the Connecticut State Police and Middletown police. Middletown police notified Vermont State Police of the situation around 10:20 p.m. Sunday. Connecticut State Police responded with members of the Middlebury Police Department and the City of Vergennes Fire Department. Vermont State Police said those agencies worked with the Federal Aviation Administration and used cell phone location data to determine that the planes last known location was near the airstrip in Vermont. With the help of a Middlebury police drone, investigators were able to locate the wreckage of the aircraft around 12:20 a.m. Monday in a wooded area just to the east of Basin Harbor Airport. First responders confirmed that all four occupants were dead, according to state police. The bodies of the victims were brought to the chief medical examiners office in Burlington, Vermont, to determine the cause and manner of death. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. 3-year-old dies in hot car in Arizona, police say 3-year-old dies in hot car in Arizona, police say A 3-year-old Arizona girl was pronounced dead after she was found unresponsive on Sunday in a hot car in Buckeye, Arizona, police said. Family members told authorities they had returned from a park at about 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, the Buckeye Police Department said in a statement posted on social media. The family began searching for the girl about two hours later and found her in the vehicle, the statement said. Police said they were contacted at about 5 p.m. "Officers arrived and immediately began chest compressions on the [3]-year-old girl and attempted to use an AED before medics arrived to transport the child to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased," police said. MORE: As sweltering heat approaches, experts share hot car safety tips The vehicle was parked in front of a home near North 212th Drive and West Granada Road, police said. Temperatures at nearby Buckeye Municipal Airport peaked at about 101 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The police said the investigation is in its early stages. This story has been updated. 3-year-old dies in hot car in Arizona, police say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Several people were injured after a shooter opened fire into passing cars from the side of a rural Kentucky highway on Sept. 7, authorities said London Police Department/Facebook Laurel County Sheriff's Office A manhunt is underway in Kentucky after a man shot and injured five people on a highway before fleeing the scene. On Saturday, Sept. 7, Laurel County Sheriff Office's deputies received a call about a shooting that took place off of Interstate 75 in London, Ky. around 80 miles south of Lexington at around 5:30 p.m., the sheriff's office said in a statement on Facebook. Deputies said that nine cars were shot into in both the north- and southbound lanes, leaving five people with serious injuries. "When our first two units got to the scene there, they said it was a madhouse: people on the sides of the road, emergency flashers going, bullet holes, windows shot out, nine vehicles shot," Laurel County deputy Gilbert Acciardo said during a news conference on Sunday, Sept. 8, per CBS News. "Can you imagine that? Just chaotic." According to the sheriff's office, officers from the London Police Department (LPD) identified 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch as a "person of interest." In a Facebook post, the LPD wrote that Couch is a white man who is 5'10" and weighs 154 lbs. London Police Department/Facebook A photo of Joseph A. Couch Couch was later upgraded from a person of interest in the case to a suspect, CNN reported, although Acciardo noted to CBS News that investigators "have not determined that this is the individual that fired the weapon." "This individual is considered to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached. 911 should be called," the sheriff's office wrote in a post. London Police Department/Facebook Laurel County Sheriff's Office On Sunday, Acciardo told the Louisville Courier Journal that officials had found an AR-15 gun, a loaded magazine and a silver Honda CRV registered to Couch in a wooded area off the side of the highway. "We think that he is still in that area, but he could not be in that area. He could be somewhere else, anywhere else," Acciardo told the outlet, adding that between 30 to 40 law enforcement officials had begun searching the wooded area, as well as nearby Whitley County, where Couch lives. London Police Department/Facebook The car registered to Joseph A. Couch The deputy also told CNN that there were no fatalities in the shooting incident, but that several of the victims were critically hurt, including one person who was shot in the face and another who was shot "across the chest." Acciardo added that no motive has been discovered yet, but the shooting was seemingly "a planned event." "He was not in a vehicle. No, definitely not road rage, Acciardo told reporters at a news conference, per CNN and CBS News. On Sunday afternoon, the Laurel County Sheriff's Office confirmed in a Facebook post that its officers and other nearby law enforcement were still searching for Couch. London mayor Randall Weddle shared a video update on Facebook on Saturday night advising the rural city of 8,000 people to be alert and to call 911 if anything suspicious occurred. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. "We are asking everybody in the city limits to be vigilant and know what your surroundings [are]. If you're home, keep your doors locked," Weddle said, adding that there was no "immediate danger" in the community. Laurel County Public Schools also announced that school has been canceled for all students in the district on Monday, Sept. 9, amid the manhunt. Acciardo told CBS News that although officers from several organizations are looking for Couch, the search is proving difficult due to the woody and rocky terrain in the area. "We do have the area contained right now. It's a very fluid investigation. Our people are still on the scene. Our special response team is there. We are trying to find a shooter there," he said. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Vice President Kamala Harris Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour rolled into Raleigh on Monday. Around 2 p.m., campaign surrogates including second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz arrived at Raleighs Market Hall on East Martin Street to a throng of supporters. With only 56 days left until the Nov. 5 election and less than 48 hours before Harris and Donald Trumps first debate the Democratic candidates spouses spoke about holding the former president accountable for the devastating impacts of overturning Roe v. Wade. (In 2022, after Trump appointed three conservative justices to the high court, the Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to abortion.) Here are some of the biggest takeaways: North Carolina is a critical swing state The whistle-stop tour started last Tuesday in Palm Beach, Florida, and is expected to make 50 stops in red, blue and battleground states two of them in the Old North State. Our path to victory goes right through North Carolina, Emhoff told the crowd. If we win here, weve got a chance to win. But its going to be close. Recent polls indicate North Carolina is now a toss-up. Before President Joe Biden dropped out in July, analysts were saying the state would vote Republican for Trump. Harris has visited the state eight times this year and is expected to return for campaign stops in Greensboro and Charlotte on Thursday. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visited Raleigh on Aug. 29, his first visit to the state as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee. He spoke to campaign workers, attended a private fundraiser and even made a pit-stop at Cook Out, where he ordered a milkshake with Gov. Roy Cooper. Reproductive rights take center stage Emhoff spotlighted the conservative Project 2025 agenda that seeks to ban abortion nationwide. Among its potential threats, he said: restricting access to birth control, forcing states to report on womens miscarriages and abortions, and jeopardizing access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Its literally a blueprint to destroy our country, our way of life, Emhoff said. Theyre literally running on a platform of authoritarianism and misogyny. He added: Its not just a fight for women. This is for all of us. In North Carolina, an abortion is illegal after 12 weeks, except in cases of rape or incest or if there is risk to the pregnant person. But restrictions are tighter in some other states. In South Carolina, for example, abortion is banned after six weeks. In Florida, Trumps home state, an amendment is on the ballot that would overturn the current six-week ban and preserve abortion rights in the state constitution. Make no mistake, reproductive freedoms are on the line, said North Carolinas attorney general, Josh Stein, who also spoke Monday and is running for governor. The stakes could not be higher. In recent weeks, Trump has waffled on his position much to the ire of anti-abortion groups and his evangelical supporters. Last Thursday, Trump told NBC News that he thinks six weeks is too short and there needs to be more time. But he stopped short of saying whether he would vote for Amendment 4. The next day, he changed his stance, saying hed vote against the amendment, MSNBC reported. His running mate, J.D. Vance, attempted to clarify Trumps comments, telling CNN that the former president will make an announcement soon on Floridas referendum. The fight for reproductive rights gets personal Minnesota first lady Walz argued for reproductive rights by highlighting her own struggles with infertility. To conceive their two children, the Walzes used intrauterine insemination, a process she described as incredibly personal and difficult. Intrauterine insemination, like IVF, is a common fertility procedure used by couples trying to conceive. Every single person should have the freedom to build their own family, and it should be your choice. Not J.D. Vance or Trumps, she said. Please mind your own business. Alabama native Latorya Beasley, 38, is also on the bus tour. In March, shed been scheduled to undergo an embryo transfer in the hope of having a second child through IVF. But the Alabama Supreme Courts Feb. 16 decision, which determined that frozen embryos were children, thwarted her plans. It was devastating moment for our family financially, physically and emotionally, she said. Eventually, the social worker was able to get her treatment. Im now pregnant, she told the crowd. The social worker is sharing her story in order to encourage people to vote to protect womens reproductive rights. Democratic voters are energized Some 200 supporters packed Market Hall on Monday afternoon. Many wore blue-and-white Harris-Walz T-shirts and chanted Not going back. Others waved signs, saying Stop Trumps Abortion Ban. I feel like I won the lottery, said Adrienne Mizell, 60, a semi-retired business manager, who scored a last-minute ticket for the invitation-only event. I just had to come. For me, the most singular issue is reproductive rights. Deanna Thorne, a 50-year-old lawyer from Raleigh, took the day off and arrived hours early to secure a spot in the front row. Im here because its a new vision, a new energy. Thats why all of us are so engaged and energized, she said, adding that she also plans to vote for down-ballot candidates, including Stein. [Im voting] the whole blue ticket. For Clarence Dyson, 72, from Garner, its not just about reproductive rights. He also wants Supreme Court reforms and tougher legislation on climate change. Im fighting for my grandchildren and great grandchildren and generations to come, he said. Trump is upping his game with NC voters After largely ignoring North Carolina before Harris campaign launch, Trump has visited the state four times: on July 24, Aug. 14, Aug. 21 and Sept. 6. Last Friday in Charlotte he accepted an endorsement from the Fraternal Order of Police, one of the nations most influential law enforcement lobbies. Instead of abortion and reproductive rights, Trump focused for about an hour on crime, immigration and police funding. In many ways were a third-world country, he said. When I am president of the United States, we are not going to take it anymore. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Uzbekistan and USA are finalizing market access negotiations as part of Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Trend reports. This was reported by the Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for WTO Affairs Azizbek Urunov on his LinkedIn page. Urunov noted that the week of negotiations in Washington with representatives of the Office of the US Trade Representative was very productive. Market access negotiations with the United States are entering their final phase. Overall, the meetings were successful both on issues of market access and on measures to support agriculture., - he emphasized. In addition, Azizbek Urunov reported on his meeting with Mona Haddad, the World Bank's Director for Global Trade. The parties discussed the organization of a round table dedicated to reforms in Uzbekistan in the context of its accession to the WTO, which will be held as part of the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank in 2024. Urunov also expressed gratitude to Ola Lucin, Justin H. Hoffmann, Neil Beck, Brendan Lynch, Ambassador Katherine Tai of the Office of the US Trade Representative and Mona Haddad for their active support in the process of Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO. The working group on Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO was established in 1994. The process was formally resumed at the fourth meeting of the working group in July 2020. Four more meetings of the working group took place in 2022-2024. Uzbekistan plans to join the WTO before the 14th ministerial conference, which will be held in Cameroon in 2026, said Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, who led the country's delegation at the eighth meeting of the working group on Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO. Vice President Kamala Harris Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour rolled into Raleigh on Monday. Around 2 p.m., campaign surrogates including second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz arrived at Raleighs Market Hall on East Martin Street to a throng of supporters. With only 56 days left until the Nov. 5 election and less than 48 hours before Harris and Donald Trumps first debate the Democratic candidates spouses spoke about holding the former president accountable for the devastating impacts of overturning Roe v. Wade. (In 2022, after Trump appointed three conservative justices to the high court, the Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to abortion.) Here are some of the biggest takeaways: North Carolina is a critical swing state The whistle-stop tour started last Tuesday in Palm Beach, Florida, and is expected to make 50 stops in red, blue and battleground states two of them in the Old North State. Our path to victory goes right through North Carolina, Emhoff told the crowd. If we win here, weve got a chance to win. But its going to be close. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz campaign on behalf of their spouses as part of the Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour stop at Market Hall in Raleigh on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. The visit comes less than 48 hours before Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate on Tuesday night, and as new polls indicate that North Carolina is a toss-up state in a tight election. Recent polls indicate North Carolina is now a toss-up. Before President Joe Biden dropped out in July, analysts were saying the state would vote Republican for Trump. Harris has visited the state eight times this year and is expected to return for campaign stops in Greensboro and Charlotte on Thursday. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visited Raleigh on Aug. 29, his first visit to the state as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee. He spoke to campaign workers, attended a private fundraiser and even made a pit-stop at Cook Out, where he ordered a milkshake with Gov. Roy Cooper. Reproductive rights take center stage Emhoff spotlighted the conservative Project 2025 agenda that seeks to ban abortion nationwide. Among its potential threats, he said: restricting access to birth control, forcing states to report on womens miscarriages and abortions, and jeopardizing access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Its literally a blueprint to destroy our country, our way of life, Emhoff said. Theyre literally running on a platform of authoritarianism and misogyny. He added: Its not just a fight for women. This is for all of us. In North Carolina, an abortion is illegal after 12 weeks, except in cases of rape or incest or if there is risk to the pregnant person. But restrictions are tighter in some other states. In South Carolina, for example, abortion is banned after six weeks. In Florida, Trumps home state, an amendment is on the ballot that would overturn the current six-week ban and preserve abortion rights in the state constitution. Make no mistake, reproductive freedoms are on the line, said North Carolinas attorney general, Josh Stein, who also spoke Monday and is running for governor. The stakes could not be higher. Attorney General Josh Stein takes the stage during a campaign rally featuring second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz as part of the Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour stop at Market Hall in Raleigh on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. The visit comes less than 48 hours before Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate on Tuesday night, and as new polls indicate that North Carolina is a toss-up state in a tight election. In recent weeks, Trump has waffled on his position much to the ire of anti-abortion groups and his evangelical supporters. Last Thursday, Trump told NBC News that he thinks six weeks is too short and there needs to be more time. But he stopped short of saying whether he would vote for Amendment 4. The next day, he changed his stance, saying hed vote against the amendment, MSNBC reported. His running mate, J.D. Vance, attempted to clarify Trumps comments, telling CNN that the former president will make an announcement soon on Floridas referendum. The fight for reproductive rights gets personal Minnesota first lady Walz argued for reproductive rights by highlighting her own struggles with infertility. To conceive their two children, the Walzes used intrauterine insemination, a process she described as incredibly personal and difficult. Intrauterine insemination, like IVF, is a common fertility procedure used by couples trying to conceive. Every single person should have the freedom to build their own family, and it should be your choice. Not J.D. Vance or Trumps, she said. Please mind your own business. Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz makes phone calls at a campaign call center in Raleigh as she and second gentleman Doug Emhoff campaign on behalf of their spouses as part of the Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour stop on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. The visit comes less than 48 hours before Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate on Tuesday night, and as new polls indicate that North Carolina is a toss-up state in a tight election. Alabama native Latorya Beasley, 38, is also on the bus tour. In March, shed been scheduled to undergo an embryo transfer in the hope of having a second child through IVF. But the Alabama Supreme Courts Feb. 16 decision, which determined that frozen embryos were children, thwarted her plans. It was devastating moment for our family financially, physically and emotionally, she said. Eventually, the social worker was able to get her treatment. Im now pregnant, she told the crowd. The social worker is sharing her story in order to encourage people to vote to protect womens reproductive rights. Democratic voters are energized Some 200 supporters packed Market Hall on Monday afternoon. Many wore blue-and-white Harris-Walz T-shirts and chanted Not going back. Others waved signs, saying Stop Trumps Abortion Ban. I feel like I won the lottery, said Adrienne Mizell, 60, a semi-retired business manager, who scored a last-minute ticket for the invitation-only event. I just had to come. For me, the most singular issue is reproductive rights. Deanna Thorne, a 50-year-old lawyer from Raleigh, took the day off and arrived hours early to secure a spot in the front row. Im here because its a new vision, a new energy. Thats why all of us are so engaged and energized, she said, adding that she also plans to vote for down-ballot candidates, including Stein. [Im voting] the whole blue ticket. Kamala Harris supporters attend a campaign rally featuring second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz as part of the Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour stop at Market Hall in Raleigh on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. The visit comes less than 48 hours before Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate on Tuesday night, and as new polls indicate that North Carolina is a toss-up state in a tight election. For Clarence Dyson, 72, from Garner, its not just about reproductive rights. He also wants Supreme Court reforms and tougher legislation on climate change. Im fighting for my grandchildren and great grandchildren and generations to come, he said. Trump is upping his game with NC voters After largely ignoring North Carolina before Harris campaign launch, Trump has visited the state four times: on July 24, Aug. 14, Aug. 21 and Sept. 6. Last Friday in Charlotte he accepted an endorsement from the Fraternal Order of Police, one of the nations most influential law enforcement lobbies. Instead of abortion and reproductive rights, Trump focused for about an hour on crime, immigration and police funding. In many ways were a third-world country, he said. When I am president of the United States, we are not going to take it anymore. 5 things to know as voters head to the polls for RIs statewide primary EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Tuesday is Primary Day in Rhode Island and the polls have closed None of the statewide offices are up for grabs this election cycle that will happen in 2026. But both parties have contested races for U.S. Senate, and several local races are getting attention from political observers and voters. VOTER GUIDE: Find your polling location for Tuesday Here are five things to know as the results come in. 1. All eyes on Cranston The states second-largest city has become a true political battleground this year. A big reason for that is the Republican primary for mayor, where neither candidate is holding on criticizing the other. Incumbent Mayor Ken Hopkins is being challenged by state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, wife of the citys former longtime mayor, Allan Fung, who has been campaigning by her side. Hopkins has support from the police and fire unions, as well as the citys GOP. But Fenton-Fung has faced incumbents before, having unseated then-House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello in 2020 during her first-ever campaign for office. Whoever comes out on top after Tuesday will go on to face Democrat Robert Ferri, a citywide councilman who is unopposed in his partys primary. Cranston also has a couple of competitive General Assembly Democratic primaries. For House, incumbents are being challenged in District 14 (state Rep. Charlene Lima vs. Giona Picheco); 16 (state Rep. Brandon Potter vs. Joseph Graziano) and District 42 (state Rep. Edward Cardillo vs. both his nephew Dennis Cardillo and Kelsey Coletta). In the Senate, the retirement of incumbent Josh Miller in District 28 has created an open seat with five candidates (Darrell Brown, Melissa Carden, John Croke, Bernice Morris and Lammis Vargas, who is currently City Council vice president.) 2. General Assembly races Speaking of General Assembly races, while many incumbents are running unopposed, there are a few primaries worth keeping an eye on. In House District 9, located in Providence, state Rep. Enrique Sanchez faces two opponents: former state Rep. Anastacia Williams whom Sanchez unseated in 2022 and Santos Javier. All three candidates in this primary have been on offense, with each filing ethics complaints or making allegations of election misconduct against each other. In Pawtucket, House District 58 features a Democratic primary between state Rep. Cherie Cruz and Elizabeth Moreira, a challenger backed by Mayor Don Grebien. Up north in Woonsocket, state Rep. Robert Phillips who at first was running for mayor before dropping out is seeking reelection in House District 51. However, Phillips faces City Councilman Garrett Mancieri, who was running before Phillips ended his mayoral run and is not dropping out. In the Senate race, two open seats have each drawn three-candidate Democratic primaries: Senate District 20 (Cumberland School Committee member Denis Collins, Marian Juskuv, and Woonsocket City Councilman Brian Thompson) and Senate District 25 (Richard DelFino III, Andrew Dimitri and Pamela Leary). Senate District 4, containing parts of North Providence and Providence, will also draw some attention. Senate President Dominick Ruggerio is being challenged by Lenny Cioe for a third time. Cioe has emphasized Ruggerios age and health issues this time around, calling on the Senate president to step down. 3. Primaries for U.S. Senate Both parties will have primaries for Rhode Islands U.S. Senate seat up this year. On the Republican side, state Rep. Patricia Morgan and Raymond McKay are both running in a primary that has divided some in the state GOP. Neither candidate received a majority of votes needed to secure the partys endorsement and if voter turnout is low, this primary could see an interesting result. The Democratic primary for this seat, featuring U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Michael Costa, isnt expected to be as close. National forecasters have projected that Whitehouse is a safe bet to win another term, partly because Rhode Island voters havent elected a Republican to Congress in 24 years, but also because of his large financial advantage. But the Republican candidates hope to surprise the pundits. 4. Mayoral primaries in Pawtucket, Woonsocket Cranston isnt the only municipality with a mayoral primary on Tuesday. Both Pawtucket and Woonsocket have primaries happening as well. In Pawtucket, Grebien faces a challenge from Democrat Camron Segalla. For Woonsocket, which has nonpartisan elections, three candidates are on the ballot for mayor. Mayor Christopher Beauchamp, City Council President John Ward and Keith Harrison qualified for the ballot. Woonsockets race will be a little bit different compared to other cities. In their case, the candidates who placed first and second will advance to the November election. WHERE THEY STAND: Watch live interviews with candidates for Cranston, Pawtucket and Woonsocket mayor 5. Low voter turnout? A common trend during presidential election years is that voter turnout in statewide primary elections tends to be very low, which could play a role in the results of certain races. In 2016, for example, just 9% of the states 765,000 registered voters turned out. Four years earlier, in 2012, turnout was just under 13%. And it was only about 10% in 2008. As of Monday afternoon, 19,110 votes cast have been cast ahead of primary day, according to the voter turnout tracker maintained by the secretary of states office. That number counts those who have voted early or by mail so far, which calculates to 2.4% turnout, according to the tracker. 12 News is Your Local Election Headquarters. Stay with us for in-depth coverage through Primary Day, including real-time results after the polls close. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nesi's Notes Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. 5 things to know about the Harris-Trump presidential debate Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, will debate Sept. 10 in Philadelphia. (Getty stock photo) Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will take the stage next week in the only planned debate between the respective Democratic and GOP presidential candidates between now and November. Its the first presidential debate since President Joe Biden bowed out of the race following his own disastrous debate performance in late June against Trump. Biden, who faced mounting calls to resign, passed the torch to Harris back in July. The veep has embarked on an unprecedented and expedited campaign as she and Trump vie for the Oval Office. The election is just two months away. Though the Harris and Trump campaigns clashed over debate procedures in recent weeks, both candidates have agreed to the finalized rules. ABC News, host of the debate, released the rules Wednesday. When and where is the debate? The debate will be Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. Eastern time at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The debate will be 90 minutes long and include two commercial breaks, according to ABC. The Keystone State where both Harris and Trump have spent a lot of time campaigning could determine the outcome of the presidential election. The battleground state has narrowly flip-flopped in recent elections, with Biden turning Pennsylvania blue in 2020 after Trump secured a red win in 2016. How can I watch the debate? The debate will air live on ABC News and will also be streaming on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. ABC News David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the debate. Harris and Trump will each have two minutes to answer questions and two minutes to give rebuttals. They will also be granted one additional minute to clarify or follow up on anything. Will the mics be muted? Microphones will be muted when its not a candidates turn to speak, just like the previous debate between Biden and Trump in June. The candidates will not give opening statements. Trump won a coin flip to determine the order of closing statements and podium placement. Trump, who selected the statement order, will give the final closing statement. Each closing statement will be two minutes long. Harris and Trump are not allowed to bring any props or prewritten notes to the debate stage. They will each receive a pen, a pad of paper and a water bottle. Will there be a live audience? There will be no live audience at the National Constitution Center, as was the case in the last presidential debate. Harris and Trump are not permitted to interact with their campaign staff during the two commercial breaks. Trump slams ABC ahead of debate Trump went on the attack over the details of the debate, telling Fox News Sean Hannity during an interview Wednesday in Pennsylvania that ABC is the worst network in terms of fairness and the most dishonest network, the meanest, the nastiest. He accused the network of releasing poor polls on purpose ahead of a previous election to drive down voter turnout. Trump also claimed, without evidence, that Harris would get the questions in advance of the debate. ABCs debate rules state that no candidates or campaigns will receive any topics or questions ahead of the event. Meanwhile, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance will battle it out at the vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News on Oct. 1 in New York City. 5 things to know about the Harris-Trump presidential debate Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, will debate Sept. 10 in Philadelphia. (Getty stock photo) Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will take the stage tomorrow, Sept. 10, in the only planned debate between the respective Democratic and GOP presidential candidates between now and November. Its the first presidential debate since President Joe Biden bowed out of the race following his own disastrous debate performance in late June against Trump. Biden, who faced mounting calls to resign, passed the torch to Harris back in July. The veep has embarked on an unprecedented and expedited campaign as she and Trump vie for the Oval Office. The election is just two months away. Though the Harris and Trump campaigns clashed over debate procedures in recent weeks, both candidates have agreed to the finalized rules. ABC News, host of the debate, released the rules Wednesday. When and where is the debate? The debate will be Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. Eastern time at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The debate will be 90 minutes long and include two commercial breaks, according to ABC. The Keystone State where both Harris and Trump have spent a lot of time campaigning could determine the outcome of the presidential election. The battleground state has narrowly flip-flopped in recent elections, with Biden turning Pennsylvania blue in 2020 after Trump secured a red win in 2016. How can I watch the debate? The debate will air live on ABC News and will also be streaming on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. ABC News David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the debate. Harris and Trump will each have two minutes to answer questions and two minutes to give rebuttals. They will also be granted one additional minute to clarify or follow up on anything. Will the mics be muted? Microphones will be muted when its not a candidates turn to speak, just like the previous debate between Biden and Trump in June. The candidates will not give opening statements. Trump won a coin flip to determine the order of closing statements and podium placement. Trump, who selected the statement order, will give the final closing statement. Each closing statement will be two minutes long. Harris and Trump are not allowed to bring any props or prewritten notes to the debate stage. They will each receive a pen, a pad of paper and a water bottle. Will there be a live audience? There will be no live audience at the National Constitution Center, as was the case in the last presidential debate. Harris and Trump are not permitted to interact with their campaign staff during the two commercial breaks. Trump slams ABC ahead of debate Trump went on the attack over the details of the debate, telling Fox News Sean Hannity during an interview Wednesday in Pennsylvania that ABC is the worst network in terms of fairness and the most dishonest network, the meanest, the nastiest. He accused the network of releasing poor polls on purpose ahead of a previous election to drive down voter turnout. Trump also claimed, without evidence, that Harris would get the questions in advance of the debate. ABCs debate rules state that no candidates or campaigns will receive any topics or questions ahead of the event. Meanwhile, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance will battle it out at the vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News on Oct. 1 in New York City. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE 5 things to know about the Harris-Trump presidential debate Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, will debate Sept. 10 in Philadelphia. (Getty stock photo) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.) Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will take the stage Tuesday in the only planned debate between the respective Democratic and GOP presidential candidates between now and November. Its the first presidential debate since President Joe Biden bowed out of the race following his own disastrous debate performance in late June against Trump. Biden, who faced mounting calls to resign, passed the torch to Harris back in July. The veep has embarked on an unprecedented and expedited campaign as she and Trump vie for the Oval Office. The election is just two months away. Though the Harris and Trump campaigns clashed over debate procedures in recent weeks, both candidates have agreed to the finalized rules. ABC News, host of the debate, released the rules Wednesday. When and where is the debate? The debate will be Tuesday at 9 p.m. Eastern time at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The debate will be 90 minutes long and include two commercial breaks, according to ABC. The Keystone State where both Harris and Trump have spent a lot of time campaigning could determine the outcome of the presidential election. The battleground state has narrowly flip-flopped in recent elections, with Biden turning Pennsylvania blue in 2020 after Trump secured a red win in 2016. How can I watch the debate? The debate will air live on ABC News and will also be streaming on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. ABC News David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the debate. Harris and Trump will each have two minutes to answer questions and two minutes to give rebuttals. They will also be granted one additional minute to clarify or follow up on anything. Will the mics be muted? Microphones will be muted when its not a candidates turn to speak, just like the previous debate between Biden and Trump in June. The candidates will not give opening statements. Trump won a coin flip to determine the order of closing statements and podium placement. Trump, who selected the statement order, will give the final closing statement. Each closing statement will be two minutes long. Harris and Trump are not allowed to bring any props or prewritten notes to the debate stage. They will each receive a pen, a pad of paper and a water bottle. Will there be a live audience? There will be no live audience at the National Constitution Center, as was the case in the last presidential debate. Harris and Trump are not permitted to interact with their campaign staff during the two commercial breaks. Trump slams ABC ahead of debate Trump went on the attack over the details of the debate, telling Fox News Sean Hannity during an interview Wednesday in Pennsylvania that ABC is the worst network in terms of fairness and the most dishonest network, the meanest, the nastiest. He accused the network of releasing poor polls on purpose ahead of a previous election to drive down voter turnout. Trump also claimed, without evidence, that Harris would get the questions in advance of the debate. ABCs debate rules state that no candidates or campaigns will receive any topics or questions ahead of the event. Meanwhile, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance will battle it out at the vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News on Oct. 1 in New York City. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) An Arizona man flew into Nashville last week with more than 50 pounds of fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Middle District of Tennessee. Yusef Ibn Abdul Jabbar Hunter, 23, of Phoenix, arrived at Nashville International Airport (BNA) on Thursday, Sept. 5. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents in Nashville learned Hunter made his travel arrangements shortly before the flight and had checked luggage that may contain illegal drugs, according to a release. Pedestrian killed in crash on I-65 Once the plane landed, a trained drug detection dog reportedly alerted on the Hunters luggage. The Attorneys Office reported Hunter consented to a search of his luggage and agents found hundreds of blue pills stamped with M30 markings to make them look like prescription Oxycodone. A field test confirmed the pills contained of fentanyl. In total, the pills reportedly weighed more than 50 pounds. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com This seizure is a testament to the continued vigilance of the DEA and local law enforcement and the great work they are doing every day to protect our communities, said United States Attorney Henry Leventis in a release. However, it is also a frightening reminder of the prevalence of counterfeit pills that can be laced with fentanyl or other dangerous drugs and of the need for people to purchase prescription drugs from licensed vendors to ensure their safety. Hunter was charged with possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute. If convicted, Hunter faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years with the possibility of life in federal prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) One of the most highly anticipated events in the Pioneer Valley, the Mattoon Arts Festival made its way back to downtown Springfield over the weekend. It was the 51st year of the festival that is known to turn the citys historic Mattoon Street into a celebration of creativity as it provides the community with music, food, and art. Last chance to check out the Glendi Greek Festival in Springfield We find it a really interesting and unusual festival, as far as there are so many festivals in September and October, and we like this one particularly well, said Stuart Krantz from Williamsburg. The festival is held in the citys first historic district on a street filled with Victorian row homes. And aside from the art, this is what Wendy Peppercorn from Williamsburg said she loves the most about this unique event. I was so amazed the first time we came here to see buildings like this on this one street, that they preserved so nicely and I just love walking by those, said Peppercorn. At the festival, there were more than 100 artists and vendors showcasing their work, with some from Springfield and surrounding areas. Whether it was photography, fine art, handcrafted jewelry, and ceramics, or even handmade soaps, there was something for everyone to shop for and bring home a masterpiece. 22News caught up with two business owners who say this event is special because it brings everyone together. One of the things I love the most is seeing the people coming through, especially those that are familiar, said Chris Paul, with C & H Craft Jewelers. So its like seeing an old family member. They will come in and give you a hug so it is really kind of cool. I like camaraderie, the friendship. Most of the vendors come each and every year so it is a big family, expressed Kat Taylor, the owner of Mattoon Soap Co. 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. Kiara Smith is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since March 2023. Follow Kiara on X @KiaraBSmith1 and view her bio to see more of her work. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) About $63 million from FEMA has been distributed to Iowa residents after flooding, severe storms, and tornadoes. FEMA has provided $63 million in Individual Assistance to 6,500 approved households who suffered damage from flooding, severe storms, and tornadoes, the federal agency told KCAU 9. Those numbers are through Monday, Sep. 9. Passengers in fatal Indiana plane crash identified as Iowa residents In Sioux City, 937 approved households were provided a total of $18.1 million of Individual Assistance. The Iowa counties where households can apply for individual assistance are Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Humboldt, Lyon, Monona, OBrien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pottawattamie, Scott, Sioux, and Woodbury counties. FEMAs National Flood Insurance Program has also paid $10.2 million in claims for Iowa policyholders. This comes from about 200 claims that have been submitted. FEMA said the money will help survivors with home repairs, paying for a temporary place to live, and other serious needs not covered by insurance. FEMA also approved more than $5.5 million in grants and loans to 926 applications in four South Dakota counties as of last week. To apply for assistance or to ask questions, you can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. For those who have applied for FEMA assistance and have not had a home inspection for the well or septic system, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. You can also do so online at DisasterAssistance.gov for English or DisasterAssistance.gov/es for Spanish or by using the FEMA mobile app in English or Spanish. Lastly, there are Disaster Recovery Centers in impacted communities. You can find the latest on where facilities are open on the DisasterAssistance.gov website or on SiouxlandProuds flooding 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) According to the Columbia County Sheriffs Office, Saturday September 7th, around midnight deputies responded to 5608 Washington Road in Appling in reference to a shooting. Deputies made contact with Jasmine Curry on Washington Road as she was calling in the incident. She said that her six-year-old son, had been shot in the right forearm while he was inside her vehicle. Curry stated the incident started at 5608 Washington Road and originally believed her boyfriend, Calvin Robinson, fired the round that struck her son. Robinson was a passenger in the vehicle and had fired rounds from the vehicle. Authorities say, Robinson claimed no knowledge of the incident. Currys other children, a 2-year-old and a 14-year-old were also in the vehicle but were not injured. They were turned over to their grandfather. Curry told deputies cocaine, and a handgun were inside the vehicle. Investigators responded and took possession of the narcotics and a Taurus 9mm handgun. The vehicle had one bullet hole in the trunk near the license plate. That round is believed to be the one that struck the 6-year-old, who was seated in the middle of the back seat. Authorities say the child was transported to WellStar for treatment and is in good condition. Multiple witnesses were interviewed at the hospital and at 5608 Washington Road. They stated that Curry and Robinson were arguing at the residence, where there was a party, prior to the incident. Robinson was flashing a handgun and making threats. Witnesses also stated they attempted to defuse the situation and Curry and Robinson decided to leave. When they got in their vehicle, witnesses reported Robinson was waving a gun in the air while shooting from the vehicle as it was leaving on Washington Road. Ronelle Lazenby admitted to returning fire from the driveway down Washington Road toward the vehicle. One of these rounds are believed to have struck the 6-year-old. Lazenby was found to have fired the rounds from a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun. Shell casings from a 9mm were located in the roadway where witnesses said Robinson fired. Shell casings from a .40 caliber were located beside the driveway where Lazenby fired. Authorities say both firearms have been taken as evidence. Jasmine Curry of Augusta was charged with DUI, Endangering a Child, No Insurance, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime. Her bond was set at $15,700. Calvin Robinson of Augusta is charged with Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime and Possession Drugs Schedule II. Ronelle Lazenby of Hephzibah is charged with Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime. According to authorities, no bonds have been set for Robinson and Lazenby. Count on NewsChannel 6 for more details as they become 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 WJBF. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday will be a major test and opportunity in a presidential campaign that has already been defined by a debate. Democrats and their progressive allies are fully aware of the stakes after the last head-to-head showdown led to weeks of internal party turmoil culminating in 81-year-old President Joe Biden's dramatic exit from the race. Many are eager for Harris, known for her resume and reputation as a prosecutor, to take her Republican opponent to task over his unprecedented criminal record and to draw a contrast on critical issues facing the country in front of a national audience. "What happened in June demonstrates just how important debates still are in a presidential election," said Christina Harvey, executive director of Stand Up America, a liberal-leaning voting rights group. "It will be important because these two candidates have such a different promise and vision for America's future," she added. Keeping up with Election 2024? Sign up for USA TODAY's On Politics newsletter. A combo photo showing Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump in St. Cloud, Minnesota on July 27, 2024, and U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 6, 2024. Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, who unsuccessfully sought the GOP presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, agreed that Tuesday's exchange will be "critically important" for both campaigns. But he said it will be far more telling how the Democratic nominee performs under the spotlight. "My view is that people know almost nothing about Harris," Gilmore said of the incumbent 59-year-old vice president, who previously did run for the White House while serving as a senator from California. "She is going to introduce herself in the debate for the very first time, nobody knows anything about this woman." Here's a look at what each candidate must emphasize and avoid and how this debate has the power to sway voters. With few undecided voters, 'everything matters' Voters who need to make corrections to their mail-in ballots line up at Philadelphias City Hall on the eve of the US midterm elections, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 7, 2022. (Photo by RYAN COLLERD / AFP) (Photo by RYAN COLLERD/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_32N24YG.jpg The debate comes at a critical moment in a race that's going to come down to a sliver of voters. Roughly 90% of likely voters said their minds are "firmly made up," according to a USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll released this month. The survey found about 8% of respondents indicated they might change their mind with approximately 1% saying they are undecided. "In a close election, everything matters," said Marc Trussler, director of data science at the University of Pennsylvania's program on opinion research and election studies. Debates don't typically move the needle among partisans, who are the most likely audience to watch Tuesday's broadcast. But even a small number of voters who are skeptical of both candidates might find reasons to choose differently based on this conversation. "So there's a little bit of persuasion," Trussler said. "Even more so, it's going to be them talking to their bases and trying to build that enthusiasm to vote, something that has been lacking for the Democratic campaign, but has been gaining steadily since Harris has taken over as the nominee." 'Can I call you, Joe?': How Harris and Trump interact The debate rules are the same as they were in June: no live audience, no props and (over the Harris campaigns objections) muted microphones when the other candidate is speaking. But rather than a rematch between two candidates who had tussled for more than four years, this is now an eight-week sprint between two people who've never met in-person. Harris and Trump didn't interact during his State of the Union addresses as president, and he didn't attend her inauguration as VP after refusing to accept the 2020 election results. Republican consultant Liz Mair, a former spokeswoman for John McCain's 2008 campaign, said the two having no previous interactions could play a role. She said the last time a national debate of this magnitude took place with two candidates who genuinely did not know each other was when then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin faced off against then-Delaware Sen. Joe Biden while both were running for vice president. At the start of that debate in St. Louis, Palin asked: "Can I call you, Joe?" due largely to fumbling his last name throughout her previous preparations. "And that did make a big difference," Mair told USA TODAY. Political observers will dissect every second of how the two interact in the first few minutes, including how they respond to each other's attacks and the moderators. Mair said she has guided GOP candidates through debates, and will be watching how Trump responds to Harris, who is the second woman to be a major party's nominee for president after Hillary Clinton led the Democratic ticket in the 2016 race against Trump. "It's very difficult for male candidates to come off as forceful and authoritative without coming off as being sexist, patronizing (and) condescending," she said. "I think the fact that they haven't met before probably makes that worse." Ending the Harris honeymoon without offending is Trump's test Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump listens as Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton answers a question from the audience during their presidential town hall debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, on Oct. 9, 2016. Trump and his team have an obvious mission: pop Harris' rising balloon without turning off swing voters who have as many concerns about the former president's character as his policy pursuits. In the past, the GOP nominee has been known to bring surprise guests to debates and come up with creative insults, but Trump's allies warn against those sort of antics. Instead, he is being urged to focus on the issues that animate conservatives and calling attention to her liberal views rather than vitriolic personal attacks and other ad hominem tangents. "If Trump stays on the issues, stays on message and that's by the way can include criticizing Harris for being a flip flopper that's OK," Gilmore said. "But he needs to then say, 'We don't know what she's going to do, but this is what I'm going to do.' If he talks about the issues, he's going to be fine." The trouble is Trump isn't always the most disciplined messenger, and often rambles or revels in slinging personal attacks, which have included questioning Harris' racial heritage. At an August event in Asheboro, North Carolina, Trump said people often advise him to be nicer but, "sometimes its hard when you're attacked from all ends." Harris faces danger in debate too, experts warn Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris boards Air Force 2 for departure at Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, in Detroit, Michigan on September 2, 2024. For some, the televised debate is more perilous for Harris, who is still introducing herself to a large segment of the country who don't fully grasp what she stands for or will do if elected president. The VP has reportedly been working on ways to get under Trump's skin by highlighting his repeated false statements while looking for a viral social media moment that could define the race. But debate experts warn Harris, who remains a relative blank page to voters compared with her Republican rival, faces a steeper fall should a misstep occur that could halt the momentum her campaign has built over several weeks. "The risk for her is that she's still not that well known to a large portion of the American public, and so it is possible she has a weak performance that she undermines the hope that she's brought to Democrats," said Robert Rowland, a communication studies professor at the University of Kansas. Harris has done one sit-down interview, joined by running mate Tim Walz, since winning the Democratic nomination. She has been criticized for giving just a handful of policy-focused speeches on the campaign trail and independent voters in particular will be looking for more details. Harris could be tripped up by Trump or the moderators on why she's changed positions on a number of issues, specifically hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking, which is a big issue in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. In 2019, Harris called for a fracking ban when running for president but told CNN she believes climate change can be tackled without a prohibition on the oil extraction practice. It will be telling to see how much time Harris spends jousting with Trump versus speaking directly to voters about her plans and views. 'Best decision I made': Biden's record will be as central as the issues Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden campaign for her presidency on Sept. 02, 2024, in Pittsburgh. President Biden won't be at this debate, but he's likely to come up for very different reasons Tuesday. Republicans will want to tag Harris as the true incumbent and anchor her to every controversial decision or bad outcome over the past four years. Trump has been relentless, for example, in bringing up the botched 2021 evacuation ending the war in Afghanistan that resulted in 13 U.S. troops being killed. He has posted videos online of those soldiers' relatives who specifically blame Harris for the outcome. In other ads, the Trump campaign calls attention to higher grocery costs with clips of her saying, "Bidenomics is working." That, along with Harris' role in dealing with root causes for the crisis at the southern border and what she knew about Biden's capacity, could all be used against the vice president during Tuesday's debate. Only 31% of Americans surveyed in the USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll said the country is on the right track versus to 58% who said it is on the wrong track. As Harris threads the incumbency needle, she might look to defend her boss, who is seeing better numbers since bowing out. The USA TODAY/Suffolk survey found that about 84% of voters think his decision to drop out was right, and 48% of respondents approve of the job he's doing compared to 41% who said the same in late June. Other pollsters show Biden's numbers relatively unchanged, but as Democrats and their allies revere the president's choice, any improvement benefits Harris. "I think that Harris needs to run against Trump, not Biden ... who accomplished a significant amount during his presidency," said Harvey, the voting rights leader. Harvey said instead of playing defense Harris can go on offense Tuesday by reminding voters about the series of controversies and decisions made during the Trump years. She noted how the next president could make multiple appointments to the Supreme Court in the next term. Abortion rights activists gather at the U.S. Supreme Court on June 24, 2024, to mark the second anniversary of the court overturning Roe v. Wade. Four of the nine justices will be in their 70s by the end of next January, which progressive activists say raises the stakes given the high court's 6-3 conservative tilt. "They could retire or die or have health issues," Harvey said. "That means that if Trump were reelected, he can ensure MAGA control of the court for decades to come. That would have a huge impact on issues concerning abortion, voting rights and on gun safety." 'Prosecutor v. felon' (or reality TV star) FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends a press conference, the day after a guilty verdict in his criminal trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, at Trump Tower in New York City, U.S., May 31, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo One thing that infuriated Democrats about the June 27 debate was Bidens missed opportunity at making a coherent case against Trump on national TV. Whether it is the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, handling of the COVID-19 pandemic or his various court cases, Harris comes into Tuesday with an expectation by supporters to put Trump's political and personal record on trial. The Harris campaign enjoys framing this race as a prosecutor v. felon. But a debate stage isn't a courtroom and Trump, a former reality TV star, is experienced in what will be his seventh presidential debate when counting his past White House campaigns in 2016 and 2020. Debate could break audience records The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia will host the Sept. 10 Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Bidens exit, Harris entry and Trump's showmanship has given this campaign a cinematic feel that coupled with real world consequences, could make it the most watched presidential debate in U.S. history. That title is currently held by the 2016 contest between Trump and Hillary Clinton, who drew about 84 million viewers during their first debate. The other top watched debates are roughly 80 million who watched the 1980 debate between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter; and approximately 73 million who viewed the first 2020 debate between Biden and Trump amid the pandemic. ABC News will host the event, but if you include other platforms and streaming services this could break records. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harris-Trump debate: 7 things to watch for at high stakes faceoff BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. As Western Asia undergoes profound geopolitical changes, Iraq and Turkiye are forging a new phase of cooperation, overcoming long-standing tensions. This pivotal shift in bilateral relations is driven by mutual interests in security, economic collaboration, and countering external threats, making their partnership more critical than ever. In 2024, with mounting international and regional challenges, Baghdad and Ankara are reassessing their strategic positions, opting for pragmatic cooperation. Historically, relations between Turkiye and Iraq have been strained by a series of complex issues, including the presence of Turkish forces on Iraqi soil battling Kurdish militants, as well as disputes over water resources and oil supplies. For decades, Baghdad has consistently condemned Turkiye's actions as a violation of its sovereignty. Yet, in 2024, both nations are embarking on a fundamental reassessment of these conflicts, focusing on developing long-term, collaborative strategies to address shared challenges. Key Developments in 2024 One of the most notable milestones in this rapprochement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in August 2024. This agreement focuses on joint efforts in combating terrorism and enhancing military cooperation. The MoU marks a significant step toward establishing a joint security and coordination center in Baghdad, which will enable both nations to maintain ongoing information exchange and coordinate actions against Kurdish separatist groups such as the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). For Turkiye, the fight against the PKK remains a top priority, especially as attacks on its southern regions have intensified. Iraq's decision to officially designate the PKK as a terrorist organization in 2023 set the stage for closer cooperation between the two countries in addressing this persistent threat. According to data from 2024, Turkiye and Iraq have experienced a 20% increase in bilateral trade, largely driven by the implementation of the ambitious infrastructure project known as the "Development Road," introduced by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in May 2023. This project involves the construction of railways and highways linking Iraq and Turkiye with Europe, representing a direct response to the potential competition posed by the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The Iraq-Turkiye project has already attracted significant investment, particularly from Gulf nations. Economic Priorities and Challenges In 2024, maintaining a strong foothold in regional and global trade is the foremost economic priority for both Iraq and Turkiye. IMEC, backed by the U.S., Israel, and several Gulf states, excludes Iraq and Turkiyefrom its framework, intensifying the need for alternative strategies. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has voiced sharp criticism of IMEC, declaring, "Without Turkiye, there is no corridor," highlighting Turkiyes indispensable role as a key transit hub between Asia and Europe. The "Development Road" project has emerged as a central initiative for both Ankara and Baghdad in addressing these challenges. The inclusion of Iraqs Grand Port of Al-Faw in the project opens new opportunities for Iraq to enhance its presence in global trade, while also reinforcing Turkiyes pivotal role in international logistics. Against this backdrop, the total volume of bilateral trade between Iraq and Turkiye has surpassed $15 billion in 2024, reflecting a 25% increase compared to the previous year. Security Remains Paramount Yet, robust economic cooperation cannot flourish without ensuring security. In 2024, maintaining stability in Iraq remains a critical issue in bilateral talks. The Kurdish question continues to be a focal point of the discussions. Despite Iraqs efforts to further integrate its semi-autonomous Kurdish region, the threat of terrorist attacks by the PKK persists. Joint operations, supported by Turkiye, have yielded positive results, but the complete eradication of this threat requires long-term, sustained efforts. In April 2024, Turkiye and Iraq held joint military exercises in Iraqs northern regions, underscoring both nations' readiness to enhance their security coordination. These exercises were also aimed at bolstering the capabilities of Iraqs military forces to effectively combat separatist groups, reflecting a new level of trust and cooperation between Baghdad and Ankara. Looking Ahead Strategic cooperation between Turkiye and Iraq in 2024 is a crucial element in the broader reconfiguration of power dynamics in the region. As external players such as the U.S. and Gulf states seek to reshape economic and political alliances across Western Asia, both Turkiye and Iraq recognize the necessity of strengthening their bilateral ties. While challenges remainsuch as competition from IMEC and unresolved tensions over the Kurdish issuethey should not undermine the growing commitment of both nations to a mutually beneficial partnership. Looking ahead, experts predict that Iraq and Turkiye will continue to expand their economic and military cooperation. The "Development Road" project has already secured over $3 billion in investments, reflecting the serious intentions of both nations to move forward. Furthermore, their coordinated actions on security matters are laying the groundwork for sustained regional stability and growth. By overcoming past divisions, Iraq and Turkiye are entering a new era of cooperation, one that could serve as a model for other nations in the region facing similar challenges. In the context of increasing global competition and shifting strategic interests, this partnership is set to become a cornerstone of regional stability and economic prosperity. More than 3,000 family members of 9/11 victims are demanding both former President Trump and Vice President Harris oppose any Middle East peace deal with Saudi Arabia unless the kingdom acknowledges and is held accountable for its involvement in the attack. "We waited 23 years for truth, justice and accountability," Brett Eagleson, head of the advocacy group 9/11 Justice who lost his father in the World Trade Center, told Fox News Digital ahead of the 23rd anniversary of the nation's deadliest terror attack. "As we continue to push and as we continue to make noise, we're seeing more and more evidence, smoking-gun evidence coming out about the kingdom's role in supporting 9/11 hijackers, and our government has done nothing to hold them accountable." Both Trump and President Biden have been pushing for a security deal that would normalize relations between Israel and the Saudis, allow for civil nuclear energy cooperation and defense guarantees to counter Iran. That deal was put on ice after the Hamas attack on Israel last October. The families point to video footage of a Saudi government agent "casing" the U.S. Capitol as proof of Saudi involvement. They sent an original letter to both Harris and Trump last week and a follow-up one this week. They also invited both candidates to meet with them at Ground Zero next Wednesday on the 9/11 anniversary. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP New York firefighters are shown amid the rubble of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks. "As you campaign to become the next President of the United States, we ask you to pledge that you will not endorse any Middle East peace deal involving Saudi Arabia unless it fully addresses the role of the Saudi Arabian government in the 9/11 attacks," their letter reads. HARRIS' RECORD GIVES INSIGHT TO GOALS: GETTING TOUGH ON SAUDI ARABIA AND RENEWING IRAN DEAL Omar al-Bayoumi, who the FBI says was an operative of the Saudi intelligence service with close ties to two of the 9/11 hijackers, can be seen filming a video published by CBS in June 2024 around the Capitol pointing out entrances and exits, security posts and a model of the building. Al-Bayoumi noted the airport nearby and pointed to the Washington Monument and said he would "report to you what is in there." Federal investigators believe the hijackers of Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, had intentions of flying the plane into the Capitol. "We're saying that if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia truly wants to engage with the West, and they want to continue to buy our weapons, and they want our nuclear technology, and they want the defense of our troops, the least they can do is admit their fault and admit that the practices within their government 23 years ago, with supporting the hijackers and exporting this radical form of Islam, admit that it were not for that, 9/11 would have never had happened." Eagleson said Saudi Crown-Prince Mohammed bin Salman [MBS] "had nothing to do with 9/11 we were both 15 at the time." "To MBS credit, he is sort of being a progressive, but it doesn't absolve them from the sins of their past." Formed by families of victims in Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia, 9/11 Justice has sued the Saudi government and pushed the U.S. government to declassify all remaining documents about 9/11. Fifteen of the 19 al Qaeda hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, but the direct links of the Saudi government have remained murky for years. "The leaders of our government, the two candidates for office, have refused to address this issue, and we're sick and tired of it," said Eagleson. OPINION: WHY SAUDI ARABIA MATTERS MORE THAN EVER TO THE US In 2021, Biden signed an executive order for the review and declassification of 9/11 documents, but its "not working," Eagleson says. "We're having to go outside of the country to get this information," he added, noting that the casing video had come from British police. The London Police provided the FBI with the video years ago, but it was never made available to the 9/11 commission or the CIA, according to Deputy Director Michael Morrell. "Im 99.9% confident that we did not have this video. I was the presidents briefer at the time. If somebody had shown me this video, I would have shown it to the president," he told CBS. "Have President Biden and Vice President Harris seen this video? Has President Trump seen it? Why was this video buried?" Eagleson said. "The fact that they're not answering that question just smells of conspiracy, it smells of cover-up." The Harris and Trump campaigns could not be reached for comment. Original article source: 9/11 families call on Trump, Harris to oppose US-Saudi deal until kingdom admits involvement in terror attack The Tribute In Light is lit in Lower Manhattan near One World Trade Center on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center at Ground Zero in New York City on Sept. 10, 2021. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Remembrance events will be held at U.S. national cemeteries throughout 34 states and Puerto Rico on Wednesday as the nation pauses to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. The Veterans Administration will host more than 60 National Day of Service and Remembrance events at the national cemeteries on the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which killed 2,977 people in the single largest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack on American soil. In addition to the remembrance services, the VA's National Cemetery Administration says it is partnering with volunteer group Carry the Load and AmeriCorps for a series of 9/11 events in which volunteers will clean headstones and participate in other beautification activities at VA national cemeteries. "We encourage everyone to join us at one of this year's September 11 National Day of Service events to honor the nation's heroes who served and sacrificed 23 years ago," Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters said in a statement. "Our acts of volunteer service at cemeteries across the country tell these heroes that we have not forgotten their bravery and all they sacrificed for the country." On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 terrorists associated with the Islamist extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes scheduled to fly from the East Coast to California. In a coordinated attack that turned the planes into weapons, they intentionally flew two of the planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing them to collapse. They also flew a third plane into the Pentagon, while passengers and crew members on the fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, forced its hijacker pilot to crash the aircraft into a field in Somerset County, Pa., near the town of Shanksville. Its apparent target was the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington. In addition to the VA ceremonies throughout the country, groups and individuals from across the political spectrum are also planning special tributes on Wednesday remembering those who died the terrorist attacks. In New York City, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum will hold its annual Tribute in Light display beginning at dusk. Assembled on the roof of the Battery Parking Garage south of the 9/11 Memorial, the commemorative public art installation features twin beams of light reaching up to four miles into the sky. They are comprised of eighty-eight 7,000-watt xenon lightbulbs positioned into two 48-foot squares, echoing the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris plan to commemorate Sept. 11 with a stop at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, later heading to Ground Zero in New York and to the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. Due to time needed to set up the annual September 11 Observance Ceremony and to prepare for the visit by Biden and Harris, the Defense Department announced the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial will be temporarily closed to the public from 5 a.m. Tuesday through Wednesday at 6 p.m., with the exception of any victims' families. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Events are being held across the Hampton Roads region to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, marks the 23rd anniversary of the attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people. Some events will be held on Sept. 11, while others are on the weekend/later this month. Chesapeake 9/11 Ceremony of Remembrance: The ceremony starts at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 11 at the Chesapeake 9/11 Memorial at 900 City Park Drive. Hampton Langley Air Force Base will hold a 9/11 memorial ceremony on Wednesday, September 11 starting at 8:46 a.m. The event will be led by the fire department and will include a ruck march around 9:15 a.m. For more details, click here. Newport News The citys law enforcement and fire departments will be at an event at Christopher Newport Universitys Gaines Theatre at 10 a.m. Norfolk Naval Station Norfolk will host a wreath laying ceremony at 8 a.m. at the flag plaza across from the Naval Station Norfolk headquarters building. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb: This event, a fundraisers thats open to the public, will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 14 at Norfolk Scope. Participants will climb the equivalent of 110 stories to honor the heroes of 9/11. Youre asked to register in advance. Portsmouth The city will hold a ceremony at 11 a.m. at High Street Landing. Its open to the public. Virginia Beach The 9/11 Heroes Run will be September 28 at 8 a.m. at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. Click here to register and 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 WAVY.com. Evacuation from Pokrovsk district. Screenshot: video by State Emergency Service of Ukraine Ukrainian rescue workers evacuated 92 people, including 10 children and a person with limited mobility, from frontline settlements in Pokrovsk district of Donetsk Oblast over the past week. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) Details: SES reports that they also helped 305 people, including 49 children and 43 people with limited mobility. Quote: "Dear citizens! It is becoming increasingly dangerous to stay in Donetsk Oblast. Rescue workers are risking their own lives to keep people safe. Do not hesitate, evacuate!" Background: On 5 September, the Myrnohrad City Military Administration announced the evacuation trains will no longer travel from Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast due to the worsening security situation. The Pavlohrad station in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast became the initial departure station for the evacuation trains transporting people from Donetsk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! AAA releases weekly gas prices as fall closes in on NNY WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) Gas prices took a favorable turn from last week in the City of Watertown. AAA of Western and Central New York released its weekly look at average gas prices from across the region and Watertowns average price dropped seven cents to $3.39. Last week, the average cost of a gallon of gas was $3.46. AAA releases first post Labor Day gas prices for NNY The average cost is calculated from the gas stations in and around the Watertown area. The drop is the steepest in the region with Rome seeing the next-highest decline at five cents. Heres a breakdown of the average gas prices from around the region: Batavia $3.49 (down 4 cents from last Monday) Buffalo $3.48 (down 3 cents from last Monday) Elmira $3.22 (down 2 cents from last Monday) Ithaca $3.56 (down 1 cent from last Monday) Rochester $3.51 (down 4 cents from last Monday) Rome $3.52 (down 5 cents from last Monday) Syracuse $3.41 (down 4 cents from last Monday) Watertown $3.39 (down 7 cents from last Monday) Todays national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.27, down six cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $3.82. The state average is $3.42, down five cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.87. For drivers who use diesel fuel, the national average price for diesel is $3.65, down four cents from last Monday. The state average is $4.08, down four cents from last Monday. When it comes to EV charging, the national and state averages for L2 commercial electricity remain steady. The national average for a kilowatt of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station remains at 34 cents. An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles. After idling over the Labor Day weekend, the national average for a gallon of gasoline resumed its pace of daily declines by falling six cents since last week to $3.27. Key contributors are low gas demand and the plunging cost of oil, trading in the high $60s per barrel this morning. The arrival of September means cheaper winter-blend gasoline is almost here, which will help to further take pressure off of pump prices and allow this falling trend to continue. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand fell last week while domestic supply rose slightly. Falling gasoline demand and oil costs will likely keep pump prices sliding down as autumn approaches Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. AAA says gas prices are dipping, just like the temperatures Georgia gas prices are steadily decreasing, just as temperatures are, according to a new report from the American Automobile Association. AAA said the Georgia gas price average continues to decline at the pumps compared to a week ago. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Georgians pay an average of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Mondays state average is eight cents less than a week ago, 19 cents less than a month ago, and 51 cents less than this time last year. It costs drivers an average price of $45.90 to fill a 15-gallon tank of gas. Georgians are paying almost $3.00 less to fill up at the pump than a month ago. Gas prices are down significantly in parts of the state, said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. Low demand post-Labor Day, crude oil prices trending under $70, and no major storms in the gulf threatening refineries, keep pump prices low for now. Since last Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline decreased by six cents to $3.27. TRENDING STORIES: After idling over the Labor Day weekend, the national average for a gallon of gas resumed its pace of daily declines. Key contributors are low gas demand and the plunging cost of oil, which is struggling to stay above $70 a barrel. Regional prices: The most expensive Georgia metro markets are Savannah ($3.19), Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($3.15), and Atlanta ($3.09). The least expensive Georgia metro markets are Augusta-Aiken ($2.92), Dalton ($2.91), and Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.85). [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Scores of high-level community college leaders from throughout the state will have the opportunity to explore Amarillo College, reigning recipient of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, when AC hosts the Community College Association of Texas Trustees (CCATT) Annual Conference. The three-day annual event begins at noon Thursday, Sept. 12 and concludes at noon Saturday, Sept. 14. This years theme is "Collaborative Connections: Community College Governance & K-12 Partnerships." Amarillo College anticipates that anywhere from 150 to 180 community college regents, presidents, chancellors and staff will be in attendance. "We are very excited to showcase the work we've done in our community to create a thriving workforce pipeline that begins in Amarillo ISD and continues at Amarillo College, said Jay Barrett, who serves not only as chairman of ACs Board of Regents, but is the principal of the AISDs AmTech Career Academy. Moreover, Barrett is CCATTs outgoing chair. "Our CCATT members will see what an Aspen Award-winning College has done to enhance the lives of our students and help them be ready for the world of work in high-wage skilled jobs that are transformative and life-changing, he said. AC was co-recipient of the 2023 Aspen Prize, the nations signature recognition of high achievement and performance among Americas community colleges. The prestigious accolade is awarded only biannually. Among the CCATT Conference agenda highlights are a welcoming reception (and ballgame) Thursday evening (5:35 p.m.) at Hodgetown Stadium; breakout sessions and the annual business meeting from 9 a.m. to mid-afternoon Friday at Embassy Suites, followed by tours of AC and its Innovation Outpost, and AmTech; and lastly, breakout sessions from 9 a.m. until noon adjournment on Saturday. Since 2007, CCATT, which works with the Texas Association of Community Colleges, has served as an independent, member-supported organization for approximately 400 community college trustees and regents. CCATTs mission is to foster student success and ensure excellence in governance. The Association is governed by a Board of Directors, composed of trustees elected by their peers during the Annual Conference. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: AC to host Community College Assoc. of Texas Trustees Conference Accused DUI driver crashes into memorial for NJ trooper killed by motorist in 92 A touching roadside memorial for a New Jersey state trooper killed during a traffic stop was just wrecked by a DUI driver, authorities say. David Neufield, 38, was nabbed after police said he ran off the road and barreled into the memorial established for Trooper Thomas Hanratty, who was killed at the same spot by a speeding motorist April 2, 1992. An alleged DUI driver recently ran over a memorial for New Jersey State Trooper Thomas Hanratty, who was killed by an errant motorist at the location in 1992. New Jersey State Police/Facebook Hanratty, 24, was returning to his car after a traffic stop on April 2, 1992, when he was struck and killed by a passing vehicle. New Jersey State Police/Facebook The crash caused significant damage to the Trooper Hanratty memorial, a solemn reminder of the daily dangers our troopers face while serving and protecting the public, the department said on Facebook. This incident underscores the important of safe and sober driving on our roadways. State police said Neufield was driving on Interstate 78 in Union County around 2 p.m. on Aug. 31 when his vehicle veered off the roadway and into the memorial. Troopers and Summit Fire Department crews responded to the scene and transported Neufield to a nearby hospital, where he was charged with driving under the influence and drug possession. Neufield suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The troopers roadside memorial was wrecked. New Jersey State Police/Facebook Hanratty, 24, had been a member of the New Jersey State Police Department for just over three years when he was killed, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. The young cop had conducted a routine traffic stop and was returning to his car when he was hit. Achievement gaps between white, Black and Hispanic students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools persist, new state data show. But promising gains in early literacy spell progress. About 38% of Hispanic CMS students tested at or above grade level last year, according to a Charlotte Observer analysis of N.C. Department of Public Instruction data. Thats around the same percentage as the 2022-23 school year. Approximately 41% of Black students in CMS tested at or above grade level, a slight improvement from the 2022-23 school year, when the figure was 39%. Meanwhile, 81% of white students in CMS scored at or above grade level last school year. More than a dozen CMS schools had less than a quarter of their Hispanic students testing at grade level. The percentage of Hispanic students who performed at grade level declined at more than half of CMS campuses from 2022-23 to 2023-24, data show. However, CMS has seen significant gains in early literacy that is, reading in kindergarten through second grade over the last two years as it makes strides toward closing these achievement gaps. The gap between average scores for white and Black CMS students narrowed by 9 percentage points between 2022 and 2024 on the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Literacy and Skills assessment. The gap between white and Hispanic students narrowed by 8 percentage points. As a whole, CMS students outperformed the national average in all three grade levels. This is beyond promising, CMS Chief of Strategy and Innovation Beth Thompson said Wednesday. Weve still got room to go, but this is an accomplishment. Thompson said the district began a new curriculum focused on early literacy in 2019. Much of the success, she says, is due to sticking with the curriculum through the pandemic as well as earmarking a significant portion of federal funding for professional development for teachers in kindergarten through second grade. There was a moment where we couldve said Lets pause, but we said Weve got to keep going even in the face of adversity, Thompson said. What were seeing now is a result of not stopping, and Im proud of that. CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill said it was part of a push across the state to invest in early literacy. Youre going to continue to see that investment pay off over the long term as kids move into older grades, Hill said. Still, achievement gaps persisted in graduation rates in CMS this year, with a graduation rate of 83% among Black students and 75% among Hispanic students, compared to 93% among white students. The overall district graduation rate was 84% up just over 1 percentage point from last year but still lagging behind the state average as well as similar counties. Thompson says its a focus for CMS this year. You will see dramatic improvement this year, she said. Why do achievement gaps exist? These achievement gaps dont exist in the same measure at every school, and the schools with a high percentage of students performing below grade level tend to also be the schools with the most low-income students. Education experts say achievement gaps are due largely to inequitable access to opportunity and resources. In North Carolina, Black and Hispanic students are disproportionately impacted by economic inequality. Despite making up only 41% of the child population, Black and Hispanic children account for 63% of North Carolinas children in poverty. History tells us that there has never truly been an achievement gap, but an opportunity gap, Deanna Townsend-Smith, director of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity, told The Charlotte Observer. It is an opportunity gap because students have not had the necessary access to highly trained qualified professionals who are in the classroom teaching them each and every day. Schools in North Carolina that have high levels of low-income students and students of color are more likely to have teacher shortages and less experienced teachers than schools that dont. Townsend-Smith says its because those schools usually lack resources. Teachers tend to hit their stride, on average, around five to seven years into the profession, so not having experienced teachers or fully qualified teachers for students is a problem, said Brenda Berg, president and CEO of education advocacy non-profit Best NC. Because the single biggest in-school factor for student achievement is a high-quality teacher. No NC school in the highest poverty quintile received an A or a B grade in this years state accountability ratings. Meanwhile, no school in the highest quintile for wealth received a D or an F, and only five received a C. I think there is an ongoing conversation about how we calculate these grades, and by combining achievement and growth together, it doesnt tell us much, said Berg. It tells us what the affluent schools are. Bias also plays a role, Berg says. There was a study in North Carolina, based on poverty, that found many poorer kids were given lower quality instructional materials, she said. Even with a great teacher, students may not get the same materials as a student at another school. What can be done? Berg said creating pathways for professional development and pay incentives for more experienced teachers to work at high-need schools is one effective strategy. That way, you have a real genuine way to attract teachers to schools where they may not have considered teaching before, Berg said. Charlotte is actually one of the leaders in the state on this. About 10 years ago, CMS began building what it calls its Teacher Leader Pathway. As part of the program, educators with a history of high student impact get additional opportunities for professional development as well as up to $18,250 added to their salary by working at schools where theyre most needed. Berg also says effective principals are important. Great teachers want to work for a great principal. Any parent can tell you that a great principal changes the whole temperature of a school, Berg said. You want higher performing principals moving to higher need schools. Advisor to Ukraine's strategic industries minister and soldier Yaroslav Oliinyk with the call-sign "Loki" was killed in a car accident, presidential advisor Alexander Kamyshin said on Sept. 8. Oliinyk's wife, Nina, was also killed in a car crash. Oliinyk, 28, joined the ministry, then headed by Kamyshin, in November 2023 and was in charge of the cooperation with drone manufacturers. For a while, Oliinyk was also a consultant on the use of drones for the Ukrainian Come Back Alive foundation. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Oliinyk joined Ukraine's Armed Forces and served as a drone operator. He participated in battles in Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts, as well as in the Kharkiv offensive in the fall of 2022. Read also: Ukraine wants to develop AI for drone swarms, cheap missiles, Fedorov says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. On Monday, September 9, the American corporation Apple will hold one of the most anticipated presentations in the world of modern technologies. At 20:00 Kyiv time, the tech giant will show a new line of iPhones. ADVERTISIMENT Also expected are such novelties as Apple Watch 10 smartwatch and several versions of wireless headphones AirPods. OBOZ.UA found out what innovations the iPhone 16 will have and how much money you need to prepare to buy a new gadget. Apple CEO Tim Cook will hold the event under the slogan "It's Glowtime", and the main focus this year will be on supporting artificial intelligence capabilities. Besides, developers are likely to boast of improved cameras, higher battery life, and a new powerful smartphone processor. The iPhone 16 presentation will be available in the app or on the official Apple Event page. Apple also promises to broadcast it live on YouTube. Apple revealed some secrets of upcoming novelties at the WWDC global developer conference in early June 2024. Then, the tech giant announced the Apple Intelligence artificial intelligence platform, which will become the main feature of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia operating systems. ADVERTISIMENT According to insiders, the new iPhone 16 line will not look much different from last year's "apple" novelties. The main feature of the Pro and Pro Max versions will be an additional button on the titanium frame of the smartphone, which will be responsible for photo and video capabilities of the gadget. Also, the older versions of the iPhone should become larger the Pro will grow from 6.1 to 6.3 inches, and the Pro Max from 6.7 to 6.9 inches. As for the "stuffing", Apple is likely to install a new processor in the Pro version, but the amount of RAM, according to insiders, will remain at last year's level 8 GB. ADVERTISIMENT The younger versions iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will undergo changes in the appearance of the camera unit. It is expected that the two lenses will now be arranged vertically instead of diagonally. Despite the fact that Apple likes to put last year's processors in the younger versions of the iPhone, this year, all models are likely to receive the A18 chip to support artificial intelligence. At the same time, reviewers have shamed Apple for saving on screens in the younger versions of the iPhone. According to sources, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will continue to be equipped with 60 Hz screens, while even budget Android smartphones offer users a smoother "picture" due to 120 Hz. ADVERTISIMENT According to preliminary data, the price of the iPhone 16 Pro will start at $1099, while the Pro Max version will cost $1199. It is worth noting that the prices announced during the presentation apply only to the United States, so in Ukraine, the iPhone will be even more expensive. However, reliable information about the cost of the new gadgets will be known only after the presentation, as the preliminary price is based on insiders' assumptions and leaks. Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest developments. Thousands of Floridians with Aetna health insurance could be looking for new doctors by next week due to a dispute between the insurer and HCA Healthcare over reimbursement rates. In a letter sent to customers, Aetna said that HCA hospitals will no longer be considered in-network in Florida and patients could end up having to pay if they continue to get treatment there. The warning is the result of the insurance company, which is owned by pharmacy giant CVS, and HCA failing to agree terms for a new reimbursement contract. The current contract for hospital care expires Sept. 15. A separate contract covering Aetna Medicare Advantage expires on Oct. 31, 2025, according to a HCA website page about the potential upheaval. Our goal is to reach a compromise with Aetna so you and your loved ones can continue to have the convenient access you expect at our 48 hospital campuses and other sites of care throughout Florida, read the site. Neither side in the dispute were willing to reveal how many patients could be affected but HCA is one of the states largest hospital chains. Its 48 hospitals include nine in the Tampa Bay region. HCA Healthcare is continuing to negotiate an agreement with Aetna for commercial managed care and exchange products, according to a company statement provided to the Tampa Bay Times. At this time, we are working with Aetna to reach a fair and equitable agreement so there is no disruption in services for patients, read the statement. Neither Aetna nor HCA would comment on when the two sides last negotiated . They also declined to comment further on any stumbling blocks. Officials from Aetna said they are still in the contract renewal process. We are hopeful that our contract discussions will result in an agreement that keeps HCA in our network in Florida, said Aetna spokesperson Alex Kepnes. Bargaining between insurance and medical care providers is normally conducted behind closed doors but its not unheard of for one side or both to go public with warnings of the disruption patients will face if no agreement is reached. In 2022, BayCare Health System sent 215,000 letters to patients insured through Florida Blue warning that their services would be out of the insurers network and accusing the insurer of being unwilling to reach an agreement. Florida Blue responded by posting on its website that BayCare was asking for double-digit rate increases for diagnostic services like X-rays and MRIs and other medical imaging that would result in higher premiums. The companies eventually agreed a new deal after more than seven months of talks. Under state law, insurers must give customers at least one months notice of the loss of a provider. The letter sent by Aetna instructs customers to go to www.aetna.com/docfind for a list of in-network hospitals and doctors. Patients whose care cannot be transferred to another facility in Aetnas network are instructed to ask their current doctor to seek authorization of further treatment. In cases of emergency, customers should still go to the nearest emergency room, the letter states. The visit will be covered even if the hospital is out-of-network. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The storms will fade slowly after sunset, making for a muggy but otherwise quiet evening. Temperatures will make it down into the mid to upper 70s overnight. Once again, heavy afternoon and early evening downpours expected tomorrow. Some of the showers drift back toward the Gulf of Mexico around sunset, but taper quickly. We keep the rain chance at 60% through Wednesday, and then the coverage of rain drops slightly for the end of the week. Most of the rain that does form will be in the afternoon each day. Highs remain in the low 90s into next week. The tropics are more active now, and we do have Potential Tropical Cyclone 6. It should strengthen in the western Gulf of Mexico and may make landfall on the northern Gulf Coast as a potential hurricane. Overall, there is little impact from this system on the Tampa Bay area. Two other tropical waves have a chance to develop in the open Atlantic. The statistical peak of hurricane season is tomorrow, September 10. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Weather Forecast Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (WKBN) Ohio Attorney General David Yost announced Monday that he has ordered his office to research legal avenues to stop the government from sending an unlimited number of migrants to Ohio communities. Read next: Boardman plaza owner wants traffic light to remain in place The move comes of the heels of a large number of Haitian migrants in Springfield Clark County. Ohio Senator JD Vance and Trumps VP running mate questioned Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in July about the economic impact of the migrant crisis, targeting Springfield in his comments. Vance referenced a letter from Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck to Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Tim Scott about the crisis. Heck wrote that Springfield is facing a significant housing crisis and while they have implemented some programs to help, an influx of migrants to the community has strained services. Springfield has seen a surge in population through immigration that has significantly impacted our ability as a community to produce enough housing opportunities for all. Springfields Haitian population has increased to 15,000 20,000 over the last four years in a community of just under 60,000 previous residents, putting a significant strain on our resources and ability to provide ample housing for all of our residents. Despite 2000 additional housing units set to come online over the next three to five years, this is still not enough, Heck wrote. Housing-and-Immigration-Letter-7.8.2024Download Ohio Governor Mike DeWine also spoke to Springfield and Clark County leaders in July and is expected to meet again with them later this month about the impact on schools, medical facilities and other programs that are stretched because of the population influx. In July, DeWine said his office is working to help support the county. Yost said the sudden and extreme population growth needs to be addressed. He said the problem is not migrants but too many in a short period of time. This is absurd Springfield has swollen by more than a third due to migrants, Yost said. How many people can they be expected to take? What are the limits to the federal governments power? Could the federal government simply funnel into Ohio all the millions of migrants flooding in under the current administrations watch? Yost asked. Yost said that in addition to straining resources, locals have complained about migrants causing car crashes, stealing property including livestock squatting in homes and killing wildlife for food. According to the Columbus Dispatch, an immigrant from Haiti who did not have an Ohio drivers license, hit a school bus in May in Clark County, killing a student and injuring several others. Ohio is a great place to work and live, Yost said. But overwhelming our small towns with massive migrant populations without any coordination or assistance from the federal government is changing that in front of our eyes, Yost said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Chief executive of Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Julia Neal, said she was "extremely saddened and disappointed that it has come to this" [BBC] Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire is to shut at the end of the month following "severe financial challenges". The charity, which supports older people, said it was no longer viable to offer services in the counties due to rising operating costs and a reduction in funding. It said it was working hard to ensure a "smooth transition to alternative support". A spokesperson said despite making a "significant contribution" to the wider health and care system, it had become "increasingly vulnerable" to the challenges faced by the sector. The chief executive of Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Julia Neal, said she was "extremely saddened and disappointed that it has come to this". She added: "We know that our clients will be concerned about what this news means for them, and we are in the process of making contact to ensure that they know what arrangements will be in place for them." Ms Neal said it had not previously focused a lot of its efforts on fundraising activities "unlike some other charities". She stated: "Most of our income has come from contracts and grants... that [contract] income is getting harder to get and harder to predict. "The number of charities [applying]... for grants is just going through the roof, so the amount of grants that we are successful in getting is becoming much less." Last year, the organisation supported more than 15,000 older people across the two counties [BBC] Last year, the organisation - which is part of the wider Age UK group, but registered as a separate charity - supported more than 15,000 older people across the two counties. The closure is expected to affect clients as well as staff, volunteers, "funders, and other stakeholders" who had supported the charity's work. During the past year, it said it had made "a substantial difference in the local community" by helping older people access 1.4m in previously unclaimed benefits. It also conducted more than 370 free home energy checks and helped more than 1,000 people in safely returning home after a hospital stay. Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire said it was working with other local charities and the wider Age UK organisation to ensure as many clients as possible receive the support they need. It added that anyone seeking advice and support could also reach out to the charity's national advice line. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Related internet links Ahead of Toronto festival premiere, filmmaker defends documentary on Russian soldiers, says journalists 'follow the story where it goes' Russian-Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova has admitted to entering Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories without official permits while making her controversial documentary "Russians at War." The film is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sept. 10. In her interview with the Globe and Mail published on Sept. 8, Trofimova emphasized that her focus was solely on the Russian soldiers, whom she described as hidden figures of the war, adding that her decision to embed with them was driven by the unique access she was offered. Despite acknowledging that Russia's invasion is unjustified and illegal, Trofimova's film has sparked debate over its content and funding sources. The film has drawn backlash since its debut at the Venice Film Festival, and has been criticized by Ukraine's consul-general in Toronto, Oleh Nikolenko, for allegedly whitewashing Russian war crimes. Nikolenko urged the festival committee to remove the documentary. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) reported that the documentary received funding from the Canadian Media Fund, a public-private partnership backed by the Department of Canadian Heritage, in amount of 340,000 Canadian dollars ($250,358). Nikolenko in his letter criticized the Canadian government for helping to fund the documentary. He also said that by joining a Russian military unit on occupied Ukrainian territory, Trofimova "grossly violates Ukrainian legislation." Trofimova issued a statement on Sept. 6 defending the documentary against what she characterized as attacks. "I want to be clear that this Canada-France co-production is an anti-war film made at great risk to all involved, myself especially," she said. Trofimova, who previously worked for the Russian state-controlled media company RT, , said that she lacked access to the Ukrainian side due to her Russian nationality and former association with RT. The company is banned in Canada. "For me to go to Ukraine as a Russian, I would be branded a spy or attacked. The fact that I used to work for RT Documentary doesnt help. I wouldnt have been able to cover both sides of the front," she told the Globe and Mail. "Journalists travel to war zones often without permission of the state. This is how were able to get a story thats not sanctioned by the state." The documentary trailer reveals that the film echoes several stereotypes propagated by Russian state-controlled media in an attempt to legitimize its genocidal war against Ukraine, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Russia and Ukraine have always been inseparable. I miss the brotherly union, one soldier says to the camera, reinforcing the false narrative that Ukraine cannot exist as an independent state. Read also: Documentary humanizing Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine sparks outrage at Venice, Toronto film festivals Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian air defence shoots down Russian Shahed UAVs in Kyiv Oblast and in suburbs of Kyiv itself Mobile air defence fire group. Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine An air-raid warning was issued in the capital and a number of oblasts of Ukraine on the night of 8-9 September due to the threat of Russian attack drones, and air defence was operating in Kyiv Oblast. Source: Kyiv City Military Administration; Ukrainian Air Force; Kyiv Oblast Military Administration Details: An air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv at 00:33. Earlier, an air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv Oblast, and the Air Force warned of drones flying from Poltava Oblast towards Kyiv Oblast. Serhii Popko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration, noted the threat of drones to the capital. Kyiv Oblast Military Administration reported that Russian UAVs had been spotted in Kyiv Oblast, and air defence forces were operating there. Update: Popko later reported that air defence forces were operating in the suburbs of the capital. At 01:39, the all-clear was given in Kyiv. Support UP or become our patron! For months, Reinard Pollmann has been fighting Boises eviction of his business at the Airport Inn. The city vacated the hotel, at 2660 W. Airport Way, in February after Boise police connected the property with calls for emergency services, including for drug overdoses, suspected drug sales and violent crime, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. Since March, Pollmann has been appealing the citys order for eviction, arguing that the city should have given him more time to correct the problems it identified at the property and calling the citys evidence of drug use into question, according to court records. Now, hes added another line of attack. In a tort claim filed Aug. 13, obtained by the Statesman through a public records request, he accused the city of evicting him, without compensation, from a property upon which he had invested vast amounts of time, money and effort. There remains the outstanding question of restitution/fair compensation due to Mr. Pollmann from the city due to the citys instant windfall in the form of buildings and other property improvements, the claim reads. Airport Inn, a hotel located near the Boise Airport, at 2660 W. Airport Way. Jennifer Kronberg, a spokesperson for the Boise Airport, declined to comment on potential litigation. Pollmanns former attorney, Angelo Rosa, wrote the claim in mid-August but told the Statesman in a Sep. 10 email that he was no longer representing Pollmann. He declined to comment for the story. Rosa estimates in the claim that Pollmanns improvements and additions to the property are worth up to $4 million, and that Pollman is owed the fair market value of the property. Pollmann privately owns the Airport Inn, but he was leasing the land on which the hotel sits from the Boise Airport. For businesses on airport property, the Boise Airport essentially acts as a landlord, airport spokesperson Shawna Samuelson previously told the Statesman. Pollmann has been leasing the land from the city since 2018, Kronberg told the Statesman in an email. In the claim, Rosa argued that, with its eviction notice, the city had engaged in an unlawful taking without just compensation and an abuse of process to gain quick control of the property, which resulted in the unjust enrichment of the city at Mr. Pollmanns expense. Police connected Airport Inn to drug use Kronberg declined to comment on the status of or future plans for the Airport Inn building. When the city ordered employees and residents of the Airport Inn to leave, it gave a similar notice to the nearby Rodeway Inn. Both businesses were given three days to vacate and surrender the properties. Pollmann had fallen behind on rent payments to the city, the Statesman reported, but the city decided to vacate the business when Boise police connected the Airport Inn to a 400% increase in calls for emergency services over the past year, Samuelson told the Statesman in February. Si Banga, the manager of the Rodeway Inn, told the Stateman in February that he was surprised by the citys allegation that his hotel was the site of illegal drug activity. He said the Rodeway Inn was being unfairly associated with activity at the Airport Inn. Banga did not reply to a phone call requesting comment for this story. Rachel Church, a co-manager at the Airport Inn, told the Statesman in February that there was some drug activity at the hotel, but that some of the hotels staff and long-term residents had been working unsuccessfully to clean up the place. A lot of them are struggling, she said of the hotels employees. Rachel Church and her son Elliot, 12, moved out of the Airport Inn hotel, where they lived until the city ordered owner Reinard Pollmann to vacate the property in February. Pollmanns tort claim did not directly counter the citys allegations about drug use on the property, but said the citys eviction process was procedurally inappropriate and unlawful. Rosa argued that the eviction was part of a broad and systemic campaign to deprive Mr. Pollmann and other ground lessees of the value they (like Mr. Pollmann) have invested into these properties for the sake of expanding the citys operational footprint around Boise Airport. Long-term residents scramble for housing as Boise vacates 2 hotels on airport property OSHA found appalling safety lapses before hangar collapse. Could Boise be liable? Youcef Aouchiche, an unsuccessful candidate in Algeria's presidential election, disputes the results which he said left the country is an an 'uncomfortable' situation (-) (-/AFP/AFP) The two unsuccessful candidates in Algeria's presidential election contested on Monday the turnout and percentage of votes they won in the weekend ballot, denouncing a "fraud". Speaking to reporters in the capital Algiers, Islamist candidate Abdelaali Hassani nonetheless conceded to incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who won with a landslide of nearly 95 percent of the vote on Saturday, according to the country's electoral authority, ANIE. Hassani, who heads the moderate Islamist party the Movement of Society for Peace, said he had "lost the battle but not the war". He was one of only two challengers to Tebboune, the second being Youcef Aouchiche of the centre-left Socialist Forces Front (FFS). At a press conference, Aouchiche said "the country finds itself in a very uncomfortable, even dangerous situation". "ANIE bears full responsibility for these dangerous deviations that undermine the election," he said, vowing an appeal against the preliminary figures to the Constitutional Court. The court is expected to review all appeals and validate the final results. The other challenger, Hassani, had earlier denounced "false figures" on voter turnout and demanded that authorities put a stop to the "masquerade". He also disputed the percentage of the vote he was declared to have won, which was only 3.17 percent according to ANIE's figures, which gave Aouchiche 2.15 percent. Tebboune, 78, was widely expected to breeze through the election and was focused instead on securing a high turnout. He was elected in December 2019 with 58 percent of the vote, despite a record abstention rate exceeding 60 percent, amid the massive Hirak pro-democracy protests. - 'Not a surprise' - More than 24 million Algerians were registered to vote this year but ANIE on Sunday did not give an official turnout rate. Instead, it announced a "provisional average turnout" rate of 48 percent, calculating it as the average of the turnout from different electoral districts, rather than the total number of voters compared to registered voters. That came after it had announced an "average participation rate of 26 percent" at 5:00 PM local time (0400 GMT), seven percent lower than at the same point in 2019, and extended the voting period by an hour. When it announced Tebboune's victory, it said he received 5.32 million votes out of a total 5.63 million, accounting for 94.65 percent of the vote. In an unprecedented move, however, all three campaigns -- including Tebboune's -- issued a joint statement late Sunday alleging "irregularities" in ANIE's results, adding they wanted to make the public aware of "vagueness and contradictions in the participation figures". The authority later responded, saying it was still in the process of receiving the official documentation outlining the turnout at districts and would subsequently forward them to the constitutional court. Analyst Hasni Abidi said Tebboune's landside was "not a surprise" but that the incumbent failed to mobilise voters. "He gains only 319,000 votes since 2019 and attracted just over five million voters out of 24 million registered, less than a quarter," said Abidi, head of the Geneva-based CERMAM research centre. bur/fka/anr/dcp/it/jsa Algeria has been at the crossroads of numerous cultures and civilizations. After a succession of Islamic Arab and Berber dynasties between the 8th and 15th Centuries it became a largely independent part of the Ottoman Empire, but it 1830 it was invaded by France and formally annexed in 1848. After World War Two, Algeria was riven by a bitter fight for independence in the 1950s and early 1960s, with conflicting reports about the death toll. French historians estimate some 400,000 Algerians were killed, while Algeria says more than one million people died. The country later endured a brutal internal conflict after when elections that Islamists appeared certain to win were cancelled in 1992; a low-level Islamist insurgency still affects Algeria. Geographically, the Sahara desert encompasses most of the country, except for its fertile and mountainous north, along the coast, where most Algerians live. It has one of Africa's largest economies in Africa, due mostly to its large oil and gas reserves and is a major supplier of natural gas to Europe. The country's military is one of the largest on the continent and its spending on defence the highest in Africa. Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring PEOPLE'S DEMOCRACTIC REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA: FACTS Capital: Algiers Area: 2,381,741 sq km Population: 46.7 million Languages: Arabic, Tamazight, plus French Life expectancy: 75 years (men) 78 years (women) LEADER President: Abdelmadjid Tebboune [Getty Images] Algeria's incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was re-elected for a second term in September 2024, with 94.6% of the vote. The only other two candidates approved by the authorities to run in the election - Abdelali Hassani Cherif, head of the prominent Islamist party, the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), and Youcef Aouchiche of the Socialist Forces Front (FFS) - received just 2.1% and 3.1% of the vote, respectively. Turnout was just above 48%, with many Algerians opting to boycott the vote. In March 2024, President Tebboune announced the election would be held three months before the end of his term - a move some said would create a disadvantage for his opponents, due to the limited campaigning period. President Tebboune has promised to create more jobs in a second term, but his critics doubt if he can fix Algeria's chronic problem of unemployment and bring about economic prosperity. MEDIA The town of Guerara [Getty Images] Press freedom in Algeria has been further restricted following a 2023 law passed by the country's parliament. The measure tightens media ownership rules and empowers courts to force journalists to reveal their sources. Domestic media outlets are banned from receiving overseas funding and dual-nationals prevented from owning press or broadcasting companies. TIMELINE Algerians endured a long and bitter struggle for independence [Getty Images] Some key dates in Algeria's history: c. 600BC - Carthaginians expand settlements along the North African coast. 4th Century BC - Berbers form the single largest element of the Carthaginian army. 241-238BC - Revolt of the Mercenaries: Berber soldiers rebel after being unpaid following Carthage's defeat by Rome in the First Punic War. 146BC - Carthage is destroyed by Roman forces under Scipio Africanus. 2nd Century BC - Emergence of the Berber kingdoms of Numidia and Mauretania. 24AD - Berber kingdoms become part of the Roman Empire. 429 - Germanic Vandals invade North Africa and set up kingdom based on Carthage. 477-578 - Rise of the Mauro-Roman kingdom, an independent Christian Berber kingdom centred in Altava. 533-34 - Byzantine forces under Belisarius drive out the Vandals as part of the Emperor Justinian's reconquest of the Western Roman Empire. 578-708 - Kingdom of Altava is a successor state to the previous Berber kingdom. It flourishes until the conquest of the area by the Umayyad Caliphate in the seventh and eighth centuries. 972-1148 - Zirids: a Berber dynasty from modern-day Algeria rules the central Maghreb from 972 to 1014 and the eastern Maghreb from 972 to 1148. 1050s-1147 - Almoravids: A Berber Muslim dynasty centered in the territory of present-day Morocco established an 11th Century empire over the western Maghreb (North Africa) and Al-Andalus (southern Spain) starting in the 1050s and lasting until its fall to the Almohads in 1147. 1121-1269 - Almohads: A North African Berber Muslim empire that at its height, controls much of the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. 1235-1557 - Zayyanids: A Berber dynasty centred on the town of Tlemcen in northwest Algeria. 1509 - Spanish conquer Oran. 1512 - Turkish privateer brothers Oruc and Hayreddin - both known to contemporary Europeans as Barbarossa or "Red Beard" - operate successfully off Tunisia. 1519 - After a Spanish attempt to take Algiers, an assembly of Algerian notables asks the Ottoman Sultan Selim to make Algiers part of the Ottoman Empire. Hayreddin Barbarossa is named Beylerbey of Algiers, or emir of emirs. The province becomes key for the Turks who see it as the spearhead of Ottoman power in the western Mediterranean. 1681-88 - French-Algerian War: part of a wider campaign by France against the Barbary pirates - mainly Muslim pirates and privateers operating from North Africa to capture slaves for the Ottoman slave trade. In addition to seizing merchant ships, they raided coastal towns and villages in Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal but also in the British Isles, Netherlands, and Iceland. 1783-1784 - Following attacks on Spanish merchant shipping, the Spanish navy and allies bombard Algiers, destroying much of its fortifications. 1815 - The Second Barbary War: between the United States and the Barbary Coast states of Tripoli, Tunis, and Algiers. 1816 - Britain and the Netherlands bombard Algiers in a bid to force the local ruler to stop enslaving Europeans. However, this does not completely end until the French conquest of Algeria. 1830 - Beginning of French conquest of Algeria. France occupies Algiers and seizes other coastal communities. Additional military forces are brought in over the following years to quell resistance in the interior, and encourage colonists to settle and farm. 1848 - Algeria becomes a department of France, an integral part of France itself. It is a destination for hundreds of thousands of European colonists. Many Europeans settle in Oran and Algiers, and form a majority of the population in both cities by the early 20th Century - about a fifth of the total population of Algeria. 1939-1945 - The defeat of France in 1940 and the Anglo-American occupation of North Africa during World War Two encourages hopes for independence. 1945 - Pro-independence demonstrations in Setif. Thousands of Algerians are killed in the French suppression of ensuing unrest. 1954-1962 - Algerian War of Independence. A major armed conflict between France and the Algerian National Liberation Front or FLN which sees Algeria winning its independence from France. It is a complex conflict characterized by guerrilla warfare and war crimes. It also becomes a civil war between the different communities and within communities. Death totals vary between 400,000 and 1.5 million. Up to a million European colonists leave Algeria. 1962 - Algeria becomes independent. 1976 - Algerian, Moroccan armies clash over Western Sahara. 1989 - New constitution removes the one-party state and moves country away from socialism to western capitalism. 1991-2002 - Algerian Civil War: with the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS)dominating the first of two rounds of legislative elections in 1991, and fearing the election of an Islamist government, the authorities cancel the elections. They ban the FIS, triggering a civil war between Algeria's armed forces and various Islamist rebel groups. Islamist militants conduct a violent campaign of civilian massacres. More than 100,000 people are thought to have died. 1999 - Abdelaziz Bouteflika becomes president and introduces national reconciliation policy. 2007 onwards - Islamist insurgency campaign in the Maghreb and Sahel by Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb or AQIM, an Islamist militant organization that aims to overthrow the Algerian government and institute an Islamic state. 2019 - President Bouteflika announces he will step down after street protests, driven by decade-long economic stagnation, unemployment, labour market segmentation and chronic corruption. Abdelmadjid Tebboune becomes president. 2024 - President Tebboune is elected for a second term. Villagers took to arming themselves during the 1990s insurrection by Islamists [Getty Images] Ali Bastian has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The actor who appeared in Hollyoaks between 2001 to 2007 says she was diagnosed with stage two cancer after discovering a lump while breastfeeding. "It was a total shock, the 42-year-old told OK! Magazine. "I have mornings when I wake up and Ive forgotten... and then suddenly I remember. Im still trying to process it." She said that she first thought she had a blocked duct, but that she went to a breast clinic after a course of antibiotics didnt solve the problem. Bastian currently lives in Ireland, and has two children with husband David OMahony, Isabella, 19 months, and Isla, four. The actor has said she is having chemotherapy, but that she will also undergo a single mastectomy and radiotherapy. "It wasnt clearing up and the more I felt it, the more it felt like this wasnt just a blocked duct," she added. "I went to my GP and I said, Actually, can I go to the clinic now? and she was very supportive of that." Bastian also said told the magazine she felt reassured by the doctor who told her the diagnosis, as she said doctors have "intent to cure" her. In addition to her treatment, she is also seeing a psychologist who specialises in oncology, the treatment of cancer. Bastian says she has told her daughter "an age-appropriate version" of her diagnosis. "She knows that Mummy had a pain in her boob, she was with me when I went to the emergency doctor," she said. "We told her that Im going to take some strong medicine that is making it better and that Mummys going to have a crazy haircut for a bit, and it will make me tired sometimes." And she also wants to return to acting. "I will get through this and come out the other side," she added. "After my diagnosis, I went on Instagram and saw a post by my friend Dominic Power, my former co-star in The Bill, and I could see he was on set in Hollyoaks. "I suddenly had a real pang of, 'I want to look into an actors eyes and do a scene.' I really miss it." Louise Grimsdell, senior clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, said that while "breast cancer is uncommon in younger women, its estimated that around 5,000 women are diagnosed aged 45 or younger in the UK each year. "Alis recent diagnosis highlights the importance of being breast aware throughout all stages of a woman's life," she said. "We wish her all the very best for her treatment. It is important to be aware of any new or unusual changes to your breasts when youre breastfeeding. Breast changes are common during and after pregnancy. If you notice any changes, its important to talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor." 'How do I check for breast cancer symptoms?' The first noticeable symptom of breast cancer is often lump or an area of thickened tissue. Most lumps are not cancerous, but it's always best to get a medical check. What to look for: A new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts A discharge of fluid from the nipple A lump or swelling in either of the armpits A change in the look or feel of the skin, like puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness A rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around the nipple A change in nipple appearance, such as becoming sunken into your breast Source: NHS Press Release September 9, 2024 CO-SPONSORSHIP REMARKS OF SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA ON SENATE BILL NO. 2792 UNDER COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 301 "OFWs Financial Literacy Enhancement Act"* MR. PRESIDENT, THIS REPRESENTATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ADVOCATE OF THE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS AND PROMOTION OF WELFARE OF OUR WORKERS, INCLUDING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS OR OFWs. SINCE MY FIRST STINT AS A LEGISLATOR, IN THE PERFORMANCE OF MY DUTIES AS THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, I WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE LIFE STORIES AND SACRIFICES OF OUR OFWs, SHEPHERD MEASURES THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR SAFETY AND WORKING CONDITIONS, AND HELP THEM IN MY OWN HUMBLE WAY, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE DISTRESSED AND WANTED TO COME HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES. NAKALULUNGKOT LAMANG ISIPIN NA PAGKATAPOS NG MARAMING TAON, PAREHO PA RIN - O MAS MALALA PA - ANG MGA NABABALITAAN NATING SINASAPIT NG MGA TINAGURIAN NATING "BAGONG BAYANI". AMIDST THESE CHALLENGES, WE ARE JUST COMFORTED BY THE FACT THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF ABLE AND DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS, IS DILIGENTLY ATTENDING TO ALL THEIR NEEDS. INDEED, THERE IS MUCH TO BE DONE AND WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THIS. THE "OFWs FINANCIAL LITERACY ENHANCEMENT ACT" IS ONE WAY TO HELP OUR OFWs IMPROVE THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS AND BUILD A SECURED FUTURE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. SA PAMAMAGITAN NG PANUKALANG BATAS NA ITO, MATUTULUNGAN NATIN SILA NA GAWING MAKABULUHAN ANG BAWAT SENTIMO NA KINIKITA NILA HABANG MALAYO SILA SA KANILANG PAMILYA. SA GANANG ITO LAMANG NATIN MAPATUTUNAYAN NA ANG LAHAT NG KANILANG PAGHIHIRAP AT PAGSASAKRIPISYO AY NAGBUNGA NG KABUTIHAN AT KAGINHAWAHAN. INDEED, FINANCIAL LITERACY IS A KEY TO STABILITY. MORE THAN THIS, IT IS A CHANNEL FOR EMPOWERMENT AND FULFILLMENT - WHERE OUR OFWs FORTIFY THEIR SIGNIFICANT ROLES NOT ONLY TO THEIR FAMILIES BUT ALSO TO OUR NATION. I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON MIGRANT WORKERS, SENATOR RAFFY T. TULFO, FOR BRINGING TO FORE THIS VERY IMPORTANT MEASURE. WITH HIS PERMISSION, I WOULD LIKE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH SENATE BILL NO. 2792 UNDER COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 301 AS ONE OF ITS CO-AUTHORS AND CO-SPONSORS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. PRESIDENT. First love, first dramas, first time heartbreak - all of these have long attracted the attention of young audiences to movies. Teenagers easily associate themselves with the heroes of romantic comedies or love dramas. ADVERTISIMENT Of course, streaming platform Netflix has quite a bit of such content as well. Here are some of the romantic movies for teens it offers. To All the Boys I've Loved Before Upon release in the summer of 2018, the movie was very well-received. Based on Jenny Han's novel of the same name, Susan Johnson's sweetly sincere movie is about Lara Jean (Lana Condor), a shy and dreamy girl whose life is shattered when her secret declarations of love are unexpectedly revealed to lacrosse player Peter (Noah). The story has a sequel, 2020's "To All Guys: PS I Still Love You," and a 2021 threequel, "To All Guys: Always and Forever." ADVERTISIMENT Save the last dance Thomas Carter's 2001 movie combines a teenage love story, melodrama and dance. Julia Stiles plays Sarah, a talented ballerina aspiring to attend Juilliard School. Tragic circumstances turn her plans for her final year of high school upside down as she heads off to a new school on Chicago's south side. And there she meets Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas), with whom she feels a spark, and also strikes up a friendship with Shanill (Carrie Washington). As their romance blossoms, Derek also helps Sarah prepare for her audition by incorporating hip-hop into her style. 20th Century Girl ADVERTISIMENT Graduating from high school can feel like a whole new life is just around the corner, and it's safe to say that the late '90s felt the same way as we all prepared for a future in which the years began with a whole new figure. The teenagers in the Korean film "20th Century Girl" from director Ban Woo-ri stand on both precipices as high school students in 1999. The coming-of-age drama weaves a web of tender teen romance. Characters reveal their secrets to delve deeper into a maelstrom of feelings. Alex Strangelove Love is an amazing thing, especially for newcomers to this game. That's what our teen heroes struggle with in Craig Johnson's smart 2018 romantic comedy Alex Strangelove. Its protagonist, Alex Trulove (Daniel Doheny), plans to lose his virginity to his girlfriend Claire (Medellin Weisntein). But then he meets the confident Elliot (Antonio Marziali), with whom he has undeniable chemistry, causing Alex to become confused about his own desires. As Alex questions his sexuality and struggles to understand the whole person he's becoming, love in its many strange forms helps him find his way. ADVERTISIMENT The Spectacular Now James Ponsoldt's film was a hit at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and its stars Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller won the Special Jury Prize for acting. It's a coming-of-age story set in an indie style. Teller's character Sutter is a popular guy with a drinking problem. He's trudging through his last year of high school, not caring about anything but another party. Aimee, played by Woodley, is a shy nerd with big dreams but vague plans. Their chance meeting under unusual circumstances gives rise to a real, albeit unlikely romance, taking the characters into a future neither of them ever expected. ADVERTISIMENT Along for the Ride Take a break from the hustle and bustle of school days and enjoy the long summer nights. In Sofia Alvarez's 2022 drama, based on the novel by Sarah Dessen, well-read senior Oden (Emma Pasarow) spends the summer before college staying in a small town with her father (Dermot Mulroney) and his new wife (Kate Bosworth). While wandering the neighborhood after dark, owl Oden meets Ali (Belmont Cameli), a similarly insomniac patient. They begin meeting for walks every night. Even as tensions rise in her family, Oden's nocturnal adventures - and budding romance - make this a summer to remember. Half of it ADVERTISIMENT Being both a modern take on "Cyrano de Bergerac" and a tender and understated portrayal of teenage longing, "Half of Everything" is the movie you may have been expecting. In Alice Wu's high-profile 2020 drama, Leah Lewis plays Ellie, a shy and lonely nerd. The girl is hired by cute but inexperienced athlete Paul (Daniel Diemer) to help him charm his favorite, the pretty and popular Aster (Alexis Lemire). Ellie must write letters and messages to the girl. The heroine takes on the task, striking up an unlikely friendship with Paul in the process, but forgetting to admit to him that she too is in love with Aster. Let it snow ADVERTISIMENT The action of Luke Snellin's 2019 romantic comedy Let It Snow, based on the young adult novel by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Miracle, takes place on Christmas Eve. Events unfold during the holiday break in a small town where various high school seniors are immersed in a maelstrom of secret crushes, college dreams, and unexpected pop star arrivals. And so it goes until the end of one snowy day, when they gather for an epic party at the local Waffle House. Then the teens find love in the midst of the cold. Fanfic ADVERTISIMENT A teenager struggling to cope with her gender identity takes center stage in Marta Karwowska's Polish drama Fanfic. The picture is based on the novel of the same name by Natalia Oseninska. Alin Szewczyk plays a student named Tosia, a transgender boy who takes the name Tosik. Although he faces resistance from many around him, Tosik receives sympathy and solidarity in his search for his true self from classmate Leon (Jan Cenczara), with whom he develops a sweet romance. Candy Jar What could be more romantic than the art of debate? It has passion, stakes, style. That's exactly what Ben Shelton's romantic high school comedy is dedicated to. Sami Gayle and Jacob Latimore star in the 2018 movie as implacable rivals and co-captains of their school's debate team. Christina Hendricks and Uzo Aduba play their equally ambitious moms. Amidst the high drama of preparing for the debate tournament and applying to Ivy League colleges, the rivals begin to realize that they may have something in common and even like each other. In fact, more than either of them ever imagined. ADVERTISIMENT All the Bright Places This story and reminder that love can be a bright spot even in life's darker moments. Based on Jennifer Niven's novel of the same name, Brett Haley's sensitive 2020 romantic drama tells the story starring Ellie Fanning and Justice Smith. They play teenagers Violet and Finch, each haunted by their own traumas. When they team up on a class project that requires them to explore Indiana, Finch and Violet find beauty in their home state. And also an understanding of each other. Their bond may not be a cure for the pain in their tortured souls, but that doesn't make the solace it offers any less profound. ADVERTISIMENT Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to be aware of the latest events. A suspected drug cartel boss allegedly linked to the disappearance a decade ago of 43 college students was arrested in Mexico after being released from prison in 2019, authorities said Friday. Gildardo Lopez Astudillo, alias "El Gil," is an alleged leader of the Guerreros Unidos cartel, accused of being behind the disappearance and suspected murders of the students from Ayotzinapa teachers' college in 2014. Lopez Astudillo had been arrested in September 2015 in the southern city of Taxco, Guerrero state, about 21 miles north of the town of Iguala from where the students vanished. "Gildardo Lopez Astudillo was detained," a federal security source with knowledge of the case told reporters Friday, asking for his name not to be used because he was not authorized to speak to media. Lopez Astudillo had been transferred to the Altiplano maximum security prison in Mexico state, the source said. He was arrested on charges of "organized crime," although the investigation could be expanded, the source said. In September 2014, the 43 students had been traveling to a political demonstration in Mexico City when investigators believe they were kidnapped by the drug cartel in collusion with corrupt police. The exact circumstances of their disappearance are still unknown, but a truth commission set up by the government has branded the case a "state crime," saying the military shared responsibility, either directly or through negligence. Arrests have been made or ordered for dozens of suspects, including military personnel. In 2022, federal agents arrested former Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam, who oversaw the original investigation. Relatives and sympathizers of 43 missing Ayotzinapa university students march with a banner displaying the portraits and names of the students, on the ninth anniversary of their disappearance, in Mexico City, Sept. 26, 2023. / Credit: Marco Ugarte / AP Lopez Astudillo was released in 2019 -- a move condemned by family members of the missing students -- after a judge found the evidence against him was obtained illegally. His arrest comes as relatives are preparing demonstrations to mark the anniversary of the students' disappearance. The 43 missing male students are believed to have been killed and burned by drug gang members. Authorities have been able to identify burned bone fragments of only a few of the 43 missing students. The work largely involves searching for clandestine body dumping grounds in rural, isolated parts of the state where drug cartels are active. In October, officials conducted DNA tests to determine if some of the students were among 28 charred bodies found in freshly covered mass graves. Princess Kate has completed chemotherapy, Kensington Palace says House GOP report released on U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan Exclusive discounts from CBS Mornings Deals Suspect charged with 5 counts of attempted murder in I-75 shooting in KY As dozens of officers continued Monday to search the rugged, wooded terrain for Joseph A. Couch, authorities have charged the Kentucky man with attempted murder for allegedly shooting into cars on Interstate 75 on Saturday and seriously injuring five people. The warrants charge the 32-year-old Couch with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault, according to Commonwealths Attorney Jackie Steele, the felony prosecutor for Laurel County. The shootings occurred about 75 miles south of Lexington on one of the nations busiest north-south interstates. The murder and assault charges are based on the injuries and attacks on the same five people. Police could also charge Couch with wanton endangerment and criminal mischief for shooting into other cars where people were not hurt. Also Monday, an anonymous donor offered a $10,000 gift to the sheriffs office for information leading to Couchs capture. The Kentucky State Police is also offering a $5,000 reward in exchange for information leading to Couchs arrest. New details are expected to be shared at a 3 p.m. news conference. The Laurel County Sheriffs Office said Joseph A. Couch, 32, is a person of interest in a shooting that occurred near Interstate 75 in the Exit 49/Ky. 909 area Saturday night. Police said Couch is believed to have shot into a 12 cars on I-75 at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday from a vantage point on a ledge hillside overlooking the busy road in northern Laurel County. Four of the victims were transported to a hospital, while the fifth victim arrived at the hospital them self, according to an affidavit. Police have not released information on the motive for the shootings, but have recovered his vehicle and the AR-15 assault-style rifle they say likely was used in the shooting. Police have been searching for Couch in the heavily wooded area near the interstate since Saturday evening. Authorities said they do not think Couch, of rural Knox County, targeted specific people in the shootings. Police suspended the search for Couch at dark Sunday, but kept officers in the woods to try to make sure he didnt sneak out. Police said Sunday they found a silver Toyota registered to Couch near the interstate on Saturday night, establishing Couch as a person of interest in the shootings. The car was parked atop a hill on a U.S. Forest Service Road near interstate Exit 49, the site of the shootings about nine miles north of London. Police found a rifle case in the car. Early Sunday afternoon, in the same area, police found an AR-15 assault-style rifle they believe was used in the shootings. Police said Couch had bought the gun legally at a store in London Saturday morning, a few hours before the shooting, along with 1,000 rounds of ammunition. An affidavit says Couch also bought a Holosun sight with the gun. Police also found an Army-style duffel bag with several magazines of ammunition and spent shell casings, according to an affidavit. The bag was found near the rifle and had Couch handwritten on the bag in black marker. This is a developing story. A federal grand jury in California has handed up charges unsealed on Monday against two men who allegedly led an online group that pushed others to attack politicians or commit hate crimes as part of an effort to bring down the US government. The men, 37-year-old Matthew Allison and 34-year-old Dallas Humber, are the leaders of an online White supremacist group called the Terrorgram Collective, prosecutors say. The collective subscribes to White supremacist accelerationism, meaning they allegedly believe violence and terrorism are necessary to start a race war, ignite the collapse of the government and prompt the rise of a White ethnostate. To that end, prosecutors allege that Allison and Humber pushed their followers to attack minority communities, government infrastructure, politicians, government officials and the leaders of private companies some of whom, including a US senator and a federal judge, were included in a detailed list of high value targets for assassination. Allison and Humber are facing 15 charges, including soliciting the murder of federal officials, distributing bomb-making instructions, and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists. No lawyers are listed for the defendants in court records. Their strategy to encourage others to commit violence was effective, Kristen Clarke, who leads the Justice Departments civil rights division, said in a news conference Monday. One Terrorgram user livestreamed himself stabbing five people outside of a mosque in Turkey, she said, and a 19-year-old Slovakian man praised the group in a manifesto before killing two people at an LGBTQ bar in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Make no mistake as hate groups turn to these online platforms, the federal government is adapting and responding to protect vulnerable communities, Clarke said Monday. You cant escape accountability by hiding behind a computer screen. The group used Telegram, an encrypted messaging platform, to communicate, prosecutors say. From descriptions of the group in court documents, it appears to have followers both within the United States and from other countries. According to court documents, Allison and Humber drafted a digital publication called The Hard Reset that laid out the Terrorgram ideology. The writings allegedly gave detailed instructions on how to run a terror cell as well as instructions on how to carry out bias-motivated hate crimes, attack critical infrastructure, make bombs and identify targets. They also allegedly produced several videos and instructional manuals on how to carry out the most lethal attacks possible, including one with instructions on how to make and detonate a dirty bomb or a bomb with radioactive materials to fumigate the cities of minority groups. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The wacky Houdini hijinks of a slippery eel have finally been revealed and caught on film for all the world to see. Using X-ray video, scientists have discovered that baby Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) slither backwards out of the stomachs of predatory dark sleeper fish (Odontobutis obscura) after being swallowed, and slip away through the gill slits to freedom. "This study is the first to observe the behavioral patterns and escape processes of prey within the digestive tract of predators," marine biologists Yuha Hasegawa and Yuuki Kawabata of Nagasaki University told ScienceAlert. "At this point, the Japanese eel is the only species of fish confirmed to be able to escape from the digestive tract of the predatory fish after being captured." Hasegawa, Kawabata, and ecologist Kazuki Yokouchi from the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency first discovered that the eel had an interesting escape strategy a few years ago, when they observed juvenile eels, known as elvers, slithering out of the gills of dark sleepers after the elvers had been caught. Diagram showing the process of escape. (Hasegawa et al., Current Biology, 2024) Active escape from the digestive tract of a predator has only been observed a few times, but mainly in invertebrates, such as a beetle that makes its way out a frog's butt unharmed after being swallowed, or a parasitic worm that escapes from its insect host and the predator that ate its host, through pretty much any opening it can find. The researchers wanted to know more about how Japanese eels evade digestion, since it was unclear whether their escape strategy was purposeful. So they set up an experiment to find out using X-rays to see what happens inside the fish after the eel disappears into its jaws. Elvers that were raised in a lab were injected with barium sulfate, a contrast agent to make them appear clearly in X-ray images. Then, one by one, the elvers were placed in a tank with a dark sleeper, and the resulting predator-prey interactions were recorded using X-ray video. Of the 32 eels that were caught by the fish, 13 managed to find their way to the gills and start to escape. Nine eels completed their escape and wiggled free. But it was how the eels escaped, revealed in the X-ray video, that stunned the researchers. The prey was completely swallowed by the fish prior to escape, which was effected by wriggling and squirming backwards, tail-first, back up the fish's esophagus. "At the beginning of the experiment, we speculated that eels would escape directly from the predator's mouth to the gill," the researchers said. "However, contrary to our expectations, witnessing the eels' desperate escape from the predator's stomach to the gills was truly astonishing for us." And it does seem to be very active indeed. Eels that didn't escape were still observed circling the stomach of the fish as though looking for the escape route as quickly as possible: The average time each eel was active inside the fish was 211 seconds before succumbing to the hostile digestive environment. "This discovery has provided us with new insights: muscle strength and tolerance to highly acidic and anaerobic environments, as well as their elongated and slippery morphology, are necessary for eels to quickly escape from the digestive tract before being digested," Hasegawa and Kawabata said. It's not a 100 percent success rate for the Japanese eel, but it's certainly a darn sight better than not trying to sashay out of danger. Although a daring escape from the literal jaws (and stomach) of death seems to be a rare strategy for survival among animals, it's possible that there are more out creatures there with the same capability. The researchers say that studying it in those few animals we know about could help us figure out the traits that facilitate the ability. "The X-ray method utilized in this study is applicable for observing the post-capture active escape of other prey inside a predator and identifying the specific organs that pose challenges for their passage," they write in their paper. "Such knowledge will provide valuable insights into the kinematic, physiological, and behavioral traits that are crucial for successful escapes, thereby offering new insights into the evolution of post-capture anti-predator tactics in prey." The research has been published in Current Biology. Related News American Airlines is adding about 500 jobs for aircraft maintenance technicians to work on planes in Charlotte and two other cities, the carrier announced Monday. A total of 133 incremental maintenance positions are now available in Charlotte, according to a news release from the airline. This includes 122 aircraft maintenance technician jobs. AMTs inspect and repair planes to make sure they are safe and operational. For American, the new jobs represent an opportunity to grow its maintenance capacity and capabilities at the airport, said Greg Emerson, vice president of base maintenance and facilities. American currently employs close to 500 AMTs in Charlotte, according to Ralph Lopez Massas, senior vice president of CLT Hub Operations. About 15,000 jobs are associated with the company in the region. Aircraft maintenance technicians work on an American Airlines plane at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The company is adding more than 100 AMT jobs for the Charlotte region. Were very happy with the growth and the ability to hire and bring AMTs on board and the impact that it has for the airline, he said. But also for the community and the economy of our region. American is moving in-house work for periodically checking fleet from Pittsburgh to Charlotte, Massas said. The process is required every four years. The hiring process starts while future AMTs are in the classroom at schools across the U.S., according to the airline. Americans Technical Operations team works with students at institutions such as Tulsa Tech, West Los Angeles College and the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Charlotte. A dual-enrollment training course is also available for local high school students to earn AIM credits early. Weve been partnering deeply with (AIM) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system to influence a healthy pipeline of aircraft maintenance technicians, he said. Top-performing students are guaranteed interviews with American after graduation and obtaining related licenses for the jobs. Salary for the positions start at $80,000 and go up to $150,000 per year. The jobs at Charlotte Douglas International Airport was a part of an announcement that also included base maintenance teams in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Pittsburgh. American previously added more than 300 positions to its Tulsa maintenance base. American Airlines is adding more than 100 aircraft maintenance technician jobs at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and about 400 similar jobs in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Pittsburgh. American Airlines at CLT American Airlines accounts for about 87% of the flights at the Charlotte airport. Charlotte Douglas is the second-largest hub for the Fort Worth, Texas-based company. One of the airlines biggest jets is coming to Charlotte Douglas with the 304-seat Boeing 777-300ER. In November, It will provide one of three daily flights from Charlotte to Londons Heathrow Airport. CLT served 53.4 million passengers last year an 11.9% increase from 2022, according to the Airports Council International-North America. It is the seventh-busiest airport worldwide for arrivals and departures, according to ACI rankings for 2023. U.S. Rep. Jared Golden shared this photo of the congressman fishing in the Moosehead Lake region of Maine on Aug. 29. (Courtesy of Jared Golden for Congress) After U.S. Rep. Jared Goldens public about-face in support of an assault weapons ban after last years mass shooting, the congressmans re-election campaign is trying to spotlight his support among gun owners. Craig Poulin, a former colonel of the Maine State Police and past president of the Sportsmans Alliance of Maine, is one of three co-chairs for Sportsmen for Golden, a coalition of nearly 100 Maine outdoorsmen committed to sending Golden back to Congress launched during a virtual press event Monday. Poulin was joined by co-chair Ed Pineau, a member of the states Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council and a former SAM board member, and Bobby Reynolds, a senior advisor for Goldens campaign and avid outdoorsman. Reynolds said Golden couldnt attend the launch event because he was traveling to Washington D.C. The press conference was held as news that the National Rifle Association endorsed Goldens opponent for Maines 2nd Congressional District, Republican state Rep. Austin Theriault. Theriault was given an A rating from the gun rights group and Golden an F, the Bangor Daily News reported Monday. Golden received a B rating just two years ago, but the organization criticized Goldens newfound support for an assault weapons ban after the deadly mass shooting in his hometown of Lewiston last October. For the upcoming election, the NRA has donated $50,000 in support of Theriaults campaign and the same amount to oppose Golden, according to OpenSecrets. Poulin said he is backing Golden not only because of what he sees as his character and integrity, but also because his voting record shows that he supports the interests of sportsmen. He said this includes gun rights, but extends to other priorities of the coalition that represents a broad range of outdoor interests, highlighting Goldens efforts to bolster funding for outdoor recreation or improve access to public lands. Golden, a veteran who served with the U.S. Marines, has a record of voting in support of Second Amendment rights. In 2022 he was one of few Democrats to oppose a House-passed gun safety package, which he criticized for being too sweeping and too hastily brought to the floor for a vote. He specifically opposed aspects of the package that raised the age limit to purchase firearms from 18 to 21 and implemented a federal extreme risk protection order, also known as a red flag law. Golden has also voted against enhanced background checks, including in 2021 when he was the sole Democrat in opposition to a bill that passed the U.S. House but did not receive a vote in the Senate. Goldens shift on assault weapons In October, one day after Maines deadliest mass shooting left 18 people dead and 13 more injured, Golden called on Congress to ban assault weapons. The statement marked a flip in Goldens stance on the issue, and he asked for the victims families and the greater Lewiston community to forgive him for his failure to not support a ban sooner. At the time, Golden said he would work with any colleague to pass an assault weapons ban during the time he has left in Congress. Golden is up for reelection this November since his term ends in 2025. Poulin said that after the press conference, his first thought was, Wow, that took a lot of guts. Whether or not he supports such a ban himself doesnt matter, Poulin said, but rather he praised Goldens stance as an act of leadership, calling it a well-reasoned decision. Pineau also described it as an example of leadership. There are a thousand and one other Second Amendment issues out there that Jared has been solid on, Poulin said. For any organization to use that singular issue, at that singular time and probably one of the most tragic things that has ever happened in the state of Maine and then brand him as anti-Second Amendment, its ludacris at best. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CORRECTS THE CITY - Fires spread through the environmental protection area of Pouso Alto, in Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, during dry season, in Colinas do Sul, Goias state, Brazil, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) Brazil is enduring its worst drought since nationwide measurements began over seven decades ago, with 59% of the country under stress an area roughly half the size of the U.S. Major Amazon basin rivers are registering historic lows, and uncontrolled manmade wildfires have ravaged protected areas and spread smoke over a vast expanse, plummeting air quality. This is the first time that a drought has covered all the way from the North to the country's Southeast, Ana Paula Cunha, a researcher at the National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters, said in a statement Thursday. It is the most intense and widespread drought in history. Smoke on Monday afternoon caused Sao Paulo, a metropolitan area of 21 million people, to breathe the second most polluted air in the world after Lahore, Pakistan, according to data gathered by IQAir, a Swiss air technology company. About 1,100 kilometers (683 miles) to the north, a wildfire is sweeping through Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, one of Brazils most famous tourism sites. This year, the dry season started much earlier than in previous years, whereas the rain season was intense yet short, Nayara Stacheski, head of the park, told The Associated Press. The wind is strong, the air humidity is very low and its extremely hot. All this worsens the wildfire. On Monday, there was one uncontrolled wildfire in a remote area. A helicopter was expected to arrive to transport firefighters. Another fire was controlled by 80 firefighters, with support from two aircraft. Two other fires were threatening to enter the park. The blazes in one of the few protected areas of Cerrado, the Brazilian savanna, are just the latest drama in the country beset by months of blazes. From the beginning of the year until Sept. 8, Brazil registered almost 160,000 fires, the worst year since 2010. In Pantanal, the worlds largest wetland area, it has been the second worst fire year on record. Most fires are manmade as part of the deforestation process or for clearing pastures and agricultural land. So far this year, an area the size of Italy has burned in Brazil. Fire is not the only problem. More than 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) from Chapada dos Veadeiros to the Northeast, the Amazon the worlds most voluminous river and one of its main tributaries, the Madeira River, have registered new daily record lows at the city of Tabatinga. There's no end sight significant rain is not expected until October. Low river levels have stranded dozens of communities only accessible by water. One of the largest is Fidadelfia, inhabited by 387 families of the Tikuna tribe. Due to the drought, there is shortage of potable water and children are drinking dirty water, leading to a surge in illnesses. Food is becoming scarce as crops die and its increasingly difficult to travel to the city, local leader Myrian Tikuna told the AP. Tikuna sent a selfie taken Monday in her community. Instead of water, endless banks of sand dominate the landscape. This used to be the Amazon River," she said. "Now its a desert. If things get worse, our people will disappear. Now we are realizing the severity of climate change. ___ 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. WASHINGTON Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier, who has been in prison for nearly 50 years, is turning 80 on Thursday and Amnesty International USA is appealing to Joe Biden to finally release him before his presidency comes to an end. Peltier was recently denied parole and compassionate release by the US Parole Commission and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) respectively, reads a Sept. 4 letter to Biden from Paul OBrien, the groups executive director. As President of the United States, you have the opportunity to rectify a case that has long troubled human rights advocates and Indigenous Peoples worldwide, OBrien wrote. Peltier has been in prison since the U.S. government put him there in the 1970s. He was convicted for the murder of two FBI agents during a 1975 shootout on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and was given two consecutive life sentences. But there was never evidence that Peltier killed anyone. His trial featured astounding levels of misconduct, including federal prosecutors hiding exculpatory evidence and abruptly changing their charge to aiding and abetting after someone found the evidence theyd hidden. The FBI never did figure out who killed those agents; the federal prosecutor in Peltiers case, Lynn Crooks, later admitted as much. But the U.S. government needed someone to go to prison. Peltier a member of the American Indian Movement, a grassroots Indigenous activist group the FBI was targeting was one of dozens of people present at the shootout, and was the only person left to go after. He was separated from his co-defendants, all of whom had been acquitted on grounds of self-defense, and was found guilty. As the years have rolled by, Peltiers imprisonment has drawn outcry from U.S. politicians, tribal leaders, celebrities and international human rights leaders including Pope Frances, the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela. His parole process has violated international standards, drawing unusual condemnation from United Nations human rights legal experts, who in 2022 called his prolonged imprisonment arbitrary and simply the result of his being Native American. Peltier has maintained his innocence all these years. The FBI has said he should never be released, offering outdated and incorrect statements to justify his imprisonment. Peltier was up for parole earlier this year, but was denied. He is considered Americas longest-serving political prisoner. We hope that President Biden finds it in his heart to release Leonard Peltier as a matter of humanity, mercy, and human rights," said Justin Mazzola of Amnesty International USA. via Associated Press In his letter to Biden, OBrien pleaded with the president to consider Peltiers health risks as he remains in a maximum security prison in Florida. He suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, the effects of a previously suffered stroke and complications from jaw surgery. He was diagnosed with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), which can be fatal if it ruptures, OBrien wrote. The BOP is plagued by staffing shortages of medical professionals ... This shortage limits the ability of incarcerated individuals to access medical care, which could have deadly consequences for Mr. Peltier. This is not only timely but a necessary measure in the interests of both justice and mercy, OBrien added, again urging for Peltiers sentence to be commuted. Asked for comment in response to Amnesty Internationals letter, a White House spokesperson referred HuffPost to the Justice Department. We dont comment on individual pardon petitions, said the spokesperson. The Justice Department didnt have anything to say, either. The department declines to comment, said Dena Iverson, principal deputy director of DOJs Office of Public Affairs. Amnesty International USA has increasingly made Peltiers release a focus of its efforts. In June, the group asked the U.S. Parole Commission and the Bureau of Prisons to grant Peltier parole or compassionate release, respectively. Both agencies denied the groups requests. Justin Mazzola, a researcher with Amnesty International USA, said in a statement that allowing Peltier to be home with his family and community in his final years would be a meaningful step to help mend the fractured relationship between Native Americans and the government. It would also be forever be part of Bidens legacy, he said. Keeping an 80-year-old man with various health issues locked behind bars for the rest of his life doesnt serve justice, Mazzola said. We hope that President Biden finds it in his heart to release Leonard Peltier as a matter of humanity, mercy, and human rights. Related... KANSAS CITY, Mo. Andrew Lesters jury trial that was set to begin Oct. 7 has been delayed. On Monday morning, a Clay County judge ordered a mental exam for Lester. Complete coverage: Ralph Yarl shooting case in Kansas City Lesters attorney filed a motion saying he thinks his client isnt fit to stand trial in August. He is accused of shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl. Yarl was trying to pick up his siblings when he went to Lesters home by mistake. The defense argues Lester was acting in self-defense and feared for his life. Lester will appear for a docket call on Oct. 8. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Angel Vause admits to lying about Drexel drug use in federal plea deal, faces up to 24 years in prison CHARLESTON, S.C. (WBTW) For more than a decade, Brittanee Drexels killer and his longtime girlfriend insisted the 17-year-old willingly got into their car for a night of drug use a key claim that warded off abduction charges as the investigation into her eventual murder developed. On Monday, Angel Vause finally admitted for the first time that the April 25, 2009, mutual encounter was a lie blowing up a tightly woven cover story and clearing the Rochester, New York teens reputation. Vause, 56, could be headed to prison for more than two decades after admitting on Monday that she lied to the FBI multiple times during their investigation into the teenagers death. She pleaded guilty in U.S. District Courts Charleston division to three counts of making a false statement to federal agents. A sentencing date was not immediately known. Its the latest development in a case that began in March when Vause was indicted. Her boyfriend Raymond Moody is serving a life sentence after confessing in 2022 to raping and murdering Drexel while she was on spring break in Myrtle Beach. Family of man initially targeted by FBI as Brittanee Drexels killer condemns Vause on eve of federal court appearance Vause agreed in July to plead guilty in U.S. District Court in Charleston to two counts of making false statements to federal agents each carrying a penalty of five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. But on Aug. 15 the planned date of her sentencing both sides agreed to a 10-day continuance after the penalty was upgraded to a maximum of eight years for each count. In light of Ms. Vauses rejection of the plea, were currently preparing for trial and considering all our options Those options include potentially seeking a superseding indictment to include a federal kidnapping charge, First United States Attorney Brook B. Andrews told News13 at the time. Veronica Hill, a U.S. Department of Justice spokeswoman, said Vause wasnt given a chance to separate her pleas this time. After he last plea attempt fell through, the parties abandoned the plea agreement. She has now pleaded straight up to the indictment, which means she admitted guilt on all the charges without any of the benefits or obligations of a formal plea agreement, she said. The prior plea agreement would only have required her to plead guilty to two counts (counts one and three, specifically) in the indictment. However, after her last plea attempt fell through, the parties abandoned the plea agreement. She has now pleaded straight up to the indictment, which means she has admitted guilt on all the charges without any of the benefits or obligations of a formal plea agreement. The three-page indictment shows that in May 2022, Vause told an FBI agent that she had gone home to get keys from a truck ring while Drexel was being assaulted and killed. However, the indictments say Vause was actually going somewhere else for a different reason. The indictment also alleges that Vause told the FBI that Drexel had her cell phone the entire time when it was proven that Vause had possession of Drexels phone and disposed of it somewhere between Georgetown and Charleston. Vause long insisted that on April 25, 2009, Drexel voluntarily joined her and Moody to consume marijuana and cocaine as a cover story regarding her kidnapping, but for the first time on Monday admitted that was a lie. Prosecutors said Vause played a critical role in forcing Moodys confession because they initially built a case against her before he claimed responsibility. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. France is one of the most tourist-attractive countries in Europe, and in some places, there can be even more tourists than locals. For example, during the 2024 Paris Olympics, more than 11 million tourists were expected with a city population of just over 2 million. ADVERTISIMENT But if you're looking for tranquility rather than crowds, you might not like this vacation. Luckily, France is a great country with a rich heritage and you will have plenty of places to go for solitude. Mail Online has compiled a list of interesting places to visit. Uzes The city is called the hidden gem of Occitania. Here you can admire the architecture of the ancient streets and relax on the central square with restaurants. A 20-minute drive from the city is the famous Roman Pont du Gard. And on the outskirts is a museum that children will love, because it is the Haribo Museum of Candy. Metz ADVERTISIMENT This city in Lorraine has a rich history and stunning architecture. It is located near the French border with Germany and Luxembourg and is sometimes overlooked in the background of Strasbourg, which is located nearby. Here you can admire St. Stephen's Cathedral, which is decorated with stained glass windows by Marc Chagall, the Center Pompidou-Metz museum of contemporary art, and walk along the Moselle River. Andernos-les-Bains Just an hour's drive from Bordeaux on the west coast of France is this town where you can get a great vacation. It has a great beach and the longest pier in France, 232 meters long. If you are looking for seascapes, you will definitely like the Gulf of Arcachon. ADVERTISIMENT L'Ile d'Eure A small island with an area of only 23 square kilometers will appeal to nature lovers. About 700 species of plants grow in its vicinity and almost 300 species of birds can be found. Moreover, stunning seascapes open up from almost any point of the island. Bormes-les-Mimosas This city is called a flower paradise because its streets are lined with many flowering plants. For this, it was recognized with the prestigious Villes et Villages Fleuris award. Bormes-les-Mimosas is also famous for its colorful houses and atmosphere. By the way, the Mediterranean Sea is only a kilometer away - a little further and you can relax on one of the beaches that stretch for 17 km. ADVERTISIMENT Crozon The city is located in the Brittany province in the Armoric Regional Nature Park. Its tourist magnet is picturesque cliffs, sea caves, sandy beaches, and scenic hiking trails. At the same time, not even all locals know that they have such a gem. Montreuil Just a 40-minute drive from Calais, and you're in a great place for gastronomy. The population here is less than 2 thousand people, but it has its own Michelin-starred restaurant. If you want to taste real French cuisine, this is the place to go. And then you can go to the sea - the English Channel coast is just a stone's throw away. ADVERTISIMENT Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Angel Vause pleaded guilty Monday in a case that goes back over a decade. The charges stem from her alleged role in the 2009 kidnapping and murder of 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel. Drexel was in Myrtle Beach on a trip from New York when she vanished. Drexels remains were found in May 2022 after Raymond Moody, 62, led authorities to her body. Moody is the longtime boyfriend of Angel Vause. Vause, 56, appeared in U.S. District Court in Charleston where she was expected to change her plea after first rejecting a deal last month on two charges of lying to investigators. In court Monday, the 56-year-old pleaded guilty to three felony counts of lying to federal agents and now faces up to 24 years in prison. Family of man initially targeted by FBI as Brittanee Drexels killer condemns Vause on eve of federal court appearance Vause admitted to three counts, all of which carry a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. In the courtroom, officials said Vauses lies included her location when Drexel was with Moody. Judge Richard Gergel was out sick with COVID on Monday. The judge at Mondays hearing revoked Vauses bond and said she posed a danger after hearing the facts of the case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Growing anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa has unleashed a wave of disinformation online. Social media users recently shared photos allegedly showing the arrest of undocumented migrants who were caught selling dog meat to unsuspecting customers. However, the images were taken in Angola in December 2023 and have nothing to do with South Africa or any other countries where the claim has surfaced. In Tembisa, three illegal aliens, Ogechi Paul (36), Munachimso Kalu (25), and Kelvin Chikezie (29), were busted for selling dog meat, reads an X post published on September 2, 2024. The post includes a photo of two men and a woman, while another shows meat in a blue plastic container and the head and limbs of a dog arranged on a plastic crate. South Africans, stay alert! We cherish our dogs as pets, not food, the post adds. A blurred screenshot of the false X post, taken on September 4, 2024 The post had amassed hundreds of likes before the X account was suspended. The claim has circulated in different languages in other countries on the continent, including Guinea and Uganda, and was adjusted to suit the local anti-immigrant narratives. But AFP Fact Check found the claims to be false. Angola 2023 A reverse image search allowed us to trace the photographs to 2023 articles about a bust in Angola (archived here). One of the women in the circulating photos is seen wearing a blue-green traditional wrap skirt that matches the pattern and material seen on a suspect photographed at the scene of the police raid in 2023. A blurred screenshot of the December 2023 article which shows pictures featuring the womans skirt The blue container and the plastic crate also match. Angolan media reported that Angolas Criminal Investigation Service arrested a group on December 14, 2023, for selling dog meat to customers who believed they were buying goat meat (archived here). Two of the suspects were said to be undocumented citizens originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Angolan reports identified all three people and the names do not match those in the false posts circulating online. Further online searches showed that the same claim has been circulating on X since at least December 2023. Anti-immigrant sentiment South Africa attracts many economic migrants from elsewhere on the continent despite having one of the world's highest unemployment rates (archived here). The influx, coupled with a dim economic outlook, has sparked a rise in xenophobia - often directed at Nigerians - and sporadic bursts of anti-immigrant violence in recent years (archived here). Growing anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa has unleashed a wave of disinformation online LUCA SOLA AFP Tensions increased further after a recent row involving a 2024 Miss South Africa finalist with Nigerian ties (archived here). Chidimma Adetshinas Nigerian heritage attracted vicious xenophobic attacks when she was announced as a pageant finalist in July, while the government said it was investigating a claim that her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman. Adetshina ended up withdrawing from the contest and instead was crowned the winner of Miss Universe Nigeria. Another recent incident saw the newly appointed Johannesburg mayor, Dada Morero in hot water for suggesting that foreign nationals should be hired as police officers (archived here). AFP has debunked several false claims about immigrants in South Africa, including here and here. (BCN) A man shot Sept. 2 in Antioch has died. Antioch police said 20-year-old Elijah Scales died Thursday at a hospital. At approximately 9:35 p.m., officers responded to the area of Peppertree Way and Sycamore Drive for reports of shots fired. Truck spins in circles, strikes bystander in illegal sideshow Officers found Scales, an Antioch resident who was shot at least once and was transported to the hospital. Anyone with information regarding the shooting can contact Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or aduffy@antiochca.gov. Copyright 2024 Bay City News, Inc. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. The Associated Press was dragged online over the weekend for publishing a fawning piece about Vice President Kamala Harris' favorite foods to "connect her with voters." An article published Sunday by the AP's White House reporter Darlene Superville described Harris' effort to introduce herself to voters and show a more relatable side after her late entry to the presidential race. AP PANNED FOR SAYING HARRIS IS HAVING IT BOTH WAYS AS A SITTING VP, CHANGE CANDIDATE: YOURE LETTING HER' "Since shes become the nominee, Republicans have criticized Harris for not doing many interviews or giving enough specifics on her policy plans," the AP story began. "But the vice president is sharing personal details about her childhood, cooking and food to show her more private side." "It is known that Harris is a foodie and likes to cook," the article continues. "In fact, she had just made a pancakes-and-bacon breakfast for her nieces 6- and 8-year-old daughters on the July morning when Biden called with the news that he was dropping out of the race. "From talking about nacho cheese Doritos as her snack of choice to washing collard greens in the bathtub, Harris is aiming to connect with voters on a more personal level. While learning that she likes to munch tortilla chips at snack time likely isnt enough on its own to sway anyone to vote for her, the small and sometimes amusing details could help Harris show she can relate to people and their concerns," Superville wrote. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Online critics immediately pounced on the story, attacking the AP for the glowing puff piece described by some as "propaganda." "This propaganda piece from garbage propaganda outlet AP is by Darlene Superville," Federalist Editor-in-Chief Mollie Hemmingway wrote on X. CBS HOST ANNOYED WITH JD VANCE FOR CRITICIZING MEDIA FOR NOT FACT-CHECKING BIDEN: 'EVERYTHING'S OUR FAULT' Newsbusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck noted that Superville authored a biography of First Lady Jill Biden in 2022, slamming her as "one of the biggest suckups of the Biden-Harris administration." "American Pravda is APs real name," Christina Pushaw, an aide for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, weighed in. Pravda, which translates to "truth" in Russian, was the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. "Lmfao. The @AP is basically a Kamala Harris staff account," GOP commentator David Giglio wrote. "This is their White House reporter," Daily Signal investigative columnist Tony Kinnett posted alongside laughing and clown emojis. "What are you guys doing," GOP communicator Matt Whitlock replied to the AP story. "Bro journalism is dead," online commentator Comfortably Smug wrote. "This is so embarrassing," DeSantis press secretary Jeremy Redfern responded. Townhall.com columnist Derek Hunter chimed in, "The @AP has taken up the penthouse suite in Kamala's a-- so they have more and new places to kiss." Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event in Detroit on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. Harris became the de facto nominee after President Biden endorsed her on July 21 when he dropped out of the race, and she has since officially clinched the nomination. Along the way, the mainstream media has given her overwhelmingly positive coverage with the AP no exception. Last month, the outlet took heat for saying that Vice President Kamala Harris is "having it both ways" as both a sitting incumbent and a change agent. More recently, the AP was accused of "brazenly lying" after misrepresenting a quote from JD Vance, former President Trump's running mate, and was forced to alter the headline and post on X following intense backlash. The Associated Press did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Fox News' Brian Flood contributed to this report. Original article source: AP dragged for fawning piece on Kamala Harris favorite foods: 'Garbage propaganda outlet' Apalachee High School students, staff returning to pick up their belongings Apalachee High School students and staff are allowed to pick up their belongings days after four people were killed in a shooting. Channel 2s Steve Gehlbach was on the school campus Monday as groups of students, parents, law enforcement and teachers arrived. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Wednesday, deputies say 14-year-old Colt Gray opened fire inside the school. Four people were killed: math teachers 39-year-old Richard Aspinwall and 53-year-old Cristina Irimie and 14-year-old students Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn. Barrow County Schools will return to class on Tuesday. Its unclear when classes at Apalachee High School will resume. On Monday, a group of around 100 teachers, administrators and staff from Barrow County Schools gathered in front of the school on Monday to show their support for each other. When youre actually here, where it happened, actually took place at, I mean its a whole different feeling, said teacher Darrel Wilkerson, who works at a neighboring elementary school. RELATED STORIES: Barrow County Superintendent Dr. Dallas LeDuff sent a video message to families on Sunday night. He thanked the community, law enforcement and first responders. He said there will be many tough decisions to make and discussions going forward. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency is setting up a community recovery center for free resources and mental health services. The center will open at 12 p.m. at the Barrow Leisure Services Center at 175 2nd St. on Monday until 5 p.m. The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Officers took Colt at his word last year that he didnt threaten to shoot up school. Body camera footage released Monday showed the interview between Georgia police and suspected school shooter Colt Gray and his father, Colin Gray, as part of a 2023 investigation. Colt, who was then 13, was interviewed after the FBI received anonymous tips that someone was threatening to shoot up a nearby school with an AR-style rifle and shotgun. The footage, which has been shared across news outlets and social media, shows Colt denying to police that he made the threats on Discord, a social media site. Colin tells officers that while Colt has access to unloaded hunting rifles in the house, he is learning about firearms and safety. The father also acknowledges that we do a lot of shooting, we do a lot of deer hunting. During the interview, Colin says he knows nothing about Colt making threats and expresses concern, saying, Im going to be mad as hell if he did, and then all the guns will go away and they wont be accessible to him. Colin also tells officers that he and Colt had discussed school shootings in the past and that "he's getting picked on at school." Police, in the bodycam footage, tell the Grays they have no choice but to take Colt at his word that he did not make the threats. Colt and his father have both been arrested and charged in the Sept. 4 shooting that killed four and injured nine at Apalachee High School. In text messages shared with Yahoo News between officers from the day they visited the Gray residence, there is mention of the specific FBI tip about the AR-style rifle. Police have said an AR-style semiautomatic rifle was used in last weeks shootings. Later in the text conversation, Capt. Kelly LaCount asked, Did he have an AR-15? to which former Capt. Dale Dillow replied, Only hunting rifles. When asked whether the officers physically searched the property, Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum told Yahoo News, The bodycam shows what was done. Questions and concerns remain on whether school officials mishandled warnings of a potential school shooting, especially as Colts mother, Marcee Gray, and other family members have spoken out about being in contact with the school as recently as 30 minutes before the shooting happened. Apalachee High School and the Barrow County Sheriff's office did not immediately respond to Yahoo News request for comment. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation directed Yahoo News to the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office, which did not immediately respond. Marcee Gray told family members over the weekend that she had called Apalachee the morning of Sept. 4 to warn a counselor about her son, the Washington Post reported. She allegedly made the 10-minute call to the school around 9:50 a.m. while at her fathers house in Fitzgerald, Ga., CNN reported, which is about a three-and-a-half hour drive away. Marcees father, Charles Polhamus, told CNN that he was next to her when she got a text from Colt that morning saying, Im sorry, mom. Its not clear whether the message is what made her decide to call the school counselor. Annie Brown, Marcee's sister, told the Washington Post that the counselor told Marcee during the call that Colt had been talking about a school shooting that morning. The school and family had been in contact about concerns about Colts mental health a week before the shooting. Lyela Sayarath, a student who was in Colts class at the time of the shooting, told the Washington Post that a school administrator visited the classroom that morning, but there had been some confusion about Colt and another student who had a similar name. Neither student was in the room at the time the administrator came by, and the administrator had left with a backpack belonging to the wrong student. I am so, so sorry and can not fathom the pain and suffering they are going through right now, Marcee Gray told the Washington Post. A since-deleted Facebook post that Brown, the aunt, posted on the afternoon of Sept. 4 was discovered by the Daily Beast. In it, Brown said, Just check yourself before you speak about a child that never asked to deal with the bullshit he saw on a daily basis. Correction, Sept. 10, 11:12 a.m.: Due to a miscommunication with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, an earlier version of this story misstated the nature of the body cam footage released by the sheriff's office. The footage was from the 2023 investigation into the Grays. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Austin Police Department identified the victim and suspect in connection with a southeast Austin homicide that happened Sunday night, the agency said in a news release Monday. Police said it received two 911 calls to a home near the 2500 block of Teri Road, which is near Pleasant Valley Road and north of Stassney Lane, around 5:55 p.m. This embedded content is not available in your region. The first caller told 911 dispatch her husband was in a verbal and physical disturbance with another man. That man then returned with a gun, according to police. The second caller said their uncle had been shot. When police and Austin-Travis County EMS arrived on the scene, they found a man, later identified as 25-year-old Steve Gonzalez, in the garage with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 6:34 p.m., the release said. The video above is from an Austin Police Department media briefing on Sept. 8, 2024 MAP: Where have Austins homicides occurred in 2024? It was later revealed in the investigation that Gonzalez was in an altercation with Martin Tovar, 26. Both Gonzalez and Tovar were throwing dice together and then walked outside of the home. Tovar then shot Gonzalez and ran from the scene and ran from the scene. He was later found and arrested and charged with first degree murder, according to police. Martin Tovar, 26 | Courtesy Austin Police Department Online records did not show an attorney listed for Tovar. KXAN will update this if an attorney can be reached for comment. APD said this incident is being investigated as Austins 43rd homicide of 2024. Homicide detectives were still investigating at the scene Sunday night. The Austin Police Department said its investigating a homicide in southeast Austin on Teri Road Sept. 8, 2024. (KXAN Photo/Kevin Baskar) The Austin Police Department said its investigating a homicide in southeast Austin on Teri Road Sept. 8, 2024. (KXAN Photo/Kevin Baskar) The Austin Police Department said its investigating a homicide in southeast Austin on Teri Road Sept. 8, 2024. (KXAN Photo/Kevin Baskar) Anyone with information should call the APD homicide tip line at 512-974-8477. Police said there is no known threat 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 KXAN Austin. Elizabeth Howell-Egan, a third-year USC law student, avoided arrest while taking part in two pro-Palestinian campus encampments in the spring. But more than four months after police cleared the camps, she said she is facing repercussions worse than a misdemeanor court charge: She is banned from campus and classes as part of a suspension that could last through next spring. Howell-Egan is in the midst of a university "resolution process" for allegedly violating USC codes of conduct during protests obstructing campus safety officers, failing to comply with officer instructions and disorderly conduct. At the launch of the fall term, universities are still grappling with the aftermath of a tumultuous spring. More than 3,000 students nationwide were arrested as police broke up encampments where pro-Palestinian protesters demanded universities divest from financial ties to Israel. In many of those cases including hundreds in California low-level misdemeanor charges were never filed or have been dropped. But it's a different situation on campus, where administrators say protesters endangered safety and broke conduct codes, including vandalizing property, blocking pathway and building access, and defying orders to disperse. Discipline proceedings continue as students deal with ongoing suspensions and holds on their records, uncertain of the consequences on their education. Read more: Police arrested hundreds of pro-Palestinian students in L.A. The fallout continues USC and other campus officials contacted by The Times said they could not discuss details of student conduct cases, citing the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. Amid widespread calls for amnesty in the spring, the University of California regents affirmed that protest violations without consequences were "inconsistent" with UC guidelines. "USCs really leaning into the idea that the process is the punishment," said Howell-Egan, also charged with being a leader in USC's protests, although she described her role as a public liaison to police. "I don't know if their intention is to make me regret our activism, but what it really does is strengthen my beliefs." Letter of contrition As part of the process, the university's Office of Community Expectations has directed her to craft a four-page reflection essay about her behavior. Other students have received similar assignments, due in late September, to write "personal thoughts, experiences, and insights" from the protest and "how you might make different decisions in the future." The papers "may not serve to justify your own actions or evaluate the actions of others," and must be "double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins," according to a copy of the instructions shared with The Times. Howell-Egan said she didn't expect protests to be consequence-free. "But this is all absurd," she said. A hearing date has not been scheduled, and she is applying for leave to avoid missing more classes. "People are being killed in Gaza," she said. "That's why we protested. Is that wrong?" Read more: 'It feels like a fortress.' California students return to college amid tighter security over protests What happens in a conduct hearing? Unlike court cases, student conduct proceedings can vary widely by school in style and timeline and are shielded from public view by privacy laws. Officials at USC and other California universities said they are committed to a timely and fair process. Some students in the midst of the process at California campuses including USC, UCLA, UC Irvine and Cal Poly Humboldt said the cases against them are vague and several graduates said they are still awaiting diplomas because of record holds that haven't been lifted. Conduct proceedings have existed for decades to adjudicate violations of campus codes, which students routinely sign off on or are presented during orientation. Many colleges have conduct offices with full-time staffers who handle caseloads, doing the work of guidance counselors, investigators and judges. Schools have wide latitude in filing internal charges over protests, experts said, including defining standards of evidence, lengths of investigations and discipline. "This year has undoubtedly been a year-to-year increase" of student violations, said Brian Glick, a board member of the Assn. for Student Conduct Administration who has worked in the field for two decades at multiple universities. He said procedures at USC and other schools notices to students, interim suspensions, meetings with conduct officers or panels before final decisions, contrition essays and an appeals process are common practices. "As long as a university is content-neutral that it treats one kind of protest the same as others when it comes to violations that disrupt and is following its own policies equally for students, they are within the standards," Glick said. "The purpose is to balance campus safety with the educational mission. We're trying to instill the idea of being a good community citizen," said Glick. At UC Irvine, five students are fighting back in state court after suing the university in August over campus disciplinary action against them, alleging that protest-related suspensions "constitute a clear violation of the universitys own rules and the minimum standards of due process applicable to public institutions. The students said in the suit that they went to hearings where the university "presented no evidence and made no meaningful findings" to show they were threats to campus. They said suspensions, which led to losing university housing and shifts at UC Irvine jobs, continue "with no end in sight." Read more: Zero tolerance at UC campuses in new order banning encampments, masking, blocking paths What universities revealed about discipline Campus officials provided The Times broad information about their conduct proceedings with protesters. In a recent update to its website about spring protests, USC said that 74 students were cited for campus violations between two encampments, resulting in interim suspensions over the summer for part of the group. Many of those cases, USC said, have been resolved. Some students "received a formal warning that will be expunged from the students disciplinary record when they graduate." Other cases "involving more complex or aggravated circumstances have gone through the interview stage but have not yet been completed." Like other major California campuses campuses, USC filed charges against students based on a "preponderance of evidence." On its website, it says that means "the reviewer or panel decides whether it is more likely than not, based on the information gathered, that the student is responsible for a violation." The threshold is similar to what is used in civil cases and is significantly lower than "beyond a reasonable doubt," the standard for convictions in criminal cases. UCLA and UC Irvine declined to say how many students were charged but said guidelines promised due process and the right of appeal. Police arrested more than 300 people on the campuses in May and June. Many were not students. There were also students who avoided arrest but violated campus policies. At Pomona College, a spokeswoman said all cases from the spring had concluded. At Cal Poly Humboldt, where an April student occupation of administrative buildings led to a campus shutdown, a spokeswoman said administrators issued 93 interim suspensions. Most cases are resolved and some pending. The outcomes ranged from warnings to suspensions. At Cal State L.A., where students erected an encampment and occupied an administrative building, anonymity was a challenge to pursuing criminal or campus cases. "We have not taken disciplinary action. Those involved took steps to obscure their identity," said Erik Hollins, a spokesperson for the university. What students say While colleges were mum on many details, students shared their experiences with The Times. Like Howell-Egan, Rachel, a USC student studying humanities, received an interim suspension for participating in an encampment. It was lifted right before the fall semester kicked off Aug. 26 with the condition that she sign off on the student handbook and write the letter of apology. Rachel, who did not want to reveal her last name to due to fears of retaliation for her activism, said she obliged both requests to get back to class. "I can write whatever they need me to write. But, ultimately, it doesn't change my values," she said. At UCLA, student Dylan Kupsh received university paperwork with his charges on Aug. 29. The allegations stemmed from a June 10 incident where he was arrested along with 24 other people, who police said set up an an encampment between Dodd Hall and the School of Law. He said UCLA also charged him with disrupting a final exam, which school officials said was a result of the protest, and obstructing the movement of students and staff. Read more: Zero tolerance at UC campuses in new order banning encampments, masking, blocking paths Kupsh, who is pursuing a PhD in computer science, said he was suspended from campus for roughly two weeks after the arrest. His student records are on hold. His next meeting with the Office of Student Conduct is Sept. 25, where he said he will review the alleged violations with a school official and have the opportunity to present his side. But Kupsh has grown concerned that if the process lasts too long, the hold may prevent him from receiving a master's degree after the upcoming quarter. Like others under investigation, Kupsh, a member of Students for Justice in Palestine, said the process and new, stricter protest regulations on campus "won't stop people from protesting." "I think they are trying to discourage people before the quarter starts, especially by notifying us so late about what we are charged with," he said. "But the gravity of the situation in Gaza necessitates and our university's complicity necessitates us to continue making noise." Shenai Aini, a UC Irvine student, was arrested May 15 when police in riot gear swept an encampment and an occupation of a building. She and others said they played only small roles in activism. A university citation in June against Aini, a rising senior, accused her of camping overnight, using amplified sound without a permit and unlawful assembly, among other violations. As evidence, the document cited a student newspaper article, photos of student protesters, witness statements and a memo by campus police. The problem, according to Aini: Athough she was positioned by the camp in support of it that day, none of the evidence identifies her specifically. "Nowhere in the evidence do I see myself identified in a way that connects me to the alleged policy violations," Aini wrote back to the university, denying the accusations. "The only place where I appear in the evidence is on a list of names of arrested individuals." Aini, who is not a party to the suit against UC Irvine, is preparing to return to class Sept. 26. She has no disciplinary meetings scheduled. "Right now, I have no idea what I can or can't do at school," she said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A woman takes a video of the new iPhone 16 Pro after Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event in Cupertino, California, (AFP via Getty Images) Apple has unveiled its ambitious plans for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its new iPhones at the launch of iPhone 16, although British users will be waiting a while to try the new features. Apple CEO Tim Cook also launched four new, upgraded iPhone 16 models as well as updated versions of Airpods and Apple Watches saying: "The next generation of iPhone has been designed for 'Apple Intelligence' from the ground up. It marks the beginning of an exciting new era." The phones include features such as dedicated camera buttons, highlighting Apple's ambitions to take on the 'serious' photography market. However, there is no announced timeline for any AI features to arrive in the UK. US users are expected to get access to some of the AI features in October, with the revamped version of Apple's voice assistant Siri arriving early next year, according to insiders. New AI features The event foregrounded 'Apple Intelligence' - Apples response to rivals such as Samsung and Google, which baked AI features into their flagship smartphones this year. Apple Intelligence offers writing tools that can summarise web pages or suggest emails, along with generative AI emoji known as GenMoji. Apple CEO Tim Cook talks on the stage during an announcement of new products at Apple headquarters Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Cupertino, Calif. (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada) With Genmoji, users will be able to simply say commands such as Cowboy frog and see their creation as an emoji. A new AI visual search will enable iPhone users to take a photo of something and search for it online, similar to Googles Lens feature on Android phones. Apple has said it aims to protect users' privacy, with much of the processing done on device, so private details are not compromised. There are also a large number of upcoming upgrades to Apples Siri, which is being revamped with generative AI features. Chief among these will be the ability to talk to the digital assistant by typing on the phone, but users will also be able to search intelligently through their files using Siri. Siri will be able to interact with multiple apps at once, and has had a visual overhaul: when users summon Siri, instead of a glowing ball at the bottom, the edges of the display will glow instead. Apple Intelligence will be able to run multiple AI models on compatible iPhones (which include all of this years models). Apple also revealed that the data centres which power Apple Intelligence will run on renewable electricity. Four models of iPhone 16 Apple unveiled four new iPhones, with slight upgrades including a new chip, which is 30% faster than last years, and an 'Action Button', which was previously seen on last years Pro Models, but is now available on all the new iPhones. The Action Button performs actions such as silencing the phone or opening the camera. Apple shows off the iPhone 16. (DPA) But, as predicted, this years crop of iPhones is evolution, not revolution in hardware terms, with the biggest changes coming in the form of AI software. The basic iPhone 16 models come with improved battery life, plus satellite messaging that can be used in areas where Wi-Fi and mobile connections are not available. The new iPhone 16 on display at the launch event (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada) The satellite messaging feature will initially only be available in the US and Canada. The larger iPhone Pro and Pro Max devices have slightly bigger screens the iPhone 16 Pro is 6.3 inches and the iPhone Pro Max is 6.9 inches. The big new feature on the bigger phones is a dedicated camera button for stills and video, which is touch sensitive with light presses activating functions such as zoom and aperture. Pre-orders for the new phones open on Friday, with the handsets going on sale on 20 September. The iPhone 16 is 799, the larger iPhone 16 Plus is 899, while the higher-end Pro models come in at 999 for the Pro and 1,199 for the Pro Max. New Airpods Apple also introduced a new version of its multi-million-selling wireless earbuds Airpods 4. The company bills these as the "most comfortable Airpods ever", with Apples designers apparently having used 3D modelling and laser topography to improve the fit. Apple also upgraded the Airpods Max; (AP) The headphones now come with the smallest USB-C charging case yet, and are powered by the new H2 chip. They also have personalised spatial audio, which can deliver movie-style surround effects. The basic Airpods come in at 119 with the noise-cancelling version at 169. Apple also updated its ultra-luxury Airpods Max headphones, with the new version coming in at 549 and ditching the old Lightning port for USB-C. Apple also unveiled a thinner version of its Apple Watch, armed with a bigger screen which can display an extra line of text. The watch also comes with new medical features including sleep apnea detection, which can warn people if they stop breathing during sleep. The new Apple Watch is thinner but with a larger, brighter screen. (AP) The new apple Watch comes with new medical features including sleep apnea detection. (dpa) The Apple Watch Series 10 is a mere 9.7mm thick (10% thinner than the last version) and also charges faster, topping up 80% in just 30 minutes. The watch is designed to be more viewable from different angles with Apple claiming the screen is 40% brighter from an angle. It will be available in three finishes - natural, gold, and dark slate gray - plus a titanium version and will be available from 20 September and start at 399. Seven in 10 Americans say they approve of labor unions, just shy of the record-high approval rating for organized labor, according to a new Gallup poll. The survey, released Monday, found 70 percent of Americans approve of labor unions, while 23 percent disapprove and 7 percent have no opinion. This is 1 point shy of the 71 percent reading in 2022, which marked the highest approval rating since 1965. Gallup first began measuring the publics approval of labor unions in 1936, and the highest support of 75 percent was observed in the 1950s. Union approval has dropped below 50 percent once, to 48 percent in 2009 following the Great Recession, the pollster said. Approval of labor unions varies across party lines, with Democrats showing more support than Republicans, while independents fall in the middle of the two groups. About 94 percent of Democrats approve of labor unions, up 6 points from last year. Meanwhile, 49 percent of Republicans and 67 percent of independents said the same, per Gallup. The poll was taken Aug. 1-20, almost entirely between the Republican and Democratic conventions, which both had labor union speakers. Both major party candidates, Vice President Harris and former President Trump, have spent time on the campaign trail looking to court union voters ahead of November. The poll also found Americans are more likely to say the Democratic Party best serves labor union members over the Republican Party, following a decades-long trend. The latest numbers show 62 percent chose the Democratic Party as best serving labor unions, while the 27 percent chose the Republican Party. Harris received support from several major organized labor groups after becoming the Democratic Partys presidential nominee, including the United Auto Workers (UAW). The unions president, Shawn Fain, cited Harriss track record with workers. In a memo released last month, the Harris campaign argued union workers would be a key part of the Democratic tickets success in November. The memo, obtained first by The Hill, showcased Harris and President Bidens record of support for organized labor. Harris has sought to contrast herself from Trump, who has insisted union members will back his campaign even in the wake of a public feud with Fain, who has called him a scab. Trump has sought to slam Harris on the economy in a bid to shore up union support. His allies have contended that taking away even some of Bidens support among organized labor could make a difference in the race. The former president lost union members by 14 percentage points in 2020 against Biden. The Gallup poll was taken using telephone interviews from Aug. 1-20 with a random sample of 1,015 adults 18 and older in the U.S. The margin of sampling error is 4 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. All trains that used to bypass Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region are now running through the city again. Therefore, train traffic will begin again on schedule, and deviations will be avoided. This was reported by Ukrzaliznytsia on September 9. ADVERTISIMENT "The technical problems have been fixed, and our trains are running again on the standard route through Bila Tserkva. We thank everyone for their patience and apologize for the inconvenience, we are back on schedule," the national railroad operator said. Earlier in the day, it became known that Ukrzaliznytsia continued to adjust the routes and schedules of trains that were to run through Bila Tserkva until the end of the day. Because of this, free train transfers were organized for residents of Bila Tserkva to and from Fastiv station. "For technical reasons, the trains that were supposed to run on the Fastiv-2 Bila Tserkva Myronivka section will continue to detour through Fastiv-1 Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi Trypillia Myronivka stations on 09.09," the company said. The decision was made for technical reasons. As of 9:15 a.m., changes in train traffic affected the timeliness of the following trains: ADVERTISIMENT No. 181/182 Ivano-Frankivsk Dnipro (+0:09); No. 6/216 Yasinia/Chernivtsi Zaporizhzhia (+0:06); 110 Lviv Kherson (+0:10); No. 32 Przemysl Chedzyn Zaporizhzhia-1 (+1:35); No. 88 Kovel Zaporizhzhia-1 (+1:38); No. 40 Solotvyno Zaporizhzhia-1 (+1:14); No. 4 Uzhhorod Zaporizhzhia-1 (+0:41); No. 3 Zaporizhzhia-1 Uzhhorod (+2:35); No. 85/86 Zaporizhzhia-1 Lviv (+0:36). Why Ukrzaliznytsia trains are late On the night of September 9, the railroad announced that it was changing the train route to bypass Bila Tserkva. Shortly before that, the Russian army launched another air strike on Ukraine, which forced air defense in Kyiv and the region. ADVERTISIMENT According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, at around midnight, Russia launched attack drones from the Kursk region, which came to Kyiv in several waves. Two missiles and six UAVs were shot down, two more drones were lost on the territory of Ukraine (presumably falling under the influence of electronic warfare), and one of the X-59/69 missiles did not reach its target. Although all Russian drones that threatened Kyiv were shot down and there were no damages or casualties in the city, Ukrzaliznytsia did not provide the exact reason for the change in train traffic. Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that Ukrzaliznytsia will use inclusive cars for group transportation of passengers who use wheelchairs. It is expected that the car will have 4 separate compartments, each of which will be able to comfortably accommodate 2 wheelchair users and those accompanying them. According to plans, the first such car will be produced in 2025. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The body of a medieval Catholic saint was recently exhumed, according to a translated press release, leaving archaeologists and experts positively stunned at the state of her corpse. On Aug. 28, the Diocese of Avila announced that the tomb of St. Teresa of Avila (also known as St. Teresa of Jesus) had been opened for the first time since 1914. St. Teresa was a Discalced Carmelite nun and a prominent religious reformer during the Counter-Reformation period, drastically ameliorating the Carmelite orders for men and women. She died in 1582. The tomb was reopened for the first time in 110 years by a group of St. Teresas fellow Discalced Carmelite nuns, along with monks and priests, in order to study the saints cadavernotably, her heart, hands, and arms. The process to reach the silver urn that [contains] Saint Teresas body has is very complex, the statement explained. First, the marble slab in the tomb had to be removed. Later, in the room set up for the studies to which the Saints major relics will be subjectedand only with the presence of the scientific medical team and the members of the ecclesiastical courthas the silver tomb been opened. However, Father Miguel Angel Gonzalez assured that the expedition was completed with austerity and solemnity, and with hearts full of emotion. When researchers opened Saint Teresas urn, they were astonished to discover that her body had barely aged since it was last appraised in 1914. They used photographs taken during that The uncovered parts, which are the face and foot, are the same as those they were in 1914, Father Marco Chiesa noted. There is no color, there is no skin color, because the skin is mummified, he explained. But it is seen, especially in the middle of the face. Expert doctors see Teresas face almost clearly, Chieso added. Examination of Saint Teresas body also revealed some of the medical ailments from which she suffered. We know that the last few years were difficult for her to walk, in the pains she herself describes, Chiesa said. Sometimes, looking at a body, you discover more than the person had [spoken about]. Analyzing the foot [relic] in Rome, we saw the presence of calcareous spines that make walking almost impossible. However, Chiesa added, She walked [to] Alba de Tormes and then died, but her desire was to continue and move forward, despite the physical defects. Though the analysis of Saint Teresa of Avilas body is still in the early stages, experts say the process will bring them closer to [knowing] the saint better, her offerings, [and] her last years of life, as well as inform them about preservation tactics for other relics. The Tell Al-Abqain excavation site in northwest Egypt yielded a new military fort discovery that including stashed weapons, religious tributes, and military barracks. The mudbrick structure features two identical sections, part of it used for daily rations storage as soldiers protected the land from Sea Peoples incursions. The team discovered a bronze sword decorated with a carved inscription of Ramesses II. The Egyptian military had a defense against the invading Sea Peoples during the New Kingdom Era. And it included a long bronze sword with inscriptions of Ramesses II. The latest information comes as, in a recent statement, Egypts Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the find of a military barracks and weapons storage complex in northwest Egypt. The Tell Al-Abqain fort, located in the center of the Housh Issa area of the Beheria Governorate, features mudbrick architectural structures used to house everything from military personnel to the weapons and food they needed for survival. A key base during the New Kingdom Era of 1550 to 1070 BC on the Western War Road, according to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of the Supreme Council for Archaeology, the fort was designed to provide protection for the northwest border from attacks by Libyan tribes and Sea Peoples, a collection of tribes that waged war in the Eastern Mediterranean in the Late Bronze Age. The newly discovered fort had two nearly identically designed structures separated by a small corridor. Evidenced by large pottery remnants that included fish and animal bones, Ayman Ashmawi, head of the Egyptian Archaeological Sector of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, confirmed the use of some of the areas as storage units for food for the soldiers, including large individual granaries. The researchers also found cylindrical pot ovens that cooked their last meal centuries ago. The experts point out how the architectural design shows off how the Egyptians adapted their building designs and practices to meet the practical needs of the user while working within the landscape. But the excavation of the fort did not just shed light on the forts food supplies; the discovery also delivered a history of war and hunting. The archaeological team discovered a long bronze sword decorated with the engravings of Ramesses II, one of Egypts more notable pharaohs from the 1200s BC, along with additional weapons, tools for hunting, and a host of personal items, whether ornamental or for hygiene, such as ivory tinsel, beads, and agate jars. All the discoveries were apt finds for a fort housing the army for an indefinite time, stocked to attend to daily needs and keep them equipped to ward off intruders, such as the feared Sea Peoples, considered a confederacy of naval raiders, common between 1276 and 1178 BC. The excavation also unearthed a series of religious or spiritual finds. The team discovered the burial of a cow, a symbol of power, abundance, and prosperity, as well as two blocks of limestone, one with a hieroglyphic inscription of King Ramesses II, the other of an official named Bay. Other discoveries included a scarab engraved with the inscription: AmunLord of the Sky, additional scarabs celebrating deities and flowers, such as the lotus, half a bronze ring inscribed with Amun Horakhty, necklaces made of faience, and carnelian shaped like pomegranate blossoms. Given that the fort still had plenty of materials to find, one might guess that the stationed soldiers were successful in their protective mission. But, for one reason or another, the complex was abandoned and then lost to timeuntil now, when experts can begin to dig into its past. You Might Also Like ONLY ON 11: New AI cameras in local schools hope to better protect students from threats Look left and right, youll have a camera in your sight on the Montour School campus. Within seconds of video motion being captured it would log the entry into the server and the server could then be queried in the software in seconds, said Aidan Mulvihill, whos Montours technology administrator. These cameras log real-time movements with a new artificial intelligence software. They are able to disaggregate through the photos and video feeds to look for specific items, for example, a students shirt color or type of shoes they are wearing, in the event an incident does occur, said Dr. Chris Stone, Montours superintendent. With over 500 cameras, Montour is just getting started with the first 20 cameras going live with the AI technology next week. We chose to do the entry and exit points first because it will at least tell you where they entered, and when they entered, Mulvihill said. Plus, a license plate reading system that can flag cars entering campus too. Its an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding that this district prioritized in a world where school threats are becoming all too common. I think its vital, unfortunately when things happen they happen very rapidly and quickly and our job is to ascertain the level of threat and understand whats happening relatively quickly, Stone said. Its a new technology that is already spreading in our area, with Woodland Hills School District just finishing its installation at all district buildings and even the Wolvarena. Superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna told Channel 11 theyve already set up alerts. For example, if a gun is spotted by any camera, an alert is immediately sent to all administrators. Its something once you see the new technology and the time it saves and safety it offers the students you cant say no. It puts you in a position that you have to be on the cutting edge of all this new technology when it comes to security, Castagna said. All this camera footage is kept on servers for two weeks, allowing district leaders to go back and view trends as well. Montour hopes to have all the cameras updated to the new system in the next three years with gradual rollout phases. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Pitt director of athletics Heather Lyke relieved of duties Big Lots files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, plans to sell business to private equity firm Man accused of killing woman, injuring 4 other people while shooting at Lawrence County buildings VIDEO: Flames rip through duplex in Duquesne for third time, investigators consider incident suspicious DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Legal counsel Taylor Hanford (left) and chief legal counsel Mark Whitmore (right) of the Arkansas Association of Counties discuss potential changes to the funding of Arkansas' court system with the Joint Judiciary Committee on Monday, September 9, 2024. (Screenshot/Arkansas Legislature) A panel of Arkansas lawmakers agreed Monday to recommend legislation next year that would eliminate the $10 monthly fee that comes with paying off court-ordered fines and fees, such as traffic tickets, on an installment plan. The fee results in lower-income people paying a higher cumulative amount than people who can afford to pay up front, and members of both parties said this is unfair at Mondays Joint Judiciary Committee meeting. In a perfect world in which we had all the money in the world, we wouldnt be funding the court system off the backs of people who often cannot afford to pay, said Rep. Carol Dalby, R-Texarkana, the House Judiciary Committee chair. One-fourth of the fee revenue supports local district courts automated record-keeping system, one-fourth supports the same thing at the states Administrative Office of the Courts and the remaining half goes into the states Administration of Justice (AOJ) fund, Dalby said. Rep. Carol Dalby, R-Texarkana (Arkansas House) The AOJ fund is administered by the Department of Finance and Administration and supports about 25 entities, not all of which are related to the judiciary. Lawmakers did not put forth suggestions for how to fill the funding gap that eliminating the fee would create. The joint committee will meet again Sept. 23 to finalize a report with several recommended changes to the way the states judicial system is funded, Dalby said. Act 38 of 2023, which Dalby sponsored, authorized a legislative study of financial matters related to the court system and requires the joint committee to send the report of its findings and draft legislation to the governor, legislative leaders and the Arkansas Supreme Court by Oct. 1. There may not be the votes or the heart to go forward with [eliminating the fee] in legislation, but at least theres the recommendation, Dalby said. We also, being good stewards of tax money, would have to figure out alternate funding because this does fund a lot of necessary expenditures in the district court system. House Minority Leader Andrew Collins, D-Little Rock, called the fee an uneven administration of justice that the Legislature has a responsibility to fix for low-income people. Exhibit D1 - Recommendations - Legislative Study of Financial Matters Related to the Court System Failure to pay fines and fees can result in an Arkansans drivers license being suspended. Additionally, people in financial distress might not have a permanent home and might not receive mail from the state that informs them of overdue or unpaid fines and fees, said Rep. Steve Unger, R-Springdale. We dont want to look like were subsidizing bad behavior, but the truth is were ending up supporting a broken court system that is so backed up, he said. Cities and counties currently pay about $4 million of district judges salaries since the state cannot support them entirely, Dalby and Arkansas Association of Counties chief legal counsel Mark Whitmore said. District judges are also handling more than 100,000 uncertain warrants that have accumulated over several years, Whitmore said. The committee also agreed to support two measures Dalby recommended for the report: requiring cities and counties to retain 50% of district court revenue and send the other half to the state, and finding alternative funding sources for entities currently supported by the AOJ fund. University of Arkansas in Fayetteville (Courtesy photo) A majority of college faculty in southern states, including Arkansas, are concerned about political interference and are considering leaving academia, according to a new American Association of University Professors survey. The new study, which received responses from more than 2,900 individuals, highlighted dissatisfaction with the political atmosphere surrounding higher education, with about 70% rating it poor or very poor. Nearly 57% of respondents said they would not encourage out-of-state colleagues to seek employment in their current state, while 27% are considering interviewing elsewhere in the coming year. These findings are a wake-up call for policymakers and administrators and emphasize the need to address faculty members concerns, according to an AAUP press release. Failure to do so may result in a significant brain drain and a decline in the quality of higher education in these states, the release states. The survey, conducted Aug. 14 to Sept. 1, used social media and email to distribute questionnaires, which garnered responses from faculty members in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Twelve of Arkansas 43 respondents reported applying for jobs outside the state since 2022. Their biggest reason for searching elsewhere was the states broad political climate, followed by problems with salary; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies; academic freedom and LGBTQ+ issues. Let us know what you think... Our work is surveilled by the state, one Arkansas respondent said. There are intimidation tactics that come both from the state and then from admin and other faculty. This has an impact on the kinds of discussions we are able to have in class and via events it stifles discussion and that leaves our students unfamiliar with issues that are crucially important and very complex. Faculty names were not included in the survey results. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said after taking office in 2023 that she wanted to be known as the education governor. One of her first steps toward that goal was backing the LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that overhauled the states K-12 education system. Sanders has said she wants to turn her attention to institutions of higher education during the 2025 legislative session. One survey respondent said everyone is on edge because the governor is targeting higher ed. Arkansas survey participants also voiced concerns about issues of free speech. They cited feeling pressure not to voice opinions about state government or discussing DEI-related issues. One respondent said faculty have been warned about discussing DEI because students have reported faculty to the governor. 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. There is a fear of reprisal around teaching issues of equity in race and sexual identity, a tenured Arkansas professor said. It feels to me that university leaders are trying to keep the institution from being targeted by conservative politicians by preemptively eliminating DEI initiatives on campus. The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville announced plans to reallocate staff and resources from its Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion last June. A few months later, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, requested a legislative study of DEI policies at the states universities and colleges. Last week Sullivan renewed his promise to introduce legislation next year targeting DEI at the states colleges and universities. He told the Arkansas Legislative Councils Higher Education subcommittee he would model his legislation after bills passed in Florida and Texas. Sullivan has said decisions such as college admissions should be based on need and merit, not someones ethnicity or gender. When questioned by lawmakers last October, representatives from six Arkansas universities said their DEI efforts support the recruitment and retention of students from various backgrounds and do not include lowered admission standards for certain groups. Another issue cited by Arkansas survey respondents was the challenges caused by a state boycott, divestment and sanction (BDS) law supporting Israel. My state and universitys stance on Palestine and BDS makes it very difficult to bring guests to campus because they have to sign agreements to not support BDS, one faculty member said. Additionally, the university didnt defend Arab and Arab American scholars on campus from bigoted colleagues, which creates a hostile culture, especially for junior and marginalized faculty who want to engage issues related to Palestine and social justice at large. Approximately 27% of all respondents said they do not plan to stay in academia long term. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Arrest of illegal immigrant previously convicted of rape in Maryland marks record for ICE Arrest of illegal immigrant previously convicted of rape in Maryland marks record for ICE Immigration authorities in Baltimore, Maryland, have arrested 153 illegal immigrant sex offenders this fiscal year, a record, with the latest being a Honduran man who was deported from the United States after he was previously convicted of raping a Maryland resident. The Enforcement and Removal Operations branch under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said last week that Madai Gamaliel Amaya was taken into custody on Aug. 29 in the suburb of Montgomery Village. MIGRANTS FORM 'CONSTELLATION' OF TENTS OUTSIDE OF MEGA SHELTER IN NEW YORK CITY: REPORT Madai Gamaliel Amaya, a convicted rapist, has been deported from the United States multiple times, authorities said. "This is a landmark arrest for ERO Baltimore, in that they secured a record 153 noncitizen sex offenders arrested in their area of operations during a single fiscal year, but more importantly, there are 153 victims who need not fear their predators because of ERO officers," said ERO Executive Associate Director Daniel Bible. Amaya initially illegally entered the U.S. at an unknown date and place years ago, ICE said. On Jan. 8, 2009, he was arrested by Montgomery County police and charged with second-degree rape. NYC SECURES $106M IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MIGRANT COSTS AFTER MONTHS OF DELAYS READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP He was convicted months later and sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised probation upon his release. Two years and six months of the sentence was suspended by a judge. ICE filed a detainer request in 2010 with local authorities and Amaya was deported in 2013. On July 27, 2016, Amaya was caught trying to illegally enter the U.S. by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Hidalgo, Texas. He was convicted of unlawful entry in 2017 and sentenced to 30 months in an Oklahoma federal prison. He was deported once again in 2018. He then entered the U.S. again at an unknown date. His most recent arrest came last month and he remains in custody pending deportation proceedings, authorities said. Original article source: Arrest of illegal immigrant previously convicted of rape in Maryland marks record for ICE Vellee Deli is closing its doors in Northeast Minneapolis, and says its two other locations could follow if it's not able to find a resolution with its new landlord over unpaid rent. The Asian-Mexican fusion restaurant said on Instagram that the building at 303 1st Ave. was sold in July, and the new landlord recently handed the restaurant an eviction notice. The post says the eviction has put all Vellee locations in jeopardy, with the business temporarily closing its locations in the downtown Minneapolis skyway and in Brooklyn Park. "If we cant save our NE location, it could result in the closure of all Vellee locations, including our Brooklyn Park spot, which only opened five weeks ago," the post says. Instagram The husband and wife duo Joyce Troung and William Xiong own the restaurant. The pair opened their first food truck in 2011 before signing the lease for their first bricks-and-mortar location, becoming a staple for University of Minnesota students. Court records show that the company owes $89,992.94 in unpaid rent and other bills since November 2023, though in a GoFundMe launched by the restaurant, it says it needs $90,000 to settle its overdue rent. Vellee has confirmed it was in negotiations for rent relief with the previous landlord, LMC NE Minneapolis Holdings before the building was sold to VA8 Nordhaus LLC. Xiong explained that the root of these financial issues was road and street construction, which had plagued the area for the last two summers. "Sidewalks were torn up, street meters removed, and our validated parking became a chaotic mess," Xiong writes on GoFundMe. "Just as we were beginning to regain our footing, another wave of road construction began this summer right in front of us. Despite our best efforts, the flow of customers was cut off once more." According to Troung, additional construction is set to start in front of the NE Minneapolis location in 2025 on University Avenue. An eviction hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 1 p.m. According to the GoFundMe, the couple has 30 days to settle their unpaid rent. They are asking for $150,000 in financial support to keep their locations open, not only to pay their rent but to put the remaining funds into rebuilding and stabilizing operations. "After 13 years of serving you and building countless memories together, we turn to you with a heartfelt plea," Xiong writes. "Your support can make a life-changing difference in keeping Vellee alive." Related: 2 Northeast Minneapolis restaurants to close SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Angelo State University has been awarded a $20,000 grant for use in expanding its international studies partnerships with universities in Central and South America. The Texas International Education Consortium awarded the university with a Strategic Internationalization Grant through its Texas International Education Fund, with funding from the grant planned to be used in ASUs Rumbo Al Mundo! international program. The program is designed for the universitys Center for International Studies to forge partnerships with universities in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Peru that align with ASUs vision as a Hispanic Serving Institution. At the Texas International Education Consortium, we are inspired by the faculty and staff in Texas and around the world who accept the challenge to bring a broader global perspective to their students through international experiences in the classroom, said Dr. William Smith II, TIEC senior director of global education and impact. We are proud to support the wealth of creativity and cooperation among this years Texas International Education Fund grant winners. ASU releases fall planetarium schedule ASU hopes the partnerships will encourage students at those universities to come to the campus as exchange students and increase Hispanic representation among the international student population. According to the university, only three of the colleges 219 international students came from Spanish-speaking countries during the 2023-2024 academic year. The partner universities will also act as new destinations for ASU students to participate in exchange programs and study abroad trips. In addition, a portion of the TIEC grant will be used to implement a scholarship fund to reduce the financial burden on students from the international partner universities who wish to study at ASU. The Rumbo al Mundo! project will be directed by Marissa McShane, a foreign national faculty coordinator, and Janie Soupiset, a field experience adviser at the College of Education. This grant will significantly benefit Angelo State by fostering greater cultural exchange on our campus, Soupiset said. For international students, it will provide enhanced access to resources and opportunities, while our current students will gain valuable cross-cultural experiences and perspectives on campus and abroad. By building strong, sustainable partnerships with universities in Latin America, we aim to enrich the academic and social environment at ASU, ultimately preparing all of our students to thrive in a globalized world. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Attorneys for John Does in high end Boston-area brothel case argue to keep names private At the states highest court in Boston, attorneys for 18 Boston-area John Does identified in the black books of a sophisticated interstate high end brothel operation are desperately trying to keep their identities private. Two brothel operators are preparing to plead guilty in federal court. But state officials are looking to prosecute more than a dozen Boston-area customers who allegedly paid hundreds of dollars for sex at the brothels in Cambridge and Watertown. Last year, acting Boston US Attorney Josh Levy said the clientele of the brothels included, politicians, big pharma executives, government contractors with security clearances, professors, lawyers, accountants, and scientists. The media wants access to the names of the Johns, and at the SJC, a lawyer argued that typically closed show-cause hearings, should be open to the public in this case. What the public perception will be, if these hearings are closed, or if these applications dont allow for the proper reporting of these hearings, is that anybody who is not charged will have done so or will not have been charged because they got some kind of preferential treatment, behind closed doors. At the hearing. And that is a significant concern, attorney Jeffrey Pyle told the SJC. But lawyers for more than a dozen Boston area John Does are arguing that revealing their names violates their privacy. And that many of the Johns are not public figures at all. Given the salacious nature of the allegations in the case and given the widespread media coverage, in this day and age when everyone has that information at their fingertips, pretty much 24 hours a day, undoubtedly, the media is going to lead to people losing their jobs and livelihoods which is a liberty interest, attorney Benjamin Urbelis argued. It could be weeks before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issues a ruling. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Authorities have charged a Rockford Public School teacher with child pornography crimes. According to Winnebago County States Attorney J. Hanely, Mark Henschel, 77, was employed as a teacher at the time the crime was committed. He was listed as an integrated math teacher on Auburn High Schools staff directory. On August 16th, detectives with the Winnebago County Sheriffs Office, under the direction of the Internet Crimes Against Children Illinois Task Force, began investigating after inappropriate images of minors were found on a flash drive and micro SD card. Investigators determined the drives belonged to Henschel, Hanley said. On Friday, September 6th, Henschel was arrested on the charge of Possession of Child Pornography. He was released from custody on Saturday under provisions of the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act, and will appear in court at a later date. Henschel faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted. This individual no longer works for Rockford Public Schools. For any further information or comment, please contact the Winnebago County Sheriffs Office and/or the Winnebago County States Attorney, a Rockford Public Schools spokesperson said in an email. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. The defense forces continue to bravely defend Ukraine. Since the beginning of the day, 148 combat engagements have taken place in all sectors. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in the General Staff's report as of 22:00 on September 8. The Pokrovsk sector remains the hottest. Since the beginning of the day, the occupiers have carried out 60 air strikes using 79 combat aircraft, 473 strikes by kamikaze drones and fired 2768 times at the positions of our troops and settlements using various types of weapons. The General Staff also praised the soldiers of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Hetman Ivan Mazepa for their effective combat work. Situation at the front In the Kharkiv sector, the invaders made three attacks near Vovchansk during the day. Ukrainian Defense Forces units successfully repelled two of the enemy's assaults, and another firefight is ongoing. According to preliminary information, since the beginning of the day, enemy losses amounted to 59 occupants killed and wounded, two vehicles and four units of special equipment, 37 UAVs destroyed, and two artillery systems, a tank, and three enemy armored combat vehicles damaged. ADVERTISIMENT Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled 13 enemy attacks in the Kupyansk sector. The enemy attacked 12 times in the Lyman sector, trying to advance towards Nevske, Novosadove, Torske, Dibrova and Cherneshchyna, and two firefights are currently underway. In the Siversky sector, our troops repelled five enemy assaults in the areas of Verkhnekamianske, Spirne and Hryhorivka. Currently, fighting is still ongoing in three locations. Eight combat engagements took place in the Kramatorsk sector. Occupants were active in the area of Andriivka, Mayske, Chasovyi Yar, Bila Hora, Predtechyn and Klishchiyivka. Seven of the enemy's attempts to push our units back proved to be in vain, and one attack is ongoing. The situation is under control. ADVERTISIMENT With the support of aviation, the enemy tried to break into our defense in the Toretsk sector 17 times. During the day, the occupants attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders near the settlements of Pivnichne, Zalizne and Nyzhnyk, Toretsk, Nelipivka and Druzhba. Our defenders repelled 13 attacks, four attacks are still ongoing. In the Pokrovsk sector, 29 enemy offensives and assaults have been repelled since the beginning of the day in the areas of Zelene Pole, Vozdvyzhenka, Novotroitske, Hrodivka, Novohrodivka, Selidove, Marynivka and Mykhailivka. Another seven combat engagements are ongoing. Our troops are taking measures to hold the designated lines. ADVERTISIMENT According to preliminary data, the enemy lost 314 occupants killed and wounded, one was taken prisoner, and Ukrainian troops destroyed ten vehicles and one UAV. In addition, two howitzers, two tanks, one vehicle and one mortar were destroyed. There are 25 combat engagements in the Kurakhove sector as of this time of day. Militants remain active. The Defense Forces repelled 20 attacks, five attacks are still ongoing. In the Vremivsk sector, two firefights took place in the direction of Vodiane. In the Orikhiv sector, our troops repelled two enemy attacks near Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne, the enemy was not successful. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier it was reported that only during the last day, September 7, in the south of Ukraine, the Russian occupiers suffered losses in equipment and personnel. In particular, the Defense Forces eliminated 70 invaders and 32 units of weapons and military equipment. Earlier, Captain Dmytro Lykhoviy, spokesman for the Tavria operational group of troops, said that in southern Ukraine, the occupation forces of the Russian aggressor country had resumed the intensity of assaults and the number of artillery attacks. Ukrainian soldiers, in turn, are actively defending themselves and are having some success, including regaining some positions. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, an officer of the Armed Forces reserve, military expert Andriy Kramarov said that the group of Russian occupation forces in southern Ukraine has serious problems with logistics and supplies. However, it is not easy for the Defense Forces to launch an operation to liberate the territories, for several reasons. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Like the Yakima River itself, Mark Figueroa believes the stream of political change flows in waves down the valley. I think Yakima holds a really specific place in the historical context of elections, the former Pasco High School teacher said. When you look at district-based voting, a lot of it kind of started here in Yakima through different organizations. We kind of see if we can create some change here in Yakima that can trickle down through the valley and hopefully create more change all the way there. Beneath the simmer of an early summer heat on Tuesday, Figueroa and his team of four canvassers knocked on the front doors of more than a hundred recent voters in Yakima, with the goal of spurring Latino interest in the Nov. 5 general election and increasing voter registration. Their effort was part of a one-day mobilization effort organized in six U.S. cities by Poder Latinx, an advocacy project based in Washington, D.C., that aims to empower Latino voters and candidates. The organization narrowed in on communities with high percentages of Hispanic populations from Orlando, Florida, to Yakima, Washington. The canvasing took place just 62 days before the presidential general election. Ballots will begin going out to registered Washington voters here shortly, starting on Oct. 18. Poder Latinxs recent work in Central Washington also reflects broader efforts in recent years to get Latinos more politically involved and energized around candidates and statewide issues. Three races in Washingtons 14th Legislative District, which includes large swaths of the Yakima Valley, will be among the most closely watched in the state this November, having attracted multiple Latina candidates. Ana Ruiz Kennedy, right, a Pasco Democrat running for Washingtons recently redrawn 14th Legislative District, doorbells Sept. 3 in a Toppenish neighborhood with Washington House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma. Lower voter turnout The district was recently redrawn by a U.S. District Court judge in a decision heralded by Democrats and denounced by Republicans. While its the only district in the state with a majority voting age population thats Hispanic, it has just 61,000 registered voters the fewest of any of the 49 statehouse districts. I think of it as an opportunity, said Washington House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, who was out door belling Tuesday in Toppenish for Ana Ruiz Kennedy, a Democrat from the Tri-Cities running in the district. Competitive purple districts often attract lots of attention, but they also offer up new chances for engagement and political activism, Jinkins said. The 14th also encompasses Yakima and Franklin counties, two that regularly see the lowest voter turnout in Washington state. Figueroa says Poder Latinxs goal is to increase voter turnout in Yakima County by 4 percentage points over the previous four-year cycle and register 5,000 new voters in time to vote in November an audacious, yet plausible goal. Since March, the organization has registered 800 new voters in Yakima County, many of them college-age Latinos. While out walking Toppenish neighborhoods this week, Ruiz Kennedy of Pasco said she keeps voter registration forms on a clipboard, just in case she comes across someone of voting age who hasnt registered yet. Thats often the case in households with several family members. Washington initiatives Latinos are one of the fastest-growing voter demographics in the U.S., many disproportionately young and less partisan, the New York Times reports. They make up roughly 15% of the nationwide electorate, and an estimated 36 million are eligible to vote this year, according to Pew Research Center. Political polling in recent years has showed a steady decline in Democratic support among the demographic, with one earlier this year showing former President Donald Trump with a 16-point advantage over President Joe Biden. Since Biden dropped out and Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee, support has grown slightly. Both political parties are banking on strong Latino turnout to help them win the White House. A flurry of campaign signs for candidates running in the Nov. 5 general election are posted at a Yakima, Wash., intersection. With kids back in school and parents at work, the late-morning streets of a West Valley neighborhood were quiet as Figueroa and his troop walk the sidewalk. They were looking this week to speak with recent voters mostly of retirement age about the issues, while educating others about how to register to vote. We try and keep it brief and short, he said. Stacks of mailers opposing Initiative 2117 the effort to repeal parts of Washingtons Climate Commitment Act, Gov. Jay Inslees landmark climate policy are perched in their arms, but theyre soon tucked in the creases of voters front doors. We as an organization officially (opposed the initiative) because it really relates to one of our key, core issues, which is environmental justice, Figueroa said. In relationship to that, we wanted to make sure people knew about this initiative, especially when were going about the Latino community and the environmental impacts that are going to be detrimental, he said. Mark Figueroa, Washington state coordinator with Poder Latinx, checks maps Sept. 3 in a West Valley neighborhood during a nationwide voter registration and mobilization effort. He holds in his hands campaign materials opposing Initiative 2117, which would repeal sections of Washingtons Climate Commitment Act if passed Nov. 5. Republicans are mobilizing support behind four voter initiatives that will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. Figueroa said Hispanic voters began voicing curiosity about the initiatives during the primary, too. I-2117 is among them, but they also include other measures that, if passed, would prohibit government natural gas restrictions, repeal the states capital gains tax and allow employees to opt out of the tax funding the states long-term care benefits program. Lets Go Washington, the PAC behind the effort to pass the initiatives, submitted more than 1.7 million voter signatures last year to get the four initiatives on the ballot. Three other initiatives restoring police pursuits, establishing a parents bill of rights in school and prohibiting personal income taxes were passed by the Washington Legislature in the final stretch of the 2024 session. There were a large percentage of Democrats that signed those and said, We need change and this is how were going to do it, Curtis King, the four-term Republican state Senator running in the 14th, told the Tri-City Herald in August. I found that interesting and compelling, and it reminded me of how we operate. Project 2025 and issues on Latino voters minds In speaking with Latino voters, Figueroa said their top issues often include community safety, housing costs and resources and after-school outlets for youth. In a statement, Yadira Sanchez, the executive director of Poder Latinx, said their campaign goes beyond just registering voters they want to engage people who will ultimately influence the future of American democracy. Our mission is to ensure that the Latinx community not only has a voice but also the power to shape the present and future of our nation, she said. That includes engaging discussion around Project 2025, the widely discussed presidential transition plan the Heritage Foundation crafted in case Trump wins a second term. The federal policy agenda serves as a road map to recreate the federal government around conservative ideals. Trump himself has disavowed the plan as extreme, despite some support for it from his base. Canvassers with Poder Latinx knock on doors in a West Valley neighborhood as part of a nationwide voter registration and mobilization campaign. Their goal Sept. 3, was to knock on 150 doors in an effort to increase Nov. 5 general election voter turnout 4 percentage points. Figueroa said many Hispanic and Latino voters simply havent heard about the plan. Many immigrants have fled authoritarian governments, he said, so discussions around personal rights oftentimes have great meaning. We want to make sure that people understand this isnt a partisan issue. Its all about saving democracy and understanding whats at stake, Figueroa said. A lot of our folks come from different countries in Latin America. They understand the importance of their vote... A lot of our undocumented folks say, Well, I cant vote. But were a firm believer of not all can vote, but everybody can participate. While Poder Latinx endorsed the No campaign on I-2117, it has not weighed in on the presidential race. August saw second-highest number of civilian casualties dealt by Russia to Ukraine this year, UN says At least 184 civilians were killed and 856 injured in Ukraine in August, the U.N.'s human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine said in a report released on Sept. 6. This August is the month with the second-highest number of civilian casualties in 2024. July was "the deadliest month for civilians" since October 2022, according to a previous report. The vast majority of civilian casualties (91%) and damage to educational and health facilities (95%) continued to occur in the Ukraine-controlled territory in August, the report said. A Russian missile strike hit a supermarket in the town of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast on Aug. 9, killing 14 people and injuring 44 others, local authorities said. On Aug. 26, Russia launched the largest attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, striking 15 oblasts across the country. At least 25 energy facilities were damaged, including part of the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant, according to the report. Eight civilians were killed, and at least 23 suffered injuries as a result of the attack. Russian forces also struck Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-biggest city, with guided aerial bombs on Aug. 30, killing seven people and injuring over 90, according to authorities. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the U.N. estimates that at least 11,743 civilians have been killed and at least 24,614 injured. The actual figure of civilian casualties is likely much higher. The number of dead and injured in fighting immediately after the outbreak of the full-scale war has yet to be fully accounted for, and some of the places that saw the heaviest combat in early 2022 are still under Russian occupation, making it all but impossible for outside observers to investigate. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine building underground weapons factories; Ukrainian drones hit Russian ammunition warehouse Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, speaks with Juliegrace Brufke, Capitol Hill reporter at Axios, during a one on one conversation at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 6, 2024. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, is leading congressional Republicans rebuke of President Joe Bidens withdrawal from Afghanistan, accusing the administration of recklessness in the lead up to the Talibans takeover and covering up its mistakes afterward. The House Foreign Affairs Committee, which McCaul chairs, will release its full report on the Afghanistan withdrawal Monday, the culmination of three years of investigation by the committees Republicans. The report, which has been shared with some interested parties and which The Texas Tribune and other outlets obtained ahead of its release, accuses the Biden administration of ignoring warnings from its own staffers, intelligence and allies, leaving American interests vulnerable to the Taliban takeover. The evidence proves President Bidens decision to withdraw all U.S. troops was not based on the security situation, the Doha Agreement, or the advice of his senior national security advisors or our allies, the report says. Rather, it was premised on his longstanding and unyielding opinion that the United States should no longer be in Afghanistan. The U.S. military pulled out of Afghanistan in August 2021 after 20 years in the country. The Afghan government collapsed shortly after, leading to a takeover by the Taliban, which rules the country to this day. The withdrawal has been criticized by members of both parties for its rapid deterioration, which left military and diplomatic personnel unprepared, and has emerged as one of the biggest stains on Bidens foreign policy record. The withdrawal from Afghanistan has been a priority for each president after George W. Bush, and negotiations with the Taliban began under former President Donald Trump administration. Biden named it as one of his top foreign policy priorities, despite the cost to Afghanistan, saying that there was no longer U.S. interest in the country. I was not going to extend this forever war, and I was not extending a forever exit, Biden said in an address shortly after the withdrawal. The State Department released its own review of the withdrawal in March 2022, which acknowledged the challenges of the withdrawal, though it said the department followed necessary procedures, evacuating 125,000 people from the country through unprecedented conditions. The department review also said that Taliban grew in strength during the Trump era and that diplomats in Afghanistan felt constrained by a Trump administration agreement with the Taliban that allowed for the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners and planned for a U.S. withdrawal after Taliban-Afghan peace talks, a defense the National Security Council under Biden also reiterated. President Bidens choices for how to execute a withdrawal from Afghanistan were severely constrained by conditions created by his predecessor, a White House summary of the NSCs findings said at the time. Democrats criticized McCaul's report as focusing too heavily on the Biden administration's role while ignoring the Trump administration. "It is a politicized, cherry-picked report designed to do one thing, not shed light on a tragedy, which, by the way, I would support 100 percent," said U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on CBS News' Face the Nation. "And, by the way, lets also look at the 20 years and the four presidents that doubled down on Afghanistan policy. It is going to be a nakedly partisan campaign thing." The White House said the report treaded known facts with a partisan slant and that pre-existing biases "have plagued this investigation from the start." Because of the bad deal former President Trump cut with the Taliban to get out of Afghanistan by May of 2021, President Biden inherited an untenable position. He could either ramp up the war against a Taliban that was at its strongest position in 20 years and put even more American troops at risk or finally end our longest war after two decades and $2 trillion spent," said Sharon Yang, White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, in a statement. "The President refused to send another generation of Americans to fight a war that should have ended long ago." The House Foreign Affairs Committee interviewed top administration officials, including the former chief of mission to the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, Ross Wilson, and the chief U.S. negotiator with the Taliban, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad. Committee staff also interviewed former State Department spokesperson Ned Price and former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, whom they said were complicit in misrepresenting the severity of the Afghanistan withdrawal. McCaul led the committees investigation with the committees Republicans, but staffers from both parties were involved in the fact finding. In addition to interviews, the committee reviewed documents from the defense and state departments and held a series of public hearings in the months since the withdrawal. McCaul has been the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee since 2019, but Republicans didnt win the majority giving him the chairmanship until last year. He previously chaired the House Homeland Security Committee. McCaul is a hawkish Republican who has been vocal in his criticism of the Biden administrations foreign policy. He was an adviser to Trumps 2016 campaign on foreign policy, though he has broken from the isolationist wing of his party by defending aid for Ukraine amid its war with Russia. McCaul often points to the Afghanistan withdrawal as a sign of weakness that emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine. The report came out less than 60 days before the election and named Vice President Kamala Harris. McCaul has criticized Harris for supporting the president through the withdrawal, saying in the report that she was "entrenched" in the president's decision-making. McCaul denied the report was politically timed with the election, saying on CBS News' Face the Nation that "its taken me two years to get to this point because of the obstruction." The report accused the Biden administration of placing too much faith in the Taliban as legitimate partners while negotiating the terms of the U.S. withdrawal. When the Biden administration took over withdrawal negotiations from Trump, it did not prepare for the collapse of the countrys government that led to the chaotic evacuation of Americans and American allies in the country, the report said. The report details multiple delays in key responses to the rapidly deteriorating situation, including the call for a noncombatant emergency evacuation, the downsizing of diplomatic staff in the country and the creation of evacuation paths such as foreign civilian flight authorization and stopover sites in other countries for evacuees. Troops and diplomatic staff were also confused on who would be eligible for evacuation. The report also identified security failures that led to the bombing of the Abbey Gate outside of Kabuls international airport. Reliance on the Taliban to man security to the gate and the decision not to attack the terrorist group ISIS-K inside of Afghanistan all led to the attack, according to the report. The bombing left 185 dead, including 13 U.S. troops, in the worst attack on the U.S. military since 2012. The report also took stock of the aftermath of the withdrawal, including human rights abuses by the Taliban. Nearly $57 million in cash and $7 billion in weapons were left behind. When Kabul fell, many drew comparisons to Saigon as, once again, U.S. helicopters were ferrying Americans off a U.S. embassy, abandoning longtime allies, the report said. But this investigation reveals what happened in Afghanistan was far worse with long-term consequences that are far more dangerous to U.S. national security. McCauls probes into the Biden administration will go beyond the report. He has requested interviews with National Security Advisory Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken for a date in September. McCaul said he would be willing to subpoena them to testify. Other administration officials have spoken voluntarily after pressure from the Republicans on the committee. The Texas Tribune's signature event of the year, The Texas Tribune Festival, brings Texans closer to politics, policy and the days news from Texas and beyond. On Sept. 7, we wrapped our 2024 Festival three unforgettable days packed with 100+ sessions and events. Browse on-demand recordings and catch up on the biggest headlines from Festival events on the Tribunes Festival news page. MELBOURNE, Australia - An aquarium in Australia had some fun hosting a gender-reveal party for Pesto, a popular penguin. Sea Life Melbourne posted video that showed senior keeper Michaela Smale shoveling a pile of snow that revealed blue, for a boy. The baby's parents, Hudson and Tango, also were at the celebration along with the rest of the resident king penguin colony. RELATED: 7-foot shark was eaten by even bigger shark, researchers suspect Meanwhile, the humans had a piece of a penguin-themed cake with blue icing inside. The sex of Pesto, a popular penguin at Sea Life Melbourne, was finally unveiled during a gender-reveal party at the aquarium on September 5. "Since hatching earlier this year, Pesto has quickly captured hearts globally, not just for his adorable antics, but for his impressive size. At just nine months old, Pesto tips the scales at a whopping 21kg [46 pounds], thanks to his hearty appetite of 25 fish a day. Hes officially the largest chick Sea Life Melbourne has ever seen, making him a huge hit with guests and fans around the world," the aquarium said in a press release. Sea Life Melbourne said king penguins are non-sexually dimorphic, meaning they do not display externally visible sex traits, so Pesto's gender was a mystery to the public until recently. Police on Monday said the man accused of throwing hot coffee on a baby in Australia late last month has fled the country. Screen capture courtesy of Queensland Police/X Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Police in Australia on Monday identified the man accused of severely burning a 9-month-old baby with hot coffee in an unprovoked attack late last month as a foreign national who has fled the country. A warrant was issued Monday for the unnamed suspect's arrest on charges of acts intending to cause grievous body harm, a life-imprisonment offense, Paul Dalton, detective inspector in charge of South Brisbane district's child protection and investigation unit, said during a press conference. He identified the suspect as 33-year-old man who had been in the country legally and had no prior criminal history. The suspect had used their own passport to flee Australia by plane via Sydney airport on Aug. 31, about five days after he was accused of throwing hot coffee on the baby Aug. 27 in Brisbane's Hanlon Park, which is located on the east-central coast of Australia. The baby suffered serious burns in the attack and was transported to the hospital from where the boy has since been released. After the attack, police released images and CCTV footage of the man as authorities sought information about his potential involvement. Police have released CCTV of a man who may be able to assist police with their enquiries into the serious assault of an infant at a park in Stones Corner yesterday. https://t.co/LdUDvYR1Sw pic.twitter.com/fjSXb4VMb6 Queensland Police (@QldPolice) August 28, 2024 Dalton described the ensuing investigation as "probably one of the most complex and sometimes frustrating" he has been a part of or led as the suspect was knowledgeable of police practices. "This person was aware of police methodologies, was certainly conducting counter-surveillance activities, which made the investigation quite complex," he said, without elaborating on what exactly the suspect was doing. Officers were only able to put a name to the face seen in the CCTV footage on Sept. 1, a day after he fled the country. "He was aware what we do to find people," he said. No motive has also been uncovered amid the investigation for a crime that Dalton described as "strange" since the suspect and his victim's family were unknown to one another. Initial inquiries have been made with international partners who have also been briefed on the investigation, he said. He added the suspect had arrived in Sydney via car that police were looking for and believe is located in New South Wales. Sydney is located about 570 miles south along the Australian coast from Brisbane. Some 30 detectives are working for Dalton who said they were "devastated that they missed this person by 12 hours." "I was in the investigation center when we put a name to the face and it was a very happy room only for us to do a check in 15 minutes and find out we lost him; it was deflated," he said. "But that deflation quickly turns into determination and resilience to get the job done." Gerhard Karner, Austria's Interior Minister, speaks at the beginning of an international conference on questions of internal security and migration. Bernd von Jutrczenka/Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH/dpa Austria opposes the recently unveiled plans of the German government to resume passport controls along all German land borders in a bid to sharply curb the number of people entering the country without visas. "Austria will not accept individuals who are turned back from Germany. There is no leeway," Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner told the Bild and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspapers on Monday. Karner argued that Germany has the right to send people back if another EU country is responsible for their asylum application. However, a formal procedure and the consent of the affected member state would be necessary for this. He said that rejections within the framework of border checks at EU internal borders were not allowed, just three weeks before the Austrian parliamentary election. All of Germany's neighbours, including Austira, are fellow members of the Schengen Zone, which is normally supposed to allow control-free travel across all borders inside the bloc. Earlier on Monday, German government sources told dpa the border controls will go into effect on September 16 and are initially expected to remain in place for six months. The border checks are intended both to limit irregular migration as well as address threats from Islamist terrorist groups and cross-border criminal organizations, sources said. Long-standing debates over how to handle migrants seeking asylum in Germany have intensified in recent weeks after a deadly knife attack earlier this month in the western German city of Solingen. The suspected attacker, a Syrian citizen, had evaded an order to be deported from Germany to Bulgaria, where he first entered the EU. Currently, asylum seekers are only rejected at German land borders in certain limited cases, such as if someone is banned from entering the country or chooses not apply for asylum. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities recovered a mans body from the Cumberland River on Sunday evening. A drowning call came in just before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to Metro Dispatch. Authorities later told News 2 that Nashville Fire units recovered the body of an adult male from the water. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) identified the man as 59-year-old James Anthony Taylor. Taylors sister reportedly told police that her brother went missing Friday night as they were fishing along the riverbank. She said she left to go get food but when her calls to her brother went unanswered, she returned to the riverbank and found his belongings, but he was not there. According to MNPD, a boater located the 59-year-olds body in the river Sunday evening. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Officials said an autopsy is pending. Additional details were not 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. Authorities in Wisconsin asking for publics help locating armed and dangerous man who allegedly killed pregnant woman KENOSHA, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in Kenosha County are asking for the publics help in locating a 25-year-old man accused of killing a mother of three and an unborn baby. According to a release, the Kenosha Police Department is searching for Lawrence G. Franklin Jr. for the homicide of 22-year-old Amiah Prather. The release alleges that Franklin Jr. killed Prather while she was pregnant with a baby girl. Walmart in Oshkosh evacuated following bomb threats, suspect believed to be from Illinois Additionally, officers say that Franklin Jr. and Prather knew each other, meaning this incident was not a random act of violence. Incidents like this often cause concern and fear, said the Kenosha Police Department on its social media page. We are working around the clock and have partnered with some of our federal law enforcement partners to locate and arrest Lawrence Franklin Jr. The statement continues to say that while Franklin Jr.s actions were not random, the community should know he is considered to be armed and dangerous. Sheboygan man shot by police after allegedly attacking an officer Franklin Jr. has a large tattoo on his neck and tattoos on both arms and wrists. He is frequently seen in Kenosha, Racine, and South Milwaukee. He was last seen leaving a house on Friday near 40th St. and 11th Ave. in Kenosha. We know several individuals have assisted Lawrence after he committed the homicide, added the Kenosha County Sheriffs Office on social media. We encourage anyone who may have helped Lawrence to come forward. Additionally, officers want those individuals to be aware that harboring or aiding a felon is a felony. If the investigation shows that someone assisted Franklin Jr. in a manner that hindered the Kenosha Police Department, they will arrest that person and refer criminal charges to the Kenosha County District Attorneys Office. One woman dead, three people hurt following head-on crash in Oconto County Lawrence, if you are reading our media releases, the safest way to resolve this is to turn yourself in, concluded the Kenosha Police Department on social media. Anyone with information on Franklin Jr.s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Kenosha Police Department at (262) 605-5210. No additional details were provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Action News Jaxs Ben Becker has learned that a deal could be in jeopardy between Baptist Health and Florida Blue, because of what Baptist Health sources say is an abuse of power and intimidation tactics by Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegans office. Action News Jax first reported last week that Florida Blue insurance Executive Darnell Smith, who has been on loan to the city as Deegans chief of staff since January, will split his time over the next few weeks between his city duties and leading talks for Florida Blue as a Sept. 30 deadline looms in contentious contract negotiations over how much money the hospital is paid. The deadlock regards how much Florida Blue reimburses Baptist Health and physicians. If a deal isnt reached, Florida Blue customers will lose in-network services, resulting in higher costs or losing their physicians altogether. Florida Blue CEO Pat Geraghty tells Becker the insurance company is standing in the breach trying to protect Jacksonville residents from rate increases. Florida Blues holding company, Guidewell, generates $30 billion a year in revenue and is one of the 150 largest companies in the Fortune 500. Baptist Health is Jacksonvilles only locally controlled, not-for-profit health system and the areas second-largest private employer. RELATED: Jacksonville Mayor weighs in on Chief of Staffs involvement in Florida Blue, Baptist Health negotiations Baptist Health sources tell Becker that while Smith is well-regarded, his returning to Florida Blue sends a signal that the mayors office is taking sides and that it has concerns of future reprisals from the administration if it doesnt give in to Florida Blues contract demands. Smith, who does not receive a city salary, continues to receive salary and benefits from Florida Blue. The mayors office released a statement last week from the Office of General Counsel that is it not a conflict of interest for Smith to serve as a Florida Blue executive in negotiations with Baptist Health. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] But numerous sources tell Becker one example of a conflict of interest is that Smith sat in with Florida Blue, who briefed both the police and fire unions on the progress of the talks, two days before it was announced publicly he was going back to his old role. There are currently at least 10,000 former and current members of the police and fire unions and their families, who could be impacted by the contract talks, in addition to at least 50,000 Florida Blue members overall in Northeast Florida. RELATED: Florida Blue patients worried about future coverage in the midst of Baptist Health negotiations City councilman Rory Diamond is opposed to Smiths role in talks saying on X the social media platform formally known as Twitter that Smith Cant sit on both sides of the negotiating table when it comes to healthcare and insurance companies. City councilman Rahman Johnson supports Smith, releasing a statement saying The suggestion that his involvement provides an unfair advantage is simply not rooted in reality. RELATED: Peoples lives are at stake: Contract negotiations continue between Baptist Health and Florida Blue The Mayors Office released the following statement: Mayor Deegan has not been involved in the negotiating process beyond encouraging two of Jacksonvilles largest employers to reach an agreement. With thousands of city employees and tens of thousands of families potentially impacted, it is in the best interest of the city both fiscally and morally for there to be a resolution. Darnell is spending the vast majority of his time on helping Florida Blue resolve the situation with Baptist, other than working with the Mayors Office to close out any remaining items for the community benefits agreement and 2024-2025 budget, which have nothing to do with Florida Blue. As noted in last weeks statement, the Office of General Counsel and Florida Commission on Ethics have provided opinions that this is not a conflict. Darnell did join a Jacksonville Police Officers & Fire Fighters Health Insurance Trust (JPOFFHIT) meeting last week in his capacity with Florida Blue and resolving the situation. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. A sign at Platja Gran, the Great Beach, warns of falling rocks. Beaches are disappearing in many places around the world, including Spain. Emilio Rappold/dpa Looking out onto the beach of Platja d'Aro, Josep has tears in his eyes. "I used to play and swim here as a kid, when the beach was twice as big," the 48-year-old teacher says. Today the main beach in the popular Catalonian holiday resort on Spain's Costa Brava coastline is some 50 metres wide on average. In the 1980s, it was three times that size, according to a report in the La Vanguardia newspaper. Estimates differ and there are no official figures available, but everyone agrees that the beach has been getting "smaller and smaller" for decades, restaurant owner Aldo says. Beaches are also vanishing elsewhere in Spain, a country that depends heavily on the millions of holidaymakers from Europe and elsewhere that descend on its coastlines every year. But beaches are literally shrinking and experts believe urban development is one of the reasons for the erosion. Protective dunes along the coast have been replaced by housing, hotels and marinas, preventing the beaches from expanding inwards. "Natural beaches can easily adapt to climate change as they are able to retreat and rise when the sea level rises," says Francesa Ribas from Barcelona's Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya. But if buildings prevent the sand from shifting inwards, the beach will disappear, she explains. Turning dunes into promenades has restricted the beaches' adaptability and increased the risk of storm surges, according to Ribas. River dams near the coast and the construction of marinas and other infrastructure near the sea are also fuelling erosion, she adds. Bleak outlook for beaches worldwide The phenomenon isn't unique to Spain, with beaches disappearing in coastal regions from California and Florida to Turkey, Brazil and Australia's Gold Coast. Driven by climate change, "sea-level rise and coastal shifts could wipe out nearly half of Earth's sandy seashores by the end of the century," according to a study published in the Nature Climate Change journal. The city administration of Barcelona estimates that some 30,000 cubic metres of sand are being washed away there every year, some 10% of its beaches. "I was completely surprised when I noticed massive regression on some beaches in the Llobregat delta south of Barcelona a few years ago, an area that hadn't had any problems with erosion so far," Ribas remembers. Several international studies carried out between 1984 and 2015 using satellite images found some 25% of beaches worldwide affected by chronic erosion, the researcher says. In Spain's Catalonia, as many as 65% of beaches in the region shrunk between 1956 and 2019, according to the Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia (ICGC). The drama of Montgat According to Greenpeace, the beach of Montgat, a town north of Bareclona, has lost 90% of its sand, decreasing from 25,000 to 6,400 square metres in size since July 2023 alone. The town even considered cancelling the summer season following a particularly devastating storm earlier this year. "We barely had enough room to put up a lifeguard chair," Tania Gonzalez, the city councillor in charge of environmental affairs, told the El Periodico newspaper. The situation has since improved somewhat, and the Montgat beach, which used to measure some 50 metres a decade ago, has grown back into a 2-metre-wide strip. For Mayor Andreu Absil, that's no reason to rejoice, however. The town was forced to close all restaurants and bars along the beach due to the erosion, he says. Demand for action Coastal erosion has alarming consequences, particularly for Spain's tourism industry, one of the main sources of income in Catalonia and beyond. Ribas also highlights the risks for a "very valuable ecosystem." "Beaches are the best possible protection against storms for the adjacent cities, as they absorb the energy of the waves," she says. "If there is no beach, storms have a much more destructive effect." More and more people in Catalonia and other affected coastal regions across Spain are joining forces to raise awareness and call for action to address the problem. A group of people recently formed a human chain in Valencia to draw attention to disappearing beaches, while the SOS Costa Brava organization put on an open-air theatre performance near Platja d'Aro to illustrate the ecological consequences of rampant urban development. Attitudes are shifting, not only in Spain but worldwide, Ribas says. In Spain, stricter building regulations are now in place in many parts of the country and the coastal law has been tightened, she says. However, construction continues along the coast, with many building illegally. Pau Bosch, vice president of SOS Costa Brava, an umbrella organization for 25 environmental groups, says the organization's efforts to prevent further building projects are paying off. A master plan for the protection of various conservation areas along the coast that were supposed to be destroyed has been approved in Catalonia and other regions, he says. However, there are still plans to build a total of 40,000 new homes and hotel complexes in 22 municipalities on the Costa Brava, "which will have a very negative impact on the coastline and the sea." What does it take to save Spain's beaches? To stop erosion, authorities have brought in sand from regions as far away as the Sahara desert to fill up the declining beaches. But those efforts, branded by ecologists as "patchwork," are to be reduced in future, partly due to a huge global sand shortage. Other efforts to combat the problem included putting up protective structures that only brought short-term relief or were even counter-producitve. Ribas believes there's only one way to save Spain's beaches. "We have to give back to the sea what we have stolen from it," she says. "We need to restore the original dune systems and, if necessary, dismantle beach promenades and rebuild them further back." Renaturation, the researchers believes, is the only option, even if it may prove unpopular. Bathers lie on the beach in one of the many bays in Spain, though beaches are disappearing. Emilio Rappold/dpa The Kerch Bridge, illegally built by Russians in Crimea, temporarily occupied by the aggressor country, needs urgent repairs. As a result of the attacks by the Ukrainian Defense Forces, the structure has suffered significant damage. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported on the Telegram channel of the military movement of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars "Atesh" on Sunday, September 8. As noted, an agent of the movement visited the Crimean bridge and took a photo. The partisans write that as a result of the damage, the bridge's structural elements are degrading, leading to the crumbling of individual parts. "The attitude to its condition is becoming more and more neglectful, no one pays it due attention anymore. It is also worth noting that the number of air defense systems in Crimea continues to decline, which makes the bridge even more vulnerable," the statement said. ADVERTISIMENT Atesh added that the Kerch Bridge is probably living out its last days. "We continue to monitor strategically important objects on the peninsula and report important data for planning further operations," the movement added. Earlier, Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, said that the Russian occupiers are bringing a huge number of air defense systems of various ranges to Crimea. Russian troops are also building mysterious barriers near the Crimean bridge. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: The MID reported that the Ukrainian military has a plan to de-occupy Crimea and eliminate the Kerch Bridge, illegally built by the Russians. Andrii Yusov noted that he would like to "look at the clock and say that the bridge has about 15 minutes left to stand, but the reality is more complicated." President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted at the fate of the Crimean bridge illegally built by Russia in the temporarily occupied Crimea. He assured that the Main Intelligence Directorate "knows how to surprise the information space." Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Battery-powered devices are overheating more often on planes and raising alarm FILE - In this June 19, 2014 file photo, baggage carts are towed to the Boeing 737 jet at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Ark., June 19, 2014. Devices powered by lithium-ion batteries are overheating more often during airline flights and passengers often put them in checked bags that go into the cargo hold, where a fire might not be detected as quickly. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File) Devices powered by lithium-ion batteries are overheating more often during airline flights and passengers often put them in checked bags that go into the cargo hold, where a fire might not be detected as quickly. Overheating incidents rose 28% from 2019 to 2023, although such events remain relatively rare, UL Standards & Engagement said in a report released Monday. E-cigarettes overheated more often than any other device, according to the report. In 60% of the cases, the overheating called thermal runaway happened near the seat of the passenger who brought the device on board. In July, a smoking laptop in a passengers bag led to the evacuation of a plane awaiting takeoff at San Francisco International Airport. Last year, a flight from Dallas to Orlando, Florida, made an emergency landing in Jacksonville, Florida, after a battery caught fire in an overhead bin. More than one-quarter of passengers surveyed for the study said they put vaping cigarettes and portable chargers in checked bags. That is against federal rules. The Transportation Security Administration prohibits e-cigarettes and chargers and power banks with lithium-ion batteries in checked bags but allows them in carry-on bags. The rule exists precisely because fires in the cargo hold might be harder to detect and extinguish. UL Standards & Engagement, part of a safety-science company once known as Underwriters Laboratories, said it based its findings on data from 35 passenger and cargo airlines including nine of the 10 leading U.S. passenger carriers. The Federal Aviation Administration reports 37 thermal-runaway incidents on planes this year, through Aug. 15. There were 77 reports last year, a 71% increase over 2019, according to the FAA numbers. Considering that airlines operate about 180,000 U.S. flights each week, incidents in the air are relatively uncommon, and lithium batteries can overheat anywhere. We also know that one of these thermal-runaway incidents at 40,000 feet does present unique risks, said ULs David Wroth. Those risks have been known for many years. After cargo planes carrying loads of lithium-ion batteries crashed in 2010 and 2011, the United Nations' aviation organization considered restricting such shipments but rejected tougher standards. Opponents, including airlines, argued that the decision on whether to accept battery shipments should be left up to the carriers, and some no longer take bulk battery shipments. The most common lithium-ion-powered devices on planes are phones, laptops, wireless headphones and tablets. About 35% of reported overheating incidents involved e-cigarettes, and 16% involved power banks. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) On Sunday, the motorcycle club Outlaws MC delivered thousands of pounds worth of dog food to the lucky puppy rescue nonprofit organization. For the past 9 years, the Bay County motorcycle community participated in an evening poker run hosted by the Outlaws MC. This year the motorcycle group used the earnings from their event to purchase 3,000 pounds worth of dog food to donate to Lucky Puppy Rescue. Lucky Puppy Rescue provides care to around 200 dogs living on a 125-acre farm. Gulf District Schools closed Tuesday in honor of Port St. Joe senior Chance Gainer Currently, we have close to 200 dogs and we are always in need of dog food. So this is a godsend to get this much food at this time. This will take us through probably another month where we can feed our dogs, feed all these unwanted dogs, Lucky Puppy rescue employee Becky Lowrey said. The nonprofit was originally purchased to be a property for raising cattle back in 2008. Then stray dogs started to show up and the owner decided to open a small rescue site for dogs and since then it has only expanded. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) In light of recent school shooting threats across the state of Florida, Bay District Schools released a statement regarding safety at their schools. The district says the threat does not mention a specific school or district but that they are monitoring the situation. Right now, there is no known threat to Bay District. Regardless, the district says they have alerted local law enforcement and they are investigating the situation. The school will be conditioned as planned for Bay District. Bay Haven Charter Academy released a statement on Facebook about the threats. While our staff and administration will make sure that school will be in session tomorrow, we understand if you prefer to keep your child home. If you choose to do so, we will offer an excused absence for the day, Bay Haven Charter officials said. In response to the situation, they said they will have increased law enforcement presence and will enforce security protocols rigorously on Monday, September 9th. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Baystate Health has begun hosting listening sessions for their new community health center. Registration now open for the 19th annual Bright Nights 5K Road Race Monday was the first of eight listening sessions for the newly proposed Baystate Community Health Center in Springfield. Back in May of this year, Baystate announced plans to build a new state-of-the-art community health center on Wilbraham Road. The center will be located on land that was donated by MassMutual and is part of their Springfield campus. MassMutual also said that over the next five years, they will donate $5 million to support the new center. We are thinking diligently, we are listening to the community about what is needed related to access. We will be working with partners throughout the community, our government officials and other transit authorities to really ensure that we are making it a location that is accessible and that also allows everyone to have optimal care, said Tyonne Hinson, the Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity, Health Equity & Inclusion Officer at Baystate Health. The health provider will be consolidating services from four existing health centers in the new 90,000-square-foot building while also expanding. The centers that will move their services to the new location include: The Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center Baystate High Street Health Center Baystate High Street Pediatrics Wesson Womens Clinic The centers will serve regular physician care as well as specialty services for pediatrics, adults to seniors. The following seven listening sessions are where the community can become a part of the planning: Monday, September 16 ; 5:30 7:30 p.m.; St. Johns Congregational Church, 45 Hancock Street Thursday, September 19 , 11:30 a.m. 1 p.m.; Springfield City Library, Mason Square Branch, 765 State Street Monday, September 23 , 9 11 a.m.; South End Community Center, 99 Marble Street Monday, September 23 , 5:30 7:30 p.m.; Educare Springfield, 100 Hickory Street Wednesday, September 25 , 11:30 a.m. 1 p.m.; Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center, 1476 Roosevelt Avenue Virtual- Tuesday, September 10 , 12:30 2:00 p.m. (Spanish interpretation will be available, and a Zoom link will be provided after RSVP) Virtual- Wednesday, September 25, 5:30 7:00 p.m. (Spanish interpretation will be available, and a Zoom link will be provided after RSVP) 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. Bear attacks woman walking dogs, Washington officials say. Then wrong bear is killed A woman was walking her dogs when she was attacked by a female bear in northeastern Washington, officials said. Wildlife officers looked for the animal and ended up killing the wrong bear, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a Sept. 2 news release. The woman was hiking with her dogs Sept. 1 on private property near Mink Creek Road in Ferry County, which is near Kettle Falls, officials said. Her dogs then got between two black bears, officials said. The female bear charged at her and left her with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. She was taken to a hospital. Wildlife officers tried to track down the animal. They found a 120-pound bear in the area and killed it, officials said, but officers realized they killed a male bear instead and not the one they were looking for. The wildlife officers couldnt find the female bear and gave up after the landowner told them to, officials said. Officials said the black bear meat was donated to the U.S. Air Force. Kettle Falls is about an 80-mile drive north from Spokane. What to do if you see a bear Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space. There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack. Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize youre a human and nonthreatening. Stay calm: Bears usually dont want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear. Dont scream: Screaming could trigger an attack. Pick up small children: Dont let kids run away from the bear. It could think theyre small prey. Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people. Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Dont make any sudden movements. Dont drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection. Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out. Again, dont run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would. Dont climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb. Alligator attacks woman walking her dog, Florida officials say. Trapper catches it Mountain lion bites 5-year-old picnicking with family at California park, officials say Beloved bear killed after swiping at woman in CA. Now a tribe honors it with burial Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, speaks at the opening of the Bundeswehr Day at the Holzdorf site. Frank Hammerschmidt/dpa The most senior soldier in the German military on Monday hit back at suggestions from China that sending a German warship through the Taiwan Strait would amount to a provocation. Although the trip by the frigate Baden-Wurttemberg has not been officially confirmed, it is expected to take place soon, after being widely reported in German media. The inspector general of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, said during a visit to Seoul that "I don't think we risk provoking China, but rather the other way around. It is precisely this international law that is being called into question by the perception and the issues that China is introducing." China regards democratically governed Taiwan as a breakaway province, and the waters of the Taiwan Strait as Chinese - rather than international - waters. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in response to a question about the reported route of the German warship, that China rejects provocations and threats from countries targeting the sovereignty and security of China under the guise of freedom of navigation. She did not name any particular country in her answer. German news magazine Spiegel had reported that the frigate Baden-Wurttemberg would pass through the Taiwan Strait on its way to Manila. Warships from other countries, such as the United States, have also passed through the strait in the past, prompting protests from Beijing. The German navy has not given any confirmed details on the route plans for reasons of "operational security." "We are taking advantage of the freedom of international waters here. So there is no reason to say anything about the route we are taking," said Rear Admiral Axel Schulz in the South Korean port of Incheon. The Baden-Wurttemberg and the combat support ship Frankfurt am Main are currently in South Korea, where they were most recently involved in monitoring UN sanctions against North Korea. If the frigate passes through the Taiwan Strait, it would be the first time since 2002 that a German naval vessel has chosen this route. OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) A devastating head-on collision caused by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 85 near Exit 62 has killed prominent Georgia physician Dr. Malcolm Goodchild. On Saturday, September 7, Opelika Police responded to the scene at approximately 7:17 p.m. and found two vehicles involved: a Tesla and a Toyota 4Runner. The Tesla had caught fire, but officers temporarily extinguished the flames to assist the occupants until the Opelika Fire Department arrived. Dr. Goodchild, 50, was airlifted to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, GA, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The crash occurred when the driver of the Toyota 4Runner, suspected of traveling the wrong way on the exit ramp, collided head-on with Dr. Goodchilds Tesla. The Teslas passenger was transported to the hospital by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the 4Runner remains hospitalized with severe injuries. The Opelika Police Departments Traffic Homicide Investigation Unit is leading the investigation. Authorities encourage anyone with information to contact the Opelika Police Department at (334) 705-5200 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App. Dr. Goodchild was a highly respected general and trauma surgeon, certified by the American Board of Surgery, and had privileges at Jack Hughston Memorial, Piedmont Columbus, and St. Francis hospitals. Before opening his practice, he worked at Piedmont Columbus Regional, which shared a video with WRBL titled Meet Dr. Malcolm Goodchild. The video highlights his philosophy of treating patients like family members and providing compassionate care to help them overcome their medical challenges. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Goodchild graduated with highest honors from Ross University School of Medicine in 2006. He completed his surgical residency at The Brooklyn Hospital Center and further specialized with a Trauma/Critical Care fellowship at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Goodchild was an associate professor of surgery at Morehouse School of Medicine, where he mentored future doctors. Since moving to Columbus, GA, in 2016, he became widely admired for his compassionate care and exceptional expertise. Born to parents who worked in healthcare after immigrating to the U.S., Dr. Goodchilds contributions to the medical field and the community will be fondly remembered by his colleagues, patients, and students. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson at a press conference in Dearborn Heights, Sept. 9, 2024 | Jon King With the goal of increasing voting among Michigans youngest voters, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson helped hold a mock election Monday at Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights to help celebrate Michigans first-ever Voter Preregistration Week. Benson, a Democrat, also used her visit to unveil a new online Mock Election Portal, which includes a step-by-step guide for students wishing to host a mock election at their school, various sample ballots and other election-related resources. This resource kit will show local elected leaders and communities how they can host mock elections at their schools or with young people anywhere throughout the state, said Benson. I know together with the Michigan Department of Education, were working to get these resources and information about voter preregistration to every school district in the state. Under a new state law in effect this year, 16- and 17-year- old Michigan residents can preregister to vote online, by mail, or automatically at a Secretary of States office when applying for a Graduated Drivers License. To help emphasize the new law, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed the week of Sept. 8, 2024, as Voter Preregistration Week. Our democracy is strongest when every eligible citizen can make their voices heard at the ballot box, said Whitmer. This system allows future voters to take proactive action and empowers our kids to become more civically engaged, helping us build a stronger democracy for every Michigander. Historically, younger voters have been underrepresented at the polls, with Benson noting that while Michigan had the nations highest youth voter turnout in 2022, it was just 37%. Additionally, while more than 1.36 million Michiganders 18 to 29 were registered to vote in 2022, only about 556,000 actually cast a ballot. Benson hopes the Mock Election Portal will help serve as a way to close that gap. I think its really eye-opening to see the vast majority of our young people who arent voting are actually registered, and so translating those registrations into action is key for everyone to think about, she said. And we hope this is one way in which people can experience the power of the vote in a way that is front and center for them in their daily lives, and then see the power of voting on a number of offices on the ballot in any election, as well. Benson said while it may seem counterintuitive, what she has seen firsthand hosting mock elections across the state is that even if students are voting for something as innocuous as their favorite snack food, it does translate into more students at the ballot box. Weve seen that every single time as students come into these sessions thinking, Does my vote, my voice really matter? and then not just realizing that it does, but realizing that voting is something to celebrate and to do as a community and have fun with. And thats what these mock elections can really demonstrate, she said. Benson said she hoped to see teachers, principals, and all educational leaders use the online portal to host mock elections in their communities and exponentially expand the opportunities for young people to experience the power of voting. One of those leaders who already stepped up to do exactly that was Crestwood Public Schools Superintendent Youssef Mosallam, whose district hosted Benson and Mondays mock election. Too often, our students may feel that their single vote does not count, but we have been pushing the issue that every vote matters, every vote counts, especially in local elections, he said. Preregistration is another avenue to ensure that all of our students are part of this great democratic value, a value that so many of our students families who came to this country, came here for the reason that they can have a say in representation in the government. Benson said that despite stereotypes of disengaged youth, in hosting youth roundtables across the state her department has seen the opposite. What weve seen universally is an incredible amount of engagement and energy around young people wanting to be a part of defining their future, said Benson, who believes that where there is a disconnection, its between what young voters want to change and the political process that allows for that change to occur. Whether its a healthier climate, safer schools, or other types of issues that are important to young people, I think mock elections like this, I found and Ive seen useful in drawing that connection, she said. We want young people to take their energy, their investment in the future, and help them see that government, investing in government, and engaging in the voting process is an important way to be a part of defining your future. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Bernie Sanders Says He Shares This Belief With The Cheneys Despite 'Very Different' Views Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) gave props to ex-Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and former Vice President Dick Cheney on Sunday for their endorsements of Kamala Harris campaign. Cheney and I agree on nothing, no issues, said the progressive senator in an appearance on Meet the Press. But what we do believe in is that the United States should retain its democratic foundations. The Cheneys joined a list of Republicans who have publicly announced they wont support Donald Trumps bid to return to the White House. The two warned ofthe dangers should Trump be elected back into the Oval Office, with the former vice president declaring that that GOP nominee can never be trusted with power again. Liz Cheney, meanwhile, has since described Trump as representing a unrecoverable catastrophe and said the choice for president is not a close one. Meet the Press host Kristen Welker noted that the former congresswoman a lifelong Republican like her father voted with Trump more than 90% of the time and was quite critical when President Joe Biden picked Harris as his running mate in 2020. Would you welcome seeing Liz Cheney out on the campaign trail? Welker asked Sanders. Well, Kristen, what I think Dick and Liz Cheney are saying is that in this existential moment in American history, its not just issues, he replied. He later added that, aside from the Cheneys, he thinks theres a significant number of Republicans who acknowledge they disagree with Harris on some issues. But [they] cannot support somebody whos a pathological liar, somebody who fomented an insurrection to overthrow the election, he said. So, I applaud the Cheneys for their courage in defending democracy, he added. Obviously, on all the issues, we have very different points of view. Bernie Sanders on Meet the Press: "Cheney and I agree on nothing. No issues. But what we do believe in is that the United States should retain its democratic foundations ... I applaud the Cheneys for their courage in defending democracy." pic.twitter.com/0exTfbfFIv Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 8, 2024 Related... Boeing said on Sunday it has reached a tentative agreement with a union representing more than 32,000 workers in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, in a deal that could help avert a possible crippling strike as early as Sept. 13. If approved, the proposed four-year contract, which includes a general wage increase of 25% and commitment to build the next commercial airplane in the Seattle area, is an important win for new Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who took over last month with a mandate to turn around quality at the planemaker, an issue that a deal with labor could help. The first full labor deal in 16 years would also include better retirement benefits and giving the union greater input in the safety and quality of the production system. The union called it the best contract it had ever negotiated and described union workers as committed to building quality planes. Boeing is wrestling with a quality crisis and faces scrutiny from regulators and customers, after a door plug on a near-new MAX blew off an Alaska Air jetliner while in mid-air in January. The deal would need to be approved on Thursday by Boeing factory workers near Seattle and Portland, Oregon, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). Boeing workers could reject the deal if it gets less than majority support. A strike is possible if two-thirds support a work stoppage in a second vote. Boeing wants you to feel safe: How it's working on safety in its factories A Boeing 737 MAX-10 performs a flying display at the 54th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris on June 20, 2023. If ratified by union members on Thursday, the deal would commit Boeing to building the replacement to the workhorse 737 at its Pacific Northwest facilities if the project is started during the life of the contract. However, it is not clear when the planemaker would announce its next jet. Boeing and rival Airbus are in the early stages of drawing up strategies for replacements of their best-selling single-aisle models expected to enter service in the late 2030s. Boeings decision to commit early to its main Northwest planemaking hub for new models contrasts with previous efforts to compete in different locations, which have irked the IAM. "This would go along with our other flagship models, meaning job security for generations to come," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope in a message to employees. Ortberg, who is under pressure to change Boeing's culture to improve quality, also needs to address labor relations and the company's future, said aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia. Ortberg is a former Rockwell Collins executive who moved to Seattle to head the company. "Changing the culture starts with a different attitude towards labor and towards the future with new product development," Aboulafia said on Sunday. Boeing simultaneously faces significant financial pressures as it continues to lose money. In July it posted a second-quarter net loss of $1.44 billion. Last week, Wells Fargo said Boeing's annual free cash flow target of $10 billion may be delayed by about two years to 2027-28 and the company may have to raise $30 billion before developing a new aircraft. Wells Fargo analyst Matthew Akers said Boeing carries about $45 billion net debt. An accepted deal would secure labor peace for Boeing at a time when the planemaker is burning cash and trying to raise production of its strongest-selling 737 MAX to a target rate of 38 aircraft per month by the year's end. The union fell short of its early goal of achieving a 40% raise but still hailed the agreement. "Although there was no way to achieve success on every single item, we can honestly say that this proposal is the best contract we've negotiated in our history," the IAM union local representing the Boeing workers said in a statement. The deal comes as workers are capitalizing on tight labor markets to make gains. The United Auto Workers union won a similar 25% general wage pay hike over four-and-a-half years with the Detroit Three last autumn. The talks had been watched by members of the Biden administration, with Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su last week urging the sides in an interview with Reuters to get a "fair contract." Su had spoken with both Ortberg, a source familiar with the matter said, and union local head Jon Holden. The Boeing workers, who produce Boeing's widebody 777 and 767 in addition to the MAX, had voted in favor of a strike mandate in July. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boeing, workers union reach tentative deal in hopes of averting strike Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said that Ukraine withdrew from the Istanbul agreements with Russia after consultations with its Western partners. According to her, the document contained a number of unfair requirements that would actually lead to the demilitarization of Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the aggressor country, Russia, was not even required to withdraw troops and weapons from the Ukrainian border. Nuland said this in an interview with Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar. Nuland emphasized that at the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian army made a number of mistakes. That's why the Kremlin used the talks in Turkey to see what benefits Russia could gain. At the same time, Ukraine wanted to end the war and drive the Russian occupiers from its territory. "Russia at that time was interested in at least seeing what it could get, and Ukraine was interested in stopping the war and driving Russia away. Toward the end of the negotiations, the Ukrainians wanted to be consulted about where things were headed. Then it became clear to us, the British and the rest of us that Putin's main condition was buried in an appendix to the document they were working on," Nuland said. ADVERTISIMENT The former U.S. official emphasized that the Russians demanded that Ukraine give up a number of weapons systems, but no counter-demands were put forward by Russia. Nuland emphasized that the Istanbul agreements did not even provide for the withdrawal of the Russian army from the state border. "It prohibited Ukraine from having certain weapons systems after the agreement was signed. So, in fact, Ukraine would have been weakened as a military force. At the same time, there were no similar restrictions for Russia. Russia was not required to retreat, it was not required to have a buffer zone on the border with Ukraine, it was not prohibited from keeping any weapons on the border," Nuland said. She also added that it was after additional consultations that Ukraine withdrew from the Istanbul agreements. Nuland explained that according to the documents prepared at the meeting in Turkey, dictator Vladimir Putin could have gotten a demilitarized Ukraine for nothing. ADVERTISIMENT "Within and outside the Ukrainian delegation, questions began to be raised about whether this deal was good. It was at this point that it fell apart. I think that many people, and perhaps Zelensky himself, suspected that they were about to fall into a trap. And if Putin could get a neutered, demilitarized Ukraine for nothing, why should he refuse," Nuland said. As a reminder, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Lytvynenko said that the aggressor country Russia is not ready for serious negotiations on peace with Ukraine. It is possible to talk to Russia only from a position of strength. Earlier, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin said that Moscow was supposedly ready to negotiate with Kyiv. The war criminal wants the agreement discussed in Istanbul in 2022 to be the basis. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, the head of the National Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation, Andrii Kovalenko, said that dictator Putin is trying to achieve Ukraine's surrender. Therefore, the Kremlin leader's statements about Russia's alleged readiness for peace talks are just a screen. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! School officials in Macon are urging community-wide efforts to maintain school safety in the wake of a wave of internet threats across Georgia following a school shooting in Barrow County which killed four people and injured numerous others. The Bibb County School District is investigating online rumors that circulated over the weekend, targeting specifically Northeast High School and Appling Middle School, officials said on Monday. Theyre not the only school district who has dealt with threats in the week since the Apalachee High School shooting. According to social media posts, Bibb County students mentioned bringing weapons on campus in order to protect themselves against the rumored threat. BCSD Superintendent Dan Sims asked parents on Sunday to monitor their childrens social media pages and clear their homes of any accessible weapons. If you dont mind check inside your house and make sure that there is nothing in that house that can be brought to school that will take away from the safety of our schools and that will take away the work that were trying to do, Sims said during a five-minute Facebook livestream. This has to become a team effort. Sims also encouraged Bibb County students to enforce school safety by reporting anything they see, hear or read thats alarming. I need my students to help us make safety deposits. When it comes to safety, safety is not just my responsibility. It is not just our responsibility as the adults, he said. It is actually everybodys responsibility. Everybody who has a set of eyes, a mind (and) a mouth is playing a part in promoting the safety inside our buildings, around our buildings, and in our community. All social media posts that had surfaced were rumors, and no posts identified a specific threat, BCSD spokesperson Stephanie Hartley said in a Remind message to parents. But BCSD campus police were providing extra support to the Northeast High School campus and all Eastside schools Monday, Hartley said. Bibb County School District is aware of social media postings cautioning a possible threat to Bibb Schools today. These posts were immediately flagged and reported to Meta and to emergency authorities, including BCSD Campus Police. Meta removed the original post. We will continue to investigate and follow all security protocols, the district said. Some of the protocol include safety alert systems that teachers wear inside the classroom and new metal detection systems used at all schools for anyone entering the buildings, Hartley added. Sims commented on Facebook that he would go live again Monday to announce updates and safety plans to comfort parents as they send their children off to school this week. I just need to give you first assurance that everything that we do as a school district is designed to keep us as safe as humanly possible. Our campus police department (and) our chief of police do incredible work, he said during the livestream. Sims sent his condolences to the mourning families of the Apalachee High School shooting and the fatal incident that occurred two days later at a high school in Baltimore. Its been a difficult week. Anybody in public education will tell you its difficult when anything horrific (or) terrible happens to anyone, especially in our schools, he said before addressing local safety concerns. The district asks anyone with any information about a possible threat to call Campus Police at 478-779-2040 or report it through the Safe4Bibb safety app. FILE - Various Google logos are displayed on a Google search, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in New York. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, that Google's ubiquitous search engine has been illegally exploiting its dominance to squash competition and stifle innovation in a seismic decision that could shake up the internet and hobble one of the world's best-known companies. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) The Biden administration is launching the next round of Washingtons most ambitious fight against an American company in a generation: a possible wholesale reordering of the tech giant Google. In a federal courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia, on Monday, the Justice Department and a group of state attorneys general will try to prove that Google illegally monopolizes the nearly $300 billion U.S. market for digital ads. The DOJ is expressly seeking to break up the company, a feat not attempted since its case against Microsoft in the early 2000s, and not successful since the historic dismantling of AT&T in the early 1980s. An attack on this scale hasnt been attempted in decades, said Bill Baer, a fellow with the Brookings Institute and former DOJ antitrust head in the Obama administration. The case against Google a company synonymous around the world with the internet and Silicon Valley dominance marks a kind of policy capstone for the Biden administration, which has made antitrust enforcement a pillar of its economic policy. A ruling, however, isnt likely until well after the election, and depending on the length of the trial, possibly not until the next presidents term. Google is already on the defensive both in the U.S. and overseas. After a 10-week trial last year, a different federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled in August that it illegally monopolized the online search market. The DOJ has not publicly offered a solution, but all options are on the table, including the forced sale of its Android operating system and Chrome browser, according to people with knowledge of the matter. At a hearing Friday in that case, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said he would rule by August next year on what changes Google needs to make. He said he would account for the rapidly evolving technology landscape, including how online search incorporates artificial intelligence, which did not factor into the trial. Google has said it would appeal. At the same time, Google is under fire from regulators in several other countries. Googles ad business is the subject of a European enforcement action that could yield a breakup and billions in fines. Countries including Japan, South Korea, Australia and South Africa are also accusing the company of anticompetitive conduct in search and app stores. On Friday, the U.K. joined the fray, accusing Google of anticompetitive conduct in its ad business. The general view is that Google is in real trouble, said Cristina Caffarra, an economist and ardent foe of the company, citing the 100-odd global antitrust cases against the company documented by a Danish law professor. And while it is a company with vast resources to wage court fights and absorb big fines, it is a series of very serious cases, Caffarra said. Paul Gallant, an analyst with TD Securities who covers regulatory risk, sees the U.S. and EU probably reinforcing each other, in an unwelcome direction for Google. Between the public and private US lawsuits, Google is facing its first truly serious regulatory threat ever, he said. The company over the years has acknowledged its overwhelming dominance in internet search, but says that is simply because it has the best product arguing that it faces healthy competition in most lines of the tech business from other giants like Microsoft, Apple and Amazon. And even its search dominance is eroding, it says, given the plethora of information now available online. The search and ad tech cases reflect the governments stepped-up focus on the way tech giants use myriad business lines as platforms to muscle out competitors. But to some degree its actions against Google are also a clean-up job. Central to the ad tech case is a series of acquisitions dating back to 2008 which were investigated by antitrust regulators but ultimately allowed. And the FTC investigated Googles search business at the start of the last decade but declined to act. In the trial starting Monday, Google stands accused of controlling the plumbing that funds much of the web: the ads that pop up when people view web pages. It owns software used by websites and advertisers, including the stock exchange-like product where such ads are sold in millisecond auctions. While the stakes are high for both sides, the case is not expected to be quite as flashy as the search trial last year. Google CEO Sundar Pichai, for example, is not expected to take the stand, but there will be dozens of executives lower down at Google as well as media companies like The New York Times and Disney. The convoluted nature of the online ad market could create a challenge for the government, said Rebecca Haw Allensworth, a Vanderbilt University law professor. The market is so complicated and not intuitive. [The DOJ] needs to help the judge wrap her mind around it, Allensworth said. [Online] search is different. We all use it. The DOJ-led lawsuit contends that Googles dominance in all facets of online advertising, which it achieved in part through a pattern of acquisitions and business conduct dating back nearly 15 years, gives the company too much control over tools used to buy, sell and display ads. One of the largest companies in the world, Google generates the overwhelming bulk of its profits, some $74 billion in 2023, from advertising. There are other trouble spots for Google in the U.S. Last December, a federal jury in San Francisco found the company violated antitrust law with how it operates its Google Play App store, and is expected to issue a final order shortly which could level the playing field for rival app stores and developers. Last week in the ad tech case, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia admonished Google for a yearslong pattern of deleting allegedly incriminating messages, saying it's something she will take into consideration in evaluating the credibility of [a] witness. Similar allegations in a case led by the Texas attorney general are set for trial next year. Googles dominance allows the company to collect 30 cents for every dollar advertisers spend through its tools that place ads across the web, according to the DOJs case, which cites internal Google documents. Googles online advertising operations were largely pieced together through a series of acquisitions, which is a key focus of the case. The DOJs complaint goes into more exhaustive detail about Googles acquisition history, calling out specific businesses it wants sold off, including Googles advertising exchange, which matches publishers and advertisers in real time for the billions of ads across the web. Google maintains the online ad market is intensely competitive, and pointed to a number of startups and tech giants like Amazon, Meta and Microsoft that all compete in the sector. In a blog post Sunday, Google said In court, we will show that ad buyers and sellers have many options, and when they choose Google they do so because our ad tech is simple, affordable, and effective. In short it works. The DOJ did not have a comment on the record in advance of the trial. The trial will ultimately boil down to which is more convincing in their version of the commercial reality of the online ad market. Google argues that the most fundamental flaw in the DOJs case is that it ignores competition from a host of other digital advertising methods, including companies like TikTok and Amazon. It says the market for ad dollars is wildly competitive. But the DOJ is expected to introduce testimony that advertisers view display ads as separate and that they are not always replaceable with ads on Facebook. Google is also crying foul over accusations that it has unfairly disadvantaged its rivals, saying it has no legal duty to help them. The Virginia federal court where Brinkema sits is known for speedy resolutions, with a trial starting less than two years after the ad tech case was filed. The DOJs search case against Google took four years to get to trial. But as in the search case, Brinkema will first decide whether Google violated the law, before holding separate proceedings on what to do about it. The DOJs two Google cases are separate, and the DOJ insists that they can each be resolved independently. There is some truth to that, Allensworth said. At this point if you make changes to Googles search business its going to have very little effect on the market power that it has in ad tech and vice versa, she said. Still, it can be tricky to synchronize and harmonize the remedies, Baer said. The government has been thinking about this a long time and Im confident they can see the relationship between the two and avoid inconsistencies. The White House on Monday said President Biden would veto a Republican stopgap funding proposal, attacking House GOP leaders for choosing brinksmanship over finding a bipartisan solution to avert a shutdown. In a statement of administration policy, the White House said the proposal put forward by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), which would fund the government for six months, would insufficiently fund government agencies and could lead to severe disruptions to several critical Government services. The White House also called the proposal especially irresponsible in matters of National Security as a 6-month CR would erode our military advantage relative to the Peoples Republic of China, degrade readiness, and fail to provide the support our troops deserve. The Administration urges House Republicans to engage in a bipartisan process that keeps the Government open and provide much needed emergency disaster funding for Americans who are trying to rebuild, the White House added. Johnson in recent days unveiled government funding legislation, which pairs a six-month continuing resolution with a bill backed by former President Trump to require proof of citizenship to register to vote, titled the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. The White House called the voting proposal unrelated cynical legislation, and Democrats have more broadly called the legislation unnecessary because it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. The length of the stopgap would punt the next funding battle into March, when Republicans are hopeful Trump will be back in the White House and can put his stamp on negotiations. Republicans can afford to lose only four of their own members if all Democrats vote no on the continuing resolution. At least two GOP lawmakers Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Matt Rosendale (Mont.) have already come out against the legislation, and other Republicans have expressed skepticism about his strategy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Google and the U.S. Department of Justice got into a sharp argument about business reality in a federal courtroom on Monday a back-and-forth that went to the heart of the bigger challenges facing the Biden administration as it tries to rein in fast-moving segments of the tech industry. As the trial opened in the administration's second major attack on the tech giant, lawyers for both sides quickly started squabbling over who had the more accurate interpretation of the commercial realities of the online ad market. That's a nearly $300 billion business that funds the flow of information on the internet through real-time auctions measured in milliseconds. Todays internet would not exist without display ad revenue, DOJ lawyer Julia Tarver Wood said. Google is using the standard monopolist playbook, she said, controlling the competition, customers and rules. Its heads I win, tails you lose. Google attorney Karen Dunn mocked the administrations case as a relic of the era of Blackberrys and Blockbuster cards. The DOJs case is like a time capsule, she countered, referring to the now-obsolete mobile phone and legacy video rental store. Interference at this moment is damaging to innovation, Dunn said. The current online ad market is rapidly changing moving so fast its impossible to argue any company has achieved long-term monopoly control. The trial, which kicked off Monday in a federal court in Alexandria, Va., is the latest case to pit the Biden administration against the tech sector, and comes as a judge recently ruled that Google is an illegal monopolist in online search in a separate lawsuit. In the current trial, Google stands accused of controlling the plumbing that funds much of the web: the ads that pop up when people view web pages. It owns software used by websites and advertisers, including the stock exchange-like product where such ads are sold in millisecond auctions. The DOJ contends that various pieces of advertising technology serving web publishers and advertisers must be looked at in isolation, with Google controlling as much as 91 percent of the market, depending on how you define the specific technology and geographic scope. Google counters that the entire ad tech market should be evaluated as a whole, which it says would give it control over just about 25 percent. Companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, TikTok and Meta along with dozens of lesser known players are all vying for a slice. The argument gets at the higher-level challenges facing the White House as it pushes forward its signature antitrust policy in the realm of high tech. The Big Tech giants are the worlds wealthiest companies, and Bidens enforcers argue they enjoy new kinds of monopoly power demanding new controls. But the tech firms say theyre in a business that is so competitive, and moves so fast, that its nearly impossible to show any company holds excessive power. The trial is expected to last four to six weeks and will have a parade of witnesses including executives at online news publishers like News Corp. and Gannett, marketers, and economists. Tim Wolfe, who heads up digital ads for Gannett, testified how his company is beholden to Google, though under cross-examination admitted it works with a large number of ad tech providers. The trial also provides a window into the small world of Washington power players. Dunn is also leading the prep for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who is facing off in a debate with Republican nominee Donald Trump on Tuesday. After giving Googles opening statement, Dunn was excused by the judge and left the courthouse. Biden's 'parole in place' program for undocumented immigrants is on pause. What to know A Biden administration program that would ease the pathway to legal status for about half a million undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens is on pause until Sept. 23 due to a federal judges order. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is still receiving applications for the program, known as Keeping Families Together, although the agency cannot issue any decisions during the pause. The Journal Sentinel spoke with Wisconsin legal and immigration experts about the ins and outs of the program. Heres what to know. How does the Keeping Families Together program, or parole in place, work? Keeping Families Together is a temporary immigration relief that allows undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to apply for a status known as parole in place. It was introduced by the Biden administration through an executive order in June. Parole in place status would allow someone to work and apply for a green card while remaining in the U.S. with their family. Typically, undocumented immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens are required to leave the country in the process of legalizing their status, which can take about five years, according to Erin Barbato, the director of the Immigrant Justice Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School. That can separate mixed-status families and cause them immense emotional and financial burdens, including those with undocumented family members who are well-established and considered a part of our community, Barbato said. They wait in limbo for an incredible amount of time that could be eliminated through this (parole in place) program, Barbato said. If granted, the parole in place status is generally valid for three years and is not renewable. If someone is not able to adjust their status after these three years, they will lose their legal permission to stay in the U.S. How many people could be eligible for parole in place? The Department of Homeland Security estimates 550,000 people in the country would qualify. In Wisconsin, an estimated 70,000 people in Wisconsin are undocumented, and 10,000 of them are married to a U.S. citizen, according to the Migration Policy Institute. However, not all unauthorized immigrants are eligible for this program. What are the main requirements to qualify for parole in place? If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, you must have been married on or before June 17, 2024 and lived in the U.S. continuously since at least June 17, 2014. If you are the stepchild of a U.S. citizen, you must have a non-citizen parent who married a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024 and before your 18th birthday. You must have been continuously present in the U.S. since at least June 17, 2024. Applicants must also have entered the country without presenting themselves to an immigration official and have no disqualifying criminal history, among other requirements you can learn about on the USCIS website. More: New immigration policy is too little, too late for families who've experienced pain of deportation What would disqualify me from parole in place? People who are not eligible for the program include: People who have advance parole. Those with advance parole can already apply to adjust their immigration status without leaving the U.S. People who entered with a visa and stayed after the visa expired. People who have previously been deported and re-entered without presenting themselves to an immigration official. People with any felony or certain misdemeanor convictions, such as domestic violence or possession of more than 30 grams of marijuana. For more examples of disqualifying criminal records, check the USCIS website. What will happen now that the parole in place program is on pause? The program is on pause until Sept. 23 by a federal judges order in response to a lawsuit brought by 16 Republican-led states. While the program is paused, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has continued accepting applications, but is not granting any parole in place requests. As an immigration attorney at Voces de la Frontera, Ruby De Leon is not surprised to see the legal challenge to this program. Immigration relief programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and temporary protected status have also been temporarily blocked in the past. As the pause continues, Barbato said she and other colleagues continue to work with clients to apply for parole in place in the hopes that the pause will be lifted. In the meantime, clients still have the option to apply for permanent residency by leaving the U.S. We're trying to be realistic and prepare for every option, Barbato said. A program that would ease the pathway to legal status for undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens is on pause until Sept. 23. Wisconsin legal experts Erin Barbato (left) and Ruby De Leon (right) help families navigate the ins and outs of the program. What are the risks of applying for parole in place? If you are worried about exposing your undocumented status to the government, you are not alone. De Leon and Barbato say risk of deportation is low under the Biden administration as long as the applicant does not have a serious criminal record. This is because the current administration has focused on prioritizing the deportation of people who have serious criminal records or pose a threat to public safety and border security. However, the administration will change next year after the November elections. If the new administrations immigration policies include prioritizing the deportation of anyone who is in the U.S. without permission, applicants could be at risk of deportation if their cases are not approved by then. Legal experts said it is best for families who are considering applying to contact an immigration attorney who can help them understand their options and the risks. More: 'Everybody deserves a fair chance': A conversation with Erin Barbato, director of UW's Immigrant Justice Clinic What should I do if I'm a DACA recipient thinking of applying to the parole in place program? Immigration lawyers generally encourage DACA recipients to apply for advance parole instead of the Keeping Families Together program. Advance parole is a renewable travel document that allows some noncitizens to return to the U.S. lawfully after temporarily traveling abroad for educational, employment or humanitarian reasons. The parole in place program, in contrast, is not renewable and will automatically terminate if someone travels outside of the U.S. DACA recipients who have already obtained advance parole can apply for permanent residency from within the U.S. if they have a U.S. citizen spouse or stepparent. Given the different forms of relief DACA recipients are eligible for, they are encouraged to speak with an immigration lawyer to discuss their individual circumstances. Can I apply to the parole in place program if I'm an asylum seeker or in removal proceedings? Yes, if you meet all of the qualifications. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will consider the relevant information in your removal proceedings to determine whether or not to grant you parole. If you have a final removal order but have not yet left the U.S., you can apply to this program if you meet the criteria. However, you would need to prove that you are not ineligible through a process called rebuttable presumption of ineligibility. You can see the details on how this process works on the USCIS website under Removal Proceedings and Removal Orders. What does the parole in place application process look like? To apply for the parole in place program, you will need to file the form I-131F online and pay a fee of $580. You can do this by creating a myUSCIS account, and selecting the I-131F Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens form. You will be asked to upload a photo ID of yourself, proof of your spouse or stepparents U.S. citizenship, and evidence of your relationship to the U.S. citizen. You will also be asked to write an explanation of why you qualify for the program. Catholic Charities immigration attorney Barbara Graham recommends applicants write about their personal lives and include information such as their ties to the community, their status as a caregiver, and how long they have been in the U.S. They want to see that youve been here, Graham said during a recent information session about the program in Milwaukee. In addition, you will be asked to prove your continuous presence in the U.S. through documents. That could be immigration documents showing the date of your entry, rent receipts, utility bills, tax returns, school records, hospital or medical records, among others. For a more extensive list of potential documents you can use, check the Keeping Families Together FAQ page. After you submit your application, USCIS will contact you for next steps. You must undergo background checks, submit biometrics, and go through public safety and national security vetting. How do I find a credible immigration lawyer in Milwaukee or southeast Wisconsin? If you or a family member are interested in the Keeping Families Together program, legal experts recommend getting in touch with a credible immigration lawyer to explore your options. Catholic Charities has a list of vetted private lawyers. To make sure your lawyer is credible, you can also contact Voces de la Frontera at 414-643-1620 from Monday to Friday. For general inquiries, Catholic Charities has a video guide on how to fill out the application in English. You can also get in touch with Voces de la Frontera for questions you have about the program. Information sessions on this program are held every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. at Catholic Charities at 1233 S. 45th Street in Milwaukee. Voces de la Frontera will also hold a legal clinic on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. at its Milwaukee office at 1027 S. 5th Street. Do you or a family member have thoughts you want to share about what the parole in place program means for you? Eva Wen is a data reporter for the Journal Sentinel. She can be contacted over the phone, Signal or WhatsApp at 646-943-4271. Bridget Fogarty is a suburban communities reporter for the Journal Sentinel. She can be contacted by email at bfogarty@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about the 'parole in place' program for undocumented immigrants Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $10 million to a Georgia nonprofit. Scott donated to Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) in late August. The nonprofit provides funding to small businesses across the state. This is a testament to the social impact of the work ACE does, and does well, said ACE Founder and CEO Grace Fricks, who started the nonprofit 24 years ago. This will absolutely propel ACE to the next level. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] About 1,500 small businesses in Georgia are expected to benefit from this donation. The $10 million is available for immediate use, according to a news release. ACE also received a $5 million donation from Scotts foundation in 2020. TRENDING STORIES: Scott has been donating millions to nonprofits around the country and the world since 2019. Earlier this year, Scott donated $2 million to six Georgia nonprofits and $1 million to another three agencies. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A Black NJ Woman was Sent to Jail for 14 Days by Mistake but Thats Not Even The Worst Part A New Jersey woman was held in jail for two weeks after police mistakenly identified her as a criminal suspect. Though shes been freed, she just received even more bad news in regards to the aftermath of the mess. Ms. Judith Maureen Henrys only crime was sharing the name of a woman who was an actual suspect. In 2019, authorities with the Pennsylvania Interstate Parole Services issued a warrant for her arrest, per NJ.com. The warrant cited a parole violation on drug-related charges. About 12 police cars plus the U.S. Marshals pulled up to Henrys home in Newark, Nj. with guns drawn to place her under arrest, according to a lawsuit she filed in 2020. Despite her pleas insisting they had the wrong woman and with seemingly no further investigation, they dragged her to Essex County Correctional Facility. It wasnt until she was placed behind bars and fingerprinted four times that authorities compared her information to that of the suspect they really sought: a woman who pleaded guilty to drug possession in 1993 and skipped parole, per her lawsuit. It took days for the police to put two and two together before Henry was finally released. However, a ruling announced last week, a judge pummeled her mission to hold the cops accountable for their sloppy mistake. Read more from The New Jersey Monitor: A three-judge appellate panel ruled Thursday that the marshals who hauled Judith Maureen Henry to the Essex County Correctional Facility in 2019 acted on a constitutionally valid warrant and were entitled to qualified immunity, a legal protection that insulates law enforcement officers from liability. Their arrest of Henry relying on information attached to the warrant was a reasonable mistake, and therefore her arrest did not violate the Fourth Amendment, wrote Judge Thomas Ambro of the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Henrys complaint that the Marshals failed to take her claims of innocence seriously raises a host of policy questions about the role of the Marshals Service after they apprehend a suspect on a warrant for a crime they did not investigate, Ambro wrote. Henrys lawsuit claimed she was treated unfairly because she was a low-income Black woman from Jamaica. She also claimed that as a result of the two-week detainment she suffered from claustrophobia, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the 30 defendants she named in the suit including six deputy U.S. Marshals and several state officials may not feel the wrath of legal accountability. Its unclear if she plans to seek other legal avenues. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The body of a man found dead on the back porch of an abandoned house was recently identified, but much about his background remains unknown. Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson said recently that the body found Aug. 23 at the house off Lexington Road was positively identified as Andrew Miguel Desouza. The body of the 70-year-old man was found by a man who went behind the overgrown location to use the bathroom, according to an Athens-Clarke police report. Man Arrested: Oconee County officers charge sex offender with assaulting teen in Bishop No foul play is suspected, but forensic tests are still pending. Desouza, listed on the police report as homeless, had apparently died weeks earlier, according to the report. Wilson said he was unable to find any next of kin for the man. I couldnt find a soul, Wilson said. Thats unusual. Usually, I can find somebody, somewhere, but I struck out in two different search programs with this guy. The positive ID was determined through fingerprints, but some paperwork found with the body also provided a name that helped in the identification. The remains will be interred in the county cemetery. This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Body found at abandoned house in Athens has been identified Moments after midnight on Saturday morning, Boeing's much-maligned Starliner spacecraft completed its descent over the New Mexico desert. After undocking from the International Space Station about six hours earlier, the capsule pulled off a smooth return to Earth, albeit without stranded NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on board. "A safe and successful landing is exactly what we wanted," NASAs Space Operations Mission Directorate deputy associate administrator Joel Montalbano proudly told reporters during a post-landing press conference. "We did learn a lot." But noticeably absent from the proceedings was Boeing. According to Ars Technica's Eric Berger, Boeing vice president and Space Launch System program manager John Shannon, as well as Boeing's Commercial Crew program manager Mark Nappi, were scheduled to attend the presser at NASA's Johnson Space Center. "It's seemingly a last-minute change because there were five chairs set up at the news conference," Berger tweeted, "and they just removed two seats right now." When he asked NASA about the reason for Boeing's absence, he said, the agency's response was "you'll have to ask them." Needless to say, Starliner's disastrous first crewed flight attempt has strained the relationship between NASA and its longtime contractor Boeing. Even NASA's commercial crew program manager Steve Stich admitted last week that there was "some tension in the room" as the agency moved to return the spacecraft without its crew due to safety concerns. According to sources who spoke with the New York Post last month, meetings were often "heated" and led to execs yelling and arguing. "Boeing wasnt happy," a NASA source told the newspaper at the time. "And they made that perfectly clear to us. But whats the headline if theres a catastrophic failure? Its not Boeing killed two astronauts, its NASA killed two astronauts. So no, its better safe than sorry." In the end, despite a failing thruster and a glitching navigation system, Starliner performed a "bullseye landing," as Stich told reporters over the weekend. "The entry in particular has been darn near flawless." That praise makes Shannon and Nappi's sudden absence all the more intriguing. After many months of bad press, why wouldn't Boeing's representatives use the golden opportunity to sing Starliner's praises? (In reality, the spacecraft did run into several new issues during its return, which the execs might have been concerned about getting widespread attention.) As Ars reports, Boeing instead emailed reporters a terse statement shortly after Starliner's landing. "I want to recognize the work the Starliner teams did to ensure a successful and safe undocking, deorbit, re-entry and landing," Nappi said in the statement. "We will review the data and determine the next steps for the program." A glaring question: to what degree is Boeing still committed to its Starliner program? Analysts have long suggested that the company may divest after losing well over a billion dollars on the project. Should Shannon and Nappi's refusal to attend the proceedings according to Berger, they were at the Johnson Space Center ready to attend be counted as a vote of no confidence? Or is Boeing playing it as safe as possible by laying low until it has decided to either walk away or double down on Starliner? While Boeing is hard to read, NASA remains outwardly confident that the spacecraft still has a future. Given the many billions of dollars it has committed to the project, that shouldn't come as much of a surprise. "The Boeing managers came into the control room and congratulated the team, talked to the NASA team, so Boeing is committed to continue their work with us," Montalbano told reporters. Where any of this leaves Starliner's actual prospects remains to be seen. "Itll take a little time to determine the path forward, but today we saw the vehicle perform really well," Stich told reporters. "Its great to have the spacecraft back, and were now focused on Starliner-1," he added, referring to the first official crew rotation mission to the ISS which could still be several years out. More on Starliner: Starliner Suffers New Problems While Coming Back to Earth Boeing may have just avoided another major crisis by agreeing to give workers a 25% raise Boeing may have just avoided another major crisis by agreeing to give workers a 25% raise Boeing has, in recent months, been mired in controversy over product safety and working conditions. On Sunday, the company announced a labor agreement with its union that included a 25% wage increase. The agreement could avert a strike, which would be catastrophic for the company. Boeing on Sunday agreed to a historic labor agreement with its unionized workers, averting a potentially catastrophic strike. The tentative agreement for the next four-year contract, which will still need to be ratified by workers in a vote on Thursday, guarantees unionized Boeing employees in the Pacific Northwest a 25% general wage hike over the contract's term, and a commitment that the company's next plane will be built in the region. If approved by the roughly 32,000 Boeing workers, the agreement will prevent a labor stoppage that would have been detrimental to the company as it continues to grapple with a spate of bad press and poor stock performance. In January, a door plug from a Boeing 737 Max 9 plane came loose mid-flight, causing a window to blow out, depressurizing the cabin, and forcing an emergency landing. Safety inspectors later found numerous loose bolts in Alaskan Airlines' fleet of Boeing planes. Then, in June, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft experienced thruster issues and helium leaks during its final flight test, leaving two NASA astronauts stuck on the International Space Station. Wait, there's more: The company in July agreed to plead guilty to a fraud-conspiracy charge over two 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that left 346 people dead. The plea threatens its government contracts, which account for over a third of the company's annual revenue. Last week, the Seattle Times reported that the company still hasn't reached 2019 employment levels after hemorrhaging more than 21% of its workforce between 2019 and 2020. The company's stock price is down more than 37% this year. While the new labor agreement represents a significant expense, it averts likely additional impacts to Boeing's share price that would have come with a work stoppage. When Business Insider reached out for comment about the contract, a Boeing spokesperson pointed to a recent statement made to employees by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope. "The contract offer provides the largest-ever general wage increase, lower medical cost share to make healthcare more affordable, greater company contributions toward your retirement, and improvements for a better work-life balance," Pope said in the statement. Representatives for IAM Districts 751 and W24, the union branches representing Boeing workers in the Pacific Northwest, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI. The union, in a statement published Sunday, called the agreement "the best contract we've negotiated in our history." "Financially, the company finds itself in a tough position due to many self-inflicted missteps. It is IAM members who will bring this company back on track," the union statement read. "As has been said many times, there is no Boeing without the IAM. Ultimately, we love this company and couldn't be more proud of the jobs we do or the products we build. What we do defines who we are these crafts are our livelihoods. When a plane leaves the factory, it's our reputation on the line. This proposal helps keep our legacy alive." Read the original article on Business Insider Russia is engaging military cadets in a full-scale war against Ukraine. They are being sent primarily to the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia directions because of the heavy losses in the occupation army of the aggressor country. ADVERTISIMENT This was announced on September 9 by Atesh members. The guerrilla movement's Telegram channel informed that they have recorded cases of Russian cadets participating in the "SVO." "The Russian military command has decided to use cadets from military educational institutions to cover the shortage of personnel in a number of areas, primarily in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia," the Ukrainian patriots said. Earlier, Russia deployed troops to take part in assaults on the Pokrovske section of the frontline, as well as to counter the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Kursk region. The occupiers did not have time to restore their numbers due to significant losses in killed and wounded. According to Atesh, the cadets are issued long-term assignments. "They not only command units as section and platoon commanders but also take part in assaults themselves. There are known cases of such actions in BARS units. In return, they receive the status of combatant and automatic closure of exams for the semester," the guerrillas said. ADVERTISIMENT The Atesh agents joked that they would not be surprised if Russia starts sending schoolchildren from the Yunarmiya to the war, "as a famous artist did shortly before his death." As reported by OBOZ.UA: Earlier, Ukrainian guerrillas reconnoitered the territory near the Levashovo military airfield on the outskirts of St. Petersburg (Russia). The 33rd separate transport mixed air regiment of the aggressor state's Air Force is based there. The Atesh agent also conducted reconnaissance of the port in Taganrog and the surrounding area. The patriots provided the Ukrainian Defense Forces with data on the location of important facilities and nodes. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Boeing's tentative union deal includes a commitment to Seattle another sign of its new CEO's work to improve quality Boeing's tentative union deal includes a commitment to Seattle another sign of its new CEO's work to improve quality Boeing reached a tentative deal with over 30,000 union workers. It includes a commitment to build Boeing's next airplane in the Seattle area. That matches up with Boeing's new CEO's plans to be based at the planemaker's historic home. Boeing's new CEO chalked up another win with Sunday's tentative union deal, but one detail stands out most: the commitment to building its next airliner in the Seattle area. Kelly Ortberg has been at the helm of Boeing for one month and has already faced difficulties like the Starliner fiasco and a problem discovered during 777X certification tests. But he looks to have avoided a crisis by averting a potential strike by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers which represents over 33,000 Boeing employees. The contract, which includes a 25% general wage increase, still needs to be ratified by union members at a vote on Thursday. If approved, and Boeing starts building a new commercial plane over the four-year term of the deal, it will be built in the Seattle area a key win for the union. "We can honestly say that this proposal is the best contract we've negotiated in our history," union leaders said in a statement. Wall Street also appeared to support the agreement, with Boeing's share price up 4% in pre-market trading. Since 2001, Boeing had been leaning away from its historic home and manufacturing hub in the Pacific Northwest. That year, it moved its headquarters to Chicago and then, in 2022, to Arlington, Virginia. Since 2021, the final assembly of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner program has taken place in South Carolina. But after Ortberg took over as CEO on August 8, he told employees that he planned to be based in Seattle. "Because what we do is complex, I firmly believe that we need to get closer to the production lines and development programs across the company," he added. Amid the 737 Max crises that ousted Ortberg's two predecessors, critics questioned the distance between corporate bosses and the Seattle-area factory where the plane is assembled. For some, it was proof that Boeing was more focused on profits and production speed than the quality of the airplane something that former CEO Dave Calhoun acknowledged to be a fault. In February, a month before Calhoun announced his resignation, The Seattle Times reported that Boeing's board shut down a shareholder's bid to move the HQ back to Seattle. "Boeing became an industry leader in commercial aviation because of the close working relationship between manufacturing, engineering, and management," the shareholder reportedly said in his proposal. Ortberg setting up in Seattle might not be a fully-fledged HQ move, but it sent the right signals to workers during a stressful time. The prospect of the next commercial aircraft program being based there, too, implies a return to manufacturing excellence and a refocus on quality over speed and maximum profits. Read the original article on Business Insider A Boise man identified as a prominent figure in an online terrorist community has been arrested and charged with soliciting murder and hate crimes, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release Monday. Matthew Allison, 37, was arrested by federal agents Friday at Jules on 3rd, an apartment building in Downtown Boise. Officials said Allison led Terrorgram Collective, a multinational terrorist community, along with 34-year-old Dallas Humber, of Elk Grove, California. Humber was arrested Friday in California. According to an indictment from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of California, Allison and Humber used the social media site Telegram to coordinate terrorist attacks motivated by white supremacy. They face 15 criminal charges, including multiple counts of solicitation of murder of a federal official and solicitation of a hate crime. Todays arrests are a warning that committing hate-fueled crimes in the darkest corners of the internet will not hide you, and soliciting terrorist attacks from behind a screen will not protect you, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the release. The United States Department of Justice will find you, and we will hold you accountable. Boise man, Californian created terrorist propaganda, officials say Federal officials said in the indictment that Terrorgram is a network of Telegram channels, group chats and users promoting white supremacy and the idea that violence and terrorism are necessary to overthrow society and create a white ethnostate. Extremism experts have said Terrorgram has no central leadership, but some users appear more influential than others. The indictment in Humber and Allisons case said the duo played a key role in creating radicalizing materials and inciting others to violence. The court document said the pair helped create a publication detailing instructions on how to build explosives and bombs, find targets for violence, run a terror cell and celebrate terrorist attacks. Humber recorded an audiobook of the publication, the indictment said. An analysis of the publication by the Global Network on Extremism and Technology said it encouraged readers to target LGBTQ+ people, attack critical infrastructure and cause serious physical harm to others. Humber and Allison also produced a white supremacist documentary that chronicles dozens of white supremacist attacks from the past several decades and praises white terror. According to the indictment, the 24-minute film celebrates the attackers as saints. The court document and extremism experts said a key aspect of Terrorgram is deification of past attackers. Allison and Humber were also among several people who created a Saint Encyclopedia to chronicle and celebrate white supremacist attackers, the indictment said. Officials said Allison maintained The List a hit list of high-value targets that included senators, judges, state officials and others. The indictment said entries on the list included photographs, home addresses and incentives for the targets, who were chosen for their race, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation, and other attributes. Allison spurred other users to pursue targets from the list, the indictment said. The court document said Humber praised a man arrested for planning to attack LGBTQ+ Pride events in Tennessee and encouraged others to perpetrate violence during Pride. Allison regularly reposted Humbers encouragements. The pair allegedly encouraged attacks on the power grid as well. In one message included in the indictment, Humber said shootings, bombings, arson, stabbings and other violence will be easier to perpetrate when the powers out and emergency services are disabled. Officials said Allison posted detailed maps of power grids and shared encouragement and tips for people to attack infrastructure. Officials said Allison and Humber incited other Terrorgram members to commit mass attacks in the hopes of spurring a race war. Terrorgram-related attacks included a stabbing outside a mosque in Turkey, a fatal shooting outside an LGBTQ+ bar in Slovakia and planned attacks on energy facilities in New Jersey, the news release said. According to the court indictment, the Slovakian attacker sent his manifesto to Allison before ending his own life. Humber and Allison allegedly took credit for radicalizing the attacker. Boise police aided investigation Humber and Allison were charged with conspiracy; four counts of solicitation of a hate crime; three counts of solicitation of the murder of a federal official; three counts of doxing a federal official; interstate threatening communication; distribution of information related to explosives related to assault and murder of federal officials; distribution of information related to explosives related to hate crimes; and conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. Allison is scheduled to appear in federal court Tuesday afternoon in Boise, authorities said. Humber pleaded not guilty during a hearing in Sacramento on Monday, the Sacramento Bee reported. If convicted, Allison and Humber face up to 220 years in federal prison, according to the news release. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Idaho said state officials aided in the investigation and will play a supporting role in the case. Haley Williams, spokesperson for the Boise Police Department, said a Boise officer assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force assisted the FBI with the investigation and arrest, and additional Boise police resources responded the day of Allisons arrest. Reporter Sally Krutzig contributed. Boston Police are investigating at least eight larcenies that happened on Newbury Street throughout the day on Saturday. The stores that were hit along the eight-block shopping stretch include Alo and Zara. Its unclear if any of the bold thefts are connected, and as of Sunday night, there were no reports of any arrests. Boston City councilor Ed Flynn says rampant thefts are not only hurting businesses but also customers. When this happens, small business owners need to increase the price of goods because they also need to make a profit, and so its hurting everybody, said Councilor Flynn. Flynn is calling for an increased police presence on Newbury Street and other commercial districts of Boston that are dealing with rampant thefts. He would also like to see stricter prosecution of shoplifters, especially repeat offenders. I think theres a message out there that if you steal anything under $1500 that its really not prosecuted, he said. I think the message should be that Boston is no longer going to tolerate people robbing and stealing from stores. Many of the stores on Newbury Street have their own security and loss prevention teams with reports of stealing showing no sign of slowing down. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Two days ahead of the 9/11 anniversary, Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee released a report critical of the Biden administrations handling of the 2021 U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Retired Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, a NewsNation senior national security contributor, says there have been plenty of lessons learned, starting with former President Donald Trumps negotiations with the Taliban in 2020. Newton believes both political parties are responsible for what he calls one of the worst policy decisions in the 21st century. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. DANVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) Deputies with the Boyle County Sheriffs Office have responded to a school threat that they said surfaced on Snapchat. While no specific school has been named, deputies said they have notified all surrounding schools and law enforcement agencies. In response to the threat, a large police presence will be present at Boyle County and Danville Independent schools. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Anyone with any information is encouraged to call the Danville 911 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 FOX 56 News. A Bradenton man is facing federal prison after smuggling cocaine across the Mexican border for distribution in Manatee County and Central Florida, prosecutors announced. Jose Ramirez, 39, appeared in a Tampa courtroom on Aug. 29 where court records show he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. Prosecutors say Ramirez was part of a drug trafficking organization that had nearly $300,000 in drug proceeds seized by federal agents outside a Bradenton bank. Prosecutors say Ramirez and the drug trafficking organization imported hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Mexico through the Texas border. This cocaine was then transported to Manatee County for distribution via hidden compartments inside passenger vehicles, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida. Between 2021 and 2023, prosecutors say Ramirez received at least 20 kilograms of cocaine per month, which he later distributed. Other members of the drug trafficking organization would allegedly bring drug proceeds back to Texas on commercial flights, hiding the cash inside carry-on luggage before smuggling it back across the Mexican border, according to a news release. During the investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized large amounts of drug proceeds from the organization, including nearly $300,000 from a co-conspirator outside of a Bradenton bank. Prosecutors say agents also seized approximately $500,000 from a tractor-trailer in Gulfport, Mississippi. Ramirez faces up to life in federal prison and a mandatory minimum of 10 years. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol, the Tampa Police Department and the Gulfport Police Department. Former AT&T Illinois boss Paul La Schiazzas bribery trial could easily have been lost in the parade of major public corruption cases at Chicagos federal courthouse. But fate in the form of the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in, leading to a six-month delay in the blockbuster racketeering case of the man La Schiazza is accused of bribing: then-House Speaker Michael Madigan. Now the spotlight is squarely on La Schiazza and his trial beginning Tuesday at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, where he stands accused of a scheme to funnel $22,500 in payments to a Madigan associate in exchange for the speakers help passing legislation important to the phone giant. Instead of a retread of evidence, La Schiazzas case is now expected to offer a sneak preview of a key part of the ex-speakers own trial, which kicks off Oct. 8. Among the new evidence will be testimony from former Madigan insider Tom Cullen, a lobbyist who prosecutors allege served as a go-between for the payments from AT&T to former state Rep. Edward Acevedo. Another witness, former AT&T lobbyist Stephen Selcke, is expected to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the utilitys efforts to get in Madigans good graces. Prosecutors also want the jury to see email exchanges showing Madigans son, Andrew, asked La Schiazza to sponsor a nonprofit event in July 2017, less than two weeks after AT&T Illinois bill to end mandated landline service became law, allegedly with his fathers assistance. Andrew Madigan wrote that the idea came at the suggestion of our good friend, Mike McClain, a former lobbyist and Madigans longtime confidant, according to a prosecution filing earlier this year. La Schiazza forwarded the request to a colleague in the legislative affairs department on July 12, 2017, writing this will be endless, according to the filing. I suspect the thank you opportunities will be plentiful, the colleague allegedly emailed back, referring to the recent passage of AT&Ts coveted landline legislation, known by the acronym COLR, which was expected to save the company millions of dollars. Yep, La Schiazza allegedly responded. We are on the friends and family plan now. La Schiazza has denied wrongdoing, and in court filings his lawyers have laid out a defense centered on two issues: whether there was any arrangement between Madigan and AT&T before the bill was passed, and whether there is proof La Schiazza thought what he was doing was illegal. To illustrate La Schiazzas state of mind at the time, the defense has pointed to emails where he allegedly told underlings they had legal approval from company lawyers to engage Eddie (Acevedo) in this way. The fact that Mr. La Schiazza asked his subordinates to coordinate legal approval is directly relevant to his state of mind in hiring Mr. Acevedo, his attorneys wrote in a recent pretrial filing. La Schiazza, 66, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in October 2022 with conspiracy, federal program bribery, and using a facility in interstate commerce to promote unlawful activity. The most serious counts carry up to 20 years in prison if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty and has been free on bond while his case is pending. Jury selection in the case is scheduled to start Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman, who has said the trial will last about three weeks. That means the jury could get the case at about the same time Madigan and McClain go on trial on sweeping racketeering conspiracy charges that include a range of allegedly corrupt activities, including the AT&T allegations and a similar but much larger scheme by utility giant Commonwealth Edison. Madigan had originally been scheduled to go on trial well before La Schiazza, but his case was postponed after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up an Indiana case dealing with a federal bribery statute charged in Madigans indictment. The high courts ruling in the case against former Portage Mayor James Snyder came down in late June. It clarified that to prove bribery, prosecutors have to show there was an agreement ahead of time to exchange something of value for an official act, not just a gratuity or award given to a politician after the fact. While the defense in Madigans case has argued the Supreme Court ruling should gut the indictment against the former speaker, it has had little overt effect in the run-up to La Schiazzas trial, since the charges allege the arrangement to pay Acevedo was made before Madigan helped shepherd AT&Ts bill through the General Assembly. But the defense has pointed to Snyder in trying to limit certain ancillary evidence from being presented to the jury including the friends and family plan email chain regarding Andrew Madigans donation request. In asking the judge to bar that evidence from trial, La Schiazzas lead attorney, Tinos Diamantatos, argued in a hearing last month that the $2,500 check for Andrew Madigans charity, Aunt Marthas Health and Wellness, was cut in September 2017, well after the landline bill passed, making it an after-the-fact request that falls under the Supreme Courts guidelines about legal gratuities. Gettleman ruled Monday that while the donation does qualify as a gratuity, it could be relevant for the jury to determine La Schiazzas state of mind at the time the payments to Acevedo were being made. The judge said hed allow the evidence to be heard, but will include a limiting instruction to the jury that it was not part of the charged bribe conduct and not to consider it in that way. Orbiting politics Unlike many of the other figures in the Madigan investigation, La Schiazza comes to his trial with a relatively low profile and little political baggage. Now retired, he and his wife live in the seaside town of Newport, Rhode Island, where they purchased a home just off the famed Bannisters Wharf in 2020 for $1.1 million, real estate records show. Last year, the La Schiazzas bought a second home in the sailing meccas historic neighborhood of The Point for $670,000 that they are now rehabbing according to strict preservation regulations, records show. A native of Indianapolis, La Schiazza graduated from Purdue University in 1979 and spent his entire career in the telecommunications business, first with Indiana Bell and later handling regulatory issues in a series of jobs with SBC Communications and its subsidiary, Ameritech. Known as a no-nonsense, blunt-talking leader, La Schiazza helped navigate Ameritech and later AT&T through the thicket of government regulation and competition matters that blossomed as cellphone technology took off and high-speed internet was being rolled out across the country. By 2001, La Schiazza had risen to president of Ameritechs Wisconsin division, where he was at the forefront of a battle by smaller carriers to grab a share of the market after Congress passed the 1996 Telecommunications Act. At that time, Ameritech and La Schiazza were accused of playing hardball, including sending a letter that some perceived as a threat to yank funding to organizations that did not support the companys political agenda. La Schiazza told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the letter was simply his companys effort to reach out to groups aligned with an organization that favored tighter regulations. The only real whiff of political scandal in La Schiazzas career came a year later, when then-Wisconsin state Sen. Chuck Chvala, the Democratic Senate majority leader, was indicted on charges that included steering campaign cash to out-of-state organizations and independent political groups he secretly controlled. Among the donations at issue in the case were two $40,000 checks SBC Ameritech wrote to the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, a Washington, D.C.-based group that raised money for state candidates and political action committees. The DLCC, it turned out, was a primary supporter of a PAC secretly run by Chvala. La Schiazza was quoted in news reports saying his company believed the donations were not going to come back to Wisconsin, and that there was no link between the money and any benefits Ameritech got in the Wisconsin General Assembly, including the removal of a tax provision highly unfavorable to Ameritech in the Senate version of the state budget. There never was, or will be, or has been, any linkage between a contribution that we make and expecting any kind of favorable action in return, La Schiazza told the Wisconsin State Journal in December 2002. It did not happen in this case and hasnt happened in the past. Chvala wound up pleading guilty to two counts and was sentenced in 2005 to nine months in prison. A move to Illinois La Schiazza took over as president of AT&T Illinois in 2006, when he was in his mid-40s, settling his family in north suburban Glencoe. Like any big company in a heavily regulated industry, AT&T had a lot of fires to put out in the Illinois legislature, and La Schiazza was at the forefront of many of those battles. One of the biggest came in 2017, when the company was pushing its legislation to end mandatory landline service. At the time, AT&T had 1.2 million traditional landline customers in the state 474,000 residential and 725,000 business and was losing about 5,000 each week, according to La Schiazza. Were investing in a technology that consumers have said they dont want anymore and wasting precious hundreds of millions of dollars that could be going to the new technologies that would do a better job of serving customers, La Schiazza told the Tribune in a May 2017 interview. La Schiazza said the companys previous bill two years earlier was never voted on, but this time around he was optimistic that sentiment had shifted toward passage. According to the federal indictment, at the time of that interview, the scheme to reward Madigan was already underway. The agreement to funnel payments to Acevedo, a longtime Madigan acolyte who had retired from the House to become a lobbyist, began in February 2017, after the company learned through McClain that the speaker was looking to kick Acevedo some money, according to the indictment. In an email exchange that March, AT&T Illinois director of legislative affairs asked two of the companys executives if they were 100% certain they would get credit from the powers that be if the payments were made to Acevedo. I would hope that as long as we explain the approach to McClain and Acevedo gets the money then the ultimate objective is reached, one of the executives wrote back, according to a statement of facts AT&T agreed to in court. The legislative affairs director responded, I dont think (La Schiazza) wants this based on hope. We need to confirm prior to executing this strategy, the statement said. At McClains direction, AT&T employees then met with Acevedo to discuss a pretextual reason for the payments: to prepare a report on the political dynamics of the General Assemblys and Chicago City Councils Latino Caucuses, according to the statement of facts. Acevedo never did any real work for AT&T Illinois, however. In fact, according to AT&Ts admissions in court, he balked at first at the payments, saying they were too low. But Acevedo agreed to the deal after McClain stepped in and said the amount was sufficient. After a protracted fight, the landline bill passed during the final hours of the spring 2017 legislative session with Madigans direct assistance, according to legislative records and the statement of facts agreed to by AT&T. On June 29, 2017, Madigan permitted the bill to be brought to a vote and cast his ballot in favor of the legislation, records show. Two days later, after Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the legislation, Madigan and the Democrat-led General Assembly overrode him, with Madigan again voting for the override. In court filing earlier this year, prosecutors revealed that the landline legislation was not the only bill where Madigan allegedly helped AT&T. The then-powerful speaker was also directly involved in small cell legislation in 2017 that allowed companies such as AT&T to put up micro-towers on light poles and elsewhere in public rights-of-way, according to the filing. That fall, Madigan helped to advance the small cell bill during the veto session of the Illinois General Assembly, and in the spring of 2018, he helped defeat an amendment to the legislation that would have been harmful to AT&Ts interests, according to prosecutors. References to the small cell bill were also captured in FBI wiretaps, prosecutors alleged. In a call intercepted on May 16, 2018, for example, Madigan and McClain discussed the amendment that would have walked back AT&Ts gains. When Madigan asked McClain if he was familiar with the legislation, McClain allegedly responded: The small cell bill that, uh, you, you directed me to help them pass it last year, which I did do, according to court filings. Yeah, yeah, yeah, Madigan allegedly said. Charges against Madigan Madigan, 82, was the longest serving leader of any legislative chamber in the nation who held an ironclad grip on the state legislature as well as the Democratic Party and its political spoils. He was dethroned as speaker in early 2021 as the investigation swirled around him, and soon after resigned the House seat hed held since 1971. Madigan and McClain were charged in March 2022 in the original 22-count indictment alleging they conspired to participate in an array of bribery and extortion schemes from 2011 to 2019 that allegedly leveraged Madigans elected office and political power for personal gain. The indictment also accused Madigan of illegally soliciting business for his private property tax law firm during discussions to turn a state-owned parcel of land in Chinatown into a commercial development. Madigan and McClain have pleaded not guilty. McClain is also awaiting sentencing in his conviction for bribery conspiracy last year in the ComEd Four case against him and three other ComEd executives and lobbyists. A judge is expected to rule in the coming months whether the convictions should stand given the Supreme Courts recent ruling. Both AT&T and ComEd entered into deferred prosecution agreements with the U.S. attorneys office, admitting their roles in the schemes to influence Madigan in exchange for prosecutors dropping criminal charges. ComEd also agreed to pay a record $200 million fine, while AT&T was fined $23 million. Acevedo, meanwhile, pleaded guilty to tax offenses and was sentenced to six months in prison in 2022. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Vietnam storm deaths rise to 64 as flooding sweeps away a bus, causes a bridge to collapse A bridge collapse due to floods triggered by typhoon Yagi in Phu Tho province, Vietnam on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 (Bui Van Lanh/ VNA via AP) HANOI, Vietnam (AP) A bridge collapsed and a bus was swept away by flooding in Vietnam on Monday, raising the death toll in the Southeast Asian country to at least 64 from a typhoon and subsequent heavy rains that also damaged factories in export-focused northern industrial hubs, state media reported. Nine people died on Saturday after Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Vietnam before weakening into a tropical depression. The rest died in the floods and landslides that followed on Sunday and Monday, state media VN Express reported. The water levels of several rivers in northern Vietnam were dangerously high. A bus carrying 20 people was swept into a flooded stream by a landslide in mountainous Cao Bang province on Monday morning. State media said four bodies were recovered from the bus and one person was rescued alive. The others were still missing. In Phu Tho province, rescue operations were continuing after a steel bridge over the engorged Red River collapsed Monday morning. Reports said 10 cars and trucks along with two motorbikes fell into the river. Some people were pulled out of the river and taken to a hospital, but at least 10 people were still missing. Nguyen Minh Hai, who fell into the flooded river, told state Vietnam Television, "I was so scared when I fell down. I felt like Ive just escaped death. I cant swim and I thought I would die. Pham Truong Son, 50, told VN Express that he was driving on the bridge on his motorcycle when he heard a loud noise. Before he knew what was happening, he was falling into the river. I felt like I was drowning at the bottom of the river, Son told the news outlet, adding that he managed to swim and hold on to a drifting banana tree to stay afloat before he was rescued. Dozens of businesses in Haiphong province haven't resumed production because of extensive damage to their factories, state newspaper Lao Dong reported. It said the roofs of several factories were blown apart and water seeped inside, damaging finished goods and expensive equipment. Some companies said they still didnt have electricity on Monday and that it would take at least a month to resume production. Parts of Haiphong and Quang Ninh provinces were still without power on Monday. The two provinces are industrial hubs, housing many factories that export goods, including EV maker VinFast and Apple suppliers Pegatrong and USI. Authorities are still assessing the damage to factories, but initial estimates showed that nearly 100 enterprises were damaged, resulting in millions of dollars in losses, the newspaper reported. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Haiphong city on Sunday and approved a $4.62 million package to help the port city recover. Typhoon Yagi was the strongest typhoon to hit Vietnam in decades when it made landfall Saturday with winds up to 149 kph (92 mph). It weakened Sunday, but the countrys meteorological agency warned that continuing downpours could cause floods and landslides. On Sunday, a landslide killed six people including an infant and injured nine others in Sapa town, a popular trekking base known for its terraced rice fields and mountains. Overall, state media reported 21 deaths and at least 299 people injured from the weekend. Skies were overcast in the capital, Hanoi, with occasional rain Monday morning as workers cleared uprooted trees, fallen billboards and toppled electricity poles. Heavy rain continued in northwestern Vietnam and forecasters said it could exceed 40 centimeters (15 inches) in places. Yagi also damaged agricultural land. Before hitting Vietnam, Yagi caused at least 20 deaths in the Philippines last week and four deaths in southern China. Chinese authorities said infrastructure losses across Hainan island province amounted to $102 million with 57,000 houses collapsed or damaged, power and water outages and roads damaged or impassable due to fallen trees. Yagi made a second landfall in Guangdong, a mainland province neighboring Hainan, on Friday night. Storms like Typhoon Yagi are getting stronger due to climate change, primarily because warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel the storms, leading to increased wind speeds and heavier rainfall, said Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore. ___ Associated Press writer Kanis Leung in Hong Kong contributed to this report. Crews respond to a fire in the Angeles National Forest on Sunday afternoon. (OnScene.TV) A wildfire in Angeles National Forest that broke out Sunday afternoon north of Glendora has quickly grown to 800 acres, officials said, forcing forest visitors and some nearby residents to flee. A mandatory evacuation order was issued around 7:15 p.m. for Camp Williams Resort, which includes a mobile home park and campground facilities, as well as the adjacent river community, according to Dana Dierkes, public affairs officer for the Angeles National Forest. Forest officials said firefighters were performing an aggressive attack with air and ground resources. As crews labored, the temperature hit 105 degrees in nearby Glendora. Dierkes told The Times it was "likely a very busy day" in the forest "given the high temperatures. Visitors come to find relief from the heat in the waters of the San Gabriel River." Cars parked along forest roads can block firefighters as they try to get to the location of a wildfire, Dierkes noted. The cause of the fire, which was 0% contained Sunday evening, was under investigation. Several roads were closed, including State Route 39, East Fork Road, Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road. The fire ignited at about 2:40 p.m. Sunday on East Fork Road near Glendora Mountain Road in the San Gabriel Canyon, officials said. As of 8 p.m., fire crews with Angeles National Forest and the L.A. County Fire Department were battling the flames. Aircraft were dropping water and fire retardant on the blaze, Dierkes said. Overnight theyre going to be flying some night reconnaissance flights that will help crews get a better handle on the size of the growing fire, she said. Read more: Fast-moving Line fire forces evacuations in San Bernardino mountain towns Meanwhile, the fight continued against the Line fire in San Bernardino County. The wildfire had caused mandatory evacuations in multiple mountain communities and was threatening more than 35,000 structures. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday declared a state of emergency due to the rapidly expanding blaze. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Decommissioning of coal-fulled power plants such as Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire, which is scheduled to close on Sept 30, is deepening reliance on foreign energy imports - Andrew Fox Britain is importing record amounts of electricity from abroad at a cost of 250m a month following the closure of coal-fired and nuclear power stations, new analysis shows. Some 20pc of the grids power needs were met through interconnectors with neighbouring countries during the second quarter of this year, according to energy company Drax. The amount of power imported from abroad was double the volume generated by wind and solar farms, at about 12.2 terawatt hours. It was also about four times the amount of power exported. Drax said the gross cost of importing power currently amounted to more than 250m per month equivalent to about 3bn if sustained over a year. The company said the rising use of interconnectors followed the closure of many of Britains ageing coal and nuclear power stations. Coal generation is on track to end completely as part of efforts to reach net zero carbon emissions, while no new nuclear power plants have come online since Sizewell B in 1995. The analysis for Drax was carried out by researchers at Imperial College London as part of the companys quarterly electricity insights report. Iain Staffell, an electricity systems expert at Imperial College London, said: Much of Britains conventional power generators like coal and nuclear stations have retired in recent years. Fewer dispatchable generators means less competition and higher prices, making cheaper electricity from the Continent much more attractive to import. The Government must be mindful of the need to retain sufficient dispatchable generation capacity on our system for both energy security and affordability reasons as it works towards its ambition of having a clean power grid by 2030. Britain is always going to need weather-proof sources of power to keep the lights on. However, Mr Staffell added that interconnectors could also help to boost British energy security if domestic power generation was sufficiently maintained. If Labour succeeds in reaching its targets to make the national power grid net zero by 2030, for example, he said there would be so much generation available that much of it would be available for export, bringing money into the UK. He said: Being able to either store this power at home through more storage capacity or selling it abroad is an attractive proposition. During periods of high winds in the North Sea but calmer weather on the Continent, exporting power could be potentially lucrative for the UK and help to lower bills for consumers here. 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. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz believes that representatives of the aggressor country Russia should participate in the second Peace Summit. In his opinion, it is time to hold discussions on how to accelerate the end of the war launched by Russia against Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT He said this in an interview with ZDF. The head of the German government called on all parties to step up efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine. "It is believed that now is the moment when we need to discuss how we can get out of this military situation and achieve peace faster than it seems possible now," the German Chancellor emphasized. Scholz also said that he agreed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russia should be invited to participate in the second Peace Summit. "There will be another peace conference, and President Zelenskyy and I agree that it should also involve Russia," the politician assured. Earlier, Zelenskyy did not rule out holding the second Peace Summit in India and voiced a corresponding proposal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Ukraine. However, this requires New Delhi to join the communique of the first conference. ADVERTISIMENT The President also noted that Ukraine would prepare a detailed plan to end the war by the second Peace Summit. According to him, it must be attended by representatives of the Russian Federation, because without the aggressor country, it is "very difficult" to diplomatically end the hostilities, and this was also requested by the participants of the first summit. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Russia is not yet ready for serious negotiations on peace with Ukraine, said Oleksandr Lytvynenko, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. It is possible to talk to Moscow only from a position of strength. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! Blinken to discuss support for Ukraine in meetings with senior officials in London By Kylie MacLellan and Daphne Psaledakis LONDON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss efforts to support Ukraine in its war against Russia, as well as the response to the conflict in the Middle East, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other UK officials in London on Tuesday. In meetings with Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Blinken will also discuss issues including the Indo-Pacific region and the AUKUS defence pact between the U.S., Australia and Britain, the State Department said. The trip comes as a senior Iranian official denied reports that Tehran had supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, information a European Union spokesperson described as "credible". CNN and the Wall Street Journal reported last week, citing unidentified sources, that Iran had transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, as Moscow continues to wage war in Ukraine more than two and a half years after its 2022 invasion. Thousands of civilians have died in the war, millions of Ukrainians have been displaced and cities and villages have become piles of rubble. Russian forces have been slowly advancing in eastern Ukraine. A month ago, Ukrainian troops launched their first major assault on Russian territory, capturing a swath of the Kursk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been pleading for Western nations to supply more long-range missiles and lift restrictions on using them to hit targets such as airfields inside Russia. Blinken's visit to London also comes a week after Britain suspended some arms export licenses with Israel over equipment that could be used in the war in Gaza. The administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running to succeed him, is under pressure from critics of the war to suspend some arms deliveries to Israel, Washington's closest Middle East ally. While Blinken is in London, he and Lammy will open talks on a UK-US Strategic Dialogue to strengthen ties which deliver growth and security, the British government said. This will cover key elements of the UK-US relationship, including defence and security, Europe, Ukraine, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, and other global priorities, it added. "In a more volatile and insecure world, it is even more important that we are highly aligned nations," Lammy said in a statement ahead of the meeting. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan and Daphne PsaledakisEditing by Ros Russell and Peter Graff) British prisoner among five on run after escaping Portuguese jail Two of the five inmates - although it is not clear which of the prisoners are in the picture [SNCGP] A British prisoner is among five inmates who have escaped from a high-security prison in Portugal. A search is continuing for Mark Cameron Roscaleer and four other prisoners after they broke out of the Vale de Judeus jail about 43 miles (70km) north of the capital Lisbon on Saturday. They escaped by scaling the wall with a ladder and had "external help", the Portuguese prison service said, according to Reuters news agency. Roscaleer is serving a nine-year prison sentence for kidnap and robbery, Portuguese media report. Vale de Judeus is a high-security prison with a capacity of 560 inmates, according to its website. The prison service said the escape happened on Saturday morning, at 10:00 local time (09:00 GMT). As well as Roscaleer, the five inmates included two Portuguese men, an Argentinian and a Georgian, Portuguese media say. The two Portuguese escapees were serving 25-year sentences for offences including drug trafficking, criminal association, theft, robbery and kidnapping, Portugal's prison service told Reuters. The other three had been convicted of offences such as theft, kidnapping and robbery. 'Extremely dangerous' Portugal's national union for prison guards - the Sindicato Nacional do Corpo da Guarda Prisional (SNCGP) - shared mugshots of the five on social media. Frederico Morais, the head of SNCGP, told Portugal's SIC Noticias news channel that the inmates were extremely dangerous and the public should not approach them. Mr Morais also said the escape happened due to a lack of prison guards, which meant the surveillance towers were not manned, the Portuguese news site Diario de Noticias reported. The prison service said the men escaped "with external help through the launch of a ladder, which allowed the inmates to scale the wall and access the outside". Portuguese police have reportedly asked for international cooperation to capture the five inmates. The BBC has contacted the UK Foreign Office. The mugshots of the five inmates as shared by Portugal's national union for prison guards [SNCGP] (Bloomberg) -- Brown University trustee Joseph Edelman resigned in protest against the schools upcoming vote on whether to divest from companies linked to Israel, saying the decision reflects a troubling stance toward rising antisemitism on campus. Most Read from Bloomberg Edelman, a trustee since 2019 and chief executive officer of investment firm Perceptive Advisors, criticized Browns decision to hold the vote as morally reprehensible in an adapted version of his resignation letter published in the Wall Street Journal on Sunday. The university leadership has for some reason chosen to reward, rather than punish, the activists for disrupting campus life, breaking school rules, and promoting violence and antisemitism at Brown, Edelman wrote. I am unwilling to lend my name or give my time to a body that lacks basic moral judgment. Brian Clark, a school spokesperson, responded that Edelman has a fundamental misunderstanding of the decisions that led to the upcoming vote on divestment. Far from a direct response to current activism, Brown is following an established process that is nearly a half-century old, Clark said. This long-held process is built on the principle that Brown has an obligation to examine and investigate claims challenging its moral responsibility. The proposed divestment vote, to be held in October, was driven by demands from pro-Palestinian student groups following a wave of campus unrest at Brown and across the US earlier this year. Its unclear if the kind of protests that roiled college campuses in the spring will cause the same kind of turmoil in this new fall semester after school leaders set out new rules. Divestment ranked among the demonstrators top demands at universities such as Harvard, Columbia and Northwestern as students sought to leverage their schools wealth to put pressure on Israel and weapons makers. As part of an April agreement to clear a protest encampment, a committee of students, faculty and alumni will make recommendations on divestment to be voted on by Browns board of trustees, led by Bank of America Corp. CEO Brian Moynihan. Barry Sternlicht, a real estate investor and former Brown trustee, has slammed the university for legitimizing the debate on divestment, and last month 24 state attorneys general warned Brown, which is in Rhode Island, that it could face financial penalties if it proceeds with divesting. Critics argue that the measure, which targets companies with close ties to Israel, risks politicizing the management of the universitys more than $6 billion endowment. University administrators and lawmakers across the country have also for years rejected the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, or BDS, movement against Israel, viewing it as antisemitic because it calls into question the legitimacy of the Jewish state and singles out the policies of one country. At Northwestern University, protesters were also promised a meeting about the endowment as a condition to clear their encampment earlier this year. Endowment staff members met with students in June to answer general questions about how decisions are made, how endowment investments work, the role of outside mangers hired to buy individual securities or funds and in some cases they discussed a limited number of holdings, said spokesman Jon Yates. There were no changes to endowment investments coming out of this meeting, Yates said. The fund at Northwestern, where classes begin later in September, is $13.7 billion. Harvard University President Alan Garber said before commencement he would facilitate a meeting with the chair of the Corporation Committee on Shareholder Responsibility and other University officials to address questions about the endowment. The university has been firm that leaders wont consider divestment. Harvards endowment at $50.7 billion makes it the richest US college. Garber and Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, a fellow of the Harvard Corporation, met with students last week, according to the Harvard Crimson. (Updates with Brown response in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (NewsNation) A judge has granted a venue change for Bryan Kohberger, who requested the court to move his upcoming murder trial from the small town of Moscow, Idaho, arguing the small local jury pool was likely tainted by pretrial publicity. Latah County Judge John Judge stated several reasons behind his decision to allow Kohberger to change jurisdictions Monday including hardship on the local courthouse staff. While Latah County court staff and court security are ready and willing to facilitate this trial to the best of their ability, there are serious issues that cannot be resolved no matter how much planning and preparation is done, he stated. Bryan Kohberger trial over Idaho killings expected June 2025 He also agreed with Kohbergers lawyer on the massive publicity of the case making it difficult to find impartial jurors in Latah County. Despite efforts by the parties and the Court to protect the jury pool from being inundated with information that is potentially prejudicial and false, extensive media coverage by mainstream media sources such as newspapers, radio stations, and television news outlets has continued throughout the state and nationally. The judge cited prejudicial misinformation, rumors, and patently false theories of the case on social media outlets such as Facebook, podcasts, and blogs that could create bias. Lawyers for Kohberger, who is charged with killing four University of Idaho students, pushed to move the trial to Boise, but the judge did not indicate if it would be moved there. Kohbergers team brought forth witnesses to testify on how media coverage and public sentiment could impact potential jurors, even if they believed they could be impartial. One witness also suggested the high level of public emotion around the case could put pressure on jurors who might worry their identity would get out and would not want to have to return to the community and explain why they voted to acquit him. An attorney for the family of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the four students killed, told NewsNations Ashleigh Banfield that they want the case tried in Latah County. Goncalves family told NewsNations Brian Entin they are incredibly disappointed by the news of the venue change. Bryan Kohberger lawyers claim evidence being withheld In November 2022, college students Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Ethan Chapin, 20, were found dead in an off-campus house. Goncalves, Kernodle and Mogen lived in the house, while Chapin was staying with Kernodle, his girlfriend. Kohberger was arrested at the end of December 2023 at his familys home in Pennsylvania. Investigators used familial DNA to link Kohberger to DNA found on a knife sheath at the crime scene, along with other evidence, including his car. A trial date was initially set for October 2023, but after Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial, it was pushed back until the summer of 2025. NewsNations Steph Whiteside contributed to 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 NewsNation. The high-profile trial of Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger will be moved to the capital city of Boise in a major win for the defense after the team successfully argued that a fair trial could not take place in Latah County, where the killings took place. Idahos Supreme Court made the ruling on Thursday. District Judge Steven Hippler will be taking over the trial in Ada County, which is about a six-hour drive away from Moscow. Kohberger is accused of murdering Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin at their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022. On Monday, District Court Judge John C. Judge granted the motion to move the trial, but the location was left up to Idahos highest court. Judge cited the safety and security of those involved in the case, including victims families, jurors, and the Latah County community, stating that, The Latah County courthouse itself poses significant issues for a trial of this length and magnitude. Bryan Kohbergers motion to move his high-profile trial out of Moscow was granted on Monday (AP) In a hearing last week, Kohbergers attorneys argued that there was a mob mentality surrounding the case in Latah County after they surveyed potential jurors who said there would likely be a riot and theyd burn the courthouse down if he is not found guilty. Prosecutors accused Kohbergers team of using flawed survey data in its requests to move the trial, and argued the victims families will be affected if the case is moved. The order cites extensive negative publicity surrounding Kohberger as reason for moving the trial. Kohbergers name and picture have been associated with terms like murderer, evil, killer, and stalker, when individuals hear that name there is a negative association, according to the order. This impact is greater in Latah County because of the saturation of the extensive media coverage. Kohbergers high-profile case is not the first to be moved to Boise in recent years. The severed trials of Lori Vallow and her husband Chad Daybell were both moved to Boise and took place at the Ada County Courthouse, despite arguments from prosecutors who claimed holding the trial in Fremont County would save costs. Both Vallow and Daybell were found guilty of murdering Vallows two children Joshua JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan and Daybells first wife, Tammy Daybell. Vallow was sentenced to life in prison and Daybell was sentenced to death. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed on November 2022 (Instagram) Police said they linked Kohberger to the murders that rocked the college town through DNA found on a knife sheath, cell phone data, an eyewitness account, and his white Hyundai Elantra. Kohberger, who was a criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University at the time of the murders, was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. Kohberger is set to stand trial in June 2025. BUCKEYE, Ariz. - The Buckeye Police Department says a little girl, 3, who was found unresponsive inside a car died on Sunday night. The child was found at a home near Verrado Way and McDowell Road on Sept. 8 around 5 p.m. Police said the family of the toddler came home after the park and realized hours later the child was still inside the car. The girl was rushed to the hospital, but died not long after. Authorities took a temperature reading inside the car, with the doors open, and it was 130 degrees. The reading was taken "long after" the child had been found. Look before you lock Police say there were several people inside the car when the family returned home from an afternoon at a nearby park. Family members told police they thought everyone had got out of the car, and then at least two hours later, they realized the little girl was unaccounted for and that's when she was found inside the car in the driveway. Police say there are a lot of details to sort out. It's unclear if the little girl was restrained by a car seat, and exactly how many people were in the car with her when they returned home. Police shared a message of "look before you lock" for parents and guardians of small children, especially during the summer months. "Here in the Phoenix metro, we have extreme heat, triple-digit temperatures. The message is always, Look before you lock. Even if it's putting your wallet or your purse in the back seat with your child so that you're forced to look in your back seat before you leave your vehicle. It's a message that we hear often, and apparently have to keep continuing to echo that message as a reminder for people, parents, guardians, caretakers to make sure that those kids, that no one is left behind in a hot vehicle," Buckeye Police spokesperson Carissa Planalp said. There is no one in custody in connection with this case. Police are gathering information and conducting interviews to learn more about what happened. 9/9/2024 UPDATE: Detectives have learned the victim is 3 years old, not 4 years old. The investigation is ongoing. https://t.co/VqPpP0CGvc Buckeye Police Dept (@BuckeyeAZPD) September 9, 2024 UPDATE: Buckeye PD just released new information on the child who died after being left in a hot car - she was 3 years old, not 4. PD says no one has been arrested at this point in the investigation. @FOX10Phoenix Nicole Krasean (@NicoleK_Fox10) September 9, 2024 Buckeye PD says the family came back from a park and after a couple hours they realized that the 4-year-old girl had been left in the car. @FOX10Phoenix Nicole Krasean (@NicoleK_Fox10) September 9, 2024 A temperature reading after the child was found and the car doors were opened was 130 degrees. Buckeye PD say this was a reading taken long after the child was found, for reference. @FOX10Phoenix Nicole Krasean (@NicoleK_Fox10) September 9, 2024 Map of the area where the child was found: A Georgetown business owner and former mayoral candidate claims Georgetown treated him unfairly, forcing him to close several businesses. Jason Collins owns and operates the Collins Barber Cosmetology Nurse & CDL Truck College and a cotton candy and concessions business. Collins, who previously ran to become mayor of Georgetown, also operates The Graham Collins Adult Day Care at 622 Washington Street in Georgetown, which has been at the heart of a dispute between Collins and the city since 2022. Beginning in 2015, Collins ran several businesses out of two buildings at 622 Washington Street in Georgetown. He operated a barber school, truck driver school, community center, nursing program, restaurant and adult day care at his Washington Street property. Collins added that the truck driver school was temporarily closed during the pandemic. But in June 2022, Collins said the City of Georgetown sent him a letter stating he could only operate one company at his Washington Street buildings and had 15 days to shutter his other endeavors there. The issue regarding Collins property was zoning. The area currently is zoned as an R4 District. According to the Georgetown Zoning Ordinance, R4 allows for high-density residential development but not for general business activity. They wouldnt allow me to have no due process, and wouldnt allow me to go to court and wouldnt allow me to do nothing, Collins added. They just said, This is the way it is. The Sun News contacted Georgetown Mayor Carol Jayroe to request a comment. Jayroe did not return the request before publication. Georgetown Public Information Officer Cindy Thompson said Collins propertys R4 zoning doesnt permit multiple businesses to operate on one parcel like Collins did previously. Thompson, who also affirmed that Collins did file a claim with the Municipal Association of South Carolina that ultimately was denied, said The Sun News would have to file a FOIA request to receive documents related to the closing of Collins businesses. Collins ultimately shuttered some of his businesses and moved his truck driving and cosmetology schools to Myrtle Beach. The barber school is currently online, while Collins plans to relocate his trucking school to Florence, S.C. The adult day care remains open at 622 Washington Street in Georgetown. However, Collins said the 2022 letter was a reversal by the city, which he claims previously allowed him to have his companies there. Collins further claims the City of Georgetown knew about the several businesses he ran at the Washington Street location and had approved him to run his multiple operations there. In an email to The Sun News, he provided a screenshot of a document he claimed showed that Georgetown knew about the number of businesses at the 622 Washington Street location in 2016. The screenshot Collins provided also showed that the city told Collins he could operate his restaurant in concert with his other businesses at the Washington Street location if he obtained the proper permitting, submitted the correct documents, and passed all inspections. Collins also shared a screenshot of a business license he claimed he received for his truck driver school in Georgetown and a copy of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Controls report that acknowledged a permit issued for his restaurant, both for the 622 Washington Street location. Collins filed a claim with the Municipal Association of South Carolina, alleging Georgetown mistreated him by forcing him to close his businesses. In an August 2024 letter from a lawyer for the law firm Richardson Plowden & Robinson, P.A., Lisa Thomas, retained by the Municipal Association of South Carolina to examine Collins case, concluded he wasnt mistreated. After researching the records and consulting with various City officials of Georgetown, I have determined there is no liability on the part of the City of Georgetown, Thomas wrote in her letter obtained by The Sun News. My review indicates that you were treated in the same manner as any other business owner, business license applicant, or citizen seeking a permit. Now, Collins is considering taking legal action against the City of Georgetown regarding the letter forcing him to close some of his businesses at 622 Washington Street. It would not be his first legal tussle with the city, though. Collins alleged the City of Georgetown has a pattern of targeting him and using unfair or intimidation tactics, dating back to an alleged incident in 2009. Collins claimed that in October 2009, a city official accused him of operating a child prostitution ring in a barbershop he owned, which resulted in police surrounding the building. A lawyer for Collins recounted the alleged incident in a 2010 lawsuit he filed against the City of Georgetown and the police department. The lawsuit states that Collins was never fined or charged with a crime regarding the allegation, and in an interview with The Sun News, Collins denied running a prostitution ring at the barbershop. According to the Georgetown County Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Public Index, the case was settled in 2013. Collins is also currently suing the Georgetown School District, according to the Georgetown County Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Public Index, alleging negligence on the part of the district. The lawsuit claims Collins child sustained a concussion and other injuries related to a 2022 fall at an elementary school playground. Collins believes the previous litigation and his multiple attempts at running for Georgetown mayor have resulted in him being a target for harassment by officials. My thinking is its more of discrimination and retaliation and revenge, he added. BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Authorities say rumors on social media of a possible threat to Byron Center Public Schools and Kentwood Public Schools are unfounded. The Kent County Sheriffs Office said it started Friday during the football game at Byron Center against East Kentwood. A school resource officer was told a Byron Center student had a knife. The officer found a pocket knife and determined the student did not intend to harm anyone. According to the sheriffs office, this interaction started rumors that the student was going to commit acts of violence. The rumor was fueled by a Snapchat story that was spread over social media. Our investigation revealed that this threat is a product of rumors and speculation shared over social media. We take these threats seriously, and we work alongside the districts involved to conduct thorough investigations, the sheriffs office said, in part, in a statement Monday. Byron Center Public Schools were closed Monday due to the possible threat, the superintendent wrote in a letter to families Sunday night. Earlier this afternoon, Byron Center Public Schools was notified of a possible threat to West Middle School or Byron Center High School for Monday September 9, 2024. We continue to work with the Kent County Sheriffs Office to determine the credibility of the report, wrote Superintendent Kevin Macina in a letter to families. For the safety of the entire BCPS community the whole district will be closed on Monday. As we gather relevant information we will keep you updated. More information will be shared regarding extracurricular activities, Macina wrote in the letter. Room to Bloom, BCPS early childhood center, will also be closed Monday. Macina promised to keep parents informed and continue to review safety procedures to make sure they are up to date and effective for all buildings and events. An investigation also happened at East Kentwood High School, according to a letter from the principal. East Kentwood Freshman Campus Principal Dominic Lowe told students and families Sunday night there is no safety threat to the community, in light of social media posts that may be concerning. I am writing to share information with you about some conversation threads that have been circulating on social media this weekend that may be concerning to some of our students and families, Lowe wrote in a letter to families and staff Sunday. Lowe credited a student with tipping off the school, although he did not specify what the conversation threads were about. East Kentwood and its Kent County Sheriffs Office School Resource Officer worked together to successfully resolve this situation, he wrote. At no time during this situation was there a threat to the safety of our school community, wrote Lowe. He stressed the importance of safety and encouraged students to report concerns to a trusted school adult, Silent Observer or OK2Say. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TEXAS COUNTY, Mo. A man from Cabool was killed after his car ran off the road and overturned on Sunday night. Gedeon Mori, 22, was traveling north on Highway AC northeast of Cabool when his car ran off the roadway and overturned. Mori was ejected from the vehicle. Mori was pronounced dead at the scene. This is the 16th fatality in Troop G in 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. A project to install solar panels around the Mojave Desert has begun cutting down thousands of Joshua trees, much to the residents chagrin. The Los Angeles Times reported several citizens across Boron and Desert Lake have begun noticing effects from the Aratina Solar Project, a 2,300-acre government-approved plan to produce clean energy through solar panels. The project is expected to produce 530 megawatts of renewable energy. However, locals around the area voiced concerns not only about the loss of iconic landmarks but the devastation to the environment as well. Others warned about the threat of valley fever, a respiratory infection that could be caused by excessive dust from the construction. Native grasslands mingle with Joshua trees in the Mojave Desert landscape. LA TIMES REPORT WARNS ABOUT 'ENVIRONMENTAL DANGER' IN SOLAR TRANSITION "I dont want another town to go through this," resident Roy Richards said. One nurse, Melanie Richardson, described it being "hard to even watch" the trees being cut down and hosted a rally on Saturday to counter the project. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Nobody wants this to happen," she said. Joshua trees have ordinarily been a protected species of tree. Avantus, the developer behind the project, received an exemption from Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsoms Fish and Game Commission to clear the trees in 2020. Avantus has said that it has been working to maintain the natural wildlife and will cut down fewer trees than were previously approved by the government. Despite this, the company has failed to quell critics, particularly since energy from the solar panels will be sent to wealthier communities. Avantus began cutting down Joshua trees in June. A petition against the project was launched earlier this summer and currently has over 52,000 signatures. "Ancient Joshua Trees are going extinct, and we must save them. The Aratina Solar Project in Boron, California, is approved to destroy nearly 4,000 ancient Joshua Trees in this forestThese iconic trees have stood for centuries, providing habitat for numerous species and contributing to the unique biodiversity of our region," the petition read. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "Joshua trees are already under threat from climate change and human activities," it continued. "According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, these trees could lose 90% of their habitat by the end of this century if current trends continue. Allowing this project to proceed would accelerate their decline. We need sustainable energy solutions that do not come at the cost of irreplaceable natural treasures." In a comment to Fox News Digital, Avantus said it is working in tandem with the Department of Fish & Wildlife as well as other environmental groups to also implement the Onyx Conservation Project to conserve tens of thousands of additional acres alongside its solar project. "Onyx is estimated to protect more than 80,000 acres of Western Joshua Tree habitat, including 3,000 acres of dense woodland and is also home to more than 20 sensitive wildlife species, ranging from the California Condor to Mojave desert tortoise, Mohave ground squirrel and golden eagles," Avantus said. The statement continued, "Aratina will produce clean, affordable, and reliable energy for hundreds of thousands of Californians, contributing to Californias renewable energy goals. And as a changing climate forces Californians to endure more frequent and intense heatwaves like the one were experiencing right now, projects like Aratina will help stabilize the grid and keep the lights on, all while generating significant local tax revenue and good-paying construction jobs." Original article source: California desert towns protest cutting down ancient trees for solar energy project: 'Irreplaceable' On September 9, the Swedish government announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth SEK 4.6 billion (about 400 million). This was the 17th military aid package for Kyiv. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the Swedish Ministry of Defense. The ministry noted that the new aid package includes the purchase of equipment that is a "special priority for Ukraine." In particular, the new package includes Combat Boat 90 combat boats, Robot System 70 man-portable air defense systems, anti-tank mines, grenade launchers, and more. Also, for the first time, Sweden decided to purchase additional spare parts for JAS 39 Gripen fighters for Ukraine, which may end up in the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the future. The package includes: Robot System 70 anti-aircraft missile systems; material parts for the JAS Gripen; 6 combat boats of the 90s; 2 launch trailers that can work with different types of boats, including Combat Boat 90; protective face masks and protective equipment for working in a contaminated environment; ADVERTISIMENT grenade launchers with ammunition, recoilless shotguns with ammunition and small-caliber ammunition; training equipment; transfer of helmets and winter gear for the winter; purchase of 40 mm ammunition for combat vehicles; purchase of camouflage equipment. The Ministry of Defense of Sweden emphasized that with this package, the Kingdom is launching a new phase of military support for Ukraine when more attention will be paid to weapons production rather than donations. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine thanked Sweden for its support. The ministry noted that in total, in 2024, military assistance from the Kingdom to Ukraine amounted to SEK 25 billion. "We thank our Swedish partners for their unwavering support!" the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine emphasized. A California man has been charged with murder in a a fatal car crash in Lenexa over the weekend, police said. Vincente F. Perez, 31, of Barstow, California, was charged in Johnson County Monday with second-degree murder, driving under the influence, transporting an open container of alcohol and driving with a suspended license, according to the Lenexa Police Department. Perez was driving a Subaru WRX east on College Boulevard in Lenexa around 5:30 p.m. Saturday when and is accused of rear-ending a Nissan Altima, according to Lenexa police. The force of the crash sent both vehicles off the roadway. The crash killed 71-year-old Susan Cameron, a Lenexa resident who had been a passenger in the Altima. Both Perez and the driver of the Altima were hospitalized with injuries, though Perez was discharged Saturday night. Perez is being held by the Johnson County Sheriffs Office on a $750,000 bond. He will next appear in court at 9 a.m. on Sept. 19 for a preliminary hearing. A Sacramento federal grand jury handed up an indictment against two alleged leaders of a transnational white supremacist group one of them an Elk Grove woman accused of soliciting their followers on the messaging app Telegram to assassinate federal officials and commit hate crimes, federal prosecutors said Monday. Matthew Robert Allison of Boise, Idaho, and Dallas Erin Humber, 34, of Elk Grove face 15 counts of charges related to conspiracy related to the solicitation of hate crimes, soliciting the murder of federal officials, doxxing federal officials, distributing information related to explosives and destructive devices and conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. Both defendants urged their followers to kill protected classes and develop a so-called saint culture by celebrating previous terrorist attackers, said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. Their words were consumed by a 19-year-old Slovakia man who shot three people, two of them fatally, at an LGBTQ+ bar in Bratislava, Clark said. The man killed himself while being pursed by police. The defendants goal, the indictment charges, was to ignite a race war, accelerate the collapse of what they viewed as an irreparably corrupt government and bring about a white ethnostate, Clarke said during an online news conference. Allison and Humber joined a messaging group named The Terrorgram Collective that aimed to spur a white revolution and domination after the groups previous leader was arrested, federal prosecutors said. The group created a list of high-value targets which included a U.S. senator, U.S. District Court judge and a former United States Attorney for assassination. The list included the victims home addresses, names and photographs, according to the indictment. Both defendants also created a 24-minute documentary that celebrated 105 white supremacist attacks, according to the indictment. After chronicling each of the attacks, the documentary concludes with the message: To the Saints of tomorrow watching this today, know that when you succeed you will be celebrated with reverance and your sacrifice will not be in bin. Hail the Saints and hail our glorious and bloody legacy of white terror. Humber was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on Friday afternoon, online jail records show. She is ineligible for bail. Humber will appear in Sacramento federal court for her arraignment on Monday, with Allison scheduled to appear for his first court hearing Tuesday in Boise, said U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert of the Eastern District of California. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A woman from northern California allegedly played a key role in a series of international hate crimes as one of two leaders of a transnational terrorist group, according to the federal Department of Justice. Officials say a federal grand jury in California charged two leaders of a transnational terrorist group with 15 criminal counts. The arrests of 34-year-old Dallas Humber of Elk Grove and 37-year-old Matthew Allison of Boise, Idaho, were announced on Monday. The federal Department of Justice is charging them with a series of crimes including: Soliciting hate crimes Soliciting the murder of federal officials Conspiring to provide material support to terrorists. Distributing bomb-making instructions According to the indictment, the defendants solicited others to engage in hate crimes and terrorist attacks against black, immigrant, LGBT and Jewish people. The defendants allegedly also solicited attacks on government infrastructure, politicians, and government officials as well as leaders of private companies and non-governmental organizations. The defendants goal: ignite a race war, accelerate the collapse of what they viewed as an irreparably corrupt government and bring about a white ethno-state, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said. According to Clarke, the defendants used the online platform Telegram to promote their ideas as well as identify targets for attacks, urge followers to kill targets and explain how to kill the targets. Clarke says the defendants went as far as to celebrate those who committed past terrorist acts through a saint culture, to idolize mass shooters and inspire attacks. The indictment quotes one of the messages posted on Telegram in response to the death of three Kurdish immigrants in France if a 69-year-old man living under Frances tyrannical gun control laws can carry out a mass shooting, IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO. This strategy proved effective, Clarke said. A telegram user who live-streamed himself stabbing five people outside a mosque in Turkey stated in his manifesto that he wanted to be recognized as a saint. According to the indictment, the defendants took credit for inspiring and guiding a 19-year-old Slovakian man who sent a violent manifesto to Humber and Allison before shooting three people, killing two of them, at an LGBT bar in Bratislava. He then killed himself while being pursued by the police. Officials cited several more attacks during Mondays press conference. Clarke says there is no place for hate crimes or white supremacy in the United States and there never has been. In 1790, George Washington stated the aspiration that the new nation should, quote, give to bigotry, no sanction to persecution, no assistance, and quote, that remains a fundamental tenet of our democracy, Clarke said. Hate crimes fueled by bigotry and white supremacy and amplified by the weaponization of digital messaging platforms are on the rise and have no place in our society. Clarke says the federal government is adapting and evolving its strategy to confront hate, whether they are carried out on the streets or perpetrated by way of online platforms. Both Humber and Allison are facing 15 counts in total; if convicted of all charges, Humber and Allison each face a maximum penalty of 220 years in prison. According to U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, Humber will appear in Federal court in Sacramento this afternoon at 2 p.m. pacific time for her initial appearance on these charges. Allison will make his initial appearance in federal court in Boise, Idaho, tomorrow at 4:15 p.m. Mountain Time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. The Line Fire in Southern California has set over 20,500 acres ablaze and is 0% contained. The wildfire was discovered Thursday, according to InciWeb's data. It's located in San Bernardino County, around 121 miles northeast of Los Angeles. High temperatures have increased the fire's activity Sunday night and will continue through Monday, and then temperatures will be below normal by Wednesday. The fire is spreading towards the northeast direction, according to Daily Press, a part of the USA TODAY Network. However, the cooler weather will help moderate the flames below the marine level. Over 36,000 structures, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and others, are threatened by the fire, and thousands are forced to evacuate. The fire also set areas of the San Bernadino National Forest ablaze. A Damage Inspection Team was ordered, and there were 1,855 personnel assigned to fight the fire while more resources arrived from other parts of the California. Stories about our planet, explained. Sign up for USA TODAY's Climate Point newsletter. Line Fire Public information map as of Sept. 8. What caused the fire? The cause of the fire is under investigation. However, as firefighting efforts continued on Sunday, rising temperatures allowed the fire to increase, according to InciWeb. "Temperatures ranged from the upper 80s to the mid-100s over the fire area," stated its website. Line fire map State of emergency California Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency and secured "a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire," stated a press release, as the fire grew over 17,400 acres on Saturday. NEW: @CAGovernor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County & announced California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from @FEMA to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire.#LineFire https://t.co/bgBlapWulc pic.twitter.com/a6shRUBD2Z Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) September 8, 2024 "Its critical that residents in the impacted areas remain vigilant and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities," said Newsom in a statement. Evacuation orders People in areas with evacuation orders are required to leave for their safety as "there is an immediate threat to life and property," according to InciWeb. The following locations have been ordered to evacuate the area: The area from Calle Del Rio to Hwy 38, including Greenspot Road North Underdeveloped land from east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue Areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18 Community of Running Springs Community of Arrow Bear Lake East of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills North of Highland Avenue and East of Palm Avenue to Highway 330 Garnett Street east to the 138 and Mill Creek north to the foothills Community of Forest Falls Community of Mountain Home Village The following areas have evacuation warnings: Conditions may worsen in areas with an evacuation warnings. People in the following areas will need to evacuate should conditions change, according to InciWeb: Boulder Avenue east to Church Street Greenspot Road north to the foothills Church Street east to the city limit Area from the foothills south to Greenspot Road Green Valley Lake, north of Highway 18 Community of Cedar Glen Community of Lake Arrowhead Community of Crestline Community of Valley of Enchantment Angelus Oaks Seven Oaks Garnet Street to Bryant Street and Carter Street North the Mill Creek Contributing: Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Line Fire map: Wildfire in Southern California grows amid high temps Seen through a police vehicle window, Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard leaves a Toronto courthouse in November 2023 after being found guilty of four counts of sexual assault (Cole BURSTON) (Cole BURSTON/AFP/AFP) Peter Nygard, the founder of one of Canada's largest clothing brands, was sentenced Monday to 11 years in prison for four counts of sexual assault of women and a girl in Toronto. He could be released in about six and a half years with credit for time spent in pre-trial custody, or sooner if he is granted parole. Nygard, 83, is "a Canadian success story gone very wrong," Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein said in handing down the sentence. He called him "a sexual predator," adding that "Mr Nygard used his wealth, power and profile to prey on his victims." Wearing a dark hoodie and a makeshift visor to shield his eyes in court, Nygard did not appear to react to the decision. His lawyer Gerri Wiebe said he planned to appeal the sentence while continuing to "maintain his innocence" in several other criminal cases pending against him. Outside the Toronto courthouse, a spokesperson for one of Nygard's victims, whose identities are protected by court order, read a statement describing a sense of closure after "four years of hell." "We did this to ensure every victim of sexual assault will remember this trial and feel the strength and confidence to come forward and not be threatened by social status or money," read the statement. Prosecutor Neville Golwalla commended the four accusers in the case for going through a difficult criminal court process that he said "takes another level of courage." - Trapped victims in bedroom - Nygard was convicted in November 2023 of using his status as the head of one of Canada's largest women's wear makers to sexually assault three women and a 16-year-old girl between 1988 and 2005. His trial heard he had invited them to his opulent Canadian offices on the pretense of lucrative modeling or other opportunities, only to find themselves trapped in a top floor bedroom suite with a hot tub where he preyed on them. The case marked a spectacular fall for a man who once hawked blouses and slacks at major department stores, and oversaw 170 of his eponymous stores in Canada and the United States. He also threw lavish parties at his homes in the Bahamas -- a Mayan-inspired playground with fake volcanoes -- and Los Angeles. Prosecutors had sought to have Nygard incarcerated for at least 15 years while the defense, citing his advanced age and failing health, urged releasing him within two years. The judge noted in his sentencing decision a high level of "violence, degradation and (the) duration of these sexual assaults, (as well as) the manipulations used to get the victims into (his) private apartment" in Toronto. Nygard also did not moderate his behavior over the years, the judge noted. - Empire crumbles - At the height of his success, Nygard dined with Queen Elizabeth II and rubbed shoulders with political leaders and Hollywood stars. He had long boasted about his rise from humble beginnings as a young Finnish immigrant who built a fashion empire and amassed a personal fortune worth Can$850 million (US$620 million). But it all came crashing down in 2020 when police raided his Manhattan corporate headquarters, and his company filed for bankruptcy protection shortly afterward. His arrest in Canada the same year came after a whistleblower released footage that included a 17-year-old dancing on a stripper pole on Nygard's private Boeing 727 plane. One of his Canadian accusers called Nygard "a monster." In the United States, prosecutors allege Nygard used company funds to host "pamper parties" where minor girls were drugged and women assaulted if they did not comply with his sexual demands. They have sought his extradition to the United States. Nygard also still faces trials on separate charges in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Quebec. amc/bgs/bjt WEST ORANGE, N.J. (PIX11) It has been one week since the devastating moment when the families of six of the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas learned that they had been found shot to death. It is believed that at least 64 Israeli hostages are still being held. A candlelight vigil for those killed and prayers for those still being held were organized by Metrowest Israel Action Committee and Israel 365 NJ. More New Jersey News More than 250 people held candles and marched to remember the two women and four men brutally murdered by Hamas Terrorists after being held captive and tortured in Gaza for 11 months. Many held life-size photographs of the six killed. This is a Judeo Christian event of multiple faiths coming together to say Islamic terrorism is a horrific thing and we need to stand up, Moshe Glick, cofounder Metrowest Israel Action Committee, told PIX11 News. This candlelight procession and service was personal to many who had met the family of Hersh Polin-Goldberg, the only US citizen killed. His mother had visited the synagogue. Others had lost relatives in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, like Ava Reinfeld. More Local News My distant cousin whom I did not know who lived in Israel was killed in the attack, Reinfeld told PIX11 News. His name was Itzak Gelerenter, she added. Andrea Bier was in Israel and met the family of Eliyah Cohn, who was still being held captive. He was kidnapped from the same bomb shelter that Hersh Polin-Goldberg was in. He was wounded in the leg, Bier told PIX11 News. His parents have so much faith that he will be returned home. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Democratic strategist James Carville on Sunday blasted former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley as spineless for supporting former President Trumps bid for reelection. He pointed to Haleys Sunday morning interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation, where she laid out a strong case for supporting Taiwan but stood by her endorsement of the former president, despite his past indications that he might not defend Taiwan if necessary. I saw Nikki Haley on another network this morning. Oh my God. And she was talking about how much she loved Taiwan, and [the anchor] pointed out that Trump said, Well, I dont care about Taiwan. Its 6,500 miles away. Let China do what it wants, Carville said, paraphrasing Trumps past comments in a Sunday interview on MSNBCs Inside with Jen Psaki. And then she started talking about Afghanistan, Carville continued. Does that woman have any courage at all? Because if she does, its not particularly evident to anybody. I dont know if shes more spineless or gutless, but one of the two certainly apply to her, he added. Trump, in a Bloomberg interview this past summer, indicated he thought Taiwan should pay the U.S. for protection, saying theyre immensely wealthy and that he doesnt think were any different from an insurance policy. Taiwan is 9,500 miles away. Its 68 miles away from China, Trump said in the July interview. Haley was asked about Trumps Taiwan comments in the interview that aired Sunday and said she agreed with him that the U.S. does not need to send troops to Taiwan but advocated for helping the country economically, militarily, diplomatically as much as possible. Pressed on whether she agrees with Trumps suggestion that Taiwan should be paying the U.S. for protection, Haley said, No, and Ill be the first one to say thats not the way it should be. There are no perfect administrations here, by any means, but Trump was definitely stronger when it came to national security, as opposed to the Harris administration, Haley said in the interview. Carvilles criticism of Haley came in a larger conversation about the significance of Vice President Harris receiving endorsements this week from former Vice President Dick Cheney (R) and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who also previously served as the third-highest ranking House Republican, before she was ousted for speaking out against Trumps 2020 election lies. Haley ran a bitter primary challenge to Trumps 2024 bid, and some were surprised when she came out to endorse the former president. She was highly critical of Trump on the campaign trail and has similar foreign policy views to the Cheneys. Liz and Vice President Cheneys endorsement, and a bunch of others, I think its going to give license to some traditional Republicans, probably more foreign areas, you know, who dont like Trump, that never voted for a Democrat [to say], Well, OK, I can do this, Carville said. And its not going to be a huge number of people, but it has a potential to be very helpful. I think there are people who say, Man, I gotta hold my nose. I dont know if I can do this. And, oh, damn, Dick Cheneys doing it. I guess I can, Carville added. And I think thats important, and he doesnt equivocate. The Hill has reached out to Haleys team for a response. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Judicial workers lead a strike to protest the government's proposed judicial reform, which would make judges stand for election, outside the Senate in Mexico City, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Orbach) MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexicos Catholic leaders said Monday that the judicial reform pushed by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador might not necessarily bring justice for victims of the crime wave that is rampant across the country. The proposal promoted by the Executive does not respond to a comprehensive review of the judicial system nor does it guarantee a better and more qualified administration of justice, said Archbishop Gustavo Rodriguez in a video released by the Catholic bishops conference of Mexico. Lopez Obrador, who has clashed repeatedly with judges throughout his six-year term, has claimed that the judges in the current court system are corrupt. The governing partys proposal would make the countrys entire judicial branch around 7,000 judges stand for election. The proposal has fueled a wave of protests and drawn extensive criticism from analysts, judges and international observers. Some of the critics contend that it would compromise the independence of the judiciary and the system of checks and balances. U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar warned on Aug. 22 that electing judges is a risk for Mexicos democracy and threatens the historic commercial relationship between the two countries. The proposal has also sparked nervousness among investors, while the Mexican peso has plunged. The lower house of Mexicos Congress passed the legislation on Sept. 4. It then moved to the Senate, where it is expected to pass by a razor-thin margin. Bishop Ramon Castro, secretary of the bishops conference, said Monday that Catholic faith leaders are praying for the senators to reflect on the responsibility thats been laid on them. May they contemplate the benefit of the nation beyond unnecessary partisanship, so we can move towards a comprehensive reform that includes prosecutors offices, local courts and respect for the judicial career, Castro said. This is not the first time that Catholic leaders have voiced their concerns over Lopez Obradors decisions and policies. The church spoke out in 2022, when the murder of two Jesuits priests shook the public opinion and the Catholic hierarchy. Calls for peace have been followed by nationwide meetings to search for solutions to achieve justice and security. During his address Monday, Castro sent a reminder to Claudia Sheinbaum, who will succeed Lopez Obrador on Oct. 1. As a candidate, Sheinbaum hesitantly signed a peace commitment with the Catholic Church ahead of the June presidential elections. The national agenda for peace, presented to those seeking the presidency in the last electoral process, expresses the need of a comprehensive reconstruction of justice at all levels, Castro said. Its a request from Mexicos society, especially from victims of widespread criminal violence throughout the country. Various faith leaders have supported violence victims both Mexican citizens and migrants in recent years. While bishops of Guerrero, one of the most violent states in Mexico, negotiated with criminal groups in an attempt to stop the wave of violence that afflicts its population, several priests have supported relatives of disappeared people. On Aug. 30, after nationwide protests demanded justice and the safe return of 150,000 people who vanished under unclear circumstances, Catholic Bishop Javier Acero joined a group of mothers searching for their disappeared children during a news conference at Our Lady of Guadalupes Basilica in Mexico City. Many of these mothers, he said, have tried to approach government officials, but the doors have remained closed for them. Now, with Sheinbaum soon to be in power, he hoped for a change and sent a message to her: I ask this on their behalf: As a mother, listen to these moms. ____ 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. Ukrainian troops continue the operation in the Kursk region, advancing deep into the territory of the Russian Federation. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are attacking Russian landlines to disrupt the enemy's logistics. ADVERTISIMENT In turn, the occupiers are trying to regain lost ground and are moving reserves to the Kursk region. This is stated in the analysis of the Institute for War Studies. Ukrainian troops continued to attack southwest of Korenevo in the area of Snahosti and Vyshnevka; northwest of Sudzha in the area of Mala Loknia; north of Sudzha in the area of Maryivka; northeast of Sudzha in the area of Martynivka; and southeast of Sudzha in the area of Cherkaska Konopelka. Putin's invaders tried to conduct counterattacks in the Kursk region. The invaders attacked east of Korenevo near Olhivka; and southeast of Sudzha near Cherkaska Konopelka. Kremlin propagandists claim that Russian troops have regained lost positions south and east of Koreneve, in the area of Stepukhivka (northeast of Koreneve), and in the area of Mala Loknia. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, the Russian military command is redeploying one airborne regiment and a reconnaissance battalion of the 106th Airborne Division from the Siversky and Kramatorsk directions to Kursk region. One self-propelled artillery battalion of the 20th motorized rifle division was also spotted redeploying from the Kurakhove direction. To paralyze the enemy's movements in Kursk region, the Ukrainian military is attacking logistics. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are destroying ground communication lines in the near rear in the Kursk region. In particular, on September 8, footage appeared showing Ukrainian forces destroying another bridge across the Seim north of the village of Karyzha in the Hlushkivsky district. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that there is currently no threat of a Russian offensive on the city of Sumy. This threat was eliminated due to the actions of the Ukrainian military. Earlier it was reported that the Russian occupation forces, after the offensive in the Kharkiv region, planned to attack in the Sumy direction. Several factors prevented this, including the operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Leslie Wolke of MapWell Studio and Julian Copado of 512 Translations collaborated on a new monument to the historic Economy Furniture Company strike that electrified Austin's Mexican American community from 1968 to 1971. In the background at the new Richard Moya Bus Plaza at East Fifth Street and Shady Lane is the original 1940s Economy Furniture factory. The company had moved before the strike started on Nov. 27, 1968. Austin needs more of these: Monuments to essential history. On Sept. 16, Austin officials will unveil a new monument to a critical time in Mexican American history and labor history at a crossroads in East Austin. Even before the official ceremony during Hispanic History Month, one can sneak a peek at the Economy Furniture Company Strike stele by heading over to the still-new Richard Moya Eastside Bus Plaza at East Fifth Street and Shady Lane. Just about every major political and civil rights leader has pointed to the strike the longest in Texas history as the moment when the city's Hispanic community coalesced around a common cause and seized public power in Austin. Before the strike, which started Nov. 17, 1968 and lasted more than two years, significant achievements had been made around voting rights, housing, education and civic improvements. These campaigns were led at times by waves of Latino military veterans who organized after World War I, World War II and the Korean War, but just as often by activist women like the Chicana workers who went on strike more than 50 years ago. More on Austin civil rights leaders: A generation of Black and Hispanic civil rights pioneers left Austin a better place "Never again did they put up with the back of the bus," prominent historian Andres Tijerina told the American-Statesman about the Mexican American civil rights movement in Texas, particularly in his hometown of San Angelo. "My uncles, my relatives, my friends in the neighborhood met with the mayor, the police, the priests and said: 'No more! You can't do this to us.'" After the strike, the community based in Central East Austin elected frontline leaders such as John Trevino, Jr., Richard Moya, Margaret Gomez, Gustavo "Gus" Garcia and Gonzalo Barrientos Jr. to public office. All of them recognized the strikers as essential to their elections. Another victory came later during the 1970s, when unrelenting protests in the Mexican American community ended the obnoxious Austin Aqua Fest powerboat races that marred the peace around the eastern reaches of the lake. In 2004, the late Travis County Commissioner Moya told the American-Statesman about the Chicano Huelga (Strike) in the '60s and '70s: "It was a cause, a real cause." The longest strike in Texas history In 1949, Milton T. Smith, owner of Economy Furniture, built a hulking art-deco concrete building on East Fifth Street to house his 7,500-square-foot factory. It still stands today across from the bus plaza monument. "Ninety percent of the employees were Mexican Americans," reads the monument's text, a collaboration between Leslie Wolke of MapWell Studio and Julian Copado of 512 Translations, "and lived within walking distance of the factory and each other in the vibrant and close-knit East Austin barrio." In 1964, Economy Furniture's manufacture of chairs, sofas and other upholstered furniture moved to a new, larger factory at 9313 McNeil Road, present site of the CapMetro bus yard. More Austin history: Who the heck was Ben White? The people, places and things behind Austin street names "Most workers at Economy Furniture were paid on a piecework system," Wolke and Copado write. "They earned a flat hourly rate just above minimum wage $1.60 in 1968 plus bonuses for the number of pieces they produced. This was a common practice in manufacturing at the time to incentivize productivity, but in reality led to a punishing and unsafe workplace and unattainable production targets. "With goals to improve working conditions and obtain benefits like sick leave and medical insurance, workers spent 10 years seeking unionization," Wolke and Copado write. "On May 17, 1968, 75% of the workers voted to join Local 456 of the Upholsterers International Union. Management refused to recognize the union. On Nov. 27, 1968, 252 workers walked off their jobs at the Economy Furniture factory in Austin. Their goals were modest: better pay and benefits and the right to bargain collectively. "They picketed the factory around the clock," Wolke and Copado write. "as well as (at) stores like Montgomery Ward that sold Economys furniture. Thousands joined in protest marches and boycotts. Forty percent of the strikers were women, and these Chicana workers played an integral role in all aspects of the labor struggle. The walkout lasted 28 months and gained the support of national labor and religious leaders." When the Austin City Council denied a parade permit on the strike's first anniversary, strikers decided they would expand their fight from worker rights to political power. Reporters asked strikers what they would do next. "Our answer was that elections were around the corner (1971) and that we would try to elect a City Council that was more sensitive to the community," Lencho Hernandez, a boycott captain, told Juan Castillo of the American-Statesman. "We and other groups wiped out the whole City Council, including the mayor." Crowds grew to about 2,500 for the second anniversary march on Nov. 29, 1970. University of Texas students and Chicano and labor organizations across the Southwest demonstrated their solidarity with the strikers. "In February 1971, labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez came to Austin to support the huelguistas," Wolke and Copado write. "He gave a rousing speech to thousands at the Montopolis Community Center and walked the picket line in front of the factory on McNeil Road. His visit brought national attention and renewed momentum to the cause." The strike ended with the workers winning union recognition in the courts. The company was compelled to negotiate with the union. A contract approved Sept. 7, 1971, provided wage increases each year as well as additional vacation time. One of the strikers, Tony Quiroz, operated machines at the factory, a job that paid him $1.10 an hour when he started in 1965. "To be there so long and earn so little was not right," Quiroz told the American-Statesman. Workers became like a family, Quiroz said. If one needed help paying the light bill, "we'd help them out. That's the only way a lot of us made it." Donations from unions across the country also helped pay bills for workers who did not take jobs elsewhere, a practice that continues to today. Some critics in Austin "said we were like radicals," Quiroz told the American-Statesman. "At that time if a Mexicano went to say something to the City Council, everybody would look at him like, 'What are you doing here?'" Recently, researchers were surprised that the unfurled banner used during the Economy Furniture Company strike, housed at the University of Texas Benson Latin American Collection, was black on hot pink. Saluting Austins Economy Furniture Company Strike What: A celebration of the new stele honoring the Economy Furniture Company Strike. Among the expected speakers are Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez and former state Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, Jr. The event includes refreshments and live music by Mariachis Las Coronelas. When: 10:30 a.m. to noon, Sept. 16 Where: Richard Moya Eastside Bus Plaza at East Fifth Street and Shady Lane. Note: The graceful bus plaza, which opened in 2023, combines the lines operated by Capital Metro, Greyhound, FlixBus and CARTS, a rural-urban transportation system of small buses initiated in part by the late Richard Moya. The Eastside Bus Plaza has won several awards for its sustainability: Design team: architect: Jackson & McElhaney Architects; design manager: McCann Adams Studio; landscape: Studio Balcones; signage: MapWell Studio and LVCK Design. Send your questions or answers about Central Texas past and present to "Austin Answered" at mbarnes@statesman. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Monument in East Austin honors longest strike in Texas history Celebration of life announced for Greece teacher who died in accident ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Funeral services have been announced for Jillian Branciforte, a teacher of the Greece Central School District who passed away. Branciforte passed away from an accident that happened on Friday, according to the district. No further details have been released about what accident this was. I didnt believe it: Greece Central School District mourns the loss of teacher killed in Friday vehicle accident A celebration of life and visitation has been planned for Wednesday, September 11. Anyone in the community looking to give flowers is asked to make memorial donations to Greece Olympia High School or St. John Fisher. Branciforte was an English and new language teacher at Greece Olympia. Many students told News 8 about how special she was. The students came together to hold a private vigil over the weekend. Visitation will be held at Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home on Vintage Lane from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Apollo Quiboloy (3rd R), Philippine pastor and founder of the Philippines-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church, and co-accused (in orange) are presented to members of the media during a press conference presided by Philippines' Secretary of Interior Benjamin Abalos Jr (L) inside the national police headquarters in Manila on 9 September 2024 (Getty Images) A celebrity preacher accused of sexual abuse and sex trafficking in the Philippines and similar charges in the US has been arrested after the police gave him 24 hours to surrender, top officials announced. The arrest of Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Philippines-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church, was confirmed by interior secretary Benhur Abalos in a brief statement on his Facebook. Apollo Quiboloy has been caught, Mr Abalos said. Philippine police spokesperson Jean Fajardo confirmed to reporters on Sunday Mr Quiboloy was captured inside the compound, but did not provide further details. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who had urged Mr Quiboloy to surrender, said the evangelist preacher will not be given any special treatment. Mr Quiboloy, who was on the run for three years, has denied wrongdoing. "There is no special treatment. We will treat him like any other arrested person and respect his rights. We will demonstrate once again that our judicial system in the Philippines is active, vibrant and working," Mr Marcos Jr told reporters shortly after Mr Quiboloys arrest was confirmed. The US federal prosecutors in 2021 announced the indictment of Mr Quiboloy for allegedly having sex with women and underage girls who faced threats of abuse and eternal damnation unless they catered to the self-proclaimed son of God for nearly 15 years. Mr Quiboloy is also wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US on charges of sex trafficking and bulk cash smuggling. Around 1.30pm, the National Police in the Philippines surrounded Mr Quiboloy and four of his aides in a 30-hectare (75acre) compound in the southern city of Davao on Sunday. Nearly 2,000 officers were deployed around the church compound where Mr Quiboloy and his aides were allegedly hiding. The police issued a 24-hour ultimatum to them to come out. However, several of Mr Quiboloys followers allegedly threw stones at officers and blocked the nearby highway using tyres set ablaze, Davao police officials said. After four hours of standoff, the five men walked out of the church and surrendered, reported the Philippine News Agency. Police officials have now transported them to the national police headquarters in Manila using military aircraft on Sunday night. The pastor chose to surrender because he does not want the lawless violence to continue within the KOJC compound, his lawyer, Israelito Torreon, said. Philippine police chief Gen Rommel Francisco Marbil also confirmed the self-styled godmans arrest. Mr Quiboloy and two of his top administrators were among nine people named in a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury and unsealed in November 2021. It contained a raft of charges, including conspiracy, sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, marriage fraud, money laundering, cash smuggling and visa fraud. The US embassy in Manila referred requests for comments by the Associated Press to Philippine authorities. Mr Quiboloy and his lawyers have rejected the allegations against him, calling them fabricated claims by critics and former members who were evicted from the religious group. In 2019, Mr Quiboloy claimed he stopped a major earthquake from hitting the southern Philippines. The KJOC church claims to have six million members in about 200 countries. Its US headquarters is in the Van Nuys area of Los Angeles. He is also allegedly linked to the former president Rodrigo Duterte who is being investigated by the International Criminal Court in connection with the extrajudicial killings by police of thousands of mostly poor drug suspects. The man suspected of shooting five people traveling on a Kentucky interstate texted a woman ahead of the attack, warning of his plan to kill a lot of people, according to a warrant for his arrest. Im going to kill a lot of people. Well try at least, Joseph Couch wrote in his text, the arrest warrant says. In another message, sent less than half an hour before the shooting, he allegedly wrote, Ill kill myself afterwards The woman called 911 after receiving the alarming texts, according to the warrant. She later showed police screenshots of the text during an interview early Sunday. Authorities are continuing to search for Couch, 32, who has evaded capture since Saturday afternoon, when authorities say he fired an AR-15 from a cliff ledge on the side of the interstate about nine miles north of London, Kentucky, striking 12 cars and wounding five people. The day of the shooting, Couch purchased an AR-15 with a sight and 1,000 rounds of ammunition, paying almost $3,000 in total, the arrest warrant says. The sheriffs office has said he made the purchases legally. An arrest warrant has been issued charging Couch with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault, Jackie Steele, the commonwealth attorney for Laurel and Knox Counties, told CNN. Police say theyre hoping constant pressure and an intense search effort involving drones, helicopters, dogs and dozens of officers will lead to the suspects capture. Crews from federal, state and local agencies are scouring the vast, densely wooded area near where responders found Couchs AR-15, ammunition, car and a phone thought to be his. Our goal is to apply steady pressure and wear Mr. Couch down the longer he is in the woods, Kentucky State Police spokesperson Scottie Pennington said at a news conference Monday afternoon. Hopefully he has no water and nothing to eat. The remote area of the Daniel Boone National Forest encompasses thousands of acres and includes sinkholes, caves, culverts, creeks and rivers. In some places, officers are using machetes to slice through thick brush, Pennington said earlier. Though the motive is still unknown, the attack appeared to be a random act of violence, Laurel County Sheriffs Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said, according to The Associated Press. A $15,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to Couchs arrest, according to Kentucky State Police. This message is to him: You can run, but you cant hide, Randall Weddle, the mayor of London, Kentucky, said on CNN Monday afternoon. Joseph A. Couch, a suspect in the Saturday shooting, is shown in an undated photograph. - Laurel County Sheriff's Office/Reuters We want the citizens to call in on everything As long as Couch remains on the loose, law enforcement has a strong message for the local community: If you see something, say something. We want the citizens to call in on everything, Pennington said Monday afternoon. If you come home and your doors dont seem like thats how you left it, back out and call somebody. If you hear your dogs barking late at night, call, he added. He recommended residents keep their cell phones charged and nearby and monitor any technology, like Ring cameras or deer cameras, that might capture something amiss. And he urged that they check on their neighbors, including those who might live in remote shacks or homemade dwellings. Pennington warned that if people do see Couch, who may still be armed, they should stay away. The shooting and ensuing manhunt have left the central Kentucky community on edge. More than a dozen area school districts and several private schools canceled classes Monday, including those in Laurel, Jackson and Clay counties. Laurel County has announced classes will also be canceled Tuesday. Everybody is scared, Weddle said. This is a very dangerous situation. Though none of the victims of Saturdays shooting were killed, some were left with very severe injuries, including a person who was shot in the face and another across the chest, according to Acciardo. Others were critically hurt but were in stable condition Sunday, he said. The victims are Rebecca Puryear, Norma Liberia, Renee Walker, Janet Booth and Erick Gavin, according to the arrest warrant. All five were traveling south on I-75. Puryear, 28, described herself as a walking miracle to CNN after surviving the shooting. She was driving home with her husband and their 4-year-old son when they heard gunshots on I-75. When she pulled over, she looked down and was just pouring blood, Puryear said. Puryear said a bullet entered the passenger-side window and struck her right arm, penetrating her chest before exiting through her left arm. She was released from a hospital later Saturday night but will need surgery. While the suspect did not appear to be targeting specific people, the attack did appear to be a planned event, Acciardo said Sunday. The FBIs famed profilers, working with local law enforcement, have developed a general concept about the suspects motive in the Kentucky I-75 shooting based on material thats been recovered, a law enforcement official told CNN. Couch served in the Army Reserve for roughly six years between 2013 and 2019 as a combat engineer. He had no deployments and was a private the Armys lowest enlisted rank at the end his of service, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ruth Castro told CNN in a statement. Couch has a very minimal criminal record in the state, according to Steele. He was charged with terroristic threatening, but the charge was dismissed earlier this year, Steele said. No other details on the charge were given. The suspect had no red flags and all his purchases were legal, Weddle told CNN. Authorities searched the suspects house Sunday evening and are hoping to gain insight from electronic devices found inside, Laurel County Sheriffs Office Capt. Richard Dalrymple said. Search crews scour a jungle-like forest The search area for Joseph Couch is seen in a photo released by Kentucky State Police spokesperson Scottie Pennington on September 9, 2024. - Trooper Scottie Pennington Search teams face a daunting undertaking as they trudge through the vast, secluded forest a task the state police spokesperson compared to trekking through a jungle. You cant do it very fast because you dont want to leave (any) rock unturned. You dont know if hes in that area. So youve gotta be very slow-paced at what you do, Pennington said. More than 150 federal, state and local personnel are involved in the investigation and search for Couch, Root estimated, though only about 40 to 50 of those are on the ground. Pennington added Monday afternoon that teams of workers are taking turns to rest after grueling hours of searching. After receiving a phone call about Couchs threatening text messages, police began tracking his cell phone, according to the arrest warrant. The phone pinged within 2500 meters of the cellular tower on Exit 49 on Cromer Ridge at 6:53 p.m over an hour after the shooting was first reported. The search is focused on the area near where authorities recovered Couchs weapon and vehicle. After the shooting Saturday, investigators found a vehicle registered to Couch along a forest service road off Exit 49, with an empty gun case inside. The suspect is believed to have walked to a cliff along the side of the interstate and fired from a ledge about 30 feet down the cliff, according to Dalrymple. Authorities later found a green army style duffle bag, several magazines of ammunition and numerous spent shell casings near the vehicles location, the arrest warrant says. They also found an AR-15 and sight nearby, and a phone with the battery removed. The forest is full of dangers that complicate the search, including cliffs, culverts, sinkholes and possibly dangerous animals like snakes. The length of time Couch is able to survive in the wilderness depends on how prepared he was, which is still unclear to authorities. At this point, we do not believe he has outside assistance, Acciardo said, though he later noted its extremely possible the suspect is using some form of telecommunications. Law enforcement plan to keep up the search until Couch has been found: Were going to go every day and try to find him, said Pennington. He said that while we hope that weve got him contained, Couch may be outside the search area. He added that hes been entered into the National Crime Information Center, a digital database that lets law enforcement exchange information. It is also possible Couch has killed himself somewhere in the wilderness, Dalrymple said Sunday. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Paradise Afshar, Raja Razek, Lauren Mascarenhas, Chris Boyette, Jillian Sykes, Haley Britzky, Sarah Dewberry, and Hannah Rabinowitz contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com School districts across the country are tightening regulations on cellphone use in classrooms, and Centre County is no exception. Several states have passed bills or considered passing bills that would ban cellphones in classrooms in a growing movement to limit phone usage in schools. In July, the Pennsylvania state legislature signed Senate Bill 700, which provides funding for schools to purchase lockable cellphone bags as part of the School Safety & Mental Health grant program. While the bags arent in use at Penns Valley Area School District, officials did institute a new policy in 2023 that banned cellphones at the middle school and high school during the school day. High school students and Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology students are allowed to use phones at CPI classes and during lunch hour only. This fall, Bald Eagle Area has followed suit, tightening up its preexisting policy on phone usage. The district sent out a reminder on its Facebook page that students would not be allowed to use phones during class time. Instead, they have to check them in at the front of the classroom for each period. BEA Superintendent Chris Santini said limiting cellphone usage allows students to focus better on class material. I think some parents welcome the kind of forced break from the phone that this policy creates, Santini said. And the teachers like it because theyre not competing with the phone for the kids attention during the 45 minutes of instruction when they have the kid in class. For Penns Valley, the stricter policy on cellphones has been a major success at the middle and high school levels, superintendent Brian Griffith said. I was concerned that we would have a lot of pushback from our students and all our families, but generally we had broad support from our parents and from our students, Griffith said. And many of our students reported they felt free that they didnt have their cellphone with them. Santini said the district discussed several options, including the locked smartphone bags, but settled on a hanging caddy that would hold phones at the front of each classroom. We didnt like (the locked bags) idea mainly because if there would be an emergency situation, we do believe that they should be able to gain access to their phones if there would be a situation like that, he said. Santini said he hopes the policy will also help limit cyberbullying or online conflict between students throughout the school day. He believes the increased phone usage harms students mental health and anxiety levels, and while districts cannot control what students do outside the building, they can work to mitigate those effects for the hours they are in school. We see that kids are getting bullied through apps on their phones, Santini said. We see that when we have a couple hundred kids sitting at lunch in the cafeteria with free time with their phones, especially the middle school age, theyre sending unkind things to each other and then we get things happening after lunch as a result of that. Theres a long history of high screen time and social media usage having adverse effects on youth mental health. A 2020 study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that smartphone and social media usage can increase mental distress, self-harm behaviors and suicidality, especially among girls. Santini believes unfiltered access to social media and the internet can be harmful to students mental and emotional health, especially at younger ages. Im just not so sure that its developmentally appropriate to put a smartphone that has access to all the good things, but also all the ill on the internet in the hands of a 7 year old, a 10 year old, a 12 year old, even a 14 year old, Santini said. (FOX40.COM) California Assembly member Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) joined Inside California Politics co-host Nikki Laurenzo to discuss the special session on gas price spikes. Asm. Petrie-Norris is the chair of the committee charged with studying the causes of gas price spikes in California during the special session called by Governor Gavin Newsom. The Assembly is expected to consider a bill to mandate minimum fuel reserves for oil refiners here in California this fall. State Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire told the Los Angeles Times he would convene the Senate only after the Assembly passes their version of that bill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Its a way to enhance public transportation in the Queen City. But it also will require Charlotte city council members to approve the $2.6 million price tag. Its called microtransit, and before it can start the city will need to reach agreements with two companies. The two companies will be working together to provide the service. If approved by the council, the city manager will be authorized to negotiate three-year deals with Dallas-based company MV Transportation and software company, Spare Labs Inc. Microtransit service is more of an on-demand transit service and riders will be able to connect to the service through the CATS pass mobile app or by contacting a call center for those who do not have a mobile phone. Recently the city of Gastonia started using micro-transit service, but they replaced the entire bus system. CATS officials say microtransit in Charlotte is an addition to service and has been discussed for a while. So far there is no timeline of when the service would start because MV Transportation would need to hire and train employees. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 man accused of illegally spearing angelfish in Florida A Charlotte man is accused of illegally spearing an angelfish in Florida, authorities said. ALSO READ: Fishing event at local park builds relationships in community It happened Saturday around 3 p.m. in the Florida Keys. Middle Keys Marine deputies gave 30-year-old Ernesto Javier Reina a mandatory notice to appear in court citation. Reina had an illegally speared angelfish, they said. Reina didnt have a marine life endorsement/special activity license to harvest. Specific marine species require the license to be kept alive upon harvest. On Facebook, the Monroe County Sheriffs Office posted a photo of a deputy holding the fish. (WATCH BELOW: Invasive bamboo shoots into neighbors yard in east Charlotte) Syrians inspect the damage at the site of overnight Israeli strikes on the outskirts of Masyaf in Syria's central Hama province (LOUAI BESHARA) (LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/AFP) Near the usually quiet Syrian town of Masyaf smoke was still billowing from trees while burnt-out cars stood nearby, a day after authorities reported deadly Israeli strikes on military sites. Syrian health minister Hassan al-Ghabash told AFP the overnight "Israeli aggression" killed 18 people and wounded 37 others, during a media tour organised by the authorities. At the entrance to the mountainous town, about 220 kilometres (135 miles) north of the capital Damascus, a partially burned sign read "Masyaf". Fire-damaged cars were visible on both sides of the road, with nearby trees still burning and electric cables damaged and tangled, reported an AFP correspondent at the scene. The raids also blew five large craters in the main road to Masyaf, the correspondent said. Ambulances were still moving around the area, where one car had been burnt down to its metal frame and a yellow bulldozer was flipped upside down. Mohammed Akkari, 47, who lives near the site of the strikes with his wife and two children, said they were gripped by fear when their house shook near midnight. "We had never heard such a sound, a terrifying explosion, my children were terrified," he told AFP. At the Masyaf hospital, firefighter Mohammed Shmeil, 36, was being treated for his injured leg and foot. "What we saw during that incident was something else," he said, wincing in pain. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said 26 people were killed in what its chief Rami Abdel Rahman said was "one of the most violent Israeli attacks" in years. - 'Developing arms' - The Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria, said the strikes targeted sites "where pro-Iran groups and weapons development experts are stationed". The "Israeli strikes... targeted the area of the scientific research centre in Masyaf" in Hama province and other sites, destroying "buildings and military centres," the group said. He said Iranian experts "developing arms including precision missiles and drones" worked in the government scientific research centre that was hit. Israeli strikes on Syria since 2011 have mainly targeted army positions and Iran-backed fighters including from Lebanon's Hezbollah group. Israeli authorities rarely comment on individual strikes in Syria, but have repeatedly said they will not allow arch-enemy Iran, a Damascus ally, to expand its presence in the country. Israeli raids on Syria surged after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel sparked war in Gaza, then eased somewhat after an April 1 strike blamed on Israel hit the Iranian consular building in Damascus. In late August, several pro-Iranian fighters were killed in Syria's central Homs region in strikes attributed to Israel, the Observatory had said. Days later, the Israeli military said it killed an unspecified number of fighters belonging to Hamas ally Islamic Jihad in a strike in Syria near the Lebanese border. mam/lk/aya/dcp CHICAGO Authorities are offering a warning to business owners around the city following a nearly week-long string of smash-and-grab burglaries. According to Chicago police, 10 different smash-and-grab burglaries unfolded in the early morning hours between Sunday, Aug. 31, and Thursday, Sept. 6. During each incident, officers say a group of four people either smashed the front glass windows or pried open the doors of businesses before stealing safes, cash register drawers, electronics, clothing and money from inside. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines On Saturday, Chicago police issued an alert warning business owners about the incidents and providing details about the string of burglaries. This embedded content is not available in your region. Chicago police provided the following list of dates and locations where smash-and-grab burglaries reportedly occurred: 200 block of West Lake Street, in the Loop, on Sunday, Aug. 31, at midnight. 2000 block of North Lincoln Avenue, in Lincoln Park, on Sunday, Sept. 1, between 2 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. 1600 block of West Chicago Avenue, in West Town, between 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, and 6:47 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4. 1700 block of West Chicago Avenue, in West Town, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 3:20 a.m. 1700 block of West Chicago Avenue, in West Town, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 4:13 a.m. 100 block of West Hubbard Street, in River North, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 3:48 a.m. 1900 block of West Chicago Avenue, in West Town, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 4:19 a.m. 2000 block of North Halsted Street, in Lincoln Park, on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 2:59 a.m. 2000 block of North Orchard Street, in Lincoln Park, on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 3:12 a.m. 3000 block of North Southport Avenue, in Lakeview, on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 3:22 a.m. Authorities said a search is now underway for the four individuals who are believed to have been responsible. Officers said they believe the group of four consisted of 2 males and 2 females, who were spotted wearing black hooded sweatshirts, black ski masks, black pants and a dark olive green colored beanie. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland During the burglaries, police said the group is believed to have used a dark Jeep Cherokee and a gray Audi SUV. How can business owners avoid falling victim? Chicago police say there are several steps business owners can take to avoid falling victim to a smash-and-grab burglary. Business owners should start by notifying neighboring businesses about the recent string of crimes. Police advise businesses to keep the perimeter of their property well-lit and ensure surveillance cameras are functional and recording. Police say businesses should keep doors and windows secured and advise owners to quickly repair any broken windows, doors or locks. Business owners are advised to pay special attention to suspicious individuals or vehicles loitering in the area before closing hours. Officers advise businesses ensure any existing surveillance cameras are functional and recording, and if video of the burglary is available, businesses should make a copy of it for authorities. Justice will be served: 2 accused of stealing bronze veteran markers from headstones across La Porte County Business owners are also advised to remove cash from registers and secure electronics in a safe that is bolted to the ground. Those who fall victim to a robbery are advised to call 911 immediately to provide officers with a detailed description of the individual responsible and any vehicle description or license plate information. Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to contact CPD Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263 or dial 911. Those with information that could help detectives in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Press Release September 9, 2024 Bong Go reminds DOH: No patient should be turned away at Malasakit Centers as typhoon season brings added health risks As the country is currently affected by the typhoon season, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go once again highlighted the vital role of Malasakit Centers in ensuring that no Filipino is denied access to essential healthcare services, particularly during disasters. This reminder comes as recent tropical storms, including Tropical Storm Enteng, have brought heavy rains and widespread flooding to various regions, raising concerns about healthcare accessibility. He particularly emphasized that hospitals, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), should not turn away any patient, especially in times of crisis. "In line with the directive of DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, all Malasakit Centers must provide services to every patient who seeks assistance, especially the poor and disaster victims. Wala pong dapat matanggihan, lalo na 'yung mga kababayan nating hirap sa buhay at apektado ng sakuna," Go stated. Go was referring to DOH Department Memorandum 2023-0235, which directs hospitals to cater to patients in Malasakit Centers without discrimination, ensuring that no one is turned away due to financial constraints. He expressed concern that many Filipinos, particularly in disaster-stricken areas, often hesitate to seek medical treatment due to fear of hospital bills. "Alam ko po ang hirap ng buhay, lalo na sa mga panahon ng sakuna. Kaya't siguradohin po nating walang uuwi na hindi natulungan ng Malasakit Center. Lahat ay dapat mabigyan ng tamang serbisyo, lalo na ang mga kababayan nating hirap sa buhay," Go added. Go, who championed the establishment of Malasakit Centers, reiterated his long-standing advocacy for universal healthcare access. The centers, located in public hospitals nationwide, streamline the process for indigent patients to receive medical and financial assistance from various government agencies, including PhilHealth, DOH, and DSWD. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. As of now, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients' medical expenses. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more or less 11 million Filipinos. He also called on local government units and private hospitals to work hand-in-hand with the national government to ensure that services remain uninterrupted despite the challenges brought by natural disasters. "Ang Malasakit Center ay nandiyan para siguraduhin na ang bawat Pilipino ay may access sa serbisyong medikal. Lalo na ngayong panahon ng kalamidad, kailangan natin masigurong walang mapapabayaan. Bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo, at patuloy po akong susuporta sa mga programang magtataguyod ng kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino," Go said, emphasizing his commitment to the cause. Recent tropical storms have left several areas submerged in floodwaters, displacing families and putting a strain on local healthcare facilities. Go urged the public to prioritize their health, assuring them that Malasakit Centers are operational and ready to provide the necessary medical assistance under one roof. Go further stressed that the success of the Malasakit Centers is a result of the collective efforts of the government and the Filipino people, emphasizing that the centers were built on the principle of malasakit, or compassion, for those in need. "Sa panahon ng sakuna, dapat nating iparamdam ang malasakit natin sa isa't isa. Hindi po dapat hadlang ang kahirapan para makapagpagamot. Iyan po ang layunin ng Malasakit Centers -- tulungan ang lahat ng nangangailangan, anumang sitwasyon ang kanilang kinakaharap," he concluded. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be ready to call the Russian dictator when he is actually ready for constructive negotiations. For now, we have to wait. ADVERTISIMENT This statement was made by federal government spokesman Steffen Gebestreit at a briefing. He added that Berlin is in constant exchange of views with Ukraine, the United States, European partners, etc. However, the time has not yet come for Chancellor Olaf Scholz to speak directly with the Russian president. "When the time comes that the chancellor decides it makes sense to call, he will not hesitate. For now, we have to wait," the spokesman emphasized and added that the last phone conversation between the two politicians took place in December 2022. Gebestreit also reminded that the peace process has been going on for "a relatively long time" and was initiated by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "At the Peace Summit in Switzerland, there was a common feeling, recognition, and consensus that the next meeting should be held with the participation of Russia. Everything is currently being done to convene the second summit, although I cannot name the date. But the whole world understands that this war must end as soon as possible, and Ukraine is very eager to do so," said the German government spokesman. ADVERTISIMENT He emphasized that it is clear to everyone that peace must be just, not peace under dictation, and that it is not a question of Ukraine "throwing up the white flag" or of Ukraine being talked about without Ukraine's participation. It is not a question of giving Russia a pause to breathe and attacking again with renewed vigor, as it has already done. It is also out of the question, in principle, to freeze the situation; Russia must withdraw its troops. "There is one person who can end the war immediately. This is the Russian president, who has been waging an aggressive war for 2.5 years, which has a "gigantic price" for Russia itself, but above all for Ukraine and those who support it," Gebestreit summarized. As reported by OBOZ.UA, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz believes that representatives of the aggressor country Russia should participate in the second Peace Summit. In his opinion, it is time to hold discussions on how to accelerate the end of the war started by Russia against Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, Russia is not ready for serious negotiations on peace with Ukraine, said Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. Moscow can only be talked to from a position of strength. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! CHICAGO City leaders reacted Tuesday to a hiring freeze implemented by the City of Chicago, effectively immediately, as it faces a large budget deficit. The hiring freeze is part of cost-saving measures by the city to address a nearly $225 million budget deficit for 2024, a shortfall thats forecast to balloon to nearly $1 billion for 2025. The shortfall and gap are attributed to increasing labor costs, a decrease in revenue from state corporate taxes, higher costs for city employee pensions and personnel expenses, plus a $150 million allocation for ongoing migrant support and the uncertainty surrounding the $175 million payment for Chicago Public Schools pensions. ShotSpotter supporters urge Johnson to keep gun detection technology in Chicago In an official statement from Budget Director Annette Guzman on Monday, the city announced it has enacted a citywide hiring freeze, along with stringent limitations on non-essential travel and overtime expenditures outside of public safety operations. The 2025 forecasted budget deficit is $982.4 million, and theres also a $222.9 million projected deficit for 2024. READ MORE: Chicago faces nearly $1B budget deficit for 2025 The Chicago Tribune reported that Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration has not ruled out measures like raising property taxes, implementing hiring freezes and layoffs to balance the 2025 budget. The mayor and his budget team have not disclosed official details yet on their balancing strategy, but Johnson indicated the goal is to minimize potential cuts in city services. So it didnt come as a surprise to city leaders that cost-saving measures were coming. Guzman hinted at this last week. The message that I have is: This is a year of very hard decisions, she said. City Council members discussed the cost-saving measures during committee meetings Tuesday at City Hall. Many of the mayors allies and critics agree on the cost-saving measures, at least for now, but they plan to take very deep dive into the numbers soon. When asked if the city has reached the crisis level, Ald. Ray Lopez said, I think we are there, to be perfectly honest. I think we are there, and I believe the mayor has the opportunity, if he chooses to take it, to have a truly transformative discussion on both our revenue and our spending, because we are literally tapped out. We know of the deficit, but we havent seen a complete budget yet, Ald. Walter Burnett said. So we dont know what type of income we have coming in and what all of the parameters are. So were waiting to see whats going on. To freeze hiring is nothing abnormal. What is a little unusual, though, is a hiring freeze that applies to police and fire departments. Revenue counted on by the city this year fell short, so the impact of budget decisions is expected to be felt across all city departments, including police and fire. Having a hiring freeze that applies to police and fire is a problem, Ald. Brian Hopkins said. But in my opinion right now, this budgetary crisis rises to the level where an across-the-board hiring freeze applies for a short period of time. That doesnt mean were going to abandon our priorities for law enforcement and public safety. In fact, thats part of the debate. While the hiring freeze and other cost-saving measures from the Mayors Office focus on addressing revenue thats fallen short, city leaders say theyll also take a hard look at the spending side of the equation. We have a spending problem, Ald. Lopez said. We have a spending addiction here in the City of Chicago. Going back for decades, where we have deficit-spent every budget, borrowed to fill the gap without raising revenue. Were at a point where that is just structurally unattainable. Ald. Hopkins said new programs funded in recent years could be on the chopping block, but those can sometimes be buried within the budget. Youve got to find them, he said. Theres a little bit of hide-and-seek involved in this exercise. But those of us who want to cut spending are going to focus on that first. Guzmans statement Monday announcing the citys cost-saving measures is below: In response to the ongoing fiscal challenges outlined in the 2025 Budget Forecast, the City of Chicago is taking immediate steps to mitigate the projected FY2024 budget deficit and to address the anticipated budget gap for FY2025. Effective today, we are enacting a series of budgetary restrictions, including a citywide hiring freeze, and stringent limitations on non-essential travel and overtime expenditures outside of public safety operations. The $222.9 million year-end projected budget deficit is driven by a decline in specific revenue streams, including the State Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) and the City not receiving the budgeted $175 million reimbursement for pension contributions for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) non-teacher staff. The $982.4 million FY2025 budget forecast gap is largely driven by rising personnel, pension, and contractual costs, alongside ongoing revenue challenges. These measures, while necessary, reflect our commitment to responsible fiscal management during a time of financial uncertainty. The Citys leadership team, including the Office of Budget and Management (OBM) and the Department of Finance, are working diligently to navigate these financial challenges and ensure the continued delivery of essential services to our residents. We appreciate the cooperation of all City departments as we implement these cost-saving measures. Further details on the 2025 Budget Forecast can be found on the City of Chicagos official OBM website. We will continue to monitor the Citys financial situation closely and provide updates as necessary. Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we work through this challenging period. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Childrens & Womens Hospital hosted its first Childhood Cancer Reunion Sunday afternoon. Any person who had been a part of a childhood cancer journey at the hospital was invited, including patients, family members, caregivers, and hospital staff. This community I hope gives them the support and the hope that they need to get through whatever the hard days are, USA Health Child Life Program Specialist, Beth Abston said. Micheal Davis and his family remember facing hard days 11 years ago. We came back today because its like family, Micheal Davis Sr. said. The Davis family spent 152 days at Childrens & Womens Hospital when their son was diagnosed with Leukemia during his senior year of high school. You get to not only know the hospital staff but see the other people there, cancer survivor, Micheal Davis Jr. said. Some of them go through the same thing that you are, you just have that ability to relate and get through it the best you can. You hunker down and take it one day at a time and just keep moving forward. The doctors who stood by these patients side as they fought their battles say its rewarding seeing them today. It fills my heart with extreme joy. Ive seen every one of them through the hard times, Dr. Hamayun Imran said. The hospital hopes to have this reunion to kick-start Childhood Cancer Awareness month every 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 WKRG News 5. China is going after 'empty student' consultants, who help you graduate without attending a single class for a $2,800 'relationship' fee CCTV said it found five consultants and five vocational schools that offer "empty student services" for high school-equivalent skilled labor certificates. Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Chinese state media on Sunday aired an investigation into 'empty student status' fraud. Schools and consultants said on camera that they ran services allowing students to graduate without attending class. These schools offer qualifications for skilled labor in fields like IT, automotive manufacturing, and aviation. China's state broadcaster has aired a scathing report on consultants and vocational schools running "empty student status" services, which it said allow students to graduate without attending classes. CCTV's "Financial Investigation" program reported on Sunday that it found five companies in Zhengzhou, Wuhan, and Henan offering to help students enroll in and complete their desired course with a cash fee of 20,000 yuan, or $2,800. According to the broadcaster, these consultants illegally registered students for three-year courses at vocational or technical schools. Such institutions typically offer high school-equivalent certificates for skilled labor and are the gateway for entering fields like IT or electronics. Several consultancy staff spoke to CCTV on camera, saying that they would use the $2,800 as a "relationship fee" for the schools. "You don't need to be present, you don't need to go to class," a consultant said in one clip. The broadcaster kept all of its interviewees anonymous, as is the norm for Chinese media when dealing with people who aren't celebrities or politicians. "We just need the student's residency registration, their personal information, a photo with a blue background," another consultant said. "Then, after paying the fee, we'll sign a contract, and we'll give you the school registration." Others said on camera that they could help their clients find schools with vacancies or establish ties with institutions chosen by the student. China finds schools offering the same services The broadcaster also published footage of staff from five schools in the same regions directly offering "empty student status." These schools, spread across the automotive, aviation, IT, and engineering industries, said on camera that "empty students" would only have to be present for one roll call per semester. Several said they could arrange for the student to take entire semesters of medical leave. One school asked that the client clock in daily with a card, though they would not have to attend classes. Another school's staff said the student could record their attendance through a mobile app. The institutions would typically limit "empty student" clients to a small proportion of an attending class, with one staff saying they would accept about three clients per class. CCTV's report is the latest of several to recently gain widespread attention on Chinese social media, becoming the top-most discussed post on Weibo, China's version of X, on Monday. China has, in the last few years, tried to crack down on "empty student" fraud, though the bulk of its attention has focused on students cheating on national exams. In particular, the scam is most well-known as a way to circumvent a national law that restricts students to schools inside their registered region of residency. Previous cases featured wealthy students who would "migrate" to less academically competitive regions using an "empty student status" service, allowing them to enroll in these new provinces without attending classes there. However, they could take their national or college entrance exams in the easier region because they were registered on paper there. Many Chinese youth and their families obsess over the results of these exams because they are largely seen as a major deciding factor in one's future education and career. Read the original article on Business Insider China says ties with Philippines at a crossroads over South China Sea BEIJING (Reuters) - China called on the Philippines to "seriously consider the future" of a relationship "at a crossroads" in a Monday commentary published by the People's Daily, the newspaper of the governing Communist Party, amid tensions in the South China Sea. The Philippines and China have exchanged accusations of intentionally ramming coast guard vessels in the disputed waterway in recent months, including a violent clash in June in which a Filipino sailor lost a finger. The incidents have overshadowed efforts by both nations to rebuild trust and better manage confrontations, including setting up new lines of communication to improve handling maritime disputes. "China-Philippines relations stand at a crossroads, facing a choice of which way to go," the commentary said. "Dialogue and consultation is the right path, as there is no way out of the conflict through confrontation." Manila "should seriously consider the future of China-Philippines relations and work with China to push bilateral relations back on track," it added. The commentary was published under the pen name "Zhong Sheng", meaning "Voice of China", which is often used to give the paper's view on foreign policy issues. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Portions of the waterway, where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as fish stocks. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 found China's sweeping claims had no legal basis, a ruling Beijing rejects. In June, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines' security, after Manila accused China of a "deliberate action" to stop the resupply of Philippine troops stationed at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. In Monday's commentary, China blamed the Philippines for "the so-called 'humanitarian' problem" that Filipino sailors aboard what China considers "an illegally stranded ship" at nearby Sabina Shoal had no access to supplies, adding "the people aboard are absolutely allowed to leave." (Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) China's 'wolf warrior' foreign minister is now working a lowly publishing role after falling foul of Xi: report China's former foreign minister Qin Gang at a press conference in Beijing in May 2023. THOMAS PETER via Getty Images Qin Gang was once one of China's most powerful men. But the former foreign minister has suffered a spectacular fall from grace. According to a report, he's now working in a low-level publishing job. China's former foreign minister Qin Gang is working in a low-level publishing job after falling foul of China's leader Xi Jinping, The Washington Post reported. Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the publication that Qin was now listed as an employee at World Affairs Press, a publishing company associated with China's foreign ministry. The officials reportedly told the publication that the demotion took place in spring. One characterized it as a "fall from grace" but also said, "he's off the hook." "He's not going to jail, but his career is over," one source told the Post. One of the officials told the outlet that the demotion is likely intended as a warning to others. Qin was formerly one of China's most powerful figures and a trusted aid of Xi, rising to the position of foreign minister and member of China's state council, the cabinet of China's top officials. His rise to the top was swift. He was known as one of the most prominent of a new generation of "wolf warrior" officials, who brought an aggressive and confrontational style to China's diplomacy. But his downfall was just as rapid. In June 2023, Qin disappeared from public view and officially resigned from his position in China's state legislature in February. Rumors circulated about what had led to Qin's dismissal, with The Wall Street Journal reporting that Qin had been dismissed because he had an extramarital affair during his stint as China's ambassador to the US, sparking security concerns. The Financial Times reported that the person Qin had an affair with was TV host Fu Xiaotian. Around that time, Fu reportedly had a child through surrogacy in the US, the report said. Qin was replaced by his predecessor as foreign minister, veteran diplomat Wang Yi. The Chinese embassy in the UK did not immediately respond to a request by Business Insider for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider HONOLULU (KHON2) If youre looking for a bit of traditional fun, head down to Chinatown on Saturday as the community enjoys Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The Mid Autumn Moon festival is an important event in Asian cultures and it is celebrated on the night of the 15th day of the 8th month of the Asian lunar calendar the night of the full harvest moon. The Festival emphasizes family, reunions, celebration and thankfulness for the past years harvest and the harvests to come, the Chinatown Improvement District said in a news release. Enjoy the lanterns that will be set out and dont forget to eat a mooncake. Why is Easter never on the same Sunday? There will be free lantern-making, face painting and other family-friendly fun activities, lion dance, as well as food available for purchase. The fun starts at 10 a.m. at Smith Beretania Park. More information can be found on the Chinatown Improvement Districts Facebook page. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Chinese Communist Party tried to steal NY Assembly seat, Queens pol Ron Kim claims just days after ex-Hochul aides arrest as foreign agent Queens state Assemblyman Ron Kim says groups tied to the Chinese Community Party tried to topple him and steal his predominantly Asian-populated seat in the June Democratic primary. There were clear patterns of foreign influence trying to dictate the outcome of the election groups with ties to mainland China and the CCP [Chinese Communist Party]. They were trying to steal the Flushing seat, Kim told The Post. Its a very layered operation. Were entering dangerous territory. I dont know how we can stop it, he said. Queens state Assemblyman Ron Kim says groups tied to the Chinese Community Party tried to topple him and steal his predominantly Asian-populated seat. AP Kim, a Korean-American, is speaking out after the stunning arrest of Linda Sun, a former top aide to Govs. Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo. Sun, along with her husband, Christopher Hu, is charged with being an unregistered agent for the CCP in exchange for millions of dollars in kickbacks and laundering the illicit money to buy a $4.1 million mansion in Manhasset, LI, a $2 million posh Honolulu condo and a fleet of luxury cars, including a 2024 Ferrari Roma. Kims Dem opponent in the 40th Districts primary race, upstart Yi Andy Chen, was endorsed by the American Chinese Commerce Association. The association is a group identified as linked to the CCP and John Chan, a Chinese-American activist and chairman of the group with reportedly close ties to the Peoples Republic of China and its Consulate General office in New York. Kim, who was first elected in 2012, won his tough primary battle by 443 votes. Its a very layered operation. Were entering dangerous territory. I dont know how we can stop it, Kim said. Ron Kim/Facebook The CCPs influence-flexing in New Yorks growing Asian communities has been whispered about in recent years, but people feared going on the record to avoid being targeted by the powerful foreign government known to monitor its critics abroad, sources said. Its a scary thing, Kim said of speaking out against the CCP. He said an overwhelming majority of Chinese and other Asians move here to flee communism and authoritarianism for a better life and are patriotic Americans. The majority of Asia groups are loyal to American business and American capital, Kim said. But there is a new wave of organizations tied to the CCP that are not loyal to our way of life, he said. The state pol recalled one unsettling related incident a few years ago. He said that over the years, he would pass a resolution commemorating the United States relationship with Taiwan. Taiwan has governed itself independently from China since 1949, but China still views the island as part of its territory and wants to unify it with the mainland. Relations between the two remain extremely tense. But Kim said that when Cuomo was governor, the assemblyman was contacted by someone in the gubernatorial office who told him the Chinese consul general was upset with his resolution. Kim said he did not know if the message was being conveyed by Linda Sun but either way, I was stunned. Kim said he knew Linda Sun well but declined to publicly discuss her criminal case. Kim, who was first elected in 2012, won his tough primary battle by 443 votes. Ron Kim/Facebook Sun previously worked for Congresswoman Grace Meng of Queens when Meng served in the state Assembly. Meng did not endorse Kim during the primary. In November, John Chan who chairs the American Chinese Commerce Association led an effort to drown out the cries of protesters in San Francisco who were awaiting the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping and claimed their relatives had been harmed by the Chinese government, according to the Washington Post and San Francisco Standard. The move on part of China was seen as trying to crack down on dissent even overseas. Videos showed anti-Xi protesters attacked with flagpoles and chemical spray and pummeled by pro-Xi CCP supporters, the Washington Post reported. A month later, Chan sponsored a small group of New York Assembly Republicans to take a trip to China to meet CCP leaders, a jaunt organized with first-term GOP Brooklyn Assemblyman Lester Chang. The trip raised eyebrows in political circles. Chan works closely with the Chinese Consul General, and he is listed under a section of Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs website touting the contributions of state-linked and Chinese-funded overseas institutions, the Washington Post said. Linda Sun, right, is accused of being an unregistered CCP agent. Paul Martinka Chan told a Chinese-language radio journalist at APEC that he was an organizer of the show of support for Xi. Chan did not return a Post phone call or text for comment. There was no answer at the Consulate of the Peoples Republic of China in New York. A photo of tanks and soldiers pulling out of the contested high-altitude border lands of India's Ladakh region has resurfaced in social media posts that falsely claimed it showed "heavy Chinese tanks" entering the territory in September 2024. The image, which was released by the Indian army, in fact shows Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers and tanks in February 2021 as they left the narrow strip of land between India and China. "#BREAKING: Just in, Heavy Chinese tanks were seen entering Indian territory," read the English-language caption to a photo posted on X on September 1, 2024. The photo shows several tanks on snowy, uneven terrain. Screenshot of the false X post, captured on September 9, 2024 Nuclear-armed rivals China and India have long competed for strategic influence across South Asia (archived link). The world's two most populous nations fought a border war in 1962 and have periodically accused each other of violating their 3,500-kilometre (2,200-mile) frontier, large parts of which have never been properly agreed. That includes areas in India's Ladakh region, just opposite Tibet. The same photo was shared in posts in September 2024 on X here and here, and Facebook here, alongside claims it showed Chinese tanks entering Indian territory. But there have been no official reports as of September 9, 2024 of Chinese tanks entering Indian territory. 'Military disengagement' The two sides have clashed along their shared border in the past, including June 2020, when at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed (archived links here and here). Both countries sent tens of thousands of extra troops to the border after the brutal, high-altitude border battle in the Galwan Valley -- one of the deadliest clashes between the neighbours in recent decades. The photo falsely shared online was in fact released by the Indian Ministry of Defence in February 2021, after New Delhi and Beijing reached an agreement to pull back from part of their contested Himalayan border to ease tensions. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told parliament at the time the agreement with Beijing would "substantially restore the situation to that existing prior to commencement of the stand-off", adding "we have not conceded anything". Separately, China's defence ministry spokesman, Wu Qian, said frontline troops from both sides "began to disengage in a synchronised and planned way on February 10". The photo is available in AFP's archives, where it is captioned: "This undated handout photograph released by the Indian Army on February 16, 2021 shows People Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers and tanks during military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at the India-China border in Ladakh." A reverse image search on Google also led to the same photo used in a news article by Indian media outlet The Print published on February 21, 2021 (archived link). The photo is captioned, "Chinese PLA troops march back from the Pangong Tso area in eastern Ladakh | Photo: Indian Army | Representational image". Below is a screenshot comparison between the photo used in the false post (left) and the same photo from AFP's archive (right): Screenshot comparison between the photo used in the false post (left) and the same photo from AFP's archive (right) GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) A Catholic church worker who sexually assaulted a teen in Grand Haven will spend years in a state prison. James Beauchamp was sentenced Monday to between three and 20 years in prison for second-degree criminal sexual conduct, between three and 20 years for using a computer to commit a crime, between three and 15 years for child sexually abusive activity and 60 days for furnishing alcohol to a minor. He received credit for 284 days served. Authorities say Beauchamp gave a 17-year-old boy alcohol, sexually assaulted him and took photographs without the teens consent at a Grand Haven hotel. Family advocate: Listen to children, watch for signs of abuse At the time, Beauchamp was working as the parish administrator at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic Parish in Grand Haven, the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids told News 8 Monday. His position provided him access to those youth, Ottawa County Sheriffs Office Capt. Jacob Sparks previously told News 8. I dont know if he was using it to target them, but he had access to the kids because of his position. The sheriffs office started investigating in August of last year and Beauchamp, of Kentwood, was charged in December. He pleaded no contest to the charges against him in July of this year. In a previous statement, the Diocese of Grand Rapids said that when the allegations were brought to the diocese, it reported them to authorities and fired Beauchamp. The diocese on Monday also stressed that the assault didnt happen in his parish capacity or on parish time. News 8s Ken Kolker 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 WOODTV.com. Cider-Brined Pork Chops 3 tbsp kosher salt 2 cups warm water 2 cups apple cider 4 boneless or bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick Freshly ground black pepper Olive oil, for cooking To prepare the brine, dissolve the salt in the warm water. Add the apple cider and make sure the mixture is fully cooled. A couple ice cubes can help speed up this process and wont affect the brine much. Place the pork chops in a resealable gallon bag and pour the brine into the bag. Place the bag into a large bowl or plastic container (to guard against leaks) and refrigerate overnight. When youre ready to cook, remove the pork chops from the brine and pat them dry. Rub them with a bit of olive oil and season with freshly ground black pepper. Cook on the grill or on the stovetop. I like to brown them in a skillet or grill pan and finish them in a hot oven (375 is perfect if youre already making the Caramel Apple Crisp, below) until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Let rest for 5 minutes, then carve into slices and serve. Summer Succotash 1 tbsp olive oil 1 stalk celery, finely diced 1 small or 1/2 large onion, finely diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 large, ripe tomato, diced (about 2 cups) 1 12-oz bag of frozen lima beans (or use shelled edamame if you dont like limas) 2 ears of corn, shucked and cut from the cob 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 2 tbsp butter 1 tsp brown sugar, optional, but a good choice Salt and pepper, to taste In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and saute the celery, onion, and garlic until softened about 5 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and the lima beans and simmer until tender, about 7-10 minutes. Add the fresh corn and halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 more minutes, then finish with the butter and brown sugar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Caramel Apple Crisp 4 cups diced, peeled apples (I like a blend of tart and sweet apples) 1/4 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought) A pinch of salt Vanilla ice cream, for serving Caramel sauce, for serving Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss together the apples, caramel sauce, and salt. Divide the mixture between 4 ramekins or creme brulee dishes for individual servings. Mix all the topping ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment until it comes together in a crumbly mixture that is no longer floury. Evenly divide and sprinkle this mixture over the apples. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the topping is nicely browned and the fruit is bubbling. Remove and let cool briefly. Serve warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and drizzled with caramel. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The leader of the Romanian Salvation Union opposition party, Elena Lasconi, has harshly criticized the government for its inaction regarding Russian drones that regularly violate the country's airspace. She called on President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to give explanations for such incidents. ADVERTISIMENT Lasconi was also outraged that Romanian law does not allow shooting down drones that violate the country's airspace. This was reported by EurActiv. On the night of September 8, at least two Russian Shahed attack drones entered Romanian airspace, after which the Romanian authorities sent out a threat alert to residents of Tulcea and Constanta counties. "It is absolutely outrageous to learn more from Ukrainians than from the Romanian authorities. In the spring, the army commander asked us to amend the legislation so that we could shoot down drones that invade our territory. Mr. Ciolacu, you control 60% of the parliament are you going to do something about it? Does General Ciuca have anything to say, or is his boss Klaus Iohannis silencing him?" Lasconi said. It is noteworthy that the reaction of the Romanian authorities to the violation of the country's airspace was to call for "respect for international law." In particular, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "strong condemnation of these illegal attacks." ADVERTISIMENT In his turn, Prime Minister Ciolacu, after the violation of his country's airspace by Russian drones, said that "there are no serious problems". He also warned his country's citizens that such incidents would continue because of the war near the border with Romania. The authorities also claim that the current legislation does not allow them to shoot down drones that invade Romanian airspace. This statement was supported by the Romanian Chief of General Staff, General Georgica Vlad. He said that legislation should be changed to destroy Russian drones. "At present, the Romanian army cannot conduct military operations in peacetime. A state of emergency, such as siege or martial law, should be declared," the Romanian general said. As a reminder, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that a group of Shahed attack drones violated Romanian airspace during the Russian attack. The Romanian military raised its aircraft, but did not dare to shoot down the Russian drones: The UAVs returned to Ukrainian airspace. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier it was reported that NATO condemned the drone attack of the aggressor country Russia on Ukraine, during which Russian Shahids flew into the territory of Romania. They called the actions of the occupiers "potentially dangerous." Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) San Diego City Council was slated to vote Monday on whether or not to give the mayor more power in the midst of a homelessness crisis. But fewer than two hours before the meeting, the item was pulled off the agenda. Council President Sean Elo-Rivera and the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department have worked in tandem to develop the item originally up for discussion Monday afternoon. Elo-Rivera said the item was pulled from the agenda at the start of the meeting and sent back to staff so they could understand how the change would impact them. He said it will be brought back to the agenda as soon as possible. Were going to proceed business as usual. Our understanding is the council president will continue pursuing this but first has to discuss with the unions of the affected employees, Mayor Todd Glorias press team said in an email to FOX 5/KUSI Monday afternoon. The item proposes to amend the San Diego Municipal Code and authorize the mayor and city council to declare local emergencies related to housing and/or homelessness in the City of San Diego. This item does not declare a local emergency, but gives the mayor more power in what they are allowed to do during a declared local emergency. Amendments to Authorize a Local Housing and Local Homelessness State of Emergency The Mayor may declare a local housing emergency when the Citys home permitting is at least 40% below its goals The Mayor may declare a local homelessness emergency when the City has reached a crisis by the unhoused population in the city is more than two times the number of shelter spaces or the unhoused population increased by more than 20% in one year. If the local housing and homelessness emergency is approved, the mayor will have the authority to: Make, issue, enforce rules, regulations, order, directives considered necessary to address the emergency Gather contracts for public works, services, goods and consultant contracts for homelessness facilities necessary to safeguard life, health, or property caused by the emergency. Suspend certain requirements for the contracting process, including not needs council approval requirements for contracts with public agencies and non-profits, not to exceed $5 million or a term of 5 years, and competitive bidding requirements for a term no more than 2 years Accept and use any grant funding necessary to respond to the emergency or to mitigate, unless council approval is required by the agency issuing the grant. The declaration would expire, unless renewed every 90 days. Current Homeless Crisis The latest Point-in-Time Count shows 10,605 homeless in the San Diego region, with 64% of those in the city of San Diego. The biggest increase in homelessness came from unsheltered families in the city of San Diego, which rose from 47 in 2023, to 100 in 2024 so far, a 113% increase. The current shelter capacity in San Diego is listed at 2,464 beds, but by the first few months of 2025, 600 of those beds will no longer be available. Golden Hall is expected to close its 264 beds by the end of 2024 because the temporary permit will expire, and the facilitys condition is poor. Also by the end of the year, Father Joes Paul Mirabile Center will shut down its 350 beds to turn the existing shelter into a detox and sober living center. During the start of 2025, 40 beds at Rachels Promise will close as the property is redeveloped. 2024 Point-in-Time County Regional Breakdown: Region % of the Region Total # Homeless City of San Diego 64% 6,783 North County Inland 8.3% 876 North County Coastal 8.1% 865 South County 8% 849 East County 11.6% 1,232 TOTAL 10,605 Current Shelter Capacity: Shelter Population Capacity 16th & Newton Men and Women 326 beds 17th & Imperial Men and Women 140 beds C-HRT Men and Women 44 beds Rosecrans Men and Women 150 beds Golden Hall 2nd Floor Men 264 beds DV Shelter Women with Children 160 beds Seniors Landing Senior Men and Women 34 rooms Travelodge Families 168 beds C-HRT Safe Haven Men and Women 22 beds Father Joes Bishop Maher Center Women 28 beds Father Joes Paul Mirabile Center Men and Women 350 beds LGBTQ+ TAY (Clairemont) Transition-age Youth 9 beds LGBTQ+ TAY (Midway) Transition-age Youth 14 beds PATH Connections Men and Women 70 beds Rachels Promise Women 40 beds Salvation Army Interim Family Families 32 beds San Diego Youth Services Transition-age Youth 17 beds Urban Street Angels Youth Transition-age Youth 52 bends 20th & B Safe Sleeping Men and Women 136 tents O Lot Safe Sleeping Men and Women 408 tents TOTAL 2,464 BEDS The shelters in bold above will be closing at the end of the 2024 or beginning of 2025. This will bring 654 beds offline, or unavailable, to house the homeless population. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tourism boss Christopher Cocker says the impact of a climate change is the "foremost threat" [Christopher Cocker] The Pacific Islands are scattered across a vast area of ocean, with some of the clearest waters in the world, and pristine beaches and rainforests. They are a magnet for tourism, which is vital for many of the countries economies. But the regions travel industry, and those who rely on it, are increasingly fearful of the impact of continuing climate change. Pacific Island leaders have declared climate change as the foremost threat to the livelihoods, security, and well-being of Pacific communities, says Christopher Cocker, the chief executive of the Pacific Tourism Organisation. Without immediate and innovative action, the future of tourism in the region remains highly uncertain. He adds: All islands of the Pacific are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. However, low-lying atoll countries like Tuvalu, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia are more vulnerable. These islands are not only prone to inundation from rising seas, especially during king tides, but access to clean and safe drinking water is a challenge, with prolonged droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns. Then theres the threat of erratic and potentially devastating tropical storms, which are ranked from one (the weakest), to five (the strongest). Australias Bureau of Meteorology has said that climate models of the Pacific Ocean have suggested there could be a future shift towards fewer, but more intense, cyclones. However, in Tonga locals say they are now seeing stronger storms hit more often. Nomuka is a small triangular island in Tongas Haapai archipelago, about 3,500km (2,175 miles) north-west of Sydney, Australia. Surrounded by ocean, its population of about 400 people feels at the mercy of natures whims and fury. We live with cyclones almost every year. I grew up there, and there were usually one or two that come in for a direct hit, says Sione Taufa, an associate dean Pacific at the University of Auckland Business School, and a member of the New Zealand-Tonga Business Council. But nowadays we are seeing more of those category four or five cyclones coming in much more regularly. It is not hard to understand the allure of holidaying on a Pacific Island nation, such as Fiji [Getty Images] The peril that Pacific Islands states face has been highlighted recently by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Last month he attended the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga, and called for the worlds most polluting countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. The small [Pacific] islands dont contribute to climate change but everything that happens because of climate change is multiplied here, he said. A two-hour flight heading north-west from Tonga are the islands of Fiji, a former British colony. Last year Fiji welcomed 929,740 visitors, mostly from Australia, New Zealand, North America and China. Here, too, there is anxiety about a shifting climate. Marica Vakacola is from the Mamanuca Environment Society, a community organisation based in Nadi, by Fijis main international airport. The group champions sustainable tourism and environment protection, and is restoring mangroves and planting trees. But Ms Vakacola tells me that this part of Viti Levu, Fijis biggest island, is already living with the consequences of warming temperatures. Bore water is being contaminated by salinity from the encroaching sea and, more and more, rainwater must be harvested during the wet season. Water security is a big risk in terms of climate change, explains Ms Vakacola. "Most of the freshwater sources that were once good enough to be consumed are now being intruded by salt water. Beach fronts are being eroded by rising sea levels and we have experienced coral bleaching events because of changing temperatures of seawater. Marica Vakacola, second right, is working to help maintain Fiji's rainforests [Marica Vakacola] Susanne Becken, a professor of sustainable tourism at Griffith University in Australia, foresees potential for friction over scarce supplies of water across the Pacific Islands. Drinking water is increasingly becoming an issue in some places, she says. There could be conflict with the community because tourists effectively use the water that local people need. Prof Becken has recently undertaken research in Fiji and the Cook Islands. It revealed some unexpected attitudes to climate change and the threat it brings to the island nations. Theres a bit of denial, where people were a little bit fatalist in the sense that there is not much we can do about it. It was easily dismissed as a global problem that the Pacific Islands cant do much about. I was a bit surprised, to be honest, that people maybe feel a little bit helpless. It is almost like lets not talk about it. Maybe they are preoccupied about getting growth of the tourism market back. It is not part of the story. It is a really tricky topic. [BBC] Hard truths are, though, being confronted in the Cook Islands, a jewel of Polynesia popular with New Zealanders and Australians, where most of the tourism infrastructure stretches in ribbons around the coasts of the main islands. Brad Kirner is the director of destination development at the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation. He concedes that discussions about global warming in the community can be fraught. If we face reality its going to need some pretty serious adaptation measures put in play. Its a challenging conversation. Theres also the challenging conservation that, yes, travel is a significant contributor to global warming, and we need to face that fact. How do we come up with solutions?" We are a tiny percentage of world population and therefore we have a very small carbon footprint, but we are on the front line of climate change, he adds. The Pacific Islands region is always at risk from damaging cyclones [Getty Images] While there might be a sense of despair, it shouldnt be mistaken for an admission of defeat. Far from it. Tenacity runs deep in some of the worlds most isolated nations. Social systems vary across the islands, where the influence of kinship groups, community networks and the diaspora in Australia, New Zealand and beyond is paramount. Obviously, they will appreciate all the assistance that is given especially in the aftermath of any natural disaster, but being treated with a victim mentality isnt quite helpful, says the University of Aucklands Sione Taufa. If any assistance comes well be grateful for it, and if it doesnt well try our best to survive. You lean on your neighbours to help you in time of need. Most importantly, it is a trust system. Read more global business stories Companies that produce emissions, like natural gas producers, would be affected by Oregon's proposed Climate Protection Program. (Getty Images) Oregonians from across the state are weighing in on a crucial program that officials say would address nearly half of Oregons solutions to the climate crisis, while positioning Oregon for leadership in the clean energy economy. The proposal would restore the Climate Protection Program, which sets a declining cap on emissions from natural gas and liquid fuels. A fossil fuel-funded lawsuit invalidated the program on a technicality last year, and the current public comment period marks a milestone in the Department of Environmental Qualitys work to get the plan back on track. In the process, DEQ has made improvements that strike an innovative balance driving down emissions, advancing equity and addressing the key concerns of regulated industries. Forward-looking Oregon businesses see many benefits in the program. It creates a long-term planning horizon while aligning industries to do our share in the climate fight. How to comment The DEQ is accepting comments through Friday, Sept. 27. Email: cpp.2024@deq.oregon.gov. The program would enable businesses to tell customers, employees and communities that theyre on track. And it would create clean economy jobs and business opportunities from manufacturers to installers in a wide range of sectors. Long-term, the program would drive savings and give a lift to Oregons whole economy. Independent analysis found that the program, along with other recently adopted Oregon climate policies, would add nearly 10,000 jobs and $2.5 billion annually to Oregons economy as of 2050. We also know that transitioning customers, both businesses and households, to clean energy saves money over time and keeps those dollars circulating in our local economies. For businesses covered by the program gas utilities, oil companies and major industrial facilities the program would provide free emissions allowances or credits up to a set limit or cap which would decline each year until 2050. To help companies meet the cap, the program would provide several mechanisms. First, companies would begin to reduce their own emissions. Those that could do this quickly and cheaply could sell any extra credits they earn by reducing emissions at a rate faster than required by the Climate Protection Plan. Second, companies needing more time could buy these extra credits. Third, businesses also could bank any extra credits for use in later years. And fourth, covered businesses would be allowed to average their emissions over two-year periods. If all those tools werent enough, businesses could buy Community Climate Investment credits. These dollars would fund projects that reduce emissions through energy efficiency, transportation electrification, renewable energy and other approaches, prioritizing communities and households most impacted by climate change and those that most need the investments, cost savings, resilience and health benefits of these solutions. The plan also addresses concerns of energy-intensive, trade-exposed companies in Oregon by giving them an easier path to meet the plans goals and more independence in controlling their emissions. Despite the clear opportunity for Oregons economy, entrenched utilities are clinging to their antiquated business models and continuing a history of delay tactics. Ignoring all the other options, theyre complaining about the price of the Community Climate Investment credits and assert overall costs would be high, which spreads confusion among their customers. The reality: While the Oregon credit price would be higher than in other states, our emissions reductions would be slower, meaning utilities would need to buy far fewer credits than if they were operating in Washington state, for example. This would more than offset the price difference, and would make the cost of Oregons program on par with or cheaper than programs in other states. While the programs greenhouse gas limits would have firm enforcements or sticks the plan would offer carrots by working hand-in-hand with other state programs and federal grants that offer billions of dollars to help businesses reduce emissions. The Climate Protection Plan operated for two years before it was invalidated. In those first two years, Oregon gasoline and diesel providers found that they were doing very well under the plan selling more biofuels and dropping greenhouse emissions much faster than required. In a surprising move following the legal attacks, DEQ plans to grant fuel providers the credits they would have earned if the program hadnt been invalidated, providing them all at once as the program restarts.This windfall of credits would flood the market and delay emissions reductions as companies opt to buy up these credits. It also would delay investments and job creation through CCIs. If DEQ is intent on distributing these credits, they should dole them out over 10 years, avoiding the oversupply that dogged other carbon markets in their early years. Climate-savvy businesses have a chance to let DEQ know their thoughts on having an innovative, clear, long-term plan to ensure Oregon does our share to address climate change. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A stabbing left one person in the hospital and college students concerned for their safety. It happened Saturday night outside a popular pizza place and just a street next to off-campus student housing in Scranton. The stabbing happened late Saturday night at the intersection of Mulberry Street and Kellum Court. The location is just two blocks from the University of Scranton and a few blocks from Lackawanna College. Students who witnessed the attack say walking those streets is getting scarier and scarier. University of Scranton students sat outside CKs Pizza Sunday night one night after somebody was stabbed near the business. One person transported after a stabbing in Scranton We see people screaming, running in different directions. and within probably two or three minutes we see a bunch of cop cars, said University of Scranton Student Bridgette Ansbro. Ansbro and her roommates live off-campus on Webster Avenue, right across the street from where the stabbing took place. Before they did, they thought things were getting better in their neighborhood. We kind of thought we were on the edge of it and we were kind of removed from it and it turns out that we are not as far away from it as we thought we were, said Jacob Haley, a University of Scranton Student. Along with CKs Pizza, there are other popular pizza shops on Mulberry Street that college students visit daily, like Good Fellas Pizza and Scranton Pizzeria. The kids are scared personally Im not but Im scared for them because they have to walk these streets everyday, Scranton Pizzeria Manager Vincent Grasso said. That includes students from Lackawanna College, too, including one who happened to be grabbing a slice Saturday night at the time of the stabbing. My friends came outside the pizza shop and there was kind of like a big crowd around people yelling. Crime really close to the school is really scary because we do live there, said Lackawanna College Student Connor Goehring. Not even back to school a month and these students are already taking extra safety precautions. Incident at Hookah lounge results in Scranton stabbing We decided to do cameras in case there was ever a problem, Haley added. We are constantly keeping our doors locked all the time, like constantly double checking them, said University of Scranton student Arianna Taylor. Senior Alexis Havanki says students never received an alert of any kind from the university regarding saturday nights stabbing. The University didnt inform us about anything that happened last night. If something happened a block over from my house the students of the University should know, Havanki explained. The stabbing victim was transported to the hospital and there is no update on their condition. Theres also no word on a suspect. The University of Scranton decided not to comment on the stabbing, citing the fact that it did not take place on the universitys campus or involve its students. 28/22 News also reached out to Lackawanna college and is still waiting for a response. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. FILE PHOTO: Environmental activists gather to urge world leaders to take action against climate change in Bogota FILE PHOTO: Environmental activists gather to urge world leaders to take action against climate change in Bogota By Oliver Griffin BOGOTA (Reuters) -Colombia, host nation for this year's United Nations COP16 biodiversity conference, was the deadliest country for environmentalists and land rights defenders in 2023, with a record 79 killed, according to UK advocacy group Global Witness. The number of murdered environmental activists was the highest Global Witness has ever recorded for a single country in any given year since it started monitoring such killings in 2012, it said in its annual report published on Monday. "The figure is really chilling," Laura Furones, senior adviser to Global Witness' land and environmental defenders campaign, said, adding that the report's findings were conservative and figures likely incomplete. Globally, 196 environmentalists and land activists were killed in 2023, Global Witness said, with Latin America overwhelmingly leading the way, accounting for 85% of the slayings. The findings on Colombia are a sharp contrast to promises from the government of President Gustavo Petro, who took office in 2022 and has pledged to end the country's 60-year conflict and pursue environmental justice for communities. Peace processes with various armed groups - which are sometimes implicated in environmentalists' killings - have faltered, and though deforestation fell to a 23-year low last year, the environment ministry has warned of an increase in 2024. It is "dishonorable" to top the Global Witness list, Colombia's government said in a statement late on Monday. "The national government recognizes the serious situation that is derived from socio-ecological conflicts associated with drug trafficking, extractavist practices connected to illicit economies and the reconfiguration of the armed conflict," the government added. Colombia was also the deadliest country for environmentalists in 2022, according to Global Witness, when at least 60 were killed. "The figure is very embarrassing for us in the country," said Astrid Torres, coordinator for Somos Defensores, a Colombian human rights group. Torres said the issue was not just the responsibility of the sitting government but also of state institutions, such as prosecutors and local authorities. A spokesperson for Colombia's government said it was working on a response. Last year a Reuters investigation found that murders of environmentalists in Colombia resulted in long-lasting negative effects on conservation and that some municipalities where activists were killed saw significant spikes in deforestation. At an event to launch the COP 16 agenda in Bogota in July, Colombia's vice president, Francia Marquez - a winner of the Goldman Environmental prize for activism in 2018 - said the conference would honor those killed. "It fills my heart with emotion to see this dream that was held for so many years by environmental leaders, many who are not with us today, who were sadly murdered in our country," she said. "This global event is a tribute to those voices." (Reporting by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Leslie Adler) Attorney General Phil Weiser speaks at the 2022 Denver Metro Chamber candidate forum at the University of Denver, Oct 12, 2022. (Carl Payne for Colorado Newsline) Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser on Monday warned Colorado voters to be wary of election misinformation and disinformation created by artificial intelligence. The Colorado Legislature passed a law this year that requires political candidates to clearly label advertisements that feature content generated by AI. That includes fake voices, videos and images created by a computer to look or sound like an individual, which are known as deepfakes. The law is focused on identifying AI-generated political content, rather than controlling its distribution. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Weiser, a Democrat, issued a public advisory with information to help voters distinguish content made with AI from real content and to educate Coloradans on the requirements of the new law. The advisory encourages consumers to check if a political communication includes disclosure of a deepfake and verify through a trusted source whether any communication includes a deepfake. It also warns that bad actors will attempt to influence public opinion through methods not covered by the law. Because images, videos, and audio created with artificial intelligence are becoming difficult to distinguish from the real thing, you should be cautious when forming opinions based on what you see and hear online, on TV, and receive in the mail, Weiser said in a statement. The sad reality is that even AI-powered tools designed to detect these deepfakes have difficulty catching them. I encourage voters to do your research, get your news and information from trusted sources, and be mindful that the sophistication of AI means you cant always believe what you see and hear anymore. The laws requirements apply to political communication within 60 days of a primary election or 90 days of a general election. Both state and federal candidates are subject to the new law. Voters have to file a complaint reporting an improperly disclosed deepfake to the secretary of states office, and it would then go to an administrative hearing similar to those held for campaign finance complaints. Weisers office has not yet received any complaints related to the new laws requirements, nor has the secretary of states office. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Columbia Co. schools dismissing early on Friday, September 13th COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) Columbia County school students will have an early release day on Friday, September 13th. According to the Columbia County School District, school will dismiss early on Friday, and the rest of the day will be used for scheduled parent conferences. Schools will dismiss at the following times: Elementary schools will dismiss at 12:10 P.M. Middle schools will dismiss at 11:00 A.M. High schools will dismiss at 11:05 A.M. ALSO ON WJBF: 2024 CSRA College Night happening this week Normal school district operations will resume on Monday, September 16th. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A drop in gas prices for the fourth consecutive week has reached a total decline of just over 40 cents per gallon over the past month. After prices dropped over the previous three weeks, Columbus gas prices took another tumble, this time by 16.1 cents per gallon, reaching a one-month total decline of 41 cents per gallon. According to GasBuddys survey of 500 stations the average price for a gallon of gasoline in the Columbus area is $3.12. The current price is also 42.5 cents lower per gallon than this time one year ago. In Ohio, the average price of gas also significantly dropped, from $3.24 per gallon to $3.05 per gallon. Columbus Gas Prices Tracker The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.73 a gallon, while the most expensive was $3.39, a difference of 66 cents per gallon. Nationally, gas prices also experienced a drop of 7.2 cents per gallon to reach $3.22, while the price of diesel continues to hit new lows since January 2022, settling at $3.62 per gallon. According to GasBuddys head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan, prices could continue to fade now that the summer season is officially over. With oil prices falling below $70 per barrel, their lowest since 2021, theres solid room for gas prices and diesel to continue falling for some time, De Haan said. We expect the national average could fall below $3 per gallon as early as October for the first time since 2021. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A new election law is bringing changes to voting in North Carolina for the fall election. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) When North Carolinians show up to vote this fall, theyll be joined at their polling places by groups of partisan observers watching the ballot process and taking notes. Theyre part of a new elections law that took effect this year, touted by Republicans as a new layer of security in a battleground state with presidential and governors races atop the ballot this cycle. As votes are cast in-person starting in October, volunteers from both parties will keep an eye on precincts across the state. Observers are instructed under SB 747 to be seen, but not heard. Theyre allowed to walk around the precinct, listening in on conversations about the administration of the election. But they cant directly interact with voters or look at filled-out ballots. Even with those restrictions, their presence and explicit political affiliations will be a novelty in polling places, with voters across the ideological spectrum set to cast ballots in the first general election since the law was enacted. It really is as simple as whats in the name, said Cat Lawson, an attorney who works as Voter Protection Director for the North Carolina Democratic Party. Watching interactions with individual voters, seeing how problems are resolved. And if there are problems, or if they notice what they believe to be irregularities, helping to identify those, and quickly run them up the advocacy chain so that they can be resolved on the outside. Every polling place can have up to three observers per political party present at once, including at-large observers who cycle through precincts throughout the day. As a battleground state, North Carolina will be under the watchful eyes of both national parties as voting begins with Democrats focused on preventing disenfranchisement and intimidation and Republicans, led by North Carolinas Michael Whatley, leading a Protect the Vote campaign. Spokespeople for the North Carolina Republican Party and North Carolina Board of Elections did not respond to requests for comment about their roles in the election observation process. Election boards, parties on lookout for intimidation or disruptions There are few requirements to be an election observer: be a registered voter in the county, dont be a candidate on the ballot, and have good moral character. County party officials submit names of observers to voting sites ahead of the election. County election chairs and chief judges can reject observers for good cause, according to the law. But one county elections chair said her county is relying on the parties to properly vet observers. Obviously, we know folks who have caused disruptions or have had issues at polling places, said Erica Porter, chair of the Wake County Board of Elections. If we see those things, were going to have to be a little more vigilant making sure that they understand what theyre allowed to do. But you know, that vetting really comes from the parties. Attorney General Josh Steins office, in a memo distributed about the law, has urged anyone concerned about their personal safety to contact local law enforcement. A political candidates supporters who arent official election observers cant simply go into the polls and watch, the memo says. A supporter who is not an official election observer is not a poll watcher and has no legal authority. Porter said Wake County has a plan in place to respond to incidents at polling places starting at the individual precincts up to an emergency board meeting, if needed. But our staff is really trained on de-escalation tactics and whatnot, so were very encouraged that our chief judge and our judges and our precinct staff will be able to handle it, she said. Lawson, with the North Carolina Democrats, said she viewed the partys observers as allies for the election process itself and referees, rather than disruptors or advocates. SB 747, law that created observers, has been basis for recent party lawsuits The law responsible for placing election observers in polling places has been at the center of fierce partisan disagreement and, recently, a pair of lawsuits filed by Republicans. In one suit, Republicans accused the North Carolina State Board of Elections of deliberately declining to enforce the portion of the law that could lead to non-citizens being removed from voter rolls. The NCSBE said the suits claims were categorically false and undermine voter confidence on an entirely false premise. The other GOP lawsuit requested that the state remove 225,000 voters off the state rolls which the NCSBE said would violate federal law and was thus impossible. Civil rights groups filed a motion to intervene in the case on Thursday, September 5, describing the suit as a baseless attempt by extremists to suppress lawful voters. Both actions are part of a larger series of lawsuits filed by Republicans across the country, including in other swing states such as Arizona and Pennsylvania. Election security and integrity remains a front-of-mind concern for many Republican voters, after former President Donald Trump falsely claimed he won the stolen 2020 election due to fraud in key states. Democrats have adamantly opposed SB 747 since its birth at the statehouse. Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill last year (and was later overridden), calling it dangerous and alleging that it encourages voter intimidation. With the law now in effect, Democrats have turned their attention foremost to preventing confusion about photo ID requirements, Lawson said. The statute is extremely clear on photo ID, and the state board has been extremely clear that a voter who shows up to vote but has a reasonable impediment to showing an ID is still permitted to vote, Lawson said. So, making sure that legal directive from the statute and from the state board is effectively carried out in every single polling location is going to be a prime area of focus. After a Florida man was acquitted in 2013 of killing unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, a local minister and longtime civil rights leader helped lead a forum for the Black community at his northeast Oklahoma City church. The Rev. John A. Reed Jr., as president of the Concerned Clergy for Spiritual Renewal, also started a special fund that distributed thousands of dollars to help victim's family members and survivors of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing take care of immediate needs. More: 'A giant in the community' Civic, religious leaders remember Rev. John A. 'Pop' Reed Jr. The Rev. Lee Cooper, Jr. gives the altar call at the Sept. 6 Community and Civil Celebration for Rev. John A. Reed Jr., community activist, civil rights leader and longtime pastor of Fairview Baptist Church, 1700 NE 7. DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN Reed, who died on Aug. 26 at 86, was praised for these efforts and more at a Community and Civil Celebration held on Sept. 6 to honor his life and legacy. The service, one of two, was held at his beloved Fairview Baptist Church, 1700 NE 7, where he served as pastor for more than 61 years. The second service, a Homegoing Celebration, was held Sept. 7 for Reed's family, congregation, churches with strong ties to Reed and Fairview, along with ministers and pastors from throughout Oklahoma and beyond. A steady stream of former and current elected leaders, ministers and civic leaders spoke about the longtime preacher at the community memorial. The Rev. H.B. Charles Jr., senior pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, told those gathered that the civil rights and community activist drew his strength from his faith, allowing him to lead his community, preach the gospel and share nuggets of wisdom to those who knew and loved him. "We've heard tonight that John Reed served in a lot of different ways, but let me say that the defining attribute of this man's life was that he was a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ," Charles said. "It's because Jesus was at the center of his life that he could reach out and help us that's the Christ-centered life at work. Members of the Rev. John A. Reed Jr.s, family sit together, for a photo, including Reeds brother, the Rev. James E. Reed Sr., Heloise Langley, Cozetta Heard and Beverly Dorn, at the Community and Civil Celebration for Reed on Friday. More: Freedom Fiesta to commemorate two of OKC's most notable civil rights anniversaries Tributes to a 'well-lived life' Charles encapsulated the celebratory tone of the evening, quoting Philippians 1:21: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." "John Reed ain't lost nothing his death was his promotion day," the minister said, drawing applause and shouts of affirmation from the crowd. The tributes from local community and state leaders took the same tone, as several expressed their joy that Reed had met his heavenly reward, though they would miss his leadership, mentorship and congenial personality. More: Local Black clergy disappointed in Stitt's approval of critical race theory bill "Tonight, we have gathered with our hearts heavy, knowing that this servant is at rest, but there's a wakeup call in the morning, so we celebrate a life well lived," the Rev. Lee Cooper Jr., senior pastor of Prospect Baptist Church, said as the event host. Other speakers included Ward 7 Councilwoman and state Senator-elect Nikki Nice; Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, via video; John Whetsel, former Oklahoma County sheriff; Brett Behenna, who read a letter from his mother, Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna; and Jamie Polk, superintendent of the Oklahoma City School District. Anastasia Pittman visits with J.C. Watts at the Friday Community and Civil Celebration for the late Rev. John A. Reed Jr., longtime pastor of Fairview Baptist Church. Others included former state Rep. Kevin Cox, longtime member of Fairview; former state senators Angela Monson and Anastasia Pittman; along with current state legislators Rep. Ajay Pittman, Rep. Jason Lowe and Sen. George Young, who is a Baptist preacher. Pittman said she met Reed when she was 12 and knew from that day that he was committed to serving others. "He cared about the community," she said. Kevin Cox, former Oklahoma State representative, speaks Friday at the Community and Civil Celebration for the late Rev. John A. Reed Jr., longtime pastor of Fairview Baptist Church. More: Ministers pray for Oklahoma governor weighing 'life or death' fate of Julius Jones The former state legislator told the crowd that Reed's influence kept many negative things at bay for the predominantly Black northeast side of Oklahoma City. She said he often met with local ministers and other elected leaders at his church to discuss things like voter registration and redistricting, and he told them that they would have to move beyond their comfort zone, sometimes. Pittman recalled a time when there was a plan to place a trash dump behind Douglass High School and Reed led the fight against that move. "Pop Reed said 'No,'" she said. "He saw that the village was taken care of." Dr. Jamie Polk, superintendent of the Oklahoma City School District, speaks Friday at the Community and Civil Celebration for the late Rev. John A. Reed Jr., longtime pastor of Fairview Baptist Church. Polk said she had the opportunity to hear Reed preach at the Freedom Fiesta worship service on Aug. 18 at Fifth Street Baptist Church. The Freedom Fiesta is the annual celebration of the anniversary of the Oklahoma City Sit-in movement, led by civil rights icon Clara Luper. This year, the event's activities also commemorated the anniversary of the 1969 Oklahoma City Sanitation Strike, which Reed took part in as the youngest of a group of Black clergy helping to lead the effort. Reed was a member of the Clara Luper Legacy Committee, and members of the group, were acknowledged during the memorial service. More: 'I'm still in the race': Oklahoma City preacher celebrates 60 years at one church Polk said she and Oklahoma City School Board President Paula Lewis had lunch with Reed the next day, where he encouraged her after she outlined the challenges facing "young scholars" in the Oklahoma City School District. Polk said as they left, he asked her if she knew the biblical story of Esther. "He said, 'you are prepared for a time such as this. You have got to tell your story and keep the dream,'" she said. "He'll never know how much that meant to me." Polk encouraged the crowd to "dream," continue on with purpose and conviction "just like Pastor Reed." "Our children need us now more than ever," she said. More: Preachers, Julius Jones' sister denied meeting with Gov. Kevin Stitt as execution looms John Whetsel, former Oklahoma County Sheriff, speaks Friday at the Community and Civil Celebration for the late Rev. John A. Reed Jr., longtime pastor of Fairview Baptist Church. Whetsel, the former sheriff, told one of the many humorous stories and anecdotes about Reed during the evening. He said Reed had gone to jail before, getting in what the late civil rights and congressional leader John Lewis called "good trouble." He spoke about a day that civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and Reed were leading a protest over an inmate's execution, and they were subsequently taken to the Oklahoma County jail. Whetsel said Reed saw him at the jail and told him that while Jackson was fine going to jail, he needed to get home to explain to his wife why he "crossed the line" and landed in jail for trespassing. "He said, 'Reverend Jackson grabbed my arms, and we went across that line,'" Whetsel said of Reed. "Even though he hadn't been booked in yet, I left the jail to take him back to his car so he could go home and give that explanation. And yes, he rode in the front seat of my car." The Rev. Dr. H.B. Charles Jr, pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, gives a message Friday at the Community and Civil Celebration for the late Rev. John A. Reed Jr., longtime pastor of Fairview Baptist Church. More: Oklahoma City clergy unite for community forum about youths, racism and violence Whetsel said Reed gave the invocation at his swearing-in ceremonies. Ending on an emotional note, Whetsel expressed how grateful he was to have known the steadfast leader. "Mitzi and I thank God that he allow us to cross paths with John Reed and his beautiful family," Whetsel said. "John Reed was our friend. He was my brother, and while we will miss his presence on Earth, he will be with us in spirit and in our memories." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Poignant remarks highlight memorial for preacher, activist J.A. Reed China is seeking to expand its international markets in the face of growing trade restrictions imposed by the West. Meanwhile, Africa wants investments that will boost its development and increase the added value of its industries. Both sides have found common ground in green technologies. And the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit held this past week in Beijing, where both blocs staged their economic and geopolitical love affair, has provided the perfect opportunity to match supply and demand. Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the event on Thursday with a speech calling for jointly promoting environmentally friendly modernization. China is ready to help Africa build green growth engines, he told more than 50 heads of state and government from African countries gathered in Beijings Great Hall of the People, a massive Soviet-style building in Tiananmen Square. The president pledged to launch 30 clean energy projects as part of the action plan for Africa over the next three years. He announced financial aid of nearly $50.7 billion and the intention to create one million jobs on the continent. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, another one of the events star guests, proclaimed shortly afterwards: The China-Africa partnership can drive the renewable energy revolution. It can be a catalyst for key transitions on food systems and digital connectivity. Many factors explain Chinas green turn. Perhaps the biggest of these is its powerful, planned and heavily subsidized clean-tech industry. It has invested 10 times more than all of Europe in the solar industry over the past decade, and its companies control 80% of the value-added chain in this industry, according to a 2022 report by the International Energy Agency. This means that countries in the Global South interested in renewables will almost certainly source components and know-how from China, says Cobus van Staden, one of the editors of The China-Global South Project and host of the China in Africa podcast, in a recent article about the summit. Exports of what China calls the new three electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and solar cells grew by 30% in 2023, according to the Chinese governments work report. The productive machine is running at full throttle. It is part of the new growth model devised by Communist Party leaders to reinvigorate a slowing economy plagued by the bursting of a property bubble. They are the new productive forces, as Xi Jinping has called it, a slogan with Marxist echoes but projected toward a hyper-technological future. But this overcapacity has become one of the main problems between China and the West. The European Union and the United States have reacted with tariff increases on products such as electric vehicles and Chinese photovoltaic products, arguing that the industry is unfairly subsidized. They are facing increasing barriers in all their traditional markets in the North, Cobus added in an online chat with correspondents last week. And one of the solutions is to pivot supplies to places like Africa. He also foresees a greater presence of large Chinese technology companies which the West has also placed on its blacklist such as Huawei, which could come into play in the improvement of electrical networks on the continent, one of the fields into which the Shenzhen-based company is diversifying. Exports of what China calls the new trio electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products grew by 30% in 2023 The trend is already being seen in the channeling of investments, says Zhao Yage, a 44-year-old Chinese citizen who works as a consultant at CHN Energy Investment Group, a Chinese state-owned giant with interests across half the globe. The government has the policy and specific funds to support it. Zhao is among a thousand Chinese and African businessmen and executives invited to a special meeting on the sidelines of the African summit in Beijing. It is Friday, and dozens of people are milling about, networking over coffee and exchanging business cards in a lobby of the National Convention Center in Beijing. Premier Li Qiang is about to give a speech. The sober suits of Asians mingle with colorful African clothing. Opportunities for Chinese companies The Chinese offer sounds good to African representatives. It is very interesting because today, in Central Africa, Gabon is a leader in sustainable development, says Ghislain Moandza Mboma, director general of the national agency for the promotion of investments in that country. The relationship between China and Gabon has been strong for years. The Asian country is the main destination for Gabons resources, which mainly exports oil and manganese, one of the components of lithium batteries. Moandza Mboma has come to sound out private investors. His public agency is deployed in all sectors, from roads to the exploitation of mines and hydrocarbon deposits. In any case, he assures that green has become one of the strategic axes of development policy in his country. In Africa, where only 44% of people have access to stable electricity, there is a huge demand for energy, which also slows down the process of industrialization. Filling this gap in a sustainable way offers significant opportunities for Chinese companies, Cobus adds in his article. China is Africas largest lender, investor and bilateral trading partner, but the gigantic infrastructure projects it began implementing a decade ago as part of the New Silk Road, the mega-program with which it aims to connect the world, are now behind it. The volume of loans peaked in 2016; by 2023 they amounted to a fifth, and more than half were transfers to the financial sector, which the Global Development Policy Center at Boston University interprets as a possible search for risk mitigation to avoid exposing Beijing to the debt problems of African states. Smaller-scale and often scalable, green projects fit in with the Chinese governments new philosophy, summed up by the slogan: Small, but beautiful. That is, projects with budgets of between $100 million and $250 million, shorter repayment periods and the use of mixed public-private financing. Fourth industrial revolution Analysts warn that the new course, which will involve a significant increase in Chinese exports, could worsen Africas already huge trade deficit with China. African partners have already noted that Beijing has not fulfilled its commitment from the last summit, held in 2021 in Dakar, to buy African goods worth $300 billion. Throughout the summit, African leaders have called for greater access for their products to the Peoples Republic, and for the acceleration of Chinese technology transfers, to move their industries up the value-added chain. In the era of the fourth industrial revolution [...] the question of technology transfer is urgently raised in order to improve Africas productive capacities and, consequently, reduce the magnitude of our trade deficit, said Moussa Faki, president of the African Union Commission, on Thursday in his opening speech. Africa has the potential, its population is very young, said Assane Mbengue, president of the Federation of China-Africa Friendship Associations, shortly before the summit opened. He also called for more production made in Africa and more educational exchanges. Mbengue, who is from Senegal, says he came to study in China in 1978. Beijing has now set up more than 60 Confucius Institutes on its continent. These cultural institutions are often criticized in the West, where their opponents accuse them of being propaganda tools, threatening the academic freedom of their partners and even harboring spies. In Africa, one of the latest institutes was opened in December at the University of Venda, in the rural South African province of Limpopo. It is a Confucius Institute for Green Technology, where Chinese language teaching is combined with training in renewable energy. We are confident in her leadership skills: Kendrick High School Alum on track to become prison warden COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The superintendent of Columbus Transitional Center is moving up the ladder in the Georgia Department of Corrections. Gloria Turnage has been promoted to Special Assistant to the Warden at Pulaski State Prison in Hawkinsville, Georgia about 21 miles from Perry. The 1985 Kendrick High School graduate will assist the Warden at Pulaski State Prison with daily operations. Turnage tells WRBL it will be different from what shes been doing for nearly the past two decades. Ive been supervising male offenders for the last 19 years. Thats 140 men in a work release program. Now Ill be supervising 1,185 female offenders, but Im ready, said Turnage. Turnage was on track for a promotion a couple of years ago, but took herself off mobility status to care for an ailing uncle. She put her advancement on hold, not wanting to uproot her beloved uncle as he battled an illness. Turnage says her employers were very supportive. When she went back on mobility status, Turnage says they told her, Its time. I was in a position to take it. I was back on mobility status. So, Im thrilled and very excited. Im excited to see what I can do in this new role and see what it could offer me, said Turnage. The journey began back in 2005 for Turnage, when she started as a general clerk for Columbus Diversion Center. Later in that year, she was promoted to Secretary II at Rutledge State Prison. A couple years later in 2007, Turnage was promoted again this time, to a counselor at Columbus Transitional Center. Come 2014, Turnage was appointed to Chief Counselor at Rutledge State Prison. She was then promoted to Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment in 2016, and the next year, she was once again promoted to Superintendent of Columbus Transitional Center. Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver had this to say on Turnage. Gloria has been a dedicated employee who has worked her way up through the ranks, said Oliver. We are confident in her leadership skills and look forward to seeing her excel in this new role as she continues to uphold the mission of the agency. Turnages new position is effective September 16, 2024 and puts her on track to become a prison warden when a slot 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 WRBL. As Congress returns to DC, so does the threat of a federal shutdown Congress return to Capitol Hill from summer break means once again starting the countdown to another potential partial government shutdown, this one just a few weeks before voters head to the polls. Lawmakers have until Sept. 30 to agree upon a short-term extension of federal spending or risk shutting down dozens of government agencies, including nonessential tasks within the Defense Department. House and Senate leaders have already begun discussions on possible legislative vehicles to prevent such a stoppage. But House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said he wants to include in any spending bill provisions to require proof of citizenship to register to vote, a move some Democratic leaders have already labeled an unneeded distraction that could derail negotiations. Regardless, the Defense Department is unlikely to start the new fiscal year Oct. 1 with a congressionally approved budget, a practice that has frustrated planners but become commonplace in recent years. Since 2011, lawmakers have finalized the military appropriations bill on time only once, in fiscal 2019. Tuesday, Sept. 10 House Veterans' Affairs 10:15 a.m. 360 Cannon VA leadership Department officials will testify on the VA budget shortfall and other management issues. House Foreign Affairs 2 p.m. 2172 Rayburn Abducted American Children State Department officials will testify on efforts to aid American children abducted abroad. House Veterans' Affairs 3 p.m. 360 Cannon Mental Health Support VA officials will testify on support services available to separating servicemembers. Senate Homeland Security 3:30 p.m. 342 Dirksen Russian Military Use of U.S. Tech Technology firms will testify about availability of U.S. products to Russian military units and the implications of that use. Wednesday, Sept. 11 House Veterans' Affairs 10 a.m. 360 Cannon Pending Legislation The subcommittee on health will consider several pending bills. House Foreign Affairs 10 a.m. 2172 Rayburn Africa State Department officials will testify on great power competition in Africa and U.S. strategy there. Senate Foreign Relations 10 a.m. 419 Dirksen Nominations The committee will consider several pending nominations, including Julie Smith to be under secretary of state for political affairs. House Foreign Affairs 2 p.m. 2172 Rayburn Chinese Influence in Europe Outside experts will testify on Chinese influence in Europe. Thursday, Sept. 12 Senate Armed Services 10 a.m. 216 Hart Nominations The committee will consider the nominations of Lt. Gen. Steven Nordhaus to be head of the National Guard Bureau and Vice Adm. Alvin Holsey to be head of U.S. Southern Command. Lawmakers are returning to Washington on Monday for a three-week sprint that will be headlined by the fight over government funding as this months shutdown deadline inches closer. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is poised to kick off the process this week by putting legislation on the floor that pairs a six-month continuing resolution (CR) with a bill to require proof of citizenship to register to vote titled the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act a strategy favored by former President Trump and hard-line conservatives. Democrats, however, have deemed the effort a non-starter, and some House Republicans are expressing skepticism about the gambit. Those dynamics are setting the stage for a showdown over funding for fiscal 2025, a battle that will play out against the backdrop of the November elections. Congress faces a Sept. 30 shutdown deadline. Also this week, House lawmakers will be on the lookout to see if any Republicans move to force a vote on articles of impeachment against President Biden, after GOP investigators published their impeachment inquiry report. The report did not uncover a smoking gun or recommend articles, but some conservatives are pushing for a vote. Additionally, the House will vote on a number of measures to crack down on China. Across the Capitol, senators are set to vote on confirming more of Bidens judicial nominees. Johnson to kick off government funding process Johnson told members on a House GOP conference call last week that he wants to put the CR-plus-SAVE Act package which would extend funding into March on the floor as soon as possible, according to a source on the call, a signal that he plans to move quickly on his government funding plan. But it remains unclear whether the legislation will make it out of the House. At least two Republicans Reps. Matt Rosendale (Mont.) and Thomas Massie (Ky.) have already announced they are opposed to the legislation, and a handful of others have expressed skepticism about the plan, a concerning sign for Johnson and his razor-thin majority. Johnson can afford to lose only four votes on the package if all Democrats vote no. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, slammed the funding plan last week, criticizing the six-month length. She argued that a CR ending in December is better for our national security and military readiness, veterans and their families, victims recovering from natural disasters, and all hardworking American taxpayers, as compared to his six-month measure. There is, however, a sliver of hope for House Republicans as they seek to improve their negotiating position. Five House Democrats Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Don Davis (N.C.), Jared Golden (Maine), Vicente Gonzalez (Texas) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.) voted for the SAVE Act when it cleared the lower chamber in June, and are now facing pressure from Republicans to once again back the measure, this time when it is attached to the six-month CR. Recall the SAVE Act (I introduced it HR8281) passed with 5 Democrats voting for it (and others privately wanting to). If they vote no with it attached to a funding bill that funds government to March its pure politics, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who led the SAVE Act, wrote on the social platform X. It remains unclear whether those Democrats will support the legislation. Any votes could buy Johnson and Republicans some breathing room as they try to move the package out of the House. But even if the CR-plus-SAVE Act package does clear the lower chamber, it is doomed in the Democratic-controlled Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has slammed the legislation. In a statement last week, he and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said Johnson was making a mistake and called the effort a highly partisan path. Schumer underscored that sentiment in a letter to colleagues Sunday night, urging bipartisan cooperation to fund the government. Democrats support a CR to keep the government open. As I have said before, the only way to get things done is in a bipartisan way, Schumer wrote. Despite Republican bluster, that is how weve handled every funding bill in the past, and this time should be no exception. We will not let poison pills or Republican extremism put funding for critical programs at risk. Impeachment watch in the House The Houses return to session this week will mark the first time lawmakers are back in the Capitol since Republican investigators released their long-awaited impeachment inquiry report into President Biden, which accused him of impeachable conduct but did not not uncover a smoking gun against the president. The report which ran 291 pages and was the culmination of the House GOPs months-long investigation did not recommend articles of impeachment. Some Republicans, however, are pushing for a vote on charges against the president. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who has filed several articles of impeachment against Biden, wrote on X, These crimes must not go unpunished after the reports release, adding Joe Biden and his family must be held accountable. Joe Biden must be impeached. Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) echoed that sentiment, writing on X: So @SpeakerJohnson.when are we voting to impeach Biden? House rules allow a single lawmaker to force a vote on legislation, a dynamic that has been on display several times this Congress. Neither Greene nor Steube, to be sure, have threatened to force a vote on articles of impeachment against Biden in the wake of the report. But all eyes will be on those two GOP lawmakers and other hard-line conservatives to see if they move to force a vote on articles of impeachment against Biden, an effort that would have a good chance of failing amid skepticism among some Republican lawmakers. House looks to crack down on China Aside from government funding, the House floor this week will be focused on legislation to crack down on China. One bill, titled the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, would move to ban foreign adversaries from purchasing agricultural lands in the U.S. Another measure, dubbed the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, would bar the Department of Homeland Security from giving funding to higher education institutions that have Confucius Institutes. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said the Confucius Institutes are one of the many reasons why higher ed is in such disarray right now. Were prohibiting that as well, he said on Fox Business Network on Friday. Theres a lot of really good bills. Its going to be a really important debate. I want to see how everybody votes. Senate nominations The Senate will churn through nomination votes this week as the chamber waits on the House to move on the CR-plus-SAVE Act package. The week will kick off with a vote at 5:30 p.m. EDT Monday to invoke cloture on Adam B. Abelsons nomination to the U.S. district judge for the district of Maryland. Schumer has also filed cloture on Jeannette A. Vargass nomination to be U.S. district judge for the Southern District of New York. Throughout the coming weeks, we will continue confirming the Biden-Harris administrations well-qualified judges and nominees, and we must pass a continuing resolution to avoid a pointless and painful government shutdown, Schumer wrote in his Sunday letter to colleagues. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A convicted felon was arrested on Sunday morning for allegedly strangling and raping a woman on his houseboat. Woman found shot in vehicle in Napier area The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) stated the woman was reportedly invited to a party by Tyree Watson, 42. At one point, she asked to use the bathroom on Watsons houseboat. The woman told police that Watson led her inside and locked the door. Watson reportedly threatened to kill her and began to strangle her before he sexually assaulted her. Police said that she was able to escape when Watson fell asleep; she got help from a dock worker at Four Corners Marina on Lavergne Couchville Pike. Authorities recover mans body from Cumberland River Watson was charged with aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault. As of publication, he is jailed in lieu of a $200,000 bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. When chef Meherwan Irani, a James Beard Award winner, envisions a White House led by Kamala Harris, he imagines something as distinct as the aroma of spices cardamom, ginger, and a whisper of clove drifting from the presidential kitchen. Should Harris be elected, she would be the first South Asian American to reside in the executive mansion, and her intimate understanding of Indian cuisine may well leave a mark on what emerges from its kitchens. If shes in the White House, let there be samosas and let the chai flow freely, Irani mused. Irani was among more than 60 chefs and culinary luminaries including Tom Colicchio, Carla Hall, Jose Andres, Cat Cora and Gail Simmons who joined forces in late August for Cooking for Kamala, a virtual event organized by California Congressman Eric Swalwell, a close friend of Harris. Billed as an online gathering of the best chefs in the world, the livestream aimed to highlight Harriss campaign while also celebrating food. Amid lighthearted nods to the culinary moments that have already defined the Harris-Walz campaign from chef Susan Fenigers play on Tim Walzs white guy tacos to her Straight from the Coconut Tree cookies the event struck a more serious tone when food writer Ruth Reichl shared her thoughts. People who care about food have been waiting our whole lives to have someone who is a cook in the White House, she said. While chefs, like any professional group, are far from monolithic in their political views, there is a notable resonance between the culinary world and the Harris-Walz ticket. The question is: Why? What has turned this campaign into one that not only courts chefs but seems to capture their enthusiasm in a way that other campaigns have not? One of the campaigns most compelling appeals to the culinary world is its alignment with key issues that resonate deeply within the industry: hunger, immigration, labor rights and food prices. On the issue of hunger, Harris has long been an advocate for expanding food access. In 2020, as the pandemic upended the economy, Harris, alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren, Mazie Hirono, and Christopher Murphy, pressed then-Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to reconsider the blanket rejection of state waiver requests aimed at preserving college students' eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after losing their jobs due to COVID-19. A month later, in May 2020, Harris co-sponsored the Closing the Meal Gap Act, which sought to bolster SNAP benefits during the pandemic. We are in the midst of a historic economic crisis people are hurting, Harris wrote. They are struggling to put food on the table, and existing nutrition benefits don't get people through the end of the month... No one in America should ever go hungry, especially during a public health crisis. Her efforts and the efforts of her husband, Doug Emhoff have not gone unnoticed by chefs. I want to give a shout-out to the second gentleman, soon to be the first gentleman, said longtime Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio during the Cooking for Kamala event. He has made one of his platforms to end hunger in this country. We can do that. Chefs really care about this issue. Tim Walz, Harriss running mate, has also drawn attention from the food community for his leadership in Minnesota. As governor, Walz signed legislation making his state the fourth in the nation to provide free breakfast and lunch to students. This is one piece of the puzzle in reducing both childhood poverty and food insecurity, Walz remarked when discussing the new law. During the livestream, Chef Jose Andres summed up the sentiment of many in the culinary world: When you have a leader who understands the power of feeding one another thats real power. Thats the power to build longer tables. While some participants in the Cooking for Kamala event tend to keep a lower political profile (Giada De Laurentiis, who endorsed Harris during the call, comes to mind), chef Jose Andres has long been an outspoken critic of Harriss opponent, former President Donald Trump, primarily in response to Trumps inflammatory comments about immigrants. Immigrants play a pivotal role in the American food system, from the fields to the kitchen. According to the National Restaurant Association, approximately 23% of restaurant workers are foreign-born, as are nearly half of the nations farm laborers. Trumps campaign launch in 2015 marked a turning point for many in the food world. In his speech, Trump described Mexican immigrants in incendiary terms: When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems... Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists, and some, I assume, are good people. For Andres, who emigrated from Spain and became a U.S. citizen, these remarks were intolerable. He withdrew his planned restaurant from Trumps Washington, D.C., hotel, stating: Donald Trump's recent statements disparaging immigrants make it impossible for my company and I to move forward. More than half of my team is Hispanic, as are many of our guests. And, as a proud Spanish immigrant and recently naturalized American citizen myself, I believe that every human being deserves respect, regardless of immigration status. Harriss own story, as the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, resonates with many in the food industry, including chef Marcus Samuelsson, who called into Cooking for Kamala from Miami. Just by being an immigrant... listening to Kamalas story and her mothers and her parents stories, for me, its personal and very inspirational, Samuelsson said. Meanwhile, labor advocates within the food sector have voiced strong support for Kamala Harriss potential presidential campaign, with United Farm Workers (UFW) president Teresa Romero leading the charge. In a recent statement, Romero praised the Biden-Harris administration for championing farm workers rights, highlighting their efforts to strengthen union protections, secure COVID-19 relief for undocumented workers, and propose federal standards to protect laborers from extreme heat. The Biden-Harris administration has worked tirelessly on behalf of farm workers, Romero said, describing Biden as the greatest the United Farm Workers has had in the Oval Office. Now, the UFW is endorsing Harris as the best leader to defeat Donald Trump and continue the administrations work. Romero underscored Harriss long-standing relationship with the UFW, from joining farm worker marches to supporting legislative efforts aimed at protecting wages. Off the farm, Harriss broader labor record presents a more complex picture. In 2019, she joined striking McDonalds workers to advocate for a $15 minimum wage though her decision not to overrule the Senate parliamentarian on a provision to raise the minimum wage during COVID-19 relief negotiations frustrated some progressives. Still, Harriss support for unions has been a consistent theme in her political career, which could help her gain further backing from service workers. Plus, theres also the fact that Harris herself has worked in the minimum-wage service industry; Harris' campaign says the nominee worked at a McDonald's in California in 1983 (though the Trump campaign is apparently asking for proof). Beyond policies, part of Harris appeal to chefs is, of course, the fact that she is actually a pretty great cook. In her short-lived YouTube series Cooking with Kamala, the vice president cooked alongside celebrities and cultural figures like Mindy Kaling, who joined Harris to make masala dosa, and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who prepared a family recipe while discussing public health and nutrition. Her roast chicken technique has gone viral, as has her collard greens recipe, which she makes using sliced garlic, chili peppers, a lot of water, some chicken stock, vinegar and Tabasco. The real secret, though, is rendered bacon fat, which is unsurprising since Harris has said before she thinks bacon is a spice. While not everyone on the Cooking for Kamala call agreed with that assertion (longtime Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, who co-hosted the event, said she was doubtful), everyone seemed to agree the Harris-Walz ticket was better than the alternative. After all, some normalcy seems to be what everyone is craving. Cooper: Harris is the next president of the United States if she wins North Carolina Cooper: Harris is the next president of the United States if she wins North Carolina North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said on Sunday that if Vice President Harris wins North Carolina in the general election this November, she is the next president of the United States. Cooper told CBS Newss Margaret Brennan that he was confident Harris could win over voters in North Carolina and praised the vice president for visiting his state so often while in office. Theres no question about it, Cooper said on Face the Nation, when asked whether the average North Carolinian is open to persuasion or even watching what happens on that debate stage this week. Its close here in North Carolina. It always is. This was Biden-Harriss closest loss in 2020, only 1.3 percent, Cooper continued. So the fact that Kamala Harris, as Vice President of the United States, has been to North Carolina 17 times shows that she cares about our state. She knows that we are in play. And she knows that if she wins North Carolina, she is the next President of the United States because Trump has no other pathway, he added, referring to the former president and GOP nominee. Trump won North Carolinas 15 electoral votes in the 2020 election, besting President Biden by fewer than 100,000 votes, amounting to a 1.3 percentage-point difference. Since 1980, the state has only voted for a Democrat once in 2008, when former President Obama eked out a narrow win over the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), 49.7 percent to 49.4 percent. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, less than two weeks ago, shifted the state toward Harris, moving it from lean Republican to toss up. Trump is still leading Harris in the state, however, according to The Hill/Decision Desk HQs state polling average, which puts Trump 0.3 percentage points ahead of Harris, 48.6 percent to 48.3 percent. Cooper, who was considered a possible contender for the Democratic VP spot, said once North Carolinians start learning more about the Harris campaign and her plan to lower costs and support the middle class, they will see polling improve in the state. When we continue to get this information out to the American public, and to people here in North Carolina, that Kamala Harris has an economic plan thats going to help lower the cost for everyday people, thats going to help families thrive, that is going to protect womens reproductive freedom. I think at the end of the day, thats going to be what works here, Cooper said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A fugitive from Coos County is behind bars at Northeast Regional Correctional in St. Johnsbury after reportedly getting caught in Bradford, Vermont. Two people were reportedly spotted inside a car on South Pleasant Street, passed out, sometime on Saturday. The Bradford Police Department says Garrett Ingerson, 39, of Dalton, New Hampshire was one of the two. Investigators add that he had a pair of unspecified active warrants in the Granite State for his arrest. Ingerson was being held on $50,000 bail Sunday night. It was unclear when he might appear in court in Chelsea on his Vermont fugitive from justice charge. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. CORNING, N.Y. (WETM) The Corning Salvation Army reached a milestone in celebrating 140 years of service to families throughout Steuben County. A picnic took place at the Nasser Civic Center to support the organization with raffle baskets and desserts made from Beartown Road Alliance Church. Major Anita Stewart said the Corning Salvation Army began in 1884 and has been at its current location on Denison Parkway in Corning since 1964. According to Stewart, the previous locations were at the Radisson Hotel and on Market Street. She attributes the organizations continuous presence in the community to the support and contributions from local residents. Salvation Army Cornings Red Kettles out now, fundraising down The Salvation Army is existing in over 150 countries around the world. We happen to be one of the locations here in the eastern territory of the Salvation Army, and were excited that weve been going on for all these years because of people in the community who have supported us financially, who have come to programs and events that we have had, and we celebrate the people in the community of Corning, said Stewart. In addition, Stewart says the kettle kickoff for this Christmas season will be at the Corning Country Club with the Elmira Salvation Army. A date is in the works to be scheduled. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Costa Mesa man returns to apartment after killing partner, fleeing, police say A Costa Mesa man who stabbed his romantic partner to death was arrested after he returned to their shared apartment while officers were still investigating, police said. Martin Laragarcia, 28, was arrested late Sunday night or early Monday morning, hours after he stabbed 29-year-old Denise Avila multiple times in the 500 block of Victoria Street, the Costa Mesa Police Department said in a news release. The attack was reported shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday, and Laragarcia was spotted fleeing the residence in a vehicle before officers arrived. Avila, meanwhile, was declared dead at the scene. Man accused of killing girlfriend in Huntington Beach caught trying to re-enter U.S. from Mexico He returned hours laterwhile police were still at the scene and was arrested in connection with the suspected homicide. Detectives have located what is believed to be the weapon used in this homicide, police added. Laragarcia did not appear in a search of jail records Monday morning. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Eloisa Peralta at 714-754-5039. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Costco's a popular place to shop, especially among those looking to save money. Unfortunately, that means that scammers love to target Costco, whose business model is designed to please both customers and employees. It's the company's aim to please that makes a lot of scams seem so believable. In fact, the problem is so widespread that the company has a page on its website of known scams -- and it's a long list. Costco is doing its part by warning customers not to fall for online scams. The scams tend to fall into certain categories, with giveaways, prizes, and surveys being among the most common. Costco's not alone, of course, and scammers are increasingly swiping money from consumers in all sorts of ways. The Federal Trade Commission reports that people lost over $9 billion to scammers in 2022 and $10 billion in 2023. The trend seems to be that the amount lost in each scam is increasing because the number of reports was fairly steady for both years. This means you need to be very careful about what you believe because the stakes are just getting higher. If you think you've fallen victim to a scam, you should contact the proper authorities. But it's better not to fall for a scam in the first place. Here's a look at the Costco scams people should know about before shopping there. Read more: Mistakes Everyone Makes When Shopping At Costco Giveaway And Prize Scams Woman excited to win - Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Everyone loves free stuff, and winning raffles and other low-stakes contests is just fun. Who doesn't want to be a winner? It shouldn't be a surprise, then, that one of the top ways that con artists try to scam shoppers is by creating fake giveaways and prizes that just happen to require some personal information if you want to claim your prize. If you see anything about Costco offering a giveaway that you can enter, and if you're not sure whether it's a scam, call Costco directly to ask. Be especially wary about notices that you've already won something. You'd think that people would realize that if they hadn't entered any contests, then they shouldn't be getting any notices about winning. But these messages can look so convincing and have such enticing prizes that people's desire for the prize to be real often overwhelms their common sense, and they don't recognize that something's wrong. Again, always call Costco directly -- use the customer service number you see on its real website and not any fake numbers listed in the prize notification -- to verify what's going on. Never provide personal information online through links included in a prize notification. Free Stuff (Not) The word Free with cartoonish background - Mspoint/Getty Images Related to the fake prizes and giveaways are scams that offer free stuff just for being a great customer. Maybe you see an ad saying that Costco plans to give away something for free to a certain number of people who reply; of course, the links or phone numbers that the ad supplies are not affiliated with Costco and meant only to grab as much personal information from you as possible. Sometimes these come in the form of gift cards, too, so keep your eyes open. While there are certain rules that Costco shoppers must follow, you should know the warehouse retailer doesn't do freebies like this. Always be suspicious of emails that claim to be from Costco that address you as "Dear Customer" and that offer huge gifts for seemingly little in return. One scam Costco cites claims to give customers a free 4K HDTV just for paying their credit card bills on time. Ignore these offers because all you'll get in return is a ransacked credit card. Surveys And More Surveys Man taking customer satisfaction survey - Panya_photo/Shutterstock Filling out surveys for money or free stuff is a common method for earning a little on the side. So -- you guessed it -- scammers have been emailing consumers with fake Costco surveys for people to take that offer things in return, if only -- yep, you guessed that, too -- they'd provide some personal information. And scammers have gone wild with this type of fraud. The company's webpage on known Costco scams lists seven different variations on this theme, from fake survey offers on social media to surveys by text message and more. You may get physical letter surveys, too. These scams all aim to get bank account numbers and other personal information so that thieves can grab your money. Costco has a guide for dealing with these. The most important pieces of advice are to not click on links in those messages and to never provide personal information via email. The website also advises consumers to pass along the scams to the Federal Trade Commission and report any crimes to the FBI. Fake Social Media Accounts Half apple showing perfect reflection - Kirkam/Shutterstock Despite all the verification programs out there, it's really easy to set up fake social media profiles for companies and people. Costco has been a target of a few of these, with fake Facebook profiles for individual store departments or fake ads on social media advertising deals. While there are a lot of benefits to being a member at Costco, a free Christmas basket with hundreds of dollars' worth of food for members who share a post on social media is not one of them. It's fake. No, the seafood department at Costco isn't really trying to be your friend on Facebook, and no, that sponsored ad for heavy construction equipment on sale at a huge discount is not legitimate, either. You've got to keep in mind that mantra: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." It applies to nearly everything you see online. If you've got a tight budget and get an offer for one of these sweetheart deals, don't fall for it out of desperation. Look for typos and beware of requests for personal information. Instead of responding, report the post or ad to the social media platform instead. Fake Websites Crook with fake website - JustAnotherPhotographer/Shutterstock The shift from shopping only in person or via mail order to shopping online has made many companies develop their own online ordering processes and websites, rather than going through another major platform like Amazon. And, of course, it's also made criminals create their own scam versions of those websites. Sometimes the fake is obvious; you notice that the URL is completely different and has nothing to do with Costco. Other times, it's not so clear. Maybe a letter in a word was dropped from the URL, making it look legit to anyone who just glances quickly at the web address and who isn't checking carefully. Maybe it looks like a new division of Costco's, such as an outlet or sale site for items that Costco can't sell. And sometimes the URL looks like one from Costco, but when you click through, you don't notice that the URL has suddenly changed. In any case, these websites are fake. Make any online purchases from Costco with your credit card rather than a debit card so that you have the potential to dispute the charges and get your money back, if you catch the scam in time. Your Membership Is (Not) Expiring Costco membership card - Andy.LIU/Shutterstock Costco membership is for one year at a time, and it's very easy to renew even after it expires. However, scammers hope that you don't realize that and will send you notices about renewing your membership at the handy link they provide. Sometimes they even offer to extend your membership for free for a few months if you renew early or will give you a refund if you click through in the message to your bank, which, of course, immediately asks for account information without actually going to the bank's real website. Costco doesn't do this. You can renew in person or through your Costco account online, you can renew at the checkout stand, you can set up autorenew on your account, and you can even renew for a time after the expiration of your current membership. And while there are a lot of big changes coming to Costco in 2024, extending the length of your current membership for free is not one of them. There are no loyalty programs giving you special renewal benefits, and Costco isn't going to give you the chance to renew outside of a certain window of time. The scam has become so common that even some local district attorney offices have started warning consumers about it. Again, if you think these messages might be legit, don't go to any links in the message. Always go straight to the official Costco website and check your account from there. Loyalty Rewards, Reimbursements, And Direct Deposit Scams Credit card cash back offer - one photo/Shutterstock Scammers love to create as many versions of their scams as possible, and one category involves loyalty rewards, reimbursements, and direct deposits. You get a notice about some money due to you because of loyalty rewards, or because you were overcharged and are owed some money back. This type of scam goes out to everyone, with scammers hoping to reach someone who actually does have a Costco account. Of course, if you get one of these messages, ignore it, especially if you have no Costco account. A related scam involves receiving a physical check that is supposedly for money Costco owes you. Everything about the check and letter looks very real, and it claims all you have to do is cash the check and send a smaller amount of money to cover the taxes owed. No, you don't. First of all, if you actually won money or were getting money back, either the sender would automatically withhold money for taxes, or you'd deal directly with the IRS. Second, this is a common scam. The check eventually bounces, so you don't receive any money. Instead, you lose the money you sent and may even be charged overdraft fees from your bank if your account goes in the red once the fake check is rejected. Scams Involving Your Cart Person at laptop shopping online - R.bussarin/Shutterstock Many people have felt that horrible internal "thunk" when finding out they may be in the midst of an account takeover or other financial crime. The panicked rush to check accounts, change passwords, and contact companies to find out why they're getting notifications about purchases and transfers they didn't make is terrifying. Scammers know that, and they use that to their advantage. They'll send scam emails and texts about items in your online Costco cart being ready to check out, hoping you'll click the link in their message and enter your password on a lookalike website. This is a fake message phishing for personal information. However, people have reported a very odd version of this scam in which they received a notice about a Costco order being shipped to them, and when they checked, they found out that there apparently was a strange order shipping to them that they were able to cancel. One suggestion was that the scammers might have been testing a stolen credit card and had possibly planned to use the first person's address as a location for porch-pirating packages. So, if you get a message about items in your online cart or a delivery you didn't make, contact Costco directly rather than going through any links in the message. Costco Member Service Calls - From China Spam alert on phone - Thai Liang Lim/Getty Images One of the weirder scams involves supposed customer service workers calling from China, and this one seems to go in waves. The scam involves a phone call from "Costco Chinese Member Service" or a similar organization. Your caller ID service may even display one of three legitimate Costco numbers. Or so it seems. Those numbers are actually spoofed, in effect tricking your caller ID and making it look like the call came from Costco. In one version, the caller tells you in English that someone's opened an account in your name in China and that the account has been linked to fraud. In other cases, they've offered to switch to speaking Chinese or just started speaking in Chinese regardless of whether or not you speak the language. Sometimes they even claim your Costco card payment is overdue. In these cases, the caller already has your name, address, and phone number. In mid-2024, several Redditors reported receiving multiple calls like this, with some claiming the calls were so relentless that they had to block the number. If you get any calls that appear to be from Costco's home office, e-commerce, or membership numbers, and you're not expecting a call from one of these departments, don't answer. Block the number if needed. Post Office Scam Letters And PayPal Scams Flower delivery person with bouquet - Stevecoleimages/Getty Images Some Costco scammers will stop at nothing to get your money and passwords, including posing as national agencies or major companies. Two scams use this method to induce panic about something going wrong in hopes of getting you to give them personal information. In one scam, you will get a text or email that appears to be from the U.S. Postal Service. The message claims that you have an undeliverable package and that you need to go to the post office website or the Costco website to update your delivery information. As you can guess, the website links provided in the message don't actually lead to the real sites but instead to fake sites where anything you enter ends up in the wrong hands. A similar scam involves PayPal, where it looks like PayPal is contacting you about a flower delivery order you placed. Of course, you see this unfamiliar recipient and have no knowledge of any flower order, so you rush to log into PayPal or Costco through the link that the message so helpfully provided. Again, that link leads to a fake website, and any information you provide goes to the scammers. Costco has released a notice regarding this last scam, clarifying that it doesn't accept PayPal as a payment method, so any so-called orders linked to PayPal should be ignored. Fake Job Positions And Interviews Woman holding hiring sign - PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock Getting a job at Costco is notoriously difficult. Many workers at Costco start off as seasonal employees hoping to make the cut when it comes time for managers to keep a few people on permanently. Costco job seekers are prime targets for scammers who know that people will jump at the chance of getting a good-paying job. You may see ads or receive spam emails about job openings, some of which may even be targeted at you specifically. These emails may come from what looks like a corporate office or human resources division and offer you the chance to interview for a job even if you never applied. The scam typically leads to would-be applicants being asked to pay a processing fee to access listings or a job offer. Costco has said that it does not honor these scam offers and that anyone who thinks they've been a victim should file a report with the U.S. Secret Service. Free Groceries - For Others Woman purchasing groceries with card - Cavan Images/Getty Images One scam that more Costco shoppers are encountering involves a person in the store claiming to have no money and desperately needing food. Could you buy them a few things? they ask. Their situation tugs at the heartstrings and seems legit at first, but if you stop and think -- especially at Costco -- you'll see the holes in their story and catch on to their intent. That's what one Costco shopper reported on Reddit when someone in the store asked them for help buying food. The woman had a cart full of groceries and claimed to be a new immigrant with no money to pay for them. However, the almost-victim thought to ask how the scammer had paid for a Costco membership card. The woman suddenly decided to ask someone else for "help." The problem has gotten so bad that news stations and finance websites are trying to warn their audiences about such scams. Don't be fooled in these situations; scammers are relying on your guilty feelings as well as your ability to be intimidated to pressure you into cooperating. These scammers often try to return the groceries later to get cash back, so be suspicious of someone not only asking you to pay for their groceries but also requesting the receipt. Random Non-Grocery Encounters Sign advertising genuine fake watches - EWY Media/Shutterstock Sometimes scams have nothing to do with Costco but rather with the crowds it attracts. The more people there are in an area, the more people there are for scammers to go after. And with Costco's busy parking lots and packed atmosphere that can distract, exhaust, and overwhelm some people, it's not surprising that con artists would target shoppers. At least one person on Reddit reported that someone drove up in a nice car in a Costco parking lot and handed them jewelry, claiming they needed cash for gas. The idea was that the Redditor was supposed to give the driver money and then go and sell the jewelry for a lot of money. This is a common scam; the jewelry is fake, so the good-hearted person who hands the scammers cash ends up losing money. Another Costco customer reported being approached about having the dents fixed in their car; this is a known scam in which the "repair company" is either not legitimate or does terrible repairs, taking your money and disappearing. Another Costco customer reported being cornered by someone preaching about religion and trying to get them to sign up for a program and promising they would get paid for every person they recruited. Yet another Redditor who had worn scrubs to Costco reported someone approaching them about renting an apartment because their client wanted only medical professionals as tenants. Astute commenters noted that actual real estate professionals wouldn't stake out a Costco for tenants. Read the original article on Mashed. On Tuesday night, residents of La Rosita neighborhood in San Miguel del Padron, a municipality on the outskirts of Havana, took to the streets after more than two weeks without drinking water. Badiela Ayala was there, part of the crowd that banged on pots, shouted Turn the water on! and stopped traffic in the middle of Calzada de Guines. People from the government came to the scene, says Ayala. They brought us water trucks, thank God, because we havent had any for more than 17 days. To date, no one has solved the root problem: when the water that the government sent to quell the protests on the streets runs out, there will be a shortage of water again for drinking, cooking, washing clothes and bathing. What will we do if that happens? Well, the same thing we did now, says Ayala. We will go out into the streets again. The water crisis in Cuba did not begin yesterday, but the countrys overall deterioration, the impossibility of adequate pipeline maintenance and the shortage of fuel have clearly exacerbated the problem, since the water management sector is the second largest consumer of electricity in the country. Cuban authorities have acknowledged that more than 600,000 people suffer from a lack of water. Jose Antonio Hernandez, president of the Business Group for Water and Sanitation, told the official press that in Havana alone some 130,000 clients are affected by the water shortage, and that there are several provinces in the interior of the country with thousands of clients without service. The official listed as causes the breakdowns of pumping equipment and the constant power outages that Cubans have been dealing with for some time, and which have forced them to stage public protests on more than one occasion. Another problem is the so-called leaks. Hernandez himself said that, at the end of 2023, there were about 2,000 of these water leaks in Havana that remained unrepaired for days and months. The problem, however, appears to be greater than what the authorities are willing to admit. A study by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) states that in reality there are many more people living without access to drinking water in the country. We question the figure provided by the government. Our study on social rights in 2023 showed that 17% of those surveyed did not have drinking water services. This is approximately 663,000 homes, so we could be talking about 1.9 million people, considering three people per household, says Yaxys Cires, director of strategies for the organization. But we are also concerned about another significant number of households, the 27% that only receive water less than four days a week, and the 40% that receive it between four and six days. The majority of the population does not have water in a stable and permanent manner. A woman collects seawater to clean her house, on the seafront in Havana (Cuba), in September 2022. Yander Zamora (EFE) A desperate situation In western Cuba, in the province of Pinar del Rio, Lismary Marino says she has been without water for more than a month. She has 55-liter buckets for cooking. When they are empty, she refills them in other areas near her town. She also has two small tanks on the roof of her house that guarantee her water for 15 days, and which are almost empty by now. The truth is that this is a desperate situation, says Marino. I have a small child, my neighbors also have children and elderly people in their care. There are so many things that afflict us. The problem, which officials have described as a very complex situation, does not seem to have a clear solution, or at least not a short-term one. This was made clear by Antonio Rodriguez Rodriguez, the president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), on the day that President Miguel Diaz-Canel asked him when the water shortage would be resolved. Telling you a date when we will be able to solve the problems would not be fair on my part, said Rodriguez, being as honest as he could. We hope that, being realistic and based on our current pace, we can have a better situation next year, although that does not mean that we are going to solve all the problems with leaks, obstructions, water supply and others. Last year, the president of the INRH said that 478 population centers had a total or partial lack of water supply; that some 2.7 million people received water every three or more days, and that some 475,000 Cubans received water via tanker trucks. Although the government has tried to solve the water problem by sending tankers, they often cannot be transported due to the availability of fuel or tires. An entire informal market has also been created, where Cubans who can afford it pay up to 8,000 pesos ($25) for one of these tanker trucks. The constant complaints about the poor maintenance of the water management system and the proliferation of sewage in the Cuban capital are also blamed on the poor work of Aguas de La Habana, the company in charge of the water, sewage and sanitation services. However, there are very few people who want to work for the state company today. Rodriguez told the official press that valuable workers and specialists decided to leave the sector in search of higher salaries. Karen Isasi, a resident of San Miguel del Padron who has been without water for two weeks, went to the offices of Aguas de La Habana to get a response, and was told that the director was on vacation. Then another employee wrote down the complaints and told her that she would had to wait. Four small children live in my house and it is a headache to be without water, she says. I have to carry water from the houses of neighbors who are doing me the favor so that I can cook and do other chores. Isasis neighbors also took to the streets a few days ago to demand a response. They were not the only ones. Recently, other very localized demonstrations have been reported demanding a solution to the lack of water: residents of Centro Habana stopped traffic on Reina Street; others from Villa Clara, in the center of the island, joined in shouting we want water after two months of drought; quite a few mothers with children, accompanied by buckets and plastic tanks, have protested in public. The government, on several of these occasions, has deployed its police officers, worked to calm down the civil unrest, sent water trucks to solve the immediate problem and promised a solution that, for the moment, does not seem to be forthcoming. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 'We could be an example for this crazy world': How residents in Michigan's smallest township eschew politics From left: Jeremy Hilliard, David Crittenden, Stephen Ball, and Diane Schovers, all Novi Township residents, raced tractors at the block party for the state's smallest township by area. NOVI TWP. Politics often divides people, but here in the smallest township in the state, it brings neighbors together to work for the common good. Republicans and Democrats in this peaceful pocket paradise of 0.11 square miles not only meet in the middle of one of only three streets in the township for a block party, but they cross party lines to vote for each other and cast their ballots in a garage. Theres never any controversy or competition, Nathan Foster said. Its very peaceful. No one is trying any shenanigans, the election will not be stolen, it is basically a given. Foster just earned the Democratic nomination for township trustee with 23 votes in the primary election. He was uncontested and will now join his neighbor Kevin McCallum, who is running with no party affiliation, on the November ballot as the only candidates for two trustee spots. Their election is all but guaranteed. The same is true for Democrat Tony Galdikas, the only supervisor candidate; Clerk Janeen Crittenden, who is running for reelection with no party affiliation and no challengers; and Treasurer David Hall, also unaffiliated with a party, seeking reelection and sure to find it with no opposition. With the exception of Hall, who lives on Chedworth Court, the entire board lives on Wyngate Drive in the Brookland Farms No. 1 subdivision. On a recent sunny summer afternoon, Galdikas and Crittenden sat at a patio table that could be an ideal setting for one of their township board meetings to discuss the distinction of being the smallest township in the state, what it means, and why it works for them. Were all very different people, but were all here for the neighborhood, Crittenden said. You dont get to the divide you have at the federal level. We always talk through what is best for the majority. I think we could be an example for this crazy world. Class 101 in how to get along with your neighbors and people in general. Tony Galdikas and Janeen Crittenden are running for election in Novi Township. As the only candidates for their respective positions, supervisor and clerk, they seem to be shoo-ins. A tiny, treasured township Crittenden, 62, admits she didnt know much about the township when she moved in 22 years ago, other than it was a beautiful neighborhood with mature trees, diverse wildlife and part of the Northville school district. It was country living in the city she says as she looks out over her expansive backyard. Galdikas, 55, was attracted to the neighborhood for similar reasons. He didnt even realize he was buying a home in Novi Township and not the City of Novi or Northville (which is the mailing address) until he was putting in an offer. He never anticipated holding an elected office.Their homes, like most of the 58 in the township, sit on approximately 1-acre lots and have their own wells and septic systems. The township that is around a curve in part of the Brookland Farms No. 1 subdivision, and which also includes Cottisford Street and Chedworth Drive, has only about 1 miles of paved roads to maintain, Galdikas said, with the bill for repaving coming due about every 20 years. There are no municipal buildings and no commercial storefronts in the township, which as of the 2020 census has a population of 160 residents, 72.6% of which hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The township is 100% residential and that is reflected in generally lower taxes. Tax rates for Northville residents in the Northville school district totaled 40.26 mills in 2023, according to the state. Novi city millage rates ranged from 26.95 to 36.75. Meanwhile, in Novi Township, rates totaled 27.47 for principal residences. The township contracts with the Michigan State Police and the City of Novi for fire services, as well as use of the library, which is named for former township residents, Charles and Myrtle Walker. The Walkers donated $1 million toward the library fund for a new building more than two decades ago, Galdikas said. Without any parks and recreation in the township, Galdikas entered his children in Northville parks programs and paid non-resident fees. Despite its small size and limited services, the township is a municipality just like any other community, Crittenden said, with the board holding regular meetings, following state laws and approving budgets. Not much to argue about here Disagreements are few. Galdikas observes that no one is trying to building a parks and recreation center and they cant argue about roads, because they either need to be replaced or they dont. If the roads arent plowed or the garbage isnt picked up or theres a pothole, everyone knows who to call and the problem is fixed, he said. The largest issue Galdikas can recall is when the board was considering landscaping at the central area for mailboxes. While it was ultimately a unanimous decision, they worked on the plan for six months. A buck is one of the wildlife inhabitants of Novi Township that co-exists peacefully with its human neighbors. The smallest township in the state by area has only 58 homes, spread over three streets and two courts. Annexation into city rejected The biggest controversy was before his and Crittendens time was not a problem from within the township, but a force outside of it. The City of Novi tried to annex the township into the city on at least two occasions, the most recent more than 25 years in the past. Ed Kriewall, Novi city manager from 1974 to 2000, was hired as a city employee in 1969, just after Novi was incorporated as a city. He recalls that three or four small areas, including the Brookland Farms subdivision and mobile home parks on 13 Mile Road and on Napier Road, voted against annexation around that time. The city was hoping the township would vote to come in they needed fire and police protection and they had to rely on the sheriffs department, he said. Eventually, the mobile home parks joined the city, with only the small part of Brookland Farms neighborhood opting to remain a township. Catherine Mullhaupt, staff attorney for the Michigan Townships Association, said that in the 1980s and 1990s, there was a flurry of township annexations in the state, with Michigan law favoring cities over townships. Still, she adds, townships are often in a better position than cities, can provide many of the typical services that a city does, and almost never go bankrupt. Townships are not immune from annexation, but if they take certain steps, it is harder for a city to annex territory, she said. Township government is the most grassroots, and literally in their case it is neighbors serving neighbors. They are elected and have to respond to electors. Townships are very frugal in budgeting, almost to a fault They get by on tiny budgets and it gets harder all the time, but its a form of government just as capable of producing a livable place. Foster doesnt see any reason for the city to pursue annexation in the future, as the township has no commercial tax base. He does believe there is plenty of motivation for people to move here, if they are patient and one of the 58 homes in Novi Township goes on the market something he has only seen perhaps six or seven times since he arrived nearly a decade ago. Typically when they go up, they get scooped up, Foster said. This is a sweet enclave, a treasure Certainly there are some people here who take pride in being in the smallest township in the state of Michigan. Its a uniqueness that we are proud of. Novi Township residents participate in a block party, with a block comprising a very large chunk of the smallest township in the state by area. The entire township consists of three streets and two courts, 58 homes and perhaps 160 residents. More: How Michigan man's classic car ended up on Detroit Lions' Sports Illustrated cover More: Love to last a lifetime: Milford couple celebrates 75 years of wedded bliss Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com or 517-281-2412. This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Novi Township, smallest and maybe most peaceful township in Michigan The National Ignition Facility in California uses powerful lasers to spark fusion reactions [Damien Jemison] Deep under the Nevada desert in the 1980s the US conducted secret nuclear weapons research. Among the experiments was an effort to see if nuclear fusion, the reaction which powers the sun, could be sparked on earth in a controlled setting. The experiments were classified, but it was widely known among physicists that the results had been promising. That knowledge caught the attention of two young graduate students working at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the late 2000s, Conner Galloway and Alexander Valys. The Los Alamos lab was originally set up in 1943 as a top-secret site to develop the first nuclear weapons. Located near Santa Fe, New Mexico it is now a US government research and development facility. "When Alex and I learned about those tests at Los Alamos, our reaction was like 'wow, inertial fusion has already worked!'. Laboratory-scale pellets were ignited, the details were classified, but enough was made public that we knew that ignition was achieved," says Mr Galloway. Nuclear fusion is the process of fusing hydrogen nuclei together, which produces immense amounts of energy. The reaction creates helium and not the long-lived radioactive waste of the fission process which is used in existing nuclear power stations. If fusion can be harnessed, then it promises abundant electricity, generated without producing CO2. Those tests in the 1980s led to the US government building the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California, a project to see if nuclear fuel pellets could be ignited using a powerful laser. After more than a decade of work, in late 2022 researchers at NIF made a breakthrough. Scientists conducted the first controlled fusion experiment to produce more energy from the reaction than that supplied by the lasers which sparked it. [BBC] While physicists around the world marvelled at that breakthrough, it had taken the scientists at NIF much longer than expected. "They were energy starved," says Mr Galloway. He doesn't mean they needed more snacks, instead the NIF laser was only just powerful enough to ignite the fuel pellet. Mr Galloway and Mr Valys think that more powerful lasers will make it possible to build a working fusion reaction that can supply electricity to the power grid. To do that they founded Xcimer, based in Denver. NIF had to make do with a laser that could pump out two megajoules of energy. Mr Galloway and Mr Valys are planning to experiment with lasers that can supply up to 20 megajoules of energy. "We think 10 to 12 [megajoules] is the sweet spot for a commercial power plant," says Mr Galloway. Such a laser beam would hit the fuel capsule with a powerful punch. It would be like taking the energy of a 40-tonne articulated lorry travelling at 60mph and focussing it on the centimetre-sized capsule for a few billionths of a second. More powerful lasers will allow Xcimer to use larger and simpler fuel capsules than NIF, which found it difficult to perfect them. Conner Galloway (left) and Alexander Valys founders of fusion firm Xcimer [Xcimer] Xcimer joins dozens of other organisations around the world trying to build a working fusion reactor. There are two main approaches. Smashing a fuel pellet with lasers falls under the category of inertial confinement fusion. The other way, known as magnetic confinement fusion, uses powerful magnets to trap a burning cloud of atoms called plasma. Both approaches have daunting engineering challenges to overcome. In particular, how do you extract the heat generated during fusion so you can do something useful with it, like drive a turbine to make electricity? "I suppose my scepticism is, I haven't yet even seen a persuasive conceptual diagram of how you manage the process of taking energy out while keeping the fusion reaction going," says Prof Ian Lowe at Griffith University in Australia. He has spent his long career working in energy research and policy. While Prof Lowe supports the development of fusion technology, he just argues that a working fusion reactor won't come fast enough to help bring down CO2 emissions and tackle climate change. "My concern is that even the most optimistic view is that we'd be lucky to have commercial fusion reactors by 2050. And long before then we need to have decarbonized the energy supply if we're not going to melt the planet," he says. Another challenge is that the fusion reaction produces high energy particles that will degrade steel, or any other material that lines the reactor core. Secret fusion tests were conducted at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the 1980s [Getty Images] Those in the fusion industry don't deny the engineering challenges, but feel they can be overcome. Xcimer plans to use a "waterfall" of molten salt flowing around the fusion reaction to absorb the heat. The founders are confident that they can fire the lasers and replace the fuel capsules (one every two seconds) while keeping that flow going. The flow of molten salt will also be thick enough to absorb high energy particles that could potentially damage the reactor. "We just have two relatively small laser beams coming in from either side [of the fuel pellet]. So you only need a gap in the flow big enough for those beams, and so you don't have to turn off and turn on the entire flow," says Mr Valys. But how quickly can them make such a system work? Xcimer plans to experiment with the lasers for two years, before building a target chamber, where they can target the fuel pellets. The final stage would be the working reactor, which they hope would be plugged into the electricity grid in the mid-2030s. To fund the first phase of their work, Xcimer has raised $100m (77m) . The money will be used to build a facility in Denver and the prototype laser system. Hundreds of millions dollars more will be needed to build a working reactor. But for the founders of Xcimer, and other fusion start-ups, the prospect of cheap, carbon-free electricity is irresistible. "You know, it'll change the trajectory of what's possible for humanity's progress," says Mr Valys. More Technology of Business I could smell the gun smoke: Couple survives close call with gunman in Fort Mill intersection A driver and his girlfriend were stopped near Main Street in Fort Mill when they came under attack, but they survived a close call this weekend. Channel 9s South Carolina Reporter Tina Terry spoke with them on Monday, and they said the suspects pulled up beside them and hopped out with guns. It happened around 3:30 a.m. Saturday at a traffic signal in downtown Fort Mill. RELATED >> Fort Mill police searching for suspects who shot into vehicle after attempted carjacking They sped up right next to us and kind of like hard braked, so I knew something was up, and then they hopped out the car and one of them already had a gun out, the victim told Terry. The other one was reaching for one. Thats when I sped up and got out of there. The victim says he managed to drive between the suspects car and another driver parked in front of him. Thats when the suspects shot at his car, he says. The back window was totally shattered and I could smell the gun smoke, like the gun powder, the victim said. His car was damaged, but he managed to get away. On Monday, Fort Mill police told Terry theyre still searching for the gunmen. We believe there are at least two suspects. There is potential there could be more than just two, said Steve Bivins with the Fort Mill Police Department. People who live and work downtown were shocked to hear about the shooting. It feels very odd, Main Street is very quiet normally during that time of day, said Paul Whitsett, a neighbor. Theyre hoping for a swift arrest in the case. My hope is to get the people who did this, because it gave me and my girlfriend a little PTSD because we havent really been able to sleep, the victim said. Fort Mill Police believe the suspects took off in a dark colored sedan. If you have any information, youre asked to call: 803-547-2022. (WATCH: 2 women charged after 103 animals removed from Fort Mill house) The grant is to refurbish 12 long-term empty properties in the Sheerwater area [Getty Images] A council in Surrey, which declared itself bankrupt last year, has been awarded 875,000 from central government to bring long-term empty homes back into use. The grant from the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) is to help Woking Borough Council (WBC) deliver "much needed" temporary accommodation by 2026. It is aimed at "addressing the immediate needs of homeless families and Afghan arrivals", the authority said. A WBC spokesperson said the funding would be used to refurbish 12 long-term empty properties within the Sheerwater regeneration area. In addition, the council must identify one four-bedroom property to either acquire or refurbish to comply with the grant conditions, a spokesperson said. Councillor Ian Johnson, portfolio holder for housing, said: "The council remains committed to transforming Sheerwater but in a way that is affordable to the public purse. "Refurbishing some of the homes using the LAHF grant will help to uplift the appearance of the area while ensuring those in need have somewhere decent to live. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this story Related internet links More bus services could come under control of councils under planned law Parts of the bus network in Manchester have already been brought back under local control [Getty Images] More local authorities in England are to be given powers to take control of bus services under legislation being laid before Parliament on Monday. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh says the changes will deliver a "bus revolution" that will save vital routes. It will allow all authorities to introduce a franchising system, under which they can decide routes, timetables and fares, with operators bidding to run services for a fixed fee. Some industry figures, however, said minimum service level guarantees should also be set out as routes and timetables have faced cuts in recent years. Buses are the most commonly used form of public transport in Great Britain. But services have been in long-term decline, with the pandemic hitting passenger numbers and profits hard. According to the Department for Transport, the number of local bus passenger journeys in England rose by 19.4% to 3.4 billion in the year ending March 2023. This is much lower than usage levels before the pandemic, when journeys totalled 4.1 billion in the 12 months ending March 2020. Until the 1980s, most bus services were delivered through publicly owned companies, often run by councils, but in 1986 services outside London were deregulated and privatised, leading to the mass sale of council bus companies. In London a franchising system was introduced, with Transport for London deciding routes, timetables and fares and operators bidding to run services for a fixed fee. There are only a few areas in England where the local bus company is still owned by the council, and currently only areas with metro mayors can introduce "franchising" to private companies. In the run-up to the general election, Labour pledged that it would hand all local transport authorities the power to run their own bus services and lift restrictions on new, publicly owned bus operators. Ms Haigh said that after "decades of failed deregulation... local leaders will finally have the powers to provide services that deliver for passengers". But shadow transport secretary Helen Whately said Labour's plans were "unfunded" and the government needed to explain whether local authorities would be expected to raise tax or cut services to fund the proposal. "Moreover, it wont make a blind bit of difference for passengers. "It wont increase the number of services and they would much prefer to have the 2 fare cap extended at the Budget," she added, referring to a policy introduced by the Conservative government to cap single bus fares on participating bus routes at 2, which has been extended until December. The government has also launched a consultation on simplified guidance aimed at speeding up processes and reducing costs for local councils looking at bringing services into public control. A "Better Buses Bill" will be put forward later on in this parliamentary session, which will look at measures for areas where leaders would not consider franchising. Last year, Greater Manchester became the first place outside of London to bring bus services into public control since the deregulation of the 1980s. The "Bee Network", where all-night services have been trialled, has been described as a success, despite facing some teething problems with delays. Adam Hug, a Labour councillor and transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association which represents councils, told the BBC's Today programme: Its a brilliant day for buses that the powers are going back to local transport authorities across the country." However, he warned that the changes were not going to be an "overnight fix" for the bus network. Its going to take time and its not going to be delivered in the same way in every part of the country." Silviya Barrett, director of policy and research at Campaign for Better Transport, said giving local councils more power would create "a more reliable bus network for all". "Whilst franchising may not be suitable for all areas, everyone should have access to a quality bus service without risk of it being cut, which is why we are also calling for a minimum service level guarantee and long-term, ringfenced funding for all local authorities," she said. Emma Vogelmann, head of policy at Transport for All, told the BBC that buses play a crucial role for disabled people in the community. "Often they are the only accessible form of public transport available. We're cautiously optimistic that greater devolution of services will enable local authorities to pick up the pace of change," she said. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) With ballot deadlines approaching, courts in Nebraska and Missouri are weighing legal arguments that could take measures seeking to expand abortion rights out of the hands of voters. In Missouri, a day before the state's Supreme Court plans to hear arguments over whether a proposed abortion-rights amendment will go before voters, Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft decertified the measure, removing it from the ballot himself. Monday's move by Ashcroft, who opposes abortion, is largely symbolic. The Supreme Court is expected to have the final say on whether the measure, which is designed to undo Missouris near-total abortion ban, should go before voters or not. Tuesday's Missouri Supreme Court hearing is mere hours before the state's deadline to make changes to this year's ballot. In Nebraska, the Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in three lawsuits that seek to keep one or both of the states competing abortion initiatives off the ballot. One initiative would enshrine in the Nebraska Constitution the right to have an abortion until viability, or later to protect the health of the pregnant woman. The other would write into the constitution Nebraska's current 12-week abortion ban, passed by the Legislature in 2023, which includes exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the pregnant woman. Two lawsuits one brought by an Omaha resident and the other by a Nebraska neonatologist who both oppose abortion argue that the measure seeking to expand abortion rights violates the states prohibition against addressing more than one subject in a bill or ballot proposal. They say the ballot measure deals with abortion rights until viability, abortion rights after viability to protect the womans health and whether the state should be allowed to regulate abortion, amounting to three separate issues. But lawyers opposing the abortion rights measure spent much of their time challenging the language of the proposal, with attorney Brenna Grasz insisting that its wording that all persons shall have a fundamental right to abortion would extend abortion rights to third parties. An example would be parents seeking to force a minor child to get an abortion. Is this a single-subject argument? Chief Justice Mike Heavican asked. Attorney Matt Heffron with the conservative Chicago nonprofit Thomas More Society, which has filed lawsuits across the country to challenge abortion rights, argued that the Protect Our Rights initiative logrolls competing subjects into one measure. It would force voters who support abortion up to the point of fetal viability to also support abortion after that point to protect the health of the mother, which they may not want to do, he said. This is a sea change in the current Nebraska law, which was popularly enacted by representatives, and each one of these should be voted on by the voters separately, Heffron said. Heavican countered that virtually every bill that has gone through the Legislature dealing with abortion has also included the subjects of exceptions and state regulation. Heffron answered that lawmakers had the benefit of time and expertise to hash out the terms of those bills and that voters will go into the voting booth much less informed. But the justices noted that a nearly identical single-subject argument on an abortion rights ballot measure before the conservative Florida Supreme Court earlier this year failed. An attorney for the lawsuit challenging the 12-week ban initiative argued that if the high court finds that the abortion rights measure fails the single-subject test, it must also find that the 12-week ban initiative fails it, too. Attorney David Gacioch, of Boston, said that under the theory floated by opposing attorneys, the 12-week ban measure would loop in at least six separate subjects to include regulating abortion in the first, second and third trimesters and separate exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. Gacioch acknowledged that insisting on separate ballot measures for each of those issues would be as specious as trying to break down the abortion rights measure into separate issues. We dont think thats what this court has articulated under a single-subject test, Gacioch said. We think that would frustrate the rights of the voters to pass constitutional amendments as reflected in the Constitution. The state's high court has offered a mixed bag on single-subject law challenges. In 2020, the Nebraska Supreme Court blocked a ballot initiative seeking to legalize medical marijuana after finding that its provisions to allow people to use marijuana and to produce it were separate subjects that violated the states single-subject rule. But in July, the high court ruled that a hybrid bill passed by the Legislature in 2023 combining the 12-week abortion ban with another measure to limit gender-affirming health care for minors does not violate the single-subject rule. That led to a scathing dissent by Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman, who accused the majority of applying different standards to bills passed by the Legislature and those sought by voter referendum. The court agreed to expedite Monday's hearing as state law requires the November ballot to be certified by Friday. Abortion is currently on the November ballot in nine states. Additionally, a measure in New York would bar discrimination based on pregnancy outcomes but does not mention abortion specifically. Abortion rights advocates have historically prevailed most of the time its been before voters including on all seven ballot measures since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and ended a nationwide right to abortion. Since the ruling, most Republican-controlled states have implemented bans or restrictions including 14 that now bar abortion at all stages of pregnancy. With such high stakes, there have been court fights over most of the measures. An Arizona Supreme Court ruling is letting the state refer to an embryo or fetus as an unborn human being in a pamphlet; courts in Arkansas found paperwork problems with initiative submissions and kept the measure off the ballot. A measure is on the ballot in South Dakota, but an anti-abortion group is trying to keep the votes from being counted. - Associated Press writer Summer Ballentine contributed to this report from Columbia, Missouri. Girls' brain aged 4.2 years more over the course of the pandemic than what would normally be expected - Jane Barlow/PA Covid lockdown sped up ageing in the brains of teenagers, a study has found. Lockdown restrictions and limited socialising are being blamed for accelerating the rate at which the brains of teenagers underwent a process called cortical thinning. The thinning is a natural process that happens with age and can be accelerated by stress. Girls were more severely affected, data show, with their brain ageing 4.2 years more over the course of the pandemic than what would normally be expected, compared to 1.4 years for boys. Adversity in early life is known to speed up cortical thinning in adolescents and it has been linked to an increased risk of neuropsychiatric and behavioural disorders such as anxiety and depression. A study in 2018 recruited 160 young people between nine and 17 years old and conducted scans to analyse the composition of their brain. The Covid pandemic derailed the initial plan to learn about normal cognitive development in childhood so the project pivoted to using the pre-Covid data to analyse the neurological impact of lockdown. Scientists at the University of Washington in Seattle created a model from the 2018 scans to calculate the level of cortical thinning that would happen naturally if the pandemic did not occur. They then compared these projections to the real scans taken in 2021 to determine any change. Scans of the brains of girls revealed that all eight lobes underwent accelerated maturation, with 30 distinct regions seeing significant thinning. Boys had thinning brains in just two regions. The regions with the greatest acceleration in cortical thinning in females were the bilateral fusiform, the left insula, and the left superior temporal cortex, the study authors write in their study, published in PNAS. While all of these regions are involved in many cognitive functions, one commonality is that they have all been linked to social cognition. The fusiform is where the brain recognises and processes faces to allow for appropriate interactions in social situations; the insula is crucial in the processing of social and emotional experiences, as well as empathy and compassion; and the temporal cortex is vital to language processing. The scientists believe that girls were harder hit by the lockdowns than boys and found it more stressful because they place a higher value on social interactions than boys. In-person gatherings and conversations are a vital part of the social lives of young girls whereas boys tend to gather only for the purpose of physical activity, according to Dr Patricia Kuhl, senior author and co-director of the UW Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS). Teenagers really are walking a tightrope, trying to get their lives together, Dr Kuhl said. Theyre under tremendous pressure. Then a global pandemic strikes and their normal channels of stress release are gone. Those release outlets arent there anymore, but the social criticisms and pressures remain because of social media. What the pandemic really seems to have done is to isolate girls. All teenagers got isolated, but girls suffered more. It affected their brains much more dramatically. The academics warn that it is unlikely that the process can be reversed and further research is needed to know if the brains of the Covid generation can compensate for the damage. It is possible that there might be some recovery, Dr Kuhl said. On the other hand, its also possible to imagine that brain maturation will remain accelerated in these teens. The findings from this study highlight the importance of providing ongoing monitoring and support to adolescents who experienced the pandemic lockdowns, the authors add in their study. Dr Richard Bethlehem, assistant professor of neuroinformatics at the University of Cambridge, who was not involved with the project, said: This is potentially an interesting proof of concept paper on how the brains of adolescents changed over the Covid lockdown but there are some key limitations. The results need to be more firmly established before we can conclude that adolescent brains changed beyond normal morphological changes during the pandemic. Even if these changes are established in further study, more work needs to be done to assess what factors during the pandemic are responsible for these changes, as there are many factors beyond lockdown which would also need to be considered and studied. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The campaign of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox rejected allegations it had paid to recruit gubernatorial candidates who share a last name with write-in candidate state Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding. The two write-in candidates also rejected the validity of Lymans claims. Lyman is running a write-in campaign for governor after losing to Cox in the Republican primary election by more than 37,500 votes in June. Lyman has said his victory in the state GOP convention in April should guarantee him a place on the general election ballot and has questioned the legitimacy of the signatures Cox gathered to qualify for the primary ballot. Lyman launched a write-in campaign for governor shortly after the Utah Supreme Court denied his request to remove Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson from office and make him the official GOP nominee on the November ballot. On Sept. 3, two additional Lymans, Richard and Carol, each filed a declaration of candidacy with the Lieutenant Governors Office to run for governor as write-in candidates. On Monday, Phil Lyman posted two photos showing texts that allegedly suggest Richard and Carol Lyman had been encouraged to run for office to take votes away for the other Lyman. The texts, which the Deseret News has not been able to independently verify, come from an alleged co-worker of Richard Lyman, and claim that Richard Lyman had been paid $1,000 and offered a steak dinner by the Cox campaign to register as a write-in candidate. But Carol Lyman, in a text to the Deseret News, denied claims that they had been paid to launch their write-in campaign. Every one who has been reaching out has been asking about claims that we are being paid for this. We want everyone to know that Governor Coxs campaign is not paying us. I (Carol) actually paid the fees for both of us. Period. Were running to make a statement, she said. People keep asking if were related to Phil Lyman and last Sunday someone asked and it was the straw that broke the camels back. Ive always been proud of my name and the negativity of his campaign is causing me real embarrassment. Richard and I talked about it and decided to run so that we had a candidate we could feel good about voting for because we dont feel good about voting for Cox or Phil Lyman. Cox responds to Lyman claims Cox campaign spokesperson Matt Lusty denied that anyone from the campaign had officially paid to recruit additional Lyman candidates. Phil Lyman has a habit of making accusations that are blatantly false. This is no exception, Lusty said. Phil should go back to filming ads to help his cousin and liberal Democrat Brian King. State Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, is the Democratic nominee for governor. Lyman and King are distant cousins. Following Lymans announcement that he would continue to pursue a gubernatorial bid as a write-in candidate, Lyman and King filmed an ad mocking Disagree Better, Coxs initiative to lower the temperature of political dialogue. The ad asked voters for their support and was paid for by Brian for Utah. Lyman, and his running mate, attorney Natalie Clawson, said the additional write-in candidates sharing Lymans last name has hurt their campaign because their get-out-the-vote efforts previously advertised write in Lyman for governor, without mentioning Lymans first name. Clawson said the Lieutenant Governors Office, which oversees elections in the state, had previously instructed their campaign that writing Lyman on the ballot would be sufficient. We relied on this instruction in our marketing, Clawson said in a post on X. Did Phil Lyman qualify for the debate for governor? The Utah debate commission announced on Monday which candidates will participate in its gubernatorial debate on Wednesday. To qualify for the debate stage, candidates needed to poll within the margin of error of a 10% threshold established by the commission. Cox, polling at 48%; King, at 27%; and Libertarian candidate Robert Latham, at 6.8%; each qualified for Wednesdays debate. Lyman received the support of 22 respondents 4.25% of the 518 Utah voters coming short of the 5.69% minimum required to fall within the margin of error of 4.31% of the 10% threshold. Lymans name was not listed as a candidate among the possible poll responses because his name will not appear on the general election ballot. But 22 poll respondents specified his name under other. An additional seven respondents entered just the last name Lyman. These responses were not counted toward state Rep. Phil Lyman because the polling firm contracted by the commission said it did not have enough information to attribute the responses to either Lyman write-in candidacy, according to Rachel Day, the executive director of the Utah Debate Commission. The poll was conducted between Aug. 29-Sept. 4, barely overlapping with the write-in candidacy of Richard Lyman. If the Lyman responses would have been included in the poll, Phil Lyman would have come within 0.1% of the adjusted threshold, but would not have qualified for the debate. Utahs gubernatorial debate for the general election will be Wednesday at 6 p.m. The debate will take place at Salt Lake Community College and will be broadcasted via the states four major news channels in addition to PBS. This article has been updated to clarify that the accusation the Cox campaign is rejecting is that they paid to recruit a candidate to run for governor, and to add a quote from Carol Lyman. Cox, King, Latham to meet Wednesday for 1st 2024 gubernatorial debate Watch it live on ABC4.com SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Incumbent Utah Gov. Spencer Cox will take the stage at Salt Lake Community College to debate against his gubernatorial challengers, Rep. Brian King (D) and Robert Latham (L) Wednesday night. The debate is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, and will be live-streamed on ABC4.com. Jason Perry, the Director of the Hinkley Institute of Politics, will moderate. This will be the first debate between Utahs gubernatorial candidates in the lead-up to the 2024 General Election on Nov. 5. RELATED: Who is running for office in Utah for the Nov. 5, 2024 general election? Cox made the ballot beating Republican challenger Sen. Phil Lyman during the Republican primary in June. Lyman had previously been named the Republican nominee for governor following a the partys caucus. However, after Cox gathered enough signatures the race went to a primary which Cox won by over 37,000 votes. Both King and Latham earned their nominations through uncontested Democratic and Libertarian conventions, respectively. Not scheduled as part of the debate is Tommy Williams (Independent American Party) and Tom Tomeny (Unaffiliated), both of whom will appear on the ballot in November. Lyman, who started a boisterous write-in campaign after his primary loss, will also be absent from the debate stage. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A Springfield collaborative dedicated to addressing youth gun violence and gun safety across the city has secured funding for the next three years to gather information and explore community needs on the issue. The Springfield-Greene County Gun Safety and Gun Violence Reduction Collaborative, established through Community Partnership of the Ozarks, announced Monday morning that they were awarded more than $500,000 in a three-year grant from Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH). The collaborative, bringing together the public, private and social sectors, is co-chaired by Director of Prosper Springfield Francine Pratt and President of Burrell Behavioral Health Clay Goddard. Pratt said the work of the collaborative is two-fold addressing gun violence in the community and focusing on suicide prevention via gun safety. She said this is an issue that is not unique to Springfield, but the city can have a unique approach to the situation locally that addresses both gun violence and mental health. Pastor TJ appleby Sanctuary of Praise Church of God in Christ asks a question at a press conference announcing that the Springfield-Greene County's Gun Safety and Gun Violence Reduction Collaborative was awarded more than $600,000 in grants. "We need to own this. Every community member needs to own where and how these young people were failed at some point," Pratt said. "What we don't want to do is blame the young person. We want to look at what got the young person where they were." Connecting with youth to address issues The grant through MFH is a partnership, meaning the collaborative and the city will be working together with the foundation to find the best solutions for Springfield. This will bring more resources to what is possible here and beyond. "Springfield can actually probably build something that can grow and be used beyond Springfield," Pratt said. "The key mechanism that's going to make this work is being able to have people that our young people, our young adults, trust in the community, to actually work with them, give them a safe space, to convene, give them the type of workshops that they need and that they want. That's going to help them in those areas where gunshots are reported the most." Community leaders gather for a press conference announcing that Springfield-Greene County's Gun Safety and Gun Violence Reduction Collaborative was awarded more than $600,000 in grants. In addition to the grant, the city budgeted $94,050 for the collaborative to start its work and CPO provides $10,000 in administrative support. Pratt said they have applied for another possible grant to grow their impact. The secured funds will involve actions that will be more exploratory in nature focus groups, analysis and piloting various programs stemming from best practices across the nation. The goal, Pratt said, is to find a sustainable solution that can address the core issues of gun deaths in the community, emphasizing the importance of community feedback and involvement in the process. Director of Prosper Springfield Francine Pratt speaks at a press conference announcing that the Springfield-Greene County's Gun Safety and Gun Violence Reduction Collaborative was awarded more than $600,000 in grants. "What we have to create in Springfield is not just a project that has a start and a stop date. It has to be a program that is going to be consistent and ongoing," she said. "And so, the idea of these first three years is to figure out what works, what does success looks like." More: Springfield gun-related crimes were down in 2023 but are still a major concern for police Springfield Police Department last week joined a nation-wide initiative that calls on gunowners to safely store their firearms. Pratt said that now, as work continues, the collaborative will look to create its own public safety announcement involving the community to ensure the message of responsible gun ownerships gets across. "Our whole goal in doing all of this is to save more lives, period," she said. "We're not trying to take away anyone's guns. We just want them held in a safer manner, and we want to help get them out of the hands of youth and young people as best we can all to save lives." At Monday's announcement, Mayor Ken McClure reinforced the message in his final State of the City address, in which he called on the Missouri legislature to match state gun laws to federal laws. Particularly, he called for a ban preventing minors from possessing handguns. Springfield Mayor Ken McClure speaks at a press conference announcing that the Springfield-Greene County's Gun Safety and Gun Violence Reduction Collaborative was awarded more than $600,000 in grants. Roger Franklin, pastor at The Heart Church, already holds events and provides a community hub for youth and members of the community through the Action Center to positively influence the lives of young adults. Pratt applauded his work in the community but noted that currently the collaborative does not have the funds to support such programs to the full extent necessary. Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield group gets funding for work to reduce gun violence Darling, we are here in Caracas. A map with the geolocation pin of the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela, where he was stopping over on his way back to Colombia after having fought for several months in Ukraine, that brief WhatsApp message, and a three-minute video call that ended abruptly on July 18 at 5:30 p.m. was the last Cielo Paz heard from her husband, Jose Aron Medina, during the six long weeks he was missing. It was not until August 30 that she received news of him, when she identified him in a video released by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the former KGB. Together with his comrade Alexander Ante, another Colombian ex-military officer who had fought in the Ukrainian army, they were arrested and accused of being mercenaries by a Moscow court, a charge that could lead to 15 years in prison. Jose Aron Medina and Alexander Ante. CORTESIA What exactly happened in those six weeks, and when and how they traveled the more than 6,200 miles that separate Caracas from Moscow, remain loose ends due to the secrecy of the Venezuelan authorities. Their relatives have not received answers, and their petitions to the Venezuelan embassy in Bogota were ignored. Ten days after their disappearance, on July 28, Venezuela held presidential elections, with Nicolas Maduro declaring himself the winner without providing any credible evidence of the result. Russia is one of the few countries that has recognized Maduros reelection. Moscow was also a financial lifeline when the U.S. sanctions blockade complicated the commercialization of Venezuelan crude oil, and as such Maduro has responded to the invasion of Ukraine with vocal support. The Maiquetia airport has become a black hole in which the Venezuelan intelligence services operate with total freedom, a risky transit site where several arrests have been made in the last year. The apparent extradition of the Colombians has been shrouded in mystery. Both the Venezuelan Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, and the new Minister of Interior and Justice, Diosdado Cabello, have referred to the case of an American soldier detained in Venezuela a few days ago, but they have not said a single word about the Colombians, an episode that could affect relations between Bogota and Caracas at a particularly delicate moment at which President Gustavo Petro insists on mediating to achieve a negotiated solution to the post-electoral crisis. In response to the formal request for information made by Colombia through diplomatic channels, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry responded that it had registered their entry on July 18, and was not aware that they were detained in Venezuela. Medina and Ante served in the Colombian army. They then spent several years doing security work in Popayan, the capital of Cauca, one of the departments hardest hit by the armed conflict in the country. In a telephone conversation with this newspaper, his wife describes Medina, before any other characteristic, as an excellent father. They have two children, one 16 years old and the other nine. He really likes the army, she says, recalling that he was a professional soldier for four years. Since leaving the forces 15 years ago, he had worked as a security guard until he accepted a lucrative offer to go to Ukraine, where he earned 12 million pesos a month (around $3,000). He left in November 2023 and spent eight months fighting in Ukraine, until he decided to retire. He said he had already seen many comrades die and he was not going to risk his life anymore, so he decided to return home. But they never arrived, says Paz. Cielo Paz, Jose Aron Medina's wife, at her home in Popayan, on September 6, 2024. ANDRES GALEANO She received the video through Medinas comrades-in-arms still in Ukraine, and that is how his relatives learned that he had reappeared in Moscow, along with Ante. The Prosecutors Office had even published posters of them as missing. We did not receive a single call from Caracas, we did not know what had happened, if they were alive or dead; those were distressing days, and until now we have had no communication with them, Paz says. On Tuesday, she received a call from the Colombian consulate in Moscow to inform her that they would be assigned a public defender. She has asked the Foreign Ministry to help them get back to Colombia. Alexander Ante, 47, and father of a five-year-old girl, had also been retired from the army for nearly two decades after 13 years in service and worked as a bodyguard in Cauca, says his brother, River Arbey. They went to serve directly with the Ukrainian army, at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, he explains. His brother left Ukraine after eight months, with his head held high and with the doors open if he ever wanted to return, he adds. They are not mercenaries, as they have been labeled; mercenaries are hired by private companies. Alexander Ante's military beret and scarf, preserved by his mother. ANDRES GALEANO In the video released by the FSB, both men identify themselves as members of the Carpathian Sich 49th Infantry Battalion. The soldiers of the 49th battalion, many of them foreigners, have fought on the toughest fronts. At times, the unit has been severely depleted, particularly during winter at the end of last year. Some of its fighters have left the front lines in the face of the harshness of the war. For a long time, it was the flagship battalion where Colombians fought, alongside the international legion, Colombian journalist Catalina Gomez Angel, who has been deployed for long periods as a war correspondent in Ukraine, says by telephone. She is currently working on a documentary about Colombians at the front, most of whom are former soldiers who worked in security. They tend to be relatively young people; many of them, in addition to money, miss the military life, she says about their motivations. The Colombian presence has been noticeable for some time. With the Ukrainian ranks decimated by the rigors of war these combatants, hardened in one of the longest armed conflicts in the world, are welcomed with open arms. With some 250,000 troops, Colombia has the second-largest army in Latin America, after Brazil. More than 10,000 soldiers retire every year. After President Zelenskiys explicit invitation last February, they have been recruited through WhatsApp groups of ex-military personnel and through videos on social networks. They arrive in Ukraine on their own, like other Latin Americans. They enter from Poland, cross by land into Ukraine, whose airspace is closed, pass through a recruitment center and are deployed to a front in the east. That explains the striking Warsaw-Madrid-Caracas-Bogota-Cali itinerary that Medina and Ante bought for their return, without realizing that showing up at Maiquetia in Ukrainian military uniform would expose them. Photograph from the family archive of Jose Aron Medina. ANDRES GALEANO Although the Colombian Foreign Ministry has not made a public statement regarding the two former soldiers presumably extradited to Russia by Venezuela, it has raised the alarm regarding international combatants in general. Neither Ukraine nor Colombia offer concrete figures on how many Colombians are fighting in the war, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged that at least 50 have died in the last two years. It has also recently reiterated that the Colombian government does not promote or facilitate the involvement of Colombian citizens in the Ukrainian army. These personal decisions are completely voluntary and individual. The ambassador to the United Kingdom, former senator Roy Barreras, even warned in June that those who leave with the hope of earning money for their families are dropping dead like flies. What they are paid is not even enough for the repatriation of their corpses. So they are being used as cannon fodder. International law is ambiguous about the legality of foreign participation such as that of the Colombians in a war like Ukraine. The Colombian Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Defense have just submitted a bill to the Congress of the Republic seeking approval of the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries. In other words, they are seeking a formal ban on mercenaryism in Colombia, although it is not entirely clear that those who go to Ukraine fall into that category, since they fight in a regular army and receive payments and benefits similar to those of Ukrainian citizens. Kyiv considers them legal combatants. Russian legislation, for its part, considers mercenaries illegal, but at the same time it is one of the countries that most relies on private companies and foreign combatants. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Update 9/10/24: In an email on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Spectrum Charter Communications told 18 News: We completed our pole transfer of our cable to the new pole yesterday. Update: Numerous utility vehicles are on the scene of a broken telephone pole on Monday to finally remove the damaged pole after a neighbor claimed it was struck by a car more than a month ago. Utility crews at the scene told 18 News on Monday the pole is jointly owned by NYSEG and Verizon, with Spectrum having equipment on the pole as well. Before the pole is taken down, crews from Verizon and Spectrum have to transfer it over to the existing pole next to the damaged one. Once all the equipment is moved then Verizon will take the pole away from the scene. Verizon crews preparing to remove a snapped telephone pole on Davis St. and West Center St. ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) People who live near the corner of Davis Street and West Center Street say theyre concerned about a snapped telephone pole that is being propped up by a piece of wood. The top of the telephone pole is also tethered in two places to a NYSEG pole next to it. A neighbor who did not want to be identified told 18 News it has been at least a month since a car slammed into the pole, snapping the base. The damaged pole is across the street from Pulaski Park and a block away from Woodlawn Cemetery. Davis St. and West Center St. in Elmira. Snapped telephone pole on the left. NYSG pole on the right. Snapped telephone pole at Davis St. and West Center St. in Elmira A NYSEG spokesperson told 18 News the snapped telephone pole does not belong to NYSEG. Our inquiries about the status of the fix were referred to the owner of the pole. The NYSEG spokesperson told 18 News, there are no concerns about the integrity of our pole. NYSG did not answer a question about whether the company allowed the owner of the snapped telephone pole to tether itself to the NYSEG pole. Telephone pole on the left tethered to a NSYEG pole on the right. 18 News is trying to identify which phone company owns the snapped pole, and if there are plans to replace it. Empire Access told 18 News the snapped pole does not belong to them. A spokesperson for Spectrum told us our inquiry was being looked into. 18 News also reached out to Verizon by email and phone. As of this publication, our messages have not been returned. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editors Note: The following arrest and incident reports were supplied by the Abilene Police Department. All information below comes from reports made by responding officers, and all suspects are considered not guilty unless determined otherwise in a court of law. Incidents 3700 block of Varsity Lane Burglary of Vehicle Adderall was reported stolen from a victims vehicle. 4000 block of Buffalo Gap Road Criminal Trespass A suspect was found camping behind an Abilene business. He was previously warned of criminal trespass. 600 block of Beech Street Burglary of Habitation A victim reported two known suspects broke into her home when she was out of town. 1700 block of Sina Avenue Theft of Motor Vehicle A victim reported a vehicle was stolen by a known suspect. 5400 block of S 7th Street Theft of Property A cell phone worth $120 was reported stolen. 4200 block of Crawford Drive Theft of Property More than $275,000 worth of copper was reported stolen. 4300 block of Buffalo Gap Road Assault Threat/Contact A victim reported he was assaulted by a known offender. 100 block of 2nd Street Criminal Trespass A suspect was seen breaking a fence and entering a property. 2500 block of Buffalo Gap Road Forgery A report was taken for fraud. 1200 block of Alisons Way Theft of Property Cash and fentanyl patches worth $1,100 were reported stolen. 1600 block of E Overland Trail Assault Family Violence An assault was taken in north Abilene. 1500 block of Avenue E Assault An assault report was taken in north Abilene. 900 block of Sayles Boulevard Burglary of Habitation A speaker, battery, and jewelry were reported stolen. 1300 block of Butternut Street Assault A victim reported he was assaulted in south Abilene by a known suspect. 800 block of Graham Street Assault Family Violence An assault family violence case was worked in north Abilene. 1900 block of Sandefer Street Criminal Mischief Police responded to a north Abilene residence in reference to criminal mischief. 1300 block of Locust Street Assault Family Violence A victim alleged her ex-boyfriend assaulted her and caused her injury. 5100 block of S 7th Street Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon An aggravated assault report was taken in south Abilene. 1000 block of Justice Way Assault Family Violence A victim reported a known suspect assaulted him. 4200 block of Oil Belt Lane Assault Pregnant Person A report on pregnant person was taken. 1900 block of Pine Street Aggravated Assault Serious Bodily Injury 1000 block of N Treadaway Boulevard Theft of Property A dolly worth $100 was reported stolen. 1800 block of N Treadaway Boulevard Theft of Property A previous employee is accused of taking a deposit for a business. 5200 block of Hartford Street Assault Pregnant Person Police responded to an assault of a pregnant person call in Abilene. 1900 block of Denton Street Criminal Mischief Police responded to a disturbance in south Abilene. UNDISCLOSED LOCATION Robbery Police responded to a report of a robbery at a south Abilene gas station. 2500 block of Woodard Street Assault Family Violence A victim reported she was assaulted by her husband. 3400 block of N 1st Street Criminal Mischief A north Abilene business was damaged after a rock was thrown through the front glass door. 1700 block of Pasadena Drive Criminal Mischief A victim stated an unknown suspect shattered a window at his residence. 3600 block of N 9th Street Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse Cash worth $345 was reported stolen. 1600 block of Butternut Street Theft of Property Mail was reported stolen. Arrests Chance Cullum Criminal Trespass Julio Quiroa Public Intoxication Barihenuye Twehangane Warrant David Longoria Public Intoxication David McLen Warrant John Williams Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon, Unlawful Carrying of Weapon Catherin Brinson Failure to Identify Gary Woods Public Intoxication Robert Thibeault Public Intoxication Tyreece Hull Inhalant Paraphernalia Use/Possession to Inhale John Wilcoxen Public Intoxication John Belyeu Unlawful Carrying of Weapon Michael Burnett Possession of Controlled Substance Terry Grimes Unlawful Carrying of Weapon, Possession of Controlled Substance Michael Gavurnik Public Intoxication Marty Orona Evading Arrest Detention, Tampering/Fabricating Physical Evidence, Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance Adahline Steely Public Intoxication Francisco Gutierrez Possession of Controlled Substance Deloris Fuller Possession of Controlled Substance Matthew Begay Driving While Intoxicated Amelia Lyons Warrant Andrea Sarlo Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance Joshua Kent Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana Frederick Lundsford Public Intoxication Ronald Polk Possession of Controlled Substance Ronnie McDonald Possession of Controlled Substance Gary Walker Driving While Intoxicated Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. At least 21 people have been killed and more than 70 others wounded by shelling at a busy market in south-eastern Sudan, a doctors' union says. The Sudan Doctors Network said the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were responsible for the attack in the city of Sennar on Sunday, condemning it as a "massacre" of civilians. It happened a day after Sudan's military rejected a proposal by UN experts to send in an international force to protect civilians. Thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million have fled their homes since civil war broke out between the army and the RSF last April, making it one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Several rounds of peace talks brokered by Saudi Arabia and the US have failed to end the conflict. The RSF controls most of the capital, Khartoum, much of Kordofan state and most of Darfur - where it is accused of using rape as a weapon of war, and targeting the Masalit people and other non-Arab communities in a campaign of ethnic cleansing. It has not succeeded in capturing Sennar city from the army. In June, it seized most of the wider state of Sennar, which analysts say is strategically important because of its position close to Ethiopia and South Sudan and its rich agricultural production. Both sides in Sudan's conflict - the army and the RSF - are accused of committing atrocities against civilians. "Harrowing" discoveries made by the UN in a fact-finding mission "may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity" by both sides, it said last week. This was angrily rebuked on Saturday by the foreign ministry which is loyal to army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. "The Sudanese government rejects in their entirety the recommendations of the UN mission," it said, calling the UN Human Rights Council behind the fact-finding mission "a political and illegal body". The RSF has not commented. A UN arms embargo in Darfur has not stopped new weapons pouring into the hands of Sudan's warring parties, says Human Rights Watch. The campaign group says it has seen footage which appears to prove that fighters are using recently acquired armed drones, anti-tank guided missiles, truck-mounted rocket launchers and more - originating from China, Iran, Russia, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In Sudan's ongoing power struggle, the army counts Egypt and Saudi Arabia among its supporters whereas the UAE is said to back the RSF - although it strongly denies this. Led by Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia which was accused of genocide against non-Arab communities in Darfur in 2003. In recent months it has sought to boost its international profile and seek legitimacy as a political player by sending delegates to peace talks in Switzerland that were snubbed by the army. [BBC] More BBC stories on the Sudan war: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Cumberland County man is facing charges after allegedly raping an unconscious woman, according to the Middlesex Township Police Department. Police said on June 27, officers were informed of a sexual assault that occurred the previous day at a residence in Middlesex Township. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ICYMI: Top 5 Stories of the Week Through an investigation, police allege that Matthew Remeikis, 35, entered a residence he was not privileged to be in and raped an unconscious woman. Police said Remeikis turned himself in to Magisterial District Judge Rogerss Office. Remeikis is facing charges of rape of an unconscious victim, aggravated indecent assault without consent, and criminal trespass, police said. Remeikis was denied bail and is currently incarcerated at Cumberland County Prison, 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 ABC27. Rhiannon Williams had been receiving counselling for depression and anxiety. [Gareth Williams] A father has said his 24-year-old daughters suicide hit him like a "depth charge" which "shred things in ways that are difficult to describe". One year on from Rhiannons death, Gareth Williams wants other parents to know how "seriously dangerous" poor mental health can be. The latest figures show the suicide rate in Wales in 2023 was the highest for a decade, with an average of around one every day. Mr Williams' comments come as a Welsh government backed service is rolled out across Wales to support those affected by suicide. This embedded content is not available in your region. Mr Williams said he hoped Rhiannons anxiety and depression was something that time, counselling and GP support could heal, but said it was something he had "completely underestimated". "When youre living with somebody you dont notice these incremental changes. One of our regrets is why didnt we see this?" said the 60-year-old solicitor from Swansea. "People say 'its not your fault' but youre always going to carry that as a parent." Rhiannon's family has been supported by the Jac Lewis Foundation since her death last year [Gareth Williams] Rhiannon had been studying for a Masters in creative writing in London shed always been a high achiever and had won multiple awards and prizes for her writing but her parents said she left London abruptly to move back home. She was getting professional support for her mental health but her family had noticed a deterioration in the months before her death. However, Mr Williams and his wife Rachael only later discovered the notes in Rhiannons private diaries referencing online sites shed used to meticulously plan her suicide. Its an avenue that is still being investigated ahead of a future inquest, but its left Mr Williams concerned that even his daughters bedroom could be "a dangerous place" where her parents were powerless to control what their adult daughter was doing online. The couple and Rhiannons two younger brothers were offered support by the Jac Lewis Foundation, a charity which has been commissioned by Welsh government to host the new national advice service. Mr Williams explained that the counselling helped with "the feelings of guilt that I think are probably stronger for this kind of bereavement than others". "I call it a depth charge, because its very private - like its below the water. "But you just have to re-build and look at the positives. As parents were very conscious that we have to make sure our two sons know that life goes on." 'If we can save one life it would be worth it' Gwyn Augustus said counselling can be available immediately, or even years after someone is affected by suicide [BBC] Gwyn Augustus is lead liaison officer for the new national advisory liaison service and said from each suicide they typically collect between six and 10 referrals for individuals who may need support. Immediate, free counselling is available when required, as well as play therapy for children - as research has shown adults bereaved by suicide are at higher risk of attempting suicide themselves. "If we can save one life over the term of the project it would be worth it, but to date Im sure weve already done that," said Mr Augustus. "Its been mentioned many a time that weve contacted people at their most upset and theyre considering undertaking something themselves. "To be able to step in during those sensitive times is vital for their wellbeing." Scott Lever is a counsellor at the Jac Lewis Foundation, which offers support he said he wished he'd had available after his own father's suicide a decade ago [BBC] Scott Lever facilitates some of the group sessions run by the Jac Lewis Foundation in Swansea. He became a counsellor after losing his own father to suicide in 2014. "There's so much stigma around suicide that people don't really talk about it - people don't know how to talk about it, and that can create barriers to accessing support too," he said. "But in the group sessions you can see people almost 'decompress' when they realise other people are going through similar feelings and experiences. He said that having that level of "authenticity" in the room can help people "really offload" what they are truly feeling. "Seeing how this service is changing the way people are supported ... I'm proud to be part of that because it's something I recognise I really needed at the time too." The Welsh government is due to launch its refreshed suicide prevention and self harm strategy by the end of the year. Since its launch in December 2022, the NHS Wales 111 press 2 service, which offers immediate mental health support, has taken over 116,000 calls. Minister for mental health and early years, Sarah Murphy, said the growing rate of suicide in Wales needs to come down and said prevention was key. "Hearing that children as young as four are getting counselling for as long as they need play and music therapy I think thats also a huge part in breaking that trauma cycle," she said. "We want to ensure all those who are affected receive timely, compassionate and effective support where and when they need it. "Through the ongoing development and implementation of our suicide and self-harm prevention strategy we will explore what more can be done to prevent suicide in Wales." Need help? If you have been affected by this story the BBC Action Line web page features a list of organisations which are ready to provide support and advice. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Monday on the Daily 8, were looking at a school closing over a possible threat, the Bristol Bridge reopening, an encampment of fur traders coming to Ada and more. You can watch the full Daily 8 for Sept. 9, 2024, in the video player above or check out any of the stories mentioned below: Each weekday, the Daily 8 brings you the top eight stories we are keeping an eye on in and around West Michigan. Join us again Tuesday for the Daily 8. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. August 17, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Mayor Andrew J. Ginther gives an update on the cybersecurity event that has been impacting the City of Columbus since July. Larry, Curly and Moe? As the details continue to emerge concerning the citys data breach things just got worse. Sensitive information was being kept unencrypted. A restraining order was obtained to quiet a whistleblower who brought the gravity of the situation to light. Mayor Andrew Ginther wont tell those affected (or anyone for that matter) what was actually taken, or how. My info was stolen. It is ridiculous city is targeting cyber expert This, coupled with burgeoning crime in our city and county is disconcerting at best, evidence of wholly inept leadership at worst. It looks like Columbus and Franklin County are being run by Larry, Curly and Moe. Voters, are you paying attention or are you still voting solely along party lines? William Kloss, Dublin Ohio voters know what elitism is and isn't Dispatch columnist Phillip Derrow likes to write in declarative sentences that brook no dissent despite the fact that he may be wrong. For instance, on September 1, he opened his column with Ohios Constitution is a bloated monstrosity. Passage of Issue 1 this November will only make it more bloated and, ironically, even less constitutional. The column states Issue 1 is . . . profoundly anti-democratic and elitist. I disagree: If the voters pass Issue 1, it is because the voters put it into the constitution. If several million voters pass Issue 1, by definition, its not elitist. It is millions of Ohioans expressing our governor and the politicians drawing the maps are unwilling to follow the constitution. Elitist is when the governor and a cadre of politicians draw a 10-5 congressional map, a 67-32 Ohio House of Representatives map, and a 27-7 Ohio Senate map in a state that averages 49.49% R45.65% D in the last 12 presidential elections. Ohio politicians wont produce fair maps. The people have decided to solve the legislatures disability by repairing the constitution. Six million Ohioans will decide. William C. Lowers, Columbus The narcissist is blinking like a neon sign There is a school of thought among people of good will that an attempt should be made to understand the many who are devoted to a malignant narcissist, sociopath, pathological liar, and confidence man. I reject this assertion. These devotees reveal a darkness in their character, a void in their humanity.Lack of information is not an excuse. The man's nature is a blinking neon for all to see. John Dawson, Dublin Hold elected officials accountable for inaction on guns According to the Ohio State Bar Association, Ohio does not have any safe storage laws that specifically require firearms to be kept under lock and key when not in use. According to "Everytown Research & Policy," 26 states have child-access and/or secure firearm storage laws. All state legislatures, including the Ohio General Assembly, should enact such common sense gun laws. Hold your state representative and senator accountable. What happens next is up to you: Vote. Mark J, Navarre, Marysville Yost the hypocrite I find it interesting that Yost says "state law must be followed" when it comes to busing non-public students, but does everything he can to avoid following state law when it comes to abortion rights, gerrymandering, etc. What a HYPOCRITE! Thomas W. Billing, Springfield This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus data theft: Larry, Curly and Moe are running city, county Daughter of French Man Who Arranged Rapes of Wife Recounts Being Shown Photos of Herself by Cops Caroline Darian believes her father, Dominique Pelicot, drugged her in addition to her mother CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Caroline Darian A French man admitted to drugging his wife over the course of several years and inviting dozens of men to rape her. His daughter has since said that she believes she was drugged, too. Caroline Darian is the daughter of Dominique, 71, and Gisele Pelicot, 72. Dominique admitted in court to drugging his wife with sleeping pills from 2011 to 2020 before allowing men to sexually assault her while he often filmed the rapes, according to reports from The New York Times, U.K. paper The Times and CBS. The outlets reported that after Dominiques images were discovered, they found photos of a sleeping Darian in addition to the numerous photos and videos of Gisele being assaulted. NYT reported that while testifying in court on Friday in Avignon, France, Darian revealed that police showed her photos that Dominique had taken of while she slept. CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Gisele Pelicot I realized right away I was drugged in that photo, Darian said, according to NYT, though she noted her father had not admitted to drugging her. Both The Times and CBS reported that the photos of Darian were discovered in a computer folder labeled, Around my daughter, naked. Dominiques photos and videos were discovered in 2020 when police seized his phone cameras and other electronic devices after he had been accused of having filmed up the skirts of three women in supermarkets, the outlets previously reported. Related: How Police Allegedly Caught Husband Accused of Drugging Wife and Inviting 83 Men to Rape Her Currently, 51 suspects, including Dominique, are facing charges in connection with the case. The Times reported that authorities have alleged Gisele was raped by 83 different men and was assaulted at least 92 times. Approximately 20,000 videos and photographs documenting the abuse were allegedly found on his devices by police, NYT reported 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. Darian wrote a book about the case in 2022 titled, And I Stopped Calling You Papa. As she testified in court, NYT reported that she is worried about what else might have happened while she believes she was drugged. What can you do for a person like me to heal? she said, according to NYT. To have a normal life of a woman, a normal sex life. The BBC reported that Gisele recounted telling her children about the abuse, which she only learned of when police told her what they had found. I just wanted to disappear, she said, according to the BBC. But I had to tell my children their father was under arrest. I asked my son-in-law to stay next to my daughter when I told her that her father had raped me, and had me raped by others. She let out a howl, whose sound is still etched on my mind. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the 1st debate between Harris and Trump. Here's what to know about the ABC News journalists. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will meet for the first time Tuesday night in Philadelphia in a presidential debate hosted by ABC News. The 90-minute primetime debate will be moderated by ABC World News Tonight anchor and managing editor David Muir and ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis. It is currently the only scheduled debate between the 2024 Democratic and Republican presidential nominees. And just like the presidential debate between Trump and President Biden in June, there will be no live audience. Here is some background on the moderators. Who is David Muir? David Muir and Linsey Davis address the audience before a Democratic debate in Manchester, N.H., on Feb. 7, 2020. (Elise Amendola/AP) Muir, 50, has been with ABC since 2003 and anchor of ABC World News Tonight since 2014. He moderated presidential primary debates for the network in 2016 and 2020. Muir has also done interviews with politicians from both sides of the political aisle, including a June interview with President Biden for the networks D-Day coverage. Muir had the first joint interview with then-Vice President Biden and his running mate, then-Sen. Kamala Harris, weeks before the 2020 election. He was also the first journalist to interview Trump as president in the White House in 2017. Trump has since been sharply critical of ABC News calling the network nasty and of This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos, who he routinely disparages in posts on Truth Social. But Muir has, to this point, escaped Trumps ire. (Kellyanne Conway, Trumps longtime adviser, told the Daily Beast that Muir seems like central casting to Trump.) Prior to joining ABC News, Muir was an anchor and reporter at WCVB-TV in Boston and WTVH-TV in Syracuse, N.Y., his hometown. He earned his bachelors degree in journalism from Ithaca College. Who is Linsey Davis? Muir, Davis and George Stephanopoulos before the Democratic debate in Manchester in 2020. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Davis, 46, has been with ABC since 2007 and moderated Democratic presidential primary debates in 2019 and 2020. But she is lesser known than Muir, hosting ABC News Live Prime, the networks nightly streaming newscast, and ABC World News Tonight on Sundays. Davis has interviewed dozens of politicians, including Harris and former Vice President Mike Pence, and numerous celebrities. According to her official bio on ABCs website, Davis got the only interview with comedian Bill Cosby in the wake of dozens of sexual assault allegations. Before joining ABC, Davis was an anchor at WTHR-TV in Indianapolis and a reporter at WJRT-TV in Flint, Mich. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Virginia and a masters in communications from New York University. What to expect Vice President Kamala Harris at a debate in Salt Lake City in 2020; former President Donald Trump at a debate in Atlanta in June. (AP) While prepping for the debate in Philadelphia, ABC News political director Rick Klein told the New York Times that the job of moderators is to facilitate a discussion, adding: The debate belongs to the candidates. At the last debate in June, CNN moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper were criticized for not fact-checking Trump or Biden in real time. Asked whether there was a role for live fact-checking, Klein was noncommittal. Were not making a commitment to fact-check everything, or fact-check nothing, he said. Were there to keep a conversation going, and to facilitate a good solid debate, and that entails a lot of things in terms of asking questions, moving the conversation along, making sure that its civilized. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) National Wreaths Across America Day will see the laying of thousands of wreaths to honor fallen veterans. The wreaths will be housed at the Dayton National Cemetery on Dec. 14. at noon. With a goal set at 60,000 wreaths, the organization is looking to residents to help meet that goal. Get an inside look at the life of a local bomb squad unit Tuesday Your sponsorship will support the new and existing programs developed to share the mission. And, it will place a wreath to honor an American hero at one of more than 4,400 participating locations this year on National Wreaths Across America Day, a day set aside to lay gathers as Americans with the same goal, reads a statement from the website. Courtesy of Wreaths Across America Sponsorship prices start at $17 for 1 wreath and escalate to $85 for 5 wreaths and $170 for 10 wreaths. There is also an option to buy a custom amount of wreaths. More information regarding the purchase of a wreath can be found here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. The scientist who set up the first Soviet Internet connection, engineer Alexey Soldatov, is not enjoying his twilight years surrounded by his family at home, but in a prison where he has even slept on the floor surrounded by dozens of other inmates. His situation is so serious that a member of Vladimir Putins Human Rights Council, Eva Merkachiova, has gone so far as to describe the events as a martyrdom: What has happened to this elderly sick professor can be considered torture. His wife is worried that he could die at any moment, denounced the activist. His son, independent journalist Andrei Soldatov, is perplexed on the other end of the phone from exile: We do not understand why so much cruelty. He is terminally ill, underwent two oncological operations and suffers from chronic heart failure and other serious ailments, Merkachiova emphasized, denouncing that Soldatov slept on the floor, without a mattress, in a cell for 40 people. Some compassionate prisoners gave up their sweaters and towels to set up a kind of mattress for him, she added. Following Merkachiovas outcry, the father of the Russian Internet (popularly known as RuNet) was sent to the Matrosskaya Tishina penitentiary hospital. This is, well, a temporary respite, his son tells this newspaper. Now he only shares a room with one person, before there were dozens of them and they all smoked, adds Andrei, whose father also suffers from a serious lung disease and requires the help of inhalers. However, he is concerned about the care his father is receiving. He gets one injection a day, but it is not clear what kind of medicine it is. They give him pills, but we dont know which ones either. As you know, in this prison system the doctors are not very good and the staff do not explain what they do. Alexey Soldatov set up Russias first Internet service provider in 1990. A nuclear engineer by training, his team at the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy linked their institution with other centers in the country and sent the first Soviet e-mail abroad, to the University of Helsinki, that same year. Although he was part of the government during the Putin era as Deputy Minister of Telecommunications (2008-2010) under President Dmitry Medvedev, he did not rise very far due to his opposition to creating a vertical Russian Internet capable of separating itself from the global one, on the orders of the Kremlin. Finally, in 2019, he was accused of alleged appropriation of Internet domains by the head of the presidential department for the Internet, Andrei Lipov. The accuser would later be promoted to head of the Internet censorship agency, Roskomnadzor. I think my fathers case is related to the policy of the Russian authorities to nationalize the Internet infrastructure. I think it has nothing to do with me, says Andrei Soldatov, a well-known investigative journalist who lives in exile because he is on the Kremlins wanted list. I have not contacted Merkachiova or anyone else because, as a wanted criminal, I do not want to make the situation worse, says Soldatov, an investigator in the Kremlin surveillance network and founder of the Agentura platform. Because of their situation, father and son cannot even speak on the phone, although Alexei Soldatov can at least count on the help of his wife. The engineer founded Russias first Internet provider, RosNIIROS (Russian Research Institute for the Development of Public Networks), in 1992. Although many of its clients were educational and scientific institutions, the company was private. Soldatov named his domains .SU. Over the years, as in other spheres in Russia, the Kremlin has not allowed anything to escape its control. In 2019, when it mandated by law that the Russian Internet network should be state-owned, Moscow declared .RU and .RF as national domain zones. Soldatovs company managed almost half a million .SU addresses that year. It was then that the scientist and his partner, Alexei Shkitti, notified their users that the company would cease to operate as a local registrar (LIR) and would be grouped into a larger regional company, Reliable Communications, based in the Czech Republic. The Kremlin made a move and brought Soldatov to trial. A year later, in 2020, and already under house arrest, the scientist transferred the .SU domains to the state. In exchange, the court downgraded the charge from fraud to abuse of authority in an organization and set him free with the condition he did not leave the country, although the scientist always lived with the threat of prison hanging over his head. It was a big surprise for all of us, for the whole family, that the court decided to send him to prison all of a sudden, his son said by phone. We couldnt understand the cruelty of the sentence. Soldatovs family is waiting for the hearing of the appeal in his case, which will take place in the coming months. We know that in Russia there are no acquittals, but maybe at least they will change the prison to a softer one, his son hopes. Soldatov also has the support of members of Putins human rights committee. For all that this scientist did at the Kurchatov Institute (he worked there for 35 years!) for the Internet in Russia (which we all use, including researchers, judges and employees of the penitentiary system), would it be possible to find at least a drop of mercy and not imprison a dying person? Merkachiova wrote on her personal Telegram account, adding: Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) An annual event for small business owners looking to grow and make their mark in the area returns this week. Starting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, new and aspiring entrepreneurs can meet at The Hub downtown to partake in a community-driven conference. Those in attendance can look forward to inspiring workshops, empowering discussions with industry leaders and networking opportunities with fellow business-people. The event runs from Sept. 10 through Sept. 12. There is still time to register for the event, with the deadline to get tickets set for Thursday, Sept. 12 at 8:59 p.m. Registration is free. For more information click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. How deep is Tempe Town Lake? Here's your guide to the popular fishing, recreation spot Tempe Town Lake might be on your commute to work every day, but you might not know the history behind it. The lake is a central part of Tempes layout, being located next to Mill Avenue and near Arizona State University. Its also a popular destination for sailing, kayaking and fishing. Some people swim in the lake, although it isnt recommended or allowed. Tempe Town Lake Park is also the site of several popular events, including Oktoberfest, the Innings Festival and the Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade. From basic facts to its history to upcoming events, here is everything you need to know before you plan your visit to Tempe Town Lake. Why was Tempe Town Lake built? Through the 1940s, dams popping up along the Salt River impacted the flow of water in the Valley. While Tempe Beach Park was popular in the 1930s, the riverbed eventually went dry. Starting in the 1960s, plans were in talks to revitalize the Salt River. But none came to fruition until the 1980s when Tempe adopted the Rio Salado Master Plan. In 1999, Tempe Beach Park officially opened with Tempe Town Lake, and the area slowly morphed into a commercial hub throughout the 2000s. Tempe Town Lake: has long been an economic hub in the region. Here's the history How deep is Tempe Town Lake? Tempe Town Lake is two miles long and, at its widest point, 1,200 feet wide, which means the lake has different depths at different points. The average depth is about 12.5 feet, although the depth ranges from seven to 19 feet. Go for a dip: Is swimming allowed in Tempe Town Lake? Here's what to know What activities are available at Tempe Town Lake? Recreational swimming is not allowed at Tempe Town Lake, except for special events such as triathlons. The lake has made headlines several times for drowning incidents, most recently when an Arizona State University student drowned in the lake in August. Under county regulation, there would need to be lifeguards present at the lake for it to operate as a recreational swimming facility, which there never have been. Unauthorized swimming in the lake can result in a fine as high as $1,000. But that doesnt mean other activities arent available. Paddleboards and kayaks are available for rent, and sailing and motorboating classes are also offered on the lake. Fishing is also permitted in the lake with a valid fishing license. The city's tourism website also keeps a calendar of upcoming events at Tempe Town Lake Park. Reach the reporter at ahardle@gannett.com or by phone at 480-259-8545. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @AlexandraHardle. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Want to visit Tempe Town Lake? Here's what to know BALLANTYNE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) An investigation is underway after a YMCA in Ballantyne was vandalized by antisemitism and hate speech over the weekend. The crime occurred at the Morrison Family YMCA along Bryant Farms Road. In addition to the vandalism at the YMCA, a local church down the road was also vandalized Sunday morning, Sept. 8, on Bryant Farms Road, according to a filed police report with CMPD. At least one person called 911, reporting unknown suspect(s) damaged the outer wall by spray painting graffiti at the Light of Christ United Methodist Church. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here Its unknown at this time if both vandalism incidents are connected. Queen City News has reached out to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police for further information. Statement released to Queen City News from the YMCA of Greater Charlotte: This (Sunday) morning, upon opening our Morrison Family YMCA, we were deeply disheartened to find that our property had been vandalized with hate speech and symbols. We immediately notified law enforcement, and our team is working diligently to remove the graffiti as quickly as possible. We are also grateful to the National Jewish Federation for offering their support during this time. We are committed to restoring our space and ensuring that our center remains a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. Any remaining vandalism that cannot be addressed today will be resolved promptly. Hate speech and symbols of intolerance have no place in our society, and certainly not at our YMCA. We stand firm in our mission to foster inclusivity and unity. If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). Thank you for your continued support as we work through this together. QCN has also reached out to the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte regarding this crime. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sent a weekend letter to Congressional appropriators urging them to pass government funding bills after the election in the "vulnerable time around transitions" to "uphold the bipartisan tradition of funding our nations defense prior to the inauguration of a new president, a source in the department told ABC News. In his letter to bipartisan committee chairs on government funding, Austin urged lawmakers to avoid a six-month stopgap funding measure, calling a regular funding bill for the Pentagon "the single most important thing that Congress can do to ensure U.S. national security." Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed the six-month continuing resolution to fund the government beyond the inauguration of a new president. The government funding deadline is September 30. Austin's letter does not signal opposition to a one-month stopgap but he urges "action immediately after the election." Sec. of Defense Lloyd Austin (Daniel Roland/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Cheney endorsement tests just how many Republican votes Harris can get "The repercussions of Congress failing to pass regular appropriations legislation for the first half of FY 2025 would be devastating to our readiness and ability to execute the National Defense Strategy," Austin writes. The defense secretary points out to Congressional leaders that a six-month continuing resolution "would represent the second year in a row, and the seventh time in the past 15 years" the Pentagon has been stalled until midyear in receiving its funding orders from the legislative branch. "I am fully aware of the political pressures that will challenge the Congress from fulfilling its duty before our national elections conclude," he writes. "No matter who wins this election, there will be a Presidential transition. I urge you and your colleagues to take up action immediately after the election to limit damage to our national security during this vulnerable period around transitions and uphold the bipartisan tradition of funding our nations defense prior to the inauguration of a new President." Defense Secretary Austin tells Congress 6-month funding stopgap would be 'devastating to our readiness' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board recently announced the appointment of its new executive leader, as its longtime leader plans to step down at the end of this month. Michael Catsi will serve as president and chief executive officer of the nonprofit board, which works in recruitment/retention of businesses in the area. Michael Catsi, the new head of Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board, will take the helm Sept. 23. International Economic Development Council Catsi now serves as economic development manager for Tacoma Public Utilities, and will begin his new job Sept. 23. Hell have big shoes to fill. According to EDBs website, the economic board has worked with companies that have brought more than $1.6 billion in capital investments and over 25,000 jobs to the region over the past two decades. The person overseeing that work for those two decades is outgoing CEO-President Bruce Kendall, who is retiring after nearly 26 years. Kendall was honored at the regular Aug. 20 City Council session with a proclamation saluting his service to the city and the area. Lets be really, really, really clear, said Mayor Victoria Woodards at the meeting. If I had to read everything Bruce has done ... wed be here til tomorrow, and this would be a 500-page book instead of one piece of paper. That vast work included recruitment and job creation efforts with NewCold and Infoblox among many others, work toward local business expansions, and civic efforts behind the development of the Tacoma Art Museum, the Museum of Glass and the urban Tacoma campus for the University of Washington. During the Aug. 20 ceremony, Councilmember Joe Bushnell acknowledged Kendalls work in the creation of and hosting a regular business roundtable podcast during the pandemic, when Bushnell worked for the Washington Hospitality Association. Wed have hundreds of people on these trying to give updates in real time of COVID issues that were occurring, and try to give people the best information possible, he recalled. And Bruce did such a good job of trying to bring people together ... through such a difficult situation. Kendall recently spoke with The News Tribune in a look back at the changing face of the economic forces driving Tacoma and Pierce County. Answers in the following Q and A have been edited for length and clarity. Whats changed the most in business recruitment/retention since you started with EDB? Kendall: The pandemic changed the office recruitment environment in terms of companies that need office space. The trend line was always steady in an upward angle. We spent a lot of time pre-pandemic trying to figure out how to get another Class A office building or two built in Tacoma. And then the pandemic hit, and now we see hybrid work schedules of in-person and remote. Three days a week seems to be the new standard (for in-office work) while in some cases, theyve gone completely virtual. True Blue (based in Tacoma) is a great example. In Tacoma, they had 200-plus people coming downtown every day. Then they went virtual because their business lends itself to that. But then others are back .... and certainly some never stopped particularly the health care systems. Other factors are headed in an upward trajectory; Boeing is taking a million square feet in Milton. Youve got what is going on out in Frederickson, with the big Panattoni development, the FRED310. Its going to fill up. So demand is back to where it was, pre-pandemic on both for manufacturing and distribution. EDB President and CEO Bruce Kendall (second from right) was among local and state officials who turned out in 2020 to celebrate the expansion of James Hardie Industries in Frederickson. James Hardie Industries Theres also the retirement of the baby boomers. I guess Im an example of this (he is 63). The workforce of the succeeding generations have different priorities. Some are the same, but they have work-life balance, which is in every conversation now with every employer with who they hired, no matter what business theyre in. Frankly, that wasnt the case when I entered the workforce in the early 1980s. No one talked about work-life balance. Where do you see the county, and Tacoma specifically, headed economically in the next decade? Kendall: The Port of Tacoma is going great guns. With international trade, all of our projections show its going to continue to be very robust. The creation of the Northwest Seaport Alliance for container shipments in and out of the ports of Tacoma and Seattle has really made us more competitive on the West Coast. That will continue to be a big driver of business and jobs in Tacoma and beyond. With University of Washington Tacoma, theyre going to grow to 10,000 students. They have room to do that. They have to build some more buildings, but they have room. So theyre just over halfway to capacity. What we really like to see is companies being created out of UWT through the School of Engineering and Technology and the Milgard School of Business. Were generating talent here locally that we werent generating before, so thats a thats a huge plus. The arrangement UWT now has with Seattle University means well be producing lawyers again locally. And attorneys tend to stick relatively close to where they went to law school. With the incoming new leader, what would be your main advice in starting? Kendall: My advice to Michael is No. 1, do you and be yourself. Work with the board, work with the staff, work with the other investors and then others in the community that are part of the ecosystem and and keep the machinery humming. Look for new opportunities. Embrace what were doing well right now on recruitment and retention, our accelerator program and the emerging work we have with BIPOC businesses and smaller businesses. Just like when I arrived, opportunities are going to present themselves, so you grab those. Whats next for you? Kendall: I am definitely sticking around. My wife retired a few years ago, our kids are in their 30s and on their way in their lives, so we are just going to experience that. Ive had offers to do other stuff already, but Ive promised myself to say no to everything for six months. I want to get some space between what Ive been doing and whatever comes next. But theres no secret plan to pop up in some other business or nonprofit leadership position for at least six months. Im going to kind of just see how it goes. 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. (Photo: 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 island in 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. 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. Corona is a community isolated from its state due to the winding path of the Mississippi that forms the border between Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi. (Map: Jared Whalen, Ag & Water Desk) 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. 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. 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. 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 district which also includes a small portion of mainland Tennesseehad a population of 281. In 2022, Coronas zip code also covering a part of Arkansas had 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 35 another border island would 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. 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. (Photo: Lucas Dufalla, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) 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 hereif 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. 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. How Democrats are making a mistake in rural America by not showing up Rickey Cole, 58, is a farmer and the former two-term chair of Mississippis Democratic Party. If anyone understands rural Mississippi voters and their shift from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party its Cole. You learn from losing, the lifelong Democrat said. He should hope so. In 2001, when Cole first served as party chair, Democrats controlled 7 of 8 statewide offices, including governor and attorney general, and both state legislative chambers. Twenty years later, Republicans hold all eight statewide offices and a massive 79-41 majority in the state House and 36-16 majority in the state Senate. Mississippi, the nations fourth-most rural state, defines rural as any county with fewer than 50,000 residents or a town with a population of 15,000 or less. In the 2023 election, 51% of Mississippians lived in communities meeting this criteria. Though Democrats still have an edge in urban centers such as Jackson and Vicksburg, the slow and repeated loss of rural voters is the cause of Coles woes. Losing them is the motif of my entire career, he told me. A losing tide Cole and Mississippi are not alone. Democrats have been losing rural voters across the U.S. since the 1960s. But the party has hemorrhaged these voters since 2000. In 1992 and 1996, Democrat Bill Clinton won 49% of the rural vote in both elections. But by 2008, that number had declined when Barack Obama only took 43% of rural voters. Four years ago, that number collapsed even more. In 2020, Joe Biden captured about 35% of the rural vote. The Democratic Partys collapse in rural America has fueled support for Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again movement. Supporters of Donald Trump attend a 2016 rally in Biloxi, Miss. Spencer Platt/Getty Images Trump took 65% of the rural vote in 2020, up from 59% in 2016, according to the Pew Research Center. In all, Republicans won 71% of rural white voters in 2020, a 9-point improvement over 2016. Though only 1 in 5 Americans live in rural towns, Trumps apparent monopoly automatically puts nearly two dozen states across the South, Midwest and Great Plains out of reach for Democrats. One of them is Mississippi. In 2016, Trump earned 59.3% of the vote, soundly beating Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who got 39.7%. Though Trump still won the state in 2020, his percentage dropped slightly to 57.6%, while the Democratic candidate, Biden, earned 41.1%, a little more than Clinton had in 2016. Only themselves to blame As the owner of MLB Research Associates, Matt Barron specializes in rural Democratic races and is considered one of the nations leading political strategists on the rural vote. Beyond the policy debates, Barron said the blame falls on the Democrats. They dont even try to compete in rural America, he told me. Cole, the former Mississippi state Democratic Party chair, agrees. In rural America, he explained, Democrats have stopped grassroots organizing and party-building. Mississippi incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves speaks to supporters during an election night watch party on Nov. 7, 2023. Brandon Bell/Getty Images As Barron tells the story, in the hotly contested 2023 Mississippi governors race, for instance, the Democratic National Committee ignored local organizers and sent national campaign staffers from Michigan and Ohio to canvass rural Mississippi for votes. As outsiders unfamiliar with the local terrain, the staffers needed a GPS to navigate the back roads. Lost geographically, they were even more adrift strategically, Barron said. The Northern urbanites lacked any knowledge of how to push Democratic voters to the polls. The result was lower-than-expected turnout in an election that saw the incumbent, Tate Reeves, a Republican, beat Democrat Brandon Presley by 26,619 votes, or 3.2% of the 820,000 votes cast. Cole said Presleys loss is an example of a much larger issue. Our politics became nationalized by a cadre of professional operatives, he told me. It has become a big industry. Cole explained that media consultants earn a percentage of all campaign advertising spending. It maximizes their profits when they spend money in pricey urban markets and ignore rural media. Predictably, Democrats get shellacked in rural America, and the same strategists then blame rural voters for being unreachable. A grassroots campaign Ty Pinkins is trying to reverse the Democrats failure. Slim and youthful, the 50-year-old African American army veteran is the Democratic nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi. To defeat his Republican opponent, incumbent Roger Wicker, Pinkins is working with Cole to build a grassroots pyramid. The Bronze Star recipient has put 70,000 miles on his Chevy Tahoe canvassing 67 of the states 82 counties. His goal is to have a campaign leader in every county and all 1,762 state precincts. As Cole sees it, Pinkins grassroots campaign will last beyond the November 2024 election and provide the key to a revived state Democratic Party. But grassroots campaigning is not easy and getting lost in rural Mississippi is is not always what one expects. On a hot summer day, Pinkins took a wrong turn and found himself at a crossroads next to a rickety old house. After he knocked on the screened door several times, the 85-year-old Miss Maggie finally came out. When Pinkins told her that he was running for the U.S. Senate, she smiled and laughed. Soon, the two shared steaming plates of fried chicken, brown gravy and sweet potatoes. She told the candidate, Baby, now tell me about yourself. Once Pinkins finished, it was Miss Maggies turn, and the two talked until dusk. Before he could leave, Miss Maggie went back inside. She returned with a sack of coins. I dont have much time left, she told Pinkins. Im 85 years old. This is all Ive got, and Im giving it to you. For Pinkins, reaching rural voters is not an impossible dream though sometimes it takes getting lost and hours of conversation to earn one vote. 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: Jeff Bloodworth, Gannon University Read more: Jeff Bloodworth 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. House Democrats pressed for a hearing on gun violence in a letter dated Sunday following a shooting at a Georgia high school last week in which two students and two teachers were killed. In their letter, the Democrats noted that the only hearing the House Oversight and Accountability Committee has held in this Congress about a mass shooting was the one dedicated to the security failures surrounding the summer assassination attempt against former President Trump. The group said it was wrong for the panel to take actions to protect presidential candidates from gun violence while not taking action to protect the rest of the American people whom the president serves. When a president is targeted by a mass shooter wielding an AR-15, we call hearings, analyze the problem, and act to reduce the risks of another attack, the Democrats added later in the letter addressed to House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.). This Committee should show the American people that Congress can and will act to stop the devastation caused by AR-15s and other firearms every single day, the group wrote. We therefore urge you to convene a hearing this month about our gun violence epidemic and to discuss popular commonsense legislation, like a universal violent criminal background check and a ban on military-style assault weapons, to protect the lives of children at school, teachers, and the rest of the American people. The Hill has reached out to Comers office for comment. The letter is signed by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, including ranking member Jamie Raskin (Md.) and Reps. Stephen Lynch (Mass.), Kweisi Mfume (Md.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Katie Porter (Calif.), Shontel Brown (Ohio), Melanie Stansbury (N.M.), Robert Garcia (Calif.), Maxwell Frost (Fla.), Summer Lee (Pa.), Jasmine Crockett (Texas), Dan Goldman (N.Y.), Jared Moskowitz (Fla.), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (Ill.), Gerry Connolly (Va.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.). This story was updated at 1:44 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried outside the Florida Supreme Court on Feb. 7, 2024. (Photo credit: Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix) Florida Democrats said Monday that theyre exploring legal options against the use of state funds for messaging in opposition to the proposed abortion-rights amendment, but Gov. Ron DeSantis insists the state efforts are just public service announcements. Although the party has not decided on a specific course of action, FDP Chair Nikki Fried said the Dems are looking into obtaining an injunction against the state agency website that emerged on Thursday alleging that Amendment 4 threatens womens safety. All corners of our state are evaluating both the federal, state, local, and legislative opportunities that we may have to bring light to the situation and get an injunction as far as the website and the usage of state dollars towards this propaganda, because thats exactly what this is, Friend said. So, I know that within a very short period of time, youll be hearing more from all of us about the actual courses of action. Outrage from Democrats erupted when the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration unveiled the webpage that the agencys secretary claimed is meant to combat lies and disinformation surrounding Floridas abortion laws. The agency mirrored DeSantis own messaging against Amendment 4, including that the language is too vague. The Democrats on Friday submitted a public records request to AHCA seeking more information about the development of the webpage. Orange County Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani said the records are the first step to understanding how the webpage came to be. You can expect there to be legal battles, without a doubt. But I think the focus that needs to maintain, as the chair said, is Yes on 4, because were less than 60 days away from Nov. 5, and, despite distractions and the chaos that anti-abortion extremists are creating, we also have to stay focused on whats in front of us, she said. DeSantis says its just a PSA Meanwhile, DeSantis dismissed the backlash, saying during a roundtable discussion in Miami Lakes on Monday that state agencies issue public service announcements routinely. We have resources to do public service announcements across a wide variety of fronts. That goes to the Department of Transportation, for example, on safe driving, he said. Its being used by the AHCA agency to basically provide people with accurate information, and I think that thats something thats really important because, quite frankly, a lot of people dont usually get that in the normal bloodstream. So, everything thats put out is factual. It is not electioneering. Amendment 4 needs 60% approval from voters to pass. On Monday morning, AHCA posted on X a video directing people to the website with messaging against Amendment 4. While the video does not mention the abortion-rights amendment, it states that women cant go to jail for having an abortion in Florida and that abortions are legal in cases of rape or incest. However, those exceptions only apply to pregnancies up to 15 weeks and require the person to provide documentation such as a police report. Learn about Floridas pregnancy care laws and efforts to provide transparent health care here: pic.twitter.com/lWNfyWEIW4 Florida AHCA (@AHCA_FL) September 9, 2024 State is looking into fraud within petition signatures With just two months until voters can decide whether they want to protect abortion access in the state Constitution, the Florida Department of State has moved to investigate signatures gathered to place Amendment 4 on the ballot, even going to peoples homes to question whether they actually signed the petition, according to the Tampa Bay Times. In a statement on Monday, the Department of State announced that it had uncovered evidence of illegal conduct including fraudulent petitions. During the roundtable, DeSantis mentioned the people who were arrested this year on charges of forging signatures in favor on Amendment 4. Theyre ensuring that anyone that broke the law is going to be held accountable. Our tolerance in the state of Florida for any type of election-related fraud is zero, DeSantis said. We are not going to put up with it. And so, if they identify, they have identified examples that are going to be referred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Those are going to be pursued. The state already verified in January the signatures that got the amendment on the ballot. Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of South Florida said her office is looking into whether a federal voting rights investigation is appropriate. This police intimidation tactic is clearly intended to chill the democratic process, she said during the press conference. If Republicans cant win in the court of opinion or in the ballot booth, they stoop to police threats to stand in the way of women and their doctors making health care decisions. This latest intimidation tactic raises federal civil rights concerns. DENVER (KDVR) Denver police said northbound Colorado Boulevard was closed at around 10 p.m. on Sunday due to a two-car crash. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The Denver Police Department said officers were investigating a crash between two motorists that left one person with serious injuries in the area of East 18th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Police said one driver fled the scene and the other was taken to a local hospital. This embedded content is not available in your region. The agency said Colorado Boulevard was closed at 17th Avenue, and alternate routes were advised. The intersection borders a corner of Denvers City Park and is close to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Russian-born tycoon Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested on August 24 outside Paris as soon as he got off his private jet. He is accused of complicity in the dissemination of child pornography on Telegram, which is widely used for criminal activities. Just a week later, a judge ordered the closure of X in Brazil due to the social networks repeated failure to comply with court orders. Its owner, Elon Musk, refuses to block profiles that contribute to the massive dissemination of Nazi, racist, fascist, hateful and anti-democratic speech. These two actions are symptomatic of how times are changing. During the first decade of this century, the world was seduced by social media, so much so that today more than half of the global population around 4.5 billion people use these platforms every day. During the second decade, social media companies grew into omnipresent, corporate giants. The world also got a glimpse of the dark side of social media, with the Cambridge Analytica scandal the first big wake-up call. And in the third decade, action is being taken to curb social media. The crackdown on Telegram and X are part of this latest wave. The arrest of the Russian-born tycoon beyond its geopolitical ramifications sends a message to the top executives of technology companies: they too can be held personally responsible for what happens on their platforms. Meanwhile, the closure of X in Brazil shows that governments are no longer hesitating to take action against social media companies. It is the first example that Latin American countries can decide their own future in the digital economy, open a new regulatory toolbox against technology companies and, without aligning themselves with the United States or China, decide their own path towards technological sovereignty, says Ekaitz Cancela, a researcher at the Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3) of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Spain. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg before testifying in the U.S. Senate on protecting minors from online sexual exploitation on January 31. TASOS KATOPODIS (EFE) Paloma Llaneza, a lawyer specializing in digital law, believes that the trend has clearly shifted: platforms have gone from facing no regulation at all to a regulatory frenzy. According to Llaneza, this shift is very common in all technological revolutions. She believes social media shows that allowing a phenomenon to rise before regulating it doesnt work. I think we are seeing a new stage, agrees Rodrigo Cetina, a law professor at the Barcelona School of Management at Pompeu Fabra University in Spain, and an expert on social networks and the U.S. legal system. The European Union is more active than ever and the DSA [Digital Services Act] is beginning to be applied. What happened in Brazil is a powerful sign that some countries are not prepared to tolerate everything. The response to the big social media platforms has been in the works for some time. The EU has deployed an ambitious legal architecture that began in 2018, when the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force. This regulation requires companies to declare what information they are going to use from internet users and for what purpose. Meanwhile, the DSA created at the same time as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) has been widely applied since February this year. It establishes specific obligations for digital platforms, such as improving transparency and fighting the dissemination of illegal content, which must be quickly removed to avoid fines. In just half a year of its existence, the DSA has launched investigations against X, for breaching rules on illegal content, and against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to assess its possible harmful effects on minors. It also forced TikTok to withdraw an application that rewarded users for watching videos. The latest addition to this regulatory framework will arrive in 2026, when the AI Act comes into force. This regulation sets down different requirements and obligations for AI applications depending on their risks. In the U.S., most of the backlash against social media platforms apparent impunity is being felt in the courts. A series of lawsuits filed by families and educational institutions accuse the major social networks of designing platforms in a way that knowingly harms the mental and physical health of minors. Meanwhile, a privacy law similar to the GDPR came into force in California last year, and work is underway on new laws to ban deepfakes during election periods and to establish safeguards for the future development of AI models. There have also been attempts to reform Section 230, the U.S. regulation that exempts technology companies from being held responsible for third-party content shared on platforms. But they have not yet been successful. It is very difficult to bring about changes if, to begin with, each party diagnoses the problem in a very different way from the other. For Republicans, the problem with social media is censorship; for Democrats, it is that they spread disinformation and hate content, says Cetina. A global, but uncoordinated, response When did the backlash against platforms begin? The first significant movements took place about a decade ago. The year 2016 was key for two reasons: the European Union approved the GDPR, which would come into force in 2018, and Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election against all odds, in a victory that was helped by the spread of fake news supporting the Republican candidates campaign. The call for change intensified due to social medias own failures, says Carissa Veliz, an expert in applied ethics in technology and a professor at the Centre for Ethics and Humanities at the University of Oxford. We are where we are, mainly, because of the buildup of bad experiences: from Cambridge Analytica to the damage to teenagers revealed by [Facebook whistleblower] Frances Haugen, and the social polarization caused by social media. Governments are able to exert pressure on the platforms, partly because citizens are upset, but also for national security reasons. However, these government actions have uncoordinated, which has diminished the strength of the measures. Former Facebook employee Frances Haugen testified in the U.S. Senate in October 2021 about her leaks published by 'The Wall Street Journal,' in which she showed official Instagram documents proving that the company's executives were aware of the harmful effects of the social network on teenage users. Pool (Getty Images) Even Ireland which typically opposes the EUs measures to curb big tech appears to be responding to the public backlash against social media. There are signs that Irelands Data Protection Commission [DPC], which has responsibility for enforcing EU digital law on most U.S. and Chinese tech companies operating in the EU [because their European headquarters are in Ireland], is shifting gears, says Johnny Ryan, director of the digital rights section of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. The DPC recently used an urgent procedure it has never used before to stop X from using its users data to train its AI model, and also intervened to stop Meta from doing the same thing. Another factor has also contributed to the sudden interest in regulating social media: artificial intelligence. When social media was born, there was a very interesting legal debate about how to regulate it. Should they be treated as a means of communication or not? If so, they should be held responsible for the content they publish, just like a newspaper. It was decided that they shouldnt be, and this was reflected in the U.S. Communications Decency Act of 1996, explains Borja Adsuara, a jurist and consultant specializing in digital law. But social media evolved and, little by little, algorithms began to play a bigger role in the equation. When a platform is not neutral, but recommends some content and postpones others based on certain criteria, then it is acting with editorial powers, and it must be held to the same responsibility as a publisher, the lawyer stresses. This is the same conclusion that many countries have reached. Technology and geopolitics There are strong geopolitical overtones to the arrest of Durov, who recently reconciled with Vladimir Putin after the Russian president made him sell his first startup, vKontakte, and leave Russia. It is not the first time that politics and technology have collided. In 2018, Huaweis vice president and the daughter of its founder, Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada at Washingtons request. She was held for three years after being charged for violating the U.S. economic sanctions on Iran. The episode was part of the trade dispute between the United States and China at that time, which led then-president Donald Trump to declare war on Huawei. Tech CEOs often warn governments against regulation, but rarely follow through with them. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said last year that EU efforts to regulate AI could lead his company to leave the continent. The EU ignored the warning and this year approved the AI Act. OpenAI stayed, and Altman now says he is committed to upholding the law. Huawei Vice President Meng Wanzhou in October 2021 after leaving court in Vancouver, Canada. BOB FRID (EFE) A similar situation was seen years ago, when the GDPR was being drafted, which gives European citizens the right to know how and for what purposes companies manage their data. Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with members of the European Parliament and visited the European Commission. He threatened to leave Europe, considering Brussels demands excessive. The GDPR came into force in 2018 and Facebook, now Meta, is still operating on the continent. A new horizon Whether uncoordinated or not, government action is having an effect on social media companies. Platforms are now increasingly careful about what they do. Activists have been calling for changes for a long time and, gradually and in a non-radical way, progress is beginning to be made in this direction, says Simona Levy, a technopolitical strategist and founder of the Xnet collective. She has just published Democratic Digitalization. Digital Sovereignty for the People, a book that calls on institutions to guarantee that large platforms respect the law. The EU has put in place a legal framework that is starting to be applied. In the U.S., lawsuits and new laws that are underway will also greatly affect the future of large social media platforms. And, as seen in Brazil, countries are no longer cowering in the face of technology companies that flout the law. The heavy cogs of the system are starting to turn. Society is responding and wants to curb the dangers of social media platforms, from the dissemination of misinformation and incitement to hate to the addiction and harm caused to young people. But, just as 2016 marked a turning point in this race towards regulation, 2024 could also be a game changer. Almost all of Silicon Valley, with Elon Musk at the helm, has placed its bet for the U.S. presidential elections in November. Their man is Trump, and the candidate is keenly aware of his supporters. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A widely derided election crimes dragnet from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appears to be targeting voters who signed a petition to get an abortion rights amendment on state ballots this fall, a measure that the Republican governor and his anti-abortion allies strongly oppose. DeSantiss administration has previously deployed law enforcement officers to the homes of formerly incarcerated people who were accused of illegally voting. Most of those charges were eventually dropped. Now, officers appear to be visiting the homes of citizens who signed a petition that successfully put Amendment 4 on Novembers ballots, which would enshrine the right to abortion care in the states constitution and overturn state law signed by DeSantis that bans abortion at six weeks of pregnancy, before most people know they are pregnant. DeSantiss secretary of state has ordered elections supervisors in at least four counties to review at least 36,000 petition forms that had already been verified months ago. A state agency that operates under the governors office has also published a website and social media accounts to advocate against the amendment, drawing allegations that DeSantis is violating state law by using a government agency and taxpayer dollars to lobby against it. Democratic officials and abortion rights groups are preparing legal action to stop him. These are petitions that were already approved, that were done properly, Florida congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz told reporters on Monday. This police intimidation tactic is clearly intended to chill the democratic process. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, speaking to supporters on September 9, could face legal action after his administration appeared to target voters who signed petititions supporting an abortion rights measure to appear on ballots this fall (AP) She said DeSantiss police threats raise federal civil rights concerns, and she is looking into the possibility of a federal investigation. Floridas Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said the governor is resorting to unlawful attacks and intimidation tactics to suppress voters, and is using state government resources to do it, including harassing local supervisors to demand signatures that were already certified, intimidating abortion petition signers [and] launching an illegal government website attacking Amendment 4. They cant win on the issue, so they lie and they cheat to scare voters, she added. We have some of the best attorneys in the country working on this, Democratic state Representative Anna Eskamani added. You can expect there to be legal battles, without a doubt. Protesters on September 3 demonstrate against Floridas Amendment 4, a ballot measure that asks whether voters want to enshrine a right to abortion care in the states constitution (EPA) A statement from Floridas Department of State claims that officials uncovered evidence of illegal conduct with fraudulent petitions. We have a duty to seek justice for Florida citizens who were victimized by fraud and safeguard the integrity of Floridas elections, a spokesperson added. Our office will continue this investigation and make referrals to [the Florida Department of Law Enforcement] as appropriate. At an unrelated press briefing on Monday, DeSantis defended the use state agencies to weigh in on the issue, saying the website and social media messages are above board and not electioneering. He also defended the use of so-called election police, claiming that petitions were relying on information from dead voters and included signatures that did not match those in a voter database. Maybe they signed their name. That is absolutely possible, he said. And if thats what you say, I think thats probably the end of it. He claimed that theres a lot of seedy activity going on. But Democrats point out that the petitions were already reviewed at local elections offices and at the state level by Democratic and Republican officials. So all of this looks like a ruse, like a witch hunt, according to Florida state Representative Fentrice Driskell. There have been Republicans involved in this validation process. It seems if there were any fraud allegations it would have been uncovered much sooner. They have nothing to run on. Theyre creating this theater. While DeSantis was traveling across the country to promote his failed presidential campaign, Floridians Protecting Freedom collected roughly 1 million signatures in January, ensuring a slot for Amendment 4 on November ballots. Ballots are expected to be printed within the coming weeks. Voters will be asked whether the states constitution should be amended to state that no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he will vote against the amendment, despite claiming that he opposes Floridas six-week abortion ban. Women at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago wear their support for Floridas Amendment 4 the Right to Abortion Initiative on August 19 (EPA) After securing millions of dollars in the state budget for his Office of Election Crime and Security, DeSantis announced an opening salvo against voter fraud with the sweeping arrest of 20 people in 2022. But court records and police reports reviewed by The Independent revealed that the people targeted in those stings and in a high-profile campaign-like press conference were told by election workers or other government officials that they were eligible to vote. Virtually all the charges against them were later dropped, but not before upending their lives, including losing jobs and healthcare for their family members. According to court records, the defendants said they did not intend to commit any crime, believing that a recent constitutional amendment had granted them their right to vote after they were disenfranchised because of their felony convictions. Videos of their arrests show them confused and deeply frustrated by the charges, and officers appeared unsure whether they did anything wrong. We all remember those painful police camera videos It was revolting, said Wasserman Schultz, who said that DeSantis is relying on the same tactics against women and abortion rights supporters. By now youve likely read details of the project of intimidation underway in Florida as voters in the state try to place a measure to protect abortion on Novembers ballot. The Tampa Bay Times and other local news outlets have reported in recent days that police have been going to the homes of Florida residents who signed a petition to help get Amendment 4 on the ballot and questioning individuals about their signatures. Big picture, it looks as if Gov. Ron DeSantis has come up with a new, creatively frightening way to turn Florida into a police state. Residents who were questioned have posted on social media or spoken to news outlets about the experience, saying the plain clothes police officers asked for verification that the resident signed the petition, claiming theyre investigating potential signature fraud. Some residents have claimed that the police went as far as asking for their identification or drivers license to confirm signatures. In the last two weeks, at least six county elections supervisors in Florida have received word from the Florida Department of State requesting copies of tens of thousands of the petitions that were signed in support of getting the measure on the ballot, the Miami Herald reported. Democratic state lawmakers, voting rights activists and the group behind Amendment 4 which, if approved by voters this fall would codify abortion access into the constitution in a state where abortion is banned after six weeks are outraged by these developments, as DeSantis seemingly deploys state resources in service of defeating a ballot proposal that goes against his administrations policy agenda. The group behind the Amendment 4 drive collected over one million verified signatures to get the measure on the ballot, according to the Miami Herald. These are petitions that were already approved, that were done properly, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) told reporters on Monday. This police intimidation tactic is clearly intended to chill the democratic process. This is unhinged and undemocratic behavior being pushed by Governor Ron DeSantis in an effort to continue our states near total abortion ban, Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani posted on Facebook Friday. Its clear voter intimidation and plain corruption continue to call it out and fight back. The Tampa Bay Time has a good rundown of the details of all the encounters that have been reported thus far here. Its a bleak story that only gets worse from here: Local news outlets have started to report that the law enforcement officers who have been conducting the questioning of individual voters are members of the DeSantis administrations election police force, which carried out arrests for the states supposed election crimes task force in the wake of the 2020 election. Youll recall TPM covered the made-for-tv announcement of the arrests and the fallout when DeSantis failed to net prosecutions against nearly all of the 20 previously incarcerated individuals his election police arrested for accidentally voting. Heres a good rundown of the aftermath of that large scale political stunt, which did little beyond ruin the 20 formerly incarcerated peoples livelihoods and give DeSantis talking points for his 2024 bid. Speaking to reporters in Miami Lakes on Monday, DeSantis defended his election police questioning those who supported getting Amendment 4 on the ballot, claiming, without evidence, that there were issues with some of the signatures and that some had been turned in on behalf of dead people. It may be that the signature is totally different, and that voter will say, No, I actually did do that, DeSantis said. Maybe they signed their name. That is absolutely possible. And if thats what you say, I think thats probably the end of it. The Best Of TPM Today Trumps Authoritarian Promise Is Distilled Into A Single Paragraph Yesterdays Most Read Story The Art Of The Sentencing TPM Staff What We Are Reading Justice Alitos Stock Portfolio Stands Apart on US Supreme Court Trumps Angry New Threats of Bloodshed and Revenge Should Alarm Us All The right-wing bubble says Trump will save your cat from immigrants Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the use of his election police to question people who signed petitions for an amendment that would overturn the states six-week abortion ban, saying its part of an investigation that has already uncovered fraud. Theyre doing what theyre supposed to do, DeSantis said when asked during a news conference in Miami Lakes on Monday. His comments were the first hes made publicly on a broad and unusual effort by the Florida Department of State. In the last two weeks, the state sent requests to at least six county elections supervisors seeking copies of tens of thousands of signed and verified petitions in support of Amendment 4. The amendment, if approved by 60% of voters in November, would protect abortion access in Florida until viability. State police have also knocked on some Floridians doors to question whether they really signed petitions to get the amendment on the ballot. The group behind the amendment collected nearly 1 million verified petitions. One county supervisor told the Times the requests from the state were unprecedented. The state did not ask for rejected petitions which have been the basis for past fraud cases but instead only asked for already verified signatures. DeSantis said Monday that his election police found that some verified petitions were not signed by the actual voter. That prompted police to question voters, DeSantis said. It may be that the signature is totally different, and that voter will say, No, I actually did do that, DeSantis said. Maybe they signed their name. That is absolutely possible. And if thats what you say, I think thats probably the end of it. The investigation two months before the election has alarmed backers of Amendment 4, who have called it election interference and speculated that it could be a last-ditch effort to remove the amendment from the ballot. DeSantis has come out strongly against the amendment, organizing opposition and using state resources to advocate against it. During a Monday news conference, Florida Democratic Party chairperson Nikki Fried said the party was bracing for a possible legal fight. This is all about theater, this is all about intimidation of the voters as people are about to go to the ballot box, Fried said. In at least three counties, the state requested verified petitions for specific congressional districts. One of the requirements for organizers to get an amendment on the ballot is to get a certain percentage of petitions signed in at least half of the states 28 congressional districts. The amendment group met that threshold in 17 districts. Secretary of State Cord Byrd certified the amendment for placement on the ballot on Jan. 25. The investigation started because the state received complaints about the petition gatherers working on behalf of Amendment 4, DeSantis said. There was a lot of complaints about this one group that was supporting Amendment 4 for a wide variety of reasons, he said Monday. It turns out, they looked, this group submitted dozens of petitions on behalf of dead people. To gather signatures, supporters of Amendment 4 paid a contractor behind several recently successful ballot amendments, including the 2016 amendment legalizing medical marijuana and the 2018 amendment allowing Floridians with felony convictions to vote. DeSantis was not asked, and he did not say, whether he would try to invalidate the amendment depending on the results of the investigation. Florida, like many states, has seen cases of petition fraud over the years, including in a failed 2022 effort to expand casino gambling. Until recently, petition gatherers were allowed to be paid per signature, a practice state lawmakers ended because they believed it encouraged fraud. Jonathan Marshfield, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Florida, said hes not aware of legal precedent the state could use to challenge the already validated petitions because a deadline in state law has already passed. Democrats on Monday also criticized the state Agency for Health Care Administration for creating a website last week opposing Amendment 4, which they said was an abuse of state resources for a political message. The website, which includes the agencys seal, says that Amendment 4 threatens womens safety and tells visitors that Florida is protecting life. The health agency also launched an advertisement directing people to the anti-Amendment 4 website. The agency did not return requests for comment on how much it spent on airing the advertisement. DeSantis on Monday called the agencys website a public service announcement to basically provide people with accurate information. Everything thats put out is factual. It is not electioneering, DeSantis said. Its things that can absolutely be done through these public service announcements. And Im glad theyre doing it. The official account of the Republican House Judiciary Committee today posted an AI-generated photo of presidential candidate Donald Trump submerged chest-deep in water, shutting his eyes while embracing a duck and kitten. "Protect our kittens and ducks in Ohio!" the elected officials wrote above the image. Though the influential Republican committee one of the House of Representative's most esteemed assignments didn't explicitly denote or watermark the image as AI-generated, it certainly doesn't look real; the former president's features are oddly smooth, as are those of the cartoonishly calm-looking cat and duck. Influential Trump supporter and X owner Elon Musk reshared the picture, captioning it with a smiling-face-with-hearts emoji. But the image wasn't created to make Trump, who famously doesn't care for pets, look cuddly. It was created to reinforce the false story that Haitian immigrants flooding to the US are killing and eating their neighbors' pets an inflammatory partisan rumor based on largely debunked "reports" and murky social media hearsay that, according to actual law enforcement officials, have no merit. And in a bigger sense, it's something we're seeing more and more: American political candidates and operatives, usually on the right, using AI to dream up fantastical things that affirm their worldview even if they never actually happened. The claim that a Haitian immigrant in Canton, Ohio had killed and eaten a neighbor's cat went viral on social media this weekend after the Malaysia-based right-wing influencer Ian Miles Cheong shared an alleged video of the incident to his 1.1 million followers. Without evidence, Cheong a former contributor to RT, the Russian state-backed media company connected to the recent Russian influence campaign scandal involving several popular right-wing social media influencers told followers that the woman who committed the disturbing crime was a Haitian immigrant. Shortly after that, in the same thread, another right-wing poster shared an image of a man carrying a goose, which he presented as evidence of Haitians stealing and slaying Ohio animals. Alongside the photo was a screenshot of a viral post said to be taken from a Springfield, Ohio Facebook group, in which a local resident warned that "rangers & police" had told them that immigrants had stolen and eaten family pets like cats and dogs and had taken ducks and geese from a local park. "There are reports of Haitian migrants stealing and butchering geese, cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio," the X poster in Cheong's comments captioned the screenshot. "Thanks, Kamala." (A nearly-identical post was shared the day before by another popular right-wing account, "End Wokeness.") But as the Springfield News-Sun reported earlier today, Springfield police have denied the validity of the Facebook-shared rumor, telling the newspaper that the allegations of animal theft by immigrants are "not something that's on our radar right now." Cheong's baseless claim about the horror story in Canton was also quickly debunked. As the Daily Dot points out, no media reports about the incident noted that the accused cat-eater, a 27-year-old Canton resident named Allexis Ferrell, was a Haitian immigrant not even Fox News' writeup. And as other social media users were quick to rebut, a standard internet search reveals that Ferrell has been in the country since at least before the Biden administration. But regardless of the lack of evidence, the rumors spread like wildfire across X, where right-wing influencers and commentators including Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, reactionary commentator Benny Johnson who was one of the personalities being secretly paid by Russian government to churn out divisive content and billionaire X owner Musk have seized on the reactionary claims. (Kirk, for instance, took to X on Sunday with a conspiratorial rant about the "Biden-Harris mass immigration replacement plan.") And then, earlier today, the GOP's House Judiciary Committee officially weighed in with its AI-generated image implying, without any confirmed evidence, that immigrants are out to kill Ohio's adorable animals en masse, and that Trump will be the one to save them. The committee's use of AI sparked a series of copycat posts. "Save the animals!!!" one blue-checked X user wrote in response to the house committee, adding an AI-generated image of Trump and a horde of mishappen animals together in a dingy. "Save the kittens," reads another post, this one portraying the 78-year-old former president leaping out of a helicopter to scoop up the animals. "Protect the ducks." For a powerful group of elected representatives tasked with ensuring the administration of justice to share an AI-generated image falsely affirming uncorroborated or entirely debunked partisan rumors is an alarming use of AI technology in the political sphere. It's true that Springfield, Ohio has experienced a large influx of Haitian immigrants in recent months, most of whom have fled widespread political and gang violence in their home country, and that the town has thus become an accidental epicenter of the ongoing debate over immigration, as The New York Times recently reported. But local law enforcement has made it clear that they've received no reports about stolen animals at the hands of Haitian immigrants, despite a viral Facebook post and one picture of one man with one goose. And there's no evidence that the awful killing of the cat in Canton was by a recent immigrant, nevermind one from Haiti. Regardless of glaring evidentiary holes, though, the influential Capitol Hill committee used AI to drum up a fake picture of Donald Trump embracing Ohio's cutest fake animals, fanning partisan flames and affirming spurious, divisive rumors in the process. But with the very AI-happy Trump holding firm as the party's standard bearer, what else should we expect? More on AI and the election: If You Zoom Into This "Photo" Trump Posted, Youll Find Something Very Strange Despite opt-outs by GOP states, debut of kids summer food program seen as a success The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program, known as Summer EBT, popped up in 37 states, the District of Columbia and multiple territories and tribal nations this year and is intended to feed hungry kids. (Inti St. Clair/Getty Photos) A U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative to feed hungry kids during the long summer months is mostly winding down, with advocates calling it a success despite some hiccups and the federal government and many states are already working to bring the permanent program back in 2025. The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program or Summer EBT has popped up in 37 states, the District of Columbia and multiple territories and tribal nations this year. Advocates say that despite the programs fair share of challenges, especially given its first year of implementation, the program emerged as an important resource in the fight against kids summer hunger. Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, provides low-income families with school-aged children a grocery-buying benefit of $120 per child. Children are automatically enrolled in Summer EBT if already enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, known as TANF; or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, per the USDA. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Students might also be automatically enrolled if their school offers the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and their family qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals, according to the USDA. Most states deadlines to apply for the benefit this summer have already passed, and many have already issued the benefit for the summer months. Allan Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the USDA, said its too early to say just how many children have been served through the program so far this summer, but based on the participating states, territories and tribes, an estimated 21 million children are eligible to receive the benefits. Critical support to families Kelsey Boone, senior child nutrition policy analyst at the Food Research & Action Center, told States Newsroom that like any new program, there are challenges with Summer EBT. The national nonprofit works to reduce poverty-related hunger through research, advocacy and policy solutions. That has included tight implementation timelines, logistical complexities and the need to raise awareness among eligible families, Boone said. Despite those challenges, Boone said the program is definitely worth it and provides critical support to families by ensuring children have access to nutritious foods during the summer months, bridging the gap when school meals are unavailable. Boone said we are still in the midst of implementation, so there arent hard statistics on how the programs are really rolling out at this point. She added that some states have had to return to USDA and ask for higher amounts of benefits, and that is due to the fact that they are streamline certifying, or automatically giving benefits to more students than they expected, and that is a very big positive for the streamlined certification process. Boone noted that some states have been delayed in issuing the benefits, which means some families will not be receiving benefits until September or even October or November. Still, Boone said that despite the importance of receiving the benefits during crucial summer months when school meal programs are not an option, it is also going to be helpful no matter what. Over a dozen states opted out But 13 states all with Republican governors chose not to partake in the program this year, including Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Multiple tribal nations in Oklahoma are participating despite the state opting out. Rodriguez said the department expects that even more states and tribes will provide SUN Bucks next year. States have until Jan. 1 to submit a notice of intent if they plan to participate in Summer EBT for 2025, according to the USDA. Alabama has already allocated millions of dollars in funding for the program next summer. We recognize that standing up a new program in a very short time period is no easy task, Rodriguez said, adding that potential challenges may include making systems changes, identifying sufficient staff, and securing financial resources to cover program administration, particularly (states) responsibility for covering 50% of the administrative costs associated with operating the program. The USDA is committed to working closely with all states, U.S. territories, and eligible tribes to support our shared goal of ensuring children have access to critical nutrition in the summer months through SUN Bucks, Rodriguez added. Justin King, policy director at Propel a financial technology company helping low-income Americans track Electronic Benefit Transfer balances, like Summer EBT, through an app said theres a lot of frustration and disappointment among folks who feel left out because their state has chosen not to participate this year. The company, which has partnered with the Biden administration, serves more than 5 million households each month. King said the big takeaway from looking at Summer EBT is that while there might be inevitable hiccups and challenges, Summer EBT can work, and it does make a difference for the households that it serves. The comments that weve gotten from households whove received the benefit this year are overwhelmingly positive about it making a real difference in their ability to keep their kids healthy and fed in summertime. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE More than 15,000 children in Maryland's schools last year identified as homeless, and with rising rents and evictions, officials don't expect this school year to be much different. Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images Two brothers with big dreams were among the more than 15,500 children identified as homeless in Marylands public schools last school year, 1.7% of the student body. Together with their parents, they lived in Anne Arundel County, one of the states wealthiest jurisdictions, showing homelessness can happen anywhere. I never imagined in a million years that we would be homeless, their mother told me. Life suddenly changed for all of us. We lived out of bags and suitcases. Their story is reflective of the thousands of Maryland students, prekindergarten through high school, expected to be homeless at some point, if not most of, this school year. Amid rising rents, increasing evictions, and an estimated housing shortage of 96,000 units, Gov. Wes Moore recently signed legislation to make housing more plentiful and affordable, and provide limited financial assistance to some at-risk renters. But it will take time to kick in. Jennifer Laque, homeless education liaison for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, said at least initially, I anticipate our numbers being equivalent to what they were last (school) year, when 1,256 children, 1.4% of the countys student body, were identified as without a fixed address. The brothers family became homeless after their landlord told them she had decided to sell the townhouse she rented them, instead of renewing the lease. Around the same time, the parents lost their jobs, got COVID-19 and couldnt afford a new place. Like most without a permanent address, the family spent nights in a relatives or friends home, often on a couch. Others in homelessness take refuge in shelters, campgrounds, cars, motels or hotels. Some are homeless for a day, a week or a month. The brothers and their parents were homeless month after month, living with one relative and then another. We all had difficulty sleeping, their mother says. A lot of stress. The family was part of Americas growing homelessness, blamed primarily on the lack of affordable housing. One winter night last year, an annual federal count identified 653,104 people as experiencing homelessness, a 12% rise over 2022. According to RentHop, an online rental service, the average monthly rental for a two-bedroom listing in Anne Arundel County last month was $2,400, up 28% from 2021. U.S. Census data puts the countys median household income at $113,125. Princeton Universitys Eviction Lab reports that of the 32 cities nationwide where it has complete data, 25 had an increase in eviction filings from 2022 to 2023. People are one paycheck from being unable to pay rent, says Laque. There are weeks when four or five families (in Anne Arundel County) are evicted. Laque is in the Office of Pupil Personnel, part of a statewide team that assists homeless children via the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law dating back to 1987. It mandates a host of aid, from food, clothing and school supplies to academic support and transportation. The two brothers remained in their respective schools, though getting back and forth to class from their relatives homes required riding multiple buses. We made it a priority that they get to school each day, the mother says. The father eventually got a new job, and with the help of a nonprofit, he and his family moved into a new rented home, ending seven months of homelessness. Through it all, the two brothers kept up with their schoolwork and maintained their dreams of pursuing higher education, one in science and the other in music. Many in homelessness see their dreams threatened or shattered. They are less apt to attend class and graduate from school and, thus, more likely to end up without a job, in poverty, and again homeless. Marylands new Rental Assistance for Community School Families Program will provide $5 million to assist at-risk student families in paying their rent and another $5 million to help others in such need. However, its unclear when the relief will begin and how many it will help. A 2023 study with the Maryland Center on Economic Policy found the state would need to spend $40 million annually to help prevent the eviction of 15,000 families. The study concluded it would save Maryland about $92 million in reduced safety-net costs. For now, the mother of the two brothers offers this advice to parents who lose their homes: Youve got to keep going. Dont be too proud to ask for help. The school is a great resource. A former Stoughton Police detective accused of killing Sandra Birchmore in 2021 will remain behind bars after a detention hearing planned for this week has been canceled, court documents show. Matthew Farwell, 38, of North Easton, pleaded not guilty to a charge of killing a witness or a victim in federal court in Boston on Wednesday, shortly after an FBI Boston SWAT team arrested him in Revere on Wednesday morning. A federal indictment alleges that the married father killed the 23-year-old Birchmore, who was pregnant with his child, by strangulation in her Canton apartment on or about Feb. 1, 2021, and then staged her death as a suicide. A detention hearing that had been planned for Thursday for Farwell was canceled at the request of his defense attorneys, court documents show. In a decision filed Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley ordered that Farwell be detained in a corrections facility pending the resolution of the matter. 25 Investigates: Feds met with State Medical Examiner prior to arrest in Sandra Birchmore case Farwell is accused of using his authority to groom and sexually exploit Birchmore as a teenager and then continuing a sexual relationship with her until her death in 2021, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said Wednesday. Farwell was an instructor for the Stoughton Police Departments Explorers Program, a program for youths explore careers in law enforcement. Court documents showed that Birchmore joined the program in 2010 when she was 12 years of age. 25 Investigates: Sandra Birchmores death initially investigated by state law enforcement Then 27, Farwell began having sex with Birchmore when she was 15, which is statutory rape, Levy said. He continued to have sex with her until her death, meeting her for sex regularly while he was on duty and paid by the Stoughton Police Department, Levy said Wednesday. Prosecutors and experts said if convicted, Farwell could face the death penalty. The criminal indictment came after Birchmores family suggested in a new report that the young woman was the victim of a homicide, not a suicide as first announced by authorities following her death in 2021. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW DETROIT, Mich. (FOX 2) - The Detroit Police Department is asking the public to help them locate Mya Watkins, 15, who went missing sometime Sept. 8. The teenager is described as about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 115 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair. She was last known to be near her residence in the 4500 block of Holcomb. According to her mother, she has Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call Detroit Police at 313-596-5740, or 1-800-SpeakUp. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A developer has been tapped to conduct work at a vacant downtown Dayton hotel. According to the Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority, Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company has been named the developer for the headquarter hotel for Dayton Convention Center on S. Jefferson Street, between E. Fifth and Stone streets. Trans-Siberian Orchestra returning to Nutter Center for 2 performances While the MCCFA heard from a number of qualified developers, it determined that Concord had the ideal strategy for the development and operation of a convention center-centric property with proven experience in Dayton, said Pam Plageman, CEO and executive director of MCCFA. The MCCFA reports contract negotiations will be conducted over the next two to three months for precise information relating to the project. In April, WDTN reported the Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority announced a new hotel was proposed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. A crowd of protestors gathered outside the U.S. Supreme Court protesting the court's decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, which protected abortion rights in the first trimester of pregnancy. People protest in response to the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 24, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Court's decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health overturns the landmark 50-year-old Roe v Wade case and erases a federal right to an abortion. A federal judge in Florida invoked Dobbs in allowing Alabama's ban on gender-affirming medication to go into effect. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) The U.S. Supreme Courts decision to strike down federal abortion rights affects much more than reproductive health. Exhibit A: the battle over Alabamas ban on gender-affirming medical care. Heres some background. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the law, which prohibits the prescription of puberty blockers and hormones to transgender youth under the age of 19, in April 2022. U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke blocked it the following month. The judge wrote that the statute burdened parents ability to make decisions for their children. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX That, Burke continued, impinged on their due process rights under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The state hadnt done enough to avoid violating that constitutional right. Alabama appealed. Last year, a three-judge panel of the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overruled Burke. U.S. Circuit Judge Barbara Lagoa ruled that Alabama hadnt violated the 14th Amendment because, she wrote, access to transgender health care had no historical grounding in the law. That reasoning comes straight from the case that ended federal abortion protections two years ago, Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. In that opinion, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that abortion was not a right deeply rooted in the Nations history and tradition, so the 14th Amendment didnt apply. By applying that logic to Alabamas transgender law, Lagoa made it much easier for the statute to survive. All the state had to show was a rational basis for it a much lower bar. The law could be merely based on rational speculation and didnt have to be supported by evidence or empirical data, Lagoa wrote. In other words: Alabama doesnt have to prove anything negative about gender-affirming medication. The state doesnt even have to provide a reason for what its doing; a court can do so. And really, this is the only way Alabama could have won the case. During Burkes May 2022 hearing on the law, which I covered for the Montgomery Advertiser, transgender families and their attorneys put physicians on the stand and people who work with transgender children. They described multiple rounds of consultation. The meetings with parents. The positive effects of the treatments. The state had Dr. James Cantor, who does not treat gender dysphoria and acknowledged on the stand that he doesnt work with transgender youth. It had Sydney Wright, who took hormones at age 19, and not under professional standards or in the state of Alabama. Burke did not find their testimony persuasive. But by lowering the review standard, Lagoa could ignore the plausibility gap. First, she seized on a statement from Burke acknowledging the drugs contained some risks, such as loss of fertility or sexual function. Almost all medical treatments carry risks. Chemotherapy can lead to fertility loss. The question is whether the good outweighs the bad. She also wrote that some European countries had restricted access to the drugs. And they had, though none had employed anything like Alabamas sweeping restrictions. But for Lagoa, that was enough. There is at least rational speculation that some families will not fully appreciate those risks and that some minors experiencing gender dysphoria ultimately will desist and identify with their biological sex, she wrote. Lagoa continued the argument in a long concurrence to an 11th Circuit opinion last month upholding her ruling. She tried to answer colleagues who questioned her interpretation of the law. She hauled in the Cass Report, a survey of gender-affirming care in the United Kingdom whose methods have been sharply criticized. She even brought in arguments that were never in front of the district court or her panel. Although the district court disagreed with that evidence, it acknowledged that Alabama offer[ed] some evidence that transitioning medications pose certain risks, she wrote. That is sufficient to satisfy the rational-basis test. The Alabama Legislature is entitled to look at the competing evidence and draw its own conclusions. Perhaps. But there was a major difference in the quality of the evidence presented. On the one side, you have testimonies from medical professionals who work with transgender youth. On the other, you have speculation and irrelevant examples. Didnt matter. Dobbs allowed the court to give real-world experience the same legal weight as speculative paranoia. And thats a major problem. If one of our state reps convinces his colleagues to end mandatory vaccinations because hes been listening to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., can Alabama justify that by calling that nonsense rational speculation and claiming theres no historical basis for vaccination? If an Alabama official says he has rational speculation that women seeking out-of-state abortions need to be locked up in the states violent prisons, is just saying so enough for our judiciary? Or if Alabama decides to shut down its public schools (there is no right to public education in the state constitution), could a state official announce that hes speculated, rationally, that public education leads to woke minds? Dobbs opens up a world where lawmakers are free to create laws with no basis in reality, laws that indulge their worst instincts and do real harm to people living here. Like transgender youth. And women. And anyone who can contract a disease. And if our judiciary lets them pursue those fantasies, were all in trouble. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Did hot weather have anything to do with the chemical smell in North County? OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) The smell of salty sea air and sunscreen was overpowered by a wafting chemical-like aroma in North County Friday, according to locals who took to social media to speculate on what it might be. In the evening hours, the scent was noticed as far north as Oceanside and as far south as Encinitas posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Reddit relayed. Descriptive words that were used online included toxic and smoke-like. RELATED: Strong smell in North County unrelated to Escondido battery fire, officials say Many pointed to last weeks fire at a San Diego Gas & Electric-operated battery storage facility in Escondido, though officials with SDG&E said in a statement Saturday that the blaze was extinguished by 1 a.m. on Friday. Alert San Diego, an incident page through the countys emergency alert system, produced a message to the public at 6 p.m. Friday, informing locals that the Air Pollution Control District was assessing the situation with support from the Countys Hazardous Incident Response Team. As of Sunday, no clear answers have been given as to why North County smelled of chemicals that evening. Only speculations remains. Also on Friday, a summer heat wave brought high temperatures even to the costal communities. Places like Oceanside and Carlsbad saw highs in the mid-80s to upper 90s, according to National Weather Service. With this in consideration, did the hot weather have anything to do with that lingering smell in North County? FOX 5 reached out to Alex Tardy, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for NWS San Diego, to get his opinion on the possibility. Ive heard about these reports and weve had inquiries in the same area, said Tardy. I live in this area [North County] and did notice a faint smell yesterday [Friday] afternoon. When asked if high temperatures could cause some sort of atmospheric event or reaction to make pollutants in the air have a strong smell, the meteorologist said, I dont know of anything on the ocean other than a harmful algae bloom that may cause a smell that is not a burnt odor. RELATED: Escondido battery storage fire update: All evacuation orders lifted He then provided Fridays satellite animations, seen in the video below, which he says shows that there was drift to the coast Friday morning from the battery fire that occurred Thursday evening in Escondido. In another interesting angle, Tardy pointed out that the satellite imagery also shows that it was clearly evident that smoke from the northern Mexico fire was transported north along the coast during Friday afternoon. This fire, which Cal Fire San Diego confirmed was located four miles south of the international border, began around 12:30 p.m. Friday. The impacted area was south of Tecate, Mexico. Now whether or not the smoke from Mexico was too far up in the atmosphere is hard to say since typically, wildfire smoke will get pushed higher into the atmosphere away from the source and that makes it much harder to smell, Tardy explained. As far the chemical smell, the Mexico fire was reported to be vegetation. Tardy speculated, however, that it may not have just been vegetation. Though no clear answer seems viable, the theories around what may have caused the stench continue to be explored. FOX 5s Danielle Dawson 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A disbarred Miami attorney who once worked as a state prosecutor and then as a civil trial lawyer is serving 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to producing child pornography involving online chat rooms with teenage boys, according to federal court records. William Power McCaughan Jr., grew up on Key Biscayne and graduated from Christopher Columbus High School, University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University Law Center, records show. McCaughan, 42, faced up to 30 years in prison at his sentencing in Miami federal court; instead, U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz imposed a term slightly longer than the minimum-mandatory 15-year sentence for the internet child-porn offense. Billy still has a long way to go, but he is committed to continuing the road to recovery, his defense attorneys, Joseph Rosenbaum and David Rothman, wrote in a memo before McCaughans sentencing in late August. He is also committed to serving his time, making amends and paying it forward. Billy is not a lost cause and is worthy of a second chance to get things right. READ MORE: A Coral Gables attorney asked to be disbarred while facing child pornography charges McCaughans federal child-porn case was filed in July of last year when he was working as an attorney for the Morgan Law Group in Coral Gables. Earlier in his career, McCaughan, the son of a Key Biscayne lawyer, had worked as a state prosecutor in Southwest Florida. The initial charges against McGaughan dealt with receiving child-porn images over the internet, leading to the revocation of his law license for five years by the Florida Supreme Court in December. But in February, federal prosecutors upped the charges to include production of child-porn images, a more serious offense. Three months later, McCaughan pleaded guilty to the production charge while the other offenses were dismissed. Heres how the FBI case unfolded, according to a factual statement filed with McCaughans plea agreement. Wanted to have sex with 11-year-old girl In December 2022, McCaughan, under the name wmccaugh on the Kik file-sharing app, watched video of another users 11-year-old niece and told the user he wanted to take the girl on a road trip and, later, spend a weekend performing sexual acts on her before she develops too much. McCaughan, who was speaking to an FBI undercover officer, expressed frustration that sex was treated as private and taboo and off limits to kids and he thought lots of kids are horny and curious from a young age and even if they arent or dont like it a lot, they need to learn. Then, last year, agents obtained search warrants for McCaughans home, vehicle and electronic devices, including a cellular phone. Agents located the Kik application logged in for use under the wmccaugh user name. Chats with teenage boys Agents discovered chats on his cell phone between McCaughan and a 16-year-old boy and 14-year-old boy. They involved discussions of sexual acts with pre-pubescent minors with one of the minor victims, according to the factual statement filed with McCaughans plea agreement. The first minor victim turned 17 during the course of his chatting with McCaughan. On March 11 , 2021 , McCaughan chatted with the second minor victim and asked about his age. The minor victim told McCaughan that he was 16 years old. During their conversation, [McCaughan] asked [the second victim] to send him images of his genitalia, according to the statement. McCaughan then said: let me see more of you, to spread that ass and let me see the hole Im going to wreck, and lets see the rest of your body and cock, among other things, according to the statement. In response, the second victim sent him multiple media files of his naked penis. The images depicted the [second minor victim] engaged in sexually explicit conduct and therefore constitute child pornography, according to prosecutors Abbie Waxman and Lauren Astigarraga-Little. I hope Upstate residents are paying attention to the congressional race in District 4. U.S. Rep. William Timmons, a Republican, and his opponent Kathryn Harvey, a Democrat, recently spoke to residents in Spartanburg. I hope more people will familiarize themselves with the candidates policies instead of simply voting along party lines. Policies involve various aspects of life such as health care, employment, education, and economics. There are elderly and disabled people living in cars and parking garages because of bad policies. Medicaid expansion and eliminating outdated, punitive asset limitations would help prevent homelessness and bring more money into the economy. The asset limitations for beneficiaries on Medicaid and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) are outdated and result in more administrative costs. Beneficiaries were thrown off of these programs because of the stimulus checks during the pandemic. Project 2025, a 930-page document that calls for drastic cuts in social services, would increase homelessness and other issues. Voters need to know where candidates stand on Project 2025. More: William Timmons talks unions, childcare in Spartanburg; opponent Kathryn Harvey responds South Carolina is already one of the worst states in the country for health care. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the state ranks 46thfor overall child health. It is convenient to blame the government and the media, but it is up to voters to ask candidates about their policies on health care, reproductive rights, education, and infrastructure. The Upstate needs a candidate who will champion access to health care, affordable housing, and sustainable growth. Old bad policies begat new bad policies; time for S.C, to get it right. Marie Griffin Spartanburg This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Issues, not 'party lines' matter in District 4 congressional race Effective Oct. 1, misoprostol, used to treat post-delivery hemorrhages, will become a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance in Louisiana under a new law. The designation means the medicine will have to be securely stored, raising concerns among doctors who say they rely on immediate access to the medication in life-threatening situations. (Photo illustration by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Louisiana doctors say they still have plenty of questions about how they will be able to access a lifesaving drug once its placed under restricted access starting next month even after state health officials provided them with new guidance on the law. On Friday afternoon, the Louisiana Department of Health released a memo with instructions to doctors about how they can use misoprostol in hospitals. Misoprostol has long been one of the go-to options for women who experience excessive bleeding after delivery. The new law was intended to curtail the use of misoprostol and mifepristone for medical abortions, although they are also used to treat other conditions such as ulcers or some pituitary disorders, respectively. Misoprostol, in particular, is used quite frequently by OB-GYNs to soften the cervix for endometrial biopsies, to induce labor or to insert an intrauterine device. The health departments outreach to physicians followed a Louisiana Illuminator report that details confusion and angst among health care providers over a new law that reclassifies the misoprostol and mifepristone as controlled dangerous substances. It goes into effect Oct. 1, and doctors have expressed concern that the changes will lead to the vital drug being pulled from postpartum hemorrhage carts. So far, the LDH memo has done little to reassure the medical community. Its not at all helpful, said a New Orleans OB-GYN who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she hadnt received clearance from her hospital to speak to a reporter. Whoever wrote this has not spent time on a labor unit, she said. This gives no actual guidance to the people who are trying to revise the protocols because it doesnt actually tell me how to keep track of the drugs on the carts, how often to count them, what to do if we need them, etc. The memo tells doctors that mifepristone and misoprostol may be utilized to treat postpartum hemorrhage even though mifepristone is not used for hemorrhaging. The two drugs can be used together for medical abortions but are not interchangeable for other indications. Setting that error aside, doctors main concern with the new law is delays in having access to misoprostol because it would have to be stored as a controlled substance. Any holdup in administering the medicine when a patient is bleeding profusely could significantly worsen outcomes. Saying that its permissible to have them available is actually kind of offensive we know that, the New Orleans-based OB-GYN said. She added that its also confusing that LDH uses the term crash cart because it could be confused for a maternal code blue cart, which is completely distinct and is not related to postpartum hemorrhage medication. We were hoping for more guidance on how to have miso available at the bedside because no other controlled substances can float around in the hospital like that, the OB-GYN said. We were hoping to have guidance on what diagnosis codes are required in order to fill a prescription [for misoprostol] based on the document from the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy that was released this summer. Unlikely to be a viable solution The states board of pharmacy referred to the law in its July newsletter, explaining that the reclassification is part of a law that created the crime of coerced abortion, when a pregnant woman is drugged with abortion medication without her consent. A diagnosis or a diagnosis code shall be written on the prescription by the prescriber indicating that the drug is intended for a purpose other than to cause an abortion in violation of this Section of law, the newsletter states. Whoever wrote this has not spent time on a labor unit. OB-GYN in New Orleans LDH sent a copy of its memo to the Illuminator late Friday afternoon, saying the guidance had been issued to health care providers earlier in the day. The department distributed the memo and guidance to providers through various channels via statewide communications, LDH press secretary Kevin Litten said. Four doctors the Illuminator contacted after receiving the memo were not yet aware LDH had issued any guidance. Dr. Jennifer Avegno, health director for the City of New Orleans, received a copy of the memo from LDH after speaking to a reporter. She said she doesnt know how the information will be shared with doctors across Louisiana. The state health department has two main ways to communicate quickly with providers when they need to, Avegno said. One is a Health Alert Network message that immediately alerts physicians. Another is through the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, which has a database of all licensed physicians in the state. Neither has been used thus far to her knowledge. The new law requires the state to educate health care providers on how the reclassification of the two drugs will affect their treatment protocols. Its not helpful, Dr. Stacey Holman, division director at Touros maternal child services, said after reviewing the document. Secure storage not practical The memo suggests securing misoprostol and mifepristone, the latter of which is not used for postpartum hemorrhages, in a secured automated dispensing system. Holman said these very large machines are not housed inside patient rooms. This still creates a delay for a patient who needs the drug urgently as many of the patient rooms are not close to these systems, she said. The LDHs suggestion that scheduled drugs be stored in a locked area of an obstetric hemorrhage cart may be good in theory. But to do this safely, in accordance with the additional rules now imposed for these drugs, an oversight process requiring more extensive record keeping and pharmacy manpower will be required, Holman said. This is unlikely to be a viable solution for most hospitals, especially those in critical access areas. After being contacted by a reporter, a family medicine OB practicing at a rural Louisiana hospital reviewed the letter. She asked not to be identified because she wasnt authorized to speak on the hospitals behalf. Thats all so confusing, she said. I dont even understand most of that document. Nothing is made clear really. What is a secure area? She referred to an auto-dispensing system, which in her hospital is called a Pyxis, and said it is an extremely expensive piece of equipment. It wouldnt be economically feasible to have multiple Pyxis machines on a hospital floor, she said. We cannot afford hospital beds with proper stirrups or to even have lidocaine always available, she said. Her hospital currently uses what she called a bleed box a small plastic box shut with zip ties. The rural doctor added that her departments Pyxis is down the hall from the delivery unit in a locked room. The machine wont open without an order verified by a pharmacy. On nights and weekends, her hospital has to call out to a remote pharmacy. Even an in-house pharmacy would take more time, when a lady is gushing liters of blood, she said. I often get covered in it. Avegno said she hopes more guidance is coming from LDH. She was among 50 doctors who signed an Aug. 22 letter to the department requesting more information on the new law, which Gov. Jeff Landry signed in May. They addressed some of the questions that we raised in our letter, but they did not address others, said Avegno, an emergency room physician. We asked for specific guidance on prescriptions in order to make sure that it complied with the act and had the highest chance of being filled for a medically necessary use and they did not address that at all. They appear to address some of the issue of inpatient access, but I am checking with some pharmacy colleagues to see if some of the things that they suggest can happen readily or are going to require a lot of work on each individual hospitals part. Touros Holman said she would also like more guidance. Creating policies and procedures to explain this could take weeks to months to write and approve, Holman said. We have 23 days to figure this out. Just 23 days to test and implement solutions as well as educate physicians on how we are going to continue to provide safe care for our OB patients. Pressure on LDH to provide guidance increased this week after the Illuminators report, which prompted a statement from Vice President Kamala Harris campaign, blaming former President Donald Trump for Louisianas law further restricting access to reproductive health care. 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, Harris-Walz spokeswoman Sarafina Chitika said. This story is republished from the Louisiana Illuminator, a sister publication to the Kentucky Lantern and part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network. Does Oklahoma really need the Freedom Caucus? Keeping member list secret hints at chaos to come Seemingly without fail each year, a new legislative caucus pops up at the Oklahoma Capitol. For those who spend less time than I do in the halls of government, a caucus is a group of lawmakers unified around shared goals. There are legislative caucuses dedicated to women, rural issues, veterans, Black and Hispanic people, the future, diabetes, and even an American Irish State Legislators Caucus. The list is seemingly endless. Nonpartisan caucuses that focus on uniting lawmakers of diverse backgrounds through shared experiences and free food can sometimes make for meaningful decisions from your state government. But the latest addition to the list the Freedom Caucus appears to be an invasive, noxious species of weed that, if allowed to take root, could begin to take over our legislative process. The caucus arrival should raise alarm bells because its an indication that a battle is brewing for the soul and control of the Oklahoma GOP, the overwhelmingly dominant party in the Legislature. The fight will be between the more moderate conservative members, who hold the most influential leadership posts, and a small faction of the far-right wing who may try to insert an oversized influence and add unnecessary chaos into the mix. I know what youre thinking: How can anyone be more conservative than Oklahoma Republicans who have already stripped the rights of women to get an abortion or for trans children to use a school bathroom? Well, it can get worse. More: New Oklahoma Freedom Caucus aims to push state Legislature 'to the right' In other states, the small caucuses try to throw their weight around to stall non-controversial bills in their bid to push legislative policies further to the right. And oddly enough, the Freedom Caucus views losing as winning because they consider it a victory if they can expose fake Republicans. Theyve been so disruptive in these other states, including Missouri and South Carolina, that Republican leaders have taken the unusual step of stripping them of power or punishing them by taking away their reserved parking spots. The Freedom Caucus has launched an Oklahoma affiliate. The Oklahoma launch is the latest victory for the State Freedom Caucus Network, a right-wing national organization that has helped launch 11 other chapters. Legislators who sign on tend to be far-right even by Republican standards on the political spectrum. For instance, Oklahomas caucus chair Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, has said he views maternity leave as six weeks paid vacation. (As a mom of two, I will assure you that the first few months with a newborn is no cakewalk.) The caucus House Vice Chair, Rep. Jim Olsen, once made national headlines for comparing efforts to end abortion to abolishing slavery and then doubled down, telling an Oklahoma City television station that hed rather be a slave than allow abortion. (Yikes.) Hes also ardently defended the practice of administering corporal punishment on disabled children. And earlier this year, Sen. Dusty Deevers, the caucus Senate vice chair, sought to outlaw pornography and seemingly imprison any adults who view it. (I still dont understand why a party that champions limited government and personal responsibility would want to control what consenting adults are doing behind closed doors?) And despite promises of diplomatically appealing to leadership, there are hints that Oklahomas caucus may be planning to incite chaos. After all, they refuse to say who is on their membership list because theyre afraid their members may face punitive action like they have seen in other states. Come on. Really? Weigh in: What are your thoughts on the newly launched Oklahoma Freedom Caucus? Lawmakers should be putting on their grown-up pants. They should be transparent with their constituents if they plan to align with the group. If this is such a great caucus that reflects Oklahoma values, what are lawmakers afraid of? Oklahoma Freedom Caucus priorities include limited government, personal responsibility, family responsibility, lower taxation, low regulation, traditional marriage and family. Ill tell you what Im afraid of: that platform. We dont live in the 1950s. Women work. We dont segregate based on race. Same-sex marriage is legal. Family planning is encouraged, and people tend to frown on making policy decisions using outdated and debunked biblical principles. Our legislators have discovered that revenue is essential in order to have nice things like roads, public schools and libraries. Taxes are how we pay the bills. If we keep cutting taxes without a plan to replace revenues, well be up a muddy creek without a paddle when our economy eventually heads south again. In an oil-dependent state like Oklahoma, we know it will. In any case, Jett said the mysterious caucus membership wants to ensure the focus remains on policy, not personality and not politics. Have they set foot inside our Capitol recently? Politics ooze out of every brick in the edifice. You cant enter an office without tripping over a lobbyist, politicking for a cause. Even our capital city selection in the early 1900s featured plenty of political wrangling. Caucuses have their uses. But their usefulness ends when they become disruptive or their members engage in childish behavior that prevents needed legislation from advancing or they adopt backwoods policies that halt needed progress. With the formation of the Freedom Caucus, mainstream Republicans may discover that their infighting has finally borne a weed that even they cant tame. Janelle Stecklein Janelle Stecklein is editor of Oklahoma Voice. An award-winning journalist, Stecklein has been covering Oklahoma government and politics since moving to the state in 2014. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ultra-far-right Freedom Caucus may not be positive for Oklahoma CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) More than 1,800 Dominion Energy customers living in the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston properties will soon receive free energy-saving products and services, all aimed at reducing energy consumption and lowering monthly bills. This marks the first time the company has launched its Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP) within housing authority communities. The NEEP program is designed to provide income-qualified customers with energy-saving education and home assessments. Participants in the program are eligible for free installations of low-cost, energy-saving measures, such as LED light bulbs, faucet aerators, HVAC filters, and weatherstripping for doors and windows. Dominion Energy is excited to offer this program on such a large scale, said Derek McDaniel, program manager for Dominion Energys Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Program. This marks the first time NEEP has worked with a housing authority in South Carolina. Our representatives have spent the past several weeks going door to door to help customers find ways to reduce the amount of electricity they use in their homes, which in return, will help them better manage their bill. Since June, the program has completed energy efficiency upgrades in hundreds of units across more than 20 properties in Charleston, including Cooper River Court, Meeting Street Manor, and Wraggborough Homes. The project is expected to wrap up in the coming weeks. Art Milligan, CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston, expressed gratitude for the program. Our residents will benefit immensely. These thoughtful modifications will greatly improve their quality of life and provide valuable energy education. Since NEEPs launch in 2013, Dominion Energy customers across South Carolina have reduced their electricity usage by more than 1 billion kilowatt hours enough energy to power around 92,000 homes for an entire year. To learn more about Dominion Energys energy-saving programs, visit their website or call 877-510-7234. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Donald Trump's Great-Nephew William, 25, Is Nonverbal and Uses a Wheelchair. Here's What William's Dad Wants You to Know Donald Trump's Great-Nephew William, 25, Is Nonverbal and Uses a Wheelchair. Here's What William's Dad Wants You to Know "William is the most courageous and inspirational person I've met," Fred Trump III tells PEOPLE of his son, after recently alleging that Donald said severely disabled people "should just die" Fred C. Trump III has been hoping this moment would arrive for more than 20 years a moment when he can leverage his polarizing last name to advocate for the disabled community on behalf of his 25-year-old son, William, who has complications from a rare genetic mutation. Fred, a nephew of former President Donald Trump, recently entered the spotlight with the release of his book, All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way, in which he describes growing up in the Trump dynasty and details his experience raising a child with "complex" intellectual and developmental disabilities. In one shocking excerpt from the book that immediately made headlines, Fred, 61, claims that Donald, 78, once told him to "just let [William] die" due to the cost of care, even after Fred brought advocates to the Oval Office to discuss how the government should be more supportive of disabled people and their families. Donald's spokesperson has dismissed the many allegations and quotes in Fred's book as "completely fabricated," calling them "total fake news of the highest order," though Fred maintains that they're "real stories." Related: Donald Trump's Nephew Says He Told Him Disabled Americans, Including Fred III's Own Son, 'Should Just Die' The publicity from All in the Family, which undoubtedly got more attention due to Donald's controversial presidential run, has already opened the door for more promising conversations about disability rights than he had while his uncle was president. "Civil rights and voting rights started with a movement," Fred tells PEOPLE. "If I have a national platform, which apparently I do right now, I think I have to start a movement." Related: Donald Trumps Nephew Fred Endorses Kamala Harris for President After Making Bombshell Allegations Against Uncle Fred C. Trump III Fred and Lisa Trump hold their son, William, in the NICU in 1999 Fred has wanted to improve the way that disabilities are viewed by the American public and handled in the U.S. health care system since he and his wife, Lisa, were thrust into uncharted territory after William's birth. The couple's first two children were born healthy, and until William arrived, there were no indicators that he would have a different experience than his older siblings. "You talk about life-changing... when you have a child who has hundreds of seizures a day like William did, where did they come from? Why were they here?" he adds. "It literally took Lisa 15 years of investigation through the internet and such to find out that he had a genetic mutation called KCNQ2." 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. Fred C. Trump III Fred C. Trump III and his youngest son, William Two years ago, William who is nonverbal and uses a wheelchair moved into a group home about 20 minutes away from his parents in Connecticut for around-the-clock care. Soon after, Fred started to reflect on his experiences and how they fit into the larger Trump family's narrative. He wrote All in the Family with the idea that, in addition to having a memoir component, it could be used as a resource for other parents who feel like they're drowning trying to adapt to a new normal. "There's something I read years ago, pretty much 20 years ago. Someone said, 'Parents don't expect or want to have a child who's blind or who has a genetic mutation or who has autism,' " he says. "What my wife, Lisa, and I try to do in the book is let folks know what opportunities there are to gain knowledge on how to deal with the issues you're presented with that you didn't expect." Related: Tim Walz and His Wife, Gwen, Open Up About Son's Non-Verbal Learning Disorder: 'His Secret Power' (Exclusive) Fred C. Trump III Fred C. Trump III and his son, William Trump Fred's book also expresses the need for disability rights, even at the highest levels of government. "[People with severe disabilities] are human beings," he tells PEOPLE. "They have thoughts and dreams and they have meaning." Donald had a difficult time understanding William's health issues from the beginning, Fred claims in his book. In 2009, Fred whose father died in 1981 met with Donald to ask for help covering the costs of William's medical care and therapy. "So what's the problem with him anyway?" Donald reportedly asked, according to the book. "Like what's wrong with him?" Fred writes that he explained how doctors believed William had a genetic disorder, but were still trying to pinpoint a diagnosis. Donald allegedly responded: Not in our family. Theres nothing wrong with our genes. In the end Fred convinced all of his father's siblings Maryanne, Elizabeth, Donald and Robert to set up a joint medical fund for William. Related: Donald Trump and Late Sister Maryanne Barry 'Cooled Their Relationship' in Recent Years: Sources (Exclusive) Fred C. Trump III Fred and Donald Trump in the Oval Office During Donald's presidency, William says he visited the Oval Office about a dozen times for a variety of reasons. When his uncle's team connected him with officials at the Department of Health and Human Services to discuss his advocacy goals, he recognized that he was privileged to have a direct line to the nation's top decision-makers. That insider access made it especially disheartening when, in May 2020, Fred says he learned that the commander-in-chief had been unmoved by his and other disability advocates' emotional presentation about making smarter investments to support disabled people and caretakers. After the meeting, Fred alleges in his book, Donald pulled him aside and said, "Those people... The shape they're in, all the expenses, maybe those kinds of people should just die." Related: Donald Trump Refused to Be Seen with Military Amputees: 'Doesn't Look Good for Me,' His Former Chief of Staff Confirms Donald allegedly repeated a similar, more pointed line later on when William's medical fund began running low and Fred called his uncle to ask for continued financial support. According to Fred's book, which the former president disputes, Donald responded, "I dont know. He doesnt recognize you. Maybe you should just let him die and move down to Florida." Clearly taking issue with Donald's assessment, Fred tells PEOPLE, "William is the most courageous and inspirational person I've met ... He needs assistance with everything he does, but there's somebody within him. There is." Fred says that only a few weeks ago, a spokesperson for Donald alerted him that William's medical fund had been dissolved. Fred C. Trump III Fred Trump III swims with his son, William Trump With an elevated profile from his memoir, Fred is more determined than ever to affect change in the disability space, and he's putting pressure on elected officials and political candidates to help. "I'm not just going to be a face," he says of his new platform. "I'm going to be a mouth." Fred has three main areas that he hopes to see improved: caregiver training and funding; housing options; and prevention, by training medical professionals to identify and treat conditions early on in a child's life. He has already met with some lawmakers, and recently he spoke at an event for the American Association of People with Disabilities. After trying and failing to make inroads with his uncle's administration, Fred announced that he would be backing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. But while he has expressed a willingness to campaign for her and was even invited as one of her guests at the Democratic National Convention in August, she won't get a free pass. "I've made it very clear to [the Harris campaign] at high levels that disability advocacy is super important to me and I'm not letting it go," he said. "Whether it's a potential Trump administration or a potential Harris administration, we're going to hold their feet to the fire." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. 'Don't just throw us on the streets after prison' Plans to release thousands of prisoners early have prompted fears of rising homelessness and reoffending. The new early release scheme will kick in this week as ministers seek to reduce pressure on the prison service and free up jail space. The government said it had "inherited a justice system in crisis", but concerns have been raised over released prisoners being unable to find accommodation. Alan, who spent years on the streets in Brighton after his release, said: "You end up getting into trouble again deliberately to get put back inside. Its not a life that a lot of us want. He said he found it "hard, very very hard" leaving jail, and struggled to access benefits and support. You come out, the worlds different," he said. "Find the right place to put us," he added. "Don't just leave us on the street." From Tuesday, prisoners on standard determinate sentences will be automatically released after they have served 40% of their sentence. The Ministry of Justice says it expects about 5,500 people will leave prison early over September and October. Data shows that 8,355 people in England and Wales - or 12% of prison leavers - were released from custody straight into rough sleeping last year, an increase of 2,310 from the previous year. Over 3,000 people were still sleeping on the streets three months after they were released. Former chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick has warned "A lot of those released, I fear will end up homeless because there simply isnt the accommodation for them." Evidence shows former inmates in stable accommodation were 50% less likely to reoffend. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons in England and Wales, raised concerns that "a sudden rush" of former prisoners seeking accommodation could increase homelessness. "Theres a danger then that we do get this bottleneck, that we do get a lot of prisoners released from prison around the same time, and therefore they wont be able to find accommodation, he told BBC South East. [BBC] Mr Taylor also highlighted the link between homelessness and reoffending. "Theyre going back out onto the streets, and then theyre back within the prison in a matter of days," he said. Nick, who was placed in accommodation after leaving prison, was concerned that there would not be enough accommodation for people being released early in the coming weeks. He said: "So obviously you're just throwing people back out and they're going to relapse, either on drugs and drink, or they're going to reoffend because they want to go back to prison because they know it's a roof over their heads." The former inmate said it was "easier, much easier" to be in prison where he got three meals a day, was paid to deliver newspapers, and had access to a hot shower. Nick, from Seaford, said he thinks about reoffending to get back into prison. Sometimes, when youre going through the bad days, he said. Nick is worried he could be made homeless again. [BBC] Helen Berresford, from social justice charity Nacro, said people can be released without support and housing in place". This can "really set them up to fail, she added. The shortage of council housing and an unwillingness from some private landlords to rent to people who have a criminal conviction both contribute to the struggle of finding somewhere to live after leaving custody, she says. Steven, who volunteers for Sussex Homeless Support, went to rehab after being released from prison homeless. [BBC] Steven, from Brighton, is a volunteer with the charity Sussex Homeless Support. He said the cycle of becoming homeless after being released from custody, and then returning to prison, is something he sees regularly. They go into prison with nothing, and then they come out with nothing, so youre going to end up with nothing," he said. Jakab, a former inmate who is now sleeping rough in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, said private landlords wouldn't rent to him. "They push you out. You're just a prisoner," he said. "I don't want to sleep on the street, it's too much to bear." Jakab cannot get most benefits, council housing or homeless help as he is not from the UK [BBC] The Local Government Association has said councils are worried about the impact the early release programme will have on their ability to prevent and manage homelessness. A spokesperson said: "While councils do everything they can to prevent homelessness, the shortage of affordable housing makes this increasingly difficult and a proportion of prisoners released will become homeless." The prison population reached a new record high of 88,521 people behind bars last Friday, 171 more than the previous record set at the end of the previous week. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said that the new early release system would give probation staff more time to prepare for a prisoner's release", including planning for their accommodation. They also said the government was working with local councils and charities to "avoid prisoners being released onto the streets", while developing a long-term strategy on homelessness. We are having to make tough decisions to get a grip of these issues," they added. Related internet links Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff addresses the subject of reproductive freedom at a bus tour stop in Raleigh on Sept. 9, 2024. (Christine Zhu/NC Newsline) Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz visited Raleigh to voice their support for reproductive rights at a campaign event on Monday. It was the second stop of their Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour in North Carolina, which also featured an event in Asheville on Sunday. The pair are campaigning on behalf of their spouses on the Democratic ticket: Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The bus tour is making at least 50 stops in key states to highlight the difference in the stances of Harris and former President Donald Trump on reproductive rights, according to the Harris-Walz campaign. A minority of extremists are making decisions for the majority of us that they know none of us want, and its causing actual damage, Emhoff said. I want everyone to stay mad about these issues and channel that anger at the ballot box. The Republican presidential ticket of Trump and U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio is expected to further restrict reproductive rights via abortion bans and restrictions on access to birth control, IVF, and fertility treatments. Harris campaign has frequently criticized Trumps role in appointing three Supreme Court justices who helped dismantle the constitutional right to abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022. Speakers addressed a crowd of a few hundred attendees at Market Hall in downtown Raleigh. Everyone, every single person should have the freedom to build their own family, your own family, as you dream and as you choose, Gwen Walz said. And this is just as important: you should also have the freedom to decide not to have children at all. In North Carolina, abortion is banned after 12 weeks as the result of a bill passed in 2023 in which the Republican-controlled legislature overrode Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto. Democrats are aiming to break the Republican supermajorities this year in both the state House and Senate in hopes of preventing more restrictive measures. Republicans currently enjoy the precise three-fifths advantages they need to override a gubernatorial veto 72-48 in the House and 30-20 in the Senate. If Democrats gain even one seat in either body, they would be positioned to sustain the vetoes of a Democratic governor. Its all going to change based on the makeup of the legislature, Rep. Julie von Haefen, a Democrat representing portions of Wake County, said. If the Republicans control the supermajority and the governors office, I definitely anticipate seeing further rollback of rights. North Carolinas gubernatorial race, a contest between Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, is among the most watched in the country. Robinson, who has long been a vocal and provocative opponent of abortion rights, seemed to try and moderate his stance last month in a television ad in which he said he backs the 12-week ban and alluded to an abortion that his wife obtained prior to their marriage. NBC News reported last Friday, however, that Robinson said he wants to get abortion restrictions down to zero weeks during a September 3 campaign appearance in Troy. Elections in North Carolina are always close, Stein said. We have the power to defend our freedoms and determine our future. With 16 electoral votes, North Carolina could be crucial to the path to the White House. Although the state hasnt voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since Barack Obama in 2008, Trump narrowly won the state by only 1.3 percent in 2020. Both presidential tickets have been focusing on the state in recent weeks. Trump spoke at an event in Charlotte last Friday. Harris is set to host rallies in Charlotte and Greensboro on Thursday marking her ninth trip to the Tar Heel State this year and 19th since taking office. If elected, Harris would be the first woman, Black woman, and Asian American to serve as president. The reality is that sometimes being the first means you get asked a lot about not what your qualifications are to be at the table, but whether you deserve to be at the table at all, North Carolina State Auditor Jessica Holmes, a Black woman, said. My message to those people: women belong in the House, as your lieutenant governor candidate would say, but the house that Im referring to is the White House. What remains of the of Phong Chau bridge on the Red River in Phu Tho province, northern Vietnam, after most of the structure collapsed and was swept away Monday morning. State media said three people were rescued but at least 13 remain missing after 10 cars and two scooters were plunged into the water. Photo by Ta Toan/Vietnam News Agency/EPA-EFE Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Vietnamese authorities were scrambling Monday to deal with the aftermath of supertyphoon Yagi which barreled across the country packing 125 mph winds at the weekend killing 59 people, injuring hundreds and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Most of those killed fell victim to landslides, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, including a family of four killed in Hoa Binh province in the mountainous northwest and six in Lao Cai province on the China border where nine people were pulled alive from beneath the slip but two remain missing. A newborn baby and a 1-year-old boy were among those killed in the mudslide. In Phu Tho province, northwest of the capital, Hanoi, rescuers were searching the Red River for 13 people missing after a bridge collapse plunged 10 cars and two scooters into a torrent with video circulating online showing sections still standing but part of the bridge swept completely away. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued an order Monday directing ministries, departments and localities to focus on the collapse of the Phong Chau Bridge and responding to the rain, landslides, and flash floods affecting the mountainous and lower-lying provinces of the North. Visiting the scene of the landslide in Sa Pa town, Lao Cai, minister of Agriculture and Agricultural Development Le Minh Hoan called on local officials to be more proactive in their natural disaster prevention planning and respond with agility to weather developments in the coming days, according to a social media post by the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority. Four people died in the northern Quang Ninh province and one Hai Duong, near Hanoi, said state media which also reported 41 fishing boats sunk or adrift with a dozen fishermen reported missing. Search and rescue services plucked 27 people from the sea. Almost 50,000 people have been evacuated from coastal towns with many more ordered not to venture outdoors and schools closed across 12 northern provinces, including Hanoi. The disaster authority also said the Luc Ngan and Son Dong districts of Bac Giang province, northeast of Hanoi, were heavily flooded with many areas cut off. With more rain forecast, authorities have warned of further flooding and landslides despite Yagi -- which made landfall on Saturday ripping off roofs, uprooting trees and cutting power across the north of the country including in Hanoi -- being downgraded to a tropical depression. U.S.-ASEAN Business Council member Than Vu told The Washington Post that Yagi was among the most calamitous weather events to ever hit the country and that it was unknown for the north of the country to experience such an extreme storm. "This is the worst typhoon in probably three decades in Vietnam. For the northern part of Vietnam, we've never seen this," he said. DPS: Drugs being taken to Virginia seized in I-40 traffic stop The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said more than 16 pounds of suspected cocaine and nearly two pounds of suspected fentanyl were seized by authorities after a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper stopped a vehicle in Carson County last week. At about 5:12 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, a DPS Trooper stopped a 2025 Chevrolet Malibu that had been heading east on I-40 near Conway for a traffic violation. During the stop, the Trooper found multiple plastic-wrapped blocks of cocaine and one plastic-wrapped bag of fentanyl in the vehicle. During a traffic stop, a state Trooper found plastic-wrapped blocks of cocaine and one plastic-wrapped bag of fentanyl inside a 2025 Chevrolet Malibu that had been heading east on I-40 near Conway on Friday, Sept. 6. During a traffic stop, a state Trooper found plastic-wrapped blocks of cocaine and one plastic-wrapped bag of fentanyl inside a 2025 Chevrolet Malibu that had been heading east on I-40 near Conway on Friday, Sept. 6. DPS Special Agents and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agents were contacted and assisted with the investigation. The Malibu's driver, identified as Stephane Davis, 40, of Roanoke, Va., was arrested and booked into the Carson County Jail on a charge for felony possession of a controlled substance. The drugs were reportedly being taken from Corona, California to Roanoke, Virginia. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: DPS trooper finds drugs during I-40 traffic stop in Carson County (Bloomberg) -- Former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi called on the EU to invest as much as 800 billion ($884 billion) extra a year and commit to the regular issuance of common bonds to make the bloc more competitive with China and the US. Most Read from Bloomberg In his long-awaited report on European Union competitiveness, Draghi urged the bloc to develop its advanced technologies, create a plan to meet its climate targets and boost defense and security of critical raw materials, labeling the task an existential challenge. Draghi said that Europe will need to boost investment by about 5 percentage points of the blocs GDP a level not seen in more than 50 years in order to transform its economy so that it can remain competitive. He warned that EU economic growth was persistently slower than in the US, calling into question the blocs ability to digitalize and decarbonize the economy quickly enough to be able to rival its competitors to the east and west. For the first time since the Cold War we must genuinely fear for our self-preservation, Draghi told reporters in Brussels Monday. And the reason for a unified response has never been so compelling and I am confident that in our unity we will find the strength to reform. Implementing the reports most ambitious proposals, such as more joint debt, will face significant push back from countries including Germany and the Netherlands, that are strongly opposed to deeper fiscal integration. Whats more, most of the largest EU countries are contending with difficult domestic political situations that could give them limited room to maneuver. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who tasked Draghi with delivering the report, will need to decide how much of his recommendations to pursue. The report comes as European leaders are increasingly aware of the loss of competitiveness against the blocs main rivals, partly due to Europes energy dependency and lack of raw materials. Meanwhile the EU continues to be hampered by the inability of its telecom and defense industries to harness economies of scale and be better prepared for a more nimble security stance. The EU has also failed so far to push forward on a roadmap to lower the barriers of its capital markets to mobilize billions of euros across its borders needed to accelerate the development of clean technologies to meet its ambitious green targets or to create the next generation of technology champions. Draghi pitched a rewriting of the blocs competition policy rulebook so that more money can be pumped into Europes key industrial sectors, and pressed regulators to adopt a more creative approach to vetting mergers which could lead to the approval of more high-profile deals. He called for the EUs merger watchdogs to take into account the pro-innovative effects of certain deals, which could offset any negative risks to competition. Draghi also gave a boon to the telecom sector, in pressing for greater consolidation across Europe to plug gaps in the blocs prized single market. Draghis report notes that EU economic growth has been persistently slower than in the US over the past two decades, driven by smaller advances in productivity. Germany has emerged as a particular weak spot as its industrial sector continues to struggle with high energy costs and a loss of competitiveness to China. Gross domestic product in the euro zones biggest economy is barely higher than before the pandemic. The consequences of the slow response to the challenges posed by American financial incentives for the green transition and Chinas aggressive industrial plans, with billions of dollars invested in subsidies, are already felt in some of the key industries. Volkswagen AG announced that its considering factory closures in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history. Europeans need to understand that defense is not an answer, its just a temporary answer, Alicia Garcia Herrero, economist at Natixis, speaking to Guy Johnson and Kriti Gupta on Bloomberg TV. We need to attack meaning certainly not anything but compete on better terms, meaning more innovation. The single market has to be strengthened. Draghi laid bare the challenges facing EU industry as it embarks on its mission to reach net zero by the middle of the century. Energy prices in the region are too high and are holding back investments, while the blocs climate goals are placing a heavy short-term burden on the highest-emitting sectors. China and the US do not face such obstacles, while the level of finance they provide to the sector dwarfs that of the EU. Energy Plans To make the energy transition an opportunity, Europe needs to sync all its policies with climate goals and come up with a joint plan for decarbonization and competitiveness that would span energy producers, clean tech and automotive sectors as well as energy-intensive companies where emissions are hard to abate. The four largest emission-intensive industries in the EU, such as chemicals and metals, will require 500 billion over the next 15 years in order to decarbonize, Draghis report said. On top of that, transport investment needs will amount to 100 billion every year between 2031 and 2050. Draghi drew on the automotive sector for particular scorn, calling it a key example of a lack of EU planning. The bloc faces a real risk that EU carmakers continue to lose market share to China, which has is ahead of the 27-member bloc in virtually all domains, while producing at a lower cost. To address the growing digital innovation divide between the EU and the US and China, the report proposed reforming an agency to be modeled after the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which would finance breakthrough technologies and be managed by innovators rather than civil servants. The European Investment Bank should also be allowed to co-invest in promising tech companies in order to encourage more venture capital to flow to businesses. Defense Funding The report suggests common funding for defense R&D in a number of sectors such as drones, hypersonic missiles, directed-energy weapons, defense artificial intelligence and seabed and space warfare, but also the space sector. He also recommends ramping up collaborative procurement on defense equipment as well as favoring European companies, provided they are competitive. The former Italian premier suggested that the EU could follow the model of Next Generation EU, the recovery fund financed by 800 billion in joint debt to overcome the consequences of the Covid pandemic. Under current rules, though, the EU will cease additional net borrowing from 2026 when its pandemic-relief program expires. While there are discussions about additional issuance to fund items such as defense and climate, calls for permanent joint borrowing have been steadfastly opposed by the blocs economic powerhouse, Germany. If Europe cannot become more productive, we will be forced to choose. We will not be able to become, at once, a leader in new technologies, a beacon of climate responsibility and an independent player on the world stage, Draghi wrote in the report. We will have to scale back some, if not all, of our ambitions. --With assistance from Katharina Rosskopf, Samuel Stolton, Alexander Weber, John Ainger, Gian Volpicelli and Alice Gledhill. (Updates with political difficulties in the fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Mario Draghi is expected to sound the alarm over the risk of the European Unions economic decline and call for significant investments to boost its single market. Most Read from Bloomberg The former European Central Bank chief, who is delivering his long-awaited report on European competitiveness to the blocs executive arm on Monday, told envoys behind closed doors last week that governments are becoming increasingly aware of their failure to respond quickly enough to challenges from China and the US, according to people familiar with the discussion. Draghis strategy is aimed at removing the most significant obstacles blocking the three foundations of the EUs potential its single market, its talent and its capital added the people, who were granted anonymity to describe sensitive briefings. The former Italian prime ministers plan calls for scaling up in key sectors, including energy, telecom and finance, while keeping a strong focus on social inclusion. And demographics matter, as the declining population is fueling the skills gaps affecting the EUs ability to innovate, he told the diplomats. As for the key question of financing, Draghi has said the bloc needs to better harness its joint borrowing capacity, particularly in areas like defense where fragmented spending reduces its overall effectiveness. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tasked Draghi with preparing a report after Europe was stung by dual threats of the aggressive US approach to offering incentives for the clean-tech transition and Chinas massive subsidies to industries like electric vehicles. The Covid pandemic and Russias invasion of Ukraine further exposed the blocs vulnerabilities, particularly as it remains unable to more deeply integrate its defense, energy, telecom and financial markets. A key part of his strategy will address the challenge of reducing energy prices. Draghi told the EU diplomats that Europe cannot be competitive when its paying up to four times more than its competitors for energy, according to the people. At the same time, the EU needs to preserve its leadership in the green transition, which comes with additional costs. Balancing the two goals becomes more difficult as the development of clean technologies depends on critical materials that other states could weaponize, Draghi warned the envoys. Some of Draghis proposals will shape the instructions that von der Leyen provides to her next commission, which will take office later this fall. Draghis briefings to diplomats and European Parliament political leaders came on the same week that Volkswagen announced that its considering factory closures in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history another sign of how Europes efforts to compete with Chinese rivals and Tesla Inc. in electric cars are faltering. Draghis report, expected to be around 400 pages, will also point to the importance of consolidation in key sectors and revising the commissions long-standing competition rules as rivalries with foreign firms are becoming more intense. Some of his ideas were already included in the political guidelines presented by von der Leyen last July. Back then, she promised a new approach to the way the EU executives arm will assess mergers so that innovation and resilience will be fully taken into account. We need a competition policy that supports companies to scale up, von der Leyen told the European Parliament before her confirmation vote. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Driver flown to hospital after Raynham crash on Route 24 Sunday RAYNHAM A driver was flown to an area hospital after crashing on Route 24 in Raynham early Sunday morning, Fire Chief Bryan LaCivita said. At approximately 2:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 8, the Raynham Fire Department responded to reports of a single motor vehicle crash in the southbound lane of Route 24 at the interchange of Route 44 for a single motor vehicle crash. Officials said the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was trapped inside the car, which was found underneath a guardrail near the on-ramp. Firefighters were able to extract the driver by using hydraulic cutting tools and by removing a tree to free up the driver's side door, officials said. The driver was then transported to an area hospital via medical helicopter. 'Highly aggressive' 1,300-pound bull shot, killed in Raynham after escaping, causing crash "I want to recognize our firefighters for their diligent work throughout this call," said Captain Jeffrey Kelleher. "It was a great job by everyone involved." It is unclear what caused the crash. Massachusetts State Police are investigating. This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Driver flown to hospital after crash on Route 24 in Raynham Sunday Driver shoots at off-duty Atlanta police officer, speeds away A driver shot at an off-duty Atlanta police officer early Monday. Atlanta police said that just after midnight, officers responded to a shooting call on Howell Mill Road near Northwest Atlanta. An investigation determined that a man in a Chevy Tahoe SUV had been driving erratically and the off-duty officer notified nearby police. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Then, the man shot at the off-duty officer before speeding away. The officer was not injured in the ordeal. Atlanta police have not identified a suspect in this incident. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: MERCER COUNTY, WV (WVNS) A DUI Checkpoint will be held by the West Virginia State Police in part of Mercer County in September 2024. According to a press release from the West Virginia State Police, from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024, members of the West Virginia State Police will hold a DUI Checkpoint along U.S. Route 52, Coal Heritage Road, near Kings Tire Service in the Bluewell area of Mercer County. DUI Checkpoint to be held in Greenbrier County Alternate routes include Route 20, New Hope Road, and Warden Ave. DUI Checkpoints are meant to discourage people from driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, while also informing the public about the risks associated with driving while under the influence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. E-bike rage in the borough that's had enough - and how it might be solved Officials in Brent have threatened to ban Lime's dockless e-bikes as poor parking has obstructed pavements [Brent Council] The screeching of rubber skidding on tarmac pierces the air on a quiet morning in north-west London. A young man on a Lime bike has suddenly overtaken a car in the next lane to dodge a roadworks sign. The driver gives him an earful. Minutes before, a mum with a pram was telling me that dangerously driven e-bikes were a big worry - and annoyance. Laura was taking her toddler to a park near their home in Kilburn, where the local council has told Lime they will ban their rental e-bikes next month unless they agree to a set of demands. The council wants riders to park in cordoned-off areas only and increased fines for those who dont. Lime says it is willing to work with Brent Council but wants more of these parking zones to ensure it is still a convenient service for its customers in the borough. Laura used to live in Paris where another controversial vehicle - rental e-scooters - were banned last year. Officials in Madrid announced a similar move last week and Melbourne banned them last month. In all three cities, bad parking, as well as dangerous driving, were cited as key reasons why they had to go. As Melbournes mayor Nicholas Reece explained: People dont park them properly. Theyre tipped, theyre scattered around the city like confetti, like rubbish, creating tripping hazards. A walk around Kilburn illustrates his point. Someone has left their Lime bike in the middle of the pavement, in the way of a road crossing with tactile paving that is used by visually impaired people. They feel for the raised bumps, with a cane or through their shoes, which help them cross safely. Dockless e-bikes obstruct access to tactile paving on a road crossing in Kilburn which is used by visually impaired people [BBC] Ali, who uses a motorised wheelchair, says using stations is difficult enough because lifts are often out of order. Dodging e-bikes to reach them is just another problem he's forced to deal with. There are similar stories in other parts of Brent. Outside Neasden station, tightly parked bikes narrow the pavement to the point only one person can walk along it. Pedro, a car mechanic in Dollis Hill, complains angrily that riders regularly leave their e-bikes in front of his garage. Two weeks ago the pavement was completely blocked. Something needs to be done, he says. There are so many of them. One of the reasons why London feels inundated with rental e-bikes is that, unlike e-scooters, their numbers are not controlled by Transport for London (TfL). The e-scooters are part of a national trial overseen by the government and organised by local authorities, like TfL, in British towns and cities. Transport officials think scooters can help reduce carbon emissions - which they need to do as the government is legally committed to reaching net zero by 2050. Sustainability v safety Town planners are facing the challenge of balancing efforts to tackle climate change and making sure communities are still safe and accessible. One of the main issues is that rental e-bikes are not part of any centrally organised scheme. Operators are free to strike deals with individual councils and arrange how many bikes can be used in their areas, where they can be parked and if they need docking stations. Two of the largest operators in London are Lime and Forest who operate a dockless model which means riders, depending on the borough they are in, can park them on almost any pavement. Operators require riders to follow a set of rules designed to keep the bikes out of the way of pedestrians. But frequently, they are not. Dockless e-bikes that are poorly parked or tipped over like these in Shoreditch have led to blind people becoming injured [Ollie King] The BBC has spoken to several charities and organisations which advocate for disabled people. All said the issue of badly parked e-bikes had become serious. Sixty-nine-year-old Tesfai cant see the scars on his skin - or the e-bikes strewn outside his south London home that caused them. He is completely blind and has fallen over them repeatedly. Often he has to step into the road with his guide dog to get around them. It is scary, he says, explaining how he has to listen for oncoming cars. Lots of them are electric now, and quiet. He says even though helpful people sometimes move the e-bikes out of his way, the fear of tripping again means he now doesnt leave the house as much. The library and pub he enjoys visiting feel further away. Sarah Gayton, shared space co-ordinator at the National Federation of the Blind, said: We want to see e-bikes stored off pavements, in lockable docking stations where they remain standing upwards, so visually impaired people can walk without having to fight these extra obstacles. The charities which spoke to the BBC were keen for e-bikes to be parked off pavements altogether. That might involve converting parking bays currently used for cars into e-bike parking. However, such a move might prove politically difficult for councils which have already angered some drivers with environmental policies like low-traffic neighbourhoods and the Ultra Low Emission Zone. For them, it may be easier to create on-pavement - but clearly marked and enforced - parking zones for dockless e-bikes. Wandsworth Council says it will largely ban e-bikes being left anywhere on pavements once it has finished building 111 dedicated parking areas. The move was welcomed by operators Lime and Forest. Dr Ian Philips, a specialist in sustainable transport at the University of Leeds, says data collected from dockless e-bikes could be very useful in choosing where parking bays are installed by councils. He says that having them in areas poorly served by public transport might encourage more people to switch from cars to e-bikes. He stresses that could help reduce carbon emissions. The Mayor of Londons office said it was exploring a coordinated scheme to manage dockless e-bikes and e-scooters which could include tighter parking restrictions. No final decisions have been made. Back in Kilburn, having dodged the badly parked e-bikes, Ali is heading into town on his motorised wheelchair. A well-dressed man on an e-scooter pulls up next to him. Its his cousin Meisam who is visiting from Germany. "We're in a rush!" he exclaims. The pair are off to enjoy London together. More on this story "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." During the 1960s, spacecraft traveling above Earth's poles discovered a stream of particles flowing out of the Earth's poles, and theorized that there must be an unknown field driving these particles into space. Now, more than half a century later, NASA has finally recorded this theoretical field and measured a change in electric potential of only 0.55 volts, the correct amount needed to send ions at supersonic speeds. Detecting this field is only the beginning of unraveling its mysteries as scientists still aren't certain of what impacts its had on the Earth's atmosphere and its oceans over the planet's 4.6-billion-year-old lifespan. On May 11, 2022, a rocket soared skyward off the northernmost rocket range in the world in Svalbard, Norway. More than 50 years before this Arctic launch, U.S. spacecraft flying over the Earths poles in the 1960s encountered an unexpected stream of particles flowing out of our atmosphere and into space that we now call the polar wind. Scientists at the time expected some atmospheric particles to be lost to space as unfiltered sunlight essentially evaporates particles, but these particles were cold and showed no signs of being heated. Being more focused on the whole walking on the moon thing and having no real way to investigate further, researchers just left if for future generations to figure out. Back in the 21st century, a NASA rocket named Endurancea hat tip to the intrepid three-masted barquentine that carried Norwegian explorer Ernest Shackleton toward Antarcticanow screamed toward the skies in search of answers. Reaching a max altitude of 477 miles above the Earths surface and eventually crashing into the Greenland Sea, the Endurances 322-mile flight recorded the atmospheres total electric potential change using an array of instruments and sensors onboard. Thankfully, the Endurance rebuked the fate of its namesake and achieved its mission, recording for the first time the ever-elusive ambipolar electric field. Two years after this historic flight, NASA has now published its results in a new paper in the journal Nature , and theres a very good reason why this important field has remained undetectable until nowit produces only a 0.55-volt electric charge. A half a volt is almost nothing, NASA Glyn Collinson, the principal investigator of the Endurance mission, said in a press statement. Its only about as strong as a watch battery. But thats just the right amount to explain the polar wind. The scientists of the study compare the importance of this ambipolar electric field to that of Earths two other natural fields: those of the gravitational and magnetic variety. While the necessity of these two well-known fields is obvious (that is, if you want to live on a habitable planet), the importance and function of the ambipolar electric field is less so. This field is generated on a subatomic scale around 150 miles above the surface where atoms in the atmosphere begin to break apart into negatively charged electrons and positively charged ions. A field to connect these ions and electrons together forms between them, and the push-pull effect caused by ultra-light electrons and heavier (by comparison) ions counteracts some of the effects of gravity. This 0.55-volt electric field, while minuscule to us, is an overwhelming amount of energy for subatomic particles and more than enough to send these particles at supersonic speeds, thus forming polar winds. The net effect of this field essentially extends the height of the atmosphere at the poles, causing some of those unexpectedly cold ions to escape into space. It also increases the scale height of the ionosphere by 271 percent, which means the ionosphere remains denser at higher elevations that would be possible without the electric field. Considering the ionosphere is responsible for shielding us surface-dwelling mammals from the cancer-causing effects of solar radiation, the importance of the ambipolar electric field becomes clear. Its like this conveyor belt, lifting the atmosphere up into space, Collinson said in a press statement. Now that weve finally measured it, we can begin learning how its shaped our planet as well as others over time. Although scientists have finally detected this field, thats really only the beginning of understanding its impact. Its likely that this field has been present since the Earths formation, alongside gravity and magnetism, and couldve played a key role in the formation of the Earths atmosphere, especially the ionosphere, and even its oceans. This field also isnt unique to Earth, so any planet in our Solar System and beyond with an atmosphere likely contains its own ambipolar field. This field is so fundamental to understanding how the way the planet works, Collison said in a video announcement. Its been lofting particles to space and stretching up the sky since the beginning. Now that weve finally measured it, we can start asking some of these bigger and exciting questions. You Might Also Like PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Easley Police Department said they have been made aware regarding suspicious social media posts, regarding Gettys Middle School. The Easley Police Department said that they are working closely with the School District of Pickens County and have thoroughly investigated the post, along with subsequent statements. Principal of Gettys Middle School, Jacob Nelson, said in a statement that the posts currently circulating are not related to Gettys Middle School. Nelson also said that there is no credible threat to the school. According to Nelsons statement, the posts are images and messages that originated from Georgia and have been mistakenly included in local discussions. Nelson said that if new information becomes available regarding the investigation, parents will be informed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (PIX11) The East Brunswick Police Department is warning residents to be on alert for a new scam containing a threatening letter. The scam is not isolated to East Brunswick and has been reported throughout the tri-state area and beyond. The scam email includes the recipients name, address, phone number, and a photo attachment of the persons residence. This image is often a street view image, such as one you can find on Google Earth. More New Jersey News In the letter, the scammers claim to have installed a spyware program called Pegasus on the victims phone and threaten to release embarrassing information about the victims browser history if they do not pay a ransom. The tone of the email is ominous and may contain phrases such as, I can peep at everything on your screen and been keeping tabs on your pathetic life for a while now. The email demands payment in Bitcoin within one day, or the scammers threaten to release embarrassing information to everyone in the victims contact list. The victim is usually given a QR to scan and make payment. The East Brunswick Police Department said several residents had received suspicious emails. The department outlined best practices for handling such scams, including never sending money to someone you do not know, have never met in person, or who demands immediate payment. Do not provide personal information over the phone, via text or on the Internet unless you have initiated the contact. Residents are asked to contact their local police department to file a report. East Brunswick residents can call the department directly at (732) 390-6900. Anyone who receives a scam letter of this nature can also file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center also known as IC3 run by the FBI. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Eastbound lanes of I-70 reopen after multi-vehicle crash in Evergreen DENVER (KDVR) A crash closed all three eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near El Rancho on Sunday night. The crash was reported at about 8:45 p.m. on eastbound I-70 near milepost 250. This embedded content is not available in your region. Not much was visible through the Colorado Department of Transportations cameras besides flashing emergency lights. However, the lanes reopened by Monday morning. See the latest traffic conditions in Denver on FOX31 CSP did not have information about injuries from the crash. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. EastEnders spoilers follow for Mondays episode (September 9), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasnt yet aired on TV. Note: This article contains discussion of topics including rape. EastEnders has aired a dramatic reunion for Chrissie and Sharon Watts in the shows latest episode. Last week, Sharon ended up being charged with contempt of court while she was giving evidence in Dean Wicks murder trial. She was sentenced to seven days in prison, and it was revealed that in the cell next to her was her former stepmother Chrissie who is still in prison for the murder of Sharons father Den. Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron - BBC Related: Best streaming services In this weeks episode, the soaps action shifted to prison, and Sharon met her cellmate Doreen, who then told Chrissie that they shared the same surname. Meanwhile, Linda was told that Dean had been sentenced to nine years for her rape, and Johnny told her that Bernie had gone to Germany so must have had a change of heart about going to the police. But Linda was still concerned, and she confessed to Elaine that she killed Keanu, leaving her mum devastated. BBC Related: EastEnders to introduce new Avani romance mystery In prison, Chrissie went to visit Sharon in her cell and lent her a phone to ring Albie, with the pair seeing each other for the first time in decades. Chrissie spoke candidly about Den, and she told Sharon that she wanted her to admit that Dens coercive behaviour drove Chrissie to killing him. Chrissie explained that Den would have killed her that night and that she would be dead if it wasnt for Zoe coming to her defence. This deeply affected Sharon, as she realised that she had been in the same position with Keanu on Christmas Day and could have been killed if Linda hadnt stabbed him to protect her. BBC Related: EastEnders reveals Amy's struggle after major crush injuries Sharon revealed that they shared this common ground, and they bonded over these traumatic experiences. She then told Chrissie that she forgave her for killing her dad. Chrissie, who has her parole this week, promised Sharon that she would have her back in prison. But she then approached inmate Angel, who owed her a debt, and asked her to treat the new girl a lesson. What does Chrissie have in store for Sharon, and will she be okay? EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast. Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, which works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on its website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotlands helpline number is 08088 01 03 02. Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673. You Might Also Like A trip up Broadway yesterday showed that all was quiet at Columbia Universitys main gate at 116th St. But the day before, the first day of classes on the Morningside Heights campus, there was a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside the gate with signs and banners and that included shouts like Say it loud, say it clear. We dont want no Zionists here! Yesterday, the protesters (be they students or not students) were gone. As were the police. But protests will resume, on and off campus, and Columbias interim president, Katrina Armstrong, must do far better in maintaining an orderly and peaceful place of learning than her predecessor, Minouche Shafik. Shafiks fumbling over the protests stemming from the Gaza war that began with the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and Israels pursuit of Hamas led to her quitting after barely a year on the job. If the chants at Columbia on Tuesday were Jews get out! or No Israelis wanted!, instead of aimed at Zionists, the language would have violated the universitys code of conduct against intimidation or harassment of others on campus, that is, Jews and Israelis. As Brian Cohen, executive director of the Columbia Hillel, said, With the vast majority of Jews believing in the right for Jewish self-determination, we know what is being implied by using the term Zionists. Cohen asks, correctly, why doesnt Columbia implement the same policy that New York University just did that prohibits discrimination or harassment against Zionists? Antisemites on the right and the left use the word Zionist instead of Jew but the meaning and the hate is the same. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King is attributed as saying: When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. Youre talking antisemitism! Armstrong should get Columbia to follow NYU and bar the Z-word from being used as a weapon against Jews and Israelis. Protesting over the actions of Israels government or the Israel Defense Forces or the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is allowed on campus downtown at NYU and uptown at Columbia. Indeed, there are huge protests against Netanyahu going on right now in Israel, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets. What isnt allowed on campus is creating an atmosphere of fear for others on campus, be they women, Blacks, Latinos, Asians, gays, Palestinians, Muslims, Arabs as well as Jews and Israelis. A Columbia faculty Task Force on Antisemitism report published last week found exactly that: Jews and Israelis on campus feeling threatened by some of the anti-Israel protests during the last academic year, when an encampment sprung up in front of Butler Library. Columbias code of conduct is to protect everyones rights as members of the university community to study and debate. Intimidation, harassment, fear and threats are not part of that. Nor should they be. Of course, the First Amendment rights of students continue, as the government cannot interfere with how people choose to speak, but when joining the university community, each student or faculty member has to accept the code of behavior meant to foster a learning environment. Believe it or not, most students at NYU and Columbia actually want to get college educations and not engage in protest. _____ In a four-page letter on Friday, Acting Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan explained his reasoning in postponing Donald Trumps sentencing for his 34 felony convictions in the Stormy Daniels hush money case until late November, after the election. Merchan pointed to the need for analysis on the impact of the U.S. Supreme Courts misguided immunity decision earlier this summer, along with other points that cumulatively should worry everyone who cares about the rule of law and the principles of accountability. The Trump legal teams contention that the unanimous jury conviction somehow hinges on the relatively minor pieces of evidence that could be construed as official Oval Office acts is laughable, of course. This is a case that involves private conduct taking place before the 2016 election, with a view towards impacting the results of that election; the bulk of the documentary evidence and the testimony has nothing to do with Trumps official functions as president. Even in the case of Trumps conversations with Hope Hicks, who was at the time a White House staffer, its difficult to argue that these were governmental functions about any legitimate executive business. Still, its pretty clear to everyone who followed the trial that this evidence could have been completely absent and the verdict would have been the same, courtesy of the mountain of evidence that prosecutors had. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg not opposing Trumps efforts to postpone the sentencing likely figured heavily into Merchans calculus to push back the proceedings. The judge also specifically mentions the appearance of interference in the current presidential election, meaning that Trump got lucky again, just as he has many times before. Theres no specific legal reason why this sentencing cant move forward before votes are cast; the judge could easily sentence Trump and then allow him to remain free while appeals are exhausted, well after the election takes place. Instead, Trump and his allies constant cloying and insinuations have made this an issue where it wasnt one, and the result is the voting public is once more shown that Trump is above the consequences that would befall pretty much anyone else, and without a crucial piece of information as they make their choice. Its difficult to imagine the actual mechanics of Trump serving some sort of sentence in the eventuality that he is elected president, but again, theres no particular legal reason. The voters should know what hes facing. There is one especially sinister dimension to all this, which is the notion that Merchan may have agreed to the delay at least in part out of concern of bearing the additional brunt of intimidation and veiled threats from the former president and his cronies and the very real possibility of violence from his supporters. The judge has received dozens of death threats already and Trump has not let up on attacking him or his daughter while insinuating he may take some sort of official action against everyone involved with the prosecution if he makes it back to the White House. We would recognize the implications of threats on a sitting judge affecting their legal decision-making against a prominent figure in any other country and most other contexts, and we should not ignore them here. ___ High school diplomas were a top discussion topic at Indiana's State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Indiana has long struggled to identify authentic education issues and seek problem-solving initiatives that define and assist in these measures. For two decades, we have been pulled between public, charter and private vouchers that has left educational policy falling flat. This philosophical disagreement has so escalated, that it drowns out the necessary ability to truly explore the needs in our school systems. We must get this right, do what is best for students and advance our profession, by having dedicated discussions where stakeholders voices are regularly heard and heeded. Each year, the General Assembly enters into session after the New Year at which time, bills may be filed to address any number of issues. In education policy, ideas are lumped together into legislation titled Education Matters or Various Education Matters and often contain unrelated issues that should not be placed together in a bill due to controversy or not being related within the educational environment. A few examples include, but are certainly not limited to the following: expanding pre-K availability while expanding K-12 voucher access, assessment flexibility with the US Department of Education and contract for adjunct educators and high school diploma requirements and teacher compensation. Separating these ideas would have a profound difference on education bills as each one would be evaluated according to individual merit and feasibility. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Voucher expansion, adjunct educators and teacher compensation have been controversial topics that are often tucked within other bills. Discussing and voting on these measures as stand-alone bills would increase transparency, while alleviating the ability of legislators to have cover on contentious issues if embedded within another solid bill. Meaningful dialogue with education experts: superintendents, administrators and educators is essential to identifying issues that should be addressed in schools. Fewer debates and forums occur during the election process. Once elected officials are established, they are hesitant to meet with educators due to contentious bill policy. Bills tend to be passed in Indiana before input is sought. When the Indiana State Board of Education attempts to implement policy, stakeholders testify with concerns. By no longer having an elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Education struggles to find neutrality while navigating proposed legislation and what will truly benefit our students. The Science of Reading was recently passed as a method to ensure that Indiana students could be kept on grade level. After a drastic and last-minute strategy, it was set to roll out this past summer. Without input from stakeholders, the various course offerings were put into place. Many educators had to readjust summer plans to acquire the training, some needed to complete the training for financial and/or licensure opportunities and some were so frustrated by this that they opted to wait and see if it would change, as education policy does so often. Simple conversations within House and Senate districts could have prevented such turmoil. Instead, schools are once again greeted with the implementation of new laws, but very little guidance on how to achieve such. The change in the high school diploma requirements is yet another example of the backward approach to leadership. After requirements were rolled out, many stakeholders actively testified for the State Board of Education, explaining the very concerning ways we would not meet the needs of our students. Students should rightfully expect to attend a four-year high school and be eligible to attend a state university. Again, many changes occurred because educators brought real concerns to the table and have subsequently caused another draft of the proposed changes to occur. Basic communication skills are missing between our legislators and constituents. When we focus on these skills, we will be better apt to define educational issues and decide on strategies to implement solutions. If we want a model of excellence and a future that is attainable for students, we must be willing to have these difficult conversations before legislation is passed. How we are implementing education policy in Indiana is not efficient. We must do better for our students! SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Edward B. Johnson, the second CIA officer in Iran for the 'Argo' rescue mission, dies at 81 This photograph released by the CIA on behalf of the family of former CIA officer Edward B. Johnson shows Johnson, right, receiving the CIA's Intelligence Star from John N. McMahon, then the agency's deputy director for operations, in May 1980. Edward B. Johnson, who as a Central Intelligence Agency officer traveled into Iran with a colleague to rescue six American diplomats who fled the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover in Tehran, has died, the CIA confirmed on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. He was 81. (Family of Edward B. Johnson/CIA via AP) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Edward B. Johnson, who as a CIA officer traveled into Iran with a colleague to rescue six American diplomats who fled the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover in Tehran, has died, the agency confirmed Monday. He was 81. Johnson's identity for decades had been hidden from the public, with him known only by the pseudonym Julio after fellow CIA officer Antonio Tony Mendez published a book recounting the operation. The 2012 Academy Award-winning film Argo, directed by and starring Ben Affleck, didn't include the second man on the team. Yet a painting at the CIA's headquarters in Langley, Virginia, offered a faceless acknowledgment of Johnson's existence. And in 2023, the CIA itself revealed Johnson's identity in a podcast highlighting the agency's work to free the diplomats hiding at the Canadian ambassador's residence in Tehran. Working with the six these are rookies, Johnson recounted in an interview aired by the podcast. They were people who were not trained to lie to authorities. They werent trained to be clandestine, elusive. Johnson died Aug. 27 in his sleep in Virginia after suffering from pneumonia, the CIA told The Associated Press on Monday. Eds legacy will continue to inspire those who walk the halls of Langley for generations to come, the agency said in a public statement. His family in a statement honored him as having a name that whispered through the corridors of intelligence through his work. He was, at once, the ordinary man next door husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and an extraordinary agent of the state, they said. Many specifics about Johnson's professional life as a spy remain vague, as much of what is known about him publicly comes from the CIA podcast first identifying him, called The Langley Files. Johnson, who went by Ed, described coming to the CIA after serving as an infantryman in the U.S. Army. He studied French in university, picked up Spanish from growing up with Cuban and Puerto Rican friends and later learned Arabic after teaching English in Saudi Arabia. He traveled through Egypt and Jordan and studied at Sorbonne University before being hired by the CIA. He met his wife, Aileen, while in Paris, his family said. It was after after having gotten the on-the-ground experience in the Middle East and the educational experience and the language into play ... that I was considered to be a good candidate, Johnson said. Johnson served in the CIA's Office of Technical Service overseas at the time of the hostage crisis. It began when Islamist students came over the fence at the U.S. Embassy compound in Tehran on Nov. 4, 1979. While initially planned to be a sit-in like a previous storming, it soon became a 444-day hostage crisis. Six U.S. Embassy employees, however, had slipped away amid the chaos. They ended up in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. Several plans came and went before U.S. President Jimmy Carter agreed to what became known as the Canadian Caper posing the officials as part of a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a fake, knock-off Star Wars film called Argo. Armed with Canadian passports, Mendez pretended to be an Irish filmmaker while Johnson was "an associate producer representing our production companys ostensible South American backers," Mendez later recounted in an internal CIA document. He described Johnson as having considerable exfiltration experience during the Cold War with the Soviet Union, without elaborating. Landing in Tehran on Jan. 25, 1980, the men end up using a local map to try and find the Canadian Embassy. They ended up at the Swedish Embassy just across the street from the American Embassy, patrolled by armed students. A local embassy guard didn't understand them, as neither man spoke Iran's Farsi language a conscious decision the CIA made not to raise suspicions as their Farsi-language experts might be recognized. Then one of the student revolutionaries walked over. As a conversation progressed, the men realized the student spoke German after studying abroad for a year. Johnson ended up getting written directions from the student, who even hailed a taxi for them and refused a tip. I have to thank the Iranians for being the beacon who got us to the right place, Johnson said. The men ended up with the six Americans, providing them scripts, props, fake histories and training on how to pretend to be a film crew. Johnson and Mendez worked on final preparations on the passports and exit slips, the scene represented in the painting at CIA headquarters. The biggest thing I think we did was to convince them that you can, you can do it as simple as that, Johnson remembered. On Jan. 28, 1980, the CIA officers and the six Americans flew safely out of Tehran on a Swissair flight. Both Johnson and Mendez received the CIA's Intelligence Star, its second-highest award for valor, for the operation. He retired from the CIA in 1995 and worked as a contractor while exploring a passion in photography, his family said. Even as the world celebrated his heroism, he remained a ghost, a figure shrouded in anonymity, his family said. For decades, his identity was a closely guarded secret. It was only in the twilight of his life that he finally emerged from the shadows, a legend in his own right. Johnson was born July 29, 1943, in Brooklyn. He is survived by his wife, five children, nine grandchildren, other family and friends, his loved ones said. In the decades since the Argo rescue, there's been a broader reckoning over the CIA's actions in Iran, particularly the 1953 CIA-led coup that overthrew the country's prime minister to cement the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. That action lit the fuse for the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the more than four decades of enmity between Tehran and Washington that followed. The two-part podcast revealing Johnson's identity acknowledged that, with a CIA historian calling the 1953 coup one of the exceptions to the agency's efforts to bolster democracy worldwide. This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links. Before eating your over-easy egg wraps or breakfast sandwiches, you may want to check your fridge. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released information that eggs could pose serious risks to your health. Heres what we know: On September 6, 2024, Milos Poultry Farms LLC recalled all Milos Poultry Farms and Tonys Fresh Market branded eggs because they may be contaminated with the bacteria salmonella. The Kitchn spoke with Tom Skinner, a public affairs officer at the CDC, about the details of this recall. Skinner says that the potentially tainted cartons were distributed to stores and restaurants in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. The products sold in cartons and cases, ranging from cage-free options to organic, with varying listed expiration dates sickened 65 people living in the following nine states: California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The CDC announced that this active salmonella outbreak linked to eggs has caused 24 hospitalizations and 65 illnesses. According to the CDC, the symptoms associated with salmonella usually start six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria. Skinner points out that the common symptoms to look out for are diarrhea, a fever higher than 102F, vomiting, and dehydration. If you are experiencing any of these signs, contact your doctor immediately. Thats because some people children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and folks with weakened immune systems may experience a more serious case that could end up requiring hospitalization. So, how do salmonella outbreaks linked to eggs even occur? The Kitchn spoke with Wade Syers, PhD, a food safety specialist at the University of Michigan who specializes in the bacteria living in eggs, to learn more. While the CDC didnt share how this outbreak started, he pointed out that salmonella occurs in chickens and eggs naturally. It can get on the outside of shells when eggs come in contact with chicken droppings; additionally, salmonella can contaminate eggs when they are forming inside the chicken, Dr. Syers says. To lower your chances of getting a salmonella infection, Dr. Syers and Skinner advised one simple step: Avoid runny eggs. The risks from salmonella in eggs are mitigated by cooking eggs to the proper temperature, Dr. Syers says. Eggs should be cooked until the whites and yolks are firm (160F), and egg-containing dishes should be cooked to 160F. Thats because raw and undercooked eggs may contain salmonella and make you sick, explains Skinner. For now, you can rely on the CDC to check for news regarding any additional hospitalizations or updates related to the outbreak. If you have further questions or concerns, contact Milos Poultry Farms LLC at (715) 758-6709. In the meantime, maybe stick to one of these hard-boiled egg or scrambled egg recipes instead. Further Reading The Beautiful $3 Flower Tumblers at Walmart People Are Buying 2 at a Time The One Cookware Brand That Gordon Ramsay Cant Stop Talking About Sign up for The Kitchn's Daily newsletter to receive our best recipes, posts, and shopping tips in your inbox. Descendants of Gustave Eiffel said the tower is a 'symbol of the city of Paris' (Thibaud MORITZ) (Thibaud MORITZ/AFP/AFP) The descendants of the Eiffel Tower's designer say they will fight to stop the Olympic rings being left on the tower as the mayor of Paris plans. The family of the legendary engineer Gustave Eiffel said they "oppose any alteration that negatively impacts respect for the work" of their ancestor, adding they had already consulted lawyers about blocking the change. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo plans to keep the massive multicoloured rings that were attached to the "Dame de Fer" ("Iron Lady") for the Paris Olympics until at least 2028, when the next Games will be held in Los Angeles. But the descendants argued that the symbol is "colourful, large in size, placed on the main avenue of approach to the tower (and) creates a strong imbalance" in the tower's shape, "substantially modifying the very pure forms of the monument". Keeping the rings in place would go against "the neutrality and meaning acquired over the years by the Eiffel Tower, which has become the symbol of the city of Paris and even all of France across the world," their family association, AGDE, said in a statement Sunday. They suggest that the rings should stay in place only until "the end of 2024, which marks the end of the Olympic year". Completed in 1889 for Paris' Universal Exhibition and originally intended to stand for only 20 years, the 330-metre Eiffel Tower is owned by the city of Paris. It is the world's most visited monument according to its website, attracting around seven million people every year -- around three-quarters of them from abroad. hdu/tgb/jh/fg El Paso man facing 170 years in prison for sexual assault of a child El Paso man facing 170 years in prison for sexual assault of a child EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) An El Paso man is facing 170 years in prison for sexual abuse of a child that happened in 2015. Edward Alvarado was found guilty on Friday, Sept. 6 of three counts of sexual abuse of a child continuous with a victim under 15 years of age. Alvarado is facing 50 years for the first count, 75 years for the second count and 45 years for the third count. These are consecutive sentences, which means theyre served one after the other. Alvarado was acquitted of one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to a news release we reported on in 2018, Alvarado was arrested in June 2016 for sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl on multiple occasions from June 1, 2015, through the end of July 2015. Alvarado posted a $200,000 bond and was released from custody at the time. In October 2017, authorities discovered that Alvarado had fled the country and was in Mexico. Alvarado was located in Jimenez, Chihuahua, and was arrested by officers with the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $300,000 bond before his trial. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso Water is conducting a rate study and it wants community feedback on priorities and preferences, the utility said in a news release. The rate study is a financial review that looks at water and wastewater revenue and expenses and considers how to structure rates to cover the costs of utility services, El Paso Water said. An open-house meeting will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Memorial Park Senior Center, 1800 Byron St. The open house will be an oppportunity to learn more about the services the utility provides and for the community to share its preferences, the utility said. Attendees dont have to stay for the entire meeting but can come and go throughout the three hours. EPWater will have in-house experts available to provide information and answer questions on water supply for the future, water quality, capital improvement program, customer service, conservation and more, the utility said. If unable to atend the open house, you can provide your input through an online survey by clicking here. The results of the rate study will be shared with the public at the Public Service Boards budget workshop in early December. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A new coalition of non-governmental organizations in Georgia has launched a monitoring mission called My Voice, which aims to promote citizen participation in election observation. The coalition brings together about 30 organizations with experience in both local and international election monitoring.Nino Lomjaria, former Public Defender of Georgia and founder of the platform European Orbit of Georgia, explained that the initiative was born from citizens' reaction to the controversial "Russian Law" and their desire to ensure fair elections. Lomjaria emphasized that the coalition will train citizens from all regions of Georgia, regardless of their profession or background, to participate as election observers."On the second day after the adoption of the 'Russian Law,' citizens began to unite around this initiative. This desire came from the citizens themselves. We, civil society organizations-about 30 in total-are responding to these expectations. We encourage the citizens of Georgia to participate in the observation process.We are united by organizations and individuals with both local and international experience in observation, as well as knowledge of possible violations and election manipulations. We will train Georgian citizens, regardless of their profession, interests, or field of activity. Any citizen from any part of Georgia can register as an observer," said Lomjaria.According to Bundestag member Nils Schmid, the 10th point, the repeal of the so-called Russian law, should be added to the 9-point plan for starting negotiations on Georgia's EU membership. He made this statement during a press conference held by the German Bundestag delegation visiting Georgia.Schmid stated that under the current government policy, there is no possibility for Georgia to become a member of the European Union.Schmid emphasized that this is an important opportunity to convey two clear messages. First, he stated that they expect the upcoming elections at the end of October to be fair and free, noting that these elections are critical for Georgia's democratic and European future. The decision on which path to follow rests with the Georgian people, and they will fully respect the outcome of the elections. Schmid also acknowledged that the people of Georgia highly value and protect their democracy, urging every citizen to participate in the elections. He mentioned that international monitoring missions are in place and that they are closely observing how the election process will unfold."The second message is as follows: under the current government policy, there is no possibility for Georgia to become a member of the European Union. This was made clear by the EU when it halted the process of European integration. Any decision regarding the EU accession process requires the approval of the parliament, and our parties represent the vast majority of the German Bundestag. Given the current policies, Georgia will not receive the approval of the German parliament to open membership negotiations. Everyone knows the 9 steps that Georgia must take to start negotiations on EU membership. I want to tell you that we need to add a 10th step, and that should be the repeal of the foreign agents law, which is clearly at odds with European standards," the Bundestag member stated.According to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, "It is problematic when representatives of the European Union suspend funding based on a lie. A lie is very bad, and it does not reflect well on the representatives of the EU." This was his response to a question regarding the suspension of certain funding by the European Union following the adoption of the so-called Russian law.He asserted that "the amounts in question are minor.""As for the term 'Russian law', this is a lie, it's deception, and you know that very well. As for the funding, if something has been suspended, it will be easily compensated. We are talking about very small amounts, and the fact itself is unfortunate. The fact that funding is being halted due to a lie is very bad, but since we are talking about such small amounts, compensating for this doesn't require much effort.Today, we discussed that over the past four years, our budget has increased by 10 billion GEL, and in relation to all of this, the projects in question are just a drop in the ocean. There are no significant funds involved here, and compensation is easy. What is concerning and unfortunate is when representatives of the European Union take such actions based on falsehoods. It's minimal, and we will compensate for it.For example, agriculture is one of the sectors where these funds are allocated. We are told that, across the country, the annual amount of EU funding is around 5 million euros, while the Georgian government spends 330 million GEL annually on the relevant projects.We see the ratio here, and compensating for this is not a problem. The problem is when representatives of the European Union suspend some funding based on lies. Compensation is not the issue, but a lie is very bad, and it doesn't reflect well on the representatives of the European Union," said Kobakhidze. KYODO NEWS - Sep 9, 2024 - 21:28 | All, Japan, World The government plans to nominate Japan's former top finance diplomat, Masato Kanda, as the next president of the Asian Development Bank, sources familiar with the matter said Monday. Japan has dominated the chief post of the ADB since the Manila-based multilateral lender was established in 1966. If elected by member countries, Kanda, 59, will succeed Masatsugu Asakawa, another former senior official of the country's Finance Ministry. The ADB announced the same day that Asakawa will step down on Feb. 23. He took up the presidency in January 2020 and was reelected in August 2021. Kanda was behind recent massive market interventions by Japan to stem the yen's sharp falls against other major currencies as vice finance minister for international affairs. He left the post in July after serving for three years. "We'll promptly recommend the most suitable person from Japan," Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said in a statement without giving any specific name following the ADB's announcement. Mauricio Arriaza had been named chief of police in 2019 [Getty Images] The head of El Salvador's police force is among nine people who died when the military helicopter they were travelling in crashed in the Central American nation on Sunday evening local time. Police Director-General Mauricio Arriaza was escorting a suspect in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme to the capital, San Salvador, when the helicopter came down shortly after take-off. The suspect, fugitive former bank director Manuel Coto, had been accused of involvement in the embezzlement of $35m (27m) from a credit union in El Salvador. Salvadorean President Nayib Bukele wrote on X that he did not think the crash should be considered an accident and ordered an investigation. President Bukele said flags would be flown at half-mast for three days in honour of Mr Arriaza. The president had named him as chief of police in 2019 and he was key to Mr Bukele's crackdown on El Salvador's infamous gangs. Under Mr Bukele, the country's shocking homicide rate dropped, but human rights groups say security has come at a cost, with some suspects arbitrarily detained and denied access to fair trials. President Bukele praised the late police chief as "a fundamental part of bringing peace and security to our people". Mr Bukele said he would request international help to examine the causes of the crash. El Salvador's Armed Forces said the UH-1H helicopter came down near Pasaquina, some 10km (six miles) from the border with Honduras. The helicopter was carrying Police Chief Arriaza, Mr Coto and a TV news crew, according to local media. All those on board died in the crash, the Salvadorean military said. Mr Arriaza had travelled to the Honduran border to take Mr Coto into custody. Honduran officials said police had captured the former bank director as he was trying to make his way to the US with the help of a people-smuggler. News of his arrest caused surprise and confusion as it was not widely known that he had been on the run. In fact, the Salvadorean authorities had announced back in July that Mr Coto had been detained in Panama. It is not clear how he came to be in Honduras. Mr Coto was one of 32 people accused of embezzlement and money-laundering over the disappearance of $35m from the coffers of the COSAVI credit union. El Salvador's attorney-general accused the group of syphoning off money from people's savings and using it to buy luxury flats and cars, among other items. In total, 15 people have been detained in connection with the case. Among them are Mr Coto's parents. PHOENIX - A man was killed in a homicide in Apache Junction on Sunday afternoon and a suspect was arrested, the police department said. At around 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, the Apache Junction Police Department got a call about a man who was killed at a home near Apache Trail and Ironwood Drive. They arrived at the home and found the victim with obvious signs of trauma. The victim is identified as Gilbert Tellez, 64. The suspect in the crime, Chester Lee Rugel, 51, was arrested nearby. Police say the homicide was isolated and wasn't related to domestic violence. Rugel is accused of premeditated first-degree murder. "The impact of such a loss is felt deeply by our entire community, and we extend our sincerest condolences," the Apache Junction Police Department said on Sept. 9. Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to call the police department at 480-982-8260. An elderly man was killed in a homicide near Apache Trail and Ironwood Drive on Sunday afternoon and a suspect was arrested, Apache Junction Police said. AJPD Investigates Homicide on N. Palo Verde Dr. At 4:30 pm today, we received a 911 call about an elderly man killed at 200 N. Palo Verde Dr. Officers quickly apprehended the suspect nearby. This is not a domestic violence case and appears isolated. Updates will follow. pic.twitter.com/OiUjk0rQ7e AJ Police Department (@AJPoliceDept) September 9, 2024 Map of where the homicide happened: A Sacramento federal grand jury handed up an indictment against two alleged leaders of a transnational white supremacist group one of them an Elk Grove woman accused of soliciting their followers on the messaging app Telegram to assassinate federal officials and commit hate crimes, federal prosecutors said Monday. Matthew Robert Allison of Boise, Idaho, and Dallas Erin Humber, 34, of Elk Grove face 15 counts of charges related to conspiracy of soliciting hate crimes, soliciting the murder of federal officials, doxxing federal officials, distributing information related to explosives and destructive devices and conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. Both defendants urged their followers to kill protected classes and develop a so-called saint culture by celebrating previous terrorist attackers, said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. Their words were consumed by a 19-year-old Slovakia man who shot three people, two of them fatally, at an LGBTQ+ bar in Bratislava, Clark said. The man killed himself while being pursed by police. The defendants goal, the indictment charges, was to ignite a race war, accelerate the collapse of what they viewed as an irreparably corrupt government and bring about a white ethnostate, Clarke said during an online news conference. Allison and Humber joined a messaging group named The Terrorgram Collective that aimed to spur a white revolution and domination after the groups previous leader was arrested, federal prosecutors said. The pair created a digital book called The Hard Reset which explained the Terrorgram ideology while providing detailed instructions to making bombs using napalm, thermite, chlorine gas, pipe bombs and dirty bombs, according to the indictment. Humber created an audiobook version of The Hard Reset to disseminate among their followers, the indictment said. The group created a list of high-value targets which included a U.S. senator, U.S. District Court judge and a former United States Attorney for assassination. The list included the victims home addresses, names and photographs, according to the indictment. Victims on the so-called The List were accompanied by comments such as Take Action Now and Do your part. It also describes their targets as an Anti-White, Anti-gun, Jewish Senator and labels a judge as an invader from a foreign country, according to the indictment. Messages on Telegram spoke crudely of protected classes. In one message, Humber, calling Pride Month f-- month, said on June 1, 2023, there are better ways than fighting back economically, and listed mass shootings, arsons, bombing and vehicular attacks, according to the indictment. Whats more impactful boycotting Target, or getting dozens of targets in your sights and taking them out permanently? Humber wrote, according to the indictment. Actions speak louder than words. Along with this message, Humber sent a message showing a photo from the mass shooting at the LGBTQ+ nightclub Pulse that killed 49 people in Orlando, Florida, in June 2016, the indictment said. Alongside mass casualty attacks, messages on Telegram urged followers to attack critical infrastructure and gave tips for what to expect while preparing for an attack. The FBI foiled a plot in which an 18-year-old planned to attack two energy facilities in New Jersey, the indictment said. The suspect in the case read content created in the text messaging group, the indictment said. An attacker and a FBI undercover agent allegedly planned two attacks at two different electrical substations. The 18-year-old told the undercover agent how to attack an substation, learned in part through videos created by Allison describing attack methods, the indictment said. Another 18-year-old livestreamed himself stabbing give people outside a mosque in Eskisehir, Turkey. Humber said the man referenced the Terrorgram chat and Saint manifestos online. But hes not White so I cant give him an honorary title, Humber said. We still celebrating his attack tho, he did it for Terrorgram. Both defendants also created a 24-minute documentary that celebrated 105 white supremacist attacks, according to the indictment. After chronicling each of the attacks, the documentary concludes with the message: To the Saints of tomorrow watching this today, know that when you succeed you will be celebrated with reverence and your sacrifice will not be in vain. Hail the Saints and hail our glorious and bloody legacy of white terror. Humber, wearing red and white jail clothing, appeared Monday in federal court in downtown Sacramento for her arraignment after she was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail last week. Her attorney, federal public defender Noa Oren, entered not guilty pleas. Humber did not have a reaction to the proceedings other than to nod slightly when U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremy D. Peterson read the penalties she could face if convicted of all 15 charges. Humber and Allison each face a maximum of 220 years in prison, according to a Department of Justice news release. After the arraignment, Humbler stiffly adjusted her shackled wrists and hugged Oren. Oren whispered, You are OK as both women smiled at each other, before the defendant was escorted away by the U.S. Marshals Service. Oren declined to comment Monday because she has not yet received the prosecutions entire discovery. Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement Monday called the arrests a warning that committing hate-fueled crimes in the darkest corners of the internet will not hide you, and soliciting terrorist attacks from behind a screen will not protect you. Allison is scheduled to appear for his first court hearing Tuesday in Boise, said U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert of the Eastern District of California. Attorneys in Humbers case will return Friday to discuss the terms surrounding Humbers detention. She is currently being held without bail. VERNAL, Utah (ABC4) Three employees of a facility in Vernal, Utah, were arrested on Sept. 6 for allegedly abusing one of the nonverbal residents in the home, according to two affidavits of probable cause filed in Utahs Eighth District Court. Two of the employees were identified in documents as Kayla Jeanine Evans, 33, and Ashia Wyasket, 23. The third employee was referenced in both documents, but ABC4.com was unable to obtain documents filed for their arrest. READ NEXT: Man holds 7 children hostage in St. George hotel room, SWAT responds Evans was arrested on one count of intentional aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult, a second-degree felony; one count of intentional abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, a class A misdemeanor; and one count of obstruction of justice, a class A misdemeanor. Wyasket was arrested on one count of intentional aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult, a second-degree felony. According to documents, when cops responded to the scene around 7 p.m. on Sept. 6, they reported seeing a young male later identified as the victim running back toward the facility. A witness across the street from the facility told police that the victim was covered in blood and appeared to be sobbing when she saw him. When the witness asked the nonverbal victim who had hit him, he reportedly pointed at Evans, who was coming across the street and telling the witness to get away from the victim. According to documents, another employee in the facility recorded audio of the alleged abuse on Sept. 6. Officers were informed that Wyasket had grabbed a wooden dowel from the kitchen and she and Evans took turns using it to hit the victim multiple times after previously locking him in his room. Evans was reportedly not supposed to be at the facility after breaking her hand in a previous incident involving the same victim, but the third employee reportedly let Evans and Wyasket into the home and stood by the door when the alleged abuse took place. Documents said other employees at the facility did not want to report previous abuse such as when Evans injured her hand because Wyasket and Evans were in management positions. After the incident, documents said officers observed blood on the floor and walls of the room after the incident, as well as the victims shoes. The victim had several injuries after the incident, including on his face, neck, and chest, according to the affidavits. All three employees who were involved in the incident on Sept. 6 initially provided false information to officers, according to documents. Evans and Wyasket said the victim was throwing rocks and throwing a tantrum, but their separate stories were inconsistent. The third employee reportedly said they were not near the bedroom at the time of the incident, but other employees said otherwise. Both Evans and Wyasket were arrested and booked into the Uintah County Jail on the aforementioned charges. 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. An Engineer Vanished After His Birthday, and His Body Was Found in Desert. Now, a Childhood Friend Is Charged Alijah Bradley, 24, disappeared after celebrating his birthday, leading to the arrest of Samuel Bush, authorities say GoFundMe Alijah Bradley Authorities in Arizona have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the death of an engineer who had disappeared days before his remains were found in the desert in mid-August. Alijah Bradley, 24, was announced as missing on Aug. 15 by police in Gilbert, Ariz., the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office confirms to PEOPLE. On Aug. 19, authorities found his body in the desert area near the town of Gila Bend, an hour away from Gilbert, the sheriffs office says. His death was determined to be a homicide. On Wednesday, Sep. 4, authorities arrested 23-year-old Samuel Bush on two charges, including murder, in connection with Bradleys death, per the sheriffs office. The victims relative told KPHO and ABC 15 that Bush and Bradley were childhood friends. "We know that Alijah and Samuel were known to each other for many years prior to the homicide," the sheriff's office told PEOPLE. Missing In Arizona/Facebook Alijah Bradley MISSING Poster Bradley's family told ABC 15 that he went missing on Aug. 12, the day after his birthday. A family member told KPHO they reported him missing when he did not show up for work. He had also failed to call his mother, which was out of the ordinary for him, relatives said, per KPHO and ABC 15. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Samuel Bush In a GoFundMe created to assist with his funeral expenses, Bradley's family is remembering the bright and beloved young man. Alijah was known for his free spirit and wild soul, and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him, reads a part of the fundraiser, which says the family is seeking justice following the brutal killing. In a statement, Bradleys mother told ABC 15 that her son loved the outdoors and the sun. The world will never experience his kindness again, his mother, who is not named in the report, said in the statement. Due to this individual's brutal act, I can't believe the world is going to miss out on Alijah and his future contributions to the worldHe was my everything, and it is inconceivable to me that I have to wake up every day to a world without Alijah I'm committing my life to obtaining justice for my son. 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. Bush was charged with second-degree intentional murder and concealing a body, per the sheriff's office. It wasn't immediately clear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. CHICAGO - Chicago police warned residents and businesses in Englewood about a series of robberies at McDonald's. According to police, there have been three robberies at the McDonald's in the 6300 block of South Ashland Avenue in the past month. In each incident, two or more masked offenders armed with handguns targeted victims both inside and outside the fast-food restaurant. The robbers demanded money, cell phones, and food before fleeing on foot. The first robbery happened on Aug. 10 at 9 p.m. Similar incidents were reported on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2. Police urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. They also recommend that McDonald's staff and patrons be on the lookout for individuals wearing ski masks or carrying firearms. Anyone with information about these incidents has been asked to contact the Bureau of Detectives Area One at (312) 747-8380. (Getty Images) This story originally appeared in KFF Health News. The computer systems run by the consulting giant Deloitte that millions of Americans rely on for Medicaid and other government benefits are prone to errors that can take years and hundreds of millions of dollars to update. While states wait for fixes from Deloitte, beneficiaries risk losing access to health care and food. Changes needed to fix Deloitte-run eligibility systems often pile on costs to the government that are much higher than the original contracts, which can slow the process of fixing errors. It has become a big problem across the country. Twenty-five states have awarded Deloitte contracts for eligibility systems, giving the company a stronghold in a lucrative segment of the government benefits business. The agreements, in which the company commits to design, develop, implement, or operate state-owned systems, are worth at least $6 billion, dwarfing any of its competitors, a KFF Health News investigation found. Problems and delays can extend beyond Medicaid which provides health coverage to roughly 75 million low-income people because some state systems assess eligibility for other safety-net programs. Whether a person gets the benefits they are entitled to depends on what the computer says. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX There is no automatic switch to stop errors in the system, said Elizabeth Edwards, a senior attorney with the National Health Law Program, a nonprofit that advocates for people with low incomes and medically underserved populations. The group in January filed a complaint urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Deloitte, alleging ongoing and nationwide errors and unfair and deceptive trade practices. People will go without care, Edwards said, and until theres a fix or a workaround, you will continue to have the harm over and over again. Kenneth Smith, a Deloitte executive who leads its national human services division, previously told KFF Health News that Medicaid eligibility technology is state-owned and agencies direct their operation and make decisions about the policies and processes that they implement. Smith has called the legal nonprofits allegations without merit. States set aside millions of dollars to cover the cost of changes, but systems may require fixes beyond the agreed-upon work. The number of hours or updates is capped each year, so states are left to prioritize certain fixes over others. And even though Deloitte isnt reinventing the wheel for each eligibility system it builds or runs, the company addresses problems state by state rather than patching through fixes for systems across states, Smith said a change request in one state likely has absolutely nothing to do with another state. Because of the custom nature of these systems, its never quite that simplistic as, Hey, a particular issue thats arisen in state of A is directly applicable to state of B, Smith said. Speaking generally, Smith said, Im unaware of any circumstance in which a client has needed to get something done that we havent found a way to get it done. The work is lucrative for Deloitte, which reported global revenue of $65 billion in fiscal year 2023. Deloittes estimates show that 35 change requests for Georgias eligibility system in 2023 would take more than 104,000 hours of work, according to a list of change requests that KFF Health News obtained in response to a public records request. Thats the equivalent of 50 years of work, if someone worked 52 weeks a year at 40 hours a week. System changes were made to align with changing federal and state policies, as well as to meet evolving business needs, said Ellen Brown, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Human Services. Brown earlier said changes also were made to improve functionality. The federal government that is, its taxpayers covers 90% of states costs to develop and implement state Medicaid eligibility systems and pays 75% of ongoing maintenance and operations expenses, according to federal regulations. Eligibility systems for years have posed problems for states because of the dynamic between contractors and government officials, said Matt Salo, CEO of consulting firm Salo Health Strategies. The companies hold the expertise and, quite frankly, theyre kind of running circles around the state capacity, said Salo, a former executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors. For decades all Ive heard from states in this arena is: We know that when we go out to contract its going to cost us a lot of money and it is going to run over, it is going to deliver years late, it is going to deliver millions if not hundreds of millions of dollars over budget, Salo said, and by the time its delivered, our needs have changed and so its just this constant process of change orders and going back and fixing. Going to court in Florida Two advocacy groups last August sued Florida in federal court, alleging tens of thousands of people were losing coverage without proper warning. And Floridas eligibility system was cutting off Medicaid coverage for some moms after giving birth, William Roberts, a state employee who reviews Medicaid eligibility decisions, testified when the case went to trial in July. Florida previously gave moms two months of Medicaid coverage after giving birth. Federal regulators in 2022 approved Floridas proposal to grant Medicaid benefits for 12 months. But in April 2023 state officials discovered a glitch, Roberts said, and the system had reverted back to only giving mothers two months instead of giving them the 12 months that they were entitled to. What became clear in the testimony is that the state and Deloitte take different views on what constitutes a defect in a Deloitte-run system. Deloitte said it would fix defects without billing any additional hours for the work. Although Deloitte is not a named defendant in the lawsuit, the company was called to testify about its role in operating Floridas eligibility system. Harikumar Kallumkal, a Deloitte managing director who oversees the Florida system, initially testified that, in this case, there was no problem and the computer system was providing 12 months of postpartum coverage. Then Kallumkal said, Even in this case, I do not believe it was a defect. Even so, we did fix that. And for the fix, he said, Deloitte did not charge the state. Rather, a separate defect may have resulted in coverage losses for mothers after childbirth, Kallumkal testified. Some historical data required to determine postpartum coverage was not loading into the system, Kallumkal said. I dont know how many cases it impacted, he said, but Deloitte fixed the problem. The courtroom revelation confirmed what Florida advocates already knew: an eligibility system issue prevented some of the states most vulnerable from getting care. Florida denied allegations that it terminated Medicaid coverage without providing adequate notice. The case is ongoing. When Michigan resumed regular Medicaid eligibility checks following the covid-19 pandemic, advocates saw a concerning trend. The computer system routinely fails to recognize when certain adults with disabilities should receive Medicaid benefits, said Dawn Calnen, executive director of The Arc of Oakland County, which provides support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Often a person who qualifies for Medicaid initially for one reason could remain eligible even when life circumstances change. Calnen said theres no question that the people her group assisted are still eligible, just in a different way than during the pandemic. The problem is frequent enough that Calnens group felt compelled to notify others. We kind of shout it from the rooftop for people: Know that this is going to happen. When asked about the problem, Chelsea Wuth, a spokesperson for Michigans Department of Health and Human Services, said there were no issues with the system. Deloitte operates Michigans eligibility system. The company said it does not comment on state-specific issues. Tennessee hired Deloitte in 2016 to build an eligibility system after the state canceled a contract with Northrop Grumman due to chronic delays. Deloitte didnt create the Tennessee system, known as TEDS, from scratch. It built on components from Georgias system, according to a legal declaration and a deposition of Kimberly Hagan, Tennessee Medicaids director of member services, that were part of a class-action lawsuit that Medicaid beneficiaries filed against the state in 2020. The lawsuit, which is ongoing and does not name Deloitte as a defendant, seeks to order Tennessee to restore coverage under its Medicaid program, known as TennCare, for those who wrongly lost it. Hagan, in a court filing, said many problems reflect some unforeseen flaws or gaps with the Tennessee eligibility system and some design errors. A federal judge on Aug. 26 sided with the Medicaid beneficiaries, ruling that Tennessee violated federal law and the U.S. Constitution. Poor, disabled, and otherwise disadvantaged Tennesseans should not require luck, perseverance, or zealous lawyering to receive healthcare benefits they are entitled to under the law, wrote U.S. District Court Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw Jr., adding, TEDS is flawed, and TennCare knows that it is flawed. Tennessee Medicaid spokesperson Amy Lawrence said the state is determining what our next steps will be. Tennessees $823 million contract with Deloitte shows that the budget for changes outside the contracts original scope increased by hundreds of millions of dollars. Deloittes maximum compensation for such change orders rose to $417 million under a 2023 contract amendment, up from $103.6 million four years earlier. Lawrence said state officials do not and would not pay to fix vendor errors. Lawrence attributed the cost increases to system modernization in an effort to enhance our citizens interactions with the state Medicaid program. Additional funding was also needed to comply with new federal requirements related to the covid-19 pandemic, she said. Kim Bimestefer Waiting on fixes States sometimes wait so long for Deloittes fixes that the staffers who worked on the problems dont see the results. Jamie Perkins was responsible for making letters easier for Colorado Medicaid enrollees to understand. The letters are generated by Colorados Deloitte-run eligibility system. State audits have found that the notices confuse enrollees and contain errors. Perkins said she left her job in 2021, frustrated that many of her fixes hadnt been implemented. It feels like a really perverse reward system, frankly, for Deloitte, Perkins said. When Deloitte is themselves making a problem that did not originate with the department, the department is still paying them to fix those problems. The states contract with Deloitte now outlines protocols to address issues that are the result of the contractor, said Trish Grodzicki, a spokesperson for Colorados Medicaid agency. As of June 30, Colorado has made substantial improvements and a majority of the letters have been rewritten and updated in the system, she said. Deloitte spokesperson Karen Walsh said a change request can represent a number of different things, including when states make policy decisions that would warrant system updates. Smith said Deloitte views change requests and system issues, or defects, as different things. We have a responsibility when theres a system issue to fix that, Walsh said. We dont get a change request to fix an issue. Yet in Kentucky and other places, states have submitted change orders to resolve issues. Government officials and Deloitte sometimes negotiate fixes for months before theyre implemented. Kentucky resident Beverly Likens lost Medicaid coverage in June 2023 partly due to an error with the states Deloitte-run system. State health officials told a legal aid group in September 2023 that a change order has been submitted to fix the glitch, which blocked her new coverage application from getting through online. Likens, with the help of a lawyer, had her Medicaid benefits quickly reinstated, but that was far from the end of the saga. The problem that caused her benefits to lapse was resolved in April 10 months later when Kentucky implemented the first phase of a change request, Kentuckys Cabinet for Health and Family Services told KFF Health News. Agency spokesperson Brice Mitchell said the change request was designed to address a limitation of the system rather than technical issues. The request, for which a second phase was implemented in July, cost $522,455 and took more than 3,500 hours of work, according to Mitchell and documents obtained in response to a public records request. All such requests are thoroughly vetted, negotiated and approved by several areas within the Cabinet, Mitchell said in an emailed statement. These are large, complex system implementations, Walsh, of Deloitte, said. So in all of them, youre going to be able to find a point in time where there was an issue that needed to be fixed. And you can also find millions of people every day who are getting benefits through these systems. In February, Georgia officials were discussing a high-priority change request to resolve an ongoing problem: A defect affected potentially tens of thousands of cases/claims for families in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program that, among other problems, led the state to recoup some residents entire benefit, according to state documents KFF Health News obtained from a public records request. The programs provide monthly cash assistance to low-income people for food and housing. Georgia in 2014 inked a contract with Deloitte to build and maintain its eligibility system, known as Georgia Gateway. Federal regulations cap how much money the government can recoup if a SNAP recipient was overpaid at 20% or $20, whichever is higher, according to legal aid attorneys and SNAP experts. We have plenty of clients who, that is their entire grocery budget, said Adrianne Freeman, deputy director for litigation and advocacy at the Georgia Legal Services Program. The defect which Georgia DHS Brown said was identified on April 29, 2022 created several problems, including incorrect calculations of how much to recoup and clawbacks not occurring on the correct start dates. The Gateway system did not consistently adjust or apply the recoupment amount correctly, Brown said. A fix was deployed the weekend of Feb. 17, the documents state, but a formal change request was needed to allow the State Agency (SA) to correctly apply allotment reductions to all SNAP and TANF cases impacted by Defect 21068, the documents state. The change order would allow state officials to run an automated one-time mass update to fully resolve the problem. The target date for doing so: March 1. That was nearly two years after officials were provided an original report noting that more than 25,000 cases may have been affected, the documents state. Relying on workarounds States often face constraints on how many changes can be made in a year. In Texas, there is a years-long waitlist for changes, according to advocates, state documents, and the state health agency. The system isnt nimble enough to meet the needs and often relies really heavily on manual workarounds, said Stacey Pogue, a senior research fellow at Georgetown Universitys Center on Health Insurance Reforms with expertise on Medicaid in Texas. Texas eligibility workers use workarounds to process applications while awaiting permanent fixes. Deloitte said in its $295 million Texas contract that there is a real need for workarounds, which allow operations to continue without affecting client benefits. Many of these temporary fixes were implemented years ago and were still in use in 2023, according to records obtained by KFF Health News that found 45 active workarounds in Texas last year. In one instance, a workaround was implemented nearly 14 years ago. Deloitte acknowledged in its Texas contract that reducing workarounds is one of the top priorities. Smith of Deloitte said it doesnt always take months to fix a problem: We have changes that get implemented in a day and changes that get implemented in a month. Further, Smith said, Deloitte is one part of implementing a change, noting were often not necessarily the constraint. The state considers several factors when assessing which fixes to tackle first, including how many beneficiaries are affected. The more complex the workaround, the longer it may take for staff to process eligibility, said Jennifer Ruffcorn, a spokesperson for Texas Health and Human Services. In Florida in addition to the lapses in coverage for maternal care the National Health Law Program and the Florida Health Justice Project alleged in their lawsuit in federal court that notices to Medicaid beneficiaries alerting them their benefits would be terminated did not explain the basis for the decision. In October, about a month after the lawsuit was filed, the state asked Deloitte to provide an estimate to alter the notices, Kallumkal of Deloitte testified at trial in August. Deloitte estimated it would need roughly 28,000 hours, he said. Thats more than twice the 12,600 hours the state sets aside each year to pay Deloitte for revisions. The extra hours would require an amended contract in which the state would have to agree to pay more. Floridas Department of Children and Families did not respond to requests for comment. For Deloitte, extra hours mean more revenue, Kallumkal acknowledged during his testimony while under cross-examination. Deloitte subsequently provided the state with a new estimate for a narrower scope of work that would take 12,000 hours, he said. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE AUSTIN (KXAN) The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said an inmate who escaped from its Huntsville unit on Sunday is back in custody, according to a TDCJ social media post. Jesus Villareal, 39, was found in Calallen, which is near Corpus Christi, on Sunday, TDCJ said. He is currently serving a 63-year sentence on four counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of aggravated assault out of Cameron County. He was also charged in 2015 with possession of a deadly weapon in a penal institution, TDCJ said. Officials said Villareal will face felony escape charges after the incident. Before Villareal was found, officials said they believed he was traveling toward South Texas in a maroon Chevy Malibu. Local and state law enforcement helped in the search, TDCJ said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The Ethiopian authorities released this picture of the dam last week after the completion of the fifth phase of filling [Ethiopian government] Ethiopia has said Egypt must abandon its aggressive approach towards a controversial hydroelectric dam on the River Nile as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate. Addis Ababa was responding to a letter Egypt sent to the UN Security Council last week accusing Ethiopia of violating international law by continuing to fill the dam without agreement from downstream countries. In its letter to the Security Council, Ethiopia rejected what it called a litany of unfounded allegations from Cairo. This latest round in a long-running dispute comes as Egypt forges closer military ties with Ethiopias neighbour Somalia, which has its own disagreement with Ethiopia. The row dates back to 2011 when Ethiopia began building the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd) on the Blue Nile, a tributary from where 85% of the Nile's waters flow. Egypt sees this as an existential issue as it relies almost entirely on the river for its water and fears that the dam could mean that the flow of the river is disrupted. It also says that two colonial-era treaties guarantee that it has a right to veto upstream projects. But for Ethiopia, the huge project, set to be the largest hydroelectric plant in Africa, is an integral part of its efforts to develop the country and get electricity to millions of households. The dam is nearing its completion, with the reservoir filling with water since 2020, and has already started generating power. Egypt, along with Sudan through which the Nile also flows, have been raising concerns that their essential water supplies would be under threat, especially if there are successive years of drought. Multiple diplomatic efforts to reach a binding deal have not succeeded. The most recent efforts ended in December last year with both countries accusing the other of intransigence. In its letter to the Security Council, Ethiopia said Egypt was "only interested in perpetuating its self-claimed monopoly" over the river. In recent weeks, tensions across the Horn of Africa have grown, especially after a military pact was agreed between Egypt and Ethiopias eastern neighbour Somalia. Relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa deteriorated after landlocked Ethiopia signed a deal in January with the self-declared Republic of Somaliland over access to the sea and possible use of the coastline for a naval base. Somalia sees Somaliland as part of its territory and said the agreement was an act of aggression. This weekend, Ethiopias Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed warned against attacks on his country, saying anyone from afar and nearby daring to invade the country would be repelled. He did not specify which country he was talking about. [BBC] [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) East Tennessee State University (ETSU) received a $2.8 million grant to continue research at its Rural Health Equity Research Center (RHERC). The grant, awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, will provide four more years of funding for the center. RHERC aims at conducting rural health research that informs strategies and recommendations for policymakers, rural health care providers and rural communities to improve well-being by improving access to health care and behavioral health services and advancing health equity, ETSU said in a news release. Tre Lamb, ETSU dominate UVA Wise in home opener, 61-0 This funding will be critically important for our research going forward, and to receive it for a second time speaks to the impact our research has on rural Americans, and especially here in Appalachia, Michael Meit, director of the ETSU Center for Rural Health and Research and deputy director of the Rural Health Equity Research Center, said in the release. The center will conduct studies exploring rural health inequities, with a focus on access to health care and behavioral health services over the next four years, according to the university. ETSU received one of the only eight Rural Health Research Center grants awarded in September. RHERC is a partnership between ETSUs Center for Rural Health and Research and NORC at the University of Chicagos Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KYODO NEWS - Sep 9, 2024 - 18:07 | All, Japan Japan's economic security minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday she will run again to become president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, prioritizing economic growth to make the country "stronger and richer" while underscoring her conservative agenda. Joining what is already a crowded race with a record number of candidates, Takaichi, 63, one of the most hawkish contenders in the Sept. 27 election, is seeking to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is resigning to take responsibility for the party's political funds scandal. Unlike her previous presidential bid, she will not have the support of the late premier Shinzo Abe, with whom she shared conservative views on security issues. Takaichi is often picked by voters in media polls as most likely to become Japan's first female prime minister. Takaichi, who has harshly criticized China's expanding military assertiveness, said she will focus on boosting Japan's strength in the fields of diplomacy, defense, the economy, technology, intelligence and human capital. "I will pursue economic growth first and foremost and as much as possible," Takaichi told a press conference, noting the need for "strategic" fiscal spending for the economy. She is the seventh candidate and the first woman to join the upcoming LDP election. The ninth-term House of Representatives member was eliminated in the first round of voting in the LDP's 2021 election when Kishida was elected. Before assuming her current post under his Cabinet, she served as internal affairs minister and the LDP's policy chief. During her press conference, she repeatedly referenced Abe. Takaichi said she will promote the vision of a "free and open Indo-Pacific" as he did, stressing that Japan must ensure its ally the United States remains "engaged" in the region. The election will also feature another conservative lawmaker Takayuki Kobayashi, 49, who served as economic security minister before Takaichi. Their contest has brought into focus how much support each candidate can garner from the LDP's conservative base. Takaichi said she will push for revising Japan's pacifist Constitution at an early date to stipulate the existence of the Self-Defense Forces in line with the LDP's goal. She has periodically visited the war-linked Yasukuni shrine that honors war criminals along with war dead, a source of diplomatic friction with China and South Korea, both of which suffered from Japan's wartime aggression. Calling Yasukuni an "important" place, Takaichi suggested Monday that she will continue to visit the shrine even if she assumes the post of prime minister. She also pledged to remove a buoy that China has installed in the waters around the Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. On the issue of allowing married couples to use different surnames, a controversial issue within the conservative LDP, Takaichi has said she will take a cautious stance. The LDP leadership race will be held as current leader Kishida, who took office in October 2021, is stepping down at the end of his three-year term in late September, after a slush funds scandal engulfed the ruling party and hurt voter trust. Takaichi is the third Cabinet member to announce her candidacy after Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, 63, and Digital Minister Taro Kono, 61. Other candidates include former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, 67, and former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 43. LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi, 68, the No.2 in the ruling party, has also announced his bid. Related coverage: Japan main opposition party begins leadership race, eyes gov't change New Japan PM set to be picked Oct. 1 when extra Diet session begins LDP hopeful Koizumi unveils leadership bid, eager for snap election US warns of 'consequences' if Iran sends missiles to Russia The Kremlin did not issue a denial on Monday when asked about the report that Iran had sent missiles (-) (-/Iranian Presidency/AFP) The European Union said Monday its allies had shared "credible" intelligence that Iran had supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, a move Washington warned would be met with "significant consequences". The claim was rejected by Tehran but not explicitly denied by the Kremlin. EU and US officials said that, if true, it would constitute a major "escalation" of Iran's support for Moscow in its invasion of Ukraine. US media outlets reported last week that Washington believed Iran had transferred the weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, citing anonymous sources. "We are aware of the credible information provided by allies on the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia," EU spokesman Peter Stano said. "We are looking further into it with our member states and if confirmed, this delivery would represent a substantive material escalation in Iran's support for Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine." Stano added that "the EU leaders' unanimous position has always been clear. The European Union will respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran". Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said during a weekly press conference: "We strongly reject the claims on Iran's role in exporting arms to one side of the war." The West has been warning Tehran against sending Russia missiles for months, and the EU has already repeatedly hit Iran with sanctions for supplying drones to Moscow for the war in Ukraine. "Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran's support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told journalists. "We have been clear... that we're prepared to deliver significant consequences." - 'Severe' response - The Kremlin did not issue a denial on Monday when asked specifically about the Wall Street Journal report that Iran had sent missiles. "We have seen this report, it is not every time that this kind of information is true," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "Iran is our important partner, we are developing our trade and economic relations, we are developing our cooperation and dialogue in all possible areas, including the most sensitive areas." The United States had previously said any deliveries would invoke a "severe" response and damage Tehran's efforts to improve relations with the West following the election of reformist Masoud Pezeshkian as president. Faced with punishing Western sanctions, Moscow has turned to Iran and North Korea for weapons supplies to keep its war machine going in Ukraine. Ukraine says it has been attacked with Iranian-designed Shahed drones on an almost daily basis from Russia and has found fragments of North Korean missiles on its territory. The Kremlin has once again stepped up its bombing campaign against Ukraine's key infrastructure ahead of winter. burs/rlp/giv Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, speaks at the event "Economic Transformation, Net-Zero Valley and Digitalization" at DOCK3 on the border with Saxony and Brandenburg. The situation in the European car industry is "not rosy," outgoing Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton told Handelsblatt, a German financial newspsaper, in an interview published on Monday. Patrick Pleul/dpa The situation in the European car industry is "not rosy," outgoing Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton told Handelsblatt, a German financial newspsaper, in an interview published on Monday. There is "great nervousness" stemming from current developments in the German automotive industry, Breton said, referring to the saving plans and possible job cuts announced by the Volkswagen Group. "I am very concerned about the announcements of plant closures," the French commissioner said. He said that the aim must be to maintain and preserve our expertise, our innovative strength and our competitiveness." Breton attributes the crisis to the fact that European manufacturers have not been able to convince their customers of the benefits of electric mobility. Whether the switch to electric mobility in Europe will be a success depends on the expansion of the charging infrastructure, which is "still heavily concentrated in Germany, France and the Netherlands," he said. Leading politicians in Germany are calling for more help from Brussels. "Europe must be able to keep pace with international developments and [European Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen must now take the lead here," said Lars Klingbeil, the co-leader of the Social Democrats (SPD), in an interview with the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. Christian Durr, the parliamentary leader of the liberal Free Democrats - which is in a coalition with the SPD - said "the reason for this crisis is the absurd European policy that puts countless obstacles in the way of car manufacturers." Russia's sham elections held in occupied Crimea over the weekend represent "another act of violation of international law," the European External Action Service said in a statement on Sept. 9. Russia carried out so-called elections at a local and regional level across Russia on Sept. 6 - Sept. 8, as well as in Russian-occupied Crimea. The state-sanctioned results will not be released until the end of September. The independent election watchdog Golos reported there had been 651 complaints of potential violations across Russia during the so-called election. The EU strongly condemned the organization of the election in Crimea, which constitutes "another act of violation of international law, the UN Charter and Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity," the European External Action Service said. The results are therefore "null and void," and will be unrecognized by the EU. "Russia's leadership and those responsible for organizing these illegal actions will be held accountable and face consequences," the European External Action Service said. Russia organized a pseudo-democratic presidential election in March that granted Vladimir Putin, who has been in power since 1999, six more years in office. The vote was also organized in occupied Crimea, as well as parts of Ukraines Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in violation of international law. The Crimean peninsula was illegally annexed in March 2014 following a sham referendum staged by Russia in the absence of any international observers and with armed Russian soldiers present at polling locations. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Then Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi speaks during a press conference on the second day of the EU Summit at the European Council. -/EU Council/dpa Former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi urged the European Union on Monday to develop "a new industrial strategy for Europe" to revive the bloc's flagging competitiveness versus China and the United States. At the heart of Draghi's much-anticipated economic report is an urgent call to action to address the EU's massive annual investment needs estimated at 750 billion to 800 billion ($829 billion to $850 billion). "We have reached the point where, without action, we will have to either compromise our welfare, our environment or our freedom," he said in a Brussels press conference. "It's going to be a slow agony." The report is to inform new strategy for economic competitiveness which is a priority for the next five-year term of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In his call for an economic makeover of the block, Draghi described the EU as being "stuck in a static industrial structure" compared to the United States and China. He focused on three areas. Productive tech First, the former president of the European Central Bank (ECB) wants the bloc to close its innovation gap with the United States, highlighting the major advantage Washington holds in the high-tech sector. In the US economy, "most of the productivity is concentrated in the high-tech sector," Draghi said, noting that when tech is removed for comparison, the EU's economic productivity has performed better. Draghi wants the EU to reduce regulations and ease compliance for tech entrepreneurs, especially smaller enterprises, as well as boost financing options for companies to expand. Decarbonization versus growth The EU must also use its status as a "world leader in clean technologies" like wind turbines to achieve new growth through policies to reduce carbon emissions, Draghi said. He warned in his report, however, that if policy is not coordinated correctly, then "decarbonization could run contrary to competitiveness and growth." The former Italian premier also warned of an overreliance on China and that "Chinas state-sponsored competition" is also a threat to the EU's clean technology and automotive industries. Draghi warned though that "black-and-white solutions are unlikely to be successful" for the EU when handling trade relations with China over clean energy technology. According to Draghi, "emulating the US approach of systematically shutting out Chinese technology" would set back the EU's transition away from fossil fuels and impose higher costs on the economy. The EU's high energy costs need to be addressed, Draghi stressed, and advocated for an energy market revamp to ensure that the price of more affordable renewable energy is no longer determined by costlier fossil fuels like natural gas. Call for foreign economic policy Drawing comparisons with the US and China, Draghi lastly called on the bloc to develop a "foreign economic policy" to craft more preferential trade agreements, build stockpiles of strategic raw materials, and secure supply chains of critical technologies. More broadly, Draghi called for greater joint procurement in defence, easing competition rules in the telecoms market to allow more consolidation and deepening capital markets to boost investments. "We should abandon the illusion that only procrastination can preserve consensus," he said in his report, stressing that how the EU makes decisions needs to change in a new era. Draghi said the massive investment needs will need to come from public and private sources but that the "private sector is unlikely to be able to finance the lion's share of this investment." To show the scale of the investment and challenge required, Draghi made reference to the US Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe after World War II. Draghi said the equivalent of 4.4% to 4.7% of the EU's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023 would be required - a ratio of investment to GDP not seen since the 1960s and 1970s. "Mario Draghi's report is unambiguous," Neil Makaroff, a director with Strategic Perspectives, a European climate think tank said in a statement. If the EU wants to reduce its dependence on China and catch up with the US then "27 different industrial strategies won't do the job," he said. "Europe needs to get its act together with a robust and united industrial strategy that invests in cleantech factories and turns decarbonization into a competitive advantage. This message must be heard from Berlin to Paris, Warsaw to Madrid," Makaroff added. The report by Mario Draghi, ordered by Ursula Von der Leyen, the European Commission president, calls for wider 'industrial strategy for Europe' - Yves Herman/Reuters European Union governments must spend big on joint defence projects because they can no longer rely on the US for their security, a landmark report said on Monday. The EU report said national competition within the blocs defence industry had weakened Europes ability to act as a cohesive power. It comes as Nato allies warned that Russia was arming at an alarming rate and said Europe had as little as three years to prepare for an invasion. There is also a shifting focus in Washington towards countering China as the main White House foreign policy goal. Fears over Europes security have been further exacerbated by the prospect of a second Donald Trump presidency after his threats to let Russia attack European Nato allies not hitting spending targets. The long-awaited report ordered by Ursula Von der Leyen, the European Commission president demanded a wider industrial strategy for Europe, involving 800 billion in annual investment to prevent the bloc from falling behind the US and China. It is likely to set the agenda for Mrs von der Leyens next five years in office, which will be blighted by war and economic stagnation. The report was authored by Mario Draghi, a former president of the European Central Bank and ex-Italian primer minister, who was largely credited with saving the euro during the financial crisis more than a decade ago. The safety of the US security umbrella freed up defence budgets to spend on other priorities, he wrote. In a world of stable geopolitics, we had no reason to be concerned about rising dependencies on countries we expected to remain our friends. But the foundations on which we build are now being shaken. Washington has slowly shifted its focus from the Euro-Atlantic area to the Indo-Pacific over the last two decades. The Trump White House further accelerated the transition by framing the rivalry with China as a great power competition. Joe Biden, the US president, identified countering Beijing as his main foreign policy challenge at the start of his administration, although his efforts were made difficult by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. US strategic doctrine is shifting away from Europe and towards the Pacific Rim for example in the format of Aukus driven by the perceived threat of China, wrote Mr Draghi. As a result, a growing demand for defence capability is being met by a shrinking supply a gap which Europe itself must fill. The EU collectively is the worlds second-largest spender on defence, but it only forks out a third of Washingtons outlay, according to the report. Just 10 member states, which are also part of Nato, hit the two per cent spending goal set by the Western military alliance. Many countries have announced significant increases in defence spending in response to Vladimir Putins attack on Ukraine. The European Commission has previously estimated that member states would need to invest at least 500 billion to secure the bloc over the next decade. Mr Draghi warned that the continental rearmament would be plagued by difficulties if the EUs defence industry was not sufficiently centralised in Brussels. His report highlighted that the EUs 27 member states operate 12 types of battle tanks, while the US produces a single model for its armed forces. A sudden splurge on defence could also trigger a supply crisis, he wrote, because individual companies have not sufficiently scaled up production lines to meet demand. Mr Draghi argued that greater use of joint procurement in the defence sector could be used to mitigate the risks of shortages. This lack of co-ordination creates a vicious circle for the EU defence industry, he said. Without demand aggregation among member states, it is more difficult for the industry to predict longer-term needs and increase supply, in turn decreasing its overall capacity to meet demand and depriving the industry of orders and opportunities. He recommended that EU competition policy be overhauled sufficiently to ensure that defence spending was focused on the blocs companies, rather than flowing overseas to countries such as the US and UK. He denied that his wider report, which spans some 400 pages, was do or die, but warned: Its do this, or its a slow agony. We have reached the point where, without action, we will have to either compromise our welfare, our environment or our freedom. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (Bloomberg) -- The European Union will provide two grants totaling 32 million ($35 million) to help South Africa kick-start its green hydrogen industry, Kadri Simson, Europes energy commissioner, said. Most Read from Bloomberg The grants will help South Africa to take advantage of its abundant wind and solar resources to produce green hydrogen, which is seen as a potential clean alternative to the fossil fuels used to power ships and heavy industry. Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable energy to split water and release hydrogen, which can be burned without producing climate warming gases. While countries such as South Africa, neighboring Namibia, Egypt and Chile are positioning themselves to produce the fuel its still too expensive to compete with oil derivatives. Still, theres an expectation that the fuel will become more attractive as prices fall with improving technology and penalties on the use of fossil fuels increase. These two European Union grants will be implemented in a way so that they contribute to South Africa and the local economy, Simson said at an event in Pretoria, the countrys capital, on Monday. They will leverage further public and private investments across climate change. And for this, we will work with global development finance institutions and European public funds. The money is from the European Union budget and is separate to the $9.3 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership, a climate finance pact between South Africa and some of the worlds richest countries. The EU has provided similar support to Namibia. The first of the two grants, worth 25 million, is expected to act as a catalyst to attract 10 billion rand ($558 million) in public and private money to invest in hydrogen production, storage and transportation, the EU and South Africa said in a statement. It will be channeled through an EU member state financial institution. The second, worth 7 million, will be used by Transnet SOC Ltd., the state ports and rail company, to fund studies and pilot projects into hydrogen production and storage. That money will come from Agence Francaise de Developpement, a state development finance institution. Transnet is expected to play a critical role across the hydrogen value chain for its operations as well as domestic and export markets, the EU and South Africa said. Sign up here for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter (Updates with additional detail on grants in last three paragraphs) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The European Union has condemned the holding of local elections by the Russian Federation in occupied Crimea and Sevastopol. Source: Peter Stano, Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy at the EU, as reported by European Pravda Details: Stano said that the EU strongly condemns Russia's so-called "elections" in the occupied Crimea and Sevastopol held on 6-8 September. Quote from Peter Stano: "The EU does not recognise these so-called "elections" or their results in Crimea. They are null and void, and cannot produce any legal effects whatsoever. Russias leadership and those responsible for organising these illegal actions will be held accountable and face consequences. More than a decade after Russias invasion and attempted illegal annexation of Crimea, the EU reiterates its position: Crimea is Ukraine..." "There is one clear way out of this war: that Russia immediately ends its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, and withdraws all forces and military equipment from Ukraines territory within its internationally recognised borders." Background: 8 September was an election day in Russia, when voters elected members of local authorities across the Russian Federation. Ukraines Foreign Ministry stressed that the results of the so-called "elections" are null and void, and the "elections" themselves are illegitimate. It has been unofficially reported that the EU may remove Nikita Mazepin, former F1 driver and Violetta Prigozhina, the mother of Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Group PMC, from the sanctions list. Support UP or become our patron! EU receives information from allies on Iran's supply of ballistic missiles to Russia The EU's allies have shared information with the EU about Iran's transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine. Source: European Pravda reports that this was stated on Monday by Peter Stano, the EU Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as quoted by AFP Details: Washington believes that Iran has transferred weapons to Russia for use on the battlefield in Ukraine, US media reported last week, citing anonymous sources. Quote: "We are aware of the credible information provided by allies on the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia," Stano said. "We are looking further into it with our member states and if confirmed, this delivery would represent a substantive material escalation in Iran's support for Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," the spokesman said. Stano added that "the EU leaders' unanimous position has always been clear. The European Union will respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran." Iran's Foreign Ministry said it "strongly" rejected allegations of involvement in arms exports to Russia. The West has been warning Tehran against sending missiles to Russia for several months, and the EU has repeatedly imposed sanctions on Iran for supplying Moscow with drones for the war in Ukraine. Background: On Monday, the Kremlin did not issue a rebuttal when asked specifically about the Wall Street Journal's report that Iran had sent missiles. On 6 September, the WSJ reported, citing sources among American and European officials, that Iran had already supplied Russia with short-range ballistic missiles. The White House National Security Council said that if Iran has supplied or will supply Russia with ballistic missiles, it would be a "dramatic escalation". Ukraines Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over media reports that Iran has already supplied its ballistic missiles to Russia and has called on Tehran to refrain from providing Moscow with any weapons. Support UP or become our patron! EU ambassadors are planning to remove former Russian Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin and Violetta Prigozhina, the mother of the dead Russian mercenary boss, from the list of sanctions later this week, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on Sept. 9, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources. The EU is expected to extend sanctions against some 2,300 entities and individuals associated with Russia's war against Ukraine by Sept. 15. Hungary, which has repeatedly opposed sanctions on Russia and undermined Western aid efforts for Ukraine, once again reportedly demanded that several people be removed from the sanctions list in exchange for their support. The Baltic States and Poland proposed that the EU should move from extending the sanctions for six months to making an annual decision, which Budapest opposed, RFE/RL reported. Eventually, EU member states reached a compromise that would remove Mazepin and Prigozhina from the list, unnamed EU diplomats told RFE/RL. Both are considered "weak cases" by the EU legal service that monitors the judicial aspects of Brussels sanctions policy, the media outlet reported. Nikita Mazepin, a son of Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, won a case in the EU's General court to have the sanctions against him lifted. He has nevertheless remained on the general list, as the decision applies only to the previous period and Brussels has updated the lists according to new criteria since that, according to the court. Violetta Prigozhina, the mother of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group founder who died in a mysterious plane crash in August 2023, remained on the sanctions list for the same reason. In March, the EU decided to lift sanctions against Arkady Volozh, the co-founder of Russia's most popular search engine, Yandex. Read also: US slaps new sanctions on Russian flagship LNG project Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The News The European Union said Monday that allies had shared credible information about Iran supplying Russia with ballistic missiles, warning of new sanctions on Tehran if the deliveries were confirmed. Any delivery would represent a substantial material escalation in Irans support for Russias illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, an EU spokesperson said. The Kremlin did not appear to deny the report. Iran is our most important partner... we are developing our cooperation and dialogue in all possible areas, including the most sensitive areas, a spokesman said. Meanwhile, Irans foreign ministry said it strongly rejected the allegations. SIGNALS Sanctions may be a blunt instrument and even make the problem worse Sources: The Wall Street Journal, John Hopkins University, Vox Targeted interdiction of the missiles themselves may be more appropriate than blanket sanctions on Tehran, said a former Middle East expert at the US National Security Council. Sanctions against Iran already the most heavily sanctioned country in the world after Russia have so far mostly hurt its middle classes, the very group that could be a force for regime change, the authors of a recently released book on the subject argued. Sanctions can further backfire if theyre imposed so indiscriminately that blacklisted countries turn toward each other, and form their own alternative links capable of bypassing Western financial institutions, The Washington Posts White House economics reporter told Vox Today, Explained podcast. Iran could benefit from closer ties with Russia Sources: Center for Strategic and International Studies, Stimson Center Russia and Iran had a patron-client dynamic prior to Russias invasion of Ukraine, but Moscow is now receiving much more from Tehran, a Eurasia expert told the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Theres also indications that Russia is passing Western technology captured on the battlefield from Ukraine to Iran, which allows Iran to learn about how its own systems might fare against Western defenses, another added. Russia is becoming more desperate for missiles as the war continues, which could also strengthen Irans hand in requesting high-tech Russian weaponry, an international relations expert wrote for the Stimson Center in March. KYODO NEWS - Sep 9, 2024 - 21:35 | All, Japan A Japanese court on Monday ruled in favor of some of the plaintiffs who were seeking state health care benefits as survivors of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki after being exposed to the blast outside the state-designated area. The Nagasaki District Court ordered the Nagasaki prefectural and city governments to certify 15 of the 44 plaintiffs as atomic bomb survivors who experienced the nuclear attack outside the area but within a 12-kilometer radius of the bomb's hypocenter. Presiding Judge Shinsuke Matsunaga said there is a "relevant probability" that nuclear fallout was observed in the east Nagasaki district where the 15 were when the bomb exploded, based on surveys by the central and local governments. They also developed illnesses included in the list of 11 diseases that are subject to government support for A-bomb survivors, according to the ruling. In the trial, the plaintiffs, including four already dead, claimed that they developed the listed diseases, having absorbed radioactive particles from the atomic bomb or consumed food and drink contaminated with them. The local governments argued that they were not exposed to radiation at levels that would incur health damage. As of the end of March, there were around 6,300 individuals identified as having experienced the atomic bombing within the 12-km radius but outside the officially designated area, according to the prefectural government. The central government has been providing them with a limited scope of support compared with state-recognized survivors. The ruling came after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed the welfare minister to arrange a relief package for such people after meeting their representative on Aug. 9 following an annual ceremony to mark the 79th anniversary of the nuclear attack on Nagasaki. Kishida represents a constituency in Hiroshima, the other Japanese city devastated by a U.S. atomic bomb in 1945. In a related move, the Hiroshima High Court ruled in 2021 that 84 people were eligible for health care benefits from the state, even though they were exposed to radioactive "black rain" following the Hiroshima atomic bombing outside the area currently recognized by the government for official designation. The recognition of such atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima had resulted in a discrepancy in the treatment of those who experienced the bomb outside the area of Nagasaki. Related coverage: Nagasaki gets protest emails in English over Israel snub in ceremony Japan students urge abolition of nuclear weapons in Geneva Nagasaki urges nuke abolition on A-bomb anniv. rocked by Israel snub (Bloomberg) -- The European Union is working on a proposal to censure Slovakia over the erosion of democratic norms in a move that could result in the bloc withholding funds earmarked for Bratislava. Most Read from Bloomberg The European Commission, the blocs executive arm, has prepared a decision to trigger the procedure over the increasingly populist Prime Minister Robert Ficos decision to abolish the special prosecutors office that oversaw some corruption cases involving EU funds, according to people familiar with the matter. The process is in an initial phase and would require the approval of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Commission Spokesman Balazs Ujvari said in an emailed statement that the executive arm is analyzing the reform to Slovakias criminal code and that there is currently no decision taken or awaiting political approval with regards to freezing funds. A spokesperson from Slovakias foreign ministry said in an emailed statement that the commission hasnt formally or informally signaled that it would take such action. About 80% of all public investments in Slovakia are financed by EU funds. Any potential issues with funding would represent a serious blow to this EU and eurozone member state, which is already facing challenges with excessive deficit in public finances. One of the proposals would see the commission use its so-called conditionality mechanism which allows the EU to freeze funding when it sees its money at risk to withhold some of the 12.8 billion ($14.2 billion) in cohesion funds allocated to Slovakia in the blocs budget, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The commission is also exploring the option of clawing back all or part of the 2.7 billion in Covid grants Slovakia has received as part of the EUs pandemic rescue spending, one of the people said. The special prosecutors office was a condition included in doling out those funds. The commission is currently in the process of analysing the potential implications of amendments to the Slovak criminal code related to the conditions set out for the country to receive recovery fund grants, according to the commission spokesman, Ujvari. The commission will finalize its assessment in a timely manner. Since Fico returned to power in October, he has drawn scrutiny from Brussels given his move to overhaul the criminal code and ditch a special prosecutors office that focused on high-profile graft cases, including some that targeted his allies. Fico was shot in an assassination attempt in May. Once he recovered, he blamed a hostile atmosphere fueled by the press and the opposition for the attack. He then overhauled the public media, putting broadcasters under government control. Slovakia would become the second country subject to the EUs conditionality mechanism after the bloc froze 6.3 billion of Hungarys cohesion funds over Budapests breaches to the rule of law. (Updates with comments from the commission and Slovakia in the fourth and eighth paragraphs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Ukrainian forces use searchlights to look for drones during a Russian strike - Gleb Garanich/Reuters Russian drones breached the airspace of two Nato members in less than 24 hours, sparking calls for a joint response from the Western military alliance. One of the drones reportedly flew into Romania on Sunday during a night-time attack on neighbouring Ukraine, while another crashed in eastern Latvia the day before. Bucharest dispatched F-16 fighter jets to monitor the skies and issued text warning alerts to the residents of two eastern regions. Latvias defence minister said a Russian drone had fallen near the town of Rezekne on Saturday and was likely to have strayed into the country from neighbouring Belarus, an ally of Russia. Both countries issued initial incident reports to their Nato allies as fuller investigations were launched. This situation is a confirmation that we need to continue the work we have started to strengthen Latvias eastern border, including the development of air defence capabilities and electronic warfare capabilities to limit the activities of UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] of different applications, said Andris Spruds, the Latvian defence minister. Edgars Rinkevics, the Latvian president, warned that 'the number of such incidents is increasing along the eastern flank of Nato. - Dumitru Doru/Shutterstock Edgars Rinkevics, the Latvian president, wrote on social media: We are in close contact with our allies. The number of such incidents is increasing along the eastern flank of Nato, and we must address them collectively. A statement issued by the countrys defence ministry said: Latvian airspace is part of Nato airspace. Bucharest condemned what it described as a renewed violation triggered by Moscows illegal attacks on Ukraine. Fragments of the drone were discovered in an uninhabited area near the Romanian village of Periprava, situated across the Danube river from the Ukrainian port town of Ismail, a frequent target for Russian attacks. Alliance members on Natos eastern flank have had to deal with threats posed by Russian missiles and drones on numerous occasions since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In November 2022, a Russian missile hit Poland, killing two people. Warsaw is also searching its territory for a Russian drone that crashed on its side of the border earlier this summer. Russian drones have also strayed into Romanian airspace on multiple occasions during Moscows bombardment of Ukraines Danube ports. None of the incidents have been deemed significant enough to trigger any of Natos collective responses, including its Article Five mutual defence clause, which signifies that an attack on one member is an attack on all. Mircea Geoana, Natos outgoing deputy secretary-general, who is Romanian, said on Sunday: Nato condemns the overnight Russian airspace violation into Romanian airspace. While we have no information indicating an intentional attack by Russia against Allies, these acts are irresponsible and potentially dangerous. 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. MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) A former employee of the Union County Clerks Office has been charged following an investigation by state authorities. In August, special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation began looking into allegations of misconduct involving a county clerks office employee. Woman recounts driving through gunfire along I-75 while headed to Knoxville Whitney Goins, 38, faces one count of official misconduct and fraudulent use of a credit card. Investigators believe she fraudulently used a credit card she obtained from a citizen. She was arrested and booked into the Union County Jail on Monday. Her bond was set at $2,500. See more top stories on WATE.com Goins was terminated from the clerks office last month, according to a TBI release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. New York Judge Juan Merchan last Friday postponed Donald Trump's hush-money case sentencing until Nov. 26 to avoid any appearance of influencing the election between the former president and Vice President Kamala Harris. But the stay in Trump's fate might in fact doom him later, according to former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, who served on special counsel Bob Mueller's team. Sentencing Donald Trump after the election, if he loses, makes it much more likely that you can think about sending him to jail, he told MSNBC host Jen Psaki. The moment he loses, Weissman said, Trump would be a mere "Citizen Trump" rather than a presidential candidate, a status that could expose him to the weight of impartial justice. Trump had a different interpretation of Merchan's ruling. After the delay was announced, the former president crowed on Truth Social that "the Manhattan D.A. Witch Hunt has been postponed because everyone realizes there was NO CASE, I DID NOTHING WRONG!" Trump was convicted of 34 felony charges in May, and was due to hear his sentence in July until a Supreme Court decision in favor of broad presidential immunity prompted Merchan to delay it until September. Merchan then delayed it again last Friday due to the political "complexities" of sentencing a former president who is also, once again, his party's nominee for that office. Merchan also delayed his ruling on Trump's immunity, which prevents the former president from appealing to the Supreme Court before Election Day in the case that Merchan decides that he is not immune. "That kept this whole case out of the Supreme Court before the election, at a time when the Supreme Court otherwise would have every incentive to issue just as political decision as it issued with respect to presidential immunity," Weissmann said. "It would have had the same incentive to go and reach into this case and say, 'No, there has to be a retrial.'" Now, according to Weissmann, the Supreme Court might have also have "a lot less incentive to reach in" and intervene in the case should Trump lose the election and potentially a significant amount of political relevance. It just makes it more apolitical, Weissmann said, referring to the sentencing that could slap Trump with up to four years of jail time or a more lenient penalty like community service or probation. A former supervisor in the Glynn County Department of Public Works has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud. William Richards, 51, of Brunswick also was ordered to pay more than $420,000 in restitution of funds he illegally gained from fraudulent charges to government purchasing cards. Richards, who began working for the public works department in 2010, was responsible for coding and reconciling purchases made with the departments purchasing cards. The Glynn County Police Department and the FBI began investigating his activities last year when another agency employee noticed suspicious charges on his county purchasing card. According to court records and testimony, Richards had been making fraudulent purchases with his card and those of other employees for more than two years by issuing payments to a fictitious company he created and then transferring the money to his own bank account. Taxpayers rightly expect employees of their government agencies to handle public money responsibly, U.S. Attorney Jill Steinberg said Monday. William Richards did the opposite by defrauding taxpayers and enriching himself at their expense, and he is being held accountable for his crime. Besides the prison sentence and restitution, U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also sentenced Richards to serve three years of supervised release after he completes his prison term. The first minister has said the priorities set out in the Northern Ireland Executive's draft programme for government (PfG) were "ambitious and focused". The 88-page document, entitled 'Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most', sets out the executive's ambitions under several core areas. It outlines nine "immediate priorities" the executive intends to work on this year and for the duration of its electoral mandate. "This is government in action, this is us putting in place our plans, what we're prioritising to make people's lives better," Michelle O'Neill said. The executives agenda was signed off on Thursday and presented to assembly members on Monday. When asked how the priorities would be funded, Ms O'Neill told BBC Newsline that Northern Ireland's funding model isn't right. "That needs to change, so we'll be at the Treasury's door again on Thursday to continue our engagement around the funding model here," she added. The first and deputy first ministers will travel to London to meet with the chancellor Rachel Reeves as part of discussions on the funding shortfall. Ms O'Neill said the Labour government should reverse Tory austerity and described any ask they had of the UK government as "very reasonable". The deputy first minister said that they would also ask Ms Reeves to reverse the winter fuel payments decision. An eight-week public consultation on the draft PfG is under way. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly acknowledged the budget "is tight, but there are things we can do". "We're asking the public take a look at this and give us their views about these priorities, and once we have finalised those priorities we will put in place key measurements and attach a budget," she added. What are the Executive's nine priorities? Ms Little-Pengelly outlined there would be nine priorities for the Executive in its current mandate. Grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy Deliver more affordable childcare Cut health waiting lists Ending violence against women and girls Better support for children and young people with special educational needs Provide more social, affordable and sustainable housing Safer communities Protect Lough Neagh and the environment Reform and transformation of public services The Executive's priorities were presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday [BBC] The paper highlighted the executive will "make progress" on the long-delayed redevelopment of Casement Park GAA stadium in west Belfast. It will also be "considering" the recommendations of the All-Island Rail Review, which proposed a major investment in the railway network. Other areas include a commitment to expand Ulster University's Magee campus in Londonderry to accommodate up to 10,000 students, with an "action plan" to be published by the end of the year. Speaking in the Stormont Chamber the deputy first minister said: "We must all focus on delivering this programme together for everyone. "We know that there are challenges but there are opportunities." The first minister said the Executive is in "listening mode". "This is very much the basis in which we think we can go out to consultation but there is no doubt that there will be very constructive comments that will come forward," Ms O'Neill added. Matthew O'Toole, from the SDLP, leads the opposition in the assembly [BBC] The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) withheld support for the recent budget because of the allocation of cash to the health ministry which it holds. This time the new Ulster Unionist leader-in-waiting Mike Nesbitt said voting against the programme for government was not even on his radar. The SDLP leader of the opposition Matthew OToole previously said of the draft PfG to call it broad brush would be generous. Speaking on Monday, he welcomed the fact that the document had been published, given that the opposition had been "constructive in calling for a (PfG) for months now". Mr O'Toole called for ministers to address the target for reducing waiting list times, as he could not find this when looking through the document. What reaction has there been to the PfG? Mark Spence from the Construction Employers Federation said the document falls drastically short of what is needed in order to deal with Northern Ireland's housing crisis. "It is vital that urgent steps are taken to deal with decades of underfunding in our water and wastewater system which means that homebuilders cannot get new housing connections and a planning system which is no longer fit for purpose," he said. Glyn Roberts from Retail NI said the PfG "needs to be a co-design with business and other key stakeholders in civic society if we are to realise and share the full potential of this region". "We want to be partners, not just consultees in the implementation of the new Programme for Government," Mr Roberts added. Suzanne Wylie from the NI Chamber said despite a challenging fiscal environment it was time for "ambitious delivery" after a decade without a PfG. Northern Ireland's Children's Commissioner Chris Quinn said: Whilst there are positives, I am disappointed that is no specific outcome focusing on children and young people, as there was previously, and I would have expected outcomes in addressing child poverty to be a fundamental aspect of the PfG." What is the Northern Ireland Executive? The Executive is responsible for the governance of devolved affairs in Northern Ireland, while the Assembly provides scrutiny of ministerial decisions. The current Executive is made up of four parties: Sinn Fein, the Democratic Unionist Party, the Alliance Party, and the Ulster Unionist Party. The number of departments allocated to each was determined using the dHondt system. The Executive is led by the first and deputy first ministers, a joint office with equal responsibilities. The Social Democratic and Labour Party sits as Stormonts opposition in the Assembly chamber. When was the last programme for government? Devolved government was re-established in Northern Ireland in February after a 24-month hiatus. This was because of the Democratic Unionist Partys protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements. In recent months ministers have discussed their priorities for the Executive. The previous programme for government agreed in 2016 went out for public consultation but was never implemented following the resignation of Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister. Before this, the last PfG to be agreed and implemented was in 2011. Agriculture throughout the San Joaquin Valley is dominated by big-acreage crops, from sprawling orchards of almonds and pistachios to rows upon rows of grapevines, to broad expanses of corn for livestock feed and tomatoes for processing into sauces and canned foods. But tucked away on much smaller plots of land across the eight-county region sometimes an acre or less are myriad other types of produce that many people might not think about in the region: crops like taro, daikon, watercress and fresh herbs, among others. Taro, for example, might be more familiar to Valley residents who have traveled to Hawaii and experienced poi the starchy, purple-ish/blue-ish paste made from the cooked and mashed tuber or corm of the taro plant and served as a side dish at tourist luaus and traditional family gatherings. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Census of Agriculture reported that taro was grown by five farming operations totaling one acre in Fresno County. Merced and San Joaquin counties also produced a small volume of taro two producers in Merced County and one in San Joaquin County but the acreages were not disclosed to avoid releasing data that would identify a particular farmer. In addition to being pounded into poi, taro root can be sliced thin and fried to make crispy chips; ground into flour for use in baked goods; or processed into soups, stews, smoothies or boba drinks. In some cuisines, taro is mashed and deep fried into balls, pressed into dumplings, or cubed and simmered in curries. The broad leaves of the taro plant are also used, sometimes steamed as a wrapping for meat slow-cooked in an underground oven at luaus and other gatherings, or stewed to be served as greens. Either way, both the taro root and the leaves contain calcium oxalate, an toxic, irritating compound that must be destroyed by cooking before taro can be eaten. Taro is used in limited amounts in the U.S. but is popular elsewhere around the world, particularly in Asia, the Pacific islands and the Caribbean islands. A slew of small-scale farmers, including Hmong and other Southeast Asian growers, are producing a variety of Asian vegetables and other specialty crops that, while the acreages are relatively small, still add up to a considerable value. In Fresno County, for example, those lesser-known vegetables include a choy, amaranth, bitter melon (fruit and leaf) , bok choy , chayote (fruit and leaf), curry leaf tree, daikon, doan qua, gai choy, gailon, ginger (root & leaf), lambsquarter, lemon grass, lo bok, malabar, mizuna, methi, moqua, mora, moringa (fruit and leaf), nagaimo, napa cabbage, ong choy, opo, saluyote, sinqua, sour leaf, sugar cane, taro (root and leaf), tatsoi, tong ho, yam (root and leaves), yu choy. Crops identified in the 2022 Census of Agriculture totaling three acres or less by Valley county include: Fresno County Collard greens: Two producers totaling one acre. Watercress: Four producers totaling one acre. Ginger root: Four producers totaling two acres. Potatoes: Six producers totaling two acres. Turnips: Five producers totaling two acres. Turnip greens: Five producers totaling two acres. Chicory: Four producers totaling three acres. Kale: 13 producers totaling three acres. Kern County Cucumbers: Five producers totaling one acre. Fresh-cut herbs: Seven producers totaling one acre. Kings County No crops disclosed of three or fewer acres in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Madera County Carrots: Four producers totaling one acre. Garlic: Four producers totaling three acres. Merced County Chinese cabbage: Four producers totaling one acre. Mustard greens: Three producers totaling one acre. Kale: Four producers totaling two acres. Eggplant: Seven producers totaling two acres. Snap beans: Four producers totaling two acres. Sweet corn: Three producers totaling three acres. San Joaquin County Lima beans, fresh: Five producers totaling one acre. Cabbage, mustard: Five producers totaling one acre. Daikon: Five producers totaling one acre. Gourds: Five producers totaling one acre. Green onions: Four producers totaling two acres. Cauliflower: Six producers totaling two acres. Green peas: Four producers totaling two acres. Beets: Six producers totaling three acres. Stanislaus County Bell peppers: Nine producers totaling two acres. Tulare County Cauliflower: Five producers totaling one acre. Romaine lettuce: Four producers totaling one acre. Parsley: Four producers totaling one acre. Chili peppers: Six producers totaling one acre. Sweet potatoes: Four producers totaling one acre. Eggplant: Six producers totaling two acres. Fresh-cut herbs: Five producers totaling two acres. Leaf lettuce: Five producers totaling two acres. Squash: 13 producers totaling two acres. Head lettuce: Five producers totaling three acres. Expecting your NC absentee ballot this week? It will be delayed. Heres why. If you are one of the over 130,000 North Carolina voters who requested an absentee ballot, you may have been expecting to receive it in the mail this week. However, due to a lawsuit involving third-party presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the absentee ballot period has been delayed. Heres what you need to know. When were absentee ballots supposed to go out? The states deadline for mailing absentee ballots is Sept. 6. County boards of elections across the state had prepared thousands of different ballot styles and were ready to send them on Friday morning. With ballots being mailed out 60 days before the election, North Carolina has one of the longest mail-in voting periods in the country. Why was ballot mailing delayed? The N.C. Court of Appeals ordered the state to halt ballot mailing Friday after Kennedy sued to get his name off the ballot. After trying to gain ballot access in North Carolina for months and defending his right to do so in court, Kennedy suspended his campaign last month and endorsed former President Donald Trump. He then sought to have his name removed from the states ballots, but his request was initially denied by the State Board of Elections. In a party-line vote, the boards Democratic majority decided that it would have been impractical to remove him at that point, since most absentee ballots had already been printed and reprinting them would force the state to miss its Sept. 6 deadline not to mention the hundreds of thousands of dollars it would cost to reprint all of the ballots. Kennedy sued shortly after the boards decision. A Wake County Superior Court judge denied his request to be removed from the ballot, but granted him a 24-hour stay of her decision so he could appeal. On Friday, the Court of Appeals sided with Kennedy and directed the state to not send out ballots with his name on them. When can I expect to receive my absentee ballot? That depends on a few factors. If the board does reprint all of the absentee ballots without Kennedys name, executive director Karen Brinson Bell estimated the process could take about two weeks. County election officials have already been instructed to begin coding new ballots without Kennedys name on them, while holding on to all of the previously-printed ballots as well. However, the board has appealed the decision to the state Supreme Court and asked them to allow ballots to be sent out immediately without changes. The states lawyers have requested an expedited decision from the high court. Regardless of further legal action, there is a federal deadline for sending out absentee ballots that the state must follow. That deadline is Sept. 21. In court on Thursday, lawyers for the state expressed concerns that they may even miss the federal deadline if forced to reprint ballots. Can I still request an absentee ballot? Yes. Voters can request absentee ballots until 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. All absentee ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, which is Nov. 5. Dominique Pelicot (R) has been charged with recruiting dozens of men to rape his wife (Benoit PEYRUCQ) (Benoit PEYRUCQ/AFP/AFP) Experts on Monday said a Frenchman on trial for recruiting dozens of strangers to rape his drugged wife without her knowledge was a "self-centred" manipulator with a split personality. A court in the southern town of Avignon is trying Dominique Pelicot, a 71-year-old retiree, for repeatedly raping and enlisting dozens of strangers to rape his heavily sedated wife in her own bed over a decade. Fifty other men, aged between 26 and 74, are also on trial for alleged involvement, in a case that has horrified France. The court proceedings -- which began last week and are running until December -- are open to the public at the request of Dominique Pelicot's ex-wife and victim. Gisele Pelicot, 71, made the request to raise awareness about the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse. As the trial entered its second week, experts sought to illuminate the inner workings of a man who, up until the discovery of the abuse in 2020, had been viewed as a caring father and grandfather. He had meticulously documented the abuse between 2011 and 2020 on his computer, and was only discovered by chance when police seized it after he was caught filming under women's skirts in a local supermarket. Most of the alleged rapes took place in the Pelicot home in Mazan, a village of 6,000 people in the southern region of Provence - 'Split in his psyche' - Psychologist Marianne Douteau described Dominique Pelicot as a "quick-tempered" man, "who inspired fear" like the father he despised. After what she described as "mediocre" results in school, he became a worker in the nuclear sector before moving on to real estate, where he was only moderately successful. "The sexuality of Mister Pelicot appears modelled on his character: ordinary in public but within his couple, he had a tenacious sexuality, as seen in the swinging that his wife refused and which he compensated for by using porn chat websites," she said. Another psychologist, Annabelle Montagne, described him as being a "self-centred" man who tended to "consider other people as objects to manipulate, to lie to". He objectified his own wife by knocking her out with drugs, she said, saying raping her in such a state of unconsciousness could "be linked to fantasies of necrophilia". "Voyeurism was part of his psychosexual dynamic," she added. Montagne said a rape Pelicot claimed he suffered aged nine at the hands of a male nurse could have caused "a split in his psyche". Another expert had on Friday described him as having a "split" personality, drawing a comparison with the eponymous character in Gothic horror classic "Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde". Pelicot's sons David and Florian, his son-in-law Pierre P. and his brother Joel Pelicot, a retired doctor, were also to give testimony on Monday. Dominique Pelicot, who was excused from the courtroom on Monday over reported abdominal pain, is scheduled to speak on Tuesday afternoon. - Families harassed - Eighteen of the 51 accused are in custody, including Dominique Pelicot, while 32 other defendants are attending the trial as free men. The last one, still at large, will be judged in absentia. Most face up to 20 years in jail for aggravated rape. Lawyers of the co-defendents on Monday said they would be filing legal complaints over people sharing the personal details of their clients online, leading to threats against them and their families. "Personal information of the accused -- their identity, surname, name, profession and sometimes even pictures taken inside the courtroom -- have been shared on social media, in defiance of the basic rules of our law," said lawyer Isabelle Crepin-Dehaene, representing all their attorneys. "Children of defendants have been singled out at school. Wives and family members have been insulted. Defendants have received malicious phone calls, with attempts to break into their home," she added. A lawyer for the Pelicot family had called on Friday for "the utmost restraint on social media", saying the case was a "tragedy for all families" involved. dac/ah/tgb/giv Experts say less concrete, more trees could help Southern Nevada beat the heat Experts say less concrete, more trees could help Southern Nevada beat the heat LAS VEGAS (KLAS) During a record-breaking summer, experts suggest ways for Southern Nevada to beat the heat. According to officials from the National Weather Service, summer 2024 was the hottest on record in Southern Nevada. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials expect longer waves of intense heat to increase in frequency over time, with concrete areas remaining warm during warm triple-digit Southern Nevada nights. The city is becoming a baking oven, said Dr. Steffen Lehmann, Director of the Urban Futures Lab at UNLV, adding that the causes of urban heat islands are reversible. We should really change the building code in two areas: roofs and parking lots. Lehmann suggested drought-resistant, large, native trees to provide shade and a canopy to keep the suns rays from baking the asphalt, absorbing and trapping heat. The City of Tucson, Arizona, plans to plant one million trees by 2030. Officials from the City of Las Vegas hope to plant 60,000 by 2050. The benefit of cool roofs they really do have a trickledown effect, said Audrey McGarrell, a project manager at the Cool Roof Rating Council, a nonprofit organization that evaluates the radiative properties of roofing and exterior wall products. They reflect more solar energy than a conventional roofing material. According to the EPA, cool roof requirements are now integrated into at least 13 cities and counties, seven states, and Washington, D.C. In most cases, building codes in Clark County dont specify the use of energy-efficient materials. We have chosen the wrong materials to build a city, and it has something to do with the lack of vegetation, Lehmann said. What used to be artificial grass will become tiny pieces of plastic that will enter the soil and pollute the soil, adding that the material, widely used in the Las Vegas valley, also soaks in the heat. Lehmann said Southern Nevada is one of the fastest-warming regions in the nation. In 2022, the Southern Nevada Urban Heat Mapping Project identified the eastern, downtown, and northern regions of Las Vegas as areas that experience temperatures 11 degrees warmer than the rest of Southern Nevada. More information on Cool Roofs is available on the organizations 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 KLAS. KYODO NEWS - Sep 9, 2024 - 18:34 | World, Japan, All Taiwan's new de facto ambassador to Japan vowed on Monday to uphold freedom and democracy of the self-ruled island by working with the neighboring country as he assumed the role. Lee Yi-yang, a former vice president of Taiwan's Examination Yuan, which oversees civil servant personnel affairs, arrived at Haneda airport in Tokyo after being appointed to the post last month by President Lai Ching-te's administration. "By working together with Japan, I will uphold the values of freedom and democracy based on the ideas of President Lai," said Lee, the new representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, at the airport. "I will do my best to maintain peace and stability in the region and promote developments in various fields of Taiwan and Japan." Lee, 69, succeeded Frank Hsieh, who has left the top representative post in Japan after eight years of service. In the absence of official diplomatic ties, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office functions as the island's de facto embassy in Japan. The extraordinary attempt to paint Churchill as the real villain of the Second World War The legacy of Winston Churchill has been tarnished by some members of the American Right Saviour of Western democracy or racist imperialist? Greatest Briton of all time or villain of the Bengal famine, the Tonypandy Riots and independence movements from India to Iraq to Ireland? While enthusiasm for dissecting Winston Churchills legacy remains a popular litmus test in the left-right cultural war, we have grown used to the flak for the wartime Prime Minister coming exclusively from the Left. No one breaks away from a pro-capitalist march in Parliament Square to climb Churchills statue with a pot of blue paint and write: The price of Churchills wartime alliance was the much-lamented end of the British Empire and the beginning of Attlees disastrous experiment in state-sponsored socialism. Cue outraged surprise, therefore, when a Right-wing American historian, Darryl Cooper, sat down last week with Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News presenter and prominent Donald Trump cheerleader, for an interview and called Churchill the chief villain of the Second World War. Among other ludicrous claims including the egregious thesis that the murder of millions in concentration camps owed more to weak logistics than methodical genocide Churchill was lambasted as a warmonger and a terrorist for allowing the war to spread beyond Poland in 1939, refusing to negotiate with Hitler in 1940 and bombing German cities from 1942. Needless to say, this wasnt what Churchill meant when he wrote: In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies. Darryl Cooper, I am afraid, is a know-nothing about Churchill or World War II, says Sir Max Hastings, one of Churchills biographers. He and podcasters like him are sensation-seekers, no more and no less, and the best response to them is to ignore them. Sir Max Hastings, speaking at the Hay Festival in 2014, has refuted the Darryl Cooper's remarks - Jay Williams If only that were the case. By the weekend, a White House spokesman had condemned the interview as a disgusting and sadistic insult to all Americans, Elon Musk had posted and subsequently deleted a post calling it very interesting, worth watching and a show normally watched by around 800,000 people had racked up over 33 million views on X. Meanwhile, two of Churchills garlanded biographers took the opposite approach to Hastings and decided to remind readers that Hitler, not Churchill, is still widely viewed as the chief villain of the Second World War. This is not revisionist history, wrote Sir Niall Ferguson in The Free Press on Thursday. It is a pack of lies. In The Washington Free Beacon the next day, Andrew Roberts argued that the Prime Minister spent half a century combatting the triple threats of Wilhelminism, Nazism and Communism, thereby saving freedom of speech that has been so squalidly abused by this intellectually vacant interview. Victor Davis Hanson in The Free Press, a distinguished military historian, wrote: Britain was the only one of the six major belligerents in World War II that went to war on the principle of a third-party nations territorial integrity. Whats more, any peace terms would have been at best a David Lloyd George Petain-like collaborationist government; at worst a Nazi-imposed Oswald Mosley Quisling dictatorship. In sum, Hanson argued, Germany and its fascist allies started World War II, initiated the mass warring on civilians, and institutionalised genocide. And they felt empowered to do so not because of Allied aggression or terrorism, but because of initial Western European appeasement, American isolationism, and Russian collaboration. So, although Darryl Cooper should consider his hot take on history thoroughly rebutted (unsurprisingly, his unabashed X feed describes his many critics as shameless, mendacious and a loud minority of hyenas), this row still tells us something fascinating about Churchills legacy as well as the contemporary American political landscape. One of the less-examined claims among Coopers ramblings is that the war fatally weakened the West. A variant of this right-wing criticism of Churchill was expressed in respectable academic form in the 1990s by Prof John Charmley, a British historian. If the prime minister had negotiated with Hitler, Charmley argues in Churchill: the End of Glory, he might have been able to avoid defeat in the battles he really cared about. For example, preserving the Empire, preventing socialism in Britain and stopping the Soviet Union from dominating the European continent. The Churchilll statue in Parliament Square is frequently daubed with graffiti, as seen during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 - Dylan Martinez This school of thought struggled to find an audience in Britain because it proceeds from the twin premises that socialism was uniquely terrible and the British Empire uniquely good, explains Dominic Sandbrook, author of a series of acclaimed histories on post-war Britain and co-host of the popular The Rest is History podcast. But although Charmleys view has been largely drowned out by a combination of louder, Left-wing critics, staunch Right-wing supporters and maybe 75 per cent of people who sit in neither camp and simply view Churchill as a national hero, criticising Churchill from the Right is a peculiarly American phenomenon that stretches back to the 1930s. There has always been an element of American populism obsessed with European cosmopolitan conspiracies, says Sandbrook. Many felt they were tricked into joining the war in 1917 and this fuelled some of the arguments for isolationism in the 1920s. Churchill, with his cigars, bowties and Blenheim pedigree, was the perfect hate figure for these populists. And although this suspicion was largely suspended in 1941, it never went away entirely. Pat Buchanan, who worked for Nixon and challenged George H W Bush for the White House in 1992, anticipated a lot of what Cooper has been saying recently in books such as Churchill, Hitler and The Unnecessary War. The quintessential Churchill look: bowtie, cigar and 'Blenheim pedigree' - Daily Herald Archive So why is this unpleasant sub-culture enjoying a right-wing renaissance in America now? If Hitler is no longer widely understood as the negation of our deepest values, America will be softened up for Donald Trumps most authoritarian plans, writes Michelle Goldberg in The New York Times. It is calculated Kremlin-inspired disinformation on a vast scale designed to confuse and misrepresent history in the interest of elevating a view that Western democracy is at fault in the long twilight struggle against authoritarianism, writes Marc Johnson in Idahos Lewiston Tribune, on the notion that the West didnt need to fight Hitler. Frank Luntz, a veteran American pollster and political consultant, discounts such apocalyptic theories. I dont think this is a meaningful, measurable trend, he says. Cooper is simply wrong. But while the story of a podcaster who riled the White House and half the academic establishment might not represent a conspiracy of widespread authoritarian acceptance, many point to a looser, if no less damaging, ecosystem of Trumpism, contrarianism and egotism. Sohrab Ahmari, a conservative columnist, has written compellingly about what he calls the Barbarian Right, a group of pseudo-scholars eager to overthrow egalitarian and essentially feminine structures, while attempting to revive some of the darkest tendencies in the history of thought, including the idolatry of strength (as cartoonishly personified by the likes of Andrew Tate); the notion of supposedly natural hierarchies; IQ-based eugenics; overt racism and anti-Semitism. Their denizens have, he argues, got what they wished for out of Coopers interview, praising it widely online and adding their own racist and anti-Semitic tropes. Carlson, a Trump confidant and notorious cable news host who has entertained conspiracy theories, was finally sacked by Fox last April. Undeterred by losing his $20 million salary, he has taken his contentious views and some of his audience to YouTube and X, where his nearly 14 million followers were treated to his soft-soap interview with Cooper last week. Their cosy, two-hour chat rounded off a busy and, presumably, lucrative period for Carlson. Not only did he famously interview Vladimir Putin in February (the Russian President lectured him, almost uninterrupted, on his unique version of Ukrainian history), but he is widely viewed to be responsible for Trump choosing JD Vance as his running mate, having repeatedly interviewed the would-be vice president at Fox and afterwards. Tucker Carlson interviewed Putin in February and sat through a long history lesson from the Russian President - SPUTNIK After a prime slot addressing the Republican National Convention in July, Carlson launched a 15-stop live tour last week by interviewing a barefooted Russell Brand in Arizona. The controversial British comedian, who once supported Jeremy Corbyn, endorsed Trumps MAGA movement, dropped to his knees on stage and led the crowd in prayer. Brands cameo in this strange nexus of podcasters, presidents, pundits and pseudo-scholars leads us to the conclusion that this story primarily illuminates and inflates the egos of a new tribe of internet iconoclasts more interested in being provocative than accurate. Gnomically claiming rare and privileged enlightenment in the face of universally accepted truths, the likes of Cooper have discovered that the Second World War provides fertile ground for tilting at contemporary shibboleths. The true villains of [Coopers] story are not, in the end, Hitler or Churchill, writes Megan Garber in The Atlantic, where she accuses Cooper of creating straw men.Instead, they are the culture warriors of the present: the woke, the mobs, the ruling class the people who will be offended by claims such as Winston Churchill Ruined Europe. Ferguson added his own villain to this list last week, blaming podcasts for drowning history in a tidal wave of blather, at best sloppy, at worst mendacious. Sandbrook, unsurprisingly, disagrees. There are a lot of history podcasts out there some are very good, whereas some have a tendency to be obsessed with soldiers, samurais and themselves, he says. A test of a good historian is that theyre honest about what they dont know, while acknowledging that other historians think differently. Unfortunately, the last 20 years have given a platform to nerdy bores and ranting monomaniacs with a bee in their bonnet. The last seven days have certainly given these two monomaniacs their 15 minutes worth. Darryl Coopers podcast, The Martyr Made, was third on Apples charts over the weekend, just behind The Tucker Carlson Show which had introduced him as the best and most honest popular historian in the United States. As they like many others probably think Churchill said (he didnt): Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Polish government said on Sept. 9 that its security forces had "broken up a group of saboteurs" working for Russian and Belarusian security services. The announcement came shortly after a group of NATO countries accused a unit of Russian military intelligence agency (GRU) of carrying out cyberattacks against Ukraine and European countries for the past years. Speaking at a press conference, Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said the perpetrators' goals were to "extort information, to blackmail individuals and institutions, and to wage de facto cyberwar." "In recent days, thanks to the cooperation of the security services, it was possible to break up a group of saboteurs who had specific goals in Poland and were addressed from a specific location," Gawkowski said while announcing the news alongside Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak. Gawkowski highlighted a recent cyberattack against the Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA), which was part of a "broader operational game" of foreign security services to gain access to other institutions. A number of suspected spy networks, allegedly run by Minsk and Moscow, had been uncovered in Poland over the past years. Warsaw has positioned itself as one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, leading to a sharp deterioration of ties with Russia and Belarus. According to Gawkowski, over 400,000 cyberattacks were reported in Poland in the first half of 2024, compared to 370,000 cases reported in the whole of 2023. Read also: Polish FM: Poland should protect Ukrainian nuclear plants from Russian missiles Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. A 19-year-old man was arrested following a violent home invasion last month in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Markeithion Moore now faces multiple felony charges, including home invasion and aggravated battery of a peace officer. According to the Fairview Heights Police Department, officers responded to a reported home invasion on Stites Avenue at approximately 2:15 a.m. on on August 28. Moore allegedly entered the home through a window and beat the victim several times before leaving with a stolen cell phone. Dave Grohl reveals he fathered a new baby daughter outside his marriage Moore was found in September at a nearby business using the stolen phones tracking feature. When officers approached him, he spit on them and ran. Police say they had to use a Taser to place him under arrest. Police say that Moore is well-known to them for violent crimes. He is currently being held at the St. Clair County Jail pending his court date. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. The family of Danny Moore, 44, said he was a "devoted father" [SUSSEX POLICE] The family of a man who was killed in a crash in Cowfold, West Sussex last month have said his death has left an "irreplaceable void" in their lives. Pedestrian Danny Moore, 44, from West Chiltington, died at the scene of the collision with a Mercedes car on the A272 Bolney Road on 31 August. His family said: "Danny was a devoted father, son, brother and friend." A 30-year-old man from London who was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and causing death by careless driving has been released on bail. Mr Moore was described as "hardworking, generous and sociable", while his family said there was nothing "he cherished more than spending quality time with his son". "We are all devastated and heartbroken by what has happened. We miss Danny profoundly and are struggling to come to terms with his absence," they added in a statement. "One thing is clear, there is now a significant, irreplaceable void in our lives, and a 10-year-old boy who no longer has his daddy." Sussex Police is appealing for anyone with information regarding the crash to email collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk quoting Operation Cambrose. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Related internet links LAKE MILTON, Ohio (WKBN) Sunday marked 30 years since Flight 427 fell from the sky above Hopewell Township in Beaver County during a routine flight from Chicago to Pittsburgh. 127 passengers and five crew members were killed when the Boeing 737 nosedived into a wooded hillside. It took four and a half years for federal investigators to determine a valve struck and jammed a rudder, causing the crash. The crash took the lives of a Poland couple Anthony and Paula Rich and their unborn baby. Since the accident, the Ricchiuti and Rubino family gathers on Sept. 8 each year to honor and keep their memory alive. This year, they gathered at a family members house in Lake Milton. The memory never fades. The pain faded, and the hurt faded. We all think of them in happy ways now, said Anthonys father, Robert Ricchiuti. Its every day you think of them, but many times during the year, were together. Our two families are together, and even though were not related, we are now. Theyve been gone longer than they were with us, which is something that I never really thought about before, said Phyllis Ricchiuti, Anthonys mother. They tell stories of their love and carry the Rich family with them every day. Five of the women in the family wear pendants made from bracelets found in Paulas belongings after the crash. On this date, we all go to the cemetery at the time of the accident every year. And the grandkids now are understanding the experience that weve all been through. Even though they never knew them, I think they love them just as much as we do, Phyllis said. The couple had just celebrated their second wedding anniversary and were returning home from a visit to Italy with Paulas parents, Fernando and Rose Rubino. Anthony and Paula were on separate flights from her parents. Anthony was a pilot for the airline. I go to the cemetery every day and I say, Hello Tony and Paula, you know, every day, Fernando said. Now, she rests in peace, and Tony and the baby it is what it is. We keep going and we stay strong. The family described the couple as very much in love. They were set up on a blind date by Anthonys mother, which turned into more an engagement, wedding and their pregnancy. [Paula] was always had a beautiful smile, and I like her hair [she] had a lot of curly hair, know you, beautiful girl, Phyllis said. To honor their memory, the family created the Rich Center for Autism in Youngstown. And out of this tragedy, not only did nothing bad happen to our family, but something good happened and thats the Rich Center, Robert said. Since 1995, the Rich Center has helped their family and many children with autism reach their full potential. When I see that were changing the lives of so many families, they were a part of it, Phyllis said. Following their deaths, Anthonys father went back to their ancestral name Ricchiuti because Anthony and Paula talked about making the change. It was another way to honor their life and legacy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Family and friends of a man killed by police earlier this month are now asking D.C. officials to release the body-worn camera footage of the incident, according to their lawyer. Two Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers shot and killed 26-year-old Justin Robinson outside of a McDonalds on Marion Barry Avenue SE on Sunday, Sept. 1. According to the Office of the Attorney General, Robinson worked as a violence interrupter for the Cure the Streets Program. Under District law, police have up to five days to release body camera footage after an officer gets involved in a shooting. LAST WEEK: Family calls for unredacted release of bodycam video at vigil for man killed by DC police Days after the shooting, however, city officials said Robinsons family did not want the body-worn camera footage of the incident released. At a vigil, members of his family cited concerns that parts of the video would be redacted, and they want the community to see every bit of footage. On Monday, a lawyer representing Robinsons family said they had changed their minds and wanted the video released. In a statement sent to DC News Now, Brandon Burrell, their lawyer, wrote: We can confirm that the family is now requesting that the body camera video be released and the Mayors office has confirmed it will be publicly releasing the video. We have decided not to make any substantive statement concerning the incident until the video has been released. Brandon Burrell Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LEWISTOWN, Ill. (WMBD) An employee of Farmington Central Elementary School will appear next in court in December on charges she tried to solicit a child for sex. Kelli Miller, 39, of Farmington, appeared in Fulton County Circuit Court for her first appearance with her attorney who entered a not guilty plea. Miller waived her right to have a preliminary hearing and will next appear on Dec. 2 for a pretrial conference. Her trial is set on Dec. 12. Farmington Central Elementary School employee charged with soliciting a child Shes charged with one count of indecent solicitation of a child, a felony that could send her to prison for up to five years. The charges allege the youth was between the ages of 13 and 17. Last month, Farmington Central District Superintendent Zac Chatterton said it appeared the conduct took place off school grounds. Chatterton said last month that she was a classroom aide at the school and assists teachers as they are working. He said she is currently on leave from her position pending law enforcement and internal investigation. He did not say if it was paid or unpaid leave. According to a Facebook post, the Farmington police department received a tip that a member of Farmington Central Elementary staff was suspected of trying to solicit a child for sex at their home. At the brief hearing Monday, Millers conditions of pretrial release were modified so she could be around children as long as other adults were present. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A mix of rain and smoke from the nearby Line fire creates a heavy stew of air pollution over San Bernardino, California, on Sunday. A mix of rain and smoke from the nearby Line fire creates a heavy stew of air pollution over San Bernardino, California, on Sunday. Photograph: David McNew/Getty Images Thousands of people east of Los Angeles have been ordered to flee their homes from an out-of-control wildfire that has burned through a large area of forest. In southern California, currently in the grip of a ferocious heatwave, the so-called Line fire has burned areas around San Bernardino national forest, about 65 miles (105km) east of Los Angeles. As of Monday morning, the blaze had charred more than 23,000 acres of grass and chaparral and blanketed the area with a thick cloud of dark smoke. Only 3% of it is contained, threatening more than 36,000 structures, including single- and multi-family homes and commercial buildings, the US Forest Service said. In northern California, firefighters made progress in containing a small but fast-moving fire that ignited on Sunday and burned at least 30 homes and commercial buildings and destroyed 40 to 50 vehicles. The 76-acre Boyles fire, which was at least 40% contained on Monday morning, has displaced roughly 4,000 people around Clearlake. Acres burned US wildfires are measured in terms of acres. While the size of a wildfire doesnt necessarily correlate to its destructive impact, acreage provides a way to understand a fires footprint and how quickly it has grown. There are 2.47 acres in a hectare, and 640 acres in a square mile, but this can be hard to visualise. Here are some easy comparisons: one acre equates to roughly the size of an American football field. Londons Heathrow airport is about 3,000 acres. Manhattan covers roughly 14,600 acres, while Chicago is roughly 150,000 acres, and Los Angeles is roughly 320,000 acres. Megafire A megafire is defined by the National Interagency Fire Center as a wildfire that has burned more than 100,000 acres (40,000 hectares). Containment level A wildfires containment level indicates how much progress firefighters have made in controlling the fire. Containment is achieved by creating perimeters the fire cant move across. This is done through methods such as putting fire retardants on the ground, digging trenches, or removing brush and other flammable fuels. Containment is measured in terms of the percentage of the fire that has been surrounded by these control lines. A wildfire with a low containment level, such as 0% or 5%, is essentially burning out of control. A fire with a high level of containment, such as 90%, isnt necessarily extinguished but rather has a large protective perimeter and a rate of growth that is under control. Evacuation orders and warnings Evacuation warnings and orders are issued by officials when a wildfire is causing imminent danger to peoples life and property. According to the California office of emergency services, an evacuation warning means that it's a good idea to leave an area or get ready to leave soon. An evacuation order means that you should leave the area immediately. Red flag warning A red flag warning is a type of forecast issued by the National Weather Service that indicates when weather conditions are likely to spark or spread wildfires. These conditions typically include dryness, low humidity, high winds and heat. Prescribed burn A prescribed burn, or a controlled burn, is a fire that is intentionally set under carefully managed conditions in order to improve the health of a landscape. Prescribed burns are carried out by trained experts such as members of the US Forest Service and Indigenous fire practitioners. Prescribed burns help remove flammable vegetation and reduce the risk of larger, more catastrophic blazes, among other benefits. Prescribed burning was once a common tool among Native American tribes who used good fire to improve the land, but was limited for much of the last century by a US government approach based on fire suppression. In recent years, US land managers have returned to embracing the benefits of prescribed burns, and now conduct thousands across the country every year. Meanwhile, authorities across the state are bracing for more intense temperatures in a region that has already been rocked by days of searing heat that set the stage for fire conditions. We know that triple-digit temperatures are coming again today, so thats why its so important to get that work done at night when it is cooler, Cal Fire battalion chief Brent Pascua told CBS on Monday morning. We had the water-dropping helicopters back last night, so hopefully well see that containment come up. The situation is worsened by thunderstorms that are providing winds fanning the flames, Cal Fire said, as well as the high temperatures, which have exceeded 110F (43C) in Los Angeles. Scientists have warned that persistent heatwaves, fuelled by the climate crisis, are helping cause larger and longer-burning fires in the US west. The California fire burned so hot on Saturday that it created its own thunderstorm-like weather systems of pyroculumus clouds, which can create more challenging conditions such as gusty winds and lightning strikes, according to the National Weather Service. Firefighters worked in steep terrain in temperatures above 100F (38C), limiting their ability to control the blaze, officials said. State firefighters said three firefighters had been injured. Evacuations were ordered on Saturday evening for Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, areas east of Highway 330 and other regions. Steven Michael King, a resident of Running Springs, said he had planned to stay to fight the fire and help his neighbors until Sunday morning, when the fire escalated. He had prepped his house to prevent fire damage but decided to leave out of fear smoke could keep him from finding a way out later. It came down to, which is worse, being trapped or being in a shelter? King said outside an evacuation center on Sunday. When conditions changed, I had to make a quick decision, just a couple of packs and it all fits in a shopping cart. Joseph Escobedo said his family has lived in Angelus Oaks for about three years and has never had to evacuate for wildfire. His family, with three young children, was among the remaining few who had not left as of Sunday afternoon. Its kind of frightening with the possibility of losing your home and losing everything we worked really hard for, Escobedo said as his family packed up the essentials to leave. Its hard to leave and not be sure if youre gonna be able to come back. The affected area is near small mountain towns in the San Bernardino national forest, where southern California residents ski in the winter and mountain bike in the summer. Running Springs is on the route to the popular ski resort of Big Bear. Smoke already blanketed downtown San Bernardino, where Joe Franco, a worker at Noahs Restaurant, said his friends in the surrounding evacuation zones were gearing up to leave at a moments notice. Related: Wildfire near LA forces evacuations and threatens tens of thousands of buildings Theyre just kind of hanging on tight and getting their stuff ready to move, Franco said. Normally theyre here, but a lot of people are not coming today. Redlands unified school district cancelled Monday classes for roughly 20,000 students, and the governor, Gavin Newsom, proclaimed a state of emergency for San Bernardino county. On Sunday, another blaze sparked amid searing heat in southern Californias Angeles national forest. The blaze burning north of the city of Glendora, in Los Angeles county, was 820 acres and uncontained on Monday. The Los Angeles county sheriffs department ordered visitors at a campground and residents of an adjacent river community to evacuate, the US Forest Service said. Meanwhile, about 20 miles outside Reno, Nevada, the Davis fire, which started on Sunday afternoon, has grown to about 10 sq miles (26 sq km). It originated in the Davis Creek regional park in the Washoe Valley and was burning in heavy timber and brush, firefighters said. It, too, was not contained. An emergency declaration issued for Washoe county by the Nevada governor, Joe Lombardo, on Sunday said about 20,000 people were evacuated from neighborhoods, businesses, parks and campgrounds. Some of south Reno remained under the evacuation notice on Monday, firefighters said, and some homes, businesses and traffic signals in the area were without power. The Associated Press contributed reporting Supporters of a proposed ballot measure to legalize abortion up until the point of fetal viability gathered at a rally hosted by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom on Feb. 6 in Kansas City (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent). The Missouri Supreme Court will decide whether abortion-rights will end up on the Nov. 5 ballot after a Cole County judge ruled the proposed amendment violated state law. The case bypassed the court of appeals over the weekend and headed straight to the states highest court, which scheduled oral arguments for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday the same day ballots are supposed to be printed for those voting absentee. Sunday afternoon, attorneys representing the campaign behind the amendment, which would appear on the ballot as Amendment 3, filed an emergency motion asking the court to allow it to proceed to the ballot while the case plays out. Doing so, they argued, would preserve the status quo and prevent irreparable harm to intervenors-appellants, election officials throughout the state and Missouri voters themselves. Amendment 3 would establish the constitutional right to an abortion up until fetal viability and grant constitutional protections to other reproductive health care, including in-vitro fertilization and birth control. It would also protect those who assist in an abortion from prosecution. Abortion is illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother. In late August, a group of anti-abortion lawmakers and activists sued Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, accusing him of wrongly certifying the citizen-led ballot initiative for the Nov. 5 ballot nine days earlier. Late Friday evening, Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, saying the text of the initiative petition failed to list what existing laws would be repealed if it passed, as he said is required by state law. He suggested the amendment be withheld from the ballot, but also left the door open for an appeal to a higher court, saying he recognized the gravity of the unique issues involved in this case, and the lack of direct precedent on point. Limbaugh was appointed to the newly-created judicial position in the 19th circuit on Aug. 2 by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, for whom he previously served as general counsel. He was previously a potential candidate to replace Eric Schmitt as Missouri Attorney General after he was elected to the U.S. Senate. His father was a federal court judge and his cousin was the late Rush Limbaugh, a conservative radio host who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Donald Trump. Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign behind the amendment, quickly appealed his decision. Judges come from their own experience and background, and theyre not perfect, Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, a member of the Missourians for Constitutional Freedom coalition, said Sunday, later adding: What were asking is that the Supreme Court hold us to the same standard everyone else has had. Missouri law requires that initiative petitions include all sections of existing law or of the constitution which would be repealed by the measure. Loretta Haggard, an attorney representing the campaign said during a hearingFriday that the amendment would not literally repeal the states current abortion law and take it off the books, but rather would create a new law that would supersede much of the existing one. She said this is because not every element of the current law would be rendered moot: the two texts overlap in that both protect women who get abortions from prosecution and both restrict abortion after fetal viability, generally seen as the point at which a fetus can outside the womb, generally around 24 weeks pregnancy. Anything else that falls under the scope of the amendment would be left to the judicial system to interpret, Haggard said. During the trial, Mary Catherine Martin, an attorney with the Thomas More Society representing the plaintiffs, also argued the initiative petition illegally included more than one subject, pointing to language protecting a persons fundamental right to reproductive freedom and saying such a phrase encompasses infinite subjects. Haggard contended that the single subject was clear: reproductive freedom. While Limbaugh ruled the initiative petition did not meet the sufficiency requirement through a failure to include any statute or provision that will be repealed, especially when many of these statutes are apparent, he did not address the single subject claims in his decision. The plaintiffs state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, state Rep. Hannah Kelly, anti-abortion activist Kathy Forck and shelter operator Marguerite Forrest said in a statement Friday evening that the amendments scope is about more than just abortion and could be interpreted to also include gender-affirming care and human cloning. Neither are mentioned by name in the amendment, nor is in-vitro fertilization. There is no way to know if the proponents of this radical amendment would have gathered enough signatures to place this on the ballot if the truth about the staggering scope of laws Amendment 3 invalidates had been disclosed, they said in a statement. Wales said the campaign behind Amendment 3 remains undeterred despite the ruling. We are right on the law. The history of how initiative petitions have worked in this state has meant that theyre able to vote on their rights, Wales said. The constitution creates a process for citizens to engage in democracy, not one thats intended to trip them up or hinder them from participating in democracy. We think the court is going to see that. In May, the campaign turned in signatures from more than 380,000 Missourians across the state who supported the issue landing on the ballot. If Amendment 3 is ultimately voted on in November and wins by a simple majority, Missouri could be the first state to overturn an abortion ban by citizen-vote. These ballot initiatives just go through shenanigans, often at the eleventh hour, and what it does again every time is fire people up, Wales said. We expect to win, and were going to take all the energy and use it to galvanize folks to win in November. The parents of a 1-year-old Lancaster girl who died from malnourishment and dehydration in 2021 are both now in South Carolina prisons after a jury found the father guilty of homicide by child abuse, according to prosecutors and court records. Judge Donald Hocker sentenced David Demias White Jr., 30, late last week to 25 years in prison for the homicide and six counts of child abuse and neglect. The trial lasted over a week in Lancaster County criminal court, said prosecutors Melissa McGinnis and Randy Newman. Shaquanda Page, 32, is serving a 27-year sentence for homicide by child abuse and child neglect after she pleaded guilty in September 2022. Prosecutors said Page pleaded guilty under what is called an Alford plea, where a defendant does not admit guilt but accepts a jury would likely find her guilty if the case went to trial. Authorities said in 2021 the girl who died had not received any follow up medical care from the time of birth until her death. KYODO NEWS - Sep 9, 2024 - 08:28 | All, Japan The candidate backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party won Sunday's mayoral election in Ginowan, a city in the southern Japan prefecture of Okinawa that hosts a U.S. military base at the heart of controversy over its relocation within Okinawa. Atsushi Sakima, 60, served as mayor from 2012 to 2018. He backs the closure of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, located in a crowded residential part of the city, and its move to the less populated coastal district of Henoko in Nago, in line with former Mayor Masanori Matsugawa, whose sudden death in July triggered the vote. Sakima, who was also backed by the Komeito party, the LDP's junior coalition partner, defeated Isao Tobaru, 65, a former city assembly member who is opposed to the base's relocation to Henoko, while also calling for its swift closure and return of the land it sits on to Japan. Tobaru had the support of opposition parties and All Okinawa Kaigi, an anti-relocation coalition of political parties and civic groups that also backs Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, a prominent anti-base figure. The central government has been pushing ahead with the relocation plan, and in an unprecedented move late last year overrode the objections of local authorities and approved a modified landfill plan by proxy. Construction work began in January. Even after its reversion from U.S. control in 1972 following the end of World War II in August 1945, Okinawa remains home to the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan. Anti-base sentiment runs deep in Okinawa due to noise, pollution and crimes committed by U.S. service members. Residents have objected to the relocation plan, instead calling for the base to be moved out of the prefecture to reduce the burden of hosting U.S. forces. Voter turnout was 53.27 percent, down 10.22 percentage points from the previous contest. A third candidate, local businessman Takashi Higa, also competed in the race. Related coverage: U.S. Marine in Okinawa referred to prosecutors over sexual assault Okinawa protests central government not sharing U.S. troop sex crime cases Okinawa marks 79th anniversary of end of WWII ground battle Fayette County schools leaving X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter Fayette County Public Schools officials announced Monday they will stop posting updates to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sept. 27. The school district will continue to use Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. District spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith said an audit of social media usage determined that X was no longer a platform that generated engagement. In fact, X only commanded 2.4% of our audience as compared to Facebook at 46.7%, Instagram 32.2%, and LinkedIn 18.7%. That is why it was decided that we sunset X, she said. In June, Fayette school board member Amanda Ferguson apologized at a district equity council meeting for social media posts that received criticism. At issue were a laughing emoji and a GIF depicting a Furby interactive toy that Ferguson posted on X in late May. Davidson-Smith said the decision to leave X had nothing to do with Fergusons posts. No, not at all. We are utilizing social media data to maximize our reach in the community, she said. Fayette County Public Schools will cease posting to X (formerly known as Twitter) on September 27, 2024. To stay up-to-date on the latest FCPS news and celebrations, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Fayette County Public Schools (@FCPSKY) September 9, 2024 Fayette school board censures one of its members for social media posts Fayette school board member apologizes for social media posts following criticism The FBI is offering a large reward for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for shooting and killing an innocent bystander at a Compton pool party earlier this year. Robert Abdelkader III was shot on the evening of June 7 during a party on the 800 block of East Greenleaf Boulevard. The 28-year-old was described by loved ones as a business owner who was catering the party of 200-to-300 people when shots rang out. Robert Abdelkader III was shot and killed at a pool party in Compton on June 7, 2024. (Instagram) Abdelkader was pronounced dead at the scene. Five other people, two men and three women, were also wounded in the shooting. On Monday, the FBI announced it was offering a $20,000 reward for information that led to the arrest of the person or people responsible for the violent shooting. Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said at the time that there were several shooters involved and Abdelkader was an innocent bystander. Investigators also said they believed there were several witnesses who may know the suspects identities. One person was killed and several others were injured after shots rang out at a Compton house party on June 7, 2024. (OC Hawk) One person was killed and four others were injured after shots rang out at a Compton house party on June 7, 2024. (OC Hawk) A Compton pool party shooting on June 7, 2024, left one dead and multiple others injured, according to authorities. (OC HAWK) Sky5 footage of a Compton home where a party shooting left one person dead and four others hospitalized on June 7, 2024. (KTLA) One person was killed and four others were injured after shots rang out at a Compton house party on June 7, 2024. (KTLA) During a June press conference, Inez Adkins, Abdelkaders mother, pleaded to the public for information that could bring those responsible to justice. Help me get a killer off the streets, Adkins said. Because next time, they may kill again and it could be your son. It might be your brother, cousin, uncle or dad. Im begging, if you have video, if you know the person or their whereabouts, please call any local police officer and share the information. In the weeks that followed his death, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors put up its own $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Abdelkaders killer. Anyone with information related to the deadly shooting is urged to contact the FBI Field Office in Los Angeles at 310-477-6565, or the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips can also be provided on the FBI website, or at any local FBI field office or American Embassy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OAKLAND, Calif. - More than 100 people gathered this weekend to hear women formerly incarcerated at the now-shuttered FCI Dublin prison share stories of sexual abuse and how they're fighting to change the system by speaking out. Windy Panzo was one of four panelists at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland on Saturday evening discussing what happened to her at the all-women's prison, which shut down in April after eight correctional officers including the former warden and chaplain - were charged with sex crimes. Seven have been sentenced. Panzo said this gathering, organized by the Dublin Prison Solidatory Coalition, was the first time she'd been at church in years. "I was raped by the chaplain," Panzo said, wiping away tears, disclosing for the first time that she was one of his victims. After being sentenced to 25 years on drug-related crimes, Panzo said she was broken spiritually, and she went to the church at prison to heal. "I was so low and so rock bottom," Panzo said. "And what I got was a pastor that groomed me and came at me. I didn't think I could get any lower than I was. And then I met the chaplain. I was raped multiple times." In September 2022, former Chaplain James Theodore Highhouse was sentenced to seven years in prison. Highhouse had formally been charged with having sex with one woman, but prosecutors say he engaged in predatory conduct with at least six women from 2014 to 2019. At his sentencing hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. told Highhouse that he agreed that the women were raped. "This was sustained predatory behavior against traumatized and defenseless women in prison," the judge said. Other women, including a woman identified as Loren, Aimee Chavira and Darlene Baker, who were also incarcerated and released from FCI Dublin, told the crowd their stories of sexual assault. Chavira became the first of the survivors to be released on "compassionate release," where her attorneys argued that she should be let go from prison early because of the harm she suffered being held at FCI Dublin. One of the officers who allegedly assaulted her, Darrell "Dirty Dick" Wayne Smith, has pleaded not guilty and is headed to trial next spring. But the women were not there to dwell in the past. They had come together from San Diego, Washington state, Oregon and other places to meet for the first time and figure out what to do next. Earlier in the day, they held a healing circle. Later, they urged each other and community members to write letters to Congress, urging lawmakers to make changes in the Bureau of Prisons system. In fact, Panzo had testified over the phone before a U.S. Senate committee hearing while she was incarcerated at FCI Dublin and her bravery was lauded with claps at the church event. Coming foward wasn't easy. "I've been called a snitch for speaking out," Panzo said. Baker also was a congressional whistleblower to then-U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, and Loren is one of the eight plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against the BOP, which sparked the unprecedented appointment of a "special master" to oversee reforms at the prison. In response, the BOP shut the prison down in April. BOP Director Colette Peters said she had tried her best to enact reforms and spent resources on making those changes, but it was too much, and her only choice was to close down the facility. Several women at the church gathering had been released in the days surrounding the prison closure. But 600 others were transferred to prisons across the United States, many of them still complaining that their treatment is even worse than it was at FCI Dublin. Baker, who went to take pictures on Sunday outside the prison to get some closure, said that the situation for many of these transferred women has been "awful." But on a larger scale, Baker said many of the FCI Dublin transfers have become whistleblowers and mentors at their new prisons, standing up for themselves, teaching others to speak up and demanding that their constitutional rights be adhered to. That advocacy is now spreading around the country. "So, in the big picture," regarding the prison closure, Baker said, "it's awesome." Cassandra (L) and Windy Panzo, both sexual assault victims at FCI Dublin, pose in front of the now-closed prison. Sept. 8, 2024. Photo: Darlene Baker Lisa Fernandez is a reporter for KTVU. Email Lisa at lisa.fernandez@fox.com or call her at 510-874-0139. Or follow her on Twitter @ljfernandez Fed-up New Yorkers blast massive migrant shelter as lease with feds nears an end: Its affecting everyone Dozens of fed-up New Yorkers rallied outside a massive migrant shelter in Brooklyn on Sunday demanding that City Hall balk at renewing the controversial lease for the troubled 2,000-bed facility on federal parkland. Led by a caravan of more than 30 vehicles, the crowd massed outside Floyd Bennett Field in Marine Park in the latest in a series of demonstrations against the asylum-seeker encampment at the onetime federal airfield with elected officials, veterans and regular citizens all taking shots at the site. We have these migrants coming in, door knocking, stealing packages, you know, soliciting everywhere in front of our supermarkets, playing at the heartstrings of people, state Assemblywoman Jaime Williams (R-Brooklyn) told The Post. Dozens of New Yorkers, including elected officials, are asking City Hall to balk at renewing a lease for a migrant shelter at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn when it expires on Sept. 14. Gregory P. Mango Sundays caravan in protest of a migrant shelter at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn was just the latest pushback from fed-up city residents. Gregory P. Mango And this is not what our community is about, Williams said. Floyd Bennett field is not a place to house migrants. Its a flood zone [with] no infrastructure whatsoever. So when you have them in that type of setting, there is nothing left to do. Theyre going to be on the street because they dont have any jobs. The rally comes as the citys lease for the site with the National Park Service is due to expire on Sept. 14. Area residents staged a similar caravan and rally in June amid repeated neighborhood complaints and concerns about unruly migrants causing mischief in the community. I dont mind if they come in the legal way, longtime neighborhood resident Antonia Natal said Sunday. Thats what our countrys about. Thats what our country is built on, many migrants legal. And Im supportive of that. I feel we need to do that with the whole city no illegals, no shelters, Natal added. We cant. Its going to damage the economy here, the housing market here, everything. More than 30 vehicles led Sundays protest against a massive migrant shelter at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. Gregory P. Mango Residents in Marine Park and neighboring communities are urging the city not to renew a lease for a migrant shelter at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn when it expires on Sept. 14. Gregory P. Mango Navy vet Martin Vezzuto was more direct. Whats going on right now, in my words, is all bullst, he said. Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, who has led several rallies against shelters throughout the five boroughs, has repeatedly harped on the cost to taxpayers to house the horde of migrants. Theyre still coming in every day, Sliwa said Sunday. Theyre still checking in at the [city intake center at] the Roosevelt Hotel. And they have complete immunity. You arrest an illegal alien, they get cut loose. Floyd Bennett Field is one of scores of locations throughout the five boroughs converted into shelters to accommodate thousands of migrants who have flooded the Big Apple since 2022. Gov. Kathy Hochul helped broker a deal with the Biden administration to use the facility in late August last year as the Big Apple scrambled to find spots to house the wave of asylum seekers. Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, a regular at anti-migrant shelter protests, speaks to a crowd outside the Floyd Bennett Field facility in Brooklyn on Sunday. Gregory P. Mango The vast majority of asylum seekers crossed the US border with Mexico and were shipped north to sanctuary cities like New York. The huge influx of people has overburdened the citys capacity to house them. The Post reported in January that the former airfield had become a hotbed of unrest and violence since the site was converted into a migrant shelter. The shelter saw a domestic assault in December and has been the site of a string of assault arrests and even a gun bust, according to police. In January, migrants, including children had to be briefly evacuated from the site in the middle of the night as dangerous winds closed in on the city, raising concerns of toppled tents or fatal flooding. Despite the local outrage, City Hall said the ad-hoc shelter in the Brooklyn park is needed to help accommodate new arrivals as more than 214,000 migrants have arrived in the Big Apple over the past two years. With over 210 emergency sites currently operating and hundreds of new arrivals continuing to arrive in New York City every week, we have been out of good options for a while now, a spokesperson for City Hall said in a statement. The site at Floyd Bennett Field has been one tool in our very limited toolbox for sheltering hundreds of migrant families with children every night. We continue to advocate for additional support from the federal partners and ask our elected partners to join us. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A criminal complaint was filed last week in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio after FBI agents served a search warrant at a Vermont Avenue home investigating drug activity. Rashad Wahid Akbar, 35, faces a count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Akbar was arraigned Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carmen E. Henderson, who ordered that he be held pending a detention hearing Wednesday in federal court. Akbar was taken into custody after a warrant was served at the home Sept. 4, which Akbar has listed as his address, according to an affidavit that was filed with the criminal complaint. The affidavit does not say what led agents to serve the warrant but that agents found fentanyl in a safe as well as crack cocaine and cocaine. When the warrant was served, there were two other people at the house, the affidavit said. The affidavit said when he was questioned, Akbar told agents Nobody has anything to do with what was found in the house, take me to county [jail]. The affidavit also said that agents found $3,000 cash. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COVID-19 vaccines could be expensive for uninsured residents now that the federal Bridge Access Program has ended. Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images. For the 6% of Marylanders who do not have health care coverage, getting a COVID-19 vaccine could be more expensive than in previous years costing upwards of $200 for one shot. Thats because a federal program that provided free vaccinations for those uninsured and underinsured ended in late August, even as federal health officials are urging people to get the newest version of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Bridge Access Program was created at the height of the global health crisis. But as the severity of the pandemic waned over the years, so has federal funding to keep those programs active. If you are someone who is uninsured or underinsured the Bridge Program was designed to cover those kinds of folks. And those folks right now have limited options for getting vaccinated, said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. That has left state and local health departments scrambling to find resources to help vaccinate the uninsured population for COVID-19 ahead of the holidays. The timing is unfortunate, to say the least, Nina Ashford, chief of public health services at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. The Maryland Department of Health is working to buy vaccines that it can make available uninsured residents, but first needs to find funding. After that, other details will have to be worked out, said state officials, such as determining how best to distribute vaccines. A state official said the department is optimistic it can work it out. Maryland COVID-19 data Maryland Matters has been tracking COVID-19 cases, deaths, hospitalizations in the state and demographic information since the start of the pandemic. You can check out all the data here. Some county health departments are also weighing their options while they wait to hear more from the state. A communications officer with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health said in an email that it is trying to determine if it can buy COVID-19 vaccines to help uninsured residents, but those details are not yet finalized either. Other counties may struggle to secure additional vaccines for uninsured residents, Ashford said. Were going to be relying on our community-based partners, our federally qualified health centers that serve our residents to fill in the gap, because we dont have the vaccine supply or the budgetary dollars to be able to do that, she said. Meanwhile, Benjamin believes that the end of the federal program is troubling. We want to get everybody vaccinated, but now we have a system that doesnt have everybody in it, Benjamin said. There is still coverage for some of the most vulnerable populations. The federal Vaccines for Children program just passed its 30th year of providing free vaccinations for children of low-income families, which includes the COVID-19 vaccine. Those aged 65 and older can have COVID-19 vaccinations covered by Medicare, the federal health care plan for retirees. Medicaid also covers the vaccine for low-income residents. But for everyone else, Benjamin worries that the additional cost could lead to fewer adults getting vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that as of May, the most recent date for which it has numbers, only 22.5% of adults nationally had reported getting a dose of last years COVID-19 vaccine. As of now, options are slim for uninsured residents. Benjamin recommends calling local health departments to see if there are free clinics or other options to get a free COVID-19 shot before paying out of pocket. He also noted that adults without underlying conditions are less likely to suffer from severe disease. If youre young and healthy and dont have any chronic diseases I always encourage you to get vaccinated but youre not the first-line priority population, he said. If youre somebody who has underlying chronic disease and youre uninsured, I encourage you to call your state or local health department and talk with them to see what your options are. While it is not as severe as surges in previous pandemic years, Maryland and the rest of the nation are currently experiencing higher COVID-19 hospitalizations due to a summer spike, and a winter spike is expect just around the corner. According to the most recent data from the Maryland Department of Health, more than 250 people were in the hospital with COVID-19 in the first few days of September. More than a dozen Marylanders still die every week from the disease, the department reports. Ashford noted that the recent uptick in cases and infections will provide some immunity and defense for those who have recently caught and recovered from the virus. But she thinks the end of the Bridge Access Program will make it harder for the uninsured to use one of the main tools to defend against COVID-19 infections a vaccination. We have a tool that works. We know that immunizations are key to preventing adverse outcomes. And were going into the holiday season, were going into the back-to-school season, she said. We dont have this resource at our disposal, and it almost feels like we didnt learn very much from the pandemic. In response to a public records lawsuit filed by the Reason Foundation, the nonprofit that publishes Reason, a federal judge has ruled the U.S. government can hide findings about whether people who died in federal prison received adequate medical care, partly out of fear that those records could be used to criticize prison officials. U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Columbia Christopher R. Cooper issued an opinion in August that the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) was largely not required to disclose redacted information from mortality reviews of in-custody deaths in two federal women's prisons that have been the subject of numerous accusations of medical neglect. In addition to finding that the mortality reviews were part of the BOP's decision-making process, Cooper wrote that the BOP had successfully demonstrated that releasing the records would result in foreseeable harm to the agency. The judge wrote that a declaration from a BOP official credibly established that the mortality reviews could be used to "criticize" or "ridicule" the agency. "And, as described above, she notes that the members of the Mortality Review Committee would be 'deter[red] . . . from acknowledging mistakes' if they feared those mistakes would be publicized," Cooper continued. Reason Foundation, represented by the law office of Deborah Golden, filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit last year against the BOP seeking mortality reviews of in-custody deaths at FCI Aliceville, a federal women's prison in Alabama, and FMC Carswell, a federal prison in Texas that is the only medical center for incarcerated women in the BOP system. Whenever a federal inmate dies, a committee reviews the circumstances and whether BOP policies were violated. The committee then gives recommendations on how care could have been improved. That information could reveal whether the BOP is aware of medical neglect within its walls and how bad the problem is. Reason reported in 2020 on allegations of fatal medical neglect inside FCI Aliceville. Numerous current and former inmates, as well as their families, said in interviews, desperate letters, and lawsuits that women inside FCI Aliceville faced disastrous delays in health care. They described monthslong waits for doctor appointments and routine procedures, skepticism and retaliation from staff, and terrible pain and fear. Seeking to learn more, Reason filed a FOIA request in May 2020 for inmate mortality reviews at FCI Aliceville, as well as FMC Carswell. When the BOP finally released mortality reviews from FMC Carswell three years later, it redacted any information that would indicate if there was substandard care, such as the review committee's findings on the timeliness and appropriateness of care; problems encountered during the medical emergency; whether there was adequate documentation in the patient's medical files; and whether the patient received appropriate care per the BOP's policies. The BOP withheld that information under exemption b(5) of the FOIA, which protects "predecisional" or deliberative communications between officials. The National Security Archive dubbed it the "withhold it because you want to" exemption. The BOP did not release redacted mortality reports from FCI Aliceville until Reason initiated FOIA litigation. Those records showed that staff ignored one incarcerated woman's pleas for help for eight months while she steadily lost the ability to walk. Staff advised her to take Motrin for excruciating pain and delayed and denied a CT scan that would have revealed the source of her torment: bone cancer. She died in a prison transport van on the way to a local hospital to see an oncologist. The court's deference to the BOP's arguments relies on the assumption that the BOP is in fact making a good-faith effort to improve its health care services and not cover up neglect and malpractice. But in case after case, BOP officials have been caught lying and stonewalling. In 2022, a different federal judge held the BOP in civil contempt and levied sanctions against the agency for allowing an incarcerated man to waste away from untreated cancer, as well as for willfully ignoring and misleading the court. The judge wrote that the BOP's actions were "inconsistent with the moral values of a civilized society and unworthy of the Department of Justice of the United States of America." An NPR investigation published this January suggested that the BOP is overcategorizing in-custody deaths as "natural," which allows it to avoid performing autopsies. A February report by the Justice Department Office of Inspector General documented widespread understaffing and a culture of deadly negligence in the BOP system. One of the many issues the inspector general identified was "inadequate staff response to inmate emergencies." It is troubling to see a government agency make the argumentand even more troubling to see a federal judge endorse itthat BOP bureaucrats would not give honest advice that could potentially save someone's life if it could result in harm to the agency's reputation. "The BOP's justification is essentially that its employeessworn law enforcement officers and medical professionalswould not suggest improvements that could save lives if it meant perhaps publicly acknowledging a mistake or system weakness," Reason Foundation argued in a court motion in February. But for now, the privacy of the ethical failings of the BOP, the reputation of which is already in the gutter, is more important than the public's right to know how people live and die in its fearsome care. The post Federal Judge Rules Inmate Death Records Can Remain Secret Because They Could Embarrass Prison Officials appeared first on Reason.com. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit trying to overturn the South Carolina prison system's banning on-camera, in-person interviews with inmates or recording their phone calls for broadcast. The American Civil Liberties Union wanted to air a podcast with a death row inmate and also represents a transgender woman who killed her mother when she was 13, was diagnosed behind bars with gender dysphoria and is suing the state prison system over denial of care. But in a ruling last week, federal Judge Jacquelyn Austin said the government can restrict free speech rights in areas it controls that aren't public and the media doesn't have special rights to access prisoners. The prison system does allow prisoners and reporters to exchange letters. The South Carolina Department of Corrections stands by its longstanding policy, which allows inmates to answer interview questions in writing. Were grateful the courts recognized and upheld it, agency spokeswoman Chrysti Shain said in a statement. The ACLU plans to appeal the judge's decision to dismiss its lawsuit. The organization said hearing from inmates is especially important as the state plans its first execution in more than 13 years later this month with up to five more to come into spring 2025. "We continue to believe that South Carolinians deserve to hear what is happening in our prisons, and to hear it from the people experiencing it," said Allen Chaney, Legal Director of the ACLU of South Carolina. The policy has been in place for nearly 25 years. Prison officials said it protects victims of crime so the perpetrators don't get fame and notoriety and keeps prisons safer because inmates can't send coded messages through interviews. The ACLU mentioned two inmates in its lawsuit. Sofia Cano, a transgender woman, wants to discuss her lawsuit over denial of care, prison conditions and the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals behind bars. The other is death row inmate Marion Bowman, convicted of killing a woman in 2001 and burning her body in a car trunk. Bowman's lawyers argued at trial someone else pulled the trigger. Bowman wants to tell his story as he prepares to ask the governor for clemency to change his death sentence to life in prison. The state Supreme Court has scheduled Bowman to be the third inmate to die as executions restart, meaning he could be put to death around the end of November or early December. The Corrections Department does occasionally allow cameras into prisons for stories about specific programs, like inmates recording books for their children or learning job skills. But media outlets must agree to only use first names and not show faces, tattoos or other things that could identify an inmate. While they can't go on camera, prison officials said South Carolina inmates can write to anyone, including reporters, and inmates who cant afford stamps or stationery can get them. Inmates can also approve reporters to be on their telephone lists as long as their own words arent recorded and rebroadcast. The Associated Press interviewed one of two inmates who killed four fellow prisoners in 2017 in this way. Also mentioned in the ACLU lawsuit was Alex Murdaugh, the former lawyer serving two life sentences for killing his wife and son. Murdaugh got in trouble because his recorded phone call with his lawyer was played as part of a documentary. Prison officials said while Murdaugh lost privileges and his lawyer was warned that he might lose unmonitored access to phone calls with prisoner clients if he did it again, the media outlet suffered no consequences. People hold signs at a Justice for Tyre Nichols protest in Times Square on January 27, 2023 in New York City. The federal trial began Monday for three former Memphis police officers. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Jury selection began Monday in the federal trial of three former Memphis officers on civil-rights violations related to the 2023 beating death of motorist Tyre Nichols. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith are facing multiple charges, including violating Nichols' civil rights through excessive use of force and unlawful assault. Two other former officers, Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin III, have taken plea deals and are expected to testify. The five were part of the since-disbanded Scorpion Task Force, a specialized unit created to root out street crime, and the unit was known for aggressive policing tactics. Two counts carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, and the other two each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Memphis police department officer Tadarrius Bean is facing charges in the death of Tyre Nichols. Photo courtesy of Memphis Police Department/Twitter The five men already face state charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping. They pleaded not guilty. Tyre Nichols' family has a $550 million lawsuit pending against Memphis police and the city. Memphis Police Department officer Demetrius Haley is facing charges in the death of Tyre Nichols. Photo courtesy of the Memphis Police Department/Twitter His parents, RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, entered the courtroom in Memphis. "You're the mother. You want to make sure that what they're saying is correct and you want to make sure that everything is going accordingly," RowVaughn Wells told NPR. "So you have to sit there and listen, even though you don't want to." Memphis police department officer Justin Smith is facing charges in the death of Tyre Nichols. Photo courtesy of Memphis Police Department/Twitter Nichols died in a hospital on Jan. 10, 2023, three days after being beaten. The medical examiner's official autopsy report for Nichols showed he "died of brain injuries from blunt force trauma." In September 2023, a federal grand jury indicted the five former officers. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said that the officers conspired to cover up their crimes including falsely stating that Nichols had actively resisted arrest. "Tyre Nichols was just minutes away from home when he was pulled over by law enforcement officers sworn to protect him," Garland said in a statement. "As the indictment charges, the defendants in this case, who at the time were serving as detectives of the Memphis police department, brutally beat Mr. Nichols, they then failed to render medical aid to Mr. Nichols and further failed to tell emergency responders that they had struck him repeatedly even as his condition deteriorated and he became unresponsive." After Nichols' death, the Justice Department commissioned a review of the use of specialized units within law enforcement and produced new guidance. UPDATE, 5 p.m.: The judge has named 40 potential witnesses. Eight jurors have now been eliminated. UPDATE, 3 p.m.: The jury pool was pulled from four counties in west Tennessee: Tipton, Lauderdale, Fayette and Shelby. They will be narrowing the pool of 200 down to 16 12 jurors with four alternates. Each day, the trial should finish around 5 to 5:30, with the trial lasting 3-4 weeks. The first question to potential jurors: What is a good characteristic for a juror to have? For the second question, the jurors were asked what they thought bias was and to give examples of it. UPDATE, 2:30: Jury selection is underway, and 16 out of 200 potential jurors have been asked questions. The judge asked if anyone had work or family issues that would keep them from being on the jury for four weeks. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks. Earlier coverage is below. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) The federal trial and jury selection for the three former Memphis Police officers accused of killing Tyre Nichols began Monday morning. MORE ON TYRE NICHOLS The three former officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith were seen waiting with their attorneys outside the Odell Horton Federal Building in downtown Memphis at 7:30 a.m. A line for the jury pool stretched down the sidewalk on Front Street. At 10 a.m., Tyre Nichols family entered the courtroom. A federal grand jury indicted the former officers last September on charges of federal civil rights violation, conspiracy, and obstruction. These are separate from the state criminal charges in the incident. Five now-former Memphis Police officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith were fired for misconduct, indicted by a grand jury, and taken into custody. Martin and Mills, who have already taken plea deals in the case, are expected to take the stand. Five former Memphis officers federally indicted in Tyre Nichols case A pretrial conference was held on Friday for representatives of the former officers. During the meeting, Bean was the only former officer who attended. Pretrial held for former officers charged in Tyre Nichols case In January 2023, Tyre Nichols died in a hospital three days after being beaten by Memphis Police during a traffic stop near his home. Video and body cam footage of Nichols violent arrest was released by MPD weeks after the incident. Each is charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of official misconduct, and official oppression. All five suspects still face an upcoming murder case at the state level. Tyre Nichols family also has a $550 million lawsuit pending against Memphis Police and the City. WREG will update this story with new developments Monday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. DAMASCUS, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and 15 others injured late Sunday after Israel launched airstrikes on multiple military installations in the central region of the country, according to the Syrian Ministry of Defense and medical officials. The attack, which took place at around 11:23 p.m. local time (2023 GMT), was launched from the direction of northern Lebanon, striking key military sites in the central province of Hama, according to the ministry. In a statement, the ministry confirmed that the airstrike resulted in the deaths of three people, with material losses reported. Syrian air defenses were activated and managed to intercept some of the incoming Israeli missiles, though many still hit their intended targets. Later in the day, Dr. Maher Younes, Hama Health Director, updated that four people were killed and 15 others injured as an initial toll from the attack. Pro-government Sham FM radio reported significant material damage to civilian properties and the power grid along the Masyaf-Wadi al-Oyoun highway in western Hama countryside. Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the federal trial of three former Memphis officers charged in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols: Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith Nichols, 29, died several days after a January 2023 traffic stop captured in body camera footage and surveillance footage, which allegedly shows officers violently striking Nichols repeatedly and walking around, talking to each other as Nichols was injured and sitting on the ground. His fatal beating triggered protests and calls for police reform. The medical examiner's official autopsy report for Nichols showed he "died of brain injuries from blunt force trauma," the district attorney's office told Nichols' family in May 2023. Five former officers were charged, including Bean, Haley and Smith who are now on trial and have pleaded not guilty, as well as Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin III, who have pleaded guilty to some of the federal charges. PHOTO: This combo of booking images provided by the Shelby County, Tenn., Sheriff's Office shows, from left, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith. (Shelby County Sheriff's Office via AP) Bean, Haley and Smith are accused of violating Nichols' civil rights through excessive use of force, unlawful assault, failing to intervene in the assault, failing to render medical aid, and conspiring to engage in misleading conduct by attempting to falsify or intentionally withholding details of the arrest in statements and to a supervisor. Police said Nichols was pulled over for reckless driving, though Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis said she has been unable to substantiate that. While Nichols' mother has said that first responders told her her son was drunk and high, the autopsy report shows that his blood alcohol level was .049, the DA's office said. The district attorney's office told the family that was "well less than the legal limit to drive." PHOTO: A photo of Tyre Nichols is displayed outside the sanctuary during church service at Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church on January 29, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Joshua Lott/The Washington Post via Getty Images) If convicted, two of the counts in the indictment carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, while the other two each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, according to the DOJ. PHOTO: The image from video released on Jan. 27, 2023, by the City of Memphis, shows Tyre Nichols during a brutal attack by five Memphis police officers on Jan. 7, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. (City of Memphis via AP) PHOTO: A photo of Tyre Nichols is displayed outside the sanctuary during church service at Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church on January 29, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Joshua Lott/The Washington Post via Getty Images) Martin pleaded guilty to excessive force and failure to intervene, as well as conspiracy to witness tamper, according to the court records. The other two charges will be dropped at sentencing, which has been scheduled for Dec. 5, according to the online records. Mills pleaded guilty to two of the four counts in the indictment -- excessive force and failing to intervene, as well as conspiring to cover up his use of unlawful force, according to the DOJ. The government said it will recommend a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, based on the terms of Mills' plea agreement. All five former officers also face state felony charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping, in connection with Nichols' death. They pleaded not guilty. Federal trial of former officers charged in Tyre Nichols' death to begin originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A Warren police officer caught on video assaulting a detainee in the city lockup repeatedly punched the man with a closed fist, yelled expletives and, according to federal prosecutors, challenged him to "Say something else. Say Something else!" Video and audio came from a body-worn camera of one of two officers who rushed into the fingerprinting area when now-former officer Matthew Rodriguez threw the detainee to the ground, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum ahead of Rodriguez's sentencing Tuesday in last year's assault.. The memorandum filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit also reveal details about prior situations where Rodriguez used excessive force, including one in 2012 in which he was disciplined for what the government called "a shockingly similar incident" that involved assaulting with a "roundhouse kick" another detainee he was fingerprinting and photographing and then lying about it in a report later. A still image from the video showing then-officer Matthew Rodriguez assaulting an arrested suspect in the city jail booking area on June 13, 2023. They wrote that Rodriguez also used excessive force in 2017 when he served as a school resource officer at a high school in Warren. He grabbed and lifted a student by his neck and pulled him to the ground, causing the student to hit his head on a locker. Rodriguez didn't report the incident, prosecutors wrote, but he was removed from the school based on the conduct. Sentencing memorandums filed in federal court indicate the probation department reported that the video of the June 13, 2023, assault on Jaquwan Smith has had more than 2.8 million views online Federal prosecutors are asking for Rodriguez to be sentenced to 18-24 months, which is at the top of the sentencing guideline range. "Put simply, millions of people have witnessed what Rodriguez's flagrant conduct here makes clear: he thought his badge was a shield from the laws he took an oath to enforce," according to their 21-page memorandum, which includes video exhibits. One of Rodriguez's attorneys, Steve Fishman, suggested that a non-custody sentence for his client a 30-plus year police officer who now is self-employed as a truck driver is appropriate, according to an eight-page sentencing memorandum Fishman submitted. The defense's memorandum states, in part, that being convicted of a federal felony and losing one's job is "more than enough to deter other officers from this type of conduct" and that Rodriguez "has already been punished significantly by being charged and convicted in federal court." It indicated that Smith, who is identified in court records as J.S., "threatened Rodriguez, telling him that he was a boxer who would 'strip him naked' and 'blow his s--t out now.' In response, Rodriguez lost his temper, punched J.S. a number of times, and otherwise roughed him up." Rodriguez, then 49, pleaded guilty in April to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. A release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in April stated that during his plea hearing, Rodriguez admitted that he knew his use of force was unreasonable and contrary to department policy and that he wrote a report in which he made false statements about the incident and omitted material information. A charge of falsification of records was dismissed in the plea agreement, prosecutors stated in their sentencing memorandum. Prosecutors: Detainee was struck; head smashed against wall, floor Federal prosecutors wrote that Rodriguez "gratuitously assaulted" Smith by striking him with hands and knees and smashing his head against the booking room's wall and floor during what should have been a routine fingerprinting process. The assault was captured on video, which had no audio, as well as on one other officer's body-worn camera, which did record audio. The government's memorandum stated there was a technical malfunction that failed to record the audio on the detention center camera. Smith stood with his hands at his sides, his thumbs hooked in his pockets as Rodriguez sat down at a desk about four feet away, prosecutors stated. Rodriguez, who was permanently assigned to the jail, sat at his computer, they wrote, and "the two men appeared to be arguing or trading insults." A few moments later, the government stated, Rodriguez got up and stood in front of Smith. The two continued to speak and Rodriguez extended his right arm behind him, reaching toward the tray of a printer, preparing to catch an emerging sheet of paper, prosecutors wrote. Smith stood in place with his arms at his sides "speaking animatedly" to Rodriguez, who then suddenly struck Smith in the head with an open hand. Smith started to spin around and as he fell, prosecutors wrote, Rodriguez "delivered a knee strike" to Smith's left side, causing Smith to collide with the wall. Rodriguez lifted Smith off the ground by his waistband and shirt collar and slammed him into the floor, the government stated, knocking over a computer monitor on a nearby table. As Rodriguez threw Smith onto the ground, two officers who had arrested Smith earlier that day rushed into the room, one of them grabbing Smith's feet. That officer activated his body-worn camera prior to entering the room, footage that prosecutors stated had audio and video. U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison, center, speaks during a news conference in downtown Detroit on July 10, 2023, after a former Warren police officer is charged with a federal civil rights violation after assaulting a suspect in the city lockup June 13, 2023. She appears with Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido, left, and Devin Kowalski, right, who is acting special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan. The footage captures Rodriguez repeatedly punching Smith and yelling at him while he was on the floor. As the other two officers positioned themselves to restrain Smith, Rodriguez grabbed Smith's hair and slammed his head on the floor. Rodriguez lifted Smith to his feet by the hood of his sweatshirt, prosecutors wrote, and the other officer released his legs. They stated that Rodriguez told Smith: "Do me a favor and swing at me. Swing at me like you said you were gonna do." Rodriguez then dragged Smith by the hood to the holding cell and shoved him through the door, causing Smith to lose his balance and fall to the floor. Smith had a cut to his face, bruising, swelling and pain, per the prosecutors' sentencing memorandum. Rodriguez completed a use-of-force form, as required by Warren police policy, writing that he struck Smith with an open hand after Smith took an aggressive stance. Although he documented Smith's injury, Rodriguez didn't report the other elements of the assault, prosecutors stated. The government doesn't deny Smith was verbally abusive toward Rodriguez, but stated Smith was nonviolent, unarmed and physically diminutive and two other officers were there to react to any contingency or emergency. "Rodriguez's crime is serious and inexcusable," prosecutors wrote. "In a moment of apparent rage, he consciously disregarded policy and law, and used physical violence not to protect himself, his fellow officers, or the public, but for personal gratification. Not only had Rodriguez been repeatedly trained never to use force to punish or retaliate, but he had also already been put on notice that such conduct would not be tolerated years before, when he was suspended for nearly identical behavior." In 2012, they stated, Rodriguez wrote in a use-of-force report that he grabbed a detainee's wrist to try to control him and the detainee forcefully began to pull away while throwing a punch. He then claimed the detainee tried to hit him, so he kicked him. But video contradicted Rodriguez's story, showing that he kicked the detainee on his right side near his waist when the detainee appeared to be pulling up his pants, his back to Rodriguez, according to the prosecutors' memorandum. The detainee fell to the floor and another officer came into the room to assist. The video didn't show the detainee trying to hit Rodriguez or Rodriguez trying to restrain him prior to kicking him, prosecutors wrote. They said Warren police found Rodriguez violated its use-of-force policy and he was disciplined. Rodriguez also has twice been charged with crimes involving violence off-duty, prosecutors said. He was arrested for assault and battery in 1996 and domestic violence in 1998, it stated, but neither case resulted in a conviction. Former Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer previously called the assault on Smith "unjustified" after an internal investigation. Rodriguez was terminated from the department June 26, 2023. Warren Police Deputy Commissioner William Reichling, left, Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer, center, and Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido at a news conference June 20, 2023 in Dwyer's office about a Warren police officer charged with assault in the city jail fingerprinting area June 13, 2023. Dwyer said he reviewed Rodriguez's personnel file and found at least two older instances of excessive force and prior discipline against him, but Dwyer and the city after the Smith assault declined to provide the details of those instances. Defense: 'No excuse' for Rodriguez's physical response The defense's sentencing memorandum indicated that in Rodriguez's plea agreement, the parties agreed to a guideline range of 18-24 months. The probation department calculated the guideline range a bit lower at 12-18 months. The memorandum said Smith was arrested in Warren after pointing a pistol at a man and stealing items from his truck. When located by police, it stated, Smith refused officers' commands to stop, led them on a foot chase and resisted being handcuffed and placed in a patrol car. It noted a similar incident occurred with Smith on May 20, 2023, when he was arrested by Detroit police for having a firearm. "Police officers often have to restrain themselves in similar situations to this case and Mr. Rodriguez failed to do so in this instance," according to the defense's sentencing memorandum. "He has accepted responsibility for his conduct by pleading guilty, lost his job as a police officer, and now awaits sentencing by this Court." The defense's memorandum provides a snapshot of Rodriguez's life, including that he graduated from St. Francis Cabrini High School in Allen Park and that his parents were employed as Detroit police officers during his entire childhood. The memorandum stated Rodriguez has four adult children from different relationships and paid child support for each of them. He lives with a girlfriend, who expressed support and concern for him to the probation department. The memorandum stated Rodriguez joined Detroit police in 1994 and worked there for eight years. He returned to police work at Detroit Public Schools through September 2008, then joined Warren police until he was terminated. Rodriguez earned his commercial driver's license and now is self-employed, working as a trucker in Southgate. He works across the U.S., particularly in Arizona and Texas. He has had financial problems throughout his life, per the court document, causing Rodriguez to file for bankruptcy three times. Defense counsel agreed with the probation department that "it is likely that the enormity of the offense has not been lost on [Mr. Rodriguez]" and that bringing the case in federal court may deter other police officers from engaging in similar conduct. They also agreed with probation that Rodriguez "'may benefit from mental health treatment in the form of counseling or anger management courses.'" "Despite being provoked by J.S.'s language and behavior, there was no excuse for Mr. Rodriguez's physical response," according to the defense's memorandum. The memorandum also briefly delves into information from the Judiciary Sentencing Information database, which gives the court an indication of sentences imposed nationwide for similar conduct, though it is not binding on the court. The database indicated that of 25 defendants whose primary guideline was the same as Rodriguez's, 13 received a sentence of imprisonment. For the 13, the average length of imprisonment was 10 months and the median length was six months. When considering all 25 defendants, the defense's memorandum stated, the average sentence imposed was six months and the median sentence was zero months. Smith filed a federal lawsuit seeking $50 million against Rodriguez, the city and two other officers. The lawsuit is ongoing. He pleaded guilty Aug. 1 in Macomb County Circuit Court to a felony firearms offense, carrying a concealed weapon, assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, breaking and entering a vehicle less than $200 and unarmed robbery, per online circuit court records. They indicate it was requested he have no further incarceration and be sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act. The plea was accepted and an armed robbery charge is to be dismissed at sentencing Sept. 25, per the court records. Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Warren cop who punched man had 'shockingly similar' past incident ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A Ferguson-Florissant School District high school went under lockdown Monday afternoon following alleged fighting inside the school. According to the school district, McCluer North High School was placed on the precautionary lockdown, and additional police were called for support following several fights. The school district said in a message to the district that Florissant police, school resources officers, and district security were on site at the time of the lockdown. Fighting in our schools will not be tolerated. Students involved in fights at school will face disciplinary action as outlined in our Student Expectation Code. Let me be clear: we expect students to come to school and be safe, Ferguson-Florissant Superintendent, Dr. Joseph Davis, said in a statement. The district said that no shooting took place, and movement is restricted in or out of the school for the time being. We are dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all and have put in place a variety of measures to enhance school safety and belonging. These include school uniforms, Yondr cell phone pouches, weapon detection systems, trauma-informed counselors, social workers, and mental health resources for students, among other initiatives. But we cannot do this alone. We need our parents and families to join us in encouraging students to make responsible choices. Working together, we will maintain safe schools, said Dr. Joseph Davis. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., joins Virginia Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, in Louisa County on June 5, 2024, to support his bid to represent Virginia's 5th Congressional District. (Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) The rift between Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, and party officials in Virginias 5th Congressional District widened further over the weekend after the Republican nominee failed to attend the districts GOP committee meeting in Farmville on Saturday. McGuires no-show at the gathering, which has traditionally served as a critical opportunity for candidates to solidify party support for their congressional bids, prompted the committee to withhold funding for his campaign and urge him to provide the panel with important contact information, and details on event planning and related activities. In a letter to the campaign dated Sept. 6, Rick Buchanan, the districts GOP chair, reminded McGuire that under the Republican Party of Virginias Party Plan, the committee shall have general supervision over all district campaigns and shall cooperate with the State Central Committee in conducting statewide campaigns. VA-5 GOP Committee letter Buchanan also notified McGuire that he had appointed a sub-committee of three party unit chairs to work with your campaign to obtain, assimilate and distribute this information to all units within the 5th District so that efforts can be made to ensure success in November. Sean Brown, a campaign spokesman, said in a text message that McGuire was unable to attend Saturdays committee meeting because he had already committed to door knocking events with the campaign of former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, and to appear at an event with volunteer firefighters. Brown said that he and Bri Simon, McGuires campaign manager, attended the committee meeting on the candidates behalf. He declined to comment further. During a closed portion of the meeting, the committee voted to allot $8,000 to pay for Trump campaign signs in the district, but it denied McGuires campaign any additional funding. One of the reasons I believe for why the committee was hesitant was that John McGuire is nowhere to be found, he has not shown up at any unit meetings, Buchanan said in a phone interview Monday. Since the primary election he has only been to two unit meetings in Campbell County and Albemarle County out of 24 units. In contrast, U.S. Rep Bob Good, R-Farmville, the incumbent who was defeated by McGuire in the June 18 primary election, met with all 24 unit chairs within weeks of first winning his partys nomination in 2020. But the disconnect between McGuire and the districts party leadership predates the primary election. Just days after Trump formally endorsed McGuire in late May, 25 Republican officials advised the former president in an open letter to rethink his endorsement and to instead consider backing Good. Congressman Bob Good has championed America First policies by introducing legislation to codify policies defunding chain migration and requiring that immigrants are self-sufficient. He also offered multiple bills that would build upon Trumps regulatory relief for businesses across the country, the letter said. Good who has not formally conceded to McGuire even after an additional review of the results of the recount that he had requested after the primary confirmed the former Navy SEALs victory remains popular among some conservative hardliners in the district who have since launched an effort to urge voters to write in the incumbents name in the Nov. 5 election. While it remains doubtful that this effort will split the Republican vote in a way that would hand the Republican-leaning district to Gloria Witt, the Democratic nominee, its a sign of the unease that many Republicans still feel about McGuire, who they say has made little effort to unify the party and campaign district-wide. McGuire seems to be running a fairly strange campaign, in my opinion, he does not seem very interested in doing the traditional things campaigns do, said David Richards, a political science professor at the University of Lynchburg. Perhaps the thinking is that in a district that rates a +7 to the Republican advantage he does not need to reach out very much. This may work out for him, but there is always a risk, and he needs to be sure he gets all of the Republican voters behind him lest Witt sneak in with a solid Democratic base that could win against a split GOP base. While McGuire on Monday made several campaign stops in the district with Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Hung Cao, the Republican U.S. Senate nominee, Buchanan, the districts GOP chair, said in the phone interview that his committee is being kept in the dark about the campaigns efforts. Theres not a single thing on the district calendar of any events that he is doing, hes not returning phone calls from the committee chairs who are trying to get him to come, and hes not calling me or anybody that I know of. Were very concerned, because I just dont know what hes doing. On Saturday, he couldnt plan to spend 15 minutes addressing us in Farmville, which is in the very center of the district? Buchanan brushed off concerns that the committees support for McGuire is only lukewarm because most of the unit chairs remain supporters of Good, the incumbent. There is only one mission that all of our units have, and that is to get Republicans elected, Buchanan said. John McGuire is the Republican candidate. We have trained and organized to do just that, and build our networks around getting out the vote and manning the polls. But where is John? I dont know where John is today, I have no idea. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The last of the five former Columbus Zoo officials involved in a theft investigation in which over $2.29 million was stolen, received his sentence Monday. Grant Bell, a former purchasing assistant for the zoo and the son of former chief financial officer Greg Bell, was charged with the fifth-degree felony in Delaware County Common Pleas Court. During his July arraignment hearing he pleaded guilty. On Monday Bell was sentenced to two years of community control and must also pay restitution, which totals about $8,000. Ohio-based Big Lots files for bankruptcy after store closings Though Bells attorney claimed his client held a very low position within the scandal, Bell wanted to take responsibility and he expressed remorse in court. Hes struggling just like everyone else to make ends meet, said defense council Steven Palmer. He did not pad his pockets for years and years and years with zoo money, but he was a part of the plan at least at his level and because of that he is here today. Jan Ramer, a Columbus Zoo spokesperson, however, did not discriminate between Bell and the other parties involved. They used zoo finances intended for the animals in our care, our conservation programs, community outreach and education programs to bankroll lavish lifestyles for themselves and their families. These actions were deliberate and concealed, she said. Tracy Murnane is facing six felony charges for her alleged role in stealing nearly $2.3 million from the Columbus Zoo. (Courtesy/Ohio Attorney Generals Office) Bells charge was filed as part of a bill of information, which is a formal accusation of a crime. The bill of information alleged Bell was involved with between $1,000 and $7,000 of the total stolen funds. He admitted that he used the funds to take a trip and to put a satellite radio in his wifes car. His guilty plea marked the fifth and final defendant to do so. Tom Stalf, former zoo CEO facing 36 felony charges, admitted to 12 counts of tampering with records and three single counts of theft by deception, conspiracy and telecommunication fraud, according to Ohio Auditor Keith Faber. Stalf initially pleaded not guilty in October to the charges implicating him in the misuse of nearly $2.3 million in Zoo funds. He was initially scheduled to begin jury trial on Aug. 6, according to court documents. Columbus gas prices drop again, approaching $3 per gallon Former purchasing agent Tracy Murnane, 65, of Westerville, pleaded guilty to eight charges, including grand theft, telecommunications fraud, and forgery. Former marketing director Pete Fingerhut pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges. His jury trial was slated to begin on July 9 after his initial October plea of not guilty. And Greg Bell pleaded guilty to one charge each of conspiracy and theft and 12 of tampering with records. He was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the scandal. All five defendants were ordered to pay restitution totaling approximately $600,000 in a 2022 settlement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. She must control her emotions, and avoid being an Angry Black Woman. But she must exude power and authority. She cant appear passive. Also, she must be clever without coming across as arrogant. On Tuesday, in the first debate between the two political rivals, Vice President Kamala Harris will duke it out with former President Donald Trump. In the run-up to the crucial fight, Harris supporters are talking about what she must do to parry the racist and sexist attacks that many believe Trump will inevitably aim at her. The conversations have underscored that while her candidacy represents a form of progress, Black women vying for high offices face significant double standards in their pursuit. Harris has crafted a strategy for grappling with these demands that analysts say appeals to her base and could help her to hold the moral high ground. But shes still expected to balance an array of competing demands and minimize her racial identity in a way that her white male counterparts are not. These are unfair requirements to levy on her, Theodore R. Johnson, a senior adviser at New America, a public policy think tank, told Capital B, pointing out that Harris team is probably telling her not to let Trump get under her skin. Al Gore sighed a lot during one of his debates, and people were like, Oh, hes so impatient and professorial, and he thinks that hes bigger and better and smarter than everyone, Johnson continued. Similar stereotypes are waiting for Harris on the night of the debate. Read More: Beyonce, Democrats, and the Fight for Freedom Since President Joe Biden passed the Democratic mantle to Harris in July, endorsing her to be the partys nominee, Trump has leveled several racially divisive remarks at her, sometimes blatantly, at other times through dog whistles. At a town hall this month with his longtime friend and ally, the Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump called Harris dangerous, and he insisted that she doesnt like to do interviews because she isnt too smart. In August, the former president reposted a vulgar remark on Truth Social, his bespoke social media platform, that implied that Harris had exchanged sexual favors for political advancement. (He shared a similarly crass comment not even two weeks before.) And at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in July, Trump questioned Harris racial identity, claiming that she happened to turn Black when it became politically convenient and desirable. Similar attacks may come from Trump on the debate stage. My guess is that Trump is going to try to pigeonhole her to paint her as a woman whos angry, or not intelligent enough for the job, Johnson said. If and when Trump directs racist and sexist invective at Harris, shes expected to take the approach that shes been embracing on the campaign trail whenever her identity has come up: redirecting the conversation. Consider Harris first major interview since Biden bowed out of the contest. When CNNs Dana Bash asked the vice president about Trumps baffling NABJ assertion, Harris didnt take the bait. Instead, she deflected, telling Bash that Trump was simply borrowing a page from the same old, tired book. Next question, please, Harris said. On Tuesday, Bidens lieutenant will have to walk a very fine line, according to analysts. Her supporters will want her to push back against racist and sexist tropes to shut Trump down. But they also want her to evade Trumps effort to lure her into an ugly race to the bottom. This is an opportunity for Harris to outline her vision for the country and to contrast herself with Trump, Kimberly Peeler-Allen, a visiting practitioner at the Center for American Women and Politics, told Capital B. Trump will likely use disinformation to distort her record. She has to defend her policy positions and actions clearly and concisely and as a former prosecutor, shell be prepared but she has to do that without resorting to the personal attacks Trump is looking for. In some ways, the fact that Harris must sidestep conversations about identity means that she cant lean into her racial and ethnic background with the same force that, say, Biden did when he visited Ireland in 2023. There are many unfair expectations in American politics and in how we talk about Black people, particularly Black women. Harris is trying to navigate very delicate issues pertaining to race but also gender, Keisha N. Blain, a professor of Africana studies and history at Brown University, told Capital B, noting that these restrictions presumably limit the degree to which Harris can talk about her Indian mother and Jamaican father. Many of her supporters believe that its her only hope for competing effectively. Blain said that they and Harris are surely mindful of the blowback that followed the first Black president, Barack Obama, after his eight years in the Oval Office. America responded by electing Trump, a president who said following a deadly white nationalist rally that there were very fine people on both sides. Many would argue that Trump was able to seize power largely because of the significant backlash to the Obama presidency, Blain explained. If you agree with that perspective, then that means that you dont want to keep reminding voters about your race, especially because you know that its a point of contention. Read More: Can Kamala Harris Recreate the Political Momentum of 2008? To an extent, Harris is doing what some Black conservatives have urged Trump to do: remove identity from the contest. I dont really care about all of that, Ronald Gibson, a Black Mississippian, told Capital B earlier this summer. Just say, Heres what Ive done, and heres how its affected you. Heres what our opponent has done, and heres how its affected you. Tell me those things. Yet, in other ways, Harris is running a campaign steeped in her personal history and narrative, and her presence, alone, inspires many Black women. This is one of the differences Ive noticed between 2019 and 2024. I think that were seeing a more authentic version of who she is, Peeler-Allen said, referring to everything from the kind of music that Harris is using (Freedom, Beyonces 2016 anthem) to the behind-the-scenes clips of the vice president discussing how she prepares collard greens. Harris is showing up as her authentic self, and she doesnt need to state that shes a Black woman or anything else for that to be true, Peeler-Allen said. And frankly, this is a beautiful evolution of the countrys electoral process. It doesnt have to be Vote for Kamala Harris, the Black President on posters. She can bring the totality of her experiences to the American people. Others agree. Harris isnt foregrounding her background now like she did in 2019 remember her that little girl was me dig at Biden over school segregation and busing? And maybe she doesnt need to. Shes a Black woman named Kamala and an AKA from Howard University. She walks into a room or onto a debate stage, and the vast majority of people will read her as Black, Johnson said. The only time race or gender comes up is when a moderator or Trump forces the issue. And when Trump broaches the subject of identity, its often a losing proposition for him he simply isnt deft enough to talk about it in any fashion that helps him. Not explicitly focusing her campaign on identity basically allows Harris to say, Everyone else is bringing it up. Im trying to talk about policy. You guys keep bringing up the race-gender piece, Johnson added. She almost cant lose that way, given her competition. The post Presidential Debate: Harris Faces a Unique Burden as a Black Woman appeared first on Capital B News. The Rail Ridge Fire south of Dayville in Grant County has scorched more than 135,000 acres. (Courtesy of Grant County Emergency Management) The Rail Ridge Fire south of Dayville in Grant County scorched more than 135,000 acres. (Courtesy of Grant County Emergency Management) Firefighters continued to battle blazes over the hot weekend, with three new fires flaring in Oregon, dozens of households under immediate evacuation orders, hundreds of homes threatened, schools closed and thousands more acres blackened. The historic fires this season, burning more than a record 1.7 million acres, are taking their toll on ranchers and residents. The Department of Environmental Quality issued a new air quality alert on Monday for parts of Oregon, stretching from eastern Douglas and southern Jefferson counties to Grant and Harney counties. The alert will stay in effect to Wednesday, with cooler, wetter weather predicted to return Tuesday night through Thursday. Over the weekend, lightning sparked two separate fires southeast of La Pine, scorching a total of nearly 12,000 acres, and ignited another fire southwest of Bend, which covers nearly 200 acres. The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, which coordinates wildfire resources, has listed the three new fires as top priority, with crews being mobilized while hundreds tackle the other large blazes in the state. There are 25 large fires burning now in Oregon, but firefighters are most concerned about the Rail Ridge Fire, the Willamette Complex of fires, the Devils Knob Fire and the Wiley Fire because theyve prompted evacuation orders. The Rail Ridge Fire south of Dayville in Grant County, which was sparked by lightning, has burned 135,000 acres. Nearly 900 firefighters and other personnel are assigned to the fire, which has destroyed seven homes and threatens about 730 homes, commercial buildings and other structures. Emergency evacuation orders are in place and on Monday, the Dayville School District alerted families that it was closing closing schools this week, the Blue Mountain Eagle reporter. For now, as a district, we have made the decision to make the health and safety of our entire community of families, our students and staff the highest priority, the district said. The Rail Ridge Fire is 7% contained, which means that the fire growth has been halted on that much of the perimeter. In the Willamette National Forest, more than 800 people have been mobilized to fight the North Willamette Complex of six fires. Hit by lightning on Friday, they grew have grown rapidly in the last 24 hours, scorching more than 5,300 acres, with 0% containment. The fires threaten more than a dozen structures. The Devils Knob Fire south of Tiller in Douglas County has spread to nearly 27,000 acres and is 13% contained. About 120 people are assigned to the fire, which threatens 28 homes and about 70 other structures. The Wiley Flat Fire northeast of Brothers in Deschutes County grew more than 6,000 acres over the past 24 hours, driven by strong winds. It covers nearly 27,000 acres and is 15% contained. A California crew, with more than 450 people, is mobilized against the fire and they are likely to benefit on Monday by calmer winds, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. The fire has forced evacuations and threatened various structures, with road, trail and other closures in effect. Firefighters are also concerned about the Fossil Complex of blazes northwest of Spray in Wheeler County, which threaten two homes and four other structures. More than 270 people are fighting the fires, which have scorched more than 7,500 acres and are 3% contained. And another large fire, with more than 950 people mobilized, has burned about 26,500 acres northeast of Mitchell in Wheeler County. The Shoe Fly Fire, which is 26% contained, was hit with a few showers and thunderstorms hitting the area Monday morning. An Oregon Department of Forestry crew is fighting the fire, which threatens communication and other structures, including 65 homes, and has prompted road closures. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Thick smoke rises from a forest fire on the Koenigsberg below the Brocken in the Harz Mountains. The fire continues to burn on the Brocken on Sunday and after the night, the fire-fighting work has started again in the early morning. The area is currently closed to tourists. Swen Pfortner/dpa Firefighters expressed hope on Monday morning that overnight rainfall in the Harz mountains of central Germany helped dampen wildfires that have burned for several days. Crews were preparing to head back onto the Brocken, the tallest mountain in Germany's mostly flat north, to assess the fires after several hours of constant rain, according to Immo Kramer, who is leading the emergency deployment. "We are going in with personnel to see what effect the rain has had," Kramer told dpa. The fire broke out on Friday on the Konigsberg, a side peak of the Brocken, and had spread over a length of around 1,000 metres. The fire was fought from the air and on the ground over the entire weekend. On Saturday evening, the emergency services finally succeeded in preventing the fire from spreading further. The area, normally a popular destination with sightseers from across the region, is currently closed to tourists. According to district fire chief Kai-Uwe Lohse, further aerial firefighting is unlikely at this point. The main plan is to extinguish the remaining fire in the area from the ground and search for pockets of embers, Lohse said. He said around 50 firefighters would be deployed for the effort. A fire-fighting aircraft tries to extinguish a forest fire on the Koenigsberg below the Brocken in the Harz Mountains. Swen Pfortner/dpa Ventris C. Gibson is upholding the legacy of Harriet Tubman while stepping into a significant and historic role. Career Journey Born in Roseland, VA, but raised in Washington DC to parents with six children, Gibson showed great ambition early on. Upon graduating from high school, she enlisted in the Navy and worked as a traffic controller. However, she did look to pivot briefly into journalism due to her strong interest, but that did not pan out because school had a two-year waitlist. She remained with the Navy working in air traffic control, and upon completing her service she hoped to secure a role with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At that time, President Carter had imposed a freeze on hiring federally. Thus, I went to VA (Veterans Affairs) to see what my benefits were as a veteran, and they pretty much asked me if I wanted a job because I was an African-American, female, Vietnam-era veteran. I said, Sure, while I was waiting for FAA to call, Gibson told AFROTECH. Gibson also says that she fell in love with her role at the VA, dedicating 23 years and steadily advancing through the ranks working in human resources (HR). According to information shared with AFROTECH, she was the VAs highest-ranking woman veteran responsible for human resources management and civil rights programs affecting 230,000 employees. In 2003, she ultimately landed a position at the FAA, working for nearly nine years in roles including assistant administrator for HR, deputy assistant secretary for human resource management at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and deputy assistant secretary for resolution management. Deciding To Work After Retiring She then retired, momentarily. I chose to retire, with a service history of nearly 35 years to the public. But, a lot of the work that I did, it was more about really applying oneself. My father raised us on good, better, best, never let it rest. Hed tell you good is better, and your better is best, she recalled. And I thought I gave the best of myself to my federal career, and I retired. Stay retired for nearly a year, and I received a lot of offers to come back and help the federal government in a number of different areas. Gibson returned to the workforce, taking on some short assignments, with some becoming more permanent. She received a call from Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington DC since 2015, and joined her senior executive team upon request, running HR for the citys 37,000 employees for seven years, she says. The First Black American To Lead The US Mint Gibson then was going to re-retire until she received a call from the White House to work for the U.S. Mint. According to its website, it is tasked with manufacturing and distributing circulating, precious metal and collectible coins and national medals, and providing security over assets entrusted to the Mint. In October 2021, Gibson signed on as the acting director/deputy director, her LinkedIn mentions. After nine months, she was unanimously confirmed before the Senates oversight committee and became the 40th director of the U.S. Mint. She is the first Black American to assume this role. I hold on to my father and his career, and my mother and her sacrifice over the years of just being a mom, and how she reared us as well. I just feel honored, and I feel as if I can make a difference, Gibson reflected to AFROTECH. And I can also help through others to bring young women along and young men along, especially those who are people of color. The trailblazer shared that she has always worked in this space, serving veterans throughout her entire career with Veterans Affairs. I make sure that we take care of our nations veterans in employment and advancement and training, she continued. Now being the Mint Director, it gives me that opportunity to lead by example. Harriet Tubmans Legacy While Gibson made history in her latest role, she is also actively preserving history in the process. One of her immediate efforts has been honoring the legacy of the late Harriet Tubman born into slavery on a plantation in Dorchester County as Araminta Minty Ross and later escaped to freedom who is renowned for her role as a conductor of the Underground Railroad. On her own, she freed an estimated 70 people between 13 trips to Maryland, which included family and friends. This was in the midst of a traumatic blow to the head as a child from a heavy metal weight that was thrown by an overseer, but intended to hit an enslaved man. It would later be discovered the injury likely caused temporal lobe epilepsy. As a result, Tubman had various seizures and blackout spells throughout her lifetime, which resulted in intense visions she interpreted as guidance from God that instructed her steps and timing on the Underground Railroad, according to information shared by The Harriet Tubman Home Inc. Visitor Center. Can you imagine this? You have a levy on your head. You have dogs chasing you. You have people on horses that all they want to do is kill you and those with you, because youre trying to escape, Gibson said to AFROTECH. She went 13 times back and forth between Maryland and Pennsylvania to free slaves, and she didnt lose one person. Tubman also served in the Union Army, taking on multiple roles such as nurse, Army scout, and spy. One of her most significant achievements was leading the military operation, Combahee River Raid, freeing 700 people from captivity in South Carolina with the help of Black Union soldiers. She was also a political activist, mother, and an entrepreneur who sold pies and did not hesitate to give her last dollar as a philanthropist. She was also selfless, educated on bioregional herbalism, and a long-time member at the Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Auburn, NY, where she spent the last 54 years of her life. 2024 Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program The U.S. Mint is honoring Tubmans contributions to society and longstanding legacy through the Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program, which rolled out on Jan. 4, 2024, per a news release. It includes $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins. Its creation was the result of Public Law 117-163, the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act, according to a press release from the U.S. Mint. U.S. Mint When we think about Harriet Tubman and the sacrifice she made, she is one of my favorite heroes, Gibson expressed. Thus, when her commemorative coin came out, it resonated with me because I embrace that she sacrificed so much to lead people from being enslaved to freedom. While we arent called to do that today, we are called upon to make a difference. Were called upon to be exceptional leaders. Furthermore, the coin designs detail Tubmans life and contributions across three phases of her life: Silver coins (Underground Railroad) Half-dollar clad coins (Civil War Era) Gold coins (life after the Civil War) I just want kids to know what her sacrifice was for us as a people This is a woman who defied the odds in every way to get us to freedom today, Gibson said. We have an obligation now as a people to ensure that not only is she remembered and commemorated and celebrated, but also that we take the necessary steps now to help others, to make sure that our brothers and sisters have the same experience of getting to a place where they can succeed. Ventris C. Gibson / U.S. Mint Generational Wealth Gibson alludes to another benefit of purchasing from Tubmans coin collection, and that is investing. According to CBS News, gold coins have the potential to increase in value as time goes on. In fact, the outlet notes that in March 2024, the price of gold reached a record-breaking $2,160.00 per ounce. That number increased to $2,334.53 per ounce by April 8, 2024. This is worth paying attention to, particularly in Black communities. Data from 2019 shows that Black families had a median wealth of $24,100 and a mean wealth of $142,500, whereas white families reported a median wealth of $188,200 and a mean wealth of $983,400, per the Federal Reserve. As people strive to narrow the wealth divide, coin collecting may serve as a practical stepping stone. A number of people Ive talked with, their coins collections [are] in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. If they were to take it to a dealer or something, and trade it in, theyd be amazed at what might be a financial win, Gibson said. It is also an easier way to invest. Sometimes, not everyone understands mutual funds, where this is just purchase and keep it locked up somewhere, and just watch the market as it pertains to gold. If you happen to need to sell the gold, you get a pretty penny for it. U.S. Mint Proceeds For those who are looking to purchase from the collection, it is attached to a $35 surcharge, which is being allocated to support the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, OH, and the Harriet Tubman Home. Gibson says nearly 50,000 coins have been sold, and this has contributed to at least $800,000 in donations to the aforementioned organizations. Were hopeful that over the next three months, we can certainly do more to ensure that both the Freedom Center and her home have what it needs to further educate, inform people going forward about Harriet Tubman and her quest for freedom, Gibson noted. Harriet Tubmans home located in Auburn, NY 13021 The collection will be available to purchase until Dec. 31, 2024. The city of Linhares, Brazil, has granted legal rights to the waves at the mouth of the Dolce River, the first instance in which a government has conferred rights upon part of the ocean. The city is aiming to better protect its coastal waters in the wake of the 2015 collapse of the Fundao dam. The dam held back more than 10 billion gallons of waste at an iron mine upstream, and when it failed, a wave of sludge poured into the Doce River. Over time, the sludge built up at the mouth of the waterway, weakening the waves that had long drawn surfers to Linhares. The waves were only restored in 2022 after a flood cleared out the buildup. In June of this year, the city approved a bill declaring that its waves have the right to continue breaking perfectly at the mouth of the Doce River, and in August it codified the measure, Hakai reports. The new law requires Linhares to protect the natural flow of the river and to guard it from pollution. It must also safeguard connected waters. Latin America has been at the forefront of the global movement to grant legal rights to nature. In 2008, Ecuador was the first country to recognize the rights of nature in its national constitution, and in 2011 Bolivia was the first to do so in national legislation. The high court of Colombia has recognized the rights of rivers, a lake, and a national park. By one estimate, 80 percent of national initiatives recognizing the rights of nature can be found in the Americas. ALSO ON YALE E360 Jared Kushner Has Big Plans for Delta of Europes Last Wild River DAMASCUS, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 people were killed and 43 others wounded from overnight Israeli airstrikes in Syria's central Hama province, the state news agency SANA said on Monday. Among the injured, six remain in critical condition, Faisal Haidar, the director of Masyaf National Hospital in Hama province, was quoted as saying by SANA. Earlier in the day, the Syrian Defense Ministry confirmed that at least four people were killed and 15 others injured in Israeli air attacks late Sunday night on military sites in central Syria. First case of human bird flu diagnosed without exposure to infected animals, CDC says First case of human bird flu diagnosed without exposure to infected animals, CDC says A patient in Missouri was hospitalized with bird flu despite having no known contact with animals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the positive case of avian influenza A (H5) on Friday. The patient, who had underlying medical conditions, was successfully treated with antiviral medications at the hospital and has since been discharged, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). 3 DEATHS REPORTED AFTER LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE OUTBREAK AT SENIOR LIVING FACILITY This marks the 14th person (in three states) to contract bird flu in the U.S. this year and the first infection to occur without any reported exposure to sick or infected animals, the CDC alert stated. The prior 13 cases came after exposure to dairy cows or poultry. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The CDC has confirmed the positive case of avian influenza A (H5) without any known exposure to animals. Dr. Benjamin Anderson, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Global Health at the University of Florida, said the fact that an individual has tested positive for H5 without any reported animal exposure is "very concerning," but noted that very little is known about the case. "We dont know if the individual had indirect exposure to people or products from agricultural settings," he told Fox News Digital. VALLEY FEVER OUTBREAK REPORTED AFTER CALIFORNIA MUSIC FESTIVAL AS HEALTH OFFICIALS CITE 'HOTSPOT' "We also do not yet know the sequence of the virus to determine if it is related to the strains circulating in dairy cattle or not." A full epidemiological investigation is necessary to determine all potential paths of exposure, Anderson said. "This is definitely something we need to pay very close attention to." Dr. Edward Liu, chief of infectious diseases at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, echoed the concern about human-to-human spread. "When that happens, you won't see an animal vector or source," he told Fox News Digital. A full epidemiological investigation is necessary to determine all potential paths of exposure, said an infectious disease expert. "One of the underlying concerns is that the avian influenza will adapt itself to be more efficient at replicating in humans and better at spreading in respiratory droplets and secretions." Liu also emphasized that current testing for avian influenza is limited. WHAT IS EEE, THE MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASE THAT KILLED A NEW HAMPSHIRE MAN? "Knowing it is influenza A doesn't mean it is avian influenza," he said. "The confirmation of avian influenza requires another step to send it to the state health department or CDC so we may be measuring the tip of an iceberg. If our cases of influenza A spike, we need to test more samples to see if some are avian influenza." This marks the 14th person to contract bird flu in the U.S. this year. The prior 13 cases came after exposure to dairy cows or poultry. Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center , noted that while there hasnt been evidence of animal exposure, "most likely there was." "There has been no evidence of any human-to-human spread at this point," he told Fox News Digital. "Surveillance, wastewater analysis and control in animals are key." The biggest concern for bird flu right now, according to Anderson, is the potential for it to evolve and gain human-to-human transmission ability. "Influenza viruses can evolve over time through the accumulation of small point mutations in their genetic sequence," he said. "However, they can also evolve very rapidly through what is called recombination when two or more influenza viruses infecting the same host exchange their genetic material and make a new strain of virus." COVID VACCINE DISTRUST GROWING AMONG AMERICANS, SURVEY FINDS: SHOULD BE A PERSONAL CHOICE The more this strain of influenza virus circulates, the greater the potential for recombination to occur, the doctor said. "Right now, the highest-risk human groups are individuals with dairy cow and poultry exposure in areas where spillovers of bird flu have been documented," Anderson said. Bird flu is not currently in the seasonal influenza vaccine, although the immunization may still provide some protection, one expert said. So far, those who have contracted the dairy cow strain of influenza virus have mostly had mild infections, the doctor noted. "However, we know these viruses change quickly, so we need to continue to be vigilant in monitoring their circulation." Another risk is that avian influenza may cause more severe disease than regular influenza, Liu cautioned. "It is not currently in our seasonal influenza vaccine, although the vaccine may still provide some protection," he said. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "Luckily, current prescription antivirals, like Tamiflu, can still treat avian influenza." As with other flu strains, avian influenza will likely pose a greater risk to older patients, young children, immunocompromised patients, and those with chronic lung, cardiac or kidney disease, the doctor added. Overall, Siegel said, bird flu poses "no current concern unless it mutates further." "It needs to be monitored closely," he added. "If it starts to pass from human to human, it could be a huge problem, but we aren't there." For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health The CDC stated on Friday that the public risk for bird flu infection remains low. The agency will continue to investigate the specimen from the human patient, and the Missouri DHSS is looking into potential means of exposure. Fox News Digital reached out to the Missouri DHSS for comment. Original article source: First case of human bird flu diagnosed without exposure to infected animals, CDC says For London, Kentucky, Mayor Randall Weddle the past two days have been intense, yet hes also seen the community come together in beautiful ways. The small town about 75 miles south of Lexington was thrust into the spotlight this weekend when shootings occurred along Interstate 75, injuring five people. As of Monday afternoon, the search for suspected shooter Joseph A. Couch is continuing, and none of the injuries has been fatal. Couch has been charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault, according to Commonwealths Attorney Jackie Steele, the felony prosecutor for Laurel County, for allegedly shooting into cars on Interstate 75 on Saturday near London, Kentucky. Five people were seriously injured as a result. Weddle said theres a real eerie feeling in town as Couchs location remains unknown. At least nine Kentucky school districts and a community college campus closed Monday as police continued the search. I dont know that as an elected official, as a leader, youre prepared for this, Weddle told the Herald-Leader Monday afternoon. What we know about the shootings on I-75 in Kentucky London has around 7,500 residents, according to U.S. Census data, and is home to one of the nations busiest north-south interstates. Theres just great people here, and we see it in this troubling time, Weddle said. The communitys come together, feeding first responders, donating water, food. In the town itself, you wont find a more loving, inviting town in the state. We have many great ones, but Im partial to London. Weddle has been mayor for two years, and said when he was elected, his priorities were on improving infrastructure and opportunities in his community. When he heard about the shootings this weekend, he was shocked, but knew he had to spring into action. You just never think that this is going to actually happen, Weddle said. When it happened, I didnt know what to think, other than shock. First disbelief, then shock. Weddle said he has been grateful for the support from local, state and national government, and the ways hes seen the community come together. He encouraged people to remain calm, but smart, over the coming days. I do not want one crazed individual that chose violence to control us, but we have to use common sense and be vigilant and to remember we are Kentucky proud and were going to get through this, Weddle said. But for the next several hours or the next several days, use common sense. Be vigilant, but dont become so paranoid and dont let this control you so much that its sending you into a panic. Weddle also urged people to use caution when it comes to seeing misinformation about the shootings on social media. Seek out information from authorities like law enforcement or government for the most accurate and up-to-date information, he said. The search for Couch continued on Monday as authorities searched the rugged, wooded terrain in Laurel County. The search for Joseph Couch continues by state, local and federal partners. The video below provides a snapshot of the vast area we have to cover. Trooper Scottie Pennington, KSP Post 11 pic.twitter.com/fWYOsvvS4k KY State Police (@kystatepolice) September 9, 2024 Police could also charge Couch with wanton endangerment and criminal mischief for shooting into other cars where people were not hurt. An anonymous donor has offered a $10,000 gift to the sheriffs office for information leading to Couchs capture, and the Kentucky State Police is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest. Police said Couch is believed to have shot into 12 cars on I-75 at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday from a vantage point on a ledge hillside overlooking the busy road in northern Laurel County. Four of the victims were transported to a hospital, while the fifth victim arrived at the hospital them self, according to an affidavit. Shortly before opening fire on unsuspecting travelers on Interstate 75, Joseph Couch sent a chilling text to his ex-wife pledging, Im going to kill a lot of people. He added, Well (Im going to) try at least. Couch sent a follow-up text: Ill kill myself afterwards... The stunning details emerged Monday in affidavits released by authorities connected to criminal charges slapped on the 32-year-old man. The documents were reviewed by the Herald-Leader. Police have not released information on the motive for the shootings, and said they do not believe Couch was targeting specific people, but have recovered his vehicle and the AR-15 assault-style rifle they say likely was used in the shooting. Police have been searching for Couch in the heavily wooded area near the interstate since Saturday evening. The search is made more difficult by the rugged, wooded terrain where authorities are searching for Couch. Weddle posted pictures of the search area on Monday, which he described as a vast wooded area with many caves found within it. State, local and federal authorities are all involved in the search, Kentucky State Police said Monday. This year, the West Virginia First Foundation will award grants to initiatives that address four specific areas of response for the ongoing drug and overdose epidemic: diversion programs, youth prevention, child advocacy and recovery housing. (Leann Ray | West Virginia Watch) As the West Virginia First Foundation initiates its first grant cycle over the next month, board members who approved the process on Thursday were clear: future grant cycles will be much different. Executive Director Jonathan Board said Thursday that efforts were moving forward with the creation of a request for proposals for a statewide needs assessment survey. Once its made, the boards RFP committee which, like all committees of the First Foundation, will not meet publicly will review the RFP before sending it to the full board for approval. When its completed, the needs assessment which board member Jon Dower described as being a living document that changes over time will be used in future grant cycles to better target gaps in care that need to be addressed throughout the state. I think its worth reiterating that this [the process for the current grant cycle] is a one time process that well be looking at again in our next funding phase to look at what those priorities for funding are, said Dr. Matthew Christiansen, the state health officer and a member of the board. So this isnt the end all be all but it is the goal of the board to get some money out the door as quickly as we can. This year, grants are being awarded for initiatives that address four specific areas of response for the ongoing drug and overdose epidemic: Diversion programs to keep people out of the criminal justice system Youth prevention and workforce development Programming to support children, babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome and families affected by substance use disorder Expansion of transitional and recovery housing Dower described these areas as low hanging fruit, saying that without a completed needs assessment survey, those areas were the easiest to put money into at this time. [This is a] one off, [the 2024 process] had to be influenced by the local knowledge, the wisdom of those around us, Board said. In the future of course that will continue, but well bolster it all with the needs assessment not in the traditional sense but as something unique, something that lives on. And as the First Foundation board prepares to distribute money read more about that process and how to apply here other work is moving forward for the private nonprofit, as well. The board approved several administrative policies for gift acceptance, whistleblowing and records retention standards during Thursdays meeting. No discussion was held for those policies, which Board described as being the industry standard, and they were not available on the organizations website as of Friday afternoon. Board said these policies needed to be put in place in order for the Foundation to move forward with hiring staff and expanding the executive team. Last month, it was announced that Board would be hiring at least five full time, executive staff members for the foundation: a chief operating officer, a chief marketing officer, a chief financial officer, a programs director and a chief of staff. No budget has been approved or shared for these positions. Board said that thereve been some great conversations [and] some great interviews with candidates for the staff positions. I think even some letters have gone out and well see where that goes, so stay tuned because I think theres going to be some very good news on that, Board said. More changes are on the way for the foundation, as well: website improvements are coming along, Board said, and work is beginning on investments for the money currently in the foundations bank account. Next week, Board said, there will be even more news though details at this time are limited. I think were going to have some very very exciting news, probably next week. Put it on the clock, hopefully next week, in regards to some new partners and physical locations for the foundation, Board said. The West Virginia First Foundation is a private nonprofit organization created by the state Legislature and the West Virginia attorney general. It is tasked with holding and distributing an expected $1 billion in state opioid settlement funds over the next 10 years. The First Foundation meets regularly via Zoom at 2 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Five House Democrats to watch in the fight over government funding Five House Democrats to watch in the fight over government funding The fight over government funding is officially underway and all eyes will be on five Democrats in tight races who supported a controversial GOP proposal over the summer that is now attached to a stopgap meant to avert a shutdown. The gambit from Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) pairs a six-month continuing resolution with a bill to require proof of citizenship to register to vote, titled the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a strategy favored by hardline conservatives and former President Trump. Johnson has vowed to put the measure on the floor as soon as possible and is working to corral his conference around the plan. The House approved the SAVE Act as a standalone bill in July, clearing the legislation in a 221-198 vote with all Republicans and five Democrats backing the measure. That quintet of moderate Democrats, most of whom are in close re-election races, is now coming under intense focus, as Republicans put pressure on the group to vote for the legislation again this time when it is attached to a stopgap that top Democrats are bashing. Johnson can only afford to lose four Republican votes, and two members of his conference have already come out against the CR, so a defection from one or more Democrats would give him more breathing room. Recall the SAVE Act (I introduced it HR8281) passed with 5 Democrats voting for it (and others privately wanting to). If they vote no with it attached to a funding bill that funds government to March its pure politics, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), the lead sponsor of the SAVE Act, wrote on X last week. Here are the five House Democrats to watch in the debate over government funding. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) gives an opening statement during a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security hearing to discuss the Presidents F.Y. 2025 budget with Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Cuellar has had an independent streak in the House for years, frequently breaking from the rest of the Democratic Caucus on messaging bills that come up for a vote in the House. That track record was on full display during the vote on the SAVE Act in July. Cuellar did not comment on his vote in July, and his office did not respond to questions from The Hill about his stance. His office also did not respond to requests for comment on how he plans to vote on the CR-plus-SAVE Act. But the pressure on him comes as the 10-term incumbent is facing a challenge from Republican Navy veteran Jay Furman, who won a GOP primary runoff in May. Cuellar has beaten back re-election challenges in the past, but this years comes under a unique backdrop: the Congressman and his wife were charged with bribery and acting as a foreign agent in May, allegations that the couple pleaded not guilty to. Cook Political Report says the race is likely Democrat. Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.) Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.) participates in a photo op for newly elected House members for the 118th session of Congress outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Davis, a first-term lawmaker, supported the GOPs version of the annual defense bill which included a number of conservative amendments last July, he broke with the Democratic Party to denounce Bidens open-border policies in January, and earlier this year, the congressman voted for the SAVE Act, a moderate streak that is reflective of his highly competitive race this fall. The North Carolina Democrat is facing off against Republican Laurie Buckhout, a retired Army colonel, and Libertarian candidate Tim Bailey in November. The race, which Cook Political Report rates a toss-up, has been dubbed by some as the most competitive congressional election in the Tar Heel state this cycle. The race comes at a crucial moment for North Carolina Democrats. Because of redistricting, Republicans are poised to pick up at least three, and maybe four, seats in the 14-member delegation this fall, a dynamic that makes Daviss re-election bid all that more important. Daviss office did not respond to questions about his vote on the SAVE Act in July or how he plans to vote on the CR-plus-SAVE Act measure. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) is seen during a press conference on Thursday, January 18, 2024 following a mark up of the Fiscal Commission Act. Golden is no stranger being at odds with his Democratic colleagues in the House including on votes regarding gun safety, weapons shipments to Israel and when he voted for the SAVE Act in July. More recently, Golden has refused to endorse Vice President Harris as the partys nominee, opting to remain on the sidelines as the election heads into the final stretch. In a statement in July, Golden said Harris has to earn his support. I expect to have to work to earn Mainers votes and our candidates for president should expect the same, Golden said in a statement. Kamala Harris has been a candidate for president for less than a week and I look forward to learning more what kind of leader she would be. The moderate stance comes as Golden is facing off against Maine state Rep. Austin Theriault (R) in the 2nd Congressional District, a race that Cook Political Report rates a toss-up. Theriault is backed by former President Trump. Goldens office declined to comment when asked by The Hill about the congressmans July vote for the SAVE Act and how he plans to vote on the CR-plus-SAVE Act effort. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) waves during a press conference on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 to introduce Democratic members of the newly-formed Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth. Gonzalez, who has served in the House since 2017, has supported a handful of GOP-led measures this Congress, including a resolution condemning attacks on anti-abortion facilities, groups, and churches; a resolution dinging Biden for his administrations open-border policies; and the SAVE Act. That moderate run comes as Gonzales is facing a re-match against former Rep. Mayra Flores (R-Texas), whom the incumbent beat in 2022. Flores had a short stint in Congress, winning the seat in a special election for Texass 34th Congressional District to replace former Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas). Gonzalez moved from the 15th to the 24th congressional district after redistricting. In April, The Texas Tribune reported that Flores was outraising Gonzalez by more than 2-to-1. Cook Political Report rates the seat a lean Democrat. Gonzalezs office did not respond to several requests from The Hill for comment on the Congressmans vote for the SAVE Act in July, or his thoughts on the CR-plus-SAVE Act that Johnson plans to put on the floor this month. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) Rep.-elect Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) is seen during the seventh ballot for Speaker on the third day of the 118th session of Congress on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Perez, who was first elected to the House in 2022, represents Washingtons 3rd Congressional District, which has a checkered political history. The district has been represented by Democrats and Republicans in the past two decades, and it broke for both former presidents Obama and Trump. That purple flair has influenced Perezs voting record in the House, where she has frequently taken stances against the party including siding with Republicans in support of the SAVE Act. And it could place pressure on her to support the CR-plus-SAVE Act when it hits the floor later this month. Perez is now staring down a competitive election in November, with Republican Joe Kent making another attempt at ousting the Washington Democrat from her seat. Kent defeated then-Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) in the GOP primary in 2022, removing a Republican who voted to impeach former President Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. But Perez, a former co-owner of an auto repair shop, beat Kent in the general election by less than one percentage point, moving the district from Republican to Democratic hands. Perezs office did not respond to repeated request for comment on her vote in favor or the SAVE Act in July, or her thoughts on the CR-plus-SAVE Act package. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Five more charged over disorder in city Police and protesters clashed in Hanley on 3 August [BBC] Four men have been charged with violent disorder after clashes in Stoke-on-Trent amid a wave of unrest in the UK. Dominic Cartwright, 34, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, was also charged with obstructing or resisting a constable in execution of their duty. Also charged with violent disorder were Matthew Hodgekinson, 33, and Daniel Bagguley, 31, both of Newcastle-under-Lyme; and Aaron Dring, 26, of Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. A 17-year-old boy from Stoke-on-Trent was also charged with possession of a knife in a public place and assault occasioning actual body harm, said Staffordshire Police. The five were arrested after disorder in Hanley on 3 August. Mr Bagguley is due to appear at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 13 September and Mr Hodgekinson on the 19 September. Mr Cartwright and Mr Dring will appear at the same court on 20 September. All four were remanded into custody ahead of their court appearances. Police said the 17-year-old was released on conditional bail to appear at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre in October. The force said officers had now arrested 73 people and charged 30 over disorder in Stoke-on-Trent on 3 August and in Tamworth the following day. Riots and anti-immigration protests took place in the UK at the start of August. The unrest followed the fatal stabbings of three girls in Southport in July and was fuelled by false online rumours online that the suspect in the killings was an asylum seeker. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Related internet links Five Things Black People Need Kamala Harris to Ask Donald Trump on the Debate Stage Its been a long time coming, but for the first time ever Vice President Kamala Harris will face former President Donald Trump on the ABC debate stage. The Sept. 10 battle will finally allow the two candidates to not only meet in person for the first time ever but answer all the burning questions and concerns from American voters live. With only 56 days until election day, Trump has some explaining to do and Harris is the only one that can get down to business. 1. Say her name right! First things first, its pronounced comma-luh. The democratic nominee has made it clear time and time again, and even her grand nieces took to the Democratic National Convention stage to teach viewers how to say Kamala correctly. So why does Trump have such a hard time doing so? Trump: And by the way, there are numerous ways of saying her name, they were explaining to me, you can say Kamala, you can say Kamala, I said, don't worry about it. It doesn't matter what I say. I couldn't care less if I mispronounce it pic.twitter.com/PuwbKOawao Acyn (@Acyn) July 27, 2024 Recently the GOP nominee told his supporters he couldnt care less if he pronounces her name wrong, saying hes heard it pronounced seven different ways. Well Trump, theres only one correct way to say her name, and The Root hopes Harris will make it painfully clear to you tomorrow night. 2. Im a better looking person than Kamala Yeah... right. Trump is no stranger to making outrageous claims, but we were collectively confused when the former president made a quip flat out saying hes cuter than Harris. She never addressed it publicly not that she ever needed to but the people need Harris to clap back at Trumps claim. 3. All his racist remarks The former president not only has claimed his opponent turned Black in a political stunt, but hes even been accused by his own nephew of saying the n-word multiple times. We can go on and on listing every nasty thing Trump said in the past, but enough of us talking. We want Harris to speak up! Donald Trumps racist remarks about immigrants during todays Moms for Liberty meeting: Our country is being poisoned theyre going into the classrooms and taking disease, and they dont even speak English. Its crazy. pic.twitter.com/0ZrocxkYMV Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) August 31, 2024 For the Black, Hispanic, Muslim, and all other minority communities, Harris should absolutely call him out with receipts of course and make him answer to his incendiary comments. 4. Police Immunity Now, Trump has said it multiple times, but the debate stage would be the perfect time for him to clarify exactly what he means by police immunity. He tried (barely) to explain at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention saying we need to have our police officers have the respect and dignity back. Presidential debates are the perfect opportunity for candidates to explain their proposed policies while also answering the questions from the other side. So as a former prosecutor and attorney general, Vice President Harris, we hope you question Trumps motive behind his vague yet dangerous proposed plan. 5. And what do you mean by Black jobs?! The Root is not over it, and neither should you be. Trumps been questioned about his strange Black jobs comment before, but in the words of Harris herself, we need him to say it to my face! Watch the audience laugh at Trump as he makes a fool of himself trying to explain what he calls Black jobs. (Video: CNN) pic.twitter.com/GoZHWcdU2C Mike Sington (@MikeSington) July 31, 2024 Oh yeah, and we hope Harris shuts down his repetitive ploy that she is incompetent because she failed her law exam. Because her law degree from the University of California Hastings College of the Law says otherwise... The stage is set for this debate to be one for the history books, so lets see how this goes. You can watch the presidential debate live on any of your favorite TV networks or stream it on YouTube. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida couple was among the five people who were shot on Interstate 75 in Kentucky on Saturday. According to a report from NBC affiliate WBBH, Renee Walker and Erick Tabin of Fort Myers were hospitalized after a gunman opened fire at cars on the interstate in Laurel County, Kentucky. Schools shut down amid manhunt for Kentucky highway shooting suspect Walker told WBBH she has since been discharged from the hospital, but Tabin is still recovering from his injuries and in stable condition. Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspected shooter, Joseph Couch. He is accused of shooting nine vehicles and injuring five people. Officials have recovered Couchs SUV and the gun believed to have been used in the shooting, but Couch remains armed and dangerous, 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 WFLA. Floridas physician assistants want to practice primary care independently: What to know about PAs Janice Cohen, of Boynton Beach, refused to wait another four weeks to get an appointment with her primary care doctor. When offered a visit with a physician assistant, she reluctantly agreed. The experience, she says, proved to be a good one. She took much more time with me than a doctor ever would, Cohen said. More often, a medical appointment now involves interaction with a physician assistant, particularly in Florida, where a doctor shortage has led to long wait times. Also known as physician associates, they see patients in primary care practices and urgent care centers and work for specialists, including cardiologists and pediatricians. They help fill a gap in Florida caused by retiring doctors and a smaller pipeline of medical students available to cater to the states aging population. (In fact, the demand for physician assistants is expected to increase 28% by 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Floridas 16 master degree-level accredited educational programs are working to meet the need.) Those in the profession acknowledge that patients often dont understand their role, even as they seek to push new laws in Florida that remove the requirement for physicians to supervise them in primary care after a set number of years of practice. If we do become more independent, it would require marketing, said Marilyn Suri, the south regional director for the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants. Part of the issue we have now is patients dont know who we are and how capable we are. We have to educate the public a lot more. A 2024 Harris Poll of 2,519 adults age 18 and older found many didnt always understand the role of a physician assistant but those who do believe PAs play an important role in meeting peoples healthcare needs. Nearly 80% of adults polled rated the medical care they had received from their PA in the previous 12 months as good or excellent, and nearly two-thirds said they would trust a PA to be their primary healthcare provider. Suri said the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants plans to lobby the Florida Legislature during the next session to allow PAs to independently practice primary care in Florida without a doctors supervision. Removing supervision requirements for PAs and replacing them with collaboration has already been approved in multiple states. Suri works as a physician assistant in pulmonary critical care at Jackson Health North and said typically, physician assistant education is focused on primary care. We take a board exam that encompasses primary care knowledge, she said. I cant say I did the same amount of schooling as a neurosurgeon, but I did enough to practice on my own in primary care. The academy sees this change in the law as significant for improving healthcare access, allowing PAs to fill the need in some areas of the state where the physician shortage has left gaps in care. However, medical organizations in the state are likely to oppose the change. The Florida Medical Association has said it opposes expanding the scope of physician assistants activities beyond the current law. Dr. Jason Goldman, immediate past president of the Florida Medical Association, said PAs are a necessary part of the healthcare team but lack the depth of education and training that physicians receive. They are there to help physicians in their duties. They do not have the training, skills or ability to practice independently, said Goldman, who also is president-elect of the American College of Physicians. It would be bad for patient care. They dont know what they dont know. Ray Berry, CEO at Health Business Solutions in Broward County, said health systems are struggling to hire doctors, and PAs help fill the need, but they are not equal to physicians. Berry said he would rather see more efforts to train and keep medical residents in Florida rather than rely on physician assistants to fill the need. They are a stopgap for routine things, Berry said. But M.D.s go through a lot of education, so for anything complex I would want an M.D. HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS? The profession has been around since 1967 and is one of the fastest-growing in the United States. Physician assistants see patients of all ages in nearly all specialty and primary care areas, diagnosing and treating common illnesses. Below are a few things to know about physician assistants. They can do almost as much as doctors. Physician assistants can perform many routine tasks of a primary care doctor, such as taking medical histories, examining patients, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications, ordering tests, performing procedures, assisting in surgery, and making rounds at hospitals and nursing homes. In Florida, they do this under the supervision of a licensed physician. The supervising physician doesnt need to be in the room when the physician assistant provides care but must be available for consultation. State law now says a physician can supervise up to 10 PAs at a time Since 2021, the Florida Legislature has given physician assistants the ability to do more, including order Medicaid home healthcare after an examination, prescribe a two-week supply of psychotropic drugs to minors, supervise medical assistants, and bill and receive payments from insurers. They get a different education than doctors. Some Floridians admit to being reluctant to see a PA, concerned about the differing level of knowledge. Edward Cripe, of Fort Lauderdale, said he has seen a physician assistant in his cardiologists office and found her helpful. However, he added: I would prefer to have an M.D. as my primary care doctor. I saw a physician assistant at a primary care office to the total exclusion of the actual doctor, said Judy Ellis, 83, of St. Petersburg, who wrote to the South Florida Sun Sentinel about her experience with healthcare. At my age, its important for the doctor to listen to my heart to see if Im starting to grow something in the cardiology department thats going to require specialized attention And you wonder if the PA has the training and the knowledge to recognize a situation like that. So, what is the difference in education? PAs dont go to medical school like doctors and they dont do residency or fellowship programs. Instead, they complete a 27-month masters degree program that focuses on practical patient-care skills. Then, they get hands-on training by working under a doctors supervision. Like primary care doctors, they refer patients to specialists when warranted. So, overall, doctors receive more education and do more hands-on training in their specialty. A doctor usually gets 11 years of education following high school, while a PA gets six to seven. In Florida, PAs must do 2,000 hours of clinical rotations. (The average student has already completed more than 3,000 hours of direct patient contact experience before entering PA school) A specialty-trained physician does 9,000 to 10,000 hours of clinical training before being licensed, according to the Florida Board of Medicine. In Florida, PAs take a board certification exam administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Those who pass then need a license from the Florida Board of Medicine, which is the same entity that licenses the states doctors. To maintain certification, a PA must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) credits every two years and take a recertification exam every 10 years. They have a different depth of knowledge when they first start out. Doctors enter their specialty with a deeper understanding of complex medical issues than do PAs, who undergo a shorter, focused training program. However, Suri said that after 12 years of experience, her knowledge of the specialty in which she works pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine is extensive. She said she has learned on the job by working hands-on, side by side with physicians. I am still practicing under the supervision of a doctor, but I am extremely confident and I train residents. That speaks volumes in itself, she said. I work as a team with physicians. They earn less than doctors. More than 125,000 PAs were practicing last year in the United States; their median annual pay was $115,390. By comparison, the median annual pay for a family physician in 2020 was $207,380, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They can work in various settings and also specialize. Physician assistants practice in a wide range of specialties and work settings, which likely is why a 2023 Harris Poll found more than two-thirds of U.S. adults (68%) have seen a PA, and of those, nearly six in 10 (58%) have seen the same PA more than once. In Florida, PAs work in all medical specialties and settings, including in-patient and outpatient clinics, hospitals, urgent cares and specialty offices, Diana Cherkiss, director of the PA program at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, said students in NSUs PA programs do a rotation through specialized areas of medicine, can take electives in any specialty they wish to pursue, then undergo training under supervision. The same three years an MD is doing residency, PAs are doing training with a supervising physician, said Cherkiss, who is a PA at Memorial Hospital Miramar. We deepen our knowledge on the job. She said PAs know the limitations of their knowledge and refer patients to specialists if needed: They work collaboratively on any type of complicated case. South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com. Marijuana products are seen on display at Apothecarium Dispensary on April 21, 2022, in Maplewood, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Members of the Florida Democratic Senate caucus came out formally in support of Amendment 3 on Monday the constitutional amendment that would legalize recreational use of cannabis in Florida thats on the Nov. 5 ballot. This isnt strictly a partisan issue, incoming Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo from South Florida said in kicking off the Zoom press conference. Amendment 3 will garner more votes from registered voters on Nov. 5 than any candidate, and thats the bottom line, and that certainly doesnt happen just by registered Democratic voters, NPAs, or Republicans alone, he later added. Pizzos prediction that the measure will draw bipartisan support has been reflected in polls as well as in endorsements none bigger than from the most consequential Republican in the country, former President Donald J. Trump, who came out and formally backed the measure on Sunday night. But the proposal is adamantly opposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as the Republican Party of Florida and the Florida Sheriffs Association. The Vote No on 3 campaign released their first television ad this weekend, alleging that the proposal isnt the marijuana amendment, its the monopoly amendment, a reference to the fact that Trulieve, the states biggest marijuana company, has spent more than $60 million to get the measure over the finish line this fall. In response, Orange County Democratic Sen.-elect Carlos Guillermo Smith insisted there is nothing in Amendment 3s language that would preclude the Legislature from removing the states vertical integration of the cannabis industry, which requires that a company must control every aspect of its cannabis operations. He said it would be preferable if companies could compete for just one part of the business operation, such as distribution, retail, or cultivation. Despite legal and legislative challenges, the vertical integration requirement continues to exist. The Welsh government has defended the first minister's summer listening exercise after it was accused by Plaid Cymru of being a public relations stunt. Eluned Morgan has said that she spent the weeks following her appointment as first minister to listen the concerns of voters. But she has declined to answer questions from Plaid Cymru about what the aims and objectives of the exercise were and how it would be evaluated. The Welsh government said the first minister said her discussions will "be used to help her set the Welsh government's priorities", to be announced at the start of the Senedd term. Ms Morgan told the BBC podcast Newscast last week that she spent the summer getting out, listening to what people have to say all over Wales, getting a really unfiltered view of what they think we should be doing. Part of the problem of being in power for so long as Labour has in Wales 25 years governing Wales is how do you reinvent yourself while youre in office? For me the important thing is to make sure that you reflect on the priorities of the public. She listed challenges in the NHS and 20mph as things that had been brought up, admitting the way the 20mph zones had been brought in had caused problems. Videos posted by the Welsh government to social media network X have showed Eluned Morgan speaking to the public in Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfil and parts of North Wales. Welsh Labour has also run an online questionnaire. But Ms Morgan's exercise - which Nation.Cymru has reported had no scheduled events - has raised questions from opposition parties about how it would work, and its substance. 'Priorities' In August Plaid Cymrus Rhun ap Iorwerth used a written question to ask what the aims and objectives were for the exercise, how it would be evaluated against them and how the data would be collected. Ms Morgan declined to respond to the points, instead referring him him to a previous answer on the topic given to Conservative Sam Rowlands, who asked what form the exercise would take. The answer said: I am hearing about the issues that are important to people as part of my visits and engagements across Wales throughout the summer which will help me to shape the priorities and focus of the government to deliver for the people of Wales. Mr ap Iorwerth said: Much like many Labour Welsh government ambitions, the first ministers listening exercise has no measurable outcomes or evaluation process. It has proved to be little more than a PR stunt to try and curry favour with the public after months of Labour infighting. What was really required this summer was a government getting to work to address the significant challenges facing our economy and public services. A Welsh government spokesman said: "Throughout the summer, the first minister has been to communities across Wales to listen to local people talking about their hopes and concerns. It has also given people the chance to speak directly to the first minister and offer their spontaneous and unfiltered opinions about what really matters to them. The first minister was keen that the conversations were not orchestrated and they will be used to help her set the Welsh governments priorities. They will be announced at the start of the new Senedd term. Ms Morgan became first minister following the resignation of Vaughan Gething, who at the weekend announced he would be stepping down from the Senedd in 2026. He said he would not seek a ministerial job under the new Welsh Labour leader. Ms Morgan is expected to announce her full cabinet soon. SANAA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-British naval coalition launched an airstrike on Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Monday, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. The strike hit a location in the area of al-Jabanah in the western part of the city, the outlet said, without providing further information. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, rarely disclose their casualties. Eyewitnesses and local residents said on social media platforms that a warplane hit a Houthi military site, resulting in a huge explosion. The coalition has made no comment on the attack yet. On Sunday, the U.S. Central Command said on social media platform X that its naval forces destroyed three drones and two missile systems in the Houthi-controlled areas of northern Yemen. Since November last year, the Houthis have been launching anti-ship missiles and drone attacks targeting what the Houthis said were "Israeli-linked ships" in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to show solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In response, the U.S.-British naval coalition stationed in the waters has since January conducted regular air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets to deter the group from targeting cargo ships. The U.S. Army has renewed interest in new longer-range artillery shells, such as ramjet-powered types, following its axing of plans to buy a next-generation tracked self-propelled 155mm howitzer. The U.S. Army has renewed interest in new longer-range artillery shells, such as ramjet-powered types, following its axing of plans to buy a next-generation tracked self-propelled 155mm howitzer earlier this year. The service still sees a need for 155mm howitzers with greater reach in future conflicts and is also taking another look at potential options on the market now to succeed its much-upgraded M109-series types. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth talked about her services current focus areas when it comes to traditional tube artillery at the 2024 Defense News Conference last week. As part of the rollout of its proposed 2025 Fiscal Year budget back in March, the Army announced it would end work on the advanced XM1299 155mm self-propelled howitzer developed under its Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ECRA) program. Issues with the extremely long 58-caliber barrel were cited as a factor in that decision. Caliber as a unit of measurement for the length of large cannons is defined as how many multiples of the bore diameter it is long so a 58-caliber 155mm barrel is 8,990 millimeters, or almost 29 and a half feet, long. A prototype the US Army had used in the development of the XM1299. US Army Ana Henderson ERCA dates back to the mid-2010s and had been focused on developing a new howitzer capable of hitting targets at least 70 miles away, if not further. In testing XM1299 prototypes had demonstrated the ability to fire shells out to around 43 miles. The Armys latest M109A7 tracked 155mm self-propelled howitzers with their much shorter 39-caliber cannons have stated maximum ranges of just over 18 and a half miles using rocket-assisted ammunition. A US Army M109A7 155mm self-propelled howitzer. US Army We still believe that we have a requirement for, you know, sort of an artillery system with that kind of a range, Wormuth explained. I think we may also be looking at sort of what we call, you know, innovating at the round, looking at what can we do with the actual round to increase the range. Extending the range of howitzers has the two-fold effect of expanding the area they can hit from wherever they might be deployed and, by extension, helping to keep them further away from enemy artillery units and other potential threats. Wormuth did not offer any specific examples of the kinds of future artillery shells her service might be looking at now. However, back in May, the Army did put out a contracting notice seeking information about potential options for an Extended Range Artillery Projectile (ERAP) that could be fielded and produced at a rate of at least 300 shells per year by the end of the decade. The Army requires the solution to be compatible with current 39 caliber weapon systems and able to engage targets out to a minimum of 65 kilometers (km) [40 miles], according to that notice. The solution shall operate at the high-muzzle velocities required to achieve 70 km + [43+ miles] out of Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding compliant fielded 52 Caliber and developmental 155mm artillery weapon systems currently under consideration by the U.S. Army. The Army has been funding work on ramjet-powered and other advanced 155mm artillery shells under the Extended Range Artillery Munitions Suite (ERAMS) effort for some time now. Norways Nammo, which has been developing a ramjet type in cooperation with Boeing, has said its design could eventually be able to reach targets just over 93 miles (150 kilometers) away, depending on the howitzer used to fire it. BAE Systems says its XM1155-SC shell, which contains a smaller subcaliber projectile in a discarding sabot that is released after launch and heads to the target at a very high velocity, has an expected maximum range of just over 68 miles (110 kilometers), at least. The company says the round holds the record for the longest shot from an existing M109-series self-propelled howitzer. BAE Systems is the current manufacturer of the M109 family. A model of the XM1155-SC round. BAE Systems Last year, General Atomics also unveiled a concept for a glide munition with pop-out wings that could be fired from a traditional 155mm howitzer (as well as naval guns) that would have a significantly greater range than standard shells. The company has been pitching the Long Range Maneuvering Projectile (LRMP) as a potential cannon-launched anti-ship or even anti-aircraft weapon, in addition to use against ground targets. The Army has been separately working on a 155mm howitzer-based air defense system, which you can read more about here. A graphic showing the general form and function of General Atomics LRMP, and depicts them being fired from an M777 towed 155mm howitzer and the 5-inch main gun on a US Navy Arleigh Burke class destroyer. General Atomics Though the Army has axed the XM1299 and expects to continue operating M109-series howitzers for the foreseeable future, there is still a question of what may fire any new extended-range 155mm shells the Army acquires in the future. There are obviously companies that already make [artillery] systems that dont have quite the range that ECRA we hoped would give us, but comes quite close, Army Secretary Wormuth said last week. So I think were going to be looking at those kinds of offerings. At a hearing on Capitol Hill in May, Gen. James Rainey, head of Army Futures Command, highlighted continued potential Army interest in new wheeled self-propelled 155mm howitzers, as well as tracked designs. Wheeled self-propelled howitzers have been and continue to be very popular among Americas NATO allies, among others, and the Army has evaluated multiple in-production foreign-made types in the not-too-distant past. The service has also been looking at more novel 155mm and 105mm howitzer designs in recent years, including the Hawkeye Mobile Howitzer System (MHS), at least some of which have been sent to Ukraine. Last month, the Army did put out an extremely broad contracting notice to identify and preliminarily review the maturity of potentially offered self-propelled howitzer systems and to collect initial technical details of mature [self-propelled howitzer artillery] systems to inform USG [U.S. government analysis. The USG is interested in understanding the possible future modernization options for those systems, the notice adds. Its worth noting here that multiple companies, including BAE Systems, have offered upgrade packages for M109s that include 52-caliber cannons as far back as the 1990s. This is a course of action the Army has, so far, chosen not to pursue. An earlier next-generation 155mm self-propelled howitzer design, the XM2001 Crusader, was also canceled in 2002 ostensibly due to growing costs. An M109-series self-propelled howitzer with a 52-caliber cannon developed by BAE Systems. BAE Systems Its unclear whether the recent self-propelled howitzer request for information was specifically in relation to current Army requirements or reflects an interest in these capabilities in support of allies or partners, or both. Information regarding fielding to Ukraine may be considered, however the USG is most interested in understanding what maturation (testing, training, fielding, etc.) has been completed outside of the urgent Ukrainian situation, the contracting notice interestingly adds. Wheeled and tracked self-propelled howitzers have been seeing very active use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. For the Ukrainian military, members of the M109 family and other NATO-standard 155mm types, and ammunition for them, are in extremely high demand. The fighting in that country has underscored the continued value of traditional tube artillery, in general, in higher-end conflicts. The U.S. Army has been focused heavily on new ground-based ballistic and cruise missile systems in recent years. The services broader Long Range Fires plans envision an arsenal that also incorporates loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze munitions, launched via airborne and ground-based platforms, including high-altitude balloons and missiles with clusters of them as their warheads. At the same time, the expectation is that long-range missiles, in particular, will likely be reserved in large part for higher-priority targets, including ones in more heavily defended areas. Guided artillery rocket systems and howitzers will therefore continue to play a major part in future conflicts, especially to provide critical support closer to the tactical edge. A graphic the Army has previously released showing a notional operational view (OV) for how its planned Multi-Domain Sensing System (MDSS) system of systems might be employed in conjunction with other assets. Also depicted here are airborne and ground-based platforms delivering loitering munitions to target areas, including ones deep behind the front lines. US Army Howitzers, in general, continue to offer advantages over rockets and missiles when it comes to the total volume of fire they can put out and their ability to more readily shift focus from one target area within their range to another. Extending the range of tube artillery systems then increases the area within which those capabilities can be brought to bear. A single howitzer firing ammunition with a maximum range of 43 miles can hit anything within a circle covering almost 5,810 square miles around its fire position. A ramjet-powered round or another advanced type able to reach targets 70 miles away expands that area of coverage to some 15,000 square miles. Self-propelled types, especially more modern ones like Swedens Archer that can be made ready to fire and get back on the move relatively quickly, would add even more flexibility to the equation. All of this comes amid growing concerns about at least flat-lining defense budgets in the coming years, which are already prompting branches of the U.S. military to take hard looks at top-priority modernization programs, including efforts that previously seemed untouchable. The Army has separately outlined major force restructuring plans that emphasize new long-range missile, air and missile defense, and electronic and cyber warfare capabilities as it and the rest of Americas armed forces continue to shift their focus to preparing for future high-end conflicts. With the Army now reexamining its future howitzer plans, new longer-range shells could help it squeeze valuable additional capability out of the M109s it has now, as well as new types it might acquire down the road. Contact the author: joe@twz.com FOREST PARK, Ill. A Marine veteran who was among four victims killed in a shooting on a Blue Line train in Forest Park last week will be laid to rest on Tuesday thanks to the help of a local business. Simeon Bihesi, 28, was one of four people who were gunned down in the early morning hours on Labor Day while they slept on a CTA Blue Line train in the 700 block of Des Plaines Avenue in west suburban Forest Park. Bihesis family told WGN-TV that they were struggling to afford a proper burial, but thanks to the help of Buddy Bear Car Wash President Phil Degeratto, Bihesi will now be laid to rest in Forest Park. According to Degeratto, after hearing about the deadly shooting, he wanted to step up and help Bihesis family by covering funeral costs. Hearing that such a young man and a veteran, homeless. I have many family members served in the armed forces. My grandpa served in World War Two, and he came home was awarded a Purple Heart, he was a medic, and he suffered from PTSD, we believe, our family as well. Degeratto said. Just hearing that and from his father, just how devastated his father was. Just so heart-wrenching and that he couldnt afford the burial, I just, you know, felt we had to step. Tuesdays Service will begin with visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home in the 7300 block of Madison Street before a procession to Concordia Cemetery in the 7900 block of West Madison Street at 11 a.m. A graveside service led by Pastor Dawayne Choice, from Engage Christian Church, will then be held at the cemetery at 11:15 a.m. The public is invited to attend the service and organizers said fellow Marines and Military veterans will be present to honor Bihesis life. Bihesi grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and served in the United States Marine Corps. He had hoped to one day become a police officer, but after returning from the service, he lost his home to foreclosure, forcing him into homelessness. Family members said after he lost his home, Bihesi struggled with his mental and physical health. Hes a peaceful guy. He never had any problem with the law, Bihesis father Leonard Nyamusevya said. Funeral arrangements for the three other victims, 60-year-old Adrian Collins, 64-year-old Margaret Miller and 52-year-old Sean Jones, are pending. The deadly Labor Day shooting sparked a brief manhunt by Forest Park police and CTA security, who were able to quickly locate the alleged gunman with the help of video surveillance. The alleged shooter, 30-year-old Rhanni S. Davis, has since been charged with four counts of first-degree murder. Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins said officers described surveillance video of the shooting as brutal and gruesome. City leaders in Forest Park, a village where two major train lines end, said they have appealed to state lawmakers for greater investment into public safety and law enforcement personnel at the train lines, as they regularly require a police and fire presence. Our police department and our fire department respond to this location probably more than any other location in our jurisdiction, Hoskins said. Forest Park is the only community in Cook County with two major train lines that end (there). So we provide police response, and fire and medical response. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. TORONTO (Reuters) - Former Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Monday after being convicted of four counts of sexual assault in attacks on women in his Toronto office building that in some cases date back for decades. The 11-year sentence is reduced to take into account time he has already spent behind bars. Nygard has about 6.7 years left to serve and will be eligible for full parole after one-third of that. Nygard, 83, was found guilty by a Toronto jury on four counts of sexual assault last November. He was acquitted of a fifth count of sexual assault and one count of forcible confinement. During the six-week trial, the Ontario Superior Court heard testimony from five complainants who said during a period between the late 1980s to around 2005 Nygard had attacked them in a private bedroom suite on the top floor of the building. Canadian police arrested Nygard in late 2020 at the request of the United States, where he was accused of using his businesses to lure women and girls to sexually gratify himself and his associates. Toronto police laid their own charges against him about a year later. Nygard also faces charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement in Manitoba and Quebec. He is fighting extradition to the U.S. where he faces federal charges in New York for nine offences including conspiracy to commit racketeering, transportation of a minor for purpose of prostitution, and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. Born in Finland, Nygard grew up in the Canadian province of Manitoba, eventually running his namesake clothing company and becoming one of the wealthiest people in the country. "Peter Nygard is a sexual predator. He is also a Canadian success story gone very wrong," Justice Robert Goldstein said Monday. "He used his wealth and his power to commit four sexual assaults." (Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto; additional reporting by Saadeq Ahmed; Editing by Frank McGurty and Nick Zieminski) Therapist and survivor advocate Shannon Moroney, centre left to right, Peter Nygard, Nygard's lawyer Gerri Wiebe, Justice Robert Goldstein and Crown lawyer Neville Golwalla are seen in a courtroom sketch in Toronto, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. A(lexandra Newbould/The Canadian Press via AP) TORONTO (AP) Former Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard was sentenced Monday in a Toronto courtroom to 11 years in prison for sexually assaulting four women. The judge called the 83-year-old a sexual predator. Justice Robert Goldstein said Nygard showed no empathy for his victims, who were all attacked in his company's offices. The judge said one of several aggravating factors in the case was the fact that one of the victims was just 16 years old at the time. Nygard was found guilty of four counts of sexual assault in November but acquitted of a fifth count as well as one count of forcible confinement. He faces separate sexual assault and sex trafficking charges in Montreal, Winnipeg and the U.S. Nygard has denied all allegations against him. Nygard, who once led a womens fashion empire, arrived at the courthouse in a wheelchair, and did not address the court when given the opportunity. His time behind bars will come to a little less than seven years after accounting for time served. He will be eligible to apply for parole in two years. The charges against Nygard stemmed from allegations dating back to the 1980s until the mid-2000s. During his trial, five women whose identities are protected by a publication ban testified they were invited to Nygards Toronto business headquarters under pretexts ranging from tours to job interviews. All the encounters ended in a top-floor bedroom suite where four of the women were sexually assaulted. Multiple women told the jury similar stories of meeting Nygard on a plane, at an airport tarmac or at a nightclub and then receiving invitations to come to his headquarters. All five women said their meetings or interactions with Nygard ended with sexual activity that they did not consent to. Nygards lawyer had argued for a six-year sentence, citing her clients age and poor health, while the Crown sought a sentence of 15 years. The judge dismissed the argument for a shorter sentence, saying that Nygard has been receiving special treatment in custody due to his various health issues and that his advanced age is not reason enough to limit the sentence. Goldstein also suggested Nygard had been exaggerating his health issues in his submissions to the court. Nygards lawyer previously argued in court that a lengthy sentence would be crushing for her client, who has Type 2 diabetes and deteriorating vision, among other health issues. Goldstein called Nygard a Canadian success story gone very wrong. Nygard founded a fashion company in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1967 that ultimately became Nygard International. His company produced womens clothing under several brand names and had corporate facilities in Canada and the U.S. His stores throughout Winnipeg were once draped with his photos. Nygard stepped down as chairman of the company after the FBI and police raided his offices in New York City in February 2020. The company has since filed for bankruptcy and entered into receivership. He was first arrested in Winnipeg in 2020 under the Extradition Act after he was charged with nine counts in New York, including sex trafficking and racketeering charges. In May, Manitobas highest court dismissed Nygards application for a judicial review of his extradition order, finding there was no reason to interfere with the order issued by then-justice minister David Lametti. Former clerk accused of stealing money from GA police department A 33-year-old Georgia woman is facing multiple charges after she allegedly stole money from a police department. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On July 16, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was asked by the Haralson County District Attorney Jack Browning to investigate alleged missing citation money from the Buchanan Police Department. Chief D. S. Ratner, tells Channel 2 he started the internal investigation in reference to some improprieties found in the court system. Once the local investigation was complete, the GBI was asked to assist and all evidence was turned over to the agency. According to the GBI, a large amount of money was found missing from the departments citation account. TRENDING STORIES: Anna Megan Brock, 33, of Temple, was identified as a suspect in the case. Brock was the former chief clerk for the department. Brook was arrested and charged with theft by conversion, false statements, and other offenses involving records, documents, and other writing. She was booked into the Haralson County jail and later released on a $1000 bond. The investigation is ongoing. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Former director of Los Alamos National Laboratory dead after car crash in New Mexico LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) A former top official in U.S. nuclear weapons research at Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos national laboratories has died from injuries after an automobile crash in New Mexico, authorities said. He was 69. Charles McMillan, an experimental physicist, spent nearly 23 years in various positions at Livermore in California and about 18 years at Los Alamos, where he was director for six years before retiring in 2017. He died at a hospital after a two-vehicle crash early Friday on a stretch of road known as Main Hill, not far from the laboratory, police and the current lab director said. On behalf of the entire Laboratory, I would like to express deepest sympathies to the McMillan family and to the many current and former employees who worked closely with Charlie and knew him well, lab Director Thom Mason said in a statement reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican. Michael Drake, president of the University of California system, issued a statement calling McMillan an extraordinary leader, scientist and human being who made far-reaching contributions to science and technology in service to national security and the greater good. The Livermore laboratory, east of San Francisco, was established as a university offshoot in 1952 and is now operated by the federal government. It maintains a close relationship with campuses and Drakes office. Story continues below McMillan joined Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2006 after his friend and mentor, Michael Anastasio, became director. McMillan served as the principal associate director for weapons programs before becoming director in 2011, the New Mexican reported. He oversaw the lab during expansion and safety incidents, including a 2014 radiation leak at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southern New Mexico attributed to a waste drum that was improperly packaged at the lab. The National Nuclear Security Administration found in 2015 that the lab violated health and safety rules and docked it more than $10 million in performance awards. Mason pointed to McMillans work to develop a vaccine for HIV and new modeling to better understand climate change. Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico credited McMillan with invaluable contributions to our state, to science, and to our national security and cited his work on supercomputing and artificial intelligence. Nella Domenici, Heinrichs Republican challenger for U.S. Senate, called McMillans death a great loss to the scientific community and his family. Los Alamos police and fire officials said three people were treated for injuries and McMillan and a 22-year-old woman were hospitalized after the crash, which occurred about 5 a.m. The cause was being investigated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Toronto Superior Court on Monday sentenced former fashion mogul Peter Nygard to 11 years in prison for four counts of sexual assault. In November, the 83-year-old Nygard had been convicted of four counts of sexual assault for incidents involving three women and a minor in the private quarters of his companys former offices in Toronto. Those attacks happened between the 1980s and 2005. More from WWD With credit for time served, Nygard, who was seated in the courtroom Monday, will be imprisoned for six years and seven months. The Crown had sought a 15-year sentence in federal prison and Nygards attorney Gerri Wiebe had requested a six-year sentence, due to his age, what was described as his deteriorating health and time served. The self-made millionaires health was addressed during Mondays hearing Nygard suffers from Type 2 diabetes and glaucoma and his legal team argued that his medical care under the prison system had not been adequate. Before delivering Nygards sentence, Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein said, Mr. Nygard is a sexual predator. He used his position as a fashion designer, who traveled to exotic locations [where] in each he owned luxurious residences and frequented clubs with famous models to take advantage of young women. He flattered them by telling them that they looked like, or could be, fashion models, or that they dressed nicely. He flew business class with an entourage. He dangled the possibility of glamorous travel, employment and business opportunities. Goldtstein continued, Part of Mr. Nygards power was due to the fact that his private space was well-equipped for nonconsensual sexual encounter. Mr. Nygard could have had a luxury condominium or apartment in Toronto, or even stayed in a luxury hotel during his visits. By using his private apartment in his own office building, he could regulate access and prioritize his victims without any observation of interference of anyone that he did not employ. The sentencing hearing had been adjourned multiple times, due partially to Nygard working with three different lawyers this year. An Aug. 2 hearing was postponed at the Crowns request so that Neville Golwalla, a Crown attorney who was traveling at that time, could be present. Nygard was arrested in Winnipeg in December 2020 on a provisional warrant that was initiated by the U.S. In December 2020, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York unsealed a nine-count indictment charging him with racketeering, sex trafficking and related crimes over more than a decade-long period that allegedly involved at least dozens of victims in the U.S., the Bahamas and Canada. All three locations are areas where the fallen fashion executive used to have business operations. The Finnish-born Nygard was recognizable for his mane of blond hair, year-round suntan and his unbuttoned dress shirts. He started his namesake sportswear company in 1967 in Winnipeg, expanded distribution to the U.S. in 1978 and unveiled an international office in Toronto in 1987. At the height of his business in 2003, Nygard generated about $250 million in sales in the U.S. and $500 million in Canada. Specializing in affordable, basic sportswear that was sold in department stores, Nygard was an early adapter of vertical manufacturing, expansions into Asia and paperless operations. However, as competition increased, the ailing business filed Chapter 15 in May 2020 and its brands were put up for sale. Following a September 2020 raid by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and New York Police Department of Nygards Times Square offices, the few remaining major chains that carried Nygard apparel and accessories dropped its labels. The companys founder stepped down from his company in December 2020. After being held at Headingley Correctional Centre, Nygard was transferred to the Toronto South Detention Centre, after being charged in that city in October 2021. Media requests to Wiebe and her law firm, Wiebe Criminal Defense, were not immediately returned Monday morning. Last year Nygards took legal action to fight his extradition to the U.S., which is pending for the sex trafficking and racketeering offenses that he faces there. Over a 25-year period, Nygard allegedly used the Nygard Groups influence, as well as its employees, funds and other resources, to recruit and maintain adult and minor-aged female victims for Nygards sexual gratification and the sexual gratification of his friends and business associates, according to the indictment, which was unsealed by the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Nygard also faces one count of sexual assault and confinement in Quebec. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BRUNSWICK, Ga. (WSAV) A former Glynn County Department of Public Works (GCDPW) supervisor has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution for fraudulent charges. Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced on Monday that 51-year-old William Harold Richards of Brunswick was sentenced to 30 months in prison without parole for Wire Fraud. In addition, Richards was ordered to pay $422,168 in restitution to the Glynn County government by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood. He must also serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Richards was hired by the GCDPW in 2010, eventually earning a supervisory role that allowed him access to employee purchasing cards and the countys billing system. The Glynn County Police Department and the FBI launched an investigation in September 2023 after another Public Works employee noticed suspicious charges on his county purchasing card. Investigators determined that Richards, who in his role coded and reconciled purchases made with the departments cards, had a two-year string of fraudulent purchases connected with his county-issued card as well as those of his fellow employees. Richards made payments to a fictitious company that he created and then, in turn, transferred the funds to his own bank account. Taxpayers rightly expect employees of their government agencies to handle public money responsibly, said Steinberg. William Richards did the opposite by defrauding taxpayers and enriching himself at their expense, and he is being held accountable for his crime. The case was investigated by the Glynn County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew A. Josephson. This type of fraud increases costs for all taxpayers in this country and erodes public trust in government, said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. The FBI is committed to holding corrupt individuals, like Richards, accountable for their greed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Attorney Thomas Feiter via his Facebook page. Thomas Feiter, an Orlando attorney who lost in the Republican primary for state attorney in Floridas Ninth Judicial Circuit last month, announced at a press conference Monday that he will file a lawsuit claiming that the DeSantis administration interfered in the race. The action will name sitting State Attorney Andrew Bain, former Republican state attorney candidate Seth Hyman, and the rest of this Republican faction who he asserts manipulated the political process to ensure that Bain, now running as a nonparty-affiliated candidate, would have a better chance of defeating Democratic candidate Monique Worrell in November. Im here to bring attention to what was done by this Republican faction to undermine the integrity of our election process, Feiter said during the press conference organized by the Worrell campaign in Orlando. The integrity of our elections is a cornerstone of our democracy. And when individuals get together to collude and plan and manipulate to interfere or defraud or mislead people as they have here, there are over 280,000 registered Republicans in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and theyve all been deceived by this faction that is helping Ron DeSantis and Andrew Bain maintain power over us. Feiter alleges that James Uthmeier, Ron DeSantis chief of staff, as well as Orange County Republican Chair Erin Huntley and several other attorneys, met with him over the course of several weeks in May and June to pressure him to drop out of the Republican race for state attorney to pave the way for Bain to face Worrell one-on-one in November. Feiter made a formal complaint to the Florida Bar in July alleging election interference by DeSantis, Uthmeier, Bain, and three other attorneys. An official with the Florida Bar told the Phoenix on Monday that complaint was closed at the staff level on July 22. He now says his allegations were prescient because the Republican candidate who defeated him on Aug. 20, criminal defense attorney Seth Hyman, dropped out of the race last week. Hymans withdrawal means there will be no Republican in the general election and Bain will face Worrell in a one-on-one matchup. Former Democrat Bain is a former Democrat who changed his registration to no-party-affiliation in 2019, before being appointed as a judge in Orange County by DeSantis in 2020, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Orange and Osceola counties, which make up the Ninth Circuit, lean strongly Democratic, to the extent that no Republican ran against Worrell when she was elected state attorney in November 2020. Worrells tenure in office was cut short after DeSantis suspended her in August 2023, accusing her of neglecting her duty to faithfully prosecute crime in her jurisdiction. She has denied the charge and fought her suspension in court, alleging DeSantis punished her for pursuing the progressive policies shed campaigned upon. Worrells suspension was the second by DeSantis of a Democratic state attorney elected by voters. Almost exactly a year before, in August 2022, he suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren, accusing him of nullifying state laws through refusal to prosecute violent offenders and to enforce criminal penalties against abortions or gender-affirming care. Warren also has pursued his suspension through the federal court system and is running for re-election in November. No endorsement Feiter stressed on Monday that, despite comments by Bain to the contrary, he was not supporting or endorsing Worrell for re-election, saying they are in disagreement ideologically on several things. But he stressed that he wants to bring a focus on what was done by this Republican faction to undermine the integrity of our election process. Worrell blasted Bain during the press conference, saying that as chief law enforcement officer in the circuit, he owes the community an explanation, adding that he has failed to address questions in his involvement in what at worse appears to be a conspiracy to interfere in this election. Worrell went on to say that she hopes the FBI or Department of Justice will investigate the allegations made by Feiter, saying she didnt trust state officials to fairly investigate the DeSantis administration. Feiter, though, said he hopes the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or Attorney General Ashley Moodys office would investigate, calling it a test of their integrity. The Phoenix reached out to Andrew Bains campaign for comment but did not receive an immediate response. Former Miss Utah and Other Women Accuse Prominent Human Trafficking Advocate of Harassment and Abuse: Reports "Its hard to wrap your head around that because you really, in your mind, want him to be the hero, said former Miss Utah Amy Morgan Davis Alan Espinosa/Getty, AP Photos/Mary Godleski Tim Ballard (left), Amy Morgan Davis Tim Ballard, whose story was dramatized in Sound of Freedom, has been sued by six women for sexual assault including former Miss Utah Amy Morgan Davis Davis alleged Ballard made sexual advances on her, including touching her body with his hands Ballard has continued to deny any wrongdoing Tim Ballard, the real-life subject behind the 2023 box-office smash Sound of Freedom, has been sued by six women who allege he sexually assaulted them. Ballard built the anti-child sex trafficking nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad before stepping away amid initial accusations of wrongdoing following the release of the $184 million indie film. Several of Ballard's alleged victims spoke with The New York Times about their lawsuits and allegations, including former Miss Utah Amy Morgan Davis. Representatives for Miss Utah declined to comment on the matter to PEOPLE. At the time the alleged assault took place, Davis worked as Ballard's makeup artist and she claims he manipulated her desire to help him rescue children a tactic he reportedly used to assault his victims after recruiting them to pose as his romantic partners to help rescue the children. Related: 'Sound of Freedom' Subject Tim Ballard Responds to Accusations of Sexual Misconduct Davis alleged in the lawsuit that Ballard repeatedly told her to prove that the two of them had a "connection" and then made sexual advances at her, including touching her body with his hands, according to the publication. Its hard to wrap your head around that because you really, in your mind, want him to be the hero, she told the Times. Like Davis, many of the women accused Ballard in lawsuits and interviews of talking graphically about sexual scenarios they might encounter after achieving a woman's interest in helping, per the Times. The publication noted that when the women felt uncomfortable keeping up with the fake romance in his office, hotel room or car, he allegedly argued that sex traffickers could be monitoring their every move. Mary Hall alleged to The New York Times and in court documents that Ballard groped her kissed her stomach and pulled at her pants waistline in his office before being interrupted by an executive. After sharing her concerns with others in the organization, she asserts she was not invited on the mission. Another woman, Celeste Borys has sued Ballard and the Operation Underground Railroad on claims of battery, sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress amid other claims, the Times reported. Related: Squid Game Actor Oh Yeong-Su Sentenced in Sexual Misconduct Case Borys had been working at the organization when he told her that he wanted to expand her role, the Times reported. He allegedly invited her to an introductory mission in Ecuador in 2022 and surprised her with a couple's massage in a hotel room. She told the Times that Ballard got naked and laid on the bed after two girls, who Borys said looked underage, entered the room. Instead of helping the girls, Ballard began talking about masturbation, she said in her lawsuit. 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. One of the girls reportedly offered to demonstrate on Borys. Ballard then rolled the woman on her back and began to remove her shorts, according to the lawsuit, as reported by the New York Times. Borys closed her eyes but allegedly heard him remark that he had never seen what happened so up close and penetrated her with his finger. Related: Powerful Men Who Have Been Accused of Sexual Misconduct After the Weinstein Scandal After Borys escaped to the bathroom, Ballard eventually came in and told her that he had received useful information from the girls and said, "We are going to save so many children," per the Times. Ballard previously denied any misconduct in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children," Ballard said. Ballard declined to comment to the Times, while a lawyer Mark Eisenhut said that his client did not harass or physically assault any of the women he worked with, or have any inappropriate contact with sex workers. He has never been charged with a crime and every court considering a complaint against the Ballards so far has ruled in their favor, Eisenhut said, per the publication. While some of the allegations against Ballard have been dismissed, six sexual assault claims are reportedly under litigation. The Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office said it was aware of pending criminal investigations into Tim Ballard. PEOPLE has reached out to Davis, Eisenhut, Operation Underground Railroad and the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office for comment, but they did not immediately respond. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. JAKARTA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, will start from Tuesday working at the newly built presidential palace in the country's new capital Nusantara, an official said. Presidential spokesperson Hasan Nasbi told local media on Monday that President Jokowi will be working from Nusantara until the day before the end of his term on Oct. 20, when he will pass over his position to Prabowo Subianto, the winner of the presidential polls in February. Nasbi also said the president will still make his working and business trips to other parts of the country departing from Nusantara. STOUGHTON, Mass. (WWLP) The former Stoughton Police officer accused in connection to the death of Sandra Birchmore is asking a judge to give his lawyer more time to review the case. Three arrested after trespasing old Russell mill building Former Stoughton Police officer Matthew Farwell of North Easton wants the court to delay a hearing scheduled for October. Farwell is facing federal charges for allegedly murdering 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore, then staging her death as a suicide. She was pregnant with his child when she died. Farwell is one of the three former officers accused of having inappropriate sexual relationships with Birchmore, dating back to when she was just 15 years old. Birchmore joined the Stoughton Explorers Program in 2010 when she was 12 years old where she met Farwell who served as an instructor. It is alleged that Farwell used his authority and access to groom, sexually exploit, and ultimately sexually abuse Birchmore when she was 15 years old and continued to have sex with her when she became an adult. Birchmore was killed back in 2022, her death was then ruled as a suicide but has been re-investigated after Birchmores family filed a wrongful death lawsuit. 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. Former Sen. Brian Kelsey prepares to enter Nashville's federal courthouse on Aug. 11., 2023.for sentencing in a federal campaign finance scheme. (Photo: John Partipilo) Former Sen. Brian Kelsey prepares to enter Nashville's federal courthouse on Aug. 11., 2023.for sentencing in a federal campaign finance scheme. (Photo: John Partipilo) A federal appeals court is giving former state Sen. Brian Kelsey three months to request a hearing before the nations highest court as he makes a last-ditch effort to reverse a campaign finance conviction and avoid prison. The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Kelseys request for another hearing to plead his case to rescind a November 2022 guilty plea but then issued an order Friday giving him a 90-day reprieve. In a Friday order, the court allowed him to file a petition for a writ of certiorari before the Supreme Court but required him to report to prison immediately if the high court refuses to hear the case. Initially, the three-judge panel upheld a 21-month prison sentence for breaking federal campaign laws and ordered him to report Oct. 1 to a federal facility in Ashland, Kentucky. The panel also approved Kelseys request to replace his Nashville attorneys, Alex Little and Zachary Lawson, with Nashville attorney Joy Boyd Longnecker of Barnes & Thornburg. It marked the fourth change of legal counsel for Kelsey in the case. Kelsey pleaded guilty in November 2022 to funneling more than $100,000 from his state campaign account through two political action committees to the American Conservative Union, which bought digital and radio advertising to bolster his failed bid for a congressional seat. The former Germantown Republican, who has been living in Lexington, Kentucky, conspired with Josh Smith, owner of The Standard dinner club in downtown Nashville, former state Rep. Jeremy Durham and Republican supporter Andy Miller to run the money through The Standard political action committee and Citizens 4 Ethics in Government to cover up the movement of funds. The American Conservative Union then received the money and used it to buy radio and digital ads to back Kelseys campaign. Federal campaign finance regulations prohibit money from state campaign accounts from being used for federal races, mainly because it is raised under different rules. Smith pleaded guilty in connection with the case and was fined $250,000 and sentenced to five years of probation after agreeing to cooperate with federal prosecutors. Durham, Miller and Amanda Bunning, a former American Conservative Union lobbyist who would later marry Kelsey, were not indicted but were mentioned either as unnamed conspirators or persons of interest in the federal indictment. Court documents show Bunning pushed the American Conservative Union to get involved in Kelseys campaign. When Kelsey tried to renege on his plea in mid-2023, he claimed his judgment had been clouded by his late fathers illness and the crying of his twin infants. In addition, he said he didnt understand the criminal justice system even though he was an attorney and at one point chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee. Kelseys attorneys also contended that federal prosecutors erred at his sentencing hearing and violated the plea agreement, in part by seeking harsher punishment. Yet he received less time than he could have under federal law after U.S. District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw took character witnesses into account. Immediately after the indictment, Kelsey went to the Senate floor and denounced the charges, calling the case a witch hunt against him by the Biden administration. The investigation began during former President Donald Trumps term. Kelsey was a favorite of conservatives, sponsoring the bill that made it more difficult to expand Medicaid for people without health insurance and carrying Gov. Bill Lees private-school voucher bill. He also passed a constitutional amendment to prohibit a state income tax. As a House member early in his political career, Kelsey used bacon as a prop on the chamber floor to decry what he called pork spending. Senate Republicans redrew his Shelby County district after he narrowly defeated Democratic candidate Gabby Salinas in 2018. He was backed by $300,000 in independent expenditures by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Former opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez fled Venezuela for asylum in Spain this weekend, less than a week after a local judge ordered his arrest. His departure is part of a negotiated deal with Nicolas Maduros government, The Associated Press reported, and was announced by Venezuelan authorities Saturday night. Gonzalez is recognized by the United States and other foreign countries to be the rightful winner of the presidential election held on July 28, even though Maduro was declared the winner. Gonzalez arrived in Spain on Sunday with his wife and Spanish officials, the AP reported, and delivered a statement to his supporters shortly after. My departure from Caracas was surrounded by acts of pressure, coercion and threats, Gonzalez said. I trust that we will soon continue our fight to achieve our freedom and the restoration of Venezuelas democracy. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said late Saturday that Gonzalez was granted safe passage out of Venezuela to help restore the countrys political peace and tranquility, according to The AP. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado pledged to continue the fight and said Gonzalez would still be sworn in as president on Jan. 10, 2025. His life was in danger, and the increasing threats, summons, arrest warrants and even attempts at blackmail and coercion to which he has been subjected, demonstrate that the regime has no scruples and no limits in its obsession with silencing him and trying to subdue him, Machado said in a translated post on X. Faced with this brutal reality, it is necessary for our cause to preserve his freedom, his integrity and his life. Let this be very clear to everyone: Edmundo will fight from outside alongside our diaspora and I will continue to do so here, alongside you, she added. The Associated Press contributed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Four suspects have been arrested following a vehicle burglary spree in the Heron Isles Subdivision on September 7, during which firearms and other valuables were stolen from unlocked cars. On September 7, the Nassau County Sheriffs Office responded to a series of vehicle break-ins at the Heron Isles Subdivision along Albatross Drive. One resident witnessed several suspects entering his truck, but they fled when confronted. Several vehicles were burglarized, with one victim reporting the theft of a firearm and a chefs knife. After an investigation, four suspects were apprehended. Eighteen-year-old Jakwan Harris was captured with a firearm in his possession, and 23-year-old Jalaal Collins was located inside a burglarized vehicle. Nineteen-year-old Harambee Martin was arrested following a foot chase during which a missing firearm was recovered near a fence he attempted to climb. Martin was apprehended with the assistance of NCSO K9 Rex. A 17-year-old boy was stopped on Heron Isles Parkway, carrying a stolen backpack containing two firearms and magazines taken from a vehicle. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] All four suspects face armed burglary charges, with Martin and the 17-year-old additionally charged with grand theft of a firearm. The suspects, dressed in black with masks and gloves, were caught on surveillance footage checking vehicle door handles. Authorities believe the suspects traveled from Jacksonville in a stolen vehicle to commit the burglaries, with 23-year-old Christiyah Johnson allegedly arriving afterward to pick them up. Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper stressed the importance of securing vehicles, stating, These thug criminals from Jacksonville are targeting unlocked vehicles, which are easy targets. Making sure you dont leave valuable items inside your vehicle and your car doors are locked can go a long way in preventing these types of crimes. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Four-wheelers, leaf blower stolen from barn in Crawford Co. (WJET/WFXP) Two four-wheelers and a leaf blower were stolen from a barn in Crawford County in early August. On Friday, August 9, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Meadville responded to a call regarding a theft in Conneaut Township around 3:30 p.m. State police investigating armed robbery at a Harborcreek Country Fair According to the report, two Valencia residents reported that four-wheelers were stolen from their barn, along with a Milwaukee leaf blower. Police described the two missing four-wheelers as a 1998 blue and white 90cc Yamaha Badger and a 1994 red 400cc Yamaha Kodiak. Anyone with information regarding this theft is asked to contact PSP Meadville at (814) 332-6911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. French Rape Monster Whines That HIS Life Has Been Ruined by Arrest A husband accused in France of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her has complained that HIS life has been ruined by the trial. Dominique Pelicot, 71, blamed his wife, Gisele, because she refused to go along with his swinging demands, a court in Avignon was told. Prison psychologist Marianne Douteau said Pelicot, a retired electrician, believed his marriage would have continued if he hadnt been caught out after drugging his spouse and subjecting her to sex with other men over ten years. Daughter of Man Accused of Raping Wife Reveals Her Own Fears She said that Pelicot complains that this criminal case against him has destroyed his life. He claims everything could have continued as before if he had been arrested. He said, Gisele would not have known anything, we would have continued to be happy. Douteau said Pelicot had a split personality and was abused by his wife-beating father. Dominique Pelicot comes from a troubled family in which young children were abused. "(Pelicot) has a two-sided personality; he is a patriarch but he is also irresponsible and manipulative. Behind closed doors he does not respect limits, she said. He has a split personality between the person he wants to be and the person he is. He does not show any empathybut he is not inauthentic. Pelicot was excused from the courtroom on Monday after suffering from an undisclosed illness. Another psychologist, Annabelle Montagne, who interviewed Pelicot six weeks after his arrest in 2020, said he told her: My wife and I had a discussion about swinging but she didn't agree so I drugged her. She said he was insistent he loved his wife, but she continued: He sees his partner as an object to satisfy his sexual and narcissistic needs. His wife is then a partial object and no longer an object of total love. The couple met when they were both 18 and married two years later. The court heard she was drugged by her husband and raped on the marital bed while her husband watched and recorded the abuse for his pleasure. Last week, Gisele faced 51 men, her husband among them, who have been accused of raping her. The grandmother-of-seven told the court: I was subjected on the altar of vice. Its a dead woman on a bed. This isnt a bedroom, its an operating theatre. They treat me like a garbage bag, a rag doll. These arent sex scenes, these are rape scenes, it unbearable. On Pelicots computer, police discovered 20,000 homemade movies and photos of men raping his wife in abuses dating back to 2011. He contacted the men via Internet sites. Sixteen of them, including Pelicot, have confessed to the assaults and 35 are maintaining their innocence. The trial continues. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A French woman whose husband is accused of inviting men to rape her testifies in court AVIGNON, France (AP) A woman who was allegedly drugged by her now ex-husband so that she could be raped by other men while she was unconscious testified Thursday that her world collapsed when police uncovered the years of alleged abuse. Speaking in a calm and clear voice, Gisele Pelicot detailed with impressive composure the horror of discovering that her former spouse had systematically filmed the dozens of suspected rapes storing thousands of images that police investigators later found. Its unbearable, she told the court in the southern French city of Avignon in an hour of testimony. I have so much to say that I dont always know where to start. Dominique Pelicot, now 71, and 50 other men are standing trial on charges of aggravated rape and face up to 20 years in prison. The trial started on Monday and is expected to run until December. Thursday marked the first time that Gisele Pelicot, also in her 70s, had testified. The Associated Press doesnt generally identify victims of sexual crimes. But Gisele Pelicots lawyer, Stephane Babonneau, said she accepted that her name would be published in the same way that she insisted that the trial be held in public. She told the court that she hopes her testimony might help spare other women from similar ordeals. She said she pushed for the trial in open court in solidarity with other women who go unrecognized as victims of sexual crimes. She and her husband of 50 years had three children. When they retired, the couple moved into a house in Mazan, a small town in Provence. I thought we were a close couple, she told the court. But in late 2020, a security agent caught her husband taking photos of womens crotches in a supermarket, leading investigators to search Dominique Pelicots phone and computer. They found thousands of photographs and videos of men appearing to rape Gisele in their home while she appears to be unconscious. When police officers called her in for questioning, she initially told them her husband was a great guy. But after being confronted with the unfathomable police showed her some of the images she left her husband. For me, everything collapses, she testified. These are scenes of barbarity, of rape. She left with two suitcases, all that was left for me of 50 years of life together. Since then, she said, I no longer have an identity. I dont know if Ill ever rebuild myself. Police investigators found communications Dominique Pelicot allegedly sent on a messaging website commonly used by criminals, in which he invited men to sexually abuse his wife. French authorities shut down the website earlier this year. Crude details of the alleged abuses, which investigators said began in 2011, and of the elaborate system Pelicot put into place over 10 years have emerged during the trial. Dominique Pelicot told investigators that men invited to the couples home had to follow certain rules they could not talk loudly, had to remove their clothes in the kitchen, could not wear perfume nor smell of tobacco. They sometimes had to wait up to an hour and a half in a nearby parking lot for the drug to take full effect and render Gisele Pelicot unconscious. The toxicologist on Thursday spoke of a cocktail of medication, a mixture of Temesta and Zolpidem, hypnotic and anxiolytic drugs. A medical expert said that the alleged rapists were not made to wear condoms and that Gisele Pelicot had contracted four sexually transmitted infections. I was sacrificed on the altar of vice, Gisele Pelicot testified. They regarded me like a rag doll, like a garbage bag. Because Dominique Pelicot videotaped the alleged rapes, police were able to track down over a period of two years a majority of the 72 suspects they were seeking. Besides Pelicot, 50 other men, aged 22 to 70, are standing trial. Several defendants are denying some of the accusations against them, alleging they were manipulated by Pelicot. Questioned in court, Gisele Pelicot rejected the argument that any of these men were manipulated or trapped. These men entered my home, respected the imposed protocol. They did not rape me with a gun to the head. They raped me in all conscience, she said. Why didnt they go to the police station? Even an anonymous phone call could have saved my life. Over the next few months, the defendants will appear in small groups before a panel of five judges, with Pelicot scheduled to speak next week. Psychologists, psychiatrists and computer experts will also testify. Outside the courthouse, Gisele Pelicot told reporters she had tried to answer lawyers questions as best she could, despite the pressure of having all these individuals behind her. We will have to fight until the end. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Fugitive who fled Texas during manslaughter trial found in S.C. COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) The Colleton County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) said a fugitive who fled during a manslaughter trial in Texas, was arrested in S.C. on Friday. According to the CCSO, 47-year-old Matthew John Flaskrud attended the first two days of his trial, but then removed his ankle monitor and fled the state. Flaskrud was arrested on Cottageville, where he provided a false name and refused to identify himself, according to the CCSO. 3 men indicted on murder charges in deadly Savannah shooting With assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division using a portable fingerprint reader, Flaskrud was identified. The CCSO says he awaits extradition to Texas and is being held at the Colleton County Detention Center. Matthew John Flaskrud (Colleton County Sheriffs Office) Flaskrud was on trial for manslaughter with a vehicle after he crashed his motorcycle, while intoxicated, into another, killing 36-year-old Derrick Hintzman. Authorities say Flaskrud is also a sex offender, after being convicted in Wisconsin for various sex crimes and had a warrant for Failing to Comply-Sex Offender Registry. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mr Quiboloy pictured in an orange prison shirt in the capital Manila, where he is currently detained [Getty Images] An influential Filipino pastor wanted in the Philippines and the US for child sex trafficking has been arrested, ending a two-week long standoff between police officers and his followers. Police have been attempting to arrest Apollo Quiboloy, who claims to be the "Appointed Son of God", in a raid on his sprawling church compound. Violent scuffles broke out between thousands of his followers and anti-riot police officers, with one church member dying of a heart attack during the raid. Mr Quiboloy, whose Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) claims to have seven million followers, has denied all charges against him. In 2021, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Mr Quiboloy with sex trafficking of children, fraud and coercion and bulk cash smuggling. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said he trafficked girls and women from the Philippines to the US, where they were forced to solicit money for a bogus charity. He also required his female personal assistants, who are called pastorals, to have sex with him, the FBI said. But as all this was happening, Mr Quiboloy was rising to national prominence under then-president Rodrigo Duterte, previously serving as spiritual adviser to the former leader. However, his fortunes turned when Mr Duterte stepped down in June 2022. Filipino authorities soon charged him with child abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking and a warrant was issued for his arrest. 'Peaceful surrender' For two weeks , thousands of policemen have been engaged in a standoff with Mr Quiboloy's followers, as they raided his 30-hectare (75-acre) KOJC compound in Davao. They said Mr Quiboloy was hiding in an underground bunker based on the sound of heartbeats detected by surveillance equipment. The complex is home to some 40 buildings, including a cathedral, a school and even a hangar. Interior Minister Benhur Abalos said on Monday that Mr Quiboloy was found inside the compound's bible school. He also said that the pastor was arrested and did not surrender, contrary to earlier reports. Witnesses provided important information that led to his arrest, added Mr Abalos. Mr Quiboloy's lawyer, Israelito Torreon, said earlier said his client surrendered "because he does not want the lawless violence to continue to happen". For two weeks, Mr Quiboloy's followers figures in a standoff with the authorities [EPA] The regional police chief, Brig Gen Nicolas Torre, said a "concerted effort of everyone involved" led to the arrest. Mr Quiboloy and four others who were arrested with him were flown to national police headquarters in the capital Manila where they are currently detained. Before his arrest, Mr Quiboloy said that the "devil" was behind his legal woes. He has also said that he does not want the FBI to "meddle" in his case. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mr Marcos said the Philippines was not considering extraditing Mr Quiboloy for now. The standoff at the KOJC has taken place as a very public falling out between the Marcos and Duterte political families has unfolded. The US DOJ sought his arrest a few months before Mr Duterte handed power to current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, but it was only during Mr Marcos' term that authorities started pursuing the pastor. While Mr Quiboloy was in hiding, Mr Duterte said he knew where he was but would not tell the police. Mr Duterte's daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte also criticised police pursuing Mr Quiboloy of applying "questionable" force. Private jets and biker jackets Mr Quiboloy set up the KOJC in Davao in 1985, after hearing God whisper to him I will use you while attending an event by American pastor Billy Graham in South Korea in 1973, says the organisation. When he is not in Davao, he has been seen travelling on his private jet. He delivers his sermons from a glass podium that is set against giant photographs of his lush hilltop estate called the Garden of Eden Restored. These are broadcast on his own TV, radio and social media network. Outside of his long-standing ties with the Duterte's, Mr Quiboloy grew his political influence by endorsing candidates to his followers during elections, a common practice for religious leaders in the country where politics is based on patronage instead of ideology. Apollo Quiboloy claims to be the "Appointed Son of God" [Handout] Gaetz questions Jack Smith's authority to keep up Trump probes after judge calls him 'unlawfully appointed' Gaetz questions Jack Smith's authority to keep up Trump probes after judge calls him 'unlawfully appointed' FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is writing to Attorney General Merrick Garland to question the legitimacy of special counsel Jack Smiths continued probing of former President Donald Trump. Gaetz, one of Trumps closest allies in Congress, asked Garland for "any written authorization" or other documentation regarding Smiths continued efforts despite his case against the ex-president getting thrown out by a federal judge in July. "On August 27, 2024, Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a superseding indictment against former President Donald Trump in federal district court in the District of Columbia. One day later, he was arguing before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, attempting to overturn a federal district judges finding that he was unlawfully appointed by you," Gaetz wrote in the brief letter. "It is unclear what authority Special Counsel Smith has to file either of these briefs or to provide services to the Department of Justice." TRUMP UNLEASHES ON HARRIS, TALKING IMMIGRATION, CHINA IN EXCLUSIVE 'LIFE, LIBERTY & LEVIN' INTERVIEW Rep. Matt Gaetz, right, is questioning the legitimacy of special counsel Jack Smith's recent legal moves after he was ruled to have been illegitimately appointed. Smiths appointment as special counsel was deemed unlawful by Florida-based U.S. Judge Eileen Cannon, who said his lack of Senate confirmation for the role made him illegitimate. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, had been overseeing Smiths prosecution of the former president over his handling of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. Smith filed a response with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing Cannon was wrong in her assessment of the special counsel role, arguing "precedent and history" were on his side, as well as a "long tradition of special-counsel appointments by Attorneys General and Congress endorsement of the practice." TRUMP INDICTED A SECOND TIME IN ELECTION SUBVERSION CASE BROUGHT BY SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH Former President Donald Trump's congressional allies have publicly pushed back against the prosecutions against him. Amid that court battle, Smith also filed a superseding indictment in a separate probe he is conducting into the ex-president, investigating whether Trump conspired to overturn the 2020 election. Smith had filed an amended indictment in that prosecution after the recent Supreme Court ruling that presidents are afforded wider immunity privileges. However, Gaetz questioned whether Smith even had the legal footing to file either of those motions. His letter asked Garland whether he consulted the deputy attorney general and existing public integrity guidelines before Smith filed the superseding indictment. If so, Gaetz asked him to "provide any records of the Deputy Attorney Generals Office or the Office of the Attorney General authorizing the Office of Special Counsel to file the Aug. 27, 2024, superseding indictment." Trump has so far denied any wrongdoing in any of the prosecutions against him. His congressional allies like Gaetz have been key defenders Gaetz has heaped skepticism on Trumps legal trials, and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., has filed a flurry of ethics complaints against judges overseeing Trump cases in New York. TRUMP PLANS TO PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO JACK SMITH'S REVISED FEDERAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE CHARGES Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., another Trump ally, has spearheaded GOP pressure in the House to defund Smiths office. It is not fully clear yet how Trumps criminal and civil proceedings will affect his bid for re-election, with less than two months until Election Day. The Department of Justice did not immediately return a request for comment on Gaetzs letter. Original article source: Gaetz questions Jack Smith's authority to keep up Trump probes after judge calls him 'unlawfully appointed' KHARTOUM, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 civilians were killed and over 100 others injured in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Sinnar city in central Sudan on Sunday, according to local aid groups. The Sinnar Youth Gathering, a local voluntary group, reported that the RSF "indiscriminately" shelled the Sinaar market and the Al-Muwazafeen neighborhood. Meanwhile, the non-governmental Sudanese Doctors Network reported that 21 people were killed and more than 70 others injured due to artillery shelling by the RSF on Sinnar market, calling the attack a "massacre" against unarmed civilians. The RSF has not yet commented on the incident. Since June, the RSF has controlled large parts of Sinnar state, including the capital city of Singa, while the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) controls the eastern part of the state. The International Organization for Migration estimates that fighting in Sinnar has displaced more than 725,000 people. Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a deadly conflict between the SAF and the RSF, resulting in at least 16,650 deaths. According to the latest UN data, approximately 10.7 million people are internally displaced in Sudan, with about 2.2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Mory Bamba, a Muslim leader who fights FGM in Ivory Coast, with some of the blades used to cut girls (Issouf SANOGO) (Issouf SANOGO/AFP/AFP) When he was a witch doctor, Moussa Diallo would regularly smear himself in a lotion made from a clitoris cut from a girl subjected to female genital mutilation. "I wanted to be a big chief, I wanted to dominate," said the small but charismatic fiftysomething from northwest Ivory Coast. "I put it on my face and body" every three months or so "for about three years", said Diallo, who asked AFP not to use his real name. Genitalia cut from girls in illegal "circumcision" ceremonies is used in several regions of the West African country to "make love potions" or magic ointments that some believe will help them "make money or reach high political office", said Labe Gneble, head of the National Organisation for Women, Children and the Family (ONEF). A ground down clitoris can sell for up to around $170 (152 euros), the equivalent of what many in Ivory Coast earn in a month. Diallo stopped using the unctions a decade ago, but regional police chief Lieutenant N'Guessan Yosso confirmed to AFP that dried clitorises are still "very sought after for mystical practices". And it is clear from extensive interviews AFP conducted with former faith healers, circumcisers, social workers, researchers and NGOs, that there is a thriving traffic in female genitalia for the powers they supposedly impart. Many are convinced the trade is hampering the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM), which has been banned in the religiously diverse nation for more than a quarter of a century. Despite that, one in five Ivorian women are still being cut, according to the OECD, with one in two being mutilated in parts of the north. - Cut and mixed with plants - Before he had a crisis of conscience and decided to campaign against FGM, Diallo said he was often asked by the women who performed excisions around the small town of Touba to use his powers to protect them from evil spells. Female circumcision has been practised by different religions in West Africa for centuries, with most girls cut between childhood and adolescence. Many families consider it a rite of passage or a way to control and repress female sexuality, according to UN children's agency UNICEF, which condemns cutting as a dangerous violation of girls' fundamental rights. Beyond the physical and psychological pain, cutting can be fatal, lead to sterility, birth complications, chronic infections and bleeding, not to mention the loss of sexual pleasure. Diallo would often accompany the women who do the cutting out into the forest or to a home where dozens of girls would be circumcised, often surrounded by fetishes and sacred objects. So it was relatively easy for the former faith healer to obtain the precious powder. "When they would cut the clitorises they would dry them for a month or two then pound them with stones," he said. The result was a "black powder" which was then sometimes mixed with "leaves, roots and bark" or shea butter that is often used in cosmetics. They could then sell it for around "100,000 CFA Francs (152 euros) if the girl was a virgin" or "65,000 (99 euros) if she already had a child" or barter it for goods and services, Diallo added. The ex-witch doctor said he was able to get some of the powder recently -- a mix of human flesh and plants, he believes -- from a cutter in his village. AFP was shown the powder but was unable to analyse it without buying it. - 'Organ trafficking' - Former circumcisers interviewed by AFP insisted that clitorises cut from girls are either buried, thrown into a river or given to the parents, depending on local custom. But one in the west of the country admitted some end up being used for magic. "Some people pretend they are the girls' parents and go off with the clitoris," she said. Witch doctors use them for "incantations" and sell them afterwards, she claimed. Another circumciser said some of her colleagues were complicit in the trade, "giving (genitalia) to people who are up to no good" for occult purposes. Mutilated when she was still a child, one victim told AFP that her mother warned her to bring home the flesh that had been cut. The trade is regarded as "organ trafficking" in Ivorian law and is punishable -- like FGM -- with fines and several years in prison, said lawyer Marie Laurence Didier Zeze. But police in Odienne, who are in charge of five regions in the country's northwest, said no one has ever been indicted for trafficking. "People won't say anything about sacred practices," lamented Lieutenant N'Guessan Yosso. The cutters themselves are both feared and respected, locals told AFP, often seen as prisoners of evil spirits. - 'Just nuts' - "A clitoris cannot give you magical powers, it's just nuts," said gynaecologist Jacqueline Chanine based in the country's commercial capital Abidjan. Even so, the practice is still stubbornly widespread in some parts of the country, according to researchers. Dieudonne Kouadio, an anthropologist specialising in health, was presented with a box of the powder in the town of Odienne, 150 kilometres north of Touba. "It contained a dried cut organ in the form of a blackish powder," he said. His discovery was included in a 2021 report for the Djigui foundation, whose conclusions were accepted by the Ministry for Women. Farmers in Denguele district, of which Odienne is a part, "buy clitorises and mix the powder with their seeds to increase the fertility of their fields", said Nouho Konate, a Djigui foundation member who has been fighting FGM in the area for 16 years. He said parents of young girls were "gutted" when he told them of the trafficking. Further south and in the centre west of the country, women use clitoris powder as an aphrodisiac, hoping to prevent their husbands straying, said criminologist Safie Roseline N'da, author of a 2023 study on FGM which also pointed to the trade. She and her two co-authors discovered that blood from cut women was also being used to honour traditional gods. They are far from the only Ivorian folk remedies that use body parts, according to lawyer Didier Zeze. - Mystic beliefs keeps it going - "The mystic has a central place in daily life" in the Ivory Coast -- where Islam, Christianity and traditional animist beliefs co-exist -- said the Canadian anthropologist Boris Koenig, a specialist in occult practices there. "It touches every sphere of people's social, professional, family and love lives," he said, and there is generally nothing illegal about it. The trade, however, is "one of the reasons that FGM survives" in the Ivory Coast, NGOs argue, where the rate of cutting is generally falling and is below the West African average of 28 percent, according to the OECD. Back near Touba, the former witch doctor Diallo recalled how up to 30 women would be cut in a day in the places his magic protected. The dry season between January to March was the favoured period for circumcisions, when the hot Harmattan wind from the Sahara helps scars heal, he said. Staff at the region's only social work centre say the cutting is still going on but hard to quantify because it never happens in the open. Instead it goes on in secret, hidden behind traditional festivals which have nothing to do with the practice, kept going they say by circumcisers from neighbouring Guinea -- only a few kilometres away -- where FGM rates are over 90 percent. bam/pid/fg/cw/smw George Helmy, Gov. Murphy's former chief of staff, is now the only Arab American in the U.S. Senate. (Photo courtesy of New Jersey Governor's Office) George Helmy was sworn in Monday in Washington, D.C., to fill the unexpired term of convicted former Sen. Bob Menendez, becoming the only Arab American senator in Congress. Helmy, 44, a Democrat who served as Gov. Phil Murphys chief of staff from 2019 to last year, took his oath of office with a beaming Sen. Cory Booker, New Jerseys senior senator, standing by his side. The oath, administered at 5:06 p.m. by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), took less than a minute. Afterward, Booker hugged him and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer congratulated him, noting Helmy is the first member of the Coptic Christian Church to become a U.S. senator. Hes going to be a great addition, and its another ceiling being broken, Schumer said. Helmy began his senatorial service immediately, with the Senate going into a legislative session to mull judicial nominations. It is an honor and a privilege to represent the great State of New Jersey in this capacity, Helmy said in a statement. New Jersey deserves its full voice and representation on the floor of the United States Senate, and I am committed to supporting the needs of our constituents over the next few months as we navigate such a critical time in our nations history. Helmy will not serve in the Senate for long. Hes expected to resign in late November after the Board of State Canvassers certifies the winner of the Nov. 5 election and Murphy appoints the victor to the Senate. Rep. Andy Kim, a Democrat who has served in the Houses 3rd District since 2019, is seeking the Senate seat against Republican hotelier Curtis Bashaw. Helmy will sit on the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which his predecessor helmed until shortly after his federal indictment last fall in a wide-ranging, international bribery scheme. Helmy also will serve on the Senates finance and banking, housing, and urban affairs committees. This isnt the first time Helmy has worked for the Senate. Before he joined Murphys team, he was Bookers state director. He also was an aide and caseworker to the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg. He left Murphys office last year to become executive vice president and chief external affairs and policy officer for RWJBarnabas Health. The Jersey City native now lives in Morris County with his wife and two children. Hes a graduate of Rutgers and Harvard universities. Menendez, 70, resigned his Senate seat in August and withdrew his bid for reelection as an independent candidate on Aug. 20, about a month after a Manhattan jury convicted him after a 10-week trial of accepting cash, gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and other valuables in exchange for his political influence. The Democrat, who had served in Congress since 1993, has appealed his conviction; his sentencing is set for Oct. 29. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX New Jersey Sen. George Helmy (D) on Monday was sworn in to fill the remainder of former Sen. Bob Menendezs (D) term in office. Helmy, ex-chief of staff to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D), was appointed by his former boss to replace Menendez, who resigned from his Senate seat last month after he was convicted on charges including bribery and acting as a foreign agent. Helmy stood with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) as he took the oath of office, which was administered by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.). Helmy had also previously served as Bookers state director. The two New Jersey Democrats embraced after the oath was administered, and the chamber applauded. I just want to say a word of congratulations to our new senator, Schumer said on the Senate floor, following his oath. Hes going to be a great addition, and its another ceiling being broken. He is the first member of the Coptic Church to become a senator in the United States of America, he said, noting its one of the oldest Christian denominations ever. So welcome. Helmys time in office will be short, as the six-year term expires at the start of 2025. Once Menendez dropped out of the race for the Senate seat, the general election became a contest between Rep. Andy Kim (D) and Republican businessman Curtis Bashaw, along with other minor candidates. Menendez had been gearing up for a run for another six-year term in the Senate when he was charged last fall in a wide-ranging corruption case alleging he accepted bribes in exchange for favors to three businessmen and acting as a foreign agent on behalf of Egypt and Qatar. He denied the charges and rejected widespread calls from members of his own party to resign. He passed on running for the Democratic nomination for another term, but ultimately decided to try running as an independent, despite his poor approval rating following his indictment. After he was found guilty on all 16 charges, Menendez announced he would resign from the Senate and shortly thereafter dropped his independent bid. He has vowed to appeal the ruling. When Helmy was tapped to replace Menendez, he said he was grateful to Murphy for his continued trust alongside the governors belief in my ability to step into this awesome role, and take on this awesome responsibility of this office. I will stand as our second crucial voice in the Democratic Caucus under Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the important items that will come before us over the next months, Helmy said at the time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Monday predicted smooth elections in the Peach State this year despite rules changes being imposed by a State Election Board he called a mess. Raffensperger told members of the Atlanta Rotary Club reforms his office and the General Assembly have made since the last presidential election in 2020 should give voters confidence that the voting process is fair and honest. A bill the legislatures Republican majorities passed in 2021 over the objections of Democrats requires Georgia voters to show a photo ID no matter whether theyre voting in person on Election Day, taking advantage of 17 days of early voting, or voting by mail. Raffensperger said both Democrats and Republicans filed legal challenges against the old signature-match system. Raffenspergers office has conducted a statewide audit to ensure only U.S. citizens are registered to vote in Georgia, a check that turned up 1,600 people who could not verify their citizenship. The secretary of states office also is working with sister agencies in other states and the Georgia Department of Driver Services to identify voters who may have moved out of state, he said. Raffensperger expects about 65% of Georgia voters will cast their ballots before Election Day, either through early voting or by absentee ballot. Those who choose to vote on Nov. 5 shouldnt have to wait more than an hour, he said. Were trying to beat Chick-fil-A for the shortest lines, he quipped. However, Raffensperger warned that rules changes three supporters of former President Donald Trump who sit on the five-member State Election Board have approved in recent weeks could hold up the tabulation of results. He said the changes are being made too close to Election Day. The counties have already done poll worker training, he said. Weve already built ballots. ... It really is difficult to start changing the process. Raffensperger said hes especially concerned with a rule change that will let election officials at the precinct level delay certifying the results if they believe fraud may have occurred. Such delays could prevent counties from turning in their results before the early morning hours after Election Day, he said. By law, counties must certify election results or face being taken to court, Raffensperger said. Then, your choice is youll do it or youll be in jail, he said. While he disagrees with the rules changes, Raffensperger said he has no legal authority to rescind them. The General Assembly removed the secretary of state as the boards chairman in 2021. Its really their problem to fix, he said. Raffensperger urged Rotarians to volunteer to serve as poll workers. The secretary of states office is partnering with Vet the Vote, a new nationwide organization that recruits veterans and members of their families to serve as volunteer poll workers. STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) The Georgia Southern University ROTC program will be hosting a stair climb to honor the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The Eagle Battalions route through Paulson Stadium is meant to replicate the 110 flights of stairs in the Twin Towers. Campus veterans, local law enforcement and local fire departments are also invited to participate in the event. It will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 11. at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro. Cadets will begin to line up at 5:30 a.m. and the march will begin between 5:45 and 6 a.m. This will be the sixth year that the Georgia Southern ROTC has hosted this event. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. A visitor photographs a brown bear in Alaska's Katmai National Park. Geotagging by travelers can sometimes be beneficial to wildlife, especially when its used to aid citizen science projects. Photograph by Acacia Johnson, Nat Geo Image Collection Geotagging of destinations is widely lamented for fueling overtourism, but now is being used to help travelers with disabilities, aid in wildlife conservation, and showcase forgotten Black history. When tourists upload images or videos to Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or X (formerly Twitter), they commonly use geotagging, which attaches their GPS coordinates. This allows them to document their travels, but can also trigger a deluge of visitors to heavily geotagged spots, like Arizonas Horseshoe Bend, which became more littered. On the flip side, geotagging is increasingly being used in positive ways, helping to address environmental and social issues, and even crowding, according to tourism experts. Emerging benefits of geotagging Aiding tourists with disabilities is one of several upsides to geotagging, says Ulrich Gunter, professor of tourism economics at Modul University Vienna in Austria. Google Maps has a function that shows wheelchair-accessible routes through many of the worlds major cities, based on geotagging of accessible ramps, lifts, and car parks. The Wheelmap app also employs geotagging to show its users more than 1 million accessible restaurants, bars, shops, toilets, bus stops, museums, and cinemas in dozens of countries. Vision-impaired tourists, meanwhile, can use Blindsquare, which pairs with GPS apps to offer audio explanations of nearby attractions. Data from geotagging is also helping tackle overtourism, according to Gunter. It lets map apps inform users of the busiest times of day at an attraction, like Pariss iconic Eiffel Tower, so they can avoid crowds. Some tourism organizations use such data to, via their own apps, steer tourists away from busy spots to quieter attractions nearby. How geotagging can drive overtourism At the same time, tourists can harm a destination by geotagging it, warns Greg Richards, professor of placemaking and events at Tilburg University in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is experiencing a blight dubbed the TikTok queue, where tourists swarm the same few geotagged restaurants or cafes trending on social media so they can film similar videos to post online. TikTok queues cause commotion, crowding, and littering, Richards explains. Some venues are so inundated, like Amsterdams Fabel Fries restaurant, that they now have two lines, one for regular customers, and another for content creators. Geotagging can also harm natural locations, like South Africas Kruger National Park, where poachers tracked endangered animals via social media posts. Such spots which are widely geotagged often suffer soil erosion, habitat destruction, and depletion of local flora and fauna due to uncontrolled visitor activities, says Natalia Bayona, executive director at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Protecting the environment via geomapping Fortunately, geotagging by travelers can have benefits for wilderness destinations, Bayona adds. This technology is being used by tourists to aid citizen science projects, such as wildlife tracking and environmental monitoring. By sharing the location of various flora and fauna, or reporting instances of littering and pollution, tourists can help local authorities and conservationists better understand ecological trends and challenges, she says. This grassroots approach not only empowers travelers by giving them a sense of agency in preserving the destinations they love, but also fosters a deeper connection between tourists and the local environment. The geotagging and augmented reality combo Geotagging is also assisting worthy social causes, particularly via its increasing use in combination with augmented reality (AR) technology, Bayona says. AR apps, like Google Lens, layer digital images and information over the users surroundings. As they explore a location, their phones GPS tracks their movement, and the AR app alerts them to nearby points of interest. An inspiring example is the soon-to-be-launched app Mapping Blackness, which will utilize geotagging to guide users to historic sites within forgotten Black communities across the U.S. This app will also use AR, documentaries, 3-D renderings, and 360-degree virtual reality imagery to tell the tales of those communities, like the Okemah neighborhood in Phoenix, Arizona, founded by Black migrants in 1927. Mapping Blackness was created by Carla LynDale Bishop, assistant professor of film and media production at Arizona State University. Geotagging has evolved far beyond the simple act of checking into a restaurant, museum, or landmark on social media. What began as a novelty, then turned into a curse of sorts, is now starting to offer blessings. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said in an interview that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agree that Russia should be included in a future peace conference aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Scholz also called for increased efforts to resolve the conflict. "I believe that now is the moment when we must discuss how we get out of this war situation faster than the current impression is," Scholz said, speaking to Germany's ZDF public television. "There will certainly be a further peace conference, and the president [Zelenskyy] and I agree that it must be one with Russia present." A previous international peace conference in Switzerland in June ended with 78 countries expressing support for Ukraine's "territorial integrity" but otherwise leaving the path forward unclear. Russia did not participate in those talks. Scholz is facing more political discontent at home over his government's support, including money and weapons for Ukraine after populist parties that oppose arming Kyiv did well in state elections on 1 September at the expense of parties in his three-party governing coalition. Some members of his Social Democratic Party have also called for more emphasis on diplomacy toward Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he's thankful for the support he received at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Ramstein on Friday. Firefighters extinguish burning cars in the courtyard of an apartment building after a missile attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the city of Belgorod, September 2, 2024 - AP/Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov telegram channel He urged attendees to speed up deliveries of military hardware to the battlefield and also pressed his case for permission to use those weapons to strike targets deeper inside Russia. At that meeting, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Biden administration would announce another $250 million (225 million) military aid package. The UK said it would send a package of 650 air defence missiles while Germany pledged a further 12 self-propelled howitzers. "The main thing for us now, at the beginning of autumn, is to strengthen the position of Ukraine, Ukrainians, protect our cities and villages from Russian terror and, of course, provide more opportunities for our soldiers at the front, Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. "I thank everyone who works and fights for Ukraine, for our people and our interests, the interests of our country, the Ukrainian state. Every day, every week should make Ukraine stronger." On the battlefield, the governor of Russia's Belgorod region published photographs on Sunday night he says show the aftermath of Ukrainian shelling on the village of Nikolskoe. He claimed that a missile strike damaged two residential buildings, injuring three people. Russia's Defence Ministry said that two drones were shot down over the Belgorod region overnight and another in the Kursk region. And in Ukraine, fierce fighting continues near the town of Pokrovsk. More than 20,000 inhabitants remain in the city, despite Ukrainian authorities continuing to evacuate the strategically important town. A recent Russian air strike there hit a local electricity substation, leaving many residents without power. Annalena Baerbock, Germany's Foreign Minister, and Robert Habeck, Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, attend the party's parliamentary group meeting. Kay Nietfeld/dpa German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has Covid-19, a government spokesman told dpa in Berlin on Monday. Habeck took a test on Monday evening after someone close to him tested positive, the spokesman said. Habeck has the initial symptoms of a cold and "will be cancelling in-person appointments for the time being." German foreign minister warns against going alone in migration debate Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, speaks at the opening of this year's Ambassadors' Conference at the Federal Foreign Office. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has warned against jeopardizing a delicate EU-wide compromise on asylum policy by adopting conservative opposition demands for turning back migrants at the German border. After years of difficult EU negotiations, the German government had done everything it could "to get a common European asylum system off the ground in Europe," Baerbock said on Monday, referring to a deal to overhaul the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). The centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) have demanded that German border police refuse entry to migrants trying to cross into Germany from neighbouring EU countries. But Baerbock, a Green, contended that such policies need to be negotiated with other EU countries and can't be implemented unilaterally by Berlin. Germans should "not allow ourselves to be driven crazy by those who are now deluding us into believing that the nation state could better regulate something in Europe on its own," she said in remarks to a conference for ambassadors hosted by the German Foreign Office. New consultations between the German government, political opposition and leaders from Germany's 16 federal states on migration issues could take place this Tuesday in Berlin. Long-standing debates over how to handle migrants seeking asylum in Germany have intensified after a deadly knife attack earlier this month in the western German city of Solingen. The suspected attacker, a Syrian citizen, had evaded an order to be deported from Germany to Bulgaria, where he first entered the EU. EU rules generally require asylum-seeking migrants to have claims processed in the first EU country they entered. The reform deal for the EU's CEAS rules provides for the establishment of asylum centres at the EU's external borders, where officials could consider asylum claims from people from countries with low asylum recognition rates. Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, speaks at the opening of this year's Ambassadors' Conference at the Federal Foreign Office. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's domestic intelligence agency has warned against a cyber group belonging to Russian military intelligence (GRU) Unit 29155, saying it has carried out cyberattacks against NATO and EU countries. In a post on social media platform X on Monday, the Bundesverfassungsschutz said it was issuing the warning against the group known as UNC2589 alongside the FBI, U.S. cybersecurity agency CISA, the NSA and further international partners. The warning comes at a time of heightened anxiety in Europe over suspected Russian hackers and spies since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Earlier this year, Berlin accused Russia of a slew of cyberattacks on Germany's governing Social Democrats as well as companies in the logistics, defence, aerospace and IT sectors. In its warning, the intelligence agency said the group, also known as Cadet Blizzard or Ember Bear, conducts activities for the purpose of espionage and sabotage that often involve defacing websites and publishing stolen data. The GRU unit to which it belongs is known for its suspected involvement in the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain in 2018, according to the agency. (Reporting by Friederike Heine; Editing by Tom Hogue and Lincoln Feast.) China allows foreign owned hospitals in Beijing 08:06, September 09, 2024 By Wang Xiaoyu ( Chinadaily.com.cn China plans to allow wholly-owned foreign hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai, and seven other cities or regions, the Ministry of Commerce said on Sunday. Foreign hospitals will be allowed to set up wholly-owned hospitals in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing in Jiangsu province, Fuzhou in Fujian province, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong province as well as the whole island of Hainan, the ministry said in a statement released on its official website. Such hospitals should not specialize in traditional Chinese medicine, it said. Specific conditions, requirements, and procedures for establishing such a hospital will be released separately later on, said the statement jointly released with the National Health Commission and the National Medical Products Administration. The move is part of efforts aimed at expanding opening up in the healthcare sector, attracting foreign investment to promote high-quality development of medical services and better meeting the medical demands of the public, said the statement. It added that starting on Sunday, foreign-invested enterprises are allowed to research and develop technologies of human stem cell, gene diagnosis, and treatment in pilot free trade zones in Beijing, Shanghai, and the province of Guangdong, as well as the Hainan Trade Free Port. They can also apply for market registration and mass production licenses in China for their products and approved products can be used nationwide. The statement also calls for stepping up services for foreign enterprises who are willing to participate in these trial programs while government departments should strengthen coordination and supervision to detect risks promptly. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) At the invitation of Saudi Arabias Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and the UAEs Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, from September 10 to 13, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council will travel to Saudi Arabia to chair the Fourth Meeting of the High-Level Chinese-Saudi Joint Committee and visit Saudi Arabia and the UAE. At the invitation of Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council Sergei Shoigu, as usual practice, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will attend the 14th Meeting of BRICS High-Ranking Officials responsible for security matters/National Security Advisors in St. Petersburg, Russia from September 11 to 12. CCTV: The FOCAC Beijing Summit was successfully held last week. Foreign Minister Wang Yi together with foreign ministers of the current and upcoming co-chairs of FOCAC met the press. Foreign Minister Wang said that the Summit sends a strong message of China and Africa seeking common development and demonstrates the firm determination of the Global South working together in solidarity. How do we understand the significance of FOCAC to China-Africa relations? Mao Ning: FOCAC was born at the turn of the century, becoming the first platform for institutional dialogue established by China and developing countries, and the first mechanism for multilateral cooperation between China and a whole continent. Over the past 24 years since its inception, FOCAC has held four summits, nine ministerial meetings and 17 senior officials meetings. It has become an important platform for collective dialogue between China and African countries, an effective mechanism for deepening practical cooperation and a pacesetter of South-South cooperation. Since the inception of FOCAC, China-Africa relations have leapfrogged from a new type of partnership to a new type of strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership and to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, demonstrating growing strategic significance. Chinas trade volume with Africa and investment stock in Africa increased by over 20 times and 100 times respectively. Belt and Road cooperation produced fruitful outcomes. The ten cooperation plans put forward at the 2015 FOCAC Johannesburg Summit, the eight major initiatives identified at the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit, and the nine programs proposed at the 2021 FOCAC Ministerial Conference in Dakar were implemented smoothly. At this years FOCAC Summit, the ten partnership actions were proposed, bringing China-Africa practical cooperation to a new level. There have been a rich variety of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Africa, which deepened mutual understanding between the Chinese and African people, and enhanced the traditional friendship. China has set up multiple cultural centers in Africa, established over 60 Confucius Institutes, and sent medical teams to over 40 African countries, who treated close to 300 million African patients. The two sides have witnessed inspiring stories of friendship in the new era. At the new historical starting point, China will continue upholding the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests. We will continue working with African members of FOCAC to implement the outcomes of the Summit and better benefit the people of both sides. Peoples Daily: To follow up on your announcement that Director Wang Yi will attend the 14th Meeting of BRICS High-Ranking Officials responsible for security matters/National Security Advisors, can you share more information on that and Chinas expectation for the meeting? Mao Ning: The 14th Meeting of BRICS High-Ranking Officials responsible for security matters/National Security Advisors will be held in St. Petersburg from September 11 to 12. As usual practice, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will attend the meeting upon invitation. During the meeting, the Chinese side will exchange views with BRICS partners on the current international security situation and major international and regional issues, and make political preparation for the BRICS Summit. The world today is marked by changes and instabilities and fraught with complex and severe security challenges. As an important platform for emerging markets and developing countries, BRICS has been committed to upholding world peace, promoting common development, practicing multilateralism, and working for more just and equitable global governance. This is the first meeting of BRICS High-Ranking Officials responsible for security matters/National Security Advisors following the historic expansion of BRICS. China looks forward to working with BRICS partners to consolidate BRICS strategic partnership, further enrich BRICS cooperation in political and security areas, provide new impetus for greater BRICS cooperation, and contribute to world peace and security. Hubei Media Group: During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, President Xi Jinping announced that China will carry out an action for a mine-free Africa. Could you share more details with us? Mao Ning: Africa is among the regions most severely threatened by landmines and Africans have been beset by mines. For a long time, China has been actively committed to humanitarian assistance and cooperation in mine action, taken concrete actions to support Ethiopia, Angola, Eritrea, Chad and other countries in their capacity-building for mine action, and contributed to protecting local civilians and promoting socioeconomic development. Peace and security cooperation is part and parcel of building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. During the FOCAC Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping announced an action for a mine-free Africa, a practical step by China to implement the Global Security Initiative in Africa. China stands ready to advance mine action cooperation with African countries through assistance supplies, personnel training and on-the-ground guidance to help Africa get rid of mines as early as possible and achieve secure, stable and sustainable development. Polish Press Agency: Last week, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski visited Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. In each of these countries, he stressed the importance of resolving disputes in the South China Sea, without resorting to violence, use of force or economic coercion. Regardless of its size, every country must respect the award of the arbitral tribunal and international law. Whats Chinas comments? Mao Ning: China stands for peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea through negotiation and consultation with countries directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and observing international law. Regarding the so-called South China Sea arbitration, China has made its position clear multiple times. The award is illegal and null and void. DPA: According to German media report, two German military vessels will transit through the Taiwan Strait in mid-September. What is the Foreign Ministrys comment? Mao Ning: Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory. We made our position clear on similar questions. The waters of the Taiwan Strait, from both shores toward the middle of the Strait, are Chinas internal waters, then territorial sea, then contiguous zone, and then exclusive economic zone. China respects countries right to navigation in relevant waters in accordance with Chinas laws and international law, including UNCLOS. But we firmly oppose any act of provocation under the pretext of freedom of navigation by relevant countries that harms Chinas sovereignty and security. Reuters: Malaysias Foreign Ministry is conducting internal investigation into the leak of a diplomatic note sent by Chinas Foreign Ministry to the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing in February. This was reported by the Philippines news outlet. It said that China had sent a two-page document to the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing in February, asserting that Kuala Lumpurs oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea infringed on Chinas sovereignty. Can MOFA confirm if China told Malaysia this? Mao Ning: China is shocked by the news release by the Philippine media. This is apparently ill-motivated. We noted that Malaysias Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement in response. China and Malaysia, as countries concerned in the South China Sea issue, have maintained close communication on properly addressing differences and disputes between the two sides, and have jointly made good contribution to the growth of China-Malaysia relations and regional peace and stability. CCTV: The session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was held recently in the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde. The session spoke highly of the progress in China-OIC cooperation in recent years. Whats Chinas comments? Mao Ning: On August 29 and 30, the 50th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) commended the progress in China-OIC cooperation and looked forward to further advancing cooperation with China. China welcomes the statements. China and the Islamic world share traditional friendship. Both sides firmly support each other in upholding respective core interests and enjoy fruitful results in their Belt and Road cooperation. China stands ready to continue working with Islamic states to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, and promote world peace, stability and sustainable development. The OIC is a symbol of the solidarity of Islamic states and an important bridge to promote relations between China and Islamic states. China stands ready to continue deepening strategic communication with the OIC, conducting cooperation in various fields, and making continued progress of bilateral relations. TV Asahi: Last weekend, Internet influencer Ya Ren (asianman) posted a video online, in which he was asked by a person accompanying Japanese tourists to make room for them to take pictures in the Yuanmingyuan Park. Ya Ren refused and the two sides quarreled. The video sparked heated online discussion. Many Japanese nationals in China expressed concerns. What is the Foreign Ministrys comment? Mao Ning: Im not familiar with the specifics you mentioned. I will not comment on personal conduct. But what I can tell you is that China is an open and inclusive country, and we do not have in place any discriminatory practice against any particular country. Ukrinform News Agency: Indian media reported yesterday that National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of India, Ajit Doval, this week will visit Moscow to discuss peace efforts aimed at resolving Russias ongoing war against Ukraine. How will you comment on Indias peace efforts, and can you share with us the Chinese governments next steps in seeking to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine that has been continuing for two and a half years? Mao Ning: On the Ukraine issue, we are committed to promoting talks for peace and support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis. China will continue working with the international community to accumulate conditions for a political settlement. Bloomberg: I just want to follow up on a question about the German plan to transit the Taiwan Strait. You said that the Taiwan Strait was internal waters and contiguous zone. Is that the whole of the Strait or is that just parts of the Strait? My question is, how much of the Strait is international waters from the Chinese perspective? And how much of it is internal waters and contiguous zones? Mao Ning: The waters of the Taiwan Strait, from both shores toward the middle of the Strait, are Chinas internal waters, then territorial sea, then contiguous zone, and then exclusive economic zone. I think I already answered your question. Shenzhen TV: On September 6, the US government released the so-called updated Hong Kong business advisory, warning that the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the March 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance further erode fundamental freedoms and protections for human rights in Hong Kong and that businesses should be aware that the risks they face in the PRC are now increasingly present in Hong Kong. Whats Chinas comment? Mao Ning: The so-called updated Hong Kong business advisory concocted by the US makes groundless attack against Hong Kongs national security laws and smears the business environment in Hong Kong. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it. After the roll-out of the Law on Safeguarding National Security and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong enjoys better rule of law, a more favorable business environment and more consolidated foundation for long-term prosperity and stability. According to the latest report released by the Hong Kong SAR government, Hong Kong saw all-time high figures for the registration of both new local companies and non-Hong Kong firms in the first half of this year. The World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024 indicates that Hong Kong ranks fifth globally in competitiveness. In 2023, Hong Kong was the fourth receiver of foreign direct investment worldwide and the 10th largest exporter of merchandise trade. The US needs to respect facts, respect Chinas sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and stay prudent on issues related to Hong Kong. Bloomberg: Just to follow up. Do you recognize that the center of the Taiwan Strait is international waters in which there is freedom of navigation for all nations? In your statement now on your understanding of the waters, you didnt actually say that its international waters. So is the center of the Strait beyond 12 nautical miles on either side of the Strait international waters in which any nation can travel freely? Mao Ning: Both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinas territory. The waters of the Taiwan Strait, from both shores toward the middle of the Strait, are Chinas internal waters, then territorial sea, then contiguous zone, and then exclusive economic zone. China respects countries right to navigation in relevant waters in accordance with Chinas laws and international law, including UNCLOS. But we firmly oppose any act of provocation under the pretext of freedom of navigation by relevant countries that harms Chinas sovereignty and security. Bloomberg: Your mention of the special economic zone makes that out to be having international legal basis in the sense of international waters. Its international waters first, and then its also Chinas exclusive economic zone. Is it not? Mao Ning: The UNCLOS clearly states the specific legal regime of the exclusive economic zone, which you may refer to. Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is on an official visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. Noting that next year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, Li said China is ready to work with Spain to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, build political mutual trust, and jointly build bilateral relations with strategic focus. The two countries will focus on high-level alignment of development strategies and in-depth integration of growth drivers, and push for more tangible results of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, Li added. Li said China is willing to expand two-way opening up with Spain, encourage the development of cross-border e-commerce and convenient logistics, and promote the optimization and development of bilateral trade and investment cooperation. China will provide more facilitation and support for Spanish and other foreign enterprises to invest in China, and hopes that Spain will provide a fair, safe, non-discriminatory and predictable business environment for Chinese enterprises keen to invest in Spain, Li said. He added that China is ready to work with Spain to focus on green development and innovation, and strengthen cooperation in new energy, energy conservation, environmental protection, the digital economy and space. Li said China stands ready to work with Spain to uphold openness and cooperation, safeguard the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, maintain stability and unimpeded global industrial and supply chains, and jointly build an open world economy. It is hoped that Spain will play a constructive role in promoting China-EU cooperation, he said. Sanchez said that Spain attaches great importance to developing relations with China and looks forward to further enhancing bilateral exchanges at all levels, enriching bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, and strengthening exchanges in culture, education, science and technology to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. The EU and China have broad space for cooperation, and Spain supports the EU and China in conducting balanced and mutually beneficial dialogue and cooperation, safeguarding the multilateral trading system and jointly addressing challenges, Sanchez stated. After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in fields such as economy, culture, education, science and technology. Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Police officers are on duty in Munich. A major police operation is under way in central Munich near the Israeli Consulate General and a Nazi documentation centre, with shots fired in the area. The police have called on people to avoid the area. Peter Kneffel/dpa German police investigating the suspected attempted terror attack outside the Israeli consulate in Munich have interviewed around 100 witnesses, a police spokesman said on Monday. The special police commission looking into the attack has not yet found any further evidence to support the "working hypothesis" that the 18-year-old shooter was motivated by Islamism or anti-Semitism, the spokesman for Bavaria's State Criminal Police Office (BLKA) said. The approximately 100 officers investigating the attack are hoping to gain further insights from the analysis of the Austrian suspect's cell phone. The device had apparently been damaged during the exchange of fire with the police, but could be accessed. However, the BLKA spokesman said it was still unclear how much data could still be recovered. The shooter was killed in an exchange of fire with police. According to the police, the 18-year-old suspect fired nine shots with a Swiss military carbine in the centre of Munich on Thursday - including at the Israeli consulate general and the nearby Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism, known as the nsdoku. Investigators in Munich believe the shooting was part of a planned terrorist attack, partly because of the location near the consulate and because it occurred on the anniversary of the 1972 Olympic bombing, a terror attack staged by Palestinian militants in which 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team were killed. Findings by the Austrian police indicated that the 18-year-old could have been radicalized by Islamists. The Israeli flag flies in front of the Israeli Consulate General. A police vehicle is parked in front of it. Police have shot down a suspicious person during a major operation near the Israeli Consulate General in Munich city center. Peter Kneffel/dpa Markers highlight the bullet holes in a building next to the Israeli Consulate General. Last Thursday, police fatally shot an armed man at this location, and the Bavarian State Office of Criminal Investigation has since inspected the scene. Stefan Puchner/dpa Germany believes that peace in Ukraine should not be dictated by Russia The process of establishing peace in Ukraine is an arduous one, but it has begun, and peace should not be dictated by the Kremlin, a German government spokesman believes. Source: Steffen Hebestreit, spokesperson for the German federal government, quoted by Ukrinform, as reported by European Pravda Details: Hebestreit highlighted that the peace process has been ongoing for "a relatively long time", recalling the Peace Summit in Switzerland attended by more than 100 countries at which a second summit was decided to be held. He noted that at that point, "there was a general feeling, recognition, consensus that the next meeting should be held with the participation of Russia". He emphasised that everyone understands that peace must be fair and not dictated by anyone, saying that there should be no question of Ukraine having to "raise the white flag" and that other countries should not discuss Ukraine without Ukraines involvement. Hebestreit also stated that there is no question of giving Russia a chance to regroup and attack again with new forces, as previously, or of freezing the situation Russia must withdraw its troops. The spokesman went on to say that the only person who can put an end to the war right away is Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin; the war has a "huge cost" for Russia, but most importantly for Ukraine and those who support it. In an extensive interview with ZDF, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was in favour of Russia being involved in the forthcoming Peace Summit, saying: "Now is the moment for us to discuss how to end the war and achieve peace faster than currently seems possible." It was later reported that Scholz had come under harsh criticism from Germanys largest opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union, for saying that it was time to begin searching for ways to stop the war. Earlier, Andrii Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office, stated that the invitation of a Russian representative to the second Peace Summit should not be taken to mean the start of negotiations with Russia. Support UP or become our patron! Nancy Faeser, Germany's Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs, speaks at a press conference on current measures in migration policy and the Federal Government's security package at the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Michael Kappeler/dpa German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has ordered passport controls to be resumed along all German land borders in a bid to sharply curb the number of people entering the country without visas, government sources told dpa on Monday. The border controls will go into effect on September 16 and are initially expected to remain in place for six months, sources said. Faeser has informed the European Commission of the plans, according to dpa sources. The border checks are intended both to limit irregular migration as well as address threats from Islamist terrorist groups and cross-border criminal organizations, according to the sources. Long-standing debates over how to handle migrants seeking asylum in Germany have intensified in recent weeks after a deadly knife attack earlier this month in the western German city of Solingen. The suspected attacker, a Syrian citizen, had evaded an order to be deported from Germany to Bulgaria, where he first entered the EU. North Rhine-Westphalia's Premier Hendrik Wust welcomed the additional checks at all German land borders ordered by Faeser. As long as the EU's external borders are not protected, it must be possible to protect the internal borders, Wust said on Monday on the fringes of a visit to a regional police "Innovation Lab" in Duisburg. "We have a duty to take a close look at who is coming. It's not just about migration, it's also about internal security, terrorism and organized crime," Wust added. State Interior Minister Herbert Reul described the decision in favour of temporary border checks as "absolutely necessary," even if it is difficult for Europeans. At the same time, he criticized how long it takes Germany's federal government in Berlin to make decisions. All of Germany's neighbours are fellow members of the Schengen Zone, which is normally supposed to allow control-free travel across all borders inside the bloc. But in October 2023, Germany has already resumed some border controls along its frontiers with Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Poland to deter the movement of migrants into Germany. Those border checks are officially on a temporary basis but have been repeatedly extended by Berlin. Similar controls on the border with Austria have been temporarily in place since September 2015. The sources said that the current German coalition government has put together expanded plans to deny entry to some migrants at Germany's borders in line with EU law. This follows demands for such steps from the conservative CDU/CSU opposition bloc. Sources said that Faeser has communicated her proposals to the opposition and requested confidential talks on the subject. Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for consultations with the CDU/CSU as well as the leaders of Germany's 16 federal states in the wake of the Solingen stabbings, which killed three people and wounded several others. Sources said further cross-party talks could take place on Tuesday. Another knife attack in May in the city of Mannheim also caused outrage and horror. An Afghan man wounded five members of the anti-Islam group Pax Europa and killed a policeman. Further details on the proposal were not initially disclosed. Currently, asylum seekers are only rejected at German land borders in certain limited cases, such as if someone is banned from entering the country or chooses not apply for asylum. According to the Interior Ministry, more than 30,000 people have been turned back since October, when Germany expanded the current stationary border controls. Some proposals discussed in recent weeks include denying entry to undocumented foreigners or those who have already filed a request for asylum in another country. Bavaria's conservative state premier, Markus Soder, reiterated demands that German guards turn away migrants at the borders in a speech on Monday to local political leaders. "We must massively reduce immigration," Soder said. "This must be solved now." Soder also called for large-scale efforts to deport people from Germany whose asylum claims have been denied or who otherwise have no right to remain in the country. At a separate event on Monday, Finance Minister Christian Lindner also argued that the government has a responsibility to deliver solutions on migration. Lindner, who leads the free-market liberal Free Democrats (FDP), said it is of "paramount interest" that a cross-party solution be found to manage migration into Germany. The Greens, who are also part of Scholz's three-party coalition, have been more hesitant to take steps that could curb the ability of those seeking asylum to find shelter in Germany. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, a Green party politician, warned in a speech on Monday against jeopardizing a delicate EU-wide compromise on asylum policy by adopting conservative opposition demands for turning back migrants at the German border. After years of difficult EU negotiations, the German government had done everything it could "to get a common European asylum system off the ground in Europe," Baerbock said on Monday, referring to a deal to overhaul the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). Nancy Faeser, Germany's Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs, speaks at a press conference on current measures in migration policy and the Federal Government's security package at the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Michael Kappeler/dpa Nancy Faeser, Germany's Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs, speaks at a press conference on current measures in migration policy and the Federal Government's security package at the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Michael Kappeler/dpa Nancy Faeser German Minister of the Interior, presents the Federal Situation Report on Organized Crime 2023 in the Federal Press Conference building. Jorg Carstensen/dpa German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has ordered passport controls to be resumed along all German land borders in a bid to sharply curb the number of people entering the country without visas, government sources told dpa on Monday. The border controls will go into effect on September 16 and are initially expected to remain in place for six months, sources said. Faeser has informed the European Commission of the plans, according to dpa sources. The border checks are intended both to limit irregular migration as well as address threats from Islamist terrorist groups and cross-border criminal organizations, according to the sources. Long-standing debates over how to handle migrants seeking asylum in Germany have intensified in recent weeks after a deadly knife attack earlier this month in the western German city of Solingen. The suspected attacker, a Syrian citizen, had evaded an order to be deported from Germany to Bulgaria, where he first entered the EU. All of Germany's neighbours are fellow members of the Schengen Zone, which is normally supposed to allow control-free travel across all borders inside the bloc. But in October 2023, Germany has already resumed some border controls along its frontiers with Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Poland to deter the movement of migrants into Germany. Those border checks are officially on a temporary basis but have been repeatedly extended by Berlin. Similar controls on the border with Austria have been temporarily in place since September 2015. The sources said that the current German coalition government has put together expanded plans to deny entry to some migrants at Germany's borders in line with EU law. This follows demands for such steps from the conservative CDU/CSU opposition bloc. Sources said that Faeser has communicated her proposals to the opposition and requested confidential talks on the subject. Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for consultations with the CDU/CSU as well as the leaders of Germany's 16 federal states in the wake of the Solingen stabbings, which killed three people and wounded several others. Sources said further cross-party talks could take place on Tuesday. Another knife attack in May in the city of Mannheim also caused outrage and horror. An Afghan man wounded five members of the anti-Islam group Pax Europa and killed a policeman. Further details on the proposal were not initially disclosed. Currently, asylum seekers are only rejected at German land borders in certain limited cases, such as if someone is banned from entering the country or chooses not apply for asylum. According to the Interior Ministry, more than 30,000 people have been turned back since October, when Germany expanded the current stationary border controls. Some proposals discussed in recent weeks include denying entry to undocumented foreigners or those who have already filed a request for asylum in another country. Bavaria's conservative state premier, Markus Soder, reiterated demands that German guards turn away migrants at the borders in a speech on Monday to local political leaders. "We must massively reduce immigration," Soder said. "This must be solved now." Soder also called for large-scale efforts to deport people from Germany whose asylum claims have been denied or who otherwise have no right to remain in the country. At a separate event on Monday, Finance Minister Christian Lindner also argued that the government has a responsibility to deliver solutions on migration. Lindner, who leads the free-market liberal Free Democrats (FDP), said it is of "paramount interest" that a cross-party solution be found to manage migration into Germany. The Greens, who are also part of Scholz's three-party coalition, have been more hesitant to take steps that could curb the ability of those seeking asylum to find shelter in Germany. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, a Green, warned in a speech on Monday against jeopardizing a delicate EU-wide compromise on asylum policy by adopting conservative opposition demands for turning back migrants at the German border. After years of difficult EU negotiations, the German government had done everything it could "to get a common European asylum system off the ground in Europe," Baerbock said on Monday, referring to a deal to overhaul the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). German Federal Police stop a car near Forst, eastern Germany, on October 11, 2023, near the border with Poland (JENS SCHLUETER) (JENS SCHLUETER/AFP/AFP) Germany on Monday moved to tighten border controls and curb irregular migrant inflows after several suspected Islamist attacks sparked public anger and piled pressure on the government. Temporary controls would be extended to Germany's land borders with all nine of its EU neighbours, the interior ministry said in a statement. These would limit migration and "protect against the acute dangers posed by Islamist terrorism and serious crime", Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told a press conference. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has faced rising pressure to curb irregular migrant numbers and crack down on extremists after several suspected Islamist attacks. Late last month, three people were killed in a knife rampage in the western city of Solingen, in which the Syrian suspect had been slated for deportation but evaded law enforcement. The attack, claimed by the Islamic State group, came just a week before key regional elections in eastern Germany and inflamed the debate on immigration in the country. The far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany scored historic successes in the votes in two formerly communist states, a little over a year before national elections. The extended border controls, which will come into force on September 16 for an initial six months, were notified to the European Commission on Monday, the ministry said. - All borders - Germany already has temporary controls along its border with Austria, which were implemented in 2015 to counter a large influx of migrants and have stayed in place since. Temporary controls along the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland were also introduced last year as concerns over migration grew again. The controls would now be extended to Germany's other land borders, with France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark, the ministry said. The government has responded to the alarm caused by the Solingen attack, also announcing tighter controls on carrying knives and tougher rules for illegal migrants in Germany. Berlin has also vowed to step up expulsion of asylum seekers convicted of crimes. Germany returned 28 Afghans late last month for the first time since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. The government was now "doing everything to better protect the people in our country", Faeser said Monday, adding that it would expand its options for turning back migrants at the border. Since controls were introduced along large parts of Germany's eastern border in October last year, around 30,000 people had been refused entry, Faeser said. The newly introduced measures would raise the number of people sent back to the country they were entering from, Faeser said. - Opposition talks - Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner however told the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on Monday his country "will not accept people who are rejected from Germany". Domestically, Scholz's government -- a coalition between the Social Democrats, the Greens and the liberal FDP -- has faced strong criticism from opposition parties calling for more action on migration. The conservative CDU-CSU entered into talks with the government to find a consensus solution, but the CDU leader Friedrich Merz said Monday that "it will only work if we really push back on a large scale". The Schengen area, which includes 25 of the 27 EU member states and several other countries, allows free travel between them without border controls. However, member states can reintroduce controls at certain internal borders in case of exceptional circumstances, and several have done so during the Covid pandemic or after attacks. The EU agreed a hard-fought overhaul to its asylum and migration laws earlier this year but the rules are only set to come into force in 2026. "Until we achieve strong protection of the EU's external borders with the new common European asylum system, we must strengthen controls at our national borders," Faeser said. bur-sea/fz/ach FILE PHOTO: Right wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party protest, one week after a man killed a policeman with a knife in the city of Mannheim FILE PHOTO: Right wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party protest, one week after a man killed a policeman with a knife in the city of Mannheim By Alexander Ratz and Sarah Marsh BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's government announced plans to impose tighter controls at all of the country's land borders in what it called an attempt to tackle irregular migration and protect the public from threats such as Islamist extremism. The controls within what is normally a wide area of free movement - the European Schengen zone - will start on Sept. 16 and initially last for six months, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Monday. The government has also designed a scheme enabling authorities to reject more migrants directly at German borders, Faeser said, without adding details on the controversial and legally fraught move. The restrictions are part of a series of measures Germany has taken to toughen its stance on irregular migration in recent years following a surge in arrivals, in particular people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government is seeking to seize back the initiative from the opposition far-right and conservatives, who have seen support rise as they tap into voter worries about stretched public services, integration and security. "We are strengthening internal security and continuing our hard line against irregular migration," Faeser said, noting the government had notified the European Commission and neighboring countries of the intended controls. Recent deadly knife attacks in which the suspects were asylum seekers have stoked concerns over immigration. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a knife attack in the western city of Solingen that killed three people in August. The AfD earlier this month became the first far-right party since World War Two to win a state election, in Thuringia, after campaigning heavily on the issue of migration. Polls show it is also voters' top concern in the state of Brandenburg, which is set to hold elections in two weeks. Scholz and Faeser's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) are fighting to retain control of the government there, in a vote billed as a test of strength of the SPD ahead of next year's federal election. "The intention of the government seems to be to show symbolically to Germans and potential migrants that the latter are no longer wanted here," said Marcus Engler at the German Centre for Integration and Migration Research. A TEST FOR EUROPE A backlash had been building in Germany ever since it took in more than a million people mostly fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria during the 2015/2016 migrant crisis, migration experts say. It reached a tipping point in the country of 84 million people after it automatically granted asylum to around a million Ukrainians fleeing Russia's 2022 invasion even as Germany was struggling through an energy and economic crisis. Since then, the German government has agreed tighter deportation rules and resumed flying convicted criminals of Afghan nationality to their home country, despite suspending deportations after the Taliban took power in 2021 due to human rights concerns. Berlin last year also announced stricter controls on its land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Those and controls on the border with Austria had allowed it to return 30,000 migrants since October 2023, it said on Monday. Faeser said a new model would enable the government to turn back many more - but it could not talk about the model before confidential negotiations with the conservatives. The controls could test European unity if they lead to German authorities requesting other countries to take back substantial numbers of asylum seekers and migrants. Under EU rules countries in the Schengen area, which encompasses all of the bloc bar Cyprus and Ireland, are only allowed to introduce border checks as a last resort to avert threats to internal security or public policy. Germany shares its more than 3,700-km-long (2,300 miles) land border with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland. Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner told Bild newspaper on Monday that his country would not take in any migrants turned away by Germany at the border. "There's no room for manoeuvre there," he said. The measures may not immediately result in many more migrants being turned away at the border, but they could result in more returns to other European countries down the line, as well as acting as a deterrent, said Susan Fratzke at the Migration Policy Institute. The number of asylum applications in Germany already fell 21.7% in the first eight months of the year, according to government statistics. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Sarah Marsh, Alexander Ratz, Rachel More, Miranda Murray, Louis van Boxel-Woolf and Kirsti Knolle; Additional reporting by Francois Murphy in Vienna and Dave Graham in Zurich; Editing by Alex Richardson, Ros Russell and Nick Zieminski) Germany already has checks on some of its borders [Reuters] Germany is set to expand border checks following a knife attack which left three people dead in the town of Solingen in August. The government has come under pressure to take a harder line on immigration since the stabbing, in which the suspect is a Syrian national who was facing deportation after a failed asylum bid. The attack has been claimed by the Islamic State group. The new controls - which will be introduced on 16 September and initially last six months - were announced days after the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) made big gains in local elections. German Interior Minster Nancy Faeser insisted the government was "taking a hard line" against irregular migration, and said the checks would reduce Islamist extremism and cross-border crime. "We are doing everything in our power to protect the people of our country against these threats," she added. Germany already has controls at its eastern and southern borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Austria, primarily spot checks on roads and in trains. Similar measures will be introduced at all border points. However, critics said the move is more about politics than security. Germany's mainstream parties were thrown into turmoil by the AfD's performance in regional elections in the east, which saw a far-right party top a poll for the first time since the Nazi era. The governing SPD and other mainstream parties appear to have viewed the results as a message from voters to take a tougher stance on immigration and borders. Successive governments in Berlin have allowed relatively large numbers of asylum seekers to settle in the country in recent years. Germany took in more than one million people mostly fleeing war in countries such as Syria during the 2015-2016 migrant crisis, and has received 1.2 million Ukrainians since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. However, with polls indicating the AfD could perform strongly in a regional election in Brandenburg at the weekend, parties on both the centre-left and centre-right are coming up with proposals that would have been unthinkable until recently. The CDU - the party of former Chancellor Angela Merkel - has proposed turning all asylum seekers back at the border, even those who are eligible, on the basis they have travelled through other safe EU countries. Gerhard Karner, Austria's interior minister, told Bild newspaper on Monday that his country would not take in any migrants rejected by Germany. "There's no room for manoeuvre there," he said. Since the Solingen stabbing, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has announced a raft of measures on migration. They include changing the rules so asylum seekers facing deportation will lose benefits, and resuming the deportation of convicted Afghan criminals to their home country for the first time since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The News Germany will introduce land border checks from Sept. 16 that officials said are designed to curb irregular migration and bolster security against potential extremist threats. The move comes amid domestic outcry over a fatal knife attack by a Syrian national in the city of Solingen whose claim for asylum had been rejected. The far-right and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party used the attack to rally against uncontrolled migration. The AfD has seen major gains in two state elections held last week. While German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs party was widely expected not to perform well in those polls, the new border policy underscores Scholzs need to retake the initiative on migration, Reuters wrote, ahead of another state election in Brandenburg where his party currently holds control. SIGNALS Some in Scholzs coalition fear threats to border-free Europe Sources: Euractiv, Der Spiegel, Table Media The border restrictions have so far mostly been met with quiet acceptance among Chancellor Olaf Scholzs governing coalition, which has been under daily attack from conservatives about migration. But some members of Scholzs center-left SPD and the Greens worry the policy threatens freedom of movement within the EU, Euractiv reported. It is also unclear whether a harder line on immigration will benefit the SPD electorally. If the SPD moves to the right, it will lose the educated, urban population, one expert told Der Spiegel, noting that this group accounts for more than two thirds of their voters. No one wants to openly oppose the policy for now, Table Media wrote, as the party faces potential collapse under the AfD in theBrandenburg election. Neighbors react with frustration over unacceptable policy Sources: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Zeit Online, NOS Germanys interior ministry said the new limits are designed to increase the number of people sent back to the country they came from, but its immediate neighbors arent so sure. Austrias interior minister said Vienna will not accept people who are rejected from Germany, emphasizing that there is no room for maneuver. Polands prime minister said the approach was unacceptable from Polands point of view, and called for urgent consultations with Germanys other neighbors. A Dutch mayor whose town sits on the German border criticized the restrictions as a panic reaction, that could cause serious delays in regions where people typically cross the border several times a day. Conservatives push for more restrictions Sources: Tagesspiegel, Der Spiegel, Suddeutsche Zeitung The policy announcement has done little to quell Germanys conservatives. The center-right CDU called for comprehensive rejections of migrants at the border and despite being involved in talks with the government for a joint migration policy, the partys negotiator said Tuesday that the ruling coalitions proposals were not extensive enough. Even so, the government plans to drastically increase the number of refugees rejected at Germanys border, sending asylum seekers to other EU states where possible, Der Spiegel reported. There is hardly any debate in asylum and migration policy about whether Germany should still adhere to the European deportation rules, a columnist for Suddeutsche Zeitung wrote, only about how to somehow get around these rules, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the controls would initially last for six months - DPA Germanys government has announced plans to impose tighter controls at all of the countrys land borders in what it called an attempt to tackle illegal immigration. The controls within what is normally a wide area of free movement - the European Schengen zone - will start on September 16 and initially last for six months, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Monday. The government has also designed a scheme enabling authorities to reject more migrants directly at German borders, the minister added. The restrictions are part of a series of measures Germany has taken to toughen its stance on irregular migration in recent years following a surge in arrivals, in particular from the Middle East. Chancellor Olaf Scholzs government is seeking to seize back the initiative from the opposition far-Right and conservatives, who have seen support rise as they tap into voter worries about stretched public services, integration and security. We are strengthening internal security and continuing our hard line against irregular migration, Ms Faeser said, noting the government had notified the European Commission and neighbouring countries of the intended controls. The German federal police pictured patrolling along the German-Polish border in order to detain migrants from Belarus in Frankfurt - Reuters Recent deadly knife attacks in which the suspects were asylum seekers have stoked concerns over immigration. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a knife attack in the western city of Solingen that killed three people last month. The AfD earlier this month became the first far-Right party since the Second World War to win a state election, in Thuringia, after campaigning heavily on the issue of migration. Polls show it is also voters top concern in the state of Brandenburg, which is set to hold elections in two weeks. Mr Scholz and Ms Faesers centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD) are fighting to retain control of the government there, in a vote billed as a test of strength of the SPD ahead of next years federal election. The intention of the government seems to be to show symbolically to Germans and potential migrants that the latter are no longer wanted here, said Marcus Engler at the German Centre for Integration and Migration Research. A backlash had been building in Germany ever since it took in more than a million people mostly fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria during the 2015-2016 migrant crisis, migration experts say. It reached a tipping point in the country of 84 million people after it automatically granted asylum to around a million Ukrainians fleeing Russias 2022 invasion, even as Germany was struggling through an energy and economic crisis. Since then, the German government has agreed to tighter deportation rules and resumed flying convicted criminals of Afghan nationality to their home country, despite suspending deportations after the Taliban took power in 2021 because of human rights concerns. Migrants queue in a waiting area in Berlin - Reuters Berlin last year also announced stricter controls on its land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Those, and controls on the border with Austria, had allowed it to return 30,000 migrants since October 2023, it said on Monday. Ms Faeser said a new model would enable the government to turn back many more - but it could not talk about the model before confidential negotiations with the conservatives. The controls could test European unity if they lead to German authorities requesting other countries to take back substantial numbers of asylum seekers and migrants. Under EU rules, countries in the Schengen area, which encompasses all of the bloc bar Cyprus and Ireland, are only allowed to introduce border checks as a last resort to avert threats to internal security or public policy. Germany shares its more than 3,700-km-long (2,300 miles) land border with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland. Austrias Interior Minister Gerhard Karner told Bild newspaper on Monday that his country would not take in any migrants turned away by Germany at the border. Theres no room for manoeuvre there, he said. The measures may not immediately result in many more migrants being turned away at the border, but they could result in more returns to other European countries down the line, as well as acting as a deterrent, said Susan Fratzke at the Migration Policy Institute. The number of asylum applications in Germany already fell 21.7pc in the first eight months of the year, according to government statistics. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (Bloomberg) -- Chancellor Olaf Scholzs ruling coalition agreed to temporarily extend frontier controls to all nine of Germanys land borders as part of a crackdown on irregular immigration and an effort to strengthen domestic security. Most Read from Bloomberg Germany already has temporary controls on its borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Austria. Those will now be extended for six months from Sept. 16 to include Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Luxembourg, the interior ministry said Monday in a statement in Berlin. The move means that police can establish stationary and mobile checks and also have the power to turn people away, as long as their actions are in line with European and German law, the ministry added. This serves to protect against the dangers of Islamist terror and serious cross-border crime, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser was quoted as saying in the statement. It will continue to be very important to us to act in close coordination with our neighbors and to keep the impact on commuters and everyday life in the border regions as low as possible, she said, adding that the government had notified the European Commission of the new controls. Opinion polls show that frustration with the governments immigration and asylum policies was a key reason why parties of the extreme right and left performed strongly in two regional elections in eastern Germany this month. The far-right Alternative for Germany, of AfD, came first in the ballot in Thuringia and second in neighboring Saxony but almost certainly wont be part of any governing coalition as all other parties refuse to work with it. The Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht a new party of the extreme left which also wants to curb the influx of migrants got a bigger share of the vote than both Scholzs Social Democrats and the Greens. The other party in the ruling alliance in Berlin, the Free Democrats, barely registered in either region. The AfD and Wagenknechts party, known by its acronym BSW, are expected to do well again in another regional vote on Sept. 22 in the eastern state of Brandenburg, where Scholz has his Potsdam constituency. An already heated debate around immigration was stoked by the death of three people in a knife attack in the city of Solingen last month just over a week before the Thuringia and Saxony votes. A Syrian man who had avoided deportation after a failed asylum application is in custody accused of both the killings, in which a further eight people were injured, and membership of a terrorist organization. In an effort to counter the rise of extreme political forces, Scholz and officials in his government, as well as members of the main opposition conservatives, have toughened their rhetoric on immigration in recent months. In June, after a spate of violent attacks, Scholz said Germany would send migrants who commit serious crimes back to their homelands, including Afghanistan and Syria. Following the Solingen attack, he pledged to tighten weapons regulations and accelerate the deportation of rejected asylum seekers. On a national basis, combined backing for Scholzs party and his two partners has plunged to record lows with just over a year to go before the next scheduled general election. The conservative CDU/CSU alliance leads on around 32%, with the AfD second on about 17%. Scholzs SPD has about 15%, the Greens 11% and the FDP 5%, which is also the threshold for getting into parliament. Faeser has invited CDU/CSU lawmakers and regional officials for additional talks on immigration policy on Tuesday. --With assistance from Kamil Kowalcze. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. SYDNEY, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Over half of households in the Australian state of Queensland are struggling to afford food, bills and petrol, a report found on Monday. The Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS), the peak body for the state's social service sector, published its 2024 Living Affordability Report, revealing that 60 percent of households are living below basic standards. It found that Queensland parents are increasingly skipping meals to ensure their children are fed, cannot afford medication and are replacing nutritious food with cheaper, less healthy options. "Households are neglecting their health needs due to out-of-pocket costs or are enduring extreme financial hardship to cover essential medical expenses," the report said. "Concerningly people are experiencing higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression due to financial stress." Queensland is Australia's third-largest state with a population of 5.5 million as of the end of 2023, representing 20.4 percent of the national population. The report said that parents are unable to afford school camps and extracurricular activities for their children. QCOSS modeling shows that an average single working parent in Queensland has a weekly budget deficit of 156.93 Australian dollars (104.7 U.S. dollars). For an average couple with two children, it estimated a weekly budget deficit of 116.06 Australian dollars (77.5 U.S. dollars). Both are improvements from 2023 deficits, but the report said they would grow worse when short-term government measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures expire. The report identified housing as the biggest expenditure for all types of households, with all those modeled in the report spending more than 37 percent of their income on mortgage repayments or rent. The girlfriend of Raymond Moody, the man who murdered 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about possessing the teenagers phone, according to court documents. Angel Vause, 56, pleaded guilty to a third count of making false statements to federal agents on Sept. 9. In July, she pleaded guilty to two counts of the same charge, The Sun News reported. Drexel disappeared in 2009 while on a trip to Myrtle Beach. The case went unsolved until 2022 when Moody admitted to the crime. Her case gained national attention and became the subject of TV documentaries and numerous stories. During the 2022 investigation, Vause told police Drexel had possession of her cell phone after being abducted by Moody and Vause when Vause had the phone. The two other charges are for when Vause told agents while Moody was raping and murdering Drexel, Vause was going to her house to grab her keys. She was actually driving a different direction for a different purpose. She also said Drexel willfully got into Moodys car and ingested marijuana when Drexel was abducted, according to court records. What are the facts in the Drexel case? Drexel was last seen alone leaving the Blue Water Resort on Ocean Boulevard the night of April 25, 2009, according to previous reporting. Investigators relied on advancements to technology to pinpoint the location of Drexels phone as it traveled around Georgetown County. Brittanee Drexel was murdered after being abducted from Myrtle Beach in 2009. Officials said during a court hearing that agencies were able to determine when Drexel was no longer walking but traveling by vehicle because her phone was moving about 60 mph. Officials were able to identify the vehicle Drexel had been in and the vehicle was linked to Moody. Moody told investigators that he and his girlfriend at the time, Angel Vause, had went to Myrtle Beach to a party when they saw Drexel walking by herself down the street. Moody alleges Drexel willingly got in the car with them to smoke marijuana, and thats when they headed to Moodys campground in Georgetown. Moody said he had hoped under the influence of marijuana, Drexel would have consensual sex with him. But, when that didnt happen, he forced her to take off her clothes and proceeded to rape her before strangling her and wrapping up her body in a blanket. Vause wasnt around when the crimes were committed, officials said. Moody later came back to the site, where he disposed of her body, and buried it in a wooded area. Moody has seven prior convictions from 1983 for kidnapping and raping a minor. He served a little over 20 years, but he was sentenced to 40 years. In previous reporting, Drexels mother Dawn Pleckan pointed out how her daughter had to pay for the justice systems mistake of allowing Moody to get out early for his past crimes. If Moody served his full time, he wouldve been locked up until 2023. Goldsboro man faces up to life in prison after charges of trafficking methamphetamine NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT) A federal jury convicted a Goldsboro man on three charges of trafficking methamphetamine. Tamarcus Shaquan Ellis, 34, is facing up to life in prison when sentenced in December. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were investigating Ellis as part of an operation that targeted crystal methamphetamine dealers in Goldsboro and Jacksonville in 2021. He was convicted of a conspiracy to distribute and posses with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and two county of distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WBTW) Adam Brown is a search and recovery scuba diver who looks for missing people and cars underwater, free of charge. Hes now been a part of more than 100 vehicle recoveries and is able to fund him and his partners non-profit through their social media following. They have more than 1 million followers on Facebook, 700,000 on TikTok and nearly 300,000 on YouTube. Brown started scuba diving about five years ago. At first, he was simply treasure hunting. He would dive into the rivers of Georgia and South Carolina and see what he could find. Some of the items hes recovered along the way include guns, pipe bombs and even relics from the Civil War. Over the past three years, he and his partner Jeremy Sides started a nonprofit to help people search for their loved ones across the country. Alexis Masseys shooter still on the loose, family asks community for answers Now, their main goal now is to search for missing people and give families the answers they deserve. Its pretty amazing how many cars are actually sunken underwater across the country. It almost feels like every other boat ramp you look at, theres probably a vehicle out there, whether its stolen for insurance fraud or whatever the case, Brown said. Theres a lot of cars out there and whenever vehicles go missing with missing people, we tend to look in either the woods or the water just because its an easy place to make a vehicle disappear. One cold case in particular they helped solve was Daniel Riggs, who went missing in 2015 in Mount Pleasant. Brown and his partner found Riggs car in early August near Browns Ferry Landing in Georgetown County after learning where his phone last pinged. The equipment they used back then has been improved immensely over the past 10 years. Now you can almost look at your screen, your sonar screen, you can see the shape of cars, you can see if its a truck or if its a car or not, Brown said. In that case, we were looking for an SUV, not a truck, so we were kind of just [doing] process of elimination, starting to dive on anything that looked like an SUV and his vehicle ended up being right there off the ramp. Brown said the hope is that maybe these missing persons just wanted to start a new life, and theyll show up again. But the reality is theres accidents, mental health issues and many other variables that go into these cases. Its definitely something you have to get mentally prepared for. Its not for everyone, definitely not, he said. But you just have to keep in mind the reasons youre doing this, which is to help the families out, give them answers, and its all for a good purpose. On Monday, Brown worked with another partner and discovered a stolen Ford Escape off the Enterprise Boat Ramp near Socastee. You can follow along @AdamBrownAdventures on Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. It is no longer possible to verify a new Google account using a Russian mobile number. Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency TASS; social media users Details: It is noted that the system enables users to complete all the steps for creating a new account: selecting a name, gender, and date of birth, as well as choosing an email address and password. However, it is not possible to confirm the mail address with a Russian mobile number, as "this number cannot be used for confirmation". Background: Contactless payment services that emerged in the Russian Federation following the exit of Apple Pay and Google Pay from the market have not gained widespread popularity among Russians. Support UP or become our patron! A second antitrust trial pitting Google against the US Department of Justice began on 9 September, with a federal judge in Virginia hearing opening statements over whether the tech giant illegally monopolized the digital advertising industry. The case could have far-reaching implications for Googles primary source of revenue as well as the tech industry and online publishers. The long-awaited trial is the second major US antitrust suit against Google, after the company lost a landmark case last month that determined the company illegally monopolized the online search industry. Unlike in that trial, the justice department is seeking specific remedies in its second case, ones that would force Google to break up parts of its business and divest some of its advertising technology. Related: Google broke law to maintain online search monopoly, US judge rules The justice departments second lawsuit, filed in January 2023, centers around Googles acquisition and application of digital ad tech. Website publishers looking to make money from advertising rely on this technology to act as a kind of middleman. Googles services allow sites to sell ads on their pages and for advertisers to buy ad space that reaches potential customers, while Google takes a sizable cut of the ad dollars from both sides. Googles monopolies in each of these separate markets was no accident but rather the result of a campaign to condition, control, and tax digital advertising transactions over 15 years, the justice department said in a pre-trial filing. This campaign was exclusionary, anticompetitive, and mutually reinforcing. The justice department singled out several of Googles acquisitions to argue that the company now dominates every facet of digital advertising. Google bought the ad tech company DoubleClick in 2007 for $3.1bn, which provided the tech giant with an online marketplace for publishers looking to sell ad space. The justice department alleges that DoubleClick now controls over half the ad market for open-web display transactions. Over the next few years Google acquired two other companies, Invite Media and AdMeld, which gave it access to advertisers looking to buy ad space and the ability to connect them with publishers. These deals resulted in Google controlling both the supply and demand sides of online advertising as well as the point of exchange where those sides meet, the justice department claims. In her opening statement, the justice department lawyer Julia Tarver Wood alleged that Google had built a trifecta of monopolies through its acquisitions. Googles lawyer Karen Dunn, meanwhile, framed the governments argument as having an antiquated understanding of how the internet works, and claimed Google was just one company among a range of serious competitors. Although there is nothing illegal about the general model of matching websites and advertisers to target consumers, the justice department claims that Google has built a monopoly through a series of ruthless anticompetitive maneuvers. These include eliminating rivals through acquisitions or exclusionary practices that amount to wielding an illegal monopoly over the industry, according to the suit. One industry behemoth, Google, has corrupted legitimate competition in the ad tech industry by engaging in a systematic campaign to seize control of the wide swath of high-tech tools used by publishers, advertisers, and brokers, to facilitate digital advertising, the justice department wrote in its complaint. Related: A US judge ruled that Google built an illegal monopoly. What happens next? One Google ad executive who is quoted in the governments complaint compared the companys business model to Goldman Sachs or Citibank owning the New York Stock Exchange. The suit alleges that Google uses its dominance to deliberately overcharge advertisers, while keeping at least 30 cents of every dollar that flows to website publishers through its advertising technology. That windfall has resulted in the company earning tens of billions of dollars each year from its advertising technology, making up the bulk of its total revenue. The harm is clear: website creators earn less, and advertisers pay more, than they would in a market where unfettered competitive pressure could discipline prices and lead to more innovative ad tech tools, the complaint states, adding that it forces publishers to pass the costs on to the consumer through paywalls and subscriptions. It cites one of Googles own employees who allegedly characterized the companys position as that of an authoritarian intermediary. Federal prosecutors are planning to present internal Google documents and witness testimony to support their argument. Executives from publishers including Disney, the New York Times, BuzzFeed, Vox and NewsCorp are all listed as potential witnesses to testify against Google. Founders and CEOs of ad tech companies, as well as advertisers, are also set to testify. Prosecutors will also call a long list of current and former Google employees. Related: US considers breaking up Google after illegal monopoly ruling, reports say Googles defense in pre-trial filings has been to argue that refusing to deal with rival companies is not an antitrust violation and that the justice department is not correctly defining the digital ad market. The company issued a statement earlier in June calling the lawsuit a meritless attempt to pick winners and losers in a highly competitive industry. Although the trial was originally slated to take place before a jury, Google managed to avoid that outcome by paying the government over $2m to settle claims that its ad tech overcharged federal agencies. Monetary damage claims usually result in jury trials, while judges decide non-monetary claims directly in antitrust cases. The case is being heard by Judge Leonie Brinkema, an 80-year-old Bill Clinton appointee who previously oversaw the contentious trial of one of the 9/11 conspirators. Brinkema made headlines in that case when she paraphrased TS Eliot after the guilty verdict, telling the defendant that he would die with a whimper. Google lost its previous antitrust trial, which focused on its dominance over the online search industry, after a federal judge ruled in August that it had built an illegal monopoly through multibillion-dollar exclusionary contracts. The company is in the process of appealing that ruling, and its unclear what penalties it may face. The US government is taking aim at the engine of Google's immense wealth - its extremely lucrative ad tech business. A trial beginning on Monday will hear the Department of Justice's case that the search engine's parent company Alphabet illegally operates a monopoly in the market. The company earned more than $200 billion (152bn) last year through the placing and selling of ads seen by internet users. Alphabet has argued its success is due to the "effectiveness" of its services - but prosecutors say it has used its market dominance to stifle rivals. It is a really important industry that grabs billions of consumer dollars every year, said Laura Phillips-Sawyer, a professor at the University of Georgia School of Law. I think all consumers have an interest in this litigation." It is the second major antitrust case the tech giant has faced in the US. In August a judge ruled its dominance of search was illegal, with the penalties Google and Alphabet will face as a result of that decision so far unclear. Anticompetition claims According to the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and a coalition of states in 2023, Google dominates the digital ad marketplace and has leveraged its market power to stifle innovation and competition. Google meanwhile contends it is just one of several hundred companies that facilitate the placement of digital ads in front of consumers. It argues that competition in the digital ad space is growing, not contracting - citing increased ad growth and revenues for companies such as Apple, Amazon and TikTok as proof in a blog post responding to the DoJ's lawsuit in 2023. At a press conference announcing the DoJ's lawsuit in January 2023, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said Google's actions had allowed it to "halt the rise of rival technologies". [Getty Images] Both sides will present their cases to US District Judge Leonie Brinkema, who is expected to deliver a verdict. The bench trial comes on the heels of a landmark decision last month in a different monopoly case brought by the Justice Department against Google. Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google acted illegally to squelch competition in its online search business. Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly, he wrote. Make up or break up During last year's trial, Google said it dominated online search because it had a better product. And the company is seemingly deploying a similar defence in the ad tech case. When asked for a statement, it referred the BBC to its 2023 blog post, in which it states that no-one is forced to use our advertising technologies they choose to use them because theyre effective." Judge Mehta held a status conference on Friday as he begins the process of deciding on remedies for Googles conduct. The DoJ clearly had a big win, and theyre going to ride that momentum, Dan Ives, managing director at Wedbush Securities, told the BBC. He said he expects those remedies to involve "business model tweaks, not a breakup" of the company. Meanwhile, in Justice Brinkemas courtroom, the arcane process that governs advertising technology could make the DoJ's attempts to prove its case an uphill climb. We all use search. We all intuitively understand that product, said Rebecca Haw Allensworth, an antitrust professor at Vanderbilt University Law School. By comparison, advertising technology is so complex that I think thats going to be a real challenge for the government to make a clear, simple monopolisation argument here. The US is not the only country where regulators are unhappy with Google's ad tech business. On Friday, the UK Competition and Markets Authority said it believed Google was abusing its dominance in the ad tech industry, according to the findings of its initial investigation. It said it found that Google used anti-competitive practices to dominate the market for online advertising technology - and the potentially unlawful behaviour could be harming thousands of UK publishers and advertisers. A Google representative said the decision was based on a "flawed" understanding of the ad tech sector. Winning for Women, a GOP group aimed at electing female candidates, rolled out an ad campaign on Monday highlighting GOP incumbents efforts to keep in vitro fertilization accessible. The ad campaign will run in the home districts of Reps. Lori Chaves-DeRemer (R-Oregon) and Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), who both face competitive races. The campaign highlights both incumbents support of the HOPE Act, bipartisan legislation that aims to improve access to infertility treatments, including IVF. According to the group, the campaign is the first time a right of center organization has run a major advocacy campaign in support of IVF. Our endorsed women recognize the profound impact IVF has on millions of women and their families. Despite the false narrative from the Left, theyre leading the fight to deliver new hope through legislation to make IVF treatments more accessible and affordable, said Winning for Womens executive director Danielle Barrow. The ad is a part of a $500,000 investment that will run across mail, text, and phone advocacy platforms. The effort comes as Democrats seek to attack Republicans over the issue of access to IVF as part of the partys broader messaging on protecting reproductive rights. Democrats argue that the GOP opened the door to an Alabama Supreme Court ruling in February that frozen embryos could be considered the same as children. The decision temporarily halted the procedure in the state. Many Republican lawmakers have said that embryos should be considered children, while others have pushed to protect access to IVF. Last month, former President Trump said he wants to make the GOP a leader on IVF and vowed that his administration would fund IVF treatments. The Harris campaign fired back, saying the remarks were disingenuous. Donald Trumps own platform could effectively ban IVF and abortion nationwide. Trump lies as much if not more than he breathes, but voters arent stupid, the campaign said in a statement. Because Trump overturned Roe v. Wade, IVF is already under attack and womens freedoms have been ripped away in states across the country. There is only one candidate in this race who trusts women and will protect our freedom to make our own health care decisions: Vice President Kamala Harris. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. From the Dispatch Politics on The Dispatch Happy Monday! Election Day is 57 days away. And just in time for tomorrow nights presidential debate, the Harris campaign added an issues page to its website. We feel metaphysical absolute certitude that the vice president will tell viewers to check that page out at some point during the debate. Up to Speed A New York Times and Siena College poll released Sunday finds former President Donald Trump with 48 percent support among likely voters and Vice President Kamala Harris with 47 percent. Harris has led in national polling averages since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July, but Sundays poll is perhaps Trumps best performance since that shakeup, although well within the surveys 2.8-percentage point margin of error. On Friday, courts in both Michigan and North Carolina separately ruled that authorities must take the name of former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. off of their states ballots. Kennedy had attempted to remove his name after he dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump last month to avoid drawing votes away from him, but election officials in the two states had refused. The ruling resulted in North Carolina temporarily holding off on sending out mail-in ballots, which were set to go out on Friday. Both state elections offices are appealing the decisions. The Harris campaign is running three new ads hitting Trump and the Republican Party on abortion and in vitro fertilization. The ads are part of its $370 million investment in advertising between Labor Day and Election Day. In one of the 30-second spots, a voice-over proclaims that Trump told us in 2016 he would seek to punish women who seek illegal abortions and that he showed us by appointing Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. Now Donald Trump wants to go further, with plans to restrict birth control, ban abortion nationwide, even monitor womens pregnancies, the voiceover continues, citing proposals in the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 Mandate for Leadership (though those claims are false or misleading). Trump has sought to distance himself from Project 2025. Greg Abbott is gearing up to run for a fourth term in 2026, the Texas governor told Dispatch Politics late last week while attending the Republican Jewish Coalitions annual fall conference in Las Vegas. The 66-year-old Republican also gave us the origin story of how he arguably altered the national conversation around border security when, in the spring of 2022, he took the unprecedented step of transporting illegal immigrants to Washington, D.C., and later New York City. The politically shrewd move led the Democratic mayors of those cities to complain to Biden and request relief. Abbotts gambit was the result of a discussion he had a few years ago with local officials in Eagle Pass, a Texas border community, who informed him of their plan to bus migrants to San Antonio to alleviate the strain on local resources. That gave Abbott an idea. I said: Why dont you let me take care of the busing program, Abbott recalled. My thought process is: If Biden and Harris will not come to Texas and see the crisis they have caused, I will take the border to them. Republican Jewish Group Casts GOP as the Only Pro-Israel Party Attendees hold up the flag of Israel during the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 16, 2024. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) LAS VEGASRepublican strategists focused on the Jewish vote predict shifts in support toward the GOP motivated by anxiety about Israels security and antisemitism in the United States, pushing Donald Trump over Kamala Harris in November. Its a heady prediction. Jewish voters historically support Democratic candidates by wide margins. In 2020, President Joe Biden won this cohort with 68 percent. In midterm elections two years later, the Democrats captured 65 percent of Jewish voters. But the Republican Jewish Coalition believes Trump is on track to attract 50 percent of the vote with this bloc in five key battleground states where the group is spending $15 million to persuade Jews to get to the polls and support the GOP nominee. Its a clear choice for the Jewish community, Matt Brooks, the RJCs CEO, told reporters Thursday during the groups annual fall conference in Las Vegas. We will highlight and draw the sharp distinctions that exist between the Republican Party, which is the true and only pro-Israel party, and the Democrat Party. The RJC has boots on the ground in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. The organization picked these states as a beachhead for its 2024 effort because they feature sizable Jewish communities and are closely contested such that the movement of even a few thousand votes might alter the outcome. Surveys show the race between Harris and Trump is essentially tied in each of these crucial battlegrounds, all of which narrowly backed Biden four years ago. The RJCs persuasion and voter turnout program relies on television, radio, direct mail, and digital advertising; text messaging; phone banking; and door-knocking. It will focus on persuading Jewish voters open to supporting Trump and turning out those classified as lean Trump and committed to his reelection. Operatives are using a proprietary voter file of American Jews the group describes as its secret sauce and the only real viable voter file of Jewish voters in the country. Those are the tactics. But when it comes to why things will be different this cycle, American Jewry is changing, Ari Fleischer, an RJC board member and White House press secretary under President George W. Bush, told reporters. Whats changed in this [election] cycle is this palpable sense of fear because of whats happening in America, because of whats happening on campuses, because of what happened in Israel on October 7 and every day since. Given the broadly liberal tendencies of Jewish voters, its unclear if the RJCs $15 million investmenta 50 percent increase over its 2020 budgetwill yield results. But the group argues a sea change in Jewish voters sentiment is underway due to events of the past 11 months: Hamas October 7 invasion of Southern Israel that left 1,200 people, mostly civilians, dead, with more taken hostage; pro-Hamas protests on college campuses across the U.S.; and a spike in domestic antisemitism that has left many Jews fearing for their physical safety. Additionally, Democrats have balanced their ironclad commitment to Israels security with periodic condemnation of the Jewish states prosecution of a war in Gaza that has left thousands of Palestinian civilians dead, in part a response to outspoken elements of the partys base that accuse Israel of excessive force, if not question its right to exist in the first place. Compare that to Trump and Republicans broadly, who are nearly unequivocal in their support for Jerusalem. Its that factor, at least, that has led many Jewish Republicans hoping to move on from Trump after the 2020 election to make peace with his renomination and back him wholeheartedly. Sunday Show Rewind On This Week, former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney gave her first interview since endorsing Kamala Harris on Friday. Cheney told ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl that shes never voted for a Democrat since first voting for Ronald Reagan in 1984 but that Donald Trump poses a unique threat to the future of the country. We have to do everything possible to ensure that hes not reelected, she said. You have many Republicans out there who are saying, Well, you know, were not going to vote for him, but we will write [in] someone else. And I think that this time around, thats not enough, that its important to actually cast a vote for Vice President Harris. Appearing on Face the Nation, former South Carolina Gov. and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley was damning the presidential nominee of her party with faint praise. I have always said, look, if I thought Biden or Trump were great candidates, I wouldnt have run for president. I ran because I thought I could do a better job, Haley said. CBS News anchor Margaret Brennan interrupted to ask if Haley was saying Trump, whom she has endorsed, is not a good candidate. I think he is the Republican nominee, and I think, put him against Kamala Harris, whos the Democrat nominee. For me, its not a question, Haley said. Sen. John Fetterman, the Pennsylvania Democrat, gave his debate prediction to anchor Dana Bash on CNNs State of the Union, saying of Harris: Shes going to do great, of course, but Donald Trump will be good, too. I mean, we can all remember he wrecked all of the Republicans. Hes a good debater. On NBCs Meet the Press, independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said he would go higher than Harris proposal for a 28-percent tax rate on capital gains for high earners, with the socialist senator having proposed a nearly 60 percent rate on the highest earners during his presidential runs. Sanders did praise the economic gains made by the country under the Biden-Harris administration but argued that more needed to be done to address wealth inequality. Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut was much more positive about the vice presidents tax proposals, telling Fox News Sunday that people want tax fairness in this country. They are sick and tired of these massive American companies paying zero percent tax rates. Eyes on the Trail Donald Trump is at Mar-a-Lago today, a spokesman confirms to Dispatch Politics . The Republican nominee will fly to Philadelphia tomorrow to attend the presidential debate. Sen. J.D. Vance is in Los Angeles today to tape an episode of All In, a podcast co-hosted by David Sacks and other Silicon Valley investors, a person familiar with his schedule tells Dispatch Politics . He will fly back to Washington later today, but the same person told us Vance will be in Philadelphia on Tuesday for the debate and plans to appear in the post-debate spin room to speak with reporters. Today is the beginning of what the Harris campaign is calling Gov. Tim Walzs Sun Belt State tour. The Minnesota governor is in Dallas today for a midday fundraiser, followed by a rally in Reno, Nevada, tonight. Walz will end the day in Las Vegas, where he has another fundraiser on Tuesday. Hell wrap up Tuesday in the Phoenix area, where Walz will attend multiple political engagements, according to the campaign, before settling in to watch the debate from Arizona. Harris remains in Pittsburgh preparing for tomorrows debate in Philadelphia, but her campaign has already outlined the post-debate swing of events for both Harris and Walz. According to the campaign, Harris will be campaigning in both Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday and returning to Pennsylvania on Friday, where she will hold a rally in Wilkes-Barre. Walz, meanwhile, will be in Michigan on Thursday and Friday, with additional events later on Friday and on Saturday in Wisconsin. The spouses of the members of the Democratic ticket are in North Carolina today to draw attention to Harris agenda on reproductive freedom. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Gwen Walz will appear in Raleigh at a rally to emphasize what the campaign characterizes as Trumps threat to access to abortion, birth control, and fertility treatments. Emhoff also will speak to volunteers at a campaign phone bank in Raleigh this evening. Notable and Quotable No boxes or artificial lifts will be allowed to stand on during my upcoming debate with Comrade Kamala Harris. We had this out previously with former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg when he was in a debate, and he was not allowed a lift. It would be a form of cheating, and the Democrats cheat enough. You are who you are, it was determined! Former President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post, September 7, 2024 Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Republican pollster Frank Luntz suggested Monday that former President Trump should focus on helping voters rather than himself following the former presidents recent threat to legally target individuals he has accused of fraud in the 2020 election. In a repost on the social platform X of a recent Truth Social post from Trump, Luntz wrote he has never seen a candidate more determined to blow an election. Instead of talking about affordability and immigration security (the top public issues), Trump is once again screaming about prosecuting his opponents, he wrote. Message to Donald: Focus on helping voters, not yourself. Luntzs remarks came one day after Trump in a social media post threatened to prosecute lawyers, political donors and operations should they be found to have cheated or conducted unscrupulous behavior with regards to voting. CEASE & DESIST, Trump wrote in his post. I, together with many Attorneys and Legal Scholars, am watching the Sanctity of the 2024 Presidential Election very closely because I know, better than most, the rampant Cheating and Skullduggery that has taken place by the Democrats in the 2020 Presidential Election, he wrote. WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again, he wrote. Trump has repeatedly claimed there was widespread fraud in the 2020 election, which he lost to President Biden. He challenged the results in court, which rejected those claims for lack of standing or evidence. The Supreme Court rejected various election challenges. The former president was criminally charged in Georgia for an alleged scheme to overturn the states election results in 2020, and he was indicted federally in Washington, D.C., for his attempts to overturn the election results and remain in power. This isnt the first time Luntz has spoken out against Trumps campaign tactics on the trail this year. Last month, he suggested Trump has the issues on his side, but his persona could hurt him in the polls in the race against Vice President Harris. Luntz said last week he believes this weeks presidential debate is everything. When the voter sees side by side the two candidates and they listen to what they say, not just the answers, its the body language. Is there contempt? Does someone fold their arms? Do they look at the individual when theyre speaking? Do they seem presidential in their approach? he said. The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for further comment. The race between Trump and Harris remains tight, with the vice president ahead by nearly 4 percentage points in a national polling index by Decision Desk HQ/The Hill. Polls of critical swing states show a very close race between the two candidates, who will square off on the debate stage Tuesday night in Philadelphia. ABC News will host the 90-minute debate, which will begin at 9 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. House Republicans on Monday released the results of a sweeping three-year investigation they say is the most detailed public accounting yet of the Biden administration's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan that left behind hundreds of Americans and thousands of allies, some so desperate they clung to U.S. planes as the last military aircraft departed Kabul in 2021. The report by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul -- which relied on interviews with 18 top officials and 20,000 pages of documents -- blames the White House, its National Security Council and the State Department for being slow to listen to military generals who warned the security situation would deteriorate quickly once U.S. troops began to depart. The investigation did not, however, find evidence that Vice President Kamala Harris played any role in the planning or execution of the evacuation, although she expressed public support for President Joe Biden's decision at the time. Former President Donald Trump and other Republicans have suggested Harris is culpable, noting past comments by the vice president that she was the "last person in the room" when Biden decided to leave Afghanistan. MORE: Trump criticizes Harris, Biden over Afghanistan withdrawal on 3-year anniversary PHOTO: President Joe Biden, with Vice President Kamala Harris, responds to questions about the ongoing US military evacuations of US citizens and vulnerable Afghans, in Washington, DC, Aug. 20, 2021. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) "Caused by Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, the humiliation in Afghanistan set off the collapse of American credibility and respect all around the world," Trump told National Guard members and their families in Detroit last month on the anniversary of the 2021 suicide bombing at Kabul's airport during the evacuation, which killed 13 U.S. service members and some 170 Afghans. The Biden administration pushed back on the findings by Republicans, calling it a partisan effort that sought to cherry-pick facts ahead of an election. The Republican probe also is being released ahead of the first political debate between Harris and Trump, which ABC News is hosting on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Trump and GOP loyalists are expected to hammer the Democratic administration for failing to prepare for a Taliban takeover once U.S. troops began to depart. "The chaos and devastation that took place in August of 2021 has forever damaged U.S. credibility in the eyes of our allies, while emboldening our adversaries like China, Russia and Iran," said McCaul, R-Texas. "Yet, not a single person was fired and, to this day, no one was ever held accountable by President Biden or Vice President Harris." PHOTO: Funeral services are held for Marine Lance Cpt. Kareem Grant Nikoui, one of 13 military personal killed during a suicide bomb attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26th, in Riverside, Calif., Sep. 18, 2021. (Barbara Davidson/Getty Images) Last week, McCaul issued a subpoena for Secretary of State Antony Blinken's testimony on the withdrawal, threatening to hold him in contempt if he doesn't testify on Sept. 19. In a written statement, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller noted that Blinken has already testified on Afghanistan and the State Department provided the 20,000 pages of documents the committee was relying on to inform its investigation. "Though the secretary is currently unavailable to testify on dates proposed by the committee, the State Department has proposed reasonable alternatives to comply with Chairman McCaul's request for a public hearing," Miller said. "It is disappointing that instead of continuing to engage with the Department in good faith, the committee instead has issued yet another unnecessary subpoena." On the investigation, Miller accused Republicans of politicizing the war and "presenting inaccurate narratives." "The State Department remains immensely proud of its workforce who put themselves forward in the waning days of our presence in Afghanistan to evacuate both Americans and the brave Afghans who stood by our sides for more than two decades," he said. While many of the details included in the Republican investigation have already become public through media reports and internal government reviews, among the more interesting details come from inside-the-room accounts of U.S. Embassy personnel. At one point, according to Republicans, staff grew so panicked at the rushed evacuation that they began filling Tupperware containers with passports and visa foils to burn as Taliban forces arrived outside their building. Classified documents were eventually left behind in the scramble, according to the report, although the report doesn't say how many or what type. Meanwhile, the NSC was slow to establish criteria for who was eligible for evacuation, a standard the report says changed hourly. At one point, electronic visa letters known as "hall passes" were given to eligible Afghans, but the documents were so easily replicated that bootleg copies began circulating and the U.S. quickly scrapped the plan, according to the report. MORE: Top US generals testify about chaos of Afghanistan exit: 'We could not forge a nation' The report also paints a picture of a State Department and NSC slow to understand the danger U.S. personnel were in as the Afghanistan government collapsed and the Taliban took control. Ambassador Ross Wilson, who was brought out of retirement in the Trump administration to serve in Afghanistan and was the top American diplomat in Kabul at the time of the withdrawal, was allegedly reluctant to trigger a military-led evacuation, according to the report. Wilson has spoken publicly before that his staff worked feverishly in those final days to try to process as many travel documents as possible to help qualified people evacuate. Biden has defended the State Department's handling of the evacuation in the wake of the operation. "In the 17 days that we operated in Kabul after the Taliban seized power, we engaged in an around-the-clock effort to provide every American the opportunity to leave. Our State Department was working 24/7 contacting and talking, and in some cases, walking Americans into the airport," Biden said in 2021 in the wake of the withdrawal. Biden and other Democrats have also defended the decision to pull out U.S. troops and shutter the embassy after 20 years in the country, saying their options were limited after Trump struck a deal with the Taliban to depart by May 1, 2021. Trump's agreement with the Taliban included the departure of U.S. troops and the release of 5,000 Taliban fighters from Afghan prisons so long as the Taliban promised not to collaborate with al-Qaeda or engage in "high-profile" attacks. Wanting to bring an end to the war and concerned that Taliban fighters might target American service members if the U.S. reneged on the deal, the Biden administration stayed the course but amended the U.S. withdrawal deadline to Aug. 31, 2021. PHOTO: \This handout image shows U.S. Soldiers and Marines assist with security at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 19, 2021. (Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla / U.S. Marine Corps via Getty Images) "He could either ramp up the war against a Taliban that was at its strongest position in 20 years and put even more American troops at risk or finally end our longest war after two decades and $2 trillion spent," said Sharon Yang, the White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations. "The President refused to send another generation of Americans to fight a war that should have ended long ago." Military generals in charge at the time have previously testified that their recommendation to Biden earlier that year was to maintain some 2,500 troops beyond that date regardless of what Trump had agreed to. "At the end of 20 years, we the military helped build an army, a state, but we could not forge a nation. The enemy occupied Kabul, the overthrow of the government occurred and the military we supported for two decades faded away," Gen. Mark Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time of the withdrawal, testified last March. "That is a strategic failure," he said. ABC News' Emily Chang, Matthew Seyler and Shannon Kingston contributed to this report. GOP probe details deadly Afghanistan withdrawal, finds no direct role by Harris originally appeared on abcnews.go.com BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua met with Bienvenu-Marie Bakumanya, director general of the news agency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) here on Monday. Fu said that the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing was a complete success, and the overall characterization of China-Africa relations has been elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Noting that Xinhua attaches great importance to reporting on the DRC and Africa, Fu said Xinhua is willing to work with African media organizations to tell the world compelling stories of China-Africa modernization, help build an international discourse system of the Global South, and contribute to the in-depth development of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation. Bakumanya said that news media cooperation plays an important role in the Africa-China cooperation, and that he expects the two news agencies to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as technology and personnel training and work together to promote mutual understanding between the African and Chinese peoples. A long-awaited GOP report analyzing the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan paints a picture of a President Biden determined to leave the country but fumbling preparations that set the stage for a chaotic and deadly exit from Americas longest war. The report from Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released in the shadow of the three-year anniversary of the U.S. exit, criticizes the president for a rushed effort undertaken regardless of counsel from allies and advisers that led to unnecessary deaths. The evidence proves President Bidens decision to withdraw all U.S. troops was not based on the security situation, the Doha Agreement, or the advice of his senior national security advisors or our allies. Rather, it was premised on his longstanding and unyielding opinion that the United States should no longer be in Afghanistan, the report states, referencing the Trump administration agreement to leave the country. The report accuses the Biden administration of failing to see warning signs of how quickly Kabul would fall to the Taliban and delaying the planning for and calling of an evacuation fearing both the optics of such an exit and further destabilization in the country. In response, the White House accused Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) of cherry picking details and failing to account for the role of the Trump administration. Everything we have seen and heard of Chairman McCauls latest partisan report shows that it is based on cherry-picked facts, inaccurate characterizations, and pre-existing biases that have plagued this investigation from the start. As we have said many times, ending our longest war was the right thing to do and our nation is stronger today as a result, White House spokeswoman Sharon Yang said in a statement. Because of the bad deal former President Trump cut with the Taliban to get out of Afghanistan by May of 2021, President Biden inherited an untenable position. He could either ramp up the war against a Taliban that was at its strongest position in 20 years and put even more American troops at risk or finally end our longest war after two decades and $2 trillion spent. The President refused to send another generation of Americans to fight a war that should have ended long ago. The report is being released ahead of the first presidential debate between Vice President Harris and former President Trump, who has sought to use Afghanistan as a political issue against her. Republicans in general have sought to buttress Trumps arguments against Harris and Biden over Afghanistan, as the 17-day evacuation from the country marked one of the lower points of the Biden administration. Just days into the evacuation, the Taliban overtook Kabul, much more quickly than the administration had anticipated. Crowds swelled around Hamid Karzai International Airport, and dramatic images were seen of people falling as they sought to hang on to places exiting the country. An estimated 100,000 partners of U.S. government efforts were left behind, a figure that swells when taking into account others vulnerable under Taliban rule. And a suicide bombing at the Abbey Gate entrance near the airport on Aug. 26, 2021 killed 13 U.S. service members as well as 170 Afghans. Its a detail Trump recently highlighted in a campaign stop, visiting the grave at Arlington National Cemetery of a Marine killed in the attack, igniting criticism from the Harris campaign and some veterans after cemetery officials said Trump had violated rules prohibiting election-related activities at the cemetery. However, while the report condemns the actions of the Biden-Harris administration, it offers little discussion of any specific role played by Harris in the planning or execution of the exit. Ranking member Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) likewise accused Republicans of politicizing the withdrawal and ignoring Trump missteps in brokering the deal, saying efforts to pin the exit on Democrats have reached a crescendo with the new focus on Harris. Republicans now claim she was the architect of the U.S. withdrawal though she is referenced only three times in 3,288 pages of the Committees interview transcripts, he wrote in a simultaneously released minority report. The GOP report also fails to address former President Trumps role in prompting the U.S. withdrawal. It was the Trump administration that brokered the deal to leave Afghanistan, initially agreeing to have the U.S. withdraw all its forces by May of 2021. And under Trump, immigration processing slowed to a crawl, including for those eligible for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), the multi-step pathway for those who assisted the U.S. military or contractors to come to the U.S. The trickle of processing on the lengthy progress hindered the Biden administrations ability to swiftly relocate allies. Still, the report offers an inside look at the alarms raised by those working across government ahead of the August 2021 withdrawal. One of the sharpest lines of criticism in the report is the Biden administrations delay in planning for and formally igniting an evacuation also known as a noncombatant evacuation operation, or NEO. The report concluded that the administration had a concern that a NEO equated to failure and was also more concerned about the optics of NEO than the dangers associated with failing to call for one. Those interviewed by the committee described a split between the military and the State Department, with the military stressing the likelihood that Kabul would fall as the diplomatic arm delayed plans to launch an evacuation, in part because of fears such plans could spark further chaos in the country. One Kabul embassy employee told the committee that some began having subversive NEO meetings as leadership there otherwise seemed opposed to initiating an evaluation while another said planning for an evacuation came too little too late. An evacuation wasnt ordered until Ross Wilson, then the ambassador to Afghanistan, requested one on August 15, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on vacation. As a result, many basic details of the evacuation were unplanned and decided in the moment. The administration has long claimed intelligence didnt indicate Kabul would fall as quickly as it did, and State Department officials said they didnt contemplate a scenario in which they would have to conduct an evacuation with Kabul not under their control. The GOP report said this displayed a stunning lack of planning. One State Department employee said that the State Departments Crisis Management and Strategy office the team within the Secretary of States Executive Office responsible for 24/7 management of global crises only became involved once they were allowed to call it what it was i.e. a NEO/suspension of ops. This inexcusable delay was exacerbated by the departments failure to formulate an emergency evacuation plan. The magnitude of the evacuation necessary became untenable, and departmental inaction condemned thousands of Afghan allies and Americans to a life under Taliban rule, the report concluded. The lack of planning left unclear who would qualify to be evacuated. Afghans with ties to the U.S. were often given conflicting messages about whether to report to the airport. In the end, the heartbreaking task of determining who could or could not get inside the gates of the airport were often left to rank-and-file servicemembers and foreign service officers, the report determined. Biden ultimately had to send additional troops back into Afghanistan while scattershot private efforts to evacuate Afghans succeeded in helping both citizens and allies exit the country. While the report is highly critical of Wilson, Blinken, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, its largely centered on Biden. The report asserts that Biden was not bound by the Doha Agreement negotiated under the Trump administration, arguing it allowed for the dissolution of the deal if the Taliban did not meet its commitments. But Biden has made clear he viewed the U.S. as too far down the path of withdrawal to shift its approach and that doing so would commit the military to once again engaging with the Taliban. The choice I had to make, as your president, was either to follow through on that agreement or be prepared to go back to fighting the Taliban, Biden said in a televised address in 2021. A 2023 12-page review of the withdrawal prepared by the White House stressed that when Biden] came into office he was confronted with difficult realities left to him by the Trump Administration. GOP lawmakers have indicated they plan to continue their probe, even though Biden will only be president for another four months. McCaul has subpoenaed Blinken to discuss the matter in a Sept. 19 hearing. 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, McCaul wrote. The State Department on Sunday defended its role in the evacuation. [House Republicans] have done a disservice by relying on false information and presenting inaccurate narratives meant only to harm the Administration, instead of seeking to actually inform Americans on how our longest war came to an end, department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. The State Department remains immensely proud of its workforce who put themselves forward in the waning days of our presence in Afghanistan to evacuate both Americans and the brave Afghans who stood by over sides for more than two decades. Updated at 10:10 pm. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. (WWTI) A 48-year-old Gouverneur man is facing multiple charges after an alleged domestic incident on Thursday, September 5. New York State Police responded to State Highway 58, in the town of Gouverneur for domestic dispute around 9:15 p.m. An investigation determined Jeffrey Putman and the victim were involved in a verbal altercation which turned physical when Putman threw a ladder at the victim. Pair of St. Lawrence Co. men facing drug charges after traffic stop As the authorities responded on the scene and approached the residence, Troopers heard gunshots and retreated to a safer area. Putman later came out of the residence and was taken into custody without incident. He was arrested and transported to the state police headquarters in Gouverneur for processing. Putman was arraigned in the Town of Gouverneur where he was remanded to St. Lawrence County Jail in lieu of a $30,000 or $60,000 bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. LOGAN COUNTY, WV (WVNS) Governor Justice released a statement about the death of a Logan County coal miner on Friday, September 6, 2024. 33-year-old Gary Chapman, of South Williamson, Kentucky, was injured at the Mountaineer II Mine in the Sharples area of Logan County. Governor Justice releases statement on the death of a coal miner in Raleigh County When we lose a miner, its not just a loss for the community, but a loss for the entire State of West Virginia. Mr. Chapmans loss is a powerful reminder that we should always have a deep gratitude for every one of our coal miners. They are the ones who keep our nation running, and I can promise that we will never forget Mr. Chapmans dedication and service. Cathy and I are holding him and his family close in our hearts, and we ask that you keep them in yours as well during this time. Governor Justice Chapmans death is the fourth West Virginia mining death in 2024. The Mine Safety and Health Administration and the West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety, and Training are investigating the incident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. GRAND ISLE, La. (WGNO) As Tropical Storm Francine heads toward Louisianas coast, Grand Isles mayor is preparing the town by calling for mandatory and voluntary evacuations. Most of the Louisiana coast will be on the eastern side of the hurricane on Wednesday, meaning storm surge will be a growing concern for coastal communities. Entergy Louisiana prepares for Tropical Storm Francine As of 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, Mayor David Camardelle has called for a voluntary evacuation. A mandatory evacuation has been issued for campers, RVs and cargo and boat trailers. Grand Isle School is also canceled for Tuesday, Sept. 10. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. Greece doubles down on its anti-cruise rebellion Greece doubles down on its anti-cruise rebellion Greece will charge cruise passengers 20 ($22) to visit some of its most popular islands. The tax aims to curb tourism and protect local environments during summer. Other destinations like Venice have also implemented tourist levies to manage crowds. Greece just announced a new plan to keep a handle on tourism. Speaking at a trade fair in Thessaloniki over the weekend, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he plans to introduce a 20 ($22) fee for passengers arriving at ports in some of its most popular islands such as Santorini and Mykonos during the peak summer months. He also announced a one-year ban on new short-term rentals in three of the main areas of Athens, multiple news organizations reported. Business Insider contacted the Greek government for further comment but didn't immediately hear back. Cities, towns, and picturesque spots worldwide have been struggling with mass tourism, with locals and officials eager to make their areas more livable for residents. Venice and Barcelona have introduced or raised tourist levies to reduce visitor numbers. New Zealand recently said it will triple its entry fee for foreign visitors to NZ$100 ($62). Greece is the latest European country to impose measures to curb hoards of people arriving during the summer. The Greek government also intends to moderate the number of cruise ships that dock simultaneously at certain ports to protect the local environment and combat water shortages on islands, per Reuters. In 2023, 1.3 million people arrived at Santorini via around 800 cruise ships, according to data from the Hellenic Ports Association. Mitsotakis said Sunday that part of the tourist tax revenues would be given to local communities to improve infrastructure, per Reuters. But Greece's economy relies heavily on tourism. According to Bank of Greece data, the estimated travel expenditure of non-residents during their stay in Greece last year stood at 20.5 billion ($22 billion). Read the original article on Business Insider Greys Anatomy star Chris Carmack shared a cheeky video from the set of the show, with the actor wearing some bold clothes. The medical drama is due to return later this month (September 26) with its 21st season, with Carmack once appearing in the role of Atticus Lincoln. Ahead of the launch, the social media channels for the show posted a video on TikTok, with Carmack and various other stars sharing what they enjoyed the most about the breaks from the show. Related: Grey's Anatomy star returning to show after 17 years My favourite thing to do on hiatus is to sit around and be real serious, said Carmack, who placed a cowboy hat on his head as the camera panned back to reveal that he was wearing denim hotpants, before quipping: I dont like to have fun. The reveal certainly caught the attention of some fans, with one follower sharing their surprise in the comment section as they wrote: The pan back to the shorts made me lol. I wasnt expecting that This is so Chris lol, wrote another follower, with a third adding: "The jorts and cowboy motif A fourth fan wrote: Love the boots, with a fifth fan of the show noting that Carmack ate with his styling. Other stars who appeared in the video included Adelaide Kane, who shared that she would spend her break travelling, and Niko Terho, who added that he would eat fish cutters on the beach when he returned home to Barbados. Getty Images Related: Best film and TV tours for 2024 Whilst fans were taken aback by Carmacks look, co-star Camilla Luddington who plays Jo Wilson recently previewed the upcoming season, sharing that she was shooketh after reading some of the scripts. I woke up this morning, scrolled through my phone and there it was, sitting in my inbox, the premier episode script of Grey's Anatomy season 21, she recalled to the Call It What It Is podcast last month. And you know what's so funny and you know this, Jess, we never know what's going to happen. We are not given a heads-up, so I was reading the script in bed this morning and I was shooketh. I was shooketh, I was amazed and yeah, we're going back next week, I actually have a table read tomorrow. Grey's Anatomy season 21 will air premiere on Thursday, September 26 at 10pm ET on ABC in the US. Previous seasons are streaming on Disney+ in the UK. Read more Grey's Anatomy news on our dedicated homepage You Might Also Like Grief over Gaza and qualms over US election add up to anguish for many Palestinian Americans Jerusalem Garden restaurant owner and operator Ali Ramlawi stands on the campus of the University of Michigan, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Demoralized by the Biden administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war, Palestinian American Samia Assed found in Vice President Kamala Harris ascension and her running mate pick a little ray of hope. That hope, she said, shattered during last months Democratic National Convention, where a request for a Palestinian American speaker was denied and listening to Harris left her feeling like the Democratic presidential nominee will continue the U.S. policies that have outraged many in the anti-war camp. I couldnt breathe because I felt unseen and erased, said Assed, a community organizer in New Mexico. Under different circumstances, Assed would have reveled in the groundbreaking rise of a woman of color as her partys nominee. Instead, she agonizes over her ballot box options. For months, many Palestinian Americans have been contending with the double whammy of the rising Palestinian death toll and suffering in Gaza and their own governments support for Israel in the war. Alongside pro-Palestinian allies, theyve grieved, organized, lobbied and protested as the killings and destruction unfolded on their screens or touched their own families. Now, they also wrestle with tough, deeply personal voting decisions, including in battleground states. Its a very hard time for Palestinian youth and Palestinian Americans, Assed said. Theres a lot of pain. Without a meaningful change, voting for Harris would feel for her like a jab in the heart, she said. At the same time, Assed, a lifelong Democrat and feminist, would like to help block another Donald Trump presidency and remain engaged with the Democrats to hold them liable, she said. Its really a difficult place to be in. Shes not alone. In Georgia, the Gaza bloodshed has been haunting Ghada Elnajjar. She said the war claimed the lives of more than 100 members of her extended family in Gaza, where her parents were born. She saw missed opportunities at the DNC to connect with voters like her. Besides the rejection of the request for a Palestinian speaker, Elnajjar found a disconnect between U.S. policies and Harris assertion that she and President Joe Biden were working to accomplish a cease-fire and hostage deal. Without stopping U.S. financial support and military support to Israel, this will not stop, said Elnajjar who in 2020 campaigned for Biden. Im a U.S. citizen. Im a taxpayer ... and I feel betrayed and neglected. Shell keep looking for policy changes, but, if necessary, remain uncommitted, potentially leaving the top of the ticket blank. Harris must earn her vote, she said. Harris, in her DNC speech, said she and Biden were working to end the war such that "Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination. She said she will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself, while describing the suffering in Gaza as heartbreaking. While her recent rhetoric on Palestinian suffering has been viewed as empathetic by some who had soured on Biden over the war, the lack of a concrete policy shift appears to have increasingly frustrated many of those who want the war to end. Activists demanding a permanent cease-fire have urged an embargo on U.S. weapons to Israel, whose military campaign in Gaza has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. The war was sparked by an Oct. 7 attack on Israel in which Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. Layla Elabed, a Palestinian American and co-director of the Uncommitted National Movement, said the demand for a policy shift remains. Nationally, uncommitted has garnered hundreds of thousands of votes in Democratic primaries. Elabed said Harris and her team have been invited to meet before Sept. 15 with uncommitted movement leaders from key swing states and with Palestinian families with relatives killed in Gaza. After that date, she said, we will need to make the decision if we can actually mobilize our base to vote for Harris. Without a policy change, we cant do an endorsement, and will, instead, continue talking about the dangers of a Trump presidency, leaving voters to vote their conscience, she added. Some other anti-war activists are taking it further, advocating for withholding votes from Harris in the absence of a change. Theres pressure to punish the Democratic Party, Elabed said. Our position is continue taking up space within the Democratic Party, and push for change from the inside. Some of the tensions surfaced at an August rally in Michigan when anti-war protesters interrupted Harris. Initially, Harris said everybodys voice matters. As the shouting continued, with demonstrators chanting that they wont vote for genocide, she took a sharper tone. If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that, she said. Nada Al-Hanooti, national deputy organizing director with the Muslim American advocacy group Emgage Action, rejects as unfair the argument by some that traditionally Democratic voters who withhold votes from Harris are in effect helping Trump. She said the burden should be on Harris and her party. Right now, its a struggle being a Palestinian American, she said. I dont want a Trump presidency, but, at the same time, the Democratic Party needs to win our vote. Though dismayed that no Palestinian speaker was allowed on the DNC stage, Al-Hanooti said she felt inspired by how uncommitted activists made Palestinians part of the conversation at the convention. Activists were given space there to hold a forum discussing the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. We in the community still need to continue to push Harris on conditioning aid, on a cease-fire, she said. The fight is not over. She said shes never known grief like that she has experienced over the past year. In the girls of Gaza, she sees her late grandmother who, at 10, was displaced from her home during the 1948 war surrounding Israels creation and lived in a Syrian refugee camp, dreaming of returning home. It just completely tears me apart, Al-Hanooti said. She tries to channel her pain into putting pressure on elected officials and encouraging community members to vote, despite encountering what she said was increased apathy, with many feeling that their vote wont matter. Our job at Emgage is simply right now to get our Muslim community to vote because our power is in the collective. In 2020, Emgage whose political action committee then endorsed Biden and other groups worked to maximize Muslim American turnout, especially in battleground states. Muslims make up a small percentage of Americans overall, but activists hope that in states with notable Muslim populations, such as Michigan, energizing more of them makes a difference in close races and demonstrates the communitys political power. Some voters want to send a message. Our community has given our votes away cheaply, argued Omar Abuattieh, a pharmacy major at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Once we can start to understand our votes as a bargaining tool, well have more power. For Abuattieh, whose mother was born in Gaza, that means planning to vote third party to demonstrate the power in numbers of a newly activated community that deserves future consultation. A Pew Research Center survey in February found that U.S. Muslims are more sympathetic to the Palestinian people than many other Americans are and that only 6% of Muslim American adults believe the U.S. is striking the right balance between the Israelis and Palestinians. Nearly two-thirds of Muslim registered voters identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party, according to the survey. But U.S. Muslims, who are racially and ethnically diverse, are not monolithic in their political behavior; some have publicly supported Harris in this election cycle. In 2020, among Muslim voters, 64% supported Biden and 35% supported Trump, according to AP VoteCast. The Harris campaign said it has appointed two people for Muslim and Arab outreach. Harris will continue to meet with leaders from Palestinian, Muslim, Israeli and Jewish communities, as she has throughout her vice presidency, the campaign said in response to questions, without specifically commenting on the uncommitted movements request for a meeting before Sept. 15. Harris is being scrutinized by those who say the Biden-Harris administration hasnt done enough to pressure Israel to end the war and by Republicans looking to brand her as insufficient in her support for Israel. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign's national press secretary, said Trump will once again deliver peace through strength to rebuild and expand the peace coalition he built in his first term to create long-term safety and security for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. Many Arab and Muslim Americans were angered by Trumps ban, while in office, that affected travelers from several Muslim-majority countries, which Biden rescinded. In Michigan, Ali Ramlawi, who owns a restaurant in Ann Arbor, said Harris nomination initially gave him relief on various domestic issues, but the DNC left him disappointed on the Palestinian question. Before the convention, he expected to vote Democratic, but now says hes considering backing the Green Party for the top of the ticket or leaving that blank. Our vote shouldnt be taken for granted, he said. I wont vote for the lesser of two evils. ___ 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. 'Grim' September ahead with 6,000 steel and oil jobs to go The government is warning of a "grim" September with up to 6,000 jobs set to be cut across the steel and oil refining industries, the BBC understands. A total of 2,800 jobs are set to go at Port Talbot in Wales, while up to 3,000 jobs are expected to be axed at British Steel in Scunthorpe. A further 400 will be cut at Scotland's Grangemouth oil refinery. Unions' hopes that investment from a new Labour government could help limit job losses have largely been dashed, according to sources. The government said it was facing "tough decisions" but added: "The solution isnt writing a blank cheque to bail out the past, or to put taxpayers on the hook for the industrial challenges weve inherited." Labour's manifesto promised a kitty of 2.5bn to revitalise the UK steel industry. But the new government has taken a similar line to its predecessor by insisting that public money is only available to invest in new greener steel production facilities, rather than to subsidise large ongoing losses at carbon-intensive plants. Both Tata, the Indian firm which owns Port Talbot and Jingye of China, which owns Scunthorpe, insist the plants are losing 1m a day. The government is in talks to finalise a grant to Tata of 500m towards the 1.25bn cost of building an electric arc furnace which will eventually replace the last remaining blast furnace at Port Talbot. Blast furnaces use coke in the process of creating "virgin" steel but the process generates carbon dioxide while electric arc furnaces are mostly used to melt down and repurpose scrap steel. This process cannot replicate all grades of steel that are produced in blast furnaces, including some types used in construction and rail. 'It's going to feel grim' At Port Talbot, the GMB and Community unions have presented members with a redundancy deal struck with Tata which would see workers receive 2.8 weeks of earnings for every year of service up to a maximum of 25 years. Workers can also sign up to a one-year skills and re-training scheme during which they will be paid 27,000. Union officials hope the number of immediate compulsory redundancies at the UKs biggest steel works will end up being far lower than 2,800 as many workers who left recently have not been replaced. There have been more than 2,000 expressions of interest in the redundancy and re-training package being offered. In Scunthorpe, prospects for workers have deteriorated more suddenly. Unions had hoped that a government support package of up to 600m to Jingye would see one of its remaining blast furnaces remain open during the three years it took to build a new electric arc furnace. That prospect has faded, according to union and government sources, meaning that up to 3,000 jobs could go. Asked how the government felt about the next few weeks, a senior source said: "It's going to feel grim." Unions have told the BBC that the closure of blast furnaces at both Port Talbot and Scunthorpe would leave the UK without the ability to make virgin steel. But other industry voices have downplayed such vulnerabilities, pointing out that the coking coal and iron ore used in blast furnaces are imported from abroad, so importing some virgin steel would make little difference. Meanwhile, an announcement is expected this month to confirm that Scotlands only remaining oil refinery at Grangemouth will shut down early next year to become a less labour-intensive oil and gas import terminal. Government promises to explore a sustainable future for the site based on the planned expansion of renewable energy in Scotland are not expected to come soon enough to save up to 400 jobs. A government spokesman said: "Decarbonisation does not mean deindustrialisation and government will continue working in partnership with trade unions and business to support good, stable jobs and deliver economic growth." A spokesperson for British Steel in Scunthorpe said bosses were in "ongoing discussions" with the government over its future operations. "While progress continues, no final decisions have been made," they added. Grocery Outlet to take over vacant Fishermans Wharf site Grocery Outlet to take over vacant Fishermans Wharf site SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A new grocery store is set to open at San Franciscos Fishermans Wharf, taking over the former Safeway location. Orange Skies Day remembered 4 years later: Photos Board of Supervisors President and District 3 Representative Aaron Peskin announced Monday that Grocery Outlet will move into the North Point Shopping Center. An official opening date has not been provided. Safeway, a longtime tenant, left the location over concerns about public safety in the area. Supervisor Peskin, who is currently running for mayor in this years San Francisco election, said he successfully brokered a deal between the property owner and Grocery Outlet. The agreement includes potential tax breaks and increased safety measures at North Point. The new Grocery Outlet will be 30,000 square feet. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. A woman puts groceries in a cart at a ShopRite on January 08, 2022 in Clark, New Jersey. Alabama budget officials said last week that a 1% reduction in the state's grocery tax had a smaller impact than first expected. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) The grocery tax cut appears to have had a smaller impact on Alabama revenues than analysts initially thought. Kirk Fulford, deputy director of the Legislative Services Agencys (LSA) Fiscal Division, wrote in an email Thursday that the impact to the Education Trust Fund budget (ETF), where most sales taxes go, would be little less than originally projected. When the sales tax cut was proposed, the Department of Revenues tax simulation model projected the impact to be roughly $152 million in the first year, but it looks like it will come in closer to $124 million, he wrote. So, the actual impact is less than projected. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sales tax receipts did decrease, according to LSA. Sales tax receipts for 2023 were about $2.35 billion, compared to about $2.31 billion in the current year. But income tax receipts are up year-over-year, from $6.21 billion in 2023 to $6.32 billion as of August. Income taxes, the largest revenue source of the Education Trust Fund, are up for the year, Fulford said. So, total ETF growth appears to be on track to still be positive for the year with one month left. That has encouraged left and right-wing groups who pushed the Legislature to cut the sales tax on food last year. We think that is probably attributable, at least in part, to one of the biggest benefits to this law, which is families being able to use money that would have otherwise gone to the grocery tax to being able to buy another gallon of milk, or another loaf of bread, or to go buy other items like school supplies or over-the-counter medicines, said Chris Sanders, communications director for Alabama Arise, a nonprofit group that supports a full repeal of the grocery tax. The Alabama Policy Institute, a conservative organization, has also pushed to end the grocery tax. API has been an advocate for, not only the reduction in that tax because it is highly regressive, but the complete elimination of it, said Stephanie Smith, president and CEO of the Alabama Policy Institute. We are still pushing for the elimination of it. Until last year, Alabama had applied the full state sales tax to groceries since 1939, when the tax was introduced. The 4% state tax, combined with local levies, meant that Alabamians paid up to 10% in taxes on their groceries. In Montgomery, a family spending $600 a month on food would pay $60 in taxes on top of that. By 2023, Alabama was one of only three states to fully tax groceries. Groups like Arise campaigned for decades to reduce or eliminate the tax, but concerns about reducing revenues in the the Education Trust Fund, primarily funded through income and sales taxes, stopped the efforts. But an exceptionally strong performance from the ETF last year put new momentum behind repeal efforts. The Legislature last year approved HB 479, sponsored by House Ways and Means Education Committee Chair Danny Garrett, R-Trussville. The measure reduced the state portion of the sales tax on food by 1% from 4% to 3%. It also allowed a reduction to 2% if receipts to the ETF increase by at least 3.5% from the previous year. The fiscal note prepared by the Alabama Legislative Research Services Agency warned legislators that Garretts bill could reduce revenues by $152 million for 2024, and then by another $318 million for 2025 and beyond. Those figures gave lawmakers pause, with some wondering how the state would continue to fund its education infrastructure. As of the end of August, the 1% reduction in food sales tax average monthly loss to state Education Trust Fund revenue is $10 million, said Bill Poole, Alabamas finance director, in a statement emailed Thursday. The department continues to estimate that each percentage point drop in the food tax will reduce Education Trust Fund revenues by about $120 million annually. But with the smaller-than-expected hit, critics plan to push for full repeal. A grocery tax is borderline immoral to have a high grocery tax, especially in the economic times that we are living in, Smith said. It is difficult for people to feed their families and there is no reason that our tax policy should stand in the way of people putting food on the table. Alabama Arise echoed that sentiment. What is next for us is finishing the job, Sanders said. We have advocated for this for decades, and we are not going to stop until we have untaxed groceries forever. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Russian military will dispatch naval and air forces in September to participate in drills in the waters and airspace of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk organized by the Chinese military, China's Ministry of National Defense announced Monday. The ministry said in a statement that the drills, codenamed Northern/Interaction-2024, aim to deepen strategic cooperation between the two sides and strengthen their ability to respond to security threats. The ministry noted that the drills are planned according to an annual schedule and mutual consensus between China and Russia. The ministry added that Chinese and Russian naval fleets will conduct their fifth joint maritime patrol in the Pacific Ocean. Furthermore, the Chinese navy will participate in Russia's "Ocean-2024" strategic exercise. (Getty Images). The group behind the initiative to expand Medicaid said Monday that a Florida Department of State rule could force it to restart the petition collection process. Florida Decides Healthcare re-launched in February a petition drive for voters to decide in 2026 whether the state should provide health coverage for low-income adults. The group suspended the campaign because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group said on Monday it received guidance from the department in early August that Floridians who signed the petition during the previous attempt couldnt sign it again unless the group restarts the process with a new petition. In a press release, the group said it was working with the state to find a solution that wouldnt force it to start over or not submit signatures from the 80,000 Floridians who supported the initiative last time. However, the press release said Florida Decides Healthcare would also look into a legal challenge against the rule. As we have engaged with voters across the state, we have heard time and again how important it is that the people of Florida are given the opportunity to make this decision for themselves directly by placing Medicaid expansion on the ballot in 2026, the campaigns manager, Jake Flaherty, wrote in the press release. We remain committed to ensuring that all Floridians have the opportunity to participate fully in shaping the future of health care in our state. Advocating for a fair and consistent application of the rules The rule comes under a 2020 Florida law that prohibits a sponsor from collecting a signature for a particular election cycle and then re-using that signature in a subsequent cycle. However, that prohibition also applies if the sponsor gets another signature from the same person, even if the original signature has expired, according to the guidance the department sent to the group. The Florida Constitution guarantees citizens the right to participate in the citizen initiative process, and the states new guidance puts that right at risk, ACLU of Florida Legal Director Daniel Tilley wrote in the press release from the sponsor. We are simply advocating for a fair and consistent application of the rules governing the citizen initiative process, and we look forward to a resolution that upholds the Florida Constitution and the rights of every eligible voter to make their voice heard in our state. Florida remains one of 10 states that havent expanded Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. This expansion would cover adults under 65 who have incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Florida Decides Healthcare claims that approximately 964,000 people would be eligible for Medicaid under the expansion, which the Republican-controlled Legislature has refused to consider. The initiative would need 8% of the votes cast in this presidential election and approval from the Florida Supreme Court to get to the ballot. The department didnt provide a comment at the time of publication. Update: Florida Decides Healthcare provided the following comment from Flaherty: This campaign is full steam ahead on continuing to collect petitions regardless of this ruling and are confident that the state will make the right decision to ensure that no Floridian has their constitutional rights violated. We are continuing to work with the state on a resolution in regards to this specific issue and are assessing all of our options with regards to a legal challenge in order to guarantee no voter is disenfranchised throughout this process. While we disagree with this interpretation of the rule, we know that the people of Florida are fired up about expanding access to Medicaid for the over one million workers, veterans, and seniors who are currently without care and nothing will get in the way of our mission to ensure their voices are heard and the voters get to decide this issue in 2026. We are confident that the overwhelming desire for access to affordable and quality health care in Florida will translate in our ability to make it onto the ballot, even if those who have already made their voices heard are unfairly excluded from the process. TOPEKA (KSNT) Spotted a fuzzy-looking caterpillar lately? A Kansas insect expert says you might want to leave it alone as it could be packing a painful surprise. 27 News spoke with Kansas State University Entomologist Raymond Cloyd about some peculiar-looking caterpillars people might spot as summer turns to fall. Brightly colored and covered in hairy barbs, these insects should be handled with care or not all. Cloyd said there are three types of caterpillars people might encounter that could be harmful if picked up. These include the caterpillars of the American dagger moth, the Io moth and saddleback moth. They have these hairs that can be irritating and thats what they use for defense, Cloyd said. Thats why when you see one of these caterpillars, its best not to hold them. Saddleback moth caterpillars. (Photo by: Jon G. Fuller/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) An automeris Io moth caterpillar. (Photo by Wild Horizons/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) American dagger moth caterpillar. (Getty Images) Tarantulas on the march in Kansas, what to know These caterpillars come with their own distinct markings and have barbs or hairs protruding from their bodies which can cause problems for those who come into contact with them. The American dagger moth caterpillar, for example, can cause skin irritation, rashes and possibly allergic reactions, according to K-State. These are ones you should just leave alone, Cloyd said. Cloyds biggest recommendation is to leave the caterpillars be, unless they are becoming a nuisance on local trees or other plants as they feed and prepare to transform into moths. However, with winter on the way, many of these caterpillars will soon run out of food sources and cease to present any issues like this until the following year. Any time you see an insect with hairs or structures on it, its best to leave it alone, Cloyd said. Just be cautious of what you pick up. Close-up of a partially coiled woolly bear caterpillar. (Photo Courtesy/Getty Images) While these caterpillars may cause issues for people who decide to touch them, there are some which will present no such problems. These include woolly bear caterpillars which are considered harmless despite having some structures which are similar to their feistier relatives. The woolly bear caterpillars, you can handle those, Cloyd said. Theres just a handful of these caterpillars that if you handle them you could get an irritating feeling. Found an arrowhead in Kansas? Archaeologist urges you to leave it alone Cloyd encourages people who want to learn more about the caterpillars of Kansas to pick up a copy of the Insects in Kansas book. You can find a copy by clicking here. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also keeps resources on harmful insects online. For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Monday defended her decision to back former President Trump as based on substance after former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) criticized her position. Cheney, a vocal GOP critic of Trump who officially threw her support behind Vice President Harris last week, said Sunday that she cant understand Haleys position on the 2024 race in any kind of a principled way given the former ambassadors intense criticism of Trump during her own presidential bid earlier this year. Haley pushed back, saying her decision was, in fact, principled. I respect her decision, but she cant say my decision is not principled. It actually is. We can either vote based on style or we can vote on substance. Im voting based on substance. Im looking at the fact we cant live the next four years like we did the last four years, Haley said Monday on Fox Newss FOX and Friends. Haley, a former United Nations ambassador and the former governor of South Carolina, said the contrast of Trump and Harriss policies is no contest. Harris raised taxes. Trump reduced taxes. Harris wants to stop any energy production. Trump built it up, she said. Harris is weak on national security. Trump was strong on national security. Harris has allowed the border to be infiltrated by 8 million people. Trump was much harder on the border. This is about my family. This is about America. These are about issues. Haley publicly said she would vote for Trump in May, months after she suspended her GOP presidential bid amid low polling numbers. During her bid, she waged a series of attacks against Trump and said earlier this year she came to the decision to vote for Trump because of policy agreements. We should be very clear if you dont like him, say you dont like him. But you cant say that his policies are worse than Kamala Harriss. Thats just not a fact, Haley said Monday. When asked if her support of Trump extends to the point where she would appear on stage with him at rallies, Haley said she is happy to be helpful. Ive made it clear to him, a couple of things. One, that he needs to go out and ask for the vote of conservative and moderate Republicans, suburban women, independents, conservative Democrats. This is going to be a tight election. He needs to go say, I need your vote,' she said. And the second thing is, Im on standby. Im happy to be helpful. I dont want to see Kamala Harris win. When pressed again about going on stage, she said, Absolutely. Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney (R), made headlines last week when they both endorsed Harriss presidential run over Trump. The younger Cheney on Sunday argued Republicans who are publicly against Trump but not backing Harris must take the extra step and endorse the vice president. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu came to the aid of a contestant choking on a lobster roll at a seafood festival eating contest, using the Heimlich maneuver after the man signaled for help. The contestant, Christian Moreno, recovered and resumed eating at the competition on stage Sunday. Moreno was one of six participants at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival contest. They had 10 minutes to eat as many lobster rolls as they could. The New England sandwich is traditionally stuffed with lobster, celery and mayonnaise and served on a hot dog-style bun. Im shooting for at least 20, Moreno, of Nashua, said in a video account before the contest started, saying he studied competitive eater Joey Chestnut of hot dog-contest eating fame. Moreno was at the end of a long table, close to where Sununu was watching on the side of the stage after speaking to the crowd a bit earlier. Standing, Moreno had downed about two lobster rolls when he started choking and tapped his chest, video showed. Sununu rushed out a short time later, put his arms around Moreno and started abdominal thrusts. He got in several before first responders took over, WMUR-TV reported. Messages seeking comment Monday were sent to Sununus office and to Moreno. It was crazy because it wasnt so much the jumping in and doing it I mean, that was wild in itself but there was so much commotion, Sununu, a popular Republican governor who isnt seeking reelection for fifth term, told the station. Moreno, who didnt have his glasses on, wasnt aware it was the governor who had helped save him. My counter came up to me and, like, made a joke. And was like, Oh, like, I bet nobody else can say that theyve gotten the Heimlich from the governor before. And I looked at him, was just like, that was, that was the governor? Moreno said. Moreno recovered and went back to the contest. He didnt win, but he did consume nine lobster rolls in all. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW What happened to a plane that disappeared in 1968 over Lake Superior? A robot may unravel the mystery. Shortly after noon on Oct. 23, 1968, a National Center for Atmospheric Research airplane made its final radio call before disappearing along the southern shores of Lake Superior. The Beechcraft Queen Air had taken off from Madison with two pilots and one passenger, a graduate student from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. All three were involved in the research, on their way to measure temperatures across Lake Superior to see how large lakes heat the atmosphere. Over the past half century, pieces of the wreck have come ashore along Michigans Upper Peninsula. Exactly where the plane went down, though, has been elusive. The Armada 8, made by Ocean Infinity, is a robotic ship that will be used to try to locate a 1968 plane wreck that has remained undiscovered on the bottom of Lake Superior. The mission is led by the Smart Ship Coalition, an organization of industry, government and academic partners interested in advancing technology in the Great Lakes region. Now, a robot may help solve that mystery. On Monday, a team of researchers will deploy a robotic ship on a week-long mission to try to find the remains of the research airplane. Even more than 50 years later, finding the wreckage can help answer what went wrong that day, said Wayne Lusardi, Michigans state maritime archaeologist. But Lusardi said it will be a difficult challenge. Pieces of the plane some of which may only be the size of a sheet of paper are likely scattered for miles along the lake bottom, covered with sand at depths up to 400 feet deep. But the September mission and new technology offer a glimmer of hope. So, what do we know about the plane crash? Why hasnt it been found? How do family members feel? We answer six questions. What do we know about the plane crash? Two pilots, Robert Carew and Gordon Jones, from the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a Boulder, Colorado-based research organization, were on board the flight as well as Velayudh Krishna, the graduate student. According to an archived Milwaukee Sentinel story from Oct. 26, 1968, the weather bureau reported winds up to 20 miles an hour, but gusts reaching 80 miles per hour late in the afternoon. It was a routine research flight so the pilots did not file a flight plan. The wreckage of the research airplane is believed to be off the shores of Michigans Upper Peninsula between Ontonagon and Freda, a distance of roughly 30 miles. The location is based on historical records, personal accounts and where fragments of the wreck have come ashore. The U.S. Coast Guard began searching 16 hours after the plane last made radio contact, Lusardi said. The coast guard found two blue, upholstered seats and pieces of aluminum that washed up on shore 12 miles west of Hancock, Michigan, according to the same Milwaukee Sentinel story. Nothing else turned up during the search. A year later, another pilot from the research organization initiated a month-long sonar survey to search for the plane, but was unsuccessful, Lusardi said. Because the wreckage has never been found, federal agencies cant make a determination about how the plane crash happened. Now, with technology that is a half-century more advanced, so we have an infinitely better chance of finding debris from this aircraft than they did back in the day, Lusardi said. More: Scientists just discovered cold, dark sinkholes in Lake Michigan. What's living in them? Why is the wreckage so hard to find? When a small airplane hits the water it often breaks into fragments immediately, which is why it can be much harder to find than shipwrecks. Some freighters are 600 feet long, Lusardi said, so its a bigger target, and shipwrecks have features like masts that stand out on sonar. The robotic ship, known as the Armada 8, will paint a picture of the bottom of Lake Superior with sound, using multi-beam sonar. The sonar equipment, shown here, has a wide angle that may help locate the plane wreck. The research plane was roughly 35 feet long with only a 50-foot wingspan. Small pieces are likely scattered across a wide area, and covered with sand and sediment. The nearshore area of Lake Superior also drops off very quickly, Lusardi said fragments can be anywhere from near the shoreline to 400 feet deep. What will the robotic ship look for? The mission is being led by the Smart Ships Coalition, an organization of industry, government and academic partners interested in advancing technology in the Great Lakes region. The coalition plans on Monday to launch the Armada 8, a robotic ship made by Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company based in Texas. The robotic ship is about 26 feet long and weighs 10,000 pounds. Over the course of a week, it will scan a 20-square-mile area of Lake Superior using multi-beam sonar. The robot will paint a picture of the bottom of the lake, hoping to pick up clues that something might be there, said Travis White, a research engineer with the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Technical University. The university is a partner on the project. If the team does see an anomaly, scuba divers will take a closer look. According to White, the team is prioritizing caution and sensitivity, given that if they do find the plane wreck, there may still be human remains present. More: We know more about the surface of Mars than about the floor of Lake Michigan. But what we do know is remarkable. Are the victims families involved in the search? Members of the victims families are supportive of the mission to find the wreck, and were given the opportunity to participate, according to both White and Lusardi. Lusardi said they will be given updates along the way. Hopefully we can bring answers to some of the family members, whatever that may be, Lusardi said. What is the likelihood they will find anything? It will be extremely challenging to find pieces of the plane, especially at depths where its completely dark. But the coalition is hopeful it can at least get closer to finding answers. Were utilizing such incredibly advanced technology, so we are hopeful we will at least find bigger fragments, Lusardi said. The robotic ship will scan the bottom of Lake Superior from sunrise to sunset for a week starting on Sept. 9 in an attempt to find the 1968 plane wreck. If the sonar detects an anomaly scuba divers will investigate. What doors will this mission open? The mission may help open doors to finding out more about whats hiding at the bottom of the Great Lakes. Only 15% of the lake beds have been mapped in high resolution, which has led scientists to say they know more about the surface of Mars than they do about the bottom of the largest fresh surface water system on earth. The Lakebed 2030 Initiative is hoping to change that. The initiative, led by the Great Lakes Observing System, is an effort to map and fully explore the lake bottoms by 2030. The observing system is also a partner in this attempt to find the 1968 research plane wreck. Technology, like the robotic ship, will be an important tool to meet that timeline, White said. Lusardi said more affordable and available technology is helping to better understand the history hidden on the bottom of the lakes. Two decades ago, there were only a handful of sonar devices in the Great Lakes, Lusardi said. Now the average fish finder can do more than what those devices could. Beyond history, White said baseline maps are needed to better understand how climate change is impacting the Great Lakes. But for now, we have to wait to see if a robot will be the next to solve one of the Great Lakes' many mysteries. Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com or follow her on X @caitlooby. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at jsonline.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A robot is trying to find a 1968 plane wreck in Lake Superior Scott Hastings wife, Jenny, has gone missing, raising widespread concern. Last seen at a wild swimming spot near Edinburgh, her disappearance has prompted an extensive search and many questions about what happened, drawing significant public attention. Heres a closer look at the ongoing situation, the search efforts, and the broader context surrounding Jenny Hastings disappearance. Scott Hastings wife Jenny missing, claims report Jenny Hastings, wife of former Scotland rugby player Scott Hastings, is missing. She failed to return from a wild swimming session at Wardie Bay in Edinburgh on Tuesday. Jenny Hastings, who had long battled mental health issues, went missing on Tuesday shortly before 3:00 p.m., as reported by her family (via BBC). Despite an extensive search involving lifeboats, helicopters, and Coastguard rescue teams, the search initially failed to locate her. This led the police to treat the case as a high-risk missing persons case. On Saturday afternoon, a body was discovered in the Hound Point area of South Queensferry, close to where Jenny went missing (via The Guardian). Although formal identification is still pending, Jennys family has been notified. Police have indicated that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the discovery. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal, but no foul play is suspected. The family expressed their deep grief in a statement, emphasizing Jennys love for the water while also acknowledging her mental health struggles. Jenny is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, frequently sharing her personal experiences with depression. In 2014, she openly discussed her battle with mental health, highlighting how it affected her life and family. Together with Scott, Jenny supported the Support in Mind Scotland charity and launched initiatives such as the 100 Streets Challenge, encouraging physical activity as a means of mental health support. The couples advocacy extended beyond public campaigns; they dedicated themselves to supporting others who faced similar struggles. The post What Happened to Scott Hastings Wife Jenny? Missing Reports Explained appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. By Divya Rajagopal TORONTO (Reuters) - Scores of movie fans waited for hours outside the Toronto premier of "Harbin" on Sunday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lee Dong-Wook and Hyun Bin, the Korean stars paired for the first time in this historical drama. Their patience was rewarded with red carpet appearances by both actors, who are identified with the surge in popularity of Korean culture around the world. "It is my first time here, and I am so thankful and so happy to see my fans here," Lee said. It is also the first TIFF screening of a movie featuring the actor, who is perhaps best known for his breakout drama hit "My Girl". "Harbin" is about the small but courageous resistance army which fought to free Korea from Japanese oppressive rule in the early 20th century. The struggle brings the freedom fighters to the city of Harbin in China's frozen northeast, where they carry out a plan to assassinate Japan's first prime minister. "Harbin" is directed by Woo Min-ho, whose credits include "The Man Standing Next," South Koreas entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2021 Academy Awards. Outside the Toronto screening, a 26-year-old fan named Angelah said she grew up watching K-dramas and being influenced by Korean films, K-pop, and Korean culture. For her, seeing the actors at TIFF made her realize how far-reaching these cultural influences have become. "Seeing them both go from the screen to an in-person event here in Toronto is especially thrilling for me. Art truly is boundless, breaking barriers and creating ties between people, no matter where theyre from," she said. (Reporting by Divya Rajagopal in Toronto; Editing by Frank McGurty and Stephen Coates) The sculpture The Journey to Freedom was on display this summer at the Kerr Community Center in Bastrop. Next stop for the traveling exhibit is Charleston, S.C. BASTROP The statue was 2,400 pounds of heavy truth cast in bronze. This was slavery the fear on the face of an 8-year-old girl, the open shackles near her feet but also the courage to defeat it, carried in the protective stride of Harriet Tubman leading the child across the Mason-Dixon line, pushing against the headwinds of their time. Dock Jackson cried tears of joy as The Journey to Freedom sculpture was installed just before Juneteenth at the Kerr Community Center, a social hub for Black residents for the past 110 years. And he grew teary again early Tuesday morning, as the visiting sculpture was removed at the end of its run, destined for its next showing, which will be in Charleston, S.C. Just looking back at the four years before it got there, and all the anticipation, it became a little overwhelming, Jackson, who serves as chairman of the Kerr center, told me. I was so filled with joy that it happened and that it was such a success. A rousing sendoff for the 9-foot-tall sculpture last weekend was animated by poetry, African American spirituals and the wisdom of Opal Lee, lauded as the grandmother of the effort to make Juneteenth a national holiday. Opal Lee, a lifelong civil rights activist and prominent Juneteenth advocate, stands by "The Journey to Freedom" sculpture, which depicts Harriet Tubman leading a child to freedom. "If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love, Lee told the audience at an Aug. 31 event in honor of the statue's summer stay in Bastrop. We know people who aren't on the same page we are, Lee told the roughly 100 people gathered outside the Kerr center Aug. 31. Change their minds. Because if people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love. Her words stayed with me as I drove over the railroad tracks, four blocks west along Walnut Street, to the historic Bastrop County Courthouse grounds where two Confederate monuments remain stubbornly in place. Lack of money, lack of movement More than four years have passed since the Bastrop County Commissioners Court voted to move those two monuments: a stone obelisk erected in 1910 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy extolling the story of the glory of the men who wore the gray, and a pink granite tablet from 1964 recounting the battlefield exploits of Maj. Joseph D. Sayers, the last Confederate soldier to serve as governor of Texas from 1899 to 1903. A Confederate monument donated in 1910 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy still stands outside the historic Bastrop County Courthouse even though the county more than four years ago approved plans to move it and another Confederate monument. The timing of both monuments is telling. Many markers of the so-called Lost Cause cropped up in the early 1900s amid efforts to push white supremacy, and again in the 1950s-1960s in opposition to the Civil Rights Movement. They should be treated as relics of their era, placed in a museum with proper context, not granted places of honor in the courthouse square. We dont want to have it right in our face every time we go to the courthouse, said Jackson, who helped organize the effort a decade ago seeking to get these tributes to the Confederacy moved. Every time people come into town to get birth certificates, death certificates, or go to court or whatever, they see those monuments there. Even though Bastrop commissioners agreed in 2020 to relocation, however, the monuments still havent moved and it could be years before they do. Relocation cant happen until the now-empty historic jail, next to the courthouse, is renovated into a museum that can accept one or both of these monuments (the Sayers monument could go elsewhere if his heirs prefer). The county is still searching for funding for that jail renovation project, now estimated to cost $5 million, said Lyndsey Schroeder, executive assistant to Bastrop County Judge Gregory Klaus. There are plans to renovate the Bastrop Historic County Jail into a museum, which could house the two nearby Confederate monuments. We understand the community's frustration with the timeline, Schroeder told me. The Commissioners Court committed to not using any taxpayer dollars for the monument relocation project, which has made securing funding sources more challenging. We are actively seeking alternative funding and are committed to moving forward as soon as possible. Members of the community raised $50,000 several years ago to help with relocation costs. The county has also received some funding from the Texas Historical Commission: $241,000 paid for the engineering studies and architectural plans for the historic jail project, and $250,000 covered repairs of the clock tower in the courthouse. Bastrop County sought another grant, but their application for this competitive grant program did not score as highly as other applicants, and they were not awarded funds in this cycle, historical commission spokesman Chris Florance told me. Schroeder said the county will continue looking for grants. A memorial honoring Joseph D. Sayers, a Confederate major and Texas' 22nd governor, sits outside the historic Bastrop County Courthouse, not far from an obelisk that also honors the Confederacy. The county would also need the historical commissions approval to move the monuments, as the 1883 courthouse is a state antiquities landmark. That process, too, has been in limbo: The historical commission tabled Bastrops application in October 2021, noticing the amended request contained inaccurate information that the county needed to address, Florance said. The county has not contacted the agency regarding the monuments or the permit request since then, he told me. Monuments messages at odds Only four blocks stood between Bastrops Confederate monuments and the site of the visiting Harriet Tubman statue, but the two seemed worlds apart. The Confederate monuments, in hollow writing on flat stone, immortalized false glory. The Tubman statue, in a larger-than-life human form, celebrated a true hero, someone who returned to slave-owning territory 13 times to lead more than 70 people to freedom, then planned and led an 1863 Civil War raid with Union troops that destroyed Confederate supply lines and freed 750 from slavery. The Confederate monuments willfully ignored slavery, as if the bondage of a race was a footnote to the Civil War. The Tubman statue centered slavery in the most personal form, in faces creased with anguish and determination. The Confederate monuments are stuck in place. The Tubman statue, like the ideas it represents, is moving forward. The audience at Bastrops Kerr Community Center sings a spiritual Aug. 31 during a farewell ceremony for the traveling Harriet Tubman sculpture exhibition. Speaking to countless visitors to the Kerr center over the past 2 months, Jackson was heartened by the conversations the Tubman statue inspired: Older people sharing their experiences of injustice and triumph. Younger people finding inspiration in those who came before them. Jackson sees fresh urgency for those conversations. Our era also has those eager to reshape history, as weve seen with state laws promoting patriotic education about Texas and curbing classroom discussions about race that might make any student "feel discomfort. We seem to be going backwards in time instead of forward, Jackson lamented. But he keeps coming back to the words of Tubman: Every great dream begins with a dreamer. And he hopes her example will continue to light the way. Grumet is the Statesmans Metro columnist. Her column, ATX in Context, contains her opinions. Share yours via email at bgrumet@statesman.com or on X at @bgrumet. Find her previous work at statesman.com/opinion/columns. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Harriet Tubman statue brought truth to Bastrop with Confederate monuments Vice President Harriss campaign called a social media post from former President Trump about Floridas marijuana legalization ballot measure blatant pandering Monday. In a post on Truth Social late Sunday night, Trump said he will vote yes on Amendment 3, which would legalize marijuana in the Sunshine State. As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use, the former president wrote. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product. Joseph Costello, a spokesperson for Harriss campaign, said in a statement Monday that Trumps position on the measure didnt match up with his record. Despite his blatant pandering, Donald Trump cannot paper over his extensive record of dragging marijuana reform backward, Costello said. As president, Trump cracked down on nonviolent marijuana offenses undermining state legalization laws, opposed safe banking legislation, and even tried to remove protections for medical marijuana, he added. Donald Trump does not actually believe in marijuana reform, but the American people are smart enough to see through his campaign lies. Trump in his Sunday post said he would continue working on marijuana reform if he returns to the White House. As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens, he wrote. Earlier this year, the Biden administration announced it started on the formal rulemaking process to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I designation to a Schedule III designation. This is monumental. Today my administration took a major step to reclassify marijuana from a schedule one drug to a schedule three drug. Its an important move toward reversing long-standing inequities, President Biden said in a statement on the social platform X at the time. However, Biden has come up short of his 2020 campaign promise to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. Trump had previously indicated he might support the measure to legalize recreational marijuana. In Florida, like so many other States that have already given their approval, personal amounts of marijuana will be legalized for adults with Amendment 3, Trump said in a post on Truth Social late last month. Whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the Voters, so it should be done correctly. The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Pollster Nate Silver says Vice President Harris missed a major chance to pick up voters in the center when she passed over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) as her running mate. Harris blew one big opportunity to tack to the center with her selection of [Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D)] rather than Josh Shapiro: that a tiny minority of progressives objected to Shapiro was an argument in Shapiros favor, if anything, Silver wrote in a post on his website. Shapiro and Walz, alongside Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly (D), rose to the top of the veepstakes as Harris weighed who to bring on to her fast-tracked bid after President Biden dropped out of the race. Walz, who snagged viral clips labeling Republican rivals as weird, has been looked at as a boost to Harris in reaching the Midwest and the middle class. The pick has also energized progressives, after Walz shifted to the left during his governorship. But Silver argued that Shapiro, who has faced criticism from progressives, could have been a help to Harris, who the pollster contended is limited by her own past progressive policy positions. Nearly half of voters in a new New York Times/Siena College poll, he noted, said Harris seems too liberal/progressive. Picking Walz showed the vice presidents counterproductive tendency toward risk aversion, Silver said. I think Walz was a decent enough pick on his own merits, but given an opportunity to offer a tangible signal of the direction her presidency was headed, she reverted to 2019 mode, he wrote, referring to Harriss campaign in the 2020 cycle, during which she notably backed several progressive policies. Shes faced scrutiny about reversals on issues including Medicare for All and banning fracking, both of which she no longer supports. The shifts have come into the spotlight as she courts moderate voters in a close race with former President Trump. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said over the weekend that he still considers Harris a progressive, despite her pivot toward the center on some issues. He argued they still share the same goals, such as reaching universal health care and addressing climate change. Silvers latest commentary comes just after the Times/Siena poll found former President Trump up 1 point over Harris among likely voters, within the polls 3-point margin of error and largely unchanged from a survey taken right after the Democrats ticket switch up. Harris has enjoyed a surge of Democratic enthusiasm since launching her bid just weeks ago, and she closed some of Bidens gaps in key polls. Silvers polling averages also show Harris roughly 2 points ahead of Trump nationally but the pollster now predicts she has a 20 percent chance of winning the popular vote and losing the Electoral College. Harris and Trump are set to face off in their first debate Tuesday. The former president already debated Biden, whose poor performance at the podium was seen as a reason behind his exit from the race. The scheduled showdown will be high-stakes for both candidates, just weeks out from Election Day. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BELGRADE, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- China's Shandong Province has lately promoted its tourism with a vibrant event at the Chinese Culture Center in Serbia's capital city. The event, titled "Hometown of Confucius, Hospitable Shandong," was held Saturday. It featured traditional Serbian and Shandong folk dances, exhibitions of Shandong's cuisine, souvenirs, and handmade artifacts, along with the signing of a number of agreements between Chinese and Serbian cultural and tourism institutions. Lin Wu, secretary of the Communist Party of China Shandong Provincial Committee, highlighted Shandong's rich cultural heritage and economic strength, particularly as the birthplace of Confucius. "Shandong is open and inclusive," he said, inviting attendees to explore Shandong's natural beauty and cultural festivals. Lav Pajkic, secretary of state of the Serbian Ministry of Culture said: "The gems we see today are a representation of the famous Shandong Province. It is well-known to all, but we are eager to learn more about it continually." Zhang Zhe, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Serbia, emphasized the enduring connection between China and Serbia, expressing hope that the event will further cultural exchanges, strengthen cooperation and enhance bilateral friendship. Kamala Harris is trying to get into Donald Trumps head before Tuesdays debate, rolling out a new ad featuring scathing assessments of the former president from some former top officials in his administration. The ad, titled The Best People, and shared first with POLITICO, features clips of media interviews with officials from the Trump administration including Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, national security adviser John Bolton, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley talking about their decision not to endorse their former boss or warning about the dangers he would pose in a second term. The ad will run nationally on Fox News and in West Palm Beach home to Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort and Philadelphia media markets on Tuesday, the day he will debate Harris for the first time. It will continue to play throughout the week, according to the Harris campaign. In 2016 Donald Trump said he would choose only the best people to work in his White House, a narrator in the ad says. Now those people have a warning for America: Trump is not fit to be president again. Here is his vice president, the narrator continues, as Pence says, it should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year. It follows with criticisms of Trump by Esper, Bolton, and Milley. Donald Trump, will cause a lot of damage. The only thing he cares about is Donald Trump, Bolton says in a clip. The new ad from the Harris campaign is part of their $370 million digital and television buy. This ad will remind Fox News viewers, perhaps even a certain defeated former president himself, about how Trumps own national security team cant stomach him anymore because of how hed put the country at risk, said Harris-Walz principal deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks in a statement. To every American who understands the threat that Donald Trump poses, who cares about upholding the Constitution, who believes in the rule of law, and who knows America is stronger when it leads, theres a home for you in Vice President Harris campaign. The ad comes on the heels of some high-profile endorsements by Republicans for Harris last week, including Jim McCain, the son of the late senator and 2008 presidential nominee John McCain, former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney. In our nations 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump, the elder Cheney said in a statement. He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He can never be trusted with power again. Trump responded by posting to Truth Social, Dick Cheney is an irrelevant RINO, along with his daughter, who lost by the largest margin in the History of Congressional Races! This summer, the Harris-Walz campaign featured former Trump national security official Olivia Troye and former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Grisham said Trump had "no empathy, no morals and no fidelity to the truth and both announced that they will be backing Harris in the 2024 election. Your trusted source for contextualizing Election 2024 news. Sign up for our daily newsletter. When Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump face off Tuesday in their first and so far only scheduled presidential debate, watch for interruptions, raised hands and a flood of information some of it wrong. Over the 90-minute debate, Harris is expected to lean into her background as Californias top prosecutor to highlight legal cases against Trump related to the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol; his 34 felony convictions related to a scheme to influence the outcome of the 2016 election; and credible allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Trump will likely continue attacking Harris for her work on immigration and try to tie her to President Joe Bidens economic policies that Republicans argue arent working. Heres what to know when Harris and Trump take the stage at 9 p.m. EDT on Tuesday. There will not be a studio audience. Harris and Trump are not allowed to bring notes or other materials, but they will each be given a pen, paper and bottle of water. The debate will air live on ABC and stream on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. Talk to the hand Presidential debates are as much about style as substance, and both Harris and Trump will bring their own approach. During trials, prosecutors build a narrative that culminates with their closing argument, and Harris is an adept storyteller who can weave in her personal experiences to drive home key points including on thorny issues like race and gender. In June 2019, when Harris participated in the first Democratic primary debate of the 2020 cycle, she took on the man who would eventually choose her as his running mate: Biden. The first question was about the racial justice demonstrations that summer and police brutality. It was not yet her turn to answer but Harris interjected and went on the offensive: On the issue of race, I couldnt agree more that this is an issue that is still not being talked about truthfully and honestly, she began. She addressed Biden, saying she didnt believe he was racist. It was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and careers on segregation by race in this country, and it was not only that, but you also worked with them to oppose busing. And, you know, there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools and she was bused to school every day, and that little girl was me. It was the most memorable exchange from the Democratic primary debates. Recently, on the campaign trail, Harris used a favored tactic to quell interruptions from attendees protesting the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. You know what? Harris said. If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that, otherwise Im speaking. As she spoke, she held up a hand, palm out, punctuating her words with gestures. She deployed the same gesture during her vice presidential debate in 2020 with Mike Pence. Mr. Vice President? Im speaking, she said, holding her palm up in his direction. Harris could use the same gesture if Trump interrupts her on Tuesday night. Interruptions, meanwhile, are central to Trumps debate style. In one 2020 presidential debate, as Trump spoke over him, Biden interjected: Will you shut up, man? Many analysts have noted that the former president, knowingly or not, uses a debate method known as the Gish Gallop, named for Duane Gish, a creationist philosopher. Steve Bannon, who has advised Trump, has his own name for the disorientation strategy: Flood the zone with shit. Debaters who employ the Gish Gallop rapidly and confidently deliver overlapping and competing arguments that often contain falsehoods and non sequiturs. The idea is that their opponent and often the debate moderators will not have enough time to fact-check their answer or even respond to all of the points. Trump does this in non-debate contexts as well. When NPR reporters and editors fact-checked an hour-long Trump news conference last month, they identified 162 lies and distortions. Trumps rhetorical style is one reason Harris campaign wrangled with ABC for weeks over whether microphones would be muted when the candidates were not answering a question as they were during the debate between Biden and Trump before the president exited the 2024 race. A refrain from Harris on the campaign trail has become say it to my face and her campaign argued that the microphones should be unmuted so the American people could hear Trumps side remarks or interruptions. Voters deserve to see the split screen that exists in this race on a debate stage, Harris said recently. Location, location, location The debate will be held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, one of two major urban centers in a state that both Harris and Trump see as a must win. Pennsylvania has 19 votes in the Electoral College more than any other battleground state. In 2016, Trump won Pennsylvania and beat Democrat Hillary Clinton overall. In 2020, Biden won the state and beat Trump overall. A recent analysis of ad spending done by the Financial Times showed that both campaigns have spent more to run ads in Pennsylvania than in any other state. Women in Philadelphias suburbs could play a potentially determinative role in not only who wins Pennsylvania but the election overall. Potentially gendered optics The debate will not only be the first time Harris and Trump share a stage but also the first time they meet in person Trump skipped the inauguration in January 2021 after refusing to acknowledge his loss to Biden. It will also be the first time that Trump has squared off one-on-one against a woman since his three presidential debates in 2016 against Clinton. In one of the three, which came just days after audio resurfaced in which Trump bragged about groping women, Trump followed Clinton around the stage, often looming behind her as she answered questions. Clinton later wrote in a memoir that it made her skin crawl. Do you stay calm, keep smiling and carry on as if he werent repeatedly invading your space? Clinton wrote, or do you say: Back up you creep, get away from me, I know you love to intimidate women but you cant intimidate me so back up. Republican strategists and elected officials have urged Trump and running mate JD Vance to stay focused on policy and not attack Harris based on her gender or race but it is unclear if the former president will do so as he confronts Harris for the first time, given his predilection for personally attacking opponents. Trump has already questioned Harris racial identity as a woman of Black and South Asian descent. The issues Bidens weak debate performance in June overshadowed the reality that viewers came away with little increased understanding of how either candidate would approach implementing key policies related to reproductive health, immigration, caregiving and the economy. When CNN moderator Dana Bash asked Trump if he still took credit for the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and return abortion regulation to the states, the former president had a one-word answer: Correct. Bash then moved on to medication abortion, asking: As president, would you block abortion medication? Trump said the Supreme Court had just approved the abortion pill in reality the court rejected a challenge to its 2000 approval, saying the doctors suing did not have standing. I agree with their decision to have done that, and I will not block it, Trump said. He did not address other possible ways anti-abortion activists seek to block it, including using the Comstock Act, an obscenity statute from 1873. He then repeated misinformation related to Democrats supporting abortions after birth. Harris is seen as a more effective communicator on reproductive rights than Biden, and given her campaigns focus on the issue, she would likely relish an opportunity to delve into her proposals to protect abortion access. In the June debate, when Biden and Trump were asked about child care, Biden offered an on-topic response, while Trump twice took the chance to talk about other issues. When CNNs Jake Tapper asked Trump what he would do to make child care more affordable, he said: Just you understand, we have polling. We have other things that do they rate him the worst because what hes done is so bad. And they rate me yes, Ill show you. I will show you. And they rate me one of the best. OK? And if Im given another four years, I will be the best. Trump will likely try to spend as much time on two issues on which his advisers think he may have the upper hand on Harris: immigration and the economy. Harris, meanwhile, will likely try to focus on Trumps legal problems as well as issues on which her team sees her as having an edge, like caregiving and abortion rights. To check your voter registration status or to get more information about registering to vote, text 19thnews to 26797. The post Harris and Trump will meet in person for the first time on the debate stage appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) With Election Day quickly approaching, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are gearing up for their debate matchup while on the campaign trail. Its time to turn the page on the divisiveness, Harris said. Were gonna be fine. We are all in this together. A recent poll from the New York Times and Siena College shows the two candidates neck and neck as some voters are unsure where Harris stands on different issues. We are going to stop the country destroying liberal agenda, Trump said. Were going to save our country. On Fox News Sunday, Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn said Trump needs to let Harris talk. Something shes been reluctant to do unless shes reading a teleprompter and I think you know, weve seen the polls very close, Cornyn said. However, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNNs State of the Union, Harris will get to the core issues Americans care about and will paint a clear picture. The main task will be to make sure Americans understand the difference in visions and are reminded that they already agree with her on the issues that matter most to them, Buttigieg said. Tuesdays debate will be 90 minutes with no audience and campaign staff will not be allowed to interact with the candidates during commercial breaks. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. (Bloomberg) -- Vice President Kamala Harris is pledging to end subminimum wages for tipped workers, widening a push to eliminate taxes on tips as she jockeys with Donald Trump ahead of their first debate Tuesday. Most Read from Bloomberg In policy proposals posted to her website, Harris called for an increase in the overall minimum wage and for the end of the subminimum wage for tipped workers. Democrats have long pushed for the move and included it in their 2024 platform. She also reiterated a call to end taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers, a proposal Trump made first. Employers are allowed to pay tipped workers less than the minimum wage with tips making up the difference a situation critics say makes lower-wage workers more dependent on gratuities. Harris and Trump are set for their first and maybe only debate Tuesday in Philadelphia. The forum will be a key moment for Harris to flesh out her pitch, particularly for voters who say they dont know much about her, and for Trump to sharpen his critique, as he looks to tie Harris to her more progressive policy positions from the past. Harris, in a truncated campaign blitz that followed President Joe Bidens July announcement that hed bow out of his reelection push, has trickled out policy positions, largely in line with Biden, with some exceptions. The policies posted to her website also reiterated her call for Congress to pass the bipartisan border security bill that Senate negotiators agreed to earlier this year, but which died under pressure from Trump. In the statements, Harris added that the immigration system is broken and needs comprehensive reform that includes strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship. Harris also included some of her most expansive recent comments on the economic race with China. Harris will not tolerate unfair trade practices from China or any competitor that undermines American workers and has stood up to Chinas unfair economic practices to protect American workers, businesses, and families, according to her website statement. Harris also reiterated the current administrations push for a hostage and cease-fire agreement in the Israel-Hamas war. She and President Biden are working to end the war in Gaza, such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination, the policy statement said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Courtesy of the Harris-Walz campaign) A national bus tour will be making pit stops in Virginia this week to highlight Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walzs commitment to reproductive rights policy. The tour will tout campaign promises to voters, such as Harris plan to sign into law a bill to restore federal abortion protections, should congress send one to her desk if she becomes president, while Walz will stand ready to cast a tie-breaking vote in the U.S. Senate if need be. With stops planned in Richmond, Virginia Beach and Northern Virginia, the tours foray across the commonwealth comes as early voting begins in Virginia next week and less than two months until Election Day. Earlier this year while President Joe Biden was still seeking re-election, he and Harris had kicked off their campaign in Virginia on the platform to restore Roe. The new bus tour will stop in all 50 states, including its three Virginia pit stops. A spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign in Virginia said that more details on the time and exact locations will be announced soon. The stops in Virginia will feature rallies led by elected leaders to include Virginia congresswomen Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond and Abigail Spanberger, D-Henrico. House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark will join them. Featured speakers include Amanda Zurawski, who is part of a lawsuit against the state of Texas for being denied an abortion amid her pregnancy complications, and Louisiana resident Kaitlyn Joshua who shared the story of being denied care for a miscarriage at the Democratic National Convention last month. The tour plans to highlight the differences between the Harris-Walz campaign and that of former President Donald Trump and Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio. The substantially-shifted national landscape surrounding abortion access has changed in recent years following the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which had protected abortion federally for decades. Trumps appointees to the court had upheld Roe as federal law during their confirmation hearings before ultimately ruling to undo it. As states now set their own laws on access or restrictions something Trump has touted and claimed credit for Democrats point to growing uncertainty around access to birth control or family planning measures like in vitro fertilization. Several states have since voted to enshrine abortion protections into their constitutions a process Virginia Democrats hope to kickstart next year or drafted laws to protect other reproductive rights. Congressional Democratic campaigns along with the Harris-Walz campaign also point to outlines in a Heritage Foundation guidebook called Project 2025 that 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. As we crisscross the country, we are driving that contrast home to red and blue voters and independents, Harris-Walz campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement. The [tour] will drive home for voters that this threat to our fundamental freedoms touches every American. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NEW HARTFORD, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) The New Hartford Central School District is asking for the publics help in finding their next superintendent. The district is looking to replace Dr. Cosimo Tangorra, who announced in June that he will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year. While the district agreed in an August school board meeting to hold a confidential search for Tangorras replacement, the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES who is facilitating the search announced the first of two public surveys, which has opened on Monday, September 9. Members of the school district are being asked to share their feedback on what they would like out of their new superintendent. The surveys will be used throughout the process to guide the board in interviews and selection. The first survey will be open until Wednesday, September 18. According to the district website, a second survey will begin on Monday, September 23 and run through Wednesday, October 2. Once the surveys are received, the district will hold focus groups to find potential candidates throughout November. The interview process for the new superintendent is expected to begin in January of 2025 once guidance on candidates is gathered through December of 2024. The first survey can be found on the New Hartford School District website or at the link below: New Hartford Superintendent Survey For more information on the survey, you are encouraged to contact OHM BOCES Superintendent Patricia Kilburn at 315-793-8560. Further information regarding New Hartfords superintendent search can be found on the districts 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 WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says one person was killed in a wreck Sunday in Limestone County. The crash happened on Sandlin Road near Aubie Lane, about two miles from Elkmont. Florence Fire: Crews respond to house fire on Enterprise Street According to ALEA, 36-year-old Christopher Bright, of Harvest, was killed when his car left the road and hit a tree. Bright was pronounced dead at the scene. ALEA says troopers are continuing to investigate the incident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. EXCLUSIVE: Harvey Weinsteins condition is deteriorating quickly despite undergoing heart surgery earlier today. Scheduled to be back in a Manhattan court this week in the lead up to a second trial on sexual assault and other sex crimes, the much accused and incarcerated producer was rushed from Rikers Island to Bellevue Hospital last night after experiencing pains in his chest. Earlier today, 72-year Weinstein was under the knife. More from Deadline However, the already health addled Weinstein is in very rough shape, I hear. Critical condition, another individual close to events told Deadline of the ex-moguls status. With numerous cases of Covid and other medical issues over the six years since Weinsteins arrest on rape charges, the Pulp Fiction EP has been close to death before and come out the other side. Weinsteins representatives confirmed his operation Monday, but offered no other comment on the aftermath. According to Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer, Mr. Weinsteins authorized representatives, Mr. Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital last night due to several medical conditions, says Weinstein longtime spokesman Engelmayer Monday afternoon. We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today however cannot comment any further than that, Engelmayer added. As we have extensively stated before, Mr. Weinstein suffers a plethora of significant health issues that need ongoing treatment. We are grateful to the executive team at the New York City Department of Correction and Rikers Island for acting swiftly in taking him to Bellevue Hospital. The Manhattan District Attorneys office did not respond to request from Deadline on the latest turn in Weinsteins health, which has often conveniently taken a downturn as court hearings loom. Weinstein and his defense team were supposed to be in a 100 Centre Street courtroom on September 12, in front of Justice Curtis Faber. Still on the calendar, that hearing is almost certain to not be occurring, regardless of if Weinsteins condition improves or not. Charged and arrested for rape in May 2018 after revelations by the New York Times in late 2017 detailing decades of abuse and alleged assaults by Weinstein, the defendant was convicted in February 2020 on first-degree sexual assault and third-degree rape after allegations by two women, Mimi Haley and Jessica Mann. Parked at Rikers because of his 2022 conviction in Los Angeles on sex crimes and sentencing to 16 years behind bars, Weinstein saw his 2020 verdicts and 23-year sentence tossed out by a divided Empire State Appeals Court in April. Based on that move, Weinsteins lawyers formally appealed his LA conviction in June. Last month a Manhattan judge back in July set a tentative November 12 start date for Weinsteins the East Coat rape retrial. Sean Piccoli contributed to this post Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Weinstein seen in court in July [Getty Images] Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein is in hospital in New York for emergency heart surgery, his lawyers have told BBC News. Lawyers for Weinstein said he was taken on Sunday evening from the Rikers Island jail to Bellevue hospital. They did not provide further details. His lawyers say he has been suffering from multiple health conditions, and has been experiencing chest pains. Weinstein, 72, was convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2020 in New York, and jailed for 23 years. Those convictions were overturned this April when an appeal judge ruled he did not receive a fair trial. He faces a possible retrial later this year. Weinstein was convicted of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping Jessica Mann, a former aspiring actress, in 2013. In his appeal, however, the court said prosecutors in the pivotal #MeToo case called witnesses whose accusations were not part of the charges against him. Weinstein for has also been sentenced to 16 years in prison in a separate rape trial in California, against which he is appealing. Weinstein has struggled with serious health problems, and has been admitted to hospital multiple times in recent years. In July, he was treated for Covid-19 and double pneumonia. In 2020, he was admitted to hospital with chest pains. He also was taken to Bellevue hospital that same year to open a blocked artery, according to CBS. He also has diabetes and high blood pressure. More than 100 people have made rape and misconduct allegations about Weinstein dating back to the late 1970s. The decision by his accusers to come forward, and his subsequent conviction in New York, galvanised the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse by powerful men. Weinstein has always maintained his innocence and argued he was the victim of a "set-up". He co-founded the Miramax film studio, which produced hits including Shakespeare in Love - which won best picture at the Academy Awards - and Pulp Fiction. His films have received more than 300 Oscar nominations and 81 statuettes. Harvey Weinstein in Manhattan criminal court for a pretrial hearing on July 19 after his sex crimes conviction was overturned. Harvey Weinstein had heart surgery Monday after he complained of health issues and was moved from a New York City jail to a hospital, a representative for the disgraced movie mogul said. Weinstein, whose 2020 rape conviction was overturned in April, remained in recovery at the intensive care unit at Bellevue Hospital on Monday night, said the representative, Craig Rothfeld. Weinstein, 72, was in pain from the procedure, Rothfeld said, and he is continuing to deal with other serious health issues that need to be addressed. Rothfeld added that Weinstein is not in critical condition. Weinstein was moved from Rikers Island jail to the hospital after complaining that he didnt feel well and had experienced significant weight gain from medication, Rothfeld said. He underwent pericardiocentesis surgery Monday morning to alleviate a significant amount of fluid from his lungs and heart, Rothfeld said. In July, Weinstein was hospitalized for a myriad of health conditions and tested positive for Covid-19 and double pneumonia, his representative said. At that time, Weinstein was taken to the hospital to be treated for the conditions that he is still afflicted with on a daily basis such as diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, fluid on his heart and lungs, and various other conditions, his representative said then. Weinstein was convicted in New York and Los Angeles for sex offenses, and in the Los Angeles case, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in New York, but that conviction was overturned after a state appellate court determined the judge erred in allowing women to testify about allegations that werent part of the case. A New York grand jury is considering whether to bring new charges against the former Hollywood exec, a source with knowledge of the proceedings told NBC News last week. Weinstein has maintained that any sexual encounters were consensual. Dozens of women more than 80 have accused the Oscar-winning producer of sexual assault or harassment. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- China is witnessing a surge in the number of professional teachers as the country moves to build itself into a leading country in education by 2035. Today, it is home to nearly 19 million full-time teachers, doubling that of 1985. Among them, the number of full-time higher education faculty members with doctoral degrees has rocketed to over 625,000, an increase of nearly 450 times compared to some 40 years ago. Highlighting education as a basic and strategic underpinning for Chinese modernization, the country spares no effort to develop a high-quality professional teaching workforce to support the world's largest education system. Honoring teachers and valuing education have been traditions in China since ancient times. The widely known proverb, which can be roughly translated as "A day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father," and the commonly seen statues of Confucius, who is regarded as a paragon of teaching, on university campuses all serve as testaments to the enduring values of honoring educators in Chinese culture. As early as 1985, the country reaffirmed its long-standing tradition by designating Sept. 10 as Teachers' Day. Ahead of this significant occasion's 40th anniversary, which falls on Tuesday this year, 1,790 individuals and 585 groups and institutions received national honors for their outstanding contributions to developing China's education at a grand ceremony in Beijing. Over the years, persistent and intensified initiatives have been launched to garner public support for teachers, enhance their skills, and improve their welfare. A prime example is a tuition exemption for students who study to become teachers. In 2007, Chinese authorities rolled out the policy exempting the undergraduate tuition fee of normal students of six universities affiliated with the Ministry of Education (MOE). Since then, more than 90 percent of the students who benefitted from this policy have joined China's teaching workforce and greatly enhanced the country's basic education. Statistics showed that from 2012 to 2023, the number of full-time teachers with bachelor's degrees or above in primary and junior high schools grew by 41.9 percent and 20 percent, respectively. In June this year, the policy was revised to give normal students free postgraduate school education. An official with the MOE said the revision will help address the demand for high-quality teachers stemming from the reform and development of basic education and can promote educational equity and quality improvement. In addition to increasing the number of teachers, the Chinese government also strived to ensure the balanced and equitable development of the teaching workforce. In 2006, China initiated a program to recruit teachers to work in underdeveloped rural areas to facilitate compulsory education development. According to official statistics, the program has supplied over 30,000 rural schools in central and western regions with more than 1.15 million teachers. The number will continue to grow as the country plans to include approximately 37,000 new teachers for deployment in schools in these areas in 2024, according to the MOE. In addition, the country prioritizes training primary and junior high school teachers in needy regions, such as border regions, rural regions, and ethnic minority areas. Yu Weiyue, an MOE official in charge of teacher-related affairs, said that the country would facilitate more targeted training of these teachers and enhance the cultivation of teachers of minor subjects, such as music, physical education and art. China has also introduced regulations and formulated plans to guarantee the welfare of its expanding professional teaching workforce and uphold the dignity of the teaching profession. A set of guidelines on strengthening the teaching workforce unveiled on Aug. 26 this year demands that the average salary of teachers in compulsory education be no lower than that of local civil servants. "In four decades, the social status and remuneration of teachers have been elevated considerably," said Li Yongzhi, head of China National Academy of Educational Sciences. He noted that teachers not only saw their salary increase but also received numerous honors, such as national model teachers and national outstanding teachers. The country has also vowed to make teaching one of the most respectable and admirable occupations in China by 2035, according to the document released last month. With the guidelines' release and implementation, all teachers will surely provide greater support to building a country strong in education in the new era, said Li. Harvey Weinstein was "rushed" on Sunday night to Bellevue Hospital in New York, where he underwent a procedure as well as heart surgery on Monday, his representatives said. The former Hollywood movie mogul who is serving a 16-year prison sentence in his California rape case and is in custody in New York while he awaits retrial on rape charges there was taken to the hospital "due to several medical issues," according to his publicist Juda Engelmayer and prison consultant Craig Rothfeld. "We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today. He is out of surgery and in recovery," Rothfeld said Monday in a statement to The Times. "As we have extensively stated before, Mr. Weinstein suffers a plethora of significant health issues that need ongoing treatment. We are grateful to the executive team at the New York City Department of Correction and Rikers Island for acting swiftly in taking him to Bellevue Hospital." Engelmayer declined to share further details about Weinstein's medical procedure. Read more: Harvey Weinstein hospitalized in New York with COVID-19 and double pneumonia In July, the 72-year-old was taken to the medical facility to undergo treatment for COVID-19, double pneumonia and other health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis and fluid in his heart and lungs. The "Shakespeare in Love" and "Pulp Fiction" producer was previously admitted to Bellevue in late April after a New York appeals court overturned his 2020 rape conviction. In May, prosecutors asked for a retrial during a hearing at a Manhattan courthouse. Weinstein had previously appeared in court using a walker but attended the May preliminary hearing in a wheelchair pushed by a court officer. Allegations made about the disgraced studio boss in New Yorker and New York Times investigations sparked the 2017 #MeToo movement, with Weinstein becoming one of the most notorious men to be legally tasked in its wake. Although he has denied that he raped or sexually assaulted anyone, he was initially sentenced in 2020 to 23 years in prison in New York after allegedly assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haley and once-aspiring actor Jessica Mann. The state appellate court overturned the verdict last spring, determining that the judge who presided over Weinsteins 2020 trial prejudiced his case by allowing four women who accused Weinstein of assault to serve as witnesses despite their allegations not being part of the case. The appeals court ruled that the trial judge also erred in ruling that prosecutors could cross-examine Weinstein about uncharged and decades-old allegations if he decided to testify. Read more: Hollywood, accusers condemn reversal of Weinstein conviction: 'We know what happened' Last week, prosecutors disclosed that they have begun taking steps to potentially charge Weinstein with up to three additional sexual assaults, the Associated Press reported. Prosecutors said they have started presenting evidence to a grand jury of up to three previously uncharged allegations against the embattled mogul two sexual assaults in the mid-2000s and another sexual assault in 2016. A vote on a potential new indictment is expected soon, AP said. Weinstein's retrial is tentatively scheduled to begin Nov. 12 and he was initially due back in court for a pretrial hearing Sept. 12, according to jail records. Also last week, the U.K.'s Crown Prosecution Service said it was dropping two charges of indecent assault against Weinstein because there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. In 2022, he was charged with two counts of indecent assault against a woman in London for alleged offenses from 1996, the BBC said. Sign up for Indie Focus, a weekly newsletter about movies and whats going on in the wild world of cinema. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Harvey Weinsteina former Hollywood producer who was convicted of sexual assault in 2022 in California and is expected in court this week regarding a possible new indictmentwas reportedly transported to a hospital from Rikers Island on Sunday, Sept. 8, after experiencing pain in his chest. His representatives, Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer, told ABC News in a statement on Monday, "Mr. Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital last night due to several medical conditions. We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today however cannot comment any further than that." "As we have extensively stated before, Mr. Weinstein suffers a plethora of significant health issues that need ongoing treatment," the statement continued. "We are grateful to the executive team at the New York City Department of Correction and Rikers Island for acting swiftly in taking him to Bellevue Hospital." It's unclear if Weinstein will still appear in court this week as expected. He was scheduled to make an appearance and possibly testify about an alleged sexual assault from late 2005 to the middle of 2006 that could result in new charges, ABC News reported. Two other alleged assaults from 2016 and another time period could be brought to court in the future, prosecutors noted. In 2020, Weinstein was convicted of felony sex crimes and sentenced to 23 years in prison. In 2022, an appeals court upheld the conviction, before it was overturned in early 2024 by a higher court, and a retrial was ordered. Weinstein also faced charges in California and in late 2022, he was convicted of multiple crimes and later sentenced to 16 years in prison to be served after his New York sentence. Throughout 2024, Weinstein has been in and out of Bellevue Hospital as he dealt with a "myriad of health problems," his representative stated in July. Next: Gwyneth Paltrow Reveals Worrying About Her Daughter Made Her Come Forward With Harvey Weinstein Allegations Harvey Weinstein suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, fluid on his heart and lungs, and had Covid and double pneumonia - Etienne Laurent Harvey Weinstein has been taken to hospital for emergency heart surgery after experiencing chest pains. The disgraced movie producer, who was being held in Rikers Island prison, has been reportedly suffering a host of health problems. Mr Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital last night due to several medical conditions, Weinstein representatives Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer said in a statement to ABC News. We can confirm that Mr Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today, however, we cannot comment any further than that. In February 2020, the producer behind movies such as Shakespeare in Love and Pulp Fiction, was found guilty of rape after a succession of women made allegations against him. Two months later, the New York Court of Appeals threw out the conviction, finding Weinstein did not get a fair trial because a judge improperly allowed testimony by accusers he was not formally charged with assaulting. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in February 2023 in a separate rape trial in California. He is appealing against the verdict. Producer due to face New York court Weinstein had been due in court this week where prosecutors had been presenting evidence to a New York grand jury as they work to secure a new indictment against him on sex crimes charges. He has denied having any non-consensual sexual encounters with anyone. In December 2022 a court in Los Angeles found him guilty of four of seven charges including rape and sexual assault. While Weinstein is also appealing against his conviction in Los Angeles, legal observers believe he might find that conviction tougher to overturn because of the different ways New York and California handle sex crimes. In California, the law permits prosecutors to introduce of allegations of sexual offences that are not listed in the indictment specifically in sex crime cases, in accordance with California Evidence Code section 1108. As a result, lawyers can show evidence of a defendants past sexual misconduct, calling in witnesses whose accusations are not part of the charges against the defendant. In New York, no such law exists. Indeed, the state specifically bars the admission of such evidence, which was why the appeals court ruled 4-3 he had not received a fair trial because prosecutors did use cite alleged incidents not included in the specific charge. Reports suggest Weinstein has long struggled with serious health problems, and has been admitted to hospital multiple times. Weinstein suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, fluid on his heart and lungs, and had recently contracted Covid and double pneumonia, according to a statement by Weinstein representatives to ABC News. In July, he was treated for Covid-19 and double pneumonia. In 2020, he was admitted to hospital with chest pains. He also was taken to Bellevue hospital that same year to open a blocked artery, according to CBS News. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The disgraced Hollywood producer was rushed to a hospital in New York City due to "several medical conditions," his representatives said Jefferson Siegel - Pool/Getty Harvey Weinstein Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has been hospitalized to undergo an emergency heart surgery, his representative and lawyer confirm to PEOPLE. The convicted rapist's representatives Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer said in a statement that he was rushed to Bellevue Hospital due to several medical conditions." The office of Weinstein's attorney, Arthur Aidala, tells PEOPLE that Weinstein was hospitalized on Sunday, Sept. 8, and had a heart operation on Monday. The situation began to unfold on Sunday night after he began complaining he was feeling unwell, while having a cough and weight gain, Rothfeld told NBC News. Mondays heart surgery was conducted to "alleviate the massive amount of fluid on his lung and heart, Rothfeld told NBC. Weinstein is in the ICU following his surgery, NBC reports. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. "We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today however cannot comment any further than that," Rothfeld and Engelmayer said in their statement. "As we have extensively stated before, Mr. Weinstein suffers a plethora of significant health issues that need ongoing treatment. We are grateful to the executive team at the New York City Department of Correction and Rikers Island for acting swiftly in taking him to Bellevue Hospital," the statement said. More than 80 women have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Weinstein. Weinstein has denied the allegations. In April of 2024, his 2020 rape and sexual assault convictions in New York State were overturned, though he currently remains incarcerated for his 2022 conviction of rape in California, where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2023. Prosecutors in New York plan to retry Weinstein; his retrial is set for Nov. 12, and he has a pretrial hearing scheduled for Sept. 12. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Harvey Weinstein is hospitalized in New York City after emergency heart surgery, according to the ex-movie mogul's representatives. "At our urging he was rushed to the hospital last night and after examination the medical team decided to perform a procedure," Arthur Aidala, one of Weinstein's lawyers, confirmed to CBS News. Weinstein, 72, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan from the Rikers Island jail complex "due to severe medical conditions," his publicist Juda Engelmayer and prison consultant Craig Rothfeld told the Associated Press. "We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart," the pair stated, declining further comment. The development was first reported by ABC News. The disgraced Hollywood figure is awaiting retrial on rape and sexual assault charges in Manhattan. After the New York case is finished, Weinstein is to return to California to serve a 16-year sentence for a separate rape conviction. He was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 while already serving a 23-year sentence in New York. But his initial 2020 conviction in Manhattan was thrown out this spring by New York's top court, which found that the judge had unfairly allowed testimony based on allegations outside the realm of the trial. Weinstein has denied raping or sexually assaulting anyone. Weinstein has been in and out of Bellevue Hospital since returning to Rikers Island from state prison in April. He was hospitalized in July for health troubles including COVID-19 and pneumonia in both lungs, his representatives said. Weinstein became the most prominent villain of the #MeToo movement, which took root in 2017 when women began to go public with accounts of his alleged behavior. At the original trial, Weinstein was convicted of forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and rape in the third degree for an attack on an aspiring actor in 2013. Those allegations will be part of his retrial. Weinstein, the co-founder of Miramax and The Weinstein Company film studios, was once one of the most powerful people in Hollywood, producing such Oscar winners as "Pulp Fiction" and "Shakespeare in Love." The Associated Press contributed to this report. How the new iPhone 16 makes use of AI technology Shark attack survivor goes on to become silver medal-winning Paralympian U.S. seeing record turnover among elections officials: "Mass exodus" Harvey Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in New York on Sunday night due to several medical conditions, according to representatives for the disgraced former movie producer. We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today, Weinsteins spokesman Juda Engelmayer and prison consultant Craig Rothfeld said in a statement to CNN on Monday. As we have extensively stated before, Mr. Weinstein suffers a plethora of significant health issues that need ongoing treatment, they added. A source familiar with the circumstances of the hospitalization said the surgical procedure was completed. Weinsteins scheduled court appearance for Thursday is still set to occur unless a physician instructs him otherwise, the individual said. In the event he cannot appear in person, the hearing could be delayed. Weinsteins defense counsel was notified in mid-August that a New York grand jury was considering evidence related to sexual assault allegations against the disgraced movie mogul. It is unclear if the Manhattan District Attorneys Office has secured a new indictment. Weinstein has experienced a number of health problems in recent years and has appeared in court in a wheelchair. Weinstein, 72, was convicted in 2020 of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison, but his conviction was overturned on appeal in April. He remains in prison in New York while he appeals a separate 2022 conviction in Los Angeles, where he was found guilty on three sexual assault charges and sentenced to 16 years in prison. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Harvey Weinstein Resting and Weak After Being Rushed to Hospital for Heart Surgery Harvey Weinstein was taken to Bellevue Hospital in New York on Sunday night and underwent heart surgery Monday. According to Weinsteins representatives, Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein was rushed to the hospital due to several medical conditions. On Tuesday, Engelmayer said Weinstein was resting after surgery and weak. More from The Hollywood Reporter We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today however cannot comment any further than that. As we have extensively stated before, Mr. Weinstein suffers a plethora of significant health issues that need ongoing treatment. We are grateful to the executive team at the New York City Department of Correction and Rikers Island for acting swiftly in taking him to Bellevue Hospital, Rothfield and Engelmayer said. Weinstein is being held at Rikers Island as he awaits a retrial in November, after his 2020 rape conviction in New York, and 23-year sentence, was overturned in April. He has a court appearance scheduled in that case in New York on Thursday. Weinstein could also face additional indictments, as a grand jury has been impaneled and presented with of up to three previously uncharged allegations against him, according to media reports. Weinstein was also hospitalized in July after contracting COVID-19 and pneumonia. His attorney, Arthur Aidala, said earlier that month that Weinstein was suffering tremendously from a number of ailments, including fluid in his heart and in his lungs, spinal stenosis, macular degeneration in his eyes and high blood sugars related to his diabetes and the high-carbohydrate food being served at Rikers Island. This story originally posted Sept. 9, 1:37 p.m. PT when Weinstein was first rushed to the hospital for heart surgery. The story has been updated with Weinsteins condition Tuesday. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Harvey Weinstein was taken to Bellevue Hospital in New York City on Sunday night for emergency heart surgery. He was being held at Rikers Island and had been experiencing chest pains. According to Weinsteins representatives Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer, Mr. Weinstein was rushed to Bellevue Hospital last night due to several medical conditions. We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today however cannot comment any further than that. More from Variety They added: As we have extensively stated before, Mr. Weinstein suffers a plethora of significant health issues that need ongoing treatment. We are grateful to the executive team at the New York City Department of Correction and Rikers Island for acting swiftly in taking him to Bellevue Hospital, they said. Weinstein is due in court this week in New York. Prosecutors are working to secure a new indictment against Weinstein on sex crime charges. Weinstein has been undergoing medical care at Rikers. In April, Weinsteins 23-year sentence in New York was reversed after the court ruled that the judge in his 2020 rape trial had allowed too many women to testify about allegations of sexual assault that were not part of the case. On Tuesday, the grand jury is weighing up to three previously uncharged allegations two sexual assaults in the mid-2000s and another from 2016. He had been hospitalized during the summer for other issues including diabetes, and contracted Covid and double pneumonia while in the hospital. After becoming one of the most-accused figures of the #MeToo movement, Weinstein has continued to deny that he assaulted or raped anyone. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. UPDATE: As of 10 p.m. Monday, the wildfire is 100% contained. HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) The Hawkins County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) reported on Monday afternoon that several agencies are working to battle a wildfire in the county. According to a post by the Hawkins County EMA, numerous county fire departments as well as the Tennessee Department of Forestry are on scene near the 800 block of E Snowflake Road. The post said no evacuations have been issued, but those nearby are encouraged to stay aware of their surroundings. Those not in the area are asked to avoid the scene as crews work. The full statement from Hawkins County EMA can be found below: Hawkins Alert: Several Hawkins County Fire Departments and Tennessee Forestry crews are currently battling a wildland fire in the 800 block of East Snowflake Road. Residents in the area should remain vigilant and stay aware of their surroundings. At this time, no evacuations are necessary. Please avoid the area. Updates will be posted on our FB page as needed. Hawkins County Emergency Management Agency Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Head of US think tank to be extradited on China agent charges The seal of the United States Department of Justice is seen on the building exterior of the United States Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, New York City By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) - The leader of a U.S. think tank who was indicted last year on charges of acting as an unregistered agent of China has been arrested and will be extradited in the coming weeks or months, prosecutors said on Monday. In July 2023, federal prosecutors in Manhattan accused Gal Luft of paying a former high-ranking U.S. government official on behalf of principals based in China in 2016, as well as seeking to broker the sale of weapons and Iranian oil. Luft, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, was arrested in Cyprus last February but fled while released on bail, prosecutors said in a court filing. He has since been re-arrested, prosecutors said, without specifying when or where. THE RESPONSE Luft, the co-director of the Washington-based Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, said in posts on X last year that he had never been an arms dealer and that the charges were "politically motivated." The Institute for the Analysis of Global Security describes itself as a think tank focused on energy, security and economic trends. The group last year said it was convinced of Luft's innocence. Neither Luft nor the Institute immediately responded to requests for comment on Monday. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The U.S. Justice Department is cracking down on alleged agents of adversaries like Russia and China. Last week, federal prosecutors charged two employees of Russian state media network RT with scheming to influence the 2024 election. They also charged a former New York state government employee with promoting China's interests. Congressional Republicans have touted Luft as a potentially useful source in their investigation into alleged corruption by Democratic President Joe Biden. The White House has dismissed the Republican inquiry as unsubstantiated. WHAT'S NEXT Once Luft is extradited, he will appear in Manhattan federal court and be asked to enter a plea. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Tomasz Janowski) BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- China's national lawmakers will deliberate a raft of legislative bills on matters such as national defense education, energy, and anti-money laundering at an upcoming legislative session, according to a press conference on Monday. From Sept. 10 to 13, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will convene its 11th session in Beijing. During the session, lawmakers will conduct a second review of the draft revision to the National Defense Education Law. The draft includes new content covering areas such as combining national defense education in schools with publicity work for military service, and the legal liabilities for relevant violations of the law, said Wang Xiang, spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee. Legislators will also deliberate a draft amendment to the Statistics Law that will redouble institutional constraints to preempt the falsification of official statistics, and strengthen legal accountability for all types of statistical falsification, Wang said. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The heat wave scorching Southern California will continue through Monday night and the power grid has been working hard to keep up. The demand from the high temperatures all weekend hit its peak Sunday evening and caused an energy demand not seen in the region since 2014, San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) said on Monday. The National Weather Service (NWS) reports the record-breaking high temperatures will continue through Monday night for all areas of San Diego County. But the good news is some reprieve from the heat is coming later this week. South Bay residents urged to stay indoors as heat worsens sewage smell, creating health risk San Diegos valley areas, including Santee, El Cajon, Escondido, La Mesa, Poway and San Marcos, are under an excessive heat warning until 8 p.m. Monday with temperatures expected in the 100s to 110s. While San Diegos coastal areas are under heat advisories through 8 p.m. Monday San Diego, Oceanside, Vista, Chula Vista, Carlsbad, Encinitas and National City. NWS says high temperatures are expected in the uppers 80s and low 90s near the coast, and 90s to 100 degrees just a few miles inland. NWS forecast for Southern California on Monday as heat warnings remain in place (Photo: National Weather Service) As San Diegos power grid works to keep up with the demand from the record-breaking temperatures, tens of thousands of people across the county were without power Sunday and into Monday. VIDEO: Hail falls from sky in Valley Center amid isolated storms SDG&E has confirmed the demand during the record-breaking heat wave contributed to the mass amounts of power outages on Sunday. The energy demand peaked at 6:45 p.m. Sunday at 5,032 megawatts, which broke the record of 4,890 megawatts used on Sept. 16, 2014, according to SDG&E. Southern California heat wave brings record temperatures to these areas SDG&E's outage map shows power outages across San Diego County Sunday as the record-breaking heat continues to scorch the region (Photo: SDG&E) As of 5 p.m. Sunday, the SDG&E outage map reported about 6,000 households were without power. As of 10 p.m., over 9,000 households were without power as SDG&E crews continue to work to get that power back on. The communities of Old Town/ Mission Hills/ Hillcrest, and Paradise Hills/ Skyline/ Bay Terraces had the most outages reported at that time, with over 1,000 outages in each area. At one point Sunday, more than 10,000 people were without power in the Jamacha area, according to SDG&E. Air quality reaches poor and unhealthy levels in parts of San Diego County In total, around 13,000 were without power across San Diego County at its peak. By Monday at 6 a.m., only a handful of outages remained. The most widespread outage reported by SDG&E was about 852 customers in the area of Valley Center, Rincon and Pauma Valley. According to the utilitys outage map, crews are still assessing the cause of the disruption. As of Monday afternoon, there were still nearly 1,000 without power across the county. Meanwhile, many areas across Southern California have been experiencing severe weather amid the high temperatures. Parts of the county this weekend saw thunderstorms with high winds, heavy rain and hail. On Monday, the heat will once again accompany severe weather with a chance of storms in San Diegos mountain areas. Chance of Isolated Mountain Storms Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (Photo: National Weather Service) If your power goes out during an extreme heat event, there are several steps you can take to stay cool. According to the CDC, residents can dress in lightweight clothing, use battery-powered fans to cool your home, stay hydrated, reduce activity, take cool showers, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food, close blinds and curtains to help keep out the sun, along with finding alternative ways to prepare food like grilling outside. Visit sdge.com/summer for more information on reducing energy and saving money. Those in San Diego County impacted by the power outages can find more information, check the status of an outage and report an outage with SDG&Es outage map. San Diego County also has free, air-conditioned cooling centers located around the county that residents can use. The Cool Zones locations have also extended operating hours due to the excessive heat. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Montgomery County grand jury indicted two men Monday in the August shooting that killed Isabella Carlos, a 12-year-old girl sleeping in her bed. Antawan Benson, 23, and Javen Conner, 19, were indicted on: 2 counts of Murder 3 counts of Improperly Discharging a Firearm into a Habitation 3 counts of Felonious Assault 1 count of Discharge of a Firearm Over a Roadway 1 count of Aggrivated Menacing Each charge carries a three-year Firearm specification. Benson also faces two additional counts of Possessing a Weapon While Under Disability. He had been convicted in January 2024 of failing to comply with the order or signal of an officer. He was on probation at the time of Augusts shooting. Conner was granted Intervention in Lieu of Conviction and probation in July 2024 for Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Vehicle and Carrying Concealed Weapons. According to Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr., motions to revoke Bensons probation and Conners ILC have already been filed with the judges in those respective cases. Heck said that the shooting allegedly spun out of a social media argument. According to the indictment, Benson and Conner approached a woman in Trotwood on Thursday evening, Aug. 22, about a social media post concerning their cousin. It had nothing directly to do with them, said Heck. Even if it didOver social media? Its just crazy talk. Early Friday morning, Aug. 23, three homes on West Fairview Avenue were riddled with bullets, one fatally striking Carlos. Heck said that at least 37 total rounds were fired by an AK-47 and AR-15. I think, from what weve seen in our community here in our community, not somewhere else but we see the proliferation of the use of guns and shooting numerous rounds like this, from assault-type weapons, they have no idea where theyre shooting, said Heck. I can guarantee that half of these persons who are using these guns cant control them anyway. This is a prime example of that. Heck said both are being held without bail, with arraignment sent for Sept. 12. While not speaking to the details of the previous crimes, Heck did comment specifically on cases involving firearms. There must be consequences, especially in these gun cases, said Heck. We advocate for that. Were going to take other measure here in the near future about making some suggestions. Theres gotta be consequences, and people have to be held be responsible when they use guns like this. It has nothing to do with whether people should own guns or not. Its that some people should never be in possession of guns, like these two people. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. WASHINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) The Washington Historical Society unveiled a new statue with an important message. The Act of Giving statue shows a young girl sharing an apple with a Heyl pony. The Heyl Pony Farm sold horses worldwide, even to the likes of Disney and Queen Elizabeth. Jewel Ward with the Washington Historical Society said this new statue will inspire young students to learn about Washingtons rich history. I envision kids parking with their parents, and they usually run to the playground over there. But I think instead theyre going to run to the horse. See the horse, learn about the horse, learn about the history of Washington and what it was like back in the 1920s at the Heyl Pony Farm, said Ward. You can find the statue in Washington Park. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Despite Israels nearly one-year-long war with Hamas in Gaza after the Oct. 7 attacks, security experts continue to sound the alarm that Jerusalems greatest threat actually lies to the north in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has developed a sophisticated tunnel system. Hezbollah, an Islamic terrorist organization that has long had the backing of Iran, has over the last two decades developed a network of tunnels that stretch more than 100 miles in cumulative length throughout southern Lebanon. Though the existence of the tunnels has been known for decades, the significant role they play in arming Hezbollah has once again come to light during the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza, where terrorists have not only relied on tunnels for operational rearmament and maneuvering capabilities but also to house hostages taken by Hamas nearly a year ago. While it is estimated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have eradicated roughly 80% of Hamas tunnels, Hezbollahs tunnels, which have largely remained untouched since the war in Gaza began, are believed to be far more sophisticated and "significantly larger," according to a report by the Alma Research and Education Center, a nonprofit organization that researches Israeli security challenges along its northern border. NETANYAHU HITS BACK OVER GLOBAL PRESSURE TO MAKE CEASE-FIRE CONCESSIONS, SAYS DEMANDS ARE 'IMMORAL', 'INSANE' A guided tour by the Israeli army on June 3, 2019, shows the interior of a tunnel under the Lebanese-Israeli border. Hezbollah is believed to have begun mining its tunnels after the Second Lebanon War in 2006 in close coordination between Iran and North Korea after Tehran reportedly derived "inspiration" from Pyongyang and the tunnels that it developed in the aftermath of the Korean War. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Iran deemed North Korea a "professional authority on the subject of tunneling" due to its experience in digging tunnels for military use when it attempted to drill tunnels across the Korean Demilitarized Zone in an attempt to militarily invade areas just north of Seoul, the capital of South Korea. While the tunnels and their intended use were never realized by the authoritarian nation, two of the four neutralized tunnels uncovered were reportedly capable of accommodating up to 30,000 troops per hour along with armaments like armored personnel carriers, tanks and field artillery an operational blueprint Hezbollah has turned to in its fight against Israel. The report found that Hezbollah under the advisership of North Korea a relationship that may have begun as far back as the 1980s built two types of tunnels across southern Lebanon, "offensive tunnels and infrastructure tunnels." The offensive tunnels were intended for similar operational use as North Koreas, and at least six tunnels were discovered by IDF forces that led into Israeli territory during Operation Northern Shield, which began in December 2018. Alma's research found that some of Hezbollahs tunnels are also capable of transporting ATVs, motorcycles and other "small vehicles," though it did not specify the number of terrorists that they could accommodate. The tunnels are equipped with "underground command and control rooms, weapons and supply depots, field clinics and specified designated shafts used to fire missiles of all types," the report said, noting that arms like rockets, surface-to-surface missiles, anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft missiles can be fired from "shafts" in the tunnels. "These shafts are hidden and camouflaged and cannot be detected above ground." DOJ CHARGES HAMAS LEADERS OVER 'TERRORIST ATROCITIES' IN OCT 7 ISRAEL ATTACK The tunnels are believed to connect the capital of Beirut, where Hezbollahs central headquarters is located and its logistical base in the Beqaa Valley near the Syrian border, to southern Lebanon. "We call this inter-regional tunnel network Hezbollah's Land of the Tunnels," the Alma report first released in 2021 detailed, noting the tunnel system is more akin to a "metro" of tunnels rather than one long tunnel. The second series of tunnels Hezbollah mined, known as the infrastructure tunnels, form an underground network in and near southern Lebanese villages that establishes the first and second "lines of defense" against an Israeli invasion a project of "enormous magnitude," according to the Alma report. One such tunnel is estimated to be nearly 28 miles long, prompting the question as to how the terrorist organization was able to get away with building such a sophisticated system without opposition from the Lebanese government. "Hezbollah does try to keep the locations, routes, internal structure, etc., of these tunnels a secret. [It] does this by expropriating territories, by preventing civilians from entering into certain areas and by taking advantage of [its] presence and influence in the government," Boaz Shapira, a researcher with Alma, told Fox News Digital. Shapira said Hezbollah not only has the support of roughly 40%-50% of the Lebanese population, it is "much better funded, organized, trained and armed" than the Lebanese government, army, police or even the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, which has a force of some 10,500 peacekeeping troops in Lebanon and that were put in place after the 2006 war. Hezbollahs cooperation with authoritarian nations like Iran and North Korea has long made it a major threat to Israel. But its growing power within Lebanon has moved it to the top of the list when it comes to Israeli security threats, according to not only Shapira but also former IDF Major Gen. Yaakov Amidror. "Lebanons government is too weak to counter Hezbollah," Amidror told Fox News Digital. "Everything important is decided by Hezbollah, not by the government." HEZBOLLAH OPERATIVES KILLED IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES AS TERROR GROUP FIRES 100 ROCKETS AT JEWISH STATE Hezbollah is believed to have as many as 50,000 terrorists and, according to Shapira, its sphere of influence has extended to nearly every branch of Lebanons security apparatus. "Taking action against Hezbollah would be perceived as cooperation with Israel and basically as treason in Lebanon, and in the past year also against the Palestinians," he said. "That means that no one in the army has any incentive for challenging Hezbollah." Shapira said demographics inside the once predominately Christian nation have shifted over the last several decades, and it now has a majority Muslim population though the U.S. State Department analyzes the breakdown in Muslim populations in Lebanon as nearly equally divided between Shiite and Sunni groups. "This trend is happening in the army as well. That means that almost every Shiite soldier in the army has a brother, cousin, friend that is a Hezbollah terrorist," Shapira said. Amidror, a distinguished fellow at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America after serving as Israel's former national security adviser to the prime minister and a 36-year veteran of the IDF, told Fox News Digital he believes Israel needs to take a proactive approach when it comes to countering Hezbollah. Hezbollah fighters form a human barrier during the funeral procession for top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut's southern suburbs on Aug. 1, 2024. "We should initiate the war against Hezbollah," he said, noting that the timing of its operation is the main variable that needs to be determined. "It will not be an easy job. It will be a very, very devastating war for us and for Lebanon," the retired major general said. "Remember that at least 50% of their missiles had been hidden within populated areas. "The casualties will be huge, [a] devastating war for us and for them," Amidror continued. "This is why it is so problematic to fight these organizations, because they are fighting from within their own population, [and their] targets are the Israeli population. "When you fight from within civilians and your targets are civilians, it's very complicated to fight it," he added. Original article source: Hezbollah relies on 'sophisticated' tunnel system backed by Iran, North Korea in fight against Israel Can you take me higher? The marketing that got six Ohio marijuana dispensaries fined COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Ohios government agency over its marijuana industry fined at least six dispensaries over how they advertised around the start of recreational sales. A rule that the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control repeated in paperwork against the group of shops regarded the rules they were bound to, as they tried to draw in recreational customers before and after Aug. 6. That Tuesday effectively became the launch day for the new type of sales in the state, as select businesses received the certificates they needed to convert their storefronts to dual-use dispensaries. Six dispensaries were slapped with fines, in some cases breaking over $200,000 as a result. One shop was also hit more than once, according to paperwork NBC4 obtained from the DCC. The documents lay out the agencys issues with each company. In some cases, even using the term recreational marijuana over words like adult-use or nonmedical saw penalty. Tom Brockman, the deputy chief communications officer for the Ohio Department of Commerce and DCC, explained the reasoning. All operators are currently operating via medical rules, Brockman wrote. As such, they need to seek pre-approval on any advertising, this includes the use of the term recreational marijuana. Those particular entities that agreed to civil penalties did not seek pre-approval, and that was the basis of their violation. Click on the links below to see the penalty reports for each dispensary, organized by the amount they paid. The Source The Source, a shop in South Euclid, was ordered on Sept. 5 to pay $225,000 after the DCC took issue with the dispensary displaying marijuana paraphernalia visible from the outside of the shop. The agency flagged several problems in its report, including that Source allowed vendor tables with grinders, rolling trays and other cannabis accessories outside of the building. The DCC also documented an Aug. 23 ribbon cutting ceremony held outside the dispensary, which it had not received approval for. The Source was given a monthly payment plan of $18,750, and the DCC expects the company to pay it off within a year. The company waived its right to appeal the decision in an accompanying agreement. The Botanist The Botanist, a DBA name for Greenleaf Apothecaries, is a chain with five storefronts in Ohio, including: Akron Canton Cleveland Columbus Wickliffe It originally saw a $12,500 fine Aug. 1 for running a website promotion with the unapproved, but memed Creed lyric, "Can you take me higher?" After the Aug. 6 launch of recreational sales, the DCC followed up by taking issue with "unapproved food and beverages from an ice cream truck on the dispensary premises," and marketing for "free ice cream" on social media at the Botanist's shops, racking up another $150,000 in fines. RISE GTI Ohio owns the RISE dispensary chain, which operates the following locations: Cleveland Lakewood East Lakewood West Lorain Toledo The company mistakenly sent an email to RISE patients on June 6, with the message, "RISE Ohio locations will be open to service recreational and medical guests" beginning June 10. A little over three hours later, GTI Ohio sent a correction email out, telling the same subscribers this was an error. After learning about the emails, the DCC took issue with not only the false alarm over the start of recreational sales, but also with the word "recreational" itself. The agency opted for them to use the term "adult-use marijuana" instead. GTI Ohio and the DCC reached an agreement on June 20 over the situation. The dispensary chain didn't have to admit to the DCC's accusations over the email and word choice, but did have to pay a $5,000 fine. GTI Ohio also agreed to cover the costs of the DCC's investigation, which racked up to $12,500. Guaranteed Investments Guaranteed Dispensary, owned by Guaranteed Investments, has a location in Montgomery, an eastern suburb of Cincinnati. It also saw a fine handed down July 23, after the DCC discovered that its website advertised it as a "recreational and medical dispensary" in June. The agency said Guaranteed did not receive approval to market their storefront this way ahead of sales launching, and ordered it to pay $12,500. Standard Farms Standard Farms is not a dispensary, but rather a medical marijuana processor in Garfield Heights, a suburb of Cleveland. It received its dual-use certificate of operation before storefronts did on Aug. 6. The DCC wrote it discovered July 8 that the company sent emails that it received "dual-use license approval for adult use/recreational sales," and included "some HIGHlights below." Ironically, in a penalty document signed for the same day recreational sales began in Ohio, the agency wrote Standard Farms did not submit the advertising language for approval before using it. The DCC ordered Standard Farms to pay $12,500 in fines within 14 days. Bloom The Division of Cannabis Control punished Bloom, a dispensary in Seven Mile, not over its store or digital promotion, but over a billboard. The sign had text that read "Bloom Medical Marijuana," and the DCC claimed Bloom had not submitted the messaging for approval to the agency. On July 23, the agency ordered Bloom to pay $12,500 over the issue. It gave the dispensary 14 days to cover the fine. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)-Freedom Service Dogs of America is a non-profit that partners with veterans and first responders with custom bred and trained service dogs, at no cost. We are serving people with disabilities so folks coming out of military with PTSDfolks coming out with combat injuries so the qualifiers here is disability. We do serve people with mobility challenges and there is often a great intersection with combat veterans and some of our dogs that work with folks in wheelchairs or folks with prosthetics or using walking aids ect said Chris Nelson the president and CEO of Freedom Service Dogs of America. As 9/11 quickly approaches its important that we observe the sacrifice and dedication of those who gave their lives on that faithful day. We owe them a lot. We are very active in the veteran community doing everything we can to ensure that we honorI think we do that very well as country honoring out veterans but taking care of as well as a community said, Nelson. While the Freedom Service Dogs of America is a Colorado based organization, they will have an clay shoot at Windwalker Farms on September 27 beginning at 7am. If you or someone you know are interested in a service dog, please head to their website here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) San Diego Police are searching for suspects involved in a series of suspected hate crimes in the Hillcrest area after more than one person was shot with gel pellets over the past week. Officers with the San Diego Police Department are actively searching for suspects after four people were shot and injured by gel pellets by men driving around in a minivan. SDPD investigates hate crime in Hillcrest after swastika, anti-LGBTQ+ slur spray-painted The police department reports the latest shooting happened at 2 a.m. Sunday near 10th Avenue and University Avenue. All of the incidents happened in the Hillcrest neighborhood and police did confirm none of the victims were seriously injured. Hillcrest hit by series of suspected hate crimes, San Diego Police say (FOX 5/KUSI) Police investigating string of drive-by pellet gun shootings as possible hate crimes Police describe the suspects as several men who were seen driving around in a light-colored minivan. At this time, police have not provided detailed suspect descriptions. The police department did say they are investigating the incidents as hate crimes. Teen arrested in hate crime vandalism at Chula Vista elementary school The San Diego Police Department is asking residents to come forward if they witnessed any of the shootings. The police department can be contacted at 619-531-2000, while Crime Stoppers can be reached at 888-580-8477. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The workers strike at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront entered its second week as negotiations over the latest contract are set to resume. The strike, which began over Labor Day weekend, was one of over two dozen held by hotel workers in cities across the country, all pushing for better pay and protections against workloads they say are unmanageable. The over 700 striking workers at the downtown San Diego hotel are represented by UNITE HERE Local 30 and span a number of jobs, including bellhops, dishwashers, housekeepers, front desk agents, cooks, servers and bartenders. VIDEO: Hail falls from sky in Valley Center amid isolated storms Union members voted almost unanimously to strike last month, as negotiations over their next contract reached an impasse several days before their previous agreements expiration on Saturday, Aug. 31. The union also hit the picket lines due to stalled contract talks in 2022. UNITE HERE Local 30 said their demands to receive wages reflective of cost of living in San Diego and address difficult workloads amid chronic staffing shortages because of cost-cutting efforts in the contract remain unanswered by previous offers. Our members cant live in San Diego on what theyre being paid, Bridget Browning, president of UNITE HERE Local 30, said on the first day of the strike last Sunday. They just cant survive the way things are going, between rent and groceries and all their other bills. According to Browning, some of their lowest-paid members earn around $24 per hour a wage she says does not go very far in San Diego, especially for those with families to support. They have two decisions to make, fight for a better contract or go get a second job. It isnt fair to ask workers to work 80 hours a week just to be able to live in San Diego, she continued. In the meantime, the union said Hilton has sought out temporary staff to fill in these positions as the strike bears on. Listings for these stand-in positions, they add, appear to be advertising for wages higher than those currently given to staff. For example, Hilton was advertising $26 per hour in a job post to bring in interim housekeepers nearly two dollars more than the wage given to full-time housekeepers. The union said fill-in bartenders were also offered a $26 wage despite current staff only earning minimum wage. We continue to strike for higher wages and respect, said Tomas Cuevas, a cook at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. It has been 9 days since we started our strike, and we dont plan to stop until the company reaches a fair deal with us especially now that we know they are paying temporary third-party workers more than the hotel workers who have been loyal to the company for years. FOX 5/KUSI reached out to Hilton regarding the strikes latest developments and is awaiting response. In a previous statement, the hotelier said it was committed to reach a fair and reasonable agreement that is beneficial to both our valued Team Members and to our hotels. Oceansides Caitlin Simmers becomes surfings youngest female world champion Both sides are set to come back to the table on Thursday for two additional days of negotiations on the latest contract agreement, the union said. With these strikes, the union hopes to build on recent collective bargaining successes in Los Angeles and Orange County over the last year that won workers significant wage hikes, increased employer contributions to pensions and guarantees for a fair workload. Under those contracts won by other UNITE HERE chapters, some roles will see hourly pay upwards of $35 an hour by July 2027. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Crunching along a rocky Fox Island beach Thursday afternoon Tonya Strickland stopped for a moment, a smooth gray-blue rock catching her eye. Matte, light and perfectly rounded, the stone was a clay baby, a rare geographical formation found locally in select areas along Puget Sound. Nicknamed fairy stones or spirit babies, clay babies, also spelled as one word, are known for their unusual shapes. Some look like fingers, puddles, animals, grapes, people or clouds. Others have knobs, curves and warts or resemble ears, bowling pins and lemons. Washing up on the shoreline of places like Fox Island or growing out of clay flats at Point Defiance, clay babies can take decades or centuries to form, former University of Puget Sound geology professor Jeff Tepper told The News Tribune Sept. 5. They are a type of concretion, a mass of mineral that grows in fine sedimentary clay banks that once were part of ancient lakes fed by glaciers, he said. Hiding in plain sight, a clay baby lies among the rocks at Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve on Fox Island, Washington, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. Tony Overman/toverman@theolympian.com Today you can find them near exposed clay banks, polished by the waves until smooth. Strickland, a writer from Artondale whos blogged about clay babies, said she and her two young children love to wander beaches and look for them in the surf, a special kind of treasure hunt. You cant remove clay babies, shells or rocks from areas like the Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve on Fox Island, but Strickland said that doesnt make the search any less fun. We really enjoy the scouting expedition of it, she said. We love to find things that are rare and special and have a story behind them. A couple dozen interesting-looking clay babies are on display at the Fox Island Historical Museum, where you can also purchase clay babies from a basket for $1. Those babies have been donated by locals who found them on private beaches or discovered them prior to beachcombing restrictions, said Fox Island Historical Society president Gail Jones. Jones said many people dont know about clay babies and residents want to preserve the character and beauty of the island by keeping them where theyre found. Several Fox Island residents left messages with The News Tribune prior to publication, urging us not to write this story, lest the secret get out. The legend of the girl and the sea Local legends about the origin of clay babies come from multiple sources. Some records in the Puyallup Tribe historic archives say a Native American girl who lived on Fox Island, either from the Puyallup Tribe or the Nisqually Tribe, could not have children of her own so she would visit the site where clay babies are made and mold them into small animals and creatures, which can still be found today, said Jennifer Keating, an enrolled Puyallup Tribe member who grew up on Fox Island and has family who still lives there. Other legends shared by the Fox Island Historical Society describe a Native American girl who, after rejecting marriage proposals from young men far and wide, noticed a strange man appear one day as she walked along the beach. Over time the two courted, but he would disappear into the water as mysteriously as he came every morning. The young woman told her parents of the strange event, who became alarmed, concerned this was the son of the Old Man of the Sea. Her parents were worried they would offend the Old Man of the Sea by refusing to allow their daughter to marry him, and as a result, feared he would dry up the springs on the island until his sons suit was granted, the legend goes. As if by magic, the water in the springs soon disappeared, the grass became brown and the crops dried up. When the womans parents gave their consent for his marriage proposal, the springs returned to normal. One day the man came for his wife and taking her hand, they stepped into the sea and disappeared below the surface. Three times the daughter returned to visit her parents, but on the fourth visit there was kelp growing on her face. She was changing to become more of a sea creature. Saddened to see their daughters transformation, the girls parents told her it would be better if she did not return again, and she left them forever to live with her husband below the ocean, the legend goes. Now when she becomes lonesome, she returns to her old playground and makes odd shapes that visitors find in the clay and sand. When there were significantly fewer families visiting and living on Fox Island, Keating said youd find clay babies all over. Unfortunately, like the entire Puget Sound region, theres so much growth out there that you dont really find them very frequently anymore as a result of beachcombing, Keating said. Clay babies offer a unique opportunity to highlight, teach and preserve Native American history on Fox Island, she said. Hiding in plain sight, a clay baby lies among the rocks at Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve on Fox Island, Washington, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. Tony Overman/toverman@theolympian.com Keating serves as a tribal land use manager and is the assistant Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Puyallup Tribe, identifying sacred sites and preserving them around Puget Sound. Fox Island, what was considered territory of the Puyallup and Nisqually people, was utilized for seasonal camps and temporary villages and continues to be a shellfish harvest site for geoduck divers, she said. It was also the site of an internment camp in the 1850s where between 640 and 790 Native Americans were forced to live there during the Puget Sound War. What I would love folks to understand is those clay babies are not just a part of Fox Island and Fox Islands current culture and Fox Islands history, its a part of Native history and Native culture as well, Keating said. Cultural resources like that are becoming more and more difficult to preserve with the growth in the area, and if we dont actively protect these items, they wont be around for us to continue to teach future generations about. Formed over thousands of years It takes a lot of time, and a lot of luck, for a clay baby to be born. Barry Goldstein is a professor emeritus in the geology department at University of Puget Sound who has studied glacial patterns and the landscapes they leave behind in Washington and Minnesota. He said the youngest clay-rich deposits from ancient lake beds left from receding glaciers in Puget Sound are about 15,000 years old. Over time, fine-grain lake sediments made of silt and clay stacked up on top of each other, creating layers you can sometimes see as rings on clay babies, Goldstein said. Unlike sand, clay particles stick together. Variations in the amount of clay in the sediment, how much water infiltrated the clay bank, the strength of nearby waves and the location of the clay bank all impact the shape and size of a clay baby, he said. To form a clay baby, the clay deposit needs to have intruding still water, Tepper said. During the retreat of the glaciers, frozen lakes were still under the surface, so clay settled to the bottom, creating a fertile breeding ground for clay babies, he said. Glacial lakes have less organic matter, which is why the clay color is more light gray compared to the dark sediment of a lot of modern lakes, Tepper said. Layers of concretion build upon a nucleus made of inorganic or organic matter, like a fossil, Tepper said. Hidden within cliffs clay babies most often form the shape of flattened discs, which can intersect and merge with one another to create interesting shapes like barbells or Mickey Mouse ears. When the cliff erodes and the concretion falls into the surf, the water washes off the sediment that hasnt hardened, leaving behind the particles that have cemented together. Over time the clay chunks get tumbled and rounded by the surf until they become smooth clay babies, Tepper said. The lifespan of clay babies varies based on material type, the rigorousness of the waves and the abrasion of the shore, Goldstein said. Some that arent rock hard can break and may only survive a few tidal cycles before theyre broken down. Its sort of the luck of the draw, he said. If you go to any place where the clay beds are exposed, which ones youll see, or how long theyll be there, or what theyll look like its going to change. A selection of clay baby found at Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve on Fox Island, Washington, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. Tony Overman/toverman@theolympian.com Tepper predicts large undisturbed clay babies far enough from the water could survive years or decades on a beach before it disintegrates back into the surf. Some clay babies on display at the Fox Island Museum even have barnacles on them. Clay babies, like any other chunk of solid material, help protect beaches from erosion and removing them could increase the rate of shore erosion, Goldstein said. Removing them from cliff faces could also destabilize the cliff, causing it to slump or landslide, so its best to leave them be, he said. Where to find clay babies Any exposed clay banks around Puget Sound could be a place where you can find clay babies, Goldstein and Tepper said. Around Tacoma some places to find them include Fox Island and the Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve at Bella Bella Beach. You might also find them walking about a half mile out along Owen Beach. Dismissals for gross misconduct at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are at a five-year-high, data reveals. So far this year, 179 tax office workers have been sacked for serious breaches of workplace conduct, an increase of 43pc since 2020. This is the highest number in at least five years, according to figures obtained by The Telegraph in a freedom of information request. A separate request sent to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found that 190 workers were dismissed for gross misconduct in 2023-24, making up about 40pc of all terminations. This figure was down from 221 in 2022. Gross misconduct is behaviour so serious that it can warrant instant dismissal. Examples include bullying, theft, intoxication, damage to company property, gross negligence or other behaviours that could harm the organisation. At HMRC, it could include the unlawful disclosure of sensitive taxpayer information or fraud undertaken using company systems. Earlier this year, a tax office worker was jailed for two years and four months after abusing her role to defraud the taxpayer out of 300,000 in child benefit. Tracy Ashbridge falsely claimed three of her children were disabled and also submitted false tax credit claims for another 15 children. She used details from her work computer system of members of the public to facilitate some of the frauds. Civil servants can also be let go for gross misconduct if they access someones records on government databases without a valid business reason. Louise Kelly, who had worked at DWP for 20 years, was sacked from the department in 2021 after she looked up a neighbours address in the Searchlight database, which contains financial and health information about most UK residents. She had already received an official warning after searching for her own address. Her case was dismissed by an employment tribunal, where the judge said that temptation to abuse the Searchlight system was bound to be strong and therefore a robust policy from DWP was essential. The 179 workers fired for gross misconduct in 2024 made up over half of all 321 dismissals at HMRC, which employs over 65,000 staff. But in 2020, only 28pc (125) of all dismissals (441) were for gross misconduct. Steve Sweetlove, of accountancy firm RSM, said: On the face of it, an uptick in dismissals for gross misconduct could be seen as a troubling trend but it may highlight that a firmer stance is being taken by HMRC in staff disciplinary matters. Given the vital role HMRC staff play in dealing with taxpayer data and collecting revenues for the government, cases of gross negligence can represent a really serious issue so its important that appropriate action is taken where necessary. HMRC is set to receive more funding to recruit additional staff so it will be crucial that support is in place to help staff with training new recruits so they appreciate the standards of conduct expected of them. Michael Newman, an employment law specialist at law firm Leigh Day, said gross misconduct was reserved for the most serious cases and was relatively rare. He added: What constitutes gross misconduct may vary according to the particular employee for example, with HMRC anything around fraud is likely to be taken far more seriously. It comes as customer service at the tax office is at an all-time low as it struggles to cope with the rising taxpayer population. The taxman answered only 66pc of customers calls last year against a target of 85pc and down from 71pc in 2022-23. Demand for its services has surged as taxpayers have been dragged into higher rates of tax due to frozen thresholds. At the start of this year the Public Accounts Committee, an influential group of MPs, concluded HMRCs service levels were at an all-time low after it received an unprecedented number of written submissions about the tax offices poor performance. Levels of bullying and harassment at HMRC are at 8pc, according to the latest Civil Service People Survey, which is the average across all departments. At DWP, 10pc of workers have experienced bullying or harassment. However, levels of engagement among tax office workers are lower than anywhere else in the civil service at 56pc compared to a benchmark of 64pc. A government spokesman said: All large organisations will face occasional issues with staff behaviour, and we take all allegations seriously to ensure we work in an inclusive environment that is friendly, tolerant and respectful. All our employees must ensure they follow our code of conduct alongside the civil service code, with breaches looked into and if necessary investigated, potentially resulting in dismissal. 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. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is on an official visit to China. Xi asked Sanchez to convey his greetings to King Felipe VI. Recalling that China and Spain celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties last year, Xi said both sides have since maintained close exchanges and interactions at all levels and promoted high-quality cooperation in new areas. Noting that next year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said the two sides should adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic ties based on mutual respect and equal treatment, take a holistic and long-term view, and add new dimensions to bilateral ties. Xi also called on both sides to build long-term and stable China-Spain relations with strategic determination, and push bilateral relations to a higher level. Xi stressed that reform and opening up is a correct development path that China has found through long-term practice, and that it will be pursued steadfastly. The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made systematic arrangements for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, bringing new opportunities for deepening and expanding cooperation between China and Spain, he said. The two sides should work for mutual benefits by promoting development in high-tech fields like artificial intelligence, the digital economy and new energy, Xi said, adding that China hopes Spain will continue to provide a fair, equitable, safe and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country. He urged joint efforts from the two sides to stay committed to inclusiveness and mutual learning, promote friendship between the two peoples, and strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges in the fields of language education, youth, culture and tourism. As next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, China is ready to work with the bloc to review successful experience in the development of bilateral relations and further promote the relations, Xi said. "China hopes that Spain will continue to play a constructive role in this regard." China and Spain are both countries with a sense of responsibility and mission, and both advocate multilateralism and free trade, Xi said. He noted that China is ready to expand cooperation with Spain in third-party markets in the Global South, and strengthen communication and coordination in the United Nations, the G20 and other international organizations, aiming to inject more positive energy into world peace, stability and human progress. Sanchez conveyed cordial greetings from King Felipe VI to President Xi. Spain and China enjoy time-honored friendship, and they have constantly developed and deepened their partnership on the basis of mutual respect, Sanchez said. During his visit, the two sides signed a number of cooperation agreements in fields such as green development, demonstrating the huge potential and bright prospects of bilateral cooperation, he said. Spain hopes that the two countries will strengthen people-to-people exchanges and deepen cooperation in such fields as economy, trade and new energy vehicles. Spain is willing to provide a sound environment for Chinese enterprises, Sanchez said. He noted that both Spain and China are committed to safeguarding world peace and multilateralism, and that China is a key force for world peace and development and plays an important, constructive role in resolving major international and regional issues. Spain views its relations with China from a strategic height, adheres firmly to the one-China policy, is willing to be a trustworthy partner of China, and looks forward to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and making greater contributions to the well-being of the two peoples, world peace and prosperity, Sanchez said. Spain supports the principles of free trade and open markets, opposes trade wars, and is willing to continue playing a positive role in promoting the healthy development of EU-China relations, he said. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and the Palestine-Israel conflict. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Chinese President Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez take a walk in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 9, 2024. Xi met with Sanchez, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez take a walk in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 9, 2024. Xi met with Sanchez, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Hochul: New York on high alert after terror plot against Jews is foiled Hochul: New York on high alert after terror plot against Jews is foiled NEW YORK (PIX11) Federal authorities are continuing to investigate the terror threat against New Yorks Jewish community. An ISIL-inspired Pakistani is in custody after allegedly threatening a massive attack to kill as many Jews as possible, according to authorities. Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Sunday that New York is under a heightened state of awareness and that shes been in direct contact with the Federal Terrorism Task Force. She called the plot, Deeply shocking, but weve been vigilant in monitoring chatter online and social media. Hochul said New York is dealing with the threat after federal authorities arrested the 20-year-old Mohamed Shahzeb Kahn as he was trying to enter the U.S. from Canada. According to a 19-count indictment, his goal was to kill as many Jews as possible. More Local News His intended target was the Brooklyn Jewish Center in Crown Heights. Many believed it was the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters. Kahn shared ISIL propaganda online and enlisted associates who could arm themselves with AR15 assault-style weapons and ammunition. Unbeknownst to him, two of the volunteers were undercover law enforcement agents. Kahn wanted to plan his attack on or around the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, FBI Agent Rob Kissane said. With the observance of that day less than a month away, several hundred people showed up again for their weekly vigil in Central Park. Bring them home, bring them home now, they chanted. They held photos of those still being held hostage by Hamas and read their names. The accused terrorist said he saw New York as the perfect target for his plot because it has the largest Jewish population in the country. More Manhattan News Hocul said state police are working directly with the Federal Terrorism Task Force and are being particularly vigilant. They are in what she called a heightened state of awareness now for all kinds of threats. She said state police are assisting NYPD with increased security measures in the city. I asked if she could say New Yorks Jewish community is safe. Were working very hard to keep them safe, absolutely, Hochul declared. According to the government indictment, the suspected terrorist bragged that if he succeeded with his plan, it would have been the largest attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. The suspect remains in custody in Canada. Extradition proceedings against him to bring him back to the U.S. are scheduled for later this week. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The Hollywood Bowl was forced to cancel Sunday evenings Vance Joy concert after a power outage earlier in the day impacted 1,400 LA DWP households in the Hollywood area. Sunday continued a heat wave in Southern California with another 100-plus-degree day. The start time of the concert, 7 p.m. PT, saw the thermometer still at 90 degrees in downtown L.A. DTLA hit a record-high 104 degrees for the day Sunday, while UCLA (98) and Woodland Hills (111) tied records, according to the National Weather Service. More from Deadline LA DWP reps told Deadline that there has been a circuit outage in the Hollywood area, meaning repair times will be longer. They gave no timeline for power to be restored, but the utilitys outage map said repairs were expected to be completed by Tuesday. Portions of the Hollywood Hills surrounding the Bowl are also dark this evening, as well as parts of Hollywood proper, forcing the iconic L.A. venue to cancel its show headlined by Joy and indie rockers Grouplove. Tonights Vance Joy concert is cancelled due to a power outage affecting the Hollywood Bowl and vicinity, the Bowl wrote on its website this evening, We apologize for the inconvenience. If a new date for this performance can be confirmed, details will follow and tickets for the original date will be valid for the new performance date. No further action is needed on your part. For any questions, exchanges, or refund requests, please contact Audience Services at information@laphil.org. The LA DWP tweeted that as of 3 p.m., it was working to restore power to more than 6,600 customers in L.A. County, with Echo Park and Northridge the most impacted areas. Forecasts call for one more day Monday of 100-plus-degree heat, with temperatures expected to be in the 80s on Tuesday. The City News Service contributed to this report. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. HOLLYWOOD, S.C. (WCBD) The Town of Hollywood is kicking off Hollywood Resource Week to connect residents with resources to enhance their well-being and preparedness. The Town of Hollywood and Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach are partnering together to create this week-long event at Hollywood Town Hall. Hollywood Resource Week is designed to provide valuable resources and information to our community on a variety of important topics, said town officials. The events will occur from 4 7 p.m. from September 9th to 13th. The schedule includes: Monday, September 9th: Community Resources Tuesday, September 10th: Childrens Resources Wednesday, September 11th: Land & Property Resources Thursday, September 12th: Hurricane Resources Friday, September 13th: Safety Resources Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Remember the nearly 180 laws that went into effect in Florida in July? We're not done yet. There are 34 more laws going into effect on Tuesday, Oct. 1, including penalties for porch pirates; a crackdown on homeless people camping or sleeping on public property; law enforcement training on communication with people with Alzheimer's or dementia; mandatory retention of rape kits; increased penalties for frauds against seniors, immigrants committing crimes, sexual predators and digital voyeurism; mandatory flood disclosures for home sellers, free wallet cards for people who have filed restraining orders, and new license plates, among others. Here's what's changing next month. SB 86: Hope Cards Currently, anyone who has received a protective order must produce paperwork to prove it to law enforcement if incidents arise. The Hope Card program requires clerks of the circuit court to provide, upon request and for free, either digital or laminated Hope Cards with information about the injunction including names and birthdates of the protected person and the person being blocked, the case number, the date the injunction was issued and the expiration date, if any. SB 92: Yacht and Ship Brokers Act This bill redefines yachts in Florida law to mean specific vessels manufactured or operated primarily for pleasure that are leased, rented or chartered to someone other than the owner. It also states brokers who primarily operate in another state don't need to have a license here if they buy a yacht from a Florida-licensed broker. HB 341: Safeguarding American Families Everywhere (SAFE) Act This allows Florida families to register their vehicle as a "SAFE vehicle," which lets first responders know a child inside has a disability or disorder: Autism ADHD Down syndrome Alzheimer's disease Traumatic brain injury PTSD Diabetes An autoimmune disorder Deafness Blindness Any other mentally or physically limiting disorder Personal or medical information would not be provided, only that a child in the vehicle may not respond as expected. HB 403: New License Plates Florida just passed a law that allows these new Margaritaville themed license plates. Jimmy Buffett is so hype right now. pic.twitter.com/aP8yZMBGeo juan p (@MrJuanPurdue) July 1, 2024 This is the one that got us the Margaritaville specialty license plate. Other specialty plates that the law authorizes include: Live the Dream: Benefits the Historic Cemeteries Program American Eagle: No benefitting organization listed Universal Orlando Resort: Benefits Give Kids The World, Inc., Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Benefits efforts to reduce, rehabilitate and release marine life, public education and other conservation strategies. General Aviation: Benefits the Aerospace Center for Excellence in Lakeland The Villages: May All Your Dreams Come True: Benefits The Villages Charter School Inc. Cure Diabetes: Benefits The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, JDRF International Incorporated, and the University of Florida Diabetes Institute Recycle Florida: Benefits the Florida Today Foundation, Inc. Boating Capital of the World: Benefits Captain Sandy Yawn, Inc. to promote and fund maritime workforce assistance Project Addiction: Reversing the Stigma: Benefits Project Addiction program to promote and support awareness of and education about substance use disorder and mental illness. United Service Organizations (USO) HB 479: Alternative Mobility Funding Systems and Impact Fees This bill defines "mobility fee" and "mobility plan" for local government options in the state's Community Planning Act of 2011. SB 532: Securities Also known as The Invest Local Act, this bill tweaks a lot of things in the Florida Securities and Investor Protection Act to improve investor protection and help small businesses raise capital, including a variety of exemptions and some changes to bring some state provisions in line with recent federal changes. HB 549: Theft Crimes HB 549 targets "porch pirates," retail theft and organized looting of businesses by increasing penalties, despite a 30% drop in shoplifting in the state in roughly the last five years. Theft of less than $40 is a first-degree misdemeanor for the first offense, a third-degree felony for subsequent offices Theft from between $40 and $750 is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison (it was $100 to $650 before) Anyone stealing from a business along with five or more people faces a third-degree felony, which becomes a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison if they used social media to solicit help Thieves face a first-degree felony and up to 30 years in prison if they have two or more previous retail theft convictions or if they use a gun while committing the theft. Multiple retail thefts can be charged as a felony if they occur within 120 days, up from the previous 30 SB 718: Fentanyl Exposure Under this bill an adult who "recklessly exposes a first responder to dangerous fentanyl or fentanyl analogs" and causes an overdose or serious bodily injury commits a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. According to national medical experts, however, first responders being exposed to fentanyl isn't a problem that needs legislation. Instead, they say, this law could discourage bystanders or family members from calling for help during an overdose. SB 758: Tracking Devices and Applications Makes it a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, if a person or business places a tracking device on someone's person or property without their consent. Exemptions are added for law enforcement officers during an investigation, parents or legal guardians of a minor, caregivers of disabled adults or elderly people, or owners of a motor vehicle (although it must be removed if the vehicle is sold). SB 764: Retention of Sexual Offense Evidence Requires that sexual offense evidence kits or other DNA evidence taken from someone who did not report a sexual offense to law enforcement during a forensic exam and did not ask for it to be tested must be kept for a minimum of 50 years after the collection date. The facility that collected the kit or evidence must send it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement within 30 days of collection. HB 801: Alzheimers Training for Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers Requires the FDLE to establish online, continued training for law enforcement and correctional officers on: How to interact with people with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia How to recognize behavioral symptoms and characteristics Effective communication How to use alternatives to physical restraints How to identify signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation The bill includes some specifics on how the training should be developed. Completion may count toward the 40 hours of instruction required for continued employment. SB 808: Treatment by a Medical Specialist First responders and correctional officers may receive medical treatment from licensed specialists for certain conditions related to tuberculosis, heart disease, or hypertension and get reimbursed at no more than 200% of the Medicare rate for such care. Unless it's an emergency situation, the person must provide written notice of the specialist selection to their compensation carrier, self-insured employer or third-party administrator for approval within five days. SB 902: Motor Vehicle Retail Financial Agreements Creates the Florida Vehicle Value Protection Agreements Act, which regulates auto dealers who use retail installment contracts with buyers and requires them to be in writing and include information such as the amount financed, any finance charges, total amount of payments, total sale price and payment details. Also regulates optional guaranteed asset protection products (GAP) to prevent excessive or duplicate charges, among other things. HB 1007: Nicotine Dispensing Devices The state has determined that some nicotine-dispensing devices (e-cigs, electronic cigars or pipes, etc) are more attractive to children than originally thought due to packaging and marketing that "uniquely appeals to minors" with bright colors, cartoon characters, or parodies of famous brand items like candy or cereal. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to create a directory listing those devices and prohibits businesses from selling them. Retailers will have 60 days to remove the devices from sale or face daily $1,000 fines. SB 1036: Criminal Penalties Increases criminal penalties for immigrants committing crimes after entering Florida illegally from other countries a second time after being deported. A third-degree felony (up to 5 years in prison) will be charged as a second-degree felony (up to 15 years in prison) for those who have previously been deported. Second-degree felonies (up to 15 years in prison) will now be charged as first-degree felonies (up to 30 years in prison). And first-degree felonies (up to 30 years in prison) will be charged as a life felonies for those individuals. Under Florida Senate Bill 1036, there will be enhanced penalties for undocumented immigrants found guilty of participating in drug cartel activities. HB 1049: Flood Disclosure in the Sale of Real Property Requires sellers of residential property to provide flood disclosure at or before a sale. Seller must notify buyers that homeowners insurance policies do not include coverage for damage resulting from floods, whether or not the seller has filed a claim relating to flood damage, and whether or not the seller has received federal assistance for flood damage to the property. HB 1171: Schemes to Defraud Makes the penalties for crimes of fraud committed against minors, people 65 years old and older, or against a person with a mental or physical disability harsher: first-degree misdemeanors become third-degree felonies, third-degree felonies become second-degree felonies, second-degree felonies become first-degree feloniesm and first-degree felonies are reclassified to a life felony. The bill also allows someone whose image or likeness was used without their consent in a scheme to defraud to sue and recover damages. HB 1235: Sexual Predators and Offenders The bill creates stricter registration guidelines for sexual offenders and predators, increases oversight of residences and requires offenders and predators to register temporary and transient housing addresses, including houseboats and cars. It also requires any international travel to be reported ahead of time and makes it more difficult to qualify for registration removal. HB 1365: Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping This bill prohibits local municipalities from allowing people to camp or sleep on public property and requires them to designate a specific public space for camping and sleeping with approval from the Florida Department of Children and Families that includes security, behavioral health services and bathrooms with running water. Failure to do so will allow businesses and residents to sue local governments. Supporters say it is compassionate conservatism and puts efforts where they are needed. Critics say it creates forced internment camps with the goal of getting unhoused people out of sight. HB 1389: Digital Voyeurism This bill changes "video voyeurism" in state law to "digital voyeurism" and increases the penalties: Creation of hidden and nonconsensual images or recordings of someone privately exposing their body First-degree misdemeanor for offenders aged 18 and younger Third-degree felony for offenders 19 and older Distributing or selling such material is a third-degree felony Subsequent offenses are second-degree felonies If the offender is 19 years old or older and commits the offense against a family or household member or holds a position of authority or trust over the person, the felony charge is increased to the next highest one. HB 1415: Peer Support for First Responders House Bill 1415 amends state law to include correctional officers in peer support for first responders. HB 1545: Child Exploitation Offenses This bill creates a new offense, harmful communication to a minor, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. It also increases penalties for child exploitation crimes, such as promoting sexual performances or possessing child sexual abuse material. SB 1628: Local Governments Senate Bill 1628 revises 2023's SB 170 and requires local governments to file a business impact estimate for any ordinances that relate to a comprehensive plan amendment or land development regulation if it's initiated by a municipality or county. The estimate must include: A summary of the proposed ordinance and how it would serve the public An estimate of the direct economic impact on private for-profit businesses, including any direct compliance costs, new fees or regulatory costs An estimate of how many businesses are likely to be affected Public Records exemptions Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act, certain public records have been exempted from Florida's public records requirements but each exemption was created to expire this year. These bills update exemptions for the following categories: HB 7001: Identifying information about people reported cases of child abuse, abandonment or neglect HB 7003 : Identifying information about preregistered voters who are minors HB 7005 : Secure login credentials and certain financial disclosures from the Commission on Ethics, an independent board that maintains financial disclosure filings for public officers, some public employees and candidates for public office SB 7006 : Security information and customer meter-derived information for municipal utilities HB 7007 : Details of campus emergency response to terrorist attacks or public safety emergencies such as evacuation plans, vulnerability reports, etc. SB 7008 : Florida Lottery security details, information about games, and identifying information from retailer or vendor background checks HB 7009 : Petitions for voluntary and involuntary admission for mental health treatment, related records, court orders and personal identifying information HB 7043: Identifying information about "agency personnel," including first responders, state attorneys and public defenders There are also local changes, like HB 509, which amends the Collier Mosquito Control District boundaries, HB 819 which does the same for the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District. and HB 1025, which adds 12-year lifetime term limits for Municipal Service District of Ponte Vedra Beach Trustees and increases the threshold for capital projects that require voter approval. Tyler Vazquez, Florida Today, contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida laws that go into effect Oct. 1 include homeless camps ban An unidentified person lays down next to a fan inside the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center in Las Vegas. (Photo: Michael Lyle/Nevada Current) A 13-year-high in the number of unhoused individuals counted. A growing number of families with children. An increase among people experiencing homelessness chronically. Black individuals over-represented among the unhoused population. Results of Clark Countys annual homeless census released last week showed an overall 20% increase from the 2023 census and revealed alarming trends about who is experiencing homelessness in Southern Nevada. Southern Nevadas 2024 Point-in-Time Count, an annual snapshot of homelessness on one particular night, identified 7,906 unhoused people. The previous year counted 6,566 people. Even with data showing a rise in homelessness, and increases to several subpopulations, the Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care Census Report noted that no PIT Count can fully capture the complete extent of homelessness due to several factors. Simply put, the numbers are likely an undercount. The county, which conducted its count Jan. 25, tweaked methodologies in how it conducted the count and Jamie Sorenson, the director of Social Service for Clark County, thinks the higher number is partially from a more accurate count. The recent results showed the largest number of people experiencing homelessness since 2011 when 8,003 were counted that year, according to the 2015 Southern Nevada Homeless Census and Survey. The number of people counted had been trending downward. The observed parallels between annual median household prices, Fair Market Rents, and the Point- in-Time (PIT) Count suggest that these factors may be interconnected and reflective of broader trends affecting the Clark County community, according to the report. When there was a steady decrease in people experiencing homelessness from 2018 through 2021, it was during a time Clark County experienced only modest increases in median household prices, the report noted. The number of people being counted began to rise beginning in 2022, when housing prices surged by over 35 percent. Sorenson pointed to Nevadas severe housing crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic. The county lacks 60,000 units specifically for low-income households, he said. While not mentioned in the report, between the count conducted in early 2023 and the count in January of this year, pandemic-era eviction protections expired legislative efforts to keep protections in place were vetoed by Gov. Joe Lombardo and the availability of rental assistance dollars used to help keep people housed was scaled back. Housing groups and legal aid providers warned without legislative reforms to the eviction system, homelessness rates would increase. Serious concern One of the more notable disparities in the data was in the racial breakdown. Clark Countys total Black population is 12%, but Black individuals make up 42% of the unhoused population. Though Black people have been overrepresented in previous counts, the rate has increased. The number of Black people experiencing homelessness hovered around 37% in the previous two count results. Before that, the rate was 32% in both 2021 and 2020. Sorenson said the figure was a serious concern and more work needs to be done to understand the trend. I think for us and for our (Continuum of Care board) this needs to be an elevated priority, he said. I think we need to really pull in experts from the community to help us understand where we can begin to address whether it is matters of systemic racism or a need for cultural services. There is a greater percentage of families with children experiencing homelessness than there was in the prior count. An estimated 19% of the total count in 2024 were families, compared to 12% the year before. The most recent report doesnt include the total number of families and Sorenson didnt have the figure readily available. The county previously found during its PIT count in 2023 there were 794 families identified, a 54% increase from 2022. The report also found 34% of people were experiencing homelessness chronically, or those who have been unhoused for at least a year and struggle with serious mental illness, substance abuse or a physical disability. In the previous year there were 1,857 people, or 28% of the total count, found to be chronically homeless. While the report indicates that 64% women and 36% men were homelessness, Sorenson clarified with Nevada Current that breakdown was specifically for those using shelter space. Unlike previous years, the report doesnt show the overall gender breakdown of those experiencing homelessness at the time of the count. More work to do Clark County said it added 1,670 non-congregate shelter beds since 2023, a 62% increase from the previous year. That includes its Navigation Center, a 70-bed Motel 6 property in East Las Vegas converted into an intake center for unhoused individuals. Sorenson said the county is trying to open an additional center by the end of the year. The report also showed among those counted that 53% were unsheltered on the night of the 2024 count, a 7% decrease from the count conducted in 2023. Deputy County Manager Abigail Frierson attributed the county expanding the supply of non congregate shelter beds for the decrease of the unsheltered rate from the previous year. This years Point-in-Time count shows that our efforts to expand shelter options are having a tangible impact, she said in a statement. While the number of individuals living unsheltered remains high and we continue to work to secure permanent, stable housing, it is encouraging to see that we are steadily moving residents off the streets and into safer environments. Not all those beds were being filled during the time of the PIT count. The report notes on that night there was an 85% utilization rate among shelter beds. Emergency shelter beds and rapid rehousing beds had the highest usage with 86% and 100% respectively. Only 71% of available permanent housing beds 1,523 out of 2,134 were full during the night of the count. Sorenson wasnt sure why those beds werent being used at the time of the count. The county, he said, has worked to improve efforts to connect unhoused individuals to available beds but we have more work to do. Though many data points showed an increase among the unhoused, there were a few subpopulations that had decreases including veterans experiencing homelessness, which decreased 46% from the previous year. A total of 61 homes in Port Erin were evacuated on Sunday afternoon [BBC] Two people have been arrested after suspicious items found in a property in Port Erin led to the evacuation of some homes, police have confirmed. A total of 61 homes within about 325ft (100m) of a property in Pairk Beg were evacuated as a precautionary measure at about 16:00 BST on Sunday. Specialists from the UK attended the property and deemed it to be safe after an assessment, allowing residents to return home in the early hours. Supt Danny Rotchell from the Isle of Man Constabulary said the investigation was "ongoing" but confirmed there was "no wider threat to the public at this time". 'Disruption' He confirmed "two people have been arrested and are currently assisting with our investigation" and the property would remain cordoned off, with a visible police presence in the area. The constabulary also confirmed an address in Port St Mary was also investigated as part of the operation. In a statement on Sunday evening, police said they had "cause to cordon off a scene at a property in Pairk Beg, Port Erin due to suspicious items located within the property". A rest centre was created at a nearby Methodist church building and anyone who had been displaced was encouraged to report there for further support. On Facebook, Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood described the support drafted in as a "bomb squad". Once the police and UK specialists had established there was "no longer an existing threat to the residents in the vicinity", those affected were told it was safe to return home. Supt Rotchell added he was "grateful to those affected for their patience and understanding given the disruption caused". Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X? You can also send story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk Related internet links (Bloomberg) -- A German political activist was denied entry to Hong Kong from mainland China, a rare case where immigration policy appeared more restrictive in the once-freewheeling finance hub than the rest of the country. Most Read from Bloomberg David Missal, a Berlin-based advocate on Hong Kong and Tibetan issues, was traveling from Beijing to the former British colony for a vacation when authorities at the airport stopped him and questioned him for about 13 hours, he said on Monday. Missal co-founded a nonprofit group advocating for a free and democratic Hong Kong and currently works for the Tibet Initiative Deutschland, which campaigns for the self-determination of the Chinese region. Beijing has linked such advocacy to calls for secession. The refusal came months after Hong Kong blocked a Reporters Without Borders representative from entering to monitor the trial of former media mogul Jimmy Lai, who has been accused of endangering national security. In both cases, authorities didnt explain their decisions. The denial of entry to people linked to human rights groups has fueled criticism from Western governments over shrinking freedoms that has long set the city apart from the mainland. The US last week issued an advisory warning that businesses operating in Hong Kong could fall afoul of new national security legislation, in an announcement that the citys government rejected as misleading and untruthful. A spokesperson for the Immigration Department said it does not comment on individual cases, adding that it acts in accordance with the laws and policies in handling each immigration case. Before his trip to Hong Kong, Missal said he entered China for vacation under a visa-free policy. Missal, a masters graduate at the University of Hong Kong, said he landed in Hong Kong late Saturday night and was questioned in a windowless room from around midnight until after noon. He was unable to sleep and called the experience a bit emotionally distressing. Officers asked Missal about his work, what he planned to do in Hong Kong, his past studies in the city and in China. They also asked about his expulsion from the mainland. In 2018, authorities refused to renew Missals student visa after he submitted a project on human rights during his masters program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Missal said. The Hong Kong authorities only cited immigration reasons for refusing entry before allowing him to fly to Vietnam, Missal said. He said it could be related to his work at the Tibet Initiative, his earlier expulsion from China or his previous activism related to Hong Kong. Missal said officers didnt remove his phone and he contacted the German consulate in Hong Kong for advice about six hours into his questioning. They were very emotionally supportive, he said, though they were unable to influence the decision of the immigration authorities. The German consulate in Hong Kong didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The House Democrats on the Foreign Affairs Committee released their own memo on President Biden's chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan after committee Republicans released a report criticizing the president for what went down at the time. Texas Rep. Mike McCaul, the Republican chair of the committee, released a GOP-led report disputing Biden's claims that his hands were tied to the agreement former President Trump had made with the Taliban establishing a deadline for U.S. withdrawal for the summer of 2021. It also said State Department officials had no plan for helping Americans and allies out while there were still troops in the region to protect them. McCaul's report also noted the failure to adequately respond to terror threats ahead of the ISIS-K bombing at Abbey Gate at the Kabul airport that killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 150 Afghan civilians, and that the Taliban likely had access after the withdrawal to $7 billion in abandoned U.S. weapons and up to $57 million in U.S. funds that were initially given to the Afghan government. But New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the Democrat ranking member of the committee, released a dueling report in response to the GOP-led report, accusing Republicans of criticizing the Biden administration for the withdrawal for political purposes and failing to offer feasible alternatives. HOUSE GOP RELEASES SCATHING REPORT ON BIDEN'S WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN A U.S. Marine grabs an infant over a fence of barbed wire during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Aug. 19, 2021. Meeks also said Republicans did not involve Democrat members in their report and stressed that plans for withdrawing from Afghanistan began under the Trump administration. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP He said in the memo's summary that Republicans sought to avoid facts involving Trump, including "his committing the United States to a full, date-specific withdrawal in a deal he negotiated with the Taliban that excluded the Afghan government or any reference to the rights of Afghan women and girls." The ranking member also knocked Trump's "unilateral announcements to withdraw troops, often a surprise to many of his own senior officials, which undercut U.S. leverage because those announcements were divorced from Taliban compliance with the deal; and his forcing the Afghan government to release 5,000 Taliban fighters back to the battlefield before a final Taliban offensive ultimately took Kabul." "When former President Trump took office, there were approximately 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan," Meeks wrote. "Days before leaving office, the former President ordered a further reduction to 2,500. President Trump initiated a withdrawal that was irreversible without sending significantly more American troops to Afghanistan to face renewed combat with the Taliban." "All witnesses who testified on this issue agreed that the United States would have faced renewed combat with the Taliban had we not continued the withdrawal," he added. "Rather than send more Americans to fight a war in Afghanistan, President Biden decided to end it." Addressing the Abbey Gate bombing. Meeks said Republicans "knew for months that the attack was not preventable and that, even though a witness told our Committee he thought he had the ISIS-K bomber in his sights, he did not." Republicans, Meeks said, made partisan attempts to garner headlines rather than acknowledge the full facts and substance of their investigation during the height of the election cycle. He also said Republicans attempted to tie Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democrats' presidential nominee, to the withdrawal even though she is referenced only three times in 3,288 pages of the committee's interview transcripts. HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBPOENAS BLINKEN OVER AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL "American taxpayers have funded this Committees oversight, and the American people deserve the truth," Meeks said. "We owe it to them to highlight the facts elicited in this investigation without undue spin and with respect for the seriousness of the subject and the witnesses who have voluntarily testified to us about it." "It strikes me now as it did during that hearing that many of those critical of the withdrawal effort simply have a fundamental objection to President Biden fulfilling his pledge to be the last Commander-in-Chief to preside over the war in Afghanistan," he added. "They are masking their displeasure with criticisms but have failed to offer feasible alternatives. We must continue to wrestle with these matters not to rewrite the past or assign partisan blame, but to identify lessons that can help us better fight and end wars in the future." Original article source: House Dems issue response to GOP report on Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan A sign in support of incumbent Democratic Rep. Charlene Lima is seen on Walnut Grove Avenue in Cranston. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Three-decade Rep. Charlene Lima, among the more conservative Democrats in the State House, will face off against progressive challenger Giona Picheco for the second time. Picheco first challenged Lima for the seat spanning parts of Cranston and Providence in 2022, but lost by a 20-percentage-point margin. Rhode Island Current reached out to the candidates with a questionnaire. Lima did not provide answers despite repeated inquiries. Key Events 4 weeks ago U.S. Navy veteran Giona Picheco wants an assault weapons ban 4 weeks ago U.S. Navy veteran Giona Picheco wants an assault weapons ban Name: Giona Picheco Party: Democrat Race: House District 14 Age: 35 Residence: Cranston Job: Sociology teacher Years lived in Rhode Island: 6 Political bio: Ran for State Representative of District 14 in 2022 What are your top three legislative priorities if elected? My background informs what my legislative priorities would be: improving education, increasing access to healthcare, and making housing more affordable and stable. Access to quality education changed my life, but I couldnt afford it initially. Joining the U.S. Navy, in addition to serving our country, helped me cover the costs of pursuing a college degree. I want every single person to have that chance, so lets keep investing in our schools and public colleges and universities and lets make sure the millionaires, not struggling Rhode Islanders, carry the bulk of that weight. I also know firsthand how much quality and accessible healthcare matters, and I hear it from neighbors every day when Im out talking to voters, especially for seniors and veterans. As a veteran myself, I know how much those services matter. We have to improve our staffing for veterans support programs, and we have to hold accountable these corporate nursing homes that make huge profits by understaffing our nursing homes and putting residents in danger. I know all too well how rent increases, rising costs of living, and low wages can make it difficult to maintain a stable home and I want to see more action taken to address the housing crisis we are facing by creating more affordable housing, capping rent increases, and enforcing fair protections for tenants. Do you support a millionaires tax in Rhode Island? Please explain. Ive consistently pushed to tax the rich in Rhode Island and to reduce the burden on the working and middle class folks, including advocating for change by testifying and rallying at the State House. Governing is about making choices deciding who benefits and who loses out. When Rhode Island cut taxes on the wealthy in 2006 and 2010, leaders promised prosperity would trickle down. Instead, the rich hoarded their savings, while the state lost hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. This led to harmful budget cuts: DCYF staffing was slashed, resulting in tragic outcomes for children; our infrastructure (like the Washington Bridge) deteriorated; and pensions that hardworking Rhode Islanders were promised were cut. Decisions have consequences, and we need leaders who prioritize the well-being of all constituents, not just the wealthiest. If elected to the State House, I will fight for a fair tax system where those earning over $1 million contribute their fair share. Polls show that over 70% of Rhode Islanders agree: we should add a tax bracket that pushes for the wealthiest in our state to give back. Making sure the richest, and not the middle class, carry that burden is a great way to invest in our shared future. Should Rhode Island have an assault weapons ban? Why, or why not? Yes. I am a veteran. I know firsthand that assault weapons are not toys they are dangerous. I have been clear about the need for an assault weapons ban in Rhode Island. I have gone to the State House repeatedly to testify and to rally on this issue. Our childrens lives are at stake. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Last updated: 5:52 pm Texas Rep. Mike McCaul, the Republican chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a scathing report that took a fine-toothed comb to the military's botched 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal and highlighted areas of serious mismanagement. The Republican-led report opens by harkening back to President Joe Bidens urgency to withdraw from the Vietnam War as a senator in the 1970s. That, along with the Afghanistan withdrawal, demonstrates a "pattern of callous foreign policy positions and readiness to abandon strategic partners," according to the report. The report also disputed Biden's assertion that his hands were tied to the Doha agreement former President Trump had made with the Taliban establishing a deadline for U.S. withdrawal for the summer of 2021, and it revealed how state officials had no plan for getting Americans and allies out while there were still troops there to protect them. A U.S. Marine grabs an infant over a fence of barbed wire during an evacuation at then-Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Aug. 19, 2021. Here's a roundup of the findings of the more than 350-page report, comprised of tens of thousands of pages of documents and interviews with high-level officials that spanned much of the last two years: The report found that Biden and Vice President Harris were advised by top leaders that the Taliban were already in violation of the conditions of the Doha agreement and, therefore, the U.S. was not obligated to leave. HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBPOENAS BLINKEN OVER AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The committee also found NATO allies had expressed their vehement opposition to the U.S. decision to withdraw. The British Chief of the Defense staff warned that "withdrawal under these circumstances would be perceived as a strategic victory for the Taliban." Biden kept on Zalmay Khalilzad, a Trump appointee who negotiated the agreement, as special representative to Afghanistan a signal that the new administration endorsed the deal. At the Talibans demand, Khalilzad had shut out the Afghan government from the talks a major blow to President Ashraf Ghanis government. When Trump left office, some 2,500 U.S. troops remained in Afghanistan. Biden himself was determined to draw that number to zero no matter what, according to Col. Seth Krummrich, chief of staff for Special Operations Command, who told the committee, "The president decided were going to leave, and hes not listening to anybody." Then-State Dept. spokesperson Ned Price admitted in testimony the Doha agreement was "immaterial" to Bidens decision to withdraw. The report also details numerous warning signs the State Department received to draw down its embassy footprint as it became clear Afghanistan would quickly fall to the Taliban. It refused to do so. At the time of the withdrawal, it was one of the largest embassies in the world. In the end, Americans and U.S. allies were left stranded as the military was ordered to withdraw before the embassy had shuttered. In one meeting, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian McKeon rejected military officials warnings, saying "we at the State Department have a much higher risk tolerance than you guys." Gen. Austin Miler, the longest-serving commander in Afghanistan, confirmed McKeons comments and explained that the State Department did not have a higher risk tolerance but instead exhibited "a lack of understanding of the risk" in Afghanistan. Asked why McKeon would make such statements, the officer explained, "The State Department and the president were saying it. Consequently, [Wilson] and others start saying it, thinking that they will make it work." The report lays blame on former Afghanistan Ambassador Ross Wilson, who instead of shrinking, grew the embassys presence as the security situation deteriorated. Revealing little sense of urgency, Wilson was on a two-week vacation on the last week of July and the first week of August 2021. An NEO, a noncombatant evacuation operation to get personnel out, was not ordered until Aug. 15 as the Taliban marched into Kabul. There werent enough troops present to begin the NEO until Aug. 19, and the first public message from the embassy in Kabul urging Americans to evacuate wasnt sent until Aug. 7. And while there weren't enough military planes to handle the evacuations, it took the Transportation Department until Aug. 20 to allow foreign planes to assist. Wilson fled the embassy ahead of his entire embassy staff, the report found. He reportedly had COVID-19 at the time but got a foreign service officer to take his test for him so that he could flee the country. Acting Under Secretary Carol Perez told the committee the embassys evacuation plan was "still in the works" when the Taliban took over, despite months of warning. Wilson testified that he was "comfortable" with holding off on the NEO until Aug. 15, while Gen. Frank McKenzie described it as the "fatal flaw that created what happened in August." As the Taliban surrounded Kabul on Aug. 14, notes obtained by the committee from a National Security Counsel (NSC) meeting reveal the U.S. government still had not determined who would be eligible for evacuation nor had they identified third countries to serve as transit points for an evacuation. Fewer cases for special immigrant visas (SIVs) to evacuate Afghan U.S. military allies like interpreters were processed in June, July and August the lead-up to the takeover than the four months prior. When the last U.S. military flight departed Kabul, around 1,000 Americans were left on the ground, as were more than 90% of SIV-eligible Afghans. The report found that local embassy employees had been de-prioritized for evacuation, with many turned away from the embassy and airport in tears. On the day of the Taliban takeover, the U.S. only guidance for those who might be eligible for evacuation was to "not travel to the airport until you have been informed by email that departure options exist." And since the NSC did not send over guidelines for who was eligible for evacuation and who to prioritize because they were "at risk," the State Department processed thousands of evacuees with no documentation. The U.S. government had "no idea if people being evacuated were threats," one State Department employee told the committee. After the final troops left Afghanistan, volunteer groups helped at least 314 American citizens and 266 lawful permanent residents evacuate the country. And as the Taliban whipped groups of desperate Afghans at the airport, burned young women and executed civilians, U.S. troops were forbidden from intervening. Consul General Jim DeHart described the scene as "apocalyptic." U.S. intelligence, meanwhile, was tracking multiple threat streams, including "a potential VBIED or suicide vest IED as part of a complex attack," by Aug. 23. By Aug. 26, the threat was specifically narrowed down to Abbey Gate. It was so serious that diplomatic security pulled back state employees from the gate. Brig. Gen. Farrell Sullivan ultimately decided to keep the gate open in the face of the threats due to requests made by the Brits. AFGHAN GENERAL SAYS HIS COUNTRY HAS ONCE AGAIN BECOME CRUCIBLE OF TERRORISM And on Aug. 26, two bombs planted by terror group ISIS-K exploded at the airport, killing 13 U.S. service members and more than 150 Afghans. CENTCOM records revealed the same ISIS-K terror cell that conducted the Abbey Gate attack "established a base of operations located six kilometers to the west" of the airport in a neighborhood previously used by them as a staging area for an attack on the airport in December 2020. But the U.S. did not strike this cell before the bombing. Two weeks later, an airstrike intending to kill those behind the ISIS-K instead killed 10 civilians. The administration initially touted the strike as a success of over-the-horizon capabilities before acknowledging a family of civilians had been killed. The U.S. has not struck ISIS-K in Afghanistan since in stark contrast to the 313 operations carried out by CENTCOM against ISIS in Iraq and Syria in 2022. In addition to the $7 billion in abandoned U.S. weapons, the Taliban likely gained access to up to $57 million in U.S. funds that were initially given to the Afghan government. The Talibans interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, proclaimed in February 2024 that relations with the rest of the world, especially the U.S., are "irrelevant" to its policymaking. A NATO report written by the Defence Education Enhancement Programme found the Taliban was using U.S. military biometric devices and databases to hunt down U.S. Afghan allies. And in the first six months of Taliban power, "nearly 500 former government officials and members of the Afghan security forces were killed or forcibly disappeared," according to the report. Some 118 girls have been sold as child brides since the takeover and 116 families are waiting for a buyer. Women are now banned from speaking or showing their faces in public. In June 2024, the Department of Homeland Security identified more than 400 persons of interest from Central Asia who had illegally crossed the U.S. southern border with the help of an ISIS-related smuggling network. The U.S. has since arrested more than 150 of these individuals. On June 11, 2024, the FBI arrested eight people with ties to ISIS-K who had crossed through the southern border. State Department spokesman Matt Miller released a statement regarding the report saying, "The President acted in the best interests of the American people when he ended Americas longest war. This decision ensured another generation of Americans would not fight and die in Afghanistan, while putting the United States in a stronger position to face challenges to national security and international stability. It remains deeply disappointing that House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans used this process to politicize Afghanistan policy instead of working on legislative solutions to strengthen our country. They have done a disservice by relying on false information and presenting inaccurate narratives meant only to harm the Administration, instead of seeking to actually inform Americans on how our longest war came to an end. The State Department remains immensely proud of its workforce who put themselves forward in the waning days of our presence in Afghanistan to evacuate both Americans and the brave Afghans who stood by over sides for more than two decades." Original article source: House GOP releases scathing report on Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan DHAKA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from an explosion and fire at a ship-breaking yard in Bangladesh has risen to two, an official said Monday. At least 12 people were wounded on Saturday after a blast sparked a fire at a ship-breaking factory in Sitakunda on the outskirts of Bangladesh's southeastern Chattogram seaport city. Tariqul Islam, a resident physician of a hospital in Dhaka, told journalists Monday that one of the explosion victims died early Monday while receiving treatment with 80 percent burns at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He said another victim died a day earlier. Bangladesh's Ministry of Industries has formed a committee to investigate the incident while operations at the ship-breaking yard have been suspended until further notice. Bangladesh's Sitakunda sea beaches have emerged as one of the world's largest ship-breaking yards, with many European shipping companies sending their end-of-life ships for scrap in dangerous and polluting yards in the country. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) House Republicans released a new report on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The 18-month investigation blames the Biden administration for the chaos and downplays the role of former President Donald Trump, who signed the withdrawal deal with the Taliban. Its not the decision to withdraw. Its how you withdraw, said U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), who led the probe. They were willing to put the optics of the situation above the harsh reality on the ground, which was extremely dangerous. McCaul said U.S. law requires the State Department to initiate an evacuation plan and accuses officials of acting too late. The State Department was not recognizing the threat level on the ground and the speed with which the Taliban was taking over, he said. McCaul said the suicide bombing at the airport then happened, which killed 13 U.S. servicemembers and 169 Afghans. They couldnt put the necessary precautions in place, he said. The State Department continues to defend its actions and President Joe Bidens choice to end the countrys longest war. We are stronger today because of this decision, said Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson at the State Department. Patel accuses House Republicans of trying to score political points. The majority chose to seek scandal over substance, he said. McCaul pushed back on that, arguing his work will continue after the November election. Several independent reviews of the withdrawal have already determined systemic failures spanning the last four presidential administrations, most significantly under Trump and Biden. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) plans to host a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony Tuesday to honor the 13 servicemembers killed in the suicide bombing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has attached a bill aimed at keeping non-citizens from voting in federal elections to a must-pass government funding bill set for a vote this week. Its already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections, but Republicans want to amplify former president Donald Trumps lies that Democrats are using illegal voters to steal the 2024 election from him. Johnson has been stoking voter fraud fears for months, insinuating in press conferences and news articles, without evidence, that millions of undocumented immigrants will steal the election from Trump. The threat is very real, Johnson wrote last month in an opinion piece for Fox News, noting that noncitizens can walk into their local department of motor vehicles and fill out a registration form. That noncitizen can then cast a ballot and help decide the direction of America. Available evidence suggests noncitizens generally dont cast ballots, partly because voter registration forms warn its a crime to do so. When Trump created a commission to investigate his own claims that as many as 5 million illegal ballots were cast in the 2016 election, investigators failed to find the fraud and the commission disbanded. Trump didnt have any luck substantiating fraud claims from 2020 either, though he said on his website over the weekend that when he wins in November, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. According to the National Task Force on Election Crises, which calls itself a cross-partisan group of election, cybersecurity, voting rights and emergency response experts, states already have methods in place, like checks of Social Security, department of motor vehicle and other databases, to prevent undocumented immigrants from registering and voting. The number of noncitizens who have been proven to have registered to vote in federal elections in the United States is minisculeand the number of noncitizens who have attempted to vote is an even smaller fraction of that number, the group said on Aug. 29. This week, the House will likely vote on a continuing resolution to fund government operations with a Republican bill that among other things would require states to get proof of citizenship before they register people to vote. Members of the House Freedom Caucus, a hardline group of conservative and libertarian Republicans in the House, had lobbied for tying the citizen voter bill to the must-pass legislation during Congress summer break. This will be a test to see if Congress believes in preserving FREE and FAIR elections. This is THE HILL TO DIE ON, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) posted on social media Friday. Trump, for his part, said Republicans should shut down the government in a heartbeat if the funding measure doesnt include the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, the Republican election bill. Trumps lies about the outcome of the 2020 election, which he lost but claimed was subject to widespread fraud, motivated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by his supporters. While the prospect of a deadlock over the citizen voter issue could delay the bill to keep the government open after Sept. 30, in reality it is unlikely to block it. During his term, Trump urged Republicans on Capitol Hill to shut the government down several times only to cave before it actually came to that. Both parties would see a shutdown so close to the November presidential election as such an unpredictable political wild card it should be avoided. If a shutdown did occur, it would be the latest in an election year since 1990, when there was a three-day shutdown that ended Oct. 9, according to Congressional Research Service data. The House Rules Committee on Monday will meet to consider the guidelines for floor debate on the bill and what, if any, amendments to it may be voted on by House members. Democrats will oppose the election fraud gambit. We will not let poison pills or Republican extremism put funding for critical programs at risk, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Sunday in an open letter to his Democratic colleagues. The White House said Monday President Joe Biden would veto the bill if it somehow made it to Bidens desk. This legislation is unnecessary, the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a formal statement. It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in Federal elections it is a Federal crime punishable by prison and fines. Some hardline conservatives wont support the funding bill, either. I dont care which bright shiny object is attached to it, or which fake fight we start and wont finish, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said Sunday on social media. Congress is spending our country into oblivion, and this bill doesnt cut spending. In his op-ed last month, Johnson referred to a 2014 study that he said suggested 6.4% of noncitizens in the U.S. had voted in the general election in 2008. The paper has been controversial; its own lead author once lamented that there has been a tendency to misread our results as proof of massive voter fraud, which we dont think they are. In May, Johnson essentially admitted theres no proof of widespread noncitizen voting, saying he knows intuitively its happening even though its not been something that is easily provable. Hundreds of NC defense attorneys waited months for pay in 2016. It could happen again. Attorney Tonza Ruffin has litigated criminal defense cases for 24 years, often serving indigent clients who cant afford to hire their own lawyer. In June 2016, North Carolinas Indigent Defense Services Office ran out of money to pay Ruffin then a private attorney and hundreds like her who were taking court-appointed cases. The state had to eventually pay them using money from the following years budget. Ruffin said she doesnt remember that specific pay freeze because, at the time, billing issues often delayed her getting paid. Still, pay freezes have hurt the indigent defense field, she said. Attorneys cant survive with nothing, said Ruffin, now chief public defender for Bertie, Halifax, Hertford and Northampton counties. What we find is that private appointed counsel gets frustrated, and they say, I cant do this. Eight years later, the IDS office faces a similar funding cliff. It predicts a roughly $39 million budget shortfall later this fiscal year in its private assigned counsel (PAC) fund, according to Aug. 9 IDS commission meeting documents. Thats based on an expected $108 million in expenditures in fiscal 2025 for court-appointed private attorneys, which follows a steady increase in PAC spending since 2021. On its current trajectory, the PAC fund could run out of money by April or May, IDS executive director Mary Pollard said. In that scenario, the statewide agency wouldnt be able to pay private counsel until it receives more money in July. Im afraid that if we do have a shortfall in the spring and were unable to make payments, that were going to lose the few remaining lawyers we have who are willing to do the work, Pollard said. Is a budget rescue likely? The current projected shortfall is a worst-case scenario, said Pollard, whos hopeful the legislature will provide more money before the fund runs out. While the state House passed a budget adjustment in the last legislative session that would have included more money for IDS, disagreements with the Senate meant no final bill cleared both chambers. State Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham Democrat and former judge, said its possible the legislature could fund IDS more in the case of an emergency. But State Rep. Ted Davis, a Wilmington Republican and co-chair of the Justice and Public Safety Appropriations committee, said he hasnt heard of a projected IDS shortfall. No need to talk about it until I know that a potential problem actually exists, Davis wrote The News & Observer in response to an interview request. Republican State Reps. Dudley Greene, Charles Miller and Carson Smith, the other Justice and Public Safety Appropriations co-chairs, did not respond to The N&Os emails or phone calls about IDS funding. Morey, who sits on the committee, also hasnt heard legislators talk about providing more money. Its not discretionary; its mandatory, Morey said, referencing defendants constitutional right to legal representation. We need to foot the bill. Delayed indigent representation Across North Carolinas public defender districts, 48% of defendants received court-appointed private lawyers for criminal cases in fiscal year 2024. Public defenders served about 19% of defendants, and about 21% hired private counsel, according to state judicial branch data. Defendants generally must be accused of offenses that could result in heavy fines or imprisonment and have low incomes to qualify for indigent representation. Judges ultimately decide if they get a court-appointed lawyer case by case. If PAC funding dries up in the spring, private attorneys could choose to stop taking indigent cases further straining the states overworked public defense system, Wake County Public Defender Deonte Thomas said. That could lead to defendants waiting longer to obtain legal representation, he added. Delayed justice is an injustice, Thomas said. And we need to take care of people who dont have the means to take care of themselves. Delayed representation often changes case outcomes, Ruffin said. Having to wait in jail or post bail is so disruptive to defendants daily lives they sometimes take pleas despite their innocence, she added. Thats really prevalent in communities where there are a lot of indigent people being dealt with in the court system, Ruffin said. Long-term shortage A 2025 PAC funding freeze could exacerbate a steady decline in the number of private attorneys willing to take indigent cases, Pollard said. From July 2017 to June 2023, North Carolina lost 586 PAC lawyers. According to the most recent data from 2023, there are about 1,760 left. Thats in addition to the states imbalanced distribution of defense attorneys. Almost half of North Carolinas counties are legal deserts, with less than one attorney per 1,000 residents, the state court system reported last year. Pay is one of the biggest reasons North Carolina is losing private attorneys from its indigent defense rosters, Ruffin said. PAC attorneys receive $65 an hour for most district court cases and $85 an hour for most superior court ones less than many rates in 2011. Non-indigent defense rates vary, Durham private attorney Dan Meier said, but they are almost always higher than indigent ones. On average, misdemeanors can cost clients $100-$700 per hour, and low level felonies can cost $300-$1,100 per hour, he said. PAC rates arent just personal wages, either. The money helps pay for rent, support staff, office supplies and other business expenses. Ruffin said she often had to set her salary aside to keep her law practice running. I had to make sure the lights stayed on (and) my assistant got paid, she said. Combined with payment delays from administrative hiccups, the cost burden of PAC work has pushed many lawyers off of court-appointment lists, said Dawn Tutterow, a PAC attorney in Lincoln County. I have friends in other counties who came off the list entirely and moved, Tutterow said. They honestly couldnt afford to keep doing it. Lydia Hoza, chief public defender in Lincoln and Cleveland counties, said shes noticed a cultural shift as well. A lack of mentorship by older attorneys means court appointed work isnt as much of an obligation for young lawyers, she said. And Tiqeece Brown, a private attorney at Trapp Law, said court appointed work isnt the only way to help lower-income defendants. His firm sometimes serves indigent defendants who receive money from family and friends to hire private counsel. The benefit of taking cases as a private lawyer, he said, is a more manageable caseload. Brown, who finished law school in 2023, said young lawyers tend to view PAC work as transitional. They do get on court-appointed lists to get their feet wet, get that exposure and also to try to build a name for themselves, he said. But for Tutterow, who has done PAC work for 10 years, defending indigent clients is still enjoyable and important. I wish more attorneys would give up their time to do it, she said. Expanding public defenders Reductions in a pandemic-era case backlog and an increased volume of electronic evidence, including camera footage, are likely contributing to an increased demand for defense lawyers, Pollard said. Hopefully, new public defenders offices can help, several attorneys said. Hozas office opened in February 2022, and by April, her team was taking cases. Within a year, it was fully staffed. You have to hit the ground running, Hoza said. You have a local (defense) bar thats just out of gas. Eight new public defenders offices opened in North Carolina this year. In total, 60 of the states counties now have public defenders. While Pollard hopes the pressures on PAC resources will subside, she said shes uncertain what the new normal will look like. And even a month or two of not paying private attorneys for court appointed work would be tough for defenders, defendants, prosecutors and victims alike, Ruffin said. Every county still needs private attorneys that are willing to represent (indigent) people, Ruffin said. The thought of not having attorneys I could rely on to assist with cases it would be tragic. 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 Palestinian security forces carry the body of slain Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi during a funeral procession in Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank (Jaafar ASHTIYEH) (Jaafar ASHTIYEH/AFP/AFP) Hundreds of mourners gathered Monday in Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, to pay respects to a US-Turkish activist killed while protesting Israeli settlements in a nearby town. The body of the 26-year-old activist, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, was wrapped in a Palestinian flag, with her head covered by a keffiyeh, a traditional scarf symbolising the Palestinian struggle against Israel. Palestinian security forces carried her body through the streets of Nablus, accompanied by the sound of Palestinian bagpipes before a wreath was placed over her remains as a trumpet sounded. "Palestine will always remember and honour your sacrifice, Aysenur," said a hand-lettered sign one man carried near the front of the procession, which began at Nablus's Rafidia hospital. The UN rights office said Israeli forces killed Eygi with a "shot in the head". The mayor of Beita and the Palestinian news agency Wafa also reported that Israeli soldiers killed her. The Israeli army acknowledged it had opened fire in the Beita area and said it was "looking into reports that a foreign national was killed as a result of shots fired". The United Nations said Eygi had been taking part in a "peaceful anti-settlement protest" in Beita, the scene of weekly demonstrations. Turkey condemned her killing, while the United States called it "tragic" and pressed its ally Israel to investigate. "We have urged a swift, thorough and transparent investigation, and are urgently working to get more information" about the circumstances of her death, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said on Monday. - 'Honoured' - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara would do everything possible to ensure "that Aysenur Ezgi's death does not go unpunished". "We will continue our fight against Israel at the highest level by taking it to the (International) Court of Justice," he said. Maryam Dag, who attended the memorial, said the mourners want accountability but "we have no trust in the Israeli government nor in Western authorities". The commemoration for Eygi was postponed from Sunday, due to a dispute between the United States and Turkey over "details such as the burial location and the route her body would take", said Mahmud al-Aloul, a senior official of Fatah, which dominates the Palestinian Authority that has limited administrative powers in the West Bank. Aloul said that "Palestine would be honoured for the martyr to be buried here". Since Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel which triggered war in Gaza, Israeli troops or settlers have killed more than 662 Palestinians in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry. At least 23 Israelis, including security forces, have been killed in Palestinian attacks during the same period, according to Israeli officials. Israeli settlements, where about 490,000 people live in the West Bank, are illegal under international law. lba/dv/it/jsa Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno held talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as Budapest eyes sending 200 soldiers to the Sahel state (VIVIEN CHER BENKO) (VIVIEN CHER BENKO/Hungarian Prime Minister's press office/AFP) Hungary has bucked a trend by Western nations to withdraw from the Sahel region of Africa where Russia has increased its presence, and plans to deploy soldiers to Chad, whose leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno is in Budapest for talks. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met Deby Itno over the weekend and further talks were underway on Monday, though no details have been released. Chad is key for helping to stem irregular migration, according to Hungary's nationalist premier, who aims to establish a partnership with the central African country. One of the world's poorest nations, it is also considered vital in the fight to stop the march of jihadists through the Sahel region. Over the past year, Budapest has rapidly developed ties with N'Djamena, opening a humanitarian aid centre and diplomatic mission in the capital, as well as signing agreements on agriculture and education. In an unprecedented move, the government now plans a 200-member military mission to train local forces and fight terrorism as part of efforts to stabilise Chad. - 'Test' mission - Hungary does not have a strong historical presence in Africa, but Orban has championed a foreign policy of opening up to the East and South, seeking closer ties with China, Russia and African countries. Budapest has for years also sought a bigger military role in the Sahel to train its own defence forces, said Viktor Marsai, director of the Migration Research Institute. Since the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan ended in 2021, there have been "no more operations where Hungarian soldiers could gain combat experience with a reasonable level of risk", he told AFP. Hungary announced it would join the French-led Takuba task force of EU special forces in Mali, but the anti-terror force ceased operations in 2022. Its plans in neighbouring Niger were also thwarted by a coup in July last year. A few months later, Hungarian lawmakers approved a new proposal to deploy 200 soldiers to Chad on a rotational basis. According to Marsai, Hungary has traditionally been "part of military coalitions" when deployed abroad, but this time it would need to "provide everything by itself". The planned mission represents a "major leap" compared to past operations, Marsai said, adding it would serve as "a test, whether the army is up to the task". - Russian mercenaries - Landlocked Chad is the last Sahel country to host French soldiers after Paris was forced to pull out of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in recent years. But sources told AFP in June that Paris was planning to cut back the number of its military personnel to around 300 in the country of 18 million inhabitants. Several countries in the region have turned to Russia and its Wagner mercenary group for support since military leaders seized power in recent years. Experts and opposition politicians in Hungary have voiced fears that Budapest -- which remains close to the Kremlin -- might act on Russia's behalf in the Sahel. Questioned about the mission, Hungary's government denied that it "represents Russian or any other foreign interests in the Sahel". - Opposition concerns - Despite its disagreements with Budapest, the European Union has "welcomed" Hungary's initiative in Chad. Amid the challenges the country faces domestically and in the region, "it is important for more international partners to work with Chad," an EU spokesperson told AFP. But at home, the military mission has drawn criticism, with opposition parties branding the deployment "dangerous and wasteful". The Hungarian government has also faced nepotism accusations after French newspaper Le Monde and Hungarian investigative site Direkt36 reported that the premier's only son Gaspar Orban had discreetly participated in official negotiations. Budapest dismissed the criticism, pointing to Gaspar Orban's "language skills" and expertise as a captain in the Hungarian army. He has since been appointed as a "liaison officer to help prepare the mission in Chad". A retired senior Hungarian army officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, expressed doubts about the mission, saying that 200 soldiers were unlikely to make a difference in such a large country. ros/anb/kym/kjm A Hungarian power company Mol Nyrt has signed an agreement which provides for an uninterrupted supply of Russian oil through a pipeline which goes through the territory of Ukraine. Source: Bloomberg Details: This news emerged after Ukraine had basically banned the Russian Lukoil company from using it as a transit country in response to the Russian invasion. According to the agreement, Mol, which controls oil refineries in Hungary and Slovakia, will take on oil supply at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border on 9 September. Earlier the Russian side was responsible for oil supply to the Hungarian and Slovakian borders with Ukraine. "The new arrangement provides a sustainable solution for crude oil transportation on the Druzhba pipeline," Mol Downstream Executive Vice President Gabriel Szabo said, referring to the pipeline that connects Russia and Hungary via Ukraine. He didnt specify which company or companies will deliver the supplies. Hungary and Slovakia are both landlocked nations that obtained temporary exemptions from European Union energy sanctions on Russia. Since Ukraine hardened sanctions on Lukoil in July, Hungary and Slovakia had been receiving crude oil via producers such as Tatneft PJSC. Support UP or become our patron! Hurricane Watch to be issued for Louisiana on Monday as Gulf system strengthens Hurricane Watch to be issued for Louisiana on Monday as Gulf system strengthens NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) Residents along the northern Gulf Coast should continue to keep a close eye on a developing system in the Gulf of Mexico that could soon strengthen into a tropical storm. Low Pressure System Nearly a Tropical Storm A low-pressure system over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico is continuing to generate a large area of showers and thunderstorms. Although the system lacks a well-defined center, satellite data shows it is producing winds between 40 and 45 miles per hour (mph) on its western side. National Hurricane Center forecasters say environmental conditions are favorable for further development, and a tropical storm is expected to form within the next day. The system is expected to move northwestward and then northward, potentially impacting the Gulf Coast of Mexico, as well as upper Texas and Louisiana, with additional strengthening possible later this week. Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches Expected Soon People along the Gulf Coast of Mexico, upper Texas, and Louisiana are being advised by the NHC to closely monitor the systems progress. Hurricane Watches and Tropical Storm Watches could be issued for parts of northeastern Mexico and southern Texas later today, with additional watches likely for Texas and Louisiana tonight or Monday. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is currently en route to investigate the system this afternoon. The disturbance has a high chance of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next 48 hours. Flooding Concerns Across South Louisiana Residents in the New Orleans area should be prepared for potential heavy rainfall and flooding concerns. Forecast confidence regarding the potential tropical system begins to decrease by Tuesday, but one thing is certain: a surge of tropical moisture will move into the area. With already saturated soils, locally heavy downpours of 2 to 3 inches per hour could quickly lead to flash flooding, particularly in areas along and south of the I-10 corridor. Rain chances will increase significantly by Tuesday into Tuesday night, with cooler temperatures expected. Areas south of I-10 may see highs only reaching the lower 80s, while more inland areas with less storm activity could see temperatures in the mid-80s. Looking ahead to Wednesday and Thursday, the forecast will heavily depend on the evolution of the tropical system. If the system intensifies, expect more widespread rain, with rainfall rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour in the heaviest bands. The already waterlogged region may experience more flooding, and breezy conditions with southerly winds of 15 to 20 mph could result in coastal flooding along south-facing shores. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi speaks during a press conference at the German Foreign Office. Wolfgang Kumm/dpa The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, says he wants to negotiate without making any threats in the nuclear dispute with Iran. Grossi would like to meet Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian before the US presidential election at the beginning of November, the IAEA Director General said during a press conference in Vienna on Monday. Tehran recently announced that Pezeshkian's was willing to meet the IAEA chief in Iran. Grossi has been trying for months to restart talks in order to persuade the Islamic Republic to cooperate with IAEA inspectors. Among other things, this involves unresolved questions about secret nuclear activities in the past. In June, the IAEA Board of Governors threatened to commission Grossi to produce a comprehensive report on unresolved issues relating to Iran's nuclear programme if Iran did not cooperate. "My approach is to try to solve issues now and not to have a perspective of punitive action at some point in the future," Grossi said on Thursday. He said he was "taking note" of the resolution, but was not currently planning such a report. Better cooperation between the IAEA and Iran could pave the way for the resumption of international negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme, Grossi said. During the recent Iranian presidential election campaign, Pezeshkian stated that he wanted to resume nuclear negotiations with the West to lift the international sanctions against his country. In 2018, then US President Donald Trump withdrew from an agreement that included severe restrictions on Iran's nuclear programme and sanctions relief. In return, Tehran began to produce almost weapons-grade uranium. Iran insists, however, that it is not seeking nuclear weapons. By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) - U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi hopes to hold talks with new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian by November on improving Iran's cooperation with his agency, he said on Monday. Several long-standing issues are dogging relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency, including Tehran's barring of uranium-enrichment experts on the inspection team and its failure for years to explain uranium traces found at undeclared sites. "He (Pezeshkian) agreed to meet with me at an appropriate juncture," Grossi said in a statement to a quarterly meeting of his agency's 35-nation Board of Governors, referring to an exchange after Pezeshkian's election in July. "I encourage Iran to facilitate such a meeting in the not-too-distant future so that we can establish a constructive dialogue that leads swiftly to real results," he said. With nuclear diplomacy largely stalled between the Iranian presidential election and the U.S. one on Nov. 5, Grossi said he wanted to make real progress soon. Asked at a news conference if his reference to the "not-too-distant future" meant before or after the U.S. election, Grossi said: "No, hopefully before that." IAEA board resolutions ordering Iran to cooperate urgently with the investigation into the uranium traces and calling on it to reverse its barring of inspectors have brought little change, and quarterly IAEA reports seen by Reuters on Aug. 29 showed no progress. Iran responded to the latest resolution in June by announcing an expansion of its enrichment capacity, installing more centrifuges, machines that enrich uranium, at its Natanz and Fordow sites. At its Fordow site dug into a mountain where it is enriching to up to 60% purity, close to the 90% of weapons grade, it installed two of the eight new cascades, or clusters, of advanced IR-6 centrifuges within days of informing the IAEA of its plan. Two weeks later, it had installed another two. By the end of the quarter, the latest IAEA reports showed Iran had completed installation of all eight new cascades but still not brought them online. At its larger underground site at Natanz, which is enriching to up to 5% purity, it had brought 15 new cascades of other advanced models online. "What we see is that there is some work, but nothing that indicates a rush to a fast implementation of a big increase in terms of enrichment production," Grossi said. Iran has stepped up nuclear work since 2019, after then-U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned an agreement reached under his predecessor Barack Obama under which Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear activities in return for the lifting of international sanctions. Western diplomats say there are plans for talks on fresh restrictions should Democrat Kamala Harris win the election. (Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Peter Graff) LIVINGSTON COUNTY A group of Livingston County elected officials participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge last week and raised over $7,600 for ALS research. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. There is no cure. The ice bucket challenge has been around for a decade. According to the ALS Association, it took off after three men living with ALS Anthony Senerchia, Pete Frates and Pat Quinn did the challenge and inspired more 17 million people to participate. From left to right: Livingston County officials Brandon Denby, Jennifer Nash, Mike Murphy, Elizabeth Hundley and Brian Jonckheere participate in the decade-anniversary of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The trend raised $115 million dollars, which was invested in ALS research and patient care. To mark the 10 year anniversary of the challenge, the association is bringing it back. County Clerk Elizabeth Hundley was asked to participate by local residents. She has personal experience with ALS in her family. From left to right: Livingston County officials Brandon Denby, Brian Jonckheere, Jennifer Nash, Elizabeth Hundley and Mike Murphy participate in the decade-anniversary of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. "ALS has impacted my family in ways that are hard to put into words, and I knew immediately that I wanted to be part of this effort to support research and help find a cure," Hundley wrote in a release Monday. Sheriff Mike Murphy, Treasurer Jennifer Nash, Drain Commissioner Brian Jonckheere and Register of Deeds Brandon Denby joined Hundley on Thursday, Sept. 5, outside the County Administration Building. The challenge was livestreamed by the Livingston County Sheriffs Office. Prosecutor David Reader was unable to attend, but helped raise funds. Livingston County Administrator Nathan Burd poured the buckets of ice water. Livingston County challenges other countywide elected officials to participate. "ALS doesnt care about politics or county lines, and finding a cure should be a priority for all of us," Murphy wrote in the release. "Lets raise the stakes, show our support across Michigan, and see how much money we can raise." Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage Those wishing to contribute can visit web.alsa.org/goto/livingstoncounty. Learn more at als.org/ibc. Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Livingston officials raise over $7.6K for ALS in Ice Bucket Challenge Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, China's top legislator, on Monday met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Beijing. Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Norway. China is willing to work with Norway to deepen strategic mutual trust; respect each other's development paths, core interests and major concerns; enhance communication and cooperation in areas such as low carbon initiatives, culture and tourism; and push forward the sound development of bilateral ties, he said. China's NPC is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Norwegian Parliament to provide a legal guarantee for pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, Zhao said. Noting that Norway adheres to the one-China policy, Store said the Norwegian side is willing to deepen practical cooperation with China in fields such as economy, trade and green transformation, and to work together to respond to global challenges. Norway stands ready to strengthen exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries, and promote the development of bilateral relations, Store said. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The community of the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns is celebrating the return of the hospitals stork statue after it underwent some repairs. The hospitals engineering team carefully helped re-install the 18-foot-tall symbol Monday morning on the top floor of the hospitals parking structure in Kearny Mesa. Alex Morgan says goodbye in front of over 26,000 at San Diego Wave game The historic stork was created for the Rose Parade in 1960 and was eventually moved to the hospital in 1992. It was brought down for improvements at the end of last month. When the stork came down, people were messaging us, Where is the stork? and so the engineering team knew it was up to them to give the stork a nice little facelift, and make sure its ready to go back up and stand tall for the next 20 years, said Lauren Cataudella, a hospital spokesperson. Did hot weather have anything to do with the chemical smell in North County? The stork is now once again visible from State Route 163 near Interstate 805, overlooking new parents and moms-to-be heading to the hospital. The hospital noted that the color of the bag the stork carries will often be changed depending on the holiday or awareness 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. TOPEKA (KSNT) Topeka has lost several old and interesting buildings over the years, some containing a lot of history, to different demolition or reconstruction efforts. 27 News gathered a list of demolition projects weve covered over the years involving buildings and other structures which used to make up part of the Capital City but have since been demolished partially or completely. Whether they were victims of the changing local economic climate or condemned to their fate, here is a list of notable Topeka buildings that have faded into memory. 911 North Kansas Avenue This building, located in the historic North Topeka Arts District (NOTO), experienced no shortage of controversy in the days leading up to its destruction. The building was purchased in 2016 after sitting empty for several years. Before any development could take place, the new owner received a notice the structure would be demolished in 30 days. The City of Topeka identified the NOTO building as a hazard that needed to be torn down following complaints of falling bricks from the structure. A video sent to 27 News of the demolition effort showed parts of the building fall onto a nearby car, damaging it. Found an arrowhead in Kansas? Archaeologist urges you to leave it alone The city pushed back demolition plans for years as it closed in on an official date to destroy the building. Work crews finally arrived to take the building down in April 2022 despite attempts to delay the process. Crews tear down the building at 911 North Kansas Avenue on April 18, 2022. (KSNT Photo/Autumn Denham) White Lakes Mall Few other buildings which have been demolished in recent years have as storied a history as the old White Lakes Mall in south Topeka. Locals said goodbye to the mall two years ago as demolition crews levelled the structure, leaving behind only one portion of the original building that houses Mainline Printing. 25 iconic Topeka stores weve said goodbye to over the years City officials officially gave the green light on the demolition of the mall in September 2021. In the years leading up to this decision, many saw the mall as an eyesore which suffered a large fire in December 2020. City leaders officially condemned the building around the same time. Demolition crews arrived to begin the long process of taking the mall down in March 2022, eventually splitting the building in half. Demolition efforts largely wrapped up by October 2022. Topekas White Lakes Mall as it stood April 5, 2022, after demolition efforts began earlier in the year. (KSNT Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Helzberg Diamonds AIM Strategies purchased the property for the former Helzberg Diamond at 735 South Kansas Avenue with plans to transform it into a high-end, three-story Mexican restaurant called Ta Co. City leaders approved demolition of the building to make way for Ta Co. in August 2022. Lottery player wins $25,000 a year for life in Kansas Since then, AIM Strategies completed construction on the new Mexican restaurant, which now takes the place of the former structure in Topekas downtown area. The Topeka City Council voted in favor of demolishing the building at 735 S. Kansas Ave. in favor of rooftop restaurant that is proposed for the location. (KSNT Photo) Wild Horse Saloon City leaders marked this country bar and nightclub for destruction following its closure in March 2023. Initially, the city cited issues like heater problems and a leaking roof as reasons for the place closing down. The business briefly reopened in 2023 for a few months amid renovation work but would eventually close for the last time before the end of the year. 27 News later learned the saloon was destined to become the site of a new Chick-Fil-A location and Whataburger. The Wild Horse Saloon was levelled in late 2023 amid efforts to put two new fast-food restaurants up in south Topeka. (KSNT Photo). Topeka Foundry & Iron Works Demolition began for the old Topeka Foundry & Iron Works building in September 2024 on Kansas Avenue near where it passes beneath I-70. The process is not total, meaning some parts of the original structure will remain after demolition is completed. What happened to these Kansas counties and why do they no longer exist? Future work on the Polk-Quincy Viaduct project made the partial demolition of this nearly 100-year-old building necessary. The old Topeka Foundry & Iron Works building starts to come down. (KSNT Photo) Docking State Office Building This more than 60-year-old building in the heart of Topeka at 915 Southwest Harrison Street was previously at the center of a long-running debate among state lawmakers for major renovation work. Plans for the building involved taking apart the upper floors, leaving behind the bottom three to be transformed into a more modern structure with work getting underway in 2023. Demolition of the old Docking Building moved forward despite protests from those who wished to preserve the state offices in their original state. Controversy erupted when a 27 News investigation found crews were dumping rubble from the building into the nearby Kansas River. This eventually led to a federal investigation into the situation. 1.2 million-pound steam locomotive Big Boy coming to Topeka, heres when Reconstruction efforts, headed by Hutton Construction, are completing work on the refurbished Docking Building, which is slated to open in the summer of 2025. It will feature an exhibition space, cafe, gym, health clinic and event center upon completion. Workers scale the side of the Docking State Office Building in downtown Topeka. The top floors are being removed in this photo amid an ongoing renovation effort. (KSNT Photo) Cousins Tavern This bar, which first opened in 1973, was demolished in October 2020 after sitting closed for nearly three years. 27 News covered the demolition of the bar, catching up with the family who previously ran the business at 1211 South Kansas Avenue. Work crews dismantle the old Cousins Tavern in Topeka. (KSNT Photo) For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Police want to ID thieves who filled pickup truck bed with roofing supplies DENVER (KDVR) Longmont police are hoping the public can help identify a pair of thieves who allegedly broke into a Longmont business on Sunday morning. According to Longmont Public Safety, the pair broke into a business in the 300 block of 1st Avenue at about 6:30 a.m. on Sunday. The area is bordered by railroads and is only a couple blocks from Longmonts police headquarters on Kimbark Street. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The thieves reportedly filled a pickup trucks bed with roofing materials before leaving. According to the agency, the pair were driving a red truck. The truck appears to be either rusted or losing its paint on the roof and tailgate. Longmont Public Safety provided images of thieves who took roofing materials from a business in the 300 block of 1st Avenue on Sunday, Sept. 8. Longmont Public Safety provided images of thieves who took roofing materials from a business in the 300 block of 1st Avenue on Sunday, Sept. 8. Longmont Public Safety provided images of thieves who took roofing materials from a business in the 300 block of 1st Avenue on Sunday, Sept. 8. Police are asking that anyone who can identify the pair or who has surveillance video of the truck in the area contact Longmont Officer Whittet at 303-774-4300, ext. 2440, or call the Longmont Emergency Communications Center at 305-651-8501 and reference report number 24-8386. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Idaho judge orders new venue in trial of 2022 murder of four university students A memorial at the University of Idaho for four students found dead in their residence in Moscow, Idaho, on 29 November 2022. A memorial at the University of Idaho for four students found dead in their residence in Moscow, Idaho, on 29 November 2022. Photograph: Lindsey Wasson/Reuters A judge in Idaho has ordered a new venue for the trial of a man charged with murdering four university students in a high-profile case two years ago, saying he believed the accused could not receive a fair trial in his courthouse. Attorneys for Bryan Kohberger had argued their client would be subjected to mob mentality, and cited alleged threats from local residents including that theyd burn the courthouse down if he was acquitted. The district court judge John C Judge granted their motion to move the trial, saying that statements by local officials suggesting that Kohberger was guilty of the November 2022 stabbings of the four at a rented house in Moscow, Idaho, could also be prejudicial. Additionally, he cited a survey of Latah county residents that said 67% of respondents believed he was guilty and 51% saying it would be hard for the defendant to convince them of his innocence. It is undisputed that there has been significant media coverage in this case throughout the state and nationally, Judge wrote in a 20-page order dated Friday, and released on Monday. While some of the coverage has been neutral reporting of the court proceedings, much of the coverage has been sensationalized and prejudicial to Kohberger. The Latah county courthouse, Judge added, was not big enough to accommodate a case of such magnitude, and the county sheriffs office did not have enough deputies to ensure its security. He did not specify where the trial, scheduled to begin in June 2025, would instead take place. Kohberger was arrested at his parents house in Pennsylvania six weeks after the deaths of Ethan Chapin, 20; Xana Kernodle, 20; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; and Madison Mogen, 21; all four students at the University of Idaho. The suspect is a former criminal justice student at Washington State University and faces life in prison if convicted. Kohbergers defense team argued at a hearing last month that much of the media coverage of the case was inflammatory and left the community strongly biased against their client. They suggested that Judge move the trial to the Idaho state capital of Boise, about 300 miles away in Ada county. Prosecutors countered that any perceived bias could easily be overcome by expanding the jury pool. This is probably, professionally, the most difficult decision I ever had to make, Judge said during the hearing, according to NBCs Today. Kohbergers lawyers said in court documents that a mob mentality had formed against their client in Latah county, and specifically in Moscow, a quiet university town where the victims were killed sometime in the early morning hours of 13 November 2022. Authorities said cellphone data or surveillance video showed that Kohberger visited the neighborhood at least a dozen times before the killings and that he traveled in the region that night. His DNA was found at the crime scene, prosecutors said. Kohbergers lawyers said in court filings he was merely out for a drive that night, as he often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars. The Associated Press contributed to this report Idaho man died in a tragic sand hole accident in California. His family asks for help The family of a Nampa resident is asking the community for support following his tragic death after a sand hole collapsed burying and killing him in California. Dustin Hanson died over the weekend after a sand avalanche buried him in a 6-foot hole that he had dug at Samoa Power Pole Beach in northern California on Wednesday, according to a GoFundMe news release. Hanson was digging the deep hole underneath a wooden log to create a sort of fort to watch the sunset when the sand collapsed and trapped him, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. When digging at a beach, experts recommend that people shouldnt go past 2 feet or the shortest persons knee height given the fact that sand can be unstable and heavy making it difficult to rescue someone if the hole collapses, according to Florida International University. Be very careful with sand at the beach its shifty, its unpredictable you really dont know what direction it can fall, Humboldt County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Megan Ruiz told a local blog in California regarding the accident. Hanson was trapped for several minutes before authorities were able to extract him using special equipment, according to the Chronicle. Hanson was in critical condition in a California hospital for several days before succumbing to his injuries. In a final act of kindness, Hanson donated his organs, according to the news release. Hansons partner was also trapped in the hole but she was able to escape and call for help, the release said. To cover the funeral costs and expenses to bring his remains back to Idaho his loved ones have created a GoFundMe fundraiser asking for donations. As of Monday afternoon, the page had raised a little over $3,000 of its $8,000 goal. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference, a family member said in the news release. The order, filed in Latah County Court on Sept. 6, did not specify where the criminal trial will take place Zach Wilkinson-Pool/Getty Bryan Kohberger The trial for University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger will no longer be held in the college town of Moscow where the killings took place in 2022, a judge has ruled. In an order filed in Latah County Court on Sept. 6 and reviewed by PEOPLE, Judge John C. Judge granted a change of venue motion previously filed by Kohbergers defense attorneys. Judge's grounds for holding the trial expected to start in June 2025 in another location included the close-knit community of Moscow and possibly prejudicial media coverage, according to the filing. Considering the undisputed evidence presented by the defense, the extreme nature of the news coverage in this case, and the smaller population in Latah County, the defense has met the rather low standard of demonstrating a reasonable likelihood that prejudicial news coverage will compromise a fair trial in Latah County, the judge wrote in the filing. Thus, the court will grant Kohbergers motion to change venue for presumed prejudice. Related: Idaho Murder Suspect: What We Know About Bryan Kohberger August Frank-Pool/Getty Bryan Kohberger Judge also said that the courthouse lacks enough clerks to manage the jury selection process and it does not have enough space for the prosecution and defense teams. He added that the Latah County Sheriffs Office does not have enough officers to ensure adequate security during the trial. The filing did not specify where the new trial will take place and said another judge will oversee the criminal trial. Judge referred the case to the administrative director of the courts, who will make the decision as to where the trial will be held. Kohberger has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of felony burglary in connection with the Nov. 13, 2022, stabbing deaths of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. Kohberger has pleaded not guilty. Two additional roommates in the home were unharmed and ruled out as suspects. Related: Idaho Murders Timeline: Everything to Know About the Case Courtesy of Chapin Family; Maddie Mogen/Instagram; Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram; Xana Kernodle/Instagram From left: Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle. At the time of the slayings, Kohberger was a Ph.D student at Washington State University studying criminal justice and criminology. The university, in Pullman, Wash., is approximately eight miles away from the residence in Moscow where the four students were killed. Kohberger was arrested in connection with the killings nearly seven weeks later while he was in Pennsylvania visiting family for the holidays. Investigators allege they tied him to the killings by using DNA evidence found on a knife sheath left at the scene in the bed where Mogen and Goncalves were found dead, according to a probable cause affidavit previously reviewed by PEOPLE. According to the affidavit, Kohberger's phone pinged 12 times in the area of the 1122 King Road home where the killings took place on at least twelve occasions prior to Nov. 13, 2022. David Ryder/Getty Images; Latah County Sheriff's Office/UPI/Shutterstock 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho and Bryan Kohberger. Kohbergers defense attorney claimed in a previous court filing that he was driving late at night "as he often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars," the filing reads. 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. It also states that Kohberger was an avid runner and hiker, but adds that his hiking and running decreased during the school year, but "his nighttime drives increased." That three-story off-campus house was demolished on Dec. 28, 2023. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Cattle who were separated from their calves stand in front of burnt hills near Emmett, Idaho. (Mia Maldonado / Idaho Capital Sun) Robert Oxarango, a former Boise hotshot crew member in the late 80s and 90s, is no stranger to wildfires, but facing them as a cattle rancher is a different challenge. This year, the Paddock Fire devastated the grass on his Emmett ranch, displacing 350 pairs of calves and their mothers he owns. The Paddock Fire, sparked by lightning on Aug. 18, burned nearly 190,000 acres north of Emmett over 12 days. At its peak, 348 personnel tackled the blaze with aircraft, dozers, and water tenders, according to the Bureau of Land Management Idaho Fire Program. The flames were taller than the trees, probably 30 feet tall, Oxarango told the Idaho Capital Sun. It was insanely hot. The fire jumped the road probably in three or four different places, spitting hot embers wherever it went. The severity of the fire forced Oxarango and his workers to take action. To find space for the displaced animals, they had to wean the 350 five-month-old calves off their mothers two months earlier than usual. Now, with the grass destroyed, the cows are being fed hay an economically unsustainable solution, Oxarango said. Lines of dirt cut across Oxarangos ranch, marking where dozers and discsagricultural tools used for plowing and breaking up the soilcreated dirt lines to prevent the spread of the wildfire. With limited grazing land, Oxarango faces a difficult decision: find new land for his cattle or sell them. This year in this part of the world, its going to be super hard, he said. Because of the Oregon fires and all the Idaho fires, and theres so many people looking for that same thing. Paddock Fire grazing land Wildfires present strain on grazing land Oxarango runs ranching operations on about 31,000 acres of deeded, state and BLM land. Since some of his grazing operations are on BLM land, the agency requires time to recover after wildfires. The duration for recovery depends on factors like burn severity, vegetation type, weather and management goals, BLM spokesperson Caleb Ashby told the Sun. In Idaho, about 11 million acres of public land are available for livestock grazing. This year, approximately 191,280 acres of BLM land have burned, most of which is expected to be within grazing allotments, according to Chris Robbins, rangeland management specialist at the BLM Idaho State Office. Newly burned areas are especially vulnerable to water run-off and wind erosion because of a loss of biological soil crust, ground cover and plant litter which all hold the soil and protect it against the wind, Robbins said. While roots have little to do with runoff and wind erosion, as that is mostly dependent on above-ground biomass, re-establishing plants and new seedings requires time and ideal growing conditions for the root structures to grow enough to be resilient to grazing, he told the Sun. Closing these areas supports the most ideal conditions possible for plants to establish and the areas to recover. Wildfires to have impact on economy, Idaho Cattle Association says In a state where cattle outnumber people, cattle ranches and grazing lands have been significantly impacted by wildfires this year. In a statement to the Sun, Idaho Gov. Brad Little, who has a ranching background, said he understands deeply that wildfire is a part of the job and life in the West. Ranchers are resilient people and make the most tough situations, but the losses from wildfire, particularly this year, can be devastating, Little said. We know many of the ranchers affected by this years fires, including our own family. We are blessed to live in a state that prioritizes aggressive initial attack to keep fires small whenever possible, and weve led the nation in equipping ranchers and loggers with the tools and resources they need to respond quickly when fire strikes. Weve strengthened the partnership between fire managers and the people working the land. Idaho has also stepped up to fund our fire account and increase firefighter pay and resources to ensure were ready, and we have good systems in place to support communities after a fire event. To Idahos ranching families, as fellow Idahoans we are here for you and support you! In August, the Idaho Cattle Association announced it is offering a Wildfire Relief Fund for those cattle producers and organizations who provided assistance to fight wildfires on grazing land. Cattle and calves are one of the top economic drivers to the Idaho state economy, bringing in over $2 billion annually, Idaho Cattle Association Executive Vice President Cameron Mulrony told the Sun. The effects of this years wildfire season will be felt by our industry for years to come, with the true impacts to the state economy being greater even still than just the immediate losses by producers, which are significant in themselves. According to a report from the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission, more than 100 cattle, possibly more, were killed in the Paddock Fire. Cattle impacted by Paddock Fire near Emmett, Idaho Oxarango said hes unsure if hes lost any cattle on his ranch. I cant say we didnt lose any for sure, because we havent found them all, he said. But we found most of them. Weve scoured the butte, and I have yet to see a dead one. But his neighbors, who are fellow ranchers, have. Its as painful to me as it is to them, because the poor cow didnt deserve that, he said. Its just really hard to see a cow that youve put a lot of time, effort and money in. Its just hard to see. Wildfires are expected in the summers, Oxarango said. Since moving to his Emmett home in 2012, lightning has struck the hot, dry landscape almost every summer. But the Paddock Fire was the largest and most impactful hes experienced. In agriculture, youll find out that you have to be an eternal optimist, meaning that next year is going to be better every time, Oxarango said. But I recognize that the climate is changing. Theres no question about that. Its way different than when I was a kid. It is hotter and drier. Faced with the wildfires aftermath, he is considering his next steps. You may have to put your cows on trucks and go somewhere you havent been before, he said. You may have to sell some. Its not the first time this has happened. Its just the first time its happened to me. Well come out the other side. People in agriculture are pretty resilient. IMG_5425 SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Idris Elba to work with Home Secretary to stop knives ending up in the hands of young people Idris Elba is to work with the Government to stop knives ending up in the hands of young people. Commander Stephen Clayman, the national policing lead for knife crime, will carry out an urgent review of gaps in legislation as part of a new initiative being launched on Monday. Elba, the Hollywood actor and campaigner, will join Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street to promote a coalition of organisations coming together to stop young people being dragged into violent gangs. Technology companies, sporting organisations, the health service and the police are also involved in what is expected to be the first annual knife crime summit. So-called zombie knives have already been outlawed but there is concern that gaps exist in other areas of knife legislation. Current legislation bans the sale of knives to under 18s but many fear that the law is not being sufficiently enforced, particularly among online retailers. Campaigners have called for stricter age checks for internet sales. The actor posed in January with piles of clothing representing individual victims of knife crime - Toby Melville/Reuters Mr Clayman, the head of specialist crime at the Metropolitan Police, will lead a rapid review to understand why under 18s are still able to circumvent the law and buy and receive deadly weapons online. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has asked him to report back to her by the end of the year. Mr Clayman said: Knives are far too easily accessible, with online sellers being a key focus of our work over the last year. I look forward to leading the review into online supply and continuing to work in close partnership with Government, retailers and the third sector to find ways we can bring meaningful, long-term change that will make our streets safer for everyone. Sir Keir said: As director of public prosecutions, I saw first hand the devastating impact that knife crime has on young people and their families. This is a national crisis that we will tackle head-on. We will take this moment to come together as a country politicians, families of victims, young people themselves, community leaders and tech companies to halve knife crime and take back our streets. Ms Cooper added: Getting weapons off our streets and making sure there are tough and clear consequences for violence are vital. And we also need to prevent young people heading down this path that means offering young people more hope, more opportunities. 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. I'm a Canadian who's lived in the US for 24 years. Here are the 10 foods I still miss every day. I'm a Canadian who's lived in the US for 24 years. Here are the 10 foods I still miss every day. I was born in Canada and moved to the US when I was six but I miss the foods I grew up eating. I miss the Tim Hortons Timbits, Lay's ketchup chips, and Kinder Surprise Eggs the most. The maple syrup I've bought in the US can't compare to what I've had in Canada. I wish there were more Tim Hortons locations in the US. Timbits come in a variety of flavors. agencies/Shutterstock If there's one thing Justin Bieber and I have in common, it's our love for Tim Hortons. The chain was founded in 1964 in my home province, Ontario, and has a similar prevalence to Starbucks in the US. Though there are some locations in parts of the US, Tim Hortons isn't close to me where I live in Oregon. Growing up, my family would regularly order a pack of doughnut holes, known as Timbits, as the perfect after-school snack or as a great sweet to take on a picnic. Flavors like honey dip, apple fritter, chocolate glazed, and blueberry ensured there was something for everyone to enjoy. I missed out on Kinder Surprise eggs when I first moved to the US. Kinder eggs are made with milk and white chocolate. Getty Images Until recently, it was difficult to find any Kinder-brand chocolate in the US because some products like the Kinder Surprise egg, which was filled with toys were banned due to the potential choking hazard. Items like the Kinder Bueno Bar and Kinder Joy (which has a separately wrapped toy inside) were a delicious combination of milk and white chocolate that was basically nonexistent in my adult life. In Canada, I saw Kinder Surprise eggs at nearly every checkout stand in the grocery store so I grew up eating them on a regular basis. Similar to Kinder's other products, this hollow egg is made with layers of milk and white chocolate with a little toy tucked inside. Pure Canadian maple syrup is one item I miss the most. Most brands found in a US grocery store can't compare to local Canadian maple syrup. Molly Allen Though it's possible to purchase pure maple syrup (which is often produced in Vermont) in the grocery store in the US, I still miss the version from Canada. Sometimes, I'll get lucky and find a label that says "product of Canada," but I think there's still a distinct difference in taste. I grew up visiting a small maple-syrup farm and sugar shack, where we tasted freshly boiled sap and took home the treat to pour over pancakes the next morning. Truly, nothing compares. Smarties are a little different in Canada. Smarties are somewhat similar to M&M's. C. Welman/Shutterstock Candy gets confusing when you move from Canada to the US. In the US, Smarties are those little rolls of tiny pastel candies but in Canada, those are called Rockets. On the other hand, Smarties in Canada are candy-coated chocolate treats produced by Nestle. They're similar in concept to M&M's, but they don't taste the same and, in my opinion, have more exciting vibrant colors. Nestle's Coffee Crisp was the chocolaty, crunchy candy of my childhood. I could find Coffee Crisps in nearly every store in Canada. okay_i_guess/Shutterstock This treat is the perfect blend of chocolate and coffee in a bar form. It has crisp wafer layers sandwiched between coffee-flavored creme, all covered in chocolate. In Canada, I saw Nestle's Coffee Crisp in nearly every grocery and convenience store, yet I cannot find it in the US. Homemade or store-bought butter tarts were the quintessential Canadian desserts. Butter tarts are like mini, maple-syrup-flavored pies. Molly Allen In Canada, you can't go into a local bakery or even a grocery store's baked-goods section without finding butter tarts. Though it's possible to make these incredible tiny treats from scratch, there's nothing like buying one from a bakery for a snack and in the US, I haven't seen the treat for sale. The quintessential Canadian dessert has a flaky tart crust, similar to a pie, and a gooey, runny filling that tastes like brown sugar and maple. Some bakers add raisins, pecans, or walnuts, but many people love the original filling on its own. It's one of those treats for which every family has their own signature recipe that they consider to be the absolute best. I grew up eating Lay's ketchup chips by the handful. Ketchup chips are always on the list when people talk about Canadian snacks. DenisMArt/Shutterstock Ketchup chips were my childhood favorite and though you can find some brands in US stores, Lay's version of the snack still hasn't made its way over the border. I'll always be a diehard Lay's fan because the brand's chips are light, crispy, and full of flavor. Ketchup chips don't actually taste like the condiment but they're still sweet, tangy, and bright red, a flavor that stands out all on its own. Macaroni-and-cheese meat was a great snack. I could easily say I was addicted to macaroni-and-cheese meat as a child. Toasted Pictures/Shutterstock Talking about macaroni-and-cheese meat is one of my favorite party tricks because nobody ever believes that this exists. In Canada, several versions of a macaroni-and-cheese loaf might be sold right beside the usual choices of roast beef, ham, and turkey. Though it's commonly sold in Canada, you might be able to find it in a few places in the US. For example, one of the popular producers, Koegel, has a factory based in Michigan. The loaf has a similar base to bologna, with tiny pieces of macaroni pasta and squares of cheddar cheese dotted throughout. You could eat it on a sandwich, but I used to grab a slice or two of macaroni-and-cheese meat from the fridge, roll it up, and have it as a snack. I can't find Maynard's Wine Gums anywhere in the US. The Maynards candy brand has been around since the mid-1800s. StudioPortoSabbia/Shutterstock I certainly wish I could find Maynards' Swedish Berries and Fuzzy Peaches in the US, but the brand's Wine Gums top my list of most-missed gummy candies. I grew up snagging a bag of these out of the bulk section at the grocery store, and as a kid, I thought it was genius because they'd last me forever. They're gummy but a bit harder with more texture than other chewy candies. Think of it like you left your Swedish Fish open for days and they got a bit stale. Wine Gums take longer to chew, and the flavors aren't as sweet as your typical gummy candy. Passion Flakies were a lunchtime favorite of mine. Any time Passion Flakies were packed in my lunch, it was a dream come true. Gordon Wheaton/Shutterstock In the US, snacks like Little Debbie's Nutty Bars and Cosmic Brownies reign supreme but in Canada, Passion Flakies rule the packaged-dessert category. Hailing from Quebec, Passion Flakies are made with a super light, flaky pastry on the outside and cream and jam-like fruit filling on the inside. Brands like Vachon make the perfect blend of flavors and textures with just a hint of sweetness. This story was originally published on September 15, 2022, and most recently updated on September 9, 2024. Read the original article on Business Insider Notices are tacked to a bulletin board in a hallway at the Rhode Island State House. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) The split between party progressives and moderates is on full display in Pawtuckets District 58 Democratic primary, where Cherie Cruz faces off against Elizabeth Moreira. Cruz, who won office in 2022, has championed progressive issues including tenants rights and criminal justice reform. Moreira, who formerly served as the city of Pawtuckets health and equity director, according to her website, has been backed by Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien. Rhode Island Current reached out to the candidates with a questionnaire. Candidate Elizabeth Moreira did not provide answers despite repeated inquiries. Key Events 3 weeks ago Rep. Cherie Cruz says housing is still her top priority 3 weeks ago Rep. Cherie Cruz says housing is still her top priority Name: Cherie Cruz Party: Democrat Race: House District 58 Age: 52 Residence: Pawtucket Job: Tenant organizer Years lived in Rhode Island: Lifelong resident Political bio: One term as R.I. state representative What are your top 3 legislative priorities if elected? My top priorities for my next term as state representative remain the same: taking on big landlords, big business, and insiders to deliver real results for our community. Ive focused on amplifying the voices of Pawtucket residents at the State House, especially around my number one issue, housing. In my first term, we achieved major housing victories, including the major victory of banning rental application fees. This change alone will save renters hundreds of dollars by eliminating predatory fees imposed by property management companies. I will continue to prioritize housing next term. Im also committed to improving child care access. With my background in early education, I know how difficult access to child care has become for everyone. I will keep working to increase staffing, open more seats, improve wages and benefits for child care workers, and reduce costs for families. Child care is too expensive, and I will advocate for expanded subsidies so that all families can access the care they need without going into debt. Finally, I will continue fighting for a greener, more beautiful Pawtucket. I did it when I stood up to city insiders and helped protect Morley Field where so many of us played growing up from being turned into a parking lot. Ill continue pushing at the state level for investments in green space, green energy, and clean air and to hire more workers who will make those things happen right here in our city. What more can the state and its legislators do to attract and retain primary health care workers that is not already being done? What role would a state medical school play, if any? I have spoken with workers and patients across our community about this issue. There just arent enough health care workers in our system. We made a huge step forward on this issue this past session by increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates, but that will take some time before Rhode Islanders feel its impact. The best thing we can do, short-term, is to stem the tide of losing workers by making sure that the professionals we have are paid well, with good salaries and benefits, so they stay here in our state, caring for our communities. A state medical school could help. I am excited about the possibility of it drawing more local students from our high schools, providing Pawtuckets youth with long-term employment opportunities. And hopefully, too, those young people will choose to stay in our state and give back. But, its a huge proposal, and I look forward to learning more. Do you support applying the 5% state hotel tax to short-term rentals? If so, how would you propose to use that revenue? As Ive said before, housing is my top priority, and the impact that the short-term rental market (for things like Airbnbs) has had on home and apartment prices over the last few years cannot be overstated. With so few units on the market across the state, we need to do everything we can to make sure that the houses and apartments are used, first and foremost, for living in. The 5% state hotel tax can help get this market under control, and can help put our states actual hotels (and their full-time workers) on better footing to compete. Then we can use the funds generated to support housing construction and rental subsidies for people who actually live in our state. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Last updated: 4:01 pm The Azerbaijani Embassy in Latvia, in partnership with the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, has presented the book "Eternal Treasures of Azerbaijan in UNESCO" at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design in Latvia, Azernews reports. The book, published in Latvian, aims to promote Azerbaijani culture and mutual cultural exchanges between the two countries. The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Latvia, Elnur Sultanov, praised the publication of the book, highlighting its significance in familiarizing Latvians with Azerbaijani culture. He underlined that the book's release coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia, as well as the 30th anniversary of the National Commission's establishment. Sultanov stressed Azerbaijan's commitment to intercultural dialogue as a UNESCO partner, citing the "Baku Process" launched by President Ilham Aliyev. He also highlighted the country's success in having 5 examples of tangible cultural heritage and 23 examples of intangible cultural heritage included in UNESCO's lists as a result of the work of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva. The event featured a "Genetic Code of Memory" exhibition, organized by the Embassy and "Azerkhalcha" OJSC, which showcased Azerbaijani carpets and their cultural significance. The Deputy Chairman of the Latvian Seimas' Education, Culture, and Science Committee, Liga Klavina, praised the positive dialogue between the two countries and noted the importance of cultural heritage protection. The director of the Academic Library of the University of Latvia, Venta Kotsere, appreciated Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage and expressed his confidence that the book will promote Azerbaijani culture in Latvia. Furthermore, Buta dance ensemble performed, accompanied by kalaghayi, while a traditional Azerbaijani tea table was served. The event was attended by members of the Latvian government and parliament, heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of local cultural and media circles, and members of the Azerbaijani community living in Latvia. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Vivian Balakrishnan, minister for foreign affairs of Singapore, in Beijing on Monday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that as two forces working for stability, China and Singapore need to strengthen strategic coordination and communication in the turbulent world. Noting that both China and Singapore have important domestic political agendas this year and are making steady progress toward their respective national development goals, Wang said the two sides have worked closely and learned from each other, providing significant impetus for the development of their modernization. China is ready to strengthen synergy with Singapore in the development strategies, put into practice the all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership established by the leaders of the two countries, and make new contributions to regional peace, stability and development, Wang said. The two sides should give full play to dialogue mechanisms at all levels and in all fields, make good use of their mutual visa exemption policy, and deepen the construction of a China-ASEAN community with a shared future, thereby pooling greater joint forces and injecting sustained impetus into regional integration and economic globalization, he said. Balakrishnan said that Singapore abides by the one-China policy and unequivocally opposes "Taiwan independence." The new Singaporean government is ready to use the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China next year as an opportunity to prepare for high-level exchange and expand comprehensive cooperation. He extended his congratulations on the success of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which brought new opportunities for the accelerated development of the Global South. He said Singapore firmly supports free trade and the expansion of two-way investment between China and ASEAN, and stands ready to work with China to uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core. The two sides expressed their willingness to strengthen coordination and work together to push for positive outcomes from the upcoming leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation. LANSING Independent presidential candidate Cornel West's name will appear on Michigan's Nov. 5 presidential ballot, along with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled Monday. In a terse order, the court refused to overturn an earlier ruling from the Michigan Court of Appeals. It rejected appeals filed by attorney Mark Brewer, a former chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, alleging an affidavit West filed contained errors and some of his signatures were fraudulent. On Aug. 30, a 3-0 opinion from the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld a ruling by the Michigan Court of Claims, but reversed a ruling by the Michigan Bureau of Elections that West was ineligible for the ballot because of problems with an affidavit he filed with the state. Cornel West, a presidential candidate, comes to Dearborn to meet with Arab-Americans and speaks at a pro-Palestinian interfaith event called "Gaza Endures" at Greenfield Manor in Dearborn, Mich. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. The Michigan Democratic Party has been fighting to keep West off the ballot, as has voter Rosa Holliday, who is represented by attorney Mark Brewer, a former Michigan Democratic Party chair. The Michigan Department of State appealed the Court of Claims ruling to the Michigan Court of Appeals, but did not follow through with an appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court, as Brewer did. West is a civil rights activist and philosopher who has taught at Harvard and other U.S. universities. Politically, he has described himself as a "non-Marxist socialist." Though he has been polling at 1% or less in Michigan and nationally, that could be enough to have an impact in what is expected to be a close election between Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. Michigan Court of Claims Judge James Robert Redford on Aug. 24 ordered the names of West and his running mate Melina Abdullah to be included on Michigan's presidential ballot. Redford said they had easily met the requirement of filing at least 12,000 eligible signatures. Finding no errors in Redford's reasoning, the Court of Appeals affirmed that opinion Friday. Redford's order overturned a contrary ruling made by the Michigan Bureau of Elections under Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat. Jonathan Brater, Michigan's elections director, told the West campaign Aug. 16 that he was disqualified from the Michigan ballot because of defects in his affidavit of identity, which was filed with the state along with the required number of petition signatures. Brater's letter said there were several defects in the affidavit, including unfilled blanks on the form, the notary's public stamp being sent on a separate sheet of paper and the notary failing to identify what specific notarial act she was engaged in. But Redford ruled that under state law, West as an independent candidate was not required to file an affidavit of identity along with his signatures, making any deficiencies in that affidavit irrelevant. Also, on Aug. 26, the Board of State Canvassers voted 3-1 to certify West for the ballot after hearing concerns from Brewer and others that thousands of the signatures West submitted were fraudulent. The board's vote upheld the position of the Bureau of Elections that West filed the required number of valid signatures. The board did not weigh in on the affidavit issue. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, @paulegan4. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Cornel West ruled eligible for Michigan's Nov. 5 presidential ballot Medical professionals hold posters amid a nationwide strike in India by doctors to condemn the rape and murder of a young medic from Kolkata. Credit - IDREES MOHAMMEDAFP/Getty Images Indias highest court has ordered protesting doctors who have been on strike as they demand better working conditions after the rape and murder of a trainee doctor, to return to work by 5 p.m. Tuesday or face adverse action. Hundreds of doctors across India have remained off work and at one point more than a million were expected to participate in some form of a strike following the news of the Kolkata murder on Aug. 9. Some have since returned to work. Hundreds of thousands of women also participated in a protest march. The West Bengal Junior Doctors Front, which is spearheading the strike effort in the region, said in an Instagram post that it is demanding all perpetrators of the crime are identified and that an investigation is held to look into possible tampering of evidence. The group has also demanded that the Kolkata police commissioner resigns, and democratic elections are held for all decision-making committees within medical colleges. Sandip Ghosh resigned as principal of the medical college where the crime took place on Aug. 12 and was reportedly suspended by the West Bengal health department in early September relating to a separate ongoing investigation into financial misconduct. The victim was a 31-year-old woman training to be a doctor at RG Kar Medical College, a government-run hospital. She reportedly fell asleep in a seminar room after a 36-hour shift, and her severely injured body was discovered by colleagues the morning of Aug. 9. A hospital volunteer was arrested on Aug. 10 and a Kolkata court rejected his request for bail on Sep. 7, according to The Hindu. Indias Central Bureau of Investigation is expected to file an updated status report into the incident and possible mishandling of evidence by the West Bengal government on Sept. 17. Read More: Women Protest on Indias Independence Day After Murder of Medic The strikes that followed have taken a toll on the countrys healthcare system, particularly in the state of West Bengal, where the murder took place and strikes are ongoing. Because junior doctors have been striking, senior doctors have been forced to fill in, according to The Economic Times. Kapil Sibal, the lawyer representing the state of West Bengal before the Supreme Court, claimed that at least 23 patients have died as a result of the doctors strike. "We know what is happening on the ground, but doctors must now come back to work. They cannot say senior doctors are working, so we will not work." Chief Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud said in court, according to India Today. If doctors do not resume work, then we cannot stop the government from taking disciplinary action. The doctors have claimed that they have taken necessary precautions to prevent harm from coming to patients due to the strikes, including creating a new telemedicine service that launched Aug. 31, which they say helps relieve the burden for patients, according to the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front Instagram page. Dr. Arimpa Saha, a junior doctor on strike at Calcutta National Medical College told TIME that she was disheartened by the courts focus on the doctors return to work as opposed to justice for the victim. She said in a Whatsapp message that, while the court focused on the strike, she believed there had been little discussion in the Sept. 9 hearing about 30 days of injustice, which she said was the reason so many doctors had taken to the streets. We Demand Justice. We want fair punishment for all of those whose heart are as polluted as the mind [sic], the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front said in a post on Instagram. As of now, Saha says she and her fellow doctors are unlikely to work tomorrow, despite the Supreme Courts orders. The West Bengal Junior Doctors Front has yet to officially react to the Supreme Courts news. It is unclear at this stage what the implications for disobeying the Supreme Courts order will be. If there is continuous abstaining from work then disciplinary action can be taken against [the doctors] and they cannot be oblivious to the general concerns of the community whom they are intended to serve, Chief Justice Chandrachud said in court, according to the Hindustan Times. Contact us at letters@time.com. Indiana Democrats caution against U.S. Steel sale amid rumors that Biden will block deal U.S. Steel's sale to Nippon Steel of Japan is in doubt. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) The Indiana Senate Democratic caucus spoke out Monday against the controversial sale of U.S. Steel to Japans Nippon Steel as President Joe Biden is said to be considering blocking the move. Indianas steelworkers are the foundation of our economy individuals who have poured their sweat, skill and commitment into industries that sustain entire communities. The transfer of U.S. industries into foreign hands without ironclad labor protections is not only a risk to our workers; it is a direct threat to the stability of our local economies, the caucus said in a news release. We cannot and will not stand by while the livelihoods of thousands of Hoosier families hang in the balance, the 10-member caucus continued. Any deal that compromises worker rights, wages or job security is unacceptable. We demand that U.S. labor laws be upheld, regardless of who owns these companies. Indianas Gary Works is U.S. Steels largest manufacturing plant, according to the companys website. It can handle more than 7.5 million net tons of raw steel annually. The site has more than 4,300 employees, per Fox Business. The Washington Post reported last week that Biden is preparing to block the sale, a move that could impact workers here in Indiana. Nippon Steel proposed buying the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker last December, in a deal valued at $14.9 billion. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt has warned that his company would have to close mills if Nippon Steel is unable to acquire it, according to The Wall Street Journal. Its the Japanese company that has pledged to invest nearly $3 billion into updates at U.S. Steels Gary and Pittsburgh mills. U.S. Steel wouldnt do the renovations if the deal falls through: I dont have the money, Burritt said. 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 steelworkers in Pittsburgh. 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 in April. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, recently told an audience of union workers that the company 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. The Pennsylvania Capital Star also contributed to this report. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTER COUNTY, Ind. An Indianapolis man is facing a handful of felony charges after authorities say he allegedly engaged in sexually oriented communications with a 12-year-old Porter County girl. According to Portage police, 31-year-old Daniel Roberts, an Indianapolis resident, is facing a slew of felony charges, including three felony counts of vicarious sexual gratification, eight felony counts of child solicitation and four felony counts of possession of child pornography. The charges were handed down following an investigation into alleged communication between Roberts and a child from Portage, over the messaging app Snapchat. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Offices said the incident came to light after the victim spoke with a school counselor before her phone was given to police for examination by a parent. During their investigation, Portage police found that Roberts allegedly knew he was speaking with a child and had also encouraged her to commit sexual acts and provide him with pornographic images. Indianapolis man accused of child solicitation, child pornography possession According to police, officers served Snapchat preservation letters and company officials provided information to officers about the account used by Roberts, which later led investigators to his home in the 8300 block of Goldfinch Circle in Indianapolis. Portage police detectives, as well as Fishers police and members of the Indiana Cybercrimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, then went to the home on Tuesday to execute a search warrant and take Roberts into custody. When authorities arrived at the home, Roberts was standing outside and allegedly fled on foot. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Roberts was taken into custody a short time later after authorities deployed a TASER and were able to take him down. Following his arrest, Roberts was taken to the Porter County Jail where he is currently being held on a $70,000 bond. Authorities added that Roberts was already wanted in Jefferson County Colorado, for a probation violation on charges of felony sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted felony sexual assault of a child. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ride-share driver arrested after woman who called for ride found dead Monday Indianapolis police are investigating the death of a woman who was found Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in a near southeast neighborhood. This article will update. A ride-share driver was arrested less than 24 hours after a woman who called him for a ride was reported missing. Her body was found Monday afternoon in a wooded area near the apartment complex where she lived. Chanti Bresha Dixon, 30, was found dead near the Grandville Cooperative apartments in the 1800 block of Wagner Lane about 1 p.m. The caller led police to where Dixon was found unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said Dixon died from a gunshot wound and the coroner's office determined it was a homicide. Dixon was reported as a missing person Monday morning, but investigators believe she may have died over the weekend. In a news release issued Tuesday morning, police said they believe Dixon was killed early Sunday. The ride-share driver arrested has not been formally charged. Police are asking people who have had suspicious encounters with a ride-share driver during the past few months to come forward. "This is disgusting. It's disturbing," said Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey. Police are asking anybody with information to call IMPD's homicide division at 317-327-3475. Tips can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis ride-share driver arrested in killing of Chanti Dixon India's exam system is in chaos, with some families paying thousands to help their kids cheat India has seen multiple protests related to alleged irregularities in its medical entrance exam. Hindustan Times/Getty Images Criminal gangs are helping students cheat on exams in India, according to The Wall Street Journal. Cheating has, in particular, plagued India's highly competitive medical entrance exam. One student told BI that exam questions are being sold ahead of time on Telegram. India's massive examination machine is floundering. This year, the country's primary testing body the National Testing Agency (NTA) has faced a series of controversies. They range from exam delays and cancellations to more serious allegations of errors in questions and leaked papers. While NTA officials have denied that any exam papers were leaked the federal education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, told the BBC in June that "some irregularities" had been found. Now, it seems some are taking advantage of the examination chaos. According to the Wall Street Journal, some middle-class families are paying criminal gangs thousands to help their children get the upper hand on these exams. Cheating in India's medical entrance exam Cheating has, in particular, plagued India's highly competitive medical entrance exam, also known as the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET). This year, around 2.4 million students in India took the exam, competing for medical college seats totaling about 0.02% of that number. "Very few people crack it on the first try," one student, who asked not to be named for privacy reasons, told Business Insider. She spent a year preparing for the undergraduate and postgraduate exams, respectively. During this time, she woke up at 4 a.m. and studied for at least 10-12 hours each day. Some prefer to take an easier route. The Journal found that several students had paid $15,000-20,000 to illegally look at the question paper before the exam. BI could not independently verify the figures. The police made multiple arrests related to exam cheating after results showed that 67 people received perfect scores in the NEET exams this year. "Question papers are sold at extravagantly high prices," Ashok Rathore, a police officer who investigated cheating linked to India's medical school exam, told the Journal. "It's a nexus of desperate students, parents, tuition centers and printing presses." Leaked questions One student told BI that several Telegram channels dedicated to exam prep saw messages encouraging students "struggling with exams and don't have time for studies" to get in touch for "help." "My friend said he was asked to pay around 15,000 rupees ($180) to enter the private channel where they shared the questions," she said. BI reached out to the Telegram account offering "help". The person said they can provide next year's medical entrance exam questions for around 1 lakh rupees ($1,200). High ranks in these exams mean coveted "seats" in medical colleges operated by the state and national governments. Those with money can still legally obtain places in private medical colleges if they pay fees ranging from $115,000 to $145,000. However, some students with the financial capacity prefer cheating and getting a government seat instead. "It makes very good economic sense," a senior medical advisor with knowledge of the matter told BI. "The question paper will be given for about 25 lakh rupees (around $29,000). For that much, they get a free seat in a government college where they only have to pay around 16,000 rupees ($190) per annum." "For the entire five-year degree, that still only comes to around one lakh rupees ($1191), so of course rich students would rather do that instead of paying their way into private medical schools." Earning a 'merit' seat The advisor who preferred to remain anonymous but whose identity is known to BI also said there is a significant amount of respect that comes with having "earned" a merit seat instead of paying their way into a private "management" seat. "Unfortunately, there are very few objective metrics that people have as outsiders to judge the competence of their doctors, especially at a time when everybody in India sits with an MBBS board outside their clinic," agreed Asish George, a doctor who cleared the entrance exam in 2014. "For those people, the fact that someone cracked a highly competitive entrance exam and got in would inspire more confidence than someone who paid their way through the whole thing." According to the Journal, authorities in India have tried to install video cameras inside exam halls and increased their monitoring of social media to catch cheaters. But many are still finding ways to illegally gain the upper hand, at a high price. The NTA did not immediately respond to a request by BI for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider DENVER (KDVR) One of Colorados volunteer search and rescue teams was called out again on Saturday, this time to Agnes Vaille Falls near Nathrop, south of Buena Vista. Chaffee County Search and Rescue North was paged to the trail at about 9:53 a.m. on Saturday for a hiker who had possibly broken their ankle. The reporting party didnt have a cell signal at the location of the injured hiker, so they hiked back to their location to provide that information to the search and rescue workers. 6 scenic drives to see fall leaves near Denver Rescuers found the person about a mile to a mile and a half from the trailhead. Nine responders, alongside deputies and emergency medical service workers, responded to the mission. At first, the search and rescue workers sought to use ATVs but found the trail too challenging and turned back. The first search and rescue team member made it to the person at about 11 a.m. The worker requested light technical gear and a vacuum splint to get the hiker back onto the trail. The volunteers began to manually haul the injured hiker at about 11:50 a.m., with the narrow, steep trail and a stream crossing presenting difficulties to the crew. On Saturday, Sept. 7, Chaffee County Search and Rescue volunteers were called out to the Agnes Vaille Falls trail for an injured hiker. On Saturday, Sept. 7, Chaffee County Search and Rescue volunteers were called out to the Agnes Vaille Falls trail for an injured hiker. It took between one to two hours to get the injured hiker back to the trailhead. But at 1:15 p.m., the person had been transported by ambulance for further medical care and all teams were out of the field. The team is entirely volunteer, as are all Colorado search and rescue teams. Were people with regular day jobs who go out because its the right thing to do, the Chaffee County Search and Rescue North group posted to Facebook. The group encouraged supporters to donate at the search and rescue groups website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. This embedded content is not available in your region. Australian police are working with their international counterparts to locate a man they believe fled the country after pouring boiling coffee on a baby in Brisbane. The random attack - which occurred last month and has shocked the nation - left the nine-month-old boy with serious burns to his face and limbs. Queensland Police have issued an arrest warrant for a 33-year-old wanted over acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm, a charge which carries a possible life sentence. However, on Monday they said their main suspect flew out of Sydney airport six days after the incident, and just 12 hours before they were able to confirm his identity. [Queensland Police] The infant was at a picnic with his family at a suburban park on 31 August, when witnesses say a strange man approached, emptying a flask on the child before fleeing on foot. The baby was immediately given first aid, before an off-duty nurse took him to her nearby apartment to run his burns under cold water. However the child suffered dramatic injuries which have already required multiple surgeries, and his parents say he is facing a years-long road to recovery. The motive behind the incident is still unknown, Det Insp Paul Dalton told media, describing the case as one of the most complex and frustrating he had ever led. He confirmed that police knew to which country the suspect had fled, as well as his name, but said disclosing the information at this time could jeopardise their investigation. The man is an itinerant worker who had travelled to Australia repeatedly since 2019 and had addresses in both New South Wales and Victoria. Dept Insp Dalton also said the suspect was aware of "police methodologies" and had been "conducting counter-surveillance activities" to evade them. The baby's parents on Monday told media they were "devastated" to learn the suspect had left the country but also relieved he was gone. "It sounds like they were very, very close in catching him, and this obviously means that we're going to have to wait who knows how long to get justice for our son," his mother told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The boy is in "good spirits", his father added, but may yet need further skin graft surgeries. An online fundraising page for the baby boy has so far raised more than A$150,000 ($100,000 76,000). The Los Angeles Police Department is looking into what led up to a persons death in Hancock Park late Monday morning. According to an LAPD spokesperson, the call regarding an individual being found dead near the corner of 4th Street and La Brea Avenue came in just before 11:15 a.m. Very little information on the circumstances leading up to the gruesome discovery was available; however, KTLA 5s Rich Prickett observed from Sky5 that the body appeared to have been found tucked behind planters near the sidewalk. Police officers were seen putting up a canopy to cover the body. It was not immediately established whether the person was the victim of a homicide or died of natural causes. No details surrounding the decedents identity are known. The sidewalk surrounding the area in which the body was found was blocked off while police began their investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The Iowa Supreme Court will hear the appeal of three Libertarian candidates whose names were removed from the general-election ballot. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch) The Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday on whether Libertarian congressional candidates will appear on the state ballot. Three Libertarian candidates, Nicholas Gluba in Iowas 1st Congressional District, Marco Battaglia in the 3rd District and Charles Aldrich in the 4th District, were removed from the Iowa ballot by the State Objections Panel in late August. The panel sided 2-1 with Republican voters who challenged the candidates on the basis of Libertarians nominating process being invalid. The Libertarian Party of Iowa held its precinct caucuses and county conventions on Jan. 15. Lawyers with the state and GOP challengers pointed to Iowa Code stating delegates elected at caucuses do not begin in their positions until the following day meaning the congressional candidacies of those nominated at the county conventions, as well as the June 8 special nominating conventions, were not conducted in compliance with state law. The three Libertarian candidates appealed this decision. The attorneys representing the Libertarian candidates, the Libertarian Party of Iowa chair Jules Cutler and Jennifer DeKock, representing Battaglia, made multiple arguments in district court objecting to the panel decision. They said the body did not have the power to rule on the challenges brought by Republican voters and that the voters, who did not participate in the Libertarian nominating process, did not have standing to bring the objections. Polk County District Court Judge Michael Huppert issued a ruling Saturday siding with the panels decision to remove Libertarian candidates from from the ballot, dismissing the appeal. Huppert said in his ruling that Iowa law allows for voters to challenge nomination certificates issued by a party involving something other than the content of that document, such as a partys nominating process. It is therefore logical to conclude that it must include whether the proper procedures required under the law were followed in generating that document, he wrote. Otherwise, as the intervenors point out, there would be no check against the use of nominating papers that are facially correct, but improperly offered in response to a partys legitimate nominating process. Cutler argued in court that a major motivation for objectors challenging Libertarians candidacy is the impact of third-party choices in potentially competitive races. Cutler said Republicans were bullying Libertarians and unfairly targeting the party, which regained major party status in 2022. The judge wrote that the panel ruling does not violate laws that prohibit the state from interfering with political party procedures, nor does it specifically target the Libertarian Party. Under the present circumstances, the court concludes that the process which formed the basis for the challenges to the Libertarian Party candidates being on the general election ballot is not a severe burden on either the partys or the voters associational rights and represents a reasonable, nondiscriminatory restriction on a partys ability to place their candidate before the voting public, Huppert wrote. The process is not weighed against the Libertarian Partyto the contrary, it is applicable to any group that qualifies as a major party under Iowa law. The Libertarian candidates appealed the decision, and the state Supreme Court set a hearing on an expedited timeline, with arguments scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday. Theres a fast-approaching deadline for making a decision in the case. The Iowa Secretary of States Office was set to certify ballots for the 2024 general election Sept. 3, but Huppert granted a temporary injunction to stop the process so that the Libertarian candidates appeal could be considered. Ballots are required to be certified and ready for overseas and military voters by Sept. 21, according to the office. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Beijing on Monday, saying that China is willing to work with Norway to promote the continuous development of friendly cooperation. Xi asked Store to convey his greetings to King Harald V. He said since the two countries established diplomatic ties 70 years ago, the two peoples have respected, appreciated and learned from each other, forging a valuable friendship. Furthering China-Norway friendly cooperation is consistent with the will of the two peoples, the fundamental interests of the two countries, and a global trend of maintaining closer ties among countries to share weal and woe, Xi said. He noted that today's world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, which are testing whether the international community can make the right choice. China will continue to follow the path of peaceful development. By further deepening reform in an all-round way and advancing Chinese modernization, China will inject stability and certainty into a world fraught with changes and turbulence and create more opportunities for the common development of all countries, Xi said. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Iowa Supreme Court to hear Libertarians appeal to appear on ballot for Congress DES MOINES, Iowa Three Libertarian candidates seeking to represent Iowa in the U.S. House are continuing their fight to appear on the ballot in November to the Iowa Supreme Court. Court records show Congressional candidates Marco Battaglia from District 3, Nicholas Gluba from District 1, and Charles Aldrich from District 4 have filed a notice of appeal and motion to expedite, challenging a weekend ruling by Polk County District Judge Michael Huppert. DMPS launches transportation pilot program for preschoolers An order from the Iowa Supreme Court determined the matter should be expedited and oral arguments in the appeal will take place on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. On Saturday, Huppert affirmed the Iowa Objection Panels decision to keep the Libertarians off the ballot because state rules werent followed. According to court documents, the party held their county conventions the same day as their caucuses, which violates Iowa law and invalidates the candidates nominations. The Iowa Objection Panel is made up of Republicans Attorney General Brenna Bird and Secretary of State Paul Pate and Democrat Auditor Rob Sand. Bird and Pate voted to remove the Libertarians from the ballot, while Sand cast a dissenting vote. Ballots were supposed to be certified by Sept. 3rd by the Secretary of States Office but that was delayed while the issue was heard in court. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. iPhone 16: What to expect from Apple's 'Glowtime' event and why its AI isn't coming to Europe yet iPhone 16: What to expect from Apple's 'Glowtime' event and why its AI isn't coming to Europe yet Apple is widely expected to reveal on Monday the much anticipated iPhone 16, which is tipped to break new ground as the company unveils its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The event - its biggest annual product launch - will feature the tagline "Its Glowtime," which will display the Apple logo surrounded by a colourful aura, hinting at possible new colours for the iPhone and its other products. The autumn event has become one of the most important events for Apple. It will take place in a Cupertino, California, auditorium named after Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who pulled out the first iPhone in 2007 and waved it like a magic wand while predicting it would reshape society. Related Apple has sold billions of iPhones since then. But in the past decade, there have been mostly minor upgrades from one model to the next - a factor that has caused people to hold off on buying a new iPhone and led to a recent slump in sales of Apple's marquee product. The iPhone 16 is generating a significant buzz because it is the first model to be tailored specifically for AI, a technology that is expected to trigger the biggest revolution in the industry since Jobs thrust Apple into the smartphone market 17 years ago. What is Apple Intelligence? At Apples Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, the company announced that it would launch a partnership with OpenAI to merge ChatGPT technology with Apples Sisi voice assistant. This could see an improved Siri and allow customers to create emojis on the fly. Most of Apple's AI tasks will be performed on the iPhone itself instead of remote data centres - a distinction that requires a special processor within the forthcoming models and the current high-end iPhone 15s that came out a year ago. The company also unveiled its plans for "Apple Intelligence," which would train software iOS, iPadOS, and macOS on small models, rather than the bigger models used by services such as Google Gemini or ChatGPT. Related How long until Apple Intelligence is deployed? According to Bloomberg, Apple will release Apple Intelligence as part of a software update in October, giving developers more time to test out and build apps for the platform. But Bloombergs Mark Gurman also said other Apple Intelligence features may not land on users iPhones until early 2025. Apple Intelligence also will not be available in the European Union, due to regulatory concerns. In June, Apple cited its worries over not being compliant with Europes Digital Markets act. Its Monday event comes one day ahead of an important decision by the European Commission which may see the company face its biggest fine. In 2018, the European Commission alleged that Apple and Ireland worked together to help Apple dodge corporate taxes on more than $100 billion (90 billion) generated in Europe between 2004 and 2014. Related The Commission hit Apple with a bill of almost $14 billion (12 billion) on what it said were unpaid taxes. Until now, that penalty has been in escrow. The Apple event is usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday. The possible clash with the Commission could be a reason for shifting the event to a Monday as could the US presidential debate on Tuesday. However, the reason for the change has not been officially revealed. What else can we expect? The event will not just be about AI. Apple is widely expected to debut four new iPhones, a tenth-anniversary edition of the Apple Watch and new AirPods. Further surprises are expected as always at the Apple event. You can watch the event at 19.00 CET on the Apple website. Iran on Sept. 9 denied it had delivered ballistic missiles to Russia, calling reports to the contrary "psychological warfare." The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Sept. 6 that Tehran had sent an unspecified number of the weapons. The report prompted "alarm" from the White House, and a warning from Ukraine that the move would have "devastating consequences for Ukrainian-Iranian bilateral relations." "No missile was sent to Russia, and this claim is a kind of psychological warfare," Iranian brigadier and senior Revolutionary Guards' commander Fazlollah Nozari told Iranian media. In Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov gave an evasive answer when asked about the reports on Sept. 9. "Iran is our important partner, we are developing our trade and economic relations, we are developing our cooperation and dialogue in all possible areas, including the most sensitive ones," he said in comments reported by Reuters. The British news outlet The Times wrote that according to an undisclosed Ukrainian military source, a shipment of 200 Iranian ballistic missiles already arrived at an unspecified port in the Caspian Sea on Sept. 4. The missiles in question were said to be Fath-360, with a range of 120 kilometers (over 70 miles). Experts told the Kyiv Independent that these tactical missiles are most likely to be employed at the front line. "It's more likely they'd be used on targets related to action on the front line, military targets, logistics centers, command posts, barracks, fuel depots these are the kind of targets you'd strike with a tactical missile," Fabian Hinz, a research fellow for defense and military analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told the Kyiv Independent. Washington has not officially confirmed that the transfer had taken place, but the Wall Street Journal said that the U.S. had informed its allies about the move in the past few days. Russia has its own ballistic missile arsenal that it employs in Ukraine, such as Kinzhal or Iskander-M missiles. Moscow has also received ballistic missiles from North Korea, which have been used to target Ukrainian cities. Read also: What Irans ballistic missiles, in Russias hands, could mean for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Iran on Monday continued its threat of a "nightmare" attack on Israel following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in late July, as international concerns remain high over Tehrans nuclear development program which has run unchecked for more than three years. Commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Hossein Salami said "the nightmare of Iran's inevitable response is shaking Israel day and night," reported the Jerusalem Post, citing Saudi-owned news outlet Al-Arabiya. The commander reportedly claimed that Israeli leaders are anxious over the ambiguous threat of what will be a "painful and different" attack than "what you expec[t]." Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, delivers a speech during the funeral ceremony of Iranian adviser in Syria, Razi Mousavi at the Imam Hossein Square in Tehran, Iran, on Dec. 28, 2023. HEZBOLLAH RELIES ON 'SOPHISTICATED' TUNNEL SYSTEM BACKED BY IRAN, NORTH KOREA IN FIGHT AGAINST ISRAEL Despite the ominous tone set by Salami, Iran has been levying similar threats for over a month at the Jewish state following the killing of Haniyeh during a visit to Tehran on July 31. Iran has laid the blame squarely on Israel for the assassination, in which it claimed a precision strike missile was used, though Jerusalem has not taken credit for the killing. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The U.S., along with other Middle Eastern nations, have warned Tehran against attacking Israel amid fears that a broader regional war could break out, though concerns remain that Iran could look to launch retaliatory strikes through Hezbollah the Lebanon-based terrorist organization it has backed for decades. A member of Israels Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in the Knesset, Nissim Vaturi, echoed these concerns on Monday and said he believes it is just "a matter of days" before war between Israel and Hezbollah breaks out in Lebanon. Vaturi said Israel needs to take a provocative approach and pre-emptively strike Hezbollah's strong holds in Lebanon through a series of airstrikes followed by ground invasion a scenario experts have warned will cause casualty rates that could be higher than those that have incurred during the nearly one-year-long war in Gaza. "I think its time to deal with the north," he said, according to The Times of Israel. "Our patience has run out. "Theres no other way," he continued, adding that Beiruts Dahiyeh suburb a major stronghold for Hezbollah outside the capital city "will look like Gaza." Iran has yet to specify how it intends to launch this long-awaited retaliatory strike against Israel, though its reported supply of ballistic missiles to the terrorist organization has kept security experts on heightened alert. This photo taken from a position in northern Israel shows a Hezbollah UAV intercepted by Israeli air forces over northern Israel on Aug. 25, 2024. The Israeli military announced that it was conducting pre-emptive strikes in Lebanon after detecting preparations for "large-scale" attacks by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. HEZBOLLAH IS THE 'X-FACTOR' IN LOOMING ISRAEL, IRAN WAR WITH 'NATION STATE CAPABILITIES' Iran is not believed to possess nuclear grade weaponry at this time, but a warning issued by the United Nations nuclear watchdog on Monday once again brought renewed attention to the fact that Tehrans nuclear program has run unchecked for the last three and half years. "It has been more than three and a half years since Iran stopped implementing its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA," Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi told the agencys board of directors. "Therefore, it is also over three and a half years since the Agency was able to conduct complementary access in Iran. "Consequently, the Agency has lost continuity of knowledge in relation to the production and inventory of centrifuges, rotors and bellows, heavy water and uranium ore concentrate," he added. Grossi said that Iran is known to have increased its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium metals of not only 20% purity levels, but 60% which is just shy of the steps needed to reach weapons grade uranium which is enriched to 90% purity. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei alongside a look inside a uranium plant. "There has been no progress in resolving the outstanding safeguards issues," he said, pointing to Irans false claims that it has declared all nuclear activities, materials and locations. "I call upon Iran to implement the Joint Statement through serious engagement with the Agencys concrete proposals." Rossi said he called on new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to abide by agreements made under a March 4, 2023 joint statement and urged the president to meet with him in the "not too distant future" so the pair could "establish a constructive dialogue that leads swiftly to real results." The European Union (EU) on Monday further accused Iran of providing short range ballistic missiles to Russia to aid its war effort against Ukraine, citing "credible" information provided by allied nations, reported Radio Free Europe. The EU is reported to still be investigating the information, but EU spokesman Peter Stano said if Iran is discovered to have provided the escalatory arms to Moscow, the response would be "swift" and would include "new and significant restrictive measures against Iran." The Kremlin on Monday did not directly deny having been sent the missiles which are capable of carrying nuclear, chemical and conventional warheads. Original article source: Iran threatens 'nightmare' for Israel as UN watchdog warns Tehran nuclear programs runs unchecked As the Israel-Hamas war continues, the latest round of cease-fire discussions appears to have reached an impasse. Meanwhile, after six hostages were found dead in Gaza, protests erupted in Israel. Protesters have lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded the government bring the hostages home. Latest Developments Sep 9, 7:27 AM US general shown Israels plans for Lebanon, IDF says The commander of U.S. Central Command was presented with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) "operational plans for Lebanon" during his weekend visit, the IDF said. Gen. Michael Kurilla met with the Chief of Israel's General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi for a "situational assessment" and visited the Northern Command, which is responsible for the frontiers with Lebanon and Syria. The general's visit had "an emphasis on threats from Lebanon and Iran in the northern arena," the IDF wrote on social media. PHOTO: Smoke rises above Lebanon following an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, Sept. 8, 2024. (Ayal Margolin/Reuters) Kurilla met with Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin -- Northern Command's commanding officer -- "conducted a situational assessment in the command's underground operations center and received an operational briefing, during which he was presented with the IDF's operational plans for Lebanon," the force said. Cross border skirmishes between the IDF and Hezbollah -- which is aligned with Iran -- have been near constant since Oct. 8, 2023, the uptick in fighting prompted by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel and the subsequent IDF response. Israeli leaders have threatened a significant military operation into southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah withdraws its forces north of the Litani River, some 18 miles north of the shared border. -ABC News' Jordana Miller and David Brennan Sep 9, 5:46 AM Aerial attack targets northern Israel, officials say The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported "a hostile aircraft infiltration" in the north of the country on Monday morning. "Two suspicious aerial targets were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory," The IDF said in a statement. "An aerial target fell in the area of Nahariya. No injuries were reported." The Magen David Adom (MDA) -- Israel's emergency services -- said in a social media post that its personnel "located the site of the impact, as of now no casualties have been found." Israeli media reported that a drone detonated after crashing into an apartment block. -ABC News' Dana Savir and David Brennan Sep 9, 5:20 AM Hundreds gather in Central Park for hostage vigil The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters organized twin protests in Tel Aviv and New York on Sunday, as pro-cease-fire activists look to build pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and American politicians. Hundreds of people rallied in Central Park "to mourn six Israeli and American hostages murdered after 11 months in captivity," the Forum said in a press release. Among the speakers were Gilad and Nitza Korngold -- the parents of hostage Tal Shoham who was abducted into Gaza on Oct. 7. "The Red Cross has refused to help our loved ones while shamelessly requesting better conditions for the terrorists in Israel's imprisonment," they said, per the Forum's press release. "We ask everyone here to call your representatives and demand the release of our loved ones from captivity." PHOTO: A woman holds a sign as people attend a protest against the government and to show support for the hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sept. 8, 2024. (Florion Goga/Reuters) Moran Stela Yanai -- released in November 2023 after 54 days as a hostage in Gaza -- also spoke, telling attendees: "My brothers and sisters in captivity are hungry and in pain and in constant danger." "We must find the strength to keep fighting for them and bring them home," she added, as quoted in the Forum's press release. -ABC News' Jordana Miller and David Brennan Sep 9, 4:59 AM Jordanian border crossings partly reopened after shooting Israeli and Jordanian authorities confirmed the partial reopening of border crossings on Monday following their closure due to the killing of three police officers at the Allenby Bridge. An Israel Airport Authority spokesperson said the crossings at Yitzhak Rabin near Eilat, at the Jordan River near Beit Shean and at the Allenby Bridge would open for passenger traffic. The media spokesman for the Jordanian Public Security Directorate said that King Hussein Bridge leading to the Allenby entry point would remain closed to freight traffic. Meanwhile, Jordan's Interior Ministry said that its preliminary investigations into Sunday's shooting at the Allenby Bridge crossing confirmed that the alleged gunman was a Jordanian citizen named Maher Dhiyab Hussein Al-Jazi. PHOTO: A man walks at a barrier, at the Allenby Bridge Crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, following a shooting incident at the crossing in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Sept. 8, 2024. (Ammar Awad/Reuters) The alleged shooter -- whom Israeli security forces said they shot and killed -- was a resident of the Al-Husseiniyah area in Ma'an Governorate, and was crossing the bridge as a driver of a freight vehicle carrying commercial goods. Al-Jazi acted alone, the ministry said, noting its investigation is ongoing. Authorities are attempting to organize the return of his body so he can be buried in Jordan. -ABC News' Jordana Miller, Ghazi Balkiz and David Brennan Sep 9, 5:48 AM Airstrikes hit Syrian scientific research center, state media says Strikes targeted a Syrian scientific research area in the city of Masyaf in the Hama countryside on Sunday night, Syrian state media and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said. "Ambulance vehicles rushed towards the center of the area" amid reports of casualties, the SOHR -- a U.K.-based war monitor -- said on its website. Both Syrian state media and the SOHR attributed the strikes to Israel. The SOHR said Syrian anti-aircraft weapons intercepted some Israeli missiles. PHOTO: SYRIA-CONFLICT-ISRAEL (SANA/AFP via Getty Images) There was no immediate confirmation on the number of casualties. At least 14 people were killed and 43 others were wounded, Syrian state news agency SANA reported. ABC News was not able to immediately confirm the reported casualties or whether they were military personnel. ABC News asked the Israel Defense Forces for comment. Israel typically does not confirm or deny responsibility for strikes in Syria, where it has been engaged in a "shadow war" with Iran and its allies -- including the Lebanese Hezbollah militia -- for several years. -ABC News' Ghazi Balkiz and David Brennan Sep 8, 2:40 PM Nearly 70% of children in Gaza vaccinated against polio, health ministry reports The polio vaccination campaign continued today in south Gaza, Khan Younis and Rafah, after early issues in the region when vaccines could not be properly distributed to the eastern side of Gaza. PHOTO: People queue with children for polio vaccinations in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, Sept. 5, 2024. (Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images) The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced Sunday that 441,647 children in Gaza have received the first dose of the polio vaccine, so far. This accounts for about 69% of the targeted population, according to the ministry. According to the World Health Organization, 95% of children need to be vaccinated to prevent the spread of the disease effectively. On Monday, vaccinations will be offered in northern Gaza where daily, eight-hour pauses in fighting and airstrikes will be instituted so children can be taken to one of the roughly 33 locations across Gaza City and north Gaza where the vaccine will be administered, according to the ministry. -ABC News' Victoria Beaule Sep 8, 8:06 AM Israel closes Jordan border crossings after deadly shooting Israel closed on Sunday the two land crossings between Jordan and Israel, as well as the Allenby Bridge crossing between Jordan and the occupied West Bank, the Israel Airports Authority -- which oversees the crossings -- told ABC News. The closures followed a shooting on Sunday morning at Allenby that killed three police officers. The gunman -- who was shot dead by security forces -- came from the Jordanian side, but it was not immediately clear if he was affiliated with any militant group. Both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad issued congratulatory statements about the shooting. Netanyahu condemned the attack, saying it was attributable to the "murderous ideology led by Iran's 'Axis of Evil'." Israel did not say how long the closures would last. The Allenby crossing is one of the key entries through which goods destined for Gaza pass. -ABC News' Jordana Miller, Nasser Atta, Victoria Beaule and David Brennan Sep 8, 7:48 AM Hamas rocket commander 'eliminated' in Gaza: IDF The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the killing of a Hamas rocket commander in an airstrike last week. The IDF wrote on social media on Sunday that its Southern Command "eliminated" Raef Omar Salman Abu Shab -- the commander of the rocket unit of the eastern Khan Younis Brigade -- in an airstrike on Tuesday The commander was "responsible for launching rocket barrages from the area of Khan Younis toward southern and central Israel since the start of the war," the IDF said. -ABC News' David Brennan The Israeli military has ordered another evacuation of some residential areas in northwest Gaza where it says Palestinian militants fired rockets on the nearby Israeli town of Ashkelon. The orders issued on Monday came after a rocket attack triggered air raid sirens in Ashkelon the day before. The military said it intercepted one projectile and another fell in the sea. Israel ordered the evacuation of all of northern Gaza, including the territorys largest city, in the opening weeks of the war triggered by Hamas Oct. 7 attack. Most residents heeded the orders and headed south, but up to 300,000 remained in the north, where Israels air and ground operations have caused widespread destruction. The north has been surrounded by Israeli forces and largely isolated since October. Around 90% of Gazas population of 2.3 million people have been displaced in the 11-month-old war, often multiple times. Hundreds of thousands of people are crammed into tent camps along the coast with few if any public services. Here's the latest: Israel public broadcast station publishes a recording of conversation between father of a hostage and Netanyahu TEL AVIV Israels public broadcast station Kan has published a recording in which the father of one of the six Israeli hostages who were found dead last week in a tunnel in Gaza angrily confronts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Kan said Monday that the recording was made during a condolence visit by Netanyahu to the family of Uri Danino. The hostages father, Elhanan Danino, can be heard telling Netanyahu to stop messing around with nonsense petty politics and spins. theres no price for human life. He implored Netanyahu to unify the nation. Youre a leader. Elected. Sent to lead, he said. The father accused Netanyahu, who has been prime minister for most of the last 15 years, of having failed to stop Hamas during his time in office. Forgive me sir, it all happened on your watch, he is heard saying in the recording. My son was murdered in a tunnel that you built on your watch, - a reference to cash and concrete that reached Hamas in recent years. In the recording, the prime minister tells Danino that I wont tell you what goes on behind closed doors. It wont interest you that much either, and goes on to say he had dealt with the situation alone against the whole world. Facing the president of the United States and people here, and facing military elements here. Without referring to the recording, Netanyahu released a recorded statement saying: I hear the cry of the families of the hostages who have lost what is most dear to them. My wife and I go to heartbreaking meetings that just break our hearts to pieces. I hear, I listen, I dont judge either, and I am doing everything to return the hostages and to win the war, he said. Asked whether the Kan recording was real, the prime ministers office refused to elaborate. The Associated Press could not independently verify the recording. Was hington in talks with Israel to make sure there is accountability in killing of Turkish-American activist WASHINGTON A deputy State Department spokesman fended off questions Monday about whether the U.S. was being slow to respond to Fridays killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old Seattle resident and American citizen shot in the head at a demonstration in the West Bank. Rights groups and others say Israeli military investigations into abuses seldom find Israeli forces culpable or bring accountability, and the slain womans American family asked President Joe Biden over the weekend for a separate U.S. investigation. The deputy spokesman, Vedant Patel, said the Biden administration was still speaking to Israeli allies about the shooting, which witnesses alleged was done by an Israeli military gunman at a period when the demonstration was calm. Our partners in Israel have indicated they are conducting a process examining the killing and they will make public their finding, Patel said, adding that they will let that process play out. Should whatever happened deem that there be accountability by Israelis, we of course will expect that. Pressed by reporters on the contrast to the administrations swift condemnation of the killing of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Hamas custody last week, Patel said that reflected the direct murder of American Israeli citizens being held by a terrorist group. Patel said any direct investigation would be carried out by the Justice Department, not State. White House national security adviser speaks with Saudi Arabia's crown prince WASHINGTON White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday as the Biden administration struggles to push past differences between Israel and Hamas and seal a cease-fire deal to at least temporarily pause the 11-month war in Gaza. The call, which was confirmed by a U.S. official who was not authorized to publicly comment on the call that has not been publicized by the White House, comes as the U.S. administration is aiming to prevent the Gaza war from spreading into a regional conflict. Sullivan and the crown prince also discussed the U.S.-push for normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia as well as concerns about Irans nuclear program, according to a person familiar with the conversation. -Aamer Madhani Turkey's president says it will seek justice in international court for the slain Turkish-American activist ANKARA, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that Turkey would seek justice for the slain Turkish-American activist by taking her brutal killing to an international court. A witness said Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was shot dead by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. We will take every legal step to ensure that our daughter, Aysenur Ezgis blood is not left unavenged and we will continue our fight against the state of Israel by applying at the highest level to the International Court of justice in The Hague, Erdogan said following a Cabinet meeting. In his televised remarks, the Turkish leader also called on nations of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to meet urgently and present a united stance against what he said were Israeli expansionist policies concerning holy sites in Jerusalem. President Joe Biden expected to meet with top advisers to discuss cease-fire deal WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is expected to meet with top advisers at the White House on Monday to discuss efforts to get Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement on a cease-fire deal, according to a person familiar with the discussions. White House officials had talks earlier Monday morning about the state of the negotiations with Egyptian and Qatari officials, who have been serving as intermediaries with Hamas. The person, who wasnt authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the U.S. side is frustrated with Hamas demands for the release of more Hamas prisoners in the first stage of the deal after last weeks killing of six hostages. That demand is a non-starter for the Israeli-side, but the White House still has hope that Qatar can persuade Hamas to a more reasonable position on the hostage for prisoner swap. -Aamer Madhani West Bank funeral procession for Turkish-American pro-Palestinian activist NABLUS, West Bank Dozens of mourners attended a funeral procession for a Turkish-American activist who a witness says was shot dead by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. The procession on Monday for Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was organized by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Its security forces carried her body draped in a Palestinian flag with a traditional black-and-white checkered scarf over her face. Several Palestinian officials took part in the procession in the West Bank city of Nablus. A fellow pro-Palestinian protester said the 26-year-old was shot in the head by Israeli forces during a period of calm after a clash between the soldiers and Palestinian protesters. The military said it was investigating the shooting, and that the forces had fired at an instigator of violent activity in the area of the protest last Friday. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said it was working to repatriate her remains for burial in Turkey. U.S. officials did not respond to a request for comment. The West Bank has seen a surge of violence since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, with increasing Israeli raids, attacks by Palestinian militants on Israelis, and attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians. Death toll from Israeli strikes on Syria rises to 14, Syrian state media say DAMASCUS The number of people killed in overnight Israeli strikes in Syria has risen to 14, with more than 40 wounded, Syrian state media said Monday morning. Syrian state news agency SANA reported that Israeli strikes hit several areas in central Syria late Sunday, damaging a highway in Hama province and sparking fires. The initial death count reported by the Masyaf National Hospital in western Hamas province was four. As of Monday morning SANA reported 14 killed and 43 wounded, citing hospital head Faysal Haydar. It was not clear how many of those killed and wounded were civilians and how many were militants. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, reported that one of the strikes targeted a scientific research center in Maysaf and other sites where Iranian militias and experts are stationed to develop weapons in Syria. Local media also reported strikes around the coastal city of Tartous. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of war-torn Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations. The strikes often target Syrian forces or Iranian-backed groups. Israel has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment in Syria. Smoke rises following an explosion in Gaza near the Israel border - REUTERS The IDF has ordered the evacuation of residential areas in northwest Gaza, where it said Palestinian fighters had fired rockets towards the nearby town of Ashkelon. Colonel Avichay Adraee, the IDFs Arabic-language spokesman, said the specified area has been warned many times in the past and is considered a dangerous combat zone. The evacuation order came after a rocket attack triggered air raid sirens in Ashkelon on Sunday, when the military said it intercepted one missile and another fell in the sea. There have been some pauses in fighting across Gaza in recent weeks due to an ongoing campaign to vaccinate children against Polio, though clashes between the IDF and Palestinian fighters have still occurred. Israel ordered the evacuation of all of northern Gaza in the immediate aftermath of the war, which was triggered by Hamas terror attack on Oct 7. The majority of residents complied with the orders, though around 300,000 residents remained in the north, where Israels air and ground operations have focused. Around 90% of Gazas population (2.3 million people) has been displaced by the war. Meanwhile, an Israeli official told the Times of Israel that a new US ceasefire proposal is expected to be presented in the coming days. We are waiting, an official said. The Americans are being cautious, they dont want to put forward a deal that they know will be rejected by Hamas. They know that Hamas is the one putting obstacles in the way. Just because its not happening soon doesnt mean it wont happen, they added. 03:30 PM BST Thanks for following todays live blog Thank you for following todays live coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict. 03:27 PM BST Thirteen suspects arrested by Israeli forces over planned terror attack Thirteen suspects have been arrested by Israeli officers after intelligence suggested they were planning to carry out a terror attack. The main suspect, who was arrested on Route 6, is a Palestinian man who illegally entered from the West Bank, according to KAN. Israel Police said on Monday afternoon that the incident had been dealt with. 03:03 PM BST UN nuclear watchdog chief hopes to hold talks with Iran The UN's nuclear watchdog chief said on Monday he hopes to hold talks with Masoud Pezeshkian, the new Iranian president, by November, in a bid to improve cooperation. There are a number of issues complicating relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency, including its failure to explain uranium traces being found. He (Pezeshkian) agreed to meet with me at an appropriate juncture, Rafael Grossi said. I encourage Iran to facilitate such a meeting in the not-too-distant future so that we can establish a constructive dialogue that leads swiftly to real results, he added. Rafael Grossi, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said he wants to meet Masoud Pezeshkian, the new Iranian president, by November - REUTERS 02:40 PM BST Let us strike Iranian missiles held in Russia, Kyiv urges West Kyiv has urged the West to let its forces strike Iranian missiles which are being held in Russia. It comes after Iran confirmed that it had sent ballistic missiles to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine in exchange for soybeans and wheat. Andrii Yermak, the head of the president's office in Ukraine, wrote on Monday: In response to the supply of ballistic missiles to Russia, Ukraine must be allowed to destroy warehouses storing these missiles with Western weapons in order to avoid terror. 02:06 PM BST Israel against regional ceasefire even if Gaza war ends, says Lebanese FM Israel is against a broader ceasefire with Lebanon even if the war in Gaza ends, Abdallah Bou Habib said on Monday. Lebanon's foreign minister made the claims after Nissim Vaturi, a member of the Knessets foreign affairs and defence committee, claimed war between the two countries is a a matter of days away. Abdallah Bou Habib, the Lebanese foreign minister - Malgorzata Stepien/Daily Telegraph 01:45 PM BST School year begins but no classes take place The new school year in the Palestinian territories officially began on Monday, with all schools in Gaza shut after 11 months of war and no sign of a ceasefire. The Palestinian Education Ministry said all Gaza schools were shut and 90% of them had been destroyed or damaged since war broke out following the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas. 01:12 PM BST Drone fired from Lebanon hits building in northern Israel A drone fired from Lebanon has hit a building in Nahariya, a city in northern Israel. Around 15 rockets were fired at the north. No injuries were reported. Drone from Lebanon hits Nahariya high-rise - REUTERS 12:53 PM BST Iran accuses Israel of criminal attack on Syrian base Tehran has accused Israel of carrying out a criminal attack on central Syria, where state media said strikes killed at least 16 people and injured dozens more. Israeli strikes hit a research centre used by Iranian military experts for chemical weapons production located near the city of Masyaf, according to two regional intelligence sources. We strongly condemn this criminal attack by the Zionist regime on Syrian soil, Nasser Kanani, a foreign ministry spokesperson, said. It comes after an increase in the number of clashes between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah near the Lebanese border, including on Sunday, when Israeli strikes hit several sites and a rocket launcher belonging to the militant group in southern Lebanon. Israels attack on Iranian targets comes weeks after the assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas political leader, in Tehran, and leading Hezbollah figure Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Iran had vowed to respond at the right time in the appropriate manner following the attack, sparking fears of a regional conflict, though a large-scale response is yet to materialise. Click here to view this content. 12:04 PM BST Psychological warfare to accuse us of transferring missiles to Russia, says Iran Tehran has accused the West of engaging in psychological warfare after it was accused of transferring missiles to Russia. The Kremlin did not deny the Wall Street Journal report, which detailed how Iran had sent short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. We have seen this report, it is not every time that this kind of information is true. Iran is our important partner, we are developing our trade and economic relations, we are developing our cooperation and dialogue in all possible areas, including the most sensitive areas, Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, said. Motorists drive their vehicles past a billboard depicting named Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading "the honest [person's] promise" and in Persian "Israel is weaker than a spider's web" - AFP 11:54 AM BST Israel orders evacuation of towns in northwest Gaza The IDF has ordered the evacuation of some residential areas in northwest Gaza, where it said Palestinian fighters had fired rockets on the nearby town of Ashkelon. Around 300,000 Gaza residents remained in the northern part of the strip, despite Israel's orders to evacuate towards the south. 11:46 AM BST Met admits mistakes in policing of pro-Palestinian protests Moving to Middle East-related matters in the UK, a senior Scotland Yard officer has admitted the force made mistakes in its handling of pro-Palestinian protests. Matt Twist, the assistant commissioner of the Met Police responsible for public order policing, said the force didnt get everything right, particularly in the early stages in October. In an interview with the Policy Exchange think tank for a report on the protests, published on Monday, Mr Twist cited the decision not to immediately arrest demonstrators shouting jihad. On occasion we did not move quickly to make arrests, for example, the man chanting for jihad, which was a decision made following fast-time advice from lawyers and the Crown Prosecution Service, he said. Read the full story here. A Pro-Palestinian activist holds a placard reading 'From the River to the Sea' as they march through London on Saturday - AFP 11:35 AM BST Israel still expects US to present ceasefire deal Earlier we reported that the chances of a hostage-ceasefire deal were perceived to be close to zero by negotiators (see 8.44am post). An Israeli official has told the Times of Israel that a new US ceasefire proposal is expected to be presented in the coming days. We are waiting, an official said. The Americans are being cautious, they dont want to put forward a deal that they know will be rejected by Hamas. They know that Hamas is the one putting obstacles in the way. Just because its not happening soon doesnt mean it wont happen, they added. Anthony Blinken, the US secretary of state, recently said he expected a ceasefire deal to be presented soon - Shutterstock 10:59 AM BST Israel strikes Iranian chemical warfare centre in Syria Israeli airstrikes on an Iranian chemical warfare centre in Syria late Sunday killed 16 people and injured at least 40 others, according to the Syrian news agency Sana. Syrian air defences confronted an aggression that targeted several points in the central region, according to the state-run news agency. A major military research centre for chemical arms production located near the city of Masyaf was hit several times, two regional intelligence sources told Reuters. It is believed to house a team of Iranian military experts involved in weapons production. The city has been repeatedly targeted in recent years in attacks that have largely been attributed to Israel. Asked about the report, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it did not comment on reports in the foreign media. A fire has been seen raging near the Wadi al-Uyun highway in Masyaf where the Israeli airstrike was carried out - Sana 10:43 AM BST UNs human rights chief: Israel showing blatant disregard for international law The UN's human rights chief has called for countries to act on what he called Israel's blatant disregard for international law in the Palestinian territories. "Ending that war and averting a full-blown regional conflict is an absolute and urgent priority," Volker Turk said in a speech at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. 10:03 AM BST Pictured: Israeli troops continue operations in Gaza Israeli troops pictured on Sunday during operations in Gaza - AFP Israel continues its operations in Gaza on Sunday - AFP 09:49 AM BST West Bank-Jordan crossing reopens after terror attack The Allenby bridge crossing between Israel and Jordan has reopened to pedestrians after Sunday's terror attack, in which three Israelis were killed. It came after Israeli representatives from the Shin Bet and IDF met with their Jordanian counterparts to coordinate their response to the attack. It is the only crossing between the West Bank and Jordan. 09:13 AM BST Iran accuses Israel of criminal attack in Syria Iran has accused Israel of carrying out a criminal attack in central Syria, where state media said strikes killed at least 16 people. We strongly condemn this criminal attack by the Zionist regime on Syrian soil, Nasser Kanani, a foreign ministry spokesperson, said in Tehran. Mr Kanani also called on Israels western allies to stop funding them. 09:00 AM BST Israeli hostages tried to fight off killers moments before dying Several of the six Israeli hostages who were killed by Hamas and found by the IDF in a Gaza tunnel last month attempted to fight off their killers moments before dying, their families have been told. Daniel Hagari, the IDF's spokesperson, reportedly showed the hostages families forensic evidence detailing their final moments, Channel 12 and 13 reported. Several of the six are assessed to have defended themselves and struggled with those who shot them, a briefing note read. From top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat were killed by Hamas - The Hostages Families Forum 08:44 AM BST Chances of hostage deal close to zero - report The chances of achieving a hostage-ceasefire agreement are close to zero, according to those close to the negotiations. There is very broad pessimism among the negotiators, both in the US and in Israel, Channel 12 reported. The US had been planning to present a new proposal in the coming days but this is now unlikely to occur, according to reports. Thousands of taken to the streets of Israel in recent weeks to demand a ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Hamas - Anadolu 08:26 AM BST Israel strikes Hezbollah sites and rocket launcher in Lebanon Israeli strikes hit several sites and a rocket launcher belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon's Kafr Kila, Taybeh, Hanine, and Yarine, the IDF said on Monday. A separate strike on Sunday in Khirbet Selm targeted a building used by Hezbollah, the military added. , -, . , , ' pic.twitter.com/Ya6vvzL5lf (@idfonline) September 9, 2024 08:12 AM BST Benny Gantz: shift war focus to Lebanon Benny Gantz, a former member of Mr Netanyahu's war cabinet, has urged Israel to shift its focus away from Gaza and towards Hezbollah and Lebanon. We have enough forces to deal with Gaza and we should concentrate on what is going on in the north, Mr Gantz said from a Middle East forum in Washington. The time of the north has come and actually I think we are late on this. Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been exchanging fire near the Lebanese border in recent weeks. Hezbollah says it is a supporter of Hamas amid the war in Gaza. Benny Gantz resigned from Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet in the summer - Shutterstock 08:03 AM BST Israel-Lebanon war days away A member of Benjamin Netanyahus ruling party has said full-on war between Israel and Lebanon will take place in a matter of days. Nissim Vaturi, a member of the Knessets foreign affairs and defence committee, said that when war occurs, Beiruts Dahiyeh suburb will look like Gaza. There is no other way, Mr Vaturi said, before adding that the Israeli prime minister is of the same opinion and that this is something that will develop in the coming days. Mr Netanyahu reportedly briefed military officials Sunday and told them we must end this saga. Smoke rises above Lebanon following an Israeli strike near the border - REUTERS 07:50 AM BST Israel hits Iranian base used to produce missiles Tel Aviv believes the Syrian city of Maysaf, which was hit in overnight strikes, is used as a base for Iranian forces and pro-Iranian fighers, the Times of Israel reported. It hosts the Scientific Studies and Research Centre, which Israel says is used by Iran to produce surface-to-surface missiles. 07:46 AM BST Welcome to our live coverage Good morning and welcome to our live coverage. Were bringing you the latest from the Middle East after an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian chemical warfare centre in Syria killed at least 14 and injured dozens more. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A destroyed house from Israeli attacks is seen in the almost deserted southern border town of Khiam that has been a target of daily Israeli shelling and air raids. stringer/dpa The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday said it has struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck "Hezbollah military structures and a launcher" overnight in the areas of Kfarkela, Taybeh, Hanine and Yarine near Lebanon's border with Israel, the IDF said in a Telegram post. The IAF also struck in Sunday a "Hezbollah military structure" in Khirbet Selm, also in southern Lebanon, the IDF added. Since the war began between Israel and Palestinian militant organization Hamas in Gaza last October, there have been almost daily clashes between the Israeli army and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah in Lebanon in the border area between the two countries. There have been casualties on both sides, most of them members of Hezbollah, which says it is acting in solidarity with Hamas. Syrians inspect the damage at the site of suspected Israeli strikes on the outskirts of Masyaf in Syria's central Hama province (LOUAI BESHARA) (LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/AFP) Syria's health minister said Monday that overnight Israeli strikes killed 18 people in central Hama province, updating earlier figures, while a war monitor gave a higher death toll for the raids on military sites. The Israeli military, which has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria since its civil war started in 2011, declined to comment on the latest reported attack. "The number of martyrs of the brutal Israeli aggression reached 18 martyrs and 37 wounded," Syria's Health Minister Hassan al-Ghabash told AFP. This was "one of the most violent Israeli attacks" in Syria in years, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP. Earlier, official news agency SANA, citing a medical source, said the number of dead "in the Israeli aggression on a number of sites on the outskirts of Masyaf" was "16 martyrs and 36 wounded, including six critically". SANA citing a military source reported that at "around 11:20 pm (2020 GMT) on Sunday, the Israeli enemy carried out an air attack" from the direction of northwest Lebanon "targeting a number of military sites in the central region". Air defences "shot down some" of the missiles, SANA reported. - Missiles and drones - The Observatory war monitor reported "intense Israeli strikes" overnight, providing an updated toll of 26 dead including "five civilians, four soldiers and intelligence personnel and 14 Syrians working with pro-Iran groups". Three more bodies were unidentified, it added. Israeli strikes on Syria since 2011 have mainly targeted army positions and Iran-backed fighters including from Lebanon's Hezbollah group. Israeli authorities rarely comment on individual strikes in Syria, but have repeatedly said they will not allow arch-enemy Iran to expand its presence in the country. The Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria, had earlier said the strikes targeted sites "where pro-Iran groups and weapons development experts are stationed". The Observatory said "Israeli strikes... targeted the scientific research area in Masyaf" in Hama province and other sites, destroying "buildings and military centres". Observatory chief Rahman said Iranian experts "developing arms including precision missiles and drones" worked in the scientific research centre that was hit. - Charred cars, craters - Charred cars were visible on both sides of the road, with nearby trees still burning, observed an AFP correspondent present at the scene as part of a media tour organised by authorities. The raids also blew five large craters in the main road to Masyaf, the correspondent said. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani told a media briefing: "We strongly condemn this criminal attack by the Zionist regime on Syrian soil." Syria's foreign ministry condemned the raids, accusing Israel of trying to "provoke a further escalation in the region". Israeli raids on Syria surged after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel sparked war in Gaza, then eased somewhat after an April 1 strike blamed on Israel hit the Iranian consular building in Damascus. Syria has sought to stay out of the Israel-Hamas conflict, whose fallout has raised fears of a broader regional war. In late August, several pro-Iranian fighters were killed in Syria's central Homs region in strikes attributed to Israel, the Observatory had said. Days later, the Israeli military said it killed an unspecified number of fighters belonging to the Hamas ally Islamic Jihad in a strike in Syria near the Lebanese border. The Syrian government's brutal suppression of a 2011 uprising triggered the conflict that has killed more than half a million people and drawn in foreign armies and jihadists. Iran-backed groups including Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement have bolstered President Bashar al-Assad's forces during Syria's civil war. Israeli raids on Syria have also sought to cut off Hezbollah supply routes to Lebanon. bur-lg/aya/ysm/dcp An ambulance drives past a vehicle that burned in the town of Masyaf, Syria, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Syrian state news agency SANA says that Israeli strikes hit several areas in central Syria Sunday night, damaging a highway in Hama province and sparking fires. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki) MASYAF, Syria (AP) The number of people killed in overnight Israeli strikes in Syria has risen to 18 with dozens more wounded, Syria's health minister said Monday the largest death toll in such an attack since the beginning of the war in Gaza. One of the sites targeted was a research center used in the development of weapons, a war monitor said. Syrian officials said civilian sites were targeted. Israel regularly targets military sites in Syria linked to Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Those strikes have become more frequent as Hezbollah has exchanged fire with Israeli forces for the past 11 months against the backdrop of Israels war against Hamas a Hezbollah ally in Gaza. However, the intensity and death toll of Sunday night's strikes were unusual. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of war-torn Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations. The strikes often target Syrian forces or Iranian-backed groups. Israel has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment in Syria, particularly since Syria is a key route for Iran to send weapons to Hezbollah. Israeli strikes hit several areas in central Syria, damaging a highway in Hama province and sparking fires, Syrian state news agency SANA said. Speaking to reporters, Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghabbash described the strikes as a brutal and barbaric aggression. He said the death toll had risen to 18 with nearly 40 wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, said 25 were killed, including at least five civilians, while the others included Syrian army soldiers and members of Hezbollah and other Iran-linked armed groups. One strike targeted a scientific research center in Masyaf, and other sites where Iranian militias and experts are stationed to develop weapons in Syria, the observatory said. It said the research center was reportedly used for developing weapons, including short- and medium-range precision missiles and drones. Minister of Electricity Mohammad al-Zamel said the strikes had caused truly significant damage to water and electricity infrastructure. This brutal attack targeted civilian targets, and the martyrs were mostly civilians, as were the wounded, he said. Muhammad Sumaya, a firefighter with the Hama Fire Brigade, was wounded when shrapnel from one of the strikes hit his foot. When the strikes began, he said while being treated in the Masyaf hospital Monday, we moved from one place to another to deal with the fires and work to extinguish them. While they were working, he said, a missile landed right next to us. Azzam al-Omar, a SANA photographer, said he was hit by shrapnel in the chest when a missile landed while he was photographing the aftermath of a strike. Local media also reported strikes around the coastal city of Tartous, which the observatory said were the result of air defense missiles falling. On Monday afternoon, a charred car remained at the scene of one strike and smoke was still rising from some spots where fires had been put out. Also on Monday, Saudi Arabia officially reopened its embassy in Damascus, marking a full restoration of relations between the two countries. Syria was widely shunned by Arab governments over the brutal crackdown by the government of Bashar Assas on protesters in a 2011 uprising that descended into civil war. The breakdown in relations culminated with Syria being ousted from the Arab League. As Assad consolidated his control over most of the country and the civil war turned into a largely frozen conflict, Arab states moved toward a rapproachement with Damascus. Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic relations with Syria in 2012. Last year, soon after Syria was reinstated to the Arab League, the two countries announced they were restoring relations. ___ Sewell reported from Istanbul. Associated Press journalist Samar Kassaballi in Damascus contributed to this report. Meng Rongda accompanies students after school on their way home in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 5, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda accompanies students after school on their way home in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 5, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda gives a lesson at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda teaches students to practice Yao ethnic drum dance at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda and his students carry the drum before practicing Yao ethnic drum dance at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 16, 2023. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda gives a PE class at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda gives a lesson at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda teaches students to practice Yao ethnic drum dance at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda (1st L) pays a home visit in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 5, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda teaches students to practice Yao ethnic drum dance at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 16, 2023. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo shows Meng Rongda (C) and students practicing Yao ethnic drum dance at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Photo by Wu Dejun/Xinhua) Meng Rongda (rear) and his students who got the new textbooks walk out of the classroom at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda watches students skip rope at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Students have lunch at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda and his wife watch students have lunch at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda watches students exercise during a break at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda prepares meals for students at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 6, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda writes a teaching log and his wife makes an insole at Zhongzhai teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 5, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Meng Rongda (2nd R, front) accompanies students after school on their way home in Xishan Township of Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 5, 2024. Meng Rongda, 59, is the only teacher of a "mini-school," more precisely a teaching site in Xishan Township of Congjiang County. At present, there are 23 preschool students and 17 pupils in the first and second grades. Besides Chinese and math, Meng is also responsible for physical education (PE) and music courses to ensure rural children can also attain a sound basic education. Meng has been working as a teacher, cook and caretaker at the mini-school since 2015 in the landlocked mountainous areas. To him, education can change the fate of children and therefore, he devotes himself to lighting up the way ahead for these rural children. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A general view shows the Knesset, Israel's parliament on a day of demonstrations and a parliament vote on a contested bill that limits Supreme Court powers to void some government decisions, in Jerusalem By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli lawmakers gave their initial approval on Monday to raising the 2024 budget framework to help fund reservists and assist people displaced as a result of the war in Gaza, with support coming from ultra-Orthodox parties. The vote to add 3.4 billion shekels ($906 million) to the 2024 budget passed by a 58-52 margin, the Finance Ministry said. Ultra-Orthodox parties had threatened to boycott votes in parliament in a dispute over funding for their separate education system. The bill still needs to pass two more votes to become law. The rift with ultra-Orthodox parties is a test of the unity of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government as Israel presses on with its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year. The two religious parties, which occupy 18 of parliament's 120 seats, said last week they would not participate in plenum votes until the government agreed that schools in their separate education system should receive the same benefits as state-run schools -- especially their "New Horizon" programme which adds school hours and sharply boosts teacher pay. A spokesman for Moshe Gafni, leader of one of the ultra-Orthodox parties, said the faction had decided to vote for the budget this time. It was not clear about voting in future votes. "The budget adjustments will enable the conditions required for the continuous continuation of the war against those who seek our harm," said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who criticised those who voted against. "It would be good if the members of the opposition would join in with national responsibility and vote in favour of continuing to fund the evacuees and reservists - this is a war for all of us together." Israel has called up reservists up during the Gaza war, and tens of thousands of Israelis have been displaced from homes in the north by rocket fire from the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. ($1 = 3.7530 shekels) (Reporting by Steven Scheer, Editing by Timothy Heritage) Experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have analysed the statements made by US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns regarding Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons. Source: ISW Details: CIA Director William Burns has urged the West not to be overly concerned by the frequent nuclear threats coming from Russia, which ISW has long identified as part of a Kremlin strategy aimed at discouraging Western support for Ukraine. During a panel discussion on 7 September with Richard Moore, Head of the UKs Secret Intelligence Service, Burns noted that Russian leader Vladimir Putin will likely continue to make periodic threats of direct confrontation with the West but emphasised that these should not be a cause for alarm. Burns also revealed that the CIA had assessed the possibility of Russian forces considering the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine in the autumn of 2022, during which he communicated with Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin. This assessment came at a time when Russias nuclear rhetoric intensified as Ukraine's counteroffensive operations in Kherson and Kharkiv oblasts were successful. However, Burns suggested that this rhetoric was more likely a routine part of an information campaign designed to deter Western military aid to Ukraine rather than an actual indication of Russia's readiness to use nuclear weapons. The Kremlin has consistently used veiled nuclear threats during critical moments in Western political debates about further military support for Ukraine, as seen in the autumn of 2022. Nevertheless, ISW maintains that the likelihood of Russia resorting to nuclear weapons in Ukraine or elsewhere remains extremely low. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 8 September: Russian milbloggers continue to offer insights into how the Kremlin is co-opting select milbloggers to regulate the spread of information in Russia. The Kremlin has not yet succeeded in co-opting or silencing all Russian milbloggers, however. The milbloggers insights into such incidents suggest that the Kremlin is attempting to co-opt milbloggers or encourage them to self-censor, as opposed to a more aggressive policy of direct censorship. The Russian Investigative Committee is investigating a "mass brawl" between Russian ultranationalists and Central Asian residents in Afipsky, Krasnodar Krai, amid increased xenophobia against migrants and ethnic minorities in Russia. Ukrainian officials continued to announce a series of appointments among senior members of the Ukrainian cabinet on 8 September. Russian forces conducted counterattacks in Kursk Oblast amid continued Ukrainian offensive operations in the area on 8 September. Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk and marginally advanced near Chasiv Yar. A Russian milblogger who formerly served as a "Storm-Z" unit instructor claimed on 8 September that the Russian military needs to improve the training of drone unit commanders. Support UP or become our patron! The resignation of Italys culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano on Friday, after he admitted to having an extramarital affair with a ministry consultant, is prompting hope across the Italian industry that his departure could help remove legislative impediments that many claim are causing a production slowdown. Sangiuliano stepped down Friday in the wake of a scandal that dominated Italian headlines for days and rocked Italys right-wing government headed by Giorgia Meloni. It involves Maria Rosaria Boccia, a self-proclaimed fashion entrepreneur who claimed on Instagram to have been hired as a ministry advisor. After Sangiuliano denied this, it surfaced that they had been having an affair. More from Variety Sangiuliano has been replaced as culture minister by Alesandro Giuli, head of Romes MAXXI museum of contemporary art and architecture. Giuli on Saturday made the trek to the Venice Film Festival to attend the closing ceremony, during which anger was vented against long-gestating legislation that Sangiuliano had been drafting. The new law would bring contentious modifications to the countrys crucial tax incentives for film and TV production, making it much harder for smaller indie producers to tap into the benefits. During the ceremony, veteran auteur Nanni Moretti who got a prize for the restored version of his first work Ecce Bombo that screened in the Venice Classics section lashed out against Sangiuliano, urging Italian producers and directors to be more reactive against the countrys upcoming terrible new film law. Morettis call was echoed by another prominent director, Gabriele Muccino, who is known stateside for scoring a Hollywood hit with Will Smith-starrer The Pursuit of Happyness. In an Instagram post thats been widely picked up by Italian media, Muccino urged the new culture minister to listen to the Italian industry and to give it back its strength and prestige by modifying the disastrous law that Sangiuliano was drafting. Thanks to its generous, smartly conceived tax rebates, until a year ago, Italian cinema was experiencing a period of great prosperity, said Muccino, noting that productions such as The White Lotus Season 2, Steven Zaillians Ripley and Amazon Primes Those About to Die came to Italy creating jobs and economic growth. Then Sangiuliano arrived and with him the specious, confusing, incomplete and much-quibbled-over new [proposed] law on tax rebates that [has] slowed down and blocked dozens of projects, he said. Many productions have stopped, investors have fled to other European countries with more advantageous policies where the government knows how to protect this industry and, more importantly, they know that it represents an important part of the countrys entire economy, he said, blaming Sangiuliano for his senseless and short-sighted vision that has brought Italys industry to its knees. Hollywood is also concerned about the proposed new law which would exclude anything involving artificial intelligence from the Italian incentives, which means studios and streamers would not be able to use the rebate for various types of special effects. There are also concerns among foreign producers that the draft law jingoistically favors films that use local talents. Before Sangiuliano resigned, the Italian parliament was expected to push through his new law regulating film and TV production rebates by Oct. 9. It will now be interesting to see whether Giuli, who has not commented on the legislation, pays heed and makes some changes. (Pictured above, from left to right: Nanni Moretti, Gennaro Sangiuliano and Gabriele Muccino.) Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Joecephus Martin is one of at least 50 dads and male role models who volunteers at McWillie Elementary School for their WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program. That was another way for me to spend time with my children, said Martin. His son August is proud to have his dad show up to his school: I like when he walks through the hallway just to hype the kids up. The program began in 1998 in a single school in Springdale, Arkansas. The WATCH D.O.G.S. program at McWillie Elementary School has been implemented for more than 10 years. Dads, grandfathers and other father figures can volunteer at least one day each year to help out with various activities. Tuition-free school opens doors to new building thanks to community donations Participating in the WATCH D.O.G.S. program has taught me more than anything the importance of modeling, being your best self to children, said Martin. Students Eli Myers and Holland Harpers dads are also signed up for the program. He trims the trees. He pressure washes the walls. He makes the school beautiful, said Myers. I like it when my dad comes to school a lot, said Harper. McWillie Elementary Schools principal, Sara Harper, says the program allows male role models to be volunteers in a space thats typically dominated by women. We dont see dads enough. Moms are always the ones coming to register, sign up, and get them when theyre sick, she said. Dads specifically are part of our team, so to have them a part of our team and have them visible and active in the school, it makes a big difference in our school community. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Jacksonville City Council Member Rahman K. Johnson has shared the following statement about Mayor Donna Deegans Chief of Staff and Florida Blue Market President (TDE) Darnell Smith READ: Jacksonville Mayor weighs in on Chief of Staffs involvement in Florida Blue, Baptist Health negotiations Jacksonville City Council Member Rahman K. Johnson has released a statement addressing concerns surrounding Darnell Smiths dual role as Mayor Donna Deegans Chief of Staff and Florida Blue Market President (TDE). Darnell Smiths leadership and expertise are invaluable assets to the City of Jacksonville. His role as an executive on loan has provided our city with the benefit of his vast executive experience, at no cost to taxpayers, Johnson said. He went on to clarify that Smith has maintained a strict separation between his responsibilities at City Hall and any involvement with Florida Blue, and the Office of General Counsel confirmed that no violations have occurred. Johnson emphasized that Smith has not engaged in any negotiations involving Florida Blue and the city, ensuring that his work complies with ethical standards. The suggestion that his involvement provides an unfair advantage is simply not rooted in reality. Our city is fortunate to have a citizen like Mr. Smith who was willing to serve and a great corporate partner like Florida Blue who sees the opportunity for growth in a forward-moving city. Negotiations between private entities, such as Florida Blue and Baptist Health, occur independently of the City of Jacksonville. Any claims of bias totally misrepresent the situation and do not reflect the professionalism that Mr. Smith has displayed throughout his career. Our city remains committed to the highest ethical standards. I am confident that Darnell Smiths service reflects those values. We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber collaborating with Mayor Deegan at this critical time. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Harvey Weinstein in Manhattan Criminal Court for a pretrial hearing, following his overturned sex crimes conviction, in New York City, July 19, 2024 (KENA BETANCUR) (KENA BETANCUR/POOL/AFP) Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, 72, was rushed from a New York prison to hospital for emergency heart surgery on Monday, US media reported. ABC News quoted Weinstein's representatives as saying he was taken to New York's Bellevue Hospital "due to several medical conditions." "We can confirm that Mr. Weinstein had a procedure and surgery on his heart today however (we) cannot comment any further than that," the statement from Craig Rothfeld and Juda Engelmayer said. Weinstein is being held at the Rikers Island prison, where he is serving a 16-year sentence after being convicted on rape charges by a California court. He had also been convicted by a New York court in 2020 of the rape and sexual assault of actor Jessica Mann and of forcibly performing oral sex on a production assistant. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison in that case. An appeals court, however, overturned that conviction in April, a shock reversal in one of the defining cases of the #MeToo movement. He is now awaiting retrial in that case. Prosecutors say they may bring new sexual assault charges against him ahead of the retrial, and Weinstein was due to attend a procedural hearing in that case on Thursday. His lawyers have argued for a retrial in the California case, too. Arthur Aidala, Weinstein's lawyer, said in July that his client's health had been deteriorating in prison. The once-powerful film mogul has made court appearances in a wheelchair, looking frail and pale. "He's not a young man, he's a sick man," Aidala said at the time. "His diabetes is going through the roof." In 2017, the allegations against Weinstein helped launch the #MeToo movement, a watershed moment for women fighting sexual misconduct. More than 80 women accused him of harassment, sexual assault or rape, including prominent actors Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd. Weinstein says that any sexual relations in question were consensual. He and his brother Bob co-founded Miramax Films in 1979, a major Hollywood studio behind such diverse hits as "Pulp Fiction," "There Will Be Blood," and "Shakespeare in Love." bur-aha/bgs A pro-Palestinian protester busted as part of the Hamilton Hall takeover was indicted for burning an Israeli flag during an earlier incident at Columbia University, the Manhattan District Attorney announced Monday. James Carlson, 40, was attending a demonstration on April 20 when a Jewish student had his Israeli flag stolen by another protester, prosecutors said. Carlson was not affiliated with Columbia. Before the student could get it back, Carlson snatched the flag and took a lighter to it until the pro-Israel counter-protester seized it once more, according to the DAs office. He was charged with criminal mischief and arson; he pleaded not guilty. This defendants alleged activity went beyond legal and peaceful protest. Committing arson in a crowded protest endangers the safety of others, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated, District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. We will continue to work closely with the NYPD and local colleges and universities to ensure the safety of students, staff and community members during any protest or demonstration. The student suffered a minor injury but did not need medical attention, the Daily News reported. A second suspect, was arrested in June for hurling a rock at the students face. Carlson, a serial protester and self-proclaimed anarchist, was arrested for trespassing at Hamilton Hall on April 30. As he awaited processing at 1 Police Plaza, Carlson was charged with damaging police property, shattering a glass panel in a holding cell. Mondays indictment came less than a week after eight protesters at City College were arraigned on charges of burglary and tampering with physical evidence. Two of the defendants were charged with attempted assault of CUNY public safety officers. All but one had no affiliation with CUNY; Rudy Martinez is a staff member at CUNYs Guttman College in midtown Manhattan. All pleaded not guilty. The award-winning actor James Earl Jones died Monday at his home in Dutchess County, New York. He was 93. Deadline was the first to report the news, which was confirmed by Jones representatives at Independent Artist Group. The prolific actors signature deep, rumbling voice gave life to iconic movie characters, such as Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disneys The Lion King. James Earl Jones with his honorary Academy Award statue, presented in 2011 for "extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement." Luke MacGregor / Reuters Jones, born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, in 1931, was the son of Broadway actor Robert Earl Jones and Ruth Connolly Jones. His father left the family after he was born, first pursuing a career as a boxer and then as an actor. His mother had to spend time away from her son to support the family, and Jones maternal grandparents adopted him and brought him with them when they moved to Michigan. Jones and his wife, Cecilia Hart, in 2015. Mark Sagliocco via Getty Images Jones said he was often quiet as a child because of a stutter, an experience he said helped teach him how to listen to others. I found it was oh so good sometimes because silence isnt bad, he told PBS in 2014. Its good to listen. And I learned to listen. In high school, Jones found that he typically did not stutter when reading aloud, he noted in a 1994 memoir. That revelation helped lead to an interest in performing, and he ultimately studied drama at the University of Michigan. However, he noted in several interviews as an adult that he still considered himself a stutterer. I just work with it, he told NPR in 2014. The Army recruited Jones in 1953, and he served two years and became a second lieutenant. He left after an officer recommended that he try out civilian life before committing to the military as a career. Jones took a night job as a janitor to support himself as he spent his days auditioning for parts in New York City. Jones found success in the New York theater scene relatively quickly. By 1963, he was starring in an off-Broadway production of Othello. That same year, he made his first film appearance as Lt. Lothar Zogg in Stanley Kubricks Dr. Strangelove, and was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the role of Joe Goodwin in the TV series East Side/West Side. Jones married actress Julienne Marie in 1968, though the pair divorced four years later. In 1982, he married actress Cecilia Hart, whom he met on the set of the 1979 TV series Paris. They had a son, Flynn Jones, and were married for 34 years, until Harts death from ovarian cancer in 2016. James Earl Jones is known for his deep voice, which brought to life Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" franchise and Mufasa in "The Lion King." STR New / Reuters Throughout his prolific career acting on TV, in films and onstage, he was showered with awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe, two Tonys and two Primetime Emmys. He was honored in 2009 with a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and in 2011 received an Honorary Academy Award, a tribute given for lifetime achievement and exceptional contributions to film. Jones, however, continued to take on new roles, appearing in numerous projects that included a 2014 return to Broadway to star in a revival of You Cant Take It With You and in a revival of The Gin Game in 2015. He also continued to voice some of his best-known characters, including reprising his role as Darth Vader in 2016s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and 2019s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and as Mufasa in 2019s photorealistic version of The Lion King. Director Jon Favreau said he viewed bringing Jones back to voice Mufasa as carrying the legacy of the original animated movie and called the experience of hearing Jones say his famous lines moving and surreal. Jones also approved for his voice to be recreated for future Star Wars projects, a process that was first used for 2022s Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi series. He reprised his role as King Jaffe Joffer from Coming to America in its 2021 sequel, Coming 2 America. In 2022, a Broadway theater was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in his honor. After decades of accolades, Jones said in 2014 that he simply felt fortunate to be able to pursue something he loved. There was nobody [who was] supposed to be well-known in our family, he said. That was not supposed to happen. Something odd about it. Related... (NewsNation) Revered actor James Earl Jones, most famously known as the voice of Darth Vader, has died at the age of 93. The cause of Jones death is currently unknown, but NewsNation can independently confirm via his reps at IAG that he died at his Dutchess County, New York, home Monday morning. The pioneering Jones, who in 1965 became one of the first Black actors in a continuing role on a daytime drama (As the World Turns) and worked deep into his 80s, won two Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts and the Kennedy Center Honors. He was also given an honorary Oscar and a special Tony for lifetime achievement. In 2022, a Broadway theater was renamed in his honor. Kentucky I-75 shooting: What we know Jones played a starring role in Coming to America and played Mufasa in The Lion King among other roles. He graced the stage and screen for seven decades, but Jones was a voice that the world almost never got to hear due to a stutter and his interest in the medical field. However, Jones ultimately graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in theater before arriving in New York to chase his dream after a stint in the Army. Joness first big break came in The Great White Hope, where he played talented yet troubled boxer Jack Jefferson. In 2022, the James Earl Jones Theater was unveiled on Broadway as a tribute to his legacy. Jones also compelled audiences with his roles in Field of Dreams, The Sandlot and Conan the Barbarian to name a few. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Download our NewsNation app for 24/7 fact-based unbiased 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 NewsNation. TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's ruling party official and candidate running in the party's leadership race, Sanae Takaichi, on Monday called for deploying "strategic" fiscal spending to support the economy. "Strategic deployment of fiscal spending will increase jobs, household income, and improve consumer sentiment. It will also increase tax revenues without raising the tax rate and help build a strong economy," Takaichi told a press conference to announce her intention to run in the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) leadership race scheduled on Sept. 27. (Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Sonali Paul) ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people were killed and three others injured when a passenger bus fell off a mountain road in Yemen's southern province of Lahj on Sunday, a security official told Xinhua. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the accident occurred in the Maqatrah district on a hazardous road linking the provinces of Aden and Taiz. He added the bus fell from a steep slope and plunged into a rocky valley below after the driver lost control due to a brake failure. The official confirmed that the death toll includes women and children. Eyewitnesses described the accident as "horrific," noting that the impact was so severe that some victims were ejected from the vehicle. Maqatrah, known for its dangerous mountain routes, has seen numerous accidents in recent years. Local observers said the incident highlights the broader impact of Yemen's decade-long civil war on civilian safety and infrastructure. With main interprovincial roads often blocked by warring factions, civilians are forced to use perilous alternative routes, including hazardous mountain passes. Yemen's crisis began in late 2014 when the Houthi group took control of the capital, Sanaa, leading to a Saudi-led military intervention and escalating into what the United Nations now describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joined the Midwest March for Life on May 1 at the Missouri State Capitol. I think regardless of what the legislature does, the people of this state with hard work can protect all life in this state," Ashcroft said (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent). Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft decertified a ballot measure that would legalize abortion, a move aimed at blocking it from appearing on the November ballot, according to a brief filed Monday with the state Supreme Court. Last month, Ashcroft announced the reproductive-rights proposal would appear on the ballot as Amendment 3. But a Cole County judge on Friday ruled the amendment violated state law and shouldnt have been certified. That ruling is now before the Missouri Supreme Court, with a hearing scheduled Tuesday morning and a ruling expected quickly thereafter. The deadline to remove a question from the ballot is also Tuesday. But before the Supreme Court had the chance to weigh in, Ashcroft said he had changed his mind. On further review in light of the circuit courts judgment, the Secretary believes the amendment is deficient, the secretary of state argues in a filing with the court. As of Monday afternoon, Amendment 3 was no longer listed on the secretary of states website as appearing on the November ballot. The amendment proponents cannot evade constitutional requirements that advocates of other amendments must and have satisfied simply because the proposed amendment concerns a highly charged moral topic, the brief read. This court should enforce the circuit courts judgment. Attorneys for the campaign in a filing Monday evening asked that Ashcroft be held in contempt of court, adding that his decision went against the courts stay order filed Monday morning that kept the amendment on the ballot until the highest courts decision was made. Secretary Ashcrofts letter directly tends to interrupt this courts proceeding and impair respect for this courts authority, the filing read. Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for the campaign behind Amendment 3 Missourians for Constitutional Freedom said in a statement Monday that the Supreme Court has jurisdiction at this point, not Ashcroft. Sweet added the campaign is confident the court will order the secretary of state to keep Amendment 3 on the ballot. Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh ruled last week that the measure should be taken off the ballot, but deferred to a higher court for a final ruling. Missourians for Constitutional Freedom quickly appealed. Missouri law requires that initiative petitions include all sections of existing law or of the constitution which would be repealed by the measure. During a circuit court hearing Friday, an attorney representing Ashcroft maintained the office believed that the measure met the minimum requirements to be certified. The anti-abortion plaintiffs who challenged the legality of the amendment have argued that because the campaign behind the ballot measure didnt list the exact statutes that would be repealed on the initiative petition, the measure is invalid. Attorneys representing Missourians for Constitutional Freedom continue to argue that the measure, if passed, would not truly repeal any part of Missouris constitution, but rather supersede most of the current ban on the books. Missourians for Constitutional Freedom turned in signatures of more than 380,000 Missourians across the state who supported the issue landing on the ballot. If Amendment 3 is ultimately on the Nov. 5 ballot and wins by a simple majority, Missouri could be the first state to overturn an abortion ban. Amendment 3 would establish the constitutional right to an abortion up until fetal viability and grant constitutional protections to other reproductive health care, including birth control. It would also protect those who assist in an abortion from prosecution. Nearly every abortion, with limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother, has remained illegal in Missouri since June 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to the procedure. Missouris ban does not include exceptions for victims of rape or incest. The plaintiffs state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, state Rep. Hannah Kelly, anti-abortion activist Kathy Forck and shelter operator Marguerite Forrest said in a statement Friday evening that the amendments scope is about more than just abortion and could be interpreted to also include gender-affirming care and human cloning. This story was updated at 5:55 p.m. to include a filing from attorneys for the Amendment 3 campaign asking that Ashcroft be held in contempt of court. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz detailed experience going through fertility treatments to a crowd in North Carolina on Monday. The wife of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harriss running mate, traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina with Harriss husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, as part of their campaign jaunt through the south. Ms Walz said she was moved to speak about her and the governors experiences with fertility treatment after Alabamas Supreme Court legally classified frozen embryos as children. That move put the future of IVF in jeopardy in the state. The Alabama courts decision just brought us right back to that moment where Tim and I were having to make some of those decisions ourselves, but they were our decisions to make, Walz told the crowd. It brought back a crush of emotions that we hadnt felt in many, many years. Democrats have attacked Republicans for putting IVF in jeopardy after the chief justice in the Alabama case cited the Dobbs v Jackson decision from 2022 that overturned Roe v Wade. In response, Senate Democrats forced a vote to protect IVF which Republicans blocked. Vance of Ohio now Trumps running mate joined all but two Republicans in opposing the legislation. Ms Walz said that she and Mr Walz did not share their difficulty in conceiving with many people. It was almost too much to bear to even tell our friends and family, because then the disappointment felt exponential, she said. They finally told their neighbor Mary because she was a nurse and Ms Walz needed injections as part of her fertility treatment, which she couldnt administer herself. Some of you who've been through this process know that injection, and it happens back behind and so I couldn't do that myself, she said. And now, I know you all are learning how great Tim is, but lets just say its a good thing he didnt become a nurse or doctor, she added, to laughter in the room. No matter how much he tried or practiced, he couldnt quite do it. Ms Walz said that the process they went through lasted for years. That journey was hard, but we kept going, and it was worth it. Eventually, we had our daughter, and it's no accident after that that we named her Hope, she said. The Walz family would welcome their son Gus, who went viral for cheering his father during the Democratic National Convention last month, six years later. He is the one who took down Roe and unleashed all of this chaos and all of this cruelty, Walz said of Trump, before moving onto Vance. Who asked him to tell us how to build our families? she said. Nobody asked him and nobodys going to ask him. JD, were not asking. Ms Walz then reprised a routine she began recently where she put on a pair of glasses that she used to wear during her years working as a schoolteacher. School has started, she said. Mr Trump and Mr Vance, please mind your own business. In recent weeks, Trump has tried to pivot on reproductive rights. He most recently announced that IVF would be fully covered under his administration a move which left many conservatives reeling. Undocumented immigrants are coming to kidnap and eat your family pets, Republicans will have you know. Prominent politicians, including JD Vance and their chief internet allies, are spreading a fake far-right conspiracy theory about furry-friend munching migrants. And naturally, Kamala Harris is to blame. Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country. Where is our border czar? Vance posted on X on Monday, along with a video of him speaking at a hearing. Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio. Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country. Where is our border czar? pic.twitter.com/rf0EDIeI5i JD Vance (@JDVance) September 9, 2024 The viral narrative gained traction after an Ohio woman, whose public voter registration record indicates she is a U.S. citizen, was arrested in August for allegedly killing a cat and eating its carcass in public. It was an isolated incident. There is no evidence of a widespread pattern. Soon after, a social media post in a Springfield, Ohio, Facebook group caught attention for claiming that Haitian neighbors were hunting cats, ducks and geese. In a Springfield City Commission meeting, one attendee accused Haitian immigrants of grabbing up ducks and eating them. But the towns police said they had received no reports about missing or consumed pets and that no such incidents were on their radar. That hasnt stopped the theory from gaining traction and prompting right-wing influencers to position Donald Trump as the savior of all things cute and fluffy. In addition to Vance, other powerful Republicans in Congress have joined in spreading the conspiracy and blaming the Democratic presidential nominee, underscoring their allegiance to Trump ahead of Election Day, when the GOP hopes immigration will be a winning issue at the polls. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) slammed the Biden-Harris administration with a reference to people from Haiti who are into voodoo and eat house cats. House Judiciary Committee Republicans also weighed in with a post that reads: Protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio! The text is accompanied by what appears to be an AI-generated image of Trump crouched in a body of water cuddling with a kitten and a duck. Protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio! pic.twitter.com/YnTZStPnsg House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) September 9, 2024 Elon Musk reshared the image, along with another meme referencing the conspiracy theory. Previously, Musk responded to a post from Turning Point USA Founder and CEO Charlie Kirk spreading the false claim. Apparently, peoples pet cats are being eaten, Musk wrote. Smaller-scale right-wing influencers jumped on the bandwagon, too, many with their own AI creations. One, for instance, features him kissing a mallards emerald head. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. JD Vance spreads racist rumor that Haitian immigrants are abducting peoples pets and eating them in Ohio JD Vance has drawn heavy criticism after spreading a racist and debunked rumor that illegal immigrants from Haiti are abducting and eating pets in an Ohio town. Donald Trumps running mate posted a video of himself online in which he peddled the rumor, and said immigrants were causing chaos in the town of Springfield. The intent of sharing the baseless claim appeared to be to attack Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, over her border and immigration policies. Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio, Vance wrote on X on Monday. Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldnt be in this country. Where is our border czar? The post since has been viewed 2.4 million times, according to X. Vances debunked claim appears to have originated from a local Facebook group in Springfield which warned residents to be wary of the Haitian community and alleged that animals, including cats and dogs, were being carved up for consumption. Last month at a Springfield city meeting, a resident also claimed that Haitian migrants were decapitating ducks in public parks and eating them. Police in Springfield subsequently confirmed that they had received no reports of pets being stolen or eaten, according to the Springfield News-Sun. The force said it was aware of the viral Facebook post but that such claims were false. As one X user wrote to Vance on Monday: This has been debunked but of course youre spreading fake news. Youre desperate and sad. This is a lie. you are a liar, and a bad one at that, added another. These claims have also been promoted online by the social media accounts of the Trump War Room, Newsmax, and owner of X, Elon Musk. Reposting on X, a claim that 20,000 Haitian immigrants were destroying Springfield, Musk wrote: Vote for Kamala if you want this to happen to your neighborhood! The post has been viewed nearly 10 million times. The recent posts have sought to tie the baseless claims to a video of Harris stating how the Biden administration has extended temporary protected status to over 100,000 Haitian immigrants. A spokesperson for Vance told The Independent: Senator Vance has received a high volume of calls and emails over the past several weeks from concerned citizens in Springfield: his tweet is based on what he is hearing from them. The city has faced an influx of 15,000-20,000 Haitian migrants over the past four years, stressing public resources and leading to housing shortages, all thanks to Kamala Harriss policy of extending temporary protected status designations. Many residents have contacted Senator Vance to share their concerns over crime and traffic accidents, and to express that they no longer feel safe in their own homes. Unlike the liberal media, JD takes his constituents concerns seriously. Vance has previously drawn ire for claiming that Harris supporters were childless cat ladies. The border is a hot-button issue that is expected to be addressed during Tuesdays first presidential debate between Harris and Trump. At a rally in Wisconsin on Saturday, Trump re-upped his attacks on Harris border policy, claiming that as border czar, Kamala Harris let in over 20 million, theyre now saying the number could be 25 million illegal aliens from 168 different countries. Most people dont even know that you have that many countries, he added. Such numbers are vastly overestimated. US Customs and Border Protection having recorded about 10 million migrant encounters across the country since the start of Joe Bidens presidency. A migrant can be counted as an encounter on several occasions. On Saturday, Trump also made his oft-repeated claim that the people crossing the border are coming from prisons and jails, insane asylums and mental institutions and terrorists at a level that weve never seen before. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) slammed the GOPs stopgap funding proposal as unserious and unacceptable Monday, setting the stage for a close vote in the lower chamber on Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-La.) gambit to avert a government shutdown. Jeffries, in a letter to colleagues, said Johnsons government funding legislation which pairs a six-month continuing resolution with a bill backed by former President Trump to require proof of citizenship to register to vote, titled the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is partisan and extreme. Jeffries zeroed in on the timing of the continuing resolution, arguing that a shorter stopgap would be better so Congress can hash out funding for fiscal 2025 by the end of this calendar year. In order to avert a GOP-driven government shutdown that will hurt everyday Americans, Congress must pass a short-term continuing resolution that will permit us to complete the appropriations process during this calendar year and is free of partisan policy changes inspired by Trumps Project 2025, Jeffries said. There is no other viable path forward that protects the health, safety and economic well-being of hardworking American taxpayers. Jeffries is the latest Democrat to hammer away at Johnsons plan to fund the government, following Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young. Democrats have argued that the SAVE Act is unnecessary because non-U.S. citizens are already barred from voting in U.S. elections. They have also pushed for a shorter continuing resolution (CR) so funding could be dealt with before a new administration enters Washington in January. Johnson and Republicans, however, have made election integrity a key part of their platform this year, and want to keep the matter front-and-center ahead of November. Trump helped Johnson unveil the SAVE Act earlier this year. House Republicans are also pushing for a longer stopgap to give former President Trump an opportunity to influence government funding if he is elected to another term. While Jeffriess opposition to Johnsons plan did not come as a surprise, his formal rejection increases pressure on the Speaker as he looks to push the CR-plus-SAVE Act through the chamber with his razor-thin majority. Republicans can only afford to lose four of their own members if all Democrats vote no. At least two GOP lawmakers Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Matt Rosendale (Mont.) have already come out against the legislation, and other Republicans have expressed skepticism about his strategy. It remains unclear, however, if Democrats will be completely united in opposing the government funding package. Five House Democrats Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Don Davis (N.C.), Jared Golden (Maine), Vicente Gonzalez (Texas) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.) voted for the SAVE Act when it came to the floor as a stand-alone bill in July, and they have not said if they plan to vote for the CR-plus-SAVE Act legislation. The quintet of lawmakers, most of whom are running in competitive races in November, have come under pressure from Republicans to support the SAVE Act again, this time when it is attached to the continuing resolution. Even if the CR-plus-SAVE Act does narrowly clear the House, it will not move in the Democratic-controlled Senate. In a letter to colleagues Sunday, Schumer said, We will not let poison pills or Republican extremism put funding for critical programs at risk. Passing the package through the House, however, could help Johnson enter negotiations with Senate Democrats in a stronger position. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New Jersey schools closed over social media threats in wake of Georgia mass shooting Several New Jersey schools were under heightened security, or closed, on Monday after three juveniles made a threat against five schools (Getty Images) A dozen schools in New Jersey were closed on Monday after a threat was posted online, days after a deadly mass shooting at a Georgia high school. Woodbury City Public Schools and Deptford Township School District in Gloucester County announced on Sunday that they would cancel classes on Monday after an anonymous threat was made against five schools in two different counties. Thomas E. Bowe Middle School, in the neighboring Glassboro Public School District, announced it would increase police presence following the threats. Haddon Heights School District in Camden County said the same. At least three juveniles - one from Woodbury, one from Glassboro and another from Harrison - were arrested and charged in connection with the threat, according to the Woodbury City Police Department. Their identities have not been released at this time. While the threat was not deemed credible, we prioritized the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families throughout the process, Andrew Bell, superintendent of Woodbury City Public Schools, said in a letter. The Woodbury City Police Department said on Monday afternoon that all investigative leads, have not led to any of the documented threats having any credibility. The schools closed on Monday were expected to reopen on Tuesday. The Independent has asked New Jersey Governor Phil Murphys office for comment. The incident comes on the heels of a devastating school shooting in Georgia. Two students and two teachers were killed and nine others injured at Apalachee High School last Wednesday. A preliminary investigation from law enforcement agents revealed that police had interviewed the suspected shooter, Colt Gray, and his father, Colin Gray, due to accusations that he made threats against the school online. The Georgia school shooting has resurfaced concerns about those who make online threats, even in a joking manner, and reminded people to report all threats to law enforcement officials. One teen died and another was injured while riding a jet ski Saturday on a Northern California lake after they were struck by another jet ski, sheriffs officials said. About 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Boating Safety Unit deputies responded to reports of two jet skis that crashed on Lake Shasta in Shannon Cove near Sacramento Point. Upon arrival to the shoreline, deputies found an 18-year-old man with injuries to his chin and face and a 19-year-old man with a knee injury, the Shasta County Sheriffs Office announced in a news release. Sheriffs officials said the deputies learned the two injured teens were riding a jet ski when they were hit by another jet ski operated by a 21-year-old male, who did not require medical attention after the crash. The deputies took the two injured teens to Bridge Bay Marina, where medics were waiting. After arriving at the marina, the 18-year-old became unresponsive. Sheriffs officials said medics began immediate treatment and took the injured teens to a hospital. The 18-year-old was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The Shasta County Coroners Office will release his name after his family has been notified. The jet ski crash remained under investigation by the Boating Safety Unit, sheriffs officials said. Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough shamed Donald Trump supporters for deliberately choosing lies as the former president intensified baseless ballot fraud claims before the November election. (Watch the video below.) People go, I dont know what to believe because Donald Trump says this, but then I turn on this cable news channel thats lying for 24 hours a day on the right, and they tell me that what hes saying is the truth. the host said. Scarborough then directly addressed those people: You know what the truth is, and you deliberately choose lies. You know where the light is, and you deliberately choose the darkness. .@JoeNBC calls out MAGA supporters for "deliberately" choosing election lies: "Am I saying this because I think Trumps ever going to change his tactics? No, he knows hes lying... Im saying this for the people who actually continue to spread his lies and know differently." pic.twitter.com/lVYCQwGmDE Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) September 9, 2024 Trump has been regurgitating claptrap about the skulduggery of the 2020 results and cynically threatened to jail anyone who tries to rig 2024 to sow doubt before the voting even begins. The former president, who debates Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday, warned without evidence on Truth Social that the swing state of Pennsylvania will fall to the Democrats if they are allowed to CHEAT. I hope you watch for voter fraud, Trump told North Carolina supporters in a clip shown by the MSNBC show. It starts early. ... Watch for the voter fraud, because without voter fraud, we win so easily. In response to Trump revisiting falsehoods of yore, Scarborough pushed back with a fact check. He mentioned the government cybersecurity director who called 2020 the most secure election on record (and got fired by Trump for saying it). Legal challenges brought by Trump and allies failed to stand up in dozens of cases, the host added, and GOP voting officials in several states attested to the authenticity of the results. And yet the lies continue, Scarborough said. Related... Originally appeared on E! Online JonBenet Ramseys father John Ramsey is still looking for answers 27 years after his daughters untimely death. In fact, John alleges in a new TV series that police never tested DNA found on the weapon used to murder his then-6-year-old daughter in their Colorado home. I don't know why they didn't test it in the beginning, Ramsey tells host Ana Garcia in a preview for the Sept. 9 episode of True Crime News. To my knowledge it still hasnt been tested. If they're testing it and just not telling me, thats great, but I have no reason to believe that. E! News reached out to the Boulder Police Department for comment on Johns claims, but due to the fact that JonBenets case is an active and ongoing investigation, the department said it is unable to answer specific questions about actions taken or not taken. JonBenet, the youngest child of John and Patsy Ramsey was found sexually assaulted, beaten and strangled with a garrote in her familys home the day after Christmas in 1996 almost eight hours after Patsywho died in 2006had frantically called the police to report her daughter had been kidnapped. More from E! Online The case, which garnered national attention at the time, has continued to live on in infamy and has been the subject of numerous TV specials trying to get to the bottom of what led to JonBenets death. In fact, in 2016, JonBenet's brother Burke Ramsey broke his silence on the case, speaking to Dr. Phil McGraw, defending himself ahead of the CBS' two-part special The Case of: JonBenet Ramsey, which alleged that he could have been the one to kill his sister when he was 10 years old. Burke further responded to the CBS show by filing a $150 million defamation lawsuit against one of its experts Dr. Werner Spitz, calling the forensic investigator a "publicity seeker" who "once again interjected himself into a high-profile case to make unsupported, false, and sensational statements and accusations." In December 2016, Spitz filed a motion for the lawsuit to be dismissed with prejudice, according to documents obtained by E! News at the time, defending his Constitutional right to hypothesize and express his opinions about the case. In the documents, Spitzs lawyers wrote that the First Amendment protects this speech on a matter of immense public concern" just as the many other "people [who] have offered various and contradictory hypotheses and theories about what happened." The case was settled in 2019. Burke's lawyer spoke out shortly after the settlement was reached at the time, tweeting, After handling many defamation cases for them over the past 20 years, hopefully this is my last defamation case for this fine family. But while the case has yet to be solved, officials in Boulder have made it clear they are still trying to bring justice to JonBenet. In a statement released ahead of the 25th anniversary of JonBenet's death in 2021, the Boulder PD said that with the major advancements in DNA testing, they had updated more than 750 samples using the latest technology and still hoped to get a match one day. ABL Studio/ZUMAPRESS.com And as the unanswered questions have continued to linger, many whove investigated the tragedy have wondered whether the case will ever be solved. "There's still a good chance we'll never know," journalist Elizabeth Vargas, who hosted A&E's 2019 special Hunting JonBenet's Killer: The Untold Story, previously told E! News. "I don't think it's possible one person did this. That's my own opinion, so that means two people, and that means at least two people out there know what happened." She added, "It's incredible to me that those people have kept that secret, that people they probably told in their lives, because that's a hard secret to keep, that nobody has told. We have all sorts of cold cases that were solved decades later, and I think this could be one of them." Witnessing history and innovation firsthand! 97 students and teachers from Japan's Soka University visited the Museum of the CPC during their trip in China. Discover how Japan's Gen Z views China! MOUNT VERNON, Ind. (WEHT) Volunteers at a Mount Vernon animal rescue risk it all as they work to raise $15,000 dollars for a new shelter. With the help of the organization Jordans Way, NEWLIFE Rescue and Adoption underwent almost three hours of wild and wacky challenges live on Facebook to help reach their goal. Harmonie State Park obtains waiver for campfires during burn ban Tasks ranged from being locked in kennels, having to eat tarantulas and cicadas and even shaving their heads if their goals werent reached before the clock ran out. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Jordanians will vote Tuesday in an election where economic woes and the war in Gaza take centre stage (Khalil MAZRAAWI) (Khalil MAZRAAWI/AFP/AFP) Jordanians will head to the polls on Tuesday to vote for a new parliament amid widespread frustrations over a lagging economy and the ongoing war in Gaza. Just two days ahead of the vote, in a rare surge of violence, a Jordanian killed three Israeli guards at the border crossing between Jordan and the occupied West Bank. The elections, which take place every four years, are the first to be held under a law passed in January 2022 that increased the overall number of seats in the house, reserved a higher number for women and lowered the minimum age for candidates. Those running include representatives of major Jordanian tribes, centrists and pro-government candidates, but also independents, leftists and those belonging to the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood and the largest opposition party. In a busy market in central Amman, where campaign posters were on display, locals expressed mixed opinions about participating in the elections. "Elections are important and vital. They are our opportunity to make our voices heard and choose who represents us in parliament, even though deep down we doubt there will be significant change," said 65-year-old retiree Issa Ahmed. - 'Crises and endless wars' - He is one of the more than 5.1 million people registered to vote in the country of 11.5 million, according to the election commission. "Our country, unfortunately, is surrounded by a series of crises and endless wars," he told AFP. Israel's deadly military offensive in the Gaza Strip since October 7 has angered many Jordanian voters, about half of whom are of Palestinian origin. "What is happening in Gaza, from daily killing, destruction and tragedies broadcast daily on television, makes us feel pain, helplessness, humiliation and degradation, and makes us forget the elections and everything that is happening around us," said Omar Mohammed, a 43-year-old civil servant. "I feel bitterness. I am not sure yet if I will vote in these elections," he added. Jordan said on Sunday that one of its citizens, Maher Diab al-Jazi, was the truck driver who shot three Israeli security guards at the King Hussein Bridge leading into the West Bank, also known as the Allenby Bridge crossing. The Jordanian interior ministry, citing a preliminary investigation, said he acted alone. The war in Gaza, and growing unrest in the West Bank, has taken centre stage for some candidates running in Jordan's election. "The Gaza war and the Palestinian cause occupy a major place in the Jordanian elections, as all eyes and minds are on Gaza and Palestine and the massacres taking place there against the Palestinian people," Saleh Armouti, a former MP and current candidate for the IAF, told AFP. "The elections... should not be delayed and they serve the Palestinian cause and the region, but I also fear that there will be some abstention from voting due to these events," he added. Despite the presence of the usual white tents associated with election campaigns -- where coffee, the popular Jordanian dish mansaf, and the cheesy dessert kunafa are served -- fewer people are present compared to previous years. - Tourism slump - The protracted war in Gaza has also significantly affected tourism in Jordan, a sector that contributes approximately 14 percent to the country's gross domestic product. It has led to a decline in revenues in a country where public debt is approaching $50 billion and unemployment reached 21 percent in the first quarter of this year. The economy is heavily reliant on foreign assistance, particularly from the United States and the International Monetary Fund. Oraib Rantawi, an analyst and the head of the Amman-based Al Quds Center for Political Studies, believes that a sector of Jordanian society "thinks that what is happening in Gaza is more important to follow, and therefore has paid less attention to the elections and might abstain from participating". He predicts that political groups that have been vocal on Gaza will benefit from their position, like the Islamists, "but not to a degree that raises concerns as some parties fear". "The improvement in these forces' status and parliamentary representation will be modest," he told AFP. mh-kt/ysm/jsa/smw In a seismic shift for Spanish-language TV news in America, Univision anchor Jorge Ramos is leaving the network after a 40-year tenure. TelevisaUnivision said that Ramos and Univision News both agreed not to renew his contract, which is soon to expire. He will step down as co-anchor of Noticiero Univision at the end of 2024, after the U.S. Presidential Election. More from The Hollywood Reporter Ramos has been the anchor or co-anchor of Noticiero Univision, which is the most-watched Spanish-language evening news broadcast in America, for 38 years, a tenure that began in 1986. He was the face of Univisions news division for decades, drawing comparisons to Walter Cronkite for his length of tenure and the trust he had with viewers. However, as he himself noted in a 2021 column, the TV landscape of 1986 bears little resemblance to that of the present day. I started at a time when the big networks TV anchors Peter Jennings, Diane Sawyer, Tom Brokaw, Barbara Walters, Dan Rather, Connie Chung, Katie Couric and others dominated the news, he wrote. No politicians could be elected if they were not on television. It was the medium with the most impact. Not anymore. The Internet changed everything, he continued. The younger generations handle the new technologies much better than those of us who were raised without cell phones or laptop. Today, eight out of 10 U.S. residents get their news on their phones, tablets or computers. A giant wave is sweeping traditional TV audiences toward social networks and digital pages. Its like extraterrestrials had kidnapped them. It is not immediately clear what Ramos will do when he leaves, though in a statement he indicated that he has an idea of what is in store, perhaps on the internet. This is not a farewell. I will continue anchoring Noticiero Univision until December, and afterwards I will share my professional plans. I am deeply grateful for these four decades at Univision and very proud to be part of a team that has established strong leadership over the years, Ramos said. I want to express my respect and gratitude for Jorge Ramos and all he has done for Univision and the growing community we serve each and every day. As we look to 2025 and beyond, our talented team is well equipped to continue the tradition of journalistic excellence that has defined Noticiero Univision since the beginning, said Univision News President Daniel Coronell. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, has arrived in Egypt for talks with Egyptian President El-Sisi on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Their discussions will cover the EUs role in alleviating the human suffering caused by Israels war in Gaza, as well as ceasefire mediation efforts by Egypt, the US and Qatar. "Today the most urgent thing is to make these ambulances to enter or to receive the wounded people. And that's why the European Union is ready to present their capacities to offer their logistic capacities in order to reopen these border and to have the European staff deploy on the other side of this border in order to border to be open," said Borrell. Borrell spoke from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing with Gaza, where he is expected to inaugurate an EU-funded project to help Gazan children and their caregivers in Egypt. Borrells visit is part of the EU's ongoing engagement mission aimed at preventing further regional escalation. He will also travel to Lebanon later this week to discuss the country's stability and its role in the wider Middle East conflict. The European External Action Service (EEAS) said that Borrell's visit takes place "against the background of the war in Gaza, where the catastrophic humanitarian situation and the fate of hostages make an urgent ceasefire ever more critical". Gaza is on the brink of famine and healthcare collapse due to repeated Israeli strikes that have decimated the region in retaliation for the Hamas terrorist attacks and hostage-taking in Israel on 7 October last year. Related Borrell's visit comes at a time of heightened tension after a Jordanian lorry driver shot and killed three Israelis at the Allenby Bridge crossing point between Jordan and the West Bank on Sunday. The trip to Egypt also follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's calls last week for Israeli forces to remain in the Salah Al Din corridor in Gaza near the Egyptian border. The status of the area would constitute a significant part of any ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The article has been updated with latest developments. ARLINGTON, VA While most of the attention this political season has been on the presidential race, Arlington residents will also be casting ballots on Nov. 5 for candidates running in the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives (8th District), county board and school board races. Juan Carlos Fierro, a financial advisor with 26 years of experience, is on the Nov. 5 ballot in the race to fill the vacant seat on the Arlington County Board. He's running against Audrey Clement, Madison F. Granger and Julius D. "JD" Spain Sr. As part of its coverage of the 2024 election, Patch has asked each of the candidates in the Arlington County Board race to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job they're running for. Your Name Juan Carlos Fierro Position sought: Board Member at the Arlington County Board Have you been endorsed by a recognized political party? If so, which one? The Republican Party Age (as of Election Day) 57 Campaign Website votefierro.com Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share about your family. Inmaculada wife for 19 years. Carolina (18), Isabel Teresa (17), Rebecca (15) Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're a candidate in. None Education BA in Government and Politics Occupation - Please include years of experience. Financial Advisor - 26 years of experience Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Political Office None Why are you seeking elective office? Residents of Arlington deserve to have a County Board which has diversity of opinion so that decisions are thoroughly discussed. Given the monochrome nature of our County Board (all are Democrats), this diversity of thought is not present. Has the lone Hispanic in the race I can bring different perspectives to the Board that will better address the needs of minorities in Arlington. The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it. The single most pressing issue facing voters is the de-facto elimination of single family zoning through the implementation of the EHO/Missing Middle program, and this is what I intend to do about it. Enacting densification policies like EHO/missing middle without adequate impact analysis not only increases the value of the land, thereby undercutting affordable housing for everyone especially for Hispanics and other minorities, but also has negative impacts of Arlingtons livability by reducing the tree canopy, increase traffic congestion, plus putting pressure on existing physical and transportation infrastructure. The implementation of the EHO/Missing middle initiative also exposed flaws in the existing public engagement process in Arlington where the County Board and staff do not adequately listen to its residents. I proposed to revamp the public engagement process so that decisions are based more on grass-roots sentiments instead of those that may be proposed by staff What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? As the lone Hispanic candidate, with a background in financial planning, I will bring another perspective to the Board. For years, consideration of staff drafted policies by the Board was done with little analysis of the how development policies impact minority communities, as exemplified by the EHO/Missing Middle debacle. Just as I provide financial guidance to my clients, I can enrich the discussion on proposed development policies by encouraging discussion on the impact of these policies on minorities and other communities in Arlington. Such discussions on the impact of development policies will lead to better policy formulation and implementation. If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? The existing Board is presently too closely tied to the Democratic Party with little diversity of thought. This lack of diversity of thought has exposed weaknesses in public engagement processes and inadequate review and discussion of whether to raise or not raise tax rates. This has also led to an acceptance of tax increases without thorough discussion and analysis. Examples of inadequate analysis is not tying in the November accounting close out process which concerns what to do with budget surpluses more than $20 million, with the regular budget process which begins in February. Too often in past years these funds were appropriated to special programs when they could have been used as a down payment for the following years budget. If the funds had been designated as a down payment, steep property tax increases could have been avoided. The County Board could save taxpayers monies if they could direct the County Manager in their Budget Guidance letter to induce a culture of budget frugality towards keeping costs under control. This is presently lacking, resulting in a budget that tends to underestimate revenues and overestimate expenditures resulting in $20 million plus surpluses that are then appropriated in the close out process. Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. My main concerns is how existing development policies are undermining affordable housing for all and the lack of adequate discussion concerning tax rates. I am also concerned about the recent spike in crime, the need for more public safety, and mental health services. One of the Boards greatest challenges is providing proper funding resources to address crime, public safety, and the provision of mental health services in our community. The fiscal reality is that a good part of the Countys financial resources is transferred over to the Arlington Public Schools and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WAMATA) where there is little accountability to the County Board. The amounts of monies transferred to these two entities is so large that it is almost impossible to fund other much needed services. The agreements with the Arlington Public Schools and WAMATA need to be reviewed to ensure that funding is appropriate to what Arlington needs without jeopardizing resources that are needed to fight crime, improve public safety, and provided for mental health services as we enter a post COVID environment. While the County Board has an obligation to adequately fund APS, one needs to recognize that APS has above average financial resources as compared to other School Districts in the state of Virginia. Arlington is currently blessed with a very high expenditure rate per student - $27,426 (FY 2024 Washington Boards of Education (WABE) Guide, p.6., more than twice the average for the state of Virginia $12,638 Per Pupil Spending by State (worldpopulationreview.com). What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? Im known to be a good listener and have a can do attitude to get things done. The best advice ever shared with me was: I live by the motto that you are who you are. This has helped me understand the importance of transparency in my interactions with others and to speak up when you need to be heard. What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I am a doer. Just as I am a good listener to my clients needs, I will be a good listener to then concerns of Arlingtonians. Juan Carlos Fierro Runs For Arlington County Board: Candidate Profile originally appeared on the Arlington Patch Bryan Kohberger has been charged with first-degree murder of four University of Idaho students. Photo courtesy Latah County Sheriff's Office Sept. 9 (UPI) -- A judge on Monday moved the venue for the murder trial of Bryan Kohberger, who is charged with murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022, from Moscow. Judge John Judge sided with the defense, citing concerns that the local community is prejudiced against Kohberger, 29. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty in the first-degree murder case. "Considering the undisputed evidence presented by the defense, the extreme nature of the news coverage in this case, and the smaller population in Latah County, the defense has met the rather low standard of demonstrating 'reasonable likelihood' that prejudicial news coverage will compromise a fair trial in Latah County," the judge wrote in the order granting the change. He also noted Latah County does not have the resources to accommodate a trial with such a high amount of interest. The judge referred the case to an administrative director to decide the new venue with a jury pool from there. The trial could be moved to Boise in Alda County, which is 326 miles south of Moscow. Kohberger's lawyers want the trial to take place in Boise, the capital and largest city in Idaho. Latah County has a population of 41,000 residents and includes the University of Idaho. The trial had been scheduled to begin June 2, 2025, and last about three months. The judge heard arguments from attorneys on both sides on Aug. 29. "The court has spent many months carefully considering the legal and logistical concerns with a trial of this length and magnitude, carefully reading each submission, listening to each expert, and evaluating each party's position," he wrote in the order released Monday. "Based upon the totality of the factors, Defendant's Motion for Change of Venue is granted." Lawyers for Kohberger argued the local jury pool in Latah County was tainted by pretrial publicity. Defense lawyers surveyed Latah County residents and found the "pressure to convict" Kohberger was shown to be "so severe" that the venue couldn't be impartial. The defense phone survey found 98% of the respondents knew about the case and 70% believe Kohberger is guilty. The prosecution countered that the case has national and international interest, so a change of venue wouldn't make a difference. Kohberger is charged with the stabbing deaths of University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle on Nov. 13, 2022. Their home, which has since been demolished, was located off the school's main campus. Kohberger was arrested at his parents' home on Dec. 30 in Monroe County, Pa. Kohberger was a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University in Pullman, which is 11 miles west of Moscow. Investigators have linked him to a white vehicle seen near the killings. DNA was recovered from a tan leather knife sheath found in the home and cellphone location data was nearby, according to court documents. His attorneys say they have an alibi as part of his defense. Judge Andrew Menary KC says threats 'go with the territory of the job' - PA A judge who jailed some of those involved in violent disorder after the Southport stabbings said he and his family were threatened after the sentencing was broadcast. Attending a National 999 Day service in Liverpool, which was dedicated to those who responded to riots in Merseyside, honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC told emergency workers a decision had been made to accelerate sentencing hearings for those involved not because of political pressure but because a quick response was needed for a deterrent effect. He said: The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. There have been some twits online who have posted all sorts of daft things about me and some pretty unpleasant threats have been made towards me and the family. The odd dodgy package has arrived at the court containing threats towards me. But that, Im afraid, goes with the territory of the job. There have also been some quite funny posts online as well. Like Jake, from Basingstoke, who wrote on Twitter after the broadcast Judge Menary should consider a side hustle in audiobook narration. I dont know whether to say this or not but it looks like for at least a weekend I became a gay icon. Gavin from Somerset wrote: Who is Judge Menary? Whats his net worth and who is he dating? There was a quick response to the riots this summer that saw those responsible sentenced quickly - Getty Images Judge Menary said his favourite post came from a social media user in Texas who wrote: The UK has fallen to savages. The dude with the dead squirrel on his head has just confirmed it. The judge said that in Liverpool there had so far been sentences for more than 50 people who were involved in violent disorder, which broke out in Southport and later spread to Liverpool and across the country after the knife attack in which three girls were killed on July 29. Thanking those working in the emergency services, Judge Menary said: Its been a busy few weeks but nothing compared to the pressure that so many of you and your colleagues have experienced and regularly experience day in and day out. The good needs to be defended The annual National 999 Day service, at Liverpool Parish Church, was attended by leaders from the citys faith communities and members of the emergency services. Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the Childrens Laureate, spoke along with Deborah Moore, the manager of Spellow Hub library which was set on fire during disorder on County Road in Liverpool, and Alex McCormick, who raised more than 250,000 to repair the library. The childrens author said the good in the city outweighed the bad, but added: Weve learned this summer, surely, that the good needs to be defended and it needs to be vigilant. Its defenders are here in this church today, its defenders are you. I wanted to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to you for defending and looking out for the good. Richard Kemp, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, told emergency workers: You are the people who, when there is a problem, run into it while the rest of us run from it. The supreme irony in Southport was that more than 50 police officers, many of whom earlier in the day had run into save lives, had their bodies damaged by perpetrators including opportunists and chancers. 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. An Idaho judge has agreed to move the trial of Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022. Judge John Judge granted a motion filed by Mr Kohberger's lawyers, who sought to change the venue because they argued that a local jury would be too biased to give Mr Kohberger a fair trial. The judge agreed after considering the evidence and "the extreme nature of the news coverage" pre-trial. The new location of June 2025 trial has not yet been set. The fatal stabbings of the four University of Idaho students - Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen - in their off-campus home days before Thanksgiving in 2022 rocked the small college town of Moscow, Idaho. Mr Kohberger, a Washington State University graduate student in criminology, was arrested for the killings in December 2022 in his home state of Pennsylvania. Mr Kohberger says through his lawyer that he is innocent. In an order on Friday, Mr Judge said the courthouse did not have the resources to accommodate the high-profile case and that Mr Kohberger was unlikely to get a fair trial in the small town. "It is undisputed that there has been significant media coverage in this case throughout the State and nationally," Mr Judge wrote. "While some of the coverage has been neutral reporting of the Court proceedings, much of the coverage has been sensationalized and prejudicial to Kohberger." Prosecutors had argued against the move, saying problems with bias among the juror pool could be resolved by bringing in a larger pool of people and questioning them more thoroughly. It took investigators more than six weeks after the stabbings in Moscow to arrest Mr Kohberger. During this time, amateur true crime sleuths online speculated about what had happened, bringing wide attention to the case. Prosecutors have said they have DNA evidence tying Mr Kohberger to the crime scene. During a search of Mr Kohberger's home, police collected a knife, Glock pistol, black gloves, a black hat and a black face mask, according to court documents. Documents also show police seized and later dismantled a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra that Mr Kohberger had occasionally driven. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if Mr Kohberger is found guilty. An Idaho judge ruled Monday to move the upcoming murder trial of Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, due to concerns that the local community in Moscow is prejudiced against him. Considering the undisputed evidence presented by the defense, the extreme nature of the news coverage in this case, and the smaller population in Latah County, the defense has met the rather low standard of demonstrating reasonable likelihood that prejudicial news coverage will compromise a fair trial in Latah County, the judge wrote in the order granting the change. Kohbergers defense team had requested to move the case out of town, saying in a recent memorandum and August hearing that he cant receive a fair trial in Latah County because of inflammatory publicity. But prosecutors rejected that argument, saying the court could put in place other measures to ensure a fair trial. Judge John Judge sided with the defense in Mondays change of venue ruling. The court has spent many months carefully considering the legal and logistical concerns with a trial of this length and magnitude, carefully reading each submission, listening to each expert, and evaluating each partys position, he wrote. Based upon the totality of the factors, Defendants Motion for Change of Venue is granted. The decision does not specify a new trial location. Instead, Judge referred the case to an administrative director of the courts, and the state Supreme Court will assign both a new venue and judge. Judge accepted the defenses survey results showing that locals may not be impartial in the case. He also highlighted logistical issues with holding the trial in Latah County, noting there are not enough county sheriff deputies, court clerks or courthouse space to accommodate such a big trial. Thus, the interest of justice requires that the trial be moved to a venue with the resources, both in terms of personnel and space, necessary to effectively and efficiently handle a trial of this magnitude and length so that the parties and the Court can focus on the case and not on peripheral issues, he wrote. The ruling is part of the long and winding road since four University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen were fatally stabbed in the overnight hours of November 13, 2022, at a home just off the schools main campus in Moscow. Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen were killed Sunday, November 13, 2022 off campus at the University of Idaho. - (Obtained by CNN) Kohberger, a Washington State University graduate student in criminology, was arrested in the killings on December 30, 2022, in his home state of Pennsylvania. Investigators connected him to a white vehicle seen near the killings, DNA recovered from a tan leather knife sheath found in the home and his cell phone location data, according to court documents. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf last year, and his attorneys have indicated he intends to present an alibi as part of his defense. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty. The progression of the case has been slowed by a series of pre-trial motions and hearings related to the death penalty, a gag order, the use of investigative genetic genealogy and Kohbergers proposed alibi. Several of the issues have still not been resolved. The trial is expected to begin in June 2025 and last about three months. The family of Kaylee Goncalves, which has previously criticized delays in the case, released a statement Monday saying it was incredibly disappointed by the ruling. If the judge knew Latah County could not handle this trial for safety reasons, not enough court clerks, logistics and lacking space, why did we waste over a year in a county he knew was not going to handle the trial? the family said. The points he mentioned didnt all of a sudden jump up and bite him in the rear. We have always felt that a fair and impartial jury could be found in Latah County and still believe that is where the trial deserves to be held to help the community heal, the family added. The defense has asked that the trial be moved to Boise, the capital and largest city in Idaho. Two other recent high-profile Idaho cases the murder trials of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell were similarly moved to Boise. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Veronica Miracle contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Republicans struggling to hold onto control of the Arizona Legislature can breathe a sigh of relief. A Maricopa County judge on Monday ruled that a Republican legislative candidate who, according to the Arizona Constitution, isnt qualified to serve in the Legislature can run for the Legislature anyway. If (Michael) Way is elected, it will be up to the Arizona Legislature to judge his qualifications, Superior Court Judge Rodrick Coffey wrote. Nice punt. If voters toss Coffey off the bench this November, perhaps the Arizona Cardinals will come calling. AZ GOP defends Way, calls him a 'champion' The Arizona Republican Party hailed Coffeys ruling, saying it upholds Ways qualifications to serve, rebuffing baseless attacks from Democrats and their allies attempting to challenge his candidacy. The court threw out every baseless claim against our LD15 champion Michael Way, proving once again that the Lefts cheap tactics wont work. Thats an odd reaction, given that the lawsuit challenging Ways residency was filed by a Republican precinct committeewoman and was brought by Timothy La Sota, a Republican lawyer who represents Republican candidates and causes. Its odder still, when you consider that the party of so-called election integrity is backing a candidate who is ineligible to serve. That is, if the Arizona Constitution means anything. But I get it. Without Way in the race, Democrats likely would pick up a seat in this reliably Republican Queen Creek district and possibly even control of the Arizona House. Way is clearly not qualified to run for office Michael Way The Arizona Constitution requires a member of the Legislature to have lived in the state continuously for three years immediately prior to the election and within the county he or she seeks to be elected in for one year. Records show Way bought a house and moved his family from Arizona to North Carolina in 2021 and voted in North Carolina in both November 2021 and November 2022 elections. Yet this spring he signed papers to run for the Arizona House, claiming under penalty of perjury that hes been a resident of Arizona and Maricopa County for six years. At present, it appears Way is registered to vote in both North Carolina and Arizona, though records show he sold the familys North Carolina home earlier this year. Coffey, in his ruling, dodged the legalities of whether a guy who was voting in North Carolina two years ago can legally claim hes lived in Arizona for three years, as the state constitution clearly requires. Instead, the judge said the legal challenge was filed too late and that its too early to ask him how and whether Way should be replaced, should he win. It's likely a ploy to appoint another Republican Look for the hard right to try to knock Way out should he win on Nov. 5. Way, after all, trounced Sen. Jake Hoffmans running mate, Peter Anello, in the Republican primary. Anello was considered a sure vote for Rep. Joseph Chaplik, a member of Hoffmans Arizona Freedom Caucus, to become House Speaker next year. Hoffman told me he had nothing to do with the lawsuit brought by Deborah Kirkland, a Republican precinct committeewoman who last week testified that she had no idea who was footing the bill for the legal challenge. He called it just another looney conspiracy theory by leftists (and) media types. Senator posts a Nazi rallying cry: While the GOP yawns But Capitol insiders say Hoffmans fingerprints are all over the lawsuit, which asked the judge to rule that the votes for Way should be counted but should he win, another Republican must be named to the seat. That would have opened the way for the Republican legislative committee in Hoffmans district to nominate Anello and/or other like-minded Republicans for the seat, to be filled by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Is this what 'election integrity' looks like? La Sota said he plans to appeal Judge Coffeys ruling. But we hope, if we dont ultimately win, the Legislature does not seat him (Way), La Sota told me. He would be an albatross around the necks of Republicans and he would discredit all election integrity efforts supported by GOP members. For now, Way remains on the ballot, virtually ensuring that Republicans will hold onto the seat. This, thanks to a candidate who voted in another state yet signed papers saying he really lived here. A candidate whom the Arizona Republican Party wholly and unabashedly supports as an LD15 champion. This, then, is what election integrity looks like ... from a certain perspective. Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @LaurieRobertsaz and on Threads at @LaurieRobertsaz. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Judge punts, leaving Michael Way on ballot and GOP ready to pounce CAIRO, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and visiting Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen discussed Middle East tensions on Monday, with a focus on reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, according to the Egyptian presidency. Sisi stressed the urgent need for de-escalation and a truce in Gaza, including an exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, the presidency said in a statement. The statement added that both leaders emphasized the critical role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, agreeing on the need to support the organization amid significant challenges. The talks also touched on the situation in Sudan. Sisi called for increased humanitarian support for Sudan and stressed the importance of non-interference in its internal affairs. During the meeting, Rasmussen described Egypt as "a key strategic partner for Denmark" that "plays a vital role in the region," according to a social media post by Denmark's Foreign Ministry. Also on Monday, Rasmussen met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss efforts toward a Gaza ceasefire. (Bloomberg) -- Justice Samuel Alito is the only US Supreme Court member with a stake in more than two dozen individual companies, a distinction that threatens to sideline him from major business cases. Most Read from Bloomberg Alito or his wife own tens of thousands of dollars of stock in companies including Raytheon Co., ConocoPhillips and a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The holdings may force him to recuse as oil companies challenge lawsuits blaming them for climate change and J&J tries to settle talc lawsuits by placing a subsidiary into bankruptcy. Alitos 2023 financial disclosure report was publicly released last week and shows he continues to own stock in over two dozen companies. Supreme Court disclosures extend to financial interests of spouses and dependent children. In Alitos case, the filings dont clarify whether the stocks are owned by the justice or his wife. Supreme Court justices are allowed to hold individual stocks, but ethics rules deem they should disqualify from cases involving the companies. In the past, more justices held shares in individual companies, but that has become rare. Meanwhile, scrutiny of the judicial ethics has increased after revelations that Justice Clarence Thomas, and to a lesser degree Alito, accepted undisclosed gifts and travel from billionaire benefactors. Its a question not of ethics, but of judgment, said Steven Lubet, emeritus professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, who focuses on legal and judicial ethics. Not everything thats legal is a good idea. The justice did not respond to requests for comment through the courts public information office. Alito has recused from 64 cases involving corporations he owns shares of since 2021, according to Fix the Court, an advocacy group that supports court reform, including judicial term limits. During the last term, he recused from 15 cases due to stock ownership, far outstripping the number of recusals from all of his colleagues, according to the groups data. Justices are not required to say why they disqualified themselves from a particular case but the tally is based on the publicly available information. Chief Justice John Roberts, who previously owned stocks in many individual companies, has sold all but two. Justice Stephen Breyer owned a multitude of stocks before he stepped down from the bench in 2022. Most of the current justices own mutual funds, which do not create a conflict under the courts ethics code unless the the justice is involved in the funds management. Business Friendly As a reliably pro-business vote, Alito and his familys stock holdings could make a difference in major cases over the coming years. Hes got major holdings in consumer products, oil and gas, aviation, beverages, and chemicals, said Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court. These are industries where theres a ton of lawsuits making their way through the lower courts. Alito has already recused from a pending bid by oil companies to quash a lawsuit alleging they contributed to global warming, likely because he owns stock in ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66, two of the companies involved in the suit. The case, Sunoco LP v. City and County of Honolulu, centers on whether state and local governments can sue fossil fuel companies for damages over harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Alito didnt take part in June when the court asked the Biden administration for input on whether to take up the case. Alitos recusal leaves the oil companies without a friendly face on the court. Alito has been a critic of federal environmental regulations for decades, and he has a long history of siding with the Chamber of Commerce, which filed in support of the oil companies in the climate change case. Alito last term agreed with the Chamber of Commerce in 73% of cases where the business group weighed in, according to the left-leaning Constitutional Accountability Center. Johnson & Johnson said in July it would ask the high court to revive the companys plan to use a bankruptcy maneuver to settle tens of thousands of talc cancer lawsuits. In the time since, the company has continued to engage in settlement talks. A J&J spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Since 2021, the Supreme Court has turned away multiple appeals from the drugmaker over cases involving its liability for selling products that caused cancer and other illnesses. Alito has recused from those cases, likely due to his stock ownership. Alito last year exchanged his Johnson & Johnson stock for stock in Kenvue Inc., a former subsidiary of J&J that was spun off. Its unclear if that exchange will allow Alito to take part in future cases involving the drugmaker. Justice Brett Kavanaugh also may recuse from any case involving the company, as his father, Edward Kavanaugh, was a cosmetic industry lobbyist whose organization fought efforts to require warnings on talc products. Code of Ethics Alitos dozens of recusals create tension with the Supreme Courts own voluntary code of ethics, which it adopted in November amid the swirl of ethical scandals. The code encourages Supreme Court justices to try to avoid recusals when they can because there are only nine members and much can be lost when even one Justice does not participate in a particular case. The Supreme Court needs four votes to accept a case, so even one recusal can have a distorting effect and require the petitioner to get four votes out of eight instead of four out of nine, according to the code. Its right there in the courts commentary on the code of conduct: recusal is to be avoided if possible, said Lubet. Alito has faced criticism for declining to recuse from two cases related to the 2020 presidential election. Democratic lawmakers last term asked Alito to recuse from the cases connected to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot after the New York Times reported that flags associated with election deniers flew in front of two Alito residences. The justice later said his wife flew the flags and he did not know they were associated with the election. Throughout his time on the court, Alito has chosen to sell off particular stocks in order to partake in upcoming cases. He sold his stake in Exxon in 2016 after years of recusals related to the company, including a 2008 case when the court ruled in a split opinion to reduce the punitive damage award for the 1989 Valdez oil spill to $507.5 million from $2.5 billion. Alitos absence left the court divided 4-4 on a separate line of argument that might have reduced the award even further. He also sold his stock in Oracle Corp. in 2019 to take part in the companys copyright case against Alphabet Inc.s Google. There have been a few instances in which Alito has failed to recuse from a case involving a company in which he owns stock. He initially failed to recuse from a 2017 case involving Merck & Co. despite owning stock in the company; he then sold his shares and participated in the case. In 2011, Alito acknowledged an unintentional conflict of interest, saying a staff oversight led him to take part in a 2009 ruling involving Walt Disney Co.s ABC News even though his children held Disney stock. Alito voted against ABC in the case, joining a 5-4 majority that revived US efforts to crack down on televised vulgarities. On at least one occasion, the timing of one of Alitos trades appeared political in nature. In August of 2023, Alito or his wife sold shares of beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev SA, which coincided with the timing of a conservative-led boycott of the Bud Light maker over a promotional marketing partnership with a transgender social media influencer. Alito sold shares valued at between $1,000 and $15,000. He bought shares of rival beer maker Molson Coors Brewing Co. on the same day, according to a financial disclosure filing for the justice. --With assistance from Greg Stohr. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. If youre looking for justice in St. John, Kansas, youre looking in the wrong place. Dorothy Tobe and Mike Rosseau have been doing it for the past year, after buying an abandoned church building and trying to make it into a home. While ordinary townspeople have been welcoming, the couple has been blocked at every turn by a small-town, good-old-boy network that controls city government for the benefit of the few. Now, Tobe and Rosseau have just learned that a local judge has rejected their appeal of a City Council decision that denied them a permit to live in their building. District Judge Carey Hipp found that the couple had not proven that the decision to deny their permit was unreasonable. A city has the discretion to decide what is in the best interest of its citizens, Hipp wrote. As long as the decision is reasonable, it shall not be disturbed. A district court shall not substitute its judgment for that of the City unless clearly compelled to do so. This Court is not compelled to do so. If whats happened to Tobe and Rosseau since they got to St. John isnt unreasonable, its hard to imagine what would be. Tobe and Rosseau were pushed out of Colorado when the house they rented for 30 years was bought as a tear-down by a developer building high-end apartments to serve Denvers overheated real estate market. They spent basically their life savings on the St. John church building because it was the best they could afford. Their building sits at the edge of the city-designated Downtown Commercial District, a ragtag collection of small businesses and shuttered storefronts being used by their owners for personal storage. When they first started to move in a year ago, the city filed criminal charges accusing them of violating the zoning code. It had never been enforced against anyone before, although there are probably more code violations than there are people in St. John. Eventually, the charges were dropped without explanation (St. John city government isnt big on explaining itself). The city code was just a smokescreen. The real problem is that when Tobe and Rosseau bought the church building, they got in the way of a locally prominent business owner and former City Council member, Kevin Davis of Davis Electrical, whos been trying to buy up property around his business on the cheap. The first time the couples permit came up for a vote, Davis employee and business partner Ryan Christie was on the City Council and voted against it, about as blatant a conflict of interest as Ive ever seen in municipal government. In last years election, Christie lost his seat on the council to a write-in candidate. But it wasnt enough to swing the majority. Maybe next year, voters who support Tobe and Rosseau (along with integrity in government) will be able to field enough candidates to make a difference. When the church issue arose last year, the incumbents were all unopposed and it was too late for anyone else to get on the ballot. For now, Tobe and Rosseau are living in a vacant house thats been lent to them by a supporter. Theyre not planning to appeal to a higher court, because it would take another year and money they dont have. Instead, theyre contemplating establishing a small business in their church building, because the city code allows for dwelling units constructed in conjunction with and above the first floor of business establishments. Ive been on eBay since the year 2000, she said. Its an internet sales business. So if its easier for me to just put a sign up, thats what Im going to do, because were tired. Tobe said Dennis Veatch, one of the couples local supporters and the chairman of the planning and zoning board, has been working with her and her husband to establish what theyd need to do to formalize the business to comply with the code. From looking at some of the little businesses on the square, I dont think there is much, Tobe said. But Im still, you know, its depressing. Im still afraid that people are watching, or theyre going to report us somehow . . . Weve been in and out of that building all the time, and nobodys ever said anything. So I think Im being paranoid. I dont think she is, given whats been going on for the past year in St. John. As they say, its not paranoia if they really are out to get you. Justice Elena Kagan pushed back on Monday against critics of an enforceable code of ethics for the Supreme Court, telling an audience in New York that it would help ensure confidence in an institution that polls show has lost the trust of many Americans. It seems like a good idea in terms of ensuring that we comply with our own code of conduct going forward in the future, the liberal justice said an event at the New York University School of Law. It seems like a good idea in terms of ensuring that people have confidence that were doing exactly that. So it seems like a salutary thing for the court. Kagan embraced the general idea of an enforceable ethics code in July at a judicial conference in California, noting that she supported the new code of conduct the court announced months earlier but added it would be more effective if it didnt leave enforcement up to the individual justices. President Joe Biden formally called for an enforceable code of conduct in late July, which came in response to a series of ethics scandals involving justices accepting and not disclosing private jet travel and posh vacations from GOP donors. Ethics reforms have met with stiff resistance from congressional Republicans, who view the effort instead as a response to a series of conservative outcomes in closely followed cases. A Marquette Law School poll in August found that 57% of Americans disapprove of the court, compared with 61% who felt that way two years ago. Nearly 6 in 10 respondents in the latest poll said the justices decisions are motivated mainly by politics, compared with 43% who believe their decisions are based mainly on the law. Kagan, nominated by President Barack Obama, brushed off a report in ProPublica this month documenting criticism from the head of a religious legal group who described Kagans embrace of an enforceable code of ethics as somewhat treasonous. Kagan quipped about the description somewhat treasonous it either is, or it isnt before adding that she didnt want to dignify it any further. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Bidens first and only nominee to the high court, has also signaled support for an enforceable code of ethics. From my perspective, I dont have any problem with an enforceable code, Jackson, the newest member of the high court, told CBS News Sunday Morning in a recent interview. A binding code of ethics is pretty standard for judges. And so I guess the question is, Is the Supreme Court any different? Jackson said. And I guess I have not seen a persuasive reason as to why the court is different than the other courts. Kagan suggested that seemed like a reasonable way to hold the members of the court accountable. I think that there are plenty of judges around this country who could do a task like that in a very fair minded and serious way, she said. Laments use of emergency docket Kagan also reiterated concern that she and others on the court have expressed about an explosion of cases on the Supreme Courts emergency docket. Noting that there were more high-profile emergency cases this summer than in past years, Kagan called it a tough problem. The courts emergency docket the shadow docket, to critics is where the justices deal with questions that need resolution faster than the months it can take to submit briefs, hear oral arguments and draft formal opinions on its regular docket. The cases usually deal with the narrow question of what will happen as that underlying legal process plays out. But the orders can have significant and immediate real-world consequences. I think we have to grant these emergency petitions with real restraint, understanding that its not where we do our best law, Kagan said, adding that, on the other hand, there are times when you just cant leave something in place of great importance for three years. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has never met US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (Ellen SCHMIDT) (Ellen SCHMIDT/AFP/AFP) When it comes to hostile exchanges between prosecutor and felon, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are old hands. But Tuesday's high-stakes debate will be new territory for the Democratic vice president and her Republican rival, due to meet for the first time in front of a prime-time television audience of millions. "The striking thing about this debate is, it's the first time in history where we'll see a prosecutor and convicted felon facing off against each other," Andrew Koneschusky, a PR expert and former press secretary for US Senate leader Chuck Schumer, told AFP. "That's an incredible contrast. I wouldn't expect a lot of intricate policy discussion. I expect we'll see more style than substance." Students of debating technique identify Trump, who is 78, as an avid proponent of the "Gish Gallop," named for Duane Gish. Gish, who defended as literally true the Biblical account of the world's creation in six days, would overwhelm opponents with a dizzying torrent of rapid-fire falsehoods, distortions and distractions. Trump -- who is not known to have a granular grasp of policy -- owes much of his success to this kind of filibustering, as he packs conspiracy theory, anecdote and aside into an arcane, rebuttal-proof word salad. "It's very hard to debate someone who is quickly changing topics and not fully or truthfully answering the questions," said Flavio Hickel, a politics professor at Maryland liberal arts school Washington College. But while the "Gish Gallop" may be good at putting opponents on the back foot, it is a risky strategy for someone trying to look presidential, analysts warn. - 'Certainty and strength' - "As a debater, Trump brings energy, conveys certainty and strength, and never admits error, which translates for many people into presidential qualities," said Donald Nieman, a political analyst and professor at Binghamton University in New York state. "Of course, they are likely to be coupled with transparent lies, wild exaggerations, unseemly ad hominem attacks and loopy digressions that have the opposite effect, especially on the few undecided voters." Harris rose to the top of the Democratic ticket after 81-year-old President Joe Biden's dismal debate performance against Trump led to him dropping out of the race amid questions around his advanced years. Analysts expect the 59-year-old Californian -- "Kamala the Cop" to her admirers -- to lean into her experience as a district attorney and press Trump on his role in the deadly 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol, as well as his multiple criminal cases. "Harris is a sharp prosecutor," said Keith Gaddie, a politics professor at Texas Christian University. "She showed her chops debating Biden and others in 2020, and will likely lean into a combination of tricks used by prosecutors to control witnesses, while also cultivating 'jury sympathy.'" Since Harris's ascension, Democrats' messaging has evolved from presenting Trump as a powerful and existential threat to democracy to minimizing him as "weird" and small. Koneschusky expects to see more of this in the debate, but warned that Harris faces a balancing act between going after her opponent and using her precious airtime to make her own pitch for the Oval Office. - Former prosecutor - "On the one hand, this is a chance for Harris to define herself, and she needs to fully capitalize on that opportunity," he said. "On the other hand, it's also important that Harris prosecutes the case against Trump in this debate, and she's well-equipped to do so as a former prosecutor. This is something Biden failed to do in the last debate." One of Harris's standout debate moments came against Biden, ironically, in the 2019-20 Democratic presidential nominating contest, when she took her then-rival to task for his opposition to using federal funds to desegregate schools through busing. "There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day. And that little girl was me," Harris said, in a moment that immediately went viral. But her short-lived 2020 bid for the White House also illustrated weaknesses, as when she allowed herself to be rattled by former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who savaged Harris over her record as a prosecutor. Gabbard has switched sides and Trump has been using her in his debate prep. The use of muted microphones during the Trump debate may meanwhile deprive Harris of another strength -- her ability to shut down rivals when they try to interrupt. Harris deployed this to full effect when Mike Pence tried to cut her off during their 2020 vice-presidential debate and she stopped him dead with an ice-cold, "Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking." ft-dk/bbk Kamala Harris to campaign in Wilkes-Barre days after debate with Donald Trump Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Wilkes-Barre on Friday for a rally, the Democratic presidential nominee's campaign announced on Monday. The campaign did not announce the specific location of the 7 p.m. event. The stop will come a few days after her debate with former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Harris will attend the annual 9/11 Moment of Remembrance at the Flight 93 National Memorial outside of Shanksville with President Joe Biden. Harris campaigned in Pittsburgh with Biden on Labor Day. Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, was in Lancaster, Pittsburgh and Erie last week. More: VP hopeful Tim Walz: 2024 election likely runs through Erie. What else he said Kathryne Rubright is the managing editor of the Pocono Record and the Tri-County Independent. Reach her at krubright@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Kamala Harris to hold rally Friday in Wilkes-Barre Kamala Harris and Donald Trump to debate: What time, how to watch and more Voters in Michigan and throughout the U.S. will get the chance to see Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump square off Tuesday night, as the two major presidential candidates meet for a debate in Philadelphia. Tuesday's debate, of course, is the first since Harris became the Democratic nominee, as well as the first since the June debate that torpedoed President Joe Biden's reelection campaign. In July, Biden ended his reelection bid after calls swelled for him to step aside following a poor debate performance. Now, two months after Biden's announcement, Harris and Trump will present their platforms to voters. Here's how to watch the debate, where to watch the debate, and more: What time is the presidential debate? Tuesday's presidential debate is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET. How can I watch the presidential debate? ABC News is hosting the debate, but viewers will have a host of other options to catch it live. Along with ABC's cable channel (WYXZ-7 in Detroit), the debate can be live-streamed on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. Other networks, including FOX, NBC, PBS and CBS will also simulcast the debate. Viewers can also catch the debate on USA TODAY's YouTube channel. What else should I know about Tuesday's debate? ABC News' David Muir and Linsey Davis are moderating Tuesday night's debate, which is scheduled to last 90 minutes. Under rules agreed to by both campaigns, there will be no live audience. Those rules also stipulate that mics will be muted when it is not the selected candidate's turn to speak. There will be no opening statements, and Trump will deliver his final statement after Harris, winning the right to choose the order of statements through a virtual coin toss, according to ABC News. Philadelphia's selection as the host for Tuesday's debate isn't a coincidence; it's the largest city in Pennsylvania, a swing state key to either candidate's hopes of winning the election this November. Are there other debates scheduled? Right now, Tuesday's debate is the sole one scheduled between Harris and Trump. The two presidential campaigns have yet to agree on additional debates Harris agreed to a second debate with Trump in October, but so far, Trump's campaign hasn't signed off on a second debate, according to USA TODAY. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, Harris' and Trump's respective running mates, are slated to debate Oct. 1 in New York. That debate will be broadcast by CBS News. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What time is presidential debate? How to watch Harris, Trump Kamala Harris' Fox News ad trolls Trump with supercut of his "best people" warning he is "not fit" Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris included some of Donald Trumps former allies in her latest ad attacking the former president, released just a day before Tuesday's presidential debate. The minute-long video ad, called The Best People, features prominent Republicans who worked in Trumps administration speaking out about the risks of a second Trump term. The video will air nationally on Fox News and media in Pennsylvania, a pivotal swing state. Take it from the people who worked for him: Donald Trump is a danger to our troops, our security, and our democracy. He should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States, Harris wrote, sharing the ad on X. In 2016, Donald Trump said he would choose only the best people to work in his White House, a narrator in the ad reads. Now those people have a warning for America: Trump is not fit to be president again. It then includes an audio clip of former Vice President Mike Pence speaking after the 2021 attack on the Capitol. Anyone who puts themselves over the constitution should never be the President of the United States, Pence said, later adding that he wont endorse Trump in 2024. The ad also features a clip from a CNN interview with former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who says Trump cant be trusted with the countrys security secrets and Mark Milley, the nation's highest ranking military officer, who refers to Trump as a "wannabe dictator." Take it from the people who knew him best, Donald Trump is a danger to our troops and our democracy, the ad narrator concludes. Take it from the people who worked for him: Donald Trump is a danger to our troops, our security, and our democracy. He should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States. Watch our new ad: pic.twitter.com/LWiyK1sfnm Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 9, 2024 Kamala Harris to rally in Charlotte this week Vice President Kamala Harris will be returning to Charlotte this week for a campaign rally, her campaign announced on Monday. Harris is making stops in Charlotte and Greensboro on Thursday. A rally in Charlotte is tentatively set for around 4 p.m. RELATED >> Trump speaks at Fraternal Order of Police conference in Charlotte The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said Wednesday that Harris rally is at the Bojangles Coliseum in east Charlotte. Drivers should expect intermittent road closures at various times in the area starting at 2 p.m., including Interstate 77 and East Independence Boulevard between Interstate 277 and Eastway Drive. CMPD also expects traffic delays around the airport between 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The rally comes a week after former President Donald Trump visited Charlotte to speak at a Fraternal Order of Police event. After the rally in Charlotte, Harris will head up to Greensboro for another campaign event. The vice president has made a few trips to North Carolina in recent weeks as polling from the New York Times shows the upcoming presidential race is nearly tied in North Carolina. (WATCH: Kamala Harris chooses VP running mate; Tim Walz selected) KANSAS CITY, Mo. Family, friends, restaurant customers, KC Irish Fest members and others came together Sunday, Sept. 8, to celebrate Shaun Bradys life at the Kansas City Irish Center. The fact that Shauns family has come over today to join us from Ireland is amazing, said Kieran Pemberton, a Kansas City Irish Fest board member. Where does Patrick Mahomes rank among the highest paid QBs? I think a lot of people just want to pass on good wishes to them and just let them know how important he was to the Kansas City community. People who knew Shaun Brady had the opportunity to share their stories and memories of him during the celebration of life. Any time you went into the restaurant, he would come over and sit down and chat with you. He always had a story to tell, Pemberton said. Pemberton recalls Bradys generous nature and how he would always find something meaningful to give him when he stopped by his restaurant Brady and Fox. Ive been in with my wife and family, and hes come over with a pound of Irish sausage or a pound of Irish bacon, so those sorts of stories tell what kind of character he was, Pemberton explained. 44-year-old Shaun Brady was shot and killed in late August outside of his restaurant, Brady and Fox, near Brookside. Lets Talk Football, former Chiefs teach women football nuances Brady was a well-known chef in the Kansas City metro. He was also very involved with the KC Irish Fest and started the festivals Irish breakfast, which was held on Sunday during the festival. This year, we missed him obviously, and we had a little bit of a memorial for him, and people stood up and said very nice things about Shaun and the family, Pemberton said. Our hearts are breaking for the family, his wife and two kids. Honoring and remembering Shaun was a big part of this years KC Irish fest. He loved the Irish community so much that he volunteered his time freely and just was an incredibly generous man who will be sorely missed, Pemberton said. Weve been given the opportunity today to remember him, and we are not going to forget him, but we will remember him well today. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. TOPEKA (KSNT) Flags are set to drop to half-staff midway through the week statewide. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has ordered that flags across Kansas be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday, Sept. 11 to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Flags will be brought down to half-staff from sunup to sundown. We will never forget the thousands who were injured and the nearly 3,000 Americans whose lives were tragically taken during an act of terrorism 23 years ago, Kelly said. Despite the extreme tragedy of the day that scarred so many of us, we also remember the bravery and courage of our nations first responders who went above and beyond to save lives even as they lost more than 400 of their own. On behalf of the State of Kansas, I thank them for their service and sacrifices. KTA talks double-billed confusion facing drivers in Kansas under new cashless toll system For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. WELLINGTON, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Defense Force has been contributing to a multinational team in the Solomon Islands to safely dispose of explosive remnants from the World War II, a force statement said on Monday. Up to 250 personnel from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Britain and the United States have been supporting explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts from the Solomon Islands Police to dispose of the munitions under Operation Render Safe, led by the Australian Defense Force. The New Zealand team is made up of seven navy and seven army personnel in EOD, command, medical, logistics and catering roles, the statement said. The Kiwi team arrived in Australia in mid-August for the force integration training, before deploying into the area of operations in the Solomon Islands last week. The team will return to New Zealand in mid-September. Kate Middleton Announces She Is Done With Her Chemo Treatment And Is 'Cancer Free' Kate Middleton reveals that she has successfully finished her chemotherapy treatment in a heartwarming video shared online. The good news comes after it was reported that she considered attending the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in November. The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, had been working from home, staying engaged with her royal duties, and planning future events, including her December carol concert. Kate Middleton Is Done With Her Chemo Treatment MEGA Taking to her X (formerly Twitter) account, Kate shared the great news with her fans, who have been supporting her since it was revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer. "I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have completed my chemo treatment," Kate said in the video, which featured the future queen enjoying quality time with her husband and three kids. "The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate stormy waters and world unknown," she shared in the caption of the video. Kate continued, "The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything." "This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted," the Princess further stated. "Of simply loving and being loved. Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus." She also noted, "Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes." Kate Middleton Is Read To Looking Forward To Being Back At Work A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an pic.twitter.com/9S1W8sDHUL The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 9, 2024 Still, in her X post, Kate revealed that she was looking forward to working again and engaging in public activities. She said, "I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can. Despite all that has gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life." Kate then proceeded to thank those who have supported her all through her cancer battle, noting that she, William, and I are "so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. She concluded her post by writing, "Everyone's kindness, empathy, and compassion has been truly humbling. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness can come light, so let that light shine bright." Her Possible Return To Public Duties: Remembrance Sunday And Holiday Concert Plans MEGA The Sunday Times had previously reported that Kate was considering making a public appearance, with hopes of joining her husband William, King Charles, and other members of the royal family at the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony in November at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, London. The occasion, which honors fallen service members, is a prominent fixture on the royal calendar, and if she does attend, it would mark a notable public return for the Princess of Wales. However, there are currently no confirmed dates for Kate's resumption of royal duties, and she is not scheduled to join Prince William for the Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town in early November. The publication also mentioned that preparations have begun for Kate's annual holiday carol concert in December, an event she has hosted for the last three years. Kate Middleton Remained Engaged in Royal Duties During Cancer Treatment MEGA Throughout her cancer treatment this summer, Kate has remained active in her royal duties from home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. According to People Magazine, she has regularly met with her private secretary, Tom White, assistant private secretary, Natalie Burrows, and the Waleses' communications secretary, Lee Thompson, to stay informed on her initiatives and plan for the future. In June, Kate noted that while she has "good days," chemotherapy inevitably brings challenges. Despite this, as she expressed in a March video announcing her diagnosis, her work continues to provide her with "a deep sense of joy." On Friday, September 6, Kate hinted at her enthusiasm to resume her duties when the time allows. Buckingham Palace also shared a message from the princess, congratulating adventurer and TV host Dwayne Fields on his appointment as Chief Scout of Scouts UK. The Princess Of Wales Balances Treatment And Royal Duties MEGA Kate began chemotherapy in February after undergoing abdominal surgery in January. She announced her cancer diagnosis in March and has kept a low profile since. In June, she released a touching statement alongside a portrait of her in Windsor. She also made a rare appearance at the Trooping the Colour parade in honor of the King. In July, feeling well, Kate attended Wimbledon with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and sister, Pippa Middleton. In August, she and William also recorded a video to support athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics. While no date has been set for her return to full public duties, those close to the palace emphasize the importance of Kate not feeling pressured. A source told People, "It's good not to feel under pressure and just take her time and have slow days if she needs to." Catherine, Princess of Wales, says she is relieved to have "finally completed" chemotherapy treatment and plans to undertake light engagements through the end of the year. The 42-year-old British royal, who revealed in March that she had an undisclosed form of cancer, shared the update in a personal video on Monday that featured several candid moments with her husband, Prince William, and their three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte. Catherine, formerly Kate Middleton, said that the last nine months have been "scary" and "incredibly tough for us as a family." "Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes," she said. "I am, however, looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can." The video, which played as a cinematic reel featuring the royal family, was filmed last month by Will Warr while the royals were in Norfolk, Kensington Palace said. A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an pic.twitter.com/9S1W8sDHUL The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 9, 2024 Catherine began treatment in late February; however, the palace would not say when she received her last treatment. The palace also declined to state what type of cancer she has and what stage she was diagnosed in, citing the princess' "right to medical privacy." The princess and palace only disclosed that her cancer was discovered after she had major abdominal surgery in January and that she was being treated with preventive chemotherapy, a secondary treatment that in the U.S. is known as adjuvant chemotherapy. Read more: Catherine making 'good progress' in cancer treatment as she announces partial public return While she will undertake a handful of public engagements in the coming months, Catherine is not taking them immediately due to a period of period of recovery from treatment, The Times has confirmed. "The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown," Catherine said in the video, which features the family hiking and spending time in nature. "The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. "With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything," she continued. "This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved." Catherine said that she enters "this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life," and that she and William, who is the first in line to the British throne, are grateful for the support they have received during the past year. "Everyones kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling," she said, adding, "To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness can come light, so let that light shine bright." Read more: Prince William says that Kate Middleton is getting better amid cancer treatment Catherine is set to return to "a light program of external engagements for the remainder of the year, reflecting the need to focus on making a full recovery," said a person close to the royal family who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. Decisions about 2025 will be made according to medical advice, but she has started to work from home and will continue to do so over the coming months, the person said. The former upper-middle-class commoner, who married into the British royal family in 2011 , has made sparing public appearances and provided a few progress reports since revealing her diagnosis. She last appeared at a public engagement on Aug. 25 when she attended church services near Balmoral Castle in Scotland with William, King Charles III and Queen Camilla. In June, she attended the festive Trooping the Color, which marked her first public engagement since last December. In the months in between, speculation ran amok about the princess' retreat from the public eye and her royal duties, fueling broad concern about her whereabouts and well-being. Her poignant cancer announcement in March came on the heels of reports that her medical records at the London Clinic were allegedly breached by hospital staffers and months after Buckingham Palace announced that the king had been diagnosed with cancer. Read more: Don't blame the public for failing Kate Middleton. Blame the palace William resumed public duties last week after taking the summer off and backing out of a few high-profile events earlier this year due to his family members' illnesses. He, Catherine and their daughter Charlotte notably made a rare public appearance at the Wimbledon final in July, and he and Catherine took part in a video for social media congratulating British Olympians after the Paris Games. Catherine will not be joining him Tuesday during a trio of engagements he has in Wales, The Times has confirmed. But she is likely to appear at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London on Remembrance Sunday in November and will likely host the Carol Service in December. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Kate Middleton is sharing the most-anticipated health update since first announcing her cancer battle earlier this year. On Monday, Sept. 9, the Princess of Wales revealed in a video message that she is no longer undergoing chemotherapy treatment, instead, Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family, Kate said, going on to describe battling cancer as "complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything, Kate noted. "Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. The mom of three thanked the world for the outpouring of support and then hinted at her future plans to return to her royal duties, telling fans she is "looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can." The Princess of Wales has finished her chemotherapy treatment, and a beautiful video message from her has been released by Kensington Palace pic.twitter.com/ttZMiZCkU0 Belle (@RoyallyBelle_) September 9, 2024 This latest health update comes some six months after the 42-year-old British royal revealed she was undergoing treatment for an unspecified type of cancer following intense public speculation about her health in the weeks prior to the video she shared publicly announcing her diagnosis on March 22, 2024. Her original announcement followed weeks of incessant conspiracy theories and memes at her expense following a reportedly planned abdominal surgery in January, which necessitated a 13-day hospital stay followed by a 3-month-plus recovery period that found the royal seemingly "missing," the Princess of Wales attempted to quell the public's concerns. She spoke on camera about the aftermath of the surgery that they had initially believed to be performing to treat a "condition [that] was noncancerous," but further testing showed that whatever doctors had removed at the time had, in fact, been malignant. The princess added that her medical team had advised she "undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy" as a result, which suggests that they believed that they had removed all of the cancer from her body but wanted to be surethough it's important to note that it's not currently scientifically possible to confirm anyone to be 100 percent cancer-free. Instead, someone considered to be "in remission" would mean that there's no detectable cancer in the body, though there's always, at minimum, a very slight risk of recurrence, according to the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas. Kate has only made a handful of appearances since she began and concluded treatment, including one only a few weeks ago, when she was spotted with her husband, Prince William, as the two headed to a Sunday church service while staying at Balmoral Castle for the family's annual summer trip. Prior to that, Kate was spotted at Wimbledon and received a standing ovation from other spectators and in June at the Trooping the Colour, which also marked her first event since she revealed her diagnosis. Along with the sporadic appearances, the princess rarely shared official statementsunless it was to celebrate a family member's birthday or a major holidaythough the Prince of Wales occasionally offered the public assurances that she was "doing well." Next: Kate Middleton Delights Fans With Rare, Relatably 'Normal' Photo of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at Home KCK leaders and activists want real solutions to high bills not a sale of the BPU Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Proposals to sell off or to alter the governing structure of Kansas City, Kansas Board of Public Utilities found little footing during a Unified Government Board of Commissioners hearing on Thursday night. Mayor Tyrone Garner gave airtime to former state Sen. Chris Steineger, a member of a local government efficiency task force, for a presentation on findings from an independent study conducted roughly 18 months ago that aimed to find ways to save money by looking at the Unified Governments and the BPUs budgets. The former senator mentioned high-level management positions, including the BPUs general manager, as questionable expenses that could possibly be reduced by effectively making the public utility more like another city and county department. He offered up as much as $27 million in annual savings through duplicated personnel cost, though a full accounting of where that would come from was absent. Other savings were projected through reduced use of buildings, vehicles, supplies and travel. Also included in the brief presentation was a small bit of advice for what to do if the public utility were to be sold. One slide on his PowerPoint read: BPU real estate and vehicle property will be added to tax rates if purchased by a private company and no tax abatement should be a part of any deal. Steineger, however, did not raise the concept of selling the BPU during the meeting. Commissioners asked him no questions when offered the opportunity. The pitch Thursday came one week after Garner publicly advised discussing changes to the BPU, based on ideas that he says some residents have promoted, including a desire to consider selling the utility. On Thursday, Garner put some distance between himself and the concept of a BPU sale. While acknowledging that others have brought the idea to him, he said that is not an initiative he supports or one that he believes a majority of the community would rally behind. My thing is, all options short of selling BPU should be on the table if its going to be of value and of cost-saving to our residents here in Kansas City, Kansas, the mayor said Thursday. Monthly bills for BPU customers cost more on average than many in the metro. Electric bills run about $141 per month, according to figures from the public utility, as Evergy customers in the Missouri and Kansas sides of the metro pay about $122 and $132 respectively. A cost-of-service study completed for BPU in 2023 found higher costs for water service in Bonner Springs; Kansas City, Missouri; and Lawrence. But water bills in neighboring Johnson County were typically cheaper. BPU officials point to the rates as generally competitive and blame some of the higher costs on other fees added to residential bills, such as a payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT fee. That fee, for example, is used to pay for the Unified Governments city and county operations. In addition to electric and water, BPU bills also include charges for Unified Government services including wastewater, stormwater and trash pickup. Those service charges werent factored into the comparisons of BPU electric and water charges with other places. Kansas City, Kansas, resident Lisa Walker Yeager told commissioners she does not know the answer to resolve high bills but welcomed the idea of finding efficiencies. She said she has not had lights on in her house, following a storm and while recovering from surgery, but still had a bill of $143 that was mostly fees. This is ridiculous. I do not have utilities on. But Im still being charged an astronomical amount. And with that being said, you guys have got to look at something different. Still, proposed steps toward selling or consolidating the public utility were mostly met with skepticism and some pushback from elected officials and area activists. In a statement read to the commission, BPU member Rose Mulvany Henry said the concepts raised by Steineger are not new, saying the former senator has long lobbied for those outcomes. She added the presentation apparently came with no input sought from elected commissioners or collaboration with BPU, questioning why an issue of this magnitude to our community (is) being reviewed in a vacuum. She also said the public process through which residents can provide direct input on policy decisions would never happen if BPU were sold to an investor-owned utility. The BPU also found a few defenders in local activists who have been critical of the public utility in the past. Ty Gorman, a representative of the Sierra Club and chairman of the mayors sustainability task force, said his work with utilities leads him to believe that selling to an investor-owned company is not a way to bring value to our community. I think this BPU elected board has so far made some beneficial changes to the community and has a good chance of bringing more value to this community through their 20-year planning process thats happening now and continuing for upcoming months, Gorman said. Pamela Penn-Hicks said she is not a fan of the BPU. But she strongly criticized ideas of selling the utility, saying the transfer to an investor-owned model offers no guarantee costs would decline overall. Commissioners on Thursday generally discussed a need for better collaboration with BPU and ways to find real solutions that will deliver benefits to community members. Commissioner Mike Kane, 5th District, called for an independent review to be performed by an outside party similar to one completed in 2009. He also expressed some frustration with a lack of information about the presentation beforehand, saying he fielded multiple calls from residents with questions he could not immediately answer. Commissioner Evelyn Hill, 4th District, recalled the process of lowering the PILOT fee, which will drop for residential customers by a single percentage point next year, but said there is much more that needs to be done. She wants to work closer with BPU members to find real solutions to issues residents are concerned with. I would like to see us get to a point where we do more than just have meetings and talk about it, Hill said. But actually come up with some real solutions so that the community can see that we are really working toward solutions. A Kenosha County high school student and cross country runner is in the hospital after being hit by a car while running during practice on Friday, the Westosha Central High School District confirmed Monday morning. Reid Hansche, a senior at Westosha Central High School, was struck during cross country practice in the village of Paddock Lake. No other student-athletes were hit or injured, the school district said. According to the Kenosha County local news site "West of the I", Hansche was hit at the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 75 the area of the Brass Ball Corners Wisconsin Historical Society marker and just west of Central High School. Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff's deputies responded to the report of a crash around 4:10 p.m., "West of the I" reported. Around 4:17 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue personnel set up a landing zone for a Flight for Life medical transport helicopter, the fire department confirmed. Hansche was taken via helicopter to Children's Wisconsin hospital in Milwaukee. He is still hospitalized as of Monday morning. The school district was unable to provide an update on Hansche's condition. The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office did not immediately return calls from the Journal Sentinel regarding the case. As of Monday morning, a Meal Train fundraiser has raised over $26,000 for the family, and community members have pledged to donate over a month's worth of homemade and restaurant meals to the Hansche family. You can donate here: bit.ly/reidhanschefamilymealtrain. "I want to thank the community for their support and love," Karisa Wenberg, a friend and neighbor of the Hansche family who organized the fundraiser, told the Journal Sentinel. "Times like this remind us we are not alone, and small communities come together in a big way." Sunday night, a candlelight vigil was held for Hansche in the Central High School parking lot. Friends and classmates gathered to pray and brought hand-made cards and gift cards. About 300 students, faculty and community members were in attendance, said Westosha Central High School District Administrator John Gendron. Gendron said the district is "extremely saddened" by what happened to Hansche and continues to hope for healing. He said the outpouring of support from the local community has been "remarkable," and counselors are available for students, faculty and members of the cross country team this week. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cross country runner remains hospitalized after being hit by a car during practice (NewsNation) The search for a man accused of shooting five people on a Kentucky highway in a sniperlike incident is entering a third day. Police believe 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch is hiding out in rugged terrain in Kentucky. NewsNation national security contributor Tracy Walder, a former CIA officer, explains why she does not believe the shooting was a result of road rage. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. (NewsNation) A witness of the Kentucky shooting on I-75 Saturday has detailed her version of events to NewsNation Live. Christina DiNoto was traveling from Rochester, New York, to Knoxville, Tennessee, when she heard a loud bang while driving in Kentucky. DiNoto believes bullets ricocheted off her vehicle and only divine intervention stopped her and a friend from being injured or hurt. Kentucky I-75 shooting: What we know I was traveling in the middle lane, and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, we heard a loud explosion. It was so loud that we both jumped in our seats, DiNoto said. Authorities are hunting suspect Joseph Couch, 32, for allegedly shooting five people. Seven individuals are hurt, while police believe Couch is hiding in remote southern Kentucky. Initially, it sounded to me like a rock, maybe flew through my back window. So I glanced back, there was no damage to any windows, and my friend Jeremy said that sounded like a gunshot, DiNoto said Ive been around gunfire before, and thats what it definitely sounded like. Then a few minutes later, we saw just dozens of police and ambulances flying in the northbound lane on I-75 so we knew that something had happened, but we didnt know what. Then we got to our destination in Knoxville, we got out, and I discovered on my car, on the rim of the tire, there was a huge indent I looked like ricochet from a bullet to me. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Its September, and thousands of Kentuckians just headed to college. When you picture these students, who do you see? Eighteen-year-olds unpacking cars, moving into dorms and waving goodbye to their parents? How about a young mother finding childcare so she can attend class? Or a mid-career professional logging on to his laptop during lunch to finish an assignment? The reality is that nationwide, nearly a quarter of undergraduates are over the age of 25. Even more have characteristics that make them post-traditional students, like working full-time, having children or being financially independent from their parents. These adults may have previous experience with college, or they may be stepping onto campus for the first time. Many are training for a new career or seeking advancement. Some are interested in setting a good example for their kids or finishing what they started. All are hoping a college credential will improve their lives and livelihoods. In Kentucky, there are 1.4 million working-age adults without a college credential. About a third have some college credit, while over two-thirds have no prior postsecondary experience. Kentucky campuses have done a good job recruiting the traditional-age market. Preliminary numbers show undergraduate enrollment in Kentucky is up five percent over last fall, ahead of national trends. However, there were only 33,928 Kentuckians over the age of 25 enrolled in undergraduate programs in fall 2023. Thats about 22 percent of overall enrollment but only 3% of the 1.4 million who could benefit from additional education and training. The good news is that Kentuckys colleges and universities recognize the untapped potential of this adult market and are tailoring programs that are both flexible and affordable. For those without a degree, the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship provides free tuition for up to 60 hours of coursework in over 2,600 programs statewide, many of these at community and technical colleges. These programs train students for positions in high-demand fields like healthcare, construction and information technology; some certifications can be completed in as little as four months. Many universities now award credit for prior learning. Kentucky State University, for example, offers a Credit for Life Experience program, where adults earn credit for college-level learning gained through life experiences via work, travel, volunteering, military service or independent study. There also are programs for adults with some college but no degree. The University of Louisvilles Comeback Cards program allows former UofL students with balances of $4,000 or less to reduce their debt for every semester they complete as a re-enrolled student. Im proud to say the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) also is doing its part to diversify the postsecondary pipeline. Our CLIMB-Health (Career Ladders in Mental and Behavioral Health) initiative helps individuals in recovery from substance use disorders gain initial certification as a peer support specialist, with opportunities for stackable credentials culminating in a social work degree. Were partnering with adult education centers to transition more GED earners to college, and were connecting adults in need of food, housing or childcare support to available state and federal resources. In the past, postsecondary education was not a prerequisite for a middle-class lifestyle, but that reality is changing. By the year 2031, the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce predicts that 63 to 66 percent of Kentuckys jobs will require some training or education beyond high school. Some people argue college isnt for everyone; whether or not thats true, college should work for everyone. Kentucky higher education is committed to ensuring Kentuckians of all ages have the skills they need to be successful now and in the future. Dr. Aaron Thompson is president of the Council on Postsecondary Education. The fire took place at the Hillside Endarasha Academy on Thursday night (SIMON MAINA) (SIMON MAINA/AFP/AFP) Distraught parents gathered on Monday at a hospital in central Kenya for DNA tests to identify the victims of a deadly school dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 21 boys. Kenya's government declared three days of mourning amid public anger over repeated fires and safety lapses in its schools. The children perished after flames engulfed their dormitory at the Hillside Endarasha Academy, a boarding school in the central Nyeri county, as they were sleeping on Thursday night. Nineteen bodies were found in the charred ruins of the building, while another two died in hospital. All the boys from the dormitory had now been accounted for, government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said. Officials said the victims in the dorm, aged nine to 13, were burnt beyond recognition and had yet to be identified by their parents. President William Ruto has described the incident as an "unfathomable tragedy" and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast on all public buildings from Monday to Wednesday. "This incident compels us to ensure accountability in all schools across the country and to take every action we can to safeguard the lives of our school-going children," Ruto said Friday, ordering a full investigation. The Kenya Red Cross has been offering psychological counselling to traumatised children and relatives, setting up white tents in fields outside the school gates. The government urged headteachers to be "vigilant" after Thursday's inferno, which follows numerous deadly incidents in recent years. There were 117 arson attacks at schools in a three-month period in 2016 alone, according to official figures. On Saturday, another fire broke out at Isiolo Girls High School, also in central Kenya. The government statement said three girls were injured, but are "currently stable after receiving medical attention". Then on Sunday, a fire destroyed a dormitory at Njia Boys High School in the central county of Meru as students were having supper, a police statement said. No casualties were reported. Police are investigating whether Thursday's fire in Endarasha was caused by negligence or recklessness. Local media reported that an electrical fault in a light bulb was among the possible causes under investigation. Kenya's National Gender and Equality Commission said initial reports indicated the dormitory was "overcrowded, in violation of safety standards". "This incident raises serious concerns about children's rights to safety in educational institutions," the NGO Vocal Africa said in a statement on X. txw-rbu/er/cw North Korea showcased its ties with China and Russia by hosting a paramilitary parade featuring rocket launchers pulled by trucks and tractors, according to Sept. 7 state media reports. The event, held in Pyongyang on Sept. 6, marked North Korea's 75th founding anniversary and highlighted leader Kim Jong Un's efforts to strengthen alliances with Moscow and Beijing amid growing tensions with Washington, the Associated Press reported. The parade took place as speculation grows that Kim Jong Un may soon visit Russia for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, potentially focusing on North Korean arms sales to support Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. North Korea has reportedly sent containers presumably to Russia that could contain as many as more than six million artillery shells. With Russian ammunition stocks running low due to extensive use in Ukraine, North Korea has been shaping up as Russia's leading outside weapons supplier. China was represented at the celebrations by a delegation led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, while Russia sent a military song and dance ensemble to participate in the event. South Korean media are speculating that the absence of Russian government officials at Pyongyang's recent celebrations might be tied to preparations for an upcoming summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin, which Washington expects to take place within the month. Some U.S. reports suggest the meeting could happen as soon as next week. Putin is scheduled to attend an international forum in Vladivostok from Sept. 8 to Sept. 11, the same city where he first met with Kim in 2019. Vladivostok is now considered a likely location for their next summit. South Koreas spy agency, in a closed-door briefing informed lawmakers that North Korea and Russia might be planning a surprise route for Kim's visit to avoid media speculation, according to the Associated Press. North Korea has yet to confirm any plans for Kim to travel to Russia. Read also: Rather desperate 5 key takeaways from Putins North Korea visit Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WELLINGTON, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Farming at the edges of nature reserves is facilitating invasions by exotic plants, according to a study published on Monday. The study found that exotic plants are invading native shrubland reserves in the Canterbury Plains of New Zealand's South Island, which are being sped along by nutrient and water spillover from adjacent intensive agriculture. Researchers from Landcare Research found spillover of water and nitrogen enrichment, which is likely from animal effluent, 10 meters inside reserve boundaries, allows exotics to outcompete natives up to 40 meters inside the boundary. The study published in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology called for future reserves to be made larger from the start, as some small reserves are only 100 meters wide. "These distances are significant as some of these reserves are only 100 m across, meaning that more than 60 percent of these reserves can be affected," said co-author Gretchen Brownstein, adding that irrigation and effluent buffers around these reserves would help to limit further degradation of these reserves. Native shrublands were once common across the Canterbury Plains, but over time, conversion of land to other uses including irrigated pasture has contributed to their gradual decline, said the researchers. Co-author Adrian Monks said the ongoing effects of more intensive land use adjacent to the reserves could be managed with better rules around buffers. Kimberly Guilfoyle, a conservative activist, former prosecutor, and the fiancee to Donald Trump Jr., had to ask an audience of Republican loyalists for applause on Saturday night, in a moment that recalled an infamous blunder from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Im here to tell you dont lose hope. On a personal note, I can tell you that I am as hopeful as ever, Guilfoyle said. Because Americans from all walks of life have had enough of the Democrats decline. And we are ready, we are willing, and we are able to spark a new era of American exceptionalism. And you can clap for that, Guilfoyle added after pausing briefly for applause that didnt seem to commence. Guilfoyles speech took place at a Florida Republican Party victory dinner at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Saturday, where GOP leaders celebrated their million voter advantage over the Democrats. Florida, once thought of as a swing state that could decide the outcome of elections, has drifted to the right for years. Former President Donald Trump won the state by more than 3 percentage points in 2020, and is ahead of Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in most polls. Roughly 700 Republicans were in attendance, according to the Palm Beach Post. Despite their loyalty to the party, Guilfoyle seemed to have a hard time connecting with the audience of GOP loyalists. Even attacks against the Democratic nominee were met with apathy. I have known her for 25 years. And let me tell you somethingdo whatever it takes to keep her out of the White House, Guilfoyle said, pausing for muted applause. Guilfoyle, a native Californian, was previously married to the Golden States current governor, Gavin Newsom, until 2006. Harris was a fixture in California politics for over a decade before her election to the Senate in 2017, previously serving as the San Francisco district attorney and the states attorney general. Sad Jeb Begs Audience, Please Clap. The lackluster response to Guilfoyles speech seemed to rhyme with another poor performance from a Florida Republicanformer Gov. Jeb Bushs notorious please clap moment before a bored audience in Iowa during his failed presidential campaign in 2016. Some parts of Guilfoyles speech did strike a chord with the conservative audience. We will achieve not just American energy independence, but complete and total American energy dominance, Guilfoyle said adamantly, repeating a Trump campaign platform that went over a bit better with the crowd. Guilfoyles speech began later in the lineup, potentially explaining the lackluster reception. She followed speeches from Sen. Rick Scott, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, and Florida Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Byron Donalds. Guilfoyle still received cheers and some standing ovations from the crowd seated closest to the stage as she wrapped up, proclaiming God bless the United States of America, shes worth fighting for. But the crowd became noticeably more animated for the next speaker immediately after Guilfoylecurrent Gov. Ron DeSantis. Are you glad to be in the free state of Florida? the governor asked, and was answered with rapturous applause from his state party. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. What to know about Elizabeth Gutfahr, former official in $39M embezzlement case Before former Santa Cruz County Treasurer Elizabeth "Liz" Gutfahr was known for reportedly stealing millions of dollars in public funds, she had a decade-long public service career and appeared deeply involved in the rural border county she grew up in. The county, state and federal agencies launched investigations into the missing funds in April after the county's bank flagged suspicious activity. Those investigations brought forth detailed allegations about how Gutfahr embezzled $39.4 million over a decade. That led Santa Cruz County to first sue Gutfahr. The county then indicated it would sue the Arizona Auditor General for negligence. An investigation by the state auditor in part blamed the county Board of Supervisors for the missing funds. Investigations by federal officials, which could lead to criminal charges, remain ongoing. The allegations came as a surprise to some in the community. Kathleen Vandervoet, one of Gutfahr's neighbors, said she "thought well" of the former treasurer before the county filed its civil suit. She cited Gutfahr's seemingly successful careers in real estate and as a public official. Here's what to know about Gutfahr. Santa Cruz County roots grow into real estate, political career She was raised in Santa Cruz County and attended Nogales High School, graduating in the class of 1979. Before being elected to county treasurer she spent decades working in real estate. She worked for former Florida-based real estate company Avatar Realty of Arizona in the 1990s, according to the Arizona Department of Real Estates Electronic Licensing Records. She subsequently began her own business, Rio Rico Consulting and Real Estate in 2011. Her first foray into public office began during a two-year term on the Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District No. 35 governing board from 2002 to 2004. She was also involved in many community organizations including founding the Rio Rico Womens Association in 2004 and being involved with the Most Holy Nativity Catholic Church in Rio Rico, Media reports also highlight her position as a Rotary Club member. Real estate records show Gutfahr held a real estate broker license that was issued in 2008 and expired in 2012. Gutfahr ran for Santa Cruz County treasurer for the first time that same year. She won a narrow three-way primary in which she garnered 43% of the vote and won the general election in November 2012. Gutfahr was reelected in 2016 and 2020 and planned to run unopposed in 2024 election until the county sued her over the alleged embezzlement. Criminal investigations remain ongoing. After winning treasurer's seat, Gutfahr gets into cattle business During her time as a public servant, she also ran a range of businesses, including Double D Cattle Company, which raises and sells cattle, and was formed in 2019. The company is marketed as a "family owned and operated" company. Immediate family members include her husband David Gutfahr and her son Davian Gutfahr. Other businesses under her name include Casa Vista Mar, LLC incorporated in 2023, and Rio Rico Consulting formed in January 2024. Another company, Gutfahr Land and Cattle Company, LLC was also formed in 2019 and lists her and her son Davian as members of the company, according to the Arizona Corporation Commission. She also offered her horse boarding ranch, Rancho San Cayetano host to local events. Among those was the Tubac Historical Society fundraiser in 2023. Recent events have taken a turn in her life. In April, financial institution 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. Gutfahr resigned from her position as county treasurer and was replaced by Alejandro I. Paz as Santa Cruz County treasurer, appointed by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on May 13. Voters 'disappointed and disgusted and frustrated' with Gutfahr Vandervoet, the former treasurer's neighbor, said Gutfahr's position on the school board was impressive because it meant someone was willing to volunteer a lot of time. When Gutfahr ran for treasurer, Vandervoet said she voted for her. But Vandervoet recalled her shock at visiting Gutfahr's ranch during a fundraising event and seeing costly renovations. Vandervoet remembered wondering how she could pay for it all. Since the allegations, Vandervoet said she and others are shocked and disappointed. "All of us who voted for her, put our faith in her and then she just slammed the door in our faces," she said. "We just feel so very disappointed and disgusted and frustrated." 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: Who is Elizabeth Gutfahr? Ex-official accused of embezzling $39M in AZ What We Know So Far About the Kentucky Shooter, Still On the Loose Police are searching for suspect Joseph A. Couch in the shooting of motorists on I-75 in Kentucky. - Credit: London Police Department Authorities in Laurel County, Kentucky, are on their third day in the pursuit of Joseph A. Couch, 32, who is the lead suspect in Saturdays shooting that injured five and shut down I-75 for three hours. Couch reportedly fired a total of 20 to 30 rounds into both south- and northbound lanes of the interstate, hitting up to 12 cars and causing numerous collisions. On Sunday, London, Kentucky, mayor Randle Weddle told The Courier Journal that there were no fatalities but that all injured victims were in the hospital. More from Rolling Stone What happened in Laurel County on Saturday? Around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, authorities responded to calls of an active shooter on I-75, near Exit 49 in Laurel County. According to police, Couch is believed to have been firing from a hillside that overlooked the congested road. Earlier that morning, authorities say that Couch legally purchased an AR-15 rifle and up to 1,000 rounds of ammunition in London, Kentucky, a city eight miles from Exit 49, which has a population of 7,600 and sits 75 miles south of Lexington. Later that Saturday, authorities recovered Couchs SUV on a service road near the scene, and on Sunday later retrieved the weapon from a wooded area, which they believe is the location from which he shot into the interstate. Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesman for the Laurel County Sheriffs Office, told The Courier Journal that as of Sunday, all five victims are in stable condition and are expected to survive. Acciardo reported that of the five victims shot, one was shot in the face, another in the arm, and another in the chest. Who is Joseph A. Couch? Joseph A. Couch is a 32-year-old Kentucky native who, according to WKYT-TV, served six years in the Army reserve (some outlets had previously reported he was in the National Guard). The Laurel County sheriffs office described him to be about 5-foot-10-inches tall and weighing around 154 pounds. Couchs most recent address was reported to be in Woodbine, Kentucky, 20 miles south of the scene. In February of this year, Couch was charged with terroristic threatening in Knox County after threatening his neighbor with an AR. The charges were later dropped. According to authorities, Couch didnt seem to have a particular target in mind, although they believe he strategically picked the location. The areas rocky terrain, which is reportedly difficult to navigate, seemingly aided in his getaway, making the search difficult due to what authorities described as walking in a jungle because of the need for machetes to cut through the woods. Couch is charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault. According to the Lexington Herald Leader, police can possibly charge him with wanton endangerment and criminal mischief for shooting into the cars of the people who were not hurt. Whats next in the search for the alleged Kentucky shooter? With authorities on their third day of searching, Kentucky State Police master trooper Scottie Pennington told local stations it was their recommendation for residents to stay in the house, keep their porch lights on, and monitor any security devices they may have. School districts in the area canceled school on Monday to ensure the safety and protection of students and staff. Rolling Stone requested information from the Laurel County Board of Education on whether school will resume tomorrow. An employee from the district, who declined to share their name and title, said that the decision was pending and will be announced on Facebook. Mayor Weddle has encouraged anyone with information to call the authorities with tips and told local news station WKYT-TV that a private donor is offering to pay $10,000 in reward for any information that leads to Couchs arrest. Kentucky State Police are offering an additional $5,000, bringing the reward total to $15,000. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Unlike German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Russia sees no basis for peace talks with Ukraine now, a top Kremlin official said on Monday. Dmirty Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, flatly dismissed the suggestion Scholz made during an interview on Sunday that peace could end the conflict. "As far as a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine is concerned, no tangible contours have yet emerged," Peskov said in Moscow. Russia has heard chatter and statements about negotiations from various European leaders, "but we are not hearing anything from the country that is steering this process, that is directing the collective West," Peskov said, referring to the United States. All of Moscow's demands for an end to the war have so far boiled down to Ukraine ceding territory - and also granting Russia a great deal of control over the rest of Ukraine as well. Ukrainian leaders have categorically ruled out those concessions, calling it tantamount to capitulation. In recent weeks, President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for what he calls a "just peace." FILE PHOTO: Gas bubbles from the Nord Stream 2 leak reaching surface of the Baltic sea in the area shows disturbance of well over one kilometre diameter near Bornholm FILE PHOTO: Gas bubbles from the Nord Stream 2 leak reaching surface of the Baltic sea in the area shows disturbance of well over one kilometre diameter near Bornholm MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Monday that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was right to want a thorough investigation into a 2022 attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines despite what it said were attempts by some Western powers to hush up what really happened. Scholz said in an interview with German television over the weekend that Berlin's investigation would make sure that nothing was concealed and do its best to ensure that those responsible for the blasts were punished. Moscow has repeatedly complained that Germany has not been doing enough to investigate the explosions, which in September 2022 ruptured the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that were built to carry Russian gas to Europe under the Baltic Sea. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday welcomed Scholz's latest comments. "We absolutely agree that the terrorist attack, the sabotage of the Nord Streams must be thoroughly investigated, despite the desperate attempts of some states involved in this story to hush it up," Peskov told reporters on Monday, without naming the countries he was accusing of a cover-up. "Under no circumstances should this (a cover-up) be allowed to happen," he said. No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts which occurred seven months after Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. Moscow - without providing evidence - has repeatedly said the attack was carried out by the United States and Britain, both of whom have denied the allegations. German prosecutors last month said they had issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian diving instructor in Poland in connection with the attacks. Polish prosecutors said they had received the German warrant but that the suspect had already left the country as Berlin did not include his name in a database of wanted persons. Separately, asked by reporters on Monday about Scholz's proposals for a Ukraine peace plan, Peskov said that Moscow did not know the details. (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; editing by Andrew Osborn) DARLINGTON, S.C. (WBTW) A Darlington City Councilwoman whos been involved in racially-charged incidents in the past is now being criticized for a comment she made about the KKK during a council meeting. The comment occurred near the end of a nearly two-and-a-half-hour session, just as members of the citys beautification board were presenting a project proposal. Anna Dewitt, a volunteer for the beautification board said their excitement turned into shock as councilwoman Sheila Baccus uttered the words Oh Lord, the Ku Klux Klan. We were just shocked at those words being said at a city council meeting, Dewitt said. You know, its just not words that we should be using in 2024, and especially not by an elected official at a public meeting. The beautification board, which had been working on the project for four months, was seeking approval for holiday-themed and city logo banners to be displayed on smaller lamp posts around Darlingtons town square. We just thought that would be so nice for our town, and those ladies put in a lot of effort, and I really do hate that those words ruined all the effort that theyve put into this, Dewitt said. But you know, those ladies are great, and theyre going to push forward and Im proud of them. And Im proud to be a part of the beautification board. Tensions escalated, and a fellow council member asked mayor Curtis Boyd if Baccus could be removed from the meeting. Baccus defended herself, claiming she didnt call anyone a name. Boyd abruptly adjourned the meeting, and he, along with two other council members, left the room. We didnt know if the meeting could proceed, since the mayor and the mayor pro tem were not there, Dewitt said. But after everyone exited, we went ahead with our presentation, and the rest of the meeting was very civil. The council ultimately approved the project. One official said that they couldnt sit by while community members were being attacked. Baccus then accused one of the members of the beautification board of attacking her on social media for years. However, in an email statement to News13, Baccus claims when the comment was made, she was talking to another council member and not addressing the people at the podium. At the time that this occurred, I was talking to another council member. I was referring to the MANNER in which another council member and the mayor had just attacked me, because I felt like I was under a Ku Klux Klan attack. It just happened that the 3 individuals were approaching the podium at the same time I was speaking to the council member. My comment was not about them at all, as the video of the council meeting will show. This video will also show I was attacked by the mayor and one of the council members. I was not and did not refer to anyone as a member of the Ku Klux Klan, I was referring to the MANNER in the way I felt I was being disrespected and treated/attacked by the mayor and one of the council members. Prior to Baccus comment, Boyd said there was a heated discussion between council members over the absence of the head of the water department. Our understanding, which he had not told us, is that he had been constantly targeted and harassed when he comes to council, and so the past two city managers, the city manager and the past interim city manager had told him, just my understanding, that it was best if he just let someone else come so there would not be a confrontation, Boyd said. And that just kind of started her off in left field. The meeting had been a little hostile, with a lot of yelling, but that happens a lot in our city meetings, Dewitt said. So, when mayor Boyd read the agenda item and called us up, nobody was talking, nobody was arguing. There was no conversations going on and when we got up front and began speaking then the words were said, oh, Lord, the Ku Klux Klan, were said and we were just shocked. This incident is not the first time Baccus has faced controversy. She was previously investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division after allegedly striking a former city manager, and she was also involved in a civil rights lawsuit.. Also, in a 2020 incident, Baccus allegedly told a white police officer to Take your white self back to the white neighborhood. Youre probably the kind that would shoot us in the back. Baccus is up for re-election in 2025. We just want to work together, Boyd said. Everyone has different opinions, but we ask for professionalism. The comments made do not represent the city of Darlington or the city council. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAKE CITY, S.C. (WBTW) A social media post that put Florence School District 3 on heightened alert Monday morning was mistakenly tied to a Florida incident, officials said. Law enforcement in Madison County, Florida have identified a suspect in the social media threat. That person is a 13-year-old juvenile from Madison County and they have been taken into custody by the Madison County Sheriffs Office, the district said on its Facebook page. It is believed the threat was directed at a school in Lake City, Florida. Florence School District 3, the countys third largest, includes Lake City Early Childhood School of Arts and Lake City Early College High School. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. John Kirk, of Straughn Trout Architects, presented these visuals to the Lakeland CRA as possible looks for future buildings in the Mass Market area. Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency has updated its plan for developing a nine-block section of Midtown, despite two businesses recently closing up shop. Lakeland CRA Manager Valerie Vaught presented an updated Mass Market Area Vision plan to its advisory board members last week, which focuses on bringing a mix of dense residential, retail and office uses. It covers the area from Bartow Road/U.S. 98 north to East Memorial Boulevard, from North Florida Avenue east to North Massachusetts Avenue. "We have a big role in this area, and it's by design," Vaught said. History of Mass Market area The Lakeland CRA purchased its two properties at 820 and 822 N. Massachusetts and stepped in to become the developer, where others weren't interested. It built the Mass Market complex. In May 2016, city commissioners approved two leases for the Mass Market: Haus 820 and Art/ifact, a gallery and studio space for local artists that will close in September. Vaught said the CRA has been purchasing additional land in the area when it becomes available as part of a master plan to redevelop and uplift it. The CRA is under contract to purchase 801 N. Florida Ave. and 618 N. Massachusetts Ave. at a cost of nearly $3 million, subject to the City Commission's approval. The CRA hired Straughn Trout Architects to update a plan for the area's future growth and development, originally crafted in October 2020 during the COVID pandemic. "We're at a pivotal point of let's create an area, let's create a sense of place and let's do that well," Vaught said. "Let's do it by complementing what's already happening downtown. Let's recognize what the medical district offers and professions are offering. Let's weave them in nicely together." This map highlights the various properties the Lakeland CRA owns in the Mass Market in purple and is under contract to purchase in yellow. Talbot House Ministries is colored in red, with Polk County Tax Collector's office in teal. Future ideas for Mass Market area John Kirk, a principal architect with Straughn Trout, said the Mass Market area, or the nine blocks, is a key location within Lakeland. "Look at the map, it's nine blocks really right in the heart of our community as it grows," Kirk said. "It's not just a little downtown anymore, Lakeland's growing. The hospital and downtown are merging and going north, south, east and west."Rather than seeing Lakelanders drive past the Mass Market on the way to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center or downtown shops, the goal is to give the area a sense of place and make it a destination. Existing at the center of the nine-block grid is the Talbot House Ministries campus, with the business incubator and event center The Well a block to the east. "We need to focus on density," Vaught said. The revised Mass Market area plan sets forth a vision for five properties surrounding these existing buildings: Starting in the south, Kirk said he sees the undeveloped lot at 707 N. Tennessee Ave. as an ideal location for a potential three- or four-story, apartment complex. The proposal calls for roughly 250 multi-family units with 5,000 square feet of commercial space. It's estimated this would cost about $36 million to build. A neighboring CRA-owned property one-block east at 601 N. Florida Ave. would be a great location for a mixed-used office space containing about 10,000 square feet of commercial space, Kirk said. He estimated a construction cost of about $5.25 million with 41 parking spaces. Heading north, Kirk proposed the CRA should seek to develop a 8,000-square-foot, mixed-use commercial building on North Florida Avenue as office space. He said the proposal calls for six parking spaces for the building with an approximate budget slightly over $4.5 million. Another mixed-used office is proposed on South Florida Avenue and East Parker Street, opposite a pair of restaurants. Kirk said the vision is for two 4,000-square-foot restaurants to be built with a shared patio and courtyard for seating. This area would serve as a event courtyard with multiple walkways for pedestrians and a lawn, which Kirk said he hopes would be inviting for a game of frisbee or a picnic lunch. The projected cost to build is $4.5 million. Katie Worthington Decker, senior vice president of the Lakeland Economic Development Council, asked if there was consideration for more food venues and restaurants in the area, as a way to possibly draw foot traffic in. There is currently the vacancy in the former Yard on Mass space, Vaught said, which may be filled by a restaurant. Mass Market Area: Lakeland CRA hopes to purchase two very old properties in Parker Street area To the north, a building at 215 E. Memorial Blvd. that has been home to several auto industry businesses is envisioned to become a two-story, 24,000-square-foot medical office with more than 100 surface parking spaces. Kirk said he thinks there would be interest from the nearby medical community and provide a natural transition. Construction costs are estimated at more than $12 million. "These are all concepts. We have not taken them through concept review," Vaught said. "We haven't confirmed if any of this is possible." The redevelopment would include planning for public art installations and pedestrian enhancements throughout the area with wider sidewalks, up to 20 feet, and better street lighting to improve the area's walkability. "Public art needs to be integrated into the architecture," Kirk said. "We need to be integrating those and not have them be an after thought." The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency has a revised 2024 Mass Market Vision Plan that encompasses nine city blocks, as seen from an aerial view here, that is hopes to redevelop. Potential challenges ahead Lynne Simpkins, a CRA Advisory Board member, raised concerns about the agency's ambitious plans for reinvestment into the Mass Market area. At the center of the zone is Talbot House Ministries, one of the city's largest nonprofits serving individuals who are homeless. Talbot House operates an overnight emergency shelter and provides residential programs. "I am very, very sensitive to how we handle our homeless. If you make this amazing concept here, how do they fit in?" she asked. "We like to box them in. They will want to go to these places to sit and eat too. How do we make that work for everybody?" Simpkins asked whether the CRA had any conversations with Talbot House Ministries possibly moving or relocating out of the Mass Market area. Vaught said she's had conversations with Talbot House Executive Director Maria Cruz about the future of the area. "We continue to work with our neighbor to find solutions," she said. Terry Coney, NAACP Lakeland Branch president and CRA Advisory Board member, asked whether there was the potential to use some of the CRA property in the area to connect with Talbot House and provide some type of low-income housing. "Our CRA purpose is to fundamentally invest in properties and raise property values," Vaught said. "I would say no, it's not really accomplishing our CRA mission." Next steps Vaught said the CRA will work with the city's Community and Economic Development department to develop a Special Public Interest overlay zoning, or SPI, for the area that would identify desired uses and design guidelines for the area. Other areas of the city that have an SPI include the Dixieland and Parker Street neighborhoods, Vaught said. The CRA will begin work developing a marketing plan for CRA-owned properties in the area. Once the sites are ready, the CRA will begin a process of issuing requests for proposals seeking to partner with qualified developers to execute the desired projects. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland CRA thinks Mass Market area can be successfully redeveloped (NewsNation) Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, says her father-in-law, Donald Trump, doesnt need a lot of intense preparation for Tuesdays debate with Kamala Harris. He does interviews. He does press conferences. Donald Trump is out there constantly taking questions, fielding questions. And that is how he prepares for this debate, Trump told NewsNations The Hill Sunday. He doesnt have to prepare in the same way Kamala does, she added. Lara Trump claps back at music critics: They cant knock me for fundraising Lara Trump also defended the campaigns opposition to changing the rules from the first presidential debate to allow both candidates microphones to be hot during the encounter. We are just simply following the rules that were put in place the first time with the first candidate, referring to the June 27 debate that eventually led President Joe Biden to withdraw from the race and back Harris. We already agreed to a whole set of rules. We also agreed to several debates. So far, weve only heard from Kamala Harris that shell do one. Donald Trump wants more than one, she said. He thinks the American people deserve to see both of these candidates as often as possible answering as many questions as possible. Harris falling behind among male voters in key states Lara Trump also said shes confident that the former president will successfully contrast his record in the White House with Harris tenure in the Biden administration. Youre going to have one person, with Donald Trump, who has done the job of president of the United States, and done it successfully, versus Kamala Harris, who, on the other hand, has been vice president for nearly four years, and look where we are in this country, 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 NewsNation. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Largo woman was arrested Sunday after she was caught on camera stealing an exotic baby bird from an Oldsmar pet store Saturday morning, the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office said. Deputies were called to Everything Birds in the Oldsmar Flea Market at 180 Racetrack Road just before 10 a.m. after a woman allegedly stole an exotic baby bird. Body of missing Florida veteran found in state forest following 10-day search Surveillance video showed the woman, Grissel Flores Nistal, 54, browsing the baby bird section before reaching into the petter, removing the Black Headed Caique from its container, and placing it in her large purse before leaving the store. The bird is reportedly worth $2,400. After two citizens identified the 54-year-old as the suspect, detectives went to the womans home, where she agreed to return the bird. The Black Headed Caique was returned to the owner and was in good health, deputies said. Nistal was charged with one count of felony grand theft and was taken to the Pinellas County Jail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. NEW DELHI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and three others injured Sunday due to a lightning strike in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said. The incident took place Sunday evening in Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, about 107 km northeast of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh. Heavy rains and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning strikes lashed several parts of the state. A police official said the victims were working in the field and had taken shelter under a tree near a pond following the rains. The injured were immediately rushed to the hospital. Every year, with the onset of monsoon season, hundreds die in lightning incidents in India. The Latest: Harris and Trump are prepping for the debate but their strategies are vastly different Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are veering sharply in how they gear up for Tuesdays presidential debate, setting up a showdown that reflects not just two separate visions for the country but two politicians who approach big moments very differently. Harris spent the weekend cloistered in a historic hotel in downtown Pittsburgh where she focused on honing crisp two-minute answers, per the debates rules. Meanwhile, Trump has publicly dismissed the value of studying for the debate. The former president is choosing instead to fill his days with campaign-related events. Follow the APs Election 2024 coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024. Heres the latest: Harris arrives in Philadelphia ahead of debate Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, saying shes feeling good ahead of her Tuesday debate with Donald Trump. Harris crossed Pennsylvania after having spent several days at a downtown Pittsburgh hotel preparing for the showdown. As her motorcade left Pittsburgh, reporters spotted long-time Democratic aide Philippe Reines, who portrayed Trump in the mock debates and was seen in a Trump-like Navy suit and bright red tie. Trump's unpredictability is an advantage, his campaign says Donald Trumps campaign says his unpredictability will give him a major leg up in Tuesdays debate. You cant prepare for President Trump. Theres just no way to do it, senior campaign adviser Jason Miller told reporters during a call on Monday, comparing the challenge facing Vice President Kamala Harris to a boxer trying to prepare for Floyd Mayweather or Muhmmad Ali. You just, you dont know what angle theyre going to come at you with, he said. Still, aides said, Trump will be focused on trying to tie Harris to the least popular Biden administration policies. Trump will try to blame her not only for border, inflation and foreign policy decisions, but other things that happened while she was in office, such as the catastrophic fire in Maui last year. Kamala Harris owns everything from this administration, Miller said. Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who competed against Harris in the 2020 Democratic primaries and has been helping Trump prepare, said that his tone will not change this time because he is facing a woman. President Trump respects women and doesnt feel the need to be patronizing or to speak to women in any other way than he would speak to a man," she said. So he is speaking to the American people, he is speaking to Kamala Harris record, and comparing and contrasting that with his record of success. Kennedy will stay on battleground Michigans ballot, court rules The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will remain on the ballot in the battleground state, potentially dealing a marginal blow to Trumps campaign. Kennedy, who suspended his third-party presidential campaign in August, had sought to have his name dropped from the ballot so as to not siphon away votes from Trump, whom he endorsed. Kennedy sued the Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, on Aug. 30, and the case quickly made its way to the state Supreme Court. This plainly has nothing to do with ballot or election integrity, Kennedys attorney Aaron Siri said in a written statement. The aim is precisely the opposite to have unwitting Michigan voters throw away their votes on a withdrawn candidate. Read more on the Michigan court decision Trump shows support for reclassifying marijuana as less dangerous drug Trump signaled support for reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug in a post on his social media platform late Sunday, putting his position in line with that of Harris. The commonality reflects a major shift toward broad public support for legalization in recent years and marks the first time that both major-party presidential candidates support broad cannabis reform, according to the U.S. Cannabis Council. Coming shortly before the two will meet for a pivotal debate, Trumps post sets up the possibility that he could criticize Harris for her past cannabis prosecutions when she was district attorney in San Francisco. Because drug prosecutions disproportionately affect nonwhite defendants in the U.S., the line of attack could also fit with Trumps efforts to increase his support among nonwhite men. Harris backs decriminalization and has called it absurd that the Drug Enforcement Administration now has marijuana in the Schedule I category alongside heroin and LSD. Earlier in her career, she oversaw the enforcement of cannabis laws and opposed legalized recreational use for adults in California while running for attorney general in 2010. Read more about Trumps stance on marijuana Nations top election security official expressed confidence in this years election Speaking in Detroit, Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told a gathering of local election officials from around the country Monday that she was inspired by their commitment to overseeing safe, secure, free, fair elections. She said their tireless efforts also should give Americans confidence that every vote will be counted as cast. Easterly acknowledged that election offices are facing numerous threats, from cybersecurity to intimidation of their workers. But she said their extensive preparations will ensure that we are ready for whatever lies ahead. President Biden plans to watch the debate between Harris and Trump White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden would be watching Tuesday from New York, where hes traveling ahead of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Bidens disastrous performance in the June 27 debate with Trump touched off a chorus of calls by fellow Democrats for him to step aside in the 2024 presidential race. He did about a month later. Harris became the Democratic nominee and shell face Trump this time. Jean-Pierre said Biden was very proud of his vice president. The debate begins Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. Grief over Gaza and qualms over US election add up to anguish for many Palestinian Americans Demoralized by the Biden administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war, Palestinian American Samia Assed found in Vice President Kamala Harris ascension and her running mate pick a little ray of hope. That hope, she said, shattered during last months Democratic National Convention, where a request for a Palestinian American speaker was denied and listening to Harris left her feeling like the Democratic presidential nominee will continue the U.S. policies that have outraged many in the anti-war camp. I couldnt breathe because I felt unseen and erased, said Assed, a community organizer in New Mexico. Under different circumstances, Assed would have reveled in the groundbreaking rise of a woman of color as her partys nominee. Instead, she agonizes over her ballot box options. For months, many Palestinian Americans have been contending with the double whammy of the rising Palestinian death toll and suffering in Gaza and their own governments support for Israel in the war. Alongside pro-Palestinian allies, theyve grieved, organized, lobbied and protested as the killings and destruction unfolded on their screens or touched their own families. Now, they also wrestle with tough, deeply personal voting decisions, including in battleground states. Read more about Palestinian Americans and the election What the Trump-Clinton debates might tell us about Trumps approach with Harris He claimed she would raise taxes and accused her of supporting open border policies that would allow an influx of unvetted migrants into the country. He blamed her for a litany of the current administrations failures and cast her potential presidency as four more years of the same. Donald Trump wasnt facing Vice President Kamala Harris. It was Hillary Clinton on the debate stage. As Trump and Harris prepare to debate for the first and potentially only time Tuesday, his three meetings with Clinton in 2016 illustrate the challenges facing both candidates in what is again shaping up to be an extremely close election. Harris will face a skilled and experienced debater who excels at rattling his rivals with a barrage of insults and interruptions, while projecting unflappable confidence and conviction. And Trump will be up against a longtime prosecutor known for landing pointed punches. He again faces a woman who would become the countrys first female president and must contend with the underlying gender dynamics at play. Read more about what the Trump-Clinton debate says about Trumps style Harris campaign plans for aggressive outreach in swing states after the debate Vice President Kamala Harris plans a four-day campaign trip through major swing states after the Democrats debate Tuesday with Republican Donald Trump. Her New Way Forward tour will include a new television spot, rallies, canvassing events and programs designed to target important voting groups, the campaign said Sunday, adding that the tour will culminate at the start of Hispanic Heritage Month on Sept. 15. In a tight race against the former president, the Harris campaign sees itself as having the room to persuade voters before focusing more intently on turnout with the beginning of early voting before the Nov. 5 election. Trump has also stepped up his outreach with rallies and interviews in seemingly friendly forums. Read more about Harriss post-debate plans Little debate that Pennsylvania is key as Harris and Trump prep for Philly showdown When Donald Trump and Kamala Harris meet onstage Tuesday night in Philadelphia, theyll both know theres little debate that Pennsylvania is critical to their chances of winning the presidency. The most populous presidential swing state has sided with the winner of the past two elections, each time by just tens of thousands of votes. Polling this year suggests Pennsylvania will be close once more in November. A loss in the state will make it difficult to make up the electoral votes elsewhere to win the presidency. Trump and Harris have been frequent visitors in recent days Harris plans to return Friday and the former president was speaking in Butler County on July 14 when he was the target of an assassination attempt. The stakes may be especially high for Harris: No Democrat has won the White House without Pennsylvania since 1948. Read more about Pennsylvanias role in this election What Harris past debates say about her potential approach to Trump From her earliest campaigns in California to her serving as President Joe Bidens running mate, Kamala Harris has honed an aggressive but calibrated approach to debates. She tries to blend punch lines with details that build toward a broader narrative. She might shake her head to signal her disapproval while her opponent is speaking, counting on viewers to see her reaction on a split screen. And she has a go-to tactic to pivot debates back in her favor: saying shes glad to answer a question as she gathers her thoughts to explain an evolving position or defend a past one. Read more about Harris debate style In new Harris ad, former Trump officials warn of dangers if he gets a second term A new Harris campaign ad airing running on Fox News on the day of the presidential debate features former Trump officials warning of what they say are the dangers of a second Donald Trump presidency. The ad is running in Philadelphia and West Palm Beach, Florida where Trump lives on Tuesday. It features clips from former Vice President Mike Pence saying he would not be endorsing Trump. Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, National Security Advisor John Bolton, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley all warn against the Republican. The presidential debate begins at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday on ABC. Look out for wild card Trump If you ask Trumps previous debate opponents what theyre watching for on Tuesday night and we did many say the same thing: Look out for the thing he says or does that Harris cant possibly prepare for. Trump is the ultimate wild card who's found tremendous political success by ignoring the traditional rules of politics. He will say or do whatever he thinks is best in the moment. And Harris, who has dedicated several days to debate prep, cant make a plan for everything. At this point, its hard to imagine Trump surprising anyone with new material. He has praised dictators, talked about genitalia size, suggested suspending the U.S. Constitution and said that Harris only recently turned Black. Trumps own team doesnt know what hell do or say on any given day. Thats incredibly risky for Trump. But it also puts enormous pressure on Harris. Abortion vs Immigration Republicans hope Trump makes immigration a defining issue of the debate. The GOP has effectively condemned the Biden administrations handling of illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border for much of the last four years. Harris will be eager to remind voters that Trump helped kill a bipartisan immigration bill that would have done much to fix the problem. But overall, Harris is likely to be on the defensive when the issue comes up. Democrats, meanwhile, want to focus on abortion. Trump, of course, appointed three Supreme Court justices who later overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that protected a womans right to choose abortion. Trump has repeatedly said he was proud that Roe was defeated. But aware that such a view isnt popular among many women, he has tried to moderate his stance on the divisive issue. Harris wont make that easy. Stating the obvious, as a woman, she is positioned to be a much more effective messenger on the issue than Biden was. And Trump cant afford to lose many more female voters. Body language matters There will, of course, be an obvious gender dynamic on stage Tuesday night. The candidates who have never met in person before will be expected to stay behind their podiums on Tuesday night. But Republicans are hopeful Trump will avoid any other provocations like pointing, yelling or otherwise approaching Harris in a way that might be off-putting to suburban women or other swing voters. Harris, too, will face unique challenges related to her race and gender as voters consider whether to make her the nations first female president. Some voters still say theyre not comfortable with the idea. If she comes across as angry, she risks playing into racist tropes about Black women. While the gender dynamic looms, do not underestimate the significance of their age difference, either. Harris is almost two decades younger than the 78-year-old Trump. Age was viewed as a political advantage for Trump when he was facing the 81-year-old Biden, but the situation is now reversed against the 59-year-old Harris. If he wins, Trump would be the oldest U.S. president ever elected. (Bloomberg) -- Latvias top military commander said a Russian drone that crashed on the Baltic nations territory was an Iranian-designed model as authorities called on NATO allies to bolster air defenses. Most Read from Bloomberg Military commander Leonids Kalnins said debris from the unmanned aerial vehicle that veered into Latvian airspace showed that it was a Shahed-style drone. The UAV crossed into Latvia from Belarus and crashed near the eastern town of Rezekne, Latvias president said Sunday. The armed UAV was meant to be deployed in attacks in Ukraine, Kalnins told reporters in Riga on Monday. Authorities tracked the drone as it flew some 55 kilometers (34 miles) into Latvia before crashing, Kalnins said. Authorities say that the incident lays bare the regions vulnerability the Baltic states dont have their own air forces and rely on NATO to provide fighter jets on a rotational basis. The Latvian military chief said low-flying aircraft like drones can be difficult to distinguish from other airborne objects such as hang gliders. Defense Minister Andris Spruds said the crash showed that air defenses on NATOs eastern flank have to be reinforced. We are currently also strengthening our presence in air defense right on the eastern border, because this proves that our capabilities also need to be strengthened, he said. Increased Attacks in Ukraine The defense minister of neighboring Lithuania, Laurynas Kasciunas, also called for more defense systems in NATOs eastern flank and a stronger mandate for the air policing mission in the Baltic region which would allow for a more forceful response to such incidents. Latvia and Romania each reported incidents involving Russian drones during another attack launched against Ukraine over the weekend, a sign of increasing aerial threats posed to countries in the region. The Foreign Ministry in Riga summoned Russias charge daffaires to address the incident and said it plans to increase protection of its land borders, airspace and territorial waters. As winter approaches, Moscows forces have stepped up aerial attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine, regularly sending dozens of drones to attack. Those UAVs circle above Ukraine and have sometimes crossed into the airspace of neighboring countries, including Romania and Poland. Such incidents have sparked a debate in Poland on whether to start shooting down Russian military objects that enter into its airspace. So far, Poland, also a NATO member, has been reluctant to do so over concerns of the potential damage from falling debris. --With assistance from Ott Tammik, Milda Seputyte and Mark Sweetman. (Adds defense minister comments, attacks over weekend from fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Latvia confirms Russian Shahed drone armed with explosive crashed on its territory Editor's note: This article was updated following the press conference held by the Latvian Defense Ministry on the afternoon of Sept. 9. A Russian Shahed-type drone equipped with an explosive crashed in Latvia on Sept. 7, Latvia's Defense Ministry confirmed during a press conference on Sept. 9. The Latvian Defense Ministry previously said in a statement on Sept. 8 that a suspected Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) had crashed in eastern Latvia the day before. This is the first confirmed case of a Russian drone crashing on Latvian soil. Lieutenant General Leonids Kalnins, the commander-in-chief of the Latvian Armed Forces, said on Sept. 9 that the drone was heading towards a target in Ukraine before it entered Latvia via Belarus. The drone eventually crashed in Gaigalava parish in Rezekne district, 85 kilometers (52 miles) northwest of the Belarusian border, Kalnins said. The explosive that the drone was carrying did not detonate on impact, but was deactivated by Latvian personnel. Latvia is now conducting an in-depth analysis of the drone's components. Read also: Explainer: Irans cheap, effective Shahed drones and how Russia uses them in Ukraine "The incident has been brought to the attention of the relevant government officials, law enforcement authorities, and NATO countries in the region," the Latvian Defense Ministry said. "The National Armed Forces detected the UAV entering Latvian territory, monitored its movement, and located the crash site. The investigation is ongoing." According to Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds, the incident "confirms that we need to continue strengthening Latvia's eastern border." The news from Latvia comes as another case of Russian drones violating the airspace of NATO countries during mass aerial attacks against Ukraine. Latvia's NATO partner, Romania, also reported on a Russian drone entering its territory on Sept. 8. There have also been multiple recorded cases of Russian Shahed-type drones veering off course toward Belarus during attacks on Ukraine, with some even being reportedly shot down by Belarusian aircraft. Russian drones have previously crashed in Romania and its non-NATO neighbor, Moldova. Other drones and missiles have also violated the Polish airspace on several occasions, and a stray Ukrainain air defense missile launched to intercept a Russian attack killed two Polish citizens in 2022. Both Romania and Latvia said that there is no indication that the drones entered their airspace on purpose. NATO has repeatedly condemned Russia for violating the airspace of its members, but no steps to intercept Russian projectiles have been taken. The allies have also resisted calls to shoot down Russian drones and missiles over Ukrainian airspace, fearing it would be seen as a direct involvement in the war. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Latvia summoned the Russian Embassy's charge d'affaires to express protest after a Russian drone armed with explosives crashed in Latvia for the first time, the Latvian Foreign Ministry announced on Sept. 9. The charge d'affaires "was requested to provide a comprehensive explanation of the incident, in which an unmanned aerial vehicle illegally violated Latvia's airspace while also carrying explosives," the Latvian Foreign Ministry said. The Russian diplomat "confirmed that he would inform the Russian Foreign Ministry about the situation." The Latvian authorities are currently conducting an "in-depth investigation into the circumstances of the incident," the Foreign Ministry said. Lieutenant General Leonids Kalnins, the commander-in-chief of the Latvian Armed Forces, confirmed on Sept. 9 that the drone was heading towards a target in Ukraine before it entered Latvia via Belarus. Read also: Latvia confirms Russian Shahed drone armed with explosive crashed on its territory The drone eventually crashed in Gaigalava parish in Rezekne district, 85 kilometers (52 miles) northwest of the Belarusian border. The explosive that the drone was carrying did not detonate on impact, but was deactivated by Latvian personnel. Russian drones have previously crashed in Romania and its non-NATO neighbor, Moldova. Other drones and missiles have also violated Polish airspace on several occasions. After a likely Russian drone flew into Polish airspace on Aug. 26 amid a mass attack on Ukraine, Polish Brigadier General Tomasz Drewniak said that Russia is potentially testing Poland's air defense system. "By releasing the device onto our territory, the Russians are checking how our system is raised, at what time we raise the alert forces into the air," General Drewniak told RMF24. Poland's reaction to the drone entering its airspace can provide Russia with "a lot of valuable information, which is then useful for planning any operation," General Drewniak said. Read also: De facto cyberwar Poland says it uncovered saboteurs working for Russia, Belarus Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia summoned Russias acting charge d'affaires on 9 September in connection with the Russian drone found in the east of Latvia last week. Source: European Pravda with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Details: The Latvian Foreign Ministry expressed its "categorical protest" to the head of the Russian embassy in connection with a Russian Shahed drone of military importance being found in the Rezekne Municipality on 7 September. Quote: "The Russian Charge dAffaires a.i. was requested to provide a comprehensive explanation of the incident, in which an unmanned aerial vehicle illegally violated Latvias airspace while also carrying explosives." The Russian charge daffaires assured the Latvian side that he would inform the Russian Foreign Ministry about the situation. "The responsible Latvian authorities continue with an in-depth investigation into the circumstances of the incident. Latvia has informed its allies, the leadership of NATO and the EU, as well as, through diplomatic channels, its counterparts in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of other countries about the situation," the Latvian Ministry said. Background: On 8 September the Latvian president stated that on 7 September a Russian military UAV crashed in the Latvian territory. The Latvian Armed Forces noted that the drone had been equipped with an explosive and entered the Latvian airspace from Belarus. NATO commented that it had no information as to whether a Russian UAV entering the territory of Latvia was purposeful. Support UP or become our patron! Representative Lauren Boebert struggled to back up her extreme allegations about a Venezuelan gangs alleged takeover of an apartment building in her home state of Colorado. Last week, right-wing media and former President Donald Trump elevated claims that Tren de Aguas, a Venezuelan gang, had taken over The Edge, a residential building in Aurora, Colorado. After following up on the rumors, the Aurora Police Department determined that a gang had not taken over the complex. At a press conference, Edge residents hit back at the right-wing claims and 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. Boebert held a community roundtable last week with Texas Representative Chip Roy to discuss the presence of gangs in Aurora, Colorado. While Boebert does not represent any of the residents of Aurora, the far-right anti-immigrant Republican took a special interest in the suddenly high-profile issue. During the roundtable, Boebert discussed a recent report from Denver law firm Perkins Coie, which alleged that Tren de Aguas had a stranglehold on another apartment complex operated by CBZ Management, called Whispering Pines, five miles away from The Edge. According to CBS, the report was first sent to top Aurora administrators in early August. The report, which had been made on behalf of a lender, alleged that gang members at Whispering Pines had committed several crimes including flagrant trespass violations, assaults and battery, human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors, unlawful firearms possession, extortion, and other criminal activities, often targeting vulnerable Venezuelan and other immigrant populations. Boebert, Roy, and several other Republican lawmakers then sent a letter Friday to several U.S. officials, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and FBI Director Christopher Wray, insisting that they had confirmed the reports many claims. However, as Kyle Clark of Next9 News pointed out, claims of sexual abuse of minors were seemingly new and unconnected to any recent arrests in the area. Clark explained that the report relied on a third-hand anonymous claim to make that allegation. When asked how she had possibly confirmed the sexual abuse of minors by gang members in Aurora, Boebert couldnt provide a coherent answer. This is a nonpartisan uh, law firm that has come out with this. This is information that is, is vetted. It is nonpartisan. And it is our most evident form of allegations that have been presented with Tren de Aragua here in Aurora, Colorado, Boebert said. Boebert then claimed that being asked about this at all was tantamount to a media cover-up. NEW: Rep Lauren Boebert (R-CO) says it's "confirmed" that a Venezuelan gang is involved in child sexual abuse in Aurora. That claim first surfaced two days ago as an anonymous, third-hand account. When we asked Boebert for her evidence, she alleged a media cover-up. #copolitics pic.twitter.com/SVl7IidIYo Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) September 7, 2024 The number of lawmakers backing pro-democracy issues, such as voting rights and campaign finance reform, is surging, even as Capitol Hill is mired in partisan gridlock. Of the 535 members of Congress, 117 lawmakers received perfect scores for their support of pro-democracy reform bills and votes, according to the fifth biennial Democracy Scorecard released Monday by the nonprofit government watchdog Common Cause. Thats a 15.8 percent increase from the 101 perfect scores in 2022 and a more than 100 percent increase from the 58 members with perfect scores in 2020. Voters are demanding action on these issues from their members of Congress, and really its only in Washington where these issues are considered partisan, Aaron Scherb, senior director of legislative affairs at Common Cause, told The Hill in a phone interview. Key votes and legislation covered by the scorecard include the Freedom to Vote Act, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the DISCLOSE Act, which aims to increase disclosure of so-called dark money flowing into elections. The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act a direct response to ProPublicas bombshell reporting on undisclosed trips Justice Clarence Thomas accepted from various billionaires while on the bench is among the bills tracked on the scorecard. The legislation considered included 13 measures in the House and 10 in the Senate. California has 23 members with perfect scores, the most of any state. All of the California lawmakers who received perfect scores are Democrats. Rhode Island and Vermont are the only states whose full congressional delegations received perfect scores. Each lawmaker from these states is a Democrat, except for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with the Democrats. The Wyoming delegation, which is made up of two Republican senators and an at-large GOP representative, is the only state in which each member scored zero. The number of lawmakers who scored zero was 148, the highest its been since Common Cause began the scorecard in 2016. Theres definitely some polarization going on, Scherb said. Were seeing a lot less appetite for finding common solutions from the Republican Party, unfortunately, despite the large majorities of Republican, Democratic and independent voters who continue to support these reforms. The 118th Congress, which kicked off in January 2023, has been among the least productive in history. 78 bills have become law as of Monday, compared to 365 during the 117th Congress and 344 during the preceding session. In addition to the usual gridlock of a divided Congress, myriad historic events have eaten up valuable floor time and oxygen, including the 15-round election of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in January 2023 and his ousting just nine months later, the expulsion of Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) last December and the first-ever conviction of conspiracy by a public official, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), to act as a foreign agent that led to his resignation. Virginia Kase Solomon, president and CEO of Common Cause, wrote in the scorecard introduction that its not surprising that trust in Congress and the Supreme Court among the American public is low with such dysfunction. Just 20.4 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, according to national polling averages analyzed by FiveThirtyEight, and the Supreme Court approval rating is 36.5 percent. A majority of Americans across the political spectrum also say they want the president and Congress to prioritize reducing the influence of political spending, a top priority second only to the economy and defending against terrorism, according to a January survey by the Pew Research Center. In a separate Pew Research study conducted in July 2023, 63 percent of respondents said they believe most or all elected officials ran to make a lot of money. People are tired of the status quo the outsized role special interests and secret money play in our elections, Supreme Court Justices who ignore ethical standards, and gerrymandered congressional districts that allow politicians to choose their voters, instead of the other way around, Solomon said in a press release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Kansas jayhawk greets audience members at the groundbreaking ceremony for a 10,000-square-foot Center for Jewish Life at the University of Kansas. (Maya Smith/Kansas Reflector) LAWRENCE The Chabad House of Lawrence has provided a safe place for Jewish students to practice their faith, grab a meal or make friends within their community for 18 years. A year from now, they will be able to do all this and more at the new, 10,000-square-foot Center for Jewish Life at the University of Kansas. Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel and his wife have run the local Chabad Center since 2006. After being maxed out at the one-story house on 19th Street for years, their dreams of expansion are finally coming true. This is a very exciting time for the Jewish community. Not just at KU, but the whole Northeast Kansas, Tiechtel said. We have many students who are not Jewish who come to the Chabad House along with their Jewish friends, just to see what its like to celebrate. Its amazing to see the eye-opening experience. A lot of students never met a Jew before, especially if you come from rural America. The facility will be equipped with Lawrences first commercial kosher kitchen, as well as a dining hall and study lounges, according to a flyer for the new center. The perks will be enjoyed by both students and community members who walk through the Chabad Center doors. Sunday afternoon, the location for the new center was packed with community members, donors, students and family members for the groundbreaking ceremony. The ceremony shed light on those who have been committed to the Chabad House for years, including Tiechtels wife, Nechama. When Zalman and I met, one of the first things we spoke about was our shared passion of finding some place in this big world where we could open a Chabad house, she said. Each and every student that walks through our doors is not just one individual, but an entire generation. KU junior Tyler Bermundo is one of many students who have found their place within the Jewish community in Lawrence. After transferring from a junior college to a larger university, it has become a home away from home. In one word, community. Thats what it means to me, Bermundo said. And theres nothing really else like it around here. We can really expand on our community now. The projects budget is estimated at $6 million, and construction will take a year to complete. Tiechtel said the center has been fortunate with cooperation from the city as well as fundraising, with generous donors hailing from the KU community and beyond. We are more than halfway to the fundraising goal. People are supporting it, he said. People want to see it happen. (We) welcome people regardless of their background and affiliation. We believe labels are for suits and clothing, not for people. In a time of world conflict and discrimination, Tiechtel believes a location near campus for all students to find a community is needed more than ever. This is what we need. We need large community centers that provide resources and education, he said. Theres so many misconceptions. People will come to learn, and I think that this is crucially important, especially in the environment we live in today. Community members will still be able to enjoy weekly Chabad dinners at a different facility during construction. Tiechtel, his family and students are excited for the next steps of construction and what opportunities lie ahead. Its been met with so much positivity, the rabbi said. Its an unbelievable feeling because my life (and) the life of my family is dedicated to serving the community. And we were desperately seeking the means, the capacity to be able to answer the call. This is what we need. Lawyers set to argue why multiple prominent John Does should be kept private in brothel case BOSTON, Mass. Lawyers of multiple John Does accused of soliciting sex are scheduled to argue in court Monday that their clients names should not be released during show cause hearings surrounding the case. Roughly a dozen unnamed men in court documents are accused of soliciting sex from an elaborate brothel network spanning from Cambridge, Watertown, and eastern Virginia. 2 accused of running high-end brothel network that catered to wealthy clients appear in court Some of those unnamed individuals are said to be prominent public figures. None of the customers of the service have been charged in connection to the case. Cambridge District Court ruled over the winter that the names should be public during the hearings. The decision will now be appealed and heard Monday at the Supreme Judicial Court in Boston. Boston 25 legal analyst Peter Elikann isnt expecting a decision on the appeal from the Supreme Judicial Court for weeks or even months. Their argument is, Why should you shame me, or ruin my life, or ruin my career when it hasnt even been shown that Ive done anything? said Elikann. Can you at least wait until Ive been charged. Three men were arrested and charged in November with running the sex service that crossed state lines, and required information about their clients beforehand. Elikann added, The alternative side is that we want everything to be transparent and open to the public. The hearing is scheduled for 9 am. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW An empty high school classroom. (Dan Forer | Getty Images) Milwaukee Public Schools faces growing pressure to place school resource officers in schools as soon as possible. At the same time, however, some community advocates are calling on school district officials to take their time. Officers havent been stationed inside Milwaukee schools since 2016, and in 2020, after years of student activism, the states largest school district ended its contract with the Milwaukee Police Department. But Wisconsin Act 12 a 2023 law that boosted local government funding across Wisconsin included a controversial requirement that Milwaukee Public Schools place at least 25 school resource officers in schools. So far the district is more than eight months past the deadline that the law set to implement the requirement, Jan. 1, 2024. At the end of August, state Sen. John Jagler (R-Watertown), chair of the Senate Education committee, wrote to the Milwaukee school board about the districts plans to meet the requirement. His letter followed comments made by board Vice President Jilly Gokalgandhi in July. Her answer was dismissive and appeared to suggest that the school district had no plans to comply with the requirement. I am hopeful that this was simply a misstatement made in the moment, Jagler wrote. I am writing to inquire about the School Districts plans to address returning School Resource Officers to MPS and meet the crime reporting requirements. These provisions should be seen as a powerful tools to help keep our kids safe. Department of Public Instruction Executive Director Sachin Chheda said in a statement to the Wisconsin Examiner Thursday that DPI has told MPS interim Superintendent Eduardo Galvan the school district needs to come into compliance with state law as quickly as possible. My sense is that the previous administration did not take this requirement, in addition to other requirements, seriously enough, Chheda said. Milwaukee Public Schools has also been under scrutiny due to its failure to submit required financial documents to the state on time. The financial issues led to the resignation of the districts superintendent and its chief financial officer. The previous administration is now gone, and both Superintendent Underly and I have spoken directly with Superintendent Galvan, members of the board and MPS staff about this, and strongly encouraged them to work quickly to get into compliance, Chheda said. MPS officials say theyve started planning to place school resource officers back in schools. This includes having discussions with student groups, the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association (MTEA), the Administrators and Supervisors Council (ASC), district staff, community members and the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). MTEA President Ingrid Walker-Henry told the Wisconsin Examiner that data shows armed officers in schools have resulted in increased suspensions, expulsions and arrests of students. A 2021 Center for Public Integrity report found that Wisconsin students were referred to police at twice the national rate from 2007 to 2018. The teachers union has expressed concerns about those findings to the district, Walker-Henry said. In 2020, Milwaukee residents, and those are voters and taxpayers as well as our students, expressed and then our elected school board exercised local control and they made that decision that having armed officers in schools does cause more harm to students, Walker-Henry said. MTEA does not see a situation [in which] we are going to ignore the data that shows its more harmful for students having armed officers in schools than [not having them]. Students, families and educators have called on legislators to fund student needs including social workers, counselors and other mental health supports, Walker-Henry said, and the union has conveyed as much to MPS officials. MTEA has been disappointed in the state of Wisconsin legislators who have made a conscious decision to not fund public education, to not ensure that students have counselors and nurses and mental health supports and social workers [and] smaller class sizes, she said. In an email responding to Jagler, MPS Chief of Staff Paulette Chambers wrote that MPS personnel have visited public schools in Washington D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia, to observe school resource officer programs that implement a variety of practices focused on improving relationships between schools, law enforcement, youth, and the greater community In an update to the school board Aug. 29, Galvan, the interim superintendent, said the district has worked with the Milwaukee city attorney and the board to draft a memorandum of understanding between the school district and the Milwaukee Police Department to clearly outline the expectations and responsibilities of both entities. The draft agreement focuses exclusively on procedural matters such as responsibilities, selection process, supervision, reporting, terms and training, Galvan said. While it would establish a clear framework for how the two entities will collaborate moving forward, he added, the financial details are to be negotiated separately. We are committed to reaching a consensus that will facilitate the successful implementation of Act 12 in a manner that is sustainable and mutually beneficial to both Milwaukee Public Schools and the Milwaukee Police Department, Galvan said. MPS and the city have scheduled meetings in the coming weeks on the cost and the implementation process. While the bill that became Act 12 was pending in the Legislature, DPI submitted a fiscal estimate that found 25 SROs would likely cost $2 million. The cost to MPS would depend on what is agreed upon by the City of Milwaukee and MPS, but if we assume an equal share between the two entities, the additional cost to MPS could be at least $1.02 million annually, the estimate stated. Alan Chavoya, outreach director for Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression, an anti-racism activist group, told the Wisconsin Examiner that the district shouldnt rush the process of implementing school resource officers. Chavoya said the plan should be developed in a community-led effort that emphasizes input from students, families and faculty: the people who will have to interact with SROs on a regular basis. Many students, faculty complained about having SROs. You can only imagine youre going to school or youre sending your child to school where youre supposed to be safe, where youre supposed to be in a learning environment, and youre met with metal detectors and armed police officers, Chavoya said. Theyre out, he said, referring to the police. So I think before they are placed back in, there should be some due diligence and students need to be listened to, particularly in these schools where there were issues with SROs, which were primarily Black and brown schools of Milwaukee. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ISLAMABAD, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and four others were injured when a blast went off in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police officials said on Sunday. The blast occurred near a vehicle in the Wana area of South Waziristan, the country's tribal region bordering Afghanistan, said police officials in South Waziristan. Following the blast, rescue teams along with security forces reached the explosion site. Police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation in the surroundings to arrest the culprits. No group or person has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) Roughly 50 different colleges and universities will set up shop and speak with prospective students at the Bay County College Fair at Gulf Coast State College on Thursday, September 12th. Representatives from the schools will be available from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Student Union East Building. For all high school students, college students, and anyone interested in learning more about higher education, this event is open to you. The fair is brought back each year to provide residents with an opportunity to hear from schools they may have never heard of before and could end up possibly attending in the future. Bay Chamber recognizing Industry Appreciation Month My favorite thing about an event like this is most of us have schools that are already on our radar, right? said Gulf Coast State College Executive Director of Recruitment Jason Hedden. Then you come to an event like this and you may find a school that might be the perfect fit for you that you didnt even know existed and I think thats a great opportunity. There is no cost to attend Thursdays fair and you do not need to RSVP or bring anything along with you. If you have a child who is unable to attend the fair you are welcome to go in their place. The colleges and universities attending the fair include: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Berry College Clemson University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Flagler College Florida A&M University Florida Institute of Technology Florida Polytechnic University Florida Southern College Florida State University Florida State University, Panama City Full Sail University Gulf Coast State College Haney Technical College Huntingdon College Keiser University Lees-McRae College Liberty University Louisiana Tech University National Aviation Academy Nova Southeastern University Ringling College of Art and Design Rollins College Samford University Southeastern University The University of Alabama Trot University University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Central Florida University of Florida Office of Admissions University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) University of South Alabama University of South Florida University of West Florida Western Governors University William Carey 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 mypanhandle.com. LEAWOOD, Kan. The Leawood Police Department is investigating after receiving reports of a man driving a white van who offered a child candy. The Leawood Police Department received a call for suspicious activity around W. 103rd Street and Meadow Lane in Leawood on Saturday afternoon. Kansas City, Kansas, middle school looking into possible bomb threat The caller said their child was riding a scooter in the neighborhood when the incident happened. The child quickly told their parents, who called police. Officers responded to the area to investigate, but could not find the van or driver. Police said that the vans driver was a tan white man with white hair and no facial hair. People are watching, and hopefully they get caught, Leawood resident, Rick Garr shared with FOX4 Monday. Its very upsetting for somebody to be going around doing this. Leawood police said its initial investigation determined the man never left their van before the child ran home to alert their parents. The white van was described as a panel van with damage on the back. Kansas news: Headlines from Wichita, Topeka and around the Sunflower State The department said similar situations are being posted on social media and they are investigating other possible incidents involving the van. In Leawood, this is rare, for us to have an incident like this, but we want families to be vigilant and for children to be vigilant when they are out in their neighborhoods, Capt. Jason Ahring, with the Leawood Police Department said. There is some information on social media that would indicate there may be more than one incident. We have not been able to verify that, Ahring added. Leawood police encourage parents to have conversations with their children regarding interactions with strangers. Whoever it is, I hope they get some help, Garr added. If you have any information about this incident, contact the Leawood Police Department at tips@leawood.org or call 913-266-0696. We are very fortunate Leawood is a safe community and consistently have been recognized as a safe community and we want that to continue, Ahring said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Salameh, 75, is accused of amassing a fortune during some three decades in the job and faces numerous charges, including embezzlement, money laundering and tax evasion in separate probes (Joseph EID) (Joseph EID/AFP/AFP) A Lebanese judge Monday issued an arrest warrant for ex-central bank chief Riad Salameh, a judicial official said, after the embattled former governor was questioned in an embezzlement case. Salameh, 74, who headed the central bank for three decades, faces numerous charges including embezzlement, money laundering and tax evasion in separate probes in crisis-hit Lebanon and abroad. The most senior Lebanese figure to be arrested in the wake of the country's dramatic economic collapse in 2019, Salameh has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The investigating judge questioned Salameh for two and a half hours and "issued an arrest warrant against him", the official told AFP, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to brief the media. The judge scheduled another hearing Thursday to continue questioning Salameh, the official said. The warrant, a procedural formality,ends his provisional detention and places him under formal arrest, the official added, with the measure indicating the judge's suspicions against Salameh had "strengthened". On Tuesday last week, Lebanese authorities for the first time provisionally arrested Salameh after questioning over the alleged embezzlement of more than $40 million, another judicial had told AFP. The official said at the time that the case was "completely separate" from others being investigated. The following day, Lebanon's financial prosecutor initiated legal proceedings against Salameh over allegations of "embezzling" public funds, as well as "illicit enrichment and money laundering", and the case was referred to the investigating judge, the same official told AFP. In a statement on Friday carried by Lebanon's official National News Agency, Salameh's office said he had cooperated with the Lebanese judiciary "before and after finishing his official duties" and "has continued with this cooperation since his detention". - 'Thief' - Salameh, who also has French nationality, is widely viewed as a key culprit in Lebanon's economic crash, which the World Bank has called one of the worst in recent history. A handful of protesters gathered outside Beirut's justice palace on Monday, some trying to attack a convoy of vehicles transporting Salameh as he arrived, hitting the windows and yelling "Riad Salameh is a thief," an AFP correspondent said. Unemployed protester Simon al-Barrak, among many Lebanese who have been unable to access their savings since late 2019, said his money had been "stolen". "We're here in support of a clean justice system," he said, in a country known for its history of official impunity. "It's not just Riad Salameh we want to see in prison," he added, accusing the political class broadly for the economic collapse. After Monday's questioning, Salameh was returned to the jail where he has been detained in recent days, the first judicial official said, adding he was being held in an individual cell in "good conditions". In May last year, Germany and France issued arrest warrants for Salameh over accusations including money laundering and fraud, though German prosecutors later cancelled their warrant, saying Salameh could no longer use his post to suppress evidence. In August last year, the United States announced coordinated sanctions with Canada and Britain against Salameh. Salameh, who left office at the end of July last year,has repeatedly said his wealth comes from private investment and his previous work at US investment firm Merrill Lynch. He has defended his legacy, saying he is a "scapegoat" for Lebanon's economic collapse. str-bur/lg/aya/dv Ireland continues to thrive on the cutting edge of insanity. Last week, the Educational Company of Ireland (Edco) was forced to pull a section of a school textbook that, in seeking to promote diversity, came close to outright racism. On one page, Family A: a cartoon of four, white, red-haired yokels who, we read, have potatoes, bacon and cabbage every day, holiday in Ireland and play Irish musical instruments. We get told off if we mix with people of a different religion as they would be a bad influence. On the other page, Family B: pictured holidaying in Italy and, by some miracle of online dating, composed of almost every racial group under the sun. Their favourite foods are curry, pizza and Asian, they love reggae and hip hop, ski in France and volunteer in Syria (I hope Mi5 is looking into this). Which family is the more inclusive? asks the textbook. Which family [would] you choose to belong to? Theres Edcos first error: you cant choose your family. If we could, Id be a Beckham, with Victorias cheekbones and Davids pecs, and never work again. But the liberal-Left are addicted to reinvention of individuals and societies and assume rural Ireland must be populated by inbred Leprechauns, desperate to escape. Family A has even banned their daughter from teaching yoga one assumes this is code for closet lesbian because it is not a proper job and she must stick to what she knows. Well, bravo! Family A are farmers: yoga is nice, but food production is more important, and Id rather live in a country that is well-fed than flexible. Edcos second mistake is to think that wed all run a mile from Family A, yet a lot of us crave the stability and traditions they maintain. Family B, by contrast, are awful: self-absorbed tourists even though they are depicted at the Colosseum, they are shown taking a photo of themselves on a perpetual journey with no terminus. Its the idealised face of a new Ireland where one in five people were born abroad, and where there have also been a number of anti-immigration protests. Irish politicians have condemned the textbook for its offensive stereotypes but, as Edco points out, its goal was to introduce children to equality legislation and to help students understand the importance of diversity. In short, it was following the cues sent by politicians, media and business, who have decided difference is good and homogeneity is bad. The latter translates into old ways of being old beliefs, tastes and attributes, including whiteness itself, which is sometimes evil, other times imaginary. Here in the UK we are told that our history is intrinsically racist, because we once tried to own or eradicate other people. Yet universities are also dropping the phrase Anglo-Saxon to describe the locals because, they claim, it peddles the lie that an indigenous people exists at all. Britain is and always has been a nation of immigrants; Family B is what weve always looked like. So, here we stand. You can be Punjabi British, Jamaican British, whatever; its all authentic and you qualify for a parade. But the one thing you cannot be with ease, let alone official commendation, is Anglo-Saxon British, even though my people have been moaning about living here for 1,500 years (before migrating to Spain). Racial sensitivity is cast through a political lens. No one cared about offending Jews during the Gaza marches, and a new report suggests the BBC has consistently linked Israel to alleged war crimes. The latter is unsurprising given the horror of the war; perhaps Netanyahu does belong in the dock. What is confusing and unfair is to live in a society that places a premium on kindness towards minorities, yet disregards the feelings of Jewish Britons and parodies the Irish as bigoted paddies. Probably because they are perceived as white by many, hence not regarded by the elite as especially interesting or oppressed (this elite needs to read a history book). It smacks of inverted racism. We were supposed to be stumbling towards the ideal that race doesnt matter, that the individual should be judged on their character, yet the West has returned to saying it is the most important thing of all, embedded in our culture and history so deep that white people can never escape their Original Sin. In which case, some are bound to ask, why bother trying? Anyone who approximates to Family A will conclude that the system hates them and the tragedy is that much of their anger will be directed towards anyone who vaguely resembles Family B. Of course, Edcos final mistake is to assume we must choose between the two families at all. The liberal/Left is obsessed with purging a world that died out 30-odd years ago. In the modern British isles, there are plenty of Irish farmers who have tried pizza, and blended families who delight in local custom. Britain has demonstrated that a strong, eccentric national culture is an antidote to racism, because its so easy to opt in to by visiting the National Trust or collecting Spode China. As for globalisation, it preserves as much as it disrupts. If the world of Family B, otherwise known as London, becomes so insufferably smug that I cant take it anymore, I can always find a Family A on AirBnB, move into their barn and swan about the area telling people its good to be back in the old country. The Irish love it when you do that. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Rhonda Griswold, a Cades Schutte law firm partner, joins producer/host Coralie Chun Matayoshi to discuss essential documents every adult should have, regardless of age, including a Power of Attorney, Advance Healthcare Directive, and Will, as well as the benefits of creating a Trust. Q. Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing is certain except death and taxes, and although nobody wants to think about it, there are certain documents that every adult should have to make sure that their wishes are known. Lets start with the Power of Attorney why do you need it, what are the different types, and who should you appoint? A power of attorney is an essential document that allows your designated agents to handle your financial assets and make financial decisions for you if you become incapacitated. Most powers of attorney are drafted so that the powers do not go into effect until you lack capacity to make your own financial decisions (as verified by your doctor). This is called a springing power. For those who want immediate help with financial matters, you can provide that your power of attorney goes into effect immediately. Powers of attorney are usually very broad and give the agent broad powers and authority because we never know what the situation might be. This is called a Durable General Power of Attorney. That said, sometimes you might only need an agent to handle a specific transaction, such as the sale of a piece of property. In that case, you could have a Special Power of Attorney that only gives power for that particular transaction and such powers of attorney usually have a time limit and are only in effect for a designation period of time. As for agents, name someone you absolutely trust because a dishonest agent could use this power to take your assets. You can also name co-agents and you definitely want to name successor agents in case your initial agent cannot act. Q. What is an Advance Health Care Directive and why should every adult have one? An Advance Health Care Directive is a document where you (1) name agents who are authorized to make health care decisions for you if you become incapacitated, (2) set forth your end-of-life decisions, and (3) state whether you wish to be an organ donor. You can also provide additional instructions regarding your health care and end of life wishes, such as religious protocols, care home wishes, comfort provisions and medications. A POLST is a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, which is completed by you and your doctor or other certified health care professional. The POLST, which is usually on bright green paper, is a medical order designed to give instructions to first responders and other emergency medical personnel as to what measures should be taken, or should not be taken (e.g. Do Not Resuscitate DNR), in the event of an emergency medical situation. The POLST is intended for elderly or seriously ill patients and is not a substitute for an Advance Health Care Directive (which everyone should have). Q. What is a Will and what happens if you die without one? A Will is a legal document that names a Personal Representative (Executor) to handle your estate after your death, and states who receives your assets at your death. A Will must be presented to the Probate Court in either a formal or informal proceeding and is not valid until it is either approved by the Court (in a formal proceeding) or by the Registrar (in an informal proceeding). A Personal Representative under a Will has no legal authority to act until the Will is admitted into probate. If you dont have a Will, then who gets your estate is determined by statute (Hawaii Revised Statutes Sections 560:2-102 and 560:2-103). The statute may not reflect what you might want. For example, if you are married and neither you nor your spouse have any children, then under the statute, at your death, your surviving spouse would receive the first $440,000 and 75% of your estate, and your parent(s) would receive the remaining 25% of the estate. Oftentimes, this comes as a surprise to the surviving spouse and is probably not what the decedent intended. If you have a blended family (e.g. children from prior marriages), the statute has other formulas which again are probably not what one would want if they took the time to prepare a Will. Certain assets are not covered by the Will. Life insurance and retirement accounts, for example, should have designated beneficiaries. Joint accounts and real property owned with rights of survivorship will also go to the surviving owner and are not part of the probate estate. Q. What is a Trust used for? A Revocable Trust is an arrangement where you are 1) the settlor of the trust (the person who establishes the trust), 2) the trustee (the person in charge of managing the trust assets), and 3) the beneficiary of the trust. The revocable trust serves as a vehicle to manage the trust assets during your lifetime if you become incapacitated, and then to distribute the trust assets to your designated beneficiaries at your death. If you have a trust and all your assets are in the trust at your death, then your family will not need to go to Probate Court to probate the Will. If you have wealth that might be subject to estate taxes, the trust can be structured to minimize those taxes. The trust can also provide provisions for your minor children to ensure that they do not receive the assets until they have reached a mature age or, for adult children, to provide creditor protection and to make sure the assets ultimately go to the grandchildren. Q. Are there other things you can do to make it easier for your family in case of a sudden emergency or death? The Personal Representative of your Will or Successor Trustee of your Trust may consider opening a small joint account for immediate post-death expenses because it may take weeks in Hawaii to obtain the death certificate. This way, they can access the account immediately after your death to pay funeral expenses and the mortgage (if any). Otherwise, the accounts may be frozen, and no one will be able to access the account until the death certificate is obtained. If such an account is set up, bear in mind that the funds in the account do not actually belong to the joint owner and that, whatever remains in the account after the bills are paid, will be distributed as part of your overall estate. This can be documented with a note in the attorneys file or a written agreement between the joint owners. To learn more about this subject, tune into this video podcast and other on this subject: Disclaimer: this material is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The law varies by jurisdiction and is constantly changing. For legal advice, you should consult a lawyer that can apply the appropriate law to the facts in your case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. POTSDAM, N.Y. (WWTI) One of SUNY Potsdams most famous alums will be making his return to the north country on Sept. 23. Legendary television producer Chuck Lorre, a graduate of the class of 1974, will sit down with SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne R. Smith to discuss his path from SUNY Potsdam to Hollywood in an upcoming talk. Stewarts Foundation commits $125K to SUNY Potsdam The free public discussion will be offered from noon until 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23 in the Proscenium Theater, which is located in SUNY Potsdams Performing Arts Center. Recognized as the king of sitcoms, Lorre will share stories from his past and lessons learned, as well as insight to his creative process. Lorre is the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the State University of New York, and this will be his first visit back to campus after speaking at SUNY Potsdams 2009 Commencement ceremony. Chuck Lorre created, co-created and executive produced: The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Two and a Half Men, Mike & Molly, Mom, The Kominsky Method, Bookie, Bob Hearts Abishola, Cybill, Dharma & Greg, Grace Under Fire, Georgie & Mandys First Marriage (premieres Fall 2024), and the theme song to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This is a public event, and free refreshments will be available. Free tickets are required, due to limited seating. Free tickets can be reserved online at www.givecampus.com/schools/SUNYPotsdam/events/suny-potsdam-welcomes-chuck-lorre. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. Legislative caucuses have their uses, but the new Freedom Caucus is a weed Oklahomans dont need (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) Seemingly without fail each year, a new legislative caucus pops up at the Oklahoma Capitol. For those who spend less time than I do in the halls of government, a caucus is a group of lawmakers unified around shared goals. There are legislative caucuses dedicated to women, rural issues, veterans, Black and Hispanic people, the future, diabetes, and even an American Irish State Legislators Caucus. The list is seemingly endless. Nonpartisan caucuses that focus on uniting lawmakers of diverse backgrounds through shared experiences and free food can sometimes make for meaningful decisions from your state government. But the latest addition to the list the Freedom Caucus appears to be an invasive, noxious species of weed that, if allowed to take root, could begin to take over our legislative process. The caucus arrival should raise alarm bells because its an indication that a battle is brewing for the soul and control of the Oklahoma GOP, the overwhelmingly dominant party in the Legislature. The fight will be between the more moderate conservative members, who hold the most influential leadership posts, and a small faction of the far-right wing who may try to insert an oversized influence and add unnecessary chaos into the mix. I know what youre thinking: How can anyone be more conservative than Oklahoma Republicans who have already stripped the rights of women to get an abortion or for trans children to use a school bathroom? Well, it can get worse. In other states, the small caucuses try to throw their weight around to stall non-controversial bills in their bid to push legislative policies further to the right. And oddly enough, the Freedom Caucus views losing as winning because they consider it a victory if they can expose fake Republicans. Theyve been so disruptive in these other states, including Missouri and South Carolina, that Republican leaders have taken the unusual step of stripping them of power or punishing them by taking away their reserved parking spots. The Oklahoma launch is the latest victory for the State Freedom Caucus Network, a right-wing national organization that has helped launch 11 other chapters. Legislators who sign on tend to be far-right even by Republican standards on the political spectrum. For instance, Oklahomas caucus chair Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, has said he views maternity leave as six weeks paid vacation. (As a mom of two, I will assure you that the first few months with a newborn is no cakewalk.) The caucus House Vice Chair, Rep. Jim Olsen, once made national headlines for comparing efforts to end abortion to abolishing slavery and then doubled down, telling an Oklahoma City television station that hed rather be a slave than allow abortion. (Yikes.) Hes also ardently defended the practice of administering corporal punishment on disabled children. And earlier this year, Sen. Dusty Deevers, the caucus Senate vice chair, sought to outlaw pornography and seemingly imprison any adults who view it. (I still dont understand why a party that champions limited government and personal responsibility would want to control what consenting adults are doing behind closed doors?) And despite promises of diplomatically appealing to leadership, there are hints that Oklahomas caucus may be planning to incite chaos. After all, they refuse to say who is on their membership list because theyre afraid their members may face punitive action like they have seen in other states. Come on. Really? Lawmakers should be putting on their grown-up pants. They should be transparent with their constituents if they plan to align with the group. If this is such a great caucus that reflects Oklahoma values, what are lawmakers afraid of? Oklahoma Freedom Caucus priorities include limited government, personal responsibility, family responsibility, lower taxation, low regulation, traditional marriage and family. Ill tell you what Im afraid of: that platform. We dont live in the 1950s. Women work. We dont segregate based on race. Same-sex marriage is legal. Family planning is encouraged, and people tend to frown on making policy decisions using outdated and debunked biblical principles. Our legislators have discovered that revenue is essential in order to have nice things like roads, public schools and libraries. Taxes are how we pay the bills. If we keep cutting taxes without a plan to replace revenues, well be up a muddy creek without a paddle when our economy eventually heads south again. In an oil-dependent state like Oklahoma, we know it will. In any case, Jett said the mysterious caucus membership wants to ensure the focus remains on policy, not personality and not politics. Have they set foot inside our Capitol recently? Politics ooze out of every brick in the edifice. You cant enter an office without tripping over a lobbyist, politicking for a cause. Even our capital city selection in the early 1900s featured plenty of political wrangling. Caucuses have their uses. But their usefulness ends when they become disruptive or their members engage in childish behavior that prevents needed legislation from advancing or they adopt backwoods policies that halt needed progress. With the formation of the Freedom Caucus, mainstream Republicans may discover that their infighting has finally borne a weed that even they cant tame. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Liberal think tank's deep ties to Biden admin, far-left policies could come back to haunt Harris campaign Liberal think tank's deep ties to Biden admin, far-left policies could come back to haunt Harris campaign As former President Trump faces backlash from Democrats over ties to the Heritage Foundations "Project 2025," the Biden-Harris administration has been working hand in hand with a prominent liberal think tank through a revolving door of employees working to turn progressive policy recommendations into executive actions and legislation, which could come back to haunt the Harris campaign. The Center for American Progress (CAP) has been labeled the "most influential" think tank in the Biden era, while the group publicly boasts that it has turned at least 10 policy recommendations into "executive action and policy legislation." Patrick Gaspard, the current president of CAP, has visited the Biden White House at least 20 times between December 2021 and January 2024, which included five solo meetings with high-ranking Biden officials. CAPs ties to the Biden White House go even deeper than Gaspard, as at least 60 alumni from the think tank have joined the administration, including Neera Tanden, who previously served as president of CAP and has served in multiple roles in the Biden administration, including senior adviser and staff secretary. PETE BUTTIGIEG REGULARLY CONSULTS DARK MONEY-FUNDED GREEN GROUPS, CALENDAR ENTRIES SHOW She was promoted in May 2023 to the "Assistant to the President and Domestic Policy Advisor" titles, replacing Susan Rice, according to a White House press release. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP President Biden also hired CAP founder and chairman John Podesta as a senior White House clean energy czar in 2022. Podesta was tasked with overseeing roughly $370 billion in climate spending appropriated by the Inflation Reduction Act. The former Hillary Clinton campaign chairman was then tapped by Biden earlier this year to serve as his top climate diplomat after John Kerry stepped down to help with campaign efforts, which received backlash from top Republicans due to concerns over his ties to China dating back to his CAP days. Fox News Digital first reported on his connection to top CCP official Tung Chee-hwa, who he repeatedly referred to as his "friend" and took several calls from. CAP's influence within the Biden White House began months before he entered office. In late 2020, a half dozen of the group's employees joined Biden's transition team in the Treasury, Federal Reserve, Labor Department, Interior Department, National Security Council and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. White House clean energy czar John Podesta, left, was appointed to "continue to lead our global climate efforts," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. Podesta effectively replaced climate envoy John Kerry, right. CAPs organization appears primed to push a policy agenda on several key issues on the progressive wish list if the Biden administration, now led by Vice President Kamala Harris on the presidential ticket, were to continue into a second term. CAP has voiced support for both setting term limits for Supreme Court justices and packing the court, which are two efforts being pushed by Demand Justice, a left-wing dark money group that Harris' senior campaign adviser Brian Fallon co-founded and left less than a year ago. The liberal think tank has signed onto multiple letters pushed by Demand Justice, which was reportedly planning a $10 million offensive against conservative Supreme Court justices this year "on a range of activities, from conducting opposition research on potential Supreme Court picks to advocating for ethics reforms for the high court," Politico reported. "The Supreme Court has taken off its mask this term by creating unconstitutional de facto immunity for future presidents who act illegally and by gutting the ability of public agencies and Congress to protect Americans from abuse by right-wing special interests," CAP states on its website. BIDEN OMB NOMINEE NEERA TANDEN RECEIVED $731G OVER 2 YEARS FROM LIBERAL NONPROFIT CAP has pushed a variety of other left-wing efforts, which include censoring speech it believes to be "misinformation," taxpayer-funded student loan bailouts , taxpayer-funded reparations , DEI mandates , federal taxpayer funds for abortion by eliminating the Hyde Amendment , and phasing out gas-powered cars. "With skyrocketing profits and expanding domestic manufacturing, U.S. automakers have everything they need to help the country switch from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric," CAP said in a 2024 post, despite multiple reports highlighting how consumers have complained about the cost and lack of charging stations. CAPs influence on Biden also spread to his messaging on the campaign trail before he dropped out of the race. In 2022, the Washington Post reported that Bidens move to label Trump as "ultra MAGA" was the result of a six-month research project from the CAP Action Fund that was headed by his top aide Anita Dunn, who has performed consulting work for CAP. CAP Action Fund's president, Navin Nayak, has visited the Biden White House at least a couple dozen times, a Fox News Digital review of White House visitor logs found. Biden's former chief of staff Ron Klain, who was on the CAP Action Fund board for several years, has also repeatedly praised their efforts on his X account. CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS SUPPORT COMES FROM ALL CORNERS, INCLUDING YOURS Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at a campaign rally in Savannah, Georgia, Aug. 29, 2024. VP Harris has worked with the Center for American Progress dating back to her time as California attorney general, when she joined the group for a press conference via telephone. She has also participated in several events hosted by the liberal think tank and her sister, Maya Harris, joined as a senior fellow, according to a 2013 press release. Tanden said, "Maya has worked tirelessly in many different arenas to ensure that the United States is a more inclusive country and that all Americans can live up to their potential" and looked forward to her involvement with CAP. Despite its extensive connections to the Biden White House, CAP blasts Project 2025 on its website as a "far-right assault on America" that it claims will "serve as a road map" for a "far-right presidential administration." A CAP spokesperson dismissed the Heritage Foundation as "no longer a think tank" in a statement to Fox News Digital on Sunday. "When it comes to the Heritage Foundation and their work, one needs to look no further than yesterdays New York Times story exposing Heritage creating fake digital content and pushing lies about election integrity," the spokesperson said. "Couple that with Heritages embrace of authoritarianism and their president threatening to launch a potentially violent second American Revolution if it doesnt get its way, and I think its safe to say that Heritage is on an island of its own. This is no longer a think tank." As a presidential candidate, Harris has repeatedly criticized Trump over Project 2025 as recently as last week when she ran an ad linking Trump to the project. Former President Trump during a news conference at Trump Tower in New York, on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. While Project 2025 is staffed with several high-level individuals who have previously worked with Trump, he has strongly denied having any direct role with the group. A Project 2025 spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Sunday that "Project 2025 does not speak for Donald Trump or his campaign" and is "continuing our decades-long legacy of preparing policy and personnel recommendations for the next conservative President." "The Heritage Foundation has been producing its Mandate for Leadership since 1980, and President Reagan handed out copies of the book to his cabinet at their first meeting," the spokesperson continued. "The Left always prepares recommendations for liberal presidents, and they are simply upset that two can play this game." "The only reason that the Left is in a tailspin over Project 2025 is that it has winning ideas that the American people support, while their own recommendations, which are currently destroying our country, are wildly unpopular," the spokesperson added. Trump campaign spokesperson Danielle Alvarez told Fox News Digital earlier this year that "Agenda 47 and President Trumps RNC Platform are the only policies endorsed by President Trump for a second term." "Team Biden and the DNC are LYING and fear-mongering because they have NOTHING else to offer the American people," she added. "Remember this is the same group that lied to Americans and hid Joe Bidens cognitive decline all these years." Fox News Digital reached out to the Biden White House and Harris campaign for comment but did not receive a response. Fox News Digitals Joe Schoffstall and Thomas Catenacci contributed to this report Original article source: Liberal think tank's deep ties to Biden admin, far-left policies could come back to haunt Harris campaign President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, wave to attendees upon leaving the Conference Center after the 193rd Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 2, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News President Russell M. Nelson, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has officially lived for a century. His lifetime of service has included honorable service in the United States military, a pioneering career in heart surgery and leading the Church of Jesus Christ. President Nelson has delivered landmark addresses like his sermon on peacemaking, forged historic relationships with religious leaders and world leaders, used technology to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and has inspired generations to greater faith and hope. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox declared Monday President Russell M. Nelson Day in the state, honoring President Nelsons tireless efforts to build bridges of understanding and preserve freedoms as well as his lifes dedication to kindness, love and welcoming spirit. President Nelsons impact is visible not only in Utah, but across the world, said Cox on social media. He has worked tirelessly to build bridges of understanding and kindness and has led a life full of family, faith and selfless service. President Nelsons work in the medical community has saved countless lives, and we are grateful for his philanthropic efforts, at home and abroad. Others have wished President Nelson a happy birthday as well. Happy 100th birthday to President Russell M. Nelson! wrote Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy in a social media post. During his century of life, President Nelson has lived so that every year has been used to its fullest. I respect his lifelong work to protect religious freedom, build bridges between different faiths, and pioneer lifesaving heart surgery. His focus on serving others has resulted in a life worth emulating. Utah Sen. Mike Lee posted a thread on social media in honor of President Nelsons birthday. He said he first heard President Nelsons name when his parents told him about the world-class, Utah-based surgeon who in an unusual coincidence would perform open-heart surgery on both of my maternal grandparents, Ben and Marian Griffin, on the same day. That day, Lee said he prayed for President Nelson so his grandparents could live. The surgery was successful and he said he came to regard Dr. Nelson as something of a worker in miracles. Little did I know that this would be the first of many times I would pray for Russell M. Nelson not just that summer, but over the course of many decades. President Nelson has remained sharp, said Lee. During a recent meeting with him, he described to me in great detail as if recounting events that had occurred only days earlier the surgeries he performed on my grandparents in 1978 (complete with surgical terminology that I didnt understand, but was grateful that he did). Today, as in 1978, I pray for now-President Russell M. Nelsons health and well-being. I do so with faith that God will continue to use him to bring the healing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world that needs it, said Lee. Im so grateful for President Nelsons lifetime of service, and wish him a very happy birthday. Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said in a social media post, President Nelson, like great prophets in history, has lifted both the church and its individual members. I can attest that his charge to think Celestial has made me, and surely countless others, a better Latter-day Saint. Happy 100th birthday, President @NelsonRussellM! RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Volunteers and community members held a ceremony at North Carolinas State Capitol Sunday honoring survivors of cancer and those who lost their fight. Advocates are calling on lawmakers to prioritize funding for cancer research and treatment. People said the ultimate goal is a cure, but along the way, they are pushing to make treatment more accessible to everyone. Sundays ceremony is about a message of hope for everyone still fighting. Volunteers lined the paths by the State Capitol, each with a small light inside. Each bag represents someone who lost their life to cancer or a cancer survivor. Its a lot of people and most everybody I know and probably you know, has been affected, said Rhonda Ferrell, North Carolina lead ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). This Lights of Hope ceremony also serves as a fundraiser for ACS CAN. Ferrell described the experience. It is a very emotional thing because it makes you think very much about the people who have gone through all this and the people that weve lost and then the people that are still here and how wonderful it is that theyve been able to get help, she said. That includes survivors like Ferrell herself as well as breast cancer survivor Francina Booker, diagnosed back in 2018. You see your life flash before you, you no longer take things for granted, Booker said. Booker managed to get biomarker testing, allowing her medical team to design a treatment tailored to her specific cancer. Now, Booker says events like Lights of Hope help her and ACS CAN push for a law requiring insurance companies to cover this testing, which can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Its less stress on the body, you know, mentally and physically and emotionally, but also knowing that with biomarker testing, it allows you to have quality of life, to enjoy life, Booker explained. Booker said she is standing up for everyone who came before her and everyone who will come after her, until there is a cure. I also had a sister who passed away from breast cancer in 2015. So I said I need to be her voice, she said. Were going to continue to fight until there is nobody else dying from cancer. Volunteers will be heading to DC in mid-September. They will another Lights of Hope ceremony with bags from across the country. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. Vahid Hajiyev, the special representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan regions, discussed cooperation issues during a meeting with the President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, Azernews reports. It was noted that President Rustam Minnikhanov expressed his gratitude for the visit: "This is important for the continuation of business relations and the future development of Russia-Azerbaijan relations." The President of Tatarstan also mentioned that during his business visit to Azerbaijan, he was impressed by the pace of development in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan regions. "The parties discussed joint projects and other current topics," the report highlighted. ISLAMABAD, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that his country has been striving to further improve the literacy rate for a more informed and sustainable nation. "Literacy is a fundamental human and constitutional right that guarantees the future of our country," the prime minister said in his message on the occasion of International Literacy Day. He said that literacy is not merely the ability to read and write; it is a gateway to empowerment, economic opportunities, and active participation in society, highlighting that the government has taken special measures to promote the literacy rate as education is the backbone of Pakistani society. "For this purpose, we have declared an educational emergency across the country, launched an enrollment campaign for students, and initiated mid-day meals for children in schools," Sharif said. To reduce the dropout rate and encourage every child to complete their education, the prime minister said that the country has introduced scholarships and other incentives. He noted that developing literacy and skills in line with technology is inevitable in the rapidly emerging world, saying Pakistan has been focusing on implementing a comprehensive plan to integrate technology into the educational system, ensuring that the youth are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital economy. Cellphones are a staple of American life in 2024, but research shows in-class cellphone use can have a negative impact on students' grades, social skills, emotional development and mental health. Many educators, school officials and politicians believe cellphone use should be restricted at school, while some parents oppose such bans as they believe it would restrict direct access to their children in the case of an emergency. More than 70% of high school teachers say students being distracted by their cellphones in the classroom is a major problem, according to a recent study by Pew Research Center. Similar findings in a Study.com survey, which asked 1,000 middle and high school teachers about the impact of policies limiting cellphone use in the classroom, found that 68% of educators nationwide saw improved classroom management with strict cellphone policies, 76% said such policies boosted focus and learning and 70% said stricter policies enhanced safety and reduced bullying and anxiety. Children ages 8-12 in the United States spend on average four to six hours a day watching or using screens, while teens spend up to nine hours, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Moreover, nearly 20% of children and teenagers ages 3-17 in the United States have some sort of mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral disorder, while suicidal behaviors among high school students increased more than 40% in the decade before 2019, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. "Essentially, when digital consumption is that high, it's really getting in the way of our brains' natural development to strengthen skills as we get older, and they end up, for many people, almost arrested in development," Dr. Judy Ho, a clinical neuropsychologist and professor at Pepperdine University, who has conducted extensive research on children and teen development, told Fox News Digital. "More and more kids are struggling with attentional issues, even if they don't meet criteria for something like ADHD." SCHOOL DISTRICT CELLPHONE BANS SPARK DEBATE OVER TECH ADDICTION, HELICOPTER PARENTING Students on an iPhone in class Amid mental health concerns, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has asked Congress to put a tobacco-style label on social media platforms detailing the risks for young users similar to alcohol and cigarettes. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Dana Bryson, SVP of Social Impact at Study.com, told Fox News Digital that teachers in schools with flexible policies were 21% more likely to spend more than an hour a week managing student cellphone use. "You think about what that educator could do with another hour in a week. That's precious time," she said. "It could be tutoring someone one on one, grading papers, preparing for a lesson plan and that, cumulatively, over time, is a lot of time." By relying less on digital devices, Dr. Ho argued that people can rewire their brains to create deeper connections which would lead to better educational outcomes, social development and overall wellness for students. "We're constantly doing what we believe is multitasking, but actually that doesn't really exist from a neuropsychological perspective, it's really about switching tasks back and forth super quickly," she said. "When we think we're multitasking, that actually really tires out our brain and makes it less efficient over time." ENGLAND TAKE DRASTIC ACTION ON STUDENT CELLPHONES AMID SLEW OF CONCERNS: POSITIVE AND PROGRESSIVE STEP "People are not paying attention in class and so then, they're not getting the learning that they really should," she added. "Over time, they also miss out on important emotional regulation skills. When they are upset, distressed or stressed about something, they go right to the phone instead of using other coping strategies that may be more helpful. So then, there's no diversity in coping strategies either and overall we're building a less, resilient population." Florida became the first state in 2023 to enact a state law banning cellphones in classrooms, with Louisiana and South Carolina following suit, according to an Education Week analysis. Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Virginia have laws in place that require school districts or state education departments to adopt policies around digital device usage. Alabama, Connecticut and Washington state have policies that strongly encourage districts to adopt cell-phone use restrictions, while Arkansas, Delaware and Pennsylvania incentivize districts to restrict the use of cellphones during the school day. Elementary school students on their phones In June, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he plans to build on a law he signed in 2019 that gave school districts the power to limit or ban students' use of smartphones during school hours, pointing to statements from the Biden administration that social media harms the mental health of children. Newsom said he would work with the state's Democratic-controlled legislature to pass a measure to restrict smartphone use in schools, but the California School Boards Association said that school districts, rather than the state, should decide whether to regulate smartphone use in classrooms. In New York, students are currently allowed to bring their cellphones to school, with every school in charge of establishing its own cellphone policy, according to NYC 311. But, NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks said a ban could come into effect as early as January 2025, Fox 5 NY reported. PSYCHIATRIST SHARES SECRET TO HELPING PARENTS DEAL WITH KIDS' BACK-TO-SCHOOL ANXIETY, STRESS Dr. Ho said she is in favor of policies that restrict students from using their cellphones at school, but also said parents can mitigate digital exposure at a young age. She believes that the longer parents can delay giving a child a phone of their own, the better, because it allows children to connect more meaningfully with their peers and teachers. "They're going to take away a lot more from school than they otherwise would, and they might actually start to enjoy it more," she said. "It just causes you to experience your life in a completely different way, and it's going to help a lot in terms of developing more important skills later on." "Passive consumption" of social media can increase the risk of social anxiety and depression among young people, especially adolescent girls Dr. Ho also discussed the dangers of "passive consumption" of social media, which increases the risk of social anxiety and depression among young people, especially adolescent girls who might turn to social media for self-validation, emotional fulfillment or distraction, "I think that over reliance on digital media to soothe, calm and distract us when we don't want to be doing something that we'd rather not do, it's really causing a cascade of different problems and not only is it affecting learning, it's also affecting social skills development," she said. "They're constantly going to social media and then taking away these lessons that are likely not true and that increases their risk for mental health concerns as well as increases their risk for escapist coping, which oftentimes includes alcohol and drugs," she added. Fox News' Landion Mion contributed to this report. Original article source: Limiting access to cellphones could help students' grades, social skills and early development, experts say Wildfires in California and Nevada are driving thousands from their homes as firefighters in the air and on the ground work to contain them, amid daytime temperatures nearing 100 degrees. Here is the latest: More than 70 active large wildfires across the western United States have burned more than 2 million acres, officials say, resulting in emergency declarations across the region. Those who do not have to evacuate are dealing with lost power, closed schools and canceled plans due to fires and excessive heat. Parts of Southern California were being especially hit hard Tuesday evening, with three major fires the Bridge Fire in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties; the Line Fire east of San Bernardino; and the Airport Fire in Orange County forcing evacuations and testing firefighting capacities. Those three fires were stressing resources so were asking for resources from Northern California and adjoining states, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Tuesday evening. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a grant to help reimburse the costs of fighting the Bridge and Airport fires, he said in a post on X Tuesday evening. While 71 active large fires were burning across the US as of Tuesday morning having scorched more than 2.2 million acres the majority of fires were raging west of the Mississippi River, including in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, according to the federal governments National Fire Information Center Wildfires in California, Idaho and Nevada have proven especially alarming, as flames and record heat have led to evacuations and the destruction of homes and businesses. A firefighter walks up a hill as the Bridge Fire burns near homes in Wrightwood, California, on Tuesday. - Jae C. Hong/AP Bridge Fire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties: A fire inside the Angeles National Forest jumped in size from a few thousand acres early Tuesday to 34,240 acres by Tuesday night, according to Cal Fire. Because of the Bridge Fire, mandatory evacuations were ordered Tuesday for the Mount Baldy area in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties and the nearby Wrightwood community in San Bernadino County, Marrone said on Tuesday evening. We urge everyone whos under an evacuation order to leave now, Marrone said. Leaving early will give you and your family the best chance of surviving this incident. You will also help firefighters and law enforcement and sheriffs deputies by keeping roads open so they can do their job. Several roads in the national forest have also been closed, forest officials said in a Facebook post. High winds and low humidity are aiding the spread of the fire, Cal Fire said. The Line Fire burns in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, forcing evacuations for neighborhoods. The fire started on Thursday afternoon. - Apu Gomes/Getty Images Line Fire east of San Bernardino, California: The Line Fire has burned 34,289 acres and was 14% contained as of late Tuesday night, Cal Fire said. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department announced mandatory evacuation orders for about 4,800 homes in the Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake areas. Hundreds more have been evacuated in the cities of Highland, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks and Seven Oaks. More than 65,000 structures were under threat, Cal Fire said. Gov. Gavin Newsom activated the California National Guard Monday afternoon to help evacuated communities affected by the blaze, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. Additionally, the agency will deploy four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, two C-130 aircraft with modular airborne firefighting systems and four 20-person hand crews, Newsom announced. The conflagration started Thursday, and more than 2,000 fire personnel are battling the fire, according to Cal Fire. The blaze has injured three people, though authorities have not released any details about the extent of injuries. The blaze was active throughout Monday, Cal Fire officials said. A Red Flag Warning was to be effect in the area from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT Tuesday, according to Cal Fire. That means gusty winds were expected over the fire, leading to low humidity and dry vegetation. Stronger winds are predicted Tuesday evening, which could lead to further drops in relative humidity and greater fire spread, officials said. Towards the end of the week, cooler weather may moderate fire activity, Cal Fire said. Airport Fire in Orange County, California: The blaze burning in the Trabuco Canyon area of Orange County exploded from 7 acres to 5,900 acres in about four hours Monday afternoon, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. By late Tuesday, the blaze had burned 19,028 acres, Cal Fire said. It prompted mandatory evacuation orders for about 1,400 homes in the Robinson Ranch area of the city of Rancho Santa Margarita, and residents of other areas were told to be ready to evacuate, Assistant Sheriff John McCulloch said Monday night. The fire was burning near a landing strip for a remote-controlled airplanes. People look on, as the Airport Fire burns in the hills of Orange County, California, on September 9. - Mike Blake/Reuters The fire was moving away from Robinson Ranch and headed up the canyon on Monday night, county fire authority Deputy Chief TJ McGovern said. We do not have any structures burned as of yet, but this fire has a long way to go before its out, Cleveland National Forest district ranger Darrell Vance said at the news conference Monday night. The fire was caused by a spark from equipment that two county public works employees were using to place barriers on a road, and investigators have classified the blaze as unintentional, McGovern said. CNN has sought comment from the public works department. Flames from the Airport Fire on Santiago Peak licked communication towers used by local media and government agencies, video from Alert California showed. The disruption caused local television stations to temporarily lose communications with their helicopters, which use the radio and microwave towers in that location. Two firefighters were taken to a hospital for heat-related injuries, and one other person was taken to a hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, McGovern said. Some schools in the area will be closed Tuesday because of the fire, officials said, including two elementary schools in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District and three in the Corona Norco Unified School District. Boyles Fire southwest of Clearlake, California: At least 30 structures have burned in a fire about 100 miles west of Sacramento. As of Tuesday morning, more than 2,300 residents remain under evacuation orders. The blaze has covered 81 acres and is 50% contained, Cal Fire said. The Boyles Fire near Clearlake, California, has destroyed dozens of homes. - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Davis Fire south of Reno, Nevada: A fire south of Reno has consumed nearly 5,600 acres and is 0% contained as of Tuesday, according to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The size was downgraded from an earlier 6,500 acres. At least 14 structures have been destroyed. Gusty winds are forecasted throughout the week, according to the update. About 12,000 to 14,000 people are under evacuation notice, the update said. Actor Jeremy Renner posted photos and videos to his Instagram stories of firefighters battling the Davis Fire near his Lake Tahoe home. Davis Fire getting close, the Hawkeye actor wrote in one photo. This is insane and incredible, he said in another video as a firefighting aircraft flew by. Two Nevada Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawks and a CH-47 Chinook are assisting with firefighting efforts on the blaze, the agency said on X Monday. In-person classes at the Redfield campus of the University of Nevada, Reno, were canceled for Tuesday because of the fire, school officials said on X. Emergencies declared in California and Nevada: Newsom has proclaimed an emergency in San Bernardino County due to the Line Fire. He has obtained a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure the availability of vital fire resources, he said in a statement. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for the Davis Fire, he announced on X. A helicopter transports water in order to fight the Davis Fire in the Washoe Valley, south of Reno. - Jason Bean/Reno Gazette Journal/Imagn Images High temperatures continue Monday: Temperatures in California range from 95 to 105 degrees, about 10 to 20 degrees above average. An air quality alert has also been issued due to heat wave and elevated fine particle pollution levels due to wildfire smoke, according to the National Weather Service. Making matters worse, an excessive heat warning is effective until 8 p.m. PT Monday across the region, according to the National Weather Service. While cooler weather is expected in the area as the week progresses, winds may still be gusty, which can make containment more difficult. Hot and dry conditions mixed with thunderstorms are expected to challenge firefighters for the next few days, according to Cal Fire officials. Lights out for scorching schools and a Hollywood Bowl concert Multiple agencies, including Cal Fire, San Bernardino County Fire and the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office, are working together to manage the fire. The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation shelter at a local church for residents seeking refuge from the fire. The Bear Valley Unified School District announced all eight of its schools will be closed on Monday due to the impacts of the Line Fire, while other impacted districts have modified schedules and taken special precautions to deal with fires and the excessive heat warnings affecting 17 million people across southwestern California. All but one elementary school in the San Bernardino City School District will remain open for the districts 46,509 students, according to a statement from Superintendent Mauricio V. Arellano, who said families depend on our schools to be safe learning environments, and cited meals, child care and other support as factors in the decision to remain open. Bonnie Oehl Elementary will be closed as this school is within the evacuation zone, Arellano said. The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in school district in the country, announced it has implemented precautionary measures for its 429,000 enrolled students on Monday in response to an excessive heat warning. In southwestern Los Angeles County, the Torrance United School District announced it will also have a shortened school day, citing a lack of air conditioners, according to its website. Downtown Los Angeles has a forecast high of 102 on Monday and could see its third triple-digit day in four days. Fortunately, the heat will wrap up for the city by midweek. The heat wave caused thousands of customers to lose power in Los Angeles County on Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. At about 4:30 p.m. a distributing station became overloaded due to high demand impacted further by the extreme heat, the agency said in a statement. The Hollywood Bowl announced it was affected by the power outage and was forced to cancel a concert featuring Vance Joy, Grouplove and Tiny Habits. We apologize for the inconvenience. If a new date for this performance can be confirmed, details will follow and tickets for the original date will be valid for the new performance date, the statement said. Potatoes not the only thing baking in Idaho The Lava Fire in Gem County, Idaho, just north of Boise, has burned 69,658 acres, according to the US Forest Service. Extreme fire behavior resulted in significant and rapid growth in all directions today on the Lava Fire, the Forest Service said in an update Sunday, adding firefighters had to evacuate the area due to rapid fire spread. Damage of structures is being assessed by fire managers and the county sheriffs office, the update said. The Gem County Sheriffs Office ordered Level III-Red-Go Now Evacuation Notices for nearby residents Sunday. According to authorities, lightening caused the fire first reported a week ago. Longer and more active fire seasons To date in 2024, nearly seven million acres have burned across the United States in more than 36,000 wildfire incidents, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. This year marks the most acres burned by September since 2018, according to the centers statistics. A resident walks by his car packed with belongings as Highway 330 is engulfed by the Line Fire near Running Springs, California, on September 7, 2024. - David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images In California, 80% of the states largest wildfires have occurred in the past decade, including the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 85 people and destroyed the town of Paradise. Research shows that changes in climate create warmer, drier conditions, leading to longer and more active fire seasons, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in July. Increases in temperatures and the thirst of the atmosphere due to humancaused climate change have increased aridity of forest fuels during the fire season. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Line Fire near Highland expanded to 20,553 acres Sunday night, with the blaze threatening 36,328 structures, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures, Cal Fire reported. On Sunday, authorities reported that 1,855 personnel continued to battle the fire by air and on the ground. Authorities reported that the Line Fire's behavior was moderated Sunday morning due to smoke, but as the afternoon progressed, the smoke cleared, and temperatures climbed leading to more fire activity. Night flight capable aircraft will be utilized, when possible, to try to hold the fire within currently containment lines. Early this week, cooler weather will moderate fire activity below the marine layer. However, fire activity above the marine layer will remain active. There is still potential for spot fires to become established well outside the control lines. fire officials stated. A Damage Inspection Team has been ordered and more resources have arrived from throughout the state. The Line Fire near Highland expanded to 20,553 acres Sunday night, with the blaze threatening 36,328 structures, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures, Cal Fire reported. Saturday night On Saturday night, the fire exploded past 17,400 acres as Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County. Nearly 628 fire personnel from several agencies were battling the Line Fire from the ground and air on Sunday morning. By Sunday evening, the number of personnel had increased to 1,855, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Line Fire, which sparked Thursday evening near Base Line Street and Aplin Street in Highland, is spreading in a northeast direction, authorities stated. The Line Fire near Highland expanded to 20,553 acres Sunday night, with the blaze threatening 36,328 structures, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures, Cal Fire reported. The fire expanded to 1,200 acres by Friday night. On Saturday afternoon, it was measured at 7,122 acres and on Sunday morning 17,459 acres. More resources are arriving from across the state to battle the fire that is being fueled by critically dry vegetation and temperatures pushing past 100 degrees, fire officials stated. Thunderstorm outflow winds are causing the fire to behave erratically, the San Bernardino County Fire Department reported on Sunday. As the Line Fire in Highland exploded past 17,200 acres on Saturday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County. Three people have been injured in the blaze, according to Cal Fire, which did not reveal if the injured were civilians or fire personnel. There are currently 35,405 structures threatened, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures. A Damage Inspection Team has been ordered, according to Cal Fire. Line Fire evacuation orders An evacuation order means there is an immediate threat to life. This is an order by law enforcement to leave immediately. The area is lawfully closed to public access. Evacuation orders have been issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department for the following areas: The area from Calle Del Rio to Highway 38, including Greenspot Road North All underdeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue The areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18 The communities of Running Springs and Arrow Bear Lake The area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills North of Highland Avenue and east of Palm Avenue to Hwy. 330 Garnett Street east to Hwy. 38 and Mill Creek north to the foothills. Mountain Home Village Forrest Falls The California Highway Patrol on Sunday night reported that Hwy. 38 eastbound is shut down at Bryant Street. An additional closure will be set up at Angelus Oaks. Residents of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls may evacuate down bound or up bound on Hwy. 38 towards Mentone or Big Bear. If a resident in the evacuation zone needs transportation, they can call and ask for help at http://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff. No service last post for a little bit the fire is going to come down to the 38 expect closures probably pretty soon. #linefire pic.twitter.com/eRtumScItG FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) September 8, 2024 Line Fire evacuation warnings An evacuation warning means there is a potential threat to life and/or property and residents should be ready to leave the area if law enforcement orders it. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately. From Boulder Avenue east to Church Street and Greenspot Road north to the foothills Church Street east to the city limit and from the foothills south to Greenspot Road Green Valley Lake north of Hwy. 18 Area of Cedar Glen Area of Lake Arrowhead Area of Crestline Area of Valley of Enchantment Angelus Oaks Seven Oaks Sheriff's officials reported that they are actively performing additional patrols throughout all evacuated areas of Highland and are prepared to assist residents as needed. For the latest evacuation center locations, visit prepare.sbcounty.gov/line-fire. NEW: @CAGovernor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County & announced California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from @FEMA to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire.#LineFire https://t.co/bgBlapWulc pic.twitter.com/a6shRUBD2Z Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) September 8, 2024 Line Fire evacuation shelters Cal Fire announced that a new evacuation shelter has opened at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds Building No. 6 at 14800 Seventh St. in Victorville. On Sunday, residents sheltering at Immanuel Baptist Church, 28355 Base Line St. in Highland were relocated to the newly established Jesse Turner Community Center at 15556 Summit Avenue in Fontana, which is temporarily closed for public activities, sheriff's officials reported. Animal evacuation shelter Devore Animal Shelter, 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino. For more information, call 909-386-9820 or 800-472-5609 after hours. Schools On Sunday, Hesperia Unified School District officials said due to improving conditions and the current air quality management district level of "Moderate," the district plans to hold normal school hours on Monday Sept. 9, with schools modifying events to limit outside activities. The Victor Elementary School District is closely monitoring the air quality conditions and currently plan to have school on Sept. 9. However, if the air quality becomes unhealthy, they will adopt its inclement weather schedule. Lucerne Valley Unified schools will be open on Monday, Sept. 9, while they monitor air quality. The school district will also monitor air quality for after school activities/sports and make decisions early in the day regarding any possible changes to scheduling. All Barstow Unified School District schools will be open Monday, Sept. 9. Due to the evacuation notices in East Highland, all Redlands Unified School District schools and facilities will be closed for students and staff on Monday, Sept. 9. Redlands Unified families and staff will be notified by 4 p.m. on Monday if the closure will be extended, Cabral added. Rim of the World Unified School District officials have called a non-student day on Monday, Sept. 9 for students and staff. Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, the Bear Valley Unified School District on Sunday night said there will be no school on Monday, Sept. 9. They added that the fire poses no threat to campuses. Earlier in the day, the district reported that schools would not be closed. All schools in the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District will be closed on Monday, Sept. 9. Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa will be closed on Monday, Sept. 9. San Bernardino City Unified School District schools will be open on Monday, Sept. 9. California State University, San Bernardino will have classes on Monday, Sept. 9, with outdoor activities moved indoors or rescheduled. Air systems will be modified to limit outdoor smoke from entering classrooms. Apple Valley Unified School District schools will be open Monday, Sept. 9, with district officials monitoring air quality. Rim of the World Unified School District: On Monday, district officials stated that schools will be closed from Sept. 9 to 13, or until further notice Road closures Both directions of Highway 330 were shut down "until further notice" Saturday afternoon between Highland Avenue in Highland and Highway 18 in Running Springs, according to the California Department of Transportation and sheriff's department officials. Northbound traffic on Highway 18 was shut down Saturday evening between Kuffle Canyon Road and Running Springs, Caltrans said. Southbound traffic remained open. Highway 18 is closed from Kuffle Canyon to Big Bear dam. Highway 330 remains closed in both directions Garnet Street is closed at Highway 38 in Mentone. More: Line Fire scorches more than 7,100 acres in San Bernardino County Line Fire creates own weather system Before sunset Saturday, the fire had grown big enough to create its own weather system. A massive, mushroom-shaped pyrocumulus cloud fed by the heat of the wildfire formed above, according to the National Weather Service. "These can create very dangerous conditions for fire fighters," the NWS said via social media. "As of 6:30 p.m., we recorded over 3700 lightning strikes inside the clouds, with over 280 ground strikes." Smoke from Line Fire affects High Desert air quality Smoke from the Line Fire has created hazy conditions in the High Desert. On Saturday, the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District issued an air advisory for potentially poor air quality through at least Monday due to wildfire smoke. Emergency declaration Newsoms emergency declaration allows all state government agencies to use and employ personnel, equipment, and facilities to battle the fire that sparked on Thursday. Among other provisions, the emergency proclamation supports affected residents by easing access to unemployment benefits and waiving fees to replace drivers licenses and records such as marriage and birth certificates. The declaration also allows the waiver of certain statutes and regulations so that hospitals, adult and senior care facilities, child care facilities, and other care facilities in the area can continue to provide services. The Fire Management Assistant Grant, which is provided through the Presidents Disaster Relief Fund on cost-share basis, will assist local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for 75% reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Anyone needing information on the status of the Line Fire can call 909-220-4292. Residents can continue to call 211 for road closure info, evacuation routes, animal care resources, shelter information, mental health support and food assistance. This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available. Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Line Fire in Highland grows; injuries reported, evacuations ordered NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Communities across Connecticut are planning to hold memorial services on Wednesday to remember the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. This year marks 23 years since nearly 3,000 people were killed at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and in the Flight 93 crash in Shanksville, Pa. Of those, 161 victims had ties to Connecticut. In the video below, News 8 remembers the 161 victims with ties to Connecticut. Connecticut hosted its annual ceremony on Sept. 5 at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, where family and friends of the 161 victims with Connecticut ties gathered to honor them. Here is a list of some of the ceremonies planned for Wednesday across Connecticut. The list is alphabetized by city or town. Avon The Avon Volunteer Fire Department is holding a 9/11 Memorial Service at the Fire Department Headquarters on Darling Drive. The service is set to begin at 7:45 a.m. Cheshire The HAI Group will hold its 2nd annual We Did Not Forget fundraiser event starting at 8:30 a.m. on their campus at 189 Commerce Ct. The company said theyll donate $100 on behalf of each person who finishes a 3.1 mile walk- up to $10,000- to the family of fallen Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier. Danbury The city of Danbury will host its annual 9/11 memorial service at 6 p.m. at Elmwood Park, located downtown along Main Street. The park is home to the citys Sept. 11 monument. Derby The City of Derby and Derby Fire Department will host its annual memorial service at 6 p.m. at the Derby Green. East Hartford Goodwin University will host its annual ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Connecticut Fallen Star Memorial on campus. Connecticut holds annual 9/11 memorial ceremony Groton The Southeastern Connecticut Navy community will conduct a flag retirement ceremony at 8:30 a.m. the Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum. At 8:46 a.m., the Saluting Battery from Naval Submarine Support Facilitys Weapons Department will commence a six volley gun salute. Meriden Meriden will hold a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. outside of the main entrance to city hall. Retired Meriden officer Ray Ouellet will recount what he and other first responders encountered when responding to Ground Zero following the tragedy. Weather permitting, an American flag, which flew over the World Trade Center rubble, will be raised to half-staff on the City Hall flag pole. A bell will be rung marking the times at which the crashes of the four hijacked airliners occurred. Milford The City of Milford will hold a ceremony of song and prary at the Sept. 11 Monument on city hall grounds. Fire Chief Anthony Fabrizi will ring the bells at 8:46 a.m. Norwalk Norwalks annual memorial ceremony will be held 9 a.m. at city hall. Ridgefield Ridgefield will hold its annual ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the towns 9/11 Memorial Monument at 195 Danbury Rd. Southington A brief patriotic service will be held at the 9/11 Memorial in Plantsville on the corner of Summer Street and Main Street at 8:46 a.m. Those who wish to attend are asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. to make sure parking is available. Wallingford A remembrance ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in front of the Wallingford Town Hall. Wilton The Wilton Firefighters Local 2233 and the Wilton Fire Department will host their annual memorial service at 10 a.m. at the Wilton Fire Headquarters. Woodbury The remembrance ceremony will be held at 8:30 a.m. at Hollow Park. Do you know of a 9/11 memorial event thats not on the list? Email the information to jenn.brink@wtnh.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 WTNH.com. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) On Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, President Russell M. Nelson the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is celebrating his 100th birthday. In addition to having a record-breaking birthday card, Nelsons birthday will be honored with a special broadcast from the LDS church on Sept. 9 and turning 100 means Nelson is the first prophet in the modern history of the church to reach triple digits. READ NEXT: 31K people sign birthday card for LDS president and break a world record Here is a brief look at past presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how old they were at the conclusion of their service as president (when they died), according to the church. Joseph Smith, 38 Joseph Smith was the first president and founder of the LDS church. He served as the president of the church from 1832 until 1844, when he and his brother were killed by a mob. Joseph Smith died at the age of 38. Smith translated and published the Book of Mormon during his life, in addition to founding the religion. Brigham Young, 76 Brigham Young was the second president of the LDS church. He served as president of the church from 1847 until 1877, when he died at the age of 76, following an illness. Young led the members of the church west and established LDS settlements in Utah and other areas. John Taylor, 78 John Taylor was the third president of the LDS church and served from 1880 until 1887. He died at the age of 78. During his life, he established LDS colonies in several states, as well as Canada and Mexico. Wilford Woodruff, 91 Wilford Woodruff was the fourth president of the LDS church and served several service missions before he was called to be a leader. He served as president from 1887 until 1898, when he died at the age of 91. During his time as president of the church, the church said he ended the practice of polygamy. Lorenzo Snow, 87 Lorenzo Snow served as the fifth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He became president in 1898 and served until 1901, when he died at the age of 87. He encouraged members of the church to pay their tithing, a practice that is common today where members are encouraged to give 10% of their income to the church. Joseph F. Smith, 80 Joseph F. Smith was the sixth president of the church and he was the nephew of the churchs founder, Joseph Smith. He served as president from 1901 until 1918, when he died at the age of 80. The church said Smith helped develop historical sites for the church in New York, Missouri, and Illinois. Heber J. Grant, 88 Heber J. Grant served as the seventh president of the LDS Church, holding the position for 27 years. He began his service as president in 1918 and concluded in 1945, when he died at the age of 88. He served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 37 years and helped members of the church deal with World War II. George Albert Smith, 81 George Albert Smith was the eighth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as president from 1945 until 1951, when he died on his 81st birthday. According to the church, he helped organize the churchs humanitarian assistance to Europe after World War II. David O. McKay, 96 David O. McKay was called to serve as the ninth president of the church. He was president from 1951 until 1970, when he died at the age of 96 after 19 years as the president. McKay served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 44 years before serving as the president of the church. Joseph Fielding Smith, 95 Joseph Fielding Smith was the tenth president of the LDS Church and was the son of Joseph F. Smith. He served as the president from 1970 until 1972, starting his service at the age of 93. The church said he authored several books and articles about the history of the church during his life. Harold B. Lee, 74 Harold B. Lee served as the eleventh president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as president for 18 months, from 1972 to 1973. During his life, he helped start a program that became the churchs welfare system. Spencer W. Kimball, 90 Spencer W. Kimball was the twelfth president of the church, and he served for 12 years. Kimball held the position from 1973 until 1985, becoming president when he was 78 years old. He died at the age of 90. During his time as president, church policy changed to allow all worthy male members of the church to receive its priesthood and enter the temples, reversing race-based restrictions on Black members of the church. Ezra Taft Benson, 94 Ezra Taft Benson was the thirteenth president of the LDS church. He served as president from 1985 until 1994, when he died at the age of 94. The church said he emphasized the importance of the scriptures and missionary efforts during his time as a leader of the church. Howard W. Hunter, 87 Howard W. Hunter served as the fourteenth president of the church. He served from 1994 until 1995, and was 86 years old when he was called. He served as an apostle of the church for 35 years before he was called to be the president. Gordon B. Hinckley, 97 Gordon B. Hinckley was the fifteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as the president from 1995 until 2008, when he died at 97 years old. Hinckley did interviews and press publications to increase the media attention of the church. Thomas S. Monson, 90 Thomas S. Monson was the sixteenth president of the LDS church. He served as president for a decade, from 2008 until 2018. Before he was the president, he was counselor to three previous presidents: Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley. Russell M. Nelson, living Russell M. Nelson is the seventeenth president of the church. He was called in Jan. 2018, when he was 93 years old, and is the faiths current leader. The church has planned a celebration of Nelsons 100th birthday on Sept. 9, 2024. He is the first president of the church to hold the position and reach triple digits. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite has announced that a nationwide mass evacuation plan will be developed by early October. Source: Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, citing Bilotaite, as reported by European Pravda Details: Bilotaite believes that her country should now have a nationwide evacuation plan and be ready to implement it. "Each local authority has its own evacuation plan, but obviously, we must have a plan of a national scale and be ready to implement it," she said. The minister emphasised that the security of the population has become a priority due to cyberattacks and that civilian protection is now more important than ever. "The war against Ukraine rages on, the countries of our region are subject to hybrid and disinformation attacks, and sabotage is our new reality. It is important to note that we are at the forefront, so today, civilian protection has become a priority," the official explained. She emphasised that strengthening civil protection at the national level alone is insufficient, leading to a decision to collaborate with other Baltic states. Additionally, the countries plan to seek funding from the European Union. "We need to coordinate our efforts at the regional and European level. It is costly, but it is important to combine our capabilities and get support from the EU. We are calling for a risk assessment to better understand the threats and strengthen public protection measures," the minister said. Background: In June, the German government developed a new contingency plan in the event of war amid the threat from Russia. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis reportedly criticised NATO allies, stating that their inaction had allowed Russian drones to fall unimpeded on the Alliance's territory. Support UP or become our patron! Lithuanian politician Andrius Kubilius is likely to become the Commissioner for Security, Defence and Space in Ursula von der Leyen's new European Commission. Source: European Pravda, citing Politico, which spoke to officials at the European Commission, European Parliament and European Council, as well as officials in various European capitals Details: Politico recalls that von der Leyen has previously said that the newly created post of defence commissioner should be given to someone from Central or Eastern Europe. Kubilius is a member of the European Parliament who specialises in foreign affairs. The Lithuanian representative is an experienced politician, with more than five years of experience as a prime minister. Kubilius has held this position twice. It is noted that the politician is widely respected for leading Lithuania through the 2008 financial crisis. He is also an active supporter of Ukraine. In particular, he has emphasised the need for constant military support for Kyiv and called for forcing Moscow to foot the bill for Ukraine's reconstruction using all frozen Russian assets. In Vilnius, Kubilius also proposed the creation of a government department or ministry that would be fully dedicated to Ukraine. Background: Lithuania has previously said that it would like to see Kubilius become European Commissioner for Defence. Kubilius himself has said that the European Commissions enlargement, including the accession of Ukraine, should be a priority over the next five years. Sources report that Latvian representative Valdis Dombrovskis will be appointed Executive Vice-President for Enlargement and Reconstruction of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! No Olympic hangover for Max Maeder with Austrian title; Tighter security at checkpoints into Singapore from 9-14 Sept: Singapore live news And that's a wrap. Thanks for tuning in. We'll catch y'all again tomorrow. Hello to all our readers, Yahoo Singapore will be bringing you live news updates today. Singapore's teenage kitefoiling sensation Max Maeder turns 18 years old on 12 September. Our Olympian decided to celebrate a little early as he returned to the waters to take gold at the KiteFoil World Series Austria on Sunday. Maeder had taken a break from high-level kitefoiling following his bronze medal at Paris 2024 Games a month ago. More on the story below. Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) have told travellers coming into the country from 9-14 September to expect delays as they implement "enhanced security checks" at land, air and sea checkpoints. The ICA made the announcement in a statement on Facebook. The dates fall cover the same time period of Pope Francis' first papal visit to Singapore (11-13 September). Read on for more details. An interview with the president of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) regarding the possibility of detecting sinkholes was published recently in Malaysia. Prof Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin gave his insights on the tell-tale signs of sinkholes which included ground depressions, fallen trees, tilted buildings, cracks in buildings and concentrated water flow. More details below. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has announced the Singapore Government will contribute US$100,000 (S$130,000) as seed money to support the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) public fundraising efforts for the Bangladesh floods. The SRC had earlier (5 September) committed US$50,000 (S$65,000) to support emergency operations in Bangladesh as well as provide aid and relief through the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS). For more of this story, read on. US band Maroon 5 will be showcasing their Moves Like Jagger at concerts across Asia in early 2025, but Singapore appears set to miss out. Live Nation Asia announced Maroon 5s Asia 2025 dates which starts in Manila before heading to Jakarta, Bangkok, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and finally Kaohsiung. More details below. Pritam Singh will not have his upcoming trial heard in the High Court. The Workers Party (WP) chief had attempted to transfer his case but the application was dismissed by Justice Hoo Sheau Peng. Singh faces two charges of lying to a Committee of Privileges over Raeesah Khan's controversial case. His trial is set to begin on 14 October at the State Courts. For more on this story, read on. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong praised the continued development of Punggol during his speech to launch One Punggol hub on 8 September. In his speech, PM Wong also spoke of upcoming new developments such as the Punggol Regional Sports Centre which is slated to open around 2026. You can read more on this story below. Singapore are considering a law which would see deepfakes and other digitally manipulated content featuring candidates banned during elections. The Integrity of Online Advertising would stop the publication of digitally generated or manipulated content that realistically depicts a candidate saying or doing something false. The Bill will be tabled for a second reading at the next Parliament sitting. More details in the story. Malaysias Immigration Department have reportedly opened an investigation into the case of a Singaporean woman who claims she was detained for seven days at the Johor checkpoint. Atalia Chua alleges she was detained for a week following an altercation with an officer. Upon her release, she posted a video on TikTok detailing her ordeal. The video went viral with over 80,000 views, and her story was picked up by several news outlets in both Singapore and Malaysia. More below. DES MOINES, Iowa A 16-year-old Des Moines Roosevelt High School student was taken into police custody Monday morning after staff at the school found a loaded handgun in his backpack. Sgt. Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police Department said officers were called to Roosevelt around 9:30 a.m. after the 9mm handgun had been safely removed from the backpack. An email provided to WHO 13 by DMPS, and sent to Roosevelt families about the incident, said the gun was confiscated during a meeting with the student and their family Monday morning. In the statement, the schools principal, Steven Schappaugh said, The student was under supervision the entire time they were in the building and at no time were other students in any danger. The preliminary investigation into the incident didnt find evidence of any threats toward students or staff, according to Sgt. Parizek. The teen has been referred to juvenile court on offenses of carrying firearms on school grounds (Class D Felony) and possession of dangerous weapons and loaded firearms by minors (Serious Misdemeanor). DMPD continues to investigate the incident. You can read the complete letter to parents from Roosevelt High Schools principal below: Earlier this morning our staff confiscated a handgun off of a student during a meeting with the student and their family. The student was under supervision the entire time they were in the building and at no time were other students in any danger. I am thankful to our staff who used our available resources and training to quickly assess the situation and resolve it without incident. We are grateful to our public safety team and DMPD for their quick response and assistance today. We did utilize our standard response protocol and go on a hold for a few minutes so the student could exit the building with police and lifted it as soon as the police were leaving campus. The hold did not disrupt classroom activities. We take the safety and security of our students seriously. Our camera systems, training in de-escalation, partnership with public safety personnel, and our student support teams positive relationships and rapport with students help us navigate these situations. This can be an alarming experience for students, and as always, our counselors are ready to support. Steven Schappaugh, Principal of Roosevelt High School Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. EDITORS NOTE: The Woodbury County Sheriffs Office provided an update in the investigation. That information has been added to the story below. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Sioux City and county authorities are investigating what they are calling a suspicious death that occurred over the weekend. According to the Sioux City Police Department, they, along with Sioux City Fire & Rescue, were called out to a residence in the 1000 block of Sully Road, just south of Sioux Gateway Airport, at around 9:12 a.m. on Saturday for a reported unconscious person. Fire & Rescue provided aid to the unconscious 35-year-old woman and took her to a local hospital where she was declared dead. The police department and Woodbury County Sheriffs Office said the womans death was suspicious, with the police adding it and is being investigated as a homicide. The exact details are being investigated. Officials rescue rural Stanton County man from grain bin The sheriffs office said Monday afternoon that the Iowa State Medical Examiners Office will be conducting an autopsy later Monday and will provide a cause and manner of death. Detectives from the sheriffs office and police department cooperated in investigating the incident due to a question of the boundaries of the city and county. The sheriffs office added that detectives will continue to cooperate in ongoing investigation. Wesley Thoene contributed to 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. fizkes / Getty Images Summers over, and many of us are wondering whats next. For some people, that might mean a move. Learn More: The Average Cost of Rent in Every State Try This: How To Get Rich in Real Estate Starting with Just $1,000 If youre looking to mix up your living situation at the end of 2024, there are some good options. GOBankingRates spoke with real estate experts across the country to find out the best rental markets right now. Here are 10 rental markets offering the biggest concessions to renters in 2024. All you have to do is pack your bags. RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock/Getty Images Austin, Texas Austins not just keeping it weird; its keeping it cheap. Brian Davis, the co-founder of SparkRental, shared his thoughts on the market: Rents have declined in some markets, which is extremely rare. Six cities across the country have seen rents fall over the last year, including Austin. But wait, theres more. Davis added, In six major metro areas, more than half of rental listings offer a concession. In Austin, [its] 50.5%. Flip a coin, and youve got a shot at some sweet, sweet rental perks. Seamus Nally, the CEO at TurboTenant, backed this up, saying, There are a handful of cities in the U.S. that are offering rent concessions. Some notable ones include Austin. So, if youve been dreaming of breakfast tacos and live music, nows your chance to snag a deal hotter than Texas asphalt in July. Find Out: 3 Best States To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Experts Read Next: 6 Best Florida Suburbs to Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Agents Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week. John_T / Shutterstock.com Raleigh, North Carolina Raleigh currently has some major deals in the rental market, according to Davis. Nally also likes Raleigh, saying its among the cities offering rent concessions aiming to both attract new renters and retain current ones. So, whether youre a newbie or an old-timer, Raleighs rolling out the red carpet. For You: 20 Best Cities Where You Can Buy a House for Under $100K Nate Hovee / Getty Images/iStockphoto Atlanta Atlantas not just for peaches and Coca-Cola anymore. Its a hotbed for rental deals. Davis tells us that more than half the landlords in Atlanta are offering concessions. Nally backs this up, listing Atlanta among the cities where renters can expect some good deals. So, if youve been itching to live in the ATL, nows your chance to do it on the cheap. Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto Phoenix Hold onto your cacti, because Phoenix is bringing the heat with its rental deals. Chad Breeden from Sentry Real Estate said, Landlords are offering up to two months of free rent to attract tenants due to oversupply in new apartment developments. Story continues Two months free is nothing to sneeze at and you can probably get even better deals if you just ask. lucky-photographer / Getty Images Las Vegas What happens in Vegas saves you money? Breeden reported, Property owners are offering significant move-in bonuses and flexible lease terms to fill units quickly. Looks like Lady Luck is smiling on renters in Sin City. Consider This: 5 Cities Where Homes Will Be a Total Steal In Two Years benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto Other Cities To Consider Those arent the only cities offering concessions right now our experts pointed out a few more: Des Moines, Iowa: Travis Johnson from Minnesota Nice Home Buyers says landlords are offering one to two months of free rent, waived application fees and reduced security deposits. Columbus, Ohio: Johnson reported that the city is offering rent discounts, waived application fees and free utilities for a set period. Charlotte, North Carolina: Breeden shared the following concessions: waived application fees and discounted rent for the first six months in many complexes. Orlando, Florida: According to Breeden, you could snag cashback incentives and free upgrades like new appliances in exchange for signing longer leases. Spokane, Washington: Franklin Ivy from Sound Home Buyers said to look for one to two months of free rent, reduced move-in costs and waived application fees. Nathan Miller, founder at Rentec Direct, offered some sage advice. He said, Some of the most affordable rent prices can be found in states like Iowa, Texas, Kansas and Kentucky. But he also noted that affordability is often relative to the average wages of an area, so its smart to make sure youre moving to the area for reasons other than good deals on housing. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Rental Markets Offering the Biggest Concessions to Renters in 2024 FAIRBORN, Ohio (WDTN) The City of Fairborn is in search of tree that can be the center of attention at their Hometown Holiday Festival later this year. The city is looking for a tree that is any kind of evergreen, at least 25 feet tall, outside of fences, away from wires and inside of city limits. Tree donations must be submitted by Oct. 15. Donations will be evaluated by staff from the city office before the tree is removed. After a tree is selected, it will be removed, along with the root ball, and seed will then be planted in place. The tree will then be decorated and displayed at the festival on Dec. 6. Dayton holiday festival looking for 2024 tree The donators name will be on display on the tree. To submit your tree for consideration you can call the city at 937-754-3030 or e-mail parks@fairbornoh.gov. Either way you choose to contact, provide your name, address, height of the tree and its location in your yard. For information on events and parades, both past and upcoming in Fairborn, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A local nonprofit transforming the lives of pet families all across the Miami Valley is getting ready to host a fundraiser. Ellies Rainy Day Fund is planning its third annual Dogs on the Catwalk fundraiser at the end of September. Money will go directly to paying emergency or specialty vet care for those who cant afford it. Since 2015, the nonprofit has paid more than $1 million in vet bills through veterinary referrals and helped more than 540 familiesfamilies like the Millers. In 2019, the Millers Brookville home was badly damaged in the Memorial Day tornadoes. Basically, looked like a total war zone. And of course, pictures do not do it justice, says Karen Miller. But it was just unbelievable, and you just sit there, and I mean, cry because youre like, What? What happened? Karen says their roof was ripped off and all of their windows were broken. Right away, they got busy, getting in touch with their insurance company, finding a contractor, and getting estimates. But as they started to rebuild, Karens daughter Lena knew she needed some kind of emotional support after such a traumatic event. Very hard and started a lot of, you know, PTSD issues, says Karen. She started struggling really bad, having a hard time, you know, with some anxiety and the PTSD, you know, so depression because of everything that had gone on. Lena started doing some research, and thats when she found Sage, a loving Golden Retriever puppy online. In the midst of the pandemic in June of 2020, the Millers picked up Sage from a breeder about three hours away in Indiana. When we first got her, she was definitely shy, says Lena Miller, whos 16 years old. She already started following me around immediately as soon as I got home. I just was obsessed with the color of her. She was so dark, darker than the other ones, and she was so pretty. Right away, Sage earned a nickname. I call her Chicken because when she was a baby, and I first brought her home, I pulled her ears back and she just looked like a chicken. And I dont know why. She just did. And then it stuck. And she likes that name, smiles Lena. It was the perfect match, and Lena had found comfort and a best friend. Anytime Lena gets stressed and upset, Sage knows, states Karen. She definitely helps me a lot. Like, if Im going to shower, shes going to sit in there. She just keeps me company. If Im crying, she will get up on the bed with me when she could, move her little face in between my hands, shed lick me. Just basically distract me from crying and everything, describes Lena. In June of 2024, Sage got seriously hurt, tearing both CCLs. Already struggling, the Millers didnt know how they were going to pay for her surgery. When we left [MedVet] that day, it was pretty much euthanizing her. Lena and I were crying, and we cried the whole way home. And Lena said, Im not letting her be put to sleep and we need to find another avenue, states Karen. Their prayers were answered when Ellies Rainy Day Fund stepped in. I got a phone call that said we have been accepted to be one of the recipients for Ellies Rainy Day Fund. And you have no idea how exciting that was to know that we werent going to have to put our dog to sleep, tears up Karen. MedVet had recommended the Millers to the nonprofit. Through the organization, Sage was able to have the surgery. I really appreciate it because I dont know how it would be without my dog. I very much need her, states Lena. Juli Burnell founded Ellies Rainy Day Fund in 2015. Its named after her dog Ellie, who suffered from a chronic life-threatening lung condition. Ellie was the sweetest little pup in the world. We got her at five months old from SICSA. And within two weeks of having adopted her, she was in the hospital at MedVet with pneumonia in an oxygen crate. She couldnt breathe, recalls Juli. Within the next two months, she was hospitalized twice more with pneumonia. After some tricky and expensive testing, doctors discovered she had a condition thats like cystic fibrosis. I spent a lot of time in veterinary waiting rooms, and sitting there, I would see families who loved their pet just as much as I love Ellie come in and they couldnt afford what needed to happen. And so they would either leave with a pet that was still in pain or oftentimes in a box, tears up Juli. I started doing some research, and I discovered that there are over 500,000 pets a year in the United States who are euthanized because people cant afford the treatment. With that, Juli was inspired to create Ellies Rainy Day Fund. The nonprofit partners with a network of local veterinarians for when someone runs into an emergency with their pet. Referrals come from those veterinarians. Its a true partnership and three-pronged approach. The pet guardian pays what theyre able; veterinarians discount their fees; and then Ellies Rainy Day Fund comes in and pays whatevers left to prevent animals from being put down. I feel so humble and so blessed to be to be able to help other families, says Juli. Every time another family is helped, I feel like Ellies still with me. And, you know, she would be thrilled. I know she would be thrilled. Footing the bill for major expenses, the nonprofit relies on volunteers, donations, and fundraiserslike Dogs on the Catwalk, which is a fashion show and luncheon. About a dozen of the dogs whose lives have been saved will get dressed up in designer Halloween costumes and walk the runway. People attending are able to hear their stories and meet the families while lunch is served. There will be tears, happy tears, because its like, on my gosh, look at this healthy animal walking here that nobody thought was going to make it, states Juli. I just want to thank all the animal lovers who are out there and all the people that can empathize and do care and step up to help somebody, somebody they dont even know to really keep a family together. I mean, its transformative in the lives of people to not lose the pet that they love and count on so much, states Juli. Dogs on the Catwalk takes place Saturday, September 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sinclairs Ponitz Center. Tickets are $110 because it includes building the donation. Click here for tickets. There will also be raffle baskets and prizes. Click here to buy a chance. Theres also an online auction for people who want to support the mission. Click here. If you cant attend and would like to make a donation, click here. To buy a t-shirt with proceeds going to Ellies Rainy Day Fund, click here. 2 NEWS Anchor Kelley King has the honor of emceeing the event once again 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. Southern California saw record-high temperatures Sunday for the third day in a row. The National Weather Service reports downtown Los Angeles saw a high of 104 degrees on Sunday, breaking its old record of 103 in 1984. Also recorded on Sunday: 106 degrees in Long Beach, breaking its previous record of 105 in 1984 111 degrees in Woodland Hills, tying its old record in 1979 98 degrees at UCLA, tying its old record in 1984 Long Beach and Woodland Hills also broke previous heat records on Saturday and Camarillo. Southern California sees record high temps, excessive heat warnings NWS warned residents and visitors in Los Angeles County that Sunday could see dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 110 degrees, and possibly up to 114 degrees for the western San Fernando Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley. Officials also noted the following extreme temperatures: Orange County: 90 to 106 degrees expected Santa Ana mountains: 90 to 104 degrees expected San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys/The Inland Empire: 102 to 110 degrees expected The temperatures overnight are forecasted in the 70s, leading to little recovery from the heat, according to the NWS. Multiple districts have issued minimum school days for Monday, which is expected to be the last day of the current excessive heat warning. Torrance Unified School District announced the following in an Instagram post on Sunday afternoon: Torrance Unified School District has issued a minimum school day for Monday, September 9, in response to the excessive heat advisory. Like other local Districts in our area, many of our classrooms do not have air conditioning units, so this decision prioritizes the health and safety of our students, staff, and community. Texts and emails have gone out to families with detailed information for each school. Thank you for your prompt attention and flexibility. Sunday evening, Los Angeles Unified School District Region North announced its minimum day in a Twitter/X post: An update from @laschools Region North on heatwave and minimum day schedules at Noble Elementary School, Woodlake Elementary School and Canoga Park High School. With these hot conditions, officials say there is a high risk for dangerous heat illness, especially for children, the elderly, those without air conditioning, and those who are active outdoors. Health and Safety Tips To minimize the risk of heat-related illnesses, officials recommend these precautions: Stay cool: Spend time in air-conditioned buildings, avoid direct sunlight, and limit outdoor activities, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Residents without air conditioning should seek refuge in public cooling centers. Stay hydrated: Drink more water than usual, and dont wait until youre thirsty to hydrate. Avoid beverages with high sugar, caffeine, or alcohol content, as they can contribute to dehydration. Look out for others: Check on neighbors, friends, and family members, particularly those who are elderly or young or have pre-existing health conditions. Ensure pets have plenty of water and shade, and never leave them or children in parked cars. For non-emergency information, residents can call 311, and in the event of a suspected heat stroke, they are urged to call 911 immediately. Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and, in severe cases, confusion or unconsciousness. Cooling Centers As temperatures rise, L.A. officials have urged residents to plan and prepare to avoid heat exhaustion. Cooling centers have been established throughout the region to provide relief for those without air conditioning. The city has opened the following cooling centers which will now be extended through Monday, Sept. 9: Fred Roberts Recreation Center, 4700 Honduras St., Los Angeles, CA 90011 Mid Valley Senior Center, 8801 Kester Ave., Panorama City, CA 91402 Sunland Senior Center, 8640 Fenwick St., Sunland, CA 91040 Jim Gilliam Recreation Center, 4000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90008 Lincoln Heights Senior Center, 2323 Workman St., Los Angeles, CA 90031 Lafayette Recreation Center, 625 S. Lafayette Park Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90057 Residents can find the nearest cooling center by calling 311, checking the Cool Spots LA app, or visiting the citys emergency management 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 KTLA. Lockhart Police receive 40+ calls of shots fired since start of year Lockhart Police receive 40+ calls of shots fired since start of year LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) The Lockhart Police Department said its emergency dispatchers received more than 40 calls reporting unlawful discharge of firearms in residential areas since the start of this year. RELATED TOPIC: Bastrop County man shot from celebratory gunfire on New Years Day They could be a number of things, celebratory gunfire, said Lockhart Police Chief Gary Williamson. It could be somebody trying to intimidate somebody else. Just somebody with too much time on their hands. Williamson said dispatchers are receiving these calls between Thursday to Sunday in the evening. He said the vast majority of the calls are primarily located in the north central part of town. You shoot that bullet and its going somewhere. Whether its in the ground, up in the air, hit someones house or car or a person themselves. Lockhart Police Chief Gary Williamson The police department said it wanted to remind people about the dangers, because falling bullets can cause injuries, or even death. RELATED TOPIC: Woman says nearby celebratory gunshot bullet landed feet from childs crib The main points the department wanted people to know are: Incidents can be reported anonymously to the non-emergency line: 512-398-4401 Residents should call 911 if they are witnessing someone actively shooting at a person, vehicle, or house The illegal discharge of firearms is a Class B misdemeanor under Texas Penal Code 42.01 Penalties include up to 180 days in jail and/or up to a $2,000 fine When LPD receives a call, the department plans to send officers to the neighborhood where the call came from and conduct knock and talks to educate people on this. Williamson noted that if someone hears shots, try to give the dispatcher as much info as possible while still saying safe. If you see a vehicle, try to get the make, model, color, Williamson said. If you could get a license plate, thats even better. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Felix Clary ICT + Tulsa World After attempting to sue the Oklahoma attorney general and governor over documents she needed for her reporting, Cherokee journalist Rebecca Nagle is launching her book that covers the Five Tribes fight for sovereignty leading up to a landmark legal decision. In the McGirt v. Oklahoma (2020) decision, the Supreme Court ruled that criminal cases involving tribal members on tribal lands fall under tribal jurisdiction rather than state jurisdiction, which led to federal recognition of Oklahoma reservations for the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole tribes. Ive been covering the McGirt case since 2017, including articles for ICT, Nagle told ICT and the Tulsa World. This book is deeply reported. I interviewed over a hundred people, pulled together thousands of documents, even suing the attorney general and governor of Oklahoma to get documents. Nagle submitted records requests seeking emails between Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and various oil and gas leaders, both leading up to and after the McGirt decision. After the decision, Stitt formed a commission staffed with oil and gas leaders that made recommendations to Congress. Their recommendations were not adopted, but they had recommended that Congress not regard Indian countries as reservations and that the McGirt decision should be overturned. After not receiving her records, she contacted the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. The organizations lawyer Kathryn E. Gardner filed a lawsuit on Nagles behalf against Stitt and Attorney General John M. O'Connor, claiming both officials withholding of documents she requested violated the Oklahoma Department of Libraries Open Records Act. Nagle agreed to dismiss the lawsuit in 2023 after Stitt and OConnor produced more than 700 pages of email communications with various leaders leading up to the McGirt decision, which helped fill in gaps she needed for her reporting. Rebecca Nagle holds a copy of her new book By the Fire We Carry," which chronicles the fight for tribal sovereignty in Oklahoma. (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Nagle) Her first book, By the Fire We Carry, delves into the decades-long fight for tribal sovereignty after the Five Tribes were all relocated to Oklahoma. The Sharp v. Murphy (2020) decision led to tribal sovereignty rights for Oklahoma tribes and to the famous McGirt decision, which confirmed the rights given to the Muscogee Nation in the Sharp v. Murphy case. Nagles book closely explores the Sharp v. Murphy case, which involved the murder of Muscogee citizen George Jacobs by Muscogee citizen Patrick Murphy. Murphy was found guilty of second-degree murder in McIntosh County and sentenced to death in 2000. In 2020, the decision was overturned after a judge decided that since the crime happened on Indian territory, it should have gone to federal court under the Major Crimes Act. This was the first time the Muscogee Nation territory was federally recognized as a reservation. The McGirt decision was issued with the same line-of-thinking June 9, 2020, the same day as the Sharp decision. Both criminals on trial were given the opportunity for retrial in a tribal court, as they were tribal citizens who committed their crimes on tribal lands, which the court considered reservation territory, confirming federal recognition of the Muscogee reservation. Since these two decisions, eight other tribal reservations have been recognized in the state, and sovereignty was returned to all of the Five Tribes of Oklahoma, meaning they are only subject to tribal and federal law. Individual tribal members are also subject to tribal law if they committed their crime within their reservation boundaries, or federal law if their crime falls under the Major Crimes Act. A main character in Nagles book is her own Cherokee ancestor, Major Ridge. Major was a title that he adopted as his first name. He was one of the tribal leaders who agreed to give up the Cherokee homeland in Georgia before being relocated to Oklahoma. He was later murdered for his perceived betrayal. Nagle writes Ridges decision as one not of betrayal, but of survival, as her ancestor hoped relocation might save his peoples lives when U.S. president Andrew Jackson had been threatening them. A Publishers Weekly review stated Nagle interweaves the complex courtroom drama with an empathetic, harrowing recap of the 1999 murder. Nagles narrative is lucid and moving, especially as she uses archival sources to recreate the mounting terror experienced by Native peoples in the Southeast as violent mobs of outsiders swarmed onto their land. Its a showstopper." Nagle also hosts the podcast, This Land, on Crooked Media, which tells the story of custody battles of Native children that became a federal lawsuit, threatening tribal sovereignty. Magic City Books will be hosting her book-launch Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa. Muscogee Nation former chief James Floyd, who was in office during the McGirt decision, will be in attendance, as well as Muscogee elder Rosemary McCombs Maxey and Phlip Tinker, an Osage lawyer who worked on the McGirt case on behalf of the Muscogee Nation. This story is co-published by the Tulsa World and ICT, a news partnership that covers Indigenous communities in the Oklahoma area. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. Long-time GOP campaign treasurer gets probation; Frank LaRose calls it a slap on the wrist William Curlis, who worked for more than 100 candidates over the past four decades including at the Ohio Statehouse, pleaded guilty to wire fraud related to the theft of nearly $1 million from campaigns. A federal judge sentenced long-time GOP campaign treasurer William Curlis to five years probation and ordered him to pay $795,282 in restitution. Curlis, who worked for more than 100 candidates over the past four decades, pleaded guilty to wire fraud related to the theft of nearly $1 million from campaigns. He admitted that he defrauded candidates between 2008 and 2023, writing more than 175 checks to himself for personal use from the political accounts. Curlis served as treasurer to local, state and federal campaigns, often as the only signatory on accounts and he frequently discouraged candidates from having access to bank statements without his oversight, prosecutors said. Last year, state Sen. Stephanie Kunze, R-Hilliard; former Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien and Franklin County Engineer Cornell Robertson filed complaints with the Ohio Elections Commission about Curlis. The U.S. Attorney's office filed the federal charges against Curlis in April. Judge James L. Graham sentenced Curlis on Friday in U.S. District Court. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, whose office assisted in the investigation, said the penalty is too light given the crime. Im glad justice has been served in this case, but Im disappointed in the sentence compared to the crimes this person committed, LaRose said in a written statement. The sentence sends a message that you can willfully defraud victims and get away with a relative slap on the wrist. Hundreds of Ohioans had their money stolen by a greedy con artist, and the Public Integrity Division of my office worked hard to assist with his conviction. 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: GOP campaign treasurer Bill Curlis sentenced in federal court Looking for work? More than 1,500 opportunities available at Utah virtual job fair SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Utah Department of Workforce Services will be hosting a statewide virtual job fair with more than 1,500 open positions needing to be filled in several different fields. The free-to-attend job fair will open on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and can easily be attended through a computer or smartphone. Job seekers will find 40 Utah employers offering positions in health care, machinery manufacturing, transportation, education, banking, sales, government, aerospace and defense, and more. With Utahs continued strong job market, there are many opportunities for Utahns to find a new job or take the next step in their careers, said Liz Carver, the director of Workforce Development. The virtual job fair offers a convenient way to browse job postings, share your resume, and engage with employers to learn more about companies across the state. We encourage anyone interested in finding new opportunities to attend the event. Utah ranks as one of the happiest states in the country, study says Job seekers joining the virtual fair should come prepared with their resume and a professional photo uploaded to their online profile. Attendees will be able to see a digital floor plan with rows of booths representing different employers. Workforce Services said clicking on a booth will present attendees with the companys profile, open positions, and links to their social media. They can also start a live chat with a representative, and share their resume. Employers can then schedule an interview, do a one-on-one chat, or even offer a job on the spot. Anyone interested in attending the virtual job fair is encouraged to pre-register and create an account or sign in to my Job Search on the Workforce Services website. In addition to the virtual job fair, Workforce Services will be offering two online workshops on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The first will be at 10 a.m. and the second is scheduled for 1 p.m. Both are designed to help job seekers get the most out of the virtual fair. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The 74 is partnering with Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the A Nation At Risk report. Hoovers A Nation At Risk +40 research initiative spotlights insights and analysis from experts, educators and policymakers as to what evidence shows about the broader impact of 40 years of education reform and how Americas school system has (and hasnt) changed since the groundbreaking 1983 report. Below is the projects conclusion, penned by Margaret Raymond. (See our full series) In 1983, the National Commission on Excellence in Education (NCEE) released A Nation at Risk (ANAR), which issued a wake-up call, named the state of US education a crisis, and presented thirty recommendations for action. It bears noting that the Commissions recommendations were targeted in focus and scope, leaving the prevailing one best district-based education model intact. We will never know whether larger-scaled interventions were considered or not. Whatever the genesis, the final recommendations left education policymakers with an organizational checklist, and as the essays in this series have demonstrated, they responded accordingly. A Nation at Risk + 40 brought together twelve exceptional scholars and thought leaders to review the nations response to the Commissions challenge. At the outset of this research collaboration, compiling the record of forty years of school improvement efforts and summarizing the available evidence of their respective impacts on student outcomes appeared straightforward, if even a bit tedious. It turned out to be anything but that. Each of the twelve essays fulfilled its assignment. In each strand of investigation, the authors documented the evolution of improvement activity and where it exists described the degree to which the efforts paid off. On its own, every one of the essays makes an important contribution to our ongoing national conversation about the critical state of the public K12 education sector. While we make no claim that the scope of inquiry was definitive, the separate reviews cover billions of dollars in major programs and initiatives pursued by districts, states, and philanthropy. Many of these initiatives were incentivized by Congress and span Republican and Democratic presidential administrations. Our authors offer their own recommendations that, if followed, hold promise to improve conditions in the spheres they examined. Related 40 Years after A Nation at Risk: What Worked, and Meeting the Challenges Ahead The research collaborative delivered an even more valuable asset, as the result is far more than the sum of the parts. Until the essays were gathered into a collection, the aggregate record of attempts to improve the K12 education system in the United States was uncharted and unrecognized. We know of no other compilation that illuminates the sheer breadth of reform activity. For the first time, we can compare the impacts across different areas of investment. Beyond this, taking the full collection as a whole augments the strand-specific recommendations with several crosscutting observations to inform future action. What did we do? There can be no dispute that, as a nation, we certainly tried hard to fix the problem. Practically speaking, we addressed every node that was mentioned by the Commission and several that werent. It is remarkable how doggedly educators, policy leaders, advocates, and funders have augmented policy and practice with interventions. The sheer volume and spread of reform efforts are worth examining, as they begin to shed light on the situation we currently face in public K12 education. Other scholars (Hattie 2023) have used evaluations and other research to rank the impact on student performance of various reforms. The impact estimates are drawn from a vast collection of meta analyses, yielding a super-meta-analysis that rank-orders reported results across different interventions. The rankings are widely interpreted as the definitive, adjudicated, and authoritative guide to improving student performance. In statehouses, state education agencies, and school districts, the rankings have taken on mythic proportions in guiding policy decisions about school improvement. It is easy to see the appeal. The aim is noble, and the appetite is intense. Sadly, deeper inquiry into the rankings shows significant problems with the work: the desire to be expansive sits in tension with the need to apply stringent criteria about which meta-analyses are fed into the rankings. We learned that the underlying quality of the reform interventions themselves and the rigor of the research about their effects varied widely. To illustrate with a hypothetical: in the rankings, one thousand low-quality interventions with medium-strength evidence receive higher weight than one hundred high-quality interventions with a high-quality evaluation. The concerns go beyond the problem of the quality of evidence. The implication for policymaking and educator practice is that the rankings encourage devotion to one or two marginal adjustments to schooling at the expense of lower-ranked options. The greatest risk lies in overlooking emerging successes for years until the next update to the rankings occurs. Wishing to avoid a similar result, we chose a different approach to exploring the body of evidence. Beyond the notable volume of reform efforts attempted over the past forty years, it is useful to consider the points of the system that the various reforms were designed to change. This is important because many of the checklist items from ANARs recommendations aim at strengthening only one facet of the K12 system, and the Commission did not offer recommendations on mixing, matching, or stacking multiple reform efforts. The stability of the basic model of US K12 public education over four decades is advantageous for our purposes because it supports a generalized theory of action, sometimes called a logic model. Theories of action specify the types of capital, staffing, and other resources that are needed to provide K12 education. Theories of action also detail the policies and practices that are followed. Inputs and processes combine to produce a near-term result referred to as outputs. The eventual value of the results is identified as outcomes. With this lens, we classify the policies, programs, and initiatives discussed by the essay authors in order to learn about the targets and yields of reform activity. To be clear, some improvement efforts span our classification categories (e.g., some professional development includes input and process features); these are assigned by their most prevalent attributes. Our authors are highly sensitive to the availability and caliber of research and evaluation. In many areas, such as public school choice and inclusion of master teachers in educator preparation programs, no evidence exists. In other areas, impact information is hindered by studies involving few examples, fuzzy specifications, or weak counterfactuals. Evaluative studies of school-based health centers and socio-emotional learning are examples where evidence of impact is lacking. The field of impact studies has evolved in constructive ways, but it still hinges critically on a weak commitment to objective assessment of impacts and the discipline to incorporate the insights into practice. Inputs A preponderance of the improvement efforts identified by the authors sought to adjust the inputs used by the education system. These include teacher-focused efforts such as alternative certification and incentive pay arrangements, adding school-based health centers, strengthening early childhood programs, and overhauling curriculum. System-focused input changes seek to expand the variety of inputs or the overall structure of the system, whereas marginal input reforms seek to improve the quality of the selective resources within the existing stock. Taken together, these efforts aimed to enrich the ingredients in the recipe for K12 education. Focusing reform attention on adjusting the quantity, quality, or intensity of a factor before it is used keeps the reform at arms length from the actual production of education. Think of upgrading tires on a race car the improvement to the equipment takes place offline and then is brought online in the hopes of improved performance. The evidence shows that the range of impacts for inputs-focused reforms run from zero to as much as three-quarters of a year of additional achievement for students. About half the input reforms have negligible or no effect on student academic achievement. The options that show no impact share the attribute of shallow or isolated treatmenta few hours of professional development or play-based preschool. For both system-focused and marginal input reforms, positive results point to interventions that have significant weight, scale, and duration to create and sustain the momentum for change. As examples, we see this in the small-schools movement (systems focused) and in laser-focused teacher professional development (marginal adjustments). Input reforms assume that the rest of the system will respond organically to the change in the treated input. As the evidence shows, many efforts provided too little leverage to lift the rest of the operation. Worse, an exclusive input focus ignores the possible interactions with other components that may react in different ways than expected. Processes Process reforms aim to change the way education is created, delivered, and monitored by schools and their oversight bodies. To extend the recipe analogy, processes are the mixing and cooking instructions. Marginal process reforms attempt to mix inputs in new ways or interact inputs with new policies or protocols. Systemwide process changes try to ubiquitously reengineer old ways of doing things to produce better results, such as the experience of adopting the IMPACT teacher evaluation and compensation initiative in Washington, DC, or implementing a digital learning platform across all the middle schools in a district. Given the challenges of designing and implementing new programs, it is little wonder that our authors found fewer process reform examples in their scans. Across the essays, the authors identified three general areas of process reforms. Teacher professional development falls largely into the process categoryselected areas of knowledge and skills are targeted to expand the capacity of teachers to perform their duties. This differs from input reforms, which are directed toward improving the number or quality of candidates at the point of hiring. The available evidence suggests that for much of the past forty years, there was little or no effect from a large proportion of professional development. Recent evidence, however, shows positive impacts when the programs are strictly focused, multifaceted, and sustained, producing between one and four months of extra achievement. Incentive programs for higher teacher performance have strong impacts on student academic achievement for their duration, from about two months to an extra year of added achievement. However, these impacts are largely one sided; they did not induce low-performing teachers to move up or move out. Rather, they provided financial and work assignment flexibility incentives for teachers. Similar programs that trade extra compensation for teaching in the most challenging settings also produce strong student gains of similar magnitudes. Both types of reforms are highly vulnerable to political disruption at all points of the program, especially if teachers participation requires evaluation of their performance. Technology adoptions can also be classified as process reforms. Once technology has been purchased and distributed, it serves a process function. The evidence of impact from the broad provision of education technologies has, for the most part, been disappointing, showing no impact and substantial stranding of investments. Despite that general trend, however, a number of significant and strongly positive examples of technology-supported education have emerged as promising proof points. The third area of process reforms occurs at the governance level of the system. Since ANARs release, states have changed the way they fill key positions on their boards of education and within the Council of Chief State School Officers. The change in appointment mechanisms is a process change whose influence is systemwide. Likewise, changes in district school boards to a portfolio management model also flow across the district system. The evidence on these governance changes has been mixed. It is clear that important differences exist between systemwide process changes and those that are marginal in nature. Some process reforms can work only if introduced systemwide, such as adoption of student safety protocols or school-based disciplinary programs; a half a loaf approach wont work. Alternatively, marginal process change can be narrow in scope, in terms of either the focus of the reform or the organizational level that is targeted. Pilot programs are a clear example. In marginal process reforms, the rest of the schooling equation remains untouched. The balance between systems and marginal processes can shift either way depending on the interplay of cost, the scope of the planned innovation, friction with adjacent policies or practices, and political resistance. Moreover, estimating the effects of process changes is technically and practically more difficult than measuring the effects of input shifts. The interactions of new processes with other factors and their dynamic nature over time create complexity that is difficult to measure. The body of evidence is therefore smaller than exists for input-focused changes. New instructional models such as discovery or expeditionary learning are process changes. The evidence on these is thin, except for personalized learning modalities, which show strongly positive effects on learning gains and graduation rates. Likewise, the expansion of technology equipment, connectivity, and contentin schools is a process change that has altered the way curriculum and instruction are organized and deployed. The impacts are sobering: unused resources cannot advance learning, but where strong implementation occurs, we also see improved student academic achievement. The final set of process changes can be grouped as infusion efforts. Extended school years appear not to improve student results, but additional time in focused instruction helps; the extra time matters only if it is used well. Similarly, teacher and leader professional learning programs are seen as a mixed bag. As with extra time in school, the evidence shows that focused and targeted experience can produce positive impacts on student learning, but those conditions do not appear to be the norm. Although they have a smaller evidence base, process reforms deal with larger segments of the education enterprise than inputs. Those that work share the attribute of internal design coherence, even if they do not fit well into the rest of the system. Finally, the larger the process reform, the more of a political target it offers to opponents. Outputs When we consider the near-term results of elementary and secondary education or the milestones on the way to reach these results, we are discussing outputs. These are the immediate products that reflect the end state that inputs and processes have created. In K12 education, common outputs include meeting learning benchmarks for grade promotion, satisfying graduation requirements, and implementing performance measures for teachers and leaders. It bears noting that outputs are agnostic to inputs and processes: many combinations are possible to create a particular output. Systems-oriented improvement efforts have been judged by both outputs and outcomes. In Cami Andersons essay on the results of districtwide reform strategies in Newark, New Jersey (chapter 12), early childhood enrollment increases of 35 percentage points were one output. Another was the rise of 20 points in the percent of Black students enrolled in above-average schools, followed by significant early gains in reading achievement and eventual gains in math. Ironically, the impressive improvements in Newark were not tallied to be a successful outcome, largely because of friction in the community and with elected leaders. Similar efforts under the US Department of Education School Improvement Program did not create positive results. There are other examples of reforms that aim to change outputs. Redirecting school board activity to prioritize academics and student learning has been shown to produce positive movement on outcome measures for schools and districts. The largest efforts to move outputs of elementary and secondary schooling lie in the national adoption of accountability programs. The consequential approach to school-based accountability advanced by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) improved learning by one half per year of student achievement and narrowed achievement gaps between groups of students. High school graduation rates increased by 15 percentage points with concomitant increases in college enrollments. These improvement trends persisted through 2015, but they have all but reversed over the past eight years, with student learning falling dramatically over the course of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Other efforts to affect teacher preparation programs also looked at outputs, but to no avail: current teacher certification exams are unable to predict future variations in teachers performance once they are in the classroom. Other common indicators, such as academic credentials or years of experience (also inputs), are similarly disconnected from future teacher performance. Finally, some reform activities deliberately circumvent mainstream institutions and channels in an attempt to create better outputs. Extra-system initiatives can take the form of inputs or processes, or they can combine the two. Some options that have shown positive impacts for student results include mayoral control (significant gains in achievement and better fiscal controls) and gubernatorial appointment of state board members (better performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress assessments). As noted by other scholars, school choice can arise within, across, or outside of school systems (Lake 2020). Intradistrict school choice redistributes seats in schools by changing the way students are assigned to schools; it aims to improve the outputs for the students who access better classrooms. As a process reform, it is associated with stronger achievement in math for minority students. Interdistrict choice is rare, and its effects are not well studied. Charter schools operate in a separate policy stream and deliver stronger growth and achievement in reading and math, especially in urban charter school networks (CREDO 2023). For vouchers, the impact for students on balance has not been positive; the evidence on vouchers shows weaker achievement for enrolled students even as they create positive spillover impacts on public schools. Other efforts that move outside the usual institutional arrangements are less understood. Newer options such as education savings accounts (ESAs) and microschools have yet to be examined in depth. Related The Terrible Truth: Current Solutions to COVID Learning Loss Are Doomed to Fail Outcomes In an education theory of action, outcomes are the final results of the entire enterprise. Outcomes differ from outputs because they apply external standards and criteria to the nominal outputs to make judgments about what is good enough. So, while outputs may be expressed as test scores, CTE credentials, or course completions, when we apply evaluation standards such as postsecondary readiness, we are making judgments about the performance that was produced. Since ANAR was released, we have gained clarity, if not conviction, about what we intend our schools to produce. Performance frameworks that illustrate the results that stakeholders deem desirable have grown in number and complexity. Across the country, charter school authorizers and state and local school boards use performance frameworks as central elements of school and district oversight and accountability. Newer examples of our collective expectations are seen in the work in some states to define the profile of a graduate, setting explicit criteria for what a high school diploma should represent. By law, every state reports publicly on how its students and schools are performing. State-issued report cards for districts and schools generally include demographic information for teachers and students, operational and financial information, and student academic performance information. States set thresholds for student and school performance expectations, though these thresholds vary a lot. Whatever their aspirations, we are not in vastly different territory today than in 1983. Disappointing outcomes (e.g., high school math performance) have even prompted attempts to improve the optics by diluting some of the criteria (such as watering down the instructional frameworks or course requirements), but such maneuvers do nothing to alter the underlying reality. Insights from the audience As Walt Kellys cartoon character Pogo said, We have met the enemy and he is us. Indeed, the staggering array of treatments, interventions, redesigns, and innovations that our authors identified makes it a challenge to rationalize our collective experience into any semblance of order. If we had aimed for chaos at the outset, it is hard to imagine a better result. Despite the cacophony, the catalog of activity amassed by the authors supports a few observations about our forty-year effort to reform that hold potential for illuminating future directions for elementary and secondary education in our country. After identification, we can characterize the record of reform efforts with six Is: impulsive, incremental, incoherent, impatient, intransigent, and ineffective, as discussed below. Impulsive Most of the reforms were adopted at full scaleacross an entire state or the nation. Many efforts to push programs across states or regions had roots in advocacy pressure to move reforms quickly. Many state leaders were game to bring new policies to their state if they were perceived as having been successful elsewhere, as it reduced the perception of risk and provided an existing model to copy. Doing the here, too dance hobbled the new adopters in two ways. It skipped over analysis of the fit of the reform in the local contextand the important variation in local contexts on the receiving end. It is impossible in hindsight to determine how many of the mixed result outcomes stemmed from differences in the settings on the ground, but it seems safe to say local contours were likely overlooked as most of the programs or policies were advanced. It is also true that jurisdiction-wide adoption curtailed the ability to evaluate implementation and impacts in real time, so valuable learning was lost at the get-go. Incremental The most pervasive attribute is the incremental nature of the interventions. This stems in part from the original recommendations of the ANAR Commission, framed as commonsensical and achievable changes. The commitment to incrementalism continued even when earlier efforts proved ineffective. One might argue that it made sense to aim small to soften implementation friction. The record suggests otherwise. Because the interventions were mostly narrowly focused, not only did they lack the scope or initial scale necessary to drive needed system changes, but in their sheer volumeso many reforms in so many areasthey led to a reform fatigue that lasts to this day. It is important to note that the essays identified examples of successful reform that did not involve incremental adjustments. Systemwide efforts as described for Newark and new systems building as seen with charter schools have larger blueprints and therefore greater areas for change. Incoherent A third observation is that most of the changes undertaken over the past decades were launched with no consideration for how the reform would interact with the rest of the K12 system. Changes to piece parts were designed and adopted as autonomous endeavors. This partially explains why many innovations fail to scale effectively. This does not mean that things were only tried one at a time. Many examples exist of multiple incremental reforms launched simultaneously without an understanding of the interplay between them or with the rest of the equation. Reforms were bolted on, one after another, without regard for how they fit together. And each one that was added diluted the impact of the others. The resulting lack of coherence often led to unintended consequences that were never even considered, much less planned for. One important implication of incoherence is a lost opportunity to ensure that stakeholders especially the ground-level personnelfunction with an understanding of the way the system works and how they belong in it; a well-crafted plan of action can provide that. A second implication is that it is difficult to objectively learn from experience, especially from unsuccessful ventures. When the general model is unorganized, it is hard to assign causality, for example, between lack of implementation fidelity of a sound design and a design that does not fit the context it is meant to improve. Impatient A separate issue that permeates the essays is the (often unstated) expectation that improvement efforts produce large demonstrable results almost immediately and without regard to the time requirements of the change being made. Changes to organizational culture need to occur rapidly, but other changes take time. Shifts in instructional methods often require more than a single year to stabilize enough to know how well they work. Incorporating new systems such as new-teacher onboarding can take even longer to reveal their true value and impact. The expectation of quick results creates multiple harms. It doesnt give the good parts time to take root or provide the space to iterate toward success. Moreover, it seeds unrealistic expectations about the diligence needed to give new approaches their due. From a political vantage, it gives the doubters and pouters a head start on declaring new reforms a failure. It also contributes to the carousel, as one teacher described it: I dont have to do anything but waitin three years there will be something new. Compounding the problem, the governance side of the equation needs strong and enduring leadership to be patient with complicated, multifaceted reform efforts and to plan and invest for the long term. Even if the enabling conditions are understood and a proven scaling strategy is in placesuch as with charter management organizationswhen the reform in question needs ten to twenty years to come to fruition, rapid turnover cycles of education leaders lose important institutional knowledge, and politicians are short on patience (or incentive) to see it through. All too often, the time needed to see results is longer than the amount of time politicians have in their seats, and it does not line up with the cyclical campaign and election cycle. Shortrun wins are coveted by political actors seeking to establish a record of success on which to build advancement. The bias toward quick returns and the lack of political will or appetite to invest in long-run solutions have a serious trickle-down effect: (1) a constant churn of reform that does not give space or time to realize success and (2) systems that learn to wait out the current wave of reforms, as this, too, shall pass. When the need for improvement is glaring but the actors in legislatures and education agencies prioritize their own short-run interests, we face compound system failure. Intransigent The authors carefully identified examples of reforms that produced positive student learning impacts, but many were subject to political interference or failed to perform at scale. Still, the examples show what may be possible. What they do not show is the complementing picture of the myriad reforms that went nowhere and evaporated into history. There is no tally of their number. But anecdotal reports have consistently told the story of reform churn. Charles Paynes phrase, So much reform, so little change, seems to apply. Instead of forty years of sustained and coherent reform, we have forty short-run reforms that each last three years. School teams are introduced to new practices during the professional development days that accompany the start of school each fall, with short windows of time to prepare for deployment and little implementation support during the year. The school teams learn about impacts indirectly and often too late to try modifications. Decisions about continuing or terminating the effort usually do not include input from those on the front line. More often than not, new initiatives are quietly abandoned, with the cycle left to repeat itself the following year. It is notable that, despite this endless churn of reforms, the prevailing institutional structure of SEA, LEA school board, district administration, school leadership, grade/class grouping, teacher remains largely unchanged, despite repeated pressures on it to adapt. The possibility exists that the summative effect of all the efforts over the years has fostered a resiliency to any improvement effortsan adaptive state of resistance to change of its core activities. It may help to explain the tendency to shift focus to other facets of students, teachers, or teaching where ground may be more fertile for positive experience. There is no way to test this idea empirically, but it fits the pattern of the evidence and explains the abundant cynicism and burnout. Ineffective The strongest case for learning from our experience lies in our national trends on student performance. Given the authors reports, it is little wonder that, even before the blow to student learning of COVID-19 school closures, the long-run reports noted that US student performance was stagnant or in decline. Two considerations help to explain our current state. Part of the problem is that, apart from formal pilots, most reforms launch without considering how to learn from them. We are seriously underresourced across the sector in measuring local conditions and reform effectiveness. In addition, even after forty years, the system has significant internal inconsistencyit lacks a unified theory of how reform should be done. This essay collection recounts how many reforms were launched without a sufficient discussion of which level of the system (e.g., state, district, school) might be the most effective to lead the transformation efforts. Conclusion We face an even more daunting challenge today, which is that forty years of reform have exhausted everyone involved. The one thing we may have conclusively proven is that the system, as presently constituted, has been resilient to reforms at scale. A modern ANAR report might not fall on deaf earsthe need for school reform is realbut it would fall on ears that are tired of hearing about it. What is clear is that we have a thin collection of reforms that have been shown to work and that can scale. None of the proven reforms seek to integrate with other proven reforms to concentrate their success. The larger the scale of innovation/reform, the larger the political target it presents for opponents of change. What we do have is an impressive record of what not to do. We cant assume that ideas that have been proven effective in one setting will be effective in every setting. We cant expect change at the margins (no matter how well they are done) to be able to leverage an entire school model. We cant impose reforms that ignore how the change affects other parts of the enterprise. We should accept these lessons as a form of learning in itself and perhaps the best final message of this exercise. Drawing on the six I impulsive, incremental, incoherent, impatient, intransigent, and ineffectivemay provide lodestars by which to assess new proposals toward more effective approaches to delivering strong education to our nations students. See the full Hoover Institution initiative: A Nation At Risk +40. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple urges residents to prepare for impacts from Tropical Storm Francine, which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane and make landfall in Louisiana later this week. Francine is currently projected to bring significant to life-threatening impacts to parts of Louisiana as soon as late Tuesday night, according to news release. All Louisianans should stay informed and take necessary precautions as this storm approaches, Temple said. Prepare your property by trimming your trees, buying supplies and creating a home inventory. Have an evacuation plan in the event your area becomes too dangerous. And be insurance ready, which means review your policy, discuss potential out-of-pocket costs with your agent and keep their information handy in case you need to file a claim. The Louisiana Department of Insurance offers the following tips for preparing for an imminent hurricane or tropical storm landfall: Be insurance ready: Homeowners insurance named storm (or hurricane) deductibles are typically 2% to 5% of your insured value. For example, if your home has an insured value of $200,000 with a 5% hurricane deductible, you will pay $10,000 out of pocket before insurance coverage takes effect. Details about these deductibles are listed on your policy declarations page. Prepare your property. Build an emergency kit and consider purchasing materials to board up your windows and make temporary repairs to your home in the event you take on damage. Trim trees around your home and secure loose outdoor items like patio furniture to prevent damage from broken branches and flying debris. Use your phone to take pictures of your property and belongings, including information like brand name and serial number. Having a record of your possessions will make the claims process easier in the event of property damage or loss. The NAIC Home Inventory App makes this easy and is available in the App Store and Google Play. Make an evacuation plan. Have copies of your insurance policies and your agents contact information ready to go in case of an emergency evacuation. This will enable you to start the claims process as soon as possible if your home is damaged in the storm. Learn how to prepare an evacuation route and more at getagameplan.org. Filing a claim. If your insured property is damaged during the storm, contact your insurer first to file a claim. If possible, have your policy number and an initial assessment of the damage ready, and make sure your insurance company knows how to contact you. Take photos of the damage before cleaning up, and dont throw away damaged items. You have an obligation to mitigate further damage by making temporary repairs like putting a tarp over a damaged roof or boarding up a broken window. Keep your receipts for these expenses. For more information, visit our website or call 1-800-259-5300. You can also download the new LDIConnect app, which provides easy access to resources like our Storm Claim Center and Consumer Services contact information, in the App Store and Google Play. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana Insurance Commissioner urges residents to prepare for storm In Louisiana, little stands in the way of taking down trees for development A live oak estimated at between 75 and 100 years old sits on an open lot in a Lake Charles neighborhood. Neighbors in a Lake Charles neighborhood are fighting to ward off a development that would remove a legacy live oak. (Jared Bellard/Louisiana Illuminator) LAKE CHARLES For months, one neighborhood has rallied to protect a legacy live oak from a proposed multifamily housing development, raising concerns about the lack of legal protections for old-growth trees in Louisiana. The developer has withdrawn his zoning request to the city just days before the next public meeting on the project, according to an email the Illuminator obtained from someone close to the proposed development. However, David Minton of Pentangeli Row Development has not ruled out returning to the Lake Charles Planning and Zoning Commission next month to seek approval for his project. City Councilman Stuart Weatherford confirmed that Pentangeli Rows contract with the property owner, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, has expired, and the property is now back on the market. I would presume that [new proposals] wouldnt be anything similar to what this proposal was, just because there was so much concern and pushback from the neighbors, Weatherford said. If approved, the Pentangeli Row development would include several duplex townhomes on a 2.4-acre lot, across from the Calcasieu Parish Librarys Central branch. The neighborhood primarily consists of single-family homes. Minton did not respond to requests for comment for this report. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Neighbors unite When notices about the development first appeared around the neighborhood, many heard alarm bells. Dominique Darbonne and her family live adjacent to the property. Once she saw the plans did not include the old oak she affectionately calls Mary, Darbonne joined neighbor Amie Johnson-Herbert to form Southwest Louisiana Save the Tree. They started a petition to save the oak, estimated to be 75 to 100 years old, that quickly gained almost 800 signatures. The tree was the gateway for me into getting to know my neighbors, Darbonne said, and to hear other peoples concerns about what was going on in the neighborhood. The area in question has always had a drainage issue, according to resident Sandy Barker. She worries that adding more concrete surface could make it worse. Many spoke against the development at city commission and council meetings in June, July and August, with additional concerns about privacy, heavier traffic and environmental preservation. A working group of 20 to 40 residents was quickly organized after the first meeting with the city zoning board in June. She [Darbonne] started with the tree, Barker said. I started with the drainage problem. My mom and dad helped form this diocese and this Catholic church, and the tree has always been here. Ive seen this tree all my life. Ive taken it for granted. Then we all came together. Neighbors Amie Johnson-Herbert, left, and Dominique Darbonne stand in front of the century-old oak tree they are fighting to save from development in Lake Charles. (Jared Ballard/Louisiana Illuminator) Laws to protect trees limited Organizers also consulted with William Guion, a fine art photographer and writer who believes every old oak tree has a story and has made it his lifes work to document as many of them as he can. Guion developed the 100 Oaks Project, a photo documentary of the oldest live oak trees across Louisiana. His project also involves resources for those trying to save oaks in their area. People understand the human connection to trees when they understand that they are part of the community, too, Guion said. They offer shade from the sun and help lower ambient temperatures compared with heat-radiating concrete. Trees also filter water and provide homes to numerous species of mammals, birds, insects and plants. If enough people get together and let their local representatives know that a tree is important to them, then something gets done, Guion said. According to neighborhood organizers, no ordinances in Lake Charles protect aging oak trees, and this is true for most of Louisiana. Last month in Gonzales, two historic oak trees were unexpectedly cut down to make space for a new business, leaving residents in shock. Scot Byrd, the citys chief administrative officer, said no state or local law exists to protect trees, according to the Gonzales Weekly Citizen. They were beautiful, for sure. It is a shame they couldnt save them, Byrd wrote on Facebook. In New Orleans, officials recently promised to issue a fine of over $20,000 if they could identify who illegally cut down a live oak in June, The Times-Picayune reported. The tree that stood along a sidewalk on St. Charles Avenue was planted in 2008. Its covered under a local ordinance that protects trees, but it only applies to trees on city property. Two years ago, Entergy New Orleans was fined $20,000 for removing a century-old live oak on the same avenue, The Times-Picayune reported. In 2021, then Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a law to protect the bald cypress, Louisianas official state tree, from being harvested. The measure, which gained unanimous support from the Legislature, does not apply to bald cypress on private property. Massive cypress trees, many more than 1,000 years old, once covered millions of acres in Louisiana before they became a preferred lumber source starting in the 1700s. By the early 1900s, the original growth cypress were cleared, and today very few second- and third-generation stands remain. Without any safeguards to protect them, significant live oaks and other trees in the South are threatened, according to Guion. A sprawling live oak stands in green space at the corner of West Claude and Ernest streets in Lake Charles on Aug. 29, 2024.(Jared Bellard/Louisiana Illuminator) Grass-roots approach Organizing for change is a diverse process. Neighbors near the Lake Charles site still have Stop Minton! signs in their yards. While some project opponents met with council members, others shared the online petition or voiced opposition at city hearings. One community member created a Save Our Neighborhood website to raise awareness and support for their movement. The site, created anonymously, has had more than 2,000 views since June and logged almost 400 monthly unique visitors. Mintons initial plans did not include keeping the legacy oak. But according to the most recent plans submitted to the city, Pentangeli Row Development reduced the number of lots planned from 32 to 24 and included a park/detention area with two oak trees set to remain on the property. However, critics argue that a concrete walkway in the new plans would encroach upon the trees root system, which can be two to three times larger than its widest branches. Neighborhood organizers spoke on the strength of their grassroots effort, stressing the need to connect in as many ways as possible. There are so many moving parts, Johnson-Herbert said. Theres a neighbor whos had a meeting with a city councilman. Another neighbor met with a police juror. Another neighbor met with nonprofits. The city council should be standing behind the neighborhood, Barker said, because they are the ones who pay taxes and vote them in or out of office. We tried to figure out a path where everybody wins It is important to unite, Darbonne said. There is strength in coming together with your neighbors, addressing each others concerns and organizing around the needs of your neighborhood. In cities and districts with reliable council members, I believe you will have the chance to enact some change. There are not many people who will stand up and speak for the oaks, Guion said. The best time to act, he added, is long before a tree is threatened with being cut down. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE There are a million and one ways to make a buck on Wall Street, but some methods are more reliable than others. If you're an investor looking for a way to beef up your passive income stream or you simply want big gains, buying dividend-paying stocks and holding them is a relatively easy way to make it happen. Dividend-payers have to manage their cash more carefully than non-dividend-payers, which leads to measurable benefits for investors. During the 50 years from 1973 through 2023, stocks in the benchmark S&P 500 index that paid dividends rose by 9.17% annually on average. Annual returns from non-dividend-payers in the same index are less than half at just 4.27% on average, according to Ned Davis Research and Hartford Funds. At the moment, shares of W.P. Carey (NYSE: WPC), AT&T (NYSE: T), and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) offer dividend yields of 5% or better. Here's why investors can expect them to outperform in the decade ahead. 1. W.P. Carey W.P. Carey is a large real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns 1,291 properties spread throughout the U.S. and Europe. This REIT takes a hands-off approach with net leases that transfer all the variable costs of building ownership, such as maintenance and taxes, to the tenant. Shares of W.P. Carey are down from their all-time peak because the company had to sell a lot of underperforming office buildings and slash its dividend accordingly. At recent prices, it offers a 5.7% yield that could grow significantly in the years ahead. Now that it's out of the office building space, industrial properties, and warehouses are responsible for a combined 64% of annual rent expectations. The REIT's tenant list is highly diversified with its four largest tenants responsible for less than 10% of its portfolio. This year, W.P. Carey expects adjusted funds from operations (FFO) to land in a range between $4.63 and $4.73 per share. This is heaps more than it needs to meet a dividend obligation currently set at $3.48 per share. With a pile of capital from office building sales available to reinvest, investors can reasonably expect this REIT's bottom line and its dividend payout to rise steadily in the decade ahead. 2. AT&T AT&T is another dividend payer that recently cut its payout in response to the sale of a large chunk of its overall business. In 2022, the company spun off its unpredictable media assets, so these days, it's purely a telecommunications business. At recent prices, the stock offers a 5.3% dividend yield. AT&T's telecom business is steadily growing along with America's need for both broadband and mobile internet services. The recent addition of a fixed wireless option helped second-quarter broadband sales rise 7% year over year. Story continues AT&T hasn't raised its dividend payout since spinning off its media assets. It's still focused on reducing a debt load that was still $126.9 billion at the end of June. AT&T could begin raising its dividend again soon. Over the past 12 months, the company generated a very healthy $20.9 billion in free cash flow and needed just $8.2 billion to meet its dividend commitment. That means there's plenty of profits available to reduce debt and maintain or raise its dividend commitment. 3. Pfizer Pfizer is still getting hit by rapidly shrinking demand for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Its stock price has been beaten down a long way from its previous peak, but the company has continued raising its dividend year after year. At recent prices, it offers a big 5.9% dividend yield. Second-quarter sales rose just 3% year over year. If we ignore contributions from its COVID-19 products, though, sales surged 14% year over year. Investments made with its COVID-related windfall give Pfizer a good chance to continue growing at a healthy pace. In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved nine new drugs, a new record. Big Pharma companies are made of many parts that move in different directions. Some of Pfizer's aging blockbusters are on the way down, but the company has over a dozen products that grew second-quarter sales by more than 10% year over year. With an unprecedented slew of new drugs to market, and an experienced global salesforce ready to market them, investors can look forward to steadily rising dividend payments from this stock for at least a decade. Should you invest $1,000 in W.P. Carey right now? Before you buy stock in W.P. Carey, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and W.P. Carey wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $630,099!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of September 3, 2024 Cory Renauer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 No-Brainer Dividend Stocks With Yields Above 5% You Can Buy Now and Hold at Least a Decade was originally published by The Motley Fool Lucky Puppy Rescue in need of volunteers to help assist with large kennel of puppies WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) The local motorcycle group MC Outlaws made a huge donation to the Lucky Puppy Rescue nonprofit. This comes over an evening poker run hosted by the motorcycle group. The Lucky Puppy Rescue is a nonprofit organization in Bonfay that focuses on restoring the health and shape of dogs that come to their property. Currently, the facility houses around 200 dogs. We started this in 2008. We came up here, bought some property to raise cattle, and the dogs started showing up. And so Terry decided to open a small rescue with five dogs and five went to 25. That went to 50. That went to 200. So we get dogs from several counties we get dogs from the shelters, individuals, the side of the road out, and pastures underneath buildings, Lucky Puppy employee Becky Lowrey said. Bay County Motorcycle club donated pounds of dog food to help feed 200 puppies Over the past 9 years, the MC Outlaws motorcycle group has hosted a poker event called Dog Days. The amount collected goes to Lucky Puppy. This year the group donated 3,000 pounds of dog food to the organization. Currently, we have close to 200 dogs and we are always in need of dog food. So this is a godsend to get this much food at this time. This will take us through probably another month where we can feed our dogs, feed all these unwanted dogs, Lowrey said. Lowrey says the Lucky Puppy needs help with assisting the overwhelming amount of dogs on their 125-acre property. We are desperately in need for volunteers. I know its a you know, an hour drive up here from Panama City or Tallahassee or whatever, but Im telling you, its outdoors. Youll see a lot of really good dogs. Theyre not in cages. Theyre not in pens. And you might even enjoy your day Lowery said. If youd like to donate, adopt, or volunteer at the Lucky Puppy Rescue facility, 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 mypanhandle.com. Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country. * Despite Donald Trumps dreadful August, the latest national poll of likely voters by The New York Times and Siena College found the former president narrowly leading Vice President Kamala Harris, 48% to 47%. (Click the link for information on the surveys methodology and margin of error.) * Speaking of 2024 polling, the latest CBS News/YouGov survey found Harris narrowly leading Trump in Wisconsin, 51% to 49%, and in Michigan, 50% to 49%. The same batch of results showed the two major-party nominees tied in Pennsylvania, 50% to 50%. (Click the link for information on the surveys methodology and margin of error.) * The final primaries of the 2024 cycle will be held this week in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Delaware, and there are some congressional and gubernatorial contests of note. * The Harris campaigns official website now has an issues page fleshing out the Democratic candidates vision on a variety of areas. * The Harris campaign also unveiled a new, minute-long television ad ahead of the vice presidents debate with Trump, shining a light on the high-profile members of the Republicans own team who (a) have denounced him; (b) oppose his re-election; or (c) both. A Politico report noted, The ad will run nationally on Fox News and in West Palm Beach home to Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort and Philadelphia media markets on Tuesday, the day he will debate Harris for the first time. NEW AD: Donald Trump is unfit for office. But dont just take our word for it. Listen to those who know him best.pic.twitter.com/87C1CG4guK Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) September 9, 2024 * In Texas, the latest University of Texas at Austin survey found Trump ahead in the Lone Star State, 49% to 44%, but just as importantly, the same poll showed incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz with a sizable lead over Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, 44% to 36%. (Click the link for information on the surveys methodology and margin of error.) * Appeals courts in Michigan and North Carolina ruled in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s favor late last week, removing the independent presidential candidates name from ballots in both of the battleground states. * Elon Musks America PAC is investing in new digital ads in support of Trumps candidacy, warning voters that the crazies will prevail if the former president loses. * And during her latest appearance on CBSs Face the Nation, Nikki Haley dodged questions about whether Trump is a good nominee. The South Carolina Republican nevertheless made herself available to campaign on behalf of her partys candidate who, at least so far, hasnt asked her to do anything on his behalf. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * An unsettling indictment: U.S. prosecutors unveiled criminal charges on Monday against two alleged leaders of a white supremacist gang, accusing them of soliciting attacks on Black, Jewish, LGBTQ people and immigrants in hopes of inciting a race war. The group, dubbed The Terrorgram Collective, used the social media site Telegram to celebrate white supremacist attacks around the world and solicit racially motivated violence, according to an indictment unsealed in federal court in Sacramento, California. * At the DOD: Passage of a six-month temporary spending bill would have widespread and devastating effects on the Defense Department, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said in a letter to key members of Congress on Sunday. * Democrats described this report as nakedly partisan, and they have a point: The Republican leadership of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Sunday released a sprawling report on the U.S. exit from Afghanistan three years ago, blasting President Joe Biden and his administration as the callous and dogmatic orchestrator of a foreign policy failure so extreme that it ranked far worse than even Americas catastrophic withdrawal from Vietnam in 1975. * In Kentucky: The search for the suspect accused of launching a mass shooting on a Kentucky highway over the weekend continues Monday as its revealed he had texted someone just 30 minutes prior that he intended to kill a lot of people. * Ninth Circuit: A federal appeals court on Friday partly reinstated firearm bans in California and Hawaii, finding that California could, for example, prohibit guns in parks, playgrounds and bars but not in banks or hospitals. The 3-0 ruling, by a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, said that the Supreme Courts current interpretation of gun rights was seemingly arbitrary and hard to explain at the moment. The courts findings applied only to laws in those two states. * A trial worth watching: On a busy Texas highway days before the 2020 election, former Democratic lawmaker Wendy Davis used her phone to record the scene unfolding around their Biden-Harris campaign bus: A convoy of President Donald Trump supporters weaving close while her fellow passengers called 911 for help. In a federal court in Austin on Monday, a jury watched the video filmed by Davis who ran for governor in 2014 on the first day of a civil trial that seeks to hold some of those Trump supporters responsible for what Davis and others on the bus say was an intimidating threat of political violence. * I dont care that Alito received concert tickets, but I do care who gave him the tickets: On his most recent financial disclosure form, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. reported a single gift: $900 concert tickets from a German princess known for her links to conservative activists. * And speaking of SCOTUS: Justice Elena Kagan on Monday outlined how the Supreme Courts new ethics code could be improved if it had an enforcement mechanism, rejecting claims that the idea she has proposed would be ineffective. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com There are still far too many voices in American politics who like to pretend that Russia has never even tried to attack the U.S. political system and has made no efforts to help elevate Donald Trump to power. The last several days, however, have made those Americans denials unsustainable. Last week, for example, Biden administration officials announced a series of efforts intended to combat the Kremlins 2024 election-related efforts the latest in a series including sanctions and a criminal indictment against two employees of the state-owned RT media network who were accused of conspiring to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Soon after, the Justice Department indicted a contributor to a Russian state-run TV channel who also happens to be a former adviser to Donald Trump charging him and his wife with violating U.S. sanctions and money laundering. It was against this backdrop that The Washington Post reported on Saturday, The Russian governments covert efforts to sway the 2024 presidential election are more advanced than in recent years, and the most active foreign threat this political season, U.S. intelligence officials said Friday. In a briefing with reporters late last week, the Posts report noted, a senior official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence explained that Russias activities are more sophisticated than in prior election cycles, with the Kremlin relying on authentic U.S. voices to launder Russian government propaganda and spread socially divisive narratives. All of these tactics, the report added, are intended to shape the outcome in favor of former president Donald Trump. Confronted with all of this new information, the Republican Partys 2024 nominee forcefully denounced Russian intervention in American politics, rejected Moscows assistance, and warned Vladimir Putin that there would be consequences for trying to undermine the U.S. system. No, Im just kidding. Trump actually defended Russia and told voters to see the Kremlin as a victim of U.S. officials. The GOP candidates pushback began on Friday morning when he declared that his own country was perpetrating a scam. Trump is ranting in NYC after appealing his defamation verdict against a woman a jury determined he had sexually assaulted pic.twitter.com/YkMvsUTiDP Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 6, 2024 Notably, as part of the set of unscripted comments, the former president said, I havent spoken to anybody from Russia in years. They know that. It was a curious denial, since the latest allegations havent publicly touched on any communications between Trump and Russia. He appeared to be answering a question that no one had asked. A day later, the Republican brought up the subject again at a rally in Wisconsin, boasting that the whole world is laughing at the U.S. Justice Department for taking Russian election interference seriously. Trump: And they said just the other day, the attorney general, we are looking at Russia. And I said, oh, no, it's Russia, Russia, Russia all over again. But they don't look at China and they don't look at Iran. They look at Russia. I don't know what it is with poor Russia. pic.twitter.com/CFnqfI8htB Acyn (@Acyn) September 7, 2024 Trump concluded, I dont know what it is with poor Russia, suggesting the foreign adversary attacking the United States is somehow deserving of sympathy. All of this came on the heels of the GOP candidate talking up the possibility of lifting U.S. sanctions against Russia, which came weeks after Trump publicly congratulated Russia over a historical prisoner swap. Which came on the heels of the Republican pointing to Putin for validation to justify his position on Ukraine. Which came on the heels of the former American president celebrating the fact that Putin was echoing his talking points about the 2024 election and Trumps multiple criminal indictments. Which came on the heels of Trump telling a Mar-a-Lago audience how smart Putin was for invading a neighboring country. Which came on the heels of Trump describing Putins invasion of Ukraine as genius and part of a wonderful strategy. Which came on the heels of years worth of Trump kowtowing, genuflecting, and repeatedly showing abject weakness toward his Russian ally. Is it any wonder why Moscow is going to considerable lengths to shape the outcome in favor of former president Donald Trump? This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com After his election victory in 2016, Donald Trump routinely boasted that he succeeded in part by winning a majority of women voters. That, of course, wasnt true: The Republican won a majority of white women, which led him to suggest that women of color, in a rather literal sense, didnt count. According to exit polling, there was a significant gender gap in the 2016 race, with Hillary Clinton finishing with a roughly 12-point advantage among women voters, even as the GOP ticket prevailed with men. Four years later, the gap was even more pronounced, with Joe Biden defeating the then-incumbent by roughly 15 points among women. Somebody said women dont like Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee recently boasted to supporters in Pennsylvania. Thats wrong. I think they love me; I love them. The affection, according to the data, appears to be, at best, decidedly one-sided. The question, however, is whether Vice President Kamala Harris will be able to fare at least as well as the other recent Democratic nominees. For his part, Trump seems surprisingly eager to lend a hand and alienate as many women as possible. A New York Times report summarized: If any voters had forgotten that Donald J. Trump was accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct, he spent roughly 45 minutes reminding them on Friday, eight weeks before Election Day. At a lectern in the lobby of Trump Tower, Mr. Trump, flanked by seven of his lawyers, laid out years-old allegations from the women in detail as he denied that they were telling the truth. A jury in New York already found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll earlier last year, and the former president attended a court hearing on Friday in which his lawyers asked an appeals court to reject the jurys verdict. (The Republican did not attend the trial, but he apparently wanted to be there for last weeks court proceedings.) Soon after, the GOP candidate delivered unhinged remarks at Trump Tower it was described as a press conference, though he refused to answer a single question in which he not only made outrageous comments about Carroll and the recent trial, but also thought itd be a good idea to remind everyone about a different woman who also accused him of sexual misconduct. As part of his defense, Trump seemed to suggest he didnt find the woman attractive enough to attack. Trump brings up another woman who has accused him of sexual assault, describes the incident in detail, and says "she would not have been the chosen one." (Watch the expressions on his lawyers' faces) pic.twitter.com/K92OPiJw6s Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 6, 2024 I know youre going to say its a terrible thing to say, but it couldnt have happened, the Republican said referring to the accuser. He added that she would not have been the chosen one. She would not have been the chosen one. As a Washington Post analysis noted soon after, The chosen one being the one he would choose to assault? Even the most generous interpretation of his bizarre comment makes it hard to conclude otherwise. A week earlier, Trump also thought itd be appropriate to amplify an online item that suggested Harris traded sexual favors to advance her career. A New York Times report added that the repost was the second time in 10 days that the former president shared content from his personal account making sexually oriented attacks on Ms. Harris. A few days later, the Republican nominee told Fox News that Democrats are demeaning women and theyre marginalizing women. I realize that Trump has excelled at the Im-rubber-youre-glue approach to the public discourse, but for him to accuse Democrats of demeaning and marginalizing women, as he demeaned and marginalized women wasnt just bewildering, it was the sort of thing that should make the gender gap worse. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Former Rep. Liz Cheney, who served as the House Republican Conference chair as recently as three years ago, gave the political world a jolt last week when she publicly endorsed Kamala Harris Democratic ticket. It was a timely reminder that for those who value democracy above all other considerations, principle must come before party. Just as notable was the news from her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, who also endorsed Harris late last week. In the recent past, the idea that this hawkish, lifelong conservative Republican, known for his unrelenting partisanship and proudly telling a Senate Democratic leader, Go f--- yourself, would publicly back a Democratic presidential candidate seemed unthinkable, but the Wyoming Republican said in a written statement, In our nations 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump. ... As citizens, we each have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution. For his part, Trump responded by describing the former vice president as a RINO, offering a timely reminder that the Republican In Name Only label no longer has any meaning. Nevertheless, after last weeks news, it wasnt long before some started wondering whether Cheneys former partner in the White House might follow his lead. As NBC News reported, thats apparently not going to happen. Former President George W. Bush does not plan to endorse a candidate for president, his office told NBC News on Saturday. When asked whether the former president or his wife, Laura, would endorse a candidate or make public how they will vote, Bushs office said no. This comes four years after Bush also remained neutral in the 2020 presidential race. (After the election, the former president said he wrote in former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for president on his 2020 ballot.) At this point, its worth pausing to appreciate the bigger picture. Barring any surprises or dramatic reversals, the Republican Partys 2024 presidential candidate wont have the support of his partys 2000, 2004 or 2012 presidential nominees. Whats more, Trump also wont have the support from the GOPs 2000, 2004, 2012, 2016 or 2020 vice presidential nominees. Regardless of what one might think of these former officials and their highly controversial records, an important question hangs overhead: When was the last time a major-party White House hopeful failed to receive endorsements from so many of their own partys national candidates? The answer is never. In the American tradition, it has literally never happened. There have been occasional intraparty fights along these lines Teddy Roosevelt made little effort to hide his frustrations with William Howard Taft, for example but theres no precedent for the kind of resistance Trump is facing from his own partys recent national nominees. Bushs office told NBC News on Saturday, President Bush retired from presidential politics years ago. Maybe so. But Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have also retired, and theyre not only enthusiastic proponents of Harris candidacy, they were also celebrated at their partys recent national convention. The Republican convention, in contrast, featured zero former presidents speaking in support of Trump. It led The Bulwarks Jonathan Last to recently note, Thats a portrait of two institutions: One institution in harmony with its legacy and continuing to evolve in such a way as to hold its coalition together. The other institution in a state of convulsion. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Authorities in Madrid have announced that they will revoke the operating licenses of e-scooter rental companies Lime, Dott and Tier a move that will see rented e-scooters banished from the streets of the Spanish capital. City mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida announced the decision on Thursday, and the local council published a statement saying the three companies had failed to meet the conditions set out in their permits, which were granted in May 2023. The council said the companies blocked its efforts to inspect their operations by not providing required information or granting access to their interfaces. Nonetheless, it said, it had managed to ascertain that they had not met the terms of the permits. These failures include a lack of service across the whole city, a lack of insurance coverage and the absence of technology that prevents the vehicles from circulating or parking in prohibited areas, it said. Lime, Dott and Tier were the companies selected to offer e-scooter rental in Madrid, with permits granted for 2,000 scooters each. The councils decision means rental scooters will disappear from the city from October, it said. Once the process of revoking the permits has started, the companies will have 20 days to appeal the decision, it added. A spokesman for Dott told CNN on Monday that the company had received an official notification from Madrid city hall on Thursday. We are now assessing the situation of shared e-scooters service and are waiting for a meeting with Madrid municipality before taking any decision, the spokesman said in a statement. We expect that a constructive dialogue is possible with the municipality to understand the reasons for the announced decision so that we can address them properly and maintain a useful mobility service for Madrilenians and visitors, the spokesman added. A spokesperson for Lime told CNN the company was disappointed by this surprise move, and that it believed the stated grounds for this decision were misplaced. We will explore ways to support our riders in Madrid to ensure they have access to safe, affordable and sustainable transport options and look forward to continuing discussions with the Council to ensure service can continue, the spokesperson added. CNN has also contacted Tier for comment. Madrid council will not grant any further e-scooter operating permits, Mayor Martinez-Almeida added in the statement, as it has been shown that the market cannot meet the necessary requirements established by the council that guarantee the highest level of citizen safety possible. Private electric scooters remain legal in the city, according to the city hall website. Madrid is not the first city to take action against e-scooter rentals, which have become increasingly divisive. In August, officials in the Australian city of Melbourne decided to ban e-scooter rentals, citing safety concerns following hundreds of complaints and accident reports. This was an opportunity to end the havoc on Melbournes footpaths and make our city safe again, Melbourne Mayor Nicholas Reece reportedly said at a press conference. And in April 2023, residents of Paris voted in favor of banning rental electric scooters from the French capital, with the ban coming into force at the end of August, when the scooter operators contracts expired. CNNs Maggie Hiufu Wong, Pierre Bairin and Joseph Ataman contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com HONOLULU (KHON2) The attorney for the 27-year-old man accused of murdering Melissa Jubane just days after her Oahu wedding entered a not guilty plea on behalf of his client in an Oregon court Monday. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Bryce Johnathan Schubert was arrested on Saturday and was charged with Jubanes murder. He appeared in court through video. Schubert, who Beaverton police said was a neighbor of Jubane, was charged with second degree murder, first degree kidnapping and second degree abuse of a corpse. We are devastated: Mother-in-law of Melissa Jubane Concern about Jubanes whereabouts were raised when she didnt make it to work on Sept. 4 and her familys efforts to contact her went unanswered. In addition to police searches of her home and the surrounding property, the community conducted morning and evening searches near her apartment complex on Friday. On August 25, Jubane had married her longtime boyfriend, Bryan Llantero, a local boy from Kalihi, who is active duty military stationed in Washington state. Monday evening, hundreds of people, many of them her colleagues, attended a vigil for Junae, who was a nurse at St. Vincent Hospital in SW Portland. The coordinator of the vigil said the gathering was to honor the beloved woman and provide comfort to her fellow nurses and friends. It follows a mass held Sunday night in her memory at the University of Portland, where Jubane graduated in 2018. After an extensive three-day search in Portland, police confirmed they found Jubanes body. Police have released very few details about the investigation including what led to the arrest of Schubert. A motion was filed in court to seal the court documents. Schubert was also a nurse, but did not work at the hospital where Jubane worked. He is being held without bail until his next court date on September 16. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Marcus Ramsden has been bailed to appear at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 23 September [BBC] A man has admitted assaulting a police officer during a protest in the wake of the Southport stabbings. Violence broke out in Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth on 3 and 4 September, amid widespread disorder across the UK. Marcus Ramsden, 22, of Goldenhill, in Stoke-on-Trent, pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Hanley at a hearing at the city's crown court on Monday. He also admitted common assault of an emergency worker and assault by beating of an emergency worker. Ramsden was bailed to return to the court on 23 September. Staffordshire Police said it had now arrested 73 people and charged 30 following disorder in the area on 3 and 4 August. Riots and anti-immigration protests took place across the UK after three young girls were killed in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July, fuelled by false claims on social media that the attacker was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Internet links Apache Junction police say they have arrested a man in connection to the killing of an elderly man on Sunday near Apache Trail and Ironwood Drive. In a post on the social media platform X, police said they received a call at about 4:30 p.m. about a death in the area and were able to find a suspect nearby. Police did not give additional details but added that the call was not related to domestic violence and the killing was isolated. The Arizona Republic reached out to the Apache Junction Police Department for more information, but the department has not yet responded. This story will be updated as developments become available. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Police make arrest in Apache Junction murder of elderly man China's economy has struggled amid a weak property sector and slowing consumer demand. But the country could see growth pick up this fall, Goldman Sachs' chief China economist says. Hui Shan pointed to fiscal easing, strong export momentum, and subsiding weather-related risks. After a long downturn, China's economy may be poised for a turnaround, Goldman Sachs says. Goldman's chief China economist Hui Shan pointed to fiscal easing, strong export momentum, and subsiding weather-related risks as reasons to believe the country's fortunes could soon change. Those factors are significant as China continues to target 5% GDP growth this year, Shan said in a Sunday note. "Activity indeed slowed in June-August, downside risks to our Q3 growth forecast increased, and the Chinese economy still faces many deep-rooted challenges. However, we expect growth to pick up in the remainder of the year as the government strives to reach the 'around 5%' GDP target that they set at the start of this year," Shan said. First, the upside forecast is driven in part by the country's accelerated fiscal easing, Shan said. Fiscal easing has picked up in the last few weeks, likely to help secure the 5% growth target, analysts said in an earlier note. Second, China's export momentum remains strong, with Goldman's analysts expecting last month's exports to see a 7% year-over-year increase. Other economists, though, foresee August's export growth slowing to 6.5%, according to a Reuters poll. Third, Shan says the country's weather-related risks from the summer are likely subsiding, with Goldman's high-frequency tracker showing a reverse in weather-related weakness. With those risks easing, China's struggling property sector could get a much-needed boost. Data released last month showed China's fixed-asset investment grew 3.6% year-over-year in the first half of the year, short of expectations of 3.9%, as infrastructure investment slowed due to heavy rainfall and flooding. Those potential upsides to China's economic growth come after months of gloomy data, fueled by collapsing property sales and starts in the last few years as a large portion of the country's available housing supply remains vacant. China's consumer demand, meanwhile, has raised warning signs as consumer spending remains weak even as household incomes rise. Retail sales of consumer goods grew just 2% year-over-year in June, but jumped to 2.7% growth in July. China's tech sector has also faced headwinds, with earnings growth slowing to its lowest level since 2022. That's helped lead a downturn in the overall market, with the latest earnings per share falling 4.5% year-over-year on the MSCI China Index, according to Bloomberg. Read the original article on Business Insider Seikeya Jones was found dead in a suitcase last week, leading to the arrest of Ronald Schroeder, per police Suffolk County Police Department; FOX 5 New York/Youtube Seikeya Jones (left); and a vigil for Seikeya Jones A New York man has been arrested in connection with the discovery of a woman's remains found inside a suitcase near a Long Island apartment building in early September. Authorities in Suffolk County, N.Y., found the body of 31-year-old Seikeya Jones in a suitcase in Huntington on Tuesday, Sep. 3, the local police department previously said in a statement. Suffolk County Police arrested Ronald Schroeder, 41, on Friday, Sep. 6, on a charge of concealing a corpse in connection with the remains found, police said in an updated statement. Jones remains were found weeks after she was reported missing on Aug. 16, police said. She leaves behind a 4-year-old son, her family says, per ABC 7 NY. Suffolk County Police Department Seikeya Jones Related: Remains of Missing 31-Year-Old Woman Found in Suitcase Outside Long Island Apartment: Reports On Sep. 3, homicide investigators responded to the scene after a 911 caller alerted them to a suspicious activity in the wooded area near a building in Huntington, police said in their press release. Once there, they found a suitcase with a body inside, which was later determined to be Jones. Her mother, Yolando Terrell, told ABC 7 NY about the horrifying way she learned about her daughters death. "I'm looking and I'm looking, and I can't find her, and I come back from vacation, and I see on the news that my daughter is in a suitcase," she said. "Someone has to give me some answers, Terrell added. Jones family said she struggled with mental illness, per ABC 7 NY and FOX 5 NY. Police said Jones was homeless at the time of her death. "I'm here today to say that my sister Seikeya Jones has a family that was standing beside her," Jones' sister Shasia Correnthi told ABC 7 NY, adding that her mental illness "does not give anybody the right to put their hands on my sister and put her in a suitcase, and stuff her inside these bushes like she was nothing." At a vigil for her on Friday, Jones' friends remembered her as the life of the party who always had such a bright smile on her that shed earned a special nickname, Terrell told FOX 5 NY. "Every time you looked at her, she had that big bright smile on her face, so we gave her the nickname Cheese, Terrell told the outlet. 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. Authorities are yet to determine how Jones died, Suffolk County authorities told PEOPLE. According to New York State online court records, Schroeder has pleaded not guilty to the charge. He is being represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society, which declined to comment to PEOPLE on the matter. An investigation is ongoing. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) Altoona police said theyve had to arrest the same man twice in just over a week at the same Sheetz store first for urinating on the sidewalk, then for theft and trying to start a fight. Joshua Eckman, 43 (Blair County Prison) Joshua Eckman, 43, was arrested Sunday evening at Sheetz on Chestnut Avenue, near UPMC Altoona, for allegedly trying to steal a Four Loko after they denied selling it to him and then trying to start a fight, according to multiple witnesses. Police arrived at the store Sept. 8 at around 9:17 p.m. where bystanders pointed Eckman out to them. According to the criminal complaint, a manager at Sheetz explained they denied selling him a Four Loko and then they watched on security video as he put the drink in his pocket in an attempt to steal it. Eckman then allegedly stood outside yelling and arguing with people, the complaint reads. One witness claimed that Eckman pulled back and swung to punch them but missed. Police noted that another witness confirmed this story. Police said they tried to detain and arrest Eckman and he began to fight and resist officers. According to charges, Ekcman spit in an officers face and used his hands, legs and feet to resist arrest. Police noted at one point he shouted get the f*** up off me*, before resisting even further. According to the complaint, it took multiple officers to get him into a patrol car. When taken to the Altoona police station, he allegedly continued to fight and resist, ultimately needing to be put into a figure four leglock. Police noted it took multiple officers to get him restrained and into a holding cell. Previously, on Sept. 1, charges were filed when police arrived at the same Sheetz for the report of a man, later identified as Eckman, urinating on the sidewalk. According to this criminal complaint, police said they could tell immediately that Eckman was intoxicated. He claimed he had just been released from UPMC Altoona and was on his way to drug and alcohol rehab. Police noted that he was at an outdoor table with a half-empty Four Loko can in front of him. While police noted Eckman has no fixed address, a story from January 2023 involving Eckman and Four Lokos revealed he was from Utica, New York. Eckman was charged Sunday night with aggravated assault, assaulting an officer, witness intimidation, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and lesser charges. He was placed in Blair County Prison with bail set at $100,000. 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. WESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) A man has been charged after allegedly assaulting a victim near a middle school in Lewis County. On Aug. 28, deputies with the Lewis County Sheriffs Department were dispatched to the area of Court Avenue in Weston due to a reported altercation, according to a criminal complaint. While en route, deputies were informed that the caller had heard yelling coming from outside his residence and then saw a male subject wearing a red shirt who appeared to be bleeding from his face, deputies said. Deputies then went to a residence on Court Avenue, across the street from Robert L. Bland Middle School, to meet with the victim who wanted to report an assault. Deputies observed what appeared to be a laceration above his right eyebrow temple area and blood about the face and left arm, according to the complaint. Derek Woodson The victim told deputies that a man, later identified as Derek Woodson, 35, of Weston, struck him with something during an altercation, and that Woodson was with a woman and riding a bicycle, deputies said. When deputies arrived at the location of the incident, they observed blood on the sidewalk and road, as well as what appeared to be a handprint on a vehicle parked on the street, and also noted that a nearby house had surveillance cameras which may have recorded the incident, according to the complaint. Belington woman charged after allegedly slapping child on face, not caring for another with head injury Deputies spoke with the caller, who stated that in the incident, Woodson appeared to be very angry yelling at someone behind him, and then approached the victim; the caller then contacted 911 to report the incident, and when he came back, he saw the victim bent over picking up his sunglasses while bleeding from his face and then walked away toward the middle school, deputies said. On Aug. 29, deputies obtained security footage of the incident which showed Woodson assaulting the victim while another individual attempted to de-escalate the situation, according to the complaint. On Aug. 30, deputies were able to identify the attacker as Woodson, and a warrant for his arrest was issued on Sept. 4, deputies said. Woodson has been charged with malicious assault. He is being held in Central Regional Jail. In a statement on Monday, the Weston Police Department said that the altercation was an isolated incident and not a random act of violence. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WBOY Crime Tracker Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. A man appeared in court on Friday for a bond reduction hearing in connection to setting a house on fire that was home to a mother and her two children. According to the St. Charles County Police probable cause statement, Blake A. Hanks, 34, ignited the fire inside the basement of the St. Peters home on August 31. Police say the victim had filed a police report the morning before the fire around 8 a.m., informing officers that Hanks had stolen her car without permission on August 30. The victim said she had been dating Hanks at the time. Hanks had also stolen her purse, cash, cell phone, credit card, and house keys, which were inside her car. Police said the victim stayed the night with a friend, and when she returned home the next morning, she found her car located nearby in a parking lot, but the stolen items were still gone. After forcing her way into her house without her keys, police said clothes and mattresses were thrown throughout the home. According to police, the victim had been receiving threatening text messages after she had obtained a temporary cell phone. On August 31, after 10 p.m., Hanks was caught on neighboring Ring camera surveillance video driving to the home in a silver GMC Terrain and then later leaving the area of suspected arson. The victim confirmed with the police that the suspect in the video was Hanks based on clothing and a tattoo located on his calf. After police located Hanks at his mothers address in Washington, Missouri, he was taken into custody. Hanks was denied bond reduction and sustains a cash-only $50,000 bond and is being held at the St. Charles County Corrections 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 FOX 2. Man charged with murder of mum at carnival Cher Maximen died from "unsurvivable" injuries, the Old Bailey hears [MET POLICE] Three brothers have appeared at the Old Bailey in relation to the murder of a 32-year-old mother who was fatally stabbed at Notting Hill Carnival last month. Cher Maximen was stabbed in the groin with a machete as she tried to intervene in a fight on 25 August, the court heard. She died in hospital six days later. Shakiel Thibou, 20, from west London, appeared via video-link from HMP Belmarsh, charged with murder, violent disorder and possession of a knife. His brothers Sheldon Thibou, 24, and Shaeim Thibou, 21, appeared via video-link from HMP Wandsworth facing lesser charges. 'Tried to intervene' Prosecutor Alistair Richardson told the Old Bailey a fight broke out close to Ms Maximen and her group, involving the brothers. Shakiel Thibou attempted to stab a man near Ms Maximen with a "large machete-style knife", the court heard. The mother tried to intervene in the fight and was stabbed in the area of her groin, Mr Richardson said. She suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital, where she underwent two major operations. "In summary she was found to have extensive injuries and extensive blood loss," the prosecutor said. "Those injuries proved to be unsurvivable." Shakiel Thebou, from Hammersmith, is also charged with possessing a knife in a public place, and violent disorder. Sheldon Thibou, also from Hammersmith, and Shaeim Thibou, from Fulham, are both charged with violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker. All three defendants were remanded into custody. A provisional trial date was set for 24 February 2025. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk Related Internet Links Man charged for using laser pointer on helicopter in SD SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) A man is being charged with using a laser pointer at a government helicopter in South Dakota. UPDATE: 30-year-old man faces murder charges in 8th homicide According to federal court documents, Robert Gene Pierce is accused of aiming the beam of light at an aircraft on Aug. 22, 2024. The helicopter is owned by the Department of Homeland Security and was being flown by U. S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations. The case is being handled at the federal courthouse in Sioux Falls. No hearings have been scheduled. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. A former PhD student has been found guilty of conspiring to commit female genital mutilation (FGM) in what has been described as a "landmark case". Emad Kaky arranged for a young girl to travel from the UK to Iraq, where she would have been subjected to FGM and also forced into marriage. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the FGM conviction was the first of its kind in England and Wales. Kaky, who lived in Nottingham at the time of the offences, was found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday. Emad Kaky was convicted of two offences at Nottingham Crown Court [Nottinghamshire Police] The 47-year-old will be sentenced at the same court on 3 October. Janine McKinney, chief crown prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said: "Female genital mutilation is a horrific crime to subject anyone to let alone a child. "There was clear evidence that Emad Kaky had intended for this young girl to suffer incredible harm and to be forced into an illegal marriage she would have had no ability to resist at such a young age. "This landmark case sends a strong message to offenders of this sickening crime. Just because an offence has been committed somewhere else in the world, does not stop you facing prosecution. "We will explore every avenue in our pursuit to get justice for victims, wherever our legal test is met." Kaky, who now lives in Swansea in Wales, was found guilty of two charges - forced marriage and conspiracy to commit FGM. The CPS said his plans were uncovered by a witness who arranged for the victim to travel back to the UK, and reported Kaky to the police. Prosecutors presented evidence that showed Kaky had booked and paid for the trip to Iraq while living in Nottingham. The CPS said messages retrieved from his phone showed Kaky intended for the victim to be subjected to FGM and forced into marriage. 'Unacceptable practice' FGM has been a criminal offence in England and Wales since 1985. The CPS said this was the third FGM conviction in England and Wales, but the first time a person had been convicted of conspiracy to commit FGM. Jaswant Narwal, CPS national lead for "honour"-based abuse, female genital mutilation and forced marriage, said FGM was "a form of violence against women and girls". "There are many complexities involved in prosecuting this type of offending, which can be committed in close-knit communities, historically, and abroad, but this is no barrier to the CPS prosecuting wherever our legal test is met," she said. "We are clear there is no place for this unacceptable practice in society. "We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to safeguard and support victims of FGM and bring perpetrators to justice." Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. More on this story SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) A 57-year-old man has died in a two-vehicle crash near Brookings Sunday night, according to a news release from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Officials say a driver of a SUV was traveling northbound on Interstate 29 near mile marker 119 when the vehicle in front of him made a sudden lane change, revealing a motorcycle that appeared to be leaving the shoulder to re-enter traffic. UPDATE: 30-year-old man faces murder charges in 8th homicide The SUV collided with the motorcycle and the motorcycle entered the east ditch where it rolled, separating the rider from the motorcycle. The driver of the SUV lost control, entered the east ditch and rolled. The driver of the motorcycle died of his injuries at the scene. Helmet use is under investigation with the motorcycle driver. The driver of the SUV has minor injuries and was wearing a seatbelt. The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. A man is dead after a fight outside an Ohio grocery store Friday afternoon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Columbus Police responded to the 1300 block of North High Street on reports of a fight between two men, according to our news partner WBNS in Columbus. When officers arrived, they found one man suffered severe head injuries. Medics transported him to Ohio State Wexner Center where he died on Sunday. TRENDING STORIES: Police have identified the victim as Timothy Davis, 64, and arrested Adrian Ashley, 46, after the fight, WBNS said. Witnesses said that Ashley knocked Davis unconscious, grabbed a skateboard, and hit him in the head multiple times, ABC 6 in Columbus reports. Anyone with information is asked to Columbus Police. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Editors note: The video aired on August 20. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) A man accused of attacking a pizzeria manager in Manhattan last month was charged with attempted murder on Monday, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Tyshaun Watson, 35, of Secaucus, New Jersey, also faces multiple assault charges. More Local News Watson and his dog entered the Roma Pizza at 146 Fifth Ave. on Aug. 19 but became irate when the pizzeria manager told him that his dog was not allowed in the restaurant, according to court documents. Watson then attacked the manager, punching him multiple times, according to prosecutors. The manager made it outside the restaurant, but Watson continued to attack him until he was unconscious, prosecutors said. The dog also bit the manager multiple times during the altercation, officials said. After the attack, Watson went back into the pizza shop and sat in the dining area until police arrived and arrested him. Locals react to vicious attack on Manhattan pizzeria worker The victim was taken to a hospital with bleeding in his brain and additional injuries. He was in a medically induced coma for approximately two weeks, officials said. As alleged, Tyshaun Watson brutally attacked a pizzeria manager, almost killing him. No employee should have their life threatened when they are working and serving their community, said Bragg. My office will continue to hold those accountable who use violence against Manhattan workers. I hope the victim heals from this egregious attack. Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. 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. Cole Burston / Bloomberg via Getty Images Air Canada pilots picket at Toronto Pearson Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. Key Takeaways Air Canada said it is prepared to shut down most of its operations later this month as it faces a potential strike or lockout as a result of a labor dispute with its pilots. The carrier warned that without a deal with the Air Line Pilots Association by Sunday, either side can call for a 72-hour strike or lockout notice. Air Canada explained that it has been in talks with rival carriers to give airplane seats to its customers if its own flights are canceled. Air Canada said Monday that it is making plans to shut down most of its operations if its pilots go on strike later this month. The country's biggest air carrier warned that while contract talks with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) continue, the two sides "remain far apart." Air Canada said if no deal is reached, beginning on Sunday either side could issue a 72-hour strike or lockout notice. It noted that would trigger its three-day wind-down plan that would progressively suspend all flights by Sept. 18. The union represents more than 5,200 pilots for both Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. Air Canada CEO Says Shutdown Likely Unless Union 'Moderates' Demands Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Rousseau said that the ALPA's salary demands "far exceed average Canadian wage increases," and that unless the union "moderates" them, a shutdown is "increasingly likely." At a rally late last month, Air Canada ALPA Master Executive Council chair Charlene Hudy accused the airline of "not listening to our most pressing needs at the negotiating table regarding fair compensation, respectable retirement benefits, and quality-of-life improvements." Air Canada said that it has been negotiating with other air carriers to get its customers seats on their planes if a strike or lockout occurs. It added that passengers whose flights are canceled will be able to receive a full refund, and that they can reschedule trips set for Sunday through Sept. 23 at no charge. It said that window may be expanded if necessary. Air Canada shares were down nearly 2% Monday afternoon on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Read the original article on Investopedia. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) An Ireton, Iowa, passenger was injured after he fell through an unlatched party bus window on Saturday on U.S. Highway 18 near Hull, Iowa, the Sioux County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. 2 dead in farm silo incident near Volga The man, 21, had leaned against the unlatched window and struck the roadway after falling. The bus was traveling at about 50 mph at the time, according to the sheriffs office. The release said he has transported to a local hospital and then airlifted to Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls with serious injuries. The incident was reported at 1:14 a.m., about 2 1/2 miles west of Hull. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man who fled manslaughter trial in Texas was arrested in Cottageville COTTAGEVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) A man who fled trial in Texas last year was arrested Friday after he was found living in Cottageville. Matthew John Flaskrud, 47, attended the first two days of his criminal trial in Texas in June 2023, but removed his ankle monitor and fled the state, according to the Colleton County Sheriffs Office. The trial was connected to manslaughter with a vehicle after Flaskrud crashed his motorcycle, while intoxicated, into another. The incident killed 36-year-old Derrick Hintzman. The Colleton County Sheriffs Office said it was alerted on September 6 that the wanted fugitive, out of Montgomery County, Texas, maybe in the area. He was arrested Friday but provided authorities with a false name and refused to identify himself. State Police used a portable fingerprint reader that helped confirm his identity. Officials say Flaskrud is also a sex offender. He was convicted in Wisconsin for various sex crimes and had a warrant for failing to comply-sex offender registry. He is awaiting extradition to Texas and is being held at the Colleton County Detention Center. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The Ingham County Sheriffs Office has identified the man involved in a standoff with authorities last Friday. The suspect has been identified as Michael Jordan DeJesus, 29. He was arraigned Sunday in the 55th District Court, DeJesus faces charges of 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and Assault with Intent to Commit Great Bodily Harm less than Murder. The Ingham County Sheriffs Department was dispatched around 6:30 a.m. on a call of a woman being held against her will in an abandoned building. The woman had begun texting with an acquaintance stating man had drugged her and she was being held against her will be a man who had firearms, sheriff officials reported in a news release Friday afternoon. This embedded content is not available in your region. Based on information collected during an investigation, the Ingham County Sheriffs Department determined where the woman was and that she was being held against her will. As a result, the Ingham Regional Special Response Team was activated. The house was surrounded by law enforcement. Through significant effort, Investigators and Negotiators made contact with the female and alleged suspect via phone, sheriff officials reported. The man surrendered to law enforcement about 10:30 a.m., officials reported. DeJesus is being held in the Ingham County Correctional Facility with no bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. A Brooklyn man has been indicted on charges accusing him of burning an Israeli flag during a protest last spring at Columbia University in New York City. The indictment charged James Carlson, 40, with criminal mischief and arson. Carlson pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Monday and was released on his own recognizance. ABC News has reached out to his attorney for comment. MORE: Columbia antisemitism task force finds school failed to stop hate against Jewish students During a protest in April at the Manhattan university, a witness, who is Jewish, said another protester stole his Israeli flag, prosecutors said. Before the witness could retrieve the flag from the other protester, Carlson allegedly seized it and began burning it with a lighter but was thwarted from fully lighting the flag on fire when the witness pulled it away, according to prosecutors. "This defendant's alleged activity went beyond legal and peaceful protest. Committing arson in a crowded protest endangers the safety of others, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. "We will continue to work closely with the NYPD and local colleges and universities to ensure the safety of students, staff and community members during any protest or demonstration." PHOTO: New York City police officers in riot gear block the entrance to Hamilton Hall after raiding the Columbia University campus to arrest and evict students protesting the war in Gaza, April 30, 2024, at Columbia University in New York City, New York. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images) Carlson was previously charged in a separate case with unlawfully entering Hamilton Hall. He has pleaded not guilty. After Carlson was arrested for trespassing at Hamilton Hall, prosecutors said he kicked and broke a glass panel in a holding cell at 1 Police Plaza. MORE: Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigns months after college protests The protest movement connected to the Israel-Hamas war began in April at Columbia and swept across college campuses nationwide. Nearly 300 people were arrested in connection with protests at both Columbia and City College, though the Manhattan District Attorneys Office moved to dismiss the charges against most of them in June. Man indicted for allegedly burning Israeli flag during protests at Columbia University originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A pro-Palestinian protester busted inside Hamilton Hall was indicted for burning an Israeli flag during an earlier incident at Columbia University, the Manhattan District Attorney announced Monday. James Carlson, 40, was attending a demonstration on April 20 when a Jewish student had his Israeli flag stolen by another protester, prosecutors said. Carlson was not affiliated with Columbia. Before the student could get it back, Carlson snatched the flag and took a lighter to it until the pro-Israel counter-protester seized it once more, according to the DAs office. He was charged with criminal mischief and arson; he pleaded not guilty. This defendants alleged activity went beyond legal and peaceful protest. Committing arson in a crowded protest endangers the safety of others, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated, District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. We will continue to work closely with the NYPD and local colleges and universities to ensure the safety of students, staff and community members during any protest or demonstration. The student suffered a minor injury but did not need medical attention, the Daily News reported. A second suspect, was arrested in June for hurling a rock at the students face. Carlson, a serial protester and self-proclaimed anarchist, was arrested for trespassing at Hamilton Hall on April 30. As he awaited processing at 1 Police Plaza, Carlson was charged with damaging police property, shattering a glass panel in a holding cell. Mondays indictment came less than a week after eight protesters at City College were arraigned on charges of burglary and tampering with physical evidence. Two of the defendants were charged with attempted assault of CUNY public safety officers. All but one had no affiliation with CUNY; Rudy Martinez is a staff member at CUNYs Guttman College in midtown Manhattan. All pleaded not guilty. _____ LANETT, Ala. (WRBL) The Lanett Police Department is investigating a deadly shooting. A person of interest has been identified in the case but no arrest has been made. At approximately 1:43 a.m. Eastern Time, officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of 21st Street SW in reference to reports of a male with a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, authorities identified the victim as Terrence Jeffery, a resident of Lanett. Mr. Jeffery had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. He was immediately transported to East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika for treatment but succumbed to his injuries. The Lanett Police Department is actively investigating the incident and is urging anyone with information to come forward. Individuals with details related to the case can contact the Lanett Police Department at 334-644-2136 or reach out to Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man lost teeth & broke his jaw, SC official says. Now deputy who did it is going to prison A former sheriffs deputy in South Carolina is going to prison after being convicted of using excessive force during a violent arrest, according to the 5th Circuit Solicitors Office. On Friday, a jury found former Kershaw County Sheriffs Office deputy Johnathan Goldsmith guilty of second-degree assault and battery as well as misconduct of office charges, the solicitors office said in a news release. Goldsmith was sentenced to one year in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, according to the release. The incident happened Oct. 15, 2020, the solicitors office said. Goldsmith was dispatched to investigate a suspicious vehicle parked at Abney Baptist Church, according to the release. Goldsmith found the car and its occupant, who he patted down after seeing an empty gun holster in the passenger seat, the solicitors office said. He then told the man to place his hands behind his back to detain the defendant, but as Goldsmith tried to secure the handcuffs, the man pulled his right arm away, according to the release. Goldsmith then hit the man in the head and neck area before using a tripping technique, causing the man to collapse to the ground, the solicitors office said. Body camera footage and a church surveillance camera captured Goldsmith delivering multiple punches to the man while he was on the ground in handcuffs, ultimately knocking out the man, according to the release. The man regained consciousness about a minute later and actively resisted when Goldsmith attempted to place him in the patrol vehicle, leading to a 5-6 minute struggle where Goldsmith shockedthe victim with a Taser, repeatedly punched him, pepper-sprayed and hit him with a baton, then forcefully closed the vehicle door on the mans foot, the solicitors office said. Goldsmith closed the door on the victims legs several times, according to arrest warrants shared by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Following the assault, Kershaw County Emergency Medical Services arrived to find Sims missing two teeth, which they collected before taking him to an area hospital, according to the release. A CT scan at the hospital revealed the victim suffered a broken jaw in two places, the solicitors office said. This is NOT acceptable conduct from a KCSO deputy, Kershaw County Sheriff Lee Boan said in 2020. What shocked me even more was that my deputy did not immediately render aid or call for medical assistance. In Nov. 2020, the sheriffs office said Goldsmith had been fired, and the solicitors office asked SLED lead a criminal investigation. Following an investigation, SLED charged Goldsmith in January 2021. One of my duties in this role is to protect citizens in the 5th Circuit from abusive police practices, Solicitor Byron Gipson said in the release. This is the case where one officer made a series of poor decisions on Oct. 15, 2020, for which he has now been held accountable. His actions are not reflective of the Kershaw County Sheriffs Office or law enforcement as a whole. Goldsmith was a decorated deputy, and in December 2019, he was named the Kershaw County Sheriffs Foundation Deputy of the Year, the Chronicle-Independent reported. Gipson and Assistant Solicitor Paul Walton prosecuted the case. We are pleased with the jurys decision to hold Johnathan Goldsmith accountable, Walton said. Law enforcement works very hard each and every day to serve and protect the community. This officers actions are not reflective of what law enforcement stands for. In October 2020, he violated the publics trust, and for that, he has been held accountable. Man riding scooter seriously injured after crashing into parked car ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) Police in Alexandria are asking for the communitys help after a man riding a scooter was seriously injured in a crash on Sunday afternoon. According to the Alexandria Police Department (APD), at around 1:30 p.m., a man was riding a scooter when he crashed into a parked car in the 900 block of N. Fayette St. Police said he was critically injured. 1 dead, 2 injured in triple shooting at laundromat in Edmonston To help aid in their investigation, police are asking the community to share any videos or photos from the crash using the QR code below. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Investigator Kolodzinski at 703-859-4447. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man who says he was injured in collision with school bus sues Columbus City Schools COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A Zanesville man is suing Columbus City Schools after he said a bus crashed into the vehicle he was riding in, causing physical and monetary damages. In a complaint filed Wednesday, John Ervin accused the district and driver James Crowder III of read-ending the truck he was riding in in January 2023. Ervin told NBC4 the crash happened at a left turn traffic light and resulted in hospital bills, chiropractic appointments, property damage and a loss of revenue to his business. The district said it hasnt been served with a copy of the lawsuit and was unable to comment. Scioto County children rescued from deplorable conditions Initially, Ervin said he was in contact with the district, and he said he thought they were attempting to avoid liability. He said he had documentation of the incident, bills and property damage, but the district did not offer what Ervin said he thought was fair compensation. He said the district had him file a claim through his insurance, and he communicated with a district attorney who Ervin said only offered around 10% of the total damages he suffered. Ervin is a mechanic and provided a photo he said was from the crash. The photo showed a vehicle branded with his mechanic business smashed in from the back, with the rear trailer door bent inward and coming off of its metal frame. According to the complaint, Ervin also had severe injuries to his neck and back. To this day, I still experience numbness in my left leg when sitting for long periods of time, Ervin said. I wasnt asking for a huge amount of money for pain and suffering, just my losses. Pickerington man banned from Ohio University, arrested The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $25,000. Ervin also told NBC4 that after the crash, the districts crash investigator came to the scene and instructed Crowder to leave before police arrived. This could have been resolved a long time ago with open communication, Ervin said. CCS should have a better policy for at-fault accidents instead of having an attorney that tries to manipulate a situation when their driver is responsible. Thankfully, no children were involved. The lawsuit is set for trial in 2025, with its trial assignment scheduled for Sept. 22, 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. BENTON, Ill. A federal judge sentenced an Illinois man Friday for a conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud in Carbondale in 2020. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Southern District of Illinois, Brian R. Nevils, 25, and others used a stolen master key to gain access to mail boxes throughout Carbondale and deposited various checks into bank accounts. Prosecutors said Nevils plead guilty to committing bank fraud and mail theft. Charged co-conspirators include Quentin S. Abrams, 25, Isaiah C. Jordan, 30, and Demarius L. Flakes, 30, who was recently apprehended in Chicago. Abrams was sentenced to time served in April, and Jordan is set to be sentenced on October 1. Missouri Supreme Court keeps abortion amendment on ballot Court documents say that Nevils and others altered the payees and amounts of more than 100 stolen checks sent by more than 50 individuals through USPS from March through July 2020. The total estimated losses exceeded over $423,000. Prosecutors say once Nevils obtained the checks, he deposited them into bank accounts of his co-conspirators before transferring the amounts into his own accounts or those of associates Nevils pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of mail theft. He was sentenced Friday to 18 months in prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Amazon Monday revealed plans to hire hundreds of workers for its new fulfillment center in Cocoa, with the facility set to open ahead of the holiday shopping season. For two years, the warehouse in Cocoa has been empty despite being completed Amazon finally announced plans last month to open by the end of 2024. The hiring effort is being done in collaboration with the City of Cocoa, which is partnering with Amazon to connect local residents to the available positions. The Cocoa warehouse is among several others in Amazon's Florida plans, alongside facilities in Melbourne, Port St. Lucie, Jacksonville and Tampa. The company has invested over $36 billion in Florida since 2010. Overbuilding Amazon fulfillment center in Brevard County where hundreds will be hired. Amazon's 202,044-square-foot delivery station at 3655 Grissom Parkway in Cocoa received its certificate of occupancy from City Hall in December 2021. However, Amazon.com Inc. reported a $3.84 billion financial loss in the first quarter of 2022, blaming the loss in part on overcapacity of its warehouse facilities and boosting staff numbers too fast. Now the building's purpose seems to be coming to fruition. "Florida is a great place to live and work, and we're excited to be growing our operations footprint in Cocoa," said Sam Blatt, Amazon's Manager of Economic Development in a prepared statement. Cocoa Mayor Michael C. Blake expressed enthusiasm about the economic impact the new Amazon facility will have on the community. "The opening of Amazon's Cocoa fulfillment center will be an economic stimulus for the Cocoa community, providing substantial job opportunities for our residents, spurring economic growth and strengthening the local workforce," Blake said. "We are excited at the various opportunities our residents will have to build a career that will allow them to gain valuable skills and experience in a dynamic and growing industry." Amazon jobs coming to Cocoa officially Interested applicants can apply online at amazon.com/flexiblejobs, with new job postings typically released on Friday evenings after 7 p.m. Eastern time. Job seekers can also sign up for alerts by texting "HIREME" to 31432 to be notified of new openings. Amazon says hourly employees currently earn an average of over $20.50 per hour across its fulfillment and transportation networks, with the Cocoa facility offering a starting pay of $17 per hour. Most employees also have access to comprehensive benefits including health, vision, dental, 401(k) with company match, and up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave. Tyler Vazquez is the North Brevard and Brevard County government watchdog reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Amazon will begin hiring for Cocoa fulfillment center before end of 2024 Man seriously injured after plane crash in park Emergency services rushed to a field near Belhus Woods Country Park on Saturday [Google Maps] A man suffered "potentially life changing" injuries after a plane crashed into a field. Emergency services rushed to a field near Belhus Woods Country Park, in Aveley, at just after 13:00 BST on Saturday. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters found one person trapped inside a "small light plane" with fuel leaking out of it. The BBC has contacted the Air Accidents Investigations Branch, which is leading an investigation into the incident. Specialist ambulance crews and an air ambulance attended the scene, the London Ambulance Service said. The patient was taken to a major trauma centre by road, an ambulance service spokesman added. The Metropolitan Police confirmed his condition is described as "not life-threatening but potentially life changing". Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Man shot during incident on Sioux Citys west side, police say SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Local law enforcement is investigating a shooting incident on the west side of town. The Sioux City Police Department is currently investigating a shooting on the west side on the 1900 block of Helmer Street. Police told KCAU 9 that they received a call for a shooting at around 12:53 p.m. and found a man with a gun shot wound in front of a home on Helmer Street when they arrived at the scene. Police said the mans injuries were non-life-threatening. Police were able to locate the gun used in the shooting incident and no arrests have been made at this time. The incident remains under investigation. Police confirmed that they are investigating an incident but are unable to provide any more information at this time. This is a developing story. Continue to check in with KCAU 9 as we continue to provide updates 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. The 26-year-old victim required four operations after being shot by Adam Valli (pictured) [Essex Police] An "evil" man who tormented and shot his "friend" after they argued about a lift home has been jailed for 28 years. Adam Valli held his 26-year-old victim at gunpoint and forced him to get into a car before driving to Shoeburyness, Essex, in May 2023. Essex Police said the 23-year-old then shot his friend in the leg before fleeing and later shaving his hair and beard to hide his appearance. Valli, of Beckton in east London, was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced at Basildon Crown Court. The victim, who required four operations after the shooting, said his family's lives had been changed forever as a result of the shooting on 14 May that year. "The pain I am suffering as a result of this injury is also a constant reminder to me of what happened that night," he said in a statement read to the court. The pair met on the A127 and the victim was driven to Frobisher Way in Shoeburyness, east of Southend city centre [Essex Police] Police said the incident was reported by a member of the public who witnessed the victim being shot at 02:00 BST in Frobisher Way. Valli and the victim, who were long-term friends, had been at an event in London earlier that night. Following an argument over a lift home, the pair ended up meeting on the A127 where Valli brandished a gun and ordered the victim to get in his car. 'Threatened and tormented' Initially threatening to take the victim to his mother's house and shoot him, Valli, of Derifall Close, went on to fire the weapon at his leg. He was found guilty of attempted murder after a three-week trial. Det Insp Yoni Adler, of Essex Police's serious crime directorate, said the victim was lucky to be alive. "The way in which Valli threatened and tormented the victim before shooting him was evil," he said. "There is no doubt that Valli is a dangerous individual and the work of our officers has taken him off the streets." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related internet links Manassas police: Man arrested for posing as police officer, trying to kidnap girl MANASSAS, Va. (DC News Now) The Manassas City Police Department (MCPD) has arrested a man who allegedly impersonated a police officer while trying to abduct a girl on Thursday morning. According to MCPD, just before 8:40 a.m., police received a call from a resident who said they saw a girl in distress near the intersection of Quarry Road and Zebedee Street. The investigation revealed that the girl was walking to school in the 9400 block of Clover Hill Road when a man, identified as 23-year-old Jesus Enrique Ramirez Cabrera of Manassas, approached her. Cabrera was driving a red Jeep SUV. The girl told police that Cabrera identified himself as a police officer and told her to get in the car. Cabrera then exited the car, grabbed her arm, put her in the front passengers seat and started driving down Clover Hill Road. Once on Quarry Road, the girl got out of the car. How Virginia Commonwealth Universitys large security camera system adds to campus safety After conducting an extensive investigation and executing a search warrant at a residence in the 10000 block of Makelys Way, officers arrested Cabrera on the evening of Sept. 6. Authorities charged him with abduction, robbery, impersonation of law enforcement and petit larceny. He is being held without bond at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center. Detectives said they do not believe there are any other suspects and that there is no threat to the community. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Manassas City Police Department at 703-257-8000 or the 24/7 Crime Solvers Tip Line at 703-330-0330. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) Federal investigators came down hard on the Adams administration late last week with home raids on his first deputy mayor and deputy mayor for public safety. The schools chancellor and the commissioner of the NYPD had their phones seized. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine talks about the raids and his confidence in the administration on PIX11 Morning News. Watch the video player for more on this story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. TWO RIVERS Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office is investigating human skeletal remains found on private property in the town of Two Rivers Saturday. The sheriff's office said in a news release posted to Facebook Sunday evening it was unable to confirm whether the remains were related to the case of missing 4-year-old Elijah Vue. The remains were found by a local deer hunter who immediately notified law enforcement, the sheriff's office said, adding it was an ongoing investigation and determining the identify of the remains "will be a lengthy process." No specific information, such as the race, sex or age of the remains was given, but the post said the sheriff's office will be working with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Wisconsin State Crime Lab, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Anthropology Department, Two Rivers Police Department and the Manitowoc County Coroner's Office. The post said "further updates will be provided as they become available." Dan ODonnell, host of the Dan ODonnell Show on News Talk 1130 in Milwaukee, first reported in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that a childs remains had been found Saturday. A representative for Two Rivers police Sunday night said the department had "no comment" on reports that human remains were found. Two Rivers Police Department has repeatedly stated throughout the search for Elijah that the department is "the sole source of factual information" in the investigation. In an Aug. 20 news release on the six-month anniversary of Vue being reported missing, Two Rivers Police Capt. Andrew Raatz warned that "the spreading of false and misleading information is disrespectful to the family of Elijah and detracts from our efforts in locating him." Elijah was 3 years old when he was reported missing Feb. 20. His fourth birthday was celebrated in his absence Aug. 25 during a community event at Kiwanis Park in Appleton. Elijah was reported missing Feb. 20 by Jesse Vang, 39, of Two Rivers, boyfriend of Elijahs mother, 31-year-old Katrina B. Baur, who was at her Wisconsin Dells residence at the time. Vang told police the last time he saw Elijah was at around 8 a.m. Feb. 20 after Vang had ordered the 3-year-old to stand next to Vang's bed and pray as a punishment. Vang said he fell asleep, and when he woke up nearly three hours later, the boy was gone and he called 911 to report him missing at 10:59 a.m. Vang's apartment was in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers. An apartment complex in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers was where 3-year-old Elijah Vue disappeared from, as seen Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Two Rivers, Wis. Baur and Vang were both arrested in February shortly after Elijahs disappearance and were charged with child neglect. They remain in custody at Manitowoc County Jail. Baur is being held on a $15,000 cash bond while Vang is being held on a $20,000 cash bond. The Wisconsin court system requires people to pay the full cash bail to be released from custody. Baur has been charged with felony child neglect, misdemeanor child neglect involving another child, and two misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing an officer. Her next court date is a status conference at 3 p.m. Oct. 22 before Judge Robert Dewane. Vang also faces neglect charges in relation to Elijahs disappearance. He is due in court for a status conference at 2 p.m. Sept. 27 before Judge Dewane. The search for Elijah has been wide-ranging and included canvassing of urban and rural neighborhoods; searches of rivers, shores, a landfill in Calumet County and a farm waste container in Manitowoc County; aerial searches using drones; K9 teams checking and rechecking various areas; searches by horseback of rural farmland; investigation in Baurs hometown of Wisconsin Dells; and the analysis of extremely large amounts of video data. Reward money is still being offered for information leading to the discovery of Elijah or the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for his disappearance: $15,000 through the FBI, $10,000 through Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers and $15,000 through the city of Two Rivers, funded through community donations. Anyone with information about the case can contact the tip line at 844-267-6648 or submit information via the Crime Stoppers app P3. This story will be updated if more information becomes available. Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Elijah Vue search: Sheriff confirms human remains found near Two Rivers Francine made landfall Wednesday evening along the Louisiana coastline as a Category 2 hurricane, threatening some communities still recovering from a particularly destructive hurricane season four years ago. President Biden has authorized an emergency declaration for Louisiana to support the state's response to the storm, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced. The storm made landfall in Terrebonne Parish, about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, a little before 6 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said. It then quickly weakened to a tropical storm by late Wednesday night. Prior to making landfall, the storm's intensification in the Gulf of Mexico triggered new hazardous weather alerts as far as the Florida border, although forecasters warned that consequences would mainly impact Louisiana, where "life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions" were being felt along the coast Wednesday. The projected path of Tropical Storm Francine. Sept. 11, 2024. / Credit: NOAA The storm is expected to continue weakening as it travels inland. As of 11 p.m. ET Wednesday, Francine's center was about 35 miles northwest of New Orleans, the hurricane center said. It was moving northeast at 16 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. Although the storm meandered earlier in the week, Francine had steadily picked up speed since Tuesday and started to turn toward the U.S. Gulf shoreline. A satellite image of Tropical Storm Francine on 11:18 p.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 11, 2024, as it moves over Louisiana. / Credit: NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-East Several hurricane watches and warnings were discontinued. A tropical storm warning remained in place from Intracoastal City, Louisiana, to the Alabama/Florida border, which included the New Orleans metro area and Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings are activated when conditions typically associated with those weather events are imminent. Watches are different from warnings, which the hurricane center will issue for areas where severe weather conditions could possibly arrive within a couple of days. Francine was forecast to bring heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding to parts of eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, southern Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle through Thursday. The hurricane center earlier reported that "damaging and life-threatening hurricane-force winds" were forecast for portions of southern Louisiana Wednesday, and there was also the "danger of life-threatening storm surge for the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines." Storm surge warnings were in effect for the Louisiana coast from Avery Island east to the Mississippi-Alabama border and included Vermilion Bay, Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain. If peak storm surge and high tide happen together, water levels from Burns Point to Port Fourchon, Louisiana, could rise between 5 and 10 feet above ground levels, the hurricane center said. Levels could reach 4 to 7 feet from Port Fourchon to the mouth of the Mississippi River, and 3 to 5 feet from Cameron to Intracoastal City near Vermilion Bay. Places along the Gulf coast from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the border of Alabama and Florida could see storm surges between 2 and 4 feet, according to the forecasts. A graphic shows the projected peak storm surge for Tropical Storm Francine. Sept. 11, 2024. / Credit: NOAA A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation in the watch area within 48 hours, and a warning means it could happen sooner. Francine was also expected to dump 4 to 8 inches of rain on southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, far southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Thursday night, forecasters said, adding that up to a foot of rainfall could accumulate in certain areas. There was a risk of "considerable" flash flooding and urban flooding because of that, especially if storm surge linked to Francine compounds the tide to inundate coastal places. The rainfall forecast for Tropical Storm Francine. Sept. 11, 2024. / Credit: NOAA Flooding risks were highest for large sections of southeastern Louisiana, including New Orleans and the rest of the delta, and a strip of southwestern Mississippi, including the vast majority of the coast. Forecasters said a few tornadoes could also materialize Wednesday and Wednesday night, possibly in parts of southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Author hopes to shed light on working class misconceptions New York City pizzerias honor 9/11 first responders Haitian migrant community of Springfield, Ohio, contends with a political firestorm Days after a school shooter killed four people and wounded nine others at Apalachee High School near Atlanta, Georgia, the youth-focused gun control advocacy group March for Our Lives has unveiled its first-ever congressional endorsements. In July, the group endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign the first presidential endorsement in March for Our Lives history. On Monday, the activist group announced that it is also backing several Arizona candidates in Novembers elections the first of several down-ballot endorsements planned by the organization. As America confronts the growing danger of authoritarianism, and a gun violence epidemic devastating our communities, we need champions at every level of government who will stand up and fight for our lives, March for Our Lives wrote in a statement. Chief among them is Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), who is running to fill the Senate seat that will be vacated by outgoing Senator Kirsten (I-Ariz.) Gallego understands whats at stake and will fight for our lives and freedoms, the group wrote. In contrast, his opponent Kari Lake has been endorsed by the NRA and even made dangerous and suggestive comments when she told her supporters to arm themselves and strap on a glock ahead of the election. She is a dangerous fear monger who must be stopped. This race was identified by CIRCLE as a top race where the youth vote can have a significant impact. This is our opportunity to elect a gun violence prevention champion who will fight for our lives in the Senate, they added. March for Our Lives also endorsed former state Sen. Kirsten Engel in the states Sixth Congressional District, as well as the reelection campaign of Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.). In this critical moment, its not just about who we elect at the top of the ballot but across all levels of government. From the Senate to the House, we need gun violence prevention champions who will fight for real change, Natalie Fall, Executive Director of March For Our Lives, said in a statement provided to Rolling Stone. The recent shooting in Georgia is yet another painful reminder of the urgent need for change in this country and the importance of electing leaders who will protect young peoples lives and futures. With these endorsements, we are mobilizing our base and will use our political power to elect leaders who will listen to us, stand up for us, and push back against the gun lobby. Time and again, young people have been a force to be reckoned with, and 2024 will be no exception. This fight is about more than just one race or candidate its about electing leaders at every level who will march alongside us and fight for real, lasting change. In the wake of last weeks school shooting, Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance told a crowd of supporters in Phoenix, Arizona, that while he doesnt like to admit this school shootings are a fact of life, and described educational institutions as soft targets. Gun violence is a choice our leaders are making. JD Vance is making his choice clear, March for Our Lives wrote on X in response. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. How the Marines are changing their conduct and leadership guidance The newest updates to two foundational Marine Corps manuals on leadership and conduct ask Leathernecks if theyre doing whats necessary to hold fellow Marines and themselves to the highest standards. Whether its braving a hail of bullets to break through enemy defenses, producing an innovative technical fix that saves the Corps money or pulling aside a Marine behaving poorly on liberty, the service uses these documents and other methods to provide guidance for its members. The two publications, Leading Marines and Sustaining the Transformation, were first published in the 1990s. This is the first major revision of the warfighting and tactical manuals, respectively. These publications may not be part of the next board for promotion or job certification, but they are fundamental to how Marines uphold a high standard. While the Corps prides itself on a transformation that takes place in recruit training to make a Marine, it takes even more diligence to maintain those high standards, which is the focus of Sustaining the Transformation, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz said in an interview with Marine Corps Times. Warfighting, quality of life prioritized in USMC commandant guidance Its a very different document than any other document we have, Ruiz said. Most of the Corps publications, such as Force Design or Project Tripoli, are plans for changing equipment, tactics or methods for educating the force, the senior enlisted Marine said. But the leadership publications focus on people, he said. Lets put it on paper, words like teamwork, empathy, dare I say love for each other, Ruiz said. Those things have always been part of our culture and our Corps. Some of the major changes from the previous version of Sustaining the Transformation include: Shifting focus from recruitment and recruit training to after an individual earns the title Marine. Expanding the focus to include how each grade level (e.g., junior enlisted, staff noncommissioned officer, junior officer) sustains the transformation and supports other grades doing the same. Using recent examples to illustrate how each grade sustains the transformation. Discussing the importance of professional military education at each grade level. The revisions didnt result from a specific incident or problem, Ruiz said. The process began under his predecessor, Sgt. Maj. Troy Black, who now serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 2021, Black, under then-Commandant Gen. David Bergers direction, put out a call for Marines to review and update Sustaining the Transformation, according to a Marine Corps Administrative Message. That call resulted in a volunteer group headed by Gunnery Sgt. Abigail Seitz and a mix of NCOs, SNCOs, junior and field grade officers. The Marines first published Leading Marines under then-Commandant Gen. Carl Mundy III in 1995, followed by Sustaining Marines, under then-Commandant Gen. Charles Krulak in 1999. The publications rolled out as the Corps transformed recruit training to include the Crucible, a culminating field exercise and additional week of training. The generational change to recruit training was undergirded with stories of individual Marines in combat. At stations throughout the Crucible, drill instructors read citations of Marine Medal of Honor awardees, using their stories of bravery and sacrifice to inspire recruits. The publications had a similar theme, using vignettes of both battlefield actions and everyday scenarios as lessons for new Marines and those charged with leading Marines. For example, under the junior enlisted section in Sustaining the Transformation, authors share the story of how Cpl. Riki Clement reverse-engineered a cable to connect radios to vehicles. His solution saved the Marine Corps $15 million it would have cost to purchase new parts. In the past, a Marine might not even attempt such a fix without proper permissions or would have relied on protocols that were time consuming and costly. Clements innovation helped his unit and the Marine Corps. The publication showcases perseverance in the story of Lance Cpl. Kasey Krock, who was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in 1992 during Operation Desert Storm where he jumped off his vehicle during a firefight twice to set off an explosive charge that helped breach a defense the assault force then used to attack and overcome the enemy. Marine Commandant Gen. Eric Smith wrote new forewords to the recently updated publications. Smith highlighted how the past decades of combat experience have added to the fighting legacy of the branch. Those stories also help young Marines, some born after 9/11, better relate to current combat challenges. The top Marine doesnt want robots, though. Both he and Ruiz emphasize in the writing and in an interview that Marines need to think for themselves, deciding when they need to question authority and when they need to put a fellow Marines behavior in check. This publication is not meant to be a how to guide on leadership, rather, it provides broad guidance in the form of concepts and values, Smith wrote in Leading Marines. Ruiz noted that the Sustaining the Transformation publication is broken down by ranks, junior enlisted, noncommissioned officers, senior noncommissioned officers, warrant and company grade officers. Those categories are divided up because as a Marine climbs the ranks, their responsibility for Marines increases, even as their close contact with them widens. A Marine should ask, Is my training preparing me for the fight; am I training for the fight in order to fight as I have trained? Marine leaders might also ask, Am I mentoring junior Marines and providing novel solutions to problems? the Sustaining the Transformation publication asks. Those questions are specific both to combat prep and to living in garrison, out on liberty or at home on leave, Ruiz said. The sergeant major wants the leaders welcoming new Marines to their unit to carry forward examples of excellence in those first few days, weeks and months in the fleet. That same attention to the state of the individual Marine must also continue in their final months and weeks in uniform. He hopes that Marines out of uniform and future Marines who leave the service retain the lessons from their time in the Corps that these documents highlight. When you drop the uniform, you dont exit stage left, Ruiz said. You dont leave the Marine Corps behind. The sergeant major said he wants other Marines to call out fellow Marines when theyre not acting in a manner that matches the Corps expectations. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (at podium) with state Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-4th District) speak at a press conference in Philadelphia Sept, 9, 2024 (Capital-Star photo by John Cole) PHILADELPHIA One day before Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump debate here for the first and perhaps only time this cycle, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore joined Pennsylvania Democrats on Monday to rally support for the Democratic ticket. Im here in Pennsylvania because the facts tell us that the decision that is going to be made here in the state of Pennsylvania is going to have a very direct impact on the people of my state as well, Moore said on Monday during a press conference at the Community College of Philadelphia. Moore has ties to the Philadelphia area: he graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy and College in the Philadelphia suburbs. He was joined at the event by state Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, and U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-4th District). Moore drew comparisons between the Harris economic agenda and Trump and Project 2025- a conservative policy plan written by the Heritage Foundation that would revamp the federal government. He was optimistic about Harris chances in Tuesdays debate. Shell be successful. And I dont think there is, or should be any doubt about that, but more importantly, its not just about her winning a debate, and frankly, its not the fact that shes going to win a debate or election because the opponent is weak. Its because her policies are strong, he said. Dean also expressed optimism in Harris and emphasized the importance of the debate on Tuesday. Shes a skilled storyteller, shes a skilled prosecutor, and my, there is a case to be prosecuted here for the future of America, Dean said of Harris. Trump campaign spokesperson Kush Desai criticized Moore in a statement, pointing to recent controversy over the Maryland governors erroneous claim from 20 years ago that he received a Bronze Star in fact he was recommended for it but did not receive it. Moore has apologized for not correcting recent interviewers who mentioned the medal. The reality that he cant lie or spin his way out of, however, is that the last thing that Pennsylvanians or Marylanders, for that matter need is another four years of rising prices and a raging border crisis bringing crime and drugs into our communities under Kamala Harris, Desai said. Following President Joe Bidens poor showing in a June debate with Trump, he exited the race and endorsed Harris. A CBS News poll released Sunday showed Harris and Trump tied at 50% each with likely voters in the Keystone State. Moore told reporters Monday that undecided voters are not the only ones that Harris will reach during Tuesday evenings debate. Its the voters who are skeptical of the larger political system, Moore said. Its the voters who we need to come out, because in many ways, this election is not going to be turned on how people vote. This election will be determined by people who choose to vote and people who choose not to. In response to a reporters question, Moore said he didnt think Harris would spend time fact-checking Trump, but that no one should be surprised when the former president says something thats incendiary or something that is off putting, or misogynistic or racist. Tuesday is currently the only debate that Harris and Trump have agreed to, although both candidates have signaled that they would be interested in participating in another debate. While Moore highlighted the economy during his remarks, Street focused on the Harris tickets views on gun laws and Dean underscored the importance of reproductive rights in the race. Vice President Harris said it best that Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the consequences of his presidency are so serious, Street said. He also applauded Harris selecting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, pointing to the gun control laws he signed. Dean specifically criticized Trump for saying he will be opposing a ballot measure in Florida that expands abortion access. I tell you this, Im standing here as a mom, as a mother in law to three daughters in law, and as a grandmother to three granddaughters and a grandson. So I take this very, very personally, Dean said. Donald Trump wants to take this to make this a reality across the country. Trump has said on the campaign trail that hes proud that his appointments to the Supreme Court helped lead to Roe v. Wade being overturned, although his running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), has said that Trump would veto a national abortion ban. The Cook Political Report, a national ratings outlet, places seven states, including Pennsylvania, in the toss-up category for the presidential election. With its 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania has the biggest prize of all the swing states for the winner of the election. We recently published a list of 10 Stocks That Will Go to the Moon According to Reddit. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM) stands against the other stocks. FINRA Investor Education Foundation and CFA Institute (2023) revealed that ~37% of Gen-Z investors in the US and ~38% in the UK come to social media influencers regarding investment decisions. Therefore, it is important to explore the role finfluencers (influencers sharing financial advice on social media) play in providing investment information and how Gen-Z investors engage with finfluencers. Young investors are considering memes and viral videos as the primary source of investment advice. Social Media and Investments: Do They Complement Each Other? Experts believe that retail or non-professional investors are now becoming dependent on digital channels, like social media platforms such as TikTok, when it comes to investing. FINRA revealed that ~60% of US investors under age 35 believe that social media can be used as a source of investment information. This compares to ~57% who use finance professionals. This increase is probably because digital channels are becoming easily accessible, with ~60% of the global population utilizing social media (as per DataReportal). Quick-scroll websites are now considered the go-to spot for investment ideas and inspiration. This is because of their bite-sized format and easy access. Ofcom, which tracks news consumption in the UK revealed that TikToks reach for news went up from ~1% in 2020 to ~7% in 2022. This was mainly seen in younger folks aged between 16 24 years. Pew Research mentioned that, in the US, this increased from ~3% in 2020 to ~10% in 2022. Financial advice content, which is shared on social media, has been contributing to the growth of the creator economy, which is pegged at ~$127 billion globally (as per Coherent Market Insights). This is expected to reach US$528.39 billion by 2030, with growth stemming from higher demand for user-generated content and increased monetization opportunities. Financial institutions and investment advisory companies are now focusing on creating pathways from social media to their product and services to exploit strong market opportunities. Therefore, most retail investors continue to make investing decisions under social medias influence. Retail Traders Making a Significant Portion in The US Stock Options JPMorgan Chase & Co. highlighted that non-professional investors are now making a bigger part of the US options market as they continue to pour money mainly into short-term bets and technology stocks. The bank highlighted that retail traders accounted for ~18.3% of the total options activity in June. Social media and online investing communities have influenced retail investors to the extent that these investors dont shy away from making investments in the downturn. In late July and early August 2024, when there was a sharp decline in popular technology shares, retail investors turned out to be net buyers. Vanda Research mentioned that individual investors, who were caught up in the market downturn, continued to be net buyers of shares of leading technology and AI-related companies. Just to balance out the risks, retail investors directed significant buying to an ETF tracking 20-Y Treasury bonds. Wall Street experts and enthusiasts believe that this confidence comes from the online investing communities and social media platforms, where there were discussions about going long on leading technology shares as they were trading at decent levels. 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 Antero Midstream Corporation (AM) The Stock That Will Go to the Moon According to Reddit? A pumping station with its industrial infrastructure in the background. Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM) Number of hedge fund holders: 28 Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM) is a midstream company, that owns, operates, and develops midstream energy infrastructure services and production activity in the Appalachian Basins Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale located in West Virginia and Ohio. Natural gas has a very bright future because it is a cleaner commodity than coal and is seeing quicker adoption by fast-growing emerging markets. Courtesy of power generation, adoption by industrial markets, hydrogen applications, and transportation markets, the demand for natural gas is expected to remain elevated for the foreseeable future. Midstream companies tend to benefit from increased natural gas volumes because they offer the infrastructure that is required to process and ship natural gas. Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM) should benefit from its majority market share because it operates the midstream assets of Antero Resources. This company is a producer having deep reserves and industry-leading breakeven prices in the Appalachian Basin. After going through the business, it was understood that 100% of the companys cash generation is backed by fixed-fee contracts, which mitigates the commodity risk. Also, Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM) should benefit from its recent ~$70 million strategic acquisition from Summit Midstream Corporation (NYSE:SMC), which also includes assets in the Marcellus Shale. This acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to free cash flow for Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM) and should support future development plans. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on the shares of Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM) from $15.00 to $16.00, giving it an Underweight rating on 27th August. At the end of 2Q 2024, 28 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM). Overall AM ranks 6th on our list of stocks that will go to the moon. While we acknowledge the potential of AM as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued AI stock that is more promising than AM 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. MATC is working toward status as a Hispanic Serving Institution. What does that mean? Across the U.S., a shortlist of colleges and universities are categorized as "Hispanic Serving Institutions" and Milwaukee Area Technical College wants to make the list. According to the federal definition, HSIs are nonprofit colleges and universities where at least 25% of undergraduate full-time equivalent students are Hispanic. Nationally, HSIs account for one in five colleges and universities, but they enroll almost two-thirds of Hispanic college students, according to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. MATC has made it a goal since 2018 to work toward that status, and it's one of the top goals for the college's new president, Anthony Cruz. How close is MATC to becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution? Because MATC mostly enrolls part-time students, its student demographics change from semester to semester. As of 2023-24, 21.6% of students identified as Hispanic, according to a statement from the college. MATC is considered an "emerging" HSI by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. What would change if MATC became a Hispanic-Serving Institution? Colleges and universities that meet the federal definition of an HSI can apply for grants. Though the grants are awarded only to HSIs, they are intended to support all students regardless of their identity. The range of topics the federal money can be used for is broad, including improvements to classrooms, counseling programs, facilities and faculty education, among others. The federal government formally created the HSI title in 1994, adding it to a new version of the Higher Education Act of 1965. How many HSIs are there in the U.S.? There were 600 HSIs across 28 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, in 2022-23, according to an analysis of federal data by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Alverno College, Herzing University, Gateway Technical College and Mount Mary University in Wisconsin are considered HSIs. Cleo Krejci covers higher education, vocational training and retraining as a Report For America corps member based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at CKrejci@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @_CleoKrejci. For more information about Report for America, visit jsonline.com/rfa This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What is a Hispanic-Serving Institution in higher education? SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) The Matthew Reardon Center for Autism (MRCA) is hosting an upcoming Open House. The community is invited to the event to explore the centers facilities, meet the team, and learn more about the programs that support individuals with autism and their families. There will be a range of activities, including bouncy houses, food trucks and miniature therapy horses. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take guided tours of the classrooms to see teaching methods and resources the center provides its students. The event will also serve as an introduction to the Centers new President and CEO, Jackie Smith, who will be on hand to meet with families, community members, and supporters. Attendees will have a chance to learn more about the centers future direction under new leadership and to connect with others who share a passion for supporting individuals with autism. We are thrilled to open our doors to the community and showcase the incredible work being done at MRCA and our new President and CEO, Jackie Smith, said MRCA Board Chair, Madigan Critell. This event is not just about fun its about celebrating the progress of our students and the ongoing commitment to providing the highest level of support to those on the autism spectrum. We look forward to welcoming the Savannah community and prospective new students and their families. The free event will be held Saturday, September 21, from 9 a.m. 12 p.m. at 11500 Middleground Rd. Families, educators, and anyone interested in learning more about autism support services are encouraged to attend. Established in 2000, the Matthew Reardon Center for Autism, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in Savannah, provides autism-related advocacy and outreach across southeast Georgia and operates southeast Georgias only accredited, year-round day school for children with autism. To learn more about the Matthew Reardon Center for Autism, visit matthewreardon.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 WSAV-TV. Maumelle police say social media post is believed not to be a threat to local schools MAUMELLE, Ark. Police in Maumelle said that a social media post thought to be a threat to one of the schools in the area was not the case in a Monday afternoon update. In a social post made by the Maumelle Police Department, authorities said they received a tip Sunday night regarding a screenshot of a social media post that was believed to be a threat. Police said that the post was a screenshot of several posts. Russellville school safety protocol on alert after social media threat, arrest During an investigation, detectives said they found similar social media posts involving schools from other states. Investigators said a child contacted Maumelle police and admitted to sharing a post and adding a comment about Maumelle. Police arrest juvenile accused in social media threat made against Russellville Junior High School Detectives with the Maumelle Police Department said that there is no threat to a Maumelle school. Detectives said they are continuing to investigate the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Maumelle Police Department at 501-851-1337. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BROOKLYN, NY New York City Mayor Eric Adams just tested positive for Covid, according to Fabien Levy, the deputy mayor for communications. Following the diagnosis, Adams canceled a town hall in Prospect Heights about the impact of Vanderbilt Avenue and Underhill Avenue Open Streets on businesses and neighbors. This illness comes during a busy time for Adams. Yesterday, he visited two different Brooklyn churches, Changing Lives Christian Center in Flatbush and the Power and Authority Evangelical Ministry in East New York, just days after the FBI raided the homes of two of his deputy mayors as part of a federal probe. He will still be conducting city business this week, but virtually, Levy said. This is a developing story, check back for updates. Mayor Eric Adams Tests Positive For Covid originally appeared on the Brooklyn Patch Mecklenburg sheriff says ICE document mix up to blame for suspects release in murder case The Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office released and rearrested two suspects investigators linked to a Charlotte murder after a document mix up with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and a Mecklenburg magistrate. Jose Rivera-Martinez, 38, and Reyna Ulloa-Martinez, 44, were in ICE custody in Georgia for unspecified reasons before officials transported them Friday to Charlotte, where they were served with warrants for being accessories in a first-degree murder, according to a news release from Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office. The two are charged with helping 42-year-old Jose Francisco Ulloa-Martinez temporarily escape arrest and get fictitious identification documents after police say he killed Kevin Merlos-Saravia in east Charlotte on May 26. The ICE officers did not give sheriffs deputies writs, according to MCSO public information officer Bradley Smith. Writs are documents that direct deputies who are receiving detainees to keep them in custody and send them back after the charges are resolved. So, with no writs, Mecklenburg Magistrate James Parker, who was working MCSOs arrest processing center Friday morning, gave the two suspects an unsecured bond of $50,000. If they promised to show up for their court dates Monday afternoon, they didnt have to pay. Hours later, deputies realized something went wrong. Writs existed, but they werent initially provided to the deputies and the magistrate on duty, according to Smith. So the sheriffs office and other officials set out to locate the Martinezes, but they were unsuccessful until Monday when the two showed up at a scheduled court date. Deputies took the two back in to custody when they appeared in court for their first appearance, as Parker, the magistrate, instructed them to do. They will stay in jail until their charges are resolved, according to the news release. Then, they will go back into ICE custody in Georgia. It was a stressful weekend, not knowing where the Martinezes were, Sheriff Garry McFadden said in a statement, but thankfully they appeared for court this afternoon. East Charlotte house murder The accessory to murder charges are linked to the May 26 murder of Merlos-Saravia, police say. According to police records, Jose Francisco Ulloa-Martinez wife called her daughter at 5 a.m. and told her Jose had killed (Kevin). The two had been drinking at their home on Winged Elm Court since 5:30 p.m. the night before, she told police. Her husband had a gun, she told police, and he was known to shoot when drinking. When she woke up to gunshots at 3 a.m., she saw (Kevin) lying on his back by the stairs and Joses vehicle no longer in the parking lot, according to the arrest affidavit. Texas police arrested Jose Francisco Ulloa-Martinez in Houston weeks later, on June 7, and he was extradited to Charlotte June 24. With Rivera-Martinez and Reyna Ulloa-Martinez also back in custody in Charlotte, McFadden said he is investigating how they came into his office without writs. We are committed to ensuring better communication with transport officers so that individuals with court-ordered detention holds are not erroneously released in the future, he said. State Engineer Elizabeth Anderson was appointed to lead the Office of the State Engineer on Aug. 20, 2024. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) As an engineer, wastewater operator, water planner and Bosque bicyclist, Elizabeth Anderson has been up close and personal with New Mexicos water. Now, shes overseeing all of it. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Anderson to lead the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer on Aug. 20, making her the first woman to hold the states principal water manager position. In an interview with Source New Mexico, Anderson said water scarcity is posing the greatest challenges for the office. As we start finding ourselves in situations with less and less water with climate change, its more and more important that we make the most of what we have, Anderson said. Climate change is straining all parts of New Mexicos water systems. From increased pumping drawing down aquifers in hotter weather to the gaunt rivers and streams struggling in higher heats, and fed by less snow. Pollution and contamination threaten remaining sources of water. Anderson is taking the helm as projects around water are receiving more state funding. Lujan Grisham has called for a half-billion investment in augmenting water supplies, and there are billions of dollars in unprecedented infrastructure money from the federal government. In addition, Congress is moving on several New Mexico tribal water rights settlements, potentially offering billions of dollars to tribal nations and surrounding communities. Meanwhile, the Rio Grande case was ordered to continue its meander through the U.S. Supreme court. Make the most of it for everybody In an Albuquerque conference room, framed by maps showing arroyos and wells across the state, Anderson said her priorities are emphasizing collaboration even as water becomes more scarce. She wants to make the Office of the State Engineer more visible saying Were going to need to do more metering, going to have to have more water masters in the field. As the State Engineer, Anderson is charged with ensuring New Mexico meets its interstream compacts with other states, but also is the regulating and permitting agency for water. I think, no matter what we do, we have to protect our water resources, she said. We need to do everything that we can to make sure that we have the water that we need for the state, and that we use it effectively. Currently, the state is in the middle of revamping its regional water planning process, asking for public input on rules. Anderson said regional planning offers the chance for communities to set the water values and increases the data needed to make good decisions. At the state level, what the legislature is looking forward to is understanding prioritized projects that need to be done in regions and programs, and how we get those into place, she said. Anderson pointed to efforts on tribal nation water settlements as successful cooperation. She said the examples of collaboration, such as all parties cutting back on water use during shortages and additional conservation, offers more tools to help with water. She said they offer a key path forward. Its just getting people together to make those hard decisions, she said. Because if the waters not there, then you have to figure out what to do to make the most of it for everybody. There will be less water for New Mexicans, with scientists estimating that the state will lose 25% of water supplies due to climate change in the next 50 years. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ABQ raised, working at home Anderson grew up in Albuquerque, and attended the University of New Mexico for her bachelors and masters degrees in water and environmental engineering. She has worked with water for the past 25 years. Anderson was an engineering consultant on wastewater projects and a water operators leader in New Mexico and West Texas. Shes a level four water operator and a level three wastewater operator, meaning shes trained in cleaning and treating sewage and drinking water. So Im not afraid to get my hands dirty, she joked to lawmakers. Anderson managed engineering and construction at the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, ending her career there as the Chief Planning Officer. In that role, she managed conservation, the education program and all engineering projects. Anderson moves up from her top advisor role to the former State Engineer Mike Hamman, where she served for one year. In an introduction to lawmakers during an August Water and Natural Resources interim committee meeting, Anderson said she would deliver on Lujan Grishams stated priorities, introduced the 50 year water plan. We must ensure that future generations of New Mexicans have a secure water supply, resilient watersheds and thriving local economies, she told lawmakers. Some of Andersons other priorities include advocating for New Mexicans in the Colorado and Rio Grande river basins. She said the state should strive to be a good neighbor, and that the office will work to meet New Mexicans needs. Finally, she offered her vision on decision-making, saying resolutions start with the best available data and science, but also need collaboration and everyone at the table. I believe everyones voice deserves to be heard, she told lawmakers at the meeting. Anderson will require the Senate to confirm her as State Engineer in the upcoming 2025 legislative session. This story was updated Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at 10:11 a.m. to reflect the correct number of years Anderson advised the former state engineer. She served for one year, not two. HONOLULU (KHON2) The Hoopili Tribal Council, formerly known as the Oahu Intertribal Council, is dedicated to promoting and celebrating Native American and Indigenous cultures in Hawaii. Led by Lisa Kaanoi, the council is a diverse group representing various tribes, including Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native and Okinawan heritage. Their mission is to foster cultural awareness and unity through educational programs, community events and traditional celebrations. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The council organizes the annual Intertribal Powwow at the Bishop Museum which will be taking place this year on Sept. 21 and 22. It will showcase traditional and modern dances, arts, crafts and educational demonstrations. Beyond the powwow, they engage in activities like arts and crafts workshops, frybread fundraisers and awareness events for issues such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and boarding school impacts. The council also works to connect Native Americans in Hawaii, offering a space for cultural exchange and community support. The Role of the Hoopili Tribal Council The Hoopili Tribal Council, formerly known as the Oahu Intertribal Council, plays a crucial role in organizing and supporting these cultural events. The council is made up of members from various tribes, reflecting its commitment to an inclusive and diverse representation. Kaanoi, who has been involved in powwows for over 20 years, explained how the council supports the community year-round. In addition to organizing the powwow, the council conducts educational presentations at schools, hosts arts and crafts workshops and participates in awareness campaigns. For example, the council hosts a frybread fundraiser and supports Boarding School Awareness Day on September 30, a day to honor survivors of the boarding school era. Kaanoi shared, Our powwow is like our grand finale each year, but we stay active throughout the year with various events and educational programs. Connecting with the community For Native Americans living in Hawaii, the powwow is a significant opportunity to connect with their cultural roots and other community members. As Kaanoi noted, Finding and connecting with other Native Americans in Hawaii can be challenging due to our dispersed population. Events like this powwow help us come together and strengthen our community ties. If you are Native American and wish to connect with the council, Kaanoi encouraged reaching out through their social media platforms or attending their events. The council is also open to volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds who want to learn more about Indigenous cultures and contribute to these meaningful events. Supporting and Learning If youre not Native American but are interested in supporting the council and learning more, there are several ways to get involved. Kaanoi suggested volunteering at events, attending educational sessions, and participating in cultural demonstrations. We welcome everyone who is curious and wants to learn, she said. Our powwow is a great way to start. Attendees will also have the chance to see demonstrations at Ala Moana Center Stage before the powwow, where dancers and performers will share a preview of what to expect. These performances aim to spark interest and invite the public to the main event. Remembering and honoring An important part of the powwows mission is to honor and remember the past, including the challenges faced by Native American communities. Kaanoi explained the significance of events like Orange Shirt Day, which is observed on Sept. 30 to raise awareness about the impact of residential schools on Indigenous children. Its a day to remember and honor the survivors and victims of the boarding school era, she said. Its important to acknowledge these histories and support those who are still healing. For more information and to get involved, click here. Click here for more information on how you can join the fun at the 2024 powwow. You can watch Kaanois full interview in the video above. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 For those who want to learn more about these issues, there will be booths dedicated to MMIW and boarding school awareness at the powwow. These booths will provide educational materials and opportunities to donate to related causes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Brad Bonham, entrepreneur-in-residence, appointed by Gov. Spencer Cox, stands in his Twenty & Creek Premier Venue in Sandy on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. Bonham is the state's first entrepreneur-in-residence. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Brad Bonham was comfortably into what well call his first retirement when he was summoned to a meeting with the governor in early 2023. It had been a year and a half since hed sold Walker Edison, the ready-to-assemble e-commerce furniture company hed started from scratch in 2006 and turned into such a runaway success that it was acquired by Blackstone, the New York-based worlds largest alternative asset manager that has a reputation for buying only the best. Stepping down as Walker Edisons CEO at the age of 41 had given Brad time to 1), spend more of it with his family and 2), go back to school. And not just any school. He was accepted into the prestigious Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School, where enrollment is limited to executives who are managing, or have managed, successful businesses. So he was busy but not too busy. Gov. Cox knew I didnt have a day job anymore, says Brad, remembering when he met with the governor to see what he wanted to talk about. The governor got right to the point. What he had in mind was the creation of a new position in state government that would make sure Utah is the place to start a business. He wanted Brad to assess the states economic environment and see where and how it could be improved so self-starters folks who like to think outside the box and be their own boss people like Brad Bonham could thrive. I said OK, how much are you going to pay? remembers Brad. And he said Zero, and Im like, OK, Im in. Just like that, Utah became the first state in the country to have an entrepreneur-in-residence. The position, as Bonham quickly discovered, is entirely voluntary. There is no budget. There is no expense account. No tax dollars are involved. So why did he agree to the job? Its simple for me, he says, its because I care deeply about entrepreneurs. I love helping entrepreneurs. The Twenty & Creek Premier Venue in Sandy is pictured on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Brads love for entrepreneurs can be traced back to his birth. He was born into a family of them people constantly on the lookout for untapped markets and products to fill them. Older Utahns will likely remember the Tote Gote, a motor scooter-type contraption built sturdy enough to tote a deer out of the mountains. It was a minor sensation in the 1960s. Its inventor: Ralph Bonham, Brads great grandfather. Brads role model is his father, Scott, a man, says Brad, I never saw work for someone else. Hes had a few things go completely bust, but he was never afraid to start, never afraid to go in head first. Among other ventures, in addition to being involved in Walker Edison (Walker is Scotts middle name, Edison is Brads middle name), Scott Bonham programmed the worlds first digital time card and started Gold Canyon Candle, a successful scented-candle business. Brads personal story is the kind entrepreneurs like to tell around the proverbial campfire. How he was a student at the University of Utah, studying for a degree in finance, when he had a meeting with his counselor to talk about future career opportunities. The counselor told him he was on track to land a job that would pay him $60,000 when he graduated. Wait a minute, thought Brad, he was already making more than that with the two side hustles he was running while going to school. One was buying and selling high-end watches online, the other was buying and selling auto parts. He left school shortly after that. The watches and auto parts soon gave way to a gift basket company he and his father acquired and improved, which gave way to Walker Edison. Brad Bonham, entrepreneur-in-residence, appointed by Gov. Spencer Cox, walks through the groom's room in his Twenty & Creek Premier Venue in Sandy on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. Bonham is the state's first entrepreneur-in-residence. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Brad has dived into his entrepreneur-in-residence nonprofit role as enthusiastically as those that have been for-profit. First thing he did was travel the length and breadth of the state, organizing lunches and inviting local entrepreneurs or would-be entrepreneurs to attend. He listened to their comments, hopes, problems, suggestions and concerns (and paid for the lunches). That took up the first half of 2023. Armed with their input, he spent the second half of the year setting up a website: startup.utah.gov a one-stop-shop clearing house for all the tools and resources entrepreneurs can access, full of information designed to make it as easy as humanly possible to start a business here in Utah. The website has been up and running most of 2024. As word spreads, more and more success stories are pouring in. I believe wholeheartedly that government is great when it enables and its horrible when it impedes, said Brad recently as he met with the Deseret News at Twenty and Creek, the event venue in Sandy run by his wife, Megan (yet another Bonham entrepreneur). Utah is already the best fiscally run state in the union. My goal is to make it even better. The single biggest hurdle all entrepreneurs face, says Utahs e-in-chief, is overcoming no. He explains, I dont think it matters what space or industry youre in, everywhere you go, every time you talk to someone, even in government, youll find people are pre-programmed to say no. I think most people get discouraged when they hear the word no. The key is when you hear no to think how do we get to yes? Successful entrepreneurs overcome obstacles that would normally stop most people. Entrepreneurs just power straight through that kind of stuff. Thats free advice, by the way. The Twenty & Creek Premier Venue in Sandy is pictured on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Lawyer for Melissa Jubanes accused killer said client pleads not guilty PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) An attorney representing the man accused of killing nurse Melissa Jubane entered a not guilty plea on his clients behalf Monday in a Washington County. Bryce Johnathan Schubert was arrested a few days after Jubane was reported missing when she didnt arrive for her early morning shift at Providence St. Vincent. An extensive investigation over those days led authorities to arrest the 27-year-old. Suspect driving converted ambulance wanted for sex crimes in two states Jubanes remains were recovered as well, according to police. Schubert was immediately described by investigators as a neighbor of Jubane, 32, who lived at an apartment complex on 1050 SW 160th Ave. in Beaverton. Melissa Jubane in an undated photo provided September 7, 2024 (Courtesy) Details of the reasons for the arrest have not yet been made public. However, Schubert faces charges of second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, and second-degree abuse of a corpse. Schubert did not appear in the courtroom Monday, but appeared virtually in a video conference. He did not speak. Schubert will be held without bail until his next court date. Another court appearance is set for Tuesday and a preliminary hearing on Monday, Sept. 16. Mt. Bachelor Resort threatened by Backside Fire A Providence spokesperson told KOIN 6 News Schubert had been briefly employed as a Providence Portland Medical Center nurse from September 2022 to October 2023. But officials also said he had not been employed at Providence St. Vincent. KOIN 6 News will have more information later in the day. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Body shell of an all-electric Porsche Taycan luxury automobile in an overhead conveyor cradle on the production line with man walking behind Italy has called for a review of the European Unions 2035 petrol car ban amid fears it risked triggering the industrys collapse. Ministers from Giorgia Melonis government claimed the absurd policy was ideologically driven and required change to reflect the realities of the market. There has been growing unease across the Continent about a slowdown in demand for electric vehicles (EVs). There are also concerns that Europes car industry is falling increasingly behind manufacturers in China and the US, which have benefitted from a flood of government subsidies. Last week, car giant Volkswagen warned it might close factories in Germany for the first time owing to issues such as high energy prices. This has prompted calls in some quarters for a rethink of tough EU climate goals which build up to a ban on internal combustion engine cars by 2035. Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, the Italian energy minister, told Bloomberg: The ban must be changed. Adolfo Urso, the industry minister, added: In an uncertain landscape, which is affecting the German automotive industry, clarity is needed to not let the European industry collapse. Europe needs a pragmatic vision, the ideological vision has failed. We need to acknowledge that. He called for the targets to be reviewed early by the European Commission, which is responsible for drawing up the laws. Italy says it is not opposed to EVs but has argued that the transition to clean energy should involve other technologies as well. Meanwhile, Volkswagen Germanys largest industrial employer and Europes top carmaker by revenue has been hammered by rising power prices after the loss of cheap Russian gas in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. The company has also been struggling with its push into electric cars. Sales of EVs stalled in the first half of the year and the company delayed the US launch of its latest electric sedans indefinitely. This year it revealed plans to invest up to $5bn (3.82bn) in Tesla rival Rivian in an effort to catch up with its competitors. Compounding matters is a worsening outlook for Germanys economy, which is struggling to reverse a slump in its key manufacturing sector. 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. Apple (AAPL) debuted its iPhone 16 smartphone line during its "Glowtime" event at its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., on Monday. The phones come in four styles: the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus, and the premium iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The new phones are Apple's first designed specifically with its Apple Intelligence AI platform in mind and feature more powerful chips that can operate the software. The base iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus now come with the same programmable Action button found on last year's iPhone 15 Pro line. Both the base iPhone 16s and the iPhone 16 Pros also get new dedicated touch-sensitive camera buttons that you can click to launch the camera app. You can then click again to take a photo or click and hold to take video. A light press on the button brings up a new overlay that allows you to access controls like zoom. Third-party apps like Snapchat are also taking advantage of the camera button to quickly share your shots. iPhone 16 Features of the new iPhone 16 Overall, the $799 iPhone 16 and $899 iPhone 16 Plus look similar to last year's models, save for the way their rear cameras are arranged. They're now stacked vertically to allow for spatial photos for use with the Apple Vision Pro headset. Inside, iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus get Apple's new 3-nanometer A18 chip, which includes a 2x faster neural engine. Apple says the A18's central processing unit is up to 30% faster than the one found in the iPhone 15 line and includes a 5-core GPU, which helps run Apple Intelligence, games, and camera features. Apple says the new chip will also improve the phone's battery life. The iPhone 16s will also come equipped with computational photography software to create a 2x telephoto option that simulates an optical zoom via the standard wide-angle lens. The ultra-wide lens, meanwhile, gets upgraded to 48 megapixels. Apple further says it's bringing visual intelligence to the camera app that allows you to take a photo of something like a restaurant to get reviews of the place or take a shot of a flyer for a concert and immediately add the info to your calendar. If you see a bike in person that you'd like to buy, you can capture a photo of it and then get a quick Google link to purchase it. This sounds similar to Google's existing Circle to Search feature for Android phones. I'll have to see if it works as well as Google's offering when I get my hands on it. iPhone 16 Pro Features of the new Apple iPhone 16 Pro The $999 iPhone 16 Pro and $1,199 iPhone 16 Pro Max get larger displays this time around, with the Pro's screen jumping from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches and the Pro Max's screen increasing from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches. The bigger displays come courtesy of thinner bezels that make the phone look more like a single sheet of glass from the front. Story continues Both Pro phones come with Apple's new A18 Pro chip, offering better performance than the A18 found in the iPhone 16s. The processor's CPU is 15% faster than the A17 Pro and uses 20% less power. The Pro and Pro Max also get more powerful 48-megapixel fusion cameras and 48-megapixel ultra-wide cameras. The Pro gets a new 5x optical zoom to match the Pro Max's capabilities. The iPhone 15 Pro only offered 3x zoom. Like the iPhone 16s, the Pros get the same camera controls via the new dedicated camera button, and later this year Apple will add a two-step shutter that locks onto a subject via a software update. You'll also now be able to shoot video in 4K 120 frames per second for slick slo-mo videos. You can also adjust frames per second after you shoot your videos via the Photos app. On the audio side of things, the Pros get four built-in microphones and spatial audio recording. An Audio Mix feature lets you determine how you want audio to sound in the videos to shoot professional-sounding movies. To illustrate the iPhone 16 Pro's video chops, the company showed off how the features were used to shoot The Weeknd's latest music video. Apple Intelligence As for Apple Intelligence, Apple says the software will be available as a free software update, with the first features coming as a beta in the US next month. Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish language versions of Apple Intelligence will be available next year. Apple didn't announce any new features for Apple Intelligence, but did spend time reminding consumers of the capabilities it announced during its WWDC event in June. The company touched on its Private Cloud Compute, which runs server-based AI features without saving any of your data. Apple says its AI-driven writing tools will be deeply integrated into iOS, ranging from first-party apps like Mail to third-party programs like Slack and Goodreads. The company further says Apple Intelligence will allow you to easily search for specific photos and moments in videos. Summarization tools will be available across iOS including for texts, work messages, and email. Mail also gets priority emails that alert you to what Apple Intelligence believes are your most important messages. Siri is also getting an upgrade, making it easier to chat with the voice assistant or type to ask it questions. Apple says Siri will get even more powerful upgrades in the future. But the fact that Apple Intelligence isn't launching out of the gate with the new iPhones could be a problem for Apple. Wall Street is banking on the feature to drive a new iPhone sales cycle. Any delay in Apple Intelligence's release could put a damper on those hopes. Apple's iPhone is its most important product and serves as a jumping-off point for customers to engage further with Apple's vast ecosystem of products and services ranging from its AirPods to Apple TV+. But iPhone sales have been flagging as of late. The company posted $39.2 billion in iPhone revenue its third quarter versus $39.6 billion during the same period last year. Part of that has to do with the company's performance in the Greater China region, which saw a roughly $1 billion year-over-year decline in revenue in its latest quarter. That said, the iPhone is still Apple's biggest moneymaker. In 2023, the smartphone made up $200.5 billion of the company's $383.2 billion in overall revenue. Subscribe to the Yahoo Finance Tech newsletter. (Yahoo Finance) Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley. Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Jury selection will begin on Monday in the federal trial of three former police officers involved in the fatal assault of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith are charged with violating the 29-year-old's civil rights through excessive use of force, and other offences. They have pleaded not guilty. Two other ex-officers who were also involved in the incident - a traffic stop that led to a brutal beating caught on camera - may be called to testify against them. Mr Nichols's death sparked protests against police brutality and calls for reform in one of the nation's largest majority-black cities. The five men fired and charged in the case are all also black, and racial justice advocates have argued it is evidence of broader issues in the policing of black communities. The officers were members of the Memphis police department's Scorpion Task Force, a controversial and since-disbanded street unit that had been tasked with bringing down crime levels in particular areas. Video footage from the defendants' 7 January 2023 encounter with Mr Nichols show the motorist being pulled over by police, for alleged reckless driving, before being dragged out of his vehicle and severely beaten. The victim can be heard asking what he did wrong and later crying out for his mother. He died three days later, with an autopsy ruling it as a homicide from blunt force trauma. In total, the city of Memphis fired six police officers and three fire department officers in connection to the incident. The officers facing federal charges were, clockwise from top left: Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III, Tadarrius Bean and Desmond Mills Jr [Shelby County Sheriff's Office] In the federal trial that kicks off Monday, the three defendants are charged with "wilfully depriv(ing)" Mr Nichols of his rights by their use of excessive force, failure to intervene during the assault, and deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs, as well as obstructing justice by conspiring to cover up what happened. They have pleaded not guilty. If convicted, they could face life in prison or the death penalty. The men also await a trial date on related state charges. Two ex-detectives - Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr - have both pleaded guilty over their involvement in Mr Nichols' death since a grand jury indictment last September. Now cooperating with prosecutors, they may be called to take the stand against their former colleagues. Jurors will be selected from a poll of about 200 Memphis residents. Mr Nichols' mother RowVaughn Wells and her husband Rodney are expected to attend the trial. "You want to make sure that what they're saying is correct and you want to make sure that everything is going accordingly, she told NPR. So you have to sit there and listen, even though you don't want to. The family is currently suing the city of Memphis for $550m (420m). Five officers were fired and charged over the January 2023 incident, after which the father-of-one died [Getty Images] What is the mental health public inquiry and what could it change? More than 120 families joined a campaign to get a full public inquiry into mental health deaths in Essex [Inquest charity] Mental health patients are among the most vulnerable in society, but services in England have been under huge strain for at least a decade, with sometimes fatal consequences. A public inquiry backed by the government will focus on deaths in Essex as a starting point, but what is it and what does it hope to achieve? Solicitors representing a growing number of families who have lost loved ones say the Lampard Inquiry, which starts on 9 September, is as important as those around the Post Office and infected blood scandals. The deaths of up to 2,000 people could be included in it. Essex has seen repeated failures over 20 years and what has happened in the county could be an indication of what is going on elsewhere. By examining those failures in detail, there could be implications for mental healthcare across the NHS. What is the aim of the inquiry? The Lampard Inquiry is the first public inquiry specifically looking into mental health deaths. It will aim to understand what happened to patients who died at children and adult inpatient units, under the care of the NHS in Essex, between the years 2000 and 2023. The inquiry will focus on Essex Partnership University Foundation NHS Trust (EPUT) and the North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT), along with organisations that existed previously. It will not look at deaths in the community unless they happened within three months of discharge from a mental health unit, the patient had been assessed and refused a bed, or they were on a waiting list for a bed. Inquiry chair Baroness Lampard said she was committed to carrying out investigations that were "appropriately focussed and proportionate" [Getty Images] What is an inquiry? Public inquiries are funded by the government and are led by an independent chair. They can force witnesses to give evidence, although that will not apply to families. No-one is found guilty or innocent, but the inquiry publishes recommendations. The government can accept or ignore them. Why is it called the Lampard Inquiry? It is named after the chair of the inquiry, Baroness Kate Lampard. She is a former barrister who oversaw the NHS investigations into abuse by former television presenter Jimmy Savile. Baroness Lampard is a member of the House of Lords. She is a crossbench peer, meaning she is not affiliated to a party. She said she wanted to "make recommendations on [how] to improve the provision of mental health inpatient care". Why is the focus on Essex? Calls for an inquiry were first made by the mothers of two 20-year-old men who died at the Linden Centre - a mental health unit in Chelmsford. In 2008, Ben Morris, the son of Lisa Morris, was found dead after calling her to say he wanted to leave. Ben Morris had ADHD and voluntarily admitted himself to the Linden Centre to get medication, but died a few weeks later [BBC] Four years later, in 2012, staff said they found Melanie Leahy's son Matthew unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead in hospital. He reported being raped days before he died. Staff did not follow the trust's policy following the allegations and his care plan was falsified. Since then, repeated failures have been raised in the county. Melanie Leahy, pictured with her son, said the Linden Centre in Essex was "the most unsafe place he could have been" [BBC] The health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), raised concerns around the safety of wards and staffing from 2014 to 2018. Recommendations were not acted on. In 2017, Essex Police launched a corporate manslaughter investigation into the deaths of 25 patients at nine mental health units, but there were no charges. Police said the cases did not meet the "evidential threshold". In 2019, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman published a report into the deaths of Matthew Leahy and Ben Morris. It quoted a "systemic failure to tackle repeated and critical failings over an unacceptable period of time". A year later, Melanie Leahy and 24 other families set up an online petition for an independent inquiry. About 105,000 people signed it, forcing a debate in Parliament. In 2021, former health minister Nadine Dorries said a robust independent inquiry would be held, but it would not have full legal powers to compel staff witnesses to give evidence. That same year, the Health and Safety Executive fined EPUT 1.5m after the deaths of 11 patients. The judge said there was a "litany of failures" and suicides were not prevented. Last year, following an undercover report by Channel 4's Dispatches, the CQC rated two female wards "inadequate". It showed staff sleeping while they were supposed to be observing patients. In the same year, the inquiry was given full legal powers at the request of the former chair Dr Geraldine Strathdee, who stepped down for personal reasons. More deaths were then included for investigation because of "ongoing concerns" over services. Members of "Matthew's campaign" said the state of mental health services was "a national crisis", believing community deaths should also be included in the inquiry [Stuart Woodward/BBC] What are the concerns being investigated? Like the Covid inquiry, it will be split into different themes, including: Physical and sexual safety in mental health inpatient units, including possible allegations of abuse. The chair said she would use legal powers to ensure evidence is produced, protecting the identity of staff and referring matters to the police, if needed. Patient assessments under the mental health act. The level of community support. Whether wards are safe, fit for purpose and help recovery. How patients with different needs like autism or learning disabilities and those with drink and drug issues are dealt with. The use of technology like CCTV with sensors and the impact that has on patients' privacy and dignity. How medication is managed and balanced with therapeutic care. How patients escape from inpatient secure mental health wards and what happens afterwards. The circumstances in which patients are restrained, including the use of seclusion and chemical restraint. Whether concerns can be raised by staff. Communication with families. Staffing, training and the use of temporary or agency staff, and whether there is a connection between poor care and the use of non-permanent staff. Culture, management and governance. How Essex compares to other places. Priya Singh, from Hodge Jones and Allen, which is representing 126 families, said: "The deaths of patients in psychiatric institutions cannot continue in the UK. "This is an enormous opportunity for mental healthcare in England. I'm hoping we can find out what's been going so badly wrong." Chief Executive of EPUT, Paul Scott, said there would be no consequences for staff who gave evidence to the inquiry [Mid and South Essex ICB] What do the NHS trusts say? The current chief executive of EPUT, Paul Scott, said his thoughts were with those who had lost loved ones. "We will continue to do all we can to support Baroness Lampard and her team to provide the answers that patients, families and carers are seeking," he said. However, Mr Scott has disputed the 2,000 deaths figure made public by the inquiry. He said it included deaths from natural causes, where, for instance, people may have been transferred to hospital after having a heart attack. NELFT, which provides child and adolescent mental health services in parts of Essex, said: "We will continue to work with the inquiry to help families understand the circumstances surrounding the loss of their loved ones. "Patient safety is our absolute priority and we are committed to learning from the work of the inquiry." How long will the inquiry take? The inquiry will hear opening statements by chair Baroness Lampard from 9 September. From 16 September, bereaved families will read impact statements. This will continue during sessions in November. In 2025, the first evidence sessions take place, with barristers questioning the trusts and other participants on their experiences. The hearings will take place at the Civic Centre in Chelmsford and be streamed on YouTube. Ten organisations and 56 relatives, patients and staff will initially give evidence in person, although more may be called to participate as the inquiry progresses. The inquiry wants anyone who has relevant information or documents to contact them. The date for a final report is unknown, but it could be a few years. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, you can get help and support at BBC Action Line. More on this story Related internet links SHARON, Pa. (WKBN) Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced a $36 million investment through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) to assist low-income individuals and improve distressed areas in Pennsylvania communities. Two organizations in Mercer County will receive funding from this investment: Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County in Sharon: $9,750 Community Action Partnership of Mercer County in Sharon: $16,250 According to the announcement, the Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County is facing an unprecedented demand for food assistance. The Community Action Partnership of Mercer County has made a commitment to demolish 429 unsafe homes by the end of 2024. The new funding will go toward the Lots to Love Program, which allows people to adopt and sponsor these empty lots to prevent damage or violence. The program manages around 230 of these properties, according to the announcement. NAPs funding was doubled in Governor Josh Shapiros bipartisan 2024-25 state budget from $36 million to $72 million, allowing DCED to open a second round of funding applications from Sept. 9, 2024, through Oct. 25, 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. The Metropolitan Police "didn't get everything right" and could have made arrests sooner when policing recent large-scale protests, the force's assistant commissioner has said. Speaking to the authors of a report by the Policy Exchange think tank in May, Matt Twist said this was true "particularly in the early stages in October". Asked to comment on the report by the BBC, he said that "months of protests have had a cumulative impact on London and its communities". Palestine-related protests in London between October 2023 and June have cost the Metropolitan Police almost 43m and needed almost 52,000 officers, according to its own estimates as revealed by the London Assembly. 'Simply unreasonable' The right-wing think tank said its report revealed the impact of "a new era of increasingly disruptive protests" on public service finances, public tourism and retail. Mr Twist said a "significant demand" had been placed on the Met, adding: "Each event presents a policing challenge and requires a substantial amount of planning and resource. "Our priority has always been to keep people safe, balancing the lawful right to protest with the impact on the wider community." The Policy Exchange report said that current legislation required protest organisers only to provide six days' notice to the police of their intention to stage a march. As a result, final plans for the event were often only provided to the public the day before, or on the day of a march, which was "simply unreasonable for the public to be required to continually adapt", the report said. It also found that in nearly a third of cases, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) chose not to prosecute suspects in public order cases based on "public interest" grounds. Speaking to the think tank in May, Mr Twist told it that the protests represented a "very real policing challenge". He added: "On occasion we did not move quickly to make arrests, for example the man chanting for 'jihad' which was a decision made following fast-time advice from lawyers and the CPS." He told the Policy Exchange that the force was now "much more focused on identifying reasonable grounds for arrest". There have been frequent protests across the UK since October. These include marches organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) that called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, as well as environmental campaigns by Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion. After three young girls were killed in an attack in Southport on 29 July, many protests also descended into rioting and disorder. For its report, the Policy Exchange conducted a nationwide poll of more than 1,500 adults. It found that more than two thirds of respondents would drop plans to travel with small children or an elderly or mobility-impaired friend or relative on the day of a major protest in a nearby city or town. More than 60% said they would abandon plans to visit a tourist attraction and more than half would cancel plans to go shopping. A pro-Israeli counter-protest takes place in London on 7 September 2024 [EPA] The Policy Exchange's report made 26 recommendations, among them a call on the government to change the criteria to prohibit a protest march under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 to include assessing the potential for "serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community". It also called for a Protest Commission for London to be established and appointed by the home secretary. The Met should impose "more stringent" conditions on protest marches, the report also recommended. Protests in London have included environmental campaigns by Just Stop Oil [Reuters] Former Met Commissioner Lord Hogan-Howe, who endorsed the report, said: "In recent years the policing of protest has become increasingly challenging for police commanders and officers on the ground. "We regularly see police officers demonstrating conspicuous courage and for that they deserve our gratitude and respect." He called on the government to "rebalance the legal regime in favour of ordinary members of the public going about their daily lives". Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk Related internet links (NewsNation) Mexican authorities have arrested a suspected drug cartel leader who was allegedly behind the decade-old kidnapping and disappearance of nearly 50 college students. Gildardo Lopez Astudillo, the suspected leader of the Guerreros Unidos cartel, was arrested on charges of organized crime, and taken to the Altiplano maximum security prison in south-central Mexico, reported CBS News. Lopez Astudillo, who is also known as El Gil, had been arrested in 2015 in the southern city of Taxco, Guerrero state, about 21 miles north of the town of Iguala from where the students vanished, but was released in 2019 after a judge found the evidence against him was obtained illegally. His release was criticized by the victims families. Sinaloa cartel life more violent as drug demand grew: Former member Authorities say 43 students from the Ayotzinapa teachers college were abducted by local police who were working with the cartel. The students were then given to Guerreros Unidos, who was headed by Lopez Astudillo at the time. Relatives of the missing 43 Ayotzinapa students hold signs that read in Spanish You took them alive, We want them back alive during a protest outside a military base in Mexico City, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, days before the anniversary of the disappearance of the students in Iguala, Guerrero in 2014. One week prior, Mexican authorities said they arrested a retired general and three other members of the army for alleged connection to their disappearance. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Jesus Murillo Karam, attorney general under President Enrique Pena Nieto, infamously announced the historic truth about the students disappearance to the nation in 2015. He said that the students were killed and their bodies incinerated at a garbage dump. But independent experts said there was no evidence to support that conclusion. A truth commission set up by the government had called the disappearance a state crime because the military shared responsibility, either directly or through negligence, CBS reported. His arrest comes as relatives prepare demonstrations to mark the 10th anniversary of the students disappearance. The Associated Press contributed to 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 NewsNation. More than four years after the first cases of COVID-19 were identified, the coronavirus continues to spread globally. Though the rate of severe disease and deaths from the virus aren't as high now in the U.S. as they were initially or in subsequent waves, coronavirus still causes infections, hospitalizations and deaths. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the states chief medical executive, said the coronavirus is not going anywhere." We are expecting it to, as time goes on, become more of a seasonal virus, the same way that flu and RSV sort of have that seasonality," said Bagdasarian. "The benefit of getting a COVID vaccine in the fall is because even if you have prior immunity, even if you've received a vaccine in the past, or had COVID-19 in the past, it is boosting your immunity. It is allowing for greater protection during the months where we expect to see the highest rates of COVID-19. We have generally seen the highest rates of COVID-19 in December, January, February. And if that happens again, getting that booster in September-October, ensures you have the best protection and the best levels of immunity over those winter months." Resources for COVID vaccines and testing are still available in Michigan to help keep you and your loved ones safe. More: COVID-19 cases on the rise: What to know about vaccines the FDA approved, latest CDC data Where to get COVID vaccines At the start of the pandemic, COVID-19 vaccines were purchased by the federal government and offered at no cost to all Americans. But once the coronavirus public health emergency ended last year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stopped providing free vaccines to everyone, and instead made no-cost vaccines available only to those who couldn't afford to pay, were uninsured or under-insured. For adults, it was through the Bridge Access Program. For kids, it's through the federal Vaccines for Children Program. Now, federal funding for the Bridge Access Program has run out. Ryan Malosh, director of the MDHHS Division of Immunization, said the state has obtained about 12,000 doses of the COVID vaccine, which could cost as much as $201.99 without insurance, from the federal government for Michiganders who are uninsured or under insured now that the federal Bridge Access program has ended. He said theyll be available through the Michigan Adult Vaccine Program at local health departments and some federally qualified health centers, tribal and migrant health centers who provide free or reduced-cost vaccines to adults. We are working to get those ordered and get those out to the providers, Malosh said in late August. And then we will also be looking to include a few other providers that haven't historically been included in our in this program going forward. So we have a bunch of free clinics in the state, and we've selected a few of those to serve as pilot programs to enroll in our adult vaccine program, so that they may provide these vaccines to the uninsured and underinsured adults. Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs to see the Local Health Department Maps and their latest vaccine and testing information or contact your local health department for more information. More: COVID, RSV, flu: Here are all the vaccines recommended for you this year For those with insurance, most health insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover vaccines for no out-of-pocket cost, but the CDC recommends reaching out to your provider to confirm coverage of vaccines. You can go to vaccines.gov to find the nearest pharmacy that offers vaccines. Where to get free COVID tests The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has pop-up no-cost testing sites available across the state, often in partnership with schools, churches and community organizations. Visit michigan.gov/coronavirus/ to find the nearest neighborhood wellness center or community-based clinic near you. MDHHS also partnered with libraries across the state to offer free at-home COVID test kits. Households can receive up to five COVID tests from participating libraries while supplies last. The full list of participating libraries can be found here. While testing under the CDC Bridge Access program has ended, the CDC's Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program says that many of the 22,000 sites that participated in the Bridge Access program will continue to offer no-cost COVID testing to symptomatic or exposed people that are uninsured or underinsured through Dec. 31, 2024. Visit testinglocator.cdc.gov/search to search for no-cost COVID testing or visit your state, tribal, local or territorial health department website to look for the latest local information. And starting again in late September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will offer at-home COVID tests shipped to households through COVIDTests.org, up to four tests per household while supplies last. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: COVID-19 in Michigan: Where to find vaccines, free tests Michigan State Rep. Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) speaks against clean energy expansion legislation on Thursday, November 2. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) Updated, 3:42 p.m., 9/9/24 Although Michigan is seeing record-high high school graduation rates, House Republicans say students are crossing the graduation stage unequipped for success after graduation and action is necessary. Business owners all summer reviewed job applications from high school graduates around the state only to find that submissions were incoherent and students lacked the education necessary to be good candidates, state Rep. Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) said business owners told her. It breaks their hearts, because these are good kids that just dont have the skill set, Greene said Monday during a news conference in Lansing. But yet they were given a state certified diploma, so clearly, our education system is failing, and the education policy weve seen in Lansing these last two years has really taken us in the wrong direction. Greene, who serves as minority vice chair of the House Education Committee, was joined Monday by Michigan House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) and other House Republicans to discuss their plan for strengthening Michigans educational system. The group also slammed some of the education-related policies the Democratic-majority Legislature has passed in the last two years, particularly the state budget signed into law this summer for Fiscal Year 2025. We need a policy plan to fix education, Hall said Monday, something the Democrats havent done in these two years. But the proof of whos invested in education is in the vote record, Amber McCann, spokeswoman for House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) told Michigan Advance. As the education budget was making its way through the Legislature this year, it passed largely along partisan lines, with Republicans vocally opposing it. House Republicans are not serious about funding schools. When given the opportunity, House Republicans consistently voted against funding for schools, school safety and mental health support for students, McCann said. House Democrats are champions for school safety and mental health services. Michigan has endured historic low reading levels for young students, with less than half of third grade students in the last school year testing at proficient or advanced levels in English on the states standardized test, the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP). Third grade, under Michigan law, marks the age where student reading proficiency is closely evaluated, and last years M-STEP results reflect that about one-third of third grade students are not reading at grade-level. Democrats have repealed a lot of policies in the last two years since securing the first majority in both the state House and Senate in about 40 years, Hall said, but Republicans are announcing now their plans to implement substantive policy to build into education. The GOP plan includes expanding eligibility for dual enrollment to trade schools, altering M-STEP testing to be performed throughout the school year to give earlier notice to educators that students need extra help and calling on the state Department of Education to recommend common curricula that is vetted to be effective in improving student understanding across subjects. In the 2022-23 school year, elementary teachers in Michigan used more than 400 different English language curriculum resources, according to research performed out of Michigan State University published in 2024. And while teachers attempt to mold their curricula to the needs of the class, the volume of different resources can pose problems, the report says. [T]he sheer number of different resources can lead to differences in the quality of literacy education students receive. While this variability allows for a certain level of customization in addressing local needs and preferences, it also raises questions about the equity of students access to high-quality literacy resources, the report says. While students grapple with learning loss from disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, schools have been further disenfranchised under the newest state budget which offered no increase to annual per pupil funding and gutted funding for mental health resources, Rep. Nancy DeBoer (D-Holland) said. The next school budget saw a $300 million cut in funding for school safety and mental health spending, going down to $26.5 million, in a move educational leaders say will hurt kids and cause mass layoffs for those who had been hired in recent years to support students. Pandemic-era federal funding is tapering out and the state faces other financial needs, state Superintendent Michael Rice acknowledged after the state budget was finalized this summer, but the stark decrease in mental health funding is disappointing. While we appreciate the additional investments by the governor and legislature in categories that assist economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, English learners, and students in rural or isolated districts, I am concerned about a significant reduction in funding for student mental health and school safety, Rice said. This reduction will slow Michigans recent momentum in addressing student mental health challenges. A $300 million reduction in funding for childrens mental health services and school safety fails to recognize the physical and mental health needs of our students. DeBoer said Republicans are proposing to fully restore funding for school safety and mental health that was cut under Democrats short-sighted plan. Our local schools have been outraged by these cuts and we need to fix it as soon as possible before our childrens counselors and school resource officers are laid off, DeBoer said. I dont think our students can wait another year to have these issues addressedWhen government accepted the responsibility to educate children, we promised to help prepare them for life so that they could pursue happiness in Michigan. Promises made are promises kept. Michigan is worth it, and each child is worth it. Other propositions under Republicans plans include researching best practices for teacher-student ratios and easing the path for teacher to remain in the profession by eliminating fees for teaching certificate applications, renewals, and endorsements as well as making subject area endorsements simpler to achieve by allowing the Michigan test for teacher certification for a subject area to serve as the qualification for receiving an endorsement in that area. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) More than half of Michigan counties are taking part in a state program aimed at curbing the number of children suffering from tooth decay. The first year of school for some Michigan children also means meeting with a dentist. State health officials say a new dental screening requirement for kindergarten students is meant to catch dental issues that could do more than affect learning. Dental problems can affect a childs socialization, their sense of self-esteem, even their behavior. Kids often are unable to verbalize their oral pain, and it may manifest itself through negative behaviors, said Michele Kawabe, a public health consultant with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services oral health division. A state law signed in December made it a requirement for all Michigan children enrolling in their first year of school to have a dental screening. Groups work to address mental health in Michigan schools The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is helping local health departments with funding as part of the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program. Kawabe said in screenings of children enrolled in Michigan Head Start between 2017 and 2018, 22% of them showed signs of tooth decay. In 2021 to 2022, that number went up to 33%. So thats about 1/3 of our Head Start children who here in the state, who have untreated tooth decay and tooth decay can really be an issue for kids because it can cause a lot of pain and that pain can make it really hard for kids to concentrate, Kawabe said. She said the kindergarten oral health assessment program is rolling out in phases, with the goal of cracking down on childhood tooth decay. Kim Singh is with My Community Dental Centers and said the group has been working with several health departments, including in Allegan County, to conduct the assessments. Singh said the screenings are done with a light and a disposable mirror. Just this year, nearly 600 assessments have been completed. Health officials urge parents to vaccinate students At our Allegan office, we have from January through July conducted 593 assessments and of those 79 had untreated decay or observations that that they would be referred to a dentist. Thats about 14% a little lower than the state average. We also administer the program in Detroit and in that area weve seen about 37% of the children have untreated decay or urgent needs, Singh said. Once issues are spotted, parents are connected with a list of dentists that are open to new patients. Singh said the program is a good way to bridge the gap between families and proper oral care. We also know that probably far too many children are entering school or missing school due to a toothache. So this really enables us to have a cost effective, efficient way and bring a service to the children, Singh said. State health leaders said they aim to have all 45 local health departments in the state be part of the program by 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 WOODTV.com. Gas prices, which long have been a presidential campaign issue, are down. Analysts forecast they could continue to go lower to $3 a gallon or less through Election Day, unless a sudden hurricane hits or conflict in the Mideast erupts. Will the prices factor into Tuesday's presidential debate in Philadelphia? In Michigan, AAA found, the state average dropped 12 cents from a week ago to $3.25 a gallon. Thats about $48 for a 15-gallon tank. Throughout Michigan, the most expensive areas on Sunday were: Jackson, $3.37 a gallon; Ann Arbor, $3.34 and Marquette, $3.33; and the least, in Grand Rapids, $3.06; Benton Harbor, $3.10 and Flint, $3.18. Nationally, gas was selling, on average, for $3.27 a gallon. The lower gasoline prices, driven partly by lower oil prices and a seasonal switch to a winter blend, already average less than $3 a gallon in at least 10 states. They also could benefit Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, who was getting blamed when they were higher earlier this summer. More recently, John James, a Republican seeking reelection in Michigan's 10th Congressional District in Macomb County, has been airing TV ads that criticizes Harris. In it, James claims, the vice president's environmental agenda "bans gas cars" and would damage Michigan's auto industry and threaten jobs. And yet, for the sixth straight week, the nations average price of gasoline has declined, according to GasBuddy, which tracks gas sales. The national average price of diesel also fell in the last week, GasBuddy said, and now stands at $3.62 per gallon the lowest since early 2022. "We fully expect gas prices will continue to drop as Americans drive less with the onset of fall," Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said Monday. "With oil prices falling below $70 per barrel, their lowest since 2021, theres solid room for gas prices and diesel to continue falling for some time." More: Will Michigan gas dip below $3 a gallon? Prices drop amid lower demand, falling oil costs Gas prices, as an economic concern that voters see as unfavorable, have long played a role in elections, with voters finding them a source of frustration and the presidential challenger complaining about them as a source of criticism. Donald Trump promised last week, that if elected, prices would go to $2 a gallon or less. However, some analysts pointed out that Trump's proposed tariff policies could raise gas prices, particularly in the Midwest, which gets oil from Canada that is refined into gasoline but could cost consumers more if it were taxed more. Gas prices a favorite RNC talking point: Here's how they changed under Trump, Biden But do presidents control gas prices? Indirectly. A decade ago, the Pew Research Center wrote about the connection between the incumbent administration and gas prices, "Can a president control gas prices? Depends on when you ask," and mostly examined presidential poll results. The report quoted political scientist Larry Sabato, who summed up his research on the topic this way: Incumbent presidents or, in this case, it would be a vice president running for president tend to be punished for high prices but get no credit while in office when gas prices are low. More recently, in 2022, the Michigan Journal of Economics looked at how gas prices were connected to elections. Mostly, the study found it was one of several economic factors, but an obvious one that was easy for voters to understand. As the average price edged up this summer to closer to $4 a gallon, Republicans complained that President Joe Biden was to blame, and now, with a different candidate and different prices Trump is suggesting gas prices, if he were in charge, would be even lower. Although, last week, De Haan declared: "Motorists rejoice!" as the national average price of gasoline slumped for the fifth week, and national news reports suggested that the already lower prices, especially if they continue, could, among voters, help Harris. Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lower gas prices may factor into Trump, Harris presidential debate GREER, S.C. (WSPA) An Upstate middle school student has been charged after making verbal threats during a class last week. The Greer Police Department said a 13-year-old Greer Middle School student was charged on Friday in relation to verbal threats of a shooting in the school. Reports state a school resource officer was made aware of the threats made during a class Thursday. Administration immediately began investigating and removed the student from the school. Police said the threat was isolated to Greer Middle School only. In addition to the charges, the student will be disciplined in accordance to the districts behavior code. In a message to parents this afternoon, Greer Middle School Principal Stephanie Lackey said a separate report regarding a threat made on social media was determined to be in reference to the same situation. Officials said there is no threat to the school or its students. The EVOLV weapons detection system was on campus Monday morning. The report comes on the heels of several threats to local schools. Officials reminded students and parents that the best protocol when it comes to school safety is if you see something, say something. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. By Max A. Cherney, Kenrick Cai CUPERTINO, California (Reuters) -Apple on Monday unveiled its long-awaited, artificial intelligence-boosted iPhone 16 and promised improvements in its Siri personal assistant as it rolled out new software, beginning in test mode next month. "The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up. It marks the beginning of an exciting new era," Chief Executive Tim Cook said at a product launch. Shares of Apple closed barely changed for the day at $220.91. Apple's event came hours before China's Huawei launches a tri-fold phone, underscoring the competitive challenge the iPhone maker faces. Apple has yet to announce an AI partner in China to power the 16s. Apple and technology companies around the world are racing to add AI to products, and phones are expected to be among the most important battlegrounds. The Cupertino, California-based company also is betting the AI feature will drive consumers to upgrade amid a slowdown in iPhone sales. Apple Intelligence, the company's AI software, will be used to improve Siri as well as enhancing features such as understanding and identifying objects captured by the phone camera, executives said. A test version of Apple Intelligence will be available in the U.S. version of the English language next month. It will be available for other localized versions of English in December, with versions in languages including Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish next year. Features including improvements to Siri will be rolled out over time, Apple said. It did not say, however, when it would move beyond test. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will cost the same as models they replace and use a new chip and an aluminum case. A customizable button that can control the camera was one of the most touted hardware features in a format that looks similar to previous models. The higher-end 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are made from titanium and have more AI capability, such as offering suggestions on how to set up a photo shoot more effectively and audio-editing capabilities aimed at professional-level video production. Apple's new iPhone chips use the latest version of Arm's architecture that includes specific features to speed AI applications. "Existing iPhone users who have had their device for 3-4 years will definitely be enticed to upgrade, even if some things are rolling out later, as this will future-proof their device for AI," said International Data Corp analyst Nabila Popal. Still, several analysts described the delays in features as keeping many potential buyers on the sidelines initially. Story continues "You might see people wait a little bit to see how these things work out, how well they function, and then they'll start to investigate it. But I don't think we'll see the mad rush that we've seen in years past," said TECHnalysis Research founder Bob O'Donnell. By comparison, Huawei's website showed on Monday that it had garnered more than 3 million pre-orders for its Z-shaped tri-fold phone ahead of its official unveiling. This underscores Huawei's ability to navigate U.S. sanctions and solidifies its position against Apple in China, where consumers are hankering for more AI features and are willing to pay for them. WATCHES AND AIRPODS Apple also unveiled new Watches and AirPods with health-focused capabilities, as well as hardware-design improvements. Apple highlighted the Watch's ability to discover longer-term health conditions such as sleep apnea as well as detecting and responding to emergencies such as a fall. As it updated AirPods, Apple rolled out hearing-aid features that it has submitted for U.S. regulatory review. Apple fans globally have been waiting to see the new phones with AI. IPhones accounted for more than half of Apple's $383 billion sales last year. "While Android phones may have some of these features, Apple has packaged them well and will be able to market them far more broadly," said D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria. China offers particular challenges to Apple. "Apple fell out of the list of top five smartphone vendors in China in Q2," said eMarketer senior technology analyst Gadjo Sevilla. "It was the first time that China's domestic smartphone firms held all five spots. Since Apple Intelligence still needs to be approved by Beijing for a rollout in China, it will likely not initially be a key driver for adoption in the region." In China, Apple aggressively slashed prices earlier this year, prompted by government restrictions and increased domestic competition. The iPhone 16 lineup is the first Apple smartphones designed around these AI features though those are expected also to be available on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the top-end versions of the previous-generation devices. Rivals including Alphabet's Google are also showcasing AI features to try to upend Apple's dominance in the high-end smartphone market. Google, developer of the Android operating system which competes with Apple's iOS, focused its Pixel smartphone rollout event in August on AI features including Gemini Live, which allows users to hold live voice conversations with a digital assistant. Many of the AI features Google announced were also rolled out to the Android-based devices made by manufacturers such as Samsung and Motorola. In June, one week after its developer conference, Apple said it would delay the release of AI-powered features in Europe due to European Union tech rules. Huawei has scheduled an official announcement of its Mate XT Z-fold phone on Tuesday in China. (Reporting by Max Cherney in Cupertino, California, and Kenrick Cai in San Francisco; additional reporting by Yuvraj Malik, Arsheeya Bajwa, Aatrayee Chatterjee, L Unnamalai and Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Writing by Peter Henderson; Editing by Kenneth Li and Matthew Lewis) More than 1,000 people have signed the petition [BBC] Ministers in Jersey have dismissed calls for parking in the island's town to be free on Saturdays. More than 1,000 people signed a petition that asked for the change in St Helier, with the petition saying the "internet is killing retail" and the town is "becoming a ghost town". In response, ministers said the town was recovering from the pandemic and was performing well compared to other cities across the country. They also said free parking would "not benefit the overall economy and likely increase the cost of weekday parking". The response said the Government of Jersey would publish its Retail Strategy by the end of 2024, which would "address the root causes of decline and explore evidence-based approaches for business and government to tackle these issues". If the petition reaches 5,000 signatures it will be considered for debate by the States Assembly. Follow BBC Jersey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. More on this story Related internet links Ministers are preparing to announce that an agreement has been reached to give Tata Steel a grant of 500m towards the cost of its electric arc furnace. Union sources say the agreement comes with assurances over future investments, including the potential to build a steel plate facility in Port Talbot for floating offshore wind turbines. The previous Conservative government had agreed in principle to give Tata Steel the 500m grant towards the 1.25bn electric furnace, which will melt scrap steel. Labour had pledged to honour the agreement during the election campaign, and will confirm the plan in the Commons on Wednesday. Tata Steel has begun winding down its blast furnace operations in Port Talbot, with the second of two furances due to close at the end of September. About 2,500 workers are set to be made redundant, with a further 300 expected to be made redundant in future. While Labour had pledged to honour the 500m grant agreed by the Conservatives, it has also committed 2.5bn towards the future of steelmaking. Ministers have been speaking to unions and Tata Steel about further commitments which would maintain steel production in south Wales. It follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that has been reached between the unions and Tata Steel. The MoU includes a commitment from the company to consider future investments in new steel plate technology and to fully support its other Welsh sites in areas like Llanwern, Trostre and Shotton. There are also calls for some of the 2.5bn steel fund to be spent on subsidising energy costs. Gareth Stace, from UK Steel, said electricity for steelmakers had to be "competitively priced" to match prices paid by European rivals [BBC] UK Steel director general Gareth Stace said the government should make competitively priced electricity available to companies such as Tata Steel. The UK government said it had a scheme for reducing energy prices for steelmakers, and had committed 2.5bn to support the industry. As the steel sector in the UK moves to fully electric arc furnace, and therefore using an enormous amount of electricity, having competitively priced electricity is critical to the success of our future, said Mr Stace. He said the government should use some of its 2.5bn fund to drive down the cost of electricity for steel producers. What we're asking for here is not the cheapest in the world, but we want our electricity prices to be the same as they are in France and Germany, where our main competitors are," Mr Stace added. UK Steel also wants the government to buy more steel from the UK for major projects and reduce its use of imported steel. The organisation, whose members include the major steel producers, also wants commitments from ministers about future investments in new steel facilities. A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: We are already bringing energy costs for important UK industries like steel closer in line with other major economies through the British Industry Supercharger, which will see them remain competitive on the world stage. And through Great British Energy this government is speeding up the transition towards cheaper, homegrown clean power. Were also working in partnership with trade unions and businesses to secure a green steel transition thats right for the workforce and safeguards the future of the steel industry in Britain. Weve committed to 2.5 billion of investment to rebuild the UK steel industry and support communities for generations to come. Tata Steel, trade unions and Labour politicians have all called for government support to build the technology that would allow steel plate for wind turbines to be produced in south Wales. Welsh Conservatives said Labour had "come to its senses" and the best deal remained that negotiated by the previous Tory UK government. Shadow Welsh Secretary, Lord Davies of Gower said: I urge the Labour UK government to now turn its attention quickly to ensuring financial aid reaches the affected workers without any delay." Mr Stace said: For us to be able to supply the future offshore wind sector in the UK, we probably need a wide gage heavy plate mill in the UK. Now, that will cost a few hundred million pounds, but we want to get it right. So we need to sit down with government and work out where that investment is best spent. SPRING GREEN, Wis. (WFRV) A 24-year-old Wisconsin man who was swept away by a current on the Wisconsin River and considered missing for several days was found dead on Monday morning. According to a release, deputies with the Sauk County Sheriffs Office were notified that a body was located washed up on a sand bar in the Wisconsin River shortly after 8:00 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2024. Authorities in Wisconsin asking for publics help locating armed and dangerous man who allegedly killed pregnant woman A sandbar about 1.75 miles downriver from where a 24-year-old from Richland Center was reported missing on Sept. 1 was the site of a recovery operation. With assistance from the Spring Green Police Department and the Spring Green Fire Department, the mans body was recovered from the river. His name is being withheld at this time. This remains an open and active investigation; no additional details were provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. The search for a missing nurse in Oregon, who disappeared days after returning home from her wedding, has come to a tragic end after police found her body and charged her neighbor with the murder. Beaverton Police confirmed on Saturday that the remains of Melissa Jubane, 32, were found after a three-day search and just two weeks after she tied the knot with Bryan Llantero, a native of Kalihi, Hawaii. Relatives told KHON2 that the couple had dated for nearly a decade before tying the knot. Imelda Llantero, Bryan's mother, told KHON2 that the newlyweds flew back to the Pacific Northwest on Aug. 31, and landed in the early morning hours of Sept. 1 after their August 24 wedding in Hawaii. NEWLYWEDS KILLED IN CRASH DAYS AFTER WEDDING WHEN SEMI OVERTURNS ON COLORADO INTERSTATE Oregon nurse Melissa Jubane was found dead days after marrying her longtime boyfriend Bryan Llantero. Imelda Llantero said the couple spent Labor Day together before Jubane had to return to work on Sept. 3. She said she showed up for her shift on the 3rd, but never showed up for her morning shift on Sept. 4. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Coworkers, friends and family of Jubane, who was a nurse at St. Vincent Hospital in Southwest Portland, became concerned when she didn't show up for work. Officers responded to her residence and after a search of the property, her absence and lack of communication was deemed "unusual and alarming." "There was no Melissa," said Imelda Llantero. "Her bag, wallet, and keys are missing, and her car is still parked in the parking garage." Efforts by officers and family members to contact Jubane throughout the day were unsuccessful, as her phone appeared to be turned off, police said. FAMILY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BRIDE KILLED ON HER WEDDING NIGHT AWARDED $1.3M SETTLEMENT An Oregon nurse who vanished days after she returned home from her Hawaii wedding was found dead Saturday amid a 3-day search as police accused her 27-year-old neighbor of murder. Officials said that as a result of an extensive investigation, it was determined that one of Jubane's neighbors, 27-year-old Bryce Johnathan Schubert of Beaverton, was involved in her disappearance. Police said Schubert was arrested and charged with Jubane's murder. His first court appearance is expected on Monday, according to Washington County officials. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community members who have assisted with the search for Melissa. Our deepest condolences go out to Melissas family, friends and coworkers," Beaverton Police said in a statement. "While we acknowledge the significant community interest and concern, we must withhold further details to preserve the integrity of the investigation," the statement continued. MISSOURI COUPLE'S WEDDING GOES AWRY WHEN GROOM IS SHOT IN HEAD, CRITICALLY INJURED DURING ATTEMPTED ROBBERY Police confirm the search for Melissa Jubane, the missing nurse in Oregon, has finished after officers found her remains days after she disappeared. Imelda Llantero said her son is completely destroyed and devastated, and has asked her to fly to Oregon to be by his side. "I miss her," said Imelda Llantero. "Im so happy Bryan met her, I told Bryan to always love her. They were happy, very happy." Providence St. Vincent, where Jubane worked, released the following statement on Saturday to Fox 12 regarding her death. "Our hearts are broken at the news of the death of our Providence St. Vincent nurse and colleague, Melissa Jubane. This comes as a shock to us all and she is mourned by her co-workers. Melissa was an exceptional nurse, committed to our Providence Mission and daily demonstrating our values of compassion, excellence and integrity," the statement read. The University of Portland School of Nursing and Health Innovations, the school Jubane attended and graduated from, also issued a statement and shared their condolences. "The School of Nursing and Health Innovations mourns the loss of Melissa Jubane, a 2018 graduate. We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues for this unspeakable tragedy. She exemplified UP Pilot Nurse values, and the entire SONHI community will miss her greatly," the school said in a statement. "We stand in support of her loved ones and those who worked so closely with Melissa. We appreciate all the expressions of concern from the community. Melissa was a person of Providence, and we will miss her." Officials added that this is an active investigation and are encouraging anyone with information on Jubane's case to contact the police department at 503-526-2280. Original article source: Missing Oregon nurse found dead days after returning home from her wedding, neighbor arrested Mississippi woman killed in two-vehicle crash in Grenada County GRENADA COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) A Mississippi woman was killed during a two-vehicle crash in Grenada County. Officials with the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) said the crash occurred on Highway 7 just after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 7. Mississippi woman killed in head-on crash in Louisiana According to MHP, a 2002 Toyota Sequoia was traveling north on the highway when the vehicle collided with a Mercedes van that was also traveling north. The driver of the Mercedes, 53-year-old Loretta Hopkins, of Winona, died at the scene. This crash remains under investigation by MHP. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. A Missouri police officer has been charged after allegedly leaving his K-9 officer inside a hot car overnight in June, leading to his death. On Friday, charges against Savannah Police Lt. Daniel Zeigler were filed in Andrew County, including one count of animal abuse. According to court documents obtained by Fox 2, the incident took place on June 20 when Zeigler and his K-9 partner Horus completed their overnight shift just before 5 a.m. Just before 6 p.m. the same day, Zeigler contacted Savannah Police Chief Dave Vincent and informed him Horus was dead. MISSOURI K-9 OFFICER DIES AFTER BEING LEFT INSIDE HOT CAR OVERNIGHT: 'TREMENDOUS LOSS' A Missouri police officer has been charged in the death of a K-9 officer who was left inside a hot car overnight earlier this summer. An investigation determined Horus had been left in the police vehicle by Ziegler following the end of the shift and had died of heat exposure, court records stated. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP FOX 4 reported that the maximum temperature that day was 90 degrees, with the low being 70 degrees outside. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, research indicates that the temperature inside a vehicle can rise to over 100 degrees in a half-hour, even if its only 70 degrees outside. In the court documents, a witness told investigators about seeing the deceased K-9 officer in the yard near the police vehicle that evening and described Zeigler as "flipping out" and yelling in disbelief that he thought he had brought the K-9 in at the end of his shift. HERO SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE K-9 DIES SAVING HUMAN TEAMMATES IN SHOOTOUT WITH FUGITIVE SUSPECT, AUTHORITIES SAY Officers in a small Missouri town in Andrew County are mourning the death of their K-9 companion, Horus. A test was also conducted on Ziegler's vehicle following his alleged confession about Horus's death. His vehicle was parked outside in direct sunlight with the ignition turned off and court documents stated that when the internal temperature reached 90 degrees, the vehicle began to honk repeatedly, rolled down the rear windows, and activated a fan. This test was used to demonstrate the AceK9 system inside the police vehicle was in working order and would have had to be manually turned off or deactivated on June 20, aiding in the death of Horus by removing a safeguard to prevent the tragedy, court documents stated. A farewell service was held on Saturday to honor K-9 Officer Horus who had served the community for over three years. LAS VEGAS POLICE K-9 UNDERGOES SURGERY AFTER BEING STABBED MULTIPLE TIMES BY SUSPECT An anonymous donor purchased a permanent headstone for fallen Savannah Police K-9 Officer Horus. The police department also posted a statement on social media back in July announcing that an anonymous donor had offered to purchase a headstone for Horus. "Thank you to our donor, and Vanvickle Monuments for the headstone honoring our K9 Officer Horus," the department wrote in a caption with images of the headstone. A bill was recently signed by Gov. Mike Parson called Maxs Law, which increases penalties for injuring and killing animals in law enforcement. CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP "These heroic animals put their lives on the line every day to protect the public and their human partners," Republican state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer said in a previous statement. "The law should protect them." According to the Savannah Police Department website, Lt. Ziegler is still listed on the staff roster. Fox News Digital reached out to the Savannah Police Department for comment, but has not yet heard back. Original article source: Missouri police officer charged in death of K-9 officer left in hot car MISSOURI Monday brought a new legal showdown over abortion in Missouri. Voters are expecting to decide whether to lift the states abortion ban. But a big change may keep that from happening. Last month, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft certified Amendment 3 to appear on the ballot. He just changed his mind. Ashcroft sent an order on Monday decertifying the Amendment 3 petition set to appear on the ballot in November. According to the letter sent, Ashcroft said his office originally certified the petition for inclusion on the ballot while considering whether the proposal satisfied requirements for public attention. He said he initially certified Amendment 3 against a backdrop of serious concern about whether it satisfies legal requirements for adequate notice to the public. In light of a ruling from Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh, Ashcroft said the petition is deficient and that this office has decertified the petition for the November 5, 2024 ballot. Ashcrofts letter was sent just one day before the Missouri Supreme Court decides on Tuesday whether the measure can be removed from the November ballot. Judge Limbaugh ruled Friday that Amendment 3 ran afoul of state law. The petition presented to voters to collect more than 380,000 signatures to get onto the ballot establishes a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, but Missouris Revised Statutes require such petitions to include all sections of existing laws that would be repealed by the measure, which Amendment 3 does not do. Dave Grohl reveals he fathered a new baby daughter outside his marriage Limbaugh ruled that failure is in blatant violation of the law. Republican State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold is a plaintiff in the case and an Amendment 3 opponent. She issued the following statement to FOX 2: Missourians have a constitutional right to know what laws their votes would overturn before deciding to sign initiative petitions. Amendment 3 isnt just about abortion. It is about a host of topics, including whether gender transition surgeries for minors without parental consent should be enshrined into our constitution. There is no way to know if the proponents of this radical amendment would have gathered enough signatures to place this on the ballot if the truth about the staggering scope of laws Amendment 3 invalidates had been disclosed. The issue of transgender surgeries is not mentioned in the petition. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas filed a legal brief urging the seven-member state high court to keep Amendment 3 on the ballot. To me, I think its important to stand up for the rights of women in Missouri, Lucas said. Thats why we filed an amicus brief, myself and other mayors throughout the state. I think its going to be the sort of thing where we just let people decide. What is the problem with letting people vote? The group Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, which has become a leader of the Amendment 3 effort, has filed a motion asking the Missouri Supreme Court to hold Ashcroft in contempt, saying he defended his earlier certification of Amendment in court on Friday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In triple-digit heat, firefighters in one California city had to battle flames and bees The Modesto fire department was met with an unusual challenge last week when they doused a fire: Bees swarmed firefighters in Stanislaus County after they extinguished a fire that engulfed dozens of bee boxes. (Jim Black / Modesto Fire Dept.) Firefighters in Stanislaus County found themselves battling more than just a wildfire when bees descended on the crew dispatched to battle the morning blaze. The Modesto Fire Department and Cal Fire responded to an incident on a private property where dozens of beehive boxes next to Sonora Road had caught fire Thursday morning as triple-digit heat settled over the region. The fire was believed to have been ignited by a faulty bee smoker, according to Jim Black, a battalion chief with the Modesto Fire Department. The winds pushed the fire to ignite 1.6 acres of nearby grass, Black said, and the road was briefly blocked as firefighters extinguished the fire in 15 minutes. The firefighters weren't able to save any of the bee boxes, and it's unclear how many bees died, Black said. But as the flames and smoke died down, the skies filled with the buzz of angry, displaced bees. "When the fire got put out, all the bees came back, and they were swarming overhead. Several firefighters got stung," Black said. "Nobody had to go to the hospital and nobody was allergic." Read more: Very thirsty bees close down parts of Joshua Tree National Park As the firefighters drove back to the station, hundreds of hitchhikers rode along as well: A swarm of bees latched on to the windshield and the doors of the firetruck. "We had to kind of spray them off with water to get them to come off the engine," Black said. It wasn't clear if the hive was simply following a queen bee that had attached herself to the engine, he added. Firefighters are trained to battle fires, not angry bees, Black said. "In the 21 years I've been a firefighter out there, that's the first time I've ever seen that," he said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. In the last decade, the Modesto Police Department has arrested Black juveniles at a rate of more than four times their population, according to police data. Though Black youth have made up only an average of 3.3% of the population over that period, they represented nearly 14% of juvenile arrests since 2013. In the most disproportionate year of the past decade, 2022, Black juveniles accounted for over 16.5% of arrests, which was more than six times their population proportion. The arrest data, provided by the MPD, comes from the Department of Justice and combines bookings and citations while excluding warrants and certain minor traffic citations, such as unlicensed drivers or suspended licenses, according to MPD spokeswoman Sharon Bear. Bookings generally involve more serious offenses and result in the individual being taken into custody. In contrast, citations usually are issued for less severe offenses, such as petty theft, and may involve a written notice to appear in court rather than immediate detention. Racial and ethnic disparities in the U.S. juvenile justice system are incredibly complex, Chief Brandon Gillespie said in a statement to The Bee. We recognize the concern about disproportionate juvenile arrest rates among Black youths. This issue is not unique to Modesto but is seen across California and the nation, influenced by factors beyond policing. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach involving entire communities and multiple systems. The Modesto Police Department is committed to being a strategic partner in this critical discussion. While Latino and white populations in Modesto make up the majority of juvenile arrests, their percentages are generally proportional or slightly disproportionate to their population sizes. In contrast, Black juveniles have been arrested at disproportionate rates every year in the last decade and on average at about four times more than white juveniles. Its not surprising because it all works hand in hand, created by the same old playbook, said Wendy Byrd, president of the Modesto/Stanislaus NAACP. Presentation to the Modesto Community Police Review Board Reducing youth arrests, especially among Latino youth, has been a key priority for the Modesto Community Police Review Board since its inception. The goal arose from community groups expressing concerns about the disproportionate arrests of Latino youth. In August, Gillespie presented data on juvenile arrests to the board. His presentation covered 2023 statistics on booking and citation demographics, the sources of booking incidents and the most common juvenile offenses. The data presented separated bookings and citations and also included warrants and some traffic citations, according to Bear. Its a national trend that weve seen for a very long time, and it requires a much deeper conversation about policing, about social issues in general, Gillespie said during the meeting. In the chiefs presentation, the population data used to compare arrest data was based on Modesto City Schools student enrollment, which includes students from kindergarten through high school. The Bee chose to compare arrest data across all of Modestos school districts, specifically focusing on sixth-graders through high school seniors, as most youth in the juvenile justice system are between 15 and 17 years old. Those other districts are Sylvan Union, Stanislaus Union, Shiloh Elementary, Paradise Elementary, Hart-Ransom Union Elementary and Empire Union. This age distinction matters because in Gillespies presentation to the board, his data shows that in 2023, Latinos made up 71.6% of the population and 68.9% of arrests in Modesto, suggesting a fairly proportional comparison. However, when excluding youth under age 11, the population of Latino youth drops to 62.8%, revealing a negatively disproportionate arrest rate. The data from the presentation also showed that Black juveniles were about 1.6 times more likely to be booked than cited in 2023, while white juveniles were only slightly more likely to be cited than booked. Generally, across all races, booking and citation incidents were more often the result of calls to police rather than officer-initiated activities. The most common offenses leading to bookings were criminal conspiracy (when two or more people plan to commit a crime and at least one of them acts upon it), battery and vehicle theft. Board member Trish Christensen remarked that observing the difference between police-initiated actions and dispatch calls was eye-opening, as it could reveal potential community biases rather than solely reflecting police behavior. Whether it be bias or opinion or perspective, human nature has all of that wrapped into it as well. So if the community is calling and theres a disparity there How do we engage at that level? Christensen said. Subjective discretion Nancy Brown, an assistant professor of criminal justice at Stanislaus State University, said the higher arrest rates for Black juveniles in Modesto could be connected to the discretionary power law enforcement officers have under current laws and regulations. She believes that fear and bias play significant roles in who gets stopped by the police, with Black youth often being perceived as suspicious simply due to their presence in certain situations. There is a predisposition to expect something going on, she said. One report found that Black and Latino adolescent boys who are stopped by police tend to engage in more delinquent behavior later on, regardless of their previous behavior. Another study found that Black youth feel targeted by police and see systemic racism affecting how officers view them. Brown pointed out that while its challenging to directly label these actions as racist, the language and structure of the law allow for a wide range of subjective discretion by officers. This often leads to situations where white youth might be cited and released while Black youth are detained and pulled deeper into the criminal justice system. She stressed the importance of addressing this issue at the juvenile level, advocating for alternatives to arrest, such as restorative justice programs, to keep young people out of the system. Brown added that once someone becomes involved in the juvenile justice system, the likelihood of them remaining in it is exponentially high. She said that while more training and education for officers is important, the real solution lies in changing the laws that grant such broad discretion. When law changes, behavior changes, Brown said. At the CPRB meeting, Board member Byrd remarked, I used to tell my son before he left out the house, Remember, youre Black, and even though you may be with other people, youre always going to be looked at. I think its a very, very common perception that I hear. Ive heard throughout my career, especially from our minority community members, Gillespie responded. Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati was selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of The Hunt Institutes Early Learning Nation Fellowship (ELN), a news release says. Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati speaks at a press conference on a new childcare program at Enterprise Lofts, Feb. 1, 2022 (photo by Jonathan Turner). The ELN Fellowship is an invitation-only program designed to support locally elected officials who are committed to establishing their communities as national leaders in early childhood education. This Fellowship program was founded on the belief that all young children deserve a great start in life, and this critical goal can be met only if local leaders are at the center of the work. This inaugural cohort of Fellows will include more than 100 mayors, school board members, city and county council members, and other elected stakeholders from across the country. Rayapati and the Moline City Council are deeply committed to supporting early childhood education, viewing it as a critical investment in the communitys future. Molines commitment is reflected in the $315,000 allocation of American Recovery Plan Act resources that supported strong partnerships with 7 local childcare providers, including Western Illinois University, and creating 236 new childcare opportunities for Moline Families, Rayapati said. The ELN Fellows first meeting, held on August 22, 2024, was conducted virtually and included review of the programs structure and goals and time to share initial thoughts on the kinds of local action that will make a difference in the early childhood landscape in their communities. The cohort held its second meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 4, 2024, where ELN Fellows engaged with one another to learn more about how to navigate local policies that impact early childhood issues. Rayapati was scheduled to join senior-level state elected officials, gubernatorial staff, and key early childhood system leaders from Illinois at The Hunt Institutes Early Childhood Leadership Summit from Sept. 4-6. The early childhood landscape can be complex, especially at the local level, and Im pleased to see so many locally elected officials from across the country come together to focus on investing time in this area, said The Hunt Institutes President & CEO, Dr. Javaid Siddiqi. Equipping policymakers with access to research and national experts is an essential step in building stronger early childhood systems. For more information, visit 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) Apple on Monday charged into the artificial intelligence craze with a new iPhone lineup that marks the companys latest attempt to latch onto a technology trend and transform it into a cultural phenomenon. The four different iPhone 16 models will all come equipped with special chips needed to power a suite of AI tools that Apple hopes will make its marquee product even more indispensable and reverse a recent sales slump. Apples AI features are designed to turn its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri into a smarter and more versatile sidekick, automate a wide range of tedious tasks and pull off other crowd-pleasing tricks, such as creating customized emojis within seconds. After receiving a standing ovation for Monday's event, Apple CEO Tim Cook promised the AI package will unleash innovations that will make a true difference in peoples lives. But the breakthroughs won't begin as soon as the new iPhones ranging in price from $800 to $1,200 hit the stores on Sept. 20. Most of Apples AI functions will roll out as part of a free software update to iOS 18, the operating system that will power the iPhone 16 rolling out from October through December. U.S. English will be the featured language at launch but an update enabling other languages will come out next year, according to Apple. Its all part of a new approach that Apple previewed at a developers conference three months ago to create more anticipation for a next generation of iPhones amid a rare sales slump for the well-known devices. Since Apples June conference, competitors such as Samsung and Google have made greater strides in AI a technology widely expected to trigger the most dramatic changes in computing since the first iPhone came out 17 years ago. Just as Apple elevated fledgling smartphones into a must-have technology in 21st-century society, the Cupertino, California, company is betting it can do something similar with its tardy arrival to artificial intelligence. In an attempt to set itself apart from the early leaders in AI, the technology being baked into the iPhone 16 is being promoted as Apple Intelligence. Despite the unique branding, Apples new approach mimics many of the features already available in the Samsung Galaxy S24 released in January and the Google Pixel 9 that came out last month. Apple could have waited another year for further development, but initial take up of AI-powered devices from the likes of Samsung has been encouraging, and Apple is keen to capitalize on this market, said PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore. Story continues As it treads into new territory, Apple is trying to preserve its longtime commitment to privacy by tailoring its AI so that most of its technological tricks can be processed on the device itself instead of relying on giant banks of computers located in remote data centers. When a task needs to connect to a data center, Apple promises it will be done in a tightly controlled way that ensures no personal data is stored remotely. While corralling the personal information shared through Apples AI tools inherently reduces the chances the data will be exploited or misused against a users wishes, it doesnt guarantee iron-clad security. A device could still be stolen, for instance, or hacked through digital chicanery. For those seeking to access even more AI tools than being offered by the iPhone, Apple is teaming up with OpenAI to give users the option of farming out more complicated tasks to the popular ChatGPT chatbot. Although Apple is releasing a free version of its operating system to propel its on-device AI features, the chip needed to run the technology is only available on the iPhone 16 lineup and the high-end iPhone 15 models that came out a year ago. That means most consumers who are interested in taking advantage of Apples approach to AI will have to buy one of the iPhone 16 models a twist that investors are counting on will fuel a surge in demand heading into the holiday season. The anticipated sales boom is the main reason Apples stock price has climbed by more than 10% since the June developers conference, including a slight uptick Monday after the shares initially slipped following the showcase for the latest iPhones. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives was so impressed with what he saw Monday that he predicted the new AI iPhones will propel Apple's market value through the $4 trillion threshold next year for the first time. That forecast translates into increase of roughly 20% from Monday's closing price of $220.91 for Apple's stock. Besides its latest iPhones, Apple also introduced a new version of its smartwatch that will include a feature to help detect sleep apnea as well the next generation of its wireless headphones, the AirPods Pro, that will be able to function as a hearing aid with an upcoming software update. A mother of four was killed when police say a man went on a shooting rampage in Lawrence County over the weekend. The shooting began near Breakers Pub in Ellport just before 1 a.m. Saturday. Crystal Wawrzynski, of Ellwood City, was killed. Her husband and three other people were hit by the gunfire. Nathan Fink, 40, is charged in the shooting. A close friend of Wawrzynskis said they are heartbroken she is gone. I mean this is devastating. Those kids lost their mom, said Mary Greene, Wawrzynskis close friend. Loved ones of Crystal Wawrzynski of Ellwood City are grieving after she was shot and killed over the weekend. This family now doesnt have a mom, a sister, daughter. Shes gone and its just not fair, said Greene. State police said Fink drove off in his car after shooting at the bar and shot at several businesses and homes along Portersville Road. A woman said her brother was hit in the leg inside a house while he was sleeping. Crystals daughter set up a GoFundMe page to support their family. We want justice. We absolutely want justice for her and for the other people who were shot. We want justice for all of them, especially for Crystal because it was a beautiful person, beautiful soul stolen from us, said Greene. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Pitt director of athletics Heather Lyke relieved of duties Big Lots files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, plans to sell business to private equity firm Man accused of killing woman, injuring 4 other people while shooting at Lawrence County buildings VIDEO: Flames rip through duplex in Duquesne for third time, investigators consider incident suspicious DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Kimberlee Singler, 36, is fighting extradition from the U.K., where she fled within days of being charged in the double homicide of two of her kids Colorado Springs Police Department Kimberlee Singler (in left photo) allegedly killed her children, Elianna Wentz, 9 (left in second photo) and Aden Wentz, 7 (right), while seriously injuring her 11-year-old daughter (center) in Dec. 2023. Kimberlee Singler is accused of stabbing and shooting to death her 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter in their Colorado apartment Dec. 19 Her 11-year-old daughter survived multiple stab wounds during the alleged attack Singler is arguing to stay in London and avoid the potential of life in prison without parole in Colorado After the 11-year-old was transferred to foster care, she allegedly told a caretaker that her mother had killed her two younger siblings in their Colorado apartment and had instructed her to cover for her. The 11-year-old, identified by her initials M.W., ultimately told authorities that her mother, Kimberlee Singler, had instructed her children to drink milk laced with powder, telling them to close their eyes as she led them to a bedroom, according to an account of events provided in court by a London prosecutor and reported by the Associated Press. The defendant told her that God was telling her to do it, and that the childrens father would take them away, prosecutor Joel Smith said, per the AP, at the three-day extradition hearing last week. Colorado Springs Police Department Kimberlee Singler. Related: Colo. Mom Who Said Intruder Killed 2 of Her Kids Now Under Arrest In London: 'She Seemed Like a Normal Mother' Singler, 36 who is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter, as well as the alleged attempted murder of M.W., according to the Colorado Springs Police Department fled to the United Kingdom, where she was arrested in a London hotel Dec. 30. Police said in a December press release that Singler was additionally charged with several counts of child abuse, as well as assault in the first degree. She is also charged with additional counts of murder and attempted murder based on Colorado law adding charges for such violence against children under the age of 12. Shortly after midnight on Dec. 19, a 911 caller reported a burglary at the apartment. GoFundMe Elianna Wentz, 9 (left) and Aden Wentz, 7 (right), were found dead in bed Dec. 19, 2023. Related: Colo. Mom Accused of Killing Her 2 Kids, Attempting to Kill Third, Arrested in London Hotel Both Singler and her 11-year-old daughter were hospitalized for injuries, while police say the two younger kids were found dead in the home. Over the course of the Colorado Springs Police Department Homicide Units investigation, it was determined the initial report of a burglary was unfounded, according to police. At the Westminster Magistrates Court hearing last week, Smith said, per the AP, that police had found 7-year-old Aden Wentz and 9-year-old Elianna Ellie Wentz together in bed, both fatally shot and stabbed. The 11-year-old who was stabbed multiple times as she begged her mother to spare her, according to Smith was also seriously injured, and at first police listed Singler, who had superficial knife wounds, as a victim in the purported burglary, per the AP. Kevin Wentz with his three children. Related: Inside the Bitter Custody Battle Before Colo. Mom Is Accused of Killing 2 Kids, Then Fleeing to London Smith told the London court that Singler had tried to pass off the blame on her ex-husband, Kevin Wentz, with whom she was then in a custody battle, saying per the AP that she suspected him of killing them, or organizing to have them killed. She said that a dark figure had entered her apartment and that she had fainted. (A judge had awarded Wentz with more time with his children, and Smith said she had ignored an order to turn them over starting Dec. 16.) But Wentzs alibi confirmed by his trucks GPS tracking device checked out, and the blood on the weapons allegedly matched Singler and her children, say police. The 11-year-old first told police that a man broke into their home through the patio, attacking the family, per the AP. She later told a caretaker that her mother had told her to lie to officers. Parker Seibold/The Gazette via AP The Palomino Ranch Point apartment complex, where the family lived in Colorado Springs, Colo., was cordoned off by police tape following the children's killings in December 2023. 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. Singlers defense lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald who previously represented Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in his prolonged extradition proceedings argued in court per the AP that Singler had not hurt her children and believed police coerced the claim from her daughter. On Friday, Sept. 6 Fitzgerald said that she should not be extradited to Colorado because there she could face life without parole, which violates European human rights law. Fitzgerald further argued that Colorado Governor Jared Polis was unlikely to commute her sentence, saying that for Polis to do that would amount to "political suicide," per the AP. Then Smith stood up in court, per the AP, claiming that in 2018 former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper had commuted the first-degree murder sentences of six men. The hearing was then adjourned until Dec. 2. If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Mom of Georgia school shooting suspect: 'If I could take their place, I would' The mother of Colt Gray, the 14-year-old suspected of opening fire at his Georgia high school, was in tears and overcome with emotion while speaking to ABC News. "If I could take their place, I would. I would in a heartbeat," Marcee Gray said Sunday night. PHOTO: Two girls sit in front of a memorial after community members, students, and faculty of Apalachee High School came together for a vigil on Sept. 6, 2024, in Winder, Georgia. (Megan Varner/Getty Images) MORE: Georgia shooting lasted about a minute after 26 teachers alerted authorities, sheriff says Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith told ABC News that the timeline of phone calls and events on the morning of the Apalachee High School shooting are being investigated. This comes as allegations by the accused shooter's aunt raise new questions about whether Colt Gray's mother warned school officials of an "extreme emergency" about 30 minutes before the gunfire on Wednesday. PHOTO: People lay flowers at the site of a makeshift memorial at Apalachee High School the day after a fatal shooting left four dead in Winder, Georgia, Sept. 5, 2024. (Elijah Nouvelage/Reuters) MORE: Apalachee survivor recounts moment shooting suspect came 'banging frantically' on her classroom door Colt Gray's aunt, Annie Polhamus Brown, confirmed to ABC News that Marcee Gray called a school counselor on Wednesday morning, telling school officials to find her son and check on him immediately. This news was first reported by The Washington Post. According to the Post, "That account is supported by a call log from the familys shared phone plan, which shows a 10-minute call from the mothers phone to the school starting at 9:50 a.m. -- about a half-hour before witnesses have said the gunman opened fire." MORE: Apalachee teacher fatally shot near doorway to his classroom: 'He was trying to crawl back to us' The sheriff told ABC News he is not aware of that phone call, but he stressed authorities are in the very early stages of the investigation and are working to piece together a timeline. School district officials declined to comment. Colt Gray is accused of killing two students and two teachers, and injuring nine others, at Apalachee High School on Wednesday. PHOTO: Booking photo of Apalachee High School shooting suspect, Colt Gray, released by the Barrow County Sheriff's Office. (Barrow County Sheriff's Office) MORE: Georgia high school shooting suspect and his dad make 1st court appearances He is charged with four counts of felony murder. More charges will be filed, prosecutors said. The teen's father, Colin Gray, is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children, the GBI said. He is accused of "knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon," GBI Director Chris Hosey said. The father and son both made their first court appearances on Friday. Neither has entered a plea and both are set to return to court on Dec. 4. ABC News' Toria Tolley, Stephanie Maurice and Darrell Calhoun and contributed to this report. Mom of Georgia school shooting suspect: 'If I could take their place, I would' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Montana Race Comes Down to Trust; Tim Sheehys Racist Comments Show He Cant Be Trusted GOP senatorail candidate Tim Sheehy caught on audio making reacist comments about Native Americans. (Photo/Montana Free Press) Opinion. Trust is everything in Indian Country. When it comes to governance, trust is a virtue that must exist between tribal elected leaders and non-Native elected officials. Tribal leaders, who represent their sovereign nations in meetings and negotiations, must retain relationships of trust with non-Native elected officials across all branches of the federal, state, and local levels of government. Tribal leaders must interact with them as they strive to bring improvements to the lives of their respective tribal communities. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Tribal leaders fully understand they need to work in a non-partisan approach in order to achieve progress for their tribal communities. On an ongoing basis, Native Americans face many issues that impact their tribal communities from health disparities, housing needs, low educational attainment, a need for more employment, and more broadband. Beyond some of the basic needs of life, there is a need for increased revenue for law enforcement in Indian Country to combat the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) and flow of illegal drugs into tribal communities. In order to get support from the executive branch of government, they work in the spirit of trust. This spirit must carry over to Congress and statehouses in order to get needed legislation passed. This brings me to the recent discovery of a U.S. Senate candidate making disparaging and blatant racist comments about Native Americans. Tim Sheehy, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in Montana, was caught on tape making disparaging racist remarks about Native Americans. In the audio clips, he characterizes Crow Nation tribal members as being drunk at 8 a.m. and throwing beer cans at him during a parade. The story broke recently when Char-Koosta News, the official news publication of the Flathead Indian Reservation, published an article that contains audio of Montana GOP senatorial Tim Sheehy making the disparaging comments. Sheehy reportedly was recorded at non-Native events, including a fundraiser where he apparently felt well at ease to make such racist comments, as if Native Americans are fodder for humor. As the news about Sheehys comments broke, he drew the ire of Native Americans from throughout Indian Country. On Thursday, the National Congress of American Indians denounced Sheehys racist comments. Such harmful rhetoric has no place in public discourse, especially from those seeking elected office. These derogatory comments are a stark reminder of the persistent racism that Native communities continue to face, the NCAI statement said. We expect our elected leaders and those who seek public office to uphold the highest standards of respect and integrity, particularly when discussing historically marginalized communities. The Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council reacted to Sheehys comments with ire and asked for an apology. The Crow people are not your punchline. Native Americans are not your punchline, Bryce Kirk, the councils chairman, said in the statement. Your words were unnecessarily hurtful, and unfortunately a little too close to being hateful. The Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, which speaks for leaders of every Montana and Wyoming tribe, demanded that Sheehy apologize publicly. He cant understand the road we have walked, said Thomas Rodgers, a spokesperson for the council and enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe. He cannot understand. You have to live it daily. You have to experience it. The incredible thing about Sheehy is he ranches cattle on the Crow Nation and has buddied up with some tribal members there. In essence, he smiles in their face, but feels comfortable around non-Natives to make jokes about the Crow, as if they are second-class citizens. This behavior shows Sheehy is not to be trusted. To borrow a quote from the late great poet Maya Angelou, who said when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time, Native Americans must pay heed to the real Tim Sheehy; not the one who shows up and smiles in their face. He cannot be trusted and certainly does not deserve the respect of Native Americans. Separate from Sheehys racist comments about Native Americans, he is painted as an ex-Navy Seal and a millionaire who will work on the best interests of Montana. He was handpicked by Republican Sen. Stephen Daines to run against Montana's three-term U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat who sits on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Daines is highly partisan. When he was a member of the House of Representatives, he voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act that contained a tribal provision. During Deb Haalands (Laguna Pueblo) confirmation to become the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Daines was one of the most fierce opponents of her nomination. He called Haaland a radical. This year, Daines put a procedural block on Bidens federal district judge nominee for eastern Montana, Danna Jackson. Jackson is a Kootenai descendant who grew up in Montana on the Flathead Reservation. In Sheehy, Daines selected a man who portrays himself as a successful businessman, but lost his company $77 million dollars and is currently being sued by his former employees for allegedly cutting their pay while paying himself multi-million dollar bonuses. Sheehy is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who is expected to carry Montana, a traditionally Republican state. Sheehy runs on Trumps coattail, which is helping him hold a lead in the polls. Even with an apology to Native Americans, the trust factor would be almost impossible to ever achieve if Sheehy is elected to the Senate. Both Native Americans and non-Natives need to look way past the R on the ballot vote for someone who has a proven track record on working behalf of the people of Montana and certainly for Indian Country. Tester can be trusted. Sheehy cannot. Thayek gde nwendemen - We are all related. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net The metal Court Square Fountain in downtown Montgomery features a large basin on the bottom and a smaller one on top. A number of small statues can be seen around the fountain, which is topped by a statue of the Greek goddess Hebe. The fountain in Court House square in Montgomery, Alabama as seen on January 24, 2023. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed Friday ratified an ordinance that requires people to have photo identification when they carry a concealed weapon within the city limits. This gives law enforcement a tool to ensure proper identification is held in situations where an individual may be stopped and weapons are recognized, Reed said during a news conference Friday. The move will likely lead to conflict with state officials, who have moved in recent years to reduce gun restrictions and regulations. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A man in a dark suit and red paisley tie. The Montgomery City Councils ordinance related to firearms violates state law, said a spokesperson from the Alabama Attorney Generals Office. The Code of Alabama plainly states that the Legislature is the sole regulator of firearms and related matters. Reed said the city had to do what we can, and challenge our state partners to do the things they can to help make our entire state safe, whether it be in a rural area or an urban area like our city. According to the Montgomery Police Department, there were 75 homicides in 2023. That is up from the 62 homicides in 2022. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alabamas firearm death rate in 2022 was 25.5 per 100,000, the fourth-highest in the nation. The ordinance authorizes law enforcement to confiscate peoples firearms if they do not have a valid identification with them while they are carrying a concealed firearm. However, people may retrieve their firearms within 30 days by presenting a valid identification, proof of ownership and by paying a fine. No details were provided regarding the amount of the fine. The ordinance allows law enforcement to identify people who are carrying a concealed firearm, and then cross check them against the state database to ensure they are permitted to possess a firearm in public. The ordinance, which will take effect next week,comes as state lawmakers have rolled back rules and regulations pertaining to guns. In 2022, legislators eliminated a permit requirement for those carrying concealed firearms. That rule not only allowed law enforcement to screen people they found carrying a firearm while in public and while driving in their vehicles, it also took away a significant source of revenue from sheriffs departments throughout Alabama. The only people who are going to try and conceal weapons without that permit at the time in the past, usually are people committing crimes, and that gave us a lever for actually removing weapons on the street before it can be used in a robbery, or before it can be used in a drive by, said James (Jim) Graboys, interim police chief for the city of Montgomery. Reed also highlighted policies related to public safety, from making investments in technology and training of officers, to laying out policies that deal with firearm safety and community violence intervention programs. If the state comes out and says that we cant do it, we will leave that out to the state, and we will ask the citizens to make that cry to the state, said Charles Jinright, Montgomery City Council president. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE More than 160 members of Congress have filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of defending transgender rights in America. The case, U.S. v. Skrmetti, set to be heard this fall, will determine the legality of Tennessees ban on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors . This marks the first time the high court will address the constitutionality of such a ban, and its decision could have far-reaching implications for transgender rights across the United States. A coalition of Democratic lawmakers led by Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, and Oregon U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley filed an amicus brief Tuesday urging the Supreme Court to strike down SB1. The brief, joined by 11 senators and 153 representatives, argues that the law violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The brief highlights SB1s discriminatory nature, stating that it singles out transgender youth for unequal treatment and is not based on sound medical evidence or practice. Decisions about healthcare belong to patients, their doctors, and their familiesnot politicians, Pocan said. 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. The case before the Supreme Court seeks a review of a decision made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Initially, a district court judge in Tennessee had granted a preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking the enforcement of Senate Bill 1 while legal challenges were ongoing. However, last September, a three-judge panel from the Sixth Circuit lifted this injunction, allowing Tennessee to enforce the ban. The plaintiffs in U.S. v. Skrmetti are now asking the Supreme Court to review the Sixth Circuits decision to lift the injunction, arguing that it undermines constitutional protections and unlawfully discriminates against transgender people. The brief points out that every major medical association in the United States, representing over 1.3 million doctors, agrees that gender-affirming care is safe, effective, and medically necessary for many transgender individuals experiencing gender dysphoria. The brief argues that Tennessees SB1, which bans all medical treatments intended to allow a minor to identify with a gender different from their sex assigned at birth, contradicts established medical standards and intrudes on individual medical decisions. The debate over gender-affirming care affects a significant number of young people. According to The Williams Institute, there are more than 300,000 high school-aged transgender youth in the United States today, many of whom require gender-affirming care. About 39.4 percent or 118,300 trans youth aged 13-17 live in the 26 states that have passed bans on gender-affirming care. The brief also emphasizes the deeply troubling role that animosity toward transgender people has played in the enactment of state legislation like SB1. It notes that many laws targeting transgender individuals have been driven by misinformation and prejudice rather than sound medical evidence. The brief urges the justices to be skeptical of legislation that bans safe and effective therapies that align with the standard of care and to examine the discriminatory intent behind such laws carefully. Markey is a vocal critic of these legislative efforts, which he views as driven by a special type of cruelty targeting vulnerable children. For years, far-right Republicans have been leading constant, relentless, and escalating attacks on transgender Americans, Markey said in a statement. Their age-old, discriminatory playbook now threatens access to lifesaving, gender-affirming care for more than 100,000 transgender and nonbinary children living in states with these bans if the Supreme Court upholds laws like Tennessees. David Stacy, vice president of Government Affairs for the Human Rights Campaign , underscored the stakes of the case. Thank you to the many Members of Congress for standing with transgender and non-binary youth across our country in asking the Supreme Court to find bans on life-saving gender-affirming care to be unconstitutional, Stacy said. The government should not be able to interfere in decisions that are best made between families and doctors, particularly when that care is necessary and best practice. These bans are dangerous, animated purely by anti-transgender bias, and have forced families to make heartbreaking decisions to support their children. More than 50 killed as fuel tanker collides with lorry in Nigeria The crash caused an explosion that destroyed both vehicles in Niger State - Reuters Click here to view this content. At least 52 people have been killed after a fuel tanker collided head on with a lorry carrying passengers and cattle in central Nigeria. The crash caused an explosion that destroyed both vehicles, which had been travelling in Niger State on Saturday night. Abdullahi Baba-Arab, the director general of the Niger State Emergency Agency, said rescuers were still working to recover bodies from inside the truck. Video footage showed the wreckage of the two burnt-out vehicles alongside dead cattle. Worst accident in many years Hussain Ibrahim, a spokesman for the agency, told the BBC that funerals for the victims had taken place on Sunday. We had a mass burial for 52 people yesterday, and we have eight people receiving treatment at the hospital, he said. This, without doubt, is the worst accident we have recorded in many years. He added that the Niger state government was paying the hospital bills of those injured. Mohammed Bago, the governor of Niger State, asked nearby residents to remain calm and called on road users to always be cautious and abide by road traffic regulations to safeguard lives and property. Fatal truck accidents are common on major roads in Nigeria in the absence of an efficient railway system to transport goods. 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. More than a third of early releases were violent offenders More than a third of prisoners freed under an emergency early release scheme over the summer were serving sentences for violent crimes, figures show. Of the 477 people released to free up space in overcrowded jails, 188 had been convicted of non-sexual crimes of violence, according to data from the Scottish Prisons Service (SPS). That amounts to 39.4% of the total released. The SPS said it was being "open and transparent" about the early release scheme. The data also shows 52 releases were vetoed by prison governors because they were believed to pose an "immediate risk of harm". The prisoners were freed in four tranches in June and July under emergency powers granted to ministers by parliament, to protect the welfare of inmates and staff. Only prisoners with 180 days or less to serve from a sentence of under four years were considered for early release. No-one convicted of sexual or domestic abuse offences has been released early. The Scottish government has said the move was in response to rising prison populations - up 13% since last year. Justice Secretary Angela Constance previously said that Scotland was no different from the rest of the UK in having to deal with overcrowded jails. The SPS figures show 101 of those released had been convicted of "crimes of dishonesty", while 99 had been convicted of "crimes against society". Others released under the scheme were serving sentences for anti-social offences, road traffic offences, damage and reckless behaviour and miscellaneous offences. The largest number of releases by local authority was 72 in Glasgow City, followed by 40 in North Lanarkshire, 39 in Fife and 28 in East Ayrshire. In May, there were 8,365 prisoners in Scotland, the highest number since 2012. The Scottish Prison Service has a target operating capacity of 8,007. A spokesperson said: "The safety and wellbeing of people in our care, our staff, and the communities we support continues to be a key priority throughout." President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints greets his family prior to a photo during his 100th birthday celebration at the Little Theatre of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (Jeffrey D. Allred/The Deseret News via AP, Pool) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Leaders of worldwide religions commonly stay at the helm well past retirement age, but its not often you find centenarians overseeing major faiths. Thats what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has as of Monday when church president Russell M. Nelson turned 100. He had already become the oldest president ever of the Utah-based faith three years ago and now becomes its first to hit the century mark. Age, wisdom and spiritual authority go together, said Angie Hong, a program director for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School. Pope Francis is 87. The Dalai Lama is 89. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who leads Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide, is 84. Ali al-Sistani, the grand ayatollah who is the senior religious figure for the worlds 200 million Shia Muslims, is 94. On Nelsons 100th birthday, the church commemorated the occasion with a special broadcast in his honor. Also, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican and church member, declared Monday to be President Russell M. Nelson Day in the state. President Nelson is a leader not only in Utah, but across the world. He has worked tirelessly to build bridges of understanding and kindness and has led a life full of family, faith and selfless service, Cox said in a statement. The president of the denomination, known widely as the Mormon church, oversees everything from the its multibillion-dollar financial holdings to church doctrine and policy. He also is believed to be a prophet of God and serves until death. By tradition, the new president is chosen from among the Quorum of The Twelve Apostles, one of the faiths top governing bodies specifically its longest tenured member. Selected to join the Quorum in 1984, Nelson has spent four decades in the upper echelons of church leadership. In 2018, he became the churchs 17th president at 93, making him the second oldest at the time to ever assume the role. Scholars and those who have known him for decades say he wasted no time in reshaping the church, including overhauling worship services and constructing new temples. Nelsons advanced age has not been a great concern mainly because of his dynamic leadership, said Patrick Mason, a religion and history professor at Utah State University. He depicted the churchs meaningful service opportunities for its older members as one of its strengths. There is a general sensibility that there is wisdom and steadiness that comes with age, Mason said. Though the church continues to expand, Nelsons 100th birthday reflects the broader composition of its aging white male leadership. Nelsons top two counselors one of whom is his presumed successor form what the church calls the first presidency and are both in their 90s. In total, six of the 15 men in the churchs top leadership panels are 80 or older. Over the years, some have argued the church would benefit from younger leadership in a changing world. Others have defended the status quo and celebrated the wisdom and spiritual maturity the churchs aging leaders bring to their roles. Hong, the leadership expert from Duke, said good spiritual leaders are those who always look to mentor and raise up younger leaders. This happens across faith traditions. In Hinduism, for example, aging leaders from various sects choose and guide their successors, while still remaining active and involved in day-to-day operations. In a ceremony at church headquarters in Salt Lake City, close relatives, church leaders and clergy of other faiths paid tribute to Nelson. Nelson has been both the Lords mouthpiece and unfailingly kind and composed, gentle and forgiving, said Jeffrey Holland, acting president of the churchs Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. We celebrate the sweet, robust, history-making 100 years of your life. We have come to say we love you and we say it in the name of Jesus Christ, Holland said. Nelson in the months leading up to his 100th birthday called on church members to reach out to someone in need in honor of the biblical parable of a shepherd who left the 99 sheep he was tending to in order to find the one that was lost. Hes a very loving leader. He is easy to love, Dallin H. Oaks, a high-ranking church leader who is next in line to become church president, said in a pre-recorded video interview aired during the broadcast. Nelson said in his own video that he wasnt sure why God had allowed him to live 100 years. The length of your life is not as important as the kind of life you live. For each of us, even for a 100-year-old man, life passes quickly. My prayer is that you will let God prevail in your life, Nelson said. Rank-and-file church members said they were impressed by Nelson's ability to lead at 100 and are blessed to still see him and hear him speak. Church member Mark Chavez praised Nelsons administration for building a slate of new temples across the globe and for appointing people from different countries to leadership positions, ushering in a more internationally focused era for the U.S.-based faith. Nelson became known for leading the church during the COVID-19 pandemic and cutting its century-long ties with the Boy Scouts of America when the organization decided to allow openly gay youth members and adult volunteers as well as transgender boys and girls. The church, under Nelson, said it welcomes LGBTQ+ members but maintains that same-sex marriage is a sin. Last month, the church issued new policies for transgender members, barring them from serving as priests or teachers, working with children or staying at youth camps overnight. Previously banned from being baptized, they may now only use single-occupancy restrooms at church meetinghouses. One of Nelson's first commands as president was a call to members of the faith to stop using the shorthand names Mormon and LDS as substitutes for the full name of the religion. Born in Salt Lake City in 1924, Nelson joined the religion as a young adult. As a doctor at age 22, he served a two-year Army medical tour of duty during the Korean War after which he resumed a career that included being director of thoracic surgery residency at the University of Utah. He walks a very gentle line between underscoring what the doctrine states while expressing love for all involved, said Sheri Dew, Nelsons biographer and executive vice president of the Deseret Management Corporation, which is owned by the faith. You may not agree with everything he believes," she said. "But any fair assessment of his life would conclude that he has truly tried to make life better for millions of people. ___ Bharath reported from Southern California. Mead Gruver contributed to this report from Cheyenne, Wyoming. ___ 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. Moses West wants clean water to be accessible to all. Solving An Issue Impacting Billions The U.S. Army veteran and engineer has used technology to develop an Atmospheric Water Generator that turns air into clean water. This groundbreaking invention has the potential to address the needs of more than a billion people who currently do not have clean water. Forbes reports that while water covers 70% of our planet, only 3% is fresh, and the majority of this fresh water two-thirds is held in frozen glaciers. It also highlights that 1.1 billion people lack water access, 2.7 billion struggle to find clean water at least one month each year, and 2.4 billion face issues with insufficient sanitation. Despite these statistics, West is looking to change these outcomes through his Atmospheric Water Generator. The one crisis that everyone says, Were going to run out of water, and Im sitting here saying, No youre not. Youre walking around in it every day. Trillions of gallons of it, youre walking in it,' he said in a YouTube video shared through his foundation, Moses West Foundation. How It Works The idea to build the Atmospheric Water Generator was inspired by his neighbor in Hawaii who shared a similar concept, but on a smaller scale. West recalls feeling mesmerized after he took a sip and decided to scale the idea to impact more people. He said, Just pull and drown the humidity in the air. Its just a molecule with water in the air. It doesnt bring anything with it. Thats when I got started and my idea was make industrial quantities of water, West mentioned in the video. Impact The retired Army veteran said he was informed by an engineer at a university that the concept had the power to produce over four trillion gallons of water annually with a small fraction of power that we throw away. The Atmospheric Water Generator has been used on nine missions in areas that have faced disasters or are in dire need of water, its website mentioned. This includes Flint, MI, which received over 3,000 gallons of water per day through the technology, as well as Puerto Rico, which CNN notes. More recently, a water generator was placed in San Antonio, TX, at Trinity University. All of the water you see here has been pulled from the air and is now perfectly clean drinking water. These machines save lives. These machines protect our future generations. These machines can change the world. Thank you for all your support, he said on an Instagram post. Bringing It To Homes Whats more, West aims to introduce the technology into households, sharing a preview on Instagram. The worlds best Atmospheric Water Generator. This is what we are working on to get into your homes. Im excited about the possibilities that this holds for each and every one of you, he wrote in the caption. Weve got a lot of incredible things coming up on the horizon and I cant tell you enough how much I appreciate you all following along on the journey. Water is a human right and we are working to protect that right around the clock. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan (MFA) congratulated Tajikistan on its National Day, Azernews reports, citing the post shared by ministry on its official "X" account. "Congratulations to the brotherly Tajikistan and its fraternal people on the National Day of Tajikistan," the post reads. Under the terms of the subcontract, Applied DNA, together with its traceability partner, Isotech (a Stratum Reservoir company), will employ CertainT to conduct isotopic testing and analysis to support cotton traceability in Pakistan. The financial terms of the subcontract were not disclosed. Applied DNA explained the project engages with trace experts, global brands, Pakistans cotton sector, and worker organisations to design, implement, and assess the pilot trace tool to improve its future application and develop publicly available commodity-agnostic trace resources for enhanced due diligence. The subcontract was said to have been issued in support of the Global Trace Protocol project, a US Department of Labour-funded initiative implemented by LRQA (known as ELEVATE during the projects inception) that is designed to reduce child and forced labour in global supply chains through traceability. Applied DNA said the company along with Isotech will use best practices in the isotopic analysis of raw materials and products at key points in the cotton textile value chain to align with the project's overarching goals. Some of the testing components include the use of isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) on samples from farms, gins, yarn spinners, and mills/manufacturing units identified by the project. CertainT will establish a baseline as part of the framework pilot project for isotope testing and analyses. According to LRQA's director of the Global Trace Protocol project Jeff Wheeler, new import regulations and legislation now require extra documentation to verify cotton origin and ensure that cotton does not come from high-risk sources. Wheeler said: "The Global Trace Protocol project is developing traceability technology tools that provide greater transparency and integrity to textile value chains globally, including through our work with Applied DNA." Applied DNA's vice president MeiLin Wan added: "Our CertainT platform employs isotope testing as well as DNA tagging and genomic testing as forensic authentication technologies to establish traceability to prove origin. Our recent announcement with Indus Apparel of isotope testing with DNA tagging showcases the scalability and accessibility of cotton authentication technologies that will also help Pakistans cotton industry to enable compliance with US import regulations and similar enforcement in other geographies." Applied DNA's CertainT is a textiles traceability platform that uses forensic, multiple-proof-point evidence to enable source and authenticity verification of materials and products at any point as they are transformed through global supply chains. Story continues LRQA is described as having decades of expertise in assessment, advisory, inspection, and cybersecurity services. In 2021 Applied DNA collaborated with Stratum Reservoir (Isotech), a specialist in laboratory staple isotope analysis a technique used for fingerprinting naturally occurring organic compounds such as cotton to bolster cotton traceability research. "Applied DNA bags LRQA isotopic testing pilot project in Pakistan" was originally created and published by Just Style, 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. Most Alaska Students are Not Proficient in Reading, Math or Science, State Test Results Show This article was originally published in Alaska Beacon. Alaskas Department of Education and Early Development released statewide assessment data on Friday that shows most students are not proficient in core subjects. The scores are similar to last years results overall, even though the state lowered its standards for the assessment in January. Education Commissioner Deena Bishop said then that Alaskas standards are still in the top third in the nation. The Alaska System of Academic Readiness test, commonly referred to as the AK STAR assessment, evaluates student knowledge of grade-level standards in English language arts and mathematics for third through ninth graders and grade-level standards for science in fifth, eighth and 10th grades. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Student scores fall into four levels of achievement: advanced, proficient, approaching proficient, and needs support. Across grade levels, roughly 32% of Alaska students were proficient or advanced in both English language arts and mathematics. Nearly 37% of students across grade levels tested were proficient or better in science. Bishop appealed to Alaskans to use the results for continuous improvement in a statement released on Friday. State assessments play a role in measuring how well our students meet the Alaska standards standards shaped by Alaskan educators. By accepting the results without defense, we commit to using these data for improvement, she said in a news release. Alaska is not merely focused on the outcomes themselves, rather our goal is to build the capacity in our students foundational knowledge and ability for their future in work and life. Pre-pandemic comparisons to measure if students scores are improving after school closures are difficult because the state changed its assessment. Scores were slightly higher in the 2018-2019 academic year, however. Then, 39% of students were proficient in or advanced scorers in English language arts and nearly 36% of students were proficient or better in math. Fifth graders performed best on the 2024 tests. More than 37% met or exceeded state proficiency standards, which was a nearly 2% increase over the previous year. Nearly half of fifth graders, more than 47%, were proficient or better in science standards. Eighth, ninth and tenth graders had lower levels of proficiency. The state said efforts are underway to support students in reading and offer career and technical education options. Officials with the state Department of Education and Early Childhood did not respond to questions about how to understand this years scores in the contact of previous years and pandemic recovery. Alaska Beacon is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com. Follow Alaska Beacon on Facebook and X. Most overcrowded country in the world is in Europe - with almost four tourists to every local The quaint town of Hallstatt in Austria has been finding it hard to cope with the overcrowding (Getty Images) Austria has been named the most overcrowded tourist destination in the world after it was revealed they welcome almost four tourists to the country for every resident. While European countries such as Spain and Greece have dealing with a range overtourism issues, from visitors packing city streets to threatening the lifespan of their natural landscape, it was not those popular hotspots that came out on top as having the wildest resident-to-tourist ratio. Research carried out by MoneyTransfers.com found that for every resident in Austria, there are almost four times the number of tourists, at a ratio of one resident to 3.6 tourists. The country only has a population of around nine million; however, Austria accepts around 32 million international visitors yearly. Most of the tourists are concentrated in Austrias capital, Vienna. Tourism in the capital continues to increase rapidly to its pre-pandemic levels, with its tourist board reporting that it had a 31 per cent rise in overnight stays between 2022 and 2023, with 17.3 million overnights by visitors within the city limits. While Vienna is used to catering for huge swarms of visitors, other areas of the country are becoming increasingly popular, however, they are not as prepared to take on the influx of tourists. One example is Hallstatt, a small town known for its picturesque Alpine houses, waterfalls and salt lakes, all backed by a tremendous snowy mountain range. The fairytale-like town, the rumoured inspiration for the kingdom of Arendelle in Disneys Frozen, was caught in a battle with overtourism last year when the town constructed wooden fences that obstructed the view of the lake. Hallstatt is famous for its idyllic fairytale-like town setting, attracting thousands of tourists each year (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The fences blocked the view of Hallstatts famous selfie backdrop amid attempts to scale back the number of visitors to the area that is overwhelming the town. However, Hallstatts fences were later dismantled following backlash on social media. In a statement to local website Upper Austrian News in 2023, Mayor Scheutz said: The only thing that would help is if the photo point is no longer a photo point. The town, a protected Unesco World Heritage site, has seen over a million tourists a year since it was rumoured to be the muse for Frozen, despite the movie makers travelling to Norway and Canada to collect inspiration. Before the pandemic, foot traffic in the small town rose to around 10,000 visitors a day, causing Hallstatts mayor, Alexander Scheutz, to introduce a cap on the number of tour buses and cars allowed to enter the area. The town itself only has around 800 residents, leading Scheutz to declare that hed like to slash tourist numbers by a third. Protesters blocked the main road tunnel in 2023, holding up signs with messages such as radical limits for mass tourism, tourism yes mass tourism no, and visitors limitation, reclaim habitat. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast ATLANTA (AP) The mother of a student at the Georgia high school where a teen allegedly killed four people says information indicating staff were warned he was having a crisis shows the shooting could have been prevented. The school failed them, that they could have prevented these deaths and they didnt, Rabecca Sayarath said Sunday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. I truly, truly feel that way. Sayaraths daughter, Lyela, told reporters on Wednesday, the day of the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, that administrators appeared to be looking for Colt Gray, the 14-year-old who has been charged with four counts of murder, before the gunfire began. Others, though, are declining to blame school or law enforcement officials. RELATED: 14-year-old describes scene of Georgia school shooting Im not going to referee or second-guess what happened with the authorities the other night, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, said on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday. I applaud our first responders. When others are running away from danger, they run toward the danger in order to do the best they can. Officials say Gray shot and killed students Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. Eight other students and a teacher were injured seven of them shot and are expected to recover. Annie Brown told The Washington Post that her sister, Colt Grays mother, texted her saying she spoke with a school counselor and warned staff of an extreme emergency before the killings. Brown said Marcee Gray urged them to immediately find her son to check on him. Brown provided screen shots of the text exchange to the newspaper, which also reported that a call log from the familys shared phone plan showed a call was made to the school at 9:50 a.m. Warrants for Grays arrest say the shooting started at 10:20 a.m. Brown confirmed the reporting to The Associated Press on Saturday in text messages but declined to provide further comment. Marcee Gray expressed remorse for the shootings Saturday to The Washington Post and The New York Post. I am so, so sorry and can not fathom the pain and suffering they are going through right now, Gray told The Washington Post in a text. Its horrible. Its absolutely horrible, Gray told The New York Post outside her fathers home in Fitzgerald, Georgia, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Atlanta. Charles Polhamus, the boys grandfather, has told multiple news outlets that Marcee Gray got a text from her son on Wednesday saying he was sorry. Polhamus told CNN that Marcee Gray drove to Winder, more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) from Fitzgerald, immediately after the shooting. The Washington Post also reported that texts show relatives contacted the school about the boys mental health a week before the shooting, and that Brown told a relative he was having homicidal and suicidal thoughts. The newspaper reported that the teens grandmother, Deborah Polhamus, met with a school counselor to request help. The boy starts with the therapist tomorrow, Polhamus wrote in a text to Brown after that meeting. Investigators havent said what they believe might have motivated Gray or whether they believe he targeted particular victims. Colin Gray became the first parent of a school shooting suspect to be charged in Georgia, District Attorney Brad Smith said Friday. Hes accused of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children for providing his son with the rifle. MORE: Teen charged in Georgia school shooting, father to stay in custody Colin Gray is jailed in Barrow County after declining to seek bail in a brief court hearing Friday in Winder. Colt Gray is being held in a juvenile detention center after declining to seek bail. Neither has been indicted or entered a plea. Authorities have said Grays father, Colin Gray, gave him access to the semiautomatic AR-15 style rifle used in the shooting. Its not clear how Gray brought the gun to campus or what he did with it in the two hours between school starting at 8:15 a.m. and when shots first rang out. Lyela Sayarath said Wednesday that Colt Gray had left her algebra classroom and that she believed he was skipping class. In the minutes before the shooting, a female administrator came to her class looking for a student with the same last name and almost identical first name as Gray, she said. That other student was in the bathroom, but the administrator demanded to see his bag. That student returned with his bag moments later, Sayarath said, and told her that administrators had concluded he wasnt the student they were looking for. Someone also called the teacher on the intercom, apparently asking about Gray, Sayarath said. She said as the intercom buzzed a second time, the teacher responded, Oh hes here, seeing Gray outside the classroom door. When students went to open the door, which automatically locks from the inside when closed, Sayarath said they backed away. She said she saw Colt Gray turn away through the window of the door and then she said she heard gunshots 10 or 15 of them at once, back-to-back. Rabecca Sayarath, Lyelas mother, has said she believed the school erred by sending an unarmed administrator to look for Colt Gray instead of one of Apalachee Highs armed school resource officers. When she questioned Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith about her daughters account at a Wednesday night news conference, Smith cautioned, With all due respect, maam, I think your information is incorrect. Its unclear if Barrow County school authorities knew before the shooting that Colt and Colin Gray previously had been interviewed by a sheriffs deputy in neighboring Jackson County in May 2023 after a report of an online threat to shoot up a middle school that Colt Gray, then 13, attended. Colt Gray told the deputy that he would never say such a thing, even in a joking manner, according to a report filed by investigators. No action was taken because of inconsistent information about the social media account used to make the threats. Colin Gray told the investigator back then that Colt had access to unloaded guns in the house but knew how to use them and not use them. He also said his son had struggled since he and his wife separated and that Colt was picked on in school. Nicole Valles, a spokesperson for the Barrow County school district, declined to comment Sunday in response to emailed questions seeking more details about what may have happened before the shooting. Because this is an active investigation and now court proceedings have begun, we are not commenting on specific details, Valles wrote, referring questions to the district attorney. Smith didnt immediately respond to emails Sunday with similar questions, while the Georgia Bureau of Investigation referred requests for comment to the district attorney. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. ATLANTA (AP) The mother of a student at the Georgia high school where a teen allegedly killed four people says information indicating staff were warned he was having a crisis shows the shooting could have been prevented. Teen charged in Georgia school shooting and his father to stay in custody after hearings The school failed them, that they could have prevented these deaths and they didnt, Rabecca Sayarath said Sunday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. I truly, truly feel that way. Sayaraths daughter, Lyela, told reporters on Wednesday, the day of the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, that administrators appeared to be looking for Colt Gray, the 14-year-old who has been charged with four counts of murder, before the gunfire began. Others, though, are declining to blame school or law enforcement officials. Im not going to referee or second-guess what happened with the authorities the other night, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, said on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday. I applaud our first responders. When others are running away from danger, they run toward the danger in order to do the best they can. Officials say Gray shot and killed students Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. Eight other students and a teacher were injured seven of them shot and are expected to recover. Colt Gray sits in the Barrow County courthouse during his first appearance for the Wednesday shooting at Apalachee High School, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Winder, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, Pool) Annie Brown told The Washington Post that her sister, Colt Grays mother, texted her saying she spoke with a school counselor and warned staff of an extreme emergency before the killings. Brown said Marcee Gray urged them to immediately find her son to check on him. Brown provided screen shots of the text exchange to the newspaper, which also reported that a call log from the familys shared phone plan showed a call was made to the school at 9:50 a.m. Warrants for Grays arrest say the shooting started at 10:20 a.m. Brown confirmed the reporting to The Associated Press on Saturday in text messages but declined to provide further comment. Marcee Gray expressed remorse for the shootings Saturday to The Washington Post and The New York Post. I am so, so sorry and can not fathom the pain and suffering they are going through right now, Gray told The Washington Post in a text. Suspect in deadly Georgia high school shooting denied making online threats last year Its horrible. Its absolutely horrible, Gray told The New York Post outside her fathers home in Fitzgerald, Georgia, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Atlanta. Charles Polhamus, the boys grandfather, has told multiple news outlets that Marcee Gray got a text from her son on Wednesday saying he was sorry. Polhamus told CNN that Marcee Gray drove to Winder, more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) from Fitzgerald, immediately after the shooting. The Washington Post also reported that texts show relatives contacted the school about the boys mental health a week before the shooting, and that Brown told a relative he was having homicidal and suicidal thoughts. The newspaper reported that the teens grandmother, Deborah Polhamus, met with a school counselor to request help. The boy starts with the therapist tomorrow, Polhamus wrote in a text to Brown after that meeting. Investigators havent said what they believe might have motivated Gray or whether they believe he targeted particular victims. Authorities have said Grays father, Colin Gray, gave him access to the semiautomatic AR-15 style rifle used in the shooting. Its not clear how Gray brought the gun to campus or what he did with it in the two hours between school starting at 8:15 a.m. and when shots first rang out. Colin Gray, 54, the father of Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray, 14, sits in the Barrow County courthouse for his first appearance, on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Winder, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) Colin Gray became the first parent of a school shooting suspect to be charged in Georgia, District Attorney Brad Smith said Friday. Hes accused of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children for providing his son with the rifle. Colin Gray is jailed in Barrow County after declining to seek bail in a brief court hearing Friday in Winder. Colt Gray is being held in a juvenile detention center after declining to seek bail. Neither has been indicted or entered a plea. Lyela Sayarath said Wednesday that Colt Gray had left her algebra classroom and that she believed he was skipping class. In the minutes before the shooting, a female administrator came to her class looking for a student with the same last name and almost identical first name as Gray, she said. That other student was in the bathroom, but the administrator demanded to see his bag. That student returned with his bag moments later, Sayarath said, and told her that administrators had concluded he wasnt the student they were looking for. Someone also called the teacher on the intercom, apparently asking about Gray, Sayarath said. She said as the intercom buzzed a second time, the teacher responded, Oh hes here, seeing Gray outside the classroom door. When students went to open the door, which automatically locks from the inside when closed, Sayarath said they backed away. She said she saw Colt Gray turn away through the window of the door and then she said she heard gunshots 10 or 15 of them at once, back-to-back. Apalachee High School Shooting: Who are the victims? Rabecca Sayarath, Lyelas mother, has said she believed the school erred by sending an unarmed administrator to look for Colt Gray instead of one of Apalachee Highs armed school resource officers. When she questioned Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith about her daughters account at a Wednesday night news conference, Smith cautioned, With all due respect, maam, I think your information is incorrect. Its unclear if Barrow County school authorities knew before the shooting that Colt and Colin Gray previously had been interviewed by a sheriffs deputy in neighboring Jackson County in May 2023 after a report of an online threat to shoot up a middle school that Colt Gray, then 13, attended. Colt Gray told the deputy that he would never say such a thing, even in a joking manner, according to a report filed by investigators. No action was taken because of inconsistent information about the social media account used to make the threats. Colin Gray told the investigator back then that Colt had access to unloaded guns in the house but knew how to use them and not use them. He also said his son had struggled since he and his wife separated and that Colt was picked on in school. Nicole Valles, a spokesperson for the Barrow County school district, declined to comment Sunday in response to emailed questions seeking more details about what may have happened before the shooting. Because this is an active investigation and now court proceedings have begun, we are not commenting on specific details, Valles wrote, referring questions to the district attorney. Georgia high school shooting: Panic button system saved lives Smith didnt immediately respond to emails Sunday with similar questions, while the Georgia Bureau of Investigation referred requests for comment to the district attorney. WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: A law enforcement officer holds a roll of caution tape after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities.(Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: A woman is comforted while on the phone after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: A mother and daughter watch as an ambulance leaves after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities.(Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: A police line is put up in front of Apalachee High School after a school shooting took place on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Cars line the road as parents arrive to meet students after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Law enforcement and first responders work at the scene as students wait to be picked up by their parents after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Students walk off campus with their families after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Officers hold guns while talking outside after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Students walk off campus with their families after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Law enforcement works at the scene as students wait to be picked up by their parents after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Students wait to be picked up by their parents after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Cars are parked on the lawn of the school after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: A father walks by Apalachee High School with his son on his shoulders as after a school shooting on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)S WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Students walk off campus with their families after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Gretchen Gierlach, a member of the community, came to Apalachee High School to demonstrates after a shooting there on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith speaks to the media after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey speaks to the media after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Students and family members are line up nearby after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Cars line the road as parents arrive to meet students after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Students are directed to be picked up by their parents after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Four fatalities and multiple injuries have been reported, and a 14-year-old suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Students wait to be picked up by their parents after a school shooting took place on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities.(Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: A school bus sits on site after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities.(Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Students wait to be picked up by their parents after a shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody according to authorities. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images) Massive police presence at Appalachee High School in Barrow County 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. (WSB 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) 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) 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) Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Motorcyclist killed after collision with car in SW OKC OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KFOR) A motorcyclist was killed after a collision involving another car near SW 36th and Pennsylvania Ave Sunday night. | LOCAL NEWS > Paralympian Derek Loccident gives a shoutout to UCO after his wins > Police reported that it happened around 10 p.m. There are no other details as to the condition of the driver or if that person stayed on the scene. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Funeral held for an American activist a witness says was shot dead by Israeli troops Two fellow activists of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, who was fatally shot by Israeli soldiers while participating in an anti-settlement protest in the West Bank, carry posters with her name and photo during Eygi's funeral procession in the West Bank city of Nablus, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) NABLUS, West Bank (AP) The Palestinian Authority held a funeral procession Monday for an American activist who a witness says was shot and killed by Israeli forces last week following a demonstration against settlements in the occupied West Bank. Dozens of mourners including several leading officials of the Western-backed Palestinian Authority attended the procession for Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old from Seattle who also held Turkish citizenship. Eygis body was draped in a Palestinian flag and her face was covered with a traditional black-and-white checkered scarf as security forces carried her and then placed her into a Palestinian ambulance. Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oncu Keceli said his country was working on repatriating Eygi's remains for burial in the Aegean coastal town of Didim as per her family's wishes. Because the land crossing between the West Bank and Jordan was closed Sunday after an attack on Israeli civilians, the ministry was trying to have the body flown to Turkey. U.S. officials did not respond to a request for comment. Jonathan Pollak, an Israeli peace activist who participated in Fridays protest with Eygi, said she posed no threat when Israeli forces shot her. He said the killing happened during a period of calm after clashes between soldiers and Palestinian protesters. Pollak said he saw two Israeli soldiers mount the roof of a nearby home, train a gun in the groups direction and fire, with one of the bullets striking Eygi in the head. The Israeli military says it is investigating what happened. On Saturday it said an initial inquiry found that security forces had been deployed to disperse a riot near the town of Beita involving Palestinian and Israeli civilians that included mutual rock hurling. The security forces had fired shots in the air, the military said. Eygis family has called on the Biden administration to launch an independent investigation into the killing. The family's statement was published by International Solidarity Movement, the organization Eygi was volunteering with at the time of her death. The West Bank has seen a surge of violence since the Israel-Hamas wa r began in October, with increasing Israeli raids, attacks by Palestinian militants on Israelis, and attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians. MPD: Man arrested for shooting at gas station that left 1 hurt in DC WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Detectives in D.C. said a man has been arrested in connection to a shooting at a gas station in Southeast that left one person hurt on Sept. 4. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said that on Wednesday around 7:43 a.m., police officers were notified that a man had arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound. Man shot in Southeast, DC police investigating Police later learned he was shot at a gas station in the 2500 block of Pennsylvania Ave. MPD said the victim was in stable condition as of Monday morning. As detectives continued their investigation, 64-year-old Charles Brown, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun). Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099, or text 50411. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An unsuspecting Maryland high school allowed a MS-13 gang member at the center of a murder investigation to enroll after authorities failed to alert the administration of the gang members suspect status. Walter Martinez, an MS-13 gang member who at 16-years-old was the primary suspect in the July 2022 murder of Kayla Hamilton, enrolled in and attended Edgewood High School in Harford County, Maryland, without the district being informed of his status as a suspect in the case, according to a report from Baltimore's Fox 45. "When I start from the very beginning and get to the very end, theyre like, Wow, that is a really crazy story," Hamiltons mother, Tammy Nobles, told Project Baltimore for the report. "And I say, It is a crazy story. But its a true story. Its the worst pain that a parent can ever get." "She was just found with a cord wrapped around her neck and her mouth. Then just left her on the floor, like trash," Nobles added. ILLEGAL MIGRANT ARRESTED, ACCUSED OF RAPE AFTER BEING RELEASED BY MASSACHUSETTS COURT: ICE Martinez, a native of Salvador who was in the U.S. illegally, was quickly identified as the primary suspect and was detained by police, with surveillance video and an audio recording placing the gang member at the scene of the crime. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "They knew he was guilty. They just needed that DNA to really lock it in," Nobles said. According to the Fox 45 report, Martinez was read his Miranda Rights and police sent out his DNA for testing, but the process took six months. In the meantime, he was allowed to enroll at the school without any agency warning administrators about the investigation. "It makes me angry," Nobles said. "You're sitting there putting this monster into high school with other people's children, and you're putting children at risk. Look what he did to Kayla." Martinez entered the U.S. illegally through Texas as an unaccompanied minor through Texas in March 2022, the report notes, being apprehended by Border Patrol and eventually sent to Maryland to live with a sponsor. MIGRANTS FORM 'CONSTELLATION' OF TENTS OUTSIDE OF MEGA SHELTER IN NEW YORK CITY: REPORT Four months later, Martinez moved to the mobile home in Aberdeen where he was accused of killing Hamilton. DNA results finally came back in January 2023, resulting in Martinez being arrested. He pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 70 years in jail in August 2024. The report notes that before he had been charged with murder, Maryland law allowed Martinez to attend the school and that authorities were not required to inform the district about his situation. Nevertheless, Nobles believes they should have. "Why did you put him in a public school? I want to know why," said Nobles. "Somebody needs to be held accountable." "We need to change the laws," Nobles added. "If you're a suspect, the main suspect of a felony, you should not be able to attend school with other children. They have virtual school and computers." In a statement to Fox 45, Harford County Public Schools said that there was "no information in our possession that would suggest he was a danger to other students and staff. HCPS is not afforded unfettered access to information held by law enforcement which may suggest that a potential student is dangerous, gang-affiliated, or suspected of heinous and disturbing crimes." Armed police from Marylands Prince Georges County Anti-Gang Unit question and detain a confirmed gang member of Mara Salvatrucha 13, or MS-13, April 20, 2006 in Langley Park, Maryland. Nobles, who lives in Virginia with Hamiltons younger brother and sister, said she is now speaking out in hopes of raising awareness about her daughters story. "Imagining what she went through that day, how she felt her last moments knowing that she was dying, and she wasn't going to see me again how scared she must have been," Nobles said. "I want to make sure that it doesn't happen to someone else. People need to know what actually happened and what is going on. Her death is not going to be in vain." The Aberdeen Police Department did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment. Get the latest updates on the ongoing border crisis from the Fox News Digital immigration hub. Original article source: MS-13 gang member suspected of murder allowed to attend Maryland high school GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A rare 16th-century book lives on thanks to hard work by a librarian at Michigan State University. MSU has held the copy of Ptolemys Geographia since it was donated to the university in 1951, but little had been done with the extremely fragile work. Now, the 228-page book has been cataloged and restored. Ptolemys Geographia was first written in the second century A.D. and stood as a key world reference for more than a millennium. There are approximately 60 known copies left in the world. For more than 15 centuries it was the most detailed topography of Europe and Asia available and the best reference on how to gather data and draw maps, the Princeton University Press said. In a blog post, MSU Rare Books Curator Tad Boehmer explained that this copy is considered a second edition of the Geographia. It was translated by a German lawyer and author and illustrated by a Spanish theologian in 1535, just a century after the worlds first printing press was invented. It includes one of the first-known references to America in print. On this day: Happy birthday to Charles Kettering, an automotive icon According to Boehmer, the books journey to East Lansing is almost as interesting as the artifact itself. An inscription in the book shows it was once owned by an order of Italian priests early on in its life. An image of the title page for Ptolemys Geographia before undergoing conservation treatment. (Courtesy Michigan State University) A look at the spine and binding of a 1535 copy of Ptolemys Geographia before undergoing a conservation treatment. (Courtesy Michigan State University) This 16th century copy of Ptolemys Geographia includes 228 pages, 49 maps and one of the first known references to America in print. (Courtesy Michigan State University) Garrett Sumner, a conservation librarian with MSU Libraries, works on re-sewing the Geographia back together. (Courtesy Michigan State University) MSU Conservation Librarian Garrett Sumner works on a 16th century copy of Ptolemys Geographia. (Courtesy Michigan State University) A look at the new spine and binding for the Geographia after undergoing a conservation treatment. (Courtesy Michigan State University) Fred Warren, the son of E.K. Warren, whose foundation made the donation, says he stumbled upon the book in Milan in 1928. Following Benito Mussolinis declaration to prevent historical documents from leaving Italy, Warren partnered with a local taxi driver, who secured the book to the undercarriage of his cab to sneak it past border officials. Because of its fragile state, nothing was done with the book until Conservation Librarian Garrett Sumner tackled the challenge. Sumner claims that when he received the box from the librarys vault, the Geographia was held in a simple box with a note claiming that it contained active mold. Underwater preserves protect thousands of miles of Great Lakes, shipwrecks We pulled it out and found there was actually no active mold, Sumner said in the blog post. What I saw was that the binding was completely falling apart the covers were barely attached, the sewing was frayed throughout, the leather sewing supports used to connect the leaves, sewing and binding together were disintegrating, the paper had numerous water tidelines from suffering multiple flood incidents, and was also heavily embedded with dirt, with tears throughout. In many places, leaves were either loose or detached from the sewing. Back in 2013, the university reportedly shopped around to see how much it would cost to restore the book. At least one vendor quoted the job at more than $20,000. So, it sat until Sumner took it on. The very first part of the process was to fully document and photograph the Geographia, Sumner said. (Boehmer) and I then developed a report and treatment plan for the book. (It) was basically just the full spa treatment disbanding, washing all of the pages and resizing, mending, sewing and binding them in a new, conservation-sound binding sympathetic to the original. 144 years and counting: MSU experiment still providing data Sumner made his first cut into the sewing of the book in January 2022 and the entire treatment took about 10 months to complete. The restored book has already been used in an arts history course by an MSU professor. Nearly half a millennium after its creation, this book now speaks to a new generation of students and scholars who visit the MSU Libraries and will continue to do so for many more to come, Boehmer 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 WOODTV.com. Mt. Juliet openings, closings: What's up with Grace and Mercy, Oishii, In-N-Out, others Mt. Juliet has a number of new restaurants moving forward and some that won't be opening at least not where originally planned. Take a look. If we've missed any, let us know. Grace and Mercy Kitchen and KND Cheesecakes has opened on Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet. Grace and Mercy Kitchen: Opened in late August. Husband and wife Ronald and Tanika Glenn own and operate the restaurant, which specializes in meat and two food options and soft-serve ice cream at 9574 Lebanon Road, just east of the Golden Bear Gateway and Benders Ferry intersection. Fried chicken is a specialty, Tanika Glenn said. Kimberly Diggs also sells KND Cheesecakes as part of the business. All the operators attend Jesus is the Answer Church in Watertown. Grace & Mercy Kitchen opened an existing building. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. To order, call 615-424-6317 or visit the restaurant. The Peach Cobbler Factory: Franchise owners San Franklin and John Clark plan to open The Peach Cobbler Factory as part of Charlies Place off North Mt. Juliet Road this month after some delays. A sign hangs on the wall at The Peach Cobbler Factory on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, in Collierville. Originally founded in Nashville, the new location will open this weekend. Menu items include 12 different cobbler options as well as cinnamon rolls and beverages. They are part of a group who attend church together and have opened a new to-go and catering restaurant in north Mt. Juliet that specializes in soul food, cheesecake and gluten free soft serve ice cream. Whataburger: The restaurant opened in July on the corner of Lebanon and North Mt. Juliet roads. A second is approved for the citys south side on Rutland Drive near the Costco off Golden Bear Gateway with an initial estimate to open in the Spring 2025. Texas Roadhouse: The restaurant has signed a lease to build a new restaurant at the Legacy Pointe @ Golden Bear development just off Golden Bear Gateway in Mt. Juliet. In-N-Out Burger: Mayor James Maness announced that In-N-Out Burger is exploring a new restaurant in Mt. Juliet on the northeast side of Golden Bear Gateway and Interstate 40. The West Coast based brand still needs to gain Mt. Juliet Planning Commission approvals, which Maness said will require a waiver for design standards. Salvos Family Pizza: The brand has announced plans to open in a space at the new Green Hill Landing commercial building on Lebanon Road across from Green Hill High School. An estimated opening wasnt immediately known. Sanikas Indian Cuisine recently opened at Green Hill Landing. Tim Hortons: Local business owner Naren Patel plans to open two Tim Hortons coffee and bake shops in the city. One is at 10576 Lebanon Road, east of North Mt. Juliet Road and near Park Glen Drive in conjunction with renovation of an existing building for a Shell station already renovated and reopened. Hopes are to open the Tim Hortons by the second quarter of 2025. Patel also is moving forward on plans to build a new Tim Hortons at 5120 Beckwith Road near the TriStar Mt. Juliet ER medical building on the city's south side along with a future BP station, he said. Hopes to open on Beckwith Road are the third quarter of 2025. Keke's Breakfast Cafe and Chipotle Mexican Grill: The restaurant is being built on Lebanon Road where the former Stylemasters salon was at before it moved to another location off Nonaville Road. Keke's estimated a 2025 opening date earlier this year, but did not estimate an opening when recently asked. Chipotle has estimated opening by the end of 2024, a company spokesperson has said. Nicolettos: A site plan has been approved for a 1,185-square-foot walkup restaurant on the east side North Mt. Juliet Road for Nicolettos Pasta Co. A construction timeline was uncertain. The drive-thru sign for Andy's Frozen Custard in Gallatin. The restaurant is approved in Mt. Juliet. Andys Frozen Custard: A site plan for a walk-up and drive thru building at 4024 North Mt. Juliet Road is approved. Groundbreaking is expected in the coming weeks, property owner Mark Lineberry said. Oishii closes with Korean restaurant to come This K-PALDO sign indicates a future Korean restaurant will replace Oishii Asian Steak and Sushi in Mt. Juliet's Mt. Juliet Village shopping center. Oishii Asian Steak and Sushi: The restaurant in Mt. Juliet Village anchored by Publix on Lebanon Road had closed for remodeling with a building permit displayed in front. New signage is now displayed for a coming soon restaurant specializing in Korean fried chicken and ramen noodles named K-PALDO. City officials had estimated the new restaurant opening around September or October. Closings or what happened to: Cinnaholic: Announced to be part of an approved multi-space commercial building at the corner of North Mt. Juliet Road and East Division across from the train station, is looking for another space, according to the company. Chick fil-A: The restaurant was named as part of a development plan on Lebanon Road named Greenhill Commercial on Lebanon Road, but will seek an alternative location and is no longer part of the development going forward, Mt. Juliet Director of Development Jennifer Hamblen said. Burger King: Closed temporarily in mid-July with an ongoing remodel and upgrade interior and add a double drive-thru. Morenos/Carreta Mexican restaurant: The restaurant that has a standup pole sign Carreta Mexican Restaurant at 11540 Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet west of North Mt. Juliet Road with Moreno's displayed on the building was closed after a fire, according to the city. Efforts to reach ownership were unsuccessful and the city said no paperwork was yet submitted to indicate if or when a reopening would occur. 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: Mt. Juliet restaurant's scene: Openings, closings, moves and more ArcanaBio joins BIIs Deep Tech Lab Quantum - a Novo Nordisk Foundation initiative supporting world-class quantum science innovation COPENHAGEN, Denmark, September 09, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ArcanaBio, a pioneering biotech company, is proud to announce its selection for funding by Denmarks BioInnovation Institute (BII), supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. ArcanaBio will join BIIs Deep Tech Lab Quantum program in Copenhagen from September 2024. "We are honoured to receive funding and to be selected to join this prestigious quantum initiative," said Kristjan Gunnarsson, CEO of ArcanaBio. "We are at the forefront of a new biosensor revolution with a patent-pending, label-free detection technology that has been a long-sought-after advancement in proteomics. Our novel platform has potential both to enable testing laboratories to offer a wider range of biomarker services at lower cost and empower individuals to proactively monitor their health by integrating frequent, reference-quality testing into their lives." "The goal here is to rethink diagnostics. Building a new capability to track proteome dynamics can provide powerful real-time and predictive insights into health status, disease progression and epidemiology," commented Daniel Oskarsson, CTO of ArcanaBio. "Ultimately this can serve as an enabler of preventive healthcare a solution to the challenge of rising societal costs." Leveraging novel nano-photonics technology coupled with AI, ArcanaBio innovative label-free liquid biopsy solution aims to enable faster, cheaper and higher-frequency protein characterization, bringing reference-grade diagnostics to the home. About ArcanaBio ArcanaBio is a leading biotech company dedicated to developing next-generation diagnostic technologies that are both rapid and accessible. Now part of the BioInnovation Institutes Deep Tech Lab Quantum program, ArcanaBio leverages Denmarks global leadership in quantum technology. With a focus on nano-photonics and biosensors, ArcanaBio aims to bring laboratory-grade testing into everyday environments, empowering individuals to take charge of their health. For more information, visit www.arcanabio.com. About BioInnovation Institute The BioInnovation Institute (BII), an initiative by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, is a non-profit international enterprise foundation focused on accelerating world-class life science innovation. The Deep Tech Lab Quantum, supported by BII, is Denmarks official NATO DIANA accelerator site, leveraging the countrys leadership in quantum science to drive dual-use innovations across the life science and defense industries. For more information, visit bii.dk. Story continues View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240908214770/en/ Contacts Kristjan Gunnarsson CEO, ArcanaBio Ole Maales Vej 3 2200 Kbenhavn Denmark Phone: +45 36 99 12 60 E-mail: kristjan@arcanabio.com YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Crews responded to a multi-vehicle crash in York City Sunday night, Sept. 8, according to Ted Czech with York County Emergency Services. Czech said police and emergency crews responded to the scene of a two-vehicle crash on North Sherman and East Philadelphia Street at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. Eight people were taken to the hospital, where the coroner was later called, according to Czech. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Morning Weather The number of people harmed in the crash is unknown at this time. One of the vehicles involved in the crash damaged a structure, but it is unclear whether this occurred before or after the crash. Czech said police are investigating the incident and will provide more information soon. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. KENTUCKY (FOX 56) Multiple Kentucky schools have canceled classes for Monday while law enforcement searches for a suspect after a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County on Saturday. The following Kentucky school districts posted on Facebook Sunday that classes have been canceled for Monday, Sept. 9: Missing teens may be in the Lexington area A map of school closings in Kentucky for Monday as of 8:50 p.m. on Sunday. (FOX 56) School leaders with EKU told FOX 56 that its Corbin and Manchester campuses will be operating on a Plan A schedule on Monday. This list will be updated as more schools announce cancellations for classes on Monday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. At least 30 structures burned by wildfire in Lake County; some evacuations orders relaxed A wildfire that sparked Sunday in the Northern California town of Clearlake destroyed or damaged at least 30 structures, charred nearly 50 vehicles and displaced 4,000 residents. The Boyles Fire started just after 2 p.m. behind an apartment complex along Dam Road and Boyles Avenue, according to Cal Fires Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit, which was assisting the Lake County Fire Protection District. Authorities said just after 5 p.m. that the fire had burned at least 76 acres and 10% contained. By 8 p.m., crews had stopped forward progress and some evacuations had been relaxed. Cal Fire said in a social media post there were approximately 30 structures involved. Video by the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat newspaper showed firefighters attending to several structures that had been destroyed by fire along Irving Avenue and 19th Street after the fire raced past Woodland Community Colleges Lake County campus. #BoylesFire UPDATE: The fire is approximately 30 acres. There are approximately 30 structures involved. Evacuation orders for Clearlake are in place inside of HWY 53 on the west, Dam Rd on the south, Boyles Ave on the east & 32nd Ave on the north. pic.twitter.com/VZUtW5ZoLq CAL FIRE LNU (@CALFIRELNU) September 8, 2024 Crews said that 40 to 50 vehicles had been destroyed; firefighters were still inspecting the area for damage. Cal Fire said mandatory evacuations were in place in Clearlake zones E148-A and E157, areas of homes east of Highway 53 near the southeastern shore of Clear Lake. Several businesses, including a Walmart several yards north of the fire, have also been evacuated. A temporary shelter was set up at the Twin Pines Casino in Middletown. Clearlake, population 17,000, is roughly 65 miles northwest of Sacramento. JACKSON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The case of a man charged with murder at a Scottsboro business has been dismissed months after a Stand Your Ground hearing. On September 6, a circuit judge dismissed the indictment of Jerry Carl Hicks. Hicks was charged with murder for the death of Aaron Morris Nix in April 2023. Florence Fire: Crews respond to house fire on Enterprise Street Court documents filed on September 6 show Hicks is entitled to and given immunity from criminal prosecution The court found Hicks proved his actions were justified. On April 7, 2023, the Scottsboro Police Department said officers responded to a shooting at a business at 9:35 p.m. When officers arrived, they said they found Nix dead with a gunshot wound. After the initial investigation, Hicks was arrested and charged with murder with his bond later set at $150,000. He posted his bond on May 4, 2023, by using property as collateral. The indictment, handed down from a Jackson County grand jury, said Hicks, did intentionally cause the death of [Nix], by shooting him with a gun. His pre-trial hearing was set for August 7, 2023, and an arraignment was set for August 2, 2023. The Stand Your Ground order was granted on April 30. Social media threat not directed towards Madison City Schools During testimony at the hearing on October 12, 2023, Hicks stated that Nix came out of the bathroom inside a Mexican restaurant yelling about a kid in the bathroom by themself. Hicks said his kid was the one in the bathroom, so he asked Nix why he was yelling as he walked by but Nix didnt respond. Hicks testified Nix was talking to someone in the kitchen as he went to pay and his wife and child went out to the car. When Hicks walked out of the restaurant, he says he went out a different set of doors than Nix and walked toward his car, but testified that Nix also walked directly towards his [Hickss] vehicle. Hicks said he asked Nix why he was coming to his car and they exchanged a few words, then he asked Nix to, Go to your car. Leave me alone. Hicks said in his testimony Nix shoved him and then hit him about three times. Victim identified after shooting at Athens apartment complex Court documents show Hicks told Nix, I have a gun on me. Leave me alone. In his testimony, Hicks said Nix threatened him then reached into his waistband and stepped towards him. Hicks said that is when he pulled out his gun and shot him one time. Hicks said he then put his weapon on safe, put it back in the holster and went into the restaurant to call 911. The officer who arrived first on scene testified as well at the hearing, saying Hicks complied with instructions and she cuffed him. The officer went on to say that after she read Hicks his Miranda Rights, he asked for a lawyer but continued talking voluntarily. Court documents show Hicks told the officer Nix yelled at him for letting his kid go to the bathroom by himself and hit him three times before he shot at Nix. However, the officer testified that Hicks didnt say to her that Nix was going for a weapon. Nixs sister, Valarie Snodgrass, gave two statements: one written statement directly after the incident and then her testimony. Court documents show she is the only eyewitness who testified other than Hicks. Latest Headlines The documents state her in-court testimony is different from the statement she gave directly after the events and her story is different than Hickss, but that the statements are not all that different. Snodgrass testified that Hicks has directed racial slurs at Nix, but Hicks denied doing so. In Snodgrass testimony, she said Hicks was the verbal aggressor and provoked Nix using racial slurs. She said that she saw her brother follow Hicks to his car, said Nix got close to Hicks in not a friendly conversation, saw Hicks get hit in the side of the face and said she watched Hicks rocking back and forth against his car. She said she warned her brother that Hicks had a gun saying Come on, Aaron. Hes got a gun. Hes got a gun, but Nix ignored her. She also testified that Hicks shot his gun multiple times which was different from Hickss testimony, but the document shows there was no evidence to back up that statement. After evidence and testimony was presented at the hearing, the court decided Hicks was justified in using physical force to defend himself or others from what was believed to be a dangerous situation. The courts decision was based on the fact that Alabamas self-defense statute modifies that common-law rule, giving any victim the right to stand his or her ground and refuse to retreat if the victim is justified to use physical force. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. A man accused of killing his estranged wifes boyfriend in Wise County was arrested after the shooting, which briefly led to a Texas Amber Alert on Sunday, authorities said. The suspect, 33-year-old Jose Diaz-Martinez, was arrested when Texas Highway Patrol troopers stopped his pickup truck on U.S. 287 in the Panhandle near Clarendon on Sunday morning, Sheriff Lane Akin told the Wise County Messenger. The victim, identified by the Sheriffs Office as 33-year-old Elias Torres, died at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Deputies responded to the shooting about 4 a.m. Sunday at a home on Private Road 3459, west of the town of Paradise, Akin told the Messenger. Two young children a 2-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl were initially reported missing and possibly abducted from the home where the shooting occurred, prompting authorities to issue an Amber Alert. The children were later found safe at Diaz-Martinezs house, where the suspect left them alone before he fled in his truck, the sheriff said. More top stories from our newsroom: North Texas farmers say chemicals in fertilizer are killing livestock His killing in Tarrant jail exposed abuse. But he was more than an inmate Warrant: Former Gateway Church employee molested 3 children [Get our breaking news alerts.] The suspect is expected to face a murder charge and two counts of abandoning a child, Akin told the Messenger. Alan Sutton was pronounced dead at the scene in Monk Bretton on Sunday 1 September [South Yorkshire Police] A man has appeared in court charged with murdering another man in a stabbing in Barnsley. Alan Sutton, 41, died after what police described as an "altercation" on Burton Road in Monk Bretton on Sunday 1 September. At Sheffield Crown Court on Monday, Callum Strachan, 21, of Burton Road, entered no plea and was told by Her Honour Judge Sarah Wright that a trial date had been set for 21 July 2025. Mr Strachan, who was charged with one count of murder and two counts of possessing bladed articles, was remanded ahead of a further hearing expected to take place on 9 October. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. Related links The Scoop The organizers of a mysterious network paid influencers to promote sexual smears of Vice President Kamala Harris as Democrats rallied around her to be their presidential candidate in late July. The attacks were part of a campaign that was, on the surface, an unremarkable part of a new wave of social media marketing. Its blurred the lines in both US political parties between paid advertising and the posts of enthusiastic supporters as partisan influencers often cast themselves who just happen to be paid. The network that would push the sexual smears began with more run-of-the-mill Republican talking points, but it was unusual in one way, a person who participated in its video calls said: None of the participants identified themselves by name, and all joined calls with their cameras off to preserve their mutual anonymity. However, Semafor was able to identify one of them: former New York Republican Rep. George Santos, who spoke up on one conference call to object when the parties discussed making sexual allegations against Harris. This influencer network was organized over emails and Zoom calls, and payments on the platform Zelle, according to Zoom invitations and Zelle receipts reviewed by Semafor, plus the descriptions of a person who participated in the calls. The money was good: One participant made more than $20,000 for several weeks of boosting assigned messages, according to the Zelle receipts. The calls were organized by a man who went by the name James Bacon. He sent emails with the invitations to the calls, one of which was seen by Semafor, to influencers. The Zelle payments also came in his name. The calls in June and early July encouraged participants to push familiar Republican talking points on X and, in particular, on Spaces, the platforms live audio product. In the early summer, those talking points included attacking Judge Juan Merchan during Donald Trumps hush money trial in New York, casting President Joe Biden as feeble, and accusing Democrats of weaponizing the government against conservatives. An invitation to a call on Monday, July 22, arrived under the subject line War Room Kamala Messaging, according to an invitation seen by Semafor. At the time, Harris was fast consolidating support as the Democratic nominee, and Republicans were unsure of how to blunt her progress. The influencers marching orders were clear: make a series of lurid sexual jibes aimed at Harris, the least crude of which was comparing her to Haliey Welch, the Hawk Tuah girl who became a viral sensation over a video of her discussing oral sex. At that point, a recognizable voice on the anonymous call spoke up to object: Santos, the former Long Island congressman who now faces sentencing in federal court and has remade himself as a social media figure, announced that he disapproved of the messaging and left the call, the person who participated in the call and spoke to Semafor said. Santos declined to comment on the incident, but later appeared to post on X about the situation: Oddly enough conservative influencers talking about Kamalas sex life and race! he tweeted July 24, less than 48 hours after hed left the influencer call. Please God make it stop. Know More The person identified as Bacon didnt respond to emails sent to the Gmail account hed used to organize the Zoom call. A 917 telephone number he had used was disconnected after Semafor called with questions. (There is also a former aide to Donald Trump named James Bacon. That Bacon, who has been an adviser to the Heritage Foundation, uses a different telephone number and Gmail account than the one linked to the influencer operation. He told Semafor he was totally unfamiliar with the activity, and the person on the calls who spoke to Semafor listened to that James Bacons voice at public appearances and said they believed it was clearly a different person.) Kadias view While we were able to confirm some of the details of the mystery influencer network the payments, and the date and time of the call to discuss smearing Harris we were unable to determine who was paying for, or organizing, the calls. Organizers told participants that the money was connected to a wealthy American, who they named but a political operation that figure is connected to heatedly denied any connection to the influencer operation, and theres no evidence to link them. Leading figures in the booming conservative influencer industry, meanwhile, said that the size of payments seemed consistent with their business but said theyd never heard of this operation. Four right-wing influencers who also posted sexual smears of Harris during or near the same time as the July 22 call also said theyd never heard of the operation, and theres no clear evidence linking them to it, either. So weve hit a wall on our reporting and, as reporters sometimes do though they dont always say it out loud were hoping one of the people who knows whos behind this campaign will tell us! You can reach out at kgoba@semafor.com or kadia.99 on Signal. Notable Trump shared similar attacks on Harris on Truth Social last month. The New York Times described a post the former president amplified as a crude remark about Vice President Kamala Harris that suggested Ms. Harris traded sexual favors to help her political career. Around the time Kamala Harris was taking over the reins of the Democratic presidential ticket, a mysterious group reportedly began a smear campaign against her, paying social media influencers tens of thousands of dollars to promote posts, according to reports. In late July, a network of influencers who had been recruited to push conservative messages about Donald Trump or President Joe Biden throughout the summer, received an email requesting they make colorful sexual insults about Harris, according to Semafor. In return, they would be paid tens of thousands of dollars via Zelle, a digital payments network. The email, titled War Room Kamala Messaging was followed by a Zoom invitation from the person who organized the group, a man calling himself James Bacon. On the Zoom call, individuals kept their cameras off and did not identify themselves by name, the report noted. A network of influencers were reportedly paid tens of thousands of dollars to push negative rhetoric about Kamala Harris (Getty Images) However, Semafor reports that one person on the call was able to identify an individual who spoke up in protest of making sexual allegations about Harris and later left the call - disgraced Republican congressman George Santos. The unidentified person who participated in the calls claims Santos broke the usual anonymity to say he disapproved of the messaging which included comparing Harris to the Hawk Tuah girl - a woman who went viral for talking about sex - and other crude sexual allegations. Santos confirmed to The Independent that he was invited to the call and joined out of curiosity but was quickly taken aback by the organizers suggestions to call Harris a hoe and openly objected to it. He said the message the organizers provided was lewd, disgusting and unbecoming of the political process so he logged off. Nothing in this world would make me smear VP Harris or anyone running for office with slanderous sexual innuendos, its beneath the standards of what the American people deserve, Santos said. Former congressman George Santos told The Independent he was turned off by the messaging organizers from a mysterious group asked social media influencers to promote (AFP via Getty Images) If youre getting paid, I dont care how much it is. Nothing justifies calling a person running for President of the United States a hoe, he added. The former New York congressman said the call was the first time he was invited to the group by Bacon. The Independent has reached out to an email associated with a man named James Bacon for comment. It is unclear if the person behind the social media network is actually named James Bacon. A man named James Bacon who served as a former aide to Trump and has been an adviser to The Heritage Foundation, told Semafor he was unfamiliar with the social media influencer group. The individual who was on the call claimed Bacons voice at public appearance did not match the one on the Zoom calls. Days after the influencers received the email and call request, Santos said he was so bothered by it that he tweeted criticizing the talking points of the election, specifying conservative influencers talking about Kamalas sex life and race. Criticisms about Harriss sex life and history began swirling on social media around the time she replaced Biden at the top of the ticket. This included allegations of infidelity, using sexual relationships to advance her political career and more. The 2024 election talking points so far! Trump felon. Biden debate fail. Media swarm on Biden. Trump Shot. Biden late Drop out. Kamala Border Czar. And oddly enough conservative influencers talking about Kamalas sex life and race! Please God make it stop. I dont pay my George Santos (@MrSantosNY) July 24, 2024 In late August, Donald Trump reposted on Truth Social an unsubstantiated suggestion that Harris gave sexual favors in exchange for power. Four people who made posts or videos accusing Harris of sex-related improprieties around the time of the email being sent, denied involvement with the influencer network being paid to push similar rhetoric, Semafor reported. However, one individual who spoke with the news outlet said they were paid upwards of $20,000 for their work. Zelle receipts viewed by Semafor confirmed their information. This individual claimed the payments were connected to an anonymous, wealthy American, but offered no evidence to substantiate this claim, the report noted. The participant indicated the payments were connected to an unnamed wealthy American but there was no evidence linking them, per the report. Besides making sexual smears against Harris, the mysterious group also encouraged influencers to attack Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing Trumps New York criminal trial, accuse Biden of being weak and claim Democrats were weaponizing the government against conservatives. He ate another seven lobster rolls after that, Sununu told a local news station Scott Eisen/Getty New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu gave one of his constituents a helping hand over the weekend while attending a lobster roll eating competition. Local outlet WMUR-TV captured footage of the chaotic incident on Sunday, Sept. 8, which showed the governor, 49, onstage at the Hampton Beach Lobster Roll Eating Competition as the contestants began chowing down. Sununu told the outlet that he noticed one participant at the competition, held about 50 miles outside of Concord, having issues. "The gentleman at the far end, who I was kind of watching I glanced over, I could tell very quickly, he took, took a pause he was having trouble getting something down," the politician said. Related: The Many, Many Musicians Who Have Told Politicians to Stop Using Their Songs Contestant Christian Moreno, who was choking on a lobster roll, reportedly began signaling for help by hitting his chest. Sununu recalled, "I started saying, 'He's choking, he's choking,' and I could tell people weren't responding. So I just moved forward and immediately started to kind of give him the Heimlich." 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 video, the governor can be seen moving over to Moreno to help him get the food out of his throat, performing four moves before an EMT jumped in to finish the job to help Moreno breathe again. "It was crazy because it wasn't so much the jumping in and doing it I mean, that was wild in itself but there was so much commotion," Sununu said. Moreno also spoke to WMUR, telling the local station that all he could think about in the moment was not choking and finishing the contest. Related: Donald Trump's Great-Nephew William, 25, Is Nonverbal and Uses a Wheelchair. Here's What William's Dad Wants You to Know "Lo and behold, the governor was the first one to notice what was actually happening," Moreno told the outlet. "(I) was just kind of like, 'All right, like, don't freak out. You're gonna get this out, and you're gonna keep going.'" He "went right back to the contest," Sununu said, "which I couldn't believe. He ate another seven lobster rolls after that. Right down the gullet." Moreno didn't even realize who had helped him as he was choking. "My counter came up to me and, like, made a joke. And was like, 'Oh, like, I bet nobody else can say that they've gotten the Heimlich from the governor before,' Moreno said. And I looked at him, was just like, That was, that was the governor? " Related: Malia Obama Makes Rare Red Carpet Appearance at French Film Festival: A Little Bit Terrified Although Moreno didn't win the competition which had a 1st place prize of $600 the competitor shared a post to Facebook after the incident, joking that his followers should check out his interview about it on TV. "Tune in to WMUR-TV @ 11pm to see Governor Chris Sununu save my life in tandem with a paramedic at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival today ," he captioned the post alongside a photo of himself posing with the governor. "Remember to chew your food everybody ." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Innovative Two-Tray Packaging Enhances Taste and Experience MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Authentic Asia has announced the launch of a new, innovative line of single-serve frozen meals highlighting authentic, regional flavors of Asia, restaurant-quality ingredients and at-home convenience. Authentic Asia has launched a new, innovative line of single-serve frozen meals highlighting authentic, regional flavors of Asia. The entrees include Orange Chicken (Chen Pi Ji) made with breaded white meat chicken chunks, fried rice, mixed vegetables and a tangy orange sauce. The new Authentic Asia entrees from Bellisio Foods deliver a delicious and convenient dining experience through a takeout-style design and a unique two-tray single-serve package. The innovative packaging allows rice and noodles to cook separately from the protein, sauce and vegetables, ensuring each meal maintains authentic taste and texture and provides consumers a takeout-style experience with the ease of the microwave. "Our new single-serve meals are crafted to bring the rich, genuine flavors of Asia directly to your table," said Anat Julintron, CEO of Bellisio Foods, the U.S.-based subsidiary of Thai-based Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF). "We have focused on maintaining the integrity of traditional recipes while incorporating modern packaging innovations to enhance at-home dining. Additionally, the packaging is designed to address busy lifestyles with on-the-go meals for easy consumption." Authentic Asia's newest meals feature seven recipes inspired by Thailand, China and Korea, allowing consumers to "Taste the Adventure" of a variety of Asian cuisines: Thai Style Coconut Curry Chicken (inspired by Khoa Soi) White meat chicken, Thai-inspired noodles and a Northern Thai-inspired coconut curry sauce Thai Basil Stir Fried Beef (inspired by Pad Kaprao) Seasoned beef crumbles, jasmine rice, green beans, roasted red peppers, chilis and a bold Thai basil sauce Drunken Noodles (inspired by Pad Kee Mao) Thai-inspired rice noodles, vegetables and a spicy Thai chili sauce Sichuan-Inspired Chicken (inspired by Gong Bao Ji Ding) White meat chicken, rice, green beans, carrots, onions and a spicy Sichuan sauce Orange Chicken (inspired by Chen Pi Ji) Breaded white meat chicken chunks, fried rice, mixed vegetables and a tangy orange sauce Korean Inspired Beef Noodles (inspired by Jajangmyeon) Korean-inspired noodles, seasoned beef patty crumbles, onions, cabbage and a sweet & savory bean sauce Kimchi Fried Rice (inspired by Bokkeum-Bap) Rice, kimchi, stir-fried vegetables and a Korean-inspired gochujang sauce CPF has more than a century of success in the food industry and continues to honor its tradition of culinary excellence and innovation. Developed in collaboration with chefs across the globe, the new Authentic Asia recipes feature high-quality, traditional ingredients, with sauces sourced directly from Asia. "Today's consumers are seeking more adventurous flavors in the frozen aisle," said Jeff Tuttle, Senior Vice President of Brands at Bellisio Foods. "Our deep-rooted connection to Thailand allows us to bring truly authentic tastes right to your home. It's remarkable that the essence of distant places can now be enjoyed at your dining tablean experience made possible through our unique innovation." The new Authentic Asia single-serve meals will be available in the grocer's freezer section nationwide, including major retailers such as Walmart, Meijer, and Hy-Vee. For more information on Authentic Asia's new product line and to find a retailer near you, visit the website at www.authenticasiausa.com. About Bellisio Foods and Charoen Pokphand Foods Bellisio Foods Inc. is one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing frozen food companies, with a rich 30-year history of providing quality, innovative food tailored to consumer tastes and lifestyles. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Bellisio Foods produces more than 400 products spanning a wide variety of frozen food categories, including single and multi-serve entrees, snacks, and side dishes. Bellisio markets these products under its Michelina's and Authentic Asia brands, as well as under licensed brands such as Boston Market, Atkins, and White Castle. The company also co-manufactures private label retail and foodservice products. Bellisio Foods Inc. is a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Foods based in Bangkok, Thailand. CP Foods is Southeast Asia's largest player in the agro-industrial food sector with a focus on world class food production through innovation, responsible procurement and transportation and vertical integration. CP Foods is dedicated to being the "Kitchen of the World" by consistently delivering taste and quality sustainably. For more information, visit www.bellisiofoods.com. Contact: Tom Lindell For Bellisio Foods 612.747.6414 tom@tomlindell.com The new Authentic Asia entrees from Bellisio Foods feature a takeout-style design and a unique two-tray single-serve package. The innovative packaging allows rice and noodles to cook separately from the protein, sauce and vegetables, ensuring authentic taste and texture with a takeout-style experience at home. Thai Style Coconut Curry Chicken (Khoa Soi) is made with white meat chicken, Thai-inspired noodles and a Northern Thai-inspired coconut curry sauce. The new Authentic Asia frozen entrees from Bellisio Foods were developed in collaboration with chefs across the globe, using high-quality, traditional ingredients and sauces sourced directly from Asia. The Authentic Asia Fried Rice (Bokkeum-Bap) is made with rice, kimchi, stir-fried vegetables and a Korean-inspired gochujang sauce. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-authentic-asia-frozen-meals-deliver-genuine-asian-flavors-302241181.html SOURCE Bellisio Foods It was naive to expect Western sanctions would make Russians rebel against Putin, Inozemtsev says It was naive to expect Western sanctions would make Russians rebel against Putin, Inozemtsev says Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, a slew of Western sanctions have been aimed at halting Russian President Vladimir Putin's economy and advances. These measures came on top of those already imposed by Brussels against the Kremlin for its initial invasion of Ukraine's east and unilateral annexation of Crimea in 2014. However, the second batch of sanctions was much broader in scope, targeting the state, businesses and individuals alike. As the war rages on well into its third year, questions have arisen about whether an economy such as Russia's has managed to absorb the hit and whether there is more to Moscow's messaging on the restrictions' ineffectiveness than mere propaganda. Euronews spoke to Vladislav Inozemtsev, an economist, political scientist, and advisor at the MEMRI Institute in Washington, about just how effective these restrictions are and who they are really impacting. Euronews:* Ukraine's recent incursion into Russian territory amid support from Western allies has made the Kremlin increasingly nervous. But are the economic sanctions yielding results?* Vladislav Inozemtsev:** In Russia, sanctions are being laughed at. Recently, the approval of the script of a comedy film became known, where, according to the plot (US President) Joe Biden, tired of hearing from his advisers that the sanctions still can not "finish off" Russia, decides to go incognito to Moscow to understand the reasons for the "stability of the Russian economy". But Russians entrepreneurs especially are not as cheerful as the propagandists: the sanctions put serious pressure on them. The country is almost deprived of the car industry created by Western companies in the 2000s and 2010s. Export-oriented industries have sagged: forestry, metallurgy, and gas production. But we should not forget a few points. Firstly, all this does not have a critical impact on the economy as a whole: it is reoriented to the domestic market, and the budget "suffocates the problems with money". Secondly, the sanctions have not paralysed the military-industrial complex or provoked anti-war mobilisation. Thirdly, they are, after all, a double-edged blade. New vehicles Gazelle are parked in the territory of the Gorky Automobile plant (GAZ), one of the main budget-forming enterprises in the region in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. - AP/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved Euronews: What do you mean by that? Inozemtsev:** They also affect those who introduced them. Examples are well-known: severing ties with Russia in the energy sector inflated gas prices in 2022, forcing the European authorities to subsidise consumers, according to some sources I find them hard to believe by almost 800 billion, and at the same time this boom gave (Russian President Vladimir) Putin $78bn (70.5bn) of additional export revenues in 2022. The seizure of the Bank of Russia's assets, which Europe failed to use in support of Ukraine, resulted in the confiscation of at least $140bn (126bn) worth of property of Western investors in Russia. And that's just the beginning. Euronews:* In that case, which sanctions do you consider effective and which do not?* Inozemtsev:** Sanctions today are a form of warfare. But in war, a successful operation is one in which the enemy has suffered more damage than your army. I say something similar: sanctions are effective if they cause more damage to Russia than to the countries that impose them. Related Euronews:* But damage can be calculated in different ways.* Inozemtsev:** Yes, and there are important nuances here. Europe, for example, has seized more than $58bn (52bn) in property belonging to Russian businessmen. In response, most of those who spent years buying up assets in the West have returned to Russia. The number of dollar billionaires there in 2024 has reached an all-time high, and they have rallied around Putin even more firmly than before: there is now nowhere to escape from the "golden cage". At the same time, Western authorities have already spent tens of millions of dollars securing seized property and have every chance of paying much more money as compensation for the legal costs of lost sanctions cases. Euronews:* Have the sanctions justified themselves? From your articles, we can conclude that you are generally opposed to those measures that hit ordinary Russians, not the authorities.* Inozemtsev:** Ilya Yashin and Andrei Pivovarov seem to think so, but not me. For me, any sanctions against Russia and Russians which are of a justified and universal character and concern relations between the countries that impose them and Russia are acceptable. A man stands at a currency exchange office in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, June 13, 2024. - Dmitri Lovetsky/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved Euronews:* Is the sanctions regime selective and not always logical?* Inozemtsev:** You could say that. For example, if we believe that the war against Ukraine was started by the Russian elites, we should have imposed sanctions against all ministers, all deputies of the State Duma and the Federation Council and all members of Putin's United Russia party. If we believe that the Russian budget is being used to finance the war, we should impose sanctions against all individuals and companies paying well, say, more than 100 million roubles (1m) a year in federal taxes. The same goes for sectoral sanctions. From the very beginning, I welcomed the ban on air travel with Russia. It may turn out that the market for flights from Europe to Asia is being taken over by Chinese companies that continue to fly the same routes and save passengers time and money, but at least everything is clear here: the connection has been interrupted. But I can't understand why only 48 out of 125 Russian billionaires are under sanctions, or why, for example, 60 Russian banks are under sanctions while almost 260 others are not. Nor do I dispute Europe's right to impose an energy embargo on Russia. But I don't understand what grounds the Western authorities have for restricting or banning the sale of Russian oil to India, for example: it's none of their business, it's a sovereign relationship between third countries. Euronews: The situation looks somewhat different than at first glance. Inozemtsev:** Many experts say that labelling certain individuals as "oligarchs" or "influential Russian businessmen" is as arbitrary as declaring a person a "Trotskyist" or "counter-revolutionary" in Stalin's times. This is so because sometimes sanctions have been imposed on the basis of the opinions of clearly biased experts. This was the case with Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven, taking into account an article by Ilya Zaslavsky, who had previously been dismissed from one of the firms they owned. Sometimes false information was taken into account, which was later overturned by Western courts (an article in Forbes magazine, the wording of which was reproduced in the European Council's decision on sanctions against Alisher Usmanov, was judicially recognised as libel, but the sanctions were never lifted). As for the third countries, we can see that all the endeavours have failed to cut off Russia's oil exports, while the revenues from them are growing. Therefore, it is better to spend money on weapons for Ukraine rather than on "research" on the implementation of secondary sanctions the damage to the Kremlin will be much greater. A small craft passes by Igor Makarov's 128-foot yacht, called Areti I docked at Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor marina, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in St. Augustine, Fla. - John Raoux/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved Euronews: So, are sanctions against businesses often devoid of legal grounds? Inozemtsev:** Based on a number of high-profile cases, I can say that they are arbitrary and, I would even say, extrajudicial. For example, when the German prosecutor's office started investigating Usmanov, it was initially unable to obtain a search warrant from the judges for a long time. When it did obtain the relevant consent and conducted investigative actions, the Frankfurt Land Court ruled that the search warrant was unlawful. So? The prosecutor's office refused to stop the investigation and return the seized property. Is this normal for a state governed by the rule of law? Or another case: according to the Cypriot authorities, at least 14 Russians who had previously legally obtained Cypriot citizenship within the framework of investment attraction programmes approved by the government were deprived of it in the light of sanctions. Once again, without any court order. Euronews: Could you compare this to the case of Telegram's Pavel Durov, who was recently detained in France? Inozemtsev:** It is difficult not to compare it here: the man was accused of quite serious offences directly related to the business he created. But no one has taken away this business. No one deprived him of his documents, which were obtained in France in a rather dubious way, to put it bluntly. By court order, he was placed under police surveillance and the court rejected at least half of the charges and refused to arrest the businessman, as the prosecutor's office had demanded. This is an understandable procedure that complies with legal norms, but there is nothing like it in sanctions practice. We are even seeing attempts to impose sanctions against relatives of "oligarchs", many of whom are not doing business in Russia at all. For example, the son of Uralchem owner Nikita Mazepin, who was a driver in one of the F1 teams sponsored by his father, was sanctioned in 2022 and had to leave the team. His lawyers managed to challenge the sanctions two years later, which is to be welcomed. Usmanov's sister was sanctioned as a beneficiary of trusts set up to manage real estate and headed by independent directors. She had not managed their assets before, and six months ago she signed acts of exclusion from the trusts, preventing her from receiving any future benefits from them. Thus, all possible methods of enforcing EU decisions have been exhausted, but the sanctions remain in force solely because of her family ties to Usmanov. In this Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013 file photo, Uzbek-born Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov attends a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin. - Maxim Shemetov/AP Euronews: But there are known cases of sanctions being lifted. Inozemtsev:** Yes, the EU court has already lifted sanctions against the ex-wife of Fridman, Violetta Prigozhin, and Aleksandr Pumpyanskiy. They say that family ties cannot be the basis for the introduction or extension of sanctions restrictions. But again, each case is special, which should not be the case in a state governed by the rule of law. All this does great damage not so much to Russian entrepreneurs the Kremlin will find a way to sweeten their lives but to the Western legal system. Sanctions, in my opinion, remain an extra-legal pressure mechanism that is increasingly replacing entire bodies of legal decisions and leading to the erosion of the rule of law. Euronews: This is a strong statement. What other arguments would you cite as evidence? Inozemtsev:** There are many arguments. It is known, for example, that the law does not have retroactive force. Meanwhile, many Russian "oligarchs" were sanctioned from February to May 2022 with the wording that they "took part in a meeting with Putin on 24 February 2022". But at the time of that meeting, communicating with Putin was not considered by the EU to be a discreditable action. Besides, we have been taught: you cannot punish twice for one offence. This does not apply in sanctions policy. For example, in 2022 the EU imposed sanctions against Fridman and Aven, which they challenged and won in the EU Court of Justice. However, it soon turned out that in 2023, the European Council not only extended the sanctions against these businessmen but changed the wording so much that it made the decision new, requiring a challenge "from scratch". Meanwhile, from February 2022 to March 2023, both men were absent from Russia and were not involved in managing any projects there. Finally, the law should punish uniformly for similar unlawful acts. The list of charges against Usmanov included the fact that he owned the daily newspaper Kommersant, which allegedly became a tool of Putin's propaganda. But in this case, how is it that Grigory Berezkin, the owner of RBC, from which many independent journalists were expelled in 2017, turned out to be so clean in the eyes of the EU that sanctions against him were lifted by a special decision without even bringing the case to a court verdict? Is this also proposed to be considered an example of the rule of law? Related Euronews: Many people talk about collective responsibility, which would lead to acknowledging evil in power and protests among the population. But ordinary people, outraged by the lack of, say, necessary medicines, turn their indignation not against the authorities but against the West. Inozemtsev:** To punish citizens for their connection with the regime, start by recognising its criminal nature. This is what the judges of the Nuremberg Tribunal did, declaring the leadership of the NSDAP, the Wehrmacht high command, as well as the Gestapo, the SS and the SA criminal. This allowed the courts established in the US zone of occupation to convict some big businessmen who collaborated with these organisations, mainly the management of the companies Krupp and IG Farbenindustrie, which produced weapons and chemical means of exterminating people in concentration camps, as well as using the slave labour of Jews and prisoners of war. But those who did not do this, even paying taxes or supplying weapons to the Wehrmacht, were not found guilty. Therefore, as long as Putin is only a suspect in war crimes, and the majority of Russian politicians and officials directly responsible for the preparation and conduct of the war do not even have this status but are simply under sanctions, it is illegal and nonsensical to extend the same measure of responsibility to businessmen. It throws them into the hands of the regime instead of making them allies in the fight for a better Russia. I've been saying this openly in the Western press since the first days of the war, but no one hears it: everyone thinks just a little more, and that's it; the oligarchs will revolt, and the regime will collapse. Frankly, I can't imagine a greater naivete. And I wrote about this even before the Russian invasion began. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is horrified that Donald Trump and other Republicans think the savage attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi, is fodder for jokes. During a Monday appearance on The View, the former speaker of the House addressed the traumatic fallout from the assault in October 2022, when a right-wing conspiracy theorist held Pelosis husband hostage and brutally beat him with a hammer after breaking into the familys San Francisco home. Pelosi told The Views panelists that the attack was devastating, both physically and psychologically, for her family and for the loved ones of any politicians. Getting hit on the head three times is a horrible thing. And that was physical, she said. But the traumatic effect for him, for us, for the family, but also for other political families as well, to just families in America, violence has no place in any resolution of any discussion you may have. The veteran politician also wondered why anyone would make fun of the assault, referring to Trumps repeated remarks about the incident. In the last two years, Trump has found multiple ways to mock Paul Pelosi, who was left with a fractured skull and serious injuries to his hands and right arm from the attack. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi shares an update on her husband after he was attacked in their home in 2022 and calls out former Pres. Trump and others who have made light of the attack: "The trauma of it all is not just the physical." pic.twitter.com/0WaPZ5lJNY The View (@TheView) September 9, 2024 Just last week, Trump joked about the incident while speaking to the Fraternal Order of Police in the swing state of North Carolina. Nancy Pelosi has a big wall wrapped around her house. Of course, it didnt help too much with the problems she had, did it? he said to an audience of law enforcement officers on Friday. Pelosi refused to utter Trumps name, but she told the hosts of The View that she thought it was sick how Republicans continue to make light of the violent attack. Before you could even say anything, your friend who shall remain nameless he was on there making a joke of it, and people were laughing, and his family was making a joke, and Republican governor making jokes and that. And thats just horrible. Its sick. Its really sick, she said. Pelosis assailant, David DePape, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in May. During his trial, DePape testified that he intended to break into the Pelosis home to interrogate the speaker emerita and planned to break her kneecaps if she lied to him. The longtime legislator from California was away in Washington, D.C., at the time of the attack. Related... The Prime Ministers decision to junk Rwanda and focus on smashing the gangs that profit from the flow of migrants across the Channel appears already to have been a mistake. Any plan to go after people smugglers would require the help of law enforcement. Despite claiming to have been prepared for government and ready to hit the ground running, the home secretary has yet to appoint their new Border Security Commander to lead and co-ordinate the fight to secure our borders. Whats more, a new report published this week describes the National Crime Agency (NCA) the agency directly responsible for targeting the gangs as being on its knees. The NCA is suffering from rock-bottom morale and a brain drain as staff leave for better jobs, or to simply sell their services back as better-paid contractors. Little wonder that spending on temporary staff and consultants has grown by more than 350 per cent since 2015/16 and at 93.7 million now represents more than 10 per cent of the NCAs 860m budget. But the NCAs woes are far from unique. They reflect a wider neglect of law and order by successive governments and the wider political elites who can talk a good game, but only occasionally deliver. The NCA when launched in 2013 was lauded as Britains FBI but the agency has never really developed into anything like the top-tier crime-fighting entity that we need. For one thing, the NCA has failed to build any real consciousness in politicians or the wider public as to what exactly the agency does to make the UK or our local neighbourhoods safer. Recent years have seen no shortage of opportunities for the NCA to show leadership, build its profile and demonstrate success: from the explosion in fraud, illegal immigration, or the growth of organised crime on our high streets, there is no shortage of issues to target. Yet the most recent annual report talks about the system and the number of disruptions phrases that will hold absolutely no tangible meaning for most people. Perhaps the failure to convincingly win over politicians and the public reveals an agency that lacks confidence and would prefer to stay out of the limelight? The NCAs morale and identity crisis is compounded by a recruitment offer that falls well short of the mission, to say nothing of the wider political dynamics that conspire to undermine the fight against organised crime or the commitment of public money to getting the NCA match-fit. For one thing, the boffins in the Treasury simply dont understand the fact that securing our borders and ensuring public safety should be a priority. Theyd much rather boost GDP by opening the floodgates: come one, come all. Policing, criminal courts, prisons, and the NCA are seen as cost centres to be minimised. The new governments budget will soon reveal whether Labour is actually serious about its stated aims. The next decade ought to involve a serious and sustained effort to ensure we have police, law enforcement and a wider criminal justice system capable of keeping us safe amidst the multitude of threats we face. But with a Treasury that would rather starve public safety than fund it, politicians more interested in political correctness than public safety, and an unconvincing plan to stop the boats, its hard not to conclude that the next few years will see Britain become less safe, rather than more. 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. National Harbor to honor first responders on 9/11 PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The National Harbor is honoring first responders this 9/11. On Sept. 11 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., the National Harbor will host various activities to honor police, firefighters, EMTs and the Prince Georges County fire and police canine units. Responders who booked a reservation in advance will receive a complimentary dinner from Bombay Street Food. Thirteen prizes will be awarded, including dinners at Fogo de Chao and Bobby McKeys, VIP tickets on The Capital Wheel and more. Prince Georges County Deputy Fire Chief of Operations James E. McClelland Jr. and Special Operations Division Commander, Prince Georges County Police Major Rogers Massey will deliver remarks to responders and the public following the dinner. MCDOT celebrates addition of new Pink, Lime bus routes At 6:30 p.m., two Prince Georges County fire trucks will arrive, crossing their ladders and hanging an American Flag to honor lives lost on 9/11. Shortly after, attendees will have the chance to catch a free performance by the U.S. Navy band Country Current. According to event organizers, at least 160 people and two canine units are expected to attend the activities. After the event, responders, veterans and active-duty military personnel can get free rides on The Capital Wheel all day by showing valid identification. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mary Steurer North Dakota Monitor The five Native nations in North Dakota need to step up their state government lobbying efforts, state Rep. Jayme Davis said. The Rolette Democrat joined Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille, D-Mandaree, for a presentation on the legislative process Wednesday morning at United Tribes Technical Colleges Tribal Leaders Summit. Davis and DeVille are the only two Native lawmakers in the statehouse. Because of this and the fact that both are relatively new to the Legislature its difficult to get most state lawmakers to understand the needs of Native North Dakotans, Davis said. Take North Dakotas Indian Child Welfare Act, for example. The legislation, which codified provisions from the federal Indian Child Welfare Act into state law, was passed by the Legislature in 2023. Davis brought it to the statehouse amid fears that the U.S. Supreme Court would strike down the federal legislation. Reps. Lisa Finley-Deville, left, and Jayme Davis. (Photos provided by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly) The federal Indian Child Welfare Act has a complex history, Davis said. It was passed in the 1970s to keep Native families intact following decades of separation by federal Indian boarding school and adoption programs. Few state lawmakers were familiar with the landmark legislation, so it was up to Davis and DeVille to both educate them about the history of the act and to convince them that it deserved to be put in state law. Later that year, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of keeping the federal law in place. It cant just fall on the two of us, said Davis, a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. We cant shoulder all the things that are on the table when it comes to the impact of Indigenous communities. Tribes should be strategic about which issues need the most attention, and what legislative changes would have the biggest impact, said Davis. I know we all want to solve every problem right away, but unfortunately, thats not what we do in the state Legislature, she told the crowd. We take it piece by piece. It also means being persistent, and taking the time to form relationships with state government officials. Davis brought up the 2023 legislation allowing the state government and tribes to share revenue from alcohol sales tax. Native leaders worked for 10 years to implement the tax plan, she said. The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation earlier this year became the first tribe to sign the tax sharing agreement with the state. Over time, these relationships create the opportunity to have a deeper dialog, more significant influence and better policy outcomes, Davis said. Davis shes planning to introduce a bill during the 2025 legislative session that would require the state government to consult with Native leaders when lawmakers consider legislation that would affect tribes in North Dakota. She pointed to a bill passed in 2023 that reversed a longstanding vehicle excise tax exemption for tribal members living on reservations. Without the exemption in place, those tribal members are now on the hook to pay more money when they purchase cars in North Dakota. Despite that the measure had a significant impact on the tribes, Davis said they were not consulted on the bill. Davis acknowledged that both she and DeVille voted in favor of the bill, but said that they only did so because they thought they would have a chance to advocate for amending it before it was signed into law. Davis tried unsuccessfully to have the Legislature revisit the issue during the special session last year. When the bill passed, I got phone calls the next day, and I know our tribal leaders got phone calls saying, Hey, why the heck do I have to pay taxes now on this car? Davis said. She said she and tribal leaders hope to reverse the change in the future. DeVille, a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, said she also faces challenges advocating for Native constituents during the session. She said shes pushed for legislation calling on the state to study oil and gas pollution on Native land, but none have been successful. DeVille is also a founder of an environmental advocacy group, Fort Berthold Protectors of Water and Earth Rights. All of my resolutions, they failed because our state is pro-energy, she said. No matter what, Im going to keep trying. A member of the audience asked whether or not there was an easy way to track all legislation related to tribal issues, noting that she found the state Legislatures difficult to navigate. The Indian Affairs Commission tracks legislation that impacts Native tribes during the session, Davis said. North Dakota Monitor logo This article was published by the North Dakota Monitor. NATO has no evidence that Russian drone crashed in Latvia intentionally The North Atlantic Alliance has had no information suggesting that the crash of a Russian drone in Latvia was intentional. Source: NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine Details: Dakhlallah noted that fragments of Russian drones and missiles have been repeatedly found on the territory of NATO allies since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. "While we have no information indicating a deliberate Russian attack on allies, these actions are irresponsible and potentially dangerous," Dakhllallah stated. She reiterated that NATO has significantly increased its presence on the eastern flank, particularly in Romania and Latvia, in response to Russia's war. Background: A Russian military drone crashed in the east of Latvia on Saturday 7 September, likely entering through Belarus. As far as it is known, this is the first time a Russian military drone has violated Latvian airspace since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has criticised NATO allies for their inaction, which has led to the unhindered fall of Russian drones on the territory of Alliance members. Support UP or become our patron! NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Naval Station Norfolk is set to host a wreath laying ceremony on Wednesday, 23 years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. at the flag plaza across from the Naval Station Norfolk headquarters building, and will include morning colors, the timeline of events, wreath laying and playing of TAPS. It is extremely important that we honor and remember those who faced the unimaginable on September 11, Naval Station Norfolk Commanding Officer Capt. Matt Schlarmann said. At Naval Station Norfolk, we come together not just to remember, but to reaffirm our commitment to the values and freedoms they defended. This ceremony is a testament to our enduring strength and unity as we pledge to never forget that day and the spirit of resilience it inspired. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. The North Carolina Legislative Building (Photo: Clayton Henkel) The state Senate voted on Monday to override five of Gov. Roy Coopers vetoes of bills covering a range of issues from building codes to digital currency. All 27 Senate Republicans attending the session voted to override Coopers vetoes, while all 17 Democrats present were opposed. A three-fifths vote is required to override a veto. Three of those bills now become law because the House took its successful override votes on July 31. Cooper vetoed a total of 27 bills last year and this year. These are the new laws: House Bill 155 authorizes the state Division of Motor Vehicles to issue titles to all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, and modified utility vehicles. Cooper said in his veto message that it is dangerous to allow vehicles without traditional safety features on four-lane highways. House Bill 556 prohibits cities and counties from passing or enforcing local ordinances that prevent landlords from refusing to lease property to people who use federal housing assistance programs to help pay their rent. In his veto message, Cooper said the bill would make it harder for people with low incomes, elderly people, and people with disabilities to find affordable rentals because it blocks local governments from acting to prevent rent discrimination. House Bill 690 prevents state agencies from accepting central bank digital currency and from participating in any Federal Reserve test of central bank digital currency. The Federal Reserve has been examining the pros and cons of central digital bank currency. Cooper said in his veto message that the bill was premature, vague, and reactionary and proposes an end result on important monetary decisions that havent even been made yet. Two vetoed bills the Senate took up for overrides need votes in the House before they become law. Senate Bill 166, which would change building codes and the building code council membership, was the only bill that generated any debate. Sen. Steve Jarvis, a Davidson County Republican, said the legislation cuts unnecessary regulation and streamlines the building code process, which will put more affordable housing on the market. Sen. Natasha Marcus, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, said the bill weakens building codes and poses significant dangers. In reshaping the Building Code Council, the bill gets rid of two seats filled by architects. Its irresponsible to remove the architects and we should not allow politics to be more important than the publics safety, said Marcus, who is running for state Insurance Commissioner. A section of Senate Bill 445 makes it illegal for people to fraudulently rent property or advertise property for sale that they dont have the authority to sell. The bill also requires written findings of indigency for people who want to appeal small claims court judgments but cant afford the court costs. Coopers veto statement said the bill creates legal ambiguity regarding eviction orders and may make it harder for low-income individuals to appeal as indigent in small claims court. NC Senate overrides more of Gov. Coopers vetoes. What the newly enacted laws do. The N.C. Senate overrode five of Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers vetoes Monday, enacting several new laws dealing with off-road vehicles, tenancy regulations and digital currency. State lawmakers have now overridden 25 vetoes since Republicans obtained a supermajority in the House and Senate last year. Three of the vetoes overridden Monday were already voted on by the House, meaning they now become law. The other two will have to go to the House for veto-override votes before they could be enacted. One of the newly enacted laws, House Bill 155, deals with titles for off-road vehicles. It lets the Division of Motor Vehicles issue title certificates for all-terrain and utility vehicles and allows off-site safety inspections of low-speed vehicles. Another of the new laws, HB 556, amends tenancy rules. Among other things, it prohibits local governments from passing any ordinance that would forbid landlords from refusing to rent to tenants whose income includes funding from a federal, housing-assistance program. When he vetoed the bill in July, Cooper wrote This bill would make it harder for low-income families, the elderly and people with disabilities to find affordable rental housing by preventing local governments from protecting against rent discrimination based on lawful income. The last of the new laws, HB 690, prohibits any state agency from accepting a payment using central bank digital currency. It also forbids agencies from participating in any potential tests of such currency by a branch of the Federal Reserve. HB 690 initially passed with broad bipartisan support in both chambers, but Democrats voted against overriding it on Friday. When he vetoed the bill in July, Cooper wrote This legislation is premature, vague and reactionary and proposes an end result on important monetary decisions that havent even been made yet. Instead of this bill, the legislature should have passed a budget to provide more funding for cybersecurity threats that actually exist now. The Senate overrode two more bills on Friday that now go to the House. One deals with the recording of court-filed documents. The other reforms many regulations surrounding building codes. The state House is scheduled to vote Wednesday, but it is not clear whether the chamber will take up veto overrides. AUSTIN (KXAN) With nearly one in five Texas high schoolers admitting to vaping, the American Lung Association is asking parents to start a conversation with their kids about e-cigarettes. Last month the organization launched a campaign called Youre the Best Person to Talk to Your Kids, offering tips for parents on how to bring up vaping and facts about the health effects. Those impacts can include irreversible lung damage, lifelong nicotine addiction, and problematic brain development, according to the ALA. KXANs Tom Miller talked with American Lung Association Dr. Jamie Rutland about what parents should know and how they can help. This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Tom: A lot of parents might not know where to start when it comes to having a conversation about vaping. Can you walk us through that? Dr. Rutland: I have 11-year-old and nine-year-old little girls. So when Im having this conversation, I just simply bring it up in the car. I just say to my kids, hey, listen, does anyone at your school vape? Does anyone at your school have a pocket device that they put their mouth around and they inhale? And then I ask them, what do you think that does? What do you think is going on there? And then, because kids are inquisitive, they start trying to answer the question. Me, being a lung doctor, its a lot easier to explain how the lung works. Essentially, the lungs are a bunch of pipes that lead to a bunch of balloons stacked on top of each other. When you inhale a substance thats in the vape, it can actually damage some of those pipes leading to inflammation, and even damage some of those balloons, leading to inflammation, which can lead to shortness of breath. I just keep it really simple and introduce that conversation. Tom: Theres a perception that vaping is not as dangerous as smoking cigarettes. Whats the truth there, and what are the health risks? Dr. Rutland: Vaping has its own consequences because of the way that the vape pen is designed. So youve got this liquid cartridge, youve got a heating element, and youve got metal. Every time you inhale, youre heating up that liquid, making that vapor so that metal is getting heated up. Because youre inhaling pieces of this metal, it can lead to significant inflammation. It can lead to what we call the hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which is inflammation of those balloons of your lungs. Some of the products that are produced can even tell your cells to change into cancer cells. Those are called carcinogens, and thats the problem with vaping. There are so many different things that can happen to those products, meaning that it can affect your body in so many different ways, and thats the issue, and thats why we want to raise awareness. Tom: Your new campaign is called Youre the Best Person to Talk to Your Kids. Why are you launching it now, and what impact do you hope itll have? Dr. Rutland: There are over 2 million kids that are vaping in the United States, and when you look particularly at Texas, its 18.7% of high schoolers vape. Our campaign aims to raise awareness about the risks associated with youth vaping and help parents start important conversations with their kids to prevent them from becoming addicted to E-cigarettes. Again, youre the best person to talk to your kids about vaping. So if you go to talkaboutvaping.org you can really obtain the tools necessary to be able to have these conversations with your children. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Average American Can't Afford Starter Homes $20K Above Their Budget, Warns Real Estate Analyst Homebuyers in the U.S. now face a financial hurdle that's proving tough to clear. A new Redfin report reveals that Americans must earn nearly $80,000 annually to afford a typical starter home. This figure is around $20,000 more than the average household income, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Don't Miss: In July, the average monthly payment for a starter home reached $1,981, marking a 4.4% rise compared to last year. To comfortably manage these payments, buyers must bring in at least $79,252 annually another 4.4% jump from the previous year. "It's a daunting number for many," said a Redfin analyst, noting that this figure is now inching close to the all-time high set last October. Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement How do you compare? The BLS reports that the average American worker earns about $1,143 a week, equating to roughly $59,436 annually. This places the typical household income about $20,000 shy of what's required to purchase a starter home, leaving a widening gap between home prices and wages. "Rising mortgage rates and home prices are squeezing people out," Redfin's study confirmed. Before the pandemic, buying a home was far more affordable, but the recent cost surge has caused many middle-income families to shift their focus to starter homes. The report stated that this shift has effectively "pushed lower-income families out of the market altogether." In more than half of the country's major cities, the median local income isn't enough to buy a starter home, according to Redfin's findings. California, in particular, faces the largest affordability gap. In places like Anaheim, homebuyers must earn more than twice the local median income to afford a modest home. See Also: Elon Musks secret mansion in Austin revealed through court filings.Heres how to invest in the citys growth before prices go back up. A family earning Anaheim's median income of $122,192 would still fall well short of the $251,302 required for a starter home. In Los Angeles, where the median income is $93,197, homebuyers need $184,477 to purchase a similar property. This has led to fierce competition, especially in more affordable markets. Ben Ambroch, a Redfin agent in Milwaukee, described the situation as "a battle." Homes listed in the $150,000 to $350,000 range, which might have once been easily accessible to first-time buyers, now attract multiple offers. Story continues "We listed a home for $210,000, and it got multiple bids," said Ambroch. "One buyer even offered the seller pizza every Friday until the deal closed. It didn't work, but that's the level of competition right now." Trending: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you. Despite these challenges, there are signs of hope. The number of starter homes on the market grew by nearly 20% in July compared to last year. And while mortgage rates remain high, they are slowly dropping. Freddie Mac reported that the average weekly mortgage rate stood at 6.35% as of Aug. 29, down from 7.18% the previous year. Additionally, while prices continue to rise, the rate of increase is slowing down. Redfin pointed out that the 4.4% growth in starter home prices is among the smallest since 2021. Last year, prices had risen by a staggering 14%. Though the climb is far from over, the slower pace offers a glimmer of optimism for hopeful buyers looking to enter the market. Read Next: 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. "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Average American Can't Afford Starter Homes $20K Above Their Budget, Warns Real Estate Analyst originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. The symbol of justice adorns one of the doors to the Nebraska Supreme Court. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Supporters of two competing abortion-related ballot initiatives spent Monday at the Nebraska Supreme Court seeking rulings by Fridays deadline to finalize the ballot. Justices heard oral arguments in three lawsuits: two seeking to block an abortion-rights amendment from the fall ballot and one arguing that the competing measures should both appear on the ballot or else neither should appear. The lawsuits have drawn national attention, because Nebraska could be the first state since Roe v. Wade was overturned to weigh competing abortion measures on the same ballot. One initiative favors abortion rights. The other favors abortion restrictions. Thus far, every state that has voted on abortion changes since Roe has sided with abortion rights. Amendments face legal scrutiny The abortion-rights amendment, put forward by Protect Our Rights, would codify a right to abortion until fetal viability, as defined by treating health care providers. Those providers could define viability on a case-by-case basis. The proposed ballot measure does not set in law the current scientific standard for viability of about 22-24 weeks gestation. The abortion-restrictions amendment, put forward by Protect Women and Children, would outlaw most abortions after the first trimester of pregnancy but set no floor on how early they could be banned. It would let the Legislature restrict abortion further or ban it entirely. Both measures include exceptions: for the life or health of the mother in the abortion-rights initiative and for the life of the mother and in cases of rape or incest in the other. Because the lawsuit arguing that the ballot should contain both or neither of the measures was defensive in nature, much of the discussion focused on the abortion-rights amendment by Protect Our Rights. Single subject rule Attorneys on all sides repeated arguments from briefs previewed Sunday by the Examiner, most of which centered on the Nebraska Constitutions single subject rule. The rule requires that ballot initiatives address only one topic. The court has applied it more stringently to ballot initiatives than to laws passed by the Legislature. For example, the Legislatures recent 12-week gestational age abortion ban survived a similar lawsuit this summer, which had argued Legislative Bill 574 combined too many unrelated ideas. During oral arguments in July, Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman questioned whether separate standards should exist for ballot measures from the Legislature and those proposed by citizens through petition initiatives. On Monday, she again probed whether the courts reading of the Constitution should continue to so narrowly restrict ballot initiatives but grant wide latitude to the Legislature. Chief Justice Mike Heavican asked why it was OK for laws passed by the Legislature to contain many of the same combined provisions being questioned for an initiative. Paul Rodney, defending the abortion-rights amendment, said the initiative covers one subject: limiting government interference with abortion. He said the language would change the State Constitution and define legal terms, which he described as standard practice for ballot initiatives. He cited case law saying the key consideration in determining singleness of subject is the initiatives singleness of purpose and the relationship of the details to the general subject. More about lawsuits Jim Campbell, a former Nebraska solicitor general represented the individual sponsors of the Protect Women and Children initiative. Matthew Heffron for the socially conservative Thomas More Society, represented Carolyn LaGreca, a Douglas County woman who ran a shelter for women facing unplanned pregnancies. Local attorney Brenna Grasz represented Dr. Catherine Brooks, a Lancaster County neonatologist. Campbell said the abortion-restrictions amendment covers one subject. He said the amendments subject is protecting unborn children, with a secondary and related purpose of protecting women, since both are physically connected. All we have to do is show that the first clause dealing with medical emergencies, sexual assault and incest is naturally and necessarily connected, Campbell said. Both lawsuits against the abortion-rights amendment argue that codifying a new right to abortion, along with framing that right to restrict state interference and defining viability differently covers too many subjects. Questions about logrolling Grasz argued that transforming a right and then delegating its limits to a health care professional are separate subjects. Here the two competing rights lack any connection, let alone a natural one, she said. Heffron called the abortion-rights measure textbook logrolling. He said that protecting abortion rights until viability might be popular but that later-term abortion could not pass on its own. We simply said the clean reading of this initiative, if you read it against the law that is out there, which is required, will make it several subjects, at least, he said in a follow up interview. Rodney, who was defending the proposed amendment, countered that hypothetical concerns about the amendment should be left to voters, not the court, and argued that allowing medical providers to determine viability would keep the decisions with qualified people. Justices John Freudenberg and William Cassel asked about who qualifies as a health care provider to determine viability and what sort of abortion regulation would be allowed. Rodney said regulation would be allowed, but he noted that the court might have to one day draw the line between regulation and interference with the right to abortion. There will still be prevailing codes of professional conduct and other systems in place to prevent providers from going outside of their lanes, he said. Both or none lawsuit The third lawsuit, filed by 29 doctors, led by Dr. Elizabeth Constance, an Omaha-area fertility specialist, aims to keep both measures on the ballot or remove both if one gets disqualified. The lawsuit argues that both ballot initiatives have met the legal standard to reach the ballot and should be weighed by voters but that if the court determines one initiative fails the single-subject test, then both should. Campbell said the acknowledgement that both initiatives have met the standard makes the case moot, saying it lacks the necessary jurisdiction and legal dispute. David Gacioch, the doctors attorney in the both-or-none lawsuit, said they chose to be straightforward in their filing because they think both options should qualify for the ballot. Constance said her group wants voters to have a chance to have a say in their own personal health care decisions. Heavican asked the lawyers whether the Supreme Court has the authority to adjust the timing of how late courts can go in weighing in on petitions. He seemed to hint that the court may need to seek legislative action in order to intervene sooner in the process, perhaps when ballot initiative signatures are turned in or when petitions get circulated. Justice Stephanie Stacy was one of several justices who asked about the timing of the lawsuits and the petition process because Secretary of State Bob Evnen must finalize the ballot by Friday. Attorneys agreed that by certifying both amendments for the November ballot, Evnen was acknowledging that he thought each had met the legal standard on the single-subject issue. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE New poll released Sunday: The latest presidential poll, from The New York Times and Siena College, was released over the weekend. It shows Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris basically neck and neck as we head into the final two months of the presidential race and the week of their firstand possibly onlydebate. Trump is technically in the lead, clinching 48 percent of likely voters to Harris' 47 percent. This poll, which has a margin of error of three percentage points, is consistent with recent swing state polling averages, which show true ties in Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, and Arizona and small Harris leads in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. (Pollster Nate Silver maintains a ranking, on Silver Bulletin, of poll quality, and New York Times/Siena is considered second-highest-rated of the many on offer.) National polls from The Wall Street Journal and Quinnipiac, both surveying likely voters and conducted during the last week of August, show the two candidates basically neck and neck as well, with a tiny Harris lead. Changing demographics: This race's gender divideHarris' 14-point lead among likely women voters (as of a few weeks ago), compared with Trump's 17-point lead among menhas been a huge source of headlines and analysis. The Democratic Party is increasingly winning over (disproportionately white) college-educated people but has been failing to maintain favor with working-class men. In particular, Republicans are doing increasingly well with Latino men. "The reason that the race is tighter with Hispanics has everything to do with Hispanic men," Republican pollster David Lee told The Wall Street Journal. "The basic theory that became orthodoxy in the party during the Obama era was this 'demographics is destiny' conceptliterally every 30 seconds a new Latino is born in America, and that's a future Democrat," Mike Madrid, a political strategist focused on reaching Latino voters, told Politico. But this ended up being untrue. "The political difference between a first- and second-generation Latino is a pretty big leap. The step from a second- to a third-generation Latino is tectonic. And so over the last 10 years, we started to see dramatic growth in third- and now a discernible fourth-generation Latino voter." Scenes from New York: The newest, strangest, Brooklynest social mediadriven trend: Throwing a baby shower or birthday party for your frozen eggs. "As women, we really only celebrate things like engagements, wedding anniversaries and baby showers," said TikToker Becky Hayes in a video. "A few of my friends, at the moment, are going through the process of freezing their eggs. This is such a big, stressful and expensive process. They are going through it all by themselvesfunding it themselves, going through the actual logistics of it themselves. This needs to be celebrated." I don't blame you if you suspect that this is made up and nobody actually does it, but I'll note that there's even an Evite template for this genre of party. Though I am always in favor of a good time, there's a crucial distinction between going through egg retrieval versus pregnancy. Baby showers are meant to fete a new mother: to provide her with supplies she needs, wisdom she seeks, and some excitement as she prepares to go through the hardships of delivery and postpartum. Brooklyn's single women might think their fertility journeys also deserve celebration, but it's just not the same thing. QUICK HITS "Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro began flooding Sao Paulo's main boulevard for an Independence Day rally Saturday, buoyed by the government's blocking of tech billionaire Elon Musk's X platform, a ban they say is proof of their political persecution," reports CNN. "The ban is red meat to Bolsonaro's allies, who have accused the judiciary and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government of colluding to silence their movement." "Deflation stalking China since last year is now showing signs of spiraling, threatening to worsen the outlook for the world's second-largest economy and raising calls for immediate policy action," reports Bloomberg. Viktor Orban wants to pull a Greg Abbott and send buses of asylum-seekers to Brussels. "If Brussels wants illegal migrants, Brussels can have them," said State Secretary Bence Retvari. Yes: Most people don't understand that we've essentially made infrastructure projects illegal. Any proposal to build new rail, bridges, dams, or ports and canals has to go through the same multi-year, multi-billion dollar review process as a new coal plant. Actually even more so. https://t.co/ugaP0njBPd Payton Alexander (@AlexanderPayton) September 7, 2024 The post Neck and Neck appeared first on Reason.com. People gather for a rally on the 10th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in Battery Park on June 15, 2022, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images) In 2012, President Barack Obama announced a new program that offered relief to a small portion of the 11 million undocumented people living in the U.S. at the time. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) provided recipients with temporary protection from deportation and permitted work authorization. When the news came, I was a 25-year-old undocumented Granite Stater working a variety of caregiving and hospitality jobs and closely followed the immigration reform stalemate in Congress. For years I struggled to make ends meet, had no savings, and relied on loved ones and limited public transportation to get around. I couldnt afford dental care or regular doctors visits. I relied on home remedies to treat illnesses and faith to prevent injuries. The only affordable medical care I could access was through Planned Parenthood, where I received compassionate but limited care New Hampshire is home to 230 DACA recipients (loved ones, friends, colleagues, and neighbors) who are now the target of the states recent decision to join a lawsuit challenging the Biden administrations decision to expand eligibility to publicly funded health insurance programs for DACA recipients. The lawsuit, Kansas et al. v. the United States of America et al., paints a harmful and inaccurate picture of DACA recipients, using discredited data from the notoriously anti-immigrant Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). The complaint inaccurately paints DACA recipients and undocumented immigrants as drains on the resources of real Americans. However, many reputable studies cite the opposite: Immigrants, including those without lawful status, significantly contribute to the social and economic fabric of the U.S., including New Hampshire, as community members, workers, taxpayers, and consumers. Lack of access to health care takes its toll not only on individuals, their families, and communities but on our society overall. Healthy people create healthy communities, and accessible health care is a common good that benefits everyone. Its appalling that Gov. Chris Sununu aims to spend his last few months in office targeting the very people hes tasked with representing and protecting. The governor and the attorney generals first obligations are to ensure the well-being of all people in the state. This is a needlessly cruel lawsuit that does not reflect our values. New Hampshire should focus its attention and resources on addressing the real challenges that effect all our communities. Attorney General John Formellas assertion that this expanded eligibility constitutes a misuse of public funds is laughable in light of his support for wasteful programs like the Northern Border Alliance and the unnecessary deployment of National Guard personnel to the Texas-Mexico border (costing taxpayers $1.48 million and $850,000 respectively). Using anti-immigrant tactics is a disservice to all of the people of New Hampshire and raises real risks for those perceived to be immigrants, whether they are citizens or not. The possibility of harm is even greater for immigrants of color. Beyond the very real risks of physical violence, these political calculations undermine the AGs stated efforts to mitigate hate crimes. I was able to survive those years as an undocumented person because of community support. A good friends parents who paid the legal fees for my DACA application; the many rides from co-workers and friends to Boston for affordable medical services; the countless hours loved ones spent supporting me. This spirit of community care is one that the governor and attorney general could do well to emulate rather than borrowing from a playbook rooted in discrimination and disinformation. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The name is Kristofer Goldsmith. He runs Task Force Butler, a non-profit that researches and exposes domestic extremism. Im a nazi hunter, said Goldsmith. Yes, a nazi hunter. Goldsmith who is Jewish and Army Veteran says he was seeing far too many fellow Veterans fall victim to being influenced by White Supremacy groups. Why did you get into this and why did you wanna do it? I asked Goldsmith. I got into this because I dont feel like I have a choice, he said. Ive been dealing with the last name, Goldsmith. Ive been dealing with anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish attacks for as Ive been a person operating in public and online. The FBI reports domestic extremism has been on the rise for the past decade. But, following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, anti-semitic cases involving physical assault, harassment, and vandalism have spiked 360% in the United States, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Were not going to simply stand by as extremist and neo-nazis go and threaten individuals and marginalize communities were going to put them on defense were going to drag them into court, whether civil or criminal by gathering evidence of criminality and holding them accountable in a court of law, said Goldsmith. This brings us to this court of law in Madison County, North Carolina. Thomas Vance Pollock is on trial for threatening Goldsmiths 65-year-old mother, who lives in the Asheville area. Goldsmith says it all began in December 2022. My mother came home to a Christmas-themed bag, with her first name on it, hanging on her mailbox. Inside was a book about a mother that gets separated from their child, said Goldsmith. On the cover of the book was a picture of Hitler with Mein Kampf. On the back was a sticker that said Antifa-FBI cooperation. So it was a specific anti-Jewish death threat or kidnapping threat made against my mother and made against me to intimidate me and Task Force Butler from doing our work, said Goldsmith. Pollock was charged by Madison County authorities with a misdemeanor of stalking. About that time, Queen City News ran a story where we interviewed Pollock on a subject he knows a lot about, William Pelley, a known extremist who tried to bring the Nazi movement to western North Carolina back in the 1930s and 40s. Pollock, working at a local library at the time, claimed to be a historian of the movement. Goldsmith saw our story at his home in New York and immediately contacted Queen City News, and thats where we began to follow this story. Mr. Pollock has not been hiding his neo-nazi propaganda habit at all, said Goldsmith. According to court documents, Pollock goes by the name of American Archvillain when posting online. Goldsmith says he and his attorneys later provided evidence to Madison County authorities of Pollock admitting to delivering the book in an online post. Mr. Pollock went on to admit to an FBI agent when he was interviewed about this, that yes he did this and that yes he did this for the purpose of intimidating me. He called it agitation propaganda. Mr. Pollock was filmed doing this, his license plate captured on camera and he freely admitted it and he thought he had done nothing wrong when he hand-delivered a death threat to me and my family, said Goldsmith. Pollocks charges were eventually upgraded to a felony. The ultimate goal of neo-nazis like Mr. Pollock is to destroy our democracy, to collapse our democracy in on itself, by dividing Americans and making them feel like theyve lost hope in our government. Back in court in Madison County, Queen City News was inside as the three-day trial wrapped up within an hour. The all-white jury, nine women and three men, unanimously convicted Thomas Vance Pollock on one felony count. The judge sentenced Pollock to a minimum of six months in jail. He is incarcerated right now in the Granville Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina. Below are records obtained by the Court Reporter in Madison County for the Pollok v. Goldsmith. THE COURT: All right. Then at this time, Im going to ask, members of the jury, you have returned as your unanimous verdict in 23 CRS 223712, the State of North Carolina versus Thomas Vance Pollock, a verdict of guilty for placing an exhibit with the intention of intimidating another. If this is your unanimous verdict, please answer by raising your hand. All right, all 12 jurors have raised their hands. And with regard to the special question on the verdict sheet, Who did the defendant have the intent to intimidate, the boxes for Linda Miller and Kristofer Goldsmith have been checked. If that is your unanimous verdict, each of you please raise your hand. All right. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Im going to note for the record that each of you has agreed and ascended to the verdict in this case, so we will let the record reflect that each juror has raised his or her hand indicating the unanimous consent to the verdicts that are indicated on the verdict sheet, so the Court will accept the verdict and order Madam Clerk that you record the verdict. (Judge thanks jury for service and how to get excuse notes for work) THE COURT: Mr. Pollock, Ill be glad to hear from you before the Court imposes a sentence in this case. MR. POLLOCK: I have nothing to say, Your Honor. THE COURT: All right. Well, the Court has heard the evidence, the jury has heard the evidence in this case, and as the unanimous verdict have returned a verdict of guilty in this matter. And so the Courts judgment will be as follows: Madam Clerk, this is a Class H felony as indicated by statute. He is a prior record Level I in this matter with zero points. The judgment of the Court will be that he serve a minimum of 6 months, maximum of 17 months in the Department of Adult Corrections. Im going to waive the cost in this matter. And, Mr. Sheriff, hes in your custody. MR. POLLOCK: Your Honor, may I? I would like to dedicate this trial to Chadwick Seagraves. THE COURT: All right, sir. Thank you very much. Seagraves was a known extremist with links to the extremist group the Proud Boys. He was killed in a house fire two years ago near Raleigh. Queen City News reached out to Pollock while in jail but did not get a response. We also reached out to the District Attorney for a comment on the conviction in this case and did not hear back. Its been a long road for Kristofer Goldsmith, one that will continue. Today was justification for the work he does to combat anti-Semitism and acts of hate in the United States. And it brought some closure for him and his family. Immediately after the trial concluded, QCN caught up with Goldsmith on his way out of court and asked, Youre thoughts on the verdict? Goldsmith responds, Im very satisfied. I think the District Attorney did a fantastic job. I think the jury came to the right decision. Im glad the judge is putting him away for a minimum of six months. Pollock when he was sentenced showed no remorse. Goldsmith responds, Thats correct, Mr. Pollock is not remorseful, at the end he said he wanted to dedicate this trial to a Proud Boy who is considered a martyr for him. As Pollocks family came out of court they told QCN that there was more to come out on Goldwmith and that he was not clean in this. In response, Goldsmith told QCN, I have no doubt that Mr. Pollock and his neo-nazi friends are going to attempt to continue to intimidate me. I hope they understand now that there are legal consequences for doing so. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Netherlands plans to bolster its armed forces by reconstituting a tank battalion, buying more F-35 fighter jets and adding anti-submarine frigates as the NATO member seeks to field a more credible military force capable of deterring an attack. The Dutch government will increase defense spending by 2.4 billion (U.S.$2.65 billion) a year, including 1.5 billion additional spending on combat power, it said in a paper last week setting out policy for coming years. The country will lift its defense budget to around 24 billion a year, nearly double what the Netherlands spent on defense in 2022. Following Russias invasion of Ukraine, the Dutch need to prepare for scenarios including Russia attacking a NATO member such as Lithuania or Poland, the defense paper said. The Netherlands must be ready to fight a war of necessity rather than the wars of choice of recent decades, State Secretary of Defence Gijs Tuinman said in a presentation of the paper on Thursday. The ruthless aggression shows that an attack on the NATO alliance is no longer unthinkable, Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said. The Netherlands must step up to protect our security. We have to get to work to deter our enemies, guard NATOs external borders and prevent further war in Europe. We have no time to lose in this. Brekelmans said the Netherlands may seem at peace, but in reality the country is in a gray zone of neither peace nor war, facing daily attacks on digital systems, companies, ports and power grids, and constant spying. He said the Dutch can no longer choose where in the worlds conflict areas they can contribute, but must be ready to defend the national territory. This is not just a small change, Dutch Chief of Defence Gen. Otto Eichelsheim said. It is a turning point in the history of the Dutch armed forces, and it requires a fundamentally different way of thinking. Instead of meticulously preparing and planning every single mission, in the near future our military, our civilians must simply be ready every day, permanently ready for a large-scale conflict. Because deterrence only works if we are credible. The government said it wants to enshrine minimum defense spending of 2% of gross domestic product in law. The country had already lifted its 2024 defense budget to 21.4 billion, or 1.95% of GDP, from 15.4 billion in 2023 and 12.9 billion in 2022. Brekelmans said the Netherlands will still continue to deploy internationally to regions important to its security and prosperity, such as in Iraq and the Red Sea, and play an active role providing military support for Ukraine. As part of the new focus on home defense, the Netherlands will recreate a tank battalion, after selling its last Leopard 2 tanks in 2011 due to budget cuts, and leasing 18 tanks from Germany since 2015. NATO has been calling on the Netherlands to strengthen its land-based power, including with heavy armor. The country may buy around 50 Leopard 2 A8 tanks, according to Dutch press reports. A tank battalion costs between 260 million and 315 million per year, based on a 15-year planning period that includes buying the tanks as well as maintenance, spare parts, operating and personnel costs, according to a report to parliament earlier this year. The government will also look into unmanned systems to supplement manned tanks, it said in the defense paper. To boost infantry firepower, the Armys Boxer armored personnel carriers will be equipped with heavier cannons as well as anti-tank weapons. The armed forces must grow in manpower, resources, and in weapon systems, Brekelmans said. We will have to innovate, to constantly stay one step ahead of our adversaries. For the Royal Netherlands Navy, the government will buy two more anti-submarine warfare frigates as well as NH-90 helicopters and uncrewed vessels. The Netherlands last year ordered two anti-submarine frigates from Damen and Thales for 1.9 billion, and the government now says the country needs more protection against underwater threats, including to subsea infrastructure in deeper waters. The Dutch will also order an additional six F-35 fighter jets on top of the 52 aircraft already announced. Increasing the number of fighters will allow for greater availability and firepower, as well as more sustained operations, the paper said. The country will invest in supplies of ammunition and spare parts, as well as free up additional funds for logistics, medical support and intelligence. It is not only crucial that we can bring more combat power to the table, but also that we can sustain the fight longer, Brekelmans said. This is an important lesson from the war in Ukraine, which has now been going on for two and a half years, with no end in sight at this time. Putin is discouraged only when he knows that he is losing not only the first battle, but the entire war. The Dutch armed forces face a major limitation related to the speed with which equipment and weapons can be delivered, and the country needs to boost the capacity of its defense firms to produce and innovate, according to the minister. The Netherlands will therefore spend about 1 billion in coming years to beef up defense-industrial production, according to Tuinman, the defense state secretary, who said a strong local defense industry is part of deterrence. Polish intelligence services have uncovered a network of Russian and Belarusian cyber saboteurs who planned to infiltrate the country's national and local government systems to steal information. Source: Krzysztof Gawkowski, Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digitalisation, as reported by European Pravda Details: Gawkowski says Polish special services have recently managed to expose a group that had specific goals in Poland. "In recent days, we have managed to expose a group that had specific goals in Poland and operated from a specific location," he said. The minister emphasised that the goal of Russian and Belarusian intelligence services in Poland was to gather information for future blackmail and effectively conduct cyber warfare. "It all started with Polada [the Polish Anti-Doping Agency] as part of a broader operational game of intelligence services, whose task was to find ways to penetrate other Polish institutions both at the level of local government and state-owned companies related to the security sector, he said. Gawkowski explained that the goal of the cyberattacks was "to cause political, military, and economic paralysis in Poland." He stated that Polish institutions had been warned by intelligence agencies, and swift action had prevented any data from being stolen. The official reported that over 400,000 cyberattacks were registered in the first half of 2024, with Polish services undertaking around 100,000 actions to identify those responsible. Gawkowski added that the number of cyber incidents increased by 100% compared to last year, with 370,000 recorded in the previous year. Background: The Estonian Security Police recently revealed, following a joint international operation, that a military unit under the command of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces had been carrying out cyberattacks against Ukraine, as well as NATO and EU countries, including Estonia. A few days later, on 9 September, German intelligence service BfV issued a warning that a group of cybercriminals belonging to Russian military intelligence was behind a series of online attacks against NATO and EU countries. Support UP or become our patron! Neutral news sources could exploit todays polarized mediascape to boost revenue heres why they may choose not to Even news outlets perceived as politically neutral can benefit from todays polarized media environment. The past decade has seen a surge in partisan online news sites that patently skew toward one side of the American political spectrum, from the right-leaning Blaze Media to the openly liberal Axios. Money is a primary driver of this media polarization: User engagement translates to dollars in subscriptions or advertising. Online news outlets revenue depends upon attracting eyeballs from an increasingly polarized reading public known to avoid journalism that does not confirm their existing biases. Surprisingly, those same dynamics can also attract readers of all stripes to officially nonpartisan outlets. Thats the unexpected takeaway of a paper I co-authored and published in the June 2024 issue of the Journal of Management Information Systems. It found that news sources perceived as unbiased can sometimes tweak their story presentation to appeal to partisans. That is good for their bottom line, at least in the short run but it may not be great for American democracy. Polarized politics, polarized readers My co-authors and I studied the interplay of political partisanship and competition for audience attention between three hypothetical news outlets: one left-wing, one right-wing and one centrist. In a series of studies using computer models and game theory, we simulated news outlet competition in different types of media markets, including one with minimal regulation, such as the United States. Research shows that as American readers have grown more partisan over the past 30 years, so have many American news sources. At the same time, a handful of websites perceived as neutral, such as The Hill and Reuters, have gained prominence without much controversy. We wanted to know: How might the U.S. marketplace of information with increased polarization evolve? Our model assumed that, in a market with minimal regulation, competition among news media firms is a main driver of change. Surprisingly, we found that news outlets perceived as relatively neutral may have a competitive advantage over partisan media on both sides because they can still shift rightward or leftward. Unlike publications with an already well-articulated political niche, centrist media retains the flexibility to slant. This partisan tilt could begin with small, isolated wording changes. But if those tweaks draw increased engagement from partisans, neutral news websites would be encouraged to advance toward a more permanent polarization. Essentially, theyd test the boundaries, seeing how far to the left or right they could tack without losing their perceived neutrality. Has this process already begun? Many avowedly neutral websites have recently been accused of becoming more partisan, a charge they deny. The Associated Press, a venerable American wire service, was criticized in July 2024 for allegedly using language favoring President Joe Biden over former President Donald Trump. In 2019, the owner of the politics website The Hill, Trump associate James Finkelstein, came under fire for the websites conspiratorial coverage of Bidens dealings in Ukraine. Still, a few doggedly neutral online outlets remain. The website AllSides categorizes news stories as from the left, from the right or from the center. It names about 10 news sources widely read by Americans as unbiased. Among them are Newsweek magazine, the U.K.-based news agency Reuters and The Hill, which recovered its centrist footing after it was sold by Finkelstein in 2021. Our research indicates that these doggedly centrist outlets could attract a larger, more partisan readership by shifting their presentation style slightly to the right or left. Initially, that might be a good thing: Reading more centrist news would get these readers out of their partisan echo chambers. However, our findings suggest that, over time, engagement from partisans would encourage previously neutral outlets to pander to said partisans. Polarization sells better than neutrality, but at the cost of journalistic objectivity. Democracy depends on the press The loss of unbiased media would not be good for American democracy. The job of the press is to ask the questions, get the facts and inform the public. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Democracies need an informed electorate that makes political decisions based on fact, not dogma. The media plays an essential role in this task, as U.S. law once recognized. The 1949 fairness doctrine of the Federal Communications Commission required broadcast networks to give airtime to differing opinions on public matters. The agency formally repealed the doctrine in 1987, citing First Amendment concerns. Similar constitutional issues would likely prevent the revival of the fairness doctrine and stymie the creation of any similar constraints on digital and print media today. Barring direct intervention from regulatory authorities, neutral news outlets have an economic incentive to win the battle of the online press echo chambers. Seizing it would eliminate one remaining forum for fact-based discourse. 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: Abhishek Ray, George Mason University Read more: Abhishek Ray 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. FILE - Michele Fiore, a Pahrump, Nev., judge who ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2022, speaks to reporters outside U.S. District Court in Las Vegas on Friday, July 19, 2024, after pleading not guilty to federal fraud and conspiracy charges. (AP Photo/Ken Ritter, File) LAS VEGAS (AP) A Nevada Republican who ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2022 pleaded not guilty Monday to two new charges and headed toward trial in two weeks on federal accusations she used funds raised for a statue honoring a slain police officer for political and personal costs, including her daughters wedding. The new charges brought to seven the number of wire fraud and conspiracy counts against Michele Fiore, a former state Assembly and Las Vegas City Council member who has been suspended with pay from her elected position as a justice of the peace in rural Pahrump. Each count carries a possible penalty of 20 years in prison. Fiore had pleaded not guilty July 17 to a five-count criminal indictment. Fiore and her defense attorney, Michael Sanft, invoked her right to a speedy trial and U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey in Las Vegas said jury selection will begin Sept. 24. Sanft and federal prosecutors Dahoud Askar and Alexander Gottfried told the judge they expect trial can be completed by the second week of October. Askar and Gottfried declined outside court to speak with reporters. Neither Fiore nor Sanft commented to reporters about the case. They were accompanied by Fiore's friend, Sigal Chattah, a lawyer and conservative GOP firebrand who lost a bid for state attorney general in 2022 to Aaron Ford, a Democrat. Chattah also is representing one of six Nevada Republican party members accused of submitting certificates to Congress falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner of the states 2020 presidential election. A state judge in Las Vegas dismissed that so-called fake elector case over a venue challenge by attorneys for defendants including state GOP chairman Michael McDonald. Ford is appealing that decision to the state Supreme Court. Fiore, 54, is a sometimes flamboyant political figure best known for supporting gun ownership and backing states rights advocate Cliven Bundy during and after armed standoffs against federal officers in Bunkerville, Nevada, in 2014, and at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon in 2016. Fiore was appointed as a judge by Nye County lawmakers in 2022 after she lost her campaign for state treasurer. She was elected in June to complete the unexpired term of a judge who died. Pahrump is an hours drive west of Las Vegas. Fiore served in the state Legislature from 2012 to 2016, making headlines posing with guns and her family for Christmas cards in 2015. She was a Las Vegas councilwoman from 2017 to 2022. - This story has been updated to correct the last name of judge in third paragraph to Dorsey, not Dorse. Nevada man seen attacking judge in viral video pleads guilty to attempted murder: report A man captured in a shocking video earlier this year attacking a Nevada judge by leaping over the bench, has pleaded guilty but mentally ill to attempted murder, according to reports. The Las Vegas Review Journal reported that 31-year-old Deobra Redden pleaded guilty before his trial began on Tuesday to six charges, though he maintained he was not guilty of attempted murder against a victim 60 or older. When he returned to court Thursday, Redden withdrew the pleas and instead entered a guilty but mentally ill plea to each count. The charges Redden pleaded guilty to include battery of a protected person aged 60 or older resulting in substantial bodily harm, intimidating a public officer, battery on an officer resulting in substantial bodily harm, willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property resulting in substantial bodily harm, battery by a prisoner and unlawful act related to bodily fluid. Pleading guilty but mentally ill could affect the type of facility Redden is placed inside a prison as well as the type of mental health treatment he can receive. NEVADA MAN SEEN ATTACKING CLARK COUNTY JUDGE IN VIRAL VIDEO SENTENCED TO UP TO 4 YEARS Defendant Debra Redden lunges toward Clark County District Judge Mary Kay Holthus at a sentencing hearing on January 3, 2024. Only Jan. 3, Judge Mary Kay Holthus was gearing up to inform Redden of his punishment inside Clark County District Court before the scene descended into chaos when Redden was denied bond. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In a video obtained by Fox News Digital, Reddens attorney requested the judge give his client probation. "I think its time he got a taste of something else," Holthus responded. Redden is then seen flying in the air over the bench with his arms and legs outstretched, before landing on the judge. VIDEO SHOWS NEVADA MAN LEAP AND ATTACK CLARK COUNTY JUDGE AFTER BEING DENIED PROBATION The defendant, who had grabbed the judge's hair, had to be wrestled off her by her clerk, Michael Lasso, and several court and jail officers, some of whom threw punches. Lasso was treated for cuts on his hands and a marshal was hospitalized for a dislocated shoulder and a gash on his forehead. Holthus suffered some injuries but was back to work the next day. FOX 5 in Vegas reported that before Redden pleaded guilty on Thursday, Holthus and the court clerk who jumped in to pull the suspect off the judge, took the stand. Holthus was the first witness and walked through her process of reviewing cases and determining probation and sentencing terms. LAS VEGAS COURTROOM ATTACK HIGHLIGHTS ISSUE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST JUDGES, EXPERTS SAY Deobra Redden, who was seen in a viral video attacking District Judge Mary Kay Holthus, appears again in front of Holthus to complete his sentencing at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Jan. 8, 2024. The judge could not recall if she sent Redden to jail or if he was already in custody, adding that she ruled that his probation was revoked. Holthus also said Redden remained calm during the hearing in January, and it seemed like a typical hearing. Once the video played out in court, the station reported, Holthus became emotional. "Obviously, I hit my head, my family didnt want me driving, and so my daughter wanted to go get a scan," Holthus said. "I had a headache for a few days and the spots where he had pulled out the hair it was sore where he had pulled out. My back, my arm, everything was stiff like you know when you get jostled around. "He knocked me literally, almost through the wall, out of my chair. He knocked me so hard; he knocked me out of my shoes," she added. "He was so determined and so violent and so it was scary. I didnt think I was going to get out of there." Reddens case was intended to go to a jury trial, but when Redden changed his plea, the jury members were dismissed. He is expected back in court on Nov. 7, 2024. Redden's criminal record is marked by mostly violent offenses and includes prior convictions for three felonies and nine misdemeanors, District Attorney Steve Wolfson said, according to The Associated Press. He previously served prison time in Nevada on a domestic battery conviction, records show. Fox News Digitals Greg Norman contributed to this report. Original article source: Nevada man seen attacking judge in viral video pleads guilty to attempted murder: report NEWTON FALLS, Ohio (WKBN) The Village of Newton Falls is the subject of a lawsuit alleging defamation and malicious prosecution centering around charges that had been filed and later dismissed against the villages police chief. The police chief, Gene Fixler, and his spouse filed the lawsuit in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas last month, seeking judgment of $5 million. They are accusing the village of abuse of process, defamation and malicious prosecution. Fixler alleges in his lawsuit that the village and former village manager Pamela Priddy made untrue allegations in a criminal complaint against him resulting in harm to his reputation and false imprisonment. He alleged that the charges against him were pursued by the defendants with malice. Dereliction of duty charges were filed against Fixler and Dallas Young in December 2022, stemming from a crash that killed a woman in 2020. According to the complaint that had been filed in Newton Falls Municipal Court, Young and Fixler did not stop someone from driving under the influence, resulting in a persons death. Charges in the case were later dismissed. Fixler had previously criticized the charges against him, saying the incident had been reviewed by state agencies that found no issues. After the charge had been filed against Fixler, he was fired from his job, but earlier in August, the village added Fixler back to the payroll. He had been working to put the police department back together. The police department disbanded in 2023 after a police levy failed. Now, the Trumbull County Sheriffs Office patrols the village. Pamela Priddy, a defendant in the lawsuit, was terminated during a special meeting in January. She also has her own lawsuit against the village in federal court for her removal, alleging breach of contract and retaliation. That lawsuit is still pending after a mediation hearing on Sept. 5 did not result in an agreement. Patty Coller 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. As global markets face economic uncertainties, including a weakening U.S. labor market and renewed fears of a global slowdown, investors are increasingly looking for stable investment opportunities. In this context, dividend stocks have gained attention for their potential to provide steady income and mitigate market volatility. A good dividend stock typically offers consistent payouts and demonstrates financial resiliencequalities that are particularly valuable in today's fluctuating market environment. Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Sweden Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Betsson (OM:BETS B) 5.80% Nordea Bank Abp (OM:NDA SE) 8.84% Zinzino (OM:ZZ B) 3.82% HEXPOL (OM:HPOL B) 3.69% Bredband2 i Skandinavien (OM:BRE2) 4.38% Axfood (OM:AXFO) 3.07% Duni (OM:DUNI) 5.05% Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (OM:SEB A) 5.49% Avanza Bank Holding (OM:AZA) 5.02% Afry (OM:AFRY) 3.15% Click here to see the full list of 21 stocks from our Top Swedish Dividend Stocks screener. Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Axfood AB (publ) operates in the food retail and wholesale sectors primarily in Sweden, with a market cap of SEK59.80 billion. Operations: Axfood AB (publ) generates revenue from several segments: Dagab (SEK75.09 billion), Willys (SEK44.82 billion), Snabbgross (SEK5.38 billion), Joint-Group (SEK1.45 billion), and Home Purchase (SEK7.67 billion). Dividend Yield: 3.1% Axfood's dividend payments have been stable and growing over the past 10 years, with a current payout ratio of 76.8% and a cash payout ratio of 39.3%, indicating strong coverage by both earnings and cash flows. Despite trading at 60.3% below its estimated fair value, Axfood's dividend yield is relatively low at 3.07%. Recent changes include the appointment of Simone Margulies as CEO and the closure of Middagsfrid due to market challenges. OM:AXFO Dividend History as at Sep 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Bredband2 i Skandinavien AB (publ) offers data communication and security solutions to individuals and companies in Sweden, with a market cap of SEK1.97 billion. Operations: Bredband2 i Skandinavien AB (publ) generates revenue primarily from its National Broadband Service, amounting to SEK1.65 billion. Dividend Yield: 4.4% Bredband2 i Skandinavien's dividends are well covered by earnings (payout ratio: 87.6%) and cash flows (cash payout ratio: 39.1%). The company's dividend yield of 4.38% is slightly below the top tier in Sweden but remains reliable and stable over the past decade, with consistent growth. Recent earnings reports show a positive trend, with Q2 sales at SEK 429.55 million and net income at SEK 24.35 million, reflecting strong financial health to support future dividends. Story continues OM:BRE2 Dividend History as at Sep 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Nordea Bank Abp provides banking products and services across Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and internationally with a market cap of SEK416.03 billion. Operations: Nordea Bank Abp's revenue segments include Business Banking (3.59 billion), Personal Banking (4.78 billion), Asset and Wealth Management (1.44 billion), and Large Corporates & Institutions (2.48 billion). Dividend Yield: 8.8% Nordea Bank Abp's dividend yield is among the top 25% in Sweden, with a payout ratio of 63.8%, indicating dividends are well-covered by earnings. Despite recent legal issues related to anti-money laundering, Nordea has made adequate provisions and continues to collaborate with authorities. Earnings for H1 2024 showed net interest income at 3.86 billion and net income at 2.66 billion, supporting its dividend sustainability despite a historically volatile dividend track record. OM:NDA SE Dividend History as at Sep 2024 Taking Advantage Click here to access our complete index of 21 Top Swedish Dividend Stocks. Are any of these part of your asset mix? Tap into the analytical power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to get a 360-degree view on how they're shaping up. Invest smarter with the free Simply Wall St app providing detailed insights into every stock market around the globe. Searching for a Fresh Perspective? This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include OM:AXFO OM:BRE2 and OM:NDA SE. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Sept. 9 (UPI) -- The next U.S. president must adopt a radical new North Korea policy centered on a human rights up front approach and the pursuit of a free and unified Korea. This shift would not only address the chronic failure of past policies to denuclearize North Korea but also align with U.S. national security interests, support the Korean people, and advance human rights globally. The Republic of Korea's new 8.15 Unification Doctrine provides an opportunity for the ROK-U.S. alliance to seek an acceptable, durable political arrangement that will sustain, protect, and advance mutual national security interests, leading ultimately to a United Republic of Korea (UROK). The failure of current North Korea policy For four decades, U.S. policy toward North Korea has oscillated between minor pressure, engagement, and broken agreements, all while North Korea has continued to advance its nuclear and missile programs. Despite repeated attempts at diplomatic engagement, the Kim regime has shown no willingness to relinquish its nuclear weapons. Scholars and policymakers largely agree that denuclearization will not occur under Kim Jong-un's leadership, as his regime views nuclear capability as essential to its survival. The missing element in all previous North Korea policies has been a genuine emphasis on human rights. While military deterrence and sanctions have been the cornerstone of U.S. strategy, the human rights crisis in North Korea has been largely overlooked. The Kim family regime's systematic abuse of its people not only sustains its rule but also underpins its military ambitions. Thus, a focus on human rights, alongside a strategic pursuit of Korean unification, could provide the leverage needed to alter the regime's behavior and promote long-term peace on the peninsula. A human rights up front approach The next U.S. president must prioritize a human rights-centered policy toward North Korea. Kim Jong-un's regime maintains power through brutal repression, denying North Koreans their fundamental rights and freedoms. This repression is not merely a moral issue but a key component of North Korea's ability to maintain control, diverting resources from its people to its nuclear and military programs. Addressing the human rights crisis in North Korea is critical to any strategy aimed at regime transformation. The United States must support the Korean people in the North by helping them understand and demand their universal rights, including the right to self-determination as enshrined in the UN Declaration of Human Rights. The United States can achieve this through a public diplomacy and information campaign that disseminates information about human rights abuses and offers a vision for a better future for the North Korean people. This would involve cooperation with North Korean escapees, as well as citizens and elites within North Korea, to provide up-to-date information on the realities of life under the Kim regime and to foster resistance from within. By empowering North Koreans with knowledge and hope, the United States can sow the seeds of internal change that could lead to the eventual transformation of the regime. Why unification is key North Korea's human rights abuses and its nuclear ambitions are two sides of the same coin. A regime that respects its people's rights is less likely to pose a threat to its neighbors or the international community. The path to denuclearization is intertwined with the path to unification. A unified Korea, free from the tyrannical rule of the Kim regime, would be a peaceful, democratic state aligned with international norms, significantly reducing the threat to U.S. and regional security. President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea has already laid the groundwork for such a future with his 8.15 Unification Doctrine, which emphasizes freedom, democracy, peace, and human rights. However, U.S. support for this vision has been tepid at best, with past administrations paying lip service to the idea of unification without taking concrete steps to make it a reality. The next U.S. president must change this by actively supporting South Korea's and the Korean people's unification efforts, not just for the sake of the Korean people, but for the broader goal of regional stability and security. Strategic benefits for the United States Supporting a free and unified Korea would serve U.S. national security interests in three critical ways. First, it would create internal pressure on Kim Jong-un's regime, forcing him to choose between meaningful concessions or facing potential regime collapse. Second, it would incentivize the North Korean people to push for regime change, thereby creating a more favorable environment for negotiations on denuclearization. Third, it would position the U.S.-ROK alliance to better handle potential contingencies, such as war or regime collapse, by fostering goodwill among the North Korean population and reducing the risk of insurgencies in a post-Kim North Korea. A unified Korea would also drastically alter the security landscape in Northeast Asia. A Korea united under democratic principles would be a stabilizing force in the region, reducing the likelihood of conflict and curbing China's influence. Additionally, it would eliminate the North Korean nuclear threat, which has long been a source of instability and tension between the United States, China, and other regional powers. The moral imperative Beyond strategic and security considerations, supporting a free and unified Korea is a moral imperative. The North Korean people have suffered under one of the most oppressive regimes in modern history, subjected to mass starvation, forced labor, and state-sponsored violence. The United States, as a leader in promoting democracy and human rights globally, has a responsibility to stand with the Korean people in their struggle for freedom. The politicization of North Korean human rights in recent years, with some lobbying groups advocating for a lessened focus on human rights in exchange for diplomatic engagement, is deeply concerning. The next U.S. president must resist these pressures and reaffirm the bipartisan commitment to addressing North Korea's human rights abuses. This approach aligns with the best traditions of U.S. foreign policy and reflects the nation's values. Conclusion The next U.S. president has a historic opportunity to reshape U.S. policy toward North Korea by prioritizing human rights and supporting the pursuit of a free and unified Korea. This new approach would not only address the failure of past policies but also offer a pathway to lasting peace and stability in Northeast Asia. By standing with the Korean people and supporting their right to self-determination, the United States can help bring about a transition that looks beyond the Kim regime and creates the conditions for a unified Korea that is free, democratic, and at peace with its neighbors. This would be a United Republic of Korea (UROK). David Maxwell is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel who has spent more than 30 years in Asia and specializes in Northeast Asian Security. He is Vice President of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and a Senior Fellow at the Global Peace. He is on the board of directors of the Committee for Human Rights In North Korea and the OSS Society and is a contributing editor to Small Wars Journal. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. Jeremiah Fufeyin runs a popular church and has previously said he is a billionaire [Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry] Nigerias drug approval agency has warned people not to buy miracle products produced by a church with popular Nigerian Christian televangelist Jeremiah Fufeyin at the helm. Nafdac said the products - which have names such as "miracle water" and "River Jordan water" - claim to have "bogus" healing properties, such as the ability to cure women of infertility. The statement also said Mr Fufeyin's Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry was selling these wares even though they did not have Nafdac approval. The church hit back at Nafdac, saying it is "law-abiding" and has been using "spiritual items in expression of [their] spiritual beliefs". In a statement shared on Sunday, Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry added that it operates under Nigeria's laws, which guarantee freedom of religion without interference. Nafdac began investigating the products after receiving complaints from members of the public, the agency's statement said. It also said the products violate regulatory approval and that Mr Fufeyin's church had "refused to co-operate with the investigation". The church, which has hundreds of thousands of YouTube subscribers and enjoys huge success across social media, denied this claim. It said it had communicated with Nafdac by letter. Some of the products are emblazoned with Mr Fufuyin's name [Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry] Mr Fufeyin has long attracted followers from across the country, claiming to perform miracles and heal ailments. The preacher has said he is a billionaire, but has faced criticism for his lavish lifestyle. In Nigeria, it is not uncommon for preachers like Mr Fufeyin to sell products claiming to treat ailments. For instance, the late televangelist TB Joshua sold "anointed water", which was marketed as having healing powers. A BBC investigation revealed that TB Joshua also encouraged sick members of his congregation to stop taking their prescribed medication. Meanwhile, he secretly instructed pharmacists to procure those same prescription drugs and mix them into the "healing" fruit drinks he gave to his followers. You may also be interested in: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)- A nighttime blockage of Highland Pointe in Owensboro is expected to begin this week. Luce Fire Captain passes away after year long battle with cancer Work is planned to take place from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. each night as part of the ongoing project to widen a portion of Kentucky 54. During this phase of the project, workers will relocate utilities that are buried in the path of the road. Officials say that although the entrance to Highland Pointe will be blocked off, businesses in the area will remain accessible. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) Governor Josh Shapiro has announced that funding will be going to 109 schools across the Commonwealth including ten in our area. Schools in Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield and Somerset County will be receiving funds to create safer facilities for students and educators through the elimination of lead, mold, asbestos and other environmental hazards. Sen. Casey announces $500K grant for Johnstown housing units Here are the schools in our area that are receiving funding: Blair County Altoona School District ($453,192) Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center ($26,679) Cambria County Admiral Perry AVTS ($147,527) Central Cambria School District ($894,732) Greater Johnstown CTC ($266,589) Penn Cambria School District ($39,157) Centre County Penns Valley School District ($275,272) State College Area School District ($105,906) Clearfield County West Branch School District ($1,712,345) Somerset County Meyersdale ASD ($3,916) The Pennsylvania school districts, career and technical education centers (CTCs), and charter schools that will receive grants can use the funding to improve water infrastructure and eliminate contamination; install point-of-use treatment devices to reduce lead and other contaminants; remediate mold or asbestos contamination; and for other projects that remediate environmental hazards in school buildings. I will always fight to ensure that our students have the resources they need to succeed, and that includes making sure our school buildings are safe, secure and free of environmental hazards like mold or asbestos, Rep. Frank Burns said. Thats why Ive worked to help secure budget funding for school upgrades and improvements. With this new funding, our schools can move forward to remedy any potentially dangerous or unhealthy conditions so that our students are free to focus on whats important learning, thriving and charting their best futures. The $75 million in funding is part of the PDEs Environmental Repairs Grants program, which was secured in the 2023-24 budget. Additionally, the 2023-24 budget makes $100 million available for school facility improvements through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Dedicated teachers and school staff are the No. 1 reason our students thrive, but they also depend on a safe, hazard-free learning environment, Conklin said. Thats why I worked to secure budget funding that addresses all our districts educational needs from staffing and curriculum to building improvements that ensure safe and healthy classrooms. With this new funding, State College Area School District will have the resources needed to identify and eliminate any building hazards so students and staff can stay safe and focus on the business of learning. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. For a full list of the 109 Environmental Repairs Grant recipients, visit PDEs 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. JERSEY CITY, N.J. (PIX11) Several schools in the Jersey City Public Schools district are banning cellphones, according to reports. PIX11s Justin Finch has the story. Watch the video player for more on this story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) New Mexico health and environment agencies will hold a town-hall meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16 at the Dona Ana Community College (DACC) Sunland Park Center, 3365 McNutt Rd, to discuss health impacts of arsenic levels on local drinking water. CRRUA being investigated for potential fraud, waste, abuse The Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) provides water and wastewater services to Sunland Park and Santa Teresa. New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) Secretary Patrick Allen and New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Deputy Secretary Sydney Lienemann, along with environmental health and water quality experts, will answer questions from the community, according to a news release sent by NMHealth. We want to hear straight from Sunland Park and Santa Teresa residents and local leaders about their concerns of water quality in their area, Allen said. We will, face-to-face, answer questions about health impacts of arsenic levels in their water supply. Our top priority is ensuring that every New Mexican has access to clean, safe drinking water, Lienemann said. We will listen to the community, answer questions, and provide clarity on the steps were taking to protect public health and the environment. NMHealth said Spanish interpreters will be available at the meeting and will be streamed live online on the NMEDs Facebook page. As we previously reported, CRRUA has been under fire for water quality issues. Some residents have told KTSM that the issues have been going on for years. Since last year, CRRUA has been subject to escalated NMED testing of its water supply to assure arsenic sampling results meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards, read the news release. Arsenic is a poisonous metal that can cause skin changes, liver and kidney damage, and birth defects. CRRUA says it has passed latest arsenic testing In March, NMED issued the utility an administrative order for ongoing violations of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and New Mexico Drinking Water Regulations, according to the news release. You can read the administrative order here: documentDownload Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NNPD: Searching for two persons of interest in shooting NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) Newport News police are searching for two persons of interest in connection with a shooting back in August. Around 4 p.m., on Aug. 23, Newport News Police responded to a ShotSpotter activation near the 2400 block of Oak Avenue. Courtesy: NNPD Courtesy: NNPD A preliminary investigation reveals an SUV stopped near the 1300 block of 24th Street. Two individuals were standing outside when the driver of the vehicle got out. One of the men police are looking to identify is a male wearing a grey hoodie, white pants, grey backpack and black hat. Police said he raised a gun and fired toward the driver. If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The always complicated relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism has become an exceptionally fraught one. Especially since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the ensuing war on Gaza that Israel launched in retaliation, the topic has been upending traditional alliances in American politics and creating new and deeply divisive fissures in elite educational and cultural institutions. (This is to say nothing of what it is doing to Jews themselves.) There are countless forces at work and many debates taking place simultaneously; some honest and legitimate, but at least as many not so much. Much of the discourse about this relationship seeks to exploit the fact that we do not, either as a society or among scholars of the topic, have even the most basic agreement of what constitutes antisemitism, what constitutes anti-Zionism, and how and when the two interact to the detriment of us all. When I put the words antisemitism and anti-Zionism into a Google search while researching this article, the first result that popped up was from the American Jewish Committee. This venerable organization, which was originally founded by a self-selected group of wealthy and influential Jews back in 1906, was (ironically, given its stance today) one of the very last holdouts among American Jewish organizations in opposing the founding of the state of Israel, almost until it became a fait accompli. After that, the committee took a distant, somewhat critical stance toward the state and the harsh treatment meted out toward those Arabs who remained in its borders, as well as the refusal to take any responsibility to resettle any of the Palestinian refugees who had been forced out. Today, however, its position could hardly be more different. Under the subheading How Is Anti-Zionism Antisemitic? it explains: The belief that the Jews, alone among the people of the world, do not have a right to self-determinationor that the Jewish peoples religious and historical connection to Israel is invalidis inherently bigoted. The second response from Google took me to the website of the World Jewish Congress. Under the headline Defining antisemitism: Why anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism, there follows a rather lengthy history of the Jewish people since biblical times. It goes on to give a series of reasons as to how and why all forms of anti-Zionism ultimately either rely on or inspire antisemitism and thereby endanger Jews whether inside or outside of Israel. If I scroll further down, I reach the URL for the website of Jewish Voice for Peace. Here, beneath the subhead reading, Why is it dangerous to confuse antisemitism with anti-Zionism? I learn that opposition to the political movement of Zionism and/or the policies of the state of Israel is no different from criticism of any other political ideology or policies of any other nation-state, such as the settler colonialism, imperialism and white supremacy at the foundation of the United States. The confusion arises, however, because the Israeli government, U.S. government, and anti-Palestinian organizations run concerted campaigns to redefine and misstate the meaning of antisemitism, aiming to falsely conflate it with criticisms of Israel or Zionism. They do this so the Israeli government can avoid accountability for its policies and actions that violate Palestinian human rights. One key reason why, even with the best intentions, this debate is so difficult to resolve is that both Jewishness and the state of Israel do not fit any traditional categories or disciplines of study. Is Jewishness a religion? A culture? An ethnicity? A people? Yes (but also sometimes no). Is the American Jewish relationship to Israel one of what the scholar Benedict Anderson termed long-distance nationalism, like that of Irish or Italian Americans to their families country of origin? Well, no. Ever since the six-day Arab-Israeli war of 1967when it appeared to many people, albeit falsely, that Israeli Jews faced what could have become a second Holocaust but instead won an inspiring military victory that resulted in Israels conquest of massive amounts of Arab lands along with millions of their inhabitantsIsrael has become the primary component of American Jews Jewish identity. This is true despite the fact that most of them have never even visited Israel, much less lived or come from there. A tiny percentage of them understand its language (or its complicated form of government). Theyd probably be shocked to hear that almost a quarter of Israelis are not even Jews, a percentage that rises to more than half if you include Judea and Samariathat is, the occupied West Bankas so many Israelis and their American supporters do. Israel itself is also something of a massive outlier in the history of nation-states. The relationship of its creation to the Holocaust is the topic of much dispute among scholars, but it is fair to say that it is impossible to imagine that Israel would have been formed when it was in the form it was without the world sympathy that the Jewish people benefited from as a result of Hitlers attempt to wipe them out. The previous history of Jewish persecution in Europe and elsewhere was also a crucial factor. It is fair to call Israel today an ethno-nationalist state because, despite the fact that more than 20 percent of its citizens are not Jews, a basic law passed by the Knesset in 2018 defines it as the nation-state of the Jewish people and promotes the establishment and development of Jewish settlement, rather than that of all its citizens. The frequent description one reads of Israel as a settler colonialist nation is easier to deny given the long-standing relationship of Jews to the land of Palestine, together with the fact that Jews had nowhere else to go to escape persecution, first by the czars and then by Hitler and his murderous minions, especially after 1924, when the United States all but shut its doors to most immigrants. And yes, Israel did forcibly expel most of the 750,000 or so Palestinians who ended up as refugees in other nations in the wake of the 1948 war. That resulted in the fact that Israel is not only surrounded by enemy states on its borders that would like it to disappear but is also home to a significant population that agrees with that sentiment. Right or wrong, this is a unique historical circumstance. Finally, there is the fact that it is carrying out an especially brutaland illegal, under international lawmilitary occupation in the West Bank, and, in response to the terrorist attacks of October 7, a shockingly inhumane war that is visiting a previously unimaginable level of death and destruction upon the people of Gaza: a campaign that has been denounced by almost every nation in the world save its sponsor, the U.S. Speaking purely philosophically, the position denying equivalence between antisemitism and anti-Zionism rests on far stronger ground than its opposite. Its not merely the fact that the Jewish diaspora arose, and in many cases flourished, for thousands of years before there was a Jewish state to be loyal to, and the vast majority of Jews did not see mass Jewish settlement in the land of the Bible as in any way central to their self-understanding as Jews. Both the most intensely Orthodox, even in what is now Israel, as well as the largest religious denomination in the U.S., Reform Jews, were dead set against the creation of the state until just a couple of decades before it happened. There is also the simple fact that anti-Zionist attitudesand here again, definitions are a problem; see my TNR article on thiscan still be found today among all sorts of people, many of whom are not only quite favorably disposed to Jews but are also Jews themselves. The late Robert Wistrich, who directed Hebrew Universitys International Center for the Study of Antisemitism for over a decade and was universally considered to be among the worlds most respected authorities on the topic, came to share the belief with many conservative supporters of Israel that the ideologies of antisemitism and anti-Zionism had tended to converge in recent decades. Yet even he felt forced to admit: There have always been Bundists, Jewish communists, Reform Jews, and ultra-Orthodox Jews who strongly opposed Zionism without being Judeophobes. So, too, there are conservatives, liberals, and leftists in the West today who are pro-Palestinian, antagonistic toward Israel, and deeply distrustful of Zionism without crossing the line into anti-Semitism. There are also Israeli post-Zionists who object to the definition of Israel as an exclusively or even a predominantly Jewish state without feeling hostile toward Jews as such. There are others, too, who question whether Jews are really a nation; or who reject Zionism because they believe its accomplishment inevitably resulted in uprooting many Palestinians. None of these positions is intrinsically anti-Semitic in the sense of expressing opposition or hatred toward Jews as Jews. The very fact that, as Haaretz reports, the Jewish seminaries in the U.S. that are charged with training tomorrows rabbis are currently grappling with the issue of an apparent surfeit of anti-Zionist Jews who wish to dedicate themselves to a life of serving other Jews in the rabbinate demonstrates the hollowness of the simplistic anti-Zionism equals antisemitism equation. You may have noticed, however, that philosophical or even political consistency is rarely a crucial component, much less a deciding factor, in our nations political discourse. It is perhaps nowhere rarer than in arguments related to Israel and Palestine. The individual who has likely played the largest role in driving the conversation, at least to judge by cable news appearances and journalistic sound bites, is undoubtedly Jonathan Greenblatt, who heads up the Anti-Defamation League. Greenblatt purposely eschews all complexity or nuance in the position he has staked out for his once venerable and respected organization (see my 2023 profile of the ADL under Greenblatt). Lets make this very clear: Anti-Zionism is antisemitism, Greenblatt argues. Anti-Zionism is a negation of Jewish history, a denial of Jewish humanity. Given the fact that almost all mainstream media organizations rely on Greenblatts organization as their source for antisemitism statistics in the U.S. and journalists tend to quote these uncritically, the debate tends to reflect the ADLs contention that literally every demonstration on behalf of Palestinian rights or in opposition to Israels actions in Gaza is by definition an act of antisemitism. As a result of these and other similar statements by Greenblatt, Wikipedias editors recently took the unusual step of warning against the use of the ADLs statistics as a source. The editors also objected to Greenblatts claim that pro-Palestinian protesters against Israel on campuses were actually Iranian proxies. In the wake of a nationwide outbreak of student demonstrations against Israel and its invasion of Gaza, Greenblatts positionthat authorities refuse any distinction between pro-Palestinian agitation and antisemitismis also what appears to be animating both wealthy Jewish donors to elite universities and Republican representatives in Congress. The combination of these donors promising to withhold future donations and refuse to hire students who participate in these actions, along with a series of congressional hearings in which college presidents were grilled about their policies regarding student and faculty actions related to Israel and Palestine, have so far claimed the professional scalps of four college presidents. The presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, and Cornellall of them female, as it happensall resigned their posts in the past year rather than continue to try to navigate the narrow (and extremely rocky) shoals of simultaneously protecting the free speech rights of their pro-Palestinian protesters and the fundamental precepts of academic inquiry that are the foundations of university life, addressing the feelings of threat experienced by their Jewish students who feel themselves under attack, and dealing with the constant drumbeat of funders and politicians demanding that they punish the people participating in the encampments and the increasingly angry anti-Israel campus protests. The protesters, almost without exception, insist that in targeting Zionists rather than Jews as the subject of their ire, they cannot fairly be accused of being antisemitic. Indeed, many of them turn out to be Jews themselves, and they see their anti-Zionism as an expression of their Jewish values rather than the opposite. These Jews, while no doubt growing in number among young people, are nevertheless a decided minority in the Jewish community and are barely represented at all in mainstream American politics. For many if not most American Jews, Israel remains aif not theprimary source of Jewish identity. They may not like Bibi Netanyahu. They may wish for a cease-fire in Gaza. But their synagogue services include prayers for the state of Israel, and Israeli flags by the bimah. They sing the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah, and raise money for Israeli causes in the same rooms where they say their prayers. Those who do not pray regularly, which is most of them, often donate to professional American Jewish organizations that devote far more attention and resources to raising money and lobbying for Israel, and attacking its opponents, than any issue related to Jewish religious practice, education, or communal support. Anti-Zionist activists argue that this almost universal commitment to Zionism makes mainstream Jewish religious and cultural institutions fair game for protests and (far too often of late) harassment. They receive (and deserve) little sympathy for this, given that they surely know that many Jewish institutions, especially religious ones, are filled with people who want nothing to do with Israels persecution of the Palestinians. Whats more, there are plenty of symbols, organizations, even official outposts of the Israeli government that would provide legitimate targets of protest. (And why, by the way, do protesters never target Christian Evangelical Zionists in their protests? After all, they are actually far more supportive of Israels extremist government than are American Jews.) When, last year, the anti-Zionist group Within Our Lifetime published a map of Jewish and pro-Israel organizations in New York, insisting that they had blood on their hands, its purpose was to make these locations a stop in your protests. Picket and leaflet outside of them. Such actions are morally and strategically misguided, to put it mildly. This same nefarious logic was at work more recently with the vandalizing of the home of Anne Pasternak, the Jewish director of the Brooklyn Museum, as the Times reported, by smearing red paint and graffiti across the entry of her apartment building and hanging a banner that accused her of being a white-supremacist Zionist. But it is also true that the history of antisemitism and Jewish persecution can be, and frequently is, deployed by pro-Israel forces to silence entirely legitimate criticism of Israel by interpreting support for the Palestinians as somehow consistent with pogroms, the Nazi Holocaust, or the policies and rhetoric of Hamas, Iran, and Hezbollah. Is it antisemitic for progressives to call out the nefarious role that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee is currently playing in the Democratic Partyharnessing the donations of Republican and other right-wing funders to systematically take out one progressive Democrat after another in primary battles in order to silence anti-Israel criticism in Congress? (Oftentimes these campaigns dont even mention Israel, but that is obviously the entire point of AIPACs multimillion-dollar interventions.) Or what about the fact that Sheldon Adelsonwho used to brag, falsely, of being the richest Jew in the worldand, now, his widow, pay what are essentially political bribes to Donald Trump to buy his indulgences for Israels right-wing governments policy? (Maggie Haberman writes in her recent book on Trump that his price to the Adelsons for moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was a cool $20 million.) The fact that these actions are, sadly, consistent with anti-Jewish stereotypes in history has the effect of protecting them from entirely legitimate criticism, lest the speaker making such legitimate criticism be accused of employing exactly the same smears to which Jews have been subjected, now, for nearly two millennia. No one in Congress wants to find themselves on the wrong side of what is undoubtedly one of Americas toughest and wealthiest lobbying groups, especially if doing so results in accusations of antisemitism. This tension is likely what New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had in mind recently when, in a conversation she hosted with two prominent members of Jewish professional organizations, she noted that antisemitism, hate, and violence against Jews because of their identity is real, and it is dangerous, and that when the Jewish community is threatened, the progressive movement is undermined. But she accurately warned of the way that false accusations of antisemitism are wielded against people of color and women of color by bad-faith political actors intent on weaponizing antisemitism in order to divide us. Pro-Zionists engage in a similar sort of sleight of hand when they employ the same antisemitic tropes to accuse liberal Jews of being insufficiently supportive of Israel. The king of this tactic is none other than Donald Trump. Yes, the very same guy who defended violent neo-Nazis in Charlottesville as good people; whose party repeatedly ran election ads featuring Jewish financiers faces, attacking their alleged globalist conspiracies; and who hosted the unapologetic antisemitic agitators Nick Fuentes and the rapper Ye to dinner at Mar-a-Lago, nevertheless feels himself empowered to make frequent assertions that Jews who vote for Democrats hate Israel and hate their religion. In addition to insulting most Jewsapproximately 70 percent of whom consistently vote Democratic and can be expected to do so in this years presidential contestTrump and other Republicans are employing the dual loyalty trope holding that Jewish loyalty belongs to Israel rather than to their home country, with the implication that they can therefore not be patriotic Americans the way Christians can and should not be trusted to do whats best for America should it conflict with what Israela foreign government, after allwants them to do. In other words, precious little of what one sees and hears in mainstream media discussions of the relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism can be taken at face value. The people with the largest megaphones are almost always pursuing political aims that have nothing whatsoever to do with promoting understanding on the part of those in the public who find themselves genuinely concerned and confused. Its that very confusion, in fact, that empowers those who seek to manipulate the inevitable complications this question raises to make political demands on either side that bear no relationship to the lived experience of the victims of either phenomenon. Owing to these competing ideological, religious, psychological, and political crosswinds, one can see what a difficult challenge is faced by those people who are actually charged with making real-world decisions about which forms of anti-Zionism can fairly be termed antisemitic and which ones deserve the protections of freedom of speech and thought. Its almost impossible to know what motivates a speaker, especially given the entirely understandableeven appropriatepassions inspired by the spectacle of what Israel is doing in Gaza with the de facto blessing of the American government. The issue comes down to this question: When is the word Zionist employed as or at least understood to be a simple stand-in for the word Jew? The easiest cases to adjudicate are those that occur when people are screamed at on the street or on their college campuses because they are wearing kippahs or attending a Jewish holiday gathering. There can be no question that it is sometimes the case that a relatively sophisticated antisemite will use the term Zionist in order to plead innocent to the charge of antisemitism. The complicated ones arise when Jews honestly experience these attacks as expressions of antisemitism regardless of the intent of the speaker. This is the problem that so many college campuses now face in trying to make certain that Jewish students, staff, and faculty feel welcome there in the midst of what seems like a never-ending series of increasingly angry protests inspired by Israels war in Gaza. Columbias appointed task force on antisemitism, which released two reports this year, observed in a jointly written (and later much-debated) op-ed in the schools newspaper, The Spectator, that the word Zionist has become a general-purpose accusation. It is usually only Israelis and Jews who are asked to assure people, as the price of acceptance, that they are not Zionists. That is about as clear-cut a case of discrimination as one can find. The op-ed notes that many Jewish students feel that they cannot belong to a wide variety of student activities if they consider themselves to be Zionist. This happens in graduate student union settings, in student government organizations, and in other student groupseven ones with no obvious relationship to religion or Middle East politics. Attempts to address this problem are also noted in reports issued by task forces reporting to the administrations at Harvard and Stanford, and one can see the same problem arising in a significant proportion of cultural institutions and left-wing magazines, websites, and political organizations where anti-Zionism has come to be seen as the ideological price of admission to participate in addressing any issue on the progressive agenda, no matter how distant its relation to Israel-Palestine. The Columbia task force authors observe: Many Jewish students are Israelis, or have close family members in Israel. Many have traveled to Israel regularly throughout their lives. The Jewish state is inextricably part of their identity, and on the Columbia campus they see it being treated as fundamentally malign and illegitimate in ways that no other country is, and in ways that make them feel ostracized and threatened. This is simply unacceptable. It is wrong. Here again, the Harvard and Stanford reports make exactly this point as well. And they are right. Again, anti-Zionism is not necessarily antisemitism, but it can be, and sometimes is, expressed that way. Moreover, fairly or not, it is often experienced as such. And just as the accusation of antisemitism should not be deployed to silence or stigmatize (extremely) well-deserved criticism of Israel, nor should we allow those attacks on Israel to hide what is antisemitic in effect, if not necessarily in intent. We need to be able to talk to each other respectfully, even as we honor the moral and political principles that, as with our identities, make us who we are. No concessions made to Nicaragua for release of political prisoners, US says Eric Jacobstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs and Guatemala's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Ramiro Martinez, hold a conference on humanitarian assistance to 135 Nicaraguans, in Guatemala City (Reuters) -The United States did not give any sort of concessions to Nicaragua in exchange for the release of more than 100 political prisoners last week, an official said on Monday. "There were no exchanges or concessions made," Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Eric Jacobstein, said in a press conference. Jacobstein said that the administration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega continued to imprison its citizens for political reasons and urged the leader to free them. He did not specify how many more political prisoners the U.S. believed to be held in Nicaragua. Last week, the United States secured the release of 135 political prisoners from Nicaragua and flew them to Guatemala, where they are staying while they apply to migrate to other countries. Ortega's government has frequently expelled those it sees as hostile to the administration in recent years. (Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez) This embedded content is not available in your region. Warning: This story contains distressing details from the start. This is like doomsday for me. I feel so much grief. Can you imagine what Ive gone through watching my children dying? says Amina. Shes lost six children. None of them lived past the age of three and another is now battling for her life. Seven-month-old Bibi Hajira is the size of a newborn. Suffering from severe acute malnutrition, she occupies half a bed at a ward in Jalalabad regional hospital in Afghanistans eastern Nangarhar province. My children are dying because of poverty. All I can feed them is dry bread, and water that I warm up by keeping it out under the sun, Amina says, nearly shouting in anguish. Whats even more devastating is her story is far from unique - and that so many more lives could be saved with timely treatment. The eerily silent hospital ward had 18 toddlers in seven beds [BBC/Imogen Anderson] Bibi Hajira is one of 3.2 million children with acute malnutrition, which is ravaging the country. Its a condition that has plagued Afghanistan for decades, triggered by 40 years of war, extreme poverty and a multitude of factors in the three years since the Taliban took over. But the situation has now reached an unprecedented precipice. Its hard for anyone to imagine what 3.2 million looks like, and so the stories from just one small hospital room can serve as an insight into the unfolding disaster. There are 18 toddlers in seven beds. Its not a seasonal surge, this is how it is day after day. No cries or gurgles, the unnerving silence in the room is only broken by the high-pitched beeps of a pulse rate monitor. Most of the children arent sedated or wearing oxygen masks. Theyre awake but they are far too weak to move or make a sound. Sharing the bed with Bibi Hajira, wearing a purple tunic, her tiny arm covering her face, is three-year-old Sana. Her mother died while giving birth to her baby sister a few months ago, so her aunt Laila is taking care of her. Laila touches my arm and holds up seven fingers one for each child shes lost. In the adjacent bed is three-year-old Ilham, far too small for his age, skin peeling off his arms, legs and face. Three years ago, his sister died aged two. It is too painful to even look at one-year-old Asma. She has beautiful hazel eyes and long eyelashes, but theyre wide open, barely blinking as she breathes heavily into an oxygen mask that covers most of her little face. Baby Asma's body had gone into septic shock. She died soon after [BBC/Imogen Anderson] Dr Sikandar Ghani, whos standing over her, shakes his head. I dont think she will survive, he says. Asmas tiny body has gone into septic shock. Despite the circumstances, up until then there was a stoicism in the room - nurses and mothers going about their work, feeding the children, soothing them. It all stops, a broken look on so many faces. Asmas mother Nasiba is weeping. She lifts her veil and leans down to kiss her daughter. It feels like the flesh is melting from my body. I cant bear to see her suffering like this, she cries. Nasiba has already lost three children. My husband is a labourer. When he gets work, we eat. Dr Ghani tells us Asma could suffer cardiac arrest at any moment. We leave the room. Less than an hour later, she died. Seven hundred children have died in the past six months at the hospital more than three a day, the Talibans public health department in Nangarhar told us. A staggering number, but there would have been a lot more deaths if this facility had not been kept running by World Bank and Unicef funding. Up until August 2021, international funds given directly to the previous government funded nearly all public healthcare in Afghanistan. When the Taliban took over, the money was stopped because of international sanctions against them. This triggered a healthcare collapse. Aid agencies stepped in to provide what was meant to be a temporary emergency response. Dr Ghani wonders how Afghanistan will cope [BBC/Imogen Anderson] It was always an unsustainable solution, and now, in a world distracted by so much else, funding for Afghanistan has shrunk. Equally, the Taliban governments policies, specifically its restrictions on women, have meant that donors are hesitant to give funds. We inherited the problem of poverty and malnutrition, which has become worse because of natural disasters like floods and climate change. The international community should increase humanitarian aid, they should not connect it with political and internal issues, Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban governments deputy spokesman, told us. Over the past three years we have been to more than a dozen health facilities in the country, and seen the situation deteriorating rapidly. During each of our past few visits to hospitals, weve witnessed children dying. But what we have also seen is evidence that the right treatment can save children. Bibi Hajira, who was in a fragile state when we visited the hospital, is now much better and has been discharged, Dr Ghani told us over the phone. If we had more medicines, facilities and staff we could save more children. Our staff has strong commitment. We work tirelessly and are ready to do more, he said. I also have children. When a child dies, we also suffer. I know what must go through the hearts of the parents. Baby Umrah, pictured with her mother Nasreen, died two days later [BBC/Imogen Anderson] Malnutrition is not the only cause of a surge in mortality. Other preventable and curable diseases are also killing children. In the intensive care unit next door to the malnutrition ward, six-month-old Umrah is battling severe pneumonia. She cries loudly as a nurse attaches a saline drip to her body. Umrahs mother Nasreen sits by her, tears streaming down her face. I wish I could die in her place. Im so scared, she says. Two days after we visited the hospital, Umrah died. These are the stories of those who made it to hospital. Countless others cant. Only one out of five children who need hospital treatment can get it at Jalalabad hospital. The pressure on the facility is so intense that almost immediately after Asma died, a tiny baby, three-month-old Aaliya, was moved into the half a bed that Asma left vacant. No-one in the room had time to process what had happened. There was another seriously ill child to treat. The Jalalabad hospital caters to the population of five provinces, estimated by the Taliban government to be roughly five million people. And now the pressure on it has increased further. Most of the more than 700,000 Afghan refugees forcibly deported by Pakistan since late last year continue to stay in Nangarhar. In the communities around the hospital, we found evidence of another alarming statistic released this year by the UN: that 45% of children under the age of five are stunted shorter than they should be - in Afghanistan. Robina's two-year-old son Mohammed cannot stand yet and is much shorter than he should be. Robina worries Mohammed will never be able to walk [BBC/Imogen Anderson] The doctor has told me that if he gets treatment for the next three to six months, he will be fine. But we cant even afford food. How do we pay for the treatment? Robina asks. She and her family had to leave Pakistan last year and now live in a dusty, dry settlement in the Sheikh Misri area, a short drive on mud tracks from Jalalabad. Im scared he will become disabled and he will never be able to walk," Robina says. In Pakistan, we also had a hard life. But there was work. Here my husband, a labourer, rarely finds work. We could have treated him if we were still in Pakistan. Homes in the Sheikh Misri area are largely made of mud and bricks [BBC/Imogen Anderson] Unicef says stunting can cause severe irreversible physical and cognitive damage, the effects of which can last a lifetime and even affect the next generation. Afghanistan is already struggling economically. If large sections of our future generation are physically or mentally disabled, how will our society be able to help them? asks Dr Ghani. Mohammad can be saved from permanent damage if hes treated before its too late. But the community nutrition programmes run by aid agencies in Afghanistan have seen the most dramatic cuts many of them have received just a quarter of the funding thats needed. Sardar Gul says food sachets have really helped his younger son Mujib (on his lap) [BBC/Imogen Anderson] In lane after lane of Sheikh Misri we meet families with malnourished or stunted children. Sardar Gul has two malnourished children three-year-old Umar and eight-month-old Mujib, a bright-eyed little boy he holds on his lap. A month ago Mujibs weight had dropped to less than three kilos. Once we were able to register him with an aid agency, we started getting food sachets. Those have really helped him, Sardar Gul says. Mujib now weighs six kilos - still a couple of kilos underweight, but significantly improved. It is evidence that timely intervention can help save children from death and disability. Additional reporting: Imogen Anderson and Sanjay Ganguly In another blow to Americas electric vehicle transition, buyers are balking at purchasing new EVs. In its latest Mobility Consumer Index (MCI), consulting firm EY found that only 34% of US consumers plan to purchase an electrified vehicle (meaning fully electric, plug-in hybrid, or hybrid) as their next car. That's down from 48% in EYs 2023 survey. Looking specifically at fully electric vehicles, the number drops to a paltry 11% from 22% a year ago. "While we've seen substantial increases in interest and purchasing of EVs since 2020, this year's MCI shows dips in demand for the first time," said Steve Patton, EY Americas automotive leader. The reason, per Patton and EY, is a lack of consumer education around the long-term value of an EV with regard to maintenance compared to traditional gas-powered cars. Another possible reason: While maintenance costs are lower for EVs, those vehicles have a "much higher magnitude" of costs, said a general manager of a Southern California dealership. That's especially true when it comes to body or structural repairs. EYs latest study follows J.D. Powers EV purchasing survey released in May, which found EV buying sentiment dropped for the first time since the research firm began polling consumers in 2021. A big reason for the drop in J.D. Powers survey was charging infrastructure, or lack thereof. Interestingly, EYs survey actually saw improvement in that area, as well as less range anxiety. EYs survey found that only 24% of respondents felt the limited range of EVs was a top concern, down from 30% a year ago. EY found that only 23% of respondents were concerned about a lack of charging stations, down 11 percentage points from the 34% who were concerned last year. EY noted another concern was battery replacement costs, though those concerns may be unwarranted. That's because EV batteries have been shown to have a life expectancy of 12-15 years or longer, which generally outlasts the life of the car. Read more: Are electric cars more expensive to insure? Hybrids' flexibility may be key 2025 Ford Maverick preproduction model. (Ford) (Ford) The popularity of hybrids, and the flexibility they offer, may also be putting a dent in pure EV sales in the US. EY found that 26% of US buyers prefer the flexibility that comes with a hybrid engine, compared to only 19% of global survey takers. Said Raman Ram, EY Americas aerospace, defense, and mobility leader, For those who are looking to transition due to the environment, hybrids allow owners to lessen their reliance on fuel and creates options for batteries and parts. For many, it's a win-win." Story continues Automakers like Ford (F) and Toyota (TM) have seen strong sales of hybrids in the US; rival GM (GM) is also promising to release hybrid versions of its popular vehicles. The report's overall findings suggest that the transition to EVs will be bumpy. But, according to EY, educating consumers on true EV costs and creating hybrid alternatives may be key to the progression of mass EV adoption. Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram. Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Nicknamed 'Hvaldimir', the white beluga first appeared off the coast in Norway's far-northern Finnmark region in 2019 (Jorgen REE WIIG) (Jorgen REE WIIG/NTB/AFP) Police in Norway said Monday that foul play was not suspected in the death of a beluga whale whose unusual harness had sparked suspicions it had been trained by Russia as a spy. 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. Quickly becoming a celebrity in Norway, he was found dead on August 31 in a bay on the country's southwestern coast. Last week, animal rights' organisations NOAH and One Whale claimed the whale had been shot dead and filed a police report. With an estimated age of 15 to 20 years, Hvaldimir was relatively young for a beluga, which typically live up to 35 years, according to environmental group WWF. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute conducted an autopsy, and police said that based on its preliminary report there was nothing to indicate "human activity" was responsible for Hvaldimir's death. It suggested the beluga may have died of starvation, and said it would not launch an investigation. "There is nothing in the autopsy that indicates that Hvaldimir was shot," police official Amund Preede Revheim said in a statement. He said the whale had "totally superficial" injuries. "One of the wounds is a little deeper, but these injuries did not affect any vital organs and were not of a deadly nature," he added. Police did not provide a cause of death, but said a stick 35-centimetres (14 inches) long and three-centimetres wide was found lodged in his mouth. "The autopsy revealed that his stomach was empty. In addition, most of his organs were deteriorated," Revheim said. The head of One Whale, Regina Crosby Haug, told AFP last week that she saw "multiple bullet wounds around his body" when she said her goodbyes to Hvaldimir at the Veterinary Institute. One Whale and NOAH had published photographs showing what they claim are bullet holes on his blood-streaked body. NOAH said Monday the police statement "raised more questions than it answered", and offered a 50,000-kroner ($4,610) reward for information on the whale's cause of death. 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 the whale might have escaped an enclosure and been trained by the Russian navy, as he appeared to be accustomed to humans. Moscow has never made any official response to claims the whale could be a "Russian spy". phy/po/jll/rox One doctor told the Covid Inquiry how cancer patients had been neglected during lockdown. - Jens Schlueter/Getty Images Patients with illnesses other than coronavirus felt as if they were left to die or developed intolerable life limiting side-effects during the pandemic, the Covid Inquiry has heard. In evidence uncovered by the inquiry as part of its listening exercise, those with other conditions said they felt forgotten while some health workers admitted cancer patients had been neglected. The inquiry has spoken to thousands of people about their experiences during the pandemic and published its first report of its Every Story Matters exercise as evidence began into its third investigation on healthcare systems. In one piece of testimony featured in the report, a doctor complained how cancer patients had been neglected during lockdown. In the lockdown, people were still poorly. Someone was diagnosed with cancer and couldnt get an appointment, the doctor said. Dont neglect people with other treatment needs. The chemo treatment was cancelled, the cancer progressed, and they died, they added. The inquiry quoted a patient who felt the government wanted me to die amid delays to their operation. As my operation was delayed by eight weeks, I spent that time in hospital, unable to have family visits as we were in lockdown; and pinned to my hospital ward as we werent allowed to circulate round the hospital due to Covid-19 procedures, the patient said. I felt many times that this government wanted me to die rather than look out for me. Another told how their grandmothers dementia was not treated properly after she went to the GP unaccompanied and could not remember what she was told. Her grand-daughter said that when she rang the surgery to find out more I was declined on the basis of patient confidentiality and could not get any information. My grandmother will now never regain any of that memory and mental capacity she lost, she said. This could have been delayed if action was taken at the initial GP appointment. Although I understand the risks and precautions that were needed during lockdown, I feel like this was a major flaw and has cost my grandmother and our family a lot of health and relationship damage. Another hospital patient said they were told that due to staff shortages, they were saying, you know, we cant operate until its life or death really while another said they had no hope of making a full recovery any more and were suffering intolerable side-effects. I still wait for the postponed operation that I was going to be having in the spring of 2020, they said. The report also included testimony of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) notices and end-of-life care including families who had been unaware an order had been put in place. They were throwing away old people One carer of a Covid patient said the use of the notices felt like they were throwing away old people. We didnt know he had a DNRand my mum had power of attorneyThe only reason we know is because when he was discharged, it was in his pack. But the fact that we werent involved in the decision and knowing that dads got Alzheimers. It kind of felt like they were throwing away old people. It was like theyre not a priority because theyre old. Jacqueline Carey KC, counsel to the inquiry, spoke of the immense pain and harm felt by families unable to say goodbye to loved ones Frustrations over the failures were echoed during yesterdays evidence session, where Jacqueline Carey KC, counsel to the inquiry, said that it would examine the use of do-not-resuscitate orders. She also touched on the immense pain and harm felt by families unable to say goodbye to loved ones during the crisis, adding: You may feel that the UK may need to act differently if there were to be a future pandemic, you may think it cannot be beyond the capabilities of our society to provide dignity in death, to facilitate visits at the end of life, and these may be matters that youll wish to consider, both in this and indeed in future modules. Ms Carey told Baroness Hallett, the inquiry chairman, there was was an undoubted impact on people who needed care for non-Covid conditions - UK Covid-19 Inquiry/AFP/Getty Images Ms Carey told Baroness Hallett, the inquiry chairman, that she would hear how the pandemic harmed the care of non-Covid patients. This included a decline in people being admitted to hospital for heart attacks during the pandemic; delays in hip replacement surgeries; a reduction in bowel cancer diagnoses; the impact on in-patient mental health care for children and young people and maternity care. My lady will now see that however necessary it was to tell the public to stay at home protect the NHS, there was an undoubted impact on people who needed care for non-Covid conditions in a way that may not necessarily have been intended, Ms Carey said. Indeed, there is evidence that irrespective of the condition, there was a reluctance by many to not attend hospital. She said that experts had told the inquiry that during the next pandemic the government should be to keep cancer treatment open and consider creating ring-fenced elective surgery hubs. Other submissions yesterday included those of Adam Wagner, representing pregnancy, baby and parent organisations, who said parents were forced to make unbearable choices. Mr Wagner said that in one incident a woman had to call her partner after emergency surgery to say that both their babies had died but with no signal had to make a decision about what to do with the embryos remains alone. He said that failures had left many pregnant women traumatised and others had died in potentially avoidable circumstances after inadequate care. The inquiry continues on Tuesday. 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. (NewsNation) Norfolk Southern says it has launched an investigation into allegations of potential misconduct by CEO Alan Shaw. The railroad company is reportedly looking into whether Shaw engaged in an inappropriate workplace relationship, according to CNBC, which cited three people familiar with the matter. Norfolk Southern CEO saw a 37% raise despite East Palestine derailment Norfolk Southern confirmed the misconduct probe in a statement Sunday but did not say whether it was related to a workplace relationship. The company said its audit committee is working with a law firm to conduct an independent investigation of the allegations. CNBC said the probe is in its early stages. Shaw has been CEO of the Atlanta-based railroad since May 2022. While in charge, hes faced criticism for his handling of the toxic East Palestine, Ohio, derailment and fended off an activist investors attempt to oust him as CEO. Ohio train derailment still impacting community: Expert Last year, Shaw received a base salary of $1.1 million and total compensation topping $13.4 million. Norfolk Southern holds all its team members to the highest standards. In line with the companys Code of Conduct and company policy, allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated, the railroad said in its statement. The company said it cant comment further until the investigation is complete. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said Sunday he believes Vice President Kamala Harris would have a path straight to the White House if she carries his state in November, reflecting on her frequent visits to the region. Theres no question about it, its close here in North Carolina, Cooper told CBSs Margaret Brennan on Sunday. The fact that Kamala Harris, as vice president of the United States, has been to North Carolina 17 times shows that she cares about our state. She knows that we are in play, he went on. And she knows that if she wins North Carolina, she is the next president of the United States because Trump has no other pathway. She knows that we are in play. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor), a Democrat, says that Vice President Kamala Harris has made 17 visits so far to his state a battleground that has gone to Republican candidates since the 2012 election. If she wins North pic.twitter.com/JOXEiMX6Xd Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) September 8, 2024 North Carolina has 16 votes in the Electoral College and would help either candidate reach the 270 needed to win the White House. Cooper has served two terms as governor of North Carolina, a swing state and key prize for the November election. He is term-limited, and while he was considered to be a contender for Harris vice presidential pick, he withdrew his name from consideration before she tapped Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Recent polls show that Harris and former President Donald Trump are effectively tied nationally. A New York Times/Siena College survey from last week found Trump leading the vice president by 1 percentage point, although those results were well within the margin of error. Harris holds a slight lead or is tied with Trump in all seven battleground states, including North Carolina, based on New York Times polling averages. Trump won the state in 2020 by less than 100,000 votes. Since 1976, the state has turned blue for just one Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in 2008. Harris has benefited from a surge in popularity after she entered the race, however, and the nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted its prediction for the state from leans Republican to toss up late last month. Cooper said Sunday he believes Harris message will still appeal to many undecided voters in his state as they hear more from her in the coming weeks When we continue to get this information out to the American public, and to people here in North Carolina, that Kamala Harris has an economic plan thats going to help lower the cost for everyday people, thats going to help families thrive, that is going to protect womens reproductive freedom, the governor said, I think at the end of the day, thats going to be what works here. Related... The North Carolina Legislative Building in downtown Raleigh (Photo: Clayton Henkel) Republicans in the North Carolina Senate voted to fully fund private school vouchers on Monday, advancing a budget plan negotiated by top leaders for months over the objections of Democrats. The mini-budget fully funds the Opportunity Scholarships program and is set to eliminate a waitlist of around 54,000 students who have sought vouchers to attend private schools. The legislation also includes a measure requiring cooperation between North Carolina sheriffs and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And it provides new money for Medicaid, rural broadband internet, and enrollment growth in public schools and community colleges. The additional funding for vouchers, which was at the core of continued budget negotiations among Republican leaders, totals $5 billion over the next decade. The emphasis that we have placed around scholarships is giving parents more of a say in their childs education, Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) told reporters after the vote. Democrats in the Senate railed against the plan during floor debate Monday, calling it a misuse of taxpayer resources that prioritizes wealthier families over low-income students and districts. Sen. Graig Meyer (D-Orange) called the vouchers fools gold. And Sen. Michael Garrett (D-Guilford) said it was immoral and a betrayal of this states values. Its a brazen attempt to subsidize the education of the wealthy at the expense of our most vulnerable children, Garrett said. Children. Its Robin Hood, but in reverse. Berger defended the plan against those charges, arguing that Democrats want to totally ignore the wishes and desires of parents, and particularly those lower-income parents who are really stuck in some of the worst schools in the state of North Carolina. The budget package, which was made a part of a conference committee substitute for House Bill 10 a measure that had previously been dealt only with immigration enforcement passed the Senate in a 27-17 vote. It now moves to the House, where a Republican majority is expected to approve it. NC sheriffs required to honor ICE detainer requests The conference committee substitute still includes the immigration enforcement language. Currently, North Carolina law requires sheriffs to determine the legal status of people they arrest and notify ICE. However, sheriffs are not obligated to honor ICE detainer requests, which ask them to hold individuals believed to be in the country illegally for up to 48 hours while federal agents pick them up. If the new version of HB 10 becomes law, all 100 sheriffs in the state will be required to notify ICE if they are unable to determine the legal status of a person charged with certain high-level offenses. The bill would also compel sheriffs to honor ICE requests to detain individuals suspected of being in the country illegally for up to 48 hours. This bill does not round folks up who are not charged with crimes. This bill does not send law enforcement to the homes of folks who are not charged with crimes, said Sen. Danny Britt R-Hoke County. What this does is it says, if an individual is locked up for a certain violent crimes, violent felonies and violent misdemeanors, that individual must be held by their Sheriff for at least 48 hours prior to being released. Thats all this bill does. Immigrant and civil rights advocates, along with some sheriffs, have long opposed the mandate, arguing that it will discourage cooperation between immigrant communities and local law enforcement. We cannot ignore the profound harm HB 10 will cause, said Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, president of El Centro Hispano, an advocacy organization focused on the Latino community in North Carolina. This bill not only strips away immigrant rights but also destroys the trust between law enforcement and our community, Rocha-Goldberg said during a press conference this morning before the Senate vote. The press conference, held in front of the Legislative Building, was organized by El Colectivo NC, a coalition of immigration advocacy groups in the state. Lets be clear: these are our neighbors that are being attacked and targeted, said Sen. Natalie Murdock D-Durham. Overwhelmingly working people that are paying their taxes, simply getting up every day trying to support our families. Rep. Marcia Morey D-Durham and Renee A. Price D-Orange County also attended the press conference. North Carolina teachers criticize vouchers ahead of vote: Who is this for? A panel of North Carolina teachers criticized the Opportunity Scholarships program ahead of the Senate vote Monday morning, as they described their schools as underfunded and understaffed. This is not a bill thats going to try to promote equity in some way, said Keegan Storrs, a teacher at NC School of Science and Math in Durham and the 2022 North Carolina Charter Schools Teacher of the Year. This is a measure that is going to help resegregate our North Carolina schools, leaving the ones with the fewest resources with the fewest resources in the end, Storrs said. The group of educators, which included elementary school teachers and administrators, was organized by Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake). Speakers said money flowing to private schools through the program would exacerbate struggles to staff public classrooms and educate students. Eugenia Floyd, a teacher at Mary Scroggs Elementary in Chapel Hill and the 2021 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, questioned whether those receiving vouchers through the program truly represented the states population. One of the things I knew to be true was no one was knocking on my door to see if I can go to the private school in my area, said Floyd, who grew up in a Chapel Hill trailer park. Who is this for? she added. Is this really for kids that grow up like me? By Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's provision of weapons has strengthened Russia's hand in Ukraine by allowing it to keep its arsenals stocked at home, Germany's top military official said during a visit to South Korea on Monday. Chief of Defence General Carsten Breuer said Russian President Vladimir Putin would not have reached out to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for weapons if they were not useful. "It's about increasing the production of weapons for Russia's aggression in Ukraine, it's also strengthening Russia by making it possible for them to keep their stocks like they are," Breuer told reporters in the South Korean capital Seoul. Ukraine and the United States, among other countries and independent analysts, say that Kim is helping Russia in the war against Ukraine by supplying rockets and missiles in return for economic and other military assistance from Moscow. North Korea has shipped at least 16,500 containers of munitions and related materiel to Russia since September last year, and Russia had launched more than 65 of those missiles at targets in Ukraine, Robert Koepcke, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, said in a speech last week. Moscow and Pyongyang have denied direct arms transfers, which would violate United Nations embargoes. When asked whether he had pressed South Korea to directly provide weapons to Ukraine, Breuer said he shared Ukraine's view that anti-aircraft devices, infantry fighting vehicles and other weapons would be useful in the fight and that every country should do all they can. South Korea has provided non-lethal equipment and aid but has said it does not plan to send weapons unless Russia's cooperation with North Korea crosses unspecified red lines. "We have told North Korea that their security cooperation with Russia has direct implications for our security situation," German Ambassador to South Korea Georg Schmidt said. During his visit to South Korea, Breuer toured two German warships that had docked there before crossing the South China Sea on their way to a stop in Manila. The general declined to confirm if the ships would transit the disputed Taiwan Strait, which would be the first such voyage by German warships in more than 20 years. China claims sovereignty over democratically governed Taiwan, and says it has jurisdiction over the nearly 180-km (110 miles) wide waterway. Taiwan objects to China's sovereignty claims and says only the island's people can decide their future. (Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Alex Richardson) SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country is now implementing a nuclear force construction policy to increase the number of nuclear weapons "exponentially", state media KCNA reported on Tuesday. In a speech on North Korea's founding anniversary on Monday, Kim said the country must more thoroughly prepare its "nuclear capability and its readiness to use it properly at any given time in ensuring the security rights of the state", said KCNA. A strong military presence is needed to face "the various threats posed by the United States and its followers", he added. Kim also said North Korea is facing a "grave threat" from what it sees as a U.S.-led nuclear-based military bloc in the region. South Korea's deputy defence minister for policy, Cho Chang-rae, and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts on Tuesday condemned Pyongyang's recent diversification of nuclear delivery systems, tests and launches of multiple ballistic missiles. Meeting in Seoul, the three reaffirmed a commitment to strengthen trilateral cooperation to ensure peace in the region, including by deterring North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, according to a joint statement released by the U.S. State Department. They also agreed to hold a second trilateral military exercise known as Freedom Edge in the near term. South Korea will also hold a defence ministerial meeting with the member states of the United Nations Command (UNC) on Tuesday. The UNC is led by the commander of the U.S. military stationed in South Korea. Last month, Germany became the latest to join the UNC in South Korea that helps police the heavily fortified border with North Korea and has committed to defend the South in the event of a war. North Korea has criticised the UNC as an "illegal war organisation" and Germany's entry into the U.S.-led U.N. border monitoring force as raising tensions. (Reporting by Joyce Lee and Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Michael Perry and Ed Davies) Some viruses, like COVID and the flu, are talked about frequently enough that you likely know their symptoms and what to do if you experience them. Then there are the viruses that dont get as much attention but are still important to know about. Shingles is definitely one of the latter. Also known as herpes zoster (yet different from genital or oral herpes), shingles is a virus caused by a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which means only people who have had chickenpox at some point in their lives can get it. Similar to chickenpox, its symptoms can include changes to your skin as well as other symptoms. Its important to know what these symptoms are so you can seek treatment ASAP. Related: 'I Almost Died of Oral Cancer at Age 33This Is the First Sign I Wish I'd Paid Attention To' How To Know if You Have Shingles Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash, explains Dr. Roger Kapoor, MD, FAAD, a Harvard-trained dermatologist and the senior executive vice president of Beloit Health System in Beloit, Wisconsin. Dr. Kapoor explains that shingles usually look like a stripe of blisters on the left or right side of the body, around the rib cage or waist. It can also appear on one side of the face, around one eye or on the neck. The rash often looks like a belt or half belt, which is sometimes called a shingles band or shingles girdle, he says. He adds that the rash usually starts as red patches and develops into fluid-filled blisters. The rash typically scabs over in seven to 10 days and clears up within two to four weeks. Its often painfully itchy and, to compound the persons misery, the skin in the affected area may become extremely sensitive, making even light touch painful, Dr. Kapoor says. Related: Here's Exactly What a Monkeypox Wash Looks Like, According to Dermatologists While this type of rash is a strong indicator of shingles, Dr. David Canaday, MD, a professor in the Division of Infectious Disease at Case Western Reserve University, says that the first symptom is typically pain or itchiness, before the rash develops. Dr. Kapoor adds to this, saying that localized pain is often the first symptom of shingles. This pain may be severe and is often described as burning, throbbing or stabbing, he says, explaining that the rash tends to develop a few days after the pain starts. In addition to these symptoms, Dr. Kapoor says that some people may experience fever, chills, fatigue and headache. In general, Dr. Canaday says that people who are older than 50 are at greatest risk for shingles. However, anyone who has a compromised immune system is also at increased risk for the virus. Related: Pregnant and Dealing with a Rash? It Might Be PUPPHere's Everything You Need to Know Why You Should Seek Treatment as Soon as Possible If you are experiencing any symptoms of shingles, its important to see your healthcare provider as soon as you can. If the blisters from the shingles rash are not properly cared for, they can become infected with bacteria, leading to skin infections, Dr. Kapoor says. There is no cure for shingles, but there are several treatments available that can help manage symptoms and speed up recovery. Both doctors explain that antiviral drugs (such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir) can help reduce shingles symptoms and shorten how long the symptoms last. Additionally, they say that over-the-counter pain relievers (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) can help minimize pain and topical treatments (such as calamine lotion, cool compresses, and oatmeal baths) can help with the itchiness. In severe cases, prescription pain medications, numbing agents or corticosteroids may be necessary, Dr. Kapoor says. If shingles arent properly treated, Dr. Kapoor says it can potentially lead to severe complications, including painful eye infections, vision loss, brain inflammation, facial paralysis, hearing problems or problems with balance. Dr. Canaday says that another potential complication is lingering nerve pain, which can last months or even years. Both doctors say that the best way to avoid getting shingles is to get the shingles vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, getting the shingles vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles in adults 50 and older with healthy immune systems. Dr. Canaday says that since healthy adults in their 20s, 30s or 40s, rarely get shingles, the vaccine is recommended for adults 50 and older. However, if you have a compromised immune system due to an underlying health condition and are worried about getting shingles, you can ask your healthcare provider about getting the vaccine. Whats most important when it comes to shingles is to know the symptoms and seek treatment as soon as possible if you start experiencing them. If you do get it, hopefully, youll bounce back quickly and it will become a distant memorylike that childhood bout of chickenpox. Up Next: Related: A Rash Can Be a Symptom of Breast CancerHere Are the Top Signs to Look Out for if Youre Worried You Have One, and When to See a Doctor Sources Dr. Roger Kapoor, MD, FAAD, Harvard-trained dermatologist and the senior executive vice president of Beloit Health System in Beloit, Wisconsin and author of Working Happy! Dr. David Canaday, MD, professor in the Division of Infectious Disease at Case Western Reserve University (NewsNation) As the nation prepares to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks this week, the National Security Agency has released new information about its role in helping track down Osama bin Laden, the founder of al Qaeda and the mastermind behind the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in 2021. On the day that U.S. military forces raided a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, only around 50 people of the tens of thousands of NSA employees knew of the plan to find bin Laden, Jon Darby, the former director of operations at the NSA, said on a recent episode of the No Such Podcast. The podcast was launched this month by the NSA as a way of sharing information about operations that take place within the federal agency. Because its sensitive, we cant talk about some of our work, but its time to start telling more stories that we can talk about, sharing more of that expertise, and highlighting these incredible public servants, Sara Siegle, NSAs chief of Strategic Communications, said in a statement sent to CBS News. Darby said that locating bin Laden had taken nine and a half years after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The NSA relied on a complicated Signal Intelligence (Sig-Int) to track down and analyze information that was being transmitted and shared within al Qaeda. Before the 2001 attack, the terrorist network had carried out a series of attacks on American targets, including the World Trade Center in 1993, the USS Cole in 2000, and various attacks on U.S. Embassies. But after the September 11 attack, the urgency to find bin Laden intensified, Darby said. How tracking Osama bin Laden worked Osama bin Laden was a Sig-Int target for a while, Darby said on the podcast. Clearing he was of interest; he was leading an organization that intended to inflict harm on the United States. The agency has used NSA Sig-Int operations to collect and analyze data in several international conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as the Chinese origins of chemical-used synthetic fentanyl, according to Natalie Laing, the NSAs director of operations, said on the podcast. For the NSA to launch a Sig-Int operation, Laing said that an order must be placed by the President or other top security officials, and it must involve foreign-based data, she said. In this image released by the White House and digitally altered by the source to diffuse the paper in front of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, Sunday, May 1, 2011, in Washington. (Pete Souza/The White House via AP) Although bin Laden and al Qaeda had been targets of the NSA before 2001, Darby said that the carrying out of the September 11 attacks intensified locating bin Laden. The mission, Darby said, was to prevent another attack from taking place on U.S. soil. The National Security Agency had collected data from a satellite phone used by bin Laden before 2001. But when media coverage about the NSAs attempts to analyze information shared through the al Qaeda network began to surface, communications stemming from that satellite phone stopped, Darby said. So we had to be creative to get him, Darby said on the podcast. NSA officials began to work to understand better how communications within al Qaeda worked. Analysts worked off of leads that came out of the September 11 attacks, including materials used by al Qaeda members who hijacked the planes used to fly into the World Trade Center. Because of the complexity of the mission to find bin Laden, Darby said the NSA partnered with other federal agencies including the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. military to devise a plan. The operation often went in fits and starts, Darby said. Naysayers warned that bin Laden was likely dead and that even if he was alive, he could be nearly impossible to find. If he is alive, we will find him, Darby said on the podcast. Thats not an option just to give up. The NSA creates the big picture Officials working on the operation centered their attention on the courier who was working as bin Ladens caretaker to try to narrow down where bin Laden may be. Darby compared using small bits of data to construct a puzzle that could lead to a bigger picture of where bin Laden was hiding. Darby said that confidentiality became key. Knowing that al Qaeda tracked U.S. media coverage, keeping the operations buttoned up was critical. If word leaked, NSA officials knew that bin Laden could easily leave the compound and lead government officials on another 10-year search. Yet, as more pieces of the puzzle began to fit together, the NSA believed that they knew where bin Laden was hiding. Yet, even on the day in 2011 when the raid on the Pakistani compound took place, Darby said there was never a 100% certainty that bin Laden was actually inside. Darby says that in addition to analyzing information, the other part of the NSAs role in the mission was supporting what the government chose to do with the information that had. The day of the raid included making sure that U.S. forces were able to get in and out of the area safely. Once the raid began, Darby called the remainder of the operation surreal. (We knew) this could be a really big deal, he said on the podcast. And then when it turned out to be (bin Laden) it was (surreal). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Nuclear seen as a power solution but needs more study, legislators say Senate Majority David Hogue, R-Minot, speaks Sept. 5, 2024, during a committee hearing in Beulah, North Dakota. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor) BEULAH Nuclear power may be part of the solution for North Dakotas growing energy demand but the issue is so complex that the state should invest more time and money into a study, the chair of an interim legislative committee said. State Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, R-Minot, said public opinion has shifted on nuclear energy. People see it as safe, efficient and dispatchable. Hogue has drafted a bill proposing that the state spend $500,000 to further study nuclear energy. Hogue chairs the Energy Development and Transmission Committee that was tasked with studying nuclear energy leading up to the 2025 legislative session. Its overwhelming for an interim legislative committee, Hogue said during a meeting of the committee Thursday near Beulah, where the committee toured the Dakota Gasification Plant owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative. The draft bill requests up to $500,000 from the state general fund to hire private consultants for the study. Hogue said that citizen legislators lack the expertise to tackle an issue such as nuclear energy without the help of consultants. The bill draft also seeks a $500,000 commitment from the private sector for the study. Hogue said soliciting private sector funding would help gauge the interest of businesses that may be willing to invest in building a nuclear power plant in the state. Hogue said he would like the bill draft to be sponsored by the interim committee instead of himself. The committee voted Thursday to accept the bill draft but with the provision that a meeting will be held to offer amendments to the draft bill. One possible amendment brought up by Rep. Don Vigesaa, R-Cooperstown, would look at barriers to nuclear development, including state law related to accepting nuclear waste. The North Dakota Century Code has a general prohibition on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste within the state. Nuclear waste is one of the main drawbacks of nuclear energy. State Sen. Dale Patten, R-Watford City, noted that nuclear power plants operated by Xcel Energy in Minnesota have been relying on temporary storage for years because the federal Department of Energy has not followed through on a nuclear waste storage facility. State Sen. Brad Bekkedahl, R-Williston, said he attended a nuclear energy conference in Chicago where he learned that new generation of reactors can reuse what had been waste and generate very little waste of its own. Gavin McCollam, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Basin Electric, testified about the growing demand for power, especially in the Williston Basin. He said while Basin Electric remains committed to using coal and natural gas for electricity generation, it has always advocated for all-of-the-above energy solutions, including the companys first investment in solar energy. While renewable energy helps address carbon emissions, you cant solve it without nuclear, he said. North Dakota officials have been tracking nuclear power development in other states, such as Wyoming. McCollam said Basin Electric also is watching nuclear development. The costs that we are seeing are astronomically high, he said. Hogue said North Dakota has dawdled on the issue and he would like to see the study result in action. I think its something that has to happen, he said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Divya Rajagopal TORONTO (Reuters) - Electric vehicle battery maker Northvolt is moving ahead with plans to open a C$7 billion battery plant in Canada but at a slower pace in light of its announcement on Monday it would review spending plans and mull job cuts. Construction work at the Swedish company's Montreal plant site and related hiring will continue and further details will be provided in the coming weeks, Paolo Cerutti, CEO of Northvolt North America told Reuters. Northvolt previously said the plant would begin operations in 2026. A company spokesperson added, however, there would be a revised timeline for plants in Canada and Germany but did not provide further details. Potential revisions to these projects would be confirmed in the fall, Cerutti said. "Northvolt's strategic review continues, and the right pace of execution for all expansion projects is still under discussion," he said in an email. "There are no job cuts in Canada and we continue to hire for the jobs opened on our website," Cerutti said. Last year, Northvolt announced it would invest C$7 billion($5.17 billion) in Canada's Quebec province to set up an electric vehicle battery plant. At the time of announcement, Northvolt said the Canadian federal and provincial government would each contribute $1 billion for the first phase of construction. Northvolt's other Canadian investors include pension funds such as Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO), BlackRock and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and CDPQ that have collectively invested around $1.1 billion in the battery maker. The government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made EV manufacturing a key plank of its industrial policy, including offering production credits and other support to 13 battery companies and automakers worth C$56 billion ($41.34 billion). However, a slowdown in the growth of EV demand has led several industry companies to cancel or delay investments totalling C$46 billion ($33.96 billion). ($1 = 1.3547 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Divya Rajagopal, editing by Ben Klayman and Sandra Maler) A nurse from Portland, Oregon was reportedly found dead just days after getting married in Hawaii and her neighbor has been arrested in connection. According to the Beaverton Police Department, someone requested a welfare check on 32-year-old Melissa Jubane after she didnt show up for her morning shift at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland and her family was unable to reach her. Police say she wasnt home and her phone appeared to be off, so they entered her name as a missing person in national law enforcement databases. According to police, their investigation linked her neighbor, 27-year-old Bryce Schubert to her disappearance and they say her remains have been found. The statement, issued Saturday, didnt provide more details other than to say the investigation is ongoing. While we acknowledge the significant community interest and concern, we must withhold further details to preserve the integrity of the investigation. Tips related to this case are still welcome, Beaverton Police said in a post online. Jubane had just married her partner, Bryan Llantero, in Hawaii in late August, KHON-TV reported. Her mother-in-law told the news station that the newlyweds returned to the U.S. mainland on September 1 and enjoyed the Labor Day holiday before Jubane returned to work. The Washington County Sheriffs Office jail roster showed Schubert was in custody Monday morning. The Oregon Nurses Association planned to hold a vigil for Jubane on Monday evening in a park near the hospital where she worked. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of Melissa during this incredibly difficult time. We stand with our community in mourning and offer our full support to all those impacted by this devastating loss, the labor union said in a statement. Anyone with information that may help in the case is asked to call (503) 526-2280. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) About 200 people showed up for a vigil for Melissa Jubane, the Providence St. Vincent nurse who was killed last week, a vigil put together by the Oregon Nurses Association. All who spoke with KOIN 6 News at the 2-hour vigil at Ridgewood View Park described her as a kind, loving person who lit up every room she entered. Friends and colleagues shared stories of how she would bring food for her co-workers and had endless words of encouragement during an extremely difficult job. We could count on her for anything and everything that you could possibly need. If you had a question, she had an answer, said Kathy Keane with the ONA. If she didnt have an answer, she knew who to find, who to ask, to find out the answer for you. Always willing to help, jump in headfirst no matter what was going on. Many came to a vigil for slain nurse Melissa Jubane at Ridgewood View Park in Southwest Portland, September 9, 2024 (KOIN) Colleagues said this vigil would have moved Melissa Jubane. She would just kind of probably say, Oh my gosh, guys, she didnt need to do all of this, Keane said. I think she would want us to take it and spread the same joy and love and light that she did to everybody else that we can. On Sunday, the University of Portland where she graduated from the nursing program in 2018 held a remembrance Mass on campus. Melissa Jubane in an undated photo provided September 7, 2024 (Courtesy) Jubane, 32, was recently married in Hawaii to an active duty member of the US Navy who is stationed in Washington state. Her remains were found days after co-workers reported her missing to the Beaverton police when she didnt show up for her early morning shift. Melissa Jubane and her husband Byan Llantero in Hawaii, August 2024 (Llantero Ohana via KHON) A neighbor, Bryce Johnathan Schubert, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Through his lawyer, the 27-year-old entered a not guilty plea in his first court appearance in Washington County. 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. NYC man arrested as fugutive from justice after alleged theft in Athens Township ATHENS TWP, Pa. (WETM) A New York City man was arrested in Chemung County after reports he had stolen property on him from a theft in The Valley. According to the Chemung County Sheriffs Office, 25-year-old Arah S. Paniagua was arrested on Sunday, Sept. 8, as a fugitive from Justice. One suspect dead after officer involved shooting in Pennsylvania Police said that Paniagua stole items from the Walmart in Athens Township and drove into Chemung County where he was found and arrested with help from the Chemung County Sheriffs Office. Paniagua was arrested on the charge of stolen property in the 4th degree, a class E felony. Paniagua was processed in the Elmira Town Court before being taken to the Chemung County Jail awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NYC Mayor Eric Adams tested positive for COVID on Monday and has canceled a number of scheduled events. Adams was feeling under the weather, and took a test shortly after a Queens press conference on flood prevention, according to Fabian Levy, a spokesperson for the Mayor. The mayors positive test comes amid a summer resurgence of COVID, fueled largely by what experts call the FLiRT variant. Adams canceled several events on his Monday public schedule, including a scheduled roundtable with Jewish community and ethnic media, although he was still being briefed the police departments deputy commissioner on a planned attack targeting the Jewish community on October 7th, the anniversary of the Hamas terror attacks in Israel. Adams also canceled a hotly-anticipated town hall on the Underhill and Vanderbilt street redesign project in Brooklyn. The positive test comes as rumors swirl about whether NYPD commission Edward Caban will resign from his post following news of a federal corruption investigation. Cabans home was searched and electronics were seized last week as part of the Southern District of New York probe. Cabans twin brother, James, also had his electronics seized and home searched by federal investigators. Other top members of the Adams administration were also raided, including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks. Adams last tested positive for COVID in April 2022. The mayor appeared alongside Queens leaders, Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and Commissioner of Emergency Management Zach Iscol at his Monday press conference. He had a busy weekend before this, visiting two churches in Brooklyn on Sunday. _____ NYC school chancellors brother bragged about political connections but scrubbed his website after FBI raid of Adams aides NYC school chancellors brother bragged about political connections but scrubbed his website after FBI raid of Adams aides Terence Banks, a consultant and former MTA official whos wrapped up in a federal probe of several top officials in the Adams administration, scrubbed his company website after the feds raided his home last week just days after he was boasting about his political connections, The Post has learned. Banks brother of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks and Schools Chancellor David Banks, both of whom the feds also targeted was gloating about his influence with the Adams administration right up to the time the feds knocked on his door, political insiders told The Post. Terence Banks whos standing in the middle retired from the MTA last year and ran a consulting firm with several clients doing work for the city. COMTO But in the days since, Banks has taken down the website for his company, The Pearl Alliance, which described itself as a values-driven government and community relations firm but offered very little description of what it actually does. By Sunday, the website vanished replaced instead by a domain listing. The companys LinkedIn profile which listed Banks as Pearls founder and CEO was also removed, and the search link now leads to an empty page. Banks has not been accused of a crime. But the feds circled in on him and his brothers during a sweeping set of raids this week in which they showed up waving search warrants and later seized their electronic devices. Law enforcement sources say authorities did a thorough search of Banks residence more so than other targets and also subpoenaed his phone. Leading the investigation are prosecutors from the Southern District of New York who are also probing Adams top aides in another, separate investigation launched last year into the mayors 2021 campaign donations, sources said. Banks was never a registered lobbyist. Linkedin Banks worked for the Metropolitan Transit Authority for 25 years, according to his personal LinkedIn page. He is also a longtime board member of Queens Community Board 13, as well as a member of One Hundred Black Men, an organization of black business owners, politicos and community leaders, the page said. He is the legislature chair of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, it added. That work fits in with the general perception that Banks had for years been trying to make political inroads just before his retirement which he celebrated in March 2023 with a lavish party at Jay-Zs 40/40 club at its old location on West 25th Street, sources said. The shindig was sponsored by The Pearl Alliance and featured hors doeuvres, a cash bar, a two-drink minimum and bottle service. Banks repeatedly bragged about his influence with Adams administration, which has been probed by the feds for the second time. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock These guys are selling access, one veteran lobbyist said about Banks alleged wheeling and dealing. Thats what legitimate people in the business are up against. Banks who is not a registered lobbyist has also been spotted coming and going from Police Commissioner Edward Cabans office on more than once occasion, sources said. Cabans home was also raided as part of the feds dragnet. But the purpose of his meetings with Banks remains unclear. However, several clients he purportedly represents had business before city officials including the NYPD. One of those Saferwatch, which makes an app that lets anyone send text, video or audio tips to police received about $67,000 over the last year from the NYPD for various technical assistance and school safety work, according to the citys online records. Others clients such as Derive Technologies, an IT support company; SVAM International, an IT service provider; and Mercato, a grocery store delivery app had millions of dollars worth of contracts with the city, online records said. NYCs top doc says kids shouldnt get phones before age 14 to safeguard mental health NYCs top doc says kids shouldnt get phones before age 14 to safeguard mental health Social media has become such a menace for kids that the city health commissioner is recommending parents dont give their children cell phones till at least age 14. Pediatrians also should make talking to parents and children about social media part of check-ups, says Big Apple Health Commish Ashwin Vasan. Adolescents using social media have a greater risk of experiencing poor mental health, including symptoms of depression and anxiety, wrote Vasan and city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Chief Medical Officer Michelle Morse in a Sept. 5 letter to doctors and other medical professionals. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan, believes pediatrians should make talking to parents and children about social media part of check-ups. Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office Recommend parents and caregivers delay giving children a smartphone, or similar device that can access social media, until age 14, and then reassess based on current evidence of harms and the childs strengths and needs, the missive said. When children begin to travel more independently in NYC, ask parents to start children with a phone that does not have the ability to access social media, the departments docs added. Pediatricians also should discuss the perils of over exposure to smart phones and social media with parents and their children as part of a family media plan to curb or prohibit use, according to the letter. Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing for a ban on smart phones in schools and currently conducting a listening tour to see how it can be done. She and the state legislature approved a law in June to give parents more control over social media usage on apps such as TikTok and Instagram. The citys top doctors, in their letter, cited statistics indicating local youths are more depressed than a decade ago and suggesting social media addiction could be a culprit. Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing for a ban on smart phones in schools and currently conducting a listening tour to see how it can be done. Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul In 2021, 38% of city high schoolers felt so sad or hopeless during the previous year that they stopped engaging in their usual activities, compared with 27% in 2011, according to the citys youth risk-behavior survey. Preoccupation with dying suicidal ideation increased by more than 34% among this group from 2011 to 2021, the survey found. Social-media use has become commonplace among many people: 54% of children, 93% of teenagers, and 78% of parents use some form of social media, the Health Department said, citing its own special report on social media. Children who use social media experience higher rates of anxiety (16%) than children who do not (12%). Pediatricians also should discuss the perils of over exposure to smart phones and social media with parents and their children as part of a family media plan to curb or prohibit use. WESTOCK stock.adobe.com Teenagers who use social media experience anxiety (27%) and depression (14%) at higher rates than teenagers who do not (9% and 4%, respectively), too. Many adults are more stressed after repeated checks of their smart phone, a recent University of Michigan study revealed. Some adults are not good role models and even inconsiderate while absorbed scrolling on their phone. A Post reporter at a gym in Queens on Saturday saw three customers sitting on their seats in a row of exercise weight machines, with their heads down staring at their smart phone and scrolling through information, slowing down the workout regimen. The top city doctors urged their colleagues to share resources with patients such as the city Department of Educations Digital Citizenship Curriculum for students in grades K to 12; the Health Departments NYC Teenspace mental health support program for students ages 13 to 17, and the health agencys guide to parents, Social Media and Youth Mental Health. NYers joined by ex-Israeli hostage, parents of current captive as they demand Hamas release prisoners Hundreds of people including a former Israeli hostage and the parents of one still held flocked to Central Park on Sunday to call on Hamas to free the remaining captives as a cease-fire deal remains elusive. The Bring Them Home Now rally saw protesters demand the freedom of the up to 100 hostages being held by Hamas, including seven American-Israelis. Former hostage Moran Stella Yanai, 41, said her heart breaks for those still trapped in Gaza, many of whom were like her, enjoying the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked. Protesters take to Central Park on Sunday to call for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. G.N.Miller/NYPost Freed hostage Moran Stella Yanai (left) joins the rally beside Gilad and Nitsa Korngold, parents of captive Tal Shoham. G.N.Miller/NYPost On that morning, at 6.29 [a.m.], all this freedom turned into a hell on Earth, she recalled as she fought back tears. The Israeli nation and the Jewish people cannot start to heal until we bring all our loved ones back home, Yanai added. Yanai, who was among the hostages freed in November, was joined at the rally by Nitsa and Gilad Korngold, parents of still-captive Tal Shoham, a father of two. Yanai said she and Shohams parents have become like family, with the same going for the rest of the relatives of those held captive in Gaza. The demonstration comes during the hostages 339th day in captivity. G.N.Miller/NYPost My brother and sisters are in pain, hungry, thirsty, but most of all, in fear, Yanai said of the conditions she experienced first hand. While the former hostage said she still has hope that the remaining hostages can be freed, the latest demands from Hamas risk sinking the negotiations. The terror group is now demanding that Israel free Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences for murder in exchange for the civilian hostages as part of the first stage of the proposed cease-fire deal, The Washington Post said. Demonstrators wave Israeli and American flags while holding portraits of the hostages. G.N.Miller/NYPost The new demand has frozen the deal in its tracks as officials called the prospects of freeing 150 convicted murderers from prison a poison pill to the already troubled peace talks, the outlet said. The negotiations are also being held up by lingering questions on just how many of the roughly 100 hostages in Gaza are still alive, after Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages last week. After confirming the death of the six hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldber-Polin, 23, Israeli officials said they believe at least 64 hostages are still alive. A child holds up a large Israeli flag for Sundays protest as the cease-fire talks remain stalled. G.N.Miller/NYPost Goldberg-Polin was among eight Israeli-Americans who were known to be under Hamas captivity. Officials have previously confirmed the deaths of Judith Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai and Itay Chen. The remaining American-Israeli citizens trapped in Gaza have been identified as Edan Alexander, Omer Neutra, Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen. NEW YORK NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban is expected to resign his post in the coming days, following news of a federal investigation involving possible corruption, four people familiar with the matter told POLITICO. Caban was scheduled to meet with police brass Monday, as he weighs a decision that is not entirely his to make, according to two people who were granted anonymity to speak freely about a sensitive matter. As of Monday afternoon, he had not officially resigned. We remain focused on ensuring New Yorkers are safe every single day, and thats our top priority, City Hall spokesperson Fabien Levy said. Were not going to speculate on rumors at this point. Mayor Eric Adams, who readily stands by embattled aides, said of Caban during an unrelated press conference Monday that "I chose him for his experience and what he brought after 30-something years of service." "Rumors are always out there," Adams said. "There was nothing that came from me that fed those rumors." However, when the mayor was asked if he could guarantee Caban would still be the police commissioner in two months, he declined to do so. I don't think anything in life is guaranteed," he said. The move would mark the first staff shakeup in the upper ranks of Adams administration since federal investigators last week descended upon the homes of several top city officials. They also seized Cabans phone and requested phones from the police commissioners twin brother, James, the commissioners chief of staff and Deputy Inspector Robert Gault, among others, POLITICO reported. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York and the IRS are working on the investigation, NBC New York first reported. Other top members of Adams administration including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III were raided by investigators, who seized their phones on Wednesday morning. Federal agents also sought electronic devices from Banks brother a consultant named Terence Banks, who works with firms with business before the city and an aide to Adams named Tim Pearson, who holds sway over the police department, but has nebulous responsibilities. But Caban appears to be receiving the most heat over the last few days. Both the conservative New York Post editorial board which has been friendly to Adams and progressive City Council Member Lincoln Restler, a mayoral adversary, have called on the police commissioner to resign in recent days. The move would deal a blow to Adams as he gears up for reelection. The moderate Democrat promoted himself as a competent manager and made public safety the keystone of an administration now embroiled in federal probes, including one into his 2021 campaign. The latest probe involves James Cabans nightlife consulting business and whether he profited off his brothers role as commissioner of the NYPD, the New York Post first reported. In an interview Friday with PIX11, Adams said Caban has driven crime down and that he could continue to do his job, despite the investigation. Asked if he had full confidence in Caban, Adams said he did. Adams appointed Caban in July 2023, after former Commissioner Keechant Sewell resigned following just 18 months amid frustrations over her oversight in City Hall. Emily Ngo contributed to this report. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misspelled Terence Banks' name. BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) - Authorities removed a Palestinian flag that was hanging from the top of the Williamsburg Bridge on Monday, police said. Officers from the NYPDs Emergency Service Unit were seen scaling the cable leading to the Brooklyn Tower of the span to take the flag down at around 8:30 a.m., according to the NYPD and Citizen App video. More Local News It was unclear when the flag was placed on the bridge. No other information was available. There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing. Last week, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters flooded some of the busiest areas in New York City on Labor Day, according to Citizen App videos. The crowds gathered in Union Square and Washington Square Park before marching along Fifth Avenue up to the New York Public Library, according to videos of the scenes. The protesters were waving flags and signs supporting the Palestinians. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, the protesters chanted. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. It was billed as a day when Republican Party volunteers could gather in Pontiac to pitch in for the community. An online poster of the Oakland County Republican Party urged, "Clean Up Pontiac Help clean and beautify the corner of Franklin Rd. and Luther Ave. to create a better neighborhood for everyone." On a Saturday morning, the party faithful would pitch litter into trash bins. Sure enough, two prominent candidates and their helpers were there, pitching junk into giant roll-off Dumpsters. But this was no city park or litter-strewn corner in Pontiac. Instead, it was private property where two small apartment buildings were separated by a ruined parking lot. The site lacked renters for years, although it had a recent squatter. The area was overgrown with weed trees, and the housing units were brimming with debris broken furniture, shards of glass, and abandoned household goods including family photos and piles of old music tapes. At "Clean up Pontiac," a Republican Party event on Sept. 7, 2024, Nick Somberg, a Republican seeking the 11th District congressional seat of incumbent Democrat Haley Stevens, holds an old baby picture left in vacant apartments that Somberg recently bought in Pontiac. About 15 people wore t-shirts that said Nick Somberg for Congress. Somberg of West Bloomfield, a criminal defense lawyer, said he owned numerous rental properties in Pontiac and that he'd just bought the entire clean-up site of eight apartment units for $90,000. Hes challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham). Somberg said he planned to renovate the eight units and bring in renters. "No taxes have been paid here for years. I'm going to make this a real asset to the neighborhood," Somberg said. Most of those helping weren't volunteers; they were from a landscape company that he pays to maintain his other properties, he said. But several other helpers were unpaid volunteers, he said. "Our first step is, we're clearing the property to have a big debate-watching party. That's Tuesday night. I'm handing out flyers in the neighborhood. It's free. We're going to have hot dogs and beverages non-alcoholic, of course," he said. His flyers promote a "giant theatre screen for an immersive experience," which he expected to erect in the freshly tidied parking lot of the apartments at 555 Franklin Rd. Flyers also say "FREE for Pontiac residents, $25 for non-residents." The event starts at 8 p.m., an hour before the presidential candidates go head-to-head at 9 p.m. (in Detroit on WXYZ-Channel 7 television and numerous other stations as well as via streaming services). On Monday night, however, Somberg called to say he'd moved the watch party to another of his Pontiac properties: 601 N. Perry St. This online poster promoted "Clean up Pontiac," an event aimed at attracting Republican Party volunteers to an outreach activity in a distressed party of Pontiac, actually promoted a parcel of eight apartment units recently bought by GOP congressional candidate Nick Somberg of West Bloomfield. Among the unpaid volunteers yanking debris from Somberg's trashed apartments was Nik Gjonaj of Rochester, a Republican challenging incumbent Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, D-Ferndale. Gjonaj said he admired Somberg for leading the clean-up in a distressed part of Oakland County, then aiming to provide what's badly needed in Pontiac and across Michigan entry-level housing. Providing more of that is a goal strongly espoused by Coulter and other Democrats, although they call it "affordable housing" when rents are set at no more than 30% of the combined income of those renting the unit. Never in my 14 years of being a landlord have I taken any government aid, Somberg said, in a follow-up interview on Monday. He said he ignores the Oakland County Housing Trust fund, recently formed with strong support from Coulter, which subsidizes developers willing to build or renovate properties that qualify as affordable housing. Nick Somberg of West Bloomfield, running for U.S. Congress in Oakland County, carts junk from a vacant apartment building that he recently bought in Pontiac, during a Republican Party event called "Clean up Pontiac" on Sept. 7, 2024. "I love when we can rise above party and focus on practical solutions," Gjonaj said. He shared with Somberg a desire for "restrained government" instead of what he called the Democrats' trend toward "big government." Sombergs own cash will be the risk capital to renovate the eight apartments, he said. Somberg said he planned to complete the project without government aid, which is the "free market" approach he favors for the entire U.S. economy. So does Gjonaj. Lately, Gjonaj sells insurance but he formerly owned several restaurants around Michigan and in other states, and he has two uncles who own restaurants in Oakland County, he said. After Saturday's clean-up, Sombergs Facebook site said: We had a fantastic turnout for the volunteer event and managed to fill up 90 yards of dumpsters with junk! . . . making a huge difference in the community. Contact Bill Laytner: blaitner@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oakland County Republican Party sponsors clean-up of distressed property, owned by a candidate The tentative deal comes just days before a strike at Boeing's main factories [Getty Images] Boeing is offering its staff a 25% pay rise over four years in a bid to avoid a strike that could potentially shut down its assembly lines as early as Friday. Union leaders representing more than 30,000 employees have urged the workers to support the proposal, describing it as the best contract they had ever negotiated. If approved, the agreement would be an important achievement for Boeing's new chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, who faces pressure to fix the company's quality and reputational issues. Boeing workers in the Seattle and Portland region are set to vote on the deal on Thursday. If the deal is rejected, however, a second ballot will need to be approved by two-thirds of union members for a strike to go ahead. In a video message to Boeing workers, the aerospace giant's chief operating officer, Stephanie Pope, described the proposal as a "historic offer". If ratified by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union, it would be the first full labour agreement between the firm and the unions in 16 years. The current contract between Boeing and the unions was first reached in 2008 following an eight-week strike. The two sides agreed to extend it in 2014 and it is now due to expire later this week. Although the preliminary deal did not match the union's initial target of a 40% pay rise, negotiators still praised it and advised members to accept it. "We can honestly say that this proposal is the best contract weve negotiated in our history," the IAM said in a statement. Aside from the pay rise, the deal offers workers improved healthcare and retirement benefits, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave. It also includes a commitment from Boeing to build its next commercial plane in the Seattle area if the project is started during the lifetime of the contract. It is not clear when the company will announce its next jet. The deal also gives the union members more say on safety and quality issues. "Financially, the company finds itself in a tough position due to many self-inflicted missteps. It is IAM members who will bring this company back on track," the union negotiators said, referring to the crises faced by Boeing in recent years. Mr Ortberg, an aerospace industry veteran and engineer, took over as Boeing's new chief executive last month. His appointment came as the firm reported deepening financial losses and continued to struggle to repair its reputation following recent in-flight incidents and two fatal accidents five years ago. WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) The Jefferson County Branch of the American Association of University Women is partnering with the Jefferson County Commissioners to host a Voter Information Night. The event will be on Tuesday, October 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Jefferson Community College in the Amphitheater. A daughters fight against Alzheimers This informative, non-partisan event is designed to help community members understand the election process and prepare for the upcoming elections, topics will include: Voter Registration Early Voting Absentee Voting Answering any questions about the election process Attendees can also pick up voter registration packets and learn about important dates and requirements for participating in local and national elections. This event is open to the general public and provides an excellent opportunity for individuals to get involved in the democratic process, said Jordan Walker, AAUW Jefferson County Branch President. We encourage everyone, whether first-time voters or long-time participants, to attend and learn more about their voting options. More information is available by contacting Jordan Walker, AAUW Jefferson County Branch President at jordan1522@gmail.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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. Officers were investigating an early Monday morning home invasion in this suburb northwest of Chicago when residents from another nearby home said a man had broken into theirs. The person suspected in both incidents was taken into custody after a standoff with police lasting about 2.5 hours, South Barrington Police Chief Michael Garrison said in a statement. The events began unfolding at about 12:45 a.m., when residents on Revere Drive in the South Barrington Lakes subdivision reported waking up to find a man trying to climb through a laundry room window. When the resident was alerted, the resident went down, saw him half in the window, grabbed his shirt. The subject was able to pull back and get away from him. The resident kept his shirt. It came off, Garrison told WGN. Responding officers were investigating when at about 2:28 a.m. they reported hearing the sound of glass breaking and, a short time later, saw the residents from a nearby home on Lexington Road running out. Garrison said officers attempted to move in but the intruder said he had a gun and barricaded himself inside the home. He was later arrested. While the man said he was armed during the standoff, police did not confirm if he actually had a weapon on him. Garrison said the case is isolated and remains under investigation. His department will seek felony criminal charges against the accused intruder. He recommended that residents ensure their home security systems are operating correctly. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville slammed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for backing former President Donald Trump on Sunday. I dont know if shes more spineless or gutless, but one of the two certainly apply to her, Carville said in an appearance on MSNBCs Inside With Jen Psaki. The ex-United Nations ambassador who was a harsh Trump critic on the campaign trail before dropping her 2024 bid and later endorsing him appeared on CBSs Face the Nation, where she declared that it was not a question for her when asked about supporting the GOP nominee over Vice President Kamala Harris. I saw Nikki Haley on another network this morning. Oh, my God, said Carville, who added that she talked about how much she loved Taiwan despite Trump previously signaling that he wouldnt defend Taiwan from China. Carville later continued, And then she started talking about Afghanistan. Does that woman have any courage at all? Because if she does, its not particularly evident to anybody. Psaki, a former White House press secretary under President Joe Biden, told Carville that Haley hasnt delivered on the courage quotient in recent months. Haley, when questioned over Trumps suggestion that Taiwan has to pay the U.S. for protection from China, said shed be the first person to say thats not the way it should be. Elsewhere in her CBS interview, Haley turned her focus to policy when asked about Trump discussing writer E. Jean Carrolls sexual assault case against him. She has previously declared that Trump is not qualified to be president again, that hes unhinged and that hes more diminished than he was in 2016. H/T Mediaite Related... Former Ohio state Sen. Dave Burke, R-Marysville. Correction: Walgreens will close a significant portion of the 2,000 Walgreens stores that are underperforming over the next three years, according to a spokeswoman. An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect number. It has been updated. The closure of hundreds of pharmacies by two major chains might be too big a phenomenon to compare to a canary in a coal mine. But a leader in Ohio pharmacy is warning that the situation might get much worse, and it could soon be too late to reverse. Philadelphia-based Rite Aid has announced the closure of hundreds of stores in Ohio and Michigan as it works to emerge from bankruptcy. When it made those announcements in June, Rite Aid said it would transfer many of its patients prescriptions to the nearest Walgreens. But shortly after that announcement, Walgreens said it would close a significant portion of more than 2,000 struggling stores would close in the coming three years. The closures follow those of hundreds of small-chain and independent pharmacies in Ohio over the last 10 years. Its a trend that has been reported in many other states as many in the business have said the business is becoming unprofitable. Such widespread closures are a problem particularly for the sick and the poor, who are more likely to lack transportation and for whom the pharmacist is the only health professional with whom they have regular contact. Dave Burke is a pharmacist, former state senator and is now executive director of the Ohio Pharmacists Association. Last week he said that when a large, well-run chain like Walgreens announces mass closures, policymakers should be concerned that others in the marketplace might follow suit with devastating consequences. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX If Walgreens cant make a go of this in 25% of their locations, my fear is that this becomes a much larger problem where other people who provide pharmacy services exit the market in whole or in part, he said. Mass closures by businesses whose core focus is pharmacy are particularly concerning because many other players in the marketplace are big retailers who opened drugstores to draw in more customers. What happens if Meijer determines that 20% of its pharmacies arent profitable anymore and theyre going to replace them with pre-made deli sandwiches? Burke asked. Thats true of anyplace whose core business isnt pharmacy. They do it to draw people in. They may be committed to healthcare, but at the end of the day, the shareholders invested in a department store or a grocer and they didnt invest in a pharmacy. Burke and many others blame the headwinds the businesses face on huge middlemen called pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. The biggest three control about 80% of that marketplace, each are associated with a major insurer, and each is part of a health conglomerate that is among the 15 largest corporations in the United States. They represent insurers and government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid in prescription-drug transactions, in part by deciding which drugs are covered and to what extent. They also create pharmacy networks that many players say they have little choice about joining no matter how bad the deal is because the big-three PBMs combined control access to 80% of insured patients. The PBMs CVS Caremark, OptumRx and Express Scripts use an opaque system to decide how much to reimburse pharmacies for the drugs they dispense. And, because each operates its own mail-order pharmacy and CVS operates the biggest retail chain, the companies are deciding how much to pay themselves and their competitors a clear conflict of interest, critics say. The Federal Trade Commission is in the midst of a major investigation of the biggest PBMs and it issued a scathing interim report in July that said the companies appeared to be improperly raising costs and hurting patients. Burke applauded the FTCs scrutiny of the industry and other attempts at reform on the federal and state levels, but he said he worried that they may be too little, too late. We represent pharmacists, he said of the Ohio Pharmacists Association. Our organization exists to better the community through the practice of pharmacy. The concern for us is that these access issues (can harm that.) What does pharmacy mean if you have to go 20 miles? Burke described how pharmacy closures could be a contagion as money-losing prescriptions move from unprofitable, closing pharmacies to those that are left standing. Those same prescriptions, under those same contracts, theyre going to other pharmacies, he said. This is the only business Im aware of where getting more business can actually make you less profitable. And, he warned, once pharmacies close, the necessary licensure, investments and other up-front work can make it difficult to reopen. This is a hard space to get back into. Burke said. This is something thats not going to come back next week. He added, This is almost an all-or-none proposition. The news about Walgreens and Rite Aid should be extremely concerning. If this is the indication that the patient has a temperature of 103 and thats the only symptom they have, should we just not care? Burke said the opaque, byzantine system PBMs use to determine what theyll pay pharmacies is largely to blame for the industrys current woes. For example, a recent analysis of Medicare data showed that providers owned by CVS Health, the conglomerate that also owns the biggest PBM, paid PBMs at 501 different rates for the same drug. This market has been disrupted by an entity (PBMs) that really has no value in the healthcare chain, Burke said. Its taking a toll that you can actually see on the market itself. This isnt because Walgreens is a bad company, theyre in bad locations, their distribution is terrible. That isnt the case at all. Its 100% a payment issue. And you know what stores theyre going to close. It isnt (affluent) Dublin, Ohio. The problem that is looming could set American healthcare back decades in some ways, and its not clear that policymakers are taking it seriously enough, Burke said. Theres rumblings in Washington and rumblings in the FTC, but Im afraid it might be too late to give people the access they deserve, he said. That was the benefit of drugs. They save you from having to stay in the hospital or save you from going there at all. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rite Aid Pharmacy in Haslett, July 30, 2024 | Susan J. Demas The closure of hundreds of pharmacies by two major chains might be too big a phenomenon to compare to a canary in a coal mine. But a leader in Ohio pharmacy is warning that the situation might get much worse, and it could soon be too late to reverse. Philadelphia-based Rite Aid has announced the closure of hundreds of stores in Ohio and Michigan as it works to emerge from bankruptcy. When it made those announcements in June, Rite Aid said it would transfer many of its patients prescriptions to the nearest Walgreens. But shortly after that announcement, Walgreens said it would close more than 8,000 or 25% of its stores nationally. The closures follow those of hundreds of small-chain and independent pharmacies in Ohio over the last 10 years. Its a trend that has been reported in many other states as many in the business have said the business is becoming unprofitable. Such widespread closures are a problem particularly for the sick and the poor, who are more likely to lack transportation and for whom the pharmacist is the only health professional with whom they have regular contact. Dave Burke is a pharmacist, former state senator and is now executive director of the Ohio Pharmacists Association. Last week he said that when a large, well-run chain like Walgreens announces mass closures, policymakers should be concerned that others in the marketplace might follow suit with devastating consequences. If Walgreens cant make a go of this in 25% of their locations, my fear is that this becomes a much larger problem where other people who provide pharmacy services exit the market in whole or in part, he said. Mass closures by businesses whose core focus is pharmacy are particularly concerning because many other players in the marketplace are big retailers who opened drugstores to draw in more customers. What happens if Meijer determines that 20% of its pharmacies arent profitable anymore and theyre going to replace them with pre-made deli sandwiches? Burke asked. Thats true of anyplace whose core business isnt pharmacy. They do it to draw people in. They may be committed to healthcare, but at the end of the day, the shareholders invested in a department store or a grocer and they didnt invest in a pharmacy. Burke and many others blame the headwinds the businesses face on huge middlemen called pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. The biggest three control about 80% of that marketplace, each are associated with a major insurer, and each is part of a health conglomerate that is among the 15 largest corporations in the United States. They represent insurers and government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid in prescription-drug transactions, in part by deciding which drugs are covered and to what extent. They also create pharmacy networks that many players say they have little choice about joining no matter how bad the deal is because the big-three PBMs combined control access to 80% of insured patients. The PBMs CVS Caremark, OptumRx and Express Scripts use an opaque system to decide how much to reimburse pharmacies for the drugs they dispense. And, because each operates its own mail-order pharmacy and CVS operates the biggest retail chain, the companies are deciding how much to pay themselves and their competitors a clear conflict of interest, critics say. The Federal Trade Commission is in the midst of a major investigation of the biggest PBMs and it issued a scathing interim report in July that said the companies appeared to be improperly raising costs and hurting patients. Burke applauded the FTCs scrutiny of the industry and other attempts at reform on the federal and state levels, but he said he worried that they may be too little, too late. We represent pharmacists, he said of the Ohio Pharmacists Association. Our organization exists to better the community through the practice of pharmacy. The concern for us is that these access issues (can harm that.) What does pharmacy mean if you have to go 20 miles? Burke described how pharmacy closures could be a contagion as money-losing prescriptions move from unprofitable, closing pharmacies to those that are left standing. Those same prescriptions, under those same contracts, theyre going to other pharmacies, he said. This is the only business Im aware of where getting more business can actually make you less profitable. And, he warned, once pharmacies close, the necessary licensure, investments and other up-front work can make it difficult to reopen. This is a hard space to get back into. Burke said. This is something thats not going to come back next week. He added, This is almost an all-or-none proposition. The news about Walgreens and Rite Aid should be extremely concerning. If this is the indication that the patient has a temperature of 103 and thats the only symptom they have, should we just not care? Burke said the opaque, byzantine system PBMs use to determine what theyll pay pharmacies is largely to blame for the industrys current woes. For example, a recent analysis of Medicare data showed that providers owned by CVS Health, the conglomerate that also owns the biggest PBM, paid PBMs at 501 different rates for the same drug. This market has been disrupted by an entity (PBMs) that really has no value in the healthcare chain, Burke said. Its taking a toll that you can actually see on the market itself. This isnt because Walgreens is a bad company, theyre in bad locations, their distribution is terrible. That isnt the case at all. Its 100% a payment issue. And you know what stores theyre going to close. It isnt (affluent) Dublin, Ohio. The problem that is looming could set American healthcare back decades in some ways, and its not clear that policymakers are taking it seriously enough, Burke said. Theres rumblings in Washington and rumblings in the FTC, but Im afraid it might be too late to give people the access they deserve, he said. That was the benefit of drugs. They save you from having to stay in the hospital or save you from going there at all. Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Ohio Capital Journal maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor David Dewitt for questions: info@ohiocapitaljournal.com. Follow Ohio Capital Journal on Facebook and X. Trust in the judicial branch is sliding as voters see a more partisan system but 8th District Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Forbes is convinced that trend can be turned around through hard work, case by case. Forbes, a Cleveland area Democrat running for a seat on the Ohio Supreme Court this fall, said she is willing to do her homework, is committed to the rule of law and doesn't write personal opinions into her rulings. "I believe firmly that the supreme court is the last line of defense for our rights and liberties and that it should as a firewall to protect our democracy," Forbes said. "And I am committed to accomplishing that goal." More: Ohio Supreme Court election has 6 candidates running for 3 seats She added that checks and balances are needed to protect democracy. "We need a court that is fair, independent and balanced, and I can bring that to the court." Forbes won a Democratic primary race earlier this year and goes up against Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Dan Hawkins, a Republican, this fall. The two jurists are vying for a seat on the supreme court left open by Justice Joe Deters' decision to run against his colleague, Justice Melody Stewart. Ohio Supreme Court race 2024: Who is Judge Dan Hawkins? The winner of the Forbes-Hawkins race will serve two years and then run again in 2026. Who is Judge Lisa Forbes? After earning a degree at Cornell University, Forbes moved to Washington, D.C., to launch a career in politics and policy. She knocked on congressional office doors until she landed a gig: an unpaid internship. She parlayed that into a paid job and later moved to campaign work. Forbes left D.C. and politics to earn a law degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, where she was born. "I definitely wanted to go back to Washington but fell in love with Cleveland and stayed and been happy ever since," Forbes said. After clerking for a U.S. District Court judge, Forbes entered the world of civil litigation, working for two large law firms for 27 years. Then Forbes took a leap. Instead of riding it out to retirement as a partner at Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease, she ran for a seat on the 8th District Court of Appeals in 2020 and won. After more than three years on the bench, Forbes notes that she hasn't been overturned by the Ohio Supreme Court. Forbes' dissents When asked what kind of jurist she is, Forbes pointed to two dissents she wrote in cases before the 8th District Court of Appeals. She didn't win the argument in either case, but she made her points know. In a labor dispute over whether an employee should have his case go to arbitration or the State Employee Relations Board, Forbes dissented with her colleagues and said it should go to arbitration. Later, two different labor law attorneys thanked her for writing the dissent, saying it helped clear up a muddy area of the law, she said. "I think it's an example of how I am willing to do my homework and to do the hard work and I'm also undeterred," she said. "I will stand by my principles and stick to my guns if I disagree with my colleagues." In a question of constitutional rights for incarcerated people, Forbes disagreed with her colleagues. The Reagan Tokes Act allows the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to add extra time to an inmate's term in prison if they misbehave. Forbes said the law lacks due process for inmates because there's no mechanism for them to challenge the basis DRC's decision. She wrote an opinion saying the law is unconstitutional. Ultimately, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled on another challenge to the law that it is constitutional. Despite this, Forbes said her dissent helped frame the question over when inmates can expect to be released from prison. "I think demonstrates, once again, I am beholden to the law and I will follow the law wherever it takes me, regardless of how many people agree or disagree with me," Forbes said. 'Legislating from the bench' In Ohio Supreme Court races, Republicans often accuse Democrats of being "activist" judges who like to "legislate from the bench." Forbes and her opponent, Judge Dan Hawkins, say they apply the law as written and don't seek a particular, pre-determined outcome in cases something often described as legislating from the bench. Forbes said there are probably some "very narrow circumstances" in which judges define words or provide legal relief that isn't in the law. "But fundamentally, when you're changing the law, to do something that wasn't there, creates uncertainty and that, I think, is a bad thing." The Ohio Supreme Court's 4-3 decision issued in July over boneless chicken wings is an example of legislating from the bench, she said. Republicans on the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that bones are a natural part of chicken so a consumer should be on guard for them even in boneless wings. Forbes noted that she hasn't read all the documents in the case but said "I do think that saying boneless is a cooking style is written by somebody who doesn't cook, number one, and number two, was seeking to achieve an outcome rather than analyzing the law and applying the facts." Abortion cases Abortion cases are more likely to find their way to the Ohio Supreme Court now that the Dobbs ruling at the U.S. Supreme Court said abortion restrictions are up to states to decide. Likewise, Ohio voters in 2023 approved a constitutional amendment covering reproductive rights. So, any legal questions regarding how that amendment should be interpreted and applied will likely be decided by the Ohio Supreme Court. The Democrats running for the supreme court are endorsed by Planned Parenthood while the Republicans are backed by Ohio Right to Life. All six candidates said they pledge to follow the constitution and law. Criminal sentencing data The Ohio Sentencing Commission scrapped a contract it held with University of Cincinnati that aimed to get judges to use the same form for writing their criminal sentencing decisions. Ultimately, the goal was to create a database of criminal sentencing decisions so that the courts and researchers could identify trends, biases and areas for improvement. Some judges didn't like the idea of a searchable database and raised questions about how the data would be used. The commission, which is chaired by Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, is now deciding its next steps. Forbes said she supports creating a criminal sentencing database. "This is about fundamental fairness. Like crimes should receive like punishment. The sentence a defendant receives should be based on the individual's conduct, not the courtroom to which his or her case is assigned," she said. 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: Election 2024: Who is Judge Lisa Forbes? Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Daniel R. Hawkins, a Republican, is running for an open seat on the Ohio Supreme Court against 8th District Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Forbes, a Democrat. Judge Daniel Hawkins is a bit of a political unicorn: he was the only Republican elected to the Franklin County Common Pleas Court bench in 2018, as the county turns a deeper blue. "Obviously, it's getting harder and harder for Republicans to win in Franklin County, but I think I've got a good reputation here and have developed a lot of support from both Democrats and Republicans," Hawkins said. More: Ohio Supreme Court election has 6 candidates running for 3 seats He served as an assistant county prosecutor, handled violent cases as the leader of the special victims' unit, and then served as a municipal court judge, focused on environmental matters such as neglectful landlords and dilapidated properties. Six-years ago, voters elected him to his current job. Now, Hawkins has his eye on the Ohio Supreme Court. He is running against 8th District Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Forbes for an open seat. Ohio Supreme Court race 2024: Who is Judge Lisa Forbes? Why is there an open seat? Justice Joe Deters, who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the high court by Gov. Mike DeWine, decided to challenge his colleague, Justice Melody Stewart, for a full six-year term. The winner in the Hawkins-Forbes race will serve just two years and then decide whether to run for re-election in 2026. This marks the first statewide campaign for both Forbes and Hawkins. In the post-primary campaign finance reports, Hawkins had $255,242 on hand while Forbes had $41,422. Supreme Court decisions impact how much Ohioans pay in taxes, whether utility companies can add fees to ratepayers' bills, how insurance and business laws are interpreted, what government records will be available to the public and more. The court also interprets constitutional amendments, such as the reproductive rights amendment that voters approved in November 2023. Who is Judge Dan Hawkins? Hawkins, now 48, grew up in a working-class neighborhood of Columbus. His dad worked for Ohio Bell and as a school bus driver and picked up extra shifts as a janitor to make ends meet. His parents weren't overtly political but stressed the importance of God, country and family, he said. Hawkins grew up in the Ronald Reagan era and came of age as Republicans gained control of Congress. That's how he gravitated toward the GOP. He attended Bowling Green State University, thinking he wanted to be a police officer, but then decided to be a prosecutor. He earned his law degree from Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Rather than run for reelection to his current seat, Hawkins decided to run statewide for the Ohio Supreme Court. He said the high court's ruling on what judges must consider when setting bail conditions lit a fire under him. In a 4-3 decision issued in January 2022, the court found that excessive bail is unconstitutional and when setting money bail, judges should only consider whether the defendant is a flight risk not the seriousness of the crime or public safety concerns. Deters, Attorney General Dave Yost, and others campaigned for a constitutional amendment that would require judges to consider the seriousness of the crime when setting bail conditions. Hawkins and Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Shanahan, a Republican running for Ohio Supreme Court, both wrote columns supporting the constitutional amendment. Voters approved it in 2022. Cases that Hawkins handled When asked which cases illustrate the type of judge he is, Hawkins pointed to two from his time on the municipal court. Motel One, a notorious nuisance property on Columbus' east side, was closed in April 2012 after prosecutors said police had been called there more than 500 times since 2006. The owner failed to follow a court order to demolish it. When Hawkins got on the bench more than a year later, he ordered jail time for the recalcitrant owner. Once bulldozers took the motel down, neighbors celebrated with a pizza party, Hawkins said. Another high-profile case came Hawkins' docket in 2014. The city of Columbus wanted a temporary restraining order against UberX in a case about whether the ride sharing service complied with the city's ride-for-hire regulations. Hawkins denied the city's request, saying it seemed the city and Uber were working out their differences and granting a restraining order would've put Uber at a disadvantage against its competition, Lyft. Abortion cases Abortion cases are more likely to find their way to the Ohio Supreme Court now that the Dobbs ruling at the U.S. Supreme Court said abortion restrictions are up to states to decide. Likewise, Ohio voters in 2023 approved a constitutional amendment covering reproductive rights. So, any legal questions regarding how that amendment should be interpreted and applied will likely be decided by the Ohio Supreme Court. The Democrats running for the supreme court are endorsed by Planned Parenthood while the Republicans are backed by Ohio Right to Life. All six candidates said they pledge to follow the constitution and law. Applying the law Hawkins and his opponent, Lisa Forbes, both say they apply the law as written and don't seek a particular, pre-determined outcome in cases something often described as "legislating from the bench." "I'm not an ideologue. I'm one of those judges who just calls the balls and strikes, looks at the law, applies the law that in front of them and, sometimes, making decisions that are unpopular and difficult to make," Hawkins said. Hawkins describes himself as a strict textualist, who bases his decisions on the plain language of the law, constitution and written contracts and tries to make his reasoning clear in his rulings. "I'm just going to try to do my best to ignore the noise because I've done that as a judge and as a prosecutor," he said. Criminal sentencing data The Ohio Sentencing Commission scrapped a contract it held with University of Cincinnati that aimed to get judges to use the same form for writing their criminal sentencing decisions. Ultimately, the goal was to create a database of criminal sentencing decisions so that the courts and researchers could identify trends, biases and areas for improvement. Some judges didn't like the idea of a searchable database and raised questions about how the data would be used. The commission, which is chaired by Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, is now deciding its next steps. Hawkins said generally, he believes more information helps judges make better decisions. But, he said, sentencing decisions are based on the individual facts of a case. Are judicial races nonpartisan? Sort of. Trial and municipal court races in Ohio are nonpartisan, but a new state law requires partisan labels in general elections for appellate and supreme court candidates. The party label law is expected to help Republican candidates for supreme court this year with Donald Trump at the top of the ticket. Trump twice won Ohio. Justice Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, is suing to overturn the law requiring partisan labels. Brunner lost her bid for chief justice in 2022 against Republican Sharon Kennedy. That was the first election cycle in which the partisan label law was in force. Republicans have held a majority of the seven seats since 1986 nearly four decades. Democrats started to main gains on the court in recent years, but then legislators changed the law to require party labels. 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: Ohio Election: Who is Judge Lisa Forbes running for Supreme Court? Okla. Twins, 2, Found Dead in Hot Car After Caretaker Allegedly Forgets to Drop Them Off, as Dad Speaks Out "They were the best girls the world has ever seen," their father said Go Fund Me Ariel and Avery Suter with their father Marshall Suter An Oklahoma family is mourning the death of their two 2-year-old children who were found dead in a car after a caretaker reportedly forgot to drop them off at daycare last week. Local KFOR reported that officers performing a welfare check discovered the 2-year-old twins, Ariel and Avery, unresponsive in a car that stopped on a street in a neighborhood outside Norman, Okla. Marshall Suter, the girls father, spoke to KFOR and said a trusted family member was supposed to drop the girls off but forgot. "They were the best girls the world has ever seen. It honestly hurts because the girls were so deeply loved and cared for, Suter told the outlet. KFOR reported that another family member said the incident was truly tragic and has been very hard on the family. I hope this will at least show people that it wasnt intentional and truly an accident, the family member told the outlet. This family would just like some peace in this difficult and heavy time. Related: What to Know About Hot Car Deaths and How to Avoid Them A GoFundMe fundraiser set up by one of Suters cousins in order to help the family cover funeral expenses said last Thursdays tragic news was the most traumatic news any parent could ever receive. No one truly knows the pain of losing a child until you are going through it, the fundraiser reads. I know this mom and dad are going through it. We would be so grateful and appreciative in any help received and may God bless you all for your kindness. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.free True Crime newsletter Related: Prevent Hot-Car Deaths: A Checklist for Parents A statement from the Norman Police Department said the two toddlers were both deceased at the time officers arrived on the scene. The department said it appeared the twin girls were accidentally left in the vehicle for an extended period of time before a family member found them. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death, the police statement read. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board conducts a meeting Monday at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City, during which it approved the creation of a new charter school in Blanchard. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY A network of rural Oklahoma charter schools will expand into Blanchard next year. The Academies of Oklahoma, a charter school district with sites in Seminole and Okmulgee, intends to enroll between 180 and 220 elementary and middle school students in Blanchard in fall 2025 with plans to add high school classes in 2026. The Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board unanimously approved The Academy of Blanchard during a meeting Monday. The statewide board has become the charter authorizer for the Seminole and Okmulgee schools, as well, taking over charter oversight from the Oklahoma State Board of Education. The charter district encompassing the Seminole, Okmulgee and Blanchard schools is now known as The Academies of Oklahoma. The districts superintendent, Wren Hawthorne, said the Blanchard school would bring a program with proven success to the city of 9,400 people southwest of Oklahoma City. If you know the Blanchard area, that community is growing so quickly that theres a need for new educational seats in that area, Hawthorne said during the board meeting. So wed be providing help as that community continues to grow. The charter district started in 2017 with The Academy of Seminole, which calls itself a life-planning school focused on career preparation and dual-enrollment in college. It was the first charter school founded in rural Oklahoma. The Seminole school has surpassed the state average in performance and growth on yearly reading, math and science tests, according to the most recent Oklahoma State Report Cards from the 2022-23 school year. Leaders of the charter district opened The Academy of Okmulgee this year. Hawthorne said the Okmulgee school is already at full capacity. The charter district expects the Blanchard school to open at maximum capacity, as well, based on attendance at local open house sessions and expressed interest from families, Hawthorne said. The Academy of Blanchard would cap enrollment at 24 students per class from kindergarten through eighth grade. It intends to add ninth grade in fall 2026 and additional high school classes in the subsequent years. Hawthorne said the school already secured a location in Blanchard. Members of the Statewide Charter School Board said they were encouraged by the charter districts success. I think part of our mission here is to see more stories like what has happened with your schools, board member Ben Lepak told Hawthorne during the meeting. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa One person is in custody following a suspicious fire in Marshalltown over the weekend the Marshalltown Fire Department said. On Saturday at about 2:30 p.m. the Marshalltown Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire in the 1500 block of Summit Street. When firefighters arrived on scene they found two fires inside the home, one in the basement and one in a first-floor bathroom. The fire was extinguished. Loaded gun found in Roosevelt High School students backpack, police say According to the fire department, the resident and her dog were able to safely exit the home. No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross is providing assistance to the resident. The Marshalltown Fire Department Fire Marshal classified the fire as suspicious. A potential suspect has been taken into custody by the Marshalltown Police Department. The suspects name 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 who13.com. Boeing's Tentative Union Deal And Starliner Return Boost Sentiment, But Analyst Remains Neutral Pending Vote The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) shares are trading higher today following a tentative deal with workers to avert a strike. The company reached a tentative agreement with a union that represents over 32,000 workers in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. This agreement could prevent a potential strike that was set to begin as early as Sep. 13. The proposed four-year contract, which includes a 25% wage increase and a commitment to build the next commercial airplane in the Seattle area, marks a significant win for new Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg. B Of A Securities analyst Ronald J. Epstein writes that in their previous discussion with IAM 751 President Jon Holden, the unions key priorities were outlined as Wages, Job Security, and Safety and Quality Oversight. The union initially proposed a 40% wage increase over three to four years, reduced out-of-pocket healthcare costs, restoration of the defined-benefit pension plan, easing of mandatory overtime rules, and a commitment that Boeings next aircraft will be built in the Puget Sound region, adds the analyst. Epstein says that while concessions and Holdens endorsement suggest a lower chance of a strike, strong member support for the pension and wage increase poses a risk of rejection. If accepted, the deal would benefit the industry by preventing further OEM delivery disruptions, adds the analyst. Consequently, Epstein maintained a Neutral rating pending the vote outcome. Apart from this, Boeings Starliner safely returned to Earth in New Mexico on Friday, concluding its three-month flight test. The analyst sees both this successful landing and the union deal as meaningful positives for Boeing, improving sentiment and supporting Kelly Ortbergs efforts to advance the company. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via IShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA) and Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense ETF (NYSE:GCAD). Price Action: BA shares are up 3.59% at $163.28 at the last check Monday. Photo via Shutterstock Read Next: Latest Ratings for BA Date Firm Action From To Mar 2022 Cowen & Co. Maintains Outperform Jan 2022 Jefferies Maintains Buy Jan 2022 Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight View More Analyst Ratings for BA View the Latest Analyst Ratings "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? Story continues This article Boeing's Tentative Union Deal And Starliner Return Boost Sentiment, But Analyst Remains Neutral Pending Vote originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. One dead after single-motorcycle crash in Hocking County LOGAN, Ohio (WCMH) A man is dead after a single-motorcycle crash that occurred Sunday afternoon in Hocking County. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Jeremy Alder, of London, was operating a 2016 Yamaha MT-07 westbound on State Route 56 in Hocking Countys Star Township at 3:35 p.m. Sunday. Alder, 27, failed to negotiate a curve, lost control of the motorcycle and veered off the left side of the road. Columbus gas prices drop again, approaching $3 per gallon The OSHP said Alder struck two parked vehicles in a private driveway, and despite wearing a helmet, was unable to survive his injuries after being hospitalized. Hocking County fire and EMS units assisted OSHP troopers in the crash investigation, which remains ongoing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. The Boating Safety Unit of the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, at Lake Shasta. An unidentified 18-year-old died after two jet skis collided on Lake Shasta on Saturday afternoon, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office said. The accident occurred in Shannon Cove, near Sacramento Point, according to a statement made on Facebook by the sheriff's office on Sunday evening. Authorities said that sheriff's deputies with the Boating Safety Unit responded to reports at about 2:44 p.m. on Saturday about the boating collision and learned that two jet skis had crashed on Lake Shasta, resulting in two people being injured. Visitors at Bridge Bay Resort return to their boat on Friday, July 12, 2024, as extreme hot temperatures cause the water in Lake Shasta to evaporate, leaving a familiar brown ring of shoreline. Deputies arrived and located two injured subjects on the shore a 19-year-old male with a knee injury and an 18-year-old male with injuries to his chin and face. Deputies learned the two had been operating a jet ski when they were hit by another jet ski being operated by a 21-year-old male who did not require medical attention, the Sheriff's Office said. Deputies transported the two victims to Bridge Bay Marina, where medical crews were waiting. Upon arrival at the marina, the 18-year-old man became unresponsive, authorities said. Medical crews began immediate treatment of the victims and transported them to a local hospital. The 18-year-old victim was later pronounced dead at the hospital, officials said. The victim's identity is not being released pending notification of next of kin. The incident remains under investigation by the Boating Safety Unit, according to the statement by Sheriff's Office spokesman Tim Mapes. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Jet ski crash on Lake Shasta leaves 1 man dead Reeta Chakrabarti presenting the BBC News at 6 on BBC One - the channel is still the number one news source according to the latest Ofcom survey [BBC] Online has for the first time overtaken television in an annual survey of the UK's news habits. Research by the broadcast regulator Ofcom reveals 71% of the population said they used online services for news versus 70% who watch TV news bulletins. Over the last year, online sources grew from 68% to 71%, while social media also saw a rise from 47% to 52%. For people aged between 16 and 24, the number saying they use social media for news was 82% The most commonly mentioned online news sources were Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, was the second biggest news source in the survey with 40% saying they used it for news. The BBC remains the biggest single source, with 68% of people saying they turn to it for news. However, this is a survey of what people say they do - analysis based on actual usage can paint a different picture, showing for instance that BBC News reaches 75% of the UK population on an average week. The biggest falls in the survey were for traditional news providers. Newspapers and their websites saw the number of people saying they used them drop from 39% to 34%. TV news fell from 75% to 70%. BBC News online also fell from 22% to 18%. The survey, however, does not measure usage of specific sites. The BBC (1.2 billion visits) and CNN (710 million visits) are the two largest news websites in the world, according to the UK Press Gazette's most recent monthly survey. Both saw significant increases in traffic over the last year. YouTube saw the biggest rise in the survey of news habits, up from 7% to 19% in a year [BBC] The source that saw the biggest increase is YouTube. 19% of those surveyed say they used it for news. In 2023, it was just 7%. However, last year YouTube was not mentioned by name and was just referred to as "other online", which Ofcom says probably accounts for the large rise. Other sources such as the Guardian (10%) and the Daily Mail (14%), which have both a large online presence as well as a print newspaper, had similar figures to last year. The largest UK newspaper website was the Guardian with 365 million visits in July 2024. However, traditional newspapers saw a big decline, with even those over 55 saying they read a print newspaper dropping from 38% to 32% in just a year. Nevertheless, the most mentioned single news source in the survey remains BBC One. TV as a whole maybe in decline but 43% of those surveyed said they turned to BBC One for news, 13% ahead of its nearest rivals, ITV and Facebook, both on 30%. In his speech at the Democratic National Convention, former President Barack Obama said that now, it is up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump often frames political debates as us versus them. A recent article in The Hill captures this political climate by arguing that in America and the entire Western world, there is a battle between populism and pluralism. There are real divisions in America and several Western countries at this time in history. Interpreting them through the lens of fight or us versus them are clearly possibilities, but there is a different explanation that can simultaneously point to potential solutions. A useful starting point is the realization that under the leadership of former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, after World War II, respect for universal human dignity laid the foundation for prosperity and peace in America and throughout the Western world. Human dignity thus offers a new lens for interpreting todays challenges. Over the past 300 years, America and the Western world have increasingly promoted and supported human dignity. In the 18th century, a new concept of human dignity timidly entered the political scene, spurred by the American and French revolutions. Civil societies moved from the longstanding domination of the privileged elite to the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and Natures God entitle (people) and in which governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. Still, women and children received little, if any, protection, and various ethnic groups suffered discrimination. Many individuals and families struggled to earn enough; children often could not afford an education. Those born poor were likely to die young. Social movements promoting human dignity gained momentum in the 19th and 20th centuries. Abolitionists argued that slavery was incompatible with moral laws and succeeded in ending this abominable practice. Regardless of its more immediate causes, World War I erupted as an attempt by the Austro-Hungarian Empire to maintain social structures that benefited the privileged few. Postwar economic problems led to social unrest in several European countries. Driven by the illusionary hope that a strongman could solve social tensions, authoritarian governments emerged in Italy and Germany, and the fascist and national socialist regimes of Mussolini and Hitler caused unspeakable atrocities. The devastation on human life and dignity witnessed during World War II was a turning point. It became clear that new social models were needed if humanity was to survive and thrive. In 1948, Americas and the entire Western worlds commitment to universal human dignity was affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Under Eleanor Roosevelts leadership, the declarations drafting committee enshrined human dignity as the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world. Political leaders attempted to build civil societies adhering to the principles of universal human dignity. This propelled America and the entire Western world into unprecedented progress and relatively widespread prosperity and well-being. Why are challenges and divisions resurfacing at this time in history? We have reached a new turning point. Although the decisive commitment to universal human dignity began after World War II, the translation of this principle into peoples daily lives is far from complete. While some are doing very well, many others are still struggling to make ends meet and provide for themselves and their families. Lack of basic services such as health care or decent housing is affecting many individuals and families in both urban and rural areas and across all ethnic groups. This is generating social tensions, which in turn are fueling divisions. To overcome disagreements, America and the Western world must complete the journey we began after World War II. The principle of universal human dignity needs to be translated into concrete actions that have a positive impact on everyones daily lives. Addressing the real, everyday problems of all segments of the population is key to promote social peace. Given the options, where should America focus its efforts now? It makes sense to concentrate on interventions that can bridge divisions while reconciling people around the idea of the common good. Focusing on children might be the right answer. Children are among the most vulnerable in any society. Promoting their human dignity will hopefully be a consensus in civil society. Among the possible options, a social compact to provide health care to all children would demonstrate a strong commitment to the future of America while transforming child health for the better. Imagine the potential benefits of a presidential debate in which, despite other disagreements, Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris agree on a plan for universal pediatric health care. The American Revolution began the social changes toward universal human dignity. Now is the time to revitalize efforts to complete the transition. Luca Brunelli is a faculty member in the Division of Neonatology at the University of Utah and works in the neonatal intensive care units at the University of Utah Hospital, Primary Childrens Hospital Salt Lake City, Primary Childrens Hospital Lehi and Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City. He is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy (Ethics). On Tuesday, I will be appearing before the Congressional Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, a body that according to the resolution creating it, is, among other areas, supposed to investigate executive branch policies, deliberations, decisions, activities, and internal and external communications related to the coronavirus crisis. In practice it has been used to pursue MAGA conspiracies and has focused on validating right-wing obsessions, culminating in a surreal exchange between Dr. Tony Fauci and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), an apparent one-person medical board who tried to take away the decades-long director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases medical license. I expect much of the same when I address the committee on New Yorks response to the pandemic. Cuomo was one of the key faces of the early days of the pandemic when it hit New York hard. Now he is to be questioned by the COVID Select Committeebut, he writes for the Daily Beast, it has focused on conspiracy theories and ignored the role of then Pres. Donald Trump. Mike Segar/Reuters The American people deserve better, but remember what this is for the Republicans: an election-year block-and-tackle operation to protect Donald Trump and deflect from his leadership failures throughout COVID. During the once-in-a-century pandemic not only did then-President Trump fail to lead, he fell under the weight of his own deception, obfuscation, and incompetence. To date 1.2 million Americans have lost their lives to COVID, more than any other country on the globe. While this committee doesnt appear sincerely interested in getting to the bottom of that, lets not forget what we already learned so it can never happen again. Anthony Fauci: Volcanic Donald Trump Screamed F-Bombs, Then Said He Loved Me COVID hit the public conscience in January 2020. Rather than organize resources, inform the public, or take decisive action, Trumps first move was political: to deceive the country and deny reality. Given the evidence of COVIDs spread through China and Europe, Trumps pronouncements bordered on the delusional, saying on Feb. 27, 2020, It's going to disappear. One day, it's like a miracle, it will disappear. Less than a month later, he predicted the economy would be reopened by Easter and that you'll have packed churches all over our country. This was the moment Trump shocked his own medical experts by suggesting injecting bleach could kill the virus which kills COVID saying, And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters The Easter Bunny came and went andpredictablythe virus stayed and spread. But Trump wasnt just wrong or ill-advised, he knew full well the very real threat COVID presented, as was detailed in memos written as early as Jan. 29 by top White House adviser Peter Navarro predictingthat the loss of life could reach 2 million Americans. Indeed, Trump told Bob Woodward as early as Feb. 7, This is deadly stuff, two weeks later admitting he liked playing it down. Trump doubled down on this charade, effectively offering his own prescriptions ranging from hydroxychloroquine to sunlight, and even an injection of disinfectant as a deterrent. At one point, he tried to impede the states ability to conduct COVID testing by pushing Congress to curtail funding based on his stated belief that if we did very little testing, we wouldn't have the most cases! Trump was concerned about his re-election and knew many people would die, but rather than do his job and lead the nation he distanced himself. It was a political and governmental blunder of epic proportions with deadly consequences. He literally said, I dont take responsibility at all and instead deferred the national crisis to the states, delegating more authority to 50 governors than President Lincoln delegated to Gen. Grant during the Civil War. However, the virus did not stop at state borders, and without a national policy states created a patchwork of different approaches. It also exacerbated partisan differences and disunity, politicizing the pandemic. Fifty states competed against each other for testing capacity, medical personnel, and PPE and other vital equipment. This protest at the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx in New York in April 2020 over a lack of PPE was caused by Trumps failings, says Cuomo. Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters When the federal government did act, it was incompetent. The nations testing capacity was woefully inadequate. Early on, the CDC insisted on controlling testing and prohibited state laboratories from participating, costing months of deadly delay. The CDC and CMS offered conflicting and incorrect information on basic issues, such as how the virus was transmitted. The president initiated a travel ban from China to the West Coast on Jan. 31, 2020, minimizing the spread in that region, but left the East Coast wide open. Planes carrying COVID-infected passengers from Europe were allowed to land in the Northeast for weeks, until March 13 of that year. Four years later, politics is once again Trump-ing science. After declaring the expedited vaccine development one of the greatest miracles in the history of modern-day medicine Trump has caved to pressure from Republican conservatives as a presidential candidate, adopting extreme stances such a pledging to defund schools with vaccine mandates, and forging an alliance with a rabid anti-vax advocate. Beyond Trump himself, extremist rhetoric and policies, including those embraced by some of the GOP members of the committee have led to more unnecessary deaths. Cuomo says Trumps long record of COVID failure is what led to 1.2 million deaths in the U.S. from the virus, among them these two bodies in a morgue in Manhattan in the early days of the pandemic. Andrew Kelly/Reuters An analysis led by the Brown School of Public Health showed that between January 2021 and April 2022, vaccines could have prevented at least 318,000 COVID-19 deaths. Numerous studies show that COVID death rates were higher among those living under Republican governance than those under Democrats. In a paper published in the peer-reviewed Preventive Medicine Reports, researchers in Michigan found Republican-governed counties had significantly higher COVID-19 mortality than their Democratic counterparts. Despite all this, one part of the federal governmentthe select committeeis still in denial and is continuing to politicize COVID rather than learn from it. The GOP strategy was, and still is, to fabricate theories to blame the states and governors for the COVID deaths. Obviously, they choose to focus on Democratic governors and New York has been their primary target. To get to the actual facts, it is necessary to look past the Republicans disinformation campaign. The politics must be debunked, and the shortcomings addressed before the next timeand the next time could be anytime. Cuomo was the 56th Governor of the State of New York. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The Detroit-only plan simply has no hope of achieving actual desegregation. Under such a plan, white and Negro students will not go to school together. Instead, Negro children will continue to attend all-Negro schools. The very evil that Brown was aimed at will not be cured but will be perpetuated. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, dissenting opinion in Milliken v. Bradley, July 25, 1974 This year, Americans marked the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, which ended legal segregation of public schools. Its one of the Supreme Courts most famous rulings and certainly its best-known education-related case. In many ways, though, Milliken v. Bradley decided 50 years ago, in July 1974 has more to teach about the current state of American education and what it would take to truly realize Browns promise of integrated schools and equal educational opportunity for all. If Brown was the green light for school integration in America, Milliken which addressed the question of whether the federal courts could require regional integration plans across district lines became something of a flashing red. In overruling the cross-district remedies that lower courts deemed essential for true integration in metropolitan Detroit, the Supreme Court significantly limited the ability of the federal courts to order predominantly white suburban districts to integrate with predominantly black urban ones. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Related 70 Years After Brown v. Board, School Funding is the New Frontier in Ed Equity As Marshall sadly predicted, schools today are more segregated than they were when he wrote his dissent, with most of that segregation occurring between school districts rather than within them. Indeed, a whopping 97% of the intense school segregation in the Detroit area stems from demographic differences between neighboring or nearby districts a direct legacy of Milliken. But the decision did not prevent states from adjusting district lines or taking other steps to promote cross-district integration. Thats exactly what they should do now. The organization I co-founded, Browns Promise, has developed a comprehensive state policy agenda laying out concrete strategies for state leaders, advocates, policymakers and practitioners. States could, for example, transform school funding formulas to allocate resources according to a schools needs rather than local property values. Or they could create interdistrict transfer programs and public magnet schools, like those that have fostered diverse classrooms in Hartford, Connecticut. States could also require districts to create plans for promoting integrated, well-funded schools within districts and schools, and systematically track their progress toward meeting those goals. Related The Fight Continues: As Segregation Grows, White House Honors Brown v. Board Achieving this sort of state policy change should not require litigation, but history teaches that legal action is necessary for forcing integration in American schools. Several active lawsuits offer a promising roadmap. Students, families and organizations in Minnesota, New Jersey and New York have filed lawsuits arguing that their states have a duty under their state constitutions to address segregation in their public schools. In Minnesota, for example, the state Supreme Courts most recent ruling in the ongoing Cruz-Guzman school desegregation case underscored the states responsibility to address educational inequalities caused by segregation without requiring proof that the state intentionally promoted it. In New Jersey, the Latino Action Networks school desegregation lawsuit has moved to mediation, seeking remedies after a judge found the state did not address racial segregation in 23 districts. And an appellate court recently cleared the way for a suit challenging segregation in New York City public schools to proceed. Related MN High Court: School Racial Imbalances Alone Dont Violate State Constitution These legal challenges are complemented by growing momentum in research, advocacy and community organizing around the country. In New York, IntegrateNYC is turning to youth leaders to light the way toward integrated, equitable schools. Earlier this year, New America released an innovative, interactive tool that allows educators, policymakers and advocates to explore how district lines separate students from resources, opportunity and each other. And leading researchers at Stanford and USC recently published eye-opening new data about the state of segregation in American public schools. That research paints a bleak picture of a public school system that has, for decades now, been trending back toward segregation. Indeed, as legal scholar Martha Minow has noted, Milliken marked the beginning of the end of serious efforts to desegregate Americas public schools. But that does not have to be the end of the story. A new generation of students, educators, advocates and judges now have the chance to author a new chapter. Related Who Should Be Allowed to Cross the School District Line: Bureaucrats or Parents? After weeks of will-they, wont-they theatrics, Vice President Harris and former President Trump will go toe-to-toe this Tuesday in a live debate hosted by ABC News. If Trump fares poorly, its also likely to be the last time the American people get a chance to see the two major candidates lay out their visions for our national future. Theres one big difference between tomorrows match-up and the first presidential debate back in June: This time, Donald Trump will be the old man in the race. Unlike his summer matchup against President Biden, which was nothing short of a fiasco for Democrats, Trumps team seems aware that 90 minutes squaring off with Harris, a former prosecutor, will be a considerably more challenging effort. As usual, cable news outlets will have no shortage of professional punditry analyzing what goes down in Philadelphia. But beyond the talking points, Harris and Trump are hoping to win over the dwindling pool of voters who tell pollsters they still havent made up their mind. That means both candidates will be bringing their sharpest messaging to the debate stage and hoping something sticks. Here are the biggest issues Trump and Harris will need to address on Tuesday night, and why their responses could once again reshape the 2024 presidential contest. Trump: Abortion, abortion, abortion Abortion was always going to be a centerpiece of any serious debate this year. Whats unexpected is how the political pressure around Republicans staggeringly unpopular anti-abortion laws has reshaped candidate Trumps positions. Just over a year ago, the ex-president bragged about his pivotal role in restricting reproductive rights, telling supporters on Truth Social I was able to kill Roe v. Wade. Even a few months ago he was still celebrating his role in picking the Supreme Court justices responsible for overturning half a century of abortion rights. But after nose-diving in recent polls due in large part to women fleeing the Republican Party and a survey showing women voters now rank abortion rights above the economy as their top issue, Trump is racing to rebrand himself as a fighter for reproductive freedom. Thats going to be a tough sell. Still, Trump has no choice but to try. Expect to see the former president on Tuesday suddenly championing IVF fertility treatments that many in his party oppose. That includes Trumps latest empty pledge to protect and federally fund IVF a proposal that goes much further than a bill Senate Republicans summarily rejected over the summer that would have guaranteed access to the treatment nationwide. Similar plans have been condemned as socialism by conservatives before; I guess socialism is OK if your polling is bad enough. Trump has quite the mountain to climb in convincing anyone that he really cares about abortion access. A Redfield & Wilton poll released last week found that a majority of swing-state voters side with Democrats on protecting abortion rights. Those same voters overwhelmingly blame Republicans and Trump specifically for restricting their reproductive freedom. Harris: Flip-flops or evolution? Kamala Harris has surged in national and swing state polling since taking over the Democratic ticket in July, but shes conducted comparatively few live television interviews. That raises the stakes of Tuesdays debate, where Harris will be tasked with selling Democrats vision of a Trump-free future while also facing tough questions about her evolving positions on key issues. In recent days, Republican pundits have done their best to frame Harris as a flip-flopper. They cite her reversal on issues including banning fracking, an electric vehicle mandate, and even her early support for banning plastic straws. While theres no doubt Harris has evolved her positions over the years she briefly supported Medicare for All as a first-year senator but hasnt seriously considered the idea since 2020 her ability to fend off claims of flip-flopping will be critical to maintaining control of the stage during the debate. Swing-state voters tell pollsters theyre still skeptical about Harriss current beliefs. If she can put those concerns to rest by contextualizing her policy shifts as part of her growing experience as a national politician, that could go a long way to quieting the lingering concerns of persuadable voters Harris needs to win over. On the other hand, if she appears evasive or lacks clear answers (for example, about her recent hawkish shift on immigration policy), she risks dampening the enthusiasm she has enjoyed with her Democratic base. Political history has shown that voters are willing to accept that a candidates views have changed; what they wont accept is the idea that a candidate has switched positions simply for the sake of winning votes as Trump just did on abortion. The race is close enough that neither candidate can afford to coast through Tuesdays big debate. While its unlikely either Trump or Harris delivers a knock-out punch that resets the entire race, small errors can quickly add up. In swing states where a few thousand votes could determine a winner, neither candidate can afford those mistakes. Here we go again. Max Burns is a veteran Democratic strategist and founder of Third Degree Strategies. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In Kamala Harris first major interview as a presidential candidate, she was asked whether she would stop weapons from going to Israel because of the extreme harm theyve caused Palestinian civilians. Harris didnt answer the question directly but pivoted to the need for a hostage and peace deal between Hamas and Israel. Donald Trumps advisor Robert OBrien responded to a similar question by rejecting the idea of an arms embargo on Israel, stating concerns about technology supply chains that include Israeli companies. Both answers are wrong. The correct answer is this: The United States will abide by its own laws and policies on any weapons sent to any ally. Surely Harris and Trump will be asked about Israel and weapons again at the debate on Tuesday, especially given the reports of Hamas horrific killing of six hostages last month. So here is a quick primer on why the answer is simpler than they seem to believe. Read more: Calmes: Listen up, Kamala let Trump beat Trump Over decades, Congress has created laws that govern who gets U.S. weapons and under what conditions. The American public should expect that any president it elects will follow those laws. Several of those laws, and the policies that derive from them, curtail American weapons going to countries that have violated or are violating the rules governing war. The federal Foreign Assistance Act prohibits security assistance to any government that restricts the delivery of U.S. humanitarian aid . The better-known Leahy l aws , championed by now-retired Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, prohibits weapons from going to military units that have committed gross violations of human rights. In the case of U.S. weapons to Israel, then, the only real question is whether that countrys conduct in Gaza has violated these provisions. If Israel is conducting its military campaign in Gaza in line with U.S. law and policies, it may continue to receive U.S. weapons; if not, those weapons deliveries should be suspended. It really is that simple. Read more: Hamas releases video of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin: 'I miss you' Yet our presidential candidates are tripping over themselves to find an answer that tries to solve too many problems at once. The question here is not about support for Israel as a nation. Nor is it about ensuring that Israel can defend itself. If Harris and Trump want to support Israel in its self-defense, they absolutely can in accordance with U.S. laws. It is also not about the horrors that occurred on Oct. 7. The ongoing ordeal of the surviving hostages and the harms to civilians on that day by Hamas Qassam Brigades and other Palestinian armed groups were crimes against humanity. But U.S. law reflects the need for any government seeking U.S. military support to abide by international law in its response to violations by others, however grave. The Biden administration has been doing contortions to provide military support to Israel without reference to U.S. or international law. It paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs in May, citing concerns about civilian harm, and even admitted in a report to Congress that month that U.S. weapons had likely been used in ways inconsistent with the law. But the White House said it didnt have enough evidence to prove that specific violations had occurred, which would have triggered a suspension of further weapons shipments. Read more: After hostage killings, can the Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks be revived? The evidence the Biden administration says it doesnt have is everywhere. Careful investigations by the United Nations and organizations like mine have been documenting and reporting alleged violations since hostilities started in October, including Israeli forces unlawful airstrikes , the use of starvation as a method of warfare and torture of Palestinian detainees. The International Court of Justice has called on Israel three times to open Gazas crossings for aid shipments. A presidential candidate publicly committing to upholding U.S. laws on arms transfers could put pressure on Israel to meet its legal obligations in Gaza. The Obama administration withheld an entire category of weapons from Saudi Arabia because of the harm it was causing in Yemen, and the Biden administration did it again for three years, until the Saudis were persuaded to end that war. The Biden administration also withheld aid from Egypt because of human rights abuses, resulting in some reforms. (Bidens next aid package to Egypt must be decided by the end of this month, with the administration indicating its willingness to waive some human rights conditions though the situation in Egypt remaining dire.) Despite clear evidence that weapons are leverage, the Biden administration has not been willing to use them decisively to press Israel to stop indiscriminate attacks and gain wider aid access for Palestinians threatened by a lack of food, water and access to medicine, including polio vaccines. Raising concerns publicly, as the administration has done, but still providing U.S. weapons support unconditionally has meant that the Israeli government has had no incentive to change its conduct in Gaza. The Biden administration has missed an important opportunity to do the right thing by upholding U.S. law and policy. This is a problem not only for the conflict in Gaza, but for future armed conflicts. Flouting the law sets a precedent for future administrations to arm any ally, no matter its conduct. The Biden administration has made its position clear. But its not too late for the presidential candidates to respond correctly to questions about their support for Israel. Bring the hostages home? Yes. Secure peace for Israelis and Palestinians? Yes. Weapons without conditions? No. Sarah Yager is the Washington director at Human Rights Watch. 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. Opinion: Did My Fun Guide to NYC Quickies Get Twisted in Trumps Dark Mind? Donald Trumps refusal to acknowledge the harm he did to writer E. Jean Carroll is on brand for the former president and serial liar. At a press conference on Friday, Trump posed in front of the (fake) gold walls of Trump Tower while flanked by second-rate lawyers and proceeded to defame the woman who has already triumphed in two court cases against him. First, he denied: She made up a story, fabricated 100%, that I attacked her. Then he dodged: I would have had no interest in meeting her in any way, shape or form. Trump Skewers His Legal Team as They Awkwardly Stand Beside Him Then he deflected: Her favorite show is Law & Order. Theres an almost exact story as her story in Law & Order about being attacked in the dressing room of a department store. It was odd to see Trump spewing that Law & Order narrative since it failed to sway the jury when then-Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina presented it in court. Instead, the jury voted unanimously to find Trump liable of sexual abuse and awarded Carroll $5 million in damages. USA-ELECTION/TRUMP-NEW YORK "Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump, next to attorneys Alina Habba and Will Scharf, attends a press conference at Trump Tower in New York City, U.S., September 6, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado" David Dee Delgado Fresh from oral arguments to appeal that verdict, Trump returned to that talking point despite that theory containing a massive flaw. The episode that Trump insists triggered Carrolls story aired 15 years after Carroll told people about Trump assaulting her. Thats not how time works. Still, as is often the case with Trump, every accusation is a confession. That may be true here, too, and maybe hes the one who got the idea from an outside news source. Trump has strenuously maintained that the notion that physical contact in a crowded department store like Bergdorf Goodmans was beyond credulity. In fact, the idea was entirely plausible. And heres proof. Let's rewind to the late 1980s when the short-fingered vulgarian devoured every word written about him, including the monthly mockery in Spy magazine, a short-lived satirical monthly founded by editors Graydon Carter and Kurt Anderson. In October 1987, I co-wrote the magazines centerfold: The SPY Map to Furtive Lunchtime Romance. This is the 1987 feature which provides an eerie foreshadowing of Trumps meeting with E. Jean Carroll which led to a jury ruling he sexually assaulted her. Spy Magazine The lede laid out the concept: New Yorkers know where to go when they want to be seenthe Four Seasons, Mortimers, Le Cirque. But where do they go when they dont want to be seen? The map provided a list of places where couples could drop in for a midtown quickie. These potential love nests included a closet at St. Thomass Church, a safe deposit box at a bank, and the Chanel Boutique changing room at BERGDORF GOODMAN. I even recall scouting the various department stores that dotted Fifth Avenue back thenBendels, Saks Fifth Avenue, Takashimayabefore determining that Bergdorfs offered the most discretion. And if a changing room on the second floor offered plenty of privacy, then one on the sixth floor would have been even more private. Finally, contrary to Trumps repeated claims that it never could have happened in a dressing room because the doors are LOCKED, there, in print, that claim was debunked. Theres no way to know if Trump read this map, but the possibility increases given the item that followed Bergdorfs on the map actually included the name Trump. This was the innocent guide to New York venues suitable for illicit encounters which may provide a clue to what Trump was thinking when he, according to a federal civil jury, sexually assaulted E. Jean Carroll on the sixth floor of Bergdorf Goodman. Spy Magazine Directly beneath Bergdorf Goodman in the Spy guide was Trump Tower, linoleum floors and all. Spy magazine To be clear, the article assumed that any couple seeking a sexual encounter in a midtown department store dressing room would be acting consensually. Leave it to Trump to turn a fun activity into something so offensive and harmful that a jury determined he broke civil code. Thats also on brand for Trump. Carroll (center) sued Trump won a ruling that he had sexually assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman changing room in a case pushed by attorney Roberta Kaplan (left). Adam Gray/Reuters There was one other mention of Trump in that issue of the magazine and therefore one more reason to believe he read it. The cover story featured The SPY 100, the magazines annual roundup of the Most Annoying, Alarming and Appalling People, Places and Things in New York and the Nation. Trump came in third behind corporate raider Ivan Boesky and Ronald Reagan. The previous year, Trump had actually secured the #1 spot for most annoying. But the next year, he dropped to third place, in part because under mitigating factors, Spy presciently noted, he didnt run for office. Think Donald Trump didnt read hate Spy magazine? He was in the same edition as the guide to quickies. Spy Magazine Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The border and immigration are issues weighing heavily on the minds of voters. At Tuesdays presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris ought to approach this issue more shrewdly, playing to her partys strengths and framing it in a way that paints former President Donald Trumps views on immigrants as the deterioration of truly American ideals. Trump said in December, Illegal immigration is poisoning the blood of our nation. With such openly bigoted language, Trump has brought nakedly authoritarian impulses into the heart of the country, poisoning the Enlightenment values that make America the beacon of democracy. It was during the Trump administration that everyday people witnessed migrant children being locked up in abhorrent detention facilities. Follow live updates on the Trump-Harris debate. Harris and Democrats are often playing defense to Republican attacks on immigration and border security. But they can and should make the case to voters that supporting Americas legacy of welcoming immigrants is the patriotic thing to do. At the debate, Harris should take the opportunity to lay out the legislative pathway toward resolving the issue, then pivot to a more fundamental framing that speaks to more latent, abstract and instinctual feelings and Americans higher and more enduring values. In pledging to sign the recent bipartisan border bill that Trump undermined for his own political benefit, Harris can claim to be acting in the public interest in the literal, practical sense of stemming the tide of border crossings. She can simultaneously frame the issue as a stemming of the tide of dissipating, un-American ideological extremism and culturally permissible autocratic impulses. Many observers felt that the recent Democratic National Convention was an attempt to wrest patriotism from the right, with an emphasis on the immigrant story as intrinsic to the American dream. Standing up against Trumps poisoning of enduring values is a further claim to not only patriotism, but also tradition, which, if argued adeptly in a debate, could frame MAGA as an aberration. Presenting this as a twofold solution would appeal to and bind skeptics of the Democrats, who see them as ineffectual or lax on the border but have severe misgivings about Trumps demagogic excesses and the extreme policies he and his allies are pushing for in a potential second administration. Brad Evans and Henry Giroux, co-authors of American Fascism: Fourteen Deadly Principles of Contemporary Politics, argue: Fascism operates at the level of desire: The desire for power, the desire to control, the desire to humiliate, the desire to violate. ... Fascist desire both seduces and colonizes, embodies a ruthless appropriation of power and the loss of power over ones sense of self-determination. The word colonizes is prescient here, as it speaks to an ideological colonization thats at least as threatening to the welfare of society as the literal influx of migrants at the border. Often, those who employ fascist tactics do so cynically they do not really believe the enemies they target are so malign, or so powerful, as their rhetoric suggests. Nevertheless, there comes a tipping point where rhetoric becomes policy. Donald Trump and the Republican Party are at that point now. That is the true poisoning of the blood of the country. And Harris can make the case to the American people that Trump, his party and their policies are the real invasion of American society. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Nio's (NYSE: NIO) stock surged 14% on Sept. 5 after the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker posted its second-quarter report. Its revenue rose 99% year over year to 17.45 billion yuan ($2.4 billion) but missed analysts' estimates by $40 million. It narrowed its adjusted net loss per American depositary share (ADS) from 3.28 yuan to 2.21 yuan ($0.30), which matched the consensus forecast. Nio didn't hit a home run, but its soaring deliveries, rising vehicle margins, and rosy guidance suggested it was reaching an inflection point. Should investors buy this oft-overlooked EV stock while it still trades more than 20% below its IPO price? Image source: Nio. Why the bears are backing off Nio sells a wide range of electric sedans and SUVs. It differentiated itself from its competitors with removable batteries that could be quickly swapped out at its battery-changing stations. That feature addressed the lengthy charging times for EVs. Nio's annual deliveries more than doubled in both 2020 and 2021, but they only increased 32% in 2022 and 31% in 2023. That deceleration was caused by supply chain constraints, weather-related disruptions, macro headwinds for consumer spending in China, and an ongoing EV price war driven by Tesla's deepening discounts. As Nio's deliveries slowed down, its vehicle margins dropped from a record high of 20.2% in 2021 to 9.5% in 2023 as it lost its pricing power. The bears claimed Nio's business model was unsustainable, and its stock plunged from its record high of $62.84 in February 2021 to less than $4 earlier this year. But in the second quarter, its deliveries and vehicle margin both improved sequentially and year over year. Metric Q2 2023 Q3 2023 Q4 2023 Q1 2024 Q2 2024 Deliveries 23,520 55,432 50,045 30,053 57,373 Growth (YOY) (6%) 75% 25% (3%) 144% Vehicle margin 6.2% 11% 11.9% 9.2% 12.2% Data source: Nio. YOY = year over year. Nio expects to maintain that momentum with 61,000 to 63,000 deliveries in the third quarter, which would represent 10% to 14% growth from a year earlier, as its revenue rises 0% to 3% year over year. It attributes that recovery to its market share gains, the launch of its new high-end ET7 Executive Edition sedan, and the expansion of its lower-end Onvo smart vehicle brand in China. It's also getting ready to launch its new Firefly brand, which focuses on smaller and cheaper vehicles, in Europe. Analysts expect Nio's revenue to rise 23% for the full year. They also expect its revenue to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27% from 2023 to 2026. That's an impressive growth rate for a stock with a price-to-sales ratio of just 1. Tesla, which is larger and growing at a much slower rate, trades at 7 times this year's sales. Story continues But will Nio's valuations remain under pressure? Nio's valuations are being squeezed by three main challenges. First, the company will stay deeply unprofitable as it continues to expand its capital-intensive battery-swapping networks. Those costs could consistently offset its expanding vehicle margins. It's also more than doubled its share count since its IPO with its stock-based compensation and secondary share offerings, and that dilution should persist for the foreseeable future. Second, Nio's aggressive expansion into Europe with cheap EVs could be threatened by higher tariffs that went into effect in July. Its European-Union-bound vehicles are now subject to an additional 20.8% tariff on top of its original 10% import duty, and it might need to hike its prices to offset that pressure. Nio is counting on the European market to diversify its top line away from China, where it faces tough challenges but still generates most of its revenue. Lastly, the persistent trade and political tensions between the U.S. and China are still driving many investors away from Chinese stocks. So unless those tensions wane, Nio could continue to trade at a discount to many American EV stocks. So is it the right time to buy Nio's stock? Nio's prospects are improving, and its low valuation should limit its downside potential. However, I don't think it will attract too much attention from the bulls unless the relationship between the U.S. and China improves and the company addresses its challenges in Europe, significantly expands its vehicle margins, and gradually narrows its operating losses. If you plan to tune out that noise for a few years, it might be smart to buy Nio's stock while it still trades below its IPO price. But for now, I'd rather invest in other undervalued EV stocks that aren't so tightly tethered to China. Should you invest $1,000 in Nio right now? Before you buy stock in Nio, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Nio wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $630,099!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of September 3, 2024 Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Should You Buy Nio Stock While It's Still Below Its IPO Price? was originally published by The Motley Fool NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonights 7 p.m. ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here. State of play: 57 days to the election 1 day to the debate set for Sept. 10 Decision Desk HQ average : Kamala Harris +3.3, as of around 12 p.m. ET today. Click here to see the latest numbers. PredictIt betting odds: 52 to 51 in favor of Harris Nothing Kills a Bad Product Faster Than Good Advertising 50 days into Vice President Kamala Harriss presidential campaign, a New York Times poll gives her a troubling reality check: The idea of Kamala Harris is better than the real Kamala Harris. The idea: Shes not Trump or Biden Someone younger With a more hopeful and optimistic message Someone people can discuss as a first A candidate the media can support Someone with a non-angry, non-rambling stump speech The reality: Nothing kills a bad product faster than good advertising no politician in history has received more free advertising than Harris. The more people get to know Harris, the less they like and the more skeptical they are. Democrats DNC talking points that she is a second coming of Obama now seem laughable Shes going into the debate complaining about the rules Her website policy proposals reads like a progressive wish list without the specifics Bernie Sanders called her tack to the middle pragmatic to win while assuring the faithful she is still one of thembelieve them. Her campaigns pre-debate ad focuses on ex-Trump loyalists (like former Vice President Mike Pence and former Ambassador John Bolton) trashing Trump Thought bubble: What happened to happy joyful warroring? Our buddy Chris Cillizza dives into the New York Times polling better than I ever could. Politico calls the polls sobering. Nate Cohn writes in the New York Times, Almost 30 percent of voters said they needed to learn more about her. Thought bubble: The more you dig past the idea of Harris, the less she delivers on all the positive idea attributes. Watch tonight: With Bill OReilly, well discuss why Trump is utterly incapable of capitalizing on the opportunity. This election might be his to lose, but hes doing a very, very good job losing it. Axios goes through Trumps personal grievances and threats to imprison people over baseless election fraud allegations. Swing voters dont tell us journalists (or pollsters) when we interview them about their election fraud concerns. Instead, they are concerned about the economy, the border, crime, abortion. Three out of four of those issues help Trump but he doesnt talk about them. Forget for a minute the hair-on-fire response about him being a dictator. Trumps undisciplined campaign should really upset his followers because it doesnt help him. Mental image: Manny Munoz of WIOD Radio in Miami and I chatted on air this morning. He compared Trumps message discipline to that of a hangry two-year-old. Nobody wants to elect their hangry two-year-old as president. Dick Cheney, Hero of the Left Yes, the same Dick Cheney put to pasture (or his ranch in Wyoming) by Republicans and reviled by Democrats is no longer the butt of late night jokes for once shooting his hunting partner Now as an endorser of Harris, he is a brave fighter for democracy cue the Superman meme. From Politico: Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday he disagrees with former Vice President Dick Cheney and former Rep. Liz Cheney on many topics, but not on their belief that Donald Trump should never become president again. Speaking on NBCs Meet the Press, the Vermont senator said, What I think Dick and Liz Cheney are saying is that in this existential moment in American history, its not just issues. Cheney and I agree on nothing no issues. But what we do believe in is that the United States should retain its democratic foundations. Hottest take from Glenn Greenwald: If literal Adolf Hitler were found alive and said bad things about Trump, hed have a popular afternoon MSNBC show within weeks and a regular stint on Morning Joe. It was extremely common among liberals to accuse Cheney of being everything now said about Trump. The prism of Trump: For Americas elite (not just Democrats, but elites in general) your standing depends on your view of Trump From Variety: Several years after Donald Trump called Kim Jong Un Little Rocket Man, Elton John has weighed in on his hit song being the inspiration for the North Korean dictators nickname.I laughed, I thought that was brilliant, John told Varietys Ramin Setoodeh in an interview at Toronto Film Festival. I just thought, Good on you, Donald. Donalds always been a fan of mine, and hes been to my concerts many, many times. So, I mean, Ive always been friendly toward him, and I thank him for his support. When he did that, I just thought it was hilarious. It made me laugh. Just wait for Elton John to get canceled for not hating Trump. Handcuffed and Biased! Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee, Wisconsin, on September 7, 2024. Trump is holding a rally in the US swing state of Wisconsin on Saturday while US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris hunkers down in another crucial battleground, Pennsylvania, preparing for next weeks televised presidential debate. (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP) For two people who want to be leaders of the free world, Trump and Harris have an impressive list of grievances about a 90-minute debate. Democrats complain Harris is handcuffed by the debate rules Team Biden (now Team Harris) agreed to. Trump is on his usual grievance fest complaining about the moderators Look back : He used the same playbook for the last debate and by all accounts CNN treated him fairly Watch tonight: Chris Stirewalt and Bill Sammon ran debates for Fox News and will join us with how much the expectations matter, what questions to expect and more importantly, what questions wont be asked. Afghanistan and Gaza Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., joins us tonight on a devastating Republican report detailing the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. Be fair : Its a Republican report about a Democrat Be more fair : Good luck finding a Democrat to defend the administrations withdrawal. How is it going? Since Afghanistan, Americas standing in the world has continued to decline. Today, the Washington Post reported that President Bidens long-desired cease-fire in Gaza is now more unlikely than ever. Tune into On Balance with Leland Vittert weeknights at 7/6C on NewsNation. Find your channel here. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Opinion | Mark Robinsons candidacy has gone from bad to worse and it could hurt Trump Its possible nobody cares whether or not Mark Robinson, the MAGA Republican running for North Carolina governor, used to hang out at adult video stores, as one explosive investigative piece in that state reported last week. Its possible, but unlikely. Robinsons star has been rising since a gun rights rant made him a right-wing star in 2018. Now, hes North Carolinas lieutenant governor and, with former President Donald Trumps blessing, hes trying to be the first Black governor in the states history. But Robinson has built his brand on judging, more than any politician Ive seen in my two decades covering politics in North Carolina. Women, liberals, public school teachers, atheists, LGBTQ+ people, Jewish people, poor people few have been spared Robinsons righteous wrath. God calls men, not women, to lead, he says. LGBTQ+ people are demonic. Theyre filth, theyre maggots. Women get abortions because they couldnt keep their skirt down. Some folks out there need killing. The problem with judging so loudly and so often is you invite the same for yourself. A man who gives no grace to others cant expect it for himself. The Assembly, an online news site in North Carolina, reported last week that in the 1990s and early 2000s, before Robinson was running for any offices, he would visit adult video stores in his hometown as often as five times a week. According to the report which Robinsons campaign denied, calling the reporters degenerates he would bring in pizza from the Papa Johns restaurant he worked at and preview pornography in a booth inside the store. Multiple employees said he was a memorable customer. He was gregarious and funny, they said, albeit homophobic, occasionally cracking jokes at the expense of the stores gay clientele. I know he might have problems with gay people, but I dont think he has problems with lesbians, one employee said of Robinsons taste in pornography, according to the Assembly. People will say this isnt news. Many Americans, especially men, have watched or regularly watch pornography. But porns ubiquitousness has nothing to do with why this story matters. Voters will forgive bad policies, dumb statements, even crimes, but they rarely forgive humiliation. They wont see the big, strong MAGA superhero Robinson says he is. Theyll see a gay-hating man taking a pizza into a private booth in a windowless adult video store to watch lesbian porn. In politics, theres the person politicians say they are, the person people perceive them to be, and the person they really are. You hope theres not much of a gap between them, but with Robinson this born again Christian who, according to his memoir, found religion in the 1980s its a Grand Canyon-sized chasm. Not everyone in Robinsons base rural, mostly white Christians will believe this story. But some will and, for better or for worse, people dont like to talk about sex or pornography in these communities. Its not table-talk. The Assemblys story documented how people of faith picketed the Greensboro, North Carolina, adult video stores that Robinson is accused of going to. Those people are the people who are supposed to be excited to vote for Robinson. This adult video store story is just the latest trouble for Robinsons struggling campaign. The governors race should be nail-bitingly close but, according to some polls, Robinson trails his Democratic opponent, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, by double digits. Some Republicans are even concerned that Robinson might damage former President Donald Trumps hopes of carrying North Carolina, an all-important battleground state in the presidential election. If thats the case, Republicans have no one but themselves to blame. Robinsons drawbacks as a candidate were obvious. In 2022, after years of anti-abortion statements from Robinson, we learned that he paid for his wifes abortion in 1989, before they were married. Thats hard to stomach from a man whos supported a complete abortion ban, called abortion doctors butchers of humanity, and shamed women who need reproductive health care. Robinson also has touted himself as a small-business owner who believes in personal responsibility while slamming people who take government charity. But his background includes multiple bankruptcies, five years of unfiled federal taxes and a day care business that, according to state records, was cited numerous times for violations of state standards that are meant to keep children safe. Another report found that state inspectors cited the day care, which Robinson and his wife co-owned, for falsifying certification documents so it could stay open. Then theres last months report in the Atlantic that Robinson, a U.S. Army veteran who promised to lead on veterans issues, hasnt attended a single meeting of North Carolinas Military Affairs Commission in the four years hes been lieutenant governor even though the commission is one of the few statutory duties of his office. Either the state Republican Party performed no background research on its candidate for governor or, more likely, it knew and didnt care. It believed that, after Trumps myriad controversies didnt sink him, that there is no floor, no accountability anymore for a MAGA candidate. But Robinson isnt Trump. He isnt being forgiven like Trumps forgiven. The polls make that clear. Like Trump, Robinson is light on policy, large on spit and venom. From his speeches, youd think North Carolina is a blood-soaked, charnel wasteland, not one of the fastest-growing states in the nation a pretty place with mountains, beaches, bootleggers, the best historically Black colleges in the nation, a massive veterans community, race car drivers, Dreamers, poets, musicians and Pride marches. Its a complicated place, the kind of complicated that politicians like Robinson are afraid of. Republicans assumed the worst of their own base, of people of faith, of North Carolinians that they are cruel and stupid people who will reward the same in their political candidates. Its an offensive miscalculation. Now, the only question is whether North Carolina voters will make Trump and other Republicans on the ballot with Robinson pay for it too. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com As we near the first debate of a reset presidential race, anticipation and armchair punditry are growing. From the debate about the debates microphones to each campaigns efforts to set expectations in favor of their candidate, were hurtling towards a nationally televised showdown between former President Trump and Vice President Harris and a predictable media frenzy over any possible result. In the aftermath of the first presidential debate, which turned the entire election upside down, theres understandable hype for the sequel. The problem is sequels rarely live up to the original and presidential debates dont actually decide elections. For years, increasing numbers of studies have shown that, for all the attention we lavish on debates, they just dont shape voters choice in a meaningful way. Most voters dont watch debates, and the few who do have already decided which candidate to support. In a two-party country that has grown increasingly more polarized, there are very few Republican voters who would watch Harris best Trump on the debate stage and switch to her camp. Although the Trump-Biden bout did indeed change this race, its the exception that proves the rule as the uniquely early nature of the debate, paired with the publics concern over Bidens on-stage performance, led it to make a real impact. (Theres also some strong evidence that Bidens polling slide wasnt caused by the debate itself, but rather by the subsequent media coverage and evaporation of political support from Democratic leaders.) Throughout the history of televised debates, a series of myths have taken root that inflated the gravity of these confrontations. Weve repeatedly told ourselves that John F. Kennedys narrow 1960 victory over Richard Nixon was powered by his telegenic appearance in the first presidential debate, contrasted with Nixons haggard visage. Yet the main point of evidence behind that story that Nixon won over radio audiences, who heard his more substantive answers without being influenced by style points relies entirely on a single poll that research has shown held Republican bias. The Kennedy/Nixon debates were an iconic moment in American history, but the evidence that they seriously shaped vote choice in favor of Kennedy is shaky at best. We dont need to look all the way back to 1960 to see this cognitive dissonance about presidential debates rear its head. John Kerry bested George W. Bush in the 2004 debates he still lost the election. Hillary Clinton beat Trump in the 2016 debates she still lost the Electoral College and that election. Time and time again, weve failed to see a legitimate correlation between debate performance and electoral performance. As much as I look forward to Harris eviscerating Trumps falsehoods on Tuesday night, the reality is that eager partisans like me wont decide this election. Its moderate voters who are tuned out of politics and spread across the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina (and Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District). These voters will not be sitting down with a bowl of popcorn to watch Trump and Harris battle over tax policy. Some will tune in; some will view it through brief excerpted clips diffused across cable news, social media and campaign ads. To the extent that this debate can actually affect voter behavior, itll be through the images and exchanges that each campaign leverages in their communications in the weeks to follow. Will that change how the media covers the debate, and how we react to it in real-time on social media? Nope. Were drawn to obsess over debates because they are, in fact, great reality TV. The stakes are high. The lights are on. The candidates are incentivized to go for each others jugular. From Ronald Reagan telling Jimmy Carter There you go again in 1980 to Mitt Romney getting brutally fact checked by Barack Obama over the Benghazi attack in 2012, debates have offered us some of the most enduring moments in our history. You cant blame news junkies for consuming political catnip. But as Ive written previously, we should be wary of the increasingly performative turn in our politics, where we focus far more on the force of a candidates rhetoric rather than his or her policies. In an election where one candidate who previously led an insurrection against our democracy is openly longing for an authoritarian presidency that will gut basic freedoms for millions of Americans, theres much more on the line than style points. Steve Israel represented New York in the House of Representatives over eight terms and was chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 2011 to 2015. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Not one, but two, docuseries recently have been released highlighting Scott Peterson's pursuit to be exonerated for the 2002 murders of his wife, Laci Peterson, and his unborn son, who was to be named Conner. These docuseries, by Peacock and Netflix, bring back into the spotlight the tragic murders that captivated America when Laci disappeared and then enraged the country when the bodies were discovered. Peterson has been in prison for the past 20 years, after a jury of his peers convicted him in 2004 and rendered a death sentence for the first-degree murder of Laci and the second-degree murder of Conner. He maintains his innocence. After appeals, the California Supreme Court subsequently unanimously affirmed his conviction, but overturned his death sentence in August 2020. The California Supreme Court justices found that prospective jurors were improperly dismissed by the trial court judge when they indicated that they opposed the death penalty, but the prosecutors failed to follow up and ask if they could put those views aside and still serve on the jury. At his re-sentencing, Peterson was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for Lacis murder and a concurrent sentence of 15 years to life for the murder of Conner. Both of these new docuseries revisit a decades-old case and seem to be part of a trend to stir up new interest in old, high-profile cases, while at the same time counting on those viewers who were intensely dialed-in to the original investigations and subsequent trials years ago. But thats where their similarities end. The Netflix series includes new material and information from Lacis mother, as well as from Amber Frey, who became a household name when it was revealed during the investigation that Peterson was dating her while allegedly looking for his missing wife. During their brief relationship, Frey had no idea that Peterson was married to Laci and, in fact, he told her that he had lost his wife and was single and ready to settle down. Frey assisted law enforcement, including recording phone calls between herself and Peterson, and has indicated a willingness to testify again if Peterson secures a new trial. Laci and Scott Peterson. In the Peacock docuseries, Face to Face with Scott Peterson, Peterson himself speaks publicly for the first time since 2003 about the murders. He says he regrets not testifying during his 2004 jury trial. He asserts that he now [has] a chance to show people what the truth is and if theyre willing to accept it, it would be the biggest thing that I can accomplish right now. Considering the fact Peterson has not claimed that he wanted to testify, but was prevented from doing so, his failure to testify during his trial was his decision alone to make. In the Peacock series, Petersons sister-in-law appears in a central role, advocating for his new trial and echoing other legal experts in the docuseries who claim that there was reasonable doubt in support of his acquittal. In Petersons first petition for writ of habeas corpus (which is a criminal defendants attempt to be brought to court for a determination if he is being unlawfully detained) filed in 2015, he raised juror misconduct, as well as new evidence of sightings of Laci being alive after Peterson had left their home the day she disappeared. He also alleged ineffective assistance of counsel by his trial attorney, Mark Geragos. Petersons lawyers argued that Geragos should not have allowed a juror to be seated who they claim lied on her pre-trial jury questionnaire; Geragos failed to call certain expert witnesses on Petersons behalf; and Geragos failed to introduce exculpatory evidence. After a five-day evidentiary hearing in 2022, the court ultimately rejected Petersons arguments and denied relief. Peterson then filed his second petition for writ of habeas corpus in 2023. And earlier this year, some new news: the Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP) took on Scott Peterson as a client. According to its website, the LAIP provides pro bono investigatory services and legal representation to indigent individuals in Central and Southern California who were convicted of crimes they did not commit. Interestingly, in a media release, the Innocence Project advised that LAIP is wholly independent of the Innocence Project. This is notable because it suggests some distance between LAIP and the well-known Innocence Project that was founded in 1992 and counts 203 clients exonerated by DNA to date. On Petersons behalf, his attorneys and LAIP argued that he is entitled to a new trial because his state and federal constitutional rights were violated and that he is actually innocent of the murders. They assert that the police homed in on Peterson as the only suspect and failed to chase down leads that would have exonerated him. In court filings, LAIP seeks new forensic testing of evidence that they argue was improperly suppressed and would serve as newly discovered evidence that would support his claim of innocence. Their theory: that Laci was kidnapped and murdered after she stumbled upon a burglary in progress at a neighbors home across the street from the Petersons. In May, a judge ruled that a piece of duct tape found on Lacis pants could undergo new DNA testing. However, requests by Petersons lawyers for additional testing for 13 other pieces of evidence that were collected by law enforcement and investigators were denied. LAIP also seeks to have law enforcement and prosecutors turn over to the defense copies of reports, videos, photographs, and other documents that they have been unable to obtain or locate despite their best efforts. Twenty years have passed since Scott Peterson was convicted. Despite multiple attempts to reverse that conviction and to secure a new trial, he has failed each time. Will his latest attempt be successful, with LAIP on his side? If past is prologue, then the answer is likely not. Unlike a docuseries and its participants who may want a different result, the law and procedure provide a concrete framework for critical decisions to be made for new trials in criminal cases. The circumstantial evidence in Petersons jury trial was damning and voluminous. Peterson was represented by competent counsel. Prior alleged deficiencies have been picked over. Despite claims of newly discovered evidence, the latest judge has not allowed thus far further forensic testing. This Hail Mary by Peterson may buy him more time in court, but with a life sentence, he has time on his hands to burn. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Heres a question for Tuesdays presidential debate between Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump. Do you believe the social media industry needs more regulation? And I want to know how they will achieve this, given the constitutional protection of free speech. The power of that question is currently on display with the ever-increasing impact of social media on politics, specifically this years election and even this debate. Presidential debates are now interactive events, with huge audiences engaged on social media, such as TikTok, X and Instagram. Thats where the debates are scored minute by minute with grandma, the kids, movie stars and social media personalities competing to post the perfect put-down of Trump and memorable mocking of Harris. These days, the social media chatter about the two candidates is bigger than anything said on stage by the political rivals. It is also bigger than the judgment of people watching on television. In fact, nowadays, television pundits and morning headlines tend to take their cue from social media. I first noticed this phenomenon in 2012 at the first presidential debate at the University of Denver. I was surrounded by primetime television hosts and other political commentators. Most of them paid little attention to the debate. Their eyes were locked on websites, scrolling through the schoolyard comments coming over social media, most noticeably from right-wing echo chambers. Fast-forward to this years campaign. Social media platforms now dominate American political campaigns, often exceeding the declining audience for television news. So, that leads to my question for the candidates: Do they favor more regulation of social media platforms? Last week, Brazil, the country with the fifth-largest number of internet users in the world, banned Elon Musks X platform. The Brazilian Court pointed to the platforms failure to crack down on right-wing misinformation after it had been warned. Also, last week, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment alleging a conspiracy by Russian intelligence operatives to pump over $10 million into YouTube and prominent American right-wing internet media platforms to interfere in elections. In July, the Justice Department accused an editor at Russian state-owned RT of spreading disinformation by having artificial intelligence pose as U.S. residents on more than 1,000 fake social media accounts. These accounts were part of Russias longstanding effort to divide Americans by race and religion, and to generate support for their favored candidate, Trump. Olivia Troye, a former national security adviser to Republican Vice President Mike Pence, recently said: Russias interference in our elections is an alarming threat to the heart of our democracy. Lets also remember that a Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee found that Russia had indeed conducted a major misinformation campaign on social media in 2016 designed to boost Trump and harm his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Trump once favored a ban on the platform TikTok. He changed his tune after he met with Jeff Yass, apparently to discuss education reform. Yass is one of the biggest investors in TikToks parent company and a donor to right-wing activist groups. Trump has also threatened Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg with prison if he is elected in a bold attempt to get Zuckerberg to keep all pro-Trump screeds, threats and lies on Facebook. Zuckerberg responded to the Trump intimidation by announcing that the Biden administration had repeatedly pressured Facebook to monitor COVID-19 content. That admission won right-wing friends for Zuckerberg because it suggests the government is guilty of censoring conservative content. Harris, meanwhile, has had previous campaigns bankrolled by tech millionaires and billionaires from California, her home state. She has enthusiastically used social media by embracing social media memes like pop star Charli XCXs Brat Summer. Congress passed a TikTok ban earlier this year and is close to passing the Kids Online Safety Act, which would set guidelines to protect children from harmful material on social media platforms. It would require platforms, among other things, to disable features addictive to minors. Already in 2024, eight states have passed laws or enacted measures to curb phone use among students during school hours. In June 2024, Pew Research found that 72 percent of high school teachers said they consider cell phones a major problem in the classroom. In a piece for EdWeek.org, one teacher wrote that cell phones are causing obsessive and dependent behavior in his students that harms their performance. I have long believed and argued that if American democracy is to survive, the bullying, pornography and lies on social media need to be brought to heel. The free market has not been able to curb the industrys abuses and excesses, I wrote in 2018. Congress has a role to play in stopping this poisoning minds and destroying democracy for profit. I still believe that. These companies have made billions at the expense of our democracy and the well-being of our children. Former President Barack Obama used his powerful voice to call out social media at the Democratic convention: We live in a time of such confusion and rancor, he said because we are consumed with social media that puts a premium on the approval of strangers on our phones. We build all manner of walls and fences around ourselvesAnd in that space between us, politicians and algorithms teach us to caricature each other and troll each other and fear each other. Amen, Mr. President. Now what do Harris and Trump have to say? Juan Williams is an author and a political analyst for Fox News Channel. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Over the last few months, the U.S. Navy has suffered its most significant setback in the last 50 years, a disaster more damaging than the pier-side sinking of the Bon Homme Richard or the loss of 17 sailors in two destroyer collisions. It is a setback that is existential, and casts into question a core reason for the Navys very existence. For the Navy is seemingly abandoning a key mission: keeping vital sea lanes open to commerce. After a nine-month deployment to claw back control of the Suez Canal and Red Sea from Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Dwight D. Eisenhower(Ike) carrier strike group returned to the U.S., without dislodging the Iran-backed Houthis. The impact on the global economy is significant: Container shipping is down 90 percent since December 2023. Some $1 trillion in commerce 40 percent of all Europe-to-Asia trade used to pass through that sea lane, the worlds third busiest, handling more ships than the Panama Canal. Only the English Channel and the Malacca Strait see more traffic. An estimated 90 percent of world trade (by value) travels by sea. It accounts for $5.4 trillion of U.S. annual commerce, and supports 31 million American jobs. Ships are being diverted around Africas Cape of Good Hope, adding over 11,000 miles, one-to-two weeks to each journey, and $1 million extra in fuel to each voyage. Insurance premiums are up 1,000 percent and a container that used to cost $1,500 to ship now costs $6,000. The impact is not limited to the Middle East, but is causing a cascading impact around the world. Keeping these sea lanes open has been a key part of the Navys raison detre since the founding of the republic, when the Navy was created largely to protect merchant shipping. And that role has endured through the present. As John Kennedy once said, The United States must control the sea if it is to protect our security. Our allies recognize the strategic importance of open sea lanes as well. In 2023, Taiwanese officials, for the first time, said that their annual military drills would include exercises in keeping its sea lanes open in the event of a Chinese blockade. Recently, President Bidens secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin said, To tackle the national-security challenges of the 21st century, we need our Navy more than ever. It is especially vital in todays world. And as [outgoing Chief of Naval Operations] Mike Gilday likes to say, the global economy floats on seawater. Nonetheless, when the Ike battle group returned to Norfolk last month, it didnt fly a banner proclaiming mission accomplished. Instead, the Navy issued a message that was, at best, less than inspiring. The Navy boasted that the deployment was unprecedented. Not only was it unusually long, but it marked the first time since World War II that a U.S. aircraft carrier came under constant direct threat from an enemy. Plus, the Navy proudly announced that it was the first time a female combat pilot had shot down an enemy drone. On station, the ships launched 155 Standard-2 missiles against Houthi drones. We fired 135 Tomahawk cruise missiles at land targets, and naval aircraft launched nearly 60 air-to-air missiles and 420 air-to-surface weapons. Yet the mission failed. The Houthis continue to control the Red Sea. For all the effort, dedication and skill shown by sailors and air crews, it was too little to get the job done. The question is why. There are two possible reasons: First, the U.S. Navy lacks either the means and expertise to do anything about it. Or second, the Biden administration concluded that the cost, risk or strategic value of fulfilling such a mission is not worth the political juice. But whatever the reason, the failure undercut one of the key rationales for maintaining an expensive Navy. There are three ways to address the ongoing problem of Houthi control. The first is to recognize that the tools used by the Navy were largely inappropriate for the problem. The cost of each Tomahawk and Standard-2 missile was at least $2 million to target a $2,000 drone. Even in the face of all we are learning from the Russia-Ukraine war about the use of drones, we are not adapting quickly enough to equip our ships for this new, asymmetrical reality. Second, we tend to measure inputs munitions fired rather than outcomes. This is Vietnam era thinking. Instead, the Navy should measure its success by the results it achieves. Third, political leaders need to be candid about and accountable for sending an ill-equipped Navy on an ill-defined mission. If the only way to eliminate the Houthi strike capability is with our Special Forces or Marines, just say so. Or if the path is through Iran, admit it. Yes, we are in the middle of a close electoral contest. And no candidate is likely to admit that we dont have the resources (or political will) to win back control of this vital sea lane. But until then, we shouldnt be sending our young men and women into harms way without equipping them to do the job with the proper gear and a well-defined mission. Steve Cohen is an attorney at Pollock Cohen, and a former member of the Board of Directors of the United States Naval Institute. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Opinion - US help isnt enough: South Korea wants its own nuclear weapons On Sept. 2, South Koreas Kim Yong-hyun, at his confirmation hearing for defense minister, said he would be open to his country developing nuclear weapons. That is included among all possible options, Kim announced. Kims comment is nothing less than a public vote of no confidence in the U.S., the Souths protector for over seven decades. The South Korean public certainly agrees with Kim. A Gallup Korea poll released in February shows that 72.8 percent of the population favored the possession of nukes. Such a position is understandable. North Korea, separated from the South by the narrow strip of the Demilitarized Zone, today has, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, up to 50 nuclear weapons. Some believe the North has enough fissile material for 60 more. The South, in contrast, is still a party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which prohibits it from developing and possessing nuclear weapons. North Korea, with its arsenal, threatens South Korea. On Aug. 4, Kim Jong Un, the Norths bellicose leader, announced the deployment of 250 new-type tactical ballistic missile launchers to positions near the DMZ. The launchers can carry four tactical nuclear weapons each, so Kim was not exaggerating when he boasted they have great military significance. The U.S. led a United Nations coalition that defended South Korea in the Korean War. Washington and Seoul inked a mutual defense treaty in 1953, the year the armistice was signed. Today, about 24,200 active-duty American military personnel remain in the South to enforce the U.S.-South Korean mutual defense treaty. The alliance forged in blood has kept the peace. The pact is still needed because no peace treaty formally ended the Korean War, and in any event, the South did not sign the armistice. To keep the peace, the U.S. has pledged to use nuclear weapons to defend its South Korean ally. On July 11, President Joe Biden and President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a joint statement, the U.S.-Republic of Korea Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders emphasized that any nuclear attack by [North Korea] against [South Korea] will be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response. To drive home the point, Biden added that the U.S. commitment to extended deterrence to [South Korea] is backed by the full range of U.S. capabilities, including nuclear. The explicit guarantee apparently is not good enough for a majority of South Koreans. It is not entirely clear, however, that they understand the implications of their nuclear ambitions. Some even think that nuclear weapons would make South Korea less safe. How so? The South, by either withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty or openly violating its obligations, might effectively end its alliance with the U.S. Kim Yong-hyun is not worried about what he calls activating a Plan B and developing the bomb. He thinks the U.S. would remain an ally. Is Kim right? The U.S. remains allies with Britain and France, nuclear weapon states. More to the point, Washington fully supports Israel, widely believed to have first built nukes in the late 1960s. David Maxwell, who served five tours of duty with the U.S. Army in Korea, raises a problem for Seoul. Those who advocate for the development of indigenous nuclear weapons by South Korea are providing direct support to Kim Jong Uns political warfare strategy to subvert the [South Korean] government and society and drive a wedge in the alliance, he told me. Kim welcomes the call for South Korean nuclear weapons because he likely does not fear them and will not be deterred by them. More importantly, South Koreas possession of nuclear weapons demonstrates a lack of trust in the U.S. nuclear umbrella and extended deterrence. So what should Seoul do? A better alliance course of action is to continue to develop the Nuclear Consultative Group, says Maxwell, who is also vice president of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Asia Pacific Strategy. The Nuclear Consultative Group was established by the U.S. and South Korea to implement the April 2023 Washington Declaration, a joint statement between Biden and Yoon affirming the alliance between the two countries. In the Declaration, issued to mark the 70th anniversary of the mutual defense treaty, Yoon reaffirmed the Souths commitment to refrain from developing nuclear weapons. Maxwell suggests that the U.S., to enhance trust, could examine the redeployment of U.S. theater nuclear weapons to Korea and the region. President George H. W. Bush removed them from the Korean peninsula and elsewhere in 1991 in the hope that such a move would, among other things, entice North Korea to stop building its own arsenal. The enticement did not work. Kim Il Sung, the founder of the North Korean state and its leader at the time, was interested in possessing his own deterrent, even though he was then protected by the largest arsenal of the time, the store of Soviet nukes. Now, the other Korean state is also thinking of going its own way. South Korea, under pressure from Washington, abandoned its nuclear weapons program in the 1970s. Now, the U.S. will have to work hard to stop its Korean ally from resuming that effort. If South Korea loses confidence in America and builds its own deterrent, Japan, Taiwan and others could decide to build nuclear weapons too. South Korea, thanks to Kim Yong-hyun, is now a test for Washington and the worlds nonproliferation regime. Gordon G. Chang is the author of The Coming Collapse of China and the upcoming Plan Red: Chinas Project to Destroy America. Follow him on X @GordonGChang . Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has led the oil-rich but cash-poor country since 2013 (Pedro Rances Mattey) (Pedro Rances Mattey/AFP/AFP) Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado vowed Monday to remain in Venezuela, a day after her colleague and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia took up asylum in Spain claiming post-election repression. "I have decided to stay in Venezuela and take part in the struggle from here while he (Gonzalez Urrutia) does it from abroad," Machado, who is in hiding, told reporters via videoconference. Gonzalez Urrutia, 75, arrived in Madrid late Sunday after weeks in hiding following a July 28 presidential election that the opposition insists he won, but which was claimed by incumbent Nicolas Maduro. "We all know that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia is the elected president of Venezuela... whether he is in Venezuela or anywhere else in the world," said Machado. The fact that he is now abroad "does not change anything: legitimacy is maintained, the strategy is the same," she insisted. After his arrival in Spain, Gonzalez Urrutia said he had decided to leave "so that things can change and so we can build a new stage for Venezuela." Machado had said he left the country because "his life was in danger." "Only the policy of dialogue will enable us to reunite as compatriots," Gonzalez Urrutia wrote in a letter addressed to Venezuelans and posted on social media network X. "I have taken this decision thinking of Venezuela and that our destiny as a country cannot, must not, be that of a conflict of pain and suffering." Maduro, who had previously called for his opponent and Machado to be jailed after the election, expressed "respect" in a televised message Monday for Gonzalez Urrutia's decision and wished him well "in his new life." Maduro said he had headed the process that had led to Gonzalez Urrutia's departure "in the pursuit of consolidating peace." Gonzalez Urrutia had replaced Machado on the ballot at the last minute after she was prevented from running by institutions loyal to Maduro, which are accused by observers of human rights violations. Venezuela's regime-loyal National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Maduro the election winner, but the opposition cried foul and much of the international community has refused to accept the result. - At risk of prison - Machado remains mostly in hiding, but has led a handful of anti-Maduro protests since the disputed vote. Prosecutors had opened an investigation against Gonzalez Urrutia for crimes related to his insistence that he was the rightful election victor. Charges include usurpation of public functions, forgery of a public document, incitement to disobedience, sabotage, and association with organized crime. He risks a prison sentence of 30 years. The charges stem from the opposition publishing its own tally of polling station-level ballots cast, which it says showed Gonzalez Urrutia winning about two-thirds of votes. Venezuela's electoral authority has said it cannot provide a breakdown of the election results, blaming a cyber attack on its systems. Observers have said there is no evidence of such hacking. Post-election violence in Venezuela has claimed 27 lives and left 192 people wounded, while the government says it has arrested about 2,400 people. The office of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague said Monday it was monitoring "current developments" in Venezuela. Human rights NGOs on Monday urged the United Nations to alter the mandate of an international fact-finding mission on Venezuela to include the post-election violence. "Venezuelans are facing a violent crackdown on voters and protesters, political leaders, journalists, human rights defenders and other actual or perceived alleged opponents of the Maduro administration," the groups said in a joint appeal. Maduro's government has led a crackdown on dissent since the election, with parliament debating a new set of laws to take on "fascism," a term the regime has often used to denote the opposition. "Venezuela has to make severe, hard anti-fascist laws, because here hate, violence, division, persecution of people for their ideas, for their way of thinking and being cannot proliferate," Maduro said on Monday. After Venezuela's last election, in 2018, Maduro also claimed victory amid widespread accusations of fraud. With the support of the military and other institutions, he managed to cling to power despite international sanctions. Maduro's tenure since 2013 has seen GDP drop 80 percent in a decade, prompting more than seven million of the country's 30 million citizens to migrate. jt/mlr/aha/st CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez arrived in Spain on Sunday after fleeing into exile in as part of a negotiated deal with Nicolas Maduros government that dealt a major blow to millions who placed their hopes in his opposition campaign. The surprise departure of the man considered by Venezuelas opposition and several foreign governments to be the legitimate winner of July 28 presidential election was announced late Saturday by Venezuelan officials who just a few days ago ordered his arrest. Gonzalez landed Sunday at a military airport near Madrid, accompanied by his wife and Spanish officials. Hours later, he sent a short voice message to supporters thanking them for their support. My departure from Caracas was surrounded by acts of pressure, coercion and threats, he said. I trust that we will soon continue our fight to achieve our freedom and the restoration of Venezuelas democracy. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado tried to put a positive spin on his departure, assuring Venezuelans the 75-year-old retired diplomat would be back on Jan. 10 for a swearing-in ceremony marking the start of the next presidential term. His life was in danger, and the increasing threats, summons, arrest warrants and even attempts at blackmail and coercion to which he has been subjected, demonstrate that the regime has no scruples, Machado said on X. Let this be very clear to everyone: Edmundo will fight from outside alongside our diaspora. Despair in Caracas But on the streets of Caracas on Sunday the mood was one of despair at the loss of someone who, against the odds, reignited a movement to end more than two decades of single party rule. What little hope we had left, it went with him, said Laura Vargas, as she scrolled through the news on her cellphone while sitting on a park bench. Gonzalez joins the swelling ranks of opposition stalwarts who once fought Maduro only to throw in the towel and seek asylum abroad in the face of a brutal crackdown. In Spain, he joins at least four former presidential hopefuls who were imprisoned or faced arrest for defying Maduros rule. Ever since the vote, he and Machado have been in hiding as security forces rounded up more than 2,000 people, many of them young Venezuelans who spontaneously took to the streets to protest Maduros alleged theft of the election. Venezuelan officials have yet to comment. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said in a statement late Saturday that the government decided to grant Gonzalez safe passage out of the country to help restore the countrys political peace and tranquility. Spains center-left government said the decision to leave Venezuela was Gonzalezs alone, and he departed on a plane sent by the countrys air force. Gonzalez had sought refuge in the Dutch ambassadors residence in Caracas after the election, the Netherlands government said Sunday, as he secretly negotiated his exit. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told Spanish broadcaster RTVE that his government will grant Gonzalez political asylum as he requested. Of course, I told him we were pleased that he is well and on his way to Spain, and I reiterated the commitment of our government to the political rights of all Venezuelans, Albares said while en route to China for a state visit with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The European Unions foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, a former Spanish foreign minister, described Gonzalezs departure as a sad day for democracy in Venezuela. Referring to Gonzalez as the apparent winner of the presidential elections, Borrell in a statement said the EU will maintain its support of the Venezuelan people in their democratic aspirations. Last-minute stand-in offered hope to millions Gonzalez was a last-minute stand-in after Machado was banned from running. Previously unknown to most Venezuelans, he nonetheless rapidly galvanized the hopes of millions of Venezuelans desperate for change after a decade-long economic free fall. While Maduro was declared the winner of the July vote, most Western governments, including Spain, have yet to recognize his victory and are instead demanding that authorities publish a breakdown of votes. Meanwhile, tally sheets collected by opposition volunteers from over two-thirds of the electronic voting machines indicate that Gonzalez won by a more than 2-to-1 margin. The tally sheets have long been considered the ultimate proof of election results in Venezuela. In previous presidential elections, the National Electoral Council published online the results of each of the more than 30,000 voting machines, but the Maduro-controlled panel did not release any data this time, blaming an alleged cyberattack mounted by opponents from North Macedonia. Attorney General Tarek William Saab, a staunch Maduro ally, sought Gonzalezs arrest after he failed to appear three times in connection with a criminal investigation into what it considers an act of electoral sabotage. Saab told reporters that the voting records the opposition shared online were forged and an attempt to undermine the National Electoral Council. On Wednesday, Gonzalezs attorney delivered a letter to Saab in which he seemed to distance himself from the oppositions publication of the voting records, saying it wasnt his responsibility. Experts from the United Nations and the Carter Center, which observed the election at the invitation of Maduros government, determined the results announced by electoral authorities lacked credibility. In a statement critical of the election, the U.N. experts stopped short of validating the oppositions claim to victory, but they said the voting records it published online appear to exhibit all of the original security features. Spain offers refuge for fleeing Venezuelans Spain has been a major point of exodus for Venezuelans, particularly those leading opposition to Maduros regime. They include Leopoldo Lopez, who fled to Spain to reunite with his family in 2020, and Antonio Ledezma, who left in 2017. Some 44,000 Venezuelans immigrated to Spain in the first six months of this year. The last government statistics from 2022 said that some 212,000 Venezuelans lived in Spain. The truth is hes more useful fighting abroad than in hiding or imprisoned, said Gustavo Tovar-Arroyo, a human rights activist who was himself forced to flee into exile in 2012. Goodman reported from Miami and Wilson from Barcelona, Spain. Associated Press Writer Mike Corder contributed from The Hague, Netherlands. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Fresh from her surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention, Oprah Winfrey is holding a large livestream next week to rally support for Kamala Harris. The event, dubbed Unite for America, is billed as a chance for pro-Harris affinity groups Win With Black Women, Cat Ladies for Kamala, Win With Black Men, White Dudes for Harris, Swifties for Kamala, etc. to gather under one banner. More from Variety Winfrey will host about 400 voters in person on Sept. 19 and livestream the event on platforms including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Twitch and Instagram. The event will serve as a call to action to work in communities throughout battleground states to register people to vote and build support in advance of November 5th, the organizers stated in a press release. Many celebrities have already participated in Zoom fundraisers for Harris, which are designed to galvanize supporters to take concrete steps to help the campaign. Amid the pandemic in 2020, Winfrey conducted a similar virtual town hall series, entitled OWN Your Vote. Joe Biden made a guest appearance on one of her livestreams in late October, which was aimed at turning out the vote in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio. Winfrey was a key early endorser for former President Obama in his Democratic primary against Hillary Clinton in 2007-08. At the convention last month, Winfrey said she is a registered independent who has always voted my values. So Im calling on all you independents and all you undecideds, she said. You know Im telling you the truth: that values and character matter most of all, in leadership and in life And more than anything you know this is true that decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The issue of Armenians detained in Azerbaijan has not been included in the draft peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku, Azernews reports, citing the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Alen Simonyan, informed journalists about this. In response to a question about whether Armenia could raise the issue of their repatriation as a condition for participating in the COP29 climate summit in Baku in November, Simonyan said it was premature to make comments on such discussions at this time. It should be noted that over the years, Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General's Office has initiated criminal cases against 15 Karabakh separatists, including Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, all former "presidents" of the former de facto regime in Karabakh, as well as former "foreign minister" David Babayan, "parliament speaker" David Ishkhanyan, generals Levon Mnatsakanyan and David Manukyan, and former "state minister" Ruben Vardanyan. They have been placed on international wanted lists. In September 2023, following a local anti-terrorist operation, these separatists were detained, brought to Baku, and handed over to the investigation. They have been charged with terrorism, financing terrorism, creating illegal armed groups, and conducting training with the intention of committing terrorist acts. In June of this year, Baku announced that the investigation into their case had been completed. Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Baumart Holdings fair value estimate is AU$0.091 Current share price of AU$0.084 suggests Baumart Holdings is potentially trading close to its fair value The average premium for Baumart Holdings' competitorsis currently 15% How far off is Baumart Holdings Limited (ASX:BMH) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Baumart Holdings What's The Estimated Valuation? We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$166.8k AU$249.0k AU$336.6k AU$421.9k AU$499.8k AU$568.1k AU$626.5k AU$676.1k AU$718.4k AU$755.1k Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 69.30% Est @ 49.23% Est @ 35.19% Est @ 25.35% Est @ 18.47% Est @ 13.65% Est @ 10.28% Est @ 7.92% Est @ 6.27% Est @ 5.11% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 6.6% AU$0.2 AU$0.2 AU$0.3 AU$0.3 AU$0.4 AU$0.4 AU$0.4 AU$0.4 AU$0.4 AU$0.4 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$3.3m We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.4%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 6.6%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034 (1 + g) (r g) = AU$755k (1 + 2.4%) (6.6% 2.4%) = AU$19m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$19m ( 1 + 6.6%)10= AU$9.8m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is AU$13m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$0.08, the company appears about fair value at a 7.4% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Baumart Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.013. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Moving On: Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Baumart Holdings, there are three pertinent elements you should explore: Risks: Take risks, for example - Baumart Holdings has 4 warning signs we think you should be aware of. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! Other Environmentally-Friendly Companies: Concerned about the environment and think consumers will buy eco-friendly products more and more? Browse through our interactive list of companies that are thinking about a greener future to discover some stocks you may not have thought of! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives to attend the 50th edition of The European House-Ambrossetti forum, called "Intelligence on the World, Europe, and Italy" at Villa d'Este on lake Como in Cernobbio. Marco Ottico/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban plans to press ahead with his plan to station soldiers in Chad. Orban spoke of the plan on Monday after a meeting with the president of the African country, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, in Budapest. The country plays a key role in the campaign against migration from the Sahel region towards Europe, Orban wrote on Facebook. For this reason, a "complex package for the implementation of cooperation" has now been agreed with its president, he wrote. Orban has signed two decrees, which appeared in the Hungarian Law Gazette on Monday, during the talks with Deby. They state that there is a bilateral agreement on the topic of defence. Details are still to be worked out and submitted to the Hungarian parliament. Deby did not initially comment on this in Budapest. The talks are to continue on Tuesday. Chad, home to some 19 million people, lies at an important crossroads between the crisis-stricken states of Sudan, Libya, Niger and the Central African Republic. It has also been a important Western ally in a volatile part of the world. The oil-rich country, whose population is among the poorest in the world, is home to more than one million refugees. Hungary's parliament approved the deployment of 200 Hungarian soldiers to Chad last autumn but this has yet to be implemented. The fight against migration from Africa and the Middle East to Hungary is one of Orban's most important goals. The European Court of Justice sentenced Hungary to pay high fines this summer due to its restrictive asylum policy. Police in Oregon recovered the body of a newlywed who suddenly vanished last week and announced her neighbor was arrested in the case. According to the Beaverton Police Department, Melissa Jubane was considered a missing person last Wednesday, September 4, after officers searched her apartment and couldn't find her. Her residence is located in Beaverton, a city approximately 8 miles from Portland. Law enforcement received a request for a wellness check at Jubane's apartment after she didn't clock in for her shift at St. Vincent Hospital that morning. "Upon arrival, officers were met by staff from the apartment complex and conducted a search of Melissas apartment," police said in a statement. "Melissa was not present, and her absence without communication was deemed unusual and alarming." Police said the victim's phone was off, so detectives and loved ones could not reach her. The victim's bank information didn't give them any new leads on her whereabouts. Neighbor linked to missing person case: Neighbor's shifting alibis lead to arrest in Mass. woman's disappearance, police say Jubane got married in August, family says The department opened an investigation and arrested her neighbor, 27-year-old Bryce Johnathan Schubert, in connection to this case. He is facing murder charges. Jubane's body was recovered, but it's unclear where it was found. Additional information is being withheld "to preserve the integrity" of the probe, police said. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community members who have assisted with the search for Melissa," the department added. "Our deepest condolences go out to Melissas family, friends and coworkers." According to KHON2, Jubane and her husband, Bryan, recently tied the knot in August. Their ceremony was held at Waimea Valley in Hawaii. "I miss her, her mother-in-law, Imelda Llantero, told the outlet. Im so happy Bryan met her, I told Bryan to always love her. They were happy, very happy. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Beaverton, OR police found body of Melissa Jubane, neighbor arrested NORFOLK, Neb. (KCAU) Norfolk voters will get a chance to attend a series of four political forums at the Lifelong Learning Center at Northeast Community College. Norfolk Daily News and Newstalk WJAG will be presenting the political forums for candidates for Norfolk School Board, Mayor, City Council, Legislative District 19, and Congress. Vangarde Arts Alley Art Festival returning for 6th year The schedule for the forums will be as follows: Monday, Sept. 16th, 5:00-7:00 pm Candidates for Norfolk Public School Board Thursday, Sept. 19th, 5:00-8:00 pm Candidates for Norfolk City Council Monday, Sept. 23rd, 5:00-6:30 pm Legislative District 19, Rob Dover and Jeanie Reigle 6:30-8:00 pm Norfolk Mayoral Candidates Monday, Sept. 30th, 5:00-6:30 pm Congressman Mike Flood and Challenger Carol Blood Norfolk Daily News Editor Emeritus Kent Warneke will moderate the forums. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 West Glover woman is scheduled to be arraigned Monday on attempted murder and other charges after she allegedly fired multiple shots at a man following an argument at her home. Police say the victim, identified as Jordan Labounty, 35, of Lyndon Center, called 911 just after midnight Saturday to report he had been shot at while fleeing Alaina Bouchard, 35. Investigators determined Labounty and Bouchard had a verbal disagreement and that Bouchard shot at Labountys vehicle as he left the property. No injuries were reported; the gunfire hit Labountys vehicle, police said. Responding troopers executed a search warrant at Bouchards home later Saturday morning. After seizing physical evidence, they took Bouchard into custody. She was ordered held without bail at Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport. Bouchard is scheduled to be arraigned on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, reckless endangerment and criminal threatening at 12:30 p.m. Monday in Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Newport. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Over $200K Raised For Family Of Mason Schermerhorn, Black Teen Who Died In The Apalachee High School Shooting Over $200K Raised For Family Of Mason Schermerhorn, Black Teen Who Died In The Apalachee High School Shooting | Photo: Kouji Okafuji via Getty Images Supporters from across the nation are supporting the family of Mason Schermerhorn, the Black teen who lost his life in the recent Windsor, Georgia school shooting. Mason, along with fellow student, Chris Angulo and two teachers, Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie lost their lives on Sept. 4. To help Masons family during this tough time, Artisea Bethea, a friend of Masons mother Breanna Schermerhorn, set up a GoFundMe fundraiser with a goal of $250,000. In less than a week, theyre almost there with over $207,000 raised so far. The GoFundMe page reads: Please consider donating to help support my dear friend and her family as they are going through this difficult loss of her baby brother Mason. He was the sweetest most loving soul with the biggest smile and will be missed dearly. Anything you can give is appreciated. Please keep this sweet family in your prayers and help out if you can. Thank you so much . In the Words of Support section, people who donated left uplifting messages. Im so sorry for your loss. I cant even imagine the pain your family is facing. Prayers for your whole family as you navigate through this tragic loss, Aubrey Carrington commented. May God shine down on your entire family. This is truly tragic. You have lots of prayers and support coming to you from us Canadians, Angela Comi wrote. In an interview with Fox 5, Masons older sister Alanna Schermerhorn honored her brothers memory. PS5, and his VR headset. He loved playing Roblox and Genshin, she told the news station. He just started learning to play trumpet, and he did it because I play the trumpet. He said he wanted to be like me when he got older. She added, He loved everyone. No matter what they had, what disabilities, he loved everyone for them. As the tragic news hit social media, Mason was falsely identified as the shooter by WSB-TV and The Daily Mail instead of Colt Gray sparking backlash given that Mason is Black and Gray is white. To make matters worse, neither publication acknowledged the error. Charged with four counts of felony murder, Gray made his first court appearance on Sept. 6. He will be tried as an adult. In 2023, Gray was suspected of plotting a school shooting. Gray faces a maximum of 180 years in prison since hes up four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children. The weapon used in the shooting was purchased as a gift by Grays father Colin, who was also arrested, CBS News reported. These charges stem from Mr. Gray knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said, according to CBS News. Some 54% of Ukrainians oppose the full ban on the Telegram messaging app but support certain restrictions on using it, according to a poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) published on Sept. 9. The survey also showed that 71% of Ukrainians consider the spread of Russian disinformation and propaganda on social media, including Telegram, a "fairly serious" or "very serious" threat. Telegram remains one of the most popular social media platforms among Ukrainians. A September 2023 poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology indicated that 44% of Ukrainians use Telegram to receive information and news. When asked how they feel about the ban on Telegram in Ukraine, only 9% supported a complete prohibition, while 26% of Ukrainians believe that the app "should not be controlled in any way." More than half of Ukrainians support the introduction of some oversight over the app, such as blocking certain Telegram channels, according to the poll. When asked whether they would support the ban if Telegram owners categorically refused to block Telegram channels used by Russian soldiers in the war against Ukraine, 71% of the respondents said "yes." The popularity of Telegram in Ukraine skyrocketed after the start of the invasion in 2022, particularly due to its anonymous channels that mass-spread content to subscribers while preserving the full anonymity of the publisher. The functionality of Telegram is also actively used by Russia, its military forces, and intelligence services to undermine Ukraines war effort and boost its own. Ukraine's military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, called the messenger app "harmful" and a "threat to our national security." At the moment, there is no sign that Ukrainian authorities are seriously considering blocking Telegram. Lawmakers are working on a draft law aimed at regulating platforms that disseminate information, including Telegram. Read also: Is Telegram, Ukraines most popular messenger app, a Russian Trojan horse? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ozarks Technical Community College wants to hire a recently retired Springfield Police major to oversee safety and security for its entire system. A recommendation to hire Stacey Parton for the job will go before the Ozarks Tech Board of Trustees this week. The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday. Springfield Police Maj. Stacey Parton, pictured here with Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams, has been asked to take over safety and security at Ozarks Technical Community College. Parton retired Aug. 22 from the Springfield Police Department after 25 years of service. His last role was as the Uniform Operations Commander. Congratulations to Maj. Parton. As a humble servant of our community, I commend his dedication to the profession and to the Springfield Police Department, Chief Paul Williams said in a news release at the time. I am proud to have worked with him and wish him the best of luck in retirement. Parton joined the police department in 1999 as a graduate of the 45th police academy. He spent the early part of his career in uniform operations and the special investigations unit. He rose through the ranks, retiring with the rank of a major, after overseeing critical units including the traffic section, crime analysis unit and the crimes against property unit. Parton completed advanced degrees in criminal justice and sociology. He has a master's degree from Lincoln University and participated in numerous national training and certification programs. As part of his retirement celebration, Parton was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Springfield Police Department Leadership Council. Safety and security services at Ozarks Tech include parking and traffic enforcement, crime prevention patrols, safety escorts, emergency notifications, building access control, responding to medical issues, and investigating incidents accidents and injuries. If the hiring recommendation is approved, Parton will become the college director of safety and security at Ozarks Tech on Sept. 26. His annual salary will be $100,000. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks Tech to hire retired police major to oversee safety, security 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 Voters will have five candidates for Pennsylvania auditor general to choose from on Nov. 5. Incumbent Auditor General Tim DeFoor, a Republican, was first elected in 2020 and is seeking a second term. He faces Democratic state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Alan Goodrich of the Constitution Party, Libertarian Reece Smith, and the American Solidarity Partys Eric K. Anton. The auditor general monitors how public dollars are spent to catch waste, fraud, and graft. The office does this by conducting financial audits and monitoring whether state-funded programs are doing what theyre supposed to. The auditor general is elected for a four-year term, and an individual can hold the role for a maximum of two consecutive terms. Pennsylvania created the position as a politically appointed office in 1809. In 1850, it became an elected position. There have been 50 auditors general in Pennsylvania history, and this years incumbent was the 41st chosen by popular vote. Since the offices creation, 25 Republicans and 22 Democrats have held the position. (The three other officeholders belonged to now-defunct third parties.) This guide may be updated with additional information as the general election approaches. What does Pennsylvanias auditor general do? An auditor general also called a comptroller, state auditor, or auditor of public accounts in other states monitors the spending of public funds. In Pennsylvania, the department describes itself as the chief fiscal watchdog of the Commonwealth. The agency performs financial and performance audits of everything from district courts to state-owned universities to commonwealth departments. The reports the office releases detail its findings and recommend fixes and policies. The auditor generals office accepts reports of suspected misuse, fraud, or waste of state tax dollars through an official hotline. It also provides financial literacy resources across the state through the Be Money Smart initiative. Many of the offices audits, such as those of volunteer fire companies and municipal pension plans, are required by law. However, auditor generals also have the discretion to dive into issues of their choosing. Under former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, for instance, the agency issued special reports on policy issues outside the traditional scope of the office. One laid out 12 recommendations for reducing gun violence deaths. Another estimated how much revenue the commonwealth was missing by not taxing marijuana. The post can also serve as a launching pad for higher office. Major party candidates Malcolm Kenyatta, Democrat Website State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta speaks at a Youth Empowerment Panel inside the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A native of Philadelphia, Kenyatta, 34, graduated from Temple University and Drexel University before working as a community activist and on diversity and inclusion efforts at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. He was elected to his North Philly-based seat in 2018 and became the first openly LGBTQ person of color to serve in the General Assembly. Elected at age 28, at the time he was also one of the states youngest representatives. Since taking office, Kenyatta has been an outspoken progressive, giving fiery speeches that often go viral. He supports a higher minimum wage, stricter gun laws, and LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections. Hes been a chief proponent of the latter, sponsoring a long-sought bill that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes under Pennsylvanias Human Relations Act. Hes also sponsored legislation on less high-profile issues, such as establishing a state cybersecurity board or adding clawback language to all state grant contracts. However, in the divided General Assembly, few of these issues have won bipartisan support, and none have yet become law. In addition to running for auditor general, Kenyatta is seeking reelection to the state House. Kenyatta has dabbled in national politics, serving as a surrogate for President Joe Bidens 2020 campaign. In 2023, Biden appointed Kenyatta the chair of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans. Kenyatta was the first openly LGBTQ person of color to seek a U.S. Senate seat a bid he lost in the 2022 primary election to John Fetterman. On his website, Kenyatta says he wants to be auditor general because its time for the underdog to be the watchdog for Pennsylvanias working families. To ask the tough questions, to help reimagine and streamline government, and to build the coalitions to fix whats wrong. According to his campaign website, Kenyatta would do the following if elected: Create a Bureau of Labor and Worker Protections to investigate wage theft and union busting, and ensure businesses follow labor laws concerning independent contractors. Take responsibility for annual school compliance audits back from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which has been in charge of them since 2022. Ensure hospital nonprofits and long-term care providers disclose their use of state dollars. Review the states approach to reducing gun violence. Kenyatta won a two-way primary that was at times contentious. He accused his Democratic opponent, Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, of racism. In a statement to news outlets, Kenyatta did not explain the basis for the accusation, instead calling the video dirty political tricks. Pinsley said the accusation is false and told Lehigh Valley News that it doesnt show good temperament. Endorsements: the Pennsylvania Democratic Party; unions including the state chapter of the American Federation of Teachers and the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council; the Working Families Party; Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey; seven members of Pennsylvanias congressional delegation; and members of the state legislature, including House Speaker Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia. Tim DeFoor, Republican Website Auditor General Tim DeFoor visits the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library to promote the Pennsylvania Library Associations PA Forward initiative. A Dauphin County native, DeFoor graduated from Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. DeFoor, 62, served as a special agent for the state attorney generals office, investigating Medicaid fraud. He was also a fraud investigator and internal auditor for UPMC and for several federal contractors. In 2015, DeFoor was elected Dauphin County controller. There, he won national awards and created the countys first audit division. In 2020, DeFoor was elected Pennsylvanias auditor general, defeating Democrat Nina Ahmad. DeFoor is the first person of color to win a state row office in Pennsylvania and the first Republican to hold the auditor general position since 1997. In his announcement that he would run for reelection, DeFoor said his first term focused on transforming the auditor generals office in a nonpartisan way, and vowed that his second would center on ensuring the job gets done. DeFoor has primarily stuck to the offices required functions: auditing local pension plans and volunteer firefighters relief associations, and making sure county offices and district courts handle state money properly. Hes also tackled a handful of controversial issues. In September 2021, he released an audit on former Gov. Tom Wolfs pandemic waivers that allowed select businesses to remain open amid lockdown. He found that the program was confusing and flawed. He also released an audit that claimed a dozen school districts had raised local taxes while holding millions of dollars in their General Funds. He said the audit identified districts that were moving around money to meet the state threshold to raise taxes, which he called a shell game. Critics said DeFoor lacked an understanding of the districts budgeting processes. DeFoor also closed the bureau that audited schools, which his office said led to 11 layoffs. Those responsibilities were transferred back to the state Department of Education. According to his campaign website, DeFoors second-term priorities include: Cutting wasteful government spending to protect taxpayers and strengthen the economy. Increasing transparency to make sure taxpayer dollars used in state programs are working. DeFoor serves on the Harrisburg Area Community College Foundation Board of Directors, the State YMCA of Pennsylvania Board of Directors, and the Chris Handles Franklin Foundation Board of Directors. He is a member of the Greater Harrisburg Area NAACP and the Pennsylvania State Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #78. A month after DeFoor took office as auditor general in 2021, Kenyatta questioned him about election fraud claims at a state House committee hearing. At the time, skepticism about election integrity was high among Republicans after former President Donald Trump baselessly insisted his election had been subject to widespread fraud. I believe my election was fair, DeFoor said. As far as anybody elses election, thats a conversation that you would have to have with them, but I havent heard any complaints with regards to my specific election. Later that year, legislative Republicans boosted funding for his office in line with his budget request. However, GOP leaders said the funding was for DeFoor to audit election results. In response, DeFoor argued that he lacked the authority to do so, and Wolf ended up vetoing the additional funding. Endorsements: the Pennsylvania Republican Party; Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police; Pennsylvania State Troopers Association; Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry; Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association. Third-party candidates Erik Anton, American Solidarity Party Website Eric Anton, of Dauphin County, is running for auditor general as a member of the American Solidarity Party. He does not appear to have a website. The third partys platform says, The state should be pluralistic while upholding a vision of the common good of all and of each individual informed by Christian tradition and acknowledging the primacy of religion in each persons life. Alan Goodrich, Constitution Party Website On the ballot for the Constitution Party, a conservative third party active in national politics, is Alan Bob Goodrich, a Tioga County resident who runs a private Christian school. Goodrich, a 25-year Army veteran who retired as a lieutenant colonel, ran for the office in 2012, but he dropped out before Election Day. He also unsuccessfully ran to be a county commissioner last year. Reece Smith, Libertarian Party Website Smith, based in the Pittsburgh suburb of Crafton, is a financial planning intern and a recent graduate of Allegheny College. On his website, he says hed increase audits of local government bodies, specifically calling for reviews of spending within the governors office and among legislative leaders. He also says hed have regular press conferences reviewing audit results and letting you know exactly what your money was spent on. This guide adapts a primary version written by Jannelle Andes, Genevieve Hartnett, Alaysia Lane, Bill Meincke, and DJ Waller, graduate students at New York University in the American Journalism Online program. They reported this story 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. I paid $900 a night to stay at a Victorian-era hotel full of New England charm. It was the ideal cozy getaway. Blind Tiger in Portland, Maine, has fascinating connections to the Prohibition era and tons of classic charm. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I recently stayed at Blind Tiger, a quaint historic boutique hotel in Portland, Maine. The hotel has fascinating connections to the Prohibition era and lots of classic charm. I stayed two nights and found the comfortable furnishings and location perfect for a cozy getaway. Quaint brick-paved and cobblestoned streets, historic buildings, and an incredible food scenethese are just some of the things I fell in love with during a recent trip to Portland, Maine. However, my stay at Blind Tiger, a luxury boutique hotel located just north of the city's bustling Old Port neighborhood, had me dreaming about my next trip to Portland before I had even repacked my bags. The hotel has two locations, but I stayed at the guesthouse on Danforth Street, which is the older of the two and cost me and a guest around $900 a night. The hotel has nine guest rooms and multiple public gathering spaces, from a breakfast room to a full bar and billiards room. I visited in early August, at the height of tourist season, and many locals said this was likely the most expensive weekend of the summer to stay in Portland. Here's what it was like to stay at Blind Tiger in Portland, Maine. Blind Tiger was built in the early 1820s as a private home. Erin McDowell/Business Insider Despite its centuries of history, the interior design style of the hotel was surprisingly modern. The interior design was modern yet honored its historic roots. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I was impressed by how the design style appeared to meld historic New England charm with modern details, like the classic woodwork seen throughout the entryway combined with a modern art piece and moss-covered light fixture. The hotel was completely renovated in 2020. The hotel was known as the Danforth Inn before being taken over and renovated. Erin McDowell/Business Insider After being taken over by Lark Hotels, Blind Tiger, formerly known as the Danforth Inn, was born. The name "blind tiger" is a Prohibition-era slang term for an illegal speakeasy or place where liquor was sold. "When we were first made aware of this property, we were in awe of its history," Rob Blood, the president of Lark Hotels, said in a press release at the time of the building's sale. "Today, Blind Tiger honors that spirit with a unique take on the urban guest house [that offers] space to gather and celebrate in your own way," he continued. We checked in at 4 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. The check-in process was pretty seamless. Erin McDowell/Business Insider When we booked the hotel, the minimum stay was two nights. Before we got there, the staff communicated our check-in process clearly, including asking me to submit my information beforehand and giving me a code to be let into the building, rather than us simply turning up at the hotel check-in desk. The process felt safe and organized. We were even able to check into our room a little earlier by texting the hotel staff, which was extremely convenient. After we checked in and received our two sets of keys, we were shown to our room. The hotel provided two sets of keys to our room. Erin McDowell/Business Insider When we booked, we knew exactly which room we would be given. I booked the two-room Evangeline suite, which featured a king-size bed, a bathroom with a tub, and a separate living room with a couch. The room was located in a part of the house designed by architect John Calvin Stevens in 1901. It was named for a poem titled "Evangeline" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a Portland-based poet and friend of the home's original owner Joseph Holt Ingraham. The room cost $781.50, plus $140.67 in taxes and fees. The cost of the room we stayed in varies depending on when you book, but price estimates vary from around $300 to $850 per night. When we checked in, the concierge also gave us a list of local restaurants and bars in the area. We ended up trying one of the cocktail bars she recommended and loved the experience. Overall, we felt very welcomed by the staff. The room's furnishings and bedding were stylish and extremely cozy. The bedroom was very cozy. Erin McDowell/Business Insider Again, the interior design felt modern but with a historic, classic flair. I immediately went online to find out where I could buy some brown linen throw pillows for my bedroom. The bed frame was wooden but painted black to accent some of the decor. The decor was really inviting. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I thought the decor gave the feeling that we were in a historic home, without feeling dated or like we were at grandma's house. There were two LED Smart TVs in the room. The bedroom had modern amenities like two smart TVs. Erin McDowell/Business Insider One was located on the antique dresser in the bedroom, and the other was located in the adjoining living room. The living room ended up being useful as a separate space to get ready for nights out in Portland. The living room was a good place to get ready. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The bedroom was pretty tight due to the king-size bed, so having the living room ended up being almost a necessity for getting ready in the mornings and evenings. The hotel was only a 10-minute walk from the Old Port, where most of the city's most famous restaurants and bars are located. However, we ended up taking a car service both nights. This room also could have functioned as a space for one person or a child to sleep the couch was surprisingly very deep and comfortable. However, the suite only accommodates two guests. The bathroom was clean and modern, with some feminine details. The bathroom had a gold mirror. Erin McDowell/Business Insider We loved the addition of the gold mirror and found it a great place to get ready in the morning. The room had a tub, which we both used. We both used the tub during our stay. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The tub added to the quaint vibe of the place we could only imagine what it would be like to come back in the fall or Christmas season when the vibes would be maximum cozy. After we looked around our room, we explored the rest of the hotel. The hotel had a large grand staircase that led to the main living spaces. Erin McDowell/Business Insider Downstairs from our room were the main living spaces, including two sitting rooms, a dining room, and a bar. The living spaces all looked comfortable and thoughtfully designed. There were two main sitting areas downstairs. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The hotel was very quiet during most of our stay. Even though the place was fully booked, we hardly ever heard or ran into other guests. We did occasionally spy a few other guests reading in one of the chairs or grabbing a snack from the pantry. There was a bar fully stocked with everything you would need to make a specialty cocktail. The bar had garnishes for cocktails. Erin McDowell/Business Insider There was a freezer and minifridge for guests to use during their stay. From frozen olives to fruit garnishes, the bar was stocked with ingredients to top off most cocktails. However, you'd need to supply your own liquor it may not be Prohibition, but it's still BYOB. The pantry also had snacks and drinks available for guests to grab. The pantry was stocked Erin McDowell/Business Insider The room cost included access to Blind Tiger's well-stocked pantry, which had everything from snacks like nuts and trail mix to homemade cold brew coffee. It also had a full sink, minifridge, and microwave for guests to use. We made use of the pantry multiple times throughout our stay and especially loved making cappuccinos in the space's fancy coffee machine each morning. Admittedly, access to this pantry was one of the best parts of our stay and something we'd never experienced at any other hotel. The pantry had all different kinds of serving ware, glasses, and even more cocktail supplies. The pantry came stocked with serving ware and supplies to make cocktails. Erin McDowell/Business Insider We were especially impressed to find individually canned tonic waters, fresh fruit, and dried fruit in the pantry. The pantry also had a collection of board games that guests were free to use. The pantry had board games like Clue and Monopoly. Erin McDowell/Business Insider Though we spent most of our nights exploring the city, playing a round of Clue or Monopoly could have been a fun way to pass a rainy day. The hotel's Prohibition-related history lies in its basement billiards room. The billiards room was located in the basement. Erin McDowell/Business Insider By the time Maine passed the nation's first prohibition law in 1851, the home had come to be known as "Social Corners" due to its large-scale, debaucherous gatherings. When Prohibition started, the family continued to host gatherings, simply moving their celebrations to an underground club hidden in the basement. Guests can still entertain themselves and have a drink in the basement, which has been converted into a billiards room. The dining room was where the hotel hosted breakfast each morning. Breakfast was held in the dining room each morning. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The space's main features were two long tables and the fireplace, one of 12 working fireplaces throughout the property. The fireplaces in the common areas are lit once the weather cools down, and guests who have a fireplace in their rooms are given a Duraflame log to add ambiance to their rooms. We were really impressed by the breakfast spread. The breakfast was complimentary and had fruit, bagels, and other foods. Erin McDowell/Business Insider After making our coffee, we enjoyed the healthy spread of berries, fruit, yogurt, bagels, and more. The breakfast even appeared to appeal to an international crowd, as some offerings, like gherkins and olives, were not typical American breakfast foods. We ate in the adjoining breakfast room. The breakfast room was attached to the dining room. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The space was clean and bright and, since we were the only ones in there both mornings, a space to catch up and plan the rest of our day. After our two-day stay, we couldn't stop talking about how relaxing it had been. As two people who love historic properties, we felt at home at Blind Tiger and thought it was worth the high price tag. From the convenient location and on-site parking to the historic charm, many gathering spaces, and free snacks, every aspect of our stay was comfortable and high-end. We can't wait to return, hopefully for a cozy fall getaway to peep the Maine foliage. Read the original article on Business Insider Liz Coulbourn It wasnt until she contracted COVID that Torrey, a 19-year-old student who works as a community assistant on her college campus in New York, realized her job didnt offer paid leave. After testing positive, she took time off from the job where she works primarily in the mail room, making $16 an hour. Torrey, who has asked to use just her first name so she can speak candidly about her employment situation, says she returned to work in a mask after a week, in part due to strict attendance policies that meant she couldnt afford to miss more classes. I was just kind of powering through that, and I was like, I may as well go back to work and be able to get somewhat of a paycheck this month, she tells Teen Vogue. But she was worried about getting other people sick, and returning to work wasn't the first choice I would have made if I had the financial means to stay home. Torrey says she feels lucky because she also works during the summer and has some savings to fall back on, plus she has a second job. But, she notes, many of her coworkers dont. Thinking of how access to paid leave would impact her, Torrey tells Teen Vogue, stability would be a big part of it. Just the fact that if you do get sick, you don't have to have that fear of [not] being able to pay for basic needs that month, she says, and kind of an ease of mind in that respect. Though paid leave is a popular policy and research overwhelmingly shows that these policies benefit public health, maternal health, overall health outcomes for workers, and increase equity and improve worker retention and productivity the United States doesnt guarantee workers paid sick leave or paid parental leave. (There is no federal law that provides access to paid family and medical leave, paid time off, or paid sick leave, though some states have their own paid leave laws and programs.) Twenty-eight million workers in the United States still lack access to even a single day of paid sick time, says Carmen McCoy, a legal fellow with A Better Balance, a national legal advocacy organization that uses the law to help advance justice for workers. A 2023 survey of 1,000 voters from battleground states conducted by Paid Leave for All and Lake Research Partners found that voters overwhelmingly support paid leave policies. Young workers despite not being a demographic much considered in regard to paid family and medical leave (PFML) or paid sick time are uniquely impacted by the need for these policies. A 2024 report from the Center for Law and Social Policy and Data for Progress found that almost two out of five workers between the ages of 18 and 29 had left a job or been fired due to lack of access to PFML. The report also outlined that a majority of voters agree that young workers should have access to PFML. We continue to see that paid sick leave is the top workplace benefit young adults prioritize, says McCoy, noting that increasing access to paid sick time and paid leave isnt just a matter of economic justice but of gender and racial justice as well. According to A Better Balance, young people of color disproportionately lack access to PFML, and would especially benefit from access to these policies. Paid family and medical leave, McCoy explains, refers to longer-term leave taken in increments of weeks or months, giving workers the right to receive wage replacement when they need extended time off for their own health needs, caregiving, or bonding with a new child. Then, she continues, theres paid sick time, which refers to a worker taking time off for shorter-term needs. Paid sick time is accrued over time, meaning workers are earning paid sick leave as they are working. Theres an important distinction between this and the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): This act provides 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid leave to recover from a serious health condition, to care for a new baby, or to care for a loved one. But for workers who cannot afford to take that time off or for young workers, including those in part-time positions who may not qualify for FMLA, its not enough, says McCoy: There's a strong fear of financial ruin if you take this time that you desperately need but you're not getting any income. Including young workers in advocating for the need for paid leave means deepening the understanding of who young workers are. A lot of people assume young workers are grateful for any job that they have, and don't really think of young workers as deserving of good, high-quality jobs that have policies like paying the employee [for] time off or paid family leave, says Kathy Tran, former senior policy analyst on the youth team at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and currently the power-building strategist at the National Collaborative for Transformative Youth Policy. CLASP was approached by A Better Balance to collaborate on research focused on paid leave and young workers. Young workers they interviewed, says Tran, had a wide variety of circumstances and needs, underscoring the importance of including young people in advocacy spaces that tend to focus on adults. When people view workers, they view adults; they do not view a 17-year-old who is having a kid and working a job, Tran says, adding that young workers often have significant responsibilities beyond caring for themselves. Many are parents, caregivers, or have their own health needs to tend to. There are over 3 million Gen Z caregivers, McCoy says, and young workers ages 18 to 34 have some of the lowest rates of access to leave for their own medical care or the medical care of a family member. Tran tells Teen Vogue that young workers expressed wanting more face-to-face time with human resources and supervisors to talk through what rights they do have. For example, Tran explains, many people who worked at a department store talked about how they had to call off time unpaid, and sometimes were fired afterwards for calling out sick or just taking a lot of time off. They didnt know what rights they had because no one ever really sat down and walked them through it. Ashley, a 25-year-old who works in the automotive-finance industry, who is using a pseudonym here to speak freely about work, says paid leave is something she looks at before onboarding for a job. Ashley also spoke with A Better Balance and CLASP for focus interviews about the need for paid leave, especially among youth workers. Ashley had access to PFML when she gave birth to her child but had to read the handbook repeatedly, she says, to gain clarity on some of the policies. She pointed out to a supervisor that she thought she had access to a parental bonding-time benefit the company offered, but wasnt sure; it turned out she did have an additional month of leave that could be used before her childs first birthday. Ashley, who has a chronic illness, also emphasizes the importance of paid sick leave, which she uses to go to doctors appointments to get her medication covered and to take her child to check-ups and physical therapy. Having access to that sick time is essential, she says. I don't think I'd be able to keep my job and be able to do that. For Ashley, having access to paid leave means being able to care for herself and her family while staying attached to the workforce. I'm having to tell myself, It's okay to have both, she says. It's okay to want to be active in my son's life, but it's also okay for me to want to progress in my career. Having access to paid leave lets me know that I'm okay to do that. As the fight for paid leave continues, McCoy says, ensuring that people know these policies exist, and that there is national effort regarding them, is important. If you have no experience accessing these policies, its a difficult thing to do on your own, McCoy adds, but employment handbooks often outline policies on PFML and paid sick leave. Contacting your manager or human resources department about how to request paid leave can be a good place to start, McCoy says, pointing out, too, that some employers offer additional benefits that go above state requirements. If a worker wants to know more about their rights or which state laws might have additional protections, McCoy recommends A Better Balances Workplace Rights Hub, which can be searched by state, and the group's free and confidential helpline. Every single worker is going to experience a need to take leave or to have sick time," says McCoy. "Everyone gets sick. Everyone has different versions of their own family. Everyone is susceptible to longer-term illness. Paid family medical leave, paid sick time it gives autonomy back to workers, and recognizes the humanity and basic needs that exist within every workforce. Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want more labor coverage? (Reuters) - General Motors and Unifor have begun collective bargaining for workers at the automaker's CAMI Assembly plant in Ontario, the Canadian labour union said on Monday. A strike mandate showed 97% of Unifor Local 88 members are in favour of a strike if an agreement is not reached by 10:59 p.m. on Sept. 17, the union said. "Our focus remains on obtaining a contract that gives our members a good, predictable income," Unifor CAMI Plant Chairperson Mike Van Boekel said. Unifor Local 88 represents more than 1,300 members at the CAMI Assembly plant who work on the manufacture of Ultium battery modules and electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet BrightDrop EV 600. "GM is committed to working with our Unifor partners to reach a mutually beneficial agreement," the carmaker said in a statement to Reuters. (Reporting by Abhinav Parmar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas) BRASHER, N.Y. (WWTI) A pair of St. Lawrence County men are facing multiple drug charges after a Monday morning traffic stop in the town of Brasher. New York State Police 53-year-old Bryan Hartson and 36-year-old Timothy Kerrick, both of Wintrhop, with several counts related to a traffic stop by New York State Troopers around 1:55 a.m. Monday morning on State Route 11C. St. Lawrence Co. woman charged with allegedly trying to bite and stab teen The stop was initiated for a loud exhaust. During the traffic stop, numerous amounts of narcotics were located in the vehicle, including about 1.3 ounces of cocaine, 15 grams of MDMA and numerous pills of several different types. Kerrick was charged with five counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, six counts seventh-degree of criminal possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and second-degree obstructing governmental administration. Hartson was charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, six counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and a traffic ticket for loud exhaust. The pair were both arraigned in the Town of Stockholm Court, where Hartson was released on his own recognizance. However, Kerrick was remanded to St. Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. A man walks past a flag of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at a market, a day after general election in Islamabad A man walks past a flag of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at a market, a day after general election in Islamabad KARACHI (Reuters) - At least two parliamentarians were detained in late night swoops in Islamabad on members of the party of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, party leaders and the police said. Khan has been in jail since last year. His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the most seats in a general election in February but a coalition of his rivals was able to form a government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Party leader Zulfikar Bukhari, a former minister, told journalists that among those picked up by police was PTI Chairman Gohar Khan. A third man, a senior PTI member, was also picked up from his office. A spokesman for the Islamabad police confirmed the three detentions in a message to Reuters. There was no official statement on the details of the charges, or if they had been officially arrested. The detentions came a day after PTI held a major political gathering on the outskirts of the city demanding Khan's release. Supporters also clashed with police en route to the gathering, in which a senior police official was injured, police said. "Yesterday's massive protest has sent shivers down the government's spine," Bukhari said in a post on social media site X, calling the detentions illegal. (Reporting by Gibran Peshimam; Editing by Sandra Maler) BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A Panama City man is behind bars after authorities said he sexually assaulted a minor. The Bay County Sheriffs Office arrested 35-year-old Zachary Oswald on Friday after a female victim came forward claiming that they had sex in June 2023. The victim, who was 16 years old at the time, said she met Oswald at a car show and claimed she was homeless, officials said. Juvenile charged in social media threat towards North Bay Haven Charter Academy She then said he invited her to stay at his home in the 700th block of Detroit Avenue and eventually went on to have sex 2-3 times over the course of that month. As the investigation continued, authorities were able to make contact and detain Oswald on Friday. According to authorities, he admitted that the two did sleep in the same bed, but he didnt remember having sex with her. Oswald also reportedly told deputies that he was on a 3-week alcohol bender during that time. He is currently facing two counts of sexual assault on a person 16 or 17 years old and is being held in the Bay County Jail without bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (C) visits a children's hospital in Port Sudan -- he said 'insufficient action' is being taken to respond to Sudan's war (-) (-/AFP/AFP) Paramilitary gunfire sounded in Sudan's southeastern city of Sennar on Monday, a day after shelling blamed on the paramilitaries killed around 30 people at a market, activists and witnesses said. Sennar is one of the few remaining cities in the state of the same name which is not yet controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been fighting the regular army for more than 16 months. Residents on Monday told AFP there had been renewed gunfire but whether there were more victims could not be immediately determined. More than 16 months of war between rival Sudanese generals has already killed tens of thousands of people and triggered what the United Nations calls the world's worst internal displacement crisis. Since early July the RSF has controlled Sinja, the Sennar state capital. Sunday's market shelling came a day after Sudan's foreign ministry, which is loyal to the army, rejected a call by independent UN experts for an "impartial force with a mandate to safeguard civilians" to be deployed "without delay". The Sudanese Emergency Lawyers' group, which documents atrocities committed during the war, reported 31 civilians killed and 100 wounded in the market attack. An earlier toll on Sunday evening from the Sudan Doctors Network, which blamed the RSF, said 21 people died and around 70 others were wounded at the market. Elsewhere in Sennar, Emergency Lawyers reported that strikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces killed four people including children, leaving a total of 35 people dead in the state by both warring sides in "artillery fire and blind strikes." New unrest was also reported in El-Fasher city, which the RSF have besieged for months in the vast western Darfur region. Darfur governor Mini Minawi said on social media platform X that the paramilitaries had "attacked" El-Fasher including with drones. The war, raging since April 2023, pits the army under Sudan's de facto leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against the RSF led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The RSF in late June seized Sinja, the capital of Sennar state. The state connects central Sudan to the army-controlled southeast where hundreds of thousands of people have sought refuge. In August, a paramilitary attack in Sennar's Jalgini village killed at least 80 people, a local hospital source said at the time. - 'Expand the embargo' - Independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council said on Friday that their fact-finding mission had uncovered "harrowing" violations by both sides, "which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity". They called for "an independent and impartial force" to be deployed as soon as possible to protect Sudanese civilians -- a proposal ruled out by the Burhan-aligned government in a statement issued late on Saturday. "The Sudanese government rejects in their entirety the recommendations of the UN mission," the foreign ministry said. "The protection of civilians remains an absolute priority for the Sudanese government," the statement added. Human Rights Watch on Monday warned that the "warring parties responsible for widespread war crimes and other atrocities... have newly acquired foreign-made weapons and military equipment". "The United Nations Security Council should renew and expand the arms embargo and its restrictions on the Darfur region to all of Sudan and hold violators to account," the New York-based rights group said ahead of a meeting of the council's Sudan committee on Wednesday. Visiting Sudan on Sunday, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: "The scale of the emergency is shocking, as is the insufficient action being taken to curtail the conflict and respond to the suffering it is causing." bur-cgo/ami/dcp/it Parents were shook: Woman accused of pointing BB gun at crowd of people in Wakefield arraigned A woman accused of pointing a BB gun at a crowd of people gathered at a Porchfest event in Wakefield over the weekend faced a judge on Monday. Brigid Macdonough, 42, was arraigned in Malden District Court on a charge of assault using a dangerous weapon and disturbing the peace, according to the Wakefield Police Department. It wasnt until late afternoon that a judge decided Macdonough should be held without bail but she did leave open the possibility the suspect could be freed. Macdonough reportedly had a weapon sticking out of her car window while driving a gray Subaru through a crowd in the towns Greenwood section on Saturday afternoon, police said. The prosecutor said Macdonough was on probation out of Lynn for a 2023 incident when she drove her car into the deck of her boyfriends house after they argued. On Saturday, it is alleged that before arriving in Wakefield, Macdonough, after another argument with her boyfriend, drove her car into his. Parents and children were lined up on Greenwood Avenue when they saw the car speed by a few times. One man tried telling the woman she could have hurt someone. Witnesses told the police that the woman pulled out what looked like a Red Ryder BB gun and pointed it at the crowd as she drove by. Some families had to leave because of how upset they were, calling it a deeply disturbing situation. You could see some parents were visibly shook from the moment, one dad recalled. My kids are 7 and 6, so they were crying. They were like, Why is a woman pointing a gun at us? Brandon Volkenant, of Wakefield, also commented, Not only was her driving really dangerous but then this type of aggressive threatening behavior. Parents had had enough. Wakefield police said they were able to find and arrest the woman in just a few hours. In an update on Monday, police said, A relative of the suspect voluntarily turned over the gun. It was indeed a BB gun. In arguing for no bail, the prosecutor pointed out these two incidents as examples of Macdonoughs lack of control over her anger. The judge eventually ordered Macdonough held without bail on the probation violation. But if she is not held in Lynn, Macdonough could go free with a GPS monitor. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Wakefield Police Department at 781-245-1212. 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. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The post Patti Scialfa Reveals Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis appeared first on Consequence. Patti Scialfa has revealed that she has been battling multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer, since 2018. The 71-year-old wife of Bruce Springsteen and longtime member of E Street Band went public with her diagnosis in the new documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. According to the Mayo Clinic, multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that impacts plasma cells, which are type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow. Plasma cells help the body fight infections by producing antibodies. In myeloma, abnormal plasma cells multiply uncontrollably and crowd out normal blood cells, interfering with the production of healthy blood cells and antibodies. This can lead to weakened bones, kidney problems, anemia, and a weakened immune system. Due to her diagnosis, Scialfa is no longer able to tour with the E Street Band or perform full concerts. Instead, she has limited her participation to occasional guest appearances at select shows, joining her husband for a few songs. This affects my immune system so I just have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go, Scialfa explains in the documentary (via People). Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs onstage, and thats been a treat. Thats the new normal for me right now, and Im OK with that. Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, which chronicles the bands latest world tour, premiered this weekend at the Toronto International Film Festival. It will stream on Disney+ beginning October 25th. Patti Scialfa Reveals Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis Scoop Harrison Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. A man died Monday morning after he was struck by a Sacramento Regional Transit shuttle service bus in the North Natomas area. The fatal collision involving a pedestrian occurred about 8:50 a.m. near Club Center and Banfield drives in a Natomas Park residential neighborhood. Officers responded to reports of a traffic collision with the pedestrian, arrived at the scene and found a man who was dead, according to the Sacramento Police Department. The shuttle bus driver remained at the scene. The Sacramento County Coroners Office will release the pedestrians name and age after his family has been notified. Devra Selenis, a RT spokeswoman, said a RT Smart Ride On-Demand Transit service shuttle that hit the pedestrian. This type of smaller shuttle bus is similar to other ride-share services, where customers can use a smartphone app to request a ride for pick up and drop off within the service boundaries. Selenis said RT officials on Monday morning did not have all the details about the fatal collision, which remained under investigation. She said there were no other injuries reported. Nancy Pelosi says in a new interview that her party will take on the Senates filibuster rule in some fashion if a Democratic majority returns to the chamber next year. The California representative and Speaker Emerita spoke to Rolling Stone for a new interview in which she said that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is expected to continue leading the Democratic Senate caucus come 2025, vowed to her that he would get his partys landmark piece of voting rights legislation the For The People Act past the Senates 60-vote filibuster threshold if Democrats win a majority in the chamber this November. We have to win the Senate. [Schumer] told me that if they win, they will change the Senate in terms of the filibuster, and we would pass [the] For The People Act, which makes all the difference in the world in terms of our democracy, the former House speaker said. Technically, her party already has that majority. But two members of the Senate Democratic caucus, Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, have voiced opposition to changing or removing the filibuster standard and have prevented their party from doing so under nearly four years of Joe Bidens presidency, stymieing some of the presidents main policy goals. Nancy Pelosi, former House speaker, was a delegate for her partys nominating convention in Chicago last month. (Getty Images) Both Sinema and Manchin are set to leave the chamber at the end of the year, however. Both are departing the Senate rather than fight out tough battles for re-election. Sinema in particular was set to run as an independent after she left the Democratic Party, before it became clear she was in line to face a serious primary opponent. She then dropped out of the race entirely when polling indicated she was firmly in third place behind both her Democratic and Republican challengers. Should Democrats return to the majority in the Senate next year, the party will do so with both of the two biggest opponents to changing or ending the filibuster rule expunged from their caucus. Whether they can manage to win that majority is another story Schumers caucus faces a tough road ahead to maintaining control of the chamber, thanks to competitive Republican Senate candidates in Maryland and Montana, as well as the near-guarantee that Manchins seat will be taken by a Republican. Kyrsten Sinema, with Joe Manchin standing behind her, attends a press conference in the Capitol (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) If they do so, the next question will be whether their party changes the filibuster or gets rid of it entirely. Under the Biden administration, Democrats talked openly about enacting a carve-out within the filibuster rule to allow bills specifically dealing with the issue of voting rights to bypass the 60-vote threshold, but even that concession was rejected by Manchin and Sinema. Whether Republicans would consider nuking the filibuster under a GOP president is also unclear. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is stepping down as leader of the Republican caucus at the end of his current term, is a major opponent of doing so and promised unprecedented gridlock in the chamber if Democrats follow through on their plans to change the rules. Under McConnells previous tenure as Majority Leader when Republicans controlled the chamber under Donald Trump, he changed Senate rules to allow the consideration of Supreme Court nominees and Cabinet appointees to bypass the 60-vote threshold. Democrats, led by Harry Reid, lowered the same threshold for federal judges years earlier. If passed, the Democrats voting rights regulation would put in place national standards for polling places and would estabish independent commissions to determining congressional redistricting practices, ending the process of partisan gerrymandering. It would also require a code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns, and take other measures aimed at expanding voting access and transparency within US elections systems. No explosives found at Penns Manor Area School District, police say Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a bomb threat to an Indiana County school district. A PSP spokesperson says troopers were sent to Penns Manor Area School District just before 10 a.m. Monday after a note was found in the high school indicating there was a bomb in the building. Students were dismissed early while troopers, including the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations Explosives Detection K9 Unit, were investigating. PSP says no explosive devices were found during a sweep of the building. Anyone with information on this bomb threat should contact police by calling 724-357-1960. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Pitt director of athletics Heather Lyke relieved of duties Big Lots files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, plans to sell business to private equity firm Man accused of killing woman, injuring 4 other people while shooting at Lawrence County buildings VIDEO: Flames rip through duplex in Duquesne for third time, investigators consider incident suspicious DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Pennsylvania amusement parks honored as among best in the world Pennsylvania amusement parks honored as among best in the world ELYSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) A few Pennsylvania amusement parks received high accolades this weekend in the 2024 Golden Ticket Awards. Dutch Wonderland near Lancaster won Best Family Park for the fifth time, and Knoebels Amusement Resort near Elysburg said one of their signature wooden roller coasters and their food were recognized as #1 in the Golden Ticket Awards. The annual awards are presented by industry publication Amusement Today and have been awarded since 1998. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest Knoebels Phoenix roller coaster was named best wooden roller coaster for the sixth time. For the 21st time in 24 years, Knoebels also topped the best food category. We are honored Phoenix has received this distinction for a sixth consecutive year, said Dick Knoebel, president of Knoebels Amusement Resort. It is no small feat to maintain wooden roller coasters the way our team does. Seeing guests excitement as they exit the ride some of whom will hop right back in line to ride again is what keeps us motivated to continue this meticulous care. We recognized the ever-increasing effort our industry puts into food and beverage offerings, so my family challenged our team to create new, exciting additions to the award-winning tastes of Knoebels, said Brian Knoebel, 4th generation Knoebel family member. Rarely am I at a loss for words, but I found myself speechless when I learned they introduced 40 brand new menu items. The awards, Knoebels said, are calculated from an international poll. The survey is sent to a database of experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans asking them to rate the best of the best in the industry. The awards were presented at another well-known Pennsylvania amusement park: Kennywood. History of Dutch Wonderland Kennywood is considered to be one of the finest traditional amusement parks in America and has been open for 125 years. Two Kennywood coasters were recognized in the top 25 Jack Rabbit at 17th and Thunderbolt at 21st. Hersheyparks Lightning Racer came in at 20th. Kennywoods Phantoms Revenge was also recognized among the best steel coasters at 15th. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Chinas core inflation cooled to the weakest in more than three years, fueling calls for greater efforts to boost household spending as weak demand puts the annual growth target under pressure. Most Read from Bloomberg The consumer price index excluding volatile food and energy costs rose just 0.3% in August from a year earlier, the least since March 2021, the National Bureau of Statistics said Monday. The broader CPI increased 0.6%, missing expectations even though it was buoyed by higher food costs due to bad weather last month. Taken together, the figures provide further evidence of weak consumer demand in the worlds second-largest economy, prompting calls for more measures to stave off a negative cycle of declining corporate revenue, wages and spending. The deflationary pressure in China is getting more entrenched, Michelle Lam, Greater China economist at Societe Generale. This may well fuel a downward price-wage spiral which will require more radical policy response. Chinas CSI 300 Index extended early losses to finish the morning session down 1.1%. The onshore benchmark is on the verge of falling to a five-year low as bearish sentiment persists amid a lack of earnings and economic recovery. The yuan held small losses in both onshore and overseas trading. The yield on Chinas 10-year government bonds was little changed at 2.13%, close to the lowest level on record. Chinas economy is fighting the longest streak of falling prices since 1999 according to the gross domestic product deflator, a measure of economy-wide prices. Weak consumption and investment demand have led to intense price wars in sectors including electric vehicles and solar. This is denting Chinas chances of hitting its growth goal of about 5%, as consumers delay purchases and businesses slash wages. Prices of vehicles fell 5.5% while those of phones and other communications equipment dropped 2.1%, according to official data. The fiscal policy stance needs to become more proactive in order to prevent the deflationary expectations from becoming entrenched, said Zhiwei Zhang, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management. The modest rise in consumer prices was driven by higher costs of food because of hot weather and heavy rainfall, Dong Lijuan, chief NBS statistician, said in a statement accompanying the release. Story continues Fresh vegetables, in particular, saw prices rise 21.8% compared to the same period last year, contributing 0.44 percentage points to the CPI. What Bloomberg Economics Says... The data suggest policy steps to shore up the economy from a cash-for-clunkers program to rate cuts have been inadequate to counter the drag from the slumping housing market and low confidence. We expect policymakers to increase support. David Qu, economist Read the full note here Factory-gate prices remained stuck in deflation, as theyve been since late 2022, with the producer price index sliding 1.8% from a year earlier, more than economists forecast of a 1.5% drop. Former central bank Governor Yi Gang last week called on policymakers to focus on fighting deflationary pressures right now. That marked a rare acknowledgment by a prominent Chinese figure of the nations battle with falling prices. Overall we have the problem of weak domestic demand, especially on the consumption and investment side, so that needs proactive fiscal policy and accommodative monetary policy, Yi said at the Bund Summit in Shanghai on Friday. Yi said he hoped the GDP deflator, a broad measure of prices, would turn positive in the next few quarters. Goldman Sachs Chief China Economist Hui Shan said that would be challenging because of poor sentiment and a lack of confidence about the future. Organic private demand seems to be weakening more than we would like to see, but at the same time policymakers are getting uncomfortable, she said in a Bloomberg TV interview. The Peoples Bank of China still has space to cut the amount of cash banks must keep in reserve, according to Zou Lan, the central banks monetary policy department head who noted last week that the average reserve requirement ratio for financial institutions is at about 7%. Analysts have been forecasting further rate cuts and a reduction to the RRR rate with September seen as a potential window. --With assistance from Tian Chen and Shikhar Balwani. (Updates with more price details and market reaction. An earlier version corrected Zou Lans comments.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Pennsylvania Senate Race: Casey, McCormick campaign in Central Pennsylvania ahead of debate (WHTM) Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate candidates Bob Casey (D) and Dave McCormick (R) are both in Central Pennsylvania today with less than two months until Election Day. Casey visited Camp Hill where he received an endorsement from the Teamsters Union at their Camp Hill headquarters on Monday morning. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania If corporate America and their lapdogs in Congress try to kneecap unions they have to come through me, said Casey at the event. Ari Fleischer, the former press secretary to George W. Bush endorsed Dave McCormick at a forum with mostly Jewish voters. Hes a mensch, Fleischer said of McCormick. McCormick vowed support for Israel and criticized those who protested it. What happened on October 7 was a test, McCormick said. It was a test for America and our officials and unfortunately, they failed the test. Casey had a message for corporate interests that he says are backing McCormick. Im telling them if you reelect me, Im voting against your billionaire tax cuts, Casey said. So you better beat me, because Im going to defeat you. Thats what Im going to do. Casey also blames inflation on companies engaged in greedflation. Were going to go after them, said Casey. Were going to investigate them. And were going to hold them accountable for price gouging. The policies hes promoting are going to hurt the snack industry right here in Pennsylvania, McCormick argues. So Venezuelan price controls have been tried in the past. Theyre going to fail Pennsylvanians. McCormick asserts that runaway federal spending is the biggest culprit behind inflation. The driver of this is $5 trillion of new spending from Biden, Harris, and Casey, McCormick said. Senator Casey voted for all of it. Polls suggest the race has tightened between the two candidates. A CNN poll has Casey and McCormick tied at 46, which is the first poll to have them tied all summer. Both men say they expected it to be close. Last week Casey and McCormick agreed to their first debate on October 3, which will be hosted by abc27 and air on Nexstar stations across the state, as well as through a partnership with WPXI in Pittsburgh. The debate will be moderated by Capitol Bureau Reporter and abc27 anchor Dennis Owens. The general election is on November 5. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sent letters over the weekend to top House and Senate appropriations leaders arguing a long-term continuing resolution (CR) funding bill would impose a litany of difficulties on the military. Congress returns to session this week and is looking to pass a CR to keep the government funded through March, but Austin said an extended version of the temporary measure would set us significantly behind in meeting the challenges from China and the ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East. These actions subject service members and their families to unnecessary stress, empower our adversaries, misalign billions of dollars, damage our readiness, and impede our ability to react to emergent events, Austin wrote. We have already lost valuable time, having operated under 48 CRs for a total of almost five years since 2011. We cannot buy back this time, but we can stop digging the hole. The separate letters, signed Sept. 7, were addressed to Reps. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), chair of the House Appropriations Committee; and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the committees ranking member; along with Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations; and its ranking member Susan Collins (R-Maine). Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has tied a CR to stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements for voters, which has set up a showdown with Senate Democrats opposed to the measure. Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to keep the government funded, but lawmakers are still far from ready to pass a full slate of appropriations bills for federal agencies, making a CR the best option to temporarily keep the money flowing. Deadlock in Congress kept the government on a CR well past the deadline for fiscal 2024, which impacted Defense Department operations until it was fully funded last March. The Pentagon has requested a $849.8 billion budget request for fiscal 2025 and argues operating under those levels once the September deadline has passed impacts an array of programs, services and projects. Austin said a long-term CR would damage military recruitment efforts, which are already struggling with record-low numbers, and that temporary funding would forego vital investments in our defense industrial base and damage a number of other programs from military construction to nuclear weapons modernization and advanced drone building. But Austin expressed greater concern with failing to pass appropriations bills by Jan. 1 because the federal government would be approaching a limitation set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 reached between President Biden and House Republicans last year. Under that act, a failure to pass full government funding by January will start a process to reduce the discretionary spending limits for national security by 1 percent below fiscal 2023 levels, which Austin said could force the Pentagon to lose $42 billion from the 2025 budget request. If the federal government is still under a CR by the legislations deadline of April 30, the Defense Department could face those cuts. The repercussions of Congress failing to pass regular appropriations legislation for the first half of [fiscal] 2025 would be devastating to our readiness and ability to execute the National Defense Strategy, Austin wrote in the letters. The White House has also expressed concerns with a six-month CR, as has DeLauro in the House, who argued it would be better to end the stopgap funding in December. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a letter to his colleagues on Sunday that he supports a temporary CR but that it must be done in a bipartisan way. We will not let poison pills or Republican extremism put funding for critical programs at risk, he wrote. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ron Howard, director of "Hillbilly Elegy," the movie based on JD Vance's memoir, is disappointed with Vances stance in politics. Howard expressed his dismay with the rhetoric JD Vance has been voicing since becoming the vice presidential pick of former President Donald Trump. Who is Ron Howard, and what did he say about JD Vance? Heres what to know about the famous director and his art. 'People do change.' What Ron Howard said has him 'surprised and disappointed' by JD Vances politics When asked about Vance becoming a 'polarizing, volatile conservative' during a recent interview with Deadline, Howard said that when this movie was being made, Vance did not discuss politics and focused more on the journey of surviving his upbringing. Howard also said Vance showed little interest in politics when they spoke while making the movie: "Well, we didnt talk a lot of politics when we were making the movie because I was interested in his upbringing and that survival tale. Thats what we mostly focused on. However, based on the conversations that we had during that time, I just have to say Im very surprised and disappointed by much of the rhetoric that Im reading and hearing. People do change, and I assume thats the case. Well, its on record. When we spoke around the time that I knew him, he was not involved in politics or claimed to be particularly interested." Ron Howard Howard went on to say how important it is to vote responsibly and take action due to what's being seen in politics. What is 'Hillbilly Elegy?' Hillbilly Elegy is JD Vances best-selling memoir about his childhood consumed by poverty and abuse, per a story by the Enquirer. His story, which gained much national attention, explores Vances life with a drug-addicted mother and growing up with his grandmother. This 2016 memoir was later turned into a Netflix feature film of the same name by director Howard. 'Hillbilly Elegy' book: What is 'Hillbilly Elegy'? Everything to know about VP candidate JD Vance's book What to know about the 'Hillbilly Elegy' movie Released in 2020, the "Hillbilly Elegy" movie was inspired by and based on Vances book. Directed by Ron Howard, it stars Amy Adams and Glenn Close. Gabriel Basso plays an adult Vance; Owen Asztalos plays the younger version of him. The IMDb description says, "An urgent phone call pulls a Yale Law student back to his Ohio hometown, where he reflects on three generations of family history and his own future." This movie was filmed in Vance's hometown of Middletown, Ohio, as well as Atlanta and Clayton, Georgia, per IMDb. Where to watch 'Hillbilly Elegy' The film is available to stream on Netflix. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why JD Vance has Ron Howard feeling 'surprised and disappointed' KANSAS CITY, Mo. A person is now in police custody after their involvement in a possible threat at Blue Springs High School. The Blue Springs Police Department and Blue Springs School District Department of Public Safety became aware of a Snapchat story that involved a possible threat to the high school on Sunday. Kansas City, Kansas, middle school looking into possible threat Law enforcement agencies and school administrators quickly started an investigation. Within a couple of hours, the individual responsible was identified and found. They were arrested and legal and disciplinary actions will follow. Here is the email that Blue Springs High School sent families following the threat: Dear BSHS Families, Today, the Blue Springs Police Department and BSSD Department of Public Safety became aware of an inappropriate Snapchat story that involved a possible threat to our school. The cooperating law enforcement agencies and school administrators swiftly began an investigation. Within a couple of hours, the individual responsible was identified and located. The individual is now in police custody, and the appropriate legal and disciplinary action will follow. I want to remind you to talk to your student about the seriousness of making a threat. Threats are not tolerated, even if intended as a joke. Students cannot say, write, post, or draw anything that might be considered a threat. You and your student need to know that the consequences for making a threat are significant and can result in expulsion from the Blue Springs School District. Thank you to those who came forward and shared the information with us. It takes all of us to keep our school safe. Please inform a staff member if you or your student become aware of any possible threats to our school. Sincerely, Tom Alderman Principal Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard has been sentenced to 11 years for sexually assaulting four women in Toronto, Canada from the late 1980s to 2005. The 83-year-old was convicted last November by a jury after he denied the charges. Prosecutors sought a 15-year prison sentence for Nygard, arguing that he displayed a "pattern of behaviour" when he assaulted the women. His defence team argued for a sentence of less than two years, asking the judge to factor in his advanced age, declining health and the time he has already spent behind bars. The sentencing is not the end of Nygard's legal challenges. He faces separate sexual assault and sex trafficking charges in Montreal and Winnipeg as well as in the US. He has denied any wrongdoing and the other charges have not been tested in court. Nygard's 11-year sentence will take into account the time he has already spent behind bars meaning he has more than 6 years left to serve. He will be eligible for full parole in about two years. When delivering his sentence, Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein called Nygard a "sexual predator" and a "Canadian success story gone very wrong". "He used his wealth and his power to commit four sexual assaults," Judge Goldstein said. Nygard has been accused of using his influence and wealth to systematically assault and traffic women in both the US and Canada over a number of decades, when he was at the helm Nygard International, his global clothing design and manufacturing business. Over his six-week criminal trial in Toronto last autumn, prosecutors argued that Nygard - once estimated to be worth at least $700m (542m) - used his "status" to assault five women over the course of a few decades. Nygard was found guilty of sexually assaulting four out of the five women in the case. Most of the women detailed similar stories, in which Nygard lured them with the promise of work or professional help in the fashion industry. Each of them were then invited separately to a tour by Nygard at his Toronto office that ended in his private bedroom suite. He then raped or sexually assaulted them inside the bedroom, the court heard. The victims were aged 16 to 28 at the time. One woman described in her victim impact statement how the assault derailed life and left her with post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression and anxiety. Another said the assault led her to distrust men and avoid long-term relationships for decades. "Now a 63-year-old woman, I'm deeply saddened by the lack of love in my life," she told the court. Shannon Moroney, a therapist who has worked with four of the accusers, read statements they had written outside of court after sentencing. Several said that the sentence has given them some amount of closure. "We did this to ensure every victim of sexual assault will remember this trial and feel the strength and confidence to come forward and not be threatened by social status or money," she said, quoting one of the accusers. Nygard was due to be sentenced for his crimes shortly after his conviction in November, but the process had been repeatedly pushed back, in part due to two of his lawyers resigning over ethical concerns. During the sentencing hearings, Crown prosecutor Neville Golwalla asked the judge to impose a 15-year sentence on Nygard, which he said would take into account his crimes and time he has already served behind bars. His lawyer Gerri Wiebe asked for less time, arguing that a lengthy sentence would lower Nygard's life expectancy due to his already-deteriorating health. Nearly 20 people submitted letters to the court in support of Nygard, including former business and philanthropy partners, an ex-girlfriend, his former dentist and a pastor. The letters praised Nygard for his hard work and for his financial support to the people in his life and various charitable causes. Nygard has been in custody since his arrest in late 2020. He has been held at an infirmary inside a Toronto detention center, the court heard, where he has been afforded privileges like his own phone and access to email through his assistant. Now that the Toronto case is complete, Nygard is set to face another sexual assault case in Montreal, where he has been charged with assaulting and forcibly confining a woman more than two decades ago. A preliminary inquiry in that case is set to begin in January 2025. Nygard is also facing charges in Winnipeg related to offences allegedly committed in 1993, involving a woman who was 20 years old at the time. In that case, he is alleged to have held the woman captive and raped her after inviting her to a modeling job. He has denied the charges and sued his accuser for defamation in 2023, while he was still in custody for the Toronto case. Once his criminal cases in Canada are completed, he is expected to be extradited to the US, where authorities claim he engaged in a "decades-long pattern of criminal conduct" involving at least a dozen victims across the globe. A separate class-action lawsuit has also been filed against him by 57 women in the US, though it was put on hold amid his criminal proceedings. In 2020, Nygard stepped down as chairman of his firm shortly before it filed for bankruptcy after US authorities raided its New York headquarters. Who is Philippe Reines, stand-in for Trump in Harris debate prep Who is Philippe Reines, stand-in for Trump in Harris debate prep Philippe Reines, the longtime aide to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is reprising his role as former President Trump while Vice President Harris prepares to spar with her Republican rival on the debate stage Tuesday. Reines, a 54-year-old New York City native, previously played Trump as Clinton prepared to face him in the 2016 debate cycle. A Columbia University grad and political consultant, Reines spent nearly two decades at Clintons side and has been a loyal confidant of the former Democratic presidential candidate. In the years since Clinton lost to Trump, hes occasionally reflected on the process of channeling Trumps larger-than-life persona. To prepare myself for her grueling debate prep, I watched the 15 Republican primary debates and forums in which Trump participated three times each: once the whole way through; a second time focusing entirely on the exchanges he was part of; a third time with the sound off to watch his mannerisms and body language, Reines wrote in a 2019 Politico piece. I might know his debating style if you want to call it that better than anyone on the planet (aside from Hillary Clinton, of course). Harris is hunkering down in Pittsburgh for several days as she prepares to face Trump in their first and possibly only debate a moment that could prove pivotal in the tight race. The Hill/Decision Desk HQs latest polling analysis has Harris leading trump 49.4 percent to 46.1 percent, but neither candidate has a firm hold on the 270 electoral college votes needed to win and the outcome likely will come down to Pennsylvania and a handful of other battleground states. As Clinton did with her preparations to debate Trump in 2016, Harris is facing off against Reines while acting out 90-minute debate scenarios Reines in full Trump cosplay, mirroring the former presidents clothing and attitude, on a replica debate stage. Democratic strategist Karen Dunn, who also assisted with Clintons debate prep, and Harriss former Senate chief of staff Rohini Kosoglu are leading the hours-long debate prep sessions, a source familiar told The Hill. Reines started working for then-Sen. Clinton (D-N.Y.) in 2002, was an aide on her 2008 presidential campaign, and joined the State Department as a senior adviser after Clinton became President Obamas top diplomat in 2009. Before that, he worked on Vice President Gores campaign for president in 2002. He has called Trump possibly the worst debater in presidential history and compared Trump to a malevolent George Costanza a nod to Jason Alexanders iconic Seinfeld character. Reines said on a podcast with former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) in 2020 that learning to speak seemingly without a filter as Trump was difficult. When you remove that, which is very hard to do, and the hardest thing that I had to learn, he said. If you remove that, because there are no consequences to what you say, its almost like George Costanza, you know, doing everything backwards. What I noticed more than anything was how different his speaking style is compared to typical politicians, he added. He dressed the part in a baggy dark blue suit and long red tie during more than a dozen hours of debate prep before Clinton and Trump took the stage. Reines said on the Franken podcast that he went to his tailor and said, I need to look like Donald Trump but not for Halloween, to get the look right. He even got lifts for his shoes to be taller like the over six-foot Trump, he said, but he didnt bother wearing a wig or bronzer. In a separate interview on The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM radio in 2020, Reines described debate prep with Clinton as a pretty structured setting. Its hard with Trump, because he has so many different positions. Youve just got a lot more to absorb, he said. Reines said that growing up in New York, he was already familiar with the citys high-profile celebrity businessman. I had a very specific view of him, that is an accurate view, he told Franken. He characterized Trump in debate mode as being dependent on bluster, vulgarity, innuendo and refusal to admit hes wrong. Democrats need to be able to communicate and attack in the same kind of blunt language that has until now been inappropriate in national politics, he wrote. Forget the glass houses rule and get out your slingshot. He said his approach during the prep process was to give constructive feedback to Clinton but not to the detriment of the candidates confidence. You dont want to constantly be telling your candidate they are terrible, he said. Reines previously shared behind-the-scenes footage of a favorite moment standing in as Trump against Clinton. Not easy to avoid the unwanted Trump hug, sometimes it even takes practice, he wrote on the social media platform then-known as Twitter in 2017. In the video, Reines, dressed as Trump, approaches Clinton for the traditional pre-debate handshake between the candidates podiums but instead pivots to an attempted hug as others in the room laugh, including Clinton. He later called the moment half-joking. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Philippines 'not looking' to extradite pastor to US Apollo Quiboloy, pictured in 2016, is facing charges in Manila of child abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking (MANMAN DEJETO) (MANMAN DEJETO/AFP/AFP) The Philippines is not currently looking to extradite a Filipino pastor wanted for child sex trafficking in the United States, President Ferdinand Marcos said Monday after the suspect's arrest. Apollo Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God" and ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, surrendered in the southern city of Davao on Sunday amid a massive two-week police search of his sect's sprawling compound. The US charged the Kingdom of Jesus Christ preacher in 2021 with sex trafficking of girls and women aged 12-25 to work as personal assistants, who were allegedly required to have sex with him. "For the moment, we are not looking at extradition. We are focusing on the cases filed in the Philippines," Marcos told reporters on the sidelines of a Manila conference. It is not known if the United States has formally sought the extradition of Quiboloy, aged at least 74 according to the FBI. Quiboloy, whose sect claims millions of followers, is facing charges in Manila of child abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking. Marcos also congratulated the police for arresting the pastor. "We will demonstrate once again to the world that our judicial system in the Philippines is active, is vibrant, and is working well," the president said. Quiboloy is also sought by US authorities for bulk cash smuggling and a scheme that brought church members to the United States using fraudulently obtained visas. They were then forced to solicit donations for a bogus charity, raising funds that were instead used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders, according to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. pam/cgm/rsc By Karen Lema MANILA (Reuters) - Former Philippine town mayor Alice Guo was held in contempt for a second time on Monday after refusing to answer senators' questions on suspected ties to Chinese criminal syndicates and how she escaped the country two months ago. The 38-year-old ex-mayor of Bamban was arrested in Indonesia last week, alongside a Chinese monk and with her hair cut short in disguise according to authorities, and deported home. She denies any criminal links. Appearing in a bulletproof vest at a Senate investigative panel, Guo looked unrattled and evaded most questions, saying death threats and ongoing criminal cases constrained her from responding. She did not specify or give proof of the threats. Senators first held Guo in contempt in July and ordered her arrest for failing to appear at a hearing. Law enforcers later found out she left the Philippines in July, going to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Bamban mayor since 2022, Guo was removed from office by the Ombudsman last month for grave misconduct. She faces graft charges at a Philippine trial court and a money laundering complaint at the Department of Justice. Senators took turns to grill Guo on Monday, becoming irked and accusing her of lying that she is Filipino despite evidence obtained by the National Bureau of Investigation showing her fingerprints match Chinese national Guo Hua Ping. "I move to cite Guo Hua Ping, also known as Alice Guo, in contempt of the Senate for testifying falsely and evasively before this committee," said Senate committee head Risa Hontiveros, whose motion was quickly passed. BOAT ESCAPE Asked how she escaped, Guo said she and companions left on a yacht with the help of an Asian woman she refused to name, before transferring to a larger boat. The Senate launched an investigation into Guo in May after a casino raid in Bamban uncovered what law enforcers described as scams run from a facility on land she partly owned. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Guo last week to disclose how gambling businesses targeting customers in China, known as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), had branched into crime. Marcos banned the online gambling industry in July. "I am not involved in POGOs," Guo said on Monday in one of her few clear responses to the Senators. Her case has gripped the Philippines at a time of growing suspicion about China's activities following an escalation of territorial disputes in the South China Sea. (Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) Phoenix police officer might still be alive if Saul Bal had been charged in 2023 It is very tragic that Saul Bal was in a place to shoot two of Phoenix polices finest. It is even more tragic that nearly 10 years into the fentanyl crisis that Arizona police agencies and the Maricopa County Attorneys Office have not determined a way to rapidly test fentanyl M30 Blues pills for filing charges. There is a strong likelihood that had this been done in 2023, when Bal was arrested but never charged with felony drug possession, our two heroes would be patrolling the streets of Phoenix at this very moment protecting us. Officer's death: Raises tough questions about suspect I believe Gov. Katie Hobbs needs to lead us at this crossroads and find a way to get Arizona criminal justice agencies, including the crime labs, to recognize the crisis and get these tests done well within established judicial deadlines. Our heroes certainly deserve at least some efforts from our leaders. Sam Torkleman, Phoenix Whats on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor online or via email at opinions@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Officer Zane Coolidge might still be alive if this happened The U.S. Attorneys office says a 46-year-old Pierce County man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Seattle to seven years in prison for his repeated drug trafficking and possession of firearms. A judge also imposed four years of supervised release to follow the sentence. Ryan James Townsend was indicted in November 2023, after two encounters with law enforcement, said Gorman. According to records filed in the case, Townsend was investigated by law enforcement in November 2022, for an incident where he fired multiple shots into the air outside a Planet Fitness gym in Tacoma. Witnesses and surveillance video showed Townsend in a white Escalade firing a handgun into the air. Townsend was later found inside the same car at a gas station, passed out behind the wheel. Law enforcement found a 9mm handgun inside the car. Townsend was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior convictions, said Gorman. In August 2023, a Puyallup Police Officer attempted to stop Townsend as he was driving in a different car with no license plates. Townsend reportedly sped off in the car, hitting and damaging another vehicle, and injuring the driver. Townsend eventually crashed his car and tried to run from the police. Inside the car, officers reportedly found methamphetamine as well as a handgun in the glove box. When a search warrant was served on Townsends residence, agents seized fentanyl pills, heroin, and three firearms, said Gorman. In June 2024, Townsend pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm. In asking for the seven-year sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Casey Conzatti wrote to the court, On a number of occasions Mr. Townsend continued to possess firearms knowing he was not allowed to. On one occasion Mr. Townsend was observed shooting a gun into the air putting civilians in danger. Following the arrest for this conduct, Mr. Townsend did not stop his criminal behavior. Less than a year later, Mr. Townsend was found with a second firearm, and this time he had drugs with him. (Bloomberg) -- China Renaissance Holdings Ltd.s shares fell as much as 73% after resuming trading in Hong Kong on Monday, 17 months after the stock was suspended following the detention of its former Chairman Bao Fan. Most Read from Bloomberg The company said it has fulfilled requirements for the trading resumption, releasing its earnings for the first half and for last year and 2022. The company replaced Bao in February, a year after he vanished from the public eye due to an investigation by Chinese authorities. Shares of China Renaissance were down 63% as of 11:00 a.m., wiping out about HK$2.6 billion ($334 million) of its market value. Bao was placed under detention under an unspecified investigation amid a broader graft crackdown on the financial sector. His absence has dented China Renaissances business growth, curtailing revenue and prompting a slew of staff departures. The company recorded nearly 74 million yuan ($10.4 million) in losses in the six months to June as revenue dropped 39% to 329 million yuan. It incurred a loss of 471.9 million yuan in all of 2023, the second year in a row that the firm was in the red. Its number of employees had dropped 31% from end-2022 to 521 as of end-June. China Renaissance requested AOGB CPA Ltd. to assist its auditing committee to examine its internal records, including agreements and payments. The assessment found no evidence of Bao self-approving expenses but discovered that a senior staff was employed two and a half years after a loan deal which some media had speculated could be related to the investigation on Bao, the company said in a filing. Baos experience underscores the risks for business in China, where regulatory crackdowns and probes have become more frequent under President Xi Jinping. More than a hundred financial executives and officials have been ensnared in an anti-corruption push in 2023 alone with the sector also forced to slash pay to comply with Xis push for common prosperity. Four of the companys executive directors have pledged not to sell their combined 2.2% stake for six months or until March 7 next year. The wife of Bao Fan, 54-year-old Hui Yin Ching, was appointed as a non-executive director and holds 48.71% of China Renaissances issued shares. Story continues Bao has sprawling connections and is privy to information related to the countrys biggest entrepreneurs. His company has advised tech giants including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. Despite Beijings reassuring comments on private businesses to support a post-Covid recovery, Baos experience and tightened regulatory scrutiny have unnerved Chinas business elite. A former banker at Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse Group AG, Bao founded China Renaissance in 2005, making a name for the firm by brokering tough mergers that led to the formation of ride-hailing service Didi Global Inc. and food-delivery giant Meituan. China Renaissance received interest from a Hong Kong-based financial group with a Middle East backer to take over what remains, including its trading licenses, people familiar with the matter said in February. A couple of small Chinese brokerages also showed interest. --With assistance from Amanda Wang. (Updates with details on China Renaissance earnings, filing and background.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (BCN) Pinole Police Chief of Police Neil Gang retired last week after spending 36 years in law enforcement. It has been an honor and a blessing to serve the Pinole community, Gang said in a statement Thursday. Together with the outstanding officers of the Pinole Police Department, we have worked to make this city a safer, stronger, and more connected place to live. I look forward to the next chapter, but will always cherish the relationships and achievements made in Pinole. Gang earned a reputation as a reformist leader in the police department over his tenure, pioneering programs like what Pinole says was the nations first Video Reporting Program and the Asher Model-7 Point Approach to a Culture of Wellness. He introduced social and emotional intelligence into hiring and promotional processes as well, according to the press release. SJ man charged with grand theft after loading store vacuum box with copper: DA Chief Gangs tremendous impact will resonate long after his retirement, said the citys press release. His innovative programs and leadership models have left a lasting legacy across multiple areas of public safety and city governance across the City of Pinole. His reforms earned Gang the California Police Chiefs Associations (CPCA) Joe Malloy Award in 2023 and led to him being named Public Safety Hero of the Year by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020. Gang began his work as a police officer in West Windsor, New Jersey, in 1988 before moving on to leadership positions in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and Surprise, Arizona, according to the press release. Gang served as a canine handler, field training officer, and lieutenant before joining Pinole police. Fatal motorcycle crash investigated in Pinole He became chief just a year after joining the Pinole Police Department as a commander in 2013. Later, he served as fire chief from 2017 to 2019 and as interim city manager for 11 months, with his interim tenure ending earlier this summer. Gang attended Northwestern University School of Police Staff Command, where he was class president. He later earned a masters degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership at UC San Diego, after earning a bachelors degree in justice administration at Wayland Baptist University. Copyright 2024 Bay City News, Inc. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Pipe-wielding Tesla driver convicted for California road-rage attacks released less than a year into jail term Pipe-wielding Tesla driver convicted for California road-rage attacks released less than a year into jail term A pipe-wielding Tesla driver convicted of attacking other motorists on Southern California roads was released from prison last month after only serving less than a year of a five-year term, a move that outraged his victims. Nathaniel Radimak, 37, was sentenced in September 2023 following a spree of violent attacks. He pleaded guilty to assault, vandalism, elder abuse and making criminal threats. Radimak was known for driving a Tesla and using a pipe to attack the cars of his victims, mostly women. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told Fox News Digital that Radimak was granted 424 days credit for time served while he was awaiting his sentence. He was also eligible for opportunities to earn credit for good behavior while he was incarcerated. LAPD INVESTIGATING MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF 19-YEAR-OLD IN KOREATOWN Nathaniel Walter Radimak, 37, was convicted of attacking several female drivers on Southern California roads. "Radimak was released to parole supervision in Los Angeles County on Aug. 28, 2024, after serving his full sentence as defined by law," a CDCR statement said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Many of Radimak's victims were outraged at his release. Some said they weren't consulted about the release or given a chance to contest the decision. They said the justice system failed by not giving them a chance to be heard. The state Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services is responsible for providing information, notification, collection of restitution, outreach, as well as support services to crime victims and their next of kin, a CDCR spokesperson said. SERIAL NORTHEAST BURGLARY SUSPECTS' SOPHISTICATED TACTICS: 4 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME "I'm unable to believe such a short sentence would result in any sort of behavioral reform or rehabilitation considering the length of time he's been committing crimes," one unidentified victim said during a virtual news conference alongside attorney Gloria Allred. "I am worried he will try to find the victims whose names have been released," said another. "He is a menace to society, and I strongly disagree about his early release." Some said they were afraid that Radimak would possibly retaliate against them. "His early release has shocked and disappointed many of the victims whom I represent," Allred said. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office told Fox News Digital that it does not determine when an inmate is released. Nathaniel Walter Radimak was arrested Sunday for his alleged involvement in a road rage incident. "Our thoughts are with the survivors who endured the terrifying attacks by Mr. Radimak and are continuing to heal from his senseless actions," the DA's office said. "The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office does not determine when an inmate will be released from custody. This, as well as the notification of victims, is the responsibility of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation." Original article source: Pipe-wielding Tesla driver convicted for California road-rage attacks released less than a year into jail term Police arrest man accused of exposing himself in Northeast DC WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said officers arrested a man accused of exposing himself to people in Northeast D.C. on Saturday. At around 11:45 a.m., Thomas Von Williams Jr., 32, was in the 1300 block of Florida Ave. when he exposed himself to people walking by, according to police. He then fled the scene. MPD looking for prisoner after he escaped from DC hospital Moments later, officers saw Williams in the 1100 block of Staples St., where they stopped and arrested him. He is charged with Lewd, Indecent, Or Obscene acts. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Rockford Police arrested Damarcus James, 24, on Saturday after officers responded to a shots fired call and allegedly found a weapon in his vehicle. The case was later dismissed in court. According to police, around 1:55 a.m. the report came in directing officers to the 1000 block of 12th Street. When they arrived, they saw a vehicle leaving the area and conducted a traffic stop. A loaded handgun was found inside the car, police said. James was charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon. At a 1 p.m. court hearing the same day, Judge Amy Peterman dismissed the case after finding of no probable cause for the arrest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Police asking for help identifying two theft suspects Kettering police are asking for help identifying two people suspected of stealing from a local store. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In a post on Facebook, Kettering police shared images of two people involved in a theft at a local retail store. TRENDING STORIES: The theft occurred on Aug. 10 according to the post. If you have any information regarding their identity, the police department is asking that you contact KPD at 937-296-2555 and ask to speak with Officer Strehle. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) Hospital officials told police that cocaine was found in a babys system in Warren this past Thursday. Warren police responded to a child endangering report at St. Josephs Hospital shortly after 6 a.m. According to a police report, the babys father said he dropped his 7-month-old daughter off at his mothers house the night before and picked her up 30 minutes later. As he was driving home, he said the child began having body tremors in the car. The father took the child home and he and his wife decided to have her checked out at the hospital, the report stated. The baby was scheduled to be transferred to Akron Childrens Hospital after traces of cocaine were found in her system, according to the police report. The childs parents called police and were given instructions to contact the Trumbull County Prosecutor. Police currently have two suspects, and an investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been 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 WKBN.com. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A man is in custody after he barricaded himself in a Lower Valley home and pointed a weapon at an officer, prompting an officer to fire back at him on Sunday night, Sept. 8, El Paso Police said. The incident happened at around 8 p.m. along the 300 block of Ramona Avenue in the Lower Valley. Neither the suspect nor officers were injured in the incident, police said. Police were initially called out for what was described as a verbal family violence incident but was upgraded when police learned the suspect had a weapon, they said. One person is in custody after firing at officers in Lower Valley along Ramona Avenue. Photos by Sebastian Esquivel Police said that when they arrived, a 27-year-old man barricaded himself in the home. Officers began to command him to leave the house and at some point, the suspect pointed his weapon at an officer, police said. An officer fired back, police said. Shortly after that, the man surrendered and came out of the house, police said. The man is in custody and neither officers nor the suspect were hurt in in the incident, police said. The incident is being investigated by the El Paso Police Departments Crimes Against Persons Unit and its Internal Affairs Department as well as the Texas Rangers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO Authorities are warning the public of recent robberies that happened at an Englewood McDonalds. Chicago police said the robberies happened at the McDonalds located in the 6300 block of South Ashland Avenue. During the incidents, two or more suspects usually wearing ski masks and armed with guns approached the victims in the McDonalds parking lot or inside the restaurant and demanded money, cell phones and food before running off. I just went into action: CCL holder shoots intruder trying to climb through daughters window in South Shore The robberies happened at the following times: Saturday, Aug. 10 at 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 at 8:18 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2 at 8:10 a.m. Police described the suspects as two or three males anywhere from 16-29 years of age. Anyone with information is asked to call Area One Detectives at 312-747-8380. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WOOD) A man was taken to the hospital after being shot in Muskegon Heights Sunday evening, police said. Around 4:40 p.m., dispatch got a call reporting a shooting on Howden Street near Manahan Avenue in Muskegon Heights. Officers arrived to find a 36-year-old Muskegon Heights man in the front yard of a home on Howden Street with several gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital in serious condition, police said. Police determined the shooting happened in the backyard of a home on Howden Street. They did not provide any information about a suspect. Detectives with Muskegon Heights Police Department and Michigan State Police were on scene Sunday night collecting evidence to investigate. This embedded content is not available in your region. Anyone with information should call Muskegon Heights police at 231.733.8900 or Silent Observer at 231.722.7463. 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 WOODTV.com. Balancing the right to protest with the rights of others to go about their lawful business is an age-old conundrum. The recent spate of mass demonstrations against Israels actions in Gaza have brought this once again to the fore. There are laws against intimidation and extolling extremism that appear to have been broken on sundry occasions without action being taken. The police say they need to ensure public order and defend freedom of expression and no-one doubts they have a difficult job getting this right. But there is a sense that they err too often on the side of the protesters, especially when they claim to espouse so-called progressive causes. A new report from the Policy Exchange think-tank suggests that the police have made mistakes in the way they have handled the pro-Palestine marches. The Mets assistant commissioner Matt Twist concedes that when the protests began shortly after the Israeli invasion of Gaza they did not move quickly enough to arrest people calling for jihad, though he said this was on the advice of lawyers and the Crown Prosecution Service. Mr Twist says they are now much more focused on identifying reasonable grounds for arrest, acting where needed and detaining when necessary. It is important that the police get this right. A poll for Policy Exchange shows the public overwhelmingly supports intervention in disruptive protests, including against people holding banners containing racist or derogatory slogans. The Government is undertaking a review of protest laws which the report says have developed in an unduly pro-protestor way, leaving ordinary members of the public unable to undertake their normal day to day activities as a result. People unable to get to work because climate change protestors have blocked the road or cannot visit city centres because they have become regular weekend settings for mass demonstrations want to see this sorted out. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Selena Li and Donny Kwok HONG KONG (Reuters) -China Renaissance shares plunged as much as 72% on Monday after ending a 17-month suspension triggered by a probe involving the boutique investment bank's former CEO and star dealmaker Bao Fan, with recent losses weighing on its outlook. The sell-off erased as much as HK$3 billion ($385 million) in market value and pushed the stock to a record low. The resumption in trading came after China Renaissance published its long-overdue financial results last week. The firm sent shockwaves through the country's financial sector in February last year when it announced it was unable to contact Bao, who founded the bank in 2005 with two other men and still owns nearly 49% of the company's issued shares. Trade in China Renaissance shares was suspended in April 2023 after the bank delayed publication of its audited annual results as a result of mainland Chinese authorities taking away Bao to cooperate with an investigation. A Chinese financial publication reported in May last year he was detained by disciplinary and supervision officials. Authorities have so far not provided any explanation for his absence. China Renaissance last week posted an attributable loss of 471.9 million yuan ($66.55 million) for 2023, and a loss of 73.8 million yuan for the six months ended June 30, according to its Hong Kong exchange filings. With Bao not seen publicly since the bank's disclosure in last February, his absence from the business caused mounting concern among staff and clients about the firm's future, Reuters reported in February, citing sources. The bank's declining revenue and a weaker listing pipeline in China amid slowing economic growth are forcing investors to sell the stock, said Kenny Ng, securities strategist at China Everbright Securities International. "Uncertainties around ongoing investigation involving Bao and management reshuffle point to a long road ahead before business can truly reboot." The bank in February appointed co-founder Xie Yi Jing to replace Bao as CEO and chairman. Bao's wife Hui Yin Ching was named as a director last week. SLUGGISH MARKETS Shares in China Renaissance pared some losses in the afternoon trading session, but were still down 67.8% on the day, compared to a 2% drop in the benchmark Hong Kong market index. Bao is one of several high-profile executives in China - most from the finance industry - who have gone missing in recent years with little explanation amid a sweeping anti-corruption campaign in the world's second-largest economy. Story continues Bao, who previously worked at Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley, was involved in the mergers of ride-hailing firms Didi and Kuaidi, food delivery giants Meituan and Dianping, and travel platforms Ctrip and Qunar. China Renaissance said in its first-half report that despite "all kinds of difficulties and challenges" and a "sluggish" market environment, it "ushers in a new era" following the recomposition of its board. The bank employed 521 people at end-June this year, the report showed, down 30% from the end of 2022. Everbright's Ng said China Renaissance specialised in helping China's new economy companies tap public markets for capital raisings, but the shrinking listing pipeline had dimmed the bank's prospects. ($1 = 7.7959 Hong Kong dollars) (Reporting by Selena Li and Donny Kwok; Additional reporting by Julie Zhu in Hong Kong; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Jamie Freed) Raynham police are investigating an online threat made against a school. Raynham police said they were contacted by Bridgewater Raynham School officials about concerning social media chat. Police said it was determined there were no credible threats to the schools or students after an investigation. Police say there will be an increased police presence at Raynham schools this week due to the threat. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW This photo provided by OneWhale.org on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, shows the skin surface of the carcass of the beluga whale Hvaldimir, who was found dead on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) There's no evidence that a well-known beluga whale that lived off Norway's coast and whose harness ignited speculation it was a Russian spy was shot to death last month as claimed by animal rights groups, Norwegian police said Monday. The tame beluga, which was first spotted in 2019 not far from Russian waters with a harness reading Equipment St. Petersburg," was found floating at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway on Aug. 31. Experts examined the carcass at a nearby harbor, after lifting it with a crane. Animal advocate groups OneWhale and NOAH last week filed a police report saying that the animals wounds suggested it was intentionally killed. OneWhale founder Regina Haug said when she saw the carcass, she immediately knew he had been killed by gunshots. That's not the conclusion so far from veterinarians. Police said that the Norwegian Veterinary Institute conducted a preliminary autopsy on the animal, which was become known as Hvaldimir," combining the Norwegian word for whale hval and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin. There are no findings from the autopsy that indicate that Hvaldimir has been shot," police said in a statement. Most of the animal's visible wounds were completely superficial with one of them somewhat deeper but not fatal or affecting vital organs, police said. An x-ray found no projectiles and no indication that the wounds could have been caused by gunshots, the statement said. However, a stick about 35 centimeters (14 inches) long and 3 centimeters (1 inch) wide was found wedged in the animal's mouth, and its stomach was empty and its organs had broken down, police said. No further details were given. There is nothing in the investigations that have been carried out to establish that it is human activity that has directly led to Hvaldimirs death," said Preede Revheim, head of the North Sea and environment section of the police in South Western Norway. Revheim said that police will not be actively investigating the case and that the final autopsy report will released later this month. The two animal rights groups said Monday they're not satisfied with the preliminary results and want the police investigation to continue, offering 50,000 kroner ($4,661) for any tips that could reopen the case. The 4.2-meter (14-foot) long and 1,225-kilogram (2,700-pound) whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingoeya, not far from the Arctic town of Hammerfest. Its harness, along with what appeared to be a mount for a small camera, led to media speculation that it was a "spy whale. Over the years since 2019, it was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it became clear it was very tame and enjoyed interacting with people. Experts say the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes. Media reports also have speculated that the whale might have been trained as a therapy animal. SHILOH, Ill. Police are searching for a woman who faces charges in connection with serious injuries to a three-week-old child. Roxana L. Miranda, 39, is currently at large. The charges stem from an incident on July 14, 2024, when the Shiloh Police Department responded to a local hospital regarding injuries to an infant. An investigation revealed the childs injuries occurred while in the care of a family member. The victim was initially treated at a local hospital before being transferred to a St. Louis area facility for further care due to the severity of the injuries. Missouri Supreme Court keeps abortion amendment on ballot On September 9, 2024, the St. Clair County State Attorneys Office issued three warrants against Miranda. These include aggravated battery to child, and two misdemeanor counts of endangering the life or health of a child. The Shiloh Police Department is actively looking for Miranda and urges anyone with information to contact them or their local police department immediately. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) Officers with the Greenville Police Department are seeking information regarding an unsolved homicide in 2019. On October 27, 2019, police found 55-year-old Roger Taylor Belton shot to death at the Stratham Place Apartments located on Shaw Street. It was reported that Belton was last seen the night before his murder at the intersection of Shaw Street and Crest Lane around 11 p.m. Police said Belton was homeless and used a walker. He was known around the community as Horse, Pops and Old Timer. Beltons body was found the next day before 7 p.m. in a vacant apartment that was under renovation by a friend, officers said. Witnesses reported to authorities hearing multiple gunshots around 4 a.m. the day of Beltons murder. The Greenville County Coroners Office confirmed that Belton died of multiple gunshot wounds around 5 a.m. Police said due to several individuals being present during the shooting, investigators believe that someone may have information regarding the identity of the suspect(s) and motive behind Beltons death. Anyone with information is asked to contact Greenville PD at (864) 271-5333 or Crime Stoppers of Greenville at (864) 232-7463. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Police seize two tonnes of cocaine in Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau is a key transit point for the Latin American drug trade (archive image) [AFP] Authorities in Guinea-Bissau say they have seized 2.63 tonnes of cocaine that was found on a plane at the capital's international airport. The plane had come from Venezuela, the Reuters news agency reports citing a police statement. On Saturday, at least 78 bales of cocaine were discovered, which local reports say is the largest drugs seizure in the country's history. The West African country is known as a key transit point in global drug trafficking. This has led to the UN to calling it a "narco-state". A local newspaper has reported that the plane was registered in Mexico. All five of the crew members were detained, including the pilot. Among those in custody are two Mexicans, one Colombian, one Ecuadorian and one Brazilian. The suspects were due in court on Monday. Authorities say the seizure, which was dubbed Operation Landing, was done in close co-operation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maritime Analysis and Operations CentreNarcotics, a European organisation. According to a local report, the police are working on dismantling the entire network involved in this drug trafficking incident. The authorities in Bissau have for years been trying to deal with the country being used as a conduit for narcotics destined for Europe. Since independence from Portugal in 1974, the country has experienced nine coups, leaving it with weak state institutions. Some say this has made the country a fertile ground for drug barons. Earlier in 2024, the son of Guinea-Bissau's ex-president was sentenced to over six years in prison by a US court for leading an international heroin trafficking ring. You may also be interested in: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts In a pair of lawsuits filed last month, national and state Republicans seek to purge North Carolinas voter rolls of hundreds of thousands of registrants they say were improperly allowed to register. The complaints, filed in Wake County Superior Court by the Republican National Committee and the NC GOP, raise concerns about potential voting by noncitizens or otherwise ineligible voters who they argue could potentially sway the outcome of the November election. But several of the GOPs claims are misleading or exaggerated, and they seek a solution that is expressly prohibited by federal law. Sam Oliker-Friedland, the executive director of the Institute For Responsive Government, which studies election policy, described the lawsuits as frankly, a political play ... disguised as a legal strategy. The News & Observer examined the claims in the RNCs lawsuits and how they fit into existing state and federal laws. What do the lawsuits claim? The first lawsuit claims that the North Carolina State Board of Elections failed to properly implement a process for removing noncitizens from the voting rolls. A new law passed last year requires the board to work with state courts to inspect jury questionnaire responses. The name of any potential juror who is excused due to self-identifying as a noncitizen will be shared with the board, which is required to use that information to maintain the states voter rolls. That part of the law did not take effect until July 1 of this year. The lawsuit claims that the board has not done enough to implement it and begin canceling the voter registrations of any noncitizens identified through the process. The second lawsuit is more broad. It claims that the board improperly allowed 225,000 people to register to vote without providing the required identification information. The RNC asks the court to order the state to remove all of those voters from the rolls, making them ineligible to vote just months before Election Day. Can the State Board of Elections remove the disputed voters from the rolls? Per federal law, no. The National Voter Registration Act prohibits states from systematically removing registrants within 90 days before an election. That deadline passed on Aug. 7. Outside of this period, the board is able to conduct large-scale list maintenance efforts. The RNC filed its lawsuits after the deadline had passed. Are noncitizens able to vote in NC elections? Per federal and state law, no. Federal law makes it a crime for noncitizens to vote and North Carolina law requires citizenship in order to register to vote. Noncitizen voting has emerged as a Republican talking point across the country, but there is no data to suggest that it poses a widespread issue. The conservative Heritage Foundation conducted a nationwide study of elections between 2003 and 2023 and found only 24 instances of noncitizen voting. A separate study conducted by the liberal Brennan Center found 30 incidents of suspected noncitizen voting out of 23.5 million votes in selected jurisdictions in the 2016 election. Several safeguards prevent noncitizens from registering to vote, but even if they were able to do so, they would be required to show a photo ID at their polling place. If they did not provide one and instead submitted an ID exception form, county election officials would review their registration and potentially cancel their vote. Has the State Board implemented the jury list law to remove noncitizens from the rolls? Per the Administrative Office of the Courts and the State Board of Elections, yes. Pat Gannon, a spokesperson for the board, said staff has worked with clerks of superior court across the state since the law went into effect on July 1. Using this process, the board has identified nine individuals on the voter rolls who asked to be excused from jury duty because they claimed they were not citizens. He said that if a check of state and federal databases confirms that those individuals are indeed noncitizens, the board will send them letters informing them of their findings and asking them to cancel their voter registrations to comply with the law. The board itself cannot legally remove those registrants at this time due to the deadline prescribed by the federal voter registration act. Graham Wilson, a spokesperson for AOC, confirmed that the board worked with them and the clerks of court to implement this law. Matt Mercer, communications director for the NC GOP, said that if the board had worked faster to implement the law, it would have been able to avoid the voter registration act deadline for removing voters. Are there 225,000 ineligible voters on NCs voter rolls? Almost certainly not. This number is derived from a subset of North Carolina voter registrations that do not include either a drivers license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. The RNCs lawsuit points out that, for a time, the state used a voter registration form that did not make it clear that one of these two forms of identification were required. This, in and of itself, does not mean that all 225,000 of those registrants do not actually have one of those forms of identification, and there are myriad reasons why that data may not be included in the database. The law that requires those forms of identification is the federal Help America Vote Act. That was passed in 2002, so some voters could have registered before it was in effect. It could also be a clerical error from a county election official who did not enter that information in the system even though it was included on the physical form. There are also documented match issues with Social Security numbers not validating when checked against the national databases for reasons that are not the registrants fault. Regardless, even if one of these voters did not actually have a form of identification and were therefore ineligible to vote, they would be asked to show ID at the polling place. However, the RNCs lawsuit asks a court to order the board to immediately invalidate all 225,000 of these voters registrations. This, as mentioned earlier, is illegal under the National Voter Registration Act. Oliker-Friedland said there are far too many safeguards in place to consider implementing a voter purge such as this. If theyre talking about 225,000 people disenfranchised for a clerical error that was not their fault, I think that would be a wild overreaction, he said. ...It would just simply mean that people cant vote because of paperwork, and thats not a fair outcome. The deadline to register to vote in the 2024 election is Oct. 11. Why did the RNC and NC GOP file these lawsuits? It depends on who you ask. The RNC and NC GOP say the lawsuits are intended to promote election integrity and reduce the chance of fraud. This state board continually has problems ensuring voter rolls only have verified citizens, NC GOP Chair Jason Simmons said in a statement last month. This lawsuit will remedy their ongoing refusal to collect the required information from those who want to take part in North Carolina elections. Civil rights groups immediately criticized the lawsuits as attempts to spread conspiracy theories and set the stage for claims of election interference. The NC GOP have again asked a state court for relief that would squarely violate federal law, on the basis of a conspiracy theory that North Carolinas voter rolls contain hundreds of thousands of ineligible voters hiding in plain sight, The Southern Coalition for Social Justice said in a statement. These cases should be seen for what they are: bad-faith attempts to sow chaos and doubt at the expense of North Carolinians right to vote. The North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP has filed a motion to intervene in the case. Marginalized voters throughout this state have been consistently targeted through the exploitation of our elections, Deborah Maxwell, president of the NC NAACP said in a statement. We stand behind the words of our mission statement to advance the political rights of Black and brown voters, and we refuse to allow eligible voters to be disenfranchised, which is what the North Carolina Republican Partys and RNCs actions threaten. Oliker-Friedland said the lawsuit fit a pattern that began in 2020 of preparing arguments for baseless claims that the election was stolen. 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 What polls are saying ahead of Trump-Harris debate (NewsNation) The race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is nearly tied ahead of Tuesday nights debate in Philadelphia. The latest polling from the New York Times/Siena College revealed Trump leads Harris by just 1 point. Three other polls posted within the past week RMG Research/Napolitan News National Survey (+2), Outward Intelligence survey (+4) and Emerson College Polling (+4) all reflected Harris leading Trump. However, Harris maintains a 3.5-point lead nationally across all polls, according to The Hill/Decision Desk HQs polling average. How to watch the Trump-Harris presidential debate Whats at stake during the presidential debate? Harris and Trump will square off Tuesday for their first presidential debate ahead of the November election. Its also the first time the two will meet face-to-face. As Harris maintains an average national lead over Trump, DDHQs latest forecast gives Harris a 56% chance of winning the presidency. However, the election cycle had already taken unusual turns, putting added pressure on both candidates to deliver a strong performance. Plus, when Trump debated President Joe Biden less than three months ago, the former president was facing a candidate who was trailing behind him in the polls. The situation has changed drastically heading into Tuesdays meeting. The new poll conducted by The New York Times/Siena College found that 28% of voters feel they still need to know more about Harris before making a voting decision while only 9% feel that way about Trump. Lara Trump on debate mics: We are just simply following the rules It also reflected a 13-point Trump lead on the economy, while Harris maintained a 15-point lead on abortion. Millions of Americans are expected to tune in Tuesday night to a 90-minute debate that could very well decide this election. Harris leads nationally across the board Harris lead over Trump extends across multiple national polling sites. FiveThirtyEight polling shows Harris leading Trump by 2.8 percentage points; RealClearPolitics polling reflects Harris has a 1.4-point lead; and Morning Consult polling shows Harris leading Trump by 3 percentage points among likely voters. Harris spokesperson spars with Fox News host Gender influences polling divide New polls show Harris faces a major challenge in winning over male voters and is losing men by a bigger margin than shes winning women in key states such as Pennsylvania, Nevada and North Carolina. The gender gap between Democrats and Republicans isnt new, but its becoming especially pronounced in the toss-up race for president. Trumps problems with female voters are well known, but newer pollings show that Harris has just as big of a problem with male voters in some states. Male voters have shifted toward Trump and away from Harris in Pennsylvania, one of the biggest prizes of the 2024 electoral map. A new CNN/SSRS poll showed that Trump led Harris among likely male voters in Pennsylvania by 15 points 55% to 40% and Harris led Trump among female voters in the state by 11 points 53% to 42%. In comparison, a CNN/SSRS poll conducted in March showed Trump with a smaller lead over President Biden among male voters in Pennsylvania: 51% to 41%. Male voters are also swinging hard to Trump and away from Harris in Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, California, Ohio and Florida. The new survey of likely voters in Nevada showed that Trump had an 18-point lead among male voters, 57% to 39%, while Harris had a 16-point lead among female voters, 55% to 39%. An East Carolina University poll conducted Aug. 26-28 among likely voters in North Carolina found Trump leading by 9 points among male voters 51.6% to 42.8% and Harris leading by nearly 5 points among female voters 49.5% to 45.1%. In Georgia, Trump has a 10-point lead among male voters, 53% to 43%, and Harris has a 10-point lead among female voters, 53% to 43%, according to a CNN/SSRS survey. Even in California, a Democratic stronghold, a new survey by The Hill/Emerson College Polling shows Harris losing support among male voters, though she still maintains a sizeable lead over Trump among Californias liberal-leaning men. Male support for Harris has dropped substantially. The 30-point advantage she enjoyed among California male voters has dropped to a 20-point advantage. In Ohio, Trump now has a 26-point lead among men, and in Florida, he maintains a 12-point lead among men. Trumps debate challenge centers on avoiding personal nonsense How did Biden vs Trump polling compare Bidens performance at the first debate in June was a standout moment for Democrats who had already expressed concerns about his mental acuity. The 81-year-old stumbled through his words and appeared confused at times. Trump, 78, also faced criticism for making multiple false statements. A CNN flash poll of debate watchers found that 67% of those surveyed said Trump won the debate, compared to 33% who said Biden won. Biden ultimately dropped out of the race on July 21 and endorsed Harris for the partys nomination, which she secured in August. She introduced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate soon after. On the eve of the debate, Trump held a slender national leader of 0.4 percentage points over Biden, according to The Hill/DDHQ. Two weeks following the performance, Trump was beating Biden by 1.3 points. By the time Biden dropped out of the race, Trump was leading Biden by 4 percentage points. Similar patterns were seen in other polling averages. In the RealClearPolitics (RCP) average, for instance, Trumps advantage has more than doubled, from 1.5 percentage points on June 27 to 3.3 in August. Still, while Bidens disastrous performance in June stole headlines, Democrats were quick to note that Trump was by no means a world-beater that night. Immediately after the debate, Biden surrogates highlighted several remarks by the former president including on Black jobs and abortion being conducted even after birth but they were quickly forgotten because of Bidens self-inflicted 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 NewsNation. Pope Francis hugs a child in traditional dress as he attends with East Timor's President Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta, seated at right, a welcome ceremony outside the Presidential Palace in Dili, East Timor, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Pope Francis arrived in East Timor on Monday to encourage its recovery from a bloody and traumatic past and celebrate its development after two decades of independence from Indonesian rule. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) DILI, East Timor (AP) Pope Francis received a raucous welcome Monday as he arrived in East Timor to celebrate its recovery from a bloody and traumatic independence battle, even as he indirectly acknowledged an abuse scandal involving its Nobel Peace Prize-winning hero. Timorese jammed Francis' motorcade route into town from the airport, waving Vatican and Timorese flags and toting yellow and white umbrellas the colors of the Holy See to shade themselves from the scorching midday sun. Viva el Papa! they shouted as he passed by. The 87-year-old Francis seemed to relish the greeting, smiling broadly from the open-backed pickup truck and waving as he passed by billboard after billboard featuring his image and words of welcome. The overwhelmingly Catholic East Timor, one of the worlds poorest countries, had eagerly awaited Francis arrival, which came on the heels of the 25th anniversary of the U.N.-backed referendum that paved the way for independence from Indonesia. It was a far different atmosphere than when the last pope visited. St. John Paul II came in 1989, when Timor was still an occupied part of Indonesia and fighting for its freedom. After Timorese voted overwhelmingly for independence a decade later, Indonesias military responded with a scorched-earth campaign that destroyed 80% of the countrys infrastructure and shocked the world. Overall, as many as 200,000 people were killed during the 24 years of Indonesian rule. John Pauls visit, which culminated with a massive Mass on the seaside near Dili, helped draw international attention to the plight of the Timorese people and shine a spotlight on the oppressiveness of Indonesias military occupation. Francis arrived in Dili from Papua New Guinea to follow in John Pauls footsteps and open the third leg of his trip through Southeast Asia and Oceania. President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, two of East Timors most revered independence heroes, greeted Francis at the airport and met with him privately. In remarks to them and other dignitaries Monday, Francis applauded the Timorese people for having recovered from their greatest suffering and trial to put East Timor on the path of peaceful development. And he praised them for having reconciled with Indonesia. But he said new challenges and problems were now confronting the country, Asias newest, including emigration and poverty, as well as alcohol abuse and violence involving martial arts gangs. Let us also not forget that these children and adolescents have their dignity violated, Francis said. In response, we are all called to do everything possible to prevent every kind of abuse and guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people. It was a generic and indirect reference to abuse. But it nevertheless recalled the scandal involving Timorese Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo who, along with Gusmao and Ramos-Horta, is regarded as a hero for their efforts to support Timors independence. Belo won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 with Ramos-Horta for campaigning for a fair and peaceful solution to the conflict. But in 2022, the Vatican acknowledged that it had secretly sanctioned Belo two years earlier for sexually abusing young boys. The sanctions included limitations on his movements and exercise of ministry and prohibited him from having voluntary contact with minors or contact with East Timor itself. The sanctions were reinforced in 2021. Despite the sanctions, which were confirmed at the time by the Vatican spokesman and reaffirmed last week ahead of Francis trip, many people in East Timor have stood by Belo, either dismissing, denying or diminishing the victims claims. Some even hoped Belo, who lives in Portugal, would be on hand to welcome Francis. Another priest, American missionary Richard Daschbach, who is also revered for his role in saving lives in the liberation fight, is serving a 12-year sentence in a Timorese prison for molesting disadvantaged girls. He was defrocked by the church. Ramos-Horta, for his part, told The Associated Press last week that Francis visit was not the time to revisit the churchs scandals. While saying it was for the Vatican to manage, having the pope raise the matter of abuse during his visit would be like trying someone twice, he told AP. Francis vague reference to abuse appeared a diplomatic balancing act, acknowledging the abuse but respecting the desires of the government hosting him and sentiment of the local church and Timorese faithful. The issue is fraught too for the Vatican, since there has been no acknowledgment of what the Vatican knew and when about Belo, whose misconduct was reportedly an open secret in Timor for years. John Paul allowed him to retire as head of the Timorese church two decades early in 2002, at the young age of 54, but he was then sent to Mozambique, where he worked with children. In a 2023 interview with the AP, Francis suggested that Belo, like many others before and after him, had been allowed to quietly retire rather than face any punishment for his misconduct. The Vatican appears now to be trying to quietly ignore him: While an Aug. 28 report in Vatican News cited Belo for his help in the independence struggle, the official handbook for the Vatican delegation on the trip has scrubbed any mention of Belo from its short history on Timor and its battle for liberation. In his speech, Ramos-Horta also avoided any mention of Belo in thanking Francis for coming 35 years after John Paul. We ask God to continue to hear our prayers, granting the Holy Father great health so that he can continue to inspire and guide humanity along the paths of peace and human fraternity, he said. Only about 20% of East Timors people were Catholic when Indonesia invaded in 1975, shortly after Portugal abandoned it as a colony. Today, some 98% of East Timors 1.3 million people are Catholic, making it the most Catholic country in the world outside the Vatican. "As a Catholic, we are so happy with the arrival of the pope in East Timor, said Jose de Araujo, who was among the throngs welcoming Francis. Francis will celebrate that Catholic heritage on Tuesday especially, when he celebrates a Mass on the same seaside esplanade where John Paul celebrated Mass in 1989 and encouraged the Timorese people. Authorities said some 300,000 people in a country of 1.3 million had registered through their dioceses to attend. But Ramos-Horta said he expected 700,000, including from Indonesia's West Timor, and the Vatican predicted 750,000. Pope Francis in East Timor for Mass that could draw half its population Pope Francis in East Timor for Mass that could draw half its population By Joshua McElwee DILI (Reuters) -Pope Francis arrived on Monday in East Timor, a predominantly Catholic nation in Southeast Asia, for a three-day visit that will include an open-air celebration of Mass the Vatican says could draw more than half the population of 1.3 million. The 87-year-old pontiff is on an ambitious 12-day Asia-Pacific tour, his longest overseas journey yet. His trip to East Timor, one of two majority Catholic countries in Asia, is only the second such visit by a pope. Francis arrived from Papua New Guinea, where on Sunday he delivered medical supplies to a small town on the edge of a vast jungle, in one of the most remote areas of the world. He landed in East Timor's capital Dili and was met at the airport by President Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta and two young women dressed in traditional costume, who offered him flowers and a tais, a woven ceremonial scarf, which the pontiff briefly wore. Tens of thousands of people filled entire city blocks around the airport as Francis left in a white, open-top vehicle. Many used umbrellas decorated in the white and yellow colours of the Vatican flag to protect themselves from sun in the 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit) heat. East Timor, a half-island nation north of Australia, gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, after a brutal, decades-long occupation. Francis is the first pope to visit in 35 years, following John Paul II, whose trip gave the country's independence movement an historic boost. In a speech to about 400 politicians, diplomats and civic leaders a few hours after arriving, Francis said East Timor had endured the "greatest suffering and trial". "We give thanks to God, since you never lost hope ... and after dark and difficult days, a dawn of peace and freedom has finally arrived," he said. Ramos-Horta thanked Francis and called the pope's voice "so necessary in an increasingly disfigured world in which the coldness of hearts has replaced dialogue and peace". East Timor, a Portuguese colony up until 1975, is likely the most Catholic country in the world, with the Vatican saying some 96% of Timorese are adherents to the faith. Organisers are preparing for about 750,000 people to attend a Mass with Francis on Tuesday at the Tasitolu, a wide, dusty coastal area where Indonesian forces were known to have buried slain Timorese independence fighters. ABUSE SCANDALS Since independence, the country has struggled with rebuilding its infrastructure and economy. The Asian Development Bank last year said nearly 30% of Timorese in employment earned less than $2.15 per day and the World Bank estimated that 47% of children are stunted because of malnutrition. The pope said there was "need for collective and wide-ranging action" to address the economic challenges. Although Timorese have remained overwhelmingly Catholic, the church in the country has been affected recently by abuse scandals. In 2022, the Vatican confirmed it had sanctioned Timorese Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo following allegations he sexually abused boys in Timor in the 1990s. It said Belo, who now lives in Portugal and shared the 1996 Nobel peace prize with Ramos-Horta for their independence efforts, had formally accepted restrictions to his movements and ministry. A year earlier, a defrocked American priest, Richard Daschbach, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually abusing girls under his care in Timor. A leading abuse survivor advocacy group called on Francis to speak openly about the cases during his visit. "The pope must denounce the two men by name," said Anne Barrett Doyle, of the abuse tracking group BishopAccountability.org. "His words could have an enormous positive impact." Francis did not directly address the scandals in his remarks on Monday. But in a section of the speech about youth violence and the danger of gangs, he said "we are all called to do everything possible to prevent every kind of abuse and guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people". Francis is visiting East Timor until Wednesday as part of a tour that also included a stop in Indonesia. He travels next to Singapore before returning to Rome on Sept. 13. (Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Lincoln Feast, John Mair and Ros Russell) What he said: In his speech to political leaders and dignitaries, Pope Francis praised the Timorese people for their resilience in overcoming the greatest suffering and trial during their long fight for independence. He also indirectly addressed the issue of sexual abuse, urging action to protect children. We are all called to do everything possible to prevent every kind of abuse and guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people, he said. The popes comments appeared to avoid a direct confrontation over the scandals involving Timorese Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo and U.S. missionary Richard Daschbach. Unresolved scandals: Bishop Belo, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and hero of East Timors independence, was reportedly sanctioned by the Vatican in 2020 for sexually abusing boys in the 1990s. Similarly, Daschbach, a revered figure for his role during the liberation struggle, is currently serving a 12-year sentence for molesting vulnerable girls under his care, marking the first time sexual abuse allegations against a priest went to trial in East Timor. Local reactions to these cases remain mixed, with some standing by Belo and even hoping he would attend the papal visit. While the pope has met with abuse victims on past trips, no such meetings were scheduled in East Timor, despite survivor advocates calling on him to be more vocal about the issue. By Ethan Wang and Joe Cash BEIJING (Reuters) - China's exports likely grew at the slowest pace in four months in August, as cooling global demand and mounting trade barriers threaten to dim a bright spot in the world's second-largest economy. Trade data on Tuesday is expected to show outbound shipments grew 6.5% year-on-year by value, according to the median forecast of 34 economists in a Reuters poll, down from a 7.0% pace recorded in July. Inbound shipments likely increased by 2% last month, marking a steep drop from the 7.2% growth recorded in July that was bumped up by a low base from the previous year and a rush to stockpile chips ahead of expected U.S. tech curbs. South Korea, a leading index for China's tech imports, saw exports to China rise at a slower pace in August, after it soared to a 21-month high in July. The likely downbeat August data adds to a string of recent economic indicators suggesting China is struggling to regain momentum after a rocky start to the second half of the year. Manufacturing activity shrank for the sixth consecutive month in August, with factory gate prices falling to their worst in 14 months. Moreover, the expected deceleration in imports highlights weak domestic demand, as the economy is weighed down by a prolonged housing market slump and rising job insecurities. Analysts believe the economy could regain some ground in the rest of the year, as fiscal spending is set to ramp up and exports retain some resilience. However, significant risks remain, with escalating trade tensions and looming tariff hikes casting a shadow over growth prospects. Canada last month announced a 100% tariff on imports of Chinese electric vehicles, joining the U.S. and European Union in tightening trade measures against China. In Asia, India's steel ministry is pushing to raise tariffs on steel imports from countries including China, while Malaysia has launched an anti-dumping probe into Chinese and Indonesian plastic products. "The peak of Chinese export momentum is likely over," Oxford Economics said in a recent note, warning that supportive price factors could fade as tariffs take effect. China's August trade surplus is forecast at $82.05 billion, according to the poll, down slightly from $84.65 billion in July. (Reporting by Ethan Wang and Joe Cash; Polling by Rahul Trivedi and Anant Chandak in Bengaluru and Jing Wang in Shanghai; Editing by Shri Navaratnam) Pope Francis Mass in one of worlds most Catholic nations gathers almost half its population Pope Francis received a rapturous welcome from the tiny Southeast Asian nation of East Timor, one of the worlds most Catholic countries, where almost half the population turned out for an open-air Mass on Tuesday. The 87-year-old leaders visit marks the penultimate stop of a marathon trip through Asia and the South Pacific. Local authorities estimate that a crowd of 600,000 gathered for the popes Mass, the Vatican told reporters. By early Tuesday morning, streets in the capital Dili were packed with cheering crowds, from elderly worshippers to babies in strollers, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pope. Photos showed a sea of people carrying yellow and white umbrellas, the colors of the Vatican, as they tried to shield themselves from the sun, and at one point a man was seen hosing down the crowd with water to cool them down. People wait for Pope Francis to arrive at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Dili, East Timor, on September 10, 2024. - Firdia Lisnawati/AP Some attendees had been waiting in the seaside park where the mass took place since 4 a.m. - more than 12 hours before the event began. Estefania Clotaria-Monterio Gutierrez Ornai, 25, was among them, keen to secure a place in the front row. I hope that through his visit here, he can show us to be more respectful to each other and encourage us that, one day, one of us could become the pope like him! she told CNN. On arriving at the park to shouts of Viva Papa Francesco, people with physical disabilities lined up to meet the pontiff, and a group performed a traditional, cultural dance for him. During the Mass prayers were also said in local dialects. Crowds wait for the pope under yellow and white umbrellas. - Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters At the conclusion of the Mass, the pope addressed the crowd in Spanish with a priest translating into Timorese. Francis drew laughs and cheers when he referenced crocodiles: there are large numbers of crocodiles in the sea around East Timor, and traditional belief holds that reptiles represent peoples ancestors. Be careful, the pope told them. I was told that crocodiles are coming to some beaches. Crocodiles that come swimming and have a stronger bite than we can handle. Be attentive to those crocodiles that want to change your culture, your history. And stay away from those crocodiles because they bite, and they bite a lot. During his homily, he also praised East Timor for the large number of children in the country, which he said was a great gift. Crowds waiting for Pope Francis sheltering from the sun. - Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters It is not the first time Francis has addressed birthrates in this trip: in Indonesia he praised the country for having large families and contrasted that with low birthrates in other parts of the world. After the Mass concluded, the Timorese singer, Maria Vitoria da Costa Borges known as Marvi performed on stage. A onetime winner of Portugals The Voice, she performed alongside another Timorese singer, known as Bepi. Francis addresses sexual abuse But the issue of clerical sexual abuse is also hanging over this leg of the popes visit to the region as revelations of mistreatment concerning high profile East Timor clergy have emerged in recent years. During his speech to the countrys political authorities, the pope called on them to tackle every kind of abuse to guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people. East Timor, also known as Timor Leste, is one of the worlds youngest countries and has deep ties to the Catholic Church, which was influential in its tumultuous and bloody fight for independence from Indonesia. The country of just 1.3 million people is the second-most Catholic country in the world, with 97% of the population identifying as Catholic, the highest share outside of the Vatican. Pope Francis greets Catholic worshipers in Dili, East Timor, on September 10, 2024. - Willy Kurniawan/Reuters The government of East Timor allocated $12 million for Francis first visit to the deeply devout country, an amount which has been criticized as an exorbitant burden given it remains a small economy and one of Asias poorest nations. The pontiffs visit also puts fresh scrutiny on the scourge of sexual abuse in the church and on whether Francis will directly address the issue while hes in East Timor, as he has done in other countries. Two years ago, the Vatican acknowledged that it had secretly disciplined East Timor bishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Carlos Ximenes Belo, after he was accused of sexually abusing boys decades before. In past trips abroad, Francis has met with victims of abuse. Though not on the official program of his visit, some analysts have said if Pope Francis addresses the abuse while in East Timor, it would send a strong message to survivors and those who have not come forward, whether in the country or around the region. A regional bastion of Catholicism Pope Francis 12-day visit to Asia includes Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore underscoring a significant shift inside the Catholic Church as it pivots to Asia. He is the second pope to visit East Timor, after Pope John Paul II in 1989, but its the first papal visit for the country since it gained independence in 2002. The visit comes less than a week after the country marked the 25th anniversary of its vote to secede from Indonesia. Located between northwestern Australia and Indonesia, the country occupies half of the island of Timor and was used by the Portuguese since the 17th century as a trading post for sandalwood. Pope Francis is pictured leading Mass on Tuesday. - Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images Four hundred years of ensuing Portuguese colonial rule led to the widespread spread of Catholicism in East Timor and other cultural differences from Muslim-majority Indonesia. Today, East Timors economy is heavily reliant on its oil and gas reserves, and still contends with high levels of poverty following decades of conflict. Christina Kheng, a theologian who teaches at the East Asian Pastoral Institute, told CNN that the young nation is still struggling with post-war unity and nation building. Pope Francis wears a scarf he was presented with when he arrived in Dili, East Timor, September 9. - Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters Like other countries in the region, East Timor is in the middle of the United States and Chinas push for influence in Asia, with US ally Australia at the forefront in providing assistance. Bishop Belo and sex abuse allegations A leading pro-democracy figure during the Indonesian occupation was Bishop Belo, the former head of the Catholic Church in East Timor, who won the Nobel Peace Prize alongside President Jose Ramos-Horta in 1996 for their work in bringing a peaceful end to the conflict. In 2022, the Vatican confirmed that it had sanctioned Belo two years prior, following allegations from two men who said the bishop raped them when they were teenagers and gave them money to buy their silence. The Vatican said that Belo, who is understood to be based in Portugal, had been placed under travel restrictions, prohibition of voluntary contact with minors, of interviews and contacts with Timor Leste. While the allegations against Belo date back to the 1980, the Vatican said it first became involved in the case in 2019. CNN has asked the Vatican if the case of Bishop Belo will be addressed during the popes trip. Dutch newspaper De Groene Amsterdammer broke the news and said its investigation found that other boys were also allegedly victims of Belos abuse dating back to the 1980s. Belo has never been officially charged in East Timor and has never spoken publicly about the accusations. Bishop Belo was a leading pro-democracy figure in East Timor but has faced historical sexual assault allegations - Firdia Lisnawati/AP/File Many abuse victims in East Timor have been reluctant to come forward due to the churchs deep connection to the independence struggle, and because of the governments treatment of the few who have been convicted. Since Pope Francis became the leader of the worlds 1.2 billion Catholics in 2013, multiple reports detailing decades of sexual abuse, systemic failures and cover-ups across multiple countries have been released. While he was criticized for some of his actions such as when he defended a Chilean bishop accused of covering up a sex scandal in 2018, a decision he later described as a grave error he has since taken a firm stance on the issues and introduced some reforms, including provisions for holding lay leaders of Vatican-approved associations accountable for cover-ups of sexual abuse. The church and East Timors independence struggle Amid civil war, East Timor was annexed by Indonesia in 1976 and declared the countrys 27th province following Portugals democratization and its decision to shed its colonies the year before. Between 1975 and 1999, more than 200,000 people about a quarter of the population were killed in fighting and massacres or died as a result of famine as Indonesias occupying forces tried to brutally assert control. Indonesia was condemned by the international community for its crackdown, including in 1991 when its troops massacred young independence supporters at the Santa Cruz cemetery in East Timors capital Dili. The capture and jailing of Timorese guerilla leader and now Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao the following year further fanned a resurgence in opposition to Indonesian rule. Indonesian troops remove a Virgin of Mary statue as they clean up the house of Bishop Belo in Dili September 18, 1999. Belo was among the tens of thousands forced to flee the territory as pro-Jakarta militias embarked on a wave of violence following a vote for independence from Indonesia. - Reuters It was Indonesian President Suhartos fall from power in 1998 and an ensuing shift in policy toward East Timor that paved the way for a UN-sponsored referendum on East Timors independence which passed with more than 78.5% support in 1999. Soon after the vote, pro-Jakarta militias backed by the Indonesian military went on a killing and looting rampage in the capital, attacking churches, and targeting priests and those seeking refuge as they hunted down independence supporters. Much of East Timors infrastructure was destroyed in the violence and about 200,000 people were forced to flee their homes. An Australian-led international peacekeeping mission ultimately intervened and East Timor officially won independence in 2002. During Indonesian occupation, the Catholic Church played a huge role in defending people from attacks and pushing for a vote on independence its church workers and the clergy paying a bloody price as a result. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)- The Indiana Department of Transportation announces that a road closure is set to begin today in Gibson County. Nighttime blockages expected to begin in Owensboro Beginning today, crews will close State Road 68 over Jordan Creek in Gibson County near Cynthiana. Work on the project is expected to take about a week to complete. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure, and the detour for the project is State Road 65 to State Road 168 to U.S. 41. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). During a routine house call to a private estate in Camden, Maine, auctioneer Kaja Veilleux made an unexpected discovery in the propertys attic: A 17th-century painting of a young woman wearing a cap and ruffled collar. On house calls, we often go in blind, not knowing what well find, said Veilleux, the founder of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, in a press release. The home was filled with wonderful pieces, but it was in the attic, among stacks of art, that we found this remarkable portrait. The artwork appeared to have been painted in the style of Dutch master Rembrandt and a label on the frames reverse claimed it was by him. The paper slip, which appears to have been issued by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, also suggested the painting was loaned to the museum in 1970. Very little is known about the portrait, however, and it is not widely recognized by scholars as part of Rembrandts oeuvre. While the auction house told CNN it believes the label to be genuine, the Philadelphia Museum of Art was unable to confirm whether it had ever borrowed the portrait. (A museum spokesperson added, via email, that generally a slip or label doesnt necessarily verify a work of art certainly more work would be required.) Thomaston Place would not disclose whether it consulted a Rembrandt expert about the attribution, but it proceeded to list the painting with an estimate of just $10,000 to $15,000. The portrait was described in sale materials as After Rembrandt, terminology denoting that a painting is believed to be a copy of or was modeled on a known artists style, and is not an autograph work. But not everyone, it seems, was so sure. After an opening offer of $32,500, more than double the high estimate, bidding at an auction last Saturday soon skyrocketed into six figures. Almost a dozen potential suitors, some of whom joined via phone from Europe, participated in the sale, according to Thomaston Place. Three telephone bidders remained until $900,000, before the last two pushed the final sale price up to $1.41 million. The auction house believes this to be the highest sum ever paid for an artwork at a Maine auction. And the figure suggests that several collectors (including the winning bidder, identified only as a private European collector) believe there is enough chance that it is a genuine Rembrandt to be worth the gamble. Auctioneer Kaja Veilleux pictured with the 17th-century portrait, which he discovered during a routine house call to a private estate in Camden, Maine. - Thomaston Place Auction Gallerie Lost from the records Rembrandt scholar Gary Schwartz said a potential buyer had earlier sought his opinion on the Maine portrait. He advised the unidentified collector (who was not the winning bidder) to go for it, he said. The art historian told CNN he believes there is an extremely large chance the portrait was painted by the Dutch master. While Schwartz stressed it is impossible to properly judge the work without seeing it in person, he pointed to a strikingly similar Rembrandt portrait, also depicting a young woman in a white cap, at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. The resemblance is so strong that I am amazed that people accept one and simply dismiss the other, he said on a video call from his home in the Netherlands, adding that he is not surprised that somebody paid (over) a million when it came up to auction. Schwartz also points out that the Maine artwork featured in a catalog of Rembrandts work as recently as 1969. Listed under the title Portrait of a young girl, the painting is described as belonging to a private collector in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although the catalogs author notes that the attribution to Rembrandt is doubtful, Schwartz believes its inclusion is significant and that the painting was simply never researched, as it was in private hands and inaccessible to scholars. When paintings fall out of interest, they just disappear into dark space, said Schwartz, who published a 2022 book arguing that another downgraded painting, Rembrandt in a Red Beret, is in fact a genuine self-portrait. Art historian Volker Manuth, who authored publisher Taschens 2019 monograph Rembrandt: The Complete Paintings, told CNN he was also approached by a potential buyer of the Maine portrait. He had only encountered it as a poor black-and-white reproduction in the aforementioned 1969 catalog, adding via email that he has more doubts about the attribution to Rembrandt than not (though he, too, stressed that attributions should not be given without a thorough investigation of the original painting). The price paid might indicate that somebody has hopes that the cleaning of the rather dirty painting might turn it into a portrait with the qualities attributed to Rembrandt, added Manuth, who is an art history professor at Radboud University in the Netherlands. This happens more and more often. I would not be surprised to (see) the painting back on the market soon as Rembrandt. The portrait, which was sold in late August, was painted on a cradled oak panel and was discovered mounted in a hand-carved gold Dutch frame. - Thomaston Place Auction Gallerie A matter of opinion There is no single authority on questions of attribution, and the influential Rembrandt Research Project ceased operations in 2014 (having not, in Schwartzs view, ever considered the Maine portrait). Over the past century, the number of paintings broadly accepted by scholars as genuine Rembrandts has fallen dramatically, with hundreds reattributed to followers or otherwise downgraded to after Rembrandt status. But inclusion in a major catalog, or the backing of a big auction house, can increase a paintings value manyfold. Take The Adoration of the Kings, which was valued at just $17,000 by Christies in 2021 but sold for almost $13.8 million last year after new research led Sothebys to declare it an authentic Rembrandt, not the work of an artist associated with him. Schwartz suggested that, should the Maine portrait receive similar endorsement, it might be revalued at up to $5 million. Speaking to the New York Times, authentication expert Mark Winter meanwhile estimated a figure in the area of $15 million. In either case, the painting may, one day, be worth significantly more than the amount paid at the Thomaston Place auction. Though this may only transpire if the portraits new owner invites scholars to inspect it. The great thing, really, would be to go to Vienna with this painting, hold it up there (next to the similar portrait and) have a discussion with a few experts, Schwartz said, adding. It (was painted) on panel, so you can date the panel, and very often you find that the wood is from the same slabs that have been used by other paintings form the Rembrandt workshop. Nobody should express a definitive opinion without studying the object, Schwartz said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (COLORADO SPRINGS) The 310th Space Wing hosted what may potentially be the last Change of Command Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 8th, at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The ceremony took place at the U.S. Air Force Academy on Sunday afternoon with a picnic for service members and their families to celebrate Col. Adam Fisher who will assume command of the wing, which is the only Air Force reserve unit conducting space operations. We also combined this event with a picnic where the members, men and women of the 310 Space Wing, and their families are here enjoying a camaraderie. [Its] a way to say thanks for their service and what they do for this nation every day that they wear this uniform, added Col. Fischer. The 310th Space Wing will cease space operations and be inactivated in the next few years as part of the Space Force Personnel Management Act also known as PMA. The PMA was passed and signed into law in December 2023, to establish a new service model that offers full and part-time service opportunities under a single component instead of active-duty and reserve components. This is similar to the transition active duty Air Force underwent in 2020. Its its truly amazing. It really is. And its really a testament to the sacrifices the men and women, both in uniform, and their family members make in the day-to-day, said Col. Fischer. The PMA intends to create a new service model that rather than having active-duty and reserve components now gives full-time and part-time service opportunities under a single component. The 310th Space Wing has approximately 1,400 personnel and is headquartered at Shriever Space Force Base, they also have units assigned to Peterson, Buckley, and another in California. The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Space Command, and U.S. Space Force are just a few of the government agencies that the wing supports. The new commander says anyone interested in joining should reach out to their local Air Force, Space Force, or Army recruiter for more information. To be a member of the 310 space wing or a member of the Space Force and a member of the Air Force Reserve, it really just takes a willingness to step out there, and put yourself out there, and feel that you need to defend this nation. You feel a calling to defend this nation, and then just keep doing good work, added Col. Fischer. Until November 30th, members of the military reserve forces in wing-related career fields can submit an application to serve full-time in the U.S. Space Force. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Getty Images In the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court started allowing states what has become almost half of the country to ban all or most abortions, doctors continue to report that these laws have detrimentally changed their jobs and the quality of care they can provide pregnant patients. A research team led by Dr. Daniel Grossman at the University of California San Francisco has been studying the impacts on medical care of the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision that overturned the federal right to abortion under Roe v. Wade. On Monday they released their latest Care Post Roe findings. Having grown from 50 to 86 submissions since the preliminary findings were released in May 2023, the survey details medical situations gone wrong because of legal concerns over a states abortion ban. When Grossman a clinical and public health researcher who specializes in abortion and contraception talked to States Newsroom last year about the early findings, he emphasized the patient fear palpable in the narratives of their doctors. They told stories about women traveling outside their ban states just to check if they could be pregnant, or during a medical emergency. But as more submissions continue to flow in, Grossman recently said hes struck by the distress coming from the medical community. One thing that was notable in some of these more recent submissions, Grossman told States Newsroom, is how moral distress is being incorporated into medical education, like medical students and residents are essentially now learning about the moral distress as part of their medical education, as theyre learning about the care that they cant provide. The Care Post Roe study details 86 submissions received between September 2022 and August 2024 from health professionals recounting cases involving patients from 19 states that, during the studys time frame, fully or partly banned abortion. Participants described cases that deviated from the usual standard of care because of a state abortion ban, some that resulted in preventable complications like severe infections or the placenta growing too deep into the patients uterine wall. The participants were directed not to give details that could identify themselves or their patients. Grossman said the study was designed this way to protect the identity of health providers and patients, many of whom currently fear prosecution for their medical decisions. Researchers also conducted optional in-depth interviews with more than 30 of the participants, but those findings were not included in Mondays report. The majority of submissions so far have come from Texas, Grossman said, the largest of the states and where abortion has been illegal the longest. According to the study, the narratives represent a range of different ages, income levels and racial and ethnic backgrounds, though a high proportion are Black and Latinx. Submissions were also reviewed by two physicians and were rejected if they did not contain information about a specific case or did not relate to a change in care since the Dobbs ruling. Grossman said the study is limited in size and scope and doesnt say how common these medical situations are or how they will trend over time. But he said the stories are consistent with ongoing news reports and lawsuits wherein doctors and patients describe denying and being denied care because of abortion bans. He said the study, which includes excerpts from health providers narratives, serves as a qualitative representation of the types of medical emergencies that doctors all over the country have been reporting. The submissions were organized into several categories, including: Second-trimester obstetric complications The most common type of reported scenario involving second-trimester complications is the preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM). A doctor described treating a patient who had ruptured membranes at 16-18 weeks gestation but instead of being offered an abortion procedure or an induction termination, she had been sent home, where she had developed a severe infection. I meet her 2 days later in the ICU. She was admitted from the ER with severe sepsisand bacteremia. Her fetus delivers; she is able to hold [the fetus]. We try every medical protocol we can find to help her placenta deliver; none are successful, the physician writes. The anesthesiologist cries on the phone when discussing the case with me if the patient needs to be intubated, no one thinks she will make it out of the OR. I do a D&C. Ectopic pregnancies Ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. They are medical emergencies, but study participants reported cases of ectopic pregnancy requiring extra steps, such as consulting multiple physicians, as well as patients delaying care because they were too scared to be seen in their home states where abortion is banned. If [the patient] had seen [a] provider in [her home state] when bleeding started, one doctor wrote, she would have had the ectopic diagnosed about 6 weeks earlier, potentially eligible for [methotrexate] and therefore potentially avoided surgery, and even if [she] needed surgery [it] would have been at home with her family and support. Instead [she] had to recover alone in a hotel room in a random state she had never been to before. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Underlying medical conditions Some physicians described cases where patients had underlying medical conditions that complicated their pregnancies. In some cases, patients were delayed or denied treatment, worsening their conditions. She was mid-second trimester [16-18 weeks] when she presented. She has [more than 5] children at home and had severe postpartum cardiomyopathy when she gave birth a year ago, which has persisted, a doctor wrote. The risk of her dying from childbirth would have been extremely high but she was unable to find anyone in her state willing to do the procedure. Miscarriage Respondents also reported challenges with miscarriage management in states with abortion bans. The pharmacy refused to fill the medication until they had confirmation of its use but was unable to list what that confirmation needed to include, one clinician wrote. The back and forth delayed the care and ultimately the client could no longer face attempting to pick up the medication and decided to utilize expectant management [i.e. waiting for the tissue to pass naturally] due to the trauma of being refused her prescribed treatment. Fetal anomalies Several submitted narratives involved patients whose pregnancies were complicated by fetal anomalies, many of which were described as being incompatible with neonatal life, though termination was not possible in their state. Due to the anencephaly, as soon as the umbilical cord was cut, the pink skin of the baby rapidly progressed to navy, only for the baby to be completely dark navy by the time they were wrapped in a blanket and handed to the mom, a medical studentphysician wrote. The patient was letting out a loud scream throughout the labor due to the sheer pain of giving birth, but the scream and wailing she let out once she saw the baby was soul-crushing. Denied other types of medical care One of the more shocking examples for Grossman involved a patient with a postpartum hemorrhage who needed a common procedure known as dilation and curettage, or D&C, which is used for abortions, miscarriages and sometimes to empty the uterus after the baby has been born. But according to the narrative submitted, a patient had been told by the labor and delivery staff that D&Cs were now illegal for any reason. In another case, an abortion ban allegedly led to the cancellation of a patients liver transplant. Patient with [an intrauterine device (IUD)] in place came in for liver transplant after there was a donor match found, the physician wrote. On routine pre-surgical testing she had a positive urine pregnancy test, and her bHCG quant was in the 1000s. Her transplant was cancelled because of her positive pregnancy test despite it being an undesired, very early pregnancy. Carceral system Three submissions highlighted how patients in detention, awaiting trial, or on parole faced additional obstacles obtaining an abortion in states with bans. Asked for permission to leave her county (and state) to receive abortion care and was told NO, a physician wrote. Patient left the state for abortion care anyway. Given 24-hour waiting period in [state with legal abortion] and need for a 2-day procedure, was away for 3 days (2 separate trips). She also refused any sedation because she needed to be drug tested and couldnt admit to leaving the state for a procedure. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE EMTALA predictions It is notable that the narratives reported here describing delayed and denied care have occurred with EMTALA still intact and hospitals required to provide emergency abortion care, the studys authors write, referring to the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which the federal government has stipulated includes emergency abortion care, and which states with abortion bans have sued over. The U.S. Supreme Court this summer declined to rule on Idahos lawsuit challenging the federal requirements, allowing doctors to provide emergency abortions while litigation continues. Although it is difficult to assess from the narratives, some may have been EMTALA violations since stabilizing care was not provided, the researchers write. Other cases, such as those where the patient was admitted to a hospital for observation or those involving a patient pregnant with a fetus with an anomaly incompatible with life, are likely not EMTALA violations. Regardless, we anticipate these cases of poor-quality care would become even more common if the Supreme Court were to rule that EMTALA does not apply to emergency abortion care. Overall, participants reported that their patients suffered emotionally and financially, sometimes even insured patients having to pay out of pocket for medical care because it was in another state. Grossman also noted that affected patients could face long-term physical and mental-health consequences because of the medical care they did or did not receive. When we came out with our first report, maybe I was a little bit more optimistic and thought that perhaps this information could be used to help streamline care, reduce these delays, and identify workarounds, Grossman said. And perhaps that has happened in some places, but I think its really clear now, more than two years out, that those kinds of fixes or Band-Aids on a bad policy just arent going to work, and that really its not possible to provide evidence-based care in these states. These bans need to be repealed. Doctors are dealing with 'moral distress' as they try to determine care for pregnant patients in states with abortion ban, particularly those facing medical emergencies, according to the Care Post Roe study led by Dr. Daniel Grossman at the University of California San Francisco. (Kieferpix/Getty Images) In the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court started allowing states what has become almost half of the country to ban all or most abortions, doctors continue to report that these laws have detrimentally changed their jobs and the quality of care they can provide pregnant patients. A research team led by Dr. Daniel Grossman at the University of California, San Francisco has been studying the impacts on medical care of the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision that overturned the federal right to abortion under Roe v. Wade. On Monday they released their latest Care Post Roe findings. Having grown from 50 to 86 submissions since the preliminary findings were released in May 2023, the survey details medical situations gone wrong because of legal concerns over a states abortion ban. When Grossman a clinical and public health researcher who specializes in abortion and contraception talked to States Newsroom last year about the early findings, he emphasized the patient fear palpable in the narratives of their doctors. They told stories about women traveling outside their ban states just to check if they could be pregnant, or during a medical emergency. But as more submissions continue to flow in, Grossman recently said hes struck by the distress coming from the medical community. One thing that was notable in some of these more recent submissions, Grossman told States Newsroom, is how moral distress is being incorporated into medical education, like medical students and residents are essentially now learning about the moral distress as part of their medical education, as theyre learning about the care that they cant provide. The Care Post Roe study details 86 submissions received between September 2022 and August 2024 from health professionals recounting cases involving patients from 19 states that, during the studys time frame, fully or partly banned abortion. Participants described cases that deviated from the usual standard of care because of a state abortion ban, some that resulted in preventable complications like severe infections or the placenta growing too deep into the patients uterine wall. The participants were directed not to give details that could identify themselves or their patients. Daniel Grossman Grossman said the study was designed this way to protect the identity of health providers and patients, many of whom currently fear prosecution for their medical decisions. Researchers also conducted optional in-depth interviews with more than 30 of the participants, but those findings were not included in Mondays report. The majority of submissions so far have come from Texas, Grossman said, the largest of the states and where abortion has been illegal the longest. According to the study, the narratives represent a range of different ages, income levels and racial and ethnic backgrounds, though a high proportion are Black and Latinx. Submissions were also reviewed by two physicians and were rejected if they did not contain information about a specific case or did not relate to a change in care since the Dobbs ruling. Grossman said the study is limited in size and scope and doesnt say how common these medical situations are or how they will trend over time. But he said the stories are consistent with ongoing news reports and lawsuits wherein doctors and patients describe denying and being denied care because of abortion bans. He said the study, which includes excerpts from health providers narratives, serves as a qualitative representation of the types of medical emergencies that doctors all over the country have been reporting. The submissions were organized into several categories, including: Second-trimester obstetric complications The most common type of reported scenario involving second-trimester complications is the preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM). A doctor described treating a patient who had ruptured membranes at 16-18 weeks gestation but instead of being offered an abortion procedure or an induction termination, she had been sent home, where she had developed a severe infection. I meet her 2 days later in the ICU. She was admitted from the ER with severe sepsisand bacteremia. Her fetus delivers; she is able to hold [the fetus]. We try every medical protocol we can find to help her placenta deliver; none are successful, the physician writes. The anesthesiologist cries on the phone when discussing the case with me if the patient needs to be intubated, no one thinks she will make it out of the OR. I do a D&C. Ectopic pregnancies Ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. They are medical emergencies, but study participants reported cases of ectopic pregnancy requiring extra steps, such as consulting multiple physicians, as well as patients delaying care because they were too scared to be seen in their home states where abortion is banned. If [the patient] had seen [a] provider in [her home state] when bleeding started, one doctor wrote, she would have had the ectopic diagnosed about 6 weeks earlier, potentially eligible for [methotrexate] and therefore potentially avoided surgery, and even if [she] needed surgery [it] would have been at home with her family and support. Instead [she] had to recover alone in a hotel room in a random state she had never been to before. Underlying medical conditions Some physicians described cases where patients had underlying medical conditions that complicated their pregnancies. In some cases, patients were delayed or denied treatment, worsening their conditions. She was mid-second trimester [16-18 weeks] when she presented. She has [more than 5] children at home and had severe postpartum cardiomyopathy when she gave birth a year ago, which has persisted, a doctor wrote. The risk of her dying from childbirth would have been extremely high but she was unable to find anyone in her state willing to do the procedure. Miscarriage Respondents also reported challenges with miscarriage management in states with abortion bans. The pharmacy refused to fill the medication until they had confirmation of its use but was unable to list what that confirmation needed to include, one clinician wrote. The back and forth delayed the care and ultimately the client could no longer face attempting to pick up the medication and decided to utilize expectant management [i.e. waiting for the tissue to pass naturally] due to the trauma of being refused her prescribed treatment. Fetal anomalies Several submitted narratives involved patients whose pregnancies were complicated by fetal anomalies, many of which were described as being incompatible with neonatal life, though termination was not possible in their state. Due to the anencephaly, as soon as the umbilical cord was cut, the pink skin of the baby rapidly progressed to navy, only for the baby to be completely dark navy by the time they were wrapped in a blanket and handed to the mom, a medical studentphysician wrote. The patient was letting out a loud scream throughout the labor due to the sheer pain of giving birth, but the scream and wailing she let out once she saw the baby was soul-crushing. Denied other types of medical care One of the more shocking examples for Grossman involved a patient with a postpartum hemorrhage who needed a common procedure known as dilation and curettage, or D&C, which is used for abortions, miscarriages and sometimes to empty the uterus after the baby has been born. But according to the narrative submitted, a patient had been told by the labor and delivery staff that D&Cs were now illegal for any reason. In another case, an abortion ban allegedly led to the cancellation of a patients liver transplant. Patient with [an intrauterine device (IUD)] in place came in for liver transplant after there was a donor match found, the physician wrote. On routine pre-surgical testing she had a positive urine pregnancy test, and her bHCG quant was in the 1000s. Her transplant was cancelled because of her positive pregnancy test despite it being an undesired, very early pregnancy. Carceral system Three submissions highlighted how patients in detention, awaiting trial, or on parole faced additional obstacles obtaining an abortion in states with bans. Asked for permission to leave her county (and state) to receive abortion care and was told NO, a physician wrote. Patient left the state for abortion care anyway. Given 24-hour waiting period in [state with legal abortion] and need for a 2-day procedure, was away for 3 days (2 separate trips). She also refused any sedation because she needed to be drug tested and couldnt admit to leaving the state for a procedure. Researchers predict more poor-quality care if EMTALA ruled to exclude abortion care It is notable that the narratives reported here describing delayed and denied care have occurred with EMTALA still intact and hospitals required to provide emergency abortion care, the studys authors write, referring to the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which the federal government has stipulated includes emergency abortion care, and which states with abortion bans have sued over. The U.S. Supreme Court this summer declined to rule on Idahos lawsuit challenging the federal requirements, allowing doctors to provide emergency abortions while litigation continues. Although it is difficult to assess from the narratives, some may have been EMTALA violations since stabilizing care was not provided, the researchers write. Other cases, such as those where the patient was admitted to a hospital for observation or those involving a patient pregnant with a fetus with an anomaly incompatible with life, are likely not EMTALA violations. Regardless, we anticipate these cases of poor-quality care would become even more common if the Supreme Court were to rule that EMTALA does not apply to emergency abortion care. Overall, participants reported that their patients suffered emotionally and financially, sometimes even insured patients having to pay out of pocket for medical care because it was in another state. Grossman also noted that affected patients could face long-term physical and mental-health consequences because of the medical care they did or did not receive. When we came out with our first report, maybe I was a little bit more optimistic and thought that perhaps this information could be used to help streamline care, reduce these delays, and identify workarounds, Grossman said. And perhaps that has happened in some places, but I think its really clear now, more than two years out, that those kinds of fixes or Band-Aids on a bad policy just arent going to work, and that really its not possible to provide evidence-based care in these states. These bans need to be repealed. Francine, which made landfall in southern Louisiana on Wednesday evening and has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, was located just northwest of New Orleans early Thursday. Image courtesy of NOAA Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Francine was downgraded to a tropical storm late Wednesday after making landfall in Louisiana's southern parish of Terrebonne as a Category 2 storm earlier in the day. It had formed in the Gulf and came ashore Wednesday evening, battering southern Louisiana's Terreboone with winds of 100 mph, but the system began to quickly degrade as forecast. In its 2 a.m. EDT update, the National Hurricane Center said Francine was packing maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, making it a tropical storm. It was located about 20 miles northwest of New Orleans and moving northeast at 14 mph. Forecasters had said that the storm was expected to diminish quickly over land, but risks for property and people remain into Thursday. "Francine is expected to bring heavy rainfall and the risk of considerable flash and urban flooding, along with river flooding, across southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, far southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Thursday night," the NHC said. "Flash and urban flooding is probable across the Lower Tennessee Valley and Lower Mississippi Valley tonight into Friday morning." It said heavy rain was spreading across southern Mississippi and Alabama early Thursday. "As Francine continues inland, the storm will spin down and likely become a tropical depression by late Thursday and a post-tropical cycloneThursday night or early Friday," it said. A storm surge warning was in effect for Morgan City, La., to the Mississippi-Alabama border, Vermilion Bay, Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Morgan City, La., to the Mississippi-Alabama border, Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, including metropolitan New Orleans. "The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline," the NHC update statement said. "Francine is expected to bring storm total rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, with local amounts to 12 inches across southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, far southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Thursday night." Port Fourchon to the mouth of the Mississippi River could see a storm surge as high as 7 feet while High Island, Texas, near the Bolivar Peninsula, could reach 5 feet. "The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the east of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves," the center said. "Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycles and can vary greatly over short distances." The NHC said storm surge is not expected to pose a threat to reduction system levees. So far this hurricane season there have been five other named storms -- Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby and Ernesto. Beryl, Debby and Ernesto became hurricanes. Andrea Muneton has been a Head Start educator in California for 14 years. The work is important but greuling, she said, involving up to 80 hours a week of mental and physical labor that doesnt end when her students head home at the end of the day. And the pay? It doesnt compare, she said. Were underpaid, overworked and were not appreciated. Were seen as, Oh youre just a day care. No, Im not a day-care person. Im a teacher. Andrea Muneton has been a Head Start educator for 14 years. (Andrea Muneton) Muneton started off as an aide and worked her way up to full-time teacher and president of the Early Childhood Federation, an American Federation of Teachers local union in California. Muneton said when she was an assistant teacher, more than half of her paycheck went to health insurance, and her husband was forced to work a second job to help support their two kids, who are both Head Start students. This year, Muneton said she reached a breaking point and considered leaving her decade-and-a-half -long career in early childhood education to apply for a job at Target. Muneton is far from alone: child care workers nationally have one of the lowest-paid occupations, with 11% to 34% living in poverty. While the average salary of a public preschool teacher and a kindergarten teacher is about $49,000 and $60,000, respectively, the average annual salary for Head Start and other preschool teachers is about $35,000. But this could all change over the next several years according to a new final rule recently released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Head Start and aims to raise annual wages for teachers in the program by about $10,000 and increase access to benefits such as high-quality, affordable health care coverage and paid leave. The rule is largely in response to the struggle to hire and retain qualified staff, which has ultimately led to classrooms closing. Head Start organizations must comply with some elements of the ruling by October but have until August 2031 to begin providing increased pay. There is an emergency exemption for the 35% of agencies with fewer than 200 funded slots, but they must still make measurable improvements in wages for staff over time. Related Pre-K Enrollment Surges in US, With Mississippi & New Mexico Making Big Strides Some agencies may also be eligible for waivers for wage requirements in 2028, if the funding does not increase at a sufficient pace, which could be the rules greatest challenge. In order to qualify, they would need to demonstrate that implementing the pay raises would force them to cut occupied seats and show that theyre meeting certain quality requirements. The National Head Start Association, a nonprofit organization that represents Head Start families, providers and educators, welcomed the federal announcement in an Aug. 16 press release, but expressed disappointment that the edict does not address the need for significant additional funding to fully achieve its goals and could end up forcing operators to slash staff to meet the salary mandates. The organization remains concerned that, if Congress and future administrations do not agree to such increases, the impact of the final rule could prove devastating, by significantly reducing the number of children and families served by Head Start programs, the organization wrote. While the rule is an important step forward from a policy perspective, it is a double-edged sword in terms of funding, according to Dan Wuori, the founder and president of Early Childhood Policy Solutions and a former kindergarten teacher and South Carolina school district administrator. Theyre sort of stuck either way, he said. If they cant attract teachers then they cant serve kids. But if they have to compensate at a higher level to draw qualified staff then that in the absence of new funding could mean serving a much smaller number of children. Katie Hamm (Administration for Children and Families) Katie Hamm, deputy assistant secretary for Early Childhood Development at the Administration for Children and Families, which is overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services, said in an Aug. 30 interview that she believes the administration can partner with Congress to increase Head Start appropriations over time while simultaneously restructuring the current budget to put more money toward wages. Khari Garvin, the director of the office of Head Start, told The 74 the hope is that the changes will position the program to recruit, attract and retain the best and brightest talent in this field, which translates into better developmental outcomes for children and families. Khari Garvin (Administration for Children and Families) The great irony is that for too long weve had individuals committed staff working in what is an anti-poverty program, many of whom have made either poverty-level wages, or close to poverty-level wages, he said. And so now were correcting that. Muneton doesnt think Head Start teachers should have to wait so many years for this potential shift in pay, benefits and working conditions. But when and if it does happen, itll be life changing, she said. Ill be able to afford maybe purchasing a house rather than renting out of my parents. Ill be able to tell my husband, Hey, quit the other job so we can see you more often. Ill be able to pay off the debt that Im still trying to pay off monthly, she said. A really important stake in the ground Head Start began as an eight-week demonstration project in the 1960s, as part of President Lyndon B. Johnsons War on Poverty. Since then, the programs have reached more than 38 million children and their families, the majority of whom meet federal low-income guidelines. Currently, it serves about 650,000 children from birth to age 5 and their families, in urban, suburban and rural areas in all 50 states. Related Starting School Before Age 2 Helps Children Avoid Achievement Gaps, Study Finds They also connect families to community and federal assistance and can help provide a career pathway for parents into early care and education: As of 2022, almost a quarter of Head Starts 260,000 staff were parents of current or former Head Start children. The vast majority of Head Start center-based preschool teachers nationally (68%) had a bachelors degree or higher in early childhood education or a related field with experience. About a quarter of education staff members are Black, 30% are Latino and the vast majority are women. The 1,600 local agencies are funded by the federal government, though many also tap into state and local revenue sources. For years, these agencies have struggled to hire and retain highly qualified educators, with turnover hitting 17% in 2023. We really have a crisis on our hands, Hamm said. For a single adult with one child, median child care worker pay does not meet a living wage in any state. Salary and benefits were cited as the top reason why almost 1 in 5 staff positions were vacant nationwide in a 2023 National Head Start Association survey. Of the 20% of Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms that were reported closed in the survey, 81% attributed the shutdowns to staffing vacancies. These persistently low wages come from a century-long history of falsely dichotomizing care and education, according to Wuori, the policy expert and former kindergarten teacher. Related The Pandemic Set Young Kids Back. Their Struggle to Recover is Especially Acute We think of early care as being almost an industrialized form of babysitting, he said, whereas education kicks in from a policy level maybe a few years later. And one of the side effects of that then is that the people who work with the youngest children are not respected as the professionals that they are. And a primary way that that is the case is through their compensation, which lags well behind that of fast food workers and employees at big box stores. This new federal rule, he said, serves as a really important stake in the ground to rectify that mindset. Prepare for the fall flu season with free vaccination clinics throughout Kern BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The fall season begins Sept. 22 and Dignity Health wants to help you prepare for the upcoming flu season. Dignity Healths Community Wellness Program is offering free flu vaccination clinics throughout Kern County to help reduce influenza infection rates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September and October are the best months to get vaccinated against the flu. FDA approves this seasons Moderna, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive the updated 2024-2025 flu vaccine. You must be 18-years-old or older and vaccinations will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis. Stop by these locations to get your free vaccination: Friday, Sept. 13: 2 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. Mercado Latino, 2105 Edison Hwy, Bakersfield, 93305 Thursday, Sept. 19: 8 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Arvin Drive-Thru Food Distribution (Drive-Thru Clinic) 615-699 Haven Drive, Arvin, 93203 Saturday, Sept. 21: 10 a.m. Noon, California State University Bakersfield (Drive-Thru Clinic) 9001 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA, 93311 Tuesday, Sept. 24: 11 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Memorial Hospital (Drive-Thru Clinic) 420 34th St., Bakersfield, CA 93309 Wednesday, Sept. 25: 9 a.m. Noon, Greenfield Family Resource Center 5400 Monitor St., Bakersfield, CA 93307 Thursday, Sept. 26: 7 a.m. 10 a.m. Westside Family Fellowship (Drive-Thru Clinic) 2150 Palm Ave., Wasco, CA 93280 Thursday, Sept. 26: 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Casa Hernandez 200 S Albany St., Delano, CA 93215 Monday, Sept. 30: 2 4:00 p.m. Mercy Hospital Downtown (Drive-Thru Clinic) 2215 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 Organizers ask if you suspect or are confirmed to have COVID-19, please do not attend the flu clinic. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. I think whatever the outcome is tomorrow, Democrats have a very strong chance of retaining both seats," said UNH political science professor Dante Scala, referring to the state's two congressional districts. (Getty Images) On Tuesday, voters will choose which candidates from each party face off in key races in November, including the first open race for governor in eight years after Chris Sununu decided not to seek reelection. On the Democratic side, former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington, and restaurant owner Jon Kiper are vying for the chance to turn the corner office blue. Competing for the Republican slot are former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte and former state Senate President Chuck Morse. The 2nd Congressional District is also open after incumbent Democratic Rep. Annie Kuster chose to not run again. Democrats Maggie Goodlander, a former Biden administration official, and Colin Van Ostern, a former executive councilor, are fighting to replace her. Republicans have a crowded field, with Vikram Mansharamani and Lily Tang Williams leading the polls. Several Republicans are also vying for the chance to take on incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep Chris Pappas in the 1st Congressional District, led by Russell Prescott, a former executive councilor, and Manchester Alderman Joe Kelly Levasseur . As voters prepare to hit the polls to weigh in on those and other races, the Bulletin checked in Monday with Dante Scala, a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire. The Trump question Ayotte and Morse have both said they support former President Donald Trump in his third run for president, but Morse has sought to make his embrace of Trump and his attacks that Ayotte has not sufficiently supported him an issue in the race. But on what role Trump plays in this race, Scala said: I think, ultimately, not a decisive one. And he chose not to. Plausibly, if Trump had made an endorsement and, I mean, assuming thats not going to happen in the next, what 12 hours? if Trump had made an endorsement, obviously, that would have sealed the deal for Ayotte in the primary, he said. It could have made it interesting if he had, in fact, endorsed Morse, but the fact that he didnt, the fact that he stayed out of it, I think lessens his influence. That, plus the fact that, you know, Ayottes done barely just enough to stay on Trumps right side and to be able to say that she was supporting him in the most minimal way possible. Its also true that, you know, Chuck Morse isnt I dont know that he impresses a lot of people as having that Trump vibe as a candidate. I think at best, it might help Morse make the race tomorrow marginally closer than it otherwise is going to be, but I would stress the point marginally. Warmington, Craig clash In their final pitch to voters, Craig and Warmington have argued not just why voters should choose them, but why they shouldnt choose their opponent. Craig has attacked Warmington over her lobbying work in 2002 for Purdue Pharma; Warmington has gone after Craig on her record in Manchester on homelessness and opioids. The concern for both Craig and Warmington has to be that whats top of mind for voters is something negative, Scala said, whether thats Warmingtons past legal work or the negative picture of Craigs tenure as Manchester mayor on the airwaves from both Warmington and Ayotte. When party leaders go after other party leaders, as these two are doing it leaves a bad taste in voters mouths, no matter which party its happening in, Scala said. If Kiper had more of a campaign going than he has, he could stand to benefit, right? Someone whos above the fray, outside the fray, stays positive, etc. I just dont know that enough people, enough Democrats, know who he is for him to get that big of a bounce out of whats been happening. It will be key how well Warmington and Craig can play up their geographical advantages among the people who know them best, Scala said, pointing to Manchester for Craig and Warmingtons Executive Council district. For Craig, that connection also poses difficulties, though. Scala wonders how small-town voters will react to the attacks on her tenure in Manchester. 2nd Congressional District Democrats vying for the 2nd Congressional District seat have also run a tense race. Van Ostern has the endorsement of Kuster, the incumbent Democrat, and has emphasized his work within the state. Meanwhile, Goodlander, a Nashua native, has spent years working in D.C., flexing national party establishment support, including an endorsement from Hillary Clinton, and the fundraising advantage to match. In discussing the race, Scala pointed to the expression, All politics is identity politics. This is one thing that makes primaries so weird compared to general elections and so unpredictable, is that in a general election, voters have very strong cues or hints to draw on, Scala said. For instance, whoever the Democratic nominee is from New Hampshires 2nd District, I would bet the house that the overwhelming number of Democrats will vote for that nominee no matter how nasty that race has gotten, because partisanship matters so much in a general election. But obviously in a primary partisanship isnt that cue to voters, so then youre getting to kind of less tangible things, and this gets back to kind of identity politics. If Goodlander wins, I think it will show how she and her campaign made a bet that ultimately gender identity is a much more powerful card in a New Hampshire Democratic primary than carpetbagging, or how long youve lived in the district, that sort of thing. There are other factors, right? I mean, shes had a lot more resources than Van Ostern, but its not like Van Osterns had nothing. I think they (Goodlanders campaign) made a bet that New Hampshire Democrats have a long tradition of selecting strong female contenders, including the present occupant of the 2nd Congressional District, and I think they made a bet that when push came to shove, they would do that again. Flipping the House seats? I think whatever the outcome is tomorrow, Democrats have a very strong chance of retaining both seats, Scala said of the states two congressional districts. The districts havent changed enough (with redistricting), and with (Kamala) Harris as the nominee, not Biden, I think that has bolstered Democrats here in terms of their enthusiasm among their base. In the 1st District, Scala said, Pappas is a strong incumbent, as he proved two years ago. The Republican nominee will enter the race with low name ID, few resources, and likely without support from the national party, he said. He thinks the same will be true in the 2nd District, and that the national Democratic Party will find either Van Ostern or Goodlander perfectly fine as the nominee. The 2nd District, before and after redistricting, leans Democratic, he said. And the quality of the candidates in the Democratic field, both of them are kind of better candidates than whoever the Republican Party is going to nominate in the 2nd (District). I think Democrats wont have to worry too much. Ayotte in the general If its Kelly Ayotte, I do wonder about two things the day after the primary, Scala said. One is, you know, obviously shes going to have a ton of name ID probably, most likely, more than the Democratic nominee does but I wonder about what her favorability looks like in the polls among the general electorate. There have been an awful lot of ads run about Kelly Ayotte and abortion this past summer, so much so that shes, you know, felt the need to respond for weeks now, because shes so concerned about how that issue could affect her general election prospects. How Ayotte fairs among all voters, not just likely Republican primary voters, could give hints into whether she can replicate Sununus appeal. Lets assume Trump doesnt do better in New Hampshire than he did in 2016 or 2020, Scala said. Can Kelly Ayotte do what Sununu always was good at doing, which was setting himself far enough apart from Donald Trump that he could get crossover voters, those who voted for Democrats for president but supported him for governor? Does Ayotte have that kind of crossover potential? Scala wonders. Ayottes success, or lack thereof, could have real kind of down ballot implications. (Bloomberg) -- Chinese stocks are on the brink of falling to a five-year low seen in February as bearish sentiment grips the market amid a lack of earnings and economic recovery. Most Read from Bloomberg Listen to the Heres Why podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. The CSI 300 Index closed down 1.2% on Monday, taking its slide from this years high in May to more than 13%. A further decline would take the benchmark to levels unseen since early 2019, suggesting years of policy efforts to revive the economy and prop up share prices have proved futile. The yuan weakened. The market has been stuck in a cycle where stocks would plumb new lows after a brief rebound triggered by short-lived optimism. The governments piecemeal approach to stimulus has failed to fix a crisis of confidence, with deflationary pressure, anemic consumption and an extended property slump combining to erode hopes of a near-term economic recovery. The ongoing bearishness in Chinese stocks is largely being driven by deteriorating short-term dynamics, particularly the deflationary pressures and signs of weakening consumer demand, said Billy Leung, an investment strategist at Global X Management in Sydney. Unless we see a significant policy shift, especially around fiscal support for social welfare or housing, its likely this sentiment could persist. The CSI 300 Index rebounded 16% from February through mid-May, as state funds purchased billions of dollars worth of exchange-traded funds and regulators clamped down on short sales and quant trades. Its slide since then is just another example of how policies have failed to address the fundamental ailments that have been hurting sentiment. Even long-time China bulls UBS Global Wealth Management, Nomura Holdings Inc., and JPMorgan Chase & Co. have downgraded the countrys equities in recent weeks, citing concerns ranging from a drop in property-led demand to underwhelming stimulus measures and geopolitical tensions ahead of the US elections. The equities slump has coincided with a growing consensus among the worlds largest banks that the country would miss its around 5% growth target this year. In the latest blow to sentiment, Chinas consumer prices rose less than expected last month, adding to signs policymakers are struggling to get households spending. Story continues Chinas faltering economy has hit global commodity demand as well. Iron ore sank below $90 a ton for the first time since 2022 as industrial commodities faced sustained pressure from tepid Chinese demand. The onshore yuan weakened as much as 0.2% against the dollar on Monday. To be sure, some investors say Chinese equities ultra-cheap valuations offer good risk-reward opportunity. The MSCI China Index is trading at less than nine times forward price-to-earnings, compared to a ratio of 24 for its emerging market rival India. The CSI 300 is near levels seen during the February rout, when exit orders at structured products like snowball derivatives and quantitative funds exacerbated a selloff, and investors rotated into Indian stocks in a major shift in EM portfolios. While there are some stock-specific opportunities, even the long-term Chinese champions are not immune to the persistently weak China economic backdrop with limited visibility of improvement, said Vivian Lin Thurston, a portfolio manager for William Blair Investment Management in Chicago. Domestic policy trends and geopolitical risks may continue to pressure the multiples of Chinese equities structurally. Earnings per share for the MSCI China Index fell 4.5% from the year earlier in the second quarter, its worst in five quarters, according to data from Bloomberg Intelligence. Underscoring the contraction was weakening support from the countrys eight biggest tech firms. Down nearly 7% this year, the benchmark CSI 300 Index ranks among the worlds worst-performing major gauges and is headed for a record fourth year of losses. --With assistance from Winnie Hsu. (Updates with prices as of market close.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. LONDON Kate, the Princess of Wales, announced Monday that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment and will undertake a light schedule of engagements until the end of the year. Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus, she said in a video message, some six months after revealing she had an unspecified form of cancer following intense public speculation about her health. The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family, Kate said, adding that the cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything, Kate said. Slow music plays as she delivers her message via a voiceover on the video, which was filmed in several locations including a forest, a beach and a field in Norfolk, a county in the east of England. She wears a long white summer dress with patterns throughout. At times she is featured alone and at other times she is joined by her husband and heir to the British throne, Prince William, and their three children George, 11; Charlotte, 9; and Louis, 6. Thanking people for the support she and her family received, she said that although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can, she added. Calling the video astonishing, NBC News royal commentator Daisy McAndrew said it would come as a huge relief to many royal fans and people who wish Katherine well throughout the world. Its incredibly intimate. We really havent seen something like this of the family all playing games, holding hands, she added. The intimacy between Kate and William is something that we havent seen something like this before, real public displays of affection, lots of hand-holding, lots of kissing. Kate has made several public appearances since she revealed she had cancer in a video in March where she said she was undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy on the advice of her medical team. The princess attended the mens final at Wimbledon with her daughter in July. The pair were joined in the Royal Box by Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton Matthews, 41. Kate, Princess of Wales, at the men's singles final at Wimbledon earlier this year. In June, she attended the Trooping the Colour, a ceremonial parade celebrating the official birthday of the British monarch. Ahead of the parade, she said in a statement that she was not out of the woods yet and that she had good days and bad days. She said she was making good progress, but that her treatment would continue for a few more months. Kate revealed she had cancer just over a month after Buckingham Palace announced that her father-in-law, King Charles III, had also been diagnosed with the disease when he was hospitalized with an enlarged prostate. The palace has said that he does not have prostate cancer. The March video was released after months of fervent speculation about Kate's health after Kensington Palace the Prince and Princess of Wales official residence and office said she would be taking a step back from public duties as she recovered from planned abdominal surgery. Both Charles and Kate have declined to specify either what type of cancer they have or details about their prognosis. Like Kate, however, the 75-year-old monarch has attended several engagements since he resumed public duties earlier this year, including D-Day memorial services in France. He is also set to visit Australia and Samoa next month alongside Queen Camilla, with an itinerary that will span 12 time zones. While Charlotte attended Wimbledon, the princess and her brothers have largely been out of the public eye since their mother's surgery. Charles' and Kate's illnesses have highlighted the challenges faced by a slimmed-down royal family as the king pledges to cut costs. With fewer working royals available to carry out the ribbon cuttings, state events and awards ceremonies that make up the life of a modern royal, the remaining family members have been forced to take on more events. So Camilla; Princess Anne, the kings sister; and his youngest brother, Prince Edward, have had to shoulder the load. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Which prisoners will be released early from jail? A scheme allowing the early release of thousands of prisoners in England and Wales comes into effect on Tuesday. About 1,700 are expected to be freed on the first day, with a total of about 5,500 to leave prison early during September and October. The emergency measure is aimed at dealing with prison overcrowding and the risk of jails running out of space. Which prisoners will be released? Eligible prisoners who have served only 40% of their fixed term sentence, rather than 50%, will be automatically released. Those who are in jail for serious violent offences with sentences of four years or more, as well as sex offenders, will not be included. It will also exclude those convicted of domestic abuse and what the government calls "connected crimes", such as stalking and controlling or coercive behaviours. The scheme also only applies to a certain type of prison sentence, under which prisoners are automatically released after a set amount of time. More serious offenders serving life sentences, for example, are only released after the Parole Board has assessed whether they still pose a risk. Anyone released will be monitored by the Probation Service and this could involve the use of electronic tagging and curfews. How many people are in prison? Ministry of Justice data shows the total England and Wales prison population on 6 September was a record high of 88,521. And the "usable operational capacity" - the total number of people a prison can hold while taking into account issues like control and security - was 89,619, leaving spare capacity of just 1,098 places. This is well above the prison services own measure of a "good, decent standard of accommodation", which was 79,856 at the end of July. Pressure on the system has been added in recent weeks by the jailing of people involved in the summers rioting. Approximately 250 people had been jailed for offences relating to those riots as of the end last week. At current rates, the prison population is projected to rise by about 17,000 by 2028, while capacity is set to rise by 9,000. [BBC] The early release of inmates, to ease pressure on prisons, also happened under the Conservatives and under the last Labour government. Prisons in Scotland have also had to release people early to ease overcrowding. There were more than 8,000 people in prison in Scotland last week. Last year, prisons in Northern Ireland had an average daily population of 1,685, a figure which has risen in recent years. In 2018 - the latest year for which comparable data is available - England and Wales had 150 prisoners per 100,000 people, the highest proportion in Western Europe. Spain (138 per 100,000) and Portugal (126 per 100,000) were the two western European countries with the next highest rates of imprisonment. Why have prisons become so full? The Institute for Government think tank says part of the answer is longer sentences. In 2023, the average prison sentence given in the Crown Courts in England and Wales, which deal with more serious offences, was more than 25% longer than in 2012. For some crimes, the increase has been even greater. Sentences for robbery, for example, were 13 months longer on average in 2023 than in 2012, a rise of 36%. Longer sentences mean more people in prison at any given time. Another part of the answer is the increase in prisoners on remand, who are waiting for their trial to start, or to be sentenced. In March this year the remand prison population stood at 16,458, a record high. In 2016, it was about 10,000. Some of this increase has been driven by a record number of Crown Court cases waiting to be heard. More people than before are also being returned to prison for breaching their release conditions. In March, the number was around 12,000 - another record high - and roughly double the number in 2016. [BBC] Why not build more prisons? In its 2021 spending review the then Conservative government said it would build an extra 20,000 prison places in England and Wales "by the mid-2020s". But only about 6,000 have been built to date. The chief civil servant in the Ministry of Justice wrote in July last year that only 1.1bn of the 4bn committed to this prison building programme had been spent. One of the obstacles to hitting the construction target has been the planning system and local objections to new prisons, including from some Conservative MPs. And building more prisons is expensive. The former justice secretary Alex Chalk told the BBC Today podcast in July that the cost of every new cell was around 600,000. However, no official estimates of such construction costs are available. How will Labour tackle the prisons problem? In July, the new Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Parliament she will publish a new 10-year capacity strategy later this year, to acquire new land for prison sites. She also suggested prison building would be placed in a ministers hands - a hint that decisions on building new prisons could be taken away from local planning authorities. Yet there are also signs Labour might take a different approach. Before he was appointed the new prisons minister, James Timpson, in a Channel 4 interview, said he wanted to break the cycle of re-offending by giving ex-offenders more job opportunities. That is something he has done through his family firm Timpson. The key cutting and shoe-repair company says around a tenth of its employees are former prisoners. Mr Timpson also spoke about reducing sentencing and sending considerably fewer people to prison than we currently do. "So many of the people in prison in my view shouldnt be there. A lot should but a lot shouldnt, and theyre there for far too long" he said. The Conservatives Neil OBrien is among critics of the plan and has argued that prison works. The timing of the Governments VAT raid on private school fees is cruel and punitive, the head of an association representing hundreds of prep schools has said. Dominic Norrish, the chief executive of the Independent Association of Prep Schools, said in a letter to Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, and Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, that implementing the change in January was arbitrary. His letter came after it emerged that the policy faces a High Court legal challenge over claims that it breaches human rights law. Lawyers have written to HM Treasury arguing that the policy discriminates against special educational needs pupils and has threatened court action if it is not dropped. Mr Norrish, whose association represents 600 schools, said in the letter reported in The Times that there was no compelling logic for introducing the change in January. Regardless of how long ago Labours intentions were announced, implementing VAT on fees a school term after forming a Government does not give parents enough time to act in their childs best interests and appears cruel and punitive, he said. Many prep schools have small numbers of pupils, which will likely make them more vulnerable when the VAT exemption on public school fees is axed. A mid-year start creates numerous problems for schools, parents and the tax authorities that do not need to exist, said Mr Norrish. January feels like an arbitrary date, attractive merely due to its proximity to the present. Large numbers [of families] will be forced, now at very short notice, to move their children elsewhere. Click here to view this content. Mr Norrish said the policy would have a seismic effect on pupils whose parents were forced to change the school they attend. Unless you have experienced having to unexpectedly change school as a child, leaving behind all of your established relationships and slowly gained [a] sense of psychological safety, it can be hard to grasp how seismic the effect can be, he said. It is an experience that no parent would choose for their child. You have argued that parents have had plenty of notice of your intentions and, presumably, could have moved their child to another school for this September, or found the extra funds for VAT. Regrettably, this comes across as unempathetic cant, which cannot have been your intention. The Government has previously insisted that the number of children who will be forced to leave public schools because of the VAT raid would be minimal. In a statement last week, the Department for Education (DfE) said: We expect that private schools will try to minimise any fee increases. We expect the number of pupils who might decide to change schools to a state school from private schools to be minimal. There is also lots of evidence to suggest that there are more than enough state school places for pupils who may move from a private school. 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. After making good on his first term to appoint the justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, former President Donald Trump has clearly moderated his approach. Last week, Trump announced that his next presidential administration would fund IVF treatments and flirted with supporting Floridas Right to Abortion amendment, which set off an (effective) panic among pro-life stalwarts. Though he backed down from supporting Floridas measure, Trumps shift has created considerable consternation among pro-lifers about how to vote: Should we punish Republicans and Trump for becoming less distinctly pro-life in their policy aspirations, with the hopes of maintaining leverage as an interest group within the party? Or should we vote for Trump on the basis that the Harris administration would likely be the most pro-choice administration in American history? I find these debates especially fascinating, as eight years ago I was among a tiny cadre of writers who argued against voting for Trump because I am pro-life, meaning that I think abortion is gravely morally wrong and that Americans should use both policy and law to radically curtail access to it. My prudential pro-life case against Trump took two forms. First, I argued that Trumps promise to appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe was unreliablea judgment that was spectacularly wrong. (Never have I been so happy to be wrong about something than the day Dobbs was officially released.) As I observed for Dispatch Faith a few weeks back, evangelicals and the pro-life movement had always been outsiders to the mainstream of the Republican Party, much like Donald Trump was in 2016. My suspicion was that once Trump no longer needed the pro-life movement for votes, he would abandon it. I was wrongor, perhaps, prematureand spent the past eight years in the wilderness largely refraining from commentary on politics as penance. The second objection to Trump then was that he would eventually undermine the pro-life movement, either by liberalizing or by tarnishing its credibility. As I wrote then, though we would not know the real cost of the Trump dalliance until 2020 or beyond, it is vanity to think that pro-lifers will not pay one. The political backlash against Roes fall would have happened to any president who appointed the judges who overturned it, but it is impossible for Americans to separate Dobbs from Trump. And as Ross Douthat has pointed out, American societys general liberalization on abortion began not when Dobbs fell but around 2016, when Donald Trump became president. I have no interest in anything like a victory lap, and not only because I was so far off on the matter of judges. Frankly, I would rather have been wrong about everything: The pro-life movement would be in a much better position if I had been. And one lesson I learned from eight years ago is that histrionics are rarely (if ever) conducive to the kind of public deliberation the pro-life movement needs. As the Victorian writer Wilkie Collins quips in one of his novels, Virtuous indignation is sometimes very cheap indignation. The stakes are too high for the pro-life movement to repeat the cycle of recrimination it underwent eight years agowhich I shared in, and which involved not a few pro-life Trump supporters telling me that I was helping to kill babies. If 2016 was the pro-life movements best opportunity to get judges who would overturn Roe, though, 2024 is our best opportunity to rethink our politics from the ground up. The primary question pro-lifers should be considering is not who they vote for in November, but how they will navigate an electorate that is increasingly skeptical about pro-life aspirations. The post-Dobbs electorate. The immediate source of the pro-life crisis is not Trump, but the movements failures to adapt to the post-Dobbs political environment. Since Roe fell, abortion has been on state ballots seven times. Pro-lifers lost every one. The shifts in polling on abortion restrictions were well underway by this point, and there is some evidence to think the American electorate is biased toward the status quo, which would make them more likely to protect existing political rights when they are threatened. Despite these headwinds, leading pro-life organizations drew a red line during this years primary campaign for presidential support for a 15-week federal abortion ban. But the most obvious lesson from 2016 for pro-lifers should be to trust Trumps political instincts. Trumps first signal that he would no longer be guided by the movement was when he announced his intention to leave abortion restrictions to the states. The red line was quickly redrawn, as it was again when the GOP changed its platform. Trump has found the limit of what the pro-life movement can countenance with his potential support for Floridas Amendment 4but his decision also sets an extraordinarily low threshold for what a president needs to commit to in order to win pro-life votes. Its a long way from supporting a federal abortion ban to voting no on a constitutional amendment protecting abortion to birth. All this was easily avoidable. Trump has carved out a politically palatable position that the pro-life movement could have proactively embraced as the next step on our long march toward eliminating abortion providers in America. Instead, the pro-life movements leadership tried to push candidates into policy positions that are non-starters in the post-Dobbs environment. The pro-life movements failure to understand the political environment has created a no-win situation. Threatening to withhold votes from Trump on pro-life grounds is a risky gambit: If pro-lifers sit out the election or vote third-party and Trump wins, they reveal their own political irrelevance. (Trust me, I know.) If they nudge Trump into unpopular positions and he loses, the Republican Party will likely conclude the movement is to blame for his defeat and continue on its liberalizing trajectory. And if they line up behind Trump and he wins, they are unlikely to receive the credit and political capital they claimed in 2016, precisely because Trump has dragged them into policy stances that they have resisted at every step. If anything, the pro-life movement has been trading on a narrative about its political power that overstates its influence in national elections. However popular pro-life sentiments are, their role in voting is murky. It is highly plausible that Republican voters prefer politicians who are pro-life but will vote for them only because that issue comes bundled with other, more important concerns. In 2016, abortion came last on Pews survey of topics that debate viewers wanted to hear about. While the fall of Roe seems to have both persuaded voters to sign up for the pro-choice cause and motivated them to vote, the number of pro-life voters who are motivated by abortion considerations to such a degree that they would stay home because Trump is only marginally or superficially pro-life is tiny. In the August Siena/New York Times poll of swing states, 31 percent of Democrats listed abortion as their top prioritywhile only 3 percent of Republicans did. Gallup has shown a similar asymmetry and has suggested that only 8 percent of the electorate requires their candidate to be pro-life. In such a context, all Trump needs to do is be marginally more pro-life than his opponent and he is likely assured of retaining the pro-life movements votes. After all, even the most principled of pro-life voters will always have the comparison to Kamala Harris to lean back on in voting. What happens on the margins of political life is disproportionately important in closely contested elections. After all, the presidency might turn on depressed or enthusiastic turnout in a few swing states. But Trump stands to gain as much or more by giving low-frequency, low-attention, and vaguely pro-life voters reasons to vote for him (and taking away reasons to vote against him), as does placating the institutional voices who make up the pro-life movement. While some pro-life writers derided Trumps attempt to make himself palatable to suburban women as hopelessly unrealistic, he does not need to win all of them to make up for however many pro-lifers he might lose. Trump has done well with that constituency before, and his new pro-life positions are perfectly tailored to ameliorate conservatives concerns. Though pro-life leaders groused about Trumps announcement that he would fund IVF treatments, few (white) suburban parents have serious objections to itincluding those who are avowedly pro-life. Debates among pro-lifers about how to vote are important, but in the way debates among the online left are important: They reveal what a tiny cadre of elites think, even if they are divorced from the realities of the constituents they claim to represent. They might shape discussions and help Trump identify where the actual red line for his pro-life supporters might be, but their real political significance, in terms of the votes they generate, is (in the end) likely to be marginal to non-existent. Pro-life voters are going to vote en masse for Donald Trump, so long as he offers to preserve the current status quo by vetoing federal bills that would protect abortion access even as he now says he would veto a federal abortion ban. Pro-life institutions and leaders will have to fall in line if they want to maintain the pretense that they direct pro-life votes and preserve what little political clout they have left within the Republican Partyas they probably should. Its not 2016 anymore. Despite pro-lifers public hand-wringing, Donald Trumps unveiled moderation and willingness to broker a deal on abortion is good news for the movement. Trumps political instincts have clarified for pro-lifers what our task is, if we have the stamina and patience to undertake it. The dissolution of Roe was not a Pyrrhic victory, as writer Rod Dreher has alleged. It dismantled the prevailing framework for our politics of reproduction, which was essential for expanding Americans imagination about what is required to put abortion pills and abortion providers out of business. A judicially oriented political movement (as the pro-life movement has been since Roe) can deal with isolated cases and tap into intuitions and judgments that individual human beings have rights from the moment of their conception. But democratically determined policies to constrain access to services need to make arguments that intersect with and tap into other concerns. At the same time, Trumps moderation on abortion has likely definitively closed the door on the radical, abolitionist sector of the pro-life world. The surprise of Trumps 2016 election and subsequent radicalization of Democrats made conservatives believe that anything imaginable might suddenly be possible. Wild debates on the right about Christian nationalism and postliberalism were fueled, in part, by the political opportunity the upheaval represented. The growth of abolitionist pro-lifers, who want to punish women for seeking abortion, was of a piece with these efforts to rethink conservative politics in light of Trumps victory. While such fringe efforts are likely to remain relevant in deep red states like Oklahoma or Alabama, they clearly have no national constituency of relevance and will likely only further intensify the backlash against the pro-life movement that is already underway, should they ever take hold. Incrementalism is suddenly in vogue again, which is the right stance to haveeven if pro-lifers are rediscovering it for the wrong reasons. It turns out the political wilderness might not be so bad after all. If the pro-life movement continues to be marginalized, so be it. This time around, the fundamental question is not who we should vote for but what we should learn from a mess that is partially of our own makingnot by supporting Donald Trump, but by not anticipating and preparing for the fundamental shifts in the electorate and the backlash Dobbs has created. Whatever happens in November, the pro-life movement will need to reset its political calculus and reach a level of maturity it has not yet attained. The wilderness, after all, is a place of exile and testingbut it is also a place of growth. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. New proposal would allow Oklahoma candidates to spend campaign money on caregivers A proposed ethics regulation would allow Oklahoma candidates and elected officials to spend their campaign dollars on child care or other caregiving expenses. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has proposed a new policy to allow political candidates and elected officials to spend campaign funds on child care or other caregiving expenses. The commission released a draft opinion Friday in response to a request from Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, who has said the policy could reduce barriers to elected office for parents of young children. The opinion, if approved, would allow candidates and officeholders to spend privately raised campaign funds on care of their dependents such as children, elderly relatives or a person with a disability as long as the caregiving costs would not have been incurred if they had no campaign or elected position. The five-member board governing the Ethics Commission is accepting written public comment on the proposal and will have a public hearing at 10 a.m. Friday for anyone who wishes to speak to the commissioners in person. The commissioners have the option to enact the policy during their scheduled meeting Friday, which would immediately encode it in Oklahoma campaign finance regulations, or they could wait to make a decision at a later date, said Lee Anne Bruce Boone, executive director of the Ethics Commission. The Ethics Commission oversees campaign spending and writes and enforces rules for state employees and elected officials. Thirty-three states have approved use of campaign funds for child care, according to the Vote Mama Foundation, which is advocating to bring the measure to all 50 states. The policy also is allowed for candidates running in federal elections. Bruce Boone said its a timely topic for Oklahoma to consider with other states and federal officials examining the same issue. I do think its definitely a subject matter of great interest, she said. Weve had a lot of questions come in even during this election cycle about it, and it is something thats allowed by the Federal Election Commission. So, I definitely think there is other authority out there interpreting rules to allow this. Garvin requested more than a year ago that the Ethics Commission establish an opinion on the issue. The commissioners agreed in September to look into the matter. Garvin filed legislation in 2023 that would allow candidates to spend campaign funds on child care, but she said an Ethics Commission ruling is the better route to enact the policy. She said the regulation could be huge for Oklahoma parents, both men and women, who are considering a campaign. My hope is that it would encourage diversity and bring in some younger generations into running for office, Garvin said. Garvins campaign for office already has come to an end. She lost her bid for reelection in a Republican primary June 18. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Proposition 35 explained: What Californias health tax ballot measure is asking you Californias Proposition 35 is a battle over how state lawmakers can spend billions in health care dollars. It would make permanent a tax on health insurance plans, a charge that also allows the state to draw down billions in federal funds by taxing Medi-Cal plans at a much higher rate than private insurance plans. The state levy is essentially a tax on the federal government. Its known as the Managed Care Organization Provider Tax, or MCO tax. The state has imposed this tax on-and-off since 2009. Lawmakers most recently implemented it in 2023 to help fill a $30 billion deficit. It currently brings an estimated $7 to $8 billion annually to the state via insurance and federal dollars. It is set to expire at the end of 2026. Proponents of Prop. 35 want to make the MCO tax permanent, but they also want to make sure the money is spent directly on care for Medi-Cal patients. Critics of the measure say the money would not equitably fund health services such as those not covered by Medi-Cal. They also warned against shoring up the states healthcare infrastructure with federal funding that may not always be available. What a yes vote means A yes vote would make permanent a tax on health insurers, which is currently set to expire at the end of 2026. If Prop. 35 passes, the tax would no longer require legislative approval. However, the state-imposed tax would still require federal approval every few years. Voting yes on the measure would also require future MCO funds to be used directly on services for Medi-Cal patients. What a no vote means Voting no would leave it up to state lawmakers to decide whether or not to renew the tax in 2026 and thereafter. It would also leave state leaders with more flexibility to use billions in healthcare funding, including for services in under-resourced communities. Supporters of Prop. 35 Prop. 35 is backed by a large coalition of groups representing medical professionals including: California Medical Association California Dental Association California Hospital Association American Academy of Pediatrics, California American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists -District IX International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Prop. 35 will address our most urgent healthcare priorities by securing dedicated, ongoing funding without raising taxes on individuals to protect and expand access to care, several of the groups wrote in the official ballot argument in favor of the measure. By requiring MCO tax dollars to be spent on Medi-Cal patients, the proposition all but ensures more funding for larger hospital systems, community clinics and specialists who serve those patients. Supporters have raised just over $10 million for the ballot campaign as of early September, according to campaign finance records. Opponents of Prop. 35 Those opposed to Proposition 35 include: California Pan-Ethnic Health Network League of Women Voters of California The Childrens Partnership California Alliance of Retired Americans Courage California Many of the groups say the measure could hurt investments in other services that are not Medi-Cal but still help lower-income residents, such as non-emergency medical transportation for people in rural areas. They also say a budget provision that automatically keeps children up to five years old enrolled in Medi-Cal would end under Prop. 35. State Sen. Caroline Menjivar, D-Van Nuys, advocated for smaller clinics to get a slice of the MCO pie in recent budget years, when deficits threatened to slash those services. By listening to those with boots on the ground, the legislature developed a plan to equitably address many Medi-Cal concerns over the next few years,Menjivar said in a statement. Prop. 35 excludes community priorities and only prioritizes larger providers, while taking away necessary flexibility in how Medi-Cal dollars are spent. While not formally opposed, Gov. Gavin Newsom also raised concerns about the measure, saying it would hamstring the states budgeting flexibility and would rely too heavily on dollars that could be denied by a future White House. Opponents have not reported any spending or fundraising for a campaign against Prop. 35, according to the Secretary of States website. Fiscal impacts of Prop. 35 Prop. 35 could bring in an additional $2 to $5 billion annually, according to a report by the nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office. But short-term, it could cost an additional $1 to $2 billion for Medi-Cal over the next two years, the LAO analysis said. Long-term fiscal impacts are unknown because they depend on whether the MCO tax would be renewed or approved in future years. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A city committee unanimously approved a proposed settlement that Mayor Brett Smiley hopes brings the city step closer to finding a new owner for 1 Finance Way, the events venue known as Skyline at Waterplace. The Providence City Councils Committee on Claims and Pending Suits heard a proposed settlement put forth by Smileys office on Monday night. The committee voted unanimously to approve the settlement. Ward 1 Councilman John Goncalves, who chairs the committee, told Target 12 the hope is that the settlement will help the city move forward. The Providence Parks Department will take over management of the property and we are looking forward to what the future of the space will hold for our citys downtown, Goncalves said in a statement. The committee did not disclose the amount of the settlement. Target 12 reached out to Skylines lawyer, Michael Lepizzera, who said in a statement while Skyline was disappointed, the owner was satisfied a settlement could be reached. The original plan was to operate a top scale event facility on the citys skyline for a minimum of 20 years which was the term of the lease, Lepizzera said. A confluence of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events (especially the pandemic) prevented my client from achieving its business goal. Lepizzera said Skyline will work with the city to formally memorialize the settlement and voluntarily turn over possession of the premises. Smiley said in a statement on Monday night that the draft settlement was the best possible outcome for both the city and the property owner. He added that rent collected through the dispute has been responsibly kept in escrow and therefore this settlement will have no fiscal impact on our operations. We will now shift our focus to the future of this space which can be a great asset to the city, Smiley said. Skyline and the capital city had been embroiled in a legal battle since April 2023 when the venues owners were accused of violating their lease agreement by not keeping the property in good condition. The city warned that if the venue didnt address the supposed violations, it would demand Skyline pay back nearly four years worth of rent, which was abated throughout the pandemic due to financial hardships. The city had been trying to evict Skyline for almost a year. The capital city was given the greenlight to evict Skyline last November for missing several key deadlines throughout the legal proceedings. Skyline quickly appealed the decision, which allowed the venue to remain in the space for the time being. In an attempt to keep its coveted spot at Waterplace Park, Skyline tried to transfer its lease to East Greenwich-based Ithaka, LLC earlier this year. The Providence Board of Parks Commissioners, chaired by Smiley, refused to allow the transfer, citing financial concerns. Earlier this month, the decomposing body of a former employee was discovered inside the venue, which police said had been closed since July 27. The man was living there at the time of his death, according to police, though Skyline later claimed that the man was sick and resided with his family. At an unrelated event on Monday morning, Smiley called the business a blackhole at Waterplace Park. My hope is that after the settlement is approved, we go through a fully transparent and public process to put the venue out for bid again where we get a new operator who can add vibrancy and vitality to the basin, to that part of downtown, the mayor explained. The eviction case was heading for a trial in October. Court records show the city filed a motion on Aug. 13 for the court to execute the eviction. A court exhibit attached in the motion showed what appeared to be check showing the Disney princess, Mulan, in the amount of $9,130.58. The check was later returned due to insufficient funds, according to court records. Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) A Providence man convicted of killing another man in a drive-by shooting more than three years ago will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Jahcolin Rodrigues, 23, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder last month in connection with the shooting death of 20-year-old Leonardo Tavares. Tavares was driving through Pawtucket in May 2021 when Rodrigues spotted him and opened fire from his own vehicle. Prosecutors said Tavares was found suffering from several gunshot wounds in his car, which he had parked along Randall Street. He was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Rodrigues and another man, identified by authorities as Todd Alicea, were arrested nearly three weeks after Tavares murder. Investigators believe the three men were involved in an ongoing gang feud. Tavares cousin wiped away tears as she fondly remembered how he would talk her ear off for hours when he first moved to Rhode Island from Cape Verde as a young boy. This death has been the hardest I have ever been through, she said. The pain, the hurt, the anger and the sadness comes in waves. They say time heals, but I dont think this is possible. She described Tavares as a loving and loyal man who always put his family, especially his mother and son, first. If you were a part of his life, he would do everything in his power to make sure that you were good, she said. Rodrigues apologized to Tavares family in court right before he was sentenced to life in prison. If I could go back and change what happened, I would, he said. Im sorry beyond my words. Rodrigues was also sentenced to 20 additional years for the drive-by shooting. Rhode Island Superior Court Associate Justice Maureen Keough encouraged Rodrigues to reflect on his actions throughout his sentence and prove to Tavares family that he truly is sorry for what hes done. Its not what you say, its what you do, Keough said. You took a life, its that simple Its up to you to make some good out of this horrible tragedy. Aliceas next court date is scheduled for October. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. UPDATE: INIDANA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) Pennsylvania State Police confirmed that there were no explosive devices found at the Penns Manor Junior/Senior High School. Troopers were originally called to the district after a note was found indicating that bomb was in the building. However, after investigation, there were no devices found, according to the Special Operations Explosives Detection K9 Unit. The investigation is still active, and anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact Troop A, Indiana at 724-357-1960. ORIGINAL STORY: INDIANA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) Pennsylvania State Police are currently investigating a threat at Penns Manor Area School District. On Sept. 9, at around 9:52 a.m., troopers were called to the school district on reports that a note was found in a bathroom at the junior/senior high school. The note had indicated that there was a bomb in the building, according to PSP. This is a developing story, please check back for updates and download the WTAJ app to receive breaking news notifications. Penns Manor Area School District students are being dismissed from school, however, troopers noted that no explosives have been found. PSP Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations Explosives Detection K9 Unit is on the scene and currently investigating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) UPDATE 4:10 pm: Full statement from the Vigo County School Corporation: On Monday morning, Terre Town Elementary was placed on a secure response due to police presence in the area. A secure response is used when it is desirable to secure the school due to an emergency situation occurring outside and not related to the school to safeguard people within the building. For elementary students, this translates into recess inside, as opposed to outside. VCSC Safety and Security closely communicated with Terre Haute Police. Once THPD secured the site and closed their investigation, the secure response at Terre Town was lifted. Students or staff members were never in immediate danger. Families were notified via text message and were messaged again once police and our security team lifted the directive. Thank you to the students, staff and families at Terre Town, who continued their day as usual. UPDATE 4:10 pm: Terre Haute Police Department confirmed that the situation in the 2200 block of Berne Avenue stemmed from a domestic battery incident. Sergeant Justin Sears says that when officers responded to the residence, a history search showed that there had been violence with at least one of the people in the home, including threats with weapons. Those officers trained to do so backed up to create a perimeter and we tried to establish communication, which was refused by the occupants inside, Sears said. At that point, because of the previous history, because of the threats and possible weapons, our Special Response Team responded there to provide resources and a little extra training that the patrol guys needed a little help with. The Special Response Team attempted to establish communication by speaking on a megaphone, but Sears says unsuccessful attempts led to other measures being taken. We breached the door at one point, we broke a couple windows to try to get a visual or to make communication a little bit easier, all of that was using less-lethal rounds like that, Sears said. We used a drone inside as well as a robot, we didnt have to put any policemen in danger, and we were able to ascertain a lot of information from that to keep our people safe. After more than two hours of waiting, the standoff came to an end with no injuries. Police say while the event is still under investigation, Steven R. Henderson, 51, of Terre Haute has been arrested for Resisting Law Enforcement. Original 9:30 am: The Terre Haute Police Department has sent out a message letting residents know to avoid the area of the 2200 block of Berne Avenue. The Terre Haute Police Department is at a home in the Terre Town subdivision. Vigo County School Corporation confirmed that it was placed on a secure hold out of precaution due to the proximity to Terre Town Elementary School. In an emailed statement, THPD SGT. Justin Sears said the incident is several blocks away from the school. WTWO had a reporter en route to this developing story. WTWO will update this story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. College Dropouts Build $2M Real Estate Portfolio With Few Hundred Dollars In Savings After Reading 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. High school friends Caleb Hommel and Chuck Sotelo got the idea to start investing in real estate after reading "Rich Dad Poor Dad" while taking online classes in college. "My mom told me to try out Rich Dad Poor Dad' and I thought it was really cool so I gave it to Caleb. That's when we decided that real-estate investing is the way to go, but we weren't sure exactly how we were going to go about it," Sotelo told Insider last year. Trending Now: A billion-dollar investment strategy with minimums as low as $10 you can become part of the next big real estate boom today . This is a paid advertisement. Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fundrise Flagship Fund before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund's prospectus. Read them carefully before investing. This billion-dollar fund has invested in the next big real estate boom, here's how you can join for $10. This is a paid advertisement. Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fundrise Flagship Fund before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund's prospectus. Read them carefully before investing. The duo had zero experience and close to zero dollars in their bank accounts. With just a couple hundred dollars each, they signed up for a mentorship program and began working for DoorDash to keep up with their monthly dues. That's when they realized they wanted to target multifamily properties. A mentor in the program had advised them to spend a lot of time finding the best deal possible. One semester into college, Hommel and Sotelo decided to drop out so they could fully focus on searching for their first property. In order to get the best deal possible, the duo targeted real estate markets in Florida and Texas that met three requirements. It needed to be a multifamily property, it needed to be occupied by tenants and the seller had to be willing to offer seller financing (a real estate agreement that allows the buyer to make incremental payments to the seller on the purchase). Read More: Story continues Seller financing was a must because there weren't any banks willing to give loans to a couple of college dropouts making about $400 a month from DoorDash. After about 500 phone calls over a six-month period, the duo finally landed their first deal: a 10-unit building in Texas for $900,000. They raised $90,000 for a down payment from family, friends and other real estate investors by offering 8% interest annually. The pair reached out to "anybody and everybody" to gauge interest, Hommel said. They structured the deal so that they could buyout the investors at a certain point down the line, which means Hommel and Sotelo will eventually own the property outright even though they didn't put any of their own money down. The pair used the exact same approach to acquire two more properties in recent years: an eight-unit building for $700,000 and a 10-unit building for $725,000. As of 2023, the duo owned 28 units across three properties together. "Anybody can get started in real estate," Hommel says. "It's just going out there and taking action." You Can Profit From Real Estate Without Owning Property The current high-interest-rate environment has created an incredible opportunity for income-seeking investors to earn massive yields and you don't have to own property to do it... The Arrived Homes investment platform has created a 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 College Dropouts Build $2M Real Estate Portfolio With Few Hundred Dollars In Savings After Reading 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' originally appeared on Benzinga.com Not for the first time, there are mixed messages emanating from the Kremlin. The Russian president said he supports Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, while the Kremlins extensive propaganda machine is apparently very much behind Donald Trump. In comments at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Sept. 5, Vladimir Putin praised Harris's "infectious" laugh, adding it "means that everything is fine with her." "Trump has imposed as many sanctions on Russia as any president has ever imposed before, and if Harris is doing well, perhaps she will refrain from such actions," he said. "(Joe) Biden recommended all his supporters support Ms. Harris. Here, we are going to do that too, we're going to support her," he added. Putin's comments, delivered with a wry smile, are at odds with multiple reports and intelligence assessments that have concluded Russia's propaganda machine has backed Trump since the 2016 U.S. presidential election and is working to help him get reelected this fall. "I think he's joking," John Foreman CBE, the U.K.'s former defense attache in Moscow from 2019 to 2022, told the Kyiv Independent. US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks on the fourth and last day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, US on Aug. 22, 2024. (Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images) While the intention behind Putin's words and their delivery were obvious to some, they appeared to be lost on others not least, Trump himself. Judging by his evolving comments over two days, Trump seems to have taken Putin's remarks seriously. "I dont know exactly what to say about that. I dont know if Im insulted or he did me a favor?" he told a crowd in New York on Sept. 6. A day later he'd hardened his position, telling a rally in Wisconsin that he was "very offended." "I knew Putin. I knew him well. I dont know if you saw the other day, he endorsed Kamala," he said. "He endorsed Kamala. I was very offended by that." Several prominent commentators also appeared to take the comments at face value. U.S. actor James Wood, a fiercely pro-Trump personality with more than 4 million followers on X, posted a clip of the video, saying Putin had endorsed Harris and was "barely able to hide his glee at the prospect." Another pro-Trump account with 285,000 followers claimed the clip showed that "If you vote for Kamala Harris, you are voting in support of Vladimir Putin." While Trump and his supporters appear upset over Putin's comments, there's ample evidence that despite the Russian president's outward remarks, the Kremlin would actually much prefer him in the White House over Harris. Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump departs the stage after speaking during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, US on Aug. 23, 2024. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images) The prospect of Trump's reelection is causing concern in Ukraine as signals from his close circle indicate he might seek to pressure Kyiv toward ceding territory and other concessions to achieve peace. The worries only grew after the ex-president picked JD Vance, a Senator from Ohio who is a vocal critic of the Ukraine aid, as a running mate. "Given the political realities of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine it seems to make a lot more sense that Trump would benefit Putin's future goals in the conflict, as well as undermine America's effort to respond to Russian aggression, both overt and covert," Eliot Higgins, founder of the investigative journalism outlet Bellingcat, told the Kyiv Independent. "Putin's endorsement is more likely just an attempt to cause drama than a reflection of his actual opinions." For a better understanding of the Kremlin's hopes for the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, a more accurate picture can be gleaned from looking at Russia's state propaganda operations. Citing a senior U.S. intelligence official, Reuters reported on Sept. 6 that Russian state media channel RT "has built and used networks of U.S. and other Western personalities to create and disseminate Russia-friendly narratives." "These actors, among others, are supporting Moscow's efforts to influence voter preferences in favor of the former president (Trump) and diminish the prospects of the vice president (Harris)." More details of this influence campaign were revealed when the U.S. Treasury Department designated 10 individuals and two entities as part of a Russian-coordinated propaganda campaign, nicknamed "Doppelganger." The Justice Department said the campaign included funding an unnamed Tennessee-based company, which the U.S. media identified as Tenet Media, an outlet hosting prominent right-wing, pro-Trump commentators like Benny Johnson and Tim Pool. Russia has previously been accused of using social media disinformation, bot farms, and other means to back Trump against his Democratic opponents Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden during the 2016 and 2020 elections. U.S. intelligence officials said they "have not observed a shift in Russia's preferences for the presidential race from past elections." Read also: Despite hype around Ukrainian weapons tech, foreign investors remain gun-shy Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Putin is not currently interested in Western media interviews, Kremlin says MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin is not currently interested in granting an interview to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was freed from Russian prison last month, nor with any other Western media outlets, the Kremlin said on Monday. Gershkovich, who was convicted in Russia of espionage charges which he, his newspaper, and Washington strongly denied, asked the Kremlin leader for an interview as he was being released in a major East-West prisoner swap on Aug. 1, the Wall Street Journal reported. Asked on Monday if there was an answer to Gershkovich's request, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "So far, we are not interested in such an interview. "In order for there to be an interview with foreign media, and a specific one at that, we need to have an occasion. So far we don't see such an occasion." Many Western journalists have quit Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Gershkovich, who was based outside Russia but continued to travel to the country, was arrested in March 2023 in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip. The first U.S. journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War, Gershkovich, was jailed for 16 years in July after a court found him guilty of gathering secret information on the orders of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency about a company that manufactures Russian tanks sent to Ukraine. In February, Putin gave a rare interview to U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson, in which he said Moscow was prepared to fight for its interests "to the end" but had no interest in a wider war. (Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) Reporters pressed a State Department spokesman for information about Israels investigation into the killing of an American woman whose family says she was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper on Monday but received no details from the Biden administration. Instead, Vedant Patel was unable to offer evidence for why Aysenur Eygis family should be confident in the pace or veracity of an Israeli-led investigation as journalists found no answers to questions about when an investigation would be completed, whether eyewitnesses would be interviewed, or whether the US would take any action to ensure that the truth came out. Patel was questioned on Monday at the State Departments daily news briefing about the killing of Eygi on Friday near Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Tensions and violence in the occupied territory have skyrocketed in recent months as the Israeli military assault on Gaza has continued and Isareli forces have clashed with militants in neighboring Lebanon as well. In the West Bank, much of the violence has been fueled by a right-wing settler movement accused of violating international law and seizing land from Palestininian families. On Friday, that violence escalated during a protest and an American-born activist, Aysenur Eygi, was killed. An autopsy was carried out by local medical officials, who have told news outlets that Eygi was killed by a single bullet to the head. Patel was specifically asked at Mondays briefing about Presdent Joe Bidens vow that America would respond if a US citizen was targeted anywhere in the world. "What the president was talking about was a terrorist attack or a direct attack from a state or non-state actor, Patel responded. But the State Departments deputy spokesman would only repeat himself: The US government would not interfere in the process carried out by Israels government to determine what had happened, and he would not get ahead of that process in the coming days. Patel was also asked by The Intercepts Prem Thakker how the US could instill confidence in an Israeli investigation given the lack of a conclusion in the official investigation into the killing of Hind Rejab, a six-year-old girl, and members of her family by Israeli forces in January. Rejabs death came after a vehicle carrying her and her family was fired upon by an Israeli tank; medical officials were also reportedly blocked from rendering aid. The State Department spokesman said only that the US would continue raising the issue of these investigations with Israeli officials. Our partners in Israel have indicated that they are conducting a process and they will make public their findings... Again, we expect that to happen as swiftly as possible, said Patel. His responses drew an angry rebuke from Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American member of Congress and a member of the left flank of the presidents party. Dear Americans, If you are killed by the Israeli government, our country won't care, wrote the Michigan congresswoman. No one will be held accountable. It doesn't matter who you are, Israel can kill Americans and get away with it. Separately, national security council (NSC) spokesman John Kirby told reporters at the White House press briefing Monday that the president had not yet been in touch with the family of Eygi, as he had with other families of Americans affected by the war in Gaza including the families of Americans held hostage by Hamas militants. Eygis family said in a statement obtained by CNN that an Israeli-led investigation would not be sufficient to accurately determine the truth, and called on the Biden administration to launch an independent probe. We welcome the White Houses statement of condolences, but given the circumstances of Aysenurs killing, an Israeli investigation is not adequate, read the statement reported by CNN. We call on President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary of State Blinken to order an independent investigation into the unlawful killing of a US citizen and to ensure full accountability for the guilty parties. A marijuana greenhouse. (Getty image) Since recreational cannabis was legalized in Rhode Island two years ago, potential retailers have wondered how they can get one of the two dozen pending licenses up for grabs. Would it be through a merit-based system like Maine and Vermont? Or a random lottery like when medical licenses were expanded in 2021? State regulators want to do both. The three-member Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission on Friday unanimously gave preliminary approval to a hybrid selection process once it approves the final regulations governing the states fledgling cannabis sector. The proposal was presented by the commissions chief legal counsel Mariana Ormonde, who said it avoids some of the legal and economic challenges that have plagued states that followed a strictly merit-based system, such as Illinois, New Jersey, and New York. If you take one thing away from my feelings about this, it is to avoid further delay for the industry, Commission Chair Kimberly Ahern said during Fridays meeting. It is what I have heard over, and over, and over again. Under the plan, applicants would first be screened based on qualifications such as ability and readiness for licensure, according to the presentation given to commissioners. There would then be a lottery to choose the license winners but only in zones where the demand for retail licenses outweighs the available supply. Under the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, retail licenses must be spread throughout six geographic zones, with a maximum of four stores per zone. Of those four, two are reserved for a social equity applicant and a workers cooperative. Its been a slow road for the state to establish its recreational cannabis market. The three-member commission was established in June 2023 just a little over a year after the Rhode Island Cannabis Act was passed. Commissioners spent last summer on a listening tour, hearing the concerns of community members and cannabis workers, which include ensuring the commission prioritizes social equity measures. Over the summer, draft regulations were adopted in a piecemeal fashion, including the recent adoption of new packaging and labeling rules. But until new rules are finalized, the states 24 additional retail licenses cant be awarded which has left many cultivators waiting for new places to sell their products. State cannabis regulators used a lottery system in 2021 to award six new medical marijuana dispensary licenses, which in turn were allowed to start recreational sales the following year. That lottery wasnt without its critics. That last round, there were people who were probably not the most ready who were able to get licenses, Andre Dev, a founding member of the cooperative PVD Flowers, said in an interview Monday. PVD Flower registered with the Secretary of States office in February 2023. Rhode Island would not be alone in operating in having a hybrid application process, as Connecticut has done so since it legalized recreational cannabis in 2021. In neighboring Massachusetts, which has no cap on retail licenses, prospective businesses are required to get local planning and zoning approval before they go before the states Cannabis Control Commission. Its basically apply, and you get it, Chris Fevry, a Massachusetts Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board member, said in an interview Monday. Such a practice has made the cannabis market in Massachusetts oversaturated. Keeping a random lottery is meant to eliminate the appearance of favoritism, outside influence, inside advantage, bias and corruption, according to the presentation given to commissioners. Fevry, who is looking to open his own retail business in Rhode Island, said he would prefer if new retailers were chosen strictly on merit. The purpose should be to create an industry with the best operators, he said. What does merit actually look like? Fridays presentation did not offer details on what readiness qualifications would be part of the initial screening of license applicants though there were offhand references to local approvals and access to capital. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 238 organizer Emma Karnes told Rhode Island Current she thinks those standards are fine for a typical business, but that it could exclude a lot of social equity and worker cooperative applicants. Only people with deep pockets will be able to enter that lottery, she said. Fridays presentation did not include an estimate of the fee to enter the license lottery. Under the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, retail operations must pay a fee of $125,000 to the Department of Business Regulation (DBR) in order to sell adult-use recreational marijuana, along with paying a yearly $30,000 licensing fee (the initial fee was $500,000). The statute on social equity includes many definitions on what constitutes a disproportionately impacted area. Under the Rhode Island cannabis act, it can be determined by federal poverty level, unemployment rate, how many kids in a free lunch program, and historic arrest rates. But that definition has been open to interpretation, as many activists say its filled with loopholes that can be exploited by those who dont need the help. Karnes said if the state truly values social equity, then it should create separate and higher standards for those limited licenses. But that also requires a more narrow definition of what it means to be a social equity applicant. As of now its a little too broad, said Dev, who is of South Asian ancestry. Im a medical doctor who lives on the East Side of Providence technically, I can count as a social equity applicant, and thats not fair. Once language is clarified, Fevry suggested the commission alternate approving social equity and standard retail licenses similar to whats done in Boston. As soon as they set something up like that, it slows the market rollout, which is in the best interest for everyone, Fevry said. The commissions 18-member Cannabis Advisory Board is expected to discuss social equity criteria at its next meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Race for the Senate heats up in Florida Democratic candidate Debbie Mucarsel Powell was greeting voters in Orlando Sunday as she hits the campaign trail a few weeks before the general elections. We are putting in the work. We have to reach the voters where they are, said Mucarsel-Powell. The Democrat is trying to win over voters as she hopes to take one of the senate seats available this time around. Mucarsel-Powell is up against Senator Rick Scott, whos trying to hold on to his seat for another term. Its a neck-and-neck race - a recent poll released by Emerson College shows Rick Scott leading by one percentage point getting 46% percent of likely voters, against 45-percent to Mucarsel-Powell. Read: Tropical Storm Francine forms in the Gulf of Mexico 9% of voters said they are undecided. This year, aside from its traditional position as a battleground state in the presidential race, Florida also has two key issues on the ballot - abortion access and legalization of recreational cannabis. Read: Doing what I can to stay cancer free: Princess Kate finishes chemotherapy At the national stage, all eyes on the upcoming debate. At his rally in Central Wisconsin, former president Donald Trump offered a potential preview of attack lines, accusing the Vice President of covering up an issue around president Bidens health, but also spending much of his speech attacking immigrantion. Meanwhile, Harris took a break from the debate prep in Pittsburgh. The presidential debate is set for Tuesday, September 10th at 9 pm. You can watch it on Channel 9. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Races to watch in the New Hampshire, Delaware and Rhode Island primaries Voters in New Hampshire, Delaware and Rhode Island will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in the last round of statewide and congressional primaries before November. In the Granite State, voters will pick their favorites to go head-to-head in the gubernatorial election to replace outgoing Gov. Chris Sununu (R). Democrats are also closely watching the primary between former Biden official Maggie Goodlander and former New Hampshire Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern to replace retiring Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.). Over in Delaware, each party has three members vying for their partys respective nod in the race to become the states next leader, as Gov. John Carney (D) is term-limited. (Louisiana technically has the last set of primaries, which take place on Election Day, Nov. 5. They operate as open, rather than closed, primaries this cycle.) Heres a look at five races to watch in the New Hampshire, Delaware and Rhode Island primaries: Race to replace Chris Sununu The race to become New Hampshires governor, replacing Sununu after four terms, has largely narrowed to two Democrats and two Republicans. Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig and New Hampshire Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington are the Democratic front-runners while former Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and former New Hampshire Senate President Chuck Morse are the two main GOP contenders. Recent polls have shown Ayotte, who is also a former state attorney general, maintaining a comfortable lead over Morse, who also ran for Senate in 2022 and lost in the GOP primary. Ayotte has Sununus endorsement, in addition to other prominent Republicans in the state like former GOP Gov. Craig Benson and former GOP Sen. Judd Gregg (N.H.). Meanwhile, Morse has received the backing of former Senate President Tom Eaton (R), former House Majority Leader Jack Flanagan (R) and a slew of current and past state lawmakers. Looming over the race, however, is whether Donald Trump will make a last-minute endorsement. Morse has sought to align himself more closely to the former president and suggested Ayotte is insufficiently conservative. But Ayotte has also attacked Morse, saying he sounds like a Democrat during a recent debate after Morse attacked her background at Blackstone. Recent polling has also shown Craig beating Warmington. The opioid epidemic has become a flashpoint in the race, with Craig targeting Warmington in advertising over Warmingtons prior lobbying for Purdue Pharma, which made OxyContin and has taken a share of blame for the epidemic. Warmingtons campaign, meanwhile, has aired advertising attacking Craig over her handling of Manchesters opioid crisis and homelessness. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the seat a toss up. Democrats duke it out for Kusters seat Two Democrats are running for the partys nod to replace Kuster after November: Goodlander, a former Biden official who served as counsel during Trumps first impeachment and is married to national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and Van Ostern, former New Hampshire executive councilor and former campaign manager for Kuster. Recent public polling has shown Goodlander leading Van Ostern, though Van Ostern does have Kusters endorsement. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton has endorsed Goodlander. The primary also had at times grown testy, particularly during a debate between the two last week, in which they attacked one another over reproductive access and their previous work experience. More than a dozen Republicans are also running for Kusters seat. Cook Political Report rates her seat likely Democrat. Campaign filings scandal rocks Delaware governors race The gubernatorial race in the First State has attracted three Democrats and three Republican, since Carney is term-limited (and is instead running to be the next mayor of Wilmington). Delaware Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, former Delaware Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Collin OMara and New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer are running on the Democratic side. A flashpoint in the Democratic primary has revolved around an audit of Hall-Longs campaign filings released this summer. The audit found that the campaigns account of expenditures in its public campaign finance reporting incomplete, inconsistent, and often inaccurate, leading to an unreliable picture of its financial affairs and that close to $300,000, which was paid to her husband and campaign treasurer Dana Long, had not been reported on her filings. The report, however, has not led to criminal charges. Mara suggested that an apolitical independent counsel review the findings while Meyer has pushed for a federal investigation, according to Delaware Online. Hall-Long, who has Carneys endorsement, said in a statement after the report that her family has never benefited from my time in public office and noted nothing was going to be referred to the Delaware state attorney general, according to WHYY. Three Republicans are also running for Delaware governor, though Cook Political Report rates the seat solid Democrat. McBride set to make history in Congress Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride (D) is running to replace Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) as the states at-large House member and shes set to make history, not only in her state but across the country. If McBride prevails in her Democratic primary against two other candidates on Tuesday and wins her election in November, she would be the first openly transgender member to serve in the Capitol. McBride already has the key advantage of having Blunt Rochesters endorsement, in addition to the backing of Sens. Tom Carper (D) and Chris Coons (D). Military veteran and businesswoman Donyale Hall and John Whalen III, who served in the Delaware Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police, are running on the GOP side. President Biden won the state by roughly 20 points in 2020, making whoever wins in the Democratic primary on Tuesday the heavy favorite in the fall. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Boise man arrested Friday has been accused of helping to lead an online network of would-be and committed white supremacist terrorists with members in countries around the globe. From a residence in Boise, Matthew Allison, 37, is accused of fostering a loosely connected online haven for extremists seeking to incite a race war. His tactics included splicing adulatory videos about prior terror attacks and compiling detailed how-to guides that included the nuts and bolts of how to make bombs and chemical weapons, how to find a suitable target and how not to get caught, according to a Department of Justice indictment and news release. In pursuit of ways to accelerate violent clashes around the globe to speed up the creation of a white ethnostate, the conspirators looked to radicalize new recruits and incentivize their violent ideations, calling attackers saints and promising to commemorate those who succeeded, authorities said. One document that was in the works, called the Saint Encyclopedia, included mugshots of white supremacist killers and still photographs from a shooters 2019 livestream of a Christchurch, New Zealand, massacre, which killed 51 Muslims attending prayer services. The network of communications channels, group chats and archives was built on the social media app Telegram and is known as Terrorgram. The activities on the platform and charges against Allison and alleged co-conspirator Dallas Humber, of Elk Grove, California, were detailed in a 37-page indictment released by the Justice Department on Monday. The Telegram web was replete with instructional manuals for how to make bombs, videos valorizing past attacks motivated by racist ideologies, detailed instructions for targeting important infrastructure and words of encouragement for any would-be attackers. Here are some of the international terrorist attacks that federal authorities linked to Allison and Humber, and documented in the indictment. Slovakia A 19-year-old Slovakian killed two people and injured a third in a shooting at an LGBTQ+ bar in Bratislava in October 2022. He then killed himself. Before the attack, the shooter authored a manifesto and sent it to Allison, thanking Terrorgram for inspiring and guiding him. A section of Recommended Reading included one of the Terrorgrams documents, which the shooter called a practical guide to carrying out their agenda. Humber later created an audiobook version of the manifesto. Before his attack, the shooter had been in frequent conversation with Allison online, and was celebrated by him in reposts after the killings. New Jersey In July, an 18-year-old was arrested for allegedly plotting to attack an electrical substation in New Jersey. He had been an active member of Allison and Humbers Telegram group chats, and had thanked other members for sending him accelerationist propaganda videos created or spread by Allison. One of Allisons videos had recommended a particular method to break an electrical transformer; the New Jersey attacker recommended that an accomplice who turned out to be an undercover agent use the same method. Turkey In mid-August, an 18-year-old from Turkey was arrested in the stabbing of five people outside a mosque in a city southeast of Istanbul. He wrote in his manifesto that he had used Terrorgrams documents to plan his attack, and also shared the 2022 manifesto of the Slovakian attacker. In a separate instance last December, Allison encouraged another user who had expressed his plans to commit a mass shooting, the indictment said. Wish you the best in everything homie, Allison wrote to him. Allison also allegedly helped manage a list of people targeted for assassinations, including an unnamed U.S. senator, a federal district judge and a former U.S. attorney. The list included officials names, photographs and home addresses. Allisons arrest came less than two weeks after authorities in France detained Telegrams billionaire founder, Pavel Durov, on charges connected to the illicit networks that have been created on the app. The arrest came as part of a wide-ranging investigation into illegal activity on the platform, according to news reports. An Elk Grove woman arrested Friday has been accused of helping to lead an online network of would-be and committed white supremacist terrorists with members in countries around the globe. Dallas Erin Humber, 34, is accused of fostering a loosely connected online haven for extremists seeking to incite a race war. In pursuit of ways to accelerate violent clashes around the globe to speed up the creation of a white ethnostate, the conspirators looked to radicalize new recruits and incentivize their violent ideations, calling attackers saints and promising to commemorate those who succeeded, authorities said. One document that was in the works, called the Saint Encyclopedia, included mugshots of white supremacist killers and still photographs from a shooters 2019 livestream of a Christchurch, New Zealand, massacre, which killed 51 Muslims attending prayer services. The network of communications channels, group chats and archives was built on the social media app Telegram and is known as Terrorgram. The activities on the platform and charges against alleged co-conspirator Matthew Allison, a 37-year-old Boise resident, were detailed in a 37-page indictment released Monday by the Justice Department. The Telegram web was replete with instructional manuals for how to make bombs, videos valorizing past attacks motivated by racist ideologies, detailed instructions for targeting important infrastructure and words of encouragement for any would-be attackers. Humber appeared Monday in federal court in downtown Sacramento on Monday, where a public defender entered not guilty pleas on her behalf. Allison is scheduled to appear in court in Idaho on Tuesday afternoon. Here are some of the international terrorist attacks that federal authorities linked to Allison and Humber, and documented in the indictment. Slovakia A 19-year-old Slovakian killed two people and injured a third in a shooting at an LGBTQ+ bar in Bratislava in October 2022. He then killed himself. Before the attack, the shooter authored a manifesto and sent it to Allison, thanking Terrorgram for inspiring and guiding him. A section of Recommended Reading included one of the Terrorgrams documents, which the shooter called a practical guide to carrying out their agenda. Humber later created an audiobook version of the manifesto. Humber one day after the shooting posted a New Saint Announcement thanking the 19-year-old and calling him Terrorgrams very first Saint. Before his attack, the shooter had been in frequent conversation with Allison and Humber online, prosecutors wrote. New Jersey In July, an 18-year-old was arrested for allegedly plotting to attack an electrical substation in New Jersey. He had been an active member of Allison and Humbers Telegram group chats, and had thanked other members for sending him accelerationist propaganda videos created or spread by Allison. Humber in January sent the 18-year-old an audiobook of a manifesto she had narrated in response to the attacker asking for a recommended documentary. One of Allisons videos had recommended a particular method to break an electrical transformer; the New Jersey attacker recommended that an accomplice who turned out to be an undercover agent use the same method. Turkey In mid-August, an 18-year-old from Turkey was arrested in the stabbing of five people outside a mosque in a city southeast of Istanbul. He wrote in his manifesto that he had used Terrorgrams documents to plan his attack, and also shared the 2022 manifesto of the Slovakian attacker. Humber in a post after the stabbing wrote: He included the Terrogram books and other Saint manifestos in his file dump, gives shoutouts to the other Saints in his manifesto ... But hes not White so I cant give him an honorary title. We still celebrating his attack tho, he did it for Terrorgram. In a separate instance last December, Allison encouraged another user who had expressed his plans to commit a mass shooting, the indictment said. Wish you the best in everything homie, Allison wrote to him. Humber and Allison also allegedly helped manage a list of people targeted for assassinations, including an unnamed U.S. senator, a federal district judge and a former U.S. attorney. The list included officials names, photographs and home addresses. Humber and Allisons arrests came less than two weeks after authorities in France detained Telegrams billionaire founder, Pavel Durov, on charges connected to the illicit networks that have been created on the app. The arrest came as part of a wide-ranging investigation into illegal activity on the platform, according to news reports. The Sacramento Bees Ishani Desai and Michael McGough contributed to this story. ATLANTA, Ga. (WSAV) In January 2024, Georgia joined other state regulators in filing an enforcement action against GSB Group and related entities to stop selling allegedly illegal investment products. Now, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and the Securities Division of the Secretary of States (SDSS) office announced a settlement against GSB Gold Standard Corporation AG, a German company purportedly operating in the financial and banking technology industry. They said that this settlement will ensure that Georgians will receive a return of all investments deposited with GSB Group or GSB Partners. Trains will transport most cars made at Hyundai plant, company says If you live in Georgia, and you purchased any product or service from GSB Group, said Assistant Commissioner of Securities Noula Zaharis, please reach out to us as soon as possible. We can help you begin preparing for the claims process. They said that communications with the Georgia Secretary of States Securities Division are protected and deemed confidential as a matter of law. The state said that Georgia was a core member of the working group that investigated this GSB Group and took part in the action in October 2023 that looked into the actions taken and investments offered by GSB Group. The settlement named Josip Heit, the alleged owner and Chairman, and other entities collectively known as GSB Group. Today, the state announces the execution of a term sheet for the settlement. The resolution was driven, in part, by the opportunity to provide significant financial relief to clients of GS Partners and other members of GSB Group. Georgians and residents of other participating jurisdictions who deposited principal with the respondents will be eligible to receive the value of their deposits, less the value of any withdrawals, the state said. They also said that the investigation focused on the alleged sale of Elemental and Success Series Certificates, where purchasers were allegedly incentivized through gamification to continue to add more and more principal to their certificates to unlock variously passive income features, such as the payment of weekly or monthly passive income. Google faces a new antitrust trial after ruling declaring search engine a monopoly The settlement applies to all products and services sold by the respondents, including G999 token, a digital asset deployed on a proprietary blockchain tied to physical gold; XLT Vouchers, a digital asset purportedly representing ownership interests in a skyscraper; the staking pool in the metaverse which was known as Lydian World and Elemental and Success Series Certificates, as long as the investments were purchased from GSB Group or Partners. As our securities markets rapidly evolve and many legitimate firms offer cutting-edge investments, said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, theres also a growing number of unscrupulous entities who are preying on unwitting Georgians. Sellers of allegedly illegal securities are using copycat tactics to deceive the public. Theyre on notice. This settlement should effectively make many, many Georgians whole, added Raffensperger. The state said that Secretary Raffensperger strongly encourages Georgians who deposited fiat currency or digital assets with the respondents to begin preparations by contacting the Securities Division at registrations@sos.ga.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. When will I receive my Nov. 5 general election ballot in Vermont? The Nov. 5 general election is less than two months away. But for registered voters who dont want to wait that long, early voting which begins as soon as ballots are available is right around the corner. The Vermont Secretary of States Office is in the process of mailing absentee ballots for the general election to all active registered voters in the Green Mountain State, Director of Elections Sean Sheehan said in an email. Ballots to overseas and uniformed voters will be sent first and mailed in batches between Sept. 9 and Sept. 21. The Secretary of States Office will send ballots for all other registered voters between Sept. 23 and Oct. 1. Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center served once again as Burlington's Ward 7 polling station for the Aug. 13, 2024 statewide primary election. Depending on mail service, they could arrive the second week of October, Sheehan said. You can track your ballots batch at mvp.vermont.gov. Contact your town clerk for questions regarding early and absentee voting. For further assistance, email the Elections Division at sos.elections@vermont.gov or call 800-439-VOTE. Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: What to know about voting early in the November general election Mario Draghi, the former head of the European Central Bank and Italys ex-prime minister, has presented his long-awaited report on the European economy. It outlines goals as well as ominous warnings regarding the future of the bloc if action is not taken to address the EU's economic obstacles. Talking to reporters in Brussels, Draghi remarked that for the first time since the Cold War we must genuinely fear for our self-preservation. Draghi is largely credited with handling the Eurozone debt crisis between 2009-2010. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commissioned the report from Draghi around a year ago. Main takeaways The report calls for a major reorientation of economic policy and huge investments into the European economy. Draghi says these steps are necessary to prevent the EU from falling further behind the US and China. Some of these recommendations include loosening competition rules to allow for market consolidation in various sectors, integrating capital markets by centralising market supervision, joint procurement in the defence sector and a new trade agenda to increase the blocs economic independence. A coordinated push towards decarbonisation will also be necessary. According to Draghi, strengthening the EUs competitiveness will require 750-800b ($828-883bn) in additional annual investments, equivalent to 4.4-4.7% of EU GDP. It would be the highest investment-to-GDP ratio in Europe since the 1970s. He acknowledged that it would be hard for the private sector alone to foot the bill for this stimulus, therefore some form of common funding would be needed. The common funding would also be used to back public goods such as common energy infrastructure and defence spending. Early reactions Draghi resisted saying his recommendations were the only path forward, but said that its: Do this, or its a slow agony. He added, We have reached the point where, without action, we will have to either compromise our welfare, our environment or our freedom. Europe is already facing economic stagnation, a war on its border and the rise of far-right parties across the continent. However, the prospect of common EU debt given the existing issues is an absolute non-starter, according to one EU diplomat. Germany's Finance Minister Christian Lindner has been quick to reject this proposal as well, saying that the pooling of risks and liability creates democratic and fiscal problems. He emphasised, "Germany will not agree to this." "Draghi calls for 800bn investment in the EU amid existential challenges " was originally created and published by Investment Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand. Story continues 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. (NewsNation) A record-breaking number of noncitizen sex offenders have been arrested in Marylands largest city, Baltimore Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed to NewsNation. According to the departments Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), a total of 161 offenders have been taken into custody this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. That tramples its previous record of 152, with three of the newest arrests coming from Thursday alone. Aurora police: Gang has not taken over apartment complex The women and men of ERO Baltimore are the best in the business at locating and apprehending egregious noncitizen offenders, acting Baltimore ERO field office director Matthew Elliston told NewsNation in a statement. I am extremely proud of our officers, and the 161 noncitizen sex offenders arrested is both impressive and monumental, Elliston added. What we find most rewarding, however, is that tonight there are 161 victims that no longer have to live in fear. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. (left to right) Cody Roberts and Adrian Burris, both 4D Recovery employees, visit on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at the grand opening of the nonprofit's recovery housing program in northeast Portland. The new facility will serve 40 people. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle) (left to right) Cody Roberts and Adrian Burris, both 4D Recovery employees, visit on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at the grand opening of the nonprofit's recovery housing facility in northeast Portland. The new facility will serve 40 residents. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle) In northeast Portland, a new recovery housing facility will keep 40 people off the citys streets and accountable to others as they journey away from drug addiction to sobriety. 4D Recovery, a nonprofit in Portland, is launching a housing facility that, in November, will start accepting people who are in treatment and need a support system to live on their own. The organization had a grand opening and tour of the three-story, 13,000-square-foot facility on Friday. Weigh in on Oregons drug addiction crisis The Oregon Capital Chronicle wants to hear from Oregonians affected by the states drug addiction crisis and from providers and others involved in treatment or other services. To share your thoughts and experiences here. The plans come amid a shifting landscape as Oregon looks for ways to curb fatal fentanyl overdoses, which killed about 1,400 Oregonians in 2023. Twenty eight Oregon counties, including Multnomah County, have launched or plan to start new deflection programs under House Bill 4002, which recriminalized low-level drug possession and allows counties to put deflection programs in place to divert people away from the court system and into programs that provide treatment and other recovery services. 4D Recoverys new facility is a reminder that the new county program will not serve or reach everyone battling drug addiction. Some of the future residents may be in a deflection program after being arrested for drug possession and others will not. People can enter treatment and recovery before a police officer interacts with them, which is a necessary step for deflection. The recovery house will offer a place for people to live for up to 12 months after they have been in a residential treatment facility, acting as a bridge to independent living. For some of the future residents, it will help them avoid homelessness or a prior living environment that pulled them into addiction. The journey of recovery takes time, so housing sites like this afford the opportunity for folks to take a step back and build that recovery, said Monta Knudson, a consultant for 4D Recovery. How it works Typically, residents will enter the recovery house with help from their residential treatment facility. Each one will have a single room with a bed, dresser and closet, with shared living spaces for preparing food and socializing. The facility will be staffed with two 24-hour house managers and three peer mentors will be assigned to work with residents. Peer mentors have overcome a drug addiction and can relate to people who face similar struggles. The housing will be free, but it will have requirements. Participants will need to have a treatment plan, join support group activities and have a plan for full independence. But the goal is to do more than simply help people stay off drugs. A full recovery also means developing a recovery identity with new friends and a new social network to replace their past identity. We give them time to formulate their recovery identity while working with a mentor to take them and introduce them to different groups and different people, said Cody Roberts, director of recovery services for 4D Recovery. Theyll figure out who they are. As the year progresses, they will get help securing employment or pursuing education and moving into permanent housing. 4D Recovery is a nonprofit with more than 100 employees in the Portland area. The organization runs recovery houses, recovery centers with social activities and plans to eventually launch clinics with treatment. The groups outreach workers meet people on Portland streets, sometimes through the countys deflection program and sometimes in other settings. CareOregon covers costs In early 2022, Ethos Development, a Portland developer, started to work on planning the new facility, which it owns. 4D Recovery leases the building from Ethos Development. Knudson, the consultant, said 4D Recovery has a five-year lease with an option to buy, which the nonprofit would like to do after raising the money. CareOregon, an Oregon Medicaid insurer, agreed to step in with funding so 4D Recovery can lease the building and run its program. CareOregon will pay $3.5 million during the next four years to cover the lease and other program costs. In an interview, Eric Hunter, president and CEO of CareOregon, said his organization focuses on helping communities accomplish new ideas rather than purchasing and owning buildings. We have the ability to help craft agendas and programs in partnership with people who can identify properties, who can say, Hey, you know, we need to help getting started, Hunter said in an interview. And thats where we like to play in this type of thing. Thats network effort. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (WTAJ) The American Red Cross announced that there is a critical call for blood and platelets. This month, the American Red Cross is working to stress the critical need for blood products so that it can ensure patient care. Donors of all blood types are asked to give as soon as possible to keep blood supply levels rising after a summer shortage. The Red Cross welcomes all donors, however, emphasizes the need for Type O blood and platelets. All who donate between Sept. 16-20, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Donors who participate Sept. 1-15 will receive an exclusive Red Cross shirt, while supplies last. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. As National Preparedness Month continues, the Red Cross said that having a strong supply of blood products on hand for disasters and emergencies of all kinds is important. To schedule a time to give blood or platelets, visit the Red Cross website, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor Application. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. An auctioneer found the painting stored in an attic during a visit to a private estate in Camden, Maine. Thomaston Auction Art appraiser and auctioneer Kaja Veilleuxwas was on a routine visit to a private estate in Camden, Maine, when he came across a 17th-century painting by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijnthe renowned Dutch Golden Age painterstored away in the attic. Labeled as Portrait of a Girl, the piece sold for $1.4 million in an auction. "On house calls, we often go in blind, not knowing what we'll find," Veilleux told the Associated Press. "The home was filled with wonderful pieces, but it was in the attic, among stacks of art, that we found this remarkable portrait." Painted on an oak panel and mounted in a hand-carved gold Dutch frame, the artwork depicts a young girl in traditional Dutch attire. A label on the rear of the portrait from when it was loaned to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1970 lists the artist and title. It was owned privately by the family since the 1920s, according to the Thomaston Place Auction Galleries. Related: During a Renovation, This Family Found 18th-Century Gold CoinsWorth $300,000Under Their Kitchen Floorboards Thomaston Place holds an annual Summer Grandeur sale and included the Rembrandt piece for auction. The three-day event featured an intense bidding war from bidders around the globe, as it "displayed impeccable preservation for its age," Veilleux explained. The painting was eventually sold for $1.4 milliona record-breaking sale for the business. This was a rare find in the States. "Usually they're found in Europe because that's where most of them were," Veilleux said in an interview with WMTW-TV of Portland, Maine. "But this one made its way to America." As for why it was hidden away in the attic, Veilleux told the New York Times, "That's part of the mystery." He added, "It's a good thing we found it. Anyone else wouldn't have known what to do with it." While Portrait of a Girl has yet to be authenticated, its value will likely increase. "The person who bought the painting for $1.4 million already got a great bargain," Mark Winter, an authentication expert, tells the Times. "We don't discover new paintings by Rembrandt every day." Read the original article on Martha Stewart. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ephraim Utah Temple in Ephraim on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, submitted a statement into the Congressional Record to honor President Nelsons 100th birthday. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Utah Rep. John Curtis submitted a statement into the Congressional Record to honor President Russell M. Nelsons 100th birthday. President Nelsons century of life has been marked by his service and leadership, said Curtis in a social media post. From his pioneering work in heart surgery to his dedication to his faith as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Nelsons legacy is one of devotion and compassion. Happy Birthday, President Nelson! Born on Sept. 9, 1924, President Nelson is the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After graduating from the University of Utah, Nelson went on to perform the first open-heart surgery in Utah on Nov. 9, 1955. On April 7, 1984, he was ordained an apostle and set apart as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. During his service as an apostle, he dedicated several countries including Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia for the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. President Nelson also dedicated the renovated Priesthood Restoration Site in Harmony, Pennsylvania. Then, on Jan. 14, 2018, he was set apart and ordained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ. He is a father of 10 and is married to Wendy Nelson. His first wife Dantzel Nelson died Feb. 12, 2005. The statement submitted to the Congressional Record reads in full: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Russell M. Nelson Day in my home state of Utah as well as President M. Nelsons 100th birthday. President Russell Marion Nelson was born on September 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City. While a student at the University of Utah, he met and married Dantzel White. They shared nearly sixty years together, raising ten children before Dantzels passing in 2005. He later married Wendy L. Watson in April 2006, and together they are grandparents to 57 and great-grandparents to over 100. President Nelson is an internationally renowned heart surgeon and medical researcher. Dr. Nelson received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah. He served his residency in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the University of Minnesota, where, in addition to earning his Ph.D., he served on the research team that developed the heart-lung machine which successfully aided the first human open-heart surgery in 1951. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and worked with surgeons focused on improving treatment methods for the wounded. He left with the rank of Captain. His accolades include the American Heart Associations Heart of Gold Award and the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement. He has held prestigious positions such as president of the Society for Vascular Surgery and chairman on the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery. Russell M. Nelson was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 7, 1984. He was called again, as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2018. Under his leadership, the church has played a large role in both domestic and international humanitarian aid efforts, with the faith often being among the first groups to respond with food, medical, and other practical aid for those enduring the effects of conflict and natural disaster. I again thank President Russell M. Nelson for a lifetime of achievement, service, and leadership and invite myself and my colleagues to look to his exemplary behavior as we find ways to better the lives of those we serve as members of Congress. Rep. Julie von Haefen Rep. Julie von Haefen - Photo: ncleg.gov For several years now, the Republican leadership of the North Carolina legislature has appropriated millions of dollars to the states network of so-called crisis pregnancy centers. The centers give the impression that they provide healthcare services, but critics argue that they do no such thing. Recently, in an effort to learn more about these groups and what they do with taxpayer dollars, State Rep. Julie von Haefen of Wake County paid a visit to one of the centers and last week, she joined NC Newsline to discuss what she learned, as well as some thoughts that she has on the state of our public education system at the start of the new school year. Rep. Nima Kulkarni, D-Louisville, prevailed in Franklin Circuit Court on Monday. (LRC Public Information) FRANKFORT Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd issued a ruling Monday afternoon that allows state Rep. Nima Kulkarni, a Louisville Democrat, to seek reelection in November after months of court battles that went to the state Supreme Court. However, the lawyer for a primary challenger has already filed another appeal. In his order, Shepherd wrote that it was not in the public interest for the Courts to intervene and dictate the result of this election and that doing so would effectively disenfranchise the voters of the District. In the circumstances of this case, the public interest requires denial of injunctive relief, which would thwart the will of the voters, as well as the will of the political party whose nomination is at issue, Shepherd wrote. Shepherds ruling is consistent with Secretary of State Michael Adams action in response to a state Supreme Court ruling that found that because of problems in her filing papers, Kulkarni was disqualified from the May primary election in the 40th House District. After that ruling, Adams declared a vacancy on the November ballot and invited political parties to submit nominees. Democrats in Louisville nominated Kulkarni. The Republicans did not nominate a candidate. On Monday, Shepherd denied Democratic primary challenger William Zeitzs request to be named as the qualifying candidate for the general election. Later in the day, Steven Megerle, the lawyer who sought to disqualify Kulkarni, said he submitted a request for an emergency review of Shepherds order to the Kentucky Court of Appeals. The appeals court recommended transferring the case to the Kentucky Supreme Court on Tuesday. Megerle called denying Zeitzs request the death penalty to his candidacy and that Kulkarni could have continued to seek office in other ways. She would have still been able to run as a write-in candidate had she been disqualified and the vacancy not declared by the secretary of state, Megerle said. In an unofficial vote count, Kulkarni received 78% of ballots cast in the May primary election. Zeitz received the remaining 22%. Megerle first represented former state Rep. Dennis Horlander, a Democrat defeated by Kulkarni in the 2018 and 2020 Democratic primaries for the 40th House District. Horlanders initial case was a challenge to the validity of Kulkarnis nomination papers, as one of the two signatories was not a registered Democrat, as required by state law, at the time of signing. In the Franklin Circuit case, Megerle represented Horlander and Zeitz the latest legal conundrum regarding the eligibility of Kulkarni. The pair joined together in suing election officials to challenge Adams declaration of a nominating vacancy. James Craig, an attorney for Kulkarni said that the outcome shows that elections matter. This district has chosen Rep. Kulkarni to be their agent in Frankfort, and their voices matter, Craig said. Well continue to defend them for as long as Mr. Horlander continues to try to set them aside. The various parties in the latest lawsuit all appeared before Shepherd Monday morning. Megerle sought an emergency injunction that would order Adams to put Zeitz on the ballot by issuing a certificate of nomination. Meanwhile, Craig argued that the Supreme Courts opinion on the matter of declaring a nominating vacancy was clear. He added that Kulkarni had been chosen twice to seek another term in office once by the unofficial votes cast in the primary and again when the local party nominated her for the general election. Michael Wilson, deputy general counsel for the secretary of state, told the court that Adams had acted in good faith based on direction from the Supreme Courts opinion. Wilson added the offices primary concern was printing ballots in a timely manner. The deadline to print ballots for the general election is Sept. 16. Monday is the deadline for the secretary of state to certify candidate names with local county clerks. The secretary of states office plans to follow the ruling of the court. This story was updated Tuesday afternoon. Yahoo Finance After China announced broad measures to rescue its economy, Chinese stocks surged, our Chart of the Week shows. It's not the first time the country has attempted to get out of the recent doldrums, but the market's reaction says this time might be different. The chamber's report also examines state property, sales and individual income tax, along with local impositions.(Getty Images) The Hoosier states tax system makes it less competitive in capital-intensive industries like manufacturing and life sciences, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce found in a report released Monday. Thats compared to 14 neighboring and competitive benchmark states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. Indiana has a higher effective tax rate for such businesses because it taxes personal property, according to the chamber. Property and business entity taxes impact these companies the most. The Indiana Chambers David Ober testifies about legislation on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) But the state is more competitive with headquarters because of its relatively low sales and business entity taxes which are a bigger part of the tax burden headquarters typically pay. Indiana ranks fifth lowest among benchmark states for total effective business tax rate at 3.8%, well below the U.S. average of 5.0%, said David Ober, senior vice president of business operations and finance, in a news release. We are well-positioned as a leader in overall business tax competitiveness. However, when you focus on specific industries for which Indiana is known, such as manufacturing and life sciences, the data shows opportunities for improvement, he continued. By addressing these areas, we can further sharpen our competitive advantage and continue to drive economic growth. The chambers report also examines state property, sales and individual income tax, along with local impositions. Ernst & Young, an Indianapolis-based consultancy, conducted the study. Other taxes The chamber found that Indianas total tax burden state and local has been consistently under the U.S. average. Hoosier taxes per capita totaled $5,600 in the 2022 fiscal year, compared to about $7,100 nationally. Indianas combined tax burden was about 9.6% of personal income, lower than the 10.8% U.S. average and in the middle of the benchmark states. Via Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Source: Ernst & Young LLP estimates based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances. But, the chamber said, Indiana stands out for getting a relatively high share of state and local revenue from individual income and sales tax, with a lower share from corporate income and other taxes. Thats without the option for a local sales tax. Property taxes have been a major Hoosier constituent complaint and political problem. They provided 23% of Indianas state and local revenue lower than the U.S. average of 29% and lower than 11 benchmark states. Our states tax climate is the result of sustained efforts over decades to build a strong, business-friendly environment, chamber President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders said. Indiana is well-positioned among our peers to attract capital investment and support long-term economic growth, she said. The data from phase one of this study highlights key opportunities for improvement, which will help us gain a competitive edge moving forward. Indiana Chamber President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders speaks on stage at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Its the first in a two-part examination of Indianas tax structure in comparison to the benchmark states; phase two is expected to offer tax reform recommendations. This study marks the first step in a larger effort, Sinders said. As we move forward, we will meet with key lawmakers, administration officials and local leaders across Indiana to ensure that the findings from phase one are used to drive policy decisions, she added. Our goal is to work collaboratively to shape policies that strengthen Indianas economic foundation and keep us ahead in the competitive landscape. Legislators will enter the biennial budget-writing session in January. Lawmakers are also considering long-term tax reform as part of a two-year task force. The tax study was informed by consultations with the chambers Tax Research Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from key business sectors, tax policy experts, consultants, some state agencies and economic development professionals. The chamber identified Ambassador Enterprises and AES Indiana as lead investors in the project. Other contributors were Maple Leaf Farms, bp America, dormakaba Americas, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Al & Kathy Hubbard, OneMain Financial and CountryMark. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A quarter of district leaders in a recent survey said chronic absenteeism has gotten so bad that none of their strategies are working, a problem some attribute to increased parental apathy about the importance of school since the pandemic. Most districts try to prevent chronic absenteeism through early warning systems that identify students who miss too much school, according to the report by the Rand Corp. Districts also conduct home visits, call families when students are out and hire staff who specifically address attendance. Researchers asked district leaders about four strategies for reducing chronic absenteeism. Creating an early warning system was the most common, but no method was considered the most effective. (Rand Corp.) But those efforts meet with pushback from parents. Some say, for example, that letters sent home nudging students to attend school are too harsh. Parents overall feelings about the importance of school have changed, said Jessica Hull, executive director of communication and community engagement for the Roseville City School District, outside Sacramento. Chronic absenteeism in the district has dropped from its pandemic high point of 26% to 11%, but that is still roughly double its pre-COVID rate. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Some students with family members outside of the U.S. can be gone for weeks at a time. Others frequently miss Fridays and Mondays, while some older children are tasked with caring for younger siblings. Im generally a very positive person, Hull said. But I dont know that well really dramatically change those things. Related Unlikely Ed Allies Join Forces to Cut Chronic Absenteeism in Half The report comes as more states are showing leadership on the issue. On Monday, Attendance Works, an advocacy and research organization, announced that 14 states have committed to cutting chronic absenteeism in half over five years in response to a challenge it issued in July along with the American Enterprise Institute and EdTrust. Chronic absenteeism peaked at 28% nationally in the 2021-22 school year. The Rand survey of nearly 200 district leaders estimates that rates dropped to about 19% last school year, but thats still above the pre-COVID level of 15%. In a statement, Hedy Chang, executive director of Attendance Works, said states are uniquely positioned to alert everyone to the size of this challenge. But the Rand report suggests district leaders feel a sense of urgency to reach families with children who miss the most school now. The leaders we interviewed were frustrated because there are chronically absent students for whom their interventions arent working, said Lydia Rainey, a researcher with the Center on Reinventing Public Education, which collaborated with Rand on the survey. Some of the leaders had ideas for new programs to try; others were at a loss for what to do next. No one talked about giving up. The authors urged districts to emphasize approaches that foster stronger relationships between students and staff an ingredient that even discouraged leaders say is the key to more successful strategies. Parents need to understand how poor attendance impacts their childrens academic performance, researchers said, and districts should collect better evidence on which methods make students want to come to school. The U.S. Department of Education last week encouraged similar strategies in new guidance for low-performing schools identified as part of states accountability systems. The public has until Oct. 4 to provide comments on the draft. In addition, a recently posted fact sheet from the Department of Transportation offers other ideas, like teaching students to ride bikes if transportation is unavailable. The Rand Corp. and Center on Reinventing Public Education survey estimates that chronic absenteeism dropped to 19% during the 2023-24 school year. Thats still higher than the pre-pandemic rate of 15%. (Rand Corp.) In its effort to address the problem, the Roseville City district supplies gas cards to families who cant afford to fill up and encourages transient and homeless families to transfer schools if their living situations have changed. One school that works at the beginning of the year might not be the school that works at the end of the year, Hull said. Lines of communication School leaders sometimes modify district-level practices to keep the connections with parents positive. In central Wyomings Fremont County district, for example, home-to-school liaisons call families when students miss too much school. But Katie Law, principal of Arapahoe Charter High School in the district, changed the title for these liaisons to student advocate so families see that it is an attempt to help. To comply with state laws and tribal codes, the district also sends letters and truancy citations to families of chronically absent students. But Law said those messages are often counterproductive. This just made relationships and trust between the school and the parents worse and led to students dropping out entirely, she said. It wasnt effective. Law has tried some of the conventional strategies Rand studied, but she has also added some home-grown ideas, like handing out prepaid phone cards so she can text students when theyre not in class. We can open those lines of communication instead of trying to find four different phone numbers that might be disconnected, she said. A monthly community day is one of the strategies Arapahoe Charter High School, in Wyomings Fremont County district, uses to reduce chronic absenteeism. (Courtesy of Katie Law) Food is another incentive. Once a month, the school holds a community day, including a giant potluck. Last week, students and staff made pancakes and volunteered at the local food bank. Kids start to feel that somebodys depending on them the way they depend on other people, Law said. It shows them that accountability. Tricky questions That mixture of approaches demonstrates how schools can connect with students socially. The next phase is ensuring families see an academic payoff as well, said Liz Cohen, policy director at FutureEd, a research center at Georgetown University. She recently examined a statewide effort to reduce chronic absenteeism in Rhode Island. Do students, especially high school students, feel that going to school has value? Is it a good use of their time? she asked. We have to start tackling the tricky and sticky questions of what happens within the school day, academically, that makes it worth it for students to stay in those buildings. As part of the Rhode Island effort, the state posts data showing how chronic absenteeism affects the percentage of students meeting math and reading expectations. The state also operates a Student Attendance Leaderboard that is updated every night and gives the public a real-time picture of absenteeism rates. The Rhode Island Department of Education compares achievement data by chronic absenteeism rates to help the public understand how missing too much school affects learning. (FutureEd) This years data is promising, with the rate declining from almost 29% in 2022-23 to less than 25%. Related How a Real-Time Dashboard & Statewide Push Are Cutting Chronic Absenteeism in RI Nearby Connecticut, which publishes monthly reports on chronic absenteeism at the district and school level, has seen a decline from 20% in 2022-23 to 17.7%. But few states offer such timely, localized data, and most dont even release statewide figures until October or later. Thats part of the problem, Cohen said. This should be unacceptable, she said, given the agreement on how urgent this problem is. We recently published a list of 10 Stocks That Will Go to the Moon According to Reddit. In this article, we are going to take a look at where DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE) stands against the other stocks. FINRA Investor Education Foundation and CFA Institute (2023) revealed that ~37% of Gen-Z investors in the US and ~38% in the UK come to social media influencers regarding investment decisions. Therefore, it is important to explore the role finfluencers (influencers sharing financial advice on social media) play in providing investment information and how Gen-Z investors engage with finfluencers. Young investors are considering memes and viral videos as the primary source of investment advice. Social Media and Investments: Do They Complement Each Other? Experts believe that retail or non-professional investors are now becoming dependent on digital channels, like social media platforms such as TikTok, when it comes to investing. FINRA revealed that ~60% of US investors under age 35 believe that social media can be used as a source of investment information. This compares to ~57% who use finance professionals. This increase is probably because digital channels are becoming easily accessible, with ~60% of the global population utilizing social media (as per DataReportal). Quick-scroll websites are now considered the go-to spot for investment ideas and inspiration. This is because of their bite-sized format and easy access. Ofcom, which tracks news consumption in the UK revealed that TikToks reach for news went up from ~1% in 2020 to ~7% in 2022. This was mainly seen in younger folks aged between 16 24 years. Pew Research mentioned that, in the US, this increased from ~3% in 2020 to ~10% in 2022. Financial advice content, which is shared on social media, has been contributing to the growth of the creator economy, which is pegged at ~$127 billion globally (as per Coherent Market Insights). This is expected to reach US$528.39 billion by 2030, with growth stemming from higher demand for user-generated content and increased monetization opportunities. Financial institutions and investment advisory companies are now focusing on creating pathways from social media to their product and services to exploit strong market opportunities. Therefore, most retail investors continue to make investing decisions under social medias influence. Retail Traders Making a Significant Portion in The US Stock Options JPMorgan Chase & Co. highlighted that non-professional investors are now making a bigger part of the US options market as they continue to pour money mainly into short-term bets and technology stocks. The bank highlighted that retail traders accounted for ~18.3% of the total options activity in June. Social media and online investing communities have influenced retail investors to the extent that these investors dont shy away from making investments in the downturn. In late July and early August 2024, when there was a sharp decline in popular technology shares, retail investors turned out to be net buyers. Vanda Research mentioned that individual investors, who were caught up in the market downturn, continued to be net buyers of shares of leading technology and AI-related companies. Just to balance out the risks, retail investors directed significant buying to an ETF tracking 20-Y Treasury bonds. Wall Street experts and enthusiasts believe that this confidence comes from the online investing communities and social media platforms, where there were discussions about going long on leading technology shares as they were trading at decent levels. 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 DTE Energy Company (DTE) The Stock That Will Go to the Moon According to Reddit? An aerial view of a power plant surrounded by majestic rolling hills. DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE) Number of hedge fund holders: 25 DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE), a diversified energy company, is engaged in developing and managing energy-related businesses and services nationwide. The Company generates, purchases, transmits, distributes, and sells electric energy. DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE)s long-term growth prospects stem from its extensive and well-established utility infrastructure. Its regulated utilities, DTE Electric and DTE Gas, continue to address a substantial customer base in Michigan, which includes economically significant regions of southeastern Michigan and Detroit. DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE)s strategic investments in renewable energy, like wind and solar, and the companys plans to retire coal-fired power plants by 2032 should help it achieve growth over the next 10 years. Also, these goals align with the increased demand for environmentally responsible energy solutions. This should enhance the DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE)s brand reputation. The company will be able to capitalize on the promising market for clean energy and related government incentives. Collectively, these drivers should lead to long-term growth and profitability. DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE) has an opportunity to expand its renewable energy portfolio. Given the fact that the state of Michigan requires a 100% clean energy portfolio by the year 2040, the company appears to be well-placed to exploit existing investments in renewables and capitalize on this regulatory tailwind. It invested more than ~$2 billion in 1H 2024, on pace for a full-year investment of over $4 billion. The focus is on making electric and natural gas infrastructure more resilient. Therefore, its strong financial health and constructive regulatory environment should support the company in generating healthy and stable cash flows. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE) from $125.00 to $133.00, giving it an Overweight rating on 26th July. Overall DTE ranks 7th on our list of stocks that will go to the moon. While we acknowledge the potential of DTE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued AI stock that is more promising than DTE 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. Reporter: What I Learned When Trump Let Me Inspect His Ear Donald Trumps ear that was injured in Julys assassination attempt appears to be just fine after allat least according to a reporter who had an unusually intimate encounter with it. New York Magazine reported Monday that, in a sit-down interview at Mar-a-Lago, the journalist Olivia Nuzzi got a very detailed look at Trumps right earthe one he infamously bandaged up for the RNCand declared that it appeared to be normal and fine. An ear had never appeared to have gone through less, wrote Nuzzi. Donald Trumps right ear appeared perfectly normal during a campaign event on Sept. 6. Jonathan Drake/Reuters Nuzzi visited Trumps Florida estate in early August. It had been less than a month since he nearly escaped death at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13. Like many have in recent weeks, Nuzzi appeared to fixate on Trumps injured ear and marveled at howafter a bullet buzzed right past it, leaving it bleedingit was able to heal so quickly. She asked Trump about his injury, which left his face and ear bloodied on stage, and she reported that he responded by tapping the spot allegedly struck by a bullet fired at him by Thomas Matthew Crooks. The particular spot that he identified with his tap was pristine, Nuzzi wrote. I scanned carefully the rest of the terrain. It looked normal and incredible and fine. Donald Trumps face was instantly bloodied after Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at him during a rally on July 13. Brendan McDermid/Reuters Nuzzi later added: An ear had never appeared to have gone through less. Except there, on the tiniest patch of this tiny sculpture of skin, a minor distortion that resembled not a crucifixion wound but the distant aftermath of a sunburn. A spokesperson for Trumps campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on New York Magazines report. Ron Filipkowski, the editor of MeidasTouch News and a regular Daily Beast contributor, has been among the most prominent names scrutinizing the Trump campaigns claims that the former president was directly struck by a bullet fired by Crooks. All these years later, Evander Holyfield is still missing the piece of the ear Mike Tyson bit off. Probably just not as fast a healer as Trump. pic.twitter.com/ETKsEuWccL Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) September 9, 2024 Filipkowski on Sunday shared a recent photo of Trumps ear, which appeared fully healed, next to the still-disfigured ear of Evander Holyfield, who infamously had the top portion of his ear bitten off by Mike Tyson in 1997 and had to have it surgically re-attached. Asked about his injury on Aug. 8, Trump said that a bullet struck the lobe and that hed already fully recovered because he is a fast healer. Trump was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital after the shooting, where he asked a doctor why he was bleeding so much, New York Magazine reported. Trump said the doctor told him it was because of the vascular properties of his cartilage. Ronny Jackson, the White House physician for Barack Obama and Trump, told the magazine that Trumps ear didnt require stitches. He said the wound was kind of a half-moon shape and that the bullet had scooped a small amount of skin and fat off the top of the ear. Donald Trump wore a bandage on his right ear during his appearences at the RNC in July. Brian Snyder/Reuters Jackson surrendered most of his medical privileges in 2022 after a report from the Pentagon determined he acted inappropriately as a White House physician. Jackson, 57, was demoted from rear admiral to captain, and he now represents a conservative area of Texasthat hugs the northwestern state line with Oklahomain Congress. Jackson told New York Magazine that Trumps ear bandage was his idea. Im an emergency medical physician, he said. Im not a nurse. I did the best I could. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Tarrant County Judge Tim OHare has called a special meeting of the Commissioners Court to vote on modified lists of early voting sites on Thursday, as well as consider rescinding a decision that allows volunteers inside county buildings to register people to vote. Precinct 1 Commissioner Roy Brooks and Precinct 2 Commissioner Alisa Simmons the only Democrats on the court will be out of town on that day. OHare and others on the court have known for over a month that Brooks and Simmons will be out of town on that day, Brooks said. The court approved their travel to Washington on Aug. 6 to attend an event for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. I think its a pretty partisan and arrogant move on his part, said Brooks, adding that the special meeting is a way to disenfranchise half of the residents in Tarrant County. The optics are terrible, and the politics is even worse. Simmons said she told County Administrator Chandler Merritt last week that she will not be in town on Thursday, but that Merritt scheduled the meeting for that day anyway. OHare and Merritt did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Precinct 4 Commissioner Manny Ramirez, who was absent during the vote on early voting sites Sept. 4, told the Star-Telegram that he was unaware that Brooks and Simmons were scheduled for out of town travel on Thursday. Ramirez declined to comment on whether he would call for the meeting to be moved or how he would vote on the early voting sites list, but said that eliminating college campus voting sites is not a priority for him. Majority-minority campuses reduced on new early voting site lists The commissioners voted along party lines on a list of 50 early voting sites at last weeks court session after OHare objected to sites on college and university campuses. The list was rejected, since it did not receive a majority of votes. Tarrant County Election Administrator Clint Ludwig told the county commissioners that day he would ideally like to have 60 to 70 early voting sites. Despite that recommendation, the agenda for Thursdays special meeting includes three lists, all of which have fewer sites than the original, which included sites on eight campuses. That list had early voting sites at UT Arlington, TCU, the UNT Health Science Center, the Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary and four Tarrant County College campuses. The three lists up for voting on Thursday all include sites at TCU and UNTHSC. None has a site at the seminary, and only two have a site at UT Arlington. Each of the lists cut the number of TCC sites down to two. The new lists are clearly targeted at race and ethnicity, Simmons said. TCUs student body is nearly two thirds white, according to the universitys website. The university had just over 12,700 students enrolled last fall. Just 22% of UT Arlingtons more than 41,000 students are white, according to its website. Hispanic students make up the largest ethnic group at 32%, while 13% are Black and 12% are Asian. At 36.6%, Hispanic students also make up the majority at TCC campuses, according to that institutions website. Just under 26% identify as Anglo, and 17.3% are African-American. Asian students make up 6.8%. My colleagues are essentially gerrymandering the vote, Simmons said. Voter registration issues on the agenda for reversal The meetings agenda also includes an item to rescind an amendment allowing volunteer deputy registrars to register voters inside county buildings. OHare was the sole no in a 3-1 vote to approve the amendment at the courts regular meeting last week. Precinct 3 Commissioner Gary Fickes, a Republican, voted for the amendment alongside Brooks and Simmons. Republican Manny Ramirez attended the first few minutes of the session, but was absent during the vote, citing a prior engagement. The court voted 4-0 in July to classify the activity of volunteer deputy registrars as non-regular use and banned them from setting up inside county buildings. Volunteer deputy registrars are trained and certified by the county to register voters. Tarrant County welcomes participants in its Volunteer Deputy Registrar Program to serve and assist in registering eligible citizens to vote, reads a page on the countys website. Requests from three voter registration organizations to use specific county facilities are back on the agenda for Thursdays special meeting in expectation of the amendments repeal. The Texas Freedom Network, Battleground Texas and Jolt Initiative placed requests on last weeks agenda, but legal counsel advised the commissioners that the items were rendered moot after the court approved the amendment. Battleground Texas is clearly a Democrat-leaning organization, according to its website, but its voter registration division claims to be nonpartisan. Those organizations did not respond to requests for comment. Daniel Taylor, a volunteer deputy registrar from Fort Worth who volunteers for Battleground Texas, called OHare a sore loser and accused him of voter suppression. Hes trying to engage in voter suppression because he doesnt want people registering other people to vote, Taylor said. Battleground Texas website states that its aim is to make sure that a Republican can never make it to the White House again. But Taylor, who is also precinct chair for the Democratic party in Tarrant County, noted that he and other volunteer deputy registrars he works with are under the Battleground Texas Engagement Fund, a nonpartisan wing of the organization. When I am registering voters, if you want to tell me you want to vote for somebody I absolutely hate, I will do the same good job of registering you as I would do for anyone, he said. (Bloomberg) -- Republican lawmakers accused the Biden administration of lying to Americans and sacrificing the safety of US soldiers during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, in a report that sought to implicate Vice President Kamala Harris before the presidential election. Most Read from Bloomberg The report said President Joe Bidens team misled and, in some instances, directly lied to the American people at every stage of the withdrawal. The administrations failures led directly to the killing of 13 American troops in a bomb blast at Abbey Gate in Kabul, it said. The findings are the culmination of a two-year investigation by Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, who has long criticized Bidens handling of the withdrawal. The report was released two days before Harris is set to debate former President Donald Trump, whose campaign has said the withdrawal weakened the US standing in the world and emboldened Russia to invade Ukraine. No Democrats signed on to the report, and Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee led by McCaul, said it was a partisan effort to tarnish Harris. He said it omitted key findings from witness interviews, including that the US would have faced renewed combat with the Taliban had we not continued the withdrawal. The nearly 350 page document referred to the Biden-Harris administration more than 230 times. This report proves senior Biden-Harris administration officials were willfully blind to warnings about the degrading security situation on the ground, it said. The investigation upends the Biden-Harris administrations continued claim that they planned for all contingencies. On Monday, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel criticized the Republican report as a political exercise filled with cherry-picked quotes from interviews with senior US officials. He said the US was stronger because of Bidens decision to end Americas longest war. Its about scoring political points, Patel told reporters at the departments regular briefing. He said the investigation had a chance to be bipartisan and recommend real policy solutions, but that the Republican majority chose to seek scandal over substance. Harris team has sought to tread carefully around the withdrawal and she hasnt spoken in detail about her involvement with the decision to leave Afghanistan. In a 2021 interview with CNN, she replied yes when asked if she was the the last person in the room before Biden made the decision. McCaul denied that the reports timing was politically motivated. Speaking to CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, he faulted the administration for any delays and said his probe would continue well after the election. Its taken me two years to get to this point because of the obstruction, he said. Ive had to serve subpoena after subpoena to get information. A 2023 State Department review assigned blame both to Trumps team and the Biden administration for the withdrawal. There was insufficient senior-level consideration of worst-case scenarios and how quickly those might follow, the review found. McCauls report faulted the Trump administration for its handling of US-Taliban negotiations that led to the 2020 withdrawal deal, though it directed most of the blame at Trumps envoy to the talks, former ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, rather than the president. It cites one witness as saying Khalilzad was too willing to make concessions to the Taliban and to throw the Afghan government under the bus. It goes on to fault Biden for ignoring that the Taliban wasnt living up to its agreements after he took office. Biden failed to heed the warnings of his military advisers or listen to advice from across his administration, the report alleged. --With assistance from Iain Marlow. (Updates with State Department statement in seventh paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, introduced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a bill that would require certain proof-of-citizenship documentation to register to vote. Lawmakers are considering attaching the bill to stopgap funding for the federal government. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Lawmakers are back on Capitol Hill Monday and Republicans are pushing for new voter registration requirements that would require providing certain proof-of-citizenship documentation. They are also discussing attaching the bill, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, to stopgap funding meant to stave off a government shutdown. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, introduced the bill, alleging that non-citizens are improperly registering to vote across the country. Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have often touted a conspiracy theory that immigrants are being shuttled into the United States to vote illegally throughout this election year. "Secure elections are a key cornerstone for any representative government; without them, we won't have a country. Radical progressive Democrats know this and are using open border policies while also attacking election integrity laws to fundamentally remake America," Roy said in a statement. "That's why I am proud to introduce the SAVE Act with Speaker Johnson and my Republican colleagues, along with the invaluable support of citizens and organizations that recognize we must end the practice of non-citizens voting in our elections." The bill passed the House in July and has been placed on the legislative calendar in the Senate. Non-citizen voting is a rare occurrence that often happens by mistake, according to Michelle Kanter Cohen, policy director and senior counsel for the Fair Elections Center. Kanter Cohen told UPI that the penalties in place are already enough of a deterrent to stop non-citizens from attempting to vote. Penalties include prison time and deportation. If the bill were to pass, potential voters would need to provide identification that is compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005. Acceptable forms of identification would include a passport, military ID or a government-issued photo ID card that shows the applicant's birth place. About 53% of Americans have REAL ID compliant identification and less than 48% have a passport, according to the Federal Register. About 34% of Black Americans have a current passport, the lowest rate of any race or ethnicity. Other forms of identification may be accepted only if shown in combination with a birth certificate or record of birth, a report of birth abroad by a U.S. citizen, a naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security or an American Indian Card with a "KIC" classification. According to Kanter Cohen about 10% of eligible voters, or about 20 million people, do not have documentation that would meet the requirements to prove their citizenship. "A lot of these documents are hard to get because they have underlying requirements and are expensive," she said. "You have to go in person to the office to get them. There are high fees associated with them. Naturalization certification costs hundreds of dollars. For some people, that's a very difficult expense." The U.S. Supreme Court has shot down efforts by states to enact proof-of-citizenship requirements in the past, most recently in 2013. Earlier this year it changed course to a degree. It blocked an Arizona law that would require proof of citizenship for voter registration but ruled that it can be required for some new voters. Three conservative justices -- Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas -- wrote in the brief signed order that they would have allowed the law to stand in full, denying the registration of an estimated 42,000 Arizona voters. Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined three liberal justices in dissent. Arturo Castellanos Canales, policy and advocacy manager for the National Immigration Forum, argues that it is not within Congress' authority to determine who is qualified to vote. That authority falls to state legislatures. "If it does [pass] I'm expecting courts to find the authority to determine the voting qualifications of the federal electorate is not up to Congress to decide," he told UPI. "It seeks to solve a problem that does not exist. Non-citizens have been barred from voting in federal elections for at least a century. I don't see how this bill could move forward." One strategy that is being discussed to move the bill forward is to attach it to a continuing resolution meant to extend funding of the federal government. Lawmakers have used continuing resolutions to approve stopgap funding in increments of a couple of months at a time for nearly a year. Congress last passed a "minibus" funding package in March to keep the government funded through September. "It's so cynical to pass this in the first place. Then to try to attach it to something that makes our government run, it shows that what this bill is is really an attempt to stop people from voting," Kanter Cohen said. Kanter Cohen said that even national discussions about proof of citizenship can deter or disengage some potential voters who are legally eligible to cast ballots. They may be intimidated by a sense that they would be violating the law if they vote. She said it is important for would-be voters to check with their own state requirements and confirm their eligibility. "People need accurate information from their state," Kanter Cohen said. "These restrictive rules out there have effects that reverberate even beyond the state that they may apply to." Rachel Orey, director of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Elections Project, told UPI that there are other and better ways to deter illegal voting and reinforce trust in the process. Other proposals include broader adoption of REAL ID standards, improving communication between state departments of motor vehicles and election officials and granting agencies access to databases like SAVE to verify immigration status. "There are ways we can improve voter registration and list maintenance but these should be done in time," Orey said. "They should be well-resourced changes. Not an unfunded mandate asking officers to do this right before an election." A harrowing rescue unfolded amid sweltering temperatures as first responders in Ventura County worked to free a man from 36-inch drainpipe Sunday. Details are limited and its unclear how the man wound up trapped in the drainage pipe, but in a post to X, formerly Twitter, officials with the Ventura County Fire Department said crews worked in collaboration with the Oxnard fire and police departments during the rescue. Bridge Fire in San Gabriel Canyon prompts road closures, evacuations Utilizing the latest in robot technology, the Oxnard Police Department pinpointed the victims location, allowing our Urban Seach and Rescue Teams to safely extricate the individual, VCFD said. Video footage of the rescue operation shows about a dozen first responders inside a hole dug around the corrugated drainpipe, with the pieces of pipe cutaway lying on a nearby pile of dirt. First responders in Ventura County seen rescuing a man struck in a drainpipe on Sept. 8, 2024. (VCFD) First responders in Ventura County seen rescuing a man struck in a drainpipe on Sept. 8, 2024. (VCFD) First responders in Ventura County seen rescuing a man struck in a drainpipe on Sept. 8, 2024. (VCFD) First responders in Ventura County seen rescuing a man struck in a drainpipe on Sept. 8, 2024. (VCFD) First responders in Ventura County seen rescuing a man struck in a drainpipe on Sept. 8, 2024. (VCFD) First responders in Ventura County seen rescuing a man struck in a drainpipe on Sept. 8, 2024. (VCFD) First responders in Ventura County seen rescuing a man struck in a drainpipe on Sept. 8, 2024. (VCFD) The male victim can be seen sitting up in the pipe moments before he struggles to standup and climb out with the help of firefighters. Hollywood Bowl power outage forces concert cancellation It is unclear how long the man had been trapped in the drainpipe and how the emergency came to the attention of rescuers. First responders were able to get the victim onto a rescue litter and pull him to a waiting stretcher. The man was lifted into a waiting ambulance and rushed to a nearby hospital in stable condition for further evaluation, authorities said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Smiles were made for sales: Britains shop workers are fed up with being overlooked Dagenham sewing machinists walked out in 1968 when a pay regrade saw them classed as 'unskilled labour' - Daily Herald/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images One of the worst jobs Ive had was working on the shop floor of a well-known department store in London. As well as putting up with archaic rules forcing women to wear high heels, tight skirts and a full face of make-up (policies that have since been scrapped), the job was hard and monotonous. Smiles were made for sales, a room full of women were told in one bizarre training session. The only reason I stuck it out was because it was better paid than other retail jobs and completely flexible. Everyone I worked with (all women) felt the same. So I empathise with the thousands of shop floor staff who joined retail for perks such as flexibility but are now fed up with being underpaid and undervalued. Department stores once provided invaluable opportunities for ambitious women, author Julie Satow wrote in her book When Women Ran Fifth Avenue. But that was a different era, when a retail job felt more stable, there werent many alternatives for someone seeking flexibility and there was less violence against staff. A study by trade union GMB found earlier this year that Asda workers had been attacked with syringes and chased by customers. Delivery drivers said they had been chased by people in cars and confronted by customers in the nude, while store workers had watermelons and joints of gammon thrown at them. The rise of shoplifting has led to an increase of attacks on staff, who faced 1,300 cases of violence and abuse every day over the year to August 2023, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), compared to around 870 the prior year. Thats equivalent to 54 cases of violence or abuse towards retail staff across the country every hour, or almost one episode of aggression every minute of the day. Like many female-dominated industries, retail has relied on the cheap labour of women for too long and many have had enough. The issue will be brought into sharp focus this week as 60,000 Asda shop workers take their equal pay case to the employment tribunal on Monday in what will be the biggest private sector equal pay claim ever, just as Nike faces investor pressure to improve the way it treats workers in its garment factories. At the centre of the Asda case is a claim that shop workers should be paid the same as warehouse staff, an argument which Next store staff made successfully last month. Next plans to appeal the ruling, which has spooked retail bosses. There are more than 112,000 store staff across not only Asda, but also Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons and Co-op, who have filed similar claims. The battle comes more than 50 years after Dagenham sewing machinists walked out when a pay regrade classed them as unskilled labour, while men doing a similar job in the factory were deemed skilled labour and given a higher pay grade. Womens work has always been undervalued, although the tribunal acknowledged in the Next case that this was about cutting costs rather than any sex discrimination. The Next ruling certainly has its flaws surely just because someone is underpaid, it doesnt mean they should earn exactly the same as a colleague in a completely different job? I would rather work on a shop floor than in a warehouse if one job is harder to fill, then it makes sense for pay to be higher. A study last year found that competition had pushed up rates for warehouse workers, some who were suffering from gruelling working conditions and stressful night shifts. Theres technically nothing stopping female store workers from applying for a better-paid warehouse job. But in reality its not that easy. Aside from the skills being very different, the draw of a shop floor job is flexibility and location attracting carers, students and working parents who want to work part-time and close to home. Flexibility and location is why I put up with working in a shop that told me smiles were made for sales, many years before I could begin to appreciate how vital a flexible job like that might be for a parent. That doesnt justify poor pay. The countrys (mostly female) store staff have realised that theyve been short-changed and overlooked. The demise of the high street, as well as the rapid expansion of flexible working in other industries, means a retail job no longer carries the same appeal as it once did. For those early in their careers with caring responsibilities, a part-time job in a physical store is no longer the obvious choice. Those who have been stacking shelves for decades are likely to be wondering why they havent spoken up before. Retailers have to up their game. The industry is already under pressure to treat female workers in factories better, with investors and customers boycotting fast-fashion brands which sell dirt-cheap clothes made by exploited garment workers overseas. The Government has been urged to block a proposed listing by fast-fashion brand Shein due to allegations around its labour practices. The vast majority of garment workers (around 80pc) are women, according to the Clean Clothes Campaign, which argues that employers take advantage of cultural stereotypes that portray women as passive and flexible. Women who adhere to these stereotypes and so dont speak out or have time to look for a job elsewhere are the ideal employees in managements eyes, the organisation says. Womens work is considered less valuable everywhere even Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman said this year that if her name was Oliver shed be paid a f--- lot more than I am but jobs which are flexible can be more easily exploited. Fed up after the pandemic and amid a rise in violence, shop workers have found their voice. 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. Hes retiring after 33 years with the Fresno Fire Department FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) After serving 33 years with the Fresno Fire Department, a fire captain is hanging up his helmet for retirement. Captain Gary Wedemeyer was described by the department as the most senior member of Fresno Fire, having served the city for over 33 years. Thank you for over three decades of service and dedication. We wish you well on your next adventure, wrote the Fresno Fire Department on social media. The Fresno Fire Department says they have 371 sworn firefighters, 27 sworn non-safety, and 28 civilians for a total of 426 positions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Return of the Blue Angels, change of date for California Capital Airshow (FOX40.COM) The roar of fighter jets will erupt in the skies over Sacramento County a little earlier in 2025 as the California Capital Airshow has moved to March. For the first time ever, the California Capital Airshow will be from March 22-23 and that edition will see the return of the United States Navy Blue Angels after several years. Beale Air Force Base announces upcoming air show This will be the first time the Blues have flown over Sacramento since their visit in 2019. According to the Blue Angels calendar, Sacramento will be the world-famous demonstration teams second stop of their nine-month tour. The airshow will once again be held at historic Mather Airport, which has been a center for aviation since 1918 when it was known as Mills 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 FOX40. Signs calling for all officers and emergency personnel involved in Tyre Nichols' death to be acknowledged publicly and charged are seen on February 1, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. Credit - Lucy Garrett/Getty Images Three officers involved in the fatal encounter with Tyre Nichols, a young Black man in Tennessee who was beaten to death at a traffic stop in 2023, are on trial as the federal case commences. Former police officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith have been charged with multiple counts, including willfully depriving Nichols of his right to be free from the use of excessive force and failure to intervene in the attack, deliberate indifference, conspiracy to cover up, and obstruction charges. They have pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Two former officers who were also indicted have taken a plea deal and pleaded guilty to some of the charges. Tyre Nichols should be alive today, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division in a press release when the charges were announced in September 2023. It is tragic to see a life cut short at 29, with so many milestones unmet, so many words unsaid, so much potential unfulfilled. The attack against Nichols was a flashpoint in the country, with many activist groups using his death as a way to point to the broader issue of violence by police against communities of color, and especially Black people. All five police officers charged in the case are Black. Nichols family is being represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who also worked on the cases of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. With jury selection beginning on Sept. 9, heres what to know about the case. What happened? On Jan. 7, 2023, police officers approached Nichols to make a traffic stop for reckless driving, the Memphis Police Department wrote in a statement. (The Memphis police chief later said they were not able to substantiate the reason why Nichols was pulled over.) Officers say that because Nichols attempted to run from them, a confrontation occurred, and the police said that Nichols later complained of having a shortness of breath. In the bodycam and surveillance video of the attack, which was released on Jan. 27, 2023, Nichols is heard crying for his mother and repeatedly saying I didnt do anything, while officers pulled him out of his car. Officers then pinned him down and pepper sprayed him, but Nichols attempted to flee from police on foot until they apprehended him near his mothers home. Officers then beat him with a baton several times; he did not appear to fight back. Read More: The Tyre Nichols Videos Demand Solemnity, Not Sensationalism Nichols was taken to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition, according to the police statement. He died three days later in what an autopsy ruled a homicide due to the blunt force in the attack. Charges against the officers Five police officers involved in the fatal arrest were indicted on Sept. 12, 2023. Those officers had all been fired on Jan. 20, 2023. Other Memphis Police Department employees also lost their jobs over the incident, though some were only administratively charged, per the Associated Press. The five former officers faced four federal charges. They were charged with infringing on Nichols right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by a police officer, and failure to intervene in the assault. This first count also says that this offense resulted in bodily injury and the death of Nichols, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee. The men also faced charges for violating Nichols right to be free from a law enforcement officers deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs, conspiring to cover up their unlawful actions by providing misleading and false information, and obstruction. The first two counts have a maximum sentence of life in prison, while the remaining two could lead to up to 20 years of imprisonment, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Two of the former officers, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., pleaded guilty and could testify in the federal trial. A sentencing hearing is set to occur on Dec. 5. The other three pleaded not guilty and are now facing trial. The federal trial isnt the only case to result from Nichols death. There will be a separate trial on state charges for which the five officers were charged with second-degree murder. Mills agreed to plead guilty to the state charges and Martin is also expected to plead guilty to state charges, according to NPR. Nichols family also filed a $550 million lawsuit against the city of Memphis and its police department. Who was Tyre Nichols? Nichols, 29, was father to a four-year-old son. Born in Sacramento, California, Nichols moved to Memphis in 2020, where he worked for FedEx. His family described him as a cheerful person who loved watching sunsets at Shelby Farms Park. Read More: How Skateboarding Shaped Tyre Nichols Nichols had a tattoo of his mothers name on his arm and loved skateboarding. He was also an aspiring photographer. My vision is to bring my viewers deep into what i [sic] am seeing through my eye and out through my lens, he wrote on his website. People have a story to tell why not capture it instead of doing the norm and writing it down or speaking it. I hope to one day let people see what i [sic] see, he said on his website. Public response The fatal beating of Nichols saddened and outraged the country, and spurred protests and public calls for police reform. In July 2023, the Department of Justice announced it would open a pattern or practice investigation into the Memphis Police Department and the city following the death of Nichols. It was the ninth time the Department opened an investigation into law enforcement misconduct under the Biden Administration, per the Justice Department. In 2023, the Memphis Police Department announced it was shutting down the Street Crimes Operations to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods (SCORPION) unit, which was in charge of dealing with increasing crime in Memphisall five police officers were part of the unitone day after video footage of the brutal beating against Nichols went public. In the process of listening intently to the family of Tyre Nichols, community leaders, and the uninvolved officers who have done quality work in their assignments, it is in the best interest of all to permanently deactivate the SCORPION unit, the Memphis Police Department said in a statement. While the heinous actions of a few casts a cloud of dishonor on the title SCORPION, it is imperative that we, the Memphis Police Department, take proactive steps in the healing process for all impacted. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is currently the Democratic nominee for president, gave remarks at the memorial service for Tyre Nichols. We mourn with you, and the people of our country mourn with you, she said in February 2023. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, called the attack against Nichols terrible. He was in such trouble. He was just being pummeled. Now that should never have happened, Trump told the Associated Press in January 2023. Contact us at letters@time.com. By Fatima Latifova The Zangazur Corridor holds great importance not only for Azerbaijan but also for many regional states, such as Turkiye, Russia, and even Armenia. The corridor has the potential to foster the development of trade and transportation connections, promote regional integration, and encourage economic cooperation. However, the stance of certain countries, particularly Iran, on the Zangazur Corridor reflects their regional interests and strategic plans. Iran is aware of the corridor's potential impact on the region and seeks to maintain its position. Specifically, Tehran, worried that its relations with Armenia might weaken after the opening of the corridor, primarily directs its claims against Russia and continues to send subtle, indirect messages. Iran evades responding positively to Azerbaijans proposals for peace, stability, and cooperation, including initiatives like the "3+3" platform, instead contributing to instability. It is important to note that the Zangazur Corridor does not pose a threat to the territorial integrity of either Armenia or Iran. On the contrary, if Iran pursued a more reasonable policy, it could increase its role in this corridor. However, Irans approach to the corridor's opening, its personalisation of the issue, and its illogical statements are unacceptable. We should recall that in the recent statement by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to Baku was particularly noted, reflecting Irans "concerns about destabilisation" in the region. This is simply ridiculous. For 30 years, when Azerbaijani lands were occupied by Armenia, Iran, despite claiming to share the same religion and values, refused to support Azerbaijan. Iran ignored the devastation in Garabagh, including the vandalism of mosques by Armenians. Now, it is strange that Iran opposes Azerbaijan's efforts to establish communication lines within its own territories. It is clear that the main issue here is not regional peace, stability, or tranquillity. Iran openly realises that it is losing its influence over Armenia and is attempting to take out its frustrations on Russia. The only way to restore its relations with Armenia to their previous state is by aligning itself with the West, which appears to be Tehrans current plan. However, it remains unclear who is behind this plan. After a long period of silence, it is difficult to determine whether this strategy is being driven by Irans new president or its supreme leader. In either case, Iran must accept the integration of Azerbaijans western regions with Nakhchivan and the security of the resulting transportation corridor, as outlined in the trilateral statement, which will be ensured by Russias Federal Security Service forces. Considering that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrovs statements are entirely in line with the trilateral statement signed in 2020, it is evident that Iran is directly targeting this agreement. This further demonstrates that Iran is planning to align with the West by creating regional tension. This situation highlights the uncertainties and strategic obstacles in Irans foreign policy and complicates regional and international dynamics. It should be noted that the Caucasus is already a region filled with tensions. The failure of peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia is reigniting the short-term calm that had been established. Armenias failure to follow through on its peace promises while breaking the ceasefire along the border with Azerbaijan is testing Bakus patience. Iran's desire to intervene in Azerbaijan-Armenia relations and its opposition to the opening of the corridor, as well as its attempts to encourage Armenia to align with the West, are shameful. For 30 years, Armenia committed countless crimes and atrocities against Azerbaijan in this region. Yet Iran never once condemned this disgrace. Now that Garabagh has been liberated and the opening of the Zangazur Corridor is on the agenda, Tehran is panicking, using the excuse that its "special" trade with Armenia will be restricted and that its economy will weaken, making statements that could escalate tensions once again. Iran must understand that the issues being discussed between Azerbaijan and Armenia concern only those two countries. If Iran could turn a blind eye to the massacres that occurred on these lands for 30 years, just as it ignored Armenias unjust stance, it should also refrain from interfering in other regional matters. We recently compiled a list of the 7 Best Big Company Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) stands against the other big company stocks. Mega-cap stocksmajor technology companies to be precisecontinued to drive a disproportionate share of the total US stock market returns. Market experts believe that from 2023 beginning to May 2024 end, only a handful of the biggest and most well-established technology companies drove ~60% of the S&P 500s 40%+ gain. FactSet reported that, for 2Q 2024 (with 93% of S&P 500 companies publishing actual results), ~79% of the S&P 500 companies reported positive EPS surprises. On the other hand, ~60% of S&P 500 companies reported positive revenue surprises. In 2Q 2024, semiconductor companies stocks were the critical drivers for the S&P 500 Index. The AI themes supported other sectors, like utilities, seeking support from higher electricity demand for AI data centers. 3Q 2024 Earnings Season A Preview Wall Street experts believe that estimates for 3Q 2024 have seen a decline and the magnitude of estimate cuts seems to be significantly bigger than compared to the comparable periods of the first 2 quarters of 2024. Market participants opine that total S&P 500 earnings should see an increase of 3.9% from the same period of last year on 4.7% revenue growth. These estimates have come down since the beginning of the period, as the current 3.9% growth had fallen from 6.9% at the beginning of July. The decline in estimates stems from the risks associated with economic downside, slower disinflation, expectations for higher-for-longer rates, and increased geopolitical risks. Apart from these risks, the uncertainty around the US Presidential elections remains the most important factor responsible for the decline in estimates. Wall Street analysts believe that uncertainty surrounding the US presidential election is expected to rise as the November vote draws closer. This can act as an additional headwind in the environment already demonstrating signs of losing momentum. Reuters reported that populism, polarization, and an expected tight race can result in a surge in the economic policy uncertainty index (EPU). This is a news-headline-based index, which was created by economics professors Steven J. Davis, Scott R. Baker, and Nick Bloom. The rise in EPU takes place when an uncertain outlook about government policy prompts consumers to delay their spending and forces businesses to put a halt on investment and hiring. Story continues Brandywine Global Investment Management (A Franklin Templeton Company), an investment management firm, believes that this might be happening in the current environment. The firm noted that the University of Michigan's current economic conditions index remains below the expectations index. Notably, this is a rare occurrence, suggesting that consumers are anxious. Amidst Worries, Investors Should Stick to Big Company Stocks Analysts at Brandywine Global believe that this year's election cycle, whether warranted or not, continues to impact the US consumer, which in turn, is impacting the corporate sector. In the 2020 follow-up working paper, Davis (the co-founder of the EPU index) and his colleagues revealed that the EPU index tends to increase by ~18% in the month of November during a Presidential election. When elections come close, and there is a winning margin of less than 5%, and polarized, the EPU index can jump by ~28% in election month. Political uncertainty can be a more powerful factor in asset prices, with investors focusing on the US Presidential elections. A JPMorgan survey revealed that investors continue to see political risk in the US and abroad as the top destabilizing metric for equities. AI fever coupled with strong earnings has supported broader equities in 1H 2024, and gains have been concentrated in technology and growth stocks. Analysts opine that some investors are still looking for areas of the market that have underperformed, and they expect that the recent rally in tech might spread into other sectors as well. Most investors welcomed the signs of a slowdown in inflation and moderation in growth. As a result, the US Fed has hinted to cut key interest rates. With uncertainties looming, market experts believe that investors should stick to the big stocks, which have a healthy track record of delivering strong gains. Our methodology To select the 7 Best Big Company Stocks to Buy Now, we used the Yahoo Finance and Finviz stock screeners to filter stocks with biggest market caps from different industries. Next, we narrowed our list by selecting the big and well-established companies that were the most popular among elite hedge funds. Finally, the stocks were ranked in the ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment. 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). An array of pharmaceutical pills with the company's logo on the bottle. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 100 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is a drug firm, which is focused on neuroscience, endocrinology, cancer, and immunology. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) appears to be well-placed for strong growth over the medium term. The drivers include patents, economies of scale, and its strong distribution network. The company has patent-protected drugs, which carry premium pricing power. As a result, it can generate returns on invested capital over its cost of capital. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)s manufacturing capabilities allow it to develop products efficiently and at scale, which should help in enhancing market share and profitability. While Wall Street believes that the potential of Mounjaro (diabetes) and Zepbound (obesity) should support the company, there are opportunities in heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and liver disease that are quite undervalued. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) believes that the recent addition of label expansions for tirzepatide in weight loss should help the company surpass $60 billion in the top line by 2030. This implies a strong increase from $15 billion in 2024. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)s strong leadership in weight loss is expected to drive industry-leading growth given its approved drugs and well-positioned next-gen drugs that remain in the pipeline. In 2Q 2024, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)s revenue went up by 36% as a result of Mounjaro, Zepbound, and Verzenio. When $579.0 million of revenue from the sale of rights for Baqsimi in 2Q 2023 was excluded, revenue in 2Q 2024 saw an increase of 46%. The companys 2024 full-year revenue guidance has been raised by $3 billion to between $45.4 billion - $46.6 billion, primarily because of the strong performance of Mounjaro and Zepbound, and its non-incretin medicines. The company has increased its reported EPS guidance by $2.05 to the range of $15.10 - $15.60. Analysts at Berenberg Bank upped their target price on the shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) from $1,000.00 to $1,050.00, giving it a Buy rating on 14th August. Baron Funds, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2024 investor letter. Here is what the fund said: 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 7th on our list of the best big company stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of LLY as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued 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. FILE - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces he is suspending his presidential campaign at a news conference Friday, Aug 23, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb, File) LANSING, Mich. (AP) The highest courts in two states ruled differently Monday on efforts by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be removed from their presidential ballots, with a divided North Carolina Supreme Court affirming he should be omitted and the Michigan Supreme Court reversing a lower court decision and keeping him on. Kennedy suspended his campaign more than two weeks ago and endorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump. The environmentalist and author has tried to get his name removed from ballots in several battleground states where the race between Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris are expected to be close. In Michigan, Kennedy sued Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, on Aug. 30 in an attempt to remove his name from the ballot so as not to siphon votes away from Trump, who won Michigan by about 10,000 votes in 2016. Mondays decision reverses an intermediate-level Court of Appeals ruling made Friday. It ensures that Kennedys name will appear on voters ballots in Michigan despite his withdrawal from the race. The Michigan Supreme Court said in a brief order that Kennedy has not shown an entitlement to this extraordinary relief." In North Carolina, the state Supreme Court ruled 4-3 to deny efforts by the State Board of Elections to have the justices consider overturning a Court of Appeals decision on Friday directing that Kennedy be removed from ballots. The Court of Appeals order had reversed a trial judge's ruling the day before that upheld the State Board of Elections' decision to keep Kennedy and running mate Nicole Shanahan on the ballot. The Democratic majority on the elections board had rejected the request by We The People party of North Carolina a recently certified party assembled to collect signatures for Kennedys candidacy to withdraw Kennedy from the ballot. The board's majority said it was impractical given actions already completed to begin ballot distribution, including printing and coding tabulation machines. Kennedy sued the next day. A state law had required the first absentee ballots to be mailed or transmitted to voters who have already asked for them no later than 60 days before the general election, or last Friday. If it had occurred on time, North Carolina would have been the first state in the nation to distribute ballots for the Nov. 5 elections. The North Carolina Supreme Court ruling means elections officials will have to reprint ballots without Kennedy and reassemble absentee ballot packets. Over 136,000 absentee ballot requests had been made as of late last week. More than 2.9 million absentee and in-person ballots with Kennedys name on them had already been printed, according to the state board. Counties must pay for reprinting costs. Monday evening's order, backed by four of the court's five Republican justices, said it's clear Kennedy resigned as a candidate and that a vote for him would not count. State attorneys for the board have said it could take two weeks to get reprinted ballots out the door threatening violation of a federal law requiring absentee ballots be sent to military and overseas voters already requesting them by Sept. 21. We acknowledge that expediting the process of printing new ballots will require considerable time and effort by our election officials and significant expense to the State, the order reads. But that is a price the North Carolina Constitution expects us to incur to protect voters fundamental right to vote their conscience and have that vote count. The court's two Democratic justices Allison Riggs and Anita Earls and Republican Justice Richard Dietz each wrote separate dissents. Riggs said the whims" of Kennedy have been elevated above the constitutional interests" of voters who wanted to vote as soon as possible. After Monday nights order, North Carolina board Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell told county election officials not to mail any ballots until a statewide date is set. A potential waiver of the Sept. 21 federal deadline may be necessary, she wrote by email. On the Michigan Supreme Court, justices nominated by Democrats currently hold a 4-3 majority. That court's order was unsigned, and two Republican-nominated justices wrote a dissenting opinion. We can only hope that the Secretarys misguided action now sanctioned with the imprimatur of this Court will not have national implications, the dissenting justices wrote. Kennedy was nominated for president by the Natural Law Party in Michigan. Benson, Michigan's secretary of state, had previously cited a state law saying candidates who are nominated and accept a minor partys nomination shall not be permitted to withdraw. Angela Benander, spokesperson for Bensons office, said the department is grateful for the high courts swift response. Clerks can now move forward with the ballot printing process to ensure absentee ballots will be delivered to voters by the federal deadlines, Benander said in a statement. In separate statements, Kennedy attorney Aaron Siri criticized the Michigan ruling but said the North Carolina decision will assure that nobody in North Carolina votes for a candidate who is no longer running in their state. __ Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Richard Harris ended up on an IRA hitlist after he condemned the terror groups actions, his son has revealed. Jared Harris, who appeared in The Crown, Mad Men and Chernobyl, said his father was initially in support of Irish unification and that independence was an explosive topic during his childhood. The 63-year-old said that his late fathers point of view changed and he later ended up as an IRA target, which he took as a kind of badge of honour. Speaking to the Big Issue magazine, Jared said: There were topics of conversation that you learned to avoid because he didnt have a filter when he was talking about it. So obviously, there was a lot about the issue of Irish independence in the news cycle. There was a very terrible campaign ongoing by the IRA, a campaign of terrorism. So that topic was an extraordinary, explosive topic. Jared Harris has revealed that his father's 'point of view changed' and he became a target of the IRA as a result - Rii Schroer Richard, who was born in Limerick, Ireland, was initially a vocal supporter of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) from 1973 until 1984. Jared, also known for starring in Benjamin Button and Mad Men, continued: He felt very strongly about Irish unification, and would speak openly about it in support of the movement. But his point of view changed, and he actually came out in the news and told the Americans to stop giving money to Noraid [a US-based organisation that supports Irish reunification] because it was being used to blow people up. He ended up on the IRA hitlist himself, which I think he took as a kind of badge of honour. Richard who starred in Harry Potter, Gladiator, and received an Oscar nomination for This Sporting Life died in 2002 at 75 years of age. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. MANHATTAN (KSNT) The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) are announcing the next assistant director, a woman who started as a dispatcher nearly 25 years ago. The RCPD said Erin Freidline has been promoted to assistant director of the Department. According to a news release from RCPD, Freidline is a highly respected leader within the department. She will succeed Assistant Director Kurt Moldrup. Manhattan police void nearly 20 parking tickets after K-State football season opener Captain Freidline has been with the RCPD since June 2000, and transitioned to a patrol officer in 2001. In her 24-year career, she has shown unwavering commitment to public safety by being a leader in many areas, such as being a school resource officer, detective and part of the Special Investigation Unit. Erin has consistently demonstrated an exceptional commitment to this department and the community we serve, RCPD Director Brian Peete said. Her leadership, experience, and dedication make her the ideal choice for Assistant Director, and we are confident she will continue to advance the mission and values of RCPD. In 2007, Freidline was promoted to sergeant, where she oversaw the patrol and detective units. She moved up to a lieutenant in 2013, leading the evening patrol shift and supervised detectives, Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) and the Evidence unit. Teenager dead after dirt bike accident in Shawnee Co. Five years later, Freidline was promoted to captain. In this role, she served as commander of the Support Division. In 2021, she returned to Investigations as commander, where she leads presently with distinction, according to the news release. In the assistant director role, Freidline is play a crucial role in the strategic direction of the department and assisting to oversee operations and guide the departments future. According to the news release, the promotion is a testament to Freidlines hard work, leadership and trust that she has from her colleagues and the community. She will start her new Jan. 1, 2025. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at Macomb County Community College on Oct. 5, 2023 | Ken Coleman Although Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has bowed out of the presidential race and endorsed former President Donald Trump, he will appear on the ballot in Michigan, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled Monday after Kennedy pushed to have it removed. Its a result that could harm the Trump campaign, as conservative voting could now be split between Trump and Kennedy, leaving Democratic candidate Vice President Harris in a better situation in a state where the race is expected to be close. Michigan's Supreme Court Kennedy was running as an independent candidate, earning the Natural Law Partys nomination in Michigan. As he was suspending his campaign activities in August, Kennedy said he would be removing his name from the ballot in 10 battleground states where he would be a spoiler or a candidate that would split votes from like-minded voters between multiple candidates, therefore weakening multiple campaigns. But Kennedys name will remain on the ballot, despite the Michigan Court of Appeals siding with Kennedy three days ago saying that the Michigan Secretary of State had no basis to deny plaintiffs request to withdraw his name from the ballot. Previously, Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher Yates sided with Michigans Secretary of State three days before the Court of Appeals saying, elections are not just games, and the Secretary of State (SOS) is not obligated to honor the whims of candidates for public office. The decision to keep Kennedy on the ballot split the Michigan Supreme Court with the majority opinion saying Kennedy was not entitled to extraordinary remedy of a writ of mandamus to have his name removed. The majority opinion reads that Kennedy, has neither pointed to any source of law that prescribes and defines a duty to withdraw a candidates name from the ballot nor demonstrated his clear legal right to performance of this specific duty. Democratic-nominated Justice Elizabeth Welch wrote in a concurring opinion that she had concerns about the Michigans Natural Law Party having representation if Kennedy removed his name. Nominated by the party in April, Kennedy then in August e-mailed the director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections to request that his name be withdrawn from the ballot, Welch wrote Shortly thereafter, the Natural Law Party chairperson reached out to the director of elections, indicating that the Natural Law Party opposed plaintiffs request. The chairperson opined that the Natural Law Party would face severe prejudice if its candidate were removed from the ballot, Welch wrote. There is no statute that directly bars a presidential candidate from withdrawing their candidacy and no no practical reason to deny Kennedys request before ballots have been printed, Republican-nominated Justices Brian Zahra and David Viviano wrote in a dissenting opinion. There is, however, a significant cost to the integrity of the election: the voters will be improperly denied a choice between persons who are actually candidates, and who are willing to serve if elected, the dissenting opinion reads. There is great distrust in the American voting system. The ballots printed as a result of the Courts decision will have the potential to confuse the voters, distort their choices, and pervert the true popular will and affect the outcome of the election. In short, the Courts ruling will do nothing to rebuild the publics trust in the fairness and accuracy of our elections. The dissenting justices went further by saying that countless Michigan voters may be deluded and deceived into casting their ballots for a candidate who has no intention to hold the office. We can only hope that the Secretarys misguided action now sanctioned with the imprimatur of this Court will not have national implications, Zahra and Viviano wrote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Robert De Niro and Steve Buscemi were among the Hollywood stars who took part in Sundays Paisans for Kamala, a livestream featuring prominent Italian Americans hoping to drum up support and donations for the Harris-Walz presidential campaign. De Niro kicked off the event hosted by comedian Paul Mecurio, former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Providence, Rhode Island, Mayor Joseph Paolino Jr. by saying hes hopeful that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will win the 2024 presidential election but warned that their supporters should not get complacent. More from The Hollywood Reporter Im very optimistic about it all, he said. Im very excited, but to me, it aint over till its over. So we cant for one second think that were ahead of this thing. We just have to be on it all the time until the very end because theyre going to try everything when the election day comes. When will these things be final? What will they question? What will they play games about? We know its coming, we see it coming. We have to just be ever vigilant, and its not over till its over. De Niro also said he hopes that, if the Democratic ticket of Harris and Walz beats the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, that there wont be a repeat of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Hopefully, if God willing that its Kamala and Walz, that the ones who make the big thing and what happened [on] January 6, I think people will think twice about doing something about that no matter what Trump says, becausepeople pay a price, and is it worth it for them? Especially following someone like him? You know, its just insane. De Niro added that he hopes some Trump supporters will see something in the Harris-Walz ticket that speaks to them. I think people who would normally support Trumpcould very well see that that there is a way with them thats more for them than with Trump because Trump doesnt offer anything, he added. And weve seen this before in other countries and other societies and other times in history, they think they can control someone like him. But once he becomes the boss if God forbid, he becomes the boss, all the people who thought they could control him, theyre gonna find out differently. Buscemi also spoke during the event, calling Harris smart, strong, kind, tough, inclusive [and] uniquely qualified. Theres, theres so many issues and policies at stake: affordable health care education, meaningful green initiatives, enacting sensible gun laws, he said. I dont understand why we are banning books and not automatic weapons. And of course a womans right to choose so important and respecting peoples choices to not have kids. Everyone has a stake in our future. Sorry JD. Buscemi also shared his concerns about a second Trump presidency. We know that theres no perfect candidates or politicians or presidents and were not always going to agree with every policy and decision, foreign or domestic, and thats OK, he added. We still have free speech in this country and the right to peacefully protest, and voting is a right that we should never take for granted. And of course, what worries me about another Trump administration is thathes a my-way-or-the-highway type of guy. He says he only hires the best people but he actually fired most of his best people. And hes just going to surround himself this time, if hes elected, with people who are just 100 percent loyal to him and his ways. And we know all too well, hell do anything to stay in power including inciting violence. Other Hollywood stars appearing on the livestream included Mark Ruffalo, Lorraine Bracco, Lisa Ann Walter and Marisa Tomei. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Multiple school districts in McCulloch County closed on Sept. 9 after Rochelle ISD was informed over the weekend that a school had been threatened through a national crisis hotline. In a public statement issued on Sept. 8, Rochelle ISD stated that the McCulloch County Sheriffs Office called the district at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 7 to inform it that an individual had made a phone call to a national crisis hotline and claimed they were in a crisis. During the call, the person made a threat directed to a school and identified that they attended Rochelle High. THE LATEST: Crisis hotline call from South America shuts down two Concho Valley schools The hotline contacted the McCulloch County Sheriffs Office, and the details of the call were shared with the school administration. The district stated that the caller provided incomplete information to the national crisis hotline and that there is no clear indication that the caller was or is a student at Rochelle ISD. We are actively working with law enforcement in order to obtain more information on the threat and to determine the legitimacy of the threat, Rochelle ISD Superintendent Matthew Fields said. As a precautionary measure due to the seriousness of the threat, Rochelle ISD has chosen not to operate on Sept. 9. The district said that it intends to re-open the campus on Sept. 10 based upon input and guidance from the state agencies supporting it. This allows law enforcement the opportunity to further investigate this threat and report to us their findings immediately, Fields said. We will share additional details as we learn more from those agencies. The district asks anyone with information regarding the threat to contact it immediately at (325) 243-5224 or use its anonymous report form at https://www.rochelleisd.net/page/stopit. The safety and well-being of our employees and students will always be our highest priority, Fields said. Brady ISD, located in McCulloch County as well, also stated on Sept. 8 that school was canceled on Sept. 9 in light of the alleged threat. Similarly to Rochelle ISD, the district is weighing whether to reopen on Sept. 10 based on local law enforcement and neighboring school districts. Brady ISD was not directly implicated in the phone call in question, however due to the nature of the threat and it being an open investigation, we will choose to err on the side of caution, Brady ISD Superintendent Hector Martinez said. The health and safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Elena Lasconi, the leader of Romania's main opposition party, Save Romania Union, has called on President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to explain the intrusion of Russian drones into the country's territory last weekend. Source: European Pravda, citing Euractiv Details: At least two Russian Shahed drones entered Romanian airspace on the night of 7-8 August. While the Romanian authorities sent alerts to mobile phones about the danger of falling objects to the residents of Tulcea and Constanta counties bordering Ukraine the incident was first reported by Ukraines Air Force. Quote: "It is absolutely outrageous to learn more from the Ukrainians than from the Romanian authorities," Lasconi said on Sunday, sharply criticising PM Ciolacu, leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Nicolae Ciuca, and President Klaus Iohannis. "In the spring, the head of the Army asked us to amend the legislation so we could shoot down drones entering our territory. Mr. Ciolacu, you control 60% of the parliament are you going to do something about it? Does General Ciuca have anything to say, or is he being silenced by his boss, Klaus Iohannis?" she added. Meanwhile, the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry called for respect for international law, including the inviolability of Romania's airspace, and reaffirmed its strong condemnation of Russia's unlawful attacks. Background: On Sunday, Ciolacu stated that "there are no serious issues on the ground" but warned that such incidents will continue due to the ongoing war near Romania's border and Ukraine's resumption of grain exports. Ciolacu also mentioned that he had been in contact with Defence Minister Angel Tilvar both during the night and the following morning "over coffee, as usual". This is not the first such incident since the start of the war in Ukraine, but Romanian authorities claim that current legislation does not allow them to shoot down drones entering Romania's airspace. This claim was supported earlier this year by General Gheorghita Vlad, Chief of Defence Staff, who stated that four laws need to be amended. Support UP or become our patron! Another day, another city fighting to stop overtourism. Rome is considering charging travelers for access to the famous Trevi Fountain to counter an influx of increasingly ill-behaved visitors, as reported by Bloomberg. More from Robb Report The historic, Baroque-era landmark, which Giuseppe Pannini completed in 1769, has become a must-see for travelers visiting the Italian capital. Visitors customarily throw coins into the fountains basin to ensure their return to the Eternal City. (The coins are scooped up and donated to a Catholic charity called Caritas Roma that supports the needy in Rome.) The symbolic act has, however, become so popular that tourists are flooding the surrounding piazza, disrupting the Trevi neighborhood, and upsetting residents. As a result, Romes tourism commissioner Alessandro Onorato has suggested the city implement a timed entry system to the fountains square with a cap on the number of visitors per hour. Tickets would be free for residents, while non-Romans would pay a 1 ($1.11) fee. Onorato sees the symbolic euro as a way to slow the flow of tourists rather than a revenue generator for the city. Bloomberg notes that Italys national tourism minister has expressed support for the proposal, meaning the new measure could be rolled out next year for the citys Jubilee. This isnt the first time Rome has added fees to once-free attractions. Last year, the city started charging those from abroad 5 to visit the Pantheon, for example. The Trevi Fountain proposal is different, though, as it would charge for entry not to a building but to a public space that has been frequented since ancient times. (Water-seekers have been gathering at the fountain since the 18th century, Bloomberg notes.) The move comes as record numbers flock to the Eternal City: Some 35 million people visited Rome in 2023 and even more are expected in 2024. Rome isnt the only heavily touristed city working on ways to manage an unprecedented volume of visitors. Several popular destinations have enacted anti-tourism policies to quash growing crowds: Amsterdam has banned the construction of new hotels, and Venice has introduced day-tripper fees. Locals have also begun to protest against overtourism, with some Barcelona residents spraying visitors with water guns to get their point across. That certainly makes a 1 price tag more appealing. Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis doubled down Monday on his decision to dispatch state police to investigate thousands of verified signatures that helped to put a state constitutional amendment protecting the right to abortion on the ballot in November. Following a roundtable discussion with condominium owners in Miami Lakes, Florida, DeSantis was asked to respond to reports that state residents felt intimidated after police officers were instructed to show up at their homes to verify signatures collected supporting an amendment that would overturn Floridas current six-week abortion ban. Last week, DeSantis requested that election supervisors across several counties submit 36,000 signatures for state review after the Department of State claimed that it had uncovered evidence of illegal conduct with fraudulent petitions. One supervisor with 16 years of experience told the Tampa Bay Times that the states enormous, last-minute request was entirely unprecedented. DeSantis has publicly opposed the amendment, and last week, Floridas Agency for Health Care published an official website opposing the amendment. Still, DeSantis insisted that the states investigation was simply due diligence, and not part of a state campaign to undermine the publicly supported amendment with police force. Are you concerned at all about that? one reporter asked DeSantis on Monday. That this investigation could lead to supporters of that amendment feeling intimidated by law enforcement? Anyone who submitted a petition, accurately, thats a valid voter [who] is totally within their rights to do it. Theyre not investigating that, what they are investigating is fraudulent petitions, DeSantis replied. DeSantis claimed that the group behind the petition, Floridians Protecting Freedom, had submitted petitions on behalf of the deceased. Uh, I dont know how you do that, I mean, I thought that was a Chicago thing! DeSantis exclaimed. It was unclear whether DeSantis was referring to this petition or a previous petition, but this specific claim appears entirely unsubstantiated. The governor said that the state was investigating cases where the petition and the name does not match the signature thats on file. I do think that theyve identified examples that are not valid. And, they absolutely need to beanyone that is trying to commit fraud in this process absolutely should be held accountable, and what Ive found is if people know that theres accountability then it really deters others from wanting to do it, DeSantis said, giving a nod to his own game of chilling speech. DeSantis went on to spread claims of widespread voter fraud, which he admitted could be entirely innocent mistakes, and baselessly complained that Democrats were fighting for noncitizens to vote in local elections. You look at whats happening in Ohio, where they brought in all these illegal immigrants from Haiti, and they have like tens of thousands now in this one little town in Ohio. Its just overwhelming all these services, DeSantis said, repeating false talking points from Donald Trumps social media earlier that day. So youve had a massive open border, and deliberately bringing people in and dropping them in certain communities, which, you just cant handle that type of influx. Itll be interesting to see how Kamala [Harris] answers this in the debate tomorrow night, because I just think its indefensible having been the border czar, DeSantis said, complaining about immigrants from the Middle East and China coming over the southern U.S. border. DeSantis also alleged that training camps for terrorists were training people to infiltrate the country and said that noncitizen voting was tantamount to foreign interference. If people signed petitions, and it looks, for whatever reason, if someone uh uh, is questioning that. If you signed it, you signed it. And you have a right to sign em, DeSantis said, sounding overwhelmed after diverting into right-wing anti-immigrant talking points for several minutes straight. Meanwhile, DeSantis has been accused of trying to thwart the petition. These are petitions that were already approved, that were done properly, said Florida congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Monday, according to the Independent. This police intimidation tactic is clearly intended to chill the democratic process. A Roosevelt High School student was arrested Monday morning after staff confiscated a loaded handgun during a meeting with the child and their family. The Des Moines police officers were called to the school at approximately 9:30 a.m. after the 9mm "handgun was safely removed" from the 16-year-old student's backpack, according to the Des Moines Police Department news release. The student was taken into custody. The school district's public safety team also responded to the incident. "Other than the obvious dangers associated with a student bringing a handgun into a school, the preliminary investigation has found no indication of threats being made to another student or staff," the release states. More: Mother of wounded Perry student speaks out on withholding of investigative report The student has been referred to juvenile court and faces charges of carrying firearms on school grounds, a class D felony, and possession of dangerous weapons and loaded firearms by a minor, a serious misdemeanor, the department's release went on to state. Roosevelt Principal Steven Schappaugh sent a letter to school families shortly after the incident saying the student was under supervision the entire time they were in the building. Schappaugh assured families that at "no time were other students in any danger." "We did utilize our standard response protocol and go on a hold for a few minutes so the student could exit the building with police and lifted it as soon as the police were leaving campus," the letter stated. "The hold did not disrupt classroom activities." The incident at Roosevelt comes just days after two Davenport West High School students were arrested Sept. 4 for each having a firearm in their backpacks on school grounds, according to a KWQC report. A mass school shooting that left four dead at a Georgia high school happened on the same day. Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at svhernandez@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @svhernandez or Facebook at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Roosevelt High student arrested after 9mm handgun found in backpack Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, 2 Cheap Cars Group fair value estimate is NZ$0.67 2 Cheap Cars Group's NZ$0.78 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate Peers of 2 Cheap Cars Group are currently trading on average at a 43% discount Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of 2 Cheap Cars Group Limited (NZSE:2CC) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for 2 Cheap Cars Group The Method We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (NZ$, Millions) NZ$3.60m NZ$2.56m NZ$2.06m NZ$1.80m NZ$1.66m NZ$1.58m NZ$1.54m NZ$1.52m NZ$1.53m NZ$1.54m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -42.50% Est @ -28.90% Est @ -19.38% Est @ -12.72% Est @ -8.06% Est @ -4.80% Est @ -2.51% Est @ -0.91% Est @ 0.21% Est @ 0.99% Present Value (NZ$, Millions) Discounted @ 7.5% NZ$3.4 NZ$2.2 NZ$1.7 NZ$1.4 NZ$1.2 NZ$1.0 NZ$0.9 NZ$0.9 NZ$0.8 NZ$0.7 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = NZ$14m After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.8%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 7.5%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034 (1 + g) (r g) = NZ$1.5m (1 + 2.8%) (7.5% 2.8%) = NZ$34m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= NZ$34m ( 1 + 7.5%)10= NZ$17m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is NZ$31m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of NZ$0.8, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at 2 Cheap Cars Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.131. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For 2 Cheap Cars Group, there are three additional elements you should further examine: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for 2 Cheap Cars Group you should know about. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for 2CC's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every New Zealander stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. New rules from GOP-majority election board could cause disarray in battleground Georgia The once-wonky Georgia State Election Board has burst into the limelight this year as a new Republican majority made up of a retired obstetrician, a former state senator who put out feelers for a Trump administration job and a right-wing media personality push ahead with new rules that could create chaos in November. The reshaping of the election board in one of the most critical battleground states of 2024 highlights how some Republicans who cast doubt on the 2020 presidential election results have now taken on prominent roles driving election rules and, in some areas, overseeing elections. With less than two months before Election Day, three Republicans on the five-member board are pushing through new rules that could jeopardize election certification, particularly if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the state, election experts and voting rights groups said. We cant be doing this at the last minute because it creates chaos. And chaos undermines confidence in our elections, full stop, said Sarah Tindall Ghazal, the lone Democrat on the board. She has kept a low profile since she was appointed in 2021 but has recently emerged in the press to try to counter the election boards sharp right turn. The board is set to consider another slate of new rules at its September 20 meeting. Theyre not taking the advice of attorneys, theyre not taking the advice of election administrators who are really critical in this whole calculus and theyre certainly not listening to anybody who doesnt think that the elections are rigged, she said of the three Republicans driving the raft of rule changes. The five-person election board was once led by Georgias secretary of state. But after 2020, former President Donald Trump fought to overturn his loss in the Peach State, pressuring Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find the thousands of votes Trump needed to win. Raffensperger refused, and in the aftermath, the GOP-led state legislature removed the secretary as a member of the board. The state election board is a mess, Raffensperger told reporters recently. Defending the changes Republican Janelle King, a media personality and the newest member of the board, has also become its most vocal defender. She was appointed in May by Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns and has since shrugged aside criticism and ethics complaints that the boards recent moves have generated. I dont care because I know we havent done anything wrong, King told CNN in an interview. This is a method of trying to weaken the Republican side by making it seem like were out here trying to steal elections. Theres no win for me to steal the election for anybody. King insisted she does not believe the 2020 election was stolen. But she has backed several of the boards new rules, including a controversial change allowing partisans who serve on local election boards to conduct a reasonable inquiry before certifying election results. The state election board in Georgia does not certify the results of any election. But it makes rules that guide election administrators and the local boards that certify results before they are sent up to the secretary of state and then the governor. The state election board also investigates election irregularities. King and other Republicans have argued recent rule changes are necessary to ensure vote counts are accurate and local election board members have the information they need to feel confident certifying the vote. The concerns around these rules creating chaos, I do not see that happening at all, King said. Rick Jeffares, a former Republican state senator, also joined the board this year. He was appointed by Georgias Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, one of the 2020 pro-Trump fake electors. When he joined the board, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Jeffares had spread claims on social media, which have since been removed or made private, around the 2020 election about Democrats cheating and dead people voting. Jeffares has continued to court controversy by floating his name for a possible role in a future Trump administration. I said if yall cant figure out who you want to be the EPA director for the south-east, Id like to have it, Jeffares told The Guardian. He later told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution it wasnt a formal ask and, I didnt talk to anyone in the Trump administration. Jeffares didnt respond to an interview request from CNN. Janice Johnston, a retired obstetrician who has spread falsehoods about the 2020 election, joined the board in 2022. At a recent MAGA-branded event Trump campaign signs behind her Johnston remarked on her senior status on the newly reshaped board. Its a relatively young board, Johnston told the crowd. Now Im second in seniority, which is shocking because its just been a couple of years. Johnston also attended a Trump rally in Atlanta last month where the former president applauded the three Republicans, calling them pit bulls fighting for honestly, transparency and victory. Johnston did not respond to CNNs request for an interview. Rapid rule changes spook election officials The board is now led by a longtime Waffle House executive, John Fervier, an independent who was appointed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp but has voted against the most controversial rules pushed by the boards Republican majority. Hes warned the three Republicans that some of their moves could be legally precarious and pushed them, unsuccessfully, to abandon an effort to try to reopen investigations into the 2020 election. The seemingly partisan and sheer amount of activity from the board so close to November has raised alarms across the state. On election night, the most important thing were doing is getting results out. This is going to delay that, Deirdre Holden, the supervisor for elections and voter registration in Paulding County, said of the boards new rules at a recent training for election officials. And its not going to be the state election board they are yelling at, itss going to be our local offices and we already take enough scrutiny. A statewide association of election workers wrote an open letter to the board imploring it to stop passing rule changes so close to the election. A Democrat state senator also filed an ethics complaint against King, Jeffares and Johnston, as did Cathy Woolard, a Democrat and the former chair of the Fulton County Board of Elections. We are having a partisan split on every single issue. Election boards should be very predictable, plodding, not partisan, Woolard said in an interview. We should be boring. Asked whether the board had pushed ahead with enough changes to potentially swing an election, Woolard said, Oh sure. I think theyve done enough to cause chaos in election training in 159 counties. They have created openings for people to say they have a reason not to certify an election. Over the weekend, a top official in the secretary of states office looked to reassure wary members of the public. We are confident certification will be completed by November 12, Chief Operating Officer Gabriel Sterling posted on X. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com All the rules for Tuesdays Harris-Trump showdown debate - and who they stand to benefit All the rules for Tuesdays Harris-Trump showdown debate - and who they stand to benefit 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. Runners come together for the Kentucky Run for the Fallen HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (WEHT) Runners from all over Kentucky dedicated one weekend to honor those who served our country by running a total of 110 miles in two days. Participants began in Owensboro on Saturday morning bright and early. The goal is to take the time to be intentional about remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Out of 16 runners the youngest is Aubrey Porter, a middle schooler who is running in remembrance of her grandfathers. Porter says stopping every mile to say a service members name makes it even more special- honoring those who served and the family members that will continue to hear thank you for your loved ones service. I think its really special to me because instead of just telling Oh im sorry for those youve lost, theyre saying the name and theyre saying who they were, that they were a great person, that they put their lives on the line and died for this country, says Porter. Kentucky Run for the Fallen honors service members who died as a result of serving from any circumstance during the war on terror. The idea is to honor all fallen with ties to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Ashley Mason is in charge of veterans affairs for the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West but helping today is a way to give back and honor her brothers legacy. Mason says its incredibly special to see this in person and watch her brothers service in the navy be recognized and remembered. I remember watching his honors. So, its just surreal, every day coming here and working and its just a way for me to give back every day. Its just, I didnt serve my country, but I feel like Im serving the people who served every day, says Mason. 16 people ran for those who cant and for those who will never be able to. The Kentucky Run for the Fallen may have ended but remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice will continue on. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Russia claims capture of town near Pokrovsk, Kyiv says fighting ongoing in the area The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Sept. 8 that its forces had captured the town of Novohrodivka in Donetsk Oblast, while Ukraine's military said that battles are ongoing in the area. Novohrodivka is around 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Pokrovsk, an important logistical hub for Ukrainian forces. The sector is described by the Ukrainian military as the most difficult and has seen months-long fierce fighting. Serhii Tsehotskyi, an officer with Ukraine's 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Sept. 2 that the military command decided to withdraw from Novohrodivka because the town had "an unfavorable geographical location." Estimated Russian advance in the Pokrovsk sector, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, as of Sept. 9, 2024. (DeepState/OpenStreetMaps) There were also unconfirmed reports that the town had been poorly fortified, and Russian soldiers captured it in a few days. The General Staff neither announced Ukraine's withdrawal from Novohrodivka nor commented on the claims. In their daily updates, the military said that Ukrainian soldiers repel dozens of attacks near the settlements surrounding Pokrovsk, including Novohrodivka. The statement did not specify whether battles are ongoing within Novohrodivka itself or only in its vicinity. The Kyiv Independent reached out to the Ukrainian military but has not received a response at the time of publication. The Russian Defense Ministry reported capturing four other settlements near Pokrovsk over the past week: Zhuravka, Skuchne, Karlovka, and Zavitne. These claims could not be verified. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russia's advance in the Pokrovsk direction had been halted in the past six days in an interview with CNN aired on Sept. 5. He linked this development to Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast, which was designed to divert Russian forces from Pokrovsk and other hot sectors in Donetsk Oblast. Read also: What the fall of Pokrovsk would mean for Russias war in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Christopher Bing, Katie Paul and Raphael Satter (Reuters) - Russia is increasingly turning to American social media stars to covertly influence voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election, according to U.S. officials and recently unveiled criminal charges. What we see them doing is relying on witting and unwitting Americans to seed, promote and add credibility to narratives that serve these foreign actors interest, a senior intelligence official said in a briefing on Friday. These foreign countries typically calculate that Americans are more likely to believe other Americans views. The approach is widely viewed by American security agencies as one of Russias preferred tactics this cycle in order to make their foreign psychological operations appear more authentic. Broadly, these missions typically seek to anger Americans, highlight societal divisions and emphasize partisan talking points while questioning the U.S. governments effectiveness and role in global security, experts say. We're focusing on these tactics because the American public should know that content that they read online, especially on social media, could be foreign propaganda, even if it appears to be coming from fellow Americans, another senior U.S. intelligence official said in a July briefing with reporters on election security. In short, foreign influence actors are getting better at hiding their hand and using Americans to do it. TENET On Wednesday, the Justice Department revealed criminal charges against two former employees of Russian media outlet Russia Today, or RT, who they say were covertly funding an American political media company. The indictment outlines an alleged scheme where the Russians sent about $10 million to two media business owners, Lauren Chen and Liam Donovan, who then paid American conservative influencers to create videos and social media posts. Some of the commentators had at different times shared anti-Ukraine content, which aligned with the efforts priorities. Chen and Donovan did not respond to a request for comment. While the indictment does not name the accused media outlet, Reuters found it is a Tennessee-based firm named Tenet Media, which publicly describes itself as the home for fearless voices. Tenet did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Historically, it has employed several prominent social media figures, including podcaster Tim Pool and former journalist Benny Johnson, among others. The indictment notes that Chen and Donovan knew they were accepting money from the Russian operatives, but that the commentators they paid appeared unaware of the arrangement. Tenet managed a YouTube channel and various other social media profiles, where it published videos and audio recordings from its contributors. According to court documents, Tenets founders directed one unnamed commentator to make false claims online to their viewers that it was Ukraine and not ISIS who was responsible for a deadly terrorist attack in Moscow in April. Pool and Johnson released statements late Wednesday acknowledging the indictment against Tenet. Pool said never at any point did anyone other than I have full editorial control of the show and that I as well as the other personalities and commentators were deceived and are victims. Johnson similarly wrote in a statement that he was disturbed by the allegations in todays indictment, which make clear that myself and other influencers were victims in this alleged scheme. Experts say the scheme fits a historical trend. Paying journalists or front media outlets was a very established process for laundering propaganda during the Cold War for example, this is sort of a digital update to that, said Renee DiResta, a digital disinformation analyst. That they use influencers rather than journalists is interesting a recognition of where the influential voices in the community are. DOPPELGANGER In a related but separate filing made on Wednesday, the Justice Department also exposed a different Russian operation, known as Doppelganger, that impersonated actual Western news outlets and shared false information about U.S. political candidates and the war in Ukraine. This effort was allegedly orchestrated by the Russian government through a group of Russian marketing agencies named Social Design Agency, Structura National Technology and ANO Dialog. Among the evidence submitted to the court, prosecutors cited internal presentations from the Russian marketing agencies that explained their approach and tools. A key element of the program, according to the documents, involved identifying western influencers who share sympathetic views and finding ways to collaborate with them. One presentation notes how they work with influencers among proponents of traditional values who stand up for ending the war in Ukraine and peaceful relations between the US and Russia and who are ready to get involved in the promotion of the project narratives. Among them are actors, politicians, experts in different areas, media representatives, social organizations activists and clergymen, etc. A second presentation states the Russian companies are actively monitoring a total of 2,800 influencers, 600 of whom are based in the U.S., including radio hosts, bloggers and comedians. Russian influence actors have undertaken distinct efforts during this election cycle to build and use networks of U.S. and other Western personalities to create and disseminate Russian friendly narratives, said the senior intelligence official. These personalities post content on social media, write for various websites with overt and covert ties to the Russian government and conduct other media efforts. It is not clear how or when the FBI warns American social media stars they are being co-opted in a foreign influence operation. During the July briefing with reporters, a senior intelligence official said it's a complicated answer that is obviously case specific and which requires consultation from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, or DNI, which oversees the U.S. intelligence community. On Friday, a DNI official said that so-called defensive briefings to warn Americans they are a target of foreign influence had picked up steam. (This story has been corrected to say that Tenet no longer manages a YouTube account, in paragraph 9) (Reporting by Christopher Bing) The Russian military will send its naval and air forces to participate in China's drills in September, the Chinese Defense Ministry said Sept. 9. Moscow has deepened military ties with Beijing amid growing tensions with the West, which have escalated after the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine. The North-Joint 2024 will take place in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, with the aim of "enhancing strategic cooperation between the Chinese and Russian militaries and their ability to jointly respond to security threats," the ministry said. The exact date of the drills was not specified. The Russian and Chinese naval forces will also conduct the fifth joint maritime cruise in the Pacific Ocean, and Beijing will take part in Russia's Ocean-2024 drills. The two countries previously held joint drills at a Chinese military point in Zhanjiang in July. The July exercises came shortly after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that alliance members agreed that China is a "decisive enabler" of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A joint declaration of NATO members also mentioned that China is a threat to the interests and security of the alliance, which Stoltenberg said was "the first time that all NATO members state this so clearly in an agreed document." China has also become the key economic lifeline for Russia as it faces mounting Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, as well as its leading source of dual-use goods. There has been no confirmation that China provided Russia with direct military support. Read also: Explainer: Why Armenia-Russia relations continue to deteriorate Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. While the Russian advance on Pokrovsk had slightly slowed down in recent days, Vuhledar, in the southern part of Donetsk Oblast, became a new focal point of the ongoing Russian offensive. Located 50 kilometers south of Pokrovsk, Vuhledar is often referred to as a "fortress" among the military and has been under consistent Russian attacks since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. As part of the most recent wave of offensives in Donetsk Oblast, Russian troops resumed their assault on the city. Although not a logistics hub like Pokrovsk, the city is key to Ukraine's defenses on the southern front, the loss of which could significantly impact military operations in the area. "The loss of Vuhledar would be not only a morale blow for Ukraine since this city has resisted plenty of assaults since 2022, but also a very serious development that can potentially threaten the security of the entire southwestern portion of Donetsk Oblast not yet occupied, along with the threat to Pokrovsk's southern flank," Federico Borsari, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), told the Kyiv Independent. Read also: What the fall of Pokrovsk would mean for Russias war in Ukraine Why does Russia keep trying to seize Vuhledar? The small mining town of Vuhledar, where about a hundred people remained as of February 2024, according to Suspilne, is located north of a key intersection connecting the O-0532 road towards Vodiane and Kostiantynivka, a small paved road toward Kurakhove and the partly occupied T-0509 highway toward Velyka Novosilka. "It is, therefore, a key logistic point for Ukrainian forces defending the southern flank of Kurakhove," Borsari said. Given the Russian significant advance towards Pokrovsk from the east in recent weeks, Ukrainian forces need to avoid a similar development from the south to avoid the risk of encirclement, Borsari added. Soldiers of the 58th separate mechanized brigade go to their positions along the trenches, which are covered in mud after the rain in Vuhledar, Ukraine on Nov. 6, 2023. (Kostya Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images) The expert noted that the occupied section of the T-0509 highway, which passes south of Vuhledar, is essential for Russian forces trying to advance westward. Vuhledar is also the last fortified town before the village of Velyka Novosilka and the entire southern part of Donetsk Oblast that Ukraine controls. Russia has long said that its goal is to occupy Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, and Vuhledar was one of the towns that had long been standing in the way of this, Dmytro Zhmaylo, co-founder and executive director of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center, told the Kyiv Independent. "Ideological requirements, as well as information and psychological ones, often dictate military objectives for the Russians," Zhmaylo said. Why can't Russia conquer it? Vuhledar, home to 14,000 people before the war, and its surroundings are heavily urbanized and lie on higher ground, making the territory difficult to seize. The town has also been close to the front line since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014, so it has been well-fortified in case of a potential Russian offensive. Dense buildings and a small area create conditions for more effective strikes by the Ukrainian military. Russian troops, limited in their maneuvers by urban construction and concrete fortifications, tend to concentrate in one place, making it easier to hit them with artillery and aircraft, said Zhmaylo. "Our tactic is simply to wipe out the Russians in their attacks while we stand in a stalemate. That's why we hold on to the cities," Zhmaylo added. Zhmaylo said that Russian troops were pushed out of the eastern part of the town of Selydove, nearly 40 kilometers (24 miles) north of Vuhledar, for the same reasons: when Ukrainian forces brought in reserves, Russian soldiers were unable to gain a foothold in the densely built-up area. "The enemy's difficulties lie in that our artillery is operating, and we (Ukraine) are on a hill. This situation is partially comparable to the conditions in Chasiv Yar, but unfortunately, Vuhledar does not have such solid water barriers around," Zhmaylo said. Russia has attempted to attack Vuhledar directly instead of from the flanks, but it ended "very badly" for them, Emil Kastehelmi, an analyst at the Finland-based Black Bird Group, told the Kyiv Independent. An aerial view of the city of Vuhledar, Ukraine on Dec. 14, 2023. (Libkos/Getty Images) During the recent offensive, Russian troops changed their strategy, trying to approach Vuhledar from the flanks to force the Ukrainian military out of the city at the risk of being surrounded. "There is still a long way before the town of Vuhledar would actually be encircled. So, the Russians would have to make at least locally significant gains to actually create a proper encirclement threat," Kastehelmi said. Read also: Thousands flee as Russian troops take one Donetsk Oblast village after another How far did Russian troops advance in the area? In early September, Russian troops made a number of advances not far from Vuhledar. Russian troops made gains near the settlements of Hirnyk and Ukrainsk, approaching Kurakhove from the north, managed to occupy the village of Prechystivka, approaching Vuhledar from the southwest, and took over Vodiane, closing in on Vuhledar from the northeast. Russia is now focusing on capturing smaller settlements with unfortified areas, realizing that it lacks the personnel to take Vuhledar in one push, Zhmaylo said. "The Russians went all-in," he said. "The Russians are trying to stretch our reserves, and we are trying to do the same in Kursk Oblast to reduce their offensive potential. In general, the areas of the front line where Russia can advance quickly are quite limited," Zhmaylo said. A Ukrainian drone Unit commander with the call sign Boxer (right) walks in the Ukrainian-controlled city of of Sudzha, Kursk Region, Russia, on Aug. 18th, 2024. (Ed Ram/For The Washington Post via Getty Images) Despite Ukraine's hopes of forcing Russia to redeploy troops from Donetsk Oblast to defend the country's Kursk Oblast, over 350 kilometers northwest, no withdrawal has been recorded so far. "The Russian strategy now seems to be centered on gradual advances along multiple mutually supporting lines of advance rather than disjointed heavy mechanized assaults in order to achieve breakthroughs as in 2022-2023," Borsari said. "This confirms Russian learning and adaptation after multiple failed attempts to advance in this area that caused enormous losses." "Russia (also) often has reserves available to try rapid advances when it identifies gaps or weak points in Ukrainian defenses, as seen east of Pokrovsk in recent weeks," he added. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia takes another Ukraine town as it bears down on key transport hub Damage left behind following a rocket strike of Russian forces in the Pokrovsk region - ANADOLU Russia on Monday said it had captured another village on the road to the key garrison city of Pokrovsk in Ukraines east. Units of the Tsenter grouping of troops liberated the settlement of Memryk, Russias defence ministry said. Memryk, which had a pre-war population of 400, sits on a main road to Pokrovsk, about 12 miles to the east. The day before, Russian forces were said to have captured Novohrodivka, some seven miles from what has emerged as Moscows key target. A Ukrainian artilleryman mans a howitzer near Pokrovsk - SERHII NUZHNENKO/REUTERS A firefighter in the remains of a factory which caught fire after Russian shelling - Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu It was reported that Kyivs forces had abandoned positions that had become impossible to defend. Ukrainian war blog DeepState said Russian forces had captured the village of Nevelske, to the southeast. Pokrovsk is considered a key logistics hub for Ukraines defence of the eastern Donetsk region. Moscow currently controls about 80 per cent of the region. Its capture by Moscow would also open up a new route into Dnipro, one of Ukraines largest cities. Ukrainian authorities have introduced a curfew and halted rail connections in the city as Russian forces continue to advance towards the strategically important city. Ukrainian army medics treat wounded soldiers at a stabilisation point near Chasiv Yar - Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Locals in the Pokrovsk region prepare to evacuate following a Russian rocket strike - ANADOLU An estimated 26,000 people live in the city, about half of its pre-war population. Ukraine had hoped its surprise incursion into Russias southern Kursk region would have stalled Moscows advances by drawing troops and resources away. However, Western analysts have noted an increased tempo in the Russian operation nearing Pokrovsk. It has proved costly, however, with Russia losing 18 troops for every two lost by Ukraine in Donetsk, the Economist reported. 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. Russian forces shelled the town of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on Sept. 9, killing a 16-year-old girl and injuring three other people, Governor Serhii Lysak said. Nikopol, situated on the banks of the dried-up Kakhovka Reservoir, just across from Russian-occupied Enerhodar and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, is a regular target of Russian attacks. Russia fired around a dozen of artillery shells at the town in the morning, damaging houses, Lysak said. The body of a killed girl was retrieved from the rubble of a damaged house. Two men aged 79 and 74 and a 66-year-old woman suffered injuries. One man was hospitalized, the governor said. Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day killed seven people and injured at least 32, according to regional authorities. Read also: August saw second-highest number of civilian casualties dealt by Russia to Ukraine this year, UN says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson has signed off 53.9m ($59.9m) of funding to develop green hydrogen and renewables in southern Africa. Namibia will receive 36.9m, the largest share of the investment. The EU commission has pledged 50m to Namibian and South African hydrogen-focused funds, of which 25m will go to the SDG Namibia One fund with the aim of advancing production, transportation and storage, as well as downstream industries. According to an EU statement, the fund aims to raise 1bn towards the 3GW Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project, which is expected to cost $10bn. The European Investment Bank and Dutch impact fund Invest International have contributed 540m to the project, which is expected to receive a final investment decision in 2025. The bloc has not yet decided where the rest of the funding is going. Simson also signed off a 1.2m grant for the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme and the funding will ensure that the green hydrogen sector is steered and regulated by an effective support mechanism. The EU wants to help Namibia drive its green industrialisation, achieve energy security and increase prosperity for its citizens as envisioned under the Harambee Prosperity Plan and Vision 2030, Simson added. In March, Germany labelled the Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project as a strategic foreign project. It is being developed by a joint venture of German renewables company Enertrag and international investor Nicholas Holdings, with RWE and South Korean company Approtium having already signed non-binding off-take agreements. "EU offers funds for southern African green hydrogen and renewables projects" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Editor's note: The article was updated with a statement by Ukraine's Energy Ministry. Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least seven people and injured at least 32, including children, over the past day, the regional authorities reported early on Sept. 9. Ukrainian air defenses downed six of the eight Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, as well as two Kh-56/69 cruise missiles, the Air Force said. The two remaining drones were "lost" on Ukrainian territory, and a third missile failed to hit its target, according to the report. Russia launched an attack against the village of Cherkaske in Donetsk Oblast on Sept. 8, killing three people and injuring five, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported. One person was killed and 16 injured in Russian attacks against Kharkiv Oblast over the past day, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. An attack with multiple-launch rocket systems against the town of Derhachi on the evening of Sept. 8 killed a 76-year-old woman and injured 13 residents, including an 8-year-old child. A 16-year-old boy was injured in the village of Hrushivka, a 56-year-old woman was injured in the town of Kupiansk, and a 59-year-old man was injured in the Berezivka village. Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast injured 11 people over the past day, according to the regional governor, Oleksandr Prokudin. A shop, a high-rise building, houses, and other buildings were damaged. In Mykolaiv Oblast, a 70-year-old woman was killed in Russian attacks against the town of Ochakiv on the afternoon of Sept. 8, Governor Vitalii Kim said. A Russian rocket attack against Sumy and the city's vicinity killed two civilians, the regional military administration reported. The day of Sept. 8 saw the heaviest attack against the border areas of Chernihiv Oblast throughout the full-scale war, Governor Viacheslav Chaus reported. Some 160 strikes were recorded, with damage reported in multiple areas along the border. The city of Semenivka suffered partial blackouts as a result. No casualties were reported. Apart from Chernihiv Oblast, Russian attacks also caused blackouts or gas outages in six other regions: Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk, the Energy Ministry said. Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts also came under attack over the past day, but no casualties were reported. Read also: 17 IRIS-Ts will boost Ukraines air defenses but its still not enough, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Russians struck Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast with an FPV (first-person view) drone on the morning of 9 September, resulting in injuries to two civilian men. Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office Quote: "Investigation materials indicate that the occupiers struck the city of Kupiansk with an FPV drone at around 08:00 on 9 September. Two men, aged 71 and 49, were injured. Medical personnel provided assistance to them." Details: The Prosecutors Office has initiated a pre-trial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war (Article 438.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Background: Russian forces attacked Ukraine with three Kh-59/69 missiles from the airspace over Russias Kursk Oblast and temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk Oblast, as well as with eight Shahed-type attack drones from Russias Kursk. Ukraines air defence has managed to down two Kh-59/69 missiles and six drones. Support UP or become our patron! Russian drone which crashed in Latvia was equipped with explosives A drone recovered in Latvia on 7 September during another attack on Ukraine was a Russian Shahed-type drone equipped with explosives, representatives of the Latvian National Armed Forces have stated at a briefing. Source: LSM.lv, as reported by European Pravda Details: Lieutenant General Leonids Kalnins, Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces, reported that a Shahed a type of drone which Russia deploys to strike Ukraine had crashed in the country's east. The drone had flown in from Belarus. Colonel Viesturs Masiulis, Commander of the Latvian Air Force, said the drone was fitted with an explosive device, which was destroyed on the ground after it crashed. Kalnins said that following analysis and observation of the situation, it had been concluded that the drone attack was not targeted against Latvia. An inquiry is underway to determine the circumstances behind the drone crash, including whether it had been damaged or fell by itself. The Latvian army commander also stated that the Latvians had recorded the arrival of the drone, but did not elaborate on the decisions made in this regard. Background: On Sunday, 8 September, Latvia's president Edgars Rinkevics announced that a Russian military drone had crashed in Latvian territory on Saturday. The army stated that the UAV flew into Latvian airspace from Belarus and was spotted immediately. NATO said it had no information suggesting that the crash of the Russian drone in Latvia was intentional. Support UP or become our patron! Romania's Defense Ministry confirmed on Sept. 9 that it had found Russian drone fragments near the village of Periprava, situated directly across the Danube River from the Ukrainian border. Officials from Romania's Intelligence Service, Internal Affairs Ministry, and Defense Ministry said they were also investigating another possible drone impact site near the village of Caraorman - about 38 km south of the first impact site. The confirmation from the Defense Ministry comes after the ministry said that an overnight Russian drone attack on Ukraine on Sept. 8 violated Romanian airspace. "The Defense Ministry strongly condemns these attacks by the Russian Federation against Ukrainian civilian facilities and infrastructure, which are unjustified and seriously violate international law," said in their statement on Sept. 8. Residents in the Romanian counties of Tulcea and Constanta received alerts around 2:30 a.m. local time, advising them to take shelter and warning of possible falling objects. Two F-16 fighter jets took off from Romania's 86th Borca Air Base to monitor the airspace, the ministry said. The Russian drone entered Romanian airspace but later left, heading back toward Ukraine. It was not the first time that wreckage of Russian drones have been found on Romanian territory, which is a NATO country. Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian port infrastructure on the Danube River that separates Ukraine and Romania. On Aug. 21, drone fragments were discovered again in the village of Periprava near the Romania-Ukraine border. The news of drone wreckage found in Romania follows confirmation from Latvia's Defense Ministry that a Russian Shahed-type drone equipped with an explosive crashed in Latvia on Sept. 7. The incident, which was officially confirmed on Sept. 9, marks the first case of a Russian drone crashing on Latvian soil. In response to the incident, Latvia summoned the Russian Embassy's charge d'affaires to express protest at the airspace violation. Read also: Latvia summons Russian charge daffaires over drone crash Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) attends the GCC-Russia Joint Ministrial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue, at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat in Riyadh (Fayez Nureldine) (Fayez Nureldine/AFP/AFP) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Riyadh on Monday where he met with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council. Gulf monarchies have strived to remain neutral in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. The talks between the Saudi prince and Russian minister focused on "recent international and regional developments," the official Saudi Press Agency reported. Earlier on Monday, Lavrov met with foreign ministers of the GCC, a Riyadh-based organisation comprising Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, all traditionally partners of the United States. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest exporter of crude oil, has closely collaborated with Moscow on oil policy, but has ties with both Moscow and Kyiv since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has positioned itself as a potential mediator. The Gulf monarchy has received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on several occasions, including during his participation in an Arab League summit in May 2023 in Jeddah. The kingdom has promised hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including for Ukrainian refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries. During a press conference, GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stressed the "neutrality" of the whole Council. He told reporters that the GCC countries "stand at equal distance" between Russians and Ukrainians. The United Arab Emirates announced in late August that it had mediated a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, leading to the release of 230 captives. Emirati mediation in June resulted in a prisoner of war exchange involving 90 prisoners from each side. In September 2022, Riyadh helped free several foreign fighters held in Ukraine, including two Americans and five Britons. ht/sar/ysm/it DeepState, a group of military analysts, updated their interactive online map of hostilities in Ukraine on the night of 8-9 September, indicating that Russian troops had occupied the village of Vodiane in Donetsk Oblast. Source: DeepState Quote: "The enemy has occupied Vodiane and advanced towards Hrodivka." Support UP or become our patron! BEIJING (Reuters) - Russia's military will send naval and air forces to join an exercise held by China in the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk in September, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Monday. The drills aim to deepen "the level of strategic coordination between the Chinese and Russian militaries and enhance their ability to jointly respond to security threats," Xinhua said. (Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Christian Schmollinger) Russian Shahed drone wreckage found in Romania near border with Ukraine Wreckage of a Russian drone was found in the Romanian county of Tulcea, near the border with Ukraine, on Monday, 9 September. Source: a statement from Romania's National Defence Ministry, as reported by European Pravda Details: Specialists from Romania's Defence Ministry, Intelligence Service and Interior Ministry "collected pieces of a Russian drone" on the outskirts of the village of Periprava in Tulcea. These will now be submitted for expert analysis "in accordance with legal procedures". "Searches will also shortly take place in the vicinity of [the village of] Caraorman, which is reported to be another possible crash site," the statement said. The Romanian Defence Ministry stressed that the wreckage had been found outside populated areas, and no infrastructure had been damaged. Background: At least two Russian Shahed loitering munitions infiltrated Romanian airspace on the night of Sunday, 7-8 September. In response, Romanian authorities issued mobile phone alerts to residents in the counties of Tulcea and Constanta, which border Ukraine, warning them of the potential risk of these munitions falling. Meanwhile, the Romanian Foreign Ministry called on Russia to respect international law, including the inviolability of Romania's airspace, and reaffirmed its strong condemnation of Russia's unlawful attacks. Elena Lasconi, the leader of Romania's main opposition party, Save Romania Union, urged President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to explain the intrusion of Russian drones into Romanian territory. Support UP or become our patron! Iranian-made Shahed-136 'Kamikaze' drone flies over the sky of Kermanshah, Iran on March 7, 2024. Iran fired over 100 drones and ballistic missiles on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in retaliation to an attack on a building attached to the country's consular annex in Damascus that killed the guards, and two generals of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on April 01, 2024. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack on April 5, 2024 in Tehran. A Russian long-range attack drone breached Latvian airspace before crashing on the territory of the NATO country, officials confirmed, in what is a new development on the fringes of the war in Ukraine. Romania, another NATO member, also reported that a Russian drone came down on its territory. While all indications are that these drones were taking part in the war in Ukraine, the latest incidents come as the alliance is increasingly concerned about possible drone attacks on its territory, as part of Moscow-inspired efforts within Europe. This morning, Stockholms international airport was back online after reports of drones in its vicinity led to a temporary suspension of operations. Citing the Latvian Ministry of Defense, the local LETA news agency reported that an initial investigation indicated that the drone had entered Latvian airspace from Belarus on September 7 before crashing near the city of Rezekne, in the east of the country, around 50 miles from the Belarusian border. Belarus hosts various Russian military units involved in the war in Ukraine and provides launch sites for drones as well as missiles and aircraft. The approximate location of the city of Rezekne, in the east of Latvia, around 50 miles from the Belarusian border. Google Earth While the type was initially undisclosed, the Latvian Ministry of Defense today stated it was an Iranian-designed Shahed-type one-way attack drone, a type used extensively by Russia to strike targets across Ukraine. The drone was fitted with an explosive warhead and appears likely to have been flying in entirely the opposite direction compared to the likely location of its intended target. ZAPORIZHZHIA, UKRAINE AUGUST 27, 2024 Workers of the Kobra emergency and rescue service remove rubble at a house destroyed after a Russian Shahed drone fell onto a residential area in Zaporizhzhia, southeastern Ukraine. (Photo credit should read Dmytro Smolienko / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Future Publishing Local officials presume that the drone was not intended to enter Latvian airspace, Leonids Kalnins, the commander of Latvias Joint Headquarters, saying that the drone did not have a specific purpose to fly into Latvia. The Latvian Minister of Defense Andris Spruds said the incident was confirmation that we need to continue the work we have started to strengthen Latvias eastern border, including the development of air defense capabilities and electronic warfare capabilities. It should be noted that there have also been recent reports of Belarus shooting down or attempting to shoot down stray Russian drones within its airspace. Reports in the Ukrainian press last week claimed that Belarus, for the first time, successfully shot down a pair of Russian drones that entered its airspace on September 5. Belarusian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters apparently downed the drones near the Belarusian city of Homel. Belarus downs Russian drones over its airspace for first time, monitoring group reports. The Belarusian Air Force downed two Russian attack drones on Sept. 5 near the Belarusian city of Gomel, the monitoring group Belaruski Hajun claimed. https://t.co/Hk8w6UfrMp The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) September 5, 2024 The results of a previous Belarusian attempt to use MiG-29s to intercept wayward Russian drones, on August 29, remain unconfirmed. With borders to Belarus and Russia, Latvia is very much on the front line of tensions between NATO and Moscow. Latvia has been a staunch backer of Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, and it has taken an increasingly hard line on Russia, especially as fears grow that the Baltic States could be at risk of Russian invasion should they have success in defeating Ukraine. Latvias President Edgars Rinkevics (C) inspects the construction of a border wall in Karsava, Latvia, close to the Baltic countrys border with Russia, on June 18, 2024. (Photo by Gints Ivuskans / AFP) GINTS IVUSKANS National air defense of Latvia is primarily entrusted to other members of the NATO alliance, which send rotational fighter detachments to the country under the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) initiative. Currently, four Italian Air Force Eurofighters are based at Siauliai in Lithuania under BAP. Its unclear whether these aircraft responded to the drone incursion, but TWZ has approached the Italian Ministry of Defense for comment. Italian Air Force Eurofighters in Lithuania during an earlier rotation as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission. Photo by Gianluca Vannicelli via NATO The incident also prompted Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics to call for a more concerted and coordinated NATO response to drone incursions as well as airspace violations by crewed aircraft. On the social media platform X, Rinkevics wrote: The number of such incidents is increasing along the eastern flank of NATO, and we must address them collectively. Russian military drone has crashed in the Eastern part of Latvia yesterday. There is an ongoing investigation. We are in close contact with our allies. The number of such incidents is increasing along the Eastern flank of NATO and we must address them collectively. Edgars Rinkevics (@edgarsrinkevics) September 8, 2024 Another drone incursion occurred on the southern portion of NATOs eastern flank. The Romanian Ministry of Defense said the countrys radar supervision system identified and tracked the path of a drone which entered national airspace and then exited toward Ukraine. The incident occurred early on Sunday while Russian night-time attacks were taking place in neighboring Ukraine, with targets including civilian targets and port infrastructure on the other side of the Danube, according to the Romanian Ministry of Defense. In response to the incursion, two Romanian Air Force F-16 fighters were scrambled. Meanwhile, residents of the Tulcea and Constanta counties in south-eastern Romania were warned to take cover, with alerts being provided by text message. A Romanian Air Force F-16 lands at Borcea Air Base, Romania. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton A Romanian Air Force F-16AM lands at the 86th Air Base in Borcea, Romania, in October 2021. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton From existing data, the possibility of an impact zone on national territory was identified, in an uninhabited area near the village of Periprava, the Romanian Ministry of Defense added. As of today, military personnel were searching for wreckage in the presumed area of impact. There werent serious issues on the ground, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu told reporters. However, he warned that incidents of this kind will continue, since we have a war on the border. Unlike Latvia, Romania has faced previous Russian drone and missile incursions since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Not only does Romania share an extensive border with Ukraine, but some of its territory is very close to the Ukrainian Danube River, and its ports, which have been a frequent target of Russian drone and missile strikes. A concrete bunker covered with camouflage netting near the Romanian village of Plauru, in September 2023. The Romanian Armed Forces built it after the first fragment of a Russian drone crashed there in the summer of 2023. Photo by Kathrin Lauer/picture alliance via Getty Images picture alliance On a domestic level, Romanian lawmakers are poised to discuss legislation that would make it easier for the Romanian Armed Forces to shoot down drones that enter the countrys airspace in peacetime. The air defense of Romania has been bolstered in recent months by a detachment of French SAMP/T Mamba surface-to-air missiles and an air defense command post as part of NATOs Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) initiative. Roumanie | #ShieldingTheSkies Le detachement MAMBA deploye en Roumanie contribue a la protection du territoire de l#OTAN. Proteger et defendre ensemble le ciel de lAlliance est notre priorite. #StrongerTogetherpic.twitter.com/iNpoZlEanj Armee francaise Operations militaires (@EtatMajorFR) September 7, 2024 Romania also hosts rotational detachments of NATO fighters, the Air Shielding mission, which serves to bolster alliance air defenses in the Black Sea region. This summer, the Finnish Air Force took part in NATO Air Shielding in Romania for the first time, with its F/A-18C Hornet fighters being scrambled to monitor a previous drone incursion in late July. From the North to the South 7 Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets landed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base Their first deployment under #NATOs Air Shielding mission will see them conducting training & QRA duties in the Black Sea region Read more: https://t.co/HmYrwUv0VIpic.twitter.com/bVKlorO0ob NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) June 4, 2024 The two incidents also led to further calls from NATO officials to better respond to Russian air incursions. Not for the first time now, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana described the drone incursions as irresponsible and potentially dangerous, although she noted that there was no evidence that they were deliberate. Ukraine also called out Russia for the drone incursions, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha writing on X that the incidents in Latvia and Romania were a stark reminder that Russias aggressive actions extend beyond Ukraine. Today, Russian drones violated Romanian and Latvian airspace. A stark reminder that Russia's aggressive actions extend beyond Ukraine. Allies collective response must be maximum support for Ukraine now to put an end to Russian aggression, protect lives, and keep Europe at peace. Andrii Sybiha (@andrii_sybiha) September 8, 2024 One alliance member that has raised the issue of shooting down rogue Russian drones even before they enter its airspace is Poland, despite NATO opposition to the idea. Im personally of the view that, when hostile missiles are on a 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, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an interview with the Financial Times earlier this month. As well as the risk of rogue flights by Russian drones involved in the war in Ukraine, NATO is also increasingly alert to the possibility of deliberate Russian-inspired actions involving drones over its territories, up to and including potential kinetic attacks, as well as surveillance. In the most recent drone alarm, four drones were reported to have approached Arlanda International Airport in Stockholm, Sweden, last night, leading to multiple flights having to divert to alternative airports. In a week in which Russian drones hit, Romania, Latvia and Poland, last night Sweden's largest airport was forced to stop traffic for several hours due to unidentified drones in the surrounding airspace. pic.twitter.com/9hYG8zSfxF KyivPost (@KyivPost) September 9, 2024 Local reports confirmed that operations at Arlanda International were suspended for a little over two hours last night. Staff in the air traffic control tower sighted four drones of different sizes, according to Cecilia Bengtstrom, of the Swedish Civil Aviation Authoritys press service. At least one media report suggests that the drones were directly above the airport and that attempts were made to intercept them using helicopters and other means. Its unclear what the results of these efforts were, but the airport was reopened to flight traffic at around 3.30 a.m. Mysterious drone activity had been an issue in Sweden before now. In January 2022, just weeks before Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there were reports of incursions in which unidentified drones were seen above multiple Swedish nuclear facilities, government buildings, and airports, some of which prompted the Swedish Security Service to declare a national special event investigation. A screen capture of a video posted by Swedish TV broadcaster SVT alleging to show a drone above the Ringhals nuclear facility in January 2022. SVT screencap The Swedish police are now investigating the incident at Arlanda, which has echoes of similar reports of drone activity around an industrial park in Brunsbuttel, near Hamburg, Germany, which is home to a major floating liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal. Prosecutors in Germany have said they consider it likely the drone flights are related to espionage activity for sabotage purposes and also cite repeated drone flights over critical infrastructure. Concerns about drones being used for potentially nefarious activities specifically, attacks reportedly also led to a major security alert at Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany last month, which you can read more about here. According to reports in the German media, the security scare at Geilenkirchen was caused by signs of preparatory actions for a likely Russian act of sabotage using a drone. NATO E-3A AWACS airborne early warning and control aircraft at their home base of Geilenkirchen in February 2022. Photo by Marius Becker/picture alliance via Getty Images picture alliance While stray Russian drones like those that apparently came down over Latvia and Romania at the weekend are a serious hazard, the potential disruption that could be caused by a deliberate drone attack is much more worrying. In the past, TWZ has been prominent in its reporting on mysterious intrusions over critical infrastructure and very high-security military bases in the United States, but incidents of this kind are now being reported more regularly in Europe, too. While tangible evidence of planned drone attacks or intelligence-gathering in Europe is not currently in the public domain, officials appear to be concerned that this is at least a realistic possibility and it would fit well with other hybrid warfare tactics that Russia is pursuing, also including other types of sabotage and cyberattacks. Speaking in June, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg outlined what he said was evidence of a surge of sabotage, cyberattacks, instrumentalized migration, and other hostile actions by Russia in Europe. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a press conference in Oslo on September 6, 2024. Photo by Thomas Fure / NTB / AFP / Norway OUT THOMAS FURE TWZ has previously looked at the factors that made a hybrid warfare campaign especially attractive for Russia. As Moscow seeks to undermine support for Ukraine within Europe, as well as destabilize its NATO adversary, employing drones would be a relatively low-cost and low-risk means of creating disruption and sowing fear. Equally importantly, by using proxies to launch drones, it could be challenging to directly trace such activities back to the Kremlin. Europe, with its crowded airspace, is by now well familiar with the disruption that civilian-operated drones can cause, whether deliberately or not. But there is no easy way to tell whether a drone or drones in the vicinity of an airport or other critical infrastructure is the result of a hobbyists mistake or a deliberate attempt to cause disruption. In the latter category, the drone operator could simply want to achieve a disturbance, but they may also be intent on flying an explosives-laden drone into a nuclear power station, for example. It is these challenges that are fueling calls within NATO for a more integrated and robust drone defense policy. In the meantime, it seems that both accidental incursions by Russian drones, and reports of unexplained drone activities of other kinds will continue to be a headache for the alliance in Europe. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Russian 'spy whale' was not shot, say police A beloved whale thought to have been trained as a spy by Russia and found dead earlier this month was not shot, a police autopsy has found. Animal rights groups had claimed that the beluga, nicknamed Hvaldimir, had been shot when he was found dead on 1 September. But a forensic examination has concluded human activity did not directly lead to the death of the animal, which had died after a stick became lodged in its mouth. Hvaldmir rose to fame in April 2019 when he was found in Norwegian waters with a camera strapped to his body, prompting claims he could be a spy of sorts. The whales body was found floating at sea near the town of Risavika, on Norway's south-western coast. Norwegian police opened an investigation after two animal rights groups One Whale and Noah - filed a complaint into the creatures death. One Whale founder Regina Haug said at the time she had seen multiple bullet wounds in the carcass. Initial photographs published by One Whale on social media appeared to show what the group claimed were bullet wounds in Hvaldimir's bloodied body. The injuries on the whale are alarming and of a nature that cannot rule out a criminal act it is shocking, said Noah's director, Siri Martinsen. But an autopsy showed a stick measuring 35cm in length (14in) and 3cm wide was stuck in the whale's mouth, police for the South West district said in a statement on Monday. Police said Hvaldimir had also sustained some completely superficial injuries, adding "there was no evidence suggesting that Hvaldimir was shot". "There is nothing in the investigations that have been carried out to establish that it is human activity that has directly led to Hvaldimir's death," police said. As a result, police would not investigate further, they added, and a full report will be published in two weeks. The pale whale rose to fame after being spotted in Norwegian waters five years ago when he was spotted wearing a GoPro camera attached to a harness that read "Equipment of St Petersburg". His mysterious attachments prompted speculation that the curious cetacean could be being exploited to undertake espionage missions. Hvaldimir's name is a pun on the Norwegian word for whale, "hval," and Russian President Vladimir Putin's first name. Hvaldimir first approached Norwegian boats in April 2019 near the island of Ingoya, about 415km (260 miles) from Murmansk, where Russia's Northern Fleet is based. The sighting attracted attention because belugas are rarely seen that far south of the high Arctic. Russia has a history of training marine mammals such as dolphins for military purposes, and the Barents Observer website has identified whale pens near naval bases in the north-west area of Murmansk. [BBC] Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Exotel, a leading provider of AI-powered customer engagement and experience solutions, successfully concluded its flagship event, EngageX 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the introduction of the all-new Ameyo by Exotel. This marks a new chapter in the company's journey, featuring the launch of the Kingdom's first local cloud for Customer Experience (CX), integrated with local telephony and AI. This initiative represents a transformative milestone in Exotel's commitment to supporting KSA's digital future by providing businesses with innovative tools to enhance customer interactions, in alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Exotel Logo The introduction of Exotel's local cloud for CX and advanced AI for enterprise communication represents a significant advancement for businesses in Saudi Arabia, enabling them to manage customer communications with unprecedented speed, security, and scalability. This empowers companies to deliver personalized and relevant experiences at scale while adhering to the region's rigorous data privacy regulations. Shivakumar Ganesan, Co-founder and CEO of Exotel, commented, "The launch in Saudi Arabia signifies our commitment to fostering digital transformation across the region. By providing locally hosted, AI-powered solutions, businesses can meet the evolving needs of their customers while adhering to the Kingdom's regulatory requirements." Krishnendu Paul, Senior Director of Operations & Business Strategy at Solex Plus, said, "The integration of Exotel's first local cloud for Customer Experience (CX), combined with local telephony and AI, will significantly enhance our customer experience. It will enable us to deliver faster, more personalized interactions while ensuring the highest standards of data security and scalability." Awais Ahmad, IT & PMO Director at e& enterprise, added, "AI and technology are reshaping how we connect with customers, making interactions more personalized, responsive, and meaningful. From predictive insights to 24/7 support, these innovations are transforming customer experiences across Saudi Arabia. With Vision 2030 leading the way, businesses here have the unique opportunity to use AI not just to meet customer needs, but to truly elevate the way they engage, creating experiences that are smarter, faster, and more connected." Key Highlights of the New Local Cloud and AI for Enterprise Communication: Faster, Reliable Performance: With a locally hosted infrastructure, businesses in KSA benefit from reduced latency, delivering faster and more responsive customer interactions. Enhanced Security and Compliance: In full compliance with KSA's stringent data protection laws, the local cloud ensures that customer data is stored within the country, providing peace of mind for businesses prioritizing data privacy. Scalability and Flexibility: Designed to support businesses of all sizes, the new cloud allows companies to easily scale their operations, especially during high-traffic periods such as festive and holiday seasons. Innovation with AI-Powered Customer Engagement: The platform integrates AI to enable more personalized customer interactions, from voice-based assistants to predictive analytics, ensuring better customer retention and satisfaction. Speaking on the broader implications for businesses, Sachin Bhatia, Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer, added, "The introduction of this local cloud infrastructure with added Generative AI capabilities brings a new level of insights, automation, security, and scalability to customer interactions. We're happy to be at the forefront of driving digital transformation in Saudi Arabia and look forward to empowering businesses and contact centers with the tools to grow securely and efficiently." EngageX 2024 also featured participation from industry leaders across various sectors, including BFSI, retail, healthcare, e-commerce, hospitality, and BPO, showcasing the tangible benefits of Exotel's new cloud for CX. Attendees experienced firsthand how this cloud infrastructure and AI are poised to set new standards in secure, compliant, and efficient customer communication, in line with the Kingdom's broader goals of economic and digital growth. About Exotel: Exotel delivers technologies that transform communication between humans and companies, delivering a supreme customer engagement and experience. Trusted by over 7000 clients globally, 200+ in ME across various industries, we facilitate over 20 billion annual conversations through omnichannel, voice, contact center agents, and bots. Exotel's AI-powered solutions empower agents, bots and customers alike, enhancing interactions with conversational intelligence, and optimizing resources to deliver exceptional CX and business growth. Exotel wins when you Win. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2500134/Exotel_Logo.jpg Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/exotel-unveils-new-local-cloud-and-ai-solutions-for-enhanced-customer-experience-in-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia-ksa-302242064.html SOURCE Exotel Ukraine's Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defence Intelligence Groups from the Support Forces Command have documented 4,035 instances of Russian troops using special munitions with hazardous chemicals since February 2023, including 447 cases in August 2024 alone. Source: Command of the Ukrainian Support Forces on Facebook Details: It is noted that the Russians are continuing to use chemical munitions against the Ukrainian military, including K-51s and RG-VOs, which are anti-riot agents and are prohibited for use as weapons of war. In addition, most of the recorded cases involve munitions containing hazardous chemicals of unspecified type. In August alone, 447 such cases were recorded. Ukraine's defence forces emphasise that Russia is grossly violating the rules of warfare, ignoring the norms and obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction. Background: In April 2024, the Command of Ukraine's Support Forces stated that the use of chemical agents by Russian troops during hostilities against the Ukrainian defence forces had become systematic. Between February 2023 and March 2024, 1,412 cases of the use of chemical munitions by Russian troops were recorded. The press service for the command told Ukrainska Pravda that 4,035 cases of the use of chemical munitions by the Russian Armed Forces units have been recorded since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion (data since 15 February 2023). The data on Russia's use of these weapons from 24 February 2022 to February 2023 is not available to the general public, added Maksym Kravchuk, spokesman for the Support Forces Command. Support UP or become our patron! Russians launch several waves of UAVs against Kyiv: air defence destroyed all drones on approaches to capital Kyiv City Military Administration has reported the fifth attack of Russian drones on the capital since the beginning of September. Air defence forces destroyed all the UAVs that posed a threat to Kyiv. Source: Serhii Popko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration Quote: "This is the fifth air attack on Kyiv since the beginning of September! Overnight, the Russian military again used attack UAVs, presumably Shaheds, launched from Kursk Oblast. Loitering munitions were coming at Kyiv after midnight, in several waves." Details: Popko gave details that the air-raid warning in the capital had been in effect for over an hour. He said that all Russian attack drones that posed a threat to Kyiv were destroyed by air defence forces and assets on the outskirts of the capital. Preliminary reports indicate that there were no damages or casualties in the city. Support UP or become our patron! San Ysidro SWAT standoff ends in arrest after neighbor dispute turns to shooting San Ysidro SWAT standoff ends in arrest after neighbor dispute turns to shooting SAN YSIDRO, Calif (FOX 5/KUSI) A SWAT standoff in San Ysidro ended with the suspect turning himself in to police after a neighbor dispute turned violent Sunday. San Diego Police and SWAT responded to reports of a shooting Sunday afternoon at a home in the 3900 block of Via Del Bardo in San Ysidro. Officers say a man in his 30s was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm after a reported dispute between neighbors that was allegedly over trash. San Ysidro SWAT standoff ends in arrest after neighbor dispute turns to shooting (FOX 5/KUSI) San Ysidro SWAT standoff ends in arrest after neighbor dispute turns to shooting (FOX 5/KUSI) San Ysidro SWAT standoff ends in arrest after neighbor dispute turns to shooting (FOX 5/KUSI) The suspect described as a man in his 70s fired one round at his neighbor, then went back into his home where he was when officers arrived, San Diego Police report. Police called in SWAT and called for the suspect, who eventually came out and was taken into custody without incident, according to the police department. Residents in the area were told to shelter in place while the incident played out. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ukraine attacked a Russian airbase with long-range drones last month. Russia used the Marinovka airfield to facilitate front-line strikes and kept glide bombs stored there. The attack destroyed aircraft shelters and storage facilities, satellite images show. Newly released satellite imagery shows the extensive damage at a Russian airbase after it was hit by Ukrainian drones last month. Ukraine used long-range drones in an August 22 attack on the Marinovka airfield in Russia's Volgograd region, which was used to facilitate strikes on the front lines. A source in the Security Service of Ukraine told Business Insider at the time that the attack destroyed warehouses that stored fuel, ammunition, and highly destructive glide bombs. However, the full extent of the damage was unclear. On Monday, nearly three weeks after the attack, Britain's defense ministry said in an intelligence update that Ukraine caused "widespread destruction to key infrastructure and equipment" at Marinovka. The UK said the attack destroyed four aircraft shelters and damaged three more. It also destroyed a radome (a protective enclosure for radar equipment), support buildings, and open storage area facilities. The UK published satellite images captured by Maxar Technologies from August 19, three days before the attack, and August 24, two days after the attack, to highlight the extensive damage at Marinovka. Damage at the Marinovka airbase after a Ukrainian attack. Multiple aircraft shelters were damaged or destroyed. UK Ministry of Defense A storage area was completely obliterated in the attack. UK Ministry of Defense The Ukrainian drone attack destroyed multiple storage areas. UK Ministry of Defense "The SBU works with surgical precision at the airfields from which the enemy attacks Ukraine," the SBU source said in translated remarks shared with BI. Each strike, like the one at Marinovka, "reduces the superiority of the Russians in the air and significantly limits their aviation capabilities," they added. Ukraine is prohibited from using its arsenal of Western-provided missiles to strike Russia, so it has relied on locally produced, long-range drones to target Moscow's military and energy facilities. Kyiv has specifically tried to curb the threat of Russia's glide bombs during a monthslong campaign against airfields. Glide bombs are dumb bombs equipped with special kits that turn them into precision-guided munitions. They are notoriously difficult to intercept because they have short flight times, small radar signatures, and travel on non-ballistic trajectories. Russia has used these deadly weapons some weighing over 6,000 pounds to inflict significant damage on Ukrainian cities and troop positions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Russia used over 800 glide bombs in a single week. "Terror can only be reliably stopped in one way: by striking Russian military airfields, their bases, and the logistics of Russian terror," he wrote in a post on X. "We must achieve this." The only way for Ukraine to defeat this threat is to shoot down the Russian aircraft before it releases any glide bombs or destroy the aircraft and the bombs on the ground at their bases. Kyiv has attempted to do this through its long-range strike campaign. Read the original article on Business Insider University of South Carolina President Michael Amiridis, left, speaks with Charleston businesswoman and philanthropist Anita Zucker Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at a summit on antisemitism in higher education held at USCs alumni center. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA South Carolina state and university officials, as well as Jewish student groups, gathered in Columbia Monday for a summit on antisemitism in higher education. The one-day event, organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement at the behest of Attorney General Alan Wilson and held at the University of South Carolinas alumni center, covered topics such as how universities can protect Jewish students and hosted tours of the Anne Frank Center on campus. The event was scheduled to end with a screening of footage from the Oct. 7, 2023, attack launched by Hamas militants on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 civilians and taking some 250 hostages. Here we are today, 11 months and two days since the attack, said Anat Sultan-Dadon, consul general of Israel to the Southeastern United States. Israel responded, launching airstrikes on Gaza in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, the death toll last month surpassed 40,000 since the start of the war. That figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Antisemitism was not born on Oct. 7 or on Oct. 8, but it is being perceived by too many as legitimate, Sultan-Dadon said. What we are seeing too often is that never again is turning into once again. Wilson said he visited southern Israel this spring and met with families of the Oct. 7 attack victims. Seeing what I saw and hearing what I heard from members of that community and the government officials that we spoke to just really moved me, Wilson said. I came back with kind of a drive to do something about it and to bring people together. So, Wilsons office partnered with the Kansas-based Combat Antisemitism Movement, which describes itself as a coalition of about 850 interfaith organizations opposed to antisemitism, to put on Mondays event. He said he wants to hold similar events in the Lowcountry and Upstate and is working with officials at Clemson University. College campuses across the country last fall erupted in protests over the Israel-Hamas War, which on some campuses involved violence and antisemitic rhetoric. Several university presidents lost their jobs over their handling of the events. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, left, speaks with Gov. Henry McMaster Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at a summit on antisemitism in higher education held at USCs alumni center. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette) What I see on the television just really shocks my conscience, Wilson said. You would never dream of people equivocating the acts of Nazis with deaths in a war zone. While supporters of Israel called out the protests as antisemitic, organizers of those campus protests said the remarks of some did not reflect the views of the whole protest movement, which condemns the humanitarian crisis the conflict has led to in Gaza. Now, with students back on campuses this fall, protests in other states have resumed, though not to previous levels. Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated last school year at USC and Clemson, but the events were nothing akin to the massive tent encampments on campus lawns, vandalism, or harassment aimed at Jewish students on campuses in other states. At the University of South Carolina, we have a history of addressing antisemitism by educating students and the public about the Holocaust in a comprehensive manner, USC President Michael Amiridis said in his remarks Monday. The president of the states largest university system highlighted the Columbia campus Anne Frank Center, the only North American partner of the house in Amsterdam where its namesake hid from Nazis eight decades ago. He also pointed to a Jewish speaker series that included Jonathan Greenblatt, the head of the Anti-Defamation League; Deborah Lipstadt, the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism; and American Jewish University President Jeffrey Herbst, who in February discussed the intersection of free speech, academic freedom and antisemitism on college campuses. Reporters were not allowed to stay past the conferences opening remarks. But Rep. Beth Bernstein, the states only Jewish legislator, said she participated on a panel Monday discussing legislation she sponsored that codified a definition of antisemitism into state law. The Columbia Democrat said state Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver led the discussion. Gov. Henry McMaster, in his public remarks, spoke to the religious freedom promised to those who settled and brought commerce to colonial South Carolina, which was once home to the largest Jewish population in America. In Charleston, theres the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Jewish synagogue, which predates American independence by decades and is the oldest synagogue building in the United States in continuous use. I believe that if we dont know our history, if we dont know our people, if we dont know where we came from, how we got here, why we are the way we are, then we have no clue as to where we ought to be and can be going, McMaster said. While university and state leaders spent Monday talking about combating antisemitism, USC continues to face criticism for allowing an upcoming event featuring a far-right political provocateur and founder of the Proud Boys, Gavin McInnes, who has a history of making antisemitic statements. The college has said it does not reflect the stance of the school but allowing the event, sponsored by the USC student chapter of Uncensored America, is a matter of free speech. As a university, we denounce hate and bigotry. We condemn the vile and juvenile rhetoric used to promote this event, Amiridis wrote in an Aug. 27 email message to students. 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, the college president continued. Asked about it Monday, McMaster said, People that are insulting others should not be invited to come in the first place, but he re-iterated the importance of upholding First Amendment protections. SCs Haley says Iran tried to hurt her presidential campaign as part of meddling efforts Iran meddled in the GOP presidential primary in order to hurt former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haleys presidential bid, she told CBS Face the Nation in an interview that aired Sunday. Haley said during her campaign, the FBI met with her to tell her of Irans efforts. However, during the interview she did not give specific details as she warned of efforts by foreign countries to interfere in U.S. elections. The revelation follows the release of FBI documents last week that showed Iran targeted Haley and President Joe Biden for assassination attempts. Previously it was reported Iran plotted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. Look at the murder for hire plot on US soil, which I was named in, by Iran, Haley said. Look at the Russian disinformation, which didnt start this year. This has been going on for years. Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, to some extent, they have spent years on the cheapest form of warfare is, which is, how do you divide Americans and cause chaos? They have done that. During Haleys presidential bid, her campaign, which paid for private security, formally requested Secret Service protection. Haley ended her bid before the agency granted protection. Haley served as ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump administration, which pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal brokered during President Barack Obamas administration. Other members of Trumps administration have faced death threats from Iran, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton. Haleys comments came in response to the Justice Departments case against Russia for running a $10 million disinformation campaign in the U.S. which relied on right-wing media. Haley, who recently visited Taiwan, said the U.S. needs to be aware of threats from China, Iran and Russia, as well as foreign influence on social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. Our social media companies owe Americans from a national security perspective, Haley said. How many of these foreign bots are dividing us? Every bit of our government, influencers, press and media need to say. How many of these foreign influencers are buying people, and what are we doing to protect us? Nothing. Also in the interview, Haley said she has not been asked by the Trump campaign to stump for the former presidents bid to return to the White House. Haley endorsed Trump at the Republican National Convention in July. He knows Im on standby. I talked to him back in June. Hes aware that Im ready if he ever needs me to do that, Haley said. Kathryn Moorehead, director of the state Human Trafficking Task Force, speaks to reporters after a quarterly meeting on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 (Abraham Kenmore/SC Daily Gazette) WEST COLUMBIA South Carolina is launching a pilot program to help human trafficking survivors clear their credit of the bad debt heaped on by their abusers. Set to start Sept. 30, the program will make the Palmetto State the second in the nation to offer support for those looking to use the 2022 federal Debt Bondage Repair Act, according to members of the state Human Trafficking Task Force at a quarterly meeting Friday. The services apply to a narrow set of circumstances, such as when traffickers used their victims Social Security number to open credit cards or take out a car loan, said Kathryn Moorehead, director of the task force. The federal law allows survivors to get those debts blocked on credit reports. But the process can be cumbersome. Thats where South Carolina intends to assist, by connecting survivors to free legal help. If a trafficker has used their credit, abused their credit, and now they have low credit scores, it will often times be a barrier to securing housing, to securing transportation and often to finding a job, Moorehead said. A successful application can block a broad range of information from showing up on credit reports including defaulted loans, evictions, unpaid bills and even criminal convictions that resulted from trafficking. The details for the pilot program are still in the works, said James Massie, a Lowcountry coordinator for the task force. South Carolina officials are communicating with North Carolina, which was the first state to launch such an initiative. He said he was not sure why other states have not launched similar programs. We thought it was a perfect opportunity, Massie said. North Carolina launched its program in January, according to a spokesperson for the NC Department of Justice. It has certified about 35 organizations to provide survivors with documentation they can use in their applications. The department does not yet have a total number of people helped under the initiative. Survivors need to submit information to each credit reporting agency, including proof of identity, proof they were trafficked and information on the bad credit. Under the law, these agencies, which compile credit reports, must remove any information about these debts if provided with the appropriate proof. Massie said the pilot program in South Carolina will include pro-bono attorneys from the law firm Nelson Mullins and South Carolina Victim Assistance Network to help survivors go through the process. Only people who were trafficked in South Carolina will be able to use the program. The Victim Assistance Network will take referrals to the program from nonprofits through their intake lines: 803-509-6552 for English and 864-312-6456 for Spanish. The program is just the latest effort in South Carolina to help survivors clear incidents related to being trafficked. Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed a law preventing trafficking victims under 18 from being prosecuted for misdemeanor or minor felony offenses they were forced to do to survive, such as prostitution or drug possession. It also allows trafficking victims of all ages who were convicted of prostitution or other crimes they were coerced to do to have those charges expunged. Last year, the State Law Enforcement Division opened 357 cases involving human trafficking, with nearly 90% of them involved forced prostitution, according to the 2023 Human Trafficking Annual Report. SLED investigators suspect nearly 500 people in South Carolina were being trafficked last year. Of those, 460 more than 90% were children and teenagers younger than 18, according to the report. As he publicly released the report in January, Attorney General Alan Wilson asked legislators for $10 million to open more shelters for children and teens freed from trafficking. The Legislature instead put $6.6 million in the state budget toward the effort. The designation is meant to open four new residential programs for children. One will be specifically for boys, a first in South Carolina. Currently the state has just one program for trafficked girls. The task force will start seeking applications for the grants in January, Moorehead said. David O'Shields, right, chairman of the state Board of Education, delivers his report during a meeting of the board on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, while state Superintendent Ellen Weaver, center, looks on. (Abraham Kenmore/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA Uncertainty over new rules requiring age-appropriate materials in South Carolinas public schools is raising some peculiar questions. For example: Does a book for primary grades referencing elephant poop count as banned sexual conduct? That was a question Patrick Kelly with the Palmetto State Teachers Association got during a meeting with school employees in the last week of August. Another question he recently received came in an email from a high school social studies teacher in Richland Two, where Kelly also works in suburban Columbia: Could he use a picture of Michelangelos famous nude statue of David when discussing Renaissance art? Sexual conduct as defined in the state obscenity code includes a broad range of graphic examples. Also on the list are excretory functions, or lewd exhibition of the genitals. I would argue that Michelangelos David is not a lewd exhibition, but it is certainly an exhibition of genitalia, Kelly said of the statue in Florence, Italy. Thats a gray area for a teacher because now a teacher is having to define what does lewd mean. An attorney with the state Department of Education called the regulation clear and straightforward. But educators argue its the opposite. They say the vague language is making it harder for teachers and librarians to do their job. During a state Board of Education meeting last month, Kelly asked during the public comment period for additional guidance. The regulation bars books and other instructional materials that describe sexual conduct and creates a statewide system for parents to challenge books they think violate the rules, with an appeals process that gives the State Board of Education final say. Parents must have a child in the district to complain and must first talk with school- or district-level staff for a potential resolution before escalating their concerns. Sexual conduct is not defined in the regulation. Rather, it points to the portion of the states obscenity law that lists sexual activities. Books and other classroom materials that describe or depict whats on that list are barred. As the proposal moved through state House committees in the spring, Miles Coleman, an attorney contracted by the Department of Education, said any changes for example, adding the word explicit would make the regulation less clear. No, it is not clear at all, and the evidence for my answer lies in all of the confusion and chaos thats happening right now, Jamie Gregory, president of the South Carolina Association of School Librarians, told the SC Daily Gazette last week. Jason Raven, spokesman for the Department of Education, said the agency is answering questions as they come up from districts. But its not planning to release any more general guidance. David OShields, chair of the state Board of Education, which adopted the regulation, told the SC Daily Gazette on Monday hes personally open to providing clarification. He said it should be clear that the ban is on explicit or graphic sexual content, seemingly indicating hes willing to add the words Kellys repeatedly suggested (so far) unsuccessfully. We just wanted it to be in its purest intention graphic sexuality, said OShields, superintendent of Laurens County 56 (Clinton), stressing that he was speaking for himself, not the board as a whole. The regulation is not the Legislatures creation. By state law, textbook regulations are the boards responsibility. Indeed, the rules took effect over the summer without the Legislatures blessing. After the Board of Education approved it in February, the regulation moved to the General Assembly for review. It advanced through a House committee, but thats as far as it got. The rules never received a vote on the House floor, and senators never even had a hearing before the session ended. Yet it took effect automatically, to the surprise of even some GOP leaders. The result has been confusion. Greenville, the largest school district in the state, grabbed headlines when it paused book fairs for the year, citing the regulation. That decision brought numerous complaints at last weeks Board of Education meeting. Kelly said Greenville also required all teachers to list all the instructional materials they planned to use for the entire school year just a week after classes started. He shared a quote from a Greenville teachers email with the Gazette, saying that teachers were told every book, resource, DVD, magazine, PowerPoint . that students could possibly access in our classroom had to be cataloged by Aug. 16. In response, the states largest school district contends that is not the policy, and that teachers misunderstood. Greenville requires teachers to keep track of all the materials they use but does not require a proactive list for the entire year, Tim Waller, district director of media relations, told the Gazette. Keeping a list of materials is the districts only new rule due to the regulation, he said, and no parents have asked to view those lists yet. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Kelly said hes relieved Greenville is not requiring a full listing at the beginning of the year. But he also says that policy change was not communicated well to teachers. As for the book fairs, Waller said the district is just pausing them for a review. He said the initial concern came from library employees who worried they didnt have time to review every book offered for sale ahead of time and did not want to accidentally violate the regulation. The concerns that led to us pausing our books fairs were to protect our employees, Waller said. In an Aug. 22 statement on the book fair pause, the Department of Education commended the district on its vigilance. Last week, its spokesman stressed to the Gazette that theres nothing in the regulation to prohibit or discourage book fairs and no other district has done so. The agency is working with Greenville officials on future fairs, Raven said. Waller said the district is trying to find a book vendor that can provide assurances the regulation is met, so librarians dont have to try to read or scan every book being sold before the shelves open. The Department of Education sent out two memos over the summer on the regulation one listing the new obligations of districts, the other with a reminder of the obligations and a link to new forms. One is three pages long, the other is two pages. Uniform Procedure for Selection or Reconsideration of IM The Department has continued to field questions from school districts, board members and has provided guidance accordingly, Raven wrote. Our staff is dedicated to offering ongoing support and guidance as requested. No appeals on newly banned materials have reached the state, according to Raven. But those memos dont provide any clarity, educators and others say. Instructional Materials Form Memo Final Despite the repeated assurances this is logistically feasible, it seems like it has been chaotic across the state and every district seems to be interpreting and implementing it different, said Josh Malkin, an attorney with the South Carolina American Civil Liberties Union, which opposed the regulation. Gregory, the president of the school librarians association, said she understands why districts are passing restrictive policies to protect employees from being brought before the state Board of Education. Some districts are going overboard, though, she said beyond anything the regulation requires. Lets just deal with the regulation and not make it something that it isnt, especially in light of the fact that there has been no guidance whatsoever from the state, she said. Gregory, who is a librarian at a private school in Greenville, said she bought maybe 1,000 books last year. Reading all of them to confirm there is nothing that breaks the regulation would be impossible. If theres even one word in the book that violates the regulation, it has to be taken out, she said. Although she did not want to name specific districts in order to keep members information private, Gregory said that some librarians are suspending buying any new books. When people tell you, Im afraid to order books for my school, that is a huge problem, she said. Gregory would like to see clear definitions of all the terms in the regulation and clearly defined consequences for failing to comply. She also wants an exception that allows for material that might include sexual material but have literary merit especially for high school students, she said. Kelly said he wants the regulation to specify its banning only explicit or graphic sexual content. Its a request he made last spring as he told legislators the rule as written could apply to the Bible or plays written by William Shakespeare. Both Gregory and Kelly said that if parents are concerned about what their children are using, they should start by talking to librarians and teachers. That, at least, is what the regulation says. Contact your school librarian if you have a question. We always build relationships with the parents and the teachers and the community members, Gregory said. We welcome that. Its part of our job. SC Daily Gazette reporter Skylar Laird contributed to this report. Editors Note: This article was updated Monday afternoon after State Board of Education Chairman David OShields returned a call to clarify statements he made to the Gazette after last weeks board meeting. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health has officially opened scholarship applications for its Winter Institute. The Winter Institute provides courses designed to equip students with culturally relevant public health strategies and multidisciplinary approaches to address health challenges in tribal communities. Among the featured courses are: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Understanding the Health of American Indians This course delves into the health and illness perceptions of Native American communities. It integrates traditional and contemporary Indigenous knowledge with Western research methodology. Students will explore key issues from a Native perspective, focusing on public health disciplines such as epidemiology, mental health, environmental health, policy, and sociology. The course emphasizes culturally sensitive, community-driven health interventions aimed at empowering Indigenous populations. Mental Health in American Indian Communities Focusing on mental health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives, this course examines the complexities of mental health care, identifying high-need populations, and assessing the quality and availability of services. Students will also explore strategies to prevent mental illness and promote mental wellness within Native communities. Scholarships cover travel expenses to and from Baltimore, shared hotel accommodations, course materials, and full credit tuition for one five-day course. Applicants must hold a Bachelors degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 to be eligible. CIH offers AI/AN public health courses every June/July and January as part of the Bloomberg School of Public Healths Summer and Winter Institute Programs. All Institute courses comprise an 18-credit, graduate-level certificate that can be taken for credit or non-credit, making the program accessible to those with or without a college degree. For those seeking an academic credential, the Public Health Training Certificate in American Indian Health, is available for students applying for credit. Applicants for this certificate must have a Bachelors degree and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. All courses must be completed within three years of enrollment. In addition, the Center offers an Award of Proficiency in American Indian Public Health for non-credit, providing further accessibility to individuals without a formal collegiate degree. Scholarship applications can be found here. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net German Chancellor Olaf Scholz backs the idea of inviting Russia to the second Peace Summit and is convinced it is time to discuss ways to end the war. Source: European Pravda, citing Scholz during a long interview with German public-service television broadcaster ZDF Details: Scholz says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shares this view. Quote from Scholz: "I believe now is the moment for us to discuss how we can end the war and achieve peace sooner than currently seems possible." Details: He added that he had had a "very confidential conversation" with Zelenskyy and that they have a good relationship. Background: Earlier, Andrii Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian President's Office, noted that an invitation for a Russian representative to attend the second Peace Summit should not be interpreted as the start of negotiations with Russia. He further stressed that Ukraine wants to hold the second Peace Summit no sooner than the preparation of a joint plan to implement each point of the Peace Formula is completed. President Zelenskyy expressed hope that the preparatory document for the second Peace Summit would be ready by November. Support UP or become our patron! FedEx Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Discrimination Against Disabled Drivers On Friday, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX), saying the global shipping and logistics company violated federal law by discriminating against its employees with disabilities. The lawsuit accuses FedEx of disability discrimination against ramp transport drivers who carry cargo between airport ramps and terminals. According to the EEOC, FedEx forced these employees to either take unpaid leave or terminate them rather than providing reasonable accommodations. The lawsuit claims that since November 2019, FedEx has enforced a 100%-healed policy for ramp transport driversemployees who operate heavy equipment and load freight. If a driver had medical restrictions, they were placed on a 90-day light-duty assignment. After this period, if restrictions persisted, drivers were placed on unpaid medical leave for up to a year unless they qualified for disability benefits. The EEOC alleges that FedEx did not explore accommodations such as colleague assistance or motorized equipment, ultimately keeping these drivers on unpaid leave or terminating them. The EEOC highlighted the case of a Minneapolis-based driver who was unable to return to work without restrictions due to injuries. After placing her on light duty, FedEx eventually terminated her when she couldnt meet the 100%-healed requirement, even though accommodations could have enabled her to perform her job. This alleged behavior violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires employers to offer reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities. The EEOCs lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, seeks monetary and injunctive relief to prevent future discriminatory practices at FedEx. 100%-healed policies cost workers their livelihood without considering individual needs, said Gregory Gochanour, regional attorney for the EEOCs Chicago District Office. Amrith Aakre, district director of the same office, commended the bravery of the initial complainant for bringing attention to this policy and helping the EEOC identify affected individuals. Price Action: FDX stock is trading higher by 0.87% to $285.50 at the last check on Monday. Read Next: Photo via Shutterstock "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? Story continues This article FedEx Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Discrimination Against Disabled Drivers originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the urgency of resolving Russia's war against Ukraine, stating that he and President Volodymyr Zelensky agree on the need to include Russia in future peace negotiations. As Russia's war stretches into its third year, Kyiv has said it aims to invite a Russian representative to the second conference to present a peace plan based on Zelensky's peace formula and international input. "There will certainly be a further peace conference, and the president and I agree that it must be one with Russia present," Scholz said during an interview with Germany's ZDF public television. Scholz also stressed the importance of accelerating efforts to end the war: "I believe that now is the moment when we must discuss how we get out of this war situation faster than the current impression is." This push for diplomatic engagement comes as Scholz faces growing political challenges at home, with recent state elections showing gains for populist parties that oppose military support for Ukraine, adding pressure on his coalition government. Speaking a day ahead of Ukraine's global peace summit held on June 15-16 in Switzerland, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that as a condition for peace negotiations, Ukraine must fully withdraw from four partially occupied oblasts that Moscow illegally annexed in 2022. Kyiv rejected this demand and Zelensky continues to advocate for his 10-point peace plan, which calls for the expulsion of all Russian forces from Ukrainian territory and accountability for war crimes. Read also: What Irans ballistic missiles, in Russias hands, could mean for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Randy Adams, once a teacher in Anderson County, speaks in an ad promoting Amendment 2. The ad is paid for by a political action committee affiliated with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul that is largely bankrolled by Jeff Yass, a billionaire options trader who lives in Pennsylvania. (Screenshot from KET) When I saw the first, big money PAC ad promoting Amendment 2, the so-called school choice bill coming to your Kentucky ballot this November, it was no surprise to see preacher and former Anderson County Schools teacher, Randy Adams, in the starring role. Do not be fooled. Adams has been a chaos agent, sowing division and animosity about public education in Anderson County, where I live, for the last two years. In the fall of 2022, just before the November midterms, Adams posted a (since deleted) manifesto on his Facebook page which led to a standing-room-only school board meeting. The vast majority of attendees in that meeting were not there to help; they were there to make fearmongering, religious statements against our public schools and/or applaud those who did. I know because I attended this meeting; I noted the seemingly-odd-at-the-time attendance of David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation, a registered lobbying group that says it advocates for policies based on Biblical principles. I stayed for the public comments, which were so outrageous that our local newspapers front-page headline quoted one of the speakers, who said, The devil is trying to destroy the family unit. A year later, during the fall election season of 2023, Adams was back at it. He was a preacher at Ballard Baptist Church at the time and invited Brad Briscoe, an Anderson County Schools parent, to come to the pulpit to share a story about his daughter and our public high school with the congregation. Adams then posted the video of that church meeting on Facebook, writing, Share this message if you support the Briscoe family and want to protect children with an edict to attend our next school board meeting with a list of what to say. Hundreds of citizens showed up at that Anderson County school board meeting in what appeared to be an effort to oust a school counselor and the superintendent and, like the meeting a year earlier, quote Bible verses and toss a blowtorch into an otherwise peaceful community. It is no exaggeration to say the Adams roadshow has worn out its welcome here. And yet, in a video posted on The Family Foundations Facebook page, Adams said, Over the last couple years, how many Twitter or YouTube videos have you seen of parents going to school board meetings and giving impassioned speeches and theres no reply? Its like talking to a blank wall I believe educational freedom is the solution. He also claimed the guidelines he was given as a teacher meant Christians arent welcome as public servants in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Weve got to really address that as a form of persecution. What a bunch of hooey. There is zero proof that Kentucky Christians are being persecuted or are not welcome as public servants, a truly ludicrous statement. Many of us are active members in the churches in our towns, whether were talking about big Jefferson County or little rural Anderson County, and some of our fellow congregants are the teachers who teach our kids and grandkids in our public schools. This basic fact, sadly, has not stopped Adams from working with The Family Foundation to spin a political message in an ad thats paid for by a PAC bankrolled by Jeff Yass, a billionaire options trader and TikTok investor from Pennsylvania. So when you see a smiling Adams in todays expensive, political TV ads, hawking Amendment 2, know that you are not listening to some random, sweet teacher they just happened to come across and film in a classroom. You are being conned. You are being coerced by a man who has repeatedly created unnecessary chaos, turning neighbor against neighbor in a small, rural Kentucky county, seemingly for his own benefit and the benefit of a registered lobbyist. Amendment 2 is not about school choice. Amendment 2 is just the latest gizmo being sold by opportunists like Randy Adams to change the Kentucky Constitution today so that tomorrow they can use your tax dollars for their church schools where there are no standards, no public accountability, and where they can handpick the kids they want to teach. School funding should be based on student needs. That would make difference in Milwaukee. Every Milwaukee student should be equally funded. Thats what Colleston Morgan Jr. proposes in his recent op-ed (We must break MPS vs. the rest mentality, Aug. 25). Equality. That seems straightforward. But different kids have different needs. Different needs require different levels of help. Different levels of help require different levels of funding. Maybe instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we should work to make sure every student has the support they need, and every school has the money to provide that support for the students they have. Thats the kind of equality that could make a difference in Milwaukee. Howard Hoffman, Milwaukee Trump endorsement: Milwaukee police union should rethink supporting a convicted felon and insurrectionist U.S. Education Secretary: Tax dollars that flow to choice schools take away funds for Wisconsin public schools Tips for getting your letter to the editor published Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin school funding should ensure every student gets needed help. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) circulated a letter to Senate colleagues Sunday afternoon warning them of the looming government funding deadline of Sept. 30 and highlighting rail safety legislation and proposals to lower the cost of insulin and prescription drugs as top priorities remaining in 2024. Schumer also said he would make it a priority to continue confirming President Bidens judicial and executive branch nominees over the next four months, as Democrats are in danger of losing their Senate majority. The Democratic leader warned that failure to extend government funding past the end of the month would threaten crucial funding for health care, infrastructure, education, food safety, veterans, border security, U.S. competitiveness and more. He reiterated that Democrats will support a continuing resolution to keep the government funding for a few weeks or months but emphasized that they will not support controversial Republican policy riders, such as a the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require people to show proof of citizenship when they register to vote. As I have said before, the only way to get things done is a bipartisan way. Despite Republican bluster, that is how weve handled every funding bill in the past, and this time should be no exception. We will not let poison pills or Republican extremism put funding for critical programs at risk, he said. House Republican leaders Friday unveiled a 46-page plan to fund the government until March 28, 2025, which includes the proposal to require proof of citizenship during voter registration. Schumer in a joint statement with Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) warned last week that avoiding a government shutdown requires bipartisanship, not a bill drawn up by one party. Looking beyond this months funding deadline, Schumer said he still hopes to finish several delayed priorities before the 118th Congress adjourns before January. There are still opportunities for bipartisan cooperation on NDAA, rail safety, lowering the cost of insulin and prescription drugs, and artificial intelligence, among others, Schumer wrote, referring to the National Defense Authorization Act, which lawmakers say likely wont reach the floor until after the election. While we wont be able to achieve all of these goals before the election, it is my hope that our Republican colleagues will work with us to make as much progress as possible, he wrote. Finding compromise is never easy, but we know it is the only path to achieving results for the American people. Our caucus unity has been the key to our success, so I want to thank each of you for all your work to find compromise whenever possible, he added. Schumer also highlighted the bipartisan accomplishments of the past 18 months, such as the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Federal Aviation Administration, along with military aid for Ukraine and Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza. Weve secured vital disaster relief funding, passed legislation to protect kids safety online and more, he wrote. He said he is urging House Republicans to take up and pass two Senate-approved bills to protect kids surfing the web, the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." To square Albert Einsteins General Theory of Relativity with quantum mechanics requires some currently unknown physics, and thats led some scientists to question if Einsteins theory could use some tweaking. One of these ideas is a concept known as fuzzy gravity, which requires extra dimensions and discrete spacetime to explain irregularities. However, any theoretical deviations from general relativity occur on immensely small levels currently unobservable by even the most powerful particle accelerators. One of the biggest headaches of the physics world is that Albert Einsteins General Theory of Relativitywhich does a pretty good job of explaining physical phenomena on the macro-level, at least until you get sucked into a black hole doesnt quite square with the quantum world. While some physicists work within the bounds of these theories to find a Grand Unified Theory (the holy grail of physics), others are proposing tweaks or wholesale changes to Einsteins masterwork. One of these general relatively rethinks is Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), which eschews the need for hypothetical (yet observational) concepts like dark matter. But most physics agree that MOND comes with its own heap of issues. Other hypotheses, instead, take a different approachsimply tweaking aspects of general relativity to make them a bit more agreeable with quantum mechanics. This is the category into which the idea of fuzzy gravity fits comfortably. Three scientists from the National Technical University in Athens, Greece published a paper in the journal Progress of Physics that details this slightly altered take on Einsteins magnum opus. At its most basic, the idea posits that spacetime might be discrete rather than continuous. This isnt a new ideafor decades, physicists have pondered if spacetime is more like a tapestry of points, similar to the way that matter is made up of atoms. At the moment, however, were just not capable of probing space to such small Planck lengths (or 10-20 times the diameter of a proton). But the new hypothesis doesnt stop there. Instead, it puts forth the idea that spacetime is non-commutative in addition to being discrete. The commutative property, to put it simply, states that when variables are rearranged, they equal the same thing. Addition and multiplication, for example, are commutative (5+8 = 8+5). Subtraction and division, on the other hand, are non-commutative. This theory of fuzzy gravity posits that the order in which spatial coordinates are multiplied matters, according to Advanced Science Newsa definite departure from usual geometry. From the beginning, the quantum theory challenged the classical notions of commutativity, the paper reads. Searching on the possible use in Physics of the notion of noncommutative geometry, by considering the coordinates as noncommutative quantities, it can be linked to a potential quantum structure that might occur at very small distances (Planck scale). Of course, as is often the case with alternative hypotheses, the idea of fuzzy gravity comes with some caveatschiefly, that it helps describe quantum gravity, but none of the other fundamental forces (such as electromagnetism, the weak and strong nuclear forces) or elemental particle interactions. In this paper, the authors attempt to unify interactions by using higher dimensional spacetime. As Advanced Science News describes: To try and solve this, the team followed a general approach to unifying interactions by considering higher-dimensional spacetimeThey found that if time and three spatial dimensions are extended by extra, discrete, and noncommutative directions, that their interaction with each other and usual four-dimensional spacetime would result in interacting elementary particles very similar to what we observe. However, fuzzy gravity hypothesizes that things really wouldnt deviate from general relatively until around a Planck length, which is much too small for even the most advanced particle accelerators to probe. Until physicists can square some of the wonky physics of the quantum and classical realm, scientists will continue searching for answersin four dimensions and beyond. You Might Also Like Search underway for teen girl missing from North Side for nearly 3 months Search underway for teen girl missing from North Side for nearly 3 months CHICAGO Authorities are offering new details on the search for a teen girl who police say has been missing for nearly three months. According to Chicago police, 17-year-old Precious Ayeni has been missing from her Rogers Park home since June 12. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Officers said Ayeni may also frequent areas around DePaul University but did not say what campus. The missing teen, who stands 5-foot-4 and weighs around 115 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes. A photo provided by Chicago police shows Ayeni with earrings, but it is unclear if she had any at the time of her disappearance. Authorities notified the public about Ayenis disappearance in a news release on Sunday afternoon but did not say what she was last seen wearing or provide details on her last known whereabouts. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 17-year-old Precious Ayeni is asked to contact the CPD Area Three SVU at 312-744-8266 or dial 911. Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. CINCINNATI, Iowa The Appanoose County Sheriffs Office executed a search warrant revealing over 400 roosters believed to be part of illegal animal contests. On Wednesday, around 7:20 a.m. the Appanoose County Sheriffs office carried out a search warrant at 27702 Highway 5 in rural Cincinnati. Man arrested in connection to Carlisle bank robbery The search warrant alleged that the household was in violation of Iowa Code 717D, which concerns animal contest events. The search focused on evidence of possession, breeding, training, transfer, and sale of animals used for animal contest or gaming events. The search revealed over 400 roosters and hens on the property. A seizure in place order was served by the District Court. The investigation is still ongoing, no charges have been filed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Francine has weakened to a tropical storm. Get the latest coverage here. Francine made landfall early Wednesday evening in Louisiana at a Category 2 hurricane Wednesday afternoon before quickly weakening to a tropical storm. Francine, which developed in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, made landfall in southern Louisiana, the National Hurricane Center said with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph. However, after making landfall, the storm quickly lost strength, weakening to tropical storm by late Wednesday night, when it registered maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish, about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, the hurricane center said. Floodwater fills a neighborhood on September 11, 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Francine has been upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and made landfall along the Louisiana coast. / Credit: Brandon Bell / Getty Images Despite weakening, it was still bringing powerful winds and heavy rains to Louisiana. The hurricane center warned southern Louisiana residents that "now is the time to stay inside and away from windows," and "have multiple ways to receive warnings and updates." The hurricane center said that "life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions" were spreading onto the Louisiana coast Wednesday afternoon, with dangerous storm surge potentially hitting the Mississippi coastline as well. Terrebonne Parish President Jason Bergeron told CBS News Wednesday that the levies were holding, but the water is rising. "The ground is saturated with water, and as the levy system is closed that water has a harder time getting out, except for some areas that have some pumps," Bergeron said. New Orleans could get up to 10 inches of rain, putting the city's water pump and drainage system to the test. "Stay inside, hunker down," New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. "Now is the time, between now as well as moving into midnight." A satellite image of Hurricane Francine taken at 5:12 p.m. EDT on Sept. 11, 2024, off the coast of Louisiana. / Credit: NOAA Prior to making landfall, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who earlier declared a state of emergency and requested disaster assistance from the U.S. government, cautioned residents against underestimating the hurricane based on its category. "Just because it's a Category 1, or possibly Category 2, doesn't mean it's going to be a thunder bumper," Landry said at a news conference ahead of Francine's expected landfall Wednesday afternoon, where he urged people to stay indoors and follow any other instructions from local leadership, adding, "We have been through a lot here in Louisiana." Francine was forecast to cross over southeastern Louisiana before moving northward over Mississippi Thursday. The storm "is expected to bring storm total rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, with local amounts to 12 inches across much of Louisiana and Mississippi through Friday morning," the hurricane center said. There is potential for "considerable" flash and urban flooding. Southeastern Louisiana, including metropolitan New Orleans and Baton Rouge, are most vulnerable. So is southwestern Mississippi, including the entirety of its coastal region. "The time to evacuate has now passed. It's time to go to ground and hunker down," Landry said a few hours before Francine's expected arrival. "We are no longer in the 'prepare for a hurricane.' We're in the 'respond to a hurricane.'" Officials in Louisiana said four roadways were closed Wednesday afternoon in counties in the path of the hurricane, "due to rising water or closed floodgates." Morgan City firefighters respond to a home fire during Hurricane Francine in Morgan City, Louisiana, on Sept. 11, 2024. / Credit: Gerald Herbert / AP Landry and other state officials have been coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for three days to develop their response, which includes at least 2,300 members of the Louisiana National Guard who had already been mobilized as the hurricane approached. There are also hundreds of boats, high-water vehicles and aircraft ready to assist with potential search and rescue operations as needed, officials said. President Biden approved the emergency declaration for Louisiana that allows FEMA to coordinate disaster relief and supplement the state's response to the hurricane, the agency announced Wednesday. Earlier, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency Monday evening, around the same time Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves issued an emergency declaration for his state as well. "This State of Emergency will allow parishes statewide to have the resources to help protect the life, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana," Landry said on social media. "Throughout this process, we will remain in constant contact with local officals and first responders and will assist them in every step of the way." In Morgan City, many business owners and residents were boarding up and evacuating Tuesday, with lines at gas station getting longer throughout the day, and some even running out of fuel. As an essential worker in a hospital maternity ward, Carole Duplantis of Houma, Louisiana, can't evacuate. "We deliver babies even through the hurricanes," Duplantis said. She told CBS News she was using sandbags to protect her home, which is still being renovated after it was damaged by Ida in 2021, which struck as a Category 4 hurricane. "No, I am not recovered yet," Duplantis said of Ida. Cars and trucks were lined up for blocks in downtown New Orleans Tuesday waiting to get sandbags from the parking lot of a local YMCA as people prepared to try to prevent flooding of their homes, The Associated Press reports. Millions of people along the Gulf Coast were under hurricane warnings as the storm approached. "We don't take this storm lightly because of the movement towards the East, which is closer to us," Randy Smith, sheriff of St. Tammany Parish north of New Orleans, said in a news conference Tuesday. "We're prepared for any emergencies that arise." Storm surge warnings were in effect for areas from the Vermilion and Cameron Parish area in Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama Border, Vermilion Bay, Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, and a coastal flood warning was in effect Wednesday for the length of the Alabama coast, including Mobile Bay. A coastal flood warning means "moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring or imminent," the National Weather Service writes, noting that this degree of flooding "will cause serious risk to life and property." The storm surge forecast for Tropical Storm Francine. Sept. 10, 2024. / Credit: NOAA "We all know that the current projected path of Francine looks like it's headed toward Louisiana," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a news conference Tuesday afternoon in the southeastern Texas city of Beaumont, which is in a region that could be impacted by Francine. "We also know, however, that storms, even in the recent past, sometimes can deviate from what the prediction is. So for one, we're concerned about the possibility of the storm altering its course (and) moving more towards Texas, in which case the area that would be most likely challenged would be where we are right now, in Jefferson County, over in Orange County and surrounding areas." He added that even if Francine stayed on its latest trajectory, Jefferson and Orange counties would still see "enormous challenges." The Miami-based hurricane center explains that a hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, and it's typically issued hours before the earliest arrival of tropical-storm-force winds that would hinder weather preparations. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, and a storm surge warning means there's a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. Francine's development followed an unusually calm August and early September in the Atlantic hurricane season. Francine is the Atlantic season's sixth named storm. Experts had predicted one of the busiest Atlantic seasons ever and, The Associated Press notes, Colorado State University researchers said last week they still expect an above-normal season overall. Author hopes to shed light on working class misconceptions New York City pizzerias honor 9/11 first responders Haitian migrant community of Springfield, Ohio, contends with a political firestorm (p.Folrev/Getty Images) Despite more workers returning to offices, much of downtown Seattles office space is still reeling from the pandemic and it could be years before it is in high demand again. Office construction in the city is down significantly in the last year and vacancy rates remain some of the highest in the country, a new national report says. The city saw the biggest slowdown in office construction in the West over the past year, according to the August report on office market trends from CommercialEdge. Current projects equal about 2.1 million square feet of office real estate, compared to 6.6 million in July of last year. Vacancy rates remain high, with nearly a quarter of the citys downtown office space dormant, according to the report. Jon Scholes, president and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association, said slow construction and vacancies arent surprising given COVIDs lasting imprint on the city. We clearly have a lot of supply, and demand for new space is not significant in Seattle, he said. I dont expect new office development from the ground up for the next five years. Despite a slow comeback, the number of workers returning to work in person at least for part of the week is steadily increasing, Scholes said. In July, more than 90,000 workers were back in the office each weekday, according to the Downtown Seattle Association. Thats the second-highest number since March 2020, only behind June of this year when more than 94,000 workers were in offices daily. Its also up 14% from July of last year. Still, many offices remain empty. Seattles 23.2% office vacancy rate was among the highest in the country in July, only surpassed by Houston with 23.8% and San Francisco with 25.4%. Annie Han, senior research analyst at commercial real estate researcher CBRE, wrote in a report on office conversions in Seattle that vacancies will likely continue to climb in the Puget Sound area as more direct leases expire and the pace of leasing remains slow. Research from Savills, a commercial real estate brokerage firm, found that the Seattle/Puget Sound office market saw a notable surge in leasing activity in the last few months, but most of that was in Bellevue. Seattles higher availability suggests a slower recovery, according to the report. One reason Seattle is struggling to fill offices is because it is competing with real estate in Bellevue, which has its own advantages as a location, Scholes said. The CommercialEdge report also points to a slowdown in the life sciences sector as one of the biggest factors behind a slow commercial real estate market in Seattle. The sector, which uses buildings for labs, research centers and clinics, takes up a large portion of buildings in the city. Once a driving force behind the growth of the markets pipeline, the life science sector is now grappling with an oversupply and diminished demand, according to the report. CommercialEdge found life science construction slowed nationwide, down to 11% of all construction this year compared to more than a quarter last year. What to do with empty office space Local, state and federal officials are looking to incentivize developers to repurpose these spaces into something more useful, like housing or research facilities. Washingtons Legislature recently approved a law that allows developers to defer sales and use taxes if they convert existing structures into affordable housing. Cities like Seattle and Spokane are eager to see this shift. Earlier this year, the Seattle City Council unanimously voted to exempt conversion projects from some regulations and fees. But the incentives may only do so much. While office conversions are being adopted nationwide, their prevalence in the Puget Sound region remains limited, Han said. Office conversions are on the rise in Seattle, but not necessarily for multifamily housing.Office-to-housing conversions make up about 40% of conversion projects in the Puget Sound area while office-to-life science projects make up about 39%, according to a CBRE report on office conversions in Seattle. In the last 20 years, the region has only had 14 office buildings converted to other uses, like housing, lab space or hotels. Those conversions as well as current and planned projects are only expected to add 450 housing units or 3% of the total number of units in all of 2023. Part of the reason is the difficulty in converting offices. Existing structures often require significant modification for things like plumbing, window access and utilities, and it can sometimes be more expensive and time-consuming to convert a building than simply tearing it down and starting from scratch. There can also be zoning challenges and historical preservation restrictions that developers must consider. Scholes said government incentives are helpful but will only go so far spurring conversion activity in Seattle. I dont think were going to see dozens of conversions, but we may see a handful in the next few years or so, he said. A voter sits behind a privacy screen in Cascade County on June 6, 2023. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan) Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen wants the U.S. Supreme Court to consider whether the Montana Supreme Court wrongfully struck down two voting laws passed by the 2021 Legislature, saying its request gives the court a chance to weigh in on whether state courts have authority to declare unconstitutional any law passed by a state legislature regarding voting and elections. The filing makes clear Jacobsen is pursuing a version of the independent state legislature theory that the high court mostly already dismissed in June 2023. In that case, it rejected claims from North Carolina Republicans who argued the states Supreme Court wrongfully struck down the Republicans congressional redistricting map, which the North Carolina Supreme Court found to be an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander. State courts cannot read state law in such a manner as to circumvent federal constitutional provisions, and arrogate to themselves the power vested in state legislatures to regulate federal elections, Jacobsens filing with the court says. But thats what happened here. A majority opinion in the North Carolina case, Moore vs. Harper, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, found the U.S. Constitutions Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review. But citing heavily to the dissents in that case written by Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Samuel Alito as well as parts of the opinions from Bush vs. Gore in 2000 and the dissents in the Montana case from two Supreme Court justices, Jacobsen and her attorneys believe the North Carolina case did not fully make clear when judges like those at the Montana Supreme Court may interpret elections-related laws written by the states legislature. The Court left open the question of how to determine whether a state court has transgressed that boundary and impermissibly interfered with a state legislatures authority, the filing says. Jacobsen, represented by the Montana Attorney Generals Office and private Virginia-based law firm Consovoy McCarthy, filed a petition for a writ of certiorari a request for the Supreme Court to consider the case on Aug. 26 after receiving an extension from the court earlier this year to file her petition. The initial application for an extension of time to file a writ request contained similar arguments as the petition filed in late August. One of the Virginia firms specialties involves litigating election-day voting challenges, according to its website. A clause in the U.S. Constitution says that the times, places and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof. The independent state legislature theory holds that the clause should be taken literally to mean that no court should be able to override the will of the legislature when it comes to setting rules and laws for elections even if state constitutions provide further direction or rights surrounding elections; it contends Congress is the only body that has a higher authority than state legislatures to change election law or regulations. In March, the Montana Supreme Court permanently struck down four voting laws passed by the 2021 legislature in Montana, held by Republicans, saying they interfered with Montanans right to vote. In a 5-2 opinion, the majority found the Montana Constitution granted greater protections for voting rights than the U.S. Constitution and said the state had shown no compelling state interest in restricting voting access. Two justices Dirk Sandefur and Jim Rice wrote a dissent criticizing the majority for saying Montanas Constitution offered more protections and said that election law powers were solely granted to the legislature under the Elections Clause. That included finding unconstitutional two bills House Bill 176, which eliminated Election Day voter registration, and House Bill 530, which banned the use of paid ballot collectors that Jacobsen is now appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court. She did not appeal the courts decisions on House Bill 506 and Senate Bill 169, which concerned voters who would turn 18 by Election Day and the use of university-issued identification at polling places, respectively. Montanas Constitution says the legislature may provide for a system of poll booth registration, which Jacobsen and her attorneys say doesnt require the state to allow for Election-Day registration. She also contends that HB530 should not have been struck down because she and her office had not promulgated any rules, as the bill required, to prohibit paid signature gathering for ballot petitions. Jacobsens filing cites heavily to Sandefur and Rices dissent to make her argument, particularly their contention that the courts majority had overstepped their boundaries and acted as a super-legislature. Here, in an unprecedented exercise of unrestrained judicial power the majority struck down public policy determinations made by the Legislature in the exercise of its constitutional discretion on the most dubiously transparent of constitutional grounds, Jacobsens attorneys wrote, citing the dissent in the Montana Supreme Court decision. They said the states petition presents an ideal vehicle to develop a test in which the U.S. Supreme Court can measure whether state courts are overstepping their perceived boundaries when deciding whether state-enacted elections laws are constitutional. The petition asks the court to take the case so it can decide when state courts impermissibly distort an election law beyond a fair reading, citing language written by Chief Justice William Rehnquist in the Bush v. Gore decision over the 2000 presidential election, and to find whether the Montana Supreme Court intruded into the Elections Clause. Jacobsens brief cites an 1883 court decision that says a court must give effect, if possible, to every clause and word of statute. Jacobsens filing argues the Montana Supreme Courts decision regarding the two bills falls outside the ordinary bounds of judicial review because it invalidated these modest legislative judgments based on ambiguous parts of the state Constitution and discussion among Montanas constitutional framers of whether to include Election-Day registration in the Constitution. It also argues that for four reasons, the petition would present a solid case for the U.S. Supreme Court to consider such arguments: That there is an upcoming election; that the arguments in Jacobsens petition include questions that did not exist in the North Carolina case; that Rice and Sandefur wrote dissents in the Montana Supreme Court decision disagreeing with the majority; and that there is an increased focus regarding election security that lawmakers will continue to pass laws about and see them challenged in court, which the U.S. Supreme Court could resolve with a decision in this case. That means both that disputes over issues like these are almost certain to keep arising until the Court definitively resolves them, Jacobsens attorneys wrote, citing Justice Brett Kavanaughs concurrence in denying an application for stay in the North Carolina Case, and that clarifying them now could forestall future requests for this Courts intervention in less ideal time constraints. Jacobsens spokesperson has not responded to multiple requests for comment on the U.S. Supreme Court appeal or the filing during the past week. Plaintiffs in the original lawsuit challenging the four laws from 2021 include the Montana Democratic Party, multiple Native American tribes and voting groups, and several other voter-rights and voter-registration advocacy groups from Montana. Attorneys for the groups, when the Montana Supreme Court handed down its opinion in March, said the court had affirmed Montanans freedom to vote and participate in democracy without interference. Now that Jacobsen has filed her petition, the court will consider whether to grant it, and if so, would set a schedule for briefings and possibly oral arguments in the case. 20240826115911672_Petition We recently published a list of 10 Best Automotive Stocks To Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) stands against the other automotive stocks. Headwinds in the Automotive Industry The automotive industry is heavily commoditized relative to other industries considering the fact that consumers typically have numerous options in terms of the car they want to purchase, resulting in the need for automotive companies to compete with each other predominantly on pricing. As a result, many automotive companies, especially those offering pricier vehicles, have been seeing a decline in revenue growth and profit margins over the past couple of years. This decline is primarily a consequence of rising inflation which has significantly cut down your average consumers spending power. According to Daryl Kenningham in his interview on CNBCs Squawk Box, the President and CEO of Group 1 Automotive, the wider macroeconomic trends surrounding the automotive industry and the support of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the market have resulted in prices for vehicles, both used and new, beginning to fall in 2024 though this price decline is being seen more evidently in the case of new cars, seeing as there has been a prolonged shortage of pre-owned cars in the market. Despite the decline, though, the average transaction costs for purchasing any car are still pretty high, which has been acting as an impediment barring consumers from getting into cars. Rising Industry Trends Considering the current market conditions, many consumers are thus looking for lower-priced vehicles. This spells trouble for electric vehicle (EV) producers since EVs are notorious for their hefty price tags and pricey battery replacements, and lays the foundation for the newest hot trend in the automotive space: hybrid cars. Fords former CEO, Mark Fields, in his interview on CNBCs Squawk Box on August 30, noted that because of the greater convenience offered by hybrid cars, automakers dabbling within the EV space should expand their hybrid offerings. Simultaneously, the vision of producing pure EVs shouldnt be entirely abandoned either instead, time and resources must be dedicated to producing lower-priced EVs that automakers can actually make money on. Fields further added that another impediment to the growth of EV makers today is the prolonged waiting time for charging an EV. For this, the only viable solution on the horizon is the development of solid-state batteries that can significantly reduce charge time to about 5-10 minutes around the same time you spend at a typical gas station. However, the mass production of solid-state batteries and their incorporation in EVs is still something that we wont see happening in the near future. This is why we believe that investors interested in automotive stocks should look at not only EV manufacturers but also traditional vehicle producers or, even better, companies that offer both types of vehicles to their consumers. The list we have compiled below reflects this position. 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 Ford truck roaring down a highway, with powerful headlights blazing its way. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 47 Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is a reputable automobile manufacturing company. It is based in Dearborn, Michigan. Many investors have been flocking to Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) for years because of its incredibly cheap valuation. Its currently trading with a P/E ratio of 5.9, which is significantly below the sector median of 15.9. Additionally, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has been seeing immense growth so far this year, with the companys second-quarter earnings call shedding light on the success of its Ford Pro business. Ford Pro is the business segment dedicated to providing business productivity tools that link gas, diesel, and electric vehicles to manage fleets holistically. This segment alone brought in $70 billion in revenue for Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) in the second quarter. The company has also managed to retain its strong financial position, with the second quarter ending with Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) having about $27 billion in cash and $45 billion in liquidity. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) was seen in the 13F holdings of 47 hedge funds in the second quarter, with a total stake value of $1.5 billion. Overall F ranks 4th on our list of the best automotive stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of F as an investment, we believe that AI stocks hold 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 F 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. A secret network of influencers were paid big bucks to spread sexual rumors about Kamala Harris, according to a new Semafor investigation. The investigation delves into a weird political network of posters, led by an unknown individual, who made it their mission to smear Kamala Harris about her sex life. One person made as much as $20,000 for being a part of the scheme. While the group first organized around generic Republican talking points to support Donald Trump, after an emergency War RoomKamala Messaging meeting following President Joe Bidens choice to step aside, the network shifted gears to talk about Harriss sexual activities. They compared Harris to Haliey Welch, the Hawk Tuah girl who went viral after discussing oral sex. In August, Trump elevated similar attacks on Harris, reposting a meme on Truth Social featuring photos of Harris and Hillary Clinton alongside the comment: Funny how blowjobs impacted both their careers differently Other conservative posters also emphasized Harriss previous relationships with California politician Willie Brown and television host Montel Williams. Meanwhile, the right-wing influencer group moved in secret. In Zoom meetings, they kept their cameras off and operated under aliases. But Semafor was able to ID one participant: former New York Representative George Santos. After the plan to sexually smear Harris materialized, the disgraced former congressman said he rejected the messaging and left the call, according to a participant who spoke to Semafor. On July 24, less than 48 hours after the influencer call, Santos posted on X, criticizing conservative influencers talking about Kamalas sex life and race rather than legitimate issues. Please God make it stop. I dont pay my bills or fill up my car with this nonsense! Have you seen her? Search continues for missing girl, 17, on North Side CHICAGO - Authorities are asking for the publics help in their search for a missing 17-year-old girl on the citys North Side. Precious Ayeni was reported missing June 12 from the 7300 block of N Rogers Avenue, according to Chicago police. She's described as being 5-foot-4 with brown eyes and black hair. Police said she is also known to frequently visit the DePaul University area. Anyone with more information on her whereabouts is urged to contact Area 3 SVU Detectives at 312-744-8266. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Several amazing and selfless bystanders are being hailed as heroes after they helped rescue a driver from his sinking truck after he crashed into a body of water in Florida on Saturday. Deputies rushed into action after receiving multiple 911 calls after a vehicle hit the center median on the Pineda Causeway and then crashed through the guardrail and landed in the water, the Brevard County Sheriffs Office said. Largo woman arrested, accused of stealing $2,400 exotic baby bird When deputies arrived, they found the selfless citizens, Ariana Ebert and Don Cobb, holding the drivers head above water, partially out of the vehicle, but the driver was trapped on something inside the car, preventing them from being able to pull him out. The sheriffs office said the two did what they could to keep his head above the water until first responders arrived. Credit: Brevard County Sheriffs Office Credit: Brevard County Sheriffs Office Credit: Brevard County Sheriffs Office With the help of several deputies, the driver was eventually pulled from the sinking truck, and officials began CPR on him. The driver was taken to the hospital where he remains in ICU, the sheriffs office said. There are not enough words on days like today that explain the immense emotions one feels about just how great this community is!! Our Deputies are trained to jump into action in emergency situations, and we would never ask citizens to put their own lives at risk, but to see them selflessly try to save someone in a truly scary situation, shows the kind of people that make up Brevard County!! Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a Facebook post. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Semaforum Ben Smith: This played out so much in public, a lot of it on Twitter. How did you think about a story that navigates behind the scenes, when so much is in front of the scenes? Ryan Mac: I think they gave us an opportunity. Because it was so public, there was like a daily drumbeat of stories Elon fires these people today, or the site shut down, or this employee went rogue. It was so much to do that I dont think it gave anyone an opportunity to do a deep dive. There werent any big magazine stories or New Yorker features on a takeover or the deal itself. And so I think because of that, it left kind of a hole for us to fill. And on top of that, like there was just so much material that anyone could have covered. We have a lot of scenes in the book that are text messages and text messages, like the internal dealmaking. Theres a scene in there of Elon at Berghain, this club in Berlin, trying to text the board members as hes getting rejected from the club, whether or not he should join the board at Twitter. If people had just lined up the tweets with the timing of the text messages, you would have seen this incredible storyline. But because people were so focused on the immediacy of it, and trying to break the news when it came out, no one ever went back. Ben: Why did he get turned away from the club? Ryan: I dont think we ever got to the bottom of that. We didnt send anyone to Berlins nightclub scene to find out. But he was tweeting about it. He got rejected, as many people do from the lines of Berghain. Within a couple hours, he was on his plane back home, trying to figure out if he should join the Twitter board. Ben: The first, maybe, 100 pages of the book are set in the before times, when Twitter employees are trying to create an infrastructure for misinformation for safety, as they see it. But it sounds, from your reporting, like theyre themselves growing a little uncomfortable with what theyve built around throwing people off the platform and trying to control speech and guarantee free speech at the same time. I read it and I thought, I think that Kate and Ryan are more sympathetic to the Elon critique of Twitter now than they used to be. But I dont know if thats true. Not his conduct after, but the right-wing diagnosis that Twitter had thrown too many people off, was censoring too much speech do you think theres something to that? Kate Conger: Something that really bothered me in the telling of this story as it played out, was that it really simplified what was going on at Twitter, and the story became sort of these White Knights of the Old Company fighting off this evil character in Elon. And I think that that really flattened and oversimplified what was happening at Twitter. And it was really important to me that we capture some of the mismanagement and some of the problems in Twitter 1.0 that set the company up to be taken over. I dont know that I would describe myself as sympathetic to the right-wing complaint that Twitter banned too many people, removed too much content. But I do think there was a consensus among the three CEOs that we cover in the book, Jack [Dorsey], Parag [Agrawal], and then Elon, that the way that Twitter was dealing with content moderation wasnt working and would not scale over time. Ben: The original sin, in some ways, for a lot of conservative criticism is the Hunter Biden laptop [story]. What do you think is misunderstood about how Twitter handled that? Kate: I dont know if this is misunderstood anymore, but what I think was misunderstood at the time was how much pressure Twitter had been put under to prepare for a second coming of Russian interference in that election, and how much stress and anxiety that put on this staff. So in that moment, when that story broke, and there was a very low level of information about where the laptop had originated from and how it had made its way into the media there was that kind of looming fear of foreign interference that influenced a lot of the decision-making around that. Ryan: We see that now with Mark Zuckerbergs letter the other day, he is talking about that and kind of using that as a crutch, an explanation for why he did it. And also that kind of became a moment for Dorsey himself to kind of split with his staff. There was a lot of blame, even internally at Twitter at the time, and Jack tried to cleave himself off from the decision-making process, even though he was very much a part of that machinery that made that decision. So it was, in some ways, a breaking point for him. Ben: The book covers these just incredibly destabilizing layoffs. I remember the time people were saying, I dont know if theyre gonna be able to keep the website online. I still use Twitter. It seems like it works OK. Was Musk basically right, that they were wildly overstaffed? Kate: So that is actually something that the company had believed previously. Under Parag Agrawal, there were plans for mass layoffs that got put on hold when Elon came in and made the offer to buy the company. But it was something that I think that both management[s] agreed on, that the company was overstaffed. That being said, I think that Elons cuts, by any measure, are quite severe, and the site still functions well enough to get by, but I think theres a lot of things in the overall stability that are broken. You know, theres some outages yesterday, for example, timelines werent loading out here on the West Coast; a lot of search functions are broken now. You cant really dig as easily into the archive of Twitter and see what people have posted in the past. Theres no longer any transparency reporting their advertising. And theres no longer a robust sales apparatus to keep that business afloat. And so the core product, I think, is still chugging along, but there are a lot of things along the periphery that are broken and are not functional at this point. Ryan: When we were reporting, someone told us this great metaphor of, Twitters a pretty well-run car. Think about a car. And, you know, as you start to swap out parts, maybe it continues to run and run and run and run, but eventually its going to hit problems as you continue to take out parts. And that stuck with me for a while. I think theres always going to be people that use Twitter, but I think its pretty undeniable that he has made it a worse experience. Ben: How much of Musks own identity and way of being in the world now a product of spending a lot of time on Twitter? Ryan: I think a lot. If you go back and look at his early tweets, its very funny, because he really didnt like the medium. His earliest tweets were like, hanging out with his kids at the ice rink and photos of Kanye West wearing SpaceX, pretty normie stuff. It was just online for everyone to see. But then he starts to grasp, this is an outlet for me. Like he starts tweeting about book recommendations and his thoughts on SpaceX. And then I think theres a lightbulb moment that clicks for him, where he uses this thing to push back on any media narrative. Even early Elon hated the media, he loved fighting and debating and pushing back on anything that was wrong. There were tweets about him fighting over a detail in a reporters story about what he ate for breakfast and that just became part of what he did every day so much so that we talked to Twitter or to former staffers of his that were told to go fight, like, some random blogger in Belgium over tweets. He would stay up till 3 a.m. telling his communications staffers to do this. And so that happened over the last decade, where he grew to mistrust media, learned how to use Twitter effectively for his own message, built a following and just spent hours every day on there, to the point where it became his main social circle. Ben: How does your understanding of Musk from whats basically like a disaster movie of a book fit into this person whos undeniably accomplished, in a business context built some stuff that is quite amazing and transformative. Ryan: He contains multitudes! Thats a cliche. Just because youre a successful entrepreneur in rocketry or electrifying vehicles, doesnt necessarily make you the best person to run a social media network. Kate: I think X/Twitter is a fundamentally human problem. Its a social problem. Its less of an engineering feat. And where Musk has really shown [strength] in the past is in engineering and hardware, and thats just not a problem that Twitter addresses. Reed Albergotti: Was Elon surprised that advertisers fled? Did that catch him off-guard? Or was he always kind of like, Oh, screw it, I dont need these people, Im gonna just stop my mouth off. And do you think that he can potentially, one day get advertisers back to Twitter? Or has that ship completely sailed? Ryan: I dont think he had a plan, really. All our reporting shows that there wasnt much thought into this, and he was really leaning heavily a lot of his focus was on Twitter Blue, building the subscription model, really believing that he could sell this to millions of people. And it wasnt till he walked through the doors, like after the sink moment, that I think he started talking with some executives and realizing there are concerns about his tweets and his ownership, and that we really do have to woo advertisers. So there was that brief period where he wrote a note, it was a pretty well-written note, to advertisers, trying to assuage them and comfort them in a way. But like everything with Elon, he can whiplash back and forth and throw a lot of good work out the window. Theres one moment we have in the book where hes in a meeting with a top ad executive, and the ad executive asks him, is Donald Trump going to be back on the platform? And in response, he whips up a tweet and he says, if I had a nickel for every time someone asked me if Donald Trump would be on the platform, Id be a rich person. And he shows it to the ad executive and asks him, Should I tweet this? Its such an insane moment. This isnt just like normal behavior, but theres no one really holding him accountable to this. And he just kind of does what he wants. Kate: Something that we encountered time and time again in reporting this book is that Elon cannot handle public criticism very well if he needs to be corrected. That has to be done in private and when hes confronted publicly, he will react very aggressively and kind of double down, and weve seen that in his relationship with advertisers. When theres been publicity around advertisers pausing their campaigns on the platform, hes reacted very negatively to that. And I dont think that there is a world where a lot of mainstream advertisers return and are the fundamental part of Twitters business that they used to be. Ben: What did you wind up thinking about Walter Isaacsons biography? Kate: I was worried about that book. We knew it was going to come out before ours. And I was worried, are we going to get scooped on all this stuff that we knew he was in the room for? And I think we got really lucky, in that his focus and his sourcing was really spotlighted on Elon himself. We had really the privilege of reporting around Elon and working with a lot of sources who were in his periphery. And I think that really benefited us. I think we all know this in journalism, that people are unreliable narrators of their own stories, and it can be really helpful to talk to folks around them to get a fuller picture. And I think Elon is a great example of that, and someone whos very unreliable about his own story, and that it is really a benefit to go to the people around him to get the truest picture of him. And I think in that circumstance, our sourcing just really benefited us to obviously not have access to Elon, and have access to the folks around him. Ryan: In some ways, we treated that book like the voice of Elon. We use it in our sourcing material. We mentioned it. Lets say some event happens, then Elon will spout off on it, and then Walter just writes about it. And its great to understand Elons thought process at the time, as well as where he was. Theres a lot of physical detail in there that helped us a lot in placing him. But as soon as we started to talk to folks, maybe one level down from executives, we started to realize Walter didnt really talk with them at all. There wasnt much beneath the surface reporting and beyond that. He had kind of become captured by Elon in some ways, he became an adviser. For over seven years, Seminole County has touted its animal shelter as a no kill facility where it wouldnt euthanize animals for lack of space, their breed or how long they resided at the Sanford facility. But as Seminole Animal Services grapples with an increasing number of unwanted pets, it recently launched a diversion program that sought to send those animals to places other than its already cramped shelter. Fewer animals were taken in and more found their way to local nonprofits many of which are hamstrung with shoe-string budgets and small volunteer staffs. And now the county has changed course, again. After outcries from animal welfare groups who said they were being inundated by pets the county was diverting Seminole on Monday pulled the plug on the program. We have heard from the public loud and clear that it was not working, said Alan Harris, director of Seminoles emergency management division which oversees the countys animal shelter. We tried the diversion program thats where we try to keep the animals with their families but thats on pause indefinitely And we may not bring it back. The struggles in Seminole underscore the challenges, here and around the country, in managing pet populations at a time when many people give up their animals because they feel they can no longer care for them. But hardly anyone wants to see healthy animals euthanized. Under its diversion program, Seminole worked to connect people to local resources for the help needed to hold onto healthy animals they tried to surrender at the Eslinger Way shelter. Officials offered help paying for food, medical care, grooming or finding pet-friendly housing. But now the shelter is once again accepting all animals brought to it. But its likely theyve traded one challenge for another. Since dropping the program, the population at the county shelter has grown. As of Thursday it was at nearly 98% capacity up from just under 90% last month. Kris Buchanan, founder of nonprofit TEARS near Sanford whos worked with Seminole Animal Services since 2010 in finding homes for animals, said the county was using its diversion program as a way of keeping its intake and euthanasia numbers low. In effect, Seminole is turning away desperate residents who have no other alternatives than to give up their pets at a county facility funded by tax dollars, she said. FBI: Man whose Seminole business worked with special-needs children sexually abused boys They are selectively taking in highly adoptable dogs, instead of those in need, and eliminating the shelter as a resource for residents to safely bring in unwanted or found pets, Buchanan said. By the time a person has decided to bring an animal to a [county] shelter, they are out of options. People have usually reached out to family and friends and other organizations by that time. But Harris said Seminoles shelter is a small facility compared to other counties and it faces constant struggles in trying to remain a no kill shelter by not putting down healthy animals. We try to do everything that we can, he said. But 2023 was one of the worst years in our shelters history Many times were in a no-win scenario no matter what we do in animal welfare. We have very, very passionate people who have differing opinions on how we operate. He added that Seminole operates an open shelter, meaning it will take in any kind of animal. However, sometimes euthanasia is necessary for terminally ill animals or those posing a threat to public safety. By the numbers, the diversion program appeared to work for the shelter. More space opened up and fewer animals were euthanized, according to county data. From January through August 2023, Seminole had a total of 4,438 animal intakes. However, so far this year, for that same time period, intakes dropped by slightly more than 20% to 3,542. After pulling plug on long-planned Heritage Park development, Sanford asks: Whats next? From January through August this year, the Seminole shelter reported euthanizing 566 animals. That does not include those euthanized at the owners request. Thats a drop of slightly more than 65% from the same time period in 2023, when the number of euthanizations, not counting at owners request, was 1,622. Although Seminole canceled its program, diversion is working in other areas across the region including Orange, Lake and Osceola counties even after those shelters saw a surge in unwanted pets after the COVID-19 pandemic, officials in those places say. Orange Countys animal shelter launched a diversion effort in September 2023 after a case of canine pneumovirus was discovered at its facility. The program modeled after one in Lake County was put in place temporarily to prevent spread of the contagious disease within kennels. The program became such a success, Orange officials made it permanent a month later. Over the past year, the shelter has seen 38% fewer animals surrendered by owners. Diane Summers, manager for Orange County Animal Services, said the program gives pet owners some help and guidance. Were quite happy with it, Summers said. Its a program thats been around for years in animal sheltering across the state. In Osceola, owners who want to surrender animals are provided a list of rescue organizations as part of the countys yearslong Rehoming Your Pet program. But the experiences in other Central Florida counties are in stark contrast to that of Seminole County. Dozens of animal lovers and members of rescue groups turned out last month to a County Commission meeting to blast county staff about the diversion program. The program, they said, has led to animals abandoned at public parks or dropped off in the middle of the night in a crate at the shelters parking lot. Workers at local animal rescue organizations said theyre being inundated with calls from frantic pet owners turned away from the county shelter. Its ridiculous, Judy Sarullo, owner of nonprofit Pet Rescue by Judy in Sanford, said Wednesday. Ive never seen anything as horrendous as now And were getting so many calls. Can you take this one? Can you take this one? all day. Phyllis Ayoob, founder of the nonprofit CATS-CAN animal adoption agency in Oviedo, said her organization has seen a huge uptick in calls from pet owners turned away by Seminole Animal Services during the diversion program. We dont have the finances that the county has, Ayoob said. You cant make yourself look good by not accepting animals and referring them to organizations like us. We would love to have an absolutely no-kill [county] shelter. But if youre turning away animals, then people are just going to dump them. And to put a cat with no wherewithal outside puts them in more danger and harm than euthanization. Its just cruel. Several injured in head-on crash near Firebaugh, CHP says Several injured in head-on crash near Firebaugh, CHP says FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Several people were injured after a teen crashed head-on into a Toyota near the town of Firebaugh, according to the California Highway Patrol. CHP says at 12:25 am, Sunday officers responded to a crash involving two vehicles in the area of Nees and Oxford avenues. Investigators say a 17-year-old boy was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe westbound on Nees Avenue at a stated speed of 60 miles per hour. At the same time, CHP says a 21-year-old driving a 2014 Toyota Sienna eastbound, approaching the Chevrolet Tahoe, at a stated speed of 58 miles per hour. CHP says, for reasons unknown, the teen veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the Toyota. The drivers and occupants of both vehicles were wearing seatbelts and were transported to a local hospital. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Millions of dollars will be granted to schools throughout Pennsylvania for environmental improvements, the governor announced Monday. Governor Josh Shapiro made that announcement in Berks County at a school that saw catastrophic flooding last summer. 109 Schools in Pennsylvania will receive grants totaling more than $75 million. Tickets to Trans-Siberian Orchestras Erie concerts will soon be available More than $3 million will go to schools in Erie County with Millcreek Township School District set to receive nearly $2.9 million and in Crawford County, Penncrest School District will receive more than $4.2 million. In his comments, Shapiro touted his investments throughout his tenure as governor. CNN to broadcast live from Mercyhurst University during presidential debate Specifically we have earmarked $275 million across the state to be able to repair and remediate our school buildings to make sure they are safe and healthy for students in the future. Every school is going to benefit from this that has a need, and we are in a position now to do right by our kids, Governor Shapiro said. The grants can be used for water improvement, mold and asbestos removal, and projects aimed at other environmental hazards. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) A man was taken into custody Monday after speeding through Rocky Mountain National Park and allegedly crashing into and injuring three people. A shelter-in-place order was also lifted in Estes Park. The National Park Service said Wayde Thyfault of Hudson was taken into custody Monday morning in the High Drive area outside Rocky Mountain National Park. Man driving recklessly through national park Late Sunday afternoon, the National Park Service said a 23-year-old man sped through the Grand Lake entrance on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. National Park Law Enforcement Rangers attempted to pull over the man, but the rangers said he failed to yield. Rangers said the man continued to drive recklessly on Trail Ridge Road, U.S. 34, which is a heavily traveled highway above tree line. Rangers said the man continued to pass vehicles at a fast speed for the entirety of the 48-mile stretch. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Eventually, the National Park Service said rangers were forced to back off their pursuit due to the suspects reckless driving. Once the man reached Deer Ridge Junction on the east side of the national park, Estes Park police and the Larimer County Sheriffs Office attempted to slow him down using stop sticks near the Beaver Medows Entrance. However, rangers said the man sped past the entrance and hit another car. Three people were taken to the hospital following the crash, with one person sustaining critical injuries, rangers said. Colorado lawmakers clash over allegations of Venezuelan gang violence After crashing, rangers said the suspect got out of the car and ran on foot northeast towards homes along High Drive in Estes Park. A shelter-in-place was issued for those living in that area. Just before 2 a.m. on Monday, the shelter-in-place for U.S. 36 and Elkhorn Avenue was lifted. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The owner of a Lincoln toyshop has said shoplifting feels 'personal' [Emma Steele] Shop owners in Lincolns Bailgate said they were concerned ahead of a planned early release of prisoners. Emma Steele said she was worried about a free for all" once some prisoners are released. The Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned of the "total collapse" of the prison system and a "total breakdown of law and order" without urgent action to ease prison overcrowding. Ms Steele, 40, said she felt violated after more than 200 of stock was stolen in September 2024. Ms Steele said a man stole several Jellycat toys on 3 September and had since pleaded guilty [BBC] "He was in the shop for less than 30 seconds," Ms Steele said. "He grabbed a lot of stock shoved it up his jumper and then off he went," she added. The man responsible has pleaded guilty to theft and was given a four-week suspended prison sentence at Lincoln Magistrates' Court. Ms Steele has said she is concerned that prisoners who have previously shoplifted who may be released will target her store. "Are we going to have to be even more diligent? Is it a free for all?" she asked. Heather works at a clothing store called Jalousie, also in Lincolns Bailgate, and has said shoplifting is all too common [BBC] Heather has said the idea of prisoners being released early was "terrifying" and there should be "enough space for them". "You cannot let people out early, what message does that send to young ones? "Its a free for all," she said. Heather said she was worried criminals will come back to steal again. "Eventually, Ill be out of a job," she added. According to Heather, shop owners in Lincoln's Bailgate often tackle shoplifting without help from the police. We worry what happens after we catch people; will they be outside waiting for me? Johanne Bridges works at Lincoln Eco Pantry and believes "it is worse when small businesses are targeted" by shoplifting [BBC] A lot of us are not making vast amounts of money, Ms Bridges said. Were not millionaires. Ms Bridges believes convicted criminals who may be released early should not be judged. "I'd like to think if they've been caught and have gone to jail and done their time they will think about what they've done and not do it again," she said. The Justice Secretary, Ms Mahmood, said she expected the first batch of prisoners released in September to be "in the low thousands", with further releases over the next 18 months and updates made to Parliament every three months. Sentences for serious violent offences of four years or more and sex offences will be automatically excluded from the change, as will the early release of offenders in prison for domestic abuse connected crimes, including stalking and choking. Lincolnshire Police said Lincoln city centre "has a dedicated policing team who work with local businesses to prevent and detect these crime types". "Where offences have occurred, we will tirelessly hunt down offenders," the force added. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. More on this story Related internet links Parts of Highlands College have been closed on Monday [Google] Parts of a college and a shop in Jersey have closed due to flooding and thunder storms on Saturday and Sunday, staff say. Parts of Highlands College have been closed on Monday, with a spokesperson saying staff were "very sorry for the disruption". They said staff had been in at the weekend "dealing with the impact" but that roof of part of the building was still leaking. The Co-op at Val Plaisant was also flooded, with managers saying on social media that damage to the store meant it would remain closed until Tuesday. The college said there had been flooding across two floors of its building and students would need to be relocated until it was dry It added that electrical works had been tested and it would keep students updated as and when the situation changed. The Co-op staff said the store would remain closed "due to internal damage sustained" during "exceptional weather". Flights were also cancelled in Guernsey due to the weather. Follow BBC Jersey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. More on this story Related internet links BANGKOK, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiri, a leading name in the world of cream cheese, is excited to announce the launch of its newest innovation, Kiri Petit Sweets. Kiri Petit Sweets is a delicious, guilt-free snack inspired by classic French patisseries with rich fruity flavours and creamy texture, which consumers will love at first bite. It is set to captivate consumers across Thailand with its indulgent melt-in-the-mouth experience. Only 15 kcal per cube, this product offers a guilt-free snacking option, transforming their sweet snack experience. Kiri Cream Cheese is already a preferred brand among top French and Japanese patisseries for baking delectable cheesecakes. Kiri Petit Sweets blends Kiri's expertise with fresh fruit flavors and texture, creating an irresistible treat. The individually packed cubes offer a unique and enjoyable opening experience, providing bite-sized cubes of cheesecake pleasure. "Bel is committed to providing delicious and nutritious snacking products in line with our philosophy of 'for all for good'. In Thailand, The Laughing Cow Cheese, part of the Bel brands, is already a preferred cheese brand known for its innovative offerings to healthy snacking. The launch of Kiri Petit Sweets marks an exciting milestone for Bel as we continue to innovate and expand product portfolio, catering to the diverse preferences of consumers seeking healthy snacks. 5 portions of Kiri Petit Sweets has lower calories than 1 apple (200 gms edible), making them delightful guilt free treat. This introduction of the product highlights the brand's dedication to leading innovation in the healthy snacking sector, as we strive to enhance growth, solidify our market presence, and satisfy the rising demand for our creative snack products" - says Alamjit Singh Sekhon, General Manager - South East Asia. Kiri Petit Sweets will be available in 2 delightful flavors: Strawberry Cheesecake : The perfect symphony of strawberries and cream, immaculately blended into a creamy cheesy infusion. Lemon Tart : A refreshing and vibrant blend of citrusy Lemon Tart infused into velvety creamy cheese creating a delightful dance on the palate. Kiri Petit Sweets is the perfect choice for those seeking a convenient snack that combines the goodness of cheese with a touch of fruity sweetness. Whether enjoyed on its own, paired with fruits and snacks, it promises to elevate snacking moments with its irresistible flavours and creamy texture. Kiri Petit Sweets will be available at leading supermarkets, retail outlets and online platforms nationwide starting September, 2024 priced at THB180. Story continues For more information about Kiri Petit Sweets and other Kiri products, please visit Kiri's official website or follow them on social media ( @kiri.southeastasia ) for latest updates. About Bel: Bel Group is a global leader in branded cheese and healthy snacking. With a diverse portfolio that includes The Laughing Cow, Kiri, Babybel, Boursin, Nurishh, Pom'Potes, GoGo squeeZ, and other local brands, Bel achieved 3.6 billion in sales in 2023. Committed to providing healthier and more responsible food, the group employs 10,902 people across 30 production sites and distributes its products to nearly 120 countries. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/a-game-changer-in-healthy-snacking-introducing-kiri-petit-sweets-in-thailand-302241826.html SOURCE Bel Group Shots fired during wellness check, Clarkesville man in the hospital CLARKESVILLE, Ga. - Police were called to perform a welfare check at an apartment complex in Clarkesville. It ended with shots being fired. At around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, a Clarkesville police officer was dispatched to the Cameron At Clarkesville Apartments to check on a possibly suicidal person. After the officer wasn't able to make contact with the person, a Demorest police officer was called for backup. That responding officer reported seeing 41-year-old Aaron Allen Patterson walking with a handgun. Patterson then reportedly ran away from the officers. Habersham County sheriff's deputies responded for backup. While looking for Patterson, an officer said he was found armed with a rifle. The officer reportedly tried speaking to Patterson until he turned toward them with the gun. Multiple officers fired shots. Patterson was rushed to the hospital by helicopter with multiple gunshot wounds. He remains in critical condition. The GBI is looking into this incident. Disclaimer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A Shreveport man has been arrested for the rape of a child. The Shreveport Police Department has arrested a 19-year-old in connection with a sexual assault that happened earlier this year. Shreveport police arrest man in kidnapping, rape Police say Orion Ivory is facing charges of one count of first-degree rape. Ivory is accused of forcibly raping a victim under the age of 13. Under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:42, anyone convicted of first-degree rape may face life imprisonment at hard labor. In cases where the victim is under the age of 13, the offender may be eligible to receive the death penalty. The investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Disclaimer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A Shreveport man has been arrested in a kidnapping and rape case. According to a media release from the Shreveport Police Department 24-year-old Joelee Walker in connection with a kidnapping and second-degree rape case. Caddo Sheriff warns of resurfacing phone scam Police say Walker is accused of forcibly dragging a woman from one location and allegedly forcing her to engage in sexual acts against her will on September 6. If convicted, Walker could face up to 40 years in prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. California Republicans share some blame for the poverty, homelessness and crime currently plaguing the state, Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez argued. Though Lopez acknowledged how Democrats "deserve to be on the hot seat" based on their current control in all statewide offices, he explained "none of that happened overnight, nor did it happen exclusively under Democratic leadership." "For decades, through Democratic and Republican leadership, California made the mistake of not building enough housing to keep up with the flood of people who moved here to fill jobs in the states burgeoning economy. Its one of many factors in rising home prices and homelessness today," Lopez wrote Saturday. Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez argued decades of both Republican and Democratic leadership are responsible for California's state of decline. FORMER DEMOCRAT TURNS REPUBLICAN: KAMALA HARRIS 'DID NOTHING TO CHANGE THE SCHOOLS' IN CALIFORNIA He more directly blamed the GOP for crime and illegal immigration based on its support for gun rights and the agriculture industry. "Many of them come here to work in the largely conservative agri-business industry, which looks the other way while writing campaign checks to GOP lawmakers. Many more come to escape narco-violence in Mexico, where as many as 70% of the guns are sourced from the U.S.," Lopez wrote. "Its more than a little bit hypocritical to bash crazy, reckless California on public safety when no amount of carnage in the nation, including mass shootings at shopping malls and schools (on Wednesday it was two students and two teachers dead at a Georgia high school), can loosen the gun lobbys death grip on GOP lawmakers." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Lopez acknowledged Democrats are currently in "the hot seat" for California. He also criticized Republicans for refusing to expand their base and regain power in California to solve these problems. "In a state that proudly celebrates inclusion and leads the resistance to the politics of race-based scapegoating, climate change denial and the stripping of womens reproductive rights, the out-of-touch GOP has been hell-bent on shrinking its tent. Reagan, who signed an abortion rights bill as governor and an immigrant amnesty bill as president, would be booted out of todays GOP," Lopez wrote. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "None of them has offered winning solutions to deep-seated problems, and it might be too late for a party resurgence because as the electorate has grown more diverse, GOP voter registration has dwindled to roughly 25%. You cant blame Democrats for that," he concluded. Lopez blamed Republicans for their shrinking presence in California. California has not had a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger who served from 2003 to 2011. Original article source: 'Shrinking' California GOP to blame for state's problems argues LA Times columnist By Xinghui Kok SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Filipino hospital administrator Anna Galarrita and Filipino domestic helper Olga Reyes have been practising for months to be part of the 1,500-strong choir during the papal mass on Thursday when Pope Francis visits Singapore. The two women and Singaporean engineer Raphael Lau, who will serve as a communion minister during the mass, have taken time off work to serve as volunteers and to rehearse their roles for the first visit by a pope to the island republic in 38 years. "It's a dream of all Catholics to meet the pope. Because it's just like he's next to God," Reyes, 52, said. "This is a once in a lifetime story that I can pass to my grandchildren that, 'Oh, I've been there, I've seen the pope, I went to the mass. I sang for the pope.'" Lau, 66, said the visit makes him feel really special. "It's really a once-in-a-lifetime event for us." Francis, 87, arrives in Singapore on Wednesday and stays from 11 to 13 September on the last leg of the longest trip of his papacy despite concerns about his health. The 12-day trip includes visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor. In Singapore, he will hold a mass for 50,000 attendees. He will also meet Singapore's leadership, visit an elderly home and hold an inter-religious dialogue with local youth. For many Catholics in Singapore, this will be their first time seeing a pope. The last papal visit was in 1986 when Pope John Paul II stopped by for 5 hours. The Singapore government said the invitation to the pope was extended by then-President Tony Tan in a visit to the Holy See in May 2016. A spokesperson from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore said news of the visit "has ignited a wave of excitement and devotion within our community". Singaporean Emma Leong, 12, said she has been reading about the pope and sharing trivia with her brother, Jonah, 10. Both will be skipping school to attend the weekday mass. "I want to see how he teaches differently about God and how different it would be from the normal mass," said Jonah, who said he would also like to give the pope a high five. About 7% of Singapore's 3.7 million citizens and permanent residents are Catholic, according to a 2020 government census. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese estimates the total Catholic population - including foreign residents - to total 395,000 with Filipinos forming the largest group. Despite the small number of Catholics in Singapore, the religion has a long history in the country. Portuguese Catholic missionaries first came to Singapore in the late 15th century. In 1833, the first Catholic chapel opened in the city and a mission school followed in 1852. In 1885, the Catholic Church was incorporated as a legal entity. For hospital staffer Galarrita, 45, who has been in Singapore for 17 years, the papal mass is a gift as it's happening on her birthday. Galarrita said wants to offer her choir volunteer services as a prayer for her mother who recently died from cancer. "It's just shocking but also blessed because even though this happened, I'm still able to meet Pope Francis... I'm praying for her soul and for those who are sick with cancer." (Reporting by Xinghui Kok; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) Six GOP congressmen ask why parts of Valley have water cutbacks in time of relative plenty A congressional panel wants to know why water is short in parts of the San Joaquin Valley despite above-average reservoir storage this year. Six Republican lawmakers, and zero Democrats, took part in Fridays hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. It happened in a conference room at the Hotel Mission de Oro in tiny Santa Nella, Merced County. The members criticized fish protections that reduce pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to as far south as Kern County. They also urged new and enlarged reservoirs to store more water from wet years for use in dry ones. We are not going to solve our water shortages until we build more reservoirs, Rep. Tom McClintock said, and we wont build more reservoirs until we fundamentally change our laws and the policymakers who are responsible for them. Delta-Mendota Canal off Ward Avenue in Patterson, Calif., photographed Friday, Nov.18, 2022. Agency leaders in the Biden administration declined to attend the hearing but did send written statements. They said they are working toward solutions that aid fish while providing water for human use. Democratic members of the House were invited but did not show, said Rep. John Duarte of Modesto, whose district stretches to Fresno County. He is on the subcommittee, as is McClintock, who represents part of Stanislaus County and points north and south. The other subcommittee members on hand were Chairman Cliff Bentz of rural Oregon, Vince Fong of Bakersfield and Doug LaMalfa of Richland, Butte County. Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, attended the hearing but is not on the subcommittee. Rep. John Duarte, R-Modesto, speaks to reporters after a Sept. 6, 2024, hearing on water issues in Santa Nella, California. At right is Republican Rep. Tom McClintock, whose district takes in part of Stanislaus County. Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon, is in the middle. Drought is complicated in the Valley Drought has varying effects around the Valley. Some places can avoid major cutbacks the first year or two thanks to strong water rights and reservoir storage. This is the case with the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts on the Tuolumne River and the Oakdale and South San Joaquin districts on the Stanislaus. The Central California Irrigation District, from Crows Landing to Mendota, has senior rights to the San Joaquin River. Drought is toughest on junior rights holders that depend on the federal Central Valley Project for most of their water. Especially dry years can mean zero deliveries. Even in wetter times, water can be limited to protect salmon, smelt and other fish from the powerful delta pumps. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation manages the CVP with input from federal and state fishery agencies. Along with the pump concern, they need to ensure that enough fresh water reaches San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. This years CVP allotment started out at 15% in February, despite above-average storage in the reservoirs. It was boosted to 50% in June after the officials reassessed the delta fishery. Chris Mathys, a candidate for a Fresno-area seat in Congress, has initiated a petition to have the Delta smelt declared extinct. The largest affected supplier is the Westlands Water District, from roughly Mendota to Kettleman City. Board member William Bourdeau testified that the higher allotment came too late for tomato growers, who need to order seedlings each January. He said garlic farmers plant in September and October in the hope that water will be available the next spring. As farms struggle, local economies suffer, Bourdeau said. The reduction in agricultural activity means fewer jobs and less income circulating in the community, which directly affects local businesses, schools and public services. Several speakers called for reform of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Duarte said the act has complicated water deliveries in the Valley while doing little to save the struggling fish. Only the misguided environmental extremists and the politics of Washington, D.C., and California can screw up this badly and hurt when they should be helping, he said. Mayor Victor Martinez of Mendota, California, speaks to reporters after a congressional hearing on San Joaquin Valley water issues on Sept. 6, 2024. At rear from left are Republican subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz of Oregon; Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove; and Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Butte County. A l o t of nonsense policy, Mendota mayor says Mendota Mayor Victor Martinez took part in a news conference after the hearing. He said the water cutbacks mean fewer jobs for farm workers and more demand on food banks and homeless services. I think theres a lot of nonsense policy in not allowing water to flow to our Valley, said Martinez, whose father immigrated from El Salvador and worked the farms. The hearing came amid progress on some of the storage projects long sought by farmers but opposed by environmental groups. The largest is Sites Reservoir, tentatively approved to store Sacramento River water in the hills to the west. San Luis Reservoir is being expanded to handle more delta water near Los Banos. Five irrigation districts are planning a smaller new reservoir above Patterson for pumped CVP water. LaMalfa urged enlargement of Shasta Reservoir in his district, the largest in the CVP. He also said California could build all the water storage it needs at a small fraction of the cost of high-speed rail. It has spent about $26 billion so far on a segment between Madera and Kern counties. It will need perhaps $100 billion more to reach the Bay Area and Southern California. Snorklers count fish on the Stanislaus River at Knights Ferry. They work for Fishbio, a scientific consulting firm that monitors the river for the Oakdale and South San Joaquin irrigation districts. How d id Biden appointees respond? The witness table had three empty chairs for federal agency leaders: Commissioner Camille Touton of the Bureau of Reclamation, Director Martha Williams of the Fish and Wildlife Service, and Richard Spinrad, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere. The subcommittee received unsigned written statements from the bureau and Fish and Wildlife. The former noted Bidens support for the Sites and San Luis projects, as well as enlarging Los Vaqueros Reservoir, northwest of Tracy, for farm and city use. The statement said the annual allotments are complex as climate change makes both droughts and floods more extreme. We recognize that while there may be differences on water management decisions, the bureau said, we aim to work with the subcommittee on infrastructure investments that can help California capture more of the flood flows that are increasingly common with our changing climate and use that much-needed water during droughts, while making parallel investments in restoring fish populations and the environment. The Trump administration had eased delta rules in 2019 to increase water for farms. The current administration revisited the issue in 2021 and is still consulting with various partners, said the written statement from the Fish and Wildlife Service. The service believes the CVP can be operated in a way that meets the needs of the Central Valleys imperiled fish populations while supporting Californias farms and communities, the agency said. Water releases can be seen from Friant Dam at Millerton Lake in Friant where lake levels have reached more than 80 percent-full following several atmospheric river events, on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. Last year at this time the lake was at 56 percent of capacity. Just h ow much water remains in reservoirs? The California Department of Water Resources has daily online updates on reservoir levels. Over the years, they have tended to be relatively low in late summer because irrigation is close to done and the next storm season is a few weeks away. The current data seems to bear out the six congressmens complaints that water has been held back unnecessarily: Shasta Reservoir was at 109% of the historical average for Sept. 8. Its water goes to Sacramento Valley users as well as those south of the delta. Trinity Reservoir was at 114% of average. It lies in the mountains west of Shasta and is part of the CVP. New Melones Reservoir on the Stanislaus River was at 136% of average. It supplies OID and SSJID before helping to feed the CVP in the delta. San Luis Reservoir was at 119% of average. Some of the water heads south to CVP customers. The rest is part of the State Water Project, which serves Valley farmers and Southern California cities. Millerton Reservoir was at 99% of average. It provides CVP water to the east side of the Valley between Madera and Kern counties. The Tuolumne River water covers four out of five levels of Modestos Driftwood Mobile Home Park in 1997 Turlock district has its own take The Turlock Irrigation District stores most of its water at Don Pedro Reservoir, shared with the Modesto Irrigation District. It is the largest storage site in California under local rather than state or federal control. This flexibility helped TID manage last years heavy Tuolumne runoff, External Affairs Director Josh Weimer told the subcommittee. The district had to keep reservoir releases from causing downstream flooding while also maintaining space for the snowmelt from above. Weimer told of how the system was overwhelmed in 1997, when homes along the river flooded. Since then, TID has used high-tech tools to forecast storms and measure the snowpack. Data from nearly 1,000 locations go into the planning. This also helps with keeping a reserve in Don Pedro in case the next year is dry. Weimer expanded on this in his longer written statement to the subcommittee: Maximizing the districts current storage and diversion facilities, and our unique ability to operate the system ourselves versus having state or federal parameters, allow us to adapt to the challenges facing California water supplies. A full video recording of the hearing is at www.naturalresources.house.gov. The Rhode Island State House. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) State legislative contests are scarce this year. But what they lack in number, they make up for in intrigue. From family feuds to a flurry of accusations over election interference, theres a lot to learn in the 18 legislative primaries all Democratic that will be decided Tuesday. House District 9: Campaign conflicts overshadow policy views A cast of characters headline the three-way Democratic primary for House District 9, which has been awash in accusations over election interference, alleged ethics violations and character defamation. The mudslinging between incumbent Enrique Sanchez, and his two challengers, former seatholder Anastacia Williams and Santos Javier, has sucked attention and news coverage away from bread-and-butter issues like education and housing, which are especially crucial to the district spanning parts of south Providence and downtown. Yet there appears to be little policy separation between at least two of them, based on their responses to a questionnaire sent to their campaigns by Rhode Island Current. Both Sanchez, a 27-year-old food delivery driver, and Javier, a 46-year-old single parent who touts his professional experience in banking and small business lending, want to make school breakfasts and lunches free for all students, regardless of income, and to tax millionaires at a higher rate. Williams, who works for the city of Providence, did not respond, but was known during her 30 years in office she was ousted by Sanchez in the 2022 primary for her outspoken manner and social justice focus. Despite shared viewpoints on certain policies, the three rivals cant seem to agree on who, if anyone, is tampering with voters mail ballots, nor other accusations over stolen campaign signs, voter suppression, and missing information on state ethics forms. Despite accusations and complaints flying among all three candidates, answers are scarce, with reviews by various state agencies and law enforcement ongoing. House District 16: Politics behind the scenes? The beef between incumbent Rep. Brandon C. Potter is not with his primary opponent, Joseph Graziano, but with Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. As first reported by The Boston Globe, Potter, a two-term representative, thinks Ruggerio recruited Graziano to run against him as retaliation over legislative disputes, including Ruggerios 2023 bill to allow for iGaming at Rhode Islands casinos. The legislation passed, but not without detractors, Potter among them. Ruggerio denied these allegations, and has not donated to either candidates campaign, according to state campaign finance reports. House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi gave $1,000 to Potter in April. In his four years in office, Potter has made headlines for novel progressive legislative proposals like decriminalizing personal use of magic mushrooms, alongside staple reform priorities such as payday lending reform and caps on annual rental increases. Potter named overturning Gov. Dan McKees veto of legislation meant to ease workforce problems within nursing homes as one of his top priorities if reelected. Graziano, a first-time candidate who works as a public information specialist for the Rhode Island Department of State, appears more moderate in his viewpoints based on answers to the Rhode Island Current candidate survey. He suggested a study commission to explore whether the state should tax millionaires at a higher rate a tax which Potter backs fully and pointed to Second Amendment rights when answering a question about an assault weapons ban. Both proposals have been shot down by legislative leaders, including Ruggerio, in prior years. House District 42: Family history and an offside challenge Family ties and disputes abound in the Democratic primary for House District 42, covering parts of Johnston and Cranston, which replicates the same three-way rematch from two years ago. Rep. Ed Cardillo Jr. who first won office in 2020, will again battle his nephew, Dennis Cardillo Jr., along with challenger Kelsey Coletta, the daughter of Tiverton Rep. Jay Edwards. The 2022 primary race between the family members grew heated, with the elder Cardillo hiring a private investigator to prove his claim that his nephew was lying about his home address, according to news reports. The younger Cardillo shot back with his own accusation, claiming his uncles allegations were racially motivated his wife is Latina. The 2024 primary reprise between the two Cardillos has been markedly quieter. But the bigger threat to the incumbent legislator may be Coletta, who lost by 83 votes in the 2022 primary. Coletta, a licensed clinical social worker, champions progressive ideals around health care reform and minimum wage increases on her website. She did not return the Rhode Island Current candidate questionnaire, nor did Dennis Cardillo Jr., who also does not appear to have a website. In his response, Rep. Cardillo also gave a nod to left-leaning priorities like universal pre-K and student loan forgiveness, albeit specifically for those in the medical field, according to his responses on the Rhode Island Current. However, Cardillo, who received a $1,000 campaign donation from Shekarchi in May, also maintained a more moderate position on gun safety legislation, saying he opposed an assault weapons ban. The Democratic primary winner will face off against Republican Richard Fascia in the general election. Senate District 20: A crossroads at the Cumberland-Woonsocket line Three Democrats are vying to fill the open seat left by longtime state legislator Roger Picard, who in April announced his decision not to seek reelection after more than three decades in office (including the House and Senate). The trio of candidates for the district straddling the Cumberland-Woonsocket line includes two familiar names in local government: Woonsocket Councilman Brian Thompson and Denis Collins, who serves on the Cumberland School Committee. Another Cumberland resident, Marian Juskuv, is also vying for the seat, though Juskuv has maintained a low public profile, and declined to respond to Rhode Island Currents questionnaire. By contrast, Thompson has been an active campaigner and participant in media interviews since launching his campaign a day after Picard said he wouldnt run again. The 43-year-old foreman has served one term on the Woonsocket City Council, during which he butted heads with former Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, who resigned in November amid ongoing scrutiny over a controversial city land deal. Thompson, whose platform centers on economic development and education, has received campaign donations from Picard and Ruggerio, among other state lawmakers, according to state campaign finance reports. Picard also donated to Collins campaign. The 46-year-old Taunton High School history teacher, who served four years on Cumberland School Committee, touts himself as the only candidate in the race to support an assault weapons ban, according to his responses to Rhode Island Currents questionnaire. He also backed a higher tax on state millionaires and pitched a state program similar to the federal G.I. bill to cover at least some of the cost of higher education for students who go into critical fields like medicine, education and social work. Senate District 25: Stark contrast among Johnston Democrats A spectrum of ideologies are on display in Johnstons District 25 primary, which features three Democrats vying to fill the seat formerly held by Sen. Frank Lombardo III, who died in February. Two of the three responded to questions from Rhode Island Current. Former McKee advisor Richard DelFino appears most closely aligned with his pro-life predecessor on abortion issues, having secured the backing of Rhode Island Right to Life, as well as the Johnston Democratic Town Committee. However, the 37-year-old director of community and legislative affairs for Tri-County Community Action Agency, who also previously served on the Johnston Town Council, supports an assault weapons ban, something the pro-gun Lombardo did not. Farther left of DelFino lies Pamela Leary, a 55-year-old operations manager for the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families, whose campaign draws on her own experience as the child of blue collar workers, and a young, single mother. Learys campaign features the usual staples of progressive candidates: affordable, accessible health care, stronger protections for workers and families, and an assault weapons ban. Attorney Andrew Dimitri was the first to throw his hat in the ring, announcing his campaign in early May, but unlike his Democratic rivals, has not set up a campaign website. Dimitri also did not respond to multiple requests to answer Rhode Island Currents candidate questionnaire. The open seat also presents an opportunity for Republicans to win favor with Johnstons conservative voters, who backed Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. Republican Karin Gorman is running unopposed in the September primary. Senate District 28: Crowded Democratic primary for open seat Theres no shortage of experience or candidates in the race to replace former Sen. Josh Miller. The five-way Democratic primary for the district spanning parts of Cranston and Providence features one sitting city councilwoman, along with several other contenders with relevant experience in political activism and government. The strength of the slate is such that even Miller, who served 18 years in office, said he cant choose just one to endorse. All five candidates responded to questions from Rhode Island Current. Miller has donated $300 apiece to three of the candidates: Darrell Brown, Melissa Carden and John Croke Jr., according to state campaign finance reports. Cranston City Council Vice President Lammis Vargas may hold a slight edge, having served on the city council for six years, including as its vice president for the last year. However, Brown, vice president of the Conservation Law Foundation in Rhode Island, has flexed his muscle on environmental issues, including ongoing pollution issues in and around the port of Providence within the district. Meanwhile, Carden, executive director for the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, touts her work in helping pass safe storage legislation this year, among other advocacy efforts on Smith Hill. In a nod to the housing issues plaguing the district, and the rest of the state, Bernice Morris draws upon her community organizing and professional experience at Crossroads Rhode Island, while Croke emphasizes small business support as key to his platform. Croke was the only one of the five not to support an assault weapons ban, while all five backed a millionaires tax and free school meals for all students, regardless of income, according to their responses to questions from Rhode Island Current. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX My skipper husband thought he was indestructible Amanda Nithavrianakis' husband John died from cancer after putting off visiting his doctor [BBC] Fishermen are being warned they are putting themselves at risk of preventable illness and even death by delaying seeking medical advice. Amanda Nithavrianakis, whose skipper husband John died of cancer at the age of 52, believes his attitude of self-reliance and toughness contributed to the delay in his diagnosis and treatment. "Theres this mentality, especially among fishermen," Amanda says. "Theyre rufty-tufty. They think nothing goes wrong with them. But its just not true." John was the captain of a fishing boat based in the south of Scotland town of Kirkcudbright. In March 2016, he began struggling to swallow but delayed seeking medical help, prioritising his work over his health. It was heartbreaking to watch, Amanda says. He was always so strong, so capable. "When he first had trouble swallowing, he just brushed it off. Hed say Im fine but I could see he wasnt. Weeks passed, and Amandas concern grew as Johns symptoms got worse, to the extent that he was having to be sick before he could eat. I eventually made the appointment myself but even then he was only given antacids, Amanda says. John had to cancel at least one further appointment as it clashed with work and it was not until much later that he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. Despite undergoing major surgery, the cancer had metastasised and John died in April 2018. Amanda says John was the boat's captain and his crew relied on him being able to work. She says that without a skipper, no fish can be caught, which subsequently puts mental and financial pressure on all those involved, including families. His routine meant he could be at sea for up to two weeks at a time, making it difficult to arrange and keep GP appointments. 'Fishing industry crisis' The number of active fishermen in Scotland has declined to about 3,800, according to a 2023 report by the Scottish government. It is a number that has been steadily declining for around a decade. Tougher working conditions, poor health outcomes, and increased stress are deterring new entrants into the industry as well as making those inside it reconsider their future, according to fishing organisations. Despite these challenges, fishing remains one of Scotlands largest industries, with fish landed in 2023 worth more than 650m. The Fishermens Mission, a charity dedicated to supporting those in the industry, is warning that poor health - both physical and mental - is widespread among crews. Ali Godfrey says many, like John, seek medical help only when it is too late, resulting in preventable illnesses and deaths. Cardiovascular issues, skin cancers, and severe dental problems are alarmingly common, Ms Godfrey says. "The demanding nature of the job, coupled with irregular work patterns, often prevents fishermen from accessing regular healthcare. Peter Bruce, a skipper from Peterhead, knows these challenges all too well. He told BBC Scotland News: Its not the most healthy job, to be honest. Youre unpredictable with your sleep, with your meals. And with fishermen being so unpredictable with when theyll be ashore, its hard to keep any kind of appointment. Ive missed a lot over the years. Catriona Arthur from the Fishermen's Mission thinks the healthcare system is inflexible for those working in her industry [BBC] In response to the problem, the Fishermens Mission and other organisations have launched health check initiatives at docks across the UK. Catriona Arthur leads one such initiative in Peterhead called SeaFit. "These dockside health checks are vital, she says. "Theyre designed to be accessible to fishermen, who often cant predict when theyll be ashore. "We can catch conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol, and refer them to GPs before its too late. She adds that historically, fishermen have suffered from long-term health conditions. As they get older, they develop things like COPD and cardiovascular issues," Ms Arthur says. "Its about prevention." For Amanda, the message is clear. If theres something wrong, please go to the doctor. Its too important not to," she says. "And for wives like me, dont let them tell you that theyre fine when you can see that theyre not. Vermont State Police recovered the bodies of four people killed in plane crash in Addison County. Investigators say the four-seat, single-engine Piper aircraft left Basin Harbor Airport in Ferrisburgh shortly after noon Sunday to return to Windham Airport in Connecticut. After the plane failed to return to Connecticut as expected, relatives of the occupants reported the missing plane to Connecticut State Police and the Middletown, Connecticut, police. Using cellphone location data, local agencies and the FAA were able to determine the planes last known location was near the airstrip in Vermont. With help from a Middlebury police drone, investigators located the wreckage of the aircraft at about 12:20 a.m. Monday in a wooded area about a half-mile south of the Basin Harbor Airport. First responders confirmed all four occupants had died. They were identified Monday as: Paul Pelletier, 55, of Columbia, Connecticut. Frank Rodriquez, 88, of Lebanon, Connecticut. Susan Van Ness, 51, of Middletown, Connecticut. Delilah Van Ness, 15, of Middletown, Connecticut. The plane took off from the Windham Airport in Connecticut at about 8:30 a.m. Sunday for a roughly two-hour flight to the airport in Ferrisburgh, police said. The aircraft landed and the four people arrived for a brunch reservation at Basin Harbor, a resort on Lake Champlain. They left the restaurant shortly after noon to fly back to Connecticut and a witness reported seeing the plane on the runway at about 12:15 p.m., police said. The National Transportation Safety Board said an investigator is expected to arrive at the crash site Tuesday morning. The bodies of the victims were brought to the Chief Medical Examiners Office in Burlington for autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death. Their identities are being withheld pending further investigation and notification of relatives. This is a developing story and will 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 ABC22 & FOX44. View of the city of Sao Paulo, shrouded in smoke from Amazon forest fires, in Brazil, taken on September 9, 2024 (Carlos FABAL) (Carlos FABAL/AFP/AFP) Smoke from intense wildfires in the Amazon rainforest and other parts of Brazil was choking major cities, like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro on Monday, and wafting into neighboring countries. Karla Longo, a researcher at the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), said that satellite images showed that 60 percent of Latin America's largest country had been affected by smoke. "If we consider the areas affected in neighboring countries and in the Atlantic Ocean, the area affected on Sunday was around ten million km2 (3.8 million square miles)," she added. Authorities in Argentina and Uruguay reported smoke from Brazil's fires impacting parts of their countries on Monday. Sao Paulo, the biggest city in Latin America, on Monday topped the ranking of the world's most polluted major cities, according to the air quality monitoring company IQAir. The rate of fine particles in the air -- a measure of air quality -- reached 69 micrograms per cubic meter, almost 14 times higher than the limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Residents of seaside city Rio de Janeiro were grappling with fine particle rates at five times the recommended limit. Authorities blame human action for most of the recent fires in the country, which are often linked to agricultural activity. The situation has been aggravated by the country's worst drought in seven decades, which experts attribute to climate change. Satellite images from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed a thick cloud of gray smoke along the Andes mountain range towards the south of the continent on Monday. This is due to the "wind that channels the smoke towards the south", meteorologist Estael Sias told AFP. According to data from INPE, the number of fires in the Amazon since the beginning of the year has almost doubled compared to the same period in 2023. Other regions of Brazil have been battling terrible wildfires in recent days. The vast Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, known for its numerous dramatic waterfalls some 250km outside the capital Brasilia, has lost some 10,000 hectares of vegetation to flames in recent days. Sias said the situation is not expected to improve "without regular rainfall", which is not likely "before October or November". lg/tmo/fb/cb/dw Solar energy is supercharging the global clean power revolution and the latest news, and data highlight one thing Germany is buying in. As a source of electricity, solar power has experienced the fastest growth in its generation capacity compared to other technologies. Germanys solar PV will see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.7% from 2000 to 2035, more than double the 11.2% CAGR for wind, according to GlobalData forecasts. The rationale behind backing solar power is logical but does the far-right in Germany agree? Solar PVs popularity has been driven by technological development, which has resulted in low production and maintenance costs, arguably making it the most cost-effective and scalable energy source due to the modular nature of solar panels. The state of Germanys current power mix Germany has capitalised on solar PVs growth. According to GlobalData, in 2014, solar PV made up 20% of its power mix, with fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) dominating at 43% and wind at 21%. In 2023, solar PV surpassed fossil fuels, accounting for 33% of power capacity compared to the latters 30% and 28% for wind. As of 2024, solar PV accounts for 38% compared to wind at 28% and fossil fuels at 26%, reflecting the sectors steady growth and momentum gained over the past decade. GlobalDatas contracts and tenders information corroborates this: in the past two years, 55 agreementspredominately power purchase agreements (PPAs)were signed within Germany. A notable rise compared to 15 projects a decade ago. In addition to their sheer number, the average scale and length of these agreements are increasing, with many contracts spanning decade-long periods. This can be seen with EDP Renewables signing a 20-year PPA with a large US-based tech firm to provide clean energy from 87MWp/58 MWac Ketzin solar project in Germany. This increase in the average period of agreements highlights companies' increasing long-term commitment to renewable energy, as some PPAs will supersede changes in leadership and corporate strategy, as companies make reducing scope 1 emissions and decreasing reliance on the volatile fossil fuel market central to their long-term aims. GlobalDatas power capacity forecast highlights the long-term importance Germany is placing on solar PV as the key to meeting its energy demand. This graph, which covers the period 2024-2035, shows that solar PV gross capacity additions will far outweigh any other alternative energy, notably in 2035, reaching 35 GW, more than double the next largest, onshore wind at 16 GW. Although this will be partially dampened by the loss of older solar infrastructure due to the 2530-year lifespan of solar panels as well as solar repowering, this still represents an aggressive rate of installations. Story continues How geopolitics is shaping the future of solar in Germany The ramifications of Russias invasion of Ukraine are extensive, but in this context, it has reshaped the energy market in Germany. Since the conflict began in 2022, Russian fossil fuel exports to Germany have fallen significantly. The German Government has since announced numerous legislations to accelerate the expansion of solar power as part of Germanys goal to cover 80% of its energy needs from renewables by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2045. The main law that supports solar energy in Germany is the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). This came into effect in 2000, but the latest revision sets a solar PV target of 215 GW by 2030 and 400 GW by 2040. So far Germany is on track having already met their target of installing 88GW of solar capacity by 2024, with its statistical office, Destatis, stating that as of April 2024, 3.4 million solar panel installations were linked to the grid. This represented 30% more installations and 20% more installed capacity over 2023. This hasnt appeared to have slowed down competition for ground-mounted solar PV though, with Germanys Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) announcing the auction was almost twice oversubscribed. In the end, 495 bids were made to the score of a volume total of 4,206MW, of which 268 won with a total volume of 2,152MW. Germany is certainly not going into this solar revolution half-hearted, but could this strategy be a stroke of genius or prove divisive? It is not all sunshine and rainbows Germanys investment and belief in renewable energy, particularly solar PV, is not without its challenges or opposition. At its current rate of expansion, energy companies are concerned the current grid infrastructure will have an increasingly higher risk of grid instability if the growth remains unchecked. Maik Render, head of energy provider N-ERGIE has explained that the solar panels installed in N-ERGIEs area of operation at times produces twice as much electricity as is being demanded. This creates a real risk of blackouts, a situation that will be more of a reality in southern Germany, where solar PV expansion has been well above the national average. Renewable intermittency limits the grids ability to respond to supply and demand fluctuations. To counter this, the German economy ministry has made smart management systems a prerequisite for new and large PV installations. The only caveat is that this technology will take years to implement at scale while solar installations continue at a rapid pace to meet their renewable energy consumption target. An anti-renewable mood is brewing, especially within Germanys northern and eastern regions. Germany faces a 450bn bill in grid expansion costs, which will inevitably be passed down to consumers through their energy bills. Northern residents are already facing higher electricity prices because of the costs of connecting wind turbines to the grid, which is then distributed among fewer consumers due to low population density. A similar sentiment is felt in eastern Germany, where acceptance of renewable expansion is stalling, as prices are already 22% higher than the West. The far-right party AfD won its first state election win in eastern Thuringia and came a close second in Saxony. Going into these elections the AfD were heavily leveraging the anti-renewable discourse, proposing tougher planning restrictions on constructing turbines, increasing the energy-storage requirements for renewable projects, and removing rules stating that set amounts of land are used for wind projects. Despite this success, mainstream parties have ruled out a coalition with AfD, but with its increasing vote share, it is now able to influence the discourse on renewables. This could lead to a coalition between mainstream parties and the new nationalist-left party BSW. It seems either option is unwelcome news for the energy transition. Both oppose the current governments climate and energy transition policy and agree to the resumption of energy trading with Russia. Maintaining calm could be the key to stable expansion Despite challenges, there are many positives regarding Germanys energy transition and its forecasted solar PV growth. Given the nature of the length of contracts and investment being agreed, it would seem the country is settled in for its solar revolution, however, grid upgrades will be vital to ensuring consumers energy bills are not impacted too greatly. Otherwise, Germany risks becoming an increasingly green but politically divided state. "Is Germanys solar revolution under threat?" was originally created and published by Energy Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Content creator Chef Reactions, who has over 3 million followers on TikTok, checked out the Twin Cities food scene during his first-ever visit to Minnesota recently. The social media star behind the brand, who hasnt revealed his true identity, is perhaps best known for his deadpan criticism of other food and recipe videos. However, his visit to the Minnesota State Fair brought a broadly positive review of the food at the great Minnesota get-together. In a new YouTube vlog released Sunday, Chef Reactions takes viewers along as he discovers more of the Twin Cities culinary scene. Heres what he checked out: While a guest at the Saint Paul Hotel, the creator kicked off his morning with breakfast at The Drake. He gave the meal an 8/10 rating ("for a hotel breakfast") before heading off to Hmong Village to taste the stuffed chicken wings at Moon's Kitchen. He also visited the acclaimed Saint Dinette, which plans to close down next year. The chef next went to northeast Minneapolis institution Kramarczuk's Deli for lunch, where he ordered potato and cheese pierogis, Ukrainian sausage and a side of sauerkraut and fried onions. "When I tell you this is the perfect plate of food for me, I am not exaggerating," he said. "That's one-hundred out of ten, absolutely no notes. Would recommend." At the Mall of America, Chef Reactions found some great food in an unlikely place. "That's really [expletive] good," he said, while trying some jalapeno poppers at The Fair on 4. While expecting the arcade's food to be frozen, he met up with the chef and learned the jalapeno poppers and corn dog batter are made-in-house. A foodie trip to the Twin Cities wouldn't be complete without a visit to Matt's Bar, where Chef Reactions gave the Jucy Lucy a 10/10 review. Watch Chef Reactions' full visit to the Twin Cities here: Related: Social media star 'Chef Reactions' reviews the Minnesota State Fair A social media post regarding a threat referring to a school district that includes the name Madison is being circulated online and throughout our community. This post is related to the Madison County Florida school district and not Madison City Schools. The City of Madison Police Department and Madison City Schools district officials are all aware of this post and are working in conjunction to address reports related to this post. We appreciate everyones ongoing support of the safety and security of our schools by sharing information with both the MPD and MCS administrators. DENVER (KDVR) Several schools across Colorado are either increasing police presence or canceling classes altogether on Monday after reports of several social media threats. The Vail Police Department said there was a social media post targeting schools across Colorado, and even into Texas. While schools in their area werent named in the post, they decided to increase patrol presence at schools like Vail Mountain School and Red Sandstone Elementary. Englewood schools cleared after unfounded threat Meanwhile, Northridge High School in Greeley canceled school before classes started due to a social media post. Englewood police also responded to reports of a bomb threat at a campus housing three schools and moved students to a nearby school. The situation has since been cleared. At this time, its unclear if any of these threats are connected. On the Northridge school website, Greeley-Evans School District Superintendent Deirdre Pilch stated that multiple people reported a potential threat on social media. While the school said local and federal law enforcement were investigating, they werent able to find the source before classes started. Anyone making a threat against a school, even if it is false or meant to be a joke, will face felony criminal charges and serious disciplinary action from the school. Making any threat is VERY serious. We will always pursue criminal charges when this occurs, Pilch said on the schools website. Northridge high said you can help by not sharing posts on social media and reporting them to the local police. Greeley police said in a Facebook post that the department is working with FBI and school law enforcement to identify the source of the threat. Greeley police also thanked social media users who alerted the department of posts and called in. Why are Colorado flags at half-staff Monday? These threats werent just in Colorado. A Texas high school student was arrested on Sunday after the student was accused of making threats against the school. Northridges statement also suggested talking with children about the seriousness of making threats and the possible consequences that could result. The school said those who hear of a threat against a school or a person should call the police immediately at 9-1-1 or call the Safe2Tell line at 1-877-542-SAFE (7233). Find mental health resources in Colorado. If you are thinking of hurting or killing yourself: Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Please get help immediately. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The mother of a man who was pepper sprayed in a Missouri prison and begged for help as he told staff he couldnt breathe has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The federal complaint was filed Sept. 5 in the Western District of Missouri. The lawsuit also seeks civil penalties for alleged violations of the Sunshine Law by the Missouri Department of Corrections. Karen Pojmann, a spokeswoman for the department, said it does not comment on pending litigation. Brandon Pace, 37, died on April 7, 2023, at Tipton Correctional Center, about two hours east of Kansas City. According to the lawsuit, Pace, who was serving a four-year sentence, swallowed some methamphetamine. A corrections officer directed Pace to be strip searched, but he refused. The officer called on the Correctional Emergency Response Team, or CERT. One of the CERT officers brought a canister of pepper spray. The lawsuit said the large canister looks like a fire extinguisher and is often called a super-soaker because it delivers an excessive dose and is expressly used for large crowds and multiple targets. Another officer allegedly sprayed Pace, who was restrained and shackled, at close range in a confined space. Pace began screaming in pain, gasping for air, and saying I cant breathe. He kept saying, Help me, I cant breathe, over and over, the lawsuit said. It also said medical personnel ignored him for about four hours while he moaned Help and I cant breathe. When his pleas stopped, a nurse checked on him. He had died. Paces mother Tammy Reed was informed of his death around 10 p.m. that day. According to the lawsuit, she tried for days to get information about what happened. Her attorneys also requested records surrounding his death and video footage in the months that followed, but no records were ever provided, the lawsuit said, adding that the department willfully refused to produce documents that should have been available. The lawsuit said the Department of Corrections has a pattern and practice of turning a blind eye when its correctional officers sadistically use (pepper) spray to torture inmates and deny treatment thereafter. There needs to be transparency and independent, outside law enforcement investigations of such deaths in custody including Brandons death to curb this cruel pattern of behavior, said Tom Porto, a Kansas City attorney who is representing the family. Eight months after Pace died, Othel Moore was beaten, pepper sprayed and shocked at a state prison in Jefferson City. He also reportedly said he couldnt breathe. Five officers were indicted in Moores death in June. Pace was one of 134 prisoners who died in the state prison system in 2023. His autopsy report said he died from methamphetamine intoxication and was ruled accidental. The lawsuit alleges violations by Centurion, the departments medical provider; excessive force; constitutional violations regarding cruel and unusual punishment and due process; and wrongful death, among other counts. Trump at Arlington Donald Trump was invited to attend by the Gold Star families whose loved ones were killed due to President Bidens ineptness. If he berated an employee, it is because they attempted to deny him entry. Where were Biden and Harris? Wake up, America. Get your head out of the sand. Do some research. Stop believing the drivel from the main stream media. What happened? So, yet another kid with a druggie mother and a clueless father shoots up a school where he was bullied. I dont understand how this happens. When I grew up we didnt have teachers pushing a bewildering number of genders, moms seemed content with an occasional beer, it was expected fisticuffs solved bully issues and dad didnt hand me a gun at Christmas until he was sure I was going hunting. Schools taught gun safety and even had shooting competitions. Dad had a good job (or two) and mom stayed home taking care of us. Nobody contemplated killing our fellow students. Freedom We need Donald Trump in office now, before Democrats destroy every last freedom we have. From a Republican Bush Republican Vice President Dick Cheney has this message regarding Donald Trump: In our nations 248-year history there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump. He is in no way a patriot or advocate of the middle class. All should be welcome Weve had Cruisin and Spring Break for years. Im an old conservative and have interacted with people in both events. Due to my age and interests, I prefer to wonder through Cruisin events, look at the old automobiles, and talk to people. A lot of Spring Breakers and I enjoy eating at the same restaurants, walking the beaches, and going to the same bars. I enjoy their conversation and company, too. Bad behavior? Lets examine the bad behavior of the Black spring tourist. They wear bikinis and swim shorts, showing their bodies. They walk up and down the boardwalk playing loud music. They drive cars and tie up traffic. The shootings and fatalities are comparable to those during Cruisin. They spend money and patronize casinos and bars. Lets report all the events during Cruisin and blame the entire group. The border Putting animosity to the side, lets look at each of the last two administrations border records. Under President Trump, we continually heard millions of illegal immigrants and tons of drugs were coming across the border. He promised to build a big beautiful wall and make Mexico pay for it. We all know the rest of that story. Under President Biden, weve seen massive apprehensions of illegals and drugs at the border, even after a few individuals tanked President Bidens bipartisan border legislation. Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com. Nancy Faeser German Minister of the Interior, presents the Federal Situation Report on Organized Crime 2023 in the Federal Press Conference building. Jorg Carstensen/dpa German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has ordered passport controls to be resumed along all German land borders in a bid to sharply curb the number people entering the country without visas, government sources told dpa on Monday. Faeser has informed the European Commission of the plans, the sources said. The border checks are intended both to limit irregular migration as well as address threats from Islamist terror groups and cross-border criminal organizations, according to the sources. All of Germany's neighbours are fellow members of the Schengen Zone, which is normally supposed to allow control-free travel across all borders inside the bloc. But in October 2023, Germany has already resumed some border controls along its frontiers with Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Poland to deter the movement of migrants into Germany. Those border checks are officially on a temporary basis but have been repeatedly extended by Berlin. Similar controls on the border with Austria have been temporarily in place since September 2015. The sources said that the current German coalition government has put together expanded plans to deny entry to some migrants at Germany's borders in line with EU law. That comes after demands for such steps from the conservative CDU/CSU opposition bloc. Further details on the proposal were not initially disclosed. Currently, asylum seekers are only rejected at German land borders in certain limited cases, such as if someone is banned from entering the country or chooses not apply for asylum. By Daniela Desantis and Lucinda Elliott ASUNCION (Reuters) - South America's Paraguay River, a key thoroughfare for grains, has hit a record low in Paraguay's capital Asuncion, with water levels depleted by a severe drought upriver in Brazil that has hindered navigation along waterways in the Amazon. The depth of the Paraguay River, measured versus a "zero" index rather than the riverbed, has dropped below minus 0.82 meter, breaking the previous record low in October 2021, data from the national Meteorology and Hydrology Directorate shows. The body expects the river will keep falling with no rain forecast. The Parana River in Argentina is also near year lows around grains hub Rosario. Both the Paraguay and Parana rivers start in Brazil, eventually joining and flowing into the sea near Buenos Aires. They are important routes for soy, corn and other trade. "In the northern section (of the Paraguay waterway), navigation is practically halted due to the extreme drop in water levels," the Paraguayan oilseed and grain crushing chamber CAPPRO told Reuters in written comments. The chamber, whose grain-trader members handle some 60% of Paraguay's soybean exports, said the low river was hitting shipments, though the impact was capped as it was not peak trading season. "Vessels have had to transport volumes below the average of their normal cargo capacity," said CAPPRO. "This has generated delays and made travel times longer." The chamber's members include ADM, Bunge and Cargill. EXPECTED RAINS NOT ENOUGH The Paraguay-Parana system is a waterway of more than 3,400 kilometers (2,113 miles) that runs through Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, as well as landlocked Paraguay and Bolivia. Paraguay is the world's No. 3 soybean exporter and roughly 80% of grains travel along waterways to seaports downriver. Argentina is the top exporter of processed soy, most of which goes down the Parana from around river port city Rosario. Paraguay's deputy director for the Meteorology and Hydrology Directorate, Jorge Sanchez, said the outlook for river levels in the coming months was not encouraging, even with the traditional October-November rainy season ahead. "This would alleviate the level of the river, but it's not expected to be enough," Sanchez said. Less rain than normal is expected in the second half of the year due to the La Nina weather phenomenon, which brings drier, cooler conditions in Paraguay and Argentina, though it usually heralds wetter weather farther north in Brazil. Sanchez said this year, however, La Nina was delayed and its effects would be seen only between October and November. "There is a lot of variability due to climate change," he added. In Brazil, where record wildfires have also occurred, the low water levels are leaving some communities in the Amazon isolated, as well as hitting soy and corn shipments in center-west states such as Mato Grosso, Brazil's number one grains growing area. (Reporting by Daniela Desantis in Asuncion and Lucinda Elliott in Montevideo; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Matthew Lewis) Editors Note: This article has been updated to reflect there have now been more than 1,000 days of continuous beach closures in Imperial Beach. CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Residents in South Bay know the effects of San Diegos cross-border sewage crisis well. The beaches are closed to swimming and the smell of sewage wafts over the neighborhoods, forcing many to shut their windows amid the record-high temperatures that scorched Southern California this past week. But a new warning from health officials is out as the heat has been worsening the smell of sewage across San Diegos South Bay region. South Bay schools cancel outdoor activities as air quality worsens in Tijuana River Valley Millions of gallons of raw sewage flows across the border from Mexico into the U.S. everyday, and residents in the South Bay area, including Bonita, Chula Vista, Otay Mesa, Imperial Beach, Lincoln Acres, San Ysidro, Nestor and National City, are being impacted by the health crisis that stems from it and has been ongoing for years. Sewage crisis in South Bay puts businesses on the brink of bankruptcy On Sunday, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District said inspectors have found the heat is magnifying the sewage smell in the Tijuana River Valley and in surrounding communities. The air pollution department is now urging residents who smell strong odors to limit their outdoor activity and to remain indoors when possible as breathing in the raw sewage can cause adverse health effects. San Diego County Public Health Services this past spring launched a new website to monitor gastrointestinal illnesses caused from the raw sewage flowing into South Bay waters. New website launched to monitor illnesses caused by South Bay pollution The cross-border pollution from the faulty wastewater treatment plant has caused more than 1,000 days of continuous beach closures in Imperial Beach. The beaches in Coronado have also been adversely affected. The air pollution department said they will continue to monitor the air quality situation in South Bay amid the heat warnings and will keep the public informed. San Diego County to raffle off air purifiers to fight sewage stench Meanwhile, Baja California officials say a new wastewater treatment plant being built in Mexico is expected to drastically reduce the amount of sewage that makes it to the ocean when it is finished this fall. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) South Bay schools are modifying their day on Monday as a record heat wave, which has exacerbated air pollution caused by the Tijuana sewage crisis, enters its sixth day. In a statement to FOX 5/KUSI, the South Bay Union School District said it had issued a directive to limit all outdoor activities for the day in an abundance of caution, moving physical education, lunch, recess and after school activities inside whenever possible. District officials said air scrubbers will also be left on all day. If heat and high levels of toxins continue into the week, they added the directives will remain in place. The alteration to the school day comes less than a day after the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District urged residents to remain indoors as much as possible given the heats amplification of the sewage smell emanating from the Tijuana River Valley. Heat to blame as thousands are without power across San Diego County The contaminated air, the district said, could lead to adverse health impacts. The announcement comes amid calls from local leaders to California and federal officials to declare a state of emergency over the ongoing sewage flows, opening up additional resources for communities to address its impacts on residents. On Monday, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and members of the Tijuana River Pollution Task Force sent a formal letter to county and state health officials to request immediate action to curb exposure to aerosolized toxins in the air. These requested emergency actions include: distributing air filters and purifiers to residents in affected areas; taking necessary steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of students and school staff; placing instruments to measure gas and toxic particulates; and installing advisory signs throughout the Tijuana River Valley area. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Lee Sang Hoon, a standing commissioner, speaks to the media during a news conference at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (Im Hwa-young/Yonhap via AP) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) A South Korean commission found evidence that women were pressured into giving away their infants for foreign adoptions after giving birth at government-funded facilities where thousands of people were confined and enslaved from the 1960s to the 1980s. The report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Monday came years after The Associated Press revealed adoptions from the biggest facility for so-called vagrants, Brothers Home, which shipped children abroad as part of a huge, profit-seeking enterprise that exploited thousands of people trapped within the compound in the port city of Busan. Thousands of children and adults many of them grabbed off the streets were enslaved in such facilities and often raped, beaten or killed in the 1970s and 1980s. The commission was launched in December 2020 to review human rights violations linked to the countrys past military governments. It had previously found the countrys past military governments responsible for atrocities committed at Brothers. Its latest report is focused on four similar facilities in the cities of Seoul and Daegu and the provinces of South Chungcheong and Gyeonggi. Like Brothers, these facilities were operated to accommodate government roundups aimed at beautifying the streets. Ha Kum Chul, one of the commissions investigators, said inmate records show at least 20 adoptions occurred from Daegus Huimangwon and South Chungcheong provinces Cheonseongwon in 1985 and 1986. South Korea sent more than 17,500 children abroad in those two years as its foreign adoption program peaked. Ha said children taken from inmates at Huimangwon and Cheonseongwon were mostly newborns, who were transferred to two adoption agencies, Holt Childrens Services and Eastern Social Welfare Society, which placed them with families in the United States, Denmark, Norway and Australia. Most of the infants were transferred to the agencies on the day of their birth or the day after, Ha said, indicating that their adoptions were determined pre-birth. While the facilities records say some of the women submitted memos expressing their consent to give away their children, other records indicate women were being pressured to do so, Ha said. A 1985 inmate record from Huimangwon flags a 42-year-old inmate with supposed mental health issues for causing problems by refusing to relinquish her child. Officials later note that she eventually did. Its difficult to accurately determine how many more adopted children there might have been in other years, Ha said, citing the commissions limitations in staff. For Huimangwon, Ha said, the commission was only able to look through its inmate records from 1985 and 1986 and still found 14 adoptions. A further six adoptions were linked to inmates at Cheonseongwon. At their peak, Huimangwon had about 1,400 inmates and Cheonseongwon 1,200. That was still smaller than the population at Brothers, which exceeded 3,000. Holt and Eastern did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the commissions findings. Through documents obtained from officials, lawmakers or through public information requests, the AP in 2019 found direct evidence that 19 children were adopted out of Brothers between 1979 and 1986, and indirect evidence suggesting at least 51 more adoptions. About 200,000 South Koreans were adopted to the United States, Europe and Australia in the past six decades, creating whats believed to be the worlds largest diaspora of adoptees. Most of the adoptions occurred during the 1970s and 80s, when South Koreas then-military leaders were focused on economic growth and saw adoptions as a tool to reduce the number of mouths to feed, erase the social problem of unwed mothers and deepen ties with the democratic West. The commission has also been conducting a separate investigation into the cases of 367 Korean adoptees in Europe, the United States and Australia, who suspect their biological origins were manipulated to facilitate their adoptions. Its expected to release an interim report on that later this year. The commission also identified other human rights problems at the four facilities it highlighted on Monday, which also included Gaengsaengwon in Seoul and Seonghyewon in Gyeonggi province. The facilities death tolls were high the 262 inmates who were reported as dead from Gaengsaengwon in 1980 accounted for more than 25% of the facilitys population that year, Ha said. Nearly 120 bodies of Cheonseongwon inmates were provided to a local medical school for anatomy practice from 1982 to 1992, the commission said. Most of the bodies were transferred to the school on the day the inmates were declared dead or the day after, and there are no indications that the facility made efforts to transfer the bodies to relatives, according to the commission, which didn't identify the school. Huimangwon, Seonghyewon and Cheonseongwon also regularly received inmates transferred from Brothers, suggesting a revolving-door labor-sharing scheme between facilities that likely increased profit and prolonged the inmates confinements, the commission said. The population at South Koreas vagrant facilities peaked in the 1980s as the then-military government intensified roundups to beautify streets ahead of the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympic Games held in Seoul. South Korea transitioned to a democracy in the late 1980s and has long stopped its practice of grabbing homeless people, the disabled and children off the streets and confining them. Brothers closed in 1988, months after a prosecutor exposed its horrors. Seonghyewon now runs welfare programs for homeless people in the city of Hwaseong, while the three other facilities have changed their names and the services they provide. None of those facilities immediately released comments following the commission's report. The four confinement facilities had been allowed to continue their operations without receiving any public investigations even after 1987, when Brothers was exposed, said Lee Sang Hoon, one of the commissions standing commissioners. Its significant that we have comprehensively revealed the details of the human rights violations at (other) vagrant facilities across the country that had been concealed for 37 years. By Saeed Azhar TORONTO (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs' trading revenue will probably slip 10% in the third quarter because of sluggish conditions last month, CEO David Solomon said on Monday. Given "a more challenging macro environment, particularly in the month of August, that business is trending down close to 10%," Solomon told investors at a financial conference in New York. The slide will follow a very strong quarter for trading in the third quarter of 2023, when equities revenue jumped 8%. The Wall Street giant's profit more than doubled in the second quarter as dealmaking rebounded, with debt underwriting and fixed-income trading performing particularly well. Investment banking continues to improve, even though activity from financial sponsors has not rebounded as much as expected, said Solomon, who was hopeful that private equity-led deals will bounce back at the end of this year and in 2025. He declined to specify a forecast for investment banking revenue. Citigroup's Chief Financial Officer Mark Mason told the same conference earlier Monday that investment banking fees are expected to jump 20% in the third quarter from a year earlier. Goldman Sachs continues to narrow its focus on the consumer business, Solomon said. He cited Goldman's sale of loans to small and medium sized businesses, and its plans to exit a credit card partnership with General Motors as examples of the bank stepping back from retail businesses, an effort that began in late 2022. "The combination of those things this quarter will likely have an approximately $400 million pre-tax impact, largely showing up in revenues," Solomon said. General Motors is in talks with Barclays for a credit card partnership deal that will replace Goldman, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters in April. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy has been in "reasonable shape," suggesting credit conditions will remain relatively steady, he said. (Reporting by Saeed Azhar; editing by Lananh Nguyen) Southern Californias border-adjacent communities are pushing for emergency assistance from regional and state agencies as they contend with a cross-border sewage crisis that is poisoning the air they breathe. The writers, led by Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, pushed for immediate action to cope with dangerous air pollution impacting area communities, in a Sunday letter sent to officials from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Imperial Beach and its neighbors have for years struggled with an unrelenting, transboundary sewage situation that results from insufficient wastewater treatment on the Mexican side of the border. That fetid flow ends up in San Diego County both via ocean plumes and the Tijuana River Watershed, contaminated with a noxious mix of chemicals and pathogens. Not only have these contaminants caused widespread water contamination and long-term beach closures, but they have also become an airborne public health threat. Just last week, San Diego State University and University of California San Diego professors studying such impacts had to abandon their research due to concerningly high levels of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Our families, children, seniors and the immunocompromised are constantly at risk, breathing in harmful toxic gases that no one should have to endure, Aguirre said in a Sunday statement. We are fighting not just for our health but for our right to clean air and a safe environment. It is unacceptable that the agencies responsible for protecting our communities continue to drag their feet while we bear the brunt of their inaction, she added. The Sunday letter signatories local politicians, citizens, health professionals, academics and environmental activists called upon regional and state agencies to distribute KN-95 masks and air purifiers that are effective in removing both particulate matter and gases in all affected areas. The priority, they stressed, should be on immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, families with young children and schools. While Aguirre acknowledged in her Sunday statement that some efforts had been taken mentioning 400 filters that had been distributed via lottery she stressed that such action is not enough. In their letter, Aguirre and her colleagues also requested calibrated particle and gas monitors to determine the safety of outdoor activities across the region, as well as the placement of advisory signs about the risk of exposure to hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and other toxic gases. At the same time, the writers emphasized the need to stop sharing the Air Pollution Control Districts sensor data until the instruments are fully calibrated and generating accurate measurements. Without such a step, the equipment could be leading to potentially erroneous conclusions and granting a false sense of security to the community, according to the writers. Likewise, they demanded the suspension of the communitys Syndromic Surveillance Bulletin which highlights local health symptoms until it includes more thorough clinical data from both the South Bay region and from Tijuana. The urgency of this situation can not be overstated, they concluded. We ask for immediate intervention and implementation of these requests by the County Office of Emergency Management, Air Pollution Control District, and Health and Human Services. The Hill has reached out to both Air Pollution Control District Chair Jack Shu and the Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas, to whom the letter was addressed, for comment. The Air Pollution Control Districts homepage warns that inspectors have been documenting strong odors impacting South Bay communities, adding that ongoing extreme heat conditions have exacerbated these issues. Compounds associated with these odors may cause adverse health effects, the message cautions, advising that residents stay indoors when possible. As for the Board of Supervisors, Vargas described current circumstances as an emergency in a post on X on Sunday, noting that our communities are facing the worst environmental and social justice crisis of our time. Im continuously working with federal, state and local partners to secure immediate and long-term solutions that protect the health of our families, she added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Heat rises from the pavement as a cyclist pedals along the Arroyo Seco outside the Rose Bowl. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) More than 10,000 Southern Californians were without power Monday morning as scorching temperatures continued to batter the area, knocking the power out at iconic landmarks such as the Hollywood Bowl and leaving residents in the dark and the heat. Relief seemed possible though Monday. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said it had restored power to half the homes that were dark Sunday night and Southern California Edison said they were also working to restore energy services to residents, but warned people to limit their use of appliances to cause less strain on the power grid. The announcements came as a weeklong heat wave continued to scorch Southern California, causing "dangerously hot conditions" and temperatures that hovered around triple digits even late into the night. Between the city department and the power company, just over 10,000 residents were without power in the latest tally, with the LADWP last updating its numbers at 8 a.m. More than 7,800 LADWP customers were without power, while more than 2,300 SoCal Edison users were out, the two utilities said. The number was slashed in half from Sunday night, when many more customers were without power. SoCal Edison advised people to set their thermostats to 78 degrees while they are at home and to 85 degrees when they are away or even to turn off their air conditioning entirely when they are outside the house. The utility also called on residents not to use large appliances between the hours of 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. "Southern California Edison is urging customers to conserve energy where possible. By reducing energy consumption during these extreme weather conditions, we can collectively help to reduce strain on the grid," the company said in a statement released Monday. LADWP said that it was continuing to work to restore power for those experiencing outages. The utility noted that the 7,800 people with no power are just a fraction of the 1.5 million people who rely on LADWP for electricity. "The number of customers without power in any given community remains relatively low," the department said. The department said Sunday night that power had been restored to the Hollywood Bowl, which had to cancel a performance of Vance Joy, Grouplove and Tiny Habits on Sunday night after power went out because of the heat wave. Sydney Simmering was without power from Saturday afternoon to Monday morning as her house on the border of Silver Lake and Echo Park sweltered in the heat wave. "We have a toddler and couldnt be in the house. We just bailed and went to the beach both days and went home thinking it would be restored, and it wasn't," she said. Power was also out at her child's day care. "I hate LADWP so much," she said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Skies above Southern California wildfire looked like 'a nuclear warhead had been set off' Firefighters from the Mill Creek hotshot crew monitor the Line fire burning over a ridge off Highway 38 on Monday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) Megan Vasquez, who lives in the Crestline area, had an overnight bag with her medication and other essentials packed just in case she needed to leave her home quickly as the Line Fire raged through the San Bernardino Mountains. On Saturday, the 59-year-old was driving through town when she saw an orange glow as flames scorched the hills in the distance, and a huge cloud rose above. "It looked exactly like a nuclear warhead had been set off in the mountains," she said. "It was a giant mushroom with compact billowy clouds and crazy smoke rings around it on the plume coming up." As mountain residents remained on guard, firefighting crews in Southern California continued to battle out-of-control wildfires Monday that had scorched thousands of acres in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties and forced residents to flee their homes amid record-breaking heat. The Line fire in San Bernardino County had grown to 23,714 acres and was 3% contained as of Monday afternoon, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. In L.A. County, the Bridge fire had blackened 2,995 acres by Monday evening and had Angeles National Forest visitors and some local residents fleeing the flames. The Airport fire in Orange County grew to nearly 1,900 acres in the Trabuco Canyon area in less than two hours Monday afternoon, triggering evacuations. San Bernardino's Line fire prompted mandatory evacuations in mountain communities that included Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village. Evacuation warnings were also issued for Lake Arrowhead, Cedar Glen, Crestline and Valley of Enchantment. More than 36,300 structures were threatened by the fire as of Monday evening, including single-family and multifamily homes, officials said. Three firefighters had been injured, and more than 1,700 personnel had been assigned to tackle the flames. Though a heat wave across the region has peaked, firefighters still faced high temperatures with relative humidity around 20%. The region is expected to see a bit of cooling overnight, with temperatures in the mid- to high 70s, according to the National Weather Service. Some light winds were expected into Tuesday, which will provide another hurdle for firefighters trying to get a handle on the Line blaze. Temperatures were expected to drop into the low 90s by Wednesday. "I'm not going to kid around with this fire, it's been very wild and it's definitely been showing some extreme behavior," said Chandler Price, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego. The combination of extreme heat and bone-dry fuels created a dangerous situation for firefighters battling the out-of-control blaze. The fire was burning so hot over the weekend that it created pyrocumulonimbus clouds thunderstorms that form above sources of intense heat which triggered winds that pushed the flames around. Lightning strikes out of the pyrocumulonimbus clouds limited firefighters' ability to drop flame retardants and water on the fire from the air. By 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 282 lightning strikes were recorded in Highland and Big Bear, with 3,337 other lightning flashes that stayed in the clouds, according to the weather service. Mother Nature delivered one positive amid the heat: Winds have been relatively mild, and were expected to stay that way. "Today they're going to be slightly stronger than average, but they're going to be pretty typical afternoon breeze type of winds," Price said. "Of course, if we get another pyrocumulonimbus, all bets are off. They generate their own wind systems, and those winds can be intense." Officials are predicting a slight chance of thunderstorms through the early evening. Read more: California wildfires map The heat wave bearing down on the Southland was not expected to break until Tuesday. Los Angeles County and surrounding areas were under a red flag warning as temperatures reached more than 100 degrees in some areas. Firefighters were using hand lines, hoses and fixed-wing aircraft to fight the fire, which started Thursday evening and grew rapidly that night as temperatures climbed to 110 degrees. Alina Pursche of Lake Arrowhead, who has worked as a barista at the Tea & Coffee Exchange there for the last three years, said her workplace was closed over the weekend because of the wildfire smoke. The 16-year-old was one of two employees staffing the coffee shop Monday morning. "You could see ash falling from the sky all around Lake Arrowhead," she said. "It was very smoky on Saturday and you couldn't see that far out." Although her community wasn't under an evacuation order, she and her family were still trying to exercise caution. "Were trying not to go outside because of the smoke," she said. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an air quality alert through 11 p.m. Tuesday due to elevated fine-particle pollution from wildfire smoke and high ozone levels. Officials cautioned residents to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed or find alternative shelter if they smell smoke or see ash from the wildfire. People should also run air conditioners and air purifiers and avoid any vigorous physical activity, according to the agency. Lung disease, asthma attacks and acute bronchitis can result from exposure to particle pollution, officials said. Older adults, children and people with respiratory or heart disease are more susceptible to health issues resulting from the poor air quality. A man uses a garden hose to soak his roof as the Line fire threatens his home in the San Bernardino Mountain foothills. (Apu Gomes / Getty Images) Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County on Saturday night and announced that federal funds would help reimburse the cost of suppressing the fire. On Monday afternoon, the governor announced that the California National Guard would send four water-dropping helicopters, two firefighting planes and 80 soldiers to assist in the firefight. "As the Line Fire continues to pose a threat to San Bernardino communities, were pouring resources into this incident aggressively by deploying more air and ground support through the California National Guard," Newsom said in a statement. "This is on top of nearly 2,000 firefighters, nearly 200 engines, and air assets we already have tackling this fire. California stands with these communities and has their backs." Running Springs, a community of about 4,600 residents and a major gateway to the popular tourist destinations of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, was one area being evacuated over the weekend. On Saturday, residents jammed exit routes to flee the fire. Images from a live video feed posted on social media showed a long line of cars slowly moving down a single mountain lane. The so-called front route to Big Bear Lake Highway 330 from Highland Avenue to Highway 18 in Running Springs, and Highway 18 between Running Springs and the Big Bear Lake dam remained closed Monday. Read more: Triple-digit heat wave continues to broil Southern California Other areas under evacuation orders, which are issued when conditions are immediately dangerous and life-threatening, include: The area from Calle Del Rio to Highway 38, including Greenspot Road North All underdeveloped land east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue The areas of Running Springs east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18 The area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill Drive from Highland Avenue north to the foothills North of Highland Avenue and east of Palm Avenue to Highway 330 Garnett Street east to the 138 and Mill Creek north to the foothills Forest Falls Mountain Home Village Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and all campgrounds and cabins in the area Evacuation shelters were open at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, at 14800 7th St. in Victorville, and the Jessie Turner Community Center in Fontana at 15556 Summit Ave. Terrain is burned on both sides of Highway 330 from the Line fire in Highland. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Meanwhile, the Bridge fire broke out in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora on Sunday afternoon, expanding to 2,995 acres as of Monday night. Mandatory evacuation orders were in place for Camp Williams Resort and an adjacent river community, as well as residents of Mount Baldy. As of 5:30 p.m. Monday, residents of Mount Baldy Village from the San Antonio Dam to Mt. Baldy Resort had been ordered to evacuate, officials said. Fire crews were battling the fire by air and by land. Dana Dierkes, public affairs officer for the Angeles National Forest, said crews were focused on protecting homes in the East Fork area and preventing the fire from spreading to the south. Authorities are still investigating the causes of the Bridge fire and the Line fire. Other fires were threatening communities in the north. The Davis fire burning near Reno and Boyles fire in Lake County in Northern California have damaged dozens of structures and forced thousands to evacuate. Times staff writers Christopher Goffard, Teresa Watanabe and Colleen Shalby contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The wildfire tearing through the foothills of Southern California's San Bernardino County is now endangering more than 36,000 structures, according to emergency officials. The Line Fire began on Sept. 5 and has since burned about 21,203 acres east of Los Angeles, with three firefighters injured attempting to control the blaze, fire officials said. As of Monday afternoon, the fire was 3% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. No structures have been damaged or destroyed, but Cal Fire said Monday that 36,328 structures, including homes and commercial buildings, are being threatened by the fire. "The fire made short, intense runs in the slopes and the lighter fuels which allowed for growth," Cal Fire said in a statement Monday. "Vegetation remains critically dry. Hot and dry weather will continue Monday with an Excessive Heat Warning for the lower elevations of the fire." PHOTO: A firefighter monitors the progression of the Line Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest's mouuntains over Highland, California, on Sept. 8, 2024. (Etienne Laurent/Reuters) Cal Fire officials said they plan to use night-flight capable aircraft when possible "to try to hold the fire within [current] containment lines." "Early next week, cooler weather will moderate fire activity below the marine layer. However, fire activity above the marine layer will remain active. There is still potential for spot fires to become established well outside the control lines," Cal Fire said in a statement. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for San Bernardino County on Saturday, and mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for residents in the path of the blaze. The evacuations were expanded on Sunday. PHOTO: Illustration (ABC News / National Interagency Fire Center) Newsom said the state's request for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance was approved by President Joe Biden on Saturday afternoon. "I thank President Biden for his swift approval of support for the work of our firefighters and first responders battling this fire and protecting local communities," Newsom said. MORE: Extreme heat, bone-dry vegetation and human misconduct prompting intense wildfire season "It's critical that residents in the impacted areas remain vigilant and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities." The cause of the fire remains under investigation. PHOTO: Hand crews clear a defense line during severe temperatures in California as the Line Fire burns near Mentone, California, Sept. 8, 2024. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images) Elsewhere, the Bridge Fire, which started on Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles Country, has burned 1,255 acres north of Azusa in the Angeles National Forest, fire officials said. The fire is at 0% containment and evacuation orders are in place for a mobile home park, campgrounds and a small river community. Night-flying helicopters have been deployed in an effort to control the blaze. The Boyles Fire in Northern California's Lake County, which also started Sunday afternoon, had burned 76 acres by Monday and was 30% contained with Cal Fire noting that "crews are making good progress," though "forward progress has not been stopped." Around 30 structures and between 40 and 50 vehicles were destroyed. Firefighters are also battling the Davis Fire in Nevada's Washoe County, where 6,500 acres have been burned and the fire is at 0% containment. The fire is "burning in heavy timber and brush," according to the U.S. Forest Service. "Gusty conditions" are forecast through the week, the service added on social media, noting that at least 14 structures were so far impacted. "Power outages continue," the Forest Service said, with a "portion of south Reno under evacuation notice," impacting between 12,000 and 14,000 people. ABC News' Marilyn Heck contributed to this report. Southern California's Line wildfire surpasses 21,000 acres amid evacuation orders originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Southside had $370,500 to renovate its community center. Now, the money is going elsewhere Residents of the Historic Southside neighborhood say they are confused by the citys decision to shift money originally allocated to renovate their community center to instead be spent on a veterans home repair program. The city council voted Aug. 27 to shift $370,500 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds designated to improve and renovate the Southside Community Center to the Healthy Homes for Heroes Veterans Home Repair program. James Walker is the president of the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association and says their community is often slighted when it comes to public funding. In this case, he said, his organization was not even aware the money had initially been targeted for the community center. Taking it away is unfair to people and programs that utilize the community center, he said. He hopes there can be better communication between the city and the community in the future about such funding. The community would have appreciated if we would have had some sort of direct contact, Walker said. Because our neighborhood association holds our meetings out of the community center. So to not have known about that is kind of shocking. The city council agenda item indicated that a 30-day public comment period was held on the reallocation of money from April 29 to May 28. Notice of the move was published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Councilman Chris Nettles, whose district includes Historic Southside, did not respond to emails from the Star Telegram requesting comment. In August 2019, the city council approved a plan for the use of federal grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which included $370,500 in Community Development Block Grant funds, for the Southside Community Center. The plan for the community center included Americans with Disabilities Act improvements, building renovations, and a senior center conversion, which would help older Fort Worth residents patronizing the center, according to the agenda item. According to the council agenda Aug. 27, the funds, which are required by HUD to be expended in a timely manner, were not being used. A spokesperson for the city said a report on the condition of the community center by an architectural firm showed a number of challenges that would make it difficult to bring the facility up to the citys standards and level of use for its community centers. The report showed the main kitchen and the warming kitchen are outdated; a renovation would require a costly abatement effort for materials in the building that contain asbestos; and the interior of the facility is not ADA compliant. There are also three floor elevation changes within the facility, making renovations more costly. Additionally, the architects found that the renovation of the facility would likely uncover many other unforeseen conditions and issues that would not be apparent until construction was under way, according to the city spokesperson. The city determined that renovations to the facility would not be the best use of city or grant funds. There are no plans for a full renovation of the center. The city may contemplate future renovations for the center as it assesses community center needs throughout the city and plans future general obligation bond programs, according to the city spokesperson. The reallocation of the funds will allow for the continuation of the Healthy Homes for Heroes program for the 2024 to 2025 program year after a loss of grant funding from Texas Veterans Commission. The Texas Veterans Commission notified the city in the spring that there would not be a grant awarded to the city for the 2024-2025 program year. The city plans to reapply for the grant for the 2025 to 2026 program year. The Healthy Homes for Heroes program provides home modifications, repairs and weatherization for low-income and disabled veterans and surviving spouses. For the 2023 to 2024 program year, the Neighborhood Services Department assisted 18 veteran and surviving spouse households through the program. Johnny Lewis has lived in the Historic Southside neighborhood for over 50 years and is the vice president of the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association. Like Walker, he said he never knew the money had been allocated for the community center. He said he was frustrated to learn it would be diverted elsewhere. Lewis is a veteran and is not critical of the veterans home repair program. But he wishes the city would do more to inform people about such changes in the future. Lewis says the Southside Community Center has been neglected for over 40 years and needs improvements, including new furniture, handicap accessibility and better acoustics inside of it preventing multiple meetings to take place at one time. When it comes to anything east of I- 35 we dont get a damn thing, Lewis said to the Star Telegram. By Joe Cash BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday urged visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to play a "constructive role" in improving strained ties between Bejing and the European Union. Sanchez for his part said he hoped the EU could avoid a trade war with China even as Brussels weighs imposing tariffs on China-manufactured electric vehicles. In their meeting, Xi also talked up deepening commercial ties between China and Spain in sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, new energy and other high-tech fields. The Chinese leader said Beijing wanted to work with Brussels to further develop a China-EU relationship where the two maintain their independence and autonomy but also succeed together and bring benefit to the world, a Chinese readout said. "It is hoped Spain will continue to play a constructive role in this regard," Xi added. Sanchez responded: "Spain wants to work constructively so that relations between the two are closer, richer and more balanced." Beijing in June said that frictions with the EU over its plans to impose tariffs of up to 36.3% on its electric vehicles (EVs) could trigger a trade conflict, days after China announced a retaliatory anti-dumping probe into European pork imports. China in August then raised the stakes by opening an investigation into the 27-strong bloc's dairy subsidies. Prior to meeting Xi, Sanchez told business events Spain would work for a negotiated consensus to the EV dispute within the World Trade Organization and that a "trade war would benefit no one," a government source said. Spain in 2023 exported $1.5 billion worth of the pork products that China will investigate, Chinese customs data showed, dwarfing the outbound shipments from second- and third-ranking the Netherlands and Denmark. Spain also sold just under $50 million worth of targeted dairy products to China last year. But in a promising sign for Spain's pork producers, a separate source with direct access to Xi's meeting with Sanchez said the two leaders had "found harmony and understanding," when asked about possible curbs on Spain's outbound pork shipments. "The meeting went extremely well," the source said, adding that both defended their positions while seeking agreements. FAIR TRADE "We want to build bridges together to defend a trade order that's fair," Sanchez told China's second-ranking official, Premier Li Qiang, before meeting Xi. Spain had a trade deficit of 17.27 billion euros ($19.07 billion) in the first half of this year, according to government statistics. Sanchez will also want reassurance that China will not strike back at Brussels by raising its own tariffs on imported large-engined gasoline-powered vehicles, as state Chinese media have suggested it might. Spain could also be impacted by the Chinese EV tariffs. Last week SEAT-CUPRA's CEO said that an electric vehicle made in China and designed in Spain by CUPRA, which is owned by Germany's Volkswagen, would be "wiped out" if the European Commission followed through with planned imports on Chinese-made vehicles. Sanchez on Tuesday is expected to meet representatives of SAIC Motor, one of the Chinese automakers most affected by the EU tariffs, and sign a Memorandum of Understanding with greentech Envision, which is building an EV battery plant in Spain. "In this increasingly geopolitical and economic context, as you have pointed out, we must work together to resolve differences through negotiation," Sanchez told Xi. In an advisory vote in July, Spain along with France and Italy, supported the European Commission's proposal to adopt additional duties on Chinese-made EVs on top of the bloc's standard 10% tariff. But Beijing has been canvassing the EU's member states to reject the curbs at a final vote on it in October. The tariffs would be implemented in addition to the EU's standard 10% import tariff unless a qualified majority of 15 EU members representing 65% of the EU population vote against them. ($1 = 0.9054 euros) (This story has been corrected to clarify that the risk to Spanish automakers is from EU, not Chinese tariffs, in paragraph 17) (Reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing and Belen Carreno in Madrid; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Charlie Devereux, Christina Fincher and Angus MacSwan) Two months after saying it was up to lawmakers to convene a special session to address an affordability crisis among condo owners, Gov. Ron DeSantis now is urging the Legislature to move on the issue before the end of the year. It needs to be done this calendar year, DeSantis said Monday during a meeting in Miami Lakes to discuss the condo issue. Lawmakers passed a series of reforms following the June 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South, a 12-story condo in Surfside, Miami-Dade County, which killed 98 people. Those changes included new requirements for condo associations to hold more reserves and to complete inspections and begin maintenance projects. The requirements have a deadline of the end of the year, which led condo associations to impose special assessments and hike monthly fees. The increases were so large in some cases that thousands of condo owners throughout the state have decided to sell their units. We want our condos to be safe in the state of Florida but we also want to make sure any safety measures are implemented in ways that are reasonable and affordable to the residents, DeSantis said. We dont want to see people forced out of a unit because they have a crushing assessment. State Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, said elderly condo owners were most at risk of being forced to sell due to the large assessments and fees. But the disclosures required in selling their unit include the cost of the assessments and necessary repairs, further complicating the situation. Now the assessments are too high, Fabricio said. Unfortunately what theyre seeing is that its not that easy to sell. For Doris Gonzalez, a condo owner in Miami-Dade County, the simplest solution is to extend the end-of-year deadline requirement to have sufficient reserves to pay for necessary maintenance. She told DeSantis her monthly condo association fees jumped from $900 to $1300 and the units in her building were hit with $15,000 special assessments on average. Some of them had to sell their unit after being there for over 20 years, Gonzalez said. DeSantis floated other ideas, including a low-interest loan program to keep costs down and help residents make payments over a longer period of time. But he urged lawmakers to talk with constituents and develop solutions. President of the Senate Kathleen Passidomo presents her opening remarks during the Senate Session on opening day of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Under the Florida Constitution and state statutes, DeSantis can convene a special session or legislative leaders of the House and Senate can call one. After DeSantis comments in July, in which he said hed be open to a special session but it would be up to the Legislature to convene it, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, sent a memo to members saying she wouldnt call them back to Tallahassee to address the condo issue. She added that she understood the anger and frustration of those hit with assessments, but condo associations that have deferred critical maintenance on aging buildings put those structures in jeopardy, endangering public safety. The next time lawmakers must be in Tallahassee will be after the November election: The constitution requires an "organization session" 14 days later to elect new leaders for the House and Senate. Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, is poised to replace Passidomo as leader of the Senate. DeSantis stressed he didn't want to skimp on the structural integrity of condo buildings after the Surfside incident, but affordability must be considered. "I dont know that every single repair is preventing a Surfside, thats just the reality," DeSantis said. "So why would we want to be forcing people to have to make a choice to leave based on repairs that may need to be done but may not need to be done right at this instant, or may be able to be done over a period of time where you can absorb the cost better?" Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Gov. DeSantis pushes Florida Legislature to act on condo crisis Spectators wait 2 or more hours in traffic to see Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 train in Rochelle ROCHELLE, Ill. (WTVO) Thousands of spectators flocked to Rochelle on Sunday to see Union Pacifics Big Boy 4014 steam engine in person, with some waiting over 2 hours in traffic for the chance. Twenty-five Big Boy trains were built during World War II, and only nine of the largest operating steam locomotives remain. A single engine, the 4014, remains in service and is currently on a Heartland of America tour. Local historian Ed Dickens said he wasnt surprised that thousands of people showed up at the Rochelle Intermodal to see it for themselves. After driving from a Madison, Wisconsin suburb, Michael Kokott waited nearly three hours in traffic to see the locomotive. The train will stop in Wateska, on Monday, September 9th, from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at North Street Crossing; and in Nokomis, on Tuesday, September 10th, from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Maple Street Crossing, before heading to Saint Louis, Missouri.. See the full schedule. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley is being blasted by both Republicans and Democrats for her support of Donald Trump and his bid for the White House. Democratic strategist James Carville criticized Haley for her support of Trump on MSNBCs Inside with Jen Psaki, calling the former 2024 presidential candidate gutless and spineless. On Sunday, Haley was on CBS Newss Face the Nation, where she was talking about her support of Taiwan. The anchor pointed out that Trump said he didnt care about Taiwan and to let China do what it wants. Haley switched the topic to Afghanistan. And then she started talking about Afghanistan, Carville said on MSNBC, after seeing Haleys comments on CBS. Does that woman have any courage at all? Because if she does, its not particularly evident to anybody. I dont know if shes more spineless or gutless, but one of the two certainly apply to her. Haley was a staunch critic of the former president when she was running against him, as they consistently threw insults at one another. When she dropped out of the race in early March, she said Trump would have to earn her support and the votes of her supporters. But in May she announced she would be voting for him and later spoke at the Republican National Convention, where she said Donald Trump has my strongest endorsement, period. When Haley was asked in the CBS interview if she thought Trump was a good candidate, she said he is the Republican nominee. I think putting him against Kamala Harris, who is the Democrat nominee for me, its not a question. Now, do I agree with his style? Do I agree with his approach? Do I agree with his communications? No, she said. Former Republican U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney also criticized Haley this weekend. I cant understand her position on this, in any kind of a principled way, Cheney said on ABCs This Week after being asked about Haleys rhetoric surrounding Trump while running, but now is on standby to campaign for Trump. I think that the things that she said, that she made clear when she was running in the primary, those things are true. Former Vice President Dick Cheney, Liz Cheneys father, announced Friday he would be voting for Kamala Harris, after Liz Cheney made the news public earlier in the day at the Texas Tribune festival. Those of us who are conservative, those of us who have fidelity to the Constitution, have a responsibility and a duty to recognize [that] this is not about partisan politics, Cheney said. This November, casting a vote for Donald Trump or writing someone in means that youve made the decision in too many instances that so many elected Republicans have made, which is to abandon the Constitution. Lea Zeise, one of Ohelaku's co-coordinators of the non-profit that works with the families planting crops, picks a cob of white corn in its early form known as green corn, during a harvest on the Oneida Indian Reservation on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Oneida, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) This spring, a torrent of rain sent a river rushing over a field on the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin, destroying most of what was in its path, including the traditionally important crop of white corn. Families tried planting a second time, but it was too wet; many seeds dissolved in the water-soaked soil. The corn that did sprout was patchy and stunted. It looked anemic, said Lea Zeise, one of the coordinators of Ohelaku, a non-profit that works with the families planting crops. Really skinny and really frail. A few members picked what remained at the end of August in its early form, known as green corn, but it was barely enough to go around. There will be none of their white corn in the annual food boxes sent to tribal elders next year. And the harvest moon event, traditionally an important time for ceremonies and community gathering, has been canceled. Its a stark reminder of the uncertainty in store for Indigenous growers as the planet warms and as seasonal weather patterns become more unpredictable. There will likely be many hard years threatening the food that ties Oneida people to their culture, the land and each other. Oneida white corn stewards and other Indigenous growers want to adapt, and are proactively incorporating sustainable land management techniques like using cover crops to try to improve soil health and bolster their land against future droughts and floods. But years like this one remind them that it wont always be enough. Were really up against some pretty serious odds with climate change. Theres a lot at stake. And so it feels very personal," Zeise said. Its very hard not to go out to the field and feel just deeply sad. ______ EDITORS NOTE: This is part of a series of on how tribes and Indigenous communities are coping with and combating climate change. ______ White corn is more than just a food for Oneida people; it's part of their creation story and a relative to be cared for. It's also an annual, seasonal reason for people to come together, which was the philosophy behind Ohelaku, which translates to among the cornstalks. Braiding corn husks is the favorite activity of 10-year-old Lucia Stevens, who was crowned Lil Miss Oneida this year and whose Oneida name Tehwahshutyahks means she breaks the night. Shes been joining the white corn harvest for about as long as she can remember, but this was the hardest year shes seen in her lifetime, her mother Stephanie said. We tried our best, Lucia said. The reason why we didnt get that much corn is because it kept getting too hot days, and then it kept getting too rainy days, and it kept going back and forth like that. Zeise and her mother Laura Manthe, who helped found the organization, said that by growing corn communally, families can learn from each other. They can all chip in on the labor-intensive processes of sowing, weeding, picking cobs by hand, winnowing to separate the chaff from the grain and other tasks, Manthe and Zeise said. The group can also still have a substantial crop even if the animals get to some of it, and they have a better chance of surviving extreme weather events if they're growing on a larger area of land. But even growing together was no match for this years spring inundation. Drive around Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan and there are a lot of farmers whose corn looks horrible, Manthe said. But commercially grown corn, which uses more uniform varieties than heirloom ones and is often genetically modified, is looking pretty good this time of year, she said. Oneida and commercial farmers take different approaches to dealing with smut, too a type of fungus that can grow on corn. While many commercial growers consider it a disease to be eradicated, some Mexican growers use it for cooking and consider a delicacy. Ohelaku members have taken inspiration and are just starting to use it as the wetter seasons make it more prevalent, but by this time the corn smut is already too mature to use. Becky Webster, who grows with Ohelaku, is also executive director of another Oneida farmstead and non-profit Ukwakhwa, where she plants white corn in smaller plots and in two different ways. Some of it she plants in rows, and some of it in a method called Three Sisters, where corn, beans and squash are all planted together in mounds. She said the Three Sisters corn wasnt flooded out because it was protected by the mounds, but that an unseasonably late wind storm blew over many of the stalks. She thinks its still salvageable but not in a great position. And she cant remember ever seeing weather this wild. Our springs were pretty steady before, aside from storms here and there. But weve had to deal with extremes. Last year was extreme drought and this year was extreme rain, Webster said. She added that its harder to anticipate which planting methods might be most effective, and described how its been a challenge to save seeds strategically because the ones that did well in a wet year wont do as well in a dry year and vice versa. All the Oneida growers stressed the importance of leaning on traditional farming knowledge, of further importance because many tribal members have been cut off from their own culture. It's a way of returning to their roots after families lost land to colonizers, children were forced to attend boarding schools and land was leased or sold to non-Indigenous farmers. But reviving past knowledge is made harder by the new seasonal unpredictability. Even if we did know everything our ancestors learned, were having to do it in an erratic and changing climate, Webster said. University of Wisconsin-Madison Ph.D. candidate Daniel Hayden thinks more research will be needed to understand the science behind sustainable Indigenous farming techniques that go back generations. He's been working with Ohelaku for several years now trialing sustainable methods like interseeding cover crops, which involves planting other crops in the same field to improve soil health, balance moisture levels and prevent erosion. It's a work in progress, and this year it wasn't enough to keep the majority of the corn from getting washed out, though his research plot of white corn did make it. He acknowledged that while Oneida growers are willing to focus on stewarding land and improving soil health not necessarily maximizing yields commercial farmers have different priorities. He hopes his research will amplify the conversation about including Indigenous practices in mainstream agriculture, something he doesn't think has gotten enough attention yet. As Webster put it, The Indigenous practices are no longer plan B, it has to be the plan. Because we are very mindful of all of the things around us." ___ Follow Melina Walling on X at @MelinaWalling. ___ 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. We recently published a list of 10 Stocks That Will Go to the Moon According to Reddit. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) stands against the other stocks. FINRA Investor Education Foundation and CFA Institute (2023) revealed that ~37% of Gen-Z investors in the US and ~38% in the UK come to social media influencers regarding investment decisions. Therefore, it is important to explore the role finfluencers (influencers sharing financial advice on social media) play in providing investment information and how Gen-Z investors engage with finfluencers. Young investors are considering memes and viral videos as the primary source of investment advice. Social Media and Investments: Do They Complement Each Other? Experts believe that retail or non-professional investors are now becoming dependent on digital channels, like social media platforms such as TikTok, when it comes to investing. FINRA revealed that ~60% of US investors under age 35 believe that social media can be used as a source of investment information. This compares to ~57% who use finance professionals. This increase is probably because digital channels are becoming easily accessible, with ~60% of the global population utilizing social media (as per DataReportal). Quick-scroll websites are now considered the go-to spot for investment ideas and inspiration. This is because of their bite-sized format and easy access. Ofcom, which tracks news consumption in the UK revealed that TikToks reach for news went up from ~1% in 2020 to ~7% in 2022. This was mainly seen in younger folks aged between 16 24 years. Pew Research mentioned that, in the US, this increased from ~3% in 2020 to ~10% in 2022. Financial advice content, which is shared on social media, has been contributing to the growth of the creator economy, which is pegged at ~$127 billion globally (as per Coherent Market Insights). This is expected to reach US$528.39 billion by 2030, with growth stemming from higher demand for user-generated content and increased monetization opportunities. Financial institutions and investment advisory companies are now focusing on creating pathways from social media to their product and services to exploit strong market opportunities. Therefore, most retail investors continue to make investing decisions under social medias influence. Retail Traders Making a Significant Portion in The US Stock Options JPMorgan Chase & Co. highlighted that non-professional investors are now making a bigger part of the US options market as they continue to pour money mainly into short-term bets and technology stocks. The bank highlighted that retail traders accounted for ~18.3% of the total options activity in June. Social media and online investing communities have influenced retail investors to the extent that these investors dont shy away from making investments in the downturn. In late July and early August 2024, when there was a sharp decline in popular technology shares, retail investors turned out to be net buyers. Vanda Research mentioned that individual investors, who were caught up in the market downturn, continued to be net buyers of shares of leading technology and AI-related companies. Just to balance out the risks, retail investors directed significant buying to an ETF tracking 20-Y Treasury bonds. Wall Street experts and enthusiasts believe that this confidence comes from the online investing communities and social media platforms, where there were discussions about going long on leading technology shares as they were trading at decent levels. 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 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) The Stock That Will Go to the Moon According to Reddit? A woman programmer in a modern office working with multiple computer servers. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) Number of hedge fund holders: 58 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) is a supplier of IT infrastructure products and services. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) saw its 3Q 2024 revenues jump by 10% YoY to $7.7 billion, beating the analysts expectations. This outperformance was supported by a surge in server revenue because of demand for artificial intelligence. The companys edge-to-cloud strategy throughout networking, hybrid cloud, and Al should continue to act as a critical tailwind moving forward. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) increased its full-year EPS outlook to $1.68 and $1.73 (from $1.61 to $1.71 previously). However, it maintained a revenue growth estimate of 1% 3%. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) is well-placed to capitalize on the demand for Al servers, which has been picking up due to increased investments in Al infrastructure by businesses. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE)s stock is well-placed to take off as its cyclical slowdown is ending, and Al-driven sales of its newer servers should help offset the weakness of other business segments. Moving forward, the companys expertise in designing, manufacturing, and running Al systems at scale should help it fuel the growth of cumulative Al system orders. This, together with prudent cost management and expectations of high FCF, should help Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) over the medium term. Analysts at Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) from $22.00 to $24.00, giving it a Neutral rating on 21st June. As per Insider Monkeys 2Q 2024 database, 58 hedge funds were long Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE). Overall HPE ranks 4th on our list of stocks that will go to the moon. While we acknowledge the potential of HPE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued AI stock that is more promising than HPE 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A man from Springfield was arrested after police say he stabbed someone in the neck during an altercation after a church service on Sunday, September 8. Carl Wells, 31, was charged with first-degree assault causing serious physical injury. Carl Wells mugshot courtesy of Greene County Jail According to the probable cause statement, Springfield police were notified at 5:15 p.m. that the victim was stabbed in the neck with a knife and that the suspect was detained at the scene. Police then went to Mercy Hospital, where the victim was being transported. Polk Co. woman pleads guilty in drunk driving crash that killed her son While being looked at by Mercy doctors, the victim told police he was going to fight the suspect, identified as Wells, over a verbal altercation at the church when he was then sucker punched by Wells. Witnesses who were with the victim at the church said Wells was sitting behind them during the service and made disparaging comments about the church, and the victim turned to Wells at one point telling him he can leave if he doesnt like it there. After the service ended, one of the witnesses said Wells approached the victim from the back and stabbed him in the neck. Wells tried to get away but was detained by church security. Springfield quadruple homicide trial begins In an interview with police, Wells maintained his innocence. He said they didnt know what happened before the incident but did not elaborate further. Wells has previously been arrested and convicted multiple times in Tennessee and Mississippi with charges of assault, domestic violence, criminal trespassing, theft of property and robbery. The address where this occurred is redacted from court documents, but the Springfield Police Departments call log indicates this incident occurred at the Ebenezer Romanian Assembly property on North East Avenue. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. MARY PARISH, La. (KLFY) Two 14-year-old boys are facing charges in connection with multiple vehicle burglaries in the Bayou Vista area, according to the St. Mary Parish Sheriffs Office. The sheriffs office said the boys, both of Bayou Vista, were arrested Sunday morning and charged with the following: 10 counts of burglary from a vehicle two counts of theft of a firearm two counts of illegal possession of stolen firearms possession of stolen things two counts of illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile theft of a motor vehicle unauthorized use of a motor vehicle driver must be licensed On Sunday, authorities said a parent reported that her son and his friend may have committed several vehicle burglaries in the Bayou Vista area. A deputy met with the complainant and the mother of the other boy who said she had evidence showing her son and the friend had possibly committed the crimes, authorities said. The two juveniles claim they broke into at least 25 vehicles in the area, authorities said. Through the investigation, the deputies retrieved stolen property and other evidence, the sheriffs office said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Latest News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Just in time for pumpkin spice season, a new Starbucks coffee shop has opened its doors in San Angelo. The cafe is located at 1225 Knickerbocker Road, the same storefront Bushs Chicken once occupied before closing in late 2020. It opened for service on Sept. 9, becoming the sixth Starbucks location to begin operations in the city. The other stores are at the following locations: 3217 Sherwood Way 5651 Sherwood Way 3121 Sunset Drive 403 W. 3rd St. 1910 Rosemont Drive Is pumpkin spice really made of pumpkin? According to a Concho Valley Homepage reporter who spoke with the stores staff, the location is designated a military-friendly store. Text found on the exterior and interior walls of the store states that this store is dedicated to people united by their courage to serve their country. A new Starbucks coffee shop opened in San Angelo on Sept. 9,2024, with this text on an interior and exterior wall. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Homeward Bound On Saturday morning, NASA's plagued Starliner spacecraft finally made it back to the ground. The capsule landed in the New Mexico desert after spending just over three months in space. But thanks to technical issues worrying NASA officials, it left behind the agency's two stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, bookending a disastrous first crewed flight attempt. The pair will have to wait for their ride back, on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, until February. Signals on the capsule's return were mixed. On the one hand, according to NASAs commercial crew program manager Steve Stich, it pulled off a "bullseye landing." On the other, the agency admitted that a new thruster had failed during its descent. The capsule also experienced a temporary blackout of Starliner's guidance system during reentry. It's an awkward situation for the space agency: would Starliner have been able to ferry NASA's missing crew members in the end? "I think we made the right decision not to have Butch and Suni on board," Stich told reporters on Saturday. "All of us feel happy about the successful landing. But then theres a piece of us, all of us, that we wish it would have been the way we had planned it." https://twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield/status/1832407699687907825 Double Down While approaching the International Space Station in early June, five of Starliner's 28 control thrusters gave up, forcing Wilmore and Williams to take over manual control. Subsequent investigations concluded that the thrusters had overheated, causing a Teflon "poppet" seal to expand and restrict the flow of the oxidizer. Several helium leaks added to Boeing's growing headache at the time, worrying NASA officials. The capsule didn't fare much better following undocking procedures on Friday. One of its 12 control jets on the crew module a different set unrelated to the other malfunctioning service module thrusters failed to ignite. And a glitch caused the spacecraft's navigation system to go down briefly during reentry as well. It's still unclear whether Boeing will try to launch its plagued Starliner again. Analysts suggest the aerospace giant may dump the entire project, which has already lost the company well over a billion dollars, instead. "Its unclear if or when the company will have another opportunity to bring astronauts to space," Bank of America aerospace and defense analyst Ron Epstein told the New York Times. "We would not be surprised if Boeing were to divest the manned spaceflight business." More on Starliner: Retired NASA Engineer Warns Boeing's Starliner Could Lose Control During Return and Crash in Populated Area The prime minister has pledged to "double down" on knife crime after a summit at Downing Street aimed at halving it over the next decade. Hollywood star Idris Elba joined Sir Keir Starmer and experts including police, technology companies and victims' families, to attend the first meeting of a coalition to tackle the issue. It aims to stop young people from being dragged into violent gangs and will hold annual meetings to work towards reducing knife crime, which is now the most common method of homicide in England and Wales. Speaking after the first session, Luther star and knife crime campaigner Mr Elba said the talks had been "a step in the right direction". The 51-year-old actor, whose Elba Hope Foundation is part of the new anti-knife crime coalition, said it was important to hear from all those touched by violent crime so there could be "joined-up thinking" and perspectives including parents, teachers and youth workers. He said: "There's been a lot of talk, there's a lot of emotion around it, but the truth is that room was a coalition of thinkers that all have the same goal and it was a really positive step in the right direction." He added the first steps would be to try to tackle "low-hanging fruit" like online sales of blades, and stressed he had a personal interest. "We aren't going to end knife crime - we can't, that's not realistic - but we can tackle the attributes towards it," he said. "At the centre of it is obviously young people - my son's 10, and I'm hoping the work that we do annually, keep pushing, [can] help him by the time he's 16. "There are kids right now that are 16 to 24, they're in that cycle right now that we might not be able to help, but with our joined-up thinking we can help future generations." The Elba Hope Foundation's youth advocacy arms gives out grants to community projects and launched the Dont Stop Your Future anti-knife campaign at the start of this year. In January, Mr Elba helped at a protest in Parliament Square where clothes were laid out to represent those killed by knives on UK streets and called for an immediate ban on so-called Zombie knives and machetes. Mr Elba and King Charles hosted a mini-summit on knife crime at St James's Palace in July, where they heard from young people about their difficult starts in life. Those young people have all worked with the Prince's Trust - now called the King's Trust - as did Mr Elba, whose acting career was kickstarted by a 1,500 grant from the Trust to go to the National Youth Music Theatre. Baroness Doreen Lawrence, mother of murder victim Stephen Lawrence, was also at the summit and said government ministers continuing to listen and focus, was vital. She said: "Parents have been suffering for too long, losing their children, so the fact the PM was chairing this meeting, that's a positive thing." The prime minister promised to stick to his election commitments around tackling violent knife crime and said he will start by making it harder to buy dangerous weapons online. "Far too many knives are too easily available, whether that's online, whether that's through the post," he said. A ban on zombie-style knives and machetes will come into force on 24 September, and will be followed by plans to ban ninja swords. Although knife-related offences in England and Wales are lower than pre-pandemic levels, they have been steadily increasing since 2012. A total of 41% of all homicides in the two UK nations in the year ending March 2023 were knife-related, according to government data. The top five travel spenders were the Indiana Department of Health, Department of Child Services, Department of Revenue, Lieutenant Governors Office and Indiana Department of Correction. (Getty Images) Indianas state agencies collectively spent $5 million on travel during the 2024 fiscal year, with the favored hotel chain being Holiday Inn. Dozens of entities some housed within the same agencies reported a total of 16,325 transactions related to travel activity, according to the Indiana Transparency Portal. Thats about $45,000 more than was reported the previous fiscal year. Indianas fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30. Most of the money went to lodging and airfare. Here is travel spending for state agencies the past five years: 2020 $4.4 million 2021 $913,000 2022 $2.5 million 2023 $4.9 million 2024 $5 million The top five spenders were the Indiana Department of Health, Department of Child Services, Department of Revenue, Lieutenant Governors Office and Indiana Department of Correction. Some contested the expenses. Ron Green, spokesman for the lieutenant governors office, said there are errors in the offices international travel card activity data that could show inflated costs. Green said staffers from the offices four subsidiaries have attended trade missions to other states and countries including one to Brazil and various professional conferences. He said that how each trip is funded including if they use state funds, federal or private grants depends on the trip. He provided the Indiana Capital Chronicle with the costs of two trips taken by officials from the subsidiary Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to India in March. In those cases, the cost of expenses was not converted from Indian rupees to United States dollars. In the portal, the transaction amount for the trips was listed as $198,240 but it was actually 198,240 rupees, or $2,424. The portal displays about $325,243 in travel expenses for the office, but it actually spent $129,435, he said. What were the expenses for? The Indiana Department of Health reported the highest travel expenses with $627,189. Spokeswoman Lisa Welch told the Indiana Capital Chronicle that about 57% of these expenses allowed registered nurses and IDOH staffers to travel across Indiana to conduct surveys and inspections. Welch said most of this travel is funded by federal funds through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These surveyors perform regular inspections and follow up on complaints and are vital to safeguarding patients at a variety of facilities, including nursing homes, Welch said. Between periodic surveys and responding to specific complaints, IDOH surveyors performed more than 4,000 separate facility visits in 2023 to keep Hoosiers safe by ensuring all of Indianas regulated facilities comply with state and federal laws and regulations. The rest of IDOHs travel expenses are for professional development opportunities and building partnerships, sharing best practices, and expanding staff skills and abilities, Welch said. She asserted that less than 16% around $100,350 of IDOHs total travel expenses were covered by state funds. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Indiana Department of Correction Spokesman Gregory Dunn said his agencys in-state travel is funded by state funds. However, any out-of-state travel is paid using federal grant money. The IDOC reported $312,986 total charges, per the portal. The Indiana Department of Correction incurs travel expenses for a variety of reasons, including staff traveling from Central Office in Indianapolis to the 21 facilities located across the state; extradition of individuals to other states; and staff traveling to conferences for professional development opportunities, Dunn said. The Department of Child Services spent the second-most on travel, with $375,463 reported in the portal. Spokesman Brian Heinemann said about 68% of travel expenses reported by DCS funded travel for field staff and case managers who travel to help children. The other 32% allowed non-field staff to attend in-state conferences and out-of-state professional development opportunities. He said 36% of the agencys total travel expenses were covered by federal funding. DCS is committed to continuous improvement in the practice of child welfare, and we recognize that investing in our workforce is vital to recruiting and retaining a skilled staff with the knowledge and compassion to serve Indiana children and families when they need us most, Heinemann said. We continuously look for training opportunities to elevate our knowledge and skills in the practice of child welfare so that we can better protect Indiana children from abuse and neglect. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The top financial officers of 14 conservative states ripped city Comptroller Brad Lander Monday for pressuring retailers Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Albertsons, and medical firm McKesson to sell the abortion pill mifepristone "without delay." The top financial officers of 15 conservative states ripped city Comptroller Brad Lander Monday for pressuring major US retailers to sell the abortion pill mifepristone without delay. Lander penned several letters to the CEOs of pharmacy giants and retailers including Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Albertsons, and the medical firm McKesson in July urging them to start dispensing mifepristone as soon as possible. By failing to become certified mifepristone dispensers, these pharmacy giants put both womens reproductive health care and investors money at risk, he said. Comptroller Brad Lander Monday faces backlash for pressuring major US retailers to sell the abortion pill mifepristone without delay. Gabriella Bass He said mifepristone should be available in all states where abortion is legal. Making mifepristone available benefits customers and employees, increases sales, and generates long-term shareholder value, said Lander, a candidate for mayor. He noted that New York Citys pension funds hold over $1.3 billion in total shares of the aforementioned companies in his decision to appeal to their CEOs. But the state financial officers including Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Lander should butt out of the marketplace and stay away from Costco. The Comptrollers actions are clear attempts to politicize Costcos business without regard for the companys financial wellbeing, anti-abortion finance officers wrote in a letter sent Monday to Costco CEO Ron Vachris. This radical position ignores all of the business decisions that go into whether to sell a particular product decisions that should be made by Costcos leadership based on how it will serve their customers. Lander penned several letters to the CEOs of pharmacy giants and retailers including Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Albertsons, and the medical firm McKesson to start dispensing mifepristone. Getty Images The state officials said Costco admitted that there was no customer demand for the drug in their letter. We find these actions to be inappropriate. They are an attempt to launder political views through the commercial marketplace with little regard for the companies or their shareholders, they wrote. They urged Vachris to ignore Landers prodding to sell the abortion pill. The letter was co-signed by the financial officers from Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Indiana and Wyoming all states with anti-abortion leaders in control. Each of the 15 states has complete abortion bans or restrictions in place. Meanwhile, blue states including New York have become more active in expanding abortion services including distributing abortion pills following the Supreme Courts controversial 2022 decision overturning the 1973 Roe vs. Wade ruling, which made womens choice to have an abortion a federal right. Each of the 15 states has complete abortion bans or restrictions in place. AFP via Getty Images In a stunning reversal, the Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that it should be up to the states to determine whether and when a woman can terminate a pregnancy. Other faith-based anti-abortion investors have urged retailers not to sell the abortion pill. Landers office had no immediate comment on the criticism, but hes unlikely to back down. He warned the companies of potential harm. Concerns include the companys responsiveness to a growing market opportunity, its mitigation of potential reputational risks, and its commitment to maximizing sales and long-term shareholder value, Lander wrote in the letter to retailers. A marijuana greenhouse. (Getty Images) New Mexicos cannabis regulator has issued a recall notice after a wholesaler shipped contaminated product to retailers across the state. The contaminated product was cannabis flower, not concentrated products like gummies. It came from WH Agriculture, known as Maggies Farm, according to the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division. The product was shipped to more than 30 retailers between March 6 and August 1, according to state regulators. A Sept. 4 notice to Maggies Farms notes that the state was notified in November 2023 that the companys product tested positive for a pesticide called pyrethrins. On Aug. 30, the state asked the company to prove it was using a permissible level of the pesticide, which the company was unable to do, according to the letter. The notice requires the company to remove and destroy all of the product thats made it to dispensaries, and to alert all retailers who may have bought it. The state released a list of 32 shipments to 11 dispensaries that received the product, 23 of which are in Albuquerque. Other retailers are in Los Lunas, Sunland Park, Alamogordo and elsewhere. The retailers that are on the list are R. Greenleaf Organics, Everest Apothecary, Loud Cloud and House of Blaze. The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division is asking people to review the list and pay attention to the package identification number. Theyre advised to destroy the product or return it to the retailer to be destroyed. No health-related complaints have been reported, according to a news release. But the state says anyone with concerns can call the state poison control hotline at (800) 222-1222. According to the divisions website, this is the second time it has issued a mandatory recall notice. In March, an Albuquerque retailer was ordered to destroy cannabis concentrates that tested positive with the banned pesticide called malathion. State police leading investigation to find shooter along I-75 in Kentucky State Police have taken over the investigation to find a man suspected of shooting 12 vehicles and wounding five people along Interstate 75 in southeastern Kentucky. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As News Center 7 previously reported, Joseph Couch, 32, was named a suspect in Saturdays shooting on Interstate 75. >>RELATED: After interstate shootings wound 5, searchers comb Kentucky hill country for suspect Sheriffs deputies said they found his SUV on a service road near the crime scene, according to social media. The search continues off I-75 at exit 49, eight miles north of London, Kentucky in Lauren County. TRENDING STORIES: Kentucky State Police announced Sunday they are now leading the investigation, Lexington station WKYT TV reports. Officials are urging neighbors near the shooting site to take precautions. You need to lock your doors, if you have security cameras, make sure youre constantly watching them, said Master Trooper Scottie Pennington, Kentucky State Police. Maybe keep your porch lights on, have communication, have your cell phone, and make sure your phones are charged up because you never know when you might have to contact somebody or law enforcement. >>RELATED: Numerous people shot near I-75 in Kentucky; Police identify person of interest The search will resume at 8 a.m. on Monday and several schools have canceled classes for Monday, WKYT reports. We will update this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A south Los Angeles legislative race that pits two Democrats against each other on the November ballot is resurfacing allegations of misconduct levied against the candidates in their prior public offices. Michelle Chambers, a former Compton City Council member, and Laura Richardson, a former member of Congress, are running to succeed state Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) in Senate District 35, which encompasses the cities of Carson, Compton and stretches down to the harbor. For months, their campaigns have swapped jabs at each other, comparing fundraising numbers , accusing one another of lies and resurfacing past scandals . Now Chambers is confronting accusations that she called a colleagues young Latino son a racial slur in a closed-session meeting three years ago, and that she bullied Compton city employees while she served on the council. Chambers denies the allegations. Richardson is trying to launch a political comeback after being reprimanded by the House of Representatives in 2012 when the House Ethics Committee found her guilty of misusing government resources by illegally compelling her congressional staff to perform campaign work and obstructing an investigation into the matter. Richardson says she accepted responsibility for making errors and has since improved her management skills. A local election plagued by animus is not unique to this particular race, said Fernando Guerra, a professor of political science at Loyola Marymount University who is unaffiliated with the campaigns. But he said the eleventh-hour resurfacing of negative allegations hurts civic engagement. The fact that these things come up this late, instead of coming out way before the primary, before people were even announcing that's the problem, he said. Chambers' tense tenure on the Compton City Council Michelle Chambers served two years on the Compton City Council. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Chambers did not complete her term on the Compton City Council, resigning about midway into her four-year term to take a job with the California Department of Justice in 2022. Critics say her premature departure casts doubt on her commitment to serving as an elected official. Chambers said she took the state job to serve her community on another level by addressing hate crimes, homelessness and working with Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta on combating street takeovers. Bonta and Bradford have endorsed Chambers. In the two years Chambers served in Compton, she said she got more done than her predecessors by improving street lighting , bettering the employment rate and helping small businesses. The period also came with a myriad of internal quarrels, including allegations of bullying, intimidation and the confusing episode in which a fellow council member accused Chambers of calling his son a racial slur. Isaac Galvan, who served on the Compton City Council with Chambers for two years, said in 2021 that during a closed-session meeting, Chambers called his son an "ugly wetback." He made the claim during the public portion of the July 13, 2021, council meeting . "That is not true," Chambers replied, according to a video of the public meeting. "You are not telling the truth. Galvan lost reelection in 2022 and is currently awaiting trial on corruption, bribery and election fraud charges . He did not respond to interview requests. Read more: Former Compton City Councilman Isaac Galvan indicted on suspicion of offering bribes After Galvan accused Chambers of using the slur in talking about his son, the city commissioned an investigation that cleared Chambers of wrongdoing. But now, two people at the meeting who originally swore under oath that they did not hear her say the slur told The Times they do, in fact, remember Chambers saying it. Compton Mayor Emma Sharif and Councilmember Jonathan Bowers, who have both endorsed Richardson, said in separate interviews that they heard Chambers use the slur during the 2021 meeting. Sharif said she did not admit it during the investigation because she wanted to respect the rules of the closed session, which forbid making the discussion public. Bowers called the investigation a scam. I said I heard several things. And then in that investigation they go, Oh, we determined Michelle didn't say anything. That's just not true, Bowers said. Then-City Atty. Damon Brown, who has endorsed Chambers, defended the investigation, stating that it was conducted independently with no bias at play. Within weeks of the incident, they did not hear the comment, and they testified under oath to that fact, Brown said. And then three years later, they are saying something different while simultaneously supporting a candidate who is opposing Michelle's candidacy. So I think those facts speak for themselves. Chambers called the whole thing a political ruse and adamantly denied saying the slur. What's really disheartening is that they are using my Latino community as political ploy, she said. They all know I didn't say that. Also while Chambers was on the Compton City Council, two high-profile city workers resigned, citing her behavior as a reason. Cecil Rhambo, now the LAX chief of police, wrote a resignation letter in June 2019 saying he was stepping down from his position as Compton city manager over alleged hostilities from Chambers. Then-City Controller Rafaela T. King resigned a year after Rhambo, writing in her letter that when she first started her job, everyone "seemed to be on the same page at the beginning ... that changed with the new Councilwoman and the new administration. I was constantly defending myself and my staff for daring to do the right thing. Chambers said she reconciled with Rhambo and that King was uncooperative and politically motivated against her, allegations which King denies. Rhambo did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Richardson's rocky record in Congress Laura Richardson campaigning for Congress in 2007. (Reed Saxon / Associated Press) Richardsons experience stretches across local, state and congressional levels, where she prides herself for bolstering funding to transportation and infrastructure. While she has encountered some turbulence in her political career, Richardson noted no new issues have arisen in recent years. She faced criticism from the LGBTQ+ community during a 1996 run for Assembly when Richardsons campaign sent out a mailer saying her opponent, a lesbian, was committed to a radical gay rights agenda." Richardson said her position on gay rights has since evolved, pointing out that as an Assembly member in 2007 she voted to support same-sex marriage, and that she supports Proposition 3 on the November ballot to remove outdated language from the state Constitution that defines marriage as only between a man and a woman. "We have all, I think, gained a better understanding of how we can be supportive of everyone in the community, and I have a very strong record to do that," she said. Richardson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2007. She served three terms before a House Ethics Committee investigation derailed her bid for a fourth. Read more: Rep. Laura Richardson's House reprimand just one of her problems The report found Richardson guilty of compelling congressional staff to work on her campaign and obstructing the committee investigation through the alteration or destruction of evidence and the deliberate failure to produce documents. On an almost daily basis for months at a time, Representative Richardson used resources (a term so broad that it can and in this case does encompass anything from a sheet of paper to the time of a government employee) that had been paid for by the American people in order to accomplish not the peoples ends but her own, the report read. Richardson admitted to wrongdoing, according to the report, and accepted a reprimand and $10,000 fine for the violations. Richardson said that during her time in Congress Republicans frequently targeted members of the Black Caucus. Since the investigation, Richardson said she worked at an employment firm to improve her managerial skills and has recognized previous mistakes. Its been said voters are very forgiving, and if you stand up and you accept responsibility and you improve in the work that you do we need people who've been through things, who understand what it's like to have had difficulties, she said. And so that's exactly what I did. I didn't shy away from it. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. During a business trip to China, a delegation led by Israfil Mammadov, the Executive Director of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), attended the opening ceremony of the 24th China International Investment and Trade Fair and held meetings with various public and private sector institutions, Azernews reports. At a round table meeting with He Lifeng, Deputy Prime Minister of the State Council of China, and representatives from other state institutions, discussions centered on potential joint activities between the sovereign wealth funds of Azerbaijan and China, potential areas of partnership, sustainable development, and the implementation of green energy practices. The visit also included meetings with several key figures such as Liu Haoling, Vice Chairman of China Investment Corporation; Jonathan Gray, President of Blackstone Investment Group; Bruce Flatt, CEO of Brookfield Asset Management; and Xuan Changneng, Vice Chairman of the People's Bank of China. SOFAZ also engaged with representatives from China Energy Engineering Corporation, CATL, HiTHIUM, and other leading industrial and energy companies. These discussions focused on expanding cooperative relations between SOFAZ and these institutions, exploring investment prospects, and enhancing future partnerships. A Miami development company that renovated the historic Hotel Paso Del Norte has nixed a proposed apartment or condominium project at an historic property near the hotel in Downtown El Paso. The Meyers Group instead has put the long-vacant, 108-year-old Krupp building on the market for $1.05 million. Its at 117 W. Overland Ave., across the street from the hotel, catty-corner from the El Paso convention center, and across the street from the Duranguito neighborhood, where a city plan for an arena was dumped because of opposition. The Sun Metro streetcar line runs in front of the decaying building. High construction costs and high interest rates dont make this a good time to build apartments or condos in El Paso, said Alan Losada, the Meyers Group president and chief operating officer. The 108-year-old, long-vacant Krupp building at 107 W. Overland Ave., as seen Sept. 5 in Downtown El Paso, is on the market for $1.05 million after a proposed housing project for the property was canceled. El Paso rents dont make it financially feasible for the Meyers Group to build new apartment complexes here, Losada told the El Paso Times in June 2023 after it canceled plans for a 297-unit apartment complex on vacant land at 201 Mountain Shadow Drive in West El Paso. The five acres remain on the market. The company is focusing on building apartment projects in Florida, where the market for such projects is better than in El Paso, he said. Krupp building demolition contemplated In late 2021, the company unveiled a concept for a 40-unit apartments or condos project with ground-floor retail spaces at the Overland property. Company officials also were looking at the possibility of demolishing the building because its in bad shape, Losada said at the time. City officials found serious fire- and building-code violations in the building in 2018. El Paso real estate broker Juan Uribe, whose firm, Team Juan Uribe Real Estate, put the building on the market Sept. 4, said hed like to see a buyer who would remodel it. Why would you demolish a Henry Trost (designed) building? It has good bones, and city, state, and federal tax incentives are available to help pay for restoration, Uribe said. The long vacant, 108-year-old Krupp building, at 107 W. Overland Ave., as seen Sept. 5 in Downtown El Paso, is for sale for $1.05 million. A tiny mural painted on a traffic signal control box is in the foreground. Trost is the late, iconic El Paso architect who designed dozens of Downtowns historic buildings, many of which are vacant and in need of renovation. Trost designed the original portion of the Hotel Paso Del Norte, which the Meyers Group renovated at a cost of more than $100 million. I love history. Id be upset if someone demolished this building, said Uribe, a member of the Texas Historical Foundation board. More: Downtown El Paso's vacant buildings await next wave of redevelopment Selling Downtown El Paso buildings has not been easy in recent years, but they sell if the price is right, Uribe said. Story continues For example, River Oaks Properties, a large El Paso shopping center developer, was able to sell its remaining Downtown portfolio of nine retail buildings last year, Uribe noted. A company tied to Dallas-based Parking Systems of America bought the buildings. A Sun Metro streetcar passes in front of the historic Krupp building and attached parking garage at 107 W. Overland Ave., as seen Sept. 5 in Downtown El Paso. The building is for sale for $1.05 million. Downtown building bought in bankruptcy auction Stuart Meyers, chief executive officer of the Meyers Group, bought the Downtown Krupp building in a 2018 bankruptcy-court auction for $875,000. It was one of 13 Downtown buildings sold in El Paso businessman William Billy Abrahams two bankruptcy cases. Most of those buildings were dilapidated and vacant. More: New El Paso shopping centers sprout amid retail real estate boom The Krupp building is appraised for tax purposes at $151,400 by the El Paso Central Appraisal District. Preservation Texas in 2021 put the building on its annual list of Most Endangered Places. Haymon Krupp, a Jewish immigrant, had it constructed to house his clothing factory and dry goods business, according to the Trost Society. Vic Kolenc may be reached at 915-546-6421; vkolenc@elpasotimes.com; @vickolenc on Twitter, now known as X. The Justin Boot Co., factory was in the Hayman Krupp & Company building from 1973 to 1981, El Paso Times archives show. Justin signs are on the building, at 117 W. Overland Ave., in Downtown El Paso, in this undated photo. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Historic Downtown El Paso building for sale after housing plan nixed The North Dakota Supreme Court heard oral arguments via Zoom Sept. 9, 2024, in a case involving Mitchell Sanderson of Park River and state Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg. (Screenshot taken from livestream) A Park River man who says a state senator violated his First Amendment rights by blocking him on Facebook has taken his claim all the way to the North Dakota Supreme Court. In a May 2023 complaint filed in Walsh County, Mitchell Sanderson accused Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, of unlawfully barring him from commenting on her Facebook page because she disagreed with his political beliefs. No senator should be blocking people for different points of view, Sanderson, who is representing himself in the case, said in a Zoom hearing before the North Dakota Supreme Court on Monday. Sanderson, who lives in Myrdals district, said that in doing so, the senator denied him from participating in a public forum. Sanderson in his May 2023 complaint requested $100,000 in compensatory damages and $100,000 in punitive damages. He also asked that Myrdal be ordered to unblock him on her Facebook page. Myrdal said in court records she blocked Sanderson because he made what she considered injurious comments on her page. Myrdals attorney, Howard Swanson, said Myrdal did not violate Sandersons constitutional rights because her Facebook page isnt an official government publication. This Facebook page was created before she was ever elected to office at all, Swanson said. She is the sole administrator. There are no state employees involved. There are no state financial funds involved. Theres no state management or control. The state of North Dakota in August 2023 joined as an intervenor in the case. In court filings, the state also asserted that Myrdals Facebook page was a private social media page, but that even if Myrdal had acted on behalf of the state, her actions would be protected under qualified immunity. Northeast Judicial District Judge Kari Agotness in December threw out the case, agreeing that Myrdal had acted as a private citizen, not as a senator, and therefore Sanderson had no grounds to sue. Sanderson appealed to the North Dakota Supreme Court in March. While free speech was the foundation of Sandersons case, he appeared to distance himself from that claim during Mondays oral arguments. He even acknowledged that recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings which held that public officials can block citizens on social media under certain circumstances favored Myrdal. Instead, he used his time before the court to accuse Myrdal, Agotness and the North Dakota Attorney Generals Office and others of fixing the district court case in Myrdals favor. This case started out as the First Amendment case, which is not part of the appeal due to this years U.S. Supreme Court ruling on governmental actors blocking citizens on social media, Sanderson told the justices. The crimes and abuses that took place are why we are here today. He asked the state Supreme Court to dismiss the case without prejudice, which would allow him to refile his case in the future. Sanderson also said the court should overturn Agotness order requiring him to pay Myrdals attorneys fees. Swanson called the criminal allegations baseless and absurd. Sanderson has not presented evidence backing up these claims, he added. The only claim that was asserted in Mr. Sandersons complaint is a First Amendment violation, and if he is now abandoning that appeal, theres nothing before this court to rule upon, Swanson argued. Justice Lisa Fair McEvers questioned why Sanderson thought the hearing was the appropriate place to accuse Myrdal and others of criminal behavior. Mr. Sanderson, the proper place to take those allegations would be to the States Attorneys Office for them to prosecute, Fair McEvers said during the hearing. In March, the U.S. Supreme Court in Lidke v. Freed held that a public official that blocks someone from commenting on their social media has committed a free speech violation only if the official has been given the authority to speak on behalf of the state; and the official invoked that authority when speaking in the posts in which an individual was blocked from commenting. It is ironic or unique, at a minimum that a U.S. Supreme Court decision comes out in the course of a pending state appeal, which absolutely on all fours, addresses the issue and determines that Mr. Sanders claims are futile and meritless, Swanson said during the hearing. Justices took the matter under advisement. In 2023, Sanderson also brought a lawsuit against the Walsh County Sheriffs Office for allegedly blocking him from its Facebook page, the Grand Forks Herald reported. That case is scheduled for a jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Peter Welte in March 2026. He brought a lawsuit against the North Dakota Republican Party in 2022, alleging he was unfairly denied the ability to be a delegate to the state GOP convention. The case was dismissed with prejudice the same year. Myrdal declined to comment Monday, referring questions to her attorney. Swanson did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Mercedes Dodge, a physician assistant in Austin, Tex. Dodge holds PA licenses in multiple states so she can continue to see patients who move away from Texas. More states are joining a multistate compact that allows PAs to practice across state lines. (Mercedes Dodge | Courtesy photo) Mercedes Dodge was raised by first-generation immigrant parents from Peru in a modest home in a rural part of southeastern Texas, where there werent many health care providers. Sometimes they had to travel to Houston, over an hour and a half away, to get basic health care. Partly because of that experience, Dodge became a physician assistant. Since 2008, she has provided psychiatric and primary care services to adults and children, many of whom come from communities like hers. Dodge, who now lives in Austin, Texas, has built up a loyal base of patients, including many who are part of military families. But when any of them move out of Texas, she has to stop treating them, even via telehealth, unless she gets a license to practice in that state. I do my best and collaborate with them, but they already feel alone, Dodge told Stateline. I wonder, Why cant I be the glue? Why cant I step over state lines and provide the care that they deserve? Physician assistants, commonly known as PAs, are licensed clinicians who have a masters degree and can practice in a range of specialties. Their three years of training typically includes 3,000 hours of direct patient care, and they are an increasingly critical part of the health care workforce, which in many states isnt keeping pace with a growing and aging population. By 2028, the nation as a whole will be short some 100,000 critical health care workers doctors, nurses and home health aides according to a new report from Mercer, a management consulting firm. The looming shortage is one reason why 13 states have joined the PA Licensure Compact, a multistate agreement that allows PAs to practice in any participating state, without having to get an additional license. Delaware, Utah and Wisconsin enacted the legislation in 2023. Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Virginia followed suit earlier this year. Ohio became the latest state to enact it in July. The PA compact is one of several that have emerged over the past several years, especially since the expansion of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are similar compacts for doctors, nurses, occupational therapists and social workers. One challenge has been completing the background checks required for providers who want to practice under the compacts. For example, Pennsylvanias participation in the nursing and medical licensure compacts was delayed as the FBI denied the state access to its fingerprint database. They later reached an agreement on how to move forward. The PA compact grants a privilege to practice, allowing PAs to practice in participating states without getting an additional license. The nursing compact gives nurses a multistate license, while the physician licensure compact just expedites the licensing process. I wonder, Why can't I be the glue? Why can't I step over state lines and provide the care that they deserve? Mercedes Dodge, a physician assistant Some large states, such as California and New York, dont participate in compacts for doctors, nurses, social workers or PAs. Some state lawmakers in those states say joining interstate compacts would reduce the quality of their states health care workforces, because other states require lower standards of education and training. We are proud that New Yorks high standards have resulted in our state being an international destination in health care, New York Democratic Assemblymember Deborah Glick wrote in an op-ed last year for the Times Union newspaper in Albany. While its possible that it may make sense at some point for New York to join a licensure compact, we should pause before we allow a quick fix to lower New Yorks standards. In other states, such as Texas, doctors who have succeeded in limiting the scope of practice of Texas PAs oppose the compact because it would allow out-of-state PAs to go beyond those limits for their patients who reside in Texas. The American Medical Association and its state affiliates argue that allowing PAs to provide care traditionally provided by physicians puts patients at risk. Dr. G. Ray Callas, president of the Texas Medical Association, said he values the role that physician assistants play in the health care system, but that his organization objects to any measure that might give PAs authority to do more in health care than they are trained to do. TMA is not opposed to appropriate, expedited licensure, but we do oppose these compacts when they expand scope of practice and create a patient safety issue, lowering the standard of care in Texas, Callas said in a statement. Last year, the Texas legislature considered legislation to join the PA compact, but it died in the state Senate. Monica Ward, president of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants, said her group will keep pushing for the bill. In the rural areas of Texas, there is absolutely a need and a shortage of health care providers, Ward said. Were surrounded by multiple states, so its nice to be able to reduce those administrative burdens, paperwork and possibly fees for those that are looking to work in Texas. It will take 18 to 24 months for the compact to become fully operational and for PAs to apply for the privilege to practice in other areas. The compact commission also needs to create a data system to keep track of licenses. This model of licensure may not have worked even five years ago, said Tennessee Republican state Rep. Jeremy Faison, who sponsored his states compact legislation. It would have had major pushback and people would have asked, What are you trying to do? We like to control what were doing in our state, said Faison. But because we live in a global society and people move around so much more than ever before, I think the average person has embraced this. Faison told Stateline that for states such as Tennessee, which borders eight states, joining the compact makes economic sense because it will encourage people to move to the state. Financial stability was 32-year-old Aneil Prasads motivation for getting a compact nursing license. He moved from New Orleans to Asheville, North Carolina, last year. It allows people to seek out better-paying jobs and move themselves ahead, buy houses and have better health and education and all that, Prasad said. And then the less competitive places are forced to raise their wages in order to attract people. After moving from Louisiana to North Carolina with his multistate license, Prasad said his wage increased from $21 an hour to $36 an hour. He notes that while the multistate license for nurses costs a bit more than a regular license, it would be much more expensive for him to apply for a new license in every state. Since Texas hasnt joined the PA compact, Dodge maintains active licenses in her home state as well as Alaska, California, Florida, New Mexico and Washington. She said the process to get them was expensive and time-consuming. Licenses can cost upward of $500 and can take three to nine months to obtain. Dodge said its been worth the trouble to help her patients, but she would appreciate an easier pathway. I got all these state licenses to follow my patients, she said. So when the PA compact license gets enacted in Texas, I hope its going to help me continue following my patients and Ill be the glue that they need. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. I stayed in a $290-a-night tiny home on an island 5 miles from Singapore. It was smaller than a parking space. On a recent trip to Lazarus Island, a Southern Island in Singapore, I stayed in a 139-square-foot home. The one-night stay at Tiny Away cost $290. BI covered the cost of my trip. I enjoyed being close to nature but got hungry when my preordered microwave meal never arrived. Growing up in Singapore, I thought I'd seen most of my country a city-state just slightly smaller than the size of New York City. But after a 20-minute ferry ride to Lazarus Island, one of the eight Southern Islands in Singapore, I felt like I was in another country. The island, which is just 47 hectares big, has one convenience store, a water sports center, and two accommodations. That's it. During my three-day visit in August, I stayed at a tiny home by Tiny Away for one night. Launched by a Singaporean tiny home startup called Big Tiny in May 2023, Tiny Away features five tiny houses that measure around 139 square feet each or slightly smaller than an average parking space. Adrian Chia, the cofounder of Big Tiny, told me Tiny Away aims to provide guests with the opportunity to stay in unique accommodations while being close to nature. "Being close to nature doesn't mean you have to rough it out. You can have hotel-like amenities and facilities during the stay," he said. The homes are also fitted with sustainable features. They are made with eco-friendly materials, mainly powered by solar panels, and include a compost bin. After cleaning fees and tax, the stay costs 380 Singapore dollars, or around $290 a night comparable to the rates of some 5-star hotels on Sentosa, Singapore's nearby island resort. The home felt spacious despite its small size. The room was 1980s-themed and could sleep two guests. Erin Liam When I arrived, I was impressed that so much could fit into a 139-square-foot home. The home didn't feel claustrophobic, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, which provided a view of the Singapore Strait. With air conditioning, guests can feel connected to nature while being sheltered from Singapore's humid climate. It was 89 degrees outside during my stay. The room included a queen-sized bed, a sofa bed, a small kitchenette fitted with a microwave, and a sizable bathroom. The bathroom was not cramped despite its small size Erin Liam Each home on Tiny Away has a theme based on a time period, and the room I selected was 1980s-inspired. It featured mid-century furniture and retro decorations, like vinyl records from the '80s as wall art. These decorations added a sense of novelty to the otherwise bare interior. "We wanted to showcase to guests that each tiny house can have its own unique character," Chia said when I asked about the rationale behind the theme in early August. Different eras of Singapore's growth are represented in each home, he added. Besides the retro 1980s home, there is a 1900 home, which resembles a traditional black and white colonial house, and a 2017 home. The kitchenette included a fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee machine, and kettle. Erin Liam But as I settled into the space, I spotted a mosquito buzzing around. As soon as I smacked it away, I spotted another zipping around the room. They were everywhere. When I stepped outside, my legs became an all-you-can-eat buffet for mosquitoes. As a result, I spent most of the afternoon indoors. Thankfully, the space inside was comfortable. It was also clear that the staff had tried to alleviate the mosquito situation by providing a can of insect repellent and a small portable bug zapper which, unfortunately, was not entirely helpful. Still, I knew I was defeating the purpose of the stay by being cooped up. After dousing myself with insect repellent, I took a short stroll to Lazarus Beach, which was only a three-minute walk away. Although it was a weekday, all five homes were booked. All five tiny homes were booked when the author visited on a weekday. Erin Liam While walking to the beach, I met other guests a couple with their cavalier and their friend, who brought her cocker spaniel. The group had booked two homes to celebrate the cavalier's birthday. The cocker spaniel's owner, who is in her 30s and works in banking, said the accommodation was spacious enough for her and her dog. "The concept of this place is to unplug from busy life and be close to nature. It's a good message. The way the unit is placed, you can constantly be looking out at nature," she said. And although every room has a TV with a Netflix subscription, she tried not to watch it. Instead, she brought a book. "I'll try not to think about work," she said. Across from my home, there was a family with two young boys. While swatting mosquitoes away, the father, a doctor in his late 30s, told me he had learned about the accommodation through local media. As the place was popular, he had to book it months in advance. He enjoyed the island's peacefulness and said the beach was kid-friendly, with gentle waves and fine sand. Still, he felt that the tiny home was too small for his family of four. "I'll definitely be back again with my wife, hopefully when our parents can take care of the kids," he said. Word to the wise: There are limited food options on the island. The island has a convenience store, but it's closed on weekdays. Guests can preorder ready-to-eat microwave meals for $6 which I selected or bring their own food. But when night fell, my food had not arrived. After contacting customer service, I learned that the staff had forgotten about my meal and had headed back to the mainland at 6 p.m. Luckily, each room was stocked with snacks and instant noodles. As I poured hot water into my chicken-flavored cup noodles, I felt a world away from being on the mainland, where you can find food options at any hour and have them delivered within minutes. In the morning, I woke up to the clucks of a common house gecko and birds chirping in the distance I intended to spend my morning exploring more of the island. But this time, it was not mosquitoes that kept me in. Dark clouds loomed over the tiny homes, and soon, there was a heavy downpour. By the time the sky cleared, it was 11 a.m., and it was almost time to check out. Staying in the tiny home allowed me to recharge. Although the author had a restful stay, she probably will not return. Erin Liam The tiny-house movement is huge in the US, but it's still fairly new to Singapore. Tiny Away is currently the only option for those who want to try tiny house living without going abroad. That said, Tiny Away doesn't have an exclusive hold on Singapore's alternative accommodation market. For one, there's a glamping resort on Lazarus Island that offers stays for a similar price to Tiny Away. And on mainland Singapore, in addition to the standard range of hotels you'd find in most developed cities, you can find everything from a hotel made of shipping containers to a capsule hostel. Prudence Lai, a consultant who specializes in travel and loyalty at market research provider Euromonitor, said travelers have become more interested in experiences since the pandemic. When they travel, they want to feel like they have experienced something real, she said. "Accommodations with unique local and even cultural experiences embedded in their offering gain traction amongst travelers looking for a memorable stay," she told me. "Travelers are also increasingly looking to explore destinations while acting like locals," she said. If that's the case, travelers are looking in the right place with Tiny Away: Since it opened, the resort has run at an average of 90% occupancy, Chia said and most guests are locals. Many guests say they never realized how peaceful it is to stay on Lazarus, Chia said: "They always enjoy the fact that it allows them to leave their phones and laptops behind and recharge themselves." I felt the same. My room had WiFi, but the connection was unstable. I didn't need it anyway, as I found myself enjoying the view of the sea and the forest instead of checking my phone for notifications, as I usually do at home. Given its premium price tag and the range of similarly priced luxury hotel options across Singapore, I wouldn't go back. But Tiny Away strikes me as ideal for guests looking for some solitude or a chance to experience the city-state minus all the high rises. Just be ready to fend off mosquitoes at the doorway and pack some extra food. Business Insider covered the cost of the author's stay. September 9, 2024: This story has been updated with additional comments from Prudence Lai. Read the original article on Business Insider Investors have used shareholder resolutions hold corporations responsible for their role in social problems such as the opioid crisis. A bill authored by U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) would mute the voices of investors by taking away a company's obligation to publish such resolutions in their proxy statements. (Getty Images) Congressman Bryan Steil is working to limit investors ability to police their companies. Whether the problem is opioid addiction, climate pollution or toxic drinking water, blocking investors from addressing these issues ultimately hurts Wisconsin communities. Yet legislation introduced by Congressman Steil, the 1st District Republican from Janesville, would hobble investors ability to drive responsible corporate behavior. The bill, scheduled for a hearing Tuesday, would eliminate the federal requirement that shareholders proposals on such issues be presented for fellow investors to vote on in a companys annual meeting announcement called the proxy statement. Shareholder resolutions offer one of the most effective tools investors have to hold companies and their boards of directors accountable for activities that are risky to both investors assets and our communities. Take, for example, the opioid crisis. More than 10,000 individuals in our state have died from an opioid overdose since the year 2000. The opioid epidemic has devastated Wisconsin families and communities across all races and many age groups in both rural and urban communities. Pharmaceutical companies, drug middlemen and retail chains profit from opioid medications. However, with the harm that opioids pose to our communities, the corporate suppliers of opioids face significant risks of lawsuits and ethical scandals. From 2017-2023, a group of 67 investors, including my organization, filed more than 100 shareholder proposals directed at 32 of these companies. The proposals filed by members of Investors for Opioid and Pharmaceutical Accountability sought to increase the oversight by boards of directors to independently investigate and manage opioid-related risks. Climate risk shareholder proposals focus on a companys pollution reduction goals and other company plans to adapt their business to a clean energy economy. Since 1950, our states average temperatures have already risen by at least two degrees Fahrenheit. Ice cover on the Great Lakes is forming later and melting sooner. More frequent heavy rainstorms are causing flooding and waterlogged agricultural soils. The extreme weather anticipated in future decades poses grave danger to public health in cities and to harvests in farmland communities. During the 2024 annual meeting season over 200 climate-related proposals went to vote at companies across the U.S., signaling just how important investors consider the issue to be in terms of risks to both the companies in which they have invested and our collective future. Finally, investors have sought to discourage companies from contributing to toxic chemical contamination of drinking water. Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) so-called forever chemicals have been linked to increased risk of some cancers, lower birth weights, harm to immune and reproductive systems and altered hormone regulation. More than 50 cities in Wisconsin have discovered PFAS in their drinking water, including Superior, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Wausau, Madison and Milwaukee. Some areas in our state are currently forced to use bottled water due to PFAS contamination. The origins of the PFAS problem lie in boardrooms where corporate managers made irresponsible decisions to continue producing these chemicals while ignoring or downplaying the related risks. Shareholder proposals have attempted to make companies act more responsibly in how they manage these chemicals. For instance, in 2006, DuPont investors brought a shareholder proposal asking DuPont to report on the feasibility of phasing out the use of a PFAS chemical in the production of Teflon and other products. As a result of shareholder proposals at McDonalds in 2020 and Proctor & Gamble in 2024, these companies agreed to manage and reduce the use of PFAS in their products. Yet Congressman Steils legislation would eliminate the right of shareholders to have such proposals appear on corporate proxy statements preventing shareholders from policing their own companies for risks to both their investments and our communities. Far from protecting investments, Congressman Steils proposed legislation would remove a cost-effective tool for maintaining investment value and improving the lives of Wisconsinites. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Stolen watch led to Forsyth deputies searching an Airbnb. They found more than just furniture A man faces charges after deputies said a stolen watch led to more stolen property. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Last Tuesday, Forsyth County deputies said they caught, Abraham Castro Araujo on camera, stealing an Apple watch that FedEx had just delivered. The sheriffs office said theyve had several porch pirate cases in the area. Detectives used technology to find Araujo and the blue Ford Escape he was driving. That software was able to follow the Escape all around metro Atlanta. Araujo drove the SUV to Athens, and one of their detectives found the SUV at an apartment complex in the area and identified the suspect. TRENDING STORIES: Athens-Clarke County police stopped the car behind an Airbnb in Athens where Araujo told officials he was staying on vacation. Officials said, in the back seat was an opened package with an address out of Alexandria, Virginia. ACCPD searched the car for stolen property and said they found an opened FedEx box addressed to a victim in a Milton case and the packing slip from AT&T addressed to the Forsyth County victim. Athens officials conducted a search warrant inside the Airbnb and found the following: Two Apple iPhone 14s An Apple iPhone 15 Two Apple iPhone 15 Pros Four Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Two Samsung Galaxy S23 FE A Samsung Galaxy A15 G An Apple Watch Ultra 2 We want to remind everyone that porch pirates strike all the time, not just during the holidays, the sheriffs office said. Araujo was arrested and charged with felony theft by receiving stolen property in the Forsyth County case and the Milton cases. According to the sheriffs office, he has also made it clear that he is not partial to only iPhone or Android. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Student in custody after investigation into bomb threats at 2 Mass. schools, superintendent says One student was taken into custody following an investigation into bomb threats that were made against two Massachusetts schools, officials said. Methuen Public Schools Superintendent Brandi Kwong said Sunday in a letter to the Methuen Public Schools community that families, students, and staff had notified administrators of an image posted on a social media account making a bomb threat against Methuen High School on Monday. The Methuen Police Department and Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council were then informed of the threat and a full sweep of the high school was conducted on Sunday night, according to Kwong. In an announcement early Monday morning, Kwong said a high school student had been taken into custody in connection with the threat and that class would be in session as normal. We will have school today, Kwong wrote in a statement. The NEMLEC team completed a full sweep of MHS late evening/into the early morning and the building was cleared and deemed safe. The name of the student in question hasnt been released and it wasnt immediately clear if charges were being considered. Some parents dropping their kids off at the high school on Monday morning said it makes them nervous. Its getting crazy its terrible now whats going on I mean with everything going on in Georgia and Maryland. As a parent, you just got to be vigilant now, said Phil Colarisso. I got to keep up on my kids on social media now too just make sure theyre okay with everything thats going on. Other parents opted to keep their children home to be safe. The threat against the high school comes after the Federal Bureau of Investigation notified Methuen police of a bomb threat made on social media against the Donald P. Timony Grammar School on Saturday. An investigation into that threat revealed the social media account belonged to a student at the pre-K through grade 8 school, according to Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara. The threat against the Timony School was deemed not credible but out of an abundance of caution, Methuen police conducted a thorough sweep of the school with the assistance of the Methuen Fire Department, NEMLEC, and explosive detection K-9 teams from North Andover, Belmont, Watertown, and Amesbury. Officers also searched the students home and didnt find anything suspicious, police said. No charges have been filed in connection with the threat. These last 48 hours have been challenging and filled with various levels of emotions. Our efforts are always centered around the safety of our students and staff. We continue to make safety our priority, Kwong added. There will be extra patrols at all schools in the city on Monday. Both incidents remain under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) America is two years away from its 250th anniversary, and to get ready for the celebration, the South Dakota Society Daughters of the American Revolution are touring the state with an exhibit that tells the story of the Revolutionary War. Inside the Table Ministry at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance, you can learn about what life was like during the American Revolution. What were the people thinking? What did they have? What were their experiences at that time? Many of us dont realize what they were going through, and this exhibit shares that with us, State Regent for South Dakota Society Daughters of American Revolution Katherine Tarrell said. The exhibit is interactive. While you visit, you can do a scavenger hunt, write letters to veterans on the next Midwest Honor Flight, read the information presented on the banners or sit down and enjoy the videos at each kiosk. Aircraft crashes near Wharf It gets people interested. Otherwise, you go to something and youre just told something. Its not as much fun as going and being able to play around with the computers a little bit and learn a little bit more, Tarrel said, You can learn about some well-known historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, but the exhibit also highlights some people you may have never heard of. Its the little people, or the lesser-known people would be a better way of saying, that are around them who work every bit as hard to achieve the goals. They just dont get the glory, but theyre every bit as essential, visitor Lee Lewis said. And its all to help visitors understand how the events of the past affect the present day. Its very important to understand what happened in our history and how it shaped the world that we live in today, Lewis said. Monday is the last day you can visit the exhibit in Sioux Falls, but it will be available in Pierre and Rapid City 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 KELOLAND.com. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) The investigation into the death of 27-year-old Johnathan Outland from Isle of Wight County is raising new questions. So much so, Portsmouth police have reopened the investigation into what was considered a suicide. Outland was the father of three. And on September 16, 2023, he was shot on Avondale Road in Portsmouth. He would later die at the hospital. Johnathan Outland (WAVY image) A friend with him claims it was a suicide, a self-inflicted gunshot, in a game of Russian roulette. Outlands family does not buy that, and two private investigators say it was murder. Body camera video from that day shows Johnathan Outland shot and crumpled on the floor. He was still breathing, but he would later die. 10 On Your Side gathered with Johnathans family, which includes his three children. I wake up every day, my heart goes right to him. I am just trying to find answers, said his mother Dee Colontuono, crying through the words. One of his three children, 8-year-old Levi, is holding his Daddy Johnathan pillow. Johnathans son Levi (right) sits with other family members (WAVY image) He always pushed me on, on the swing set. He even swam with me I miss him. Johnathans grandfather is Scooter Brickhouse, with whom he hunted since he was a little boy. There are over a dozen deer heads, trophies of the past. My grandson did not kill himself. My grandson had a wonderful life he was more like a son he was with me all the time. Scooter Brickhouse (WAVY image) Johnathans death was ruled a suicide, but the family is adamant he did not kill himself. They believe he was murdered. This particular case now looks like it was staged, says Suzanne Sequeira, a forensic technician of 11 years. Suzanne and her husband Carl have 54 years of total law enforcement experience, 11 for her as a forensic technician and 43 for him as an investigator. Both have previously worked with the Portsmouth Police Department. Suzanne Sequeira (left) and her husband, Carl (WAVY image) The Sequeiras have investigated hundreds of suicides, and are convinced a drug deal gone bad led to this shooting. They are friends of the family, and exhaustively investigated Johnathans death. His gun could not have gotten there from a suicide, Suzanne said as she was looking at a picture of Johnathans body with his arm outstretched, and the gun a couple of feet from his outstretched hand. She concluded that someone from behind put an arm around Johnathans neck before shooting into the right side of head. The firearm was clearly out of Johnathans reach, she emphasized. Once he shot himself in the head, the gun would have fallen to his side. If you look, the vertical blood drops that form a J are from something standing directly above. Dropping blood straight down. 10 On Your Side sat down with Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins. He, Carl, and Suzanne all worked together on the Portsmouth police force. I think we could have overall done a better job. There are parts of this investigation like the collection of evidence, Jenkins said. Yes, I still believe it was suicide when firearms fall from peoples hands, they do funny things. I had one where a person was in the house by himself, he dropped a gun, and it bounced, and it ended up on the other side of the room. The Sequeiras do not buy that. There is no way that gun could have been used in a suicide, or even if it were a homicide because it is a close contact wound, it would still have material on it. So, we believe that the firearm, which was Johnathans gun, either was not the firearm that was used, or the firearms been cleaned. The Sequeiras are also shocked by what they call the contamination of the crime scene. The point out an officer who was wearing a white glove picked up the gun and then put it on a counter. The video shows the officer on scene wearing white gloves moving the gun. He picks up the gun and takes it into the kitchen. Look at the glove. It is completely white it is clear of any bloody material, Suzanne said. Chief Jenkins admits moving the gun was a mistake. We acknowledge he should not have done that, Jenkins said. 10 On Your Side asked if the gun had been moved to the position where it was originally found. It is possible. It is a question that we continue to ask. We always preach scene security. Another point: there is no high velocity blood spatter on the wall where Johnathan lay. There does not appear to be spatter anywhere. Is it possible someone behind Johnathan blocked the blood spatter from hitting the wall, ending up on the clothes? It is possible, I had not thought of that if this were a suicide there should have been a high spatter velocity, Suzanne says. Suicides should have the gun within the subjects reach the suicide firearm would have blood and brain matter and that type of thing on the weapon. We do not have any of that. None. They also discovered that possible bloody clothes from someone who may have shot Johnathan may have been stashed in a pickup truck behind the house, along with other evidence. But we will never know because Portsmouth police on scene failed to search the truck that night and never took it as evidence, even after being given permission by the vehicle owner to do so. Johnathans friend, who was himself acting and speaking erratically on bodycam video, kept telling police to search my vehicle search my vehicle. Suzanne also points out he ran three times back and forth to the vehicle. He was potentially hiding evidence and helping with the cleanup of the scene. We think there are three conspirators in the house. 10 On Your Side knows the names of those at the house, but we are not reporting them because no one has been charged. We also reached out to them individually, but the numbers are disconnected, no longer in service. We also have chosen not to identify by name the police officers and detectives who are seen on video. Carl and Suzanne think the friend was telling the police to check his pickup truck knowing what they would find, but did not want to appear as a snitch in front of two others on the front lawn after the police showed up. Carl says: He didnt want to be a snitch so he just told the officers to check the truck. The friend is telling police the truck is in the back yard. That is all they had to do, and he tells the police, check my truck. Check my truck. Suzanne said that the other two people in the house at the time claim they were in the bathroom with the shower running when the shot that killed Johnathan was fired. They heard a shot, and one of those in the bathroom claim he saw Johnathan sliding down the wall but we believe the stories told are all over the place, and dont add up. The friend is heard, and Suzanne says: He kept telling the police to check my truck. Check my truck. Forensics will prove what happened, and who shot Johnathan. 10 On Your Side looked through police bodycam video. We heard officer ask the friend, who was sitting in a patrol car, when referring to Johnathan. Did he shoot himself? The friend answered: Yes. The words Russian Roulette were also brought up. Yes, he said that, but who was he referring to, he never says, Suzanne said. Who was the he? We believe the he is the other person in the house who shot Johnathan. The friend also said the word Russian, suggesting Johnathan shot himself while engaged in Russian roulette. There are six cartridges in the Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver. There was only one cartridge casing left in the chamber of Johnathans gun. Four other cartridges were found on a bed. The bed is in the same room where Johnathan was shot. The friend is also heard telling the officer, I saw him take out the bullets. One bullet is presumed missing because people usually carry a fully loaded gun, and the bullet that went through Johnathans head was never found in the house. 10 On Your Side asked Chief Jenkins about these issues, including the failure to check the pickup truck, Chief, should that truck have been checked? 10 On Your Sides Andy Fox asked. Jenkins answered: yeswe should check everything possible to make sure that we check all the boxes to answer all the questions. Amazingly, the bullet that would kill Outland was never recovered. Chief Jenkins wishes that the bullet were found, and he cannot explain where the bullet is. Suzanne adds: They did not make any attempts to recover the bullet. It was not dug out. A detective said that the bullet hit the wall and evaporated. That is not something we are looking into to answer based on contact wound that is consistent with the muzzle of that firearm, Chief Jenkins said about not finding the bullet. That would answer that question for me, on how Johnathan was shot he shot himself. Police bodycam also shows a shell casing found on the next-door neighbors driveway, An officer is heard saying: Hey whats this I wonder if this is involved? The shell casing was never taken as evidence, 10 On Your Side asked the chief why not? I cannot answer that, he said. The fact is Chief Jenkins cannot answer some critical questions, but wants to be transparent, and show responsibility for what may or may not have happened during this investigation. Suzanne calls it a botched investigation. We cannot even tell the caliber of the gun used because we cannot find a bullet. We need the bullet to link the gun to Johnathans shooting. So absolutely this was a botch in this investigation. The chief counters: I disagree. That is the Sequeiras analysis. I think that some parts of the investigation with the detective, they took advantage of a personal relationship, but nevertheless, I think all intents and purposes the information and the evidence, the way it was gathered, was in our tradition of investigating, that this was a suicide, and I have investigated many suicides myself. We asked the Chief whether unanswered questions, and any perceived failures in the investigation is the reason he has reopened the Johnathan Outland death. He responded: Yes, sir. I want to answer all the questions and provide answers for the family my heart goes out that family, to their friends, and so I want to make sure we did everything possible to be able to answer all the open questions. We also asked Jenkins about missing vital written witness statements on what happened. We asked him: should you be able to say where those witness statements are? Yes, sir. Absolutely. Yes, sir, Jenkins said. We asked Jenkins if it has been explained to him where they are. Im working to find that out right now. Again, this is why this investigation remains open. Because again, I have questions. The Sequeiras also looked at Johnathans hands which they claim had no blood on them, He had small amounts of gunshot residue. That can be there just by being near the gun when it was fired but he didnt shoot himself. Somebody shot him, absolutely, Suzanne told us. For now, a family looks for answers. There are days when Im focused on finding out what happened to him. He deserves the justice for his kids, Colontuono said. And so does the Portsmouth police chief. I dont know that us reopening the investigation will change the outcome but I do want to make sure we are able to answer as many of the questions that we possibly can in this. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Youngstown State University announced the return of its Summer Festival of the Arts to its campus. The event has been held downtown at Wean Park since 2021 for more space, but YSU President Bill Johnson wanted the university to engage with the community more in different areas, and one idea was bringing the premier arts festival back to campus. We are excited to bring the Summer Festival of the Arts back to its home at YSU, Johnson said in a news release from YSU. Returning to the campus not only honors the festivals rich history but also enhances the experience for both artists and attendees from throughout our region. We look forward to another year of celebrating creativity and community on our beautiful campus. Shannon Tirone, associate vice president for university relations, said Johnson brought a small together to figure out how to bring the festival back to campus. We laid it out and here it is, Tirone said. The Summer Festival of the Arts started in 1998. It was on campus every year until 2019. There was no festival in 2020 and then it moved to Wean Park. It thrived but lacked the atmosphere of campus to showcase the event. But you are going to smell the french fries and the corn dogs and the sausage, along with, you know, walking and seeing all of the artists, along with all of our live entertainment, too. And so we want to bring all of that back, Tirone said. The festival will feature a vibrant array of artists, performances, and interactive activities across the YSU campus and will maintain its status as a juried event, ensuring that all participating artists are carefully selected. The return to campus enhances the experience. Working with our college, with the creative arts, with our dean, with all of their team members, in being able to bring those artists back here, too. Its also something great for our students to be able to engage and then again, to bring people to campus, Tirone said. The 27th festival will be held July 12-13. It routinely features close to 100 artists and brings thousands of people out for the event. Its free and open to everyone. The first year may not be as big and as awesome as we remember from 2019. Its going to take some building to get back to that level, but thats our goal, Tirone said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. CAMDEN, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) An accident in the town of Camden on Sunday night has sent a four-year-old to the hospital, according to Oneida County Sheriffs. Officers responded to the scene on Route 69 in the town of Camden at approximately 6:10 pm on Sunday, September 8. Upon their arrival and further investigation, officers discovered that the driver of the car later identified as 29-year-old Trevor Scheffer of Rome was driving eastbound on Route 69. Officers say that Scheffer failed to keep right as he was driving, crossing the double yellow line and leaving the northern shoulder. His car then struck a utility pole, and sustained heavy damage as a result. Passengers in the car included two children ages two and four as well as 18-year-old Trent Fuller of Parish. Sheffer, Fuller and the two-year-old reported no injuries. However, the four-year-old suffered minor injuries and was transported to Rome Memorial Hospital. Sheffer was issued a traffic citation for failure to keep right, returnable in the Town of Camden Court at a later date. Oneida County Sheriffs were assisted at the scene by the New York State Police, Camden Police, Ambulance, and Fire Department, and The Shop Collision Tow Company of Camden. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. (Bloomberg) -- Japanese chip startup Rapidus Corp. is seeking to raise 100 billion ($696 million) from existing and new investors by issuing new shares to finance its chip development efforts. Most Read from Bloomberg Rapidus is gauging appetite for investments totaling 80 billion from existing shareholders including Toyota Motor Corp., Sony Group Corp., SoftBank Corp. and MUFG Bank, according to people familiar with the matter. Its also seeking 5 billion each from Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and another 10 billion from the Development Bank of Japan, the people said. The proceeds will help finance the construction of Rapiduss foundry in Hokkaido, along with billions of dollars worth of subsidies the startups slated to receive, the people said. Rapidus has asked shareholders and potential investors for a response by the end of this month, according to the people, who asked not to be named as the discussions remain private. The startup, which seeks to challenge industry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., had initially planned to seek a bank loan of 100 billion. But given how far the startup is from commercialization, Rapidus opted to seek investments, rather than a large loan, the people said. Rapidus hasnt ruled out the possibility of a bank loan in the future, they added. Representatives at MUFG Bank, Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking declined to comment. A Rapidus representative said many financing options are currently under review, without elaborating. Rapidus was set up in 2022 with the long-shot goal of mass producing next-generation chips by 2027. Both company executives and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry officials have said that such an effort would require years of consistent investment. The Japanese government has already committed as much as 920 billion in subsidies to Rapidus, with Economy Minister Ken Saito promising to draft a bill that would allow the government to directly invest in the startup. Raising money from the private sector has been a challenge, however. --With assistance from Min Jeong Lee, Natsuko Katsuki and Yuji Okada. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. For more than two months, Vice President Kamala Harris has led her party on a dizzying turnabout from despair to euphoria, with many Democrats believing that she was just the savior they needed to deliver them from former President Donald Trump. A New York Times/Siena College poll released on Monday confirms that Harris has improved upon President Joe Biden's performance, while also showing that, far from running away with the election, she remains locked in a dead heat with her GOP rival. According to the poll of likely voters reached by cellphone, Trump leads Harris nationally by one percentage point, at 48-47, within the three-point margin of error. Their standing is largely unchanged from the last Times/Siena poll taken at the end of July, just after Harris replaced Biden atop the Democratic ticket, an indication that Trump's support has not fractured despite a slew of bad headlines and increasingly fevered rhetoric from the former president. Harris' momentum might also have been stalled by the fact that 28% of poll respondents are unsure of what to think of her or her positions, despite the vice president spending more than two months as the presumptive or official Democratic nominee. Two-thirds of those voters said they were eager to learn more about Harris' policies, which at least gives her potential room to grow her support. Only 9% of respondents said they needed to know more about Trump, who is viewed unfavorably and seen as "risky" by a majority of voters in the poll. But among voters who have some opinion of both, Trump has significant advantages when asked about their most important issue and then which candidate would better address it, respondents picked Trump over Harris across the board by an average of five points, and on the economy by 13 points. And nearly half of the respondents said that Harris was too far left on the political spectrum, while only one-third said Trump was too far right. Furthermore, Trump is still seen by more voters as the "change" candidate, despite Democratic hopes that Harris' entry into the race would flip the narrative on its head 61% of respondents said that Trump represented "change," while only 40% said the same for Harris, who while providing a fresher performance than Biden, has run on a largely generic Democratic platform targeted towards the "middle class" and casting a wide net over issues like fair prices, abortion and defending democracy. That might have been enough for her to claw back some support from traditional Democratic voters like women, young people and Latinos, but the poll finds that she is still below the usual levels of Democratic strength. The poll might also provide some insight on what attacks have been working for Harris against Trump. Although the former president has tried to publicly disavow his ties to Project 2025, 71% of respondents who have heard of the right-wing policy blueprint believed that Trump would try to enact some of its policies, with 63% saying they opposed it. Voters also associated Trump closely with the Republican Party's efforts to restrict or ban abortion, with Harris winning on this issue among respondents by 15 points. Attacks on Trump's character and fitness, a staple of his political opponents since 2015, might not have landed nearly half of Trump voters surveyed said the former president had said something they found offensive but that they would support him anyway. The Times/Siena results diverge from other surveys taken so far this month, with Emerson, Morning Consult and YouGov recording a four-point, three-point and two-point lead for Harris, respectively. New York Times political analyst Nate Cohn wrote that the Times/Siena poll's findings, which show the first national lead for Trump in about a month, were "a bit surprising," but also suggested that it could be the first of several forthcoming polls that will show a settling of the race after an initial wave of party enthusiasm and largely positive media cycles. Harris, however, has a chance to give herself another positive media cycle if she performs well at the presidential debate Tuesday evening. Suspect arrested after homicide in Rockdale County, sheriff says A man is dead, and a suspect is in custody according to the Rockdale County Sheriffs Office after a shooting Sunday afternoon. Deputies responded to a person shot call at 3:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon on Knox Drive. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When deputies arrived on scene, they found a 36-year-old man with a gunshot wound. The man was pronounced dead on scene by the coroner. TRENDING STORIES: RCSO officials say their investigation is ongoing. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Oregon State Police are searching for a suspect wanted for sex crimes against children in two states. According to OSP, they are working with the Mobile Police Department to find Adam Renk, 39, who is wanted in both Oregon and Alabama for charges including first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, first-degree sodomy and first-degree sexual abuse. In June 2024, OSP said that detectives responded to a sexual abuse disclosure that had been made by a minor saying that Renk had been involved. Melissa Jubanes accused killer expected in court During the investigation, detectives said they also learned that Renk had been involved with another case in Alabama where he was charged with child sexual abuse and the torture of an 11-year-old victim. Authorities in Alabama as well as the U.S. Marshalls Office are searching for Renk who posted bond and was released from pre-trial custody in Alabama. Renk was last seen leaving Alabama on Aug. 7. He is believed to be traveling in a converted Ford Ambulance painted two-tone white over gray with the Oregon license plate number 353JWK. Police said that Adam Renk drives a converted Ford Ambulance (OSP) Authorities said that Renk has ties to Oregon and Wasco County and is described as 61 tall, 175 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information about Renks whereabouts or possible additional victims is asked to contact 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 KOIN.com. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) More than two years after a shooting at a South Nashville hotel that left two people injured, the suspected gunman is in custody. Dyquan Collins, 25, was arrested out of state on multiple outstanding warrants related to the April 5, 2022, shooting, as well as a few additional charges linked to his previous criminal record, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. RELATED: 22-year-old wanted in connection with shooting at hotel near BNA The charges against him include two counts of aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, two counts of failure to appear and domestic assault. Officials announced they had identified Collins as a suspect in the shooting within 24 hours of responding to the HomeTown Studios in the 1200 block of Murfreesboro Pike, near the Nashville International Airport (BNA). (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) According to investigators, Collins is believed to have gotten into a fight with someone at one of the units in the hotel around 3:30 that morning. When two other people, including a hotel employee, tried to intervene, police said Collins began firing shots at them. READ MORE: Employee critically injured in shooting at South Nashville hotel The employee was hit in the thigh and the other person was grazed by a bullet in the back. After first responders arrived, the employee was taken to a local hospital to be treated for what authorities called critical injuries. Collins reportedly fled from the area after the shooting and remained at large for more than two years. He was added to the police departments Top 10 Most Wanted list in December 2022 as the search for his whereabouts continued. Then, on Monday, Sept. 2, police said Collins was apprehended by law enforcement outside of Tennessee. No further details surrounding his arrest were immediately available. Nashvilles Most Wanted fugitives: Rape, kidnapping suspect sought by police He is now among at least 133 Most Wanted fugitives who have been taken into custody since the program was launched in October 2022. Investigators have largely attributed the programs success to tips theyve received from the public. To view the most recent list of Most Wanted fugitives out of Nashville, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Syria's foreign ministry accused Israel of "blatant aggression" following the strikes in Hama province [Reuters] At least 18 people have been killed in Israeli air strikes on a number of military sites in central Syria, the Syrian health minister says. State news agency Sana cited Hassan al-Ghabbash as saying another 37 people were injured in the attacks in the vicinity of Masyaf, in Hama province, on Sunday night. A UK-based monitoring group reported that 26 people were killed and that the targets included a scientific research centre near Masyaf that was used to develop weapons. The Israeli military said it would not comment on foreign media reports of the strikes, which Syria's foreign ministry condemned as "blatant aggression" and Iran's foreign ministry called a "criminal attack". However, Israel has previously acknowledged carrying out hundreds of strikes in recent years on targets in Syria that it says are linked to Iran - Israel's main foe - and allied armed groups. The Israeli strikes have reportedly been stepped up since the start of the war in Gaza in October last year, in response to cross-border attacks on northern Israel by Hezbollah and other groups in Lebanon and Syria. [BBC] Sana's report cited a Syrian military source as saying that Israeli aircraft flying over north-western Lebanon launched missiles at a number of military sites in the central region at around 23:20 (20:20 GMT) on Sunday. "Our air defence shot down some missiles, the military source added. The news agency said the strikes also caused damage to the Masyaf-Wadi al-Oyoun highway and that a fire broke out in the forested Hair Abbas area. Later, the Syrian foreign ministry said the attack had targeted "several residential areas", while local authorities reported that key infrastructure had been damaged, including a fibre optic cable running underneath the highway and a high-voltage power line, according to Sana. State-run Al-Ikhbariya al-Suriyah TV also broadcast footage purportedly showing a damaged building in the port city of Tartous, west of Masyaf. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) - a UK-based monitoring group with a network of sources on the ground - reported that Israeli strikes destroyed buildings and military facilities in "the scientific research area in Masyaf", on the Masyaf-Wadi al-Oyoun highway and in Hair Abbas. It said at least 26 people were killed, including five civilians, four members of Syrian government forces and 14 Syrians working with pro-Iran groups. Another three bodies were unidentified, it added. The SOHR said Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers had been stationed in the scientific research area for six years as part of a programme to develop short- and medium-range precision missiles and drones. However, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani told reporters in Tehran: We do not confirm what was reported by media outlets linked to the Zionist regime [Israel] about an attack on an Iranian centre or a centre under Iran's protection. A senior regional military source close to Damascus and Tehran also denied a Reuters news agency report which cited two intelligence sources as saying that a major military research centre for chemical arms production was hit several times. Western intelligence agencies have previously alleged that a branch of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) near Masyaf has been used to produce chemical weapons in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Syrian government has denied the claim. However, the facility was reportedly targeted in a suspected Israeli strike in September 2017, a day after a deadly chemical attack on a rebel-held town in northern Syria that the UN and Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons concluded was carried out by the Syrian air force. According to the SOHR, Israeli air and artillery strikes have targeted Syrian territory on 64 occasions since the start of the year, resulting in the damage or destruction of about 140 targets, including weapons depots, vehicles and Iran-backed militia headquarters. The strikes have killed at least 208 fighters - including 46 members of Syrian government forces, 43 members of Hezbollah and 24 Iranian Revolutionary Guards - as well as 22 civilians, the monitoring group says. In April, Iran accused Israel of carrying out an air strike on a consulate building in Damascus which killed two senior Revolutionary Guards commanders. Iran retaliated by carrying out its first direct military attack against Israel. It launched 300 missiles and drones, but almost all of them were shot down by Israeli and US-led forces. Suspected Kentucky interstate shooter has military background, still on lam 48 hours after attack Suspected Kentucky interstate shooter has military background, still on lam 48 hours after attack A man who allegedly opened fire near Interstate 75 in Kentucky over the weekend was still at large Monday afternoon, eluding federal, local and state authorities. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, opened fire around 6 p.m. Saturday near exit 49, authorities said, adding that the shooter fired 20 to 30 rounds, striking 12 vehicles. An affidavit filed by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office and obtained by WYMT indicated Laurel County Dispatch received a call from a woman who claimed she received texts from Couch that he was "going to kill a lot of people." Couch also wrote, "I'll kill myself afterwards," according to the affidavit. WISCONSIN COLLEGE GYMNAST KARA WELSH WAS IN FETAL POSITION WHEN BOYFRIEND ALLEGEDLY SHOT HER SEVERAL TIMES: REPORT The Lexington Herald-Leader identified the woman who received Couch's messages as his ex-wife. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Providing an update on the search Monday afternoon, State Trooper Scottie Pennington called the manhunt a "methodical effort similar to hide and seek." "Our goal is to apply steady pressure and wearing Mr. Couch down," Pennington said. "Hopefully he has no water and nothing to eat." Pennington said Crouch has military experience, having been in the U.S. Army Reserve, but was discharged. The U.S. Army said Couch was in the Army Reserve from March 2013 to January 2019 as a 12B combat engineer. "He was a private at the end of service. He has no deployments," the U.S. Army said. Pennington likened the woods around the area to a jungle, with cliff beds, sinkholes, caves and culverts. Joseph Couch is still on the run 48 hours after police say he opened fire near a Kentucky interstate. He urged the public to contact authorities if they encounter anything suspicious. "If you see something that looks strange in your area where you live, if you come home and your doors don't seem like that's how you left it, back out and call somebody," Pennington said. "If you're at home, don't be alone. Always have your cell phone. Have phone access." Authorities say the search area is surrounded by dense forest. Authorities have combed the rugged, hilly area near London, a small city of around 8,000 people and around 75 miles south of Lexington. On Sunday, authorities recovered a vehicle and an AR-15 rifle during the search for the suspect. According to the affidavit, Couch is charged with five counts each of criminal attempt to commit murder and first-degree assault. The Laurel County Sheriff's Office is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to Couch's arrest. Authorities are searching for Couch in the area near exit 49 off I-75. More than a dozen school districts shut down Monday across a wide swath of southeastern Kentucky as the grueling search for Couch stretched into a third day. Couch most recently lived in Woodbine, a small community about 20 miles south of the shooting scene. Authorities said he purchased the weapon and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition Saturday morning in London. The search has involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the ATF, London City Police, and the Laurel County Sheriffs Department, among others. Original article source: Suspected Kentucky interstate shooter has military background, still on lam 48 hours after attack Suspected KY I-75 shooter may still be hiding in national forest. Police believe he acted alone. Authorities continued the arduous search through the woods of Laurel County for a man accused of shooting five people along Interstate 75 over the weekend, the Kentucky State Police said Monday afternoon. Police said they believe the suspect, 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, was still in a rugged, heavily wooded area in the Daniel Boone National Forest in northern Laurel County near Exit 49, where the shootings occurred Saturday. As the time since the shootings approached 48 hours Monday afternoon, Scottie Pennington, a master trooper with the Kentucky State Police, described the difficulties in a search for him covering hundreds of acres. The area is heavily wooded and includes cliffs, sinkholes, caves and thick brush, Pennington said. It is like a jungle, he said. In addition to looking for Couch, Pennington said searchers are also looking for evidence. They must coordinate with other officers on the ground and in the air, and remain vigilant to the potential danger of being shot from ambush if the suspect has a gun. Authorities have so far found Couchs vehicle, the AR-15 they think he used in the shooting and a cell phone they believe belongs to Couch. This is not easy. Its tiresome, Pennington said. Still, dozens of local, state and federal officers have searched in the area since Saturday evening and vowed they will continue. Were not gonna quit, Laurel County Sheriff John Root said at the news conference. Couch allegedly shot into 12 vehicles from a ledge overlooking I-75 Saturday about 5:30 p.m., seriously wounding five people. Root said police have not found information that leads them to believe anyone else was involved. We hope that hes still in that area, Pennington said. We all hope that we got him contained. Pennington said safety is the first priority of everyone involved in the search, even if it means they have to go slowly. We are committed to make sure that there is no harm to anybody in the community and also our first responders on the ground, Pennington said. In addition to the rifle, police report they also found ammunition, an Army-style duffle bag with Couch written on it and a small Toyota SUV registered to him, parked on a U.S. Forest Service road near the shooting site, according to police and a an affidavit from Capt. Richard Dalrymple, the lead investigator on the case. Couch bought the gun legally on Saturday morning, a few hours before the shootings, at a gun store in London along with 1,000 rounds of ammunition, according to police and Dalrymples affidavit. The affidavit, released Monday, said the Cobalt AR-15 had a sight mounted on it and that Couch paid $2,914.40 for all the items. Police also searched Couchs home in rural Knox County and found electronic devices theyll use to try to extract information. Roots office is handling the criminal investigation of Couch, which has resulted in attempted murder charges against him, and state police are in charge of the effort to find Couch. The FBI and other federal agencies also are helping. Police had said earlier Couch was in the National Guard for several years, but updated that information Wednesday to say he was in the U.S. Army Reserve. Pennington said he didnt know if Couch had any specific survival training, but said even someone with such training cant last long during cold nights and hot days without food or water. Authorities believe the shooting took place from a vantage point on a ledge hillside overlooking the busy road in northern Laurel County. Victims were traveling in both the north- and southbound lanes of I-75. Four of the victims were transported to a hospital, while the fifth victim went to a hospital on their own, according to an affidavit. The affidavit identified the victims as Rebecca Puryear, Norma Liberia, Renee Walker, Janet Booth and Erick Tabin. Puryear told the Herald-Leader in an interview: This man was out to kill, and he almost did. Couch was named a person of interest early in the investigation and has been on the run since. Police later upgraded his status to a suspect and are offering a $5,000 reward in exchange for information that leads to Couchs arrest. Also Monday, an anonymous donor offered a $10,000 gift to the sheriffs office for information leading to Couchs capture. Police think the attack was planned. Pennington said police hope Couch is still in the woods in northern Laurel County, but to address the possibility he sneaked out, they put information about him in a national crime database so officers across the country will have a description of him. Police also continued to urge citizens to be on the lookout for Couch and to check to make sure their neighbors are safe. If a homeowner sees something on their doorbell camera, or comes home and finds a door doesnt look the same as they left it, call police, Pennington said. He also asked for people who plan to go hunting to avoid the Cromer Ridge and Livingston areas. We encourage the community to stay strong, Pennington said. Before the shooting Couch messaged his ex-wife pledging, Im going to kill a lot of people. Arrest warrants have been filed against Couch, charging him with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault. Police could also charge Couch with wanton endangerment and criminal mischief for shooting into other cars where people were not hurt. PERRY COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) The Susquenita School District canceled school for all grades on Monday, Sept. 9, following a school shooting threat made on social media that led to the arrest of a student. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Susquenita Elementary School posted on its Facebook page that school will be canceled for all students in the Susquenita School District after the School District Administration was made aware of two social media posts threatening the middle school and its students. A screenshot of the social media post obtained by abc27 features a picture of what appears to be a firearm with a caption saying they are going to shoot up Susquenita District tomorrow, followed by laughing emojis. Another post allegedly lists the names of multiple students. The Safety and security of our staff and students is our top priority and the District Administration will be evaluating the situation throughout the day with our partners from the PA State Police, said the post. The school district administration said the Pennsylvania State Police are actively investigating the incident. The Susquenita School District will provide updates as information becomes available. If anyone has information related to the social media posts made, please contact the PA State Police Troop H Office at (717)-567-3110. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Sweden will send its 17th aid package to Ukraine with further military support totalling 4.6 billion Swedish crowns ($443 million), Defence Minister Pal Jonson said on Monday. The new package will include ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles already donated by Sweden, as well as purchases that would facilitate a transfer of Gripen fighter jets in the future, though no such transfer has been decided on yet. "We want to have the ability to donate Gripens to Ukraine at a possible later stage," Jonson told a press conference. Jonson said support included additional combat boats, missiles and camouflage gear as well as funding to support defence procurements for Ukraine. The measures were decided in close collaboration with Kyiv. About half of the value of the package consisted of parts needed in Sweden's production of the latest model Gripen E fighters for its own air force. This would mean Sweden would not as previously planned need to cannibalize its existing C/D models as part of the upgrade, allowing the older jets to transferred to Ukraine at a possible future date. "At present, it is not on the cards to transfer JAS Gripens to Ukraine as this would disturb the introduction of F-16s," the government said in a statement. ($1 = 10.3724 Swedish crowns) (Reporting by Niklas Pollard, additional reporting by Anna Ringstrom; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Angus MacSwan) Sweden announces new 400 million aid package for Ukraine, including combat boats and anti-aircraft systems The Swedish government presented its 17th military support package for Ukraine, worth SEK 4.6 billion (401.6 million), on 9 September. Source: European Pravda with reference to a statement by the Swedish government Details: The new Swedish aid package contains camouflage equipment for combat vehicles previously delivered to Ukraine PBV 302 armoured tracked personnel carriers and Robot System 70 portable anti-aircraft systems. The package also contains a range of armour-piercing and small-calibre projectiles, recoilless rifles and anti-tank mines, grenade launchers with ammunition, protective equipment, helmets and winter uniform. In addition to this, Sweden is supplying Ukraine with naval equipment worth SEK 500 million (US$48 million), specifically six Combat Boat 90 vessels and equipment for them. The Swedish government also plans to allocate additional funds to supply drones to Ukraine. Stockholm has also provided for the procurement of spare parts worth SEK 2.3 billion (US$166 million) for their JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, to be ready in case these aircraft are sent to Ukraine in the future. The package also includes SEK 700 million (US$507,000) in financial donations to funds and other multilateral initiatives supporting Ukraine, from the ammunition initiative to the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine. "With support package 17, Sweden enters a new phase of military support to Ukraine, with a greater focus on production instead of donation," the Swedish government stresses. Sweden has supplied Ukraine with military aid worth SEK 48.1 billion (US$3.5 billion) since February 2022, including SEK 25 billion in 2024 alone. It was announced in May that Sweden plans to allocate SEK 75 million (US$5.4 million) in military aid for Ukraine over 2024-2026. Support UP or become our patron! The partnership transforms the landscape of wellness tourism by combining luxury hospitality and innovative cannabis therapies on Thailand's famed Koh Samui island LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking development for wellness tourism, KANHA and The Beach Samui announce their partnership further cementing The Beach Samui's status as Asia's first licensed hotel offering cannabis-integrated therapies. This collaboration introduces a new suite of exclusive cannabis-enhanced treatments, designed to elevate the guest experience and set a new standard for luxury wellness tourism on Thailand's iconic Koh Samui. Sunderstorm partners with The Beach Samui, Asias first licensed hotel offering cannabis-integrated therapies, to offer innovative wellness treatments. With Thailand's wellness economy nearing $35 billion in 2022 and projected to grow by 9.9% annually, this collaboration between KANHA and The Beach Samui reinforces their leadership position in the industry. Nestled on the tranquil southern coast of Koh Samui, The Beach Samui has long been celebrated for its unique fusion of luxury and wellness, making history as the first licensed hotel in Asia to integrate cannabis into its offerings. With the global cannabis brand KANHA now on board, the resort is poised to enhance its reputation with an array of bespoke therapies powered by KANHA's world-leading team of doctors and PhD chemists, ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficacy. As the only resort of its kind in the world, the visionary partnership inaugurates a new era of upscale wellness retreats and experiences that specialize in holistic well-being enhanced by cannabis and other plant medicines. This partnership brings a fresh wave of innovation to The Beach Samui's wellness programs plus a continued commitment to the therapeutic potential of cannabis in a safe, controlled environment. Guests can now indulge in bespoke cannabis treatments powered by KANHA, including immersive bathing rituals, sound healing, infused culinary experiences, guided meditation, vibrational therapies, IV infusions, breathwork, movement, fitness and in-depth cannabinoid education sessions. Each therapy is carefully curated by on-site licensed pharmacists to align with the guest's wellness goals, preferences, and tolerance levels. For those seeking a continuous wellness journey, special membership options are available, offering an annual commitment to these transformative experiences. KANHA's award-winning cannabis products are seamlessly integrated into The Beach Samui's existing luxury offerings, which include 21 exquisitely designed colonial-style suites. With interiors crafted by the visionaries behind resorts such as Rosewood Amsterdam and The Peninsula London, each suite offers endless ocean views, creating a serene environment where guests can relax and rejuvenate. The resort's idyllic location in a peaceful fishing village, surrounded by the natural beauty of Koh Samui, enhances the overall sense of escape and tranquility. Story continues "Wellness enthusiasts around the world have been seeking a place where they can enjoy premium cannabis treatments in a resort setting," says Cameron Clarke, Co-Founder and CEO of Sunderstorm, the parent company of KANHA. "The partnership between KANHA and The Beach Samui delivers on this market demand with one-of-a-kind experiences that allow travelers to enjoy cannabis as they relax and recharge in a luxury resort on one of the best islands in Asia." Charlotte Rose Melsom, Founding Partner & Creative Director of The Beach Samui, emphasized the importance of collaborating with brands that share their commitment to guest experience and well-being. "Aligning with leading brands like KANHA, who prioritize the same level of care and precision, ensures that our guests experience cannabis in the safest setting. This partnership allows us to maintain our high standards while offering innovative and transformative wellness experiences that deeply connect each guest with themselves and the rich Thai culture." Guests who want to experience the magic of KANHA-infused wellness treatments at The Beach Samui can use the code KANHA to receive 30% off stays from now until the end of November and 10% off from December through the end of August 2025. About Sunderstorm Sunderstorm is a trusted family of brands dedicated to helping consumers do what they love. The company's bestselling edibles brand, KANHA, produces award-winning gummies and chocolates that are renowned for their flavor, texture, purity and precision dosage. As the first global edible cannabis brand, KANHA currently serves California, Nevada, Massachusetts, Illinois, Thailand and Japan, and its hemp gummies are available in more than 30 states at www.kanhalife.com . About The Beach Samui The Beach Samui is an award-winning boutique hotel located on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, Thailand, and home to the first in-hotel herbal dispensary in Asia. Known for its luxurious accommodations, endless ocean views and wellness programs amidst the most breathtaking setting, The Beach Samui offers guests a tranquil retreat that celebrates natural well-being and the rich culture of Thailand. www.thebeachsamui.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kanha-x-the-beach-samui-transform-wellness-tourism-with-the-first-licensed-cannabis-enhanced-therapies-in-asia-302241991.html SOURCE Sunderstorm Sweden has included combat boats, anti-tank weapons, ammunition, and Gripen jet spare parts in its latest military aid package for Ukraine, valued at 4.6 billion Swedish krona ($443 million), the Swedish Defense Ministry announced on Sept. 9. With its 17th military aid package to Ukraine, Sweden is entering a "new phase of military support to Ukraine, with a greater focus on production instead of donation," the Swedish Defense Ministry said. Transferring Gripen jets to Ukraine is currently "not a viable option, as it would interfere with the prioritized introduction of F-16 fighters," but Sweden is continuing its efforts to establish the conditions to send Gripen jets to Ukraine in the future. Sweden is therefore "acquiring materiel parts for the JAS 39 Gripen" worth approximately 2.3 billion Swedish krona ($222 million), which are being reused in the construction of the E series of the jet. "By acquiring new materiel parts, a number of JAS 39C/D will be saved from being dismantled and can if the Swedish government decides so be considered for a possible future donation to Ukraine," the Defense Ministry said. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said in July that Stockholm was open to providing Ukraine with Gripen fighter jets after the completion of the F-16 program, but further steps depend on Kyiv. The latest package also includes 40 mm ammunition for the Combat Vehicle 90s previously supplied by Sweden, as well as camouflage equipment for the Pansarbandvagn 302s provided in the 16th aid package. Read also: Swedens Pansarbandvagn 302 approved by Ukraine but is it any good? Sweden will also send a number of Robot System 70, a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS), anti-tank weapons, winter equipment, and marine equipment worth approximately 500 million Swedish krona ($48 million) due to the threat posed by Russia to Ukrainian merchant vessel traffic in the Black Sea. To assist the Ukrainian Navy, Sweden will supply six Combat Boat 90s and "two launching trailers that can handle various types of boats," the Defense Ministry said. Sweden will send "ground combat military equipment," also worth approximately 500 million Swedish krona ($48 million), as well as grenade launchers with ammunition, recoilless rifles with ammunition, and small-calibre ammunition. Sweden announced in May its 16th military aid package for Ukraine, the largest package of military assistance from Sweden since the full-scale invasion began. Valued at 13.3 billion Swedish krona ($1.3 billion), the package included two ASC 890 radar reconnaissance and control aircraft, the "entire Swedish stock" of Pansarbandvagn 302 infantry fighting vehicles, artillery shells, anti-air missiles, and materials to help maintain and replenish previously donated military equipment. The Swedish government also said in May that it was planning to allocate 75 billion Swedish krona ($7 billion) in military support to Ukraine from 2024 to 2026. The framework could cover future equipment donations, financial contributions, and financial support for the procurement of defense equipment. Read also: Howitzers, missiles, armor what Ukraine was promised in Ramstein Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Sweden is keeping the door open for a possible transfer of Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighters to Ukraine. Its latest military aid package valued at a total of about $440 million includes $220 million to purchase new material kits for its operational JAS-39C/D Gripen fighters, the Swedish government said Monday. Thats so those jets wont have to be cannibalized for parts to be used in the newer Gripen-JAS-39E variants, making them potentially available to Ukraine. However, there are no immediate plans to send Gripens to Ukraine and it is unclear how quickly such a transfer can happen given Swedens requirements for its own Air Force. Sweden is spending $220 million to keep Gripen JAS-39 C/D variants operational for possible donation to Ukraine. (Swedish Air Force) At the moment, it is not relevant to transfer the JAS Gripen to Ukraine, as it would interfere with the introduction of the F-16, according to a release from the Swedish Regeringskansliet, or Government Office. However, the government continues to work on creating the conditions to possibly support Ukraine with the JAS-39 Gripen at a later stage. Material kits are the parts of the JAS-39C/D used in the construction of the new JAS-39E. By procuring material sets, conditions are created to be able to donate a number of JAS-39C/D, instead of the material sets being dismantled from operational JAS-39C/D. The release did not specify what the material kits consist of. Weve reached out to the Swedish Air Force and Saab for clarification Sweden currently has about 97 C and D variants in service. While they had planned to do away with all the C/D variants in favor of the E models, that was scrapped after Russia invaded Ukraine and Stockholm decided it wanted to maintain a larger Air Force. Swedens long-term plan is to have 120 Gripens serving by 2030, with half being E variants. That would leave roughly 37 C/D models potentially available to Ukraine, but the number is likely a bit lower due to airframe fatigue and other factors. However, it remains highly questionable that Sweden can get 60 Es in service in that timeline, meaning a continued need for the existing airframes. That could reduce the number that could be available for Ukraine in the relatively near term. An additional factor is that because Sweden opted not to procure the two-seat F variant, there will be a continued need for the D model for training purposes, further reducing the amount of Gripens that could eventually go to Ukraine. Sweden is planning to field 60 Saab Gripen JAS-39E fighters into its Air Force. (Saab) Sweden has exported a number of Gripens via Saab. In February, we noted that Hungary reached an agreement to up its purchase from 14 to 18 of those jets. The current Gripen user base is small and Saab has been unsuccessful in many attempts over the years to secure additional export deals. In addition to Hungary, Brazil, South Africa, and Thailand have purchased Gripen variants, while the Czech Republic operates a fleet under a lease agreement. Swedens announcement about the Gripens comes months after an apparent disagreement between Stockholm and Kyiv over whether there was even interest in those jets. In July, we reported that while Sweden was willing to send some to Ukraine, Kyiv nixed the plans. The Nordic nations foreign minister said that Ukraine wanted to concentrate on incorporating the anticipated donation of some 80 F-16 Vipers, some of which were soon to arrive, instead of folding another type of fighter into its Air Force. We must understand that Ukraine was given the opportunity to receive F-16 fighters, of which, of course, there are more in the NATO family, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told Voice of America at the time. After all, more countries have F-16s than Gripen fighters. This has nothing to do with the Swedish governments decision. Such a decision was made due to the fact that Ukraine came to the conclusion that having two fighter systems at the same time both F-16 and Gripen is too much. One of the first official images of an F-16 in Ukraine, configured for an air defense mission. (Ukrainian Ministry of Defense screencap) Ukrainian officials quickly denied that they turned down the Gripen offer. I have never heard of Ukrainians refusing to buy Gripen fighter jets, Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Presidents Office said, according to Euromaidan Press. On the contrary, this is a topic that my president constantly raises with the Swedish leadership. The Gripens are as good as F-16s, and we are moving in this direction, Zhovkva added. The aviation chief of Ukraines Air Force, General Serhii Holubtsov, previously said the Ukrainian infrastructure is ready to accommodate Gripens, the publication reported. Aside from concerns about integrating additional new airframes into Ukraines Air Force, the introduction of Gripen C/D variants makes a lot of sense, something we explored in early 2022 shortly after the all-out war broke-out. From our story at the time: Another option, and possibly the best of all, would be Swedens surplus JAS-39C/D Gripen multi-role fighters. These light-to-medium weight fighters are built with great efficiency and reliability in mind. They were designed to be turned around in the bush by tiny teams of mainly conscripted groundcrew and flown from roadways and rough fields during wartime. Distributed operations under very harsh sustained wartime conditions, especially in the cold, are literally what the design is all about. Their single F404-derivative engine (license-built by Volvo) drinks comparatively small amounts of fuel compared to the other options and the type has a wide array of available armory from multiple nations. It has all-around good performance, modern radar and avionics, and is small in size, making it hard to spot visually. The Gripen really is well suited for the current combat doctrine Ukraine is using in Ukraine today, although the fact that it is a Swedish design makes it a bit harder for the U.S. and NATO to supply and support it. Still, other NATO members operate the type. There is also the question of how many Sweden will be able to give up at this time. One benefit that Gripen JAS-39 fighters would have for Ukraine is their ability to operate from roadways and other austere locations without the support of an airbase. (Saab) SAAB Beyond money for Gripen material kits, this package, Swedens 17th to Ukraine, includes an unspecified number of additional RBS-70 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), six CB90-class fast-assault boats for riverine operations, anti-tank rounds and other equipment. All told, Sweden is it has provided Ukraine with more than $4.6 billion in military aid since Russia launched its all-out invasion on Feb. 24. 2022. While spending $220 million on new parts for the JAS-39E variant doesnt guarantee the older C/D variants will be sent to Ukraine, that money keeps the option open. We are taking steps to maintain our freedom of action in order to give the Gripen to Ukraine at a possible later stage, Defense Minister Pal Jonson said, according to the Swedish Aftonbladet news outlet. In his thank you message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not specifically address the Gripen donation. This important assistance, including anti-aircraft systems, anti-tank weapons, and financial contributions to address Ukraines urgent needs, will enhance our defense capabilities, he said on Twitter. I am grateful to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson @SwedishPM and the Government of Sweden for their decision to provide another defense support package to Ukraine, valued at $445 million. This important assistance, including anti-aircraft systems, anti-tank weapons, and financial Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) September 9, 2024 Whether Zelensky was trying to tamp down expectations for the Swedish fighters is unclear. Regardless, unless something major changes, it will be years, if at all, before a significant number of Gripens patrol the skies over Ukraine. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com A record-setting heat wave strained the power grid in Los Angeles so dramatically the Hollywood Bowl was forced to cancel a concert by Australian group Vance Joy Sunday night as rolling blackouts swept through the city. The venue said in a statement they were forced to cancel the show because of power outages affecting the stadium and the surrounding area. Mayor Karen Bass said officials have been working "around the clock" to restore power to the thousands affected by rolling blackouts. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power posted a map that shows live affected areas in orange with estimates of when work crews would arrive to restore electricity. .@LADWP has again elevated its alert and is working around the clock to bring power back to those impacted by recent outages as fast and safely as possible. We will continue to urgently provide resources for Angelenos throughout Los Angeles in order to beat the heat. Visit pic.twitter.com/5t0DUgD7mu Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) September 9, 2024 As of Monday morning, officials say, roughly 8,000 Angelenos suffered power outages. The communities with the most number of impacted customers are Harvard Park, Hollywood and Northridge, where the temperatures reached triple digits over the weekend. Southern California Edison also announced planned outages that will affect nearly 50,000 customers. SCE has also cut off power to 194 customers in Santa Barbara County as a public safety measure due to potential fire weather in the area. The heat wave has also fueled the Line Fire in San Bernardino which doubled in size over the weekend, forcing Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency. By early Monday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department had issued evacuation orders for multiple communities affected by the raging blaze. [Incident Update] Vegetation on the #LineFire remains critically dry. There will be areas of smoke in the morning that could become more widespread in the afternoon. There is also a chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the late morning and through the early pic.twitter.com/P8PFT4XKs1 CAL FIRE BDU (@CALFIREBDU) September 9, 2024 Schools in some San Bernardino County districts were closed on Monday, and continuing above-average temperatures, wind and low humidity could lead to worsening fire risks. The Bridge Fire that erupted near the Angeles National Forest is also an increasing concern, leading the California Highway Patrol to close Highway 39 at the mouth of San Gabriel Canyon. Firefighters responding to a brush fire, East Fork Rd near Glendora Mtn Rd in San Gabriel Cyn. @LACoFDPIO @SDMLASD pic.twitter.com/KUfKSZCNhX Angeles National Forest (@Angeles_NF) September 8, 2024 On Sunday afternoon officials with the U.S. Forest Service said the wildfire had spread to an estimated 92 acres as firefighters attacked the blaze from both the ground and the air. The Minnesota Capitol Building. Courtesy of Minnesota House Public Information Services. Editors note: The Reformer is covering the 15 or so races that will determine control of the Minnesota Legislature. For a primer on the battleground races, including loads of easy-to-read data on the districts, read our first story in the series. The Republican candidate for the open House seat in district 35B told supporters at a campaign kickoff event in April that he would support an amendment to the state Constitution to restrict abortion, according to event audio obtained by the Reformer. I would get behind that in a heartbeat if it had any chance at all to win, Steve Pape, an engineer and Vietnam veteran from Coon Rapids, told an event attendee who asked about it. Pape identifies as a social moderate and studiously avoids any mention of abortion on his campaign website. He also hasnt spoken about the topic in interviews with conservative or mainstream news organizations, a tacit acknowledgement that the issue could be fraught in one of the states most narrowly divided districts. In 2022, outgoing DFL Rep. Jerry Newton won it by just 232 votes. But in April, Pape said that he is strongly, 100% pro-life, and that abortion is an issue that motivated him to run because it feels like one knife cut of a thousand to kill America. The contrast between the event remarks and his public silence on the issue underscore the degree to which Republicans are now playing defense following the U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs decision that led to abortion bans around the country. A majority of Americans oppose the Dobbs ruling, and Republican standard bearer Donald Trump has recently made conflicting comments about his abortion views. The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed the right to an abortion in a 1995 ruling, which the Legislature then codified with strong statutory abortion rights language in 2023. Pape noted that any significant restrictions would likely require a state Constitutional amendment. We would have to surmount that problem, Pape said. Not saying its not possible, but Im saying that a whole lot of pro-abortion people need to go die or leave the state. Surveys show about two-thirds of Minnesotans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. I want nothing more than to go back where we were 20 years ago, Pape said, but its not an easy path. Given the difficulties of changing the Constitution, Pape said a more incremental approach might yield more favorable results for anti-abortion Minnesotans: Its gonna take literally decades to chip away at it until we get back. If a referendum isnt possible, Whats the next best thing we can do? How can we inch ourselves closer to the goal? he asked. We literally need the process going, where we start pushing it back, and you have to push it back one brushfire at a time. Pape speculated that an abortion ban after 21 weeks gestational age might have the best chance of passing. What if we just said were gonna change the law so instead of getting an abortion right up until the day the baby is born, we said you can only have an abortion up to the 21st week, which is about halfway, and nothing beyond that? Abortions after the 28th week of pregnancy are vanishingly rare, and when they do happen are typically the result of tragic medical complications. Abortions moments before birth do not occur; so-called partial-birth abortions have been illegal in the United States for more than 15 years. In Minnesota, the overwhelming majority of abortions happen in the first trimester, according to state data. In 2022, the most recent year with complete data, just one abortion occurred in the third trimester, at the 32nd week. Reached for comment, Pape claimed that the remarks were misinformation, that they were taken totally out of context, and that they do not express his views. He went on to repeat the falsehood about pulling a baby from the mothers womb the day before its born, and accused a Reformer reporter of supporting infanticide. After being sent audio of the remarks, Pape did not deny that he made them but said, I do not recall making the comments voiced on the recording. He added that as a legislator I will work to support mothers and support life. The DFL candidate in the race, Coon Rapids City Council Member Kari Rehrauer, said, My opponent wants to drag us back 50 years, not just 20. I will never stop fighting to ensure women maintain their rights in Minnesota. In Minnesota, 2022 gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen said his campaign promise to ban nearly all abortions cost him that race. Democrats have sought to put the issue at the top of voters minds in 2024. Update: The T Line is now running as normal between Old City Hall to St. Joseph, according to a news release from Sound Transit at 2:47 p.m. There might be delays as service recovers. Initial post: Tacoma Fire Department firefighters quickly extinguished a kitchen fire today, blocking traffic in the 200 block of South Stadium Way. The T Line is suspended from Old City Hall to St. Joseph station until further notice, according to a news release from Sound Transit last updated at 1:51 p.m. Trains are still arriving every 12 minutes from Tacoma Dome to Old City Hall, and passengers are encouraged to seek alternative service options and plan ahead for additional travel time. Crews responded at 1:30 p.m. and the fire was out within the next ten minutes, according to Tacoma Fire spokesperson Chelsea Shepherd. People were evacuating the multi-unit building where the fire broke out as a safety precaution, though it wasnt a major fire, Shepherd said. She told The News Tribune at around 1:51 p.m. that trucks and firefighters were packing up and leaving the scene, and traffic shouldnt be blocked for much longer. The Duck Valley Indian Reservation that straddles the Nevada-Idaho border is shown on March 15, 2024, in Owyhee, Nev. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) OWYHEE, Nev. (AP) The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation have long grappled with contaminants embedded in the land and water. For decades, the tribes suspected that widespread illness and deaths from cancer are tied to two buildings owned and operated by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Fuel, herbicides and other chemicals spilled onto the dirt floors of the now-shuttered or demolished structures. Earlier this year, the BIA discovered a decades-old document with a passing mention of Agent Orange that suggests the government might have been more involved in contaminating the land than previously known, this time around the irrigation canals. The community is still waiting to get answers. Sacred land, now contaminated Owyhee is the sole town on the reservation where snow-capped mountains loom over a valley of scattered homes and ranches, nearly 100 miles (161 kilometers) from any stoplights. Bookended by deep Nevada canyons and flat Idaho plains, the valley is home to Sho-Pais, whose ancestors were confined there by the federal government. For generations, the legacy and livelihood of residents have centered around raising cattle year-round. Many of the 1,800 or so residents still use the same medicinal plans and practice the same ceremonies as their relatives buried under them. Representatives from the BIA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency visited the reservation as recently as Aug. 7 to talk about the contamination and review the report that mentioned Agent Orange. Action can't come soon enough for tribal members who say the federal government's past cleanup attempts have lacked urgency and direction. People are dying. And I dont know what theyre waiting for, said tribal Chairman Brian Mason. First spills, then potential sprays Historically, most of the environmental dangers at Owyhee have been traced to two BIA buildings that have since closed or been demolished. Back in 1985, at the now-abandoned irrigation shop, some 8,000 gallons of heating oil leaked from a pipeline next to a two-lane highway that acts as the area's main road. Samples taken from sump, soil and floor drains around the building revealed a mix of the hazardous chemicals that were stored inside, including waste oil, arsenic, copper, lead and cadmium, along with the two herbicides that make up Agent Orange. Racheal Thacker, a pesticides and solid waste technician with the tribes, said residents at the time were likely unaware of the dangers related to handling the chemicals stored there. Back then, she said, the workers employed by the BIA didnt have the expertise or resources to identify pollutants in the ground. In 1995, the EPA ordered the BIA to stop discharging gasoline, batteries and other fluids onto the dirt floor of the maintenance building, saying the practice was improper, threatened the groundwater supply and could endanger tribal members health. The disposal practice had long-lasting effects. The building has since been demolished and is fenced off. In its statement to the AP, the BIA said it has extensively studied the soil and groundwater on the reservation since 1999 and cleaned up wells used for drinking water. The agency also said any petroleum in the soil is safe and its working with the tribe on other remedial actions. Link between toxins and deaths from cancer To the community, there's a clear link between past contaminants and the pronounced number of cancer cases and other illnesses. Mason validated those beliefs in an announcement earlier this year. He stood at a podium and declared without caveats that the BIA further poisoned the tribes' land. Agent Orange chemicals were sprayed extensively by the canals, he said, and demanded the government take quick action. Health experts say its nearly impossible to say with certainty that the environment factored into cancer diagnoses and deaths especially without robust data. The tribal health clinic has logged more than 500 illnesses since 1992 that could be cancer, and is trying to break down the reservation's data to determine what were the most common types. A switch in recent years from paper to electronic filing means the records are likely incomplete. Even if the BIA is able to account for the time, frequency, concentration and volume of herbicides sprayed on the reservation, that wouldnt be enough to prove a cause, experts say. Genetics, lifestyle and other factors often combine to form a diagnosis. Bottom line is its really, really complicated even to establish among things we already sort of know about, said Lauren Teras, the senior scientific director of epidemiology research at the American Cancer Society. Mason has called for a study that would give tribal members a better idea of the extent that chemicals could have been sprayed, and the effect on the tribes land and its residents. He said that might provide tribal members a pathway to seek payment from the federal government. President Samia has ordered an investigation into the killing [Getty Images] Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has denounced the brutal killing of a senior member of the main opposition party Chadema, who was kidnapped, beaten and doused with acid. On Friday, Mohamed Ali Kibao, 69, was forced off a bus by suspected security agents while travelling from the country's biggest city, Dar es Salaam, to his hometown Tanga. The post-mortem found that Mr Kibao had been severely beaten and had acid poured on his face, party chairman Freeman Mbowe told the AFP news agency. His death comes amid concern by the opposition and rights groups of a clampdown on political activity. President Samia condemned the brutal acts and called for an investigation into the murder. I have ordered the investigation agencies to bring me detailed information about this terrible incident and others like this as soon as possible, she said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Our country is a democracy, and every citizen has the right to live, she added. Hundreds turned out for Mr Kibao's funeral in Tanga, where people called for Home Affairs Minister Hamad Masauni to step down as he tried to address the mourners. Where is the government? People are being abducted and [there is] no action. Minister Masauni resign, resign, resign, they shouted. Mr Mbowe, who was also at the funeral, intervened, urging the crowd to allow the minister to complete his speech. Mr Kibao joined Chadema in 2008 [Chadema] The US Embassy in Tanzania voiced their support for an independent, transparent, and prompt investigation into the killing of Mr Kibao. We cannot allow our people to continue disappearing or being killed like this. The lives of Chadema leaders are currently at risk, Mr Mbowe told AFP. Mr Kibao was a retired military intelligence officer and joined Chadema in 2008. The killing of Mr Kibao has sparked widespread condemnation across Tanzania, with many asking the government to take action over reports of several other people being abducted and killed. The US Embassy in Tanzania said: "Murder and disappearances, as well as last months detentions, beatings, efforts to disenfranchise citizens ahead of elections, should have no place in a democracy". Last month senior Chadema leaders, Mr Mbowe and his deputy Tundu Lissu, were arrested after they attempted to hold a youth rally. Police banned the rally, saying it was intended to cause violence. In July, an artist was accused of burning an image of President Samia and sentenced to two years in prison. Many people fear Tanzania could be returning to the repressive rule of late President John Magufuli, despite his successor Ms Samia lifting a ban on opposition gatherings and promising to restore competitive politics. In August, Human Rights Watch said the increase in arrests of opposition activists was a "bad sign" with the 2025 presidential elections around the corner. More Tanzania stories from the BBC: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Tarrant DA asks family of woman who died in county jail to withdraw request for autopsy The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office asked the family of Chasity Bonner to withdraw a request for her autopsy report, citing an ongoing criminal investigation, according to an email shared with the Star-Telegram. Bonner died in the Tarrant County jail in May. The Tarrant County medical examiner issued the results of her autopsy report last week. It concluded that the 35-year-old died of natural causes: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or clogged arteries. Please be advised that due to an ongoing criminal investigation, there is an objection to the release of the reports by the law enforcement agency/prosecutor, the email from the Criminal District Attorneys Office states. Bonners aunt Pamela Taylor requested the autopsy report. She received the email on Friday. Bonners mother LaMonica Bratton shared the email with the Star-Telegram on Monday. A Criminal District Attorneys Office spokesperson said the Sheriffs Office is investigating Bonners death. Sheriffs Office spokesperson Robbie Hoy said that the departments Criminal Investigations Division investigates all in-custody deaths. All our investigations are criminal investigations even if our investigation shows that there is no criminal activity, he said in an email. However, after inquiring about the email, the Star-Telegram received a similar email from the offices records division asking that it also withdraw its request for Bonners autopsy report. The Star-Telegram denied the request. Unanswered questions Bratton has had a difficult time getting information or records regarding her daughters death. Technical problems and an administrative backlog caused her several headaches last week after the medical examiner published Bonners cause of death on Tuesday. The funeral home that performed the memorial service said the issuance of her death certificate took much longer than the usual 48 hours. The death certificate was ready late Friday afternoon, and Bratton was able to pick it up on Saturday. A representative from the medical examiners office said the delay was due to a backlog of cases and low staffing. There was also an issue with the medical examiners website. A technical issue arising from a database change made it appear as though Bonners manner and cause of death had been reverted to Pending. Bratton was satisfied with the explanation of a technical glitch, but finding out on Monday that there would be another hurdle in her quest to get information about her daughters last moments just added to the frustration and heartbreak she has felt since May. Im not understanding why all the running around and complications Im going through trying to get information and why I havent been contacted on anything as far as an investigation, she said. The email created another unanswered question for Bonners family, who say they have had no communication with the agencies involved. They had expected the autopsy report to conclude her death had been due to an overdose of an opioid drug like fentanyl, since the Sheriffs Office press release announcing her death said that John Peter Smith Hospital medical staff had administered two doses of Narcan when attempting to save her life. Narcan is a brand name of naloxone, a nasal spray used to counter opioid overdoses. But JPS records do not match up with that statement. The date May 27, 2024 the day Bonner died does not appear on a list of all naloxone applications administered by JPS staff to people in custody of the Tarrant County Sheriffs Office that the Star-Telegram received through an open records request. Bratton has retained the services of attorney Daryl Washington, who is also representing the family of Anthony Johnson Jr. in a lawsuit against Tarrant County related to his death in the county jail in April. The medical examiner ruled Johnsons death a homicide. The Sheriffs Office and other departments are deliberately trying to sidestep giving Bratton the information she seeks, Washington said. Theyre going to always hide behind the fact that theres a current investigation thats taking place, he said. But at this point, it makes no sense for the family not to have this information to know what happened to their daughter. Law enforcement agencies often attempt to withhold information when they might be held responsible for a death, he said. Theyre hoping that this just goes away, and its not going to go away, Washington said. Her death is problematic. Theyre trying to cover this up. Stalling is the name of the game when law enforcement agencies do not want to release information in cases like this, according to Krishnaveni Gundu, executive director of Texas Jail Project. We see that all the time: keep stalling and say theres an ongoing investigation, she said, adding that agencies usually hope to wait out the two-year statute of limitations on filing a lawsuit in an in-custody death case. More top stories from our newsroom: See how your school did in Fort Worth ISD A-F scores Public calls for firing of officer who shot driver after hit-and-run Candidates threaten to sue Tarrant County over voter access [Get our breaking news alerts.] This article was originally published in CalMatters. Update: The bill was ordered to the inactive file on the last night of the session Aug. 31. It had been amended to keep mandatory police notification requirements if a student assaults or threatens a teacher. The bill would have still let teachers choose to call the police if a student is using or possessing controlled substances, and it would also decriminalize willful disturbance by students. During Zuleima Baquedanos first year as a teacher, she faced an important choice. One of her students had difficulty controlling her emotions. One day, she had a meltdown and kicked Baquedano down. The principal asked Baquedano if she wanted to call the police, because the incident legally counted as assault. But not long before, the student had moved in with her family after being in and out of foster care, was beginning the diagnostic process for her disability and had been working with Baquedano on coping mechanisms. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Any contact with police would have really put all of that in jeopardy, Baquedano said. Calling the police, getting Child Protective Services involved and all that would have completely just ruined any kind of progress shed made. Baquedano decided against calling the police. Im never going to regret advocating for her, despite the fact that several teachers told me I couldnt let her get away with it, and that she did this on purpose when they didnt even know her, she said. She had a choice because she worked at a charter school in Los Angeles. Staff at traditional public schools dont have the same freedom: Under California law, they are required to make a police report if a student assaults them and can be prosecuted if they dont. A bill before the Legislature in its final week would change that. But what supporters see as a common sense bill, opponents see as going too far, raising partisan tensions in an election year in which crime and education are top of mind for many voters. A difficult path to the Senate Assemblymember Ash Kalra, a San Jose Democrat, has been trying to get similar legislation passed for four years. The data very clearly shows that when law enforcement is required to come onto campus, those that they choose to arrest are disproportionately people with disabilities and students of color, Kalra said in an interview. A 2021 study by the ACLU of Southern California found that students with disabilities make up 26% of school arrests, despite being 11% of total enrollment. According to a 2024 report by the California Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board, students of color are handcuffed by police at a disproportionate rate 20% of Black students compared to 9% of white students. This bill is really a turning point in addressing issues around school climate, said Oscar Lopez, an associate managing attorney at Disability Rights California, a sponsor of the bill. This is the first time Kalras bill has made it to the Senate, and it wasnt easy. It barely squeaked out of the Assembly by a vote of just 41-22, with seven Democrats voting no. Its unfortunate that a common sense bill like this has struggled so hard to make it through the Legislature, Kalra said. And opposition is organizing. Last week, Senate Republicans released their own bill analysis, listing concerns about school safety, drug possession and the relationship between schools and law enforcement. The bottom line is this is going to make our school campuses less safe, Senate GOP Leader Brian Jones of San Diego told CalMatters. Its going to endanger our students, teachers, administrators and even the law enforcement professionals who have to serve on these campuses. Law enforcement officials worry that AB 2441 could open the door to eliminating school resource officers. School officials and law enforcement should work together, especially when it comes to pupils whose behavior violates the law and puts school safety in jeopardy, said Cory Salzillo, legislative director of the California State Sheriffs Association. Removing requirements just runs counter to that notion. If AB 2441 were to pass, there would still still be times when staff are required to call the police. Under federal law, local education agencies must call law enforcement if a student has a firearm or is caught selling controlled substances. Some opponents have also raised concerns about school administrators ability to discern between students who are selling controlled substances or just possessing them a task they think should be left to law enforcement, particularly amid the fentanyl crisis. Schools are not isolated in the community, so when there are crimes being committed, even if its simple possession of a controlled substance, thats something that law enforcement should be aware of, Salzillo said. The California Department of Public Health plans to announce a new fentanyl education campaign on Wednesday. Fentanyl is so dangerous that we need to be all hands on deck on dealing with that crisis on our school campuses, Jones said. Removing this requirement of reporting is just unbelievable to me at this point in time. Because of an amendment to the bill, staff would also need to notify law enforcement if someone needed immediate medical attention. After the Senate Republican Caucus released its analysis and sent it to its entire press list for the first time supporters of the bill accused them of fear mongering and spreading misinformation. Theres been a lot of untruths shared and promoted by the opposition to this bill, said Rachel Bhagwat, legislative advocate at ACLU California Action, a bill sponsor. Jones denied thats whats happening. California voters and taxpayers are fed up with the criminal justice system in California right now, he said. Theyre fed up with the progressive wing thats continuing to decriminalize crime. Preventing the school-to-prison pipeline Research has shown that when young people face severe discipline at school such as police interaction, suspension or expulsion they are less likely to graduate high school and more likely to go to prison. The interpretation of normal, age-appropriate behaviors as being threatening and criminal and dangerous is leading to a situation where young people are not getting educational opportunities in school, and theyre being funneled into further criminal contact and the criminal system, Bhagwat said. Under current state law, staff are required to try other methods such as meeting with parents, speaking with a psychologist, creating an individualized education plan or restorative justice programs before resorting to something more severe. Between counseling and other programs, there are methods to use that dont involve punitive consequences such as a misdemeanor crime, Naj Alikhan, senior director of marketing and communications for the Association of California School Administrators, wrote in a statement to CalMatters. The bill would also get rid of a clause that makes it a crime to willfully disturb public schools and meetings. Under this provision, students could be criminally prosecuted for running in hallways or knocking on doors. Its somewhat of a vague term, Kalra said, and its been used against students who might have behavior issues. Theres a lot of different reasons why a student may be causing a disturbance and we want to give schools the ability to decide how they want to handle those situations. An amendment to the bill would make it an infraction for someone to prevent a school staff member from calling the police. Baquedano who testified on the bill before the Senate education committee in July and now teaches in Santa Ana said that if the bill passes, there are serious situations, like having a deadly weapon or being in possession of drugs, where she would still call. Theres an assumption that were going to stop calling the police, and thats not the case, she said. The idea that we wouldnt have that common sense is a little insulting. Its a decision Baquedano said teachers deserve to have. People should trust us the professionals in the situation, whove been trained, whove gone through education to do this they should be trusting our judgment, she said. Were the ones who best know our students. We spend all these hours with them a year, sometimes more than parents do. Kalra remains optimistic that AB 2441 will pass the Senate this week and make it to Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk. You would hope, he said, that legislators would understand the need for us to support all students, and Im hopeful that at least we can get this bill through to see that its not going to create some doomsday outcome. This story was originally published on CalMatters. Donald Trumps campaign team is worried that hes going to mess up in his debate against Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday. The staffers reportedly dont know if a happy Trump or angry Trump will show up at the National Constitution Hall in Philadelphia, where ABC News will be hosting the debate, according to unnamed sources who spoke to The Guardian. If Trump is frustrated, he may resort to personal insults, taking aim at Harriss race and gender and hurting voters perceptions, which some of his fellow Republicans have criticized as counterproductive. Trump could also go into one of his angry rants, which gets his MAGA base excited but could alienate independent and swing voters. After President Bidens poor showing in Junes debate with Trump, Biden faced criticism and pressure that led to him dropping out of the race. Harriss entry to the top of the Democratic debate has reversed Trumps momentum, making his campaign desperate for a winning attack line or other means to regain their polling edge. So Trumps team hopes that a strong, winning performance can improve his standing. Ever since Harris entered the race, the Trump-Vance campaign has floundered, with damaging revelations about Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance. His comments about people without children and his inability to interact normally with the public have not helped the campaigns prospects. Meanwhile, Harriss selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz seems like a masterstroke in comparison, thanks to Walzs strong record as a teacher and military veteran. The Democratic vice presidential candidate has also produced some powerful sound bites and hit Republicans hard with one of the strongest and simplest Democratic attack lines in years: calling them weird. Like in Junes debate, each candidates microphones will be muted when its not their turn to speak, which is a relief to Trump staffers who think his interruptions will make him look bad. Unlike with Biden, Harris will have rhetorical skills that she honed in her days as a prosecutor, which could easily rattle a convicted felon showing signs of cognitive decline. In a bold move, Brazils government has ordered the shutdown of social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) within the country. Shark Tank investor Kevin OLeary is not pleased with the decision. Don't miss Commercial real estate has beaten the stock market for 25 years but only the super rich could buy in. Here's how even ordinary investors can become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month 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 In an interview with Fox Business, OLeary shared his unfiltered admiration for Xs owner, Elon Musk. As far as I'm concerned, Elon Musk is a modern day Bruce Wayne. I mean, this guy has been so successful in so many sectors, so I'm a huge fan, he stated. Musk has accomplished quite a few things, from revolutionizing the electric vehicle industry with Tesla to advancing space exploration with SpaceX and launching ambitious projects like Neuralink. While OLeary praised Musks exceptional execution skills, its Musks attitude that impressed him most. He's also got another trait, which I find very endearing, and you may or may not like this he's a real poo-poo disturber, if you know what I mean. He just doesn't give a poo-poo. So, what does that mean? OLeary elaborated, explaining that Musk doesn't care what country, what dictator, what leader, what judiciary. If they dont want his technology hes happy to shut it off. He can do whatever he likes Musk purchased Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 and rebranded it as X in 2023. According to OLeary, the companys private status gives Musk full control over its direction. He owns it. He controls it. It's private. He can do whatever he likes, OLeary remarked. OLeary acknowledged Brazil's rapid economic growth, which makes it an attractive market for many businesses. However, he issued a cautionary message to the country's leadership regarding the decision to ban X. You got a lot of people that like [the] internet and like social media, [so] be careful [of] the eggshells you're walking on, Lulu, he said, referring to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The tension between X and Brazil began in April when the countrys Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the suspension of several accounts on X for allegedly spreading misinformation. X did not comply with the directive. Story continues Responding to the ban, Musk commented: "Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes." In an interview with a local news station, Lula da Silva defended the governments stance, stating, Any citizen, from any part of the world, who has investments in Brazil is subject to the Brazilian Constitution and Brazilian laws. He also addressed Musk directly, adding, He can't go around insulting presidents, deputies, the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, or the Supreme Court. Who does he think he is? Read more: Car insurance rates have spiked in the US to a stunning $2,150/year but you can be smarter than that. Here's how you can save yourself as much as $820 annually in minutes (it's 100% free) That hurts the country OLeary predicts that Brazils leadership will face repercussions from this decision. If you look at the history of those kinds of situations, the outcomes are not good for the Lula's, he stated. OLeary emphasized that people value technology and the ability to communicate with each other, and platforms like X are central to that. Despite the current tension, OLeary remains optimistic that the ban will be lifted. I think this thing will be resolved, because when you start shutting down commerce in where there's so much productivity and opportunity in the Amazon, that hurts the country, he said. For OLeary, the economic implications of restricting communication and technological platforms are too severe for Brazil to ignore, making a resolution likely. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Nablus, West Bank A memorial procession was held Monday morning in the Israeli-occupied West Bank for Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American activist who eyewitnesses say was shot in the head Friday by an Israeli soldier as she took part in a demonstration against Israeli settlement expansion in the Palestinian territory. Eygi, a dual U.S.-Turkish national, graduated from the University of Washington in the spring. On Monday, her body was wrapped in a Palestinian flag and carried through the streets of Nablus, in the northern West Bank, followed by dozens of mourners. Her family has said she was a passionate human rights activist who felt compelled to come to the West Bank only days before she was killed to support the Palestinians amid soaring tension and increased violence in the territory being fueled by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the other Palestinian territory, the Gaza Strip. Aysenur Eygi, a dual U.S.-Turkish national, was killed during a protest against Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Sept. 6, 2024. / Credit: HANDOUT The Israeli army clashed with the demonstrators at the demonstration in the West Bank on Friday, as they have done previously at the regularly-held rally. The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that troops had fired back with live ammunition at protesters throwing rocks, and that it was investigating the circumstances of the shooting. Eygi was shot once in the head. "I saw her lying on the ground under an olive tree, bleeding to death. I looked up and I saw a clear line of sight to the soldiers," said Jonathan Pollack, who works with the International Solidarity Movement, which helps facilitate and train activists who come to the region in support of Palestinians, including Eygi. Among those paying tribute on Monday to Aila, as Eygi was known to her friends, was Vivi Chen, another American who has volunteered with one of the organizations that recruits foreigners to stand with the Palestinians. Palestinian security forces carry the body of slain U.S.-Turkish activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, covered with a keffiyeh scarf and the Palestinian flag, during a memorial service starting from the Rafidia hospital in Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where she was pronounced dead several days earlier, Sept. 9, 2024. / Credit: JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP/Getty "We come here to try and stand in solidarity with them, to try and use, you know, what privilege we have with our passports," Chen said. A statement released by Eygi's family, posted on social media by a friend, said she "was peacefully standing for justice when she was killed by a bullet that video shows came from an Israeli military shooter," adding a call for "President Biden, Vice President [Kamala] Harris and Secretary of State [Antony] Blinken to order an independent investigation into the unlawful killing of a U.S. citizen and to ensure full accountability for the guilty parties." Blinken said Friday that U.S. authorities were still assessing the incident, but that when there was more information available, "we will share it, make it available and, as necessary, we'll act on it." Latest news on the search for Kentucky highway shooting suspect How to prepare for terror threats in the U.S. Congress back in session as a government shutdown looms Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) didnt exactly get a vote of confidence when he posted a racist lie about immigrants eating pets on Monday. After Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance promoted a false news story alleging that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are supposedly abducting and eating pets, the Texas Republican decided to join in with his own anti-immigrant posts. Cruz posted a meme with kittens that was captioned, Please vote for Trump so Haitian immigrants dont eat us and added three laughing emojis at the top, apparently for the lulz. Former President Donald Trump and his MAGA followers have demonized immigrants as rapists and murderers even though data shows that they break fewer laws than natural-born Americans. Springfield police debunked the rumor about pets being stolen and eaten on Monday. Cruzs office did not immediately respond to HuffPosts query about the falsehood he is spreading. However, many people on X, formerly Twitter, called out the senator for trying, as one person put it, to stoke partisan fears to win elections. The Springfield News-Sun article states there are no reports of pets being eaten. The rumor was started by a Facebook post claiming that their neighbors daughters friend had lost her cat and found it at a Haitian's home. In the future, please use google before you post pic.twitter.com/vCR3RkJWeh F e l l a Historian (@thisuser_isdumb) September 9, 2024 Do you guys all get on a morning call to pick which immigrant nationality to focus on that day? Friday: Venezuelans. Monday: Haitians. I mean Marc Watley (@watley) September 9, 2024 @tedcruz You know youre officially a loser when youre running for office and youre posting false information and memes. Thomas St James (@Thomasstjames3) September 9, 2024 Some commenters noted that people have demonized immigrants for decades by spreading inflammatory rumors about what they eat. (Cruzs father is an immigrant from Cuba.) Your realize white supremacist groups have been using this line for 50 years to attack Vietnamese immigrants and then the Cuban boat people, right? Why are you regurgitating this old racist trope? If it's true, are pets safe around you or should people hide them when you come by? Crazy Fenak (@CrazyFenaker) September 9, 2024 This crap goes back to Vietnamese refugees when I was a kid, Rafael. This is what you offer Texas and the country? It's also been debunked, not that you care. Weak, lazy, racist,xenophobic, Rafael. The GOP trifecta. https://t.co/cUgQzWMFJh Portia McGonagal (@PortiaMcGonagal) September 9, 2024 Podcaster Allison Gill noted that Cruzs post coincidentally matched up quite nicely with Russian talking points cited in a recent DOJ indictment. Hmm. This is on the list of Russian talking points. Interesting. pic.twitter.com/BqrIkJhyMO Mueller, She Wrote (@MuellerSheWrote) September 9, 2024 Related... Senator Ted Cruz has joined the Haitian immigrants are eating house cats conspiracy theory, sharing a meme on X on Monday that he presumably thinks is funny. Twitter screenshot Ted Cruz @tedcruz: Meme of two cats hugging each other that look scared. Caption reads: Please vote for Trump so Haitian immigrants don't eat us. But as the internet was quick to remind him, Cruz probably shouldnt be getting involved in spreading any conspiracy theories involving pets. When he made his infamous trip to Cancun during Texass devastating 2021 snowstorm, he left behind his familys pet dog, ironically named Snowflake, to be looked after by a security guard. The storm left millions of Texans without electricity, and Cruzs house (without its normal occupants) was among them. Several users on X were quick to remind Cruz about that embarrassing incident. Twitter screenshot _ @SundaeDivine: You left Snowflake home alone when you went to Cancun. (with a photo of a small fluffy white dog) Twitter screenshot PatriotTakes @patriottakes: Ted Cruz left his dog Snowflake at home during the ice storm while he traveled to Cancun Twitter screenshot C D M A @jcdma8832: Is this your pet?(Snowflake) who did you leave at home in the freezing temperatures in 2021? (photo of a dog seen from the front door of a house) And others pointed out the bigotry behind the false rumor. Twitter screenshot Cathy Young @CathyYoung63: Nothing to see here, just a US Senator trafficking in blatant bigotry and lies by the way: Twitter screenshot Tim Miller @Timodc: The unapologetic racism is really astonishing even for the Trump era gop. Quote tweet of Cruz Ironically, Cruz is the son of an immigrant who successfully sought political asylum in the United States, making his post hypocritical in addition to xenophobic. Twittter screenshot Zaid Jilani @ZaidJilani: It says something about Ted Cruzs character (or lack thereof) that a son of immigrants himself would sink so low as to post fake stories about immigrants implying they are going to kidnap and eat your pets. Cruz should probably be more worried about his upcoming election, as his lead over his Democratic challenger, Representative Colin Allred, is shrinking. He could also focus more on his Senate duties, instead of engaging in shouting matches or pushing a self-serving airport security bill that is another reminder of his Cancun trip. But it seems that hes more interested in making racist jokes, engaging in political theater, and fawning over the man who famously insulted his wife and father, Donald Trump. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) One of three defendants arrested in connection to the 2021 murder of a local taxi driver entered a plea deal this morning. Javeon Stephens, 19, appeared in front of Superior Court Judge Bobby Peters Monday morning. The teen faced charges of felony murder, malice murder, possession of a firearm and aggravated assault in connection to the 2021 shooting of 50-year-old Paul Lokey, a Columbus taxi driver. Evidence collected by police shows Stephens and Jaius Roland, both 16 at the time of the murder, entering the cab with Stephens uncle, Travis Scott. Columbus father admits to killing daughter in 2020 car crash Moments later, Lokey radioed I have been shot, and crashed into a fire hydrant. He was pronounced dead at Piedmont Columbus Regional. Stephens and Roland, have been tried as adults. Stephens entered a guilty plea in court, with a caveat. I would just say on his behalf, hes always contended that hes not the shooter, defense attorney Angela Dillon told Peters in the courtroom. I know the state has different evidence, but that has been his contention. but he is admitting to participation. Stephens entered a guilty plea in court, with a caveat. (Olivia Yepez) Stephens, 16 at the time of the murder, was tried as an adult. (Olivia Yepez) At a minimum, the teen faces 30 years in prison with the possibility of parole as his sentence. (Olivia Yepez) Under Georgia law, parties to a crime can be convicted with the same charges as the shooter. Police investigation revealed gunshot residue on Stephens clothes. In 2021, Stephens declined telling police who shot the gun saying, I aint no snitch. Stephens pled guilty to felony murder, possession of a firearm and aggravated assault. His malice murder charge will be vacated. Sis Im bout to kill dude: Woman on trial for murder of husband of 10 days This was very tough on both families. Im very sympathetic empathetic with the victims family, Dillon said, continuing, Im also empathetic with my clients family. Hes a young man who now is going to spend the majority of his life behind bars and thats always unfortunate for everybody. Stephens has sentencing at the end of September. At a minimum, the teen faces 30 years in prison with the possibility of parole as his sentence. Charges against Scott have been dropped. Those against Roland are still pending. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Police say uncle points finger at nephew as triggerman in shooting death of Columbus cab driver I have been shot: new details in Columbus murder investigation Columbus Police make second arrest in deadly March shooting on Andrews Road Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. LEBANON, Ky. (FOX 56) A 16-year-old male has been arrested after the police investigated a threat reportedly made to Marion County High School. According to the Kentucky State Police, the Lebanon Police Department requested assistance after learning of the threat. After an extensive investigation, troopers said the minor was arrested and charged with first-degree terroristic threatening. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The school district took to Facebook to announce that school had been closed on Monday in response to the threat. The minor was booked into an area juvenile detention center. The case remains under investigation by KSP. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A 19-year-old who killed a man inside a Las Vegas Strip hotel room will serve at least a decade in prison after pleading guilty, documents said. In July, Emma Kusak pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon in the death of Charlie Satrustegui. Las Vegas Metro police found Satrustegui deceased inside a room at the Luxor Hotel & Casino in June 2023. Kusak was 17 at the time of her arrest. Police said she shot Satrustegui in the head and then stole his keys, wallet and phones. As part of a plea agreement, Judge Jacqueline Bluth sentenced Kusak to 11 to 27-and-a-half years in prison, records said. Kusak will be eligible for parole in 2033 with credit for time served. Kusak must also pay more than $15,000 in restitution to the victims family. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Activists yell vote them out as Rep. John Ragan R- Oak Ridge, leaves the House chamber at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 25, 2024. The Tennessee Republican Partys State Executive Committee has denied Oak Ridge Rep. John Ragans challenge of his loss to primary challenger Rick Scarbrough. Ragan lost the August primary in House District 33 to Republican challenger Rick Scarbrough by 258 votes, having earned 2,705 votes to Scarbrough's 2,965. Shortly after the election results were certified, Ragan filed a challenge with the state Executive Committee, alleging that more than 1,000 Democrats illegally crossed over in the Republican Primary to vote for Scarbrough, describing crossover voting as "immoral, unethical, and illegal behavior." Tennessee has an open primary system and doesn't require voters to register with a party, meaning any voter can request the primary ballot of their choice. However, state law also requires that only bona fide members of a political party can vote in their party primary. That law has never been enforced, partially because there is no legal definition of what makes a voter a legitimate Republican or Democrat. Republican lawmakers last year passed a new law to require polling places to display signage warning voters that it is illegal to cross over to vote in another partys primary. That law has drawn several legal challenges. In his challenge, Ragan argued that Republican Party bylaws require candidates seeking office be a bona fide Republican to have voted in three of the four most recent statewide Republican primaries and actively involved in the state GOP or county affiliated party. During a Saturday meeting, the Executive Committee in 41-7 vote, overwhelmingly denied Ragans challenge. Scarbrough remains the Republican on the ballot in November. He will face Democrat Anne Backus on Nov. 5. Ragan has served in the state Legislature since 2011. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN GOP executive committee denies Rep. John Ragan's primary loss appeal Denied: Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, lost a challenge to his Aug. 1 Republican primary loss. (Photo: John Partipilo) The Tennessee Republican Partys State Executive Committee voted overwhelmingly to deny outgoing Oak Ridge Rep. John Ragans challenge of his August primary loss to Rick Scarbrough. The committee voted 41-7 against Ragans claim that Democrats crossed over in the Anderson County Republican primary to help Scarbrough, who won the race by 258 votes. Though the vote total was narrow, Scarbroughs 5-point victory margin was larger than several other Republican primaries that went unchallenged. After his defeat, local officials voiced frustration at Ragans refusal to concede and pointed to his support for private school vouchers and other unpopular education positions. Ragan lost because he listens to lobbyists and party hacks, and not to his constituents, said Angi Agle, an Oak Ridge Board of Education member, to the Lookout last week. The county commission, school board and governing bodies for Oak Ridge and Clinton all passed resolutions opposing school vouchers. Ragan didnt back Gov. Bill Lees plan for universal private school vouchers, but a different bill supported by House Republican leaders that added some sweeteners for teachers into the legislation. Lee tried to make vouchers the deciding issue in the August primary, after negotiations between his administration, the House, and the Senate failed: no private school voucher bill made it out of committee earlier in the year. Pro-voucher groups spent almost $4.5 million during the primaries. Most of that money came from a dark money political action committee called the School Freedom Fund, which spent $3.1 million. The results were mixed, with Lee- and voucher-backed candidates winning House seats in Franklin and Clarksville but losing a seat in Maryville and Ragans former seat, leaving it still unclear if the governor has the votes to pass a voucher plan. Ragan received around $30,000 in independent support from Americans for Prosperity, a group supporting school choice. Scarbrough received over $50,000 in support from Tennesseans for Student Success, which has said it supports education accountability, not necessarily vouchers. But Student Success often backs the same candidates as pro-voucher groups. Ragans challenge based on bona fide law Tennessee law requires primary voters to either be bona fide party members or declare allegiance to the party, which voting clerks interpret as simply requesting the partys ballot on primary election day. In practice, this creates an open primary system in Tennessee, where voters can choose their party at the last minute. Other states, like New York with a closed primary, require voters to register with a party months before an election. Republicans in the General Assembly have tried for several years to pass legislation for a closed primary, but their efforts have failed. The issue of crossover votes has arisen multiple times over the past five years but has yet to result in a successful challenge. In many of Tennessees state and county races, the primary winner is almost certain to win the general election, leading voters from both parties to cross over and influence the outcome. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A tent city next to Mayfair: Why cutting homelessness might be harder than before On a recent evening, on one of Londons most exclusive roads, an estate agent was selling a property for 16.5m. Outside the agency, on the other side of Park Lane, was an encampment of approximately 24 tents housing rough sleepers. Some were sitting outside, taking in the warm night air. Others were reading by torchlight. Rough sleeping is on the rise across England but the tents like these increasingly appearing in the countrys towns and cities are only the most visible signs of a much bigger problem. Homelessness is, by some measures, at record levels. Over 150,000 children, for instance, are living in temporary accommodation, often miles from their schools and their friends. On occasion, some are forced to live with their entire family in one cramped, sometimes mouldy, room. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner says England is in the middle of the worst housing crisis in living memory. To tackle this, the new government is proposing to set up a homelessness reduction unit and in its manifesto, Labour said it would put Britain back on track to ending homelessness. This might sound ambitious, but homelessness is something that governments have successfully tackled previously. Labours manifesto said it would meet its promises on homelessness by building on the lessons of our past - a reference to the Blair governments success in dramatically cutting rough sleeping. In 1999, Tony Blair committed to reducing the number of rough sleepers by two-thirds in three years. By 2002, his government declared it had achieved its target a year early - the number of rough sleepers in England had fallen from 1,850 to 532. These numbers remained low for most of the remainder of the decade. The method the government uses to count rough sleeping has changed over the years but experts agree that rough sleeping fell under Labour. In 2010, when the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition took office, the figures showed an 11-year low of 440 rough sleepers on any given night. However the then-Housing Minister Grant Shapps said he was sceptical that the figures reflected the true situation on the streets and so the counting method was revised. Under the new methodology, the number of rough sleepers in England stood at 1,768 in 2010. After that the numbers rose, peaking in 2017. Now, the latest official figures put it at 3,898 - 120% higher than in 2010. Even during the pandemic, when the Conservatives pursued an Everyone In effort to protect rough sleepers from Covid - often using hotels that couldnt accept paying guests - the number of people sleeping outside never fell below 2,400. The evidence of the Blair years gives Labour the confidence, however, to say it knows how to cut homelessness. But repeating the trick in 2024 may not be as easy as it was before. And most experts believe the latest figure is a huge underestimate. The annual snapshot, which counts the number of people found to be rough sleeping on a single night each autumn, was found by the UK Statistics Authority to fall short in trustworthiness, quality, and value. It doesnt include, for instance, a person known to be a rough sleeper, but not visible on the night of the count. And its not just the numbers that are greater today - the type of rough sleeper is different, too. Councils have entered into expensive deals to tackle homelessness costs [Alamy] The occupants of the tents on Park Lane were mostly Romanians. Indeed in London, for which the data is most detailed and up-to-date, 55% of rough sleepers are not from the UK. Back in the 1990s, rough sleepers in London were predominantly British and Irish. One obvious solution today would be to help those people from abroad return home. But while such reconnecting schemes do exist, it isnt that simple, says Matt Downie, chief executive of homeless charity Crisis. He says that some are victims of modern slavery, others have the right to remain in the UK. It needs untangling theyre not all professional rough sleepers, Mr Downie says. Relying on the private rented sector, as councils usually do to tackle homelessness, is becoming increasingly difficult, too. While Labour points out its commitment to ending so-called no-fault evictions, private rents in some areas have soared in recent years - up 9.7% in London in the year to June 2024, and 8.6% across England. In addition, the short-term rental market, such as Airbnb, has reduced the number of properties that councils can use. London, for instance, is reportedly the city with the most Airbnb listings in the world, totalling over 150,000 - out of more than half a million across the UK. As a result, the cost of housing families in temporary accommodation has soared. Councils spent more than 1bn on it last year, and the problem is pushing some local authorities towards bankruptcy. Several councils were forced to enter into expensive deals with the last Conservative government to cover the soaring costs of homelessness. Treasury rules mean that Whitehall will only reimburse local authorities 90% of a figure calculated in 2011 for the cost of temporary accommodation, leading to an average monthly shortfall of about 350 per household, according to Mr Downie. All this means the Starmer government will face a more difficult and more expensive task than its predecessor in the 1990s and 2000s. Banging heads together There are, however, lessons the new ministers can take from the last Labour government, according to those who were there. The key to the Blair administrations success was getting the prime ministers name and influence attached to the target, says Ian Brady, who was deputy director of the Rough Sleepers Unit at the time. Tony Blair, he said, would hold regular meetings with key ministers to see what progress was being made, banging heads together if necessary. There was money behind the initiative - 250m over three years - recalls Mr Brady, a relatively big budget. And different government departments were forced to help achieve this goal, including the Home Office and the Department of Health. After that, a three-pronged strategy was adopted. Officials gathered data to understand who was sleeping rough. Those already in homeless accommodation, such as hostels, were moved into the private rented sector - allowing others to come off the streets. And lots of support services, such as drug and alcohol treatment, were put in place to ensure people did not become homeless again. There are potential lessons from the Conservatives term in office, too. In 2018, they funded three pilot studies of a scheme that has proven successful in tackling rough sleeping in the United States and Europe and had already been introduced in Scotland. Housing First moves rough sleepers straight into their own properties and provides support services to help them maintain their homes. Tenancies can be kept, for instance, even if someone receives a short prison sentence or struggles to maintain contact with their drug and alcohol team. The pilots were deemed to have been a success, with an official analysis concluding that the vast majority of clients were in long-term accommodation a year after entering Housing First and reported significantly better outcomes across a range of measures. But the government has not said if it will introduce the scheme across the country, with some experts worried that it does not help enough people for the cost of the programme. As well as rough sleeping, temporary accommodation is on the rise [Alamy] The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has committed to ending rough sleeping in the city by 2030. He has not laid out the full details yet, but has promised that council house building will be a key plank since 2018, says Mr Khan, London has built more than twice as many council homes as the rest of England combined. Despite that, London has the biggest homelessness problem in England. The Conservative government, in 2019, made a similar commitment to end rough sleeping by the end of the last Parliament but failed to achieve it, despite spending over 500m tackling the problem between 2022 and 2025. In any case, rough sleeping is not the most significant homelessness issue. The latest figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government showed there were almost 120,000 households living in temporary accommodation - a record high - including those 150,000 children. More than 3,200 children were living in bed and breakfast accommodation for longer than the legal limit of six weeks, a figure that is up by almost 2,000% since the last time Labour were in power. Its a national disgrace, says Ian Brady. I wouldnt neglect whats happening on the streets, but Id start by tackling that problem. An expert, who has the ear of the new government, said one approach would be to keep those women and children who are fleeing domestic violence in their homes and force their partners to move out by using a different policing approach. Finding properties for those families who do end up homeless will not be easy, however. The 1.5m homes the government has committed to building during the lifetime of this Parliament will take some time to appear, yet the homeless problem is both immediate and urgent. In an effort to tackle the limited supply of social housing, the government is expected to hold a consultation on the future of Right to Buy, the scheme that allows council tenants to buy their homes, often at a significant discount. Matt Downie from Crisis would go further. I would immediately suspend Right to Buy. Its been a disaster, he says. Since the policy was introduced in 1980, of the almost two million homes that have been sold through Right to Buy, Shelter estimates that just 4% have been replaced. However even if Right to Buy were to be ended entirely, some commentators say annual sales only represent a small proportion of social housing stock and further action would still be needed to tackle the shortage of social housing. Mr Downie would also urge the government to align the allocations system for social housing in England with what happens in Scotland, so that homeless families get priority when properties become available. More from InDepth One lesson that remains from the Blair years, say experts, is the need to ensure that all government departments are working towards the same aim. The Ministry of Justice often releases prisoners into the community knowing they have nowhere to live while the Home Office has been evicting asylum seekers from their accommodation within days of giving them permission to remain in the UK, often onto the streets. Ms Rayner has promised a long-term strategy across Government to deal with every pressure including increasing social and affordable housing, and providing support for refugees leaving the asylum system and prison leavers. Such an approach, she says, will get us back on track towards ending homelessness for good. The challenge the new government faces in tackling homelessness is much greater than the last time Labour were in office. But the potential rewards are also even greater, not just in terms of saving money but in giving so many thousands of families the dignity and certainty that comes with having a place to call home. Top picture: Alamy BBC InDepth is the new home on the website and app for the best analysis and expertise from our top journalists. Under a distinctive new brand, well bring you fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions, and deep reporting on the biggest issues to help you make sense of a complex world. And well be showcasing thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. Were starting small but thinking big, and we want to know what you think - you can send us your feedback by clicking on the button below. Watching the Watchers One of Tesla's unfortunate Autopilot workers learned the hard way that the problematic assisted driving feature comes with a hefty human toll. In an interview with Business Insider, the employee who was not named to protect their privacy and employment suggested that surveillance can be daunting at the Buffalo, New York facility where they work. As BI previously reported, Autopilot workers only make about $20 per hour to sift through hours of footage from Teslas' nine cameras to help train the assisted driving technology. Beyond the strangeness of seeing intimate cabin footage and the gruesome aftermath of accidents, employees like the one who dictated this latest essay are themselves constantly monitored. Workers are, as this employee and others who spoke to BI noted, required to watch between five and six hours of footage per day, and are given one 15 minute minute break and another 30-minute break for lunch. Tesla tracks their productivity with an in-house monitoring system known as "Flide Time," which records keystrokes and clicks within the company's video software and sends automated alerts to supervisors if workers aren't grinding hard enough. "To properly label some of the clips you have to use outside resources," the employee said. "So you'll have to go out of the labeling system to review traffic laws or Tesla's labeling policies, but anytime you're not clicking around in the software program, it tracks you as if you aren't working and it basically sets off an alarm to your superiors." Flide or Die As BI previously reported, workers who don't "hit Flide Time," even just by a few minutes, almost immediately end up in disciplinary meetings and get points against their records. If they get three of these points within a six-month time period, they can be fired. The employee in this interview said that they'd been pulled into meetings for not clicking around in Flide Time for a mere 15 minutes. "You could basically get fired for spending too long in the bathroom," they said. "There's definitely a feeling that we're just worker ants." Between the mental "fog" that accumulates when looking at hours and hours of driver footage and knowing that they're constantly being monitored not only by Flide Time but by cameras around the office as well, this Autopilot worker said they've now all but lost faith in Tesla. "I thought it would be a great opportunity for my career," they said, "but now I view it as this dystopian company." More on Tesla: Cybertruck May Start Offering "Help Mode" for When It Gets Stuck, Engineer Says We recently published a list of 10 Best Automotive Stocks To Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) stands against the other automotive stocks. Headwinds in the Automotive Industry The automotive industry is heavily commoditized relative to other industries considering the fact that consumers typically have numerous options in terms of the car they want to purchase, resulting in the need for automotive companies to compete with each other predominantly on pricing. As a result, many automotive companies, especially those offering pricier vehicles, have been seeing a decline in revenue growth and profit margins over the past couple of years. This decline is primarily a consequence of rising inflation which has significantly cut down your average consumers spending power. According to Daryl Kenningham in his interview on CNBCs Squawk Box, the President and CEO of Group 1 Automotive, the wider macroeconomic trends surrounding the automotive industry and the support of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the market have resulted in prices for vehicles, both used and new, beginning to fall in 2024 though this price decline is being seen more evidently in the case of new cars, seeing as there has been a prolonged shortage of pre-owned cars in the market. Despite the decline, though, the average transaction costs for purchasing any car are still pretty high, which has been acting as an impediment barring consumers from getting into cars. Rising Industry Trends Considering the current market conditions, many consumers are thus looking for lower-priced vehicles. This spells trouble for electric vehicle (EV) producers since EVs are notorious for their hefty price tags and pricey battery replacements, and lays the foundation for the newest hot trend in the automotive space: hybrid cars. Fords former CEO, Mark Fields, in his interview on CNBCs Squawk Box on August 30, noted that because of the greater convenience offered by hybrid cars, automakers dabbling within the EV space should expand their hybrid offerings. Simultaneously, the vision of producing pure EVs shouldnt be entirely abandoned either instead, time and resources must be dedicated to producing lower-priced EVs that automakers can actually make money on. Fields further added that another impediment to the growth of EV makers today is the prolonged waiting time for charging an EV. For this, the only viable solution on the horizon is the development of solid-state batteries that can significantly reduce charge time to about 5-10 minutes around the same time you spend at a typical gas station. However, the mass production of solid-state batteries and their incorporation in EVs is still something that we wont see happening in the near future. This is why we believe that investors interested in automotive stocks should look at not only EV manufacturers but also traditional vehicle producers or, even better, companies that offer both types of vehicles to their consumers. The list we have compiled below reflects this position. 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 Lear Corporation (LEA) The Best Automotive Stock To Buy Now? A technician installing a seat system in the interior of a car. Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40 Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) is an automotive parts provider. The company develops and supplies automotive seating and electrical distribution systems, among more. It is based in Southfield, Michigan. Many investors are interested in buying Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) because of the potential they see in its innovative solutions and its focus on incorporating AI, robotics, and vision systems within its business. In this regard, the company recently acquired WIP Industrial Automation, through which it aims to design AI and robotics-enabled turnkey solutions for complex industrial challenges that will help Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) accelerate its global automation initiatives. Another attractive feature of Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) is its cheap valuation at present. The stock is currently trading at a P/E ratio of 9.1 versus the sector median of 15.6. As it stands, Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) is incredibly undervalued and thus represents an attractive automotive stock pick for value investors. The company is also working on becoming a leader in advanced manufacturing integration, for which its WIP acquisition will come in handy. Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) was spotted in the portfolios of 40 hedge funds in the second quarter, with a total stake value of $1.4 billion. Overall LEA ranks 6th on our list of the best automotive stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of LEA as an investment, we believe that AI stocks hold 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 LEA 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. Texas Man Kills 2 Children, Their Mother, Before Turning Gun on Himself: Police Police were called to the Amarillo, Texas, home on Sept. 7, where they found the bodies of two adults and two children Getty A Texas man fatally shot his two children and their mother before turning the gun on himself, authorities said. On Sept. 7, at about 6:30 p.m., officers were called to a home in Amarillo after receiving a 911 call from a family member who made the grim discovery, according to an Amarillo Police Department press release obtained by PEOPLE. There, officers found two adults and two children dead inside the home. Police said Jessica Rose Olmos, 33, and her two children suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities believe the other adult, Jose David Olmos, 42, shot his family before dying by suicide, per the release. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The names of the children have not been shared by police. An Amarillo police spokesperson told PEOPLE the department does not release the names of juvenile victims and did not confirm the names to other news outlets. Police said the case is being investigated by the APD Homicide Unit and remains ongoing. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. (Bloomberg) -- Thailands annual budget cleared the final hurdle with the Senate approving the 3.75 trillion baht ($110 billion) spending plan that paves the way for new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to roll out fiscal stimulus to jumpstart the nations economy. Most Read from Bloomberg The budget bill, which proposes a 4.2% increase in state spending from Oct. 1, was backed by 174 senators in the 200-member Senate on Monday. The lower house passed the bill last week, and it now requires a royal endorsement. The budget outlay equivalent to about a fifth of the nations $500 billion economy - will be a key tool for Paetongtarn to tackle multiple economic challenges ranging from near-record household debt to an aging society. Paetongtarn, 38, is due to announce her governments policy priorities in parliament on Sept. 12. Read: New Thai PM Set to Fix $474 Billion Household Debt as Priority Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of influential former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, was elected by parliament last month after her predecessor Srettha Thavisin was dismissed by a court over an ethical violation. Her coalition government will expedite a debt restructuring to tackle chronic debt burden facing households and small businesses and accelerate economic stimulus measures, according to a draft of the policy statement. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Thousands of Mexicans, mainly court employees and law students, protested in the capital on Sunday against a controversial judicial reform proposal that would see judges elected by popular vote. They gathered in Mexico City as the Senate began to debate the initiative pushed by outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and approved by the lower house, called the Chamber of Deputies, in which the ruling party holds sway. The proposed reform, which would see the election of judges of the Supreme Court and other tribunals as well as magistrates, has sparked diplomatic tensions with the United States, prompted protests by opponents, and upset financial markets. "The judiciary will not fall," chanted protesters who marched on the Senate, expected to vote on the proposal Wednesday. The bill was approved by Senate committees on Sunday night and is expected to be presented to the plenary on Tuesday ahead of the vote a day later. Striking judicial workers have asked the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter, a request that Lopez Obrador has said has no legal basis. In rare public remarks the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Norma Pina, appeared to lash out Sunday at the reform proposal, although she did not name it specifically, saying Mexico risked "the demolition of the judicial branch." Pina said last week the court would discuss whether it has jurisdiction to halt the reform. In her remarks Sunday, carried on social media, Pina presented two alternative reform proposals and called on Lopez Obrador and congress to listen to Mexicans' comments about the reform package. "Today it is still possible," Pina said. "We can change things." Currently, judges and some other court positions qualify for promotion based on their record and years of service. The United States, Mexico's main trading partner, has warned that the reforms would threaten a relationship that relies on investor confidence in the Mexican legal framework. Lopez Obrador, who will be replaced by his ally Claudia Sheinbaum on October 1, argues that the change was warranted because courts currently serve the interests of the political and economic elite. sem/db/mlr/dw/nro/fox SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) A threat issued through a national crisis helpline that shut down two Concho Valley school districts on Sept. 9 has been discredited and revealed to have come from South America. According to a Rochelle ISD public statement made on Sept. 8, the McCulloch County Sheriffs Office called it during the night of Sept. 7 and informed the district that an individual who claimed to be attending Rochelle High School was allegedly having a crisis and made a threat directed to a school. In response to the threat, Rochelle ISD and Brady ISD, a district also in McCulloch County, canceled their activities for Sept. 9 while law enforcement conducted an investigation. RELATED: Rochelle, Brady ISD close amid alleged threat Rochelle ISD has since released an update regarding the investigation, stating that an investigation conducted by agents of the San Angelo office of the Texas Department of Public Safety revealed that the threat was not credible and that the call originated from a country in South America. The number of threats that schools receive continue to be on the rise across the entire state and nation, Rochelle ISD Superintendent Matthew Fields said. Many times, these threats do turn out to be hoaxes or are otherwise determined to have no merit. Nonetheless, our core responsibility is to ensure the safety of our entire learning community this will always be our core responsibility. DPS agents have also been inspecting Rochelle ISDs only campus throughout Sept. 9 and plan to continue working with other law enforcement agencies to follow up on the initial call that the crisis hotline received and any other reports of suspicious activity. We have been in contact with TEA representatives that specialize in school safety, Fields said. We appreciate their collaborative efforts, and I know that you all appreciate them as well. With the threat discredited, the Rochelle ISD stated that it plans to resume school activity on Sept. 10. Additional law enforcement members will be at the campus when it reopens, and Principal Chayden Feist is expected to speak with the districts students regarding the importance of school safety and quickly reporting concerns to adults. Brady ISD likewise announced that the schools will return to normal activities on Sept. 10 in light of the investigations discoveries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Three former US police officers go on trial for Memphis beating death Signs placed on the steps of a church in Memphis, Tennessee, on the morning of Tyre Nichols's funeral (Lucy Garrett) (Lucy Garrett/GETTY IMAGES/Getty Images via AFP) Jury selection began on Monday in the trial of three former police officers who are accused of violating the civil rights of a Black man who died after being brutally beaten during a traffic stop in the US city of Memphis. Five police officers were charged in connection with the January 2023 death of Tyre Nichols, who was kicked, punched, tased and pepper sprayed in the Tennessee city of Memphis. Two of the five officers, all of whom are Black, pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges while three -- Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith -- chose to go to trial. About 200 potential jurors were summoned to a downtown Memphis federal courthouse on Monday for the start of jury selection for the trial of Bean, Haley and Smith, the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper reported. They are accused of witness tampering, violating Nichols's civil rights by using excessive force and other offenses. The other two officers, Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills, pleaded guilty to similar charges. The officers, members of a since-disbanded special anti-crime squad called the Scorpion Unit, were captured on video beating the 29-year-old Nichols during a January 7, 2023 traffic stop close to his home. He died in hospital three days later. The five officers also face state charges in connection with Nichols's death, including second-degree murder. The camera footage of Nichols's savage beating triggered outrage and demands for police reform. Vice President Kamala Harris attended his funeral and Nichols's family members were invited to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in Washington. cl/aha EMINENCE, Mo. Three Missouri hunters are facing misdemeanor charges related to poaching. An investigation spanning nine months identified the suspects as Bonne Terre residents Kevin Click, and Travis Wadlow, in addition to Michael ONeail of De Soto. They collectively face 15 charges in this case. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) received a report in November 2023 from a 14-year-old deer hunter who discovered the elk shot dead and left to rot near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County. Conservation agents from various MDC regions conducted extensive interviews with local hunters and visitors to the area during the investigation. Missouri Supreme Court keeps abortion amendment on ballot Agents used surveillance footage from local businesses and elk-population-monitoring cameras to identify the suspects. The investigation involved cooperation from MDCs Ozark, Central, St. Louis, and Southeast regions. In Missouri, there is a random drawing for elk hunting permits. Hunters may take only one elk with at least one antler no less than six inches in length. The MDC is asking anyone who witnesses potential Wildlife Code violations to local conservation agents or through the Operation Game Thief hotline at 800-392-1111. Anonymous reporting is available, and callers may be eligible for rewards. For more information about wildlife regulations and Operation Game Thief, visit mdc.mo.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 FOX 2. The voting screen is pictured in the Senate chamber of the Rhode Island State House. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) The Senate District 25 seat representing Johnston has sat vacant since six-term incumbent Sen. Frank Lombardo III died in February of bladder cancer. Three Democrats are competing to fill Lombardos seat in the conservative town, which backed Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Rhode Island Current reached out to the candidates with a questionnaire. Candidate Andrew Dimitri did not provide answers, despite multiple inquiries. Key Events 3 weeks ago Progressive Pam Leary intends to support struggling families 3 weeks ago Richard DelFino wants to strengthen community safety and support 3 weeks ago Progressive Pam Leary intends to support struggling families Name: Pamela Leary Party: Democrat Race: Senate District 25 Age: 55 Residence: Johnston Job: Operations Manager for the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families; Assistant Director for the Coventry Emergency Management Agency Years lived in Rhode Island: 55 Political bio: None What are your top 3 legislative priorities if elected? Create and support legislation that will protect the rights and freedom for all people to make their own health care decisions, and be able to access affordable health care. Create and support legislation to protect and improve workers rights including time off, wage theft, misclassification and cost of living increases, right to organize. Legislation to create a safer workplace for workers in social services, healthcare workers, police, firefighters, and our teachers. Protecting the environment- creating and supporting legislation that is proactive, including the bottle bill that would curb plastic bottle pollution in RI. Do you support a state inspector generals office? If so, where do you propose the funding come from within the state budget? Yes 37 states already have a state inspector general. This does not need to be another top-heavy state agency. The IG could collaborate with each state agency and utilize staff resources that already exist within the agency. Perhaps each agency could assign someone for six months as a resource/on a rotation, so the IG office would better understand each agency, holistically, instead of being on the outside, looking in. Each agency would also benefit from the understanding that is brought back with the staff when they return. Do you support providing funding in the state budget to make school breakfasts and lunches free for all students? Why, or why not? Yes. Kids are in school all day and start very early. Families are struggling. There is no reason we should not do this. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Last updated: 5:53 pm 3 weeks ago Richard DelFino wants to strengthen community safety and support Name: Richard J. DelFino III Party: Democrat Race: Senate District 25 Age: 37 Residence: Johnston Job: Director of Community and Legislative Affairs for Tri-County Community Action Agency; previously Director of Municipal Affairs under Gov. Dan. McKee Years lived in Rhode Island: 37 Political Bio: Served on the Johnston Town Council, Johnston Democratic Town Committee What are your top 3 legislative priorities if elected? Introduce legislation that would establish a ratio of mental health workers in schools, to the total population, that will meet and address students mental health needs. Create a public safety net that includes corrections officials, police and federal law enforcement professionals along with local city and town inspections personnel that will provide more communication in all matters of public safety including the tracking of sex offenders of any designation with the proper community notification of information that would compromise the safety of residents. This would include community police substations located in the areas where residents would gather like city and town parks and recreation sites Create a task force of the Rhode Island State Police and municipal police departments to study, recommend, and enforce speeding in our neighborhoods Do you support a state inspector generals office? If so, where do you propose the funding come from within the state budget? No. The cost could be burdensome to taxpayers and agencies such as the Attorney Generals office can assist with oversight. Do you support providing funding in the state budget to make school breakfasts and lunches free for all students? Why, or why not? Yes. No child should be deprived of a nutritious meal to accompany their school day. At the same time, you cannot identify any student based upon need, therefore everyone should be treated equal. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Last updated: 6:48 pm Getty Images Last month, my husband and I piled our two kids and way too much stuff into our car for our annual summer trip to the Shenandoah mountains. Every year, I think it will probably be our last, since our kids are 20 and 21 now. But weve adjusted as the years have flown by. I dont plan comically long itineraries anymore and everyone has their space, plus their partners have been free to join us. Theres nothing like having adult kids who still want to hang around you sometimes to make you feel that in spite of all your mistakes, youve done something right as a parent. But Im especially grateful because our blended family had to be built from the ground up a decade ago. My husband and I made a pact to always put the children first, even at the expense of our careers, and never regretted it. We both owned our own businesses and worked at home so we could be there more for our kids in their tweens and teens, which provided a strong foundation, especially during the pandemic. Our kids arent related by blood, but they consider themselves siblings (even when they fight). And my husband and I love each others children like theyre our own. Its a family by choice and we all continue to choose each other. But its not a real family, if you read Project 2025, the far-right blueprint for a second Donald Trump term. Married men and women are the ideal natural family structure because all children have a right to be raised by the men and women who conceived them, according to The Family Agenda section. Under that definition, the only legitimate family structure is a two-parent household with their biological children those who have remarried, adopted or used IVF need not apply. As a single mom for six years, I was accustomed to being blamed for all of societys ills, but I suppose I was naive to not expect that stepfamilies would eventually end up in conservatives crosshairs. Naturally, Project 2025 doesnt just leave it at that. There are proposals to restrict birth control, eliminate abortion and institute a surveillance state on womens fertility and health. Oh, and if you guessed they werent going to leave LGBTQ+ people alone, you were right. Heres how they want the next president (Trump) to reengineer our country: Families comprised of a married mother, father, and their children are the foundation of a well-ordered nation and healthy society. Unfortunately, family policies and programs under President Bidens HHS are fraught with agenda items focusing on LGBTQ+ equity, subsidizing single-motherhood, disincentivizing work, and penalizing marriage. These policies should be repealed and replaced by policies that support the formation of stable, married, nuclear families. Its tempting to believe this is all a far-right fever dream that will never come to pass. But theres no more fervent evangelist for a return to the patriarchal paradise of the past than Trumps running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), who obsessively vilifies single women as miserable for eschewing having children, their only path to happiness and to fulfillment. Hes famously cavilled that the country is run by a bunch of childless cat ladies, citing Vice President Kamala Harris (who has stepchildren), U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (whos a gay married father) and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) (who has a dog). This far-right plan isnt just about societal conformity; its about control at the most intimate level. Susan J. Demas And he said that American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten really disturbs me for not having a single child (shes gay and a stepparent). Some of this should sound familiar to those of us in Michigan, as GOP gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon went off during her failed 2022 campaign on single women working and leading a pretty lonely life. (Indeed, if right-wingers go-to insult on social media against any woman over 19 is that theyre lonely, aging, childless and cant keep a man). Dixon, who was challenging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, also bizarrely declared that it was time to elect a real woman to lead Michigan and cast the race as being between a conservative businesswoman and mother, and a far-left birthing parent and career politician. Dixon lost by 11 points, but her compulsion for telling people how to live their lives in the most personal ways lives on with Vance, who opposes same-sex marriage and is a big fan of far-right Hungarian leader Viktor Orbans pronatalist policies giving tax breaks to married couples having more kids. Vance also wants to politically reward people who he sees as being more valuable to society. When you go to the polls in this country as a parent, you should have more power you should have more of an ability to speak your voice in our democratic republic than people who dont have kids, he said in a 2021 speech. Lets face the consequences and the reality: If you dont have as much of an investment in the future of this country, maybe you shouldnt get nearly the same voice. This far-right plan isnt just about societal conformity; its about control at the most intimate level. Just to put a fine point on it, Vance has complained that its too easy to get divorced these days naturally eradicating no-fault divorce is another item on the far-right wishlist and has appeared to defend violent marriages. This is one of the great tricks that I think the sexual revolution pulled on the American populace, which is the idea that like, Well, OK, these marriages were fundamentally, you know, they were maybe even violent, but certainly they were unhappy and so getting rid of them and making it easier for people to shift spouses like they change their underwear, thats going to make people happier in the long-term, he said in a 2021 video. This is something I know quite a bit about, having grown up in an old-fashioned, intact nuclear family that was also extraordinarily unhappy and abusive. I unwisely married at 18 to escape and had my first baby at the relatively young age of 25, which conservative traditionalists consider an ideal outcome for women. Finally asking my first husband for a divorce was one of the best things I ever did for myself and my daughter. I was able to raise her in a peaceful, loving home, first as a single mom and then in our blended family. Everyone deserves to create the family life that works best for them without government intrusion. And Americans are doing just that, with over 2.5 million LGBTQ+ adults raising children and millions using IVF and other methods to start a family. At least 2.5 million children live with a stepparent, plus many more live with grandparents or other relatives. At the Human Rights Campaigns annual gala on Saturday, Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, talked about why hes been such a longtime supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. My marriage to my wife, Gwen, is the most important thing in my life. I love her deeply. Why would I stop anybody else from marrying the person they love? he said. That makes no sense. It would seem that the Walzes raised their children with those same values, as their 17-year-old son, Gus, was so moved by his dads acceptance speech at last months Democratic National Convention that he jumped to his feet and mouthed, Thats my dad! as tears streamed down his cheeks. As for J.D. Vance, he doesnt really appear to be living his best life, even though hes achieved his idealized family structure with his wife quitting her high-powered attorney job to stay home with their three kids (although that was only after he joined Trumps ticket). The only time Ive seen him smile is when hes delivering lines eviscerating Democrats. In fact, when a Michigan reporter recently asked him the softball question, What makes you happy? Vance didnt respond with the obvious answer (My kids) but instead launched into more criticism of Harris. In his most memorable parenting story, Vance last month recalled that his 7-year-old, whos really into Pokemon cards, was with him when Trump called about joining the ticket. So hes trying to talk to me about Pikachu and Im on the phone with Donald Trump and Im like, Son, shut the hell up for 30 seconds about Pikachu,' Vance said. This is the most important phone call of my life. Please just let me take this phone call. Now thats the kind of fatherly love that just warms your heart. No matter whos elected president this year, it will be someone who doesnt fit the classical family mold. Theres Trump, who has children by all three of his wives and his current spouse is almost never seen with him, or Harris, whos known as Momala to the two stepkids shes raised and has a close enough relationship with her husbands first wife that shes actively campaigning for her. Like many of us who live in the modern world, Ella Emhoff seemed genuinely confused by conservatives slamming her stepmom for not being a real mother. How can you be childless when you have cutie pie kids like [C]ole and I, she wrote on social media. She later added: I love my three parents. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg China hawks in the US House overcame a last-ditch lobbying effort and passed legislation Monday night that would blacklist Chinese biotech companies and their US subsidiaries. The bill, approved by a vote of 306 to 81, now goes to the Senate. At stake, the bills backers argued, is whether a rival will dominate another field the US pioneered, amid fears China could engineer bioweapons or otherwise capitalize on biological data vacuumed up from the rest of the world. The legislation which passed the House Oversight Committee 40-1 in May, would affect five companies to start: BGI Group, BGI spinoffs MGI Tech Co. and MGIs US subsidiary Complete Genomics Inc., WuXi AppTec Co., and WuXi Biologics. On Tuesday, WuXi AppTec and WuXi Biologics said they did not pose a security risk to the US or any nation, according to filings to the Hong Kong stock exchange. BGI Group said in a statement that it strictly follows rules and laws, and has no access to Americans personal data. Shares of Wuxi Biologics pared a drop to close down 3.9% in Hong Kong, while WuXi AppTec slid 10%, the most in nearly six months. The declines also dragged other biotech shares lower. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said her nation opposed the bill, describing it in a regular press briefing in Beijing as potentially taking discriminatory measures against the nations firms. China will continue to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its own companies, she added. Dubbed the Biosecure Act, the measure is the latest power flex by lawmakers who have already succeeded this year in requiring Chinese-based parent company Bytedance Ltd. to divest from TikTok or face a US ban on the popular social media site. Bloomberg Intelligence gives the biosecurity bill a 70% chance of becoming law given strong support in both the House and the Senate. Numerous other bills targeting China are set for votes this week, including legislation targeting the Chinese supply chains for electric vehicles as well as other industries. The companies, whose stocks have fallen this year amid the blacklisting effort, have argued they arent a national security threat and are focused on health innovation. Complete Genomics has said the bill would bolster the already dominant market share of US rival Illumina Inc., and said it sells DNA sequencing machines but does not collect or access genetic data, which is controlled by their clients. Complete Genomics expressed disappointment after the vote and that the legislation would inhibit research and wouldnt protect data. A prominent House Democrat, Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, tried to persuade colleagues to sink the bill, sending a letter arguing that it selects companies to punish with no clear standard and should be reworked. In the United States of America, Congress does not just pick companies to punish at random with no clear criteria or due process, wrote McGovern, who also opposed the TikTok measure. He pointed out that his own work against the Chinese regime led Beijing to sanction him last month. While McGoverns concerns were ignored by most of the House, he did win over Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, a fellow Democrat who had backed the measure in committee. Raskin said he had been assured his concerns about how the bill was drafted would be addressed before it reached the floor, but said they werent. Like McGovern, he said the underlying issue was that Congress shouldnt be targeting individual companies, and instead ought to set rules and task agencies with enforcing them. We should be setting forth the law, not implementing the law, said Raskin, a constitutional law professor. Complete Genomics announced in May its opening a lab in Massachusetts high-tech corridor, near McGoverns district. And China-based WuXi Biologics announced in January it is expanding a facility in his district, which is expected to add 200 new jobs. McGovern said on the House floor Monday he would be prepared to shut down companies, even the one in his district, if there was evidence of bad behavior. This is how they do things in China. The PRC officials decide they dont like you so they blackball you, he said of the legislation. Representative Brad Wenstrup, an Ohio Republican and the bills primary sponsor, said the companies were named because they are aligned with the Chinese Communist Party, which is intent on dominating the biotech industry, and said millions of Americans data is potentially at risk. After the vote, Speaker Mike Johnsons office said in a statement that he is not stopping here and is committed to advancing further China-related legislation on investments and other predatory practices. The legislation also has implications for the global pharmaceutical industry, as much of the worlds drug supply chain includes active ingredients produced by Chinese biotechnology companies. Companies and researchers that receive US funding could continue using the Chinese companies products, like Complete Genomics DNA sequencing machines, until 2032 under existing contracts via a grandfather clause. Efforts to prevent the measure from becoming law now move to the slower-moving Senate, where any member can complicate passage for the majority. Rand Paul, a libertarian-minded Kentucky Republican who was the sole vote against a Senate version of the biosecurity bill in committee, told Bloomberg in July hed block quick passage of the legislation. I think its a mistake to let hysteria over China stop international trade, he said, warning that trade isolationism could lead to war. But Pauls opposition may not be enough to sink the bill entirely. Senators are discussing adding the legislation to the chambers annual defense policy bill. --With assistance from Alfred Liu, Maria Paula Mijares Torres and Catherine Ngai. (Updates with response from Chinas Foreign Ministry and closing market prices.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz took his Republican rival to task over his controversial response in the aftermath of the Georgia school shooting. Walz made a speech during an appearance at the Humans Rights Campaign National Dinnerthe nations largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organizationin Washington on Saturday night. Walz took to stage to highlight his support for his running mate, Kamala Harris (Yes, by the way, shes more qualified than anybody thats ever run for this office, lets be clear) along with the pairs record on queer rights. Im an old, straight, white guy, Im teaching social studies, youre all picturing the damn stereotype here. Turns out Im opposite world of Tommy Tuberville though, he said before describing his involvement with his former schools gay-straight alliance. Yet the Minnesota governor used the opportunity to namecheck more than just Tuberville. Its a fact of life some people are gay, Walz said. But you know whats not a fact of life? That our children need to be shot dead in schools. Thats not a fact of life. Im honored to join @HRC which has done so much to advance the cause of equality and freedom to talk about how Kamala Harris and I are proud to be partners in this fight. Watch now. https://t.co/IS3y1mmm5T Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) September 7, 2024 Vance told a crowd during a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, last week, that increased security was the answer to school shootings, rather than tougher legislation on guns. Four people were killed and another nine injured last week after 14-year-old Colt Gray allegedly launched an attack on Apalachee High School in Georgia. I dont like that this is a fact of life. But if youreif you are a psycho, you want to make headlines, you realize that our schools are soft targets. And we have got to bolster security at our schools Weve got to bolster security so if a psycho wants to walk through the front door and kill a bunch of children, theyre not able to, Vance said. If these psychos are going to go after our kids weve got to be prepared for it, Vance said. We dont have to like the reality that we live in, but it is the reality we live in. Weve got to deal with it. JD Vances Staggering Comments After Georgia School Shooting While the Harris-Walz campaign had already condemned Vances comments, Walz used his speech to reiterate, Folks are banning books, but theyre okay with weapons of war being in our schools. Look, thats not this country, it doesnt have to be this way, it doesnt happen elsewhere, were going to make sure our children are seen, they bring their authentic selves, then were going to make sure theyre safe when they get there, so thank you all, he said. Republicans however have supported Vance over his comments, claiming the criticism is driven by Democrats with an agenda. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Riggio: he was accused of not caring about the fate of small booksellers - Rob Kim/Getty Images Leonard Riggio, who has died aged 83, bought a struggling Manhattan bookshop called Barnes & Noble in 1971 with a $1.2 million loan and transformed it into Americas biggest bookshop chain, in the process putting numerous small neighbourhood booksellers out of business. Riggio was no great bookworm, admitting that he could just as easily have sold household goods. Nevertheless, his empire of more than 600 literary superstores, combining discount deals and huge bookshelf and display space with couches, armchairs, cafes and even creches appealed to consumers, and by the late 1990s one in eight books bought in America was bought at a Barnes & Noble store. Along the way, Riggio was accused of breaking antitrust laws, bullying publishers and caring nothing for the small businesses he destroyed. He responded by accusing his critics of elitism. Our bookstores were designed to be welcoming as opposed to intimidating, he said. You could go in, get a cup of coffee, sit down and read a book for as long as you like, use the restroom. The line could almost have come from Nora Ephrons 1998 rom-com Youve Got Mail, and although the writer-director denied basing the character of Joe Fox (played by Tom Hanks), a cocksure book-chain executive bent on out-competing Meg Ryans struggling family bookshop, on Riggio, the parallels were obvious. We are going to seduce them with our square footage, and our discounts, and our deep arm chairs, and our cappuccino, Hanks character declares. Theyre going to hate us at the beginning, but well get em in the end. A Barnes & Noble interior - Anton Gvozdikov/Alamy Riggio asked the Wall Street Journal in 1992: Why am I the predator, but if a nice independent bookstore opens a branch, its like welcome to the Messiah? He admitted that his nature was to be a ball-buster, but insisted that he wanted to help people. From the early Noughties, however, sales at Barnes & Noble began to slide, as the new big beast, Amazon, encroached and Riggio found himself battling to stay afloat alongside his erstwhile foes in the book trade. His immediate response was to try to innovate, expanding into games and toys and spending heavily on developing Barnes & Nobles own e-reader, the Nook, to compete with Amazons Kindle. Arguably, though, innovation was where Barnes & Noble went wrong. Other big booksellers, such as the UK giant Waterstones, tackled the Amazon juggernaut and turned loss to profit by, as its chief executive James Daunt put it, going back to good old-fashioned bookselling. Barnes & Noble, however, was said to have lost $1.3bn on the Nook before abandoning it. In 2010 its board announced that the company was for sale, but there were no takers. Riggio had stepped down as CEO in 2002, but four CEOs left in five years and between 2015 and 2018 its stock dropped by 60 per cent. Story continues Barnes & Noble bookstore, Fifth Avenue, New York: the company tried to modernise in the face of the digital revolution in bookselling - Getty Images Riggio remained chairman, presiding over the closure of some 150 shops, until 2019 when the company was acquired for approximately 500 million by Elliott Advisors, and James Daunt was appointed to run it in addition to Waterstones. Leonard Stephen Riggio was born in Little Italy, Lower Manhattan, on February 28 1941. His mother was a dressmaker and his father a cab driver and former prize fighter who had twice defeated Rocky Graziano. Riggio dropped out of an engineering course at New York University to work as a floor manager at a campus bookshop. In 1965 he opened his own rival shop, SBX (Student Book Exchange), in Greenwich Village, gaining credibility among the student population by allowing anti-war protesters to print leaflets on the shops copying machine. By 1971, when he bought Barnes & Noble, he had opened several more campus bookstores. He is survived by his second wife, Louise, by their daughter, and by two daughters from an earlier marriage. Leonard Riggio, born February 28 1941, died August 27 2024 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. Timor-Leste is the third stop in the Pope's 12-day Asia-Pacific tour [Getty Images] Pope Francis has called on young people to be protected from abuse, as he arrived in Timor-Leste on the latest leg of his tour of south-east Asia and Oceania. The Pontiff landed in the capital Dili on Monday, where he told officials: "Let us not forget the many children and adolescents whose dignity has been violated." He then called on people to do "everything possible to prevent every kind of abuse and guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people". While the Pope did not mention a specific case, his visit comes after a prominent East Timorese bishop, hailed as an independence hero, was accused of sexually abusing young boys in the country during the 1980s and 90s. A Vatican spokesman earlier said the Church had been aware of the case against Nobel Peace Prize-winning Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo in 2019 and had imposed disciplinary measures in 2020, including restrictions on Belos movements and a ban on voluntary contact with minors. In an open letter, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests in Oceania said there had "still not been redress for the victims" and called on Pope Francis to use Church money to pay compensation to them. According to his official schedule, the Pope will not meet with victims and it is not clear whether Bishop Belo will appear alongside him in Dili. The pontiff also used his speech to praise the country - formerly known as East Timor - for their new era of "peace and freedom", two decades after it achieved independence from neighbouring Indonesia. "We give thanks to the Lord, since you never lost hope while going through such a dramatic period of your history, and after dark and difficult days, a dawn of peace and freedom has finally dawned," he said. Pope Francis delivers a speech next to East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta [Reuters] Before delivering his speech, tens of thousands of devotees lined the streets, cheering and waving flags as he was driven in an open-top car flanked by security. Timor-Leste is the only Catholic-majority country the pontiff is visiting as part of his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour. Around 700,000 people - more than half of Timor-Leste's entire population - are expected to attend an open-air mass that the Pope will celebrate near Dili on Tuesday. Authorities have also demolished homes and evicted dozens of people in the area where the mass will be held, in a move which has attracted strong criticism from local residents. "They even demolished our belongings inside the house. Now we have to rent nearby because my children are still in school in this area, Zerita Correia previously told BBC News. The homes are located in Tasitolu, a wetland area just outside the capital. Over the past decade, hundreds of people moved there from rural parts of the country. Many came looking for work in the capital and built basic homes in the area. The government says they are squatting and have no right to live on the land. Speaking to the BBC, a government minister said that residents were made aware of plans to clear the area in September 2023. The government has decided to clear the area [Amito Araujo/BBC] Critics in Timor-Leste have also questioned the decision to spend such large amounts of money on the visit - including US$1m (762,000) on a brand new altar. According to the UN, nearly half of the population of Timor Leste currently lives below the national poverty line. This is the first papal trip to Timor-Leste since Pope John Paul II visited in 1989, when the country was still under Indonesian occupation. When Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975, only around 20% of East Timorese people were Catholic. That figure now stands at 97%. The Pope was previously in Papua New Guinea, where around a quarter of its inhabitants describe themselves as Catholic and Indonesia, where that figure is 3%. Pope Francis will finish his tour in the region in Singapore later this week. Additional reporting by Amito Araujo in Dili An Anaheim toddler is dead after she was left in a hot car during the ongoing heat wave, and the girls mother has been arrested. Authorities responded at about 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon to the 1300 block of Fashion Lane, and on scene, they found an unconscious mother and daughter in a vehicle. There is some dispute about the conditions outside of the white Ford Expedition the Los Angeles Times cited an Anaheim police officer as saying it was 104 degrees, while the Orange County Register reported it was 96 at the time but on hot days, temperatures inside a vehicle are often far higher than the air temperature. In this case, the heat was enough to put both mother and child in the hospital, and the girl died, with the preliminary cause of death suspected to be complications from heat stroke, though the official autopsy report is still pending, police noted. Orange County Sheriffs Department Sgt. Matt Parish said the toddler was identified as Anaheim resident Ily Ruiz, 3. Police on Monday identified the mother as Sandra Hernandez, 41, and said she has been arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter and felony child neglect. She did not appear in a search of jail records Monday afternoon. Juan Ruiz, Ilys father, took to social media on Sunday to mourn his child. (Editors note: The video linked here contains strong language.) I wish I was making this up, but no, my daughter really is dead due to the negligence of her mother, Ruiz said. Juan Ruizs family has set up a GoFundMe to assist with funeral and other costs. Police ask that anyone with information call 714-765-1900 or Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concern on Monday with Azerbaijan hosting the COP29 climate conference in November, pointing to the country imprisoning Armenian and pro-environmental activists. Cardin, in a statement, said hosting a major international conference like COP29 should come with responsibilities and expectations that host countries allow frank discussion of information and issues, which requires recognizing freedoms of speech and assembly. Azerbaijan has not done so, he said, urging the countrys president, Ilham Aliyev, to release those unjustly imprisoned by his government, including Armenian detainees, and community activists who peacefully demonstrated against poor labor practices and harmful environmental impacts of the Chovdar gold mine operation. Azerbaijans embassy in the U.S. said it was a strong testament to its commitment to the environment and other issues that Baku was elected by unanimous decision as the host country for COP29. Against this background, attempts to cast shadow over COP29 with ungrounded claims do not promote global climate agenda and cooperation, which the responsible members of the international community are committed to support, the embassy said. Azerbaijan looks forward to successfully hosting COP29 and advancing climate agenda with all countries involved, including the United States. Achieving further global consensus on climate action will better serve humanity and human rights. In this context, we expect uniting efforts rather that distracting them in achieving this noble cause. Azerbaijan, located between Asia and Europe in the Caucasus Mountains, will host COP29 from Nov. 11-22 in the capital of Baku. Azerbaijan was announced last December as the next host of the conference that brings together 197 countries and the European Union to advance goals committed to easing the global climate crisis. The conference comes ahead of the 2025 Paris Agreement deadline for nations to put forward climate targets for the year 2035 that are more ambitious than their existing 2030 targets. Azerbaijan has seen intense scrutiny as the conferences host because its an oil and gas producer, and the decision to host came after Baku captured a breakaway region with Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, in September 2023, which prompted a mass exodus of the ethnic Armenian population. Baku has also been criticized for jailing critics and independent media. Amnesty International this month called for the release of government critics detained by Azerbaijan, while Human Rights Watch did the same for independent media over the spring. The Azerbaijan embassy in the U.S. said in its statement that attempts to link COP29 with certain domestic legal and judicial processes goes against the very principles of the rule of law and judicial independence. Understandably, human rights have nothing to do with permissiveness to engage in illegal activities. It is also surprising to see calls to release Armenian detainees who have been sentenced or are being investigated for committing well-documented serious crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity, which have no statute of limitations, the statement reads. Doing so is fully in line with the international legal obligations and domestic legislation. Cardin said Monday that Azerbaijan has the potential to be an important member of the international community and partner to the United States, but that Baku must first release several detainees. Ahead of COP29 in November, I urge the Azerbaijani government to demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights by releasing these individuals without delay, Cardin said. Rachel Frazin contributed to this report. Updated at 4:19 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Thousands of supporters of Pakistan's imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party participate in a rally demanding his release from prison where he has been held for more than a year after being sentenced in multiple cases, on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/W. K. Yousufzai) ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistani police arrested Monday several top leaders from former imprisoned Prime Minister Imran Khan's opposition party, a day after some people clashed with the police a mile from a protest calling for his release. Among the detainees, accused of inciting violence, was the president of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, Gohar Khan, who is not related to the former premier. Videos circulating online showed police taking the party head out of his vehicle before whisking him away to a police station. The PTI said in a statement other top party officials were arrested in multiple ongoing raids but didn't disclose how many were detained. There was no immediate comment from police. Tens of thousands of supporters of the ex-prime minister, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022 and whose arrest caused widespread violence, took to the streets Sunday demanding his release. The mostly peaceful event witnessed violence after some clashed with the police on a highway, a mile from the town of Sanjrani, on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad, where the protest took place. The police said several officers were injured. At Sanjrani, PTI party leaders addressed the protesters in fiery speeches, threatening to forcefully free Khan from prison if he is not released in the next two weeks. Authorities said charges will be brought against Ali Amin, the top elected official in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, for the two-week ultimatum and inciting people to violence. His spokesman told a local news channel they had lost contact with him. It remained unclear if he was arrested or went into hiding. Khan faces a slew of legal cases and has been in prison for nearly a year after being sentenced in a graft case. He is the main rival of current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and remains a popular figure despite these cases, which critics and his party say are politically motivated. Zulfi Bukhari, Khans spokesman, denounced the arrests of the party's top leaders and supporters. He called the arrests a knee-jerk reaction" to the "huge numbers" of people who joined the protest that day before. He also said the party leaders were arrested because they took a firm stance, demanding the popular politician's release. PTI in a statement on the social media platform X on Monday said Khan has thanked his supporters for peacefully holding the rally in Islamabad. It quoted Khan as saying: You have all broken the shackles of fear to stand up & fight. The law is intended to implement the Mount Laurel doctrine, constitutional case law that requires municipalities to provide realistic opportunities for the creation of low- and moderate-income affordable housing. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor) Nine municipalities sued the state Monday in a bid to overturn a new law passed last spring to overhaul New Jerseys affordable housing system. The law, which Gov. Phil Murphy signed in March, is an unconstitutional, unfunded local mandate that enabled state legislators to shirk political accountability for ensuring the states 564 municipalities comply with their affordable housing obligations, attorney Michael L. Collins wrote in the lawsuit, which was filed in state Superior Court in Mercer County. The law, which amended the 1985 Fair Housing Act, is intended to implement the Mount Laurel doctrine, constitutional case law that requires municipalities to provide realistic opportunities for the creation of low- and moderate-income affordable housing within their borders. That doctrine stems from a 1983 ruling and its 1975 precedent, Collins noted in his complaint. Todays circumstances are vastly different from 1983, and the Mount Laurel II judicial remedy as reiterated through the Law lacks continued vitality, Collins wrote. Unless a judge intervenes, Collins warned, the Legislature may continue to take unbridled action in the affordable housing space under the guise of implementing the Mount Laurel doctrine. The lawsuit prompted immediate, fierce backlash from housing advocates and at least one legislator, bill sponsor Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Burlington). Singleton called the complaint a politically driven, superfluous lawsuit filed by affluent suburban towns. We are in a housing crisis and the numbers dont lie. Home prices and rents are at an all-time high in New Jersey, and there isnt nearly enough inventory to meet demand, Singleton said in a statement. Playing politics with peoples housing a basic, human necessity is simply shameful. Rather than waste time and taxpayer dollars on needless lawsuits, I would encourage these mayors to use our new law as a tool that can help them meet not dodge their long overdue affordable housing obligations. The plaintiffs are Montvale, Hillsdale, and Old Tappan in Bergen County; Denville, Florham Park, and Montville in Morris County; Millburn in Essex County; Totowa in Passaic County; and Mannington in Salem County. Adam Gordon, executive director of Fair Share Housing Center, called the complaint a smokescreen to undermine the new law and delay its implementation, possibly for years. That would hurt families, people with disabilities, and seniors who struggle to afford pricy rents and mortgages in a state that has 14 prospective renters for each vacant apartment and a shortage of more than 200,000 affordable housing units, Gordon warned. He also noted that Montvale is deeply unrepresentative of our states population, with less than 2% Black population and an 8% Latino population. Not surprisingly, the small percentage of New Jersey municipalities that have signed on include many of the ultra-wealthy communities that have fought the hardest against affordable homes like Millburn, Gordon said. Asked to comment, Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali said it is shameful that the bills supporters are using race as an issue here. I am a first generation immigrant and started, like millions before me, from absolutely nothing, and enjoy where I live and how I live, isnt that the American dream? Ghassali said. I wish the state and Fair Share Housing give that opportunity to others. The law at issue prompted lengthy, impassioned testimony from supporters and opponents alike as it made its way through committees earlier this legislative session. Then, critics complained that it would endanger green space and burden schools, utilities, and other municipal services, particularly in rural communities. The law tasked the state Department of Community Affairs with making calculations to determine the affordable housing needs in six state regions. It set new safeguards to protect municipalities from exclusionary zoning lawsuits and created new bonus credits municipalities can use to reduce their affordable housing obligations. It also officially abolished the defunct Council on Affordable Housing, which the courts had declared moribund in 2015, and created a court-run affordable housing dispute resolution program. But Collins argued that the law is constitutionally prohibited special legislation because it exempts distressed urban municipalities, shifting affordable housing mandates instead to municipalities like those that sued. Gordon, though, said that claim is simply not true. Since urban municipalities have historically produced far more affordable housing than suburban municipalities, their obligations (under the new law) primarily consist of rehabilitating existing housing often running into thousands of affordable homes they have to rehabilitate, Gordon said. Collins also contends the law unconstitutionally moves determinations on affordable housing disputes from the old Council on Affordable Housing, which was under the executive branch, to a so-called program run by the judiciary. He took aim, too, at how judges are appointed to that program. New Jerseys chief justice has sole power under the state Constitution to assign judges, but this law requires Judge Glenn A. Grant, the acting administrative director of the courts, to appoint judges to the program, as well as experts if Superior Court judges are unavailable. Collins called the law arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable and wants a judge to bar its enforcement. Besides the state itself, the lawsuit also names Grant and the courts affordable housing dispute resolution program as defendants. Spokesmen for the courts and the governors office declined to comment. Attorney General Matt Platkin called the lawsuits claims baseless. We are disappointed that a small group of towns are resisting New Jerseys important new housing law, and we look forward to defending that law in court, Platkin said in a statement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX FAIRBORN, Ohio (WDTN) The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has announced it is making its return to the Miami Valley. At 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will perform at Wright State Universitys Nutter Center in Fairborn. During the concerts, the group is celebrating the holiday season with two showings of The Lost Christmas Eve, a fan-favorite performance. WATCH: Emu roams around, captured in Butler County This years tour marks the grand return of THE LOST CHRISTMAS EVE to the stage for the first time since 2013, said Live Nation. Expect an all-new, dazzling spectacle packed with pyrotechnics, lasers, and the incredible storytelling synonymous with TSO. Since the Nutter Center is very close to the Mall at Fairfield Commons, traffic in the area is expected to be heavy. Drivers heading to the shows are asked to avoid N. Fairfield Road to not be impacted by the influx of holiday shoppers in the area. When tickets go on sale on Sept. 13 at 10 a.m., a limited number will be just $49.99. To purchase tickets, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Transgender people in Idaho Department of Correction custody can get hormone therapy for now Photo illustration by Getty Images. A federal judge last week 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. This story was originally produced by the Idaho Capital Sun 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. Update as of 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2024 Tropical Storm Francine has strengthened to become Hurricane Francine. Click here for the latest forecast for Hurricane Francine. - - - - - NEW ORLEANS Tropical Storm Francine is expected to become a hurricane Tuesday night in the Gulf of Mexico and will threaten the U.S. Gulf Coast with flooding rain, a life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds from East Texas to Mississippi. The current National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast calls for a dangerous Category 1 hurricane landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon or evening. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for people in multiple parishes as state and local leaders have urged people to prepare for the storm's fury. "Now is the time for Louisianans to prepare for impacts from Tropical Storm Francine, which is expected to become a hurricane so get your game plan in place, monitor the news, and take advice from local officials," said Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, issuing a state of emergency that allows parishes statewide to have the resources needed to help protect the lives of residents. Heavy rain is hitting South Texas as the storm intensifies offshore on Tuesday. Eventually, that rain will move north into places like Galveston, Houston and Beaumont, where an inch or two of rain could trigger flash flooding. As Francine approaches the Texas and Louisiana coastlines, Shell has taken precautionary measures by pausing drilling operations at its Perdido and Whale offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico both of which lie directly in the storm's path. HOW FRANCINE MOVING THROUGH OIL-RICH GULF OF MEXICO COULD AFFECT GAS PRICES FILE In about 8,000 feet of water, Shell's Perdido offshore drilling and production platform is the world's deepest offshore rig. Louisiana will bear the brunt of this storm. The state could see as much as 10 inches of rain, damaging hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge up to 10 feet at the coast. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Anthony Bartie issued an emergency declaration Monday ahead of Francine's arrival in Louisiana. The declaration activates emergency response plans and protocols throughout the parish, including in towns such as DeQuincy, Iowa, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Vinton and Westlake. Calcasieu's Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Jared Maze urged residents to be ready, especially those living in low-lying areas or mobile homes. He encouraged them to be prepared to evacuate if needed. Sandbagging stations have also been established throughout the state. Evacuation orders were issued for southern parts of Cameron Parish, including all areas south of the Kelso Bayou Bridge. Parish officials are also urging people who do not live in those communities but live in flood-prone areas to consider evacuating. All New Orleans Public Schools will dismiss students early on Tuesday as a precautionary measure ahead of likely-Hurricane Francine. To assess the storm's impact, the schools will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday. In Baton Rouge, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said she has been in constant contact with the National Weather Service, along with local and state officials, as preparations are made for Francine's landfall. "This storm is expected to bring threats of heavy rain, gusty to damaging winds and possibly a few tornadoes," she said. "I want to encourage everyone to make preparations now." TROPICAL STORM FRANCINE TRACKER: FORECAST CONE, SPAGHETTI MODELS, LIVE CONDITIONS AND MORE Francine, which had been known as Potential Tropical Cyclone Six, comes at the peak of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Right on schedule, forecasters are tracking multiple areas of concern for potential development this week. As of the latest advisory from the NHC, Francine is located about 135 miles east of the mouth of the Rio Grande or about 360 miles southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana. ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON REACHES PEAK SEPT 10 A hurricane threat is looming over the U.S. Gulf Coast, with alerts in place from Texas to Alabama. The NHC has issued a Hurricane Warning for the Louisiana coast from Cameron to Grand Isle, which includes Baton Rouge. Tropical Storm and Storm Surge Warnings now extend from far eastern Texas to Mississippi. WHAT TO DO WHEN HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM WATCHES AND WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR TOWN A Hurricane Watch is in place for Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchartrain and metropolitan New Orleans. According to the NHC, Tropical Storm Francine is expected to remain just offshore of Mexico's northern Gulf Coast through Tuesday, then approach the Louisiana and upper Texas coastlines Wednesday. Tropical Storm Francine is forecast to intensify through Wednesday and will become a hurricane before it reaches the northwestern Gulf Coast. DOWNLOAD THE FREE FOX WEATHER APP The Texas Gulf Coast will experience heavy rain and a storm surge as the storm intensifies and moves along the coast. Places such as Galveston, Houston and Beaumont are expected to see several inches of rain, which could trigger flash flooding. Louisiana could see 5-8 inches of rain, hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge. Original article source: Tropical Storm Francine prompts Hurricane Watch for New Orleans ahead of expected Louisiana landfall ORLANDO, Fla. Tropical Storm Francine formed Monday in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to grow into a hurricane before landfall this week, according to the National Hurricane Center. In the NHCs 11 a.m. EDT advisory, Francine was located about 245 miles southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande River and 480 miles south-southwest of Cameron, Louisiana with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph moving north-northwest at 5 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend out 160 miles. A tropical storm watch is in effect for Barra del Tordo, Mexico north to Port Mansfield, Texas. A hurricane watch has been issued for the Louisiana coast from Cameron east to Grand Isle with a tropical storm watch in effect from Barra del Tordo, Mexico up to Port Mansfield, Texas and east of High Island, Texas to Cameron, Louisiana and west of Grand Isle, Louisiana to the mouth of the Pearl River as well as Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. A storm surge watch was in effect for High Island, Texas to the Mississippi/Alabama border as well as Vermilion Bay, Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain. The system is forecast to slowly continue in a north-northwest motion toward the Texas and Mexico coast on Monday, but then shift to the northeast and pick up stream. On the forecast track, Francine is expected to be just offshore of the northern Gulf Coast of Mexico through Tuesday, and approach the Louisiana and Upper Texas coastline on Wednesday, said NHC hurricane specialist Phillippe Papin. Gradual intensification is expected over the next day withmore significant intensification on Tuesday Night and Wednesday. Francine is expected to become a hurricane before it reaches the northwestern U.S. Gulf Coast on Wednesday. The forecast predicts it to grow into a Category 1 hurricane with 85 mph sustained winds and 105 mph gusts before making landfall somewhere in a cone of uncertainty that runs from the Gulf Coast northeast of Galveston, Texas over to New Orleans. Its sideswipe of the Mexico and southern Texas coasts will bring tropical-storm conditions by Tuesday, and then hurricane conditions on the northern Gulf could begin in the watch area by Wednesday afternoon with tropical-storm conditions hitting earlier Wednesday morning. The biggest storm surge threat could bring 5-10 feet higher levels than normal from Cameron to Port Fourcho, Louisiana including Vermilion Bay and 4-7 feet from Port Fouchon to the mouth of the Mississippi, and 3-5 feet from High Island, Texas to Cameron. The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the east of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves, the NHC stated. Storm surge is not expected to pose a threat to the risk reduction system levees. However, there may be some overtopping of local levees. Some minor coastal flooding is possible along the coast of Mexico in areas that see onshore winds while swells will continue to spread across the northwestern Gulf coastline through midweek. The NHC is also tracking two Atlantic systems with the chance to develop into tropical depressions or storms. After Francine, the next names on the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season list are Gordon and Helene. The more likely of the two is an area of low pressure in the central tropical Atlantic that has disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are marginally conducive for development during the next few days, and a tropical depression could form while the systemmeanders over the central tropical Atlantic, the NHC stated in its 8 a.m. tropical outlook. By the middle part of the week, the system is forecast to move westward-northwestward at around 10 mph. The NHC gives it a 60% chance to develop in the next two days and 60% in the next seven. Farther east is a trough of low pressure several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands producing a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. In a couple of days, this trough is expected to interact with an approaching tropical wave, the NHC stated. Thereafter, Environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form during the middle to latter part of this week while the system moveswest-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph. The NHC gives it a 60% chance to develop in the next seven days. Tropical Storm Francine would mark the end of a nearly monthlong lull between the formation of named storms as Ernesto, which eventually grew into a hurricane, having formed as a tropical storm on Aug. 12. Hurricane season runs from June 1-Nov. 30. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Update: The latest advisory from NHC has been released. It doesnt show much change in the projected path of Francine, but it does now show a much stronger hurricane with a potential landfall Wednesday afternoon over the South Louisiana coast as a Category 2 storm. Sunshine returned to the ArkLaTex on Monday with the continuation of the rather pleasant weather pattern that we experienced over the weekend. This streak of nice weather will end by the middle of the week as what is expected to be Hurricane Francine arrives over the south Louisiana coast late Wednesday. The forecast track has shifted to the east since NHC started issuing advisories Sunday afternoon. There is decent model agreement that Francine will move from south of Lafayette to Vicksburg and then move NNE along the Mississippi River towards Memphis. If this forecast verifies, the worst of its impacts in our area would be heavy rain with totals of two to over four inches over the SE edge of the area. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will also be possible in these areas. Most of the ArkLaTex will receive an inch or less of rain and wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph. We would also not experience the outbreak of tornadoes that we witnessed with the passage of Beryl a few months ago. Futurecast shows clouds beginning to return to the ArkLaTex Monday night. We will see a mix of sunshine and clouds on Tuesday. While the model does show some rain late Tuesday over the south, it looks to be tracking Francine a bit too far to the west. We will probably see the rain hold off until Tuesday night and Wednesday. The wind will be strongest and the rain heaviest late Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night as Francine tracks from near Lafayette to Vicksburg. We will likely see improving conditions on Thursday as the storm moves away from our area. Keep in mind that we will likely see some adjustments the Francines potential track over the next few days. Futurecast outlook for the next 36 hours Once Francine moves away, we will settle back into a hot and dry weather pattern. Expect plenty of sunshine from Friday through most of next week. Daytime highs will likely return to the lower to middle 90s. Overnight lows will return to the low 70s. Rain looks unlikely through all of next week. Get daily forecasts and exclusive severe weather details on storms as they approach your area by downloading the Your Weather Authority app now available in the App Store and Google Play Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. US stocks rebounded on Monday on the heels of the S&P 500's worst week since early 2023, as inflation came back into focus for investors gauging pressures that could influence the size of interest rate cuts. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) climbed nearly 1.2%, coming off a hefty weekly loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) jumped more than 450 points, or 1.2%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose more than 1%. Financials (XLF), Industrials (XLI), and Energy (XLE) stocks led the market rebound. Nvidia (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), and Amazon (AMZN) led gains among the megacaps. The major averages regained some of the ground they lost after the August jobs report failed to settle a key question: How aggressively will the Federal Reserve lower interest rates? The neither-hot-nor-cold data left Wall Street guessing whether a cut of 25 or 50 basis points is likely at this month's policy meeting. Read more: Fed predictions for 2024: What experts say about the possibility of a rate cut Focus is now on a fresh consumer inflation print due Wednesday to provide clues to the path of rates. The reading on price pressures will be followed by a producer inflation report on Thursday, the last inflation inputs before the Fed's policy decision on Sept. 18. Meanwhile, Apple (AAPL) debuted its iPhone 16 smartphone at its annual product unveiling event in Cupertino, California. The tech giant also announced updates to its entire Apple Watch lineup, and AirPods Pro 2 which include new hearing protection features. Shares were little changed on the day. (Bloomberg) -- Tropical Storm Francine is set to become a hurricane Tuesday as it churns toward Louisiana after shifting east, forcing some oil drillers to halt production but following a path that will likely avert key natural gas export plants. Most Read from Bloomberg Listen to the Heres Why podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. On its current track, Francine will skirt liquefied natural gas facilities clustered around the Texas-Louisiana border, including Cheniere Energy Inc.s Sabine Pass terminal, as it makes landfall as a hurricane Wednesday. With top winds of 65 miles (105 kilometers) per hour, the storm is currently about 395 miles south-southwest of Cameron, Louisiana, the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory at 7 a.m. Houston time. Overall, Francine will likely cause $5 billion in damage and losses if it hits at Category 2 strength, said Chuck Watson, a disaster modeler with Enki Research. There is a chance it will weaken as it comes ashore, which would drop losses to about $1 billion. If Francine gathers steam, it will be the third hurricane to hit the US mainland this year. Francine will likely become a hurricane today, with significant strengthening expected before it reaches the coast, Jack Beven, a senior hurricane specialist at the center, wrote in his forecast. Francines winds are expected to top out at 100 mph, making it a Category 2 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale. A hurricane warning is in effect for the Louisiana coast from Sabine Pass to Grand Isle, Louisiana. Storm surge warnings are in place from High Island, Texas, near Houston, to the mouth of the Mississippi River. Chevron Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp. and Shell Plc are among companies taking measures like evacuating workers from vulnerable installations, suspending drilling activities and shutting in some wells. Gas supply to US LNG export plants was down 3.2% Tuesday from a day earlier. Overnight, Francines winds remained stable, which seems to be putting a cap on the upside intensity risk, said Matt Rogers, president of Commodity Weather Group LLC. It still has to cross some warm water that provide fuel for strengthening, but Francine also faces wind conditions that could damage the storms structure and limit its power. Listen on Zero: Climate Change Is Loading the Weather Dice Against Us Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard declared Port Condition Yankee at Houston, Galveston and other key Texas harbors, a warning that rough weather is expected within 24 hours. One upside to Francine as it moves ashore is that it will bring much-needed water to the parched Mississippi River, where low water levels have threatened to roil shipments of everything from corn to gasoline. The hurricane center is tracking two other disturbances in the central Atlantic Ocean with the potential to become tropical storms. Both are hundreds of miles or more from populated areas. --With assistance from Cedric Sam, Kevin Crowley, Christopher Charleston, Mitchell Ferman, Robert Tuttle, Kim Chipman, Sing Yee Ong and Ruth Liao. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. In a recent gaffe-filled, nonsensical speech, 78-year-old Donald Trump seemed to imply that 80-year-olds are incapable of signing important documents. Speaking in the battleground state of Wisconsin on Saturday, Trump suddenly poked fun at the elderly, during a rant about Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis. Great patriots have been indicted by Fani and her boyfriend, and its a disgrace. You had people that are in their eighties, Uh would you sign here? said Trump, with no real explanation of how the two thoughts connected. Its unclear which 80-year-olds he is ridiculing: whether that be his great innocent patriots or some cabal of elderly people in cahoots with Willis. What is clear, however, is that Trumps offhand comment only throws himself under the bus. In case Trump has forgotten, he will turn 80 in 2026. And he is running to serve a four-year term as president, during which he would presumably be signing documents quite often. Immediately following the comment about old people, Trump rattled off American historical figures who he said did the same kind of things as himself, such as Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Notably, Hamilton wouldnt have tried to steal an election because he never ran for president. Elsewhere in the speech, Trump called his friend Elon Musk Leon and warned his crowd that if Comrade Kamala Harris gets four more years, you will be living a full-blown banana republic ruled by an anarchy and a tyranny. Now that Joe Biden is out of the race, Trumps rapidly increasing cognitive decline is more and more on display. With each speech he gives us a new unintelligible moment, or several. Trump on indictments: You know Thomas Jefferson, did the same kind of things. Alexander Hamilton, lots of people all throughout the ages. Hillary Clinton wouldn't acknowledge the election. All of these senators like Shifty Schiff. pic.twitter.com/SKW9qsXiuW Acyn (@Acyn) September 7, 2024 To the pundits and the Republicans who relentlessly decried President Joe Bidens age, cognitive decline and mental acuity right up to the day he stepped aside in the presidential race, allow me to unspool a recent quote from 78-year-old GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. He was responding to a question about what specific piece of legislation he would advance to make child care more affordable: Its a very important issue. But I think when you talk about the kind of numbers that Im talking about, that because, look, child care is child care. Its couldnt you know, its something you have to have it. In this country, you have to have it. But when you talk about those numbers compared to the kind of numbers that Im talking about by taxing foreign nations at levels that theyre not used to, but theyll get used to it very quickly and its not going to stop them from doing business with us but theyll have a very substantial tax when they send product into our country. Those numbers are so much bigger than any numbers that were talking about, including child care. That its going to take care were going to have I I look forward to having no deficits within a fairly short period of time, coupled with the reductions that I told you about on waste and fraud and all of the other things that are going on in our country. Former President Donald Trump campaigns for reelection on Sept. 07, 2024, in Mosinee, Wis. Thats as much as I can quote here, but it went on and continued to make zero sense. Child care is child care? Tariffs are going to make child care costs go away? Theres nothing about legislation in that word eruption. There are barely any complete sentences. Trump's bizarre rants get sanitized. Biden got no such special treatment. If Biden, as the Democratic nominee, had gone on a rambling verbal tear like that, GOP lawmakers would be calling for him to be institutionalized and cable news panels would be discussing how the 25th Amendment works. But The New York Times' initial report on Trumps babble said this: In a jumbled answer, he said he would prioritize legislation on the issue but offered no specifics and insisted that his other economic policies, including tariffs, would take care of child care. Oh, cmon. A 78-year-old convicted felon running for president rants nonsensically, demonstrating an inability to hold a thought or understand an important issue, and its deemed a jumbled answer? Republicans are voting for Harris: Dick Cheney picks Kamala Harris, giving conservatives a final path to save their party from Trump Trump spouts bizarre fantasies, so why isn't his mental fitness an issue? Trump has lately taken to telling a despicable and absurd tale alleging American children are going to school and then, apparently during the day and without parental permission, being subjected to some form of gender-affirming surgery. At a weekend rally, Trump said: Can you imagine youre a parent and your son leaves the house and you say, Jimmy, I love you so much. Go have a good day in school, and your son comes back with a brutal operation. Can you even imagine this? What the hell is wrong with our country?" Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump rallies his Wisconsin supporters in Mosinee on Sept. 7, 2024. Nobody can imagine it, because its not a thing thats happening in any way, shape or form. Its several steps beyond ludicrous, and so clearly fabricated you have to wonder what other imaginary things the teller believes. If a relative was convinced such a thing was happening, youd rush them to a doctor. A violent, lie-filled rant about immigrants? Trump seems unwell. At his weekend rally in Wisconsin, Trump brought up his sadistic plan to deport millions of immigrants, and he spun a dizzyingly dishonest tale about immigrants: In Colorado theyre so brazen theyre taking over sections of the state. And you know, getting them out will be a bloody story. They shouldve never been allowed to come into our country. Nobody checked them, nobody checked were they criminals, were they from jails? We have them pouring out from jails. We have the worst criminals in all of these countries, 168 so far are registered, 168 countries. Theyre in our country and they said if you come back you will be executed, you will be killed immediately. Hoo boy. Thats a load of hot nonsense. It likely stems from a debunked viral right-wing claim about one apartment complex in Aurora being overrun by Venezuelan gangs again, debunked. But Trump concocts a violent fiction that includes the threat that his deportation effort will be a bloody story. Trump's hate speech: Trump knew Moms for Liberty was the perfect crowd for his hate speech. So he let it fly. Where are the headlines screaming: Deranged old man peddles nonsense while threatening violent deportation of immigrants? Where are the feverish concerns about whether Trump, who if he wins will be the oldest president elected, will have the mental capacity to finish out his term? Where are the calls for him to step aside? They dont exist. Even though Trumps incoherence has grown markedly worse in recent months, hes never scrutinized the way Biden was. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. News outlets are 'sanewashing' Trump's unhinged speeches Many news organizations are sanitizing Trumps crazier and crazier comments. Parker Molloy at The New Republic recently wrote: This sanewashing of Trumps statements isnt just poor journalism; its a form of misinformation that poses a threat to democracy. By continually reframing Trumps incoherent and often dangerous rhetoric as conventional political discourse, major news outlets are failing in their duty to inform the public and are instead providing cover for increasingly erratic behavior from a former and potentially future president. Thats absolutely correct. Concerns about Bidens age were legitimate, albeit wildly overreported. Concerns about Trumps age and the ease with which he concocts paranoid fantasies are somewhere between muted and nonexistent. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris campaign for her presidency in Pittsburgh on Sept. 2, 2024. I implore you to watch Trumps rallies and listen to him. He doesnt make sense. He seems incapable of following any logical train of thought. With only a couple months left before voters decide if this 78-year-old should be president, the American public deserves an unvarnished picture of Trump. Full quotes, no matter how unhinged. Anything less from journalists, pundits or lawmakers is a calamitous lie. 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's rambling rants get a pass, but Biden was labeled 'too old'? Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump threatened to prosecute his political enemies to the fullest extent of the law should he win the 2024 presidential election and signaled once again that he would not accept defeat come November. In a late-night Truth Social post on Saturday, the former president wrote that lawyers, donors, illegal voters and election officials involved in unscrupulous behavior in the upcoming election will be punished at levels never seen before. As he's done many times before, the 78-year-old candidate made unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election was stolen and warned that the United States was devolving into a Third World Nation. WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again, Trump wrote. Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country, he added. Trump, on Truth Social and X, makes no secret of his intent to go after, prosecute and imprison those who he deems to have cheated in the 2020 election if he is elected in November. pic.twitter.com/d3HZjKecGw Vivian Salama (@vmsalama) September 8, 2024 Trumps post comes just over a week before early voting kicks off in Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Virginia and just days before Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris will debate one another for the first time. Trump, who was convicted of 34 felony counts earlier this year, has made retribution a key theme throughout his 2024 presidential campaign. He has promised to seek revenge against his political and personal opponents and has previously called for an end to the U.S. constitution over the 2020 election results. I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution, Trump said last year at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. In an interview on MSNBC, Democratic strategist Maya Rupert said Trumps comments are voter suppression at the highest order, comparing Trumps repeated threats to Jim Crow-era voter suppression tactics. He is trying to scare people out of participating in the process. That is that goes against every single thing we stand for as a country, she said. This should be disqualifying, for him to say so plainly that he plans on jailing his opponents and extending that to voters, to donors, to political operatives." .@MayaRupert #SoundsOff on Trump threatening adversaries with prison "This should be disqualifying. For him to say so plainly that he plans on jailing his opponents...he is trying to scare people out of participating in the process." #SundayShow pic.twitter.com/iEvmIq1qri The Saturday/Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart (@weekendcapehart) September 8, 2024 Marc Elias, a Democratic election lawyer and the founder of Democracy Docket, criticized the Republican Party for enabling Trumps authoritarian rhetoric. Where are the so-called 'moderate' Republicans denouncing this? Where is the GOP legal establishment that is supposedly committed to the rule of law? The truththey don't exist. It's just proud MAGA and scared MAGA, he wrote on X. Authoritarian expert and historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat warned that Trumps behavior is right out of the authoritarian playbook. Trump will spend your tax dollars on personal retribution investigations on a large scale, she wrote on X. With just under two months left until Novembers election, Trumps threats have even prompted lifelong Republicans to speak out against the former president in a plea to Americans to seriously consider the consequences of a second Trump presidency. I've never voted for a Democrat. It tells you the stakes in this election, former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney said in an interview on ABC on Tuesday. Cheney has also said her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, would vote for Harris as well. Donald Trump presents a challenge and threat fundamentally to the republic. We see it on a daily basis. Somebody who was willing to use violence in order to attempt to seize power, to stay in power ... we have to do everything possible to ensure he's not reelected, Cheney said. Trump currently leads Harris 48 to 47 in the latest New York Times/Siena College poll, a lead within the polls three-point margin of error. Donald Trump has said more on abortion in the past few weeks of his presidential campaign than he has in the last two years. And its increasingly clear why he has strategically danced around the subject for so long. ABC moderators and Vice President Kamala Harris are likely to push Trump to clarify his stance on abortion during Tuesday nights highly anticipated presidential debate. Its safe to assume he will reiterate his thoughts on abortion later in pregnancy and say something about Democrats murdering newborn babies and botched abortions common, though completely untrue, talking points for Republicans. But he could also be pushed to clarify his policy stance about abortion earlier in pregnancy because lately, hes been all over the map. Trump was critical in repealing federal abortion protections. The former president has bragged about it countless times and continues to falsely claim that everyone wanted Roe v. Wade overturned. Now, as the election nears and polls suggest a tightening race, Trump is rapidly trying to change his tune. Recently, Trump proclaimed that his administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights a sentence that sounds more like a Planned Parenthood press release than something said by a man who once endorsed punishing women who get abortions with jail time. He has distanced himself from Project 2025 and its wish list of extreme anti-abortion policy proposals, claiming that he hasnt even read it, though the plan mentions him over 300 times and was created by several of his longtime allies. He has said he wont enact a national abortion ban if elected and wont enforce the Comstock Act, a 150-year-old anti-obscenity law that abortion opponents want to use to criminalize sending abortion pills by mail. But he doesnt seem to have a clue what mifepristone, one of the two drugs used in medication abortions, is. Trump, a Florida resident, seemed to suggest last week he would vote in support of a Florida state constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights. He told NBC News that the states current six-week abortion ban is too short (contrary to his position in 2023, when he boasted that without me there would be no six weeks, 10 weeks, 15 weeks abortion bans). Hours later, Trumps campaign backtracked, clarifying he has not announced how he will vote. The next day Trump said he plans to vote against the abortion rights amendment, and falsely claimed that pro-abortion rights states allow women to kill newborn babies. Trump has changed his position four times on abortion in the last 48 hours, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told CNN shortly after the Florida amendment debacle. The pivoting shows Trump has no values, Schiff said. Trumps stance on the baseline idea of what role government should even play in setting abortion restrictions has also been unclear. Since championing the fall of federal abortion protections, he has repeatedly said he believes regulating abortion should be left to the states. But hes been critical of some of the most extreme restrictions, saying Arizonas near-total abortion ban went too far, and describing GOP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis six-week ban as a terrible mistake. The presidential nominee set off a scramble within the GOP last week when he pledged that the government will pay for fertility treatments including in vitro fertilization, which can cost up to $30,000 per cycle. The idea is counter to the beliefs of many of his Republican colleagues, who have voted against IVF protections as part of a broader anti-abortion stance. Trump himself has deep ties to the anti-IVF movement. American women are not stupid, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said on a recent press call organized by Harris presidential campaign. Warren called Trumps IVF proposal smoke and mirrors, adding that making vague promises about insurance coverage does not stop a single extremist judge or state legislature from banning IVF. Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All, urged voters on the same call not to believe Trumps promises. Timmaraju pointed to the fact that Trumps own party platform includes language that suggests fertilized eggs should have full personhood rights under the 14th Amendment a stance that, taken to its logical conclusion, is a call for a total abortion ban and threatens access to contraception and IVF. Donald Trump knew what he was doing when he included the 14th Amendment [language] in the party platform, Timmaraju said. Theyre winking at the anti-abortion extremists, telling them, Dont worry about what else I have to say to get elected. This is what Im really going to do. It seems the only people who actually believe Trump when he says hes moderate on abortion are those in his right-wing evangelical base, many of whom are angry that he seems to be waffling on his more extreme positions. In the wake of his Florida comments, conservative and far-right media outlets have recently published headlines like, Trump Stabs Florida Pro-Lifers in the Front, and How Donald Trump Can Regain The Support Of Pro-Lifers. It is not the job of the pro-life movement to vote for President Trump, Lila Rose, leader of the national anti-abortion group Live Action, said in a recent interview with Politico. If the election were today, Rose said she would not vote for Trump based on his current policies a statement that a Trump campaign adviser described as a tacit endorsement of Harris. Rose suggested that if Trump doesnt change his tune soon, his anti-abortion base could easily put their weight behind a write-in candidate. (Far-right anti-abortion extremist Randall Terry will be on the presidential ballot in several states.) Students For Life Action president Kristan Hawkins said her phone was blowing up with angry calls and texts from anti-abortion advocates whove refused to canvas for Trump since he signaled he might support Floridas abortion rights amendment. We want to be able to go back to our base and be able to show them that President Trump, despite what theyve heard in the media, despite some of his confusing or cutesy tweets, is still going to be a plus in the column for the pro-life movement, Hawkins told Politico on Thursday for a report on the possibility of Trump appointing an anti-abortion leader to a prominent position in his administration. The presidential debate is a high-stakes opportunity to get more information from a candidate who has offered few specifics on one of the most critical issues this election season. Moderators will need to hold Trumps feet to the fire when it comes to his inconsistent abortion policy, which at best is nonexistent and at worst enacts the far-right fever dream of Project 2025s national abortion ban. Related... Trump claims Zuckerberg told him theres no way I can vote for a Democrat after assassination attempt Donald Trump has claimed that Mark Zuckerberg told him in a phone call shortly after the assassination attempt of the former president that theres no way I can vote for a Democrat. Trump told New York Magazine that the Meta CEO called him after he was shot in the ear at a July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Mark Zuckerberg called up and said, Ive never supported a Republican before, but theres no way I can vote for a Democrat in this election, Trump told the magazine. Hes a guy that, his parents, everybody was always Democrat. He said, I will never vote for the people running against you after watching what you did. Zuckerberg has previously spoken about the attempted assassination of Trump. Seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things Ive ever seen in my life, Zuckerberg told Bloomberg, a week after the Butler rally. Mark Zuckerberg speaks at a tech conference in July. Donald Trump claimed the tech billionaire said theres no way he can vote Democrat following the assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13 (AP) On some level as an American, its like hard to not get kind of emotional about that spirit and that fight, and I think that thats why a lot of people like the guy, he continued. Zuckerberg has not publicly endorsed a candidate in the 2024 presidential election. He told Bloomberg in July that hes not planning to get involved in the election in any way. As Mark has said publicly, hes not endorsing anybody in this race and has not communicated to anybody how he intends to vote, a Meta spokesperson told New York Magazine. A Meta spokesperson had no further comment when contacted by The Independent. Trumps comments on Zuckerberg come just days after Politico reported that the former president threatened to imprison the tech mogul. He told me there was nobody like Trump on Facebook. But at the same time, and for whatever reason, steered it against me, Trump wrote, according to an excerpt of Trumps upcoming book, Save America, reviewed by Politico. In his upcoming book Save America, Trump threatened to imprison Zuckerberg if he tries to cheat the election (Winning Team Publishing) We are watching him closely, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election. Trump has repeatedly spread the false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, and that President Joe Biden did not legitimately win. Trump has also falsely claimed that Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan swayed the election after they donated $400 million to local election offices in 2020 to help them grapple with disruptions from the pandemic. Mark Zuckerberg, in my opinion, a criminal, is allowed to spend over $400 million and therefore able to change the course of a Presidential Election, and nothing happens to Facebook, Trump said, back in 2021. Trump also baselessly accused his own former administration officials of pressuring Meta to suppress posts about Hunter Bidens laptop. Zuckerberg admits that the White House pushed to SUPPRESS HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP STORY (& much more!), Trump wrote on Truth Social last month. IN OTHER WORDS, THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WAS RIGGED, he continued. Trump was referring to a letter sent by Zuckerberg to the House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan. Zuckerberg admitted in the letter that in 2021, the Biden administration pressured Meta to censor certain COVID-19 content. Zuckerberg also said that Meta temporarily demoted a New York Post story about Hunter Bidens laptop in 2020 when Trump was president after the FBI warned the story could be part of a Russian disinformation campaign. However, Zuckerberg did not at any point state that the White House pressured Meta to demote the story, as Trump falsely claimed. Donald Trump has confirmed he will vote for recreational marijuana use to be legalized in Florida, putting him at loggerheads with the states governor and his erstwhile competitor for the Republican nomination. I believe its time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Monday. As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November. He added that as president he would support the passage of similar laws in other states that work so well for their citizens. His position pits him against not only Ron DeSantis, who has previously decried the proposal, which Floridians will vote on in November, as a license to [use marijuana] wherever you want, but also Ken Griffin, billionaire hedge fund manager and top GOP donor, whos thrown an estimated $12 million into campaigning against the legalization initiative. DeSantis Actually Endorsed a Man Who Called Him All These Nasty Things Trumps announcement represents something of a ripple in the waters after a period of relative calm in his relationship with DeSantis, after the governor fought a bitter battle for the Republican presidential nomination with the former president earlier this year. Before DeSantis dropped out in January, Trump ripped him for supposedly having come to him crying and begging on his knees for an endorsement when he was running for governor back in 2018. The former president also launched attacks on DeSantis height and sexual orientation. At one point, Trump even implied that DeSantis might be a pedophile. DeSantis often shot back by slamming Trump for juvenile insults, warning that the U.S. doesnt need any more presidents that have lost the zip on their fastball and taking jabs at Trumps failure to beat Joe Biden in 2020. Ron DeSantis Chosen School Board Candidates Face-Plant in Primaries The pair eventually struck a tentative peace in January, with DeSantis endorsing Trump after polls showed him trailing the former president with an approval rating in the single digits. Their relationship nevertheless remains strained, with DeSantis continuing to level criticism at Trumps advisers, among whom he is thought to be widely loathed. On one thing, however, they appear able to agreeneither of them care much for the smell of weed. Trump has previously expressed reservations about the impact of legalization, saying Floridians might smell marijuana everywhere we go, like we do in many of the Democrat run Cities, while DeSantis has described the drug as having a putrid and pungent odor. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Grant Baldwin/Getty Images Teachers might be crowdfunding for students basic school supplies, but according to Trumps (false and completely baseless) claims, free sex change procedures are being offered on this years curriculums. Ahead of Tuesday nights debate, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been spreading lies about transgender people on his campaign trail once again. Most recently, at a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin this past Saturday, Trump repeated the unfounded lie that children are, for some reason, receiving gender-affirming surgery at school behind their parents backs. Can you imagine youre a parent and your son leaves the house and you say, Jimmy, I love you so much. Go have a good day in school, and your son comes back with a brutal operation, Trump said in a video posted to X. Can you even imagine this? What the hell is wrong with our country? There are many things wrong with this country, but children seeking gender affirming care is not one of them. Not only are surgeries for trans minors vanishingly rare, but research has shown that when minors do have access to gender-affirming hormone therapy, it has an overwhelmingly positive effects on trans youths mental health. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), an international body of experts that writes the standards of gender-affirming care, states that patients must be of the age of majority in order to undergo bottom surgery. The Trump campaign, in fact, could not come up with any evidence of a school granting a child access to gender-affirming surgery without parental consent after CNN pressed them on the issue Monday. Campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt instead focused on the broader debate about parents rights and trans children at schools, telling CNN, I have personally spoken to several individuals whose children were undergoing transition, being called entirely different names at school and the parents were never notified. These cases dont always make the news because parents fear backlash, but their stories are nevertheless truthful and very concerning. However, as CNN mentioned, any evidence of Trumps claim that gender-affirming surgeries have been made available at schools remains to be seen. Trump Attacks Tim Walz, Saying Hes Very Heavy Into Transgender Most Americans want to see trans people protected from discrimination but thats not stopping the right from attacking Walz over LGBTQ\+ policy. Not even Trumps staunchest allies could point to evidence of children receiving gender-affirming surgery at school. CNN asked Moms for Liberty cofounder Tiffany Justice for any information on that phenomenon, to which she said, Are kids getting surgery in school? No theyre not. However, she also said that she was thankful that he made the false claim, since it brought attention to the issue of social transition, or children being allowed to use different names and pronouns at school. Additionally, Thomas Jipping, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation told CNN that Trumps point is completely valid even though he was also not aware of a specific incident yet where it has gone that far, where it has gone from social to medical transition. Chase Strangio, the Deputy Director for Transgender Justice at the ACLU's LGBT & HIV Project, said in a post on X that the sentiment was hardly worth gracing with a response, writing, No one needs to verify this to know it is absurd. Schools dont perform surgery period (and obviously - they can barely afford books), he wrote. Gender-affirming medical care doesnt happen without parental consent. Dont investigate the claim. Show what animates it. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. Former President Donald Trump last night reiterated his support for legalizing recreational marijuana in Floridaand added that he favors rescheduling cannabis under federal law and removing barriers to banking services for state-licensed marijuana businesses. Unlike Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent, Trump has not endorsed repealing federal pot prohibition, a move that voters overwhelmingly favor. But his recent statements on marijuana reform, coming just before his first debate with Harris, suggest he recognizes the potential political potency of this issue. "As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use," Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media site. "We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product. As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November." Trump's endorsement, which he first signaled in an August 31 Truth Social post, could give a boost to Amendment 3, which would make it legal for adults 21 or older to possess three ounces or less of marijuana and allow recreational sales. As a constitutional amendment, the initiative needs support from 60 percent of voters to pass. Judging from polls conducted prior to Trump's endorsement, it was unclear whether the initiative would reach that threshold. If it does, Florida will be the 25th state to legalize recreational marijuana use. In addition to backing Amendment 3, Trump said he supports the Biden administration's plan to move marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, the most restrictive category, to Schedule III, which includes prescription drugs such as ketamine, Tylenol with codeine, and anabolic steroids. "As President," he wrote, "we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana [as] a Schedule 3 drug." That reclassification, which is still pending, would facilitate medical research by removing regulatory barriers that are specific to Schedule I. It also would be a financial boon to the cannabis industry, allowing state-licensed suppliers to deduct standard business expenses when they pay their federal income taxes. But it would not legalize those businesses, which would remain criminal enterprises under federal law. Nor would it make marijuana legally available as a prescription drug, which would require regulatory approval of specific cannabis-based products. There was previously some doubt about the fate of rescheduling under a second Trump administration. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump said states should be free to legalize marijuana. But he also made it clear that he took a dim view of that "bad" policy, which he said had caused "some big problems" in Colorado. And as Harris pointed out after Trump endorsed Amendment 3 last month, he took two steps as president that seemed to contradict his avowed preference for marijuana federalism. Trump's first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, rescinded a Justice Department memo that encouraged federal prosecutors to leave state-licensed cannabis suppliers alone. Trump also proposed eliminating an annually renewed spending rider that bars the Justice Department from interfering with state medical marijuana programs. Although nothing came of either move, Harris argued that Trump had flip-flopped on marijuana reforma criticism she is apt to repeat if the subject comes up during their debate on Tuesday night. Last night, Trump also promised to "work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies," with the aim of "supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens." Financial institutions are leery of serving the cannabis industry, which under current law could expose them to potentially devastating criminal, civil, and regulatory penalties. As a result, marijuana businesses have trouble raising capital and are forced to rely heavily on cash, which makes them a ripe target for robbery, sometimes with lethal results. Despite that widely recognized problem, legislation aimed at protecting financial institutions that serve state-licensed cannabis suppliers has languished in Congress for years. If Trump is elected and keeps his promise to support such legislation, it could finally pass. Although Trump's current position falls short of opposing the national ban on marijuana, his turnaround on the merits of state legalization and his late-breaking support for federal reform could help him in November. According to a Gallup poll conducted last October, 70 percent of American adultsincluding 87 percent of Democrats, 70 percent of independents, and 55 percent of Republicansthink marijuana should be legal. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in January put support for recreational legalization at 57 percent. An additional 32 percent of respondentsfor a total of 89 percentthought marijuana should be legally available as a medicine. Among Democrats and independents who leaned toward the Democrats, 72 percent supported recreational legalization, compared to 42 percent of Republicans and GOP leaners. Support was especially strong among younger respondents, with 71 percent of 18-to 29-year-olds and 62 percent of 30-to 49-year-olds favoring full legalization Theoretically, Trump's belated support for marijuana reform could alienate Republicans who oppose legalization so much that they refrain from voting at all. But as with his triangulation on abortion, Trump seems to have calculated that the risk is small compared to the chance of attracting the independents who could be crucial to his victory. The public comments on the pending reclassification of marijuana, 69 percent of which endorsed the change or said it did not go far enough, provide some indication of which side is more motivated by this issue. Trump's marijuana moves might encourage Harris to distinguish herself from him by emphasizing her support for repealing the federal ban. As a California senator in 2018, Harris cosponsored a bill that would have descheduled marijuana, and she introduced a similar bill in 2019. But President Joe Biden has always resisted that step, and the 2024 Democratic platform says nothing about federal legalization. The platform instead emphasizes that marijuana use should not be treated as a crime. "No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana," it says. "Sending people to prison for possession has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit." That stance not only exaggerates the risk of "jail" (let alone "prison") for people convicted of simple possession; it is indistinguishable from the position that Trump is now taking. Unless Harris wants to give up her chance of capitalizing on this issue, she may have to reiterate her past support for eliminating the conflict between state and federal marijuana laws, as opposed to merely ameliorating the consequences of that contradiction. The post Trump Endorses Federal Marijuana Reforms and Reiterates His Support for Legalizing Pot in Florida appeared first on Reason.com. Trump, Harris debate on ABC. Here's where to watch in Fayetteville and what to watch for. On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, will face off against Donald Trump, the former president and Republican nominee, in their first and only scheduled debate. The debate is set for 9 p.m. and will be moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News from The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Following are other details. Debate watch party: The Cameo Art House Theatre in Fayetteville is hosting a Harris-Trump debate watch party Where can I watch the U.S. presidential debate? The debate will air on ABC and also stream on ABC News Live 24/7, Disney+ and Hulu. Fox News and CBS News have said they would simulcast the event. People who seek a different viewing experience can attend a movie screen showing of the debate at the Cameo Art House Theatre, an independent film theater in downtown Fayetteville. Admission is free and seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Cameo screening is among several public viewings of the debate in Cumberland and surrounding counties. More: North Carolina now part of 'Magnificent Seven' swing states in the presidential race Can I party with the Democratic and Republican parties? Can you kick it with the Dems or the GOP on debate night in Fayetteville? Yes, you can. The Republican Candidates Resource Center at 304 Owen Drive will host a watch party that begins at 7 p.m. Check here for information. The Cumberland County Democratic Party will host the debate at its headquarters at 5330 Raeford Road. The organization's Facebook page is here. Campaign signs are shown at the Cumberland County Democratic Party Headquarters, above, on Raeford Road in Fayetteville, NC, and the Republican Candidates Resource Center on Owen Drive in Fayetteville, NC. Both sites have planned debate parties for the televised presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. What are the debate rules for Trump vs. Harris? Trump and Harris microphones will be muted when they are not speaking. This had been a bone of contention between the Harris and Trump campaigns, with Harris team preferring unmuted mics, which allow for quicker counterpoints to be made. But the ABC debate will mimic CNNs format, which muted microphones in a June debate between Trump and President Joe Biden. Biden in July ended his reelection campaign in the wake of a disastrous debate performance and calls for him to step aside. He endorsed his vice president, Harris, for the presidential nomination, which she secured in relatively short order. Other rules of note, according to ABC News and other sources: There will not be a studio audience, which again is the same as the CNN debate. No topics or questions will be shared with the candidates beforehand. Each candidate will be given two minutes to answer a question; the opponent will get a two-minute rebuttal, and the candidate will have an additional minute for follow-up or to respond. Candidates are expected to stand behind the podium for the 90-minute debate and will have a pen, a pad and a bottle of water. Will vice presidential candidates Vance and Walz debate? U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee, have both agreed to an Oct. 1 debate. It will likely be the only vice presidential debate if history is a guide. That contest is scheduled for New York City and will air on CBS News. It will be moderated by Norah ODonnell, anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News, and Margaret Brennan, moderator of Face the Nation, and the networks chief foreign affairs correspondent. What are the stakes in this presidential debate? The stakes of the debate could be high, as Harris early momentum which pushed her ahead of Trump in most national polls has cooled and the race has tightened. She leads Trump by +1.2 points in an average of head-to-head polls and just under 2 points in polls that include third-party candidates. There could be particular interest in the debate here in North Carolina, one of seven swing states that will decide the Nov. 5 general election. After the debate, Harris is scheduled to hold rallies in both Charlotte and Greensboro on Thursday. Trump campaigned in Charlotte for a rally last week. Opinion Editor Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: How to watch, stream the Trump-Harris debate: 4 things to know Supporters cheer as former US president and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, on September 7, 2024 (Alex WROBLEWSKI) (Alex WROBLEWSKI/AFP/AFP) Kamala Harris touched down in Philadelphia on Monday on the eve of her first -- and possibly only -- presidential debate with Donald Trump before the knife-edge 2024 US election. With less than two months until polling day, the face-off could be a turning point in a bitter contest between the Democratic vice president and Republican former president. Harris's Air Force 2 landed in Pennsylvania's largest city and she will spend the night here, while Trump is not due to arrive until hours before Tuesday evening's primetime clash on ABC News. The two candidates have never even met before, and the debate is set to be a contrast in styles between a former prosecutor and a convicted felon who has targeted Harris with racist and sexist insults. "There's no floor for him in terms of how low he will go and we should be prepared for that," Harris told radio host Rickey Smiley in an interview broadcast Monday, when asked how she planned to handle Trump's attacks. "And we should be prepared for the fact that he is probably going to speak a lot of untruths." With scandals dogging her rival, who has not committed to accepting the result of November's election if he loses, Harris also has much to prove. The 59-year-old's honeymoon after replacing an aging Joe Biden at the top of the ticket appears to be fading, with polls showing she needs to reach out to voters who do not know much about her policies. She addressed the growing pressure late Sunday when her campaign put out a policy page, touching on subjects from unions and cost-of-living issues to health care. Trump, 78, will be under pressure to rein in his insults and aggression as he goes up against a mixed-race candidate vying to be the first female president in US history. - 'Not fit to be president' - But he has experience on his side, with six prior presidential debates under his belt -- and his restrained approach against an imploding Biden in their debate in June proved brutally effective. Biden was forced to drop out of the White House race less than a month later. Trump struck a typically dark tone in rallies and social media posts over the weekend as he reached out to his right-wing base, at one point warning of "long prison sentences" for all those he said were planning on "cheating" in November. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded on Monday by saying: "That kind of rhetoric coming from a former president is dangerous." The Harris campaign also targeted Trump in an ad Monday featuring former vice president Mike Pence and other ex-cabinet members saying he was "not fit to be president again." Pence fell out with Trump after refusing to endorse the then-president's bid to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. The contrast in styles between Trump and Harris is also reflected in their debate prep. Harris has been holed up for most of the last five days in a hotel in Pittsburgh -- also in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania -- doing intense debate practice sessions with her staff. One of her aides even dressed up in a Trump-style boxy suit and long tie, the New York Times reported. Trump, who survived an assassination attempt in July, has reportedly taken a more relaxed approach involving a handful of sessions. The most recent polls show the race remains neck and neck, particularly in the six or seven battleground states likely to determine the election winner. A New York Times/Siena poll on Sunday found that Trump is leading Harris nationally by 48 to 47 percent, well within the margin of error. An ABC News/Ipsos poll on Monday showed Harris leading Trump 50 to 46 percent. dk-mlm/st A view shows a jumbotron urging Trump supporters to make a plan to vote early or in-person on Election Day, during a campaign rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania A view shows a jumbotron urging Trump supporters to make a plan to vote early or in-person on Election Day, during a campaign rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania By Alexandra Ulmer, Nathan Layne, Gram Slattery YORK, Pennsylvania (Reuters) -As Trump campaign volunteers Rachel and Chris Gottberg prepared to knock on doors in York, Pennsylvania last month, their goal was to win over the infrequent voters that the campaign sees as key to victory in the battleground state. Wearing red t-shirts emblazoned with "Trump Force Captain," they were among a handful of door knockers who had gathered in the Republican Party headquarters in this working-class city of about 45,000. They planned to take along their eight-month-old baby in a stroller. The couple said they were focused on newly registered voters and what political campaigns call "low propensity" voters - people who don't show up every voting cycle and may even skip the presidential ballot every four years. The Trump campaign and its allies are putting an unprecedented focus on targeting these infrequent voters in the seven battleground states that could decide the Nov. 5 election against Democrat Kamala Harris, according to interviews with three dozen Trump campaign staffers, grassroots groups allied to the campaign, Republican county party chairs, donors and a previously unreported donor call. This focus, which has not been previously reported in detail, is a high-risk, labor-intensive strategy that could bring in a wave of new voters but could also fall short if their targets ultimately stay home, one Republican official and one academic expert warned. "It's definitely a new focus that wasn't the case in 2020," Rachel Gottberg, 34, a door-knocking veteran of previous campaigns, told Reuters before heading off with her husband to hunt for voters in their car adorned with a large Trump campaign hood cover. Candidates typically target both infrequent voters and swing voters in an effort to expand beyond their base. But Trump, more than in previous cycles, sees infrequent voters as critical. The target voters are largely rural, white and young, but also include a sizeable contingent of people of color. "We know they agree with us. We know they favor us, but we have to get them to the polls," James Blair, the Trump campaign's political director, told Reuters. A New York Times/Siena College survey published on Sunday underscored the opportunity for the Trump campaign with less reliable voters. While Trump held a slight lead on Harris among all likely voters polled, 48% to 47%, he was ahead of her by 9 percentage points, 49% to 40%, among those who did not vote in 2020, according to the poll. The Trump campaign and its allies see turning out staunch supporters who are less inclined to go to the polls as critical to victory. The campaign is also targeting independents and other persuadable voters, a group they estimate to be 11% of the electorate in the battleground states. "When you break down the numbers, you realize there's 300,000 low-propensity, conservative-leaning votes in Arizona alone," said Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point Action, a pro-Trump group helping to mobilize these voters. When "you're losing these states by 10,000 ballots or 20,000 ballots, you realize just how much potential there is if we do the work of engaging these voters beforehand," he added. In contrast, the Harris campaign, flush with cash, appears to be mounting a broader-based effort for votes. While campaign officials declined to discuss their granular targeting, the approach appears to include courting women and other groups not committed to Trump with rallies and registration drives. Jason Cabel Roe, a former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, said the Trump campaign was smart to go after infrequent voters, who were credited with helping Trump win in 2016. "A hallmark of Trump support is low-propensity voters that really didn't engage," he said. CHANGING MAKEUP OF TRUMP COALITION The campaign is benefiting from the help of at least four pro-Trump organizations that are specifically focused on lower-frequency voters, Reuters found. These include America PAC - a super PAC backed by tech billionaire Elon Musk - and Turning Point Action, a non-profit led by right-wing activist Charlie Kirk that is planning to spend $108 million to hire hundreds of paid door knockers in battleground states. Not everyone involved in Trump's get-out-the-vote efforts thinks the intense focus on infrequent voters is a good idea. One party official in a battleground state, briefed on the ground game strategy, said they were concerned that too many resources were being focused on voters who don't vote often at the expense of swing voters, who don't have a particular allegiance to one party and are easier to get to the polls. The official, who asked to remain anonymous to discuss internal plans, said that infrequent voters require large investments of time to get them to the polls, including multiple visits to their homes and phone calls. They may not feel invested politically and may not tune into TV ads. Donald Green, a political science professor at Columbia University, said Trump's strategy is supported by academic research showing that efforts to mobilize infrequent supporters can be relatively effective in presidential years, when those voters are more open to being coaxed. But he also sees risks in the approach. "The question is whether they're doing their work efficiently. If they're going to the same places and contacting the same people, that's a waste of resources," he said. The Trump campaign's Blair said it is not ignoring swing or regular voters, who were still being targeted with mail, text messages, and door knocks, but that the voters "hardest to turn out" were getting the most personal attention. The Republican Party and allied outside groups are also investing heavily to register new voters and to encourage mail-in voting, long a weak point for the party. IOWA MODEL GOES NATIONAL The Trump campaign is modeling its general election strategy on the one it employed in the Iowa Republican nominating contest last January, when an army of volunteer captains organized their neighborhoods and helped Trump win with 51% of the votes. The campaign is working to train 50,000 captains like the Gottbergs in Pennsylvania, who said they had already knocked on 250 doors this election cycle. Unlike past campaigns, these volunteers are not asked to cast a wide net. To start, they are given a narrow list of people in their neighborhood and asked to build a relationship with them through visits, calls, and post cards. By some measures, the Democrats appear to be building out a more robust get-out-the-vote machine. For example, Harris's campaign says it has 1,600 paid staff across the battleground states, compared to the "hundreds" Trump's campaign has disclosed. In Pennsylvania, her campaign says they have 50 offices, double Trump's disclosed footprint. Blair stressed that the Trump campaign was not at a disadvantage. Trump is leaning heavily on outside organizations to boost turnout following new federal guidelines adopted this year that paved the way for campaigns to exchange data and coordinate more closely with them. Including such groups, there are 2,000 paid canvassers in the field, a Trump campaign official said on condition of anonymity, adding that there was a plan to canvass 15 million doors by Election Day. Reuters spoke to a dozen Republican county chairs, and all but one said that the Republican get-out-the-vote effort was robust in their area. The outlier was Dave Smith in Pima, Arizona's second-most populous county, who said Democrats outnumber pro-Trump forces in his area, and he has asked Turning Point Action for more canvassers. "They say, 'It's coming. Take a chill pill, bro.' I'm like the old guy nagging the youngsters," Smith said. Kolvet dismissed any suggestion of problems in Pima and said more canvassers were indeed being trained. In a closed-door pitch to donors in late July, Turning Point's Kirk said Democrats were beating them at the ground game and that he thought Harris was the slight favorite to win, according to a recording of the Zoom talk shared with Reuters. Asked to comment on the call, Kolvet said Kirk always wants to guard against complacency and likes to play "like we're 10 points down" in the polls. In the talk, which has not been previously reported, Kirk encouraged donors to fund his group. "It's going to come down to political trench warfare ... Who can find those extra 10,000 low-prop people and get them into the system?" Kirk said on the call. (Additional reporting by Jason Lange, editing by Ross Colvin and Claudia Parsons) Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. Trump said Thursday he would debate Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris on Sept. 10. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Although former President Donald Trump had predicted that Amendment 3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 and over, would pass in November, he has now confirmed that he will vote for it. As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November, Trump wrote on his Truth Social page Sunday night. As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens, Trump added in his post. Trump is now the biggest Republican in the country to come out in support of the measure, which, if approved, would make Florida the 25th state to legalize the sale of recreational cannabis. In announcing his support, Trump is going against the wishes of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who continues to aggressively lobby Floridians to vote against the amendment. On a Truth Social post written on Aug. 31, Trump predicted that [w]hether people like it or not, this will happen through the appeal of the Voters, so it should be done correctly, adding that the Florida Legislature needs to create laws that prohibit the use of it in public spaces, so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go, like we do in many of the Democrat run Cities. The concern that the state will reek from the stench of marijuana has been a frequent line of criticism by DeSantis. That led Sarasota-area Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters to announce last month that if Amendment 3 is approved, hell introduce legislation in 2025 banning smoking in all public places in Florida. Gruters is a close ally of the former president and served as co-chair of his 2016 campaign for president in Florida. He is the only Republican state legislator who has come out in support of the constitutional amendment to date, making him the target of criticism from members of DeSantis administration on social media. Easy target But those same DeSantis aides have been silent when it comes to Trumps support. Gruters told the Phoenix last week that he understands why hes become the safer Republican for DeSantis people to attack. I think its a lot harder for them to make it about the president and attack Trump, so Im an easy target, but heres the deal, Gruters said. Im walking in partnership with the president on this issue and a lot of other issues. My whole goal is to help him win, and we need to put aside some of these differences until after the election. This is obviously a winning move, politically. I think its common sense the polls have it somewhere between 64% and 68%. I think [DeSantis staffers] are wrong on it and listen them attacking me does not bother me at all. If Im the focus, its probably better they focus on me than anybody else, anyway. A poll released by Emerson College Friday of 815 Floridians showed Amendment 3 winning 64% of the vote. Another public opinion survey, from Ragnar Research, conducted last month but not released until last week, showed the measure getting 65% support. The proposal needs 60% to become law. U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Sept. 7 that he was "very offended" by Russian President Vladimir Putin's tongue-in-cheek "endorsement" of his rival, Kamala Harris. In an apparent wry remark, the Kremlin's chief said on Sept. 5 that U.S. President Joe Biden was his "favorite" for the upcoming presidential run, but since Biden dropped out, Putin would "support" Harris. Putin's comment came shortly after the U.S. announced a wide-reaching crackdown on Russian interference in U.S. elections. Previously, Moscow has been accused of using disinformation campaigns and similar means to back Trump against Hillary Clinton and Biden in the 2016 and 2020 elections. "No other U.S. president has been tougher on Russia than me," Trump alleged at a rally in Wisconsin, repeating claims that Russia would have never invaded Ukraine if he was in office. The prospect of Trump's reelection is causing concern in Ukraine as signals from his close circle indicate he might seek to pressure Kyiv toward ceding territory and other concessions to achieve peace. The worries only grew after the ex-president picked JD Vance, a Senator from Ohio who is vocal critic of the Ukraine aid, as a running mate. Trump has praised Putin on several occasions, while the Russian president alleged last September that Trump would be able to solve the war in Ukraine "within several days." The former U.S. president has said he would end the war within 24 hours without elaborating on the steps needed to achieve this. In turn, Biden has positioned the U.S. as the leading military donor for Ukraine and spearheaded sanctions against Moscow. His administration nevertheless received criticism for the piecemeal and restrictive strategy in the support. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine building underground weapons factories; Ukrainian drones hit Russian ammunition warehouse Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Mary Trump, the niece of Donald Trump, has shared her analysis that the former presidents mental health is deteriorating after he struggled to answer a question on childcare. In a piece on Substack on Sunday, the psychologist argued that Trump is dementing, citing his appearance at the Economic Club of New York last week, where he was asked what type of legislation he would push to make childcare affordable. Well, I would do that, and were sitting down, I was somebody, we had Senator Marco Rubio, and my daughter Ivanka was so impactful on that issue, Trump began his long, rambling answer. Its a very important issue, but I think when you talk about the kind of numbers that Im talking about that because look, childcare is childcare. Theres something, you have to have it in this country, you have to have it. He went on to say that his proposed tariffs on imports would generate more than enough money to pay for childcare, but he did not explain what his actual policy would look like. Mary Trump wrote that the answer was gibberish and the only thing that made any sense was the phrase childcare is childcare. She went on to slam the corporate media for not properly reporting on Trumps answer, instead thinking that they must translate Donalds nonsensical ramblings into a version of the English language we can all understand. Mary Trump argued that reporters were imbuing words with meaning that is not there, adding that its deeply disturbing that somebody as unhinged and incoherent as Donald is allowed to run for the presidency in the first place. Donald Trump holds a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin. His niece has said that hes dementing in his old age (REUTERS) The psychologist wrote that her uncle is demonstrably untethered from reality and that the warning lights arent flashing because nobody covering him expects otherwise. Surely a political press corps that spent months arguing that President Bidens age rendered him mentally unfit, wouldnt look the other way when the Republican candidate, the oldest person to run for president in American history, is not only old but decompensating before our very eyes, she wrote. The difference of course is that Biden is aging while Donald is dementing. Calling him frightened and desperate, Mary Trump argued that the former president is concerned that his very freedom relies on his ability to get back into the White House and make the pending federal cases against him go away. As she lambasted the media for its coverage of the ex-commander-in-chief, Mary Trump concluded: The American people deserve to know what were up against. We deserve to be told that theres a maniac on the loose. On Saturday night, the former president vowed to jail anyone involved in unscrupulous behavior in connection to the election in November. WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again, Donald Trump wrote. He added: Please beware, that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials. Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country. Trump has repeatedly threatened to use the presidency to enact revenge on those he believes have wronged him despite there being no evidence of the kind of fraud that he falsely insists lost him the 2020 election. Donald Trumps niece says her uncles mental condition is declining and that he is now demonstrably untethered from reality. Mary Trump, the psychologist and writer who is now an outspoken critic of her fathers younger brother, addressed the former presidents cognition after his rambling, incoherent answer to a question about childcare last week. Asked at the Economic Club of New York about what legislation he would advance to make childcare more affordable if he wins back the White House, Trump blathered on for almost two minutes in a response that left media pundits at a loss to explain what he was trying to say. Trump Gives Incoherent 360-Word Response to Question About Childcare Well, I would do that, and were sitting downyou know, I was, somebody, we had Senator Marco Rubio, and my daughter Ivanka was so impactful on that issue, Trumps answer began. Its a very important issue. But I think when you talk about the kind of numbers that Im talking about, thatbecause look, childcare is childcare, itscouldnt, you know, its something, you have to have it, in this country you have to have it. He later mentioned taxing foreign nations at levels that theyre not used to, but didnt explain how tariffs would bring down the cost of child care. I defy anybody who was actually trying to follow the thread of that gibberish to tell me what it means. Nobody can, Mary Trump wrote in a Substack post Sunday. She also criticized various corporate media outlets which decided to translate Donalds nonsensical ramblings into a version of the English language we can all understand, claiming that doing so gives the Republican nominees words a meaning that is not there. Its deeply disturbing that somebody as unhinged and incoherent as Donald is allowed to run for the presidency in the first place (and that leaves aside all of the other disqualifying things about him), Mary Trump wrote, lamenting a lack of urgency from the media in the face of Donalds increasingly bizarre behavior. On any given day, he is demonstrably untethered from realityand it often seems that the reason the warning lights arent constantly flashing red is because nobody covering him expects otherwise, she continued. Surely a political press corps that spent months arguing that President Bidens age rendered him mentally unfit, wouldnt look the other way when the Republican candidate, the oldest person to run for president in American history, is not only old but decompensating before our very eyes. The difference of course is that Biden is aging while Donald is dementing. She also described Donald Trump as a frightened, desperate man whose continued freedom might well depend on his ability to get back into the White House so he can make the still-pending federal cases against him disappear. His increasingly fantastical pronouncements and worsening psychiatric disorders strike me as being newsworthy, Mary Trump declared. She also said the American people deserve to know what were up against. We deserve to be told that theres a maniac on the loose, she added. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event on January 06, 2024 in Newton, Iowa. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has not been clear on his plans for child care. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) This story originally originally appeared on The 19th. Sign up for their daily newsletter. Former President Donald Trump, when asked Thursday at the Economic Club of New York about child care policies, went on at length about tariffs and taxing foreign nations, occasionally linking that to the topic at hand. He did, however, point out that child care is child care. Its a reminder that, after years of being siloed as a womens issue, kids and care are everywhere, as both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris aim to convince parents and families that they understand their needs and have a plan on how to ease their caregiving loads if elected. But the style and content of the messages from both campaigns varies greatly. Harris, her running mate and campaign surrogates have begun to lay out the details of how she would support parents in particular. On the GOP side, the candidate and campaign often have different messages, as Trump free associates in response to questions about his policies. Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, the executive director and co-founder of MomsRising, an organization focused on mobilizing mothers to advocate for policies that support women and families, said many moms she talks to routinely express the overwhelm they feel around child care and its costs. All mom voters are experiencing a similar crisis at the same time: Child care costs more than college. Were one of only seven countries on Planet Earth without paid family medical leave for when the new baby arrives or a serious health crisis strikes, care workers arent earning living wages, and aging and disability care is often out of reach, Rowe-Finkbeiner said. For the 94 million mom voters, she said, talking about the economy is talking about care. When Vice President Kamala Harris outlined her vision for the countrys future at a rally in Savannah, Georgia, on August 29, affordable child care and paid leave were first on the list. They are key to what she calls the opportunity economy. Earlier that month, addressing rally-goers in North Carolina, Harris laid out her main child care policies: Under my plan, more than 100 million Americans will get a tax cut and we will do this by restoring two tax cuts designed to help middle-class and working Americans: the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit. As president, not only will I restore that tax cut but expand it. We will provide $6,000 in tax relief to families during the first year of a childs life. In addition to the tax credit for parents of newborns, Harris has said she intends to bring back the pandemic-era expanded child tax credit, allowing for a credit of up to $3,600 a child per family, even for the lowest-income families. A measure to do this failed to pass the Senate last month without enough Republicans voting in support of it. Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance, did not show up for the vote. Harris running mate, Tim Walz, is well-known for the paid leave policy that he implemented while governor of Minnesota; though details of a paid leave plan have not been released by the Harris campaign, many believe that her choice of Walz as running mate is a nod toward future work on that issue. The Biden-Harris administration has also pushed to secure a federal policy guaranteeing four weeks of paid family and medical leave for all American workers; advocates expect Harris to embrace that plan, as well as the proposed funding, via higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans and corporations. Trump, meanwhile, has not given clear answers on policies aimed at helping families. When asked Thursday if he could commit to prioritizing legislation to make child care affordable and, if so, what the specific piece of legislation would be, his response was rambling. We transcribed it and are sharing it verbatim: Well I would do that, and were sitting down, and you know I was somebody we had Senator Marco Rubio and my daughter Ivanka was so impactful on that issue. Its a very important issue. But I think when you talk about the kind of numbers that Im talking about that because the child care is child care, couldnt, you know, its something, you have to have it, in this country you have to have it. But when you talk about those numbers compared to the kind of numbers that Im talking about by taxing foreign nations at levels that theyre not used to but theyll get used to it very quickly and its not going to stop them from doing business with us, but theyll have a very substantial tax when they send product into our country. Those numbers are so much bigger than any numbers that were talking about including child care that its going to take care were gonna have, I look forward to having no deficits within a fairly short period of time. Coupled with the reductions that I told you about on waste and fraud and all of the other things that are going on in our country because I have to stay with child care, I want to stay with child care but those numbers are small relative to the kind of economic numbers that Im talking about, including growth, but growth also headed up by what the plan is that I just, that I just told you about. Were going to be taking in trillions of dollars and as much as child care is talked about as being expensive, its relatively speaking not very expensive compared to the kinds of numbers well be taking in. Were going to make this into an incredible country that can afford to take care of its people. And then well worry about the rest of the world. Lets help other people. But we are going to take care of our country first. This is about America first. Its about make America great again. We have to do it because right now we are a failing nation. So well take care of it. People in the crowd applauded this answer. Both the conservative American Action Forum and the progressive Center for American Progress believe that Trumps tariff plan would cost middle-class families roughly $4,000 a year. Trump and Vance have repeatedly mentioned their desire to see more Americans have more children and have more financial incentives and support for doing so, though details on their plans remain scarce. Vance has suggested raising the child tax credit to $5,000 per child. The campaign has not clarified whether that would be available to the lowest-income Americans, those who do not file tax returns. Trump has said he supports his running mates ideas, but at rallies, hes more likely to go on at length about the fictional Hannibal Lecter than policy plans. The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment on their caregiving policy proposals. On Thursday, while Trump spoke in New York, Vance addressed child care in Mesa, Arizona, with a solution that was not focused on what a Trump-Vance administration would do, but rather on what families could do on their own to reduce their child care costs. One of the ways that you might be able to relieve a little bit of pressure on people who are paying so much for day care is, maybe grandma and grandpa wants to help out a little bit more. Or maybe theres an aunt or uncle that wants to help out a little bit more. If that happens, you relieve some of the pressure on all of the resources that were spending on day care. Part of the coalition who could respond to these messages is caregivers themselves. Dionne Davis is an organizer with Care in Action, a nonprofit nonpartisan grassroots group organizing domestic workers in the United States and a nanny in Atlanta. Davis said she hopes more and more people will realize that part of whats on the ballot is the state of crisis when it comes to caregiving in America especially in a battleground state like hers. Shes concerned about the lack of young people interested in care work because of the poor wages and work conditions throughout the industry. Its a trickle down effect, right? If we dont have care workers, the people who need care wont have people to take care of them. We all depend on each other. This is not an individual issue, Davis said. For some caregivers, how Harris talks about her care policies has resonated. She has regularly shared stories about being raised by a single mother and their downstairs neighbor Mrs. Shelton, who ran a day care center in her home and acted as a second mother to Harris and her sister. Kamala Harris gets me, Emma Biggs, a daycare director from North Carolina and volunteer with Care in Action, told The 19th. She said most politicians dont understand the daily issues she and her employees face, especially in terms of economic challenges. She understands firsthand the experience. And I believe having a woman, it helps to be able to empathize more than sometimes men can. Sometimes with men, theres a disconnect. But with her being a woman and a woman of color and understanding those struggles that have been stacked up against her I feel like I have a voice. The Biden-Harris administration has already worked to increase pay for care workers and cut child care costs for low-income families and military families. According to the Womens Bureau of the Department of Labor, more than 600,000 domestic workers are employed directly by private households in the United States; 97 percent of domestic child care providers are women, with women of color disproportionately represented. Parents of all economic and racial groups are impacted by the current child care crisis. Over half of all Americans live in whats considered a child care desert, and lower-income households are least likely to have child care. Its something Crystal Quade has seen first-hand in her campaign for governor in Missouri. The Democratic nominee is a long shot in a state where Trump won 56.8 percent of the vote and all but four counties in 2020. But as Quade, the state House minority leader, has traveled the state, in rural and urban and red and blue areas, she has seen one thing unite women voters: child care. Im having hundreds of people reach out to us because they dont have a place to send their kids right now. Accessibility and affordability in the child care space is huge, Quade said. Folks are so focused on just trying to make ends meet and then have to scramble when their childs daycare closes. The reality is regardless of whether Im in Kansas City or Fordland, Missouri we are hearing these same issues. Jackie Payne, the founder and executive director of Galvanize Action, which connects with and surveys moderate women around issues like the care economy, told The 19th that for moderate White women, their number one issue is the economy and this often means addressing child care. Its a demographic both campaigns are going after and one that has moved toward Harris since she entered the race, Payne said, noteworthy because these White women often trust Republicans more than Democrats on the economy. The more that the candidates are talking about health care and child care, the more these voters see this as a positive for parents, Payne said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Trump sentencing in New York hush money case postponed until after presidential election Former president and now convicted felon Donald Trump in court. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Former President Donald Trump will not face criminal sentencing in New York for his state felony convictions ahead of the November election, according to a decision released Friday by New York Judge Juan Merchan. The New York judge said Friday the new sentencing date will be Nov. 26, according to a letter he issued Friday. Merchan wrote that the court is now at a place in time that is fraught with complexities, referring to the fast-approaching presidential election and the consequential U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity that Trumps legal team has now brought to the center of the New York case. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Adjourning decision on the motion and sentencing, if such is required, should dispel any suggestion that the Court will have issued any decision or imposed sentence either to give an advantage to, or to create a disadvantage for, any political party and/or any candidate for any office, Merchan wrote. This is not a decision the court makes lightly but it is the decision which in this courts view best advances the interests of justice, Merchan later concluded. Trump, vying again for the Oval Office as the Republican nominee, is the first-ever former president to become a felon. He was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in May after a weeks-long Manhattan trial that centered on hush money payments to a porn star ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump asked the New York court to delay the sentencing until after the 2024 election, arguing that the question of presidential immunity as it related to the New York conviction remains unresolved. Fridays decision marks the second time Merchan has delayed Trumps sentencing. Merchan delayed Trumps initial July sentencing date, just one day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that former presidents enjoy criminal immunity for official core constitutional acts and at least presumptive immunity for outer perimeter activities, but not for personal ones. Trumps lawyers argued the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision nullified his New York state convictions, particularly because the evidence presented at trial could now be considered subject to immunity. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg agreed to a delay while the parties filed legal arguments on the issue of immunity, which Bragg ultimately argued had no bearing on Trumps convictions and evidence examined by the jury. Trump, who has been entangled on several legal fronts, escalated his separate federal criminal case alleging 2020 election interference all the way to the Supreme Court, arguing presidential immunity for any criminal charges stemming from his time in office. The case alleging Trump schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential election results was returned to federal trial court. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Thursday released a pre-trial calendar that extends beyond this Novembers election. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE TALLAHASSEE, Florida Donald Trump said he supports loosening federal marijuana restrictions and will vote for a Florida ballot initiative seeking to legalize the drug for adult use just hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis warned hundreds of church goers that the measure would create an invincible drug cartel in their shared home state. Trump already signaled his support for the legalization measure, which will appear on the November ballot as Amendment 3, during a Truth Social message posted in late August. The former president and GOP presidential nominee more explicitly endorsed it with another message posted late Sunday. Trump stopped short of supporting federal decriminalization, but indicated support for reclassifying marijuana under federal law, along with passing banking reform for state-regulated cannabis companies and supporting states' rights to pass legalization laws. As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November, Trump wrote in the Sunday Truth post. As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock medical uses of marijuana to a schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws. Trump, in his August social media post about Amendment 3, was both positive and negative about the ballot measure, which seeks to legalize pot use for people aged 21 and over and allow the states medical marijuana industry to start selling for recreational use. His latest post reinforced concerns that state lawmakers should regulate the drug so that its presence including its pungent smell does not impact neighborhoods. But Trump has also said Amendment 3 would stop needless marijuana-related arrests, which he also brought up in his August post. Trump posted his message about four hours after DeSantis told about 200 people at a Tallahassee church that Amendment 3 was a ploy by one Florida marijuana company to create a drug cartel backed by the state constitution. DeSantis, who won the governors seat in 2018 with help from Trumps endorsement, told the crowd at the Baptist-based City Church that, contrary to claims that Amendment 3 would stop people from being incarcerated on marijuana possession charges, no one is serving time in a Florida prison for simple marijuana possession. DeSantis also said Amendment 3 would allow people to carry enough pot to make dozens of joints and smoke them anywhere they want. He said states such as Colorado, where marijuana has already been legalized recreationally, had failed to restrict places where the drug is consumed. Public use of this will be rampant, DeSantis said. You cant point to a state that is better off for doing it. Trump has historically shied away from providing a concrete stance on marijuana legalization. During the 2020 election he said the issue should be left up to each state. He also appointed Jeff Sessions, a notorious opponent of marijuana legalization, as attorney general, who had signaled plans to begin cracking down on enforcement of the federally banned drug that never materialized. Trump's endorsement of Amendment 3 comes as the Democrats have the most pro-weed presidential ticket ever, with Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Meanwhile, Trumps running mate JD Vance has said that he doesnt like marijuana legalization, but believes in states rights when it comes to legal weed. Harris embraced federal legalization as a senator and Walz supported establishing a taxed, regulated market for adults as governor of Minnesota. Trumps support for reclassifying cannabis to Schedule III closes the differences between him and Harris position ahead of the debate on Tuesday. Trumps embrace of federal policy assuages some of the concerns of pro-cannabis advocates that the Biden administrations proposal to reschedule cannabis, a process that will extend beyond Election Day, will be able to continue no matter who wins. Biden issued an executive order in October 2022 directing federal agencies to conduct a scientific review of marijuana's status under federal law. In August, the Department of Health and Human Services concluded that marijuana should be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, which would make it easier to conduct scientific research and reduce taxes for cannabis companies. The DEA will have the final say on whether that ultimately happens, but the agency is widely expected to embrace the recommendation. The previous Trump administration rolled back the Obama administrations hands-off policy when it came to state-regulated marijuana markets, but there was no ensuing crackdown on state-legal markets. Both major party candidates support moving cannabis down to Schedule III. There should be no further delay, Adam Goers, co-chair of the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform, said in a statement. Trump is registered to vote in Florida, making him eligible to vote for Amendment 3 and another high-profile measure, Amendment 4, which seeks to expand abortion rights. Trump has already announced that he will not vote for Amendment 4 but he was highly critical of the states recently-enacted ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, which was a top priority for DeSantis. Trump also historically has given conflicting statements about his stance on abortion rights. He declined to endorse a national abortion ban despite party pressure and has stated that the issue of abortion limits should be left up to the states. DeSantis on the other hand has come out with force against both Florida ballot measures. Earlier this year he launched a political committee called the Florida Freedom Fund to attack the legalization push and efforts to enshrine the right to abortion in the states constitution. He also helped launch the No on 3 campaign in July. Amendment 3 will need at least 60 percent of the vote in order to pass, requiring significant support from Republican voters. The campaign behind the measure has collected more than $80 million in cash contributions, and almost all of that money came from the Tallahassee-based Trulieve, which is the states largest medical pot company. The measure would allow Trulieve and more than 20 other companies licensed by the state to grow and sell medical marijuana to expand into the recreational market, and then leave future expansion plans up to the states GOP-controlled Legislature. DeSantis said not even people who support marijuana should vote for Amendment 3 because its giving control of the industry to Trulieve and other medical pot licensees. Unlike previous efforts to legalize marijuana, which included provisions allowing people to grow a limited number of plants at home, this years measure is written to favor the states $2 billion medical marijuana industry. Theyre creating in Floridas constitution a drug cartel, DeSantis said. And theyll have no liability with the cultivation and sale of marijuana. Arek Sarkissian reported from Tallahassee, Florida. Mona Zhang reported from Polson, Montana. NEW YORK (AP) After securing a last-minute buyer, LL Flooring is reversing course on shutting down all of its stores. The hardwood flooring retailer formerly known as Lumber Liquidators signed an agreement with private equity firm F9 Investments for a sale of its business on Friday afternoon. Under terms of the deal, expected to close by the end of September, F9 will acquire 219 stores and a Virginia distribution center as well as LL Flooring's intellectual property and other assets. Another 211 LL Flooring stores are still set to close, however. That includes 117 locations where closings were recently initiated and 94 others that were already in the process when the Virginia company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 11. Just weeks after filing for Chapter 11, LL Flooring previously said that it would be winding down operations and closing all of its stores after failing to find a buyer in negotiations. The retailer expected the process to take about 12 weeks. But that changed after a deal was reached with F9 on Friday. In a statement, LL Flooring president and CEO Charles Tyson said that company was pleased to have reached this agreement with F9 following significant efforts by our team and advisors to preserve the business. Tyson added that LL Flooring remains committed to continuing to serve customers and vendors as the transaction moves through bankruptcy court for approval. F9, based in Miami, is owned by Tom Sullivan, who founded Lumber Liquidators over 30 years ago. Sullivan told The Associated Press that the 219 stores set to be purchased by F9 will open under the Lumber Liquidators name again. Well be getting back to basics, Sullivan said. Basically, yellow and black is coming back ... We know what worked before. Its not fancy offices in Richmond with 200 people that didn't know the flooring business. Its great people in our stores that know flooring (and) customers that want a great deal and know Lumber Liquidators is the place to go. Sullivan explained that the company plans to narrow down to a more mangeable selection of flooring options, and getting rid of material that feels duplicative or doesn't sell well, so customers will likely see big discounts on much of the inventory left behind from LL Flooring's bankruptcy process. He added that the company will be closely aligned with Cabinets To Go, another F-9 owned brand that he founded, to help with shipping efficiency. Lumber Liquidators got its start in 1993, as a modest operation in Massachusetts, and later expanded operations nationwide. The brick-and-mortar retailer officially changed its name to LL Flooring at the start of 2022. Story continues The company previously faced turmoil after a 2015 segment of 60 Minutes reported that laminate flooring it was selling had illegal and dangerous levels of formaldehyde. Lumber Liquidators later said it would stop selling the product and agreed to pay $36 million to settle two class-action lawsuits in 2017. LL Flooring has had difficulty turning a profit in recent years. Net sales fell 18.5% in 2023, according to a recent earnings report, amid declines in foot traffic and weak demand with mortgage rates and housing prices high. In its Chapter 11 filing, LL Flooring disclosed that total debts amounted to more than $416 million as of July 31, compared with assets of just over $501 million. Ahead of filing for bankruptcy, LL Flooring also entered a proxy battle over the summer centered on attempts to keep Sullivan, who had tried to acquire the business before, off the board. In June, company leadership wrote a letter urging shareholders to vote for other nominees, accusing Sullivan of pushing a personal agenda. But LL Flooring later confirmed that the founder and F9's other nominees were elected at its annual shareholder meeting in July. Donald Trump was slamming his fist on the Resolute Desk and, once again, calling for blood. It was the second year of his presidency, and Trump was seething about gang members and drug lords. He wanted to see their bodies piled up in the streets. Specifically, he sought a series of mass executions with firing squads and gallows, and certainly without the quaintness of an appeals process to send a chilling message about the scope of his power. Trump, whod taken office inveighing against American carnage, wanted to create some of his own. This violent fantasy became an obsession, according to former Trump administration officials. The 45th president brought up the topic so often during the early years of his presidency that one former White House official tells Rolling Stone they lost count. Fucking kill them all, Trump would say. An eye for an eye. Other times hed snap at his staff: You just got to kill these people. Invoking the brutality of dictatorial regimes that Trump wanted to emulate, hed add, Other countries do it all the time. For Trump, the spectacle was crucial. He had a particular affinity for the firing squad, says one of the former White House officials. Hed say, They need to be eradicated, not jailed. Administration officials privately referred to this demand as Trumps American death-squads idea, comparing it to the drug-war bloodbath carried out by Filipino strongman Rodrigo Duterte. (The sources, some still very much within Trumps circle, requested anonymity in order to speak candidly about sensitive conversations.) That mass executions were not a feature of Trumps term is a credit to the American justice system and the more sober-minded government officials who were unwilling to be complicit in his mad schemes. These aides and advisers typically put the president off, making vague promises to look into the idea, long enough to let Trumps tyrannical tantrum blow over. But if Trump defeats Vice President Kamala Harris this November, America will encounter a Trump unbound, a man whose darkest impulses will not be checked by adults in the room creating potentially catastrophic consequences for the American experiment. This election is about whether or not we remain a democratic society or we move to authoritarianism, Sen. Bernie Sanders tells Rolling Stone, insisting that Trump does not believe in the basic tenets and foundations of American democracy. The safeguards that kept Trump in check during his first term have collapsed starting with the MAGA-fication of the Republican Party. We know from the first administration that Trump was an amateur and lots of people stopped his most radical actions, says Jason Stanley, a Yale professor and author of How Fascism Works. He underscores that Trumps darkest ambitions were present from the beginning from the Muslim ban to the coup attempt of Jan. 6. The only thing that stopped him from being a full-on dictator was other people, Stanley says. We know that thats not going to happen anymore. Trumps campaign to retain power after losing the 2020 election only collapsed because Vice President Mike Pence proved more loyal to the Constitution than to Trumps cult of personality. But for 2024, Trump has a vice presidential candidate who appears even less committed to the democratic process than he is. J.D. Vance is a protege and plaything of the billionaire venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who has written that freedom and democracy are not compatible. A second administration will not feature advisers in the mold of former Chief of Staff John Kelly, or Defense Secretary Mark Esper establishment Republicans with a stake in keeping Trump constitutionally in bounds. These are going to be all MAGA people, says Michael Klarman, a Harvard law professor and an expert in executive power. Some of them are much more ideologically committed to the agenda than Trump is, he says, listing deputies like Stephen Miller and Russell Vought, as well as masterminds of the Heritage Foundations extreme policy agenda, Project 2025. More dangerous, Trump would reenter the Oval Office with powers that have been supercharged by the ultraconservative Supreme Court, which Trump helped build as president. A partisan 6-3 decision in July placed the presidency beyond the reach of criminal punishment for any acts that can be couched as official. The once-outrageous Nixonian maxim When the president does it, that means its not illegal is today a statement of fact, leading Justice Sonia Sotomayor to warn in a fiery dissent: In every use of official power the president is now a king above the law. If he were to return to the White House, Trump would benefit from a set of circumstances that had they existed in January 2021 might well have blocked Joe Biden from becoming president after winning the election. There are no guardrails, Stanley insists of Trump. He already has control of any institutions that might stop him. Dictatorship Threat TRUMP HAS BEEN PUBLIC about his plans, vowing to be a dictator though just for a day, he claims, so he could supercharge fossil-fuel production and seal off the border. How any of this would work is likely beyond Trumps understanding, but hes certainly going to pull every lever of power within his grasp. And the targets of his authoritarian ambition are not single-day, or even single-year, projects. Trump seeks autocratic power to implement his draconian immigration policies, including starting the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history and reinstating the Muslim travel ban. Hes called for ending the constitutional right of birthright citizenship with an executive order a notion backed by Vance. Trump also seeks to remake American energy policy to benefit the fossil-fuel industry, a plan he shorthands as drill, drill, drill. And hes put criminal justice on the agenda, vowing to free the rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, calling them hostages and vowing to sign their pardons or commutations on Day One. For those who have studied the rise of authoritarian leaders throughout history, the playbook of Trump and his allies dictates they will push through as many new laws, executive decrees, and emergency orders as possible before anyone understands what is happening. They want to have a blitzkrieg and then all you need to be is a dictator for a day, says Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of Strongmen: How They Rise, Why They Succeed, How They Fall and a professor at New York University. Its not just a change of methods, its a change of political system a vast expansion of the powers of the executive, so that Trump will be able to rule as an autocrat. INJUSTICE FOR ALL: In a second term, Trumps darkest impulses wont be checked by adults in the room. Get Out of Jail Free TRUMPS EFFORT TO REGAIN power is driven substantially by his desire to stay out of prison part of a long pattern of putting his own interests ahead of the nations. He is a felon convicted on 34 counts stemming from the cover-up of a hush-money payout to a porn star at the height of the 2016 election. He also faces federal charges for election interference, as well as a Georgia indictment for his demand that GOP election officials find 11,780 votes to reverse his loss in that swing state. Regaining the White House would put a naked abuse of power at Trumps fingertips. Trump has long been open about his desire to meddle in his criminal cases, having called on Congress to defund the Justice Department until it dropped charges against him. No one in MAGA world denies that Trump would begin a second term by ordering federal charges against himself and his cronies dismissed. In a more normal time, such a brazenly corrupt act might define a political era. Trumps tightrope walk to keep out of prison is a hallmark of autocrats. Regular politicians wouldnt even run for office if they had big legal problems. But strongmen are not normal politicians, says Ben-Ghiat. They have to run; they have to get back into power and make their legal troubles go away. She points to the examples of Italys former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who faced dozens of criminal trials, and Russias Vladimir Putin. This is how these guys think. And its why they all denigrate the press and the judiciary as corrupt, because thats their enemy. The longer Trump cultivates political power while skirting criminal accountability, the more dangerous he becomes. Trump has set the preconditions for autocracy, Ben-Ghiat says, by having emerged as a dangerous leader who was not met with limits in the wake of Jan. 6 as well as having domesticated a major political party, transforming the GOP to truly make it his personal tool. Retribution Agenda TRUMP HAS POSITIONED HIMSELF as an avatar of a collective revenge fantasy for his followers. During a 2023 speech in Waco, Texas, site of the fiery 1993 standoff between the anti-government Branch Davidian cult, led by David Koresh, and federal authorities, Trump told the audience: I am your warrior, I am your justice. For those who have been wronged and betrayed I am your retribution. The Waco setting was chilling and no accident. The FBIs deadly siege of the Koresh compound inspired the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing by militia member and anti-government extremist Timothy McVeigh, the deadliest domestic terror attack in U.S. history and a horrific act of vengeance. McVeigh and Koresh are seen as martyrs by the far right, and Trump was speaking directly to the most radical core of his base. Trump has already threatened to turn the Justice Department into a vehicle for retribution for what he perceives as unjust political persecution for election interference, hush-money payments, as well as his alleged mishandling of classified documents. He has posted on Truth Social, for example: IF YOU GO AFTER ME, IM COMING AFTER YOU! Trump has long blamed Biden for all of his legal woes, despite the presidents hands-off approach to the various cases against him. Trump has vowed to appoint a special prosecutor to go after President Biden and his family over what Trump describes as bribes, kickbacks, and other crimes, insisting, Justice will be done. Trump associate and former counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee Mike Davis, who has been talked up for a top post in a new Trump administration, said on a recent podcast that if he were selected as acting attorney general, hed carry out a three-week reign of terror before getting chased out of town with my Trump pardon, pledging to indict Joe Biden and Hunter Biden and James Biden and every other scumball, sleazeball Biden. Reached by Rolling Stone, Davis claims he was trolling using hyperbole to make an important point that a politicized and weaponized justice system is very dangerous and that the pesky Constitution would foil such threats regardless. (Davis also says he is not looking to serve in a Trump White House.) This kind of public backtracking is consistent with a general-election push, led by Trump himself, to dial down the rhetoric but not the reality of his retribution plot. During private conversations with aides and allies this year, Trump has warned surrogates who have aired his plans: You cant say that. His message, as understood by those in the room: Weve got to tone this down, so suburban-mom voters dont get scared off. The only thing that stopped him from being a full-on dictator was other people. But as they try to soften the messaging, Trumps enemy list continues to grow, including prosecutors whove brought criminal and civil charges against him. Indeed, lawyers close to Trump and his inner circle have spent more than a year researching obscure elements of the criminal code, seeking novel ways to criminally charge such officials in retaliation. Theres no nemesis too small. The tally even includes late-night comics whove pissed him off. As president, Trump briefly attempted to get Justice officials to twist campaign finance laws and the federal equal-time rule to declare that anti-Trump material broadcast by Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and others was somehow illegal. During his 2024 campaign, according to a source with direct knowledge, Trump has raised this topic again, venting about the need to punish late-night comedians for giving illegal campaign contributions to the Democratic Party in the form of jokes and on-air satire. Mass Deportation Now! ECHOING MANY DANGEROUS authoritarian leaders in modern history, Trump has put ethnic cleansing at the heart of a second-term agenda, promising the mass deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants. He has referred to migrants as animals and vermin, whom he accuses of poisoning the blood of the country. The idea of purification is central to fascist ideology, says Stanley, who calls Trumps eliminationist language as explicit as its possible to be, rhetorically. Sanders, who lost family in the Holocaust, calls the rhetoric Hitlerian. The mass-deportation campaign envisioned by Trump would be a turbocharged combination of the Japanese internment and Operation Wetback, a racist Eisenhower-era deportation campaign that Trump cites as precedent. That program was brutal, rounding up migrants and deporting them via plane, boat, and bus often dumping them in remote areas of Mexico. People died of sunstroke and disease in custody. Some of the boat journeys were compared to slave ships. The program was responsible for more than 1 million returns in 1954 alone, and 1.3 million deportations overall, and is notorious for mistakenly removing United States citizens to Mexico. Stephen Miller, perhaps Trumps most openly authoritarian deputy, has promised that Trump will unleash a vast arsenal of federal powers, including deputizing the National Guard from red states, to carry out the most spectacular migration crackdown which Miller describes as pure bliss. Other Trump allies, like Davis, have described this program with delight, promising the forced removal of American-citizen children: Were going to deport a lot of anchor babies, their parents, the grandparents. Were going to put kids in cages, hes said. Its going to be glorious. (Davis also characterizes these statements as hyperbole.) Much of the rhetoric at Trumps nominating convention in Milwaukee was devoted to an alleged epidemic of migrant crime focusing on isolated, high-profile murders of white women like Laken Riley, a Georgia college student who was allegedly killed by an undocumented Venezuelan man. (He has pleaded not guilty.) Crime data shows that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans. But MAGA convention delegates werent about to let facts get in the way of their feelings, eagerly waving signs demanding Mass Deportation Now! Echoing the Japanese internment during World War II, Miller promises a new Trump administration will build vast holding facilities on open land near the Mexican border in Texas to detain migrants pending deportation. If Trump follows through, the United States will have a stain on its history Americas concentration camps, Stanley says. Ten million immigrants who will face daily, if not hourly, human rights violations. Thats something history remembers. People ask, How could that have happened? Crushing Dissent ENACTING MASS DEPORTATION will trigger civil unrest that could, in turn, give Trump an excuse for a violent crackdown on progressive cities, warns Klarman, the Harvard law professor. Youre just going to grab them, and nobodys going to try to stop you? he asks of targeted immigrants, who are woven into communities as spouses, employees, and neighbors. I expect massive civil disobedience, and then violence if Trump decides to suppress it using the military. Trump has already sought to use the military against protesters. In 2020, he clashed with then-Defense Secretary Esper about deploying troops and using live bullets against racial-justice protesters in the streets near the White House. Trump asked, Cant you just shoot them in the legs or something? When top officials balked at carrying out large-scale call-ups of the National Guard to suppress protest nationwide, Trump berated them as fucking losers, insisting, None of you have any backbone. That same year, Trump deployed federal agents to quell civil unrest in Portland, Oregon, including elite tactical units from the Border Patrol who dragged protesters into unmarked vans. Presidents have broad authority to deploy the military in domestic operations thanks to the Insurrection Act of 1807, which permits the use of armed forces in times of civil unrest. And Trump has been explicit in his desire to engage troops against demonstrators. I would use certainly the National Guard, if the police were unable to stop urban unrest, he told Time magazine in April, while not ruling out a response by the military. He has publicly rebuked mayors of Democratic crime dens for not being tough enough on protesters, and vowed, The next time, Im not waiting. FIGHT OF THEIR LIVES: Trump has said hes proud of overturning Roe v. Wade. Controlling Families LIKE MANY ASPIRING AUTOCRATS, Trump is a threat to families, seeking to impose government power on personal choices about reproduction. Hes proud of his success in overturning Roe v. Wade, which led to state-level, near-total abortion bans affecting millions of women. Trump has said hell personally vote to preserve Floridas six-week abortion ban, and has even endorsed the idea of states choosing to punish women for seeking abortion care. The GOP platform, moreover, includes a declaration of fetal personhood, asserting that fetuses are entitled to 14th Amendment protections logic that could lead to a court-imposed nationwide abortion ban. Vance, meanwhile, has opposed abortion even in the case of rape and incest: Its not whether a woman should be forced to bring a child to term, he said in a 2021 interview. Its whether a child should be allowed to live even though the circumstances of that childs birth are somehow inconvenient to society. Vance has also accused people without children of lacking a direct stake in the country and proposed that those with kids be given greater voting power. (His mentor, Thiel, has blamed his loss of confidence in democracy, in part, on the extension of the franchise to women.) Controlling reproduction is yet another hallmark of fascism, says Ben-Ghiat, whose expertise is in Benito Mussolinis rule in Italy. Il Duce equated population growth with national strength, and restricted birth control and outlawed abortion while providing loans to married couples that would be forgiven in stages with the birth of each child. Vance may not know that hes repeating Mussolini proposals, but its the same stuff, Ben-Ghiat says. You have women seen as an enemy if theyre not contributing to the state by having babies. Ben-Ghiat points out that this type of rhetoric doesnt just impact women: Mussolini actually passed a measure that taxed bachelors because they werent doing their duty to reproduce. Its never just one target, she warns. The number of targets always expands. The MAGA State ANOTHER KEY THREAT IS Trumps dream of hollowing out the ranks of professionals in the federal government including nonpartisan scientists, administrators, and experts who typically retain their posts regardless of the party in power. Trump seeks to replace them with MAGA loyalists a proposal thats also central to Project 2025. The most alarming argument for this idea has come from Vance, who has compared Republicans to military conquerors who would purge the American bureaucracy, as was done after Saddam Hussein was overthrown and members of his Baath party were exiled. We need a de-Baathification program, but like a de-wokeification program, in the United States, Vance has said. He has called on Trump to fire every single mid-level bureaucrat, every civil servant and replace them with our people in order to seize the administrative state for our own purposes. Vance recognized that such a scheme may not have a legal basis, but said that he would be willing to provoke a constitutional crisis to enact it. When the courts stop you, he said, Trump should stand before the country like Andrew Jackson did and say, The chief justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it. (Klarman does not believe the current high court would offer much resistance: I think the Supreme Courts going to be on board.) Trump has called for the elimination of full agencies, including the Department of Education, while Project 2025 calls for abolishing Head Start and even eliminating the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which tracks climate change and hurricane forecasts. The goal, Klarman insists, is to create docile agencies that will comply with corporate power. A new Trump administration, he warns, will just license industry to regulate itself and we know how that works. Trump for Life? TRUMP HAS NO LAWFUL WAY to be reelected to a third term, and would be undeterred by concerns for his own political popularity, allowing him to pursue raw power grabs. But Trump has also underscored that where he wants to take America, the ballot box will not be necessary, telling an evangelical audience in Florida this summer that, after this election, well have it fixed so good youre not going to have to vote. Ben-Ghiat underscores that Trump has already distorted American ideas about voting and elections. She calls Trump one of the most effective propagandists in history for having convinced tens of millions of people, in an extraordinary feat of mass deception, that he won the 2020 election. Trump is seeking to weaponize the Department of Justice to buttress such lies by creating an Office of Election Integrity, according to sources familiar with the discussions with the former president. The unit would use federal power to investigate Democratic-majority areas where Trump baselessly claims fraud is rampant, and intimidate groups that fund election infrastructure. Reflecting his mindset, Trump told an interviewer in September that a president has every right to interfere in his own election. POLICE STATE: Trump has said he would use the National Guard to quell unrest. Barring his natural time on Earth coming to an end, he will never leave office, says Ben-Ghiat. And thats very clear to everybody who studies autocrats. Klarman, the Harvard Law professor, argues that even the constitutional prohibition against serving a third term is not an insurmountable obstacle. There are autocrats in Latin America whove managed to circumvent clear term limits, he says. I dont rule it out. Stanley, the author of How Fascism Works, argues that its delusional to think that he will step down at the conclusion of a second term. He will stay in office like Putin. His friends dont step down. He [already] had a coup to stay in office. I mean, therell be sham elections, but hell stay in office till he dies, whether thats two years, four years, eight years, 12 years, like any other autocrat, he says. Everyone is in reality denial. Americans, we think were special. But lots of people live in countries like that. Real Danger to the Rule of Law TRUMPS AUTHORITARIANISM ISNT going to look the same as Putins in Russia or Xi Jinpings in China. Think more of a WWE-style circus mixed with former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover-style crackdowns and Newt Gingrichs limited-government fantasies. Much of what Trump and his government-in-waiting are plotting including invading and even bombing Mexico to supposedly send a message to drug cartels is rooted in Trumps impulse to wallow in the spectacle of cinematic violence. The sheer cartoonishness of Trumps vision for America can make it hard to accept as real. But Klarman insists that Trump and Co. must be taken at face value: Theres no reason to doubt it. They admire Viktor Orban; Trump meets with him at Mar-a-Lago. He admires Putins strength. He admires Xi. They are authoritarian. Theres no reason in the world to doubt this. It is seductive to dismiss Trumps darkest calls for revenge and bloodshed as red meat to rally his troops, and to doubt the likelihood of follow-through. Its a very common theme in the history of fascism that lots of people think that the fascist leader is joking, Stanley warns. People dont want to believe whats right in front of their eyes. Lets take Trump seriously this time. Trump allies like Davis call fears of an autocratic Trump term silly. He points to the fact that Trump never had Hillary Clinton arrested, despite the pervasive chants at his rallies to Lock her up which he contends offers assurance that the former presidents most troubling rhetoric wont translate into action: Trump has already proven that hes not going to be vindictive as president. Others who have seen Trump operate up close, however, are strident in their warnings. Pence refused to endorse Trump on the grounds that anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States. John Kelly, Trumps longest-serving chief of staff, has blasted Trumps admiration for autocrats and murderous dictators, while insisting the former president has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law. But the surge of excitement and creative energy for the candidacy of Kamala Harris and a Democratic agenda centered on Tim Walzs call for Americans to both root for their neighbors and to mind your own damn business provides hope of defending against Trumps threat to democracy. We actually have time to head this off, this whole nightmare, says Ben-Ghiat, who insists this incredible wave of enthusiasm and engagement is the antidote to voter cynicism and demobilization. When they dont have power, its very difficult to do the sort of things they want to do, Klarman says. But just eking out a victory against Trump at the ballot box is no guarantee his threat wont linger. His supporters on election boards in states like Georgia are already threatening to monkey-wrench the reporting of results. And Trump has talked about the possibility of a bloodbath if he loses. I expect massive civil disobedience, and then violence if Trump decides to suppress it using the military. Its not just one statement, says Sanders, insisting that Trumps long track record suggests he will not abide by election results. The Vermont senator points to Trumps recent claim that huge crowds attending Harris-Walz rallies are AI-generated. Somebody that can tell you that what you saw with your own eyes is not true, Sanders says, will doubtless claim election fraud if he loses in 2024. Sanders insists the election will be close. That is what worries me right now, he says. We have got to prepare the American people for what could be a very contentious and difficult period. If the opposite happens, and Trump wins is democracy truly lost? The United States has a much more deeply entrenched history of democracy, says Klarman. Its not going to be as easy to steal democracy in the United States as it was in Hungary. Its not like this is an off-on switch if Trump wins and the MAGA Republicans are in charge. Its not like we ought to give up. Skye Perryman, president of the public policy legal nonprofit Democracy Forward, argues that a key pillar of combating a potential second Trump term is to make sure his lieutenants know that Trumps immunity shield wouldnt apply to them. That decision extends to a president himself or herself, not to those surrounding the presidency, Perryman insists. That is a major focus for potential pushback. Ben-Ghiat points to hope for internal resistance to Trumps authoritarian schemes from the Armed Forces. Trump would like to partly reorient military power to be used for domestic repression, says Ben-Ghiat. A lot of [his] plans depend on the military being with him, and we dont know if thats true. If you talk to some of Trumps closest confidants and most zealous defenders, theyll claim its hysterical to believe hed govern with an iron fist in a second term. However, to understand how Trump might aim to wield the military on U.S. soil, its instructive to recall his time as commander in chief. In late 2019, Trump went against the advice of many military leaders and veterans and issued pardons and executive clemency to three accused American war criminals Clint Lorance, Mathew Golsteyn, and Edward Gallagher. The then-president was so thrilled with his move that he told several Republicans close to him that he was hoping to appear onstage with the absolved men and to have them each campaign for his reelection in 2020. He believed they should be revered, and he wanted their critics including fellow soldiers who were willing to speak out against their alleged atrocities to be cast as cowards. That is the kind of military Trump could seek to nurture, a fighting force he talks openly of unleashing on his enemies not in a far-off land but right here at home. The 2024 election is not normal. It is not a choice between left and right, nor even, fundamentally, between two slates of policy proposals. It is a choice between a Harris-Walz campaign on one hand that is committed to upholding the norms of our republic and continuing Americas halting progress toward a more inclusive, multiethnic democracy. And on the other, a Trump-Vance ticket that would place America on a dark path backward, toward mistrust, racial division, and unconstrained executive power. Beyond all of the issues on immigration, on womens rights, on climate, says Sanders, this election really is about whether or not we want to maintain and strengthen our democracy the right of the people to control their own future or whether we want to move toward an authoritarian society. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) slammed former Vice President Dick Cheney (R) and his daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) for endorsing Vice President Harris, arguing a vote for Harris is the same as voting for Dick Cheney and his foreign policy. I have a very simple message for my Democrat friends, my independent friends, those who may not be sure about who theyre voting for in this election, Dick Cheney has just made the choice very clear, a vote for Kamala Harris is a vote for Dick Cheney, the architect of everything that has gone wrong in the Middle East for the last few decades, Gabbard said last Friday at an event in Colorado Springs, Colo., with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. Dick Cheney, who served under former President George W. Bush, was heavily criticized by Democrats during his White House tenure for his hawkish foreign policy stances and support of the invasion of Iraq. Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022 and endorsed former President Trump last month, took aim at the Cheneys statements backing Harris and the vice president, who said last week she was honored to receive their endorsements. Her [Harriss] response to the Dick Cheney announcement today was that she was honored to have his endorsement, and we got military veterans in the house? Got a lot of you who probably served in the Middle East like I did, and so it sickened me, Tucker, to read those words today from Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney, and Kamala Harris because we have people who we care very much about who were killed in those wars because of Dick Cheney, Gabbard said. The remarks were made shortly after Dick Cheney announced Friday he would back Harris over Trump, stating Americans have a duty to defend the Constitution, regardless of political party. Liz Cheney, who has become one of the most vocal critics of Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, threw her support behind Harris a day earlier because of the danger she said Trump poses. Multiple Harris campaign officials shared the Cheneys remarks on the social platform X, with the vice presidents campaign saying it was proud to have earned the endorsements. The Cheneys endorsements of Harris follow those made by fellow anti-Trump Republicans, such as former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan. Liz Cheney on Sunday argued Republicans who are publicly against Trump but not backing Harris must take the extra step and endorse the vice president. The Hill reached out to the Harris campaign and Liz Cheneys team for comment. The race between Trump and Harris remains tight, with the vice president ahead by nearly 4 percentage points in a polling index by Decision Desk HQ/The Hill. The two will square off on the debate stage Tuesday night in Philadelphia. ABC News will host the 90-minute debate, which will begin at 9 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. Turkey heads to Arab League ministerial for first time in 13 years, source says ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey will discuss the Gaza war and ties with the Arab League when its foreign minister attends a ministerial meeting of the group in Cairo on Tuesday for the first time in 13 years, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Monday. Turkey, which has condemned Israel for its war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza and joined steps towards Israel facing genocide charges at the World Court, has had rocky ties with the Arab League in recent years. While it has mended long-strained ties with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Ankara remains at odds with other Arab League members including Syria. After the war in Gaza started, Turkey joined a joint contact group formed at a summit of the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to seek an end to the war. The Turkish source said the invitation to Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reflected a "growing interest" in Turkey's regional role and improving ties with Arab League members, adding that Ankara wanted to increase institutional ties and cooperation with the group. Turkey's ties with Arab League members can help promote "solutions to current regional problems and concrete future cooperation," the source said. Negotiations are under way between Ankara and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on securing a free trade deal by the end of the year. President Tayyip Erdogan called on Saturday for an alliance of Islamic countries against what he called an Israeli "expansionism" threat. The last time Turkey participated in an Arab League meeting was when Erdogan, who was then prime minister, addressed the group's ministers in Cairo in 2011. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu, Editing by Timothy Heritage) Two 14-year-old students charged with making threats against schools in Methuen, police say Police have charged two 14-year-old students in connection with making multiple threats against Methuen Public Schools over the weekend. Both students, who attend Methuen High School, are charged with threatened use of explosives and causing disruption of a school, Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara said in a statement on Monday. One student is being held on $10,000 cash bail after officers arrested the juvenile at their home on Sunday, McNamara said. An arraignment is planned in Essex County Juvenile Court, Lawrence Session. The second student will be summonsed to Essex County Juvenile Court, Lawrence Session at a later date, McNamara said. Additional charges may be added. Police did not identify the students because they are juveniles. McNamara said police have identified a third suspect, but he did not provide specific details. Extra patrols were stationed at Methuen Public Schools on Monday as a precaution, the police chief said. Patrols will remain in place throughout the day. On Saturday, Methuen Police received a report about a bomb threat made against the Timony School on social media. McNamara said police immediately notified public school officials and officers launched an investigation. Investigators soon determined that the social media account used in the threat belonged to be a Timony School student. This was a nonspecific threat that was determined to be uncredible and that the student had neither the means nor opportunity to carry out such a threat, McNamara said. This matter remains under investigation but has tentatively referred the matter to the Methuen Public Schools for appropriate disciplinary action. Then, at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Methuen Police learned about a second, more specific bomb threat made against Methuen High School on social media, McNamara said. Students and parents reported the posted threat to Methuen Public Schools officials, who then notified police. Both threats were determined not to be credible, but Methuen Police and Fire and K-9 teams from the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council conducted a thorough sweep of Methuen High School, McNamara said. I want to reiterate the severity of threats such as these. The disruption that these threats cause brings unwarranted fear and anxiety to those across the community. Our department is committed to the safety and well-being of all students and community members and we are working diligently to thoroughly investigate the threats made over the weekend at the highest level, said McNamara. Those found responsible will face significant legal consequences, McNamara said. While these threats were not deemed credible, it does not lessen the serious impact they have had across our community. Our priority is and will remain, the safety of our community. Both incidents remain under investigation. Methuen Police credited the community members who reported the threat to school officials and to police, and stressed the importance of reporting suspicious activity and behavior online. Both threats came less than a week after a mass shooting in Georgia that left four people dead. Threats of violence will not be tolerated in Methuen, McNamara said. All threats are taken extremely seriously and thoroughly investigated, with those responsible facing the consequences of their actions, both under the law and under school codes of conduct. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Rhode Island State House. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Two Democrats are competing for the seat representing parts of East Providence and Pawtucket after progressive Democratic Rep. Brianna Henries said she would not seek reelection. East Providence School Committee Chair Jenni Furtado faces Ashley Pereira, who ran and lost against Henries in the 2022 primary. Rhode Island Current reached out to the candidates with a questionnaire. Candidate Ashley Pereira did not provide answers despite repeated inquiries. Key Events 3 weeks ago Jenni Furtado calls for reckoning over Washington Bridge crisis 3 weeks ago Jenni Furtado calls for reckoning over Washington Bridge crisis Name: Jenni Furtado Party: Democrat Race: House District 64 Age: 31 Residence: East Providence Job: Attorney Years lived in Rhode Island: 8 Political bio: Two terms on East Providence School Committee (one term as chair) What are your top 3 legislative priorities if elected? Education: The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) imposes unfunded mandates on school districts every year, while cities and towns fight for state aid based on its convoluted funding formula. East Providence and Pawtucket need more state aid for education so city budgets can focus on providing city services. And if RIDE is going to issue new mandates, they need to fund them. Housing: House District 64 is dealing with a housing crisis. The two most affected groups are first-time homebuyers and seniors. We need to add further aid and loan opportunities to help first-time homebuyers trying to purchase their first home, and we need to expand the state property tax relief program for seniors so they can stay in their homes. Washington Bridge: The Washington Bridge disaster has impacted our residents, roads, and businesses. We are seeing an unprecedented crisis in East Providence and Pawtucket. Along with more funding relief for small businesses, we need more accountability and transparency for this process. While the inquiries made by the General Assembly were a great first step, there needs to be an administrative reckoning. What more could the General Assembly do to hold state agencies accountable for the I-195 Washington Bridge closure? The General Assembly made the first step in investigating the matter, but it is clear that this was due to a lack of oversight and we need to increase the transparency and accountability for all state agencies. It will be an, arduous process. I caution any of my fellow politicians that claim they will fix the bridge. The hard truth is that this problem was years in the making and will take years to undo. However, if elected, I will work with my fellow state representatives and state senators from East Providence and Pawtucket to put pressure on the administration for results. And I will work as hard as I can to get aid to the district to help offset the losses weve all experienced. Do you support a state inspector generals office? If so, where do you propose the funding come from within the state budget? I would certainly support a form of greater fiduciary oversight. However, the inspector generals office as it was introduced this past session was poisoned by Republicans as a political move. To have true independent and apolitical oversight that will seek out waste, fraud, and abuse in the government, all stakeholders need to come together like they did for the reinstatement of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission. We need policy, not politics. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Last updated: 1:37 pm Two dead after house fire that South Carolina police are calling homicide Two people died following a house fire Sunday in South Carolina, and one of them is accused of intentionally starting the blaze thats being investigated as a homicide, according to the Charleston Police Department. Although the Charleston County Coroners Office has not publicly identified the people who died, on Monday police said they were adult relatives. At about 10 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to reports of a fire at a home in the 1600 block of Seabago Drive, police said in a news release. Thats in the West Ashley area of South Carolinas Lowcountry. Members of both the Charleston Fire Department and Saint Andrews Fire Department battled the fire in the burning building and initiated rescue efforts, according to the release. Information about how long it took to extinguish the fire was not available. Detectives determined that the fire was intentionally set by an adult resident, who died at the scene, police said. There was no word about when and where in the house the fire was started. The victim suffered serious injuries and was taken by EMS to an area hospital, and later died, according to the release. The coroners office has not announced either of the causes of death. Police said that no one else was believed to be inside the residence at the time of the fire, and no other injuries were reported. Both police and the Charleston Fire Department Fire Marshal Division are continuing to investigate the arson-related deaths. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 843-720-2422, or via email at speaktocpd@charleston-sc.gov. Two displaced after house fire in east Charlotte Two people have been displaced following a house fire in east Charlotte Sunday. Charlotte Fire responded to a house fire at the 1000 block of Culver Spring Way around 5 p.m. Firefighters were able to control the fire in 27 minutes. There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters, according to the department. Charlotte Fire investigators determined the fire originated on the back patio of a single-family residence as a result of discarded smoking materials on a chair. Red Cross is assisting the two displaced residents. VIDEO: We will never forget: Mother of Charlotte serial killer victim dies CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) An investigation is underway after two inmates were erroneously released on Friday, September 6, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office (MCSO). On Friday morning, Mr. Jose Rivera-Martinez and Mrs. Reyna Ulloa-Martinez were taken from Georgia to the MCSOs Arrest Processing Center (APC) in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Upon arrival, MCSO personnel reportedly asked the Georgia ICE officers if there was any paperwork stating the two needed to stay in jail (writs) and ICE reportedly said no. The Martinezs were served warrants for felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and appeared before a magistrate, who issued them unsecured bonds, unaware that they both were to be held in custody and returned to Georgia, according to authorities. The duo were then released. James Earl Jones, beloved actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies That afternoon, MCSO says they learned of the hold and return order and worked with local law enforcement to find Mr. and Mrs. Martinez. However, the Martinezs were nowhere to be found over the weekend. Monday afternoon, the pair showed up for their court date for the accessory charges and were rearrested. They were given secured bonds for the accessory charges, but will not be released until these local charges are resolved. At that time, they will be returned to ICE in Georgia. According to jail records, Jose Rivera-Martinez is from Conway, South Carolina and Reyna Ulloa-Martinez is from Myrtle Beach, S.C. It is unclear how the two know each other and what case their accessory charges are linked to. When it was discovered that Mr. and Mrs. Martinez were released on Friday without knowledge of the writs that should have held them MCSO and our local law enforcement partners went immediately into action to try to find them and take them back into custody, said Sheriff McFadden. It was a stressful weekend, not knowing where the Martinezes were. But thankfully they appeared for court this afternoon and we were able to take them back into custody. We are also still investigating what took place regarding the Martinezes coming into the APC without writs, and we are committed to ensuring better communication with transport officers so that individuals with court-ordered detention holds are not erroneously released in the future. This incident comes almost a year and a half since murder suspect Jaylan Davis was released by mistake from the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. He later turned himself in and an escape charge was dropped. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (KRON) Authorities unmasked two men accused of burglarizing a Spirit Halloween store in costume Thursday night, according to the Antioch Police Department. A bystander called Antioch police to inform officers he saw two men inside a closed Spirit Halloween with flashlights. Responding officers found two men wearing Halloween masks pushing shopping carts filled with costumes. Image provided by the Antioch Police Department Antioch man shot Monday night dies in hospital The officers detained the suspects. According to Antioch PD, the security footage showed the suspects breaking into the establishment. Police said both suspects were carrying ammunition. One of the suspects had a prior felony conviction, according to Antioch PD. The duo was arrested and booked into the county jail for burglary and unlawful possession of ammunition. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Key Insights The projected fair value for Pantech Group Holdings Berhad is RM0.92 based on Dividend Discount Model With RM1.00 share price, Pantech Group Holdings Berhad appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value Pantech Group Holdings Berhad's peers seem to be trading at a higher premium to fair value based onthe industry average of -110% Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Pantech Group Holdings Berhad (KLSE:PANTECH) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. See our latest analysis for Pantech Group Holdings Berhad Step By Step Through The Calculation As Pantech Group Holdings Berhad operates in the metals and mining sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a company's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In this case we used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%). The expected dividend per share is then discounted to today's value at a cost of equity of 10%. Relative to the current share price of RM1.0, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate) = RM0.06 / (10% 3.6%) = RM0.9 dcf The Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Pantech Group Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.240. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Story continues SWOT Analysis for Pantech Group Holdings Berhad Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years. Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio. Threat No apparent threats visible for PANTECH. Moving On: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Pantech Group Holdings Berhad, we've compiled three fundamental elements you should assess: Risks: We feel that you should assess the 1 warning sign for Pantech Group Holdings Berhad we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does PANTECH's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Two Welsh Labour MPs have been given jobs at the helm of two House of Commons select committees. Ruth Jones will chair the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, which looks at how UK government decisions affect Wales. Meanwhile Tonia Antoniazzi will chair the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. The posts were among eight new chairs announced for eight select committees. They were elected automatically because only one name was put forward for nomination for each. House of Commons committees are cross-party bodies that scrutinise the work of government departments and ministers. Ms Jones, MP for Newport West and Islwyn, said: "As Welsh MPs, it is our duty to deliver change for the next generation so its not just the land of our fathers but the 'land of our future' too. "With the right scrutiny, I know we can become a fairer, safer and more prosperous nation and to achieve this I will focus on the everyday concerns of peoples lives." Gower MP Ms Antoniazzi, who served as a shadow minister for North Ireland in the last parliament, said she was looking forward to leading the committee "for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland". Two Women Go on Camera to Accuse Andrew Tate of Rape and Abuse WARNING: This story contains graphic descriptions of sexual assault. Misogynist social media influencer Andrew Tate is facing allegations that he raped and strangled two women. After attacking one of the women, Tate allegedly wrote her a text that read: I love raping you. The victim also claimed he texted her: Are you seriously so offended I strangled you a little bit? The shocking claims about Washington DC-born Tate, 37, were reported by the BBC. They are separate allegations to the charges he is currently facing in Romania, where he is under house arrest accused of human trafficking and forming an organized group to sexually exploit women. Andrew Tate Served With Lawsuit Alleging Rapes in the U.K. A third woman told the BBC that she was raped by Tates younger influencer brother Tristan, 36, who also faces trial in Romania. Both brothers deny the charges. The rape claims against Tate were made by British women who dated Tate when he was living in Luton, England, about ten years ago. One woman, using the name Anna, told the BBC that she went back to the former kickboxers house after going on a couple of dates with him in 2013. He started kissing me... and he just looked up at the ceiling and said, Im just debating whether I should rape you or not. Out of the blue he just grabbed me by the throat, smashed me to the back of the bed, strangling me extremely hard, she is reported to have said. She said she received the sick texts after being raped. In one voice note, Tate allegedly told her: Am I a bad person? Because the more you didnt like it, the more I enjoyed it. He is also alleged to have texted her: And watching u let me while still debating if its a good idea or not. I like the conflict you have. And you do have it. Don't deny it. The BBC said that Tate declined to comment when asked about the messages. Anna said she told police about the attack but the authorities decided there wasnt enough evidence to bring charges. Another woman, calling herself Sienna, told the BBC that she had a one-night stand with Tate and met him a few months later. We went to my bedroom... and we started having sex, she said. That was when he put his hands around my throat. She claimed she struggled to breathe, and went unconscious. When she came around, she said he was still having sex with her. I was absolutely terrified. I just remember gasping for air... It was rape. One of the whites of my eyes had just gone completely red - apparently it's quite common in domestic abuse cases where there's been strangulation, she said, adding that she did not report the attack to the police. The two women are suing Tate, along with two other women, in Londons High Court. He is refuting the claims. The YouTube and TikTok influencer denied ever having sex with a woman without their consent or using strangulation in an interview in June last year, the BBC said. Another British woman, using the name Daisy, said she was dating Tristan Tate in the U.K. and he encouraged her to work for the brothers webcam business in Romania. Despite breaking up with him after arriving in the eastern European country, Daisy said he put his hands around her throat and raped her, according to the BBC. Tristan Tate had no comment on the allegation when it was put to him by the BBC. Andrew Tate has continued to insist that he has done nothing wrong. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A petition calling for the move was presented on Tynwald Day in July [PA Media] Tynwald will be asked to set up a committee looking into education provision for young people with dyslexia after an MHK backed a petition calling for the move. Petitioner Julia Bell called for the change in July and said "current educational practices do not meet the needs of students with specific learning differences". In November's sitting of the court, Rob Callister MHK will ask for a committee to be appointed to investigate the idea. He said he hoped the move could lead to additional staff and teacher training, more support and guidance for parents and early intervention to identify the condition. According to the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) one in 10 people in the UK has the condition, which can affect a person's ability to read, write and spell, as well as their speech, memory and coordination. If backed, a committee of three members would look into Ms Bell's proposal and examine how many pupils have dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia and the current provision in place for those affected. Mr Callister has also asked that no member of the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) or Treasury should sit on the committee, which would publish a report by next April. Ms Bell (second from right) was joined by a group of campaigners to present the petition in July [BBC] The Onchan MHK said supporting the petition was an issue "very close to my heart" after living with the condition and "struggling with it" as a child. He said the Island Plan, the government's roadmap, outlined "a vision that includes an education system that supports everyone, that has got to be across the board". "Giving children the best start may also have long term benefits for the whole island because it gives them the perfect platform to go on and have a very successful career and life," he added. Ms Bell said she was "optimistic" the committee could lead to changes, such as more screening assessments, that would "make a real difference" to families. The government has been contacted for a comment by the BBC. Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X? You can also send story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk More on this story Related internet links Police release video of NFL star Tyreek Hill being detained after traffic stop on the way to the stadium Miami-Dade police on Monday released body camera footage of officers detaining Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill in the hours before the wide receiver played in Sundays opening game of the season. CNN is reviewing the video of the four officers responding to a traffic stop. One shows the initial contact with an officer knocking on the drivers side window of Hills sportscar after signaling for the wide receiver to pull over near the Dolphins stadium. Hill rolls down the window when the officer knocks and replies, Hey, dont knock on my window like that. The officer asks Hill why he doesnt have a seatbelt on. Hill doesnt answer and repeatedly says, Dont knock on my window like that. The officer asks why Hill had his window up and says he had to knock to let Hill know he was there. Give me my ticket, bro so I can go, Im going to be late. Do what you got to do, Hill says before rolling up the window. The officer tells him to keep his window down and knocks again, but Hill doesnt appear to respond. The officer knocks again and tells Hill to keep his window down. Hill rolls down his window slightly and responds, Dont tell me what to do. The officer threatens to make Hill get out of the car if he doesnt keep the window down, and then immediately after orders him out. Another officer opens Hills car door and starts to pull him out of the car, saying, Get out! while Hill responds, Im getting out. Two officers are seen pushing Hill to the ground while another officer stands over. Hill is heard saying Im getting arrested multiple times, and the one officer physically restraining him says, When we tell you to do something, you do it. You understand? You understand? Not what you want, but what we tell you. Youre a little f**cking confused. Hill is heard saying, Im getting out, Im getting out, and the same officer says, Too late. While Hill is sitting on the sidewalk, the officer who originally tapped on the window is told by another officer that Hill is the Dolphins star player. After a discussion with police, Hill is given citations and allowed to leave. Hill told The Source with Kaitlan Collins on Monday he was still shell-shocked by the encounter. I was shocked. It was crazy because it all happened so fast. I really couldnt like gather everything that was happening, he said. I wasnt moving fast because you know I got injuries. I got things that I go through. I play a physical sport. I guess the officers they felt like I wasnt doing it on their timing. But I was doing it. Im still kind of shell-shocked from it. Hill said he just wanted to get his ticket and was afraid the stop would cause a scene when passersby recognized the NFL star. Police released more than an hour-and-a-halfs worth of body camera footage from officers on Monday night, despite saying earlier in the day that the video would not be released until after an internal investigation was completed. While standard protocol is to release body cam footage after the internal review has concluded, the available body cam footage a combined 105 minutes 33 seconds is being released the day following the incident to reinforce the Departments commitment to keeping the public informed, Director Stephanie V. Daniels of the police department said in a statement. Agent: Officers actions were uncalled for Hills agent called the Miami Dolphins stars detention heartbreaking, upsetting and uncalled for in an interview with CNN earlier on Monday as the local police union began to defend the officers involved. Speaking to CNNs Sara Sidner, Drew Rosenhaus said he was in disbelief about what took place after he was pulled over for a moving violation. Tyreek was just trying to get to work, trying to play a game, just trying to do his job, Rosenhaus said on CNN News Central. For police officers to detain him, to put him on the ground like that, to put their knee on him, to hit him its just devastating. Daniels said on Sunday that an investigation has begun into the incident and that one of the officers involved is being placed on administrative duties. Police confirmed to CNN that a second Dolphins player, Calais Campbell, was also handcuffed when trying to discuss the situation with officers at the scene. On Monday, the South Florida Police Benevolent Association defended the actions of the officers involved, highlighting that Hill was never placed under arrest. Upon being stopped, Mr. Hill was not immediately cooperative with the officers on scene who, pursuant to policy and for their immediate safety, placed Mr. Hill in handcuffs, Steadman Stahl, the organizations president, said in a statement to CNN. Mr. Hill, still uncooperative, refused to sit on the ground and was therefore redirected to the ground. Once the situation was sorted out within a few minutes, Mr. Hill was issued two traffic citations and was free to leave. In this case, while we will wait for the investigation to run its course, based on what we know, we stand with the actions of our officers but look forward to further open communication moving forward, Stahl added. The Dolphins on Monday called the officers conduct toward Hill and two other players who stopped at the scene overly aggressive and violent. They urged the police department to take action against the officers for their despicable behavior. It is both maddening and heartbreaking to watch the very people we trust to protect our community use such unnecessary force and hostility towards these players, yet it is also a reminder that not every situation like this ends in peace, as we are grateful this one did, team officials said. Attorney says Hill considering legal action I think the video contradicts everything they are saying, Julius B. Collins, an attorney for the wide receiver told CNN. Earlier in a written statement he called the officers actions excessive, adding his team is exploring all legal remedies. Mr. Hill understands the inherently dangerous job that law enforcement is tasked with and understands that officer safety is important; however, at no point in time did Mr. Hill pose a threat to these officers, Collins said Monday. We believe that this matter was escalated due to overzealous officers attempting to impose their authority on Mr. Hill because they were not pleased with how fast he complied with their request and that Mr. Hill did not roll down his window far enough to their liking. Collins said Hill, a five-time All-Pro who is in his third season with the Dolphins, is appreciative of his celebrity status but it is not lost upon him how so many others in similar situations have met a different fate. and how fortunate all parties involved were able to walk away from this matter. Hill scored an 80-yard touchdown in Miamis 20-17 victory against the Jaguars, celebrating by putting his arms behind his back with his wrists together perhaps alluding to being in handcuffs earlier Sunday. Hill said after Miami's game against the Jaguars that he was confused by his pregame encounter with police. - Don Juan Moore/Getty Images Rosenhaus said he believed the celebration was a way of Hill coping with the incident. Its just embarrassing for images where youre in handcuffs and youre on the ground with police (having) their knee on you, pushing you and treating you like the criminal, he said. Absolutely believe that celebration was his way of coping with something that was so upsetting. Rosenhaus added: To Tyreeks credit, it was remarkable that he was able to compose himself. He was able to go and play the game, making a sensational play, an 80-yard touchdown to help the team win, come from behind. His performance was epic. But what happened before the game was disgraceful, unacceptable and cannot happen in this society. Who would have thought after George Floyd that we would still see people treated like this unfairly and unnecessarily? Hill said after Sundays game that he was still confused by his pregame encounter with police. I wasnt disrespectful because my mom didnt raise me that way, didnt cuss, didnt do none of that. Like I said, Im still trying to figure it out, Hill said at his postgame press conference. Rosenhaus told CNN Monday that there is no question that there will be ramifications to come out of the incident involving Hill. If Tyreek wasnt a world-class athlete and in incredible shape, who knows how this could have impacted him, he said. He was sore. He was hurting. He was physically and mentally distraught something where were seeking answers and we will pursue this to the fullest extent of the law. Campbell describes tense detention scene On Monday, Campbell recalled how he arrived at the scene of his teammates detention and attempted to diffuse the situation. Speaking on ESPN, the 17-year NFL veteran said he got out of his car with his hands up and approached the police officers, saying, Im a friend of his (Hill). I dont know whats going on here, but I think the situation is definitely unnecessary. Campbell said he was told to leave, with an officer threatening to tow his car if he didnt go away. I told him I will stand where you want me to stand. You tell me how far I need to back up, and Ill back up, but Im not leaving the scene, Campbell recounted. This is my friend here. Im here to support him. Im not leaving. Body camera footage released Monday shows Campbell approaching police with his hands up, asking what is going on. I just want to know whats going on, he says. The officer responds Its not your business. Its not your business, keep going back. The officer tells him to back up behind a car and Campbell moves. After not vacating, Campbell, in his first season with the Dolphins, said the officer told him he was under arrest and put Campbell in handcuffs. Body camera footage shows him being handcuffed. The defensive tackle said Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith was also at the scene as Hill pleaded with both teammates: Dont leave me. Dont leave me. Campbell told ESPN he was thankful he was there to support Hill. These situations can escalate quickly. We see it so many times in America where these things go completely bad. This is a big opportunity for us to use this platform to combat police brutality that happens. This situation could have been a whole lot worse had we not been there. After being released by police, Campbell said Hill was frustrated and flustered and told others he wouldnt play against the Jaguars. The Dolphins are back in action on Thursday when they face their divisional rivals, the Buffalo Bills, at Hard Rock Stadium. This story has been updated with additional reporting. CNNs Kevin Dotson, Cara-Lynn Clarkson, Homero De la Fuente, Sharif Paget, Raja Razek, Amanda Jackson and Roxanne Garcia contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The shocking death of Oregon nurse Melissa Jubane rocked the community of the lives shes touched both here and in Hawaii, where some of her relatives are mourning. Sunday afternoon, a mass was held at University of Portland in remembrance of the 2018 U-P graduate. The Chapel of Christ the Teacher on campus opened their doors in her honor for Mass as her former fellow students, teachers, friends, family and co-workers continue to process their grief. Remains of WWII soldier return 80+ years later The Dean of Nursing, Joane Moceri, helped organized the remembrance Mass for Jubane. Moceri said the professors who knew her are deeply saddened by this loss and are trying to get a grip on what happened to their former student. It really was shocking. All of the faculty and staff were just devastated to think about this happening to one of ours, because once youre a (University of Portland) Pilot, youre always a Pilot here, Moceri told KOIN 6 News. And we dont even have words really to describe sort of the depth of the grief that we feel. Melissa Jubane in an undated photo provided September 7, 2024 (Courtesy) Its a tragic time but to see the faculty and staff who have touched and formed and created such great nurses to come back at this moment and say, yes, we need to be together and pray, said Fr. John Donato, the vice president of student affairs. Thats exactly what I expected us to be about. Jubane was just very, very sweet, very kind, said one of her former professors, Halina Brant-Zawadzki. As a nurse, we both ran in similar circles at Saint Vincents, and so a lot of her coworkers were my coworkers back when I graduated from here. And, they just they said shes just a wonderful nurse. Everybody loved her. Just the sweetest, sweetest young woman. Moceri said the faculty described Jubane as a bright, positive student, really supportive of her peers, and so excited to be a nurse. And thats part of the tragedy, she said. Heres someone who, you know, was a nurse during COVID, heres someone who, you know, walked in every day giving her very best to her patients. And now we dont have her any longer. And it is a loss for all of us. Jubane left a legacy not only prevalent on the college campus but the wider nursing community. As a testament to that, a vigil for Jubane will be held on Monday, September 8, by the Oregon Nurses Association from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ridgewood View Park in Portland. Attendees are encouraged to bring a rose to honor her memory. Melissa Jubane and her husband Byan Llantero in Hawaii, August 2024 (Llantero Ohana via KHON) Just two weeks ago, Jubane got married in Hawaii to Bryan Llantero, an active member of the U.S. Navy who lives in Washington state. PHOTOS: Jelly Roll performs concert at Salem prison The investigation Around 10:18 a.m. on September 4, Beaverton Police Department got a call to check on Melissa Jubane after she had not clocked in for her morning shift at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Officers then went to Jubanes apartment in Beaverton and searched it. Beaverton police said efforts by investigators and her family to contact her on her cell phone were unsuccessful since it appeared her phone was turned off. By 3:12 p.m., Jubanes disappearance was registered with national law enforcement databases, Beaverton police said. Later that night, law enforcement released limited information about Jubanes disappearance on social media. MultCo, Portland test shelter availability tool A days-long search for Jubane followed. On Thursday, police used a blood hound to search the apartment complex and interviewed people. On Friday, about 100 people showed up to two separate community-led searches throughout the day. In the early hours of Saturday morning, Beaverton police released new information regarding the arrest of a suspect Jubanes neighbor, 27-year-old Bryce Schubert and that they had recovered Jubanes remains. Schubert now faces second-degree murder charges, according to Washington County authorities. Schubert is expected to make his first appearance in a Washington County court on Monday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. UC Merced is No. 1 university for social mobility in the US, new study says. Heres why UC Merced is the No. 1 university in the nation for social mobility, according to new college rankings. The Wall Street Journal recently teamed up with research partners College Pulse and Statista to rank the 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S., rating the top 500 universities in the United States. In addition to awarding schools overall scores, the Wall Street Journal and College Pulse ranked universities based on best value, best salaries, student experience and social mobility. The WSJ/College Pulse Social Mobility ranking ... rewards universities that take in the highest proportion of students coming from lower-income families, the Wall Street Journal said, while maintaining high graduation rates and having a positive impact on graduate salaries and minimizing the costs of attending the college. At UC Merced, we routinely say that we dont do what we do for rankings, but when you excel others will always take notice, university Chancellor Juan Sanchez Munoz said in a Sept. 4 news release. We hope this recent acknowledgment will be yet another opportunity for people to learn about the exceptional culture of student success that has taken root at UC Merced. Why is UC Merced No. 1 for social mobility? UC Merced landed at top of the WSJ/College Pulse Social Mobility ranking with a score of 86.8 out of 100 The university was No. 18 on the overall list of Best Colleges in the U.S. with a score of 84 out of 100, up from No. 59 in 2023. According to the Wall Street Journal, it costs $13,450 per year on average to attend UC Merced, including tuition, fees, room and board and books and supplies. However, the value added to graduates median salary attributable to them attending UC Merced is $33,874, the Journal found. UC Merced has a variety of programs that have helped students excel academically, including the Center for Educational Partnerships and the Fiat Lux Scholars program. The Center for Educational Partnerships works with Central Valley schools serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade help kids become college and career ready, UC Merced said on its website, while the Fiat Lux scholars program focuses on providing first-generation college students with academic success and housing options. The university also partners with College Track, an organization that helps students from low-income community get their bachelor degrees. About 60% of the student body of UC Merced is comprised of Pell grant-eligible students who have exceptional financial needs, and 65% are first-generation college students according to the news release on Sept 4. How did other California universities rank? California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock came in second on the list of the top schools for social mobility. California State University, San Bernardino, took third place, while Fresno State was No. 4. California State University, Los Angeles, rounded out the top five. Elsewhere in the Central Valley, California State University, Sacramento, landed at No. 13, while Fresno Pacific University was No. 14 and UC Davis was No. 32. What are the top 10 universities for social mobility? These are the top 10 universities in the nation in terms of enhancing students social mobility, according to Wall Street Journal and College Pulse: UC Merced California State University, Stanislaus California State University, San Bernardino Fresno State California State University, Los Angeles Florida International University in Miami California State University, Long Beach Baruch College in New York California State University, Northridge California Polytechnic State University, Pomona How did Wall Street Journal come up with its rankings? The Wall Street Journal partnered up with College Pulse and Statista to rank schools using the latest data available for analysis, it said. In the social mobility category, schools were scored based on the following components: Social mobility salary impact Social mobility graduation rate impact Russia is firing shells at a ratio of around 2:1; 2,5:1 to those of Ukraine, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with CNN on Sept. 5, adding that Ukrainian forces are narrowing the gap. In the spring, Ukraine faced an ammunition shortage largely due to delays in U.S. military assistance, which had a direct impact on the battlefield. As of mid-April, Russia fired 10 times more shells than Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Syrskyi, Russia outnumbers Ukraine in terms of weapons and personnel, but Ukraine should use its "technical superiority," focusing on high-tech weapons such as unmanned aerial systems. "In addition, of course, we use maneuvers with force, reserves, and fire. Thanks to the actions of our government, the president of Ukraine, the minister of defense, we managed to reduce the difference between the ammunition used by us and the enemy," said Syrskyi. The Ukrainian military managed to reduce the difference between shells used by Kyiv and Moscow, compensating for this gap with drones, the general said. Syrskyi also said that "significant changes" happened since the U.S. weapons started flowing to Ukraine after almost seven months of delays. Yet, Ukraine receives the arms "with the delay." "This is also a negative for us. Especially when it comes to the formation of new units or when a unit is formed and there is no equipment, no weapons, how should we perceive it?" the commander-in-chief said. "You plan to use a mechanized brigade, but in fact you use it as an infantry brigade. As a result, its combat capabilities and effectiveness are much lower." Syrskyi's words echoed remarks by Zelensky, who urged partners to speed up the supply of weapons. The president said in July that 14 Ukrainian brigades did not have necessary weapons "that have already been approved and discussed." Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine building underground weapons factories; Ukrainian drones hit Russian ammunition warehouse Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Soldiers of Ukraine's 3rd Tank Brigade shot down a Russian Orlan reconnaissance drone at a record altitude of 3,620 meters, the Ukrainian military said on Sept. 9. The Orlan is a Russian-developed reconnaissance drone widely used by Russia in Ukraine. Feared by Ukrainian soldiers, it often serves to target Russian artillery attacks. It can travel 600 kilometers and climb to an altitude of 5,000 meters. "(The hit) took place on Sept. 7 in Kharkiv Oblast. Once the enemy Orlan-10 drone was spotted, the Voron missile artillery group rushed to the area," the 3rd Brigade said on Facebook. The Russian drone's altitude and trajectory were established in cooperation with Ukrainian border guard units. Then, one soldier prepared the necessary "equipment," and two more service members began to "hunt" the unmanned aircraft, the unit said. The record height! Ukrainian warriors shot down a russian Orlan reconnaissance UAV at an altitude of 3,620 meters. : 3rd Tank Brigade pic.twitter.com/IuNrTtPeVe Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 9, 2024 According to the 3rd Brigade, shooting down the drone was particularly difficult due to its altitude and because it kept changing its position and direction. The weaponry used in the attack was not specified, but the 3rd Brigade published a first-person-view (FPV) video of what may be another drone ramming into the Russian Orlan. This was the first high-altitude Russian drone shot down by the 3rd Tank Brigade. The Ukrainian military has recently boasted about a number of new drone innovations that are being deployed against Moscow's troops. This included drones firing small arms or dispersing thermite against Russian positions. Ukrainian FPV drones have also been repeatedly used to target Russian reconnaissance drones and helicopters. Read also: We asked weapons experts to review Ukraines two new drone innovations Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine started this year on the brink of disaster. A lot has changed since. Ukraine started this year on the back foot in its fightback against Russia's invasion. But since the start of the year, it's switched things up, including by going on the offensive. It's also received advanced weapons like F-16s and ATACMS, but can't fully unleash them. After entering 2024 in a sorry state, Ukraine has notched up a series of notable achievements since the start of the year, giving fresh impetus to its fight back against Russia. After struggling with ammunition shortages, in February the US approved an urgently needed $60 billion military aid package for Ukraine after months of political wrangling and Republican blockade. Western allies have let it use some of the missile systems they've supplied to hit targets inside Russia, with notable caveats, giving it a better chance to defend itself against incoming Russian attacks. And it also regained the initiative with its surprise incursion into the Russian region of Kursk in August, even while gradually losing ground in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine remains locked in a ground fight with a Russian army that's absorbing heavy losses and continuing to swell as it eyes a grinding victory. The greatest danger is this pressure collapses part of Ukraine's defenses in the east. "What Ukraine has done in the past month, starting with Kursk, is not going to turn around the war by any means," Abishur Prakash, the founder of The Geopolitical Business, Inc., a strategy advisory firm in Toronto, told BI. "But it's definitely changed the war," he added. Getting F-16s and long-awaited weapons Delays in getting Western equipment have long been a source of frustration for Ukraine. In May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the West always seems to provide weapons a year after it needs them. "Every decision to which we, then later everyone together, comes to is late by around one year," Zelenskyy told Reuters. But some long-awaited Western weapons have started to arrive. These include US-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, in April, and F-16 fighter jets last month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi in front of the first F-16 fighter jets received by Ukraine on August 4, 2024. Vitalii Nosach/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images According to Mark Temnycky, a nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, F-16s will not immediately give Ukraine air superiority in the conflict something neither side has managed to accomplish but they will bolster Ukraine's ability to shoot down missiles and drones from the skies. "Aside from the military capabilities of these aircraft, the arrival of these jets will provide a morale boost to Ukrainian soldiers and civilians," he said. But it's not all good news for Ukraine: Lithuania's foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, said recently that some vital military equipment that had been pledged to Ukraine wouldn't arrive until 2027. Striking inside Russia From the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, allies, including the US, barred Ukraine from using advanced weapons they'd supplied to strike targets inside Russia like the air bases and resupply lines critical to its invasion. A Ukrainian commander operating in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border told The Times of London in May that his unit watched as Russia amassed a huge force but had to wait for the troops to cross the border into Ukraine to hit them. Western allies lifted some restrictions in May, allowing Ukraine to strike Russian troops building up at its borders. But Ukraine is still not allowed to use Western weapons to carry out deep strikes within Russia, despite the pleas of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. There are 245 military targets in Russia within range of the ATACMS missiles Ukraine now has on hand, according to a map released last month by the Institute for the Study of War and the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project. Taking the war inside Russia The biggest change this year is that Ukraine altered the dynamics of the conflict by launching a surprise attack on Russia's Kursk region. The incursion the first foreign military operation on Russian soil since World War II caught Russia and the West off guard. In just two weeks, starting on August 6, Ukraine claims its forces took more territory in Kursk than Russia had since the beginning of 2024. Ukrainian forces in military operations in Malaya Loknya, Kursk Region, on August 20, 2024. 95th Air Assault Brigade/Handout via REUTERS Russia, meanwhile, has struggled to respond quickly and effectively, partly due to its complex military structures , a lack of contingency plans, and poor command and control. According to Mark Cancian, a retired US Marine Corps colonel and defense strategy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, what Ukraine has done is show that it can shift to the attack. This is important "after eight months on the defensive and last year's failed counteroffensive," he told BI. However, "Ukraine is still in a precarious military situation," he said. Creating a winning strategy According to an update from the Institute for the Study of War, the Kursk incursion has likely failed to change Putin's strategic thinking. Putin still believes Russia can slowly and indefinitely take over Ukraine through grinding advances and accomplish its objectives by fighting a war of attrition and outlasting Western support, it said. Ukraine's emphasis on regaining territory and reluctance to mobilize more soldiers may have complicated its defenses. Ukraine, meanwhile, is hoping its incursion will help it to achieve victory. During a press conference in Kyiv last month, Zelenskyy said Kursk was the first step in a four-part plan for victory, which he would present to President Joe Biden this month. The other steps include Ukraine's strategic place in the world's security infrastructure and a powerful package of diplomatic and economic pressures on Russia to end the war, per CNN. Ukrainian officials seem focused on retaining the territory they hold and threatening more, which could affect the war's course or negotiations for its end. However, it's increasingly possible that the battle for Kursk fails to alter the difficult battle for the Donbas. Ukraine is "losing territory and may suffer a breakthrough," Benjamin Friedman, policy director at the Defense Priorities think tank, told BI. "They need manpower most of all," he added. The Kursk offensive "has shifted the formerly gloomy narrative, at least for the moment, about the negative trajectory of the war," wrote Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Rob Lee, a senior policy fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, in Foreign Affairs last week. But they added: "But Kyiv must decide what to make of its initial win." "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," they wrote. However, this comes with risks, they said. In the worst-case scenario, this could mean losing substantial areas of land in its east and not holding territory in Kursk that could be used as leverage in peace negotiations. Ultimately, Ukraine may have to make some big decisions about its available resources. Prakash, the founder of The Geopolitical Business, Inc., asked, pointedly, what the next steps are for Kyiv, "because what happens if Ukrainian forces in Kursk are pushed back, and what happens if Russia starts making a big push in eastern Ukraine?" Read the original article on Business Insider Ukraine war latest: Russia claims capture of town near Pokrovsk, Kyiv says fighting ongoing in the area Key developments on Sept. 9: Russia claims capture of town near Pokrovsk, Kyiv says fighting ongoing in the area Sweden includes Gripen jet spare parts in new $443 million military aid package for Ukraine Latvia confirms Russian Shahed drone armed with explosive crashed on its territory Iran denies sending ballistic missiles to Russia, Kremlin remains evasive Ukraine reportedly downs Russian Orlan drone at 'record height' of 3.6 km The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Sept. 8 that its forces had captured the town of Novohrodivka in Donetsk Oblast, while Ukraine's military said that battles are ongoing in the area. Novohrodivka is around 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Pokrovsk, an important logistical hub for Ukrainian forces. The sector is described by the Ukrainian military as the most difficult and has seen months-long fierce fighting. Serhii Tsehotskyi, an officer with Ukraine's 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Sept. 2 that the military command decided to withdraw from Novohrodivka because the town had "an unfavorable geographical location." There were also unconfirmed reports that the town had been poorly fortified, and Russian soldiers captured it in a few days. The General Staff neither announced Ukraine's withdrawal from Novohrodivka nor commented on the claims. In its daily update, the General Staff said that Ukrainian soldiers repel dozens of attacks near the settlements surrounding Pokrovsk, including Novohrodivka. The statement did not specify whether battles are ongoing within Novohrodivka itself or only in its vicinity. The Kyiv Independent reached out to the Ukrainian military but has not received a response at the time of publication. The Russian Defense Ministry reported capturing four other settlements near Pokrovsk over the past week: Zhuravka, Skuchne, Karlovka, and Zavitne. These claims could not be verified. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russia's advance in the Pokrovsk direction had been halted in the past six days in an interview with CNN aired on Sept. 5. Syrskyi linked this development to Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast, which was designed to divert Russian forces from Pokrovsk and other hot sectors in Donetsk Oblast. Sweden includes Gripen jet spare parts in new $443 million military aid package for Ukraine Sweden has included combat boats, anti-tank weapons, ammunition, and Gripen jet spare parts in its latest military aid package for Ukraine, valued at 4.6 billion Swedish krona ($443 million), the Swedish Defense Ministry announced on Sept. 9. With its 17th military aid package to Ukraine, Sweden is entering a "new phase of military support to Ukraine, with a greater focus on production instead of donation," the Swedish Defense Ministry said. Transferring Gripen jets to Ukraine is currently "not a viable option, as it would interfere with the prioritized introduction of F-16 fighters," but Sweden is continuing its efforts to establish the conditions to send Gripen jets to Ukraine in the future. Sweden is therefore "acquiring materiel parts for the JAS 39 Gripen" worth approximately 2.3 billion Swedish krona ($222 million), which are being reused in the construction of the E series of the jet. "By acquiring new materiel parts, a number of JAS 39C/D will be saved from being dismantled and can if the Swedish government decides so be considered for a possible future donation to Ukraine," the Defense Ministry said. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said in July that Stockholm was open to providing Ukraine with Gripen fighter jets after the completion of the F-16 program, but further steps depend on Kyiv. The latest package also includes 40 mm ammunition for the Combat Vehicle 90s previously supplied by Sweden, as well as camouflage equipment for the Pansarbandvagn 302s provided in the 16th aid package. Sweden will also send a number of Robot System 70, a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS), anti-tank weapons, winter equipment, and marine equipment worth approximately 500 million Swedish krona ($48 million) due to the threat posed by Russia to Ukrainian merchant vessel traffic in the Black Sea. To assist the Ukrainian Navy, Sweden will supply six Combat Boat 90s and "two launching trailers that can handle various types of boats," the Defense Ministry said. Sweden will send "ground combat military equipment," also worth approximately 500 million Swedish krona ($48 million), as well as grenade launchers with ammunition, recoilless rifles with ammunition, and small-calibre ammunition. The Swedish government also said in May that it was planning to allocate 75 billion Swedish krona ($7 billion) in military support to Ukraine from 2024 to 2026. Read also: Ukraines air defense boosted by 17 IRIS-Ts, but Iranian ballistic missiles still a threat, experts say Latvia confirms Russian Shahed drone armed with explosive crashed on its territory A Russian Shahed-type drone equipped with an explosive crashed in Latvia on Sept. 7, Latvia's Defense Ministry confirmed during a press conference on Sept. 9. The Latvian Defense Ministry previously said in a statement on Sept. 8 that a suspected Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) had crashed in eastern Latvia the day before. This is the first confirmed case of a Russian drone crashing on Latvian soil. Lieutenant General Leonids Kalnins, the commander-in-chief of the Latvian Armed Forces, said on Sept. 9 that the drone was heading towards a target in Ukraine before it entered Latvia via Belarus. The drone eventually crashed in Gaigalava parish in Rezekne district, 85 kilometers (52 miles) northwest of the Belarusian border, Kalnins said. The explosive that the drone was carrying did not detonate on impact, but was deactivated by Latvian personnel. Latvia summoned the Russian Embassy's charge d'affaires to express protest at the incident and is now conducting an in-depth analysis of the drone's components. According to Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds, the incident "confirms that we need to continue strengthening Latvia's eastern border." The news from Latvia comes as another case of Russian drones violating the airspace of NATO countries during mass aerial attacks against Ukraine, with Romania also reporting a Russian drone entering its territory on Sept. 8. There have also been multiple recorded cases of Russian Shahed-type drones veering off course toward Belarus during attacks on Ukraine, with some even being reportedly shot down by Belarusian aircraft. Russian drones have previously crashed in Romania and its non-NATO neighbor, Moldova. Other drones and missiles have also violated the Polish airspace on several occasions, and a stray Ukrainian air defense missile launched to intercept a Russian attack killed two Polish citizens in 2022. Read also: At Chornobyls edge, Ukrainian soldiers brace for a potential threat from Belarus (Photos) Iran denies sending ballistic missiles to Russia, Kremlin remains evasive Iran on Sept. 9 denied it had delivered ballistic missiles to Russia, calling reports to the contrary "psychological warfare." The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Sept. 6 that Tehran had sent an unspecified number of the weapons. The report prompted "alarm" from the White House, and a warning from Ukraine that the move would have "devastating consequences for Ukrainian-Iranian bilateral relations." "No missile was sent to Russia, and this claim is a kind of psychological warfare," Iranian brigadier and senior Revolutionary Guards' commander Fazlollah Nozari told Iranian media. In Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov gave an evasive answer when asked about the reports on Sept. 9. "Iran is our important partner, we are developing our trade and economic relations, we are developing our cooperation and dialogue in all possible areas, including the most sensitive ones," he said in comments reported by Reuters. The British news outlet The Times wrote that according to an undisclosed Ukrainian military source, a shipment of 200 Iranian ballistic missiles already arrived at an unspecified port in the Caspian Sea on Sept. 4. The missiles in question were said to be Fath-360, with a range of 120 kilometers (over 70 miles). Experts told the Kyiv Independent that these tactical missiles are most likely to be employed at the front line. "It's more likely they'd be used on targets related to action on the front line, military targets, logistics centers, command posts, barracks, fuel depots these are the kind of targets you'd strike with a tactical missile," Fabian Hinz, a research fellow for defense and military analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told the Kyiv Independent. Washington has not officially confirmed that the transfer had taken place, but the Wall Street Journal said that the U.S. had informed its allies about the move in the past few days. Russia has its own ballistic missile arsenal that it employs in Ukraine, such as Kinzhal or Iskander-M missiles. Moscow has also received ballistic missiles from North Korea, which have been used to target Ukrainian cities. Read also: What Irans ballistic missiles, in Russias hands, could mean for Ukraine Ukraine reportedly downs Russian Orlan drone at 'record height' of 3.6 km Soldiers of Ukraine's 3rd Tank Brigade shot down a Russian Orlan reconnaissance drone at a record altitude of 3,620 meters, the Ukrainian military said. The Orlan is a Russian-developed reconnaissance drone widely used by Russia in Ukraine. Feared by Ukrainian soldiers, it often serves to help target Russian artillery attacks. It can travel 600 kilometers and climb to an altitude of 5,000 meters. "(The hit) took place on Sept. 7 in Kharkiv Oblast. Once the enemy Orlan-10 drone was spotted, the Voron missile artillery group rushed to the area," the 3rd Brigade said on Facebook. The Russian drone's altitude and trajectory were established in cooperation with Ukrainian border guard units. Then, one soldier prepared the necessary "equipment," and two more service members began to "hunt" the unmanned aircraft, the unit said. According to the 3rd Brigade, shooting down the drone was particularly difficult due to its altitude and because it kept changing its position and direction. The weaponry used in the attack was not specified, but the 3rd Brigade published a first-person-view (FPV) video of what may be another drone ramming into the Russian Orlan. This was the first high-altitude Russian drone shot down by the 3rd Tank Brigade. The Ukrainian military has recently boasted about a number of new drone innovations that are being deployed against Moscow's troops. This included drones firing small arms or dispersing thermite against Russian positions. Ukrainian FPV drones have also been repeatedly used to target Russian reconnaissance drones and helicopters. Read also: Despite hype around Ukrainian weapons tech, foreign investors remain gun-shy Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Last week's profit announcement from Asian Pac Holdings Berhad (KLSE:ASIAPAC) was underwhelming for investors, despite headline numbers being robust. We think that the market might be paying attention to some underlying factors that they find to be concerning. Check out our latest analysis for Asian Pac Holdings Berhad The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit To properly understand Asian Pac Holdings Berhad's profit results, we need to consider the RM22m gain attributed to unusual items. We can't deny that higher profits generally leave us optimistic, but we'd prefer it if the profit were to be sustainable. We ran the numbers on most publicly listed companies worldwide, and it's very common for unusual items to be once-off in nature. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. We can see that Asian Pac Holdings Berhad's positive unusual items were quite significant relative to its profit in the year to June 2024. All else being equal, this would likely have the effect of making the statutory profit a poor guide to underlying earnings power. Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Asian Pac Holdings Berhad. Our Take On Asian Pac Holdings Berhad's Profit Performance As previously mentioned, Asian Pac Holdings Berhad's large boost from unusual items won't be there indefinitely, so its statutory earnings are probably a poor guide to its underlying profitability. For this reason, we think that Asian Pac Holdings Berhad's statutory profits may be a bad guide to its underlying earnings power, and might give investors an overly positive impression of the company. The silver lining is that its EPS growth over the last year has been really wonderful, even if it's not a perfect measure. Of course, we've only just scratched the surface when it comes to analysing its earnings; one could also consider margins, forecast growth, and return on investment, among other factors. If you want to do dive deeper into Asian Pac Holdings Berhad, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. To that end, you should learn about the 5 warning signs we've spotted with Asian Pac Holdings Berhad (including 2 which make us uncomfortable). This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Asian Pac Holdings Berhad's profit. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. While it might take a little research on your behalf, you may find this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with significant insider holdings to be useful. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Russian forces attacked Ukraine with three Kh-59/69 missiles from the airspace over Russias Kursk Oblast and temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk Oblast, as well as eight Shahed-type attack drones from Russias Kursk. Ukraines air defence has managed to down two Kh-59/69 missiles and six drones. Source: Ukraine's Air Force Details: It was reported that two Russian drones had disappeared from radar on Ukrainian territory, likely due to electronic warfare interference. In addition, one Kh-59/69 missile failed to reach its target due to active countermeasures. Air defence systems were responding in Kyiv, Cherkasy, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's new Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, said on Sept. 8 that he had recalled the Ukrainian charge d'affaires from Georgia, saying that "ambassadors of a country at war cannot be detached from the war's realities." The current charge d'affaires in Georgia is Mykhailo Kharyshyn. The announcement came amid deteriorating relations between Kyiv and Tbilisi as the Georgian Dream government seeks to normalize ties with Moscow. "I voiced very clear criteria for the effective work of a Ukrainian ambassador. This means specific results, courage, and proactivity," Sybiha said after a meeting with consuls and ambassadors. "Ambassadors of a country at war cannot be detached from the realities of war. In relation to this, I decided to recall the temporary representative of Ukraine in Georgia." Read also: Who is Andrii Sybiha, Ukraines new foreign minister? While condemning Russia's all-out war, Georgian Dream officials have also criticized Ukraine and refused to provide military assistance to Kyiv. A particularly contentious point in bilateral ties is the imprisonment of Georgia's former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who holds Ukrainian citizenship. Tbilisi has accused people from Saakashvili's circle and supposed ex-Ukrainian officials of planning subversive activities in Georgia, such as coups or assassination plots, without providing evidence. The Georgian government has also begun investigating Georgian volunteer fighters returning from Ukraine. Despite prevailing anti-Russian sentiments within the country, the government has sought to stabilize relations with Moscow, restarting flights and adopting a "foreign agents" law similar to the Kremlin's repressive legislature. Kharyshyn's dismissal is part of wider personnel changes implemented by Sybiha after he took over from Dmytro Kuleba as Ukraine's top diplomat last week. "We need young people to come to us. We will create conditions for this," the foreign minister said. Sybiha stressed that Ukrainian diplomats must act proactively without waiting for "instructions from the center" and must prioritize securing military assistance for the Armed Forces. As part of further changes, Sybiha also filed a motion to dismiss Deputy Foreign Minister Iryna Borovets. Read also: Family of Georgian oligarch Ivanishvili has undeclared real estate in Russia, investigation finds Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on partners to finance the Ukrainian domestic defence industry's production of weapons essential for Ukrainian forces, which would help boost military aid. Source: Sybiha on social media Details: Sybiha noted that Ukraine's defence industry is developing rapidly and could produce more than it currently does if additional investment is made. "It is also faster and cheaper for our partners. Every dollar or euro invested today in Ukrainian weapons for Ukrainian warriors is the best security investment for long-term Euro-Atlantic stability. Some of our partners already buy from Ukrainian manufacturers. We urge them to increase investment, and others to follow suit," he said. Background: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that he raised the issue of investing in Ukrainian long-range weapon production during the first visit of new Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof to Ukraine. During the recent meeting between Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, they discussed the development of joint weapons production and co-financing initiatives. Support UP or become our patron! Heorhii Tykhyi, the spokesman for Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has said that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Ficos latest remark about the Ukrainian military runs counter to the "level of trust and cooperation" between the two countries. Source: European Pravda citing the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Details: Tykhyi said Kyiv was "disappointed with Fico's statement" about Ukrainian soldiers, who are defending their country and Europe from Russian invaders. "Countering Russian aggression, for Ukrainians, adds to the nation's history of resistance against totalitarian regimes over the last century. In the twentieth century, the Ukrainian people suffered millions of losses in the fight against Nazism," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. Tykhyi also mentioned the history of the Holocaust in Ukraine, during which the Nazis killed about one and a half million Ukrainian Jews. More than 2,600 Ukrainians are listed as Righteous Among the Nations. "We rely on the united efforts of Slovakia and all of our European partners to counter the current Russian evil, which has brought atrocities to Ukrainian soil unprecedented since World War II," Tykhyi said. He also confirmed Kyiv's readiness for further constructive dialogue, "in line with the traditionally warm and good-neighbourly relations between the Slovak and Ukrainian people". Earlier on Monday, during a visit to the Holocaust Museum in the Slovakian city of Sered, Fico claimed that "Nazi troops" are fighting in Ukraine but the international community does not notice. The Slovak prime minister frequently parrots the Russian narrative about the causes of the war in Ukraine in his speeches, including Putin's claim that the current Ukrainian government is running a Nazi state. In August 2023, then-prime ministerial candidate Fico said that the war in Ukraine began in 2014, "when Ukrainian Nazis and fascists started killing Russian citizens in Donbas and Luhansk". Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian lawmakers have urged the Canadian government to prevent the Toronto International Film Festival from screening Russian-Canadian director Anastasia Trofimova's propaganda film Russians at War. Source: a copy of the MPs letter posted by Ukrainian MP Yevheniia Kravchuk Quote: "This case is a striking example of how Russia, thanks to its soft power, is trying to promote its narratives about a more comprehensive understanding of the war. And unfortunately, they are doing this quite successfully," Kravchuk commented. Kravchuk says the film has already received US$340,000 from the Canada Media Fund, which is funded by the Canadian government. The letter was signed by 21 parliamentarians, including Oksana Savchuk, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Roman Lozynskyi, Mykola Kniazhytskyi, Mykola Poturaiev, and others. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has also written to the organisers of the Toronto Film Festival urging them not to screen Trofimova's film. In their letter, Congress representatives described the film as an attempt to justify the war and Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Ukrainians believe that the filmmakers blame "propaganda" or "the fog of war" for the genuine murders committed by Russian troops. How the Russian propagandist film reached Venice Russians at War, the documentary directed by Russian-Canadian Anastasia Trofimova, was screened at the Venice International Film Festival on Thursday 5 September. The film, which was shown apart from the Festival's competition programme, follows a group of doctors who recover bodies from the battlefield and are devastated when three soldiers from their unit return in black body bags. The soldiers are losing their motivation to keep fighting, using outdated weapons and equipment, and trying to escape reality with alcohol and cigarettes. They even refer to the war coverage in the Russian propagandist media as "lies". Director Anastasia Trofimova (centre) poses with film editor Roland Schlimme and producers Sally Blake, Cornelia Principe and Philip Levasseur. Photo: Alberti pizzoli via Getty Images The film does not, however, depict the destruction and deaths that the Russians are inflicting on Ukrainians. One of the soldiers in the film explicitly denies the accusations that Russian troops are committing war crimes. Trofimova claims that she saw no war crimes while making the film. "I think that in the Western media Russian soldiers are associated with this [war crimes ed.] because there were simply no other stories. This is a different story: this is my attempt to see through the fog of war and show people for people," she said. Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs has protested the screening in a letter to the Ukrainian Embassy in Italy and the President of the Venice Biennale, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco. The letter states that screening a pro-Russian film at the Biennale is unacceptable while "the Russian Federation continues to wage a cynical and bloody war against Ukraine". The Ukrainian Embassy in Canada and the Ukrainian Consulate General in Toronto have also written to the organisers of the Toronto International Film Festival asking them to cancel the screening of Russians at War. Support UP or become our patron! The UN chief calls the death and destruction in Gaza the worst he's seen Palestinians inspect the damage at a tent area in the courtyard of Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital, hit by an Israeli bombardment on Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. chief said Monday that the United Nations has offered to monitor any cease-fire in Gaza and demanded an end to the worst death and destruction he has seen in his more than seven-year tenure. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in an interview with The Associated Press that its unrealistic to think the U.N. could play a role in Gazas future, either by administering the territory or providing a peacekeeping force, because Israel is unlikely to accept a U.N. role. But he said the U.N. will be available to support any cease-fire. The United Nations has had a military monitoring mission in the Middle East, known as UNTSO, since 1948, and from our side, this was one of the hypotheses that weve put on the table, he said. Of course, well be ready to do whatever the international community asked for us, Guterres said. The question is whether the parties would accept it, and in particular whether Israel would accept it. Israels military assault on Gaza, triggered by Hamas' attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, has stretched for 11 months, with recent cease-fire talks failing to reach a breakthrough and violence in the West Bank reaching new highs. Stressing the urgency of a cease-fire now, Guterres said: The level of suffering we are witnessing in Gaza is unprecedented in my mandate as secretary-general of the United Nations. Ive never seen such a level of death and destruction as we are seeing in Gaza in the last few months. The war has killed over 40,900 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The ministry, part of Gazas Hamas government, does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in its count though it says about half of the dead have been women and children. Israel says at least 17,000 militants are among the dead. The war has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90% of Gazas population of 2.3 million people, often multiple times. Israels U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon reacted to Guterres' comments saying, It is disappointing to see the U.N. advocate for a cease-fire without mentioning the hostages and without condemning Hamas. "A cease-fire cannot and will not take place so long as our remaining hostages taken from us on Oct. 7 remain in captivity in Gaza, he said in a statement. I urge the U.N. Security Council to urgently convene and condemn Hamas in the strongest possible terms and demand the release of all 101 hostages in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government have accused the U.N. of being anti-Israel and have been highly critical of U.N. humanitarian operations in Gaza, including accusing U.N. workers of collaborating with Hamas. He also has voiced skepticism about peacekeeping missions, saying only Israel can protect itself. Facing protests at home and increasing urgency from allies, Netanyahu has pushed back against pressure for a cease-fire deal and declared that no one will preach to me. Looking beyond an agreement, Guterres stressed that a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not only viable, its the only solution. The United States and others support Palestinian statehood in lands captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, but Netanyahu, who is leading the most conservative government in Israels history, has opposed calls for a two-state solution. Guterres asked rhetorically whether the alternative is viable. It means that you have 5 million Palestinians living there without any rights in a state, he said. Is it possible? Can we accept an idea similar to what we had in South Africa in the past?" He was referring to South Africas apartheid system from 1948 until the early 1990s when its minority white population marginalized and segregated people of color, especially Black people. I do not think you can have two peoples living together if they are not in a basis of equality, and if they are not in a basis of respect mutual respect of their rights, Guterres said. So the two-state solution is, in my opinion, a must if we want to have peace in the Middle East. The Palestinians have circulated a draft U.N. resolution demanding that Israel end its unlawful presence in Gaza and the West Bank within six months. The proposed General Assembly resolution follows a ruling by the top United Nations court in July that said Israels presence in the Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end. In the wide-ranging interview, the U.N. chief painted a grim global picture, saying, Our world is in total disarray I would say in total chaos. Conflicts are spreading and the most dramatic ones like Ukraine and Gaza have no end in sight, he said. Climate change is having devastating effects and artificial intelligence is developing without serious guardrails. At the same time, Guterres said, we see dramatic inequalities and developing countries struggling, many submerged in debt and without resources to educate their children and or provide basic infrastructure. The secretary-general has invited world leaders to a summit in the days before their annual high-level meeting at the U.N. General Assembly later this month to recommit to working together to meet those challenges and reform multilateral institutions established after World War II, including the U.N. Guterres said Ukraines recent incursion into Russias Kursk region shows that the war, now in its third year, will not end quickly or easily. The situation in Ukraine is stuck, and I do not see a cease-fire in the immediate future, he said. The secretary-general also said U.N. humanitarian operations are in crisis because needs have increased dramatically with the proliferation of conflicts, proliferation of natural disasters, with climate change moving fast." But funding has not. Unfortunately, the priorities of the worlds leaders do not correspond to the real needs of humankind at the present moment, he said. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk presents a global update on human rights in the world during the opening of the 57th session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland (EPA) The United Nations human rights chief has urged countries to act on what he called Israels blatant disregard for international law. Speaking at the 57th session of the human rights council in Geneva, the UN high commission Volker Turk called on partners in the organisation to comprehensively address Israels occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as its continued offensive in Gaza. States must not cannot accept blatant disregard for international law, including binding decisions of the [UN] Security Council and orders of the International Court of Justice [ICJ], neither in this nor any other situation, Mr Turk said, opening the session. He cited an opinion released by the ICJ, the UNs top court, in July that called Israels occupation illegal. Israel has rejected the opinion. The court in July, directed by a 15-judge panel, called on Israel to evacuate all settlers from existing settlements. Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the regime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law," President Nawaf Salam said, speaking on behalf of the panel. In a swift reaction, Israels foreign ministry rejected the opinion as fundamentally wrong and one-sided, and repeated its stance that a political settlement in the region can only be reached by negotiations. The Jewish nation cannot be an occupier in its own land, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said in a statement. Israeli Police speak to residents of the West Bank village of Khirbet Zanuta, after activists called to report Israeli setters in the village (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press All rights reserved) More than half a million Israelis have settled in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since a 1967 war, during which Israel claimed the territory. The population of Israeli settlers in the West Bank grew around three per cent in 2023, according to a report compiled by pro-settler group. It has grown more than 15 per cent in the last five years, the report added, passing the half a million mark in 2022. After Hamas, who run the Gaza Strip, launched their attack into Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage, violent clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank have led to the death of hundreds of civilians. The nearly 11-month-long Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people according to Palestinian health officials and has displaced about 90 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times. The US has sanctioned several Israeli individuals and groups linked to the violence in the occupied territories in July, the same month as the ICJ ruling. The Israeli security cabinet, during a meeting on Sunday, reportedly discussed the situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It followed the death of a 26-year-old Turkish-American woman, who was killed while participating in a demonstration in Beita in the West Bank on Friday. Aysenur Ezgi Eygi is believed to have been shot in the head by what her family say was an Israeli sniper after the military responded to demonstrators throwing rocks at them. Eygi was a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a pro-Palestinian organisation, and was in Beita on Friday for a weekly demonstration against Israeli settlements, according to ISM, who denied the Israeli account that they were throwing rocks. Her family called on the US to launch an investigation into this latest incident of violence in the occupied territories. Two days later, on Sunday, three Israeli men were shot dead at a border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan, Israeli officials said. It was the first attack of its kind along the border with Jordan since 7 October. The Israeli military said the gunman had approached the Allenby Bridge crossing in a truck from the Jordanian side, before exiting the vehicle and opening fire. The venue will be changed in the University of Idaho quadruple murder trial, Judge John Judge has ruled. The judge said, "Considering the undisputed evidence presented by the defense, the extreme nature of the news coverage in this case, and the smaller population in Latah County, the defense has met the rather low standard of demonstrating 'a reasonable likelihood' that prejudicial news coverage will compromise a fair trial in Latah County. Thus, the Court will grant Kohberger's motion to change venue for presumed prejudice." PHOTO: In this Nov. 16, 2022 file photo flowers were left at the house where four University of Idaho students were found dead, in Moscow, Idaho. (Angela Palermo/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, FILE) The new location was not immediately clear. The decision will be left up to Idaho's highest court. Lawyers for the suspect, Bryan Kohberger, pushed to move the trial to Boise, arguing the local jury pool in Latah County, which encompasses Moscow, was tainted by pretrial publicity. PHOTO: Bryan Kohberger arrives for a hearing on cameras in the courtroom in Latah County District Court on Sept. 13, 2023 in Moscow, Idaho. (Ted S. Warren-Pool/Getty Images, FILE) MORE: University of Idaho murders: Judge to weigh change of venue decision Defense lawyers surveyed Latah County residents and said their results found that the "pressure to convict" Kohberger was shown to be "so severe" that the venue couldn't be impartial. The defense said one respondent answered they would "burn the courthouse down" if he were not convicted. The same survey, according to the defense, found "much less emotional" responses from people living closer to Boise, which is about 300 miles south of Moscow. MORE: University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger may stand trial in June 2025 The prosecution has said the case has national and international interest, and that the case has been covered plenty in Boise, so a change of venue would not solve any problem. Moscow Mayor Art Bettge said in a statement in August that, if the case stayed in Latah County, "I firmly believe people would be able to set aside any personal feelings they have ... set aside any information they may have read or heard ... and make a determination of guilt or not guilty based on the evidence presented in the courtroom and deliberate according to the instructions provided to them." The trial is set to begin on June 2, 2025, and run until Aug. 29, 2025. The judge said in June that if the venue changed, the trial date would still hold. PHOTO: A photo posted by Kaylee Goncalves only a few days ago shows University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Goncalves. The four were found dead at an off-campus house on Nov. 13, 2022. (Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram) MORE: Idaho college murders: Bryan Kohberger trial budget gets big hike Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students in an off-campus house in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022. Kohberger was a criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University at the time. Kohberger was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. University of Idaho murder trial: Venue will be moved, judge rules originally appeared on abcnews.go.com FAMU's campus. (Phto by Issac Morgan/Florida Phoenix) The union representing Floridas public colleges and universities and its FAMU chapter have filed suit against the state, claiming a law requiring 60% membership for a union to maintain certification violates the Florida Constitution. The Florida A&M University chapter of the United Faculty of Floridas lawsuit, filed in Leon County Circuit Court, names as defendant the Public Employee Relations Commission and cites SB 256, approved during the 2023 legislative session, and SB 1746, approved in March. SB 256 prohibits agencies from deducting union dues from paychecks, requires organizations to go through recertification if their membership drops below 60%, and imposes other restrictions on unions. The law took effect in October. The union says it is threatened with decertification under the threshold law, which requires a membership count above the arbitrarily set 60% of any bargaining unit. Previously, the threshold was 50%. SB 1746 requires union members to sign a form with the government to be counted as a member, and went into effect in March, immediately after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law. As a result, UFF-FAMU is now threatened with decertification, which would mean it would lose its legal authorization to be the bargaining unit for faculty at FAMU and that the FAMU faculty members would lose the protection of their collective bargaining agreement, the union argued in a news release. Not right-to-work The United Faculty of Florida, FAMU UFF, St. Lucie Education Association, James Muchovej, and Eric Graff make up the entire list of plaintiffs. Muchovej, a FAMU professor, has been a UFF-FAMU member since 1992 and Graff, a teacher and media specialist in St. Lucie County schools, joined the St. Lucie Education Association, representing public school employees, in 1988 and has paid dues on a substantially continuous basis ever since, according to the complaint. Both are considered members by their unions but have not signed the government form mandated by SB 1746. They do not plan to sign because they object to the description of Florida as a right-to-work state, the complaint says. Plaintiff Muchovej and Plaintiff Graff also object to the Forms statements overall because they are designed to disincentivize people from joining the Union, the suit adds. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief against the defendant, the Public Employees Relations Commission, the government agency that adjudicates and facilities mediation in public-sector labor disputes. The plaintiffs argue that the law violates the state constitutional right for employees to participate in collective bargaining. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The plaintiffs argue three points: That is unconstitutional to require a supermajority for union recognition rather than a majority. That the laws threaten to nullify the protections afforded by existing collective-bargaining agreements before the date of their bargained-for expiration. That the required 60% membership threshold violates Floridas constitutionally guaranteed Right to Work, which prohibits the State, employers, and employee organizations from conditioning the exercise of employees collective-bargaining rights on the payment of union dues. UFF-FAMU President Samique March-Dallas said it is ridiculous that the Legislature unilaterally gets to decide that they know better than the majority of employees in the field every day. It is frustrating that the very employer that cannot adequately let us know the size of our bargaining unit holds the future of our union in their hands, March-Dallas said in a UFF news release. We are determined to save our bargaining ability, our bargaining agreement, and our rights to a say in workplace guidance. UFF President Teresa Hodge pointed to other actions by the state government that could be concerning to workers. Incrementally, the Governor and State Board of Education are stripping away workers rights, whether its by not allowing them to be represented, by banning third-party arbitration, or by taking over schools and limiting tenure, Hodge said in a news release. All the while, the Governors own appointees are running roughshod over our college and university systems look no further than the books being thrown away at New College or the money being thrown away in the same fashion by the former head of UF. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Univision news anchor Jorge Ramos will exit network at the end of the year Jorge Ramos, long recognized as the best-known anchor for Spanish-language TV viewers in the U.S., is departing Univision at the end of the year. TelevisaUnivision said Monday in a statement that the company and Ramos "mutually agreed" to not renew the anchor's contract. Ramos, 66, has been on the most-watched Spanish language newscast, "Noticiero Univision," for 38 years. His importance to U.S. Spanish-language TV viewers has been compared to that of Walter Cronkite to English speakers during his long tenure at CBS. Ramos also served as moderator of "Al Punto," Univision's Sunday morning public affairs program. This is not a farewell," Ramos said in a statement. "I will continue anchoring 'Noticiero Univision' until December, and afterwards I will share my professional plans. I am deeply grateful for these four decades at Univision and very proud to be part of a team that has established strong leadership over the years. Read more: NBC News anchor Tom Llamas taps into his roots for a new streaming newscast Ramos will be the second major figure to depart Univision's news division since it was taken over by Mexico-based Grupo Televisa. Leon Krauze, who served as anchor of Univision's late-night news cast starting in 2022, left the network last November following unhappiness in the newsroom over a non-confrontational interview with former President Trump conducted by a Televisa journalist. Ramos worked for Grupo Televisa early in his career on a magazine program. He told a journalist he quit the job after his editors censored interviews that were critical of the Mexican political system. During his career, Ramos focused on immigration along the U.S. southern border and could be counted on to press presidential candidates on their plans to address the issue. He famously clashed with former President Trump on the matter when Trump first pursued the 2016 Republican nomination. Trump refused to call on Ramos at a 2015 press conference in Iowa. But the journalist remained standing and proceeded to ask Trump about his promises to build a wall and deport millions of undocumented residents. After Trump told Ramos to go back to Univision, a security guard ushered the journalist out of the room. Ramos was returned to the press conference and allowed to ask questions after two journalists pressed Trump on why he kicked out of the most prominent Latino reporter in the U.S. Ramos served as a moderator for several presidential primary debates, including one staged by ABC News in 2019. "He has had an immensely positive impact on the lives of Spanish speaking Americans, who he served with the highest quality of journalism," said Joe Peyronnin, who ran Univision competitor Telemundo's news operation from 1998 to 2006. "Latinos will miss his powerful voice." Peyronnin tried unsuccessfully to bring Ramos over to Telemundo. "He decided to stay out of loyalty to Univision," he said. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Rupert Murdoch is in the midst of a legal battle over his bid to pass control of his media empire to his eldest son Lachlan - REUTERS/Mike Segar The Murdoch familys grip over the media empire built by patriarch Rupert is under threat from an activist investor, amid a Succession-style battle among his children for control. Starboard Value, a top 10 shareholder in News Corp, has said the Murdoch familys power over the group should not be allowed to continue in perpetuity, adding that the current battle for control was becoming a costly distraction. In a letter to fellow shareholders, the US investor claimed that News Corp which owns The Times, The Wall Street Journal and HarperCollins among others suffers from worst-in-class corporate governance that has exacerbated the companys valuation discount. While companies may want their visionary founder to be insulated against short-term pressures for a limited period of time, Starboard said the argument vanishes as super-voting power and the associated protections transition to others. The agitation comes amid a Succession-style row over future control of News Corp amongst the younger generation of the Murdoch family. In July, it emerged that Rupert Murdoch was trying to change the terms of his childrens family trust to ensure that sole control of his TV and newspaper businesses is handed to his eldest son, Lachlan, after his death. Under the current set-up, all four of Mr Mudochs eldest children would share control after his passing. The 93-year-olds attempt to change the arrangement would wrestle influence away from his other children James, Elisabeth and Prudence who he is said to view as being too liberal. Click here to view this content. It has triggered a legal dispute among the family over whether Mr Murdoch can change the terms of a family trust with a case at a district court in Reno, Nevada, expected to begin on Tuesday. Starboard said the rift posed dangers for the company and has allowed for complicated family dynamics to potentially impact the stability and strategic direction of News Corp. It added: This uncertainty represents a risk to shareholders that is only amplified by the Murdoch familys super-voting shares and the poor governance and oversight that stems from the dual-class share structure. The hedge fund is proposing a motion at News Corps annual shareholders meeting calling on the board to abolish the dual-class share structure which allows the Murdochs to exercise disproportionate control over the business. The setup gives the family 41pc of the voting rights despite owning just 14pc of the shares. Given the arrangement, Starboard will have to convince the vast majority of independent shareholders of its case in order for the motion to have any chance of success. Story continues Starboard said in its letter to investors: We believe majority support for this proposal will send a clear and direct message to the board to eliminate the dual-class share structure. If the board refuses to listen, we can then take further action. On Monday night, News Corp said: The board believes that the companys dual-class capital structure promotes stability and has facilitated the successful implementation of News Corps transformational strategy and long-term outperformance for all News Corp stockholders. Starboard Value is run by Jeff Smith. Once dubbed the most feared man in corporate America by Fortune magazine, he has in the past targeted companies including AOL, Yahoo and Office Depot, building shareholdings before agitating for change. Starboard is the fourth-largest holder of voting (class B) shares in News Corp, owning 4.6pc of them. It also owns 3.7pc of non-voting (class A shares). 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. UNL grows enrollment for first time since 2017, adding to systemwide enrollment growth The four campus chancellors of the University of Nebraska system attend the ceremonial investiture ceremony for new NU President Jeffrey Gold, from left: Rodney Bennett (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), Joanne Li (University of Nebraska at Omaha), Dele Davies (University of Nebraska Medical Center, interim) and Charlie Bicak (University of Nebraska at Kearney, interim). Sept. 5, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has increased its overall student enrollment this fall for the first time in seven years, adding to total systemwide growth of 0.7% over fall 2023. University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold announced the fall 2024 enrollment totals Monday, pointing to an increase of undergraduate and resident students across the state for a total of 49,749 students, the highest since 2021. Enrollment at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which Dr. Gold led before becoming president this July, grew for the 24th straight year. Enrollment increased 3.2% at UNMC and 1.7% at UNL. Conversely, enrollment declined 0.3% at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, 2.3% at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and 13.4% at the smaller, rural-focused Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis. Enrollment figures are based on the sixth day of classes. A growing University of Nebraska means a growing State of Nebraska, and thats good news for our workforce, for the strength of our communities and our future competitiveness, Gold said in a statement. Campus fall 2024 enrollment University of Nebraska system: 49,749, up 0.7% University of Nebraska-Lincoln: 23,992, up 1.7% University of Nebraska at Omaha: 14,972, down 0.3% University of Nebraska at Kearney: 5,881, down 2.3% University of Nebraska Medical Center: 4,703, up 3.2% Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture: 201, down 13.4% UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett credited the enrollment increases at his campus to faculty and staff working to retain and recruit new Huskers. This years enrollment bump is also aided by the largest resident student class since 2017. UNL had its fifth straight year of enrollment growth in 2017 followed by seven straight years of enrollment decline. Enrollment topped at 23,992 for fall 2024. The previous enrollment high for UNL was 26,079 in 2017, aided in part by a large in-state entering class. This is success that we can build upon as we press forward into a bright future for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Bennett said in a statement. The UNL College of Engineering has a record-setting enrollment of 3,722 undergraduates, up 9.1%, as well as larger increases in these colleges: Business, up 2.3% to 3,825. Education and Human Sciences, up 3.4% to 2,373. Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, up 2% to 2,156. Journalism and Mass Communications, up 6.9% to 1,047. Fine and Performing Arts, up 3.1% to 838. Its also setting out to be a record-setting year for retaining first-year students, with 86% of UNL students returning for their sophomore year. International student enrollment is up for the first time since 2018. Gold, who was officially installed as NUs ninth president last week, said that while the numbers are positive, we also know we need to keep our foot on the accelerator. He has coined the phrase odyssey to extraordinary to signal what his presidency will look like. The opportunity and responsibility for our public university system to offer a high-quality educational experience at all levels and produce the 21st-century workforce Nebraska needs and deserves has never been greater, Gold said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Bo Erickson and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress returns from the campaign trail on Monday to face a month-end government funding deadline, but election-year politics will still be at the forefront as Republicans seek to use the process to advance a voting bill backed by Donald Trump. Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed a six-month stopgap funding bill that includes a measure requiring people to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. It is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in U.S. federal elections and independent studies have shown that there is no evidence that large numbers of people cast votes illegally. But former President Trump has made it a focus of his presidential campaign against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. No. 2 House Republican Steve Scalise said the non-citizen voting measure was a key demand of members of his caucus. "We've been talking to a lot of our members, and everybody has their own things they'd like to attach" to the funding bill, Scalise said in an interview. "This is the one that seems to be where most of our members have coalesced. The Democratic-majority Senate ignored a standalone bill on the issue passed by the Republican-controlled House earlier this year, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer signaled little interest in the new measure. "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," Schumer said in a statement to Reuters, using congressional shorthand for "continuing resolution" stopgap funding measures. Some House Republicans have voiced skepticism at trying to include the non-citizen voting measure in a spending bill. "We know it's not going to get passed. It's disingenuous and dishonest to attach it to that CR," said hardline Republican Representative Matt Rosendale in a video posted on social media, in which he advocated for Republicans to focus on funding bills with more conservative spending priorities. The House Rules Committee on Monday is due to take up the bill, which would fund the government through March 28, setting the stage for a possible vote by the full chamber later this week. Top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries has said that he plans to push for a $1.68 trillion discretionary spending level, a number reached during last year's debt ceiling negotiations. CRITICAL DEADLINE AHEAD Almost three decades have passed since Congress in 1996 last successfully performed one of its core functions -- keeping the government funded -- by the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year. This year, it failed to pass a full-year funding bill until March. Lawmakers face an even more critical self-imposed deadline on Jan. 1, before which they must act to raise or extend the nation's debt ceiling or risk defaulting on more than $35 trillion in federal government debt. Lawmakers have shown little appetite for a partial government shutdown, of the kind last seen in 2018-2019 during Trump's presidency, this close to the Nov. 5 election. Trump has often argued in favor of government shutdowns, both in and out of office, and has suggested Republicans push for one if the non-citizen voting bill does not pass. "A shutdown is good for nobody, in my view. It's a quick way to become a minority, being a part of a shutdown and advocating for it," centrist Republican Representative Don Bacon told Reuters. Bacon said he would prefer a stopgap that extended only into December, saying that he believed more military spending was needed sooner. House Democrats, meanwhile, accused Republicans of posturing. "House Republicans are again playing politics with the countrys well being. The public is tired of their chaos," Representative Suzan DelBene, the head of the House Democrats re-election strategy, told Reuters. (Reporting by Bo Erickson and David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone) US election officials decry Trump's threat to jail them if he returns to White House Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a press conference at Trump Tower in New York City By Tim Reid and Nathan Layne WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. election administrators and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris' campaign condemned on Monday threats by Donald Trump to jail "corrupt" election officials if he wins on Nov. 5, accusing him of intimidation and inciting potential violence. They were responding to a social media post by the Republican presidential candidate on Saturday in which he threatened a range of people with prosecution if they were to engage in voter fraud in the 2024 election. Studies have found voter fraud in the U.S. to be extremely rare. Trump wrote: "We cannot let our Country further devolve into a Third World Nation, AND WE WON'T! Please beware that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials. Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country." Trump also repeated his baseless claim that his 2020 election defeat to Democratic President Joe Biden was due to fraud, the same message he gave to supporters before the deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Adrian Fontes, a Democrat and the secretary of state in the battleground state of Arizona, described Trump's post on his Truth Social account as "tyrannical" and said it had the potential to incite political violence. "Sadly, security is now one of the main considerations in election administration," Fontes, the top election official in Arizona, told Reuters. "Trump's comments give the potential for bad actors to take them as a call to arms. We need to protect our election officials and our poll workers. We need to be prepared for just about anything." Seth Bluestein, a Republican member of Philadelphia's Board of Elections, in the swing state of Pennsylvania, said when asked about Trump's comments: "Every election official I know will be focused on doing their job well, which unfortunately includes preparing for threats of violence." Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign's national press secretary, said in a written statement to Reuters: "President Trump believes anyone who breaks the law should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, including criminals who engage in election fraud. Without free and fair elections, you can't have a country." Amman Moussa, a Harris spokesperson, called Trump's comments "extreme and unhinged," adding: "Donald Trump is further ratcheting up his dangerous threats of revenge and retribution." Trump and Harris are locked in an election battle that opinion polls show is too close to call. Harris has wiped out the lead Trump enjoyed over Biden before the Democratic president dropped his reelection bid in July, and Harris became the party's White House nominee. Since his 2020 defeat, Trump has regularly made false claims about election workers cheating him out of victory. Many have received threats. In reaction to Trump's Saturday post, Jocelyn Benson, Michigan's Secretary of State and a Democrat, posted on X: "My duty - and that of every election official in this nation - is to rise above the noise and continue to ensure our elections are fair, secure, accessible, and that the results are accurate. No amount of lies, delusions or threats will distract us from that purpose." Michella Huff, elections director in Surry County, North Carolina, said she fears Trump's comments will deter people from becoming election workers. "All it's going to do is discourage wonderful volunteers," said Huff, a former Republican turned independent. (Reporting by Tim Reid and Nathan Layne; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Teens from US cities who traded places with rural teens were shocked by all they learned - a surprise that worked both ways. dpa This summer a group of high school students brought a whole new meaning to foreign exchange programs. Wendy Rojas of the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles immersed herself in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Expecting to see Mt. Rushmore, she instead found herself setting the record straight about her hometown. No, she explained to locals, her neighborhood is not overrun with gangs and rife with gunfire like they'd seen in the movies. Maggie Quine of Kilgore, Texas, was just as shocked with what she had to clarify to L.A. teens visiting her hometown. No, Texans don't get around on horseback. Although Rojas and Quine didn't need a passport for their trips, they might as well have traveled to a foreign land. In a novel program designed to break down entrenched stereotypes and spark lasting friendships, the American Exchange Project sent 13 urban L.A. teens to places like rural Arkansas, Ohio and South Dakota while 10 students from Texas, Pennsylvania and elsewhere arrived in Los Angeles. "We're trying to create a kind of antidote to prejudice by bringing together groups of young people who are very different from each other ... politically, racially, ethnically, culturally, socioeconomically, and providing them with experiences that help them humanize the other so that they don't demonize them later," said David McCullough III, the founder of the organization. The genesis of the program is rooted in a 2016 cross-country trip McCullough took as 22-year-old Yale student working on a research project, interviewing students and teachers in impoverished areas. It the throes of thepolarizing 2016 Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton presidential race, McCullough said he expected to face some animosity. He was wary of the fact that people from different parts of the country might not welcome a stranger let alone a white researcher from an elite East Coast institution. What he found was much different. In Cotulla, Texas, McCullough said his host family offered warm acceptance, taking him to church and giving him a tour of the town they were proud to call home. He soon met Kevin Coleman, a Texan who shared his love of cheeseburgers and Budweiser and they quickly became close friends. They connected past their political differences, McCullough said, because they got to know each other as people first. "I care about Kevin because I care about Kevin," McCullough said. "If there's one thing that I learned from that, it's that you can find some of your best friends in some very unlikely places places that are different from your own." He launched the American Exchange Project in 2019 with a few thousand dollars in funding, linking high school seniors from Albuquerque and Anchorage to Flowood, Mississippi, and Palo Alto, California. This year, McCullough said the nonprofit sent its 1,000th student on exchange with funding from Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg's Hearthland Foundation and other contributors. Downtown Magnets High School is one of 54 high schools participating in the exchanges and the first in Southern California. Rojas is one of 500 traveling students, the biggest group yet for the program. When she joined other project students and host families for pizza in Sioux Falls, she expected to learn more about the place she would call home for the next week. Instead, she found herself confronting stereotypes when she described Sioux Falls as "quieter" than Koreatown. "No more gunshots right?" another host family member asked. "Maybe we'll shoot outside your window to make you feel at home," they joked. They continued, asking her about gangs and if she knew any gang members. "I've never really seen anything," Rojas told them, taken aback by the assumption. "I did explain to them sometimes you will see the gang markings on walls but you don't really see a group of guys pulling up like in the movies that's not really real." Instead, she explained, it is the hustle and bustle of her apartment-dense neighborhood that makes Koreatown lively the chatter of neighbors, the honks of traffic and the occasional squealing of a street race not gangs and gunshots. Though shocked, Rojas brushed off the comment as a bad stereotype one she had hopefully busted and continued on with her week getting to know students who were interested in learning about her, not just where she was from. Rojas said she learned her peers wanted to be engineers and doctors, and she shared plans to study biotechnology atCal Poly Pomona. While they may think differently from her, they all want to find a way to contribute to the world, she said. As the week came to a close, Rojas found herself at a barbecue with the same local host family. But this time, the conversation was different. They asked Rojas to tell them about the L.A. she knows, which gave her a chance to describe the different cultures she encounters on a daily basis. They found common ground in the close-knit nature of both their communities, she said. "We have our own perceptions of different places and different people but I feel like when we come together like this and we talk face to face, there is always a connection," Rojas said. "Even if we disagree on maybe our political views or whatever, we can find something in common." Landing back in Los Angeles, Rojas joined fellow Downtown Magnets students in welcoming 10 visiting students for their first meal together. As they sat around a table full of strangers, it was the L.A. students who were first to break the silence, sharing stories of their own exchanges and eager to learn about the hometowns of their peers. The initial nerves calmed throughout the week as the students visited Griffith Park Observatory, sampled Grand Central Market eateries and got lost in a sea of blue at a Dodgers game. Evelyn Moctezuma of Scranton, Pennsylvania, got to see the ocean for the first time. Da'Kenzi Robinson of Paris, Texas, successfully rode the Metro. And Quine felt she could be anyone she wanted to be in a city where no one seemed to judge or even pay attention to her, a stark contrast to her hometown where everyone knows everyone else's business. By week's end, it seemed like the group could talk about anything politics, race, their shared love of Spongebob, Robinson said. "When Joe Biden had posted that he was resigning, we were on the Metro and then we all just started talking about it," Robinson said. "You wouldn't think that you could just have a regular conversation about that but it felt good to not have to be on a side." These are the kinds of experiences that can change the way students think about others who hold different views, McCullough said. And along the way, he added, he hoped that they would make some friends, just like he did. "We're defining people by fractions of who they are ... we're pretending that because we know one of their views, we know all of their views, which is very rarely true," McCullough said. "The trip had me appreciate the complexity of all people and taught me how to navigate nuance brought a world that's not at all black and white very much into color and that's what we're trying to do for these kids." McCullough added that he plans to continue expanding the project until a senior exchange is as commonplace as senior prom in hopes of building a "more connected country." US teenagers taking part in the exchange - here in New Orleans - were shocked by all they learned about each others' lives. AEP Afghans attempting to flee the country in August 2021 gathered outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul [EPA] Republicans in the US House of Representatives issued a sharply critical report into the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, putting the blame squarely on President Joe Bidens administration. Democrats have hit back, calling the report biased and noting that former President Donald Trump negotiated the withdrawal. The House report comes after years of investigation into the US pullout. The withdrawal led to desperate scenes and violence, including suicide attacks at Kabuls airport which killed 170 Afghans and 13 US soldiers. Representative Michael McCaul of Texas said the chaos of the withdrawal was preventable and that the White House was guilty of a dereliction of duty. Our investigation reveals the Biden-Harris administration had the information and opportunity to take necessary steps to plan for the inevitable collapse of the Afghan government, so we could safely evacuate U.S. personnel, American citizens, green card holders, and our brave Afghan allies, Mr McCaul said in a statement in advance of the report release Monday. At each step of the way, however, the administration picked optics over security, he said. The report says that the administration chose to evacuate non-combatants far too late and had too few personnel and supplies to carry out an effective evacuation. It says that the withdrawal once again created the conditions for terrorist groups to operate in Afghanistan and that the Biden administration spread bad information as part of a coverup. Mr McCaul said his report was not based on politics or influenced by the upcoming presidential election, but the Biden White House and Congressional Democrats pushed back on the account. "Chairman McCaul's latest partisan report is based on cherry-picked facts, inaccurate characterisations, and pre-existing biases that have plagued this investigation from the start," White House spokeswoman Sharon Yang said in a statement. Because of the bad deal former President Trump cut with the Taliban to get out of Afghanistan by May of 2021, President Biden inherited an untenable position, she said. "As we have said many times, ending our longest war was the right thing to do and our nation is stronger today as a result, she said. House Democrats issued a response letter saying that Republicans took "particular pains to avoid facts involving former President Donald Trump. Last year, the White House released a 12-page summary of a classified report of the withdrawal, which mostly put blame on the Trump administration for the deal it made with the Taliban. US Says It May Weigh In on Burfords $16 Billion Argentina Award (Bloomberg) -- The US government is actively considering whether to file a statement of interest concerning Burford Capitals efforts to collect a $16 billion judgment against the Argentine government. Most Read from Bloomberg In a Monday letter, the Justice Department asked US District Judge Loretta Preska in Manhattan to delay ruling on Burfords motion for an order requiring Argentina to turn over its 51% interest in oil company YPF SA to help satisfy the judgment. The US government said it would submit a statement Nov. 6, if it chose to do so. The case stems from Argentinas nationalization of YPF in 2012 and its decision at the time not to comply with companys by-laws requiring a tender offer to investors. Burford, which subsequently acquired the interests of YPF shareholders and sued on their behalf, stands to make some $6.2 billion if the full judgment is paid. Its not clear what position the US government would take in the Argentina case. Last year, the US joined France and UK in asking a judge to delay a bondholders suit against the Sri Lankan government to facilitate negotiations between the South Asian nation and other creditors. Representatives for Burford didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. If it files a statement, the US position could further complicate Burfords path to a massive payout after it bought a portion of the case in 2015 for just $16.6 million. A delay would also provide President Javier Milei with some badly needed breathing room. Argentina doesnt have the money: the central banks debt liabilities surpass cash on hand, meaning its net foreign reserves are in negative territory by about $6 billion. South Americas second largest country also owes the International Monetary Fund $44 billion. Moreover, Argentina is again in recession as Mileis austerity campaign seeks to end the countrys chronic fiscal deficit, further limiting its ability to pay in the short term. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. US urges Israel to conclude probe into killing of American activist in West Bank By Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States called on Israel on Monday to complete a full inquiry into the killing of an American Turkish woman last week in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, saying it believes Israel has begun such a probe. Turkish and Palestinian officials said on Friday that Israeli troops shot 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who had been taking part in a protest against settlement expansion. "Our understanding is that our partners in Israel are looking into the circumstances of what happened, and we expect them to make their findings public, and expect that whatever those findings are, expect them to be thorough and transparent," U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told a news briefing. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby later said Israel was understood to be "moving swiftly on this investigation" and was expected to present its findings and conclusions in the coming days. Palestinian news agency WAFA said the incident took place during a regular protest march by activists in Beita, a village near Nablus that has seen repeated attacks on Palestinians by Jewish settlers. Israel's military said it was looking into reports that a female foreign national "was killed as a result of shots fired in the area. The details of the incident and the circumstances in which she was hit are under review." Patel and Kirby did not provide further information on the circumstances of the killing and said Washington would withhold judgment until Israel presents its findings. Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan condemned Eygi's death, saying in a post on social media that Turkey "will continue to work in every platform to halt Israel's policy of occupation and genocide". Israel denies its actions in occupied Palestinian territories amount to genocide. A rise in violent attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank has stirred anger among Western allies of Israel, including the United States, which has imposed sanctions on some Israelis involved in the settler movement. Since the 1967 Middle East war, Israel has occupied the West Bank of the Jordan River, which Palestinians want as the core of an independent state. Israel has built settlements there that most countries deem illegal. Israel disputes that assertion, citing historical and biblical ties to the land. (Reporting by Simon Lewis, Gabriela Borter, Rami Ayyub, Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Chris Reese, Cynthia Osterman and Bill Berkrot) Aaron James says he feels he's been given a "second chance" at life [The James family] A US military veteran who received the world's first whole-eye transplant has made significant progress a year later and has been able to resume his normal life, researchers say. Aaron James, 46, also received a rare partial-face transplant. He lost most of his face in an accident in 2021 while working as a high-voltage utility lineman. His donor eye has so far maintained normal pressure and blood flow and retained its size, unlike donor eyes in animals that often shrink after transplants, researchers at NYU Langone Health said in a new study. Mr James has not regained sight in that eye, but researchers are hopeful he might eventually be able to see out of it again. They said they were "truly amazed" by Mr James's recovery. "The outcomes were seeing after this procedure are quite incredible and could pave the way for new clinical protocols and inspire further research into complex transplants involving critical sensory organs," said Dr Vaidehi Dedania, Mr James' ophthalmologist. The study authors said a test called electroretinography - which measures the retina's electrical response to light - showed that the donor eye's rods and cones, the light-sensitive nerve cells in the eye, survived the transplant. "This electrical response converts light into signals that ultimately the brain could interpret for vision, giving hope for the future of whole-eye transplants with an aim to restore sight," researchers said. Mr James lost his arm and most of his face in the high-voltage accident [The James family] Mr James did not lose sight in his right eye. Last May, he underwent 21 hours of surgery that involved more than 140 healthcare professionals. The donated face and eye came from a single male donor in his 30s. During the surgery, doctors injected adult stem cells from the donor's bone marrow into the optic nerve to encourage its repair. Researchers said Mr James had since passed many major milestones, including eating solid foods and being able to smell again. Im pretty much back to being a normal guy, doing normal things, Mr James said. The 46-year-old military veteran is only the 19th person in the US to undergo a face transplant and the first person in the world to receive an entire human eye transplant. Whole-eye transplant surgeries pose a host of challenges because of the complex structure and functions of the organ. Researchers are now focused on using Mr James's transplant to understand how to restore sight to the eye, said Dr Eduardo Rodriguez, a senior author of the study and the director of the Face Transplant Program at NYU. Mr James, meanwhile, is now concentrating on sending his daughter, Alice, off to college. "This has been the most transformative year of my life," he said. "Ive been given the gift of a second chance, and I dont take a single moment for granted. UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) The Utah County Sheriffs Office announced that the suspect in an alleged trailer park assault from over the weekend along with his mother had been arrested on the afternoon of Monday, Sept. 9. Kaden Alan Beckstrom, 22, was arrested for one count of assault with substantial injury, a class A misdemeanor; one count of possession or use of a controlled substance, a third-degree felony; and one count of property damage/destruction, a class B misdemeanor, according to an affidavit of probable cause. READ NEXT: Employees of Utah facility for disabled individuals arrested for aggravated abuse According to documents, Beckstrom reportedly went to the victims trailer on Sunday afternoon and when the victim opened the door, Beckstrom challenged him to fight. The victim refused, but Beckstrom allegedly began hitting the victim in the head, documents said. Beckstrom also threw the victim to the ground and continued to attack him, according to the affidavit. After officers arrived at the scene, they spoke with Beckstroms mother, who said Beckstrom had just left her trailer on foot after saying he couldnt stay. On Monday, officers returned to the trailer park to speak with the victim, who told police that his security camera had been removed from his trailer and thrown into the woods the day before. Officials saw Beckstrom walking back toward his mothers trailer which was next door to the victims on Monday and took him into custody. He later told officers he returned to the trailer Monday morning, but his mother told him he shouldnt be there because his name was on the news, the sheriffs office said. However, UCSO said Beckstrom stayed and his mother did not alert authorities, despite previously telling officers she would contact them if her son returned. Beckstroms mother was arrested for obstruction of justice, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of methamphetamine, a class A misdemeanor, according to the sheriffs office. The sheriffs office said both Beckstrom and his mother are on probation for prior convictions, and documents said Beckstrom tested positive for meth and THC after his arrest. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. ORIGINAL STORY: Utah County Sheriffs Office searching for transient assault suspect UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) The Utah County Sheriffs Office is seeking the publics help in the search for a man who allegedly assaulted an elderly man in a trailer park on Sunday. Kaden Alan Beckstrom, 22, is accused of assaulting a 62-year-old man in a trailer park in Utah County around 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8. The sheriffs office said the trailer park is located in Spring Lake, along SR-198 between Payson and Santaquin. READ NEXT: Employees of Utah facility for disabled individuals arrested for aggravated abuse The assault was unprovoked, the sheriffs office said. After the incident, officials said Beckstrom who was described as transient fled from the scene on foot. On social media, Sgt. Spencer Cannon of the UCSO said Beckstrom is known to frequent the area because a relative of his lives close to the victim. Cannon said the victim was not critically injured after the incident. Anyone with information on Beckstroms whereabouts has been asked to call Central Utah 911 at (801) 798-5600. Officials did not release any further information about the incident or the suspect. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Utah Debate Commission has released the schedule for the 2024 general election debates, with the first debate scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11. The debates will be held at various educational institutions across Utah, and the UDC said students and members of the public are invited to attend the debates. LEARN MORE: Heres what to expect for the Nov. 5 general election in Utah It is exciting to see the Commission partner with students to organize debates at universities statewide, Mary Weaver Bennett, Chair of UDC Universities Committee and Director of the Center for Politics and Public Service at Southern Utah University, said. The general election will be held on Nov. 5 and explanations of who is running for office in Utah and a list of deadlines and eligible voters on Nov. 5 are available on ABC4.com. Through direct engagement with students and community leaders, the Commission is fulfilling its crucial mission of educating citizens about the importance of elections and promoting lifelong civic engagement, Bennett said. The debates can be viewed both on-air and online, and the schedule of debates is listed below. READ NEXT: Who is running for office in Utah for the Nov. 5, 2024 general election? Wednesday, Sept. 11 Governor The debate between qualified gubernatorial candidates will be held at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The debate is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and feature incumbent Gov. Spencer Cox, the Republican candidate; Brian Smith King, the Democratic candidate; and J. Robert Latham, the Libertarian candidate. Other candidates for governor who will appear on the November ballot, according to the general election certification, include Tommy Williams, Independent; and Tom Tomeny, Unaffiliated. Tuesday, Oct. 1 Attorney General The debate between qualified candidates for Attorney General will be held at Southern Utah University in Cedar City on Tuesday, Oct. 1, and is expected to start at 6 p.m. According to the Sept. 3 general election certification from the Lieutenant Governors office, the following candidates will be included on the ballot: Derek Brown, Republican; Rudy J Bautista, Democratic; W. Andrew McCullough, Libertarian; Austin Hepworth, Unaffiliated; and Michelle Quist, United Utah. The debate will feature the candidates for Attorney General who meet the UDCs threshold of a 10% level of support (within the margin of error) in a UDC-conducted poll. Tuesday, Oct. 8 Congressional District 1 The debate between candidates fighting for Utahs First Congressional District is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Utah State University in Logan, with an anticipated start time of 6 p.m. According to the general election certification, the following candidates will be on the ballot in November: Bill Campbell, Democratic; Daniel R. Cottam, Libertarian; and Blake D. Moore, Republican. The debate will feature the candidates for Congressional District 1 who meet the UDCs threshold of a 10% level of support (within the margin of error) in a UDC-conducted poll. Thursday, Oct. 10 U.S. Senate The debate for U.S. Senate is scheduled to be held at Weber State University in Ogden on Thursday, Oct. 10, and is expected to start at 6 p.m. According to the Lt. Gov.s office, Carlton E. Bowen, Independent; John Curtis, Republican; and Caroline Gleich, Democratic; will appear on the ballot in November. The debate will feature the candidates for U.S. Senate who meet the UDCs threshold of a 10% level of support (within the margin of error) in a UDC-conducted poll. Monday, Oct. 14 Congressional District 2 The debate for Congressional District 2 is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, and be held at Utah Tech University in St. George. Per the election certification, the ballot will feature the following candidates: Nathaniel E. Woodward, Democratic; Cassie Easley, Constitution; Celeste Maloy, Republican; and Tyler Murset, Unaffiliated. The debate will feature the candidates for Congressional District 2 who meet the UDCs threshold of a 10% level of support (within the margin of error) in a UDC-conducted poll. Thursday, Oct. 17 Congressional District 3 The debate for Utahs Third Congressional District is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, at Brigham Young University in Provo. The November ballot will feature the following candidates, according to Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson: Glenn J. Wright, Democratic; and Mike Kennedy, Republican. The debate will feature the candidates for Congressional District 3 who meet the UDCs threshold of a 10% level of support (within the margin of error) in a UDC-conducted poll. Thursday, Oct. 24 Congressional District 4 The debate for Congressional District 4 is scheduled to be held at the University of Utah on Thursday, Oct. 24, and is expected to begin at 6 p.m. Per the election certification results, the following candidates will appear on the ballot in November: M. Evan Bullard, Unaffiliated; Vaughn R. Cook, United Utah; Katrina Fallick-Wang, Democratic; and Burgess Owens, Republican. The debate will feature the candidates for Congressional District 4 who meet the UDCs threshold of a 10% level of support (within the margin of error) in a UDC-conducted poll. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Naked Wines (LON:WINE) Full Year 2024 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: UK290.4m (down 18% from FY 2023). Net loss: UK20.8m (loss widened by 20% from FY 2023). UK0.28 loss per share (further deteriorated from UK0.24 loss in FY 2023). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Naked Wines Earnings Insights The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the Naked Wines USA segment contributing a total revenue of UK131.1m (45% of total revenue). Notably, cost of sales worth UK180.9m amounted to 62% of total revenue thereby underscoring the impact on earnings. The largest operating expense was General & Administrative costs, amounting to UK92.4m (71% of total expenses). Explore how WINE's revenue and expenses shape its earnings. Looking ahead, revenue is expected to decline by 6.3% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, while revenues in the Consumer Retailing industry in the United Kingdom are expected to grow by 2.6%. Performance of the British Consumer Retailing industry. The company's shares are up 1.9% from a week ago. Risk Analysis You should learn about the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Naked Wines. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A hearing on the controversial Amendment D set for the Nov. 5 election ballot will come sooner rather than later after a Salt Lake City judge agreed to expedite it. The request was made last week by the League of Women Voters of Utah, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and several other individuals as part of a motion to remove the proposed constitutional amendment from the ballot. The plaintiffs allege the amendment is deceiving and misleading Utah voters into surrendering constitutional rights. Court documents show the groups are also alleging the Utah Legislature failed to provide notice of the proposed amendment by publication, as required by the Utah State Constitution. Judge Dianne Gibson determined Monday there was good cause to expedite a hearing on the request as ballots for Novembers election are set to begin printing today. Straight-up lies: Lawsuit claims Amendment D ballot language deceives Utah voters Gibson ordered the defendants which include the Utah Legislature, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Senate President Stuart Adams, House Speaker Brad Wilson, and Sen. Scott Sandall to respond to the motion by Thursday, Sept. 12. The plaintiffs will then have until Monday, Sept. 16, to respond with their rebuttal. Both parties have been ordered to say whether or not they wish to move forward with oral arguments or an evidentiary hearing and how much time they would need. An additional hearing for both parties to bring up concerns about the deadlines or any other matter has been scheduled for Monday afternoon at 1 p.m. How we got here The request for an injunction for Amendment D is the latest development in a series of complaints against the Utah Legislature over gerrymandering. In 2018, Utah voters passed Proposition 4 which called for an independent redistricting process to combat gerrymandering. The legislature later repealed Proposition 4 and replaced it with a different version modified by Utah lawmakers. A bipartisan group then challenged the legislature through a lawsuit that the Utah Supreme Court unanimously upheld in July. The Utah Supreme Court determined the Utah Legislature may have overstepped when they repealed and replaced Proposition 4, saying the ballot initiative passed by voters was a constitutional right and could not be repealed. Adams and Schultz said the decision was one of the worst outcomes they had seen from the Utah Supreme Court. A month later, Utah lawmakers met in a special session and passed Senate Joint Resolution 40, putting Amendment D on the ballot in November. Proponents of the amendment say it would reportedly strengthen the voter initiative process and prohibit foreign influence on ballot initiatives and referendums. Critics of Amendment D called the language straight-up lies by Utah lawmakers. Mark Gaber, an attorney on the case representing the plaintiffs, told ABC4.com, It is really just an amazing effort to trick the voters of Utah into forfeiting their constitutional rights and transferring them over to the legislature. Adams and Schultz, however, countered the claim saying in a joint statement, Its ironic that the very people who claim to advocate for greater voter engagement are the same ones trying to obstruct Utahns from having the opportunity to vote on this important matter. The plaintiffs are clearly concerned about leaving it to voters to decide. Before initiatives overwhelm and significantly alter our state, Utahns should have the opportunity to voice their opinions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. (The Hill) GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) on Monday amplified a false claim that Haitian immigrants are abducting and eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, despite the citys police department denial of any such incidents. In a post on X, Vance published a video of him at a July Senate Banking Committee hearing, reading a letter from Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck detailing the citys challenges in keeping up with housing for a growing Haitian immigrant population. Vance added a reference to a now-debunked social media post. Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio. Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldnt be in this country. Where is our border czar? he wrote. Those reports are largely based on social media postings that were picked up by national figures including Charlie Kirk and Elon Musk over the weekend. Tim Walz appears to mock JD Vance with doughnuts comment during campaign stop But Heck, whose letter Vance read in the committee room, said false allegations against immigrants were distracting from the real issues faced by Springfield. In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community. Additionally, there have been no verified instances of immigrants engaging in illegal activities such as squatting or littering in front of residents homes. Furthermore, no reports have been made regarding members of the immigrant community deliberately disrupting traffic, Heck told The Hill in an email. Yes this clearly takes away from the letters point that we are struggling with housing, resources for our schools, and an overwhelmed healthcare system. The Springfield Police Division on Monday told the Springfield News-Sun that they have received no reports about anyone stealing or eating pets. This is the same old anti-Black playbook that weve seen for hundreds of years in Ohio being rolled out to divide and create hate, especially around election times, said Erik Crew, staff attorney at the Haitian Bridge Alliance and a Cincinnati native with Springfield roots. White supremacist and anti-democratic movements have always used the claim that so-called Black savages are coming to destroy, especially when political power is up for grabs. This is no different. This time they are saying it is Haitians, and this time it is being used to try to score political points around immigration as well. The Hill has reached out to the Trump-Vance campaign for comment. According to a frequently asked questions page managed by the Springfield police, between 12,000 and 15,000 Haitians live in the midwestern city legally, under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. Hecks letter estimated that population to be between 15,000 and 20,000. In June, the Biden administration expanded the TPS designation for Haiti, allowing an estimated 309,000 Haitians to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation. The fact is Haitian immigrants have been coming to Springfield seeking to come and contribute to U.S. democracy and the economy, and Springfield and Ohio will benefit from that like U.S. communities have benefited in the past from Black immigrants contributions, said Crew. The fact is the rumors about Haitians in Springfield and pets have already been debunked, but we wont stop hearing them because certain people will want to keep spreading them as the election nears. The Haitian blood libel accusations were widely picked up on right-wing social media on both personal and official channels. The House Judiciary Committee Republicans X account on Monday posted an AI image of former President Trump hugging a duck and a cat animals at the center of the social media allegations with the caption protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio! Vance has recent experience in cat-related controversies since becoming the GOP vice presidential nominee. He has been widely criticized for unearthed old comments and postings criticizing cat ladies and childless people, though he has since tried to downplay those remarks as sarcasm. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In exercise bike tests, twentysomethings who'd been vaping for at least two years had much lower exercise capacity than those who didn't. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News In exercise bike tests, twentysomethings who'd been vaping for at least two years had much lower exercise capacity than those who didn't, and the losses were equal to those of folks who'd spent a similar amount of time smoking. The vaping young adults "found it harder to breathe, their muscles became more fatigued, and they were less fit overall," said study lead author Dr. Azmy Faisal of Manchester Metropolitan University in Britain. "In this regard, our research indicated that vaping is no better than smoking," said Faisal, who presented the findings Sunday in Madrid at the annual meeting of the European Respiratory Society (ERS). According to Faisal, it's long been known that the use of e-cigarettes "is linked to lung inflammation and damage, and harmful changes to the blood vessels." But for young smokers, could a switch to vaping still be healthier? In an ERS news release, he said the jury is still out on that. "We don't yet know what longer-term vaping use does to our bodies," he explained. To help find out, the Manchester team recruited 60 people in their 20s, all of whom appeared to have normal lung function based on standard tests. Twenty neither vaped nor smoked, 20 had vaped for at least two years and 20 had smoked for at least 2 years. Each participant was subjected to exercise tests on a stationary bike, with the intensity of the exercise increased until each person reached their maximum. Heart, lung and muscle responses were monitored. Artery function was assessed via blood tests and ultrasound. Some differences were easily gauged. For example, the smokers and vapers visibly got out of breath even before they reached exercise capacity, and long before participants who neither vaped nor smoked. Vapers' and smokers' legs also got fatigued earlier during exercise. Blood tests typically showed high levels of lactate (a sign of muscle fatigue) before they reached top capacity, the researchers said. Blood tests and ultrasound scans also showed reduced blood vessel performance among the smokers/vapers compared to folks who had neither habit. In measurements of exercise capacity, vapers and smokers scored about the same, with capacities topping out at 186 watts and 182 watts, respectively. That's compared to the average 226 watt maximum exercise capacity seen among the never-smokers/vapers. Finally, average oxygen consumption among exercising vapers and smokers was much lower than that of never-smokers/vapers, at 2.7 litres per minute, 2.6 litres per minute and 3 liters per minute, respectively. "In this study, we looked at a group of young people with no apparent signs of lung damage," Faisal said. "Among the people who had been vaping or smoking for at least two years, we saw important differences in how well they coped with exercise." Dr. Filippos Filippidis is chair of the ERS Tobacco Control Committee and a reader in public health at Imperial College London. He wasn't involved in the study. According to Filippidis, "although it's always a challenge to know if the associations we find in these studies are causal or a result of some other systematic differences between groups, people who vape need to be aware that using these products could make them less fit and able to take part in exercise. Doctors and policymakers also need to know about the risks of vaping, and we should be doing all we can to support children and young people to avoid or quit vaping." Because these findings were presented at a medical meeting, they should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. More information Find out more about the dangers of vaping at the American Lung Association. Copyright 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Derrick Van Orden held a press conference Sept. 9 to discuss crimes committed in his hometown by a Venezuelan immigrant. | (Screenshot via Zoom) At a virtual press conference Monday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden used the arrest of a Venezuelan immigrant for a violent attack on a woman and child as a symbol of what he claimed is rampant criminality among immigrants across the country, which he blamed on the policies of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Last week, Prairie du Chien police arrested 26-year-old Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate after reports of a physical altercation. Zarate was charged with domestic disorderly conduct, two counts of domestic battery, strangulation/suffocation, physical abuse to a child, disorderly conduct and two counts of seconddegree sexual assault. He also had warrants out for his arrest in Dane County for strangulation/suffocation, false imprisonment, battery and disorderly conduct. He is also suspected of having gang ties. At the press conference, Prairie du Chien Police Chief Kyle Teynor said the incidents brutality was shocking. Van Orden focused in his remarks on Zarates tattoos signifying his membership in the gang, Tren de Aragua, questioning how he could be allowed into the country at the border with the tattoos, saying this isnt a Harley Davidson tattoo. Why is the Biden administration allowing known members of violent criminal gangs from foreign nations into the country and essentially paroling them to allow them to wander around the nation at their leisure? he asked. So that is unforgivable. Van Ordens press conference about the crime which took place less than two miles from his home continues Republican attacks against immigration and border enforcement that have become a central theme of this falls election. Former President Donald Trump is running on a platform that includes a plan to deport 20 million undocumented immigrants while Republican officials and candidates across the country highlight crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. Unauthorized border crossings had previously hit a record high in 2023, leading to an agreement between Republicans in Congress and the Biden administration to increase enforcement spending while working to address long backlogs in the federal courts that handle asylum cases. That deal fell apart after Trump weighed in, telling Republicans not to support it since he hoped to campaign on the issue in this years election. But in recent months, border crossings have fallen. In July, illegal border crossings were at their lowest level since Biden took office in 2021. At the press conference, Van Orden said he was not opposed to legal immigration, but that illegal border crossings need to stop. I dont care what your political affiliation is, he said. This is not a Democrat issue. Its not a Republican issue. Its not an independent or libertarian issue. This is a human rights issue. So American citizens human rights are being violated. Theyre being kidnapped, raped and murdered by criminal, illegal aliens, and its just got to stop. Van Orden, who sits on the House Committee on Agriculture, said he wants to differentiate between migrant workers on western Wisconsin farms and the Biden administration allowing known criminals into the country. Theres a difference between immigration, immigrant labor, illegal immigration, he said. Someone wants to come to the United States and become a United States citizen, theyre an immigrant, and thats fantastic. Were a nation of immigrants. He went on to discuss his support of the H-2A visa program which gives temporary visas to migrant workers to come to the United States to work on farms, adding that those types of visas are important for many industries. Year-round workers, including the immigrant workers who make up 70% of the labor force on Wisconsin dairy farms, are not eligible for H-2A visas. Do our farmers need immigrant labor? You bet, he said. Does the hospitality industry need folks coming here? You bet. The construction industry, you bet. We want as many people as possible to come into the country lawfully to support our industries, just throughout Wisconsin, but throughout the country. So Im 100% behind making sure that we get as many people into the country lawfully to help support our industries. Im absolutely, adamantly opposed to letting a single known criminal enter this country, because this is what happens. But John Rosenow, a Buffalo County dairy farmer, says earlier this month he attended an event in which local farmers could meet a member of Van Ordens staff. At the event, Rosenow, who has frequently spoken about the Wisconsin dairy industrys reliance on migrant labor, told the staffer that farmers needed less divisiveness surrounding the issue. If theres one thing you can do to help us is tone down the rhetoric, Rosenow told the Wisconsin Examiner, recounting what he said to the staffer. Theyre doing all the work and why do we select one person that does something wrong thats an immigrant and make it like all immigrants are like that person? We dont do that for Americans. Weve got plenty of bad white people around here that do bad things and we dont extrapolate that to everyone else. We do it for votes, I guess. Rosenow added that Van Ordens focus on the H-2A program is useless for the dairy farmers in his district because dairy farmers are specifically excluded from using it. The H-2A program is for temporary seasonal work at operations such as vegetable farms, but because dairy farming is year round, those farms cant use those workers. It means nothing to dairy farmers, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DELHI, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) SUNY Delhi is home to the nations oldest veterinary technology program, and in the past week, its become bigger and better than ever. The Chancellor of SUNY, John King, visited SUNY Delhi for the unveiling of its new vet tech facility at Farnsworth Hall. The dean of the school, Bret Meckel says Delhi was the first school to offer a vet tech program back in 1961. The new, three floor facility features full surgical suites, diagnostic imaging, boarding, and a state-of-the-art teaching clinic. Meckel says in the near future, the clinic will be open to the community for low cost spay or neuter. We like to say were like the first and finest, and really with this building, with how its been done behind us, we are going to live up to that name, and were probably going to be the premiere vet tech facility in the nation if not the world. Brand new, really state of the art facilities, and I think thats really going to take are students and what they learn to the next level. And really, what our goal here is, is to produce the best vet techs who can then take care of your animals, said Meckel. Chancellor King toured the new facility with some of the vet tech students on Friday. The school partners with local humane societies, so the students get hands-on-experience with real cats and dogs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) Vice President Kamala Harris plans to stop in Johnstown Friday as part of her barnstorm of the state with election day less than two months away. Harris will barnstorm throughout Johnstown where she plans to meet directly with voters in the community. Earlier in the week, on 9/11, Harris is anticipated to stop in Shanksville, Pa., accompanied by President Biden, to pay her respects at the Flight 93 memorial. This stop, as well as her campaign through the Commonwealth, is part of her New Way Forward tour in which she, running mate Governor Tim Walz, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz and other campaign surrogates will blitz each battleground state Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, New Hampshire and Maine in only four days with plans to stop in every media market in these states. Trump rallies for key battleground votes in Central Pennsylvania The tour is accompanied by a new ad campaign launched Sunday in Pennsylvania highlighting Harris plans to enact a federal ban on price gouging on food, capping the cost of prescription drugs and ending the nations affordable housing shortage. The ad is part of the campaigns $370 million investment in TV and digital reservations between Labor Day and Election Day. With early voting about to begin and less than 60 days until Election Day, our campaign will take the vice presidents message directly to the voters wherever they are on the airwaves, on the doors, and online. With so much at stake in this election, we are blitzing the battlegrounds and leaving it all out on the field, Michael Tyler, Communications Director for the Harris-Walz campaign said. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Following her stop in Johnstown, Harris will travel to Wilkes-Barre to continue her barnstorm of the key battleground 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. VICKSBURG, Miss. (WJTV) The Vicksburg community gathered at Washington Street Park on Monday to cleanup downtown Vicksburg. Laura Beth Strickland, executive director for Visit Vicksburg, said the River City is celebrating Community Week. Mississippi Braves play final homestand at Trustmark Park Officials with Visit Vicksburg said the city will welcome main street directors and staff from Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas for the Destination Downtown Conference, which runs from September 11-13. Its just perfect timing. Were going to be hanging welcome banners, do some sprucing up, put some flowers out and just all come together and make our community look as great as it can be, said Strickland. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) One person was found dead in an Orleans County fire early Monday morning. According to the Orleans County Sheriffs Office, the fire happened in the Town of Carlton. Fire crews found a house trailer, two sheds, and two vehicles burning. Crews found the individual dead inside the home. The body has been taken to the Monroe County Medical Examiners Office. The identity and details about the victim have not been revealed. Deputies and firefighters are working to figure out what caused the fire. Anyone with information is adked to call (585)-589-5527. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Reuters) - Norfolk Southern's CEO Alan Shaw is expected to step down from his role at the railroad company amid an investigation into allegations of potential workplace misconduct, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. The company said on Sunday that it is reviewing allegations that Shaw violated its ethics policy. Norfolk Southern did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Shaw could not be immediately reached for comment. The sources asked not to be identified to discuss sensitive personnel matters. The news comes just four months after Shaw, who was promoted to the top job in May 2022, survived a hedge fund's push to oust him in a bitter proxy fight. Norfolk Southern's 13-member board is now tackling its third crisis in a row following this year's boardroom battle with Ancora Holdings where the activist investor won three board seats and the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The Wall Street Journal first reported that Shaw is expected to leave his position. (Reporting by Seher Dareen and Abhinav Parmar in Bengaluru and Svea Herbst-Bayliss in New York ; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Stephen Coates) Mr Bennett spoke to the students about his career as an astronaut [BBC] A Virgin Galactic astronaut who has gone to space has visited his former Somerset school. Former Clevedon School student Colin Bennett told current pupils about his career with Virgin Galactic. He is currently a chief engineer on Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic rocket. It's about inspiring the next generation and to show kids and anyone who has dreams of this type of thing, that it is possible," Mr Bennett said about coming to his former school. Mr Bennett added that it was "amazing" to come back to the Clevedon School after over 20 years. "It's a little bit strange, it's been a long time since I've been back here," he said. "When I was in [the student's] shoes I knew what I liked, I enjoyed science, but I really had no idea that it would lead to this," he added. "It was just a dream, I never thought it would become reality. It's hard to believe that it worked out." Kian, a student at the school, said he "looks up" to Mr Bennett and he will try to go to space too, now that he's heard him talk. "For him to go to space and go to this school is very unexpected and inspires us to try and fill in his boots," the student added. Kian said he wants to try and "fill Mr Bennett's boots" [BBC] Back in 2021, Mr Bennett took Clevedon School's "Be Kind, Be Brilliant" flag to the edge of space aboard Virgin Spaceship Unity. To mark his achievements, Clevedon School named their science block the "Colin Bennett Science Centre". Despite failing maths in year 12, Mr Bennett said, "you don't need to be the cleverest person in the class to have an awesome career". "There have only been a handful of people from the UK that have been to space, so I'm honoured to be one of them and especially to be able to fly the flag for Clevedon and the South-West," he added. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Related Internet Links Virginia woman sentenced to over 5 years in prison for drug trafficking in West Virginia MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (DC News Now) A Virginia woman was sentenced to five and a half years in prison Monday for drug trafficking in three West Virginia counties. The U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) for the Northern District of West Virginia said that 28-year-old Hailey Lynn Oliff of Mount Jackson, Va., was part of an organization selling drugs in Berkeley, Hampshire and Morgan counties. The USAO said that Oliff was a distributor for the organization. According to court documents and statements during the trial, she sold methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine base. MCDOT celebrates addition of new Pink, Lime bus routes After her prison sentence, Oliff must complete three years of supervised release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Illustration by Julia Wytrazek / Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin has two secret sons whom he keeps hidden from sight, reported an online investigation project. The boys, Ivan, nine, and Vladimir Jr, five, live mostly in isolation, with "companies owned by friends of the Russian leader" taking care of their needs, said the Dossier Center, which "tracks the criminal activity of various people associated with the Kremlin", according to its founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky. The boys' mother is said to be former Olympic rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, although, said Forbes, both she and Putin have denied any "romantic ties" for more than a decade. However, Dossier claimed their relationship began "as early as 2008". 'A life of isolation and secrecy' Newsweek added that Ivan and Vladimir are said to "live a life of isolation and secrecy" and see their parents only rarely. They travel by "armoured trains, private jets and yachts", under the protection of Russia's Federal Protective Service, and have documents that conceal their identities. Neither of the boys attend school and instead, said The Sun, have private classes in "Putin's palaces like the royal children of Russian tsars". Claiming they are being "groomed" to succeed Putin, the newspaper added that the "pampered boys" were learning English as well as German. Putin, who has "publicly acknowledged" having daughters with his ex-wife Lyudmila Putin, said Forbes, keeps a "tight grip" on information about his personal life, said The Telegraph. However, he made a "rare remark" during a trip to a secondary school in the Russian city of Kyzyl, continued the newspaper, quoting Putin as saying: "Some of my family members, the little ones, speak Chinese too they speak it fluently." His daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, are "believed to both be approaching the age of 40", and it is thought he has "at least" three grandchildren. As well as the reports of his alleged sons, there are claims that Putin has a third adult daughter named Luiza Rozova with "former cleaner-turned-millionaire" Svetlana Krivonogikh. Dossier reported that Ivan has told his teachers and guards that when he was born, Putin said: "Hurray! Finally! A boy!," said The Moscow Times. It also said that Putin's elder son was born in Lugano, Switzerland, while Vladimir was "born in the spring of 2019 in Moscow". Their father allegedly chose both locations. Disney, personal trainers and gymnastics Highlighting parts from Dossier's investigation, the site said that Ivan was "obsessed" with Disney cartoons and films, a passion "likely disliked" by the Russian President, who has "stated his preference for Soviet-made cartoons on multiple occasions". As well as private tutors, the boys are said to have personal trainers and Ivan has competed in several artistic gymnastics competitions, continued the Moscow Times, adding that the report described his results as "not promising". The Dossier Center was founded in November 2017 by Khodorkovsky a "former oligarch" jailed for accusing Russian officials of corruption, said The Times almost four years after he was released from prison. Its aim, according to Khodorkovsky's website, is to uncover the "criminal organisation that operates from within the Kremlin" and bring it to justice. Voting is open until 7 p.m. in most polling places though some are open until 8. (Kate Brindley | New Hampshire Bulletin) Out of the 895,498 registered voters in New Hampshire, about 251,000 or 28 percent are expected to come out to the polls for the state primary on Tuesday. Thats according to predictions from Secretary of State Dave Scanlan on Friday. Scanlan also predicts more voters turning out for the Republican primary than the Democratic primary: with 147,500 expected to vote for Republican candidates and 103,500 voters expected to vote for Democrats. Currently, New Hampshire has 300,672 registered Republicans, or 34 percent of the electorate; 258,824 Democrats, or 29 percent, and 336,002 undeclared voters, or 38 percent. Voting is open until 7 p.m. in most polling places though some are open until 8. To find the hours of your polling location, go to: https://app.sos.nh.gov/pollingplacesampleballot. Interested in voting Tuesday? Here is your guide to do it. Where do I vote and who can I vote for? To find your polling place, go to https://app.sos.nh.gov/pollingplacesampleballot and put in your home address. You will get the address for your polling place and the opening hours. Want to know which candidates you can vote for once you get to that polling place? Go to https://www.sos.nh.gov/elections/sample-ballots and select the party primary you are eligible for and select the town or city ward you live in. You will see a sample ballot with candidates in all contested elections within that partys primary. Because these are state primaries, voters are limited to voting in one partys primary. If you are already registered as a Republican or a Democrat, you must vote in that partys primary. If you are unregistered or undeclared, you may vote in either primary by requesting a ballot for that partys primary. Doing this automatically registers you as a member of that party. After voting, you may re-register as undeclared with the supervisor of the checklist if youd like to remain undeclared. Do you live in a city and want to know which ward to vote in? The New Hampshire Secretary of States Office does not currently provide a tool for that, but the nonpartisan organization Citizens Count does. Just click this link, enter your address, and click on the icon on the map to find your ward. What do I need to bring to the polls? If you are already registered to vote at your polling place, you should bring photo identification. (If you are not yet registered, skip to the next section.) Identification can include a drivers license issued by any state or federal government; a non-driver ID card from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation; a U.S. armed services ID card; a U.S. passport; a New Hampshire student ID card; or a photo ID that is determined to be legitimate by the moderator. If you do not have identification on you or you forget it, you can vote using a challenged voter affidavit. Thats a form in which you attest that you are who you say you are, and that you live in that town or city voting ward. After submitting that affidavit, the Secretary of State will send you a letter of identity verification sometime before Jan 10. That letter is designed to confirm that you do live at that address; you will be asked to return the letter to the Secretary of States Office with written confirmation that you live there and you are the same person who voted. If the moderator at your polling place knows you, they may also confirm your identity personally, though you would still vote with a challenged voter affidavit. How do I register to vote on Election Day? As long as you are a U.S. citizen, are 18 or older, and are domiciled in the town you are voting in, you are eligible to register to vote on Election Day. To do this, you will need to bring a form of ID and proof of your residency to the polls. Residency proof can include your drivers license, if the listed address is current; a photo ID, a lease agreement, or a utility bill that includes your name and the address. If you do not have a photo ID and are attempting to register, a staff member at the polling place will take your photo. If you have a religious objection to being photographed, you may fill out an Affidavit of Religious Objection and a photo will not be taken. If you are registering without sufficient documentation, you will fill out an envelope and receive an affidavit voter package, which will include a prepaid envelope to the Secretary of States Office in Concord. After you leave the polling place, you are required to use that envelope to mail copies of all documents that are needed to register to vote. That envelope must be sent within seven days of Election Day, according to RSA 659:23-a, under a new law passed in 2022. Not sure whether youre registered to vote already? You can look that up at https://app.sos.nh.gov/voterinformation. Put in your town or city, name, and date of birth, and the database will tell you where you are currently registered to vote, if anywhere. Remember, if you no longer live where you are currently registered to vote, it is illegal to vote there. Voters in the Travis County Emergency Services District No. 2, also known as the Pflugerville Fire Department, will decide in November whether to take a half-cent sales tax away from the district. Opponents say it would result in a loss of $17 million to the district, which would cause the layoff of 130 people including more than 80 firefighters and the shutdown of three fire stations. Supporters, who won a lawsuit against the district to get the item on the ballot, say it should be approved because the Pflugerville Fire Department stopped providing ambulance service to the city at the end of 2021. They also say the district has enough money in reserve to avoid layoffs. ESD No. 2 serves about 77 square miles, including Pflugerville, the Wells Branch area and unincorporated areas of Round Rock, Taylor, Hutto and Manor. It receives a half-cent sales tax from the city of Pflugerville and a 1-cent sales tax from the areas outside of Pflugerville. Firefighter Paige Walton works out at Travis County Emergency Services District No. 2's Station 1 on Friday. A proposition on the Nov. 5 ballot will determine if a half-cent sales tax will be taken away from the district, which is also known as the Pflugerville Fire Department. More: Austin to provide oversight of EMS in Pflugerville amid concerns about quality of care If the ballot measure passes, it would abolish the sales tax that the district receives from Pflugerville, but the district would still receive the half-cent sales tax from areas outside of that. Pflugerville voters first approved the half-cent sales tax in 2000. ESD No. 2 voters outside of Pflugerville approved a half-cent sales tax in 2014. "If the voters reduce the sales tax to the ESD2, there would need to be a second election for voters to authorize the future reallocation of that sales tax," city of Pflugerville officials said in an email. "Today, the City uses sales tax in combination with property tax to provide a variety of city services and infrastructure we enjoy such as police, parks and roads." Pflugerville Fire Chief Nick Perkins said that if the proposition passes, it would result in the loss of 40% of the district's budget. The district also receives money from property taxes. Besides the layoffs of 130 employees, he said, the district would have to close three stations in less densely populated areas. Those three stations would be on Kelly Lane, Pflugerville Parkway and Weiss Lane, all in Pflugerville, Perkins said. More: Pflugerville to talk with ESD No. 2, Allegiance about providing ambulance services The closure of the fire stations would drop the district's ISO fire ranking, which is a score provided to fire departments and insurance companies nationwide by the Insurance Services Office, the fire chief said. "If we go to the worst ranking," he said, "property owners could have an increase as much as 30% for commercial insurance." Perkins said the district stopped providing ambulance service to the city of Pflugerville at the end of 2021 but still provides ambulances for the other parts of the district. At the time the district stopped the ambulance service, it said that was because of a rising number of calls. Perkins said the district also was facing a 40% growth rate at the time and hadn't opened a new fire station in 20 years. "We needed to add fire stations, firefighters and fire trucks," he said. "The (ESD) board looked at the long-term forecast, and we weren't able to do what we were doing." He said that when voters approved the sales tax in 2000, "paramedics and advanced-life support were never part of the discussion." Pflugerville Fire Chief Nick Perkins said that if the proposition passes, it would result in the loss of 40% of the emergency service district's budget. Supporters say the measure should be approved because the Fire Department stopped providing ambulance service to Pflugerville in 2021. The 2014 sales tax election was also not about ambulances, he said. It was about "providing additional funding for the Fire Department to keep up with the growth in service demand, and this also included training firefighters as paramedics so we could begin providing advanced life support services from our fire trucks," Perkins said. The district still provides ambulance service to its areas outside Pflugerville because voters in May 2021 approved ESD No. 17, which overlays parts of ESD No. 2 and provides EMS services. Pflugerville voters rejected becoming part of ESD No. 17 in November 2021. Pflugerville currently has a contract with Allegiance, a private ambulance company. Pflugerville Residents for Responsible Taxation, a political action committee, wants residents of the district to support the proposed sales tax cuts on the ballot. David Rogers, a spokesman for the PAC, said the district has "a whole lot of money they are not using to provide ambulance services to the citizens of Pflugerville." "It's like you hire a lawn guy and you pay him, and then he says, 'I'm not going to mow your lawn,'" he said. Supporters of ESD No. 2 say losing Pflugerville's half-cent sales tax would cause the layoff of 130 people including more than 80 firefighters and the shutdown of three fire stations. Rogers is a member of the Pflugerville City Council but says his actions on behalf of the PAC don't involve the council. He said the emergency services district currently has a reserve that is 150% of its operating budget. "They could operate a year and a half with no taxes of any kind," Rogers said. "There's no reason for them to lay off a single person. They have an artificially inflated budget." He also said the district plans to raise property taxes by 33% for the average homeowner. "That's almost enough to compensate for the loss of the sale tax," he said. If the voters decide to slash the sales tax, Rogers said, he would like to see the city ask voters in a later election to return the sales tax to the district if it agrees to provide ambulance service to the city. Rogers said he believed in giving the district another chance because "they are local and have a long-term commitment to the city." Keeping Pflugerville Affordable, a Facebook group that also supports cutting the sales tax, wants any money the city keeps if voters approve the proposition to go to EMS services, spokesperson Terry Newsome said. "It can come in the form of a reimbursement of people who use private ambulance services, or the money can be used to pay the contract for the ambulance company instead of using our property tax money," said Newsome. Perkins disagreed with Rogers' assessment of the district's financial situation. He said the district had $33.6 million in a fund balance (available financial resources) in June, and that its operating budget for this fiscal year was $43.2 million, which doesn't include capital expenditures. Firefighters with ESD No. 2 run to the engine to respond to an emergency call Friday. "So we have a fund balance equal to 78% of our operating budget, but not all of that is available to be spent, nor has it all been designated as a cash reserve," Perkins said. "Some of those funds are allocated as reserves, and some are being spent down in future years." The district's proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year has not yet been approved. It includes a proposed 29% increase in the tax rate that would increase the average homeowners tax bill by $81 per year, said Perkins. "The board is only proposing this high of a rate as a preventative measure to have additional revenue to replace lost revenue if voters chose to abolish sales tax collected by the district," he said. Rogers said the Pflugerville Residents for Responsible Taxation first approached ESD No. 2 in 2022 with a petition asking the district to call for an election in May 2023 about removing the half-cent sales tax. According to the Texas Health and Safety Code, the board must call an election if 5% of the registered voters of the district request one. The group sued the district in 2023 after the ESD No. 2 board said the petition was "legally insufficient," partly because it combined two propositions into one, according to an opinion by the Texas Supreme Court. The court said in May that, according to the safety code, all the petition needed was the legally required number of signatures. The court also ordered the ESD board to verify that the petition had the required number of signatures and to order an election if it did. The board approved the petition in August and called for an election on Nov. 5. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Voters to decide whether to cut tax for Pflugerville Fire Department VP Kamala Harris to campaign in Charlotte and Greensboro this week VP Kamala Harris to campaign in Charlotte and Greensboro this week CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Vice President Kamala Harris will return to the Tar Heel state on Thursday following her first presidential debate. Campaign officials say Harris will be in the Queen City on Thursday, September 12, for a campaign rally at 4:30 p.m. Afterward, Harris will head to Greensboro for a rally. This is to kick off the New Way Forward battleground tour. According to Harris campaign, the tour will mobilize support and drive enthusiasm toward voters. The exact details of where the events will be in Charlotte and Greensboro will be released later in the week. Harris has made many stops in NC in an effort to secure voters ahead of the November election. MORE FROM QUEEN CITY NEWS Election news across the Carolinas Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer, who spent more than three decades with the Georgia-based restaurant chain, has died, the company announced Sunday. He was 58. Ehmer passed Saturday after a long illness, the board of directors for Waffle House announced in a statement to its employees obtained by USA TODAY. "He will be greatly missed by his entire Waffle House family," company leaders wrote in the statement. "For now, we know all of you join us in extending our deepest condolences to Walts family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time." Ehmer joined Waffle House in 1992 and shot quickly to senior leadership becoming the company's president in 2002, according to information from Georgia Tech, where he graduated in 1989. He later went on to obtain the titles of CEO and chairman for the restaurant chain specializing in waffles and other breakfast foods. The company is based in Norcross, about 20 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta in Gwinnett County. Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer speaks during a roundtable discussion with industry executives amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 29, 2020. Ehmer died on Sept. 8, 2024. He was 58. Egg recall: See which states are impacted 'A dedicated leader, tireless advocate for public safety' The Atlanta Police Foundation, where Ehmer served on the board of trustees, called him "a dedicated leader, tireless advocate for public safety, and an unwavering supporter" of the non-profit organization's mission to "build a safer, stronger Atlanta." "His passion for community service and steadfast commitment to improving the lives of others will leave a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him," the foundation posted in a statement online. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed." 'A remarkable legacy' Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expressed condolences to Ehmer's family, friends and colleagues. His leadership, dedication and warmth touched the lives of many, both within the Waffle House family and beyond. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy, Dickens said in a news release. "May they find comfort in his enduring impact and the lasting mark he made on so many. Today we remember @wafflehouse CEO and Georgia Tech alum Walter Ehmer. After graduating from Tech in 1989, Ehmer began at Waffle House in 1992. He remained a dear friend to the Institute throughout his career. pic.twitter.com/i4arHgjFbb Georgia Tech (@GeorgiaTech) September 8, 2024 USA TODAY has reached out to Waffle House for funeral information. 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: Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer dies at 58 Walt Ehmer worked for Waffle House for over three decades AP Photo/Steve Helber Walt Ehmer Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer has died. He was 58. The company announced the news on Sept. 6, saying the business mogul died after a long illness. "He will be greatly missed by his entire Waffle House family," they said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. The company plans to share more details soon, including "highlights of Walts 30+ year career." "For now, we know all of you join us in extending our deepest condolences to Walts family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," the statement concluded. Ehmer is survived by three children, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He worked for Waffle House starting in 1992, climbed the ladder to president in 2002 and later became CEO, per the Associated Press. Along with his work at the diner chain, Ehmer was an active participant in his community. He was a member of the Atlanta Police Foundations board of trustees. On Sept. 7, the foundation shared an emotional statement on Ehmers death. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Walt Ehmer, president and CEO of Waffle House and a beloved member of the Atlanta Police Foundation's Board of Trustees, the statement read in a Facebook post. Walt was a dedicated leader, tireless advocate for public safety, and an unwavering supporter of our mission to build a safer, stronger Atlanta. The statement continued: His passion for community service and steadfast commitment to improving the lives of others will leave a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed. 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. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also shared a heartfelt tribute for the Waffle House CEO. Joe Raedle/Getty Waffle House "I am saddened to learn of the passing of Walt Ehmer, the CEO of Waffle House and a proud Georgia Tech alumnus, he wrote in a statement. His leadership, dedication and warmth touched the lives of many, both within the Waffle House family and beyond. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. May they find comfort in his enduring impact and the lasting mark he made on so many. In 2020, Ehmer spoke to students at his alma mater Georgia Tech about what made Waffle House stand out from competitors. We are one family, said Ehmer. Everybody does the same thing, everybody wears one uniform. But uniquely, every restaurant is also its own family." Above all, he said that under his leadership Waffle House prioritized customers and employees. Theres no place for ego on a team. The higher up on the ladder you go, the more you have to make sure your people are successful, Ehmer said. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. (Bloomberg) -- Christy Walton, an heir to the fortune left by the founder of Walmart Inc., is set to co-host a fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris, a sign of the growing support for the Democratic ticket among wealthy donors and business leaders. Most Read from Bloomberg Tickets for the Sept. 15 event in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a lunch reception featuring Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and former Montana Governor Steve Bullock, run from $1,250 to $100,000, according to an invitation reviewed by Bloomberg News. Co-hosts are expected to give at least $50,000 per couple. Walton, who is listed as a co-host for the event, is one of the prominent Democratic donors who urged President Joe Biden to exit the race after his calamitous debate performance against Republican rival Donald Trump. She is worth $15.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Representatives for Walton did not respond to requests for comment. Waltons involvement is a sign that Harris is able to attract a broader swath of wealthy supporters than Biden. Harris has seen growing support among donors from Silicon Valley, Wall Street and big business according to Jeffrey Katzenberg, a campaign co-chairman. Walton, 75, did not donate to Bidens reelection effort, Federal Election Commission records show. She was among the 168 signatories, including billionaires and corporate executives, of a July letter put together by the Leadership Now Project, who urged Biden to step down following a faltering performance against Trump in late June. That group has since endorsed Harris. Earlier: A $14 Billion Walmart Heir Joins Novogratz Urging Biden Exit The growing support from the business community comes as Harris has moderated some of her policy proposals from those Biden embraced. Harris has called for a 28% capital gains tax on individuals with income topping $1 million, far less than the 39.6% rate in Bidens plan. Shes also pushing for increases in a deduction for startup businesses. Harris amassed a $404 million war chest in August, after raising a record-breaking $361 million last month. Her haul far surpassed Trump, who spent $32 million more than he raised and entered September with $295 million cash on hand. While Walton didnt donate to Biden, she gave $50,000 to the Lincoln Project, a super political action committee run by mostly former Republican campaign consultants who create ads attacking Trump. She also gave $150,000 to a group that supports Senate Democrats. Walton is the widow of John T. Walton, the second son of Walmart founder Sam Walton. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Walt Ehmer, president and CEO of Waffle House, died Sunday following a long illness, the American restaurant chain said. File Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Walt Ehmer, the president and chief executive officer of Waffle House, has died, the iconic American chain said. He was 58. Ehmer, who had worked at Waffle House for more than 30 years, died Sunday following "a long illness," the company confirmed to UPI in an emailed statement. Little information was released concerning Ehmer's death, but Waffle House said it will share more details, including about his life, in the coming days. "For now, we know all of you join us in extending our deepest condolences to Walt's family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," it said, adding that Ehmer "will be greatly missed by his entire Waffle House family." His death had earlier Sunday been announced by the Atlanta Police Foundation, where had had been "a beloved member" of its board of trustees, it said. "Walt was a dedicated leader, tireless advocate for public safety and an unwavering supporter of our mission to build a safer, stronger Atlanta," the Atlanta Police Foundation said in a statement on Facebook. "His passion for community service and steadfast commitment to improving the lives of others will leave a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him." Mayor Andre Dickens of Atlanta, near where Waffle House was founded, issued a statement of condolences. Ehmer's "leadership, dedication and warmth touched the lives of many, both within the Waffle House family and beyond," Dickens said. "He leaves behind a remarkable legacy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. May they find comfort in his enduring impact and the lasting mark he made on so many." Ehmer is an alumnus of Georgia Tech. The Georgia Tech Alumni Association states that he joined Waffle House in 1992 and "quickly rose to senior leadership" and was named president in 2002, CEO in 2012 and chairman in 2022. "Ehmer will be remembered for a lifetime of service, both to his alma mater and the broader community," the alumni association said. Waffle House was founded in Avondale Estates, Ga., in 1955 and has grown to more than 1,900 locations in 25 estates. The chain restaurant employees more that 40,000 people, according to its website. Nurse earns over $100,000 but can't claw way out of student debt blasts lawmakers for blocking SAVE Plan In 2011, Shirin Tajani went back to school to get a nursing degree. Her education paid off, enabling her to get a job that paid six figures. Unfortunately, that's not the end of the story. Despite her high income, the 46-year-old has been unable to make a dent in her debt. Don't miss With $315,000 owed on credit cards and student loans, Tajani says she can't afford to buy a house and is working a second job. While she hoped the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan would provide some relief in paying off her federal student debt, the courts have stopped that plan from going into effect, leaving Tajani feeling hopeless. "I just feel like this country has failed us, having to come here, not even being born here, going to school, and then you get tied down to these loans," she told Business Insider in an article published Aug. 25. Here's her story, along with some details on what happened with the SAVE Plan and some options for those facing similar struggles. Multiple debts make payoff difficult Tajani is from Pakistan, relocating to the U.S. with her parents at age 10. After earning a business degree and working in the corporate world, she decided to go to nursing school to explore new career opportunities. She used a mix of federal student loans and private loans to cover the cost of her schooling, and on top of that she has an undisclosed amount of credit card debt. Now, despite earning a six-figure income from working, taking on a second job and attempting to reduce her living costs, she feels like she just can't make progress. "I'm trying to get on a budget, trying to cut back on expenses, and it's been hard. It's been really hard," she said. "I have to have my second job to pay my loans because, without that, I wouldn't be able to make payments." Tajani enjoyed some temporary relief when the Biden administration introduced a new student loan repayment plan, the SAVE Plan, that cut monthly payments from $600 to around $250, according to Business Insider. However, the courts have blocked that plan, and the loans of those enrolled are in forbearance as the legal battle plays out. Story continues The nurse says she still hopes for some type of government help but is frustrated about the stalled payment program. "I just feel like seeing all these lawsuits blocking these programs for us is just not fair. And it's sad just to see a lot of us suffer believing that our country would help us out, and they're not doing anything for that," she said. 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 Status of the SAVE Plan The SAVE Plan is an income-driven student loan repayment plan. It was meant to be a replacement for the Revised Pay As You Earn Plan. SAVE changed the formula used to calculate payments by basing them on a smaller portion of your adjusted gross income. It introduced an interest subsidy so your balance didn't grow if your payments were too small to cover it. It also made forgiveness available after as few as 10 years of repayments for borrowers with low balances. It was, however, put on hold by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit following a pair of Republican-led lawsuits. At issue is whether the Biden administration had the authority to cancel student loans as part of the plan without approval from Congress. The Supreme Court recently declined to reinstate the blocked plan, kicking the can back down to the lower courts. This means enrolled borrowers are now left waiting for a final decision. What should borrowers do? With the SAVE Plan stalled for the foreseeable future, borrowers may want to explore other programs that are already in place. There are multiple income-driven repayment plans that cap payments at between 10% and 20% of income and that allow debt forgiveness within 20 to 25 years. There are also career-specific relief programs. In the case of nurses like Tajani, for example, the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program could repay as much as 85% of unpaid education debt if she works for a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses or works as a nurse faculty member in an eligible school. The important thing is to be proactive, stay on top of legal developments and look into all opportunities for financial relief. A large student loan balance is a substantial burden, and it may not pay off to wait for further assistance from the federal government to escape it in the end. It might be incumbent on borrowers to make their own plans to become debt-free. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will visit West Michigan later this week. According to the Harris-Walz campaign, he will arrive at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Thursday evening and then will hold a campaign event in Grand Rapids later that night. On Friday morning, the campaign said he will take part in political events in Grand Rapids before heading to mid-Michigan. He will leave Michigan Friday afternoon to campaign in Wisconsin. The campaign said the visit to Michigan is part of its New Way Forward tour to battleground states ahead of the election. Michigan is a key battleground in the Nov. 5 election. A recent poll conducted by Emerson College Polling, The Hill and WOOD TV8 showed a tight race in Michigan: Vice President Kamala Harris had a 3-point lead over former President Donald Trump, a statistical tie considering the polls margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percent. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. As a massive search continued Monday afternoon for the suspect in a Kentucky interstate shooting that injured five people and left a dozen vehicles with bullet holes, an arrest warrant released by authorities alleges the fugitive gunman sent a woman a text message threatening to "kill a lot of people" about a half hour before highway rampage. The suspect, 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, was also allegedly involved in a domestic dispute on Saturday morning and legally purchased an AR-15 rifle and ammunition at a gun store hours before allegedly opening fire on vehicles traveling on Interstate 75 near London, Kentucky, law enforcement officials told ABC News. According to an arrest warrant, Couch is wanted on charges of attempted murder and first-degree assault. PHOTO: This handout image taken and released by the Mount Vernon Fire Department shows traffic stopped on Interstate 75 during an active shooter incident near London, Ky., Sept. 7, 2024. (Mount Vernon Fire Department/AFP via Getty Images) Before the interstate shooting, according to the arrest warrant, a Laurel County 911 dispatcher received a call from a woman who alleged Couch texted her before the interstate shooting and "advised he was going to kill a lot of people. Well try at least." The text message was sent to the woman at 5:03 p.m. Saturday, about a half-hour before the interstate shooting started, according to the arrest warrant. "Couch sent another message to [the woman] that read, in part, 'I'll kill myself afterwards," according to the arrest warrant. MORE: Suspect in Kentucky freeway shooting bought weapon legally that morning: Officials London city officials told ABC News the woman Couch texted is the mother of his child. Details of the domestic dispute that allegedly involved Couch were not disclosed. Couch allegedly purchased a Cobalt AR-15 rifle with a mounted sight and 1,000 rounds of ammunition for $2,914 at a London, Kentucky, gun store on Saturday morning, according to the arrest warrant. Saturday's interstate shooting unfolded around 5:30 p.m. local time on I-75 at Exit 49, about eight miles from London, officials said. The Kentucky State Police announce a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Joseph Couch. He is 5'10", 154 lbs., and considered armed and dangerous. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/BingS0sFCt KY State Police (@kystatepolice) September 9, 2024 At a news conference Sunday night, Laurel County Sheriff's Cmdr. Richard Dalrymple estimated that 20 to 30 rounds were fired at vehicles in both the north and southbound lanes of I-75, from a hillside near Exit 49. At least 12 vehicles were struck by gunfire, leaving five people with gunshot wounds, including one victim who was shot in the face, officials said. The five victims suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said. Authorities initially said seven people were injured in the incident. Officials said they do not believe any of the victims of the shooting were targeted. MORE: University of Idaho murder trial: Venue will be moved, judge rules State police announced Monday that a $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest of the suspect. A silver Toyota SUV registered to Couch was found abandoned on a forest road in the dense woods near Exit 49, according to the arrest warrant issued for Couch. A Cobalt AR-15 rifle believed to have been used in the shooting and a green army-style duffle bag containing ammunition and several magazines were discovered in roughly the same area, according to the arrest warrant. The duffle bag had "Couch" handwritten on it, according to the warrant. Investigators believe that the suspect was unprepared for a long period of trying to evade law enforcement in the woods because he left his gun, ammunition and vehicle behind. There is no indication, so far, that Couch had any type of stash of supplies that would enable him to disappear into the rugged terrain, investigators said. Couch was initially named as a person of interest in the shooting, and the sheriff's office released his photo and said he was "considered armed and dangerous." On Sunday afternoon, Laurel County Sheriff John Root announced that Couch had been upgraded to the primary suspect. PHOTO: Traffic stopped during manhunt along Interstate 75 near London, Kentucky. (Mount Vernon Fire Department) Root said Couch has an address in Woodbine, Kentucky, and the sheriff's office described him as about 5-foot-10 and 154 pounds. According to military records, Couch served as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve from March 2013 to January 2019. Records show he was part of an Army Reserves engineering company, the 979 Engineering Company, based in Lexington. More than 150 law enforcement officers are participating in the search for Couch. Authorities are focusing their search in the area of Exit 49, although they have also investigated reported sightings of Couch in other areas of Laurel County and outside the county, officials said. The area around Exit 49 is the most remote area of I-75 and the terrain is densely wooded and rugged, Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington said at a news conference Monday afternoon. "We're in the Daniel Boone National Forest; this is thousands and thousands of acres. It's kind of like a jungle," Pennington said. PHOTO: This still photo from a video shows rescue vehicles on an exit ramp off I-75 in London, Ky., Sep. 7, 2024. (WTQV) Pennington said the plan is to continue applying pressure on Couch to "wear him down." "Hopefully he has no water and nothing to eat," Pennington said. London Police Department Assistant Chief Bobby Day told ABC News that the area authorities believe Couch is hiding in has an extensive cave system and that the search has included underground caves. At least nine Kentucky school districts and a community college campus closed Monday due to safety concerns stemming from the search for Couch. Student and Staff safety is a priority in the Laurel County Public Schools; therefore, out of an abundance of caution, school is canceled for tomorrow, Monday, September 9, 2024," the Laurel County Public School said in a statement Sunday night. ABC News' Darren Reynolds and Luis Martinez contributed to this report. Wanted suspect Joseph A. Couch allegedly threatened to 'kill a lot of people' prior to Kentucky freeway shooting: Warrant originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Who wants Rep. Daniel Grossberg to resign? What Kentucky Democrats have said Several Democratic organizations and party members have called for Rep. Daniel Grossberg to resign following accusations that he behaved inappropriately toward women at the statehouse though many elected officials have remained silent on the matter. The Louisville lawmaker has been temporarily suspended from Kentucky's House Democratic Caucus and relieved of his current committee responsibilities since the Herald Leader first reported on the allegations in late July. The caucus has also requested that the state's Legislative Ethics Commission formally investigate the complaints. According to the Herald Leader, several women have said they experienced inappropriate behavior from Grossberg, including text messages they described as "weird" or "creepy." Grossberg and his attorney Anna Whites have pushed back against the confidential ethics complaint and allegations multiple times. Grossberg represents House District 30, which includes portions of Louisville just south of Interstate 264 and east of Interstate 65. Here are the politicians, key players and organizations who have weighed in on the allegations. Louisville Young Democrats On Friday, the Louisville Young Democrats shared a statement on social media saying the organization condemns "all forms of sexual harassments expressed in the allegations." It called on Grossberg to take accountability for his actions and resign. "We call on the State, County, and Local parties as well as elected officials to stand up for a welcoming and safe environment free from harassment for all those involved in politics, especially young people who strive to be the next generation of leaders," the post read. Our statement regarding the deeply disturbing allegations reported by the Herald Leader regarding Rep. Daniel Grossberg. pic.twitter.com/81jtn0xijV Louisville Young Dems (LYD) (@LouYoungDems) September 6, 2024 Fayette County Young Democrats Fayette County Young Democrats made a separate statement Friday also calling for Grossberg's resignation. "Conduct of the kind alleged has no place in our Commonwealth," the statement said. Kentucky Young Democrats In early August, Kentucky Young Democrats shared on social media that "several members" of the organization had come forward with concerns over Grossberg's behavior toward them and said it would review the allegations. The group also called for Grossberg to resign immediately. Allison Wiseman, the organization's president, doubled down on the call for resignation in a separate post. Our statement regarding the deeply disturbing story posted by @heraldleader on Tuesday evening regarding Rep. Daniel Grossberg. pic.twitter.com/bqDcTANK8W Kentucky Young Dems (@KyYoungDems) August 1, 2024 Gov. Andy Beshear While Kentucky's governor has not called for Grossberg to resign, he said the representative should give "serious thought" as to whether holding a public office is "the best or most appropriate place for him to be at this time" in response to a question at a Team Kentucky briefing in late August. "These allegations are very concerning and have only become more concerning as more allegations have come forward," Beshear said. "Everybody deserves to be free of harassment of any kind, and every workplace should be professional." Morgan Eaves, executive director of the Kentucky Democratic Party, posted on social media that she agreed with Beshear's statement. Louisville Democratic Party The Louisville Democratic Party posted on social media that while the claims against Grossberg are "allegations at this time," the organization has asked him to temporarily refrain from participating in its events while the ethics commission investigation takes place. Our statement on Representative Daniel Grossberg. pic.twitter.com/kJkUrd65bR Louisville Democratic Party (@LouKYDemParty) August 29, 2024 Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Who wants Rep. Grossberg to resign? What Beshear, others have said 2024 could be called the Year of FARA. Once an obscure and rarely enforced lobbying regulation, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) has become the center of several explosive political scandals this year. Last week, the FBI accused Russian agents of funneling $10 million to unwitting conservative podcasters and indicted a former deputy chief of staff to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for acting as a Chinese agent. Earlier this year, Sen. Bob Menendez (DN.J.) was convicted of taking bribes from Egyptian military intelligence. Congressional Democrats are now looking into whether Egypt did the same to Donald Trump's campaign. Meanwhile, the authorities have indicted Rep. Henry Cuellar (DTexas) for taking bribes from a Mexican bank and the Azerbaijani state oil company. And they're investigating New York City Mayor Eric Adams' staff for taking campaign money from Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan. All of these cases involved cloak-and-dagger conspiracies, allegedly funneling money to buy off political figures in secret. It's the kind of thing Americans think of when they hear the term "foreign agent"and the kind of thing that should probably be illegal. But espionage and deception are not the only activities covered by FARA, and "foreign influence" doesn't just refer to foreign agents on American soil. Practically, the question is how to separate Americans being ordered or tricked by a foreign government from Americans doing things of their own accord. Philosophically, the question is whether stamping out "foreign influence" is possible or desirable in a free societyespecially one that is so heavily involved in the rest of the world. Many of the attempts to infiltrate U.S. politics aren't coming from U.S. rivals. While China, Russia, and Iran have done their fair share of dirty tricks, American allies and partners have spent a lot of effort, both legally and illegally, trying to influence Washington. Many of these attempts come from the Middle East, where U.S. policy is constantly shifting, and where many U.S. partners are at odds with each other. FARA, passed in 1938 amid fears of Nazi infiltration, requires anyone who conducts "political activities for" or "represents the interests of" a foreign power to register with the Department of Justice. During the Cold War, the U.S. government tried to use the law to cast the writer W.E.B. Du Bois as a Soviet agent for his anti-war positions. After he was acquitted, the Department of Justice took a much more limited approach. Today, most registered foreign agents are lobbyists, lawyers, and public relations firms working for friendly countries. In 2022 and 2023, registered foreign agents gave $14.3 million in campaign contributions to American politicians, according to a report by the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, where I used to work as a researcher. The U.S. government also uses the term "foreign influence" to describe propaganda created abroad and aimed at American audiences, whether or not American agents were involved in making or spreading it. There is a long history of the U.S. government trying to stamp out this kind of propagandaand an equally long history of rulings that Americans have the First Amendment right to consume whatever media they want. In fact, the first time the Supreme Court had overruled Congress on First Amendment grounds concerned "foreign influence." In the 1960s, a law required the postmaster general to screen the mail for "communist political propaganda." When former American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) director Corliss Lamont received a notice that his copy of the Peking Review was being held up by the post office, he sued. (Lamont wasn't even a subscriber; "I was rather annoyed at getting the postcard," he later said.) The Supreme Court ruled that trying to withhold any media based on its content, even hostile foreign media, violated Americans' First Amendment rights. That hasn't stopped the U.S. government from using digital-age techniques to keep out foreign media. In 2021, authorities seized the .com domains of several news outlets, affiliated with the Iranian government or falsely accused of affiliation with the Iranian government, claiming that hosting an Iranian website on an American server would violate the economic embargo on Iran. This year, Congress forced the Chinese company ByteDance to divest from the social media platform TikTok over concerns that it could be used for propaganda. Since 2017, the Department of Justice has also required some foreign news outlets to register as foreign agents. Many civil libertarians are worried that the use of FARA against journalists could lead to "a 'nightmare scenario,' where government officials in the US were unhappy with a specific piece of journalism produced by an international outlet and tried to wield FARA to seek retribution," according to the Columbia Journalism Review. Leaving aside the First Amendment questions, the effectiveness of foreign propaganda is pretty questionable. During the 2016 election, Russia's Internet Research Agency reached 126 million Facebook users through fake accounts. Look at the accounts themselves, though, and they turn out to be peddling low-quality content slop in broken English. Boosting messages written by Americans has been similarly ineffective. The alleged $10 million Russian influence operation broken up last week had been funding a group of B-list political commentators, with a cumulative 16 million views on YouTube. Independent journalist Ken Klippenstein pointed out that his own "dumbass posts" on social media have nearly 30 times as many views. Russia's alleged influence network inside America shows the same lack of savvy in dealing with U.S. politics. In 2022, the Department of Justice accused Russian operatives of supporting a one-man Californian secessionist movement, a small black nationalist party, and a cult run by an accused rapist who used to make bizarre videos in Joker makeup. (They brought charges against the black nationalist party and cult leader in 2023.) In June 2020, The New York Times unveiled an Israeli influence campaign that tried to personally target members of Congress with social media messaging. Again, a closer look revealed something far less scary: Israeli operatives were spamming three congressmen's replies with heavy-handed propaganda, often written by ChatGPT. The operatives sometimes mixed up which accounts they were supposed to be using, speaking as a "middle-aged Jewish woman" from an account whose profile picture was a black man. A more effective propaganda technique has been leaking confidential information. In 2016, the Russian intelligence services stole and leaked emails from the Democratic Party servers. This year, Iranian hackers apparently did the same thing to Republican Party emails. Apparently trying to avoid the "mistakes" of 2016, the media has refused to publish the leaked Republican files. Of course, breaking into private computer networks is a crime, and journalists should be careful when dealing with stolen documents. But the crusade against "foreign influence" may lead journalists to hide stories that the public has an interest in knowing. In 2020, mainstream media refused to touch and social media networks suppressed reporting on files purportedly found on Hunter Biden's laptop. Even if the information became public unethically, that doesn't make it any less valuable. After all, when mysterious hackers leaked evidence of the Iranian government's torture and intimidation, foreign media rightfully focused on the government wrongdoing itself, rather than agonizing over whether the hack was a foreign intelligence operation. Perhaps the most effective means of buying influence are completely legal. FARA has an exemption for "bona fide religious, scholastic, academic, or scientific pursuits or of the fine arts." That has allowed foreign powers to funnel huge amounts of money into nonprofit policy research institutes, known as "think tanks," without registering these activities. Think tankers might object to the idea that foreign funding affects the content of their research. But it's quite obvious how think tank funding supports the funders' agendas, especially when think tankers are former or future political leaders. For example, in 2016, the United Arab Emirates paid $250,000 to the progressive-leaning Center for a New American Security (CNAS) for a private study on weapons export laws. (Michele Flournoy, a retired official from the Obama administration, and Ilan Goldenberg, a future adviser to Kamala Harris, were CNAS' points of contact with the UAE.) Then CNAS published a public report arguing that it should be easier for the UAE to import drones. In 2017, convicted pedophile and UAE government adviser George Nader reportedly provided funding indirectly to conferences by two neoconservative think tanks, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and the Hudson Institute, that were critical of Qatar, the UAE's regional rival. Nader reportedly hid the origin of the money by sending it in a "circuitous path" through Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy, according to documents obtained by the New York Times. Broidy denies the claim and has said that he used his own money to support the conferences, and his lawyers said that he "has never agreed to work for, been retained or compensated by, nor taken direction from any foreign government directly or indirectly for any interaction with the United States government." Separately, he later pleaded guilty for FARA violations in an influence-peddling scheme involving a fugitive Malaysian banker, and was pardoned by former President Donald Trump.* And in 2022, the Department of Justice opened an investigation into the centrist Brookings Institution's relationship with Qatar, which had donated many millions of dollars over the years. Some in the anti-war and noninterventionist camp would like tighter regulation around this type of funding, in order to prevent foreign powers from pulling the U.S. into overseas entanglements. The Quincy Institute wants the Department of Justice to require more detail in FARA disclosures, impose fines for failure to disclose, and enforce FARA on think tanks. Some civil libertarians, however, believe that cracking down on think tanks would threaten Americans' ability to engage in charity workand that FARA is already too expansive. When the Department of Justice started to tighten FARA enforcement on think tanks in late 2021 and early 2022, the ACLU and the libertarian foundation Americans for Prosperity warned that the crackdown could "undermine and chill First Amendment rights to speech and association." For example, the Department of Justice required a pro-life organization to register as a foreign agent when it hosted a foreign delegation to the March for Life in Washington and required an environmental organization to register as a foreign agent because it received money from a Norwegian development fund. And then there's the question of when organic American support for foreign causes, which is a clear First Amendment right, bleeds into coordination with foreign powers. The Irish, Armenian, and Israeli nationalist causes historically leaned heavily on American diasporas, sometimes courting controversy. For example, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) considers itself a grassroots organization of Americans who support a closer relationship with Israel. However, critics such as Rep. Thomas Massie (RKy.) argue that AIPAC should be registered as a foreign agent due to its close adherence to the Israeli government line. Leaked Israeli government emailsthemselves probably taken by Iranian hackersshowed that Israeli officials have discussed the possibility that their American supporters were violating FARA. The debate over Middle Eastern influence became a real-life Spider-Man meme in 2017. Al Jazeera, a TV station funded by the Qatari government, announced that it was going to release a documentary series about Israeli influence operations in America based on hidden camera footage taken by a reporter pretending to be a pro-Israel activist. The footage includes Israeli Brig. Gen. Sima Vaknin-Gil telling a pro-Israel conference in Washington that "we are a different government working on foreign soil, and we have to be very, very cautious." The general lays out the different Israeli intelligence gathering "subcampaigns" in America. "This is something that only a country with its resources can do the best. We have FDDwe have others working on this," she adds, apparently referring to the neoconservative think tank. The FDD did not respond at the time to Al Jazeera's request for comment, and it did not reply to Reason's query before this piece was initially published. After this article appeared, an FDD spokesperson told Reason via email that "FDD receives no funds or other support and no instructions from any foreign government."** Several members of Congress demanded a FARA investigation into Al Jazeera over the "reports that it infiltrated American 501(c)(3) and (c)(4) nonprofit organizations" and its "record of radical anti-American, anti-Semitic, and anti-Israel broadcasts." Qatar went into damage control mode. It hired a former staffer for Sen. Ted Cruz (RTexas) to do outreach to Jewish-American organizations, and the Qatari emir himself reportedly ordered Al Jazeera not to air the documentary, which was leaked to YouTube anyways. In other words, those members of Congress were accusing Al Jazeera of acting as a foreign agent by accusing the pro-Israel movement and neoconservatives of acting as foreign agents. No one involved in the controversy was against foreign influence in principle, and indeed, Qatar and Israel both found Americans apparently willing to work with a foreign government in a domestic political battle. A war on "foreign influence" as a concept is likely to be as successful as the war on drugs and the war on terror. Perhaps it makes sense to look at each type of foreign activity separately. Fraud, theft, bribery, and blackmail should be crimes, whether the perpetrators are American or not. Foreign propaganda is probably an unavoidable part of living in a society with free speech, and the best solution to bad speech is more speech. It would also benefit Washington to look in the mirror. The U.S. government interferes heavily in the politics of different countries around the world. And that's not just a matter of hypocrisy. U.S. involvement gives the affected countries a direct stake in U.S. politics. After all, swaying the vote of a few members of Congress could help redirect huge amounts of American guns and money. It's especially true when so much of U.S. national security policy is already made through backroom dealing rather than public debate. Having a more modest, more transparent, and more carefully targeted foreign policy wouldn't end all foreign influence. But it couldn't hurt to try. *UPDATE: This article has been updated to clarify the prior reporting about the funding of the think tank conferences, note that Broidy has denied the claim, and reflect that Broidy was pardoned after pleading guilty to a FARA violation in a separate situation. **UPDATE: This article has been updated to include comments from the FDD. The post The War on 'Foreign Influence' Has Become a War on the First Amendment appeared first on Reason.com. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Happy Monday, Utah! Southerly flow remains in place Monday which will allow for additional isolated showers and thunderstorms across Utah later today. Bottom Line?! Hot and hazy conditions continue for the state with isolated thunderstorms in the mix as well, best chances of thunderstorms across southern Utah. Strong outflow winds will remain the main threat except for the southern half of the state, heavier rainfall is possible due to better moisture in the area. Flash flood potential is possible for Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Zion National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and the Swell. As we head into Tuesday, a southwesterly flow will begin to move in, gradually drying out the late-season monsoonal moisture from southwest to northeast. There will still be enough moisture hanging around for some isolated storms, especially in central and northern Utah, east of I-15. Temperatures on Tuesday will stay about five degrees above normal in the north, with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s along the Wasatch Front. Southern Utah will stay closer to average. As we move into midweek, a longwave trough will dig into the western U.S., bringing stronger south to southwesterly winds to much of the area on Wednesday. Expect windy conditions, especially in western valleys and possibly further east. Relative humidity will drop below 15% in most valleys south of I-80, which could mean fire weather alerts if conditions are dry enough. The timing of a cold front moving into northern Utah is expected Wednesday night, continuing through central, southern, and eastern Utah on Thursday. This may keep winds elevated through Thursday, especially in the southern and eastern valleys. After the cold front passes, temperatures in the north will drop significantly, around 20 degrees, bringing highs in the Wasatch Front down to the upper 60s. Meanwhile, southern Utah will only cool by about five degrees. Given the ongoing wildfires in Oregon and Idaho, the front may also bring more smoke into the area. As for rain, the best chances for measurable precipitation are across northern Utah and southwest Wyoming on Thursday, especially north of I-80. By Friday, most models show the upper trough moving away from the area, with drier air moving back in for the weekend. Northern Utah might stay cooler through Friday, but temperatures should bounce back by the weekend as a dry westerly flow takes over. Well give you the latest updates in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah! Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Warrant Issued for Man Who Allegedly Threw Piping Hot Coffee on Baby in Unprovoked Attack The victim, who was a 9-month-old boy, was with his family at Hanlon Park when he was attacked on Aug. 27 Queensland Police Image of suspect wanted in relation to an infant having boiling coffee thrown over them Police are searching for a man who allegedly threw scalding coffee on a baby in Queensland, Australia. On Monday, Sept. 9, Queensland Police confirmed in a statement that an arrest warrant had been issued after the attack on Aug. 27. Police have issued an arrest warrant for a man that may be able to assist with investigations into the assault of an infant in Stones Corner last month, the press release read. The victim, who was a 9-month-old boy, was with his family at Hanlon Park around midday at the time. A man not known to the group approached them and poured a hot liquid onto the child, before leaving the scene, authorities said. Emergency crews were called, and the young boy was taken to hospital with serious burns. 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. Queensland Police CCTV footage of suspect released by Queensland Police Related: 2 Baby Boys, Both 6 Months Old, Die After Being Left in Hot Cars in Separate States on Same Day Police say the boy has since been released from hospital, with Morningside Child Protection Investigation Unit detectives identifying the alleged suspect as a 33-year-old foreign national. The man has since left the county and Queensland Police are working with national and international partner agencies to progress this investigation further, authorities said, per the release. There is no further information available. Investigations are continuing. After the incident, police appealed for more information. They also released CCTV footage of the alleged perpetrator running from where the attack took place. Wearing a black hat, blue shirt, shorts and glasses, the man in the video was captured running across roads and multiple pathways. Queensland Police CCTV footage of suspect Related: Texas Deputy Arrested for Allegedly Leaving His Baby in Hot Car for Hours; Boy in Critical Condition According to CNN, Queensland Police are working with international partners to find the mans whereabouts. Its been said he fled Australia four days after the unprovoked attack. The outlet also reports the baby suffered burns on his legs, arms and face. It soon became apparent to us that this person was aware of police methodologies, was certainly conducting counter surveillance activities, which made the investigation quite complex, Queensland Police Detective Inspector Paul Dalton told reporters, per CNN. Its reported that after taking a taxi to Brisbanes city center and driving to New South Wales, the suspect took a flight from Sydney Airport on Aug. 31. While police are unaware of the mans motives, they have reportedly been able to identify his name, which they have chosen not to disclose. PEOPLE has contacted Queensland Police for further comment For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A Warren man Friday was sentenced to over 11 and a half years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty earlier this year to having drugs delivered to his home. Robert Lang, 29, received a sentence of 140 months in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio from U.S. Judge Donald C. Nugent following a May 20 guilty plea to a charge of attempted possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The sentence will run concurrently with a probation violation Lang received for another federal drug case in 2018. Lang was arrested Oct. 11 after federal authorities tracked a package that was delivered to him from a home on Clearwater Street NW to Stephens Avenue NW. A criminal complaint was filed against him the next day. Earlier in the day, federal agents got a search warrant after a package delivered to a FedEx facility in Cleveland addressed to the Clearwater Street NW home was found to have fentanyl inside. Agents replaced the fentanyl with a fake substitute and delivered the package themselves and then watched the home where it was delivered, an affidavit in the case said. Agents installed a tracking device in the package and an invisible dye was also sprayed on the package that would show up on anyone who handled it. The affidavit said Lang went to the Clearwater Street NW home, got the package, and took it to the Stephens Avenue NW home, where authorities stopped him after he got there. Reports said the package was opened and an examination with an ultralight device showed Lang had the dye on him from handling the package. The affidavit said Lang was questioned, and he admitted picking up the package but said he did not know what was supposed to be inside. Lang also admitted to receiving three prior packages from the same sender that had drugs in them, the affidavit said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Watch a 100,000-mile-high tower of plasma erupt from the sun in this stunning video When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Mark Johnston Astrophotographer Mark Johnston got a front row seat to an epic fireworks show. Johnston, a NASA solar system ambassador and vice president of the Phoenix Astronomical Society, was observing the sun in late August with a custom telescope when he captured images of incredible arcs of plasma (super heated gases) known as solar prominences rising to incredible heights above the surface of our star. Johnston assembled the images he got of the solar spectacle into the stunning video above. "The height of the largest of the two prominences in the video is about 160K km or 100K miles," Johnston told Space.com via email. fiery swirls of plasma on the sun's surface VIDEO NOT DISPLAYING? Some ad blockers can disable our video player. "For the video, I took about 100 540-frame videos 25 seconds apart, so that the time lapse video represents about an hour of real time activity on the sun. Some images in the video are more blurry than others due to momentary changes in atmospheric seeing conditions. "In general the seeing was good, about 4/5. All images taken by me from my backyard in Scottsdale, Arizona." In addition to the epic video, Johnston captured breathtaking stills of the sun's activity. "The static images were captured between 16:00-17:00 UT [(12 p.m. ET and 1 p.m. ET)] on Aug. 29," Johnston said. "Each static image requires taking a 2000-frame high-speed video of 9 millisecond exposures. Then I extract the 200 most in-focus frames and apply further sharpening, denoise and add color." Image 1 of 3 fiery swirls of plasma on the sun's surface Image 2 of 3 fiery swirls of plasma on the sun's surface Image 3 of 3 fiery swirls of plasma on the sun's surface Johnston caught some incredible solar fireworks three days prior to shooting the footage above. "In one of them, there is a large triangular blob of plasma ejected by the sun, still faintly connected via plasma that follows magnetic field lines," Johnston said. fiery arcs of plasma erupt from the sun "In the other there is an unusual scythe-shaped prominence." fiery arcs of plasma erupt from the sun "For all photos I used my TEC160FL refractor which I custom-modified into a double stacked hydrogen-alpha solar telescope," Johnston wrote. a white telescope in a grassy backyard Remember: viewing the sun can be dangerous without the right equipment. Never look directly at the sun with the naked eye, especially through additional optics like telescopes or binoculars. Whatever gear you use, make sure it has a certified solar filter. If you're just getting started, a smart telescope with a solar filter like the Unistellar Equinox 2 might be your best bet. Editor's Note: If you snap an image of the sun - taking all precautions - and would like to share it with Space.coms readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com. How to Watch the ABC News Presidential Debate Live: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Face Off in Philly Harris and Trump will meet each other in person for the first time on Sept. 10 to participate in one of the highest-stakes political events in modern history Slaven Vlasic/Getty; Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg/Getty Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will have their first debate on Sept. 10, 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are finally set to meet for their first debate of the 2024 presidential election season on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The matchup between Harris, 59, and Trump, 78, may be the only one before Election Day on Nov. 5, as no additional debates are currently scheduled between the nominees. Their campaigns have suggested that they are open to putting another on the calendar. Related: Donald Trump Agrees to ABC News Debate with Kamala Harris in September After Previously Saying He Wouldn't The showdown which will mark Harris and Trump's first time standing face to face follows a chaotic couple of months for both candidates. Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania campaign rally on July 13, days before he accepted his party's nomination at the Republican National Convention. Harris, on the other hand, only entered the race on July 21, after President Joe Biden made the shocking move to end his reelection campaign as a direct result of his June debate performance against Trump. Within weeks of taking Biden's place at the top of the ticket, Harris formally accepted the Democratic Party's nomination. Related: First 2024 Presidential Debate Recap: Joe Biden Sparks Concerns, Donald Trump Lies ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Kamala Harris accepts her party's nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22, 2024 Trump was long considered the frontrunner of the 2024 election, as Biden, 81, struggled to overcome low favorability ratings and concerns about his age. Since Harris stepped in, Democrats have seemingly leveled the playing field, making the candidates' matchup on Tuesday a high-stakes occasion. Read on for everything to know about the first presidential debate between Harris and Trump on Sept. 10. How to Watch Live and Where to Stream Host network ABC News will make the debate widely available on all its platforms. The presidential debate which runs from 9-10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 10 will air live on ABC and will stream live on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. The full debate will also be made available to podcast listeners on ABC News' podcast Start Here. In an effort to make Harris and Trump's first presidential debate as accessible as possible, ABC News has also given other news networks permission to air the event, meaning you can stream the debate on most platforms where you get live news. Some outlets will stream the debate for free online for those without cable or streaming apps. PBS News, for example, is expected to air the debate for free on its YouTube channel. Who Is Moderating the Debate? Mike Coppola/Getty Images; Michael Le Brecht II/ABC via Getty Images ABC News' David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the presidential debate on Sept. 10, 2024 ABC News' David Muir and Linsey Davis were tapped to host ABC News' presidential debate on Tuesday. Muir, 51, hosts ABC World News Tonight and has moderated multiple presidential primary debates. He has previously interviewed both Trump and Harris. Davis, 46, hosts the Sunday edition of World News Tonight as well as ABC News Live on primetime. She has also moderated presidential primary debates. George Stephanopoulos, a former White House communications director for Bill Clinton who now leads much of ABC News' political coverage, will notably be absent at the debate. Stephanopoulos, 63, is the subject of a lawsuit filed by Trump earlier this year, which claims that the ABC News anchor defamed him by saying on the air that Trump was found liable of "raping" former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll (the former president was found liable of sexual abuse, not rape). Trump has repeatedly expressed his disdain for Stephanopoulos on the campaign trail, likely contributing to ABC News' choice of debate moderators. What Are the Rules? Justin Sullivan/Getty Former President Donald Trump at the June 27, 2024, debate against President Joe Biden Trump and Harris battled over the rules of the debate in recent weeks. Trump's campaign reportedly wanted to keep microphones muted when candidates aren't speaking and restrict candidates from bringing notes on stage with them. Harris' campaign wanted microphones to stay unmuted, seemingly so that viewers at home could hear when Trump was being disruptive and so that Harris would have more chances to shut him down. Trump ultimately got his way, with ABC News announcing that candidates had agreed on the same debate rules that Trump and Biden followed during CNN's debate in June, which means microphones will be muted when candidates are not speaking, and no props or pre-written notes will be allowed on stage. Each candidate will be provided a pen, pad of paper and water bottle. During the program, candidates will have two minutes to answer each question and two minutes for rebuttals. They can get an extra minute if they have a follow-up question, clarification or response. On stage, candidates must remain behind their podiums. During commercial breaks, they may not consult with their campaign staff. Related: Hillary Clinton on That Time 'Creep' Donald Trump Followed Behind Her at the 2016 Debate: 'My Skin Crawled' When Is the Vice Presidential Debate? Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance have two vice presidential debates scheduled Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, is currently scheduled to debate Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, one time before the election. Walz, 60, and Vance, 40, will take the stage in New York City on Oct. 1 to defend their respective parties' platforms. The vice presidential debate, coordinated by CBS News, will be moderated by CBS Evening News anchor Norah O'Donnell and Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. 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. | Charles Rex Arbogast On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will take the debate stage opposite each other for the first time at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The debate comes just weeks after Harris accepted the Democratic Partys nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta and less than two months before Election Day. David Muir and Linsey Davis, anchors of World News Tonight on ABC will moderate the debate. Heres what viewers need to know. How can viewers watch the debate? The debate will air at 7 p.m. MDT on ABC. Viewers without access to ABC can stream it via ABC News Live, Disney+, Hulu, ABCs website and the ABC app. The debate will also be simulcast on other channels, like CNN, CBS, C-SPAN, FOX News, MSNBC, NBC, The Grio and NewsNation. It will run for around 90 minutes with two commercial breaks. What are the debate rules? As was the case in the June presidential debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, there will be no audience and participant microphones will be turned off while the other is speaking. Leading up to the debate, Harris was trying to change the debate rules to keep mics live, while Trumps team wanted to keep them off, the Deseret News previously reported. The campaigns eventually agreed the mics would be off. The moderators, Muir and Davis, will ask the questions, to which Harris and Trump will have two minutes to respond and an additional two minutes for responses to each other. The rules also permit them to take another minute for clarifications, follow-ups and responses, reports The Hill. Neither side is allowed any props or prewritten notes, though they are permitted a bottle of water, pen and paper for note-taking during the debate. The candidates will face each other at their podiums and enter from opposite side of the stage. While there are no opening statements allowed, each candidate will have two minutes to deliver a closing statement. Trump won a coin toss that allowed him to choose to deliver his closing statement last. Questions and debate topics were not divulged to either campaign in advance, and both candidates cannot communicate with their teams during the debate. Will there be any more debates between Harris and Trump in the future? Whether there will be another debate between Harris and Trump remains to be seen, though Harris vice presidential pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, is set to debate Trumps pick, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, on Oct. 1. Their debate will be aired on CBS News. (Bloomberg) -- Sakana AI sees potential for more strategic investors in Japan as rising US-China tensions spur the country to boost its own AI ecosystem. Most Read from Bloomberg Growing geopolitical risks are heightening interest in the Tokyo-based startup, which recently announced a $100 million-plus funding round that includes Nvidia Corp., according to Sakanas co-founder and Chief Executive Officer David Ha. We think that a strong economy like Japan would want to advance their own AI ecosystem, and we want to be part of that, Ha said in an interview with Bloomberg TV Monday. He added, however, that the recent funding round gives the company more than enough ammunition to develop its technology. Google Alums Go Big in Japan With Months-Old Startup Sakana AI Sakanas focus on a large number of small models that work together, rather than on one large foundational model, is attracting outsized interest in resource-poor Japan. The island nation, which relies almost wholly on energy imports, has been exploring more energy-efficient ways to catch up in artificial intelligence. The group will work with Nvidia on research as well as on AI infrastructure in Japan, including data centers, Ha said. Japan has given an outsized welcome to the venture, which has around 20 people. The companys co-founders include Ha, who helped set up the Google Brain research team in Tokyo, and Llion Jones, one of the authors of a key paper that launched the current AI wave. --With assistance from Min Jeong Lee. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. President Biden on Monday will mark the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with an event at the White House. The ADA seeks to include individuals with disabilities in all aspects of public life, from social connections to political engagement to career development. Biden will also celebrate Disability Pride Month, which seeks to showcase contributions being made by individuals with disabilities. This years observances are later in the year than usual, with the celebrations hstorically taking place in July, the month of the acts original signing. Biden signed a proclamation in July marking the anniversary of the landmark civil rights law. The event is slated to begin at 5 p.m. EDT. Watch the live video above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A 21-story skyscraper in Louisiana, abandoned for almost four years, was demolished over the weekend after it was damaged beyond repair by multiple hurricanes which passed through the region starting in August 2020. The Hertz Tower, formerly known as the Capital One Tower in Lake Charles, was reduced to a pile of dust and rubble on Saturday after demolition crew set off a series of explosions inside during a planned demolition. Video footage captured by Adam Janies shows the building collapsing within seconds into a pile that was around five stories high, marking the end of an era spanning 41 years. Watch demolition of Lake Charles tower The demolition included the lower atrium, the 21-story tower, and a sky bridge that connected the main structure to the parking garage, the city of Lake Charles said in an update on the city's website. The parking garage was not demolished. Demolition work on the tower was carried out privately by the owner of the former Capital One Tower, Hertz Investment Group, the city said. "This project is a private project, contracted out by the private property owners, and being paid for with private dollars," the city said. Building damaged during Hurricane Laura The tower, which was the tallest building in Lake Charles and a prominent feature of the citys skyline for more than four decades, was majorly damaged when Hurricane Laura hit Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast in August 2020 and powerful winds ripped through the city. Many of the glass windows up the 22-story tower were blown out as glass fell from the building. A building with its windows blown out is seen in the downtown area after Hurricane Laura passed through on August 27, 2020 in Lake Charles, Louisiana . The hurricane hit with powerful winds causing extensive damage to the city. Hurricanes by state: Top 5 states hit by hurricanes most often: See how many they've had since 1851 The building also sustained damages and became an eyesore with shattered windows and shredded tarps after subsequent hurricanes such as Hurricane Delta hit the region. In the aftermath of the damages, the owners put the building up for sale, KSLA reported, but were unable to secure a buyer given the extensive repair work involved. 'Emotional moment,' says Mayor Nic Hunter Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter, in a detailed post on Facebook, said the demolition of the tower was "tough" and an "emotional moment for a lot of us." Hunter said his administration made multiple efforts to save the Capital One Tower, meeting with "a dozen potential development groups who were interested in rehabilitating" the building. "We never declined any meeting request from anyone who wished to discuss this property," Hunter said. "In each instance, every single time, with each group who asked to meet with us, we laid out a variety of incentives." However, nothing seemed to work out in the post-COVID real estate landscape given renovation costs for the tower after ranged from $100 million to $150 million, Hunter said. An escalator is seen in Capital One Tower that had its windows blown out in the downtown area after Hurricane Laura passed through on August 27, 2020 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The hurricane hit with powerful winds causing extensive damage to the city. Hunter said he did not want The Hertz Tower to follow the same path as 45-story Plaza Tower in New Orleans that has remained in a derelict state for almost 20 years after it was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. "Had my administration not taken the steps we did, Lake Charles would have our own Plaza Tower simply by another name," Hunter said. The mayor concluded by saying that while the demolition was an emotional moment, the city is not "defined by one building." "All of this doesnt mean that the tower coming down shouldnt have been an emotional moment for a lot of us," Hunter said. "It was emotional for me, but I know that this City is not defined by one building. This morning, the sun rose on Lake Charles, and all that makes this community so wonderful and special was still here as well." Located on the banks of the Calcasieu River and close to the Texas border, Lake Charles is about two hours from Houston and three hours from New Orleans. Cleanup work around the demolition is expected to take approximately 90 days post-implosion, the city said, adding that the site will be ready for development after that. However, the future of the site is yet to be determined. Contributing: Ryan W. Miller, Trevor Hughes, Rick Jervis, Doyle Rice, USA TODAY 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: Lake Charles' Capital One Tower demolished: Watch video of implosion Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and former President Trump will have their first debate on Tuesday. (Robert Gauthier; Julia Nikhinson / Los Angeles Times; Associated Press) Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump will meet for the first time on a Philadelphia debate stage Tuesday evening, giving Americans their first chance at evaluating the candidates side by side, less than two months before Election Day. Read more: Harris and Trump are getting ready for Tuesday's debate in sharply different ways What time is the debate? The debate begins at 6 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, Sept. 10. It will last 90 minutes, and there will be two commercial breaks, according to ABC. How to watch the debate ABC will air the event on television and several streaming networks, including ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. It will also be available on the ABC app and online at ABC.com. In addition to ABC, other news outlets will carry the debate live, including C-SPAN, CNN, CBS, NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, BBC, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, Fox News, NewsNation, NewsMax, Scripps News, Spectrum, Bloomberg and The CW. Streaming or other networks will probably be an option for DirecTV subscribers who find they cannot access the debate. Because of a dispute over a distribution deal, Walt Disney Co.-owned channels, including ABC stations, were knocked off DirecTV platforms on Sept. 1 and it's unclear when the dispute will be resolved. Who is moderating the debate? Anchors of the ABC show "World News Tonight" David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate. How will it work? The two candidates will meet onstage at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, with no studio audience. There will be no opening statements. After introducing each candidate, the moderators will launch into questions. Harris and Trump, who will stand behind lecterns, are not allowed to bring props or prewritten notes. They will be given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water. They will have two minutes for answers and rebuttals, and one extra minute for follow-ups, according to the debate rules. Despite the Harris campaign's request to leave the microphones on for the entire debate, a candidate's microphone will be on only when it is their time to speak. Based on a coin flip, Trump chose to get the final word and give the last two-minute closing statement. The last debate Tuesday's debate marks 2 months since President Biden and Trump faced off, beginning the rapid demise of Biden's presidential bid. The president appeared meandering and confused throughout the debate, giving incomplete answers and seeming to lose his train of thought at multiple points. Trump also gave incomplete and meandering answers, including a multitude of falsehoods. But Biden's disastrous performance alarmed Democrats, who feared it could cost them the presidential race. Pressure in his own party for Biden to drop out mounted, and less than a month after the June 27 debate, Biden heeded the call. He immediately threw his support behind Harris as his replacement to become the Democratic nominee. She kicked off a whirlwind campaign, clinching the nomination, naming Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate and quickly overtaking Biden in the polls. Trump's campaign scrambled to reorganize itself around a new opponent, blasting Harris for her work on the border and the Biden administration's economic record and launching a flurry of personal insults, including questioning Harris' race. The Biden-Trump debate on CNN in June averaged 51.3 million television viewers, well below the viewership the first time they debated in September 2020, when 73 million viewers tuned in. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Good governance groups urged the 2024 presidential contenders to disclose their top campaign fundraisers, a common bipartisan practice but not a legal requirement. While individual contributions to federal campaigns are capped at $3,300 each for the primary and general elections, bundlers mobilize their networks to collect hundreds of thousands and sometimes even millions of dollars for candidates. For their efforts, these fundraisers may receive presidential appointments and access. Government accountability depends on transparency in our campaign finance system, and that includes transparency about presidential campaign bundlers. This is why we call on you today to implement a system to regularly and meaningfully release information about your campaign bundlers before Election Day, the coalition wrote in letters first shared with The Hill to Vice President Harris, former President Trump and independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who suspended his campaign last month but remains on the ballot in certain states. Campaigns are only legally required to disclose bundlers who are registered federal lobbyists or affiliated PACs to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The Trump campaign has disclosed one lobbyist bundler as of the end of July, Jeff Miller. The Harris campaign has disclosed two PACs, JStreet PAC and Reproductive Freedom For All PAC, as bundlers. But these disclosures reveal little about the broader picture of groups and individuals helping both candidates bankroll their campaigns, and neither campaign has disclosed information about their campaign bundlers so far this election cycle. The Trump campaign which did not disclose non-lobbyist bundlers during the 2016 or 2020 election has at least seven bundling tiers, ranging from the $15,000 Trump Force to the million-dollar Ultra MAGA, Puck News reported in January. NBC News reported last September that the four tiers of 2024 campaign bundlers for President Bidens campaign would receive various sweeteners such as invitations to events with the president and Harris, who officially became the Democratic nominee last month. Democrats and Republicans, including former Presidents George W. Bush and Obama, 2008 GOP presidential nominee John McCain and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, have voluntarily disclosed their top fundraisers, as did the Biden-Harris campaign during the 2020 election cycle. The coalition encouraged the candidates to continue the tradition, saying, Implementing a robust bundler disclosure system that publicly displays information about all individuals who raise $50,000 or more for your campaign would help demonstrate your commitment to transparency. Thirteen organizations signed onto the letter spearheaded by Issue One, a nonprofit that aims to reduce the influence of money in politics: American Promise, Business for America, Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, League of Women Voters of the United States, Michigan Campaign Finance Network, National Legal and Policy Center, OpenSecrets, Project On Government Oversight, Public Citizen and RepresentUs. These groups sent similar letters to presidential candidates in October and January calling on candidates to routinely disclose their bundlers, which neither the three candidates nor Biden, who dropped out of the presidential race in July, have done. The Harris campaign, Trump campaign and Kennedy campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Taylor Giorno previously worked for OpenSecrets. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Wegovy, Ozempic may someday be available as monthly injection A slow-release form of semaglutide could allow people who use Wegovy or Ozempic to get shots once a month, instead of the weekly injections they now take, a new study demonstrates. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News A slow-release form of semaglutide could allow people who use Wegovy or Ozempic to get shots once a month, instead of the weekly injections they now take, a new study demonstrates. The new formulation encases semaglutide in a hydrogel that slowly releases the drug as the gel dissolves, researchers said. "A small dollop of gel, known as a 'depot,' of the semaglutide-laden hydrogel is injected under the skin," said lead researcher Dr. Claire Megret, director of clinical and preclinical development for the French biotech company ADOCIA, which developed the gel. The hydrogel successfully released a smooth, steady stream of semaglutide to six lab rats, researchers said in a presentation at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes' annual meeting in Madrid. "Next we will be testing the hydrogel platform in pigs, whose skin and endocrine systems are most similar to those in humans," Megret said in a meeting news release. "If that goes well, we will move forward the platform development by expecting clinical trials within the next few years." Semaglutide promotes weight loss and helps control diabetes by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which is released in the gut in response to eating. The drug helps suppress appetite, slows down digestion and prompts the body to produce more insulin in response to elevated blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, semaglutide now must be given in weekly injections, which is tough on many patients, researchers said. Studies suggest that only 39% to 67% of type 2 diabetics keep up with their weekly semaglutide injections for a year, researchers said. Only 40% of patients who get the weekly shots for weight loss adhere to the drug regimen after a year. "Weekly injections can be burdensome for patients," Megret said. "A single shot a month could make it much easier for people living with diabetes or obesity to stick to their drug regimens, improving quality of life and reducing side effects and diabetes complications." The semaglutide-laden hydrogel doesn't require a special syringe, researchers said. An off-the-shelf needle can place the wad of gel under the skin. Because these findings were presented at a medical meeting, they should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. More information The Mayo Clinic has more on semaglutide. Copyright 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, giving a speech Feb. 25, 2022, to the white nationalist America First Political Action Conference (AFPAC). Flagstaff Republican state Sen. Wendy Rogers made headlines last week for celebrating the victory of far-right parties in Germany by posting lyrics from the countrys national anthem that were banned because they are a rallying cry for the Nazis, but the lawmaker has long befriended and amplified racists and antisemites. Last week on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, Rogers posted the phrase Deutschland, Deutschland uber alles after far-right German parties won multiple elections in the country. Those lyrics were banned in Germany after World War II as they were used by Hitlers Nazi party to stir up nationalism and as a rallying cry. Some local and national media picked up on Rogers use of the phrase, and the lawmaker denounced the criticism in a lengthy post on social media. I dont usually waste my time responding to Soros-funded smear campaigns from the Marxist press, but it seems theyre desperate for traffic this week, Rogers said, referring to antisemitic conspiracy theories around billionaire George Soros and the longstanding antisemitic trope that Jewish people control the media. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rogers often attempts to link Soros, a prominent liberal philanthropist and target of Republicans, to her criticisms of media she dislikes. Rogers went on to say her great grandfather served in World War I against Germany and that her grandfather served in Germany after WWI. She also commented that her father served during WWII against Germany and that she, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot, was stationed in Germany. So, when it comes to military history and Germanys role, I have a bit more experience than my Soros-funded Marxist press friends, Rogers said, adding that any affiliation she has with National Socialism is laughable and absurd. I reject that narrative entirely. Liking Germany, a current U.S. ally, doesnt equate to aligning with Nazis, Rogers said, avoiding the actual criticism of the pro-Nazi lyrics she posted. Maybe if these Arizona press trolls actually visited Germany, theyd loosen up a little. Its a beautiful place and lots of fun. Senate President Warren Petersen also came to Rogers defense on X, writing that Rogers does not nor has she ever supported Nazis. Petersen did not respond to a request for comment for this story. But Rogers has for years amplified Nazis, white nationalists and antisemites. The senator has a strong presence on social media, where she has amassed more than 360,000 followers on X and more than 66,000 subscribers on Telegram. She often posts links from far-right websites and personalities, and her posts are often shared by far-right influencers and personalities. Since she was elected in 2020, Rogers has become a darling in the Arizona GOP, leveraging her rabid support of election conspiracy theories into a national following that she has used to become a fundraising juggernaut. Over the years, she has become more ingrained with the far-right, and gone from amplifying their messages to participating in their events. In 2021, Rogers appeared multiple times on an online broadcast network that had made multiple antisemitic remarks. The network, TruNews, has a history of spreading antisemitic rhetoric, including a piece in which Rick Wiles, its founder, spent 90 minutes saying that seditious Jews were orchestrating Trumps impeachment. Wiles has also called the Jewish people tyrants and claimed that the antichrist will be a homosexual Jew. Both times she appeared on TruNews, Rogers was interviewed by Lauren Witzke, a conspiracy theorist with a history of antisemitism. Witzke is connected to other known white nationalists and antisemites, participated in a white nationalist youth event in Arizona in 2022 and echoed white nationalist beliefs during an appearance on the white nationalist podcast No White Guilt, on which she promoted the Great Replacement theory. Rogers has also promoted the Great Replacement theory. That idea, popular among white supremacists, holds that white Americans are purposefully being replaced by immigrants, and has been seized upon by extremist groups such as the American Identity Movement and Generation Identity. It has also stoked violence, including Anders Behring Breiviks murderous rampage in 2011 at a Norwegian youth summer camp and the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh in 2018, the deadliest attack against the Jewish community in United States history. Just before it took place, the killer took to right-wing social media site Gab to say he believed that immigrants were being brought in to replace and kill our people. The next year in New Zealand, 51 people would be killed and 40 injured but not before the shooter would post a 74-page manifesto titled The Great Replacement. And in 2019, in El Paso, Texas, a shooter who killed 23 in a Walmart cited the New Zealand manifesto in one of his own, saying the mass shooting was a response to the hispanic invasion of Texas. Republican legislators spoke at Patriot Double Down, a QAnon conference. L to R: Rep. Leo Biasiucci of Lake Havasu City, Rep. Mark Finchem of Oro Valley, Sen. Sonny Borrelli of Lake Havasu City and Sen. Wendy Rogers of Flagstaff. Rogers, along with other Arizona lawmakers, also appeared at a QAnon event in 2021 that featured antisemitic imagery. That same year, Rogers, along with a litany of other members of the AZGOP, appeared along with known white nationalists and neo-Nazis at an event in Phoenix. In 2022, Rogers delivered a video message at the America First Political Action Conference, a conference hosted by known white nationalist and antisemite Nick Fuentes. At that same event, multiple other speakers with ties to neo-Nazis, white nationalists and antisemites spoke, often spewing bigoted rhetoric. Rogers refused to condemn Fuentes when challenged to do so by her Senate colleagues. Rogers was ultimately censured by the Senate not for antisemitic social media postings or for speaking at Fuentes conference but because she threatened members of the Senate with retribution if they supported the censure. Her own Senate colleagues investigated her for her use of the phrase fed boy summer to describe a mass shooting by a racist in Buffalo, New York, who targeted Black shoppers at a grocery store. The phrase is similar to white boy summer, a viral meme used by neo-Nazis and white nationalists in 2021. Fuentes adopted the phrase for his summer road trip in 2021, which included an alleged event with Prescott Republican Congressman Paul Gosar. And Rogers has touted an endorsement by antisemite and Gab founder Andrew Torba, and she posted a meme on his site of Torba, Rogers and Fuentes killing a rhinoceros symbolizing Republicans in Name Only that was adorned with the Jewish Star of David. By 2022, researchers monitoring extremism were seeing an increase in racist rhetoric as more people had begun diving into beliefs that had been amplified by Rogers and others on the far right. That same year, Rogers began cozying up closer to Fuentes and his supporters, who are known as groypers. The lawmaker even asked Fuentes groyper army to go after some of her political rivals, a move that researchers called unprecedented. The self-styled online army that Rogers was imploring to rally to her aid is a collection of white nationalists who often use online trolling tactics against people they dont like. Their goals broadly include normalizing their extreme and racist views by aligning them with Christianity and so-called traditional values. Last year, Rogers once again appeared on another one of Wtizkes shows, this time accompanied by Sen. Justine Wadsack, R-Tucson. The new network which the duo appeared on is run by Stew Peters, a well-known conspiracy theorist who also has spread antisemitic conspiracy theories, including blaming Jewish people for the sinking of the Titanic. He also is a well-known purveyor of COVID-19 misinformation. Witzke has also appeared in videos on Peters channel promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories, such as claiming that the Jewish people orchestrated the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Sens. Justine Wadsack, R-Tucson, and Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, pose with disgraced retired Army Gen. Michael Flynn on Nov. 1, 2023, at an event at Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. (Photo via Twitter) Just last month, Rogers was amplifying an antisemitic conspiracy theory being promoted by Peters on X. Dont read this before you go to bed tonight, Rogers wrote on X, quoting a post that claims there is a shadow government before listing some of the alleged organizations behind it. The conspiracy theory, known as the Committee of 300, dates back to the early 20th century. In the modern era, the conspiracy theory has inspired a wide swath of radicals and antisemites who have used it as proof of a nefarious plan by Jewish elites. At its core, the conspiracy theory claims that the committee is an international organization with leaders from every nation, and that it holds special power over the United States. Those mainly at the helm of the committee are alleged to be Jewish, a common trope in antisemitic rhetoric. In 1912, German writer Theodor Fritsch took a quote by German politician Walther Rathenau to suggest that there were 300 men who had influence in politics of the region. Fritsch took this to claim that Rathenau was confessing that the Jewish people had power over other cultures and countries. This belief was further spread with the antisemitic hoax The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. That publication is the most widely shared antisemitic propaganda, and it has been prominently debunked as fake; the Elders of Zion is listed as part of the conspiracy that was re-posted by Rogers. Rathenau later addressed the controversy, saying that the 300 men he mentioned were leaders in the business world, not Jews. However, in June 1922, Rathenau was assassinated by an ultra-nationalist group, with one of the assassins citing Rathenaus membership in the 300 Elders of Zion as a reason behind the killing. Peters, on whose show Rogers appeared in 2021, has been increasingly showcasing antisemitism on his social media profiles and on his show. In promotional material, Peters has praised the mass book burning conducted by the Nazis in the lead up to World War II. He also recently began promoting a documentary he made that focuses on the conspiracy theory that Jews control the United States. They did exactly what reasonable people would do if given the opportunity, Peters said of the Nazi book burnings. The video featured a montage of antisemitic propaganda created by Nazi Germany. Peters has called for violence at the U.S.-Mexico border, used racist terminology and spoke at the same white nationalist conference that Rogers spoke at. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE These were the 5 most common traffic citations in Myrtle Beach, SC over the last year Horry County has plenty of traffic every year. Between tourists and locals, millions of people drive and ride on county roads annually. In 2022, the last year with publicly available data, Horry County had more than 3.7 billion vehicle miles traveled (VMT), according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. While more recent numbers havent been published, the countys VMT have risen steadily every year since 2020, so its likely Horry County got even more traffic last year. In that traffic, not all of it was completely legal. From speeding to driving with a suspended license, these were the most common traffic violations in the city of Myrtle Beach between June 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, based on data obtained from the city of Myrtle Beach. 1. Speeding Over the 13-month period, officers in Myrtle Beach issued 3,882 citations for drivers violating speeding laws. Of the incidents, 207 were violations of the South Carolina Code of Laws requirement that motorists not drive, at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards, on highways. The remaining 3,675 speeding citations violated posted speed limits. 982 were issued to drivers going 10 mph or less over the speed limit 636 were issued to drivers going more than 10 mph but less than 15 mph over the speed limit 1,777 were issued to drivers going more than 15 mph but less than 25 mph over the speed limit 280 issued to drivers going more than 25 mph over the speed limit 2. Driving an unlicensed or unregistered vehicle Another common citation in Myrtle Beach is for motorists driving a vehicle that wasnt properly licensed and registered in compliance with the law or failing to pay the fee required to do so. In 13 months, 1863 citations were issued to drivers who violated South Carolinas law that its, a misdemeanor for any person to drive, operate or move upon a highway or for the owner knowingly to permit to be driven, operated or moved upon a highway any such vehicle which is not registered and licensed and the required fee paid. 3. Driving without a license With 1503 citations, driving without a license is the third-most cited traffic violation on the list. A total of 1474 of the citations were for first offenses, 24 were for second offenses and five were for third or subsequent offenses. 4. Driving under suspension or with a suspended license after a DUI Although less than 400 DUI citations were issued in the city of Myrtle Beach Between June 1, 2023 and June 3, 2024, there were 989 violations for illegally driving after getting a DUI in the same time period. 5. Driving a vehicle in an unsafe condition During the 13-month period, 505 citations were issued to motorists operating vehicles that werent legally road safe. According to the South Carolina Code of Laws, No person shall drive or move on any highway any vehicle unless the equipment thereon is in good working order and adjustment and the vehicle is in such safe mechanical condition as not to endanger the driver or other occupant or any person upon the highway. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A second person has died following a Sunday morning house fire in the West Ashley area. Officers with the Charleston Police Department responded to a home on Seabago Drive around 10 a.m. where they joined firefighters conducting rescue efforts. Detectives determined the fire was intentionally by the suspect, who was found dead at the scene. A victim who is a relative of the suspect was taken to a local hospital where they later died. No one else was believed to be inside the residence at the time of the fire, said Sgt. Chris Stinson with the Charleston Police Department. The Charleston County Coroners Office has not yet released their identity. Detectives and fire marshals are investigating. Anyone with information regarding the fire is encouraged to contact the Charleston Police Department at 843-720-2422 and ask for the on-duty Central Detective, or email speaktocpd@charleston-sc.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 WCBD News 2. This west Wichita restaurant closed on Sunday. Contents will be auctioned off next week. In the fall of 2019, the owners of Hibachi Boy in Derby opened a new location in Wichita at 21st and Tyler. Now, that restaurant is closed, and its contents will be auctioned off next week. Lou Kumgool, who started the Hibachi Boy franchise with her husband, Philip Sayvong, said the other two Hibachi Boy restaurants at 3010 E. Central and at 1220 N. Rock Road in Derby will remain open. The Hibachi Boy near 21st and Tyler that opened in 2019 closed on Sunday, and its contents will be auctioned next week. Tom Meier hopes to reopen the Tyler restaurant, which he owned and operated, in the future, and hes targeting Andover. Meier decided to close the restaurant at 2243 N. Tyler after he couldnt come to an agreement with his landlord on terms for a new lease, which was set to expire on Sept. 30, Kumgool said. Sunday was the final day for the Hibachi Boy on Tyler, she said. Kumgool and Sayvong opened the first Hibachi Boy a quick service restaurant offering hibachi meals, sushi, fried rice and more in Derby in 2011. They added a restaurant at Kellogg and Greenwich in 2015. But not long after they opened, they learned theyd have to close the Wichita restaurant because of Kellogg construction at the intersection. Hibachi Boy added a restaurant near Central and Hillside in 2022. The couple got some money as part of a turnpike relocation program and saved it for three years before deciding to add the restaurant on Tyler. The Central and Hillside restaurant followed in 2022. One other change is coming for the Hibachi Boy brand, Kumgool said. The restaurant on Central will soon be adding Thai street food items to its menu, including Thai fried chicken. Kumgool said shed share more details once they finalized the menu. Meanwhile, Bud Palmer Auction will be selling the Tyler restaurants contents at an on-site auction that starts at 9 a.m. on Sept. 18. Wichita restaurant owner taps into his roots, introduces pastry program focused on eclairs New coffee chain that previously flirted with Wichita is now coming with three sites Wichita restaurant owner planned to close if he didnt find a buyer. Just in time, he did. AUSTIN (KXAN) Theres now an active investigation after police arrested a Westlake High School student accused of making threats against the school and students on Sunday. According to Eanes Independent School District Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Arnett, at least four students alerted administrators about a student making concerning comments on Snapchat. That student now faces a charge for making a terroristic threat. First full school year for Eanes ISD police department The students who reported the incident used the Westlake Watch anonymous reporting system that the district uses. It allows you to select which school you want to report an incident, write something about it, and even add photos. Arnett said they quickly worked with district staff and law enforcement agencies to identify and ultimately arrest the student after receiving the information. Although we have no reason to believe there is an existing threat to the school, we will be especially observant on campus this week, the letter said. On Mondayjust over 24 hours laterthe campus with nearly 3,000 students was seemingly, chillingly quiet. Many are on edge, wondering if it could have been a close call. Well never know exactly how close, but thats why its so important to act immediately, Eanes ISD Chief of Police, Matt Greer said. According to the district, students started making reports simultaneously around 9 a.m. Sunday. We roughly receive about 12 anonymous tips every week over the course of a year, Arnett said. That might be 5-600 tipsnot all of them are determined to be legitimate. The tips from Sundays incident, were the first ever to lead to an arrest, Arnett said. We have an administrative team that looks at every tip that comes in, and they evaluate that based upon a number of criteria, he said. The system has been in place for a number of years, and this situation shows it at work exactly how its designed. And with that comes a sense of relief as school shootings continue to happen. Many questions still loom over timeline of Georgia school shooting Especially given some of the other tragedies that we have observed around the country, Arnett said. Eanes ISD wont comment on specifics of the threat, as the investigation is still ongoing. All school districts are required by Texas law to have a system to allow anonymous tip reporting for situations threats like this. During the 85th Texas Legislative Session, Davids Law was passed and went into effective law on September 1, 2017. According to the Texas School Safety Center, the law, relates to harassment, bullying and cyberbullying of a public school student, a charter school student or a minor and encouraging certain mental health programs for public school students; increasing a criminal penalty, and providing a civil remedy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) An Omani state-run oil and gas company announced Monday it will make an initial public offering of its exploration and production business, potentially seeking billions in a major move toward privatization in the sultanate. OQ, formerly known as the Oman Oil Co., follows moves by the Saudi oil giant Aramco and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. to seek to raise money through the markets. It also could provide a boost for its local Muscat Stock Exchange, long viewed as being the sleepiest among the Gulf Arab states. OQ will offer up to 25% of shares in its exploration and production arm, the announcement said. It offered no proposed values for the deal, though Bloomberg quoted anonymous officials with knowledge of the deal suggesting the company could be worth an overall $8 billion, making the stake being put up worth some $2 billion. The intention to float OQ Exploration and Production reflects our commitment to unlocking new opportunities for growth, both for the company and for the sultanate of Oman, OQ CEO Ashraf Hamed Al Mamari said in a statement. The plan calls for the listing to take place in October, pending regulatory approvals. It plans dividends of $150 million for the first two quarters after that, with a planned dividend of $600 million annually, plus one linked to its performance. OQ was founded in 2009 and is Oman's third-largest firm in the oil industry, following the state-owned Petroleum Development Oman and U.S. firm Occidental Petroleum. Oman, on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, is a member of the OPEC+ coalition, though not a member of the cartel itself. It produces around 1 million barrels of oil a day and China remains the top client for its crude. Omans late Sultan Qaboos bin Said used oil revenues to modernize a nation that was home to only three schools and harsh laws banning electricity, radios, eyeglasses and even umbrellas when he took power in 1970 coup. He died in January 2020. His successor, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, has sought to shore up the sultanate's finances while maintaining its positions as a key interlocutor between Iran and the West. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will meet for the first time on Tuesday for a presidential debate hosted by ABC News. The two are facing off at a pivotal time, with just weeks until Election Day and days before some states begin the early voting process. The ABC News presidential debate will take place on Sept. 10 at 9 p.m. EDT and air on ABC and stream on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. MORE: ABC News releases rules for Sept. 10 debate between Harris and Trump Hot-button political issues that are likely to be discussed by Harris and Trump include the economy, immigration, reproductive rights, crime, and more. Here is a brief look at where each of them stand on key election-year topics as reflected in recent ABC News/Ipsos polling. Economy, inflation Trump has been a vocal critic of the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the economy, saying their policies are to blame for inflation, which reached a 40-year high in 2022 but has since cooled to 2.9% year-over-year as of July. On policy, he's pledged to cut costs by restoring "energy independence" through drilling more oil and lowering gas prices. He's also said he would reduce the national debt, eliminate regulations and implement a variety of tax cuts for domestic corporations as well as tariffs on foreign imports. Harris has presented a plan for what she's calling an "opportunity economy" that builds on what the administration's done on drug pricing and the Child Tax Credit but also goes further on several fronts. Her proposal includes $25,000 in down-payment support for first-time homeowners, construction of 3 million new housing units, raising the minimum wage and a federal ban on corporate price-gouging on food and groceries. She's also pitched a $50,000 tax benefit for new small businesses and a long-term capital gains tax of 28%. PHOTO: In this split image, Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks in Glendale, Ariz., on Aug. 23, 2024, and Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris speaks in Pittsburgh, Sept. 2, 2024. (Evan Vucci/AP and Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) Immigration Trump has made immigration and border security a focal point of his campaign, often going further in his anti-immigrant rhetoric than he did in 2016. He said if elected, he plans to finish the U.S.-Mexico border wall, revive "Remain in Mexico" and asylum restrictions and "carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American History" of immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission. Trump has also promised to sign an executive order to end birthright citizenship. PHOTO: Immigrants walk towards a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border on Sept. 28, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. (John Moore/Getty Images, FILE) Harris has defended the administration's handling of the issue, specifically her role in taking on root causes of migration from Central America. She's also railed against Republicans for rejecting a bipartisan border bill that would have tightened asylum rules and implemented other immigration restrictions while also increasing resources to improve legal immigration pathways. Harris said if elected, she would continue to push for the legislation and pledged to sign it if it came to her desk. She also wants comprehensive reform that includes an earned pathway to citizenship. Reproductive rights Harris became the face of the administration's fight for reproductive rights and abortion access after the fall of Roe. v. Wade, traveling the country to speak on the issue. She has called on Congress to pass a law restoring protections to the right to abortion that were guaranteed by Roe. She's been highly critical of state-level restrictions, questioning why Republican lawmakers don't "trust women." PHOTO: Demonstrators march and gather near the Texas Capitol following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, in Austin. (Eric Gay/AP, FILE) Trump frequently touts his role in nominating three Supreme Court justices who voted to overrule Roe but has changed his stance on some issues as the campaign's gone on. While he previously voiced support for a nationwide ban, he now says it should be up to states to regulate abortion access. Recently, he declared that under his administration, the government or company insurance would be mandated to pay for all costs associated with in vitro fertilization or IVF. Though he didn't specify how exactly the program would work or be funded. Crime, gun violence Gun violence is back in the news after two students and two teachers were killed in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Harris called the shooting a senseless tragedy and said it doesnt have to be this way. She has called for nationwide red flag laws, universal background checks and an assault weapons ban. PHOTO: State of Georgia Chaplain Ronald Clark consoles students as they kneel in front of a makeshift memorial at Apalachee High School, on Sept. 5, 2024, in Winder, Georgia. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images) Trump blamed a "sick and deranged monster" for the shooting. He has often argued in the wake of mass shootings that guns were not to blame but rather mental health issues. Hes referred to himself as the most pro-gun president in history and has not signaled he would enact any gun control measures if elected. Overall, Trump has frequently claimed crime rates are rising despite violent crime being down across the country overall compared to last year. Harris, meanwhile, has leaned into her background as a prosecutor, saying she has a record of taking on drug cartels and corporations in the interest of everyday Americans. She also pledged to continue funding law enforcement agencies, touting the Biden administration's American Rescue Plan for investing $15 billion in public safety. Foreign policy Harris has, so far, adopted much of President Bidens foreign policy stances. She said as president, she would continue to stand with Ukraine and NATO. She's also pledged to "never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to protect U.S. forces and interests from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups." On the Israel-Hamas war, Harris has reiterated support for Israels security but also expressed sympathy for the plight of civilians suffering in Gaza. Shes called for a cease-fire with hostages returned and said she is working with Biden to secure such a deal. PHOTO: Members of a United Nations investigation team visit a school run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees which was hit during an Israeli army strike the day before, in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip on June 7, 2024. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images) Trump has claimed neither the Israel-Hamas war nor the Russia-Ukraine war would have started if he were president. He's signaled he would cut back U.S. aid to Kyiv and continues to criticize NATO allies who he says are not doing enough. He's also expressed staunch support for Israel's right to defense and to go after Hamas, but has also called for a quick end to the war. Trump's also sought to make Afghanistan a key topic in recent weeks after the third anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal of troops from the country. He's slammed the Biden-Harris administration for the chaotic withdrawal, blaming them for the death of 13 U.S. service members who were killed in a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate. Harris defended the decision to end America's "longest war" and said she would take action to protect Americans against terrorist threats. Democracy Trump continues to make false claims about the 2020 election, asserting without evidence it was rigged or stolen. He currently faces state and federal charges stemming from his efforts to overturn his election loss, to which he pleaded not guilty. Last week, he appeared to admit he lost the 2020 election, saying he got more votes in his reelection campaign than in 2016 but still "lost by a whisker." In a major escalation of that rhetoric, Trump said that if he wins this race, those who "cheated" would "be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences." He suggested his apparent threat of "legal exposure" applies to "Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials." Trump's also sent mixed messages on voting methods this cycle, often doubling down on his calls for Election Day voting only and making groundless claims that mail-in voting is ripe for abuse while also encouraging supporters to cast their ballot whether it's early voting, mail-in voting or other forms of voting. PHOTO: People standing in line to vote (Adobe Stock) Trump's also accused Democrats of a "coup" after President Biden exited the race and endorsed Harris, who quickly secured enough party support to become the nominee. Harris has been critical of efforts to cast doubt on the election, claiming Trump tried to "throw away" people's votes and blaming him for what happened at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. She's said as president, she would advocate for the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act to bolster voting rights and vowed to "hold sacred America's fundamental principles, from the rule of law, to free and fair elections, to the peaceful transfer of power." ABC News' Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Hannah Demissie, Fritz Farrow, Lalee Ibssa, Soo Rin Kim, Will McDuffie and Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report. Where Kamala Harris, Donald Trump stand on key issues heading into ABC News debate originally appeared on abcnews.go.com WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) With kids getting back into classrooms, federal leaders are making a push to protect them from drug use. The White House just announced around $94 million in grants that will go to local organizations for their Drug- Free Communities Support Program. White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Dr. Rahul Gupta says the money will be used for efforts like raising awareness about counterfeit pills and drugs laced with fentanyl, and boosting availability of Naloxone, a medicine that quickly reverses overdoses. This is an evidence-based approach. Time tested and evidence proven, Gupta said. Advocates in the drug prevention community say this is a really important federal investment. One of those advocates is Justin Phillips, the founder of Overdose Lifeline, an organization dedicated to fighting addiction. She started the group after losing her son Aaron to an overdose in 2013. This investment that this administration has made in harm reduction is crucial for us changing the tide, Phillips said. She praised the White House for giving the funds directly to local groups. Grassroots organizations are key to solving the crisis and the challenge, because were the ones understanding whats happening really at the community level, Phillips said. Although drug use among young people has gone down in recent years, overdose deaths have risen. We are saving lives. We are seeing progress made. But this is exactly why the work doesnt stop, Gupta said. Phillips says local groups are trying to be creative in their approach to the issue. We really have to change our trajectory around just say no and really speak to the root cause of why youth are turning to a substance in the first place, Phillips said. She says investing in that work now will make a difference. We will have less individuals with substance abuse disorder in adulthood and less heartache for families, Phillips said. Overdose Lifeline offers education and resources to help tackle substance use on 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. The U.S. departments of Labor, Treasury and Health and Human Services on Monday finalized a rule to ensure 175 million Americans who are covered by private insurance can afford the mental health and substance use treatment they need. In a fact sheet posted on whitehouse.gov Monday, the Biden administration said it believes health care is a right, not a privilege, and that mental health care is health care period, though the notice said its often hard to find and afford. The rule will require health insurance companies to look at which mental health providers services are covered, how much the providers are paid, how often they require prior authorization for service and how often they deny claims for substance use treatment or mental health. Those must be comparable to benefits for physical health. Its not a new move. Mental health parity became a requirement in the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which was updated in 2020 by a bipartisan congressional vote to say that health plans that cover mental health and substance use care benefits do so at a level thats equal to physical health care benefits. The fact sheet quoted President Joe Biden: There is no reason that breaking your arm should be treated differently than having a mental health condition. He promised the measure would dramatically expand access to mental health care in America. What the rule requires The release noted that in 2020, fewer than half of all adults with mental illness received treatment, while fewer than 70% of children seeking care for substance use or mental health were able to access such care. Thats in part because insurers too often make it difficult to access mental health treatment, causing millions of consumers to have high out-of-pocket costs because they go out-of-network, or defer care altogether. One study shows that insured people are nearly four times as likely to go out-of-network and pay higher fees for mental health care than for physical health care. And the problem is getting worse: in recent years, the gap between usage of out-of-network care for mental health and substance use disorder benefits versus physical health benefits increased 85%, per the White House. Per the final rule: Health plans that do not require adequate access to mental health and substance use care must make changes, such as adding new providers to networks or reducing red tape to access care. Health plans must ensure prior authorization, network breadth and other medical management techniques are not more restrictive for mental health and substance use treatments than for physical health. Health plans that are run by local and state governments must also comply, which was a loophole in the past that gave more than 200 health plans that were government, but not federal, an out from providing the coverage. Pushback and praise The American Psychiatric Association issued a press release praising the final rules. APA has always been a strong advocate for mental health parity, and since its enactment, APA has worked tirelessly to advocate for compliance with and enforcement of the federal parity law, said Dr. Marketa M. Wills, APA CEO and medical director. This is a big step forward to hold insurance plans accountable by ensuring the laws intent is fulfilled and that more individuals will be able to access the mental health and substance use treatment they need. The association said the new measure codifies requirements in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 that insurers analyze the limitations on treatment coverage for mental health and substance use disorder and provide the data to regulators and plan beneficiaries on request. Under the new rules, insurers will be expected to produce information on outcomes, such as claims denials, and to take actions to address material differences in access to care. The Hill reported that theres no enforcement mechanisms, noting the belief that insurers will comply to stay competitive. But Neera Tanden, the head of Bidens Domestic Policy Council, had previously told Politico that while the administration hopes for a collaborative approach to enforcement without the sticks, it will fully enforce the parity law. Per The Hill article, while mental health and substance use coverage has broad bipartisan support, at least one top Republican objected. The Hill quotes Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C, saying, For over a year, weve been telling the Biden-Harris administration that these rules will not work. They are too vague and burdensome; they overregulate instead of allowing health plans to build robust networks; and they will increase premiums for employees already facing high health care costs, she said in a statement. These rules do nothing to improve mental health care access and instead put paperwork over patients. Politico predicts significant backlash from insurers, who have argued that they are being unfairly targeted. Some critics worry that expanded networks could include less qualified providers. Some argue that lack of access is because of workforce shortages. And others, the article said, have argued employers will reduce their mental health coverage due to the expanded requirements and potential associated costs. Others say the measure is needed to improve access. It shouldnt be harder for you to find a provider that can treat your eating disorder than it is to find a provider who can treat your ulcer, said Lisa Gomez, assistance secretary in the U.S. Department of Labor, which regulates health plans used by corporations. Some aspects of the new rules go into effect in 2025, while they will all be in place in 2026. Correction: The statement from the American Psychiatric Association was attributed to the American Psychological Association in an earlier version of this story. As the search for the Kentucky man charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting into cars on Interstate 75 this weekend continues, White House officials urged Southern Kentucky residents to stay aware. Joseph A. Couch, 32, has been charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault for allegedly shooting into cars on Interstate 75 Sunday, according to Commonwealths Attorney Jackie Steele, the felony prosecutor for Laurel County. Five people were seriously injured as a result. As of Monday afternoon, Couch had not yet been located, and the search continued as authorities covered the rugged, wooded terrain in Laurel County. The shootings occurred about 75 miles south of Lexington, on one of the nations busiest north-south interstates. We are praying for those who were injured and wishing them a speedy recovery, President Joseph Bidens Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a White House press briefing on Monday. The president was briefed over the weekend and he urges residents to remain vigilant and listen to local officials. What we know about the shootings on I-75 in Kentucky Police said Couch is believed to have shot into 12 cars on I-75 at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday from a vantage point on a ledge hillside overlooking the busy interstate in northern Laurel County. Shortly before the shootings occurred, Couch texted his ex-wife, saying Im going to kill a lot of people, according to affidavits released Monday. Couchs ex-wife then contacted police. Four of the victims were transported to a hospital, while the fifth victim transported themselves to a hospital for treatment, according to the affidavit. State, local and federal authorities are all involved in the search, Kentucky State Police said Monday. The administration is in touch with local officials and federal law enforcement is supporting the local investigation and efforts to apprehend the suspects, Jean-Pierre said. Police have not released information on the motive for the shootings, and said they do not believe Couch was targeting specific people. They have recovered his vehicle and the AR-15 assault-style rifle they say likely was used in the shooting. Police have been searching for Couch in the heavily wooded area near the interstate since Saturday evening. From the Senate floor on Monday, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said he and his office were in contact with law enforcement as the search for Couch continues, and said he was grateful for their swift efforts to protect the surrounding communities. Were holding those who were injured in this senseless violence in our prayers, McConnell said. .@LeaderMcConnell's Senate floor remarks today addressing the shooting that took place along I-75 in southeastern Kentucky this past weekend: pic.twitter.com/XjPXSkL28M Senator McConnell's Press Office (@McConnellPress) September 9, 2024 Reporter David Catanese contributed to this story. The White Stripes Meg and Jack White, January 2003 (Dimitri Hakke/Redferns) The White Stripes are suing former President Donald J. Trump over the unauthorized use of their 2003 Elephant song Seven Nation Army in a campaign video posted last month by Margo Martin, Trumps deputy director of communications. Both Meg and Jack White are listed as co-plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which lists six counts of copyright infringement. The lawsuit states that Trump and his campaign chose to ignore and not respond to Plaintiffs pre-litigation efforts to resolve the matters at issue in this action, and have instead indiscriminately trampled on Plaintiffs legal rights. It also states that the White Stripes vehemently oppose the policies adopted and actions taken by Defendant Trump when he was President and those he has proposed for the second term he seeks. The lawsuit, filed today in a New York federal court, makes good on Jack Whites promise to take legal action against Trump and his campaign. In a post on Instagram today, he wrote, This machine sues fascists. Representatives for White and his band offered no additional comment when reached by Pitchfork. Heres How Candidates Can Use Songs in Their Campaigns, Even If Songwriters Dont Like It How is it that Trump can blast Neil Young at a rally, even though Young disapproves? Trump may call it the beauty of America. Neil, not so much. Here are the guidelines. Originally Appeared on Pitchfork The White Stripes Sue Donald Trump for Using Seven Nation Army in Social Campaign After threatening legal action against fascist Donald Trump last month for using The White Stripes classic Seven Nation Army in social media campaign videos, Jack White has made good on his word. He and bandmate Meg White sued the Republican presidential nominee and related parties in the U.S. District Court of Southern New York for copyright infringement on Monday. Documents obtained by TheWrap cite the Trump re-election campaigns attempts to burnish Defendant Trumps public image, and generate financial and other support for his campaign and candidacy on the backs of Plaintiffs, whose permission and endorsement he neither sought nor obtained in violation of their rights under federal copyright law. This machine sues fascists, frontman White wrote on Instagram Monday, posting a screengrab of the lawsuit to his profile. The White Stripes lawsuit also named the Trump campaign and its deputy director of communications, Margo Martin, claiming that the Defendants chose to ignore and not respond to Plaintiffs pre-litigation efforts to resolve the matters at issue in this action, leaving Plaintiffs with no choice but to seek judicial recourse in order to hold Defendants accountable. The lawsuit specifically cited a video posted on the campaigns social media channels across X and Instagram of Trump boarding an aircraft with the tag line President @realDonaldTrump departs for Michigan and Wisconsin! The highly-distinctive and immediately recognizable introductory riff of Seven Nation Army accompanied the clip. The new association with Defendant Trump that Defendants have foisted upon Plaintiffs through the Infringing Trump Videos is even more offensive to Plaintiffs because Plaintiffs vehemently oppose the policies adopted and actions taken by Defendant Trump when he was President and those he has proposed for the second term he seeks, the suit read. Jack and Meg White demand a trial by jury to address the charges, and that they be awarded all damages suffered by them and any profits or gain enjoyed by Trumps use of Seven Nation Army. Representatives for the Trump campaign did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for comment. The post The White Stripes Sue Donald Trump for Using Seven Nation Army in Social Campaign appeared first on TheWrap. Two leaders of a white supremacist group have been arrested on charges of seeking to spark a "race war," US officials said (Stefani Reynolds) (Stefani Reynolds/AFP/AFP) Two leaders of a white supremacist group have been arrested on charges of seeking to spark a "race war" and attacks on Jews, immigrants and members of the LGBTQ community using an online forum known as "Terrorgram," US officials said Monday. Dallas Humber, 34, of Elk Grove, California, and Matthew Allison, 37, of Boise, Idaho, were taken into custody on Friday and were to make their first appearances in a federal court on Monday, they said. "Today's indictment charges the defendants with leading a transnational terrorist group dedicated to attacking America's critical infrastructure, targeting a hit list of our country's public officials, and carrying out deadly hate crimes -- all in the name of violent white supremacist ideology," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Humber and Allison face multiple charges including soliciting hate crimes and the murder of federal officials, distributing bomb making instructions, and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists. According to the indictment, Humber and Allison used the encrypted Telegram platform to promote their white supremacist ideology and communicated with followers on a forum dubbed the "Terrorgram Collective." They promoted the belief that "violence and terrorism are necessary to ignite a race war and 'accelerate' the collapse of the government and the rise of a white ethnostate," it said. Humber and Allison allegedly joined Terrorgram in 2019 and became leaders of the group in 2022 after another leader was arrested. Followers were led to believe they could become "saints" by "committing an attack in furtherance of white supremacist accelerationism," the indictment said. At least two attacks have been linked to Terrorgram -- a livestreamed stabbing of five people by an 18-year-old man outside a mosque in Turkey on August 12 and the fatal shooting of two men at a gay bar in the Slovakian capital Bratislava in October 2022. The Turkish attacker allegedly stated in a manifesto that he wanted to be recognized as a "saint," and the 19-year-old Bratislava assailant sent his manifesto to Allison and then killed himself, the indictment said. Humber and Allison "solicited others to engage in hate crimes and terrorist attacks against Black, immigrant, LGBT and Jewish people," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said at a news conference. The pair also drew up a list of "high-value targets" for assassination, according to the indictment, which included a US senator, a US District Court judge, and a former US attorney, along with state officials and leaders of private companies. They also allegedly distributed an instructional video called "How to Make a Letter Bomb." Humber and Allison face up to 220 years in prison if convicted of all charges. cl/bjt Why the Harris-Trump presidential debate matters and four things to keep in mind as you watch The presidential debate Sept. 10 will have important effects, but not quite what you expect, writes Diana Carlin. (Getty Images) A common complaint about presidential debates is that they change few minds. This year, with anywhere between 3% and 6% of likely voters undecided in early September and the closeness of the race, especially in the battleground states, that is more than enough to swing an election if a sizeable portion favor one candidate over the other as a result of the debate. If anyone doubts the power of a debates, the June 27 match between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump should end the argument, even though there are other examples to support a debates impact. While the Biden-Trump debate did not affect the outcome of the 2024 election directly, it created doubts about Bidens ability to serve another term and left us without historical precedent in the last 108 days of the race after Biden dropped out July 21. The entire campaign dynamic and Democrat ticket changed. Since I was a graduate student in 1980, I have researched, observed, commented on, and written about presidential debates. I describe myself as a four-year cicada. My research consists of argument analysis, often applying statistical methods to sentence-by-sentence coding of arguments, focus groups of likely voters, surveys to gauge the impact of the debates on learning and leaning, and the ways the debate shapes future campaign arguments and strategies. A summary of those findings makes the case for why it is important to watch the Sept. 10 debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, even if your mind is made up, and how you might consider watching and analyzing it yourself. First, the question of who won or lost is the least important. There is no single way to judge a debate, and winning does not guarantee winning an election as Walter Mondale in 1984, Michael Dukakis in 1988 and John Kerry in 2004 proved. Decided voters almost always think their candidate won. Rather, the debate should answer the questions Who better represents the leadership qualities I want in a president? and Who better upholds the values I support? The debate showcases both issues and candidate image. That doesnt mean that arguments and policy positions are not important, because they are. As hundreds of focus groups revealed, policies and issues candidates choose to discuss are windows into their priorities for the American people and their leadership style. A candidates conduct in the debate is a window into character for many voters, as focus group members in 2000 told us in response to Al Gores eye rolling and sighing at George W. Bushs responses when he thought he wasnt on camera. They wondered how Gore would treat someone with whom he disagreed while in the Oval Office. Volumes were said about Trumps interruptions in 2020, when focus group members of both parties were shocked by the behavior and friends emailed me that they sent their children out of the room lest they be influenced by the bad behavior. Second, dont expect much new information but there are always unexpected questions and answers. While this year is different because of the short time Harris has campaigned, most of her major positions have rolled out. On the other hand, we have not heard many details. Most candidates have campaigned for more than a year and participated in primary debates to lay out their agendas. Harris has not had that advantage. The debate needs to provide depth, but what history shows is that issues raised in debates are clarified and expanded on in the aftermath, even by long-term candidates. Thus, watching a debate is more a first step for undecided voters than an event that seals the deal. Trump is an anomaly as a candidate, but everyone knows what they are getting in terms of leadership style and personality. In this election, he has changed positions more than in the past, and it is likely he will be asked to comment on the shifts. Third, there are multiple agendas operating in a debate and not all are well-served. The news media represented by the moderators have an agenda, each candidate has one, and the public has issues they want to hear about. Often the agendas dont mesh, so dont be surprised if the debate ends and you learned nothing about your top issue. It is likely there will only be one presidential debate and one vice presidential debate. With two-minute responses, two-minute rebuttals and an optional one-minute clarification, that is not enough time for depth on anything and also not enough time to cover everything. As a result, candidates often will briefly answer a question and raise an issue of their own in the same response. Its frustrating for voters, but candidates want to guarantee that their agenda is presented. Without a town hall debate, the publics agenda is missing from this election cycle, and it is up to the moderators and the candidates to be aware of what the public considers the top issues and address them. Realistically, with the format, that may not happen. Without an opening statement to set the stage, the questions become a random set of arguments that may or may not lead to a coherent view of each candidates overall platform. This leaves the closing statement to address each candidates agenda and relate it to the publics. If it doesnt, those undecided voters walk away still undecided. If you are one of those undecided voters, you need to do some work on your own to fill in gaps by searching a wide variety of news sources after the debates and ignore the campaigns spin doctors. Look at candidates websites, find major speeches on YouTube or TV network websites and find the answers you need. The debate is a starting point for comparisons this year, not the end point of the race. Fourth, expect both candidates to make erroneous statements. Some of them are intentional and some are slips, which can happen given the number of topics and pressure of the debate. If the moderators dont hold the candidates accountable through follow-up questions, be your own fact checker. Go to websites such as FactCheck.org, Snopes, PolitiFact, or ProPublica. A search of top fact checking sites provides others. Check out your candidates responses to prepare yourself to defend them if you engage in post-debate discussions. Finally, watch the vice presidential debate because it may be the only other opportunity to compare the two tickets. Neither vice presidential candidate is that well known, and there is always a chance one of them will be president, as has happened nine times in our history. There may be issues covered that werent addressed in the presidential debate. Focus groups often used the metaphor of a job interview to describe a debate. No one should get a job without one. As voters, we make the hiring decision, and it is important for us to watch the interview. On debate night, I will be at the Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence, helping run DebateWatch groups comprised of students and community members. I expect to learn more about the power of debates to shape voters opinions of candidates and their choices. The debate gives you power. So use it. Diana B. Carlin is the co-author of The 1992 Presidential Debates in Focus and The Third Agenda in U.S. Presidential Debates: DebateWatch and Viewer Reaction 1996-2004. She is professor emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University and a retired professor of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. UPDATE (Sept. 12, 2:42 p.m. ET): After the judge in Latah County, Idaho, who was presiding over Bryan Kohbergers murder case granted the defendants motion to change venue, the Idaho Supreme Court on Thursday said the new venue will be Ada County, the site of the state capital, Boise. The state high court also assigned the case to a new judge in that district, Steven Hippler. In the latest twist in Bryan Kohbergers quadruple murder case in Idaho, the judge said the trial for the deaths of four University of Idaho students must be moved out of the county where the killings occurred. Latah County District Judge John Judge cited potential prejudice to the defense if the trial went forward in the close-knit community thats been inundated with media coverage since the 2022 deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in an off-campus home in the Latah County city of Moscow. (A not-guilty plea on four counts of first-degree murder and burglary was entered on Kohbergers behalf in May 2023. He may face the death penalty if convicted.) Among other things, the judge lamented the ongoing spread of prejudicial misinformation, rumors, and patently false theories of the case on social media outlets such as Facebook, podcasts, and blogs. While the parties agreed that the case generated extensive media coverage, they disagreed about how to ensure a fair trial. Kohberger argued that it needed to move away from the area of the crime scene. The prosecution, meanwhile, said that extensive questioning of potential jurors could help ensure fairness. In granting the defense motion to change venue, Judge noted that Latah County is relatively small and that, While the issue of extensive, sensationalized coverage is not unique to Latah County, it is potentially more impactful given the volume of coverage coupled with the smaller population. Considering the undisputed evidence presented by the defense, the extreme nature of the news coverage in this case, and the smaller population in Latah County, the defense has met the rather low standard of demonstrating a reasonable likelihood that prejudicial news coverage will compromise a fair trial in Latah County, Judge wrote. He added that the venue must change for practical reasons, too, noting that Latah County lacks the necessary resources to provide security and even sufficient space to conduct such a big trial there. While traveling to another county for three months is indeed inconvenient for the attorneys, the Court, some family members of the victims, and some witnesses, having the trial at the Latah County courthouse would also be inconvenient in numerous ways and, beyond that, would present serious safety risks, Judge wrote, adding that the interest of justice requires that the trial be moved to venue with the resources, both in terms of personnel and space, necessary to effectively and efficiently handle a trial of this magnitude and length so that the parties and the Court can focus on the case and not on peripheral issues. Judges order doesnt say where the new venue will be. Rather, it says that, under state rules, the court refers the matter to the administrative director of the courts for the state supreme court to assign it to a proper venue in another district. NBC News reported that the trial was tentatively set for next June. 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 Why is KY voting to ban non-citizens from voting when they already cant? | Opinion Last week, Secretary of State Michael Adams traveled to one of Kentuckys more rural counties to speak to a civic group about the upcoming election. The only question he got was from an elderly man who demanded to know what Adams was going to do about the hordes of undocumented immigrants who were planning to vote on Nov. 5 in Kentuckys state and federal elections. I tried to explain thats not happening in Kentucky, but if you have evidence of this happening, please let us know, said Adams, a Republican who won the 2024 JFK Profile in Courage award for his fight for election integrity. If theres evidence of this happening in Kentucky make sure you tell us. Theres a lot of disinformation out there about immigrants voting, but there is very little evidence its happening in Kentucky or anywhere else. Adams said hes never seen evidence of that happening, as he told legislators along with the State Board of Elections Staff and Kentucky State Police recently. Last Thursday, the New York Times published a big story about a network of GOP activists who are actively preparing for large numbers of immigrant voters, despite federal laws preventing non-citizens from voting in federal elections. In Republicans Seize on False Theories About Immigrant Voting, activists are a sprawling network of Republicans who mobilized around former President Donald J. Trumps false claims of a rigged election in 2020 and are now preparing for the next one. Theyre trying to muddy the waters in case Trump loses. Here in Kentucky, hell win by a landslide. But the GOP is also trying to hedge against already illegal immigrant voting for slightly different reasons. Amendment 1 would add the following language to the Kentucky Constitution: No person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote in this state. Out on the speaking trail, Adams said, he explains it this way: You can vote for this measure for non-federal elections and it will apply in 2027 but we already have a federal law for elections in 2024 and 2026 and we honor that law. I think its harmless and I will vote for it, Adams said. Its also unnecessary. Good politics But Amendment 1 and Donald Trump on the ballot may bring a lot of voters out. And once theyve voted yes for Amendment 1, they may be more inclined to also check the yes box on Amendment 2, which is the biggest issue and the biggest prize for Republicans: School choice. Look at the timing on the two legislative bills that turned into the amendments. According to the Legislative Research Commission, Senate Bill 143, which became Amendment #1, was signed by the Senate President on March 15, and signed by the House Speaker and enrolled as bill on March 21 and sent to the Secretary of States office. House Bill 2, the school choice amendment, passed the House on March 13, the Senate on March 15. But it did not get back to be enrolled by the House until March 21. Both bills were delivered to the Secretary of State on March 21, and were signed by Adams in the order received: SB 143 at 3:07 p.m. and House Bill 2 at 3:16 p.m., according to copies of those bills received under the Kentucky Open Records Act. The bills were put onto the ballot in the order received, as is the tradition. Coincidence? Maybe. But its also good politics to ensure what order amendments are voted on, and exactly what any other party in charge would do. Its smart to use a national and imagined hysteria over voting immigrants to fuel a much bigger goal. But in the end its bad for democracy. Undocumented immigrants cant vote in national elections. Its just not happening in Kentucky. We should, like Adams, be saying firmly that elections are safe and legal. Three days of early voting help more working people vote. Absentee ballots require an excuse. Disinformation hurts all of us because it makes us doubt democratic institutions. In the end, nobody wins. Key Insights Insiders appear to have a vested interest in Civmec Singapore's growth, as seen by their sizeable ownership 54% of the business is held by the top 5 shareholders Institutions own 11% of Civmec Singapore Every investor in Civmec Singapore Limited (ASX:CVL) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 50% to be precise, is individual insiders. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). So it follows, every decision made by insiders of Civmec Singapore regarding the company's future would be crucial to them. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Civmec Singapore. See our latest analysis for Civmec Singapore What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Civmec Singapore? Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Civmec Singapore. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Civmec Singapore's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Civmec Singapore. Our data suggests that James Fitzgerald, who is also the company's Top Key Executive, holds the most number of shares at 19%. When an insider holds a sizeable amount of a company's stock, investors consider it as a positive sign because it suggests that insiders are willing to have their wealth tied up in the future of the company. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 19% and 6.8%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. Interestingly, the second-largest shareholder, Patrick Tallon is also Chief Executive Officer, again, pointing towards strong insider ownership amongst the company's top shareholders. Our research also brought to light the fact that roughly 54% of the company is controlled by the top 5 shareholders suggesting that these owners wield significant influence on the business. Story continues While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future. Insider Ownership Of Civmec Singapore The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of Civmec Singapore Limited. It has a market capitalization of just AU$475m, and insiders have AU$237m worth of shares in their own names. It is great to see insiders so invested in the business. It might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying recently. General Public Ownership With a 34% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Civmec Singapore. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Private Company Ownership Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 4.7%, of the company's shares. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Civmec Singapore that you should be aware of. Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Why are so many people afraid of sharks? (And should more of us be?) Swimming is prohibited on certain beaches because of sharks. If a sign like this doesn't scare you, it should. Maurizio Gambarini/dpa In the movie "Jaws" it's depicted as a monster - out to kill whomever and whatever it can find in the water. And although sharks killing humans in real life is rare - when it does happen, like last year in the Bahamas or in June 2023 when a tourist in Hurghanda off the coast of Egypt in the Red Sea was fatally wounded - it makes front page news. Such Hollywood blockbusters and news stories have make many people deathly afraid of sharks. But the actual risk of being one's lunch is completely out of proportion to the fear some have. The US database International Shark Attack File (Isaf) registered 57 so-called "unprovoked attacks" worldwide in 2022, five of which were fatal: two in South Africa, two in Egypt and one in the United States. There were also 32 "provoked attacks," for example because people were fishing in the vicinity of the incident or bait was floating in the water. No overview is yet available for 2023. However, in terms of how many people swim in the sea, the risk of a shark attack is "extremely low", according to the Isaf. So why are we still so afraid of sharks? And what should you do if you spot a shark while swimming in the sea? Marine biologist and shark researcher Simon Weigmann has the answers. Where does the discrepancy between the actual risk and the great fear of shark attacks come from? Weigmann: There are various reasons for this. One is that it was triggered by films in which sharks are portrayed as very monstrous. Another is that some sharks are simply very large animals. Adult great white sharks or tiger sharks certainly fulfil the cliche of the monster - simply because of their sheer size, their gigantic mouths and their many teeth. And it is probably also the idea of simply being devoured: This apparently seems more terrifying than, say, the deadly sting of certain jellyfish, which don't look threatening. Or cone snails: There are some species that are known to kill people time and time again. They have beautiful shells, but are still deadly. What's more: I think the sea is always a bit scary for many people because you can't see what's coming from below when you're swimming. On land, there are many animals that cause many more deaths. Whether it's snakes or, if you like, even mosquitoes, which indirectly cost many more lives by transmitting diseases. Is it a bit of a primal fear? Weigmann: Yes, perhaps. The water, which is large and unknown, and a large animal that is very fast and precise and equipped with good senses for hunting. What perhaps plays into it is that you don't have it under control in that case. This is reminiscent of a fear of flying, which many people also have. And this despite the fact that the probability of having an accident in a car is much higher than crashing in an aeroplane. So how likely is a shark attack? Weigmann: The probability of an attack is extremely low. Fatal attacks are isolated cases - very tragic cases, of course, each on its own. There are many analogies and comparisons. I think the most frequently used is the lightning strike. And you could say that the probability of being struck by lightning is always much higher than being killed by a shark. Why do sharks attack at all? In Hurghada(where a tourist died), authorities suspected that animal carcasses in the sea attracted the shark - and perhaps the animal then mistook the swimmer for a carcass. Weigmann: That could be true. There have been cases in Egypt where people have died and where animal carcasses have been disposed of. It seems plausible to me that sharks were attracted by the smell of the carcasses, were therefore close to the beach and then bit due to a mix-up. In general, the common assumption among researchers is that most shark attacks are the result of mistaken identity. Another example is attacks on surfers. It is actually assumed that sharks confuse surfboards seen from below with the silhouette of seals. In regions where great white sharks and seal colonies live, such confusion occurs. An indication that they are confused is that the sharks often only make test bites during such attacks - which unfortunately can sometimes cause fatal injuries. This means that the shark only makes one bite, but then swims on because it realizes that it is not prey. At least in the case of great white sharks, it is assumed that they do not like human flesh. Does blood attract sharks? Wiegmann: Basically, sharks have excellent senses and are also excellent at smelling. They can detect highly diluted blood. However, they usually need several sensory stimuli: for example, if they detect an increased heartbeat in the vicinity, they might come to see if an injured animal is swimming there. But it is not the case that you should never go into the sea with a small wound, such as a cut finger, because sharks will come straight away - unless it is an area where the authorities say there are sharks and this is indicated. What do you actually do if a shark comes close to you while diving or if you spot a shark fin above the water while swimming? Weigmann: If you see a shark while snorkelling, which is unfortunately quite rare nowadays, you can usually enjoy it. It will usually be a small shark. To put it in perspective: there are over 500 species of shark in the world, a huge variety. It is assumed that only about a dozen of these species pose any kind of danger to humans. Essentially, only three species are responsible for fatal attacks: the great white shark, the tiger shark and the bull shark. If you see a large specimen of one of these potentially dangerous species, the motto is: stay as calm as possible. That may sound easier said than done. However, there is no point in swimming away, as the shark is much faster than you are. This means you should keep your eyes fixed on the shark and try to maintain eye contact. Don't turn your back, because sharks actually prefer to attack from an ambush. And - if possible - you should not make any rapid splashing movements in the water, as this can remind the shark of an injured animal. You can try to make yourself taller so that you are virtually standing in the water. And then try to swim away as slowly and in as controlled manner as possible, gain distance and get out of the water. And if the shark does attack? Weigmann: If the shark does attack, you can try to hit its sensory organs. However, this is controversial: If I try to hit the shark on the nose, where many sensory cells are located, or the eyes, it can of course happen that the arm ends up in the mouth. Especially as the water also slows down the striking movement: hitting the nose probably works much better in films than in reality. Many attacks, especially from smaller sharks, are more of a quick bite because the shark feels too constricted. Divers should never touch the animals. Marine biologist Dr Simon Weigmann conducts research on sharks and rays in his own laboratory, the Elasmo-Lab Hamburg, and is an associated scientist at the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) in Hamburg. In the Bahamas, the nurse sharks are the attraction in the harbour of Compass Cay. Andreas Drouve/dpa Simon Weigmann researches sharks and rays. Here he measures a species of saw shark that he has described and named after his daughter: Pliotrema kajae. Simon Weigmann/dpa NEW YORK (PIX11) Where did Times Square get its name? The answer may seem obvious once you know. Times Square is named after the New York Times newspaper, which built its headquarters there between Broadway and Seventh Avenue and 42nd and 43rd streets in the early 1900s, according to the Museum of the City of New York. More Local News Then-New York City Mayor George McClellan renamed the area from Long Acre Square to Times Square in 1904, according to the New York Times. The newspaper eventually moved its headquarters less than a block away in 1913 after outgrowing its building, according to the New York Times. Times Square is one of New York Citys most popular tourist attractions. The bustling destination attracts more than 200,000 visitors on average each day, according to the Times Square Alliance. 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. Teresa Woody, of Kansas Appleseed, and Kunyu Ching, of ACLU of Kansas, appear for a Sept. 6, 2024, recording of the Kansas Reflector podcast. Teresa Woody, of Kansas Appleseed, and Kunyu Ching, of ACLU of Kansas, appear for a Sept. 6, 2024, recording of the Kansas Reflector podcast. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA The Wichita Police Departments gang list that targeted young Black and Latino residents based on where they lived, the clothes they wore and funerals they attended will be overhauled after a federal judge approved a settlement agreement in August in a class-action lawsuit. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Kansas Appleseed sued the City of Wichita in 2021 alleging constitutional violations on behalf of Progeny, a Wichita-based criminal justice reform organization that focuses on youth empowerment. The suit received class action status in 2023, and the Wichita City Council voted unanimously in April to settle the case for $625,000, which went toward litigation costs and the services of a Johnson County judge who will oversee implementation of the policy changes. On its inception, our clients were interested in pursuing a change in policy. They were not in it for the money, and so damages claims were never a part of the case, said Kunyu Ching, a staff attorney at the ACLU of Kansas, in a conversation for the Kansas Reflector podcast. Kansas statute deems someone as a criminal gang member if at least three of 10 criteria are met, one of which says someone is a gang member if they adopt a gangs style of dress, color, use of hand signs or tattoos. The Wichita authorities interpretation of the statute resulted in a gang list that contained mostly Black and Latino residents and department policies that put people on the list based on businesses they visited, who they were photographed with and who they were friends with. The advocacy groups said police used unreliable evidence or no evidence at all to surveil, harass and discriminate against people they believed were gang members or associates. The policy changes under the settlement agreement mandate the police department revise its criteria for adding someones name to the list, remove all gang associates and inactive gang members or associates from the list, and begin notifying people if theyre added to the list, according to the Aug. 26 written decision from Chief U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren. The new policy allows minors to avoid being added to the list, and it creates an appeals process so people can challenge the appearance of their names on the gang list. The city plans to create a way for the public to check and see if they are on the police departments gang list, said Megan Lovely, a City of Wichita spokeswoman, in an emailed statement. This mediated agreement is intended to protect the constitutional rights of the citizens of Wichita and allow law enforcement to conduct effective investigations for public safety, she said. Marquetta Atkins-Woods, executive director of Progeny, said in a news release the cases outcome was a prime example of youth instigating policy change. Our youth were part of the plaintiffs in the case, which is heroic and fierce, to take on something like this, she said. I think this lawsuit and settlement are proof positive of how community can come together to be a catalyst for change. The settlement agreement also created the position of an ombudsman to oversee a new appeals process, and the Johnson County judge will ensure the agreements terms are implemented over the next three years. Under Wichitas previous policy, no one was notified if they were on the list, and there was no way to take their name off of it. If convicted of a crime, people who appeared on the list would face higher bond amounts, longer sentences and harsher probation conditions. So its designed for you to fail, said Teresa Woody, the litigation director at Kansas Appleseed. At the time the lawsuit was filed, Wichitas was the only municipal police department in Kansas using a gang list. The list started as hard-copy files in a box. Today its a database, Ching said. But, essentially, its a way for the WPD to keep tabs on individuals that they believe are gang members or gang associates. Wichita police have used a gang list for roughly 30 years, so generations of residents have been impacted, she said. Regardless of whether criminal activity was occurring, police would scout funerals, weddings, family celebrations, public venues, public gatherings like concerts as reasons for adding or keeping people on the list, Ching said. Three of the ACLU of Kansas clients in the suit were family members, Ching said. Their active status on the gang list was renewed when they gathered at one of their homes for a wake for an infant family member who had died. Police, referencing the nationwide association of street gangs known as the Bloods, called the wake a Blood party at the time, Ching said. Black police officers testified that they avoided contact with certain family members because they feared they themselves could be added to the list, she said. Woody said theres no doubt in her mind that police and the Sedgwick County district attorney knew the list, and the way it was used, was wrong. I think it was really a way of policing these communities, or over-policing these communities, with an assumption that the folks who lived in those communities were likely criminals, Woody said. According to an ACLU of Kansas analysis of 2022 data, more than half of people on Wichitas gang list were Black, nearly 30% were Latino and around 6% were white. Wichitas population is 68% white with Black residents making up less than 8% of the population and Latino residents making up about 14%. Mostly white police officers staffed Wichitas gang investigation unit, Woody said. As of May 2022, roughly 5,500 people were on Wichitas gang list. Woody said roughly two thirds of the people on the list could be removed under the police departments revised policy, which went into effect Aug. 26. EVANSVILLE The widow of Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Deputy Asson Hacker is suing the City of Evansville, its police department and police academy, alleging that city-led training put the deputy in unnecessary danger and led to his death. Kourtney Hacker filed the suit in Vanderburgh County Superior Court as the administrator of her husband's estate. She is represented by Indianapolis-based attorneys Charles Hayes and Steven Lammers, according to court records. Hacker, 33, died on March 2, 2023, after he participated in what the Evansville Police Department called "routine physical tactics" training at the Southwestern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. The academy trains EPD recruits alongside police and sheriff's office cadets from agencies spanning Southwestern Indiana. Asson Hacker On Tuesday, Hacker's estate filed a civil complaint that described the training that preceded Hacker's death as "a state-sponsored hazing event." EPD Chief Phil Smith and department spokeswoman Sgt. Taylor Merriss declined to comment on the complaint Monday afternoon, citing department policy surrounding pending litigation. The department referred the Courier & Press to EPD's legal counsel, who also declined to comment. The Vanderburgh County Coroner's Office determined Hacker's death was "natural" and the result of exertional sickling and sickle cell trait, a fact that spurred the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office to institute new screening protocols to identify cadets who could be at risk of developing the condition. Sheriff's office: Many allegations in suit are 'either inaccurate or misleading' The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office released a statement Monday regarding the lawsuit, writing that the office "continues to mourn the tragic and untimely passing of Deputy Asson Hacker." "While the sheriff's office is not a named party in the lawsuit filed by Deputy Hacker's estate, we are closely monitoring the developments in this case," the statement reads, in part. "We believe many of the allegations contained within the complaint are either inaccurate or misleading." Civil complaint centers on 'The Big Fight' The 11-page civil complaint filed last week by Hacker's wife doesn't mention exertional sickling or sickle cell trait. Instead, it claims that SWILEA and its training staff put Hacker at undue risk of injury and death when it staged a series of physical confrontations it had reportedly dubbed "The Big Fight," wherein cadets were tasked with squaring off against experienced law enforcement officers. The suit claims a SWILEA training schedule listed a March 2, 2023, event at Club Bushido martial arts center in Evansville as "The Big Fight," adding that the event was "common knowledge" within the city police department. "'The Big Fight' was set up in a fighting circle similar to that of a (mixed martial arts) or UFC-style fight," the complaint reads. "Each of the training cadets was required to participate in the fighting. Each individual training cadet was paired with a veteran police officer for their fight. Female cadets were not required to participate in the March 2, 2023, 'Big Fight.'" Hacker's opponent in 'The Big Fight' and instructor named as defendants in suit The complaint goes on to state that SWILEA scheduled more than 20 fights on March 2, 2023, between cadets and "veteran law enforcement officers." Hacker reportedly fought Major Michael Fisher, a Knox County Sheriff's Office deputy whom the suit claims had "significantly more training in fighting than Hacker." Fisher is named as a defendant in the civil complaint. "On March 2, 2023, Hacker was forced to fight Fisher to complete his SWILEA training, and thus it was (a) condition for Hacker to maintain his employment with the (Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office)," the complaint reads. "Fisher proceeded to ... choke, strangle, hit, punch, kick and body slam Hacker. On multiple occasions, Fisher impeded Hacker's ability to breathe." In addition to Fisher, the suit also names EPD officer Garrett Vanfleet as a defendant in his individual capacity. Vanfleet reportedly worked as a SWILEA instructor as of March 2, 2023. The suit alleges that Vanfleet "encouraged" the fighting and that Vanfleet "did not at any time stop Fisher from his assaults on Hacker." Hacker's fight was videotaped; photos show prior training at Club Bushido While the fights were reportedly supposed to last approximately 5 minutes, the lawsuit claims Hacker and Fisher fought for at least seven minutes. Video footage of the fight, according to the lawsuit, showed Hacker "lying motionless on the fighting surface" at the conclusion of the fight. Neither SWILEA nor the City of Evansville have publicly released the footage. However, photographs the EPD posted to its official Facebook page on March 22, 2022, depict similar SWILEA training at Club Bushido to that which reportedly preceded Hacker's death. The images, which can be viewed below, show what appear to be recruits and instructors training in sparring gear. It was not immediately clear if the March 22, 2022, training constituted an earlier "big fight," but the department's accompanying Facebook post does corroborate certain claims made in the suit. Namely, that cadets would be paired with a "DT (defensive tactics) instructor" at the conclusion of the course in order to "use the tactics they've learned in a scenario." The post added that instructors served with both the EPD and surrounding law enforcement agencies. "Skills they have learned include handcuffing, grappling, shoulder pins and numerous other techniques that are critical for officers to know," the EPD's post describing the 2022 training reads. The lawsuit goes on to say Hacker "struggled to breathe" during his fight, and that SWILEA staged several more fights before Hacker was taken to a hospital for emergency medical treatment. "Hacker was admitted to the hospital at approximately 12:06 p.m.," the suit states. "Hacker was declared deceased at approximately 4:03 p.m." More: Sheriff vows to implement changes in wake of Deputy Asson Hacker's death In the suit, Hacker's estate linked his death to his participation in SWILEA's training program, which it says was sponsored by the city and organized by trained law enforcement officers. It concludes by claiming SWILEA and the City of Evansville "placed Hacker in a position of danger that he otherwise would have not faced" and that Hacker "did not knowingly consent" to be in. "The 'Big Fight' was not a legitimate training exercise but rather a state-sponsored hazing event that created an obviously dangerous situation," the complaint states. Suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial Kourtney Hacker's attorneys petitioned Vanderburgh County's Superior Court to grant Hacker's estate compensatory and punitive damages, in addition to reasonable court costs, "in an amount to be proven at trial." As of Monday afternoon, the public docket did not list a formal response as having been filed by any of the defendants. The Indiana State Police announced last year that it would launch an inquiry into Hacker's death. ISP Sgt. Todd Ringle told the Courier & Press Monday that the inquiry was completed and any findings were forwarded to the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office. In its statement, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office wrote that Hacker's loss is "deeply felt by all who knew him." The sheriff's office added that it anticipates the defendants in this case will "present a robust defense." Houston may be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Estate of deputy who died in training sues Evansville, EPD, others Wife of Madeira store owner killed during robbery: 'There's no healing from this tragedy' Still image from surveillance video showing Willie James Attaway point a gun at Madeira Beverage owner Roop Gupta during an attempted robbery on Feb. 9, 2021. Attaway fatally shot Gupta. He was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison. The wife of Roop Gupta, who was killed three years ago during an attempted robbery at his Madeira convenience store, didn't attend Monday's sentencing for the man who shot her husband. She remains devastated by what happened and didn't want to hear the facts of the Feb. 9, 2021 incident recounted in court, a federal prosecutor said. But she wrote a letter, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Garcia read aloud, as Willie James Attaway stood behind a podium next to his attorney, and listened. Attaway, 33, was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati to 40 years in prison. Judge Susan Dlott imposed the sentence. Gupta's wife described the three years since Attaway fatally shot her husband as extremely empty and lonely. Their children, she said, are the only reason she gets out of bed. "The uncertainty of life and death haunts me every day," she wrote. When people ask her how she is doing, she said, "How can I tell them there's no healing from this tragedy?" Robbery spree The fatal shooting happened during a two-day robbery spree. Attaway and 38-year old Lamond Johnson worked together, prosecutors said, with Attaway going into the stores with a gun and Johnson serving as the getaway driver. They targeted four gas stations and Gupta's store, Madeira Beverage. The first two robberies took place on Feb. 8, 2021 both were gas stations. In the second, at a Shell station in Hamilton, Attaway walked behind the counter and told a clerk to put money from the cash register into a bag. Attaway pointed a handgun at the clerk and said he would shoot if the clerk didn't comply, according to prosecutors. In court Monday, Attaway denied threatening to shoot any of the victims. It was snowing that day, and after Johnson and Attaway fled, they crashed their rented SUV on a highway. It was found abandoned. The next morning, on Feb. 9, 2021, Johnson rented another SUV, and that evening he and Attaway went to the Kenwood Towne Centre and bought clothes. Attaway was wearing his new, all-black outfit when he walked into Madeira Beverage. Willie James Attaway walked around Madeira Beverage before he fatally shot owner Roop Gupta during an attempted robbery on Feb. 9, 2021. According to prosecutors, Attaway briefly wandered the aisles before he walked behind the counter and confronted Gupta. There was a brief struggle. Prosecutors said Gupta had his hands raised when Attaway fired once. Gupta, who was struck in the abdomen, died about an hour later at a local hospital. About 20 minutes later, Attaway and Johnson robbed a gas station in Blue Ash. Soon after, they tried to rob another gas station in Lebanon, but the owner was able to chase away Attaway, prosecutors said, by pretending he had a gun behind the counter. Attaway, Johnson charged Johnson and Attaway were arrested a month later by police and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Johnson was arrested first, after law enforcement tried to stop him and Attaway in a vehicle. According to court documents, Johnson reversed and rammed into an ATF car. Johnson and Attaway then fled. As Johnson ran, the documents say, he pointed what turned out to be a BB gun at law enforcement officers pursuing him. Johnson was arrested soon after. Attaway turned himself in a few days later. Both men ultimately pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Johnson was sentenced Monday to 23 years in prison During Attaway's sentencing Monday, his attorney, Tim McKenna, described Attaway's extremely difficult childhood being abandoned by his father when he was 5, having a mother who was addicted to drugs, and struggling with mental health issues. He was in foster care by age 7 and was arrested for the first time when he was 10 years old. Attaway has spent most of his life in behavioral homes, jail or prison, McKenna said. Attaway also read from a statement, at times becoming emotional. He said he thinks about the shooting every day and that he never meant to hurt anyone. He also said he has tried to kill himself. "I wish I would have," he said. The robberies and the killing of Gupta "never would have happened." 'We need to be protected from you' In sentencing Attaway to 40 years the maximum under the plea agreement Dlott noted that he committed or tried to commit two other robberies after killing Gupta. Dlott said she wanted to keep society safe from him as long as possible. "We need to be protected from you, Mr. Attaway," she said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 2 men sentenced in 2021 killing of Madeira Beverage store owner DENVER (KDVR) Demonstrators marched outside the Bureau of Land Managements Grand Junction office ahead of a wild horse gather planned near De Beque for later this week. According to the BLM, the agency will use a helicopter to gather up to 130 wild horses, remove approximately 100 excess wild horses, apply fertility control and/or manage sex ratios of up to 20 horses, and return up to 30 horses back to the range. To manage sex ratios, staff will provide fertility control treatments that help slow the growth rate and maintain the genetic diversity of the herd. CPW report details capture and release, first few months of wolf reintroduction program The goal is to return the number of wild horses to the appropriate management level of between 90 to 150 horses on the range. The agency said that right now, there are about 211 horses in the herd. It is important to find a balance that will preserve wild horses and their habitat, other wildlife like elk and deer, and natural resources, the BLM said on its website. The gather of wild horses on the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range near De Beque is scheduled to begin on or near Sept. 11. The BLM also provides updated statuses for the gather on its website. During horse operations, our primary goal is to keep the animals, our employees and members of the public safe, said Grand Junction Field Office Assistant Manager Isaac Pittman in a release. Everyone involved in the gather will treat the horses humanely and adhere to the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program. The horses removed from the range will be available for adoption through the BLM. Additionally, the gathers are open to the public, provided they do not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff and observers, or disrupt the gather operations. Those wishing to attend must RSVP. However, demonstrates said the use of helicopters to round up wild horses leads to deaths. Critically endangered condor poached in Colorado, officials looking for information The American Association of Equine Practitioners conducted a study in 2010 and concluded that the BLMs handling and management programs, including the use of helicopters to round up the animals, were appropriate. The organization recommended that pilots adopt conservative flying patterns to maintain buffer zones, among other short-term holding facility recommendations. The BLM said it has had multiple conversations with Gov. Jared Polis, and in order to preserve the range, the roundups are necessary. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Under changes announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in July, the allowance will only be made available to the very poorest retirees - Jessica Taylor/Reuters Have you had problems with the DWP and your Pension Credit application? Let us know on money@telegraph.co.uk Almost 4,000 pensioners could die if Labour scraps winter fuel payments, according to the partys own research. A damning report published in 2017, when Keir Starmer was in the shadow cabinet, claimed that restricting the allowance to pensioners on benefits would cost thousands of lives. Ministers are set to debate the policy on Tuesday, with some 40 MPs expected to abstain and a small number to vote against plans to means-test the support this winter. Under changes announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in July, the allowance will only be made available to the very poorest retirees in receipt of certain benefits from this winter meaning 10 million pensioners will lose the support. The analysis by the Resolution Foundation think tank was commissioned by Labour in the run-up to the 2017 election. It claimed 3,850 pensioners lives would be at risk through being unable to heat their homes. The former prime minister, Theresa May, had planned to means-test the winter fuel allowance, claiming that the extra funds released could be funnelled into the social care system. The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said at the time that removing the winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners could leave thousands of the most vulnerable at even more risk this winter, adding that pensioners would struggle to heat their homes if the allowance was scrapped. The Conservatives 2017 manifesto did not give a level at which the allowance would be means-tested, but the Resolution Foundation suggested that restricting the payment to those on pension credit would be the most straightforward approach. Labour said plans to limit the winter fuel payment to those in receipt of pension credit will help plug a 22bn fiscal black hole left by the Conservatives. Health secretary, Wes Streeting, said on Sunday that he was not remotely happy about axing the allowance, worth up to 300. Speaking on Sky News, he said: I think it is a tough choice and weve had plenty of political criticism for it, I think, which demonstrates the political pain of it. Im not remotely happy about it, and Im not remotely happy about having to say to some of my constituents, Im sorry that Im going into work this week to vote for something that will take money away from you. Mr Streeting added: We didnt come into government determined to take away peoples winter fuel allowances. Thats not the primary motivation here. The motivation is to balance the books. In July, seven Labour MPs had the whip withdrawn for voting against the two-child benefit cap. Asked if the same would happen to rebels over the winter fuel raid, Mr Streeting said: Well, thats a matter for the prime minister and the chief whip. Keir Starmer told the BBC: Well, thatll be a matter for the chief whip and well assess that as we go along. On Sunday evening, Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions secretary, was understood to be ringing rebels in a bid to limit the size of the revolt. A potential rebel told The Telegraph on Sunday that there were no signs of a reversal, and that so far, the line is if you vote against, we cant guarantee youll keep the whip. The Government said that it did not recognise the figures from the 2017 report. A spokesman said: We are committed to supporting pensioners through the triple lock, which means that over 12 million pensioners will see their state pensions increase by almost 1,000 over the next five years. Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, its right that we target support to those who need it most. Over one million pensioners will continue to receive the winter fuel payment, while many others will also benefit from the 150 warm home discount from October. 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. RACINE, Wis. (WFRV) A 49-year-old Wisconsin man is being accused of possessing child pornography after multiple cyber tips led to a search warrant where deputies found several devices containing child sexual abuse material. According to a release, investigators with the Racine County Sheriffs Offices Internet Crimes Against Children Unit began investigating multiple tips from the National Center for Missing Children and Exploited Children of an individual in Racine possessing child pornography. Authorities in Wisconsin asking for publics help locating armed and dangerous man who allegedly killed pregnant woman During the investigation, authorities developed Christopher Marzette, 49, as a person of interest. On Sept. 6, 2024, investigators, along with electronic storage detection K9 Stella and a computer analyst from the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigations, served a search warrant in the 1400 block of 10th St. One woman dead, three people hurt following head-on crash in Oconto County During the search, investigators located multiple electronic devices, and an initial forensic examination of the devices uncovered numerous images of child pornography. Authorities interviewed Marzette, who allegedly admitted to owning the Google account containing child pornography. He was arrested and taken to the Racine County Jail, where he is being held on $500,000 cash bail for 10 counts of possessing child pornography. Walmart in Oshkosh evacuated following bomb threats, suspect believed to be from Illinois I am astonished by the number of perverts the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit investigators consistently arrest for possession of child pornography, Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said. These people are the reason children are initially victimized, and they present a clear danger to the children in our own community. This is why the sheriffs office will not waiver in our commitment to investigate and arrest pedophiles. Marzette was not officially charged in the Wisconsin Circuit Court system at the time of this articles publication, but the Racine County Sheriffs Office says it is forwarding recommended charges to the Racine County District Attorneys Office for criminal prosecution. No additional details were provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. KENOSHA, Wis. - Investigators say a Kenosha teen who is barred from having any guns has been flaunting them on social media. U.S. Marshals are looking for the 19-year-old. "Hes shown that he has a history and continues to possess weapons illegally," the U.S. Marshal on the case said. DaPrince Lewis has a regal name, but investigators say the only stately thing about the teen is how he royally messed up. "He continues to possess these firearms and display them on social media for everyone to see," the marshal said. DaPrince Lewis In June of this year, Kenosha police were investigating a fatal shooting when they came across Lewis for a different reason. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "During the course of their investigation, they determined that Lewis was in possession of a firearm that he shouldnt have," the investigator said. Further investigation led police to the teens Instagram page where they say they found photos of Lewis with guns. The 19-year-old is barred from having any guns because of his criminal history. DaPrince Lewis "He does have prior convictions for discharge of a firearm from a vehicle and first degree recklessly endangering safety," the marshal said. The teen has ties to Kenosha, Racine and northern Illinois. Investigators say he is a known gang member with the name tattooed across his neck. "I would strongly urge him to turn himself in so he could begin to get these matters behind him," the marshal said. DaPrince Lewis Lewis is 58" tall and weighs 150 pounds. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android U.S. Marshals encourage anyone with information about him to call the U.S. Marshal tip line at 414-297-3707. You will remain anonymous. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) If youre thinking about a new career, then you might want to plan a visit to the Western Iowa Tech Community College campus this fall. According to a release, WITCC and IowaWORKS are hosting three industry-specific career fairs where job seekers can explore employment opportunities from various Siouxland employers. Woodbury Parks tag monarchs for winter migration On October 8, the career fair will focus on health administration and health sciences. On November 6, the fair will showcase opportunities in agriculture, animal science, automotive technology, engineering, and truck driving. The final fair will take place on November 13 and feature art, music, police science, emergency services, law and political science, graphic design, business, and information technology. Each event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the WITCC campus. Visitors should use parking lot 3, entrance 12. The event is free and open to the public. Cone Park hosts first mountain bike race The release noted that employers will be available to interview qualified applicants for open positions and provide information about their companies. For additional information, contact Kristy Bowman at kristy.bowman@witcc.edu. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. The billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel has cautioned against the growing movement to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). In a recent speech at Cambridge University, Thiel shared his concerns that although AI might be dangerous, the true threat could come from a government with the authority to regulate it. His biggest concern is that such a government would have a global totalitarian character, as he put it. Don't Miss: Teens may never need wisdom teeth removed thanks to this MedTech Company Be an early investor for just $300 for 100 shares! The Risks of Over-Regulation Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and an early Facebook investor, is well known for his outspoken views on technology and politics often very controversial. At the Cambridge event, he expressed concerns about AI regulation spiraling into something far more dangerous than the technology itself: a global government with too much control over technology and, by extension, peoples lives. Trending: A billion-dollar investment strategy with minimums as low as $10 you can become part of the next big real estate boom today. "A government that's powerful enough to stop something like AI ... has to have some sort of global totalitarian character," Thiel warned. He argues that while AI regulation is necessary, there's a slippery slope in giving governments the power to oversee and stop advanced technology development. AI Regulation is Necessary, But at What Cost? Governments worldwide are focusing more on regulating AI, with the U.S. and European Union leading the way. The Biden administration recently issued an executive order requiring companies to report AI models that need large amounts of computing power (known as compute). Likewise, the EUs AI Act has strict rules for AI systems that are considered high-risk. Thiel, however, questions whether the solution to AI risks should be more government control. He doesn't deny that AI needs to be monitored, especially as it becomes more powerful. But his concern is that the solution could end up worse than the problem. There's always this question, you know, is it good or evil that's the ethical question we always get stuck on but so much of it doesn't even work, Thiel said. See Also: General Motors and other leaders revealed to be investing in this revolutionary lithium start-up allowing easy entry by launching at just $9.50/share with a $1,000 minimum. What Happens If Governments Control AI? Thiel's central point is that AI, if controlled by governments, could lead to a loss of innovation and personal freedom. He warned that global governance of AI might turn into a system where international authorities tightly monitor and regulate what technologies are developed and who gets access to them. Story continues "A government that's powerful enough to stop it, that seems really, really scary to me," Thiel said. Many experts believe that strong government rules for AI are necessary to prevent serious problems in the near future. Without proper supervision on a government level, powerful AI could easily be misused by bad actors, leading to cyberattacks, spreading false information, or even worldwide instability some of which we already see happening. Trending: Amid the ongoing EV revolution, previously overlooked low-income communities now harbor a huge investment opportunity at just $500. From that point of view, international cooperation on AI regulation isn't about creating a global totalitarian system but about ensuring that AI is developed safely and responsibly for the good of everyone. Read Next: General Motors and other leaders revealed to be investing in this revolutionary lithium start-up allowing easy entry by launching at just $9.50/share with a $1,000 minimum. "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Peter Thiel Is Scared Of A 'Government That's Powerful Enough To Stop Something Like AI,' Says It Will Have A 'Global Totalitarian Character' originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. BALTIMORE Shortly before Vice President Kamala Harris presidential bid flipped the script for the November election, Phoenix pastor Rev. Warren Stewart, Sr. sought counsel from his friend the Rev. Amos Brown, a San Francisco pastor and longtime faith mentor to Harris. As Stewart expressed deep unease about former President Donald Trumps chances against President Joe Biden, especially in key swing states like Arizona, Brown encouraged Stewart to be patient and stay hopeful. Brown and Stewart are both affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, USA, a historically Black denomination. We were in despair, Stewart said in an interview with The Tennessean, a USA TODAY Network partner, during the National Baptist Convention, USA annual session here in Baltimore. People who support justice, people of color and even poor white people had very little hope because Donald Trump is an anti-justice candidate. But Stewart said that changed quickly, just as Brown predicted, when Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris. Stewart said he was preaching during a Sunday service when the news broke. As part of this rapid change, Stewart would find himself personally meeting with the Democratic presidential nominee when Harris visited Arizona for a rally. Now, everybody is excited, Stewart said. We have a woman of color who is a Christian, who is a Black Baptist. I know her pastor. So, that has given hope and inspiration. Historically Black churches have long been a reliable force in turning out votes for Democrats through voter registration drives and the souls to the polls initiative. Biden in 2020 and former President Barack Obama both saw enthusiastic support among Black voters during their successful runs for office. Pastor Warren H. Stewart Sr. preaches to his congregation at First Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix on May 9, 2021. Now, as the presidential race heads into its final stretch, Harris' candidacy is starting to benefit from the excitement Stewart and others are feeling. An exclusive late-August poll from USA TODAY and Suffolk University found Harris leading Trump nationally 48%-43% a lead fueled by support from Hispanic, Black and young voters. But beyond that historical alignment or an opposition to Trump, support for Harris among Black clergy and lay leaders is born of deeper, more personal reasons. Harris candidacy bears the potential for a Black woman with a familiar religious background to ascend to the nations highest office. Its like someone who is part of your family, said Zena Simmons, who traveled to the Baltimore meeting from her home in New Jersey. What excites me is that she looks like me. The National Baptist Convention, USA, often known as the NBCUSA, is one of four major Black Baptist denominations in the U.S. and has between 5.2 million and 7.5 million members nationwide. It has a long legacy on issues such civil rights, criminal justice, housing, and has invested in voter rights initiatives. Thousands of clergy and lay leaders from National Baptist churches attended the conventions annual session at the Baltimore Convention Center last week, some of whom shared their reflections with The Tennessean about Harris and the November election. Simmons, who was wearing a Kamala Harris for president shirt last week during the denomination's meetings, serves as an usher at her local congregation. In addition to serving her church, Simmons said she also helps the community election office by volunteering as a poll worker. Pastor Warren H. Stewart Sr. preaches to his congregation at First Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix on May 9, 2021. There are specific issues driving Simmons interest in Harris and the November election. But Simmons also said shes engaged with the political process as a matter of principle, a message that Simmons said her church also emphasizes. At my church, its every election, said Simmons, referencing voter registration and voter turnout initiatives. Because every election is going to count for the children and its going to count for the future. Related and recent: Outgoing head of largest Black Protestant group condemns bigotry in US, urges voter turnout Voting with conscience Messaging around voter turnout within the National Baptist Convention, USA isnt directly correlated to the widespread support for Democratic candidates, though the two affect one another. We dont tell them what to do, but why they should do it, said the Rev. Thomas Morris, Sr., a Mississippi pastor and attorney. Morris, a member of the NBCUSA Board of Directors and the chair of a committee that oversaw an election for leadership in the denomination, said the convention doesnt endorse candidates. And he said National Baptist leaders dont dictate how its churches should discuss voter registration, which is largely due to the denominations belief in local church autonomy and its bottom-up hierarchy. Rev. Jerry Young, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, gives his farewell address as outgoing president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, which is the nation's largest Black Protestant denomination headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, at the convention's 2024 annual session at the Baltimore Convention Center on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. Rather, national and state leaders in the National Baptist Convention, USA offer guidelines and resources for clergy to use in sermons or to develop voter education programs and events. That work became an even greater priority under the conventions outgoing president, Mississippi pastor Rev. Jerry Young, who directed a social justice commission to create a resource book on voter mobilization. We must be informed and involved in the political process so that we make wise decisions and elect persons who have the interest and fortitude to be men and women of moral integrity, conviction and character, said the social justice commission in the resource book, published ahead of the 2020 presidential election. With those guiding principles in mind, Morris said for him personally supporting Harris is an obvious choice. When you have the type of choice were confronted with today, I think it speaks for itself, Morris said. When you have someone whos story is similar to yoursI see it as a slam dunk. Youngs concerted push around voter engagement raised the denominations profile to Biden, who visited Youngs church in 2020, and Harris, who addressed the National Baptist Convention, USA's annual session in 2022. Also, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the convention at its 2016 annual session during her presidential bid. Young delivered an opening benediction during the Democratic National Convention in 2020. The Harris-Walz campaign had a presence at the conventions annual session this year, with the Rev. Michael McClain, a faith outreach director for the campaign, manning a booth in the exhibitor hall. McClain was giving away Harris-Walz signs and answering visitors' questions about Harris candidacy. HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 08: US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the National Baptist Convention on September 08, 2022 in Houston, Texas. The National Baptist Convention was formed in 1886, and gathers church members and leaders from around the country in discussing church evangelism, disaster relief, and funding for education. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Were well received, McClain, a former pastor of an NBCUSA-affiliated church in South Carolina, said in an interview. Theyre glad to see us. A few weeks prior, McClain did the same at gatherings for other historically Black denominations, such as the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and the AME Zion Church. Harris recorded a video to the AME Church for the Nashville-based denominations recent general conference in Columbus, Ohio. McClain said he also hosts a weekly call with faith leaders to provide information and to encourage voter engagement. At the NBCUSA's annual session and the other gatherings of historically Black denominations, McClain said the sentiment is consistent. They express their support for Vice President Harris and Governor Walz, McClain said. As a matter of fact, they express their undying support for Vice President Harris and Governor Walz. National Baptists explainer: National Baptist Convention, USA: What to know about largest Black Protestant group in US Hold-ups and higher stakes Support for Harris among National Baptists, though it may be unwavering for some, isnt without questioning. In a denomination thats home to many conservative preachers on certain social issues despite the convention not taking official stances on many of them some National Baptist pastors have issues with the Democratic Partys stance on abortion. Stewart and Texas pastor Rev. Dwight McKissic, whos served in key leadership roles within the convention and more recently is known for his work with a cross-denominational advocacy group called Evangelicals for Harris, said in a joint interview their differences with Harris on abortion are not insignificant. Stewart said hes long been a defiant voice against abortion, even when fellow Black faith leaders involved in civil rights work held more progressive stances. Yet, McKissic said the calculus of abortion politics is changing because Trump and the GOP has taken a less hardline stance on the issue lately. Recent comments by Trump on leaving abortion to the states and in-vitro fertilization has outraged some conservatives, who have called Trump pro-choice. For me, that takes away any kind of consternation, McKissic said. McKissics support for Harris has faced intense criticism from peers in the Southern Baptist Convention, which McKissic is also involved with. Meanwhile, for Stewart, amid his concerns about Harris stance on abortion, there are far graver issues at play in this election. The Phoenix pastor said his church is planning forums later this month and next on Christian nationalism, and about Project 2025 and its threat to democracy. I dont tell people how to vote. But we are known as a Jesus and justice church, Stewart said. And I dont know how anybody who believes in justice can vote for Donald Trump. Liam Adams covers religion for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at ladams@tennessean.com or on social media @liamsadams. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Kamala Harris campaign: Why many in largest Black Baptist group back her Woman accused of leading commercial sex ring in Massachusetts to plead guilty on Friday A woman accused of leading a commercial sex ring in Massachusetts and Virginia that authorities said catered to wealthy and well-connected clientele is expected to plead guilty in federal court on Friday. Han Hana Lee, 41, of Cambridge intends to enter a guilty plea as to the charges lodged against her, according to a court filing on Aug. 29. Her plea hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday in the John Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse in South Boston. One of Han Lees alleged top assistants, Junmyung Lee, 31, of Dedham, is also expected to plead guilty in the case during a hearing set for Oct. 30, according to court documents. He filed a motion for a change of plea earlier this month. A third man, James Lee, 69, of California, continues to plead not guilty in the brothel case. A pretrial conference for James Lee is set for Oct. 29. Meanwhile, lawyers of several alleged clients of the interstate brothel network have argued that their clients names should not be released during show cause hearings surrounding the case. Authorities in November 2023 arrested Han Lee, Junmyung Lee, and James Lee, who are all accused of running a sophisticated commercial sex network in Watertown, Cambridge, and in Virginia, where buyers paid up to $600 per hour for a wide array of advertised sex acts. All three were indicted by a federal grand jury in February on one count of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce one or more individuals to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in prostitution; and one count of money laundering conspiracy. News of plea discussions in the high-profile brothel case broke in June. The parties have engaged in plea discussions, U.S. Magistrate Judge David Hennessy wrote in a report filed June 10 in U.S. District Court in Boston. All three defendants were arraigned in person on Feb. 6. Since then, Hennessy earlier wrote, federal prosecutors produced discovery on March 5 and May 30, 2024 that is described as voluminous and intends to produce further discovery, such as forensic searches of some electronic devices not already completed, as such discovery becomes available. A trial of all three defendants would require up to 10 days, wrote Hennessy. Attorneys for the alleged sex ring clients, only identified as John Doe #1-17 to date in court documents, have pushed to keep the court hearings private. Elected officials, doctors, lawyers, professors, accountants, and military officers were reportedly among a group of high-end clients who paid for the illegal sex services at various locations in the Bay State and in Virginia. A Cambridge police detective on Dec. 18, 2023 filed applications for criminal complaint against 28 people for sexual conduct with another person for a fee. No names on the client list will be released until probable cause has been found, officials have said. It was unclear Thursday when, or if, public court hearings would be held. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW MEMPHIS, Tenn. A woman was arrested on Friday after Memphis Police said she was responsible for shooting a teenager outside of a community center. On Thursday at approximately 3:50 p.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 4300 block of Graceland Drive. They were told that a teenage victim had been involved in a fight with another teenager when she was pepper sprayed by an adult woman, later identified as 43-year-old, Tequila Curry. During the altercation, the victim heard gunshots and realized she had been shot in the arm. ORIGINAL STORY: 14-year-old girl shot outside Whitehaven community center The victim was taken to Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital by the Memphis Fire Department for treatment. As Curry fled the scene in a black Chevrolet Malibu, she allegedly fired another shot. After investigation, it was revealed to officers that Curry was responsible for the shooting. Currys aunt, who wished to remain anonymous, told WREG she helped raise Curry as a child and has a close relationship with her. Shes not the animal they are pretending she is, Currys aunt said. For her bond to be that high, I cant believe it. I cant. That was my little mini-me growing up. We did things I talked to her we played cards we did everything growing up. I dont know this person there are trying to put together. It hurts my heart a ton just to find this out, but shes not a bad person. She also offered a deeper understanding of what may have driven Currys actions. A mother would do anything to protect their children, she said. I hope what theyre saying is not true but as a mother, you have to protect your children, and I understand that. Shes been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, vandalism $1,000 or less, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, reckless endangerment discharging a firearm from within a motor vehicle, carrying weapons in public parks, playgrounds, civic centers, and other public recreational buildings and grounds, convicted felon in possession of a handgun and two counts of assault. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Woman Allegedly Tried to Drown 2 Children at Okla. Pool, Smiled as Witnesses Yelled at Her to Stop: Police Witnesses alleged to police that Flor Ontiveros attempted to drown her 4-year-old daughter and 6-year-old nephew, according to a police report Oklahoma County Detention Center Flor Ontiveros An Oklahoma woman is in police custody after she allegedly tried to drown her daughter and her nephew at a public pool earlier this summer, police allege. Flor Ontiveros, 34, was accused of smiling and ignoring onlookers who pleaded with her to stop holding the two children underwater, according to an Oklahoma City Police Department incident report made on June 27. Ontiveros has now been charged with two counts of child abuse, local KFOR and KOKH reported over the weekend. The outlets reported that Ontiveros daughter is 4 years old and her nephew is 6 years old. A spokesperson with the Oklahoma City Detention Center confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday morning that Ontiveros remains in custody on a $250,000 bond. It's not immediately clear if she has retained an attorney or entered pleas. 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. According to the incident report, Ontiveros was accompanying her daughter and her nephew to the Will Rogers Aquatic Center that afternoon when others allegedly witnessed her holding the children underwater for an extended period of time. A witness told officers that Ontiveros was allegedly seen holding her nephews entire body and head underneath the water and said that multiple people were yelling at her to stop. The incident report says when the boy was finally pulled from the water, he was unconscious and not breathing. One witness told police Ontiveros allegedly did not seem concerned for the kids while the lifeguards performed CPR on them and said the woman was smiling during the incident. Both children were taken to the hospital after the incident and recovered, according to KFOR. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. June Hoey says the first step to being well again is finding a donor [NHS Blood and Transplant] A mother who is desperate for a transplant after a 12-year battle with cancer, has urged people to volunteer to donate stem cells. June Hoey, 56, from Northampton, needs a transplant to help her fight Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The British Bone Marrow Registry is now called the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry, and Ms Hoey is trying to make people aware of the change of name. She said if more people signed up, people like her would have a better chance of a longer life. Ms Hoey has undertaken three rounds of chemotherapy in an attempt to treat her cancer. She now needs a stem cell transplant to replace cells damaged by the chemotherapy and to treat the lymphoma. For a successful transplant, both donor and recipient need matching tissue types, which can be hard to find. Ms Hoey was first diagnosed after finding a lump under her armpit just as her daughter Lucy, now 23, was about to start secondary school. She said: I brushed it off at first until I had an appointment at the hospital and saw women waiting who had lost their hair it hit much harder then. She was put on a monitoring programme for five years, but noticed lumps on her neck in 2017 and started a six-month course of chemotherapy. She was admitted to hospital with breathlessness in 2022 and put on a second course of chemotherapy. She started a third round when the cancer returned six months later. She said: The first step towards being well again is to find that stem cell donor and I really do hope there is a match waiting on the register for me. "The more people who sign up, the more chance that people like me will have of being able to get the treatment that we need to be able to feel well again and enjoy time with our loved ones. Please, if you are eligible, think about registering to donate your stem cells you can save somebodys life. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Related internet links Police have made an arrest after a woman was stabbed to death in north Phoenix on Sunday night. Phoenix officers responded to a stabbing near a Home Depot store at Cave Creek and Cactus roads around midnight. When officers arrived, they found a woman suffering from a stab wound. The woman was rushed to the hospital, where she died. A man drove away from the scene, but officers found him and took him into custody. He has not yet been identified. Detectives were on scene and investigating. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: North Phoenix stabbing near Cave Creek, Cactus leaves woman dead Woman goes to Pittsburgh fire department after being shot in Homewood South A woman was shot in Homewood South. Pittsburgh Police say they were called to Pittsburgh Fire Engine 17 on Hamilton Avenue after a woman arrived there in her vehicle with a gunshot wound to her side. Allegheny County dispatchers say the call for this incident was made at that location at 9:53 p.m. on Sunday. The woman arrived at the fire department just two minutes after a two-round ShotSpotter alert went off at the intersection of Brushton Avenue and Bennett Street, police say. She was taken to a hospital and is currently listed in stable condition. Officers are looking for a smaller SUV that is white regarding this situation. Police are gathering evidence at that intersection and from the womans vehicle. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Man accused of killing woman, injuring 4 other people while shooting at Lawrence County buildings Pennsylvania woman charged in dogs drug-related death Mother of Georgia shooting suspect called school to warn of emergency, aunt says VIDEO: Pittsburgh Police officer injured while trying to break up fight in South Side DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) What was supposed to be a casual road trip to Knoxville turned into a terrifying experience for two friends driving through London, Kentucky on Saturday evening. According to Laurel County Sheriffs Office, deputies were dispatched to a gunshot victim complaint on I-75 at exit 49 around 5:30 Saturday evening. A total of nine vehicles were struck by gunfire and five people were injured. All of the sudden we heard like a loud it sounded like an explosion, said Christina DiNoto, who was driving at the time. It was so loud we both jumped. After interstate shootings wound 5 in Kentucky, searchers scour hill terrain for suspect DiNoto said she was driving a friend home from Rochester, NY to Knoxville when they heard what they thought was a rock hitting her car. So I turned around, checked it out that nothing was there, and then the car next to us started to slow down and pull over and my friend Jeremy was like, was that a gunshot?' she said. And then a few minutes later, we just saw swarms of police and ambulance headed the opposite direction. I would have never in a million years thought that there would be an active shooter on the highway, she said. That sounds like something out of a movie. At the time, DiNoto said they didnt know what was happening, but when they arrived back in Knoxville, she assessed the damage. On my metal rim, I have, like, really aggressive offroading tires, and theres a huge divot in my rim. Like, I can put my index finger in it, and then right above that, theres a bunch of paint that stripped off my rear quarter panel, she said. So what I believe happened was that the white truck next to us was shot and pulled over, and then it ricocheted off and hit my vehicle. Despite the damage to her car, Dinoto said she is grateful they were unharmed and that she got her friend home safely. I was just on a casual road trip and you would never think anything like that would happen. I just think it really puts in perspective what a scary world were living in now, you know? And you cant even go about doing normal things without the threat of violence unfortunately. Laurel County Sheriffs Office has identified 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch as a person of interest. He is described as 510 and weighing approximately 154 pounds. They say he considered to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone who has any information about Couchs whereabouts is urged to contact the London-Laurel County 911 center by calling 911 or (606) 878-7000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) Dozens of women who say they suffered excruciating pain at a Yale University fertility clinic because a nurse stole fentanyl for her own use and replaced it with saline have settled their lawsuits against the Ivy League school. Patients and their lawyers announced the settlements Monday in New Haven, Connecticut, where Yale is based. Details of the agreements were not released, but lawyers said they included significant financial settlements. The women say they underwent painful and invasive procedures for in vitro fertilization and were supposed to receive fentanyl at the Yale University Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility clinic in Orange. Unbeknownst to them, they received saline instead of fentanyl, and when they told staff of their extreme pain during and after the procedures, their concerns were dismissed, according to lawsuits filed by the women and their spouses. They said Yale officials failed to safeguard supplies of the painkiller. I, and so many others, never should have been put in a position to beg for medication. I unnecessarily suffered through the physical and emotional pain because of my desperation to have a family, one of the plaintiffs, Lauren Rosenberg, said in a statement. Yale said in a statement that the agreement allows both parties to move forward and begin healing, adding that it has instituted new safeguards since discovering the nurses actions, including more training and supervision. Seven women initially sued Yale in 2021. Dozens more patients later came forward and filed lawsuits, bringing the total number of plaintiffs to more than 150, including nearly 100 patients. In May 2021, nurse Donna Monticone, who no longer works for the clinic, was sentenced to four weekends in prison, three months of home confinement and three years of supervised release. She pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a consumer product. Prosecutors said 75% of the fentanyl given to patients at the clinic from June to October 2020 was adulterated by saline. They said Monticone replaced the fentanyl with saline to feed her addiction to the opioid. She apologized to the affected patients during her sentencing hearing. The lawsuits accused Yale officials of failing to follow mandated pharmacy protocols and allowing vials of fentanyl to be vulnerable to tampering. The suits also alleged Yale violated state and federal laws by keeping more than 175 vials of fentanyl in an unsupervised and unlocked area, and failed to implement safeguards including drug testing staff with access to opioids. The lawsuits included civil allegations of medical assault and battery and medical malpractice. It says hundreds of patients potentially were unknowingly treated with saline instead of fentanyl at the clinic. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Women will soon be notified about their breast density after a mammogram. Heres what that means Having dense breasts can put women at higher risk of breast cancer and make it more difficult to spot cancer on a mammogram, but many dont realize its a significant risk. Starting this week, all mammography reports and result letters sent to patients in the United States will be required to include an assessment of breast density. The US Food and Drug Administrations final rule requiring that mammography facilities notify patients about the density of their breasts goes into effect Tuesday. Breast density is a measurement of how much fibroglandular tissue there is in a womans breast versus fatty tissue. The more fibroglandular tissue, the denser the breast. About half of women older than 40 in the United States have dense breast tissue, said radiologist Dr. Kimberly Feigin, interim chief of the Breast Imaging Service and head of the Breast Imaging Quality Assurance at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. We talk about breast density for two reasons. One is that breast density can make it more difficult to spot a cancer on a mammogram, because dense breast tissue the glandular elements and connective tissue supporting elements looks white on a mammogram and cancer also looks white on a mammogram, Feigin said. In other words, dense breast tissue can hide cancer on a mammogram since the tissue appears white on a mammogram, in the same way lumps and tumors appear. The second reason that breast density is important is because having dense breast tissue raises a womans level of risk of developing breast cancer, Feigin said. The new notification requirements dont provide specific next steps for patients with dense breasts, but they recommend women talk with their providers to get a clearer sense of their individual risk and to determine a screening plan thats right for them. While it is recommended that all women get mammograms starting at age 40, some women with dense breasts may benefit from additional imaging options for breast exams, such as ultrasounds or MRIs. Breast cancer survivor JoAnn Pushkin, 64, has advocated for more than a decade that there be a national requirement for women to be notified of their breast density. She said the new rule is a long time coming. In her mid-40s, Pushkin noticed a lump in her breast but wasnt particularly worried; shed had a mammogram about eight weeks earlier that was normal. But she still went back for a diagnostic mammogram, and the radiology technologist told Pushkin, We didnt see anything. Pushkin thought the technologist had mistaken her for another patient. It was a large facility with multiple waiting rooms, and I just assumed that shed come back into the wrong room, Pushkin said. I said, Oh no, Im the lady with the lump so big I could feel it. And she told me, Oh, you have dense breasts. Thats going to be a very hard find for us. And I remember sitting back and saying to her, Wait, what? I didnt even know how to make sense of that sentence. Even though Pushkins mammogram at the time did not reveal the lump that she felt, she did further testing and had an ultrasound performed of her breast. And there was the lump, clear as a bell, Pushkin said. It was determined to be breast cancer. Within 20 minutes, I learned I had dense breasts, I learned I had breast cancer, and I learned it had been missed because I had dense breasts. Pushkin was diagnosed at a later stage of the disease, and she said she underwent eight surgeries and eight rounds of chemo as part of her treatment. A few years later, I had a recurrence, and then 30 rounds of radiation. Now I have lymphedema, and all because it was detected at that later stage, said Pushkin, who has testified before the FDA about breast density and co-created the website DenseBreast-info.org, which features resources on breast density. I feel that because I wasnt told I have dense breasts, I was effectively denied the opportunity for an early-stage diagnosis. Standard for all people getting mammograms So far, an estimated 39 states and the District of Columbia already have required some breast density information to be reported in mammogram result letters to patients, according to a tracker on the DenseBreast-info website. But the language in each state mandate can vary and does not always require providers to notify a patient about their risk, which is why advocates have pushed for a national requirement. With the new FDA rule in effect, notifying patients about their breast density will be a blanket requirement nationwide. This will provide a uniform national standard now so that all women in all states, when they have a mammogram, will be told either that their breasts are dense or that theyre not dense, said Dr. Wendie Berg, professor of radiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, who co-founded and serves as chief scientific advisor of DenseBreast-info.org. The new FDA changes require facilities to provide patients with information about their breast density and include specific language in the mammogram result letter to explain how breast density can influence the accuracy of a mammogram. An example of a notification statement could be: Breast tissue can be either dense or not dense. Dense tissue makes it harder to find breast cancer on a mammogram and also raises the risk of developing breast cancer. Your breast tissue is dense. In some people with dense tissue, other imaging tests in addition to a mammogram may help find cancers. Talk to your healthcare provider about breast density, risks for breast cancer, and your individual situation. Or a statement could be: Breast tissue can be either dense or not dense. Dense tissue makes it harder to find breast cancer on a mammogram and also raises the risk of developing breast cancer. Your breast tissue is not dense. Talk to your healthcare provider about breast density, risks for breast cancer, and your individual situation. Understanding breast density There are four categories of breast density provided on a mammogram report, ranging from mostly fatty to extremely dense, Berg said. With mostly fatty breasts, its very easy to see cancers, and these women are much less likely to develop breast cancer. The next category would be scattered fibroglandular density, which is actually the most common, Berg said. And then heterogeneously dense, which can obscure masses at least 25% of cancers are going to be missed in that category, she said. And then extremely dense would be the last category where at least 40% of cancers are going to be missed. And, if you compare a woman who has extremely dense breasts with someone who has fatty breasts, its actually as much as a four times higher risk of developing breast cancer. Based on her own family history of breast cancer and her breast density, 10 years ago, Berg said that she determined for herself that she had a 19.7% lifetime risk of developing the disease. Because of this, she insisted to her own physician that she undergo an MRI of her breasts to screen for cancer, instead of having only a 3D mammogram performed. The MRI showed a small invasive cancer that you cant see on my own mammogram, said Berg, who has since been treated for the disease. After that experience, I said, if were going to be telling women they have dense breasts, there needs to be a place for women to figure out if they meet criteria for an MRI or if they want to get an ultrasound and what to expect from these tests, Berg said. The FDA notes that in some people with dense breast tissue, other imaging tests in addition to a mammogram may help find cancers. But it doesnt say any more than that. And then it ends with talk to your healthcare provider, Berg said. The guidelines are not as clear as they could be. Many women might not know whether to ask for additional imaging such as with an MRI or their doctor may not agree that they need it in some cases. Also for some cases, these options may not be covered by insurance. Knowledge is power, and all women can now have informed conversations with their medical providers about the screening plan thats right for them based on factors influencing their personal breast cancer risk, including breast density, Molly Guthrie, vice president of policy and advocacy at Susan G. Komen, said in a statement. We want everyone to know that dense breast tissue alone doesnt necessitate additional imagingits just one factor in breast cancer risk, Guthrie added. For those who do need imaging beyond a mammogram, out-of-pocket costs are often a barrier. Thats why weve been advocating for state and federal legislation to eliminate these expenses. We have the technology to detect breast cancer earlier and save lives, financial barriers shouldnt stand in the way. Its crucial for people to understand and have affordable access to the breast imaging they need based on their individual risk. Access to quality mammograms The American Cancer Society has applauded the FDAs new rule, saying it will reduce delays in diagnosis. Its estimated that about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The final rule will improve screening by addressing newer technologies, better enforcement of facility accreditation and quality standards, and enhance the reports that are provided to women and their physicians, the ACS said in a statement last year. The ACS said at the time that while the new changes can help reduce breast cancer mortality rates, more work still needs to be done to ensure all women receive access to high quality mammograms. According to the organization, Black women are more likely to experience lower quality screening, contributing to the ongoing disparity in breast cancer mortality among Black and White women. A study published in 2022 found that the breast cancer death rate dropped by 43% within three decades, from 1989 to 2020, translating to 460,000 fewer breast cancer deaths during that time. When the data were analyzed by race, Black women were found to have a lower incidence rate of breast cancer versus White women, but the death rate was 40% higher in Black women overall. Either screening is important or its not. And if its important, its certainly more important for women who we know are at an elevated risk and for whom the mammogram is a compromised tool, Pushkin said. Notifying a woman about her beast density gives women the opportunity to advocate for themselves. How can you advocate for yourself in the absence of enough information to know that you need to? CNNs Janelle Chavez contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) shareholders have seen the share price descend 24% over the month. But that scarcely detracts from the really solid long term returns generated by the company over five years. We think most investors would be happy with the 135% return, over that period. So while it's never fun to see a share price fall, it's important to look at a longer time horizon. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean it's cheap now. Since the long term performance has been good but there's been a recent pullback of 18%, let's check if the fundamentals match the share price. See our latest analysis for United States Steel To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. During five years of share price growth, United States Steel actually saw its EPS drop 15% per year. This means it's unlikely the market is judging the company based on earnings growth. Because earnings per share don't seem to match up with the share price, we'll take a look at other metrics instead. The modest 0.6% dividend yield is unlikely to be propping up the share price. On the other hand, United States Steel's revenue is growing nicely, at a compound rate of 11% over the last five years. In that case, the company may be sacrificing current earnings per share to drive growth. You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). Take a more thorough look at United States Steel's financial health with this free report on its balance sheet. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, United States Steel's TSR for the last 5 years was 143%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective United States Steel provided a TSR of 2.8% over the last twelve months. But that was short of the market average. It's probably a good sign that the company has an even better long term track record, having provided shareholders with an annual TSR of 19% over five years. Maybe the share price is just taking a breather while the business executes on its growth strategy. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for United States Steel that you should be aware of. Story continues We will like United States Steel better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of undervalued stocks (mostly small caps) with considerable, recent, insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. (Bloomberg) -- Colombian rebels have reopened their war on the oil industry with a wave of pipeline attacks that sent crude spilling into rivers and clouds of black smoke billowing into the sky. Most Read from Bloomberg The worlds oldest guerrilla force, known as the National Liberation Army, or ELN, is reactivating its six-decade campaign of sabotage after peace talks with the government broke down, raising the stakes for President Gustavo Petro by hitting the sector that produces a third of the nations exports. The leftist group also renewed hostilities with government security forces, opening fire on police bases and killing five soldiers in ambushes. The violence including at least 19 pipeline attacks since late August is adding to Petros woes as security deteriorates across swathes of the countryside while he struggles to rein in discontent in the cities. Last week, officials were forced to mostly concede to demands from striking truckers whose paralyzing blockades shut schools and public transit. Its also another headwind for Colombias struggling oil industry, along with falling reserves, heavy taxes and hostility from Petro, an environmentalist who wants to phase out fossil fuels and has refused to grant new exploration licenses. Producers had enjoyed more than a year of pumping crude relatively unhindered while guerrilla leaders met negotiators, seeking a deal that would see the group lay down its arms in exchange for legal and constitutional reforms to provide more support for the poorest citizens. The latest attacks show that the ELN still has the oil industry in its sights and is nowhere near to ending its war. Meanwhile, the groups sophisticated extortion network continues to target businesses operating in its territory. The rebels have long viewed the oil industry as a military target as well as a cash cow. The groups antagonism comes from its belief that Colombia should have sovereignty over its natural resources, rather than selling rights to private companies, according to Carlos Velandia, a former senior commander in the group who left in 2004. The ELN believes that the oil companies have been able to get contracts that are very advantageous for themselves, but bad for the country, said Velandia, who now monitors the conflict as the head of the Peace Observatory at Colombias National University in Bogota. While supply disruptions from Colombia arent big enough to roil global markets, the conflict is another example of the violence endemic in crude-producing regions throughout the world from Houthi rebels in Yemen who target tankers in the Red Sea to pipeline attacks in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. Colombias state-controlled oil company, Ecopetrol SA, which owns the pipelines, said Sept. 4 that the attacks, along with the truckers strike and protests at a natural gas plant, have seriously affected its operations. The company hasnt provided an estimate of how much production has been curtailed since the attacks restarted. As of Sept. 6, the Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline was still damaged, while the Bicentenario pipeline was functioning again. After placing explosives, the ELN often deploys mines and snipers to make it harder for the army and repair teams to enter the area. Most of the recent attacks took place in Arauca province, the ELNs biggest stronghold. The two pipelines connect Arauca, which produces about 58,000 barrels of crude per day or 7% of the nations output with refineries and a Caribbean port. Canadas Parex Resources Inc. and SierraCol Energy, a subsidiary of the Carlyle Group, operate in the region. Petro took office in 2022 pledging to seek total peace through talks with the guerrillas and drug cartels whose militias dominate much of the countryside. But so far the various negotiations have had limited success. Negotiations with the ELN broke down in May over issues including the governments refusal to remove the rebels from a list of organized crime organizations. But the group stuck to its ceasefire until this expired in August as efforts were made to get the talks back on track. Petro is himself a former leftist guerrilla. But the ELN, which was inspired by the communist revolution in Cuba, says Colombias oligarchy is blocking his attempts to reform the nations conservative economic model. Extortion Network Electricity company Grupo Energia Bogota SA, the fourth-most valuable business on Colombias stock exchange, recently ran into the ELNs extortion network when it studied building a power line to connect Arauca with the national grid. Shakedowns from the ELN have made Arauca among the most expensive places in Colombia to do business, according to Juan Ricardo Ortega, the companys chief executive officer. When we looked at how much it would cost to get people to build the towers, to transport the materials, everybody began to charge 45% more than in peaceful regions of the country, he said. The ELN sets fire to trucks and buses operating in its territory without its permission. Even if big companies dont make payments to the group, their subcontractors have little choice, pushing up the price of everything from transport to security services, Ortega said. Paying money to an illegal armed group could bring US charges for financing terrorism. For businesses operating in regions dominated by the guerrillas, there are many ways of staying off the radar of the US justice system, but there is no way to skirt the ELNs attention, according to Velandia. Its not possible to avoid doing deals with them, but it doesnt necessarily have to involve handing over cash, Velandia said. One favored method is for social organizations that are sympathetic to some of the ELNs objectives to organize strikes to pressure a company into paying for projects such as paving a road or building a health clinic. The guerrillas then get the credit for bringing investment to areas abandoned by the government, while also taking a cut for themselves. For the guerrillas to tolerate the presence of a multinational, they tell them to build a road or bridges or schools, Velandia said. Thats a way of camouflaging payments as social investment, rather than giving money to an organization thats listed as a terrorist group. Companies find that it is cheaper to pay up and incur the risk of US sanctions than to refuse the guerrillas demands, which effectively means not being able to operate at all, according to Rodrigo Villamizar, a former Colombian energy minister who now heads Electra, a Bogota-based think tank focused on the power sector. Cocaine Ban In Arauca, the ELNs hold over local politics is such that five former governors have been accused by prosecutors of having ties with the group. The region, which borders Venezuela, is unusual in that oil, rather than illegal drug production, has long been a main driver of the violence. Since 2019, it has been one of the few Colombian conflict zones that doesnt have any coca, the raw material for making cocaine, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Justice. Thats because the Domingo Lain front, an elite group within the ELN that controls much of Arauca, grew so rich from shaking down businesses and government contractors that it decided it no longer wanted or needed cocaine production in its territory and banned it across the entire province of 24,000 square kilometers (9,300 square miles). --With assistance from Jason Kao. (Updates with ELNs history with Petro in 15th paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The World Health Organisation declared mpox an international emergency in August, with suspected cases reported in 13 African countries. Photograph by Getty Images This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). The spreading of any disease is unsettling. But when the World Health Organization (WHO) announces an international emergencyas it did with mpox (formerly monkeypox)in August, theres a more urgent sense of concern. A new, deadlier form of mpox was reported by scientists earlier this year. The WHO says there have been 18,000 suspected cases and 629 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congothe worst affected countrythis year. For travelers, that might bring back memories of COVID and two years of fraught rules, restrictions, masks, testing, and quarantines. So heres what you need to know. What is mpox? The viral zoonotic diseasemeaning it can spread between animals and peoplemanifests with flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, muscle ache, and fatigue, followed by a distinctive rash that progresses to blisters or sores. Human-to-human transmission occurs through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials. Although similar to smallpox, mpox is generally less severe and has a lower fatality rate. Its primarily found in Africa but may spread to other areas. Vaccination and isolation are key to controlling outbreaks. Which countries are affected? As of August, suspected cases have been reported in 13 African countries: Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared mpox a "public health emergency of continental security." Has it spread in Europe? Sweden reported the first imported case in August. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has raised the risk of the deadlier Clade I strain from "very low" to "low." The emergence of a case on the European continent could spur rapid international spread of mpox, Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert and professor at Georgetown Law in Washington, told Reuters. A case in Sweden most likely means dozens of undetected cases in Europe. Dr Meera Chand, deputy director of the UK Health Security Agency, tempers that view: The risk to the UK population is currently considered low. However, planning is underway to prepare for any cases that we might see in the UK. Are travel restrictions likely? China announced in August that, for the next six months, it will screen people entering the country from high-risk areas. And anyone traveling to Thailand from 42 "risk countries" must register and undergo testing on arrival. However, officials in Africa are lobbying against restrictions. Dont punish Africa, said Jean Kaseya, head of the Africas CDC. We need solidarity. We need you to provide appropriate support. This vaccine is expensive. I clearly request our partners to stop thinking about travel bans against Africa. That will bring us back to the unfair treatment from the COVID period and not help the world to move forward. Should I cancel my trip? Tour operators are likely to be lenient if you have a trip booked to the DRC. But, given the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to only certain parts of the country, operators are under no obligation to refund you. Theres no need, at present, to cancel trips to other affected African countries. What precautions should I take? Vaccination is an option. The ECDC says those visiting affected areas in Africa should consult healthcare professionals before traveling, to see if they are eligible for a jab. Those most at risk of contracting mpox include children under 15 years old, and adults who have multiple sexual partners. Will travel insurance cover me? The virus is an epidemic, so a good travel insurance policycovering medical bills up to at least 2m in Europe and 5m worldwideshould cover you if you become ill abroad. However, the government-backed National Travel Health Network and Centre warns: "Travel to a mpox-affected area may affect travel health insurance options. Travellers should discuss their plans with their insurance provider before they go." To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only). In young American activist's death in the West Bank, associates see pattern of impunity A Palestinian honor guard carries the body of slain American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi during a funeral procession in the West Bank city of Nablus on Monday. (Nasser Nasser / Associated Press) The young American activist, newly arrived in the West Bank, was nervous but determined. She believed that her presence, along with that of other foreign protesters, could help protect the land and lives of Palestinian villagers in the shadow of an encroaching Jewish settlement. On Friday, in the scant shelter of a few gnarled olive trees near the Palestinian village of Beita, a first field outing became her last. As her companions on a rocky, arid hillside looked on in horror, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26 a bubbly, black-haired recent graduate of the University of Washington fell to the ground, mortally wounded by a bullet to the head. Colleagues of slain activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi carry posters with her image during her funeral procession in the West Bank city of Nablus on Monday. Eygi, an American citizen, was killed during an anti-settlement protest. (Nasser Nasser / Associated Press) I saw a soldier on the rooftop training his gun in our direction, said Jonathan Pollak, an Israeli activist who was a short distance away from where Eygi and a small group of protesters were standing when the shots were fired. After an earlier, brief clash in which Israeli soldiers fired tear gas at Palestinian protesters, it was calm, he said, and the contingent that included Eygi and her foreign companions had moved some distance away. Nothing was happening, he said in an interview. It was quiet. Then Pollak heard two shots, and panicky shouts erupted behind him. I saw Aysenur lying on the ground beneath an olive tree, bleeding to death, he said. He and others tried to render first aid, but even though paramedics arrived quickly, it was obvious they could not save her. Read more: Strikes and protests roil a divided Israel amid funerals for hostages, including California native I could see brain matter, said a European protester who was a few yards away at the time, who wanted to be identified only as Mariam. Eygi, a dual U.S.-Turkish national, was later pronounced dead at a hospital in the nearby northern West Bank city of Nablus. On Monday, hundreds of mourners marched in Nablus. They hoisted Eygi's body, draped in a Palestinian flag and a black-and-white kaffiyeh, and denounced the young womans death as the cold-blooded murder of a peaceful protester. Her family said she would be buried in Turkey, where Eygi was born before spending her childhood and early adulthood in the United States. The Israeli military, which acknowledged firing shots to quell what it called a threat to troops safety, said in an initial statement Friday that it was investigating the episode, but did not respond to subsequent queries. Read more: After hostage killings, can the Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks be revived? The White House said Friday that it was deeply disturbed by news of the death, and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said the Biden administration was seeking additional information from Israel. But in the intervening days, Eygis friends, family and associates have voiced doubts that anyone would ever be held accountable for the killing especially if it is the Israeli military that is doing the investigating. They pointed to the similar deaths of not only Palestinian civilians, but also other U.S. citizens in the West Bank and Gaza, including the veteran Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. She was shot dead in the northern West Bank in 2022, while reporting on an Israeli raid in the Jenin refugee camp. The Israeli military eventually apologized for Abu Akleh's death, citing the "high probability" she was shot by a soldier, but said she was mistakenly targeted. No criminal inquiry was opened. Read more: What is Israel's track record on investigating civilian deaths? Theres a culture of cover-ups, said Neta Golan, an Israeli activist and a co-founder, in 2001, of the International Solidarity Movement, which organizes nonviolent protests in the Palestinian territories, including Friday's in Beita. Israeli investigations are not investigations, theyre How do we cover this up? The killing sparked broad calls for an independent inquiry, including from the United Nations. "People should be held accountable, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general, Antonio Guterres. In a weekend statement, the Eygi family also called for an independent investigation. An Israeli investigation is not adequate, they said. Pressed for a fuller response to the killing, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said Monday that U.S. authorities continued to wait for Israeli officials to present the findings of their own investigation. "We are ... encouraging our partners in Israel to quickly and robustly conduct and conclude their process and make their findings public," Patel told reporters at the State Department in Washington. "We are ... not going to get ahead of that process." Israeli officials have said little publicly about Eygis death, although an Israeli spokesman said the U.S. ambassador, Jack Lew, raised the subject in a weekend meeting with President Isaac Herzog, whose role is mainly ceremonial. Read more: He went to register the birth of his twins. He returned to find them killed in an Israeli strike The president expressed his sorrow over her death, and said the incident was being investigated by the [Israeli military], said the spokesman, Jason Pearlman. Israeli authorities have long regarded the International Solidarity Movement as a thorn in their side, sometimes seeking to halt entry of foreign activists who travel to the Palestinian territories via Israel to participate in its protests. In 2003, another American activist with the organization, 23-year-old Rachel Corrie, was crushed by an Israeli army bulldozer as she tried to block home demolitions in the Gaza Strip. Corries parents, Cindy and Craig Corrie, said Eygis death revived painful memories. The couple, who founded a nonprofit foundation in their daughters name, also called for an independent investigation into Eygis killing, which they likened to Rachel's. The latest episode raised diplomatic tensions between the United States and Turkey, a NATO ally that has been harshly critical of U.S. backing for Israel in the 11-month-old war in the Gaza Strip. The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned Eygis death, describing it as murder. Turkish officials said that repatriation of Eygis remains had been complicated by a deadly weekend attack at the land crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, and that the body might have to be transported via a direct flight to Turkey. On Sunday, a Jordanian gunman killed three Israeli civilian workers at the crossing, which was closed in the aftermath. Read more: Gunman kills three Israeli civilians at crossing into Jordan Since the Gaza war began in October, violence has surged in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, with more than 600 Palestinians killed, according to U.N. figures. In light of that, some critics have questioned whether international activists were deliberately putting themselves in harms way by taking part in demonstrations such as the one near Beita, which take place almost every week. Mariam, the European protester who was a few yards away from Eygi when she was shot and was with her during preparations for the protest, described her as serious-minded and aware of the risks, but joyful. "She had the most beautiful smile," said Mariam, who did not want to be fully identified for safety reasons. Associates from Egyi's college days described her as committed and passionate. She abhorred suffering and believed in justice, Kyle Haddad-Fonda, a University of Washington history lecturer, told the Seattle Times. Since 2020, more than a dozen Palestinians have been killed in protests against the Israeli outpost of Evyatar, whose establishment contravened international and Israeli law. Palestinians say the settlers have seized private lands in a campaign of violence and intimidation against villagers. Protest organizers said that Eygi and those with her that day did what they could to safeguard themselves, but that the dangers were clear to all. Illustrating that, a 13-year-old Palestinian girl was shot and killed the same day in a town a short distance away, as she watched a clash between troops and Palestinians from her window. She really played it safe, International Solidarity Movement co-founder Golan, who was not present at Fridays protest, said of Eygi. She stayed in the back. They went into the olive grove, and there was nothing happening where she was. She should have been safe. Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Bloomberg/Getty Images The following article is adapted from PBS News Student Reporting Labs' On Our Minds: Election 2024 podcast. It is published here with permission as part of a collaboration between Student Reporting Labs and Teen Vogue. Listen to the full segment in episode 2: Does My Vote Matter? Adelaida: How Americanized do you feel? University Students (in Spanish): No se... Del uno al diez como un dos. Un 50% porciento americano. No mucho. Me siento super puertorriquena... Adelaida: Puerto Rican students from the Ana Mendez University campus varied from feeling 50% American to hardly American to very American. University Student (in Spanish): Yo me siento pues bien puertorriquena... Dubbed: I feel very Puerto Rican. I am a patriot, but I feel that we are also very Americanized. [DRUMBEATS] Miranda: Identidad Adelaida: Identity is one of the most conflicting topics in the island of Puerto Rico. Imagine this, you are at a Model UN conference and the Puerto Rican anthem is played. [P.R. anthem] People, as one would do for an anthem, put their right hand on their chest. After the Puerto Rican anthem ends the anthem of the U.S. is played. [U.S. anthem interrupted] But for this anthem, some people put their hands on their chest, while others don't. This is something Puerto Rican students like me experience in their daily life, revealing a complex reality where our Puerto Rican cultural identity intersects with American influence. A reality that translates to our voting rights. But what rights do Puerto Ricans have when it comes to voting in the U.S. Presidential elections? And what is Puerto Rico? [DRUMBEATS] Miranda: Historia Professor Luis Camara: Puerto Rico has been a colony since the Spaniards arrived in 1493. United States arrived as consequence of the Spanish-American War in 1898, um... Adelaida: Here is Luis Camara, a political science professor from the University of Puerto Rico. Professor Luis Camara: Puerto Rico had achieved significant level of autonomy from Spain, but that was very short lived. After the invasion, United States had military governments from 1898 to 1900's, and then a series of more representative governments with the Foraker Act 1900's, with the Jones Act in 1917, and then with the Constitution that we have now in 1952. Adelaida: What does this mean in terms of our voting rights? Well, Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory; meaning that we are part of, but not a part of the United States of America. Since we are unable to vote for the president and can only do so in the primaries, us Puerto Ricans have little say in Federal U.S. politics. This lack of voting rights has perpetuated the colonial relationship between Puerto Rico and the U.S., where P.R. Contributes to society like any U.S. Citizen but does not receive the benefits people of the United States do. Charlie Rodriguez, politician and former Puerto Rican senator shared this with us: Charlie Rodriguez: Well, the problem of being a territory or being a colony is that you are subject to the obligations of being a citizen but you don't have equal rights. Puerto Ricans who are subject to the draft whenever a draft is instituted. Right now, we don't have a draft, but what its mandated, kind of having people who can die for this country. Adelaida: This conflict has engendered a political arena where parties are based on different solutions to our territorial status. One is remaining a commonwealth with some wanting more autonomy, becoming a state, or gaining independence. While all different, all of these solutions seek to break from our colonial dependency and lack of rights. But in the past few decades, there has been no significant change, and the internal debate continues. The Puerto Rican government has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ineffective referendums and a symbolic vote for the president of the United States, neither of which has had any effect on mainland U.S. elections. [DRUMBEATS] Miranda: La Brega Adelaida: As we navigate the ins and outs of this reality, we have to deal with "La Brega", our daily struggles to get by. Here's Professor Camara again: Professor Luis Camara: The New Progressive Party has been promising statehood for years and years and years. When Governor Pedro Rossello won in 1992, we did not become a state. And then, the New Progressive Party won again in 2008 with Luis Fortuno and we did not become a state. The Popular Democratic Party has been in power, the Commonwealth has stayed stagnant. Actually, according to several recent decisions by the United States Supreme Court has gained less ground. So, it's gone backwards. Adelaida: As a result, youth voters have grown apathetic. To get a sense of what young people are thinking, my colleague Miranda and I went to, you guessed it, [REGGAETON MUSIC] the House of "reggaeton", AKA "El Choliseo". Concert Youth (in Spanish): Yo pienso que estan aburridos y piensan que estan todos corruptos Dubbed: I think that they're bored and believe that everyone is corrupt. All the political parties until now have been almost the same or have brought more or less the same corruption. Adelaida: If we want to encourage Puerto Rican youth to vote in both the P.R. National elections and the U.S. presidential primaries, we have to do more. Recently, artist Bad Bunny, for example, began a campaign where he offered special discounts to fans for his concert tickets if they presented a copy of the electoral card. By thinking outside of the box and utilizing other resources, we can find more effective ways of mobilizing young people. [GUIRO TYPICAL GOURD INSTRUMENT] Miranda: Futuro Adelaida: University students had their own ideas: University Student (in Spanish): Hablar, motivar... Dubbed: Talk, motivate. The political parties should use social media. University Student (in Spanish): Bueno, se pudiera empesar por Dubbed: They could start by creating awareness and providing more information. Adelaida: Puerto Rican youth and the people are clamoring for an improvement of our essential rights, regardless of what our political status is. [SHARP DRUMBEAT] Reshaping what it means to be "puertorriqueno." And thus comes a hope for a better Puerto Rico. [2022 GOVERNOR RICKY ROSELLO RESIGNATION PROTEST IN THE BACKGROUND]. A future where we don't just "bregar" or just deal with it. A future where we are not treated as second class citizens. Where we are granted the rights we deserve, and where politicians can keep the promises they make. [PROTEST SOUNDS CONTINUE AND FADE OUT] By Adelaida Siaca-Ortiz and Miranda Jatib (high school students from San Juan, Puerto Rico) with mentoring from Pilar Alamo and Sixto Ortiz at sjspr.radio Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want more U.S. government coverage? Young workers are most likely to visit the office, study shows (Getty Images) Younger workers are visiting the office more than their older counterparts as hybrid working becomes mainstream, new research has shown. Of all office workers in London, you are most likely to find 18- 24-year-olds on-site, figures from Centre for Cities show. The youngest bracket of employees visit the office 3.1 days a week on average, while 35- 44-year-olds are in the least, at 2.5 days on average. Young people are also the most likely to say that they work well in the office, at 43 percent. The authors add that this pattern has only emerged post-Covid, with older workers being slower to return to the office than those in younger age brackets. In January 2020, before the pandemic, it was younger workers that were less likely to be in the office, but this has now inverted. The report also finds that the average decrease in office attendance amongst 45- 54-year-olds is almost two days. This age group would visit the office 4.3 days a week in January 2020, dipping to 1.8 in April 2023 before increasing to 2.7 in 2024. The UK is at risk of having to fight for highly skilled workers, according to new research (Kirsty OConnor/PA) (PA Archive) This runs against narrative that reluctance to return to the office is driven by younger workers, say the report authors. Fridays have also become the most quiet day in the office, findings show, with the least amount of workers choosing to commute in on the final weekday. As of June 2024, only 40 percent of workers visited the office on Fridays the only day to attract less than half of employees. The report authors are broadly critical of the figures, arguing that younger workers development is likely to suffer if they are unable to interact with more senior colleagues. Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, said: Theres no substitute for the benefits gained thanks to face-to-face interaction, particularly for younger workers. Having access to the wide variety of activities and experiences that offices in city centres offer is crucial for them, and the businesses they work for, to be successful. Deputy PM Angela Rayner is spearheading Labours reforms to workers rights (Getty Images) The think tank recommends that local and central government work together to encourage a minimum number of days expected in the office for all workers. They also suggest a legal mandate for public sector employees, who average 2.4 days a week in the office. Last month, this measure was taken by officials in Australia to enforce all civil servants based in New South Wales including Sydney to work from the office full-time unless a reasonable excuse was given. However, the new Labour governments approach to workers rights would suggest they have different plans. Spearheaded by deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, the governments New Deal for Working People reportedly will give employees the right to request a four-day week of compressed hours, alongside a raft of other rights. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A city man indicted in federal court for using a house on the South Side to sell drugs was sentenced Friday to over 10 years in prison. U.S. Judge John R. Adams gave the 121-month sentence in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio to Jabraelyn Bunn, 27, following guilty pleas on April 30 to a 12-count indictment, including charges of distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, and maintaining and using a drug premises. He was indicted on March 6 by a federal grand jury. The indictment in the case accuses Bunn of selling methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl from Sept. 30 to Oct. 30. Bunn is also accused of using a house on East Warren Avenue to sell drugs. The case was investigated and prosecuted by the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief focusing on the protection of Ukraines energy infrastructure from Russian attacks, the supply of artillery to Ukrainian troops, and the situation in the combat zone. Source: Zelenskyys evening address on 9 September Quote: "I held a meeting of the Staff. Several key issues were discussed. Protection of energy infrastructure from Russian strikes. Defence of our positions on the front line. We thoroughly addressed the issue of artillery supply to the troops, including our Bohdana howitzers, and the provision of equipment to our brigades. Regarding the energy sector, there are clear deadlines and requirements for each facility, both in terms of physical protection and air defence. We need the same clear approach to implementing all the necessary measures. Responsibility for this is entirely personal both for the construction of protective structures and for the operation of air defence systems. We are also working in detail on equipping our combat brigades and reserve brigades." Details: Zelenskyy heard a separate report from Defence Minister Rustem Umierov on the outcome of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting and his talks with Ukraines partners. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, gave a report about the situation on the fronts. Quote: "On the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts, the Russian army must lose as much combat capability as possible. Separately, the Commander-in-Chief reported on the defence in Kharkiv Oblast and on our active operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast. I am proud of all our warriors who, through their actions, are teaching Russia a clear lesson where its land ends and where its neighbours begins." Support UP or become our patron! We are thrilled to introduce the first iPhones designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence, and its breakthrough capabilities, said Tim Cook at Mondays event. We are thrilled to introduce the first iPhones designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence, and its breakthrough capabilities, said Tim Cook at Mondays event. Photograph: Manuel Orbegozo/Reuters Apple sought to pitch the latest generation of iPhones as machines built around artificial intelligence as its biggest product event of the year, as the tech giant seeks a dominant position in the aggressive race around the technology. The company claimed iPhone 16, the smartphones new model, had been designed from the ground up for its Apple Intelligence range of AI features, which include the ability to generate and edit text to fit certain tones, as well as use the devices camera to recognize real-world objects. The event held at Apples headquarters in Cupertino, California featured the tagline Its glowtime, with the companys logo surrounded by a colorful aura. Through a series of high-production videos, the companys executives advertised a range of new hardware, and tried to highlight the ways Apple was integrating AI into its products. We are thrilled to introduce the first iPhones designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence, and its breakthrough capabilities, Apples CEO, Tim Cook, said in a prerecorded video during the event. The companys Apple Intelligence system will allow iPhones to perform a range of tasks that include photo editing, using the camera to identify objects in the real world and generating text. During a segment promoting Apple Intelligence, the company promised an ability to create custom emojis based solely on prompts like cowboy frog. The AI features will also allow users to search through photos, emails and texts through typing in descriptions or giving audio commands to the Siri voice assistant. Related: Apple Intelligence is coming. Heres what it means for your iPhone The company will provide its AI integrations for US English language users as a free software update next month. Apples shares fell slightly, around 1%, following the event. The new iPhone 16 also promised a bold new palette of colors and a more resilient display screen. It introduces an action button to the phone that can perform customizable activities, as well as a new A18 chip intended to provide better performance. Apple also rolled out a new version of its AirPod headphones during the event, and a new design for the Apple Watch that included a larger screen and faster charging, as well as health app features, like sleep monitoring. The AirPods Pro 2 will also now have the ability to function as a hearing aid for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Apples fall product launch has become one of the companys most important annual events as it typically showcases a series of new devices and sets the tone for the holiday shopping season, Apples busiest and most profitable period. These new products are routinely the cause of immense speculation inside the tech industry and among the companys fans. In the lead-up to the event, reports around Apple switching from LCD to OLED screens, and rumors of a dedicated photo button circulated widely. Early coverage of the event also predicted that the tech giant would expand on its AI Apple Intelligence features. Earlier this year at Apples Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), the company announced a range of ways that it intended to integrate AI features into its products and services. One of the biggest reveals was a partnership with OpenAI to merge ChatGPT technology with Apples Siri voice assistant, with executives promising a more natural mode of interaction. Apples announcements at its WWDC event and promises to include more artificial intelligence were a pivot for the company after it held off longer than competitors such as Microsoft in debuting consumer-facing AI tools. The companys hesitancy to roll out new generative AI features had previously been a source of frustration for investors and analysts awaiting the companys release of its own take on the technology. Apples share price has risen considerably this year as market enthusiasm for generative AI and revenue growth has buoyed big tech stocks. The company has struggled with a global downturn in smartphone sales in recent years, however, as well as the rise of rivals such as Huawei in key markets, particularly China. Huawei is expected to release its own line of new products within hours of Apples event. Also looming in the background is the Department of Justices sprawling antitrust lawsuit against Apple, which alleges that the company built and maintained an illegal monopoly over the smartphone market. Apple has rejected the allegations in the case, which could take years to be decided. A capsule has been propelled through a hyperloop test tube in a step forward for the transit system A test vehicle levitated by magnetic fields zips through a depressurized tube in a testing ground for a high-speed transit system during a press tour of a European test center for hyperloop transportation technology in Veendam, northern Netherlands, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) VEENDAM, Netherlands (AP) Hyperloop, a new form of mass transit involving capsules whizzing on magnetic fields through depressurized tubes, has achieved significant liftoff in the northern Netherlands, a company developing the technology said Monday. A test vehicle was levitated and zipped through a tube at a testing facility for the high-speed transit system once promoted by Elon Musk. So today, with the first successful test, we were able to levitate the vehicle, also turn on the guidance system and the propulsion system," Marinus van der Meijs, the technology and engineering director at hyperloop company Hardt, told The Associated Press late last week before Monday's formal announcement. The European Hyperloop Center's 420-meter (460-yard) tube is made up of 34 separate sections mostly 2 meters (more than eight feet) in diameter. A vacuum pump sucks out the air to reduce the internal pressure. That reduces drag and allows capsules to travel at high speeds. Hyperloop developers aim to have capsules speeding through tubes at up to 700 kph (435 mph). Its backers say it's far more efficient than short-haul flights, high-speed rail and freight trucks, but it will involve significant investment in infrastructure. So far, in the limited space offered by the test center, the speed has been modest. Once the capsule was in place in the tube, we launched it with an acceleration similar to that of a metro, up to a top speed of about 30 kph (18 mph), about 100 meters (more than 300 feet) in the pipe, Van der Meijs added. Even so, it's a milestone that required some careful conducting. The most difficult things that we are doing now is to test all of these functions together. Levitation, propulsion, guidance, all of those functions we are now capable of executing as an orchestra, making them work together, said Roel van de Pas, commercial director of Hardt Hyperloop. Musk first proposed the idea more than a decade ago, suggesting it could shuttle passengers the nearly 400 miles (645 kilometers) between Los Angeles and San Francisco in 30 minutes. Since then, teams around the world have been working to bring the idea to fruition. To deliver Hyperloop as a mobility system, we have a very complicated puzzle which requires technology, which requires policy, which requires public-private collaboration, and that is what is needed most," Van de Pas said. "At Hardt, we are ready for passenger operations by 2030. Some analysts are skeptical. When the hyperloop test facility opened in March, Robert Noland, distinguished professor at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, told The Associated Press that building the necessary infrastructure is too costly, calling it another example of policymakers chasing a shiny object. In 2016, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, signed a deal with Los Angeles-based Hyperloop One to study the potential for building a hyperloop line between the city-state and Abu Dhabi, the Emirati capital. The announcement of the deal took place atop the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building, with a panoramic view of the skyline of the futuristic city-state serving as both a backdrop and a sign of Dubais desire to be the first to rush toward the future. But like many flashy announcements in the city-state, the hyperloop idea faded in recent years with no track being built. Hyperloop One shut down in December. ___ For more AP tech stories: https://apnews.com/technology When does the iPhone 16 officially come out? What we know after Apples special event today The new iPhone has finally been announced. Now to game plan your next shopping trip. Apple revealed key details about its new generation of iPhone during the "It's Glowtime," event on Monday, sharing the iPhone 16 range with on-device artificial intelligence capabilities across the models. The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up. It marks the beginning of an exciting new era, Chief Executive Tim Cook said during the product launch at the Steve Jobs Theater at the companys headquarters in Cupertino, California. Cook also said this new line "raises the bar for what an iPhone can do," with fellow Apple officials highlighting its camera features, better battery life and its generative artificial intelligence. Here's when you can get your hands on it, as well as the other products that were announced. Rewatch Apple's 'It's Glowtime' livestream What iPhones did Apple announce during its 'Glowtime' event on Monday? Apple's iPhone 16 comes in new colors and features AI -- Apple Intelligence Apple officials announced the release of four different style iPhones iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. For the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, officials shared they both have a new A18 chip with 8GB of RAM to enable support of Apple Intelligence, the company's artificial intelligence software. The company said the chip can challenge some high-end desktop computers. The new models also see the addition of an action button that was previously found on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The new line sees the addition of a "capture button" that will open and operate the phone's camera. The button will be able to open the Camera app, zoom in and out, and bring the camera into focus before taking a picture. The camera control button will enable "visual intelligence," an Apple Intelligence feature that can search from photos or send them to third party apps. The feature will be available "later this year." See full details on iPhone 16: Apple 'Glowtime' event sees new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch As for the Pro and Pro Max, the models will have slightly larger screens, as the iPhone 16 Pros screen will measure 6.3 inches and the Pro Max model will have a 6.9-inch screen. The line also sees the addition of the "capture button" that would open and operate the phone's camera. Apple said the Pro and Pro Max models will be able to record video at 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. The company said the Pro Max will have, the best iPhone battery life ever. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have a new A18 Pro chip the company said is faster and more efficient than the base model. What colors will the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro come in? Apple's iPhone 16 comes in new colors and features AI -- Apple Intelligence The new iPhone 16 will be available in black, teal, pink, blue and white. As for the Pro, the new phones will be available in black, silver, grey and rose gold. How much does the iPhone 16 cost? The iPhone 16 starts at $799 for the 128 GB option and the 16 Plus starts at $899 for the 128 GB option. They also shared that you can receive up to $800 off if you bring in iPhone 12s or newer to trade in. The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 for the 128GB option and $1199 for iPhone 16 Pro Max for the 256GB option. When does the iPhone 16 release? Officials shared that the iPhone 16 range will be available for preorder this Friday and will hit store shelves officially on Friday, Sept. 20. What else did Apple release during 'Glowtime' event? Apple watches, Air Pods and AI Apple is introducing a series of advanced features using what it calls Apple Intelligence. While the star of the company's September event was arguably its new iPhone, there's some other updates to look out for. Apple kicked off its event with the new Apple Watch Series 10, which will feature a larger case size and larger screen while being the thinnest and lightest it has ever been. It will also have new health features. The watches will be available for preorder Monday. They hit stores Sept. 20, starting at $399, with GPS + cellular for $499. The company also revealed the AirPods 4 with two models under the name. USA Today highlighted Apple redesigned the shape and acoustic architecture with, richer base and crystal clear highs, with personalized Spatial Audio. The AirPods 4 will have one model with noise cancellation and an entry model without it. They will be available for preorder Monday with the non-noise cancelling model retailing for $129 and the noise cancelling model for $179. Though the announcement was not made in the presentation, USA Today said the company separately announced that iOS 18 would be available Sept. 16. Some of the features of iOS 18 that were already announced back in June were: More customizable home screens Genmojis, artificial intelligence-generated emojis that users can create with a description Schedule a message Redesigned photos app, including allowing users to search through photos by the month or year taken Image Playground, which allows users to create images or get suggested concepts related to their conversations in messages Rewrite, proofread and summarize text in mail, notes, pages and third-party apps Transcription services in the notes and phone app Where are Florida's Apple stores? You can also purchase iPhones at most phone carriers, as well as retailers such as BestBuy, Target and Walmart. Contributing reporting from USA Today. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: iPhone 16 pro, max release date, preorder soon. Here's when Qantas Freight now operates six Airbus A321 aircraft and plans to add six more of the converted freighters. (Photo: Qantas) The arrival of a sixth Airbus A321 converted freighter has unlocked more cargo service to New Zealand and Hong Kong for Qantas following the Australian airlines switch to an all-Airbus cargo fleet. Qantas Freight now operates three times per week to Hong Kong utilizing an A330-200 retrofitted cargo aircraft after adding first-ever weekly service from Perth to Hong Kong to cater to shipments from western Australia. The flight is on top of existing twice-weekly service between Sydney and Hong Kong, according to a new flight schedule published last week. Shippers also have more choices to move products between Australia and New Zealand with five weekly services from Sydney to Christchurch via Auckland. Four of the flights are conducted with standard-size A321s, including a new weekend service. Qantas also offers a weekly service on the route with an A330 to support customers with larger shipments. On Tuesday, Qantas Freight will add Melbourne as a destination to the regional Oceania freighter service to provide more import/export services from southern Australia into New Zealand. The addition of the A321 cargo jet frees up Qantas to deploy the A330 on the Hong Kong route, spokesman Oliver Craven-McLeay explained in an email. Demand for freight services is rising, particularly in Asia, and were looking at several options to extend the A330 freighter schedule to more places in Asia as we want to meet that need now and into the future, said Igor Kwiatkowski, executive manager for Qantas Freight, in a news release. These changes give freight customers in Australia, New Zealand and Asia more opportunity through greater frequency of services and the enhanced capacity of our Airbus fleet. Qantas this year phased out older Boeing cargo jets in favor of a younger Airbus fleet. The final Boeing 767-300, a medium widebody in the same category as the A330, last flew for Qantas Freight in May. The cargo unit retired its last Boeing 737 converted freighter in August, Craven-McLeay confirmed. The airline until recently operated five 737-300/400 cargo aircraft. Qantas Freight in October 2020 deployed the worlds first A321 passenger-to-freighter aircraft ever produced. The company plans to double the A321 fleet to 12 aircraft over the next few years to capitalize on the growth in e-commerce shipments. Several of the aircraft, which are produced by a conversion specialist affiliated with Airbus, are flown under contract for Australia Post. The two A330-200 freighters in the fleet are former Qantas passenger jets that were modified last year to carry cargo containers. Story continues Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. Contact Eric Kulisch at ekulisch@freightwaves.com RELATED READING: Qantas to add more A321 cargo jets for e-commerce The post Qantas adds freighter capacity to meet rising transport demand in Asia appeared first on FreightWaves. Apple unveiled its iPhone 16 at an annual launch event in California on Monday evening, as the US tech giant seeks to entice consumers with a raft of new artificial intelligence (AI) features. At the companys so-called Glowtime event, Apple unveiled four new iPhone models, as well as new AirPods and a revamped Apple Watch. Its latest gadgets are geared to take advantage of the tech giants AI software, known as Apple Intelligence. This is powered by new A18 and A18 Pro microchip processors, which analysts hope will trigger a surge in sales. The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up. It marks the beginning of an exciting new era, Apple boss Tim Cook said. It came on the same day that Chinese rival Huawei unofficially announced a new tri-fold phone. The Chinese companys website showed on Monday that it had garnered more than 3m pre-orders for its Z-shaped phone. This solidifies Huaweis position against Apple in China, where consumers are hankering for more AI features and are willing to pay for them. The Chinese market is hungrier for AI features than the US market, said Ben Bajarin, chief executive and principal analyst at Creative Strategies, said. For Apple, it will be very difficult to bring it to China immediately, so theyll be going off the merits of the hardware. Here is everything you need to know about Apples new launches: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro: features Apple unveiled four new iPhone 16 models. This includes the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 introduces new colours, while the the Pro versions will include a more advanced A18 Pro chip. The new Apple iPhone 16 unveiled on September 9, 2024 - Nic Coury/AFP via Getty Images The standard version of the Apple iPhones will come in ultramarine, teal, pink, while and black, and with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screens. The premium versions of Apples iPhones will come in black, white, silver and desert colours. They come with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens. The larger of these being Apples largest-ever phone display, a step up from its former 6.7-inch screen. The gadgets will look broadly similar to other iPhones of recent years. The iPhone 16 models will come with a dual rear camera and the Pro variant with a triple rear set-up. However, all the phones will come with a new capture or camera button that will act similar to a shutter button on a regular camera with added touch and swipe functions. The phones will also include a programmable action button, which can be linked to quick-launch different features. What is Apple Intelligence and when will it be released? The tech giant will bring its Apple Intelligence AI to the US next month - in what it describes as a beta - before launching a localised version for the UK in December. The new software will include a revamped Siri digital assistant and a host of writing tools. This will include AI-powered features that can reply to emails, draft blog posts and presentations, create synthetic artwork and design customised emojis. Apple Intelligence will also grant users access to ChatGPT, the digital assistant from Silicon Valley start-up OpenAI. Apple has previously said: Siri can tap into ChatGPTs expertise when helpful. Users are asked before any questions are sent to ChatGPT, along with any documents or photos, and Siri then presents the answer directly. How much will the iPhone 16 cost? The iPhone 16 will cost 799, while the iPhone 16 Plus will cost 899. The higher-end iPhone 16 Pro starts at 999, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in at 1,199. The prices are the same in pounds as they are in dollars for the US market. The iPhone is typically more expensive in the UK owing to taxes and exchange rates. iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro release date Apple has announced that the new iPhone 16 will to be available for pre-order in the US and UK from Friday Sept 13, and will then go on full sale a week later on Sept 20. However, some of the crucial new software features may not be available immediately, with Apple Intelligence available in the UK in December. What about the Apple Watch and AirPods? Apple is releasing a new low-end version of its AirPod headphones, the AirPods 4, at a cost of 129, or 179 with noise cancellation. The new AirPods 4 have a new design for more comfortable wearing and improved acoustics. The new Apple AirPods Max are displayed during an Apple special event at Apple headquarters - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Meanwhile, the premium AirPods Pro will now be able to carry out a hearing test. The iPhone will play a series of sounds, asking you to tap the screen when you hear a tone. On Monday, Apple also debuted a revamped version of its larger, over-ear headphones, known as the AirPods Max. The new Apple Watch 10 was also launched, thinner than its predecessor and has an up to 30pc larger screen than previous generations. It starts at 399. People look at new iPhone 16 models and Apple Watches on Sept 9, 2024 - Nic Coury/AFP via Getty Images Apple highlighted the Watchs ability to help with sports and health issues, including finding longer-term conditions such as sleep apnea as well as detecting and responding to emergencies such as a fall. Apple also launched a new version of the more rugged Watch Ultra 2, starting at 799. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Editor's Note To make informed decisions, voters need accurate, timely and impartial information, and they need it in the language they speak. So, with generous support from the Yakima Free Press Fund, the Yakima Voter Project is providing free access to general election coverage by the Yakima Herald-Republic and El Sol de Yakima. To contribute to the Free Press Fund, visit www.yakimafreepress.org. From left, Emilie Maureen Hanson, Holiday and Alexander Kilian in a rehearsal for The Feast's "The Adding Machine: A Cyborg Morality Play. (Nodoka Kondo) Russia is facing a yuan shortage. Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool/AFP/Getty Images Russian banks are urging the country's central bank to boost yuan liquidity amid shortages. But Russia's central bank is advising lenders to limit yuan-denominated loans. The Russian central bank said currency swaps are a short-term, not a long-term solution to yuan supply. Russia's central bank and lenders are asking each other to preserve the country's stash of Chinese yuan. Last Thursday, Russian banks complained that they've run out of the Chinese yuan and called on the Central Bank of Russia to increase liquidity through currency swaps. But Russia's central bank is passing the buck back to the country's banks. In a report published on Friday, Russia's central bank advised lenders to limit the issuance of yuan-denominated loans. The central bank is a primary source of yuan liquidity that it provides via daily sales and one-day swaps of the currency. "Part of the growth in yuan lending was due to the replacement of loans in 'toxic' currencies, but 41% of the increase came from new foreign currency loans," said the Russian central bank in the report, referring to the currencies of countries that have imposed sanctions against the country. It added that currency swap operations can only serve as a short-term mechanism to stabilize the market, but they aren't permanent funding tools. The banks called for increased central bank currency swaps because they needed to use the mechanism to cover their foreign currency lending. But yuan liquidity is so tight that Sberbank's CEO German Gref said last Thursday that his bank cannot lend in the yuan, because it has "nothing" to cover tight foreign currency positions with, per Reuters. Sberbank is Russia's largest bank. Russian exporters can also provide liquidity through currency sales, but many Chinese banks are refusing to process payment transactions for Russian companies due to fears of US secondary sanctions. Chinese lenders are also avoiding currency trading in Russia for the same reason. The difficulties surrounding yuan liquidity in Russia highlight increasingly challenging trading conditions for the country as the West steps up sanctions. But Russia and its trade partners are trying to find ways to get around the payments issue. Dmitry Birichevsky, head of the economic cooperation department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Russian TV that the country and its partners are discussing how to link up their bank messaging systems, TASS state news agency reported on Friday. "Combining these systems or deciding on the basis on which [system] we will work is the most sensitive, painful issue, because this is part of the country's financial sovereignty," Birichevsky said. Read the original article on Business Insider Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 107F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Clear skies. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Mainly sunny. Near record high temperatures. High 106F. Winds light and variable. Antidiabetic drugs purchased online and taken with the aim of losing weight could pose serious health risks, researchers at Pecs University (PTE) said. In its statement, the university said there was an increased demand for Ozempic injections in Hungary, while the drug "often cannot reach diabetic patients who would need it the most." Obtaining the drug from the black market poses "huge health risks", they added. In their research, the experts made trial purchases on popular websites and found that nearly every other semiglutide product on offer was available from illegal pharmacies and could impact the users' health through contamination or an overdose. Quoting from a study published in the US periodical JAMA Network Open, the purity of online products was far below expected levels, while they could contain up to 40 percent more active ingredient than recommended, posing risks of an overdose. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! Hungary is participating as a guest of honour at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, China, Levente Magyar, a state secretary of the foreign ministry, said in his opening remark at the event. "This is a great opportunity and a great honour for us," as many companies can present themselves with products, services and innovative solutions, he said. Mr Magyar noted that Xiamen is located in Fujian province, the source of most Chinese FDI, therefore they have held talks with the governor and the city administration on how to further expand relations. The state secretary noted that next year Xiamen will become the eight city in China that will have a direct flight to it from Budapest. They also discussed cultural ties, he added. The CIFIT events is being organised for the 24th time. Hungary is being represented at the event by the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA), the Hungarian Tourism Agency, national investment promotion agency HIPA, Agrarmarketing Centrum (AMC), the Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency, the National Industrial Park Management and Development Company (NIPUF) and the Hungarian Innovation Agency. Hungary guest of honour at Pujiang Innovation Forum The Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai opened on Saturday with Hungary participating as a guest of honour at the four-day event. "Our goal is to strengthen our research, scientific and innovation relations with our Chinese partners, because if we look around the world, we can see that China is ahead not only of Europe, but also of the United States in innovation and science," deputy state secretary for innovation Laszlo Bodis said at the event. In the fields of science, research and innovation Hungary also wants to be at the forefront of the world, so it is essential to establish close cooperation with Chinese companies and universities, Mr Bodis said. Hungary is represented at the event with around forty experts, company and university leaders, who will showcase at the forum in which areas Hungarian innovation provides world-class performance. The Pujiang Innovation Forum is being held for the 17th time since its inaugural event in 2008. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest, is pleased to announce the appointment of Balint Bako as the new Director of Sales, effective summer 2024. Balint joins Matild Palace Budapest with a remarkable background in the hospitality industry, bringing over 15 years of international experience, including Sales Manager and Director of Sales roles at renowned international hotel brands 4-star and 5-star properties in Budapest, luxury hotels in the South of France, and multiple Marriott International hotels in Budapest and Germany. Over these years Balint has gained results-oriented leadership skills and is committed to supporting the Matild Palace team in achieving their goals by applying innovative sales and marketing strategies. His accomplishments have been recognized with several awards throughout his professional path, including Marriott Internationals Special Achievement Award and Outstanding Individual Performance Award. As the new Director of Sales at Matild Palace, Balints expertise and vision will be invaluable to achieving the business aims and success of the hotel and to further strengthen Matild Palace's position with both domestic and international hotel guests. Click here to virtually visit Matild Palace New Delhi: After being alleged of changing Pakistani Muslims name to Hindu Code names, now the makers of Neflix series, 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijak' have once again found themselves in trouble, News Agency, ANI has filed a lawsuit demanding removal of 4 episodes in the series. ANI claims that the series features footage of prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, General Pervez Musharraf, and various terrorists, without proper licensing. According to a report by Bar and Bench, ANI's legal representative, Advocate Sidhant Kumar, argued that the footage's use in the series, which has been criticized for allegedly downplaying Pakistan's role in the hijack and for purportedly serving as a public relations tool for the Pakistani spy agency ISI, has damaged ANI's reputation. Kumar stated that while the movie producers had requested permission to use the footage in 2021, no agreement was reached. He emphasized that the unauthorized use of ANI's footage, particularly those featuring the ANI logo, constitutes a trademark infringement. Kumar asserted that four out of the series' six episodes extensively use ANI's footage, including exclusive material from Pakistan. The matter was heard today by Justice Mini Pushkarna, who has issued a notice to the producers. The court has ordered that replies to ANI's application for interim relief be filed within two days. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on Friday. New Delhi: With an aim to ensure less burden on the taxpayers, the 54th GST Council meeting on Monday is likely to deliberate on a slew of issues, including rate rationalisation, taxation of insurance premiums, online gaming, and more. According to industry sources, the GST Council meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is also likely to discuss the operationalisation of the GST Appellate Tribunal mechanism which is a key step towards streamlining dispute resolution under GST. The meeting is going to deliberate upon whether to reduce the tax burden on health insurance from the current 18 per cent or exempt certain categories of individuals, like senior citizens. In the last fiscal, the Centre and states collected Rs 8,262.94 crore through GST on health insurance premiums, and Rs 1,484.36 crore on account of GST on health reinsurance premiums. The meeting is also likely to discuss the reduction of the current four major GST slabs (5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent) to possibly three slabs, as per talks which have been ongoing for a while now. According to industry experts, the move could simplify the tax structure and reduce compliance burdens. Shivashish Karnani, Head of GST at Dewan PN Chopra and Co, said that the current GST rate on life and medical insurance premiums is 18 per cent which further accelerates the affordability issue. Consequently, one of the key expectations from the 54th GST Council meeting is a reduction in tax rates or, ideally, the complete exemption of GST on life and health insurance premiums, he mentioned. The life and health insurance industry is hopeful that the meeting will result in a significant reduction of the GST rate from 18 per cent to a lower rate such as 5 per cent or even 0.1 per cent. This reduction would alleviate the tax burden on both insurers and policyholders. Finance Minister Sitharaman said last week that the GST rate is much below the revenue neutral rate (RNR), originally suggested at 15.3 per cent, which means less burden on taxpayers. The current average GST rate has decreased to 12.2 per cent as of 2023, much below the revenue neutral rate in GST, the Finance Minister informed. The government needs to raise revenue, "but simplifying, easing and ensuring compliance for taxpayers comes first", she added. The revenue neutral rate is the rate of tax at which the government collects the same amount of revenue even after changes in tax laws. Seven companies settled with the Securities and Exchange Commission over charges that they violated rules protecting whistleblowers who report potential misconduct. The combined civil penalties for the seven companies totaled more than $3 million, the SEC said Monday. Among other actions, the companies required employees to waive their right to potential whistleblower monetary awards, according to the SEC. This severely impedes would-be whistleblowers from reporting potential securities law violations to the SEC, said Jason Burt, director of the SEC's Denver office. The companies and the civil penalties they agreed to settle include Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc., $1,386,000; a.k.a. Brands Holding Corp., $399,750; AppFolio, Inc., $692,250; IDEX Corp., $75,000; LSB Industries, $156,000; Smart for Life, Inc. $19,500 and TransUnion, $312,000. Ensuring that potential whistleblowers can communicate directly with the Commission is a critical part of the SECs oversight mandate, said Creola Kelly, chief of the SECs Office of the Whistleblower. TransUnion said that it is already incorporating changes to better protect employees. This settlement reflects the seriousness with which we take our commitment to regulatory compliance, TransUnion said in an email to The Associated Press. We voluntarily assisted with the SECs work and are likewise making voluntary changes to ensure employees and contractors better understand their rights and responsibilities, as set forward in the agreement. Other companies did not immediately reply to an email requesting comment. GST Cut On Medical Insurance: A Group of Ministers has been tasked to look into GST rates related to medical insurance and come up with a report by October so that the GST Council can take up the matter in the November meeting."There were a lot of discussions about whether we should reduce the rate or exempt it, whom should we exempt and whom should not, what happens to group insurance; are we going to carve out only for senior citizens, will this not complicate the implementation?" Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters after hours-long GST Council meeting held on Monday. A lot of issues were brought up for further discussion today in the GST Council, Sitharaman said, adding that which is why they felt it should go through a rigorous looking into by the GoM.It will be the rate rationalisation GoM headed by the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar but with newer members added for this limited purpose. #GSTCouncilMeet | Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman announces that the GST compensation cess is projected to reach 8,66,706 crores by March 2025, with 6,64,203 crores already paid out as of September 5. The extended compensation cess, which will continue until March 2026, pic.twitter.com/Dcj6SyGTKj DD News (@DDNewslive) September 9, 2024 "We have told them that they will look into this matter and come up with a report by the end of October 2024. The #GST Council which will meet in November, will finalise based on this report which will come from the GoM," she added. Both life insurance and medical insurance premiums attract a GST rate of 18 per cent.Recently, many leaders from opposition-ruled states have requested Finance Minister Sitharaman to reduce GST on medical insurance and premiums. Recommendations during 54th meeting of the GST Council GST Council recommends Group of Ministers (GoM) on life and health insurance related GST with existing GoM on Rate Rationalisation; to submit report by end of October 2024 GST Council also recommends formation of a pic.twitter.com/FYX3o4Txgv Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) September 9, 2024 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has requested the central government to withdraw the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on life insurance and health insurance premiums, terming the taxation on such items as "anti-people."During the recently concluded Parliament session, the INDIA alliance leaders held a protest against the Central government outside the Parliament, demanding to roll back GST on health and life insurance products. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also joined the protest.Against that context, Sitharaman had asked the members to write to their respective state's finance minister so that they could take it up in the GST Council meeting.Speaking on the suggestions by many Opposition members to reduce GST on health insurance premiums, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that taxes were imposed on such items even before the GST regime came into effect in 2017. The GST Council, consisting of the Union Finance Minister and representatives from all States and Union Territories, was established to make decisions on various aspects of GST, including tax rates, exemptions, and administrative procedures.The GST regime was brought in to remove the inefficiencies and complexities of the previous archaic taxation system. Over the years, GST has, among others, simplified compliance and reduced the cascading impact of tax. Before July 1, 2017, the indirect tax regime was highly fragmented. The Centre and States were separately taxing goods and services.The GST Council, a federal body, comprises the Union Finance Minister as its Chairman and Finance Ministers from states and Union territories. UGC NET Answer Key 2024: The objection window for the UGC NET 2024 Answer Key closes today, September 9. The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the provisional UGC NET Answer Keys along with the Question Paper and Recorded Responses for the exams conducted on August 21, 22, and 23. Candidates wishing to challenge the provisional answer key can log in to their dashboard on the official website and submit their objections. NTA conducted the UGC NET June 2024 Examination in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for 83 subjects across various cities in India. The provisional answer key was released on September 7, and candidates have until 11:50 PM today to submit objections. A non-refundable processing fee of 200/- (Rupees Two Hundred only) per question must be paid by candidates for each objection raised. As per the NTA, "The payment of the processing fee may be made through (through Credit Card/ Debit Card/Net Banking/UPI Payment Modes till 09th September 2024 (upto 11:50 p.m.). No challenge will be entertained without receipt of the processing fee. The Challenges will not be accepted through any other mode," NTA UGC NET Answer Key 2024: Heres how to raise objections Step 1: Visit the NTA website at https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in. Step 2: Click on the 'Challenge(s) regarding Answer Key' link, log in with your Application Number, Date of Birth, and security pin, then submit. Step 3: Select "View Answer Sheet" to check marked responses. To challenge the answer keys, click "Challenge." Step 4: Question IDs will be shown in sequence. Step 5: The challenged Option IDs will be displayed. Step 6: To modify claims, click 'Modify your Claims,' or select 'Final Submit.' Step 7: Once saved, your Challenges will be displayed on the screen. The NTA has released the UGC NET answer key for the exams held on August 21, 22, and 23. Answer keys for the remaining exam dates, from August 27 to September 4, are expected to be released soon. Candidates can submit feedback on the answer key until 11:50 PM via the official website, ugcnet.nta.ac.in. Each question in the exam carries two marks, with two (+2) marks awarded for every correct answer. There is no negative marking for incorrect responses. Unanswered or unattempted questions, as well as those marked for review, will not receive any marks. Candidates must select only one option to answer each question. The real estate market is a dynamic pool of opportunities! Investing in real estate can be a rewarding venture. While real estate investment can yield long-term financial benefits, it is also a complex field. With a valuation of more than $230 trillion, real estate is one of the most lucrative assets, with the possibility of favourable tax reforms and much higher rates of investments. However, for first-time investors, figuring out your way can be overwhelming. Different types of real estate transactions involve different waiting periods and, most importantly, different types of property buyers. Certain skills are crucial to increase your chances of success. Below, we have outlined five essential skills every beginner should develop to build an impressive real estate portfolio. 1. Market Awareness If you have strong knowledge of the ongoing market trends and listings in the real estate world, consider yourself a successful investor. Most people who try to profit from property transactions are unaware of the correct market value of homes, the landmarks located near the site, or even the most lucrative areas in the neighbourhood. Awareness of these factors can generate multiple leads, help you connect with influential people in the right area/zone and maximise your income. Market awareness is crucial for recognising which cities and neighbourhoods are currently the hotspots of the industry and how any government/private project is impacting the prices in the zones. 2. Negotiation Skills Negotiation skills are the heart and soul of the real estate industry, which must be used in every property-related transaction. As an investor, you might have to convince the sellers of impulsive financial decisions and use tactics to lower the property's price. Seasoned brokers are well versed in these and often implement them to make profitable deals with maximum benefits. This includes negotiating for the inclusion of amenities already available inside the property and using strong body language to showcase your interest in the home while avoiding expressions like frowning. Dont try to make a lowball offer, as it might seem disrespectful, but stay slightly over the market value so that the seller feels inclined. Gather all the information available about the downsides of the home so that the owner knows that his/her property has certain drawbacks that can affect the homes market value. Lastly, learn when to say No to a non-profitable deal. 3. Communication Skills Influential communication is a must for success in real estate investment. As an investor, you will interact with various individuals, including real estate agents, property managers, contractors, and tenants. Effective communication can significantly influence your investment outcomes. Remember, communication is not just about speaking skills. Active listening is important for understanding the needs and perspectives of others. You can make informed decisions and build strong relationships by paying close attention to what others say. To make your conversations with industry experts more fruitful, you can try tailoring your communication style." Using general financial terms to realtors demonstrates your knowledge base and builds credibility. Here are some words that may be useful during your conversation:- HOA : Rules for a neighbourhood managed by owners. : Rules for a neighbourhood managed by owners. Turnkey Property : Ready to live in, no repairs needed. : Ready to live in, no repairs needed. Inspection Contingency : The buyer can cancel the deal if the inspection finds problems. : The buyer can cancel the deal if the inspection finds problems. Due Diligence: Researching a property before buying. In short, effective communication is imperative to convey your expectations, negotiate deals, and more. 4. Problem-Solving Skills Investing in real estate is not always quite seamless. Unexpected challenges may come in the way. That's why strong problem-solving skills come in handy. You'll encounter many things, from dealing with tenant issues to difficult financial scenarios. This investment requires thinking critically, analysing situations, and finding creative solutions under pressure. If you develop a systematic approach to dealing with all your problems, you can increase your chances for long-lasting wealth. For instance, consider yourself to be a real estate investor who owns a rental property. A major plumbing issue arises, causing significant damage and displacing your tenants. This is a complex problem requiring immediate attention. Strong problem-solving skills will help you assess the situation, contact necessary professionals (plumbers, contractors, cleaning services), and communicate effectively with tenants. You'll need to balance the costs of repairs with the need to retain tenants and minimise rental income loss. 5. Time Management Skill Real estate investing is a fast-paced world filled with opportunities. To succeed, you need to manage your time wisely. As a beginner, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the many tasks involved. Imagine this: you're interested in a listing that pops up under flats for sale near me in Mumbai, but you also have to schedule property inspections, negotiate with the seller, and arrange financing. Without proper time management, these tasks can pile up. But don't worry! You can stay on top by setting clear goals, filtering tasks by their priorities, and using helpful tools. You can do a few additional things to make your investment journey easy. First, create a schedule using time management apps or a calendar. This will help you keep a tab on everything that you need to do. Second, learn to say no to non-essential tasks. Third, delegate tasks that do not require much supervision. Financial oversight, property maintenance, risk mitigation, and property inspection are a few. Time is money, and the real estate business is no different from this quote. So, make every minute count! 6. Relationship-Building Skills As a new investor, focus on establishing strong relationships with everyone involved, from tenants to lenders. Relationships are the bedrock of the real estate world; hence, trust, reliability, and open communication are essential for building lasting partnerships. You can start by attending industry events, joining real estate associations, and leveraging online platforms to expand your network. One way to reach out to potential sellers is to search directly for what you are looking for. For example, if you want to purchase a flat in your area, you can just type flats for sale near me and go through the details. You can also go for different types of properties and areas to expand your investment horizons. Remember, it's not just about the number of contacts but the quality of the relationships you build. 7. Advertising and Sales Skills Once you've found a property, you must effectively communicate its value to potential partners, lenders, or tenants. In today's digital age, social media is a powerful tool for real estate investors. Building a strong online presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn can be helpful. Share eye-catching photos, property tours, and valuable content to attract potential clients. Creating attractive listings and utilising various marketing channels can help you find suitable tenants quickly. Here are some tips for you to advertise effectively and increase sales for a profitable real estate business: - Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages. Showcase your expertise by highlighting your experience and achievements on your social profiles. Anticipate potential concerns and have data-driven responses ready. Register your property online and collect reviews from satisfied clients to boost your credibility. Use analytics to track your online performance and adjust your strategy accordingly. Success in real estate investment hinges on a combination of technical expertise and essential soft skills. By honing your skills, you can reach your desired investment portfolio. As you start this exciting venture, remember that continuous learning and improvement are vital to your success. (This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts sponsored feature, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.) Bharatiya Janata Party leader Munna Sharma was shot dead by unidentified criminals while reportedly resisting a chain snatching attempt in Patna, police said on Monday. Shama, who was the former BJP mandal president was rushed to hospital after sustaining injuries in the shooting incident but succumbed to his injuries during treatment. According to the Patna Police, the criminals shot Sharma on Monday morning near a restaurant in Patna City. They received information about the incident at around 6.15 am today. Patna Police said that his family rushed him to the hospital where he died while under medical treatment. As per the police official, CCTV footage from the vicinity of the shooting incident is being examined and an investigation is underway to arrest the accused. Chowk Police Station SHO Shashi Kumar Rana said, "We received information around 6.15 am that a man, Munna Sharma, was injured by criminals near a restaurant. He was rushed to a hospital by his family where he died while under medical treatment. CCTV footage around the spot of crime is being examined and other technical investigation is being undertaken. Further action is being taken. "The FSL team has collected evidence from the site of the incident. A special team of police is reviewing CCTV footage. We are trying to find the reason behind the incident. Dial 100 team is also involved in the probe. The family of Munna Sharma has said that the chain he was wearing is still around his neck. Identification of one suspect has been done," DSP Patna City-2, Gaurav Sharma said. Tamil Nadu is well-known for its magnificent temples, there are lesser-known historical treasures to be found beyond these architectural wonders. These locations provide a distinctive window into the rich history and culture of the area. These six obscure historical locations in Tamil Nadu are just waiting to be discovered. Gingee Fort: The Unbeatable Stronghold Gingee Fort, sometimes referred to as "Troy of the East," is a vast fort complex that dates back to the Chola era and is situated roughly 160 kilometers from Chennai. The fort, which is perched on rocky hills, is well-known for its strong defenses and expansive views of the surroundings. The Coastal Wonder, Vattakottai Fort Vattakottai Fort, a coastal military fort constructed in the 18th century by the Travancore rulers, lies tucked away close to Kanyakumari. Vattakottai, in contrast to other forts, provides an amazing perspective of the Western Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. The round fort's construction, made of granite, still stands strong and is a perfect spot for a quiet historical retreat. Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace: Madurai's Magnificence The Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace is a hidden jewel that displays the splendor of the Nayak dynasty, even though the Meenakshi Temple may be the destination of choice for most tourists visiting Madurai. This Indo-Saracenic palace, which dates back to 1636, is renowned for its expansive courtyards, soaring pillars, and exquisite architecture. Even though not much of the ancient palace is left, tourists are nonetheless enthralled by its grandeur. Tharangambadi's Danish Fort: An European Legacy This lesser-known fort, also called Fort Dansborg, is located in the seaside village of Tharangambadi (Tranquebar). The fort, which was constructed in 1620 by Danish colonists, serves as a reminder of Tamil Nadu's colonial heritage. History buffs should not miss the charming town, which has well-preserved Danish architecture and maintains its European flair. Vellore Fort A Blend of Cultures Vellore Fort may not be as well-known as other locations, yet its historical significance and magnificent architecture are frequently overlooked. The Vijayanagara kings constructed this magnificent fort in the sixteenth century, fusing Islamic and Dravidian architectural elements. Within its borders are a temple, a mosque, and a church, signifying the tolerance for other religions and the cosmopolitan past of the area. Beyond the well-known temples, these obscure historical locations in Tamil Nadu offer a glimpse into facets of the state's history, architecture, and culture that many people have never seen. All of these locations offer a distinctive account of Tamil Nadu's varied history, making them essential stops for anybody looking to learn more about this dynamic state's lesser-known aspects. Haryana Assembly Polls: As the date of filing nominations in the Haryana Assembly elections inches closer, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has mounted pressure on the Congress for an alliance in the state. The AAP's Haryana unit chief, Sushil Gupta, said on Monday that the Arvind Kejriwal-led party will release the names of candidates from all 90 seats if the deal is not finalised by the evening. The last date for filing nominations for the Haryana election is September 12. Polling is scheduled to be held on October 5. The talks between the two parties, members of opposition bloc INDIA, have been stuck over the number of seats to be contested by the latter, with the AAP demanding 10 seats and the Congress offering five, sources in the AAP told news agency PTI. Speaking to PTI, Gupta said that videos show that every AAP worker in Haryana is ready to strongly contest all the 90 Assembly seats. On being asked about the grand old party's response to the AAP regarding an alliance, he said, "We will release the list of candidates for the 90 seats by the evening.". AAP Waiting For Response But Nothing Has Come So Far, Says Gupta Gupta said the AAP has been waiting for a response from the Congress, but nothing has come so far. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said party leaders, including Gupta and general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak, have already stated that the process of candidate finalisation has been completed and as soon as an approval comes from Kejriwal, the national convenor of the party, it will contest the election. Singh echoed Gupta and said as the last date for filing nominations is September 12, there is not much time left. AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who has been holding talks with Congress leaders over a prospective alliance, said on Sunday that both parties are trying to form a coalition for the Haryana polls, keeping aside their individual aspirations. He said while the parties are yet to reach a consensus on an alliance, the talks are progressing in a "positive" direction, and they are hopeful of a good outcome. He, however, added that the AAP will not proceed with an alliance "if there is no win-win situation." Gupta asserted that the AAP is "fully capable" of uprooting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana. (With PTI Inputs) New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the RSS, during public addresses in Dallas, US, has triggered strong responses from the BJP. The Leader of Opposition's critical stance on various issues, shared during his address at the University of Texas and in a speech to the Indian diaspora, has drawn sharp reactions from BJP leaders. Black Spot On Democracy Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gaurav Bhatia sharply criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his comments on unemployment, calling him a "black-spot on democracy." Bhatia's remarks came in response to Gandhi's recent statements targeting the governments handling of job creation. "Rahul Gandhi is a part-time leader. After becoming LoP, he has responsibility on his shoulders that the public has given him. He is a black spot on democracy. He doesn't even know what to say on foreign land. He could not say a word against China. He portrays India as a weak entity, Bhatia remarked. Will Not Understand RSS In This Birth Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday criticized the Congress, stating that the party would need many births to understand the ideology of the RSS. "If there is any technology to go to his grandmother and ask her about the role of RSS, then go and ask or look in the pages of history. To know about RSS, Rahul Gandhi will have to take many births. A traitor cannot know RSS. Those who go abroad and criticise the country cannot know RSS. It seems that Rahul Gandhi goes abroad only to defame India. Rahul Gandhi will not be able to understand RSS in this birth. RSS is born from the values and culture of India," ANI quoted Giriraj Singh. Chooses To Ignore Indias Glorious Past BJP National Spokesperson and senior advocate Nalin Kohli accused Rahul Gandhi of distancing himself from Indias rich heritage. Kohli criticised Gandhi for often praising China while failing to acknowledge Indias perspective on the bilateral relationship. "Rahul Gandhi is the leader of the opposition of the world's largest democracy so he has to choose his words in a manner that gives the complete correct picture," ANI quoted Kohli. He also slammed Gandhi for referring to Parliament as a war zone without mentioning the oppositions role in frequent disruptions. What Rahul Gandhis Said In His Speech Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday addressed the issue of unemployment, highlighting the challenges faced by the youth. He emphasised that job creation stems from production, but expressed concern that India is more focused on consumption, which he suggested is a troubling trend. He added, China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. Vietnam doesn't have an employment problem. So there are places on the planet that are not struggling with unemployment. Rahul Gandhi highlighted the global shift in production, noting that manufacturing moved from the United States to countries like Korea, Japan, and eventually China. He pointed out that China now dominates global production, raising concerns about the implications of this trend. On RSS, Rahul Gandhi said that the organisation believes India is one idea, whereas in stark, Congress believes that India is a multiplicity of ideas. Drawing parallels from the America, he said, Very much like the United States, we believe that everybody should be allowed to participate. We believe that everybody should be allowed to dream. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrived in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday as part of his three-day visit to the United States. He was greeted at the airport by Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, along with members of the Indian diaspora. (With inputs from ANI) Jammu and Kashmir Vidhan Sabha Chunav: PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti has accused Engineer Rashid's party, the Awami Ittihad Party (AIP), of being a new proxy for the central government. Mufti questioned how, despite being in jail, Rashid's party is able to contest elections across multiple areas and where their funding is coming from. Addressing the media in Anantnag, Mufti claimed, "Yesterday, our candidate was attacked with sticks by AIP workers at Balpora, Shopian. He is now fighting for his life in SMHS Hospital in Srinagar with fractured ribs." Mufti further added, "It took Mufti sahib 50 years to build this party, and we still dont have the resources to contest from everywhere. Yet, a person who is in jail contests parliamentary elections. It's good for democracy, but who is behind his party? Who helps them secure support everywhere, and where do their funds come from? How do they have the audacity to carry out such attacks?" Mufti questioned the central governments involvement, stating, "If the government wants to make Er Rashids party a proxy after the failure of previous parties, and if they are fully supporting him with money and other resources, then they should tell other parties not to contest the elections. What kind of hooliganism is this?" She also expressed outrage that, despite the attack on her candidate, no action has been taken so far. "A murderous attack was carried out, and yet, there has been no response," she remarked. Mehbooba Mufti warned the people of Kashmir to avoid falling into the trap of proxy parties. "There are powerful forces behind them trying to divide the vote of Kashmir, with the PDP as their main target. The PDP is the only party that stands for the Kashmiri people and fights for the injustices of 2019. Other parties and independents, including AIP, are being funded and protected by the government." Mufti also raised concerns about AIPs financial resources, noting, "They have hundreds of vehicles. Where do they get the funds for all of this? People need to think about this." She claimed that after the PDP was broken, several proxy parties were created, but they failed in parliamentary elections. "Now, they are using Er Rashid's party, but I warn the people of Kashmir: you have the PDP, Congress, and the National Conference (NC) here. The other parties, especially AIP, are being funded, so be cautious. They are trying to harm the cause for which the PDP has been fighting for years." Mufti further alleged that the rebels within the PDP are being backed by external forces. "Look at the Wachi candidate, who is being exploited due to an NIA case by the BJP. Its a conspiracy against the PDP because they know if we come to power, we wont follow Delhi's dictates." Mehbooba Mufti also defended her past decisions, stating that despite the PDPs alliance with the BJP during her tenure, she quashed 12,000 FIRs related to stone pelting and arranged delegations from Delhi to engage with Hurriyat leaders. In contrast, Mufti criticized the National Conference (NC), accusing them of compromising their principles. "In 1987, they rigged the election, which led to a bloodbath in Kashmir just to form a government. Even today, they are willing to go to any lengths for power, fielding independent candidates against Congress like they did in Ladakh." A significant surge in independent candidates contesting the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections is creating uncertainty for the region's established political parties, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). After nearly four decades, independent candidates are entering the electoral fray in large numbers, with many experts predicting that they could play a pivotal role in government formation. Political analysts highlight the importance of these candidates in the evolving political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. Rashid Rahil, a political expert, emphasized that this is the first time since 1986 that such a substantial number of independents are contesting. "It's a great sign of democracy. When the vote divides, these independent candidates will have a very important role in making the next government," Rahil said. The surge in independents is evident, with 214 candidates running without major party backing in the first two phases of the election. This accounts for 44% of all contestants, raising the prospect of independents emerging as kingmakers in a post-poll scenario. Among them are candidates associated with the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), led by jailed Member of Parliament Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh. The AIP has fielded 26 candidates in the first two phases alone. While the rise of independents is being hailed by some as a positive sign of democratic engagement, leaders from the JKNC and PDP are viewing this development with caution. Both Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, heads of JKNC and PDP respectively, have raised concerns about the motives behind these independent campaigns. They allege that many of these candidates, including those from AIP, are proxies for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seeking to divide votes in key constituencies. Omar Abdullah expressed suspicion after a jailed candidate filed papers to run against him in Ganderbal. "I always suspected that Delhi would try to silence me, but I never anticipated they would go this far," Abdullah remarked, hinting at external influences attempting to manipulate the election process. Mehbooba Mufti echoed these concerns, cautioning voters against what she sees as a coordinated effort by the BJP to undermine regional parties. "The BJPs proxies failed in the parliamentary elections, and now the Center has put jailed Rashids AIP on the forefront, along with other independents," Mufti said. She urged voters to back the PDP, JKNC, and Congress if they want to "save Jammu and Kashmir." As Jammu and Kashmir prepares for the first phase of assembly elections, the presence of a large number of independents is reshaping the political dynamic, leaving regional parties scrambling to secure their traditional support bases while warning voters of potential external influences. The extent of the impact these independents will have remains to be seen, but their role in government formation is expected to be crucial. The parents of the victim in the Kolkata RG Kar case have raised serious allegations against the Kolkata Police, accusing them of tampering with evidence from the outset of the case. These claims emerged during a large-scale protest march organized by the medical community in the city, where the grieving family voiced their concerns about the authorities handling of the investigation. The victims mother, who took part in the march from Sealdah to Esplanade, expressed her frustration with the way the authorities handled the investigation. She accused the government, police, and administrative officials of failing to provide the necessary support to their family in their quest for justice. According to a report by NDTV, she said, "From the very beginning, the police have attempted to destroy crucial evidence." She urged the public to continue their protests until justice is served. Protests Provide Hope, Says Victims Father The victims father also joined the march, where he emphasized that the ongoing public protests are giving him hope that justice will eventually prevail. "These protests are the only thing keeping us going. Justice wont come easily, but with the people by our side, we can achieve it," he said, urging continued public support. Forced Cremation Raises Questions The parents have also raised concerns about how their daughters body was handled after her death. According to the father, the family had hoped to preserve the body for a second postmortem but were pressured into cremating her. Supreme Court and CBI Involvement The case has since been taken up by the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear the matter and receive a report from the CBI on the investigation. The Calcutta High Court had previously transferred the case to the CBI following an appeal from the victims family. Senator Elizabeth Warren Joins The Call For REIT Crackdowns: What's Behind The Controversy? Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is the latest member of Congress to call for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to pay more attention to taxation around real estate investment trusts (REITs). Officials are closely examining how some in the health care and hospitality sectors behave regarding owning properties. REITs don't pay corporate income tax if they meet certain requirements. Instead, they pass most of their income directly to shareholders, avoiding the double taxation other corporations face. To maintain this tax-exempt status, a REIT must follow certain rules, including distributing at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders as dividends. A REIT must also have 75% of its assets in real estate, cash, or government securities and derive at least 75% of its gross income from real estate-related activities, such as rent, mortgage interest, or property sales. Concerns over REIT taxation began this summer with a July letter from Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) to the IRS. The IRS responded in August with a letter clarifying and restating REIT rules. It pointed out that one exception to rules about related party rents exists for qualified lodging facilities. REITs are allowed to own qualified lodging facilities or qualified health care properties, but they cannot directly operate them. Instead, REITs use a taxable REIT subsidiary (TRS). Trending Now: A billion-dollar investment strategy with minimums as low as $10 you can become part of the next big real estate boom today . This is a paid advertisement. Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fundrise Flagship Fund before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund's prospectus. Read them carefully before investing. This billion-dollar fund has invested in the next big real estate boom, here's how you can join for $10. This is a paid advertisement. Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fundrise Flagship Fund before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund's prospectus. Read them carefully before investing. The REIT Investment Diversification and Empowerment Act of 2007 created the TRS structure. It allowed health care and hospitality businesses to be structured as REITs. Before that, many REITs were restricted from operating health care and senior housing facilities because they had to generate most of their income from passive sources, such as rent, rather than active business operations. Story continues The IRS letter clarified that the TRS must contract an eligible independent contractor to operate and manage the qualified lodging facility. It cannot directly or indirectly operate or manage a lodging facility or it risks losing its special tax status. The IRS stated that some in the industry have advocated the view that an appropriate structure is for the TRS to lease the qualified lodging facility from the REIT and indirectly operate it, warning that REITs using this approach could lose their tax status for five years. Read Now: Get em while you can investing in this asset class may be reaching a high-water mark but you can still make returns right now. The Financial Times ranked this city tops for international business. Invest in this global city and earn returns. Senator Warren responded to that letter with her own letter to the IRS. She stated that while REITs are intended to be passive income opportunities for smaller-scale investors, some may violate the rules. She specifically called out Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPW) as raising questions about whether it has met IRS requirements. In the letter, she said: "As the IRS continues to identify massive corporations and businesses that may be violating tax law, I urge you to increase enforcement scrutiny of REITs, especially large health and hospitality REITs that may be illegally claiming significant tax breaks while meddling in the operations of their tenants." Bisnow contacted the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit), which said in a statement that there are no signs that REITs have violated any tax laws. The IRS has named no specific REITs concerning any potential violations. Better Yields Than Some REITs? The current high-interest-rate environment has created an incredible opportunity for income-seeking investors to earn massive yields, but not through publicly-traded REITs. Arrived Homes, the Jeff Bezos-backed investment platform has 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. It paid 8.1% in July. The best part? Unlike other private credit funds, this one has a minimum investment of only $100. Looking for fractional real estate investment opportunities? The Benzinga Real Estate Screener features the latest offerings. This article Senator Elizabeth Warren Joins The Call For REIT Crackdowns: What's Behind The Controversy? originally appeared on Benzinga.com Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Jawhar Sircar, who announced his resignation from the Rajya Sabha following the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, has been requested by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to reconsider his decision, according to reports. Sircars Resignation Following Kolkata Doctor's Murder In a letter addressed to Banerjee, Sircar declared his resignation from the Rajya Sabha in response to the shocking rape and murder of a young doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August. Expressing his disappointment over the governments handling of the situation, Sircar urged Banerjee to take action to save the state. Sources revealed that Sircar plans to submit his resignation in person to Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on September 11. The former bureaucrat made it clear in his letter that his decision to step down was due to the perceived lack of government accountability in the aftermath of the tragedy. He indicated that he would fully withdraw from politics following his resignation. Mamata Banerjees Appeal for Reconsideration Following Sircars announcement, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reportedly reached out to him in an effort to convince him to reconsider his resignation. The TMC leader, regarded as one of West Bengal's top bureaucrats before entering politics, was reportedly asked to rethink his decision and remain in his role as a Rajya Sabha member. In his letter, Sircar expressed his dissatisfaction with the governments response to the incident, stating, I thought you would interfere in the ongoing movement in the old Mamata style, but I did not see it. He referred to the protests by junior doctors as a direct result of an unchecked overbearing attitude among select officials, leading to widespread discontent and erosion of public confidence. Sircars letter highlighted his belief that the situation could have been resolved sooner if the government had taken stricter action against those responsible for poor administrative decisions. He expressed frustration over the governments delay in responding to the doctors death and the subsequent protests. I have suffered patiently for a month since the terrible incident at RG Kar Hospital and was hoping for your direct intervention with the agitating junior doctors, in the old style of Mamata Banerjee. It has not happened and whatever punitive steps the government is taking now are too little and quite late, Sircars letter stated. The recent incident where a gas cylinder was found on the railway tracks in Kanpur, leading to a collision with the Kalindi Express, has raised serious security concerns. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad swiftly arrived at the scene to examine the site of the collision, news agency IANS reported. Passengers aboard the Prayagraj-Bhiwani Kalindi Express were fortunate to escape unharmed this morning when the train struck a cylinder placed on the tracks at a crossing in Kanpur's Meduri village. Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Inspector General Nilabja Chaudhary, accompanied by a police contingent, conducted a thorough inspection of the railway tracks and informed the press that the investigation was considering all possibilities. However, he declined to provide specifics regarding the suspected plot. He assured that findings from the preliminary investigation would be communicated to the media in due course. The event occurred around 8 a.m., sparking speculation about a deliberate conspiracy and sabotage. The Kanpur Police reported that the incident took place at approximately 8:20 a.m. The cylinder was strategically placed near the Munderi village crossing, situated between the Barrajpur and Bilhaur stations on the Kanpur-Kasganj route. The train's loco pilot noticed an LPG gas cylinder on the tracks as the Kalindi Express approached Shivrajpur. He promptly engaged the emergency brakes. Although the train decelerated, it collided with the cylinder, which was then ejected from the tracks, causing no reported damage. The train stopped momentarily after the impact. Following the incident, the train driver alerted the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and the journey resumed after a brief delay of approximately 20 minutes. The RPF, in collaboration with the UP Police dog squad, is conducting an extensive investigation to unearth any evidence of a plot to derail the express train. Preliminary reports indicate that several individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the incident. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday reproached Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks delivered at the University of Texas in Dallas, USA. The speech of LoP Gandhi has prompted many reactions from the BJP, following the same, Sarma alleged that he undermined India. In his address to the gathering, Gandhi remarked that while the West faces an employment issue and India also struggles with employment problems, many countries around the world do not experience such challenges. He specifically noted, China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. Vietnam doesn't have an employment problem." Reacting to the Congress leader's remarks, the Assam Chief Minister said, "Rahul Gandhi promotes China in many ways. Undermining India, he tries to project China as the best nation. But there is no democracy and no religious freedom for people in China. But, Gandhi doesnt talk about them." Not only Sarma, but numerous BJP leaders have also criticized Gandhi, accusing him of damaging India's reputation internationally. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, Have you ever heard of George Bush, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, or Joe Biden speaking negatively about America after visiting another country? None of them criticized their own nation. Yet, Rahul Gandhi does exactly that. He speaks poorly of India, often without understanding the country, the Prime Minister, or the RSS. RG Kar Doctor Rape-Murder Case: The opposition BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal have been at the loggerheads over the rape-murder case. With protests continuing in Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today alleged a conspiracy by the BJP-led centre and left parties against her government. Banerjee alleged that the Central government was conspiring over public outcry involving the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a state-run RG Kar Medical hospital on August 9. Speaking at an administrative review meeting at the state secretariat, Nabanna, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refuted claims that she had offered money to the parents of the deceased doctor, dismissing reports suggesting the family of the postgraduate trainee had been offered financial compensation. Banerjee also encouraged the public to "return to festivities" with Durga Puja approaching. "This (protest following RG Kar incident) is definitely a conspiracy by the Centre and some Left parties are also involved in it. Some people are taking advantage of the turmoil in the neighbouring country. They have forgotten that India and Bangladesh are separate nations," she said. West Bengal CM Bengal claimed that she never offered money to the deceased doctor's family and the allegations are nothing but slander. "I have told the parents that if they wanted to do something in their daughter's memory, our government is with them. I know when to speak what," Banerjee said. Banerjee, who also oversees the Home Department, revealed that Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal had offered to resign in response to the ongoing protests. However, she declined his offer, stating, "We need someone who understands law and order, especially with Durga Puja approaching." The Bengal Chief Minister also appealed to the junior doctors to resume their duties as soon as possible. On the other hand, the BJP demanded Bengal CM's resignation. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Gaurav Bhatia on Monday alleged that the Trinamool chief is standing with the rapists instead of standing with the family of the victim, adding that the head of the entire India's democracy has bowed in shame. "Questions that the SC has asked Mamata Banerjee, the CJI said there was at least a 14-hour delay to register the FIR. Does Mamata Banerjee still want to continue as West Bengal CM?... She should resign so that a fair investigation can be conducted. If during the investigation evidence shows that she was careless and also involved in tampering with the evidence, then her polygraph test should be conducted, and her arrest could be imperative to ensure that there is justice given to the family members of the victim and every citizen of the country," he added. The body of a woman doctor was recovered from the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty in the health facility. The incident triggered a nationwide protest. Mumbai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday held a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at Mumbai's airport on Monday, as the state prepares for assembly elections likely to be held in November. While details of the meeting remained undisclosed, sources indicated Shah, a senior BJP leader, assured the two leaders of a "respectful" distribution of assembly seats among the partners of the ruling coalition Mahayuti (grand alliance). Shinde leads the Shiv Sena, while Pawar is the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Both parties are key allies of the BJP in the state's ruling coalition. The 288-member strong Maharashtra Legislative Assembly's term will end on November 26. Shah, a former BJP president and influential poll strategist, was on a two-day visit to Mumbai during which he attended a function on Sunday evening for the release of a documentary film 'Mumbai Samachar- 200 Not Out', which chronicles the remarkable 200-year journey of Asia's oldest newspaper. He later had a meeting with the core committee members of the state BJP at the Sahyadri Guest House in South Mumbai. On Monday, before departing the city, Shah met with Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, as well as NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, among others. Earlier in the day, Shah paid a visit to the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh pandal, accompanied by Chief Minister Shinde, Fadnavis, and BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde. "Today I took darshan of the famous 'Raja of Lalbagh' of Mumbai, which has been a place of worship for many devotees like me for many decades," the Home Minister wrote on his official X handle. The pandal, one of Mumbai's most famous and oldest, attracts around thousands of visitors daily during the ten-day Ganesh festival which this year began on September 7. The origins of Lalbaugcha Raja date back to 1934 when local fishermen and traders established the Ganesh idol as a fulfilment of their prayers for a permanent marketplace. Today, it is revered as 'Navsacha Ganpati,' symbolizing a deity that grants wishes. Following his visit to the pandal, Shah performed puja at the Ganesh idol at Fadnavis' residence and later at Shinde's official bungalow, 'Varsha.' He also offered prayers at the Bandra West Ganesh pandal, closely associated with Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar. In a separate visit, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar attended the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal with his family, seeking divine strength to advocate for farmers and common citizens. The veteran politician expressed his commitment to fighting for the interests of these groups in a post on social media. "The glory of Mumbai's Ganesh festival can be seen in Girgaon. I visited the Lalbaughcha Raja pandal along with my family members and prayed for strength to fight for the causes of farmers and common people," Sharad Pawar said in his X handle. BJP MLC Pravin Darekar, however, criticised Sharad Pawar's visit, suggesting it was politically motivated. "Pawar visited the temple after so many years, and that too, for political reasons. It's pretentious of him to visit the pandal after previously attending events where Hindu deities were insulted without objection," Darekar claimed. Rahul Gandhi In US: Rahul Gandhi In US: Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, who is on a three day visit to the United States, on Sunday alleged that a battle is going between Hindi and other languages like Telugu. The LoP also accused the RSS of pursuing India of one ideology. While speaking in Dellas, Taxes, the Lok Sabha LoP vouched for equality and asserted that no language or religion is superior to the other. Gandhi arrived in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday. The Congress MP was welcomed at the airport by Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, and members of the Indian diaspora. The Congress MP underscored that India's National Anthem describes all our states equally, and it does not begin by saying that one state is the best, the second best. He also criticised the RSS for believing that India is "one idea." Gandhi made the remarks during his first interaction with the Indian diaspora after becoming Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha in June following the General Elections held in May. "RSS believes that India is one idea. We believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas," he said. We started here with the National Anthem, and it mentions all our states equally. It does not begin by saying that one state is the best, the second best, or the third best. The anthem describes IndiaIndia as a union of states, very much like the United States. Often people pic.twitter.com/bwXOtukSDh Congress (@INCIndia) September 9, 2024 Rahul Gandhi also drew parallels between India and the United States during his speech, emphasising that the two countries share an important factor that both are "unions of states". "The United States, whose national anthem we also played, is a prime example of this," he said. "We started here with the National Anthem, and it mentions all our states equally. It does not begin by saying that one state is the best, the second best, or the third best. The anthem describes IndiaIndia as a union of states, very much like the United States," Gandhi said. Often people say that we are the two biggest democracies, but we share another important factor: we are both unions of states. The United States, whose national anthem we also played, is a prime example of this. In our Constitution, it is clearly stated: "India, that is Bharat, is a union of states," which means, just like in the United States, no state is superior to another state, no religion is superior to another religion, and no language is superior to another language," he further stated. During his speech, the Congress MP emphasised the importance of treating people coming from different states and cultures equally. "My brother who wears a turban deserves the same respect as someone who does not wear a turban. We cannot say, "We don't like you because you wear a turban," or, "He speaks Tamil, so we don't like him," or, "He speaks Hindi, so we like him," or, "He speaks Malayalam, so we don't like him," or Telugu," Gandhi said. "See, when we say "Telugu," we are not just talking about a language. Embedded within Telugu is history, tradition, music, dance, foodeverything. When you tell the people of Andhra Pradesh that Telugu is not as important as Hindi, you are insulting them. You are saying their history is not important, their tradition is not important, their food is not important, their music is not important, and their forefathers are not important. This is the simple battle being fought in India," he stated. Tensions flared in Surat's Sayedpura area following an incident where stones were thrown at a Ganesh pandal, leading to communal unrest. The local police detained 27 individuals involved in the disturbance, including six minors. In the early hours of Monday, minors reportedly threw stones at a Ganesh pandal in Sayedpura, sparking outrage among the local community. Following the incident, a large crowd gathered, demanding swift action against the perpetrators. Police had to resort to lathi charges and tear gas to control the agitated crowd. Gujarat Home Minister and Local Leaders' Intervention To help ease the growing tensions, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, along with local BJP MLA Kanti Balar, visited the affected area around 2:30 am. They met with the local community and urged for calm. Sanghavi assured the public that strict action would be taken against the culprits. In a post on social media, Sanghavi updated the public on the situation: As promised, we have arrested the stone-pelters before sunrise. Our teams have worked through the night, and more arrests are expected as we continue to review surveillance footage. Police Response and Arrests Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Gehlot provided details on the situation, confirming that immediate steps were taken to detain the minors involved in the stone-pelting. "Police were deployed right away to manage the situation. We carried out lathi charges and used tear gas where necessary," he said, adding that approximately 1,000 police personnel have been stationed in the area to maintain peace. A total of 27 people, including those believed to have incited the stone-throwing, have been arrested. Tensions have escalated over the construction of 3 minarets at Mansoori Mosque in Bareilly. Hindu organizations have protested, claiming the minarets were built illegally overnight. Following these protests, authorities have begun demolishing the structure. The situation became more volatile after local leader Tauqeer Raza arrived at the scene, further intensifying the tension. In response, a large police force has been deployed in the area to maintain order. Illegal Construction Controversies In another major controversy surrounding the "illegal" construction of the Sanjauli mosque in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla fuelled an uproar. Members of the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with several Hindu organizations and local residents held a protest at Chaura Maidan near the Vidhan Sabha in Shimla, demanding the demolition of the mosque in Sanjauli. Weather Updates: As monsoon rains batter several parts across the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall across several states on Monday. The weather office has issued rain alerts for several states forecasting heavy to very heavy rains. In its latest bulletin, the IMD has issued red alert warnings for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The weather office has also issued an orange alert for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and West Bengal. Several other states are under yellow alerts as heavy, incessant showers continue to hit parts of India. In Andhra Pradesh, continuous rainfall has affected Visakhapatnam and surrounding areas since Saturday night. The heavy downpour has led to waterlogging, causing disruptions in daily life on Sunday. Meanwhile, as far as the national capital is concerned, the IMD has said that the region is likely to witness light rain today and the sky is expected to remain cloudy. The minimum temperature for the day settled at 25 degrees Celsius, and the maximum is likely to be around 34 degrees Celsius. The humidity recorded at 8.30 am was 92 per cent, according to the IMD. The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital was in the "satisfactory" category with a reading of 83 at 9 AM, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good," 51 and 100 "satisfactory," 101 and 200 "moderate," 201 and 300 "poor," 301 and 400 "very poor," and 401 and 500 "severe.". In Uttar Pradesh, at least nine people lost their lives in different parts of the state over the last 24 hours, the state's relief department officials said on Sunday. As per the relief department, three people were killed in Lalitpur after being drowned, while two persons each in Pratapgarh, Aligarh, and Siddharth Nagar districts died in rain-related incidents. The deaths were reported between 6.30 pm on Saturday and 6.30 pm on Sunday. The state recorded an average of 1.7 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. Of the 75 districts, six recorded excess rainfall, with Mathura district recording the highest at 31.8 mm, according to the relief department. (With PTI Inputs) A potential disaster was narrowly averted in Kanpur last night when a suspected attempt to blow up the Kalindi Express was foiled by the alertness of the loco pilot. The incident, believed to be part of a growing conspiracy known as Rail Jihad, occurred at around 8:25 PM as the train traveled between Prayagraj and Bhiwani. The Kalindi Express, carrying hundreds of passengers, collided with an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks near the Mundheri Crossing, causing a loud explosion but no casualties. Kalindi Express Incident: A Close Call The train was moving at a speed of 80 to 90 km per hour when the pilot noticed an obstruction on the tracks. Despite applying the emergency brake, the train struck the cylinder. Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials rushed to the scene and discovered several alarming objects near the track: a filled LPG cylinder, explosives, a box of matches, a petrol-filled bottle, and a suspicious bag. These findings raise pressing questions: Was there an orchestrated attempt to derail the Kalindi Express under the guise of Rail Jihad? Rail Jihad: An Emerging Threat? The concept of Rail Jihad has been linked to terrorist conspiracies emanating from Pakistan, with extremists purportedly targeting Indian rail infrastructure. Intelligence agencies recently uncovered a video by Pakistan-based terrorist Farhatullah Gori, demonstrating how to create bombs using everyday items like pressure cookers. This video has sparked concerns that extremists are now adopting sabotage tactics to target trains across India. Watch Full Episode Of Todays DNA Here Spate Of Recent Incidents The Kanpur incident is the latest in a series of alarming events involving deliberate attempts to derail trains: 31 August, Baran, Rajasthan: Motorcycle parts were placed on the track, but an accident was averted. 17 August, Sabarmati Express: The train collided with boulders placed on the track, raising suspicions of sabotage. 22 August, Aligarh: Police arrested a man named Afsan for placing an alloy wheel on the railway track. 23 August, Farrukhabad Express: The train narrowly avoided disaster when a large piece of wood was found on the track. 26 August, Pali, Rajasthan: A cement block was placed on the track in an attempt to derail the Vande Bharat Express. In each of these incidents, quick action by train pilots and authorities averted potential catastrophes. (This Sep. 8 story has been corrected to say that the first summit was held in The Hague, not in Amsterdam, in paragraph 3) By Joyce Lee SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea convened an international summit on Monday seeking to establish a blueprint for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the military, though any agreement is not expected to have binding powers to enforce it. More than 90 countries including the United States and China have sent government representatives to the two-day summit in Seoul, which is the second such gathering. The first summit was held in The Hague last year, where the United States, China and other nations endorsed a modest "call to action" without legal commitment. "Recently, in the Russia-Ukraine war, an AI-applied Ukrainian drone functioned as David's slingshot," South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun said in an opening address. He was referring to Ukraine's efforts for a technological edge against Russia by rolling out AI-enabled drones, hoping they will help overcome signal jamming as well as enable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to work in larger groups. "As AI is applied to the military domain, the military's operational capabilities are dramatically improved. However it is like a double-edged sword, as it can cause damage from abuse," Kim said. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said discussions would cover areas such as a legal review to ensure compliance with international law and mechanisms to prevent autonomous weapons from making life-and-death decisions without appropriate human oversight. The Seoul summit hoped to agree to a blueprint for action, establishing a minimum level of guard-rails for AI in the military and suggesting principles on responsible use by reflecting principles laid out by NATO, by the U.S. or a number of other countries, according to a senior South Korean official. It was unclear how many nations attending the summit would endorse the document on Tuesday, which is aiming to be a more detailed attempt to set boundaries on AI use in the military, but still likely lack legal commitments. The summit is not the only international set of discussions on AI use in the military. U.N. countries that belong to the 1983 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) are discussing potential restrictions on lethal autonomous weapons systems for compliance with international humanitarian law. The U.S. government last year also launched a declaration on responsible use of AI in the military, which covers broader military application of AI, beyond weapons. As of August, 55 countries have endorsed the declaration. Story continues The Seoul summit, co-hosted by the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya and the United Kingdom, aims to ensure ongoing multi-stakeholder discussions in a field where technological developments are primarily driven by the private sector, but governments are the main decision makers. About 2,000 people globally have registered to take part in the summit, including representatives from international organisations, academia and the private sector, to attend discussions on topics such as civilian protection and AI use in the control of nuclear weapons. (Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Ed Davies, Lincoln Feast and Michael Perry) New Delhi: Following the alleged involvement of controversial actress and choreographer Sumi Borah in the multi crore online trading fraud, more people from the Assamese movie industry are set to come under the scanner of the investigating team, an official said on Monday. The Assam government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) Department will look after the overall probe. Borah, who is on the run, hails from Dibrugarh and started her career as a dancer. She acted in a few Assamese movies and also did choreography. She was well connected with many people in the Assamese movie industry and the actress allegedly used her connections to get clients for investment in the prime accused Bishal Phukans company for promised higher returns through online trading. According to police, Phukan used to throw lavish parties in Guwahati for people from the Assamese movie industry in top hotels in the city. The invitees were lured through expensive gifts by the fraudster. Later, Borah convinced artists in the Assamese movie industry to invest in Phukans company, police said, adding that the scamster got a lot of investment through her network. Sumi Borah married photographer Tarkik Borah in the previous year at a destination wedding in Rajasthans Udaipur city. People from the Assamese movie industry were flown to Udaipur and the expenses were taken care of by Bishal Phukan. He reportedly spent at least Rs 5 crore for Sumi Borahs extravagant wedding. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that actors, actresses and other people from the Assamese movie industry would face action if police found their involvement in the online trading scam. Nobody will be spared if found guilty in this trading scam. Actress Sumi Borah will also have to surrender because nobody can hide from police for a long time, he added. To recall, after the arrest of Bishal Phukan, Sumi Borah immediately came under the scanner of the police. Police went to her apartment in Pathar Quarry area in Guwahati; however, the actress and her husband were not at home. Police searched every apartment in the society complex but there was no trace of the duo. We found Sumi Borahs luxury car in the basement of the apartment; however, the couple fled before the investigation team reached there, a police official had said. New Delhi: Provident Fund (PF) is one of the safest investment instruments for lakhs of working-class professionals. The amount deposited in the EPF account of an investor can be withdrawn at the time of retirement, resignation and other emergency circumstances. Only in the case of resignation from service (not superannuation) a member has to wait for a period of two months for withdrawal of the PF amount. EPFO allows its member for tax free withdrawal upon completing the time frame as laid down in the regulatory guidelines. In case a member withdraws his EPF and has rendered less than 5 years of service and accumulated amount is more than Rs. 50,000/, TDS shall be applicable on the following rates:- Submission of PAN: If 15G/15H is submitted, no TDS is deducted; If 15G/15H is not submitted, TDS deducted at 10% Non submission of PAN: TDS is deducted at Maximum Marginal Rate (34.606%) No TDS deducted in case of: Transfer of Fund; Payment of advance; Service is terminated by employer beyond control of employee Provisions related to TDS on withdrawal from Employees Provident Fund Scheme, 1952: No TDS will be levied in respect of the following cases: Transfer of PF from one account to another PF account. Termination of service due to Ill health of member /discontinuation of Business by employer/completion of project/other cause beyond the control of member. If employee withdraws PF after a period of five year. If PF payment is less than Rs. 30,000/- but the member has rendered service of less than 5 years. If employee withdraws amount more than or equal to Rs. 30,000/-, with service less than 5 years but submits Form 15G/15H along with their PAN Ajay Tewari's remarkable transition from a Merchant Navy Officer to a distinguished entrepreneur is a testament to resilience, innovation, and strategic leadership. After an impressive 11-year career in the marine industry, where he traveled to over 60 countries, Ajay made a bold move into the world of entrepreneurship in 1999. With a vision to make a significant impact and share success through innovative practices, he co-founded smartData Enterprises, an IT business consultancy firm. Despite having a limited technical background, Ajays focus on assembling the right talent and leadership transformed the company from a small team of four into a global workforce of over 1,000 employees across India, Australia, and the U.S. Transformative Leader | Entrepreneur | Innovator Over the past 25 years, Ajay has steered smartData to become a leading custom IT business consultancy. His exceptional business acumen and people management skills have been pivotal in driving the company's growth. Serving diverse industries including healthcare, retail, and EdTech, smartData leverages cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Data Analytics, and IoT. Ajay's leadership is centered on creating value for both clients and employees, with customer satisfaction as the core of smartDatas mission. His commitment to mutual success has been the driving force behind the company's continuous growth and innovation. Driving Growth through Innovation and Customer Satisfaction Ajays strategic approach emphasizes Customer-Centricity, Innovation, and Continuous Learning. Under his leadership, smartData has been instrumental in supporting startups and SMEs, offering not only technical solutions but also valuable business consultancy. Ajay underscores the necessity of staying ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape by continually enhancing smartDatas offerings, utilizing the latest technologies, and maintaining a customer-first approach. Mentorship and Community Involvement Beyond his role at smartData, Ajay is a founding member and former president of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Chandigarh chapter, where he actively mentors aspiring entrepreneurs. His advice to the next generation is to stay true to their core beliefs and original ideas. Ajays dedication to mentorship highlights his commitment to supporting new businesses and contributing to the entrepreneurial community. As smartData INC celebrates its 25th anniversary on 2nd August 2024, the milestone reflects a journey marked by nostalgia and forward-looking aspirations. Employees from all branches came together to commemorate the company's achievements, engage in interactive sessions, and envision a future of collective success. The celebrations symbolized unity and inspired the team to strive for even greater accomplishments in the years ahead. New Delhi: Apple enthusiasts waiting eagerly for the launch of the Phone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max in India will get all the updates regarding the much anticipated phone models today. Apple's most anticipated product launches themed Its Glowtime is all set to kick off today. Apple Its Glowtime event: How To Livestream You can watch the Apple Event directly at the company's https://www.apple.com/apple-events/. Alternately, the event is also live on Apple's YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/live/uarNiSl_uh4 and Apple TV app. 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. Check expected India Prices of each variant iPhone 16 , as suggested in the leaked report Meanwhile, 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. 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. 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. 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 Rahul Gandhi In US: Highlighting the need to shift focus towards increasing manufacturing in India, senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that countries like India, the United States, and other nations in the West are facing the issue of unemployment. He also underscored that, on the other hand, China is not facing this issue as it is dominating the global production. Gandhi, who is on a visit to the US, was interacting with students at the University of Texas in Dallas on Sunday. He said that there is no shortage of skills in India, and the country could compete with China if it starts aligning itself for production. He also laid emphasis on the need to encourage vocational training to bridge the gap between the business system and the education system and flagged the "ideological capture" of the latter. The former Congress president is on a four-day unofficial trip to the US during which he will interact with the members of the Indian diaspora and youths, with stops in Dallas, Texas, and Washington DC. He arrived in Dallas on Saturday night and was welcomed by dozens of members of the Indian-American community led by senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda and president of the Indian National Overseas Congress, USA, Mohinder Gilzian. During his visit, Rahul Gandhi also has plans to meet lawmakers and senior officials of the US government during his visit to Washington DC, beginning Monday. "The West has an employment problem. India has an employment problem... But many countries in the world don't have an employment problem. China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. Vietnam doesn't have an employment problem," Gandhi said. "If you look at the United States in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, they were the centre of global production. Anything that was made, (be it) cars, washing machines, or TVs, was all made in the United States. Production moved from the United States. It went to Korea, and it went to Japan. Eventually, it went to China Dominating Global Production: Gandhi While addressing students in Dallas, Gandhi said that China is dominating global production. The West, America, Europe, and India have "given up on the idea of production," and they've handed it to China, he further stated. "The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organise consumption... India has to think about the act of production and organising production... "It's not acceptable that India simply says, okay, manufacturing, what you call manufacturing or production is going to be the preserve of the Chinese. It's going to be the preserve of the Vietnamese. It's going to be the preserve of Bangladesh," Gandhi said. He underlined the need to encourage manufacturing. "Until we do that, we will face high levels of unemployment. And frankly, it's not sustainable. So, you're going to see that if we carry on down this path of forgetting about manufacturing, you're going to see massive social problems coming in India and in the United States and Europe. The polarisation of our politics is because of this..." he added. India Does Not Respect People Who Possess Skills: Rahul Gandhi According to the Lok Sabha LoP leader of opposition, there is no shortage of skills in India. "Many people say that India has a problem with skills. I don't think India has a problem with skills. I think... India does not have respect for people who possess skills," he said. Gandhi said there is a need to link the education system with the business system through vocational training. "Bridging that gap or linking these two systems, skills and education, through vocational training is fundamental. I think currently the huge problem with the education system is the ideological capture, where ideology is being fed through it...," he said. He said he is convinced that India can take on China if it starts aligning itself for production and starts respecting skills. "I'm absolutely convinced of it. States like Tamil Nadu have already shown it. It's not that Indian states have not done it. Pune has shown it. Maharashtra has shown it. So, it is being done, but it's not being done at the scale and with the coordination that it needs to be done," Gandhi said. (With PTI Inputs) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while addressing the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in Riyadh on Monday said that the ongoing conflict in Gaza is India's "foremost concern". He advocated for an immediate ceasefire in the region, where hostilities between Israel and Hamas have persisted for nearly a year. Jaishankar reiterated India's consistent stance against terrorism and the taking of hostages, expressing sorrow over the loss of civilian lives. "The current situation in Gaza is now understandably our foremost concern. India's position in this regard has been principled and consistent. While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians," he said. Jaishankar said that any response must take into account the principles of humanitarian law. "We support a ceasefire as soon as possible," he added. The minister highlighted the October 7 assault by Hamas, ruling Gaza, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties and abductions. In retaliation, Israel's counteroffensive has led to considerable destruction and a high death toll in Gaza. Despite these events, efforts to broker a ceasefire have been unsuccessful. Jaishankar reaffirmed India's support for a two-state resolution to the Palestinian issue and mentioned India's contributions towards Palestinian institutional and capacity building. He also noted India's increased support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) amid the humanitarian crisis. The GCC, consisting of the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, holds significant influence, with India's trade volume with these nations reaching USD 184.46 billion in the 2022-23 financial year. Jaishankar expressed his pleasure in participating in the strategic dialogue, emphasizing the meeting's importance beyond reflection, aiming for a future-oriented partnership between India and the GCC. Taiwan Semiconductor's US Plant Matches Taiwan Production Yields, Stock Gains Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:TSM) stock is up Monday amid reports claiming that the contract chipmakers production yield at the Arizona facility is at par with its Taiwan facilities. The Taiwanese chipmakers yield rate in trial production at its first advanced U.S. plant is similar to comparable facilities in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan, Bloomberg cites familiar sources. Also Read: Nvidia, AMD, and TSM Lead AI Stock Selloff, Dragging Semiconductor ETFs Down Recently, the Taiwan Semiconductor COO of Samsung Electronics expressed optimism for the artificial intelligence industry. A Taiwan Semiconductor supplier, Scientech Corp, also made similar claims. Taiwan Semiconductor and global partners also fast-tracked silicon photonics for AI, implying continued demand. Taiwan Semiconductor postponed its Arizona plant production to 2025 from 2024 due to a need for more skilled workers. The contract chipmakers global expansion reflects attempts made by different countries to preserve their semiconductor base, which suffered immensely during the pandemic outbreak in China. Taiwan Semiconductor stock has risen over 75% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock through the SPDR S&P Emerging Asia Pacific ETF (NYSE:GMF) and the ProShares Nanotechnology ETF (NYSE:TINY). Is Taiwan Semiconductor A Good Stock To Buy? Wall Street analysts view Taiwan Semiconductor on the whole as a Outperform, given the history of coverage over the past three months. Mark Li from Bernstein in Taiwan Semiconductor is the most optimistic, expecting a 33.33% rise in the stock in the coming year. But looking at how the market as a whole thinks of the stock, you can reference historical price action for views on whether investors feel strongly about the stock one way or another. In the past 3 months, Taiwan Semiconductor fell 9.54%, which indicates that opinion soured on the business and how attractive it is to own based on either its stock price, or underlying fundamentals, like revenue, which rose 32.79% over the past year. A complete overview of how Wall Street views individual stocks is available here, while real time updates on the latest analyst actions will be delivered via Benzinga PRO. Try it for free. Price Action: TSM stock is up 2.00% at $159.96 premarket at the last check Monday. Also Read: Photo by Jack Hong via Shutterstock "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Story continues Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Taiwan Semiconductor's US Plant Matches Taiwan Production Yields, Stock Gains originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. By Haripriya Suresh BENGALURU (Reuters) - Taiwan's Delta Electronics said on Monday it plans to almost double its workforce in India over the next five years, including by setting up its largest research centre in the country whose role in the global tech industry has been rising. The company, which supplies power components to other companies, opened the R&D centre in the southern city of Bengaluru and said it plans to add 3,000 employees in five years, up from about 3,500 currently. Delta Electronics, which now has three R&D centres in India, also said it would shift its local headquarters to Bengaluru from the northern hub of Gurgaon to move closer to its manufacturing sites in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. Bengaluru, also called the Silicon Valley of India, has long been home to major tech companies, which makes attracting talent easier. "We consider Bengaluru the right place for us to attract more talents and also for our future developments," Benjamin Lin, the president of Delta Electronics India, said at an event in the city. The new R&D centre is a part of the company's plan to invest $500 million in India. While that was announced in 2015-16, the execution was delayed partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Overseas firms have opened 118 global capability centres (GCCs) in India over the past two years, taking their total to more than 1,620, according to industry body Nasscom's data, as the country evolves from a low-cost back office location to a high-value innovation hub. GCCs are expected to contribute about 2% to India's GDP by 2030, up from less than 1% at present, per ICICI Securities. (Reporting by Haripriya Suresh and Manvi Pant in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza) Taxi driver Napoleon Osorio leaves the NGO My First Bitcoin headquarters in San Salvador on September 4, 2024 (Marvin RECINOS) Napoleon Osorio is proud of being the first taxi driver to have accepted payment in bitcoin in the first country in the world to make the cryptocurrency legal tender: El Salvador. He credits President Nayib Bukele's decision to bank on bitcoin three years ago with changing his life. "Before I was unemployed... and now I have my own business," said the 39-year-old businessman, who uses an app to charge for rides in bitcoin and now runs his own car rental company. Three years ago the leader of the Central American nation took a huge gamble when he put bitcoin into legal circulation in a bid to revitalize El Salvador's dollarized, remittance-reliant economy. He invested hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money in the cryptocurrency, despite warnings about volatility risks from global institutions. Osorio credited the US founder of the NGO My First Bitcoin, John Dennehy, with encouraging him to accept payment in the cryptocurrency. He now has 21 drivers working for his Bit-Driver brand and has made enough profit from the currency's rise to be able to buy four rental vehicles. A divorced father of two teenagers, he also no longer struggles to pay for their education. Launching bitcoin as legal tender on September 7, 2021, Bukele said he wanted to bring the 70 percent of Salvadorans who do not use banks into the financial system and promptly began plowing public money in cryptocurrencies. To spur Salvadorans to use bitcoin he created the Chivo Wallet app for sending and receiving bitcoin free of charge and gave $30 to each new user. His grand ambitions for bitcoin fell foul of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which hesitated to grant El Salvador a $1.3 billion loan because of its official use of the cryptocurrency. In August, however, the IMF announced a preliminary loan agreement with El Salvador, while saying it needed to mitigate "potential risks." - Offered as 'option' - While Osorio has grown relatively wealthy with bitcoin, a study by the University Institute for Public Opinion showed that 88 percent of Salvadorans had yet to use it. "From the beginning... it was clear that it was clearly an ill-advised measure that the population rejected," the director of the institute, Laura Andrade, told AFP. One-quarter of Salvadoran GDP comes from remittances sent home by family members, mostly from the United States. But in 2023 only one percent of the transfers were made in cryptocurrencies. In an interview with Time magazine in August, Bukele acknowledged that while "you can go to a McDonald's, a supermarket, or a hotel and pay with Bitcoin" it had "not had the widespread adoption we hoped for." Story continues He added that "the positive aspect is that it is voluntary; we have never forced anyone to adopt it. We offered it as an option, and those who chose to use it have benefited from the rise in Bitcoin." He also confirmed that he had around $400 million in bitcoin that is kept in a public "cold storage wallet" -- a way of storing bitcoin offline. Bitcoin's fortunes have been mixed. This week it was trading at around $52,000, down from a peak of $73,616 on March 13. In November 2022 it fell as low as $16,189. Independent economist Cesar Villalona told AFP that Bukele himself had hobbled bitcoin's take-up by stripping it of the usual functions of a currency. "Bukele... said: there will be no salary in bitcoin, there will be no pensions in bitcoin, there will be no savings in bitcoin and there will be no price in bitcoin, and in so doing took away the three functions of money," Villalona said. Luis Contreras, an instructor at My First Bitcoin, told AFP many Salvadorans were simply afraid of making the switch. The organization has taken cryptocurrencies into public schools, teaching around 35,000 students to use bitcoin so far. Contreras says the hardest thing about training people on bitcoin "is their fear of new things, which creates a fear of technology" as well as "the fear of moving from a classic currency in the current economy to one that is totally digital and decentralized." cmm/cb/bfm/sco In early August, energy traders were bracing for an Iranian attack on Israel that could trigger a broader Middle East war and an oil price spike. Six weeks later, markets are blithely unconcerned and oil prices are near two-year lows. Peace is hardly breaking out in the Middle East, and the volatile region could produce an unhappy surprise at any moment. But for now, concerted action by the Biden administration is helping keep hostilities contained as voters decide whether Bidens vice president, Kamala Harris, deserves her own shot at the White House. That's contributing to falling oil and gasoline prices, which is a welcome tailwind to Harris in the final weeks of the election. The Middle East has been on hair-trigger alert since the Hamas terrorist group attacked Israel last Oct. 7, killing nearly 1,200 Israeli citizens. Israels ongoing invasion of Gaza has put the tiny Jewish state in direct conflict with Iran, which backs Hamas, along with the Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and several other regional groups hostile to Israel. After Israel killed an Iranian general in Syria in April, Iran blitzed Israel with several hundred drones and missiles, almost all of them shot down by a combination of Israeli, American, and other allied forces. The attack didnt accomplish much, yet Iran signaled that its retaliation for the killing of its general was complete. Then, on July 31, an explosion killed Hamass top political leader while he was visiting Tehran. Iran blamed Israel and vowed to retaliate once more. Many analysts expected a larger or at least more effective attack on Israel than the one in April, which made Iran look somewhat feckless. That tension pushed oil prices up from $72 per barrel to about $80 in early August. More price relief ahead? An Exxon customer in Farmers Branch, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) That second retaliatory attack is now long overdue. In April, Iran waited 12 days before launching the attack to avenge the dead general in Syria. Its now been 40 days since the July 31 attack in Tehran, and oil traders seem to have written off an Iranian response. West Texas crude has fallen to around $68, the lowest level since December. Wall Street is cutting oil price targets, with Citi saying Brent crude, the global benchmark, could drop to $60 by next year. With little public notice, President Biden has sent the message that another attack on Israel could trigger American action against Iran. The Pentagon has sent two carrier battle groups to the Middle East region, an imposing show of force that Iran surely noticed. The United States has deployed considerable military assets in the region and has made it very clear to Iran that there would be repercussions from another direct attack like April, Gregory Brew of the Eurasia Group said during a Sept. 4 webcast. Theyre conscious of their conventional military inferiority against Israel and certainty against the United States. Story continues A mission delayed is not necessarily a million canceled. Iranian commanders are still threatening the bitterness of Tehrans revenge. On Sept. 7, a top British official said Iran was still likely planning to attack Israel. Pentagon and White House spokespeople say the same thing. One possibility is that Iran is waiting to see if talks about a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas produce results. Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on X, or sign up for his newsletter. As the April 14 exchange showed, Iran and Israel can exchange heavy fire without damaging oil flows or energy infrastructure. But an escalation scenario might affect energy markets, by definition. Iran attacked Saudi oil facilities in 2019, and while the two longtime antagonists are now in a kind of truce, that could end in a broader war. Israel could also strike Irans nuclear facilities at some point, which might leave Iran feeling it has no choice but to enlist Hezbollah and other proxies in an all-out fight with Israel, even if it does draw in the United States. Middle East oil has continued to flow amid many cataclysms. So maybe traders are right to be sanguine. Biden, and by extension Harris, were politically stung by US gasoline prices that hit $5 per gallon in 2022. So they have the strongest possible motive to keep a lid on hostilities, to the extent they can. American drivers, meanwhile, are enjoying a respite. Gasoline prices are down about $0.20 per gallon during the last month, to about $3.27. Thats about 14% cheaper than a year ago, and lower prices seem to be coming. By the end of September, gas prices could be under $3 in half the country, Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, recently told Yahoo Finance. Markets are sending a different message about energy prices than Middle East provocateurs are. Lets hope the markets are right. Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X at @rickjnewman. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Three Things To Know To Build A Dividend Portfolio For Passive Income Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Everyone dreams of financial independence and passive income that grows over time. One of the more reliable methods for achieving this goal is dividend investing. The idea of receiving regular income from stock investments is enticing, but can you build significant wealth through dividends? Dividends represent a portion of a company's profits distributed to its shareholders, typically regularly, quarterly or monthly. When you invest in a dividend-paying stock, you receive income based on the number of shares you own. Dividends are more commonly issued by mature companies with stable cash flows, often in sectors like utilities, health care, or real estate. Tech companies like Apple and Meta now offer a small dividend. Trending Now: Investing in private credit could potentially unlock APY up to 20%, with benefits like shorter term durations and diversified returns Find out more if you're an accredited investor. Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market. This platform allows accredited investors to invest in commercial real estate, invest today for a 1% boost. Reinvest Your Dividends Now For Income Later Spending that dividend income is tempting, but you will miss out over the long term. One of the key advantages of dividend investing is the ability to harness the power of compound growth. Reinvesting your dividends to purchase additional shares means your dividend payouts can increase exponentially over time. For example, if you start with an investment of $10,000 in a company yielding 4.5% in annual dividends and reinvest those payments, your investment could grow to over $24,000 after 20 years without factoring in any stock price appreciation. This compounding effect means that your dividend income will grow alongside your stock holdings, potentially delivering substantial returns over time. Beyond the potential for compounding, dividend stocks offer several key benefits. Stocks that pay dividends tend to be less volatile than non-dividend stocks, which adds a layer of stability to your portfolio. During market turbulence, the income from dividends can help cushion the blow by providing steady cash flow. Although the Magnificent Seven has dominated the last several years, historical data shows that companies that pay dividends tend to outperform those that don't. Additionally, qualified dividends are taxed at a lower rate compared to ordinary income. In 2024, the federal tax rate for qualified dividends ranges from 0% to 20%, depending on your income bracket, compared to up to 37% for regular income. Story continues Dividends Aren't Guaranteed Dividend investing is not without its risks. A company can reduce or suspend its dividend payments if its financial health deteriorates. For instance, companies in highly cyclical industries, like energy, may struggle during economic downturns. BP (NYSE:BP) famously slashed its dividend by 50% in 2020 after the pandemic caused a collapse in oil prices, demonstrating the risks involved. More recently, Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPW) cut its dividend by 47% as it wrestled with the fallout from the bankruptcy of one of its major tenants. Diversifying your portfolio across different sectors and companies is important to mitigate these risks. Relying too heavily on a single stock or industry can lead to significant losses if that company faces challenges. Some high-yield stocks can be long-term portfolio winners. Others can be yield traps, where a company offers a high yield but that yield is rising because the stock price is dropping, and the company might be in trouble. Don't Forget About This Key Metric If youre considering dividend investing, start by researching companies with a strong history of dividend payments and sustainable payout ratios. You want to see a steady track record of payments and know that the company can continue to pay at the current rate or higher. A payout ratio, which measures the proportion of a company's earnings paid out as dividends, is critical in assessing its ability to maintain its dividend. To determine the payout ratio, divide the dividend per share by the earnings per share and then multiply by 100 to get a percentage. A payout ratio under 70% is generally considered sustainable, though this varies by industry. Several tools and resources, including financial websites, stock screeners, and investment newsletters, are available for identifying top dividend stocks. Consulting a financial advisor can also help you tailor your investment strategy based on your goals and risk tolerance. Read More: Check it out: Rory McIlroys mansion in Florida is worth $22 million today, doubling from 2017 heres how to get started investing in real estate with just $100 . Purchase shares in great masterpieces from artists like Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Andy Warhol, and more. Heres how you can be part of the art market. Two Dividend Stocks to Watch Lets look at two strong dividend stocks that could offer long-term growth: 1. Altria Group (NYSE:MO): A leader in the tobacco industry, Altria has a long history of rewarding its shareholders with consistent dividend payments. As of September 2024, Altria has a dividend yield of approximately 7.55%, one of the highest in the S&P 500. Altrias steady cash flow, driven by its established brands, makes it a popular choice among income-focused investors. The company has also managed to grow its dividend for 55 consecutive years, qualifying it as a Dividend King. 2. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ): A diversified health care company, Johnson & Johnson is known for its stable and reliable dividend. With a current yield of around 2.9%, J&J has increased its dividend for 62 consecutive years, making it a favorite among long-term investors. J&J's strong balance sheet and presence in health care innovation help it weather economic downturns, offering a layer of safety for investors seeking income. Alternative Income Option: Real Estate Investing While dividend stocks are a great tool for generating passive income, they aren't the only option. Investing in real estate, particularly through platforms like Groundfloor, is another way to build wealth. Ground floor allows you to invest in a portfolio of real estate investments, supporting individual real estate investors who are rehabbing homes. Projected returns are between 8% and 15%. With a minimum investment as low as $10, Groundfloor offers an accessible way for smaller investors to enter the real estate market. However, like stocks, real estate carries risks, including fluctuations in property values and market conditions. Can you get rich off dividends? The answer is yes, but it requires patience, discipline, and a long-term investment strategy. By selecting strong dividend-paying companies and reinvesting your dividends, you can grow passive income over time. Coupled with diversification and a careful assessment of risks, dividend investing can be a reliable path to financial freedom. Ultimately, building wealth through dividends is not an overnight strategy, but the right approach can provide a solid foundation for long-term financial success. This article Three Things To Know To Build A Dividend Portfolio For Passive Income originally appeared on Benzinga.com We recently compiled a list of the 8 Best EV Stocks to Buy According to Short Sellers. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) stands against the other EV stocks. While there is a lot of skepticism around the EV industry, it has been growing rapidly, especially over the last few years. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), EV sales reached almost 14 million units in 2023, a 35% increase from the previous year, with the majority of these sales concentrated in China, Europe, and the United States. The three regions accounted for about 95% of global electric car sales, which shows their dominance in the market. China led the way, with over 8 million new electric car registrations, followed by Europe with nearly 3.2 million, and the United States with 1.4 million. Exploring Future Scenarios for Electric Road Transport The IEAs Global EV Outlook 2024 examined the potential paths to electrifying road transport by 2035. The report presents three scenarios: the Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS), the Announced Pledges Scenario (APS), and the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE). The STEPS considers current policies and market trends, the APS assumes that all government pledges will be fully implemented on time, and the NZE outlines a pathway to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The projections show that the global EV fleet could grow significantly by 2035. Under the STEPS, the number of EVs is expected to increase from less than 45 million in 2023 to 525 million by 2035. In the APS, this number could reach 585 million, while the NZE Scenario projects a more ambitious growth to 790 million EVs by 2035. The report also discussed the growth of electric light-duty vehicles (LDVs), buses, and two/three-wheelers (2/3Ws). LDVs, which include passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, are expected to remain the largest segment of the EV market. Electric buses and 2/3Ws are also projected to see significant growth, especially in regions like China and India, where policy support is strong. However, achieving full electrification of these segments will require continued policy support and technological advancements. Challenges Faced by the Industry While the EV industry is growing rapidly, it faces many challenges in its growth journey as it is still a young market. A recent McKinsey survey found that 30% of EV owners worldwide, and 46% in the U.S., are considering making the switch. Despite an increase in EV sales by companies, the growth in EV adoption has slowed down in the U.S. Issues such as not enough charging stations, high costs, and problems with battery life are major reasons for this. On the other hand, countries like Norway, which have good incentives and charging infrastructure, have higher EV adoption and fewer complaints. Furthermore, the demand for metal necessary for EV batteries is expected to increase significantly over the next few years as reported in our article about 10 Best Battery Stocks To Buy Now According to Short Sellers. This demand could create supply issues. Heres an excerpt from the article: According to BPs Energy Outlook 2024, the transition to a low-carbon energy system will require a substantial increase in the use of critical minerals, such as copper, lithium, and nickel, essential for supporting the infrastructure and assets needed for this transition. According to the report, the rapid expansion of electric vehicles is projected to reach 1.2 billion (current trajectory) to 2.1 billion (goal to reach Net Zero) by 2050, which will significantly increase the demand for batteries and in turn, higher demand for minerals like lithium and nickel. Copper demand is expected to rise by 75-100% by 2050, mostly due to its use in EVs and the extension of electricity networks. Lithium demand could grow 8 to 14 times by 2050, mainly driven by its use in EV batteries, which will account for about 80% of total lithium demand by 2050. Lastly, nickel demand is projected to increase two to three times by 2050, with most of this growth linked to lithium-ion batteries in EVs. Despite the challenges, governments around the world are incentivizing EV production due to the environmental impacts. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said on July 11 that the Biden administration, through the DOE, announced $1.7 billion in grants aimed at converting 11 at-risk auto manufacturing facilities across eight states to produce electric vehicles (EVs) and their components. This move is part of President Bidens broader Investing in America initiative, which seeks to revive manufacturing communities and protect union jobs. The grants are designed to keep the U.S. auto industry competitive, especially as global rivals invest heavily in EVs. The program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, will help retain over 15,000 union jobs and create nearly 3,000 new positions across the selected facilities. These facilities will manufacture a wide range of EV-related products, from parts for electric motorcycles to batteries for heavy-duty trucks. Our Methodology For this article, we used stock screeners and ETFs to identify companies involved in EV manufacturing and sales. We then selected 8 stocks with the smallest short interest and listed them in descending order of their short interest. We also mentioned the hedge fund sentiment around each stock, which was taken from Insider Monkeys database of over 900 elite hedge funds. 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). Workers assembling a car in a modern manufacturing plant, emphasizing the company's sense of progress. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) Short Interest as % of Shares Outstanding: 0.05% Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 14 One of the best EV stocks, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) is navigating the shift toward electrification with a well-rounded approach that embraces both its legacy and the future of automotive technology. The company has introduced a new range of combustion engines that are designed to operate on both gasoline and alternative fuels. This helps the company maintain its expertise in internal combustion while preparing for a more sustainable future. The companys long-standing experience with hybrids continues to play a significant role in its product lineup. It has been a leader in hybrid technology for years, and this expertise remains valuable as it offers a bridge between traditional internal combustion engines and fully electric vehicles. The growth of its hybrid business reflects a steady demand for vehicles that provide the benefits of electric driving while retaining the convenience of conventional fuel. Toyota (NYSE:TM) is also advancing its EV strategy with the launch of its bZ (Beyond Zero) series. The bZ4X, the first model from this series, is a compact SUV that combines practicality with advanced technology and a spacious interior. Toyota (NYSE:TM) was part of 14 hedge funds portfolios in the second quarter with a total stake value of $1.42 billion. Fisher Asset Management is the biggest shareholder in the company and has a position worth $1.35 billion as of Q2. The bZ4X model represents the companys initial push into the expanding EV market, and it is just the beginning of a broader plan. The company has committed to introducing 30 electric models by 2030 and aims to achieve annual sales of 3.5 million electric vehicles. To support this ambitious goal, it is investing $70 billion in electrification. Beyond battery electric vehicles, the company is also focusing on hybrid technology and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The companys hybrid models, which combine battery power with gasoline engines, are particularly important in regions where charging infrastructure is still developing. Its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Mirai, is evidence of its dedication to exploring alternative energy solutions. In a recent development, the company and BMW are expanding their collaboration, with Toyota (NYSE:TM) supplying key components like hydrogen tanks and fuel cell systems. This partnership will help advance BMWs efforts in integrating these components into their electric vehicle technology, showcasing Toyotas (NYSE:TM) role in driving innovation across the industry. The companys hybrid strategy has also proven successful in the market. It plans to offer hybrid versions of all its models in the U.S., and this approach has already shown positive results. In the first half of the year, Toyota and Lexus experienced a nearly 15% increase in North American sales. Additionally, sales of the hybrid Camry surged by almost 143% year-over-year, outpacing the overall growth in Camry sales. Overall TM ranks 2nd on our list of the best EV stocks to buy according to short sellers. While we acknowledge the potential of TM as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than TM 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. By Noel Randewich (Reuters) - Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group, majority-owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump, jumped nearly 5% on Monday after a poll showed the Republican candidate is in a tight race against Vice President Kamala Harris for the White House. The bounce in the company's stock follows weeks of declines that sent it to record lows, and it comes ahead of key dates this month when Trump and other company insiders will be allowed to sell their shares. Trump Media, whose main asset is the Truth Social app, saw its value balloon to nearly $10 billion following its stock market listing in March, lifted in part by Trump supporters and traders betting he would win the November election. Monday's rebound in Trump Media follows a new poll suggesting recent gains by Democratic rival Harris against Trump have stalled and potentially reversed. Trump is up one percentage point against Harris at 48%-47%, according to a national poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College. With eight weeks left ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election, contracts for Trump and Harris victories are both trading at 52 cents, with a potential $1 payout, on the PredictIt politics betting platform. Harris had led Trump at 54 cents vs 50 cents as recently as Saturday. Monday's stock gain in Trump Media follows several weeks of declines and leaves the company's market value at $3.6 billion. That puts Trump's 57% stake at over $2 billion. For the June quarter, Trump Media reported a loss of $16.4 million and revenue of $837,000 -- equivalent to the sales of two Starbucks stores. According to provisions related to Trump Media's listing, Trump and other insiders will be allowed to sell stock beginning later this month, potentially flooding the market with additional shares. If the stock price remains at or above $12 for any 20 trading days commencing Aug. 22, then Trump will be free to sell shares beginning on Sept. 20. Otherwise, he is eligible to sell shares beginning on Sept. 26. The stock was last at $17.94 on Monday. (Reporting by Noel Randewich; Editing by Leslie Adler) Australian renewable energy company Akaysha Energy has completed the first stage of energisation at the WSB project in NSW for the Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo). WSB is now registered on Australias National Electricity Market (NEM), driven by project partners Akyasha Energy, Consolidated Power Projects, Transgrid, Powin and eks Energy. EnergyCo director of power systems Lulu Shao commented: Registering on the NEM is no easy feat, especially for the largest single dispatchable unit on the market and one of the largest grid-scale batteries in the world. The 850MW/1.68 gigawatt-hour (GWh) BESS is expected to stand as the largest standby network battery project in the southern hemisphere and the most powerful battery in the world. The energisation of the Waratah substation is 330kV, facilitated from NSW network operator Transgrids Munmorah Substation. Scheduled to be operational in 2025, the BESS is expected to have a guaranteed continuous active power capacity of at least 700MW and a guaranteed useable energy storage capacity of at least 1.4GWh. It will remain in standby mode and act as a shock absorber for the NSW energy system in the event of sudden power surges. For instance, if there is grid instability due to lightning strikes, Transgrids control system will automatically trigger paired generators in regional NSW to temporarily reduce their output, allowing the BESS to discharge while keeping the power system stable. Akaysha stated that WSB is a key milestone in enhancing grid reliability for the NSW electrical network. EnergyCo appointed Akaysha, which recently brought its energy storage portfolio in Australia to over 4GWh, to develop WSB in 2022, following the announcement that four of the five coal-fired power stations in NSW are scheduled to close by 2035. The NSW government identified the project as the most suitable solution that could be delivered in time to ensure security of supply to Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle. It was designated as Critical State Significant Infrastructure and a Priority Transmission Infrastructure Project. WSB is one of several projects that were announced under the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020, which is expected to attract $32bn of private sector investment by 2030 and secure NSWs ongoing energy transition. Australia's renewable energy push sparked by BESS A spokesperson from Australias Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) told Power Technology that: Australia is a global leader in the deployment of BESS and has pioneered the role of grid-forming inverters as a technology to help stabilise the grid when operating with very high penetrations of inverter-based resources such as solar and wind. Story continues Power Technologys parent company, GlobalData, reports that Asia-Pacific is expected to continue to lead the market in terms of cumulative installed capacity until 2027, accounting for more than 74% of the global BESS market, with Australia as one of the top four countries in the region. The rapid development of BESS in Australia has been attributed to Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, who in 2017 agreed to a challenge on the construction of a 100MW battery farm in South Australia. Investments in BESS have since boomed in the country, paving the way for major projects and an expected national storage capacity of 22GW by 2030, as forecast by GlobalData. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)s Integrated System Plan predicts that Australia will need at least 49GW of storage by 2050 to reach net zero. In the second quarter of 2024, the AEMO reported that the NEM has seen energy arbitrage revenues for BESS surge by 97% year-on-year to A$25.4m ($16.39m). While Australia mines over half of the worlds lithium supply, the critical mineral used in batteries, the country does not refine it and instead exports it to China. The government has been searching for ways to reduce this reliance on China, but until the nations lithium supply chain can be streamlined, Australias BESS sector will continue to require high levels of funding. ARENA explained that it has supported innovations in lithium-ion batteries and grid forming technology. In 2022, ARENA's Large Scale Battery Storage Funding Round committed $176m in conditional funding to eight grid-forming battery projects totalling more than 2GW of power and two-hours of storage duration. Five of the eight projects, totalling 1.6GW, have now reached financial close and commenced construction, the spokesperson said. The agency pointed out that while short duration storage can help Australias grid move towards 100% instantaneous renewables by providing system security services, long duration storage will be important for increasing the overall renewable energy fraction, which ARENA is focused on commercialising". "Waratah Super Battery completes energisation first stage, boosts Australias BESS sector " was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Whose Tax Plan Is Better: Trump Or Harris? This Social Media Influencer Says A Harris Administration Would Save Middle-Class Americans On Taxes In a viral TikTok video, social media influencer Zak Kimball (@zak.kimball) dives into the debate over tax plans proposed by Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, breaking down the numbers for an average American family. Kimball aims to move beyond political talking points and base the comparison on actual data. Using Census Bureau statistics, he analyzes which tax policy would benefit a typical middle-class family more. Don't Miss: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement How do you compare ? Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you. Kimball's Approach: Using Data to Inform the Debate Kimball begins his analysis by defining the average American family as earning $75,000 per year and having two children aged 5-17. He carefully constructs a scenario that does not favor Trump or Harris, despite the latter's favorable child tax credit structure. According to Kimball, the former president's plan centers on making the 2017 tax cuts permanent. Under Trump's policy, a family with a $75,000 income and two children would benefit from a standard deduction of $27,700 and receive $2,000 per child in tax credits. Kimball calculates an effective tax rate of 2.23%, leaving the family with a tax bill of $1,676. Trending: A billion-dollar investment strategy with minimums as low as $10 you can become part of the next big real estate boom today. By contrast, Harris's plan, which would let Trump's tax cuts expire in 2025, is based on pre-2017 tax laws. While her standard deduction would be lower at $12,700, the $6,000 in child tax credits ($3,000 per child) would more than offset that. Kimball finds that under Harris's tax proposal, the family's effective tax rate would drop to 1.22%, resulting in a tax bill of just $915 giving the family a $761 advantage. Tariffs: The Hidden Cost of Trump's Plan However, Kimball goes further by factoring in Trump's proposed 10% tariff on all imports and a 60% tariff on goods from China. He cites data from conservative think tanks, including the American Action Forum, which estimates these tariffs would cost households between $1,700 and $4,000 annually. Adding this cost to Trump's tax bill for the average family brings their total financial burden to a striking $4,736 more than under Harris's tax plan. See Also: The number of 401(k)' Millionaires is up 43% from last year Here are three ways to join the club. Beyond Taxes: Healthcare and Homeownership Kimball also highlights that Harris's plan extends beyond direct taxation. Harris proposes incentives for saving on health care costs and initiatives to help middle-class families afford their first homes. Kimball argues that these additional benefits make Harris's plan even more attractive for average families. Story continues While Kimball's analysis favors Harris, it's important to consider that some voters may prefer Trump's focus on keeping taxes low overall, particularly for businesses and high earners. This approach, Trump supporters argue, could stimulate economic growth and job creation, benefiting all Americans in the long term. However, critics contend that the tariffs proposed by Trump could significantly raise costs for middle-class families, counteracting the benefits of his tax cuts. Trending: Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today! Ultimately, Kimball's data-driven approach suggests that, for middle-class families, Harris's tax plan offers greater financial relief. Though taxes alone don't paint the full picture, the advantage tilts significantly in Harriss favor when tariffs and additional policy considerations are factored in. As Kimball encourages viewers, doing your research and breaking down the numbers is key to understanding the real impact of these policies on American households. Read Next: 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? "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Whose Tax Plan Is Better: Trump Or Harris? This Social Media Influencer Says A Harris Administration Would Save Middle-Class Americans On Taxes originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) stock rocketed 7.6% through 10:25 a.m. ET Monday. The small-cap space stock announced this morning that it has been "selected" to participate in NASA's "Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program (CSDA) On-Ramp1 Multiple Award contract" to "provide commercial data in support of the agency's Earth science research" in a contract worth up to $476 million. What NASA wants from Planet Labs Basically, NASA has hired Planet to work as a photographer. That's good news, but before you get too excited, here are some details. First and foremost, not all the money will be awarded at once, but rather spread over four years. The contract runs through November 2028, so annually, it looks more like a $100 million contract than a $500 million contract. Plus, Planet probably won't get all of the $476 million for itself. This number is actually a ceiling value on the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity government contract, which might not be awarded in full, and which will be divided with other space companies. As NASA explained Friday, eight different space companies will share in the award. In addition to Planet, these are BlackSky, Satellogic, Teledyne (NYSE: TDY), Iceye, Pixxel Space, The Tomorrow Companies, and Canada's MDA. Still, as the owner of the world's biggest constellation of Earth observation satellites, Planet Labs will probably get at least some of this money. For a company that grew sales only 14% last quarter, that's good news. Is Planet Labs stock a buy? I'm just not sure it's good enough news to make Planet Labs stock a buy. $476 million divided by four divided by eight means that, on average, each company involved in CSDA can expect perhaps a $15 million yearly revenue boost. That's not insignificant -- it's about 6% of Planet's annual revenue. But it's probably not enough to move the needle on Planet Labs stock or change the fact that Planet Labs will remain unprofitable and continue burning cash through the entire length of this contract. Should you invest $1,000 in Planet Labs Pbc right now? Before you buy stock in Planet Labs Pbc, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Planet Labs Pbc wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $630,099!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. Story continues See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of September 9, 2024 Rich Smith has positions in Planet Labs Pbc. The Motley Fool recommends Teledyne Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Planet Labs Stock Is Going to the Moon Today was originally published by The Motley Fool (Bloomberg) -- Colombian rebels have reopened their war on the oil industry with a wave of pipeline attacks that sent crude spilling into rivers and clouds of black smoke billowing into the sky. Most Read from Bloomberg The worlds oldest guerrilla force, known as the National Liberation Army, or ELN, is reactivating its six-decade campaign of sabotage after peace talks with the government broke down, raising the stakes for President Gustavo Petro by hitting the sector that produces a third of the nations exports. The leftist group also renewed hostilities with government security forces, opening fire on police bases and killing five soldiers in ambushes. The violence including at least 19 pipeline attacks since late August is adding to Petros woes as security deteriorates across swathes of the countryside while he struggles to rein in discontent in the cities. Last week, officials were forced to mostly concede to demands from striking truckers whose paralyzing blockades shut schools and public transit. Its also another headwind for Colombias struggling oil industry, along with falling reserves, heavy taxes and hostility from Petro, an environmentalist who wants to phase out fossil fuels and has refused to grant new exploration licenses. Producers had enjoyed more than a year of pumping crude relatively unhindered while guerrilla leaders met negotiators, seeking a deal that would see the group lay down its arms in exchange for legal and constitutional reforms to provide more support for the poorest citizens. The latest attacks show that the ELN still has the oil industry in its sights and is nowhere near to ending its war. Meanwhile, the groups sophisticated extortion network continues to target businesses operating in its territory. The rebels have long viewed the oil industry as a military target as well as a cash cow. The groups antagonism comes from its belief that Colombia should have sovereignty over its natural resources, rather than selling rights to private companies, according to Carlos Velandia, a former senior commander in the group who left in 2004. The ELN believes that the oil companies have been able to get contracts that are very advantageous for themselves, but bad for the country, said Velandia, who now monitors the conflict as the head of the Peace Observatory at Colombias National University in Bogota. Story continues While supply disruptions from Colombia arent big enough to roil global markets, the conflict is another example of the violence endemic in crude-producing regions throughout the world from Houthi rebels in Yemen who target tankers in the Red Sea to pipeline attacks in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. Colombias state-controlled oil company, Ecopetrol SA, which owns the pipelines, said Sept. 4 that the attacks, along with the truckers strike and protests at a natural gas plant, have seriously affected its operations. The company hasnt provided an estimate of how much production has been curtailed since the attacks restarted. As of Sept. 6, the Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline was still damaged, while the Bicentenario pipeline was functioning again. After placing explosives, the ELN often deploys mines and snipers to make it harder for the army and repair teams to enter the area. Most of the recent attacks took place in Arauca province, the ELNs biggest stronghold. The two pipelines connect Arauca, which produces about 58,000 barrels of crude per day or 7% of the nations output with refineries and a Caribbean port. Canadas Parex Resources Inc. and SierraCol Energy, a subsidiary of the Carlyle Group, operate in the region. Petro took office in 2022 pledging to seek total peace through talks with the guerrillas and drug cartels whose militias dominate much of the countryside. But so far the various negotiations have had limited success. Negotiations with the ELN broke down in May over issues including the governments refusal to remove the rebels from a list of organized crime organizations. But the group stuck to its ceasefire until this expired in August as efforts were made to get the talks back on track. Petro is himself a former leftist guerrilla. But the ELN, which was inspired by the communist revolution in Cuba, says Colombias oligarchy is blocking his attempts to reform the nations conservative economic model. Extortion Network Electricity company Grupo Energia Bogota SA, the fourth-most valuable business on Colombias stock exchange, recently ran into the ELNs extortion network when it studied building a power line to connect Arauca with the national grid. Shakedowns from the ELN have made Arauca among the most expensive places in Colombia to do business, according to Juan Ricardo Ortega, the companys chief executive officer. When we looked at how much it would cost to get people to build the towers, to transport the materials, everybody began to charge 45% more than in peaceful regions of the country, he said. The ELN sets fire to trucks and buses operating in its territory without its permission. Even if big companies dont make payments to the group, their subcontractors have little choice, pushing up the price of everything from transport to security services, Ortega said. Paying money to an illegal armed group could bring US charges for financing terrorism. For businesses operating in regions dominated by the guerrillas, there are many ways of staying off the radar of the US justice system, but there is no way to skirt the ELNs attention, according to Velandia. Its not possible to avoid doing deals with them, but it doesnt necessarily have to involve handing over cash, Velandia said. One favored method is for social organizations that are sympathetic to some of the ELNs objectives to organize strikes to pressure a company into paying for projects such as paving a road or building a health clinic. The guerrillas then get the credit for bringing investment to areas abandoned by the government, while also taking a cut for themselves. For the guerrillas to tolerate the presence of a multinational, they tell them to build a road or bridges or schools, Velandia said. Thats a way of camouflaging payments as social investment, rather than giving money to an organization thats listed as a terrorist group. Companies find that it is cheaper to pay up and incur the risk of US sanctions than to refuse the guerrillas demands, which effectively means not being able to operate at all, according to Rodrigo Villamizar, a former Colombian energy minister who now heads Electra, a Bogota-based think tank focused on the power sector. Cocaine Ban In Arauca, the ELNs hold over local politics is such that five former governors have been accused by prosecutors of having ties with the group. The region, which borders Venezuela, is unusual in that oil, rather than illegal drug production, has long been a main driver of the violence. Since 2019, it has been one of the few Colombian conflict zones that doesnt have any coca, the raw material for making cocaine, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Justice. Thats because the Domingo Lain front, an elite group within the ELN that controls much of Arauca, grew so rich from shaking down businesses and government contractors that it decided it no longer wanted or needed cocaine production in its territory and banned it across the entire province of 24,000 square kilometers (9,300 square miles). --With assistance from Jason Kao. (Updates with ELNs history with Petro in 15th paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. YORK, Neb. For more than 100 years, members of a secretive church have gathered at a farm in York, Nebraska, for an annual summer convention. The service on Friday afternoon at the York farm, a sprawling assortment of barns visible from U.S. 81, was business as usual, according to Tina Stringfield, who worked as a minister called workers in the church for 15 years. A couple hundred people children and the elderly alike gathered in one of the barns to sing hymns and listen to church leaders speak about topics like friendship and citizenship in heaven. But this years convention comes at a moment of reckoning in the church. Former and current members are grappling with growing allegations of decades of widespread sexual abuse and the launch of a global FBI investigation into the church in February. That is part of what drove Stringfield, a survivor of child sexual abuse while growing up in the church in Wisconsin, to go to the York convention on Friday. Part of her goal: to speak about sexual abuse during the open testimony portion of the service. The Truth The Christian sect Stringfield was a member of operates across the United States and the world. It does not have a name, but it is sometimes called the Truth, The Way, or the Two by Twos because the workers travel in pairs of two preaching the gospel and staying at members homes. The Two by Two church was formed in Ireland in the 19th Century by Scottish evangelist William Irvine, according to Cherie Kropp, a historian and former member of the church. Kropp estimates that there are around 75,000 members of the church in the United States and globally, though she emphasizes it is a rough estimate. Kropp, who grew up on Mississippi convention grounds, said conventions are a yearly retreat for members of the church, who otherwise usually worship in their homes and never in a traditional church building. Conventions usually last from Wednesday to Sunday. The grounds have dormitories where people can sleep, a kitchen and an area where services are held, Kropp said. Duane Grotz, the owner of the York convention grounds, said there has been a convention on the property since 1916. Seven former and current members of the church who have attended the York convention in the past spoke about the conventions. They recalled a joyful time, when hundreds of members of the church from Nebraska and nearby states gathered at the Grotz farm. But those same people expressed concern about how the church leadership has refused to adopt a written policy on sexual abuse or acknowledge their past failings. Some also expressed concern about what was being done at the convention grounds to acknowledge past issues of sexual abuse and prevent future harm. Grotzs son, Darren, said they asked alleged perpetrators not to attend. Duane Grotz said that if he knew someone on his land was accused, hed have them leave. The Grotzes said to make the convention grounds safer, they added exterior lighting, security cameras and have imposed a 10 p.m. curfew. Advocates for the Truth, which operates a hotline for sexual abuse victims in the church and provides resources for them, has identified over 900 credible perpetrators in the church and received reports from thousands of victims spanning decades. The group estimates that there are about 200,000 total current and former members of the church across the United States and the globe. In February, the Omaha, Nebraska, division of the FBI issued a bulletin seeking the publics help identifying victims or individuals with knowledge of abuse or criminal behavior within the Two by Two church. When asked about allegations of over 900 alleged perpetrators and the FBI investigation, My perspective on that is that theres some people that want to try to destroy the faith. It has nothing to do with abuse, Grotz said during a phone call Wednesday. We dont stand for abuse. We have no approval of abuse, he said. Asked about the allegations of widespread abuse in the church on Thursday, Grotz pointed to the Bible story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery and falsely accused by a woman of trying to get her to lay down with him. It never happened. If you read the whole story, it was her that tried to get him to lay down, he said. During an interview on Friday afternoon on the convention grounds, he backtracked slightly. Im not saying theres no victims. I know there (are) victims, he said. Richard Gasser, a head worker, or overseer, assigned to the Nebraska and Kansas region who spoke during the service on Friday afternoon about friendship, said like a lot of other organizations, it was dealt with wrong in the past, but we are doing everything we can to do whats right. Gasser said in a phone interview that he has asked individuals with credible allegations against them not to come to the York convention this year and said he has made clear in emails to members that abuse will not be tolerated. Cynthia Liles, a private investigator with Advocates for the Truth, named a handful of workers who served in Nebraska sometime since the 1960s whom she said have credible allegations against them. Orin Yung, who grew up in Kimball in southwest Nebraska, said he was sexually abused in his home by a visiting worker when he was a kid, sometime between 6 or 8 years old, which would have been around 1960, he said. Later, in his early 20s, he said, another worker attempted to sexually assault him in his home, though he was able to stop it. He said both times he never told anyone because you were never supposed to talk bad about the workers. When he finally told his dad, he said, his dad told him, Oh, the same thing happened to me as a kid. Deb Adadjo, who grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, said she was abused for a summer by her uncle, another member of the church, in Iowa in 1978 when she was 7. She said the abuse has affected her life for years, though, thanks to therapy, her life has improved. Adadjo left the church in 2022. She knew about abuse in the church other than her own for some time. Her abuser went on to abuse other children, she said. But as with many people, it was not until March 2023 that Adadjo learned about the extent of abuse in the church, when a letter spread around the Two by Two community saying that Dean Bruer, an overseer in Oregon, had sexually abused and raped minors. Bruergate, as Kropp called it, prompted many members of the church to immediately leave. Yung said he left at that time. Stringfield left the church shortly after Bruergate, too. She said she spoke to an overseer after the news came out and decided to leave after finding their response inadequate. Stringfield moved to Lincoln almost a year ago. During her time as a worker, she once stopped by the York convention grounds. Having spent the prime of her life working for the church, Stringfield said after she left she was not asked by church leaders what they could do to help her. Meanwhile, she said, her abuser has been allowed to go to meetings. Theyve made sure theres space for (him), she said, but havent asked her what she needs. Bruergate hit Nebraska soon after the letter went public. In a message, Gasser wrote in March 2023 to the members, or friends in Nebraska and Kansas. He encouraged victims to reach out and noted that Bruer had been in Nebraska for special meetings in the spring. Then, in June 2023, after the churchs other annual convention in Nebraska, which was held in Scottsbluff, Gasser wrote another letter to the friends of Kansas and Nebraska addressing child sexual abuse in the church. Gasser said his staff had recently attended a child abuse seminar at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff and were made aware of some of the laws and services that are provided. But in that same letter from more than a year ago, Gasser expressed hesitancy at the idea of creating a policy focused on child sexual abuse in the church. We all have a fear of creating more policies to deal with these things; I believe we all know these actions are so wrong already. There are plenty of Bible verses written that can say it far better. A month after that letter, in July 2023, there was an educational meeting about sexual abuse at the Holthus Center in York for members of the church, according to former members who attended the York convention for many years. Over a year later, Gasser continues to believe that the church does not need guidelines about sexual abuse. Theres the Bible and theres the natural law and they take care of everything. Why do we have to make more laws? The Bibles very clear on it all and also the law of the land, and we will abide by it, Gasser said. When asked why the Bible and the laws of the land were not enough to stop abuse in the past and why, unlike other organizations that have dealt with sexual abuse issues, such as The Catholic Church, he was against a written policy, Gasser said, Well, what more can we do? I mean, its wrong and we will report it to law. Weve told people that. What can you do more than that? In Kansas, Dawn and Monte Johnson said they recently proposed a written policy about sexual abuse, which was rejected by an elder, an older member of the church where they live. In the Washington, North Idaho and Alaska region, the ministry rejected a 36-page document about how the church approaches sexual abuse written by church members with a background in psychology and victim advocacy. Maddening Stringfield, the former worker, called the lack of policies maddening. She said this is common practice in other organizations and noted that the Two by Two church is a worldwide organization. Former members say the churchs response has had an effect on membership. Relyssa Weeda, 32, a fourth-generation member of the church who grew up in Kearney, Nebraska, and attended the York convention from infancy until moving away from Nebraska in her early 20s, did not leave the church immediately in March 2023. Growing up, she knew some abuse happened in the church because of a family members own experience with it. But she was shocked by the extent of the abuse revealed in the months after Bruergate, as more and more members came forward with stories of sexual abuse across decades. Still, Weeda, who currently lives near Rapid City, South Dakota, did not leave immediately. As evidence of sexual abuse in the church grew, she said, she thought the church leaders might still make good decisions and turn the ship around. But as she learned more about the history of the church, Weeda said, she came to the conclusion that the ship is functioning exactly as it was made to function, and there is no turning it around. Former members said they learned growing up that the church and its workers were descended from the apostles, not founded in the 19th Century by a Scottish evangelist. Weeda was clear, though, that she did not judge people who had not yet left. I cant tell other people what they should or shouldnt do, she said. But I certainly hope that people are willing to ask more questions. The thing Weeda misses most about the church, she said, is going to the convention every year. You have four days of fellowship with people, she recalled. At the York convention on Friday afternoon, outside the afternoon service, Grotz asked Stringfield not to speak. Stringfield said she wanted to bring up her experience with sexual abuse in the church during the services testimony portion, when people can spontaneously stand up and speak. I dont think its the place to bring it up here, Grotz said. Why not? Stringfield asked. Because of the spirit of the convention, he replied. It would just upset everybody else, and I dont think the whole convention needs to be upset. He said he felt like Nebraska has made the necessary changes to address sexual abuse. If theres a state that hasnt, then maybe that needs to happen, Grotz said. They talk about us being a secret cult. Were not secret, Gasser had said Wednesday. Youre welcome to come and sit in a meeting, he said, though a York News-Times staffer was asked to leave a meeting on Thursday by Grotz and another was asked to delete a recording of the Friday meeting a recording of hymns, Scripture readings and lessons from the Bible. Stringfield said the experience of going back to convention was what she expected. Now, she said, she is looking forward to living the rest of her life. The FBI Omaha office declined an interview request, but in an emailed statement, attributed to FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel, the organization said The FBI encourages reporting from anyone who thinks that they may be a victim, or from anyone who may have information on this investigation, providing a link to its website. The FBIs hotline is 402-493-8688. Advocates for the Truth, which operates the hotline, also encourages victims to reach out to its hotline 855-477-2388 for help finding therapy and other resources. Man accused of shooting 5 on Kentucky interstate vowed to 'kill a lot of people,' warrant says An arrest warrant says the man accused of opening fire on a Kentucky highway vowed to kill a lot of people before he shot and wounded five people Qinghai-Tibet Plateau research offers insight into effects of climate change 08:14, September 09, 2024 By Wang Xiaoyu ( China Daily Alpine wetlands in Shanza county in the Xizang autonomous region. (CHINA DAILY) Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world. Having roamed the wilderness in Shanza county on the northern hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for more than 15 years, Tsultrim Tharchen, a wildlife ranger, can see with ease the distinct changes brought by warming temperatures. "The pasture grass grows significantly taller now than before, and I'd never seen so many wildflowers in the past," he said, pointing to clusters of tiny, jewel-like blossoms in purple, yellow, and white dotting the steppe. Situated at an average altitude of 4,700 meters, the county used to be inundated by harsh winds, making a motorcycle ride in winter punishingly cold for Tsultrim Tharchen. "Nowadays, winter feels not so hard to get through," he added. The observations of Tsultrim Tharchen encapsulate the very basics of climate change on "the roof of the world". The geologic expanse defined by majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and long, dry, and frigid winters is getting warmer and wetter. While local residents like Tsultrim Tharchen rely on their senses to take the pulse of the plateau, a group of Chinese researchers has utilized scientific equipment and multidisciplinary expertise to survey the land's response to climate change. A researcher retrieves data from a monitoring device in Shanza. (CHINA DAILY) For over two decades, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment have been collecting and analyzing ecological data. Together with other institutes at the CAS, they have set up more than 30 monitoring sites, scattered across the plateau from the Zoige grassland near its eastern edge to the western county of Rutog bordering India, as well as from Dromo county on the southern tip to Hoh Xil nature reserve in the north. "What we have done in essence is put a stethoscope on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to constantly monitor its breathing," said Wang Xiaodan, a researcher at the institute. A crucial part of their research rests on measuring the plateau's emissions and absorption of carbon. Deemed a significant ecological barrier in China, the plateau has a mix of ecological zones represented by glaciers, permafrost, lakes, rivers, alpine meadows, and forests, which are used as sites to study carbon processes in various terrestrial ecosystems. The region's diverse terrain has enabled it to function as a carbon sink meaning it absorbs more greenhouse gases than it emits. However, global warming and climate change have sparked concerns that the thawing permafrost on the plateau could release enormous amounts of greenhouse gases. Further complicating the picture is whether a series of ecology preservation projects carried out in the region could impact its carbon storage capability, researchers added. Researchers evaluate changes in carbon dioxide concentrations under rising temperatures in Shanza. (CHINA DAILY) A monitoring station in Shanza county has been the world's highest-altitude comprehensive ecological monitoring facility since 2010. It has three laboratories specializing in biology, soil, and water, as well as 33 hectares of alpine grassland and 6.7 hectares of alpine wetland that it monitors. Wang, who is also head of the station in Shanza, has spent more than two decades surveying the ecosystems of the plateau. "In the early 2000s, it would take us several days to reach Shanza, first flying from Chengdu to Xizang's regional capital of Lhasa and then driving all the way to Shanza through Shigatse city," he said. "We had to eat instant noodles and canned food for days and spend nights in tents in the wilderness." But the long and strenuous trips were always worth it. "The grasslands in Shanza represent the largest and most sensitive alpine grassland ecosystem of its kind," he said. "Within a 5-kilometer radius around the station, there are three types of grasslands, wetlands, and lakes, enabling us to carry out comprehensive research." Wang Zhuangzhuang, a researcher at the institute, said he visits the monitoring station several times a year to retrieve data stored in the hardware there. An example of their research is gauging the effects of installing fences that limit areas for livestock grazing on a piece of land's carbon absorption rate, he added. In Lhokha city about a two-hour drive from the regional capital of Lhasa, is a monitoring site for the carbon sequestration of artificial forests. In the past, the city that sits along the Yarlung Zangbo River was frequently beset by dust storms, prompting a drive initiated in the 1980s that resulted in over 45 million trees being planted over four decades. A new monitoring site, aimed at evaluating the forests' ecological role, was put into use this year. "Our research can help shed light on the optimized ratio of male and female tree species to maximize improvements in soil condition, address problems such as pests, floating fluff, and bolster preparedness for potential issues such as invasive alien species," said Wang Xiaodan. Zhou Ping (right), a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, observes the effects of sand-fixing vegetation at a trial plot in Lhokha city with her students in late July. (WANG XIAOYU/CHINA DAILY) Less than an hour's drive from the site is a plot of experimental land dedicated to desertification research. "We are conducting transplant experiments on grass and shrubs here to test their resistance. By evaluating their growth and winter survival rates we can select plant varieties that are suitable for growth in alpine sandy areas," said Zhou Ping, a researcher at the institute. Scientists at the institute are providing insights into the plateau's role as a carbon sink. Researchers found that 26 out of 32 monitoring sites were still significant carbon sinks from 2002 to 2020, and that the carbon absorption rate was more substantial than previously thought. "The strongest net carbon sink effect along the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau occurs at an altitude of 4,000 meters," said Wei Da, a researcher at the institute who coauthored a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peer-reviewed journal of the academy in the United States. "Our study has determined that the alpine ecosystems on the plateau remain a powerful carbon sink. The consistently warm and wet climate on the plateau is conducive to plant growth and can drive stronger carbon sink effects," he said. In another study that was released in Nature Communications, an open-access international journal this year, researchers found that high-altitude and colder ecosystems, including the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, are more sensitive to climate warming than terrains at a lower elevation. By combining machine-learning tools with monitoring data and climate change analysis models, the study concluded that high-elevation environments respond consistently to a warming climate and may play a positive role in mitigating the effects of climate change. "Climate change in mountainous areas and human activities are extremely complicated, and go well beyond our existing knowledge," said Wei. He said that questions such as how much carbon emissions will result from thawing permafrost, the impact of extreme weather on curtailing plant growth, and how to regulate and improve carbon sinks remain unanswered. "The closer we are to the mountains, the more questions emerge," said Wei. "But these unknowns also motivate us to keep advancing research." (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Justice Amy Coney Barrett pushed back against the characterization of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent term as "divisive" during an appearance in Colorado Springs on Friday, while also acknowledging the enhanced security protocols she is now subject to. The use of artificial intelligence, various aspects of criminal law and the work of the U.S. Supreme Court were among the topics discussed in Colorado Springs at least week's biennial gathering of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. Members of the Colorado Supreme Court wrestled last month with a question that previously divided the state's second-highest court: Did Craig law enforcement effectively place a heavily intoxicated woman in custody and interrogate her for the murder of her husband without providing the necessary Miranda warning? A 2021 law intended to improve accessibility to government documents for individuals with hearing and vision impairments has had unintended consequences it prompted some agencies to completely remove public records from websites altogether in order to avoid non-compliance with the legislation. House Bill 21-1110 required all state and local agencies to implement accessibility plans for their IT systems by July 1 of this year or face potential discrimination lawsuits and fines of up to $3,500. Following worries from agencies about their ability to meet the deadline, a 2024 bill extended the cutoff to July 1, 2025. Under the law, to make documents accessible to individuals with vision and hearing impairments, agencies must remove the original files and replace them with accessible versions. These new versions must adhere to the most recent edition of web content accessibility guidelines. Common features of accessible web content include larger text, image descriptions, and compatibility with screen readers. 'Unintended consequences' While the process of converting documents to accessible formats might seem straightforward, some organizations alleged that it is both time-consuming and costly. The law allocated $300,000 to the Governor's Office of Information Technology to assist agencies with the conversions, but the agencies themselves received no funding. Many consider it an unfunded mandate, including Lora Thomas, a Douglas County commissioner and the secretary of Colorado Counties, Inc. Through her work with the association, Thomas has learned that several counties are choosing to remove documents, such as budgets and meeting minutes, from their websites entirely, fearing they won't be able to meet the bill's requirements by the deadline. Residents looking to access a removed document must file a Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) request, which can cost up to over $40 per research hour. Thomas asserted that agencies are not removing key documents from their website because they want to evade the law they're doing so because they cannot afford to comply with the new requirements. The consequences for non-compliance are potentially dire. "We see this with a lot of legislation that gets passed," Thomas said. "We learn about the unintended consequences, and it's something that we need to figure out. It would be wonderful if some entrepreneur would develop a software that would take care of this very efficiently for us, but right now that hasn't happened." She added: "I have heard these conversations when all commissioners from around the state are together about their frustration about following the law and not having the resources from the state who put this mandate on us to meet these requirements." What bout government transparency? Entirely removing important documents and, as a result, imposing potential financial barriers to access records is an ironic and disheartening twist for a law intended to enhance accessibility to government information for Coloradans, according to Jeff Roberts of the Freedom of Information Coalition. "What you would hope is that this law would be an opportunity for all government entities to think about how they could be as accessible for everybody and make government not just more accessible for people with disabilities, but also for everyone else," he said. "Governments should be making as many records available online for people to access whenever they want or need them so they don't have to make records requests and go through that system, where the response could be delayed or they could have to pay fees." To make matters worse, Roberts added, the fees for CORA requests increased in July, rising from a maximum rate of $33.58 to $41.37 per hour, a 23.2% hike. He argued that agencies should have already made their most frequently requested documents accessible, and failing to do so has put them in a difficult position that won't be easy to rectify. "As much as governments can do that, they should be, and they should be doing it with frequently requested types of documents like budgets and anything they see that the public is really interested in," he said. Featured Local Savings Advocates: Agencies can but choose not to Jessica Beecham, Colorado State President for National Federation of the Blind, said the law only applies to newly-created documents, not every document on an agency's website. She and her colleague, NFB Ambassador Committee Chairperson Dan Burke, expressed frustration that agencies seem to be choosing to remove documents from their website rather than comply with the law. "Think about access to documents as a wheelchair ramp," Beecham said. "We understand why people need to be able to get into the building. We never say to folks in wheelchairs, 'Why do you need a ramp to get in?' So why would we ever say to people with print disabilities, 'Why do you need an accessible document in order to access it?'" Burke and Beecham emphasized that they weren't trying to engage in "drive-by lawsuits or be the accessibility police" with this law. Instead, they said, they wanted to bring the state in line with accessibility guidelines that have existed for years. Beecham said she believes all state and local agencies have the capability and resources to convert their documents into accessible formats but they are choosing not to do so. "I think that they are trying to show that they shouldn't have to put the effort into this to begin with," she said. "It's not across the board because some agencies have gotten on it and done really well with this, but there are some that haven't, and they just kind of keep going back to doing the same thing. This is not as monumental of a task as they're making it out to be." Burke argued that agencies would save money in the long run by complying with the state's accessibility requirements now rather than having to "retrofit" documents later. He used the analogy of a building, noting that it's much cheaper to install an elevator during construction than to add one after the building is already completed. Ultimately, Beecham said, the law is about respect and equality, something the disability community has been working toward for decades. When agencies don't comply, "it sends a message that we're not first class citizens and that we're a burden," she said. "It feels humiliating sometimes to have to beg for the scraps" OIT clears the record While Beecham and Burke said the law only applied to newly-created documents, the Governor's Office of IT said that is incorrect. According to Kelly Tabor, Communications Manager for OIT"s Technology Accessibility Program, "all documents, not just new ones, will need to meet the accessibility requirements." "That said, although the goal for any government entity is to make all of its technology touchpoints meet the accessibility criteria, we understand that it isn't feasible to accomplish instantly," Tabor said. "We encourage all government organizations to focus on making some higher priority technology accessible first right now, and make changes over time." She added: "They may consider assessing what actions can we take to start making things accessible from the beginning. Some examples could include creating accessible templates for repeatable things like presentations and newsletters, training staff on accessibility basics, like drafting accessible emails and accessible documents, and adding a requirement in their contracts for vendors to produce accessible deliverables." Tabor added: "Our team finds that the more we all practice accessibility, the easier and more habitual it becomes, until we just start making all of our presentations and handouts accessible out of habit." While homelessness increased in the metro Denver area, the numbers dropped in El Paso County, according to the results of a comprehensive survey conducted this year. The survey in major cities nationwide on one or two days each January highlighted anew the crisis plaguing metro Denver, whose local governments notably Colorado's most populous city have spent significant amounts. Mayor Mike Johnston, who marked one year in office in July, had vowed to eradicate homelessness in his city within the first four years and has embarked on aggressive campaign to house individuals. Denver, Aurora and El Paso The count pegged Denver's total number of homeless people at 6,539 this year, compared to 5,818 last year. And the city saw only 150 fewer "unsheltered" people individuals who sleep in public places, such as parks and in cars compared to the previous year's count. Between 2022 and 2023, Denver's "unsheltered" homeless population grew by 110 homeless people. This time around, that number dropped from 1,423 to 1,273 in 2024. In neighboring Aurora, the "unsheltered" homeless population grew from 163 people in 2023 to 326 this year. The city's total showed 697 homeless individuals, up from 572 last year. Meanwhile, 70 miles south of metro Denver, the Colorado Springs area witnessed a downward trend. The number of "unsheltered" people in El Paso County dropped from 374 last year to 259 this year the lowest number counted since 2015. In total, homelessness decreased by 12% in El Paso County over last year, with 1,146 people considered both sheltered, meaning sleeping in emergency shelters and transitional housing, or unsheltered. Thats 156 people less than the homeless population in 2023. The strategies Denver is on track to spend $155 million on its "housing first" approach $65 million more than what Johnston said would cost from 2023 to 2024. Since Johnston took office in July last year, 1,872 homeless people have been moved to shelters, according to a city dashboard that tracks numbers. The 12% growth in the total number of homeless people from year to year and the relatively small reduction in the "unsheltered" population puzzled at least one councilmember and led another to accuse the Johnston administration of having a "spend first, ask questions later mindset." Johnston's overriding approach to the citys homelessness crisis is called housing first, in which the primary consideration is getting people off the streets without preconditions or requirements. Under Johnston's model, the city sweeps encampments and moves people into temporary shelters. Despite the rise in homelessness, the mayor's office insisted that Denver saw one of the most significant reductions in "unsheltered" homelessness nationwide. Its gains are on par with Houston widely regarded as a national leader in tackling homelessness over six months, the time between when Johnston took office and the point in time count conducted in January. The argument that our strategy isnt working is factually wrong, spokesperson Jordan Fuja earlier said. All In Mile High started in July of 2023, and the bulk of move-ins happened in December." Fuja added: "Houstons strategy and Denvers strategy are markedly different due to the stark differences in cost of living, available housing, and general space." Meanwhile, Aurora leaders opted for a "tough love" approach. Under this model, homeless people are given the opportunity to accept services, including treatment, while officials enforce a policy akin to "zero tolerance" for people who refuse help. The key element of that approach the building of a navigation center is still in the works. By comparison, Denver's strategy is in full swing. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman told The Denver Gazette he didn't expect a significant decline in homelessness, considering that the city's "tough lough" model has yet to materialize. "I don't really expect a decline in the aggregate number," Coffman said. "What I want to see is a drop in unsheltered, and an increase in shelter meaning that people are participating in initial recovery and mental health treatment, job training, but in a sheltered environment." When asked why Aurora's homeless population increased this year, Coffman pointed to increasing levels of fentanyl use. "Unfortunately, we have a drug epidemic," he said. Coffman said Aurora's approach will take time to come to fruition, predicting that homelessness numbers will decrease over the next two years. Featured Local Savings Aurora's councilmembers last month voted to move forward with plans for a 13-acre "navigation center" they hope would make a significant dent in the city's campaign to get people out of homelessness. The city plans to open the center in early 2025. Officials said the navigation center will offer a variety of services, including transitional housing, employment services, workforce development, emergency shelter, a medical clinic, addiction counseling, mental health services, medical respite beds, housing navigation, case management and meals, according to a news release. The campus will have three tiers, the first of which will be a "low-barrier" shelter with congregate housing for people who need services but arent working with case managers yet. The second tier will require people to work part time, including jobs in and around the facility, and participation in programs for addiction and mental health recovery and job training. The second tier will have materially better living conditions, Coffman said. People in the third tier will have even better living conditions, including a private room. Colorado Springs's approach to homelessness is to prevent and respond to homelessness through evidence-based interventions designed to respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness, according to city officials. Mayor Yemi Mobolade's office said the city is creating initiatives under a response plan, in which support services, preventive measures and more affordable housing are among the priorities. The city has asked for feedback for its homelessness plan and collected responses. What is concerning is that the number of homeless families increased by 12% in this years count, with 48 more people who are part of a family unit saying they were homeless, said Katie Sunderlin, the citys acting chief housing officer. Meanwhile, Douglas County sandwiched in between Denver and Colorado Springs saw an 86% drop in unsheltered homelessness in two years based on its own separate count. Douglas County's unsheltered homeless count dropped from 43 to six in two years, according to the the county's data. Douglas County officials have adopted the mantra that "handouts don't help." The county routinely warns residents, for example, against giving money to homeless people on roadways or sidewalks. Instead, the county urges residents to donate that money to deploy outreach teams to help homeless people. A temporary solution? The increase in Metro Denver's homeless population revived questions about the root cause of the crisis. Advocates have long pointed to familiar themes affordable housing, drug addiction or lack of employment. A Colorado Coalition for the Homeless official insisted the cost of housing is driving the increase. "Once you are evicted, its really hard to be able to find a new home. A lot of people are becoming chronically homelessness because its taking longer and longer to find affordable housing options," Cathy Alderman, chief communications and public policy officer for coalition, said in a previous interview. Amy Beck, an advocate, called Denvers strategy a really orchestrated effort where they sweep people towards the city borders and into neighboring cities, and then those cities, in turn, put people back on the light rail and send them back to Denver. Beck also doubted the validity of the point in time count. I just think that the point in time count that was done this past January isn't truly reflective of the situation, Beck said. We've always excluded people that are couch surfing. Sometimes, we exclude people in cars or RVs or campers, she said. To me, the data just isn't valid because it's only done once a year. They're just really unreliable numbers. Beck suggested a month-to-month report on homelessness, instead of depending on one count a year. Craig Arfsten, founder of nonprofit Citizens for a Safe and Clean Denver, said he has noticed a decrease in downtown homeless encampments, but he added that the policy has, in effect, drawn homeless people to encampments. They're taking camps and putting them straight into housing, and people are desperate to be the chosen camp, he said. Beck agreed that Johnstons efforts have pushed homeless communities to the outskirts or other cities, based on what she believes has been an "enforcement-based" effort. It's good that he opened the hotels as shelters, Beck said of Johnston. He needed to do that because so many people were hitting the streets. But this problem had so much momentum already when he took office. The problem is not housing, Artfsten said, calling on Johnston to recognize long-term solutions, such as investment in treatment and rehabilitation, and not a temporary quick fix that costs a lot of money. Arsten insisted that the root causes of homelessness are mental health and drug addiction. If he lays the foundation for Denver being a recovery city, or Colorado being a recovery state ... home run," he said. "But he's not doing that. Reporters Debbie Kelley, Alex Edwards and Kyla Pearce contributed to this story. A 23-year-old male is in custody Monday after speeding and recklessly driving through Rocky Mountain National Park along US Highway 34 (Trail Ridge Road) late Sunday, park officials said Monday morning. He has been identified at Wayde Thyfault from Hudson, Colorado, and was apprehended in the High Drive area outside Rocky Mountain National Park late Monday morning, Park officials said. Late Sunday afternoon the man sped through the Grand Lake entrance on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, failing to yield at the gate and proceeded to drive recklessly on US Hwy 34. Park Law Enforcement Rangers were notified and attempted to pull the man over, but because of the suspect's high rates of speed and reckless driving, law enforcement rangers backed off the pursuit. "Rocky Mountain National Park Law Enforcement Rangers were assisted by Estes Park Police and Larimer County Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement personnel attempted to slow the vehicle at Deer Ridge Junction and placed strip sticks near Beaver Meadows Entrance," a spokeswoman for RMNP said. Featured Local Savings The suspect continued to travel at a high rate of speed south past the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and hit another vehicle with three individuals inside. The Park said all three individuals were transported by ambulance to Estes Park Health, one with critical injuries. The suspect exited his vehicle after the collision and ran on foot northeast toward homes along High Drive in Estes Park. The Park said law enforcement agencies, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park Police Department and Larimer County Sherriff's Office, provided instructions to area residents to shelter in place, which was lifted later Monday morning. The suspect caught was a white male, 5 foot 9 inches, 165 pounds, bald, was reported to be wearing blue jeans and no shirt or shoes. He appeared to have a head injury from the motor vehicle crash. He was seen fleeing from his vehicle in Rocky Mountain National Park south of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on US Highway 36 toward High Drive. "This evening (Sunday), it was determined that this individual is believed to be a suspect in a felony burglary case out of Grand County," the spokeswoman said. State officials announced Monday they have captured a pair of mating gray wolves and their four pups but, the male of the pack died from an infection unrelated to the trapping operation. Known as the Copper Creek pack, the wolves were to be relocated to a "large, secure enclosure with limited human interaction," according to a statement from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The agency said in a Monday afternoon news conference they would not disclose the location, only that it has limited potential for human interaction. The wolves remain under the "exclusive ownership" of the state's wildlife agency, according to Director Jeff Davis. The four pups will be kept at the facility until they are fully grown and can be collared. This will give the agency the opportunity to release them into the wild together, Davis said. The adult male, known as 2309-09 "was found in poor condition," with several injuries to his right hind leg, unrelated to the capture. Its body weight was almost 30% less than it was when he was released in Grand County last December, the agency's announcement said. Davis said Monday that the male wolf, if he had survived, would have been placed in permanent captivity. Reid DeWalt of CPW told a wildlife and habitat roundtable Monday the wolf had deep puncture wounds on its back right leg and that the leg had atrophied, an indication it could no longer bear weight on the leg. CPW staff administered antibiotics in an effort to address the infection, but four days after transport, the wolf team biologists received a mortality signal from his collar, and confirmed he had died. "CPW staff believes that it was unlikely the wolf would have survived for very long in the wild," and that officials intend to do a necropsy that will take 45 to 60 days, according to DeWalt. Davis said the report will be released to the public. As for the female wolf, Davis said they plan to re-release her and that she will be closely monitored. The four pups were captured over three days with the last pup captured on Sept. 5. The pups were healthy but underweight, according to CPW. According to the timeline provided by CPW, the female of the mating pair was caught on Aug. 24 and the male on Aug. 30. He died on Sept. 3. The four pups were captured between Sept. 3 and Sept. 5. The agency said there was no evidence the pups were involved in any of the livestock depredation incidents in Grand County. The mating pair is believed responsible for the killing of at least 16 sheep and cattle in the Middle Park area of Grand County, beginning in April. "CPW will continue to assess the female and pups' health and advance plans to re-release them, as they will be adult-sized and able to hunt on their own or together in a pack," the agency said. "This approach gives CPW the opportunity to release them into the wild together so they can contribute to wolf restoration in Colorado." Davis said in the Monday statement the wolf restoration plan "may not at times account for every unique situation the agency and our experts encounter." "This spring, after a pair of wolves established a den in Middle Park, the male adult wolf was involved in multiple depredations. Removing the male at that time, while he was the sole source of food and the female was denning, would likely have been fatal to the pups and counter to the restoration mandate, Davis said. Featured Local Savings Davis added during the Monday news conference that "subsequent events led us to believe we needed to take additional action ... it was a unique situation that demanded a unique response." This will help make sure the pups have a second chance in the wild, Davis said. The operation was, in part, timed because this time of year, pups start hunting with the adults, and they didn't want the pups hunting with the adults where they would key in on livestock, instead of their natural prey. The statement also said Colorado's wolf restoration plan stated that CPW will not relocate wolves with depredation histories into the wild within Colorado. That's contradicted by reports from Oregon several of the wolves brought to Colorado came from packs in Oregon that had a history of depredation within months prior to their relocation to Colorado. The big question is where the wolves will go. Wildlife officials aren't saying. Notably and in stark contrast to how CPW handled communications with local officials and ranchers when the wolves were first released last December the agency said "CPW will have conversations with local elected officials and landowners in possible release areas before a release occurs." The mating pair is believed to be responsible for killing at least 16 sheep and cattle in Grand County, beginning last April and continuing into last weekend, according to area ranchers. The wolves, which were caught by a trapper hired by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, are part of the the 10 that CPW brought to Grand and Summit counties last December from Oregon. One other wolf had died in what is believed to be the result of a mountain lion attack in Larimer County. Eric O'Dell of CPW said Monday that natural mortality will always be a part of the wolf program, and that he is confident about the future for additional wolves to be released in the next few years. The wolf plan calls for 10-15 more wolves to be released in Colorado in the northern region where the wolves were released last December. O'Dell said the agency is close to an agreement for procuring the next group of wolves. "Were doing well with our plans, "Davis said. "Have we had some challenges in Middle Park? Yes." He said there are still nine wolves out there "doing wolf things." Last month, CPW announced it would relocate the pair and their pups. The decision to capture and relocate the Copper Creek pack was made with the careful consideration of multiple factors and feedback from many different stakeholders, Davis said. "Our options in this unique case were very limited, and this action is by no means a precedent for how CPW will resolve wolf-livestock conflict moving forward. The ultimate goal of the operation is to relocate the pack to another location while we assess our best options for them to continue to contribute to the successful restoration of wolves in Colorado. In a statement Monday afternoon, Wild Earth Guardians criticized ranchers who have lost dozens of livestock to wolves, claiming they failed to implement "co-existence" measures. That claim was denied by ranchers, such as Don Gittleson of Walden, who has tried cracker shells, fladry a type of flag tied to a fence and other measures that he and other ranchers say don't work. The remainder of the Copper Creek family should be translocated back to the wild as soon as possible into deep country where livestock coexistence is prioritized from the get-go, and range riders are on the ground, said Delaney Rudy of Wild Earth Guardians. It isnt fair that these highly-social animals have had their family disrupted by ineffective coexistence practices. Rachel Gabel is a longtime agriculture writer and the assistant editor of The Fence Post Magazine. Dick Wadhams is a former Colorado Republican state chairman who worked for U.S. Bill Armstrong for nine years before managing campaigns for U.S. Sens. Hank Brown and Wayne Allard, Gov. Bill Owens, and U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota. U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo says she sought treatment for depression earlier this year after deciding to take the advice the first-term lawmaker, a physician, has offered her patients to take care of their health and seek support when they need it. Danville's Salvation Army teamed up with North Main Visionaries for a Saturday afternoon block party. The visionary group is part of the River District Association's new push into the North Main Street business district. In fact, the idea from the Better Together Block Party the first of its kind stemmed from a River District Association meeting, according to Lt. Shawnte Hodges, with The Salvation Army. On a picture-perfect September afternoon, children sprinted to different activities including a water slide and giant Jenga game. Health resources were geared toward the adults and free food was provided to all. Dozens of bikers also arrived Saturday afternoon, adding to the marvels for the children. The Montana Highway Patrol headquarters campus has been dedicated in honor of the late-Kris Hansen, a former lieutenant attorney general who was instrumental in moving the MHP headquarters from Helena to Boulder. I cannot think of a better way to recognize her service to Montana and its citizens, Attorney General Austin Knudsen said of the person he described as a friend. Hansen, 52, died July 7, 2022. Hansen was named chief deputy of the Montana Department of Justice in December 2020. Before that, she worked for the Montana state Auditors office and represented Havre as a Republican state lawmaker. She left office in May 2022. She served in the state Legislature; in 2011 and 2013, she was elected to the state House, and served in the state Senate from 2014 to 2016. She was chief deputy Hill County attorney when she was first elected. Hansen was a Montana National Guard veteran and served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She also served a tour of duty with the Central Intelligence Agency in Mogadishu, Somalia, in the early 1990s. Senate Bill 164, passed in 2023, named the campus after Hansen. The bill states that Hansen "held the Montana Highway Patrol, its troopers, and their public safety mission in high regard." It passed the Senate 50-0 and the House 88-7. The headquarters at 18 Trooper Drive is on the former Montana Developmental Center campus, which the state closed in late 2018 and meant a loss of 250 jobs for Boulder, a community of 870 residents. Officials noted that even though the Boulder campus sat empty, the state was paying $1 million a year for maintenance. About the same time, MHP officials noted they had outgrown their headquarters on Prospect Avenue in Helena and had approached Hansen about the issue. It was decided to move the headquarters 30 miles south to Boulder. MHP officials said the move out of a rented facility to a state-owned property also saves money for taxpayers. The administration building in Boulder is about 30,000 square feet, nearly four times the size of the former Helena site. There are other structures on the 48-acre campus. Streets on the property are now known as Trooper Drive, Patrol Road, Recruit Lane and K-9 Avenue. The Intensive Behavior Center, a 12-bed secure facility, still operates on the campus. The Montana Highway Patrol also posted a comment about the Sept. 4 dedication on its Facebook page. Kris Hansen will forever be remembered at Montana Highway headquarters, a well-deserved recognition for a leader who served Montanans proudly, the post states. BLOOMINGTON 2024 marks the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that took place in New York City, Washington D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Several events are planned throughout Central Illinois to remember and honor those who lost their lives and those who continue to serve. 9/11 Memorial Ceremony, hosted by the American Legion Honor Guard. 11 a.m. Sept. 11, McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St., Bloomington The ceremony will include an invocation, taps, three-volley rifle salute, "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes and flyover. Annual Ride to the 9/11 Memorial, a motorcycle ride escorted by the Decatur Police Department. 6-7 p.m. Sept. 11, Coziahr Harley-Davidson Inc., 150 W. Marion Ave., Forsyth The honor ride will leave from Coziahr at 6 p.m. and travel to the lakeside 9/11 Memorial at 2301 E. Lakeshore Drive, Decatur. Honor Guard Memorial begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by dedication of newly-constructed flagpole, speakers, national anthem, "Amazing Grace," and ringing of the bells by Decatur Fire Department. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, the fifth annual climb hosted by Hampton Inn, Decatur Mt. Zion. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 11, 4855 E. Evergreen Court, Decatur After the climb, the Decatur Police Department will escort an honor ride to the lakeside 9/11 Memorial for the memorial ceremony and dedication. National Day of Service and Remembrance All day Sept. 11, Camp Butler National Cemetery, 4475 Camp Butler Road, Springfield Volunteers will help beautify cemeteries across the U.S. to honor those who have served. A Salute to Service Open House, to thank military and first responders. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14, Hall's Harley-Davison, Inc., 2301 N. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield The open house will feature The Patch Lady, Manny D's food truck, raffles, prizes and more. Abe Appreciation: First Responders Day, as part of a series of events to recognize first responders. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. 6th St., Springfield Free admission offered all day for first responders. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, annual climb equivalent to the 110 flights of stairs in the World Trade Center. 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 11, Mattoon Area Family YMCA, 221 N. 16th St. in Mattoon, and Neal Center YMCA, 130 Courthouse Square, Toledo Members and non-members can reserve a stair climber for a one-hour time slot. For Mattoon, use the Mattoon Area Family YMCA app or call 217-234-9494. For Toledo, call at 217-235-2500. There is no fee for members and a $5 fee for non-members. Photos: Looking back at how 9/11 impacted Bloomington, Normal and Central Illinois Vigil 1 Vigil 2 Vigil 3 Vigil 4 Vigil 5 Vigil 6 Vigil 7 Vigil 8 vigil 9 vigil 10 Cloud networking and security services provider Infoblox and indigenous Australian ICT and cyber security provider Baidam launched Baidam Takedown Services, an Australian-first capability that can take down lookalike websites and scam domains within a week using the Domain Name System (DNS). The takedown service weaves together Infobloxs validation, mitigation, monitoring, and reporting features by using DNS to track, identify, confirm and remove websites. Infoblox leverages rapid escalation, its DNS, and threat intelligence expertise, backed by its relationships with Australian and global internet service providers (ISPs), telcos, and domain administrators to achieve this. This service can also track and remove stolen proprietary information including access credentials, personally identifiable information, and credit card data from online forums or fraudulent hosts. Further, it can confirm the existence of potential malware and remove malicious files from organisations legitimate websites. The services come as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions (ACCC) National Anti-Scam Centre reported that Australians lost $2.74 billion to scams including investment, identity theft, and online shopping scams in 2023. The companies devised the takedown service as more fraudulent websites are targeting Australians with investment scams. This led the government to boost work by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to identify and take down investment scam websites. Baidam CEO Jack Reis says fraudulent domains are a rising threat for any organisation from sole traders to major enterprises but indigenous and regional businesses could be particularly vulnerable to internet fraud. The ACCC report highlighted First Nations people reported almost double the number of scams in 2023 compared with 2022. There are parts of Australia where the internet is very new, or not available yet at all, said Reis. Its one of the most important resources we can bring to the bush, but lack of experience and education on cybersecurity and online scams can leave indigenous people and businesses more vulnerable. Together with Infoblox, were committed to helping organisations across Australia maintain a secure and trustworthy online presence and quickly mitigate the impact of fraudulent or lookalike websites. Baidam Takedown Services operate out of the companys Gundan Security Operations Centre (SOC) in Brisbane, Australias first indigenous-designed and managed SOC. The centre was opened by Minister for Cyber Security Clare ONeil and was built using an Indigenous co-design methodology. Baidam provides training and experience that offers pathways for First Nations people to become cyber leaders. Infoblox Australia and New Zealand managing director Scott Morris said internet fraud can be the spark that ignites other malicious activity, including ransomware, as stolen credentials taken through fake websites, imitated multi-factor authentication (MFA) and phishing campaigns that are often used to conduct these attacks. Were seeing internet fraud playing a more prominent role in how cybercriminals infiltrate organisations in Australia, said Morris. Our takedown service helps companies neutralise fraudulent domains impersonating them for criminal activities. While blocking malicious domains should be a priority for every user, this takedown service lets companies become proactive in defending their good name and customers. Baidams Infoblox-supported Takedown Services are available across Australia now. Organisations can purchase or pre-purchase packs of takedowns for current or future suspected fraudulent websites and domains. While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, this is a solid deal for Nokia, given that AT&T opted for rival Swedish telecoms equipment provider Ericssons open RAN equipment in 2023. The deal will see Nokia provide its Lightspan MF and Altiplano platforms to support AT&Ts fibre networks in the world. The Lightspan platform supports PON technologies including 10Gb/s, 25Gb/s, 50Gb/s, and 100Gb/s. Nokias Altiplano Access Controller will also help drive higher levels of automation in AT&Ts network and service operations. Ultimately this can help operators like AT&T make the most of their existing fiber broadband networks today and in the future. Together, we're paving the way for a more connected and responsible future, said Nokia president fixed networks Sandy Motley. The deal also includes fibre network upgrades. AT&T will use Nokias fibre solutions to establish a network capable of meeting demand for capacity and broadband services. Nokia previously stated that its fibre products are compliant with the Build America, Buy America program, which requires products to be manufactured in the US. This expansion will not only enhance broadband access for millions of customers but also sets the stage for the next wave of digital innovation, including Industry 4.0, smart cities, IoT applications, and ultra-high-definition streaming, commented AT&T head of network Chris Sambar. Logicalis, has appointed Arissa Wong as Vice President Human Resources (HR) for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, effective immediately. This newly formed role follows the departure of Scott Brown, the previous head of Employee Experience for Logicalis Australia. Arissa, who has been head of HR for Logicalis Asia since 2020, will now manage HR operations for the entire APAC region, including Australia. With over 10 years of HR experience, Arissa has played a key role in shaping talent strategies and boosting employee engagement at Logicalis Asia. In her new position, Arissa will work on aligning HR initiatives across APAC, driving Logicalis talent acquisition, employee experience, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and providing a platform for employees to develop a fulfilling career. Chong-Win Lee, CEO, Logicalis APAC, said, "Arissa has already had a huge impact on Logicaliss HR efforts across Asia. Shes been instrumental in making sure our Logicalis HR strategy lines up with our business goals. In her expanded role, Im confident Arissa will continue to make improvements and help Logicalis APAC attract and keep top talent while making sure the employee experience supports our growth plans across the APAC region." Arissa Wong, Vice President HR, Logicalis APAC, said, "I'm excited to step into this role and work with the various Logicalis teams across APAC. Logicalis is committed to creating strong employee experiences, and Im determined to continue this focus. Our goal is to create an environment where people can thrive and advance their careers, and Im eager to drive initiatives that empower our teams and support talent development across the region." Logicalis APAC also announced that Tanur Parira will take on the role of HR business partner for Australia and will continue to support APAC initiatives including DEI, as well as contribute to shaping the service delivery centre (SDC) in Malaysia. Tanur will report directly to Arissa and work closely with the Logicalis Australia team. As Logicalis continues to strengthen its position in the APAC market, the companys HR leadership will play a critical role in supporting its expansion and ensuring that Logicalis remains an employer of choice in the region. Logicalis APAC is focused on DEI efforts, having set ambitious targets to improve the workplace for employees, achieve gender equity, and eliminate the gender pay gap. Both Arissa and Tanur are responsible for ensuring Logicalis APAC is a great place to work and providing a platform for employees to develop a fulfilling career. For more information visit: careers.logicalis.com Singaporean telecommunications company Singtel claimed it has achieved full 5G coverage throughout Singapores mass rapid transit (MRT) network. The coverage includes all six underground lines as well as 27 stations of the newly-completed Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). Singtel implemented the 5G coverage in early 2022, deploying a team of specialised engineers carrying out the network upgrades. Singtel engineers had to work within constraints such as conducting testing and installation works during stations non-operational hours to avoid disruption to train services. They had to work within confined spaces, which require specific tools and precise and safe execution. In keeping with Singtels goal of achieving net zero by 2045, its engineers reconfigured existing hardware that originally served the 3G and 4G spectrums within the MRT tunnels to 5G. Whether traveling above or below ground, our customers can rely on our strong connectivity to work on-the-go, keep in touch with their loved ones, surf the internet, stream videos or game on their mobile devices, stated Singtel CEO Ng Tian Chong. Were proud to have achieved this new milestone, demonstrating our commitment to delivering the best connectivity in Singapore. The 5G implementation across MRT lines brings Singtels 5G coverage to over 1,700 outdoor and 1,000 indoor locations including all shopping malls and transport hubs along the MRT. Singtel has been deploying 5G network for consumers since 2020. Singtel deployed 5G to support connectivity in VivoCity. In 2021, it achieved two-thirds nationwide coverage in 2021. In 2022, it reached 95% network coverage ahead of the IMDA regulatory requirements of 5G coverage by the end of 2025, Hardware Zone reported. Groggy Monday. Its going to be a long year for Panthers fans. And so it begins. A long line predictably formed outside the Great Smoky marijuana dispensary hours before it opened its doors Saturday on the Qualla Boundary 57,000 acres of sovereign Cherokee land in western North Carolina. Just as predictably, news crews based in Asheville, Charlotte and update South Carolina were on hand to record the historic moment, however dubious and anticlimactic it may be. I think each and every one of us has been waiting for this to happen, a dude named George told WSOC in Charlotte while queuing up to be among the first to buy some kind bud. The Tribal Council of Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, after scarcely six weeks in the medical marijuana business, voted in April to go plunge into recreational weed sales. That means that anyone 21 and over, with a valid ID, is free to stroll into Great Smoky, load up on edibles, drinkables and/or old-fashioned leaf and be on their merry way. We're a sovereign nation, so we set it up to let people come visit, explore our community, visit our people, just come in and help themselves to any cannabis need they need, Boyd Allen, a Cherokee tribal representative, told eager reporters. Estimates provided to Cherokee tribal voters who passed referendums allowing the sales set gross revenue projections in year one at $206 million if limited to medical-only patients and $385 million if sold recreationally $179 million in added revenue is no joke. Think on that for a second. Native Americans will now be selling intoxicants to busloads of white tourists whose ancestors intentionally inflicted harm upon natives distributing blankets infected with smallpox, introducing alcohol and being forced onto reservations. Turn about, it would seem, is fair play. Weed, per the numbers, is big business. Marijuana sales are legal in 24 states and have proved to be a $34 billion annual industry nationwide What happens next, in all likelihood, is a giant (and collective) Meh. Whats all the fuss? Those inclined to smoke up like that dude George are going to smoke up the same way they did before legal recreational sales. And those inclined to pass will do the same. The only discernible differences will come in law-enforcement and from politicians. District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch renewed a vow to enforce state law in response, but took care to note that prosecutors in District 43, which includes seven counties in far Western North Carolina, would respect tribal sovereignty. Step foot off the Qualla boundary, though, and assume the risk of a criminal citation however small and inconvenient that may be. They need to educate their people up there that when they come off the boundary, they're in a different world, said Sheriff Curtis Cochran of Swain County. We'll educate them if we catch them with it. We'll charge them for it. Unless a stoner is stopped for driving under the influence or causes a traffic crash, that will amount to very little. A misdemeanor, a fine and having to pay an attorney. Knock yourself out, sheriff. Deputies are going to love the added paperwork. Western North Carolina legislators were well aware Saturday was coming. And other than blowing hot air, not much else has resulted. What they do on the sovereign nation is entirely up to them. But we do have laws that need to be followed, said state Rep. Mark Pless, R- Madison/Haywood counties. But like other lawmakers whove seen tax and tourism dollars flow into other states, Pless can see how the dominos have fallen. Im opposed to it medicinal or recreational, he said. It helps me to be able to stand where Im at because this is where North Carolina will go: If we allow it to be medicinal, it will become recreational very quickly. For the foreseeable future, dont expect much of anything to change. The Qualla Boundary is remote and most of the traffic on the winding roads in and out is caused by the tribes booming casinos. As far as the state is concerned, revenue from weed sales will be a blip. That could change quickly, however, should voters in Virginia return control of state government to Democrats. After voters approved a statewide referendum in 2020 that legalized marijuana in the commonwealth, Republicans threw a wrench into the works by pulling funding to set up regulatory agencies. If (and when) that happens, North Carolina lawmakers will have something else to consider: long lines of vehicles with First in Flight tags flooding Virginia border towns with cold, hard cash. Another political rally GREENSBORO The steady drip, drip, drip of political machinations is turning into a flood before our eyes. Republican nominee Donald Trump was in Asheboro 10 days ago. Not to be outdone, Democrat Kamala Harris is scheduled to follow suit Thursday when she hosts a political rally two days after the first (and possibly only) presidential debate. Be still our beating hearts. Guilford County is one of the Democratic strongholds in the state, Guilford County Democratic chair Kathy Kirkpatrick told the News & Record. We can help cancel out a lot of Republican votes in other counties by our turnout ... I think its absolutely a brilliant strategic move for her to come here to Greensboro. That, of course, comes after a bus tour stop in Raleigh today for Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Gwen Walz, the wife of vice presidential nominee Tim Walz to stump. And that doesnt even begin to account for the non stop barrage of TV spots, unsolicited mailers, texts and robocalls pleading for money to pay for it all. Silly season is here, and because were alleged to live in a battleground state, it wont let up anytime soon. ( A taco and a beer says Trump wins the state by a whisker and Democrat Josh Stein becomes governor in a landslide.) Election Day, Nov. 5, is still 57 days away. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine announced Thursday that his office would not press charges against a police officer who shot and killed an unarmed man during the execution of a no-knock search warrant. Adam Vail, a member of the Omaha Police Departments SWAT team who was serving a no-knock warrant on the home of 37-year-old Cameron Ford at about 7 a.m. on Aug. 28., was in Fords home for 11 seconds before he fired a single shot into Fords chest. Kleine said Vail had a reasonable belief that his safety was at risk. Vail said in an interview with investigators that Ford rushed at him without his hands visible. Body camera video of the interaction is completely obscured by a ballistic shield carried by Vail. After a complete review of the evidence provided to us by the investigative team, we find that the use of deadly force by OPD officer Vail was legal under the laws of use of deadly force in the state of Nebraska, Kleine, flanked by Chief Deputy Douglas County Attorney Brenda Beadle, said at a news conference. Under Nebraska law, deadly force is justified if a reasonable ground existed for the person to believe that they were at risk of death or serious bodily harm, even if they were mistaken about the extent of the danger. Kleine concluded that Vails actions stemmed from a reasonable belief that his safety was in jeopardy. Community members and activists watched a livestream of the press conference from the courtyard below Kleines office. They said they were dismayed though not surprised by the lack of charges. We had a modicum of hope that this might come out differently, DShawn LeVell, the founder of police accountability organization FTP United, said. But we cannot expect justice as long as Don Kleine is at the helm of this investigation. What happened before Cameron Ford was shot? An officer in the department's firearms unit authored the affidavit in support of the search warrant on Aug. 23. The home was to be searched for fentanyl, weapons and any "companion equipment" used to conduct narcotics sales like money or cell phones. A Douglas County judge signed off on the no-knock warrant, which remains sealed. Kleine said he would ask the judge to make the warrant public. At 7 a.m. on Aug. 28, officers with the departments SWAT team and at least one agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration descended on Fords home near 78th and Redick avenues. Ford was the only person in the home at the time. During a Sunday video presentation and press conference, Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer shared still photos and audio captured by Vails body camera. After breaching the door shortly before 7:01 a.m., according to timestamps on the still photos, Vail and two other officers preceded up the stairs of the split-level home. The stairs were directly in front of the front door, and they led to a narrow hallway less than 3 feet wide to the master bedroom. As they climbed the stairs and approached the bedroom, Vail and other officers can be heard yelling police search warrant repeatedly. Vail announced police search warrant five times as he led the single-file line down the hallway. About 11 seconds after they entered the home, Vail begins to say police search warrant for a sixth time. He got out only the first word before firing a single shot at Ford, who had appeared in the doorway of the master bedroom. Oh, (expletive), Vail is heard saying immediately after the shot was fired. Ford was taken to the hospital with CPR in progress, but he died shortly after arrival. The bullet severed his spinal cord, Schmaderer said during the news conference, and likely paralyzed Ford on impact. Officer said Ford 'rushed' at him Vail was voluntarily interviewed on the evening of Aug. 30, according to Schmaderer. That interview was recorded and the recording was handed over to the county attorneys office, Kleine said. During the interview, according to Kleine and Schmaderer, Vail told investigators that Ford charged or rushed at him from the doorway. Vail said he could not see Fords hands. Fords sudden movements caused Vail to fear for his safety and the safety of his fellow officers, Kleine said. (Vail) thought he had to fire, and he didnt want to have to fire his weapon, Kleine said. Hes been involved in, I dont know, 120 different search warrants, hes never fired his gun. Hes never fired his gun in his career. But he thought he had to in that situation. According to police, Vail has been in law enforcement for 17 years and with the Omaha Police Department for more than six years. He has been involved in serving 122 high risk search warrants during his time on the SWAT team. Asked what Ford should have done upon hearing the officers announce their presence despite the lack of direct orders the only words said during the 11 seconds were "police search warrant" Kleine said Ford should have announced his presence. If you see armed police officers in gear in your house, screaming police officers, search warrant, I would think the first thing you would do is say, Hey, Im right here, Kleine said. I think thats an inference you would imagine. Most of the time the first thing people do is put their hands up or say, Here I am. Warrant was related to alleged fentanyl dealing Both Kleine and Schmaderer said the investigation preceding the no-knock warrant was related to Fords alleged involvement in dealing fentanyl. He was also believed to be in possession of a firearm, which he was barred to have after multiple felony convictions in the past two decades. Kleine said on Thursday that Ford sold fentanyl in at least two controlled buys, meaning he sold the drugs to an undercover officer or an informant. He also said law enforcement had information that Ford was seen with a firearm the day before the warrant was executed. The police and the DEA were working this case for a while, Kleine said. They had some buys that occurred with Mr. Ford selling fentanyl, and so thats what this is all about. The whole thing doesnt happen nothing happens here without Cameron Ford selling fentanyl. That doesnt mean that just because somebodys dealing drugs that they should be shot, Kleine said. That just means thats how everything started in this process of a no-knock search warrant. After Fords killing, officers searched the home and found both powder fentanyl and blue M30 pills containing fentanyl, as well as large amounts of cash and marijuana, according to police. An AR-15 semi-automatic pistol was found underneath Fords bed. Ford had a lengthy criminal history in Nebraska, but he faced only misdemeanor charges related to driving offenses and marijuana possession in recent years. Between 2006 and 2010, he did three one-year stints in Nebraska's prison system for convictions of possessing cocaine and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest. In 2012, Ford pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. He was sentenced to four to eight years in prison and was released in December 2017, according to records from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. Grand jury, Police Department to investigate further Kleines decision not to file charges does not mark the end of the investigation, nor close off the possibility that Vail may criminally charged. As is required by state law, a grand jury will be empaneled in the coming months to review the facts of the case. They will hear testimony from witnesses and have access to all evidence. If the grand jury finds that Vail or anyone else is criminally liable for Fords death, it can hand down an indictment, called a true bill. Its their call, Kleine said of a potential grand jury decision. We made a decision, and now a group of citizens can see what happened. The Police Department will also conduct an internal affairs investigation, Schmaderer said. That will determine if Vail followed the policies and procedures he was trained on during the execution of the search warrant. Pending the results of both investigations, Vail has been placed on desk duty. Schmaderer has already made one change in department policy in response to the shooting. At a Wednesday meeting of violence prevention collaborative Omaha 360, he said members of the SWAT team will now have body cameras affixed to their helmets instead of their uniforms to avoid another situation where footage is obscured by ballistic shields. The chief also said the department will review its policies on no-knock search warrants. Photos: Omaha police investigating after man killed while serving search warrant A burst pipe at a nursing home in Waverly early Monday morning caused a partial ceiling collapse and forced the relocation of 30 residents, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office. Emergency personnel were called to The Mulberry at Waverly, 11041 N. 137th St., at about 5:45 a.m. Monday. Residents were initially relocated to the nearby Waverly Community Foundation building at Jaycee Park but later were moved to other temporary housing. A person who answered the phone at the Mulberry on Monday afternoon said "no comment" when asked where residents had been relocated. Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said there were no injuries and residents were removed because of the amount of water gushing from the ceiling. On Monday morning, deputies on the scene said there was an inch of water on the floor. Waverly Fire and Rescue Chief Ryan Mueller told the Journal Star that a main sprinkler pipe failed, causing a large amount of water to come through the ceiling over a nurses station. Mueller believes there is no issue with the structure's integrity. "Sometimes bad luck just hits and pipes break and that's what happened," Houchin said. "I do know the Mulberry, the building's been there for a long time and is older." No injuries were treated at the scene, Mueller said. Jeff Powell, director of communications for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, said Monday afternoon that all of the nursing home residents were temporarily placed in new homes and work had begun on fixing the damaged pipe. He did not know specifically where residents had been placed. The Mulberry at Waverly, which has a maximum of 54 beds but generally has 40-50 residents at a given time, changed ownership in August 2023 and is now owned by a conglomerate of limited liability companies (LLCs) that also operate nursing homes in other states. It also owns several other nursing homes in Nebraska, including The Meadows at Ashland and The Willows at Gretna. People who answered the phones at both of those nursing homes on Monday afternoon did not respond to a question from the Journal Star about whether Waverly residents had been temporarily relocated there. When emergencies and natural disasters occur, Powell said health care facilities, such as nursing homes, have emergency plans and are required to notify HHS, which The Mulberry at Waverly did Monday morning. Powell said it is the facility's responsibility to find suitable places for residents and follow through on emergency plans. HHS will step in if there is a rule violation or if the nursing home can't find suitable facilities for residents and needs assistance. The Mulberry at Waverly was in the news on June 3 when a 74-year-old woman resident on hospice care was mistakenly pronounced dead by nursing staff and taken to a Lincoln funeral home, where she showed signs of life. She died later that day at a Lincoln hospital. In its report on the woman's death, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said a registered nurse failed to follow the facility's own policy before declaring the woman dead. Other inspections performed by HHS earlier this year of the nursing home revealed multiple deficiencies ranging from failing to provide necessary information to medical providers to improper sanitation of medical equipment. Top Journal Star photos for September 2024 TOWN OF BURLINGTON Racine County is considering a $1.1 million contribution to Browns Lake dredging. The county received $2 million last year through the settlement of a nationwide class-action suit against Monsanto Co. and members of the Finance and Human Resource Committee voted Wednesday to recommend using $1.1 million of the settlement to help pay for the Browns Lake project. On Tuesday, the full Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the potential contribution, which would make the county a partner in the dredging project with the Browns Lake Sanitary District and the Town of Burlington. Its been a longtime gem for the county and regionally, said Supervisor Robert Miller said, who voted in favor of the plan. Supervisor Don Trottier, the committee chairman, said he enjoyed visits to Browns Lake as a child. This is a great project, he said. The Browns Lake Sanitary District is planning to dredge large sections of the 397-acre lake, primarily along the western and southern shores. Work is scheduled to begin in 2025 and to continue through two summer boating seasons. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has approved a permit for the project, including plans to discharge sludge onto farm fields just east of the lake. Early projections are that about 500,000 tons of sediment and other pollutants will be removed, rejuvenating Browns Lake as a popular site for outdoor summer fun. Contractor proposals received in May included a low bid of $9.3 million and three other proposals as high as $12.2 million. The sanitary district has outlined a 20-year borrowing plan that calls for property owners around the lake to pay $5 million, and for the Town of Burlington and Racine County to split another $5 million. Burlington Town Board members voted in July to contribute $2.5 million while also using the towns borrowing capacity to seek more favorable terms for financing the $10 million in debt. County leaders, however, balked at matching the $2.5 million, and instead presented the $1.1 million donation as an alternative. On Wednesday, Browns Lake backers urged supervisors to get behind the new proposal. Claude Lois, president of the sanitary district board, told the finance committee that dredging has been discussed for years and has never been so close to happening. With planning, permitting and contracting already done, Lois said, the work is scheduled to begin next spring. Were coming to you with a project in hand, he said. Were ready to go, folks. Browns Lake resident Kim Deriaz told the committee that residents of the sanitary district have paid to maintain the lake for decades, but now that a major dredging effort is needed, the whole county should play a part. The public waters at Browns Lake obviously belong to everyone, she said. And everyone should contribute to help keep it healthy. Close Aquaducks The Browns Lake Aquaducks Water-ski team loads skis back into a truck after their show on Thursday. The Aquaducks perform every Thursday during the summer with the junior show starting at 5 p.m. and the main show at 6:30 p.m. Aquaducks A member of the Browns Lake Aquaducks Junior Water-Ski team waits before performing on Thursday. Aquaducks The Browns Lake Aquaducks Water-Ski team meets before its main performance on Thursday. Aquaducks Members of the Browns Lake Aquaducks water-ski team wash off in a spout during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks The audience watches as Browns Lake Aquaducks water-skiers do a dock start during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks Browns Lake Aquducks Water-Ski team members pass the audience during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks A member of the Browns Lake Aquaducks performs a front roll during a show Thursday. Aquaducks Members of the Browns Lake Aquaducks water-ski team pass by the audience in a large pyramid during a 2016 show. Aquaducks Members of the Browns Lake Aquaducks leave the dock in a pre-built pyramid formation. Aquaducks A team of Browns Lake Aquaducks pass the audience during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks A barefoot skier passes in the water during a Browns Lake Aquaducks show on Thursday. Aquaducks A team of Browns Lake Aquaducks pass the audience during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks Browns Lake Aquaducks members pass the audience while holding the tow ropes between their legs during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks Members of the Browns Lake Aquaducks jump off the dock during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks (copy) Out on the town: Browns Lake Aquaducks Every Thursday during the summer a small crowd gathers on the shore of Brown's Lake. There they witness green and purple clad bodies jump, arch and spin their way, seemingly magically, over the water. The crowd is watching the Brown's Lake Aquaduck Water-Ski Show. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day every summer the Brown's Lake Water-Ski Team hosts a show free to the public. The show is split into two sections, a junior section and the main show. The juniors begin at 5:00 and the main show follows at 6:30. Aquaducks The Browns Lake Aquaducks Water-ski team loads skis back into a truck after their show on Thursday. The Aquaducks perform every Thursday during the summer with the junior show starting at 5 p.m. and the main show at 6:30 p.m. Aquaducks A member of the Browns Lake Aquaducks Junior Water-Ski team waits before performing on Thursday. Aquaducks The Browns Lake Aquaducks Water-Ski team meets before its main performance on Thursday. Aquaducks Members of the Browns Lake Aquaducks water-ski team wash off in a spout during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks The audience watches as Browns Lake Aquaducks water-skiers do a dock start during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks Browns Lake Aquducks Water-Ski team members pass the audience during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks A member of the Browns Lake Aquaducks performs a front roll during a show Thursday. Aquaducks Members of the Browns Lake Aquaducks water-ski team pass by the audience in a large pyramid during a 2016 show. Aquaducks Members of the Browns Lake Aquaducks leave the dock in a pre-built pyramid formation. Aquaducks A team of Browns Lake Aquaducks pass the audience during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks A barefoot skier passes in the water during a Browns Lake Aquaducks show on Thursday. Aquaducks A team of Browns Lake Aquaducks pass the audience during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks Browns Lake Aquaducks members pass the audience while holding the tow ropes between their legs during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks Members of the Browns Lake Aquaducks jump off the dock during a show on Thursday. Aquaducks (copy) 1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them. 2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound. 3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes. 4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic. Vote View Results The Viroqua Chamber has a new executive director. Lorena Reichert is filling the position that had been held by Chris Clemens since 2021. The Viroqua Chamber Board of Directors announced in May that Clemens would be resigning, effective Sept. 1. Reichert is originally from a ranch in rural South Dakota and has recently moved to the Driftless Area, according to a letter the board of directors emailed to Chamber members and the community on Sept. 6. Prior to the Chamber, she was a business project manager at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, where she managed the Site and Building Development Fund grant program and led various business recruitment projects for Nebraska. She also previously served as a utility analyst at the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, where she worked on dockets related to telecommunications, electricity and natural gas. Reichert has a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of South Dakota, which included a year abroad at the Otaru University of Commerce in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan. Lorena is excited to be a part of Viroquas vibrant community and looks forward to promoting the areas local shops, outdoor activities, and unique community events, the board of directors wrote in the email. She would also like to thank the outgoing Executive Director, Chris Clemens, for his many years of service to the Viroqua Chamber! In an effort to continue building momentum for Kamala Harris and her husband, Tim Walz, in Western Wisconsin, the first lady of Minnesota, Gwen Walz, will attend the La Crosse County Democrats debate watch party. Before Tuesdays debate, Gwen Walz is expected to underscore the stakes of the 2024 election, according to a press release from the campaign. She is expected to praise Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walzs New Way Forward agenda and scrutinize former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vances agenda. The nationally broadcast debate on ABC will be the second debate of the campaign cycle, but the first between the official nominees of both the Democratic and Republican parties. A visit from the would-be second lady of the United States on such a prominent political night emphasizes Western Wisconsins importance in the 2024 election cycle. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have also been in La Crosse over the past few weeks. Gov. Walz is also expected to visit Wisconsin on Friday during a multi-state campaign tour. The La Crosse County Democratic Party will host its debate watch party at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Concordia Ballroom at 1129 La Crosse St. in La Crosse. The La Crosse County GOP has not announced any public events connected to the debate. In the war-damaged streets of northern Gazas Jabalia refugee camp, 15-year-old Youssef Saad rides his bicycle with his musical instrument strapped on his back. The instrument he carries is called an oud. The sound of the oud is common in much Middle Eastern music. Saad is bringing his instrument to a day center for children in the camp. There, he plays the oud and sings for children who have suffered through 11 months of war. Saad says he tries to offer the children a little happiness or a way to temporarily forget about their difficult situation. "The homes in my city were once full of dreams," Saad said. As he spoke, he looked at the destroyed buildings in the refugee camp. Before the war, the refugee camp had a large population. Now, theyre gone, he said. Saad was studying music at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in nearby Gaza City before the war started. Like many other buildings, the conservatory was destroyed during the fighting. Saad and his four siblings are now living with relatives after his own home was destroyed. Saads father, a government worker with the Palestinian Authority, always supported Saad's dream of becoming a musician. Saad now centers his efforts on playing his oud and singing at the Jabalia center for children. The war started after the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 last year. Hamas terrorists killed some 1,200 people and took 250 hostages from southern Israel, according to Israeli estimates. Since then, Israel has sought to destroy Hamas in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, almost 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict. Airstrikes and fighting have destroyed thousands of buildings in Gaza. "Every house holds a tragedy," Saad said. "Some have lost their mother, others their father, their neighbor, or their friend." Even with the danger, Saad has a strong desire to continue his work with the children. "We try to help improve their mental health, even if it means putting myself at risk," he said. "This is my duty to the children." Saad added that he lives by an expression that carries him through the darkest days: "If you live, live free, or die standing like trees." I'm Andrew Smith. Andrew Smith adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting from Reuters news agency. ______________________________________________ Words in This Story strap -v. to secure or carry an object using flexible material such as leather or nylon. sibling(s) - n. one of two or more persons having the same parents; brothers and sisters A private space mission will seek to launch non-astronauts to a high orbit and include the first private spacewalks in history. The American space company SpaceX's flight is cleared to launch from Floridas Kennedy Space Center beginning September 7. The American space agency NASA operates the center. The exact launch date will depend on weather conditions. American businessman Jared Isaacman organized and paid for the mission, called Polaris Dawn. He and three people will crew the mission. Isaacman is the head of payment processing company Shift4Payments. He has an estimated personal worth of $2 billion. But he has not said publicly how much he paid SpaceX for the Polaris Dawn mission. The crewmembers will travel in SpaceXs Crew Dragon spacecraft on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The company expects the spacecraft to reach an altitude of about 1,400 kilometers. That would be the highest any crewed mission has reached since NASAs Apollo program ended in the early 1970s. Isaacman is the mission commander for Polaris Dawn. Also taking part in the flight will be Scott Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and two SpaceX employees, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. Gillis is a mission specialist at SpaceX, while Menon is a lead space operations engineer. The crew is expected to spend five days in orbit. Polaris Dawn will reach its highest altitude on its first day. The Crew Dragon will briefly enter the Van Allen radiation belt, an area filled with high-energy charged particles that can present health risks to humans over extended periods. This will provide a chance to test the effectiveness of SpaceXs newly designed spacesuits. SpaceX says the clothing is equipped with data instruments, cameras and improved mobility systems. SpaceX says tests of the spacesuit will help the company design and develop future space missions to the moon and Mars. A statement by SpaceX said one main goal of Polaris Dawn will be to carry out research with the aim of better understanding the effects of spaceflight and space radiation on human health. Speaking about the missions risks, Isaacman told reporters, "Whatever risk is associated with it, it is worth it." He added, "We have no idea what it could do to really change the trajectory of humankind ... there has to be some first steps in this direction." The crew will orbit nearly three times higher than the International Space Station (ISS). But this is far short of the record-breaking distance of over 399,117 kilometers set by NASAs Apollo 13 crew in 1970. Isaacman is expected to guide the other crew members on the missions planned spacewalk on day three of the mission. Each member is expected to spend about 20 minutes in space. So far, only government astronauts from the U.S., former Soviet Union and Russia, the European Space Agency, Canada and China have carried out spacewalks. More than 270 spacewalks, using American and Russian spacesuits, have been carried out from the ISS since its launch in 2000, Reuters news agency reports. The next day will be spent testing laser-based satellite communication between the spacecraft and Starlink, SpaceX's internet satellite system. The laser method which has also been tested by NASA is designed to greatly increase space communication speeds. The crew also plans to carry out 40 experiments aimed at improving our understanding of human health during long space missions. Among these will be tests with special contact lenses containing microelectronics that can continuously identify changes in eye pressure and shape. At the end of the mission, Crew Dragon will aim for a parachute landing off the coast of Florida. A SpaceX recovery ship will be waiting for the crews arrival. Polaris Dawn is the first of three planned missions under the Polaris program. The second Polaris mission will also use a Dragon capsule, while the third and final is expected to use SpaxeXs Starship rocket. SpaceX chief Elon Musk has said his company plans to use Starship to carry future space travelers to the moon and Mars. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, SpaceX and Polaris. Quiz - SpaceX Mission to Include First Spacewalk for Private Citizens Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ___________________________________________ Words in This Story mission n. an important project or trip, especially involving space travel mobility n. the ability to walk and move freely associate v. to connect someone or something in your mind with someone or something else trajectory n. the curved path an object follows after it has been thrown or shot into the air One knife to cut all the food and a grater it seemed like everyone else had it. Perhaps you should think about updating your kitchen appliances. Especially since designers have come up with this idea a long time ago and their unusual approach works. With such gadgets, cooking will become not only easy but also interesting. ADVERTISIMENT The FoodOboz editorial team has prepared a selection of 5 kitchen gadgets that are worth a closer look. Egg holder This device can turn the usual process of boiling eggs into a fun activity. The funny holder is made in the shape of a bear herd of six animals. They will help you boil eggs in such a way that you won't be afraid to burn your hands. After all, the handle will always stay cold and you can easily remove the eggs from the boiling water and transfer them to where you need them. Moreover, it is very convenient to store eggs in such a gadget or use it as an original stand on the table. A gadget for removing the core from peppers ADVERTISIMENT We're sure that most of you are breathing a sigh of relief right now. After all, not many people enjoy peeling pepper cores by hand, especially when there are a lot of seeds. From now on, the gadget-assistant is always at your service and is already available on the shelves of some stores. The manufacturers assure that the device is appropriate for use when you need to make stuffed peppers. Just one smooth movement and the pepper's core is gone. In addition, the gadget does not require any super-care just wash it under running water. Belgian waffle griddle This device is designed for those who have long wanted to start making the famous waffles in their kitchen. But for some reason, you couldn't decide to buy a special waffle iron. From now on, you can cook seven small waffles at once in one go. And after cooking, you can wash the pan in just a minute. Sweet waffles with syrup and fruit you can't think of a better breakfast. ADVERTISIMENT Onion holder And this is in case you thought you were hard to surprise. No more tears, cuts, or unpleasant odors. In addition, if you have long dreamed of learning how to cut onions into even slices like chefs do, the Onion Holder will be the perfect solution and will do everything for you. Herb chopper This is similar to a peppercorn chopper but even better. The device is designed exclusively for fresh herbs and will give your dishes an even more refined taste and a great flavor. ADVERTISIMENT The chief architect of the Chinese revolution, Chairman Mao Zedong, has died at the age of 82. His death at 10 minutes past midnight was announced by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the State Council, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress and the partys Military Affairs Commission. Chairman Mao had been in poor health for several years and had declined visibly in recent months. He had not seen any foreign visitors for some time. It is not clear yet who will replace him. There is no designated heir to the leadership of Chinas 800 million citizens. News of Chairman Maos death has spread quickly through the Chinese capital. Many people are wearing black armbands. Groups have paid tribute opposite a huge portrait of Chairman Mao at the main entrance to the Forbidden City. His body will now lie in state at the Great Hall of the People. A memorial service will be held in Tiananmen Square on 18 September. Everyone except those performing essential tasks will be expected to maintain a three minute silence. The official Chinese obituary paid tribute to Chairman Maos important struggles against enemies within the Chinese Communist Party, which he co-founded in 1921. He rose to prominence as the man who led the communist forces on the epic 6,000 mile (9,656 km) long march to Shenis in northern China to flee attacks from the nationalist Kuomintang party in the mid-1930s. In 1949 he became chairman of the newly established Peoples Republic of China. During the 1950s, Chairman Mao launched the Great Leap Forward, a campaign to increase industrial production by mobilising Chinas enormous manpower into rural peoples communes. Even after he retired as chairman of the republic he continued to influence policy as chairman of the Communist Party. The Cultural Revolution was launched in 1966. Schools and colleges were closed and the students joined the Red Guards in an ideological crusade which led to many officials losing their jobs, being tortured and killed. He was credited for encouraging President Richard Nixons visit to China in February 1972, the first by an American leader. Other countries opened embassies in Beijing and China was finally granted a seat at the United Nations in 1971. Courtesy BBC News In context Mao Zedong was the founder of modern China and is still regarded by the Chinese as one of their great leaders. However, he was also a ruthless leader whose policies allegdly killed tens of millions of people, according to recent academic research in the West. The so-called Great Leap Forward of collectivised farming and rapid industrialisation led to nationwide famine [] The Cultural Revolution, which he launched to purge political opponents, dragged on for 10 years and ruined the lives and educations of a whole generation. His death left a power vacuum in China. The gang of four leading radicals, including Maos widow, responsible for the Cultural Revolution attempted to take control but were arrested by Maos successor Hua Guofeng and convicted of crimes against the state. Deng Xiaoping emerged as Chinas new leader in 1978. He liberalised academic debate and introduced economic reforms. The gaming sector experienced a turnaround in 2023, with total receipts skyrocketing by 308.1% year-on-year to MOP188.52 billion, according to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). This resurgence has been largely attributed to the resumption of travel activities following COVID-19, which has driven both visitor numbers and spending. As tourists return, particularly from mainland China, gaming activity surged. This influx led to a significant increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR), with receipts from games of chancethe primary revenue sourcejumping by 335.9% to MOP183.60 billion. This figure is 63% of 2019 revenue, before the pandemic. Total sector expenditure, excluding taxes, reached MOP80.06 billion, a 98.6% increase year-on-year. The largest shares of this expenditure were attributed to operating expenses and the purchase of goods, which accounted for 39.6% and 22.6%, respectively. Notably, compensation for employees decreased from 46.7% in 2022 to 25.2% in 2023, reflecting changes in operational dynamics. Expenditures on complimentary goods and services provided to customers, such as hotel accommodation and food and beverages, surged 365.1% year-on-year to MOP19.51 billion. Additionally, spending on management services, contractual services, and market research saw significant increases of 234.6% and 232.2%, respectively. The gaming sectors contribution to the economy, measured by Gross Value Added, escalated by 345.8% year-on-year to MOP135.37 billion. Gross surplus before taxes soared 896.5% to MOP115.20 billion. Despite this growth, the number of enterprises engaged in gaming activities remained stable at nine in 2023, comprising six gaming concessionaires and three enterprises involved in pari-mutuels and lotteries. The DSECs Gaming Sector Survey focuses solely on gaming activities, excluding data from hotel, retail, and other businesses operated by these enterprises. CLSA analysts issued a report last week predicting continued growth in the gaming sector, with expectations the GGR will rise further this year. This optimism is fueled by anticipated increases in visitor numbers and expanded hotel capacities, alongside a recovering consumer confidence and spending patterns, as Macau continues to attract tourists from diverse markets. Nadia Shaw A survey by the Zhuhai Municipal Bureau of Statistics has revealed Zhuhai is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Macau tourists. The report found Zhuhai welcomed an average of over 360,000 visitors from Macau and Hong Kong monthly. Macau tourists accounted for a significant portion of monthly visitors to Zhuhai, spending approximately RMB454 million monthly, according to the bureau. Extrapolated annually, their estimated expenditures could reach RMB5.5 billion if the trend continues. Traffic data showed peak entry volumes at the China-Macau border on weekends and holidays, with an influx of Macau cars going north. This is attributed to the convenience of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, as well as Zhuhais more affordable prices and diverse offerings. About half of the Macau tourists visit Zhuhai for the day, while the rest stay one or more nights. The findings signal Macau residents are increasingly opting to travel and spend leisure time in mainland cities like Zhuhai, which offer lower costs. While presenting new opportunities for Zhuhais development, this shift may pose challenges for Macaus businesses amid growing competition. The data highlights Zhuhais growing appeal, which may raise concerns among Macaus business community as it struggles to compete with the mainland citys cost advantages and variety of offerings. VC To improve the quality of traditional Chinese medicine services and prevent medical errors, the government last week held a training course for local traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. The training, jointly organized by the Health Bureaus Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Services Development, the World Health Organization (Macau) Traditional Medicine Collaboration Centre, and a nationally recognized traditional Chinese medicine broadcaster, brought together 172 traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. Speakers included Dr. Pang Heong Keong, Chairman of the Medical Malpractice Expert Committee; Dr. Chen Min, Associate Professor at the Macau University of Science and Technology; and Dr. Yang Lu, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor at the Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital. Dr. Cheang Seng Ip, Deputy Director of the Health Bureau, stated in his opening remarks that the country is placing strong efforts on advancing high-quality healthcare services. He highlighted the governments Action Plan for Comprehensive Improvement of Health Care Quality (2023-2025) and the Legal Framework for Medical Malpractice enacted in 2017 to ensure fairness and protect patients health rights. The training covered topics such as medical malpractice in traditional Chinese medicine, operational standards and risk prevention for acupuncture, and the potential side effects and clinical response measures for traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Participants found the course very useful in enhancing their clinical skills and safety awareness. VC At least 14 people have died and 176 others injured in Vietnam after Typhoon Yagi slammed the countrys north, state media said Sunday, as officials warned of heavy downpours despite its waning power. Described by Vietnamese officials as one of the most powerful typhoons to hit the region over the last decade, Yagi left more than 3 million people without electricity in northern Vietnam. It also damaged vital agricultural land, nearly 116,192 hectares where rice and fruits are mostly grown. Hundreds of flights were canceled after four airports were closed. The typhoon made landfall in Vietnams northern coastal provinces of Quang Ninh and Haiphong with wind speeds of up to 149 kilometers per hour on Saturday afternoon. It raged for roughly 15 hours before gradually weakening into a tropical depression early Sunday morning. Vietnams meteorological department predicted heavy rain in northern and central provinces and warned of floods in low-lying areas, flash floods in streams and landslides on steep slopes. Municipal workers along with army and police forces were busy in the capital, Hanoi, clearing uprooted trees, fallen billboards, toppled electricity poles and rooftops that were swept away, while assessing damaged buildings. Yagi was still a storm when it blew out of the northwestern Philippines into the South China Sea on Wednesday, leaving at least 20 people dead and 26 others missing mostly in landslides and widespread flooding in the acrchipelago nation. It then made its way to China, killing three people and injuring nearly a hundred others, before landing in Vietnam. The super typhoon swept south of Hong Kong and was moving toward the Chinese island province of Hainan where it was expected to make landfall Friday, forcing many aspects of life in the region to a halt. Trading on the stock market, bank services and schools were halted in Hong Kong and Macau after the citys weather authority raised a No. 8 typhoon signal for Typhoon Yagi, the third-highest warning under the citys weather system. Yagi, with maximum sustained winds of 230 kilometers per hour near its center, forced more than 250 people to seek refuge at temporary government shelters and led to cancellations of more than 100 flights in the city. Five people were injured and treated at hospitals. Heavy rain and strong winds overnight felled dozens of trees across the financial hub before the weather gradually calmed on Friday morning. The typhoon signal was downgraded in the afternoon, with public and transportation services slowly resuming. In Hainan, a tropical holiday island in southern China, residents were bracing for the powerful storm. The provinces meteorological service expected Yagi to make landfall somewhere between the provinces Wenchang city and Xuwen county in neighboring Guangdong province later Friday. People built sandbag barriers outside buildings to guard against possible floods and reinforced their windows with tape on Thursday, Chinas official Xinhua news agency reported. The official China Daily said classes, work, transportation and businesses were suspended in parts of the province as early as Wednesday evening. Some tourist attractions were closed and all flights at its international airport in Haikou city were grounded on Friday. Storms like Typhoon Yagi were getting stronger due to climate change, primarily because warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel the storms, leading to increased wind speeds and heavier rainfall, said Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore. MDT/AP In months, Lo Yuet-ping will bid farewell to a centuries-old village he has called home in Hong Kong for more than seven decades. The Cha Kwo Ling village in east Kowloon is filled with small houses built from metal sheets and stones, as well as old granite buildings, contrasting sharply with the high-rise structures that dominate much of the Asian financial hub. Lo, 72, has spent his entire life here and is among an estimated 860 households required to move under a government redevelopment plan. He said he will miss the rich history, unique culture and warm interpersonal kindness that defined life in the village. Im unwilling to part with anything, said Lo, who expects to be relocated to a newer district of east Kowloon. The ongoing demolition of the Cha Kwo Ling village, set to enter its final phase in 2025, is erasing one of Hong Kongs last remaining squatter villages, making way for public housing. This settlement has witnessed the former British colonys transformation from a fishing village to an industrial hub and finally to a global financial center. Originally a settlement for the Hakka people, a Han Chinese group, Cha Kwo Ling saw an influx of mainland Chinese immigrants over the years, just like other squatter villages in the city. Some of the immigrants arrived in the city between late 1940s and 1950s, fleeing the civil war in China or seeking better economic opportunities. The influx swelled Hong Kongs population from 600,000 in 1945 to 2 million by 1950, according to a governments website. Unable to afford housing, many people built wooden homes in squatter villages. In 1953, an estimated 300,000 people were living in such settlements across the city. Researcher Charles Fung, co-author of a book on the citys squatter housing, described how people built squatter houses as part of a catch-me-if-you-can game with the authorities in British colonial times. Fung explained that the government wouldnt have to provide resettlement commitments for homeowners if it managed to demolish the structures before people moved into them. This led people to cut wood and build houses at night along hillsides where they were difficult to find, he said. While the structures looked vulnerable, Fung said, the villages played a crucial role in supporting Hong Kongs economy. They hosted small factories and were located near industrial zones, informally bolstering the citys factory system during its time as a manufacturing hub, he said. However, the precarious nature of the settlements came with risks. Fires in squatter houses have always been a concern and helped drive the British colonial government to resettle residents into public housing. Officially, the public housing policy is presented as help for the fire victims in the squatter villages. But research suggests other political factors were at play, Fung said. One such factor was the British governments desire to prevent interference from mainland China, which wanted to send a delegation to help displaced villagers after a fire in the early 1950s. KATIE TAM & KANIS LEUNG, HONG KONG, MDT/AP Casino company Wynn Resorts Ltd. has agreed to pay $130 million to federal authorities and admit that it let unlicensed money transfer businesses around the world funnel funds to gamblers at its flagship Las Vegas Strip property. The publicly traded company said a non-prosecution settlement reached this weekend represented a monetary figure identified by the U.S. Justice Department as funds involved in the transactions at issue at the Wynn Las Vegas resort. In statements to the media and to the federal Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said the forfeiture wasnt a fine and findings in the decade-long case didnt amount to money laundering. U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath in San Diego said the settlement showed that casinos are accountable if they let foreign customers evade U.S. laws. She said $130 million was believed to be the largest forfeiture by a casino based on admissions of criminal wrongdoing. Wynn Resorts said it severed ties with all people and businesses involved in what the government characterized as convoluted transactions overseas. Several former employees facilitated the use of unlicensed money transmitting businesses, which both violated our internal policies and the law, and for which we take responsibility, the company said in a statement Saturday to The Associated Press. In its news release, the Justice Department detailed several methods it said were used to transfer money between Wynn Las Vegas and people in China and other countries. One, dubbed Flying Money, involved an unlicensed money agent using multiple foreign bank accounts to transfer money to the casino for use by a patron who could not otherwise access cash in the U.S. Another involved having a person referred to as a Human Head gamble at the casino at the direction of another person who was unwilling or unable to place bets because of anti-money laundering and other laws. The Justice Department said one person, acting as an independent agent for the casino, conducted more than 200 money transfers worth nearly $18 million through bank accounts controlled by Wynn Las Vegas or associated entities on behalf of more than 50 foreign casino patrons. Wynn Resorts called its agreement with the government a final step in a six-year effort to put legacy issues fully behind us and focus on our future. The SEC filing noted the investigation began about 2014. It did not use the name of former CEO Steve Wynn. But since 2018, the parent company has been enmeshed with legal issues surrounding his departure after sexual misconduct allegations against him were first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Wynn attorneys in Las Vegas did not respond Saturday to messages about the company settlement. Wynn, now 82 and living in Florida, has said he has no remaining ties to his namesake company. He has consistently denied committing sexual misconduct. The billionaire developer of a luxury casino empire in Las Vegas, Massachusetts, Mississippi and the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau resigned from Wynn Resorts after the reports became public, divested company shares and quit the corporate board. Last year, in an agreement with Nevada gambling regulators, he agreed to cut links to the industry he helped shape in Las Vegas and pay a $10 million fine. He admitted no wrongdoing. The Justice Department said Friday that as part of its investigation, 15 people previously admitted money laundering, unlicensed money transmission or other crimes, paying criminal penalties of more than $7.5 million. Wynn Resorts noted in its statement that its non-prosecution agreement with the government did not refer to money laundering. MDT/AP Chinese President Xi Jinping last week announced initiatives to deepen China-Africa relations at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). In his keynote speech, Xi outlined 10 partnership actions to be implemented over three years, aimed at advancing modernization in Africa and elevating bilateral relations. Xi proposed raising China-Africa relations to a strategic level and characterizing them as an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future. He emphasized that modernization is an inalienable right and that global progress cannot happen without the development of China and Africa. Xi stressed the joint efforts of both regions will create a wave of modernization across the Global South, as cited by a Xinhua dispatch. Xis proposals were well-received. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised Chinas long-standing friendship with Africa and emphasized the need for continued cooperation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called China-Africa ties a key part of South-South cooperation, noting Chinas development experience could offer valuable lessons for Africa. According to Xinhua, Xis 10 partnership actions focus on trade, infrastructure, health, agriculture, education, green development, and security. On mutual learning, Xi announced plans to establish 25 centers focused on China-Africa studies. China will invite 1,000 members of African political parties to visit for governance exchanges. In trade, Xi pledged zero-tariff treatment for 100% of products from the least developed African nations with diplomatic ties to China, benefiting 33 African countries. China will also establish a China-Africa digital technology cooperation center and launch 20 digital projects. Xi committed to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa through empowerment programs. Infrastructure is another major focus. China will implement 30 connectivity projects under the Belt and Road Initiative and 1,000 small livelihood projects to improve everyday life. In health, China will send 2,000 medical personnel and establish joint medical centers. In agriculture, China will provide 1 billion yuan in emergency food assistance and send 500 experts, aiming to create 1 million jobs in Africa. China committed to 30 clean energy projects and cooperation in space exploration. Regarding security, Xi announced 1 billion yuan in military assistance and proposed building a partnership to implement the Global Security Initiative in Africa. To support these initiatives, Xi revealed that China will provide 360 billion yuan over the next three years. The summit concluded with a joint declaration to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future and a three-year action plan. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye praised Xis proposals, saying they demonstrate Chinas commitment to elevating cooperation with Africa to new heights. These initiatives reflect Chinas dedication to fostering stronger ties with the continent, the state news agency concluded. MDT/Xinhua Eden Turner Education/Politics Reporter Follow Eden Turner Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today TWIN FALLS During World War II, the U.S. Army took Japanese Americans from along the West Coast and incarcerated them in concentration camps across the country, with one right in the Magic Valley. In 1944, 37 Japanese American men at the Minidoka War Relocation Center north of Eden resisted the Selective Service Act, refusing to appear for the introductory round of physicals for the U.S. Armed Forces. The resisters protested injustice and advocated for their rights as citizens. That fall, they went on trial in Boise for violating the law. Courage comes in many forms, Robyn Achilles, executive director of Friends of Minidoka told the Times-News. These resisters made a lot of sacrifices for their decision to resist. They were shunned by members of the Japanese American community because of their civil disobedience. These divisions within the Japanese American community actually linger today. This month, Friends of Minidoka is hosting a series of events to honor this moment in history. Frank Abe, author of the graphic novel We Hereby Refuse, and Eric Muller, author of Free to Die for Their Country, American Inquisition and Lawyer, Jailer, Ally, Foe, will present a lecture from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday in the College of Southern Idaho Herrett Center. A group of lawyers will perform a one-act multimedia stage production of Nisei Paradox, chronicling the resulting Nisei Trials, from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19 in the CSI Fine Arts Building. At each event, venues will present a visual exhibit that shares the history of the Nisei Trials. The organizations partners such as the Museum of Idaho will also display the exhibit. The 80th anniversary of the resistance is conjunction with a continuous recognition of the 80th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 authorizing the removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast. Achilles says these recognitions are important because they allow the community to reflect on the decisions the resistors made and learn from history. I think today, with such polarization in our society, we really hope to engage people on the story of the draft resisters as a way to hear different perspectives and acknowledge that people make choices based on their beliefs and values, she said. We need to make space for this diversity of beliefs and choices that people make. Achilles is a descendant of the incarceration, and her familys experiences influence her passion to inform the community. Friends of Minidoka partners with the Minidoka National Historic Site and other entities to share the untold story of the Japanese American community. Its incredibly moving for people who visit the site, and not just Japanese Americans and descendants of those who are incarcerated, but also the larger community, she said. Achilles and Camille Daw, the program and outreach manager at Friends of Minidoka, organized Septembers events with a purpose to engage the community, with the help of community partners including Idaho Humanities Council, Japanese American Community Foundation and Minidoka National Historic Site. As they learn about the events and experiences of the Japanese American community in the early 1940s, they begin to reflect on their experiences and how they interact with others. Its a story of our entire country, Daw said, and it extends to the world. For us to be able to recognize that these grave injustices occurred and to have something come out of it, but to also know that when we do see these injustices happening... its okay to speak up against it. We all have a part in the story. To learn more about Friends of Minidokas state of events, visit https://www.minidoka.org/ nisei-trials. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Experts call for stable Sino-US trade ties 08:16, September 09, 2024 By Zhong Nan ( China Daily As uncertainties mount ahead of the presidential election in the United States in November, high-level meetings between Chinese and US commerce officials can offer enterprises crucial insights into the future economic and trade relationship between the two major economies, said market observers and business executives on Sunday. Wang Shouwen, vice-minister of commerce and China international trade representative, and Marisa Lago, US undersecretary of commerce for international trade, co-chaired the second vice-ministerial meeting of the China-US commercial and trade working group on Saturday in Tianjin, the Ministry of Commerce said in a news release. Clarifying the boundaries of national security in the trade and economic sphere would help stabilize business cooperation expectations, the news release quoted Wang as saying, adding that he opposed using "overcapacity" as an excuse to impose trade and investment restrictions. China and the US agreed to support trade and investment promotion activities organized by both countries and pledged to maintain communication across a range of sectors, including cross-border data flow, inspection and quarantine, healthcare, medical devices and clean energy, according to the news release. Wang Xiaosong, a professor at Renmin University of China's School of Economics in Beijing, said that given the interconnected nature of the global economy, any changes in Sino-US trade relations could have wide-ranging impacts. Holding meetings can offer clarity to global businesses, and stabilize the world's supply chain, the expert added. The US remains China's third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade value reaching 2.72 trillion yuan ($384 billion) in the first seven months of 2024, up 4.1 percent year-on-year, accounting for 11 percent of China's total foreign trade value, according to statistics from the General Administration of Customs. Sandeep Seth, chief growth officer of Tapestry Inc, a New York-based luxury goods group, underscored that stable Sino-US economic and trade ties would benefit businesses in both countries. China, with its large and expanding middle-income population, presents significant growth opportunities, while the US offers a well-established and lucrative market, he said. Sally Loh, president for China of Otis Worldwide Corp, said that by partnering with Chinese companies, the US elevator manufacturer has greatly benefited from the tangible growth of the Belt and Road Initiative. "We have been participating in many projects under the BRI framework in economies involved in the initiative, including the Mecca Metro in Saudi Arabia, the Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates and the Cairo Metro in Egypt," she said. With active support from the governments of China and the US, the US-China Circular Economy Cooperation Forum was held on Friday in Beijing. It established a platform for exchanges and cooperation on the circular economy between business communities, social organizations and research institutions on both sides. In a separate move, China has urged the Netherlands to avoid impeding normal cooperation and development between the two countries' semiconductor industries, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the interests of both Chinese and Dutch businesses, the Commerce Ministry said on Sunday. The European country has expanded its control measures on lithography machines, extending beyond its 2023 semiconductor export control policies. China has expressed dissatisfaction with this move, a spokesperson for the ministry said in an online statement. The spokesperson said the US has continuously broadened the concept of national security to maintain its global dominance in recent years, pressuring certain countries to tighten export controls on semiconductors and related equipment. This has severely threatened the stability of the global semiconductor supply chain and undermined the legitimate rights of affected countries and businesses, the spokesperson added. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) MOSCOW The murder trial of Bryan Kohberger, charged with killing four University of Idaho students, will be moved out of Moscow and likely with a different judge presiding. Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District in Latah County granted Kohbergers request for a venue change. In turn, he handed the defense the biggest win to date in the legal process ahead of his murder trial scheduled to start in June 2025. Judges ruling came about a week after an all-day hearing in Moscow for arguments over whether to move the trial. His Friday order, which referenced both practical challenges and an abundance of media coverage in the case much of it sensationalized and prejudicial to Kohberger published to a public courts website Monday morning. The interest of justice requires that the trial be moved to a venue with the resources, both in terms of personnel and space, necessary to effectively and efficiently handle a trial of this magnitude and length so that the parties and the court can focus on the case and not on peripheral issues, Judge wrote. Kohberger, 29, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. The victims were Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, both 20, and Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted by a jury. His defense last week filed a number of challenges to remove capital punishment as a possible sentence, and a court hearing on the issue is tentatively scheduled in Moscow for Nov. 7. Per Idahos criminal rules, Judge left the decision of the trial location and the assigned judge to the Idaho Supreme Court. The five-justice panel will issue a final order to answer those questions at a later date. Judge indicated a desire not to continue on with the case. The Idaho Supreme Court is now left to assign the case to a different judge once a new venue has been selected, according to Idaho law. Judge points to Latah Countys size and resources Judge cited two main reasons for moving the trial: Latah Countys small jury pool and a lack of resources. Experts called to testify expressed great concern over the emotional experiences, feelings of fear, and personal connections of Latah County residents, Judge said in his motion. Latah County has only about 24,000 eligible jurors, according to the motion. Judge said it is far more likely that a potential juror in Latah County would know someone involved in the case, had experienced fear in their homes following the killings or discussed the case with others in the community. Some 67% of Latah County survey respondents reported believing Kohberger is guilty, with 51% of those indicating it would be hard for Kohberger to convince them of his innocence, Judge wrote. While similar percentage answered these questions the same in Ada County, the impact of these numbers when considering population size are drastically different. Keeping the identities of jurors private would also be more difficult in a small county, Judge said. Putting aside jury pool issues, Judge pointed to another hurdle that neither prosecution or defense made much noise about: Latah Countys resources. Even if Idaho State Police or the Moscow Police Department assisted, there would not be enough local law enforcement members to ensure the safety of the defense, prosecution, witnesses, victims families, jurors and community for three months, on top of their regular roles. The Latah County Sheriffs Office, which is currently fully staffed, simply lacks the number of officers needed to provide security for the trial while also continuing to perform their day-to-day duties of patrol and responding to calls, Judge said. Other resource concerns listed by Judge included the lack of clerks and necessary venue space to ensure a safe, organized trial. Venue change a win for Kohberger defense Prosecutors opposed a venue change, arguing it was not necessary or convenient, which are elements that must be met to justify moving a trial, according to Idaho criminal rules. The defense, meanwhile, alleged the level of pretrial publicity in the case most of it prejudicial against Kohberger meant he couldnt get a fair trial in the community where the crime took place. The traumatized town of Moscow is understandably filled with deeply held prejudgment opinions of guilt, Kohbergers defense wrote in an August court filing. Latah County mob mentality will never produce a (jury pool) that results in a cross section of the community. At the venue change hearing late last month, Judge called his choice over whether to move Kohbergers trial probably, professionally, the most difficult decision Ive ever had to make. He opted to have the high-profile case moved and reassigned. I know there are a lot of considerations, practical in terms of logistics, and prejudicial media. So I have, I have some work to do, Judge told the court. Thats going to take me a little bit of time, and go through the law again, including the rule itself and the interpretation of that. So Ill do my best. Its a challenge. The Department of Finance (DOF) said Monday it is supporting the Bangsamoro governments proposed acquisition of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) shares in Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIIBP) to promote financial inclusion and accelerate socio-economic development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Through this, we are taking bold steps to build a strong and vibrant Islamic banking system that caters to the specific needs of the people of BARMM, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said. - Advertisement - This will support the Bangsamoro governments efforts to provide vital social and infrastructure projects to fast-track the regions progress. The road to peace, inclusive growth, and prosperity in the region becomes even brighter, he said. The proposed transfer of shares was approved by the Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB) co-chaired by Recto and Bangsamoro Government Minister of Finance, Budget and Management Ubaida Pacasem during its 7th meeting on Sept. 3, 2024. The approval was subject to the terms and conditions as may be agreed by both parties, in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations. Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the IFPB will determine the participation of the Bangsamoro government in the AAIIBP. The AAIIBP is the first Islamic bank in the Philippines. By its charter, it is recognized as a universal bank with an authorized capital stock of P1 billion consisting of 10 million common shares and a network of nine branches. In 2008, the AIIBP became a subsidiary of DBP, owning 99.9 percent of its capital stock. By owning the shares of the AAIIBP, the BARMM effectively saves on the total minimum capitalization required of around P6.0 billion in setting up a universal bank. The Bangsamoro governments planned acquisition of DBPs shares in the AAIIBP aligns with Section 3 of Republic Act No. 6848 or the AAIIBP Charter, which mandates the Islamic Bank to support socio-economic development in the BARMM. This will be achieved by performing banking, financing and investment operations as well as by engaging in agricultural, commercial, and industrial ventures based on Islamic banking principles. Part of the AAIIBPs powers is to act as an official government depository bank of government-owned- or controlled corporations (GOCCs) especially those operating in the BARMM. The mandates align with the BARMMs Islamic Finance Roadmap, making the transfer of DBPs shares in the AAIIBP an ideal and strategic move. By having significant control of AAIIBP, the BARMM government will be able to facilitate the financing of government policy priorities and projects that other banks would normally not perform. It can also increase competition in the market by introducing new financial services that are innovative and competitive. The DBP also supported the transfer of the shares to the Bangsamoro Government and assured the IFPB of the AAIIBP employees capacity to operate an Islamic bank. To complete the transfer, the Bangsamoro Government and the DBP are now securing necessary approvals from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG). Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), a facility of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) in Iloilo, enhanced its operational capabilities with the addition of two new ESP.5 Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbor cranes (MHCs). These advanced cranes, the largest and first of their kind in Panay Island, will elevate the standard of port operations in the region - Advertisement - Designed to operate on standard class vessels, the cranes each have a maximum reach of 46 meters and top lifting capacity of 100 tons. These enable VCT to handle the increasing volume of containerized, bulk, general and project cargo in Panay and Region 6. The introduction of these equipment class will also streamline the terminals operation, resulting in faster turnaround times for vessels and trucks, as well as better overall port efficiency and safety. These cranes are game changers for the Visayas market. We are excited to integrate them to our operations after five months since VCT started commercial operations at the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex, VCT executive director Timothee Jeannin said. Our commitment to providing world-class service to the Visayas market goes beyond investing in equipment as we are also investing in our workers. We sent VCT personnel to train at the Manila International Container Terminal and South Pacific International Container Terminal in Papua New Guinea on crane operation and maintenance to ensure we maximize the use of the equipment, he said. Gareth Scott, ICTSI equipment procurement and commissioning director, said they monitored the production of the cranes from the first day since it ordering them, ensuring that they are made according to the companys specification. It will take a couple of weeks for the MHCs to be fully commissioned. Other ongoing developments in VCT include dredging along the terminals berths to increase depth capacity in preparation for the arrival of larger ships; further rehabilitation of container yard; improvement of engineering facilities; and greening and development of multipurpose and recreation spaces for employees. The Philippines and China agreed to resume discussions in Beijing this month following a series of confrontations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This development comes as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate in the contested waters. - Advertisement - Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo confirmed that the next round of the Bilateral Consultations Mechanism (BCM), where territorial disputes are discussed, will take place in China later this month. Manalo stated that he remains hopeful that in the upcoming BCM, the recent ramming incident involving a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and the Philippine Coast Guards BRP Teresa Magbanua at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal will be discussed. For his part, Philippines Navy Spokesperson for the West Philippines Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad reaffirmed the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) commitment to fully support the governments efforts in addressing the ongoing issues in the WPS. This includes backing potential actions such as filing a new case against China, which Manalo previously mentioned when asked about possible further steps the country may take after China rammed BRP Teresa Magbanua in Sabina Shoal. The Philippine Navy will support all the moves of the government to ensure that our territory will remain intact, our sovereignty will remain, and the welfare of the Philippines will be protected, Trinidad told the media. If theres any support that the Navy or the AFP will give for whatever actions other agencies of government will do, we are prepared to support, he added. Trinidad assured that the Philippines remains undeterred by the growing presence of Chinese ships in Escoda Shoal in the WPS. We should look at it as our intent to ensure that we will not be deterred by whatever challenges we face in the West Philippine Sea, Trinidad said, underscoring the stark reality of a lone Philippine vessel standing strong amidst 203 Chinese ships in the face of continued aggression from the China Coast Guard in Sabina Shoal. Its not just a list of numbers. Its the messaging we send out, he emphasized during an ambush interview. Earlier, the Philippine Navy reported a significant increase in Chinese vessels in Escoda Shoal from August 20 to 26, with the number rising to 203. Among those spotted were 71 vessels in Sabina (Escoda) Shoal, consisting of 53 Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMVs), nine China Coast Guard Vessels (CCGVs), and nine Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships. Despite Chinas provocations and escalation in the WPS, Trinidad expressed optimism that the rules-based order will ultimately prevail, citing the convergence of interests of like-minded navies and like-minded nations. Suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo or Guo Hua Ping arrived at Senate Monday morning, September 9, to attend the POGO hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros. Guo who fled the country, but was arrested in Indonesia and brought back to the Philippines, will face POGO-related crimes filed against her. - Advertisement - She was donning a bullet proof vest and a helmet following alleged death threats from organized crime groups, including the Chinese mafia. Hontiveros said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has confirmed that Alice Leal Guo is Guo Hua Ping, a Chinese national who entered the country in 2003, presenting herself in the Senate and the citizens of Bamban under false pretenses. This is why the celebrity-like treatment to her is unacceptable. Let us not be fooled, Hontiveros commented. Our hearings have made significant progress, she added. The committee hearing has also issued a subpoena to Sual Mayor Liseldo D. Calugay following his failure to attend the hearing. Senator Joel Villanueva also noted the absence of Cassandra Li Ong, representative of Lucky South 99. Editors note: This is a developing story. President Ferdinand Marcos explained the role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the recent arrest of Apollo Quiboloy, citing the troops presence was at the request of the fugitive pastor. According to Mr. Marcos, the decision to include the AFP in the final arrest phase was due to a request from Quiboloy himself, who expressed distrust in the police. - Advertisement - Quiboloys representatives communicated with us, saying he was ready to surrender but only if the AFP was present. We agreed to this arrangement, President Marcos said in an interview on Monday. The President, however, insisted that Quiboloys arrest was primarily led by police forces, who started their operation on August 24. Let us be very clear, this was a police-led operation, he said in a statement. Any involvement of the AFP was, as I said, augmentation. The police were in charge from the start, he added. The President also said that AFP was deployed to relieve exhausted police officers during the protracted standoff. If you recall, after 24 or 36 hours, the police were exhausted. We sent AFP personnel to allow the police to rest, but once the situation was under control, we withdrew the AFP, and the police resumed as the front liners, he stated The president also revealed that for the past few weeks, intelligence services across various branches of the government, including both the police and the military, had been monitoring Quiboloys movements. This coordination aimed to determine the best course of action to apprehend the religious leader. The events leading to Quiboloys surrender unfolded over the weeks, during which his legal team proposed several conditions for surrender, including a guarantee against extradition to the United States. However, these conditions were ultimately rejected. We were clear that the fugitive could not dictate conditions for his arrest, Mr. Marcos said. According to President Marcos, Quiboloys camp expressed his willingness to surrender unconditionally on Sunday. The operation began around 9 a.m., and by 3:40 p.m., a C-130 was sent to Davao to fly him to Manila to face the charges against him. The House of Representatives on Monday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ASLs). Pangasinan Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas, chair of the House committee on foreign affairs and head of the House contingent to the bicameral conference committee, thanked her colleagues for the swift ratification of the ASLs bicam report. The protection of our maritime domain has never been more critical. The establishment of archipelagic sea lanes within our waters, as mandated by the UNCLOS, is essential to safeguard the integrity of our national territory while maintaining our commitments under international law, Arenas said. The lawmaker noted that the bill is designed to provide clear guidelines for the passage of foreign ships and aircraft through our archipelagic waters, ensuring that such passage does not undermine our national security or disturb the peace and good order of our country. Together with the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, reinforces the Philippines commitment to international maritime law, particularly UNCLOS, while fostering greater cooperation with neighboring states in maintaining peace and stability in the region, Arenas added. The bill shall now be prepared for transmittal to the Office of the President. Once enacted, the designation of ASLs shall strengthen our countrys maritime governance and security. - Advertisement - It likewise balances the Philippines national interest and the right of the international community as provided in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The conference committee on the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Bill chaired by Sen. Francis Tolentino and Arenas finalized the bicameral conference committee report on Sept. 4, 2024. DHAKABangladeshs war crimes tribunal is to seek the extradition of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina from neighboring India, its chief prosecutor has said, accusing her of carrying out massacres. Weeks of student-led demonstrations in Bangladesh escalated into mass protests last month, with Hasina quitting as prime minister and fleeing by helicopter to old ally India on August 5, ending her iron-fisted 15-year rule. - Advertisement - As the main perpetrator has fled the country, we will start the legal procedure to bring her back, Mohammad Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor of Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), told reporters on Sunday. The ICT was set up by Hasina in 2010 to probe atrocities during the 1971 independence war from Pakistan. WASHINGTON, DCThe US presidential race remains neck-and-neck according to polls released Sunday (Monday Manila time), two days before Kamala Harris and Donald Trump hold their firstand potentially onlytelevised debate. The latest polling confirms that Trump retains locked-in support from about half of voters, despite the Republicans historic status as a convicted felon and his role in instigating the unprecedented attempt to overturn his 2020 loss to Joe Biden. - Advertisement - Harris, who only jumped into the race after President Biden quit in July, has rapidly transformed herself from a little-noticed vice president into a serious contender. However, the polls show she has not made a major breakthrough, leaving the race a toss-up. A New York Times/Siena poll found that 78-year-old Trump is leading Harris nationally by 48 to 47 percent, well within the margin of error. US presidential elections are decided by tallying the results of state-by-state contests, rather than an overall national popular vote, meaning that a tiny handful of swing states typically determine the balance. The poll found Harris, 59, narrowly ahead in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, and tied in four other swing states: Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona. A CBS News/YouGov poll put Harris ahead by one percentage point in Michigan and Wisconsin and tied in Pennsylvania. The election is already chaotic, with 81-year-old Biden dropping out amid concerns over his age, Trump narrowly surviving an assassins bullet at a rally, and fears mounting that Trump will again refuse to concede if he loses in November. However, the latest numbers confirm that each candidate retains a remarkably stable base of loyalists, almost evenly splitting the country. One game changer could be Tuesdays ABC News debate, the only one scheduled between the two. Trump will be under pressure to rein in his characteristic use of insults and intimidation as he stands next to a mixed-race candidate vying to become the first female president in US history. Harris will need to use the huge viewership to connect with Americans in a way that she was unable to as vice president and has had little time to accomplish in her super-condensed campaign run. With Trump now the oldest presidential nominee in US history, she is pitching an optimistic, forward-looking message in contrast to Trumps apocalyptic claims that the country faces terminal decline without him in the White House. Iraqi Bishops' Standoff Now At 'Higher Ecclesiastical Court', Cardinal Says Patriarch Louis Sako (L) and Archbishop Bashar Warda. ( AINA) The Patriarch of Baghdad has forwarded his canonical complaint against several Chaldean bishops to "the higher ecclesiastical court," according to a statement on September 7. The statement did not specify to which higher canonical authority he had forwarded his threatened canonical action against five Chaldean bishops, including the Archbishop of Erbil, Bashar Warda. However, the move is being received among some senior Chaldean clergy as a de-escalation by Cardinal Louis Sako, who was widely expected to attempt unilateral canonical action against the bishops, whom he accused of acts of disunity in the Eastern Catholic Church. The statement was included as a postscript to a lengthy pastoral reflection on personal examination of conscience. "We are all prone to making mistakes, and without honest self-reflection, we will live in a state of stress and anxiety, possibly losing our friends and ourselves!" Sako wrote. "Do we realize that we lie when we spread fabricated news according to our personal standards to appear strong? Truth does not need embellishments. The rope of lies is short! People know when we lie, steal, or oppress others in our pursuit of success!" "False bubbles do not prove that we are in the right, but rather expose our disconnection when we use false evidence to support our positions! It is deeply painful when some people turn lies into weapons for moral assassination," the cardinal said, while clarifying that "this spiritual and educational reflection has no relation to the dissenting bishops; that matter has been referred to the higher ecclesiastical court." Sako had previously issued an Aug. 28 statement criticizing the five Chaldean bishops for skipping a July episcopal synod of the Eastern Catholic, which bishops are ordinarily required by canon law to attend, and similarly missing an August spiritual retreat. Sako also noted the bishops had decided to withdraw their students from a Chaldean seminary, which he claimed "constitutes a serious breach" of ecclesial unity. Sako did not specify exactly what delict, or canonical crime, the five bishops are alleged to have committed, instead attaching a number of penal canons to his Aug. 28 statement. Sources close to the Archdiocese of Erbil have previously told The Pillar that the cardinal seemed not to have followed the required canonical procedural steps, including canonical warnings, if he believed the bishops were or are close to committing a delict, or if he believes they are committing one currently. The cardinal originally imposed a Sept. 5 deadline for the bishops to "apologize and make amends" or he would forward the matter to Pope Francis, recommending that the bishops face canonical sanctions -- specifically mentioning the prospect of excommunication. On the day of the deadline, The Pillar reported that sources close to the five bishops, led by Archbishop Warda, had no intention of apologizing and the expectation among them was that Sako could attempt to impose some kind of canonical suspension on the bishops, a potentially seismic event in the Eastern Church. Instead, Sako's indication Saturday that he has now forwarded the matter to another "higher" authority is being seen as an indication that the cardinal has moved to de-escalate the standoff, removing the possibility of imminent unilateral action against the bishops. It is unclear to which authority the patriarch has handed the matter off. It is possible he has referred the case internally within the Chaldean Church, deferring it to the governing synod of bishops -- a deliberative body in Eastern canon law, distinct from the merely consultative groups sometimes convened in the Latin Church. The Code of Canons for the Eastern Churches allows for patriarchs, like Sako, to issue penal precepts to bishops, with serious canonical penalties attached -- but only with consent of the episcopal synod. Given Sako's previous indications that he would appeal to the Holy See directly, it is seen as more probable that the matter has been forwarded to Rome, either to the Dicastery for Eastern Churches or to the pope personally. And, senior sources within the Chadeal Church have previously told The Pillar, an appeal directly to the Vatican would suggest that Cardinal Sako might not have much support among the rest of the Chaldean Church's bishops. Some close to the standoff have speculated to The Pillar that if Sako decided to appeal to Rome he would likely prefer to approach Pope Francis directly, bypassing the dicastery with which Sako is thought to have a complicated relationship. The pope is currently on a scheduled apostolic tour of Asia and Oceania, with a following European tour scheduled shortly after he returns to Rome, so it is unclear if and when he would turn his attention to any appeal from the Chaldean patriarch -- or what action Sako may have asked the pope to take. It is equally unclear if Francis would choose to intervene formally in the relations between Chaldean bishops, or how positive an effect such an intervention could have. The pope has previously moved to try to help settle an ongoing dispute within the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, which has for years seen a sizable portion of clerics in its largest archdiocese in open rebellion over liturgical norms passed by its governing synod. In July last year, Francis appointed Archbishop Cyril Vasil' SJ as he personal delegate to resolve the standoff, which helped force the resignations of several members of the Church's senior leadership. However, although the Syro-Malabar synod has since appeared to recognize and endorse a kind of compromise with the dissenting clergy, Vasil' has insisted he is overseeing the creation of a special canonical tribunal to pursue sanctions against priests who have refused to wholly conform to liturgical norms. Division in the Chaldean Catholic Church centers on the relationship between Cardinal Sako and Archbishop Warda of Erbil, whom Sako has called the "godfather" of the Babylon Movement, an Iraqi political party in a long-running and high-profile dispute with Sako, which culminated in a 2023 government decision to revoke a decree that recognized Sako as the legitimate leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq. After the decree was revoked, Sako spent some nine months in a kind of self-imposed exile in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. The cardinal now insists that Warda failed to defend him and the Church during that period. The patriarch says that Warda should have condemned the revocation of the decree, and the figure behind it -- Iran-backed Iraqi militia leader and strongman Rayan al-Kildani, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. State Department for human rights violations, and who has styled himself in Iraq as a kind of protector of Christians. According to Sako, al-Kildani has tried to sideline him in order to seize control of Church properties, and the property of Christians, in Iraq. Sako has argued that in several media interviews, in both Iraq and in the West, Warda seemed to downplay the significance of the decree's revocation, which Sako frames as an attack on his leadership of the Chaldean Church. Some Iraqi Catholics suggest that Archbishop Warda has been unwilling to criticize al-Kildani because of the strongman's influence in the Nineveh Plain region of Iraq. But sources close to the Erbil archdiocese have told The Pillar that Sako's narrative is not accurate -- that the patriarch has been personally in a long-running power struggle with al-Kildani for political influence in Iraq, and has unfairly put the Church in the center of that dispute -- doing so even without diplomatic support from the Vatican. While Sako has painted Warda as a Kildani sympathizer, sources close to the Erbil archdiocese have a different take, saying the archbishop is focused on trying to avoid Sako's political fight, especially amid the fracturing reality of a country in which ISIS remains a threat, especially for Christians -- with ISIS attacks in Iraq and Syria reportedly set to double this year. The Chaldean Catholic Church is one of the 23 Eastern Catholic sui iuris churches in the Catholic communion. Headquartered in Baghdad, the church has more than 600,000 Catholics -- but because of decades of violence and instability in the region, it is difficult to estimate how many live in Iraq, and how many live in diaspora, either in the United States, Europe, Australia, or across the Middle East. The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) conducted capacity-building support with its counterparts in the Philippines, particularly on onboard boat maneuvering and fire-fighting exercises. The activity is part of Japans broader commitment to assist the Philippines in developing its maritime and disaster response capacities. - Advertisement - The JCG conducted this through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from August 25 to September 7. The JCGs Mobile Cooperation Team (MCT) delivered hands-on technical guidance to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) crew operating a 97-meter class patrol vessel and two 44-meter class patrol vessels, all provided by Japan. These training are directly aligned with the field operations of the PCG, ensuring that the crews are better equipped to handle maritime challenges. Before this, Japan and the Philippines had conducted joint disaster response exercises as part of its four-year Japan-Philippines Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) Cooperation Project Framework. The framework seeks to enhance the disaster readiness of both countries, preparing them to effectively respond to natural calamities like volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes, and floods. Boracay Island, the world-renowned beach destination in Malay, Aklan, experienced a 4.92 percent decline in tourist arrivals from January to August this year, according to latest data from the Malay Tourism Office. The island recorded only 1.4 million tourist arrivals, a drop of over 75,000 visitors compared to the 1.5 million recorded during the same period last year. - Advertisement - In August alone, Boracay welcomed 127,459 domestic tourists, down from 138,819 in the same month of 2023. Foreign tourist numbers also fell significantly, with only 30,596 recorded in August 2024a 19.46 percent decrease from the 37,990 foreign visitors noted last year. The majority of international tourists hailed from South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States. The Tourism Office attributes the decline primarily to the decrease in Chinese tourist arrivals due to ongoing maritime disputes, as well as limited regional flights to Kalibo International Airport and Caticlan Airport from major hubs like Incheon, South Korea, and Taipei, Taiwan. Despite the drop, Boracay still managed to cater to 1.1 million domestic tourists and 292,385 foreign nationals in the first eight months of the year. The months of May, June, and July alone accounted for 480,570 domestic travelers, representing 42 percent of total arrivals. Although international visitor numbers have dipped, Boracay remains optimistic, forecasting over 2.3 million tourists by the end of 2024. Last year, the island attracted around 2.1 million tourists. Boracay continues to shine on the global stage, being recognized recently as one of the 8 Most Visited Island Destinations in Asia by Times Travel of the Times of India. The allure of Boracay remains strong, but the island faces ongoing challenges that need addressing to sustain and boost its tourism industry in the coming months. The boys love (BL) genre, which found renewed popularity in the Philippines during the pandemic, remains an evolving space for creators like director Xion Lim of Oxin Films. Though the genre originated in Japan in the 1970s, it was Thailand that brought BL into the mainstream with hits like 2Gether (2020). During the lockdown, the Philippines experienced its own BL moment, with series such as Gameboys, Hello Stranger, Gaya Sa Pelikula, and Lims My Day capturing the attention of audiences. These shows became a staple for Filipinos working from home and binge-watching content. - Advertisement - Lim recently hosted a screening in Quezon City for his latest BL series, Sky Valley, which was attended by celebrity friends and cast members. The Sky Valley cast on the set of the BL series In an interview, Lim addressed the question of whether the genre remains relevant. If we look at countries like Thailand, theyre still making BL. As for Oxin Films, I want to continue doing this to keep the Philippines representation in the BL world. Tuluy-tuloy pa rin akong gagawa, Lim said. Marami pa rin talagang nag-aabang ng magandang kuwento. This is my advocacy, to create a series that can be watched by many on a free platform like YouTube. Despite the initial surge of excitement around Filipino BL series, production has slowed, and fewer new titles are being developed. Some notable actors from popular BL pairings have moved on to solo projects, and fan demand for more seasons or films remains unmet. The genre, once a rising star, now faces questions about its longevity. But Lim is determined to keep the flame alive, stating that the genre is not a fad and that it continues to receive strong support. His new series, Sky Valley, currently streaming on Oxin Films YouTube channel, has been amassing at least 1 million views per episode. Set in the scenic Sky Valley Resort in Zamboanga City, the show follows the relationship between Fourth, a guest, and Junjun, a horseman at the resort. Alongside this storyline, a GL (girls love) subplot features Paris, a travel vlogger, and Taylor, the daughter of the resort owner. Sky Valley stars Tim Tuppil (left) and James Lucero Angelgrace America (left) and Lienel Navidads characters Paris and Taylor are involved in a GL subplot in the show The chemistry between the actors has been praised, particularly the authenticity of both the BL and GL pairings. Lim also emphasized the significance of incorporating Chavacano, a Spanish-based creole spoken in Zamboanga City, into the series, adding a cultural layer to the story. Believing that the genre is here to stay, driven by the support from local and international audiences, Lim expressed his desire to continue creating both BL and GL stories. He highlighted the global reach of his content, with viewers from countries such as India, Indonesia, and the U.S. tuning in. Filipinos and the LGBTQIA+ community are being represented properly in the series we produce at Oxin, he said. Lims commitment to offering free shows on YouTube remains part of his advocacy to tell and spread stories from the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community. Sky Valley airs new episodes every Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 p.m. on Oxin Films YouTube channel. In the rapidly evolving real estate landscape, innovation and customer-centricity have become essential for market leaders. At delaware Philippines recent Industry Brunch and Learn event titled Transforming Real Estate: Utilizing SAP S/4HANA for Digital Innovation and Market Leadership, real estate industry experts explored how digital transformation can reshape the real estate sector, emphasizing the role of technology and communication in addressing internal challenges and enhancing customer experiences. The real estate industry has seen numerous opportunities for growth and transformation, yet setbacks continue to hinder organizations from fully capitalizing on them. As one of the events keynote speakers, Property Guru and Author Carl Dy, emphasized that the true hurdles often lie within organizations, rather than in external factors like competition or market shifts. - Advertisement - The true hurdles often lie within overburdened employees, inefficient processes, and poor communication. These internal issues not only affect the workforce but also lead to subpar customer experiences, eroding trust and loyalty, said Dy. Dy identified communication gaps as a critical pain point throughout the customer journey. Whether its delayed responses from agents or a lack of updates post-purchase, these lapses can significantly frustrate customers. Dy urged real estate companies to shift from a sales-centric approach to one that fosters long-term relationships through improved communication, transparency, and strategic use of technology. delaware Industry Leader for Real Estate Aldin Anos agreed, underscoring in his talk how delaware and SAP S/4HANA can partner with real estate organizations to address these industry specific challenges. Technology is a powerful enabler. Its effectiveness is amplified when paired with process improvements and a cultural shift within organizations. Many real estate companies still rely on outdated systems and manual processes, leading to inefficiencies and errors which in turn causes to setbacks that hinders these organizations to grow, said Anos. Specific technology like SAP S/4HANA is, according to Anos, offers a comprehensive suite of tools tailored to meet the specific needs of real estate businesses. From project management to financial accounting and customer relationship management, SAP S/4HANA can streamline operations, reduce errors, and ultimately enhance the customer experience. These customized solutions are something delaware offers. We want to help industry leaders realize that addressing unique challenges in the real estate industrysuch as portfolio management, contract and lease management, and third-party managementthrough technology and communication can be a huge win for both the customer and the business, said Rosette Carrao, Partner and Delivery Head of delaware Philippines. Senior Vice President for Customer Success at delaware Philippines Simone Pigason echoes the statement. She explained that while the event aimed to show real estate organizations how technology can transform their processes, it is also important to recognize that technology alone is not a complete solution for every challenge. The real estate industry landscape is changing, but what has not changed is the need for a people-first perspective. The key is not just in adopting technology, but in rethinking processes and strategies to fully leverage its capabilities. Those who embrace both conditions will be well-positioned to lead the industry into the future, said Pigason. The Industry Brunch and Learn event were attended by over 31 participants from real estate industry players such as PNB Holdings Corporation, Robinsons Land Corporation, Greenfield Development Corporation, San Miguel Properties, JG Summit Group of Companies, DATEM Incorporated, Trans Asia Construction Development Corporation, and Spectrum Properties. The event aimed to address key pain points in the real estate industry and demonstrate how SAP S/4HANA can revolutionize management practices by overcoming digital transformation challenges and showcasing actionable strategies and successful case studies. To learn more about delawares solutions and services, visit their website at https://www.delaware.pro/en-ph. A Martinsville man was charged with shooting another man in the leg and additional charges, but not before a nearly three-hour standoff Thursday night. At approximately 10:45 p.m., Henry County deputies when to 3681 Irisburg Road in Axton to arrest Raymond Dwayne Taylor Jr., 37, of 614 Stoney Mountain Road in Martinsville, on outstanding warrants for malicious wounding, used of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a felon, a release stated. Deputies learned that Taylor, armed with a firearm, had retreated to the basement of the home after they arrived and barricaded himself. They also determined another man was in the home with Taylor. The S.W.A.T. and the Crisis and Hostage Negotiations Teams were called to the scene and at approximately 1:33 a.m., negotiators made contact with Taylor by phone and talked him into surrendering to deputies, the release stated. Taylor, who was taken into custody without further incident in the front year at approximately 1:37 a.m., is now in the Henry County Adult Detention Center under no bond. The incident started at 9:04 p.m. on Wednesday when the 911 Communications Center received a call from Sovah Health in Martinsville in reference to Julius Alfonzo Page III, 44, of Martinsville, who had arrived at the emergency room with a gunshot wound to his right thigh. Page was treated and released for non-life threatening injuries and told investigators that he was walking on Lakewood Trail in the Laurel Park community when Page started yelling at him, produced a firearm, and shot him in the leg. Taylor was also on probation at the time in Henry County for burglary. The Virginia State Police assisted in the arrest of Taylor. Libyas Development and Reconstruction Fund has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Egyptian Arab Contractors Company providing for the construction of the Libyan segment of the international road linking Egypt, Libya, and Chad. According to a post on the Funds Facebook page, the road will extend over 393 kilometers from Al-Awaynat to the Egyptian border and to the Chadian border. The project aims to enhance connectivity between the three countries and facilitate trade and transportation across the region. The Fund announced that work on the project will commence soon. The road will eventually run up to the Red Sea, positioning it as a key commercial route for transit trade in its initial phase. This development is expected to significantly bolster regional trade and economic integration. On August 31, the government appointed by the House of Representatives suggested establishing a tripartite committee comprising Libya, Chad, and Egypt to explore the implementation of the international road project. During a meeting in NDjamena with Osama Hammad, the appointed head of the Libyan government, Chadian President Mohamed Idriss Deby announced that the Egyptian government is willing to finance the road project. However, this financing is contingent upon Libyas agreement and assurances of security for the companies involved in the construction. Experts warn of worsening flooding in South Sudan, with September and October expected to be the worst on record. Since late 2023, large areas of the country have been submerged, affecting around 710,000 people across 30 of its 78 counties, according to the UN. Social media posts show locals constructing dikes with minimal resources to protect their villages. South Sudan, historically prone to flooding from the Nile, has faced unprecedented levels since late 2019, worsened by climate change. This year, heavy rains and dam openings in Uganda are likely to exacerbate the situation. In Old Fangak, Jonglei state, Comboni missionary Father Pedro Salvador Matteo laments the lack of preparation and resources, noting that local youth are manually reinforcing dikes to protect their town. Similar concerns are echoed in Unity State, where flooding has destroyed crops and authorities are working to reinforce dikes around main towns to manage displaced populations. John Juan Buom, head of Unity States humanitarian efforts, warns that while reinforcing dikes is crucial, it will lead to overcrowding and strain on basic services, potentially causing epidemics and shortages in schools and medicines. With food distributions ending on September 15, he is urging authorities and the UN to secure additional funds to support flood-affected regions. On September 7, the Cape Verdean Government announced the establishment of Linhas Aereas de Cabo Verde, a new state-owned airline dedicated to inter-island flights. This move aims to address the ongoing operational issues and high costs that have plagued the sector. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, the airline, created entirely with public funds, was officially launched on Friday. The decision came in response to the instability of the previously sole domestic airline and the unattractiveness of the sector to private operators due to high costs. The government emphasized that while the domestic market is currently too small to sustain operations without support, the sector remains open to private operators. The new airline is expected to ensure reliable economic activity and essential services across the archipelago and improve tourist access to all islands. Previously, the concessionaire Bestfly left Cape Verde earlier this year, and Transportes Aereos de Cabo Verde (TACV), operating as Cabo Verde Airlines (CVA), leased planes to maintain domestic routes. The creation of Linhas Aereas de Cabo Verde fulfills the governments promise to stabilize domestic air transport for passengers and cargo. On Saturday evening, the Sudanese authorities, now headquartered in Port Sudan in the east, strongly rejected the UNs proposal for deploying an impartial civilian protection force. In a late-night press release on September 7, Sudanese officials sharply criticized the UN Human Rights Councils recommendations, which included an arms embargo and the establishment of a peacekeeping force. The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs argued that the Human Rights Council should focus on supporting the national process rather than imposing external mechanisms, accusing the organization of being an illegitimate political body. Supporters of General al-Burhan claim that the RSF militias are the primary perpetrators of attacks on civilians and civilian institutions. A report by UN Human Rights Council experts, released on September 6, details a series of severe human rights violations and international crimes, many of which can be classified as crimes against humanity. These violations are attributed to both sides in the conflict that began on April 15, 2023, leading to tens of thousands of civilian deaths and the displacement of over ten million Sudanese. China has announced a substantial financial commitment to Africa, promising 360 billion yuan (about $50.7 billion) over the next three years in credit lines and investments. This pledge, made during the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), marks a significant step in Chinas ongoing engagement with the continent. The new funds will support 30 infrastructure projects aimed at improving trade links across Africa. Additionally, China plans to launch 30 clean energy projects and offer cooperation on nuclear technology to address the continents power deficit. While the commitment surpasses Chinas 2021 pledge, it falls short of the $60 billion promised in both 2015 and 2018. This shift reflects Chinas more cautious approach to overseas lending in recent years, focusing on small and beautiful projects due to domestic economic pressures and increased debt risks among African nations. Notably absent from the announcements was any substantial debt relief, which many African countries had hoped for. Instead, China urged other creditors to participate in debt restructuring efforts. The forum also saw individual agreements, with Ethiopia and Mauritius announcing new currency swap lines with Chinas central bank. Kenya reported progress in talks to restart lending for key projects. Despite the lack of debt relief, many African leaders expressed optimism about Chinas increased commitments to the continents security, humanitarian challenges, and non-financial affairs. The summit underscores Chinas ongoing efforts to maintain its influential position in Africa amid growing competition from other global powers. Ethiopias Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has issued a strong warning to potential aggressors, stating that anyone planning to invade his country should think 10 times before doing so. This bold statement comes at a time of escalating tensions with neighboring Somalia and Egypt. The root of the conflict lies in Ethiopias recent maritime pact with the self-declared republic of Somaliland, which Somalia views as an act of aggression against its territorial integrity. In response, Somalia has strengthened its military ties with Egypt, a move that further complicates the regional dynamics. This tension adds to the ongoing dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile. Egypt, concerned about its water supply, has reportedly planned to send troops to Somalia following a military pact between the two nations. Despite the rising tensions, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized that Ethiopia has no intention of creating conflict. However, he asserted the nations readiness to defend itself, stating that Ethiopia has a history of repelling invaders. The situation is further complicated by Somalias demand for Ethiopian troops to withdraw from the African Union force in the country next year. Meanwhile, Egypt accuses Ethiopia of threatening its water supply with the construction of the GERD. As regional alliances shift and tensions simmer, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to these complex geopolitical challenges in the Horn of Africa. 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: Hierarchical distribution of connections represented in colors on the surface of a human brain. Credit: Varga, L. et al. in Cell Systems (2024) Researchers have developed an innovative approach to studying brain connections using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Recently published in Cell Systems, this work introduces a new way of understanding brain architecture through dynamic functional networks, challenging the traditional static approach. The study was done by researchers from the Institute for Neurosciences (IN), a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Miguel Hernandez University (UMH) of Elche, along with a team from the Transylvanian Institute of Neuroscience (Romania), and in collaboration with experts from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia. The study has revealed that delays in communication between brain regions are crucial to understanding the organization of functional networks. Unlike conventional methods that average a single static network, the team used an approach that studies the temporal evolution of connection strength, analyzing their statistical distribution rather than their average activation. This has allowed them to discover a brain architecture that is both robust and dynamic. "The connection speed between brain regions and integration times are variable, which introduces communication delays. Our objective has been to incorporate these delays into the analysis of functional connectivity to develop a more precise and sensitive method," explains researcher Santiago Canals, who leads the Brain Networks Pasticity laboratory at the IN. The results of this research reveal the existence of a functional backbone formed by robust, delay-free interactions, complemented by a large number of weaker connections whose strength fluctuates over time, adding flexibility to the brain's functional architecture. Graphical abstract. Credit: Cell Systems (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.07.003 "This dynamic approach better captures the brain's constantly changing reality. It has enabled us to obtain comparable results in rats, marmosets, and humans, with extraordinary consistency when the same subject is scanned repeatedly over time, which is uncommon in the field of magnetic resonance," Canals emphasizes. One of the most significant discoveries of the study is the identification of the "backbone"a set of robust and stable functional connections that serve as the core of communication in the brain. Although these connections represent less than 10% of all those studied, they play a crucial role in the overall cohesion of brain networks, maintaining robust connectivity that ensures efficient communication between different regions. "Efficiency in network communication is dramatically reduced when these connections are compromised, underscoring their importance in the brain's functional structure. Meanwhile, the weaker and more dynamic connections amplify the system's potential functional states, providing flexibility," concludes Canals. To conduct this study, scientists used fMRI data from rats, non-human primates, humans, and patients with alcohol use disorder. These findings open new avenues for identifying more precise and sensitive brain biomarkers capable of detecting subtle alterations in neuronal networks, which could have significant implications for diagnosing neuropsychiatric diseases. These results were made possible through a joint international collaboration that brought experts from various fields together. Canals emphasizes that the research was only possible with a multidisciplinary team. The laboratory led by Maria Ercsey-Ravasz at the Transylvanian Institute of Neurosciences (TINS) has extensive experience in the physics of complex networks. At the same time, Raul C. Muresan's lab at the same institution focuses on developing advanced tools for time series analysis. David Moratal's group from the Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (CBIT) at the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia also contributed to the study. More information: Levente Varga et al, Brain dynamics supported by a hierarchy of complex correlation patterns defining a robust functional architecture, Cell Systems (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.07.003 Journal information: Cell Systems 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 Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) can be trained to detect lung disease in premature babies by analyzing their breathing patterns while they sleep, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria. The study was presented by Edgar Delgado-Eckert, adjunct professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Basel, and a research group leader at the University Children's Hospital, Switzerland. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a breathing problem that can affect premature babies. When a newborn's lungs are undeveloped at birth, they often need support from a ventilator or oxygen therapytreatment which can stretch and inflame their lungs, causing BPD. But identifying BPD is difficult. Lung function tests usually require an adult to blow out on requestsomething babies cannot doso current techniques require sophisticated equipment to measure an infant's lung ventilation characteristics. As a result, BPD is one of only a few diseases that is typically diagnosed by the presence of one of its main causes, prematurity and respiratory support. ANNs are mathematical models used for classification and prediction. In order to make accurate predictions, an ANN needs to first be trained with a large amount of data, which presents a problem when it comes to BPD. Professor Delgado-Eckert explains, "Until recently, this need for large amounts of data has hindered efforts to create accurate models for lung disease in infants, because it is so difficult to assess their lung function. "But there is an alternative. We can measure a baby's breathing while they sleep. All this needs is a soft face mask, with a sensor that can measure the air flow and volume entering and leaving the infant's nose. This equipment is cheap and available at any clinical facility. "Such measurements of several consecutive breathswhat we call tidal breathingcan yield large amounts of good quality sequential flow data. We wanted to try and use this data to train an ANN to detect BPD. Professor Delgado-Eckert's team studied a group of 139 full term and 190 premature infants who had been assessed for BPD, recording their breathing for ten minutes while they slept. For each baby, 100 consecutive regular breaths, carefully inspected to exclude sighs or other artifacts, were used to train, validate, and test a type of ANN called a Long Short-Term Memory model (LSTM), which is particularly effective at classifying sequential data such as tidal breathing. The team used 60% of the data to teach the network how to recognize BPD, 20% to validate the model (to ensure it wasn't too fixed on the training data), and then fed the remaining 20% of the data to the model, unseen, to see if it could correctly identify those babies with BPD. The LSTM model was able to classify a series of flow values in the unseen test data set as one that belonged to a patient who was diagnosed with BPD or not with 96% accuracy. Professor Delgado-Eckert added, "Our research delivers, for the first time, a comprehensive way of analyzing the breathing of infants, and allows us to detect which babies have BPD as early as one month of corrected agethe age they would be if they had been born on their due dateby using the ANN to identify abnormalities in their breathing patterns. "Our non-invasive test is less distressing for the baby and their parents, means they can access treatment more quickly, and may also be relevant for their long-term prognosis" The team now hope to investigate whether the model could also be used to test babies just a few weeks after birth, to analyze lung function and predict symptoms in older, school-age children, and to test for other conditions, such as asthma. Professor Angela Zacharasiewicz is Chair of the ERS Pediatric Asthma and Allergy Group and Head of the Department of Pediatrics, Klinik Ottakring, and was not involved in the research. She said, "Testing the function of the lung in premature babies using new techniques will improve therapeutical decision making. The earlier we can confirm BPD in a premature infant, the quicker we can make an informed decision about the best form of respiratory support to give them during their first weeks of life. It could also allow for the earlier planning of follow-up assessments and potential interventions, reducing stress for parents and their children. "This research shows the huge potential AI has in simplifying this process. This technique could be used for testing larger numbers of babies and could also be applied to other diseases, such as asthma. "It's exciting to see how AI tools like these can potentially support our health services." More information: Abstract no: OA4655 "Detection of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants with an artificial neural network (ANN) trained using air flow time series (TS) measured during tidal breathing (Tb)", by Edgar Delgado-Eckert et al; Presented in session, "Assessment of ventilation in awake and sleeping children" at 11:00-12:15 CEST on Tuesday 10 September 2024. [k4.ersnet.org/prod/v2/Front/Pr ?e=549&session=17949] Provided by European Respiratory Society 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: Similar to generative AI models that create pictures based on a photo, or a textual description of a motive, in the style of different artists, the VirtualMultiplexer produces virtual colorations for specific cellular markers within a tissue. A standard dye routinely performed in cancer pathology, termed hematoxylin/eosin (H/E) staining, serves as its input. Credit: Zhu et al. ICCV, 2017 / M. Rapsomaniki (UNIL-CHUV) A study published in Nature Machine Intelligence introduces an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of creating virtual colorations of cancer tissue. The study, co-led by scientists at the Universities of Lausanne and Bern, is a major step forward in enhancing pathology analysis and diagnostics of cancer. Through a combination of innovative computational techniques, a team of computer scientists, biologists, and clinicians led by Marianna Rapsomaniki at the University of Lausanne and Marianna Kruithof-de Julio at the University of Bern has developed a novel approach to analyzing cancer tissue. Driven by the motivation to overcome missing experimental data, a challenge that researchers often face when working with limited patient tissues, the scientists have created the "VirtualMultiplexer": an artificial intelligence (AI) model that generates virtual pictures of diagnostic tissue colorations. Virtual staining: A new frontier in cancer research Employing generative AI, the tool creates accurate and detailed images of a cancer tissue that imitate what its staining for a given cellular marker would look like. Such specific dyes can provide important information on the status of a patient's cancer and play a major role in diagnosis. "The idea is that you only need one actual tissue coloration that is done in the lab as part of routine pathology, to then simulate which cells in that tissue would dye positive for several other, more specific markers," explains Rapsomaniki, a computer scientist and AI expert at the Biomedical Data Science Center of the University of Lausanne and the Lausanne University Hospital, and co-corresponding author of the study. The technology reduces the need to perform resource-intensive laboratory analyses and is intended to complement information obtained from experiments. "Our model can be very helpful when the available tissue material is limited, or when experimental stainings cannot be done for other reasons," adds Pushpak Pati, the study's first author. Understanding the method: Contrastive unpaired translation To understand the underlying methodology termed "contrastive unpaired translation," one can imagine a mobile phone app that predicts what a young person would look like at an older age. Based on a current photo, the app produces a virtual image simulating a person's future appearance. It achieves this by processing information from thousands of pictures of other, unrelated, aged individuals. As the algorithm learns "what an old person looks like," it can apply this transformation to any given photo. Similarly, the VirtualMultiplexer transforms a photo of one coloration that broadly distinguishes different regions within a cancer tissue into images depicting which cells in that tissue stain positive for a given marker molecule. This becomes possible by training the AI model on numerous pictures of other tissues, on which these dyes were done experimentally. Once having learned the logic defining a real-life dyed picture, the VirtualMultiplexer is capable of applying the same style to a given tissue image and generating a virtual version of the desired dye. Preventing hallucinations: Ensuring performance and clinical relevance The scientists applied a rigorous validation process to ensure that the virtual pictures are clinically meaningful and not just AI-generated outputs that seem plausible but are in fact false inventions, termed "hallucinations." They tested how well the artificial images predict clinical outcomes, such as patients' survival or disease progression, compared to existing data from real-life stained tissues. The comparison confirmed that the virtual dyes are not only accurate but also clinically useful, which shows that the model is reliable and trustworthy. Moving deeper, the researchers took the VirtualMultiplexer to the so-called Turing test. Named after the founding father of modern AI, Alan Turing, this test determines whether an AI can produce outputs that are indistinguishable from those created by humans. By asking expert pathologists to tell apart traditional stained images from the AI-generated colorations, the authors found out that the artificial creations are perceived as close to identical to real pictures, showing their model's effectiveness. Multiscale approach: A major advancement One of the major breakthroughs setting apart the VirtualMultiplexer is its multiscale approach. Traditional models often focus on examining the tissue at either a microscopic (cell level) or macroscopic (overall tissue) scale. The model proposed by the team from Lausanne and Bern considers three different scales of the structure of a cancer tissue: its global appearance and architecture, the relationships between neighboring cells, and detailed characteristics of individual cells. This holistic approach allows for a more accurate representation of the tissue image. Implications for cancer research and beyond The study marks a significant advance in oncology research, complementing existing experimental data. By generating high-quality simulated stainings, the VirtualMultiplexer can help experts formulate hypotheses, prioritize experiments, and advance their understanding of cancer biology. Marianna Kruithof-de Julio, head of the Urology Research Laboratory at the University of Bern, and co-corresponding author of the study, sees important potential for future applications. "We developed our tool using tissues from people affected by prostate cancer. In the paper we also showed that it works similarly well for pancreatic tumorsmaking us confident that it can be useful for many other disease types." The innovative approach also has the potential to support so-called foundation AI models in biological studies. The power of such models is their ability to learn through the processing of vast amounts of data in a self-supervised manner, allowing them to understand the logic behind complex structures and acquire the ability to perform different types of tasks. "The available data for rare tissues is scarce. The VirtualMultiplexer can fill these gaps by generating realistic images rapidly and at no cost, and thereby help future foundation models to analyze and describe tissue characteristics in multiple different ways. This will pave the way for new discoveries in research and diagnosis," concludes Rapsomaniki. More information: Accelerating histopathology workflows with generative AI-based virtually multiplexed tumour profiling', Nature Machine Intelligence (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42256-024-00889-5 Journal information: Nature Machine Intelligence 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 Supplies of several crucial obstetric medicines are running short in Australia, putting the health of pregnant women at risk and highlighting systemic issues impacting reliable access to safe and effective treatment in pregnancy, according to a new assessment published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA). "Australia's supply and access issues in prescription medicine during pregnancy are significant concerns, and caused by several converging problems," said lead author A/Prof Stefan Kane, Director of Maternity Services (Medical) at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne. "We urgently need to address these and build a system that puts the health of pregnant women and their babies first." The authors say an urgent fix is needed to stem and prevent shortages and call for the government to create a publicly-funded entity dedicated to registering, importing and manufacturing critical medications for use during pregnancy. This would reduce the current reliance on off-label prescribing and ensure a continuous supply of essential pharmaceutical treatments for conditions including pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), post-partum hemorrhage (bleeding after delivery), and nausea. Additionally, the article calls for reforms in the way regulators assess and categorize medicines to provide more clinically relevant information on safety and efficacy, and to explore novel and safe strategies to include pregnant women in clinical trials. Co-author Prof Amanda Henry, Program Head of Women's Health in Australia for The George Institute for Global Health, Professor of Women's Health at the School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, and Councilor for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RANZCOG), says pregnant women are significantly underrepresented in pharmacological clinical trials, primarily due to historical biases creating a reluctance to study the effects of medications in this population. This exclusion results in clinicians having limited evidence on the safety and efficacy of drugs during pregnancy, leading to undertreatment for conditions both related and unrelated to pregnancy, and potential harms from inappropriate dosing or from newer, more effective treatments not being approved for this population. The authors welcome the recent statement by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) advocating for sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation to be routinely considered in health and medical research as an important initial step to addressing this imbalance. "The exclusion of pregnant women and women of reproductive age from clinical trials not only puts them at risk but also denies them the benefits of medical advancements that other populations enjoy," Prof Henry says. "It's time to reframe the system so it proportionately considers the risks of including these women in trials AND factors in the inequity and risks of NOT including them." The review highlights that many essential medications used in pregnancy are old, off-patent, or prescribed off-label. This makes them commercially unattractive for pharmaceutical companies, resulting in regular supply constraints and frequent discontinuation. "We are in a perilous situation where pregnant women are vulnerable to the whims of market forces," A/Prof Kane says. "The lack of incentive for pharmaceutical companies to register and maintain the supply of older, off-patent drugs used in pregnancy is putting lives at risk." The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RANZCOG, the College) supports the article's recommendations and has already called for urgent intervention to prevent worsening shortages. Earlier this year, the college convened a roundtable bringing together key stakeholders to workshop possible solutions. "Medicine and device shortages in pregnancy and women's health are longstanding issues that continue to impact patient care. Solutions may not be simple, but we must be fully committed to working together to overcome these challenges," said Dr. Anna Clare, Co-Chair of the roundtable. The Perspective article in MJA serves as a call to action for health care professionals, policymakers, and pharmaceutical companies to collaborate and prioritize the needs of pregnant women. By implementing the suggested strategies, Australia can pre-empt the supply issues in prescription medicine and safeguard the health of expectant mothers and women of reproductive age. More information: Stefan C Kane et al, Pharmaceuticals in pregnancy: a multifaceted challenge in Australia, Medical Journal of Australia (2024). DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52421 Journal information: Medical Journal of Australia 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: Spermatogenic failure in cryptorchidism is due to abnormal spermatogonia, activated mast cells, and impaired testicular niche. Credit: Wang Xiaoyan and Zhuang Ziyan Cryptorchidism is a common congenital abnormality in male newborns. Studies have found that cryptorchidism is associated with a high prevalence of male infertility, with nearly 10% of men with fertility problems having a history of cryptorchidism. However, the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism that leads to male infertility in adulthood has yet to be fully understood. Prof. Guo Jingtao from the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, collaborated with researchers from the Peking University Third Hospital and Peking University First Hospital, carried out systematic studies in their recent study to decode the pathogenesis of spermatogenic failure in cryptorchidism. The research is published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine. A total of 46 adult patients with cryptorchidism were included in this study through single-cell transcriptomic sequencing of testicular tissue, histologic validation, and seminal plasma secretory protein assay. Results showed that in cryptorchidism, the impairment of spermatogenesis is mainly due to problems with the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonia. Researchers also looked into the role of other cells in the testes, including immune cells, and found that mast cells are activated and release certain molecules that contribute to testis fibrosis. Moreover, elevated levels of certain proteins in the seminal plasma, such as chymase, CXCL8, and PINP, indicate mast cell activation and fibrosis in the testes of individuals with cryptorchidism. These findings offer valuable insights into the development of testicular disease and can aid in medical decision-making for cryptorchidism. "We believe that the cutting-edge omics technology can help us extensively investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of male infertility, discover new target molecules, and provide important guidelines for developing personalized and graded diagnosis and treatment strategies," said Prof. Guo. The team will use artificial intelligence to identify, characterize, and simulate clinical differences in individual male infertility patients. Future studies will aim to pinpoint new intervention mechanisms and targets, so as to facilitate research and development as well as clinical practice for high-quality innovation translation, according to Prof. Guo. More information: Xiaoyan Wang et al, Decoding the pathogenesis of spermatogenic failure in cryptorchidism through single-cell transcriptomic profiling, Cell Reports Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101709 Journal information: Cell Reports Medicine This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The computer systems run by the consulting giant Deloitte that millions of Americans rely on for Medicaid and other government benefits are prone to errors that can take years and hundreds of millions of dollars to update. While states wait for fixes from Deloitte, beneficiaries risk losing access to health care and food. Changes needed to fix Deloitte-run eligibility systems often pile on costs to the government that are much higher than the original contracts, which can slow the process of fixing errors. It has become a big problem across the country. Twenty-five states have awarded Deloitte contracts for eligibility systems, giving the company a stronghold in a lucrative segment of the government benefits business. The agreements, in which the company commits to design, develop, implement, or operate state-owned systems, are worth at least $6 billion, dwarfing any of its competitors, a KFF Health News investigation found. Problems and delays can extend beyond Medicaidwhich provides health coverage to roughly 75 million low-income peoplebecause some state systems assess eligibility for other safety-net programs. Whether a person gets the benefits they are entitled to depends on what the computer says. There is no automatic switch to stop errors in the system, said Elizabeth Edwards, a senior attorney with the National Health Law Program, a nonprofit that advocates for people with low incomes and medically underserved populations. The group in January filed a complaint urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Deloitte, alleging "ongoing and nationwide" errors and "unfair and deceptive trade practices." "People will go without care," Edwards said, and until there's a fix or a workaround, "you will continue to have the harm over and over again." Kenneth Smith, a Deloitte executive who leads its national human services division, previously told KFF Health News that Medicaid eligibility technology is state-owned and agencies "direct their operation" and "make decisions about the policies and processes that they implement." Smith has called the legal nonprofit's allegations "without merit." States set aside millions of dollars to cover the cost of changes, but systems may require fixes beyond the agreed-upon work. The number of hours or updates is capped each year, so states are left to prioritize certain fixes over others. And even though Deloitte isn't reinventing the wheel for each eligibility system it builds or runs, the company addresses problems state by state rather than patching through fixes for systems across states, Smith saida change request in one state "likely has absolutely nothing to do with another state." "Because of the custom nature of these systems, it's never quite that simplistic as, 'Hey, a particular issue that's arisen in state of A is directly applicable to state of B,'" Smith said. Speaking generally, Smith said, "I'm unaware of any circumstance in which a client has needed to get something done that we haven't found a way to get it done." The work is lucrative for Deloitte, which reported global revenue of $65 billion in fiscal year 2023. Deloitte's estimates show that 35 change requests for Georgia's eligibility system in 2023 would take more than 104,000 hours of work, according to a list of change requests that KFF Health News obtained in response to a public records request. That's the equivalent of 50 years of work, if someone worked 52 weeks a year at 40 hours a week. "System changes were made to align with changing federal and state policies, as well as to meet evolving business needs," said Ellen Brown, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Human Services. Brown earlier said changes were also made to "improve functionality." The federal governmentthat is, its taxpayerscovers 90% of states' costs to develop and implement state Medicaid eligibility systems and pays 75% of ongoing maintenance and operations expenses, according to federal regulations. Eligibility systems for years have posed problems for states because of the dynamic between contractors and government officials, said Matt Salo, CEO of consulting firm Salo Health Strategies. The companies hold the expertise "and, quite frankly, they're kind of running circles around the state capacity," said Salo, a former executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors. "For decades all I've heard from states in this arena is: We know that when we go out to contract it's going to cost us a lot of money and it is going to run over, it is going to deliver years late, it is going to deliver millions if not hundreds of millions of dollars over budget," Salo said, and "by the time it's delivered, our needs have changed and so it's just this constant process of change orders and going back and fixing." Going to court in Florida Two advocacy groups last August sued Florida in federal court, alleging tens of thousands of people were losing coverage without proper warning. And Florida's eligibility system was cutting off Medicaid coverage for some moms after giving birth, William Roberts, a state employee who reviews Medicaid eligibility decisions, testified when the case went to trial in July. Florida previously gave moms two months of Medicaid coverage after giving birth. Federal regulators in 2022 approved Florida's proposal to grant Medicaid benefits for 12 months. But in April 2023, state officials discovered a "glitch," Roberts said, and "the system had reverted back to only giving mothers two months instead of giving them the 12 months that they were entitled to." What became clear in the testimony is that the state and Deloitte take different views on what constitutes a "defect" in a Deloitte-run system. Deloitte said it would fix defects without billing any additional hours for the work. Although Deloitte is not a named defendant in the lawsuit, the company was called to testify about its role in operating Florida's eligibility system. Harikumar Kallumkal, a Deloitte managing director who oversees the Florida system, initially testified that, in this case, there was no problem and "the computer system was providing 12 months" of postpartum coverage. Then Kallumkal said, "Even in this case, I do not believe it was a defect." Even so, "we did fix that." And for the fix, he said, Deloitte "did not charge" the state. Rather, a separate defect may have resulted in coverage losses for mothers after childbirth, Kallumkal testified. Some historical data "required to determine postpartum coverage" was not loading into the system, Kallumkal said. "I don't know how many cases it impacted," he said, but Deloitte fixed the problem. The courtroom revelation confirmed what Florida advocates already knew: an eligibility system issue prevented some of the state's most vulnerable from getting care. Florida denied allegations that it terminated Medicaid coverage without providing adequate notice. The case is ongoing. When Michigan resumed regular Medicaid eligibility checks following the COVID-19 pandemic, advocates saw a concerning trend. The computer system routinely fails to recognize when certain adults with disabilities should receive Medicaid benefits, said Dawn Calnen, executive director of The Arc of Oakland County, which provides support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Often, a person who qualifies for Medicaid initially for one reason could remain eligible even when life circumstances change. Calnen said there's no question that the people her group assisted are still eligible, just in a different way than during the pandemic. The problem is frequent enough that Calnen's group felt compelled to notify others. "We kind of shout it from the rooftop for people: Know that this is going to happen." When asked about the problem, Chelsea Wuth, a spokesperson for Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services, said there were "no issues" with the system. Deloitte operates Michigan's eligibility system. The company said it does not comment on state-specific issues. Tennessee hired Deloitte in 2016 to build an eligibility system after the state canceled a contract with Northrop Grumman due to chronic delays. Deloitte didn't create the Tennessee system, known as TEDS, from scratch. It built on components from Georgia's system, according to a legal declaration and a deposition of Kimberly Hagan, Tennessee Medicaid's director of member services, that were part of a class-action lawsuit that Medicaid beneficiaries filed against the state in 2020. The lawsuit, which is ongoing and does not name Deloitte as a defendant, seeks to order Tennessee to restore coverage under its Medicaid program, known as TennCare, for those who wrongly lost it. Hagan, in a court filing, said many problems "reflect some unforeseen flaws or gaps" with the Tennessee eligibility system and "some design errors." A federal judge on Aug. 26 sided with the Medicaid beneficiaries, ruling that Tennessee violated federal law and the U.S. Constitution. "Poor, disabled, and otherwise disadvantaged Tennesseans should not require luck, perseverance, or zealous lawyering to receive health care benefits they are entitled to under the law," wrote U.S. District Court Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw Jr., adding, "TEDS is flawed, and TennCare knows that it is flawed." Tennessee Medicaid spokesperson Amy Lawrence said the state is "determining what our next steps will be." Tennessee's $823 million contract with Deloitte shows that the budget for changes outside the contract's original scope increased by hundreds of millions of dollars. Deloitte's maximum compensation for such change orders rose to $417 million under a 2023 contract amendment, up from $103.6 million four years earlier. Lawrence said state officials "do not and would not pay to fix vendor errors." Lawrence attributed the cost increases to "system modernization" in "an effort to enhance our citizens' interactions with the state Medicaid program." Additional funding was also needed to comply with new federal requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. Waiting on fixes States sometimes wait so long for Deloitte's fixes that the staffers who worked on the problems don't see the results. Jamie Perkins was responsible for making letters easier for Colorado Medicaid enrollees to understand. The letters are generated by Colorado's Deloitte-run eligibility system. State audits have found that the notices confuse enrollees and contain errors. Perkins said she left her job in 2021, frustrated that many of her fixes hadn't been implemented. "It feels like a really perverse reward system, frankly, for Deloitte," Perkins said. "When Deloitte is themselves making a problem that did not originate with the department, the department is still paying them to fix those problems." The state's contract with Deloitte now outlines "protocols to address issues that are the result of the contractor," said Trish Grodzicki, a spokesperson for Colorado's Medicaid agency. As of June 30, Colorado "has made substantial improvements" and a "majority of the letters have been rewritten" and updated in the system, she said. Deloitte spokesperson Karen Walsh said "a change request can represent a number of different things," including when states make policy decisions that would warrant system updates. Smith said Deloitte views change requests and system issues, or defects, as different things. "We have a responsibility when there's a system issue to fix that," Walsh said. "We don't get a change request to fix an issue." Yet in Kentucky and other places, states have submitted change orders to resolve issues. Government officials and Deloitte sometimes negotiate fixes for months before they're implemented. Kentucky resident Beverly Likens lost Medicaid coverage in June 2023 partly due to an error with the state's Deloitte-run system. State health officials told a legal aid group in September 2023 that a "change order has been submitted" to fix the glitch, which blocked her new coverage application from getting through online. Likens, with the help of a lawyer, had her Medicaid benefits quickly reinstated, but that was far from the end of the saga. The problem that caused her benefits to lapse was resolved in April10 months laterwhen Kentucky implemented the first phase of a change request, Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services told KFF Health News. Agency spokesperson Brice Mitchell said the change request was designed to address a "limitation of the system rather than technical issues." The request, for which a second phase was implemented in July, cost $522,455 and took more than 3,500 hours of work, according to Mitchell and documents obtained in response to a public records request. All such requests "are thoroughly vetted, negotiated and approved by several areas within the Cabinet," Mitchell said in an emailed statement. "These are large, complex system implementations," Walsh, of Deloitte, said. "So in all of them, you're going to be able to find a point in time where there was an issue that needed to be fixed. And you can also find millions of people every day who are getting benefits through these systems." In February, Georgia officials were discussing a high-priority change request to resolve an ongoing problem: A defect affected potentially tens of thousands of "cases/claims" for families in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program that, among other problems, led the state to recoup some residents' entire benefit, according to state documents KFF Health News obtained from a public records request. The programs provide monthly cash assistance to low-income people for food and housing. Georgia in 2014 inked a contract with Deloitte to build and maintain its eligibility system, known as Georgia Gateway. Federal regulations cap how much money the government can recoup if a SNAP recipient was overpaid at 20% or $20, whichever is higher, according to legal aid attorneys and SNAP experts. "We have plenty of clients who, that is their entire grocery budget," said Adrianne Freeman, deputy director for litigation and advocacy at the Georgia Legal Services Program. The defectwhich Georgia DHS' Brown said was identified on April 29, 2022created several problems, including incorrect calculations of how much to recoup and clawbacks not occurring on the correct start dates. "The Gateway system did not consistently adjust or apply the recoupment amount correctly," Brown said. A fix was deployed the weekend of Feb. 17, the documents state, but a formal change request was needed to "allow the State Agency (SA) to correctly apply allotment reductions to all SNAP and TANF cases impacted by Defect 21068," the documents state. The change order would allow state officials to run an automated one-time mass update to fully resolve the problem. The target date for doing so: March 1. That was nearly two years after officials were provided an "original report" noting that more than 25,000 cases may have been affected, the documents state. Relying on workarounds States often face constraints on how many changes can be made in a year. In Texas, there is a years-long waitlist for changes, according to advocates, state documents, and the state health agency. "The system isn't nimble enough to meet the needs and often relies really heavily on manual workarounds," said Stacey Pogue, a senior research fellow at Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms with expertise on Medicaid in Texas. Texas eligibility workers use workarounds to process applications while awaiting permanent fixes. Deloitte said in its $295 million Texas contract that "there is a real need" for workarounds, which allow operations to continue "without affecting client benefits." Many of these "temporary" fixes were implemented years ago and were still in use in 2023, according to records obtained by KFF Health News that found 45 active workarounds in Texas last year. In one instance, a workaround was implemented nearly 14 years ago. Deloitte acknowledged in its Texas contract that reducing workarounds "is one of the top priorities." Smith of Deloitte said it doesn't always take months to fix a problem: "We have changes that get implemented in a day and changes that get implemented in a month." Further, Smith said, Deloitte "is one part of implementing a change," noting "we're often not necessarily the constraint." The state considers several factors when assessing which fixes to tackle first, including how many beneficiaries are affected. The more complex the workaround, "the longer it may take for staff to process eligibility," said Jennifer Ruffcorn, a spokesperson for Texas Health and Human Services. In Floridain addition to the lapses in coverage for maternal carethe National Health Law Program and the Florida Health Justice Project alleged in their lawsuit in federal court that notices to Medicaid beneficiaries alerting them their benefits would be terminated did not explain the basis for the decision. In October, about a month after the lawsuit was filed, the state asked Deloitte to provide an estimate to alter the notices, Kallumkal of Deloitte testified at trial in August. Deloitte estimated it would need roughly 28,000 hours, he said. That's more than twice the 12,600 hours the state sets aside each year to pay Deloitte for revisions. The extra hours would require an amended contract in which the state would have to agree to pay more. Florida's Department of Children and Families did not respond to requests for comment. For Deloitte, extra hours mean more revenue, Kallumkal acknowledged during his testimony while under cross-examination. Deloitte subsequently provided the state with a new estimate for a narrower scope of work that would take 12,000 hours, he said. 2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain According to two international studies presented at the ESMO Congress 2024, women who breastfeed after receiving treatment for breast cancer, including those with a germline BRCA mutation (an inherited change in BRCA genes that significantly increases the risk of developing certain cancers, especially breast cancer), do not face an increased risk of recurrence or developing new breast cancers. "Our study provides the first evidence on the safety of breastfeeding after breast cancer in young women carrying a germline BRCA mutation," said Dr. Eva Blondeaux, Oncologist, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy, who will present one of the studies. "This indicates the possibility for these women to achieve a balance between the needs of the mother and those of the baby." Given the hormone-driven nature of breast cancer, there were previously concerns about pregnancy and breastfeeding after the disease, as both involve changes in hormone levels. This was particularly true for women with the BRCA mutation, who remain at high risk of developing a second breast cancer in the other breast. While recent studies showed that neither assisted reproduction treatments nor pregnancy are associated with increased risk of recurrence or new cases of breast cancers, including in women carrying a germline BRCA mutation, until now very little evidence was available on the feasibility and safety of breastfeeding in these women. "I hope these new findings will improve the way we counsel these patients," said Blondeaux. The international study followed up nearly 5,000 young women carrying a germline BRCA mutation who had survived breast cancer. Nearly one in four of the 474 women who subsequently gave birth breastfed their baby; just under half were unable to breastfeed because they had had both breasts removed to reduce their future cancer risk. After a median follow-up of seven years from giving birth, there was no difference in the number of breast cancer recurrences or new breast cancers in women who breastfed their baby compared to those who did not breastfeed (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval 0.572.06, p=0.82). There was also no difference in disease-free survival or overall survival. A second new study that expands the investigation beyond BRCA, addressing women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer, showed similar results, with no risks associated with breastfeeding. "These results are key for women who wish to become pregnant and breastfeed their baby after breast cancer," said Dr. Fedro Alessandro Peccatori, Director of the Fertility & Procreation Unit at the European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy, a co-author of the study. "It's time to start thinking of breast cancer survivors as women with all the rights, needs and possibilities of women that never had cancer," he said. "Doctors were worried to give these women the chance of having a baby, but we have recently shown that this is safe in the short term. Now, with this new information, we can debunk the myth that breastfeeding is neither possible nor safe for breast cancer survivors. They can have a normal pregnancy and relationship with their baby, including breastfeeding." The international POSITIVE study included 518 women who temporarily interrupted their breast cancer treatment to have a baby; 317 had at least one live birth and nearly two in three of them breastfed (62%). At two years from the first live birth the proportion of women with breast cancer recurrence or new breast cancer was similar in those who breastfed (3.6%) as in those that did not breastfeed (3.1%). Commenting on the results, Dr. Maria Alice Franzoi, medical oncologist and researcher at Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France, not involved in the study, said, "There was previously a lack of high-quality data regarding the feasibility and safety of breastfeeding in young women who have been treated for breast cancer. "Until now, women and health care providers lacked information on whether breastfeeding is feasible after breast cancer surgery, on the safety of pausing adjuvant treatments for breastfeeding and on the hormonal changes related to it," she explained. However, she cautioned that follow-up of the studies should, ideally, continue for longer. "Data from these two studies will be extremely useful to guide our practical discussions with young women diagnosed with breast cancer," Franzoi continued. "We should start thinking and discussing about survivorship care planningincluding fertility preservation, pregnancy and breastfeeding for women who want to consider these optionsat the time of diagnosis, so that they are prepared and empowered across the entire breast cancer journey for shared decision making," she said. More information: Blondeaux E, Delucchi V, Mariamidze E et al. Breastfeeding after breast cancer in young BRCA carriers: results from an international cohort study. Abstract 1815O, presented at the ESMO Congress 2024 (13-17 September), Proffered Paper Session on Saturday, 14 September, 14:45-16:25 (CEST) in the Pamplona Auditorium - Hall 3. Azim HA, Niman S, Partridge AH et al. Breastfeeding in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who conceived after temporary interruption of endocrine therapy: Results from the POSITIVE trial. Abstract 1814O. presented at the ESMO Congress 2024 (13-17 September), Proffered Paper Session on Saturday, 14 September, 14:45-16:25 (CEST) in the Pamplona Auditorium - Hall 3. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Graphical abstract. Credit: Journal of Emergency Nursing (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2023.07.001 Samina Ali awoke with a start at 5 a.m. to the sound of her husband, Tim Graham, gasping for breath beside her. He was only 46 years old, but she knew immediately that his heart was in trouble. A physician and professor of pediatrics at the University of Alberta, Ali called 911, started chest compressions and sorted out care for their three children as Tim was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. It was a whirlwind of stress for the family that left Ali sleepless for months afterwards, even though Tim survived his cardiac arrest and was released from the hospital just two weeks later. "The cardiologist shook our hands and said, 'This is a miracle, it's such an incredible outcome. You should be so happy, have a great rest of your lives,'" Ali remembers. "We went home, and every time I had doubt, sadness or anger about what happened, it felt like a betrayal because our amazing care team told us we were so gosh darn lucky. "I know now that all the things that I felt were very normal feelings, but once you leave the hospital, there's no followup. You have to process all of it on your own." Ali had to seek out private counseling, including guided family debriefing, to deal with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Ali is hoping other families won't have to do the same on their own. She served as a survivor family adviser for a U of A-led study on the care needs of families of cardiac arrest patients, which proposed new clinical practice guidelines. Over the weekend, the paper won 2023 Article of the Year from the Emergency Nurses Association and the Journal of Emergency Nursing, which published the research. "It used to be that the guidance (for emergency medical services and hospital staff) was mostly about how to break bad news to families," says lead author Matthew Douma, an emergency nurse educator and adjunct professor of critical care medicine. "We want to reconceptualize that. Our research reflects that the families need to be heard, their presence respected and acknowledged early on. They need the right information provided in the right way at the right time." Critical moments Sixty thousand Canadians experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals each year. Only one in 10 survive, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. For Ali, her husband's cardiac arrest was a rude awakening both professionally and personally. "It's a very different experience being a family member when you're used to being the one providing the health care," she says. "After Tim got home, I'd be up all night waiting for something bad to happen again. I just couldn't trust that we were safe. And there's a genetic component to his cardiac issue, so then I was worrying about the kids." Ali is convinced the medical staff her family encountered were well-meaning, but some just didn't have the training to meet their emotional needs. "We don't often realize how important that moment is when we ask the family to leave the patient care room, or we rapidly summarize what happened so we can just get them out of the intensive care unit because we need that bed for someone else," Douma explains. "Those may not seem like very significant moments for health-care providers, but sometimes they can be the most significant for families. Our work is really trying to shed light on those moments." Family-centered care has been a focus in pediatrics and critical care medicine for years, but little has been added for cardiac patient families. Douma, who is a Ph.D. candidate at University College Dublin and an editor of the Canadian Journal of Emergency Nursing, has focused his doctoral studies on changing that through his Family Centered Cardiac Arrest Care project. Douma himself lost his grandfather to a sudden cardiac arrest at home. His research team includes survivors, bereaved family members and co-survivors like Ali. Tim Graham, a clinical professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, is also an author on the paper. Co-designing and carrying out research with people who have lived experience is important, says Douma. "We really should stop designing health care without the people who are directly impacted by it," he says. "We know that the health status of cardiac arrest survivors is so intertwined with that of their co-survivors and their family." The researchers analyzed 39 studies from the past 20 years, looking at the experiences of 418 people whose parents, spouses, siblings or close friends went through cardiac arrest. Like Ali, most family members called 911, initiated or witnessed CPR, and followed their loved ones to hospital for treatment and admission. "The family experience of cardiac arrest care is often chaotic, distressing and complex, and the after-effects are long-lasting. Patient and family experiences could be improved for many people," the researchers concluded. "High certainty family care needs identified in this review include rapid recognition and response, improved information sharing, more effective communication, supported presence and participation, or supported absence, and psychological aftercare." Unique trauma Douma notes that the trauma from cardiac arrests is unique in that most happen outside of hospital and are fatal. If patients do survive, troubling questions remain about brain injury and quality of life after resuscitation. "Survival is everyone's priority, but then you're navigating the nebulous unknown," Douma says. "Families need to know, 'Why did this happen? What condition will my loved one be in? How do I become a caregiver and a health system navigator? Who takes care of us after discharge?'" As Douma pushes for change within hospitals and health-care systems around the world, he sees signs of hope. The Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation recently became the first in the world to adopt family-centered cardiac arrest care principles after consultation with Douma. He's also advised Canadian EMS organizations on how to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest care. He's advocated for the needs of survivors and families to be included in upcoming Canadian heart and stroke guidelines. Meanwhile, he gets to implement them immediately in his own practice as a clinical nurse specialist in critical at the University of Alberta Hospital. More information: Matthew J. Douma et al, What Are the Care Needs of Families Experiencing Sudden Cardiac Arrest? A Survivor- and Family-Performed Systematic Review, Qualitative Meta-Synthesis, and Clinical Practice Recommendations, Journal of Emergency Nursing (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2023.07.001 Journal information: Journal of Emergency Nursing This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The Georgia high school shooting that claimed four lives this week shows the risks of keeping guns in the home, says Matt Miller, a Northeastern University professor whose research focuses on firearm violence. Miller has published studies revealing that access to guns is responsible for an increased risk of suicide, in addition to mass public shootings like the tragedy on Wednesday in Georgia, where a 54-year-old father has been charged with providing the military-style assault rifle that his 14-year-old son allegedly used in the shootings at Apalachee High School. "This keeps happening in the United States at rates that are outrageously higher than in other developed countries," says Miller, a Northeastern professor of health sciences and epidemiology. "It keeps happening here because gunsincluding the kind of AR-15-style rifles that were responsible for this latest attackare so easy to get a hold of, not only for adults but also for many children." Colt Gray, a freshman at the school, is charged with killing two 14-year-old students and two teachers. Gray received the military-style rifle as a Christmas present from his father in 2023, three law enforcement officials told the New York Times. On Thursday, the father, Colin Gray, 54, was arrested and charged with murder and manslaughter for providing his son with access to the weapon despite knowing that Colt Gray was "a threat to himself and others," according to arrest warrants. The father and son appeared in court together Friday. Miller referenced a similar case in Michigan, where in 2021 a 15-year-old killed four students at Oxford High School with a handgun that was accessible to him in his home. In April, his parents were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for not securing the gun and not responding to their son's mental health issues, becoming the first parents to be convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting. "A gun in the home is meant to protect its owner and family but it is more likely to imperil them," Miller says. "Until people realize that riskand act on it by removing guns from their homes, or at least doing a lot more to make it very difficult for unauthorized persons to gain access to their firearmsthese horrific events are going to continue to happen in this country at rates that are tragically higher than in other developed countries." Miller and Harvard's Deborah Azrael contributed to a study by Carmen Salhi, a Northeastern assistant professor of health sciences, in which one-third of adolescents in a nationally representative survey said they could gain access in less than five minutes to a loaded firearm kept in the home, and half could gain access in 60 minutes or less. These revelations challenged the view of 70% of parents in the survey who believed their children could not access guns kept in their homes. "It was shocking to see that half of the children in homes with guns reported being able to get to a loaded gun in under an hour," Salhi said in a 2021 interview with Northeastern Global News in reference to another key finding of his study. "The number of adolescents who have ready access to a gun in the home is startling to see, and that points to this being a public health issue." Miller's research on the relationship between access to household firearms and suicide has shown that people who own a handgun are almost four times more likely to die by suicide than those who don't have gunsand that storing guns safely could help save the lives of hundreds of children annually." "The leading cause of firearm deaths in this country is suicidenot homicide, and certainly not mass public homicide like the tragic event in Georgia," Miller says. "There is overwhelming evidence that suicide rates are many times higher for people who live in homes with guns compared to their neighbors who live in homes without guns." Miller says his findings can be applied to people who are vulnerable to committing violence against others, as was the case this week in Georgia. "Locking guns is certainly better than not locking them," Miller says. "But the key is not whether a gun is locked or whether it's loaded. What matters is accesswhether a child can gain access. Efforts need to focus on helping parents ensure that children, especially teenagers, cannot get a hold of household firearms." Miller notes that children may be able to find the key that unlocks a gun cabinet, or they may be able to guess the password that opens a combination lock. "Parents care about their kids and what their kids do, so it's not as though the only way to motivate parents to make their homes safer for their children is to pass legislation, though that can only help," Miller says. "In addition to whatever efforts can be made to get parents to realize that they have a responsibility in the eyes of the law to make their guns inaccessible to their children," adds Miller, "at least as much effort and resources need to be devoted to helping parents understand that suicide and lethal outbursts like this latest tragedy are impossible to predictand because of this unpredictability that it is incumbent on them to assume the worst could happen and [therefore] make their guns completely inaccessible to children in their home." The Apalachee High shooting was the deadliest school shooting this year and the ninth mass killing at a K-12 school in the U.S. since 2006, according to Northeastern criminologist James Alan Fox. Another eight students and one teacher are expected to survive their injuries. Colt Gray is being charged with murder as an adult. Gray had been questioned last year about online threats to commit a school shooting but there had been no probable cause for arrest, according to the FBI's Atlanta office and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. "When children have access to guns, unbearably bad things will happen," Miller says. This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Proportion of suicidal ideation profile, by age group% (n = 1793). Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68823-8 Nearly three times as many Canadiansclose to 8%thought of killing themselves in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic than in previous years, a new study led by Universite de Montreal researchers suggests. Based on an online survey of nearly 1,800 Canadian adults, the study also found that suicidal ideation was nearly twice as high (almost 11%) among young people in their 20s than in people aged 30 and older (6.6%). The results are published this month in Scientific Reports. "It's a sensitive subject," acknowledged the article's first author, Guillaume Dube, who was an undergraduate student in sociology at UdeM at the time of the study and is now about to begin a Ph.D. in epidemiology. "Why did the pandemic make people think about committing suicide? There are a number of reasons, losing their job because of the crisis being a major one," said sociology professor Eric Lacourse, who co-supervised the study with psychology professor Roxane de la Sablonniere. "And that's not surprising given the context of dramatic social change caused by COVID-19, which affected not only society as a whole but also individual behaviors," said de la Sablonniere. Members of UdeM's Laboratory on Social Changes, Adaptation, and Well-being, she and Lacourse conducted the study with Dube aided by colleagues at McGill University, the Massachussetts Institute of Technology and Israel's Ben-Ilan University. A national survey The study drew on data from a survey of 3,617 Canadians called "COVID-19 Canada: The end of the world as we know it?" done by the polling firm Delvinia between April and May 2021. For the study, data from 1,793 of those individuals were analyzed. Suicidal ideation turned out to be high in the pandemic's first year, with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 7.6%nearly three times the annual pre-pandemic rate of 2.7%, Dube and his colleagues found. The mere fact of being of a younger age, combined with economic factors like losing their job during the pandemic, made people more likely to think of suicide than they did before, the study suggests. Suicide is very much a young person's concern. Overall, 21.7% of people in their 20s said they'd thought of suicide at some point in their lives, compared to 13.1% of those surveyed who were aged 30 or older. 'A vital indicator' For the study, suicidal ideation "served as a vital indicator for evaluating levels of psychological distress among individuals in the Canadian population during the pandemic period," Dube and his co-authors noted in their article. "Our study aligns with existing scientific literature indicating that the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted younger generations," they added, noting its "exceptional impact ... on this demographic." As well, "job loss during the pandemic, indeed, played a role in influencing suicidal ideation among Canadians," they said. Even accounting for that, however, "age remained a significant factor in this analysis." The authors concluded, "Given the ongoing sociopolitical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our findings highlight the imperative to prioritize the mental well-being of young adults for future public health strategies and policymaking." More information: Guillaume Dube et al, Evidence of higher suicidal ideation among young adults in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68823-8 For more information, in French, on suicidal intentions and how to cope with them, go to the Projet InterCom website. Journal information: Scientific Reports This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In 2022, mpox (formerly called monkeypox) dominated the news as outbreaks of the disease cropped up in more than 120 countries. Then, as case counts dwindled in countries like the U.S.thanks to the speedy rollout of educational measures and vaccines to at-risk populationsso did the media coverage. Yet, the mpox virus (MPXV) itself did not disappear. Spurred by a more virulent strain of the virus, outbreaks of unprecedented scale and scope have continued to rage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with children being the most heavily impacted. Mpox has spread to neighboring African countriesand outside of Africa too. On the tails of a confirmed case in Sweden, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern on Aug. 14, 2024. The ebb and flow of mpox cases around the world indicates that the disease is, and will always be, a global health issue. Preventing outbreaks, therefore, depends on providing support and resources for mpox hot spots to manage the disease. Mitigating mpox: All hands on deck Although the first known case of mpox was reported in the DRC over 50 years ago, the disease was long ignored by nations outside Africa until its emergence in places like the U.S. and Europe. But if the past few years have revealed anything, it is that mpox is an "all of us" problem. This means that managing mpox requires shining a light on, and facilitating and supporting action in, impacted countries within Africa. During the 2022 global outbreak, ASM and partner organizations to the Department of Health and Human Services issued a letter outlining what must be done to prevent mpox. The recommendations include: Ensuring adequate and equitable distribution and administration of mpox diagnostics, vaccines and treatments. Using transparent, timely, non-alarmist and fact-based messaging to educate communities about mpox spread and prevention. Increasing testing capacity and accessibility. Bolstering public health infrastructure, including strengthening the workforce and collecting, sharing and summarizing data to inform the development of effective disease control measures that promote health equity and support. Like mpox itself, these steps are not geographically isolated. Integrating and supporting all global regions, especially endemic countries, in disease control efforts is imperative for mitigating the spread of the disease. Jean Kaseya, M.D., Director General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), said it best. "Africa has long been on the frontlines in the fight against infectious diseases, often with limited resources. The battle against mpox demands a global response. We need your support, expertise and solidarity. The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this crisis." Preventing disease: A question of vaccine equity There are no treatments for mpox (a smallpox antiviral, tecovirimat, is still being tested in people with mpox). The best method for dealing with mpox is to lower the risk of infection and severe disease. In this regard, vaccination is a critical tool. Two vaccines are available for mpox: Jynneos, produced by Bavarian Nordic, and LC16, manufactured by the Japanese company KM Biologics, with the former being used most extensively worldwide. But "worldwide" here is not all-encompassing. The accessibility of vaccines in the DRC has been extremely limited. This contrasts with the rapid distribution of vaccines in the U.S. and Europe during the 2022 outbreak, and their continued availability in these areas and a plethora of other countries outside of Africa. Infrastructural and economic barriers mean many African countries, including the DRC, are limited in their ability to produce vaccines; they generally rely on supplies from wealthier nations. However, such donations have been a trickle, relative to the number of doses needed to manage the crisis. Vaccine equity is, thus, a paramount issue in the global control of mpox. It's a familiar pattern in the world of infectious disease: low-income countries faced with high disease burdens are bereft of the tools high-income countries possess to control the spread if/when that disease ends up on their doorstep. Mpox illustrates, however, that mobilizing resources to control a pathogen before it hits the world stage is critical, not just for saving lives and preserving health in hard-hit (and largely neglected) areas, but also to limit the chances of something small from becoming something very big. Recent outbreaks throughout Africawhere mpox cases are up 160% compared to 2023offer a poignant example, in part because of the virus causing infections. Of the 2 known MPXV clades (a group of viruses that evolved from the same common ancestor), clade I is more virulent than clade II (10% vs. 1% mortality, respectively). While a clade II virus caused the 2022 global outbreak, clade I MPXVincluding a new strain (clade Ib) that emerged in late 2023 and is mutating rapidlyis responsible for outbreaks in the DRC and neighboring countries, prompting elevated concern about its potential global spread. With that, after a 2-year delay, there has been some recent progress toward enabling vaccinations in the DRC and other affected African countries. Various countries, including the U.S., Japan and Germany, pledged to donate vaccines to the DRC. Bavarian Nordic partnered with the Africa CDC to advance the organization's pledge of delivering 10 million doses of the mpox vaccine by the end of 2025. The company has the capacity to supply 2 million doses this year, in addition to existing orders, and aims to enhance vaccine manufacturing capabilities in Africa. WHO also launched a 6-month plan for coordinated global, regional and national efforts to support mpox vaccination, surveillance, preparedness and response activities. Equitable mpox prevention requires more than vaccines As it stands, the DRC, and other impacted countries in Africa, have largely relied on non-vaccine measures to contain mpox outbreaks. MPXV, a zoonotic virus, can be transmitted to humans via contact with infected animals. It spreads between people through direct contact with mpox rash, scabs or bodily fluids from someone who is infected, as well as through respiratory secretions and by touching objects and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox. According to WHO, behaviors like isolating from others when sick, avoiding touching common items/disinfecting them frequently, practicing good hygiene (i.e., washing hands), wearing a mask and covering lesions around other people are important for infection prevention. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides additional insights about how to lower the risk of infection via sexual contact, which emerged as a key transmission route in the 2022 multi-country outbreak and continues to play an important role in viral spread. But it's worth noting that following through on these measures requires having the space and means to do so. Mpox is a preventable illnessbut there is a jump between "preventable" and "prevented." How far of a jump that is depends on societal, geographical and economic factors that can lengthen or shorten the leap. For instance, an ongoing humanitarian crisis in eastern regions of the DRC has fueled mpox outbreaks in the area, especially in areas with extreme poverty and within overcrowded refugee camps with limited resources. People in certain impacted regions may not know what mpox is and how it spreads, which is also critical for effective prevention. Community engagement and effective public health communication and education about mpox are needed, in part to combat mis/disinformation, stigma and discrimination about the disease. Understanding these factors provides an important contextual basis for determining how to facilitate supportive, specific, meaningful and feasible action in heavily impacted regions. Better for everyone Mpox is not a 1-solution problem, the same way it is not a 1-country problem. It requires an integrative approach encompassing communication, access to medical care, vaccination, surveillance and treatments. The more the global community can, with empathy and care, facilitate such multi-faceted solutions in all regionsnot just when outbreaks become unprecedented in reach and devastationthe better off everyone will be. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: (A) Brightfield photograph of the sample and selected ROI for PS-OCT imaging. (B) PSOCTAverage Intensity measured in dB. (C) PS-OCT Retardance ranging from 0 to . (D) PS-OCTRetardance Angle ranging from to . (E) dMRI image of the brainstem and tractography, wherethe color coding indicates red for left-right, green for front-back, and blue for up-down directions. Credit: Isabella Aguilera-Cuenca, University of Arizona In a new study, researchers compared the orientations of nerve fibers in a human brainstem using two advanced imaging techniques: diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI)-based tractography and polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). The findings could aid in combining these techniques, which each offer unique advantages, to advance our understanding of the brain's microstructure and help inform new techniques for early diagnosis of various brain disorders. Isabella Aguilera-Cuenca from the University of Arizona presents this research at Frontiers in Optics + Laser Science (FiO LS), held 2326 September 2024 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. "Neurodegenerative diseases are becoming increasingly widespread as lifespans increase and populations agebetter understanding the link between brain microstructure and these diseases could lead to developing improved methods for prevention, detection, and management," said Aguilera-Cuenca. Nerve fiber orientation is an important aspect of brain microstructure due to its influence on the connectivity and communication pathways in the brain. One way to study this microstructure is by using dMRI, a non-invasive imaging method that uses water molecule diffusion to reveal structural connectivity. A specialized application of dMRI known as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can be used to reconstruct nerve fiber pathways through a process known as tractography. Although DTI is sensitive to differences across brain tissue environments, it can't detect specific cellular changes and can only resolve nerve tracts, not individual axon orientations. PS-OCT is also useful for studying brain microstructure. It uses the properties of back-scattered light and variations in polarization to create depth-resolved cross-sectional images of tissue microstructures. This information can be used to identify fiber tracts with micrometer-scale resolution and distinguish between white and gray matter. However, in scattering media such as brain tissue, PS-OCT can only image up to a few millimeters deep. To conduct a quantitative comparison of nerve fiber orientation distributions with dMRI-based tractography and PS-OCT, the researchers used both techniques to image a human brainstem sample fixed in paraformaldehyde and then stored in PBS with sodium azide. The results showed that polarization properties of phase retardation and optic axis can be used to map nerve fiber presence and orientation in brain tissue, similar to results obtained via dMRI. This indicates the strong potential for PS-OCT to validate dMRI data, providing valuable insights about the microstructural organization of nerve fibers, which is crucial for understanding normal physiology and the changes that may occur with neurodegenerative conditions. "To further advance this work, we will study the microstructural alterations in a range of brain regions from patients with different neurodegenerative conditions, with the goal of identifying alterations that occur with the onset of disease," said Aguilera-Cuenca. "We hope this work eventually translates into new approaches for early detection of these pathologies." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A police officer hears an eyewitness account of a car accident, a doctor diagnoses an illness based on symptoms listed by a patient, or a friend recommends a restaurant. Others' memories are a source of information for us that influences the way we act. Cognitive and neuroscience researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have examined how humans assess the reliability of these memories and the difference between human and machine capabilities. The findings were published recently in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Years of research indicate that our memories are subject to forgetting and distortion. People's memories are not accurate descriptions of the past, but are prone to error, even after short periods of time. The information from these memories is significant to us because much of our knowledge about the world relies on information from others' memories. So how can we base information on memory that is not always reliable? Dr. Talya Sadeh of the Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev decided to examine this question and understand how humans can recognize and verify that others' memories are accurate. "A lot of people's knowledge comes from sharing episodic memories with each other, knowledge that we use to make decisions, form opinions, and so on," she noted. "My research examined how we manage to base knowledge, sometimes really important knowledge, on the basis of memories that are not always reliable, and can natural language processing models, such as those we all know (e.g., ChatGPT and others), help us identify the truth of memory?" For this purpose, she conducted a study that simulated situations from real life in which a person is required to judge whether memories told by another person are true or not. For example: "I remember that a woman was at a party because I remembered that she arrived late and was wearing a really nice dress" or "I remember that the car didn't stop at the red light because I noticed the speed before it reached the intersection, while the traffic light changed from green to yellow." Participants were asked to directly judge whether they thought the memories were truthful or not based on such descriptions. Next, they were asked to assess the quality of the other's memory by giving a quantitative score on questions such as how vivid and detailed the memory was, and how confident the speaker sounded about it. The comparison to a machine learner was made based on the words from the memory descriptions that were most indicative of correct (or incorrect) memory, among humans and the machine learning model. Of the 20 words that best indicated the correctness of memory, 14 were shared by man and machine. Hence, the results indicate that humans have the ability to directly evaluate others' memories and determine whether they are true or false, and they do it based on much of the same information as a language model (and as well as the model). However, the reliability of others' memories can be predicted even better (by a 10% gap) if--instead of relying on a direct assessment of memory reliability--we ask evaluators to judge the qualities of memory: how much they think it is associated with a rich, vivid and detailed sensory experience, and how confident the memory sharer sounds. While a language model is based on the extraction of statistical rules, people's decisions rely on their sensitivity to information indicative of the qualities of the memory. This allows humans to evaluate the memories of others very well and perhaps even better than a language model that is trained to extract statistical rules from texts that describe people's memories. Given that we use language to share mental states, thoughts, and beliefs, this lifelong learning of language serves as a tool for us to validate the memories and experiences of others. This study is an important step in deciphering how humans think about memory sharing and its importance in creating social knowledge. "Humans have the ability to take advantage of their being social creatures to learn quickly from others. Much of the knowledge of humans comes from the fact that we share real-life experiences with each other, and we have succeeded in showing that the machine cannot yet take our place when it comes to personal memory," concludes Dr. Sadeh. The research group included Avi Gamran from the Psychology Department and Lilach Lieberman from the Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Prof. Ian Dobbins from the Washington University in Missouri, and Prof. Michael Gilead from Tel Aviv University. More information: Avi Gamoran et al, Detecting recollection: Human evaluators can successfully assess the veracity of others' memories, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310979121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 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: National Institutes of Health Sickle cell disease is a common genetic disorder characterized by periodic occurrences of pain that occur repeatedly throughout life. These episodes, referred to as vaso-occlusive episodes, happen when sickled cells obstruct blood vessels. The degree of pain may range from a mild discomfort to a severe disabling pain for which the person needs treatment in hospital. A new study by researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center's (BMC) Center of Excellence in Sickle Cell Disease, along with the Boston University Evans Center for Implementation and Improvement Science, has found that hospital-admitted patients who received the fluid Lactated Ringer's, a solution used to replace water and electrolyte loss in patients with low blood volume or low blood pressure, rather than normal saline, had shorter hospital lengths of stay, fewer readmissions to the hospital, and fewer days of intravenous opioid medications for pain control. These findings appear in JAMA Internal Medicine. "Currently, patients with sickle cell disease who are admitted to the hospital for vaso-occlusive pain episodes usually receive normal saline and clinical decision support tools presently recommend normal saline. However, our results call these recommendations and current practice into question," says corresponding author Nicholas Bosch MD, MSc, assistant professor of medicine at the school. Researchers used a large database that included patient data from more than 1,000 U.S. hospitals. They identified patients with sickle cell disease and vaso-occlusive pain episodes who started on Lactated Ringer's solution or normal saline on the first day of hospitalization. They then used machine learning models to compare the rates of outcomes between the two. They found those who were given Lactated Ringer's had more hospital-free days, shorter hospital length of stay and a lower 30-day readmission risk compared to those who received normal saline. According to the researchers, patients with sickle cell disease admitted with vaso-occlusive episodes are high utilizers of inpatient medical services and have frequent readmissions for additional care. "We believe switching from normal saline to Lactated Ringer's will not only improve outcomes for our patients, but also potentially lower health care costs," said Bosch, a pulmonologist at Boston Medical Center. Typically, a randomized trial would be used to compare these fluid types, but Bosch said that would require a prohibitively large number of participants to enroll; a number that has never been reached in any clinical trial related to sickle cell disease. Instead, the research team used large observational datasets and machine learning models to duplicate the randomized trial that was prohibitively large to conduct. "Our results provide strong evidence that a change in standard practice is needed," adds Bosch. More information: Augusta K. Alwang et al, Lactated Ringer vs Normal Saline Solution During Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Episodes, JAMA Internal Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.4428 Journal information: JAMA Internal Medicine Smoke from Oregon, Idaho and the Bitterroot Mountains encased the Missoula valley and adjacent communities to start the week, but a new weather system and rain could clear up the haze by Wednesday. Much of west and central Montana awoke Monday to unhealthy air quality conditions, triggering alerts and causing Missoula County Public Schools to cancel outdoor activities. Missoula Parks and Recreation also canceled all youth and adult sports for the day, according to communications specialist Becky Goodrich. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality issued air quality alerts for Broadwater, Cascade, Deer Lodge, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders, Silver Bow and Teton counties until at least Tuesday morning, when it will be evaluated again. As of 10:30 a.m. Monday, air quality was "unhealthy to very unhealthy" in the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys, and "unhealthy" in Seeley Lake and the Flathead Valley. Brian Conlan, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Missoula, said the smoke is coming from nearby fires in the Bitterroot as well as smoke that has drifted in from Oregon. "What you are seeing now is all that smoke has settled in the valleys overnight," Conlan told the Missoulian. Several fires in the Bitterroot brought ash to the region overnight. The Sharrott Creek fire, Johnson fire and Daly Creek fire have burned more than 10,000 acres combined in the Bitterroot Valley. "Many people in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys woke up with ash on their cars," said Missoula Air Quality Specialist Benjamin Schmidt in an email update, adding the ash most likely came from the Sharrott Creek fire, but that Idaho fires are also impacting our air quality. Despite the unhealthy conditions, Conlan said a new weather pattern is expected to begin pushing most of the smoke out of the area. The National Weather Service is predicting a storm system that could bring a quarter-inch of rain to the valleys Wednesday, with up to 2 inches in the mountains and snow above 7,500 feet. "The fires nearby could keep the presence of smoke, but this storm should be beneficial to most of them," Conlan said. State and local health officials recommend several different actions for bad air quality. When air quality is unhealthy, people with respiratory or heart disease, older people and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, people with respiratory or heart disease, older people and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is moderate, unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. Accidental shooting On Saturday afternoon, a man in his mid-20s went to the local hospital after he accidentally shot himself in the abdomen with a 9mm pistol. The young man told officers he was more embarrassed than in pain. Causing a disturbance At around 10:20 p.m. Sunday, police got a call about a woman causing a disturbance at the Town Pump, 531 S. Montana St. When they arrived, an officer tried to talk to the alleged offender, Rebecca D. Palmer, 31, of Butte. Palmer decided she was not up to talking and walked away from the officer. To get her to stop, the officer grabbed her by the arm. She in turn reportedly shoved a lit cigarette in his arm. She was jailed for assault on a peace officer causing bodily injury, obstructing a peace officer, disorderly conduct, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Indecent exposure Just after 5 p.m. Sunday, dispatch got a call about a man acting inappropriately by exposing himself in a public area in the 300 block of South Montana Street. When the police arrived, Issac J. Tavera, 24 and a transient, attempted to strike the officers. He was taken into custody for indecent exposure and resisting arrest. Sunday DUI A trooper with the Montana Highway Patrol arrested Cody M. Gavin, 34, of Butte just after 1 a.m. Sunday for driving under the influence, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, seatbelt violation, driving with a suspended drivers license, and obstructing a peace officer. Stodden Park incident On Friday night at about 7 p.m., Brett A. Still, 37, of Butte was arrested at Stodden Park for partner or family member assault (second offense) and probation violation. According to the police report, Still allegedly yanked a teenage boy out of a car by his legs. Arrest assists The police assisted Adult Probation & Parole in the Friday arrests of Raven F. Fury, 42, of Butte for violation of release conditions and revocation of suspended sentence, and Lisett D. Whitaker, 32, of Pocatello, Idaho, who had three outside warrants out for her arrest. Off and running During a routine traffic stop last Tuesday at midnight, Michael T. Pray-Davis, 37, of Butte reportedly exited the car near the intersection of Nevada and Front streets and took off running. An officer was able to catch up to Pray-Davis in the 1000 block of Wyoming Street and arrested him for failure to register as a violent or sexual offender and obstructing a peace officer. Leave the area At 12:30 a.m. Saturday, the police told some teenagers to leave the area near the Butte Civic Center and they did just that. Fireworks complaint At about 2:45 a.m. Saturday, a caller said fireworks were being set off near Clark Park. BROADUS Heading south on the Tongue River Road from Ashland, motorists roll along a dirt path that hugs the namesake waterway and cuts through pastures dotted with cows and horses. Head south long enough, and the yellow and green pasture turns black; the fallout of the largest wildfire crews in Montana have responded to this year. While the Remington fire scorched cattle and infrastructure across three counties near the Wyoming border, bits of green were already starting to appear Thursday at the fires edge. Hundreds of people had a stake in halting the Remington fire, which was likely sparked by lightning in northern Wyoming. Wind pushed those flames north and into public and private lands of Rosebud, Big Horn and Powder River counties. The damage was obvious, with cattle and property damage amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs for ranchers. But those same ranchers immediately set to repairing their land and seeing what help their neighbors need. The fire came at us at 40 miles an hour, said Alan Lloyd, an 80-year-old Powder River County man who operates a ranch thats well over 100 years old. All we could do was get out of the way." Lloyd was one of dozens of people who packed into Broaduss community center Thursday to get a briefing from state and agriculture officials regarding what resources were available to those like him whod seen their property incinerated. Were going to be alright, Lloyd said. The things that really matter are OK. The things we lost are just stuff. Theres monetary loss, yeah, but its just stuff. On Aug. 22, emergency crews in Wyoming first took notice of the Remington fire, which started north of Lieter in Sheridan County. Within a day, high winds drove the fire north across the Montana border into Big Horn, Rosebud and Powder River counties. Within days, it was estimated to have reached roughly 130,000 acres, becoming the largest active wildfire in the state. Raymond Ragsdale, fire chief for the Broadus Volunteer Fire Department, knew the fire was heading toward Powder River County well ahead of it crossing the Montana border. He and other volunteers battled the blaze as it cut through the countys southwestern corner, chasing 42 miles fire, he said. It feels like every two or three years we get a big one, said Broadus Volunteer Fire Assistant Chief Clint Pederson, who was among those who assisted in suppressing the nearly 150,000-acre Richard Springs fire in 2021. Historic wildfires burning in northern Wyoming have resulted in Broaduss fire crew heading south to assist four times so far this year. Most recently, the volunteer firefighting team was in the Bitter Creek area of northeastern Wyoming to help suppress the Silver Spoon fire. Also assisting in the massive response to the Remington fire were crews with the Bureau of Land Management, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Bureau of Indian Affairs firefighters and ranchers in the region with their own water trucks. We work very well with BLM and DNRC, Ragsdale said. Without them, we would really struggle. We help them, they help us." The Remington fire tore through some of the most sparsely populated country in the state, but the region was far from empty. In its path were thousands of head of cattle and mile after mile of fence. As the fire raged, emergency agencies put entire towns on call for evacuation. In Birney, on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, residents were told to leave as flames crested the hills to the southeast. Those who fled spent the night in Lame Deer at the Boys and Girls Club. The fire made it right up to berms formed on the eastern side of Tongue River Road. In total, 196,368 acres burned. As of Friday, crews had the fire 88% contained and the Incident Management Team assigned to the fire was preparing to demobilize the following day. I dont know if it could have even went better, realistically, said Angel Lei at the roundtable discussion Thursday, in which Gov. Greg Gianforte was among the participants. Lei, a Northern Cheyenne woman with over two decades of experience in working in fire management, heads the Northern Cheyenne Disaster and Emergency Services and also serves on the State Emergency Response Commission. She mobilized Northern Cheyennes firefighters once the fire was just across the river from Birney. Tribal fire management is trying to be more proactive in the wake of fires like the Richard Springs fire that threatened Lame Deer years prior, Lei said. The efforts of firefighters near Birney were still visible along Tongue River Road, where the tread marks from graders were still visible on Thursday. In Montana, agriculture is still the states most lucrative industry. A 2022 study showed crop and animal production having a combined value of about $4.6 billion, according to Montanas Department of Agriculture. In a state with more cows than people, about two-thirds of Montanas land dedicated to agriculture is utilized for range and pastures. In the Texas Panhandle, wildfires burning earlier this year during an unseasonable warm calving season wiped out thousands of cattle, according to reporting from the Associated Press. The Montana counties hit by the Remington fire are home to ranches containing roughly 224,000 head of cattle. As of Friday, ranchers were still scouring their properties, looking for cattle that got loose or got burned. During Thursdays roundtable, ranch operators were advised to do their best in documenting all the cattle lost. A Farm Service Agency official acknowledged that its tough to spot a branding on a charred skeleton. At a ranch in Otter, southeast of Birney, the Remington fire came right to the edge of the home of Suzie and Jae Notti. After working their ranch for decades, the Nottis had seen fires before, but their grader, pumper and hoses werent enough to hold back the Remington fire. The fire killed horses and cattle on their land, and destroyed over 105 miles of fences. With the exception of their houses, every bit of their personal land was burned, Suzie Nottie said. Ive ridden just about every single day since then, she said, getting cattle back and getting hay to them. The Nottis are still in the process of documenting the total damage to their operation, but in the past two weeks those efforts have been bolstered by support in the form of care packages shipped from as far away as Idaho, and shipments of hay and fencing from closer neighbors. When the first semi-load of hay showed up at their property after the fire, Suzie Nottie said they asked the driver to take it to the Lloyds who probably needed it more. Later that same day, the driver showed back up with the hay, saying the Lloyds figured the Notties needed it more. Several programs were highlighted during Thursdays meeting which offered financial assistance, tax breaks and resources such as fencing for impacted ranchers. One program that interested Jae Notti, who attended the roundtable discussion, was a deferred payment program for pasture grazing. Were not going to be able to graze on any of the burned area next year, he said. A comprehensive list of programs available to those impacted by the fire, along with portals for those interested in making donations, is available at https://mtbeeffoundation.org/. Nationally, around 34,000 wildfires have torched about 6,500,000 acres this year, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center. Over the past 10 years, an annual average of 42,206 fires have burned 5,187,753 acres. The NIFC published a forecast for September that had most of Idaho, southern Montana and northern Wyoming having above-normal potential for significant wildfires. On Saturday night, victims of another overseas jobs scam in Eldoret took matters into their own hands, staging a citizens arrest outside the home of a key suspect. The suspect, who runs a recruitment firm in the city, had allegedly defrauded job seekers of more than Kes.500 million by falsely promising them employment abroad. Several victims who had paid substantial amounts to the firm gathered at the suspects residence in Pioneer Estate after learning that he was inside with his family. Among them was Mzee Abel Chumba, who revealed that he had given the suspect over Kes.450,000, hoping his two sons would secure jobs in Turkey and Australia. The group waited outside the suspects gate, anticipating his exit. However, he remained indoors until early Sunday, when he realized people were gathered outside. Attempted Escape In a bid to escape, the suspect reportedly attempted to cut through grills leading to his neighbors house. Virginia Kibe, another victim, stated that they managed to catch the suspect as he tried to flee and successfully detained him. Private security officers accompanying the victims assisted in handing him over to the police. He has conned us out of a lot of money, but police kept saying they couldnt arrest him. Thats why we decided to stage a citizens arrest, so no one could say he couldnt be found, said Ms. Kibe. The residents escorted the suspect to Eldoret Central Police Station, where he was placed in custody. Human rights activist Kimutai Kurui, who was present, criticized the police for their slow response to the scam. This man has been around all along, but the police claimed they couldnt find him. We wanted to prove them wrong by handing him over ourselves, Kurui remarked. Kurui further expressed concern that Eldoret had become a haven for fraudsters, with over 50 illegally operating recruitment agencies, while authorities have not taken action. Uasin Gishu County police commander Benjamin Mwanthi, however, reported that eight suspects had already been arrested in connection with similar fraud complaints in the town. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticized the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for targeting politicians allied with him. Speaking during a church service on Sunday, September 8, Gachagua condemned the arrests of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya and Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, also known as Mejja Donk. Gachagua accused the DCI of being influenced by politics, a practice he claimed had severely undermined the previous government. I urge our security officers at the DCI not to take us back to where we were. Using the criminal justice system to control politics greatly contributed to the unpopularity of the last administration, he said. He further questioned the rationale behind the arrests of Gakuya and Mejja Donk, accusing the DCI of harassing them without valid reason. It doesnt make sense to harass Gakuya and Mejja Donk for political reasons. Arresting them, confiscating their phones, and intimidating them is uncalled for. I ask our investigative agencies to remain professional and address crime in line with the law, Gachagua emphasized. The two MPs were arrested and questioned over their alleged involvement in funding anti-tax protests that occurred across the country in June and July. Additionally, on September 3, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) summoned MP Gakuya over remarks he made against the Somali community. According to an NCIC statement dated August 26, Gakuya had made inflammatory comments in Kikuyu about Somalis running businesses in Nairobis Central Business District (CBD). RELATED Gachagua Ally Summoned for Remarks About Somali Takeover in Nairobi Gachagua stressed that the DCI should adhere strictly to the constitution and relevant laws, warning that targeting innocent leaders would harm the governments efforts. He advised officers to follow four key sets of laws: the Kenyan Constitution, the Penal Code (Cap 63), the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap 75), and the Evidence Act (Cap 80). He added, Officers were misused in the previous administration to harass leaders. Harassing elected leaders is highly counterproductive. Gachagua also called on the DCI to focus on addressing rising crime in Nairobi and across the country, rather than pursuing political matters. Arresting these leaders only makes them more popular. Instead, focus on dealing with criminals and leave elected leaders alone, he remarked. Kituo cha Sheria, a Kenya-based lobby group, has filed a lawsuit against Safaricom, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), and the Competition Authority of Kenya, demanding that they allow Starlink access to the Kenyan market. Safaricom had previously requested the CA to compel SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, to partner with local internet providers as it continues to roll out its internet services in Kenya, However, Kituo cha Sheria, led by Dr. Annette Mbogoh, contends that this move would block Kenyans from accessing faster internet speeds and maintain high costs. High Court Judge Chacha Mwita learned that Safaricom is concerned about SpaceX entering the market due to its competitive pricing. Kituo cha Sheria also told the court that while Safaricom charges Ksh 6,000 for internet service, Starlink offers 50GB of internet for just Ksh 1,800. Mbogoh stated, The allegations in the first respondents letter dated July 5, 2024, are unsubstantiated. Safaricom, as a competitor, lacks independent and objective judgment and is directly prejudiced by its market dominance, making it apprehensive about the entry of major players. Represented by Marc Chirchir, Ahmed Sigat, Abdul Maalim, and Nelius Njuguna, Kituo cha Sheria argued that blocking Starlink would force users to continue with slower and more expensive internet options. The court learned that SpaceX had begun launching its Starlink satellites after extensive research and development, seeking to establish a global network of small, mass-produced satellites to provide widespread internet access. The court was also informed that while satellites have been in existence for some time, their use for home internet is a new and growing business model. Kituo cha Sheria is seeking a court declaration that Safaricoms letter is unconstitutional and wants the court to affirm that internet access is a socio-economic right. The lobby group also requests a permanent injunction preventing the CA from acting against SpaceX or restricting its devices in Kenya. Nairobi will take a major step in its battle against air pollution with the official launch of the Breathe Cities Nairobi initiative on September 11, 2024. The Breathe Cities initiative, a pioneering effort from Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, focuses on improving air quality, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing public health in cities globally. Launched in June 2023 by Michael R. Bloomberg, the UN Secretary-Generals Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, along with London Mayor and C40 Cities Co-Chair Sadiq Khan, the initiative aims to cut air pollution and planet-warming emissions by 30% in participating cities by 2030. By joining the $30 million Breathe Cities initiative, Nairobi will gain support to tackle its pressing air pollution challenges. The city will join ten other global cities, including Jakarta and Rio de Janeiro, which are working to improve air quality through efforts like collecting air quality data, building capacity, engaging communities, and sharing international knowledge. The State of the Global Air 2020 report indicates that air pollution causes over 5,000 premature deaths in Kenya. This crisis persists despite Nairobis status as a global environmental hub. Governor Sakaja emphasized the urgency of the Breathe Cities Nairobi initiative, stating, I am honored that Nairobi will not only launch this initiative but also host a key event bringing together government officials, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, and development partners from across the region. This reflects Nairobis ongoing commitment to improving air quality. Nairobis air quality is a critical issue. The Breathe Cities Nairobi initiative will provide essential resources to drive meaningful, long-term improvements and ensure that all residents breathe cleaner air. The initiative will focus on enhancing Nairobis ability to monitor and manage air quality. This support will include a robust public awareness campaign and necessary regulatory reforms. Breathe Cities Nairobi will operate through three main pillars: data and research, stakeholder and community engagement, and technical policy assistance. Dr. Victor Indasi, Breathe Cities Lead for Kenya, described the Breathe Cities Nairobi project as a game changer. He said, With Breathe Cities, we are dedicated to working with partners and stakeholders to restore the true meaning of Hakuna Matataa life free from the burdens of air pollution, where every breath is cleaner and healthier. Nairobi has already made notable progress in this area. The city enacted the Nairobi Air Quality Act in 2022, integrated real-time air quality monitoring on the county website, and conducted assessments of air quality sources. Additionally, Nairobi is finalizing its climate change legal framework, updating its Greenhouse Inventory, and has hired a record number of technical environment staff. The city aims to cut emissions by 51% by 2035 through various strategies, including urban greening, sustainable municipal waste management, adopting clean transport alternatives, and embracing green energy solutions. These efforts are part of Nairobis broader goal of fostering a healthier and more sustainable urban environment. Authorities are intensifying efforts to combat drug trafficking as traffickers continue to employ increasingly creative smuggling techniques. Smugglers have devised various ways to conceal narcotics, ranging from hidden compartments in backpacks to seemingly ordinary shipments. Despite these evolving tactics, recent operations in Kenya have successfully disrupted major drug trafficking attempts, seizing large quantities of cannabis sativa and arresting key suspects. In one notable case in Siaya County, a trafficker attempted to send a suspicious package to Mombasa disguised as a regular cargo delivery. The trafficker packed the illegal goods in a nylon sack, hoping the packaging would avoid suspicion. The plan, however, unraveled when the trafficker suddenly disappeared during a routine inspection at the booking office. This disappearance immediately raised suspicions among the staff. Sensing something unusual, a vigilant booking office attendant quickly alerted the police. Officers arrived on the scene and began to inspect the contents of the sack. Initially, the sack appeared to contain only raw bananas. However, upon further examination, the officers discovered 245 long rolls of cannabis sativa weighing 17.5 kilograms, hidden beneath the fruit. The police promptly transported the seized drugs to Siaya Police Station for safekeeping. Meanwhile, authorities launched a manhunt to track down the trafficker who remains at large. In another significant operation, the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi apprehended two high-profile drug traffickers. Teresia Nduku, a Kenyan, and Simba Kitwana Khamri, a Tanzanian national, were arrested in Dohnholm, Nairobi, following an intelligence-driven operation aimed at dismantling a prominent drug distribution network. After their arrest, Nduku and Khamri cooperated with the authorities and led detectives to their residence in the Manyanzani area of Tala, Kangundo Sub-County. During a search of the house, law enforcement officers discovered a backpack containing a hidden compartment filled with cannabis sativa. In addition to the drugs, the police recovered a digital scale and incriminating documents linked to the trafficking operation. Investigations revealed that the cannabis sativa found in the traffickers possession originated from abroad. The unique strain, otherwise locally known as kiforeign, had likely entered Kenya through the Namanga border, a known entry point for illicit goods. Intelligence reports identified Khamri as an expert in packaging and disguising drugs, primarily using backpacks to transport narcotics across borders for distribution within Kenya and beyond. Authorities estimate that one gram of this particular strain of cannabis sativa could fetch up to Ksh 8,000 on the street. However, further analysis is necessary to determine the exact characteristics of the strain and assess its broader impact on Kenyas drug market. Nduku and Khamri are in custody awaiting formal charges. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that two out of five individuals diagnosed with mpox have received treatment and been discharged from the hospital. Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki reported on Saturday that three patients remain hospitalized and are continuing their medication. We look forward to seeing the three patients recover and return home to their families, Muthoni stated at the ACK Kutus Church in Kirinyaga County. She assured Kenyans that the ministry has strengthened surveillance and screening at entry points to help contain the spread of mpox. Muthoni advised the public to protect themselves by avoiding close contact with individuals showing signs and symptoms of the disease. Make sure not to share clothes or personal items like bathing towels, and always maintain cleanliness by washing your hands regularly, she emphasized. The PS also noted that the Ministry of Health remains vigilant in controlling the spread of the disease. I urge everyone to disregard propaganda from photos shared on social media, Muthoni implored. The PS urged the church to take an active role in promoting public health measures. She stated, We have agreed with the church to continue educating people about good public health practices, with support from our community health promoters. Kenya confirmed its fifth case of M-pox on September 6, with plans to begin administering vaccines for the disease by December. Health Director-General Patrick Amoth announced that Kenya will obtain 2 million doses from a Denmark-based manufacturer, with the vaccination campaign prioritizing vulnerable groups. In the early 1980s, when I was first learning about wine, I attended a Wine Spectator's Wine Experience event in San Francisco. I didn't quite know what to expect as this was the first event of its type I had ever attended and I was unsure how to navigate my way through all the seminars and Grand Tastings where countless (at least that's how it seemed to me) wineries from all over the world were pouring wines I had only read about. While at the Grand Tasting on the first night, I happened by the Jordan table where Andre Tchelistcheff (famed Godfather of California wine and then consulting winemaker for Jordan) was standing. Feeling a bit intimidated, I introduced myself to Mr. Tchelistcheff and asked his thoughts on the wine being poured. His response was simple and expressed a feeling sometimes lost on others and especially by many considering themselves as "experts" in wine. Mr. Tchelistcheff poured me a taste of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon and politely said, "My opinion is not important so please tell me what you think of the wine." His message was simple and opened my eyes to a very important aspect of tasting and enjoying wine. Make the experience your own and don't be overly influenced or intimidated by others. We all have detailed memory banks that associate a variety of flavors and aromatic nuances with our own personal experiences. While I may be tasting white peaches on the palate, another taster may be associating her impressions with nectarine. Neither is right and no one is wrong. Its just our own impression that comes to mind whether sniffing a wine on the nose or tasting it on the palate. Your blackberry may be my blueberry as we are both sensing the same aromatics and/or flavors, but within our own frame of reference. Often times when tasting with those new to the experience, Im asked, What is it Im tasing (or smelling)? When hearing this question, I encourage anyone who asks to explore their senses and interpret their impressions in their own way and to not feel coerced by others with differing views they may express. Of course, it's always a great benefit to have wine knowledgeable friends as well as industry professionals and educators guide us to great wines and the intricacies of the tasting experience. But the ultimate impression of the wine is yours to determine regardless of conflicting views, price or the often-meaningless scores a particular wine may have garnered. The great lesson I learned from Mr. Tchelistcheff (a legendary master in winemaking history) at that tasting, was one I've not forgotten or neglected to pass on to others. Unfortunately, wine is often perceived by some as a libation to revere rather than just simply enjoy. However, the history of wine dates back centuries and millennia where it was always an integral part of mealtime enjoyment and experienced simply as a congenial addition to the times friends and family spend together around the dinner table and in celebration of important passages in their lives. Wine professionals almost always try evaluating a wine as being true to the variety (or blend of varieties), place of origin and vintage characteristics when determining its overall quality and compatibility with similar wines and selected dishes for pairing. And, I must admit I do this regularly (often sub-consciously) with virtually all wines I may be tasting. But is all that necessary when you're just looking for something to enjoy? Most wines today, more than ever, will pass the "taste test" when pretense is cast aside and you're just looking for something that pleases the palate and fits the moment. Thankfully, our choices in today's market are many and varied so there's really no reason not to explore beyond what others may consider the "correct" choice to discover what you like. The casual wine drinker and those new to the experience tend to go with the basic I like it or I dont like it opinion. Thats fine, however, it may also be interesting for them to take the next step. While relishing the wine, I suggest spending a moment to focus on the aromatics and flavors contained in that first sniff and sip. This simple exercise will help develop a personal memory bank and form a basis for future experimentation. Wine can be more than a pleasing beverage, but need not be so complicated that it detracts from its pure enjoyment. Its all an individual choice. Paraphrasing what Mr. Tchelistcheff said to me many years ago, "It's your opinion that counts and it's up to you to create your own experience." Napa County Superior Court Judge Mark Boessenecker declined to dismiss the countys lawsuit against the Hoopes Vineyard winery for procedural reasons. The matter went to trial in February and the parties submitted their post-trial briefs in subsequent months. Boessenecker has yet to announce a verdict. More recently, the Hoopes winery asked that the case be dismissed. Lindsay Hoopes of the winery who is also an attorney alleged the county had withheld information from her side prior to the trial that could have made a difference. Boessenecker issued his ruling on the Hoopes request late Friday. He wrote that, because no verdict has been announced in the trial, the court cannot determine whether any incurable prejudice at trial exists. He also declined to call for a new trial on the same grounds. A new trial motion cannot be made until there is a decision in the case, he wrote. Boessenecker did not say whether he agrees or disagrees that Napa County failed to produce all relevant documents prior to the trial, or whether new evidence proves what the Hoopes side claims. He only noted that those points are "heavily disputed" by the county. The county in 2022 filed suit against the Hoopes winery in Napa County court for allegedly hosting visitors illegally, among other alleged code violations. The winery is located at 6204 Washington St. near Yountville. Lindsay Hoopes has denied the allegations on several grounds. One argument is that the small winery exemption permit that established the winery in the mid-1980s doesnt exclude all tasting visitors, as the county claims, but only public drop-in visitors. She pointed to the countys winery databases from 2012 and 2015, which she obtained after the February trial. It shows that Hoopes winery and at least 23 other small wineries are allowed by-appointment visitors. Subsequent versions show no visitation of any kind allowed. The Hoopes side says these and other documents show the countys interpretation of its rules for small winery exemptions changed over the years. That belies the countys claim that its rules are clear, a court filing said. In legal briefings, county officials said the winery database contains errors and doesnt confer entitlements. It also accused the Hoopes side of following the wrong procedures in its dismissal request. This backdoor effort to apparently augment the trial record is impermissible, the county filing said. Hoopes winery also went on the legal offensive last week. The winery, along with the Summit Lake and Smith-Madrone wineries, filed a federal lawsuit accusing the county of overstepping its regulatory reach. "Napa County's actions have violated numerous Constitutional rights of county wineries, including plaintiffs, and it is time they end," the filing said. PHOTOS: Justin-Siena vs. Vintage High School Girls Golf THE NEW CHALLENGE TO THE SCO By: Stephen Blank The recent summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana reveals that both Moscow and Beijing are seeking to reformat the organization in order to meet their global rather than its original regional goals. That process represents a serious challenge to the foreign policy autonomy and interests of Central Asian states and probably to regional security. As the center of gravity of world politics shifts ever more to Asia, the role and importance of Central Asia is likely to grow. These trends should be recognized and acted upon to assure that Central Asia does not become a closed sphere of Sino-Russian influence, which would retard its growth and transform it into a breeding ground for conflict. BACKGROUND: The SCO was first set up to create an institutional framework by which Chinas growing importance in and to Central Asia could be regulated. At the same time, it also constituted a forum for Central Asian governments whereby they could address not only each other but also Russia and China concerning their interests and needs and where all the parties could reach agreement on how to contend with shared threats, e.g. the genuine and continuing threat of terrorism. As such the SCO gradually evolved into a viable regional security forum where both Moscow and Beijing could present or implement their regional security initiatives and Central Asian states could present their interests and needs. Thus, it functioned to satisfy all the members needs as a purely regional security organization. However, as world politics evolved towards a world order characterized primarily by great power rivalry and even threats of nuclear confrontation, Russia and China clearly intend to impart a wholly new purpose and direction to the SCO that threatens the interests of the Central Asian states. Membership now includes India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus. These additions to the SCOs roster are primarily attributable to Sino-Russian maneuvers great power calculations that outweigh regional concerns. Moreover, these new members of the SCO have also brought their rivalries, especially those between India and Pakistan over Afghanistan and Kashmir, and India and China over Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), into the SCO, probably rendering the organization less effective as a security provider. Finally, Russias war in Ukraine has also undermined its reputation as a security provider in Central Asia, not least because high-ranking scholars like Sergei Karaganov and officials regularly make veiled and even unsubtle threats against Kazakhstan, which they claim to be part of Russia. Recent trends, as expressed at the SCO summit in Astana and other high-level Russo-Chinese gatherings, indicate that both Russia and China have abandoned the idea that the SCO serves mainly as a regional security institution. In numerous speeches, Putin, Xi, and spokesmen for their policies now openly state that the SCO, like the BRICS, manifests a new and evolving form of multipolar politics led by Moscow and Beijing, which herald the rise of the East and South against a supposedly decrepit West. In this self-serving ideological depiction of the emerging world order, these formerly regional or economic organizations function to attack the West and validate Moscows and Beijings hegemony over weaker neighbors like Central Asia. This hegemony entails an unquestioned division of the world into spheres of influence and the extreme minimization of foreign influence in Central Asia. IMPLICATIONS: In this new world order, Russias visibly declining hegemony over Central Asian security and culture would be restored, possibly by force, and to judge from ongoing economic trends, under Chinese sufferance. While this may well be a delusional dream, it now holds sway in Moscow and represents another desperate effort to hold on to the wrecks of empire. As Sergei Radchenko demonstrates in his superb account of Soviet foreign policy, Moscow cannot claim the mantle of great power and imperial status if it lacks willing clients. Therefore, it will consistently attempt to subordinate its neighbors, including Central Asia. China shares this imperial world view. Its methods in Russia and Central Asia are primarily economic, yet no less coercive than Russias more heavy-handed approach. However, Beijing is happy for now to let Russia bear security burdens that it prefers to avoid, given the challenges it faces in Korea, the South China Sea, and India. And it certainly welcomes Russias growing dependence on China in economics and as provider of strategic technologies. If this interpretation of the SCO gains traction, it entails several challenges to Central Asian members and India. First, the vision of the SCO as a Sino-Russian artifact of a multipolar order entails a diminution of Central Asian states sovereignty as free international actors. Beijing and Moscow will seek to coerce them into following their agenda, not a Central Asian one. The idea that the SCO is merely an artefact of a great power struggle over multipolarity and spheres of influence not only justifies pressure upon Central Asia to oust U.S. and European presence and influence from the region. It also aims to curtail Central Asias increasing outreach to the West and vice versa that is now finally taking place. This exclusionary Sino-Russian approach can only lead to economic isolation, stagnation, and subordination to Moscow and Beijing when both those economies have long since entered upon their own periods of stagnation. Second, the triumph of this view of the SCO enhances Russias and Chinas economic leverage on Central Asia. It allows Moscow to continue threatening Central Asian migrants and economies by playing the increasingly popular anti-migrant card in Russian politics. Beijing will similarly employ the leverage it possesses through trade and investment deals to coerce local governments into an inferior position, especially if other alternatives are unavailable. Third, Russian and possibly Chinese military threats, particularly against Kazakhstan, will increase. And fourth, at the same time Moscow and China will collaborate at Chinas behest, given Russias extensive dependence on China, to exclude India from future major trade and transport routes as China has already done. Thus, the SCO will become a vehicle whose purposes also comprise the stifling of Indias growing power and interests in Central Asia. One form these processes will likely take is already underway whereby Russia will seek alignment with Afghanistan, ostensibly to stop terrorism and reaffirm its military hegemony over Central Asia. Indeed, its ambassador to Kabul now proclaims an alliance between the two states, an alliance that can only suppress Indian and Central Asian interests in expanding ties. As part of this projected reorientation of the SCO, therefore, it will be subordinated to the exigencies of great power rivalry with the U.S. while the Sino-Indian rivalry in Asia will be institutionalized within it. The consequences may to some degree be unforeseeable; but are unlikely to redound to the benefit of Central Asian governments. CONCLUSIONS: For interested parties, i.e. not only regional governments, but also the U.S. and the EU, it is necessary to prevent the resubordination of Central Asia to the renewed imperial fantasies of Russia and China. This entails constant high and low-level interaction among these states with regard to critical issues: terrorism, which clearly remains a real threat, future ties to Afghanistan, bilateral and multilateral energy, trade, transportation routes, rare earths, environmental reclamation projects, education, and defense cooperation. Only by such means can the West and its leading organizations contribute to the preservation of regional peace, trade, investment, growth, and mitigate looming environmental threats in Central Asia. India too must step up its game here and realize the long-held but unfulfilled promise of enhanced ties with and support for Central Asia by carrying out an increasing number of projects on this same agenda with local governments. This would forestall a Chinese-led but Russian-supported effort to curtail Central Asian ties with both the West and Asias other key players. The newly announced South Korean plan for increased ties with Central Asia exemplifies what could be done. Finally, both the West and leading Asian powers should lend growing support to the rising trend among Central Asian states to enhance their mutual and regional cooperation. To the degree that foreign support and local perceptions foster regional cooperation on the many challenges facing Central Asia, they enhance local and regional capabilities while also raising the cost to Beijing and Moscow of interference in Central Asia. In other words, Western support for individual country projects and especially for multilateral cooperative projects encompassing the agenda presented above, are win-win and mutually beneficial. They build peace, economic growth and development, and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Central Asian states that is openly at risk from both Beijing and Moscow. Enhancing Western influence and regional cooperation are proven ways of reducing conflict whereas spheres of influence invariably foster neo-imperial rivalries. The masquerade of Sino-Russian multipolarity will not have different results if we neglect Central Asia. Instead, we will only increase the costs to that region and to our own interests. AUTHORS BIO: Stephen Blank is a Senior Fellow with the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Fprpi.org. PRNewswire Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 9: In a significant step towards enhancing the hospitality sector as well as the quality of hospitality education in India, the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) and Speciality today signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at IIHM's prestigious Global Campus in Salt Lake, Kolkata. This brings one of India's best known Restaurant companies and the world's biggest hospitality education brand together in a ground-breaking partnership which will benefit both hospitality students and the hospitality industry. The partnership aims to bolster education, training, and industry collaboration to further elevate the quality of hospitality professionals in the country. After the IIHM leadership team warmly welcomed the Speciality Restaurants leadership team at Bacchus, IIHM's VIP Lounge, the attendees proceeded to the David Foskett Auditorium where the MoU was signed. The signatories were Dr Suborno Bose, Chairman and Chief Mentor, IIHM and Mr Debashish Ghosh, General Manager - Brand Standards and Guest Relations, Speciality Restaurants. Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman and Chief Mentor of IIHM, expressed his enthusiasm for this historic collaboration by stating, "This partnership with Speciality Restaurants Ltd. is a testament to our commitment to providing students with the best education and industry exposure. Together, we are crafting the future of hospitality, where education meets excellence. Let this memorandum be the recipe for success, where theory meets practice, and where our students become the future leaders who propel the hospitality industry to greater heights." Anjan Chatterjee, Chairman & Managing Director, Speciality Restaurants, expressed his gratitude and thoughts on this transformative alliance, saying, "We are grateful to Dr Suborno Bose and IIHM for signing this MOU which helps us generate and absorb qualified manpower. Dr Bose has not only helped stand alone restaurant chains like ours but also the entire industry in general. Today is an iconic day, which binds us together and makes us stronger." Guests and attendees were also given a guided tour of the IIHM campus, providing them with a first-hand glimpse of the institute's world-class facilities. The MoU, which came into effect immediately, solidifies the partnership between IIHM and Speciality Restaurants, reflecting their shared commitment to advancing educational opportunities for students and promoting mutually beneficial linkages in the hospitality sector. Under the MoU, the key objectives and provisions are outlined as follows: * Background: The partnership aims to foster long-term collaboration in higher education, enhancing the learning experience for students pursuing Hospitality Management. It intends to create highly employable Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) 1-Year Certificate holders. * Speciality Restaurants' Role and Responsibility: Speciality Restaurants will provide essential inputs to IIHM for curriculum design, industrial training, guest lectures, faculty development programs, student placement, and operational exposure. * IIHM's Role and Responsibility: IIHM will oversee student selection, offer dedicated classrooms, and conduct a 1-year course, including industrial training and exams. * Program Management and Quality Assurance: Speciality Restaurants will provide material for dedicated classrooms and both parties will nominate representatives to monitor the MoU's implementation. * Placement of Students in India: Speciality Restaurants will recruit the students of IIHM given admission under this MoU at the entry-level position in India subject to their final selection by the authorised Selection panel. This collaboration between IIHM and Speciality Restaurants holds great promise for the future of the hospitality industry in India, emphasizing education, skill development, and industry engagement. The signing of the MoU is a significant milestone in the journey to elevate the standards of hospitality and tourism in the country. About IIHM IIHM (International Institute of Hotel Management) is one of the largest chain of premier hospitality and hotel management schools across India that started its journey in 1994 at Kolkata. IIHM is a part of Indismart Group, the conglomerate that operates the Indismart Hotels. IIHM campuses are located across eleven National and International cities with the associate institute IAM-IHM located in Kolkata, and Guwahati. Students passing out of IIHM are armed with an international degree from the University of West London and equipped with global hospitality skills that enable easy placements in any hospitality brand across the world. IIHM is dedicated to its pursuit of excellence in teaching and placements. Real time experience is the key to success in hospitality and that makes the institute popular. In recent years, IIHM has been instrumental in organizing the Worlds biggest Culinary Olympiad Young Chef Olympiad, with participation of over 50 countries, a unique idea and initiative inviting young culinary talents across the world. It has MoU's with over 50 countries for student and faculty exchange bringing the best of education for its students from around the World. The institute has bagged several prestigious awards in the past 24 years. The list includes the Best Education Brand Award from Economic Times consecutively 7 years in a row in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024, Most Valuable Global Hospitality Education Brand 2023 by Zee, Institute of Excellence in Domestic and International placement by TV9 Bangla and Excellence in Academics at Institutional Infrastructure by Times Excellence Awards. Best Placement Institute by ASSOCHAM 2021 & Educational Excellence Award by ASSOCHAM 2023 It was also featured in Forbes Magazine as Great Indian Institute and Great Place to Study consecutively in the year 2018 - 2019 and 2019 - 2020. IIHM was also awarded as one among the World's Greatest Brands & Leaders 2015-16 by URS International (IMEA - Process Reviewer PriceWaterhouseCoopers PL) and also received the Best Institute in Hospitality Education 2017 Award by ASSOCHAM from Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Hon'ble Minister of State for HRD (Higher Education), Govt. of India. Please visit for more information: www.iihm.ac.in Media Contact:Mr. Abdullah AhmedAbdullah.ahmed@iihm.ac.in011-43204700 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2499336/IIHM_Speciality_Partnership_MoU.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2256068/IIHM_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Mahindra & Mahindra's commercial vehicle manufacturing unit, Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited (MLMML), has announced the launch of its electric four-wheeler, 'e-ZEO', slated for October 3, 2024. The company revealed this in a filing to the stock exchanges on Monday, aligning with the celebration of World EV Day. In its statement, the company said, "On World EV Day, Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited (MLMML), the pioneer in transforming last-mile mobility in India with its market-leading e3Ws, has revealed the name of its all-new commercial electric four-wheeler." As per the company statement, the new vehicle will be branded as the 'e-ZEO,' which stands for "Zero Emission Option." According to Mahindra, this name encapsulates the environmental benefits of the electric vehicle, resonating with the company's broader mission to electrify last-mile transportation while enabling its customers to thrive. The electric four-wheeler is expected to be a strong contender in the small commercial vehicle (SCV) segment, which is currently dominated by internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The 'e-ZEO' will be built with an efficient high-voltage architecture, designed to provide superior energy efficiency, a higher range, and faster charging times. This makes the vehicle an ideal choice for businesses looking for cost-effective and environmentally friendly transport options. The company is positioning the 'e-ZEO' as a game-changer in the urban logistics space, offering a compelling alternative to traditional ICE vehicles in the sub-two-tonne category. World EV Day, celebrated on September 9 each year, highlights the global commitment to sustainable transportation. "Having led the charge in the last mile electric three-wheeler vehicle space, it gives us immense pleasure to reveal the brand name of our four-wheeler, 'e-ZEO', on World EV Day. This name resonates deeply with our purpose and aligns with global efforts to accelerate EV adoption, particularly in the sub-two-tonne category. Backed by the Mahindra trust, the 'e-ZEO' is poised to reshape urban logistics and drive prosperity for our customers," said Suman Mishra, Managing Director & CEO of Mahindra Last Mile Mobility. The launch of all models of the 'e-ZEO' on October 3, 2024, marks a significant step in Mahindra's expansion into the commercial four-wheeler electric mobility sector. The company is positioning the new vehicle as a key player in its mission to revolutionize last-mile mobility and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for urban transportation. (ANI) PNN New Delhi [India], September 9: On September 5, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., the International Youth Development Foundation (IYDF) partnered with Shree Renuka Optical to host a heartwarming charity event at APMC School in Hubli, Karnataka. The event, titled "Caring for Education, Nurturing Growth," aimed to provide much-needed school supplies to 98 underprivileged students, while also educating them on puberty and hygiene, encouraging healthy development. Supporting Education, Spreading Warmth During the event, IYDF and Shree Renuka Optical volunteers distributed notebooks, pencils, pens, and erasers to 98 students at APMC School. These essential learning tools not only addressed the students' educational needs but also highlighted the community's concern for their growth and development. The children were visibly thrilled to receive the supplies, with many expressing their gratitude. The joy on their faces brought immense satisfaction to the volunteers. The selfless volunteers included Chirag Kalal, Hemanth, Sunil Basava, Neha Jagdish, Parth Thakkar, Prajval Harvi, Terence Irkal, and Angela Desoza, who brought love and warmth to the day's activities. Creativity and Growth: Unleashing Potential After distributing the materials, the volunteers led the children in a fun-filled clay modeling activity, encouraging them to mold their favorite shapes. This hands-on activity allowed the students to express their creativity, while also enhancing their motor skills and artistic sensibility. The atmosphere was light and joyful, as the children eagerly participated, demonstrating their thirst for new knowledge and skills. Focusing on Puberty Health: Breaking the Silence and Raising Awareness In addition to material aid and creative activities, the IYDF team hosted an important session on puberty health and hygiene. The lecture, titled "Empowering Young Minds: Breaking the Silence on Menstruation and Puberty," aimed to educate both boys and girls about physical changes during adolescence, menstrual hygiene, and the importance of understanding boundaries. Using simple, relatable language and examples, the volunteers helped the students comprehend essential physiological knowledge, while encouraging them to embrace these natural changes with confidence. The session also emphasized personal hygiene and self-protection, providing the students with the information they need to navigate this stage of life with greater awareness and self-assurance. Gratitude from the School and Looking Ahead At the close of the event, APMC School's headteacher, Anita P. Bifikar, invited the IYDF team to her office to personally thank them for their contribution. She expressed her gratitude, saying, "The children are overjoyed. These donated supplies will greatly assist their learning. You are truly God's children, and He will bless you as you continue to help more students." Her heartfelt words of appreciation further motivated the volunteers, reinforcing their commitment to ongoing community service. Reflections: The Power of Love and Service Event organizer Muralidhar Divate shared his thoughts after the event: "Seeing the children's smiles makes all the effort worthwhile. Education is not just about imparting knowledge--it's about caring and taking responsibility. Through events like this, we hope to brighten these children's futures and give them more opportunities and confidence." The volunteers were equally moved by the experience, noting that the event helped them forge a meaningful connection with the children. They also reflected on the significance of giving back to the community. "Every child deserves access to quality education and proper guidance," they said, adding that IYDF will continue working toward this goal, bringing warmth and hope to even more children. Conclusion The collaboration between IYDF and Shree Renuka Optical highlights the importance of community involvement in advancing charitable causes. By donating school supplies, facilitating creative activities, and providing puberty health education, the children received both practical support and a sense of social care. As we look to the future, we hope more organizations and individuals will join in, contributing to a society that fosters education, growth, and care for all children. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], September 9: In an audacious move that has grabbed the attention of entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts alike, 17-year-old Subodh Kaushik, the founder and CEO of shopeepie, has issued a bold challenge to the entire LinkedIn community. In a recent post, Subodh announced the launch of shopeepie's first-ever Auctions for men's, women's, and footwear categories. But there's a twist--Subodh himself will be participating in the bidding wars, daring others to outbid him for his own brand's premium products. Known for his visionary approach to business, Subodh has transformed shopeepie into a fashion powerhouse in just a few short years. Now, with the introduction of auctions, shopeepie is pushing boundaries in the online retail space. This new venture allows users to bid on exclusive items across shopeepie's collections, giving customers a unique chance to secure high-quality fashion pieces at competitive prices. But Subodh's LinkedIn post made it clear--he's not just offering exclusive deals; he's throwing down the gauntlet. Subodh's Bold Challenge: "Outbid Me If You Can" In his viral LinkedIn announcement, Subodh confidently declared: "I'm not just here to watch from the sidelines. I'll be bidding in these auctions too. Think you've got what it takes to beat me? Bring it on." This daring challenge has sparked excitement and intrigue among the platform's professionals, influencers, and fashion lovers. The CEO's direct involvement in the auctions adds a competitive element that's rarely seen from a brand founder. Not only does it raise the stakes for participants, but it also demonstrates Subodh's hands-on approach to his business--a sign of his confidence and relentless pursuit of innovation. Exclusive Items Up for Grabs The auctions will feature some of shopeepie's most sought-after items, including limited-edition clothing and footwear, designed for both men and women. Each piece has been carefully curated to showcase shopeepie's commitment to quality, style, and sustainability. With every bid, participants will be vying not just for fashion but for a piece of shopeepie's story. The Social Media Buzz As word spread about Subodh's challenge, social media platforms exploded with excitement. LinkedIn users have already begun to speculate about how they'll strategize their bids, with some even challenging Subodh right back in the comments section of his post. Entrepreneurs, influencers, and loyal customers are gearing up to face off against the 17-year-old CEO in what promises to be one of the most talked-about events in online fashion retail. Join the Auction--and the Challenge shopeepie's auctions are set to begin next month, and all eyes will be on the bidding boards as Subodh squares off against the LinkedIn community. Will anyone be able to outbid the young CEO and claim the top items for themselves? Or will Subodh prove once again that his entrepreneurial spirit knows no limits? Whether you're bidding for high-quality fashion or just eager to see if you can outplay the founder himself, shopeepie's auctions promise to be an exhilarating ride. Subodh has put out the challenge. Now it's up to the LinkedIn community to rise to the occasion. Will you take the dare? (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) China Festival 2024 kicked off in Yoyogi Park in downtown Tokyo on Saturday, with some 150 booths set up on site to showcase the vitality of China's booming economy. The two-day event, co-sponsored by the Chinese embassy in Japan and the Executive Committee of China Festival 2024, features food tasting, tourism promotion, and cultural displays such as erhu performances, acrobatic shows and popular animation. Visitors can also experience the new energy vehicles, smartphones and other "intelligent manufacturing in China." Japanese Former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said in his speech at the opening ceremony that this year's China Festival has Shandong, Hunan, Qinghai and other Chinese provinces participating in the exhibition, fully demonstrating the charm of Chinese local culture. Fukuda, also the top advisor of the Executive Committee of China Festival 2023, said China is developing rapidly and expressed hopes that more Japanese people will have the opportunity to visit China and experience the current China for themselves. He looks forward to both sides jointly promoting people-to-people friendship through enhanced personnel exchanges. Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao said that this year's event is unprecedented in scale, aiming to fully display the excellent traditional Chinese culture and the achievements of Chinese modernization, so that everyone can understand contemporary China through close experience. We hope that the China Festival will serve as a bridge to encourage more Japanese people to visit China and experience the real and vivid China, Wu added. Tokyo resident Junko Toya has taken her daughter on about 20 trips to China. At this year's event, she tasted steamed dumplings and experienced Chinese ink painting. "I haven't been to China for a long time, and I missed China very much this time when I participated in the China Festival. My child said that she tasted the Chinese flavors in her childhood memories again," she said. The session was attended by key industry figures, including Shradha Suri Marwah, President of ACMA; Vinod Aggarwal, President of SIAM; Sanjiv Puri, President of CII & Managing Director of ITC; Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India; and Pawan Goenka, Chairman of SCALE. In his address, Minister Kumaraswamy highlighted the transformative impact of reforms initiated by PM Narendra Modi. He praised the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative for driving self-reliance and fostering growth in the auto component sector, which now contributes over 2.7 per cent to India's GDP and provides employment to over 5 million people. The sector achieved a significant USD 300 million trade surplus this year, attributed to increased localization efforts. "Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi bold reforms are transforming industries. The AtmanirbharBharat initiative is empowering India's self-reliance, as reflected in the impressive growth of the auto component industry--contributing 2.7% to GDP and creating over 5 million jobs. The Ministry of Heavy Industries' PLI Auto, PLI ACC, FAME-II, and EMPS schemes play a pivotal role in achieving the Prime Minister's vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat2047," the Minister said. The Minister also discussed the success of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the auto sector, which has attracted Rs 74,850 crore in investments, generating over 30,000 jobs. He also outlined the PLI Scheme for Advanced Battery Cells, targeting 50 GWh manufacturing capacity, and praised the FAME-II Scheme and the newly launched Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) for promoting electric vehicle adoption. Furthermore, he emphasized the crucial role of technology innovation platforms in realizing the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat through enhanced innovation and collaboration. Minister Kumaraswamy also announced that the FAME III Scheme will be introduced soon, with ongoing discussions about its framework. In the interim, the EMPS scheme will be extended for an additional two months to address and rectify any identified issues within FAME II. (ANI) The 54th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council begins on Monday at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi under the chairmanship of union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The meeting is attended by key officials of the finance ministry along with the finance ministers of different states. The Ministry of Finance posted on X, "Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman chairs the 54th meeting of the GST Council, at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, in New Delhi, today. Along with the Union Finance Minister, Union Minister of State for Finance @mppchaudhary ; Chief Ministers of Goa and Meghalaya; Deputy Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana; besides Finance Ministers of States & UTs (with legislature) and Senior officers from Union Government & States are also attending the meeting." https://x.com/finminindia/status/1833026950450778290?s=48&t=CSE0glwGSDCXRHUtG7cLjw Sources told ANI that the GST Council is expected to provide significant relief to individuals and senior citizens by lowering the GST rate on health insurance premiums. Currently, both health and life insurance policies premiums attracts 18 percent GST. According to sources, the fitment committee of GST Council, consisting of central and state tax officials, evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of reducing the GST rate on health insurance premiums on Sunday. A report of the fitment committee outlining the GST levied on life, health, and reinsurance premiums, along with its revenue impact, will be submitted to the GST Council. The Council members will then discuss and decide whether to implement the proposed reduction in GST on health insurance premiums. One source also indicated that the GST Council may reduce the GST on individual health insurance premiums from 18 per cent to nil, although the 18 per cent GST rate for group health insurance premiums is expected to remain unchanged. Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Minister Atishi on Monday said that if GST is implemented on research grants that institutes receive then the Delhi government and the Punjab government will strongly oppose it during the 54th meeting of the GST Council. "The Central Government is continuously reducing the amount of research grants from its budget and on the other hand, when education institutes are bringing research grants on their own, then 18 per cent GST is being imposed on them...If an institute like IIT Delhi is researching certain types of vehicles, aircraft and medical equipment, then why GST is imposed on it?" Atishi told ANI. She further said that if there is talk of imposing any kind of GST on research grants given to the institutions, then the Delhi government would strongly oppose it. "Another important issue is related to online payment. Till now, less than Rs 2,000 online payments were exempted from GST but there is a proposal that GST should be imposed on payments made through payment gateways. This will have a huge impact on small businesses and start-ups. If GST is implemented on health insurance, life Insurance and insurance for people with some mental disability, both the Delhi government and the Punjab government should strongly oppose this," she added. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that they would speak about scrapping GST on health insurance. "Delhi and Punjab are on the same page regarding the agenda on Health insurance--whether GST should be imposed on Health Insurance. GST should not be imposed on this...We will speak about scrapping GST on health insurance. The second biggest issue is about research, be it a private or government institution, we oppose GST on them. Research is being done for the country, for its development, so there should be no GST on it," Cheema said. The GST Council is chaired by Nirmala Sitharaman and comprises state ministers as its members. (ANI) PNN New Delhi [India], September 9: Manglam Infra and Engineering Limited has been awarded several expansive projects and praised for their achievements for the month of August 2024. This month is important and noteworthy because the company continues its drive for growth and innovation in the Infra Consultancy Sector. This disclosure is important as a practice of enhanced corporate governance facilitating the dissemination of the information to various stakeholders of the organisation. It is also shared with the National Stock Exchange of India to keep records. Five projects were awarded to the company. The first is the Supervision and Quality Quality Control Consultancy Service for the Construction of Kanya Siksha Parisar Jaithari and CM Rise School Project (Amgawa, Khuntatola, Pushprajgarh) Dist. Anuppur (M.P.) with PWD Annapur as their client in Madhya Pradesh. The advance cost given is Rs 69,08,123.40. The date of agreement is on Aug 7, 2024. Another project awarded to them is the Consultancy Services for four Lanning of NH 123 (507) from Herbertpur to Kalsi (0.00 to 16.00). It is under the jurisdiction of the Chief Engineer-Regional Officer (Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Dheradun). The DPR was projected to be about 16 km in Uttarakhand, with the project cost estimated at around Rs 27,33,600.00. The agreement was made on 13 Aug, 2024. Preparation of Detailed Project Report for upgradation of four laning of Keshloor-Sukma-Konta in the state of Chhattisgarh with Regional Officer (Ministry of Roads Transport & Highways) as the client at Raipur in Chhattisgarh with a length of 170 km roads to be undertaken. The cost is about Rs.1,98,51,281.60, and the agreement was completed on 14 August 2024. Conducting Final Location Survey, traffic survey submission of comprehensive DPR for all civil, electrical and S&T work preparation of detail estimate along with Alignment Plan, Yard Plan, drawing for minor bridges, major bridges, ROB/RUB, FOB, level crossing drawings, Hydrological & Geotechnical Investigation and all other ancillary works, preparation & submission of EPC Tender document for all works including Electrical, TRD and S&T for Andal-Sitarampur 6th line (34 km), Sitarampur-Pradhankhanta 4th line (40.06 km), Barboni-Sitarampur double line project (13.21 km), Kalipahari Bypass Line connecting Mohisila(SER) with Asansol Yard bypassing Kalipahari project and Sitarampur Link Cabin Flyover Project. The client of this project is the Dy. CE/CON/I/ASN, Eastern Railway FLS West Bengal. The length is about 87.27 km, with a proposed cost of around Rs 1,29,97,299.00. The agreement was done on 16 Aug 24. The last project is about the consultancy services for the preparation of Feasibility studies and Detailed project reports for the work of rehabilitation, Upgradation and Widening of the existing Highway to 2 Lane with Paved Shoulder of Mahan Akola from km 107/500 to km 136/809 (Length 29.309 km) of NH 161A in Akola district in the State of Maharashtra. The client being the Executive Engineer (National Highway Division) Akola Bandhkam Bhavan, Gorakshan Road, Akola -444001. The length of the project is about 29.309 km in Maharashtra. The total project cost is Rs. 18,70,547.00, and the project proposal has been signed on 30 Aug 24. Praising the achievement, Ajay Verma, the managing director of the company said, "we remain committed to maintaining our high standards of excellence and delivering exceptional value to our clients, partners, and shareholders." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], September 9: SriLankan Airlines, the National Carrier and a prestigious Oneworld member bagged a Gold Award in the category of 'Marketing-Carrier' at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards 2024, held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand on 28th August 2024, reaffirming the global appeal of its marketing communication endeavors. The campaign, "Colours of Jaffna" is the first of its kind of marketing campaign steered by any Sri Lankan entity that exclusively shone a spotlight on the island's vibrant north. The timeliness of the campaign is further reinstated with CNN naming Jaffna as one of Asia's most underrated places recently. This year, PATA honoured 24 travel and tourism entities from across the world for their award-winning work towards marketing, promotional and sustainability endeavours in the global sphere, out of over 100 entries adjudged by a panel of 23 industry experts. One of the most successful campaigns ever to have been executed in the Airlines' history, 'Colours of Jaffna' garnered a reach of over 14,000,000 across social media platforms with over 500,000 engagements. SriLankan Airlines, Head of Marketing, Saminda Perera said, "I take this opportunity to thank the encouragement and support extended to us by the management, our valued partners and my team, without whom this will never be a possibility. Time after time, we have endeavoured to present Sri Lanka in novel perspectives, and it gives us a great pleasure to be affirmed that our efforts are recognized by the industry fraternity and the travellers alike." Considering the potential of Jaffna's rich heritage, striking architecture, vibrant cultural characteristics, and the quintessential flavours of its unique culinary features, the National Carrier, in its campaign, has aptly captured the beauty of each of these aspects, thereby inviting the traveller to embark on an immersive experience. Situated in the Northern most part of Sri Lanka, Jaffna has always been a hotspot with a rich history. It has evolved from an ancient kingdom, a symbol of cultural vibrancy, and a city with progressive currents, before the three-decade conflict drastically changed the city's trajectory. With the end of war, Jaffna re-emerged as a sought-after destination among the local tourists, with the same inherent attributes of culture, cuisine and people, recommending it over other popular tourist getaways. Today, Jaffna boasts of a legacy of rebirth, and represents the seamless amalgamation of contemporary hospitality with its defining attributes that have stood the test of time. Centring it around the historic Nallur Kandaswamy Festival, the national festival that spans the longest duration of 20-25 days which takes place in August every year, this was an invitation to visit Jaffna and experience the city in its most glorious and vibrant form. Staying true to the campaign title 'Colours of Jaffna' the campaign visuals, both the imagery and videography, highlight the plethora of colours that defines Jaffna. From the water fronts, the historic Fort, ponds with fabled health properties, colourful temple interiors, festivities, cuisine, the visual tonality focuses on the contrasting, yet striking colours to highlight the novelty, excitement and vivacity of the city. The attributes of water and shades of green and blue are generously used to bring out the soothing surrounds. The video, with its rhythmic soundtrack presents a mix of scenic, cultural, and human beauty of Jaffna. The change of tempos signifies the ebb and flow inherent to the city- the fine contrast of calm against the beautiful chaos of festivities. Like little surprises, the main soundtrack gives a way to sound bites of the mundane such as the bells etc., making the visual experience as authentic as possible. The Airline launched the campaign with this spectacular video that unveils the fascinating facets of Jaffna, which was followed by a series of posts and a fun quiz, raising awareness on Jaffna's various attractions. The scenic beauty of Jaffna has adorned the backdrops and giveaways of the Airlines' corporate events. Complementing the promotional drive, the Airlines' leisure arm, SriLankan Holidays introduced a series of holiday packages covering the best of Jaffna, with Jetwing Hotels as the exclusive hospitality partner. The Airline takes this opportunity to congratulate Jetwing Hotels, the other PATA award-recipient from Sri Lanka under the coveted category "Climate Change Initiative." This attractive invitation to experience Jaffna was carried across the Airlines' vast network, including its single largest market, India, which is connected to the island with over 80 flights a week out of 9 Indian cities. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], September 9: SPP Polymer Limited, a leading manufacturing company since over two decades, promoted by Dipak Goyal, Mahavir Bahety & Liladhar Mundhara is planning to raise up to Rs. 24.49 crore from its SME public issue. The company has received approval to launch its public issue on the NSE Emerge Platform of the National Stock Exchange. The public issue opens for subscription on September 10 and closes on September 12. The Proceeds of the public issue will be utilized to meet the company's working capital requirement, prepay or repay loans availed and general corporate purposes. Interactive Financial Services Ltd is the book running lead manager of the issue. The initial public offering of Rs. 24.49 crore, comprises of a fresh issue of 4,150,000 shares of face value Rs. 10 each. Company has fixed price of Rs. 59 per share for the public issue. The minimum lot size for retail investors is 2000 shares amounting to minimum investment of Rs 118,000. Incorporated in 2004, SPP Polymer Limited, formerly known as SPP Food Products Private Limited, is situated at Sidcul Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, it owns a land area of 13650 sq mtr and constructed area of 7500 sq meters. It manufacture of a wide range of HDPE/PP woven fabric and bags, non-woven fabrics and bags, and Multifilament Yarn. The company is located in Rudrapur City, Uttarakhand. The product portfolio comprises of HDPE/PP woven Fabric, HDPE/PP Woven Bags, Non-woven Fabric, Non -woven Bags and Multifilament PP Yarn. The company offers customized solutions according to its clients' specifications. Its installed capacity of HDPE/PP Woven Fabric and bags totals 9125 MT, Non-woven Fabric 3600 MT, and Multifilament Yarn 300 MT per annum. The company has received ISO 9001:2015, 45001:2018, 14001:2015, and SA 8000:2014 accreditation for its quality management system, occupational health and safety management system, and environmental management system. The company provides packaging solutions to business-to-business ("B2B") manufacturers catering to different industries such as cement, chemicals, food grains, sugars, polymers, agriculture, and others for the packaging of goods in big quantities. Highlights:- * Fresh Public issue of 41.5 lakh equity shares opens for subscription from September 10 to September 12 * The company engaged in the business of manufacturing of HDPE/PP woven fabric & bags, Non-woven fabrics & bags and PP Multifilament yarn * Minimum lot size for application is 2000 shares; Minimum IPO application amount Rs. 1.18 lakh * Funds raised through the issue will be used to meet the working capital requirements, repayment of loans and general corporate purposes * For Q1FY25 company reported revenues of Rs. 28.95 crore and Net Profit of Rs. 91.33 lakh Interactive Financial Services Ltd is the book-running lead manager of the issue. Business Highlights:- The company has reported excellent operational and financial performance over the years. The Company has witnessed a multi-fold growth in revenue and profitability over the years. For FY23-24 ended March, the company reported a net profit of Rs. 99.40 lakhs and revenue of Rs. 91.75 crore as compared to profitability and revenue of Rs. 54.42 lakh and Rs. 66.04 crore in FY22-23. As on June 2024, the Net Worth of the company was reported at Rs. 25.91 crore, Reserves & Surplus at Rs. 15 crore and Asset base of Rs. 76.19 crore. As on March 2024, ROE of the company was 8.01%, ROCE at 4.27% and RONW at 3.98%. Shares of the company will be listed on NSE's Emerge platform. (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) Helicopter travel to pilgrimages may soon become cheaper as the GST Council on Monday has decided to slash GST on such a mode of travel. Uttarakhand Finance Minister Prem Chand Agarwal said that the GST Council has accepted their demand to reduce taxes on helicopter travel to pilgrimage sites. "We demanded that GST rate on travel to pilgrimage places by helicopter services should be brought down from 18 percent to 5 percent. Council has accepted our demand," the Uttarakhand minister said. The minister that the effective date for reduced GST on helicopter services will come through notification On imposing GST on research grants received by educational institutions, he said that this issue has been sent to the fitment committee. Similarly, the matter related to online payments through gateways has also been sent to the fitment committee, he added. The 54th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting is being held today in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The decisions taken in today's meeting will be announced later in the day. The GST Council, consisting of the Union Finance Minister and representatives from all States and Union Territories, was established to make decisions on various aspects of GST, including tax rates, exemptions, and administrative procedures. The last meeting of the GST Council was held on 22 June 2024 this year. The GST regime removed the inefficiencies and complexities of the previous archaic taxation system. Over the years, GST has, among others, simplified compliance and reduced the cascading impact of tax. Before July 1, 2017, the indirect tax regime was highly fragmented. The Centre and States were separately taxing goods and services. The GST Council, a federal body comprising the Union Finance Minister as its Chairman and Finance Ministers of all States as members, has played its part in the forum. (ANI) PRNewswire Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], September 9: ICFAI Business School (IBS) has established itself as a leader in management education by adopting an innovative teaching approach - Case-Based Learning. This method has transformed how students engage with business challenges, making ICFAI Business School (IBS) a top choice for aspiring business professionals worldwide. Among one of the largest Case repositories in Asia Pacific, ICFAI Business School (IBS) provide case-based learning which stands out from other MBA/PGPM Colleges in India. The power of Case-Based Learning at IBS At ICFAI Business School (IBS), learning goes beyond textbooks. The Case-Based Method immerses students in real-life business scenarios, encouraging them to analyze problems, think critically, and apply theoretical knowledge to create practical solutions. This hands-on approach nurtures essential skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking, all crucial for success in today's corporate world. Throughout their two-year management program, IBS students navigate through approximately 270 case studies. Students specializing in marketing handle around 290 cases, while those in Operations, HR, and Finance cover about 260 cases each. This extensive case study exposure ensures students develop a deep understanding of diverse business challenges. A vast collection of Cases ICFAI Business School (IBS) is home to a case collection of more than 6,600 meticulously researched cases, supported by teaching notes and structured assignments. These cases, developed by the IBS Case Research Centre, span areas such as Strategy, Corporate Governance, Finance, HR, and Marketing. The centre's dedication to producing high-quality Case Studies has earned IBS a global reputation, with over 900 business schools using its cases as teaching tools. In fact, IBS cases have been widely recognised, consistently winning accolades at prestigious global competitions hosted by The Case Centre. These awards underscore IBS's leadership in case-based pedagogy. Global reach and industry relevance IBS's case studies have a significant impact on business education worldwide. Management studies equipped with Case based learning help students prepare to face the real-world corporate problem. Over 200,000 individual copies have been adopted by universities globally, with more than 10 million copies integrated into textbooks and casebooks. This global reach highlights the practical relevance of IBS's case studies in preparing students for real-world challenges. Hands-on learning ICFAI Business School (IBS) ensures its students are industry-ready through practical exposure to advanced tools like SAP Labs and Bloomberg Terminals. These cutting-edge resources complement the case-based learning approach, equipping students with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience essential for today's data-driven business environment. IBS Case Research Centre: Driving excellence At the heart of IBS's case-based learning is the IBS Centre for Management Research (ICMR). This centre, staffed by faculty and research associates, produces cases that are relevant to current business trends. These cases are not just used at IBS but are sought after by prestigious business schools worldwide, reinforcing IBS's leadership in management education. Practical experience and career preparation In addition to case-based learning, ICFAI Business School (IBS) students participate in the Summer Internship Programme (SIP), providing real-world exposure to business environments. This combination of case studies, internships, and hands-on training ensures that ICFAI Business School (IBS) graduates are well-prepared to thrive in the corporate world. Contact Details: ICFAI Business School Admission OfficePlot No. 65, Nagarjuna HillsPunjagutta, Hyderabad - 500082TelanganaPh: 040 - 23440963 (5 lines)Email: ibsat@ibsindia.org Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1023356/IBS_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) In a major boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 240 AL-31FP aero engines of Su-30MKI aircraft at a cost of over Rs 26,000 crore, the defence ministry said in a statement. The contract was inked by the senior officials of MoD and HAL in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari in New Delhi on September 9, 2024. These aero engines will be manufactured by the Koraput Division of HAL and are expected to fulfil the need of the Indian Air Force to sustain the operational capability of the Su-30 fleet for the defence preparedness of the country. HAL would supply 30 aero engines per year as per the contractual delivery schedule. The supply of all 240 engines would be completed over the period of the next eight years. During the manufacturing, HAL plans to take support from the country's defence manufacturing ecosystem, involving MSMEs and public & private industries. "This would also help increase the indigenous content of repair and overhaul tasks of the aero engines," the defence ministry said. The government is investing heavily in defence and aerospace manufacturing, with several defence hubs being set up. Indian defence PSUs have accumulated tremendously high returns on equities in the past few years, benefiting from the fresh orders. The central government has set the target of achieving indigenous defence manufacturing worth Rs 175,000 crore including defence exports of Rs 35,000 crore by the year 2024-25. Many global companies have either shared or showed intent, to share critical defence and aerospace knowledge with India. India's defence exports have touched a record Rs 21,083 crore (about USD 2.63 billion) in the financial year 2023-24, with a growth of 32.5 per cent over the last fiscal, when the figure was Rs 15,920 crore. The recent figures indicate that defence exports have grown by 31 times in the last 10 years as compared to 2013-14. (ANI) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], September 9: Himalayan Elevation Kashmiri Saffron, a brand from Tata Consumer Products is celebrating Himalayan Day. Himalayan Day is celebrated on 9th September every year and is an annual initiative dedicated to preserving and uplifting the unique Himalayan ecosystem and its communities. This year, the focus is on supporting the saffron farmers of Pampore, Kashmir, who are facing challenges due to declining yield of Kashmiri Saffron. As part of this year's initiative, the brand in collaboration with Matamaal Foundation will be training Kashmiri Saffron farmers starting September, with on-ground sessions planned till October. 100 per cent of the proceeds from all packs of Himalayan Elevation Kashmiri Saffron sold online, in the week of this Himalayan Day, will be used to train these farmers. These trainings will equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to cultivate saffron more efficiently, ensuring the sustainability of their craft. This initiative is in line with the brand's commitment to giving back to the communities that are integral to the Himalayas. With this initiative, not only is the brand providing training to the saffron farmers of Kashmir to combat the declining yield but also giving them the hope they need to continue their craft in the face of environmental challenges. This initiative reflects the brand's belief in the importance of sustainability and its dedication to making a positive impact on society. Consumers can scan the QR code on the back of each Himalayan Elevation Kashmiri Saffron pack to see the specific farmer whose livelihood they have helped uplift. This initiative thus allows consumers to see firsthand the impact their purchase is making on the lives of these farmers. Tata Consumer Products Limited is a focused consumer products company uniting the principal food and beverage interests of the Tata Group under one umbrella. The Company's portfolio of products includes tea, coffee, water, RTD, salt, pulses, spices, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat offerings, breakfast cereals, snacks and mini meals. Tata Consumer Products is the 2nd largest branded tea company in the world. Its key beverage brands include Tata Tea, Tetley, Organic India, Eight O'Clock Coffee, Tata Coffee Grand, Himalayan Natural Mineral Water, Tata Copper+ and Tata Gluco+. Its foods portfolio includes brands such as Tata Salt, Tata Sampann, Tata Soulfull, Ching's Secret and Smith & Jones. In India, Tata Consumer Products has a reach of over 263 million households, giving it an unparalleled ability to leverage the Tata brand in consumer products. The Company has a consolidated annual turnover of ~Rs. 15,206 Crs with operations in India and International markets. For more information, please visit www.tataconsumer.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], September 9: Our Company is engaged in the business of manufacturing rolled steel products i.e., TMT bars under the Kamdhenu Brand catering mainly to the construction industry and for infrastructure development. Our Company manufactures TMT bars from billets through reheating furnace and rolling mill. Aditya Ultra Steel has announced its plan to go public with its Initial Public Offering (IPO) opening on September 9, 2024, aiming to raise of 45.88 Cr (at upper band) with shares to be listed on the NSE Emerge platform. The issue is of 74,00,000 equity shares at a face value of Rs 10 each. Equity Share Allocation The net proceeds from the Issue are set to be utilized primarily for Solar Power Plant Installation aggregating to Rs 1535.00 Lakhs, Working Capital Requirement of the company aggregating to Rs.1500.00 Lakhs, General Corporate Purposes & Public issue expenses. The Lead Manager to the Issue is Swastika Investmart Limited. The Registrar to the Issue is Cameo Corporate Services Limited. Sunny Sunil Singhi said "We are delighted to announce our upcoming IPO on NSE Emerge Platform. The TMT bar market in India is expanding due to the construction and infrastructure sectors and hence the future prospects of our company are bright". About Aditya Ultra Steel: We have a history of more than 12 (Twelve) years in the manufacturing of TMT bars industry. We design and manufacture TMT bars and sell them on a B2B Basis. Our customer base is mainly spread across the State of Gujarat. We have our manufacturing plant located in Survey No-48, Wankarner Boudry, Bhalgam, National Highway 8-A, Wankaner, Rajkot, Wankaner, Gujarat-363621, India which is equipped with testing laboratories, workers' accommodation, etc. Company uses its own fleet of 23 trucks for transportation of Finished Goods. Total installed capacity of facility is 108000 MTPA with additional production capacity of 36000 MTPA on job work Basis. Our Company is promoted by a team of young and experienced entrepreneurs' viz. Mar. Varun Manojkumar Jain, Mar. Sunny Sunil Singhi, and Mgrs. Varuna Jain have a combined experience of more than 17 years in the Steel Industry with proven track records. Financials For the years ended on March 31, 2024, March 31, 2023, and March 31, 2022, our Company has earned revenue from operations of Rs 58,780.08 Lakhs, Rs 53,044.78 Lakhs, Rs 51,535.53 Lakhs respectively. Our Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization ("EBITDA") for the year ended on March 31, 2024, March 31, 2023, and March 31, 2022, were Rs 1,801.39 Lakhs, Rs986.79 Lakhs, Rs 1,091.53 Lakhs respectively. Disclaimer: Certain statements in this document that are not historical facts are forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties like government actions, local, political or economic developments, technological risks, and many other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. The Company will not be in any way responsible for any action taken based on such statements and undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. (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) You are here: Business People visit the 24th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] The 24th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) opened Sunday in the city of Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. Covering around 120,000 square meters, the four-day event draws visitors from 119 countries and regions, of which about 80 percent are Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries. This year's CIFIT highlights the digital economy, new energy and green innovation. It is expected to serve as a platform for more than 80 investment events and roadshow activities. First launched in 1997, the CIFIT, organized by the Ministry of Commerce, has become an important platform for boosting investment and facilitating global development. PNN Patna (Bihar) [India], September 9: The International Youth Development Foundation (IYDF) once again demonstrated its commitment to social welfare by partnering with Heedful Infra Developers Private Limited to organize a charitable event at Rajkiya Prathimika Vidiyala School in Beldari Tola. The event aimed to provide essential learning materials and food to 53 underprivileged children. In addition to providing material support, the initiative fostered interaction and underscored the importance of education, further motivating the children in their studies. Led by Ashish Ranjan Mishra of IYDF, the event was supported by a dedicated team of 19 volunteers, including Sandeep Gaurav, Prem Deep, Suraj Singh, Nishi Sinha, and Anjana Sharan. The team enthusiastically prepared and distributed an array of supplies, including school bags, water bottles, pens, notebooks, pencils, sketchbooks, erasers, sharpeners, rulers, snacks, and chocolates. Comprehensive Support: A Wide Range of Aid Materials The donated items were carefully selected to meet the children's educational and daily needs. These included practical learning supplies such as school bags and stationery, along with fun snacks like Kurkure, chocolate bars, chocolate biscuits, and Bournvita, a health drink. The donations not only improved the children's learning conditions but also added joy to their daily lives. The children's faces lit up with excitement and gratitude as they received the supplies, filling the atmosphere with laughter and happiness. Engaging Activities: Art and Knowledge Competitions Due to heavy rainfall on the day of the event, DharmaShila Devi, the head of the school, opted to cancel outdoor activities for safety reasons. Nonetheless, the volunteers organized a series of indoor activities to keep the event engaging and interactive. The children participated in a creative drawing competition using the sketchbooks and colored pencils provided by IYDF, showcasing their colorful imaginations. Following the drawing session, volunteers hosted a knowledge-based quiz competition. The children eagerly participated, displaying their knowledge and critical thinking skills. The competition was filled with both friendly rivalry and joyful moments, immersing the children in a positive and lively environment. All participants in the drawing and quiz competitions received prizes, including snacks, chocolates, and other treats. The joyful energy in the room was contagious as the children held their prizes proudly, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. Special Addresses: The Importance of Education and Life Lessons As special guests, local police inspector Kailash and area councilor HarshaVardhan Sanjay delivered impactful speeches at the event's conclusion. Coinciding with India's Teacher's Day, the speakers drew from their own life experiences to highlight the vital role of education in personal development. They emphasized that education can transform lives and help these children become the leaders of tomorrow. The children listened attentively, inspired by the wisdom shared by the guests. After the speeches, the children enthusiastically shouted, "I Love You IYDF," expressing their heartfelt gratitude and affection for the organization. Reflections: The Joy of Giving Back Following the event, the volunteers were deeply moved by the experience. Anjana Sharan, one of the IYDF volunteers, shared, "Events like this remind us not only of the joy of helping others but also of the change we can bring to the world. It's a humbling and fulfilling experience." DharmaShila Devi, the school's head, expressed her sincere thanks to IYDF and the volunteers for their selfless support. "This event has made a significant difference for the children. They not only received material assistance but also felt the warmth of care from society. I hope that IYDF can continue supporting these children and, when possible, provide additional resources like fans and water purifiers," she said. Looking Ahead: Continued Care and Support With the successful completion of this event, IYDF remains committed to collaborating with compassionate partners such as Heedful Infra Developers Private Limited to extend help to more underprivileged children. IYDF strives to aid children in overcoming adversity by offering both material support and educational encouragement, paving the way for brighter futures. This event not only brought practical help to the children but also reignited their enthusiasm for learning. Through a series of interactive activities and shared experiences, the event delivered a powerful message of love and hope. The collaboration between IYDF and Heedful Infra Developers Private Limited was more than an act of charity--it was a demonstration of the profound impact that education, care, and social responsibility can have on shaping a better future for all. (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) NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 9: L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), one of the leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in the country, is delighted to announce that it has been conferred with the Fintech for Good - 'Champions of ESG' Award at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 held in Mumbai. GFF is the largest fintech conference, jointly organised by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the Payments Council of India (PCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC). The Company has been recognised for its efforts for creating an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)-enabled ecosystem, integrating ESG in its operations, environmental stewardship, and commitment towards social well-being, among others. LTF's ESG journey started in 2018-19 and has evolved over the years from making sustainability related disclosures based on existing practices to adopting sustainable practices, enhancing disclosures, and certifications to build an ESG conscious organisation. LTF has invested in a host of new ESG initiatives, accomplishing a number of noteworthy milestones in FY24. The Company has put in place a Sustainable Finance Framework (SFF) to further strengthen its capacity to finance Social and Environmental projects which are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Company has reduced its Green House Gas - GHG (Scope 1+2) emissions by ~18% from the previous fiscal year and is on track to achieve its commitment to become carbon neutral by FY35 while also maintaining water positive/surplus status. Also, one-third of the Company's operations are powered by green energy. The Company considers community well-being (including women empowerment) an essential aspect of building the right environment for the betterment of lives and creating sustainable livelihoods. Apurva Rathod, Company Secretary and Chief Sustainability Officer at LTF said, "We are delighted to receive the Fintech for Good - 'Champions of ESG' award at the Global Fintech Fest 2024 for the second consecutive time. Winning this prestigious award reinforces our commitment to developing high-impact financial solutions that empower rural and underprivileged areas while fostering long-term growth. LTF embarked on the path of establishing itself as an ESG-conscious Company, making ESG a core pillar in the business strategy. Since then, LTF has set long-term, middle-term, and short-term ESG targets spread across businesses and has been achieving them. Our ESG-focused approach has already yielded significant benefits and we remain committed to continuing this journey and staying at the forefront of ESG best practices in the BFSI industry." Some of the highlights of the Company's ESG-focused approach are as follows: The Company's Electric Vehicle financing initiative has enabled the financing of 44,168 Electric Vehicles in FY24, resulting in the avoidance of approximately 8,266 tCO2e emissions. Additionally, LTF has sequestered 1,982 tCO2e through plantations and reduced emissions through green power usage by 1,840 tCO2e. Furthermore, the Company has successfully raised Rs. 9,444 Crore of Sustainable Finance/Priority Sector Lending. It has supported over 12.70 lakh community members through the CSR initiatives and helped in linking over 1 lakh beneficiaries to social schemes with a Social Convergence Value of over Rs. 60 Crore. LTF has completed the merger of entities to create a 'Single Lending Entity', enhancing the Company's governance structure and positioning LTF for future growth and sustainability. L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) (www.ltfs.com), formerly known as L&T Finance Holdings Ltd., (LTFH) is a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), offering a range of financial products and services. Headquartered in Mumbai, the Company has been rated 'AAA' -- the highest credit rating for NBFCs -- by four leading rating agencies. It has also received leadership scores and ratings by global and national Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating providers for its sustainability performance. The Company has been certified as a Great Place To Work and has also won many prestigious awards for its flagship CSR project - "Digital Sakhi"- which focuses on women's empowerment and digital and financial inclusion. Under Right to Win, being in the 'right businesses' has helped the Company become one of the leading financiers in key Retail products. The Company is focused on creating a top-class, digitally enabled, Retail finance company as part of the Lakshya 2026 plan. The goal is to move the emphasis from product focus to customer focus and establish a robust Retail portfolio with quality assets, thus creating a Fintech@Scale while keeping ESG at the core. Fintech@Scale is one of the pillars of the Company's strategic roadmap - Lakshya 2026. The Company has around 2.4 Crore customer database, which is being leveraged to cross-sell, up-sell, and identify new customers. (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) Copenhagen is hosting the inaugural NordicIndia Startup Summit, marking a new chapter of collaboration between Denmark and India. Organised in the heart of the Danish capital, the summit establishes a new era of innovation and collaboration between the two regions. This momentous event is being organized by TechBBQ, one of Europe's premier startup conferences, in partnership with Innovation Centre Denmark Bangalore. The Nordic-India Startup Summit is not just another conference; it is a visionary platform designed to forge robust connections across India and the Nordic countries. The summit brings together a diverse and influential array of participants; pioneering startups, visionary investors, top-tier business leaders and government officials. It spotlights key sectors ripe for collaboration, including green tech, life science, circular economy, and the commercialisation of cutting-edge research. These areas are critical not only for the economic prosperity of both regions but also for addressing some of the most pressing global challenges of our time. This unique gathering will catalyse the formation of new partnerships, opening up vast opportunities for growth and collaboration. Freddy Svane, the Ambassador of Denmark to India, hopes that through this summit, Denmark and India can usher in a new era of innovation, that will enhance cross-border understanding of innovation ecosystems, while paving the way for joint ventures that could set new benchmarks in the global marketplace. "This event falls within the 75th year of diplomatic relations between Denmark and India and marks a significant milestone in our unique Green Strategic Partnership, demonstrating our shared commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. By bringing together the brightest minds from both regions, we are laying the groundwork for transformative collaborations that will drive economic prosperity and technological advancements in the years to come. Our ambition is that this one-of-a-kind summit will serve as a catalyst for connecting our vibrant startup and investor ecosystems, enabling us to address global challenges and seize new opportunities together." Avnit Singh, CEO of TechBBQ is hopeful that the summit helps shape a brighter tomorrow for future generations, while further enhancing the startup ecosystems in both ecosystems. "I'm very excited on behalf of the Danish & Indian startup community that we are inviting more than 130 forward-thinking and experienced individuals, founders, investors, and policymakers, to our first ever Nordic India Startup Summit in Copenhagen, two days ahead of the main TechBBQ event," says Avnit Singh. "The aim of our Summit is to discuss pressing issues and encourage further collaboration between the two nations to share ideas, knowledge, expertise and hands-on experiences, so we can continue to build a better future for generations to come--and further build the two startup ecosystems." Participants will gain unparalleled insights from some of the world's leading entrepreneurs, who will share the latest trends, innovative strategies, and success stories on thriving within the Nordic and Indian startup ecosystems. This will not only enhance cross-border understanding but also pave the way for joint ventures that could set new benchmarks in the global marketplace. (ANI) The delegates of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) expressed interest in setting up their office in Bengaluru during a meeting with the state's Large and Medium Industries Minister, MB Patil, here on Monday. As per a Karnataka government statement, the high-level delegation, led by Prasoon Mukherjee, Vice Chairman of SBF, assured the minister that they could create a "Singapore in Bengaluru" if the state government extended its cooperation. The delegation emphasised that SBF has the necessary expertise and investment potential to make this vision a reality. Responding positively to the SBF leaders' proposal, Minister MB Patil, as stated in the statement, said that the government would provide all the required infrastructure, including land, water, power, and connectivity. "We will stay in continuous touch with SBF to facilitate their investment in the state," Patil noted. The minister also invited the entrepreneurs associated with SBF to participate in Karnataka's flagship event, the 'Global Investors Meet', scheduled to be held from February 12-14, 2025. Representatives from companies such as Applied Total Control (ATC) Treatment Pte. Ltd., Biomed Services Pte. Ltd., Catering Solutions Pte. Ltd., Hermes-Epitek Corporation Pte. Ltd., Insphere Technology Pte. Ltd., Reetz Pte. Ltd., and Universal Success Enterprises Pte. Ltd. were part of the delegation, the state government release said. The group included entrepreneurs Jeffrey Guao, Douglas Tan, Samantha Teo, Chen Chiyong, Markus Sia, Pappu Milind Suresh, S. Mahendran, Jeffrey Kong, and Shambunath Ray. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Singapore recently, where he met his counterpart Lawrence Wong. At their talks, both leaders reviewed the progress of India - Singapore bilateral relations. Given the breadth and depth of bilateral ties and immense potential, they decided to elevate the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Taking stock of the robust progress in economic ties, the leaders called for further expanding trade and investment flows between the two countries. The Prime Minister highlighted that Singapore, with an investment of around USD 160 billion in the Indian economy, is a leading economic partner for India. Both leaders witnessed the exchange of MoUs for cooperation in Semiconductors, Digital Technologies, Skill Development, and Healthcare. These are the outcomes of the deliberations during the two rounds of India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtables held so far. (ANI) Actor Riteish Deshmukh believes in celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in an eco-friendly way. On Monday, he took to Instagram and shared a cute video of his sons making nature-friendly idols of Lord Bappa. In the clip, he can be seen teaching his sons and his niece and nephews how to make the idols from scratch. "Ganpati Bappa Maurya! Deshmukh household ritual of making Eco friendly Ganeshas at home and a respectful visarjan. Kids made their own Bappa and each Bappa was special," he captioned the post. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_rprZVo9bw/?hl=en Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day festival commencing on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Bhadrapada, began on Saturday, September 7. This festival, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi, honours Lord Ganesha, the 'God of New Beginnings' and the 'Remover of Obstacles,' celebrating his wisdom and intelligence. The festival is marked by an outpouring of devotion and enthusiasm across India especially in Mumbai. During Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the god of new beginnings and the remover of obstacles. Devotees across India and abroad celebrate Lord Ganesha's wisdom and intelligence. Devotees welcome Ganesh idols into their homes, offer prayers, and visit the colourful pandals. Meanwhile, on the work front, Riteish is being lauded for his role in 'Visfot' film, which also stars Fardeen Khan, Priya Bapat and Krystle D'Souza. He is also excited for the re-release of his debut film ''Tujhe Meri Kasam', co-starring his wife Genelia. The film, which was directed by Vijaya Bhaskar, will be re-released on September 13. Sharing the update, Riteish took to Instagram and wrote, "This is where it all began!! Tujhe Meri Kasam, our debut film released on 3rd Jan 2003, we are ever so grateful for all the love showered upon the film and us over the decades. For all those who flood our social media asking us 'where can we watch TMK ? !!! We have an answer now !!! Tujhe Meri Kasam Re-releases on 13th September!!" The film explores the trials and tribulations faced by the couple as they navigate their way through the complexities of love and relationships.Like most other Bollywood couples, Riteish and Genelia's beautiful love story began on the sets of 'Tujhe Meri Kasam' only. Notably, Genelia and Riteish tied the knot on February 3, 2012. They welcomed their son Riaan in November 2014 and their second son Rahyl in June 2016. (ANI) As many as 2100 girls gathered to recite the Ganpati Atharvashirsha, a sacred prayer dedicated to Lord Ganesha, at the famous Srimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganesh Mandal in Pune. A video of the event that has been shared online shows girls sitting in a large circle, reciting the prayer in unison. Earlier this morning, a large crowd of devotees was seen at the Bhausaheb Rangari Ganesh Mandal. People lined up for hours to offer their prayers and get a glimpse of Bappa. The atmosphere was filled with chants and prayers as devotees sought blessings from Lord Ganesha. Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day festival commencing on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Bhadrapada, began on Saturday, September 7. This festival, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi, honours Lord Ganesha, the 'God of New Beginnings' and the 'Remover of Obstacles,' celebrating his wisdom and intelligence. The festival is marked by an outpouring of devotion and enthusiasm across Mumbai and Maharashtra. Homes and public pandals are adorned with elaborate decorations, and the air is filled with prayers, music, and festive chants. The streets come alive with vibrant processions and traditional rituals as people prepare delicious offerings and visit the beautifully decorated pandals. As Ganesh Chaturthi unfolds, the joy and excitement of the festival are palpable. The celebratory spirit is evident in the bustling crowds, the colourful decorations, and the aromatic scent of festive sweets. (ANI) Vikas, who acted in projects such as 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' and 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', passed away on Sunday. The news of his demise was shared by his wife Janhvi Sethi on her social media account. "With immense sorrow, we inform you about the passing of our beloved Vikas Sethi, who left us all on the 8th of September 2024. The final rites will be carried out according to Hindu traditions on 9th September. Your presence, prayers and support, in this trying time would be deeply appreciated. Regards, Sethi Family," she wrote in a post on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_rdRaiIYCz/ Shabir Ahluwalia and Dipak Tijori also attended the funeral of Vikas. Hours after his demise, Vikas' last Instagram post with his mother went viral on social media. Vikas' final Instagram post dates back 17 weeks to May 12. On the occasion of Mother's Day, he had posted a picture with his mother. https://www.instagram.com/p/C62-a8vR9kC/?hl=en In the picture, he's seen wearing a green kurta and white pajama, seated next to his mother. His caption stated, "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.. MOM LOVE YOU." He also tagged her. He inserted the song Mumma, sung by Kailash Kher, from Sushant Shah's 2008 dramedy Dasvidaniya. Fans chimed in the comment section and paid heartfelt condolences. "Om shanti...rest in peace," a netizen wrote. "Too young to die! It breaks my heart! We still remember your roles in movies and in serials," another fan wrote. Vikas is survived by his wife and their twins. He was in his 40s. He was also a part of the shows Kahiin Toh Hoga, Kyun Hota Hai Pyarr and Kasautii Zindagi Kay. (ANI) Five-time Oscar winner Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron shared his experience of directing 'Disclaimer' and how challenging it was for him , according to The Hollywood Reporter. Cuaron made his feature film debut with the romantic comedy 'Solo con tu pareja', and directed the film adaptations 'A Little Princess', and 'Great Expectations'.He gained much popularity for directing the fantasy film 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban', the dystopian drama 'Children of Men', and many others. The challenging aspect for him was directing the psychological thriller miniseries 'Disclaimer'. "I realised I'd never done something overtly narrative. And maybe, okay, I don't know how to do it [TV]. That was part of the motivation," Cuaron said at the Toronto Film Festival. He added that TV was out of his comfort zone, "I said, guys, I don't know how to do TV. I think it's too late to learn how to do TV. I'm not interested in learning how to do TV. I do films and if [I do] this, I will approach it as a film." 'Disclaimer' is a 2024 psychological thriller miniseries written and directed by Alfonso Cuaron, based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Renee Knight. It stars Cate Blanchett and Kevin Klein. "I know how to do films, and I'm not very fast," Cuaron opened up about his early discussion to take up the project. Cuaron worked with his long-time cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, another veteran of the Mexican film industry. "At least in his collaboration, we're always bouncing ideas. I get so involved in his lighting, and he gets involved in my directing. It's very organic," said Cuaron. "'Disclaimer' tells the story of Catherine Ravenscroft (Blanchett), an acclaimed journalist who has built her reputation by revealing the misdeeds and transgressions of others," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Cuaron appreciated Blanchett as another key collaborator. "She's so involved in each one of the process, with the screenplay triggering rewrites, and with casting, I was conversing with her all the possibilities, and if she was hesitant, I wouldn't go there," Cuaron added. He remembered his early days as a director along with Mexican filmmakers Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro G. Inarritu. "We love each other. We trust each other and we're brutally and painfully honest with each other. The conversation isn't easy when we're collaborating and showing each other films. I'm terrified, because I know it can be tough," said Cuaron . "And sometimes me, or the other person is listening, and at the end you can tell the other person is listening and at the end is upset, and myself I feel they didn't understand anything," he added. 'Disclaimer', his seven-part psychological thriller, will have a Canadian premiere in Toronto. The Toronto Film Festival continues through September 15, as per The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI) Police said they have taken cognisance after a scuffle was reported between the workers of the People's Democratic Party and AIP in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Sunday. Police further said some workers received minor injuries in the incident, which took place in the Balpora area of Shopian. https://x.com/ShopianPolice/status/1832801340923269240 "A scuffle reported between PDP and AIP party workers in Balpora, Shopian, resulting in minor injuries," District Police Shopian said in a post on X. Both parties have been reported for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), and the police have taken cognisance of the incident, they said. Political parties have stepped up their electoral preparedness in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, going to polls in the third week of September. The National Conference and the People's Democratic Party have mentioned the restoration of Article 370 in their manifestos. The BJP, on the other hand, said that Article 370 has become a thing of the past. Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. The counting will be done on October 8. There are a total number of 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 7 seats are reserved for SCs and 9 seats are reserved for STs. The National Conference and the Congress have forged a pre-poll alliance days ahead of the polls.According to the Election Commission of India, Jammu and Kashmir has 88.06 lakh eligible electors. These are the first assembly elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. 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. (ANI) Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi on Monday said that in the Sayedpura area of Surat, six people pelted stones at a Ganesh Pandal and all of them were arrested. The Minister said that police have also arrested the other 27 people who were involved in encouraging such an incident. Speaking to ANI, Harsh Sanghvi said, "In the Sayedpura area of Surat, 6 people pelted stone on the Ganesh Pandal...All these 6 people were arrested and the police have also arrested the other 27 people who were involved in encouraging such an incident... The investigation is underway. Police are deployed in all the areas of Surat. Those who will breach the peace in the state, action will be taken against them." Police said that after stones were pelted at a Ganesh pandal, a clash broke out in the Sayedpura area of Surat. Speaking on the incident, Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot told ANI, "Some children pelted stones at a Ganesh pandal, after which a clash broke out. The police immediately took away those children from there...Police were immediately deployed in the area. Lathi charge was done in all the areas where it was needed and tear gas was used...All the accused who were involved in the peace disturbance are being arrested. There are around 1,000 police personnel deployed all around. And the public is also here." Further investigation is underway. More details into the matter are awaited. (ANI) African nations see China as reliable partner 08:23, September 09, 2024 By Edith Mutethya, Chen Weihua and Xu Weiwei ( China Daily The pledge by President Xi Jinping to work with Africa to implement the 10-point partnership action plan to advance modernization has reaffirmed the country's commitment to Africa, according to experts. Xi made the pledge in his keynote speech at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing on Thursday. The speech also depicted China as a reliable development partner for the continent, the experts said. Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan, called the speech a ray of hope for African people amid challenging times. He said that President Xi has proposed a way to assist Africa in solving the problems of poverty and food insecurity, improve healthcare, and pave the way for a peaceful, prosperous, and future-oriented society. China is ready to assist Africa with concrete programs and financing resources without any strings attached or lectures, Ahmad said. He added that the partnership action plan is designed to be inclusive and respect diversity in terms of governance systems, cultures, and preferences, ensuring that all African nations are considered and respected in the partnership. Alex Vines, director of the Africa program at the Chatham House think tank, lauded the 10 priority areas of the action plan including health, agriculture, employment, and security, saying they are all important for Africa. China pledged 360 billion yuan ($50.7 billion) of financial support to Africa over the next three years, higher than the amount pledged at the 2021 FOCAC Summit. Vines said the increase is good news for the continent. Michael Borchmann, former director-general for international affairs of the German state of Hessen, said he was impressed by President Xi's words that "the friendship between China and Africa transcends time and space, surmounts mountains and oceans and passes down through generations". Citing examples of African nations helping the People's Republic of China restore its lawful seat in the United Nations in the early 1970s, and China helping to build the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, Borchmann said, "There are many examples of close and fruitful cooperation, including under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative." "One basic reason that China is so much appreciated in Africa is mutual respect," Borchmann said. "A former Chad president expressed it with fitting words: China does not behave to Africa as a know-it-all teacher, but with deep respect. And this is appreciated in Africa very much," he added. Tarek Saidi, editor-in-chief of the Echaab Journal of Tunisia, said that modernization accounted for a significant portion of Xi's speech, underscoring China's strong focus on the issue. "Chinese modernization is built on mutual help, solidarity, and community, in stark contrast to the Western model, which is rooted in colonization and individualism," he said. "The speech called for advancing modernization, featuring diversity and inclusiveness, which I think holds great importance, as they reflect the universal values of mankind." Saidi said the speech also highlighted China's commitment to supporting African countries through the partnership action plan, including development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. "The two sides have large room for collaboration, as the Belt and Road Initiative could spur synergy with the African Union's Agenda 2063, with an aim to foster a new form of modernization that is just and equitable," he said. Deniz Istikbal, an economics researcher at the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research in Turkiye, said that in partnership with Africa, China focuses on mutually beneficial cooperation, by which it imports natural resources from Africa and exports processed goods back to the continent. Istikbal said that China has established itself as the largest foreign trade and investment partner of the African continent, with its direct investment in Africa exceeding $40 billion by the end of last year. The trade volume between China and Africa reached $282 billion in 2023, reflecting the deepening of economic ties, he said. Istikbal said that China also plays a crucial role in financing the continent's development needs, offering a significant alternative to Western financial institutions. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) You are here: China Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed a decree to promulgate a set of regulations on the environmental protection work of China's military. With the aim of building green military camps, the regulations will reform the related management system, improve work procedures and standardize operation mechanisms. They clearly define the objectives and tasks of the environmental protection work of the military in line with national policies and regulations, and stipulate detailed requirements for environmental protection concerning military activities, facilities and equipment. Comprising 50 articles in six chapters, the regulations will take effect on Oct. 1, 2024. In the wake of the completion of one month to the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, women in Siliguri lit candles and took the oath to continue the protest until justice is served. Arjuna awardee Mantu Ghosh said that this is a fight of the entire womankind. Mantu Ghosh said, "Going by what we saw on TV, the incident occurred around this time. So, we chose this time to protest. It has been a month since the incident occurred. We are lighting candles and taking an oath. This is a fight of the entire womankind. The people of West Bengal are demanding justice for her. Nobody can even imagine what has happened here. So, people are fighting for justice, together." She further said that one month had been over and the CBI submitted an envelope on September 5. "We feel that many facts are going to emerge today and we will get justice," she added. A woman activist said, "We are giving our thoughts through a vote on the horrific rape with the trainee doctor victim. According to news reports, the incident happened at 4.10 am so we have gathered at the same time. We are getting good support. We have lit candles and joined an oath-taking ceremony. We are taking the oath that a woman should be safe even if she walks alone at 2 am at midnight and we want security for them." Earlier, people from the medical fraternity, activists and local citizens on Sunday formed a human chain in Siliguri to protest against the rape and murder case and demand justice for the victim. The brutal rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sparked widespread protests in West Bengal and across the country. The victim was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. In a related development, BJP MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato on Sunday wrote a letter to the Director of ED requesting an investigation and arrest of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in connection with health scams involving Sandip Ghosh and the RG Kar Case. TMC Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar on Sunday wrote to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and offered his resignation from the post of MP. "I have suffered patiently for a month since the terrible incident at RG Kar Hospital, & was hoping for your direct intervention with the agitating junior doctors, in the old style of Mamata Banerjee. It has not happened & whatever punitive steps that govt is taking now are too little & quite late. I think normalcy may have been restored in this state much earlier if the caucus of the corrupt doctors was smashed and those guilty of taking improper administrative actions punished immediately after the scandalous incident happened," reads the letter. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, at the hospital, has been arrested in connection with the incident. On September 2, the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Dr Sandip Ghosh, along with three others, over alleged corruption and financial misconduct at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has been remanded to 8-day police custody. The next hearing of the case will be on September 10. On September 3, amid protests over the Kolkata rape and murder case, the West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024'. (ANI) Slamming Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on "unemployment" that he made during his US visit, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday said the Leader of Opposition seems to be "eager" to bat for China and has "a habit" of insulting India. BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said that Rahul Gandhi has become "evil" now because all his statements reflect falsehood against India. "Rahul Gandhi is so eager to bat for China and he has a habit of insulting India. The world is aware of a 17 per cent youth unemployment rate in China as of August 2024. So, the question is - is it because of his MoU with the Communist Party of China that he always bats for China and does not bat for India? Rahul does not stop here, he attacks the Indian legal system just because he is out on bail. He predicts social tension in India just because it is his strategy of divide and rule," Bhandari told ANI. "Sam Pitroda says that he is no longer the 'Pappu'. He has become very evil now because all his statements reflect falsehood against India, all his statements reflect a man who wants to divide society and a man who wants to bat for the Chinese. He insults the Hindu dev and devta by saying that it does not mean God. This is why the INDI Alliance is always against Sanatana. The essence of Rahul's speech is, it is against Bharat, against the women of India and it is everything that China or any other power wants to further their agenda in India. This is why the people of India rejected Rahul Gandhi and Congress in 2014, 2019 and 2024. They will continue to reject it in 2029 and choose PM Narendra Modi," he added. Meanwhile, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that for the third time, the people of the country rejected Congress under the leadership of 'Yuvraj' Rahul Gandhi. "The people of the country rejected Congress for the third time under the leadership of 'Yuvraj' Rahul Gandhi. India, which used to import defence, in the form of 'Make in India' is now exporting it. India, which used to import Rs 19 lakh crores in the country, has reached Rs 80 lakh crores today. Instead of praising India, he is going abroad and abusing India and praising China, praising the enemy country. It seems like he is thriving on China's money, and they are going abroad and branding China. If PM Modi did not protect the Constitution, cases of treason should be registered against such people who go outside India and criticise India," Singh told ANI. Earlier on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi talked about issues faced by the youth due to unemployment and said that the act of production creates jobs. But India organises consumption, which is a reason for worry. "The West has an employment problem. India has an employment problem... But many countries in the world don't have an employment problem. China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. Vietnam doesn't have an employment problem. So there are places on the planet that are not struggling with unemployment. There's a reason. If you look at the United States in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, they were the centre of global production. Anything that was made, cars, washing machines, TVs, all made in the United States. Production moved from the United States. It went to Korea, it went to Japan. Eventually, it went to China. If you look today, China is dominating global production... So what has happened? The West, America, Europe, and India have given up on the idea of production and they've handed it to China. The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organize consumption," he said. He further said that India has to think about the act of production and organising production. "It's not acceptable that India simply says, okay, manufacturing, what you call manufacturing or production is going to be the preserve of the Chinese. It's going to be the preserve of the Vietnamese. It's going to be the preserve of Bangladesh...We have to reimagine how to produce in a democratic environment. Until we do that, we will face high levels of unemployment. And frankly, it's not sustainable. So you're going to see that if we carry on down this path of forgetting about manufacturing, you're going to see massive social problems coming in India and in the United States and Europe. The polarization of our politics is because of this," he added. Congress leader Sam Pitroda, while addressing the Indian diaspora in Texas, said that his party leader Rahul Gandhi has a vision contrary to what BJP promotes and that he is not a "Pappu". "He (Rahul Gandhi) has a vision contrary to what BJP promotes by spending crores of rupees. I must tell you, he is no Pappu. He is highly educated, well-read, a strategist with deep thinking on any subject and sometimes it is not very easy to understand him," Pitroda said. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday for his three-day US visit. The Congress MP was welcomed at the airport by Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, and members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI) The Crime Branch acted upon some inputs about a supply of consignment of narcotics substances in the Delhi-NCR area. Upon further development on the matter through field sources and technical analysis, it was revealed that the narcotic substances were being transported in a hidden cavity of a truck to the national capital from Odisha. Accordingly, the crime branch also kept the phone of the suspected gang member on surveillance and laid down a trap following the information that the consignment would be delivered in the Narela area. The Crime Branch laid the trap near Smriti Park, Sector A-1 in Narela for the apprehension of the members along with contraband. Following the bust, a total of 120 kg of marijuana was recovered from six plastic bags in a hidden compartment. Upon interrogation of the two members, it was found that both were residents of Sonipat, Haryana, and were identified as Sahab Singh and Pradeep Kumar. Accordingly, a case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at the crime branch. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) The couple argued that they should be summoned to Kolkata instead of New Delhi. Justices Bela Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma delivered the verdict today, having reserved judgement on August 13. Abhishek Banerjee is under investigation by the ED for multiple cases, including alleged recruitment irregularities in West Bengal schools and a multi-crore coal pilferage scam involving Eastern Coalfields Ltd. mines in Kunustoria and Kajora areas near Asansol. More information awaited. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party leader Munna Sharma was shot dead by unidentified criminals while reportedly resisting a chain snatching attempt in Patna, police said on Monday. Shama, who was the former BJP mandal president was rushed to hospital after sustaining injuries in the shooting incident but succumbed to his injuries during treatment. According to the Patna Police, the criminals shot Sharma on Monday morning near a restaurant in Patna City. They received information about the incident at around 6.15 am today. Patna Police said that his family rushed him to the hospital where he died while under medical treatment. As per the police official, CCTV footage from the vicinity of the shooting incident is being examined and investigation is underway to arrest the accused. Chowk Police Station SHO Shashi Kumar Rana said, "We received information around 6.15 am that a man, Munna Sharma, was injured by criminals near a restaurant. He was rushed to a hospital by his family where he died while under medical treatment. CCTV footage around the spot of crime is being examined and other technical investigation is being undertaken. Further action is being taken." "The FSL team has collected evidence from the site of the incident. A special team of police is reviewing CCTV footage. We are trying to find the reason behind the incident. Dial 100 team is also involved in the probe. The family of Munna Sharma has said that the chain he was wearing is still around his neck. Identification of one suspect has been done," DSP Patna City-2, Gaurav Sharma said. (ANI) Congress leader Udit Raj supported Rahul Gandhi's "unemployment" remarks and said that what the Leader of the Opposition said in Texas was "true." "Because of Artificial Intelligence, employment is decreasing even more. So the monopoly should be implemented again. Earlier, there were Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP). In China, unemployment has almost ended. Even in big countries, there is no unemployment. The situation in India is very bad. What Rahul Gandhi said in Texas is true," Udit Raj said. "People of RSS ideology are in every department, including HoD, Vice Chancellors. RSS is not only imposing its ideology but also wants to remove OBC, SC, ST from the entire education system," he added. Congress MP Manickam Tagore said that the BJP lives on lies, adding that when the truth is explained in detail, the BJP will be disturbed. "When the truth is explained in detail, the BJP will be disturbed. We all know that the BJP lives on lies...RSS wants the women of India to be in the kitchen and at home only...They don't want the women to be equal to the men of India. Rahul Gandhi has explained that we as members of the Congress party believe that equal opportunities should be given to men and women... What is wrong with it?... I feel that the RSS mindset is the BJP's mindset but the BJP can have any kind of mask but their real DNA is the RSS DNA. Their anger can be understood but we can humbly say to them that we respect your views but respect our views also," Tagore said. Earlier on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi talked about issues faced by the youth due to unemployment and said that the act of production creates jobs. But India organises consumption, which is a reason for worry. "The West has an employment problem. India has an employment problem... But many countries in the world don't have an employment problem. China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. Vietnam doesn't have an employment problem. So there are places on the planet that are not struggling with unemployment. There's a reason. If you look at the United States in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, they were the centre of global production. Anything that was made, cars, washing machines, TVs, all made in the United States. Production moved from the United States. It went to Korea, it went to Japan. Eventually, it went to China. If you look today, China is dominating global production... So what has happened? The West, America, Europe, and India have given up on the idea of production and they've handed it to China. The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organize consumption," he said. Rahul Gandhi further said that the RSS believes India is one idea and Congress believes that India is a multiplicity of ideas. "The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas and we believe by the way, very much like the United States, we believe that everybody should be allowed to participate. We believe that everybody should be allowed to dream. Everybody should be given space regardless of their caste, language, religion, tradition, history. This is the fight and the fight was crystallized in the election when millions of people in India clearly understood that the Prime Minister of India is attacking the Constitution of India because what I am saying to you, union of states, respect to languages, respect to religions, respect to traditions, respect to castes. This is all in the Constitution," he said. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday for his three-day US visit. The Congress MP was welcomed at the airport by Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, and members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI) Congress MP Randeep Surjewala after addressing a rally in Haryana's Kaithal, said that the party will come to power in the State with a huge majority. Addressing mediapersons in Kaithal on Sunday, Surjewala while highlighting the unfinished university and medical college in Kaithal said that once the Congress government is formed, they will conduct a probe with utmost priority regarding the matter. Taking a jibe at the BJP's state government, Surjewala said that they could make only 10 rooms in 10 years but Congress will complete the construction of university and medical college within two to two and half years. He further emphasised the Congress government would "restore the past glory" of Kaithal in just one year. Surjewala said, "In this city (Kaithal) when the decision was taken that a university and medical college would be built here, so I can say that once Congress government is formed with the blessings of people, the first thing we will do is that we will gather all the documents and conduct a probe with priority. They (BJP) could only make 10 rooms in 10 years, but I believe we will build the medical college within 2-2.5 years, we will finish the construction of the medical college. We will work on all the pending projects. The damage that has been done in Kaithal, Congress will restore in its first year and will return to its past glory. We will all do things. I believe that the support we are getting in Kaithal; Congress will come to power with a huge majority." Congress on Sunday released its second list of nine candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Meanwhile, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party are still engaged in talks on possibilities of forming an alliance in the state for the forthcoming assembly elections. Earlier, AAP MP Raghav Chadha refused to make any statement about the seat-sharing talks, however, he expressed both party's willingness to form an alliance. Former wrestler Vinesh Phogat, along with wrestler Bajrang Punia, joined Congress on Friday, just one month ahead of the polls in the state. The voting for 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. In 2019 assembly polls, the BJP became the single-largest party with 40 seats, and Congress won 30 seats. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Monday granted bail to Dheeraj Wadhwan on medical grounds in a CBI case. He is accused in a multi-crore bank fraud case. Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain granted bail to Dheeraj Wadhawan after hearing the bail application. Justice Jain said, "Petitioner falls under the category of sick person." The trial court order is set aside, he added. On June 5, the Delhi High Court sought a status report on the bail plea, which he sought on medical grounds. His bail plea was dismissed by the trial court. The vacation bench of Justice Vikas Mahajan had directed the CBI to file a status report. Senior advocate Amit Desai had appeared through video conferencing and senior advocate Siddharth Agrawal appeared physically. Advocate Anupam S Sharma appeared for CBI and opposed the bail application. His earlier bail plea was withdrawn from Delhi High Court on May 17. He had moved his bail plea after his arrest in the DHFL Bank loan case. His bail plea has been dismissed twice by the trial court. The Rouse Avenue court's Special Judge A K Sarpal on May 10 dismissed his bail application on the grounds of maintainability. The court had also directed the CBI to arrest him after May 11 and to produce him before the CBI court as per the direction of the Supreme Court passed on January 24. While rejecting the bail application, the CBI Court at Rouse Avenue said that the accused is at liberty to move a fresh bail application for bail after he is arrested and comes into the custody of this court. At that time, his request for a grant of interim bail on medical grounds or regular bail, if moved, will be considered. However, the bail application was dismissed by the court following his arrest. The trial court also said that at this stage, the first order of the Supreme Court of January 24, 2024, has to be complied with for taking the accused into physical custody. Earlier, he was granted protection by the Bombay High Court till May 11 on medical grounds. He was hospitalised and underwent surgery. He was receiving treatment at his home after discharge from the hospital before his arrest. The Supreme Court on January 24 set aside a Delhi High Court order granting statutory bail to former Dewan Housing Finance Ltd. (DHFL) promoters Kapil Wadhawan and his brother Dheeraj Wadhawan in connection with a multi-crore rupee bank loan scam case. The apex court had cancelled the bail granted to the Wadhawan brothers. It said the High Court and trial court had erred in providing default bail to the Wadhawans. "We have no hesitation that the chargesheet having been filed and cognisance being taken in due time, respondents could not have claimed statutory bail as a right. The high court and lower court greatly erred. Trial court to hear afresh on regular bail. Appeals allowed accordingly," the bench said while pronouncing the order. The top court had set aside the findings of the High Court and the trial court, saying the Wadhawan brothers cannot claim the statutory right of default bail on the ground that the investigation is pending against other accused. In this case, CBI had filed the chargesheet on the 88th day after registration of the FIR and the trial court granted default bail to them and the Delhi High Court upheld the order. The charge sheet was filed on October 15, 2022, and cognisance was taken. The trial court had granted bail to them, noting that the charge sheet filed by the CBI is incomplete. On July 19, 2023, they were arrested in this case. The FIR in the case was based on a complaint made by the Union Bank of India. (ANI) As the deadline for filing of nominations for the Haryana Assembly polls nears the prospective alliance between the Congress and the AAP is yet to reach a conclusion. On Monday AAP Haryana President Sushil Gupta said that the party would release the list of 90 candidates if no deal is struck by the end of the day. The statement was reiterated by Party RS MP Sanjay Singh who further said that the party has completed all the processes of selecting candidates for all legislative assembly seats in Haryana. On the speculations of the AAP-Congress alliance, Sanjay Singh said, "Sandeep Pathak has already given a statement on this issue and Sushil Gupta has also clarified the stand that we are fully prepared and we have completed the process of selecting candidates for all seats. As soon as they receive permission from the party or national president Arvind Kejriwal, they will announce the list and move forward with the elections. AAP is a national party and we have a strong organisation in Haryana. Our leaders Sandeep Pathak and Sushil Gupta have already given statements, as soon as they will receive directions from the party and Kejriwal Ji, we will move forward with whatever they have said (Sandeep Pathak and Sushil Gupta). Speaking to reporters, Singh said, "If you are talking about Sushil Gupta's statements, then his statement is valid as well as right as the last date for nominations is September 12. The people who are working on the ground for the party will discuss it with the party's president Arvind Kejriwal and take decisions to move forward unitedly, as we have less time." Haryana's AAP Chief Sushil Gupta had sounded the alarm bells for the prospective electoral alliance with the Congress for the assembly election. Gupta said on Monday that if they don't receive any news from the high command about the alliance formation during the day, then the party will release the list of candidates for all 90 seats in the Haryana Assembly. "As AAP Haryana chief, I'm preparing for the 90 assembly seats. We haven't received news about the alliance from the high command. If we don't receive news today, we'll release our list for all 90 seats by evening," he said. Gupta further emphasised the fact that the AAP is fully prepared to contest in all 90 seats in the polls and it is just a matter of time before they will announce the names of candidates who will contest in the election. With just three days left for the deadline date for filing for nomination ahead of the assembly polls in Haryana, the Aam Aadmi Party, which earlier stated that they would contest in all 90 seats for this election, has been in frequent talks with the Congress party to form an alliance to contest in the assembly polls. The voting for 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. (ANI) Following Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's remarks on "unemployment" made during his US visit, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Monday questioned the latter unemployment figures and said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has improved the number of employment opportunities in the country. "I don't know from where he gets the figures, there is good number of opportunities that are available in the country also. We need to connect them through proper skilling. It is an activity and continuous process, you can't just cut the line and say that this is happening in India. In the last 10 years, under the leadership of PM Modi, we have improved the number of employment opportunities in the country also," the Civil Aviation Minister told reporters. "Only thing we have to take out from this is, why is he going to other countries and saying this? He should be trying to help the situation in the country. This will demean the country on a global scale," he added. BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said that Rahul Gandhi should be the last person advising the BJP-led government on what is the idea of India because his family and his party, after the emergency, once declared that 'India is Indira' and 'Indira is India.' "They should first apologise for comparing India to Indira Gandhi... The family that imposed an emergency, trampled upon constitutional rights, put the opposition in jail, and changed the preamble of the constitution is advising us about the constitution...Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah have promised that Article 370 will be reimposed in the valley...Before preaching to the entire world about the Constitution, he should first preach to his partners and tell us whether he is for Article 370 or for BR Ambedkar's constitution in Jammu and Kashmir," Poonawalla said. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party always bring disrepute to India before the world. "We saw this even during elections. He has been doing this continuously. Gandhi family and Congress party can't stand the country's progress, prestige and pride. Whenever India's prestige increases globally and the country goes ahead, Congress leaders can't stand it. They are doing the same today but people of the country have realised this...People of the country know very well who has a history of attacking the Constitution of India. Congress party and Congress governments, Rahul Gandhi's ancestors have attacked Constitution numerous times - he should remember this. Under the leadership of PM Modi, country's Constitution has been given the highest position and our country is going ahead as per the Constitution," Sao said. Earlier on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi talked about issues faced by the youth due to unemployment and said that the act of production creates jobs. But India organises consumption, which is a reason for worry. "The West has an employment problem. India has an employment problem... But many countries in the world don't have an employment problem. China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. Vietnam doesn't have an employment problem. So there are places on the planet that are not struggling with unemployment. There's a reason. If you look at the United States in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, they were the centre of global production. Anything that was made, cars, washing machines, TVs, all made in the United States. Production moved from the United States. It went to Korea, it went to Japan. Eventually, it went to China. If you look today, China is dominating global production... So what has happened? The West, America, Europe, and India have given up on the idea of production and they've handed it to China. The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organise consumption," he said. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday for his three-day US visit. The Congress MP was welcomed at the airport by Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, and members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI) Foreign experts attend a symposium at the Chengdu Comprehensive Service Center for Talents in Chengdu, Sept. 6, 2024. [Photo courtesy of the organizers] Foreign experts gathered in Chengdu on Sept. 6 to discuss strategies for attracting international talent, praising the city's potential as a technological hub while offering suggestions to enhance its global appeal. The symposium was organized by the Foreign Talent Research Center of China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and sponsored by the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology. Stelmakh Oleksandr, a professor at the School of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering of Beijing Institute of Technology, emphasized the importance of international cooperation for Chengdu to achieve its goal of becoming a major technological innovation center by 2035. He suggested inviting experienced researchers and entrepreneurs to innovate and start businesses in Chengdu, while also promoting the construction of technical schools to cultivate local high-tech talent. Katsumi Tanigaki, a quantum physicist who came to China in 2020, praised Chengdu's rich culture and modern development. He noted the city's potential to become a hub for high-energy physics research. Drawing from his experience at the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences, which was established in 2017 and jointly built by China and Japan, Tanigaki emphasized the importance of policy support and excellent infrastructure in attracting overseas returnees and foreign experts. He believes these factors are crucial for stimulating creativity and innovation. Marie-Luce Chevalier, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences who has lived in China for 14 years, offered suggestions to attract foreign experts to Chengdu. Based on her experience, Chevalier recommended providing Chinese language courses, competitive salaries, improved medical insurance, assistance with children's school enrollment, and streamlined visa policies. Chevalier praised the "Home in Chengdu Living Guide" provided at the meeting. "This is exactly what every city needs to attract foreigners," she said. The guide includes practical information, such as how to open a bank account. The "Home in Chengdu Living Guide" distributed at a foreign experts symposium in Chengdu, Sept. 6, 2024. [Photo courtesy of the organizers] Steven H. Back, the representative in China for the Hungarian National Museum, emphasized the importance of science and technology cooperation. He recommended that the city organize more international exchange forums and strengthen cultural exchanges. Back also stressed the importance of publicity, suggesting that Chengdu share success stories of foreign experts already working in Chengdu to attract more international talent. In his concluding speech, Tang Fuqiang, director of the Foreign Talent Research Center at China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, highlighted the center's ongoing support for Chengdu's efforts to attract international talent. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra on Monday issued an advisory to states and union territories regarding the precautionary actions, symptoms and causes of WHO declared Public Health Emergency of International Concern "Mpox". The advisory said that India still hasn't reported a single case of Mpox yet. Union Health Secretary in an issued advisory highlighted the key public health actions that are required to be undertaken to prevent or minimize risk of any case or death due to Mpox in the country. The Union Health Secretary directed the states to widely disseminate the Ministry's "Guidelines for Management of Monkeypox Disease" and take action on the updated CD-Alert (communicable disease alert) on Mpox issued by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The advisory also directed the states to review public health preparedness particularly at health facility level at the state and districts by senior officials. It also included identification of isolation facilities in hospitals for taking care of both suspect and confirmed cases. According to the issued advisory, in the most cases, young males with a median age of 34 years are most affected from Mpox while the sexual mode of transmission is the most common mode of transmission reported globally followed by person-to- person non-sexual contact. Around half of cases with available information on their HIV status are reported to be in persons living with HIV. As per the advisory, the common symptoms include rashes (including systemic or genital rash), followed by fever. Earlier, a suspected case of Mpox was reported in Delhi in a man who recently returned to India from abroad, a Union Health Ministry release said on Sunday. According to the release, the patient has been placed under isolation in a designated hospital and is currently stable. The release further mentioned that the samples from the patient are being tested to confirm the presence of Mpox. "The case is being managed in line with established protocols, and contact tracing is ongoing to identify potential sources and assess the impact within the country," the release stated. The Ministry stated that the development aligns with the earlier risk assessment conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and there is no cause of any undue concern. It further asserted that the country is fully prepared to deal with such isolated travel-related cases and has robust measures in place to manage and mitigate any potential risk. 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. 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 per cent of the total cases. (ANI) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday over the recent spike of violence, drone and rocket-propelled grenade attacks in Manipur. In a post on X Mallikarjun Kharge shared, "PM Modi's abject failure in Manipur is unforgivable." He said that the former Manipur Governor, Anusuiya Uikey, has echoed the voice of the people of Manipur. She said that the people of the strife-torn state were upset and sad, for they wanted PM Modi to visit them, he added. He said, "In the past 16 months, PM Narendra Modi has not spent a single second in Manipur, even as violence continues unabated in the state and people suffer the consequences of Modi-Shah's complicity. BJP's Manipur CM who has set a record in shamelessly brazening out his rank incompetence has reportedly demanded the transfer of the 'Unified Command' to the state government." He said that the Unified Command oversees security operations in Manipur and is currently handled by a team of Union Home Ministry officials, the state security adviser and the Indian Army. "Just like the PM, it looks like the Union Home Minister has also given up on his Constitutional responsibility to ensure security in Manipur, and is busy politicking and addressing rallies in elections going states. Drone and rocket-propelled grenade attacks have begun, and this is now turning out to be a National Security threat. In such a serious situation, BJP seems to enact a resignation drama," he further shared. He said that the Congress demanded the immediate dismissal of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh. "The Indian National Congress demands Manipur CM should be immediately dismissed. The Union Govt must take full responsibility of the sensitive security situation. There should be a massive crackdown on all kinds of insurgent groups, with the help of the state forces. The Supreme Court mandated and monitored Manipur Commission of Inquiry into ethnic violence must expedite its investigation. Modi Govt must not misuse CBI, NIA and other agencies investigating the violence," the Congress President said. Kharge demanded that attempts to foster peace and normalcy must start immediately by taking all political parties, representatives and civil society member of every community on board. "People of Manipur are asking, why doesn't Modi ji want to end violence in the state?," he added. Earlier, several students from different schools, colleges and universities in Imphal rallied towards the Raj Bhavan on Monday, demanding the resignation of the Director General of Police, Security Advisor and also the Governor amid the recent spike of violence and crisis that has gripped the northeastern state since last year. The students further demanded the withdrawal of the paramilitary forces and also the resignation of the 50 MLAs on moral grounds. The students were carrying banners and posters as they walked towards the Raj Bhavan. (ANI) Forest General Manager Sanjay Pathak, has voiced his disapproval over false reports and rumours concerning the recent wolf attacks. Pathak criticised certain media outlets for misidentifying jackals as wolves, said, "Many media persons are running news without confirmation and calling jackals as wolves." Pathak added that such misinformation disrupts operations and confuses the team. Despite installing snap cameras using thermal technology to track wolves, no wolves have been detected so far. Pathak explained that the normalising river water levels and dried-up banks might have led the wolves to return to their natural habitat, which could explain the absence of wolf attacks in the past 6 to 7 days. He warned that while they are currently issuing warnings to those spreading rumours, further action may be needed. "If such rumours don't stop, we are considering asking the district administration and police to take necessary action," Pathak added. Meanwhile, in the wake of wolf attacks, the Bahraich district administration has built shelter homes to protect the villagers from the menace. The district administration has converted the Panchayat Bhawan built earlier into a shelter home. In Chandpaiya village of Mahasi tehsil of Bahraich, the administration has converted the Panchayat Bhawan into a shelter home so that the villagers who do not have homes or houses with wooden doors can take shelter in these protected accommodations. Many people are living in these protected homes due to the fear of wolves and the dilapidated condition of their houses. The people living in the Panchayat Bhawan shelter home narrated their ordeal about the terror of wolves that had spread in the village as they were forced to leave their homes and live here. The supervisor at the shelter home said, "Here arrangements have been made for the villagers to stay. 7 to 8 people come here to stay. Some people have been staying for the last five days and others for the last 10 days. As the number of people will keep increasing, more arrangements will be provided. They are staying here due to fear and the poor condition of their homes. Here the MLA and panchayat officials are taking care. There is an adequate arrangement of drinking water and toilets." So far four wolves have been caught. Drone visuals taken on Saturday morning at Harbaksh Purwa village showed a vast stretch of agricultural land under surveillance. On Saturday morning, 2-3 kilometres away from Harbaksh Purwa, forest officials conducted a search operation to capture the wolf as it was located here on Friday night with the help of thermal drones. (ANI) Calling the Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi a "part-time leader," Bharatiya Janata Party leader Gaurav Bhatia slammed the Congress leader over his remarks on "unemployment" and said that the latter is a "black spot on democracy." "Rahul Gandhi is a part-time leader. After becoming LoP, he has responsibility on his shoulders that the public has given him. He is a black spot on democracy. He doesn't even know what to say on foreign land. He could not say a word against China. He portrays India as a weak entity. We have time and again demanded that you have had a MoU signed with China and you should make it public and they have been weakening democracy in India under that MoU. I challenge Rahul ji and Kharge ji that bring that MoU to the public and prove me wrong," Gaurav Bhatia said addressing a press conference. Meanwhile, Congress leader Pawan Khera accused the BJP government of destroying the lives of youth. "The data is before everyone. Can't they see the data? What enmity does the BJP have with data? 'Desh virodh' is when you give clean chit to China. If he speaks on the basis of data that unemployment has increased in 10 years in our country, what wrong did he say? You tell us why did it increased; you are in power...You destroyed the lives of youth. We can't even discuss it?...We will discuss it," Khera said. Earlier on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi talked about issues faced by the youth due to unemployment and said that the act of production creates jobs. But India organises consumption, which is a reason for worry. "The West has an employment problem. India has an employment problem... But many countries in the world don't have an employment problem. China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. Vietnam doesn't have an employment problem. So there are places on the planet that are not struggling with unemployment. There's a reason. If you look at the United States in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, they were the centre of global production. Anything that was made, cars, washing machines, TVs, all made in the United States. Production moved from the United States. It went to Korea, it went to Japan. Eventually, it went to China. If you look today, China is dominating global production... So what has happened? The West, America, Europe, and India have given up on the idea of production and they've handed it to China. The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organise consumption," he said. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday for his three-day US visit. The Congress MP was welcomed at the airport by Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, and members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI) Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, has responded to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's recent statements made in Texas and Dallas, USA. Chauhan criticised Gandhi for 'tarnishing' India's image abroad and accused him of betraying the country. Chauhan said, "Rahul Gandhi is a representative of the country, and going outside India and tarnishing India's image is equal to betraying one's country. It seems that after losing elections three times, he is frustrated and is trying to express his frustration by damaging India's reputation, as he did in the US." He added that when Indians travel abroad, they should represent India, not their political affiliations. "When we are in India, we are Congress or BJP; however, once we go out, we are representatives of India," Chauhan said. He shared his own experience during Dr. Manmohan Singh's tenure, where he was asked if the Indian Prime Minister was an 'underachiever'. Chauhan replied, "An Indian Prime Minister can never be an underachiever. He is the country's leader." Chauhan also defended the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stating, "The Sangh has created numerous personalities who have dedicated their lives to the nation's cause." He did, however, acknowledge a point Gandhi made, which was that "nobody is afraid of Modi." Chauhan added that while people may not fear Modi, they love him, which is why he was elected for a third term. The Union Minister also praised the current administration for its achievements, stating, "It is under Modi's leadership that we have achieved major milestones. India has become the 5th largest economy, and soon we will be the third largest. Under Modi, India has made strides in indigenous production." In response to Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, Chauhan claimed that Gandhi failed to connect with the people of India. "Rahul Gandhi ji, with a small heart, can never be big," he said. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao also weighed in, accusing Gandhi and the Congress party of consistently bringing disrepute to India on the global stage. Sao said, "Rahul Gandhi and Congress party always bring disrepute to India before the world. We saw this even during elections. He has been doing this continuously. The Gandhi family and Congress party can't stand the country's progress, prestige, and pride." Sao further criticised the Congress party for its historical attacks on the Indian Constitution, stating, "People of the country know very well who has a history of attacking the Constitution of India. Congress party and Congress governments, Rahul Gandhi's ancestors have attacked the Constitution numerous times - he should remember this." On Sunday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi discussed unemployment issues while visiting Dallas, Texas. He criticised India for focusing on consumption rather than production, he said, "The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organise consumption." Rahul Gandhi compared the current global production landscape to past decades, noting that while countries like China now dominate production, the West, including India, has shifted focus away from it. Rahul Gandhi also addressed ideological differences with the RSS, saying, "The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas." He added that Congress supports inclusion and diversity, while accusing the Prime Minister of attacking the Indian Constitution. Gandhi was welcomed in Dallas by Sam Pitroda and members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took part at an event held at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan in the Chief Minister's residence to mark 'Himalaya Day' and urged the public to make collective efforts to save the Himalayas from the changing climatic conditions. According to an official release from the Chief Minister's Office, "At the event, Chief Minister Dhami said that a committee will be formed in coordination with Director General Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), Durgesh Pant, regarding the issues related to the concerns of the Himalayas." The Chief Minister also said that the people of the state will have to make collective efforts towards the conservation of the Himalayas, water and forests to save the natural resources from the changing climatic conditions. "This year the temperature in Dehradun also increased significantly. If the temperature continues to rise at this pace, it is worrying for the times to come. We have to make collective efforts towards the conservation of the Himalayas, water and forests. We have to think about what we are leaving as a legacy to our future generations," said CM Dhami. CM Dhami also released the poster of the state-level fifth Dehradun International Science and Technology Festival to be organised by UCOST. This festival will be held in engineering colleges located in six districts: Dehradun, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Tehri, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh. The Chief Minister wished everyone a Happy Himalaya Day and also expressed gratitude to the people working for the conservation and promotion of the Himalayas at the event. He said that Bugyal Conservation Day will be celebrated every year on September 2 in the state and also highlighted that the changes in climate are taking place rapidly. The Chief Minister said, "In the last few years we have seen many disasters in the country and the world. This time too, disasters occurred in many places in our state. Last year we also organised the World Congress on Disasters. This event was held on November 29, 2023 and on the same day, the workers trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel were safely evacuated." Adding further, CM Dhami said, "When the rescue work at the Silkyara tunnel had been taking place for 17 days, many times it seemed that there would be a breakthrough the same day, but some obstacles kept coming. We received technology from all over the world with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and we were finally successful in getting everyone out safely." The Chief Minister said that this event of Himalaya Day should be celebrated every day to save nature. "We need to understand the importance of the Himalayas in a new way. Continuous work is being done by the state government towards the revival of water sources and rivers. For this, the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority has been formed. Many other works can also be done for the conservation of the Himalayas," said CM Dhami. "The Himalayas are our invaluable heritage, which needs to be saved. Uttarakhand is the first state where the Gross Environment Product (GEP) index has been started. The development works are being done in the state by maintaining a balance between ecology and economy. The government is continuously working in the fields of plantation, water conservation, and environmental conservation, but public participation is needed in all these, it is only then will we be able to succeed in these efforts," added the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister further said that in the meeting of NITI Aayog also he has raised the matter of making a separate plan for the Himalayas. "The population of Uttarakhand is 1.25 crore and arrangements have to be made for about 10 crore people every year. While making plans for Uttarakhand, a request has been made in the meeting of NITI Aayog to make plans keeping in mind the floating population coming to the state. We have talked about sustainable tourism, for which plans are being made," added CM Dhami. HESCO founder and Padma Bhushan, Dr Anil Prakash Joshi, said that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken many new initiatives for the Himalayas and its conservation. In the meeting of NITI Aayog, the Chief Minister also raised the problem of the Himalayas. Issues related to the Himalayas will also have to be taken to the political field. Many big institutions of the country are working on the conservation of the Himalayas and studies in this field. "All these institutions should be brought on one platform, and work should be done on the Himalaya Vikas Patra. The role of the Himalaya is important for the entire country. Development for the conservation of the Himalayas should be in accordance with the research of scientists," said Prakash Joshi. Director General UCOST Prof Durgesh Pant said that from September 2 to September 9, many programmes were organised across the state in the form of Himalaya Week, in which many topics related to the conservation and promotion of the Himalayas were discussed by organising programmes in national institutions and many institutions of the state. (ANI) Haryana Minister and BJP candidate Aseem Goel on Monday filed his nomination papers from the Ambala City seat for the upcoming assembly elections. The BJP candidate from Ambala city seat filed his nomination in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and other party workers. After filing his nomination papers, the BJP candidate expressed gratitude to the public and Haryana Chief Minister Saini. Aseem Goel also expressed confidence in the party's victory in the assembly polls and said that the BJP will form the government in the state for the third consecutive term. "I want to thank the people and the party for the trust that the Chief Minister has shown. The struggle of the workers, the hard work of the workers and the blessings of the people of Ambala will definitely lead us to winning. We will form a government under the leadership of CM Nayab Singh Saini for the third time," Goel said while speaking to the media. Earlier on September 5, Aseem Goel said that the BJP will win in Haryana and Ambala City for the third time with a majority and create a "nayab" state under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Speaking to ANI, Aseem Goel said, "The party has shown its trust in every worker of Ambala City Vidhan Sabha who considers the flower of lotus (BJP) as their everything. I am thankful to the party for showing its trust in me for the third time. This trust is not only in me but in all those who have built the party. our agenda is development." "BJP will win in Haryana and Ambala City for the third time with a majority. We will create a 'nayab' state under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini," said Goel. "The Congress has always been anti-development because they think that if there will be development, then all of their agendas will be over," added Goel. In the BJP's list of candidates for Haryana assembly polls, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will contest from the Ladwa constituency and former state home minister Anil Vij from Ambala Cantt. Other prominent leaders included in the first list are Gian Chand Gupta, Kanwar Pal Gurjar, Sunita Duggal, Bhavya Bishnoi, and Tejpal Tanwar. Gian Chand Gupta will contest from Panchkula, Kanwar Pal Gurjar from Jagadhri, Sunita Duggal from Ratia, Bhavya Bishnoi from Adampur, and Tejpal Tanwar from Sohna. On September 2, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda, and BJP Haryana election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, election co-in-charge Biplab Dev, state in-charge Satish Punia, state co-in-charge Surender Nagar, and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar met and held talks regarding the candidates. 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) Bharatiya Janata Party MP Manoj Tiwari hit out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and accused the latter of allegedly undermining India's image by making critical remarks abroad. In a self-made video message on Monday, MP Tiwari alleged that Gandhi's remarks are based on a lack of understanding of the country or the Prime Minister. The BJP leader also drew parallels with political leaders in the United States in this regard. "Have you ever heard that George Bush, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and Biden, ever spoke ill of America after going to some other country? They never said bad things about their own country. But Rahul Gandhi can do this, he is doing this. Rahul Gandhi is lying without knowing the country, the Prime Minister and the RSS," Manoj Tiwari said. MP Tiwari also suggested that Gandhi's remarks come from "frustration of staying away from power." "His frustration of staying away from power is not going away and this is often seen when someone is born into a royal family and loses power. But I want to say that political battles are fought in our own country, not on foreign soil," Tiwari said. "He is now realising that Modi ji is and will remain PM for the third consecutive time, hence this frustration," he added. During his visit to Dallas, Texas, on September 8, Rahul Gandhi discussed unemployment issues and criticised India for focusing on consumption rather than production. "The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organise consumption," he said. Rahul Gandhi compared the current global production landscape to past decades, noting that while countries like China now dominate production, the West, including India, has shifted focus away from it. He also addressed ideological differences with the RSS and said, "The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas." He added that Congress supports inclusion and diversity, while accusing the Prime Minister of attacking the Indian Constitution. Earlier, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticised Gandhi for 'tarnishing' India's image abroad and accused him of betraying the country. "Rahul Gandhi is a representative of the country, and going outside India and tarnishing India's image is equal to betraying one's country. It seems that after losing elections three times, he is frustrated and is trying to express his frustration by damaging India's reputation, as he did in the US," Chouhan said. He added that when Indians travel abroad, they should represent India, not their political affiliations. "When we are in India, we are Congress or BJP; however, once we go out, we are representatives of India," Chauhan said. He shared his own experience during Dr Manmohan Singh's tenure, where he was asked if the Indian Prime Minister was an 'underachiever' and he replied, "An Indian Prime Minister can never be an underachiever. He is the country's leader." (ANI) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan released the joint doctrine for amphibious operations during the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) meeting held on Monday in New Delhi, the Ministry of Defence said in a release. The doctrine is a keystone publication that will provide guidance to the commanders for the conduct of amphibious operations in today's complex military environment. "The amphibious capability empowers the armed forces to conduct a multitude of operations in the Indian Ocean region, both during war and peace. These operations are a crucial component of multi-domain operations and serve as the best example of the cohesion and integration amongst the armed forces," the ministry said. Following the release of the joint doctrine for cyberspace operations, the doctrine is the second joint doctrine released this year and it provides due focus on jointness and integration of armed forces in general and amphibious operations in particular, it added. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a PIL seeking direction to the Centre to cancel any existing licenses and halt the grant of new licenses/permissions to various companies in India for export of arms and other military equipment to Israel during Israel-Palestine conflict. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said it cannot interfere with national policy and decisions taken by the government of India. The bench also said that it was beyond its jurisdiction to direct the government of India to not export materials to any country, as it was a matter which was completely within the domain of foreign policy. It further observed that to grant the reliefs sought by the petitioners, the apex court will have to enter into findings on the allegations raised against Israel, which is an independent sovereign nation which is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Indian courts. Grant of the reliefs would amount to a judicial injunction for breach of contracts which the Indian companies may have entered into with international entities, it added. "How can the court adopt this kind of jurisdiction? We can't tell the government that you shall not export to a particular country or cancel the licenses of companies exporting arms to that country. It is a matter of foreign policy which is to be handled by the government. How can the court tell the government that there should not be exports of arms to a country? Where does the court get that sort of power? National self-interest has to be evaluated by the government," the bench told advocate Prashant Bhushan who was representing petitioners. Bhushan argued that that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and India cannot allow exports which are used for genocide. He further said that allowing exports which are used in Gaza would amount to abetting genocide and the violation of the Genocide Convention, which has been ratified by India. CJI, giving a hypothetical example, asked Bhushan if the court can direct the government to stop the import of oil from Russia amidst the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. In the war of Russia and Ukraine, Russia is exporting oil to India, can we then direct government of India that you shall stop exporting oil to India?, asked the bench, while adding that it's a matter of energy needs, conduct of foreign policy of India, "See Bangaldesh too, there are disturbances there. What should be the degree of economic engagement with that country, it is a matter of foreign policy. See our conflict with Maldives, when the new government came there, they asked to remove our military personnel, but can we then ask tourists from India stop going there? Can we then ask the government to ask to stop investments there?," added the bench. The plea filed by 11 people, including Ashok Kumar Sharma, a retired civil servant and social activists through advocate Prashant Bhushan, saying that granting a licence 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 & 21 read with 51(c) of the Constitution of India. 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 and Adani Defence and Aeropace Ltd., and others, alleged the petition. "At least 3 companies in India dealing with 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 DirectorateGeneral of Foreign Trade (DGFT) or the Department of Defence Production (DDP) that authorise export of arms and munitions for dual use and specifically for military purposes," the plea stated. 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) You are here: China The Russian military will dispatch naval and air forces in September to participate in drills in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk organized by the Chinese military, China's Ministry of National Defense announced Monday. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that the state government is in compliance with all requirements of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and accused the central government and certain leftist parties of hatching a conspiracy against her. "We are fulfilling all the requirements of CISF... This is all a conspiracy hatched by the central government and some leftist parties. They are involved in this conspiracy... We are not stopping you for anything," she said. CM Banerjee's statement comes after the Supreme Court on Monday directed the West Bengal government to ensure accommodation of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Chief Minister, while addressing an administrative review meeting at Nabanna Sabhaghar, requested the protesters to return to their work as the people face problems because of the mic. "There are many rules, like if you gather on the streets every day, people face problems, there are elderly people in many houses, they will have trouble sleeping because of the mic. That is why there are rules of the Pollution Control Board that mics should not be played after 10 pm or there should not be noise beyond a certain limit," she said. "But for the last month, we have stopped all this. We will request that now all the protesters should return to their work, now come for Durga Puja. The matter is not in our hands but in the hands of CBI," she added. CM Banerjee urged doctors to return to work and denied offering money to the family of a deceased doctor who was raped and murdered in Kolkata. Banerjee stated, "The Supreme Court has requested doctors to resume work immediately. I also request that they return to duty, and if they wish to meet me, they are always welcome." Banerjee encouraged people to "return to festivities" as Durga Puja approaches, and requested junior doctors to resume duty as soon as possible. She dismissed accusations of offering money to the victim's family as "slander" and a conspiracy involving the Centre and left parties. "I have never offered money to the deceased doctor's family, this is nothing but slander. I told the deceased doctor's parents that if they wanted to do something in their daughter's memory, our government is with them. Kolkata Commissioner of Police, Vineet Goyal, offered to resign after RG Kar protests, but we need someone who knows law and order ahead of Durga Puja," she said. On Monday, the Supreme Court reminded that no action should be taken against doctors once they return to work by tomorrow, 5 pm, while hearing the case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. However, the court noted that if they fail to do so, the court will not be able to restrain the state government, and further absence from work might lead to disciplinary action against them. She further stated that if they have any demands, they need to put them forward to the health department, and it would be accepted by them. She further mentioned, that, according to a complaint, two doctors were already suspended. "We accepted all your demands; just meet with the health department regarding this. According to a complaint, two doctors were already suspended," she added. Banerjee alleged that migrant workers from Rajasthan were attacked in Odisha, with three reported deaths, and claimed that Bengalis were being targeted in the BJP-ruled state. She emphasised that such incidents would not be tolerated in West Bengal. Banerjee also accused outsiders of increased crime in the state and requested them to take "responsibility." Regarding the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, she said, "Aprajita bill implementation is our priority; if the bill is approved, the bill will be implemented." She also urged the officials to maintain the health infrastructure and to make sure that no action is taken against the doctors. Banerjee accused outsiders of increasing crime in the state and requested them to take responsibility. She alleged that the ongoing protests were a conspiracy by the Centre and CPI-M, and that the Reclaim the Night movement was causing disturbance for senior citizens. "Some people taking advantage of turmoil in neighbouring countries have forgotten that India, Bangladesh are separate nations," Banerjee said. Mamata Banerjee further instructed the district magistrates and the superintendents of police to be on high alert during Durga Puja and also requested the Election Commission to extend the registration of voter ID cards by one month due to puja preparations. A second-year postgraduate medical student was raped and murdered inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College on August 9. (ANI) BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Monday slammed the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his recent statements made in Texas and Dallas, USA, and said that he is the LoP now and should not do anything that spoils India's image across the world. He also highlighted that there is a huge difference in unemployment rates during UPA's and NDA's tenure. Thakur said, "He should see the difference in unemployment rates during their time and NDA's tenure. We have reduced the unemployment rate and increased employment opportunities. Rahul Gandhi should not defame India abroad. Investment worth crores is coming into the country. Today India has become the hope and bright spot of the world." "We have seen 'Nafrat ka saman' being sold them in their 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan'. The country has seen everything from 1984 riots till now. He is the LoP now, and he should speak responsibly. He should not do anything that spoils India's image across the world," the BJP MP added. Thakur was in Jammu to support BJP candidate for Jammu West constituency, Arvind Gupta. Further targeting the National Conference and Congress alliance, Anurag Thakur said they want to take Jammu and Kashmir backwards. "Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, together with Congress, want to scrap PSA and release terrorists, drug peddlers, stone-pelters, and separatists. This shows they want to take J-K backwards. What is their compulsion to support Pakistan? We want peace, progress and prosperity," he said. Earlier on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi talked about issues faced by the youth due to unemployment and said that the act of production creates jobs but India organises consumption, which is a reason for worry. He said, "The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organise consumption." Rahul Gandhi compared the current global production landscape to past decades, noting that while countries like China now dominate production, the West, including India, has shifted focus away from it. Rahul Gandhi also addressed ideological differences with the RSS, saying, "The RSS believes that India is one idea, and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas." He added that Congress supports inclusion and diversity, while accusing the Prime Minister of attacking the Indian Constitution. Gandhi was welcomed in Dallas by Sam Pitroda and members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI) The BJP will organise various welfare activities across the country by launching 'Sewa Pakhwara' (fortnight of service) to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 74th birthday on September 17. During the Sewa Pakhwara, BJP members are involved in welfare activities like blood donation camps, cleanliness drives, and health camps. This time also, the party has instructed its members to organise blood donation camps on September 17 in all districts. "Swachhata Abhiyan can be conducted in all school and hospital premises from September 18 to 24. We can also take up painting of school and hospital premises and donating necessary items and equipment to schools and hospitals," the letter from the party said. "A felicitation programme for all participants of the Paris Paralympics-2024 can be organised at state headquarters, and sportspersons have to be invited for the programme. Assisting equipment can be donated to Divyangs on that occasion," it added. The party will also hold free health camps for elderly women, above the age of 60, in every assembly constituency on September 23. "MPs, MLAs, MLCs, other elected representatives, and chairpersons of various boards and corporations have to take a leading role in organising these health camps," it said. The party has also suggested organising seminars based on the contents of the book "Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi," authored by DR R Balasubramanaim, in all major centres of the states. Along with these, art and drawing competitions, rangoli making, essay competitions based on Atmanirbhar Bharat, Viksi Bharat 2047, and Go Vocal for Local themes will be organised. "The events and reports are to be shared on the "Sewa Pakhwara Module" created for the purpose on the NaMo app," the letter said. Party's National General Secretary Sunil Bansal will be the Convener of the campaign. Other members include- National Vice President, Saroj Pandey, K. Laxman, National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Samir Oraon, Harish Dwivedi, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Neeraj Shekhar and Aparajita Sarangi. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister and Jharkhand BJP co-incharge, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Sunday targeted Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in Dallas, US, and said that the former always humiliates India and projects China as an ideal nation. "Rahul Gandhi always promotes China. He always humiliates India and projects China as an ideal nation. There is no democracy in China, there is no religious freedom. Does Rahul Gandhi tell this to people? The MoU signed between the Congress and the Communist Party of China should be exposed," CM Himanta said. During his visit to Dallas, Texas, on September 8, Rahul Gandhi discussed unemployment issues and criticised India for focusing on consumption rather than production. "The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organise consumption," he said. Rahul Gandhi compared the current global production landscape to past decades, noting that while countries like China now dominate production, the West, including India, has shifted focus away from it. He also addressed ideological differences with the RSS and said, "The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas." He added that Congress supports inclusion and diversity while accusing the Prime Minister of attacking the Indian Constitution. The BJP has strongly accused Rahul Gandhi of undermining India's image with criticisms abroad. MP Manoj Tiwari hit out and accused the latter of allegedly undermining India's image by making critical remarks abroad. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticised Gandhi for 'tarnishing' India's image abroad and accused him of betraying the country. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia slammed the Congress leader over his remarks on "unemployment" and said that the latter is a "black spot on democracy." Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Monday slammed the Congress leader over his remarks on "RSS and unemployment," made during his US visit and said that the latter wants to insult the country and tarnish its image. (ANI) The excise officials busted the sales of marijuana in packets of turmeric powder in Doolpet, Hyderabad. The accused, identified as Neha Bai, was arrested by Excise Enforcement officials with 10 packets of 'Ganja' hidden in turmeric packets. The Excise Enforcement Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tirupati Yadav, Sub-Inspector of Police (SI) Nagaraj, and staff seized 10 packets of ganja hidden in turmeric packets and registered a case, leading to her arrest. The Enforcement Director, VB Kamalasan Reddy, appreciated the Enforcement team for exposing the incident of selling ganja in turmeric packets." Meanwhile, in a similar incident in the national capital, the Delhi Crime Branch seized more than one quintal of marijuana and nabbed two members of an interstate drug trafficking gang near Narela on Monday. The Crime Branch acted upon some inputs about a supply of consignment of narcotics substances in the Delhi-NCR area. Upon further development on the matter through field sources and technical analysis, it was revealed that the narcotic substances were being transported in a hidden cavity of a truck to the national capital from Odisha. Accordingly, the crime branch also kept the phone of the suspected gang member on surveillance and laid down a trap following the information that the consignment would be delivered in the Narela area. Upon interrogation of the two members, it was found that both were residents of Sonipat, Haryana, and were identified as Sahab Singh and Pradeep Kumar. Accordingly, a case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at the crime branch. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Monday assured that no accused will be spared in the stone-pelting incident on Ganesh Pandal in the Sayedpura area of Surat. Sanghavi said that law will take its own course, but simultaneously it is the responsibility of society to show the right path to its children and youth. "Surat Police had ensured that no accused shall be spared. At the same time, it also ensured that no innocent should be arrested. For this, Surat Police made use of technology--CCTV, videography, and drone visuals helped police nab these anti-social elements. Stone pelters are not just legal culprits, they are the biggest culprits in society," he said. "The law will take its own course, but at the same time, it is the responsibility of society to show the right path to its children and youth... Gujarat Police works with the motto 'jo kaayde mein rahenge wahi faayde mein rahenge'," the state home minister added. Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said that there were a total of 6 people in the auto, including the driver who pelted stones on Ganesh Pandal. "Yesterday, on September 8, young boys pelted stones on a pandal from a moving autorickshaw. They tried to flee after pelleting stones. Police personnel chased and nabbed them immediately. There were a total of 6 people in the auto, including the driver. All of them were young boys. They were brought to Sayedpura Chowki, and an FIR was lodged," Singh said. He further said that people from minority communities of that area gathered in large numbers at the incident site and indulged into a heated argument with the police officials. "At the same time, people came there in large numbers, and since the area lies in the middle of a Muslim-dominated area, people from the Muslim community also reached there, and stone pelting ensued following a heated argument. Police at the spot used force and resorted to tear gas shelling as well as baton charges to disperse them. Police also nabbed the stone pelters...A total of 28 accused were nabbed... 3 cases were registered, and FIR was also registered," he added. Police Commissioner Singh further informed that cases were also registered against 6 juveniles and sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were invoked. "A case was also registered against 6 juveniles who pelted stones at the pandal. Sections of BNS were invoked...After detaining the 28 accused, process is underway to arrest others too. No accused will be spared. We have formed a few teams," he said. (ANI) The Vice Chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force on Monday created history by flying in the indigenously manufactured Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal AP Singh flew the lead fighter, and Army Vice Chief Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, as well as Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, flew in the Tejas twin seater. "Their joint participation in the exercise demonstrates the growing focus on cross-domain cooperation, with land, sea, and air forces working together to face modern challenges. This unprecedented joint flight, marking the first time when the three services Vice Chiefs have flown in one occasion, is a powerful testament to India's advancing integrated defence capabilities, commitment to self-reliance, and showcases not only their leadership but also the seamless integration of India's armed forces," the IAF said. The flight took place over the skies of Jodhpur, wherein the Indian Air Force has organised the exercise Tarang Shakti 2024, India's first multi-national exercise. With an array of participants, the IAF-led exercise aims to foster closer ties that strengthen cooperation with a myriad of capacities. The inclusion of Tejas in this mission underscores the critical role indigenous platforms are playing in modernising India's defence infrastructure, it added. The release further said that the flight of the Tejas, a symbol of India's indigenous defence manufacturing prowess, represents a significant moment for the nation's 'Make in India' initiative. Designed by Aeronautical Design Agency (ADA), developed and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Tejas is a state-of-the-art multi-role fighter designed to meet the needs of India's armed forces while reducing reliance on foreign imports. This opportunity was also utilised by three Vice Chiefs for interacting with the participating forces, both from India and FFCs, it added. (ANI) Delhi's Rouse Avenue court on Monday remanded AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in judicial custody in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi Waqf Board till September 23. He was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on September 2. He has been arrested in connection with the purchase of Rs 36 crore property in Okhla. Special judge Rakesh Syal remanded Amanatullah Khan in judicial custody till September 23 after hearing submissions of ED and defence counsel. Advocate Simon Benjamin, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), sought judicial custody of Amanat Ullah Khan. He was produced before Rouse Avenue court after expiry of custody remand. ED has interrogated Amanatullah Khan for seven days after his arrest on September 2. While seeking judicial custody, the ED said that it has already filed a charge sheet against four persons and one entity. We will file a supplementary charge sheet against the accused, Amanatullah Khan, the SPP said. It was further submitted that the present accused is the main accused and the investigation is still going on. He may tamper with the evidence if not sent to judicial custody, ED added. On the other hand, advocate Rajat Bhardwaj, along with Kaustubh Khanna, counsel for accused Amanatullah Khan, moved an application opposing the judicial custody remand. The accused had appeared before ED on April 18. Data from his phone was submitted on February 9. It was also submitted that there is nothing new material and there is no justification in seeking judicial custody by the ED. Advocate Bhardwaj submitted that ED had first raided my house in 2023. Four accused were arrested in November 2023. Those four accused are languishing in custody since then. At this point, ED's SPP said that such an application opposing judicial custody is not recognised in the law. Counsel for the accused submitted that the accused is ready to appear before the ED office daily and release him on the undertaking of any condition. The court has kept pending his two applications for home-cooked food and for holy book for hearing. (ANI) Union Minister and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal said on Monday that the nominations for Haryana Assembly elections have begun and exuded confidence in the party's victory, saying that the BJP government will come to power in Haryana for the third time. "We know that this festival of democracy comes every 5 years. Nominations for Haryana Vidhan Sabha have begun. We have presented our first list of candidates. Whatever I have seen on the occasion of nominations, I can say that the Bharatiya Janata Party government is coming to power in Haryana for the third time," the Union Minister told the media on Monday. The BJP on September 4 released its first list of 67 candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, while nine sitting MLAs have been dropped, an official statement said. In the BJP's list of candidates for Haryana assembly polls, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will contest from the Ladwa constituency, and former state home minister Anil Vij from Ambala Cantt. Other prominent leaders included in the first list are Gian Chand Gupta, Kanwar Pal Gurjar, Sunita Duggal, Bhavya Bishnoi, and Tejpal Tanwar. Gian Chand Gupta will contest from Panchkula, Kanwar Pal Gurjar from Jagadhri, Sunita Duggal from Ratia, Bhavya Bishnoi from Adampur, and Tejpal Tanwar from Sohna. On September 2, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda, and BJP Haryana election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, election co-in-charge Biplab Dev, state in-charge Satish Punia, state co-in-charge Surender Nagar, and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar met and held talks regarding the candidates. 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 fishermen community and the villagers in Tharuvaikulam of Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district staged a one-day hunger strike on Monday demanding the release of fishermen "arrested" by the Sri Lankan Navy. The protestors are expected to meet the Tamil Nadu Governor tomorrow in this regard. The shops in the area also remained closed for the day as a mark of protest. A large number of traders, villagers, and fishermen, along with their families, participated in the protest. Speaking to ANI, Murugan, one of the protestors, urged the central and state governments to cancel the fine imposed by the court on the fishermen and facilitate the recovery of two powerboats seized by the Sri Lankan Navy along with the release of 22 fishermen. "The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 22 fishermen who had gone fishing in two boats last month from Tharuvaikulam, Tuticorin district, claiming that they had entered Sri Lankan territory. The 22 fishermen were then handed over to the Kalpiti Fisheries Department. They were produced before the Puttalam District Kalpitiya Tourism Court later and have been lodged in the Wariyapola Jail. The trial is underway in the court there," Murugan said. According to the protestors, the Sri Lankan court has asked 12 fishermen aboard one of the boats to pay a fine of Rs 42 lakh (Rs 1.5 crore in Sri Lankan currency) and given them a six-month sentence in default of payment. The protestors have demanded relief from this fine. (ANI) The Russian military will dispatch naval and air forces in September to participate in drills in the waters and airspace of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk organized by the Chinese military, China's Ministry of National Defense announced Monday. The ministry said in a statement that the drills, codenamed Northern/Interaction-2024, aim to deepen strategic cooperation between the two sides and strengthen their ability to respond to security threats. The ministry noted that the drills are planned according to an annual schedule and mutual consensus between China and Russia. The ministry added that Chinese and Russian naval fleets will conduct their fifth joint maritime patrol in the Pacific Ocean. Furthermore, the Chinese navy will participate in Russia's "Ocean-2024" strategic exercise. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said that strict action will be taken against the criminal elements who disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Uttarakhand. CM Dhami said that the people of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand are peaceloving; if people with criminal tendencies come here and spread unrest in the peaceful valleys and try to disturb the law and order, then it will not be tolerated at all in Devbhoomi. CM Dhami also said that a massive verification campaign is being run to identify such criminal elements, the law will do its job and we will deal strictly with the criminals. Earlier on September 4, CM Dhami inspected the police headquarters in Dehradun and took stock of the women's safety helpline operated from the police headquarters and various activities being conducted by the police. During this, the Chief Minister directed the officers to strengthen the law and order in the state. Strict action should be taken against the anarchic elements who play with the law and order and disturb the peace. He said that prompt action should be taken on incidents related to crimes against women. It should be ensured that the needy people get immediate police assistance. The Chief Minister directed the senior police officers to take action as soon as possible on cases of demography change, conversion, and love jihad. He said that those who disturb the peace of the state will not be spared. "An intensive campaign should be run by the police to catch the criminals, and people with criminal backgrounds should be regularly monitored," he added. The Chief Minister directed the senior police officers to conduct a field inspection of the police stations from where they started their job, and as per the need, they should also cooperate in strengthening the concerned police stations. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed condolences on receiving the news of loss of life from the accident caused by the collapse of debris between Sonprayag-Munkatiya on Monday evening. According to an official release, "As soon as the information was received, SDRF, NDRF and Sector Magistrate Sonprayag were immediately dispatched for rescue." "The rescue team reached the spot and carried out a rapid operation, in which 1 dead and 2 injured were taken out. The injured were immediately sent to Sonprayag through ambulance for treatment," said the release. The Chief Minister said, "We have lost a precious life in this tragic accident and said, "My condolences are with the bereaved family. The rescue operation is still going on and all possible help is being provided by the government." Chief Minister Dhami also took to microblogging site X to post about the collapse and prayed for the further safety of the travellers. "Very sad news was received that some passengers were buried under debris between Sonprayag-Munkatiya (Rudraprayag). The local administration, NDRF and SDRF teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am also in touch with the concerned officials and monitoring the rescue operation. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of the travellers," read the post by CM Dhami. (ANI) The mother of the deceased trainee doctor from Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of lying about not offering financial compensation. On Monday, she refuted the CM's claim, stating that Banerjee did offer money following her daughter's tragic death. "The Chief Minister is lying. My daughter will not return. Would I lie in her name? The Chief Minister told us that we would receive money and suggested that we create something in our daughter's memory. I responded that I would come to her office to collect the money once my daughter gets justice," the victim's mother told ANI. Earlier today, CM Mamata Banerjee denied offering any money to the family of the deceased trainee doctor, who was raped and murdered in Kolkata. "I have never offered money to the deceased doctor's family. This is nothing but slander. I only told the deceased doctor's parents that if they wished to do something in their daughter's memory, our government would support them. Kolkata Commissioner of Police, Vineet Goyal, offered to resign following the RG Kar protests, but we need someone knowledgeable in law and order as Durga Puja approaches," she said. The victim's cousin also said that the Chief Minister personally offered financial compensation to the family. "The Chief Minister herself offered financial compensation. She denied that money was offered by the police. I'm still saying with responsibility that the Chief Minister offered money," the cousin said. CM Banerjee also encouraged people to "return to festivities" as Durga Puja nears and urged junior doctors to resume their duties as soon as possible. In response, the victim's mother expressed that this request seemed inhuman to her. "Durga Puja is celebrated in my house too; my daughter used to handle it herself. But Durga Puja will never be celebrated in my house again. The light in my home is out. How can I ask people to return to the festival?" she said. She further questioned, "If such an incident had happened in the Chief Minister's family, would she have said this?" The victim's mother also asserted that they would continue their movement until justice is served. The second-year postgraduate medical student was raped and murdered inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College on August 9. On Monday, the Supreme Court reminded the authorities that no action should be taken against doctors who return to work by tomorrow at 5 pm while hearing the case related to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. However, the court noted that if the doctors fail to do so, the court will not be able to restrain the state government, and further absence from work might lead to disciplinary action against them. (ANI) Chief Minister Saha paid his last respects to the late poet at Battala Crematorium following the news of this tragic event. In his condolence message, CM Saha described Manas Debbarman as a distinguished poet, writer, and socially conscious creative personality of the state. He acknowledged Debbarman's contributions not only as a college educator but also in his roles as Chairman of the Tripura Lok Seva Aayog and Member of the UPSC. CM Saha further noted that the state has lost a significant cultural figure and a veteran patron with his passing. The Chief Minister wished eternal peace to the departed soul and extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. On a social media post, CM Saha conveyed his deep sorrow, highlighting Manas Debbarman's remarkable contributions as a poet, writer, and socially minded individual. "I am deeply saddened by the sudden demise of eminent poet, writer and cultural figure of the state, Manas Devavarman. He was a prominent poet, writer and socially minded creative personality of the state. Apart from teaching in college, he has ably performed important duties as Chairman of Tripura Lok Seva Aayog and Member of UPSC. With his demise, the state lost a creative cultural personality and a veteran guardian. I wish eternal peace to the departed soul and express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Om Shanti," read the post by Saha. He reiterated Debbarman's impact through his academic work and esteemed positions, emphasising the loss felt by the state. (ANI) A day after he announced to resign from the TMC and Rajya Sabha, Jawhar Sircar on Monday said the "crisis" in Bengal after the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College was one of the reasons for his decision. He further argued that the transfer of former RG Kar's principal, Sandip Ghosh, was a "reward" that started the "people's movement." The postgraduate trainee doctor's body was found in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital's seminar hall on August 9, sparking protests in Kolkata and across the country. He expressed his frustration at the lack of progress in tackling the state's turmoil, prompting him to announce his resignation to draw "attention" as no one listens to requests in a political party. "I had already said in the statement. There are so many reasons, one of them is the crisis that Bengal is dealing with. The crisis has to be dealt properly, which is not happening. One of the reasons for my resignation is that I'm a misfit in politics. The best way of calling attention was the way I did it. If I did not take a step like this and make a request, no one listens in the political party," he told ANI. Sircar criticised the state government over the handling of complaints against the principal of RG Kar College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh. "If action could have been taken on the complaints against the principal from the first day itself and suspended the principal, they would have lost half their strength...It was a reward by sending him to one place, and that started the movement. The situation was badly handled," he said. "The party is still saying that this is a political battle, which is not completely wrong, but my concern is not your's battle with the CPI (M) or BJP. My concern is, what do we do about the people's movement? That's a genuine movement. You can take people's movements as a conspiracy against you. That's not a correct attitude. There is a huge amount of public upsurge. And public upsurge because people in Bengal are super conscious of political rights," he added. Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Jawhar Sircar on Sunday wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister and party chief Mamata Banerjee, offering his resignation from the Rajya Sabha. His decision comes in the wake of the recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, which has sparked nationwide outrage. In his letter to West Bengal CM, Sircar expressed deep disappointment over the government's handling of the situation and urged Mamata Banerjee to take decisive action to "save the state." "While thanking you sincerely for giving me such a great opportunity to represent the problems of West Bengal as an MP in the Rajya Sabha, I must inform you that I have decided to resign from parliament and also from politics altogether," Sircar said in his resignation letter. "I have suffered patiently for a month since the terrible incident at RG Kar Hospital, and was hoping for your direct intervention with the agitating junior doctors, in the old style of Mamata Banerjee," the letter mentioned. Sircar, who joined TMC in 2021, also highlighted his disillusionment with the state government's response to corruption, particularly regarding the former education minister's involvement in corruption. "I shall go to Delhi soon and offer my resignation to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and will also disassociate myself totally from politics. Please do something to save the state, and my regards and best wishes are with you," he added. The body of the trainee doctor was found in the seminar room of the R G Kar hospital on August 9. The incident sparked nationwide protests. A civic volunteer was arrested shortly after. The CBI also arrested Dr Sandip Ghosh for alleged financial misconduct at the medical establishment. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the BJP co-in-charge for Jharkhand, met with the family of one of the candidates who died while undertaking the physical efficiency test for the Jharkhand excise constable recruitment exam. Following the meeting, Sarma described the incident as "unfortunate." He said, "What happened is very unfortunate. The candidate was admitted to the hospital and placed on oxygen support. However, his sister alleges that there was no oxygen in the cylinder. The truth will be revealed only after the investigation. I urge Chief Minister Hemant Soren to offer a job to the victim's elder brother." Earlier, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren over the deaths of twelve candidates during the physical efficiency test. He said that the youth of Jharkhand will not forgive the JMM government. Chouhan said, "Our goal is to free Jharkhand from the misrule of the JMM. With elections approaching, Chief Minister Hemant Soren had promised 5 lakh jobs. Recently, during the excise constable recruitment drive, youths were made to run 10 km without proper arrangements. Such a 10-kilometre run is not conducted anywhere else. This was a ploy for vote bank politics and to deceive the youth." He further claimed that this alleged conspiracy led to the deaths of twelve youths during the physical tests. Earlier, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren expressed his condolences over the deaths of aspirants during the physical tests for the recruitment of excise constables. He directed an immediate review of the rules set by the previous government and instructed changes for future recruitment drives. Taking to the social media platform X, he said, "Johar friends, the untimely death of the participants during the race for the recruitment of excise constable is sad and heartbreaking. While directing for immediate review of the rules made by the previous government." He also instructed to make changes in the rules for all future recruitment drives. (ANI) In a series of highly successful joint operations, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and other security forces conducted relentless search and recovery efforts across various districts of Manipur, resulting in the recovery of substantial quantities of arms and ammunition, according to an official release. The operations, conducted in the first week of September 2024, resulted in the recovery of substantial quantities of arms, ammunition and warlike stores, highlighting the effectiveness of the joint efforts undertaken by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles with other security forces. Acting on specific intelligence regarding weapon caches in areas such as Liklai, Mashemjang, P Geljang, Thoroilok, Gelmon, Molphai Tampak, Leisanbung, and Maulnghat in Churachandpur District, a joint search and area sanitization operation was launched by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, and Manipur Police. They recovered two 9 mm pistols with magazines, one single barrel 12mm bore and 17 x locally improvised long range mortars, one AK Series rifle, one carbine machine gun, one sniper, one INSAS rifle, three single barrel rifles, one single barrel 12mm bore gun, three pistols, six improvised mortars and warlike stores. The recovered weapons and war like stores have been handed over to Manipur Police. Additionally, a bunker was destroyed at Molphai Tampak in September 7, 2024. In other joint operations on September 5, team of Indian Army and Manipur Police busted an arms cache in fringe areas of Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts, recovering a total of 11 weapons , 6 pompis, ammunition, and warlike stores. Similarly, based on specific input with respect to the presence of insurgents and likely hideouts containing huge warlike stores, Assam Rifles and Manipur police launched a joint search operation in the Loiching Ridge area of Kangpokpi district of Manipur on September 7, 2024 and recovered one country-made drone , one 7.62mm sniper rifle, one point 22 rifle, one single barrel rifle, one 9mm pistol, 12 single barrel rifles, two 5.56 mm assault rifles, one self loading rifle, one assault rifle, one improvised long-range mortar, one improvised short range mortar with stand, grenades, ammunition and other warlike stores. In Bishnupur district, an intelligence-based joint operation led by the Indian Army in areas of Bunglon, Maulsang, and Vaikul Lok Nala resulted in recovery of one modified AK-47 rifle, three large country-made mortars (pompi), two medium country made mortars, one small country-made mortar, and five grenades along with explosives. In Thoubal district, on Assam Rifles and Manipur Police received intelligence inputs indicating presence of arms and ammunition in general area Tentha. The joint operation resulted in recovery of four single-barrel Barrel Shotguns, ammunition and war like stores. The FIRs have been lodged in all operations and the recovered items have been handed over to Manipur Police. These proactive and strong measures by Assam Rifles are essential steps in its ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in the region. These operations demonstrate the continuous peace efforts of the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and other security forces operating in Manipur. The successful recoveries highlight the effectiveness of these coordinated operations in curbing the proliferation of illegal arms and ensuring the safety of the region. (ANI) Defending Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi against the BJP's allegation of defaming India abroad, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said that the LoP has never defamed India and will never do so. "He (Rahul Gandhi) has never defamed India and will never do so, this is our promise. BJP people need an excuse, and they raise such issues all the time," Kharge said. Meanwhile, BJP MP Anurag Thakur slammed Rahul Gandhi over his recent statements made in Texas and Dallas, USA, and said that he is the LoP now and should not do anything that spoils India's image across the world. He also highlighted that there is a huge difference in unemployment rates during UPA's and NDA's tenure. Thakur said, "He should see the difference in unemployment rates during their time and NDA's tenure. We have reduced the unemployment rate and increased employment opportunities. Rahul Gandhi should not defame India abroad. Investment worth crores is coming into the country. Today India has become the hope and bright spot of the world." "We have seen 'Nafrat ka saman' being sold them in their 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan'. The country has seen everything from 1984 riots till now. He is the LoP now, and he should speak responsibly. He should not do anything that spoils India's image across the world," the BJP MP added. Earlier on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi talked about issues faced by the youth due to unemployment and said that the act of production creates jobs but India organises consumption, which is a reason for worry. He said, "The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organise consumption." Rahul Gandhi compared the current global production landscape to past decades, noting that while countries like China now dominate production, the West, including India, has shifted focus away from it. Rahul Gandhi also addressed ideological differences with the RSS, saying, "The RSS believes that India is one idea, and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas." He added that Congress supports inclusion and diversity, while accusing the Prime Minister of attacking the Indian Constitution. Gandhi was welcomed in Dallas by Sam Pitroda and members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI) A recent study suggested that the risk of malignant melanoma, or skin cancer, may be declining in Sweden, at least for people under the age of 50. "We can see a trend break in young adults around 2015 where the incidence curves are falling," says first author Hildur Helgadottir, senior consultant and associate professor of oncology at the Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet. Her research colleagues have examined the incidence and death of melanoma for various age groups over time by analysing data from the Swedish Melanoma Registry. This indicates that they have made a comparison between people in the same age range at one point in time and people in the same age range at another. The findings indicate that while the new-onset curves for individuals over 50 continue to rise, they began to decline about 2015 for those in the younger age groups. "This is the first time we see this in Sweden, and we are actually the first European country to report a decline," said Hildur Helgadottir. In terms of mortality, the curves have also turned downwards for ages up to 59, but not for those over 60. Hildur Helgadottir believes that the decrease in mortality in the younger groups is due both to a reduction in the incidence of the disease and to the introduction of new oncological drugs that have improved the prognosis for the disease. She believes that the fact that mortality is not decreasing in the elderly is because the incidence of the disease is still so high in this group. "The question is why the risk of melanoma has decreased. "We have not directly analyzed the causes in our study, but we have hypotheses about factors that we believe have interacted," said Hildur Helgadottir. "There are four main factors," she said. The first is increased awareness of sun protection. "The first national 'Sun Safe' campaign in the 1990s specifically highlighted the importance of protecting children. About 20 years later, we believe that this has led to a reduction in the incidence of the disease in younger adults," said Hildur Helgadottir. Another factor is that access to sunbeds has decreased drastically. Since 2018, there has been an 18-year age limit on sunbeds, but the number of public sunbeds decreased much earlier. Third, mobile phones and computers mean that children and young people are spending more time indoors and are not exposed to sunlight in the same way today. Finally, immigration means that there are more individuals in Sweden with darker pigmentation who can tolerate the sun better. "We see that it is necessary to continue the work of emphasizing the importance of sun protection so that the reduction of melanoma in younger people is maintained and that the incidence will eventually also decrease in older people," said Hildur Helgadottir. Hildur Helgadottir points out how necessary it is to continue to emphasize the importance of sun protection so that the reduction of melanoma in younger people is sustained and that the incidence will eventually decrease in older people as well. "We are having an unusually warm and sunny September. It is important to remember that from April to September the sun can be strong and you should be careful," said Hildur Helgadottir. (ANI) Algeria's National Independent Authority for Elections (ANIE) head Mohamed Charfi said on Sunday that the independent candidate Tebboune won sweeping majority in the polls held on Saturday, Al Jazeera reported. "Of 5,630,000 voters recorded, 5,320,000 voted for the independent candidate Abdelmadjid Tebboune, accounting for 94.65 percent" of the votes, Al Jazeera quoted Charfi as saying. Army-backed Tebboune's challengers included conservative Abdelaali Hassani Cherif of Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) party, who won 3 percent of the ballots, and socialist Youcef Aouchiche Socialist Forces Front (FFS) party, who won 2.1 percent. Hassani Cherif's campaign alleged that the polling staff were pressured to inflate results and alleged failures in delivering vote-sorting records to candidates' representatives, and alleged instances of proxy group voting. It did not say whether it believed the violations had affected the result, Al Jazeera reported. ANIE head Charfi said while announcing the results that the team tried to ensure transparency and fair competition among all candidates. Earlier in the day, ANIE announced an "average turnout" rate of 48 per cent, calling it "provisional", but it did not give a breakdown of the number of voters against those initially registered. Tebboune's re-election implies that Algeria will likely continue with a governing programme that has resumed lavish social spending based on increased energy revenues after he came into office in 2019 following a period of lower oil prices. Algeria formally applied to join the BRICS group and submitted a request to become a shareholder member of the BRICS Bank on July 22 last year. "We officially applied to join the BRICS group, we sent a letter asking to be shareholder members in the bank ... Algeria's first contribution in the bank will be USD 1.5 billion," An-Nahar Al-Jadid, Algerian daily, quoted Tebboune as saying. (ANI) Calling the Indian diaspora in the US a 'vital bridge' between two nations, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has said that Dallas has provided a "fantastic start" to his US visit. Gandhi, who arrived in Dallas on Sunday, interacted with students and teachers at the University of Texas. He also addressed the members of the Indian diaspora in Dallas. Calling his interaction with students and faculty at the University of Texas "dynamic and engaging," Rahul Gandhi said that they held discussions on politics, production, and skill-respect in India. Speaking about his interaction with the Indian diaspora, Congress MP said that he emphasised key values that are essential to Indian politics, including love, respect, and humility. In a post shared on Facebook, Rahul Gandhi stated, "Dallas has provided a fantastic start to my USA tour! My interaction with students and faculty at the University of Texas was dynamic and engaging, with thoughtful discussions on politics, production, skill-respect in India, and the vital role of youth and women in shaping the future of our nations." "In my address to the Indian Diaspora, I emphasised key values essential to Indian politics: love, respect, and humility. I highlighted the importance of embracing India's rich diversity--its languages, cultures, and traditions--while upholding the principles enshrined in our Constitution. Like the U.S., India is a union of states, where all languages, religions and communities are equal," he added. He said that he looks forward to more meaningful exchanges in the coming days. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday for his three-day US visit. The Congress MP was welcomed at the airport by Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, and members of the Indian diaspora. "The Indian Diaspora serves as a vital bridge between our countries, and their commitment to these values strengthens the bond between our two great unions. I am passionate about unleashing India's potential and look forward to more meaningful exchanges in the coming days," Rahul Gandhi said in a post on Facebook. While addressing the members of the Indian diaspora, Rahul Gandhi said that when they came to the country from India, they had come with values of constitution, respect, and humility. He said that Indians came to live in the US with love and affection. He said, "I'm speaking to people in Dallas and who are you? You are people who have come from India and the values that I have been describing - values of the Constitution, values of respect, values of humility. You carry them inside your heart, you have them in your blood. So, when you when you came to this country, you did not come with arrogance, you came with humility, you did not come with hatred, you came with love and affection, and you did not come with disrespect, saying that you know we are coming to America, and who are these people? We'll show them. No, you came with respect. So inside your heart is respect, is love, humility and you are our ambassadors in one way." He stressed that Indian diaspora have a very important role of being a bridge between their old home and their new home and added that they should bring the idea of India to the US and the ideas of the US to India. Congress MP said, "You're the bridge between these two unions - United States of America and the Union of States which is written in our Constitution, and so you have a very important role because the relationship between these two unions is going to determine the future of both these unions. The United States needs India and India needs the United States. It's a fact we cannot get away from it, so you have a very important role of being the bridge between your old home and your new home, right. And in my view, you should travel freely between these two homes and you should bring the idea of India to the United States and the ideas of the United States to India." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Hyderabad House in Delhi on Monday. Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the two leaders will hold discussions on entire spectrum of ties between India and UAE. Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officials were present in the meeting. Taking to X, Randhir Jaiswal stated, "A warm welcome for a close friend. PM @narendramodi received HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at Hyderabad House. Discussions on entire spectrum of India - UAE bilateral relations and future areas of cooperation lie ahead." PM Modi welcomed Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the two leaders greeted each other with a warm hug. The two leaders shook hands and interacted with each other before proceeding to hold a meeting. Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in New Delhi on September 8 on his first official visit to India, the Ministry of External Affairs said.Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, received the Crown Prince upon his arrival. He was also accorded a ceremonial welcome after he landed here in the national capital. "A new milestone in a historic relationship. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Delhi on his first official visit to India. Warmly received by @CimGOI @piyushgoyal and accorded a ceremonial welcome," Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. In the pictures shared by Jaiswal, Piyush Goyal can be seen greeting Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the former receiving a ceremonial welcome. Notably, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is on an official India visit from September 9-10 at the invitation of PM Modi. During his visit to India, he is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu. He will also visit Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. On September 10, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince will visit Mumbai to participate in a Business Forum, in which business leaders from both countries will participate. "India and UAE share historically close and friendly ties. In recent years, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and UAE has deepened in a wide range of areas, including political, trade, investment, connectivity, energy, technology, education, and culture," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a press release. "The Crown Prince's visit will further reinforce strong India-UAE bilateral relations and open avenues for partnership in new and emerging areas," it added. In February this year, PM Modi visited UAE. He held discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the India-UAE bilateral relationship and witnessed the exchange of eight agreements. PM Modi and President Al Nahyan welcomed the MoU for creation of an intergovernmental framework between India and the UAE on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), which reflected the lead taken by the UAE and India in furthering regional connectivity. The two leaders further endorsed the efforts from both sides to strengthen the strong economic and commercial cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration. They welcomed the strong growth witnessed in the UAE-India trade relations since the entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). (ANI) Amid the deteriorating conditions in Balochistan, where the Baloch people have been suffering for their basic rights, Balochistan's former Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani recently stated that children from Pakistan's Punjab are making use of scholarships designated for students from Balochistan's Gwadar, The Balochistan Post reported. Speaking to reporters, Nawab Aslam Raisani claimed that Baloch students are being forcibly taken from educational institutions and at the same time, the responsibility is wrongly attributed to tribal leaders. He further stated that there was a time when it was claimed that the Baloch people were subjugated by their tribal leaders, who were purportedly opposed to education. He said that Baloch students are being forcibly disappeared from educational institutions in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. He further asked, "Now tell me, who is really against education?," according to The Balochistan Post report. He claimed that China, under the Gwadar projects, offered scholarships to 7,000 Baloch students. However, he added that only 200 of these students were actually from Balochistan, The Balochistan Post reported. He stressed that, as tribal leaders, they work to uphold the rights of the Baloch people. However, when students from other regions benefit from these scholarships, it denies their own community access to education. Many schools in Balochistan suffer from poor infrastructure, including inadequate buildings, lack of basic facilities, and insufficient teaching materials. Rural and remote areas often face the greatest challenges. Enrolment rates, particularly for girls, are lower in Balochistan compared to other regions of Pakistan. Factors contributing to this include socio-cultural norms, security concerns, and economic constraints. Overall literacy rates and educational attainment levels are lower in Balochistan compared to other provinces. This affects opportunities for higher education and employment. (ANI) Sharing details regarding his meeting with Qatar PM, Jaishankar stated, "Began the day with a good meeting with PM & FM of Qatar @MBA_AlThani_. Discussed taking India-Qatar bilateral ties forward. Appreciated his insights and assessments on regional developments." The two leaders had earlier held a meeting in Doha in June. The two leaders had held talks on strengthening bilateral ties across various sectors and addressing key regional challenges. Jaishankar conveyed warm greetings and wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Qatar Amir Amir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Qatar PM. He underscored the robust nature of the India-Qatar relationship, emphasising cooperation in political, trade, investment, energy, technology, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Notably, S Jaishankar arrived in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, for a two-day visit to attend the First India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs, Abdulmajeed Al Smari, welcomed Jaishankar in Riyadh. During his visit, S Jaishankar visited the Saudi National Museum and King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives in Riyadh. In a post on X, he said, "Visited the Saudi National Museum and King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives in Riyadh. Brought out India's deep historical connect that now serves as a foundation to develop a strong contemporary relationship." During his visit to Riyadh, he is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from GCC member countries, according to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release. In its release, the MEA stated, "India and the GCC enjoy a deep and multifaceted relationship, in areas including political, trade & investment, energy cooperation, cultural and people-to-people ties." "The GCC region has emerged as a major trading partner for India and is home to a large Indian expatriate community, numbering around 8.9 million. The Foreign Ministers meeting will be an opportunity to review and deepen institutional cooperation between India and the GCC across various sectors," it added. After concluding his visit to Riyadh, Jaishankar is scheduled to travel to Germany for a two-day visit from September 10-11. He will thereafter travel to Switzerland. (ANI) Ukraine's Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, said on Monday that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may visit India by the end of the year following an invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi but the dates of the visit will be decided according to mutual convenience. "Prime Minister Modi kindly invited my president to visit India, and I'm hopeful it will happen. Maybe by the end of this year, we will be happy to see President Zelenskyy here, as it would mark another step forward in our bilateral relationship. It would also provide a great opportunity for the two leaders to spend more time discussing the peace-building process around the world," Polishchuk told ANI. The Ukrainian envoy mentioned that Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ukraine was relatively short due to security concerns. However, in India, both leaders would have more time for discussions, he said. "I know for certain that President Zelenskyy is very keen to visit India. He has never been here," he said, adding that "visit would take place at a time convenient for both sides". Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ukraine on August 23 this year at the invitation of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. This marked the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1992. In a joint statement issued at the end of the visit, Prime Minister Modi and President Zelenskyy reiterated their readiness for further cooperation in upholding principles of international law, including the UN Charter, such as respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. They agreed on the desirability of closer bilateral dialogue in this regard. The Indian side reiterated its principled position and focus on peaceful resolution of Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, as a part of which, India has attended the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, in June 2024. The Ukrainian side welcomed such participation by India and highlighted the importance of high-level Indian participation in the next Peace Summit. The Ukrainian side conveyed that the Joint Communique on a Peace Framework, adopted at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, could serve as a basis for further efforts to promote just peace based on dialogue, diplomacy, and international law. The Leaders appreciated various efforts to ensure global food security, including Ukrainian humanitarian grain initiative. The importance of uninterrupted and unhindered supply of agricultural products to global markets, especially in Asia and Africa, was emphasized. Prime Minister Modi reiterated the need for sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that will have broad acceptability and contribute towards early restoration of peace. He reiterated India's willingness to contribute in all possible ways to facilitate an early return of peace. "Prime Minister Modi thanked President Zelenskyy for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit and invited him to visit India at a mutually convenient opportunity," the joint statement said. Zelenskyy had expressed his gratitude over PM Modi's visit to Ukraine. "A very good meeting. This is a historic one... I am very thankful to the PM for coming. It's a good beginning with some practical steps," he said at a press conference later. "I am happy that PM Modi came to visit us and I believe this is very important...This is the first visit of the Prime Minister of India to Ukraine. We are ready on our part to do the respective steps. We've heard messages from the Indian side that they would be happy to welcome our team to India," he added. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who met Zelenskyy last week, said India and China can play a role in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "China and India have a role to play in resolving this conflict. The only thing that cannot happen is to believe the conflict can be solved by abandoning Ukraine," Meloni said according to Italian Government TV, cited by Reuters. Meloni's remarks follow Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement that India, China and Brazil could mediate in potential peace talks over Ukraine. Addressing the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), the Russian leader stated that leaders of India, Brazil, and China are making a sincere effort to contribute to resolving the situation in Ukraine. PM Modi had visited Russia in July this year. Putin was cited by Russian state media TASS as saying that he is in constant touch with India, China, and Brazil over the Ukraine conflict, as these countries are sincerely seeking to resolve all issues surrounding the conflict. (ANI) According to a report by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), 23 cars were also stolen at gunpoint, and a total of 150 vehicles were reported stolen in August. The report also highlights that motorcycles are a common target, with 656 stolen and 3,385 reportedly taken from various parts of the city this year so far. Additionally, 1,737 mobile phones were snatched from citizens, and there were reports of 3 kidnapping-for-ransom incidents and 6 extortion cases. Earlier, Karachi police reported a dramatic increase in street crimes, with more than 44,000 incidents recorded in the first seven months of 2024. The majority of these crimes involved motorcycle theft. At the beginning of this period, 31,000 motorcycles were reported stolen, making them the most common target. Additionally, over 11,800 mobile phones were stolen, and approximately 1,200 cars were taken from citizens. This surge in crime has heightened insecurity among residents, with a notably low recovery rate for stolen items. The Dawn also reported an increase in incidents of street robberies and muggings in Karachi, particularly in densely populated areas and commercial districts where the risk of theft is higher. On April 2, The Express Tribune reported that Karachi faces a severe problem of increasing street crime, with recent incidents contributing to a growing sense of lawlessness among the city's residents. Incidents of street crime in Karachi are frequently captured on CCTV and often go viral. The report also noted that the rise in street crime has led to fatalities, with 23 individuals having lost their lives in robbery-related incidents during January and February of this year alone. (ANI) Former Indian diplomat KP Fabian on Monday said that the two warring sides, Russia and Ukraine, should demonstrate sincerity and transparency in their efforts to achieve a ceasefire, as a mediator can only help towards a peaceful resolution, ahead of National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval's upcoming visit to Moscow. Speaking to ANI, Fabian underscored the opportunity for India to contribute to the peace process, particularly during the BRICS NSA meeting scheduled to take place ahead of the BRICS Summit in Kazan from October 22-24. "No war will end until the belligerents want to end it. You can take a horse to the stream, but can you make it drink? No. So unless the two belligerents want a ceasefire, a mediator can only help. A mediator cannot produce a ceasefire, you now? So let us see," said Fabian. Ajit Doval's visit, according to Fabian, holds importance beyond just attending the meeting. He expects that Doval will discuss the Ukraine crisis with Russian NSA Nikolai Patrushev, his Russian counterpart, and other key officials. "It is highly probable that Ajit Doval will discuss with his Russian counterpart, and also with other counterparts, how to end this war in Ukraine. There are two wars: one between Russia and Ukraine, and the other between Russia and NATO, led by the United States," Fabian said, emphasising the complexity of the conflict. Fabian noted the extensive damage in Ukraine and stressed that ending the conflict is crucial. "We don't know how many thousands of human beings, whether military or civilian, have been killed. But we do know that a good part of Ukraine has been destroyed," he stated, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message of peace remains relevant. "This has to end. As Prime Minister Modi has been saying, this is not the era for war." After the West's unsuccessful talks to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, India steps up for the job. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NSA Ajit Doval is headed to Moscow for crucial talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. As the Russia-Ukraine war drags on, several world leaders have pinned hope on India to broker peace. During his visit to Russia, Ajit Doval is likely to hold discussions regarding peace process in the region. NSA Doval's visit follows PM Modi's trips to Russia and Ukraine where he held talks with both leaders and reiterated India's stance. PM Modi emphasized the need for peaceful resolutions of conflict and said, 'India is not neutral and we have chosen the side of peace'. Notably, Russian President Putin on September 5 said that China, India and Brazil could mediate potential peace talks against Ukraine. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also mentioned India as a probable mediator after meeting Zelenskyy. India has walked a diplomatic tightrope throughout the conflict, reiterating its stance and inching towards a position to broker peace. Fabian also remarked on the changing dynamics of Western support for Ukraine, citing diminishing financial and military aid. "There are also limits to what the West can do in terms of both money and weapons," he said, noting that countries like Germany and Hungary have scaled back their support. With declining aid, Ukraine could be more inclined towards seeking a ceasefire, but as Fabian pointed out, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also declared his intent to pursue victory. In the broader context of BRICS diplomacy, Fabian highlighted Putin's strategic efforts to secure a favourable declaration from the upcoming BRICS Summit. "President Putin is playing his cards exceedingly well... He wants a declaration after the summit to include words on this conflict that are favourable to Russia," Fabian said. Doval's visit to Moscow is viewed as a multi-dimensional diplomatic effort. Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev highlighted that Doval's participation in the BRICS NSA meeting is just one aspect. He is also expected to carry a message from Prime Minister Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This message could be pivotal in India's diplomatic approach to the Ukraine conflict. (ANI) During the official visit of Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, India and the UAE on Monday signed several significant Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs), paving the way for cooperation between the two nations in sectors like nuclear energy and petroleum. An MoU was signed between Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Nuclear Power Cooperation of India Limited (NPCIL) for the operation and maintenance of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE. Also, an agreement for long-term LNG supply between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited was signed, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release. MoU between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL); Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 between Urja Bharat and ADNOC; and MoU between the Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ) on food parks development in India were signed. Notably, Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in New Delhi on September 8 on his first official visit to India, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, received the Crown Prince upon his arrival. He was also accorded a ceremonial welcome after he landed here in the national capital. "A new milestone in a historic relationship. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Delhi on his first official visit to India. Warmly received by @CimGOI @piyushgoyal and accorded a ceremonial welcome," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. "India and UAE share historically close and friendly ties. In recent years, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and UAE has deepened in a wide range of areas, including political, trade, investment, connectivity, energy, technology, education, and culture," the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release. "The Crown Prince's visit will further reinforce strong India-UAE bilateral relations and open avenues for partnership in new and emerging areas," it added. In February this year, PM Modi visited UAE. He held discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the India-UAE bilateral relationship and witnessed the exchange of eight agreements. (ANI) Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Good to meet again Kuwaiti FM Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. Recalled our productive meeting recently in Kuwait." "Discussed taking forward India-Kuwait bilateral ties through an early meeting of our Joint Commission," the post on X further read. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1833075623868215508 Notably, following the visit of the Emir of Kuwait (Monarch of Kuwait) to India in 2006, an India-Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation was set up at the level of MOS. Both sides agreed to elevate the Joint Ministerial Commission at the level of Foreign Ministers in 2021, according to the official website of the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. Meanwhile, Adarsh Swaika, Ambassador of India to Kuwait, inaugurated a Buyer-Seller Meeting in the food and agriculture sector. The event featured a display of processed foods, and sustainable packaging material by Indian companies. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait wrote, "Ambassador Adarsh Swaika inaugurated India-Kuwait Buyer-Seller Meet in Food & Agro sector organised by Federation of Indian Export Organisations in collaboration with Indian Embassy in Kuwait & Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry." "30 Indian companies showcased diverse products, including processed food & sustainable packaging materials," the post read. Notably, India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally friendly relations, which are rooted in history and have stood the test of time. India has been a natural trading partner of Kuwait and until 1961, Indian Rupee was a legal tender in Kuwait. The year 2021-22 marked the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries. Also, India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait following its independence from British Protectorate in 1961. Prior to the establishment of diplomatic relations, India was represented by a Trade Commissioner. (ANI) Ukraine's Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, has hoped that India will participate at a "very senior level" in the next "Peace Summit" and said his country will be very happy if Prime Minister Narendra Modi finds the time to attend it as his voice "is very much respected in the world". In an interview with ANI, Polishchuk also said that PM Modi's visit to Ukraine in August was "historical" and there was "concrete discussion" on "how we are going to achieve stable peace" find a resolution to the Ukraine conflict. He said that India had not signed the final communique after the Peace Summit in Switzerland. "I hope that my President, in his discussion with the Prime Minister, convinced him to play a more major role as a leading nation in such peace negotiations. Unfortunately, we haven't India on the list of countries who signed the final communique after the summit in Switzerland, but there's still an open opportunity to join in some way," Polishchuk said. "It's again about the main principles like the nuclear security, food security, which are quite important for this region. At the next summit, we hope India will participate at a very senior level. We would be very happy if the Prime Minister finds the time to travel for this Summit and personally take part in a discussion because his voice is very much respected in the world," Polishchuk added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to the country on August 23 and reiterated the need for sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that will have broad acceptability and contribute towards early restoration of peace in Russia-Ukraine conflict. PM Modi reiterated India's willingness to contribute in all possible ways to facilitate an early return of peace. Secretary(West) Pavan Kapoor represented India at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, hosted by Switzerland, on June 15,16 this year. The Indian delegation attended the Opening and Closing Plenary Sessions of the Summit. India did not associate itself with any communique or document emerging from this Summit. "India's participation in the Summit, as well as in the preceding NSA/Political Director-level meetings based on Ukraine's Peace Formula, was in line with our consistent approach to facilitate a lasting and peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," the Ministry of External Affairs had said in a release. "We continue to believe that such a resolution requires a sincere and practical engagement between the two parties to the conflict. In this regard, India will continue to remain engaged with all stakeholders as well as both the parties to contribute to all earnest efforts to bring about an early and abiding peace," the release added. Asked about NSA Ajit Doval's visit to Russia for a meeting of senior security officials of BRICS member states, Polishchuk said it is absolutely logical that NSA Doval will travel to the country "with whom we need to talk in terms of preparation for the next peace summit". "The meeting between two leaders should have some practical implication. I mean on a peace discussion. We are quite happy that before this meeting, India demonstrated their leading role and took place in all of the meetings on the level of the NSA, which actually has been the preparatory stage for the Peace Summit, which we held together in Switzerland this year," he said. "It is absolutely logical that NSA (Doval) will travel to the country with whom we need to talk in terms of preparation for the next peace summit. Russia rejected the invitation for the summit, so we should put our common effort to convince them that they need to participate in the summit," he added. The Ukraine Ambassador also emphasised India's role in global affairs. "We have the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and I know India is present during the peace negotiation. So with that we will be very much happy if India will play a more active role in the moderating of the discussion, in the moderating of peace negotiation, because India has very good relationship with both countries, so taking into account that we expect, that India should have the most strong position and more clear plan for the peacebuilding process in Ukraine and in another area around the world," he said. A joint statement issued after PM Modi's visit to Ukraine said that he and President Zelenskyy reiterated their readiness for further cooperation in upholding principles of international law, including the UN Charter, such as respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. They agreed on the desirability of closer bilateral dialogue in this regard. The Indian side reiterated its principled position and focus on peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, as a part of which, India has attended the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, in June 2024. The Ukrainian side welcomed such participation by India and highlighted the importance of high-level Indian participation in the next Peace Summit. The Ukrainian side conveyed that the Joint Communique on a Peace Framework, adopted at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, could serve as a basis for further efforts to promote just peace based on dialogue, diplomacy, and international law. The Leaders appreciated various efforts to ensure global food security, including Ukrainian humanitarian grain initiative. The importance of uninterrupted and unhindered supply of agricultural products to global markets, especially in Asia and Africa, was emphasized. (ANI) Flash Police cars and an ambulance are pictured near the Allenby Bridge, a key crossing point between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jordan, after a shooting attack on Sept. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Israel announced Sunday that it has closed all three of its border crossings with Jordan after three Israeli security guards were reportedly killed in the morning at one of the crossings. Earlier on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said a driver approached the Allenby Bridge, a border point between Jordan and the occupied West Bank, from the Jordanian side in a truck, exited his vehicle, and opened fire on Israeli security guards, leaving three dead at the scene. The attacker was shot dead by Israeli forces, the IDF added. Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that early indications suggest the gunman was a Jordanian national. Following the shooting attack, the Israel Airports Authority said in a statement that it has shut down the Allenby Bridge, also known officially in Jordan as the King Hussein Bridge, together with the Wadi Araba Crossing or Yitzhak Rabin Crossing between Israel's Red Sea resort city of Eilat and Jordan's Aqaba, and the Jordan River Crossing or Sheikh Hussein Bridge between Israel's Beit She'an and Jordan's Irbid. The closures followed "instructions by security officials," it noted, without specifying the time of reopening the crossings. Also on Sunday, Jordan's Public Security Directorate announced the closure of King Hussein Bridge with the West Bank until further notice due to a shutdown from the other side. Bridge users should comply and stay updated regarding any changes in travel movements, which will be announced promptly, Jordan's state-run Petra news agency quoted the directorate as saying. According to Petra, Jordan's Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into the alleged shooting attack. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority confirmed that the movement of travelers between the West Bank and Jordan has been completely halted, with information about the reopening of the border crossing still unclear. Palestinian security sources reported that Israeli forces have tightened their military measures near the Jordan-Palestine border, detaining workers and drivers without knowing their identities. The shooting attack and subsequent developments come amid the rising tension and persistent Israeli raids in the West Bank and an 11-month-long war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Monday and discussed strengthening bilateral ties with both the Middle East countries. He arrived in Riyadh on Sunday for the First India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, marking a significant moment in India's diplomatic engagements with the Gulf region. In a tweet from Riyadh, Jaishankar expressed his pleasure at meeting Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, stating, "Delighted to meet FM @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia today in Riyadh. Took stock of the progress in our bilateral relationship and shared perspectives on global and regional issues. Look forward to welcoming him in India." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1833054360613347360 The External Affairs Minister also highlighted his warm meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, tweeting, "A warm meeting with FM @badralbusaidi of Oman in Riyadh today. Focused on further strengthening of our strategic partnership." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1833061725563707546 Jaishankar's visit to Riyadh is set against the backdrop of the India-GCC Foreign Ministers' Meeting, where he is expected to engage with foreign ministers from all GCC member countries. This meeting aims to review and deepen institutional cooperation across various sectors, including trade, investment, energy, and cultural exchanges. India and the GCC have a long-standing and multifaceted relationship, marked by robust political, trade, and investment ties. The GCC region is a significant trading partner for India and hosts a large Indian expatriate community, approximately 8.9 million strong. The foreign ministers' meeting provides a platform to enhance these existing ties and explore new avenues for collaboration. Jaishankar's visit to Riyadh follows his arrival on September 8, where he was welcomed by Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs, Abdulmajeed Al Smari. The visit also aligns with Jaishankar's upcoming diplomatic travels, including a bilateral visit to Germany from September 10-11 and an official visit to Geneva from September 12-13. In Germany, Jaishankar will meet with German Federal Foreign Minister and other key officials to discuss the strategic partnership between India and Germany, while in Geneva, he will engage with representatives of international organisations and Switzerland's counterpart to further enhance bilateral relations. (ANI) China has officially taken over the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and will be responsible for hosting the 25th meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council in 2025. Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, emphasised that the SCO's core mission remains to foster unity among member states, enhance regional and global coordination, and contribute to global development, security, and civilisation initiatives. Ambassador Xu underscored China's commitment to making significant contributions towards lasting peace and global prosperity through the SCO platform. https://x.com/China_Amb_India/status/1833037445455045050 This upcoming meeting in 2025 will be a significant event for the SCO, providing a platform for member states to discuss and coordinate on various global and regional issues. China's leadership in this role reflects its growing influence and commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation within the SCO framework. Recently, the 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was concluded in Astana, Kazakhstan and brought together leaders from across the region. India played a prominent role, with the External Affairs Minister delivering the Prime Minister's message that highlighted combating terrorism and addressing climate change as key priorities. The 24th SCO Summit in Astana adopted the Astana Declaration and approved 25 strategic agreements on energy, security, trade, finance, and information security. During the 24th SCO summit, China proposed that 2025 be designated as the SCO Year of Sustainable Development so as to help the SCO members focus on fostering new forces for growth, the Xinhua News Agency reported. In a related development, India has received an official invitation from Pakistan to attend the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) in-person meeting scheduled for October this year. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the receipt of the invitation but has not yet provided detailed updates regarding India's participation. Pakistan will host the meeting in Islamabad on October 15-16. This meeting is anticipated to be a crucial event for discussing key economic and political issues among SCO member states. The SCO, founded on the principles of the Shanghai Spirit, is the largest regional cooperation organisation in terms of geographical coverage and population. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, initially included Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It has since expanded to include nine member states, with India and Iran joining the organisation. The SCO also has three Observer States--Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Belarus--and 14 Dialogue Partners, including countries like Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The organisation focuses on regional security, economic collaboration, and cultural exchange, reflecting its broad and evolving role in global affairs. (ANI) Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "A useful conversation with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia today on the sidelines of the GCC meeting." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1833114028513669138 Notably, Jaishankar also held a meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, and discussed key global issues, including the G20 agenda, BRICS cooperation, and the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Nice to meet FM Mauro Vieira of Brazil on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Meetings. Discussed G20, BRICS and the Ukraine conflict." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1833085281982873884 Jaishankar on Sunday arrived in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, to attend the First India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs, Abdulmajeed Al Smari, welcomed Jaishankar in Riyadh. Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia from September 8-9. Upon arrival in Riyadh, Jaishankar, in a post on X stated, "Arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to take part in the First India - Gulf Cooperation Council Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Thank Abdulmajeed Al Smari, Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs for the warm reception." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a press release, said, "India and the GCC enjoy a deep and multifaceted relationship, in areas including political, trade & investment, energy cooperation, cultural and people-to-people ties." "The GCC region has emerged as a major trading partner for India and is home to a large Indian expatriate community, numbering around 8.9 million. The Foreign Ministers meeting will be an opportunity to review and deepen institutional cooperation between India and the GCC across various sectors," it added. After concluding his visit to Riyadh, Jaishankar is scheduled to travel to Germany for a two-day visit from September 10-11. This will be his first bilateral visit to Berlin. (ANI) At a recent event in San Francisco, Lin Yu-Chang, secretary-general of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), emphasised that "Taiwan's sovereignty is inviolable," according to Focus Taiwan. Speaking at a meeting hosted by the Taiwanese American Federation of Northern California (TAFNC), Lin affirmed that "Taiwanese have the defining power to decide their own future." Lin highlighted that the themes of Taiwanese sovereignty and self-determination have been central to President Lai Ching-te's speeches since his inauguration in May. In a press briefing before his keynote address at the dinner lecture, Lin discussed how Taiwan's global importance has increased due to major events like the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War. Lin reiterated that "supporting Taiwan" is a bipartisan stance in the United States, reflecting shared democratic and freedom values. Lin, who was Taiwan's minister of the interior between January 2023 and May 2024, is currently on a 13-day visit to the US. Since arriving in the states on Aug 31, the DPP secretary-general has visited New York, Washington, DC, and Houston, Focus Taiwan reported. He chose not to disclose details of his meetings with US officials, citing sensitivities related to the upcoming US presidential election, tense US-China relations, and Beijing's ongoing opposition to Taiwanese sovereignty and the DPP. In recent years, US-Taiwan relations have strengthened significantly, marked by increased military cooperation and economic ties amid rising tensions with China. Under President Biden, the US has enhanced its support for Taiwan, including arms sales and military exchanges, reported Focus Taiwan. Notably, in 2021, the US approved a major arms sale to Taiwan featuring F-16 fighter jets and anti-ship missiles, underscoring a strong commitment to Taiwan's defence capabilities. Recently, Taiwan's defence ministry announced that the delivery of F-16V fighter jets purchased from the US is expected to begin in 2026. CNA reported that all production and delivery issues related to these advanced fifth-generation aircraft have been resolved. Additionally, the US has supported Taiwan's participation in international organisations and forums where it has been historically excluded due to China's objections. For example, in 2021, the U.S. backed Taiwan's bid to join the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). US and Taiwanese officials have also held high-level meetings and dialogues to bolster bilateral economic and technological cooperation, particularly in the semiconductor sector. Despite this growing partnership, the US maintains its "One China" policy, recognising Beijing's claim over Taiwan while engaging with Taipei on a non-official basis. This support has elicited strong reactions from China, which has increased military manoeuvres around Taiwan and condemned US actions as provocations. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a productive meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on Monday, and engaged in "fruitful talks" that covered a wide range of topics. Notably, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi is on an official visit to India from September 9 to 10, at the invitation of PM Modi. This is the Crown Prince's first official visit to India in this capacity. He was received on his arrival yesterday in New Delhi by Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour. Sharing a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "It was a delight to welcome HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. We had fruitful talks on a wide range of issues." "His passion towards a strong India-UAE friendship is clearly visible," the post added. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1833139977364099550 The two leaders also expressed satisfaction over the substantial progress achieved in recent years in the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed opportunities to further widen and deepen the partnership in all areas of bilateral cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release. They also acknowledged that the success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the recent entry into force of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will provide further impetus to the strong economic and commercial partnership between the two countries. They also underscored the need to explore new areas of untapped potential, particularly in nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies. Several MoUs were also signed during the visit. The MoU on Nuclear Cooperation is expected to enhance cooperation in the operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants, sourcing of nuclear goods and services from India, exploring mutual investment opportunities and capacity building. The agreement for long-term supply of LNG is for 1 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) and is the third such contract signed in just over a year. Both IOCL and GAIL had previously signed long-term Agreements for 1.2 MMTPA and 0.5 MMTPA, respectively, with ADNOC. These contracts have strengthened energy security in India by diversifying LNG sources, the MEA added. The MoU between ADNOC and ISPRL, inter alia, provides for exploring ADNOC's participation in additional opportunities for crude storage in India and the renewal of their storage and management agreement on mutually acceptable terms and conditions. This MoU builds on ADNOC's existing involvement in crude storage at the Mangalore Cavern of ISPRL since 2018. The Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 between Urja Bharat (a JV of IOCL and Bharat Petro Resources Ltd) and ADNOC is the first one for any Indian company operating in the UAE. The concession entitles Urja Bharat to bring crude oil to India, thus contributing towards the country's energy security, the release added. The MoU on Food Parks conveys ADQ's expression of interest in developing Gundanpara, Bavla, Ahmedabad as a highly promising site for this ambitious project, with a view to commencing the Food Park project in Q2 2025. The government of Gujarat shall facilitate ADQ and AD Ports, to obtain detailed information regarding the site and assist in obtaining necessary permissions. Notably, the Crown Prince will also visit Mumbai tomorrow and will participate in an India-UAE Business Forum. The forum provides a platform for business leaders and officials from both sides to brainstorm future cooperation between the countries in various areas. A soft launch on the commencement of work on the India-UAE virtual trade corridor (VTC) and MAITRI interface to facilitate VTC, will also take place in Mumbai tomorrow, the MEA in the release said. (ANI) A high-level delegation led by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma participated in an investors' meet in South Korea's capital city, Seoul, on Monday and invited the business community and investors from the East Asian country to explore investment opportunities in Rajasthan. This was the first international investors' meet of the state's upcoming 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024, which will be organised in December this year. The Chief Minister, addressing the gathering, delineated his government's agenda of doubling the state's economy from the current US 180 billion dollars to US 350 billion dollars in the next 5 years and assured the investors that "the state is continually improving processes and policies to provide 'ease of doing business' in the state." Exhorting the startups, innovators and members from South Korea's top business groups, to do business in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Sharma said, "The Government of Rajasthan is not looking at South Korea as a source of investment only, but also aspires to build a strong and long-term partnership across sectors with the business leaders of South Korea. As part of our investor-friendly initiatives, my government will soon launch a slew of new policies that will enhance the business-friendly climate in the state, including the new Industrial Policy, Export Promotion Policy, MSME Policy and One District, One Product (ODOP) Policy." Besides the investors' meet, Chief Minister Sharma also held one-on-one meetings with senior officials of several big South Korean companies and associations from key sectors such as infrastructure, chemicals, startups and tourism, among others. This includes meeting the senior officials of POSCO International, SG Corporation (a South Korean asphalt concrete manufacturer), GS E&C (a South Korean firm working in renewable energy and battery storage space), Hanwha Solution (chemicals), and Jeonbuk Creative Economy Innovation Centre (JCCEI), which works as the incubator for startups. Besides that, several investors who were present during the investors meet also expressed interests in making investments in the state. Officials of POSCO International and SG Corporation, who met the Chief Minister together, expressed interests in setting up an asphalt manufacturing unit in Rajasthan and offered to make "better roads" in the state with their products. They also shared their expectations with the Rajasthan government delegation with respect to the subsidies, infrastructure services, raw material procurement and other requirements. Meeting with officials of JCCEI pondered over avenues to exchange knowledge around entrepreneurship and helping startups grow their businesses. A special investor meet was also organised to showcase the potential of Rajasthan's tourism sector, including showcasing the 9 UNESCO sites, forts and palaces in the state, forests and wildlife, fairs and festivals, weddings in Rajasthan and 'Palace on Wheels'. This is to be noted that 'Palace on Wheels' is a heritage train that tours international tourists around the best destinations of Rajasthan and is the best way to see the state in 7 days. Addressing the special tourism roadshow, Chief Minister Sharma said that both India and South Korea have a lot in common in terms of culture and festivals. "I am here as a representative of Rajasthan, and I invite you all to invest in our land of heritage and culture. Today, Rajasthan is one of the fastest-growing economies in India, equipped with exceptional infrastructure, connectivity, and facilities. My government is ready to support you at every step of your investment journey. Together, we can build a bright future for Rajasthan and further strengthen the friendship between our two great countries," the Rajasthan CM said while inviting the South Korean tourism sector firms to invest in the state. Addressing the gathering, Amit Kumar, India's Ambassador to South Korea, said, "Rajasthan is emerging as a promising investment and trade destination in India. The state is committed to fostering a conducive regulatory environment for business expansion. The upcoming 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024 will provide an ideal platform for exploring new business ventures in the state." The high-level delegation that travelled along with the Chief Minister consisted of Prem Chand Bairwa, Deputy Chief Minister (II), Government of Rajasthan, Shikhar Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary to CM, Government of Rajasthan, Ajitabh Sharma, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Government of Rajasthan and other top officials. The event was organised with the help of the Indian Embassy in South Korea and the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK). The Government of Rajasthan, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, will be hosting the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024 on 9th, 10th, and 11th December 2024 in the capital, Jaipur. The 3-day mega summit, which aims to attract and facilitate global investment, innovation, and partnerships in the state, is organised with the support of the Industry and Commerce Department, Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP), and RIICO, with BIP serving as the nodal department for this summit. During the summit, special plenary sessions will be organised on different focus sectors, including Agriculture, Renewable, Education and Skilling, Auto and EV, Infrastructure, Chemical and Petro-chemical, Tourism, Startups, Mining and ESDM/IT and ITeS and others. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday emphasised the critical role of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and described it as a "cornerstone of the global energy supply." He also showcased India's economic growth, noting that the country has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing markets. Jaishankar further underscored India's importance in global demand, asserting that much of the world's future demands will come from India. The remarks by Jaishankar came while he was addressing the inaugural India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue. He said, "The GCC is a cornerstone of the global energy supply. India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets. Much of the future demand is going to come from us. Our deeper collaboration will help in stabilising markets, driving innovation and enhancing energy security." He added, "Our partnership in the area of renewables, technology and innovation, health, space and education can also help realise our respective national goals. But our relationship goes beyond just transactions. It is built on a foundation of trust, mutual respect and a shared vision for the future." Jaishankar emphasised the foundations of the India-GCC partnership, and said that the ties are "rooted in a rich tapestry of history, culture and shared values." "Our meeting today is not just an occasion to reflect on our achievements but an opportunity to chart an ambitious and far-reaching course for the future The relationship between India and the GCC is rooted in a rich tapestry of history, culture and shared values. These bonds have grown stronger with time, evolving into a partnership that spans economics, energy, defence, technology, education, people-to-people ties and beyond... Let me offer the framework of the three Ps -- People, prosperity and progress. Our people-to-people ties are the bedrock of our relationship," he said. Jaishankar underscored the importance of India-GCC interactions, emphasising that collaboration between the two sides is crucial for driving prosperity. "Our interactions are key to driving prosperity for the GCC and for India. Trade has not only expanded in volume but also in diversity, encompassing a wide range of goods and services that fuel our economy and create jobs," Jaishankar said. He added, "It is important that we think not just for today. The task before us is to invest in each other's future and support each other's continued prosperity." Jaishankar also expressed India's stand on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and asserted that the conflict is the "foremost concern" of India. Jaishankar also expressed India's stance on the escalating conflict in Gaza, calling it a "foremost concern." He said, "The Gulf region occupies a central place in contemporary geopolitics. In a world polarised by conflict, we share a commitment to global peace, security and stability. The current situation in Gaza is now understandably our foremost concern. India's position in this regard is principle and consistent. While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage-taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians... We support a ceasefire as soon as possible." He added, "On the larger issue, we have stood for the resolution of the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution. We have also contributed to the building of Palestinian institutions and capacities... We have provided relief and increased our support to UNRWA ( United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees)." Notably, Jaishankar on Sunday arrived in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, to attend the First India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs, Abdulmajeed Al Smari, welcomed Jaishankar in Riyadh. Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia from September 8-9. (ANI) The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), in collaboration with Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and the Hoover Institution, announced on Monday that the third edition of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) summit will be held on September 9-10 in California. This event will be held at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, bringing together leading defence policymakers from Washington and New Delhi with a central focus on strengthening defence and advanced technology innovative partnerships, according to US-India strategic partnership forum official statment. "The third summit is entitled 'Harnessing Investment Opportunities to Enhance Cross-Border Defence Innovation Ecosystems' and will focus on the critical role of private capital in advancing the defence innovation sector," the statement added.The event will facilitate interactions between American and Indian leaders in defence innovation, including startups, venture capitalists, academia, accelerators, and industry professionals, to foster co-production and investment opportunities.The INDUS X initiative is spearheaded by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) from the Indian Ministry of Defence, the Defence Innovation Unit (DIU), and the Office of the Secretary of Defence (OSD) from the US Department of Defence. Further, Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh recently concluded a successful four-day visit to Washington, DC. During his visit, the Defence Minister held a bilateral meeting with the US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd J Austin III. Both leaders commended the efforts of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) in establishing a defence innovation bridge between the two countries. Commenting on INDUS-X, Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister of India, said, "Indian and American startups and innovators are important to our national security. The India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit gives technology leaders in India and the United States a vibrant platform to foster partnerships and collaborations in the defense sector. Wishing the event a grand success." US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III said, "As the third INDUS-X summit kicks off with dozens of American and Indian innovators and defence leaders, I'm proud to see our investors, businesses, and researchers working under INDUS-X to address critical defence technology requirements and to co-produce cutting-edge military capabilities that will safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific."Both defence heads recognised INDUS-X's role in creating robust networks across startups, industry, academia, and governments, accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and enhancing the warfighting capabilities of both nations.The summit will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and roundtable sessions with leaders from both the private and public sectors touching on themes along the lines of strengthening defence and advanced technology partnerships, funding defence innovation, and resilient supply chains. The INDUS-X Tech Expo will showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovations from defence and aerospace startups and companies in an event that will draw venture capital firms, academics, accelerators, and tech professionals from the Bay Area.On Monday, an upgraded Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between iDEX and DIU will be signed, along with the release of the "INDUS-X Impact Report--A Year of Breakthroughs," and the launch of the official INDUS-X webpage on the iDEX and DIU websites. In addition, the summit will witness the announcement of several key initiatives and the book launch of "Unit X," by Raj Shah, Managing Partner of Shield Capital and former director of the Pentagon's Defence Innovation Unit. On Tuesday, the United States Institute of Peace will host INDUS-X leaders for the private Senior Leaders' Forum with industry and academia. The third INDUS-X summit will further deepen and broaden the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is committed to creating the most powerful partnership between the United States and India. As the only independent not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening the US-India partnership in Washington, DC, and in New Delhi, USISPF is the trusted partner for businesses, non-profit organisations, the diaspora, and the governments of India and the United States. (ANI) The Central Committee of the Balochistan Students Organisation (BSO-Pajjar) has expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating education system in Balochistan, as reported by Pakistani media outlet Dawn. In its recent meeting, the committee resolved to organise a roundtable conference to address issues related to educational quality and institutional decline. Established on November 26, 1967, in Karachi, the Balochistan Students Organisation (BSO) is the largest ethnic Baloch student organisation in Pakistan. It operates through two main factions: BSO-Pajjar and BSO-Mohiuddin, both of which are integrated into Pakistan's parliamentary framework. BSO-Pajjar Chairman Balaach Qadir Baloch criticised the commercialisation of education marred by administrative corruption, poor planning, and favouritism, reported Dawn. He pointed to financial crises affecting several higher education institutions, including Makran Medical College, where staff have staged protests over unpaid salaries. Baloch also condemned the rising tuition fees across universities, highlighted the inactivity of Shaheed Sikandar University in Khuzdar, and criticised delays in establishing Rakhshan and Naseerabad universities. He emphasised that these regions still lack adequate higher education facilities and noted that Kohlu Girls College, established in 2007, has yet to open due to unfilled faculty positions. Dawn further reported that the central committee's meeting also addressed broader political issues, organisational matters, and future plans. It strongly condemned the government's decision to place student leaders, political activists, civil society members, and teachers on the Fourth Schedule list. The committee denounced the restrictions on freedom of expression and political activities as unprecedented and unacceptable. The education system in Balochistan is grappling with severe deterioration. Chronic underfunding and resource shortages are central issues. Schools and colleges across the province often lack basic amenities such as clean drinking water, functional toilets, and electricity, significantly impacting the quality of education. Reports from Pakistan Education Statistics and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) underscore the dire state of school infrastructure and the severe lack of essential resources. Additionally, the region faces acute teacher shortages and low morale among educational staff. Financial mismanagement has led to protests by university staff. This financial instability reflects broader issues within the educational administration. The World Bank has noted that inadequate teacher training further exacerbates these problems, contributing to a decline in educational quality. Administrative corruption and favouritism also plague the sector, as criticised by the Balochistan Students Organisation (BSO-Pajjar). The mismanagement and financial insolvency of institutions illustrate the broader systemic issues affecting higher education. (ANI) The US Consul General in Chennai, Chris Hodges, has organised a five-day workshop on Antiquities Trafficking prevention in collaboration with the governments of India, Nepal, and Tamil Nadu following the signing of the Cultural Property Agreement. The workshop is to be conducted from September 9 to September 13 for 5 days. The event was inaugurated by US Consul General Chennai and stated, "this agreement is about respecting our ancestors, it's about respecting our history, it's about respecting our heritage, and it's about respecting one another as friends and partners." While speaking to reporters, he highlighted that this agreement is based upon the recent signing of the Cultural Property Agreement on July 26 by US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti together with Govind Mohan, Secretary, Indian Ministry of Culture. This event marks the culmination of nearly two years of diligent work by experts from both countries and fulfils President Joe Biden's and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to enhance cooperation to protect cultural heritage, highlighted in the joint statement issued after their meeting in June 2023. "Thanks to the great work that we're celebrating this morning in this workshop on cultural preservation and antiquities. This brings together experts and expertise from India, Nepal, and the US to talk about how we can build an architecture to preserve and celebrate our culture and our heritage and how we can work together to make sure that those pieces and that heritage is respected and honoured," said Hodges. Further, he also emphasised that this agreement marks a new beginning in cooperation between the two countries to preserve India's diverse heritage. "And this is based upon the recent signing of the Cultural Property Agreement by Ambassador Garcetti together with Cultural Secretary Mohan. And so as we begin the workshop this week, this is both a chance to celebrate our achievement and signing this cultural property agreement, our cooperation in coming together to preserve the amazing and diverse heritage that India has. But also, it's a beginning as we look forward together to sharing information, to honouring and protecting our heritage, and to working together in a law enforcement capacity, in a cultural capacity, and in every capacity to make sure that this heritage is protected and that it's respected," said Hodges. "And to me, and I said this in my remarks. The take away of this workshop and of our relationship is one of respect. This cooperation, this agreement is about respecting our ancestors, it's about respecting our history, it's about respecting our heritage, and it's about respecting one another as friends and partners," he added. US consul general also expressed happiness and stated that 'all of the consulates are hugely proud to be partners with our Indian friends.' "So I as the Consul General here in Chennai, and all of Mission India, our embassy in New Delhi, Ambassador Garcetti leading our efforts, and all of the consulates are hugely proud to be partners with our Indian friends in preserving and celebrating this amazing culture," said Hodges. (ANI) Flash Deputy Director of the Palestinian Civil Defense Mohammed Morsi and his four family members were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the northern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources on Sunday. The airstrike targeted the home of the Morsi family in Jabalia refugee camp with at least one missile, Palestinian security sources told Xinhua. There has been so far no comment from Israel on the airstrike. In a press statement, the Palestinian Civil Defense condemned the killing of Morsi, noting that 83 civil defense members have been killed and more than 200 others injured since the onset of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 11 months ago. Civil defense teams are still suffering from a shortage of specialized rescue equipment, fuel and spare parts needed to protect lives and property, it added. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the strip has risen to 40,972, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday. The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), in collaboration with Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and the Hoover Institution, announced the third edition of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit, a statement by the USISPF said. This event will be held across two days, September 9-10, at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, bringing together leading defense policymakers from Washington and New Delhi with a central focus on strengthening defence and advanced technology innovative partnerships, the statement added. In a post on X, the USISPF quoted Condoleezza Rice, Director of the Hoover Institution, as saying, "'The US-India relationship is not just bipartisan, it is enduring. Whoever occupied the @WhiteHouse in January 2025, will realize, this is the most important relationship" -Condoleezza Rice, Director Hoover Institute and former US Secretary of State at #INDUSXSummit2024" https://x.com/USISPForum/status/1833180517333864462 The third summit is entitled "Harnessing Investment Opportunities to Enhance Cross-Border Defense Innovation Ecosystems" and will focus on the critical role of private capital in advancing the defense innovation sector, the statement said. The event will facilitate interactions between American and Indian leaders in defence innovation, including start-ups, venture capitalists, academia, accelerators, and industry professionals, to foster co-production and investment opportunities. The INDUS X initiative is spearheaded by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) from the Indian Ministry of Defence, and the Defence Innovation Unit (DIU), and the Office of the Secretary of Defence (OSD) from the US Department of Defence. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently concluded a successful four-day visit to Washington, DC. During his visit, the Defence Minister held a bilateral meeting with the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Both leaders commended the efforts of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) in establishing a defence innovation bridge between the two countries. Commenting on INDUS-X, Rajnath Singh said, "Indian and American startups and innovators are important to our national security. The India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit gives technology leaders in India and the United States a vibrant platform to foster partnerships and collaborations in the defense sector. Wishing the event a grand success." His counterpart, Lloyd Austin said, "As the third INDUS-X summit kicks off with dozens of American and Indian innovators and defence leaders, I'm proud to see our investors, businesses, and researchers working under INDUS-X to address critical defence technology requirements and to co-produce cutting-edge military capabilities that will safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific." Both defence heads recognized INDUS-X's role in creating robust networks across start-ups, industry, academia, and governments, accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and enhancing the war-fighting capabilities of both nations. The summit will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and roundtable sessions with leaders from both the private and the public sectors touching on themes along the lines of strengthening defence and advanced technology partnerships, funding defence innovation, and resilient supply chains. The INDUS-X Tech Expo will showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovations from defence and aerospace start-ups and companies in an event that will draw venture capital firms, academics, accelerators, and tech professionals from the Bay Area, the statement said. On Monday, September 9, an upgraded Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between iDEX and DIU will be signed, along with the release of the "INDUS-X Impact Report -- A Year of Breakthroughs," and the launch of the official INDUS-X webpage on the iDEX and DIU websites. In addition, the summit will witness the announcement of several key initiatives and the book launch of "Unit X," by Raj Shah, Managing Partner of Shield Capital and former director of the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit. On Tuesday, September 10, the United States Institute of Peace will host INDUS-X leaders for the private Senior Leaders' Forum with industry and academia. The third INDUS-X summit will further deepen and broaden the U.S.-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is committed to creating the most powerful partnership between the United States and India. As the only independent not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening the US-India partnership in Washington, DC, and in New Delhi, USISPF is the trusted partner for businesses, non-profit organizations, the diaspora, and the governments of India and the United States. (ANI) DA has all of the Karen Read investigator's work phone records. Now what to do with them DEDHAM Prosecutors argue that releasing the work phone history of the state police lead investigator in the Karen Read murder case could jeopardize other cases. The Norfolk District Attorneys Office said in a new court filing that it had it received data from the cell phone of suspended Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who was the lead investigator in the case of Read. Read is a Mansfield woman accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, Braintree native John O'Keefe. The trial ended in a mistrial in July. Judge Beverly Cannone declared a mistrial in the case in July. She has scheduled a second trial to begin Jan. 27, 2025. During the trial, Proctor was questioned about inappropriate texts he had sent regarding Read during the investigation. He apologized to the jury for his "unprofessional" comments. Proctor is currently out on unpaid leave. The district attorney's office said in the court filing that the data is expected to include information about open investigations and other data. "Releasing the entire extraction report outside of law enforcement is anticipated to jeopardize open investigations, compromise the privacy and safety of civilians, and thus be contrary to the interests of justice," the filing reads. The district attorney's office is now working to determine what information should be shared. Karen Read charged with second-degree murder Karen Read was charged with second-degree murder after O'Keefe's body was found in the driveway outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston police officer Jan. 29, 2022, during a snowstorm. Prosecutors say Read was drunk and angry when she purposely hit him after a night of drinking with friends at two local bars. But defense attorneys for Read say she was framed for O'Keefe's death. Read is also charged with manslaughter while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of personal injury and death. Prosecutors called more than 65 witnesses in testimony that started April 29. The defense's list of witnesses was much shorter and included a plow driver who said he did not see anything on the lawn in Canton where O'Keefe's body was found. Karen Read listens to arguments over whether the judge should drop some of the charges against her during a hearing in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. A mistrial was declared in July, when she stood trial for the second-degree murder of her boyfriend John O'Keefe and related charges. Investigations into police and law enforcement after Karen Read trial In total, four state troopers and one Canton police officer have been placed under investigation stemming from the Read case. The State Police, who drew much public criticism throughout the trial, issued a statement after the mistrial was declared stating that Michael Proctor was being transferred out of the detective unit of the Norfolk County district attorney's office. The following week, Interim State Police Superintendent Col. John Mawn accepted the recommendation made by a hearing board to place Proctor, of Canton, on unpaid leave. Canton police officer Kevin Albert was placed on paid leave in June pending an investigation related to testimony given during the trial. Kevin Albert is a brother of Canton Select Board member Chris Albert and retired Boston police officer Brian Albert, who owned the house where O'Keefe was found dead outside in January 2022. While testifying in the case, Proctor acknowledged that he and Kevin Albert texted about coordinating part of the OKeefe investigation even though the Canton Police Department recused itself. The texts also revealed that Proctor and Kevin Albert worked on a cold case together and went out drinking together afterward. Albert later sent Proctor a text asking if he (Albert) had left his badge and gun in Proctor's police cruiser. Two more Massachusetts state troopers with ties to the Karen Read case are facing internal affairs investigations. A third trooper was investigated, but allegations of wrongdoing were "unfounded," the agency said in a statement. State Police Detective Lt. Brian Tully and Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik are also facing internal affairs investigations and remain on full duty, according to a statement issued by the State Police. Tully and Bukhenik both testified in the first murder trial. "The department respectfully declines further comment in fairness to the integrity of the process and pending investigative outcomes," the statement reads. The agency said Lt. John Fanning was also investigated and the agency "determined that there was insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation that Lieutenant Fanning violated rules and regulations by failing to uphold the responsibilities of a supervisory member." The allegation was categorized as "unfounded." This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Karen Read case: DA has phone records from trooper's work phone Everything you need to know about RI's September primary In Rhode Island, many races are effectively decided in the September primary. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, Sept. 10, and early voting is already well underway. Here's what you need to know: When and where is Election Day voting happening? Polls will open at 7 a.m. statewide, except in New Shoreham, where they open at 9 a.m. Polls close at 8 p.m., and you will be allowed to cast a vote as long as you are in line by 8 p.m. To find your polling place on Election Day, go to vote.sos.ri.gov, and select "Find a Polling Place/View Sample Ballot." You will then be prompted to enter your address. What's on the ballot? U.S. Senate: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has a long-shot challenge from Michael Costa in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, state Sen. Patricia Morgan will face off against Ray McKay. General Assembly: There aren't many primary challenges to General Assembly incumbents this year, but there are about a dozen competitive races that are worth watching. Here's the list. Mayoral races: Cranston's Republican mayoral primary, which pits incumbent Ken Hopkins against state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, is perhaps the most hotly-contested race in Rhode Island this year. Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien also faces a long-shot challenger, Cameron Segalla, in the Democratic primary. Finally, Woonsocket's nonpartisan primary will determine the two out of three candidates who advance to the general election. Other races: Depending on where you live, town council seats or other local offices may also be up for grabs. You can see who's on the ballot by going to vote.sos.ri.gov, and selecting the "Find a Polling Place/View Sample Ballot" option. You'll be prompted to enter your address, and can then download a sample ballot listing the races and the candidates for your area. Is it too late to register to vote in the primary election? If you aren't registered to vote in Rhode Island, it's too late to register in time to vote in the primary election. You can still vote in the general election if you register by Oct. 6. It's also too late to change your party registration if you're already registered with one party, but want to vote in the other party's primary. Can independent, unaffiliated voters vote in a primary? If you're an independent voter and aren't affiliated with a political party, you have the option of voting in either party's primary. You don't need to fill out any paperwork in advance, and can simply show up and vote in the primary of your choice. Notably, the law changed this year, making that process easier. Previously, voting in a party's primary meant that you would be automatically affiliated with that party, and then had to disaffiliate. Now, unaffiliated voters remain unaffiliated after participating in a party primary, and do not have to go through the disaffiliation process, according to Faith Chybowski, director of communications for the Secretary of State's office. To sum up: If you're an independent, you can vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary. But if you're registered as a Democrat, it's too late for you to disaffiliate and register as a Republican in order to vote in that primary (and vice versa). This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Voting in RI's primary election? Everything to know before casting a ballot Fifty-nine people have been confirmed dead in central Nigeria's Niger state, after a fuel tanker collided with a lorry carrying passengers and cattle, the state emergency agency said. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency said the collision happened at about 00:30 local time on Sunday (23:30 GMT Saturday), and caused an explosion which engulfed both vehicles. Director-general of the agency, Abdullahi Baba Ara, said response teams were dispatched to the scene to manage the situation. A number of other vehicles were also caught up in the explosion. Ibrahim Hussaini, spokesman for the Niger state emergency unit, told the BBC that the death toll could rise even higher. "The death toll has now risen to 59 after one of those badly injured died at the hospital and from more discoveries at the site of the accident. "It's also possible that more dead bodies could be discovered in the process of the continued evacuation," he added. Footage taken from the scene shortly after the incident shows the two vehicles, which have been entirely burnt out, as well as a number of dead cattle. Speaking to the Reuters news agency after the incident, an emergency rescue worker said they were attempting to recover bodies, as well as dead animals which were still inside the vehicle. Mr Hussaini told the BBC that funerals took place for the most of the victims on Sunday. This without doubt is the worst accident we have recorded in many years, he said. He added that the Niger state government is footing the hospital bill for those injured. Governor Umaru Bago said he was pained by the unfortunate incident in a condolence message to the families of the victims. Fuel tanker explosions and accidents are common in Nigeria, partly due to the poor state of roads. Small businesses who lost customers when the westbound Washington Bridge closed last winter will be able to apply for a modicum of relief starting Tuesday. Rhode Island set aside $2.6 million of its remaining federal pandemic aid to help businesses affected by the bridge closure and is now ready to begin awarding the money, Gov. Dan McKee announced Monday. To be eligible, businesses, including nonprofits and sole proprietorships, will have to be able to show at least a $500 decline in revenue from last December to February compared with the same period in 2022-2023. They also can have no more than $2 million in annual revenue, so national gambling company Bally's, which has attributed losses to the bridge, will not be able to participate. More: At an East Providence market, Mark Patinkin finds hard work and an open lane buoying hopes The largest grants will be $2,500 and go to the businesses that lost the most money, with smaller grants of $1,000 and $500 also set to be awarded, according to a news release from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation Monday. Who decides who will get the money? Of the total grant pool, $1.2 million in grants will go to businesses in East Providence and be chosen by East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva's administration. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley will get to award $800,000 in grants to Providence businesses. And the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation has set aside $600,000 to give to businesses in non-Providence-or-East Providence cities in the state who also suffered documentable revenue losses. "This winter was tough for businesses that rely on the Washington Bridge, and even though we were able to get six lanes moving again pretty quickly, and traffic volume is back to where it was, businesses still need help to offset some of the losses they experienced this winter," McKee said in a news release. McKee this spring proposed spending $1.3 million from Rhode Island's federal American Rescue Plan funds for bridge assistance grants and lawmakers doubled that total to $2.6 million in the state budget they passed in June. Businesses will be able to find links to the grant applications at CommerceRI.com/wbgrants starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Washington Bridge: Grant program opens for small businesses with losses Idaho murder trial for Bryan Kohberger will move out of Moscow. Supreme Court to decide where The murder trial of Bryan Kohberger, charged with killing four University of Idaho students, will be moved out of Moscow and likely with a different judge presiding. Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District in Latah County granted Kohbergers request for a venue change. In turn, he handed the defense a significant win in the legal process ahead of his murder trial scheduled to start in June 2025. Judges ruling came about a week after an all-day hearing in Moscow for arguments over whether to move the trial. His Friday order published to a public courts website Monday morning. Judge cited both practical challenges and an abundance of media coverage in the case much of it sensationalized and prejudicial to Kohberger for his decision. The interest of justice requires that the trial be moved to a venue with the resources, both in terms of personnel and space, necessary to effectively and efficiently handle a trial of this magnitude and length so that the parties and the court can focus on the case and not on peripheral issues, Judge wrote. Kohberger, 29, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in the November 2022 fatal stabbings at an off-campus home in Moscow. The victims were Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, both 20, and Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21. Kohberger stood silent when asked to enter a plea at his arraignment. As a result, Judge entered not guilty to each of the charges on Kohbergers behalf. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted by a jury. His defense last week filed a number of challenges to remove capital punishment as a possible sentence, and a court hearing on the issue is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 7 in Moscow. Prosecutors objected to a venue change, arguing it was not necessary or convenient, which are elements that must be met to justify moving a trial, according to Idaho criminal rules. The defense, meanwhile, alleged the level of pretrial publicity in the case most of it prejudicial against Kohberger meant he couldnt get a fair trial in the community where the crime took place. His attorneys specifically sought a move to Boise. Per Idahos criminal rules, Judge left the decision of the trial location and the assigned judge to the Idaho Supreme Court. The five-justice panel will issue a final order to answer those questions at a later date. In his written order, Judge cited Idaho code that indicated his desire not to continue on with the trial, which all but guarantees that a third judge will now be involved in the closely-watched case. Latah County Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall handled Kohbergers preliminary Idaho appearances until Judge, the countys district judge, took it over and entered the national spotlight. The Idaho Supreme Court is now left to assign it to another judge, if it chooses, once the justices select a new venue, according to Idaho law. Judge points to Latah Countys size and resources Judge cited two main reasons for moving the trial: Latah Countys small jury pool and a lack of resources. Experts called to testify expressed great concern over the emotional experiences, feelings of fear, and personal connections of Latah County residents, Judge said in his motion. Latah County has only about 24,000 eligible jurors, according to the motion. Judge said it is far more likely that a potential juror in Latah County would know someone involved in the case, had experienced fear in their homes following the killings or discussed the case with others in the community. Some 67% of Latah County survey respondents reported believing Kohberger is guilty, with 51% of those indicating it would be hard for Kohberger to convince them of his innocence, Judge wrote. While similar percentage answered these questions the same in Ada County, the impact of these numbers when considering population size are drastically different. Keeping the identities of jurors private would also be more difficult in a small county, Judge said. Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District in Latah County chose to move Bryan Kohbergers murder trial out of Moscow. Where it lands is now up to the Idaho Supreme Court. Setting aside jury pool issues, Judge pointed to another hurdle that neither the prosecution nor defense made much noise about: Latah Countys resources. Even if Idaho State Police or Moscow police assisted, local law enforcement lacked the manpower necessary, Judge wrote, to ensure the safety of the defense, prosecution, witnesses, victims families, jurors and community for the three months anticipated for trial. The Latah County Sheriffs Office, which is currently fully staffed, simply lacks the number of officers needed to provide security for the trial while also continuing to perform their day-to-day duties of patrol and responding to calls, Judge said. Other resource concerns listed by Judge included the lack of clerks and necessary venue space to ensure a safe, organized trial. One victims family weighs in The parents of victim Kaylee Goncalves opposed the murder trials move out of Moscow. They told the Idaho Statesman after last months hearing that at least some of the other families joined them in their preference, though declined to identify which ones. Following the venue change decision published Monday, the Goncalveses criticized Judge in a statement that the familys attorney provided to the Statesman. They called themselves incredibly disappointed by his ruling. The only good thing about this decision is it will be Judge Judges last decision in this case, the statement read. The family has always felt that Judge Judge favored the defense and it was a common theme that whatever the defense wanted or needed they got. They questioned the purpose of many pretrial efforts, including the standing gag order formally known as a nondissemination order if the plan was not to maintain the trial in Moscow. What was the point of the nondissemination order, private hearings, closed-door tactics, allowing the defendant to be dressed in a suit for every televised hearing, etc., if not to keep the trial in Latah County? the Goncalves family said in their statement. As victims families, you are left to just watch like everyone else and really you have little rights or say in the process, and at the same time you are the most vested in the outcome. Judge: Venue decision probably his most difficult Kohbergers defense team long held that an impartial jury could not be found in Latah County. The traumatized town of Moscow is understandably filled with deeply held prejudgment opinions of guilt, Kohbergers defense wrote in an August court filing. Latah County mob mentality will never produce a (jury pool) that results in a cross section of the community. At the venue change hearing late last month, Judge called his choice over whether to move Kohbergers trial probably, professionally, the most difficult decision Ive ever had to make. I know there are a lot of considerations, practical in terms of logistics, and prejudicial media. So I have, I have some work to do, Judge told the court. Thats going to take me a little bit of time, and go through the law again, including the rule itself and the interpretation of that. So Ill do my best. Its a challenge. How long the Idaho Supreme Court may take to issue its decision on the Kohberger trial venue change and judge assignment is unclear. In another recent high-profile Idaho murder case, the justices ruled on the Chad Daybell venue change after eight business days. Iranian operatives recently claimed they given Hezbollah militants an EMP weapon. A powerful EMP, as Iran claims, could damage Israel's communications and power grid. "It is reasonable to assume that Iran has looked at these types of weapons," a retired general said. Amid the tit-for-tat shelling and threat-trading across the Israel-Lebanon border, one recently leveled menace stands out that Hezbollah has a weapon capable of knocking out Israel's electrical grid. Reports have circulated among Arab media that Iran has given the Lebanese militant group it arms and trains a category of weapons that could damage much more than military bases, a type of weapon known as an electromagnetic pulse weapon or EMP. It could be real, or a bluff to get nuclear-armed Israel to think twice. Sources in the Quds Force a part of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps allegedly told Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida that "the Lebanese party now possesses bombs and missiles carrying explosive 'electromagnetic' warheads." The source said that "the bombs delivered to the party [Hezbollah] could be launched from fixed launchers, and some of them could be carried by drones to reach any point deep inside Israel." These weapons "could destroy all communications systems, including the electrical infrastructure, and thus halt all electronic systems that Israel relies on to coordinate its radars, aircraft, and forces in general." Nor would Israel's allies be immune should Israel attack Lebanon. The Americans, British and "and everyone who might try to cover up Israel's inability" would be targeted. The story was quickly picked up by Israeli media. Assessing the credibility of the Iranian EMP threat is difficult. If oil is Iran's top export, then its number two export is bluster to the world about supposedly cutting-edge military capabilities, including a "stealth fighter" unveiled in both 2013 and 2017 that was likely neither stealthy nor flyable. One reason for the posturing is to conceal the fact that Iran's conventional military equipment, such as jets, tanks and anti-aircraft missiles, are decrepit Cold War-era systems that would be hopelessly overmatched by US, Israeli and European weapons. However, Iran has spent years investing in the development of nuclear weapons (whether research has stopped as Iran claims, or continues as Israel and some Americans claim, is a matter of contentious debate). It has demonstrated genuine capabilities in developing a variety of ballistic missiles and drones, with Tehran exporting its Shahed-136 attack drone to Russia. All of which suggests that Iran has the means to hit Israel and Europe, but it doesn't tell us whether the EMP warheads themselves exist. Or, what kind of EMP weapons they would be. When electromagnetic pulse weapons are mentioned in the news, or in apocalyptic movies and novels, they tend to be of the nuclear kind, generated either as a byproduct of nuclear weapons aimed at targets such as cities, or deliberately detonating nuclear weapons in space to generate EMP effects. Either way, the result would be the total disruption of the modern lifestyle as the spreading pulse fries circuits in the electrical grid, damages communications and other satellites, and disrupts global cell phone and GPS service. However, there are also non-nuclear EMP weapons (NNEMP), devices that can be carried in a suitcase or a missile's warhead, and that use explosives or high-power microwave emitters to generate a destructive pulse is similar that of a nuclear weapon, "except less energetic and of much shorter radius," explained the US government's EMP Task Force on National and Homeland Security in a 2021 report. "NNEMP weapons can be built relatively inexpensively using commercially available parts and design information available on the internet. EMP simulators that can be carried and operated by one man, and used as an NNEMP weapon, are available commercially." Nuclear EMP pulses can travel hundreds of miles depending on their altitude of detonation, while NNEMP devices only have ranges of about 5 miles. In this 2016 photo, Hezbollah fighters parade with a mock rocket on top of a car. AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari Iran does have a nuclear program, and probably could build a nuclear EMP weapon if it wanted to. The 2015 nuclear deal Iran's nuclear weapons program in return for lifted sanctions. But the Trump administration withdrew from the agreement amid fears that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement failed to address other issues, such as Iranian ballistic missiles and support for terrorism, and that Iran could have still covertly develop nuclear weapons. Since then, Iran has periodically enriched its uranium stockpile, a necessary step in building nuclear weapons. However, an Iranian nuclear device whether intended solely for EMP effects or not could trigger a host of consequences, especially by inducing Israel to make good on its threat to launch a strike against Iranian nuclear facilities (and with American forces joining in, Jerusalem hopes). But a non-nuclear EMP weapon might enable Iran to sidestep any red lines. "I think it is reasonable to assume that Iran has looked at these types of weapons, either through their own proliferation efforts or through their growing linkages and relationships with Russia, China and North Korea," retired Gen. Joseph Votel, former head of US Central Command, told Business Insider. "I do believe they would look at EMP as a weapon that could be employed in 'gray zone' activities below the level of open conflict," said Votel, now a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank. "Especially if it could be employed with more targeted results, like knocking out electronics in a specific geographic area." But this raises another question: would Iran give EMP weapons to Hezbollah, its most important proxy? "Of all members of the so-called Axis of Resistance, Hezbollah would be a likely candidate to receive these types of weapons," Votel said. "But I have not seen any evidence that this is the case. Like most special capabilities, there is a level of training and sophistication that must accompany its deployment." Given the small size of Israel about the size of New Jersey it wouldn't take that many EMP devices to cause serious harm. At the least, a few non-nuclear EMP bombs over Northern Israel would hamper Israeli military and civil communications and facilitate a surprise Hezbollah attack. A large-scale attack, by contrast, could trigger enough outages to dent Israel's half-trillion-dollar annual economy. But this would also run the risk that Israel would treat it as an attack by weapons of mass destruction, similar to a nuclear or chemical weapons strike. Israel is believed to have almost 100 nuclear weapons, and Hezbollah EMP weapons could be viewed as a WMD strike by Iran, which already launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel in an April 2024 attack. It's also possible that Israel would reply in kind with its own EMP strikes that blackout southern Lebanon or even Beirut. The common denominator of Iranian security policy is to use proxies like Hezbollah to expand Iran's influence and undermine its enemies, but without triggering an attack on the Iranian homeland. Giving EMP weapons to Hezbollah would risk the possibility that Israel and other nations would hold Iran responsible. Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Read the original article on Business Insider Garfield County Associate District Judge Brian Lovell, left, enters the Garfield County Courthouse in May with his wife and his attorney, Stephen Jones. A judge accused of two drive-by shootings and sexual misconduct resigned Monday, effective immediately. Brian Lovell, an associate district judge in Garfield County, told the governor he was leaving office early for health reasons. He has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a rare brain disorder that can cause personality changes. "The disease that I have been diagnosed with is progressive, there is no known cure, it can only be medically managed until death," he wrote in his two-page resignation letter. "It has been my honor and privilege to serve the people of the State of Oklahoma." His departure will bring an end to ouster proceedings before the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary. A hearing before the court had been set for Thursday. He was accused at the Court on the Judiciary of having affairs with two female bailiffs that included sexual liaisons at the courthouse. He also was accused of showing favoritism to an attorney, sealing a criminal case without justification, lying to investigators and other misconduct. He still faces criminal charges in Texas and Oklahoma over the shooting incidents. Lovell, 59, of Waukomis, became a special judge in Garfield County in 2011. He became an associate district judge in January 2023 after no one else filed for election to the position. He has not heard any cases since his arrest in Texas almost a year ago. He remained on the payroll, at $154,678 a year. Gov. Kevin Stitt will choose his replacement. In the resignation letter, Lovell revealed psychiatrist Jason Beaman made the dementia diagnosis. Beaman in August was named the chief medical officer at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. "This diagnosis, according to Dr. Beaman, explains the behavioral disturbances that have been attributed to me in the past, and which to me and to my family seen totally out of character for me," he wrote. In a separate letter, his attorney, Stephen Jones, told the governor the resignation is not part of a deal with prosecutors in the Oklahoma criminal case. "Judge Lovell has asked me to make it unequivocally clear that his resignation is motivated by considerations of his health only," Jones wrote. The attorney described Lovell in the letter as "a recovering patient from cancer." Jones had told the Court on the Judiciary in August that Lovell has had half of his thyroid removed because of cancer. What is alleged in the shooting cases? Lovell is charged in Texas with eight felony counts of deadly conduct and a misdemeanor count of reckless driving. He was arrested in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 11 after a traffic collision, about two miles from the scene of a drive-by shooting. Police found the gun used in the shooting in his SUV. Lovell is accused in the deadly conduct case of recklessly shooting at eight parked vehicles from his SUV while driving in Austin. He is accused in the reckless driving case of nearly pushing the other driver's vehicle into cross traffic at a stoplight. "Lovell advised he did not know why he would have shot his gun and he could not recall any part of the shooting incident," an Austin police detective reported in court affidavits. Lovell did admit he rear-ended another vehicle twice after being cut off in traffic "but did not admit the collisions were intentional," the detective reported. Lovell is charged in Oklahoma with use of a vehicle to facilitate the discharge of a firearm. He is accused in that felony case of shooting up his brother-in-law's ranch house near Bison on Feb. 12, 2023. He became a suspect in that drive-by shooting only after his arrest in Texas. No one was injured in either the Texas or Oklahoma incidents. What about the accusations of affairs? Lovell is married. He admitted in a legal filing to having a sexual relationship with one bailiff in 2011. He did not deny having a sexual relationship with the second bailiff last year. Instead, he told the Court on the Judiciary that, if true, it was private and "between consenting adults." In another filing last week, his attorneys claimed Lovell had told investigators his relationship with the second bailiff was limited to "flirtatious texting" because that was his recollection. Memory loss is a symptom of his dementia, they told the court. Both bailiffs worked for years for Garfield County District Judge Paul Woodward. Both bailiffs resigned because of the affairs. The second bailiff told investigators she and Lovell last saw each other on Sept. 9, 2023, a Saturday, when they had sex in her office. "I wish I could just forget the whole last year and go on," she said in March. Lovell is the second judge this year to quit while facing disciplinary proceedings at the Court on the Judiciary. Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom resigned days before her ouster trial was set to begin in February. She was facing removal because she repeatedly texted and got on Facebook during a murder trial. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma judge accused of misconduct resigns after dementia diagnosis Residents flee as California and Nevada wildfires get dangerously close and forecasters warn of record heat Editors Note: For the latest, follow our coverage here. Raging wildfires in California and Nevada have led to mandatory evacuations of thousands of homes, as forecasters warn of record heat in the West for the next few days. There are 14 active wildfires currently burning across California with one so intense, its created its own weather pattern. Heres the latest: Californias Line Fire explodes in size: The wildfire has consumed 20,552 acres as of Sunday after igniting at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains on Thursday. The blaze has more than quadrupled in size since Saturday morning. Authorities urged residents in several areas to flee as the massive blaze shot bright red flames and thick, billowing plumes of smoke into the sky. More than 1,800 fire personnel are battling the wildfire, which was 3% contained as of Monday morning, according to Cal Fire. The blaze has injured three people, though authorities have not released any details about the extent of injuries. Thunderstorm winds are causing very erratic behavior on the blaze and vegetation is critically dry, the agency said Sunday. Smoke continues to be an issue for firefighters and residents, and afternoon thunderstorms have the potential to cause new ignitions. Hot and dry conditions mixed with thunderstorms are expected to challenge firefighters for the next few days, Cal Fire said. The fire prompted a smoke advisory to be issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. As a result, the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District recommended residents stay indoors if possible, keep windows and doors closed and reduce outdoor activities. A flash flood warning went into effect in Riverside and San Bernardino counties until Sunday evening, according to the National Weather Service office in San Diego. The storms producing localized, heavy rainfall are occurring near the Line Fire. The warning means flash flooding is ongoing or expected and could cause considerable damage. Landslides are possible, especially in recently burn-scarred areas. Doppler radar-indicated thunderstorms are producing heavy rain across the warned area at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Line Fire creates its own weather: As it burns through acres of land, its creating its own weather in the form of pyrocumulus clouds. The clouds can create erratic winds that push the fire outward, spreading it farther and challenging firefighters. If its hot enough, the clouds can produce lightning and rain, called pyrocumulonimbus. They can reach heights of 50,000 feet and generate their own systems of thunderstorms. Thousands evacuated in California mountain communities: As the flames move dangerously close, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department announced mandatory evacuation orders for about 4,800 homes in the Running Springs and Arrowbear Lake areas. Hundreds more have been evacuated in the cities of Highland, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village and Angelus Oaks. The Line Fire is very active and spreading in receptive fuels, Cal Fire said. There are currently 36,328 structures threatened, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and other minor structures. Firefighters have been successful in protecting homes from flames, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua told CNN on Sunday. Firefighters have been successful so far, even with the unpredictability of this fire, and we tend to keep it that way, were ready to stand and fight, Pascua told CNNs Fredricka Whitfield. He added because of the unpredictability of the fire, all areas of the blaze are of concern for firefighters. We have to make sure we have crews on all sides of the fire ready to stand their ground, Pascua said. Bridge Fire in Angeles National Forest: A fire has rapidly grown to 800 acres since igniting Sunday inside the Angeles National Forest, just north of the Los Angeles metro area. Several roads in the park have been closed, forest officials said in a Facebook post. Boyles Fire near Clearlake, California: Multiple structures are burning near Clearlake, California, about 100 miles west of Sacramento. At least 30 structures are involved and about 4,000 residents have been displaced by the growing 76-acre fire, which Cal Fire said is 10% contained. Emergency declared in California: Gov. Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County due to the Line Fire. He has obtained a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure the availability of vital fire resources, he said in a statement. Fire crews monitor the Line Fire, in Running Springs, California, on September 7, 2024. - Eric Thayer/AP Emergency declared in Nevada: On Sunday, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency due to the blaze, he announced on X. Nevada wildfire destroys structures: The Davis Fire, a dangerous, wind-driven blaze south of Reno, has burned about 6,500 acres, damaged or destroyed 14 structures and remains 0% contained as of late Sunday evening. Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue reported Heavy aerial resources and multiple agencies working to stop this wind-driven wildfire. The fire has caused the evacuation of about 14,000 people in affected areas of Washoe County, and more than 6,000 residents are without power, the emergency declaration detailed. Gusty winds are forecasted throughout the week, an update from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest said, adding customers who are currently without power should be prepared for prolonged outages and those who still have power should be prepared for potential additional de-energizations due to the dynamic nature of the fire. NV Energy said it cut power to prevent further ignitions and protect first responders. It also asked those who still have power and are near the fire to prepare for potential outages. Power has been restored to 12,500 customers, but 6,300 remain without power tonight into September 9th, NV Energy said in a social media statement. Sweltering heat will add to the regions misery: Excessive heat warnings and advisories are in effect for southern California, the Desert Southwest and the northern Great Basin. Temperatures in Southern California range from 95 to 105 degrees about 10 to 20 degrees above average for the region. An air quality alert has also been issued due to heat wave and elevated fine particle pollution levels due to wildfire smoke, according to the National Weather Service. Residents on edge as massive flames approach The Line Fire burns next to highway 330 near Running Springs, California, on September 7, 2024. - David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images The Line Fire has grown more than 14 times in size in just over 30 hours, from about 1,180 acres at 5 p.m. PT Friday to over 17,200 acres Saturday night. As the wildfire tears through the San Bernardino County mountains, some residents have tried to stop the blaze from reaching their homes. Highland resident Brian Gano told CNN affiliate KCAL News he was trying to hose down the flames with his wife and son. The flames were right up on us because the wind shifted, said Gano. I got a high-pressure line in my backyard. Another resident, Diya Hirpara, said shes been stocking up on groceries in case she needs to evacuate. It was pretty scary, Hirpara said. Were just kind of on the edge, just waiting. Larissa Gonzalez said she was standing on Highway 18 in Lake Arrowhead on Saturday when she captured a storm rolling through the Line Fire. There was a lot of thunder and lightning coming out of that flare-up; the wind was picking up and driving the fire over that ridge, Gonzalez told CNN. She watched the storm for about an hour while parked in front of the Rim of the World High School to see what direction it was heading and to determine if she needed to start getting ready to evacuate. Visitors to the area were also affected by the smoke and flames. Mark Weidhase told CNN on Sunday he and his girlfriend decided to head to the mountains to escape the heat while visiting from Canada. As they were leaving Big Bear and heading through Running Springs on Saturday, they found themselves near the Line Fire. Weidhase said they pulled off Highway 330 to get a good look at the massive wildfire after noticing it was closed and receiving notice of an evacuation order. I love the mountains, but not when theyre on fire, he said. Multiple agencies, including Cal Fire, San Bernardino County Fire and the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office, are working together to manage the fire. The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation shelter at a local church for residents seeking refuge from the fire. California is seeing an active fire season. Wildfires have scorched over 838,000 acres throughout the state so far this year, compared to 255,144 acres by this time last year, according to Cal Fire. Adding to the chaos, a pair of earthquakes struck Saturday near Ontario, California, within a half-hour of each other, jolting the already rattled region. The first earthquake was recorded at 3.5 magnitude at 10 a.m. local time, and the next was recorded at 3.9 magnitude, according to data from US Geological Survey. It was felt by residents living as far away as Los Angeles. CNNs Faith Karimi, Ashley R. Williams, Artemis Moshtaghian, Sarah Dewberry and Eric Zerkel contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com You are here: World Flash Israel carried out air strikes on a scientific research facility and an arms depot in central Syria on Sunday night, a war monitor reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the attack targeted sites in Masyaf, in western Hama province. Ambulances were seen rushing to the area, the Britain-based group said, adding that a large fire was seen near Wadi al-Oyoun in western Hama following the strikes. Syrian state television reported that air defenses responded to "Israeli aggression" in central Syria. The Observatory said several missiles were intercepted. The extent of casualties and damage was not immediately clear. Israel has conducted numerous strikes in Syria in recent years, often targeting what it says are Iranian-linked and Hezbollah positions. Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, addresses the Senate chamber during the final night of the legislative session Thursday at the State House on June 13, 2024. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current) Senate President Dominick Ruggerios leadership title and tenure he was first elected in 1984 havent stopped nurse Lenny Cioe his last name is pronounced as Cee-oh from challenging the incumbent. Cioe, a registered nurse, will make his third attempt to unseat Ruggerio in the Democratic primary for Senate District 4, representing North Providence. Rhode Island Current reached out to the candidates with a questionnaire. Ruggerio did not provide answers despite repeated inquiries. Key Events 3 weeks ago Registered nurse Lenny Cioe says higher Medicaid reimbursement rates are key 3 weeks ago Registered nurse Lenny Cioe says higher Medicaid reimbursement rates are key Name: Lenny Cioe Party: Democrat Race: Senate District 4 Age: 65 Residence: North Providence Job: Registered Nurse BSRN at Blackstone Valley Community Health Center Years lived in Rhode Island: lifelong resident Political bio: Union representative, contract negotiator, ran for Senate District 4 seat in 2020 and 2022 What are your top 3 legislative priorities if elected? The number one priority is raising the Medicaid reimbursement for primary care providers, or PCPs. PCPs are leaving the state going to Massachusetts and Connecticut for better reimbursement rates. Providence Community Health Center had to close one of their health centers in Providence, leaving 4,500 to 5,000 people without access to health care. One of the primary reasons why we cannot hold onto primary care providers is because Medicaid reimbursements are too low. Nursing home and assisted living Medicaid reimbursements also need to be increased. Over eight nursing homes have closed in the past four years, such as Hallworth House, Charlesgate, Linn Health, to name a few. The number of elderly people displaced by these closing is reprehensible. These are the people who paved the way for us. The number two priority is to create a better system to maintain and promote public schools. The foundation to any good state economy is a strong public school system. What more could the General Assembly do to hold state agencies accountable for the I-195 Washington Bridge closure? In 2015, a report was given to the General Assembly about the Washington Bridge that was completely ignored. The AECOM report states several parts of the bridge need to be strengthened to meet current federal guidelines. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, run by Peter Alviti, later reported about the finding after the bridge had been closed. This has put peoples lives at risk for the past nine years. Alviti should have been held accountable but was not. He was protected by Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. Thats chronic mismanagement and unacceptable. Do you support a millionaires tax in Rhode Island? Please explain. The tax system in Rhode Island needs to be evaluated to make sure that everyone pays their fair share. As we have learned, trickle down economics does not work. It only works for the top 1% in the state. The policy priorities I laid out in question one would easily be solved if only the tax system was fair for all. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A real estate firm recently has been hired to roll out a strategy on attracting potential developers for the former Central Virginia Training Center, according to a recent staff report to the Amherst County Board of Supervisors. CVTC, at one time the countys largest employer, closed in 2020 after relocating its last remaining resident. The state-owned campus on Colony Road in Madison Heights served residents with disabilities and has close to 100 buildings on site. County Administrator Jeremy Bryant said during the board of supervisors Sept. 3 meeting the state has hired JLL, a company headquartered in Chicago, and two representatives toured the Madison Heights campus in late August. They are working on a new plan on how to market the property, Bryant said. Bryant said the company is working to cast a bigger net for potential developers. The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance unveiled a master plan for the property in April 2022 that envisioned a mix of townhomes, single-family homes, a village center and commercial retail uses among other attractions and amenities. Supervisor Claudia Tucker asked Bryant if there has been any movement on potentially using one of the newer CVTC buildings for medical uses following a recent announcement from the state that the Hiram W. Davis Medical Center in Petersburg is set to close by no later than 2027. Bryant said in response he doesnt think reusing a building for medical-related purposes is very likely. Everything we heard from the state is theyre working to sell the property, Bryant said. After the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services vacated the property following the 2020 closure, the land was transitioned to the Department of General Services for the purpose of being declared surplus and prepared for sale. Former Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, in a spring 2023 interview said he was honored to be part of acquiring $25 million to pay off the outstanding property bonds 14 years ahead of schedule so stakeholders could proceed with redevelopment efforts. The Amherst County Service Authority board on Sept. 3 heard from authority director Tim Castillo on ongoing talks with the state on possibly taking in CVTC water and sewer infrastructure. Authority staff reviewed mapping that highlighted only the main backbone infrastructure that ACSA would consider accepting into its system, Castillos report states. ACSA has submitted to the Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) to take into its system utility service from the city of Lynchburg, storage tanks and a loop to serve a trailer park nearby that includes ACSA customers, the report states. We are not including any lines that serve buildings, Castillos report states. Staff has submitted to DGS suggested sewer infrastructure we would consider accepting into ACSA system. We are including gravity mains to serve the property, not buildings and many areas that need significant upgrades. Castillo said ACSA has received verbal confirmation that DGS is willing to give the infrastructure to the authority at no cost and the next step is the issue will be turned over the recently hired real estate group. ACSA will seek funding for sewer system improvements and is working with DGS on selling the campus to a potential buyer, the report added. Turner Perrow, the ACSA boards chair, said it makes sense for the authority to take into its system the primary lines that serve the CVTC property, not the secondary ones. Drought disaster measure OKd The board of supervisors on Sept. 3 also approved a resolution to declare the county a disaster area due to experiencing below normal rainfall in conjunction with higher than normal temperatures resulting in a severe drought, which has caused hay and crop loss for county farmers. Amherst County experienced below normal rainfall since March and was upgraded to a severe drought area July 2, the resolution states. The drought warning advisory for the county and more than 70 other localities was lifted last month after rainfall from Tropical Storm Debbie. Summer crops, such as corn, did not develop normally due to the high temperatures and producers had to feed hay to replace lost pasture grazing, the resolution states. The measure will seek funding relief from the state for producers. In other news: The board also approved appropriation of $9,200 from the countys solid waste fund to pay bonuses for public works employees from miscellaneous revenue earned but not appropriated during the fiscal 2023-24 year. The measure will give $500 bonuses to 17 employees this month, according to the carryforward appropriation for public works. Supervisors agreed to cancel a board meeting scheduled for Nov. 5 due to its conflict with the presidential and general election. It has been 18 years since Princess Nori made the stunning decision to renounce her royal status and leave the Imperial family behind, a bold move that sent shockwaves through the country and sparked a fierce debate about the role of tradition and modernity in Japanese society. (The Ultimate Expedition) Sep 09 (NHK) - A major Canadian convenience store operator says it is disappointed that Japanese retail giant Seven & i Holdings has rejected its takeover offer, but it remains willing to negotiate. Alimentation Couche-Tard issued a statement on Sunday, after the owner of 7-Eleven said in a letter on Friday that the offer "grossly undervalues" the global convenience store chain. The statement says, "Given the mutual benefits of a combination, we are disappointed in 7&i's refusal to engage in friendly discussions." The Canadian firm, which operates convenience stores and gas stations around the world, suggested that it can afford to raise the bid price. The statement notes, "We are highly confident that we have sufficient capacity to finance the transaction in cash and that financing would not be a condition to closing a transaction." The document also referred to Seven & i pointing out that the merger would pose significant regulatory challenges under US competition law. The Canadian firm said it would consider divesting assets to secure regulatory approvals. TOKYO, Sep 10 (News On Japan) - Two Liberian men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing 34 million yen through a trick using copper particles plated with gold. The men met with an antiques dealer who brought 34 million yen in cash for a gold transaction in November last year, at a hotel in Chuo Ward, Tokyo. The suspects, in turn, brought the "gold particles," and that's when the trick began. One suspect allegedly wrapped the stack of bills brought by the dealer in newspaper, stating, "No one is allowed to touch it." During this time, the suspect scattered the "gold particles" on the floor, distracting the dealer and giving the suspect an opportunity to switch the real bills with counterfeit ones. The dealer decided to have the "gold" appraised later, only to discover that it was copper. By then, he also realized that the 34 million yen had been replaced with fake money, leading to the exposure of the crime. The two suspects, both Liberian nationals, have denied the allegtions." Several similar incidents have been confirmed, and the total damage is believed to exceed 100 million yen. The authorities are investigating potential connections between the cases. Source: ANN TOKYO, Sep 10 (News On Japan) - The ongoing debate over the legalization of separate surnames for married couples in Japan is a topic that has polarized both politicians and the public for over three decades. Despite growing support from the general public, conservative factions within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), such as Japan Conference (Nippon Kaigi), have strongly opposed the change, citing concerns over family unity and traditional values. The article outlines how this issue has become a focal point in the current LDP leadership election, with candidates taking varied stances on the matter. Former Environment Minister Koizumi, a prominent figure in the LDP leadership race, has expressed strong support for allowing married couples to have separate surnames. He went so far as to propose legislation that would introduce this system without party restrictions, signaling a progressive shift within the traditionally conservative party. On the other hand, Koichi, another key candidate, has shown reluctance, advocating instead for policies that would expand the use of maiden names in daily life without changing the family registration system. His cautious approach reflects the influence of conservative groups and their fear that such changes could erode Japans social fabric. The article highlights the deep-rooted opposition from groups like Japan Conference, which argue that separate surnames would weaken the family structure, ultimately threatening societal stability. These conservative organizations, which have a significant influence over the LDP, have long campaigned against liberal reforms, including the legalization of same-sex marriage and other progressive social policies. Their concerns about a "slippery slope" leading to the breakdown of traditional family units have contributed to the stagnation of the debate, despite widespread public support for change. A significant portion of the article is dedicated to exploring the reasons why the issue has remained unresolved for so long. Although public opinion surveys show that nearly 70% of respondents support the idea of allowing separate surnames, the conservative factions within the LDP have managed to block any legislative progress. Political endorsements from groups like Japan Conference have further solidified this stance, with many LDP candidates, including some who are perceived as progressive, signing pledges opposing separate surnames to secure votes. The article also touches on the broader implications of the debate, framing it as a question of human rights and personal identity. Supporters of the reform, such as political commentator Yuko Ando, argue that forcing individuals to change their surname after marriage can feel like an erasure of their personal identity. For Ando and others, the debate is not just about family law but also about recognizing the rights of individuals to retain their identity and autonomy within marriage. In conclusion, the article suggests that the LDP leadership election may serve as a pivotal moment for this long-standing issue. With candidates like Koizumi advocating for change and gaining momentum, there is a possibility that Japans family laws could finally be reformed to reflect modern social realities. However, the opposition from conservative factions remains strong, and the outcome of the leadership race will likely determine the future direction of the debate on separate surnames for married couples. Source: TBS Cake Pop is as sweet as her name. She is a female mixed breed large dog that is about 1 year old. Cute, young Cake Pop has colors of brown and black. She is slender and long-legged with an adorable face and super-cute ears. Cake Pops ears stand out straight but off to the side. The ears giv Flash At least 48 people were killed after a gasoline-laden tanker exploded on a busy highway in Niger, a state in Nigeria's central region, Sunday, local authorities said. The ill-fated tanker had a head-on collision with an oncoming truck laden with cattle along the Bida-Agaie-Lapai highway, causing the gasoline tanker to explode, Abdullah Baba-Arah, head of the State Emergency Management Agency, told reporters in Minna, the capital of the state. Two other vehicles were caught up in the inferno, Baba-Arah said, noting up to 48 people were killed. At least 50 cattle were also lost to the incident. A search operation was underway to recover bodies of more victims believed to have been trapped in the unfortunate vehicles, he added. Air Senegal plans to suspend flights to seven international destinations as it operates a strategic overhaul of its operations. The airline will operate its last transatlantic flight to New York on Sept 15, a once twice a week route using Airbus A340-300. The airline has been grappling with operational difficulties and finding it challenging to sustain profitability on certain long-haul and regional routes. In a brief statement, Air Senegal emphasized that these route suspensions would help it optimize its network and better serve its passengers. The airline will no longer operate in Cameroon, Gabon, Italy, Spain, or the US. However, it will continue serving France through direct flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The Algerian presidential elections took place amid a steady erosion of human rights and a relentless crackdown on opposition figures, Amnesty International said. Tebboune unsurprisingly won the vote with more than 94% of votes. In recent years, Algeria has experienced a steady erosion of human rights through the authorities dissolution of political parties, civil society organizations, and independent media outlets, alongside a spike in arbitrary arrests and prosecutions using trumped-up terrorism charges, said Amjad Yamin, Amnesty Internationals deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. Alarmingly, this reality has remained bleak in the run-up to the elections, he said. Eleven major opposition figures wrote in an open letter in July that Algeria is in a more critical situation than before and that the president had fostered an authoritarian climate. In August, 60 political activists were arrested, mostly from the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) party. Last week, Fethi Ghares, a stalwart of the 2019 uprising and leader of the Democratic Social Movement party, banned last year, was detained along with his wife for insulting the president. A crackdown of civil liberties led the regime to suspend summer festivals and ban pro-Palestinian marches fearing the protests would derail to denounce the regime. The Algerian regime is still thumbling at any call that would re-ignite calls for democracy following the example of the 2019 Hirak that prevented Bouteflika from a fifth term. Morocco will offer a financial aid to Chinas textile giant Sunrise Group worth 410 million dollars, to help fund an industrial project that would employ 11,000 people. The news came following a visit by Akhannouch- who was in China to attend an Africa summit- to a Sunrise factory where he met officials from the Chinese company. Morocco and Sunrise had signed last April a deal to set up several textile plants across the country. As one of the global leaders in the textile sector, with nearly 30,000 employees worldwide, the Sunrise Group is at the forefront of 4.0 production systems and environmentally sustainable practices, the Moroccan department in charge of investments said. For decades, Morocco is in the top 10 list of suppliers of the European market and takes the second position as the largest textile exporter in the Mediterranean region. The sector has some 1600 companies employing 200,000 people, making it one of the largest job providing sectors in the country. However, reliance on imported goods for textile production exposes the sector to supply chain disruptions and high prices in the international market which prevents the sector from taking advantage of the free trade deals and their strict rules of origin standards. The Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) decided to stage a general strike in the public sector and civil service, at a date to be scheduled by National Administrative Committee, Echaab News reported on Sunday. The decision was made by the UGTT National Council which held a meeting September 5 to 7. This strategic move aims to push for key objectives, namely securing the right to negotiate, establishing a social dialogue, upholding trade union rights, enforcing existing agreements, and addressing pressing social demands. The decision underscores the UGTTs commitment to defend labor rights and improve working conditions in Tunisias public sector. Sudans military led government, which has been mired in a civil war for over a year, rejected a call for sending UN peacekeepers to the country, amid a surge in atrocities against civilians. Earlier this month, the UNs Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan urged sending peacekeepers to the country and imposing an arms embargo there due to the surge of attacks on civilians by both warring sides. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as well as their respective allies, were found to be responsible for patterns of large-scale violations, including indiscriminate and direct attacks carried out through airstrikes and shelling against civilians, schools, hospitals, communication networks and vital water and electricity supplies, the UN said. The RSF has not yet commented on the proposal. Meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) called on the world to wake up and help Sudan out of the nightmare it is living through. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was speaking during a visit to Port Sudan the main hub for aid agencies and new headquarters of the government, after it was driven out of the capital, Khartoum, by the RSF. The scale of the emergency is shocking, as is the insufficient action being taken to curtail the conflict and respond to the suffering it is causing, Dr Tedros was quoted as saying. In Darfur, in particular, the situation verges on genocide as residents say they watched militiamen go door-to-door hunting down civilian men in non-Arab neighborhoods, as the towns army barracks were captured. The massacre, in which at least 73 civilians were killed, was led by commanders from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group currently engaged in a conflict with Sudans military. In the 16 months since the RSF first began their bloody war with the Sudanese army, their military advances across the Darfur region have often been marked by mass ethnic violence. The conflict, which has spread to 14 of the 18 states in Sudan, has killed and wounded tens of thousands of civilians, displaced nearly 8 million people and forced two million more to flee to neighboring countries. The warring parties have exacerbated the crisis by obstructing humanitarian access, the report said. Flush floods that swept many villages in south-eastern Morocco killed so far 18 people, including three foreigners from Spain, Peru, and Canada and destroyed some 40 homes, according to authorities. The deaths were registered in the provinces of Tata, Tiznit and Errachidia, while 9 others are still missing, the interior ministry said. The floods damaged many roads as well as electricity, water supply and telecommunications networks, the ministry said. Some flood-hit areas received within few hours over the annual amount of rainfall they would receive in an entire year. Authorities had issued red warning in the flood-hit areas due to torrential rain. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images Haitian immigrants are in the country legally, and they do not eat cats. On Monday, however, Ohio senator J.D. Vance, Donald Trumps running mate, falsely claimed otherwise. Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio, he posted on X. Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldnt be in this country. Where is our border czar? Other conservatives quickly repeated Vances lie. Heres Senator Ted Cruz of Texas: The X account for Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee joined in, referencing the cat lie and another baseless rumor that a Haitian immigrant killed a duck in a Springfield, Ohio park: Protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio! pic.twitter.com/YnTZStPnsg House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) September 9, 2024 Representative Mike Collins of Georgia would not be outdone: They're in the park. Grabbing up ducks. By they neck. And eatin 'em. Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) September 9, 2024 And Elon Musk, the right-wing billionaire who owns X, has tweeted the lie repeatedly. Vote for Kamala if you want this to happen to your neighborhood! https://t.co/TfR8ekmFAZ Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2024 Vance and his allies are lying about Haitian immigrants because they dont care about the truth and because racism is the glue that binds their coalition together. Racism is how they connect with their party and with Trump, the leader of that party. Mondays racist attacks did not occur in a void, as bigotry is not a new feature of the Republican Party. For many decades, it has festered, sometimes veiled behind the partys law and order messaging. Who breaks the law, and who threatens the order of things? Republicans point the finger at new immigrants and Black Americans over and over, ad nauseam. As strategies go, its never been all that subtle, but it has been successful, winning the party white Southern voters in the wake of the civil-rights movement. In 2015, Trump entered the presidential race on the heels of the tea party, whose members broadly and falsely thought Barack Obama was actually born in Kenya and had abandoned red-blooded (white) America to work on behalf of Black Americans and liberals. Republican history directs us inexorably toward Trump, who capitalized on the partys racism to win the presidential election months later. Trumps racism is blatant and extensive, stretching back decades. After a jury wrongly convicted five Black and Latino teenagers of a notorious rape in Central Park 1989, he took out newspaper ads calling on New York to adopt the death penalty. The five men have since been exonerated, but Trump has refused to apologize for the ads. He was a prominent birther, promoting the lie that Obama was not born in the U.S. As a candidate and as president, he has singled out immigrants in particular as a grave threat to American security, a claim that animates his base and his allies in elected office alike. When he announced his candidacy for president in 2015, he declared, When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best Theyre sending people that have lots of problems, and theyre bringing those problems with us. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people. Later in one 2016 debate, he warned of bad hombres coming across the border. As president, he surrounded himself with anti-immigrant racists like Stephen Miller, who helped write Trumps blood-and-soil speeches and would become an architect of family separation during the Trump administration. In 2018, Trump referred to Haiti and several other countries as shithole countries. The former presidents racism hasnt faded over time. In fact, it remains key to his appeal, thanks in part to Trump surrogates who hope to cast his opponent, Vice-President Kamala Harris, as weak on the southern border. Though President Joe Biden never appointed Harris the border czar, as Vance implied on Monday, Republicans still hope to link her to the issue. Vance has been especially vocal on the subject of Springfields Haitian residents and said they had overwhelmed the town in a July speech at the National Conservatism conference. The truth is more complex than Vance, a Trump critic turned sycophant, wants voters to believe. A report in the New York Times uncovered strain but revitalization, too. They come to work every day. They dont cause drama. Theyre on time, one local employer told the newspaper. To be an elected Republican these days is to support Trump, and to support Trump is to fall in line with his racism. Vance knows that well. He has long since abandoned any semblance of integrity for the pursuit of power and is willing to smear the Haitian residents of Springfield in order to fan the flames on behalf of his boss. Cruz is an even more pathetic figure, another Trump critic turned useless surrogate. (He has less to show for his sycophancy than Vance, who might be able to say that Trump made him vice-president someday.) Collins, of Georgia, once called for an immigrant to be thrown from a helicopter. (Come for the memes, stay for the policy, reads his bio on X.) Musk, a prominent Trump supporter, has long accused Democrats of importing voters, among other false immigration claims. (Musk is himself an immigrant.) Vances cat-eating comments are false, and he knows it. His comments may even put Haitian immigrants in danger, all in a desperate bid to score political points. In another sense, though, hes done us a favor. Now its much more difficult to ignore the rot at the heart of the GOP. Were overdue for a more honest conversation about our political opponents and what it means to capitulate to the right on immigration policy. Photo: Brynn Anderson/Reuters After a 14-year-old student opened fire on his schoolmates with an AR-15style rifle in rural Georgia on September 4, reporters and investigators have focused on the role of his parents in the months leading up to that morning. The shooter, Colt Gray, has been charged with four counts of murder in the deaths of his classmates at Apalachee High School, which is outside Athens. (Seven others were shot, and two others sustained other injuries, but they are expected to survive). Though he has appeared in court, he hasnt entered a plea. Family members have described a home life defined by abuse, neglect, drug use, and deadly access to a cache of weapons. At least two of Colts family members were aware of the boys allegedly abusive living situation and troubled home life. Heres what we know about his family leading up to the shooting and after. Colt Grays mother reportedly tried to stop the shooting On the morning of September 4, Marcee Gray, 43, received a text from her son that read Im sorry, mom, according to a CNN interview with the shooters grandfather, Charles Polhamus, who saw the message. Phone records reportedly show that Marcee called the school and warned administrators of an extreme emergency around 9:50 a.m., about a half-hour before the shooting. At some point that morning, Marcee drove roughly 200 miles north across the state from Fitzgerald, where she was staying, to Winder, where the boy was living with his father. Its not clear if she left before or after reports of the shooting surfaced. Marcee was a graduate of Georgia Southern University in 2005, a self-described #sciencenerd who worked for local manufacturing plants like Toyota. Last fall, she posted on LinkedIn that after 14yrs of almost constant domestic abuse, I packed myself and my babies up and relocated to my hometown in south GA, adding that she was suffering from complex post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the Washington Post, state courts separated Marcee from her children just a few months later, after she pleaded guilty to a charge of family violence. There were nights where the mom would lock him and his sister out the house. And they would be banging on the back door, just screaming like Mom! Mom! Mom! and crying. It was absolutely devastating, a neighbor, Lauren Vickers, told the New York Post. Marcees sister, Annie Brown, has said that Colt was begging for help from everybody around him, and that he was suffering from unspecified mental-health problems, according to ABC. That report also said that Marcees mother had visited the school the week before the shooting to set up therapy sessions for the boy. Marcee has been arrested multiple times during the last 17 years on accusations of domestic violence, drug possession, property damage and traffic violations, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The newspaper also reported that she was jailed in April over a civil fraud claim related to a vehicle purchase. She has not been charged in connection with the shooting. The shooters father allegedly gave him the gun Colin Gray, the 54-year-old father of the shooter, was arrested on September 5 and charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced on X. At the heart of the charges is the semi-automatic weapon that Colin had given to his son for Christmas, around the time that his mother was forcibly removed from the home and reminiscent of what led to James and Jennifer Crumblys April conviction. He knowingly allowed his son, Colt, to have the weapon, the law-enforcement agency alleged. Colin appears to have grown up in an abusive household. From my husbands first memory, all he knew was abuse, Marcee wrote in a 2022 Facebook post. Severe physical abuse (Im talking everything from getting a broken arm at age 8 while he was totally asleep to having a barstool crack his skull open I still rub my fingers across the scar/gouge on his scalp and think to myself How?! I cant even comprehend it! that is what substance abuse can do. In an interview with the New York Post, Polhamus said that Colin Gray had developed a substance-abuse problem after suffering from a back injury, which ultimately led to him losing his farm. Spending 11 years with that son of a bitch screaming and hollering every day it can affect anybody, Polhamus told the New York Post, adding that the father was evil and his family coudnt, they didnt survive in it. He added that he wanted his son-in-law to get the death penalty after conviction. In May 2023, the FBI Atlanta Field Office received information about Colt Gray, then 13, making online threats about a school shooting. The FBI referred the matter to the Jackson County sheriffs office, which interviewed the boy and his father. According to the FBI, 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. Law-enforcement officials left without making an arrest since they claimed they did not have probable cause under Georgia law, though the school was later warned. (It is unclear why Georgia police did not pursue the case further. After another teenage boy made similar threats at a different school in the state the day after the Apalachee shooting, the boy was charged with making felony terroristic threats.) This incident would play a major role in the charges against Colin Gray. A warrant for his arrest states that he gave his son the gun knowing he posed a danger to himself and others, according to a local news station. It is not clear what Colin knew in the days leading up to the shooting, or where he was that morning. He now faces a 180-year sentence. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on the DPRK's 76th founding anniversary. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said in the message that over the past 76 years, under the leadership of the WPK, the people of the DPRK have united as one and promoted the vigorous development of various national causes. In recent years, Comrade General Secretary Kim has led the party and people of the DPRK in thoroughly implementing the guiding principles of the WPK's 8th Congress and all its plenary sessions, and made a series of achievements in national construction and development, he added. Xi expressed his belief that under the leadership of the WPK headed by Comrade General Secretary, the people in the DPRK will surely win new and greater victories in advancing the cause of DPRK-style socialism. Xi stressed that China and the DPRK are linked by mountains and rivers, and friendship between the two countries grows stronger over time. He added that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations and the "China-DPRK Friendship Year." Under the new circumstances in the new era, Xi said that China will continue to view bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is willing to deepen strategic communication, strengthen coordination and cooperation with the DPRK, and jointly maintain, consolidate and develop traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. He also called on the two sides to jointly advance the socialism cause, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples and make greater contribution to peace, stability, development and prosperity of the region and the world. A 50-year-old man was killed Saturday night in an apparent head-on collision on Interstate 85 that also left two others injured, Opelika police said. Malcolm Goodchild of Fortson, Georgia, was identified as the driver of the Tesla in the two-vehicle crash at the northbound exit ramp at Exit 62, Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton said. He was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m. Saturday at Piedmont Columbus Regional in Georgia, Sexton said. Authorities said the driver of the Toyota 4Runner sustained serious injuries, while the passenger of the Tesla sustained non-life threatening injuries. Like Goodchild, they were transported to the hospital in an ambulance. The passenger of the Tesla and driver of the 4Runner remain in the hospital as of Monday morning. Opelika dispatch received a call at approximately 7:17 p.m. Saturday about a multiple vehicle crash on Interstate 85 at the northbound ramp at Exit 62. Officers located the Tesla and Toyota 4Runner on the scene. The Tesla caught fire, but the responding police officer controlled the blaze long enough to assist the occupants until the Opelika Fire Department arrived on scene, according to police. "After the initial investigation, it appears that the driver of the 4Runner was traveling the wrong way on the exit ramp when they struck the Tesla head-on," OPD said in a news release. The crash remains under investigation by the Opelika Police Traffic Homicide Investigation Unit. If anyone has information on the incident, you can call the Opelika Police Department at 334-705-5200 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. Tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App. Tips can be submitted anonymously. Sensitive content warning: Scroll further for a photo from the scene of the deadly crash. Auburn Mayor Ron Anders has addressed the incident that unfolded Sept. 2 at The Magnolia at Auburn, where a police officer shot and killed a 21-year old who authorities say broke into an apartment. Anders took a moment at Tuesday's city council meeting to speak on the death of Amari Justin Young of Opelika. We have a tremendous group of men and women who serve and protect the City of Auburn, Anders said. And often they do that at great personal risk and in circumstances that many of us could ever imagine. Anders said as a standard procedure, the investigation into this matter has been turned over to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the officers have been and will continue to be cooperative with the investigation. It is always a grave matter when a life is lost and we are very mindful of the pain that the families of those involved are feeling. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, he said. Anders added that based on the advice of the citys attorneys office, which has been their long-standing procedure, the city will not comment directly on the facts of the incident. He said the city will allow the facts to be developed and reviewed as part of a formal investigation. How police described the incident ALEA said Young was fatally shot and killed by an Auburn police officer on Sept. 2 after he allegedly broke into an apartment at The Magnolia at Auburn, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Young was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Lee County Coroners Office. His body was sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for a postmortem examination. ALEA stated in a news release that no officers were injured during the incident, and Auburn police made a special request to the State Bureau of Investigation to launch an investigation into the shooting. ALEA declined to immediately release additional details about the incident, and Auburn police referred all questions to ALEA. Other council business Auburn City Council approved the development agreement for The Vintage expansion on East University Drive. The development includes widening East University Drive from Stoker Street to Gatewood Drive and installing a traffic signal on East University Drive and Stoker Street. We certainly appreciate The Vintage development that includes a retail and office building as well as a new restaurant in Auburn, Anders said. Across the street from this will be a new expansion of The Vintage that will include some residential as well as maybe possibly a bank, as well as possibly a new restaurant. The council approved six alcoholic beverage licenses. Four of the licenses are related to private events on Auburn Universitys campus. Ponko Chicken, located at 2111 South College Street and Tacorita, located at 155 North College Street, alcohol licenses were also approved. Auburn City Council also adopted the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Brandt Prince, who began his career in public works in 2018 as a facility maintenance worker, was named the Employee of the Month. We appreciate everything Brandt does for our community, and certainly does for our employees here at the City of Auburn as he makes sure that the facilities that we all work in are operated to its full capacity, Anders said. Thank you, Brandt, for your hard work. Chants of "no justice, no peace" rang out on Martin Luther King Boulevard on Saturday as dozens marched to the Opelika Police Department demanding answers to the death of Tias Cobb, a 25-year-old Auburn man who authorities said was shot and killed in August by a police officer responding to a "suspicious incident" at Century Park Apartments. Civil rights leaders with the Racial Justice Network, Lee County NAACP Branch 5038 and others marched from the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Toomer Street to the police department. The event culminated with a rally on the front steps the department in which protestors spoke against police brutality. "This is a fight about all of us. This is a fight about our community. At this time, we need to come together and stop the violence," said LaWendy Willis, the grandmother of Tias Cobb's five-year-old son Tru. Police have released limited details about the shooting On Aug. 18, the Opelika Police Department responded to a "suspicious incident" at Century Park Apartments at 1801 Century Blvd. Authorities said the responding officer arrived on the scene at approximately 3:07 a.m. and encountered a "subject armed with a firearm." Police said there was an "altercation" that resulted in the officer discharging their weapon and striking the man. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has launched an investigation into the incident, which is standard-protocol for officer-involved shootings. ALEA said Opelika police have turned over all evidence and video to the State Bureau of Investigation. They have yet to publicly clarify what kind of video evidence has been turned over. Officials with ALEA and the Opelika Police Department declined to immediately release further details about the shooting, including the officer's name and details concerning what they described as an "altercation." Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey said the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol across the country. He said the officer is not a rookie and "well past his training." The Opelika-Auburn News filed a public records request with ALEA shortly after the incident for any documents or video footage in this case. As of Monday morning, ALEA has not denied or fulfilled our request but stated that it may take up to 15 business days to respond or provide an update on the progress of the request. Cobb family seeks video evidence With support from civil rights leaders, the Cobbs family has urged authorities to release any video evidence they have of the events that unfolded on Aug. 18. The Racial Justice Network also introduced Bishop A.L. Dowdell and Oscar Penn as the state president and state vice president for the Alabama chapter of the Racial Justice Network. After helping to organize the march during the Justice for Tias event on Aug. 29, Racial Justice Network CEO and Founder Elder James Johnson returned to Lee County to help lead the march. "We have to demand these bodycams and dashcams. We have to demand it in a loud voice," CEO and Founder of the Racial Justice Network Elder James Johnson said. "We just can't take this no more. We can't. We want to continue assembling together, marching and protesting and let them know enough is enough." Johnson was joined by RJN National President Candace Brewer, who said her family has lost 13 members to gun violence. Two of them died from violent encounters with police, Brewer said. "So, when I stand here with you today and tell you that this fight for Tias is very personal to me, it's personal to me. I guarantee you that we're going to continue to fight until we do get justice for Tias and all of the other ones that have lost their life to not only police violence, but also to the ones that have been affected by police brutality," Brewer said. While the event was organized primarily by the Racial Justice Network, several members of the Lee County NAACP Branch 5038 attended the march and branch president Laticia Smith showed her support for the family and the RJN's mission. Smith said it has been a difficult week as she has been in close contact with the family of Amari Young, an Opelika man who authorities said was shot and killed by an Auburn police officer after he broke into a residence. Smith said that there are many cases like Cobb's death where the person had a gun or a knife. She said simply having a gun doesn't give anyone the right to kill someone. She also called for police to release video footage. "We don't know what happened, but the video cam would tell us. The family has the right to know, and that is what we are fighting for," Smith said. "Whatever you need from the NAACP and whatever you need from the Racial Justice Network, we are here to keep everything live in the community. We are not going back. We know for sure as we say in the NAACP that when we fight, we win." Ryan Williams of RCW Law Group has been representing the Cobb family and joined Saturday's march. Williams reaffirmed his commitment to continue searching for answers and transparency. "I'm here today because we lost a father, a son, a brother and a cousin. We didn't lose an armed man. We lost a person of the community," Williams said. "We are here asking for transparency and accountability...We want to see all the footage. We want all the evidence to come forward. We're going to keep fighting until it's over." Family creates GoFundMe to support Cobb's son During the rally, Dowdell, announced that a GoFundMe has been created to support Tias Cobb's son Tru. Dowdell called for the community to support this family and Brewer echoed that sentiment. "It is imperative that each and every one of you give to that GoFundMe. There are family members that are left behind, and those are the ones that you don't hear about," Brewer said. "I challenge each and every one of you that are here today to please donate to the GoFundMe and ask someone, doesn't matter who, anyone, if they could, please donate to that GoFundMe." According to a description of the GoFundMe, the donations will go toward potential legal fees, therapy, and a trust fund. Donations to the GoFundMe can be made here. Sylvester Williams, an Opelika native, walked 100 miles from Atlanta to Opelika to attend Saturday's march. He didn't know Tias personally, but he knows his family. Williams, who has 25,000 followers on Facebook, said the Cobb family has always supported him. And he'll work to get the family the answers they need. Williams said the hike to Opelika came easy, because of the motivation behind it. "God was with me. Tias was with me, because I got a purpose behind it," Williams said. "I'm going to go so hard with my platform. I'm going to push for the Cobb family. I'm going to push for Tias." Lee County resident Casey Jones stressed the importance of the community working together. He said a police officer broke his wrist when he attended a 2020 protest in Atlanta for George Floyd, the 46-year-old Minneapolis man who was murdered by then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. "Rights don't stop at one group of people. Rights don't stop just because one group of people feels unsafe from another. At the end of the day, all of us have a duty to stand together with one another and protect each other," Jones said. What's next? Johnson said they are going to send a letter to Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama attorney general requesting that they put together a commission to look into the recent police-related deaths in Lee County. Johnson said if answers did not come soon, they would be back to protest again. "In two weeks if they have not released the bodycam and the dashcam, we will be back out here in two weeks," Johnson said. "We have to realize that these people work for us. They work for us, and we're demanding. We will be back out here in two weeks. We want everybody to bring 10 people with them, and that will be a show of force that they know that we mean business." The ongoing shutdown of Libyan oil exports is proving beneficial to some crude oil grades including Azeri, African and U.S. oil grades, but could prompt some refiners to cut their crude intake altogether due to poor profit margins, Reuters has reported. According to Patricio Valdivieso from consultancy Rystad Energy, Azeri and Algerian Saharan Blend will be refiners' top choices for Libyan substitutes for October-loading cargoes while U.S. WTI Midland could replace Libyan volumes in the short term, Reuters reported. Azeri and Kazakh crude prices have shot up ever since the Libyan disruptions last week as refiners sought replacement barrels. Meanwhile, Europe's imports of WTI Midland hit 1.43 million barrels per day in August, good for a 24% month-on-month increase, partly supported by Libyan outages. U.S. WTI Midland physical crude prices have strengthened relative to WTI, with the price differential between the two grades widening to 80 cents per barrel from 60 cents just prior to the shutdown of Libyan oil fields. "U.S. crude is a good substitute for light sweet Libyan barrels, and it can make the journey fairly quickly across the Atlantic," Kpler analyst Matt Smith told Reuters. The outage has also encouraged buyers to turn towards the West African crude that was previously selling poorly because of low refining margins and upcoming maintenance. "There was a huge overhang of Nigerian cargoes for September, so the fact differentials haven't dropped too far is a sign that Libya did have an impact on the West African market as well," Kpler lead crude analyst Viktor Katona told Reuters. Libya is yet to resume oil exports two weeks after the Haftar clan blocked production in a bid to gain leverage over a battle to control the Central Bank. Six engineers have told Pan-Arab newspaper Asharq-Al-Awsat that exports remained halted at the ports of Es Sidra, Ras Lanouf, Hariga, Zueitina, Brega and Sirte although some production was being increased to feed local power generation and ease fuel shortages. According to S&P Global, up to 230,000 b/d crude output has been restored at three eastern fields under the control of warlord Khalifa Haftar, a far cry from Libyan output at 1.15 million b/d in July. Libyan crude exports reached multi-year highs in April, with refiners in Northwest Europe and the Mediterranean prizing Libyan light sweets. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com In theory, the embargo on oil exports to Turkey from the semi-autonomous Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI) in northern Iraq imposed on 25 March 2023 by the Baghdad-based Federal Government of Iraq (FGI) in the south remains firmly in place. In practice, the Kurdish region is now producing around 250,000 barrels per day (bpd), compared to about 2,000 bpd only in the quarter immediately following the ban. It is a direct challenge [by the KRI] to the authority of the Iraq government, which has repeatedly made it clear to [Iraqi] Kurdistan that all major oil flows from the region must go through the State Oil Marketing Organization [SOMO, controlled by the Oil Ministry], a source who works closely with the Oil Ministry exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. Such sales are the subject of continued legal action, and also jeopardise Iraqs position in the ongoing OPEC+ cuts as they disrupt the quota [for Iraq as a whole], he said. This matter is not settled, he added. That said, according to a senior European Union (E.U.) energy security source, this latest course of action by oil firms in Iraqi Kurdistan might be regarded as the only worthwhile option left open to both them and any notion of independence for the Kurdish region. Since the embargo was put in place, there have been frequent appeals from various companies, business groups, and politicians for a proper dialogue to begin over how best to end the current stalemate, but nothing was done, and there appeared no end in sight, he exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. As such, the Kurdish region [of Iraq] continued to lose the mainstay of its financing, and that threatens the viability of any genuine form of independence there from the federal government [in Baghdad], so what choice did they have? Indeed, the current flouting of the spirit of the embargo followed an apparently last-ditch letter of appeal in January this year from the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) the group that largely comprises the oil interests of several foreign firms directly or indirectly to the U.S. Congress asking for its help in ending the impasse. The letter highlighted that the halt in exports affecting between 400,000-500,000 bpd of oil from Iraqi Kurdistan needed to be lifted because it put at risk over US$10 billion of U.S. and international investments in Kurdistan and because it was severely impacting the regions economy and stability at a time when regional tensions are already heightened. Related: Gunvor Expands Its Crude Oil Trading With U.S. Volumes Interestingly, although the recent huge increase in oil production in the KRI does run contrary to the spirit of the FGIs embargo, it is a moot point as to whether breaks the letter of the law under which the embargo was imposed. Bizarrely in many instances, this huge addition in the regions oil output is being sold through a variety of methods, which do not include direct use of main Iraq-Turkey Pipeline that runs from Kirkuk in the KRI to Ceyhan in Turkey on which the focus of the export ban falls. Instead, according to industry sources, the oil is often sold to local traders for a huge discount on the benchmark price who then typically sell it on to local refineries, which then turn the crude into gasoil and diesel. Otherwise, it is trucked to further-flung destinations, including Syria. Other reports mention that Iran is also a buyer of some of these flows from the KRI. However, given the longstanding close relationship between Tehran and Baghdad involving the disguising of Iranian oil as Iraqi oil and its onward sale into the international markets, as analysed in depth in my latest book on the new global oil market order, any oil sold from the KRI into Iran is unlikely to have the approval of Irans authorities and is likely to be smaller and ad hoc in nature. That said, the question of the legal status of either the FGIs embargo on KRI oil exports or of the KRIs oil flows out of the country is one open to interpretation, given the 2005 Iraqi Constitutions lack of clarity on the issue. According to the KRG, it has authority under Articles 112 and 115 of the Constitution to manage oil and gas in the Kurdistan Region extracted from fields that were not in production in 2005 the year that the Constitution was adopted by referendum. The KRG also maintains that Article 115 states: All powers not stipulated in the exclusive powers of the federal government belong to the authorities of the regions and governorates that are not organised in a region. As such, the KRG argues that as relevant powers are not otherwise stipulated in the Constitution, it has the authority to sell and receive revenue from its oil and gas exports. However, the FGI in Baghdad and SOMO argue that under Article 111 of the Constitution oil and gas are under the ownership of all the people of Iraq in all the regions and governorates. Consequently, they believe that all oil and gas developed across all of Iraq should be sold through official channels of the central FGI in Baghdad. Efforts on both the FGIs and KRIs side to find a practical solution to this constitutional conundrum in previous years have also proven woefully unsuccessful. The original deal agreed between the two sides back in 2014 was for 17 percent of the FGIs budget after sovereign expenses (around US$500 million at that time) to be made from Baghdad in exchange for the Iraqi Kurdistan region exporting up to 550,000 bpd of oil from its own fields and Kirkuk via the FGIs SOMO. However, from very early on the deal never worked properly, with both sides claiming the other was not living up to its part of the bargain. From late 2017, Russia ensconced itself as a key negotiator between the two sides, having effectively taken over the KRIs oil sector by that point, as also analysed in depth in my latest book. It was soon clear that Moscow was acting in bad faith when it came to the KRI, simply using its position to leverage greater oil and gas field advantages in the south of the country instead. As it stands, the FGI has made it clear that the KRI must immediately reduce output to 46,000 bpd, with any additional output over that to necessitate the payment by the KRI of compensation to the FGI. According to the Iraq oil industry source spoken to by OilPrice.com, any failure to adhere to either of these strictures will result in the FGI withholding further budget payments to the KRI. Since the embargo began, the FGI has not paid around $7 billion of funds arguably due to the KRI, according to official comments from Baghdad. All these developments align perfectly with the FGIs overriding One Iraq Plan, which ultimately aims to remove any remaining semblance of independence from the KRI before simply rolling it into the rest of a fully unified Iraq. This was more than hinted at on 3 August last year, when Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Al-Sudani, clear stated that the new unified oil law run, in every way that matters, out of Baghdad - will govern all oil and gas production and investments in both Iraq and its autonomous Kurdistan region and will constitute a strong factor for Iraqs unity. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The alliance then plans to start adding supply to the market in 2025. According to the vice president of research at S&P Global, OPEC+ has decided to extend production cuts until the end of 2024. The OPEC+ group will begin adding supply to the market in 2025, for the first time since 2022, Jim Burkhard, vice president of research at S&P Global Commodity Insights, said at the Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference (APPEC) on Monday. We think in 2025 for the first time in a couple of years, first time since 2022, OPEC+ will increase production, Burkhard said at the conference in Singapore organized by S&P, as carried by Reuters. Last week, the OPEC+ alliance led by Saudi Arabia and Russia decided to delay the unwinding of its production cuts that were planned to begin in October. The first addition to supply, of 180,000 barrels per day (bpd), is now expected for December. During a virtual meeting on Thursday, the eight OPEC+ members that were planned to start easing the cuts in October agreed that they would extend the current cuts until the end of November, after which these cuts will be gradually phased out on a monthly basis starting December 1st, 2024. OPEC+ added the warning that it would still have the flexibility to pause or reverse the adjustments as necessary, referring to the additions to global supply. The decision to delay the rise in OPEC+ supply came after oil prices crashed early last week to the lowest level in nine months, and the lowest so far this year. Amid weaker-than-expected Chinese demand, and concerns about near-term Chinese and U.S. demand, the prospect of OPEC+ adding supply as early as October had worried markets that the oversupply next year would be higher than previously thought. Concerns about oil demand in China, fears of slowing U.S. and European economies, and hopes of a restart of Libyas production halt also added to the bearish sentiment in the market in the past week. The OPEC+ announcement of the delay to supply boost, however, did little to calm the markets and oil prices slumped on Friday to their lowest levels since June 2023 amid concerns about oil demand. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic maintains a delicate balance in foreign policy, nurturing ties with Russia and China while engaging with the European Union. On the sidelines of an economic forum in Vladivostok on September 4, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin made it clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Belgrade is a strategic partner and an "ally of Russia." Putin reciprocated the warmth, offering his greetings to President Aleksandar Vucic and then inviting his Serbian counterpart to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan. This Slavic show of solidarity, however, didn't sit well with the European Union. The next day, EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano said that "maintaining or even increasing the ties with Russia during the time of its illegal aggression against the Ukrainian people is not compatible with EU values." Vulin's visit to Russia was perhaps even harder for the EU to swallow as there have been signs recently that Serbia is moving closer to the bloc. At the end of August, Serbia signed a deal with France to replace its aging MiGs with Rafale jets. And in July, Serbia signed a deal with the EU to develop a lithium mining project to produce batteries for electric cars. The mixed messages, however, are business as usual for Serbia under Vucic, who for his 12 years in power has pursued a multi-vector diplomatic course, balancing Serbia's relations with the West, Russia, and China. Those hoping Serbia's recent business deals were a sign of the country's wholehearted embrace of the West might have been disappointed. Ivan Krastev, who chairs the Center for Liberal Strategies in Sofia and is a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, told RFE/RL that the deal with France was not a case of Serbia "simply taking sides once and for all." That was clear when Vucic spoke at a press conference with the French president on August 29, he said, "I know that Emmanuel [Macron] would like me to introduce sanctions against Russia. But we did not do it, and we are not ashamed of our decision." On the surface, the recent deals with Germany and France may look like a kind of "European moment" for Serbia, said Vessela Tcherneva, the deputy director of the European Council on Foreign Relations. "But what makes me a bit skeptical," she told RFE/RL, "is the fact that we know that beyond the pure trade relationship and the pure security dimension of this, there is also the dimension of democracy and the pro-European forces in Serbia. Where does this leave them?" she asked. Spreading The Wealth Vucic does not have the outlook or pedigree of a natural, Westernizing democrat. In the late 1990s, he served as Serbian information minister in the final years of Slobodan Milosevic's regime. He was a high-ranking official in the ultranationalist Serbian Radical Party, although he distanced himself from the party in 2008. Whereas Milosevic was a pariah internationally, known as the "butcher of the Balkans" for his role in the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, Vucic has been largely cooperative on the world stage, seen by EU and Western powers as indispensable and instrumental to stability in the Balkans. An international third way has always been embedded in Yugoslavia and Serbia's DNA. Serbian officials still like to say that Serbia is "the East of the West" and "the West of the East." And Vucic's balancing approach has a strong precedent in the politics of long-time Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito, who was one of the founding leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement, an alliance of states that did not formally side with either the United States or the Soviet Union. Serbia, however, is not as strong as Yugoslavia once was -- and that means Vucic's policy requires more flexibility and constant shifting. Vucic is adept at sharing the wealth among Serbia's international partners, making sure to give all the stakeholders something but, crucially, not giving everything to anyone. In that regard, the EU is Serbia's largest investor, with significant infrastructure investments, including 96 million euros ($106 million) in 2024 for road and rail modernization, in addition to projects supporting Serbia's transition to green energy. However, Russia controls Serbia's national oil refinery, and China, through its Zijin Mining Group, owns 63 percent of RTB Bor, the country's largest mining operation. Vucic has also opened up Serbia to the Arab world. The United Arab Emirates has invested millions of dollars in the vast Belgrade Waterfront urban development, although the project has been marred with accusations of corruption. Not wanting to leave out the United States, in May, Serbia cut a deal with Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, to redevelop the former Yugoslav Defense Ministry building in the center of Belgrade. The blackened shell of the ministry is iconic in the Serbian capital, destroyed in the U.S.-led NATO bombing campaign in 1999. With the U.S. presidential election in November, many Balkan-watchers have seen the deal with Kushner as Serbia preparing for Trump's possible return to the White House. In a recent interview with the U.K.'s Financial Times, however, Vucic insisted that the deal was purely a "business venture." As ever, Vucic is hedging his bets. "My friend [Hungarian Prime Minister] Viktor [Orban], he is 100 percent on Trump's side, " he told the Financial Times. "My friends from Brussels, they are 100 percent on Biden's side. I'm not. I'm on the Serbian side waiting for the results." The Serbian president has taken a similar approach to Ukraine, by attempting to diversify his risks. While refusing to sign up to Western sanctions on Russia, Serbia has also provided shells to Ukraine via third parties worth 800 million euros ($888 million) since 2022, or one-third of the overall European supply. Push And Pull Serbia's relationship with Russia, while complex and laden with history, follows Vucic's similar push-and-pull playbook. The two predominantly Slavic nations have a historical and spiritual affinity, and Serbia is reliant on Russia diplomatically, for example, in blocking the admission to the UN of Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008. Vucic has tried to keep Russia at arm's length. Just before German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to Belgrade on July 19 to sign the deal on lithium, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksander Grushko visited Vucic in the Serbian capital. One insider claimed that the meeting was "frosty," according to the the U.K.'s Financial Times. "Grushko sat down and started reading a list of 23 complaints, including the Kremlin's fury at Belgrade's decision to supply Ukraine with munitions," the source told the newspaper. "When Grushko got about halfway through the list, Vucic stood up, announced the meeting was over, and walked out." He was similarly cold in his response to receiving the invitation to join the BRICS summit in Russia in October, saying that Serbia would have important guests during that period and that he would decide at a later date. Speaking at the Globsec forum in Prague on August 31, Vucic rejected the idea that Belgrade was a Kremlin Trojan horse, saying that he hadn't had personal contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin for 2 and 1/2 years. While Vucic relies heavily on Russia, said Kurt Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO and envoy for Ukraine, he is "still trying to maintain some freedom of maneuver and independence." 'Stabilitocracy' A criticism often leveled at Brussels is that the EU is prepared to put its larger interests of maintaining a geopolitical and ethnic balance in the volatile Balkans ahead of concerns about fundamental freedoms. Some critics have called this the EU's "stabilitocracy approach." While initially criticizing Serbia's last parliamentary elections in December 2023, which were marred with numerous irregularities, those concerns were soon swept under the rug with the business deals with the EU and France. "If Macron's getting a sale, he's not going to push very hard on other issues," Volker told RFE/RL. For years, international watchdogs and rights groups have warned about Serbia's poor record on media freedom, the rule of law, and rampant corruption. The latest Freedom House report gave Serbia a political rights score of 18 out of a possible 40, placing it in the "partly free" category, and noting the country's downward tendency toward authoritarianism. While the Serbian authorities paint a picture of the country as a regional economic powerhouse with one of the highest growth rates in Europe, Serbia continues to face numerous obstacles. According to a July assessment from the U.S. International Trade Administration, "these challenges include weak rule of law; political interference in the economy; a slow-moving judicial system subject to political pressure; both real and perceived issues of corruption; an overly complex and sometimes nontransparent bureaucracy; [and] an opaque tendering process." And, in many ways, Vucic has been a stronger leader than Milosevic, who died in 2006 in prison in The Hague, where he was being tried for war crimes. Domestically, the Serbian president has succeeded where Milosevic failed, for example by exerting control over parts of Belgrade that had been traditional strongholds for the opposition. "Under Vucic, we've seen reinforced Serbian nationalism. We've seen efforts to undermine Montenegro. We've seen efforts to prop up [Bosnian Serb leader] Milorad Dodik and undermine Bosnia," Volker said. Given that 70 percent of Serbia's trade is with the European Union, many in the EU wonder if Vucic is truly committed to the principles of the bloc or if Serbia's ambition to join is solely motivated by economic need. Catch-All Policy Vucic runs his domestic and international policy almost like a permanent election campaign: keeping his opponents -- and even partners -- on their toes, uncertain about his next move. Calibrated contradictions abound. While it was Vucic who clinched the deal with Western countries to mine more lithium, he has also accused Western security services of masterminding popular protests against the mines and plotting a "color revolution" against him. "Vucic has a catch-all policy," Ivan Vejvoda, a fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, told the Financial Times in June. "One moment you have [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping] visiting. Then, days later, [Olena] Zelenska (the first lady of Ukraine) and Dmytro Kuleba (Ukraine's former foreign minister) come [to visit]. Then he goes to the Russian cultural center and gives a revisionist speech. And then, two days later, he is with the EU, talking about growth plans," Vejvoda said. The risk Vucic runs is that, while his policy may seem pragmatic, in the end he might be perceived by Serbia's international partners as untrustworthy. "Staying on the fence is not easy," Center for Liberal Strategies fellow Krastev said. "In a certain way, you become too vulnerable." Volker, on the other hand, doesn't necessarily think that Vucic has an end point in mind. "For somebody in his position, it's like riding a bicycle," he said. "You have to keep this up indefinitely, keep juggling all the balls, and then you keep going. And that's the goal in itself, just to be in power and keep going." By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The potential transfer of Iranian missiles to Russia is seen as a significant escalation in Iran's support for Russia's war in Ukraine. The Kremlin did not deny the allegations, instead emphasizing its strong partnership with Iran in various areas, including sensitive ones. The EU expressed concern over credible reports of Iran supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, warning of swift and significant repercussions if confirmed. The European Union on September 9 described as "credible" information provided by allies suggesting Iran has supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia to help Moscow wage war in Ukraine and hinted at a "swift" response. The statement came after the Kremlin declined to directly refute the accusation and instead highlighted its cooperation with Tehran in "the most sensitive areas." "We are aware of the credible information provided by allies on the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia," EU spokesman Peter Stano said. "We are looking further into it with our member states and, if confirmed, this delivery would represent a substantive material escalation in Iran's support for Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine." Stano added that "the EU leaders' unanimous position has always been clear. The European Union will respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran." Earlier the same day, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said the Russian side had "seen this report." But he did not appear to refute it. "It is not every time that this kind of information is true," Peskov said. "Iran is our important partner, we are developing our trade and economic relations, we are developing our cooperation and dialogue in all possible areas, including the most sensitive areas." The Wall Street Journal on September 6 reported that Iran had shipped short-range missiles to Russia, the latest of persistent reports of supplies of sensitive weaponry. The White House responded by saying, "Any transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran's support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine." Analysts had suggested as rumors of a possible transfer of the weapons circulated that it would provide a boost to Russia's war efforts as its 36-month-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues. Russian forces have purportedly used North Korean ballistic missiles, but North Korean production capacity is thought to be relatively small. Russian Security Council Secretary and until recently longtime Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Tehran in early August, contributing to concerns. Russia has used Iranian-designed attack drones since the early months of the invasion, although Tehran has denied its drones are being deployed there. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Despite Russia's concerns, the US continues to strengthen its economic ties with Central Asian states, providing assistance for infrastructure upgrades and trade facilitation. The US is actively fostering economic growth and stability in Central Asia through the B5+1 initiative, which encourages reforms and lowers trade barriers. Russia acknowledges the increasing US economic involvement in Central Asia, particularly through the Middle Corridor trade route, while downplaying China's role. Russias top diplomat has expressed grudging acceptance of expanding US involvement in improving Central Asias trade infrastructure. But, curiously, he sidestepped commenting on Chinas growing economic influence in the region. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during a question-and-answer session with students at Moscows MGIMO University in early September, noted that a growing number of extra-regional actors, including the United States, has taken an interest in fostering trade via the so-called Middle Corridor, a route connecting Asia to Europe via Central Asia, thus bypassing Russia. Rising US interest in Central Asias economic future is far from a welcome development for Russia, but Lavrov offered a measured assessment during his MGIMO appearance. He stressed that Russia maintains warm and allied relations with Central Asian nations, which are bound to Russia economically and strategically via a number of agreements, including the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States. He then went on to acknowledge that Russia cannot prevent anyone from forging deeper ties with other partners. At the same time, Lavrov couldnt restrain himself from taking a swipe at the United States, saying US officials motives in Central Asia arent magnanimous. When our partners and allies in Central Asia expand their relations with the West, I do not have the slightest doubt that they understand perfectly well that apart from pursuing its noble and transparent objectives, the West also seeks to undermine the Russian Federations influence there, Lavrov said before launching into a non-sequitur. Why has the United States suddenly expressed concern about Russias relations with Nicaragua? This seemed to come out of nowhere, he said. They use every pretext to voice their far-fetched concerns as long as there is a Russian presence. US engagement with Central Asia is occurring within a framework dubbed the B5+1 process, which encourages Western investment by fostering reforms that lower intra-regional trade barriers and systematize customs procedures. In recent months, Central Asian states have concluded a bevy of bilateral agreements to better regulate trade. Washington has also assisted individual states in making infrastructure upgrades. In August, for example, the United States provided Kazakhstans Customs Service with advanced Dell Technologies Inc. servers to help make border procedures more efficient. Adopting innovative technologies will streamline processes, enhance accuracy, improve transparency, and foster a business-friendly environment, attracting more investors and boosting economic growth, US Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum said in a statement. The Russian-Ukraine war is limiting the Kremlins ability to exert pressure on Central Asian states to adhere to its wishes. Russia currently relies heavily on back-door trade via Central Asia to circumvent sanctions and obtain goods needed to keep its war effort in Ukraine going. China is using Central Asia to funnel so-called dual-use technologies to Russia. And in a broader sense, China has eclipsed Russia as the main trade partner for Central Asian states. In his MGIMO comments, Lavrov called China a reliable partner. And when listing all the countries active in developing trade and diplomatic ties in the region, he completely omitted mention of China as a player in Central Asias emerging great trade game. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Gunvor Group, one of the worlds biggest independent oil traders, traded a record volume of crude oil and petroleum products in the first half of the year, largely driven by a growing number of deals to move oil from the United States, the groups chairman Torbjorn Tornqvist told Bloomberg. Gunvor traded a record volume of 79 million tons of crude and products in the first half of 2024, Tornqvist told Bloomberg in an interview on Monday. The rise in oil trade volumes is mostly due to more and more deals Gunvor has been agreeing to move U.S. oil and products. We built up a quite substantial export business out of North America, even though we only started three or four years ago, Tornqvist told Bloomberg on the sidelines of the APPEC conference in Singapore. Gunvor is building on its recent expansion in the United States and continues to work into its markets in Europe and in Asia, the executive said. In the two years of energy market turbulence in 2022 and 2023, Gunvor amassed more than $6 billion in equity and has retained earnings in recent years. This surge in equity now allows Gunvor and the other major oil traders to expand their business or diversify into new investments. The top energy commodity traders are now looking to invest part of the cash they have earned. Some of them have embarked on a buying spree to acquire refineries that the biggest international oil and gas producers are divesting as part of strategic portfolio realignment. While Gunvor has been setting records in its oil trading business this year, it is not overly optimistic about global oil demand for 2024. Gunvors Tornqvist told Bloomberg today that the group expects oil demand to grow by only 1 million barrels per day (bpd) this year, much slower than previously expected. Thats about the same forecast as the conservative estimate of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and twice lower compared to OPECs projection of 2 million bpd growth. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Xi extends congratulations on DPRK's 76th founding anniversary Xinhua) 09:03, September 09, 2024 BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on the DPRK's 76th founding anniversary. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said in the message that over the past 76 years, under the leadership of the WPK, the people of the DPRK have united as one and promoted the vigorous development of various national causes. In recent years, Comrade General Secretary Kim has led the party and people of the DPRK in thoroughly implementing the guiding principles of the WPK's 8th Congress and all its plenary sessions, and made a series of achievements in national construction and development, he added. Xi expressed his belief that under the leadership of the WPK headed by Comrade General Secretary, the people in the DPRK will surely win new and greater victories in advancing the cause of DPRK-style socialism. Xi stressed that China and the DPRK are linked by mountains and rivers, and friendship between the two countries grows stronger over time. He added that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations and the "China-DPRK Friendship Year." Under the new circumstances in the new era, Xi said that China will continue to view bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is willing to deepen strategic communication, strengthen coordination and cooperation with the DPRK, and jointly maintain, consolidate and develop traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. He also called on the two sides to jointly advance the socialism cause, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples and make greater contribution to peace, stability, development and prosperity of the region and the world. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Iraq has rejected allegations made by U.S. Congressmen that it was helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions by channeling some of its oil revenues to Iranian entities. Last week, five Congressmen called on President Joe Biden to ban the Iraqi oil minister from attending events in the United States because of his alleged involvement in Iranian sanction evasion. The group also demanded an investigation into Minister Hayyan Abdul-Ghani and other Iraqi officials on their alleged participation in sanction evasion. There are multiple public reports alleging that Abdul-Ghani and other officials in the Iraqi government are involved in industrial-scale sanctions evasion on behalf of the regime in Iran, the Congressmen wrote. Given these reports, we respectfully request that your administration prevent Minister Abdul-Ghani from attending events in the United States until these allegations are investigated and the findings are presented to Congress. In response, the Iraqi oil ministry said The letter's contents have no foundation. The only accurate statement in the letter is that these are allegations and do not rise to the level of verified information, as quoted by Shafaq News. Iraq only engages with a select group of reputable global companies, including American firms, under contracts that follow international transparency and legal guidelines, the ministry also said. Reports of Iraqi oil smuggling emerged earlier this year, with Reuters reporting that at least 200,000 bpd of crude from Kurdistan were being transported on trucks to Iran and Turkey. The report cited sources as saying that the oil smuggling was likely happening with the knowledge of the regional and federal governments. Once in Iran, the oil is loaded onto ships at the Iranian ports in the Gulf at Bandar Imam Khomeini and Bandar Abbas, or transferred by road to Afghanistan and Pakistan, those sources said, putting the monthly revenue from the scheme at some $200 million. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil and gas giants Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX), Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) and Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL) have evacuated staff and paused operations on oil platforms in the U.S. Gulf Of Mexico ahead of an expected hurricane, Reuters reports. According to the National Hurricane Center, a system developing in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico is expected to grow from a tropical storm and reach hurricane strength on Monday before reaching the northwestern U.S. Gulf Coast by the middle of the week. NHC says the Potential Tropical Cyclone Six was located at 305 miles south-southeast of the Texas-Mexico border, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. "While it is too soon to pinpoint the exact location and magnitude of impacts, the potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds are increasing for portions of the Louisiana and Upper Texas coastlines beginning Tuesday night," NHC said. NHC says the system is expected to bring heavy rainfall and considerable flash flooding along portions of southernmost Texas, the coast of far northeast Mexico, southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi into Thursday morning. Back in July, natural gas flows to Freeport LNG's export plant in Texas fell close to zero and more than 1.8 million homes and businesses in Texas were left without power after Category 5 hurricane Beryl made landfall near Matagorda, leaving in its wake a trail of dangerous storm surges, floods and heavy winds. CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP), a public utility that serves nearly 2.6 million customers, reported that more than 1.5 million were without power in its service area. With a capacity to handle 2.1-Bcf/d, Freeport is the nation's third-biggest LNG export plant behind Cheniere Energy's (NYSE:LNG) 4.5-Bcf/d Sabine Pass in Louisiana and 2.4-Bcf/d Corpus Christi in Texas. Freeport has three liquefaction trains capable of turning about 0.7 Bcf/d of gas into LNG. LSEG data showed that feedgas to the facility averaged around 1.7 Bcf/d from June 30 to July 6. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com LINCOLN More than 150 local business owners and college students gathered in Lincoln to discuss what can be done to address brain drain in Nebraska and attract and retain more young employees to the state. The goal of the Nebraska Trailblazers event, hosted by the Foundry, was to engage both students and employers in conversations about what young people are looking for in terms of workplace environment, support from management and career opportunities to hopefully encourage more young people to stay in the state. The event Friday also allowed future employees to network with a variety of businesses in Lincoln, including Union Bank & Trust, Firespring, Nelnet and Sandhills Global. The gathering featured a panel of young professionals from across Lincoln, a keynote speaker and opportunities for guests to get to know one another, share ideas and learn more about what students are looking for in their future careers. The conversation primarily centered around students desire to continue developing their skills and the impact a supportive and challenging work environment can have on newly hired employees. According to a 2023 analysis performed by the Omaha World-Herald, around 4,000 young people with bachelors degrees leave Nebraska annually for other states, many seeking more career opportunities or higher pay. Thats exactly why an event like this is so important right now, said Ethan Clinchard, a senior coordinator at the Foundry who played a key role in organizing the event. Clinchard, a senior political science major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, previously thought he would someday leave Nebraska once he graduated from college, but now, he said hes pretty attached to the idea of staying in his home state. I fell in love with the community here. The relationships Ive created have been so incredible. I just cant leave it behind, he said. Through the Trailblazers event Friday, he hopes he was able to share his love for Nebraska and show other young people in the state the many career opportunities available here. I just believe that our state has a lot to offer, and I want other people to have the opportunity to understand that and explore that as well, he said. Tim Hodges, the executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute and a professor at the UNL College of Business, gave the keynote speech, focusing on what hes learned over the years through working with hundreds of students each semester. One thing hes found recently is that there has been a change in mindset for young people entering the workforce. Many recent graduates care less about the paycheck and more about their passion and purpose at work. In order to attract these people to Nebraska, the workforce needs to grow with them and allow room for their goals and desires to flourish, he said. Maybe we need to adjust our approach and figure out what might the future look like, and how we can create a culture today to get students and young professionals excited to join our organization and stay in our organization and stay in our great state, he said. Many young people are looking for organizations and employers that allow for flexibility, independence and skill development, Hodges said. A lot of new hires want to continue to learn and be challenged as they begin their careers, and they want to have a collaborative, welcoming environment in which to do so. Hes also found that many young employees appreciate meaningful and frequent interactions with their managers. They want to build relationships with the people they work with to have an increased sense of trust, he said. By creating a strong team with strong goals, companies will be able to attract ambitious, young talent, Hodges said. Attendees also heard from a panel of current UNL students and recent graduates who spoke on their experiences entering the Lincoln workforce. Panelists discussed the need for leadership opportunities, open lines of communication and mutual respect between both the employees and the employers. Jeffrey Owusu-Ansah, a member of the panel and an associate attorney at Rembolt Ludtke, said this sense of respect can play a big role in not only the recruitment of employees, but the retention, too. Dulce Garcia, another panelist who works as a freelance photographer, spoke about the importance of companies being open and transparent about their values so new employees can ensure their views align. I think that a core characteristic of Gen Z is that we hold our core values and beliefs very strongly, she said. So I think any employer that we choose to put our time and effort into, we hope that they have similar values and beliefs that align with ours. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of September 2024 How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region. 100 years ago Sept. 9, 1924: Today, 250 Methodist ministers will be gathered in Normal to attend the 69th annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Some of the sessions will be held jointly with the Illinois conference at the Illinois Wesleyan gymnasium. The Central Illinois sessions will be held at the First Methodist Church of Normal at the corner of Fell Avenue and Ash Street. 75 years ago Sept. 9, 1949: "The Capitol City of the Corn Belt" officially started the third annual Corn Festival when Mayor George Graack crowned Miss Mary Ann Volz "Corn Queen." The El Paso High School band made its first public appearance this fall when they marched ahead of the queen car and played two numbers for the 1,200 spectators. 50 years ago Sept. 9, 1974: The two anchor stores in the new Four Seasons Square Shopping Center south of the State Farm Insurance Companies' corporate headquarters will have grand openings Wednesday morning (Sept. 11). Eisner Food and Osco Drug, sister businesses owned by Jewel Companies Inc., will cover a total of 47,000 square feet in the center. Cambridge Inn, a cafeteria in a separate building, became the first business to open in the center earlier this month. 25 years ago Sept. 9, 1999: Illinois State University has received a $2.4 million federal grant to lead a statewide coalition with a goal to produce better teachers and raise student achievement in high-poverty districts. ISU, five other Illinois universities, Chicago's community colleges, six school districts and 15 other state agencies and businesses will use the money to build a "learning community" to share and test ideas and learn from each other about teacher education. From stilettos to sneakers, Pantagraph shoe ads through the years Moore & Lain's - Sept. 8, 1891 Boston Shoe Store - July 3, 1896 McLean Moore - April 2, 1909 W.H. Roland - April 5, 1909 Gerhart Shoe Co. - April 13, 1909 William Fahey - Aug. 31, 1923 Gerhart's - Oct. 6, 1926 Carl's - March 4, 1938 Hanger Boot Shop - April 26, 1938 Bunnell Bros. - May 6, 1938 Penney's - May 31, 1946 Town & Country Shoes - Dec. 17, 1948 War Surplus Store - March 29, 1949 Schiff's Shoe Store - April 4, 1949 Schiff's Shoes - April 26, 1949 Kinney's - June 2, 1949 Schiff's Shoe Store - June 2, 1949 Schiff's Shoe Store - June 3, 1949 The Bootery - June 5, 1949 Livingston's - June 5, 1949 Carl's - June 5, 1949 Gerhart's - June 5, 1949 Gerhart's - Sept. 19, 1954 Schiff's Shoe Store - Sept. 19, 1954 Livingston's - Jan. 2, 1956 Roland's - Feb. 22, 1957 Schiff's Shoe Store - Sept. 5, 1958 Branom's Junior Boot Shop - Sept. 7, 1958 The Bootery - Sept. 7, 1958 Livingston's - Aug. 7, 1959 Carl's - Sept. 3, 1959 Barkers - Dec. 1, 1960 Roland's - June 6, 1963 Livingston's - June 6, 1963 Marben's - May 5, 1967 Murray's - Sept. 3, 1973 Roland's - Sept. 3, 1973 Mary Jane Shoes - Sept. 6, 1973 Bergner's - March 30, 1980 Read's of Normal - Aug. 21, 1981 Brown's Sporting Goods - June 3, 1982 Hush Puppies - Feb. 2, 1984 Brown's Sporting Goods - Aug. 9, 1984 Bergener's - Nov. 10, 1985 JC Penney - April 10, 1992 Bergner's - May 26, 1999 Murray's Shoes - June 2, 1999 Bergner's - June 3, 1999 U.S. Ambassador Virginia E. Palmer has delivered to the Ghana Armed Forces a 60-bed mobile field hospital for critical casualty care donated by the United States. Valued at over GH78 million or $5 million U.S. dollars, the mobile field hospital includes an intensive care unit, two surgical operating rooms, x-ray, laboratory, morgue, emergency room, and two generator sets. The field hospital can be transported and assembled even in remote locations and houses up to 60 patients for full medical and operational needs in any condition. These state of the art, fully equipped, portable medical facilities can be rapidly deployed to the scene of a disaster or where residents do not have access to routine health care. Speaking during the ceremony near Tamale, Ghana, Ambassador Palmer remarked, This handover is further evidence of the close U.S.-Ghana security partnership, which ensures the Ghana Armed Forces have the full panoply of skills and equipment not just for defending the borders but also for critical military and civilian casualty care. We are implementing programs in Ghana that will support local communities as they seek to provide economic opportunities to vulnerable populations, strengthen our military-to-military relationship, and bolster the capacity of the Ghanaian security services to ensure that Ghana remains resilient in the face of an increasing threat from violent extremist organizations, Ambassador Palmer added. This mobile hospital combines humanitarian with military assistance, providing essential services and protection to Ghanas civilian population, as well as the Ghana Armed Forces. In 2021 and 2022, the United States supplied Ghana with a 30-bed field hospital equipped with negative pressure isolation facilities and a five-bed ICU/supply facility and a U.N. Level 1 urgent care facility valued at over GH28 million or $1.8 million Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video At the China-Ghana Business Forum in Shenzhen, China, on September 7, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a compelling case for increased Chinese investment in Ghana. Addressing a gathering of Chinese business leaders, the President emphasized the longstanding relationship between Ghana and China, as well as the significant investment opportunities available in sectors ranging from manufacturing to agriculture and green energy. Opening his speech with a Chinese proverb, "If you want to walk far, walk with someone," President Akufo-Addo symbolized Ghanas desire to walk hand-in-hand with China on the path to long-term economic progress. He stressed Ghana's determination to learn from China's success and deepen ties with its business community for mutual prosperity. He highlighted the robust trade relations between Ghana and China, noting that China has been Ghanas largest trading partner since 2015, with bilateral trade reaching $9.23 billion in 2023. He commended Chinese companies for their investments in key sectors such as construction, energy, agriculture, and ICT, attributing Chinas growing presence in Ghana to the nation's stability, security, and favourable investment environment. Reflecting on global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the President underscored how these events exposed structural weaknesses across Africa. He called on the business community to partner with Ghana to create resilient, climate-conscious, and diversified economies capable of withstanding future global shocks. According to him, international cooperation will be essential in building economies that thrive despite global disruptions. President Akufo-Addo also highlighted Ghana's progress under his administration, noting the government's efforts to foster a business-friendly environment since 2017. He pointed out that Ghanas economy grew rapidly between 2017 and 2020, with an average annual GDP growth rate of 7%. Despite setbacks from the pandemic and geopolitical challenges, the President expressed optimism about Ghanas return to strong economic growth. He further elaborated on the governments Ghana CARES Obaatampa Programme, a comprehensive economic revitalisation plan aimed at addressing the challenges caused by the pandemic. The programme seeks significant private sector investment in key areas such as agriculture, agro-processing, housing, and healthcare. He invited Chinese businesses to participate, emphasising the importance of partnerships in rebuilding the economy. President Akufo-Addo also showcased various government initiatives aimed at boosting industrialisation and economic development, including the "Planting for Food and Jobs" initiative, the development of Ghana's automotive sector, and efforts to build integrated bauxite and iron industries. These projects are part of Ghanas broader strategy to transition from an exporter of raw materials to a value-added, industrialised economy. He spoke about Ghanas unique position as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra, which offers immense opportunities for businesses to access African markets. The President highlighted Ghanas potential to become a strategic hub for regional trade and investment, describing the country as a gateway to the continent. In conclusion, President Akufo-Addo reiterated that Ghana is an ideal destination for Chinese investment, offering a stable regulatory environment, favourable fiscal policies, and abundant natural resources. He urged Chinese investors to seize the moment, stressing that Ghana's doors are open and its markets are ready for meaningful partnerships. With a renewed commitment to fostering strong ties between Ghana and China, the President expressed optimism about the future, noting that deeper collaboration would create shared prosperity for both nations. Source: graphiconline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The wife of the Vice President, Samira Bawumia, has appealed to Ghanaians to vote for Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia who will listen and address their demands to better their living conditions. Mrs. Bawumia was speaking in Tumu where she paid a courtesy call on the Tumu traditional council as part of campaign to solicit votes for her husbands bid to become president. Addressing a gathering of Chiefs and people of Tumu Hajia Samira said the election was about a choice of a caring and listening leader to steer the affairs of the country to benefit all. She said Sissala East was one of the priority areas of Dr Bawumia if voted into office, the reason he (Bawumia) donated pick-up vehicles to some Senior High Schools. She said, I am also here to add to the good works that he has been doing, as a dutiful wife who knows the good thing that is coming to get to you to join me and my husband with prayers for us to succeed together. She urged them to Vote for Dr Bawumia and Amidu Chinnia Issahaku, as the parliamentary candidate for the Sissala East to ensure a greater number of MPs for the party. At the Tumu community centre, over 500 fulbe community and other party supporters were addressed by Mrs. Bawumia where she called for support for Dr Bawumia during the December 7th elections. She called on the Muslim community not to allow this chance to pass them by in making one of the presidents of Ghana for the first time. Today its Dr Bawumias time, tomorrow could be your turn, so dont sit on the fence, lets support him, she said. She advised the Fulbe community to look at her and educate their children to become like her since it is the school that has uplifted her image to be where she was today and support her husband to be successful for all of them to be inspired for others to follow. The leader of the Fulbe community in Tumu, Mr Dicko Abdula Hamid who doubles as the NPP chairman of the Fulbes, said most of the Fulbe who were born in Ghana had been prevented from having the Ghana card and it is a challenge affecting them and appealed to the second lady to resolve it for them. The fulbe chief of Tumu, Mamudu Alkuri Mahama led a prayer for Mrs. Bawumia and requested for the Fulbes to be supported to perform Hajj. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has denounced the brutal killing of a senior member of the main opposition party Chadema, who was kidnapped, beaten and doused with acid. On Friday, Mohamed Ali Kibao, 69, was forced off a bus by suspected security agents while travelling from the country's biggest city, Dar es Salaam, to his hometown Tanga. His body was found in Ununio, the waterfront district of Dar es Salaam, local media reported. The post-mortem found that Mr Kibao had been severely beaten and had acid poured on his face, party chairman Freeman Mbowe told the AFP news agency. President Samia condemned the brutal acts and called for an investigation into the murder. I have ordered the investigation agencies to bring me detailed information about this terrible incident and others like this as soon as possible, she said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Our country is a democracy, and every citizen has the right to live, she added. The United States Embassy in Tanzania voiced their support for an independent, transparent, and prompt investigation into the killing of Mr Kibao. Mr Kibao's killing comes amid concern by the opposition and rights groups of a clampdown on political activity. We cannot allow our people to continue disappearing or being killed like this. The lives of Chadema leaders are currently at risk, Mr Mbowe told AFP. Mr Kibao was a retired military intelligence officer and joined Chadema in 2008. He will be buried on Monday in the Darigube district of Tanga city. The killing of Mr Kibao has sparked widespread condemnation across Tanzania, with many asking the government to take action over reports of several other people being abducted and killed. The US Embassy in Tanzania said: "Murder and disappearances, as well as last months detentions, beatings, efforts to disenfranchise citizens ahead of elections, should have no place in a democracy". Last month senior Chadema leaders, Mr Mbowe and his deputy Tundu Lissu, were arrested after they attempted to hold a youth rally. Police banned the rally, saying it was intended to cause violence. In July, an artist was accused of burning an image of President Samia and sentenced to two years in prison. Many people fear Tanzania could be returning to the repressive rule of late President John Magufuli, despite his successor Ms Samia lifting a ban on opposition gatherings and promising to restore competitive politics. In August, Human Rights Watch said the increase in arrests of opposition activists was a "bad sign" with the 2025 presidential elections around the corner. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Oil and Gas mogul and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Veros Petroleum Limited, Yahya Tarek Diab has won the Best Among Equals Award, the ultimate prize at the just-ended 8th edition of the 2024 Forty Under 40 Awards held at Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra, on Friday, September 7, 2024. On the same night, he won the Oil and Gas Personality of the Year Award, sponsored by FeDems Constructions. The prestigious accolades were in recognition of his outstanding dedication and commitment to building the Oil and Gas industry as well as being a highly respected company advocating for best business practices in numerous sectors of the African Economy. Interacting with the media after receiving the prestigious honors, Yahya Tarek Diab expressed gratitude to his family, particularly his beloved father, his friends, and his unwavering staff for their dedication to improvement and the provision of excellent service. According to him, the award reflects his stunning leadership qualities and exceptional dedication to providing quality Oil and Gas services. "There are two classes of people, those who make things happen and those who watch things happen. This is indeed a confidence booster for all the team players at Veros Petroleum. This is going to encourage us to keep working hard always. I dedicate this trophy to my committed clients across the globe ", he noted. The award is an initiative from Xodus Communications Limited with support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry which seeks to identify, honour and celebrate a cross-section of the nations most influential and accomplished young business leaders under the age of forty from a wide range of industries. The iconic awards scheme was attended by dignitaries such as the Presidential Candidate of the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako, the diplomatic corps, government officials and traditional institutions. ABOUT YAHYA TAREK DIAB (CEO, VEROS PETROLEUM LIMITED) Mr. Yahya Tarek Diab, founder of Veros Petroleum and Ghanas youngest licensed oil and gas entrepreneur, has rapidly expanded his company, employing so many Ghanaians and establishing a Fuel station retail network reach across almost every region in the country. His success is attributed to early opportunity recognition and a commitment to high-quality products and corporate social responsibility. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video At least 21 people have been killed and more than 70 others wounded by shelling at a busy market in south-eastern Sudan, a doctors' union says. The Sudan Doctors Network said the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were responsible for the attack in the city of Sennar on Sunday, condemning it as a "massacre" of civilians. It happened a day after Sudan's military rejected a proposal by UN experts to send in an international force to protect civilians. Thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million have fled their homes since civil war broke out between the army and the RSF last April, making it one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Several rounds of peace talks brokered by Saudi Arabia and the US have failed to end the conflict. The RSF controls most of the capital, Khartoum, much of Kordofan state and most of Darfur - where it is accused of using rape as a weapon of war, and targeting the Masalit people and other non-Arab communities in a campaign of ethnic cleansing. It has not succeeded in capturing Sennar city from the army. In June, it seized most of the wider state of Sennar, which analysts say is strategically important because of its position close to Ethiopia and South Sudan and its rich agricultural production. Both sides in Sudan's conflict - the army and the RSF - are accused of committing atrocities against civilians. "Harrowing" discoveries made by the UN in a fact-finding mission "may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity" by both sides, it said last week. This was angrily rebuked on Saturday by the foreign ministry which is loyal to army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. "The Sudanese government rejects in their entirety the recommendations of the UN mission," it said, calling the UN Human Rights Council behind the fact-finding mission "a political and illegal body". The RSF has not commented. A UN arms embargo in Darfur has not stopped new weapons pouring into the hands of Sudan's warring parties, says Human Rights Watch. The campaign group says it has seen footage which appears to prove that fighters are using recently acquired armed drones, anti-tank guided missiles, truck-mounted rocket launchers and more - originating from China, Iran, Russia, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In Sudan's ongoing power struggle, the army counts Egypt and Saudi Arabia among its supporters whereas the UAE is said to back the RSF - although it strongly denies this. Led by Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia which was accused of genocide against non-Arab communities in Darfur in 2003. In recent months it has sought to boost its international profile and seek legitimacy as a political player by sending delegates to peace talks in Switzerland that were snubbed by the army. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The government will take a decisive action in the national interest against the scourge of illegal mining, taking into consideration the heightened national discourse, including the demand for an immediate ban on all forms of small-scale mining, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has stated. He said a crunch national security meeting would be held with all the 16 regional ministers on Wednesday, at which briefing would be given on the illegal mining situation in the country for the best decision to be taken. "As a government, we have taken note of the divergent views that have been shared on this galamsey matter. We have banned small-scale mining in this country for almost two years before, so this call is not a strange one, Mr Jinapor, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo, said. In an interview with the Daily Graphic yesterday, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister said: We will have a review of the process of the two-year ban, looking at the pros and cons, then a decision that will be in the supreme interest of the country will be taken. It is important for all forms of partisanship to be shelved in the search for the best way out of the woods in the fight against galamsey, Mr Jinapor added. The Lands and Natural Resources Minister said if the situation where leading members of the ruling party were exhibiting a cold attitude towards the fight against galamsey in an election year, and the opposition political party was promising to grant amnesty to persons imprisoned for their involvement in galamsey persisted, there would be no headway in the fight against the menace. Growing concerns Concerns about the upsurge in galamsey continues to swell as eminent Ghanaians and groups are mounting pressure on the President to take immediate action to halt the menace. Ban The latest to make a public declaration on the galamsey scourge are nine health sector unions which have called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to ban all forms of small-scale mining in the country. In a statement jointly issued last Friday, the health sector unions stressed that the scale of the galamsey scourge had reached an alarming level, and the only way out was for the President to exert his power by pulling the brakes on small-scale mining to help sanitise the sector and restore the country's degraded lands, forests and water resources. The unions, including the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, the Health Services Workers Union and the Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association, emphasised that it was important for the government to strengthen regulatory and enforcement agencies to effectively deal with the galamsey menace. The other public sector health associations and unions that jointly made the demand are the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union, the Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana, the Ghana Association of Certified Anesthetists, the Health Accounting Staff Association and the Ghana Physician Assistants Association. They stressed that their public outcry on the galamsey menace was against the backdrop of the devastation galamsey was having on water bodies and human lives. Some prominent Ghanaians and state agencies providing essential services have decried the debilitating impact of galamsey on the environment, and called for prompt action to stem the tide. A former Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Professor Stephen Adei, last week called on President Akufo-Addo to declare a national emergency on galamsey to help him draw more powers to tackle the menace head-on. The management of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) also made a distress call for the halting of galamsey activities because it had heavily polluted the Pra River and other water bodies that served as sources of raw water to its treatment plants. The GWCL indicated that the worsening turbidity of the Pra due to illegal mining activities had caused a reduction in water production by over 60 per cent in the Western Region, 30 per cent in the Central Region, with a total loss of 50 per cent of treated water. A couple of weeks ago, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, destooled three chiefs in the Ashanti Region for their involvement in galamsey. Collective action When the Daily Graphic asked the minister what he made of those calls, Mr Jinapor stressed that since the impact of illegal mining spared no one, it was important for all stakeholders, especially chiefs, security agencies, civil society organisations (CSOs), local communities and all citizens to demonstrate their patriotism to the country by standing up to the galamsey fight. "As I have said many times, we can only defeat this canker that is destroying us through national, collective and concerted efforts; the government cannot do it alone and the fight requires everyone to be onboard," he said. Mr Jinapor said it was quite obvious that when all stakeholders came together to fight the menace, the results were impressive "because we made a lot of progress; but there is a resurgence in the menace as we can all see." The minister stressed that as daunting as the galamsey fight was, the government would not renege on its responsibility. He said reforms that worked in the past would be reinforced while additional measures would be rolled out to tackle the menace. "What I want to emphasise here is that citizens must help in the fight against this galamsey menace because it can only be effective with the support of citizens," Mr Jinapor stressed. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on the political class to stop playing politics with the governments decision to grant tax exemptions to companies operating under the One-District, One-Factory (1D1F) policy. He said such exemption would enable Ghanaian companies to become more competitive in the sub-region. In his closing remarks at the end of the two-day extraordinary sitting of Parliament last Wednesday, the Majority Leader said it was unacceptable that in the name of politics, companies that had huge potential to contribute to Ghanas economic fortunes would be deprived of critical tax breaks and incentives to spur their growth. If we are serious about our country, we will stop these political trivialities and move away from undue partisanship and look at the national interest to grow our businesses, he said. Mr Afenyo-Markin said: Mr Speaker, it is unacceptable that we are destroying businesses and if we think that by destroying them we will come to power to have a fresh start and reset, I am sorry you are destroying your very eggs. I think that we can do better than this as parliamentarians and do better than this as a political class and as people who have been elected to lead our people, he added. Mr Speaker, we should have our disagreements but to destroy the business life of people who have their businesses in our economy and who believe in the policies and say that we are not going to pass exemptions when the committee of Parliament has done its work and has recommended to the plenary, and the plenary says by certain operations of politics, we are not taking them is worrying, he said. The House was due to approve a number of tax exemptions for companies operating under the 1D1F programme, but it stopped short of endorsing them due to disagreements. Unwarranted tax exemptions The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, described the recall of Parliament to consider $360 million tax exemptions for companies and other businesses and loans as unwarranted. We strongly believe that these giveaway of tax exemptions should be curtailed as it is unwarranted. Mr Speaker, we believe that at a time that the country is bleeding, Ghana should not be giving such giveaways to crony businesses, but unfortunately persistently this government intends to give away a lot more tax exemptions, the Minority Leader said. Exemptions not a giveaway Responding, Mr Afenyo-Markin said under the 1D1F policy, the government intended to give certain tax exemptions to investors. As an entrepreneur, a businessman and an industrialist who had served a better part of his life in the private sector, he said he knew that when a government granted tax breaks and incentives, their purpose was to aid economic growth. That, the Majority Leader added, would ensure that there would be available resources for companies to expand, innovate and employ more people. It is not a giveaway and, therefore, the consistent submissions by Dr Forson to the effect that they (the Minority) are rather protecting the Ghanaian is not true and it is not born out of any fact, Mr Afenyo-Markin said. He averred that what the Minority was doing was to destroy the economy. Thorough scrutiny In the view of the Leader of Government Business, the issues raised by Dr Forson and other Minority members against the decision to grant tax waivers to businesses had all been factored by the government side. He explained how Dr Forson was constructive on the issues of raw materials and the government took his concerns on board. Mr Speaker, we started this 1D1F with raw materials as part of the exemptions through the Minoritys constructive criticism and I would give him (Dr Forson) credit for that. I as the Majority Leader led the charge and Patrick Boamah, the chair of the Finance Committee, supported it and at the committee level, the raw materials were taken out of it, he said. The Majority Leader spoke on how again, we scrutinised certain requests and the whole request was reduced more than half. He further disclosed how throughout Parliaments break, both the Majority and the Minority members of the Finance Committee met, worked together and produced a report on tax exemptions. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Bernard Anbataayela Mornah has been elected as the flag bearer of the People's National Convention (PNC) for Election 2024. He beat David Apasera who led the PNC to Election 2020 by polling 1,138 votes as against 216 by Apasera, in the two-horse race. The first ever decentralised congress which took place across the country on Saturday, September 7 2024 was supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC). The Greater Accra election was initially threatened by a "no money, no vote" chant by the 490 delegates who wanted their transportation fare and allowances to be paid before voting commenced for fear of being shortchanged. It took some party bigwigs to calm them down and assured them before they rescinded their decision. The chant and the late arrival of EC officials dragged the voting process into the evening. Mornah, a managing partner of Ndaana Ghana Ltd, Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Savanah Ltd, rallied Ghanaians especially the youth to help end the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) dominance in the country's political space. "Our plight is the same, hence our fight must be the same," he told Congress after being declared winner. He said the fight was to restore confidence in the Ghanaian people that they could build Ghana together and free it from the hands of NDC and NPP, who he described as internal enemies and the external enemies who do not want the country to prosper. "Let us celebrate tonight in modesty and get to work tomorrow. Ghana needs a new leader in the person of Bernard Mornah. Bernard Mornah offers a new direction for all Ghanaians," he said, Other winners Other officers who won on the day were Esther Osei Darko as national women organiser; Asaki Samson Awingobit as the new chairman; Mark Owusu as the national youth organiser; Abass Nuhu as National organiser and Ishaq Awudu as General secretary. Source: graphiconline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has on Monday, September 9, 2024, submitted his nomination forms at the headquarters of the Electoral Commission in Accra. Dr. Bawumia, who is the incumbent Vice President of the republic of Ghana, has decided to contest for the highest seat of the land, the Presidency. As required by the electoral laws of Ghana, he is expected to pick up nomination forms at the Electoral Commission, hence, his filing of the nominations on Monday, September 9, 2024. Dr. Bawumia was flanked by his wife, Samira Bawumia, as well as his running mate and his spouse, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and Mrs. Alma Abena Pokua Addae-Prempeh respectively. Other Party executives, including the National Chairman, Stephen Ntim, General Secretary Justin Koduah Frimpong, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin together with some bigwigs of the party, were at the premises if the Electoral Commission to render their support to their flagbearer. Meanwhile, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama is expected to also file his nomination forms at 2pm on Monday, September 9. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has urged the people of Akyem Oda to break the New Patriotic Party (NPP) dominance and vote NDC for a change in governance in the December 7 elections. He expressed optimism that the NDC was poised to emerge victorious in the December 7, 2024 presidential and parliamentary polls and therefore urged them to join the winning boat in their own interest. Mr Asiedu Nketiah, popularly known as General Mosquito, made the call when he addressed a political rally at Oda last Tuesday at the beginning of the second phase of the NDC's political campaigns in the Eastern Region. He noted with regret that Oda, which used to be counted among the 10 most developed towns in the country, had retrogressed as the NPP had neglected the community in terms of development despite the massive votes the NPP garnered in all general elections since 1992. Mr Asiedu Nketiah advised the electorate to accept the money the NPP would use to influence them in the wake of the upcoming election, but vote for the NDC for better governance and the improvement of their lifestyles. He emphasised that the ruling NPP had plunged the nation into economic woes and it was the NDC which had the potential to revamp the shattered economy and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth. Courtesy call Earlier in the day, Mr Asiedu Nketiah and his entourage had paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of the Akyem Kotoku State, Oseadieyo Dr Frimpong Manso IV and his elders at the Oda palace where he outlined the vision of the NDC in the upcoming general election to them. Oseadieyo Frimpong Manso, however, advised all political leaders to impress upon their supporters to eschew all acts of violence and conduct their campaigns with decorum devoid of insult, hate language and intimidation to sustain the prevailing peace, unity and stability before, during and after the December 7, 2024 general election. Liberal Party of Ghana promises to put money into peoples pockets in 2024 manifesto Mr Asiedu Nketiah used the two functions to introduce the NDC parliamentary aspirant for Oda, Jones Asante, to the electorate. At the Omanhene's palace, a group known as Eastern Region Youth Development Association through its chairman, Joshua Badu, presented a petition to the NDC National Chairman for the creation of a new region from the current Eastern Region should the party win political power in the upcoming general election to speed up the progress of the area. Mr Badu said copies of the petition would be sent to all the other political parties. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has assured the people of the Northern Region that the next NDC government will not turn its back on the people and the region. Addressing a mammoth rally at the parliamentary campaign launch of Hon. Haruna Iddrisu for the Tamale South Constituency in Tamale on Sunday, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the NDC does not take the support of the people of the Northern Region for granted. She said the next NDC government will prioritise the region's development needs and work hard to create jobs for the people through its 24-Hour Economy, the Big Push and the National Apprenticeship Programme, among others. Just like you have not turned your backs on our party, we have also reciprocated by not turning our back on the people of Tamale and the Northern Region. Our next government will do more for the people in this region, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said. She added, I want to thank you all for the support that you continue to give our party, the NDC, and for keeping faith with us. We do not take your support for granted. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said, in return for the support of the people of the Northern Region, the NDC has also been responsible for providing all the transformative and impactful development projects in the region, citing the University for Development Studies (UDS) and the Tamale International Airport as examples. She said the next NDC government will take steps to address issues affecting Muslim communities such as the high cost of Hajj fare, roll out an aggressive programme to expand educational infrastructure in zongos, including building three new Islamic Senior High Schools in the northern, middle and southern belts of the country. The NDC running mate added when the party forms the next government, it will provide scholarship to zongos and inner-city students, especially in the study of law, medicine, engineering and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Touching on the Tamale South parliamentary campaign launch, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called on the people to continue supporting Hon. Haaruna Iddrisu.I have come here today to not just launch the parliamentary campaign of Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, but I have also come to celebrate him and to let you all know that he is a good man and deserves your vote to be in the next parliament, she said. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that in every democracy, there are legislators that no one wants out of parliament, saying in Ghana, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu is one such MP that nobody wants to see out of parliament. She further said this is because he is a parliamentarian who is knowledgeable, intelligent, takes his duties seriously, greatly debates issues on and off the floor of parliament and is always on the side of the people of Ghana. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said she was counting on the electorates to not just elect Hon. Iddrisu and other NDC parliamentary candidates in the next election. Still, they should also vote massively for NDC flagbearer, Mr John Dramani Mahama, to be elected as the next president of Ghana to enable him reset the country and provide jobs. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Chiraamanhene, Barima Mintah Afari II has called on the youth of Chiraa, in the Bono region to rally their support behind the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress(NDC), John Dramani Mahama, as he promises a 24-hour economy policy. During a campaign tour to Chiraa, John Dramani Mahama was received warmly by the Chiefs and people of Chiraa. Addressing the youth and people of Chiraa, Barima Mintah II said, I have lived in the United States so I understand the 24-hour economy system. This is my personal view about the policy. It is a good initiative so I will urge all the youth to embrace it." If business centres are already operating a 24-hour system, then why dont you think it should be enforced? Barima Mintah Afari II further admonished the Electoral Commission to ensure that peace reigns even after the results have been declared. We are closest to election 2024. The ruling NPP is campaigning likewise the NDC. All that Ghanaians are requesting for is for peace to prevail after the electoral commission has declared the results without any controversies. Citing the electoral dispute which was later resolved in the Supreme Court, Nana Barima Mintah II said, when petitions were sent to the Supreme Court in 2020, the Supreme Court adjudicated and the verdict was that, elections are we won at the polling station, so everyone should protect his ballot box. He further advised the various political parties to select knowledgeable and trustworthy, as polling station agents, not persons who are indiscipline and would want to be moving anywhere. I want to use this medium to tell Madam Jean Mensa not to be the conduit to electoral violence. I know she is a mother who loves all her children, hence I know she, together with Mr. Bossman Asare will be truthful in discharging their duties. We need peace and for peace to come we need justice," he said. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The flagbearer of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has concord with Chiraahene, Barima Mintah II in calling for peace after the election results are declared by the Electoral Commission after the December 7 elections. According to the former President John Mahama, the sanctity of the December election is largely dependent on the Electoral Commission, adding that, the election must not be sacrificed since the Commission has an oversight responsibility in ensuring that fairness and transparency is attained. Posting on his official X page on Monday, September 9, 2024, Mr. Mahama said, I agree with Nana Chiraahene, Barima Mintah Afari II that the sanctity of the December election must not be sacrificed as the Electoral Commission has the responsibility to guarantee that sanctity. Mr. Mahamas comment comes on the wheels of a recent visit to Chiraa in the Bono region, where the Chiraahene, Barima Mintah Afari II, called on the Electoral Commission to ensure that every form of post electoral violence is avoided by maintaining a posture of transparency, fairness and integrity. However, the NDC has called for an independent forensic audit of the voters register with reasons being alleged discrepancies found in the register during the just ended voters exhibition exercise. John Mahama wrote, our repeated calls on Jean Mensa and the Commission to ensure fairness and free elections continue to be rebuffed, but as Nana Chiraahene stated, the Commission must be careful to avoid plunging this country into chaos due to its avoidable mistakes and actions. The call for a forensic audit of the voter register is not a demand of the NDC alone. It is a legitimate demand from all peace-loving Ghanaians who desire a free, fair, and peaceful election on December 7. The demand for the audit must and should unite us all in our quest for electoral integrity. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, NPP Vice Presidential Candidate, has described Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's bold solutions for the mining sector as a "game changer" and asked stakeholders in the sector to embrace these solutions. According to him, these bold solutions will usher in a golden age for Ghanaian-owned small-scale mining and create wealth and jobs while promoting responsible and sustainable mining. Addressing the Chiefs and people of two key mining constituencies in the Western Region, Prestea Huni Valley and Mpohor, on Sunday, September 8, 2024, as part of his constituency campaign tours, Dr. Opoku Prempeh emphasized that the NPPs primary objective is always to manage Ghana's mineral resources to benefit the people as well as stimulate economic growth without compromising the environment. NAPO, as he is affectionately called, added Dr. Bawumia's bold solutions which shall include formalizing, regularizing and regulating environmentally sustainable small-scale mining will ultimately ensure a more responsible mining practices while assisting small-scale mining companies to grow into larger enterprises through capacity building and access to financing for equipment acquisition. I can assure you that next NPP government under Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will establish, in collaboration with the private sector, a Minerals Development Bank to support the mining industry. We will also set up a pension scheme for small-scale miners like we have done for cocoa farmers. We have the credibility when we say we are going to do this because we have done it before, he assured. In respect of formalizing the mining sector, the vice presidential candidate said they will license all miners doing responsible mining and create Districts Mining Committee which will include the Chiefs. The Committee will provide temporary licenses to the miners and as long as they mine within the limit of their licenses, there will be no seizure or burning of excavators. He stressed emphatically that there will be no mining in water bodies. The NPP Running Mate urged the people to vote massively for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to become the next President of Ghana and implement his bold solutions. He also rallied support of the residents in Prestea Huni Valley and Mpohor constituencies for his party's parliamentary candidates, Barbara Oteng Gyasi and John Kobina Sanie respectively. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Akufo-Addo says he is leaving it to Ghanaians to decide whether they would prefer a clearing agent or a government official. He insists that the various allegations of corruption directed at him are completely false. He believes that they are part of a "deliberate, politically motivated effort to stigmatize my government, my family, and myself as corrupt." I suspect this is payback for the damaging allegations of corruption levelled against members of the erstwhile Mahama administration, some of which have led to criminal convictions, while others are still being prosecuted in court... It is important that I reiterate that I will not abandon, under any circumstance, recourse to due process in the fight against corruption. Be that, as it may, in any event, I will leave it to the judgment of the Ghanaian public and people to decide whether it is preferable to be a Clearing Agent or Government Official 1. The president made this statement at the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Conference in Kumasi. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Confusion and uncertainty engulfed the rerun of the Walewale constituency parliamentary primaries of the New Patriotic Party held on Monday, 9th September. The Electoral Commission (EC) has subsequently declared the election as null and void. The chaotic scene occurred when an individual, Kamara Bawa, believed to be an agent of one of the two contestants, snatched ballot papers during sorting, resulting in some ballots being destroyed. Athough counting is yet to be done, both candidates are claiming victory. Peacefmonline.com can confirm that the ruling party will now have to decide on the next course of action regarding who represents the party in the constituency for the December parliamentary election, since the primary was an internal party event. The first election which was held in January this year was annulled by the High Court in Tamale after it found electoral breaches which included impersonation. The incumbent Member of Parliament for the constituency, Hajia Lariba Abudu, filed a suit against her contender, Dr. K. B. Mahama, claiming he was wrongfully adjudged winner. The rerun following the court order which was yesterday, was fraught with another controversy after the agent for one of the candidates reportedly disrupted the process. Kamara Bawa is alleged to have sensed defeat of his candidate during counting of the ballots, thereby causing chaos by interrupting the electoral process. He is said to have scattered the boxes during sorting of ballots, which commenced around late afternoon. Bawa reportedly grabbed several ballot papers and attempted to flee, but was apprehended by the police, who fired warning shots to restore order. The ballot papers were subsequently taken to the police station, where party officials and the EC considered whether to continue counting. After reviewing the damaged ballots, the EC decided to nullify the election results. Meanwhile, police have since detained Kamara Bawah for causing damage to the ballot papers, and security has been reinforced within Walewale and surrounding areas to maintain order The party is now tasked with fixing a new date for the election before the deadline for filing nominations at the end of the week. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c01714 Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions are currently one of the leading causes of global warming. Cement-based materials have shown promising applications in capturing and solidifying CO 2 as minerals through a process called carbonation, offering a potential solution to mitigate the challenges associated with climate change. Consequently, numerous studies have been conducted on the carbonation of cement-based materials to improve the efficiency of carbonation. Put simply, carbonation in cement paste involves the dissolution of CO 2 in water, followed by interaction with calcium silicate hydrates (CSH), formed during the hydration of raw materials. During this reaction, the dissolved CO 2 forms carbonate ions (CO 3 2-), and further reacts with calcium ions (Ca2+) from CSH to create calcium carbonate precipitates. However, despite extensive studies with varying parameters, the complete explanation of carbonation mechanisms is not clearly understood due to the unstable nature of cement paste compounds. Previous studies have shown that carbonation is strongly impacted by relative humidity (RH), CO 2 solubility, calcium/silicate (Ca/Si) ratio, and concentration and saturation level of water in CSH. Moreover, it is also important to understand the influence of ions and water transport through the nanometer-sized pores in CSH layers, known as gel-pore water. To answer these questions, Associate Professor Takahiro Ohkubo from the Graduate School of Engineering at Chiba University with his team of researchers, including Taiki Uno from Chiba University, Professor Ippei Maruyama and Naohiko Saeki from The University of Tokyo, Associate Professor Yuya Suda from University of Ryukyus, Atsushi Teramoto from Hiroshima University, and Professor Ryoma Kitagaki from Hokkaido University investigated the mechanism of carbonation reaction under different Ca/Si ratios and RH conditions. Their study was published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C on July 8, 2024. "The role of water transport and carbonation-related structural changes remains an open question. In this study we used a new method to study these factors, using 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 1H NMR relaxometry, which has been established as an ideal tool for studying water transport in CSH," says Associate Professor Ohkubo. To study the carbonation process, the researchers synthesized CSH and subjected them to accelerated carbonation using 100% CO 2 , far higher than atmospheric levels. "Natural carbonation in cement materials occurs over several decades by absorbing atmospheric CO 2 , making it difficult to study in a lab setting. Accelerated carbonation experiments with elevated CO 2 concentrations provide a practical solution to this challenge," explains Associate Professor Ohkubo. The samples were synthesized under varying RH conditions and Ca/Si ratios. Further, they studied the CSH samples using 29Si NMR, and the water exchange processes using 1H NMR relaxometry under a deuterium dioxide (D 2 O) atmosphere. The researchers found that the structural changes induced by the carbonation reaction, including the collapse of the CSH chain structure and changes in the pore size were heavily influenced by the Ca/Si ratio of the CSH chain and RH conditions. Additionally, lower RH conditions and a high Ca/Si ratio resulted in smaller-sized pores, suppressing the leaching of Ca2+ ions and water from the interlayer space to gel-pores, leading to inefficient carbonation. "Our study shows that the carbonation process occurs due to a combination of structural modifications and mass transfer, signifying the importance of studying their interplay, rather than just structural changes," says Associate Professor Ohkubo. Further highlighting the implications of the present study, Associate Professor Ohkubo adds, "Our findings can contribute to developing new building materials that can absorb large amounts of atmospheric CO 2 . Additionally, carbonation reactions are also common in organic matter and hence, our new approach will also help to understand the carbonation of compounds in the natural environment." In conclusion, this study sheds light on the carbonation reaction of cement-based materials, offering a potential solution to CO 2 reduction. More information: Taiki Uno et al, Understanding the Carbonation Phenomenon of CSH through Layer Structure Changes and Water Exchange, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c01714 Journal information: Journal of Physical Chemistry C 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 an article published in the International Journal of Engineering Systems Modelling and Simulation researchers demonstrate how a trained algorithm can identify the trumpeting calls of elephants, distinguishing them from human and other animal sounds in the environment. The work could improve safety for villagers and help farmers protect their crops and homesteads from wild elephants in India. T. Thomas Leonid of the KCG College of Technology and R. Jayaparvathy of the SSN College of Engineering in Chennai, India, explain how conflicts between people and elephants are becoming increasingly common, especially in areas where human activity has encroached on natural elephant habitats. This is particularly true where agriculture meets forested land. These conflicts are not just an environmental concern, they pose a threat to human life and livelihoods. In India, wild elephants are responsible for more human fatalities than large predators. Their presence also leads to the destruction of crops and infrastructure, which creates a heavy financial burden on rural communities. Of course, the elephants are not to blame, they are wild animals, doing their best to survive. The root causes lie in habitat destruction due to human activities such as mining, dam construction, and increasing encroachment into forests for resources like firewood and water. As such, finding effective solutions to mitigate humanelephant encounters is becoming increasingly urgent. The team suggests that a way to reduce the number of tragic and costly outcomes would be to put in place an early-warning system. Such a system would recognize elephant behavior from their vocalizations and allow farmers and others to avoid the elephants or perhaps even safely divert an incoming herd before it becomes a serious and damaging hazard. The researchers compared several machine learning models to determine which one best detects and classifies elephant sounds. The models tested included Support Vector Machines (SVM), K-nearest Neighbors (KNN), Naive Bayes, and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). They trained each of these algorithms on a dataset of 450 animal sound samples from five different species. One of the key steps in the process is feature extraction, which involves identifying distinctive characteristics within the audio signals, such as frequency, amplitude, and the temporal structure of the sounds. These features are then used to train the machine-learning models to recognize elephant calls. The most accurate was the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), a deep learning model that automatically learns complex features from raw data. CNNs are particularly well-suited for this type of task due to their ability to recognize intricate patterns in sound data. The CNN had a high accuracy of 84%, far better than the models. This might be improved, but is sufficiently accurate to have the potential for a reliable, automated system to detect elephants on the march that might be heading towards homes and farms. More information: T. Thomas Leonid et al, Elephant sound classification using machine learning algorithms for mitigation strategy, International Journal of Engineering Systems Modelling and Simulation (2024). DOI: 10.1504/IJESMS.2024.140803 Provided by Inderscience 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: Madison Stewart, a graduate student researcher with the College of Biological Sciences, pulls out a nitrogen storage cylinder that holds vials of adult bovine muscle stem cells, which can be used as the starting material for cultivated meat. Credit: Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis Inside a UC Davis engineering lab, tiny round pellets swirl in a brown liquid inside a 5-liter glass tank. The tank, a bioreactor, is brewing edible fungi high in protein and designed to look and taste like meat. In another lab on campus, a liquid nitrogen tank nicknamed "cryocow" holds frozen vials of cow muscle stem cells. Scientists hope to one day turn these cells into lab-grown meat, creating the burgers of the future. Researchers with the Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein, or iCAMP, at UC Davis are leading projects like these to meet the world's growing demand for meat in environmentally sustainable ways. Their goal is to identify alternative proteins that can be brought to market on a large scale. These proteins could come from fungi, plants, cultivated meat, or even innovative hybrids that combine conventional meat with alternative proteins. The world's demand for meat is expected to increase by at least 25%, and as much as 100%, by 2050, driven by a rising global population and an increasing appetite for meat in developing countries. "Meeting that demand is not likely to happen just by growing more animals," said David Block, director of iCAMP. Producing meat also contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. But for alternative proteins to be widely accepted by consumers, scientists and marketers need to overcome significant challenges. UC Davis is well positioned to provide the technology and knowledge needed to advance alternative proteins because of its interdisciplinary teams of researchers from the animal and food sciences, biological sciences, agricultural and chemical engineering and sensory sciences. iCAMP brings those researchers together with industry experts and food innovators. Mycofood: Fungi of the future Professor Ruihong Zhang in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering is brewing the next generation of mycofoodfood made from fungi in bioreactors. She's creating high-protein pellets from mycelium, the thread-like, branching parts of fungi. The fungi take on the color, flavor and nutrients of whatever they're fed in the bioreactor. Zhang has fed them almond and walnut hulls, pistachio shells, carrots, tomatoes, red beets and even the byproducts of cheese-making. "The fungi pellets will absorb bioactive compounds like antioxidants from almond hulls as well as the brown color," Zhang said. "If fed tomato pomace, they'll have a reddish brown color." The pellets can be transformed into all sorts of food. Zhang first used them to replace the tapioca balls in boba tea. She's also made jerky from them. Dried pellets can also be ground into a powder to mix in other foods. Zhang said she believes mycofoods, especially those made with agricultural byproducts like almond hulls, are more sustainable than animal or plant proteins. "They're a low cost, highly nutritious source of protein with a low carbon footprint," Zhang said. Her team's work led to a startup company that's now making fungal-based caviar, modeled after sturgeon roe. Optimized Foods uses the mycelium pellets to provide the structure of the roe and cultivated caviar, grown in a lab using sturgeon stem cells. Mycoproteins and hybrid food Making mycoproteins more widely available is the next step for companies already producing food from fungi. The Better Meat Co. of West Sacramento makes a mycelium protein called Rhiza. The company sells dehydrated white cubes of Rhiza to food producers to blend in plant-based foods or animal meat. Rhiza can also be eaten on its own. "We know it's not going to be possible to make everyone stop eating meat," said Doni Curkendall, Better Meat's executive vice president of business operations. "But we think you can make a small change, and for us, that means creating hybrid products." Hybrid products are growing in popularity, appealing to flexitarians, or part-time vegetarians. Research shows most people who eat plant-based meat alternatives also eat animal meat. Rhiza mycoprotein is made by feeding fungi starchy foods through fermentation. This produces long fibers of mycelium, which are then drained or dehydrated, creating a product that has a meat-like structure and chewiness. Currently, Better Meat produces Rhiza in a pilot plant. Curkendall hopes UC Davis' iCAMP can help them scale up to commercial production. "UC Davis has the expertise," she said. "They have the facilities and people that can help us continue to do our research and continue to grow in this space." Curkendall envisions a time when Sacramentoknown for being the farm-to-fork capital of Californiawill also be known as the fermentor-to-fork capital. Meat grown in a lab Cultivated meat, or meat grown in a lab using animal stem cells, is the latest alternative protein. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved its sale nationally in 2023, but it may not be available in grocery stores for years. "We see cows grazing on grass and turning it into high-quality proteinmeat," said Anna Denicol, associate professor in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis. "In the lab, we're trying to replicate something that nature took thousands of years to perfect." Denicol is one of two UC Davis professors developing cow stem cells lines for cultivated beef. To make cultivated meat, cow stem cells are fed the right nutrients to help them grow and multiply. The cells also must differentiate into muscle cells, fat cells and connective tissue needed to make meat. Scientists can use adult cow stem cells, but the problem with these cells is that they don't duplicate forever, said Lucas Smith, assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior. "The challenge is to expand them to greater degrees than you typically would in the body and then have them efficiently create muscle in a different environment," Smith said. Researchers can also use embryonic stem cells, which can replicate indefinitely in the right conditions. However, getting these cells to become the muscle, fat and connective tissue is much harder and takes longer. The cultivated meat industry uses expensive, complex ingredients to keep cells alive, in a process borrowed from the biopharmaceutical industry. But food needs to be produced much more cheaply than pharmaceuticals. Also, the cells would need to grow in 250,000-liter fermentation tanks. "The reality is that no one in the world has ever grown animal cells using more than a 25,000-liter fermentation tank. It's still an open question whether it will work," said Block, who is also a professor in the departments of chemical engineering and viticulture and enology. UC Davis researchers, along with iCAMP and industry partners, are hoping to meet this challenge. Block said he remains hopeful that technological innovations could lead to widespread commercialization of cultivated meat. "It's probably 10 to 15 years away from being in all the supermarkets all across the country, but I am very optimistic that we'll get there." Making meat substitutes taste like meat Even with all the research and new technology, people might still be hesitant to buy alternative proteins. One big reason is the cost. Even the plant-based proteins on the market now are often more expensive than products made from cows, pigs or chickens. Another challenge is making these alternatives have the taste, texture and mouthfeel of real meat. Soy and pea, the main ingredients in many plant-based proteins, can have off flavors that need to be masked, Block noted. They also need fat to give them the right mouthfeel and flavor. But Block said part of the research mission of iCAMP is to determine what's critical for consumers to buy these products. "There is no projection that we're going to need less meat," Block said. "I would expect conventional animal agriculture may stay the same or even grow but these other methods of producing meat need to fill that supply gap." 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 Political posts on social media that most frequently referenced ancient history tended to be more extreme, hostile and overwhelmingly negative in tone than average, finds a new study by researchers from UCL and the University of Edinburgh. Their study, published in PLOS ONE, scrutinized nearly 1.5 million posts using a combination of AI, computational and manual techniques and used a range of sentiment analysis tools to evaluate the attitudes behind those posts that reference Britain's distant past. Senior author Professor Mark Altaweel (UCL Institute of Archaeology) said, "Misrepresentations of history are widespread online. This research helps us identify when the past is used to advocate for hostile and extreme positions in political discussions. "Ultimately, we hope that this work can help understand interpretations leading to dangerous discussion threads online." Researchers examined often-heated debates around Brexit on Facebook as a test case to see how references to the Iron Age, Roman and medieval periods in Britain are inserted into online political debate. Facebook users arguing for any specific side of a complex political issue are more likely to justify their positions through "historical thinking" if they hold extreme views. Lead author Dr. Chiara Bonacchi of the University of Edinburgh, said, "The ancient past is often used to express political identities. Our research shows that various periods of pre-modern British history are most commonly invoked to advocate and justify negative and extreme positions. "When people reference the ancient past in political debates on social media, it's usually connected with hostile and polarized views rather than with moderate ones." The researchers collated almost 1.5 million posts published on 364 individual Brexit-themed Facebook pages between 2015 and 2017. These posts reflected both positive and negative attitudes towards Brexit. From these, they identified more than 2,500 posts that contained at least one reference to Britain's Iron Age, Roman or early medieval periods. These key terms included the names of Iron Age tribes and chiefs, Roman emperors and Anglo-Saxon kings, Roman towns, Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon settlements in Britain, as well as general terms describing the period from 800 BCE to AD 800. The researchers then used a range of language processing algorithms to gauge whether the emotion of these posts was positive, negative or neutral, as well as the extremity of the sentiment. They also spot-checked random posts manually to ensure that the algorithms were faithfully capturing the emotions of users. Co-author Dr. Jessica Witte, a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at University of Edinburgh, said, "This study was challenging and required a combination of AI and manual analysis of text. "There are a range of sentiment analysis techniques available, but these need testing to make sure that they are suitable for use in a specific communication context." More information: Chiara Bonacchi et al, Political uses of the ancient past on social media are predominantly negative and extreme, PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308919 Journal information: PLoS ONE This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Left Tomb 80 of La Almoloya (Pliego Murcia). Example of a typical burial from the Argaric Bronze Age. Right: he archaeological site of Gatas (Turre, Almeria), where one of the oldest known Argaric tombs was found. Credit: ASOME-UAB A study by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) and the University of Murcia (UM) challenges the theory that warrior groups with a "Steppe" genetic component originating from Eastern Europe violently replaced the male population of the Iberian Peninsula some 4,200 years ago and presents a different scenario, in which groups with Steppe ancestry mixed with other demographically weakened locals. In the paper, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, the research team explored how society and populations changed in southeast Spain 4,200 years ago, during the transition from the Copper to the Bronze Age. To this end, they focused on one of the best known aspects of this transition: the shift from communal burials in the Copper Age to the single and double tombs of the Bronze Age El Argar society. The team looked at a large sample of radiocarbon (C-14) dates from human bones discovered in these different types of graves. The first result of the analysis is chronological and suggests that the change from communal to individual tombs happened quickly. But it is the second result that has arguably greater implications. By examining a large sample of radiocarbon dates from human remains in southeast Iberia, they observed a peak in the number of buried dead during 2550-2400 BCE, followed by a sudden drop in 2300-2250 BCE. The authors interpret this data from a demographic perspective. "It is likely that the inhabitants of southeastern Iberia were already very few, around 4,300 or 4,200 years ago, just before the arrival of populations with new genetic components, labeled 'Steppe.' When individuals with Steppe ancestry were found in southeastern Iberia, around 2200-2000 BC, they simply mixed with small local groups or occupied uninhabited areas," says Rafael Mico, professor at the UAB and co-director of the Mediterranean Social Archaeoecology Research Group (ASOME-UAB), which carried out the study. Along with these results, the team also cites previous archaeogenetic studies that point to the absence of a "male bias" among peninsular groups with Steppe ancestry. "This allows us to propose a different historical scenario, which does not contemplate invading hordes of Steppe warriors who would have annihilated the local men and formed a male elite with exclusive access to local women," says Cristina Rihuete Herrada, also professor at the UAB and co-author of the study. A period of abrupt change, but with a progressive 'Steppe' genetic influence Around 4,200 years ago, between the Late Copper Age and the Early Bronze Age, major social disruptions occurred in Central and Western Europe. Archaeologists are still debating over their exact sources, and explanations range from drought to large-scale violent migrations or the spread of contagious diseases. "In recent years it has been argued that populations with what is known as 'Steppe ancestry' migrated westwards from the region around the Black Sea, aided by the horse and wheel as new technologies, and brutally raided Western Europe," explains Camila Oliart, UAB researcher and co-author of the study. "In the case of Iberia, it has been suggested that men arriving from the East had preferential access to women and discriminated or eliminated local males, in what is a very impactful 'invasionist' interpretation in the media, but perhaps also a too hasty one." In the study now published, the research team outlines a context that may have important implications for understanding the transition between the Chalcolithic and the Bronze Age in southern Iberia 4,200 years ago, and in the southeast in particular. Over the two centuries prior to this date, the social landscape may have been quite far from that of a thriving Copper Age. It was probably characterized by smaller settlements and low population density. From this perspective, the collapse of the Copper Age 4,200 years ago was not a rapid, massive and disruptive event affecting a densely populated and powerful society, but the culmination of two centuries of declining local dynamics. This new scenario does not involve the mass elimination of men or the subjugation of local women after an alleged conquest, as the study points out. "The inhabitants of southern Iberia were already few in number at the end of the Copper Age and mixed with groups of Steppe genetic ancestry without the need for a large-scale invasion. We should start to consider alternative explanations," suggests Miguel Valerio, UAB researcher and co-author of the study. "We cannot ignore the fact that violence was an ingredient of social life in the Copper Age, but so far nothing proves that its end was the consequence of a generalized conflict between genetically distinct populations." Still, the team emphasizes that more high-precision radiocarbon dating and genetic analysis on human samples from the latest Copper Age and the earliest Bronze Age (El Argar) burials are needed. "Such data is absolutely crucial to gain a better understanding of the nature, scale and pace of the changes taking place in the formation of Bronze Age societies," they concluded. During the study, some 450 radiocarbon dates corresponding to individuals buried in tombs from the Copper Age and Early Bronze Age in Almeria (La Atalaya, Las Churuletas, Los Millares, El Argar, El Barranquete, Fuente Alamo, Gatas, Llano del Jauton, Loma del Campo and Loma de Belmonte), Murcia (Camino del Molino), Granada (Cerro de la Virgen, Panoria), Jaen (Marroquies Bajos), Seville (Valencina de la Concepcion), and Evora (Perdigoes) were analyzed. More information: Rafael Mico et al, Tracing social disruptions over time using radiocarbon datasets: Copper and Early Bronze Ages in Southeast Iberia, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104692 Journal information: Journal of Archaeological Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A long-running effort by native tribes and environmentalists to establish the first new national marine sanctuary along California's coastline in 32 yearsthe aquatic version of a new national parkwhere offshore oil drilling would be prohibited forever, reached a key milestone on September 6. The Biden administration published the final environmental impact statement for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, selecting boundaries that will stretch along 116 miles of coast in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. The area, which includes popular spots like Pismo Beach and the Gaviota Coast, is home to humpback whales, sea otters, leatherback sea turtles, kelp forests, rocky reefs and more than 200 shipwrecks. Under the proposal, the new sanctuary will cover 4,543 square milesan area nearly four times the size of Yosemite National Parkand extend out to 60 miles offshore. The Biden administration said Friday that it plans to publish final rules in October, with the designation officially finished by the time President Joe Biden leaves office in January. Former President Donald Trump, during his time in office, attempted to allow new offshore oil drilling along California, Oregon and Washington. The plans never came to fruition, however, due to local and state opposition, including a law former Gov. Jerry Brown signed in 2018 banning the construction of new pipelines, terminals, and other oil drilling equipment in state waters out to three miles off the coast. The Chumash sanctuary will be the first national marine sanctuary in the nation proposed by a Native American tribe. The Northern Chumash Tribe, based in Los Osos, near Morro Bay, began advocating for the idea in 2015. "This is a huge moment for the Chumash People and all who have tirelessly supported our campaign over the years," said Violet Sage Walker, chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, on Friday. Walker, whose late father, tribal Chief Fred Collins, led the campaign until his death in 2021, noted that tribal members "will always be connected to past, present and future by this special stretch of coastline and the true magic its waters hold." Chumash and Salinan people have lived along the Central California coast for thousands of years. Under the proposed rules, tribes will be involved with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in managing the new sanctuary. As with most sanctuaries, offshore oil and gas drilling, along with undersea mining, will be prohibited. No new rules are proposed for commercial or recreational fishing. Nevertheless, many commercial fishermen in the area have opposed a new sanctuary. "We're worried about new regulations. What are we in for here?" said Tom Hafer, president of the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen's Organization. "There are already so many rules we have to abide by. This is another thing we have to worry about." Hafer fishes for black cod and spot prawns from his 43-foot boat, the "Kathryn H." He said there are about 35 other commercial fishermen in the Morro Bay area who catch salmon, rockfish, abalone Dungeness crab, all of whom already fall under strict state and federal regulations. "We are a little wary, a little scared," he said Friday. America has 15 national marine sanctuaries. They can be established by Congress or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under a law signed in 1972 by former President Richard Nixon. California has four: Monterey Bay, which stretches from the Golden Gate Bridge to Hearst Castle, Channel Islands off Southern California, Gulf of the Farallones off San Francisco, and Cordell Bank off Marin County. The last national marine sanctuary to be established in California was Monterey Bay, by George H.W. Bush in 1992, which ended years of political battles after former President Ronald Reagan proposed to allow offshore oil drilling off Big Sur, the San Mateo coast and other parts of Northern California. One of the main controversies in the Chumash sanctuary, which involved years of public hearings and more than 100,000 public comments, involved offshore wind farms. Originally, sanctuary supporters proposed that its boundaries abut the southern edge of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, near Hearst Castle. But Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom have supported the construction of floating offshore wind farms off Morro Bay and Humboldt County to provide clean energy. In selecting Friday's proposed alternative, NOAA left a gap around Morro Bay out of the new sanctuary to allow undersea cables to connect future offshore wind turbines to the state's electrical grid. Tribal leaders and environmental groups have suggested that once the wind farms are built, the sanctuary boundaries could be enlarged. On Friday, one of California's top environmental officials voiced support for that idea. "There is an interest in a second phase that could expand the sanctuary northward once cables are laid," said Wade Crowfoot, California's secretary of natural resources. "We need to cross that bridge when we come to it, but I support a focused discussion on how we can expand the boundaries." Crowfoot said the Newsom administration is very pleased that the sanctuary is at the finish line. "It's a huge deal," he said. "That part of the coast is really important environmentally. It's where the Southern Current meets the Northern Current. There is a remarkable ecological richness. Biologically, it's a really sensitive and important place, and culturally, it's also very, very important. This coast that will now be protected is fundamental to the Chumash people." 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Marine chemist Ken Buesseler works on a "clap-trap" mooring during the Vertical Transport In the Global Ocean (VERTIGO) project in 2004. As its name implies, this study looks at how materialsincluding excess carbon dioxideget from the surface to the deep ocean. Credit: Clodagh Curran, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution While the urgent reduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and other greenhouse gas emissions is needed as the primary activity to curb climate change, there is broad agreement for the need to remove CO 2 already in the atmosphere. Given its outsized role in CO 2 storage, the ocean can't be ignored for its potential for marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) to help improve our stressed climate system. Several of the world's leading scientific bodies, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, identified ocean iron fertilization (OIF) as an emerging climate solution, and more than 400 scientists signed onto a letter calling for expanded mCDR research. Governments around the world have invested tens of millions of dollars to advance ocean-climate solutions, signaling to the public sector, philanthropy, and academia the need to explore the role of the ocean in mitigating the effects of climate change. Now, an article published in the journal Frontiers in Climate, titled "Next steps for assessing ocean iron fertilization for marine carbon dioxide removal," spells out the work needed to assess the potential of OIF as a low cost, scalable, and rapidly deployable method of mCDR. According to an international experts group called "Exploring Ocean Iron Solutions" (ExOIS) that is organized around a responsible code of conduct, OIF needs to be studied to determine if it is an efficient, and environmentally and socially responsible method of mCDR. "This is the first time in over a decade that the marine scientific community has come together to endorse a specific research plan for ocean iron," said lead author, Ken Buesseler, Executive Director of the ExOIS program, and Senior Scientist in the Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). OIF is a technique to add tiny amounts of the micronutrient, iron, to the ocean's surface to promote the growth of marine plants, or phytoplankton. This growth removes CO 2 from the atmosphere, and as plankton die or are eaten, transfers some of that carbon as sinking particles for storage in the deep ocean. While large amounts of iron naturally enter the ocean, OIF is an effort to speed up that process. "Given the ocean's large capacity for carbon storagemore than 50 times larger than the atmosphere and 1520 times larger than all land-based plants and soilsenhancing the ocean's natural ability to store carbon should be considered," according to Paul Morris, Project Manager for the ExOIS program, which is an independent program hosted at WHOI. "Even if we could stop carbon emissions today, we would still need marine CDR because of all of the greenhouse gas CO 2 already in the atmosphere," said Buesseler. "Despite calls by the U.S. National Academy of Science for research on carbon dioxide removal (CDR)including marine CDRthere has been a significant gap in substantial open-ocean CDR research experiments in recent years, leaving the true efficacy and impacts of these methods largely uncertain," said Margaret Leinen, Director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She is not a co-author on the paper but has been involved in previous efforts to advance marine carbon dioxide removal studies. "It is essential to publish and openly discuss experiment frameworks like the one presented here. Peer review and open discussion of both the scientific and societal implications of this experiment are critical for advancing our understanding and application of CDR strategies." According to Brad Warren, CEO of Global Ocean Health, who is not a co-author on the paper, "We need a wide range of solutions if we're going to mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change in every community, and if ocean iron fertilization is going to be one such tool, it needs to be rigorously and independently studied and evaluated. "The team assembled by Ken Buesseler and colleagues for this project brings the credibility, curiosity, and integrity we need to see in this field. We cannot let ocean-climate solutions become carnival acts, and that's why I am pleased serious projects like ExOIS are aiming to lead this work." In a few key parts of the ocean, biological activity is limited by a lack of iron in seawater. Adding iron could, therefore, help spur the growth of phytoplankton and increase both the uptake of carbon dioxide by the ocean and the amount that gets sequestered at depth. Credit: Natalie Renier, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution To move forward with understanding the suitability, efficacy, and impacts of OIF, the researchers focus on five key activities: field studies in the northeast Pacific Ocean; regional, global, and field study modeling; testing various forms of iron and delivery methods, which have differing advantages and disadvantages; advancing monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) for carbon and eMRV (which focuses on examining ecological changes); and advancing social science and governance efforts to go hand in hand with the physical science efforts. The paper notes that field studies are needed to fill the knowledge gaps and target uncertainties as to whether OIF is sufficiently effective, scalable, and reproducible for mCDR. The authors said field experiments should be significantly larger and longer in duration as compared with previous OIF studies. Even at these larger pilot scales, no permanent changes are expected, as iron is rapidly and naturally depleted and mixed in the ocean. The amount of iron added during field experiments will be many thousands of times less than the amount of iron added naturally to the ocean, such as during volcanic eruptions. However, with an increase in scale comes the ability to better quantify CO 2 drawdown in the surface ocean, while also assessing the ecological and environmental consequences. Modeling is needed for experimental planning, for synthesizing field trial results, and for predicting and extrapolating results to regional and global scales, which will be required to evaluate carbon impacts, climate effects, and overall changes to the ocean carbon cycle and ecosystem. "We have learned in the past that conducting inexpensive and hence inconclusive field trials, or moving ahead without appropriate checks and oversight, will shut down progress as governments and the public pushback against the unknown risks of OIF and mCDR, while ignoring its potential," the article states. It is essential to involve public groups in discussions about whether OIF might be responsibly implemented. "It will be important to give particular attention to groups that have been historically excluded from decision-making on ocean spaces," Buesseler added. "This paper lays out ideas on how to study what coastal rights holders and communities think about OIF, and to make sure that their views and priorities actually shape what further explorations of OIF should look like," said journal article co-author Sara Nawaz, director of research at the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University, Washington, D.C. "The new design for conducting OIF experiments will integrate all the latest observational assets and produce insights from the field data, and that will advance our modeling capability to accurately assess the impact of OIF on carbon removal and ecosystem response," said journal article co-author Fei Chai, professor at Xiamen University, China. "Today, we have the opportunity and obligation to invest in the knowledge necessary to ensure that we can make scientifically and ethically sound decisions for the future of our planet. There is no path forward to solving the climate crisis that excludes the oceans for CDR, which along with emissions reduction will be necessary to reduce human suffering and environmental and ocean damage due to climate change," the article concludes. More information: Ken O. Buesseler et al, Next steps for assessing ocean iron fertilization for marine carbon dioxide removal, Frontiers in Climate (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fclim.2024.1430957 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A type of antelope known as topi and cattle graze side by side inside the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Credit: Bilal Butt Bilal Butt knows how it sounds. The associate professor of sustainability and development at the University of Michigan understands that arguing to let cattle graze in a national park offends the sensibilities. However, his team's research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and generations of knowledge from the Indigenous Maasai people of Kenya back it up. The Maasai's pastoral practices had almost no discernible positive or negative effect on the ecological well-being of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This is an important context for land that welcomes tourists while excluding Indigenous farmers, sometimes violently, said Butt, who works at U-M's School for Environment and Sustainability, or SEAS. He hopes his team's work will help reshape how people think about who gets to use land, for what, and where the beliefs that we use to answer those questions come from. "There's this idea that seeing cows in the 'wilderness' is unnatural," Butt said. "But what's more unnatural: the people on safari in their 4-wheel drive Land Cruisers or cows eating grass?" The Maasai Mara National Reserve was established to protect wildlife, yet it has seen populations shrink among its large, iconic herbivores, including zebras, impalas and elephants, over the last few decades. Researchers and conservationists identified the Maasai practice of grazing their cattle on the protected land as a driver of those declines. Butt, however, has questioned the contexts under which these claims are made. Throughout his education and training, he had seen how prevailing conservation theories and practices omitted the ancestral knowledge of people who had lived on the land long before the reserve was established in 1961. "The more I learned, the more I came to reject what I was hearing," Butt said. "The knowledge wasn't coming from the people who lived here. It was coming from the Global North with very little knowledge of how the Maasai raise livestock and interact with the environment." Butt and his team have been working to help assert this neglected knowledge's place in conservation science and policy. Too much of that has relied on interpreting experiments designed to approximate the real world at the expense of studying what was happening, he said. "People always say the livestock are bad, but where is this idea coming from? It's coming from research that doesn't accurately understand how Indigenous people and their livestock interact with the landscape," Butt said. "We wanted to do something that was based in their lived reality." For their latest publication, Butt and Wenjing Xu, who was a postdoctoral researcher at SEAS, focused on measuring and quantifying the impact of the Maasai's cattle grazing practices. To do that, they surveyed 60 sites on the reserve every month for 19 months, making observations about cattle, wildlife, vegetation and soil. They also used ecological and statistical models to thoroughly quantify the impact of grazing cattle on these ecological features. The work confirmed that cattle and large wild herbivores shared the same spaces, especially near the reserve's boundary. But the cattle's direct, measurable effect on the park's land and large herbivores was minimal. Of the 11 species Butt and Xu studied, only buffalo showed evidence of being displaced by cattle and that effect was small enough to be characterized as "negligible." Furthermore, although cattle perturbed soil quality and vegetation quantity, the effects were smaller than those from the natural activity of wild herbivores. "There's a rush to criticize local people and what they do as necessarily detrimental. But that's not the case," Butt said. "If you think about this holisticallyone that looks at the issue ecologically, historically and culturallyit's a very different message than the one we've been hearing. It's not about doom and gloom. It's about sustainability." More information: Xu, Wenjing et al, Rethinking livestock encroachment at a protected area boundary, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403655121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain For decades, licensed hunters have killed hundreds of Colorado mountain lions every year to control the state's population of the elusive feline. Voters in November will decide whether to ban the practice, along with the trapping of bobcats. That prospect has set off a deluge of competing claims about what will happen if big-cat hunting ceases. People supporting the ban say that mountain lion populations are self-regulating and will stabilize at a level supported by their available habitat and food resources. Those opposed to Initiative 91, meanwhile, say a hunting ban would induce a rapid increase in the number of big cats, which in turn would pose a significant threat to deer and elk herds. The truth is likely a mix of the two, according to studies and experts. But beyond biology, the statewide ballot measure is asking Coloradans to consider deeper questions about the future of Colorado's wildlife, both opponents and supporters said. State wildlife managers now set hunting limits on the number of mountain lions that can be killed while still maintaining a lion population, said Samantha Miller, the manager of the Cats Aren't Trophies campaign. The ballot initiative's proponents want wildlife managers to focus instead on how to foster the best and healthiest population possible for the intrinsic value of having the animal roam the landscape. "I think it's a fundamentally different question that we're asking," Miller said. Mountain lion hunters represent about 1% of the more than 200,000 big-game hunting licenses the state sells every year. But hunters opposed to the measure fear it's the first step in a slippery slope toward banning all hunting. "You start taking out pieces of the puzzle and soon you don't have a puzzle," said Dan Gates, executive director and co-founder of the Colorado Trappers and Predator Hunters Association. He's a leader in a number of groups opposing the ban, including Colorado Wildlife Deserves Better, Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project and Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management. Self-regulation or out-of-control growth? The number of mountain lions in Colorado is difficult to determine because of their elusive and solitary nature. Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists estimate between 3,800 and 4,400 adult lions live in the state and say the population has grown since the species was classified as a big game species in 1965. State biologists do not have an estimate for how many bobcats live in Colorado, but they believe the population is healthy and may be increasing in some areas. Neither mountain lions nor bobcats are listed as federally threatened or endangered species. An estimated 20,000 to 40,000 mountain lions live in the U.S., as do more than 1.4 million bobcats. "Both informal and recently collected empirical data suggest Colorado's lion population is strong and lions are abundant in appropriate habitat," states a Colorado Parks and Wildlife pamphlet on the species. In the 20222023 hunting seasonthe most recent for which CPW data is publicly available2,599 people bought mountain lion hunting licenses and hunters killed 502 lions, making for a 19% success rate. Those with opposing views of the ballot initiative posit different futures should mountain lion hunting be banned. But the truth is likely a mix of the two, said Jerry Apker, a retired CPW wildlife biologist who worked as the statewide carnivore biologist for 17 years before his 2017 retirement. Populations would likely spike in the first years after hunting ends before increased mortality rates temper that growth, Apker said. Eventually, mountain lion populations tend to reach a stasis and fluctuate based on what food and habitat is available. The felines have larger litters with higher survival rates when more resources are available, but in times of stress, they have smaller litters and more mortalities. A cessation in hunting would also likely increase human interactions and conflicts with lions, he said. The most hunted lions are typically subadults and young adultsthe same lions still working to establish home ranges. More young lions on the landscape means they will eventually be pushed to subprime habitats as well as more populated areas. There's no way of knowing how many mountain lions would live in Colorado should hunting stopthere's never been a statewide research study done on the question, Apker said. "I think the statements of doom and gloom that they're going to take over are a convenient argument, but that's not true," he said. Apker opposes the effort to ban mountain lion hunting, but he said other opponents' argument that the ban would decimate elk and deer herds is far-fetched. While predation might increase, the largest impacts to deer and elk populations would come from human alteration of the landscape. Less habitat, the degradation of existing habitat and brutal winters are significantly larger factors that determine population change. California comparison Colorado and other western states have enacted various levels of restrictions on mountain lion hunting. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission earlier this year ended the state's spring mountain lion season, instead restricting legal hunting to a single season that runs from November through March. The commission also banned hunters from using electronic recordings of other lions or distressed prey to lure mountain lions to an area. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in July voted in favor of stricter limits and shorter seasons for cougar hunting. It acted on a petition filed by a number of local and national conservation and animal rights groups. California voters in 1990 chose to ban mountain lion hunting in the state permanently, though hunting of the felines had not been permitted since 1972when then-Gov. Ronald Reagan signed a moratorium. California is the only state with a full ban on hunting pumas, and it officially states that its aim is to instead conserve the species "for their ecological and intrinsic values," according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. A study published in 2020 compared California's lion population with those in 10 western states where hunting is legal, including Colorado. The authors found that California had similar cougar population densities and similar average deer densities as the other states. California also had the third-lowest rate of cougar-human conflicts per capita, similar rates of cattle depredation and lower rates of sheep depredations. "In sum, our analysis of the records obtained from state and federal wildlife agencies found no evidence that sport hunting of pumas has produced the management outcomes sought by wildlife managers aside from providing a sport hunting opportunity," the authors wrote. Charges of 'ballot-box biology' Proponents of the hunting ban say it is a way to address unethical hunting methods, like the use of dogs, and whether hunting is necessary to manage lion populations. Opponents say it is another example of "ballot-box biology" that lets the majority make decisions often left to wildlife managers. Apker disagrees the initiative is "ballot-box biology"he doesn't think it's about biology at all. Instead, the question is a broader referendum on hunting as a whole, he said. "The bottom line is that there are people who think hunting is wrong," said Apker, who has voiced his opposition to the ballot measure publicly. Proponents of the ban say hunting for mountain lions is trophy hunting because hunters are allegedly seeking the thrill of the hunt as well as the skins and heads of lionsnot the meat. The ballot measure, if passed, would ban trophy hunting, defined as hunting "practiced primarily for the display of an animal's head, fur, or other body parts, rather than for utilization of the meat." Cougar hunters have said repeatedly that while they do often pose with their killjust like elk and deer huntersthey also eat the meat and are not hunting solely for a trophy. Colorado law requires that mountain lion meat be prepared for consumption by hunters. Gates, from the hunters association, has made steaks, tacos and burritos from lion meat. "Not only do people eat mountain lion, but they also cherish mountain lion," he said. But ballot initiative supporters express doubtMiller, for one, says there's no way to know whether meat is eaten. The campaign is not against hunting, she said, but opposes unethical hunting. "There are plenty of other species to hunt that aren't so problematic under hunting ethics," said Erik Molvar, executive director of Western Watersheds Project and a lifelong hunter, during a news conference last month in support of the ban. 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Herbarium specimens and community science observations differ in terms of how they are collected and what biodiversity data they record. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51899-1 Digitally cataloging the more than 300 million plant specimens preserved in museums worldwide could yield crucial insights into how to preserve biodiversity amid climate change, a study by McGill University researchers has found. Digitally cataloging, or digitizing, a herbarium specimen involves recording the species name and original location and uploading that record to a digital repository that is publicly accessible. The authors used trends in already-catalogued data to predict how digitizing Canada's 7.3 million undigitized plant specimens, housed in 88 herbaria across the country, could increase our understanding of plant biodiversity and ultimately inform conservation policy. "These sorts of georeferenced biodiversity observations are critical to informing conservation, as they provide detailed information on the geographic distribution of species across the country," said Isaac Eckert, Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biology and lead author of the study published in Nature Communications. "Our findings show digitizing our remaining specimens is likely an efficient and feasible method of gathering the critical biodiversity data we need to inform policy and action," said Eckert. The future of conservation As nations worldwide strive to meet their 2030 and 2050 conservation goals, the availability and quality of biodiversity data will be crucial to their success, the researchers said. The researchers also expressed hope their findings help make the case for increasing funding to herbaria, at a time when some active herbaria are threatened by a lack of funding, as seen with the recent closure of Duke University's herbarium. "We show that investing in herbaria, their collections, and the experts that curate them, is potentially one of the most effective ways to generate new biodiversity data," said Eckert, who is supervised by Laura Pollock, Assistant Professor in McGill's Department of Biology. The authors note that, alongside digitized herbarium specimens, community or citizen science observations such as those made though platforms like iNaturalist, can also provide valuable biodiversity data. However, their results show herbarium specimens are less prone to biases and more efficiently capture the diversity and distribution of Canadian plant species. More information: Isaac Eckert et al, Herbarium collections remain essential in the age of community science, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51899-1 Journal information: Nature Communications 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 Work led by University of Alaska Fairbanks and Georgia Institute of Technology researchers shows that the effort to improve Fairbanks' wintertime air quality by reducing the amount of primary sulfate in the atmosphere may not be as effective in the deep cold as intended. The research is published in Science Advances, with UAF doctoral student James Campbell as the lead author. The concern centers on a reduction in acidity, reflected in a higher pH, of fine atmospheric particles in Fairbanks' typically frigid winters, particularly around -40F. "We're worried that reducing the primary sulfate won't be enough for emission control, because more secondary sulfate would be formed because of the higher pH," Campbell said. Campbell is a graduate student in associate professor Jingqiu Mao's research group at the UAF Geophysical Institute and studied through the UAF College of Natural Science and Mathematics. Mao and Georgia Tech professor Rodney Weber oversaw the research. Other UAF co-authors include professor William Simpson and research assistant Meeta Cesler-Maloney. Additional co-authors are from Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan, University of New Hampshire and institutions in France, Switzerland and Greece. This collaboration has spanned several years and involved state-of-the-art thermodynamic tools used in the majority of the world's air quality models. Acidity of atmospheric fine particles is largely controlled by the relative fraction of ammonium and sulfate. Sulfate is highly acidic, while ammonium acts as the base to neutralize it. Campbell found that reducing primary sulfate makes atmospheric aerosol particles ammonium-dominated rather than sulfate-dominated. That change to ammonia-dominated particles raises the pH level of those particles. Prior studies have identified residential fuel oil as the main source of sulfate particles in Fairbanks air but did not specify whether it occurred by direct emission from residential heating as primary sulfate or by post-exhaust atmospheric chemical reactions as secondary sulfate. The state of Alaska required a switch to low-sulfur heating fuel in the portion of Fairbanks with bad air quality, defined as violating federal regulations regarding fine particulate matter, commonly referred to as PM 2.5 . Particles of 2.5 micrometers or fewer can cause respiratory illnesses and heart ailments. That higher pH from reducing primary sulfate and causing ammonium to be the dominant chemical of the two has a pair of consequences for Fairbanks wintertime air. First, it increases formation of secondary sulfate during extremely low temperatures. Such temperatures make particles less acidic, which favors chemical reactions that lead to formation of the secondary sulfate. Second, the higher pH increases the formation of hydroxymethanesulfonate, or HMS, which was discovered in Fairbanks winter air in 2019. Earlier research found that HMS accounts for a significant portion3% to 7%of the community's fine particulate pollution. Little is known about the direct health effect of HMS on humans. Most of the concern about the compound relates indirectly through its role in air quality and its potential to contribute to atmospheric particulate matter. Campbell wrote that the temperature effect on particle acidity is most obvious in extreme cold. The substantial HMS formation observed in Fairbanks winters during extreme cold periods "provides clear evidence of it," he noted. "This makes mitigation strategies a little more complicated, but hopefully this work will help reduce PM 2.5 pollution here in Fairbanks," Campbell said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has put Fairbanks in its "serious" category for air quality violations under the Clean Air Act and has threatened the state with sanctions. Campbell's work stems from the 2022 Alaskan Layered Pollution and Chemical Analysis project, or ALPACA. It is part of an international air quality effort called Pollution in the Arctic: Climate Environment and Societies. Nearly 50 U.S. and European scientists were in Fairbanks in January and February 2022 for the seven-week study of the chemical interactions that led to Fairbanks's air quality problem. More information: James R. Campbell et al, Enhanced aqueous formation and neutralization of fine atmospheric particles driven by extreme cold, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado4373 Journal information: Science Advances 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: Artist's impression of an electrically contacted optical antenna (left) and the quantum mechanical distribution of its surface electrons. The normal distribution is shown in yellow, while the change induced by an applied voltage is shown in red. Credit: Thorsten Feichtner / Universitat Wurzburg Today's computers reach their physical limits when it comes to speed. Semiconductor components usually operate at a maximum usable frequency of a few gigahertzwhich corresponds to several billion computing operations per second. As a result, modern systems rely on several chips to divide up the computing tasks because the speed of the individual chips cannot be increased any further. However, if light (photons) were used instead of electricity (electrons) in computer chips, they could be up to 1,000 times faster. Plasmonic resonators, also known as "antennas for light," are a promising way of achieving this leap in speed. These are nanometer-sized metal structures in which light and electrons interact. Depending on their geometry, they can interact with different light frequencies. "The challenge is that plasmonic resonators cannot yet be effectively modulated, as is the case with transistors in conventional electronics. This hinders the development of fast light-based switches," says Dr. Thorsten Feichtner, physicist at Julius-Maximilians-Universitat (JMU) Wurzburg in Bavaria, Germany. Charged optical antennas: Breaking new ground A JMU research team in collaboration with the Southern Denmark University (SDU) in Odense has now taken a significant step forward in the modulation of light antennas. It has succeeded in achieving electrically controlled modulation that points the way to ultra-fast active plasmonics and thus to significantly faster computer chips. The experiments have been published in the journal Science Advances. Instead of trying to change the entire resonator, the team focused on changing its surface properties. This breakthrough was achieved by electrically contacting a single resonator, a nanorod made of goldan idea that is conceptually simple, but could only be realized with the help of sophisticated nanofabrication based on helium ion beams and gold nanocrystals. This unique fabrication method has been established at the JMU Chair of Experimental Physics (Biophysics) under the direction of Professor Bert Hecht. Sophisticated measurement techniques with a lock-in amplifier were crucial for detecting the small but significant effects on the surface of the resonator. Study leader Dr. Feichtner explains, "The effect we are making use of is comparable to the principle of the Faraday cage. Just as the electrons in a car struck by lightning collect on the outside and the occupants inside are safe, additional electrons on the surface influence the optical properties of the resonators." Surprising quantum effects Until now, optical antennas could almost always be described classically: the electrons of the metal simply stop at the edge of the nanoparticle, like water at a harbor wall. However, the measurements taken by the Wurzburg scientists revealed changes in the resonance that can no longer be explained in classical terms: The electrons "smear" across the boundary between metal and air, resulting in a soft, graduated transition, similar to a sandy beach met by the sea. To explain these quantum effects, theorists at SDU Odense developed a semi-classical model. It incorporates the quantum properties into a surface parameter so that the calculations can be carried out using classical methods. "By perturbing the response functions of the surface, we combine classical and quantum effects, creating a unified framework that advances our understanding of surface effects," explains JMU physicist Luka Zurak, first author of the study. New field of research with great potential The new model can reproduce the experiments, but exactly which of the many quantum effects are involved at the metal surface is not clear at the moment. "But with this study, it is now possible for the first time to specifically design new antennas and exclude or amplify individual quantum effects," says Dr. Feichtner. In the long term, the researchers envisage even more applications: Smaller resonators promise optical modulators with high efficiency, which could be used technologically. In addition, the influence of surface electrons in catalytic processes can also be investigated with the system presented. This would provide new insights into energy conversion and energy storage technologies. More information: Luka Zurak et al, Modulation of surface response in a single plasmonic nanoresonator, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn5227 Journal information: Science Advances 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: Water-demanding Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) invading indigenous kanuka (Kunzea ericoides) shrubland along an irrigated boundary at Eyrewell Scientific Reserve. Credit: Gretchen Brownstein Native shrublands were once common across the Canterbury Plains, but over time, conversion of land to other uses, including irrigated pasture, has contributed to their gradual decline. Now, a new study by scientists at Manaaki WhenuaLandcare Research has found that spillover of nutrients and water from adjacent intensive agriculture is facilitating invasions by exotic plants into reserves set up to protect the last remnants of these native shrublands. Writing in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology, the scientists describe how nitrogen enrichment, likely from irrigated animal effluent, is detectable 10 m inside reserve boundary fences. Their study has observed increases in exotic herbs and grasses, along with declines in native species, up to 3040 m from irrigated boundaries. "These distances are significant as some of these reserves are only 100 m across, meaning that more than 60% of these reserves can be affected," says co-author Dr. Gretchen Brownstein. The researchers looked at changes in plant composition with increasing distances from irrigated and unirrigated reserve boundaries, and also monitored changes in soil nitrogen and its chemical forms to better understand the sources of nutrient spillover. Exotic plant species that specialize in disturbed habitats like roadsides were the primary invasive species, rather than pasture species. The reserves had a long history of low intensity agriculture prior to being gazetted as reserves, but still contained significant and diverse populations of native species back in the 1970s. Since then, the researchers found that they have lost more than half their endemic species while experiencing a surge in exotic species. Co-author Dr. Adrian Monks notes, "This loss of species is likely due to a combination of factors, including random extinctions that afflict small populations, lack of ecological connections to other fragments to allow replenishment of species, and competition with invasive plant species. Two separate fires spreading from a neighboring property have also destroyed around 70% of the shrubland in the 50 ha Medbury Scientific Reserve, the largest of these protected areas." The ongoing effects of more intensive land use adjacent to the reserves could be managed with better rules around buffers. "Irrigation and effluent buffers around these reserves would help to limit further degradation of these reserves," says Dr. Brownstein. However, the study highlights the larger problem of establishing representative reserves that are too small. "While it is too late to set aside larger blocks on the Canterbury plains, there are lessons in this for areas such as the Mackenzie Basin, which still have large areas of dryland indigenous vegetation that are at risk from irrigation, renewable energy schemes and wilding conifers," says Dr. Monks. "The Mackenzie Basin is at a similar level of intensive development to the Canterbury plains when the shrubland reserves were established more than 50 years ago. To maintain viable indigenous populations in that landscape will require protection of blocks in the hundreds of hectares to avoid past mistakes in reserve design made on the plains." More information: Gretchen Brownstein et al, Adjacent land-use intensification facilitates plant invasions into indigenous shrubland fragments, New Zealand Journal of Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.20417/nzjecol.48.3569 Provided by Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain For decades, gases from car exhaust and cow waste have drifted from Colorado's Front Range to harm plants, fish and wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park, and while a decades-long effort to slow the damage is working, it's not moving as quickly as environmentalists hoped. Nitrogen and ammonia, largely generated by heavy traffic along the Front Range and by agriculture in Larimer and Weld counties, are carried by air currents to the highest elevations of the treasured national park and deposited by rain and snow onto sensitive alpine tundra, where thin soil and delicate plants struggle to buffer the pollution. If the contamination worsens, wildflowers could disappear and algae could bloom in alpine lakes, changing the waters' look and endangering fish, scientists told The Denver Post. "This issue gets worse as you go up in elevation as the sensitivity gets higher," Jim Cheatham, an environmental protection specialist with the National Park Service's air resource division, said during a recent meeting with Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission. Over time, the excess nitrogenlargely from vehicle exhaustacts as a fertilizer to plants and changes the ecosystem, said Jill Baron, a research ecologist for the U.S. Geological Survey and senior research scientist at Colorado State University. "You're fertilizing Rocky Mountain National Park," Baron said. "But you don't really want to fertilize a national park." Baron, who has spent her career studying excess nitrogen's effect on the park, said she has seen the beginnings of algae growing in mountain lakes because they are getting nutrients from increased nitrogen in the air. "It's a change from pristine conditions," she said. "We are not at the bright green and stinky stage yet, but we are at the beginning." The point of creating national parks was to preserve pristine land across the United States, so scientists want to protect Rocky Mountain's natural beauty and prevent as much human-caused change as possible, Cheatham said. "The tundra is the primary resource the park was created to protect," he said. Over the years, state and federal air quality regulators have managed to reduce the amount of wet nitrogenhow the main pollutant is identified once it becomes trapped in rain or snowthat drifts into the park. But the amount of wet nitrogen falling in the park is 0.6 kilograms short of a 2022 goal of 2.2 kilograms per hectare per year, according to an Aug. 15 milestone report presented to the Air Quality Control Commission. Ammonia pollution exceeds nitrogen One component of wet nitrogennitrogen oxideshas been reduced since the project began nearly 20 years ago. However, ammoniawhich is also a form of nitrogenhas increased, according to the Rocky Mountain National Park Initiative's 2022 Nitrogen Deposition Milestone Report. In fact, ammonia is now a bigger pollutant in the park, exceeding nitrogen deposits since 2013. The push to clean the air in the Rocky Mountain National Park began in 2004 when the Environmental Defense Fund and Trout Unlimited petitioned the federal government for improvement. Over the years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have created plans to reduce air pollution that damages the park's ecosystem. This project is different than another effort to reduce the haze that is visible from Rocky Mountain National Park and other federally protected areas. That haze is created by severe ozone pollution in the region. And Rocky Mountain National Park isn't the only Colorado park impacted by the haze. Every five years, scientists from the National Park Service and the state health department present a report to the Air Quality Control Commission, which establishes rules to regulate air pollution in the state. The most recent report was presented in August, and the next one is due in 2029. The latest Rocky Mountain National Park Initiative report is open to public comment until Sept. 23. In between reports, scientists monitor the park's air quality and work with various partners, including the Colorado Livestock Association and Colorado Dairy Farmers, to figure out ways to reduce pollutants flowing into the park. The bulk of the nitrogen pollution comes from the nitrogen oxides produced by burning fossil fuels through driving gasoline-powered cars and trucks, as well as oil and gas production. Rocky Mountain suffers from the same severe ozone pollution seen in metro Denver and the northern Front Range, Cheatham said. So any attempts to improve air quality through emissions reductions in lower elevations will help the park. Scientists have recorded a 15% reduction in nitrogen pollution in the past five years, Cheatham said. However, ammonia pollution has increased, with the highest recorded levels occurring in 2021, according to the presentation given to the air commission. That pollution is generated by agriculture, primarily in Weld and Larimer counties. Cattle waste, particularly from feed lots, contains ammonia and fertilizer poured onto crops contains nitrogen. Overall, the number of beef cattle in the region increased between 2018 and 2022, which was the period studied, and the number of dairy cattle reached maximum capacity in 2021, according to the latest report. In the spring and fall when upslope weather patterns carry air from the south and southeast into the park, the ammonia from the cows is swept into the mountains, said Jeffrey Collett Jr., a CSU professor of atmospheric science. "All of these things get pushed up the slope of the mountains," Collett said. "As that happens, the air is expanding and cooling and you often form clouds, and that results in heavy precipitation." Agriculture in Larimer and Weld counties generates more than $2.5 billion annually for Colorado's economy, according to an Aug. 15 presentation by Bonnie Laws of the Colorado Livestock Association. Preserving 'icons of pristine national beauty' Beef producers and dairy farmers want to do their part in reducing emissions and protecting the national park, but it's a tricky balance, Laws said during her presentation. "Sometimes when you control air emissions you could end up creating a water quality problem or you could end up with practices that increase greenhouse gases," she said. Farmers and ranchers try to reduce pollutants by being more efficient with food or fertilizer that contains nitrogen. The more difficult challenge is finding ways to minimize it on the back end. One of the tools available is an early warning system for agricultural producers that notifies them when an upslope storm is in the forecast. The producers receive emails and text messages days ahead of the predicted storm so they can change how they manage their livestock. For example, a feedlot manager could hold off on cleaning big manure piles, which kicks up ammonia, or change their pen cleaning schedules until the storm passes, Collett said. Some are testing whether wetting a pen's surface ahead of a storm reduces the amount of pollutants lifted into the air. Others are looking at whether changing the nitrogen and protein in animal feed would make a difference. "There are people working on trying to test these different practices to find ways to reduce these ammonia emissions without impacting their ability to produce beef or milk or whatever their goal is in the operation," Collett said. Megan McCarthy, a senior air quality planner with the state health department, said the combined efforts are slowing the potential damage to the park and the various agencies and organizations involved are a one-of-a-kind effort in the country. Baron, the ecologist, said there are some things, such as large-scale global warming, that cannot be controlled by people in Colorado. But efforts to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions statewide not only help the park but also people who suffer from respiratory ailments. "Catching it early rather than waiting until it's a crisis has been very helpful," she said. "These parks are important to the American people as well as all over the world. The lakes themselves are icons of pristine national beauty. It's one of the few places on Earth where things are protected. "Those things are fixable if we have the social and political willpower to do so." 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Xinxin SuThe top five cities in the United States with the largest positive rainfall anomaly, based on satellite data. These cities will receive more rainfall than their surrounding rural areas. Credit: Xinxin Su The effect of urbanization on temperature is relatively well-known: cities are often measurably warmer than their surrounding rural areas. This is called the urban heat island effect. What fewer people know is that the urban heat island has a twin counterpart with similarly important consequences: the urban precipitation anomaly, where the presence of urban development measurably affects the amount of rainfall in an area. In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin looked for evidence of precipitation anomalies in 1,056 cities across the globe and found that more than 60% of those cities receive more precipitation than their surrounding rural areas. In some cases, the difference can be significant. For instance, researchers found that Houston, on average, will receive almost 5 inches more rain per year than its surrounding rural areas. This could have wide-ranging implications, the most serious of which is worsened flash flooding in densely built urban areas. Variation in urban rainfall is something scientists have known about for several decades, but never at a global scale. Previous studies only looked at certain cities and storm cases, said study author Xinxin Sui, a doctoral student at the Cockrell School of Engineering. For this paper, she and other researchers poured over precipitation datasets from satellites and radar systems, examining daily precipitation anomalies for these 1,056 cities from 2001 to 2020. "In general, we found that over 60% of these global cities have more rainfall (than the surrounding countryside). Then we compared with different climate zones and found that if the local climate is hotter, if it's wetter, then it may have a larger rainfall anomaly compared to the cities in cooler and dryer places," Sui said. In addition to Houston, the list of large cities with the largest precipitation anomalies include Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Lagos, Nigeria; and the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area. Study author Dev Niyogi, a professor at both the Jackson School of Geosciences and Cockrell School of Engineering, explained that urban areas tend to take rain from one location and concentrate it in another, much like a sponge that is being squeezed. From a study led by The University of Texas at Austin. The top 10 cities with the largest positive (blue) and negative (red) urban annual precipitation anomalies among the 100 largest cities in the world. The cities in blue will receive more rainfall than their surrounding rural areas, the cities in red will receive less. Credit: Xinxin Su, et al. "If you were to pinch one part of the sponge, you would have water coming down more forcefully from one side," he said. "The amount of water you have in the sponge is the same, but because now you have that dynamic sort of squeezing the atmosphere, you have more ability to take the water out from that location." Although it's less common, some urban areas actually receive less rainfall than their surrounding rural counterparts. This typically occurs in cities situated in valleys and lowlands, where precipitation patterns are controlled by nearby mountains. The cities where this is most pronounced include Seattle, Washington; Kyoto, Japan; and Jakarta, Indonesia. There are several reasons why most cities receive more rainfall than their rural neighbors. Co-author Liang Yang, professor at the Jackson School, said one key factor is the presence of tall buildings, which block or slow down wind speeds. This leads to a convergence of air toward the city center. "The buildings further enhance this convergence by slowing the winds, resulting in a stronger upward motion of air. This upward motion promotes the condensation of water vapor and cloud formation, which are critical conditions for producing rainfall and precipitation," Yang said. Researchers found that population has the largest correlation with urban precipitation anomalies compared to other environmental and urbanization factors. This is because larger populations typically create denser and taller urban areas, along with more greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore more pronounced heat, Niyogi said. This phenomenon has implications for all cities heading into a future of climate change, said Yang, who described how the increased chances of rainfall in cities combined with the impervious surfaces that make up their urban environments can be a recipe for flash flooding. "Combining these two factors means we must develop innovative ways to prepare for flash flooding," Yang said. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The surface of a Vanadium carbide MXene has been examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The beautiful structures are built by cobalt copper hydroxide molecules. Credit: B. Schmiedecke/HZB The MXene class of materials has many talents. An international team led by HZB chemist Michelle Browne has now demonstrated that MXenes, properly functionalized, are excellent catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction in electrolytic water splitting. They are more stable and efficient than the best metal oxide catalysts currently available. The team is now extensively characterizing these MXene catalysts for water splitting at the Berlin X-ray source BESSY II and Soleil Synchrotron in France. The findings are published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A. Green hydrogen is seen as one of the energy storage solutions of the future. The gas can be produced in a climate-neutral way using electricity from the sun or wind by electrolytic water splitting. While hydrogen molecules are produced at one electrode, oxygen molecules are formed at the other. This oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is one of the limiting factors in electrolysis. Special catalysts are needed to facilitate this reaction. Among the best candidates for OER catalysts arefor examplenickel oxides, which are inexpensive and widely available. However, they corrode quickly in the alkaline water of an electrolyzer and their conductivity also leaves much to be desired. This is currently preventing the development of low-cost, high-performance electrolyzers. MXenes as catalysts A new class of materials could offer an alternative: MXenes, layered materials made of metals, such as titanium or vanadium, combined with carbon and/or nitrogen. These MXenes have a huge internal surface area that can be put to fantastic use, whether for storing charges or as catalysts. Ph.D. student Bastian Schmiedecke chemically "functionalized" the MXenes by docking copper and cobalt hydroxides onto their surfaces. In preliminary tests, the catalysts produced in this way proved to be significantly more efficient than the pure metal oxide compounds. What's more, the catalysts showed no degradation and even improved efficiency in continuous operation. Measurements at BESSY II Measurements at the BESSY II X-ray source, with Namrata Sharma and Tristan Petit, showed why this works so well: "We were able to use the Maxymus beamline there to find out how the outer surfaces of the MXene samples differ from the inside," explains Schmiedecke. The researchers combined scanning electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray transmission microscopy (STXM) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) to gain further insights into the material. "We have been able to show that MXenes have great potential for use as catalysts in electrolyzers," says Michelle Browne. The collaboration with partner teams from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, and the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague will continue. In addition to further chemical variations of MXene catalysts, the team also plans to test such catalysts in conventional electrolyzers in continuous operation. More information: Bastian Schmiedecke et al, Enhancing the oxygen evolution reaction activity of CuCo based hydroxides with V2CTx MXene, Journal of Materials Chemistry A (2024). DOI: 10.1039/D4TA02700K Journal information: Journal of Materials Chemistry A 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: Greenpeace campaigner Leanne Tam collecting buffalo feces samples on Lantau Island to test for microplastics in the enviroment in Hong Kong. Microplastic particles turned up in the vast majority of waste samples taken from Hong Kong wildlife in a Greenpeace study, the group said Monday, suggesting that animals still ingest plastics even if they are not feeding in urban areas. The report was released ahead of November talks in South Korea, where governments will be looking to seal a potentially groundbreaking deal tackling the problem of plastic pollution. The scale of the issue is vastmicroplastics have been found in the deepest ocean trenches, on the highest mountain peaks, in the atmosphere, and even in breastmilk. Though best known as a city of skyscrapers, Hong Kong is also home to huge swathes of undeveloped countryside home to animals like buffalo, boars, wild cattle, macaques and porcupinesthe species included in the Greenpeace survey. The group, alongside researchers from local and Taiwanese universities, collected 100 feces samples from seven locations in 2022, and found 85 percent of them contained microplastics, Greenpeace said in a press release. "The findings of this study are important, proving that wild animals can ingest microplastics in the countryside, where it is away from urban areas and human activities," said researcher Christelle Not of the University of Hong Kong. Greenpeace campaigners collecting plastic waste near Pui O River in Hong Kong's Lantau island. "As an increasing number of studies find microplastics in various natural environments, wildlife, and even human bodies, plastic pollution has become a global issue that urgently needs to be addressed," she added, calling for "a strong global plastic treaty" help meet reduction targets. The most common types of microplastics detected in the Greenpeace study were polyethylene and polypropylene, commonly found in single-use packaging, takeaway containers and disposable utensils. During a recent AFP visit to Pui O River on Hong Kong's Lantau island with researchers, buffalo could be seen bathing in the stream a short distance from plastic garbage scattered along the banks. "If animals ingest microplastics from the environment, those could invade our ecological system tier by tier and affect human health," Greenpeace campaigner Leanne Tam told AFP. Microplastic particles turned up in the vast majority of waste samples taken from Hong Kong wildlife in a Greenpeace study. Hong Kong, a city of 7.5 million people, sends more than 2,300 tonnes of plastic waste to landfills every day, according to the government's 2022 waste report. Little is yet known about the specific impacts of microplastic particles on human health and the environment. Hong Kong, a city of 7.5 million people, sends more than 2,300 tonnes of plastic waste to landfills every day, according to the government's 2022 waste report. In April, the city enforced a ban on polystyrene utensils in restaurants for both dine-in customers and takeaway. But a full banwhich covers more plastic materials used by businesses"still lacks a clear timetable", Greenpeace said. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Close-up photo of magnetite-banded iron formation from South Africa. Credit: Jena Johnson, University of Michigan Every living organism uses tiny quantities of metals to carry out biological functions, including breathing, transcribing DNA, turning food into energy, or any number of essential life processes. Life has used metals in this way since single-celled organisms floated in Earth's earliest oceans. Nearly half of the enzymesproteins that carry out chemical reactions in cellswithin organisms require metals, many of which are transition metals named for the space they occupy in the periodic table. Now, a team of scientists from the University of Michigan, California Institute of Technology and University of California, Los Angeles, argue that iron was life's earliest, and sole, transition metal. Their study, titled "Iron: Life's primeval transition metal," is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "We make a radical proposal: Iron was life's original and only transition metal," said Jena Johnson, assistant professor in the U-M Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. "We argue that life only relied on metals that it could interact with, and the iron-rich early ocean would make other transition metals essentially invisible." To probe this idea, Johnson joined UCLA professor Joan Valentine and Caltech researcher Ted Present. A bioinorganic chemist, Valentine became interested in how the earliest life evolved from being microscopic to the proliferation of complicated organisms there are today. Specifically, she wondered what metals were incorporated into enzymes during early life so that organisms could carry out necessary life processes. Repeatedly, she heard other researchers say that for the first half of Earth's history, the oceans were full of iron. "You have to understand that in my field of biochemistry and bioinorganic chemistry, in medicine and in life, iron is a trace element. These are elements that are present only in small amounts," Valentine said. "When these guys told me that iron wasn't a trace element, that blew my mind." Johnson, whose group studies iron formations and early ocean biogeochemistry, and Ted Present were familiar with geologic evidence suggesting that early oceans were rich in ironspecifically, an ion of iron called Fe(II). Fe(II) can be readily dissolved in water and would have been the primary metal found in oceans during the Archean Eon, a geologic time period that began about 4 billion years ago and ended about 2.5 billion years ago. The end of the Archean Eon was marked by something called the Great Oxygenation Event. At this time, life evolved the ability to perform oxygen-producing photosynthesis. Over the next billion years, Earth's ocean transformed from an iron-rich, anoxic sea to today's oxygenated body of water, according to the researchers. This also oxidized Fe(II) into Fe(III), rendering it insoluble. While Johnson and Present said geologists knew of iron's ubiquity on Earth during this time, it wasn't until they began talking with Valentine that they realized how great an impact iron might have had on early life. Drill core of Archean iron formation from South Africa. Credit: Jena Johnson, University of Michigan To examine the potential impact, Present designed a model that updated predictions of the concentrations of certain metals, including iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc, that could have been available in Earth's oceans when life began. The group was able to estimate the maximum concentration and availability of these elements for earliest life, he said. "The thing that changed most dramatically as the Great Oxygenation Event occurred was not really the concentration of these other trace elements," Present said. "The thing that changed the most dramatically was a decrease in dissolved iron concentrations. The implications for what that meant for life and how it 'sees' elements in water hadn't really been wrestled with." Once the group had determined what metals were available in early oceans, they explored which metals that simple biomolecules would bind to in these iron-rich solutions. "We realized iron would have to do almost everything," Johnson said. "Biomolecules could capture magnesium and iron, but zinc's not getting inmaybe nickel can get into some biomolecules in the right circumstances, but zinc's not competitive. Cobalt is invisible. Manganese is pretty invisible. This order of magnitude difference in the concentration of iron in oceans had this really tangible effect on what biomolecules can 'see' and bind from the environment." To determine whether iron would work in metalloenzymes that currently rely on other metals, Valentine and Johnson dug into scientific literature to find out how life uses certain metals today. In each instance, they found examples of how iron or magnesium could be substituted instead. While a metalloenzyme might use a certain kind of metal, such as zinc, they found that doesn't mean it's the only metal the enzyme can use. "Zinc and iron is a really dramatic example because zinc is absolutely essential for life now," Valentine said. "The idea of life without zinc was really hard for me to think about until we dug into this and realized that as long as you have no oxygen around to oxidize your iron from Fe(II) to Fe(III), iron is often better than zinc in these enzymes." Present said that once iron oxidized and was no longer as biologically available as it was before the Great Oxygenation Event, life had to find other metals to plug into its enzymes. "Life, in the face of orders of magnitude more iron than other metals, couldn't know to evolve toward such a sophisticated way of managing them," Present said. "The fall of the abundance of iron forced life to manage these other metals to survive, but that also enabled new functions and the diversity of life we have today." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A 14-inch-long theropod track encrusted with marine life. Credit: Anthony Martin A discovery of dinosaur tracks on Australia's southern coastdating back to the Early Cretaceous when Australia was still connected to Antarcticaindicates that large theropod dinosaurs thrived in this polar environment, prowling the river floodplains when the ice thawed during the summers. The analyses of the tracks made in the Wonthaggi Formation south of Melbourne between 120 million and 128 million years ago are published in Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology. The find includes 18 theropod tracks and four tracks made by ornithopodssmall, herbivorous dinosaurs that may have been prey for the theropods. "These numerous tracks are the best evidence yet that these former polar environments supported large carnivores," says Anthony Martin, first author of the study and a professor in Emory University's Department of Environmental Sciences. "The large theropods would likely have fed on prey such as smaller dinosaurs, fish and turtles." Theropods, from the ancient Greek for "wild beast foot," are a dinosaur clade characterized by walking on two legs and feet with three clawed toes. They belong to the same evolutionary group as Allosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor. The largest track from the current find was 18.5 inches long. "The hip height of that theropod would have been about the same as the full height of a tall, modern-day humanor a bit more than six feet tall," Martin says. Martin is a geologist and paleontologist focused primarily on ichnologythe study of traces of life such as tracks, burrows, nests and tooth marks. Co-authors include Patricia Vickers-Rich, professor of paleontology at Monash University, and Thomas Rich, curator of vertebrate paleontology at Museums Victoria Research Institute. The couple have led a major effort since the 1970s to uncover fossils in the Australian state of Victoria. Melissa Lowery and Anthony Martin examine a track that she found. Credit: Ruth Schowalter The state's rocky coastal strata mark where the ancient supercontinent Gondwana began to break up around 100 million years ago, separating Australia from Antarctica. The polar environment at that time was a rift valley with braided rivers. Although the mean annual air temperature was higher during the Cretaceous than today, during the polar winters the ecosystems experienced deep freezing temperatures and months of darkness. The Wonthaggi Formation has yielded one of the best assemblages of polar dinosaur body fossils in the Southern Hemisphere, but most of these remains are small fragments of bones and teeth. These fragments may have been carried to the site where they were buried by torrential spring floods. "Our find of so many theropod tracks, however, confirms that a variety of dinosaurs actually lived and walked on the ground where their bones were found," Martin says. "Dinosaur tracks are actually much more common at the site than we previously realized." In 2007, Martin and his colleagues published the discovery of three theropod tracks in the Wongthaggi Formation. It took the dedication of co-author Melissa Loweryand the social disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemicto discover more. A volunteer fossil hunter for Monash University, Lowery is known as "the doyenne of dinosaur discovery" for her hundreds of finds. "Melissa had a lot more time to go prospecting during the height of the pandemic," Martin says. "While many of us were home watching reruns of 'Jurassic Park,' she was out finding dinosaur tracks. She has this incredible eye that allows her to pick out distinctive patterns from surrounding materials. I call it 'ichno-vision.' It's her superpower." The tracks she discovered for the current paper were likely made when the dinosaurs were walking on wet sand or mud in the floodplain. Gooey substances like mud can collapse into a fresh footprint, leading to messy fossil tracks that are missing a toe or other identifying mark, adding to the challenge of spotting them. "Another problem with identifying these tracks is that many of them are underwater twice in a 24-hour period when the tide comes in," Martin says. "All sorts of modern marine life, including algae, tube worms, barnacles and clams have encrusted onand partially erodedsome of the tracks." Of the 24 tracks reported in the paper, two are of uncertain origin and 18 are theropod tracks ranging in length from seven to 18.5 inches. They are distinguished by relatively thin toes tipped with sharp claws. Four tracks were made by ornithopodsthe first reported from the Wonthaggi Formationand range in size from four to seven inches. The word "ornithopod" is from the Greek for "bird feet," in reference to their three toes, which are thicker than those of theropods and capped with blunter claws. These early, bipedal herbivores grew to about three feet in length. Peter Swinkels, a taxidermist at Museums Victoria Research Institute, preserved the track specimens by going into the field to make moldings and casts. Martin conducted analyses at the field site in May 2022, after pandemic travel restrictions to Australia lifted. Doris Seegets-Villiers, a paleontologist at Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria, helped with data collection and mapping of the tracks in the field. John Broomfield, manager of media production at Museums Victoria, produced 3D digital images of the tracks to further help with data analyses. This ornithod track is 4.5 inches long. Credit: Anthony Martin The tracks are preserved in floodplain strata next to channel sandstones, Martin notes, which suggests they were likely made by dinosaurs traveling through the landscape after spring-thaw flooding, during polar summers. "Were the dinosaurs living in this environment during the winter? We don't know," Martin says. "It would have been frozen over and dinosaurs walking on ice don't leave tracks." The range in sizes of the tracks suggests a mix of juvenile and adult ornithopods and theropods. "That indicates that these dinosaurs may have nested and raised their young in the polar environment," Martin notes. The current paper follows on the heels of the authors' 2023 report of bird tracks from the Early Cretaceous found at the same sitethe oldest-known evidence for birds so far south. "We're continuing to discover more tracks in the area," Martin says. "The more we find, the clearer picture we hope to get of these ancient polar ecosystems." More information: Anthony J. Martin et al, Polar dinosaur tracks of the Wonthaggi Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Victoria, Australia and their palaeontological significance, Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology (2024). DOI: 10.1080/03115518.2024.2392498 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: Snapshot of the current scenario of small-scale fisheries in the Pantanal wetland, Brazil. Credit: Fish and Fisheries (2024). DOI: 10.1111/faf.12856 A new law aimed at the protection of migratory fish in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands will harm thousands of local and Indigenous fishers, and puts the environment at greater risk from infrastructure development, finds a new study by a UCL researcher and collaborators in Brazil. The comment piece, published in Fish and Fisheries and based on a review of his past research, highlighted that the recent legislation effectively outlawed nearly half of all commercial fishing in the northern Pantanal and could economically displace local fishers, opening up the region for industrial activities that will have far worse effects on the region's ecosystems. The new law was passed by the Mato Grosso state in Brazil in March 2024, without consultation with local fishers or evidence of depleted fish stocks. The legislation forbids the transport, storage, and sale of five long-distance migratory fish species for five years in the region. These species account for 44% of all small-scale commercial fish catch in the region, which about one third of the residents of the region rely on for their livelihood. Though the state government framed the bill as an environmental protection measure, researchers say that current fishing patterns haven't been shown to be a significant detriment to the ecosystem. The new legislation forbidding fishing in the Pantanal was proposed shortly after the Brazilian National Agency of Waters and Basic Sanitation blocked more than 50 newly proposed hydroelectric dams along rivers that feed into the Pantanal. The agency stated that they blocked the dams because of concerns that they would disrupt fish migration and consequently the livelihoods of local fishers. However, the researchers warn that this new legislation would similarly disrupt the livelihoods of the region's fishers, many of whom would have to leave or find other work, reducing the number of fishers in the region and thus clearing the path for the development of future dams. The Pantanal is among the largest floodplains in the world, covering an area bigger than England. It is mostly located in Brazil, but also encompasses parts of Bolivia and Paraguay. Every year when it floods, vast portions of it transform into an expansive tropical wetland where numerous species of migratory fish travel to spawn. Senior author, Dr. Rafael Chiaravalloti (UCL Anthropology), said, "The Pantanal is a unique region, home to a delicate balance between ecosystems and local and Indigenous fishers. This new legislation, passed without their input or participation, threatens their economic well-being and runs counter to international sustainability and labor principles." Presently, there are about 8,000 people registered as commercial fishers in the Pantanal, capturing more than 5,000 metric tons of fish and generating more than 9 million annually. In addition, thousands more local and Indigenous residents rely on the fish for subsistence, most of whom will be impacted by this legislation. Though scientific monitoring of the region's fish stocks has been sporadic, both local and regional studies found negligible impacts on fish populations since opening up to commercial and recreational fishing in the 1970s. Dr. Chiaravalloti said, "The greatest threat to the Pantanal ecosystem is not the local and Indigenous small-scale fishers living there, it's the proposed large-scale dams and infrastructure projects. If the residents there lose their livelihoods and get economically displaced, it opens the doors for industry that can truly devastate the region." The reason that fish stocks haven't been affected is because the local and Indigenous fishers' customary practices are based on rotational use of the area, which shifts between areas that are open for fishing at any one time, leaving other areas to let their stocks recover. This helps prevent overfishing to ensure sustainability and local well-being. The new legislation disregards standards established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which are designed to protect both the environment and the labor rights of local and Indigenous fishers. The researchers further urge that local and Indigenous people be involved in future decision-making, and better respect for tenure and property rights of the people living there. They also warn that without proper, evidence-based intervention, other environmental issues similarly threaten the Pantanal, including pollution, invasive species, and climate change. More information: Adriana Maria Espinoza Fernando et al, The economic displacement of thousands of fishers in the Pantanal, Brazil: A telling story of smallscale fisheries marginalization worldwide, Fish and Fisheries (2024). DOI: 10.1111/faf.12856 Journal information: Fish and Fisheries 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: Venus imaged by the Magellan spacecraft. Credit: NASA/JPL NASA's Parker Solar Probe executed a short maneuver on Aug. 26 that kept the spacecraft on course for the mission's seventh and final planned Venus flyby on Nov. 6. Operating on preprogrammed commands, Parker fired its small directional thrusters for about 17 seconds, changing its velocity by less than a mile per hour, and setting its trajectory some 386 miles (593 kilometers) closer to a targeted approach point about 240 miles (380 kilometers) above the Venusian surface. The mission operations team at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, where Parker was designed and built, monitored the activity through NASA's Deep Space Network antenna station in Goldstone, California. Yanping Guo, Parker Solar Probe mission design and navigation manager at APL, said precise positioning and timing are critical to the Venus flybys, in which Parker uses the planet's gravity to tighten its orbit around the sun. The upcoming flyby will be closer to Venus than the previous six gravity assists, and the final piece of a mission design that will swing Parker to within just 3.8 million miles of the sun's surfacethe closest the spacecraft will come to our star. During Parker Solar Probes fourth flyby of Venus, the spacecrafts WISPR instrument captured these images, strung into a video, showing the nightside surface of the planet. Credit: NASA/APL/NRL "Venus 7 is the critical gravity assist for Parker Solar Probe to eventually achieve its minimum solar distance," Guo said, adding that the team will likely conduct an additional, smaller maneuver in late October or early Novemberafter the mission's Sept. 30 solar encounterto shore up the spacecraft's path to Venus. After flying by Venus, Parker will make the first of at least three planned passes at that unprecedented distancewhile whizzing past the sun at a record 430,000 miles per houron Dec. 24, 2024. Parker Solar Probe is currently in its 21st orbit, about to begin a science encounter that culminates on Sept. 30, 2024, with a close approach (known as perihelion) of about 4.51 million miles (7.26 million kilometers) from the solar surface. More information: Follow the spacecraft's journey through the inner solar system on APL's Parker Solar Probe website. Provided by NASA 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: Development of honeybees in the laboratory. The larvae received pesticides in their food from the fourth to the ninth day. After the ninth day, the larvae in the bee colony would normally be capped for their pupation; in the laboratory, they were transferred to a new plate. The different stages of development from egg (day 13) to round larva (day 49), stretched larva (day 1012) and pupa (day 1320) to the hatched adult bee (day 21) are clearly visible. Credit: Sarah Manzer / Universitat Wurzburg Honeybees are social insects. Their colony only survives as a community, and healthy new generations are very important. It is therefore not surprising that honeybees invest significant care and resources into their offspring: nurse bees feed the young larvae with a food juice made from nectar and pollen which they produce in a gland in their head. However, pollen, in particular, can contain residues of various insecticides and other pesticides. It is therefore very likely that bee larvae are exposed to a complex mixture of chemicals. What impact do insecticides authorized in the EU have on the development of honeybees, on their own and in combination with fungicides, especially in concentrations found in the environment? Researchers from the Biocenter of Julius-Maximilians-Universitat (JMU) Wurzburg in Bavaria, Germany, have investigated this question. Their findings have been published in the journal Environmental Pollution. The effects of pesticide combinations at low environmentally relevant doses have otherwise been rarely investigated. "As our study shows, this is urgently needed because the agents can interact and reinforce each other's effects," explains Ph.D. student Sarah Manzer, first author of the study. It is also possible that interactions occur at low concentrations only and not at high concentrations, and vice versa. "There are large knowledge gaps which we have now been able to reduce with another piece of the puzzle," says the JMU researcher. The experiments: Feeding the bee larvae The researchers reared honeybees in the laboratory and mixed various pesticides into their foodin concentrations that occur in the environment and in 10 times higher doses. The JMU team fed the honeybee larvae with the last neonicotinoid still authorized in the EU, acetamipridan insecticide used against the oilseed rape beetle and other sucking insects. All other neonicotinoids, which have been previously used, are now banned because they proved to be harmful to bees. The researchers also fed a mixture of the fungicides boscalid and dimoxystrobin to the honeybee larvae as well as a combination of the neonicotinoid and the two fungicides. The higher concentration of the neonicotinoid alone led to a significantly higher mortality of the larvae: 90.4% survived in the control group and only 79.8% in the neonicotinoid group. Manzer was also able to determine negative long-term effects: Adult honeybees that had ingested the neonicotinoid as larvae died significantly earlier than the bees in the control group. They reached a median age of 26 days, compared to 31 days for the control honeybees. In the environmentally relevant concentration, however, the neonicotinoid had no effect on survival rates. If the larval food contained the two fungicides only, no effect on the mortality of the insects was detected. However, the bees were lighter after hatching from the pupal stage than those in the control group. Further research will have to show whether this is relevant for their further development and behavior. Neonicotinoid shows complex mixed toxicity with fungicides The researchers were surprised when they fed the larvae with mixtures of the chemicals. The lower neonicotinoid dosage in combination with the fungicides led to a significantly increased mortality of the adult bees, with a median age of 27 days compared to the age of 31 days for the bees in the control group. The otherwise harmless amount of neonicotinoid thus becomes dangerous in combination with the fungicides. "This is an alarming finding, as honeybees come into contact with many different pesticides due to their large flight radius," says Manzer. And another unexpected effect occurred after feeding with the mixture: The higher neonicotinoid dosagewhich had harmful effects on its ownshowed no effect on bee mortality when combined with the fungicides. Solitary wild bees may be more affected The combined effects found by the researchers could have an impact on the entire bee colony as their next generation could be harmed. In addition, solitary wild bees could be particularly affected due to the more direct pesticide effects, whereas honeybees in their large colonies could buffer the effects of pesticides to a certain extent. According to the Wurzburg scientists, further experiments are crucial to gain an even better understanding of the effects of pesticide mixtures. More information: Sarah Manzer et al, The neonicotinoid acetamiprid reduces larval and adult survival in honeybees (Apis mellifera) and interacts with a fungicide mixture, Environmental Pollution (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124643 Journal information: Environmental Pollution 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: Irrigation district service area, rate zones, and wells. The service area of the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency is divided into two different rate zones. The shaded area delineates the Delivered Water Zone, where users began facing a higher water price in 2011. Each dot represents a groundwater well. The dashed line marks county boundaries; the service area is split between Santa Cruz County in the north and Monterey County in the south. Credit: Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (2023). DOI: 10.1086/728988 Many parts of the world are experiencing severe drought, and with climate change, many of the planet's most productive agricultural regions will suffer from increased water scarcity. Agricultural water pricing may be a critical instrument to managing increasingly scarce resources. Thus, understanding agricultural firms' response to pricing is crucial to deploying prices to regulate water use. The authors of a paper published in the Journal Association of Environmental and Resource Economists quantify the dynamic impacts of pricing groundwater extraction by leveraging a large shift from a single price for groundwater pumping to two geographically distinct prices and estimating how farmers respond each year following the price increase. In "The Dynamic Impacts of Pricing Groundwater," authors Ellen M. Bruno, Katrina K. Jessoe, and W. Michael Hanemann exploit a price shift incurred by a subset of firms that persisted over several years to evaluate how the magnitude of firm response to prices evolves. The research design exploits a legal ruling that exposed some farms in the Pajaro Valley, a productive agricultural area in California, to a large and enduring water price increase. This policy change lends itself to an event study framework to evaluate the water use response in each of the five years following the ruling in a setting characterized by incomplete markets and dwindling supplies. The authors find that average treatment effects obscure important dynamics in firm price response. On average, the 21% price increase reduced groundwater extraction by 22% following the price split. Over time, however, firms become increasingly responsive to prices, with the implied price elasticity doubling between the first and fifth year after the price change. "Our groundwater results stand in contrast to the convention in the literature that water demand is inelastic," the authors write. "Over longer time intervals, agricultural groundwater demand is relatively price elastic as farmers adjust through margins that may simply be unavailable in the short run." The authors note that the work underscores the limitations of using short-run estimates in the design and evaluation of long-run policies. Ultimately, they write, the "difference in price sensitivity over time may be particularly acute in the agricultural water setting given that the available margins of response to farmers within a yearless irrigation all else equaldiffers substantially from the margins available over a multiyear horizonland use decisions." More information: Ellen M. Bruno et al, The Dynamic Impacts of Pricing Groundwater, Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (2023). DOI: 10.1086/728988 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: Equipment used in the Zel'dovich experiment. Credit: University of Southampton Physicists at the University of Southampton have tested and proven a 50-year-old theory for the first time using electro-magnetic waves. They have shown that the energy of waves can be increased by bouncing "twisted waves"those with angular momentumoff of an object which is rotating in a specific way. This is known as the "Zel'dovich effect," named after Soviet physicist Yakov Zel'dovich who developed a theory based on this idea in the 1970s. Until now, it was believed to be unobservable with electromagnetic fields. "The Zel'dovich effect works on the principle that waves with angular momentum, that would usually be absorbed by an object, actually become amplified by that object instead, if it is rotating at a fast enough angular velocity. In this case, the object is an aluminum cylinder and it must rotate faster than the frequency of the incoming radiation," explains Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, Dr. Marion Cromb. "Colleagues and I successfully tested this theory in sound waves a few years ago, but until this most recent experiment it hadn't been proven with electromagnetic waves. Using relatively simple equipmenta resonant circuit interacting with a spinning metal cylinderand by creating the specific conditions required, we have now been able to do this." The scientists' findings are published in the journal Nature Communications . The Zel'dovich effect is difficult to observe, but has links to a well-known phenomenon called the Doppler effect which we all experience around us every day. Imagine you are standing on a busy road and a police car races towards you with its siren going. From your perspective, as it approaches, the siren sounds higher pitched than when it has passed. This is because the sound waves in front of the car coming towards you are compressed at a high frequencyhence a higher pitch. Behind the car, as it moves away, they are more spread out at a lower frequencyresulting in a lower pitch. This is the Doppler effect. This can also be applied to light waves. In fact, astronomers use it to understand whether a planetary body is moving toward, or away from the Earth, according to the frequency of the light waves seen from their point of observation. A similar "rotational Doppler" frequency shift happens for twisted waves and relative rotation. In the Zel'dovich effect, the metal cylinder needs to rotate fast enough that from its perspective it "sees" a "twisted wave "shift in angular frequency, so much that it actually goes to a negative frequency. This changes the way the wave interacts with the cylinder. Usually the metal would absorb the wave, but when the wave frequency "goes negative," the wave is in fact amplifiedreflecting off the cylinder with more energy than when it approached. "The condition for amplification is from the rotating perspective of the object," explains Marion Cromb. "Twisting electromagnetic fields hitting it have become rotationally Doppler shifted, so much (or so low) that they've gone through zero and into a 'negative' angular frequency. Negative frequency then means negative absorption, and this means amplification." The scientists say that proving the Zel'dovich effect in different physical systems, both acoustics and now electromagnetic circuits, suggests that it is quite fundamental in nature. Electromagnetic tests also pave the way to observing the effect on a quantum level, where the waves could be generated by the cylinder amplifying the quantum vacuum. Professor Hendrik Ulbricht of the University of Southampton, supervisor on the project, said, "I am very pleased that we now have experimental proof of the electromagnetic Zel'dovich effect. In electromagnetic settings, it will be more straight forward to go for the next big challenge, which is the quantum version of the effect." "Our setup is comparably simple and it was my joy at work during COVID to set up this experiment and take the first data. To see the results out now is very rewarding and I am grateful to the fantastic team involved." The researchers also say their findings may be useful for electrical engineers in exploring improvements to induction generators, such as those used in wind turbines. More information: M. C. Braidotti et al, Amplification of electromagnetic fields by a rotating body, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49689-w Journal information: Nature Communications This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A village inside the core of Sariska tiger reserve. Credit: Ghazala Shahabuddin British colonialism turned India's tigers into trophies. Between 1860 and 1950, more than 65,000 were shot for their skins. The fortunes of the Bengal tiger, one of Earth's biggest species of big cat, did not markedly improve post-independence. The hunting of tigersand the animals they eat, like deer and wild pigscontinued, while large tracts of their forest habitat became farmland. India established Project Tiger in 1972 when there were fewer than 2,000 tigers remaining; it is now one of the world's longest-running conservation programs. The project aimed to protect and increase tiger numbers by creating reserves from existing protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Part of that process has involved forcing people to relocate. In protected areas globally, nature conservationists can find themselves at odds with the needs of local communities. Some scientists have argued that, in order for them to thrive, tigers need forests that are completely free of people who might otherwise graze livestock or collect firewood. In a few documented cases, the tiger population has indeed recovered once people were removed from tiger reserves. But in pitting people against wildlife, relocations foster bigger problems that do not serve the long-term interests of conservation. India's relocation policy Under Project Tiger, 27 tiger reserves were established by 2005, each spanning somewhere between 500 and 2,500 square kilometers. Tiger reserves have a core in which people are prevented from grazing livestock, hunting wildlife and collecting wood, leaves and flowers. A buffer zone encircles this. Here, such activities are allowed, but regulated. About 3,000 families were relocated from these core zones in the first three decades of the project, and from 2005 until 2023, about 22,000 families were moved. Most relocations were involuntary and some plunged those ousted into deeper poverty. In Sariska tiger reserve in Rajasthan, northwestern India, the first relocation was made during 1976-77. Some of the families returned to the reserve after being given land unsuitable for farming as compensation. This was a poor advertisement for relocation which few other communities opted for voluntarily. After they were moved from Rajaji tiger reserve in 2012, Gujjar pastoralists who make their living grazing buffalo were prompted to take up farming on new land. With little experience in agriculture, and having been denied their traditional source of income, many struggled to adjust. The Gujjar did at least gain access to water pumps and electricity. In one case, in the Bhadra tiger reserve in Karnataka, southwestern India, relocation was less painful as people were offered quality agricultural land who already had prior farming experience. Residents in tiger reserves depend on fodder, fuel and other forest produce. Credit: Ghazala Shahabuddin Most people who lost their right to graze livestock or collect forest produce in newly established tiger reserves went on to labor in tea and coffee plantations or factories. Despite widespread relocations, the tiger population in India continued to plummet, reaching an all-time low of fewer than 1,500 in 2006. Tigers became extinct in Sariska and Panna tiger reserves in 2004 and 2007 respectively. Local extinction in Sariska prompted the government to enlist the help of tiger biologists and social scientists in 2005. This task force found that illegal hunting of tigers was still happening, their claws, teeth, bones and skin harvested for use in Chinese medicine. Mining and grazing had also continued within many reserves. Corridors of power The tiger task force acknowledged that having the local community onside helped prevent illegal hunting and forest fires. The Soliga tribes of Biligiri Rangananthaswamy temple tiger reserve in Karnataka decided not to relocate when offered compensation, but instead took up work rooting out invasive plants like lantana and curbing illegal hunting and timber felling. The Soliga are among the very few communities who have been rewarded with rights in tiger reserves. Similarly, in Parambikulam tiger reserve in Kerala, a state on India's tropical Malabar coast, communities that were not relocated found work as tour guides and forest guards. People here have supplemented their income by collecting and selling honey, wild gooseberry and medicinal spices, under the joint supervision of the community and forest department officials. Many families have been able to give up cattle rearing as a result, reducing grazing pressure on the forest. Despite these successes, the government's policy of relocation remains. Tiger numbers have recovered to more than 3,000 as of 2022, but Project Tiger shows that relocation alone cannot conserve tigers indefinitely. A great opportunity awaits. Over 38 million hectares of forest, suitable tiger habitat, lies outside tiger reserves. Declaring these forests "corridors" that allow tigers to move between reserves could reduce the risk of inbreeding and local extinction and reinforce the recovery of India's tigers. Studies in certain tiger reserves show that large numbers of villagers would support further relocations if it meant gaining access to drinking water, schools, health care and jobs in resettlement sites. A portion of the US$30 million (22.7 million) spent annually by Project Tiger should be used to make relocations fair. Or better yet, promote the kind of community-based conservation nurtured in the Biligiri Ranganathaswamy temple and Parambikulam tiger reserves. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A key potential witness in the racketeering case against George E. Norcross III has sued him, less than three months after a state grand jury accused the New Jersey power broker of using threats and intimidation to secure the rights to lucrative waterfront property in Camden. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by Philadelphia developer Carl Dranoff in Camden County Superior Court, includes many of the same allegations in the criminal indictment New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin unveiled in June. It also mirrors accusations Dranoff previously lodged against Norcross in a separate 2018 civil suit against the City of Camden, which ended in a settlement last year. Dranoff maintains Norcross used his influence over local government to scuttle a 2018 deal Dranoff had arranged to sell a luxury apartment complex known as the Victor Lofts he had developed on the waterfront. The complaint, which also names Norcross brother Philip as a defendant, asks the court to award Dranoff more than $50 million in damages on claims including civil conspiracy, tortious interference, and racketeering. Dranoff faced illegal and extortionate pressure tactics from the [Norcrosses] criminal enterprise for years, the suit says. G[eorge] Norcross and his associates delivered on those threats, leveraging the power of the government of Camden ... to interfere with a deal that was all but final, resulting in tens of millions of dollars of lost profits. Representatives for the Norcross brothers shot back Friday. Kevin Marino, lawyer for Philip Norcross, dismissed the suit as a transparent attempt to monetize the baseless allegations in the AGs indictment. Dan Fee, a spokesperson for George Norcross, said it was Dranoff not the Norcrosses who had defrauded the citizens of Camden. Mr. Norcross agrees with what Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen said when [that earlier 2018 civil] case was settled, he said in a statement. Mr. Dranoff masqueraded around [Camden] as a do-gooder pretending to be part of our revitalization efforts, when in fact, he was lining his own pockets and depriving the city of badly needed funds. The lawsuit comes as lawyers in Norcross criminal case are set to return to a Trenton courthouse next week to hash out a schedule for bringing that matter to trial. Though prosecutors have not yet said whether they intend to call Dranoff as a witness, the civil suit could complicate any testimony he might give. Norcross lawyers are likely to use the lawsuit filed this week to attack Dranoffs credibility and argue he now has a financial interest in their client being convicted a strategy Fee nodded toward in his statement Friday. Dranoffs out-of-state lawyers may not know all the facts about what [he] did to Camden, Fee said. But the record is clear, and Mr. Norcross looks forward to detailing it publicly for the first time while Mr. Dranoff sits in the witness stand. Dranoff first invested in Camden in the early 2000s, when he agreed to redevelop a blighted former manufacturing facility that had been sitting vacant for years into the citys first new market-rate housing in decades a building that would become the Victor Lofts. To incentivize what was otherwise considered a risky investment, the city allowed Dranoff to make annual payments in lieu of property taxes, plus any excess net profits realized from the project. Property values change over time, so the set payments were seen as more predictable and business-friendly. Dranoff at the time also obtained the rights to develop another vacant property nearby known as Radio Lofts. In early 2018, Dranoff reached an agreement to sell the building to Denver-based real estate investment firm Aimco for $71 million, but to do so, he needed the city to transfer his tax agreement to the new buyer. But that spring, Philip Norcross a lawyer who regularly met with city officials in stakeholder meetings urged the officials to make sure the transfer approval was slowed down, according to the indictment and Dranoffs lawsuit this week. Trucking magnate and George Norcross codefendant pleads not guilty Sidney R. Brown, making his first court appearance since the charges were announced in June, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of racketeering conspiracy, extortion, and related counts during his arraignment in Mercer County Superior Court. The city has said that as officials reviewed the transfer request, they discovered Dranoff had failed to provide years worth of financial documents required by law. Ultimately, Camden officials didnt approve the transfer, prompting Aimco to drop out of the deal. And the city sent Dranoff a letter purporting to terminate his option to develop the separate Radio Lofts property. Dranoff sued the city, saying it didnt have a legal right to do that. The city countersued, saying it had discovered that Dranoff had failed to pay millions of dollars in excess net profits. The judge overseeing the matter noted at one point, that if proven, Camdens claims against Dranoff would potentially amount to a fraud upon the municipality and its residents. But before it got that far, the parties agreed to a settlement last September after five years of litigation that cemented Dranoffs preferred understanding of the financial agreement governing how much he owes the city from the Victor buildings profits going forward. But he agreed to pay the city $3 million plus additional tax payments of $150,000 over the next two years. He also relinquished to Camden his rights to Radio Lofts and an adjacent parking lot property the city valued at more than $4 million. In their indictment last month, prosecutors alleged Dranoff gave in despite believing he was in the right because of the considerable cost of litigation and concerns that the corruption he says he experienced in Camden would interfere with his lawsuit getting a fair hearing in court. In his new lawsuit this week, Dranoffs lawyers said he maintains he was swindled and extorted despite that settlement agreement and that the indictment makes plain that Dranoff has always been correct in this belief. Dranoff, they added, stands as a cautionary tale to all those who would seek to take on entrenched corrupt interests to improve the region and its residents lives. Journalists from around the world will share their experiences and challenges they've faced at the Stanley Center for Peace and Security later this month. The center, 304 Iowa Ave., Muscatine, is hosting World Press Perspectives 2024: A Conversation with Visiting Journalists at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 24. This event is part of the World Press Institutes (WPI) annual programming, with the goal of bringing together professional journalists from around the world each year to experience firsthand how freedom of the press in the United States aims to uphold the transparency and accountability of government institutions, business enterprises, organizations, and individuals. According to this is the second time that the Stanley Center is hosting the WPI in this way, said Krista Regennitter, who serves as program officer for the Stanley Centers Global Education program. The first time was in March 2023, although the groups have worked together extensively in the past. The Stanley Center values independent, accurate journalism and the role journalists and the media play in building better-informed societies, more accountable institutions, and effective global governance, Regennitter said. Partnering with WPI to bring the perspectives of journalists from all over the world right here to Muscatine is in perfect alignment with our aim to promote global awareness and understanding. The event will include a discussion and Q&A with three to four of WPIs 2024 journalism fellows moderated by Erin Jordan, former investigative reporter for The Gazette and Associate Professor of Practice at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa. The program will explore the fellows experiences and challenges reporting the news in their home countries. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with the 2024 WPI Fellows ten journalists from Brazil, Bulgaria, Finland, India, Italy, Kosovo, Nigeria, Peru, South Africa and Ukraine. The goals of the Global Education program at the Stanley Center are to foster inclusive dialogue and celebrate diverse perspectives, Regennitter said. We feel this event is an exciting opportunity for the community to hear from others from around the world, to better understand other contexts, and to grow their understanding of local and global issues. We hope that attendees will come away with a deeper understanding of the complexities journalists face in their efforts to report independent and accurate stories. This event is free and open to the public. Anyone who is interested in attending can register at stnl.cr/worldpress2024. The West Liberty Police Department is asking the public for assistance in an investigation into a woman who was found dead late Thursday. According to a press release from the department, at about 11:40 p.m. Thursday, officers with the West Liberty Police Department and West Liberty Fire/EMS personnel were dispatched to an unreleased address to reports of an unresponsive female subject. The subject was later declared deceased with a single gunshot wound listed as the cause of death. The release said that names and additional details are not being released at this time pending notification of the next of kin. The city of West Liberty has requested that the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assist with the investigation, which remains ongoing. The release said that this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. People with information on the incident are asked to contact the West Liberty Police Department at (319) 627-2223 or email chief Joshua Houser at houser@cityofwestlibertyia.org. Photos: Deadly shooting at Georgia's Apalachee High School RVA 100: 100 people, places, things that you should know about Richmond The RVA 100 are the people, places, things that make Richmond so special. The Times-Dispatch will be highlighting 100 quintessential Richmond icons starting Aug. 1 and running throughout the year. Submit your ideas for what and who we should feature at go.richmond.com/rva100yourturn. Chetumal driver mistakes sinkhole for pothole Chetumal, Q.R. A Chetumal driver suffered minor damage to his car after mistaking a sinkhole for a pothole. On Saturday night, he accidently drove into what turned out to be a sinkhole, lodging his car in the pavement. The sinkhole was filled with water after recent rains and appeared to be nothing more than a pothole. Continuing forward, the front wheels of the car fell into the hole, rendering it completely immobile. The accident was reported Saturday night along a city boulevard. A group of people stopped to help lift the front of the car free from the hole. After several attempts, the vehicle was freed. After several attempts, a group of men were able to free the car. Photo September 7, 2024. Last week, State Civil Protection issued a rain warning for Quintana Roo in which they also advised motorists avoid driving on flooded and heavily puddled streets. System that soaked Quintana Roo forecast to become hurricane as it heads toward Texas-Louisiana Riviera Maya, Q.R. The system that soaked parts of Quintana Roo over the weekend has entered the Gulf of Mexico and is set to become a U.S.-bound hurricane. Since entering the Gulf, it has gained strength as predicted by the National Hurricane Centre (NOAA) last week. Due to the dry air over the Atlantic, the system actually lost strength as it neared the Caribbean Sea. The wet weather system passed over the southern Yucatan Peninsula Friday and Saturday, leaving many areas wet. Instead of a storm, a rain alert was issued Thursday ahead of its arrival by State Civil Protection of Quintana Roo who warned of the possibility of heavy rain for four days. On Sunday, that system reached the Gulf of Mexico where it has since become Tropical Depression Six. According to the NOAA, Six is forecast to gain hurricane strength as it heads north toward the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. The NOAA says Six is expected to quickly turn into a tropical storm (Francine) that will likely gain hurricane strength by mid-week with Wednesday being the current predicted day for a possible category 1 before making landfall along the Texas-Louisiana border. Playa del Carmen was drenched by the passing weekend system. Photo: September 7, 2024. In their current forecast, the NOAA reports an elongated area of low pressure located over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico continues to produce a large area of showers and thunderstorms. Satellite-derived winds show this system does not yet have a well-defined center, but is producing winds of 40 to 45 mph on its western side. Environmental conditions appear conducive for additional development and a tropical storm is expected to form during the next day or so. The NOAA predicts hurricane status by early Wednesday. The system is forecast to move generally northwestward and then northward near or along the Gulf coast of Mexico, upper Texas, and Louisiana coasts with additional strengthening possible by the middle of this week. Interests along the Gulf coast of Mexico, upper Texas, and Louisiana coasts should closely monitor the progress of this system. Tropical Storm Watches could be required for portions of the coast of northeastern Mexico and southern Texas later this afternoon or tonight, with additional watches possible along the coast of Texas and Louisiana later tonight or Monday. The NOAA is currently monitoring three systems in the Atlantic. The NOAA is currently monitoring three systems in the Atlantic. The other two are forecast for further development in coming days. A possible trajectory for the second and third system has yet to be defined. Taxi meter testing in Cancun on the 2025 Imoveqroo agenda Riviera Maya, Q.R. The states mobility agency says taxi meter supply companies are currently being considered for testing next year. Rodrigo Alcazar Urrutia, the Director of the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute (Imoveqroo), says they are looking into meter supply companies this year so they can move forward with taxi meter testing in 2025. He says they intend to begin testing sometime next year starting with Cancun taxis. The results of that test will be used to define the meter application throughout the rest of the state. Although he did not provide numbers, he said that the tests have been delayed due to the lack of resources, but added that the money needed has already been requested from the state government. We are expecting the resources next year to carry out this initial test, he said. Despite failed attempts by previous administrations, Alcazar Urrutia says the taxi meter testing project is supported by the current legislation, which, he says, provides a solid legal basis for its implementation. Alcazar Urrutia also noted that even with state support, they are anticipating resistance from drivers over the change but says a positive pilot test could resolve that resistance. He says it is essential to demonstrate the benefits of the meters for both passengers and taxi drivers. Ruben Carrillo Buenfil, head of the Andres Quintana Roo Taxi Drivers Union, acknowledged this is something that has been proposed in the past and says it is something that both Imoveqroo and the taxi unions must analyze together. Taxis in Mexico City use the metered system. Photo: Government Mexico City The first district in Mexico to implement the taximeter system was Mexico City where the installation of meters had a notable impact on transport regulation. The metered system promoted transparency in the collection of fares and ensured fair and equitable prices for users. During the first few months, there was resistance from some groups who feared that the new devices would negatively affect their income, however, over time, results showed that the use of taximeters improved user confidence and helped resolve disputes related to fares. Tulum bypass road construction scheduled to start in coming months Tulum, Q.R. Preliminary work continues for a 26-kilometer long bypass road that would see highway traffic skirt the town of Tulum. Over the weekend, Tulum Mayor Diego Castanon Trejo met with Guadalupe Phillips Margain and Miguel de Angoitia, both from the engineering firm Ingenieros Civiles Asociados (ICA). The meeting was held to carry on with preliminary planning for the construction of a bypass road, a project that will transcend administrations and mark a before and after in municipal mobility, Castanon said. The new road system would carry highway traffic southwest around the town of Tulum and alleviate congestion, in particular, for those heading for the new airport. The bypass would divert traffic from the area of Jacinto Pat (north of the town of Tulum) near the Xel-Ha seaside park, south-southwest to an area called La Bendicion de Dios, which would reconnect with the federal highway almost parallel with the southern tip of the Tulum Hotel Zone. The bypass would branch off the highway near the town of Jacinto Pat north of the town of Tulum. Public tender for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Tulum bypass was posted June 3, 2024 by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) on Proyectos Mexico. According to Projects Mexico the project involves the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a bypass, which consists of an A2 type highway with 2 lanes of 3.5 m each and 2.5 m shoulders, in a section of 12 m wide, with a total length of 26 km. The project includes three interchanges and is located in the state of Quintana Roo. Castanon Trejo stressed that the bypass project not only fulfills a campaign promise, but will also be a significant boost for the development of the region. This bypass will improve traffic, facilitate trade and open new investment opportunities. It will be a legacy that will transform the mobility and quality of life of all our inhabitants, he said. He acknowledged Governor Mara Lezamas support for its construction which would alleviate the growing traffic congestion in Tulum, a problem that has increased due to the constant flow of tourists and the urban expansion of the municipality. The new bypass route is highlighted in purple. Image: SICT/ Proyectos Mexico. In addition, the road is expected to boost commerce and strengthen connectivity with other regions, consolidating Tulum as a hub of economic development. The commitment of the state government, headed by Mara Lezama, has been fundamental to give continuity to strategic projects such as this one. The Governor has been emphatic in her vision of creating infrastructure that not only meets the immediate needs of the population, but also projects sustainable growth in the long term, he stressed. The recent meeting was a collaboration between the government and the private sector to carry out infrastructure projects that benefit the entire community. The support of Grupo ICA, a company with extensive experience in the construction of large projects, is seen as a guarantee for the bypass project to advance solidly. The Mayor said the construction of the bypass will not only facilitate mobility, but will also generate employment and attract new investments. This project will consolidate the economic growth of Tulum, providing better conditions for local businesses and encouraging the arrival of new investments. The group met Friday to discuss bypass planning. Photo: Tulum City Hall September 6, 2024. The Tulum bypass is seen as a project that will transcend administrations and will mark a before and after in the mobility of the municipality. This project will be a legacy for future generations, ensuring that Tulum continues to grow in an orderly and sustainable manner, he added. The next steps include the technical and financial planning of the project as well as its scheduling, which is expected to begin in the coming months. Virginia state inspectors found three recent violations of food safety rules at the cook tank where Boars Head Provision workers in Jarratt made liverwurst the product linked to an outbreak of listeria infection thats killed nine people, a Richmond Times-Dispatch investigation found. Two of the violations, on two successive days, involved the same problem of too much moisture in the area of the cook tank at the plant in Greensville County, about an hour south of Richmond. These occurred two and three days before Maryland health officials found listeria in Boars Head liverwurst, and a week after the death of a Newport News man and hospitalizations of other elderly people sparked investigations into the listeria outbreak. Although cooking kills the listeria bacteria, it flourishes in moist environments, as well as in decaying material. Boars Head has temporarily closed the plant and has recalled millions of pounds of liverwurst and 70 other products made at the Jarratt facility. Health officials say consumers and retailers should throw out any of the recalled items purchased before July 31. Among the other 69 violations that state inspectors found in the 2,127 specific checks they made at the Jarratt plant since Aug. 1, 2023, were 13 instances when checks to see that the vats, knives or other processing equipment had been cleaned before the start of a work shift found dried meat and other food residue, a Times-Dispatch review found. The state inspectors operate under a cooperative regulatory agreement, the Talmadge-Aiken program, under which the U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees and audits their work and has the authority the use what they find to suspend operations of a plant. Some 12 of the 2,127 specific checks Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services performed were tests for bacteria contamination. None found listeria, department spokesman Michael Wallace said. State inspections occurred daily State inspectors are in the plant every day, acting on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service and performing specific assignments from the federal Public Health Information System intended to ensure food products are safe. On May 30, one assignment was to check on forms related to Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures. These are the documents that detail the specific steps to clean and sanitize particular areas of food processing plants filed at the plants Quality Assurance office. A stack of the forms included one for the liverwurst cook tank that was signed as completed but dated two months in the future. The inspector notified the technician involved, but the report does not say whether the tank had or had not been properly cleaned and sanitized. On the afternoon of July 23, three days before Boars Heads first recall of its liverwurst and six days before it broadened the recall to cover all products from the Jarratt plant, an inspector found condensation on a door and ceiling of the hallway between the liverwurst cook tank and the room where cooked liverwurst is cooled. They also found condensation on the door to a passage from the cook tank area to the smokehouse. In the nearby cooler for ham, the inspector found a fan blowing droplets of water from a condenser a distance of 6 feet to the front of the condenser, while a rack of uncooked ham stood 3 feet to the side of the condenser. This violation was one of the 66 instances state inspectors said had been addressed on the spot, in this case by mopping up the condensation. But the next day, the inspector again found condensation on the doorway of the liverwurst cook tank room, as well as on the I-beam railing used to move cooked liverwurst to the cooling room. The inspector also found condensation in hallways between the cook tank and smokehouse and cooling room for ham, as employees were moving four loads of products into the smokehouse. Thats a concern, because listeria likes cool dark wet places, said Ben Chapman, a food safety specialist and chairman of the agriculture and human sciences department at North Carolina State University. And while cooking kills listeria, the not uncommon problem of listeria contamination on deli meat arises after cooking, when the products are moved to coolers and packaging departments. That potentially could be the source ... but remember the first cases came in May and this was in July, Chapman said. We just dont know He said the reports of violations the U.S. Department of Agriculture released are almost never made public, nor is data about the number of inspections and checks federal or designated state inspectors make. So, he said it is impossible to say if the Jarratt plants violations were worse or better than average. Nor is there any public data about environmental testing the kind of sampling of water, work surfaces, drains, walls, floors and ceilings that might show where listeria bacteria were poised to land on food. We just dont know, he said. We do know that U.S.D.A. and (the Virginia Agriculture Department) and Boars Head will be digging deep ... but if these datasets were more available, wed have better accountability and more ways for scientists to find where problems are. Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria that cause listeriosis, the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., often thrives on floors, drains, cleaning and washing areas, food contact equipment, walls, ceilings, compressed air and HVAC systems, permeable surfaces, open seams, cracks, crevices, and hard-to-reach or hard-to-clean parts of equipment, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The bacteria can survive and grow when refrigerated or salted or pickled. The CDC estimates 260 people a year in the U.S. die from listeria infections and an additional 1,600 are sickened. The recall Boars Head recalled liverwurst and 70 other products several varieties of ham, sausage, bacon and hot dogs made at the plant after Maryland Department of Health officials began investigating a listeriosis outbreak that has so far killed 9 people and hospitalized 57 people in 18 states. Public health officials began investigating the outbreak on July 19. This was the day after Gunter Garshon Morgenstein, 88, of Newport News, died after 10 days in hospital, fighting off an infection eventually tied to a snack of liverwurst, a favorite. The investigation started a week before the state inspectors found the condensation by the plants cook tank. On July 26, Maryland officials reported that they found listeria in Boars Head liverwurst purchased at a Baltimore supermarket. That prompted Boars Head to recall the liverwurst and nine other products made on the same line. Boars Head expanded the recall to all its Jarratt products on July 29. So far, public health officials have identified 57 cases of listeria infection in 18 states linked to Boars Head liverwurst, the CDC says. It is the largest outbreak of listeria-caused illness since a 2011 outbreak tied to cantaloupe from a single Colorado farm killed 33 people. Investigators concluded that unsanitary conditions at the farms processing facility probably caused contamination of cantaloupes with Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria found in the Boars Head liverwurst. In Virginia, doctors as well as hospital, clinic and laboratory directors are required to report cases of listeria infection, as well as suspected cases, to local health departments. A state Department of Health review of these reports has linked four cases to the recalled Boars Head deli meat, said MaryBeth DeMarco, state food borne disease epidemiologist. These included one death, although she did not name the individual. There were 16 additional cases of listeria infection from other sources in Virginia during the May to July period when the Jarratt plant made the recalled Boars Head deli meat, she said. When doctors or other providers report cases or suspected cases of listeria infection, local health department staff hasten to interview patients to collect detailed information about what they ate. State health department staff then examine the local officials findings to see if any patients had eaten the same foods. They share what they find with the CDC to look for common potential sources with similar reports in other states. The health department has obtained a list of Virginia stores and other facilities that received recalled Boars Head products. With the Virginia Department of Agriculture, it is checking to make sure recalled products arent offered for sale to the public, DeMarco said. Boars Head has said in a statement: We are conducting an extensive investigation, working closely with the USDA and government regulatory agencies, as well as with the industrys leading food safety experts, to determine how our liverwurst produced at our Jarratt, Virginia facility was adulterated and to prevent it from happening again. It said liverwurst is the only product found contaminated with listeria bacteria. Boars Head has not responded to repeated requests for comment on actions it might be taking to prevent recurrence or when it expects the plant to resume production. The raw meat side Whats odd about the Boars Head outbreak is that liverwurst is cooked, said Ohio State University professor Lynn Knipe, whose research focuses on the quality and safety of processed meat. L. monocytogenes rarely survives the cooking processes and is known to be a problem after the cooking process of meat and before or during packaging, he said. Most of the violations state inspectors found seem to involve the raw meat side of the plant, he added. Among more recent violations state inspectors reported, on June 26, a month before the initial recall of liverwurst, a food safety inspector observed what appeared to be mold and hard meat residue on both sides of the flap doors at the exit of a room where plant workers placed produce found to be unsafe to sell. Earlier that month, an inspector found heavy meat buildup on the walls of one room, which had a pink-orange discoloration, suggesting this had happened before. In another area, the inspector found black mold along with a buildup of 1 to 2 inches of meat on the legs of four steel vats. On June 28, an inspector in the bologna kitchen area spotted four dirty strainers alongside the clean ones and 10 steel vats with food residue inside and out. On July 17, an inspector found green algae growing in standing water on the floor of the loading dock where the plant received raw meat, and three insects in a cooler for curing meat and seven more after lifting two foam pieces from the floor. On July 19, an inspector doing a check on the plants cleaning effort before the morning shift found dried meat residue on a knife on the ham slicing line and several small pieces of meat residue in a mixing bowl and the back of the control panel of the departments scale. I am surprised that Boars Head had these recalls in one of their plants, Knipe said, adding that he has spent time at the companys Petersburg plant. I was very impressed with their processing methods. At that plant, they fully cook ham-type products in a package that is not opened until the product reaches the end-user and this process eliminates the chance for (listeria) exposure to the cooked meat, he said. Chapman said one gap that stood out for him was a report that state inspectors found Jarratt workers were not following the companys own procedures for ensuring thermometers were properly calibrated. Accurate readings matter if you are cooking meat enough to kill bacteria. McClellans concerns Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, whose district includes the plant, said the violations state inspectors found are troubling. I am particularly concerned that this outbreak follows a pattern of unacceptable conditions at the Jarratt facility, she said in a sharply worded letter to Boars Heads chief operating officer and the Jarratt plant manager. These violations include meat residue and debris on food contact surfaces, clogged drains and standing water, blood on the floor, and black mold. She said she wanted to know what Boars Head had done to prevent listeria and other pathogen contamination and what additional safeguards it plans. McClellan also said she wanted to know why so many of the violations state inspectors found occurred repeatedly and why the company did not act sooner to prevent the outbreak from spreading. Two weeks before Boars Head recalled its liverwurst, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Developments routine sampling found listeria bacteria on cucumbers on their way from a farm in that state to the Ohio-based private label grower and packer Wiers Foods. That prompted Wiers to recall its cucumbers and then to expand the recall to cover green beans, squash and various peppers. No one has been sickened in this instance. SIOUX CITY -- Following the announcement of its impending closure, the Warming Shelter has launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $250,000, which would potentially forestall the closure. The homeless shelter's board voted Aug. 30 to lose its doors permanently on Oct. 1, citing financial pressures and insufficient support from the community. Joe Twidwell, the Warming Shelter's treasurer, said the shelter costs about $725,000 a year to operate, with staff and laundry its biggest expenses -- the shelter's monthly bedding laundry alone adds up to about $4,000 a month, a necessary measure to keep bedbugs in check. At the time of this writing the GoFundMe campaign had raised $3,300. "The Warming Shelter is facing a difficult challenge, but we are committed to fighting for what is right until the very end," the shelter wrote in a social media post soliciting donations. "The homeless individuals that we serve need your support now more than ever. Were doing everything in our power to ensure they are cared for during the harsh winter months ahead." Demand for spots at the shelter, 910-916 Nebraska St., are highest during the winter months, between Nov. 1 and April 30. In their GoFundMe message, Warming Shelter leadership did not explicitly say the fundraising campaign will be enough to avert a shutdown, but it could buy some time. Board members fear deaths from hypothermia and suffering are likely for the city's homeless this winter if action isn't taken. Twidwell has pointed out that there are no public restrooms available downtown, except when Aalfs Downtown Library and City Hall are open. "While we cannot commit to staying open beyond the October 1, 2024 date at this time, we are confident that any funds raised will directly benefit the homeless community we have always served, no matter the outcome," the message said. "We estimate that a minimum of $200,000 would need to be raised before October 1 to allow us the ability to push back our close date beyond the winter months, whilst giving us time to explore further sustainability efforts. Beyond that, our board has made it clear that long-term funding solutions and pledges must be in place for us to continue operating." The Journal's Dolly A. Butz contributed reporting. ATLANTA (AP) From her earliest campaigns in California to her serving as President Joe Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris has honed an aggressive but calibrated approach to debates. She tries to blend punch lines with details that build toward a broader narrative. She might shake her head to signal her disapproval while her opponent is speaking, counting on viewers to see her reaction on a split screen. And she has a go-to tactic to pivot debates back in her favor: saying she's glad to answer a question as she gathers her thoughts to explain an evolving position or defend a past one. Tuesday's presidential debate will put the Democratic vice president's skills to a test unlike any she's faced. Harris faces former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, who will participate in his seventh general election debate since 2016 for an event that will be seen by tens of millions of viewers just as early voting in November's election starts around the country. People who have competed against Harris and prepared her rivals say she brings a series of advantages to the matchup, including her prosecutorial background juxtaposed with Trump being the first U.S. president convicted of felony crimes. Still, Harris allies warn that Trump can be a challenging and unpredictable opponent who veers between policy critiques, personal attacks, and falsehoods or conspiracy theories. She can meet the moment, said Marc Short, who led Republican Vice President Mike Pences debate preparation against Harris in the fall of 2020. She has shown that in different environments. I would not underestimate that in any way. Julian Castro, a Democrat who ran for president against Harris in the 2020 primary, said Harris blended knowledge, poise and the ability to explain things well to stand out during crowded primary debates. Some candidates get too caught up with trying to be catchy, trying to go viral, Castro said. Shes found a very good balance. Balancing narrative and detail A former Harris aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about her approach, said the vice president views the events like a jury trial she would have led when she was district attorney in San Francisco or querying a judicial nominee on Capitol Hill as a U.S. senator. The idea, the former aide said, has always been to win the debate on merit while leaving more casual or piecemeal viewers with key takeaways. She understands that debates are about the individual interactions themselves but also about a larger strategy of offering a vision for what your leadership and style looks like, said Tim Hogan, who led Sen. Amy Klobuchars 2020 primary debate preparation. Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a political communications professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said Harris makes deductive arguments but folds them into a broader narrative the same way she would talk to jurors. She states a thesis and then follows with fact, fact, fact," Jamieson said. Jamieson pointed to the 2020 vice presidential debate in which Harris hammered Trumps handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy, and to her most memorable 2019 primary debate when she skewered Biden for how he had talked about race and institutional racism. She weaved her critique of Bidens record with her own biography as a young, biracial student in the early era of school integration. That little girl was me, Harris said in a widely circulated quip that punctuated her story about court-ordered busing that helped non-white students attend integrated schools. Most people who are good at the deductive argument arent good at wrapping that with an effective narrative, Jamieson said. Shes good at both. Landing memorable punches Castro said Harris has a good feel for when to strike, a quality he traced to her trial experience. In 2019, as multiple Democratic candidates talked over one another, Harris sat back before getting moderators to recognize her. 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, she said, taking control of the conversation and drawing applause. When Harris faced Pence in 2020, it was a mostly civil, substantive debate. But she got in digs that framed Pence as a serial interrupter, as Trump had been in his first debate with Biden. Mr. Vice President, Im speaking, she said at one point, with a stern look. At another: If you dont mind letting me finish, we can have a conversation. Finding traps in policy Debates have sometimes put Harris on the defensive. In the 2020 primary matches, Tulsi Gabbard, who this year has endorsed Trump, blitzed Harris over how aggressively she prosecuted nonviolent drug offenders as a district attorney. That fall, Pence made Harris sometimes struggle to defend Bidens positions. Now, her task will be to defend not just Bidens record, but her own role in that record and what policies she would pursue as president. Short, one of Pence's top aides, noted that Republicans and the media have raised questions about more liberal positions Harris took in her 2020 primary campaign, especially on fracking, universal healthcare, reparations for slavery and how to treat migrants who cross the U.S. border illegally. We were surprised that she missed some opportunities (against Pence) when the conversation was centered around policy, Short said. Timing, silence and nonverbal communication One of Harris earliest debate triumphs came in 2010 as she ran for California attorney general. Her opponent was asked about his plans to accept his public pension while still being paid a salary for a current public post. I earned it, Republican Steve Cooley said of the so-called double-dipping practice. Harris looked on silently, with a slightly amused look as Cooley explained himself. When moderators recognized her, she said just seven words Go for it, Steve. You earned it! in a serious tone but with a look that communicated her sarcasm. The exchange landed in her television ads within days. Kamala Harris is quite effective at nonverbal communication and knowing when not to speak, Jamieson said. The professor said Harris often will shake her head and, with other looks, telegraph her disapproval while her opponent is speaking. Then she smiles before retorting, or attacking, in a conversational tone. She defuses some of the argument that Trump makes that she is a nasty woman, that shes engaging in egregiously unfair behavior, because her nonverbal presentation is actually undercutting that line of attack, Jamieson said. Meeting a new challenge with Trump For all of Harris debate experience, Tuesday is still a new and massive stage. Democrats who ordinarily tear into Trump instead appeared on Sunday's news shows to make clear that Harris faced a big task ahead. It will take almost superhuman focus and discipline to deal with Donald Trump in a debate, said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, yet another of Harris' 2020 opponents, on CNN. Its no ordinary proposition, not because Donald Trump is a master of explaining policy ideas and how theyre going to make people better off. Its because hes a master of taking any form or format that is on television and turning it into a show that is all about him. Castro noted that Trump is a nasty and crafty stage presence who makes preparation difficult. And with ABC keeping the candidates' microphones off when they are not speaking, Harris may not find it as easy to produce another viral moment that hinges on viewers having seen or heard Trump at his most outlandish. The best thing she can do, Castro said, is not get distracted by his antics. How mismanagement, not wind and solar energy, causes blackouts Posted on 9 September 2024 by dana1981 This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections In February 2021, several severe storms swept across the United States, culminating with one that the Weather Channel unofficially named Winter Storm Uri. In Texas, Uri knocked out power to over 4.5 million homes and 10 million people. Hundreds of Texans died as a result, and the storm is estimated to have cost the state $130 billion. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, quickly sought to blame the crisis on renewable energy. While the storm and blackouts were still ongoing, Abbott told Sean Hannity of Fox News, This shows how the Green New Deal would be a deadly deal for the United States of America fossil fuel is necessary for the state of Texas as well as other states to make sure we will be able to heat our homes in the wintertime and cool our homes in the summertime. Subsequent investigations into the causes of the Texas blackouts concluded that Gov. Abbott was wrong. Although wind energy underperformed in the cold temperatures, so did gas and coal power plants. But incidents like these raise the question: Will clean energy and climate policies make communities more vulnerable to dangerous power outages? The answer, as other states have demonstrated, is no with sufficient planning and preparation, that is. What caused the deadly Texas blackouts? No one type of energy was to blame for the tragic blackouts in Texas. All types of electricity generation facilities experienced failure, according to an analysis of the event by the University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute. Natural gas, coal, and nuclear were expected to serve as the firm baseload power that could be relied upon, the report concluded. However, that proved not to be the case, particularly for gas-powered electricity, though all fuel sources faced some challenges from the winter weather. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, similarly concluded that natural gas power plants were responsible for the majority of Texas power outages. Unplanned power-generating failures in Texas during Winter Storm Uri. Source: Unplanned power-generating failures in Texas during Winter Storm Uri. Source: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission The other major take-away from the FERC report? Many of the power generation facilities in Texas had not followed recommendations to prepare for severe winter storms with equipment winterization plans. All types of equipment have temperature limits above or below which they cant operate efficiently, or at all. Wind farms can operate in frigid temperatures if equipped with de-icing equipment. Gas infrastructure can be enclosed or fitted with heating cables to prevent some cold weather shutdowns. As climate change continues to cause more extreme weather heat waves, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and perhaps even winter storms associated with polar vortexes facility operators need to be prepared to keep the lights on. Thats a challenge another state, California, has been working to address. Californias counterpoint On two record-breaking hot days in August 2020, hundreds of thousands of Californians experienced power outages for a few hours. Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was quick to blame these rolling blackouts which briefly affected 1-2% of the states population on Californias clean energy and climate policies. An analysis of the August 2020 blackout by Californias grid operator concluded that these power outages were largely caused by two factors. First, the heat wave was unexpectedly extreme and spanned much of the western United States, including neighboring states. As a result, those states did not have extra power to share with California. Second, at the time, 2020 was Californias hottest August on record by a full degree Fahrenheit. California had insufficient reliable power supplies in the early evening hours as the sun set but temperatures remained high. But California has not experienced significant power outages in the subsequent four summers. In fact, July 2024 was Californias hottest July on record by nearly two degrees Fahrenheit, with daily maximum temperatures across the month averaging nearly 97 F. And yet the states power grid which has become significantly cleaner since 2020 not only avoided blackouts but in fact exported energy to neighboring states during the record-breaking heat wave. How is that possible, given the myth that Solar only works when its sunny? Thats where complementary solutions come in, like adding batteries to store extra solar power during the day and building more long-distance electrical transmission lines to strengthen the power grid. As the states grid operator reported, Californias power grid held up against prolonged record temperatures because of new clean energy resources, more battery storage, and enhanced coordination with state government. California also can exchange electricity with its neighbors during times of need a solution thats lacking in Texas. Texas power grid is an island Unlike all other states in the continental U.S., Texas power grid remains relatively isolated from the rest of the country and thus lies outside of FERCs jurisdiction. There are benefits and downsides to this grid independence approach. Due to looser regulations, Texas has been able to build energy infrastructure like electrical transmission lines, wind turbines, and most recently, solar farms at a faster pace than much of the rest of the country. But because it has few electrical transmission connections to its neighbors, when Texas is hit by an extreme weather event that knocks out a significant proportion of its power generation, the state has nowhere to turn for help. This ability to import electricity from neighboring regions outside of the extreme weather event is a helpful tool in avoiding major blackouts. For example, a recent MIT study evaluated a proposed bill that would mandate an increase in regional transmission interconnections. The study reviewed how the bills requirements would have affected the number of homes that lost power as a result of Winter Storm Elliot in the eastern United States in December 2022. The study estimated that if these states had more capacity to import electricity from neighboring regions, the number of homes that lost power would have been reduced from 4.7 million to 2.1 million a 58% reduction in blackouts. In short, Texas grid isolation from its neighbors makes the state more vulnerable to power outages during extreme weather events. Climate policies are part of the solution to blackouts Texas blackouts were not caused by clean energy or climate policies, but largely by a lack of preparation for the increasingly extreme weather that climate change brings. As renowned climate scientist Lonnie Thompson wrote in 2010, Sooner or later, we will all deal with global warming. The only question is how much we will mitigate, adapt, and suffer. This characterization holds true for the stability of the power grid as well. We can begin to solve the problem by implementing clean energy and climate policies to reduce climate pollution and minimize future extreme weather events. And we can try to adapt by winterizing infrastructure and deploying grid-stabilizing solutions like battery storage and inter-regional transmission connections. But if we fail to sufficiently mitigate and adapt to this problem by continuing with the status quo, more U.S. residents will suffer from these dangerous power outages. Tom Toro is a cartoonist and writer who has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Submit questions here. (Its anonymous!) For the next few months, our regular Prudie, Jenee Desmond-Harris, will be on parental leave. Filling in is Ashley C. Ford, the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Somebodys Daughter, published by Flatiron Books. Ford has written or guest edited for Elle, Slate, Teen Vogue, New York magazine, the New York Times, Domino, Cup of Jo, and various other web and print publications. She was a former co-host of the HBO companion podcast Lovecraft Country Radio and is the current host of Ben & Jerrys Into the Mix. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband, poet and fiction writer Kelly Stacy, and their chocolate Lab, Astro Renegade Ford-Stacy. Dear Prudence, Advertisement After our two children were born, I became a surrogate twice. Both times I was paid and we went through an agency. The money was enough for my family to buy a house and put a good start on our retirement fund. I have never been close to my stepbrother. Our family didnt handle his coming out very well, and fences have been mended only these past few years. Although my husband and I attended his wedding, we almost never see him or his husband outside of the occasional family holiday. Which is why, when he approached me to be a surrogate, I was shocked. The entire conversation made me very uncomfortable, and even with the money that he offered, it just felt as if it could go wrong in too many ways. I discussed it with my husband, and we decided to decline. My stepbrother blew up and accused us of being racist and homophobic. (His husband is a different race from us.) My stepbrother has weaponized our refusal into an entire familywide feud. My stepmother and stepsister are furious with me and have brought up the subject within earshot of my children. Advertisement My husband and I skipped my fathers birthday because we didnt want to deal with the topic again. We were thinking of doing one last surrogacy before I got too old to help with college for our kids, but I know if we do, we will never hear the end of it from everyone. What do we do here? My problem has nothing to do with my stepbrothers sexuality and everything to do with his attitude. Surrogate in the Southwest Dear Surrogate in the Southwest, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if your stepbrother has reason to believe you are judging him for bigoted or unfair reasons and refusing to be his surrogate for those same reasons, that should make him want to find someone else to carry he and his partners child. Your no should have been enough the first time. As for the rest of your family, if no one else is offering up their womb for the task, they can keep their mouths closed about yours. You can say that verbatim. Advertisement Dear Prudence, My daughter recently announced that she was expecting. I was overjoyed at the news. She has been struggling to conceive for years, and I know how much she wants a child of her own. She gets along with her two stepchildren, but being friendly to a pair of teenagers isnt the same as having a baby of your own. I told my daughter and her husband that I would be selling some property and putting the money aside for a college fund. To my shock, my son-in-law grew angry at this and asked why I hadnt done anything similar for his other two children. I replied that I barely have a relationship with his other children. I have seen them only a handful of times since the wedding and, other than checking the tracking numbers, I never get an acknowledgment if I send them gifts. I am very much not their grandmother. Advertisement Advertisement My daughter is now very upset and tells me that her husband is picking fights with her over this issue. His oldest had to take out student loans to cover her second semester of college, and the other one graduates next year. It seems obvious that my son-in-law feels guilt over being unable to provide for his children, but both sets of grandparents are still alive, and he has a large extended family! I am not rich. I have been retired for several years and live on a fixed income. I have already apologized several times. What else can I do here? College Fund Advertisement Related From Slate My Friend Gave Me a Free Cruise Ticket. Then Came Her Conditions. Read More Dear College Fund, Your son-in-law has a lot of nerve, and at least in this circumstance, it is woefully misplaced. Im not certain how he came to assume that you would be splitting a college-fund inheritance into thirds between the baby your daughter is currently pregnant with and her two friendly-but-not-close near-adult stepchildren. Is it possible he had reason to believe that his children would be receiving some sort of inheritance or financial assistance from you? Otherwise, its hard to comprehend a level of anger that lingers for this long about what could generously be called a misunderstanding, but seems a lot more like rage at an unmet and unspoken expectation that no one in your family, or his, ever agreed on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If hes chosen to be angry about this, theres little for anyone else to do but let him. As long as his reactions stay within the bounds of whats appropriate, this seems like something hell ultimately have to work through on his own. If your daughter continues to bring up the fighting, its OK to say, Honey, were sorry this has become such an enduring source of conflict, especially during what should be a beautiful time, but at this point, weve done all we can. Now is the time to focus on your daughter, and this very wanted pregnancy, supporting her as much as you want and preparing your hearts to be filled to the brim with a sweet new love. Her husband should be doing the same, and I hope he comes to his senses soon enough not to miss his chance. Advertisement Dear Prudence, My partner (he/him/Taurus) and I (she/her/Capricorn) have been together for six years. I thought we knew each other deeplyat the very leastastrologically. I have been consulting his horoscope along with mine for years. When talking over a glass of wine, he admitted he didnt know my horoscope. I cant shake this feeling. Why doesnt he want to track our star charts? Is he even into you if hes not checking your horoscope? Dissed by a Taurus Dear Dissed by a Taurus, Advertisement I mean, hes a Taurus youve been dating for six years who likes sitting around at home with you? Being at home is usually a Taurus favorite thing to do, and apparently he likes having you with him in his home. My limited astrological knowledge tells me thats a good thing, even if he doesnt know the details of your chart. How much does it bother you? Why does it indicate a lack of connection? That could be something to explore for yourself. Advertisement How to Get Advice Submit your questions anonymously here. (Questions may be edited for publication.) And for questions on parenting, kids, or family life, try Care and Feeding! Dear Prudence, I talk daily with a close friend. He frequently turns the conversation to an ex of hishe psychoanalyzes her, speculates on how shes handling major life events, compares other people to her, etc. Its been close to a year since their tumultuous breakup, and Im honestly so tired of talking about her. It never changes either of our opinions and leaves me annoyed and frustrated. How can I politely but firmly say that I wont discuss her anymore? Totally Talked Out Dear Totally Talked Out, Advertisement Advertisement Taking my best shot at a response you can use, but please keep in mind that I am a Capricorn (something the letter writer Dissed and I have in common) and not afraid of a little confrontation: Hey, man, I can tell that the way things ended with ___ is still really hard for you, and Im sorry. I love talking with you about all kinds of things, but I notice ___ keeps coming up in a way that leaves me ending our conversations wishing wed talked about something else instead. Do you think we can put that subject on the back burner for a bit and just see how we feel? Ashley Advertisement Advertisement Classic Prudie My husband and I were married seven years before he unexpectedly died. He was from overseas and told me he didnt have much in the way of family since his parents died. He lied. When I finally mustered up enough courage to go through his old boxes, I found photos, letters, and documents. My husband had been married and then divorced in his home country. Worse, there were pictures of him with his five children. The man that I loved, that was trying to build a family with, left his five young kids behind without a look back. He never breathed a word about them to me. He certainly never financially supported them. The entire foundations of my world have been shaken. Is it wrong to go looking for his family? How did a liberal Hollywood director end up making a documentary about a conservative Christian politician? The answer, explains The Last Republicans Adam Kinzinger, is simple: Hot Tub Time Machine. Steve Pink is, in fact, the director of the John Cusack vehicle about a time-traveling Jacuzzi and its sequel, as well as a co-writer of High Fidelity and Grosse Pointe Blank, none of which would make him an obvious choice to profile Kinzinger, the Illinois Republican who effectively ended his political career by voting to impeach Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 insurrection. And that may be why Kinzinger, who hints that he was approached by several other filmmakers, granted Pink access to what turned out to be his final 14 months in office. Its not a particularly hard-hitting documentary, and despite the broader implications of Kinzingers fate, the movie stays narrowly dialed in on its singular subject, his family, and his staff. But the intimacy that spans both sides of the camera, guarded and combative as it sometimes is, ends up being key to extracting a note of hope from a story that could otherwise just be a downbeat cautionary tale. The Last Republican, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend and is still seeking distribution, frontloads the barbed exchanges between the filmmaker and his subject, who seem to share little in common beyond being born in Illinois. You have contempt for what I believe, Kinzinger says to Pink early on, and shortly thereafter he characterizes the director as being basically a communist. (Progressive, Pink faintly mumbles off-camera.) Although he was a featured speaker at the Democratic National Convention in August, Kinzinger is no political moderate. He may have thrown his weight behind Kamala Harris in this election cycle, but as he told the Los Angeles Times in Toronto, thats in part because her approach to foreign policy is more hawkish than Trumps. Swept into office in the 2010 elections as part of the tea party wave, Kinzinger pushed to repeal the Affordable Care Act and to preserve the Hyde Amendment, which bans the use of federal funds for abortions. So he wasnt an obvious candidate to break with his party in 2021, when he was one of 10 House Republicans to vote in favor of impeaching Trump, and one of two to serve on the Congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Pink nor Kinzinger seems inclined to dig too deeply into the psychology of why Kinzinger acted the way he did, a subtle affirmation that hes not the one who needs to have his head examined. Instead, the movie mostly tracks the consequences of his actions, and his disillusion and disbelief with what has become of the political party he once believed in. Kinzinger happily presents himself as a lifelong politics geek, recalling how he turned his childhood bedroom into a mock headquarters for the Bush-Quayle campaign and petitioned passers-by to join the cause, even though the only foot traffic came from his family members. But his political career began almost by accident, when he was captured on camera disarming a knife-wielding attacker who had slashed his own girlfriends throat in the street. A military veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Kinzinger knew how dangerous it was to go up against an armed assailant with nothing but his bare hands, and hes well aware how easily he could have been killed. But hes matter-of-fact about why he stepped in. In dangerous situations, he says, 90 percent of people either freeze or flee. Hes the other 10 percent. Advertisement Advertisement The movies most affecting sections take Kinzinger through the experience of being abandoned by his party, including the individuals who mentored him as a young congressperson. Its a story he narrates both in real time and in a retrospective interview conducted in his empty Capitol Hill office, where you can still see the imprint of his legislators desk pressed into the carpet. His keenest rage is directed not at Donald Trump but at Kevin McCarthy, who went, in the space of weeks, from criticizing Trumps attempt to overturn the presidential election to bending the knee at Mar-a-Lago. In retrospect, Kinzinger sees that brief period, after the Jan. 6 attacks weakened Trumps legitimacy and before the former president began to reassert his hold on the party, as a crucial missed opportunity, when he and the nine other House Republicans (plus seven in the Senate) who voted to impeach could have established themselves as a vocal new faction and rallied a larger chunk of the Republican Party to their cause. But apart from Liz Cheney, who also served on the Jan. 6 committee and was successfully primaried by a Trump loyalist the year after her appointment, the other eight pro-impeachment voters went quiet, and any hope of a broader movement died on the vine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Kinzinger was portrayed as a laughingstock, derisively dubbed a Pelosi Republican by McCarthy and mocked by right-wing media for tearing up during his closing speech at the Jan. 6 hearings. (On Fox, Tucker Carlson smirked over a caption that read, Adam Kinzinger Is Still Crying.) Over the course of Kinzingers final year on the Hill, its clear that becoming a pariah in his own party, not to mention the recipient of regular threats to his and his loved ones lives, takes a toll on the people around him. At one point, a staffer opens a door in his office to reveal a cabinet stuffed with Kleenex boxes. And of course, the cruelty is the point. It wasnt enough to disempower Kinzinger; he had to be humiliated, dragged through the mud at every opportunity so no one else would dare to follow his lead. And it worked. Trump believed that Republican politicians were weak, that he could use the power of his followers to bend the party to his will and trash its long-standing idealsand he has, unequivocally, been proven right. Advertisement The fact that one of the few things Adam Kinzinger and Steve Pink can agree on is their mutual love of the original Red Dawn underlines the fact that theyre both members of Generation X, and one way to read the documentary is as a comment on their (and my) generations lack of a political footprint. (Even Kamala Harris, for all her love of Prince, is technically a Boomer.) You could argue that Kinzinger chose righteousness over obedience in a way that cost him everything and accomplished next to nothingor, even worse, that he now serves as an example for any Republican who might so much as entertain the notion of getting out of lockstep with Donald Trump. But theres optimism in The Last Republican, even if you have to look outside of Kinzingers party to find it. Kinzinger and Pink couldnt seem more different, especially in a polarized political culture where common ground is almost impossible to find. But you can feel them finding common cause, if not spanning the ideological gulf, then at least managing to call out across it. Theyll probably never see eye to eye, but at least they can agree on which movie to watch. Something significant happened last week on the long road toward justice for the victims of the horrific Oct. 7 attacks: The Department of Justice unsealed terrorism-related charges against six of Hamas senior leaders most responsible for planning, supporting, and perpetrating the attacks that resulted in the brutal murders of more than a thousand innocent civilians in Israel, including more than 40 American citizens. Although this DOJ development certainly generated one-day headlines, it has not received the recognition that it should. It has even been unfairly critiqued as minor, symbolic, meaningless, and mere political theater by commentators who should know better. Such criticism misses the point: These charges provide reassurance and a sense of justice for the victims and their families, many of whom have traveled the world pleading for legal recognition. Perhaps just as significantly, the charges also counter false narratives denying that the atrocities were even committed. The DOJs charges align with the departments long history of successfully prosecuting foreign terrorist organizations and their funders in many cases. There is simply no reason that the mass slaughter of civilians and Americans on Oct. 7 should be treated any differently. In unsealing these charges, Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, put it this way: 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 usand we stand with all victims of Hamas reign of terror. In fact, the necessity of charges in this instance is arguably even more vital than in the past; after the terror bombings of the U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998 and the World Trade Center in 2001, there was little real question about what had happened and who had done it. Since Oct. 7, there have been so many attempts to distort and deny facts that the narrative has become cloudy, even when it should be abundantly clear. The DOJ charges are the most comprehensive, detailed, definitive account of Hamas actions, countering widespread and deliberate misinformation, disinformation, and denialism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In great detail, the complaint lays out a series of concrete, provable facts that make crystal clear that Hamas is set on killing not only Jews and Israelis but Americans. In a world in which people feel entitled to change the narrative to fit their political agendas, dealing with objective facts that can be proved in a court of law, rather than hyperbolic rhetoric, is reassuring. The charges also set the historical contextHamas development and record of violence as a terrorist organization and even its leaders admission that they pretend to govern Gaza while planning terrorist attacks by diverting resources intended for the people, as well as its coordination with Iran in every aspect of this larger project. In just one section of the complaint, an experienced FBI agent swears, based on evidence, under oath to a judge, the facts that so many have tried furiously to deny for 11 months: Advertisement 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. Hamas terrorists attacked civilians, firing handguns, assault rifles, and handheld rocket launchers, in small residential communities in Kfar Aza, Beeri, Nir Oz, Nahal Oz, Reim, Holit, Zikim, Kerem Shalom, Sufa, and others; the Israeli town of Sderot; and a music festival held near Reim; among other places. During the October 7 Hamas Massacres, Hamas terrorists weaponized sexual violence against Israeli women, including rape and genital mutilation. Hamas also targeted civilian populations with a barrage of rockets, and claimed that its fighters fired more than 5,000 such rockets at towns and cities in southern Israel during the attacks. Advertisement That these factslet alone 38 pages of themnow exist in an official American legal document that the DOJ feels confident it could prove in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt is no small thing. Advertisement Related From Slate Judge Merchan Had a Surprisingly Good Reason to Delay Trumps Sentencing Read More The charges were unsealed this week but filed in February, before three of the defendants were killed. To call these charges meaningless or politically motivated because three of the defendants are now deceased simply ignores this timeline. Once the charges were filed, it was imperative that they be unsealed, and now is precisely the right time to do it: after Hamas executed additional hostages, including an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The execution by Hamas of Hersh and five other hostages as they were about to be rescued and its release of videos glorifying the murders was the groups way of thumbing its nose at the Western world. And the DOJs appropriate response was exactly as Attorney General Merrick Garland stated: We are investigating Hershs murder, and each and every one of Hamas brutal murders of Americans, as an act of terrorism. In his remarks, Garland continued: 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. Whether or not the surviving defendants ever stand trial (and there is no way to know right now whether they will), do not underestimate the power of this official account and acknowledgment by the United States Department of Justice to the victims, their families, and the Jewish people who have been told generation after generation that their reality is not real, that truth is not truth. This is Totally Normal Quote of the Day, a feature highlighting a statement from the news that exemplifies just how extremely normal everything has become. The Great Depression was pretty well planned. Sen. Ron Johnson, when asked about the national debt on a conservative radio show in early September At this point, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes Jewish space lasers, Rep. Lauren Boeberts assertion that Joe Biden got dementia from the COVID vaccine, and Donald Trumps careless promotion of QAnon, its tempting to think that many of our government officials have had their brains completely addled by internet conspiracy theories. But every once in a while, a politician comes along to remind us that our representatives dont always need the internets helpthey are totally capable of latching on to nonsensical beliefs the old-fashioned way. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, did just that in an appearance on a radio show that surfaced last week. On Tuesday, Johnson appeared on the Vicki McKenna Show, a conservative radio show out of Wisconsin, and spoke about his investigations into the corruption of federal agencies. He also spoke of his motivation to run for reelection to advocate for the vaccine-injured. But it was his answer to a question about debt that got the most wide-eyed attention on social media, after it was posted by a progressive radio station. Asked by the host whether it was possible to stave off a debt crisis until Trump could step in and fix the problem, Johnson gave a strange answer: Advertisement Well, weve been doing it for years by just printing more money. Now, one of the interesting revelations of Creature From Jekyll Island is the fact that the Great Depression was pretty well planned. You know, all the big money men were pretty well warned that they were going to finally collapse the system. So, again, I know this. I know it really sounds like a conspiracy theory. I dont completely understand it. But it sure seemsit just, in my bones, I just feel theres a great deal of corruption and control there that the vast majority of people do not understand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that answer makes no sense to you, thats because its incomprehensible even to people who study conspiracy theories. It seems that Johnson is implying that a sinister cabal of big money men planned the Great Depression for their own personal gain, but its not entirely clear. Advertisement As a conspiracy theory, The Great Depression was an inside job doesnt seem to be a particularly common one; one researcher Slate reached out to said he had never seen it put exactly that way. But he agreed that the general tone of what Johnson said did appear to fit with a more well-known body of conspiracy theories about the Federal Reserve, and of supposed communist infiltration of the banking system more generally. Also, the book Johnson cited as a sourceThe Creature From Jekyll Island, published in 1994relates a Federal Reserve conspiracy theory. The eponymous creature is the Fed; Jekyll Island, in Georgia, was the setting of a 1910 meeting in which wealthy men drafted legislation to create a central banking system. (The meeting did happen, but it did not create the Fed, as the book implies; ideas from what was discussed at the meeting were instead later incorporated into a separate Federal Reserve Act.) Advertisement Advertisement Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremism, said he had been surprised to hear Johnson reference the title, calling it an infamous far-right conspiracy-theory book and not a remotely reputable source. And yet, the tradition of anti-Fed conspiracy theories is a robust one. According to Pitcavage, the far right has, for decades, been opposed to the countrys central banking system and invented conspiracy theories to support its feelings of distrust. These conspiracy theories typically fall into two camps, he said: the ones that posit that a group of extremely wealthy bankers created the Fed to manipulate the nations finances for their own gain, and the overtly antisemitic ones, which follow the same narrative, except the powerful bankers are all, emphatically, Jewish. Advertisement Advertisement Luckily for Johnson, his mangled reference to a Great Depression inside job was still specific enough to place him in the former camp: The Creature From Jekyll Island is not openly antisemitic, Pitcavage said. Its still primarily promoted by and intended for an audience of the far right, he noted, but Jewish bankers arent a focus. The book is big enough on the libertarian right that Ron Paul has blurbed it, pronouncing it a superb analysis deserving serious attention by all Americans. Glenn Beck once called it a fascinating book in a recommendation on Fox News. Theres even a childrens-book version from the libertarian franchise the Tuttle Twins, with a Goosebumps-style cover. (Join Ethan and Emily as they uncover the curious mystery of how a powerful creature is stealing their grandparents hard-earned savings.) Pitcavage says that the book has gone through a number of different printings and is by far the most popular book out there on the Federal Reserve conspiracy theory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its extreme. The book imagines the Fed as a totalitarian instrument through which the worlds money cabal deliberately encourages war as a means of stimulating the profitable production of armaments and of keeping nations perpetually in debt. The books author, G. Edward Griffin, is, among other things, an HIV denier; a chemtrails believer; a JFK assassination skeptic; and a 9/11 truther. More recently, he has pushed plandemic conspiracy theories. But there is one particularly odd thing about Johnsons citation of the book. According to Pitcavage, for all his conspiracy theorizing, the books author seems not to make the case for a preplanned Great Depression. Instead, the work mentions the Great Depression only as an example of the Federal Reserves failuresa product of its incompetence, not malicious intent. Advertisement Advertisement That means that Johnson, if we are correctly understanding his assertion, is misremembering something or misread the book. [Update, Sept. 10, 2024, at 11:47 a.m.: After publication, Johnsons office explained what he meant to Slate in a statement: At the end of Chapter 2 in The Creature From Jekyll Island, Griffin argues that the Great Depression was essentially set in motion when the planners of the Federal Reserve set up the Federal Reserve as a backup to the banking system, knowing that economic downturns occur regularly and that a particularly severe downturn would stress the banking system. The creation of the Fed did not cause the Great Depression. Contemporary chairs of the Federal Reserve, however, have publicly analyzed the policy mistakes made by the Fed during the Great Depression that contributed to its length and severity.] This particular theory appears to be, at least accidentally, a Johnson original. Donald Trump has been convicted of 34 felony counts in the New York hush money casebut theres a lengthy appeals process ahead. And what ever happened to the other three cases against himJack Smiths federal election interference and classified documents cases, and Fani Willis Georgia election interference case? All three have hit various roadblocks. To make it easier to follow all of Trumps ongoing legal entanglements, each Monday, well keep you updated on the latest developments in Keeping Up With the Trump Trials. Donald Trump will not be sentenced for his 34 felony counts in the New York hush money case before Novembers presidential election, the judge in that case announced on Friday. Over in D.C., the judge in special counsel Jack Smiths election interference case issued a jam-packed court schedule, indicating she has no plans to slow things down because of the presidential election. Meanwhile, Trumps appeal began in the New York civil case that found him liable for sexual abuse. The Federal Election Interference Case Is Picking Up Steam Last week, special counsel Jack Smiths election interference case came back to life. Nine months after Judge Tanya Chutkan put the trial proceedings on pause while Trump pursued his presidential immunity appeal, the judge held a much-anticipated hearing and issued a schedule that suggests she intends to resolve this case as quickly as possible. During the hearing, the prosecution and defense argued about how the judge should proceed in light of the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision, which could potentially mean that conversations he had with his vice president are considered official acts and are not admissible as evidence. First and foremost, the prosecution wanted Chutkan to resolve outstanding questions on what elements, if any, of the special counsels superseding indictment are affected by the Supreme Courts decision. If Chutkan doesnt make decisions about the immunity issue up front, Smiths team argued, then the defense will inevitably appeal her final decision on immunity grounds, potentially forcing the case back to the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps lawyers vehemently opposed that approach, arguing that Smiths plan would be enormously prejudicial to President Trump. They also insisted that between now and November would be a sensitive time for Trump because of his ongoing presidential campaign, though Chutkan plainly rejected that. I am definitely not getting drawn into electoral disputes. Thats not something Im going to consider, she said. Hours after the hearing, Chutkan released her schedule, and it seems she plans to grant Smiths wish. The judge issued a Sept. 26 deadline for the special counsel to submit an opening brief of evidence he intends to use to prove his charges against Trump. The former presidents defense team will be able to respond in October and include their own evidence. Chutkan is also allowing Trump to challenge Smiths appointment as special counsel, a strategy that convinced Judge Aileen Cannon to dismiss Smiths classified documents case. Most of Chutkans filing deadlines are scattered between now and Nov. 7. Advertisement Trump Wont Be Sentenced Until After the Presidential Election Ever since May, when a jury convicted Trump of 34 felony counts for covering up hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 election, the former presidents attorneys have been trying everything they could think of to delay his sentencing. It seems to have worked: Last Friday, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan announced he was delaying Trumps sentencing for the second time. Now its set for Nov. 26three weeks after voters decide who the next president will be. Merchan acknowledged that the current situation with Trump is fraught with complexities rendering the requirements of a sentencing hearing, should one be necessary, difficult to execute. The judge had initially scheduled Trumps sentencing for July 11, but 10 days before that, the Supreme Court issued its bombshell presidential immunity decision. Merchan was forced to push the sentencing to Sept. 18, but Trumps attorneys requested another delay, since they are also appealing Trumps conviction under presidential immunity grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg signaled he didnt oppose another delay, telling Merchan he would defer to the judges best judgment on the matter. Merchan ultimately ceded to Trumps request, but he did so while emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the judicial system, since Trumps Sept. 18 sentencing would be within approximately 41 days of the 2024 presidential election. Trumps Appeal of His Sexual Abuse Verdict Kicks Off Amid his busy campaign schedule, the former president took time to attend an appeals court hearing in New York City last week where his attorneys challenged the decision in a civil trial that found Trump liable for defamation and sexual abuse, awarding E. Jean Carroll $5 million in damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing focused on the nitty-gritty details of evidence used during trial, including the testimony of Jessica Leeds, a woman who alleged Trump groped her on an airplane back in the 1970s. The infamous Access Hollywood tape was also debated, with Roberta Kaplan, Carrolls attorney, acknowledging it should have been admitted as more of a personal confession than used as a way to show a pattern of behavior. However, Trump did not take the stand during trial and that, Kaplan argued, made the tape fair game to use. At the end of the hearing, Trump spoke to reporters outside the courtroom and went on a tirade against Carroll, repeating the very claims the jury found defamatorythat he never met her, never touched her, and that her sexual abuse claims were fabricated. Flanked by his attorneys who are representing him in his various legal battles, the former president also said, Im disappointed in my legal talent. The legal battle over the outcome of the 2024 election has already started, and this time around, Republicans are not waiting until after the votes are cast to launch their strategy. A well-organized juggernaut has been laying the groundwork to dispute this years results in the years since the chaos and violence of the 2020 presidential election. GOP think tanks and funders have set about reshaping election boards and rewriting election laws, state by state. On this weeks episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick was joined by Ari Berman, Mother Jones national voting rights correspondent and author of Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the Peopleand the Fight to Resist It. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Dahlia Lithwick: This idea of noncitizen voting is now a loud drumbeat and dog whistle. The argument is literally being made now that noncitizen votes are canceling out the votes of citizens. Ari Berman: And none of it is grounded in any kind of fact. Theres no evidence of noncitizen voting, and it doesnt even make any logical sense why someone would come here in search of a better life and then risk deportation, or worse, to cast a ballot. Thats probably the last thing on their minds. But its the newest version of the Big Lie, and its really a twofer for them because they are fusing voter fraud paranoia with anti-immigrant hysteria. And in doing so, theyre building support both for new restrictions on voting, but also for new restrictions on immigration. So its basically taking two of the most important planks of the MAGA agenda and putting them together. Advertisement One of the stories we dont get entirely right about what happened in 2020 is: They tried to steal the election and they failed, therefore, the system held. Trumps lawyers filed these 60-plus lawsuits after the election, and they were all tossed. In lots of those cases, the issue was, If you didnt like the way the election was being run, you should have sued before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a lot has changed since 2020. This time around, nobodys waiting. Republican lawyers have already filed around 100 lawsuits. This has been a period of real learning by the folks who wanted to steal the 2020 election. Weve got this very well-funded, well-organized juggernaut challenging elections in ways that I dont think map onto what we saw happen in 2020. Advertisement Thats right. This is not the Four-Seasons-Total-Landscaping, Rudy-Giulianis-hair-dye-dripping form of election stealing. This is a much more organized effort, because they have changed the laws in a number of places to make it easier to effectuate these outcomes. They dont need to bang on the doors outside the polling place in Michigan anymore, because theyre inside the polling places in a lot of these places now. They are the election officials who will be counting the ballots, or election observers who will be much closer to counting the ballots. Thats why they changed the rules in Georgia well ahead of time. To get ahead of the thing so they dont need to challenge it after the election. Theyre already laying the groundwork not to certify the election in Georgia. We dont know if theyll be successfulits very likely their efforts to try to not certify elections will be blocked by the courts ahead of time or blocked by the courts after the fact; I think most people are confident of that. Advertisement Advertisement What I worry about most is that theyre also trying to send a signal to other states and other Trump people to do this ahead of time. I worry that the votes were counted in 2020 and then lawsuits were filed to overturn the votes, but the votes had already been counted. What if the votes arent counted? Whats a court going to do then? That changes the whole process. Then you might have disputes that look much more like Bush v. Gore as opposed to what we saw in 2020 and just outright trying to steal an election. Advertisement Just take Georgia, and these concerns about the election certification there. Post-2020, they passed a sweeping voter suppression law in the state. It included all of these different provisions making it harder to vote. I said at the time: Pay attention to what theyre doing in terms of the administration of elections. They kicked the Republican Secretary of State who stood up to Trump off the board of elections there. They did that for a very specific reason. They wanted to put a MAGA majority on the state election board in Georgia, and clearly that was the most important part of that law. It didnt get as much attention, not nearly as much as the stuff about not being able to give water to people who are waiting in line to vote. But I guarantee you, this new MAGA majority in Georgia thats passing rules to not certify an election is a whole lot more consequential than not being able to give someone a bottle of water in line. We need to pay attention to the most important parts of how the election process has changed since 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So Georgia looks like it now has a kind of permission slip to just refuse to certify the election, which Secretary of State Raffensperger actually couldnt do last time, but presumably can do this time. Its a permission slip in some sense to ratify the insurrection theory into law this time. Related From Slate It Looks Like the Supreme Court Is Going to Have to Decide Trump v. U.S. All Over Again Read More The other thing thats so important is that its not just Georgia. In your book, you really focus on the ways in which this is another one of those astroturf efforts that pops up everywhere. You mention that the Heritage Foundation spent $24 million in two years and eight battleground states to create what you describe as an election integrity echo chamber. Weve got Stephen Millers America First Legal also being very active, with lots of money being poured into this idea. The narrative they are pushing from 2020 is that elections are insecure, and they are using that story to further suppress the vote. Advertisement Advertisement When I was reading your book, I was staggered by the fact that heres Cleta Mitchell showing up again, heres John Eastman popping up. These are the people who did the last insurrection, and they are the engine of this effort to make election integrity an issue. Advertisement Thats whats so disturbing. Not only did the Stop the Steal people seemingly face no accountability other than maybe being slapped on the wrist here or there, maybe disbarred or losing their license, but basically they have been resurrected to lead Stop The Steal 2.0, which is a lot more sophisticated than it was the last time. All of these Trump-aligned think tanks are laying the groundwork for these policy changes this time around. You have the Conservative Partnership Institute raising millions and millions of dollars to work with state officials and to put election deniers in positions of authority. Cleta Mitchellwho was on the call where Trump demanded that the Georgia Secretary of State find 11,780 votes to reverse Bidens victoryhas been leading this effort to put election deniers in all of these places like the Georgia state board. Heritage Action and Heritage Foundation, the Project 2025 people that you hear so much about trying to take away abortion rights and other rights, have been leading the push to suppress voting rights. Weve known much of this since 2021, when we saw the video essentially explaining how quietly and quickly they have pulled this off. They were bragging about how they got Republicans and all of these Republican-controlled states to change the voting laws. That was the first thing they did after the insurrection. They institutionalized the insurrection in that way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also began changing the election machinerychanging whos on county boards of elections, state boards of elections, recruiting all of these poll watchers. That whole system is in place now in a way that it wasnt in place in 2020. I dont want people to get so freaked out that they feel like My vote doesnt matter. But I think people need to know what theyre up against here. Advertisement One of the things thats been disturbing to me is watching, for example, the Georgia state board of elections meetings. Its all MAGA election deniers there. Where are the Democrats? Where are the progressives? Theyre so busy talking about joy and hope theyre not attending the meetings where the plot to steal the election is being held. Im not saying that people arent working on voter protection, or that people arent filing lawsuits, but theres definitely an asymmetric warfare here. Not just in terms of changing the laws, but what the priorities are for them. Theyre not fighting on policy. They dont care about policy. Theyre laser-focused on changing the rules to make sure they can succeed where they failed in 2020. That is the overriding goal of the MAGA movement right now. Slovakias former president discusses what she will be focusing on in the coming months and whether she foresees her future role in Slovakia. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Read the interview in Slovak. ZUZANA CAPUTOVA will spend the coming months at one of the worlds most prestigious universities, engaging in discussions on how to counter attacks on democracy. She will not allow her pride in Slovakia to be dampened by those who are currently monopolising patriotism and defining who can be a patriot. Lets try to be aware that some are inviting us into a permanent conflict, and let's maintain our distance from it, says President Caputova, who completed her term in June. She is concerned about the societal atmosphere and says that citizens not only have the right, but even the duty to speak out if they feel democracy is under threat. At the same time, it is important to her that these expressions of dissatisfaction and concern arise without provoking hatred. When we last spoke, you announced to the public that you would not run for a second term. You also said that even after your mandate ends, you would look for other ways to be useful. How does the former president consider her usefulness now? Above all, I believe my work should remain based in Slovakia. I have a connection to this country, which is my home and to which I had the privilege of serving in the highest office. My thoughts about the future are naturally tied to this. They are also logically linked to the issues I focused on during my presidential term and even before that. Whether its issues related to climate protection or helping people whose voices are not being heard. These include various minorities, and of course, women, who seem to face more frequent attacks than the male segment of society. The issue of violence against women is particularly important to me. However, I often reflect on what is happening to democracy around the world and how to foster greater social cohesion. Before these reflections take concrete form, I will take a brief academic break. Are you suggesting that youre ready to discuss your next step? I have accepted an offer to join Stanford Universitys Institute for International Studies as a visiting fellow. This programme is offered by the university each year to selected leaders from around the world. Im expected to spend the next semester there. I greatly appreciate this opportunity, as it's one of the top universities in the world. The universitys intention is for students to learn from individuals with political experience, so they can grasp the challenges involved in seeking solutions. Its also an opportunity for me to explore, in an academic environment, the issues that interest me, which I alluded to in my first response. Im also looking forward to meeting our compatriots there on various occasions. So, I should be spending the next three months on the campus near San Francisco. Top American universities are an inspiring environment, as they can afford to invite world leaders. For instance, former Czech President Vaclav Havel also spent some time at Columbia University. Although youre only leaving for a short time, some might interpret your stay as a departure from Slovakia. Having completed my five years in office, I see many opportunities to be useful in Slovakia. My short academic break can also help me better understand my own five-year experience. I'm very grateful for the interest in my experience within academic circles. In Slovakia, we are partly facing similar challenges to those faced by the entire world. Many democracies are in crisis and under attack; we see the fragmentation of society. These challenges are more universal, and I hope I will be able to explore them and gain a better understanding, which will later enrich my work in Slovakia. So, will your time at the university allow you to reflect on your next steps upon returning to Slovakia? Or do you already have a more concrete idea now? Evidence, if any were needed, that having the son of a Smer MP as chief spy is not a good idea. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. Tibor Gaspar, a Smer MP, filed the motion to dismiss the leader of the opposition from his parliamentary post, but it appeared to have been written on the computer of the secret service director, who happens to be his son. Robert Fico cited the conclusions of an audit at the Justice Ministry as a key argument against Simecka but the actual audit report tells a very different story. Former special prosecutor Dusan Kovacik is found guilty of a second serious criminal offence after another corruption trial, but remains out of prison. And Zuzana Caputova is headed for Stanford University. If you have a suggestion on how to make this overview better, let me know at michaela.terenzani@spectator.sk. The Gaspar & Gaspar situation proves as problematic as expected It took a while for President Peter Pellegrini to formally approve the appointment of the son of prosecuted Smer MP Tibor Gaspar as secret service director. He did so only at the end of August, even though Pavol Gaspar has been the effective head of the Slovak Information Service (SIS), Slovakias main intelligence agency, since March this year and Pellegrini has been in office since June. It took little more than a week for the public to witness clearly why a direct family connection between the countrys spy chief and a leading governing coalition MP is a problem (albeit far from the only one). To sum up the story in one sentence: The coalition-initiated motion to dismiss the leader of the opposition from his post as a deputy speaker of parliament was authored by the director of the secret service. At least, so it appears from the properties of the document that contained the motion. In any country in which the rule of law and transparency in public administration were respected, this would be a major scandal. In Slovakia, however, it is dismissed by reference to the claim improbable and laughable in equal measure that the coalition MP and the SIS director use the same Microsoft Word licence. Pavol Gaspars name appears where it shouldnt Jablko civic association behind initiative. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Henry Acorda, a Filipino beaten to death in Bratislava's city centre in 2018, could get a memorial or a place of remembrance. The Jablko (Apple) civic association is behind the idea. "The aim is to preserve the memory of an innocent victim, the tragically deceased Henry Acorda," Bratislava spokesman Peter Bubla told the TASR newswire, adding that the city and the civic association signed a memorandum of cooperation in May. Near the place of attack The intention has already been assessed, consulted and procedurally guided by the Commission for Works in Public Space, the Bratislava Mayors advisory body for the assessment of artworks in public space. The construction of the memorial will be preceded by an art and architectural design competition verified by the Slovak Chamber of Architects. The organisation of the competition will be the responsibility of the civic association. Its task is to prepare not only the tender conditions, but also launch a public collection to cover the costs of both the tender and the work itself. The tender is to be conducted in a design & build format, which means that the winner of the tender will ensure the implementation of the work. Two members of the tender jury will be nominated by the capital city. "The tender's timetable, and so the installation date of the work in the public space is under the control of OZ Jablko," said Bubla. He adds that the work should be installed at the beginning of Obchodna Street near the site where Acorda was attacked. The city has ensured the care and maintenance of the work, once its ownership has been acquired. Attacker released Henry Acorda was assaulted by Juraj Hossu on May 26, 2018, in the early hours of the morning after he tried to stop Hossu, who was harassing two women. A CCTV camera captured Hossu attacking Acorda and kicking him in the head shortly after 4:30. A police patrol was called in and arrested the attacker. Paramedics took the unconscious Acorda to Ruzinov Hospital. Acorda succumbed to his injuries at the end of May. The attacker was sentenced to a nine-year unconditional prison term for manslaughter in 2019. He was released on parole by the court in 2023. He spent less than three years in prison. While you cant obtain a degree in coffee (yet), you can use it as a teaching tool for chemical engineering, plant science, and sociology. This interdisciplinary approach has been a decade in the making and is now cemented as an official building on the University of California, Davis campus. The Design of Coffee course in the College of Engineering skyrocketed from a fledgling class of 18 students in 2013 to serving over 2000 students a year, making it one of the universitys most popular elective courses. This growth led to the creation of the UC Davis Coffee Center, which had its official ribbon-cutting ceremony in May. The Center is both a people and a place. The point of the building is to serve as a nexus for all those different intellectual disciplines, explains the Centers co-director and professor of chemical engineering William Ristenpart. I dropped by the Center for a tour and to speak with folks involved with the Center and how it came to be. Walking into the lobby, youll see a wall with a coffee tree and branches/leaves labeled with names. This may seem like a typical donor wall for many visitors, but for the Center, its a heartfelt thank you to the companies and individuals who invested in its potential. Its 100% philanthropically fundeda rarity for university buildings and renovationsand this fact is evident throughout the building. Inside, the rooms are connected by the Cropster Corridor, for how the software connects various points of the post-harvest coffee chain. Rooms are separated out for the Peets Coffee Pilot Roastery, La Marzocco Brewing and Espresso Laboratory, Nicaraguan Coffees Green Bean Storage Laboratory, Folgers Analytical Lab, Toddy Innovation Hub, and a sensory and cupping lab with individually named sensory booths. The brewing and sensory labs connect via a shared blackout window. To easily carry out sensory work, one could brew in the lab and pass the sample over for sensory analysis without introducing bias. In the pilot roastery, roasters are set up for research studies and to production roast for bags sold in the bookstore. A wide assortment of coffee and food lab equipment serves as a base to guide future research studies. I remember learning about the undergrad course conceived by chemical engineering professors Tonya Kuhl and Ristenpart. I had just moved to the Bay Area, and here was this nearby college offering a lab course that I wouldve loved in my own undergrad studies. It certainly wouldve made my chemistry classes more interesting. If you work in coffee, you know how easily people will chime in about their love of it: people have opinions, rituals, and memories, all tied to this product. So when the course launched, the local news took notice. There was a news spot and articles, and the Specialty Coffee Association of America (now the Specialty Coffee Association) saw the hubbub and flew in to check it out. According to Ristenpart, it became a moment of clarity where it very quickly became very clear that the coffee industry badly needs more academic education and research. UC Davis already had buildings and complexes for other beverages: a pilot winery, pilot brewery, vegetable processing facility, and food innovation lab, to name a few. But nothing for coffee. In fact, there wasnt an academic center for coffee anywhere in the US. There were certainly pockets and labs that were exploring coffee, but theyre meticulously focused on one discipline, not across many. The stars aligned, he recalls. Not only was (and is) coffee science research needed, but a building was vacated, and Peets Coffee reached out about making a philanthropic contribution. Peets founding gift catalyzed the Centers start with a pilot roastery, and Ristenpart spent the next eight years raising funds. Instead of renovating it room by room, which wouldve incurred small fees that added up, they decided to do it all in one go. The real estate and building may have been donated by the university, but the insides were not suitable for any of the centers needs. It was gutted; everything from mechanical to plumbing was replaced, and walls were moved. He says, Now its a Center thats very explicitly and consciously designed to facilitate coffee research. The construction project cost $6.2 million, of which $4.5 million has been raised. The rest is a construction loan that must be paid backhaving this on the books means that fundraising cant be focused on fellowships or direct student support yet. Ristenpart shares that he has more students interested in researching coffee than the monetary means to fund the studies. The Centers interiors are also being finished. On the day of my visit, a few dozen firefighters trooped through to familiarize themselves with the building. Furniture and other lab equipment need to be moved into some rooms. But even during the buildout in 2022, when everything had to be moved out to various labs on campus, research continued, and papers were published. Theres been Toddy-supported research into cold brew, Probat-supported research in roasting, and collaborations with the Coffee Science Foundation (CSF) and SCA. Theres not a lot of congressional or government support for coffee research. That means basically the coffee industry has to stand up to support it, says Ristenpart. Weve been very fortunate that there are a lot of very forward-thinking companies who have supported coffee research. One of the Centers turning points was the first full-time hire from the specialty coffee industry, Juliet Han. It was a three-year fellowship funded by Probat, and a signal to the industry that the Center was committed to working together. More equipment and monetary donations followed. Chemist Sara Yeager completed her masters thesis at the Center and spent a year afterward working on Toddys research and development team. The newness of the Center worked in her favor. She shares, It was a really fostering environment where my ideas were heard and taken in stride, and my thesis was able to be my thesis rather than someone elses pet project. Unfortunately, COVID hit, and she had to scrap some of the planned work. Half of her thesis was done in the lab and the other half was virtuala meta-analysis of chemical composition. For her lab research, she took regular samples during the cold brew process. On top of TDS measures and percent extractions, those coffee samples were also used for mass spec analysis later on for the organic acid content, so that way we could tie physiochemical data to the sensory data that we were collecting, she explains. Yeagers researcher was part of a larger set of research on cold brew, underwritten by Toddy. As a chemical engineering undergrad student, Reece Guyon was tasked with testing batch brewers for the SCA to determine if they passed the Certified Home Brewer Program. Lining up several brewers at a time, he would go through the checklist and provide feedback on the prototypes. Guyon was first drawn into the Center because there seemed to be so much untapped potential in research studies. With its establishment, he says, I think itll help get students more involvedits got all the great gadgets and everything like that people can think up new ideas on how to brew it, how to make it more sustainable. Post-graduation, Guyon now works as an optical network engineer. I dont think anyone would disagree with the need for coffee science research. What gets ignored in the post-harvest studies, though, are practical applications in a retail or roasting environment. Its one thing to know what factors are best for a fully extracted espresso, but its another to feasibly apply it in a fast-paced cafe environment. What is missing is the actual scientific backing to most of these claims, says Laudia Anokye-Bempah, a graduate student pursuing her Ph.D in biological systems engineering, referring to her kinetics of coffee roasting study that explores the effect of roast profiles on the dynamics of titratable acidity during coffee roasting. Going deeper into the coffee industry has been eye-opening for her, especially after attending SCA Coffee Expo. You get to see so many people from different aspects of the coffee chain, from buyers, importers and exporters, roasters, and we all come together and basically speak a common language. The connection and available opportunities in the industry have been mind-blowing for me. Roasters knew that if you change the roast profile, you can make it taste more acidic, or you could make it taste more bitter, but not the why, explains Tim Styczynski, the Centers head roaster and owner of Marysville, CA-based roaster-retailer Bridge Coffee Company. Bridge Coffee also made a $50k gift to build the bridge connecting the arboretum and the Center. Styczynski is particularly excited about the Centers potential. I love that it starts with green coffee research, goes through roasting research, and its incorporating brewing research, he says. Im super excited that its adding sensory science. So that whole aspect from sourcing to drinking coffee. Anokye-Bempahs research also explores color and the creation of a universal color curve in roasting. Its the difference between a one-dimensional Agtron score and a three-dimensional L*a*b* space that color scientists use to evaluate light reflected off physical objects. If ones curious about having a rigorous definition of what is a medium roast, for example, explains Ristenpart about standardizing roast level parameters. Right now, one persons dark roast can be lighter than somebody elses dark roast. So its just chaos out there. Over 50 faculty members at the university are conducting coffee research, and the number keeps growing. During my tour, I was told about many more studies and projects. In the short term, the center must raise money to pay off the construction loan and fund student research. Further in the future, the goals are to build a greenhouse and post-harvest station by the redwood grove, have a masters degree program in coffee science, provide continuing education for industry professionals through the universitys Continuing and Professional Education arm, and be part of the larger global network of research stations. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240909/israel-attacks-central-syria-killing-at-least-3---syrian-defense-ministry-1120081793.html Israel Attacks Central Syria, Killing at Least 3 - Syrian Defense Ministry Israel Attacks Central Syria, Killing at Least 3 - Syrian Defense Ministry Sputnik International Israeli fighter jets hit a number of targets in central Syria, killing at least three and injuring 15 more. 2024-09-09T01:23+0000 2024-09-09T01:23+0000 2024-09-09T01:23+0000 middle east israel syria syrian defense ministry syrian arab news agency (sana) lebanon sputnik newsfeed world https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106771/04/1067710408_24:0:4003:2238_1920x0_80_0_0_835c49ea67142125df57d8db097ca65d.jpg "At approximately 20:23 [17:23 GMT] on September 8, 2024, the Israeli enemy launched an air attack from northwestern Lebanon, striking a number of military targets in the central region. Our air defense systems intercepted the aggressor's missiles, some of them fell. As a result of the aggression, three people were killed and fifteen were injured, and material damage was caused," the statement said. Syrian media noted that the attack caused two fires, which firefighters are attempting to extinguish.Earlier, the agency reported repelling an attack on targets in central Syria. The director of the hospital in the city of Masyaf, Faisal Haider, said the death toll from the attack had risen to four, with more wounded continuing to arrive.Israel has not commented on the attack and typically does not comment on its attacks on Syria, which have been intermittent for years. In April, Israeli fighters bombed the Iranian embassy in Damascus in an assassination that killed 16 people, including two civilians. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240414/russia-slams-unsc-for-ignoring-attack-on-iranian-consulate-calls-for-end-to-bloodshed-1117933653.html israel syria lebanon Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israel bombs syria, how many countries is israel bombing, https://sputnikglobe.com/20240909/renewed-israeli-threats-against-lebanon-meant-to-shore-up-military-aid-from-allies-1120088852.html Renewed Israeli Threats Against Lebanon Meant to Shore Up Military Aid From Allies Renewed Israeli Threats Against Lebanon Meant to Shore Up Military Aid From Allies Sputnik International Israeli threats to launch an offensive on the Lebanese front are merely propaganda aimed at intimidation and seeking support from allies, while in reality the Jewish state is afraid of escalation, a Lebanese lawmaker said Monday. 2024-09-09T21:14+0000 2024-09-09T21:14+0000 2024-09-09T21:13+0000 world israel lebanon israel defense forces (idf) hezbollah middle east israel-gaza conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/12/1117404399_0:172:3029:1875_1920x0_80_0_0_d9203d5995efca62bd6cd24044881c9a.jpg On September 6, Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Herzi Halevi said that the IDF, alongside preemptive strikes on Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure, is actively preparing for the offensive on the Lebanese front. "The enemy is well aware that the price of escalating the conflict could endanger its own existence. This is an existential threat, and they are not prepared to take such a risk. Hence, they seek support from the international community by escalating the situation," Hashem said. While Israel's leadership may be ready to expand the scope of the conflict, they fear being left to fight alone without support, particularly from the United States, the lawmaker added. Tensions on the IsraelLebanon border have escalated since the beginning of Israels military operation in Gaza in October 2023. The IDF and Hezbollah fighters regularly attack each others positions in border regions. According to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, some 100,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the south of Lebanon because of Israeli shelling. Israeli authorities have said that about 80,000 residents of northern parts of the country had to leave because of Lebanons attacks. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240907/unifil-positions-on-lebanon-israel-border-attacked-dozens-of-times-since-october--official-1120064698.html israel lebanon Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israel, lebanon, israel defense forces (idf), hezbollah, middle east, israel-gaza conflict https://sputnikglobe.com/20240909/some-400-parishioners-of-russian-church-in-washington-celebrate-its-75th-anniversary-1120081615.html Some 400 Parishioners of Russian Church in Washington Celebrate Its 75th Anniversary Some 400 Parishioners of Russian Church in Washington Celebrate Its 75th Anniversary Sputnik International Around 400 Parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Church abroad, gathered for a special holiday church service to celebrate the founding of the only Russian Orthodox church in the United States. 2024-09-09T01:02+0000 2024-09-09T01:02+0000 2024-09-09T01:02+0000 americas dc russia russian orthodox church congress newsfeed sputnik washington russian orthodox cathedral of st. john the baptist in washington dc https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/09/1120081458_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_730ace112caf568c06e6bca3a0b28cc5.jpg The reception which featured the church choir, the speeches of the clergy as well as dance and singing performances by the church groups. One of the organizers told Sputnik that the event gathered at least 370 people. The parishioners who are the nationals of various countries including Russia, the United States, Ethiopia, and Kazakhstan among others celebrated the anniversary event at Saints Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, several miles outside of Washington DC. Archpriest Victor Potapov, the rector of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, told Sputnik earlier that while the parish holiday, the Beheading of John the Baptist, is celebrated on September 11, since this year it falls on a working day, the celebrations are held on September 7 and 8. First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCOR), Metropolitan Nicholas, three bishops Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, Bishop Luke of Syracuse and retired Bishop Jerome (Shaw) as well as priests from different cities of the United States have participated in the event. Father Victor also told Sputnik that they were preparing a book about the history of the parish, richly illustrated with photographs of famous parishioners, and they are preparing a special film. In addition, they have begun restoration of the large iconostasis. The Washington parish is the only one in the United States that was created by St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco. In 1949, he came to the American capital to convince Congress to pass amendments to immigration laws and allow entry into the country of several thousand Russian immigrants who, after fleeing communist China, found shelter in a camp in the jungle of the Philippine island of Tubabao. Saint John founded the parish on September 11, 1949, when he celebrated the first liturgy in the private apartment of one of the parishioners. Father Victor noted that at first the parish rented a chapel in the Washington National Cathedral, and in 1958 it acquired the land on which the current church was eventually built, made in the traditional Moscow-Yaroslavl style of the 17th century. The priest noted that over the past 40 years, the parish has been joined by many Americans who became interested in Orthodox Christianity and became Orthodox Christians. According to him, in this regard, most services are conducted in two languages English and Church Slavonic. The parish of St. John the Baptist in Washington is part of the Russian Church Abroad, also known as the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), which has over 400 parishes around the world. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240821/ukraines-bill-outlawing-canonical-orthodox-church-fits-wests-globalist-agenda---psyop-veteran-1119857967.html americas dc russia washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian orthodox churches in the united states, russian orthodox cathedral of st. john the baptist https://sputnikglobe.com/20240909/uae-vaccinated-460000-children-in-gaza-against-polio---reports-1120081943.html UAE Vaccinated 460,000 Children in Gaza Against Polio - Reports UAE Vaccinated 460,000 Children in Gaza Against Polio - Reports Sputnik International According to Emirati state-run media, the UAE has vaccinated 460,000 children in Gaza against polio after a polio epidemic was declared in the enclave. 2024-09-09T01:37+0000 2024-09-09T01:37+0000 2024-09-09T01:37+0000 world uae gaza strip unicef middle east world sputnik united nations relief and works agency for palestine refugees in the near east (unrwa) newsfeed palestine-israel conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/01/1119980418_0:47:757:473_1920x0_80_0_0_8cd9f536471bb7a96925326413a2c131.jpg In total, 640,000 children in the Gaza Strip are planned to be vaccinated against polio. According to the agency, vaccination is being carried out in 150 centers by more than 2,000 medical workers. The campaign to vaccinate children against polio in the Gaza Strip started on September 1 and is being carried out jointly with humanitarian organizations from the UAE, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The UAE previously allocated $5 million for the vaccination. In July, the Gaza Health Ministry declared the enclave a polio epidemic area, citing the months-long fighting as the main reason for the spread of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) called for a humanitarian pause in the enclave to allow for vaccination. Palestinian movement Hamas said it supported the humanitarian pause. Israel confirmed on Saturday that it would open a humanitarian corridor for medical personnel and designate safe areas for administering the vaccines during a short period. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240831/no-ceasefire-in-gaza-for-polio-vaccination-says-netanyahus-office-1119974170.html uae gaza strip world Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International polio in gaza, polio vaccinations in gaza, uae aid to gaza https://sputnikglobe.com/20240909/us-increased-pressure-on-turkiye-over-banking-operations-with-russia---source-1120082711.html US Steps Up Pressure on Turkiye Over Banking Operations With Russia - Source US Steps Up Pressure on Turkiye Over Banking Operations With Russia - Source Sputnik International The United States is increasing pressure on Turkish banks over operations with Russia, an informed source in the Turkish financial market told Sputnik. 2024-09-09T03:34+0000 2024-09-09T03:34+0000 2024-09-09T07:14+0000 economy andrei kostin turkiye russia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106949/43/1069494359_0:270:5184:3186_1920x0_80_0_0_8171b1096174b2e251c0a294030fc9fb.jpg Russian Ambassador to Ankara Alexey Erkhov previously told Sputnik that problems in mutual settlements between Russia and Turkiye persisted, with cases of transfers being blocked and accounts being closed, and cases of "squeezing out" companies involved in the transit of goods to Russia becoming more frequent in Turkish banks. According to the source, it is not yet known when the situation between bank transfers between the two countries will be normalized. "It is clear that an official decision is needed here. It has not yet been received by the banks," he said. The creation of a mechanism based on national and digital currencies could be a solution to banking difficulties between Russia and Turkey, VTB CEO Andrei Kostin said earlier. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240903/how-does-us-wield-sanctions-to-try-to-bring-countries-to-heel-1120000636.html turkiye russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International turkiye relations with russia, turkish banks and russia, sanctions on russian banking https://sputnikglobe.com/20240909/watch-russias-military-totally-decimate-major-ukrainian-command-post-1120086726.html Watch Russia's Military Totally Decimate Major Ukrainian Command Post Watch Russia's Military Totally Decimate Major Ukrainian Command Post Sputnik International The command post was reportedly responsible for deploying Ukrainian men and materiel to fortified areas in the settlements of Kupyansk, Petropavlovka, Kucherovka, Podolye, and Kurilovka. 2024-09-09T14:17+0000 2024-09-09T14:17+0000 2024-09-09T14:17+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine footage command strike fab bombs servicemen video https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/09/1120086259_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_f8295c4f400a57841612cd1ab182d405.jpg Russias Ministry of Defense (MoD) has released a video of Russian forces destroying the Ukrainian army's command post near the village of Grushevka in the Kharkov region.The strike occurred once peak concentration of servicemen at the command post was attained, according to the statement. As a result, at least 80 Ukrainian soldiers were eliminated along with eight enemy vehicles that were obliterated, the MoD added. russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Russian forces have struck a Ukrainian army command post near Grushevka in the Kharkov region. Sputnik International Russian forces have struck a Ukrainian army command post near Grushevka in the Kharkov region. 2024-09-09T14:17+0000 true PT0M18S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International video of russias ministry of defense, a ukrainian army command post, destruction of a ukrainian army command post, an fab aerial bomb fitted with a universal gliding and correction module, concentration of ukrainian servicemen, russian special military operation https://sputnikglobe.com/20240909/west-does-not-want-to-make-fair-agreements-on-ukrainian-conflict-with-russia----lavrov-1120086960.html West Does Not Want to Make Fair Agreements on Ukrainian Conflict With Russia - Lavrov West Does Not Want to Make Fair Agreements on Ukrainian Conflict With Russia - Lavrov Sputnik International The West does not want to make fair agreements on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict and is doing everything to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday. 2024-09-09T14:07+0000 2024-09-09T14:07+0000 2024-09-09T14:07+0000 world russia-nato showdown sergey lavrov ukraine russia riyadh gulf cooperation council palestine palestine-israel conflict israeli-palestinian conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/0a/1118888096_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_dae830b9406aba7506d11dbfbe75bc0c.jpg The West does not want to make fair agreements on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict and is doing everything to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday. On Gaza Strip CrisisRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday he discussed with foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries the developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240904/russias-move-to-update-its-nuclear-doctrine-provoked-by-natos-increasingly-brazen-aggression-1120014661.html ukraine russia palestine gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's special military operation ukraine, russia-nato showdown, russia ukraine crisis, ukrainian crisis, conflict ukraine, gaza strip crisis, gaza violence, palestine-israel conflict, israel-gaza conflict, arab-israeli conflict Trainer Jodie Cullen sent out three winners on the Sunday, Sept. 8 evening card at Flamboro Downs with homebred Ariels Bet kicking off the triple. Cullen rattled off the first win easy in the Sunday opener, a $6,500 conditioned pace for freshman fillies. Travis Cullen took Ariels Bet to the gate in post two and sent her forward, opening up on the field and never looking back. After controlling the timer in quarters in :28.4, :59.2 and 1:28.1, Ariels Bet recorded her second career win by 14 lengths in 1:57.3 over Mama Bettor Dance (Anthony Haughan) and Baroness (Daryl Thiessen). Jodie Cullen bred and owns the All Bets Off-Millbanks Ariel filly. Ariels Bet paid $2.10 to win. Following the stellar performance in the first race, Betternotmachme ($3.80) and Travis Cullen tallied the double with a 1:54.3 win by a length in the $9,500 conditioned pace for fillies and mares. Breeders Wayne Mac Rae and Howmac Farms Ltd. co-own the Betterthancheddar-Jackie And Doreen four-year-old mare. She earned her eighth win of the year in 23 starts and her 18th career race from 52 starts. T H Jackies Legacy ($6.10) completed the training hat trick, also driven by Travis Cullen for Jodie Cullen, as she won the $4,500 claiming pace for fillies and mares by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:57.2. Travis Cullen, Ron Cullen and Blair Kidd co-own the three-year-old Bettors Delight-Jaclyn Hanover filly. She won her first race in 15 starts this year and her third career race from 24 starts. Jodie Cullen sent out a total of six starters on the card with Docs Love nabbed at the wire by a neck in 2:00.1 and Wifey Said So finishing second as well by a head in 1:59. To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs. (Standardbred Canada)